Incoming Russian central bank chief Elvira Nabiullina struck a hawkish stance on inflation on Tuesday in a bid to convince sceptics that she will not bow to Kremlin pressure to lower rates for stronger growth. Russia's lower house of parliament was expected to overwhelmingly back President Vladimir Putin's choice to head the Bank of Russia in a vote scheduled for 5:00 pm (1300 GMT).

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Russian reporter who was savagely beaten in 2008 in what press freedom campaigners said was symptomatic of a culture of fear and impunity under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, died on Monday. Mikhail Beketov, 55, lost three fingers, part of his lower leg and sustained so much brain damage he could no longer speak, died in hospital after food clogged his breathing tube, a foundation set up to help with his medical costs said.

Charismatic Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who goes on trial in just over one week, said Monday that he was mentally prepared for a prison sentence and had even packed a bag of clothes to take to jail. In an interview published in opposition New Times weekly, Navalny said that he was ready to be imprisoned in his embezzlement case, which he believes is being personally directed by President Vladimir Putin. "Mentally, I am ready for this. I have prepared for it: I've written out powers of attorney and discussed with my wife many times how and what we'll do."

Charismatic Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a leading critic of President Vladimir Putin, declared his ambition to stand for president as he prepares for a trial that could see him jailed. Navalny said he expected to be convicted in the embezzlement case, which his supporters claim is politically motivated, but insisted he did not fear prison and would jail his top foes if he came to power. "I want to be president," he told the opposition Dozhd (Rain) television channel in a late-night interview Thursday.