The lower house of the Russian parliament this week approved a new law on educational activities, rejecting criticism from scientists, business people and cultural figures. From now on, any activity classified as ‘educational’ must be coordinated with the authorities. The law comes into force July 1. The legislation was submitted to the State Duma in the fall and its authors claim that academic lectures are often a front for ‘anti-Russian propaganda’.

When President Joe Biden gave an affirmative answer to a question from a journalist this week about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was a murderer, he guaranteed himself plenty of airtime in Russia. The ruble and the markets jolted downward, while Putin used the story to galvanize anti-American sentiment. Nevertheless, studies suggest anti-American feeling in Russia is half as strong as in 2015.

Perhaps the biggest Russian business event in the U.S. this year took place Friday when electric vehicle manufacturer Arrival got the go-ahead for a merger that will allow the company to list in New York with a valuation of $5.4 billion. That’s a lot for a company that — so far — is only producing prototypes and has just one major client. The Bell looked in detail at how a former deputy minister in the Russian government has taken an electromotive start-up into the big league of global business.

Hello! This week our top story is an in-depth look at electric vehicle manufacturer Arrival that just received the regulatory go-ahead for a $5.4 billion listing in the United States. We also explain why the war of words between Putin and Biden won’t lead to any significant changes in the bilateral relationship, and a new law in Russia that looks set to severely restrict educational freedoms .

Together with the governor of the Penza region Ivan Belozertsev, on March 21, the security forces detained the businessman and politician, the founder of the BITEK group, Boris Spiegel. According to the Investigative Committee, Spiegel, his wife and her employee gave Belozertsev a bribe. “BIOTEK” is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies, a supplier of drugs from Covid-19. We tell you what is known about her and her creator.

The topic of release is how the authorities will support it-business The government decided not to limit himself to the summer tax maneuver for the IT industry (entered into force on January 1, 2021)-and is preparing a new package of support for technological companies. It has 64 points: from new tax benefits to the support of Russian microelectronics. However, there are few specifics so far. And those measures that are known will not be beneficial to everyone.

The Montenegrin authorities allowed Russians vaccinated with Sputnik V to enter the country without passing PCR tests, said Ivana Djurovic, Secretary of State for Tourism at the Ministry of Economic Development of the country.

WHO experts have found that the COVID-19 coronavirus has spread rapidly in China due to the active trade in wild animals and their furs in the country. That is, the new coronavirus arose in the same way as its predecessor, the SARS virus, in 2002, writes Bloomberg.

The governor of the Penza region, Ivan Belozertsev, was detained. It takes place as part of a criminal case on abuse of power, writes RBC. In addition to the governor, the head of the Biotek group of pharmaceutical companies was also detained. According to Kommersant, Belozertsev is suspected of receiving 31 million rubles in bribes from pharmaceutical manufacturers. According to a REN TV source, Belozertsev and his sons were searched in connection with the criminal case.