Russia Vetoes Continuing U.N. Mission in Georgia Jun 16, 2009
The Black Sea province of Abkhazia has been independently run since 1993, when two years of fighting with Georgian troops ended with a U.N.-monitored cease-fire. Two-thirds of Abkhazia residents hold Russian passports, and along with South Ossetia it had sought independence or union with Russia. (Fox News)
How to spend a couple days in Tel Aviv Jun 6, 2009
8 p.m. - Enjoy dinner at Nanuchka on Lilienblum Street, a Georgian bistro nearby with unique Black Sea cuisine and charming atmosphere. As the night rolls on, the music gets louder as diners flock to the bar. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Russia: No Government Money for Sochi in 2009-10 Jun 4, 2009
The global financial crisis has raised concern about Russia's ability to pay for the games in the Black Sea resort. Most facilities must be built from scratch. (13WMAZ.com, GA)
Shelton Reports First Quarter Results Jun 3, 2009
The preparation work for the 300 km seismic run on the Black Sea, Arkchangelske project is well underway ... Shelton's long-term goals are to become the leader in oil and gas production from the resource-rich Azov and Black Sea basins in five years. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Russia, Ukrainerevisit gas conflict Jun 3, 2009
The former would run from the Russian Black Sea coast north of Georgia to Bulgaria and on to Europe, while Nord Stream would transit the Baltic Sea between Russia and Europe). By convincing the EU that Ukraine is an "unreliable" transit route for Russian gas, the Kremlin gas monopoly can sabotage the proposed Nabucco pipeline [which does not go through Russian territory], gain full control over gas transit routes to the EU and reduce Ukraine to subservience to Moscow. (Asia Times Online)
The Global Economic and Financial Outlook and Challenges for Emerging Economies, Keynote Speech by Mr. Takatoshi Kato, Deputy Managing Director, IMF, 21st Meeting of the Central Bank Governors’ Club of the Central Asia, Black Sea Region, and Balkan Countries, Kazakhstan Jun 2, 2009
The Global Economic and Financial Outlook and Challenges for Emerging Economies, Keynote Speech by Mr. Takatoshi Kato, Deputy Managing Director, IMF, 21st Meeting of the Central Bank Governors Club of the Central Asia, Black Sea Region, and Balkan Countries, Kazakhstan ... Keynote Speech by Mr. Takatoshi Kato, Deputy Managing Director, IMF At the 21st Meeting of the Central Bank Governors Club of the Central Asia, Black Sea Region, and Balkan Countries Astana, Kazakhstan May 28 31, 2009 ... It... (IMF News)
Bloom Off the Rose Revolution Jun 1, 2009
Because of its geopolitical importance as a Black Sea state on Russia s border and because it is a transit country for the pipeline bringing Caspian crude to the West, Georgia had by then received countless millions in aid for these refugees and for democracy-building and civil-society projects ... He forced the White Russian commander, General Denikin, to promise Georgia and its neighbors independence because the British wanted to control the Baku-Batumi railway bringing oil from the Caspian to... (The American Conservative)
Wray: Fun and easy traveling on Corvallis buses May 29, 2009
Yuliya was born in Labinsk, a town on the Black Sea, where she and her family always rode the bus. They did not own a car. (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
* Alleged Bulgarian crime bosses plan to run in poll May 28, 2009
Father and son Veselin and Hristo Danov, in custody since September on charges of extortion, money laundering and luring people into prostitution, will also run for parliament in the Black Sea city of Varna on the ticket of a local party. Electoral Commission officials said there were no legal grounds to bar the three from the election. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
SKIN DEEP? Exotic - and expensive - creams have little data to back claims May 27, 2009
Contains: Black sea algae. Company s claim: Vital Black Algae Sap Concentrate is found in the depths of the ocean and reconstructs a catalyst in the skin to counteract the signs of aging. (Missoulian, MT)
At rally, foes demand change in Georgia May 27, 2009
He also planned to visit the Black Sea city of Batumi, where he was to open a new street and visit local businesses. More from msnbc. (MSNBC -- International)
Putin warns outsiders over Ukraine May 25, 2009
