We wrote about Google’s foray into the Russian ad market with their planned acquisition of Russia’s biggest ad service Begun back in July. However, the $140 million transaction had to wait for approval from Russia’s FAS, (Federal Antimonopoly Service), who wanted more details about the deal.

Now, Profy reports (original source in Russian here) that the acquisition has been banned by FAS.

The official reason: Google’s documentation on the personnel of the company working in Russia was incomplete. However, as Profy’s Svetlana Gladkova hints, it’s probably just a matter of Russia thinking twice about having Google monopolizing their online advertising market. Whether it’s just a matter of time, some under-the-table negotiations, or the ban really staying for good, remains to be seen.

—Related Articles at Mashable | All That’s New on the Web:So, That’s Why Google Bought Russian Ad Company BegunGoogle Buys Russian Contextual Ad Service BegunSocial Scraps: Digg Payola, Wretch, YouTube Stars Cash InFacebook Banned In Iran?Facebook Banned For Ontario Government EmployeesSlide Joins Family of Banned Sites, in TurkeyYouTube Ban in Thailand Lifted

Google has acquired Russian contextual advertising company Begun from Rambler Media for a total of $140 million.

Begun is currently owned by two companies: Rambler Media owns 50.1% of Begun, while Bannatyne Limited owns the remaining 49.9%. Under the terms of the deal, Rambler will first buy Bannatyne’s stake and then sell the entire company to google.

Begun is one of the leading ad services in Russia’s huge market, but knowing Google’s acquisition history, they’re probably not in it only for the market share, but also for the technology.

*Update: Svetlana Gladkova from Profy, who’s well informed on the subject, explains in a comment below and in a blog post that Begun is not only one of the leaders in Russia’s contextual ad market, it’s almost a monopoly, so market share is definitely a big reason for Google’s acquisition.

From the official PR [PDF link]:

“Rambler Media Ltd. (“Rambler” or “the Company”), operating one of Russia’s most popular internet brands, announces that it has agreed to sell its contextual advertising company ZAO Begun (“Begun”) and related subsidiaries to Google. Rambler currently holds 50.1% of Begun. The transaction will consist of Rambler buying the remaining 49.9% stake in Begun from Bannatyne Limited, affiliated with the Finam group of companies, immediately after which Rambler will sell 100% of Begun to Google subject to certain approvals and conditions precedent for a total cash consideration of US$140 million, of which US$69.9 million is attributable to Bannatyne, with customary closing adjustments.

Rambler’s net gain from the disposal is expected to be approximately US$50 million after all direct costs associated with the transaction. Proceeds received in respect of the sale of its holdings in Begun will be retained by the Company for further investments and potential acquisitions in line with Rambler’s stated strategy. The Company’s net cash position after the completion of this sale is expected to reach US$100 million. The Company’s directors consider, having consulted with its nominated adviser, ING, that the terms of the transaction are fair and reasonable insofar as its shareholders are concerned.”

—Related Articles at Mashable! - The Social Networking Blog:LiveJournal Announces Russian PartnershipIt’s Official…Google Buys MeasureMapAsk.com Launches AdSense CompetitorBlinkx Launching Video AdSenseGoogle Answers to Make Triumphant Return?How I Spent My Billions: A Brief History of Ad Network AcquisitionsGoogle Answers to Bring Back Human Powered Search

Widgets, or shortcut links downloaded to computer desktops, are gaining so much popularity that corporations are using them as a marketing tool.

"The user’s desktop is extremely valuable, it’s prime real estate," said Paul Brody, Yahoo vice president of desktop products, in Sunnyvale, California.

Desktop widgets, also known as gadgets or modules, serve as short cuts to other Web sites. They are becoming very diverse, represented by pictures, logos and or even interactive games. Yahoo recently launched Widgets 4 and has more than 4,300 widgets, many written by third parties but that include company-branded ones. "If you have that application running there (on the desktop) all the time, from an advertiser and a brand’s perspective, that’s obviously an opportunity to connect with their key audiences," said Brody.

Wigets allow the user to access information by desktop without opening a web browser. "It’s the slicker, richer version of bookmarks on your web browser," said Dave Carnoy, executive editor for CNET.com, in New York. "There seems to be a widget for just about everything."

Popular widgets include weather trackers and UV indexes, news feeds, train, bus and flight schedules, currencies and even lunar phases. Women can track their menstrual cycles or count down to their due date if pregnant. A widget coffee alarm will sound when it is time for a break and an alcohol calculator widget allows brewers to determine the alcohol content. "You really can only have so many of them before it starts either cluttering up your desktop or slowing down the load-time," Carnoy said. "It’s a little bit of a fad."

Whether widgets are time-wasters or have the potential to be exploited by advertisers, one analyst says people like them for their cool factor. "It allows you to keep your fingers in all the digital pies that make up your life," said Dr. Curtis Gittens, senior research analyst for Info-Tech Research Group, a Canadian IT market research company based in London, Ontario. "But it won’t help you solve the whole information overload problem," Gittens said. "It could become as messy as your bookmarks." Gittens said users should download widgets from established sites. "Play safe, stick to the main players and you will have lots of fun with your widgets," he said.