themoscowtimes--2020-09-16--Berlin Hospital Treating Navalny Returns Donation to 'Putin's Chef'

Navalny was flown to Germany two days after falling ill on a flight in Siberia due to what the German government says was a poisoning with the Novichok nerve agent .
The Kremlin critic and his associates owe Prigozhin 88 million rubles ( $ 1.2 million ) after the businessman acquired a court-assigned debt share in the Moskovsky Shkolnik school caterer that sued Navalny ’ s team for deformation in 2019 .
Berlin ’ s Charité hospital has returned a 1 million ruble ( $ 13,300 ) donation for the treatment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to Kremlin-linked catering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement Wednesday .
Prigozhin is the only known person to have sent money toward the opposition leader ’ s treatment , Concord said in its statement on social media , attaching copies of transfer receipts dated Sept. 7 .
This was Prigozhin ’ s second payment to Charité following an earlier transfer of 107,000 rubles ( $ 1,400 ) in compensation for a debt payment collected from Navalny ’ s account , which the clinic kept .
Concord said that Charité is likely reluctant to accept the money due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medics are unwilling to disclose details of Navalny ’ s treatment to him .
Days after Navalny fell ill , Prigozhin vowed to `` strip [ Navalny and his associates ] of their clothes and shoes '' with the court-ordered penalty .
He added that `` if comrade Navalny kicks the bucket , I personally do n't intend to persecute him in this world . ''
Prigozhin is commonly nicknamed `` Putin 's chef '' because Concord has done catering for the Kremlin .
An investigation by Navalny ’ s Anti-Corruption Foundation has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Prigozhin denies .
Prigozhin is also associated with the Internet Research Agency , which was accused of interfering in the 2016 U.S. election , as well as with private military contractor Wagner , whose mercenaries have reportedly been deployed to conflicts in Syria , Libya and Mozambique , among others .

Navalny was flown to Germany two days after falling ill on a flight in Siberia due to what the German government says was a poisoning with the Novichok nerve agent. The Kremlin critic and his associates owe Prigozhin 88 million rubles ($1.2 million) after the businessman acquired a court-assigned debt share in the Moskovsky Shkolnik school caterer that sued Navalny’s team for deformation in 2019.
Berlin’s Charité hospital has returned a 1 million ruble ($13,300) donation for the treatment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to Kremlin-linked catering magnate Yevgeny Prigozhin, his Concord company said in a statement Wednesday.
Prigozhin is the only known person to have sent money toward the opposition leader’s treatment, Concord said in its statement on social media, attaching copies of transfer receipts dated Sept. 7.
This was Prigozhin’s second payment to Charité following an earlier transfer of 107,000 rubles ($1,400) in compensation for a debt payment collected from Navalny’s account, which the clinic kept.
Concord said that Charité is likely reluctant to accept the money due to Western sanctions against Prigozhin or because German medics are unwilling to disclose details of Navalny’s treatment to him.
Days after Navalny fell ill, Prigozhin vowed to "strip [Navalny and his associates] of their clothes and shoes" with the court-ordered penalty. He added that "if comrade Navalny kicks the bucket, I personally don't intend to persecute him in this world."
Prigozhin is commonly nicknamed "Putin's chef" because Concord has done catering for the Kremlin. An investigation by Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation has linked Prigozhin to Moskovsky Shkolnik, links that Prigozhin denies.
Prigozhin is also associated with the Internet Research Agency, which was accused of interfering in the 2016 U.S. election, as well as with private military contractor Wagner, whose mercenaries have reportedly been deployed to conflicts in Syria, Libya and Mozambique, among others.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-16--Belarus Opposition Leader Is U.S. Protege – Russia Spy Chief

Sergei Naryshkin , who heads the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service ( SVR ) , said Washington had taken the former presidential candidate Tikhanovskaya and other activists `` firmly under its wing '' in a statement published by Russian news agencies .
Russia 's foreign intelligence chief on Wednesday accused the United States of protecting Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and allocating $ 20 million to promote anti-government protests that erupted after disputed presidential elections .
Tikhanovskaya , a 38-year-old former English teacher and translator and more recently a full-time mother , stood for president after the jailing of her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her campaign proved a surprise success and she claimed victory over longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko in disputed polls .
Tikhanovskaya took shelter in neighboring Lithuania after coming under official pressure and many of her leading supporters have since been forced out of Belarus or jailed .
Naryshkin said the West had started to prepare protests long before the Aug. 9 election , adding that the U.S. had given various rights groups $ 20 million in funding from last year .
The money went to `` independent bloggers , '' he said , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the most promising activists in countries including Poland and Ukraine .
`` The protests from the start were well-organized in nature and coordinated from abroad , '' Naryshkin said .
`` According to the SVR 's information , the U.S. is playing a crucial role in the current events in Belarus . ''
Lukashenko has already flung accusations at various countries over the mass protests calling for an end to his rule , initially accusing Russia of seeking to destabilize the country but later blaming countries including Ukraine , the Czech Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in charge ( of protests ) , who wants something to happen in Belarus and so we 're not letting down our guard and we 're ready to respond to any challenge , '' Lukashenko told a meeting with top officials on Wednesday .
He said the United States was `` primarily '' behind protests through its `` network of foundations to support so-called democracy . ''
He alleged that protest organizers had used a `` textbook for color revolutions , '' referring to the overthrow of pro-Kremlin leaders in other ex-Soviet @ @ @ @ @

