Most web users express their relief after Russia's decision not to reinstate the death penalty in January. Also in this edition, a corruption scandal in Indonesia raises concern online.
Speaking after talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko late Thursday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the two countries had reached a compromise deal on the thorny issue of gas supply.
Though a moratorium on the use of the death penalty is due to expire in January, the Constitutional Court in Russia has ruled that the punishment is contradictory to the International protocols the country has signed.
Slovenia (pictured) stunned Russia on Wednesday to qualify for the World Cup finals. Portugal Greece and Uruguay will also travel to South Africa next year.
A controversial nuclear power plant that Russia is building in Iran will not be operational by the end of 2009 as previously announced due to technical issues, a top Russian official has said.
Two firemen died while fighting massive fires caused by blasts at an arms depot outside the central Russian city of Ulyanovsk. More than 40 people who were feared missing were found alive and well in a bomb shelter.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for a new push to modernise and diversify the country's economy in his annual state of the nation address.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has issued a fresh warning to Ukraine over its alleged siphoning of gas from pipelines bound for Europe. Last winter Moscow cut gas supplies to the continent for two weeks in a dispute with Kiev.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is fighting a desperate battle. His popularity at home has plummeted over his handling of gas disputes with Russia, and Moscow is ratcheting up the pressure ahead of a January presidential poll.
