United Russia will be allowed to directly propose gubernatorial candidates to the president The State Duma confirmed yesterday that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev introduced amendments to the law “On the general principles of organizing legislative (representative) and executive bodies of state power of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation”, as well as to the law “On political parties”, to the lower house of parliament.

Ireland bails out national banks The Irish government will invest €5.5 billion in three of the country's systemically important banks, receiving in exchange blocks of preferred shares in these financial institutions. Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks will each receive €2 billion. They will provide the authorities with 25% packages of “prefs”, for which they will pay 8% per annum.

Beneficiaries prefer cash to promises More and more Russians who have the right to receive preferential medications are giving up this privilege in favor of a modest, but cash, amount of money. Recently, the Ministry of Health and Social Development reported that in 2009 there will be 16% fewer people in the program for providing essential medicines (ONLS) than this year. A total of 5 million 75 thousand people. That is, approximately a third of the initially compiled register of beneficiaries.

Russian authorities reported for the first time on spending to help humanity Russian authorities have spent about $220 million this year on various international development programs, from fighting malaria in Mozambique to providing food aid to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Just three years ago, these expenses did not exceed 60 million. But this is not the limit. By 2011, these amounts will reach 250 million. This is Russia’s price for a worthy place in the global financial system.

Some 250 inmates at the US military base at Guantanamo Bay may have to move from the sweltering tropics to the cold North Sea coast of Hamburg, Germany.

Mediators found a peaceful place in Palestine French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner called the city of Jenin “an example of the success of the reforms being carried out in Palestine and cooperation between the authorities of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.” He said this in an interview with Vremya Novostey during a meeting of the Middle East quartet in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh in November this year. The rest of the quartet members share the same opinion.

The Governor of St. Petersburg continues to master painting Valentina Matvienko is not only a governor, but also an artist and weather forecaster. At the end of last week, at a charity event called “ABC”, held at the St. Petersburg Christmas Fair, the mayor painted a picture “Blizzard”. The canvas turned out to be prophetic in its own way - already on Sunday winter finally came to the northern capital and the city was covered in snow. Let us remind you that the St.

The ruble gave another 53 kopecks to the dollar Yesterday, the Bank of Russia reduced the ruble exchange rate to the bi-currency basket for the sixth time in a month, after which the dollar jumped by 53 kopecks. -- above the level of 28 rubles. According to analysts, before the New Year the dollar could reach 29 rubles. regardless of quotes on world markets. And due to low oil prices, the position of the ruble against the basket will become weaker by 18% in the first quarter of 2009.

Channel One Cup canceled One of Roman Abramovich's most notable football projects - the Channel One Cup - fell victim to the crisis. Yesterday, the head of the National Academy of Football (NAF) Foundation, Sergei Kapkov, citing a lack of funding, announced the cancellation of the tournament, which was supposed to be held in Israel in the last days of January. According to preliminary estimates, this decision will save NAF and its founder Roman Abramovich at least $5 million.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled to release Vasily Aleksanyan The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) yesterday partially upheld the complaint of former Yukos vice-president Vasily Aleksanyan, obliging the Russian authorities to release him from custody. The court also found that a number of articles of the European Convention on Human Rights had been violated against him. However, Mr. Aleksanyan’s lawyers do not yet know when and how these decisions will be executed.

Romania's unusual government knows how to beat the crisis The Romanian Parliament, at a joint meeting of both chambers, yesterday approved the powers of the new government of the left-right majority (Social Democrats and Liberal Democrats). After a five-hour debate, 329 deputies voted in favor and 112 voted against.

CLUBS Sergei Nikitin. “The Wood Grouse’s Nest” , 20.00. Havana Girls. The most famous Cuban girl's orchestra in Latin America. Their repertoire includes Caribbean rhythms of salsa and merengue, closely intertwined with musical hits of all times: Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Eagles, Stewe Wonder, Sting. "Union of Composers" , 20.30. Haleo (Cuba). Latin American rhythms, youthful enthusiasm and tropical temperament at Cool Train Club , 21.00. CONCERTS Chamber ensemble "Moscow Soloists". I.

Hypo Real Estate management is accused of hiding the truth about the crisis Munich prosecutors have brought a bunch of charges against Hypo Real Estate (HRE), Germany's largest real estate finance bank, whose collapse a month ago was prevented by multibillion-dollar government injections. A criminal case has been filed against the bank: its now former top managers are accused of failing to implement information policy and violating shareholder law.

Oleg Deripaska is looking for partners Entrepreneur, owner of Basic Element and the richest person in Russia according to Forbes magazine, Oleg Deripaska, yesterday in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, actually stated that his business empire is going through far from the best times.

Russia's two largest airlines will not merge Aeroflot abandoned the idea of ​​annexing Sibir, the second largest airline in Russia (after itself). But now the Russian national air carrier does not exclude the possibility of taking control of the Hungarian national airline Malev. Aeroflot Deputy General Director Mikhail Poluboyarinov spoke about this yesterday.