themoscowtimes--2020-10-08--St. Petersburg Man Sets Himself on Fire Holding ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. President’ Sign

The unnamed 71-year-old businessman was hospitalized in serious condition after his self-immolation witnessed by dozens of passersby outside a shopping mall .
The Sobaka.ru outlet said the victim suffered first- and second-degree burns to 45 % of his body surface .
An elderly man wearing a “ Happy Birthday Mr. President ” sign set himself on fire on a crowded street in central St. Petersburg on President Vladimir Putin ’ s 68th birthday Wednesday , media reported .
Eyewitnesses described hearing him scream out “ something about President Putin ’ s birthday and a gift ” before committing the act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Videos later showed a half-burnt sign reading “ ... Birthday Mr. President ” next to the man writhing in pain surrounded by police and passersby .
According to the Fontanka.ru news site , the victim has operated a commercial real estate firm located near the site of his self-immolation for nearly 20 years .
Police said the burn victim had been under observation at a psychiatric institution , according to St. Petersburg ’ s Business News Agency .
This is the second self-immolation act to take place in Russia within a week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ died after setting herself on fire in front of the Nizhny Novgorod police headquarters .
Her final social media post told followers to “ blame the Russian Federation ” for her death , which occurred the day after police raided her home for evidence of her role within the opposition .

The unnamed 71-year-old businessman was hospitalized in serious condition after his self-immolation witnessed by dozens of passersby outside a shopping mall. The Sobaka.ru outlet said the victim suffered first- and second-degree burns to 45% of his body surface.
An elderly man wearing a “Happy Birthday Mr. President” sign set himself on fire on a crowded street in central St. Petersburg on President Vladimir Putin’s 68th birthday Wednesday, media reported .
Eyewitnesses described hearing him scream out “something about President Putin’s birthday and a gift” before committing the act, the Megapolis news website reported.
Videos later showed a half-burnt sign reading “...Birthday Mr. President” next to the man writhing in pain surrounded by police and passersby.
According to the Fontanka.ru news site, the victim has operated a commercial real estate firm located near the site of his self-immolation for nearly 20 years.
Police said the burn victim had been under observation at a psychiatric institution, according to St. Petersburg’s Business News Agency.
This is the second self-immolation act to take place in Russia within a week. On Friday, independent journalist Irina Slavina died after setting herself on fire in front of the Nizhny Novgorod police headquarters.
Her final social media post told followers to “blame the Russian Federation” for her death, which occurred the day after police raided her home for evidence of her role within the opposition.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-08--Russia Evacuates Thousands as Munitions Explode in Fire

More than 400 firefighters were battling into the evening to extinguish a blaze that broke out at the depot on Wednesday afternoon , with the authorities saying five people were injured but no one died .
Russia on Wednesday evacuated more than 2,000 people from nearby villages after a wildfire set off explosions at a munitions depot in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow , officials said .
The fire was sparked by a wildfire in dry grass nearby , the emergencies ministry said , causing munitions to explode continuously .
Flames and huge clouds of smoke rose up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some 75,000 tons of munitions .
The Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal probe into potential breaches of rules on handling weapons .
The emergencies ministry said late Wednesday that it had sent additional firefighters from the Moscow region and was using technology including a fire-fighting train .
The emergencies minister Yevgeny Zinichev traveled to the scene .
Regional governor Nikolai Lyubimov described the situation as `` complex '' but said in a statement in the evening that `` the worst is behind us , the situation is under control .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 2,300 residents living within a 5-kilometer radius of the fire and nearby highways were closed to traffic .
The western military district in charge of the site said it evacuated its troops after they attempted unsuccessfully to fight the fire .
Such accidents are relatively common in Russia due to large amounts of old munitions remaining in storage .

