The Russian Consul General in the North Korean city of Chongjin, Evgeny Valkovich, agreed with the DPRK authorities on the speedy release of the Lydia Demesh motor ship, which was detained on February 23 for violating the state border of North Korea. Negotiations about this took place in the port of Kim Chhaek, where border guards towed the ship and where Mr. Walkovich went to meet the crew of 24 Russians.

Oscar goes to the Coen brothers This year the competition was strong, like it hasn’t been for a long time. Of the five contenders for the main prize, two films - Andersen's There Will Be Blood and the Coen Brothers' No Country for Old Men - stood out in particular, and it became very interesting to guess what exactly the Academy would prefer.

The next North Atlantic cyclone will slip from the north of Scandinavia to the Perm region within 24 hours, providing the northwestern regions and some central regions with a short respite from precipitation and gusty winds. It will continue to be very warm, with temperatures 5-8 degrees above normal. On Tuesday in the north-western region there will be light precipitation in places, -2...+3оС during the day. In the central region there is light precipitation in the form of rain, -2...+3оС.

Russian national team striker Alexander Kerzhakov unexpectedly became a visual aid to the problems of the career of a modern, high-quality professional football player. Frankly degrading in the St. Petersburg Zenit, Kerzhakov, being in the prime of his life in age, made a risky and absolutely competent career leap: he moved to the Spanish Seville, a team trying to become top in one of the strongest national leagues in the world.

Russian companies are waiting for an invitation to develop the world's largest deposit, Tavan Tolgoi. The issue of developing the world's largest coking coal deposit, Tavan Tolgoi, in Mongolia, is again on the agenda two years later . Russian companies still remain interested in it and expect a speedy decision from the authorities on this issue. Yesterday, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov discussed this issue with President of Mongolia Nambaryn Enkhbayar.

One planet is not enough for humanity even with the greenest lifestyle On the website of a large European energy corporation, in a section called “Sustainable Energy,” the World Wildlife Fund posted an interesting test. The visitor is asked to calculate the impact that his life has on the environment. You answer a dozen questions and get the result. And you immediately understand how harmful you, as a modern resident of a big or small city, are to the ecology of the Earth.

The monopoly of the party in power is not allowed to be broken even at the district level Deputies of the capital's municipal assemblies, constantly complaining about the excessive centralization of power in Moscow, accused the mayor's office of trying to consolidate the monopoly of United Russia in decision-making even at the district level. A week before the municipal elections in the capital, it became finally clear that, in fact, there would be no fight.

Russia and the US are increasingly at loggerheads over Kosovo The problem of Kosovo's status is rapidly turning into an increasingly acute international crisis . The United States and Russia are exchanging tough statements, and in the region itself a secret plan for winding down the UN Mission has already been developed. It should be replaced by the representation of the European Union.

Yesterday, three Shiite pilgrims were killed and 15 were injured in a roadside bomb explosion near Baghdad. The explosion occurred on the way of believers to the holy city of Karbala, where on Wednesday mourning events will be held in memory of Imam Hussein, revered by Shiites. On Sunday, a suicide bomb in the town of Iskandaria, 50 km south of Baghdad, killed 56 Shiite pilgrims and injured 68.

CLUBS Apocalyptica (Finland). Apocalyptica was originally a group of four classically trained cellists. In the summer of 1993, the guys were preparing an entertainment program for one of the summer camps and tried to play a couple of “metal” songs for friends. After this performance, they had the idea to approach experiments with heavy music more seriously. "B1 Maximum" , 21.00. Ash.

The Russian national team reserve won the biathlon relay at Euro 2008 Last week the world championships in bobsleigh and skeleton, in ski flying, the Old Swat biathlon championship, and the World Cup in speed skating ended. Olympic champion biathlete Olga Pyleva also returned to the big sport, and equally titled skier Yulia Chepalova competed at the World Cup stage for the first time since March 2006.

Two books to read and one to admire - this is the choice in the last week of February, before March 2 arrives. “Not ashamed and not afraid” Dmitry Medvedev. National priorities. Articles and speeches. - M.: Europe, 2008. The collection of articles, speeches and interviews of Russian presidential candidate Dmitry Medvedev is not a lightweight brochure. This is a thick and weighty book, but you won’t be able to hit your opponent too hard with it because of the soft cover.

The status of urban forests and forest settlements in Russia has not yet been legalized Forest lands within urban areas are becoming an increasingly serious headache for municipalities every year. As Mikhail Giryaev, deputy head of the Federal Forestry Agency, told reporters, until amendments are made to the Forest Code defining the status of such lands, city authorities cannot not only put these territories into circulation, but even carry out the planned felling of old trees there.

Basketball. February 26. ULEB Cup. 1/16 finals. Return matches. February 27--28. Euroleague ULEB. Second group stage, 3rd round . The capital's army team has a chance to complete the first round of the Euroleague "Top 16" stage with a 100% result. To do this, on Wednesday we need to defeat the Spanish Unicaja from Malaga on the road.

Dmitry Medvedev passed the first exam in presidential diplomacy in Belgrade Moscow has found an original way to support Belgrade in the fight for the territorial integrity of the country and at the same time continue to implement its gas strategy. By coincidence, the Kremlin’s foreign policy action resulted in the first serious independent diplomatic mission of Dmitry Medvedev, who in a matter of days will win the presidential elections in Russia.