Female smokers `double in Russia`
Smoking rates have more than doubled in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, researchers say.
Russian soul most at home in kitchen: poll
Despite numerous upheavals, Russians remain loyal to one Soviet-era tradition: their fondness for gathering in the kitchen, according to an opinion poll published on Wednesday.
Poll: Medvedev set for crushing win
The Kremlin front-runner in Russia`s presidential election, Dmitry Medvedev, has the backing of 82 percent of voters with six weeks left before the vote, an opinion poll published on Wednesday showed.
Russia `seriously concerned` over Gaza violence: ministry
Russia on Friday said it was "seriously concerned" over the latest violence between Israel and the Palestinians, as Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni prepared to fly to Moscow for talks.
German newspaper says hoaxed by pro-smoking crusader
A Hamburg newspaper that reported last week on a computer company manager who said he fired three non-smokers because they had threatened disruptions after asking for a smoke-free environment said on Monday the story was a hoax.
Scientists: Columbus spread syphilis in Europe
New genetic evidence supports the theory that Christopher Columbus brought syphilis to Europe from the New World, U.S. researchers said on Monday, reviving a centuries-old debate about the origins of the disease.
Chechnya is against TV channels that fail to explain Islam basics
Chechnya`s president has threatened to shut down local television companies that fail to allocate enough time to the explanation of basic Islamic values, the presidential Web site said on Thursday.
Russia bans all cigarette adverts
Russia, one of the world`s top markets for tobacco sales, plans to ban all cigarette advertising within five years, RIA news agency reported on Thursday.
Boxer Nikolai Valuyev is ordered to pay $5,300 for assault - court
A court in St. Petersburg ordered on Wednesday former WBA Heavyweight Champion Nikolai Valuyev to pay 130,000 rubles (about $5,300) for assaulting a 61-year-old security guard in January 2006.
Russian sect stays in a cave in spite of cold weather
Members of a Russian sect holed up in a cave in the Penza Region since last fall are reported to be healthy despite above-ground temperatures plummeting to -19 degrees C (-2.2 Fahrenheit).
Russia closes British cultural offices in 15 regions
Russia ordered the British government`s cultural arm on Wednesday to halt work at its regional offices, in the latest round of a bitter dispute over the murder of Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko.
Russian female tourist freed from Thailand jail
Russian tourist Natalya Ivanova arrested in Thailand was freed on bail on Friday. She is suspected of complicity in theft, friend of the detainee Yelena told Itar-Tass on Friday.
British teacher arrives home from Sudan
A British teacher jailed in Sudan for letting her students name a teddy bear Muhammad as part of a writing project arrived home Tuesday after being pardoned and said she was "very upset to think that I might have caused offense to people."
Ford workers in St.Petersburg continue strike
Strikers at a Ford plant near St. Petersburg have resumed their picket of the factory, the chairman of the plant`s trade union said on Monday.
Strike-hit Ford Russia plant set to resume two-thirds output
Ford Russia, whose workers have been on a strike since last week, said on Friday it is preparing to resume production to two-thirds of capacity following a meeting with the plant`s trade union.
Russian ex-KGB officer, Putin critic leaves jail
A former Russian security service officer who said the Kremlin was behind the murder of fellow ex-KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko was released from a prison in the Urals on Friday.
Berezovsky was convicted of Aeroflot fraud
The Moscow Savyolovsky Court has found tycoon Boris Berezovsky guilty of embezzling over 214 million rubles from flagship air carrier Aeroflot and sentenced him to six years` imprisonment in absentia.
Russian tourist arrested in Thailand
A Russian woman has been arrested while on holiday in Thailand on suspicion of stealing passports and a video camera from other tourists, Russian media reports said on Thursday.
Putin sees Sunday`s election as a nationwide vote of confidence in him
President Vladimir Putin, ignoring criticism he is using his post for campaign purposes, told Russians on Thursday to vote for his United Russia party in Sunday`s parliamentary election.
Russia defends protestor arrests on eve of election
Russia on Tuesday strongly defended the mass detention of anti-Kremlin demonstrators in the latest salvo of a war of words with the West before parliamentary elections.
Russia in talks to build nuclear plant in Belarus
Atomstroyexport, Russia`s nuclear power equipment and service export monopoly, has begun talks on building a nuclear power plant in Belarus, the company`s first vice president said on Monday.
France says Russia must explain opposition arrests
Russia should explain the weekend beating and detention of people protesting against President Vladimir Putin, including former chess champion and opposition leader Garry Kasparov, France`s foreign minister said on Monday.
Ford workers resume strike in St. Petersburg
Some 500 workers have resumed a strike at a Ford car plant near St. Petersburg, bringing industrial action to a seventh day, the chairman of the plant`s trade union said on Monday.
A year on, Litvinenko`s widow keeps fighting for justice
The widow of murdered former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko vowed to uncover the truth about alleged Kremlin links to her husband`s poisoning Friday, the first anniversary of his death in London.
Beijing hotels told to stock all rooms with condoms
Beijing, preparing to host the 2008 Olympics, has ordered hotels to provide condoms in all bedrooms in a bid to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS after cases of infection soared 54 percent in the first 10 months of this year.