More than 400 firefighters were battling into the evening to extinguish a blaze that broke out at the depot on Wednesday afternoon, with the authorities saying five people were injured but no one died.
Russia on Wednesday evacuated more than 2,000 people from nearby villages after a wildfire set off explosions at a munitions depot in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow, officials said.
The fire was sparked by a wildfire in dry grass nearby, the emergencies ministry said, causing munitions to explode continuously.
Flames and huge clouds of smoke rose up to the sky above the depot reportedly containing some 75,000 tons of munitions.
The Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal probe into potential breaches of rules on handling weapons.
The emergencies ministry said late Wednesday that it had sent additional firefighters from the Moscow region and was using technology including a fire-fighting train. The emergencies minister Yevgeny Zinichev traveled to the scene.
Regional governor Nikolai Lyubimov described the situation as "complex" but said in a statement in the evening that "the worst is behind us, the situation is under control."
The emergency ministry said it evacuated more than 2,300 residents living within a 5-kilometer radius of the fire and nearby highways were closed to traffic.
The western military district in charge of the site said it evacuated its troops after they attempted unsuccessfully to fight the fire.
Such accidents are relatively common in Russia due to large amounts of old munitions remaining in storage.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-08--Political Crisis Erupts in Kyrgyzstan Over Disputed Election

Unrest broke out in ex-Soviet nation Kyrgyzstan on Sunday after a highly contested parliamentary election sparked protests in the capital @ @ @ @ @ supporters stormed the government headquarters and presidential offices and freed former president Almazbek Atambayev from @ @ @ @ @ Boronov then resigned on Tuesday , after which formerly imprisoned nationalist politician Sadyr Japarov was @ @ @ @ @ in a hotel .
Since then , over a dozen political parties have formed a @ @ @ @ @ restore stability , but acting Prime Minister Japarov has refused to recognize the council .
@ @ @ @ @ that he is in control of the situation , he has not been seen in @ @ @ @ @ .

Unrest broke out in ex-Soviet nation Kyrgyzstan on Sunday after a highly contested parliamentary election sparked protests in the capital city of Bishkek.
Opposition supporters stormed the government headquarters and presidential offices and freed former president Almazbek Atambayev from jail.
Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov then resigned on Tuesday, after which formerly imprisoned nationalist politician Sadyr Japarov was elected in a parliamentary meeting in a hotel.
Since then, over a dozen political parties have formed a "coordination council" to restore stability, but acting Prime Minister Japarov has refused to recognize the council.
While President Sooronbay Jeenbekov maintains that he is in control of the situation, he has not been seen in public since the unrest began.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-08--Shelling Hits Armenian Cathedral in Karabakh Ahead of Talks

