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About 50% of normal flights over Europe...

About 50% of normal flights over Europe may be able to operate on Monday as weather forecasts predict an ash cloud from Iceland"s volcano will be dispelled by wind over part of the continent, the Voice of America has said, quoting the Spanish secretary of state for EU affairs.

A consortium led by Russia"s largest independent...

A consortium led by Russia"s largest independent crude producer LUKoil is expected to sign a contract with Iraq on Sunday to develop the West Qurna-2 oil field.

A total of 264 flights from Russian airports...

A total of 264 flights from Russian airports were delayed or cancelled after an ash cloud spread over Europe from a volcano eruption in Iceland, Russia"s federal civil aviation agency said.

A U.S. passenger airliner with 231 people...

A U.S. passenger airliner with 231 people on board bound for Hawaii was escorted back to Portland International Airport by two F-15 fighters after one of the passengers become disruptive, FoxNews.com website reported.

Both Russia and foreign car concerns will...

Both Russia and foreign car concerns will benefit from tightening the requirements for entering the Russian car market, a leading expert from the Russian Avtostat think tank told RIA Novosti on Monday.

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov intends...

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov intends to create a large ski resort in the republic"s southeastern Argun Gorge, which had been a militant stronghold for years, Russian media has said.

Communists will hold on Saturday protest...

Communists will hold on Saturday protest rallies across the country against current social and economic policies carried out by the Russian government.

Ex-Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky under...

Ex-Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky under a new trial on grand theft charges on Tuesday suggested the court hold an investigative experiment to make it more comprehensible how he could have stolen oil.

Following is an official statement by RIA Novosti issued on Thursday:

Gazprom Neft, the oil producing arm of Russian...

Gazprom Neft, the oil producing arm of Russian energy giant Gazprom, said on Tuesday its U.S. GAAP net profit decreased 50% year-on-year in January-September 2009 to $2.38 billion.

Gazprom"s position as the world"s largest...

Gazprom"s position as the world"s largest natural gas supplier may be shattered as an ever larger number of companies are investing in alternative gas production, a Russian business paper reported on Wednesday.

If Moscow buys a Mistral-class helicopter...

If Moscow buys a Mistral-class helicopter carrier from France, it will be used principally as an amphibious command ship, a Russian Defense Ministry source said on Friday.

KIEV, February 23 (RIA Novosti) - Ukrainian...

KIEV, February 23 (RIA Novosti) - Ukrainian president-elect Viktor Yanukovych has yet to make up his mind which country he will visit first after taking office on February 25, the deputy chairperson of his Party of Regions said on Tuesday.

LUKoil will invest $4.5 billion in Iraq"s...

LUKoil will invest $4.5 billion in Iraq"s West Qurna-2 within the next three to five years, the head of Russia"s largest independent crude producer said on Thursday.

Moscow and Washington could resume talks...

Moscow and Washington could resume talks on a new U.S.-Russian strategic arms reduction treaty by the end of January, the Russian foreign minister said on Tuesday.

Moscow is apprehensive about U.S. plans...

Moscow is apprehensive about U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Romania, a senior Russian MP said Friday.

MOSCOW, January 20 (RIA Novosti) - Establishing...

MOSCOW, January 20 (RIA Novosti) - Establishing naval facilities in foreign countries will not replace Russia's Black Sea Fleet base in Sevastopol, former fleet commanders said on Tuesday.

MOSCOW, June 12 (RIA Novosti) - President...

MOSCOW, June 12 (RIA Novosti) - President Dmitry Medvedev marked Russia Day on Friday by bestowing Russian Federation State Awards on 12 people for their achievements in science and the arts.

MOSCOW, March 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia"s...

