News

Fines for smoking on Russian airlines may rise to $1,600

Fines for smoking on board a plane may rise to 50,000 rubles ($1,625) according to a bill submitted to the State Duma by a group of lawmakers representing all parties.

14:45 26.03.2013

Convicts may have terms reduced for hard work in prison

Federation Council member Konstantin Surkov has sponsored a bill to State Duma which proposes to give convicts a chance to reduce their sentences by working hard in prison. According to the bill, a prisoner who has demonstrated good conduct, hard work and has never been issued a reprimand can have his or her term reduced.

11:53 26.03.2013

Georgian parliament approves amendments limiting presidential powers

On Monday, the Georgian parliament adopted amendments to the constitution in the third and last reading which curtail the president's power to appoint the cabinet in the event of parliament's dissolution.

10:51 26.03.2013

Bill on classifying drinking as aggravating circumstance goes to State Duma

The Russian government has forwarded a bill to the State Duma which proposes to categorize drinking and drug intoxication as aggravating circumstances in accidents.

10:43 25.03.2013

Russia to sign adoption agreement with Spain - Lavrov

Moscow is prepared to sign an intercountry adoption agreement with Spain, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a Government Hour meeting in the State Duma on Friday.

14:54 22.03.2013

Tax authorities given limited access to individual bank account updates

Government officials have reconciled a proposal at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev last week to give the tax authorities access to individual bank account numbers but not to all transaction details.

14:19 22.03.2013

Bill on securing employment for graduates submitted to parliament

A group of MPs, including head of A Just Russia party Sergei Mironov, have submitted a draft law to the State Duma on employment quotas for university graduates and penalties for failing to comply with this provision.

10:39 21.03.2013

Most of Russian cabinet against US Adoption Ban - Deputy PM

The majority of Russian ministers are against a recently approved ban on US nationals adopting Russian children, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said Wednesday.

15:05 20.03.2013

Government approves bill on patronage of the arts

The Russian government has approved a bill on patronage of the arts, although it has also pointed out some of its drawbacks. The government states that the bill does not provide a clear definition for the term "patronage of the arts."

14:32 20.03.2013

State Duma approves fines for strong language in media

The State Duma has adopted a bill in the third and final reading on fining media outlets for using strong language.

11:50 20.03.2013

Top news

Russian courts allowed not to implement rulings of Europe's human rights court

Russia's Supreme Court proposed not to implement rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).

12:53 09.12.2025

Redomiciliation stalls: How sanctions are shaping new practices for Russian companies

The mechanism for redomiciliating foreign companies to Russian jurisdiction, in effect since 2018, has recently encountered serious obstacles. Taking into account the background of sanctions-related restrictions introduced in 2022 through 2025, it has become extremely difficult to achieve the goal. The situation gave rise to the phenomenon of dual domicile and led to a rise in the number of new litigations, both in Russia and abroad.

12:32 09.12.2025

Soldiers jailed for killing US journalist Russell Bentley

A military court in Donetsk sentenced three soldiers to up to 12 years in prison for torturing and killing Russell Bentley, a 63-year-old U.S. national who collaborated with Sputnik news agency.

14:05 08.12.2025