There is tension between Russia and Ukraine over Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which Ukrainian leaders have said they will evict from the Crimean port of Sevastopol when the current lease runs out in 2017. Denikin, who died in exile in the United States in 1947, was reburied in 2005 in the cemetery Moscow's historic Donskoy Monastery. (MSNBC -- International)
Anti-inflammatory Effect Of 'Rotten Eggs' Gas May 23, 2009
17, 2009) The Black Sea harbors vast quantities of hydrogen sulfide, the toxic gas associated with the smell of rotten eggs. This noxious gas could be used as a renewable source of hydrogen gas to fuel a. (Science Daily)
Ask AP: Guantanamo inmates, 3 million job openings May 22, 2009
AP Photo - FILE - In this Aug. 19, 2008 file photo, Russian soldiers in a armored personnel carrier tow away a US-built Humvee left behind after a joint Georgian, US military exercise in the Black Sea port city of Poti, western Georgia ... Five U.S. military Humvees were taken by Russian troops from the Georgian Black Sea port of Poti on Aug. 19, the port manager said, and the Pentagon issued a formal request for their return Aug. 21. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Transcript of a Press Briefing by Caroline Atkinson, Director, External Relations, International Monetary Fund May 22, 2009
Finally, Deputy Managing Director Takatoshi Kato is traveling to Kazakhstan at the end of May, May 28, for a discussion with the authorities and to attend a meeting of the Central Bank Governors Club for Central Asia, the Black Sea Region and the Balkan Countries. For those of you based here in Washington, my predecessor and currently the Director of our Middle East and Central Asia Department, Mr. Ahmed, will be participating in an event this afternoon at 3:00 at the Carnegie Endowment for... (IMF News)
Snapshots of Russia by train May 21, 2009
Chance's journey begins in Murmansk in Arctic, ends in Sochi on Black Sea ... (CNN) -- In a special report for CNN's Eye on Russia week, Moscow Correspondent Matthew Chance travels across the vast country from the northern port of Murmansk in the Arctic to the southern city of Sochi on the Black Sea ... Moving Forward Matthew Chance takes a train ride across Russia from the Arctic to the Black Sea. (CNN -- International)
Spring wheat prices appreciating as planting delayed May 21, 2009
From a demand standpoint, Canada is still pricing pretty aggressively and the Black Sea region still has wheat to move, so it won't be immediate clear sailing, but it is an improvement, according to Peterson. Canada also surprised the market with its April 24 planting intentions report, Peterson said. (Great Falls Prairie Star, MT)
Putin flaunts Russian SUV with BFGoodrich tires May 19, 2009
Reuters and the Associated Press say Putin invited reporters to take a ride near his Black Sea home in the city of Sochi. Putin plans to use the SUV, with manual shift, for fishing. (USA Today -- Money)
• Are claims about beauty creams only skin deep? May 18, 2009
Contains: Black sea algae. Company's claim: "Vital Black Algae Sap Concentrate is found in the depths of the ocean and reconstructs a catalyst in the skin to counteract the signs of aging." A Givenchy spokeswoman says the company's clinical tests "speak for themselves.". (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Vladimir Putin shows off new car May 18, 2009
The journalists were waiting for Putin at the entrance to his residence in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi where he had talks with the Turkish prime minister. Suddenly a three-door Niva painted in camouflage colours drove into the residence, with Putin at the wheel. (India Times)
UAE and European companies team to export Iraq gas May 17, 2009
South Stream would ship Russian gas across the Black Sea on a route that bypasses Ukraine. The former Soviet republic's price battles with Moscow have led to cutoffs that have reduced European nations' supplies, fueling interest among several European nations in new transmission routes. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Russia signs gas pipeline deals May 16, 2009
On Friday, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, four countries with close links to Russia, signed agreements in the Russian Black sea city of Sochi that will commit them to specific feasibility studies ... South Stream, whose construction is expected to be completed by 2015, will deliver at least 30bn cubic metres of gas a year from Russia, under the Black Sea to Bulgaria before splitting into a southern branch leading to Greece, and a northern branch into Serbia, Hungary, Austria and Italy. (BBC News -- Europe)
Putin on Olympic plans: 'We are getting this done' May 15, 2009
