themoscowtimes--2020-10-26--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya called on the country to strike from Monday as 100,000 people took to the streets of Minsk on Sunday to protest against embattled strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko .
The march took place on the last day of an ultimatum set by the opposition for Lukashenko to resign after months of mass protests or face a general strike .
Nearly 300 people were detained , human rights organization Vesna said .
An explosion struck a Russian oil tanker in the Sea of Azov , throwing three crew members overboard still missing at sea and causing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 members of the General Azi Aslanov tanker , which maritime officials said was not loaded and the blast may have been caused by flammable vapors from the previous cargo .
Russia opened a Defense Ministry representative office Saturday and donated 10 armored vehicles to the Central African Republic in the latest effort to expand its influence on the continent .
Russia ’ s ambassador to CAR reportedly said the African nation has asked Moscow for help in lifting a UN arms embargo “ so that it would be possible to supply heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authorities in the southwestern Siberian city of Novokuznetsk said a shortage of coroners as well as quarantined residents unable to collect their loved ones has resulted in its morgue filling up with dead bodies , including those who had died from the coronavirus .
Novokuznetsk is the second Russian city over the past week where images of bodies piling up have circulated nationwide as the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic overwhelms medical institutions .
MMA world lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his shock retirement from the sport Saturday after revealing he `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Justin Gaethje would be his last fight .

Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya called on the country to strike from Monday as 100,000 people took to the streets of Minsk on Sunday to protest against embattled strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko.
The march took place on the last day of an ultimatum set by the opposition for Lukashenko to resign after months of mass protests or face a general strike. Nearly 300 people were detained, human rights organization Vesna said.
Tanker blast
An explosion struck a Russian oil tanker in the Sea of Azov, throwing three crew members overboard still missing at sea and causing the vessel to tilt.
Emergency workers rescued 10 members of the General Azi Aslanov tanker, which maritime officials said was not loaded and the blast may have been caused by flammable vapors from the previous cargo.
African rearmament
Russia opened a Defense Ministry representative office Saturday and donated 10 armored vehicles to the Central African Republic in the latest effort to expand its influence on the continent.
Russia’s ambassador to CAR reportedly said the African nation has asked Moscow for help in lifting a UN arms embargo “so that it would be possible to supply heavy weaponry, including artillery and helicopters.”
Covid pile-up
Authorities in the southwestern Siberian city of Novokuznetsk said a shortage of coroners as well as quarantined residents unable to collect their loved ones has resulted in its morgue filling up with dead bodies, including those who had died from the coronavirus.
Novokuznetsk is the second Russian city over the past week where images of bodies piling up have circulated nationwide as the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic overwhelms medical institutions.
Promise to mum
MMA world lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his shock retirement from the sport Saturday after revealing he "promised his mother" that his clash with Justin Gaethje would be his last fight.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-26--In Russia, ‘There’s Nothing to Hide’: A Phone Call With One of Putin’s Closest Friends

The voice on the other end of the line belonged to the man who introduced Vladimir Putin to his ex-wife and is godfather to their eldest daughter .
It was warm and friendly and suggested I ask my questions now , despite a pending meeting .
“ I fear if you try me later you won ’ t reach me , ” Sergei Roldugin said .
The congeniality caught me off guard .
Roldugin , 69 , earned the moniker of the “ secret caretaker ” of Putin ’ s wealth after leaked documents in 2016 known as the Panama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 billion through a web of offshore companies .
Given that history , I had assumed he would respond coolly to further questions about his riches .
The most delicate one concerned a recent purchase by one of his foundations : a 1715 Stradivarius violin — one of the famed instruments made by master Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari — for over $ 20 million .
That Roldugin had bought a rare instrument was not surprising in itself .
An acclaimed cellist who serves as the director of the St. Petersburg House of Music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian president , he already owns a $ 12 million Stradivarius cello .
But this purchase stuck out nonetheless .
When I shared the figure with UK-based Tim Ingles , one of the world ’ s handful of private rare musical instrument dealers , he told me the sum was “ certainly one of the highest , if not the highest ever paid for a Stradivarius.
” The transaction , from fall 2018 , was spotted by William George , an analyst with U.S.-based Import Genius , which compiles a database of customs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed that one of Roldugin ’ s foundations had imported the instrument from Switzerland to Russia in 2018 , as well as another four violins worth $ 6.5 million earlier this year .
Going by the name of Vozrozhdeniya Traditsii — or Revival of Traditions — the foundation , according to last year ’ s Russian Federal Tax Service records , has 2.1 billion rubles ( $ 27.5 million ) in assets , which it reports as musical instruments .

