Banking & Financial Crisis
State-controlled Sberbank will offer payment deferrals to individual borrowers who experience income disruption (Meeting with Putin).
Culture
Hundreds of items are missing from the Hermitage museum, apparently from theft, though the institution’s director says many of the artifacts were of little value or have been missing since World War II (100s items missing).
Military & Nuclear Weapons
Russian officials announced they will be commissioning 70 strategic nuclear missiles in addition to other military equipment (Russian to get 70 nuclear missiles).
Nationalism
Immigration into Russia has sparked activity by nationalist groups, with little opposition from the government, though members of a skinhead group were recently convicted of racially-motivated, violent crimes (Clark).
Opposition Parties, Trade and Censorship
Russian democratic parties met earlier this month in St. Petersburg. Loosely unified under the title of Solidarity, the organizations still differ in their opinions on participation in elections and opposition to nationalism (Chernov).
Though not a party, drivers in Primorye region took to the streets—in cars—to protest tariffs on foreign cars put in place by the Putin government. The protest did not sway the government. Riot police arrested over 100 people. In much of the world this would be news, but it wasn’t covered by the state-owned television stations (Abdullaev & Mereu; Malpas & Antonova).
Socialist Economy
Even though the government cleared mining company Uralkali in a mining accident that created a sinkhole, but caused now injuries, it may still levy heavy fines on the company and attempt to take it over (Levy).
Sources
100s items missing from Russia’s Hermitage. (2008 Dec. 8). Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2008482841_apeurussiamissingart.html, accessed 2009 Jan. 6.
Abdullaev, N., & Mereu, F. (2008 Dec. 16). Far east drivers get leaders to listen. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/373168.htm, accessed 2008 Jan. 6.
Chernov, S. (2008 Dec. 9). Democrats meet to form joint program. St. Petersburg Times. http://www.times.spb.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=27788, accessed 2008 Dec. 11.
Clark, T. (2008 Dec. 15). Russian skinheads get up to 20 years in jail for 19 murders. Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aAyge8hOY0PE&refer=europe, accessed 2009 Jan. 6.
Levy, C. (2008 Dec. 8). Russia my use accident inquiry to take over mine. Austin American-Statesman. http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/world/12/08/1208russia.html, accessed 2009 Jan. 6.
Malpas, A., & Antonova, M. (2008 Dec. 22). Primorye protests don’t sway putin. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/373322.htm, accessed 2009 Jan. 6.
Meeting with Putin, CEO says Sberbank to give a break on loans. (2008 Dec. 22). PRIME-TASS. http://www.prime-tass.com/news/show.asp?topicid=60&id=449592, accessed 2009 Jan. 6.
Russian to get 70 nuclear missiles in 3 years. (2008 Dec. 22). Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hE_-OiPRaNN8o4Pov7KcF87YZtgwD957TOS80, accessed 2009 Jan. 6.
Showing posts with label trade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trade. Show all posts
2009/01/06
2008/09/26
Russia Intelligencer 2008 Sepember 26
Kasparov Warns Against Investment in Russia
In a recent Wall Street Journal piece, Garry Kasparov warns in Russia, where the real law is Vladimir Putin, it’s a great risk for investors to put money into the faux democracy.
International Trade & Nuclear Materials
A committee of the Australian Parliament has recommended not proceeding with a planned sale of uranium to Russia (Aussie committee). (Previously mentioned on OI.)
Sources
Aussie committee opposes Russian uranium sales. (2008 Sept. 18). Star. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/18/apworld/20080918141159&sec=apworld, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
Kasparov, G. (2008 Sept. 19). Putin is ruining Russia’s economy. Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178456456654879.html?mod=googlenews_wsj, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
In a recent Wall Street Journal piece, Garry Kasparov warns in Russia, where the real law is Vladimir Putin, it’s a great risk for investors to put money into the faux democracy.
International Trade & Nuclear Materials
A committee of the Australian Parliament has recommended not proceeding with a planned sale of uranium to Russia (Aussie committee). (Previously mentioned on OI.)
Sources
Aussie committee opposes Russian uranium sales. (2008 Sept. 18). Star. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/18/apworld/20080918141159&sec=apworld, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
Kasparov, G. (2008 Sept. 19). Putin is ruining Russia’s economy. Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178456456654879.html?mod=googlenews_wsj, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.
