Jun 8th, 2005 · North Korea has signaled a willingness to resume negotiations on its nuclear weapons program for the first time since discussions broke off in June 2004. China's U.N. ambassador told reporters Tuesday he expects talks between North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States to restart in Beijing in the next few weeks.
Jun 6th, 2005 · After 17 days of competition, Russian pianist Alexander Kobrin, 25, has been named the gold medalist of the 2005 Van Cliburn Piano Competition. Joyce Yang of South Korea won silver. Hear Kobrin perform in the final round of the competition.
May 31st, 2005 · In Moscow, Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been convicted of fraud and tax evasion and sentenced to nine years in a labor camp. Khodorkovsky was once Russia's richest man and the head of the Yukos oil company. The company's assets have been returned to state control.
May 29th, 2005 · Americans aren't the only ones swept up by the home-improvement craze. Many Russian families are caught up in a redecorating frenzy. TV programs offer advice and new malls cater to a small but growing middle class.
May 25th, 2005 · A Russia-N.Y. Mystery in 'Thirty-Three Swoons' May 25, 2005 · The new novel Thirty-Three Swoons by Martha Cooley is a detailed intrigue set in Manhattan, interweaving the worlds of theatre and the perfume industry. Cooley's previous work includes The Archivist. Book critic Maureen Corrigan has a review.
May 19th, 2005 · Performance Today's series on folk and classical traditions around the world continues with two Russian performances in NPR's Studio 4A: the Trio Voronezh and celebrated baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
May 17th, 2005 · A Moscow court finds oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky guilty on six of seven charges against him and then adjourns before reaching a final verdict. The former head of Russian oil company Yukos was jailed 18 months ago on charges of fraud and tax evasion. Supporters say the charges were concocted by the Kremlin to exact revenge for Khodorkovsky's political activities.
May 16th, 2005 · Former CBS anchor and commentator Walter Cronkite recalls the tension of spring 1960 when an American spy plane helped to plunge East-West relations into one of the deepest chills of the Cold War. A U-2 was shot down over Russia and its pilot paraded for the world to see. It ruined a planned summit meeting.