Politics Medvedev Visits Germany for First Trip to West BERLIN (AP) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits Germany on Thursday, making his first Western trip since succeeding Vladimir Putin at a time that the European Union and Russia prepare to start much-delayed talks on a new "strategic partnership."

News EU Official to Mediate Abkhazian Conflict TBILISI (AFP) - EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana was to hold talks in Georgia Thursday as Western diplomats step up efforts to ease tensions over the Russian-backed breakaway region of Abkhazia.

News In Brief - Five Dead in Siberian Mine Collapse Five Dead in Siberian Mine Collapse, Former Russian Envoy to U.S. Joins Government, Gorbachev Calls for a Museum on the Soviet Era, Russian, Georgian Leaders Discuss Abkhazia Railroad Row

News Tatarstan Capital to Host Student Games By Kirill Bessonov Kazan has been chosen to host the ‘Universiade’ games in 2013

News New Russian Military Chief Appointed MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) - On June 3 a major reshuffle took place in Russia's military establishment: Gene­ral Yuri Baluyevsky stepped down as chief of the General Staff to become deputy secretary of the national Security Council.

News Crime Briefs - Moscow Brawl Not Connected With Ethnic Violence, Police Say Moscow Brawl Not Connected With Ethnic Violence, Police Say, Somalian Pirates Demand $1 Million Ransom for Russian Crew, Alleged Mafia Boss Seeks Bail Over Ill Health

Local Arson Spree MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) - Moscow police are searching for a prolific arsonist believed to be responsible for setting fire to over 20 cars in the past four days in several residential areas, a Russian tabloid reported on Tuesday.

Local Frozen Wonderland By Daria Chernyshova Summer has just come into its own as the month of June heats up. Although the capital's weather doesn't seem very summery yet, memories of cold Russian winters are behind us.

Local In Brief - Customs Terminals To Be Moved From Moscow Customs Terminals To Be Moved From Moscow, More Muscovites Have Phone Codes Changed, Moscow Expects 30,000 People To Celebrate ‘Day Of Russia' on Red Square, Moscow Parks Celebrate the ‘Day Of Ecologists'

Local Raising the Roof By Tom Washington and Alisa Ballard The first Moscow Architecture Biennale opened last week, presenting vivid displays of Russia's architectural past, present and future. With exhibits on display at five major cultural sites and city landmarks, the exhibition affords a range of solutions to the problem of keeping a roof over your head.

Local China in the City By Alisa Ballard Throughout June shoppers at Moscow's elite department store TsUM can take a break from Prada and Gucci to visit a contemporary Chinese art exhibit held on the store's fourth floor.

Local Metro News Sokol - The green line entrance to Sokol metro station is going to be closed for several months due to road constructions on Leningradskoe and Volokolamskoe shosses.

Local Going for a Dip around Moscow RIA Novosti and The Moscow News Rospotrebnadzor has commissioned 11 recreation areas as "suitable for swimming," following check-ups, and withheld swimming permits from another eight. The agency announced Monday.

Local Dogs Get Royal Treatment By Katya Vinogradova The entrance to the Cats and Dogs pet store in Evropesky Mall immediately tells visitors that this is not your average pet store. Instead of the standard bird feeders, rodent cages and bags of dog food, the front display case features a collection of designer bags that would look more appropriate in one of the fashion boutiques situated on the floors above.

Local People Just Like People By Tom Washington Moscow is a hard place where tough people thrive in the challenging environment the city offers. But the disadvantaged are often truly disadvantaged and it is too easy for them to fall by the wayside. This is especially true of the disabled. A new exhibition tells their story.