Author: JRL Russia List

ANNOUNCEMENT: Putin’s favourite monastery. The wooded island of Valaam, in a large lake in northern Russia, is a beacon for Russian Orthodox believers – among them President Putin.

Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Religion
Valaam file photo showing Monastery church on wooded island

From: Lucy Ash <lucy.ash.05@bbc.co.uk> Subject: BBC online stories Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2012 Audio slide show for “Putin’s favourite monastery. The wooded island of Valaam, in a large lake in northern Russia, is a beacon for Russian Orthodox believers – among them President Putin.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20041504

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

EVENT: Central Asia Security Workshop at IERES, GWU, on October 30 [in Washington, D.C]

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Map of Central Asia, Including Commonwealth of Independent States Members

Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2012 Subject: Central Asia Security Workshop at IERES, GWU, on October 30 From: Marlene Laruelle <laruelle@gwu.edu> Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies http://www.gwu.edu/~ieresgwu/ Elliott School of International Affairs George Washington University THE CENTRAL ASIA SECURITY WORKSHOP October 30, 2012, 9.00am ­ 4.15pm George Washington University 1957 E Street NW, Washington D.C. Lindner Commons, 6th Floor […]

» Read more
Leave a comment

Russian Economy Will Struggle to Grow 3% Per Year, Ruble to Weaken – HSBC

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
File Photo of Cash, Coins, Line Graph

MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax) – Russian GDP will grow 3% in 2012 and 2.5% in 2013, but that is as good as it will get until structural changes are implemented, Alexander Morozov, chief economist for Russia and the CIS at HSBC, said at a meeting with reporters. The ruble will continue to weaken, falling to 32.27 rubles/$1 by the end […]

» Read more
Leave a comment

Russian Senators, MP Pour Scorn On Opposition’s Coordination Council

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Map of Russia

(Interfax – Moscow, 23 October) The opposition’s Coordination Council will not be a viable structure due to the ambitions of its members, Federation Council deputy speaker and member of One Russia (United Russia)’s supreme council Svetlana Orlova thinks. “The process of preparations for this election (to the Coordination Council) and the way it took place shows that there is no […]

» Read more
Leave a comment

Razvozzhayev Tells Harrowing Tale

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Human Rights, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Leonid Razvozzhayev file photo with hand to ear, as if holding cellphone

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Nikolaus von Twickel, Yekaterina Kravtsova – October 25, 2012) Opposition leaders and human rights groups on Wednesday lambasted the apparent kidnapping and torture of Left Front activist Leonid Razvozzhayev as a return to Stalinist political repression and an unprecedented escalation in the crackdown against dissenters. “Our country has entered a new era of Stalin-like repressions,” […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Putin’s Domestic Support Growing – Poll

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Vladimir Putin at Desk

MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax) – President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Russia’s Cabinet are becoming more popular among Russians, an opinion poll suggests. The Levada Center, a Moscow-based opinion research group, told Interfax on Wednesday that 67% of respondents in a poll this month – compared with 63% in a survey in August – said they approved of […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

Kremlin Disagrees With Russian Think Tank’s ‘Apocalyptic’ Scenarios

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Moscow Environs Aerial View

(Interfax – Novo-Ogarevo – 24 October) The report issued by the Centre for Strategic Research contains unduly pessimistic scenarios for the country’s development, which can not be accepted, the Russian president’s press secretary Dmitriy Peskov has said. “The report is quite extensive, and gives an expert point of view, of which there are many. Of course, it will take us […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Senior Lawmaker Slams Think Tank’s Grim Forecast For Russia

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Map of Russia

MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax) – One of the leaders of the ruling United Russia party and a deputy chairman of the State Duma has given lie to a pessimistic economic forecast in a report by Russia’s Strategic Projects Center released on Wednesday, a paper that blamed the country’s alleged degradation on its leaders. “The report itself has been done not […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Report Shows Plunging Support for Putin -­ and Protest Leaders