Expectations for any major breakthrough from the talks in Geneva were low and no statements were expected from the negotiations being held behind closed doors and without Armenian participation .
Armenia accused Azerbaijan on Thursday of shelling a historic cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh ahead of the first meeting of international mediators seeking to halt escalating fighting over the disputed region .
BREAKING : We just got back from the church in # Shushi 20 kilometer from # Stepanakert .
The church got hit some hours ago , terrible destruction inside .
Thank god , the kids plus parents who were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # KarabakhWar @ BILD pic.twitter.com/SalupTprqP Azerbaijan and Armenia have for two weeks been locked in bitter fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh , an Azerbaijani region controlled by Armenians who declared an unrecognized breakaway state and emerged victorious from a war in the wake of the fall of the U.S.S.R .
The current fighting , which has left hundreds dead including civilians , is the worst since a 1994 ceasefire with both sides doubling down on entrenched positions over who should control the region .
Defense officials in Azerbaijan and Armenia said fighting continued into Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflicted heavy losses and accusing the other of shelling civilian areas .
There was a gaping hole in the roof of the Ghazanchetsots ( Holy Savior ) Cathedral , AFP journalists reported , after Armenia 's defense ministry accused Azerbaijan of targeting a cherished site for the Armenian Apostolic Church .
Baku denied its forces were behind the attack , saying that unlike Armenia , `` the Azerbaijani army does not target historical , cultural , or especially religious , buildings and monuments . ''
Rubble was strewn about the floor , pews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covered in dust from parts of the building 's limestone walls that had been hit .
A section of its metallic roof had collapsed and fallen to the ground outside .
`` There is no military , nothing strategic here , how can you target a church ? ''
local resident Simeon , who lives near the church , said .
Azerbaijan 's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov was to meet diplomats from France , Russia and the United States , who make up the `` Minsk Group '' that has sought a solution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Armenia 's foreign minister will not be attending , after Yerevan ruled out talks between the two countries ' top diplomats as long as clashes are ongoing .
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan will instead meet his Russian counterpart in Moscow on Monday .
Explosions and sirens sounded in Nagorno-Karabakh 's regional capital Stepanakert as the city continued to face regular shelling early Thursday , AFP journalists said .
Heavy bombardments have levelled many homes since fighting erupted late last month and Stepanakert is pockmarked with unexploded ordnance and wide craters from shelling .
Alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Armenian shelling on several villages near the frontline had left people dead and wounded .
Armenia 's rights ombudsman Artak Beglaryan told AFP on Wednesday that the renewed fighting has displaced around half of Karabakh 's 140,000 residents and forced some 90 % of its women and children from their homes .
The fighting in one of the most combustible frozen conflicts resulting from the fall of the Soviet Union erupted on Sept. 27 , with Azerbaijan insisting the region must return to its control .
Dozens of civilians have been confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side has acknowledged more than 300 military deaths .
Azerbaijan has not admitted to any fatalities among its troops .
Officials in Baku said Wednesday 427 dwellings populated by roughly 1,200 people had been destroyed .
International leaders have called for an immediate halt to the fighting and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday described the flare-up as a `` tragedy , '' calling for a ceasefire `` as quickly as possible . ''
But there are no signs yet of the conflict abating and Turkey 's strong backing for Azerbaijan has sown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could spiral into a full-blown war embroiling Ankara with Moscow , which has a military treaty with Armenia .
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Wednesday said that Turkey 's support of Azerbaijan risks fuelling the `` internationalization '' of the conflict .
Putin and French leader Emmanuel Macron are among world leaders to denounce the reported deployment of pro-Ankara fighters from Syria and Libya to Karabakh .
Iran on Wednesday warned of `` terrorists '' who had joined the conflict from abroad .
Azerbaijan announced Thursday it was recalling its ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were joining Armenian forces in Karabakh .

Armenia and Azerbaijan held their first high-level talks in Moscow on Friday after nearly two weeks of fierce clashes over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, amid hopes that a ceasefire could be brokered.
The talks between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia continued for some six hours but it was not immediately clear if the ministers would speak to reporters afterwards.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova did not provide an immediate comment on the progress of the negotiations.
A spokesman for the Armenian defense ministry told reporters that fighting continued despite the talks in Moscow.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who has repeatedly vowed to use his military to retake the breakaway province, said earlier in the day that the talks represented a historic opportunity for Armenia.
"We are giving Armenia a chance to settle the conflict peacefully," he said. "This is their last chance."
Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his country was "ready for the resumption of the peace process" led by international brokers.
France, which along with Russia and the United States is part of a group mediating the two countries' long conflict, said there was a chance of a breakthrough at the talks but it was far from certain.
"We are moving towards a truce tonight or tomorrow but it's still fragile," President Emmanuel Macron's office said in a statement to AFP.
Armenian and Azerbaijani defense officials said heavy clashes continued into Friday and reported further civilian deaths, after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the meeting in Moscow late Thursday and appealed for a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds.
Shelling started again on Friday in Stepanakert, the provincial capital of Karabakh, where an AFP journalist heard several loud explosions and saw the remains of a rocket in a crater next to a cemetery for dead soldiers.
Waving flags of Nagorno-Karabakh, hundreds of demonstrators in an Armenian suburb of Lebanese capital Beirut took part in a show of solidarity with the embattled enclave.
Mediation efforts
Renewed fighting over Karabakh -- an ethnic Armenian region of Azerbaijan that broke from Baku's control in a devastating war in the early 1990s -- has claimed some 400 lives and forced thousands of people from their homes.
The heavy clashes erupted late last month, with both sides blaming the other for the biggest outbreak in violence since a 1994 ceasefire left the status of Karabakh in limbo.
The region's declaration of independence has not been recognized by any country -- even Armenia -- and the international community regards it as part of Azerbaijan.
The Kremlin said late on Thursday that following a series of calls with Pashinyan and Aliyev, Putin had invited their foreign ministers to Moscow and called for an end to hostilities "to exchange dead bodies and prisoners".
Putin's announcement of the talks came shortly after international mediators from France, Russia and the United States launched their first efforts to resolve the fighting in Geneva.
The countries make up the "Minsk Group" that has sought a solution to the Karabakh conflict for decades but have failed to stop sporadic outbreaks of fighting.
The negotiations in Geneva went ahead without Armenia, which refused to participate while the fighting was ongoing, and there were no public statements following the closed-door talks.
Mounting civilian toll
During a visit to Armenian capital Yerevan, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin reiterated that Russia was prepared to help bring about peace alongside Minsk Group members.
"It's important to make sure that all hostilities are halted and to start a diplomatic settlement of the conflict," he said.
Since the fighting restarted both sides have accused the other of shelling areas populated by civilians and thousands of people have been displaced by the clashes.
Stepanakert is dotted with damaged buildings and unexploded ordnance following days of shelling. AFP journalists have also witnessed destruction in villages in Azerbaijan near the front line.
Armenia accused Azerbaijan on Thursday of hitting the iconic Ghazanchetsots (Holy Saviour) Cathedral leaving a gaping hole in its roof and several journalists injured.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-08--Kyrgyz Leader in Talks for Solution to Post-Vote Chaos

