TODAY: Dmitry Yakovlev bill to ban U.S. adoptions and foreign-funded NGOs makes way through parliament, drawing outcry; rights organisations call on European Union to pressure Russia; protesters under pressure; Putin unhappy with limousine; Kamchatka volcano erupts; Baikal Mill bankruptcy; Transneft vows to maintain exports; liberalisation of freight industry.

Russia’s lower parliament has given ‘preliminary but crucial’ approval to an amendment in the the Dmitry Yakovlev bill banning the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens.  The bill needs to pass through one more reading tomorrow, after which it could come into force as early as January 1.  A further measure under the same bill is that U.S.-funded NGOs involved in political activity in Russia will come under a direct ban.  The entire bill is part of what Dmitry Peskov called a ‘tough, emotional’ response to U.S. implementation of its Magnitsky List, which targets human rights violators.  Children’s Rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov applauded the bill, saying that it is ‘shameful to export children’.  An Ekho Moskvy reporter calls the Duma deputies ‘morons who only do what their leaders tell them’.  Alexei Navalny has suggested that President Vladimir Putin will speak out against the adoption ban, giving everyone a chance to ‘praise his wisdom’.  15 people were detained outside the State Duma for protesting against the Dmitry Yakovlev bill.