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Vladimir Putin file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Alexander Bratersky – October 25, 2012) Russians view the ruling elite as aggressive and predatory and believe that revolution is one of the only realistic ways to change the government, according to a report released Wednesday by an influential think tank. The report, ordered by the Committee of Civic Initiatives, a group of political and […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , ,

Russia’s corruption tsar

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Two Persons Shaking Hands and Exchanging Cash

(Business New Europe – bne.eu – Ben Aris in Moscow – October 25, 2012) Boris Titov would eschew the title “Russia’s Corruption Tsar”, but if he achieves half of what he is setting out to do, then that is what he will become. Appointed Russia’s new ombudsman for business by President Vladimir Putin in July, Titov’s job is to try […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

TNK-BP Deal a Boon for State, Welcome Sign for Foreigners

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Oil, Gas, Energy, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Oil Well file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Anatoly Medetsky – October 23, 2012) Rosneft’s deal to take over TNK-BP masterfully achieves the dual purpose of strengthening the state’s hand in the oil industry to spectacular proportions and showcasing its benevolence to foreign capital at the same time. Officially confirmed Monday, the gradual $56 billion purchase of the country’s third-largest crude producer will […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

Navalny, Kasparov Win Seats in Opposition’s ‘Shadow Government’

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Alexei Navalny file photo

(Moscow Times – October 23, 2012) Well-known opposition figures like anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny and former chess champion Garry Kasparov joined lower-profile personalities like former Kremlin G8 sherpa Andrei Illarionov and political analyst Andrei Piontkovsky in a new 45-member “shadow government,” according to election results. The online election, which was extended into a third day Monday after hacker attacks disrupted […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , ,

Rocking the vote? The opposition’s elections have been labeled a ‘toy project’ ­ but proved to be colorful

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Arm and Torso of Person in Brown Sweater Placing Paper Ballot into Ballot Box

(Moscow News – themoscownews.com – Yulia Ponomareva – October 22, 2012) In contrast with official polls, the transparency of the elections to the opposition’s coordination council has not been questioned by watchdogs ­ and this is beside the fact that all of the candidates faced off in televised debates. The results, however, will have little if any practical effect ­ […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Udaltsov Won’t Flee Russia, Lawyer Says

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Udaltsov file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – October 24, 2012) Opposition leader Sergei Udaltsov has no intention of violating the travel restrictions that currently bar him from leaving the country, his lawyer said Wednesday. Defense attorney Violetta Volkova said that her client ­ a prominent organizer of anti-Kremlin protests ­ was under constant surveillance, Interfax reported. Explaining why Udaltsov cannot be reached […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , ,

Russia’s Rising Red Dawn

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and St. Basil's

MOSCOW, October 23 (Marc Bennetts, RIA Novosti) – The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 appeared to have sounded the death knell for the ideas of Marx and Lenin in Russia, but just over two decades on, a new wave of young and increasingly visible socialist activists are eager to hoist the red flag over the Kremlin once more. […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Valdai Experts Lament Poor Institutions in Russia

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Moscow Environs Aerial View

St. Petersburg, October 23 (RIA Novosti, Andrei Zolotov Jr.) – Lack of efficient institutions and the political will to reform them were the buzzwords among the strategists and experts in economics and public policy at the Valdai Club’s 9th annual conference on Russia’s trajectory. The Valdai Club, which is co-sponsored by RIA Novosti and the Russian Council on Foreign and […]

» Read more
Leave a comment

Putin Foe Udaltsov Vows to Battle Charges

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Udaltsov file photo

MOSCOW, October 24 (RIA Novosti) – Russian firebrand opposition leader Sergei Udaltsov, who could face up to ten years in jail over charges that he plotted to spark nationwide mass disorder, has no plans to flee the country, his lawyer said Wednesday. “On Friday, October 26th, I am planning, along with Sergei, to be at the Investigative Committee,” lawyer Violetta […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Analysis: Political Winter Descends on Russia

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Kremlin and St. Basil's file photo

