Dolph Lundgren...
Dima Bilan will once again represent Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest, having won the 2008 Russian national final with the song Believe. Dima is no stranger to the Eurovision Song Contest, having finished in second place in the 2006 final in Athens with his song Never Let You Go, losing out only to Lordi from Finland. Russia will participate in the first Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday, May 20 in Belgrade. What will it take this time to come first and how fair is the competition? Dima Bilan is in our studio today to answer these questions. Eurovision 2008:...
Known for his bold and unmistakable portrait style, photographer Platon has been commissioned by some of the world's most influential magazines to photograph some of the most prominent people of our time. His latest famous picture is that of the Time magazine's man of 2007, Vladimir Putin. "A good portrait...
Today we will talk about the pirates of the Arabian Sea. The number of attacks by the 21st century pirates off the coast of Somalia has sky-rocketed in recent years. The latest case is the hijacking of a Ukrainian freighter 'Faina', which is loaded with arms: tanks, artillery, grenade launchers and ammunition. The Russian captain died in the siege. Several months earlier another freighter, Lehmann Timber, was captured by pirates in the same waters. Its captain, Valentin Bartashev, is the guest on our programme today. Pirates of the...
Today we will talk about Zimbabwe. A presidential election was held in this African country on June 27 this year. According to the official results, Robert Mugabe, the strongman who has been ruling the country since 1980 was re-elected for a new term. But the opposition claims that the election was blatantly rigged. This allegation, as well as the facts of the intimidation of opponents, provoked an outcry in the Western capitals, though rather milder response in the African ones. We'll discuss the situation with one of the few journalists who's had an opportunity to interview the Zimbabwean leader, Rustam Arifdzhanov. Mugabe's Zimbabwe
Would Chechnya be on your list of countries to visit? The Chechen Republic is going through times of renaissance. After the war conflict, economy is recovering and life is getting back on its track. The Chechen government says the Republic is open for tourism. Would you like to go? The President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov is on Spotlight to tell us more. Ramzan Kadyrov,...
Today we will talk about Chechnya. Following Russia's recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, some say that this might cause other states and some Russian regions to seek sovereignty. John McCain mentioned Chechnya... President of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov has something to say to Senator McCain. Today President Kadyrov is in our Spotlight to talk about HIS attitude to the developing situation in the Caucasus. Ramzan Kadyrov talks
Following his visits to Kazakhstan and China, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will fly to Germany at the invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel on June 5. Will his trip open a new page in Russia-EU relations? We'll consider the possibilities with German political analyst Aleksandr Rahr. Russia's return...
As the US economy has already fallen into a recession, according to the majority of economists, and the European one doesn't feel well, the so-called BRIC countries -- Brazil, Russia, India and China -- are attracting more and more foreign investors. Is Russia a truly safe haven in the troubled waters of the world economy? How will the current crisis affect Russian economic development? To answer these questions, our guest today is Aleksey Novikov. Russian economy:...
The Olympic Games is the greatest sporting event in the world, involving more than 10,000 athletes, seven million spectators in stadiums and arenas, and an estimated global TV audience of four billion people. The 29th Summer Olympics are opening in Beijing on the 8th of August, and the Russian Olympic team is on its way. How well is the Chinese capital prepared for the event? And what should the fans expect from the Russian team? To talk about it, our guest today is a Member of the International Olympic Committee - Vitaly Smirnov. Beijing Olympics
From 15 to 17 May the International Exhibition of Helicopter Industry -- HeliRussia 2008 -- is being held in Moscow. It's the first time that both Russian Mi and Ka helicopters and those made by Western manufacturers will be demonstrated in the Russian capital. How do Russian rotary-wing machines look in comparison with recognised Western brands? To answer this question, our guest today is the Chairman of the Board of the Russian Helicopter Industry Association, Mikhail Kazachkov. HeliRussia 2008:...
Viktor Bout, the suspected Russian arms dealer, dubbed 'the merchant of death' by the media , was recently arrested in Thailand and is accused by the U.S. of selling thousands of weapons to Colombian rebels. Thailand does not seem to have enough evidence to try Viktor Bout. That is the reason why the U.S. wants him extradited for trial on American soil. Will it succeed? Does the U.S. have enough evidence against Viktor Bout? To answer these questions, we invited Mikhail Belozersky, Victor Bout's friend to our studio. 'Merchant of...
