The Moscow City Court released from criminal liability the revolutionary terrorist Alexander Biryukov, who was accused of involvement in the explosion at the FSB reception on Kuznetsky Most on August 13, 1998. Specialists from the Serbsky Institute of General and Forensic Psychiatry, summoned to conduct an examination, recognized the accused as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.

President of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch goes on a previously planned trip to Asian countries. As the AP agency reports, the head of the IOC will visit Malaysia on April 27, and South Korea on May 1. Samaranch does not intend to abandon his plans, although, according to doctors, after long flights he will need rest. Olga ERMOLINA

The President of Egypt is looking for approaches to Putin The “invasion” of Arab leaders in Moscow, who have an extraordinary interest both in Putin’s Russia and in Putin personally, continues. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak arrived here yesterday, having last visited Russia four years ago, when he met with Boris Yeltsin.

General Motors hopes to improve the situation due to Niva General Motors (GM), AvtoVAZ and the EBRD plan to sign constituent documents in May to create a joint venture that will produce Chevy-Niva cars. This was stated by GM Vice President David Herman. The total cost of the project will be about $300 million.

Employees of the Moscow region RUBOP detained several people involved in the sale of heroin and seized a large batch of this drug. As it turned out, drug dealers supplied the potion to the Moscow region, Sverdlovsk region and Krasnoyarsk region. Detectives began monitoring drug dealers since August last year and spotted another deal in September. At Domodedovo airport, one of the drug dealers sold half a kilo of heroin. The buyer expressed a desire to purchase a larger batch.

In the Stavropol Territory yesterday, the first case of death from Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever this year was registered. On Monday, 20-year-old shepherd Mikhail Kurmei was hospitalized at the hospital in the village of Zhuravskoye, Novoselitsky district, with suspected pneumonia. It was later discovered that he had hemorrhagic fever.

Visa Striving to join the Schengen zone, Hungary is introducing a new procedure for crossing the border by citizens of “non-Schengen” countries, including Russians, from June 3. Yesterday, the Hungarian Embassy invited the heads of Moscow travel companies for clarification, most of whom view the innovation without much enthusiasm.

Europe Ignores Bush's China Strategy US President George W. Bush's vocal plans to provide military support to Taiwan have encountered serious obstacles. Unlike Beijing's protests, they cannot be ignored because Washington's allies created the difficulties. The fact is that the White House promised to sell Taiwan weapons that it itself does not have - 8 diesel submarines.

A new large company has appeared on the Russian oil market - the Ural Oil Company (UNK). Registration documents were submitted yesterday in Yekaterinburg, and the official announcement is expected to take place today. The board of directors elected yesterday included seven people (four from TNK and three from the region), and the president of the Tyumen Oil Company, Semyon Kukes, became its chairman.

The Kronstadt Marine Plant (KMZ) is recognized as creditworthy. The Arbitration Court of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region approved yesterday a settlement agreement between the debtor and creditors. The termination of the bankruptcy procedure increases the company's chances of receiving an order worth $100 million for the repair of two corvettes of the Algerian Navy. The bankruptcy procedure was introduced at the military ship repair enterprise of the Ministry of Defense in November 2000.

Limiting drug prices has its downsides In most developed countries, with the exception of the United States and France, prices for drugs - both prescription and over the counter - are regulated by the state. The methods used are very different, but they are all based on limiting the manufacturer’s price, company income, as well as prices for new drugs, trade markups, etc. Russia was no exception. In 1999, government decree No. 347 “On measures of state control over drug prices” was issued.

A forensic expert spoke at the trial in Budanov’s case The case of Colonel Yuri Budanov is taking a new turn. It is possible that in the near future another examination will be scheduled on the body of the murdered Chechen girl, which will have to finally establish whether the colonel raped her or not.

A package of important laws moves to the Duma The Duma will go on vacation two weeks later than planned. May and almost half of the summer, until July 5-10, deputies will deal with priority bills from the president and the government. Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov yesterday specially came to the Duma council to talk about the most immediate legislative initiatives of the White House and ask faction leaders and chairmen of relevant committees to work overtime during the spring session.

The government rehearsed the funeral of the SWP Chapter two of the Tax Code, devoted to taxation in the implementation of production sharing agreements, may come into effect as early as January 1, 2002, Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko said yesterday after a government meeting.

And now he offers it to Russia Following the Egyptian president, the president of another Arab state, Yemen, is planning to come to Moscow. The visit is being prepared by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this country, Abubaker Abdallah AL-KIRBI. He told Vremya Novostey special correspondent Elena SUPONINA that the largest Russian oil and gas companies are going to work in Yemen.