(Voice of America – James Brooke – October 23, 2012 – James Brooke is VOA Moscow bureau chief, covering Russia and the former USSR.) As gray winter skies descend on Moscow, Russians are adjusting to a political winter. Since taking office nearly six months ago, President Vladimir Putin has methodically reduced civic space in Russia by advocating new laws on […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

MOSCOW BLOG: Liberals take off gloves in first clash with Kremlin old guard

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin with Heads Bowed Over Microphone

(Business New Europe – bne.eu – October 24 ,2012) It was the first head-to-head clash between the young liberal team in Russia’s cabinet and the old guard Siloviki faction in the presidential administration. On balance, the liberals are seen as having sneaked a win. The battle lines have been drawn since Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev appointed a surprisingly reform-minded […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

The nuts and bolts of it [Russian legal reform]

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime
File Photo of Russian Constitutional Court

(Moscow News – themoscownews.com – Natalia Antonova – October 22, 2012) Last week, we at The Moscow News hosted a debate on legal reform in Russia ­ and while the topic itself is a hot one, we were reminded of the fact that real reform is always pretty boring and prosaic. In our discussion, which involved the UN’s Senior Human […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

Rosneft Deal Shows Ex-KGB Spy’s Influence Under Putin: Energy

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Oil, Gas, Energy, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Spies, Spy Allegations
Igor Sechin file photo

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Matthew Campbell – October 24, 2012) As a small army of advisers from eight investment banks huddled in London last weekend to negotiate Russian state oil company OAO Rosneft (ROSN)’s agreement to acquire BP Plc (BP/)’s Russian venture, the deal’s most important player had already left the country. Igor Sechin, 52, a former Soviet spy and […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

Foreign Ministry Slams U.S. on Human Rights

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Human Rights, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Russian Foreign Ministry Building Tower file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Alexander Bratersky – October 23, 2012) A senior Foreign Ministry official harshly criticized United States authorities Monday for alleged human rights abuses while presenting a report on human rights in foreign countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov condemned what the report described as the often harsh conditions in American prisons, the use of the death […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

Russia’s Lavrov Says Relations With USA Improving, Missile Defence Main Obstacle

United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Missile Defense Control Room file photo

(RIA Novosti –  Moscow, 22 October) Relations with the USA have acquired very positive dynamics over the recent years, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Monday (22 October). In an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper he noted that “a multi-aspect vector of development has emerged – this is the presidential commission which comprises 21 groups”. Lavrov added that one […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Russian Unemployment Spans From 0.6% in Moscow to 47.3% in Ingushetia

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Regions, Cities, Municipalities
Map of Russia

MOSCOW. Oct 19 (Interfax) – Differentiation between the levels of unemployment in Russia’s federal districts remains strong – the gap in the districts can surpass four-fold and in the regions 80-fold, the Federal State Statistics Service Rosstat said in a report on employment and unemployment in September. The lowest level of unemployment, in accordance with ILO criteria, was in the […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

Victims of Stalin’s Terror to Be Remembered in Moscow

History, Soviet Union, Human Rights
File Photo of Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin

MOSCOW. Oct 19 (Interfax) – Victims of Stalin’s terror will be remembered at the Solovetsky Stone monument on Moscow’s Lubyanka street on October 29 in a ceremony titled “The Return of the Names.” The ceremony will be held ahead of the Day of Memory for Victims of Political Reprisals, marked on October 30, and it is being organized by the […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , ,

Navalny threatens with a new “Magnitsky list” if the information on the torture of opposition activist is confirmed

Assassinations, Beatings, Threats, Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Alexei Navalny file photo

(Interfax – October 22, 2012) Alexei Navalny, the founder of an anti-corruption fund, said the opposition will make a new “Magnitsky list” if the information on the torture of opposition activist Leonid Razvozzhayev is confirmed. “If the torture is confirmed, the Razvozzhayev case should become the first case on which we will do such serious work. We will take specific […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Putin Balks at Pension Threats as Aging Russians Hold Trump Card

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
File Photo of Two Elders Walking Outdoors