The Olympic Games is the greatest sporting event in the world, involving more than 10,000 athletes, seven million spectators in stadiums and arenas, and an estimated global TV audience of four billion people. The 29th Summer Olympics are opening in Beijing on the 8th of August, and the Russian Olympic team is on its way. How well is the Chinese capital prepared for the event? And what should the fans expect from the Russian team? To talk about it, our guest today is a Member of the International Olympic Committee - Vitaly Smirnov. Beijing Olympics
President Putin has named the man he wants to represent Russia at NATO. His choice has surprised many, as Dmitry Rogozin has a reputation as an unorthodox politician. What does the appointment mean for the future of the relationship between Russia and NATO? We'll get the answers firsthand. Our guest in today is Dmitry Rogozin. Russian "hawk"...
Russia with its long history, rich and diverse nature, one of the most glamorous capitals in the world, still doesn't top the list of tourist destinations. What attracts tourists more in other countries and do the old stereotypes get in the way of Russia becoming the number one travel destination? To answer these questions, we've invited to our studio Neil McGowan, a British man who has worked in the Russian Tourism industry since 1988. A traveller's...
The fact that St. Petersburg's Zenit won the UEFA Cup in May, and that the Russian national team is led into Euro 2008 by Dutchman Guus Hiddink - one of the top coaches in the world - has raised hopes for another Russian success in world sports.But with more than a dozen teams rated higher than the Russian squad, what's their real chance of success at the European Championships? Euro 2008:...
Recently, Russia has increased its diplomatic offensive on this continent, which for more than a century was considered a U.S. backyard. Which benefits can Russia gain from its cooperation with Latin America? And what may the U.S. do to keep its clout in the region? We will talk about it with the Deputy Director of the Carnegie Moscow Centre, Dmitry Trenin, and Alla Zenkovich, the Director of the Latin American Centre at the Moscow State University of International Relations. Russia returns to...
Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been burning for 60 years. Russian experts say the reason for this conflict is religion. Al-Aqsa mosque is built on the same place where the Third Temple should be build. What happens if Al-Aqsa is destroyed? Vyacheslav Matuzov, Acting Chairman of the Friendship and Business Cooperation Society with Arab Countries, will try to help us to answer this question. Third Temple:...
He has been called by London's Times 'If classical...
The Soviet Union broke diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in the 1930s and restored them in the 1990s. In 2007 Vladimir Putin became the first Russian leader to visit Riyadh. How will the bilateral relations develop under President Medvedev and what is the current position of this major Islamic state on large international issues? The guest to answer these questions is the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Majlis Ash-Shura, Sadaka Fadil. Russia and Saudi...
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is visiting Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic, on July 3. It is now one of the main gas exporters to Europe. But why is it so important for Russia? The answer is not just about natural resources, but also historic ties and a key alliance in the Caucasis. The guest to tell us more is Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia - Polad Byul-Byul Ogly. Russia-Azerbaijan...
Russians, including the surviving Romanovs, are commemorating the last Tsar Nicholas II and his family on July 17. Mourning is centred around the spot where on July 17, 1918, the Bolsheviks shot Nicholas, his wife and five children, three servants and a doctor. Our guest is the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna. Russian Imperial...
Today we will talk about the state of the nation address by the Russian President. In his first address to the Federal Assembly, Dmitry Medvedev proposed a set of political reforms aimed at widening peoples participation in politics. He also outlined the Russian response towards global challenges. Well be discussing the presidential speech with a man who was directly addressed by Medvedev on Wednesday Member of the Russian Federation Council Dmitry Ananiev. Medvedev`s...
According to the AP news agency, Russian businessman Viktor Bout has been arrested in the Thai capital, Bangkok. It is reported Bout was arrested on a warrant issued by a Thai court after a request from the United States. Details of the accusations against him are not immediately available, however. Earlier UN reports said Viktor Bout allegedly broke arms embargoes and supplied weapons to conflict areas in central and western Africa from the early 1990s. Viktor Bout has always denied the allegations, saying his company was in the transportation business. Viktor Bout was on Spotlight in November of 2006 commenting on his situation at the time. Bout vs Bush
The commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, said last week that the Black Sea Fleet could increase the number of warships at its base in Sevastopol to 100 and the number of its personnel to 25,000. But will the Russian Navy stay in the region after 2017, when the agreement to deploy the Russian fleet on Ukrainian territory expires? Vladimir Dorokhin, Ambassador at Large, Russian Foreign Ministry. Black Sea Fleet:...
