themoscowtimes--2020-07-14--Russian Soldiers Injured in Syrian Patrol Blast

Footage shared by local reporters showed the blast on a single-lane road as military vehicles passed nearby in the insurgent region of Idlib .
At least three Russian soldiers on a joint Russian-Turkish patrol in northwest Syria have been injured in a car bomb explosion , media reported and the Russian military confirmed Tuesday .
Russia ’ s reconciliation center confirmed the explosion and the injuries , saying later Tuesday that terrorists damaged one Russian and one Turkish armored vehicle .
It said it was working to establish the group responsible for the blast .
The injured troops have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Khmeimim on the Mediterranean coast , the reconciliation center said and added that Turkish troops have also been wounded .
German journalist Julian Röpcke identified the site of the car bomb attack as the entrance to the town of Arihah 15 kilometers south of Idlib .
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) monitor said the 21st Russian-Turkish joint patrol was the first to cover the entire M4 highway stretching from the cities of Latakia to Aleppo .
SOHR said the patrol was held up because the Turkish army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear whether the two incidents were related .
No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion immediately after the incident .
Tensions flared up between Russia and Turkey in early February after Russian-backed Syrian government forces killed Turkish troops in Idlib .
Russia , a close ally of the Syrian government , struck a deal with Turkey in 2018 to create a demilitarized zone in Idlib , but those agreements and others between the two countries have come under strain amid mounting tensions in the region .

Footage shared by local reporters showed the blast on a single-lane road as military vehicles passed nearby in the insurgent region of Idlib.
At least three Russian soldiers on a joint Russian-Turkish patrol in northwest Syria have been injured in a car bomb explosion, media reported and the Russian military confirmed Tuesday.
“Three Russian soldiers were slightly injured,” Al Jazeera Arabic reporter Maan Alkhoder tweeted, citing the Syrian opposition.
Russia’s reconciliation center confirmed the explosion and the injuries, saying later Tuesday that terrorists damaged one Russian and one Turkish armored vehicle. It said it was working to establish the group responsible for the blast.
The injured troops have been evacuated to Russia’s military base in Khmeimim on the Mediterranean coast, the reconciliation center said and added that Turkish troops have also been wounded.
German journalist Julian Röpcke identified the site of the car bomb attack as the entrance to the town of Arihah 15 kilometers south of Idlib.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) monitor said the 21st Russian-Turkish joint patrol was the first to cover the entire M4 highway stretching from the cities of Latakia to Aleppo.
SOHR said the patrol was held up because the Turkish army was allegedly detonating landmines. It was unclear whether the two incidents were related.
No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion immediately after the incident.
Tensions flared up between Russia and Turkey in early February after Russian-backed Syrian government forces killed Turkish troops in Idlib.
Russia, a close ally of the Syrian government, struck a deal with Turkey in 2018 to create a demilitarized zone in Idlib, but those agreements and others between the two countries have come under strain amid mounting tensions in the region.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-14--Arctic Spill Fuels Calls for Shakeup at Russian Mining Giant

Aluminum producer Rusal , which owns 28 % in Norilsk Nickel , said it was `` seriously concerned '' over recent environmental accidents in the Russian Arctic and called for a shakeup in management .
Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel faced pressure from a key shareholder on Tuesday to overhaul management after disasters including a massive Arctic fuel spill that sparked a state of emergency .
`` What is currently happening at Nornickel invites to seriously question the competence of the company 's management as well as their suitability to be in charge of running the business , '' Rusal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized the management 's `` collective inertia '' that it said was likely to lead to `` damaging criticism from the environmental and investment communities . ''
President Vladimir Putin declared a state of emergency after 21,000 tons of diesel leaked from a fuel storage tank at one of Norilsk Nickel 's subsidiary plants in the Arctic in late May .
A massive clean-up effort involved trapping floating diesel with booms on crucial waterways to prevent it flowing into freshwater lakes .
Greenpeace Russia described it as the first large-scale spill in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said he expected Norilsk Nickel to fully restore the environment .
On Sunday , the company announced that nearly 45 tons of aviation fuel spilt from a pipeline belonging to one of its subsidiaries near Norilsk .
It said the leak , which lasted around 15 minutes during an oil transfer , posed no threat to people living in the area .
Last month , the company announced it was suspending employees at an enrichment plant near Norilsk after they pumped wastewater from a dangerously full reservoir into nearby tundra in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rusal on Monday said it was calling on Norilsk Nickel to move its headquarters from Moscow to the Arctic city of Norilsk -- the site of several recent environmental accidents including the fuel spill .
In the statement , the aluminium producer appealed to Norilsk Nickel to overhaul `` corporate policies towards environmental and safety issues . ''
Russia 's environmental watchdog Rosprirodnadzor fined a Norilsk Nickel subsidiary 147.8 billion rubles ( $ 2.05 billion ) over the spill , but the company is contesting the sum .