Sergei Naryshkin, who heads the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), said Washington had taken the former presidential candidate Tikhanovskaya and other activists "firmly under its wing" in a statement published by Russian news agencies.
Russia's foreign intelligence chief on Wednesday accused the United States of protecting Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and allocating $20 million to promote anti-government protests that erupted after disputed presidential elections.
Tikhanovskaya, a 38-year-old former English teacher and translator and more recently a full-time mother, stood for president after the jailing of her husband, popular video blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky.
Her campaign proved a surprise success and she claimed victory over longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko in disputed polls.
Tikhanovskaya took shelter in neighboring Lithuania after coming under official pressure and many of her leading supporters have since been forced out of Belarus or jailed.
Naryshkin said the West had started to prepare protests long before the Aug. 9 election, adding that the U.S. had given various rights groups $20 million in funding from last year.
The money went to "independent bloggers," he said, while "experienced American instructors" gave training to the most promising activists in countries including Poland and Ukraine.
"The protests from the start were well-organized in nature and coordinated from abroad," Naryshkin said.
"According to the SVR's information, the U.S. is playing a crucial role in the current events in Belarus."
Color revolution 'textbook'
Lukashenko has already flung accusations at various countries over the mass protests calling for an end to his rule, initially accusing Russia of seeking to destabilize the country but later blaming countries including Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Britain.
"We know who is in charge (of protests), who wants something to happen in Belarus and so we're not letting down our guard and we're ready to respond to any challenge," Lukashenko told a meeting with top officials on Wednesday.
He said the United States was "primarily" behind protests through its "network of foundations to support so-called democracy."
He alleged that protest organizers had used a "textbook for color revolutions," referring to the overthrow of pro-Kremlin leaders in other ex-Soviet states such as Ukraine.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-16--Russia Announces Long-Term Family Member Visas

Currently , the spouses and children of Russian citizens can obtain visas that are valid for up to three months .
The newly announced rules will allow the relatives to stay in Russia to renew their visas .
Relatives of Russian citizens will now be able to obtain simplified Russian visas valid for up to 12 months , the Russian government announced Wednesday .
“ Today , we will simplify the procedure for issuing ordinary private visas ... for our citizens ’ close relatives , ” Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a cabinet session .
The 12-month visas will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as to the parents , grandparents , grandchildren and siblings of Russian citizens , he added .
“ These relatives could apply for long-term private visas valid for up to one year , ” Mishustin said .
All they would need is a written form submitted by a family member who is a Russian citizen .
The relatives of Russian citizens will also no longer need to cross the Russian border every three months to retain their right to renew their visas , the prime minister added .
“ That will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are divided by borders ” that are shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic , Mishustin said .
At the start of Russia ’ s Covid-19 outbreak in March , the Interior Ministry allowed foreign nationals to extend their current or expired visas without leaving the country .

Currently, the spouses and children of Russian citizens can obtain visas that are valid for up to three months. The newly announced rules will allow the relatives to stay in Russia to renew their visas.
Relatives of Russian citizens will now be able to obtain simplified Russian visas valid for up to 12 months, the Russian government announced Wednesday.
“Today, we will simplify the procedure for issuing ordinary private visas... for our citizens’ close relatives,” Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a cabinet session.
The 12-month visas will be available to children and spouses, as well as to the parents, grandparents, grandchildren and siblings of Russian citizens, he added.
“These relatives could apply for long-term private visas valid for up to one year,” Mishustin said.
All they would need is a written form submitted by a family member who is a Russian citizen.
The relatives of Russian citizens will also no longer need to cross the Russian border every three months to retain their right to renew their visas, the prime minister added.
“That will create more comfortable conditions for families who are divided by borders” that are shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic, Mishustin said.
At the start of Russia’s Covid-19 outbreak in March, the Interior Ministry allowed foreign nationals to extend their current or expired visas without leaving the country.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-16--Jailed Russian Neo-Nazi Found Dead in Apparent Suicide