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Henry Meyer – October 21, 2012) Nina Sultankina is telling Vladimir Putin to ignore Russia’s ticking pensions time bomb. As the 50-year-old road supervisor counts the days until she can retire and tend to her failing health in 2016, she is refusing to work longer and not even the Russian president can change her mind. “I […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Less Than Quarter of Russians Content With Cabinet – Poll

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Moscow Environs Aerial View

MOSCOW. Oct 19 (Interfax) – Only 23% of Russians polled by the Public Opinion Foundation on October 13-14 in 43 regions gave good grades to the Cabinet. Moreover, 40% spoke negatively of Cabinet operations while 11% know nothing about the Cabinet’s work. Among ministries the best marks went to the Emergency Situations’ Ministry (56% were satisfied), the Ministry of Communications […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

First Frost Forecast for This Week

Environment
Map of Russia

(Moscow  Times – themoscowtimes.com – October 22, 2012) With weather forecasters promising a rapid dip in Moscow’s temperature, traffic police urged drivers Monday not to delay installing winter tires on their cars ahead of an expected first frost. “With the arrival of fall, weather conditions have definitely become worse, which demands drivers be extra careful on the roads,” traffic police […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Rosneft to Replace Gazprom as Energy Driver on TNK Deal

Oil, Gas, Energy
File Photo of Rosneft and Russian Flags Next to Rosneft Banner

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Anna Shiryaevskaya – October 19, 2012) OAO Rosneft (ROSN)’s proposed acquisition of TNK-BP will accelerate the state oil company’s eclipse of OAO Gazprom (OGZD) as the dominant force in Russia’s energy industry. President Vladimir Putin used Gazprom, the world’s biggest natural gas producer, to assert Russia’s energy power over the past decade, winning pipeline deals and […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

Environmentalists Recommend Russia to Stay in Kyoto Protocol

Environment
File Photo of Polar Bear on Ice and Snow with Water Nearby

MOSCOW. Oct 18 (Interfax) – Russia should stay in the Kyoto Protocol; its possible secession will have negative consequences, Greenpeace Russia Program Director Ivan Blokov told Interfax on Thursday. “The Kyoto Protocol is important to Russia. The world will shift to a low-hydrocarbon economy just the same. If we disregard the Kyoto Protocol and keep using fossil fuel, we will […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

Russians oppose engagement in possible U.S.-Iran armed confrontation – poll

Iran
Map of Iran with Stylized Radar Sweep and Overlaid Radioactivity Symbol

MOSCOW. Oct 18 (Interfax) – Moscow should not interfere in a possible altercation between Tehran and Washington, but mediate the peace process, says a report from the Yuri Levada analytical center obtained by Interfax on Wednesday. Twenty-seven percent of Russians believe Russia should not engage in a possible armed conflict between Iran and the United States. Thirty-two percent think that […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

After 20 Years of US Aid, Russia Goes Solo on Controlling Loose Nukes

Nuclear, Missile Defense, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of Nuclear Mushroom Cloud

(Voice of America – James Brooke – James Brooke is VOA Moscow bureau chief, covering Russia and the former USSR – October 18, 2012) The day that Russia’s government decided last week to end its participation in the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program, a huge, mushroom-shaped cloud rose high in the air over Orenburg. In this case, the dust was […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Radio Liberty’s Fate Unclear

Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo Adapted from State Department Image of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Poster

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Nikolaus von Twickel – October 19, 2012) Soviet listeners tuned in to Radio Liberty, Voice of America and the British Broadcasting Corp.’s Russian service to get objective information. But since Voice of America and the BBC nixed their Russian radio broadcasts in favor of an online-only regime in 2008 and 2011, respectively, Radio Liberty, known […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

Ivanishvili: Georgia’s Accession to NATO Needs Speeding Up

Georgia, NATO
Map of Georgia

TBILISI. Oct 18 (Interfax) – Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia’s likely next prime minister, insisted on Thursday that NATO speed up his country’s process of accession to the North Atlantic alliance now that the nation has carried out democratic parliamentary elections, a condition for joining the organization. “NATO should now take practical steps to enable Georgia to join the alliance as […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