"Time is not a luxury that we have to play with on this project,'' Killy said at a news conference as he wrapped up the second major visit by the IOC coordination panel since the Black Sea resort was awarded the games in July 2007. "The Sochi team must therefore ensure that it makes its decisions in a timely manner, so as to maintain its ambitious schedule ... Putin unexpectedly acknowledged that criticism, saying that "five ice arenas on the Black Sea shore is an excessive amount.''In televised... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Nabucco startsto shape up May 15, 2009
However, Erdogan's new foreign minister, Davutoglu, seems to be charting a course away from ideas of an all-encompassing Turkish-Russian energy condominium in the region, which had led to the construction under the Black Sea of the Blue Stream pipeline between the two countries as a blocking move by Moscow against prospects a decade ago for a Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline from Turkmenistan. This can only be constructive, as Azerbaijan's experience over the last 20 years demonstrates the benefits to... (Asia Times Online)
The return of rhubarb May 14, 2009
The scientific name of our common garden rhubarb, Rheum rhaponticum, speaks of its itinerary as it made its way to the Romans and Greeks about 2000 years ago: The Rha (Volga) flows into the Pontus (Pontus Euxinus, the Black Sea). Like most plants, rhubarb is a lot older than its name. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Pipelineistan goes Af-Pak May 14, 2009
The agreement explicitly states that "Chinese interests" will not be "threatened from [Turkmenistan's] territory by third parties. In translation: no Pentagon bases allowed in that country. China's deft energy diplomacy game plan in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia is a pure winner. In the case of Turkmenistan, lucrative deals are offered and partnerships with Russia are encouraged to boost Turkmen gas production. There are to be no Russian-Chinese antagonisms, as befits the main... (Asia Times Online)
NOW SERVING: Alchemy brings electic mix to San Diego's South Park May 14, 2009
In keeping with the made-from-scratch dinner menu, Alchemy's bar boasts seven hand-made cocktails ( 6- 10) boasting fresh-squeezed locally grown fruits, like the complex Keep's Pleasure, made with Skyy vodka, tangerine juice, bing cherries and crushed mint leaves, or the refreshing Alchemy Margarita, hand-stirred with 1800 tequila, orange juice and agave nectar and a seasoning of black sea salt around the glass rim. A wine room has more than 100 vintages in stock, many of them value-added wines... (North County Times)
IOC hails Sochi preparations, warns against delays May 13, 2009
Jean-Claude Killy and the IOC's coordination commission are spending two days examining Olympic venues at the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Killy said Wednesday that close coordination between sporting bodies and government agencies will be key a successful games. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
* Abkhazia gradually luring expatriates to rebuild population May 13, 2009
As night gathers over the Black Sea waterfront, a dozen pilgrims meet in the second-floor classroom where they are studying Abkhaz, the language of their new home. The neighborhood has a decrepit, post-Soviet feel and is still pockmarked with bullet holes from Abkhazias war to separate from Georgia. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
The czar and the pirates May 12, 2009
Even older are the disputes Russia has had with the Ottoman powers, and then with the Turkish government, over the right of Russian ships to pass unrestricted through the Bosphorus Strait - the narrow waterway at the mouth of the Black Sea that has always been a vital opening for the Russian Navy and its commercial fleet to reach the Mediterranean. In this context of grand strategy, with half a millennium of gunboat diplomacy to learn from, was the new president of Russia really ceding... (Asia Times Online)
NATO-Russia tension may give rise to modus vivendi for future ties May 9, 2009
Although official NATO policy still says Georgia and Ukraine will become members of the alliance, NATO expansion has been on the back burner since France and Germany -- under pressure from Russia -- postponed indefinitely the launch of a pre-membership program for the Black Sea nations at a summit last year in Bucharest. Any lingering hopes have been dashed by European concern over the eternal political crisis in Ukraine and instability in Georgia since Russian-backed separatists in the South... (Xinhuanet, China)
