The head of the exiled Russian Orthodox Church, the church's New York-based leader Metropolitan Laurus and the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II participate in the ceremony devoted the Russian Orthodox Church's reunification with its overseas branch, established by emigres who fled the country following the 1917 Bolshevik revolution. The two prelates signed a document on reestablishing canonical ties, which is widely seen as a milestone on the way toward overcoming the decades-long rift with the exiled branch, which broke away in 1921, after accusing fellow clergymen in Soviet Russia of collaboration with the country's Communist regime. The signing ceremony, timed to coincide with Ascension Day, took place in Moscow's central Christ the Savior Cathedral. A delegation of about several dozen senior clergymen is accompanying Laurus on his historic Moscow visit. Hundreds of pilgrims from the United States and Western Europe have converged on the Russian capital to witness the event.

Vietnamese children and adults await the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin during his official visit to Vietnam on Sunday, November 19, 2006.

iNiavaran Cultural - Historical Complex is situated in the north eastern part of Tehran (Shemiranat). Its formation dates back to the Qajar Dynasty. This Complex which has been changed to a museum after the Islamic Revolution was administered jointly with Sa'adabad Complex till 1378 AH (1999), and became independent in 1379 AH (2000). Presently, it is comprised of five museums (Niavaran Palace Museum, Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, Sahebqaranieh Palace, Jahan Nama museum and the private library), and other cultural, historical and natural attractions including the Blue Hall, Private Cinema, Jahan Nama Gallery, and Niavaran Garden. Pictured is the is the girl-guide in Sahebqaranieh Palace. In 1267 AH (1388), Nasser-ed-Din-Shah ordered to have the Niavaran Palace erected in two floors including Shah-neshin (formal reception area), korsi-khaneh (winter sitting room), bathroom, and forty to fifty buildings each consisting of four rooms and a terrace housed by his consorts. During the 31st year of his reign, he called himself as the SahebQaran and hence called this palace as Sahebqaranieh. After him Mozaffar-ed-din Shah made some changes in the building and ruined a part of the harem. The Constitution was also signed by him in the yard of this palace. Under Pahlavi I, this palace was renovated for the marriage of Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi with Princess Fawziah for receiving the guests but due to severe winter the ceremonies were not held there. Under Pahlavi II, Farah Diba made basic changes in its internal decorations and building, and the first floor, i.e. hose-khaneh (pool room), was used for receiving the guests and the second floor was used as the office of Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi. Other rooms of this palace include: sofreh-khaneh (dining room), tea-house, bar, game rooms in the first floor, and meeting room, waiting room for the foreign missions, secretary, dentist room and resting place of Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi. Friday, Feb.24 2006.

Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who helped hasten the collapse of the former Soviet Union has died. He was 76. According to official Russian sources, Yeltsin succombed to heart failiure at Moscow's Central Clinic Hospital.

Russian war veterans attend a World War II victory parade in Red Square during celebrations for the 62nd anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. Victory Day, one of the most important holidays on the Russian calendar, commemorates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Russia started the construction of the world's first floating nuclear power plant - capable of generating electricity and thermal power, a senior nuclear official said. The head of Russia's nuclear power agency, Sergei Kiriyenko said the plant, to be named after the Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov, will have a capacity of 70 megawatts of electricity and about 300 megawatts of thermal power. Kiriyenko attending the ceremony of laying the foundation of the plant in the northern city of Severodvinsk said: 'Today we are signing an agreement on the construction of six energy units of floating nuclear power plants.'According to Kiriyenko the demand for floating nuclear plants exists not only in Russia but also in Asia and the Pacific region where they can be used for water desalination. Floating nuclear power plants can operate without fuel reload for 12-15 years and have enhanced radiation protection. They are expected to be used widely in regions that experience a shortage of energy and also in the implementation of projects requiring standalone and uninterrupted energy supply in the absence of a development power system. The mini-nuclear station would be moored near the Sevmash plant, which is the main facility of the State Nuclear Shipbuilding Center.

L-R) US President George W. Bush , Chinese President Hu Jintao, Russian President Vladimir Putin all wearing a Vietnamese Ao Dai silk tunics, take part in the official photograph for the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation ( APEC ) summit in Hanoi on Sunday, November 19, 2006. Asia-Pacific leaders have called for an early resumption of six-nation talks on dismantling North Korea 's nuclear program and pledged fresh efforts to revive negotiations to free up global trade.

Pope Benedict XVI talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the Vatican. It was the highest-level Kremlin-Vatican talks in more than three years, a meeting expected to focus on ways of easing tensions between Catholics and Orthodox Christians and finding common ground on moral issues. The meeting, the first between Benedict and Putin, is part of a visit that takes the Russian leader to Italy and Greece this week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was joined by other officials at a Moscow ceremony honoring the 70th anniversary of the Presidential Regiment at the Kremlin's Ivanovskay Square. The special military division is charged with the protection of the nation's leaders and important state sites, as well participation in military rituals and other representative functions. The Presidential Regiment falls under the control of the FSO protective services and reports directly to the Russian president.

Alexey Kudrin, left, Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation, visits a post on the New York Stock Excange trading floor on Monday April 24, 2006.

U.S. President George W. Bush, first lady Laura Bush after the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, en route to Singapore, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006. Bush stopped to see Putin on his way to Asia for an eight-day trip that includes stays in Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Jamshidieh Park (or Jamshidieh Stone Garden), established in memorial of Jamshid Davallu Qajar, a Qajar Prince that dedicated this garden to Farah Diba, Empress of Iran. The park, which is located in the Niavaran district at the base of the Kolakchal Mountain, is one of the most picturesque and beautiful parks in Tehran. Pictured is the street dealer near Jamshidieh Park on Friday, Feb.24, 2006.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Jacque Chirac (left) at the Elysee Palace in Paris. France.