The voice on the other end of the line belonged to the man who introduced Vladimir Putin to his ex-wife and is godfather to their eldest daughter. It was warm and friendly and suggested I ask my questions now, despite a pending meeting. “I fear if you try me later you won’t reach me,” Sergei Roldugin said. The congeniality caught me off guard. Roldugin, 69, earned the moniker of the “secret caretaker” of Putin’s wealth after leaked documents in 2016 known as the Panama Papers showed that he had shuffled $2 billion through a web of offshore companies. Given that history, I had assumed he would respond coolly to further questions about his riches. The most delicate one concerned a recent purchase by one of his foundations: a 1715 Stradivarius violin — one of the famed instruments made by master Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari — for over $20 million. That Roldugin had bought a rare instrument was not surprising in itself. An acclaimed cellist who serves as the director of the St. Petersburg House of Music, founded at the behest of the Russian president, he already owns a $12 million Stradivarius cello. But this purchase stuck out nonetheless. When I shared the figure with UK-based Tim Ingles, one of the world’s handful of private rare musical instrument dealers, he told me the sum was “certainly one of the highest, if not the highest ever paid for a Stradivarius.” The transaction, from fall 2018, was spotted by William George, an analyst with U.S.-based Import Genius, which compiles a database of customs records. The data he sent me showed that one of Roldugin’s foundations had imported the instrument from Switzerland to Russia in 2018, as well as another four violins worth $6.5 million earlier this year. Going by the name of Vozrozhdeniya Traditsii — or Revival of Traditions — the foundation, according to last year’s Russian Federal Tax Service records, has 2.1 billion rubles ($27.5 million) in assets, which it reports as musical instruments.
In our phone conversation, Roldugin explained that the foundation’s goal is to ensure that these instruments do not sit in vaults but are played by Russia’s most talented young musicians, especially those who compete in international competitions. Roldugin had already made a version of this statement in the only previous report I could find about the purchase of the 1715 Stradivarius, on a local St. Petersburg television channel last spring. “More and more, such things are closed up forever behind glass,” Pavel Milyukov, a Russian violinist who has been lucky enough to play the rare instrument, told the channel. “We are probably one of the last inhabitants of our planet who can not only see it, but also hear it.” But how did Vozrozhdeniya Traditsii afford the Stradivarius? “It’s partly from philanthropists, sponsors and the government,” Roldugin said of the money. Then he added: “You know, I want to say that this isn’t just that we took money from our own pocket and paid. I collected this money for a long time, borrowed it, convinced people, and all my businesses worked on this. And now I am still a bit in debt.” The explanation was not unlike previous answers about Roldugin’s reported wealth and how he has used it. After the Panama Papers were published in 2016, Putin called the notion that Roldugin had billions of dollars “rubbish.” “Almost all the money he has earned he spent on the purchase of musical instruments abroad and brought them to Russia. Expensive things,” the Russian president said in his annual live call-in show that year. “I am proud to have such friends.”
news Why Panama Papers Are Unlikely to Trouble Russian Officials Read more


themoscowtimes--2020-10-26--Russia Quotes Law of Sea to Calm Greek-Turkey Tension

The dispute between Turkey and Greece over energy-rich waters in the Mediterranean should be settled on the `` basis of international law '' , Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday .
The discovery of huge natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has exacerbated tensions between Ankara and Athens following Turkish exploration operations in waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus .
Their differences `` must be resolved on the basis of international law , the international convention on the law of the sea ... that is the key to normalize relations '' , Lavrov said after talks with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cites the law of the sea to support its case against Ankara which has not signed the 1982 convention .
Lavrov told Greek press agency ANA on Monday that article three of the convention allows states to expand national waters to 12 nautical miles .
Turkey has warned that such a move by Greece would lead to war .
Some Greek islands are under 12 nautical miles from the Turkish coast and Turkish vessels could be prevented from entering certain areas .
Turkey has extended once again a research ship 's search for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greece warning at the weekend that made a `` constructive dialogue '' even more unlikely .
The ship made a first foray into the waters in August , sparking a storm of regional controversy , and then returned in mid-October .
`` Turkey is committed to the escalation of tension , '' Nikos Dendias said , adding that Greece was `` ready to uphold her sovereign rights '' .
Dialogue between the two neighbors `` could not take place under pressure '' , he added , accusing Turkey of having a `` neo-Ottoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role '' in the region .
The tensions have seen Turkey , Greece , Cyprus , France and Italy stage military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean , heightening fears the standoff could accidentally tip into conflict .
Lavrov was due to meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis later on Monday .