Maxim Martsinkevich , who went by the nickname Tesak ( Russian for machete ) , was serving a 10-year sentence for a violent attack on synthetic cannabinoids dealers .
Martsinkevich , 36 , had three prior convictions relating to extremism and inciting hatred .
A convicted Russian neo-Nazi has been found dead in what appears to be a suicide inside his jail cell in the Urals region of western Siberia , prison authorities confirmed Wednesday .
Martsinkevich was found dead in a pre-trial detention center in the Chelyabinsk region , where he was due to be transferred to Moscow for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened in 1999 , Interfax reported .
Martsinkevich ’ s lawyer Ivan Sidorov told Interfax that his client had “ no reason ” to commit suicide and alleged that “ someone may have helped him.
” The state-run RIA Novosti news agency cited regional human rights officials in saying that neither Martsinkevich nor his friends had any complaints prior to his death .
Conflicting reports said that Martsinkevich may have left a suicide note allegedly asking to give a private diary and a book on communism to his wife , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Martsinkevich had gained notoriety for founding a group that organized vigilante attacks on gay men and alleged pedophiles .

Maxim Martsinkevich, who went by the nickname Tesak (Russian for machete), was serving a 10-year sentence for a violent attack on synthetic cannabinoids dealers. Martsinkevich, 36, had three prior convictions relating to extremism and inciting hatred.
A convicted Russian neo-Nazi has been found dead in what appears to be a suicide inside his jail cell in the Urals region of western Siberia, prison authorities confirmed Wednesday.
Martsinkevich was found dead in a pre-trial detention center in the Chelyabinsk region, where he was due to be transferred to Moscow for questioning as part of a criminal case opened in 1999, Interfax reported.
Investigators have launched a preliminary inquiry into Martsinkevich’s apparent suicide.
Martsinkevich’s lawyer Ivan Sidorov told Interfax that his client had “no reason” to commit suicide and alleged that “someone may have helped him.”
The state-run RIA Novosti news agency cited regional human rights officials in saying that neither Martsinkevich nor his friends had any complaints prior to his death.
Conflicting reports said that Martsinkevich may have left a suicide note allegedly asking to give a private diary and a book on communism to his wife, according to the Meduza news website.
During his lifetime, Martsinkevich had gained notoriety for founding a group that organized vigilante attacks on gay men and alleged pedophiles.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-16--Russia to Send India 100M Coronavirus Vaccine Doses

India is one of at least 32 countries that have expressed interest in testing and obtaining Russia ’ s Sputnik V vaccine .
Brazil , Mexico and Kazakhstan have signed supply deals with Russia so far .
Russia will sell 100 million doses of its highly touted coronavirus vaccine to India once final trials and regulatory steps are completed , Russia ’ s sovereign fund that is bankrolling the project announced Wednesday .
The Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) said it has partnered with the Hyderabad-based global pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddy ’ s on clinical trials and distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Upon regulatory approval in India , RDIF shall supply to Dr. Reddy ’ s 100 million doses of the vaccine , ” it said in a statement on its website .
“ Deliveries could potentially begin in late 2020 subject to completion of successful trials and registration of the vaccine by regulatory authorities in India , ” RDIF added .
RDIF has a manufacturing partnership agreement to make 300 million doses of the Russian adenovirus-based vector vaccine , which is administered in two shots , in India .
Russia began post-registration Phase 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow earlier this month amid questions surrounding its long-term safety .
First results are expected either next month or in November , RDIF said .
India 's confirmed Covid-19 cases soared past 5 million Wednesday .
The last million infections were reported in the country of 1.3 billion over the past 11 days , with global health officials warning that India is “ not even in the middle ” of its outbreak .

India is one of at least 32 countries that have expressed interest in testing and obtaining Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine. Brazil, Mexico and Kazakhstan have signed supply deals with Russia so far.
Russia will sell 100 million doses of its highly touted coronavirus vaccine to India once final trials and regulatory steps are completed, Russia’s sovereign fund that is bankrolling the project announced Wednesday.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said it has partnered with the Hyderabad-based global pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddy’s on clinical trials and distribution of Sputnik V in India.
“Upon regulatory approval in India, RDIF shall supply to Dr. Reddy’s 100 million doses of the vaccine,” it said in a statement on its website.
“Deliveries could potentially begin in late 2020 subject to completion of successful trials and registration of the vaccine by regulatory authorities in India,” RDIF added.
RDIF has a manufacturing partnership agreement to make 300 million doses of the Russian adenovirus-based vector vaccine, which is administered in two shots, in India.
Russia began post-registration Phase 3 trials of Sputnik V among 40,000 volunteers in Moscow earlier this month amid questions surrounding its long-term safety. First results are expected either next month or in November, RDIF said.
India's confirmed Covid-19 cases soared past 5 million Wednesday. The last million infections were reported in the country of 1.3 billion over the past 11 days, with global health officials warning that India is “not even in the middle” of its outbreak.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-16--More People Worldwide Trust Putin Than Trump – Pew

Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains a higher level of global trust than U.S. President Donald Trump , according to the latest Pew Research Center poll published Tuesday .
Respondents in 13 mainly European countries voiced the highest confidence in German Chancellor Angela Merkel ( 76 % ) , French President Emmanuel Macron ( 64 % ) and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ( 48 % ) .
Putin comes in fourth , with 23 % of global respondents saying they have confidence that he would “ do the right thing regarding world affairs , ” according to Pew .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese President Xi Jinping ( 19 % ) and seven points ahead of Trump ( 16 % ) .
In contrast to the European leaders , Pew ’ s respondents voiced a higher lack of confidence in Putin ( 73 % ) , Xi ( 78 % ) and Trump ( 83 % ) .
“ Ratings for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are overwhelmingly negative , although not as negative as those for Trump , ” Pew said .
Putin ’ s trust gap with Trump has widened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of Pew respondents from 33 countries expressed confidence in him compared to Trump ’ s 29 % .
Pew conducted the phone survey among 13,273 respondents from nine European countries , Canada , Australia , Japan and South Korea between June 10 and Aug. 3 .

Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains a higher level of global trust than U.S. President Donald Trump, according to the latest Pew Research Center poll published Tuesday.
Respondents in 13 mainly European countries voiced the highest confidence in German Chancellor Angela Merkel (76%), French President Emmanuel Macron (64%) and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (48%).
Putin comes in fourth, with 23% of global respondents saying they have confidence that he would “do the right thing regarding world affairs,” according to Pew.
The Russian president is four points ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping (19%) and seven points ahead of Trump (16%).
In contrast to the European leaders, Pew’s respondents voiced a higher lack of confidence in Putin (73%), Xi (78%) and Trump (83%).
“Ratings for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are overwhelmingly negative, although not as negative as those for Trump,” Pew said.
Putin’s trust gap with Trump has widened somewhat from last year, when 33% of Pew respondents from 33 countries expressed confidence in him compared to Trump’s 29%.
Pew conducted the phone survey among 13,273 respondents from nine European countries, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea between June 10 and Aug. 3.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-16--Well-Preserved Cave Bear Discovered in Russia’s Melting Arctic Permafrost

The Ice Age-era animal is believed to have lived between 22,000 and 39,500 years ago , Russia ’ s North-Eastern Federal University ( NEFU ) said in a statement Monday .
Previously , the university said they have come across only the skulls and bones of the prehistoric species that became extinct around 15,000 years ago .
Reindeer herders in Russia 's Arctic have discovered what scientists say is the first-ever cave bear carcass with soft tissues intact in the region 's rapidly thawing permafrost .
I took these photos in New York @ AMNH in 2018 .
Cave bears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rearing up , an adult male could reach 3.5 metres in height .
See the graphic from today ’ s Times # IceAgeBears # CaveBear pic.twitter.com/sOXQSyDVkx “ Today this is the first and only find of its kind — a whole bear carcass with soft tissues , ” scientist Lena Grigorieva said .
“ It is completely preserved , with all internal organs in place including even its nose , ” Grigorieva added .
“ This find is of great importance for the whole world.
” The herders found the well-preserved remains on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the New Siberian Islands archipelago 4,500 kilometers northeast of Moscow in Russia ’ s Far North .
Radiocarbon analysis is needed to narrow down the cave bear ’ s age , said Maxim Cheprasov , senior researcher at the Mammoth Museum in Russia ’ s northern republic of Sakha .
Permafrost melt in Siberia has led to the discoveries of mammoths , woolly rhinos , Ice Age foal , puppies and cave lion cubs in recent years .
Scientists say complete skeletons of extinct animals are relatively rare finds .
Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warming at a faster rate than the rest of the world , are facing a historic summer heat wave accompanied by wildfires , fuel spills , crop failures and more .
Climate scientists warn that melting permafrost in these regions could release mass amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere , further accelerating climate change .