2008/09/16
Putin Intelligencer 2008 September 16
Aviation Industry
Putin recently approved a plan to integrate the Uzbekistan and Ukraine aviation enterprises into the Russian United Aircraft company and called for a focus on successful lines of aircraft. Russia will continue tariffs on western aircraft, providing relief only on small models (Karnozov).
Media, Russian Aggression in Georgia and Financial Markets
Putin called to task Russian journalists over their coverage of the Russo-Georgian Conflict, particularly the editor of one of the few national radio stations that airs opposition views. The station has apparently responded by pulling at least one guest and journalist off the air for their views and reporting that were critical of the government (Pan). Russian media are apparently so nervous that even a TV psychic can’t risk offending the prime minister (Krainova).
Putin continues to blame the U.S. for stirring the pot in Georgia (Radyuhin). He also said the dip in Russian financial markets were due to a reduction of liquidity (which the Russian government will cover if needed) partly affected slumps in the U.S. market, and clearly stated that it had nothing to do with action in Georgia (Wall).
The Thug Czar
The October 2008 issue of Vanity Fair contains a profile of Putin by Masha Gessen. Get it. Read it. Clip it (not from the library’s copy). Save it.
Unusual
Putin will be giving judo lessons to French President Nicolas Sarkozy (Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo).
OI anticipates lots of unusual news about Putin. There is so little to mitigate the whims of dictators.
Sources
Gessen, M. (2008 Oct.). Dead soul. Vanity Fair, pp. 336-338, 380-386.
Karnozov, V. (2008 Sept. 9). Putin tells Russian industry to face reality. Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/09/15/315927/putin-tells-russian-industry-to-face-reality.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Krainova, N. (2008 Sept. 15). Knife, Munich, Putin on state TV. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370906.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Pan, P. (2008 Sept. 15). In wake of Georgian war, Russian media feel heat. Washington Post, p. A14. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/14/AR2008091402249.html?hpid=moreheadlines, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Radyuhin, V. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin: U.S. spurred on Georgian offensive. Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091555661400.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo. (2008 Sept. 15). Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/2963460/Vladimir-Putin-to-teach-Nicolas-Sarkozy-judo.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16
Wall, T. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin and Medvedev differ on market ills. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370909.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Putin recently approved a plan to integrate the Uzbekistan and Ukraine aviation enterprises into the Russian United Aircraft company and called for a focus on successful lines of aircraft. Russia will continue tariffs on western aircraft, providing relief only on small models (Karnozov).
Media, Russian Aggression in Georgia and Financial Markets
Putin called to task Russian journalists over their coverage of the Russo-Georgian Conflict, particularly the editor of one of the few national radio stations that airs opposition views. The station has apparently responded by pulling at least one guest and journalist off the air for their views and reporting that were critical of the government (Pan). Russian media are apparently so nervous that even a TV psychic can’t risk offending the prime minister (Krainova).
Putin continues to blame the U.S. for stirring the pot in Georgia (Radyuhin). He also said the dip in Russian financial markets were due to a reduction of liquidity (which the Russian government will cover if needed) partly affected slumps in the U.S. market, and clearly stated that it had nothing to do with action in Georgia (Wall).
The Thug Czar
The October 2008 issue of Vanity Fair contains a profile of Putin by Masha Gessen. Get it. Read it. Clip it (not from the library’s copy). Save it.
Unusual
Putin will be giving judo lessons to French President Nicolas Sarkozy (Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo).
OI anticipates lots of unusual news about Putin. There is so little to mitigate the whims of dictators.
Sources
Gessen, M. (2008 Oct.). Dead soul. Vanity Fair, pp. 336-338, 380-386.
Karnozov, V. (2008 Sept. 9). Putin tells Russian industry to face reality. Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/09/15/315927/putin-tells-russian-industry-to-face-reality.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Krainova, N. (2008 Sept. 15). Knife, Munich, Putin on state TV. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370906.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Pan, P. (2008 Sept. 15). In wake of Georgian war, Russian media feel heat. Washington Post, p. A14. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/14/AR2008091402249.html?hpid=moreheadlines, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Radyuhin, V. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin: U.S. spurred on Georgian offensive. Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091555661400.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
Vladimir Putin to teach Nicolas Sarkozy judo. (2008 Sept. 15). Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/2963460/Vladimir-Putin-to-teach-Nicolas-Sarkozy-judo.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16
Wall, T. (2008 Sept. 15). Putin and Medvedev differ on market ills. Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/370909.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.