The dispute between Turkey and Greece over energy-rich waters in the Mediterranean should be settled on the "basis of international law", Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
The discovery of huge natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has exacerbated tensions between Ankara and Athens following Turkish exploration operations in waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus.
Their differences "must be resolved on the basis of international law, the international convention on the law of the sea... that is the key to normalize relations", Lavrov said after talks with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias.
Athens often cites the law of the sea to support its case against Ankara which has not signed the 1982 convention.
Lavrov told Greek press agency ANA on Monday that article three of the convention allows states to expand national waters to 12 nautical miles.
Turkey has warned that such a move by Greece would lead to war. Some Greek islands are under 12 nautical miles from the Turkish coast and Turkish vessels could be prevented from entering certain areas.
Turkey has extended once again a research ship's search for gas in the contested waters, with Greece warning at the weekend that made a "constructive dialogue" even more unlikely.
The ship made a first foray into the waters in August, sparking a storm of regional controversy, and then returned in mid-October.
"Turkey is committed to the escalation of tension," Nikos Dendias said, adding that Greece was "ready to uphold her sovereign rights".
Dialogue between the two neighbors "could not take place under pressure", he added, accusing Turkey of having a "neo-Ottoman vision" and playing a "destabilizing role" in the region.
The tensions have seen Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, France and Italy stage military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean, heightening fears the standoff could accidentally tip into conflict.
Lavrov was due to meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis later on Monday.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-26--85% of Russian Coronavirus Vaccine Volunteers See No Side Effects – Developer

The state-run Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology became the first in the world to register a Covid-19 vaccine in August before final clinical trials began the following month .
The double-blind trial for Sputnik V ’ s long-term safety and effectiveness involves 40,000 volunteers , 10,000 of whom are expected to receive a placebo .
Around 85 % of Russian volunteers who receive the country ’ s highly touted coronavirus Sputnik V vaccine report no side effects , according to the developer of the adenovirus-based shot .
Alexander Gintsburg , the head of Moscow-based Gamaleya , told state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects include a fever of 38 degrees Celsius , headaches and muscle pain .
“ Such side effects are observed in approximately 15 % of the vaccinated people , ” Gintsburg told Rossia 24 , according to the state-run TASS news agency .
“ So it ’ s not difficult to understand that 85 % of vaccinated people experience no side effects or any inconvenience , ” he added .
The figures are consistent with those observed in the early stages of Sputnik V ’ s final trials , when approximately 15 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of weakness , muscle pain and an occasional fever .
Gintsburg estimated that around 19,000 Russians have received the first shot of the two-dose Sputnik V vaccine so far and 6,000 have received both .
Several high-ranking government officials have reported taking part in the Sputnik V trials .
Around 50 countries have said they plan to purchase or were looking to purchase the vaccine .
Russian state-backed researchers have developed two other Covid-19 vaccines , which are undergoing various stages of government approval and clinical trials .
Meanwhile , Russia notched another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pushing the overall number of infections to the world ’ s fourth-highest at 1.53 million .
Polls have said that almost half of Russians do not plan to receive the Covid-19 vaccine at any point .