The Ice Age-era animal is believed to have lived between 22,000 and 39,500 years ago, Russia’s North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) said in a statement Monday. Previously, the university said they have come across only the skulls and bones of the prehistoric species that became extinct around 15,000 years ago.
Reindeer herders in Russia's Arctic have discovered what scientists say is the first-ever cave bear carcass with soft tissues intact in the region's rapidly thawing permafrost.
I took these photos in New York @AMNH in 2018. Cave bears must have been absolutely terrifying. When rearing up, an adult male could reach 3.5 metres in height. See the graphic from today’s Times #IceAgeBears #CaveBear pic.twitter.com/sOXQSyDVkx
“Today this is the first and only find of its kind — a whole bear carcass with soft tissues,” scientist Lena Grigorieva said.
“It is completely preserved, with all internal organs in place including even its nose,” Grigorieva added. “This find is of great importance for the whole world.”
The herders found the well-preserved remains on the Lyakhovsky Islands, which are part of the New Siberian Islands archipelago 4,500 kilometers northeast of Moscow in Russia’s Far North.
Radiocarbon analysis is needed to narrow down the cave bear’s age, said Maxim Cheprasov, senior researcher at the Mammoth Museum in Russia’s northern republic of Sakha.
Permafrost melt in Siberia has led to the discoveries of mammoths, woolly rhinos, Ice Age foal, puppies and cave lion cubs in recent years.
Scientists say complete skeletons of extinct animals are relatively rare finds.
Russia’s Arctic and Siberian regions, already warming at a faster rate than the rest of the world, are facing a historic summer heat wave accompanied by wildfires, fuel spills, crop failures and more.
Climate scientists warn that melting permafrost in these regions could release mass amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, further accelerating climate change.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-16--Moscow Police Disrupt Vulva Documentary Screening in Support of LGBT Activist

Tsvetkova , 27 , faces up to six years in jail on charges of distributing pornography for posting drawings of vaginas on her social media page dedicated to body positivity .
She has been fined twice under a controversial law banning propaganda of “ non-traditional ” sexual relationships to minors for her drawings and for running LGBT-themed groups on social media .
Moscow law enforcement authorities shut down a Tuesday night “ Vulva 3.0 ” documentary screening in support of Yulia Tsvetkova , an LGBT activist who is being prosecuted for her drawings of female genitals .
Around 20 National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.0 ” screening on an anonymous tip-off of “ homosexual propaganda , ” the screening ’ s organizer Andrei Parshikov told the MBKh Media news website .
“ A police chief came down to the Flacon design factory and said : ‘ This is not okay ’ , ” Parshikov said .
The unnamed police chief reportedly offered to take in a copy of the film to make sure it doesn ’ t violate the law on gay propaganda , “ though we still can ’ t guarantee anything.
” Parshikov said organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.0 , ” a 2014 German documentary described as “ non-sensationalistic research into the history of the female anatomy , ” until a later date .
The National Guard later told the independent Dozhd news channel that its forces were not deployed to the screening ’ s venue .
Police in Russia 's Far East opened a third “ gay propaganda ” case against Tsvetkova this summer over drawings on social media protesting Russa ’ s constitutional amendments outlawing gay marriage .

Tsvetkova, 27, faces up to six years in jail on charges of distributing pornography for posting drawings of vaginas on her social media page dedicated to body positivity. She has been fined twice under a controversial law banning propaganda of “non-traditional” sexual relationships to minors for her drawings and for running LGBT-themed groups on social media.
Moscow law enforcement authorities shut down a Tuesday night “Vulva 3.0” documentary screening in support of Yulia Tsvetkova, an LGBT activist who is being prosecuted for her drawings of female genitals.
Around 20 National Guard officers arrived at the “Vulva 3.0” screening on an anonymous tip-off of “homosexual propaganda,” the screening’s organizer Andrei Parshikov told the MBKh Media news website.
“A police chief came down to the Flacon design factory and said: ‘This is not okay’,” Parshikov said.
The unnamed police chief reportedly offered to take in a copy of the film to make sure it doesn’t violate the law on gay propaganda, “though we still can’t guarantee anything.”
Parshikov said organizers have postponed the screening of “Vulva 3.0,” a 2014 German documentary described as “non-sensationalistic research into the history of the female anatomy,” until a later date.
The National Guard later told the independent Dozhd news channel that its forces were not deployed to the screening’s venue.
Police in Russia's Far East opened a third “gay propaganda” case against Tsvetkova this summer over drawings on social media protesting Russa’s constitutional amendments outlawing gay marriage.
Russia’s Memorial human rights group has declared Tsvetkova a political prisoner.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-15--Venus Is a ‘Russian Planet,’ Roscosmos Chief Says

The research , published in the journal Nature Astronomy on Monday , details British and American scientists ’ discovery of phosphine gas in Venus ’ clouds and puts forward possible theories for its origin , including that of extraterrestrial life .
Venus is a “ Russian planet , ” the head of Russia ’ s state space agency said Tuesday following new research that suggests there could be life on the second planet from the sun .
Speaking at the 2020 HeliRussia exhibition , Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said prior research by Russian scientists indicated that the planet is inhospitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first and only one to successfully land on Venus , ” Rogozin said .
“ The [ Russian ] spacecraft gathered information about the planet — it is like hell over there.
” Roscosmos also announced plans Tuesday to launch an independent Russian expedition to Venus “ without involving wide international cooperation.
” The expedition will take place in addition to the previously planned Venera-D mission , which is being carried out in cooperation with the United States .
Following the study ’ s publication Monday , the Breakthrough Initiatives program funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will fund a study “ into the possibility of primitive life ” in Venus ’ clouds led by Sara Seager from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology .

