Real Estate Demand for Homes in Moscow Environs Outstrips Supply Country homes in the Mos­cow region are no longer regarded as only out- of-town dachas. Experts say that for the majority of potential buyers, country homes are perceived not just as summer retreats, but as places to live in all year round. Indeed, they point out that mid-winter saw robust demand for "gated community" properties. In fact, the only thing that seems to be impeding the market for country homes in the Moscow region is insufficient supply.

Real Estate Global Turmoil Hits Mortgage Rates The cost of buying that dream home is set to rise for Russians this year, due to ongoing turmoil in international financial markets and the rising cost of borrowing for banks, analysts say.

Real Estate Moscow Catches Up with Europe in Shopping Center ‘Space Race' Moscow has drawn level with developed European countries in shopping center space, said Vladimir Malyshkov, head of the Moscow city government Consumer Market and Services Department.

Real Estate Maryina Roshcha Metro Station To Be Brought on Line in 2009 Metro construction workers will use a new shield tunnel cutter which will help move forward the completion date for the Maryina Roshcha station, which is due to open in late 2009.

Real Estate UES to Sell Its Main Building in Moscow for $175 Million Unified Energy Systems (UES) will sell OAO Neftyanoi Dom, which houses the power monopoly's main office building in Moscow, to Intertsessia Ltd. for $175 million, said Margarita Nago­ga, head of the UES press service.

Real Estate Moscow Hopes Fourth Ring Road will Alleviate Jams Moscow city authorities have started constructing the Fourth Trans­port Ring Road, which should ease traffic congestion in the city. The first sections of the road are to be opened in 2011, while the new beltway is due to be completed by 2015.

Real Estate Two Modern Interchanges Built in Moscow Region A multilevel highway intersection has been built at the 39th kilometer of Kievskoye Highway. Reconstruction of this section of the highway was needed to increase the throughput capacity of the federal M3 Ukraine Route from the Moscow Orbital (MKAD) to the Moscow Smaller Ring Road and at the intersection with the regional Krek­shino-Pervomaisky highway.

Real Estate Year-Round Skiing Center Opens Near Moscow The first year-round downhill skiing complex in the Moscow Region has opened near the town of Krasnogorsk.

News Medvedev Proposes Measures to Protect Small Businesses TOBOLSK (RIA Novosti) - Russia's president-elect Dmitry Medvedev held his first State Council Presidium meeting in Tobolsk, West Siberia, on Thursday where he proposed a ban on unauthorized checks of small businesses.

News Journalists from Dagestan Killed By Kirill Bessonov Two journalists from the south Russian republic of Dagestan were both killed on March 21. One of the victims worked for the First Channel of Russian state television, and the other headed the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Corporation in Dagestan.

News Egyptian President Talks Nuclear Power Combined report - RIA Novosti, Reuters Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week on Russia's participation in Egyptian nuclear power projects and possible Mideast peace conference in Russia.

News In Brief - Russia's LUKoil to Participate in Iraq Oil Tenders Russia's LUKoil to Participate in Iraq Oil Tenders, Dozens Poisoned by Chlorine in St. Pete Pool, Billionaire to Bring 100 Turner Works to Russia

News Belarus Claims to Uncover US Spy Ring Combined report - MN, RIA Novosti Belarus state television said in a Sunday report that the country's security agency, the KGB, had uncovered a spy ring of 10 Belarus citizens giving classified information to an agent working for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

News Shepherd Sues Space Agency Over Debris By Natalya Sokhareva, Reuters A shepherd is suing Russia's space agency for compensation after he said a 10-foot-long chunk of metal from a space rocket fell into his yard, just missing his outdoor toilet.

News Crime Briefs - Three Policemen Killed in North Caucasus Attacks Three Policemen Killed in North Caucasus Attacks, Thief Steals Car and Baby in Russia's Far East, Drunk Russian Passenger Grounds Polish Plane, Boy Found 16 Years After He Was Abducted