Women may be dangerous! The queen of the boxing ring, Natalya Ragozina, is the world's top female boxer. She is the undefeated World Super Middleweight champion. Natalya is the current WBA, WIBF and GBU female world champion in the super middleweight division. The show starts...
Russian hockey Super league has been reorganized for next season. The organizers claim that the new Hockey League will challenge the dominance of the NHL as the world's best league. How achievable are these and other goals which are facing Russian sports in the 2008 Olympic year? Vyacheslav Fetisov, Head of the Russian Federal Agency of Physical Culture and Sport is the guest in our studio today to guide us through the agenda of the Russian Olympic team. Can the Russian...
After Kosovo unilaterally proclaimed its independence, there were many discussions concerning the legality and political consequences of this act. But one more important aspect of the in Kosovo problem are the extensive links of the Kosovo leadership with organised crime. To talk about this problem, our guest today is the former Head of the Russian Interpol bureau, Vladimir Ovchinsky. Kosovo: Europe's...
Today we will once again be talking about the state of world finance and the global economy. At a one-day summit in Washington the leaders of the 20 most economically important countries agreed to a radical change in the international monetary system. Their final statement pledges to reform global financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. How radical could this reform be? And will it really help prevent a new Great Depression? Were about to hear one of the most competent commentators on the subject - our guest today is the Director of the London School of Economics - Howard Davies... G20 against new...
8 years ago, on March 26, year 2000, Vladimir Putin was first elected President of Russia. At the peak of his popularity, Vladimir Putin leaves the post after two consecutive terms in office. What is Dmitry Medvedev's inheritance? The guests to discuss the past and the future of Russia's Presidency are Russian journalist Sergey Brilev and Moscow bureau chief of Newsweek Owen Matthews. Putin`s legacy -...
The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, is not the best friend of western democracies and he is well aware that he is often labelled as the last dictator in Europe. Meanwhile, Belarus is one of the most economically successful countries in the post-Soviet space and President Lukashenko says that he won't be surprised if ten years from now he's still the President of Belarus if his health and people's support don't fail him. Today, President Lukashenko is the guest on Spotlight. "The main factor...
Today we will talk about chess. Aleksandra Kostenyuk is the new Womens World Champion after defeating the Chinese prodigy Hou Yifan in the final at Nalchik in south Russia. Aleksandra is the first Russian women's champion since 1962. Aleksandra is our guest today. Chess queen
Russia's Fashion Week in Moscow is the largest fashion event in Eastern Europe. Past years have established Russian Fashion Week as a major date on the world's fashion calendar, just behind Paris, Milan, London and New York. Aleksandr Shumsky, General Producer of the Russian Fashion Week and Russian designer Viktoria Gazinskaya are here to shine light on the upcoming event. Russian passion...
Viktor Bout made his business in Africa and Asia and speaks six languages. Western intelligence services say he has one of the highest IQ levels in the world. Journalists call him the 'Merchant of Death'. Hollywood shoots movies about him. Last week Bout was arrested in Thailand and accused by the U.S. of trying to illegally sell weapons to Colombian terrorists. Who is Viktor Bout? The guest to tell us the true story of the man in the headlines is his wife, Alla Bout. Who is the man...
Today our SPOTLIGHT is on Venezuela. A group of Russian Naval vessels has set off for the Caribbean on this week to conduct joint manoeuvres with the Venezuelan navy. This development follows a week-long visit to Venezuela by a pair of Russian strategic bombers and comes as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is visiting Russia this week. What is behind the intensifying contacts between Russia and Venezuela? Well talk about it with Director of the Latin American Centre at the Moscow State University of International Relations - Alla Zenkovich. Hugo Chavez:...
This week the presidential race in Russia has entered a new stage as the deadline for registration has passed. The list of candidates will be finalized on January 27 by the Central Election Commission, after it examines the presented documents. Andrey Bogdanov, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Gennady Zyuganov, Mikhail Kasyanov and Dmitry Medvedev - do all of them stand a chance to be on the list? We`ll talk about it with the President of the Institute of Strategic Assessments - Aleksandr Konovalov. Russian...

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