Shaaban Robert in Russian: unknown pages of the great writer’s legacy
By Mikhail D. Gromov Early in January 2019, East Africa and the world have celebrated the 110th anniversary since the birth of Shaaban Robert (1909-1962) - an outstanding figure in modem East African history, culture and literature, a great writer and the founder of modem literature in Swahili. Elena Zubkova-Bertoncini, a distinguished scholar of Swahili letters, in her seminal work “Outline of Swahili literature” characterized Shaaban Robert as a pioneer in the...
Russia revamping its diplomacy, eyes Africa
By Nicole Mayani Following a refreshing year of improved relations between Russia and African countries, there is a lot expectation in 2019, which brings the prospect of the first ever Russia-Africa summit. The meeting has been planned for October this year, to acknowledge, according to President Vladimir Putin, the priority that Moscow gives to developing its relations with Africa With new political and humanitarian initiatives, as well as investment and...
Beautiful, exotic paintings enthrall art lovers
By Mary Ramadhani Beautiful and exotic paintings were at a spectacle on Friday at the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Dar es Salaam (RCSC). A fresh painting of Kisutu Street done by Vasil Peshkun, few hours before the exhibition was placed as a centerpiece of the show. Themed ‘interesting parallels’ the exhibition centered three artists including – Anna Silivonchik, Maria Peshkun and Vasil Peshkun. Silivonchik stated that the paintings on display have...
UN General Assembly boosts cybercrime war
UN, Tuesday A press release document has opened a new page in the global discussion on international information security, which was launched 20 years ago. The issue of international security was placed on the UN’s agenda in 1998 at Russia’s initiative. “It is notable that breakthrough decisions aimed at strengthening IIS have been adopted in the anniversary year of 2018. These decisions aim to protect the interests of all countries in the sphere of cyber security...
Cybercrime war gets UN General Assembly boost
Bristle, Sunday As the world approaches the end of the year 2018, the war to combat cybercrime in the world had received a major boost following the recently adoption of two Russian-proposed resolutions, including a resolution on combating cybercrime, by the UN General Assembly. On December 17, the UN General Assembly adopted, by majority vote, the resolution on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes. The resolution was...
Russia, Iran and Turkey agree to launch Syrian constitution committee by January
GENEVA TOP diplomats from Russia, Turkey and Iran have agreed to ensure that a 150-strong committee to draft a new Syrian constitution will convene for the first time early next year as they wrapped up a meeting in Geneva on Tuesday. “We have agreed to take efforts aimed at convening the first session of the Syrian constitution committee early next year. These steps will lead to the launch of a viable and lasting Syrian-owned, Syrian-led, UN-facilitated political process,’’ ...
Russia not seeking arms race, but a balance of power - Putin
MOSCOW RUSSIA is not interested in an arms race and only seeks keeping the balance of forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his annual news conference yesterday. “Generally, this is simply an element of containing and balancing parities in the strategic balance. This is what it is. This means keeping the parity and nothing more than that,” the Russian leader said, speaking about the newest breakthrough missile defense systems developed by Russia. “We do not...
Spectacular concert as children lit up Russian Culture Centre
By Mary Ramadhani It was a thrilling moment as Angelic voices and laughter of happily excited and highly spirited children filled the Russian Cultural Center venue in Dar es Salaam last weekend. And, their eager parents were beaming with pride on how far their precious babies have accomplished, while anxious but yet excited teachers did final arrangements, waiting for their pupils to give their best performance of children’s songs in Russian language. Children of...
The return of Russia to Africa
By Johan Burger After decades of a bipolar world in which the US and the Soviet Union competed for global hegemony, we entered a unipolar era with the collapse of the USSR and the US imposing its will across the globe virtually unchallenged - until the rise of China. Now the geopolitical tectonic plates are shifting once more as the US loses ground and influence, the European Union shows signs of fracturing, and new players scramble to gain the high ground. Johan Burger’s...
Russian performers capture Dar with soothing melody
The theater was filled with rounds of applause after two young artists transported enthusiastic and entertained audience adults and children alike, to another dimension through the harmonious melody produced by their instruments. This event happened at the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Dar es Salaam on Thursday evening.
Rosatom says Mkuju Uranium project due 2022 after global price appreciation
By The Banker reporter Tanzania’s uranium production may start in 2022 if global prices for the commodity appreciate due to rising demand thanks to Chinese and Indian growing economies. Rosatom’s Regional Vice-President for Central and Southern Africa Viktor Polikarpov said its local subsidiary, Uranium One and Mantra Resources have amicably agreed with authorities to put the project on hold pending better global prices for the commodity. “Demand is expected to firm up...
