A hearing on the freedom of word initiated by Tuvan journalist Alexandr Filatenko, editor of the Tuvan State TV Broadcasting Company, is to take place in the European Court on Civil Rights Defense, reports 'Novaya Gazeta'. The news-paper gives its version of the events in Tuva in 1999 during the election Duma campaign.

Mezhprombank founded by Sergei Pugachiov (at present Tuvan senator in the Council of Federation) set up United Industrial Corporation (UIC) which is aiming at developing the largest deposit of stone coal in Russia in the place of Elegest (Tuva). Dmitri Sahno, member of the UIC Directors' Board, gave an interview to the Rossiyskaya Gazeta in which he shared the UIC plans in Tuva. Elegest's coal is considered one of the highest quality in Russia. Coal resources here make up 1 billion tones. UIC is planning to excavate in 6 years up to 12 million tones a year starting with 2 million tones in 2008.

Tax inspection of Tuva on the basis on 2004 statistics has declared the names of 24 tax payers who were recognized as the best tax-payers of the last year. They were awarded with Diplomas of Honour. Some of the 'Laureates' receive the Diploma for the 2nd and 3d time. Among 'traditionally' honest and profit-trasparent organisations are Tyvasviazinform (communications) and GAAO-2 (transport).

Tuvan Moscow-based 'Olchei' (Ayan-ool Sam, Georgi Beletski, Artur Damdyn) group is invited to take part in the international festival 'Mongolia and Himalayan countries' which will be held in Besancon (France) from April, 30 till May, 8.

Sergei Mironov, speaker of the Council of Federation (Higher Chamber of the Russian Parliament), in an interview to the 'Parlamentskaya Gazeta' remembers his student's research carried out in Tuva. His diploma work at the Leningrad Geological Institute was devoted to the study of Tuvan uranium mines. And the student's vacations he usually spent in Tuva together with Yelena Vysokoostrovskaya, his scientific superviser.

Tuvan theatre named after Victor Kok-ool will show 5 plays from its repertoir on the Moscow stages in coming September. The principal agreement on it was achieved on Friday between Mikhail Shvydkoi, head of the Federal Agency on Culture and Cinema and Chylgychy Ondar, State Duma deputy.

A new album by Sainkho and 'Tri O' is going to come out in May. 15 years ago the Tuvan singer, then a student at the folk department of the Moscow Musical college, was invited by Sergei Letov to make part of 'Tri O' playing free jazz. From that time on Sainkho is known as a free jazz star.

Winter hunting season for fur animals in Tuva is over. Majority of hunters admit it was a successful one due to the rich harvest of cedar nuts and berries. All in all 120 000 squirrel skins and 20 000 those of sables were provided to the state by the hunters. Prices for them are now close to world standards: 2 dollars a squirrel fur, and 50-100 dollars a sable.