The European Union and Russia kick off a two-day summit on Monday overshadowed by rows over Brussels' decision to lift its arms embargo on the Syrian rebels and resolve to loosen Moscow's grip on EU natural gas supplies.
Russia's ambitious smoking ban, which aims to cut the number of smokers in half and improve public health, went into effect Saturday amid doubts that its measures can be fully enforced.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Thursday that Russian weapons supplies to the Syrian regime were impeding the search for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Failure to agree on who will take part in an international conference on the Syria could thwart hopes that the make-or-break meeting will be held in June.
An international trio flying in a Russian capsule docked the International Space Station on Wednesday with a busy schedule full of space walks and an encounter with a pioneering US cargo craft.
Japan and Russia on Wednesday signed a deal that will see them jointly explore and develop a potentially lucrative oil and gas field off Russia's Far East coast.
A massive undersea earthquake Friday in Russia's Far East prompted a tsunami warning and was felt in cities including Moscow far to the west, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Minister of Economic Affairs and Budget Planning: Russia’s Finance Ministry suggested synchronizing the excise duty policy with regards to alcoholic beverages.
A explosive comparison made by a liberal Russian politician between Stalin's agents and Hitler's secret police has provoked a storm of abusive criticism in Russia that has been tinged by anti-Semitism.
Twin car bombs killed four people and wounded close to 50 Monday in Russia's restive Dagestan region while the Kremlin also announced it had foiled a major attack on Moscow.
The inquest into the death in Britain of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko is close to being scrapped after the coroner ruled Friday he could not hear evidence about the alleged role of the Kremlin in his poisoning.