THE NEWSLETTER / JUNE 2008       Site map

27.05.2008 The SRAS Newsletter A Resource for Students, Educators, and Anyone Curious about Russia   Welcome from SRAS! Russia has been sweeping contests this month. On May 4th Moscow's CSKA basketball team won the Euroleague Championship in Spain. On May 14th, St. Petersburg's Zenit soccer team brought home the UEFA Cup, making them European champions. On May 18th, the Russian National Hockey Team defeated their Canadian counterparts to win the IIHF World Championship. Finally, on May 24th, Russian pop star Dima Bilan won the 2008 Eurovision song competition. Some commentators are referring to this as a "renaissance" for Russia, one expected to continue through the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. Russia's politicians have also claimed "prizes" this month: offices won in the 2008 presidential elections and the resultant appointments as Russia forms a new government under a new president. These politicians have been quick to assert that the recent victories in sports and culture were made possible by the economic development Russia has experienced in recent years. They have promised that this development will continue well into the future. This month's newsletter focuses on these changes of office and the promises the new office holders are making.  If you have views or material you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us. To subscribe to this free newsletter, send an email with "Subscribe SRAS" in the subject field to jwilson@sras.org. News and Announcements Visa Alert! Russian consulates in America are now requiring original invitations for student visas. This does not affect SRAS students directly, as SRAS coordinates these invitations for its students. However, study abroad advisers and students on other programs should keep this in mind when applying for student visas. Yeltsin: A Life is a new biography of Boris Yeltsin that attempts to look at both the former leader's mistakes and successes. Highly recommended! Professor Loses Job When Students Fail. Who is to blame when students fail? If many students fail - a majority even - does that demonstrate faculty incompetence, or could it point to a problem with standards? Russian-Speaking Companion Wanted. A recent post to Craig's list seeks a part-time Russian-speaking companion for a Alzheimer's patient in America who has forgotten how to speak English due to his illness.   William Burns is Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs. He was promoted to this high position from his post as Ambassador to Russia. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Обзоры: Learn About Russia and Eurasia through the News These news reviews strive to paint an accurate and balanced picture of life in Russia and to deliver information on important events affecting Eurasia that do not receive heavy coverage in the Western news. How Russians Live Russians are champions in hockey and soccer. Results of Putin "sex scandal" play out.                                                                            Russian Politics in Review The new president, prime minister, and government. The opposition founds a "National Assembly."                                                             How the News is Reported in Russia A look at how major channels covered major events.                                            Eurasia - News from Central Asia and Eastern Europe Troop buildup on the Georgian border; Turkmenistan opens energy, telecom markets.                                                                    Russian Business and Economy As published in the most recent USRCCNE newsletter. This month: Pepsi will invest another billion in Russia.                                                                     Foreign Policy in Review  Russia expelled US military attaches; US names new ambassador; Medvedev prioritizes China. Russia-Related events in: UK; NS; CT;  DC, 2; HI;  IN; IL, 2; MA, 2; NY, 2, 3, 4;  OH; PA  More Cultural Events in the US! President Bush meets then president-elect Medvedev in Sochi, April, 2008. ----------------------------------------------------------- Scholarships and Grants An updated list of current Russia-related scholarship cycles.  -----------------------------------------------------------  Medvedev Inaugurated (streaming video) Nearly an hour of video footage with commentary in English and English translations of all speeches. The major speeches and ceremony begin at about minute 20, if you want to fast forward. For more information about the choices made for Russia's new inauguration ceremony, see this article. The New Russian Government (PDF) This issue of the PBN "Russian Election Update" focuses on Russia's new government as developed by President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin. Putin as Prime Minister This is a full translation of Putin's speech as nominee to head the Russian government. The original Russian is also available online. Russian Power and Interests (streaming video) A two hour meeting held by the US Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe featuring various expert opinions SRAS Resources for Teachers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Баллотироваться - To Run for Office  This month's Russian Mini-Lesson takes you inside terms used in describing elections and inaugurations.  Russian Stories (book from Amazon.com) This delightful book presents short stories in side-by-side translation. Very helpful for building vocabularies and for summer practice to maintain your Russian skills! « back to newsletters archive print this page email this page