The research, published in the journal Nature Astronomy on Monday, details British and American scientists’ discovery of phosphine gas in Venus’ clouds and puts forward possible theories for its origin, including that of extraterrestrial life.
Venus is a “Russian planet,” the head of Russia’s state space agency said Tuesday following new research that suggests there could be life on the second planet from the sun.
Speaking at the 2020 HeliRussia exhibition, Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said prior research by Russian scientists indicated that the planet is inhospitable to life.
“Our country was the first and only one to successfully land on Venus,” Rogozin said. “The [Russian] spacecraft gathered information about the planet — it is like hell over there.”
Roscosmos also announced plans Tuesday to launch an independent Russian expedition to Venus “without involving wide international cooperation.” The expedition will take place in addition to the previously planned Venera-D mission, which is being carried out in cooperation with the United States.
Following the study’s publication Monday, the Breakthrough Initiatives program funded by Russian billionaire Yuri Milner announced that it will fund a study “into the possibility of primitive life” in Venus’ clouds led by Sara Seager from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-15--Ex-Russia Football Captain Shirokov Charged With Punching Ref

Roman Shirokov , the former captain of Russia ’ s national football team , has been charged for violently attacking @ @ @ @ @ game .
Cameras last month captured Shirokov , 39 , punching the referee in the @ @ @ @ @ he fell to the ground curled over for not being awarded a penalty and getting @ @ @ @ @ retired midfielder took to social media the next day to apologize to the referee , @ @ @ @ @ the hospital being treated for his injuries .

Roman Shirokov, the former captain of Russia’s national football team, has been charged for violently attacking an amateur referee during a game.
Cameras last month captured Shirokov, 39, punching the referee in the face and kicking him after he fell to the ground curled over for not being awarded a penalty and getting a red card. The retired midfielder took to social media the next day to apologize to the referee, who had spent hours in the hospital being treated for his injuries.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-18--Moscow Metro Eyes Pay-by-Face Tech in Spring 2021

Moscow 's Deputy Mayor in charge of transportation Maxim Liksutov said in a weekly column Friday that Muscovites are “ no longer impressed ” by the ever-expanding contactless options for paying one 's fare , including bank cards and smartphones .
The Moscow Metro is expected to roll out what City Hall says will be the world ’ s first fare payment system based on facial recognition starting next spring .
“ The metro is moving to a new level : Face Pay , ” Liksutov wrote .
“ We ’ re actively setting it up and testing it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one turnstile with this function at every metro station next spring.
” He noted that no metro system in the world has deployed the face-pay system at scale yet and the Russian capital has “ every chance ” to get there first .
“ Imagine the turnstile opening its doors in front of you , ” Liksutov said , describing how the system would work .
“ Sounds a bit fantastic , but this is our immediate future.
” Facial recognition technology will also be deployed as a surveillance tool in addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Moscow Metro reportedly plans to place around 12,300 facial recognition cameras in around 1,500 subway cars by the end of 2020 .
Authorities in the Russian capital have already deployed facial recognition technology across a network of almost 200,000 surveillance cameras throughout the city to identify criminal suspects .
In July , China ’ s southwestern city of Guiyang rolled out face-scanning payment at its subway and bus systems via a smartphone app .
In August , a Los Angeles company introduced the first facial recognition payment in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @

Moscow's Deputy Mayor in charge of transportation Maxim Liksutov said in a weekly column Friday that Muscovites are “no longer impressed” by the ever-expanding contactless options for paying one's fare, including bank cards and smartphones.
The Moscow Metro is expected to roll out what City Hall says will be the world’s first fare payment system based on facial recognition starting next spring.
“The metro is moving to a new level: Face Pay,” Liksutov wrote. “We’re actively setting it up and testing it, and will try to equip at least one turnstile with this function at every metro station next spring.”
He noted that no metro system in the world has deployed the face-pay system at scale yet and the Russian capital has “every chance” to get there first.
“Imagine the turnstile opening its doors in front of you,” Liksutov said, describing how the system would work.
“Sounds a bit fantastic, but this is our immediate future.”
Facial recognition technology will also be deployed as a surveillance tool in addition to being used to boost convenience for passengers. The Moscow Metro reportedly plans to place around 12,300 facial recognition cameras in around 1,500 subway cars by the end of 2020.
Authorities in the Russian capital have already deployed facial recognition technology across a network of almost 200,000 surveillance cameras throughout the city to identify criminal suspects.
In July, China’s southwestern city of Guiyang rolled out face-scanning payment at its subway and bus systems via a smartphone app.
In August, a Los Angeles company introduced the first facial recognition payment in the United States at restaurants outside its headquarters.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-18--‘Don’t Give Away’ Lukashenko, Star-Studded Music Video Tells Belarus

