Trudeau Says Putin Behind ‘Terrible Things,’ Skirts Killer Label

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday Vladimir Putin is responsible for “terrible things,” but wouldn’t go so far as U.S. President Joe Biden in calling the Russian leader a “killer.” Trudeau, unaccustomed to criticizing other world leaders in public, was questioned during an interview on SiriusXM radio’s The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge about Biden’s…

Canada Sanctions 9 Russian Officials Over Navalny Jailing

Canada on Wednesday slapped new sanctions against nine Russian officials on Wednesday in response to “gross” rights violations and silencing of Kremlin critics including Alexey Navalny, who was poisoned and jailed. The measure follows similar actions taken earlier this month by the European Union and the United States. “The Russian government has repeatedly shown its…

Russian Deputies Back Law to Prolong Putin’s Rule

Russian lawmakers on Wednesday approved legislation allowing President Vladimir Putin to hold office for two additional terms, paving the way for him to stay in power until 2036. Putin, already in power for more than 20 years, proposed the change as part of constitutional reforms that Russians overwhelmingly backed in a vote last year. They…

Telegram Raises $1Bln, With Russian Direct Investment Fund Buying Bonds

Telegram has sold more than $1 billion in bonds to international investors, founder Pavel Durov announced Tuesday —  with Russia’s state-run Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) now among the firm’s backers. Durov, who founded Russia’s leading social network VKontakte before launching messaging app Telegram, said the investment will “enable Telegram to continue growing globally, while sticking…

Russia Probes Artistic Human Corpse Exhibition After Uproar

Russia will probe an artistic exhibition of preserved human corpses after the display sparked an uproar among conservative religious groups and public figures. German anatomist Gunter von Hagens’ traveling “Body Worlds” exhibition opened at Moscow’s VDNKh exhibition center on March 12. Its display of donated human bodies and organs aims to educate visitors “by looking inside…

Armenia Lifts Martial Law Months After Karabakh War

Armenia lifted martial law on Wednesday, five months after the end of its brutal war with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The decision to lift the order came as part of a deal between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the opposition to defuse a political crisis sparked by Armenia’s crushing defeat in the six-week conflict.…

Gazprom adds over 480 billion cubic meters to its gas reserves through geological exploration in 2020

March 24, 2021, 11:05 Gas reserve addition rates have been surpassing production rates for 16 consecutive years. The Gazprom Board of Directors took note of the information about the ongoing work for resource base support, geological surveys, and geological exploration performed by the Company. It was highlighted that Gazprom, which has the largest reserves and output of natural gas in the world, is effectively expanding…

Gazprom continuing to enhance corporate governance quality

March 24, 2021, 10:35 The Gazprom Board of Directors took note of the information about the current state of corporate governance, corporate ethics, and transparency of activities at Gazprom. It was highlighted that year after year the Company systematically enhances its corporate standards taking into account, inter alia, the opinions of the investment and expert community. As a result, the corporate governance system conforms to the listing…

Debt for gas supplies reduced in most Russian regions in 2020

March 24, 2021, 10:25 Leaders in debt reduction include the Moscow, Ulyanovsk and Volgograd Regions, the Republic of Tatarstan, and the Astrakhan Region. Heat suppliers are increasing the level of their payments and reducing their debt. At the same time, debt remains a pressing issue in the development of the domestic gas market. The Gazprom Board of Directors took note of the information on improving the payment…

Russia, After Confusion, Says Coronavirus Re-Vaccination Possible

Russian health officials said Tuesday that re-vaccination with any of Russia’s domestically produced coronavirus vaccines after receiving the country’s Sputnik V shot is possible, clarifying earlier remarks suggesting that antibodies could destroy future vaccine components. Natalia Pshenichnaya, senior epidemiologist at national consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, said earlier in the day that the Sputnik V shot’s long-term…

Gazprom reduces greenhouse gas emissions and saves 3.92 million tons of fuel equivalent on fuel and energy in 2020

March 24, 2021, 09:45 Greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 14 per cent against 2019. 3.27 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 305.9 million kWh of electricity saved. Gazprom and Gazprom Neft rank first among Russian oil and gas companies according to the international climate rating compiled by CDP. The Gazprom Board of Directors approved the Company’s ongoing efforts for environmental protection, energy efficiency enhancement,…