Russian Finance Minister Resigns

Respected Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin was forced to resigned from Russia's government after strongly criticizing Dmitri Medvedev.

Sources:RTThe EconomistFinancial TimesThe New York TimesLe Monde

Watch video: http://www.newsy.com/videos/tension-in-russia-s-ruling-elite-after-fm-s-resignation/

By Noe Gandillot

Anchor: Christina Hartman

Link courtesy of Newsy.com

Putin to Run for Russian Presidency in 2012

Current president Dmitri Medvedev announced at the United Russia Convention that parliament should support Putin for the position.

Sources:RTAl JazeeraBloombergFrance 24

Watch video: http://www.newsy.com/videos/putin-to-run-for-russian-presidency-in-2012/

By Tracy Pfeiffer

Anchor: Megan Murphy

Link provided by Newsy.com

NSC Responds to Strategy 31 Protests in Russia

The Russian Federation on the Globe

Statement by National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor
on Strategy 31 Protests in Russia

"The United States is concerned by reports of the detention on March 31 of many Russian citizens who were participating in peaceful rallies throughout Russia to demonstrate their support for Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees Russian citizens the right to peaceful assembly. The United States reiterates the importance of embracing and protecting universal values, including freedoms of expression and assembly, enshrined in the Russian Constitution as well as in international agreements Russia has signed. Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are not only vital ingredients of sound political systems, they are essential for economic modernization and broad-based prosperity. Without freedom of assembly, it will be impossible to foster genuine competition during Russia’s upcoming parliamentary elections in December."

Photo source: Wikipedia
Permission: GNU Free Documentation License