themoscowtimes--2020-03-10--‘President for Life’: Putin Opens Door to Extending Rule until 2036

In a whirlwind series of events on Tuesday , Russia ’ s lower house of parliament laid the groundwork for President Vladimir Putin , who first took office in 2000 , to remain in the Kremlin until 2036 .
The move came as part of sweeping constitutional changes that Putin first announced in January and many saw as a ploy by the Russian leader to retain power beyond 2024 , when his second consecutive presidential term will come to an end .
Tuesday offered clarity .
During a State Duma session on the amendments , Valentina Tereshkova , a deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , proposed adding another change to the list — resetting presidential terms to zero after the constitutional amendments are passed to allow Putin to run for president once again .
“ This would be a stabilizing factor for our society , ” she said .
Soon after , the Russian leader arrived at the State Duma and made it clear that he was open to persuasion .
“ In principle , this option would be possible , but on one condition : if the Constitutional Court formally concluded that such an amendment would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of basic law and the Constitution , ” Putin told the lawmakers , to applause .
Minutes later , State Duma deputies approved Tereshkova 's proposed amendment .
As for the Constitutional Court , which critics see as beholden to the Kremlin , political consultant Yevgeny Minchenko told The Moscow Times he couldn ’ t see a scenario in which it wouldn ’ t uphold the proposal .
A nationwide vote on the constitutional amendments is planned for April 22 .
In addition to Tereshkova ’ s amendment , Russians will vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man and a woman and faith in God , among a raft of other changes .
Putin set off a political firestorm during his annual state-of-the-nation address on Jan. 15 when , in a shock move , he proposed reforming the Constitution .
Just hours later , then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced his and his entire government ’ s resignation on live television .
In the weeks since , as the nation has attempted to decipher Putin ’ s plans , the longtime leader has been coy , stating multiple times that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for life .
“ It would be very worrying to return to the situation we had in the mid-1980s when state leaders stayed in power , one by one , until the end of their days and left office without ensuring the necessary conditions for a transition of power , ” he said in one interview aired on state television .
That might have contributed to the confusion among Russian voters .
According to a recent survey published by the independent Levada Center pollster , a quarter said they would support the constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not understand why the changes are needed .
According to Levada , 44 % of voters want Putin to quit in 2024 , while 45 % believe he should stay .
Putin , 67 , is Russia ’ s longest serving leader since Josef Stalin .
He would be 83 when his potential sixth presidential term would end in 2036 , making him older than Leonid Brezhnev was when he died in power at 75 .
He would also have served longer than Stalin .
In his address to the State Duma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stability — a key pillar of his support among Russians who recall the country ’ s turbulent transition to a market economy after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 — in considering the possibility that a transition of power might not take place in 2024 .
In doing so , Putin highlighted the ongoing coronavirus epidemic and the recent collapse of Russia ’ s agreement with OPEC .
Earlier Tuesday morning , the Russian stock market plunged 10 % — a day after the ruble fell to its lowest value in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , did not state explicitly that he would run for president — keeping speculation alive that he might find other ways to remain in control , like heading a beefed up State Council .
“ I ’ m sure that together , we will do many more great things , at least until 2024 , ” he said in closing his speech .
“ And then we will see.
” Political scientist Yekaterina Schulmann urged against rushing to conclusions after the speech , in which Putin also rejected a proposal by lawmakers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned for September 2021 .
“ He has extended the scenario of uncertainty , ” she said .
“ Just two days ago everyone was sure that we would have early State Duma elections.
” As the dust settled , Russia ’ s most prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny offered his own interpretation .
“ All is clear , ” he wrote on Twitter .
“ Putin will be president for life .
