Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Friday announced the creation of the presidium, a new executive body designed to energize an unwieldy government. The presidium, composed of Putin's seven deputies and seven other ministers, will meet once a week, The Moscow Times reported.

By C.J. Chivers President Vladimir Putin accepted the resignation of the Russian prime minister Wednesday and nominated Viktor Zubkov, the low- profile head of a financial crimes agency and a confidante of Putin's, to assume the post.

Text of "Vesti" news report by Rossiya TV on 2 August [Presenter] Today the Russian government is discussing the development of the Far East and Transbaykal Territory for the period up to 2013.

MOSCOW. March 22 (Interfax) - Russian Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu will head the commission for assistance to the families of the victims of the blast at the Ulyanovskaya mine in Kemerovo region.

YAKUTSK. March 14 (Interfax) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov has slammed businesses which try to gain a profit from the state budget while implementing major projects.