Editor of the Murmansk-based news site RIA51.ru, Shafig Amrakhov,on Monday died from the shot wounds he got from unknow attackers last week.

The Norwegian government demands that the tourism industry in northern Norway speeds up the elaboration of a joint promotion plan for the entire region. However, the industry is still arguing wheather joint efforts will be in the best interest of all or not.

Shafig Amrahov, editor of the Regional News Agency in Murmansk, was severely wounded after he got several gunshots in the head when entering his apartment house.

The Russian government has allocated an additional 43,7 billion RUB (1 billion EUR) to the regions in a bid to stagger problems with increasing unemployment.

News agency RIA Novosti’s correspondents in North-West Russia has ranked the ten most important and memorable events in the region in 2008.

The population in the city of Murmansk in 2008 dropped to 313,000 people, local authorities confirm.

The 2010 Russian population census might reveal that the population is much larger than accounted for. A “rehearsal” census in three Russian regions in October showed that two percent more people were living in these areas than officially registered.

A new government bill proposes to significantly expand the definition of treason. Critics say that the law is directed against NGOs and the political opposition.

The northern parts of Finland might be about to loose its regional aid from the European Union. A new EU structural fund might leave the northernmost part of the union without development support.

The main indigenous people of the Kola Peninsula, the Saami, at their first congress decided to establish their own parliament. The Russian constitution, however, does not open for establishment of such bodies.

Increasing industrial pressure and looming consequences from rapidly progressing climate change were key factors why Norway, Russia, Finland and Sweden last week signed an agreement on emergency situations cooperation.

About 100,000 Russians are expected to go to Finland for New Year’s celebrations. Over the next weeks, every second tourist in Finland will be from Russia, Helsingin Sanomat reports.

The labour market in Murmansk Oblast seems to react rather slowly to the expected difficulties. This was the conclusion after the last meeting of the recently established Murmansk Oblast government’s crisis commission.

The Russian government has submitted a bill to the State Duma, which will broaden the definition of treason. That could create new trouble for Russian NGOs.

Last weekend the indigenous people of Kola Peninsula, the Saami, decided to establish their own parliament.

A poll from the Public Opinion Fund shows that Russians are increasingly discontent with the way the authorities cope with the economic crisis.

Last weekend 972 larger traffic accidents were registered in Russia. 153 persons died in these accidents and almost 1200 were injured, web site RBC reports. 47 accidents were caused by drunk drivers.

Twelve workers lost their lives in the explosion in a mine outside Kirovsk Thursday. Governor Yury Yevdokimov has declared an official day of mourning and the mine owner, Apatit Company, plans to give each of the killed workers' families one million RUB compensation.

A group of four Afghans have been sentenced to ten months of jail for having attempted to illegally cross the Russian-Norwegian border.

Russian industrial towns might face social unrest and violence as companies plan massive layoffs, a Russian sociologist says.