”

In a whirlwind series of events on Tuesday, Russia’s lower house of parliament laid the groundwork for President Vladimir Putin, who first took office in 2000, to remain in the Kremlin until 2036. The move came as part of sweeping constitutional changes that Putin first announced in January and many saw as a ploy by the Russian leader to retain power beyond 2024, when his second consecutive presidential term will come to an end. Tuesday offered clarity. During a State Duma session on the amendments, Valentina Tereshkova, a deputy who was the first woman in space, proposed adding another change to the list — resetting presidential terms to zero after the constitutional amendments are passed to allow Putin to run for president once again. “This would be a stabilizing factor for our society,” she said. Soon after, the Russian leader arrived at the State Duma and made it clear that he was open to persuasion. “In principle, this option would be possible, but on one condition: if the Constitutional Court formally concluded that such an amendment would not contradict the principles and basic provisions of basic law and the Constitution,” Putin told the lawmakers, to applause.
news Putin Says Will Not Bend Law to Extend Grip on Power Read more
Minutes later, State Duma deputies approved Tereshkova's proposed amendment. As for the Constitutional Court, which critics see as beholden to the Kremlin, political consultant Yevgeny Minchenko told The Moscow Times he couldn’t see a scenario in which it wouldn’t uphold the proposal. A nationwide vote on the constitutional amendments is planned for April 22. In addition to Tereshkova’s amendment, Russians will vote on enshrining marriage as a union between a man and a woman and faith in God, among a raft of other changes. Putin set off a political firestorm during his annual state-of-the-nation address on Jan. 15 when, in a shock move, he proposed reforming the Constitution. Just hours later, then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced his and his entire government’s resignation on live television. In the weeks since, as the nation has attempted to decipher Putin’s plans, the longtime leader has been coy, stating multiple times that he does not want to remain in power for life. “It would be very worrying to return to the situation we had in the mid-1980s when state leaders stayed in power, one by one, until the end of their days and left office without ensuring the necessary conditions for a transition of power,” he said in one interview aired on state television. That might have contributed to the confusion among Russian voters. According to a recent survey published by the independent Levada Center pollster, a quarter said they would support the constitutional proposals, while 56% said they did not understand why the changes are needed. According to Levada, 44% of voters want Putin to quit in 2024, while 45% believe he should stay.
Putin, 67, is Russia’s longest serving leader since Josef Stalin. He would be 83 when his potential sixth presidential term would end in 2036, making him older than Leonid Brezhnev was when he died in power at 75. He would also have served longer than Stalin. In his address to the State Duma Tuesday, Putin cited the importance of stability — a key pillar of his support among Russians who recall the country’s turbulent transition to a market economy after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 — in considering the possibility that a transition of power might not take place in 2024. In doing so, Putin highlighted the ongoing coronavirus epidemic and the recent collapse of Russia’s agreement with OPEC. Earlier Tuesday morning, the Russian stock market plunged 10% — a day after the ruble fell to its lowest value in over four years. Putin, however, did not state explicitly that he would run for president — keeping speculation alive that he might find other ways to remain in control, like heading a beefed up State Council. “I’m sure that together, we will do many more great things, at least until 2024,” he said in closing his speech. “And then we will see.” Political scientist Yekaterina Schulmann urged against rushing to conclusions after the speech, in which Putin also rejected a proposal by lawmakers to hold early State Duma elections, currently planned for September 2021. “He has extended the scenario of uncertainty,” she said. “Just two days ago everyone was sure that we would have early State Duma elections.” As the dust settled, Russia’s most prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny offered his own interpretation. “All is clear,” he wrote on Twitter. “Putin will be president for life.”


themoscowtimes--2020-03-10--MH17 Trial Postponed as Prosecution Slams Russian 'Misinformation'

SCHIPHOL , The Netherlands — The presiding judge in the MH17 murder trial on Tuesday postponed the hearings until March 23 , when the court will decide on how the trial should proceed following judical requests from the defense and relatives of the victims of the plane crash .
Monday was the first day of the long awaited trial .
Dutch prosecutors allege that the defendants , three Russians and a Ukrainian who are being tried in absentia , were instrumental in the 2014 shooting down of the passenger plane that killed all 298 people on board , most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russians Sergey Dubinsky , Oleg Pulatov and Igor Girkin and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko — held senior posts in the pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine in 2014 , according to prosecutors .