Just one moment for Leo Tolstoy
This September 9 was the 190th birthday of Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy, the famous Russian novelist and moral philosopher who wrote War and Peace (1865-69) and many other works of literature including Hadji- Murad (1912), Anna Karenina (1877-78), The Cossacks, Confession. It came and passed quietly as has often happened. Drawing from reports by various agencies and his own ‘reference library’, long-serving Tanzanian journalist Saidi Nguba reports: Leo Tolstoy was born on September...
China, Russia agree to advance sub-national cooperation
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia CHINESE President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Tuesday called for promoting sub-national cooperation to cement bilateral relations and benefit the two peoples. The two heads of state made the remarks while attending a roundtable meeting on regional cooperation between the two countries on the sidelines of the fourth Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), which is running from Tuesday to Thursday in Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East. ...
When Hitler began to bow
THE world always commemorates various landmarks, be it wars, political; social and economic achievements, innovations and even birthdays of people who made tremendous contribution towards social and economic development. The atomic bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9 in 1945 respectively by US Armed Forces towards the last stages of World War II, resulting into mass killings and huge destruction, is being remembered annually. The ethical and...
Moscow and Tokyo continue to work on peace treaty
MOSCOW and Tokyo will continue to work on the peace treaty in a constructive and friendly manner, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. He reiterated that earlier yesterday Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the initiative to sign a peace treaty between Russia and Japan until the end of the year without any preliminary conditions. “It is planned to sign the peace treaty first, and then, proceeding from relations of peace, friendship and cooperation, reach...
Iran, Urusi zakubali matumizi ya kijeshi
Serikali za Shirikisho la Urusi na Jamhuri ya Kiislamu ya IRan zimekubaliana kwa kauli moja ya kuunga mkono kuchukuliwa hatua za kijeshi ili kukomboa jimbo la Idlib linaloshikiliwa na waasi nchini Syria. Marais Hassan Rouhani wa Iran na mwenzake, Vladimir Putin wa Urusi, walitamka hayo kwenye mkutano uliofanyika mjini Tehran pamoja na wenzao Rais wa Uturuki, Recep Erdogan. Aidha, kwa upande wake, Rais Erdogan ameongeza kwa kutoa mwito wa kusimamisha mapambano yanayoendelea...
Russia ilivyopotezea visa vyake na England
Wakati vumbi linatuama baada ya Fainali za Kombe la Dunia Russia 2018, Ufaransa wametwaa ubingwa wake. Russia ilipata sifa kufanikisha fainali hizo kuanzia mpangilio wake, viwanja, usafiri, huduma na matokeo ya mashindano yenyewe. Lakini kwa kweli hapakuwa na vumbi Russia, bali ni hewa safi. Hii ni kinyume cha matarajio ya watu mbalimbali, hasa tangu kuteuliwa kwa Russia kuwa mwenyeji. Hizo ni fainali za kwanza kuchezwa Ulaya ya Mashariki na za 11 kwa Ulaya na...
OPCW wins new powers to undermine authority of UN Security Council
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the Hague-based enforcement body for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and has been operating since 1997. It has 193 UN states as members. Its mission is to oversee global compliance with the convention, which prohibits the use of chemical weapons (CW) and requires their destruction. The inspectors have the power to say whether chemical weapons have been used following a fact-finding visit. Until the watchdog’s...
The big US mistakes with Russia
By Jonathan Power, former foreign affairs columnist for the International Herald Tribune. Two mistakes, committed on President Barack Obama’s watch, were the triggers for the end of the long post- Cold War period of good relations with Russia They were the attack on Libya by the US, France and the UK and the subsequent killing of its long-time dictator, Muammar Gadhafi. The second was the crisis in Ukraine. Russia was very angry about the first. Having been persuaded by...
Why Russia stays defiant in face of US sanctions
By Poul Owere @TheCitizenTz powere@tz.nationmedia.com Dar es Salaam. When US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladmir Putin met in Helsinki four weeks ago, there was renewed hope from some quarters that relations between the two countries could improve. That hope lasted briefly, and by last week, tension had risen a notch higher. On Wednesday, Washington announced it would impose fresh sanctions on Russia accusing Moscow of using a nerve agent...