The latest: Russia’s Putin Urges His Critics to Abandon “Colonialist” Rhetoric

12.07.2006
Russia’s Putin Urges His Critics to Abandon “Colonialist” Rhetoric
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused foreigners who criticize his democratic record of echoing colonialist rhetoric of bygone days and singled out Dick Cheney for personal attack. Putin, who will host President Bush and the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Japan and Italy, said Russia was ready to listen to “well-intentioned criticism”.

12.07.2006
Nobel Laureates, Policy Makers Urge G7 Leaders to Press Putin on Civil Freedoms
The Project on Transitional Democracies Tuesday released an open letter to the G7 nations in advance of the G8 summit in St. Petersburg, urging Western leaders to put on notice to President Putin “that Russia’s current domestic and foreign policies are unacceptable to its neighbors, to the international community and to many of its own citizens.”

12.07.2006
Russia’s Putin, Other Leaders Worldwide Condemn Bombay Train Bombings
Leaders worldwide strongly condemned a series of deadly train bomb attacks in India’s financial capital Mumbai (Bombay) which claimed at least 190 lives. President Vladimir Putin said the Russians were shocked to hear of the attacks and offered his condolences to India.

12.07.2006
Russian FM Urges Joint Talks Between Iran, UNSC Members on Nuclear Issue
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday urged that talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany (the 5+1 group) on the country’s nuclear issue start as soon as possible.

12.07.2006
Russian Granny Hacks to Death, Dismembers Husband for Sexual Advances
A 66-year-old Russian woman, fed up with her husband’s vodka-addiction and annoying sexual demands, hacked him to death with a hatchet and dismembered his body.

12.07.2006
Putin Blames U.S. for Russian Diplomats’ Murder in Iraq
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday part of the blame for the murders of five Russian diplomats in Iraq in June lay with coalition forces, including the United States.

12.07.2006
Two Russians Sentenced to 18 Months For Racially Motivated Attack on TV Producer
A Moscow court on Wednesday sentenced two men to 18 months in a halfway house settlement for a racially motivated attack on a dark-skinned man from Russia’s North Caucasus region.

12.07.2006
Fisherman Survives After Lightning Strike
A fisherman from the northern Russian town of Severodvinsk has survived after being struck by lightning. On the brink of death, the fisherman’s comanions reacted quickly and saved his life before the ambulance even arrived.

12.07.2006
Suspects in Murder of Russian Governor Held in Spain
Two Russian nationals were arrested in southern Spain on suspicion of being involved in the high-profile murder of a Russian regional leader in 2002.

12.07.2006
Question Marks Over Chechen Warlord Basayev’s Death, Rebels Blame Accident
The death of Russia’s most-wanted man, Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev, ends a long hunt for the fugitive, but questions were raised Tuesday over what caused the dynamite-filled truck next to his car to explode. Russia’s defense minister hailed the death of “our bin Laden” as a “landmark event”. Rebels said the blast that killed their leader was an accident.

12.07.2006
Georgia Assails Russian Role in Breakaway Abkhazia
A top Georgian lawmaker accused Russia on Tuesday of blocking international efforts to resolve a long-simmering dispute between Georgia and its breakaway Abkhazia province.

12.07.2006
Berezovsky’s Civil Liberties Foundation Halts Work in Russia
Berezovsky’s Civil Liberties Foundation closes its representative office in Russia. It will not re-register in Russia due to the terms prescribed by the new law affecting the activity of non-governmental organizations, the head of the Foundation said Wednesday.

12.07.2006
Yushchenko Rival Nominated as Ukraine’s Next PM
Ukraine’s newly created pro-Russian governing coalition on Tuesday proposed a bitter rival of President Viktor Yushchenko as the next prime minister. The president has 15 days to consider the request before forwarding it back to parliament for a vote. He has no right to veto the choice.

12.07.2006
Russian Opposition Leader Says His Supporters Arrested En Route to G8 Protest
Russian opposition leader and former chess champion Garry Kasparov said at least 20 of his supporters had been arrested around Russia as they traveled to protest ahead of the G8 summit in St. Petersburg this weekend.