POLITICS

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope on Thursday that Moscow and Caracas will continue to develop friendly bilateral relations after the death of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, who was considered a close ally of Russia.

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

Russian investigators brought fraud charges against Oleg Mikheyev, a lawmaker from the opposition A Just Russia party on Thursday, just weeks after he was stripped of parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

(Vedomosti, Kommersant)

The Georgian parliament passed a resolution on the main directions of the country’s foreign policy, which includes maintaining severed diplomatic relations with Russia.

(Kommersant)

Two municipal deputies held a picket outside the Moscow City Duma last month, but few took notice. Not many passers-by stopped to ask what their handmade signs meant, and only a handful of journalists showed up to record their entreaties.

(The Moscow Times)

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

President Vladimir Putin says he has already decided who will head the Central Bank of Russia, but declined to give the name yet.

(Kommersant)

Insufficient investment, a deficit of qualified pilots and continued use of outdated equipment are to blame for the Russian aviation industry's poor safety record.

(The Moscow Times)

OIL & GAS

The European Commission on Friday approved Russian state-owned oil giant Rosneft's purchase of the TNK-BP oil company, saying it sees the deal as no barrier to competition in the European oil market.

(Vedomosti, Kommersant)

WORLD

The president of Moldova has accepted the government's resignation, jeopardizing his country’s chances of the integration into the European Union.

(Kommersant)

Venezuela’s authorities have decided to embalm the body of Hugo Chavez and display it at a military museum.

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

One of the six suspects on trial for a gang-rape on a bus in New Delhi last December has committed a suicide in jail.

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

SOCIETY

Three opposition rallies in support of women's rights were held around town on Friday, marking International Women's Day. Two of the events ended in a wave of detentions.

(The Moscow Times)

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