We're a superpower.

Russia's GDP has grown by ~7% annually since Putin took office, inflation fell and we have the third largest foreign exchange reserve in the world.

Gays in Russia

In my mother Russia the police have come down hard on a gay rights in Moscow.

From the BBC

"Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov has called homosexuality 'satanic' and says he will never allow gay rights parades in Russia's capital."

A british gay rights advocate was also involved in an altercation as well;

"Veteran British gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was among those held.
Mr Tatchell was punched in the face before being detained."

Gorbachev and Mathias Rust

The Washington Post is running a story on Mathias Rust , the then 19 year old wing nut who landed a small plane on Red Square 20 years ago.

Rust claimed he made his flight for "... because of my love for peace".

He most likely did not know the repercususions of his flight but, at least the Post claimes, that it gave Gorbachev an excuse to fire Defense Minister Sergei Sokolov and the commander of Soviet air defense forces, Alexander Koldunov for the "national shame" of having a 19 year West Germany fly a cessna through the Soviet Air defenses.

Having tea with Litvinenko's killer

The BBC is running a story from their about Andrei Lugovoi; ex-KGB, bodyguard, and alledged killer of Alexander Litvinenko.

Not Ostankino television tower, again!

The Ostankino television tower is destine to burn to the ground. This is the second time this decade that is has burst into flames. It appears that the authorities have managed to extinguish the fire before serious loss, unlike last time.

Acceptable Losses

Russian Coal mines are wonderful sources of energy that supply the world wide industrial machine. Despite the more than occasional explosion, like this one in Novokuznetsk, I claim that Russian coal mines are perfectly safe.

Where would we be without this abundant source of energy?

Putin and Estonia

Apparently at least some of Putin's Estonia hating can be attributed to an incident during World War II. Putin's father was serving behind German lines as a covert sabotage agent. They succeeded in blowing up a Nazi supply train and then hid in the Estonian forest. After running out of supplies they turned to the Estonians for help but were turned over to the Nazis. Only four in the group survived, including Putin's dad who escaped and hid in a bog.

The Moscow Times has a more detailed report