Monthly Archives: April 2006

Chernobyl and Nuclear Power

Posted on April 27, 2006 by Tim Newman

Normally I agree with Sean Guillory when he writes about Russian and ex-Soviet affairs, but I must take issue with the penultimate paragraph of his latest post: In addition, what is more disconcerting is that the lesson of Chernobyl and the dangers … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineering, USSR | 7 Comments

Well, I’ll be blowed!

Posted on April 25, 2006 by Tim Newman

Two girls, with the same surname and first name initial, are born in England a year apart.  Both are raised on a farm, one learning to drive tractors, the other a forklift.  One grows up to be a 6′ blonde, the other … Continue reading →

Posted in Porn Stars | 3 Comments

Playground games in Tsarist Russia

Posted on April 24, 2006 by Tim Newman

Catherine Merridale, writing in her book Night of Stone: Death and Memory in Twentieth-Century Russia, tells us of the consequences of the enormous number of executions being carried out by the Tsarist government following the failed revolution in 1905: The … Continue reading →

Posted in Russia | Comments Off

Bringing out the Worstall

Posted on April 22, 2006 by Tim Newman

It’s columnists like Polly Toynbee who really bring out the Worstall in people.

Posted in Blogging | 1 Comment

The Field Guide to Moscow

Posted on April 18, 2006 by Tim Newman

A must read for anyone who knows about Russia, and extremely funny even if you don’t. The Field Guide to Moscow Absolutely brilliant!

Posted in Russia | Comments Off

Kyoto Reprinted

Posted on April 18, 2006 by Tim Newman

What with the whole climate change thing still rumbling on, with several bloggers wading in with their thoughts on Kyoto, etc. as part of a discussion on the Euston Manifesto, I’m going to do a lazy blogger’s trick and recycle … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change | 5 Comments

Bistra! Bistra!

Posted on April 17, 2006 by Tim Newman

The joys of doing business in Russia: French giant Total is developing the Kharyaga oilfield, in Siberia, too slowly, Russia’s Natural Resources Ministry claimed today. The ministry added that the state is receiving less profit from the development than planned. … Continue reading →

Posted in Oil & Gas, Russia | Comments Off

Former German Chancellor Gags Opponent

Posted on April 17, 2006 by Tim Newman

Can you imagine the media storm which would result had this concerned Bush, not Schroeder? Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder won a court order today upholding a legal injunction to silence a political opponent who criticised his appointment to a top … Continue reading →

Posted in Oil & Gas, Politics | Comments Off

Russia to fund Hamas

Posted on April 15, 2006 by Tim Newman

Well done, Russia!  Oh, how very well done. Russia has said it will grant the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority urgent financial aid, in opposition to the policy of the EU and the US. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the pledge to … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel, Russia | 12 Comments

Nyet to world walk

Posted on April 14, 2006 by Tim Newman

British explorer Karl Bushby and his companion, who were arrested after entering Russia without a visa, are now facing deportation: A Russian court on Friday ordered the deportation of a British adventurer for illegally crossing into Russia via the frozen Bering … Continue reading →

Posted in Russia | Comments Off