The four face preliminary charges of the murder of 298 people and of causing the aircraft to crash .
The suspects are believed to be in Russia .
On Tuesday , the court decided to adjourn until March 23 after the defense team for Russian suspect Oleg Pulatov asked for additional time to analyze the case while a lawyer representing many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have access to the case file .

SCHIPHOL, The Netherlands — The presiding judge in the MH17 murder trial on Tuesday postponed the hearings until March 23, when the court will decide on how the trial should proceed following judical requests from the defense and relatives of the victims of the plane crash.
Monday was the first day of the long awaited trial. Dutch prosecutors allege that the defendants, three Russians and a Ukrainian who are being tried in absentia, were instrumental in the 2014 shooting down of the passenger plane that killed all 298 people on board, most of them Dutch nationals.
The defendants — Russians Sergey Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Igor Girkin and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko — held senior posts in the pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine in 2014, according to prosecutors.
The four face preliminary charges of the murder of 298 people and of causing the aircraft to crash. The suspects are believed to be in Russia.
On Tuesday, the court decided to adjourn until March 23 after the defense team for Russian suspect Oleg Pulatov asked for additional time to analyze the case while a lawyer representing many of the family members of the victims asked to have access to the case file.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-10--Baby Seal Rescued in Baltic Sea

Baby Seal Rescued in Baltic Sea

Ksenia , a baby seal , was rescued last month from the Finnish Gulf after losing her mother in a @ @ @ @ @ weather linked to climate change , ice has n't formed in the gulf this year @ @ @ @ @ natural habitat for breeding .
Ksenia is now being rehabilitated by the Friends of the @ @ @ @ @ NGO based in St. Petersburg .

Ksenia, a baby seal, was rescued last month from the Finnish Gulf after losing her mother in a storm.
Because of warm weather linked to climate change, ice hasn't formed in the gulf this year, depriving seals of their natural habitat for breeding.
Ksenia is now being rehabilitated by the Friends of the Baltic Seal Foundation, an NGO based in St. Petersburg.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | March 12

There have been 28 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far .
As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 4,000 people continues to spread around the world , Russia has stepped up measures to tackle the pandemic , including closing most entry points along its 4,200-kilometer border with China , ordering people returning from high-risk areas to self-quarantine and temporarily banning Chinese citizens from entering the country .
The number of coronavirus infections in Russia as of March 12 .
Below are the latest updates on Russia ’ s response to the coronavirus — The Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high alert '' status for the region due to the coronavirus , banning all large events over 5,000 people and encouraging companies to allow their employees to telecommute .
The remote-working measures do not apply to the city of Moscow , home to 12 million people .
— A joint Russian-European mission to Mars has been postponed for two years , the Russian and European space agencies said Thursday , citing the coronavirus and technical issues .
— A religious procession in central Russia aimed at fighting the coronavirus has been canceled due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
— About 100 Chinese students in Moscow will be deported from Russia because they violated their self-quarantine orders , the Kommersant business daily reported .
— Russian scientists say they have developed a device that can test for coronavirus in 15 minutes , the state-run TASS news agency reported .
The device could be made available to consumers as early as this autumn .
— State Duma lawmaker Sergei Katasonov did not self-quarantine after returning from France and was present at work for several days before his colleagues told him to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said .
Zhirinovsky , who leads the party Katasonov belongs to , proposed stripping him of his parliamentary powers as punishment .
— The World Health Organization declared that the coronavirus is a pandemic as the number of cases worldwide surpassed 112,000 in 114 different countries .
— Russia will suspend most flights to and from Italy , Germany , France and Spain over the coronavirus outbreak , starting from Friday , Russia 's coronavirus crisis center said in a statement .
Russia will also stop issuing tourist visas to Italian citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the center said .
— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia rose to 28 from 20 on Wednesday and all the people tested positive in the last day had previously traveled to Italy , according to the coronavirus crisis center 's statement .
— Moscow has banned large events of more than 5,000 people until April 10 in a move to prevent the spread of the virus , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a decree .
