The average world price of Russian oil Urals in January 2009 amounted to $ 42.8 for a barrel against $ 89.45 in January 2008, Alexander Sakovich, deputy head of the customs payments department of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, told Interfax . In December 2008, oil on average cost $ 39.22 per barrel. "The price of oil was stabilized. In January, it was even slightly higher than the predicted average annual ($ 41 per barrel in 2009).

Sberbank of the Russian Federation intends to buy up to 100% of the shares of the largest BTA Bank in Kazakhstan, the control package of which agreed to redeem the republic’s authorities in order to prevent bankruptcy of the bank, Reuters reports with reference to a source close to negotiations.

The American motorist, who became the owner of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 SUV, clearly overdone with the finalization of the already “hot” car. It seemed to him a little 425-horsepower Hemi V8 engine installed on a jeep, and he decided to force the car to 920 “horses” and put on it the “eight” of the company Bes with a volume of 7.0 liters.

As sociological surveys showed, the Russians are warmer than the defendants in the scandalous “case of Yukos”: the ex-head of the NK Yukol Khodorkovsky, the deadly patient of the company vice-president Vasily Aleksanyan and former lawyer Svetlana Bakhmina, who was concluded in a pre-trial detention center.

The mayor of Smolensk Vladislav Khaletsky was expelled from the United Russia party. According to Interfax , such a decision was made at a meeting of the city political council after the report of the head of the city. Khaletsky, who has been heading the city since 2003 and has been running for the upcoming elections on March 1, thus deprived the support of the ruling party in the elections.

Representatives of the radical Palestinian movement "Hamas" agree in principle to conclude a truce with Israel for a period of one year, provided that the boundaries of the gas sector and the removal of the Israeli blockade are opened. This statement was made by the representative of Fausian Barkum, and his words quoted on Monday the British television channel Sky News .

The Catholic bishops of Italy will create a special fund to help families affected by the global economic crisis. This was stated, speaking last Sunday on the first channel of national television, General Secretary of the Italian bishop's conference Mariano Crociata. “In the face of the current economic situation, the bishops of Italy intend to strengthen charity activities to provide assistance to the weakest.

The President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev intends to introduce a bill in the State Duma to the State Duma on guarantees for the illumination of the work of parliamentary parties in state media, which will distribute quotas between the Duma factions for performances on the air of the Russia television and radio company. Opposition parties insist on dividing quotas equally - regardless of the results they received in the parliamentary elections, the Independent Gazeta writes.

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, after his election to the high -reading throne, will continue to conduct the program "The Word of the Shepherd" , which has been a broadcast on Saturdays at nine in the morning on the first channel for nearly 15 years.

From yesterday, February 1, the Ford Auto Concert increases the prices of its cars in the Russian market by an average of 4.5%. This was reported by the press service of the Ford plant located in the Leningrad Region, RIA Novosti reports. The rise in price applies to all passenger models of the brand produced from February 1, 2009, and partially SUVs and commercial cars, the car company said.

Employees of the Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan neutralized an extremist group planning for a violent change in the state system. As Interfax reports, this is stated in the message of the Center for Public Relations of the MNB. "Azerbaijan, as a result of a counterintelligence operation, as part of the fight against international terrorism, neutralized a group of radical religious extremists who are citizens of Azerbaijan," the report said.

The thriller "hostage" , in which Liam Nison played the main role, takes the first line in the ranking of the most popular films of the past weekend. The picture of the former CIA agent, saving her daughter at the hands of the bandits, earned $ 24.6 million. Thanks to the success of the hostage, January 2009 turned out to be the most profitable in the history of Hollywood.

The spiritual leader of the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams congratulated the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Cyril on intronization and invited to visit the UK. “If possible, honor for honor to greet you here in Britain, as my predecessor greeted yours - as a precious guest and friend in Christ,” the archbishop’s message, transmitted today by the Interfax -religion portal.

The famous singer Patricia Kaas will represent France at the Eurovision Song Contest-2009 contest. The France 3 TV channel, which is responsible for the choice of French participants in the competition, this time moved away from tradition: so far France at Eurovision was represented by young performers who took the first steps in the musical business. However, this year it was decided to give preference to a recognized "star", Interfax reports.

With the financing of the Russian Health Development Project until 2020, problems may arise in the conditions of the economic crisis. The project, the goals of which are the increase in the population from 142 to 145 million, as well as an increase in the average life expectancy and a decrease in mortality, implies an increase in health costs from 2.6 trillion rubles in 2010 to 8.3 trillion rubles in 2020.