October 2012

Missing Russian Vessel ‘Not Cleared’ to Sail - Investigation

2012/10/31

The Russian cargo vessel carrying 700 metric tons of gold ore that vanished in the Sea of Okhotsk last Sunday had no permission to sail, the Far East Investigative Committee Transport Division said on Thursday.

“The bulk freighter was en route from the port of Kiran. It has been established that the vessel set off without receiving permission from the relevant services, and was in breach of minimum crew requirements,” the Committee said in a statement.

“In addition, the investigation has established that the vessel was not equipped for the transportation of bulk cargo, and was not certified fit to transport raw materials,” the statement said.

Earlier, First Deputy Head of the Committee Konstantin Stolbin, said that while the vessel had a capacity of 611 metric tons the investigation suggests that the cargo on board weighed 700-750 metric tons.

The criminal case opened in connection with the vessel’s disappearance is currently considering three scenarios: that it was swept out to sea in a storm, technical malfunction, and the navigation violations.

Kidnapped Sailors Released - Estonian Foreign Ministry

2012/10/31

Six Russian sailors, and one Estonian national, who were kidnapped off the Nigerian coast two weeks ago were released on Thursday morning, the Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet told journalists.

“Now we need to help the Estonian citizen get home as fast as possible,” he said.

The minister noted the productive cooperation between Estonia, the ship's owners and international partners, but gave no details regarding how their release was secured.

Pirates attacked the Bourbon Liberty 249, owned by Paris-based Bourbon SA, in Nigerian waters on October 15 as the vessel was servicing oil platforms off Nigeria’s southern coast.

When Winter Suddenly Comes

2012/10/31

The first snow came to Minsk, Belarus. But as it often happens it became a surprise for many drivers. Though they kept driving anyway. In this video you can see what happens when you try to save on winter tires.

First snow is wonderful, anyway!

link your site above!

See more of English Russia:

Heroin Dealer Caught in FSB Drugs Bust

2012/10/31

Members of Russia’s security service have detained a man carrying drugs worth about 10 million rubles (over $300,000) near Krasnoyarsk, the service’s local press office said on Thursday.

The man was caught while taking delivery of the narcotics in a delivery from Tajikistan at a parking lot near the village of Drokino, near Krasnoyarsk, the press officer said.

“The drug dealer was handed a rucksack that was found to contain eight bundles containing narcotic substances. The suspect refused to cooperate with the security services and force had to be used,” the press officer said. “On further examination, the rucksack was found to contain four kilograms of opium and four kilograms of heroin, with a black market value of about 10 million rubles.”

A criminal case has been brought against the man, from Tajikistan, for the illegal production, distribution, or delivery of large volumes of narcotics. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years behind bars.

Russian Press at a Glance, Thursday, November 1, 2012

2012/10/31

POLITICS

The Federation Council on Wednesday passed amendments to the law on treason that could make it possible for law enforcement officials to target people collaborating with international organizations

(The Moscow Times)

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s schedule of foreign trips has been changed and the Russian head of state will not be flying anywhere before December. The Kremlin says the schedule was changed due to a variety of reasons, but health is not among them

(Vedomosti)

President Vladimir Putin met with regional heads to hear reports on the modernization of the healthcare system

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

The Russian Central Election Commission wants to cut campaign terms from today's 180 days to just 60 days, the commission’s secretary Nikolai Konkin said

(Vedomosti, Kommersant)

President Vladimir Putin has postponed his annual call-in show on state television until summertime, so that participants’ “ears and feet” won’t freeze

(The Moscow Times)

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

The Russian Transportation Ministry ponders extra charges for passengers’ luggage on airplanes

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

The co-owners of Norilsk Nickel have resumed talks to settle their long-standing dispute over control of the nickel and palladium giant, in a move that could result in a management shakeup at the company

(The Moscow Times)

OIL & GAS

President Vladimir Putin has identified the year 2017 as the date to start developing the Shtokman natural gas field, in the latest change for the huge international offshore project

(The Moscow Times)

DEFENSE

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov may be summoned to testify as a witness in the embezzlement case against managers of the defense ministry’s property services holding company Oboronservis

(Kommersant)

The Russian Navy ensign was hoisted on Wednesday above St. Petersburg’s Admiralty building, which has resumed its role as headquarters for the Navy's high command

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

WORLD

China might cancel its birth control policy “One family - one child” in order to help support continued economic growth

(Kommersant, Nezavisimaya Gazeta)

SOCIETY

A State Duma deputy has called on veteran television journalist Vladimir Pozner to apologize for saying on national television that Russian courts are unfair and that the prosecution of an opposition activist is being carried out KGB-style

(The Moscow Times)

CRIME

Corruption remains widespread in North Caucasus, while anti-crime efforts are hampered by high unemployment, Russian Security Council Chief Nikolai Patrushev said

(Kommersant)

For more details on all the news in Russia today, visit our website at http://en.ria.ru

Craziness, Part IV

2012/10/31

In this crazy selection of pictures: weird fashion of babushkas and subway people, funny side of police, headless students, the cheapest laptops ever for kids, strange playgorunds and graffiti and more.

: “Come to the evil side, we have cookies.”

Come to Russia for some fun!

link your site above!

See more of English Russia:

If You Lived Like a Russian Tsar

2012/10/31

What does it mean to live as a tsar? Can anyone feel cosy in such posh halls?The Great Kremlin Palace was built from 1837 to 1849 in Moscow, Russia. It was intended to emphasize the greatness of Russian autocracy.

The Palace was formerly the tsar’s Moscow residence. Its construction involved the demolition of the previous Baroque palace on the site, designed by Rastrelli