Free Republic

Another alleged poisoning is rocking Ukraine on Thursday: Politician and businessman Igor Pluzhnikov died after the onset of a mysterious illness. Pluzhnikov, the majority owner of the nation's main TV channel, Inter, was well connected to "The Group of Seven," a circle of influential Ukrainian businessmen. He was also key in the opposition Social Democratic Party that supported the losing candidate in last year's presidential elections. Reports speculate that Pluzhnikov may have been strong-armed into selling his Inter stake, so buyers could make the channel more regime-friendly. Not much more is known about the share sale. But by mid-June, Pluzhnikov...