Aluminum producer Rusal, which owns 28% in Norilsk Nickel, said it was "seriously concerned" over recent environmental accidents in the Russian Arctic and called for a shakeup in management.
Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel faced pressure from a key shareholder on Tuesday to overhaul management after disasters including a massive Arctic fuel spill that sparked a state of emergency.
"What is currently happening at Nornickel invites to seriously question the competence of the company's management as well as their suitability to be in charge of running the business," Rusal said in a statement.
It also criticized the management's "collective inertia" that it said was likely to lead to "damaging criticism from the environmental and investment communities."
President Vladimir Putin declared a state of emergency after 21,000 tons of diesel leaked from a fuel storage tank at one of Norilsk Nickel's subsidiary plants in the Arctic in late May.
A massive clean-up effort involved trapping floating diesel with booms on crucial waterways to prevent it flowing into freshwater lakes.
Greenpeace Russia described it as the first large-scale spill in the region beyond the Arctic Circle and Putin has said he expected Norilsk Nickel to fully restore the environment.
On Sunday, the company announced that nearly 45 tons of aviation fuel spilt from a pipeline belonging to one of its subsidiaries near Norilsk.
It said the leak, which lasted around 15 minutes during an oil transfer, posed no threat to people living in the area.
Last month, the company announced it was suspending employees at an enrichment plant near Norilsk after they pumped wastewater from a dangerously full reservoir into nearby tundra in a "flagrant violation" of protocol.
Rusal on Monday said it was calling on Norilsk Nickel to move its headquarters from Moscow to the Arctic city of Norilsk -- the site of several recent environmental accidents including the fuel spill.
In the statement, the aluminium producer appealed to Norilsk Nickel to overhaul "corporate policies towards environmental and safety issues."
Russia's environmental watchdog Rosprirodnadzor fined a Norilsk Nickel subsidiary 147.8 billion rubles ($2.05 billion) over the spill, but the company is contesting the sum.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-14--Disappearing Ink Sparks Corruption Allegations Against Moscow Officials

Cheryomushki District councillor Yelena Selkova posted a video of herself holding a lighter next to the contract .
Within seconds @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 37,500 ) figure can be seen vanishing from the paper .
A Moscow @ @ @ @ @ of corruption after discovering a contract price written in disappearing ink .
“ Let ’ @ @ @ @ @ ” Communist Party member Selkova said in the video , referring to the contract for @ @ @ @ @ local apartment complex .
“ And it ’ s gone.
” Selkova said she got @ @ @ @ @ she was chosen to replace a sitting ruling party lawmaker who had gone on sick @ @ @ @ @ revelation , she suggested , means that the price could later be raised and the @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I wo n't even mention that by the time I arrived , all @ @ @ @ @ signed by everyone except me ( before the commission started ! )
” Selkova wrote @

Cheryomushki District councillor Yelena Selkova posted a video of herself holding a lighter next to the contract. Within seconds, the 2.6 million ruble ($37,500) figure can be seen vanishing from the paper.
A Moscow municipal lawmaker has accused officials of corruption after discovering a contract price written in disappearing ink.
“Let’s check the price,” Communist Party member Selkova said in the video, referring to the contract for an elevator replacement at a local apartment complex. “And it’s gone.”
Selkova said she got hold of the contract because she was chosen to replace a sitting ruling party lawmaker who had gone on sick leave.
The disappearing ink revelation, she suggested, means that the price could later be raised and the difference pocketed by corrupt officials.
“I won't even mention that by the time I arrived, all the acts had already been signed by everyone except me (before the commission started!)” Selkova wrote.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-14--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Approach 740K

Starting July 13 , Moscow will no longer require people to wear masks outdoors as the number of new coronavirus cases has dwindled in the Russian capital in recent weeks .
Moscow lifted restrictions including compulsory travel passes on June 8 , a move welcomed by residents who rushed out to enjoy the streets and parks .
Many other regions lifted lockdown restrictions ahead of a July 1 national vote despite the pandemic .
Critics have cast doubt on Russia 's low official mortality rate and accused authorities of under-reporting to play down the scale of the crisis .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass testing which has identified many cases with mild or no coronavirus symptoms .
The Health Ministry is now adjusting how it reports numbers to include all deaths believed to be related to the virus even if the direct cause of death was another condition or the patient tested negative .
Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin , a liberal politician known for his outspoken comments , said Russia 's health system requires more funds and modernization in many regions .
`` Medicine is significantly underfunded even according to the current norms and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kudrin , who heads the Audit Chamber that examines government spending , said in an interview with the state-run TASS state news agency .
`` We will carry out a check and show these figures , '' he added .
Nevertheless the economist said Russia `` is not doing a bad job with the pandemic , '' crediting the role of the military , which has built emergency facilities .

