Ship of state

Papers throughout Russia printed a computer-altered photo featuring President Yeltsin and his now-failed acting prime minister, Viktor Chernomyrdin, as lovers on the bow of the doomed Titanic. Novosti, Vladivostok's screamingly sensationalist daily, headlined the picture, "Russia may fall apart into regions." And Komsomolskaya Pravda printed the caption, "It's not funny, although we'll get 11 Oscars." Somehow the image of people waiting for the seas to swamp a mighty ship hit home around Russia.

Pensioners worry as bread costs rise
By Janina de Guzman
This week, Vladivostok residents did something they haven't done for a while -- queue for bread. And then pay more for it.

Ruble woes drive up cost of bread, eggs, oil
By Mike Eckel
Prices for basic food staples in Primorye have jumped sharply in the 25 days since the ruble was devalued, and the situation is becoming critical, administration officials said Sept. 7.

Krai announces price controls
By Mike Eckel
Following the lead of other regions throughout Russia, Primorye officials announced price controls on a wide range of staples Sept 9.

An open letter from Vladkhleb to the residents of Vladivostok.
When bread prices rose, Valkhleb, a bakery, asked the krai and city for help in holding down prices. Here is a letter it wrote, published in the Vladivostok Sept. 9.

Russian, U.S. scientists explore Kurils
By Mike Eckel
To some, the Kuril Islands are a desolate, uninhabitable archipelago, whose contested southernmost islands stubbornly prevent the full normalization of relations between Russian and Japan.

Ruble slump hurts Chinese traders
By Russell Working
USSURISK - During a trip home to China this summer, Jin Lian Sun invested $1,129 in leather coats of a style she thought she could sell in Russia as autumn approached.

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