The ban applies to `` sports , entertainment , public and other mass events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused the city of using the health crisis as an excuse to prevent people from protesting President Vladimir Putin 's constitutional reforms that could allow him to stay in power past his term limit .
— Thailand has suspended visas on arrival for citizens of 18 countries including Russia in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
— State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy is isolating himself in self-quarantine after returning to Moscow from Paris , he wrote on Facebook , adding that he is `` completely healthy '' and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Ministry has canceled the Moscow International Security Conference due to the threat of coronavirus , the RBC news website reported .
The defense and international affairs conference , which would have been attended by more than 1,000 delegates from 115 countries , had been scheduled for April 22-23 .
— Russia 's consumer safety watchdog recommended that people avoid public transport , shopping malls and other public places at rush hour as a precaution against the coronavirus , the state-run RIA news agency reported .
`` Refrain from visiting public places : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and transport during rush hour , '' the Rospotrebnadzor watchdog was quoted as saying .
— Another three people in Moscow have been diagnosed with coronavirus overnight , the RBC news website reported , citing a report from city officials it obtained .
The three individuals had recently visited Italy .
—Moscow city authorities threatened prison terms of up to five years for people failing to self-isolate in their homes for two weeks after visiting countries hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak .
— Russia confirmed four new cases of coronavirus , taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whom have since recovered .
— Russia has reported six new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours , including five in Moscow and one in Nizhny Novgorod 400 kilometers east of the capital .
All six cases were contracted in Italy , one of several virus hubs outside China , the authorities said .
— Russian officials have conducted more than 51,000 tests for the coronavirus nationwide , the consumer protection watchdog said .
— Seven Russian passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were placed in a two-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been discharged .
Two other quarantined patients are awaiting test results .
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced a “ high alert regime , ” ordering self-isolation for Russians returning from China , South Korea , Iran , France , Germany , Italy and Spain .
—Russia canceled its flagship annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum this year as a precaution against coronavirus , the Interfax news agency cited First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov as saying .
The forum , usually chaired by President Vladimir Putin , was due to be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ —Russia 's state carrier Aeroflot said it would suspend its flights to and from Hong Kong amid fears over coronavirus .
The airline will continue flying from Moscow to Hong Kong until March 7 and from Hong Kong to Moscow until March 8 , after which those services will be suspended .
— Moscow authorities have drafted an emergency plan that envisions a near shutdown of the Russian capital in case of a coronavirus outbreak .
— Officials confirmed a seventh coronavirus infection in the country .
The patient is an Italian citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 , asked for medical help on March 2 and tested positive for the virus .
He is being treated at an undisclosed hospital .
— Russian businesses have started to cancel foreign business trips and participation in international conferences after a recommendation from the Health Ministry to restrict foreign travel .
— Students at a university dormitary in St. Petersburg have been placed under quarantine and prohibited from leaving the building after the hospitalization of an Italian exchange student who had been living there .
The number of patients in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has nearly doubled to 44 people .
— Two Russian citizens have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in the United Arab Emirates , the country 's health ministry said .
— Russia has temporarily banned the export of medical masks , gloves , bandages and protective suits .
— President Vladimir Putin said that fake news reports about coronavirus were being sent to Russia from abroad to spread panic .
He urged the government to ensure that citizens were correctly informed about the situation in Russia .
— Russian gas giant Gazprom has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus outbreak , a company spokesman said .
— The Moscow metro has begun random checks of passengers ' temperatures at station entrances , Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .

Russia has confirmed 18,315,292 cases of coronavirus and 378,784 deaths , according to the national coronavirus information center. Russia’s total excess fatality count since the start of the coronavirus pandemic is at least 995,000. Under half the population is fully vaccinated.
— QR codes will be issued to Russians who test positive for Covid-19 antibodies, regardless of their vaccination status.
— Russians will be able to take an antibody test to obtain a coronavirus health pass from Feb. 21, the Health Ministry said Tuesday.
