RIA Novosti

Putin Maintains Control over Government (WRAP)

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:08:00 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks set to dominate the country’s new government after the appointment of loyalists to key cabinet posts on Monday, in a move that raises questions over the role of new Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

New Russian cabinet

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:08:00 GMT

Hermitage Capital lawyer Magnitsky's case

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:03:00 GMT

Moscow Warns West Against Interfering in Magnitsky Case

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:03:00 GMT

Russia considers it unacceptable for other countries to interfere in its domestic court trial over the late Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky charged with tax evasion, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

St. Petersburg Opposition Square Closed for Repairs

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:00:00 GMT

The public garden on St. Isaac’s Square in St. Petersburg, where the opposition holds its “festivities,” has been closed for repairs, but protesters are remaining at the park.

MTS to Resume Work in Turkmenistan Without Extra Investment

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:45:00 GMT

Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), one of Russia’s top three mobile operators, intends to resume its operations in Turkmenistan using the funds of its subsidiary, Barash Communications Technologies, MTS Vice-President Oleg Raspopov said on Monday.

Anand Strikes Back With Win Against Gelfand

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:36:00 GMT

India's defending world champion Viswanathan Anand won the eighth game against Israeli challenger Boris Gelfand on Monday to tie their match for the World Chess Championship at 4-4.

Black Box Shows Superjet Had No Malfunctions

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:33:00 GMT

A preliminary examination of the flight recorder from the Sukhoi Superjet 100 that crashed in Indonesia at the beginning of May showed all the systems were functioning properly up until impact, a source in the investigation team told RIA Novosti on Monday.

Delayed Izmailov Still in Russia Plans – Advocaat

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:31:00 GMT

Sporting Lisbon forward Marat Izmailov remains in Russia coach Dick Advocaat’s plans for Euro 2012 despite confusion over when he will join up with the Russia squad, the coach said Monday.

“We Have Been Showered in Love”: Buranovo Babushkas at Eurovision

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:25:00 GMT

The Buranovo Babushkas (Buranovo Grannies) delighted journalists and other contestants at Eurovision Song Contest 2012 held in Baku. See how the singing grannies were greeted on this RIA Novosti video.

Facebook Plunges Below IPO Price at Open

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:02:00 GMT

Shares in the world’s largest social network Facebook plunged 13 percent below offer price at the company’s initial public offering last week on the U.S. Nasdaq hi-tech stock exchange on Monday.

CSKA's Siskauskas Quits Basketball

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:56:00 GMT

CSKA Moscow and Lithuania basketball forward Ramunas Siskauskas is leaving basketball at the age of 33, the club reported on Monday.

Millions Watch ‘Ring of Fire’ Eclipse

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:44:00 GMT

Millions of people across eastern Asia as well as America’s West Coast turned their eyes skyward for this year’s first annular eclipse, a rare natural phenomenon.

Putin Praises Victorious Russian Hockey Team

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:43:00 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia’s world championship-winning ice hockey team played like a “well-calibrated machine” at the tournament, in comments while meeting the players after their return to Moscow on Monday.

Racing Through Mud and Fire: Bison Track Show 2012 Ends in Russia

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:38:00 GMT

The Bison Track Show 2012 in the Rostov Region attracted about 25,000 spectators. In all, 37 competitors were involved in the race. The winner managed to accelerate his tractor to 68 kph.

Georgian Ex-military General Shot Dead in Moscow

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:33:00 GMT

A former general in the Georgian Army, Roman Dumbadze, was shot dead in Moscow on Monday, a police source said.

Gelfand: Strategy Determined First Win

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:17:00 GMT

World chess championship challenger Boris Gelfand believes that superior strategy helped him to gain the first win of his championship match with Vishwanathan Anand, the Israeli challenger said Monday.

Controversial Historian Made Russian Culture Minister

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:08:00 GMT

A journalist known for his bestselling non-fiction books combating “myths about Russia” and accused of plagiarism in his dissertation was made Russian Culture Minister on Monday.

Medvedev Sets Out Key Tasks for New Govt.

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:07:00 GMT

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced on Monday seven tasks for his new government to be implemented in the next six months.

FACTBOX: Russia’s First Deputy PM Igor Shuvalov

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin formed a new government on May 21, appointing Igor Shuvalov to the post of the first deputy prime minister.

Moscow Reiterates Missile Defense Threats

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:52:00 GMT

Moscow recapitulated its position on European missile defense Monday, saying it will reserve the right to retaliate unless it receives legal guarantees that a NATO missile defense will not be directed at it.

U.S. missile shield in Europe

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:52:00 GMT

RIA Novosti to broadcast live Video Lesson ‘Have Fun with Russian’ on May 23

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:50:00 GMT

At 7:.00 p.m. Moscow time (15:00 GMT) on May 23, RIA Novosti will broadcast a live video lesson as part of the project “Have Fun with Russian.”

Diver Galperin Unsure of Olympic Hopes

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:43:00 GMT

Russian diver Gleb Galperin, a rival of Britain’s Tom Daley, is unsure whether he will travel to an important Russian national training camp in Bulgaria ahead of the Olympics in London, he said Monday.

Unique New Helicopters Unveiled at Heli-Russia 2012

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:25:00 GMT

Two unique helicopters were unveiled at the fifth helicopter industry exhibition Heli-Russia 2012 in Moscow. Check out the new fire-fighting and VIP models in this RIA Novosti video.