Cheburashka for Sochi 2014 Mascot

Attention all loyal readers! Attention all loyal readers!

I have proven to be a most excellent talisman for our Russian Olympic Team in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 Torino Olympics and now more than ever, I need your support in my campaign to become not just the mascot for Russia, but for all of the Olympic Games.

For many generations now, I have been known to and loved by Russians everywhere, but the rest of the world still has not discovered my cuteness. By becoming the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic mascot, I shall gain worldwide popularity and spread goodwill for all mankind and cheburashkakind.

When the Olympics last came to Russia Misha the Bear was the official mascot. Misha became the first sporting event talisman to gain widespread commercial success as merchandise. I was a big success in Athens and an even bigger success in Torino. I now need all of your support to take my success to the next level.

Please, leave comments in support of me or send a message below. All notes will be passed on to Dmitry Chernyshenko, director general of 2014 Sochi bid committee.

Remember, CHEBURASHKA FOR SOCHI 2014 TALISMAN!!!!!!!!!!!

14 year old's body found in pool pump

Kommersant and CNN are reporting that a 14 year old pool believed to have been kidnapped from a Kazan water park has been found dead inside a pool pump.

How history judges Russia's leaders

From the BBC: "How history judges Russia's leaders"

"Butka has always been Butka. The 250-km (155-mile) drive from Yekaterinburg took about four hours.

The distance we had covered looked tiny on the map.

This small village is the birthplace of Boris Yeltsin but you would not guess the identity of Butka's most famous son unless you already knew.

It is a monument to Lenin which stands in the centre of the village. And the main street is still named after the man who promised a bright future under socialism, not the man who resolutely rejected it. "

More people trying to kill Boris Berezovsky

But it wasn't this woman







"I think Russia is always right. We Russians never ever do anything mean.

We are a very kind nation - and this is why other countries always attack us.

They know Russia is getting stronger and stronger, and they don't like it."

Rural Russia

The BBC's James Rodgers explores the harsh realities of life in the Ural Mountains region, where a retail boom has done little to improve the lives of impoverished villagers.

"We found the place. Outside there was a notice warning that you could be fined if you let your cow loose in the village."

Flying in Mother Russia

From the Reuters news service: Plane returns after drunken brawl on board

"...A Russian plane flying from St Petersburg in Russia to Doloman in Turkey had to turn back midflight after a drunken brawl over a young woman spun out of control, police said in a statement Friday.

Three young Russians boarded the plane drunk Thursday and 'continued their party on board'

'One of them took a fancy to a girl but she did not want to socialize with the new admirer,' police said.

On rejection, the passenger slapped the woman on her face several times. Another passenger immediately rose to defend her.

'A fight began, the situation started to get out of hand and the crew made the only right decision -- to turn back.'..."

I'm honestly surprise the crew bothered to turn back.

GO Putin!

Our fearless and strong leader has withdrawn from the unjust and discriminatory Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty. Putin recently met with Commander Bush in the State of Maine. This did little to ease tensions. I believe a meeting in Maine would only increase tensions.

Cosmos 95

Last week a NASA scientist announced that the agency may again consider nuclear rockets for interplanetary space travel. The US, and I am sure other countries, have sent nuclear powerplants into space before but glorious mother Russia has actually sent conventional nuclear reactors.

The Upravlenniye Sputnik-Aktivny (RORSAT) satellites used a nuclear reactor and in 1978 one crashed into Canada.

Chocolate!

The Red October plant is moving!