The SCO stood up for Karimov before the United States The results of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization; includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) summit that ended in Astana are interesting for two reasons. Firstly, representatives of India, Pakistan and Iran joined the “Shanghai” as observers (although none of the leaders of these states came to Astana, only second persons were present).

An American businessman hopes to reach space orbit in the fall The Russian Federal Space Agency officially announced yesterday that it has signed a contract with Space Adventures, which intends to make American Gregory Olsen the third space tourist in human history. It is expected that Roscosmos will send it to the International Space Station as early as October this year as part of the ninth visiting expedition.

Yesterday, two prominent American journalists appeared before a jury, which will decide whether to send the reporters to jail or not. Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper and New York Times correspondent Judith Miller were guilty of failing to disclose the source of their information to investigators or the court, following the rules of journalistic ethics. The journalists face four months in prison.

Yesterday, the Verkhovna Rada, with a scandal, nevertheless adopted one key law necessary for the country’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). This is a law on the protection of intellectual property. As Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Oleg Rybachuk said, “if we had failed this law, the road to the WTO for Ukraine would have been closed.” Ukraine leads the list of countries producing pirated laser discs.

The Duma finally adopted presidential amendments to election laws The State Duma yesterday adopted in the third and final reading amendments to the electoral legislation initiated by the head of state. Changes to 13 existing laws and codes completed the electoral reform.

Yaroslavl drug police exposed another “veterinary mafia” The scandal surrounding criminal cases against veterinarians is taking a new turn. Employees of the State Drug Control Service of the Yaroslavl Region managed to initiate and bring to court three criminal cases at once for the use of a harmless drug in the treatment of animals, which is not even on the list of prohibited for use.

The management of Russian Railways has found a way to reduce costs. Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin agreed yesterday with Viktor Rashnikov, owner and chairman of the board of directors of the country's largest steel producer, the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, to reduce prices for rolled metal. According to the signed protocol, in the third quarter, Russian Railways will buy metal from Magnitogorsk at 6.3% cheaper than now (i.e. at the price at the beginning of the year).

Metro Cash & Carry will pay aviators for permission to build a hypermarket near the landing strip The Voronezh branch of the Metro Cash & Carry retail chain will be forced to finance the modernization of the runway of the local aircraft manufacturing plant. In exchange, the plant will withdraw its claims to the location of the Metro shopping complex being built on the outskirts of Voronezh.

Japanese politicians squabble over privatization Japanese Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Junichiro Koizumi warned yesterday that if the House of Councilors (upper house of parliament) refuses to approve the privatization of the country's postal system, it will be tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the government.

Forecast for the coming days According to popular superstitions, July 7 - “Ivan Kupala - a lot of mowing, the grass smells strong - it will rain.” In the north-west and center of European Russia, weather conditions are quite favorable not only for mowing, but also for most people. The reason for this is the anticyclone that has settled in the Barents Sea.

The Minister of Education and Science tried to win over the Federation Council The reform of Russian science continues to remain at a crossroads, since neither the executive nor the legislative authorities will undertake to approve the final concept. Minister of Education and Science Andrei Fursenko continues to convince his colleagues of the need for serious reforms in this industry.

Purchase history of Russian teams Over the relatively short history of Russian football, almost all clubs have managed to change owners, some more than once. Often these transactions were accompanied by high-profile scandals, and their financial details were never disclosed. Of greatest interest to buyers are Moscow clubs, as well as the real estate they own.

Dagestan special services again eliminated the main terrorist of the republic In Dagestan, last night it was officially announced that the most dangerous terrorist in the republic, 34-year-old Rasul Makasharipov, nicknamed Muslim, had been killed. He was identified as one of two militants killed on the outskirts of Makhachkala during a routine operation by local police. As soon as this became known, all the special services of the republic were literally delighted.

CLUBS Suicide. The dinosaurs of American punk are coming to Moscow - the cult New York duo Martin Rev and Alan Vega . In the early 70s, these people were the embodiment of scandal and provocation - when the Sex Pistols were still in school, Alan Vega was already beating himself over the head with a bicycle chain on stage. For him, it was a way to “show people the street,” to let them see the harsh truths of life.

Those who came to Vasilievsky Spusk received news from Singapore late Just a few minutes after the start of the pretentious event organized yesterday afternoon by the capital’s authorities on Vasilievsky Spusk, it became clear that the action to support Moscow as a candidate to host the 2012 Olympics was meaningless. The Russian capital was eliminated from the list of contenders shortly after the start of voting by members of the International Olympic Committee.