The state-run Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology became the first in the world to register a Covid-19 vaccine in August before final clinical trials began the following month. The double-blind trial for Sputnik V’s long-term safety and effectiveness involves 40,000 volunteers, 10,000 of whom are expected to receive a placebo.
Around 85% of Russian volunteers who receive the country’s highly touted coronavirus Sputnik V vaccine report no side effects , according to the developer of the adenovirus-based shot.
Alexander Gintsburg, the head of Moscow-based Gamaleya, told state television that Sputnik V’s side effects include a fever of 38 degrees Celsius, headaches and muscle pain.
“Such side effects are observed in approximately 15% of the vaccinated people,” Gintsburg told Rossia 24, according to the state-run TASS news agency.
“So it’s not difficult to understand that 85% of vaccinated people experience no side effects or any inconvenience,” he added.
The figures are consistent with those observed in the early stages of Sputnik V’s final trials, when approximately 15% of 300 volunteers in September had complained of weakness, muscle pain and an occasional fever.
Gintsburg estimated that around 19,000 Russians have received the first shot of the two-dose Sputnik V vaccine so far and 6,000 have received both.
Several high-ranking government officials have reported taking part in the Sputnik V trials.
Around 50 countries have said they plan to purchase or were looking to purchase the vaccine.
Russian state-backed researchers have developed two other Covid-19 vaccines, which are undergoing various stages of government approval and clinical trials.
Meanwhile, Russia notched another record of 17,347 new Covid-19 cases Monday, pushing the overall number of infections to the world’s fourth-highest at 1.53 million.
Polls have said that almost half of Russians do not plan to receive the Covid-19 vaccine at any point.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-26--Belarus Opposition Leader Says Nationwide Strike Underway

`` Today the People 's Strike is beginning , '' Tikhanovskaya said on her Telegram channel .
Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said supporters launched Monday a nationwide strike after her deadline expired for strongman Alexander Lukashenko to step down .
`` Employees of state factories and enterprises , transport workers and miners , teachers and students have gone on strike since this morning . ''
All major stores and pharmacies were open in the capital Minsk on Monday but some small business were shuttered , an AFP reporter said .
Several thousand pensioners and students took to the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We want to live in a free democratic country , we should defend those who have been beaten up , '' student Ivan Prokhorov told AFP at the protest .
Tikhanovskaya had given Lukashenko until Sunday to quit , halt violence against protesters and release political prisoners , warning he would otherwise face a general strike from Monday .
The 66-year-old Lukashenko , accused by the opposition of stealing August polls , ignored the ultimatum and police cracked down on the latest of a series of opposition protests on Sunday .
Tikhanovskaya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' among Belarusians and pledged the strikes would continue .
Speaking on YouTube , she said that over $ 7 million have been raised in support of the strikers .
The 38-year-old opposition figure , who claims to have won the Aug. 9 election and is now based in EU member Lithuania , did not provide any figures on the number of people participating .
Independent reporting inside Belarus has been curtailed and it was not possible to immediately estimate the scale of the action .
Citing witnesses , local news outlet Onliner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles outside major plants including Grodno Azot chemicals , the Minsk Automobile Plant and Minsk Tractor Works .
Rights group Viasna reported more than 170 people had been detained in Minsk and other cities on Monday .
Elena Velichko , who works in the beauty industry , said she did not go to work on Monday in support of the strike .
`` There are thousands of people like me , '' the 43-year-old told AFP near a Minsk department store where more than a dozen protesters had formed a human chain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and several co-workers also went on strike from their jobs at a state construction company .
`` We are against the Lukashenko regime .
We do n't need any deaths or murders or repression .
We want to live in a free democratic country , '' she said .
Authorities denied the strike call was being followed , with government spokeswoman Alexandra Isaeva saying that on Monday morning all companies were `` operating in routine mode . ''
Alexander Yaroshuk , head of the Belarusian Confederation of Democratic Trade Unions , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers were ready to strike .
`` But it 's hard to predict just how far people will go given the authorities ' massive pressure , '' Yaroshuk told AFP .
The ex-Soviet nation has been gripped by historic protests since Lukashenko claimed election victory over Tikhanovskaya , a political newcomer , who ran after her blogger husband was jailed and prevented from joining the race .
The protest movement has kept up large-scale demonstrations for the past two months , with tens of thousands taking to the streets every Sunday .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minsk and other cities on Sunday , the interior ministry said .
Several people died and thousands were arrested in a post-election crackdown , with harrowing accounts emerging of abuse in jails .