The music video , titled “ Artists for Peace – Don ’ t Give Away Your Loved One , ” was uploaded to Belarusian singer Aurora ’ s YouTube channel Thursday .
The song title references Lukashenko ’ s Aug. 4 campaign address in which he referred to Belarus as a “ loved one you don ’ t give away.
” Russian pop stars have teamed up with their fellow artists from Belarus to record a patriotic music video in support of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko , who has faced unprecedented protests since his disputed re-election last month .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give away your loved one , ” Russian household names Filipp Kirkorov , Nikolai Baskov , Anita Tsoi , Alexander Buinov and others sing in the music video .
“ Belarusians , we are a force , ” the Russian and Belarusian singers continue amid a mixture of studio shots and aerial footage of wheat fields , marshes and Belarusian Orthodox Church domes .
The video was uploaded with comments disabled , as well as likes and dislikes invisible to viewers .
Kirkorov ’ s spokesperson later told the Open Media news website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform any songs in Lukashenko ’ s support.
” Buinov ’ s representative said he had agreed to record the song in order to collaborate with Kirkorov and Baskov and was unaware that the chorus contained Lukashenko ’ s quote .
Opinion polls show a plurality of support among Russians for Lukashenko and his heavy-handed actions in the wake of mass demonstrations against his 26-year rule .
A number of high-profile opposition figures in Belarus , including Nobel Literature Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich , have called out “ the Russian intelligentsia ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent crackdown .
A handful of Russian artists had refused to perform at state-sponsored concerts on the eve of Belarus ’ Aug. 9 vote following social media pleas from Belarusians to avoid implicitly backing Lukashenko .
On Friday , Russian YouTube star Yury Dud released an interview with the founder of Belarus ' Nexta Telegram channel , one of the leading sources of news and protest coordination for the Belarusian opposition .
Dud has previously publicly criticized the Belarusian authorities ' crackdown on protesters .

The music video, titled “Artists for Peace – Don’t Give Away Your Loved One,” was uploaded to Belarusian singer Aurora’s YouTube channel Thursday. The song title references Lukashenko’s Aug. 4 campaign address in which he referred to Belarus as a “loved one you don’t give away.”
Russian pop stars have teamed up with their fellow artists from Belarus to record a patriotic music video in support of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has faced unprecedented protests since his disputed re-election last month.
“Just know that you don’t give away your loved one,” Russian household names Filipp Kirkorov, Nikolai Baskov, Anita Tsoi, Alexander Buinov and others sing in the music video.
“Belarusians, we are a force,” the Russian and Belarusian singers continue amid a mixture of studio shots and aerial footage of wheat fields, marshes and Belarusian Orthodox Church domes.
The video was uploaded with comments disabled, as well as likes and dislikes invisible to viewers.
Kirkorov’s spokesperson later told the Open Media news website that “the artist didn’t perform any songs in Lukashenko’s support.”
Buinov’s representative said he had agreed to record the song in order to collaborate with Kirkorov and Baskov and was unaware that the chorus contained Lukashenko’s quote.
Opinion polls show a plurality of support among Russians for Lukashenko and his heavy-handed actions in the wake of mass demonstrations against his 26-year rule.
A number of high-profile opposition figures in Belarus, including Nobel Literature Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich, have called out “the Russian intelligentsia” for its perceived silence toward the authorities' violent crackdown.
A handful of Russian artists had refused to perform at state-sponsored concerts on the eve of Belarus’ Aug. 9 vote following social media pleas from Belarusians to avoid implicitly backing Lukashenko.
On Friday, Russian YouTube star Yury Dud released an interview with the founder of Belarus' Nexta Telegram channel, one of the leading sources of news and protest coordination for the Belarusian opposition. Dud has previously publicly criticized the Belarusian authorities' crackdown on protesters.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-18--Russia Clears Two Coronavirus Drugs for Pharmacy Sale

