Author Archive
Posted on February 2, 2012 - by Venik
Letters: Putin documentary was not pro-Kremlin
In his article about the fuss caused among Russian dissidents by the BBC documentary series Putin, Russia and the West (BBC accused of peddling Putin propaganda, 2 February), Luke Harding implies that I was used by the Kremlin, through its American PR firm Ketchum, to influence the film-makers and ensure that it was “pro-Putin”. Yet [...]
Posted on February 2, 2012 - by Venik
West softens demands ahead of UN vote on Syria
Latest draft of resolution being submitted to UN security council drops call for Syria’s president to bow out Russia and western countries are locked in diplomatic arm-wrestling over demands that Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, hands over power to his deputy as part of a UN-backed Arab plan for a peaceful solution to the country’s bloody [...]
Posted on February 2, 2012 - by Venik
Russian police accused of scare tactics before anti-Putin rally
Activists report questioning by officers from anti-extremist unit in runup to next big demonstration against contested election Russian activists say they have come under pressure from police and security services in advance of their next big protest against contested elections and Vladimir Putin’s likely return to the presidency. Ilya Klishin, a 24-year-old journalist who helps [...]
Posted on February 2, 2012 - by Venik
Feminist punk band Pussy Riot take revolt to the Kremlin
Anonymous band with provocative anti-Putin lyrics – who have become a symbol of Russian youth’s discontent – are preparing for their next surprise performance Eight women stood in a line opposite the Kremlin, neon balaclavas hiding their faces, fists pounding the air in rugged defiance. Before police carted them off, the members of Pussy Riot [...]
Posted on February 1, 2012 - by Venik
Letters: Bric countries need more tertiary education
In the midst of continuing economic and political uncertainty among eurozone countries (Editorial, 30 January), the growth of emerging market economies, led by the Bric countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), is widely perceived as vital to global recovery. The world now needs emerging markets to succeed, but must neither ignore nor underestimate the challenges [...]
Posted on February 1, 2012 - by Venik
Extreme cold weather claims more than 40 lives in Ukraine – video
High pressure across the Eurasian continent is causing freezing temperatures from central Europe to Siberia. 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 February 1, 2012 - by Venik
Russia under intense pressure not to veto Syria resolution at UN
Western and Arab governments try to persuade Moscow to accept resolution calling on Bashar al-Assad to step down Russia is facing intensive efforts by western and Arab governments to persuade it not to veto a UN resolution calling on Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, to surrender power and end the country’s escalating crisis. Ambassadors of the [...]
Posted on February 1, 2012 - by Venik
Extreme cold weather in eastern Europe claims 79 lives
Helicopters evacuate dozens from snow-blocked Serbian and Bosnian villages, while hypothermia claims lives across region Rescue helicopters evacuated dozens of people from snow-blocked villages in Serbia and Bosnia and airlifted in emergency food and medicine as a severe cold spell kept eastern Europe in an icy grip. The death toll from the cold snap rose [...]
Posted on February 1, 2012 - by Venik
BBC criticised over ‘pro-Putin’ documentary
Russian dissidents and exiles claim BBC2 series, Putin, Russia and the West, is ‘utter apology for Putin and his regime’ A BBC documentary chronicling the difficult and often stormy relationship since 2000 between Vladimir Putin’s resurgent Russia and the west has provoked a furious backlash from Russian exiles in Britain, who have accused the programme-makers [...]
Posted on February 1, 2012 - by Venik
Syria resolution backed by Clinton and Hague at UN security council – video
The foreign secretary and the US secretary of state backed the Arab League in a draft resolution proposal at the UN security council meeting 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 [...]
Posted on February 1, 2012 - by Venik
Syria resolution has no chance, says Russia – Wednesday 1 February
• Russia says draft does not rule out military intervention• Clinton insists west does not want Libya-style assault• Syria continues to crush pockets of resistance • Read the latest summary 6.15pm: Here’s a summary of the main developments today: • Russia is making it increasingly clear that it plans to veto the current resolution on [...]
Posted on February 1, 2012 - by Venik
Syria resolution has no chance, says Russia – live updates
• Russia says resolution does not rule out military intervention• Clinton insists west does not want Libya-style assault• Syria continues to crush pockets of resistance 10.59am: In a Foreign Policy article provocatively titled “Rebels Without a Clue”, Justin Vela writes that the Muslim Brotherhood’s “dominance” within the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) is leading some [...]
Posted on February 1, 2012 - by Venik
Syria: a Soviet hangover turned headache
Russia inherited its Middle East presence from the Soviet Union. Is it about to lose its last ally in a newly democratised Arab world? The uprisings in Libya and now Syria have pitched the Arab League, a body which had little relevance to conflicts raging on its doorstep, into the centre of the diplomatic arena. [...]
Posted on February 1, 2012 - by Venik
Syria resolution faces Russian opposition at UN security council
During tense debate at UN in New York, Moscow says it will oppose ‘meddling’ attempt to force Assad to resign Russia has declared its intention to scupper any attempt to force President Bashar al-Assad of Syria to step down, denouncing a push for a new United Nations security council resolution backed by the US and [...]