Kyrgyzstan 's president on Thursday held his first talks with parliament to find a way out of the chaos that has engulfed the Central Asian country since disputed elections , as key ally Russia pushed security forces to restore order .
President Sooronbay Jeenbekov even discussed the possibility of his own impeachment with parliament speaker Myktybek Abdyldayev , his office said in a statement .
Opposition parties claim Sunday 's election was rigged by massive vote-buying , triggering protests and unrest that have left at least one dead and hundreds injured .
The results of the vote were annulled on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ease tensions .
The ex-Soviet state , which borders China , has seen two revolutions and three of its presidents either jailed or sent into exile since independence in 1991 .
Jeenbekov , who has ruled Kyrgyzstan since 2017 , has not been seen in public since the latest unrest began .
He is believed to enjoy the support of Russia , which said it has beefed up security at a military base near the capital , Bishkek .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that Russia was `` deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mess and chaos . ''
He said that Russia 's Federal Security Service ( FSB ) head Alexander Bortnikov held talks on Wednesday with Kyrgyzstan 's Omurbek Suvanaliyev , who has claimed the title of acting national security committee chief .
The FSB supports the Kyrgyz security service in its efforts `` to prevent the situation in the country from sliding into chaos , '' Peskov said .
Suvanaliyev oversaw a gathering of security bloc representatives on Thursday , who together called on political forces to `` come to the negotiating table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social stability . ''
The presidency 's statement was the first indication that Jeenbekov had accepted the results of an emergency parliament session held on Tuesday , at which Abdyldayev was chosen as the new parliament speaker .
The session was held in a three-star hotel after the parliament building was seized by protesters , and opposition groups have refused to accept the emergency session as legitimate .
They have rejected Abdyldayev 's election as speaker , as well as the selection of populist Sadyr Japarov as a candidate for prime minister .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have continued as rival groups contest the prime minister position .
As of Thursday , candidates from self-styled opposition parties claimed to control the state prosecutor 's office , the national security committee and the interior ministry .
Jeenbekov 's office said he discussed a range of issues including government appointments with Abdyldayev .
Despite discussing his own impeachment , there was no immediate indication that Jeenbekov would choose this option .
`` The President noted that he now faces an important task — to return the situation to the legal realm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss all issues connected to the current situation , '' his office said in a statement .
`` Jeenbekov once more reiterated that he is the legitimate president , '' it added .
The current selection for prime minister , Japarov , is a 51-year-old headstrong nationalist known for his opposition to the company operating Kyrgyzstan 's largest gold mine .
He was freed from prison , where he was serving an 11.5-year sentence for hostage-taking and other crimes , by protesters during a tumultuous night of unrest on Monday that also saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies released from jail .
Japarov claimed the premiership following the extraordinary session of parliament , as hundreds of his supporters flooded into the capital .
But at least two other groups — one consisting of several losing parties — have since put forward their own candidates .
A parliamentary press spokesman told AFP that `` around 70 lawmakers '' — a majority of the parliament — had voted for Japarov as prime minister .

