Talking about children’s morality has become a very popular topic in the Russian State Duma. Russian officials suppose the time has come to think how to protect children from undermining influence of “bad values”.

Investing in resorts and recreation zones seems to earn popularity easily and fast in Russia. Unfortunately Russia can’t boast numerous long sandy beaches and sunny days all year long. The region of Sochi is probably the only place in the whole country attracting businessmen. No wonder, they search for other opportunities to purchase a house on the sea shore.

Russia has cut oil production for the first time during the past 10 years. Other oil exporting nations also prefer to save their oil deposits rather than sell it on the international market. No wonder, their profits head all the records anyway.

Russian police is concerned about growing number of crimes against children. The head of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that it is essential to introduce restrictions on time of the day when under-18s are permitted to stay outdoors in order to avoid possible crimes against them. He believes that 10 p.m. should become curfew for children and teenagers.

Since the dollar began to slide down inevitably, a true revolution happened in the minds of the Russian citizens. According to the recently conducted research, the number of Russians, who trust the U.S. currency has reduced tenfold for the last six years.

Atomenergoprom, a Russian state-ruled holding, and Japanese Toshiba have signed an agreement on cooperation development in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy. The alliance may well become the world’s leader in this field.

The number of Russian billionaires multiplies year by year. Summarizing the results of 2007 we can say that the number of mighty rich people increased by 60%, which was indicated by Forbes Magazine in its annual billionaire rating last Thursday. The novices put Russia to the second position by the total amount of billionaires in the world.

The biggest energy holding in Russia has been created as a merger of Siberian Coal and Energy Company (SUEK) and a number of power assets owned by Gazprom. The new company will be under control of the Russian gas monopolist. In case the deal is approved by the Russian regulatory bodies, the energy holding's value will exceed $16 billion. Consolidated SUEK plans to file IPO in prospect.

Effective breeding population of sturgeons is on the verge of extinction. The environmentalists urge people to refuse black caviar willingly. However, the UN believes there is no need to dramatize, and has lifted the 12 months’ moratorium on beluga caviar export from the Caspian countries, which means Russia has regained its right to supply the over expensive delicacy abroad.

Furs export has always been the Russian domain in the overseas markets. Several decades ago the Soviet Union was among the top three biggest fur exporting countries. It may sound funny, but Russia is on the contrary number one in fur import today – 80% of the Russian fur market is taken over by foreign companies.

For the first time in the modern history of Russia the export of crude mineral oil has dropped. At the same time the more amount of oil is processed inside of the country. It seems to be comforting at first: selling gasoline abroad instead of crude oil is much profitable. However, the Russians consume more gasoline now than it was just a few years ago, while the domestic oil companies fail to satisfy the mounting demand of the Russian market.

Most people, irrespectively of their religion and nationality, tend to celebrate New Year and hope for the best. However, experts who annually release economic forecasts don’t see the future so enthusiastically: they promise $175 for barrel of oil and a serious meltdown in Chinese and U.S. financial markets.

The Russian Ministry of Public Health and Social Development has tightened abortion regulations. According to them, a woman will have to sign a document confirming her awareness of all potential consequences abortion may incur. Besides, all female counseling centers must have a special person, whose duty is to describe the process in detail and talk a woman out of abortion.

A new bill introduced to the State Duma recently would force drivers give up smoking while driving, otherwise they will be fined. The bill doesn’t have many chances to be passed, though in other countries smoking behind the wheel is banned.

Air salon MAKS 2007 closed on Sunday in Zhukovsky. The total volume of deals made at the salon exceeded $3 billion. Besides, the event attracted thousands of visitors, who came to MAKS willing to see newly-designed jets and aircrafts.

The recent scandalous story about poisonous Chinese toys has made Russian officials think of the domestic toy market and inspect all goods produced in China and intended for children. At the same time the current situation may be used to show what part of the Russian toy market is controlled by domestic manufacturers.

Lack of outhouses seems to be a weak spot of any modern city including Moscow, since all us sometimes or quite frequently feel the necessity to visit a water closet, and in case it is not around, some forget the shame and “commit hooliganism” entailing fines.

In one old Soviet film a young woman bought an “exclusive” dress in a shop and went to the dance floor in a local park. Imagine how embarrassed she was when saw dozens of ladies wearing similar dresses. This feature film reflected the reality with standard clothes, boots, things and uniforms typical for the Soviet Union.

A new bill about the status of homeless people has been introduced to the State Duma. If it is approved, the government will have to support a 4-million army of beggars, though many doubt they are unlikely to depart from their usual mode of life.

Two weeks ago Russian State Duma accepted amendments to the last year's law on extremism. In the light of growing intolerance and developing fast nationalist movements the changes are mostly welcomed by the society and political parties, though some amendments are rather disputable.