"Today the People's Strike is beginning," Tikhanovskaya said on her Telegram channel.
Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said supporters launched Monday a nationwide strike after her deadline expired for strongman Alexander Lukashenko to step down.
"Employees of state factories and enterprises, transport workers and miners, teachers and students have gone on strike since this morning."
All major stores and pharmacies were open in the capital Minsk on Monday but some small business were shuttered, an AFP reporter said.
Several thousand pensioners and students took to the streets of Minsk to back the workers.
"We want to live in a free democratic country, we should defend those who have been beaten up," student Ivan Prokhorov told AFP at the protest.
Tikhanovskaya had given Lukashenko until Sunday to quit, halt violence against protesters and release political prisoners, warning he would otherwise face a general strike from Monday.
The 66-year-old Lukashenko, accused by the opposition of stealing August polls, ignored the ultimatum and police cracked down on the latest of a series of opposition protests on Sunday.
Tikhanovskaya praised the "incredible level of solidarity" among Belarusians and pledged the strikes would continue.
Speaking on YouTube, she said that over $7 million have been raised in support of the strikers.
The 38-year-old opposition figure, who claims to have won the Aug. 9 election and is now based in EU member Lithuania, did not provide any figures on the number of people participating.
Independent reporting inside Belarus has been curtailed and it was not possible to immediately estimate the scale of the action.
Citing witnesses, local news outlet Onliner said police deployed patrol vans and other vehicles outside major plants including Grodno Azot chemicals, the Minsk Automobile Plant and Minsk Tractor Works.
Rights group Viasna reported more than 170 people had been detained in Minsk and other cities on Monday.
'Thousands like me'
Elena Velichko, who works in the beauty industry, said she did not go to work on Monday in support of the strike.
"There are thousands of people like me," the 43-year-old told AFP near a Minsk department store where more than a dozen protesters had formed a human chain.
Natalya Bezrukova, 54, said she and several co-workers also went on strike from their jobs at a state construction company.
"We are against the Lukashenko regime. We don't need any deaths or murders or repression. We want to live in a free democratic country," she said.
Authorities denied the strike call was being followed, with government spokeswoman Alexandra Isaeva saying that on Monday morning all companies were "operating in routine mode."
Alexander Yaroshuk, head of the Belarusian Confederation of Democratic Trade Unions, said he was aware that some unions and individual workers were ready to strike.
"But it's hard to predict just how far people will go given the authorities' massive pressure," Yaroshuk told AFP.
The ex-Soviet nation has been gripped by historic protests since Lukashenko claimed election victory over Tikhanovskaya, a political newcomer, who ran after her blogger husband was jailed and prevented from joining the race.
The protest movement has kept up large-scale demonstrations for the past two months, with tens of thousands taking to the streets every Sunday.
More than 500 people were detained at protests in Minsk and other cities on Sunday, the interior ministry said.
Several people died and thousands were arrested in a post-election crackdown, with harrowing accounts emerging of abuse in jails.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-27--Russian State TV Anchor Ignites Backlash With Anti-Mask Social Media Post

A prominent Russian news anchor has sparked backlash after publicly backing the anti-mask movement and questioning the dangers of Covid-19 in a viral Instagram comment published just hours before the Russian government reinstated a countrywide mask mandate .
In his original post , businessman Yan Yanovsky complained that most spectators at Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo 's recent performance at Moscow 's Bolshoi Theater did not follow the mask requirement , even though Russia ’ s chief sanitary doctor Anna Popova was among the audience .
Masks have been required at all cultural events and establishments since they re-opened over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in theater stalls without a mask .
Wearing it for a long time could lead to emphyzema caused by oxygen deficiency , which is much worse than Covid , ” Channel One anchor Yekaterina Andreeva wrote in a since-deleted comment .
Andreeva , 58 , cited unreferenced statistics from Russia and the United States , as well as personal calculations , which she claimed allowed her to conclude that global death rates have actually fallen during the pandemic .
“ I am thinking of all the petrified people who were compelled to think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statistics suggest otherwise , ” she wrote .
The anchor expressed concern for the businesses and the tourism industry that sustained losses as a result of stringent coronavirus restrictions , saying that the money made on tests , masks , gloves and hand sanitizers was n't enough to make up for the lost business .
The screenshot of Andreeva 's comment quickly went viral on Russian social media , with users criticizing her lack of adherence to mask-wearing rules .
Andreeva has been a leading news anchor of Russia ’ s state-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of the most recognizable faces of Russian television , she has over half a million Instagram followers .
Russia crossed the 1.5 million mark for Covid-19 infections over the weekend and set a daily record of 17,347 new cases Monday .
Starting Wednesday , Russians will be required to wear masks in all crowded places , including public transport , taxis , parking lots and elevators , Rospotrebnadzor said Tuesday .