MOSCOW, March 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia"s 600,000-strong Roman Catholic community on Wednesday observed the first day of Lent, with worshippers across the country putting ashes on their foreheads in a symbolic ritual of repentance. "In the Roman Catholic Church, by centuries-old tradition Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, this year falling on March 1," Igor Kovalevsky, head of the Conference of Russian Catholic Bishops, told RIA Novosti. "Ashes symbolize penitence and the frailty of human life." Lent lasts for the 40 days before Easter and culminates in Holy Week, which commemorates the events leading up to Jesus" crucifixion on what is now known as Good Friday. Catholics are less observant of Lenten fasts than Russian Orthodox Christians, Kovalevsky said. Whereas Eastern traditions ban consumption of fish, eggs, dairy produce and meat throughout Lent, Catholics aged 14-60 simply cut down to one full meal and two smaller meals a day, and abstain from meat and poultry on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. "But we pay particular attention to the spiritual dimension [of penance]," Kovalevsky said, calling on the Russian Catholics to spend more time praying, reading the Scriptures, doing charitable work and attending church services.

MOSCOW, October 29 (RIA Novosti) - Russia"s...

MOSCOW, October 29 (RIA Novosti) - Russia"s largest independent oil producer LUKoil said on Thursday its net profit calculated under Russian Accounting Standards fell 92%, quarter-on-quarter, in July-September 2009 to 1.76 billion rubles ($59 million).

MOSCOW, October 30 (RIA Novosti) - RIA Novosti...

MOSCOW, October 30 (RIA Novosti) - RIA Novosti on Friday strongly denied allegations it had teamed up with a Western PR company "to justify Russia"s great power ambitions and improve the image of Joseph Stalin."

MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator...

MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Andrei Fedyashin) - Afghanistan is becoming Barack Obama"s war. President George W. Bush, who started the war in 2001, has been overshadowed by Obama"s new surge-and-exit strategy, which he said must show progress within 18 months, the deadline for beginning to bring U.S. troops home.

MOSCOW, September 16 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's...

MOSCOW, September 16 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's investment in the troubled U.S. mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is estimated at around $30 billion, the Audit Chamber chief said on Tuesday.

MOSCOW, September 4 (RIA Novosti) - Thousands...

MOSCOW, September 4 (RIA Novosti) - Thousands of Kaliningrad residents welcomed on Friday the Kruzenshtern sailing ship, which returned to her home port in Russia’s exclave on the Baltic Sea, a spokeswoman said.

MOSCOW, September 9 (RIA Novosti) - The...

MOSCOW, September 9 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian-British joint oil venture TNK-BP will hold an initial public offering after 2010, Viktor Vekselberg, one of the four major Russian shareholders in the company, said Tuesday. The British oil giant and the Alfa Access-Renova consortium of Russian billionaire shareholders signed last week a memorandum of understanding that should put an end to their protracted dispute over the joint oil venture"s management. It includes an option to sell up to 20% of a TNK-BP subsidiary through an IPO on international financial markets. The deal is a concession by BP to a number of its Russian partners" demands, including the removal of BP-appointed chief executive Robert Dudley, whom they accused of acting in only BP"s interests, and the appointment of three independent executives. The British oil major earlier accused the Russian shareholders of orchestrating a state harassment campaign against TNK-BP, Russia"s third largest producer, and seeking to seize control of the venture.

Moscow"s mayor reiterated on Saturday that...

Moscow"s mayor reiterated on Saturday that court rulings on the demolition of houses in a disputed village on the banks of the Moskva River were legal and expressed hope that the country"s top prosecutors would confirm that.

Moscow will take further steps to protect...

Moscow will take further steps to protect the rights and interests of Russian businessman and alleged arms dealer Viktor Bout facing new charges in the United States, the Foreign Ministry"s spokesman said on Friday.

One in four Russians say no measures taken...

One in four Russians say no measures taken to fight alcohol abuse will be effective against the national vice and commonest stereotype about Russia.

One policeman was shot dead and another...

One policeman was shot dead and another injured in the Moscow Region on Saturday evening after they went to an apartment building where a rape had been reported, a police source told RIA Novosti.One policeman was shot dead and another injured in the Moscow Region on Saturday evening after they went to an apartment building where a rape had been reported, a police source told RIA Novosti.

Over 1,300 firefighters and rescuers will...

Over 1,300 firefighters and rescuers will be on duty in the Russian capital as Muscovites will be celebrating New Year, a deputy head of the Moscow firefighting service said.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has...

