Ria Novosti, Russian News Service

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Bold Changes Planned For New Year

Following a meeting of the Duma, Prime Minister Putin announced that two reform bills were being planned to be put up for vote in 2009. The first measure calls for an examination and adjustment of the infrastructure of the Russian Federation, which is noted by anaylists to being one of the major obstacles that will hamper future economic growth. The measure would call for a plan to be drawn up by late 2009, and to begin implimentation by 2010.

The next reform measure is reportedly aimed at improving the militia police forces, with measures to improve their relations with the general public while still maintaining their commitment of stopping crime efficently. This measure was brought up after numerous sources indicated that the general public does not trust the militia police force, and in fact fears them to the point they fear the militia harming them as much as they harm criminals.

Both measures are so far being met with positive feedback, both from the government and the public.

President Medvedev was unable to comment at the time of publication due to his recent trip to Armenia. However, a Presidential spokesperson said that Medvedev was pleased with the cooperation conserning these measures.

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Bad Weather Expected On East Coast

Metorologists on the Eastern Coast of Russia have announced predictions of a repeat of last years cyclones this year. Conserns namely about power loss and the possibility of troubles at the harbors.

So far, citizens have been advised to stock up on essential supplies, such as canned food, water, blankets, warm clothes, and other supplies. The officials in the area also working with the military to be on hand to respond to critical situations. Officials are presently hopeful that the area will be prepared for this set of storms when they come.

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Measures of Comprimise Being Debated

In a meeting of the Presidential Cabinet, a hotly debated topic is being considered for proposal. The measure would namely seek to comprimise with the unnessesary pressure by the United States and other nations conserning the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by recognizing Kosovo's independence from Serbia, and plans to spearhead negotiations with Serbia to reach a peaceful resolution.

"If the United States and other nations show so much doubt of our motives, then we must give them reason to see our true motives. It is a small price to pay to ensure Abkhazian and Ossetian independence from the hateful intentions of Georgia." Prime Minister Putin said.

The measure is being hotly debated, namely because of the close relations Russia has enjoyed with Serbia could be severely hampered by this move, as well as many voicing that this move makes Russia "look weak before the world".

This argument has grown even stronger with the reported success of Presidential Canidate John McCain in the United States Presidential election, who has openly spoken out against Russia, even adding to a number of statements about Putin and his previous KGB career, stating that as a former KGB officer, Putin was an evil man. When questioned about these statements, Putin had this to say.

"McCain had commented that when he looked into my eyes, he saw a K, a G and a B. I went to see the optomotrist since I was rather baffled at how I had three letters in my eyes." After a mild chuckle, Putin continued, "Being in the KGB has not turned me into some sort of monster. There have been no purges, we do not live in an age of fear. If the Americans want to propogate fear, that is their matter. But in Russia, we will focus on the important matter: PROGRESS."

The measure to recognize Kosovo's indpendence is expected to be voted on in January of next year, but so far, it has generated mixed feelings.

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Anti-Corruption Measure Expanded And Approved

After much debate and redrafting, the reform measure that originally was to fix the Russian militia police forces has been adjusted to a much more overarching anti-corruption bill, with the original measure still intact.

The measure calls for a revision on police authority on matters, and calls for each oblast to submit a report on the current standing of each city's militia force no later than January 31st, 2010. The measure also makes it clear that the militia personnel that served in Chechnya and are presently suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder will be granted a state funded therapy assistance program, which will allow them to retain their jobs so long as they attend and improve. The investigation into militia corruption will be launched by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The second part of the measure is aimed at seeking out and dealing with corruption in the Russian Armed Forces. Though Prime Minister Putin started such reforms while President, this calls for much closer investigation by GRU, and will call to hold personnel to be responsible for their own actions.

Finally, a major government anti-corruption sweep will be launched, in order to clean up the Russian government to allow it to work more efficiently.

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Russia and Japan Reach Groundbreaking Deal

Dmitry Medvedev has returned from his trip to Japan and China with rather historical news. In a deal with Japan and Russia, Russia would turn over soverign control of the Kuril Islands to Japan, starting 2010. In exchange, Japan has agreed to assist Russia in the infrastructure revamp that has become a major consern with the Russian government.

The President also made it clear that Russia would be opening trade with Japan, allowing them access to the raw materials in Siberia in exchange for technological goods from Japan.

President Medvedev's annoucement drew mixed feelings, but was generally well recieved. A small protest denouncing "comprimising Russia to the world" policies as of late gathered in Moscow, but it was kept contained and no real damage or incidents occured.

