The White House has to admit that the US and NATO are deeply bogged down in the Afghan swamp. Washington and European capitals are frantically looking for ways out but do not see an alternative to military presence. Currently, 63,000 US soldiers are stationed in Afghanistan, and this number may grow to 100,000 in the beginning of the next year if the conflict in the White House is resolved in favor of General Stanley McChrystal

Moscow market of illegal vodka is estimated to be 25%. Outside Moscow it is as high as 50%. Experts believe that a significant part of illegal vodka is produced during the so-called "fourth shift," meaning, by the official manufacturers at night time. The price of illegal vodka is significantly lower than the price of licensed vodka. The minimum price of legal vodka in Moscow is 75 rubles ($2.6), while outside Moscow it is only 60 rubles (less than $2)

Prices for anti-virus medicine in Moscow pharmacies have responded to the increased demand and informational panic caused by the media in regard to the so-called swine flu epidemic. The most sensitive part of the population rushed to buy onions, garlic, and medications. Flu masks and medicine were sold under the counter at marked-up prices. However, the panic subsided in less than two weeks

Designer Christian Louboutin, whose luxury shoes sell for no less than a thousand dollars, was preparing for the Barbie Doll anniversary. He declared that the doll was too fat for his shoes and said that he would change it to look better. Specialists calculated Barbie’s proportions. If she was human, she would be 5’6, her waist circumference would be 17.7", her hips would be 33", and her breast would be 39", and she would weigh less than 110 pounds. With these proportions, she would be only able to move on all fours

With the next to the last flight of the American space shuttle in the air, the US will soon be retiring their space shuttles to replace them with a new vehicle, scheduled for 2013. Of course, seeing how things always delay in America, it is more likely 2023 is a better year. Until then, the Americans will be riding on Russian Soyuz capsules. But the Soyuz itself, a 40 year old technology with many modernizations, is on its way out, to be replaced with bigger better platforms

Sarah Palin took sides with the nation of Georgia in its scuffle with Russia even though Georgia started the scuffle by attacking unarmed Russian citizens within provinces that belonged to Georgia. In fact, Georgia was once a territory controlled by Russia but Russia gave the Georgians their independence. Does Sarah Palin realize this? She still thinks Russia is the Soviet Union

Orthodox Priest Daniil Sysoyev was assassinated in Moscow at night of November 19. The crime was most likely committed for religious reasons. The unidentified assassin was wearing a doctor’s mask when he attacked the priest. The criminal entered Holy Apostle Foma Temple in the south of Moscow on Thursday night, at about 10:40 p.m.