— Russia reported more than 200,000 new Covid-19 infections for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
— After a three-day decline, Russia saw an an increase of Covid-19 infections with a total of 179,284 new infections and 748 deaths.
Russians and foreigners will be able to receive a coronavirus QR-code health pass based on the results of an antibody test from Monday.
Russia reported 137,642 new Covid-19 infections and 785 deaths over the last 24 hours.
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Feb. 10
— Russia reported a total of 197,076 new infections and 701 deaths.
Feb. 9
— Russia reported a total of 183,103 new infections and 669 deaths.
Feb. 8
— Russia reported a total of 165,643 new infections and 698 deaths.
— Almost 12,000 children with Covid-19 are currently being treated in hospitals, while children make up about 20% of the country's total number of coronavirus cases, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko announced.
Feb. 7
— Russia reported 171,905 new coronavirus infections and 609 deaths.
Feb. 6
— Russia reported a record 180,071 new coronavirus infections and 661 deaths.
Feb. 5
— Russia reported another record number of new coronavirus infections. A total of 177,282 new infections and 714 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.
Feb. 4
— Russia reported another record number of new coronavirus infections. A total of 168,201 new infections and 682 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.
— Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine has a 70.5% efficacy against the Delta variant of the coronavirus six months after vaccination, the jab’s developers said Friday. The findings were published as part of the results of Phase 3 medical trials into the vaccine. Omicron has displaced Delta as the dominant strain of the coronavirus in Moscow and is sweeping rapidly across the country.
Feb. 3
— Russia reported a new record number of new coronavirus infections. A total of 155,768 new infections and 667 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.
— Russia plans to cancel mandatory isolation requirements for people who come into contact with somebody infected with Covid-19, Anna Popova, the head of the Rospotrebnadzor consumer health watchdog said Friday. She said the forced quarantine rules “have lost their reasoning” with the surge in Omicron cases.
Feb. 2
— Russia reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the fifth consecutive day. The country’s coronavirus task force confirmed 141,883 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours and 678 fatalities.
Feb. 1
— Russia reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the fourth consecutive day. The country’s coronavirus task force confirmed 125,836 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours and 663 fatalities.
— Russia's Labor Ministry has recommended that all enterprises send as many of their employees to remote work as possible due to the surge in Covid-19 cases.
— A growing number of Russian regions are re-introducing coronavirus lockdown measures due to the surging Omicron variant, even as the Kremlin on Monday repeated that there will be no nationwide lockdown due to the variant’s spread. Fifteen regions across the country have suspended routine medical care due to the overwhelming number of hospitalizations, while five regions have sent schoolchildren to remote learning and four regions banned mass gatherings. The Tula region south of Moscow took the most drastic step in the latest virus surge by announcing a 10-day regionwide holiday.
Jan. 31
— Russia reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the third consecutive day. The country’s coronavirus task force confirmed 124,070 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours and 621 fatalities.
— Russia’s excess fatalities reached 995,000 by the end of 2021, according to The Moscow Times’ analysis of official statistics. The country also saw its largest natural population decline since the end of the Soviet Union, registering a fall of more than one million in 2021, the Rosstat statistics service said Friday.
Jan. 30
— Russia reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day. The country’s coronavirus task force confirmed 121,228 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours and 617 fatalities.
Jan. 29
— Russia reported more than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the first time ever. The country’s coronavirus task force confirmed 113,112 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours and 668 fatalities.
— Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "clear that the real number of people who have Covid-19 is slightly higher than the official statistics."
— Moscow does not plan to introduce new lockdown measures in response to the Omicron variant, the RBC news website reported, citing two sources close to the Mayor's Office.
Jan. 28
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the eighth day running. A total of 98,040 new infections and 673 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours. Case numbers have doubled in the span of a week.
Jan. 27
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the seventh day running. A total of 88,816 new infections and 665 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours. Case numbers have doubled in the span of a week.
— The number of Covid-19 patients admitted to hospital in the capital jumped 22% on Thursday and is now running close to peaks recorded during the two previous waves of the virus in 2021.