A prominent Russian news anchor has sparked backlash after publicly backing the anti-mask movement and questioning the dangers of Covid-19 in a viral Instagram comment published just hours before the Russian government reinstated a countrywide mask mandate. In his original post, businessman Yan Yanovsky complained that most spectators at Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo's recent performance at Moscow's Bolshoi Theater did not follow the mask requirement, even though Russia’s chief sanitary doctor Anna Popova was among the audience. Masks have been required at all cultural events and establishments since they re-opened over the summer. “I also sit in theater stalls without a mask. Wearing it for a long time could lead to emphyzema caused by oxygen deficiency, which is much worse than Covid,” Channel One anchor Yekaterina Andreeva wrote in a since-deleted comment.
Andreeva, 58, cited unreferenced statistics from Russia and the United States, as well as personal calculations, which she claimed allowed her to conclude that global death rates have actually fallen during the pandemic. “I am thinking of all the petrified people who were compelled to think that the virus is dangerous, though the statistics suggest otherwise,” she wrote. The anchor expressed concern for the businesses and the tourism industry that sustained losses as a result of stringent coronavirus restrictions, saying that the money made on tests, masks, gloves and hand sanitizers wasn't enough to make up for the lost business.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-27--France's Macron ‘the No. 1 Terrorist in the World,’ Chechen Mufti Says

The Islamic world ’ s backlash came after French President Emmanuel Macron , reacting to the Oct. 16 beheading of teacher Samuel Paty by a Chechen extremist for showing pupils cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad , vowed that France “ will not give up cartoons.
” The grand mufti of Russia ’ s southern republic of Chechnya has joined a growing chorus of Muslim figures and countries condemning France over its assertion of the right to mock religion following the murder of a French schoolteacher .
“ Macron , you are terrorist No .
1 in the world , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chechen Spiritual Board of Muslims ’ Instagram account Monday .
“ By insulting our prophet , you insult all prophets ( peace be upon them ) and all religions , ” Mezhiyev said , accusing Macron of “ ordering ” the display of Prophet Muhammad cartoons on “ all goverment buildings ” in France .
Cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad were indeed projected onto local government buildings in southern France following a memorial service for Paty attended by Macron in Paris last week .
There is no evidence of Mezhiyev ’ s claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad are seen as offensive by many Muslims , but in France such cartoons have become identified with a proud secular tradition dating back to the Revolution .
Paty had shown his pupils examples of the Muhammad cartoons over which 12 people were massacred at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in 2015 .
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov echoed Mezhiyev ’ s comments on his own social media page , writing that Macron “ is starting to look like a terrorist.
” “ If you call [ the murderer ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 times worse because you ’ re inducing terrorism , ” Kadyrov wrote .
“ You can safely call yourself the leader and mastermind of terrorism in your country.
” Mezhiyev claimed that Paty was “ well aware of his actions ” and accused Macron of “ deliberately inciting Muslims toward provocative actions by turning the mad professor into a ‘ national hero ’ .
” “ Macron , the whole essence of true terrorism and extremism nurtured on the Western pseudo-values of multi-liberalism and permissiveness is manifested in you and your kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s criticism follows reports of two Chechen MMA fighters praising Paty ’ s murder by 18-year-old Chechen refugee Abdullakh Anzorov in since-deleted Instagram stories .
The backlash over Macron ’ s defense of the right to mock religion after Paty ’ s murder has widened with Gulf countries pulling French goods from supermarket shelves , Syrians and Libyans torching pictures of Macron and French flags .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan led the charge against Macron and has also called for a boycott of French goods .

