No, a stream of a recorded TV broadcast.

A stream is not a broadcast. Neither in computer networks terms, neither in television terms, neither in legal terms.

Word games.

Not in this case.

Exactly one year ago; the investigation led personally by Putin has "surprisingly" not yet arrested anybody.

The killing, within sight of the Kremlin, of a person who, even in his opposition, was a member of the political establishment. And the state doesn't appear all that able, or motivated, to do much about it.

Remembrance march today for Nemtsov saw only a fraction of the numbers who marched last year

Speaking of Nemtsov... there was alot of speculation that the Chechens who killed him were ordered by Kadyrov, and that Kadyrov was getting too "powerful" for Putin to control...and now 1 year to the day, Kadyrov suddenly announces, for no special reason, that he has decided to resign (?)

http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-.../27577524.html

"the Chechens who killed him" These have not yet been brought into a court and found guilty so the most we could write is "the Chechens suspected of killing him".

True. But I wouldn't put too much trust in the result of the Russian judicial system anyway

You mean about the Chechens who already claimed they were tortured to confess; confessions are important when there is no other solid evidence

Surprise! The EU Just Admitted That Ukraine Will Never Be a Member State

Shoot own foot much?

^^I don't think anyone in Ukraine has any expectations of joining the EU any time soon. Their main goal is to break free from Moscow's grip/influence/legacy, and lean more towards the EU model, as most of the other former Soviet states have successfully done. Meanwhile, breaking economic ties with Russia and making new ones with the West are taking shape, eg. http://eeas.europa.eu/top_stories/20...ukraine_en.htm

So there is progress being made, but Ukraine's main problem right now, aside from the Russian military buildup and simmering war along the Ukraine/Russian border, is getting rid of the legacy of corruption.

Ukraine does have a long way to go in both of these, so no, they won't be joining the EU/NATO anytime soon, altho other forms of cooperation are still going ahead, not unlike how Switzerland is also not in EU/NATO, but still has many agreements with them.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/03/18/...ression-crimea

HRW paints a grim picture for non-Russians living in occupied Crimea (eg. Ukrainians, Tatars). Many people have simply "disappeared" or have been found tortured and killed for simply speaking out against Russian authorities

Well, Russia did have a contribution to EU's decision. And now they are amused...
Hypocrisy at its best. I bet their 'guru' Dugin is glad that all his predictions are coming true...

Putin did visit the construction site of the bridge across the Strait of Kerch today.

He is quoted "President Vladimir Putin said he wants to identify an official who can be hanged if a bridge linking Crimea to Russia isn’t built, as he complained that nobody wants to take charge of the project."

Source

Those officials are not daft are they?

The so-called energy bridge between Crimea and Russia is also taking a longer time than planned.

After the schedule was announced it was discovered that nowhere in Russia made suitable cables for this underwater bridge.
The West refused to supply due to sanctions so eventually suitable cable was acquired from China.

It is believed the existing installation completed on Dec2 provides around 200MW; about a fifth of the average Crimea energy usage.

Increasing capacity is not just a question of more underwater cables but also suitable high voltage cables with their necessary sub stations need to be constructed across some considerable distance in both Russia and Crimea.

It is rumoured the work so far defined will cost around $700 million; the completion cost for the total requirement is not published - believed to be a very big number

Ukrainian pilot found guilty of murder by Russian court.
Nadezhda Savchenko, accused of directing artillery fire that killed two journalists, motivated by hatred of Russians, says judge.

Savchenko was a fighter pilot in the Ukrainian army who was fighting with the Aidar volunteer battalion in east Ukraine at the time of her arrest.
Prosecutors said she was responsible for directing artillery fire in an attack that killed two Russian television journalists.
The court refused to admit evidence of her phone calls that the defence team claimed would show she was not in the area at the time of the attack.

Savchenko said she was detained by pro-Russia rebels in east Ukraine and taken across the border to Russia, whereas the prosecution had claimed she crossed the border of her own accord, pretending to be a refugee.
Source

Russian justice in action!

Interesting why Russian authorities are now talking out loud about "political instability" in Crimea? I thought everyone there was happy and proud to be part of Russia now? Or maybe they should hold another "referendum" to see if the people there want to return to Ukraine?


I'm confused by the part highlighted below. Isn't that exactly what Russia did to take Crimea back in the first place?

I should get some popcorn and hide in a bunker ...

Russian warplanes 'aggressively' pass US missile destroyer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36039703

Quote "At one point the jets were so close, about 30ft (9m), that they created wakes in the water around the ship."

Demonstrations of kinda "my willy is bigger than your willy" or someone hijacked those planes But presence of helicopter ... Common!

I like this one ...

The aircraft did not respond to safety warnings in English or Russian.
"We have deep concerns about the unsafe and unprofessional Russian flight manoeuvres," the statement read. "These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries, and could result in a miscalculation or accident that could cause serious injury or death."

This here is the agreement mentioned between USA and Russia to prevent Incidents On and Over the High Seas; which Russia is blatantly ignoring.