Medvedev Mulls Ending Kyoto Role

Environment
File Photo of Polar Bear on Ice and Snow with Water Nearby

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Roland Oliphant – October 18, 2012) President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a review of Russia’s involvement in the Kyoto Protocol, raising the possibility that the country could finally “wave goodbye” to the climate treaty altogether. “We have to admit that we did not get any special benefits from the Kyoto Protocol in the commercial sense,” […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

Russia Hopes to Improve Doing Business Ranking Through Tax Administration – Minister

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Empty Boardroom

MOSCOW. Oct 17 (Interfax) – Russia hopes improve its ranking on the Doing Business index by improving tax administration, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said. In the last Doing Business index, Russia was number 120. The country’s authorities have selected this index as an indicator of the success of their efforts to improve the business climate. In his first instruction after […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Pope Supports Russian Church’s Position on Vandalism

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Religion
Russian Orthodox Cathedral Moscow file photo

MOSCOW, October 18 (RIA Novosti) – Pope Benedict XVI has agreed with the Russian Orthodox Church’s position regarding acts of vandalism in downtown Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral, the Church said. “Pope Benedict XVI has expressed solidarity with the Russian Orthodox Church’s position on the issue and perplexity over the reaction of a number of media to these events,” the […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

Russia Faces ‘Battle’ Over Anti-Smoking Bill

Health, Epidemics, Substance Abuse
No Smoking Symbol

MOSCOW, October 18 (Dan Peleschuk, RIA Novosti)-The Cabinet of Ministers’ unanimous approval Thursday of a controversial anti-smoking bill was the latest salvo in the debate over how to tackle Russia’s tobacco addiction. As a result, some government officials are preparing for what they say will be a “battle” with Russia’s powerful tobacco lobby. “We will face an enormous amount of […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

JRL Table of Contents :: Johnson’s Russia List 2012-#184 – 18 October 2012

JRL Tables of Contents
Map of Russia

Johnson’s Russia List 2012-#184 18 October 2012 davidjohnson@starpower.net A World Security Institute Project www.worldsecurityinstitute.org JRL homepage: www.russialist.org JRL on Facebook: www.facebook.com/russialist JRL on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JohnsonRussiaLi Support JRL: www.russialist.org/funding.php Your source for news and analysis since 1996 In this issue POLITICS 1. University of Washington: Remembering Herbert J. Ellison, a guiding light in international studies. 2. International Business Times: Arctic Maritime […]

» Read more
Leave a comment

JRL Table of Contents :: Johnson’s Russia List 2012-#183 – 17 October 2012

JRL Tables of Contents
Map of Russia

Johnson’s Russia List 2012-#183 17 October 2012 davidjohnson@starpower.net A World Security Institute Project www.worldsecurityinstitute.org JRL homepage: www.russialist.org JRL on Facebook: www.facebook.com/russialist JRL on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JohnsonRussiaLi Support JRL: www.russialist.org/funding.php Your source for news and analysis since 1996 In this issue POLITICS 1. RIA Novosti: Arctic Sea Route to Open Year-Round in 2013 – Scientists. 2. Moscow Times: Medvedev Backs 3 Extended […]

» Read more
Leave a comment

Eight Reasons Why Ukraine’s Party of Regions Will Win the 2012 Elections

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Ukrainians with Ukrainian Flag in Public Square Near Tower with Golden Dome

(Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – Eurasia Daily Monitor, Volume: 9 Issue: 189 – Taras Kuzio – October 17, 2012) Opinion polls have shown a gradual growth of support for the Party of Regions ahead of the October 28 parliamentary elections, which will give them a plurality in the legislature. The United Opposition (Fatherland and Front for Change­UO) and Ukrainian Democratic […]

» Read more
Leave a comment

Ombudsman Unveils Program for Disgruntled Businesspeople

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and Moscow Environs Aerial View