Both drugs are Russia-manufactured variants of favipiravir , the generic version of an anti-flu medication developed by Japan ’ s Fujifilm .
Clinical trials of the pill-form drug showed reduced recovery times among coronavirus patients , though only Russia , India and China officially recommend it for treating the virus .
Two Russian-made coronavirus treatment drugs have been cleared for pharmacy sale , allowing for widespread at-home treatment of the infection , the Health Ministry announced in a statement to the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency Thursday .
One of the approved medications , registered under brand name Areplivir , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions starting Monday , the head of its manufacturer Promomed confirmed to the Kommersant business daily .
Another drug , Koronavir , is expected to become available at the same time .
According to Koronavir manufacturer R-Farm , the drug minimizes complications associated with Covid-19 .
Over 50 % of clinical study patients showed improvements after seven days of treatment , which is 1.5 times better than the control group which didn ’ t take the drug , the manufacturer told the RBC news website .
The Health Ministry has previously approved one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though its manufacture has largely been export-oriented with supplies reaching neighboring Belarus and Kazakhstan .
Despite early hopes voiced by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , favipiravir has not been approved for Covid-19 treatment in Japan after Fujifilm ’ s own trials yielded “ inconclusive ” results .
Allowing patients with less-severe coronavirus cases to undergo outpatient treatment is expected to reduce pressure on Russia ’ s healthcare sector and keep hospital beds open for patients with severe bouts of the virus .
While Russia has placed high stakes in its Sputnik V coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage , nearly half of the country remains skeptical toward it , saying they would “ never ” vaccinate .
Russia has confirmed more than 1 million infections and more than 19,000 deaths from coronavirus so far .

Both drugs are Russia-manufactured variants of favipiravir, the generic version of an anti-flu medication developed by Japan’s Fujifilm. Clinical trials of the pill-form drug showed reduced recovery times among coronavirus patients, though only Russia, India and China officially recommend it for treating the virus.
Two Russian-made coronavirus treatment drugs have been cleared for pharmacy sale, allowing for widespread at-home treatment of the infection, the Health Ministry announced in a statement to the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency Thursday.
One of the approved medications, registered under brand name Areplivir, will appear on pharmacy shelves in most Russian regions starting Monday, the head of its manufacturer Promomed confirmed to the Kommersant business daily.
Another drug, Koronavir, is expected to become available at the same time.
According to Koronavir manufacturer R-Farm, the drug minimizes complications associated with Covid-19. Over 50% of clinical study patients showed improvements after seven days of treatment, which is 1.5 times better than the control group which didn’t take the drug, the manufacturer told the RBC news website.
The Health Ministry has previously approved one other brand of favipiravir, Avifavir, though its manufacture has largely been export-oriented with supplies reaching neighboring Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Despite early hopes voiced by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, favipiravir has not been approved for Covid-19 treatment in Japan after Fujifilm’s own trials yielded “inconclusive” results.
Allowing patients with less-severe coronavirus cases to undergo outpatient treatment is expected to reduce pressure on Russia’s healthcare sector and keep hospital beds open for patients with severe bouts of the virus.
While Russia has placed high stakes in its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, currently in the final trial stage, nearly half of the country remains skeptical toward it, saying they would “never” vaccinate.
Russia has confirmed more than 1 million infections and more than 19,000 deaths from coronavirus so far.


themoscowtimes--2020-09-18--Russian Troops Detained for Washing Shoes in Holy Water

A pair of Russian soldiers have been detained on charges of offending religious believers after they washed their shoes in holy water , Interfax reported Thursday .
In a video that went viral this weekend , two young men can be seen laughing as they wash their shoes at a chapel next to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Russia ’ s westernmost exclave of Kaliningrad .
“ This is holy water for them while we wash our feet , for real , ” one of the several men who appear in the video can be heard saying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ insulting religious beliefs against a Russian Navy contract soldier and a conscript following the incident , Interfax cited an unnamed source as saying .
The two Baltic Fleet soldiers hailing from Russia ’ s ethnically diverse Muslim-majority republic of Dagestan were reportedly detained Monday .
The soldiers could spend up to a year in jail on the charges .
Prosecutors have launched an inquiry into extremism , according to Interfax .
The Kaliningrad diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church called the foot-washing video “ unpleasant ” and welcomed a filmed apology posted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope that other participants in the incident will follow his example and repent publicly , ” it said in a statement .
The diocese added that it temporarily turned off the chapel ’ s water for planned renovations .
Russia criminalized insulting the feelings of religious believers in 2013 after anti-Kremlin group Pussy Riot performed a “ punk prayer ” at a central Moscow cathedral , calling on the Virgin Mary to banish President Vladimir Putin .

A pair of Russian soldiers have been detained on charges of offending religious believers after they washed their shoes in holy water, Interfax reported Thursday. In a video that went viral this weekend, two young men can be seen laughing as they wash their shoes at a chapel next to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Russia’s westernmost exclave of Kaliningrad.
“This is holy water for them while we wash our feet, for real,” one of the several men who appear in the video can be heard saying. Military investigators opened a criminal case into insulting religious beliefs against a Russian Navy contract soldier and a conscript following the incident, Interfax cited an unnamed source as saying. The two Baltic Fleet soldiers hailing from Russia’s ethnically diverse Muslim-majority republic of Dagestan were reportedly detained Monday. The soldiers could spend up to a year in jail on the charges. Prosecutors have launched an inquiry into extremism, according to Interfax.