The rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan...

The rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan creates security risks for bordering Central Asian states, the head of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) said on Thursday.

MOSCOW, February 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia"s...

MOSCOW, February 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russia"s anti-trust regulator will make a decision February 17 on a bid by the country"s second-largest bank, VTB, to buy a 30% stake in Polyus Gold, Russia"s leading gold producer, a spokesperson said on Wednesday. The Federal Antimonopoly Service warned, however, that it would have to reject the deal altogether unless the two parties provided information on final beneficiaries. Under anti-trust laws, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) is required to consider approvals within a month, but can postpone decisions for another two months if additional information is required. The FAS has been considering the VTB deal for three months already. "The application expires next Tuesday, on February 17. Unless we obtain the necessary information by that time, we will be forced to refuse them," Irina Kashunina said. Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the Onexim Group investment vehicle, and his former business partner Vladimir Potanin, who heads the Interros holding company, hold 30% each in Polyus Gold. Neither Onexim nor Interros has provided comment.

Muscovites will be able to learn about Soviet...

Muscovites will be able to learn about Soviet leader Joseph Stalin"s role in the World War II victory from street stands, a source in the Russian capital"s advertising and design committee said Wednesday.