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Chechen Rebels Promise 'To Force The World's Hand'

In Groznyy, a radio broadcast was made by an unidentified group of rebels from a location still being determined by Russian Military Forces, promising to "force the world's hand" in "destroying Russian oppression."

"If Russia is appealing for justice in the chambers of the United Nations, then they will get it from us. They convienently act the heroes for the Georgian breakaways, but ignore the acts of terror and rape that they wrought upon the Chechen people and our land. We will force the world to march on the Kremlin, drag the dog Putin and his lackies from their cozy offices, and shot in the streets. We will see the world destroy Russia in a hellfire, and see us free. The Russian people will be destroyed, and we will be the ones to do it. The United Nations has 36 hours to begin mobilizing to invade Russia, or we will start this war ourselves."

Military officials have already begun the search for the source of the radio message and the ones behind its broadcast. Prime Minister Putin appeared on TV to assure the Russian people.

"These people are terrorists. They thrive when others fear, but they fear us. They fear our might. But more importantly, they fear PROGRESS. There will be no multinational invasion of Russia in 36 hours. They will be found, and they will be destroyed. These terrorists have not the means or the ambition to start a war with us again. This war will not happen. Chechnya engaged in acts of terrorism, killing innocent men, women and children, thinking the world would rally to their cause. But they still stand alone. And they will remain alone. Russia does not fear bands of terrorists. We will not negotiate. To the terrorists: you bastards have 36 hours to run and hide. In 36 hours, the Russian Military will seek you out, and destroy you. You will not have your war."

Many are conserned about a Third Chechen War, especially with the economy about to enter into yet another freefall, possibly to be worse than when the Soviet Union collapsed. But, many government officials, including the President himself, are hopeful that the new changes will ensure that no such freefall will last for long.

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Chechen Rocket Attack In Dagestan Kills 5, Wounds 13

In the early morning hours, several vollies of RPG rockets were fired into a village in Dagestan, damaging several homes and killing 5 people, wounding another 13, before Army troops nearby were able to respond and launched a counter attack on the attackers. Many fled and have yet to be found, but several were killed, and were identified as Chechen rebel fighters, possibly to the same group that issued a threatening proclomation earlier.

So far, the military and FSB have reported that they are "hot on the trail" and "will have these terrorists dealt with before long."

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

President Medvedev gives "Interesting" Speech at Victory Day Parade

At the 2009 Victory Day Parade, commemorating the 64th aniversary of the victory over the Nazis, Dmitry Medvedev gave a speech that many are calling "interesting".

"64 years ago, our forefathers raised the flag of the Soviet Union over Berlin, announcing to the world that we were rid of the Third Reich. Millions of our people died at their hands in the Great Patriotic War. But, ours were not the only losses to the Nazis in their evil quest to conquer the world in darkness. We were not alone in the war. I feel, if we are going to celebrate the end of the Nazi regime, then we should honor not only our people who fell, but those of other nations that fell as well."

"The French and the Polish were the first to fall in their evil conquest of Europe, while China and South Asia were brutalized by the forces that joined Hitler's quest for world dominiation from Japan. The British and the Soviet Union were the only two nations that could stand against the forces poised to consume this world. As they starved Lenningrad, burned Kiev, and raped our country, the Nazis also tried to burn the United Kingdom. Just as our brave people rose up to combat the Nazis on the ground, the brave men of the Royal Air Force took to the skies to defend their nation."

"The United States was brought into the war, a war they wanted little part in. But, what part they played before is sometimes minimalized. They supplied not only the British, but our forces as well, and it was the brave men of the Royal Navy that also ensured those supplies got to our forces."

"In North Africa, in Italy, and in France, the Americans, British, and Free European forces fought to divert the Nazis away from us long enough for our people to catch our breath, and then we smashed them."

"No one country ended that war. We all worked together. We all fought to defeat the greatest evil this world has ever seen. Today, I ask all of you to not only honor the loss of our forefathers, and the gains they made, but also the losses that our allies endured to ensure this victory."

Mixed reactions were generated from the speech, but it was generally well recieved, as no riots or protests have occured.

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Economic Stagnation Feared, Many Conserned

With the slippery state of the global economy, Russian economic experts have released that the World Bank has reported Russia is in danger of economic stagnation. Though this is a minor relief, considering that Russia could be reeling into economic collapse, similiar to what happened after the fall of the Soviet Union. So far, arms exporting, the opening of the market to Japanese imports, as well as petroleum and natural gas exporting, has managed to keep Russia afloat.

Prime Minister Putin, speaking on behalf of the President who is in Germany to negotiate with the United States, Europe and Georgia, said that the infrastructure reforms would continue, as they were nessesary.