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Russia's fatality rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries, raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures.
Russian authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036.
Both events were initially postponed due the epidemic.
Moscow opened cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1. In the capital, masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the streets.
Several institutes in Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine.
The Russian Defense Ministry has said it developed a "safe" vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers.
The trials are ongoing, and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in the coming weeks.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-14--Russia Lifts Quarantine for Arriving Foreigners Ahead of Reopening

Starting Wednesday , those arriving in Russia will need to present English or Russian-language proof that they have tested negative for the coronavirus in the past 72 hours to be allowed entry , the decree from Russia ’ s consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said .
Russia will no longer require foreigners without coronavirus to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival as the country looks to begin reopening to international travel in the midst of the pandemic , according to a decree published Monday .
Like Russian citizens returning home , foreigners without test results will be required to submit a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of arrival , the decree states .
If the test comes back positive , visitors will be required to self-isolate for 14 days .
Employers in Russia will need to check their arriving employees ’ medical documents , according to Rospotrebnadzor ’ s decree signed by its chief Anna Popova .
Last Friday , deputy prime minister Tatiana Golikova said authorities will begin negotiations with other countries to restart international flights from July 15 .
Reopening of flight routes would be based on the principle of reciprocity — meaning Russia will need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume air travel , Golikova said .
Russia grounded most international flights on March 27 , with only a handful of special repatriation flights and other government-approved flights bringing passengers to and from Russia over the past three months .
Foreign citizens have also been barred from entering the country since late March .
The European Union , which reopened its borders on July 1 to visitors from 15 countries , is still officially closed to Russians .

Starting Wednesday, those arriving in Russia will need to present English or Russian-language proof that they have tested negative for the coronavirus in the past 72 hours to be allowed entry, the decree from Russia’s consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said.
Russia will no longer require foreigners without coronavirus to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival as the country looks to begin reopening to international travel in the midst of the pandemic, according to a decree published Monday.
Like Russian citizens returning home, foreigners without test results will be required to submit a PCR test for Covid-19 within 72 hours of arrival, the decree states. If the test comes back positive, visitors will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Employers in Russia will need to check their arriving employees’ medical documents, according to Rospotrebnadzor’s decree signed by its chief Anna Popova.
Last Friday, deputy prime minister Tatiana Golikova said authorities will begin negotiations with other countries to restart international flights from July 15.
Reopening of flight routes would be based on the principle of reciprocity — meaning Russia will need to strike an agreement with each government to resume air travel, Golikova said.
Russia grounded most international flights on March 27, with only a handful of special repatriation flights and other government-approved flights bringing passengers to and from Russia over the past three months. Foreign citizens have also been barred from entering the country since late March.
The European Union, which reopened its borders on July 1 to visitors from 15 countries, is still officially closed to Russians.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-14--Russia Seeks Hefty Jail Terms For Activists in 'New Greatness' Case

A Russian prosecutor Tuesday requested that three young men receive between six and seven and a half years in prison @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin 's government , lawyers said .
In 2018 , authorities detained 10 people @ @ @ @ @ an anarchist cell that had plotted an uprising against the government in what has come @ @ @ @ @ `` New Greatness '' case .
Critics say the case has been fabricated by the @ @ @ @ @ rights group Memorial has pronounced the young men and women political prisoners .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ Ruslan Kostylenkov , 27 , be sentenced to seven and a half years in prison @ @ @ @ @ , to six and a half years and Vyacheslav Kryukov , 22 , to six @ @

A Russian prosecutor Tuesday requested that three young men receive between six and seven and a half years in prison for allegedly plotting to overthrow Vladimir Putin's government, lawyers said.
In 2018, authorities detained 10 people accusing them of belonging to an anarchist cell that had plotted an uprising against the government in what has come to be known as the "New Greatness" case.
Critics say the case has been fabricated by the security service, and top rights group Memorial has pronounced the young men and women political prisoners.
On Tuesday, a prosecutor requested that Ruslan Kostylenkov, 27, be sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, Pyotr Karamzin, 34, to six and a half years and Vyacheslav Kryukov, 22, to six years.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-14--Raids Target Dozens of Jehovah’s Families in Single Russian Region