At least five people were injured during fresh clashes between rival groups in Kyrgyzstan on Friday as the volatile Central Asian country slipped deeper into crisis. Political factions were jostling for power as President Sooronbay Jeenbekov ordered military forces to enter the capital after claiming he was ready to resign to calm tensions. Fresh clashes broke out Friday afternoon between followers of rival politicians in the center of capital Bishkek, where one of the groups -- an opposition bloc representing several parties -- was holding a rally. One of the five injured during the violence was a prominent youth activist, whom the bloc has proposed as the country's new deputy prime minister. Tilek Toktagaziyev, 29, suffered concussion and was hospitalized after being struck by stones, the health ministry told AFP. 'Live ammunition' Almazbek Atambayev, a former president who was released from jail by supporters during a night of tumult this week, claimed that his car was struck by bullets during the clashes in a video shared on social media. "The former president's car was hit with live ammunition," Kunduz Joldubayeva, a spokeswoman for the ex-leader, told AFP. The assailants were believed to be loyal to Sadyr Japarov, a populist politician who is pressing his own claim to be head of government after hundreds of his supporters flooded the capital in the aftermath of the vote. The conflict between the two groups began with fistfights, said an AFP correspondent, who heard shots fired but could not verify the former president's claim.
Оказывается выстрелы были предположительно по уезжающей машине Атамбаева. Тилека Токтогазиева ранили в голову, ещё весь окровавленный без сознания лежит якобы телохранитель Атамбаева. pic.twitter.com/jUEgdfxhz1 — Nurjamal Djanibekova (@NurjamalD) October 9, 2020
There has been little evidence of a central authority in Bishkek since a disputed parliamentary vote on Sunday sparked protests that morphed into violent unrest leaving one dead and more than a thousand injured. On Friday, Jeenbekov signed off on the resignation of the government in place before the election, which opposition parties say was rigged by massive vote-buying in favor of parties close to the president. Election officials said a date for fresh elections would be set before November 6. Jeenbekov said in a statement early Friday that he was prepared to step down once a new government is formed "and we are back on the path of lawfulness." Later the same day he declared a 12-day state of emergency in Bishkek, including tight controls on movement in and out of the capital. Eyewitnesses saw heavy military vehicles rolling into the city on Friday night. Russia is the dominant foreign power in Kyrgyzstan and has attempted to broker disputes in the past.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-09--Moscow Hosts Armenia-Azerbaijan Talks as Hopes Rise for Truce

