National Choosing a Means of Self-Defense By Kirill Bessonov Life in Moscow can be as dangerous as in any large city - and while street crime may be not as rife as in Rio, Moscow remains far from Oslo in terms of security. Russian law allows citizens and residents to defend themselves from aggressors, while shops in the capital offer a wide range of means of self-defense. For those interested in defending themselves, the legal limits and guidelines on purchasing weapons may look daunting. While other publications can assess the benefits and drawbacks of each available weapon, here is a guide to defending yourself legally in Russia.

News Russian Elections Chief Slams OSCE By Kirill Bessonov The head of the Russian Central Elections Commission Vladimir Churov has accused the European elections watchdog OSCE of "lack of respect" after an OSCE arm ODIHR complained of "limitations" in invitations to the March 2 presidential elections that had been sent to them.

News Moscow Eager for Youth Games By Gennady Fyodorov, Reuters Moscow is all but ready to host the first Youth Olympics two years ahead of time, says the city mayor Yuri Luzhkov.

News Serb Candidates Clash in Televised Debate BELGRADE (RIA Novosti) - The Serbian pro-Western incumbent president and his pro-Russian contender clashed Wednesday night in a live televised debate on Serbia's future ahead of a crucial runoff scheduled for February 3.

News In Brief - Putin, Medvedev Call for Major Effort to Clean Up Russian Environment Putin, Medvedev Call for Major Effort to Clean Up Russian Environment, Russia's Interior Ministry Proposes DNA Bank, Avalanche In Central Russia Kills Four Children, Newborn Baby Survives Fall from Train

News Schools to Get New Software By Anna Arutunyan Russia's schools will be provided with licensed software as early as this summer, the Telecommunications Ministry has announced. Meanwhile, the ministry plans to start distributing open-source Linux-based software - something that would provide schools pressed for cash with another alternative.

News Russian Think Tank to Open in Paris, New York MOSCOW (AFP) - A Russian democracy institute backed by President Vladimir Putin is to open branches in Paris and New York with the aim of probing human rights abuses in the West, organizers said on Monday.

News Iran Receives Last Cargo of Russian Nuclear Fuel By Kirill Bessonov Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hailed the development of his country's nuclear industry after Iran received the last batch of nuclear fuel from Russia for its first nuclear power plant, a move signifying the approaching launch of the reactor.

News Crime Briefs - Large Batch of Bear Paws Seized at Far East Airport Large Batch of Bear Paws Seized at Far East Airport, Man Killed in Bus Stop Explosion in Oryol, Tajik National Apprehended for Selling 1M Counterfeit Rubles, Model Bodyguard Dies in Moscow Carjacking

Local Moscow Plans for Huge Aquariums By Nathalie Cooper For those who feel a bit cut off from the sea here in Moscow, you may be pleased to hear that the Moscow zoo at Krasnopresnenskaya will soon be introducing a huge aquarium with glass underwater passages. You can escape the slush and pollution of the city streets and, for the duration of your visit, experience an almost underwater existence as you make your way through the transparent corridors and marvel at the different species of fish.

Local Clearing the Air By Rebeccah Billing While many Europeans breathe easy in their bars, cafes, clubs and restaurants thanks to smoking bans in public places, Muscovites are still stuck choking on secondhand smoke. But this could all change as public opinion moves towards backing a ban in the city.

Local In Brief - Health Official Urges Vital Infrastructure Upgrades Health Official Urges Vital Infrastructure Upgrades, City Will Add Eight More Fire Stations, New Multi-Use Apartment Complex Planned, New Metro Station Will Cost 2.8 Billion Rubles

Local Ice Scream By Theodore Merz "This is why Americans cannot understand what a Russian is!" So said the politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky in 2006, before jumping into a hole in a frozen-over river, live on television. If you want to get a step closer to understanding the mysterious Russian Soul, it seems the most essential thing is to take the plunge into some icy waters. Luckily for you, there is a spot just out of central Moscow where this can be done.

Local Moscow Tries (again) To Tackle Traffic By Sergei Dmitriyev Moscow authorities on Tuesday convened to discuss plans for the future development of the transportation infrastructure in the eastern district of the city. The decisions they agreed upon will play a big part in Moscow's ongoing development, up to the year 2020.

Local Anti-Abortion Protest Held MOSCOW (AFP) - Pro-Kremlin youth activists opposed to abortion planted about 200 crosses in the snow in a Moscow square on Monday, the latest in a series of events held to mark the "year of the family" in Russia.