The joint searches by investigators , police and National Guard troops led to two criminal cases being opened against 10 worshippers aged between 24-56 , investigators in the Voronezh region south of Moscow said in a statement Monday .
Russian authorities said they ’ ve carried out more than 100 raids in the homes of dozens of Jehovah ’ s Witnesses in a region that borders Ukraine .
They face up to 10 years in prison on charges of organizing an extremist community for holding religious meetings , preaching and recruiting new members between mid-2018 and early 2020 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement , the suspects used measures of secrecy including storing electronic documentation and using video conferencing , ” the regional Investigative Committee branch said .
The investigators boasted of the 110 raids as the Jehovah ’ s Witness branch in Russia said its members have experienced more than 1,000 home invasions since the country outlawed the group as an “ extremist ” organization in April 2017 .
“ The security forces ’ special operations are staggering in their cruelty , ” the Jehovah ’ s Witnesses in Russia said Tuesday .
“ Masked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , barging into [ the homes of ] harmless people .
Not only men , but also young children , vulnerable women , the elderly and the disabled often fall victim to grueling and long searches .
”

The joint searches by investigators, police and National Guard troops led to two criminal cases being opened against 10 worshippers aged between 24-56, investigators in the Voronezh region south of Moscow said in a statement Monday.
Russian authorities said they’ve carried out more than 100 raids in the homes of dozens of Jehovah’s Witnesses in a region that borders Ukraine.
They face up to 10 years in prison on charges of organizing an extremist community for holding religious meetings, preaching and recruiting new members between mid-2018 and early 2020.
“Not wanting to be exposed by law enforcement, the suspects used measures of secrecy including storing electronic documentation and using video conferencing,” the regional Investigative Committee branch said.
The investigators boasted of the 110 raids as the Jehovah’s Witness branch in Russia said its members have experienced more than 1,000 home invasions since the country outlawed the group as an “extremist” organization in April 2017.
“The security forces’ special operations are staggering in their cruelty,” the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia said Tuesday.
“Masked armed groups break down doors and windows, barging into [the homes of] harmless people. Not only men, but also young children, vulnerable women, the elderly and the disabled often fall victim to grueling and long searches.”


themoscowtimes--2020-07-14--Teenage Boy Dies of Plague in Mongolia

Teenage Boy Dies of Plague in Mongolia

The boy , who lived in the remote southwest province of Gobi-Altai , caught the rare bacterial illness after hunting and eating a marmot , according to the health ministry .
A 15-year-old boy has died from the bubonic plague in Mongolia , health authorities said Tuesday , one of a handful of cases that recently emerged in the country and neighboring China .
`` We quarantined the first 15 people who came into contact with the deceased and those 15 people are receiving antibiotic treatment , '' Narangerel Dorj , head of public relations at the health ministry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province were placed under six-day quarantine .
Earlier this month two other cases of bubonic plague were registered in Khovd province .
More than 140 people were tested , but no other cases were found .
A herdsman also contracted the plague in China 's northern Inner Mongolia region , prompting local authorities to ban the hunting and eating of animals that could carry the plague until the end of the year .
At least one person dies of the plague every year in Mongolia despite government campaigns to discourage people from eating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many in rural areas grow up learning to hunt and eat the large ground squirrel , and some believe eating its innards is good for health .
An ethnic Kazakh couple died of the plague last year after eating raw marmot kidney .
The recent cases prompted Russia 's eastern Siberian region of Burytia to test rodents for the bubonic plague and urge residents not to hunt or eat marmot .
It also comes as Mongolia 's borders remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic .

The boy, who lived in the remote southwest province of Gobi-Altai, caught the rare bacterial illness after hunting and eating a marmot, according to the health ministry.
A 15-year-old boy has died from the bubonic plague in Mongolia, health authorities said Tuesday, one of a handful of cases that recently emerged in the country and neighboring China.
"We quarantined the first 15 people who came into contact with the deceased and those 15 people are receiving antibiotic treatment," Narangerel Dorj, head of public relations at the health ministry, told reporters.
Five districts of the province were placed under six-day quarantine.
Earlier this month two other cases of bubonic plague were registered in Khovd province. More than 140 people were tested, but no other cases were found.
A herdsman also contracted the plague in China's northern Inner Mongolia region, prompting local authorities to ban the hunting and eating of animals that could carry the plague until the end of the year.
At least one person dies of the plague every year in Mongolia despite government campaigns to discourage people from eating marmot or approaching the animal.
But many in rural areas grow up learning to hunt and eat the large ground squirrel, and some believe eating its innards is good for health.
An ethnic Kazakh couple died of the plague last year after eating raw marmot kidney.
The recent cases prompted Russia's eastern Siberian region of Burytia to test rodents for the bubonic plague and urge residents not to hunt or eat marmot.
It also comes as Mongolia's borders remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.