Armenia and Azerbaijan were due to hold their first high-level talks on Friday after nearly two weeks of clashes over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region , with hopes rising that a ceasefire could be brokered in Moscow .
France , which along with Russia and the United States is part of a group mediating the two countries ' long conflict , said there was a chance of a breakthrough but it was far from certain .
`` We are moving towards a truce tonight or tomorrow but it 's still fragile , '' President Emmanuel Macron 's office said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense officials said heavy clashes continued overnight and reported further civilian deaths , after Putin announced the meeting in Moscow late Thursday and appealed for a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds .
Azerbaijan 's President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly said there would be no halt to fighting until Armenian troops withdraw and vowed to continue the intervention until his army captured all of Karabakh .
Russia 's Foreign Ministry said on Friday the two countries ' top diplomats would hold talks in Moscow from 12:00 p.m. GMT .
Renewed fighting over Karabakh — an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Baku 's control in a devastating war in the early 1990s — has claimed some 400 lives and forced thousands of people from their homes .
The heavy clashes erupted late last month , with both sides blaming the other for the biggest outbreak in violence since a 1994 ceasefire left the status of Karabakh in limbo .
The region 's declaration of independence has not been recognized by any country — even Armenia — and the international community regards it as part of Azerbaijan .
The Kremlin said late on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Aliyev , Putin had invited their foreign ministers to Moscow and called for an end to hostilities `` in order to exchange dead bodies and prisoners . ''
Previous diplomatic efforts to find a lasting solution to the decades-old stalemate have faltered .
Putin 's announcement of talks in Moscow came shortly after international mediators from France , Russia and the United States launched their first efforts to resolve the fighting in Geneva .
The countries make up the `` Minsk Group '' that has sought a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but have failed to stop sporadic outbreaks of fighting .
The negotiations in Geneva went ahead without Armenia , which refused to participate if the fighting was ongoing , and there were no public statements following the closed-door talks .
Pashinyan on Friday said his country was `` ready for the resumption of the peace process , '' while Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during a visit to Yerevan said Russia was prepared to help bring about peace .
Since the fighting restarted both sides have accused the other of shelling areas populated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been displaced by the clashes .
The administrative center of the disputed region , Stepanakert , is dotted with wide craters and unexploded ordnance following days of shelling .
Armenia accused Azerbaijan on Thursday of hitting the iconic Ghazanchetsots ( Holy Savior ) Cathedral leaving a gaping whole in its roof and several journalists injured .


themoscowtimes--2020-10-09--Russia’s Billionaires Grow Richer, But Fall Behind International Peers

Russia ’ s billionaires have increased their net worth by 20 % during the coronavirus pandemic , as a boom in global stock markets and asset prices has pushed the fortunes of the world ’ s ultra-wealthy to dizzying new levels .
Despite the rapid growth — which comes against a backdrop of unprecedented economic uncertainty , with millions of Russians losing their jobs or seeing their wages shrink due to the pandemic — Russia ’ s billionaires lag the rest of the world in terms of how fast they are expanding their fortunes .
The wealth controlled by Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % over the last decade , consultants PwC and Swiss bank UBS found in a new report — the smallest increase among the world ’ s top 10 billionaire locations , which includes rapidly accelerating markets like China and India , as well as developed economies such as the U.S. , UK , Canada and Germany .
Global stock markets rose more than three-fold over the same period , as measured by the MSCI World Index , and the value of the world ’ s billionaires increased at an even faster rate .

Russia’s billionaires have increased their net worth by 20% during the coronavirus pandemic, as a boom in global stock markets and asset prices has pushed the fortunes of the world’s ultra-wealthy to dizzying new levels.
Despite the rapid growth — which comes against a backdrop of unprecedented economic uncertainty, with millions of Russians losing their jobs or seeing their wages shrink due to the pandemic — Russia’s billionaires lag the rest of the world in terms of how fast they are expanding their fortunes.
The wealth controlled by Russia’s richest has risen by 80% over the last decade, consultants PwC and Swiss bank UBS found in a new report — the smallest increase among the world’s top 10 billionaire locations, which includes rapidly accelerating markets like China and India, as well as developed economies such as the U.S., UK, Canada and Germany.
Global stock markets rose more than three-fold over the same period, as measured by the MSCI World Index, and the value of the world’s billionaires increased at an even faster rate.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-09--Siberian School Fined for ‘Hostage-Taking Lesson’

