TODAY: 100th anniversary of Women’s Day in Russia vs gender inequality; corruption language ban; Mikheyev charged with fraud; Putin promises bank surprise; 25% of crude to go East by 2015; Lukoil’s record profits; Filin attacker denied bail; Tolokonnikova seeking parole.

This year marks the 100th year of International Women’s Day in Russia, and will be a work holiday for many, with female employees receiving gifts from their male colleagues.  ‘Where do flowers and perfume once a year get you if you have nothing the next 364 days?’  Russia’s only female army General, Yelena Knyazeva, says that a woman’s place is in the home, not the military, and this piece notes the paucity of women in prominent government positions.  Federation Council speaker Valentina Matviyenko has topped a press list of Russia’s 100 Most Influential Women.  The Kremlin wants to ban officials from using language traditionally linked to corruption, including phrases such as ‘Thank you doesn’t butter my bread’, and ‘The question is difficult to solve, but possible’.  Investigators have opened a case against Duma deputy and A Just Russia member Oleg Mikheyev over fraud charges.  Vladimir Putin says that the new head of the Bank of Russia ‘will be unexpected. You will like it.’