EU seeking energy independence from Russia May 9, 2009
The January cutoff of Russian gas to Europe through Moscow's gas trade dispute with Kiev dented Moscow's reputation as a supplier and made the EU wary of Russia's South Stream pipeline project that is to carry Russian and possibly Central Asian gas to Bulgaria across the Black Sea and from there deeper into the EU. ... The others are the Inter-Connector pipeline linking Turkey to Italy via Greece and White Stream which would run from Georgia to Romania across the Black Sea. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Deal to boost key EU gas project May 9, 2009
The summit also considered plans for an Inter-Connector pipeline linking Turkey to Italy via Greece, and White Stream, which would run from Georgia to Romania via the Black Sea. Bookmark with. (BBC News -- Africa)
First evidence for prehistoric farming's East-West spread May 9, 2009
In this period, millet grains have been identified from more than 20 sites west of the Black Sea. The spread is much wider than that of the other major Chinese crop of the period -- rice -- and suggests that millet farming was pioneered in China and then began to catch on, moving slowly westwards. (Xinhuanet, China)
Somalia: Fighting Between Al-Shabab And Islamic Courts Union Continues in Capital May 8, 2009
The fighting stared after an officer from al-Shabab escaped assassination attempt early on Thursday and one of his security guards was killed when he was attacked in Black sea junction in Mogadishu. Islamic Courts Union officer was seriously wounded and his security guard was killed in the same area on Tuesday. (allAfrica.com)
Shelton Canada Corp. Summary of Year End 2008 Reserves May 8, 2009
"The Company has had a very good year for development and adding new projects. It has continued to develop the large in place reserves in the Lelyaki oil field through low risk development drilling. In addition it has been successful in adding the offshore Black Sea Arckchangelske Natural Gas Project to its portfolio. This project is currently going through the final approval process by Ukraine State regulatory bodies. Shelton plans on participating in a new 300 kilometer 2D seismic acquisition... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Sochi Olympic construction begins as clock ticks May 8, 2009
In less than five years, somewhere in this expanse of short grass, stones and weeds by the Black Sea, the 2014 Winter Olympics are to open with a ceremony watched worldwide. It's hard to imagine this empty space transformed into a teeming Olympic city but easier than it was a year ago. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Azerbaijan can lookthe other way May 8, 2009
This veto is an expression of the interest of the German political and industrial-economic elite in promoting the North Stream (under the Baltic Sea) and South Stream (under the Black Sea) pipeline projects with Russia, to the exclusion of Nabucco, which despite disclaimers on many sides is a competing project. From Baku's perspective, this constraint is added onto the Azerbaijani political elite's inevitable interpretation of Western speechifying over South Ossetia in light of the long-standing... (Asia Times Online)
Wheat export ban may be lifted May 8, 2009
Traders say this would allow them to deliver wheat in Southeast Asia at about $235-$240 per tonne, which compares with Black Sea wheat that is quoted around $225 a tonne, US soft wheat at $255 and hard red winter wheat at $300. Traders and flour millers have bought barely 0. (India Times)
New Energy Source? Bacteria Harvest Light May 5, 2009
According to Bryant, green bacteria are a group of organisms that generally live in extremely low-light environments, such as in light-deprived regions of hot springs and at depths of 100 meters in the Black Sea. The bacteria contain structures called chlorosomes, which contain up to 250,000 chlorophylls. (Science Daily)
Timeline: Turkey May 5, 2009
Turkey joins Black Sea alliance ... 2005 November - Multi-billion-dollar Blue Stream pipeline carrying Russian gas under the Black Sea to Turkey opens in the port of Samsun. (BBC News -- Europe)
Relations sour as NATO expels Russian 'spies' May 3, 2009
Under the pact, effective for 10 years, Russia assumes immediate responsibility for guarding the regions' de facto borders with Georgia, including maritime patrols of Abkhazia's strategic Black Sea coast. Page. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Burger poll, bilingualism and the Black Sea May 2, 2009
