The presidential elections in Russia are perhaps the last chance for the current state elite and the conscious part of society to realize the maelstrom of the policy of excluding the people from participating in the construction of the country under the old song about the “need to maintain stability.” The emergence of Putin's official successor, Dmitry Medvedev, almost certainly Russia's third president, does not negate the fundamental task of a responsible opposition to help return the country

The Russian government approved the draft agreement with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan After an extraordinary increase in prices for Turkmen gas, Moscow is trying to speed up work on a new gas transportation project, which should make talk about alternative routes for exporting Central Asian gas to Europe meaningless.

The Russian-Ukrainian project to create the An-70 aircraft is close to resumption The project to create jointly by Russia and Ukraine the military transport aircraft (MTC) An-70 (pictured) can be revived . As Vremya Novostei learned, the fourth meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian working group to resolve legal, financial, organizational and technical issues related to the project to create the Antonov-70 military-technical cooperation took place in Kyiv on Friday.

In recent years, skiing has become one of the favorite pastimes of Russians, significantly replacing tennis. A significant advantage of alpine skiing is that it can be combined with winter holidays and New Year's holidays. However, you need to book a hotel room several months before your trip. Those who did not take care of their vacation in advance have to look for other opportunities. The best solution may be to rent an apartment.

Cypriots were invited to Sochi Yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov completed a two-day official visit to the Republic of Cyprus.

Yesterday, a 120-day period expired during which mediators, in accordance with the UN mandate, were supposed to find a solution to the problem of Kosovo's status . This failed, and the Albanian leaders of the region began consultations on the adoption of an act of independence. The leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, who won the elections to the assembly (parliament) on November 17, may become the first prime minister of an independent Kosovo.

Vladimir Putin ordered ministers not to notice the presidential elections Having decided on a successor , the president devoted the traditional Monday meeting with members of the cabinet to a natural topic: how to convince ministers not to stop working during the “interregnum.” After United Russia's presidential candidacy, supported by three other parties, was announced yesterday, public interest has focused on the question of what the current head of state will do after the end of his second

Russian political scientists about the fate of the second and third presidents Russian political scientists commented on the nomination of Dmitry Medvedev to the post of head of state to Vremya Novostei correspondent Natalia ROZHKOVA.

Atlético linked up with Real Madrid and Barcelona The Spanish championship standings are taking on an increasingly traditional look by the Christmas holidays. “Real” is ahead, but not so far as to kill the intrigue.

The past year was a turning point for the Russian mortgage loan market: for the first time, this segment was seriously endangered due to the global liquidity crisis. Some large banks have curtailed their mortgage programs altogether, while others have changed their lending terms. “At the end of last year, none of the lending market specialists could have predicted in their forecasts that the Russian mortgage market would undergo negative changes in terms of increasing loan rates.

Lezgin billionaire elected senator from Dagestan The People's Assembly of Dagestan yesterday supported the candidacy of Suleiman Kerimov (pictured) , who will now represent the southernmost Russian republic in the Federation Council. Mr. Kerimov, 41, will replace former prime minister Atay Aliyev, an ethnic Kumyk who led the Dagestani government in the final years of the region's former leader, Magomedali Magomedov.

The state has taken on housing and communal services, citizens are still thinking about it The results of this year for the Russian housing and communal services look very contradictory. On the one hand, the authorities are pleased to note the increased activity of citizens: more and more people are deciding how to manage their home. But on the other hand, there are still only a little more than half of the total number of “owner-owned” houses in Russia as a whole.

Chronicle of sporting events According to the official website of two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso, the Spaniard has signed a one-season contract with the French Renault team. Alonso spent this year at McLaren, and in November, by mutual agreement of the parties, the contract between the driver and the Silver Arrows was terminated, although the agreement was supposed to be valid for two more seasons.

Last weekend, the men's national championship among Super League teams resumed with matches of the fifth round, and the women's championship started with six meetings. The tournament's youngest team, Belgorod's Lokomotiv-Belogorye, continues to remain in the leading group. The Lions confidently beat the Ufa Ural, whose colors are defended by Alexei Kazakov, Maxim Tereshin, Evgeniy Matkovsky and French setter Loïc De Kergre, who have experience playing in national teams.

CLUBS “Mill”, The Dartz, “Tol Miriam”, “REELROAD” : fiery Irish, Scottish, Breton, Balkan, Spanish, Jewish, Scandinavian and Russian melodies on harps, zhaleikas, bagpipes and more as part of the Folk Navigation festival, "PLAN B" , 19.00. Haleo (Cuba). Perky Latin American rhythms for all salsa fans in “B2” , 21.00. "The Magic of Bagpipes" . Folk rock. "Vermel", 21.00. CONCERTS Haydn: Trio in G major. Brahms: Trio in B major, Hungarian Dances for cello and piano.