A PARAGRAPH TO STUDY TODAY

Russia's State Duma, or lower house of parliament, has approved a ban

on Americans   adopting Russian children.

The bill, passed Friday in its third and final reading by a vote of 420 - 7,

now goes   to the upper house   of parliament    for approval.

The ban on U.S. adoptions is   in retaliation   for a U.S. law that imposes sanctions on Russian officials suspected of human rights violations.