Comment The limits of pluralism Tim Wall Events in Moscow and Sochi in the last few days show both tentative steps from the Kremlin towards allowing the green shoots of pluralism, but also their limits.

News Foreigners’ work visa hassles grow By Ayano Hodouchi Getting work permits for foreigners in Russia has traditionally been a thorny issue, mired in red tape and confusing, constantly-changing rules.

Business ‘Bad bank’ idea gaining ground By Ed Bentley The idea of creating a "bad bank" to soak up Russian banks' toxic assets could become a reality if the economic situation worsens, even though senior officials currently reject the idea.

Comment And then there were none

News Intensely diminishing in Tbilisi By Andy Potts When does a revolution stop revolving? It might depend how you feel about the government facing the angry mob.

Business A bunch of bankers Less than two weeks after Dinamo Moscow football club insisted that VTB would have no part in running the team's financial affairs, the state-owned bank happily announced it was taking over the famous Chekist football club.

Business Oil production puts Russia on collision course By Ed Bentley OPEC is squaring up for a spat with Moscow as it becomes increasingly frustrated with Russia's reluctance to curb oil output as agreed with the international cartel.

Business Waiting for U.S., China recovery By Ed Bentley Russian markets moved little this week as investors anxiously wait for signs of recovery from world markets, but indications that the decline in the United States is slowing and growth in China have been viewed as positive.

Culture Obsessions of Ja’bagh By Elena Kirillova One man’s view of catwalk couture and dressing-room dramas

Restaurants & Bars Nobu comes to town By Ayano Hodouchi Now would seem like an unlikely time for a high-end restaurant to open in Moscow.

Sports World Cup dreams By Andy Potts Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko is a man with a dream - he wants to see FIFA bring the 2018 World Cup to Russia, giving the country its first shot at hosting a major international football tournament.

Sports Laudrup out as Spartak struggle By Andy Potts A 3-0 home defeat to city rivals Dinamo saw Spartak Moscow coach Michael Laudrup sacked - just hours after receiving a public vote of confidence from the club's general director Valery Karpin.

Culture Easter festival highlights

Columnists For a good job, we’ve got you covered By Mark H. Teeter Russian speakers studying English soon learn that Anglo-Saxons observe a large number of formal conventions in their speech and writing - what are Anglo-Saxons if not slaves to convention?

Sports Sports shorts - Torpedo sunk Torpedo sunk, Ak Bars lift cup, Russia readies itself for title defence, Krylya flying in play-offs