A national scandal erupted last month when footage showed fifth-graders cowering under their desks as masked men stormed their classroom .
The school later explained that it staged the act to mark Russia ’ s day of solidarity in the fight against terrorism , which was established in the wake of the Beslan school siege .
A school in western Siberia has been fined for shocking children with a hostage-taking simulation during class , the Kommersant business daily reported Friday .
Prosecutors in the Tyumen region town of Ishim told Kommersant the school was found guilty of violating the children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school principal was fined 10,000 rubles ( $ 130 ) and the school itself 50,000 rubles ( $ 650 ) , it reported .
The vice principal and the health and safety teacher during whose class the incident occurred , as well as Ishim ’ s deputy education chief , were merely reprimanded .
Kommersant reported earlier that prosecutors had also warned the head of Ishim in connection with the incident .
Regional education authorities have said that the school warned students that “ strangers ” would be attending the health and safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to be unfazed by the incident , though at least one student sought medical assistance afterward .
Kommersant reported that cadets played the role of “ terrorists ” during the Sept. 4 class .
Following the simulation , regional education authorities tightened controls to avoid similar incidents in the future .
This is at least the second known hostage-taking simulation dedicated to the September 2004 Beslan school siege that led to the deaths of over 300 adult and child hostages .
In 2018 , National Guard troops and Cossacks staged a hostage-taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents in the Yekaterinburg region .

A national scandal erupted last month when footage showed fifth-graders cowering under their desks as masked men stormed their classroom. The school later explained that it staged the act to mark Russia’s day of solidarity in the fight against terrorism, which was established in the wake of the Beslan school siege.
A school in western Siberia has been fined for shocking children with a hostage-taking simulation during class, the Kommersant business daily reported Friday.
Prosecutors in the Tyumen region town of Ishim told Kommersant the school was found guilty of violating the children’s right to education.
The school principal was fined 10,000 rubles ($130) and the school itself 50,000 rubles ($650), it reported. The vice principal and the health and safety teacher during whose class the incident occurred, as well as Ishim’s deputy education chief, were merely reprimanded.
Kommersant reported earlier that prosecutors had also warned the head of Ishim in connection with the incident.
Regional education authorities have said that the school warned students that “strangers” would be attending the health and safety lesson that day. Most students were said to be unfazed by the incident, though at least one student sought medical assistance afterward.
Kommersant reported that cadets played the role of “terrorists” during the Sept. 4 class. Following the simulation, regional education authorities tightened controls to avoid similar incidents in the future.
This is at least the second known hostage-taking simulation dedicated to the September 2004 Beslan school siege that led to the deaths of over 300 adult and child hostages.
In 2018, National Guard troops and Cossacks staged a hostage-taking and releasing operation in front of applauding parents in the Yekaterinburg region.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-09--Russia’s FSB Backs Kyrgyzstan Colleagues' Efforts to ‘Prevent Total Chaos’ – Vedomosti

FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov this week held phone talks with former Kyrgyz deputy national security chief Omurbek Suvanaliyev , who has claimed the top title after violent post-election protests descended the country into mob rule .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) is backing its Kyrgyz colleagues in their efforts to prevent the Central Asian country gripped by political unrest from sliding into “ total chaos , ” the Vedomosti business daily reported Thursday .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the conversation , effectively legitimizing Suvanaliyev as an important player in the midst of the ex-Soviet nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed support for the state security committee ’ s actions to stabilize the situation in the republic to prevent its total slide into chaos , ” Peskov said .
“ There are certain obligations of mutual assistance under the relevant documents ” of the Commonwealth of Independent States ( CIS ) , the Russian-led intergovernmental association of post-Soviet republics , Peskov said .
The FSB may have helped Kyrgyz border guards seal off exits for disgraced officials and temporarily disable international money transfers to prevent mass capital flight , Vedomosti cited an unnamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow said earlier this week it had beefed up security at a military base near the capital Bishkek .
One protester has died and more than 1,000 people , including protesters and riot police , were injured in the violence that broke out after the disputed Oct. 4 parliamentary election .
Russia ’ s Embassy in Bishkek said no Russian nationals were hurt .
Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov , who has not been seen since demonstrators stormed his office and rival groups jockeyed for power , issued a statement early Friday saying he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to get the situation back to the rule of law as soon as possible , ” Jeenbekov said .
“ After legitimate executive authorities have been approved and we are back on the path of lawfulness , I am ready to leave the post of President of the Kyrgyz Republic , ” he said .

FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov this week held phone talks with former Kyrgyz deputy national security chief Omurbek Suvanaliyev, who has claimed the top title after violent post-election protests descended the country into mob rule.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) is backing its Kyrgyz colleagues in their efforts to prevent the Central Asian country gripped by political unrest from sliding into “total chaos,” the Vedomosti business daily reported Thursday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the conversation, effectively legitimizing Suvanaliyev as an important player in the midst of the ex-Soviet nation’s power vacuum.
“We expressed support for the state security committee’s actions to stabilize the situation in the republic to prevent its total slide into chaos,” Peskov said.
“There are certain obligations of mutual assistance under the relevant documents” of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Russian-led intergovernmental association of post-Soviet republics, Peskov said.
The FSB may have helped Kyrgyz border guards seal off exits for disgraced officials and temporarily disable international money transfers to prevent mass capital flight, Vedomosti cited an unnamed former Russian intelligence official as saying.
Moscow said earlier this week it had beefed up security at a military base near the capital Bishkek.
One protester has died and more than 1,000 people, including protesters and riot police, were injured in the violence that broke out after the disputed Oct. 4 parliamentary election. Russia’s Embassy in Bishkek said no Russian nationals were hurt.
Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, who has not been seen since demonstrators stormed his office and rival groups jockeyed for power, issued a statement early Friday saying he was ready to step down.
"We need to get the situation back to the rule of law as soon as possible,” Jeenbekov said.
“After legitimate executive authorities have been approved and we are back on the path of lawfulness, I am ready to leave the post of President of the Kyrgyz Republic,” he said.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-09--Russia Breaks Record for New Coronavirus Cases

Russia , which has the world ’ s fourth-highest number of infections at 1,272,238 cases , has seen its daily caseload double over the past month .
Russia confirmed 12,126 new coronavirus cases Friday , setting a record for new infections as authorities at the epicenter of the outbreak consider new restrictions to slow the spread of the disease .
The new record surpasses the country ’ s previous highest daily total of 11,656 recorded on May 11 by 470 cases .
According to the tally compiled by the national coronavirus information center , a total of 22,257 Russians have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Monthly data published by Russia ’ s statistics agency suggests that the real number of fatalities is at least double that figure .
Moscow , the epicenter of Russia ’ s Covid-19 outbreak with 3,701 new and 321,812 total cases , has seen a 53 % rise in new infections over the past week .
Reports citing unnamed sources suggest that Moscow City Hall is considering closing night clubs , pubs and karaoke clubs to slow the spread of the virus .
“ We need to cut down the number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll arrive at the same restrictions we ’ ve seen in spring , ” an unnamed official told the RBC news website .
This spring , the city of 12.7 million had shut non-essential businesses and imposed strict self-isolation rules enforced by digital passes and a tracking app for infected individuals .
Moscow lifted the restrictions in June ahead of a major military parade and a vote on constitutional changes that grant President Vladimir Putin the power to extend his rule into 2036 .

Russia, which has the world’s fourth-highest number of infections at 1,298,718 cases, has seen its daily caseload double over the past month.
Russia confirmed 13,634 new coronavirus cases Sunday, setting a record for new infections as authorities at the epicenter of the outbreak consider new restrictions to slow the spread of the disease.
According to the tally compiled by the national coronavirus information center, a total of 22,579 Russians have died, with 149 fatalities confirmed Sunday. Monthly data published by Russia’s statistics agency suggests that the real number of fatalities is at least double that figure.
Moscow, the epicenter of Russia’s Covid-19 outbreak with 4,501 new cases, has seen a 53% rise in new infections over the past week.
Reports citing unnamed sources suggest that Moscow City Hall is considering closing night clubs, pubs and karaoke clubs to slow the spread of the virus.
“We need to cut down the number of people in the city, otherwise we’ll arrive at the same restrictions we’ve seen in spring,” an unnamed official told the RBC news website.
This spring, the city of 12.7 million had shut non-essential businesses and imposed strict self-isolation rules enforced by digital passes and a tracking app for infected individuals. Moscow lifted the restrictions in June ahead of a major military parade and a vote on constitutional changes that grant President Vladimir Putin the power to extend his rule into 2036.