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has handed control over the country"s nuclear arsenal to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Dawn newspaper has said in its online edition.

President Dmitry Medvedev has congratulated...

President Dmitry Medvedev has congratulated Russians on Easter and said Christians should join hands to harmonize relations between different faiths.

Residents of a disputed rural settlement...

Residents of a disputed rural settlement in the Russian capital will try to prevent authorities from razing their homes on Monday, a local resident said Sunday.

RIA Novosti, the Ekho Moskvy radio station...

RIA Novosti, the Ekho Moskvy radio station and Izvestia newspaper have launched a new historical investigation project, headlined "Attention, History."

Rian.ru will show a live broadcast of the...

Rian.ru will show a live broadcast of the grandiose military parade on Red Square dedicated to the 65th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II on May 9 at 10.00 a.m. Moscow time (06:00 GMT).

Russia and Belarus have signed an array...

Russia and Belarus have signed an array of agreements on crude oil deliveries and uninterrupted transits to Europe, a Russian deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.

Russia argued on Friday against the "endless"...

Russia argued on Friday against the "endless" continuation of sanctions against North Korea, saying they should be revoked once they have had their effect.

Russia could drastically increase the number...

Russia could drastically increase the number of launches of its embattled Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) to "many more than two" in 2010, a defense industry source said on Tuesday.

Russia has launched a special social networking...

Russia has launched a special social networking site to encourage communication between IT specialists who develop online public service technologies for regional administrations.

Russia is continuing talks with Belarus...

Russia is continuing talks with Belarus on oil deliveries to the ex-Soviet republic in 2010, with oil transit across the Belarusian territory provided in full, an aide to Russia"s energy minister said on Sunday.

Russia may sell weapons to NATO member states...

Russia may sell weapons to NATO member states, the head of Russia"s state-run arms exporter said on Thursday.

Russian and Polish Prime Ministers Vladimir...

Russian and Polish Prime Ministers Vladimir Putin and Donald Tusk will visit the city of Katyn on Wednesday, where thousands of Polish POWs were massacred by Soviet forces in WWII, the Russian government"s press service said on Tuesday.

Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin admitted...

Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin admitted on Friday that the economic growth achieved in the country during the past decade of boom was impossible to maintain.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will...

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will pay his first official visit to Nicaragua and Guatemala next week during his Latin American tour which also includes Cuba and Mexico.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed...

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed speculation that Moscow"s new military doctrine would see a return of Cold War tensions in an interview published on Thursday.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called...

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called on Tuesday for Russia"s customs procedures to be speeded up by cutting red tape and bringing order to customs posts.

Russian rights activists are determined...

Russian rights activists are determined to go ahead with a march to commemorate a lawyer and journalist killed last year in central Moscow.

Russians have shown more enthusiasm for...

Russians have shown more enthusiasm for savings accounts in 2010 than they did last year, a report published on Friday revealed.

Russian Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers have...

Russian Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers have completed a series of efficiency drills, an Air Force spokesman said on Friday.

Russia"s $2.2 billion loan agreement with...

Russia"s $2.2 billion loan agreement with Venezuela is not tied to arms purchases, a Russian deputy finance minister said on Friday ahead of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin"s visit to the South American state.

Russia"s budget deficit is unlikely to fall...

Russia"s budget deficit is unlikely to fall below the projected figure of 6.8% of GDP in 2010, as the government intends to fulfill its social obligations, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said on Wednesday.

Russia"s Central Bank said on Thursday it...

Russia"s Central Bank said on Thursday it is ready to buy 30 metric tons (965,000 troy ounces) of gold at market prices from the country"s precious metals depositary Gokhran by the end of the year.

Russia"s chief sanitary doctor Gennady Onishchenko...

Russia"s chief sanitary doctor Gennady Onishchenko said Sunday he was ready to discuss U.S. poultry supplies to Russia, suspended from January 1, on February 28.

Russia"s economy could grow by as much as...

Russia"s economy could grow by as much as 4-4.5% in 2010 compared with the government"s forecast of 3-3.5%, an Economic Development Ministry official said on Tuesday.

Russia"s envoy to NATO has poured cold water...

