LOCAL NEWS

ELBARADEI HOLDS OUT FOR DEAL

MOSCOW — Hamas leaders refused to renounce violence or recognize Israel during a weekend visit to Moscow, but they did make potentially significant concessions by extending a cease-fire and hinting that the militant group might soften its stance if and when Israel withdraws to pre-1967 borders.

The head of the delegation, Hamas political chief Khaled Mashaal, tried to win points with Russia by calling Chechnya an internal problem — a statement that angered Chechen rebels.

President Vladimir Putin invited Hamas, which won Palestinian parliamentary elections in January, to Moscow for talks in an apparent bid to help Russia regain its status as a powerbroker in the Middle East. The invitation infuriated Israel and surprised the other members of the so-called Quartet of Middle East mediators: the United States, the European Union and the United Nations.

CHARITY EASES THE PAIN OF CANCER SUFFERERS

Two local hospitals and one clinic this month started offering free psychological, psychotherapeutic and psychiatric help to children suffering from cancer and members of their families. The initiative is part of a nationwide humanitarian project entitled “My s Vami” (We Are With You), which plans to set up a nationwide network of psychological support consultancies and a call-center.

NATIONAL NEWS

Thousands Angered by Growing Bills

MOSCOW — A wave of protests against growing utilities bills rolled across the nation over the weekend, with thousands of people hitting the streets to call for restrictions on price hikes and to denounce overall housing reform.

In striking contrast to the national protests over the monetization of state benefits last year, the rallies were organized not only by leftist groups but also by liberals, including State Duma Deputy Vladimir Ryzhkov, who heads the Republican Party.

LOCAL BUSINESS

IKEA DROPS CONTRACTOR FOR MEGA CONSTRUCTION

Swedish DIY-store IKEA has terminated a 92 million Euro ($130 million) contract with Lemcon which had been assigned to construct the MEGA family shopping center in St. Petersburg.

Lemcon, a subsidiary of Finnish group LemminkÊinen, was appointed general contractor for the MEGA project in the city’s Parnas district in August.

BUDGET AIRLINE GERMANWINGS EYES SOFT LANDING AT PULKOVO

Budget airline Germanwings is to start regular flights between St. Petersburg and Germany. The first low-cost carrier to establish itself in the city, Germanwings will serve Cologne and Bonn three times a week from April 29, Prime-TASS reported last week.

IN BRIEF

American Facade

ST. PETERSBURG (SPT) –—Morskoi Fasad managing company, which is constructing a passenger terminal on Vasilievsky Island, has chosen American company Gensler to be an international architectural consultant for the project, managing company said Friday in a statement.

BOEING STEPS UP PITCH FOR $3 BLN AEROFLOT DEAL

Reuters

Aviation giant Boeing said Friday that it hoped to win a $3 billion contract to deliver 22 new long-haul planes to flag carrier Aeroflot, even if its rival Airbus has offered a discount.

CENTRAL BANK MOVES TO CURB MONEY SUPPLY

Reuters

The Central Bank announced Friday a half-percentage point rise in its short-term deposit interest rates aimed at curbing inflation, surprising analysts who doubted the move would work.

The increase would support money market rates and help to curb the money supply, which is growing at an annual rate of nearly 40 percent, the Central Bank said in a statement.

GLOBAL LIVING - COACHING THE ART OF SELF-EMPOWERMENT

Sometimes when you know what you want in life, you still need a little push in the right direction. A life coach might be just the person to gently nudge you toward your goals.

REGULATING THE WORK OF NGOS

In January a new federal law was signed into effect by President Vladimir Putin, introducing significant changes to the way nongovernmental organizations are regulated. When the legislation was introduced in the State Duma, the explanatory note attached to the bill stated that a mechanism of control needed to be established for NGOs.

CUTTING THE WRONG TAX?

The government’s new medium-term economic program includes a proposal to cut the value-added tax (VAT) from 18 to 13 percent by 2009. Given a combination of sustained high oil prices, large budget surpluses and slowing growth, it is not difficult to see why the government is considering further tax cuts.

OPINION

BLOWING OIL PRICES SKY HIGH

We call our brothers in the battlefields to direct some of their great efforts towards the oil wells and pipelines. The killing of 10 American soldiers is nothing compared to the impact of the rise in oil prices on America and the disruption that it causes in the international economy.

DON’T WORRY, JUST STOCK UP ON LOTS OF SALT

On May 17, 1896, Muscovites began to gather on Khodynskoye Pole, where a lavish program of entertainment was planned to celebrate the coronation of Emperor Nicholas II.

WORLD

IN BRIEF

Tillman Killing Probe

WASHINGTON — A new inquiry into the fatal shooting of Army Corporal Pat Tillman during combat in Afghanistan will examine possible criminal negligence in the friendly-fire incident, said Pentagon officials. General Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Sunday while there is no evidence as yet of a crime involving the former football star’s death, investigators will want to find out if any of Tillman’s fellow soldiers were “firing a weapon when they should not have been.

SPORT

Zenit Faces French Test In Last 16

FC Zenit St. Petersburg faces its biggest European challenge yet as the underdog against Olympique Marseille of France in the final 16 in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

The first-leg match, to be played in Marseilles, is followed by a second leg to be played in St. Petersburg on March 16 at Petrovsky Stadium.