TODAY: Fallout from Putin’s Q&A; Alexei Kudrin to return to government? Kremlin reshuffle; Prokhorov, as president, would pardon Khodorkovsky, Limonov to run for president also; newspaper founder shot dead in North Caucasus; EU Parliament backs Magnitsky ban; Beluga whales trapped in Bering Sea; Putin and botox, badminton official demoted.

Vladimir Putin’s open contempt for protesters (saying he confused their white ribbon symbols for condoms and alleging that student protesters were paid to rally) during his Q&A yesterday ‘is bound to boost the protest mood further’.  Is he just out of touch?  Putin’s suggestion that web cameras be installed at polling stations is a top story on the BBC.  Alexei Kudrin says there is ‘no need to provoke’ those already dissatisfied with the government, as Putin hinted that the former Finance Minister could have a future government role.  Reuters interviews some of Putin’s regional supporters.  A government reshuffle has seen chief of staff Sergei Naryshkin and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov stepping down into Duma seats, with Vladislav Surkov replacing the former.  ‘The promotion will put Surkov in an unusual spot,’ says Brian Whitmore.