News Medvedev urges Russia to withstand challenges The Moscow News President Dmitry Medvedev gave a year's end televised interview, recapping on some of the challenges he has faced since assuming office this year.

News 19 dead in Ukraine apartment blast KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - An explosion tore through an apartment building in southern Ukraine, killing at least 19 people and leaving dozens more trapped under the rubble, emergency officials said Thursday.

News In Brief - Russia to get 70 nuclear missiles in 3 years Russia to get 70 nuclear missiles in 3 years, U.S. denies its citizens fought in Georgia war, Palestinian leader seeks support on Moscow visit

News Bill regulating extremist sites pulled from Parliament By Anna Arutunyan In a bid to get tough on online extremism, lawmakers have submitted a set of amendments that would make it possible to shut down websites with extremist content by court order. The amendments were withdrawn, however, for further examination, which underscores how complex legislation dealing with the Internet can get.

News Anti-Corruption Law Passed By Anna Arutunyan The cornerstone of President Dmitry Medvedev's anti-corruption legislative package has been passed this week by Parliament. Among harsher punishments and more stringent regulations is a rule that cuts the limit on the price of gifts received by officials from 5,000 rubles to 3,000 rubles.

News CRIME Briefs - Police probe attacks on Moscow musicians Police probe attacks on Moscow musicians, Bomb hoax forces Russian plane to land in Athens, Unsatisfied customer shoots sex shop assistant, Suspects detained over brutal murder of 5 people in Moscow Region

Local Top 10 – City Highlights Ice Scream! Soviet GUM, Off to the Races, Easter Story, Painting the city green, Manchester - Chelsea, Proud Yuri, Russian Fashion Returns, Beat the Heat, On the Cheap

Local New Year at the last minute By Andy Potts Russia's night of nights is approaching fast, with this week's snowfall coming in the nick of time to create a festive feel for Moscow ahead of the New Year spectacular.

Local Packed schedule to mark holidays Combined Reports More than 450 New Year events will be held in Central Moscow, according to the city authorities.

Columnists A Russian fairytale By Daria Chernyshova With snow falling outside and brightly-decorated trees on every street corner, I make no apology for taking this opportunity to introduce the star of Novy God, Ded Moroz himself, or perhaps he is really someone else?

Local Cool Trolley Tour By Phoebe Taplin Winter may be the best time to enjoy the sights and sounds of bustling Moscow from the warm seat of a trolleybus

National Top 10 – National Putin becomes United Russia chairman, Dmitry Medvedev elected Russian President, Doomsday Cultists standoff comes to end, Self-proclaimed messiah sent to jail, Russia - China settle border spat, Record dive in Lake Baikal, War in Georgia, Russian Tsar Rehabilitated, Patriarch Alexy II dies

Essay Some sobering comments on vodka, the notorious Russian toast, and other surprises… By Robert Bridge First, if you want to drink with the natives you must understand that the Russian people never say "Na zdaroviya" before they toss back their favorite firewater.

National This week in russian history... 26 December 2008 – 15 January 2009

World Tourism to Goa takes beating after Mumbai attacks By MIN LEE Beach beds are lined up outside the snack bars dotting the sandy white coastline and dance music booms from bars and restaurants. The only thing missing from Goa's beaches are the throngs of merrymakers who normally flock here for the hedonistic year-end parties.