A Russian News Anchor Gave Obama the Finger

Eric Randall 3,587 Views Nov 23, 2011

Well this is awkward. English speakers are passing around video today of a Russian news anchor apparently lifting her middle finger up to the camera when she mentions Barack Obama's name. The footage is in Russian, obviously, but The Telegraph reports:

In the footage, Tatyana Limanova, an award-winning senior newsreader at the channel, can be seen briskly reading out an item about how Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has just assumed the rotating chairmanship of the Asia Pacific Cooperation organisation.
 

She is then heard to say that the post "has (previously) been held by Barack Obama" before mechanically and unambiguously raising her left arm and showing the camera her raised middle finger in an offensive gesture that is sometimes known as "flipping the bird."

(Firstly, how great is it that The Telegraph supplies us with euphemisms for giving the finger?) They also report that the incident happened earlier this month. The station hasn't commented but others have suggested she thought she was only providing a voice over and was giving the finger to some people off camera who were trying to distract her. That sounds plausible. Or maybe she really wanted that Asia Pacific Cooperation chairmanship for herself? Take a look, and come up with your own theories: 
 

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