The Black Sea host of the 2014 Winter Olympics has a new mayor. To refresh, the colourful race to lead a city due to receive unending trainloads of rubles once featured 25 candidates, including the KGB agent alleged to have poisoned a fellow Russian spy during an English tea, the billionaire media mogul who owns the London Evening Standard, a Bolshoi ballerina, and the head of the Russian Arm Wrestling Federation. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Russia in border deal with breakaway regions May 1, 2009
Russia will guard the borders of both regions including Abkhazia's territorial waters in the Black Sea, according to the agreement. After humiliating Georgia's army, Russia strengthened its control over the two regions and also took over swaths of territory that had been under Georgia's control before the war. (Boston Globe)
Russia takes formal control of Georgia borders May 1, 2009
Under the pact, effective for 10 years, Russia assumes immediate responsibility for guarding the regions' de facto borders with Georgia, including maritime patrols of Abkhazia's strategic Black Sea coast. Medvedev called the signing a "crucial political act" and said it would be "a key factor for establishing security on our borders and in the whole of the Caucasus". (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
EU sees political, economic gain in thawing wild east's frozen frontiers May 1, 2009
Despite in effect placing its membership bid on hold, the EU is happy to use Turkey's considerable influence in the Caucasus and the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions for its own purposes. The kiss-and-make-up scenario developing between Turkey and Armenia has been warmly welcomed in Brussels, and by the US. It may make it easier to draw relatively isolated Armenia, which has long lived in Moscow's shadow, closer to the Western fold. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
* Trinidad, beyond the carnival, calypso and cricket Apr 30, 2009
Then she slowly turned and dragged herself down to the waters edge, where she pushed off and, with a whoosh, disappeared into the black sea. The next day we got up early and took the long, windy road north to the Asa Wright nature center. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Rich Bankers Have Ways to Escape U.K.'s Tax Bite Apr 29, 2009
There is plenty of Black Sea coastline to work on your tan, even if it cant quite match the Hamptons for sophistication ... Who knows, maybe in a few years, all Londons finance moguls will be sunning themselves by the Black Sea or Lake Geneva and reading about yet another attack from the U.K. prime minister or the French president on tax refugees. (Bloomberg -- Columnists)
Constantinople and the Bosporus Apr 29, 2009
The Bosporus, a 17-mile water link between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, ultimately leads to the Dardanelles and on to the Aegean Sea ... Beyond the Bosporus lay the Black Sea and fertile land that produced grains as well as other agricultural products. (Suite101.com)
West traps Russia in its own backyard Apr 28, 2009
This comes at a time when the US is making a determined bid to firm up a transit route to Afghanistan from the Black Sea via Georgia and Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan, which bypasses Russia ... Thus, US diplomacy has been focusing on the three Central Asian countries - Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan - which can be accessed from the Black Sea, bypassing Russia altogether. (Asia Times Online)
Putin's candidate Pakhomov elected Sochi mayor Apr 28, 2009
"There's been no campaign," scoffed Semyon Mironov, a 40-year-old lawyer, after casting his ballot at a run-down high school in the sprawling resort city that stretches from the Black Sea shore to soaring mountains. "They did nothing but talk about the acting mayor and sling mud at the rest.". (San Francisco Chronicle)
Boredom, hunger and fear for pirates' hostages Apr 20, 2009
"Despite the risk, men like Adler will keep crewing ships, even to danger zones, because the pay is good. And some know no other work.But the ties to the sea may be eroding. For Yekaterina Lomakina, her son's ordeal as a hostage has made her hope that her grandsons do not continue the family tradition of life at sea.Roman Lomakin, of Kerch, a small port city wedged between the Black Sea and the Azov Sea on Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, was aboard the Saldanha, a Greek-owned cargo ship seized by... (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Russian President Slams NATO Exercises in Georgia Apr 18, 2009
