Archive for January, 2010
Posted on January 31, 2010 - by Venik
Russian police break up protests and detain ringleaders
Russian police broke up protests in Moscow and St Petersburg today, and detained scores of demonstrators, including three prominent opposition leaders. Demonstrators gathered in Moscow, defying a ban. Similar opposition was held on the last days of July, August and October. The timing is a nod to the 31st Article of the Russian constitution, which [...]
Posted on January 30, 2010 - by Venik
China fumes at US arms sale to Taiwan
Tensions rise as Bejing halts military exchange with Washington China and the US are set for renewed confrontation after Beijing warned of serious repercussions following Washington’s announcement of a $6.4bn (£4bn) arms deal with Taiwan. Sanctions were imposed on US companies involved in the deal, and in one of a flurry of unsually strong statements [...]
Posted on January 27, 2010 - by Venik
Alexander Lebedev sells Aeroflot and air-leasing stakes for $575m
London Evening Standard owner makes cash move during Independent negotiations, but talks of Russian investments The Russian businessman and London Evening Standard owner Alexander Lebedev is to sell his stake in the Russian airline Aeroflot for $400m (£247m), a cash-raising move that comes as he holds talks over the purchase of the Independent. Lebedev reached [...]
Posted on January 26, 2010 - by Venik
The Soviet chocolate named after Lenin’s widow
After a facelift, the Krupskaya brand is as popular in Russia as ever There isn’t anything quite like it. Madame Mao’s Sweet’n’Sour Sauce? Natalia Trotsky’s Mexican Pick’n’Mix? Perhaps not. Somehow the wives of communist dictators just don’t cut it as food brands. Except in Russia, where for the last 70 years Krupskaya chocolate – named [...]
Posted on January 21, 2010 - by Venik
Oracle vs. MySQL
Sun Microsystems – the creator of Solaris operating system and manufacturer of my favorite computers – is being acquired by Oracle – the maker of the world’s leading commercial database software that works best on Sun servers. This seems like a good deal for both Oracle and Sun. Unfortunately, this merger will be very bad [...]
Posted on January 21, 2010 - by Venik
Russian skaters’ Aborigine routine causes upset in Australia
Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin, tipped for Olympic gold in Vancouver, wear brown costumes with Aboriginal motifs Russia’s world champion figure skaters have been accused of demeaning Australia’s Aborigines with their latest dance routine, which has been tipped for gold at next month’s Winter Olympics. Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin, who performed the dance today [...]
Posted on January 21, 2010 - by Venik
Russian journalist dies after beating in police custody
New scandal for force involved in 100 grave crimes a year Russia’s police force was today at the centre of another national scandal after a journalist beaten in custody died in hospital from his injuries. Konstantin Popov, 47, was arrested two weeks ago in his home town of Tomsk, Siberia, after neighbours complained that he [...]
Posted on January 20, 2010 - by Venik
Putin decision to allow Lake Baikal paper mill to reopen angers environmentalists
Russian prime minister rules that mill can resume production 15 months after being closed down on ecological grounds Environmentalists today rounded on Vladimir Putin after he amended legislation to allow the pollution of Russia’s Lake Baikal, home to one-fifth of the world’s supply of fresh water and unique plants and animals. Putin ruled that a [...]
Posted on January 18, 2010 - by Venik
Viktor Yanukovich wins first round of Ukraine election
Villain of 2004 Orange Revolution will face Yulia Tymoshenko in presidential run-off, while incumbent Yushchenko is wiped out Viktor Yanukovich, Ukraine’s opposition leader and the villain of the 2004 Orange Revolution, is on the brink of a stunning political comeback after opening up a commanding 11-point lead in Sunday’s first round of the presidential election. [...]
Posted on January 15, 2010 - by Venik
Video: Georgia’s answer to the Simpsons
The Samsonadzes portrays Georgian life Simpsons-style, with a couple of Russian leaders thrown in for good measure Original article Share on bebo Blog this! Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share via MySpace share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments on this post
Posted on January 15, 2010 - by Venik
Ukraine’s colourful elections | Leigh Turner
Five years after the Orange Revolution, the country is free and diverse enough to engage with both Russia and the EU Watching election ads on TV in the run-up to a Ukrainian presidential election can be disorientating. In addition to the usual flag-waving and electoral promises, clips shows everything from trains, planes and tractors to [...]
Posted on January 13, 2010 - by Venik
James Cameron rejects claims Avatar epic borrows from Russians’ sci-fi novels
Director James Cameron is facing claims today that his 3D blockbuster Avatar owes an unacknowledged debt to the popular Soviet fantasy writers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky It has grossed more than $1.3bn (£800m) worldwide, wowed the critics, and spawned a new generation of fans, the so-called Avatards, who have taken to painting their faces blue. [...]
Posted on January 13, 2010 - by Venik
Russia comes to the rescue as Norwegian gas supplies to Britain falter
Energy users’ watchdog says UK lucky to escape gas shortages Russia rescued British energy consumers by ensuring a steady flow of gas into the power network as supplies from Norway faltered during the cold weather, industry customers users said today. As the National Grid warned of a “high” possibility of shortages in the north-east and [...]
Posted on January 13, 2010 - by Venik
Waking up to press slaughter | Jim Boumelha
The media ought to demand action over the killings of journalists across the world – regardless of their nationality or fame It was predictable that the sad death of the Sunday Mirror’s defence correspondent Rupert Hamer would make headline news – he was the first British journalist to die in this Afghanistan conflict and also [...]
