Fake Russian

Saturday was a day for demonstrations in Russia. Over two hundred thousand people gathered across the country to voice their political views ahead of next months presidential election. Two of the largest rallies took place in the capital with supporters and opponents of the current leadership braving the bitter cold to have their say. It was the third, and biggest, opposition gathering after the Parliamentary vote two months ago which protesters claimed was rigged. Now their main demand is for a fair presidential vote in March. Author and researcher F. William Engdahl says the West is funding the Russian opposition to minimise the countrys influence on the world stage during a critical time. RT on Twitter twitter.com RT on Facebook www.facebook.com

The United Nations Security Council has just voted on a draft resolution concerning the ongoing violence in Syria. Of the voting members, Russia and China were the only ones to vote against the draft, but as permanent members of the UNSC they both hold veto power, and the resolution has not been passed as a result. The news follows days of heated political debates in the UNSC, with many members supporting a Western-backed draft calling for foreign nations to put an end to what some called the "Syrian killing machine." Russia and China were the only permanent Security Council members opposing the draft, reminding others that it was not their place to intervene in another countrys domestic affairs. Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin earlier said any proposals including an arms embargo or a demand for Assads resignation would be vetoed. The Security Council meeting comes amid reports from Syria of a new crackdown in the city of Homs, with hundreds reportedly killed. RT talks to Dr Ali Mohamad, editor-in-chief of Syria Tribune website. RT on Twitter twitter.com RT on Facebook www.facebook.com

The UK Supreme Court is expected to consider an appeal by the Wikileaks founder Julian Assange against his extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault in August 2010. The future of the world famous whistle-blower is as unclear as ever, with questions being raised over Swedens legal system and its ties with the United States. RT on Twitter twitter.com RT on Facebook www.facebook.com

The Lake Vostok project has been years in the making, with initial drilling at the massive lake — 15690 square kilometers (6060 sq mi) — starting in 1998. Initially, they were able to reach 3600 meters, but had to stop due to concerns of possible contamination of the never-before-touched lake water. "Ice isnt like rock, its capable of movement," Dr. Priscu told FoxNews.com. "So in order to keep the hole from squeezing shut, they put a fluid in the drill called kerosene. Kerosene also grows bacteria, and theres about 65 tons of kerosene in that hole. It would be a disaster if that kerosene contaminated this pristine lake." But the scientists came up with a clever way to make sure this debacle would not occur. They agreed to drill until a sensor warned them of free water. At that point they will take out the right amount of kerosene and adjust the pressure so that none of the liquids fall into the lake, but rather lake water would rise through the hole. source: www.foxnews.com

Russias Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said an embargo on arms supplies to Syria is out of the question — along with any resolution that could threaten to aggravate conflict in the country. Churkin, speaking to journalists via video link, spoke out strongly against a possible arms embargo on Syria, citing some countries refusal to condemn the armed groups operating there, and the continued risk of weapons supplies reaching these groups despite any ban. When most nations talk about sovereignty, they seem to think that "sovereignty is good for friends" while "compliance is good for enemies," believes Benjamin Barber, a senior fellow at the American think-tank Demos. RT on Twitter twitter.com RT on Facebook www.facebook.com