2008/09/04
Putin Intelligencer 2008 September 4
International Trade & Nuclear Materials
Putin has announced that Russia will be withdrawing from some agreements it made during negotiations to join the World Trade Organization, saying they are no longer in Russia’s interest. This could signal an intent to reverse some reforms made when Putin handed the presidency to Medvedev (Shuster).
Australia has balked at ratifying a deal to sell uranium to Russia after its recent aggressions in Georgia. Russian officials have pushed back, saying the uranium deal and the Russo-Georgian war are unrelated and that backing out of the deal could be harmful to Australia’s economy (Flitton & Nicholson).
Unusual: Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
Putin visited a wildlife reserve to view a rare tiger that had been captured. The tiger escaped and the Russion Prime Minister snatched up a rifle and shot the beast with a tranquilizer dart, saving a television crew. (Putin wields tranquilizer gun).
OI isn’t generally cynical, but we wouldn’t put anything past Putin. What tiger is he planning to tame next? I can almost see already the mural of triumphant Putin, lovingly kissing the vanquished tiger the way he lovingly watches over the nations he has brought under Russian protection, 50 feet high on the side of some new public building in the USSR—um, Russian Federation.
Sources
Flitton, D., & Nicholson, B. (2008 Sept. 2). Putin’s ultimatum to Rudd over uranium deal. The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/national/putins-ultimatum-to-rudd-over-uranium-deal-20080901-4770.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 4.
Putin wields tranquilizer gun at escaped tiger. (2008 Sept. 3). NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94223446, accessed 2008 Sept. 4.
Shuster, S. (2008 Aug. 25). Putin says no advantages for Russia from WTO. Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7750592, accessed 2008 Aug. 25.
Putin has announced that Russia will be withdrawing from some agreements it made during negotiations to join the World Trade Organization, saying they are no longer in Russia’s interest. This could signal an intent to reverse some reforms made when Putin handed the presidency to Medvedev (Shuster).
Australia has balked at ratifying a deal to sell uranium to Russia after its recent aggressions in Georgia. Russian officials have pushed back, saying the uranium deal and the Russo-Georgian war are unrelated and that backing out of the deal could be harmful to Australia’s economy (Flitton & Nicholson).
Unusual: Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
Putin visited a wildlife reserve to view a rare tiger that had been captured. The tiger escaped and the Russion Prime Minister snatched up a rifle and shot the beast with a tranquilizer dart, saving a television crew. (Putin wields tranquilizer gun).
OI isn’t generally cynical, but we wouldn’t put anything past Putin. What tiger is he planning to tame next? I can almost see already the mural of triumphant Putin, lovingly kissing the vanquished tiger the way he lovingly watches over the nations he has brought under Russian protection, 50 feet high on the side of some new public building in the USSR—um, Russian Federation.
Sources
Flitton, D., & Nicholson, B. (2008 Sept. 2). Putin’s ultimatum to Rudd over uranium deal. The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/national/putins-ultimatum-to-rudd-over-uranium-deal-20080901-4770.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 4.
Putin wields tranquilizer gun at escaped tiger. (2008 Sept. 3). NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94223446, accessed 2008 Sept. 4.
Shuster, S. (2008 Aug. 25). Putin says no advantages for Russia from WTO. Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7750592, accessed 2008 Aug. 25.
2008/06/12
Major Candidate Comparison
(Updated 2008 Oct. 30)
Abortion
McCain
-Opposes with limited exceptions.
Obama
-Favors.
