Source : Presstv / 05 Feb 2014

New research shows that the United States, Canada and some European countries topped the list of arms producers in 2012.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a report released on Friday that of the top 100 arms manufacturers, 42 are based in the United States, one in Canada, and 30 in Western Europe.

Source : BBC / 1 Feb 2014

The high number of early deaths in Russia is mainly due to people drinking too much alcohol, particularly vodka, research suggests.

The study, in The Lancet, says 25% of Russian men die before they are 55, and most of the deaths are down to alcohol. The comparable UK figure is 7%.

Source : Presstv / 31 Jan 2014

A recent opinion poll has revealed that more than half of Russian nationals support President Vladimir Putin.

According to the survey conducted between December 24 and 26 last year by the Russian non-governmental polling and sociological research organization Levada-Center with a sampling of 1,603 Russian adults, the findings of which were released on January 27, 56 percent of the respondents said they are opposed to Putin’s resignation.

Source : RT / 30 Jan 2014

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Russia reached a record $94 billion in 2013, a leap of 83 percent on the year before according to a United Nations report. Russia follows the US and China as the third most attractive country for investors.

The Global FDI research published by the UNCTAD – the UN agency responsible for international trade and development – has Russia jumping 6 places from its 9th spot in 2012.

Source : Itar-Tass / 25 Dec 2013

Russia has more than 783,000 registered HIV patients. More than 62,000 cases of infection were detected during the 11 months of 2013, acting head of the Federal Service for Protection of Consumer Rights and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova told the media on Tuesday.

Source : AFP / 29 Oct 2013

Energy-poor Jordan said Monday it has picked two Russian firms to build and run its first nuclear power plant, which is expected to cost around $10 billion (7 billion euros).

“Russia’s Rusatom Overseas will operate the plant as a strategic partner. Russia’s Atomstroyexport will be the provider of the nuclear technology,” Information Minister Mohammad Momani told reporters.

By Reuters / 3 Jan 2013

More crude from state-owned top producer Rosneft kept Russian oil output the highest in the world last year, Energy Ministry data showed yesterday.

Crude output edged up almost 1 percent to a new post-Soviet high of 10.37 million barrels per day (bpd), but the increase could halt this year due to depleted oil fields in West Siberia.

By Sergei L. Loiko, Los Angeles Times | 23 Oct 2012

Prisoners detained without charges. Prisons operating outside the legal system. Limits on free speech and the Internet. Legitimate voters prevented from casting their ballots. Sanctioned kidnappings. Witch hunts and torture.

It's all part of life, says the Russian government — in the United States.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday issued a 56-page report in Russian and English titled, "On the Human Rights Situation in the United States."

By Dmitry Zaks | AFP | 09 Oct 2012

Russia eyes a record arms deal and rare agreement over Syria on Tuesday when it hosts Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for the first time in almost four years.

Maliki arrived in Moscow for three days of discussions Monday that media reports speculated would conclude with the signing of a $4.3 billion arms deal that makes Russia Iraq's biggest supplier after the United States.

By Joseph Klein | FrontPage | 23 Jul 2012

Russia and China predictably vetoed the proposed United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing sanctions against the Syrian regime, which was submitted for a vote on July 19th by the United Kingdom.