TODAY: Worries over the gas cut off, no more jury trials, an evacuation in Gaza, war games with Greece, Czechs in charge of the EU, a scandal with the Philippines, more Arctic fighting, and the Russian Navy is deployed to fight the Somali pirates.

The new year’s day cut in natural gas supplies to the Ukraine has provoked a number of political reactions across Europe.  Beyond the non-payment of debt, Russia has accused the Ukraine of stealing gas.  The United States seemed more concerned about the situation than the Europeans.  Western Europe has not yet been affected, and in general, the continent is better prepared with reserves than it was in 2006. “Public opinion will matter immensely in how this is resolved,” Dmitri Trenin told the FT, and Russia has the upper hand in the public relations war given the Ukraine’s severe political infighting.