Russia"s envoy to NATO has poured cold water on an offer by Moldova"s unrecognized republic of Transdnestr to deploy Russian missile defense elements.

Russia"s Foreign Ministry sent on Tuesday...

Russia"s Foreign Ministry sent on Tuesday a note of protest to Japan over a document describing the Southern Kuril islands as "territory occupied by Russia."

Russia"s gold and foreign exchange reserves...

Russia"s gold and foreign exchange reserves grew $13.52 billion to $440.6 billion in 2009, the Central Bank of Russia said on Thursday.

Russia"s largest independent oil producer...

Russia"s largest independent oil producer LUKoil won an auction on Saturday for a contract to develop one of Iraq"s largest oil fields.

Russia sold Eurobonds worth $5.5 billion...

Russia sold Eurobonds worth $5.5 billion for the first time since the country defaulted on its obligations in 1998, banking sources told RIA Novosti on Thursday.

Russia"s Space Forces on Friday launched...

Russia"s Space Forces on Friday launched a Soyuz-U carrier rocket with a Cosmos-series military satellite, a SF spokesman said.

Russia would welcome a Iranian decision...

Russia would welcome a Iranian decision to send uranium to third countries for further enrichment and processing into fuel for power plants, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.

Sberbank and General Motors agreed on compensation...

Sberbank and General Motors agreed on compensation, which the U.S. auto giant will pay for its refusal to sell the ailing German automaker Opel, despite earlier accords, Russia"s largest retail bank said on Monday.

Some 30 people, including nine foreign tourists...

Some 30 people, including nine foreign tourists and a child, were injured in an acid attack on a busy street in Hong Kong, BBC said on Sunday citing a local police statement.

The agreement on Russia"s Black Sea Fleet...

The agreement on Russia"s Black Sea Fleet continues to be the subject of heated debate in both Russia and Ukraine. However, the concerns expressed by opposition parties and the public differ significantly in the two countries.

The lower house of the Russian parliament...

The lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, is reviewing a bill to restrict protest rallies by motorists after a demonstration caused traffic chaos in Moscow and St. Petersburg, media reports said on Friday.

The Middle East Quartet of international...

The Middle East Quartet of international mediators during a meeting in Moscow has called on the Israeli government to freeze all settlement activity in East Jerusalem.

The number of police killed in a suicide...

The number of police killed in a suicide bomb attack in Russia"s North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan has risen to seven, after a police officer died from blood loss, Russian TV channel NTV reported on Wednesday.

The number of Russians who have savings...

The number of Russians who have savings accounts has decreased to 24% from 31% in the past four months with fewer people saving money in rubles, an opinion poll carried out by the Russia Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) showed.

The recession of the Russian economy is...

The recession of the Russian economy is over, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

The Russian Armed Forces will conduct large-scale...

The Russian Armed Forces will conduct large-scale Vostok military exercises in Siberia and the country"s Far East in 2010, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The Russian government is set to return...

The Russian government is set to return for the first time during the crisis period a major bank it has rescued from bankruptcy, a business daily reported on Monday.

Three Russian emergencies ministry planes...

Three Russian emergencies ministry planes took off for Haiti on Thursday carrying rescuers, supplies and equipment including a mobile hospital to help the earthquake-stricken country.

Two Russian Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers...

Two Russian Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers that carried out a routine patrol mission over the Pacific and the Sea of Japan were shadowed by an array of Japanese warplanes, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

Ukraine denied on Friday allegations that...

Ukraine denied on Friday allegations that a cargo plane loaded with illegal weaponry from North Korea was charted by a Ukrainian company.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton...

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived to the quake-hit Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, and met with the country"s president Rene Preval, CNN said on Sunday.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has confessed...

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has confessed for the first time that he is a follower of the ideas of Karl Marx, as well as saying that Jesus Christ was a "radical" leftist.

WORLD

ZHUKOVSKY, August 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia"s...

ZHUKOVSKY, August 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia"s flagship air carrier Aeroflot is to become the official airline for the 2014 Winter Olympics in the resort city of Sochi, RIA Novosti said on Wednesday.

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