The Ministry of Finance wrote a budget strategy, which in the near future should be represented by the government. The calculations of the financial department, to put it mildly, do not inspire optimism: there is not enough money. Problems will begin next year. According to tax authorities and customs, revenues to the budget will be lower than 338 billion rubles planned. Further, the “hole” will only grow.

The Duma Ethics Commission (or whatever it is called) was not at all surprised by the fact of a fight between the deputies, nor by the fact that one of them had a pistol, or even by the piquant detail that the pistol was gold. Another commission did not even consider the issue of the Neverov dacha, the next golden pretzel. Everything is logical. You won't surprise these guys with gold. Those who have golden pretzels have golden pistols. And there is no sin to have both.

On Friday, it became known that on the way from China home, President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych will visit his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin in Sochi. There is no doubt that this visit is symbolic in nature: Yanukovych makes it clear to the Ukrainian opposition that he made his choice and will not go to aggravate relations with Russia. It is also clear as such a decision - to meet with Putin in the midst of a domestic political crisis - will be perceived in Kyiv.

“The task of ensuring sustainable economic development remains, where the key factor is to increase labor productivity and modernize existing industries, the creation of highly efficient jobs, the training of modern experts,” said Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at a meeting on the implementation of the May decrees of the president of last year. Yes, God would with them - with labor productivity, and modernization, and with highly effective jobs.

They talk and write about Nelson Mandela - often in a “glossy” style. Indeed, his experience is remarkable and will cause close interest for a long time. As a many -year prisoner became a peacekeeper and a Nobel laureate, who took off his predecessor at the presidential post by Frederick de Clerk - his country from international isolation, quickly (and with minimal costs), dismantling the apartheid regime.