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accused NATO of "muscle-flexing" by planning the exercises in the small Black Sea country on Russia's southern border, and suggested they could bring a new chill in relations with the alliance and possible retaliation. "I think this is a wrong decision, a dangerous decision," Medvedev told reporters at his residence in Barvikha, near Moscow. (Newsmax)
International Investors Bullish on America; See Opportunities in U.S. Real Estate Apr 16, 2009
Bulgaria is especially attractive because it has both mountains for skiing on the western side and the Black Sea on the eastern side with resort and beachfront properties. As a matter of fact, we had one major investor from the UK who bought properties in both the mountains and resort rpoeprties and got special deals from the developers properties. (RealtyTimes)
Warship detains pirates Apr 16, 2009
Last Updated: 08:09am 16 Apr 2009. 10 24 SPONSORED LINKS. (iAfrica.com)
Lebedev barred from Sochi contest Apr 15, 2009
Correspondents say this month's mayoral election in the Black Sea resort of Sochi has attracted the attention of several high-profile individuals, as whoever takes up the post will have to prepare the city for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Before the field of hopefuls was reduced from 26 to nine this month, it included a porn star, a former Bolshoi ballerina and Andrei Lugovoi, the prime suspect in the murder of Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko. (BBC News -- Europe)
State launches campaign against mussels Apr 11, 2009
The mussels are indigenous to the Dnieper River, which runs from the Black Sea through the Ukraine, Belarus and parts of Russia. They first showed up in the U.S. in the Great Lakes in 1989, according the U.S. Interior Department. (Phoenix Business Journal, AZ)
Recalling 1989 Apr 9, 2009
The events of 9 April 1989 were the culmination of weeks of demonstrations for Georgian independence and against separatism in the Georgian Black Sea region of Abkhazia. At times, these two separate demands seemed to merge. (BBC News -- Europe)
Tamil Tiger Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran Apr 8, 2009
The elite Black Sea Tigers perform underwater suicide bombings to sink enemy ships. (). (Time.com)
Market Forcaster Apr 8, 2009
2 million metric tons this year, equal to about 15 percent of the total forecast for Egypt by USDA. An estimated 80 percent will come from the Black Sea region, compared with almost all of last year's purchases, Chairman Ashraf El Attal told reporters at a conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, today. Black Sea wheat is "cheaper and because of the proximity it can be shipped in smaller sizes," El Attal said. (Midwest Bulls Eye, NE)
Status quo on shipyard redevelopment Apr 7, 2009
Daewoo Mangalia Heavy Industries, a subsidiary of South Korea-based Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, purchased Goliath and decided to move it to its shipbuilding site in Mangalia, Romania on the Black Sea. As far as I know, the big crane is now being reassembled in Romania, Robie said on April 6. (Braintree Forum, MA)
Moscow: Boeing 737 makes emergency landing Apr 6, 2009
Interfax agency: The plane was on its way to Moscow from Sochi on the Black Sea ... The plane was on its way to Moscow from Sochi, on the Black Sea, Interfax reported, citing a law enforcement source. (CNN -- World)
US-Russia ties on a new trajectory Apr 4, 2009
The summit meeting at the Black Sea resort of Sochi a year ago was a perfect instance ... Central Europe, NATO's eastward expansion, rivalries over Caspian energy resources, simmering discords in the Black Sea region, and so on. (Asia Times Online)
Colorful candidates vie to lead Russia's Olympic city Apr 1, 2009
But for now, the Russian public's attention is riveted on the more than 20 contenders vying for the job of mayor of Sochi, the once magnificent Soviet-era resort city on the Black Sea that was falling into oblivion (read story ) until then-President Vladimir Putin convinced the world to hold the 2014 Winter Olympics amid its nearby towering mountains and lush, subtropical beaches. The Kremlin, which is footing much of the $12 billion bill for staging the Olympics in Sochi, had apparently hoped... (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Belly-Aching Apr 1, 2009
Europeans are not interested in jeopardizing their own access to energy for the sake of unrealistic fantasies of a North Atlantic alliance that borders on the eastern shores of the Black Sea. No doubt. (The American Conservative)