The head of the exiled Russian Orthodox Church, the church's New York-based leader Metropolitan Laurus and the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II participate in the ceremony devoted the Russian Orthodox Church's reunification with its overseas branch, established by emigres who fled the country following the 1917 Bolshevik revolution. The two prelates signed a document on reestablishing canonical ties, which is widely seen as a milestone on the way toward overcoming the decades-long rift with the exiled branch, which broke away in 1921, after accusing fellow clergymen in Soviet Russia of collaboration with the country's Communist regime. The signing ceremony, timed to coincide with Ascension Day, took place in Moscow's central Christ the Savior Cathedral. A delegation of about several dozen senior clergymen is accompanying Laurus on his historic Moscow visit. Hundreds of pilgrims from the United States and Western Europe have converged on the Russian capital to witness the event.

Russian President Vladimir Putin enjoys the Victory Day celebrations in Red square marking the 62nd anniversary of victory over the Nazi and Germany during WWII.

Police detained at least 200 other activists, including Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov, the former world chess champion, as they gathered for a forbidden anti-Kremlin demonstration called "Non-conformists march" in central Moscow.

Niavaran Cultural - Historical Complex is situated in the north eastern part of Tehran (Shemiranat). Its formation dates back to the Qajar Dynasty. This Complex which has been changed to a museum after the Islamic Revolution was administered jointly with Sa'adabad Complex till 1378 AH (1999), and became independent in 1379 AH (2000). Presently, it is comprised of five museums (Niavaran Palace Museum, Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, Sahebqaranieh Palace, Jahan Nama museum and the private library), and other cultural, historical and natural attractions including the Blue Hall, Private Cinema, Jahan Nama Gallery, and Niavaran Garden. Friday, Feb.24 2006.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Madrid on a two-day visit to Spain for talks on closer cooperation on terrorism and Russia's role in arenas such as the Middle East.

People queuing outside Christ the Saviour Cathedral in downtown Moscow, where farewell ceremony for the first Russian president is held. Yeltsin died of heart failure at age 76. The burial is to be held April 24th.

Vietnamese children and adults await the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin during his official visit to Vietnam on Sunday, November 19, 2006.

The basic type of transport in Hanoi is scooter. The huge quantity of people rides a scooter through the streets of Hanoi, Vietnam on Sunday, November 19, 2006.

Niavaran Cultural - Historical Complex is situated in the north eastern part of Tehran (Shemiranat). Its formation dates back to the Qajar Dynasty. This Complex which has been changed to a museum after the Islamic Revolution was administered jointly with Sa'adabad Complex till 1378 AH (1999), and became independent in 1379 AH (2000). Presently, it is comprised of five museums (Niavaran Palace Museum, Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, Sahebqaranieh Palace, Jahan Nama museum and the private library), and other cultural, historical and natural attractions including the Blue Hall, Private Cinema, Jahan Nama Gallery, and Niavaran Garden. Pictured is the interiors of Sahebqaranieh Palace. In 1267 AH (1388), Nasser-ed-Din-Shah ordered to have the Niavaran Palace erected in two floors including Shah-neshin (formal reception area), korsi-khaneh (winter sitting room), bathroom, and forty to fifty buildings each consisting of four rooms and a terrace housed by his consorts. During the 31st year of his reign, he called himself as the SahebQaran and hence called this palace as Sahebqaranieh. After him Mozaffar-ed-din Shah made some changes in the building and ruined a part of the harem. The Constitution was also signed by him in the yard of this palace. Under Pahlavi I, this palace was renovated for the marriage of Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi with Princess Fawziah for receiving the guests but due to severe winter the ceremonies were not held there. Under Pahlavi II, Farah Diba made basic changes in its internal decorations and building, and the first floor, i.e. hose-khaneh (pool room), was used for receiving the guests and the second floor was used as the office of Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi. Other rooms of this palace include: sofreh-khaneh (dining room), tea-house, bar, game rooms in the first floor, and meeting room, waiting room for the foreign missions, secretary, dentist room and resting place of Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi. Friday, Feb.24 2006.

Medal-bedecked World War II veterans dance while taking part in a victory celebration near the Bolshoi Theater, a traditional Victory Day meeting place of veterans in Moscow on Tuesday, May 9, 2006. Today Russia celebrates the 61st anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and wife Lyudmila were greeted by Austrian President Heinz Fischer and wife Margit upon their arrival in Vienna on an official two-day visit. Following an hour-long meeting with Fischer, Putin warned that U.S. plans for a new missile defense shield in eastern Europe would launch a new "arms race."

Moscow, Russia. Russian winter in Moscow.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko heads off to a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in downtown Kiev.

Shops, public squares and parks throughout the Russian capital are aglow with Christmas and New Year's decorations. In addition to Christmas and New Year's celebrations, many Russians will celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7th.

Russian President Vladimir Putin enjoys the Victory Day celebrations in Red square marking the 62nd anniversary of victory over the Nazi and Germany during WWII.

A view of Timokhovskaya dump - the largest range of industrial wastes in the Europe near the town of Noginsk in the Moscow area, about 20 kilometres to the east of Moscow, on April 23, 1992. Timokhovskaya dump began on 1975. The thickness of waste reaches twenty meters, its area is about 120 hectares. Now on range it is stored more than twenty millions meters3 various kinds of waste (household, industrial and medical). It is the largest range in Russia, 50% of all firm household waste accepting more of Moscow. The range has been started up in operation without the project and, hence, without any nature protection actions. On a dump the set the seagull lives. Homeless people and beggars walks and some of them live at a rubbish dump. People who are constantly searching the dumps say that it is possible to find not only food and drinks but also valuable things that makes homeless people and beggars to spend all day there in hope to find something that they can sell.