Energy
McCain
-Generally opposes subsidy and tax credit programs, seeing them mainly as favors to special interests
-Favors allowing market solutions to energy problems
-Favors development of nuclear power
--Called for construction of 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030
--Favors Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage plan
-Has supported allowing new offshore drilling for oil, but has not been consistent in this position
Obama
-Favors federal government investment in alternative fuels and energy technologies
--Has close ties to ethanol producers, particularly corn ethanol
-Proposes funding of alternative fuels programs
-Favors development of nuclear power contingent on development of safer ways to dispose of waste
--Opposes Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage plan
-Initally opposed offshore drilling for oil, but later made provisions for it in energy plan
Environment
McCain
-Air & Climate
--Long supported climate change measures
--Favors 60 percent reduction in emissions by 2050
--Supports nuclear power development as part of climate change response
--Favors incentives for development of hybrid and other low-emissions automobiles
Obama
-Air & Climate
--Favors 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2050
--Favors cap and trade proposals
--Favors incentives for development of hybrid and other low-emissions automobiles
Health Care
McCain
-Proposes tax credit for health care for individuals and families.
Obama
-Aims for universal coverage through employer supplemented programs providing benefits similar to those received by federal employees.
-Proposes a tax credit for small businesses for up to 50 percent of the premiums they pay on behalf of their employees.
Iran
McCain:
-Opposes direct talks.
-Supports sanctions.
Obama:
-Supports direct diplomatic contact; scaled back from early position of face-to-face talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Taxes
McCain
-Previously opposed Bush tax cuts, now proposes to make them permanent.
-Calls for 25 percent cut in corporate taxes.
-Calls for balanced federal budget.
Obama
-Calls for increased taxes for some, tax breaks for others.
Trade
McCain
-Free trade supporter.
-Supports free trade agreement with Colombia.
Obama
-Proposes to renegotiate NAFTA to include environmental and labor standards.
-Opposes proposed free trade agreement with Colombia,
War in Iraq
McCain:
-Supported war.
-Critical of Bush handling.
-Opposes troop withdrawal.
-Early proponent of surge.
-Anticipates long-term American presence in Iraq, eventually as peacekeepers.
Obama:
-Consistently opposed war.
-Opposed surge.
-Calls for withdrawal by end of 2009.
Resources
Bender, M. (2008 June 21). Crist risks gree, bipartisan monikers with drilling stance. Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/state/epaper/2008/06/21/m1a_oil_0622.html, accessed 2008 June 24.
Chozik, A. (2008 August 4). Obama offers support for offshore drilling. Wall Street Journal, p. A4. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121769917863707497.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_topbox, accessed 2008 August 5.
Fahys, J. (2008 Oct. 17). McCain and Obama’s environmental policy differences a matter of degree. Salt Lake Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_10710346, accessed 2008 Oct. 30.
Hertsgaard, M. (2008, June 8). Taking climate change seriously—finally. CBS News (The Nation). http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/06/opinion/main4160120.shtml, accessed June 9, 2008.
How do McCain and Obama match up? (2008, June 9). Dallas Morning News (Trail blazers blog). http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/06/how-do-mccain-and-obama-match.html, accessed June 9, 2008.
Nasaw, D. (2008 June 23). U.S. elections: McCain plugs in to electric cars. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/23/johnmccain.uselections2008, accessed 2008 June 24.
Nasaw, D. (2008 June 23). U.S. elections: Where McCain and Obama stand on environmental issues. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/23/johnmccain.barackobama, accessed 2008 June 24.
Power, S. (2008, June 9). In energy policy, McCain, Obama, differ on role of government. Wall Street Journal, p. A2. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121296676181055711.html?mod=googlenews_wsj, accessed June 9, 2008.
Rescue the trade deal. (2008 June 5). [Editorial]. Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/07/05/a10a_colombia_edit_0705.html, accessed 2008 June 7.
Rhee, F. (2008, June 23). Obama, McCain go after each other on energy. Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/06/obama_mccain_go.html, accessed 2008 June 24.
Rohter, L. (2008 June 23). Obama camp closely linked with ethanol. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/us/politics/23ethanol.html?_r=2&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1214215415-yB7fDlhMP0kFgLEGHZ7f8Q&oref=slogin, accessed 2008 June 24.
Rosetta, L. (2008 Oct. 18). Health care: Utahns see good, bad and risky in McCain and Obama plans. Salt Lake Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_10710537, accessed 2008 Oct. 30.
Roug, L. (2008 July 14). Obama proposes health care tax credits for small businesses. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-campaign14-2008jul14,0,7130939.story, accessed 2008 July 15.
Watt, N. (2008, June 9). Globalization needs America. America needs globalization. Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jun/09/economics.useconomy, accessed June 9, 2008.
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