Last month the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) released preliminary data on Russia's balance of payments during the first half of 2000. They indicate that Russia is heading for a record current account surplus, and that capital flight shows no signs of letting up. Russia's... MORE

The dramatic improvement in Russia's external position is not the only good economic news coming out of Moscow these days. President Vladimir Putin and various government officials have announced that GDP grew by 7 percent during the first three quarters of 2000. Investment was reported... MORE

Russia's debt-service burden and the desire of many Russian companies and households to hold their wealth in dollars suggest that large amounts of capital will continue to leave Russia for the foreseeable future. Prospects for reducing the scale of Russian capital flight may therefore hinge... MORE

Yevgeny Kiselev, general director of NTV television and host of "Itogi," its weekly news analysis program, has been summoned by the Prosecutor General's Office to appear for questioning today. The office's press center announced today that Kiselev will be questioned in connection with a criminal... MORE

A box containing an explosive device was discovered and defused in a market in the North Caucasus city of Pyatigorsk. The box, which contained 5.5 kilograms of plastic explosive, was found in the "Lyudmila" market of the city, which is one of the largest markets... MORE

On November 17, the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan passed sentences on twelve opposition leaders and militants on charges of terrorism, multiple murder, attempts to assassinate state leaders, and conspiracy to overthrow the state order. The charges centered on: killings and robberies committed in the Ferghana... MORE

In contrast to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU, see above), the Hezb-e Tahrir al-Islami [Party of Islamic Liberation] abjures violent tactics. Instead, it emphasizes long-term organizational work and the development of a system of underground cells. It aims to win a mass following through... MORE

Unlike his earlier appearances at important international gatherings, President Vladimir Putin's participation in this week's Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Brunei drew few headlines in the Western press. What was covered, furthermore, was primarily Putin's meeting with U.S. President Bill Clinton, which is... MORE

Police in St. Petersburg yesterday raided the offices of one of the city's banks, PSB-St. Petersburg (also referred to in the Russian press as Promyshlenno-Stroitelny Bank and Promstroibank-St. Petersburg). The raid--which was carried out by at least forty people, including special police agents dressed in... MORE

The Prosecutor General's Office announced today that it had canceled the decision it made earlier this year to drop charges against Media-Most chief Vladimir Gusinsky in connection with the so-called Russkoye Video case. According to those charges, Gusinsky had allegedly embezzled at least US$10 million... MORE