News State of the Nation: Medvedev talks tough By Anna Arutunyan In his first state of the nation address, President Dmitry Medvedev brandished his liberal streak by suggesting sweeping changes on both the domestic and foreign policy fronts.

Columnists Can one Obama Change Everything? By Robert Bridge Take a moment and punch the word "change" into your Google news search engine and you will quickly understand the essence of Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. Presidential elections.

News EU Commission calls for resumption of talks with Russia BRUSSELS (AFP) - The European Commission on Wednesday urged member states to agree next week to resume EU-Russia partnership talks, frozen over the Georgia conflict.

News Hundreds detained in holiday protests MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) - Police detained more than 200 far-right activists on central Moscow's Novy Arbat who were taking part in an unsanctioned rally to mark Unity Day, a police spokesman said.

News In Brief - 8 dead in minibus blast in Russian Caucasus 8 dead in minibus blast in Russian Caucasus, 3 detained over Moscow railway blast, Stalin's grandson dies in Moscow

News Armenia, Azerbaijan to intensify talks Combined reportsAP, AFP, RIA Novosti A 20-year conflict over the disputed land of Nagorno-Karabakh could be coming to a close

News Russia’s first lady presents donation to orphanage ST. PETERSBURG (RIA Novosti) - The Russian president's wife Svetlana Medvedeva visited an orphanage in St. Petersburg on Monday, and handed over a donation of $19,000 raised at fundraising events.

News Hearts for life By Ksenya Kuzub Big-hearted Russians gather to find ways of helping those less fortunate than themselves

Ask the experts Around the world in 18 years By Robert Bridge Alfredo Perez-Bravo, whose diplomatic career has taken him to 47 nations, shares his thoughts about Russia, and much more

Politics Obama’s victory: good news for Russia? By John Laughland According to a widely-held view, the election of Barack Obama is good news for Russia. The new US president - runs the argument - will abandon the confrontational style of George W. Bush and adopt a more conciliatory line in foreign affairs, including in relations with Moscow.

Local Seeking out art on the silver screen By Anna Laletina Finding the world of art is a challenge - you have to be in the know. But despite scorning such populist notions as advertising, and steering clear of listings magazines, art-house cinema "Mir Iskusstva" (The World of Art) still attracts an eager crowd of viewers weary of CGI blockbusters and keen for more cinematic substance.

Local Substitute holiday By Daria Chernyshova Everybody loves the weekend, unless they are workaholics. For all our good intentions, most of us arrive at work on Monday morning already thinking about how we will spend our next precious days of rest and leisure time

Local The city of the future today By Katya Vinogradova Plans to transform a rundown region of Moscow were the highlights of an international conference that aims to transform ‘XXL megapolises' into AAA places to live and work.

Local Colorful cash for Maria’s Children By Andy Potts Looking for some color as Moscow's long, grey winter starts? Or maybe you're in the market for an unusual Christmas gift? If so, why not come to the Maria's Children Annual Art Auction, pick up some unique art work and help preserve a bright spot in the lives of some of Moscow's most disadvantaged youngsters?

Local Russo-British effort to save historic battleship By Andy Potts In the darkest days of the Second World War she saw off Nazi U-boats in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean, but now British battleship HMS Belfast is facing a new fight - against time. And Russian businesses are rallying round to help save a precious piece of Russo-British military history as the ‘Last Witness' appeal gains ground.