TODAY: Public television reflecting state pressure? Khodorkovsky wins review of appeal; Moscow blocks Syrian use of chemical weapons; Rosneft in negotiations over TNK-BP stake; Magnit expansion.

Ksenia Sobchak is being ‘sidelined’ by all the major public television channels since her public support of the protest movement, part of ‘a flurry of departures, closures and cutbacks’ which many see as a form of state pressure on media outlets, connected to Vladimir Putin’s return to the Kremlin.  Putin’s power will only last as long as high oil prices, says Dmitry Travin, arguing that the President has ‘few staunch supporters among the political elite’.  The Supreme Court has ordered a review of Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s appeal against his 2010 conviction, ostensibly a legal victory, but greeted with caution by his lawyers.  Moscow and Washington have teamed up to block the Syrian President’s use of chemical weapons against rebels.  A U.S. State Department spokesperson says the ‘burdensome requirements’ of the new NGO law intimidates rights activists.  The United Russia deputy who proposed that ‘foreign agent’ status also be granted to foreign-sponsored mass media says he has asked that consideration of his bill be suspended.