"If we do not improve the infrastructure of this country, paying the price now, we will suffer greatly in the future and pay even heavier. These are trying times, but we must hold strong."

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Anti-West Protests In Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Smolensk, Vladivostok

In many of the major cities of Russia, protests have broken out conserning the recent strings of comments made by western nations to Russia, and also attacking President Medvedev's "selling Russia out".

Tensions soared when the Duma signed in the transfer of the Kuril Islands to Japan as legal, begining the transfer next year to Japanese control. Comments made by a number of ambassadors have also sparked further issues, with many Russians insulted by the attitude that many nations have shown towards Russia.

While some damage to buildings, namely with rock throwing, were done, the militia has been able to contain the damage and the riots, only making a few arrests. However, the general feeling is that many nations do not respect Russia, and it is possible that further insults could lead to more far reaching effects, such as what has been seen in China lately.

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

President Medvedev Returns From US-Russia Summit

President Medvedev returned to Moscow today with rather positive news from his meeting with American President, John McCain. According to the President, the meeting conserned a great deal of issues, and "a great deal of understanding was made", said the President.

"After sitting down with President McCain, I have learned that the world is tense right now, but at this summit, I believe that tensions will settle, as we have discussed our stances, and reached understandings." President Medvedev said.

Though no real agreements were made one way or the other, President Medvedev was positive about what came out of the meeting, saying, "what we accomplished was possibly more rewarding than any treaty."

The President, however, had no comment conserning the escalating combat in Chechnya that has flared up.

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Markets Plummet Due To G8 Summit Tantrums

Economic analyists today released that there may be a very strong possibility of markets plummeting after reported tantrums thrown at the G8 Summit in France. Though details on what transpired are still unconfirmed, reports have it that American President McCain, and German Chancellor Merkel stormed out of the G8 Summit after trading insults.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had little to say on the meeting except, "It was a disgraceful display by all sides. Rules were broken, and nothing was accomplished. I am ashamed to sit in the same room as men and women who would rather trade insults than work to fix this economic mess."

Many are already curious why the invitation specifically called for Prime Minister Putin, though these were dismissed as President Medvedev has been busy with several other meetings, and Putin offered to accept the invitation.

President Medvedev is urging all of Russia to stand strong, stating, "As Prime Minister Putin refused to lower himself to the level of insult hurling, we must not lower ourselves to be fearful of tantrums ruining our economy. Russia must stand strong, to show to the world that it is possible. We have pulled ourselves out of the pit where the Soviet Union fell. Let us not fall back into it."

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Russian Navy Expected To Participate In Anti-Piracy Taskforce

An annoucement from the Defense Ministry has indicated that the United Nations Security Council has voted in favor of forming a coalition of vessels in an attempt to deal with the rising issue of piracy off the coast of Somalia. To contribute, Admiral Vladimir Vysotskiy has stated that Russia will be sending a small taskforce to assist in dealing with the piracy in the area.

"This is a step forward in the right direction for dealing with a very disturbing matter," Admiral Vysotskiy said, "and the fact that the world is uniting to deal with this ordeal is clearly a good sign. We cannot sit idly back and let these pirates bring global commerce to a halt."

Many are conserned about the rumors that the taskforce is being led by the American Navy, and that many nations will seek to deny allowing Russia to operate in the region. However, Admiral Vysotskiy remains positive that Russian contributions will be, "accepted and welcomed, just as any other nation."

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Russia to sever its ties with Zimbabwe

The Foreign Ministry issued a press release that the Russian Foreign Ministry would be severing its ties with the nation of Zimbabwe, due in large part to the actions of their leader, Robert Mugabe.

"Russia cannot, and will not continue to deal with Mugabe, as he has done nothing except run his nation into the ground for his own greedy ends." Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Russian personnel are exiting Zimbabwe, and the embassy is expected to be closed. So far, no actions have been made against the Zimbabwe embassy, and Zimbabwe citizens in Russia have not yet been declared persona non grata.

[Russia [CipherHornet]]

Chechens hijack transport vessel

A representative from the Russian Navy reported today that Chechen terrorists have hijacked a transport vessel bound from Muramansk to Sudan, taking the vessel to an unknown location, which the Russian Navy could only say that they were presently searching for the vessel.

The crew and manifest of the vessel have been kept classified for security reasons, and port security at every major Russian harbor has been intensified to guard against further attack.

((VSIC: The Sudanese government has recieved a message, delivered by courier, that this ship was carrying the equipment they were purchasing, and that the Russian Northern Fleet is tracking the ship down. In the meantime, the funds they had used were being transfered back.))