With the world's attention focused on Russia at its own request:

Angela Merkel of Germany condemns Russia, German journalists jailed in Piter.

Tony Blair of Great Britain condemns Russia.

Stephen Harper of Canada pokes Putin right in the eye, telling him Canada has just as much energy and is far more reliable

George Bush meets with Russian opposition, pledges to press Putin on crackdown.

100 members of EU Parliament condemn Russia over Khodorkhovsky.

Georgia recalls approval of Russia's WTO bid right after Russia publicly says the deal is done only to be contradicted by the U.S.

Putin nearly killed by crash of Russian helicopter as world gapes.

Russian search and rescue ship, in need of rescue rather than providing it, sinks.

The best-laid plans of mice and Kremlin vermin often go astray.