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Howard Amos – October 18, 2012) Blocked by bureaucracy? Not appreciated by officials? Look for the red button. Under a new initiative by business ombudsman Boris Titov, people sent packing by government agencies will have someone to help them try again. Due to be drawn up by the end of December, the Red Button program […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

Udaltsov Calls for Pickets Over Aide’s Detention

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Sergei Udaltsov file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – October 18, 2012) Left Front leader Sergei Udaltsov, who investigators suspect of plotting mass riots on Russian soil, called on supporters to picket law enforcement agencies on Thursday in support of his assistant charged in the same case. “We must struggle to free Lebedev,” Udaltsov told Interfax on Thursday, referring to his aide Konstantin Lebedev, […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , ,

Medvedev Backs 3 Extended Holidays for 2013

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Dmitry Medvedev file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – October 17, 2012) The country will enjoy three extended public holidays next year: 10 days for the New Year, five days for May Day and four days for Victory Day, according to a decree signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday. After an extra working day on Saturday, Dec. 29, the 10-day New Year […]

» Read more
Leave a comment ,

NEWSLINK: Russia’s Putin sacks member of Medvedev’s cabinet

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin with Heads Bowed Over Microphone

Russia’s Putin sacks member of Medvedev’s cabinet – Reuters – Gleb Bryanski – October 17, 2012 – http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/17/russia-putin-government-idUSL5E8LH6ZB20121017 Reuters covers a move by Russian President Vladimir Putin to remove a member of Dmitry Medvedev’s cabinet: Putin signed a decree dismissing Regional Development Minister Oleg Govorun, one of two ministers he had publicly criticised last month, and replacing him with Igor […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , ,

NEWSLINK: After Nosediving In 2011 Vladimir Putin’s Approval Rating is (Mostly) Holding Steady

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Vladimir Putin at Desk

“After Nosediving In 2011 Vladimir Putin’s Approval Rating is (Mostly) Holding Steady” – Forbes – Mark Adomanis – http://www.forbes.com/sites/markadomanis/2012/10/17/after-nosediving-in-2011-vladimir-putins-approval-rating-is-mostly-holding-steady/ Forbes.com looks at polls on Russian President Vladimir Putin: Now as you can see from the graph Putin is, at the end of 2012, arguably weaker than he’s ever been. It’s true that he’s previously been in the same territory in […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , ,

Arctic Sea Route to Open Year-Round in 2013 – Scientists

Arctic, Environment
Polar Bear on Ice

ST. PETERSBURG, October 17 (RIA Novosti)-The record reduction in Arctic pack-ice this year has created favorable conditions for year-long navigation along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in 2013, offering major savings to shipping operators, Russia’s Arctic Institute said on Wednesday. The ice coverage in the Arctic reached its record minimum of 3.41 million square kilometers (1.32 million square miles) in […]

» Read more
Leave a comment

Trial of Prison Warden Where Magnitsky Died to Continue in Moscow

Assassinations, Beatings, Threats, Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Memorial Flowers and Photo of Sergei Magnitsky

MOSCOW. Oct 16 (Interfax) – Moscow’s Tverskoi Court on Tuesday will continue hearings of the criminal case against a former deputy head of Butyrka prison, Dmitry Kratov, who is the only suspect thus far to have been accused of negligence leading to Hermitage Capital lawyer Sergei Magnitsky’s death. Evidence is expected to be provided by investigator Oleg Silchenko, who probed […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

Politkovskaya Murder Suspects to Seek Jury Trial

Assassinations, Beatings, Threats, Chechnya, Dagestan, North Caucasus, Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Mourners with Photo of Anna Politkovskaya

MOSCOW. Oct 16 (Interfax) – The people accused of murdering Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya will ask for a jury trial. “We will certainly make a motion for a trial by jury. Legislation allows us to do so,” Alexei Mikhalchik, a defense lawyer for one of the suspects, told Interfax. According to the Russian Code of Criminal Procedure, a request […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , ,
1 … 279 280 281 282 283 … 286