The Islamic world’s backlash came after French President Emmanuel Macron, reacting to the Oct. 16 beheading of teacher Samuel Paty by a Chechen extremist for showing pupils cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, vowed that France “will not give up cartoons.”
The grand mufti of Russia’s southern republic of Chechnya has joined a growing chorus of Muslim figures and countries condemning France over its assertion of the right to mock religion following the murder of a French schoolteacher.
“Macron, you are terrorist No. 1 in the world,” Chechen mufti Salakh Mezhiyev said on the Chechen Spiritual Board of Muslims’ Instagram account Monday.
“By insulting our prophet, you insult all prophets (peace be upon them) and all religions,” Mezhiyev said, accusing Macron of “ordering” the display of Prophet Muhammad cartoons on “all goverment buildings” in France.
Cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad were indeed projected onto local government buildings in southern France following a memorial service for Paty attended by Macron in Paris last week. There is no evidence of Mezhiyev’s claim that Macron had ordered the displays.
Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad are seen as offensive by many Muslims, but in France such cartoons have become identified with a proud secular tradition dating back to the Revolution.
Paty had shown his pupils examples of the Muhammad cartoons over which 12 people were massacred at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in 2015.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov echoed Mezhiyev’s comments on his own social media page, writing that Macron “is starting to look like a terrorist.”
“If you call [the murderer] a terrorist, then you Macron are 100 times worse because you’re inducing terrorism,” Kadyrov wrote. “You can safely call yourself the leader and mastermind of terrorism in your country.”
Mezhiyev claimed that Paty was “well aware of his actions” and accused Macron of “deliberately inciting Muslims toward provocative actions by turning the mad professor into a ‘national hero’.”
“Macron, the whole essence of true terrorism and extremism nurtured on the Western pseudo-values of multi-liberalism and permissiveness is manifested in you and your kind,” the mufti said.
Mezhiyev’s criticism follows reports of two Chechen MMA fighters praising Paty’s murder by 18-year-old Chechen refugee Abdullakh Anzorov in since-deleted Instagram stories.
The backlash over Macron’s defense of the right to mock religion after Paty’s murder has widened with Gulf countries pulling French goods from supermarket shelves, Syrians and Libyans torching pictures of Macron and French flags.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan led the charge against Macron and has also called for a boycott of French goods.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-10-27--Russia Reports Record Daily Coronavirus Deaths

The previous record death toll of 317 Covid-19 deaths was recorded less than a week ago last Wednesday .
Russia has confirmed a record daily coronavirus death toll at 320 fatalities Tuesday as the country seeks to slow a record-breaking surge in cases with new restrictions .
Tuesday 's increase brings Russia ’ s overall Covid-19 death toll , as reported by the national information center that collates daily figures from regional centers , to 26,589 .
Monthly state statistics and experts have suggested the real death toll is at least double that figure .
Moscow , the epicenter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-quarter of daily Covid-19 deaths , confirmed 61 fatalities .
The city now accounts for 6,503 of Russia 's Covid-19 deaths .
The record daily death toll comes one day after Russia saw its highest daily increase of 17,347 new Covid-19 infections .
It added 16,550 new infections Tuesday .
Russia ’ s official number of cases stands at 1,547,774 , the fourth-highest in the world .
The surge in new infections and deaths comes as authorities announced a nationwide mask mandate starting Wednesday and ordered restaurants and other nightlife establishments to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpopular lockdown measures in the spring , including bans on taking non-essential walks outside , when Russia saw fewer than 10,000 daily Covid-19 cases on average .
During the second wave , they have introduced targeted measures at what are deemed to be Covid-19 hotspots and are urging residents to follow health guidelines until mass production of Russia ’ s coronavirus vaccine begins in the next few months .

The previous record death toll of 317 Covid-19 deaths was recorded less than a week ago last Wednesday.
Russia has confirmed a record daily coronavirus death toll at 320 fatalities Tuesday as the country seeks to slow a record-breaking surge in cases with new restrictions.
Tuesday's increase brings Russia’s overall Covid-19 death toll, as reported by the national information center that collates daily figures from regional centers, to 26,589. Monthly state statistics and experts have suggested the real death toll is at least double that figure.
Moscow, the epicenter of Russia’s coronavirus outbreak with around one-quarter of daily Covid-19 deaths, confirmed 61 fatalities. The city now accounts for 6,503 of Russia's Covid-19 deaths.
The record daily death toll comes one day after Russia saw its highest daily increase of 17,347 new Covid-19 infections. It added 16,550 new infections Tuesday.
Russia’s official number of cases stands at 1,547,774, the fourth-highest in the world.
The surge in new infections and deaths comes as authorities announced a nationwide mask mandate starting Wednesday and ordered restaurants and other nightlife establishments to close after 11 p.m.
Authorities had introduced unpopular lockdown measures in the spring, including bans on taking non-essential walks outside, when Russia saw fewer than 10,000 daily Covid-19 cases on average.
During the second wave, they have introduced targeted measures at what are deemed to be Covid-19 hotspots and are urging residents to follow health guidelines until mass production of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine begins in the next few months.