Jan. 26
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the sixth day running. A total of 74,692 new infections and 657 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.
— Children in St. Petersburg will be barred from sporting, cultural and entertainment establishments from Jan. 28-Feb. 13, city authorities announced.
— Russia has cut the quarantine period for people infected with Covid-19 from 14 to seven days, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced Tuesday.
Jan. 25
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the fifth day running. A total of 67,809 new infections and 681 deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours.
— Around 70% of people infected with the Omicron variant in Russia are unvaccinated, said Anna Popova, the head of Russia’s consumer health watchdog, in a televised meeting.
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the capital was likely to see growing coronavirus cases for at least two more weeks, as the Omicron variant fuels a record rise in infections.
Jan. 24
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the fourth day running. A total of 65,109 new infections and 655 deaths were recorded.
Jan. 23
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections for the third day running. A total of 63,205 new infections were recorded over the last 24 hours and 679 deaths.
Jan. 22
— Russia reported a record number of new coronavirus infections as the Omicron variant continued its rapid spread across the country. A total of 57,212 new infections were recorded over the last 24 hours and 681 deaths.
Jan. 21
— Amid rising cases, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on extended a requirement for businesses in the capital to ensure 30% of their employers were working from home.
— Russia plans to cut the isolation period from 14 to seven days for those infected with Covid-19, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said.
— Russian lawmakers have agreed to withdraw from consideration an unpopular bill for QR-code health passes to enter public spaces, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said.
Jan. 19
— Russia reported 33,899 new Covid-19 infections and 698 deaths.
— Cases in Russia’s second city of St. Petersburg set a new record high Wednesday with 4,382 new confirmed cases. In Moscow, where Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Omicron has become the dominant strain, new infections set their third-highest daily toll since the start of the pandemic on Wednesday of 8,795.
Jan. 18
— Russia reported 31,252 new Covid-19 infections and 688 deaths.
Jan. 17
— Russia reported 30,726 new Covid-19 infections and 670 deaths.
— The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is still awaiting additional documentation on Sputnik V before it can proceed with the vaccine approval process, the EU’s Ambassador to Moscow said Monday. The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Russia said Sunday the vaccine’s developers had submitted all the required information needed for its approval process, and further inspections will take place in February, though other WHO officials later appeared to contradict this, saying they were still waiting for a full data package from Russia.
Jan. 16
— Russia reported 29,230 new Covid-19 infections and 686 deaths.
Jan. 15
— Russia reported 27,179 new Covid-19 infections and 723 deaths.
Jan. 14
— Russia reported 23,820 new Covid-19 cases and 739 deaths
— Russia will delay controversial legislation over the use of coronavirus health passes for access to public spaces, officials said Friday, citing “new challenges” presented by the Omicron variant.
— Foreigners will be able to obtain a coronavirus health pass — QR code — in Russia by taking an antibody test, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said Friday. The passes will be valid for six months.
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Friday that Omicron had become the dominant coronavirus strain in the Russian capital, accounting for more than half of all new infections.
Jan. 13
— Russia reported 21,155 new Covid-19 infections — a 17.8% increase overnight — and 740 deaths.
Jan. 12
— Russia reported 17,946 new Covid-19 infections and 745 deaths.
— Russia has so far confirmed 698 official cases of the Omicron variant, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova announced at a meeting on Wednesday.
— President Vladimir Putin said health authorities only have “a couple of weeks” to prepare for the next wave of the pandemic.
— Russia delivered fewer than 80 million doses of its Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines to other countries in 2021, according to Unicef data cited by The Washington Post. The jab’s developers had initially planned to export doses for more than 500 million people, but have been beset by production and delivery delays. The vaccine has also yet to be approved by either the World Health Organization (WHO) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Jan. 11
— Russia reported 17,525 new Covid-19 infections and 783 deaths.
— The presence of the Omicron variant in the Russian capital is already “significant,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. He warned that the city would see a major increase in infections within 7-10 days, adding that “it is quite possible that we will face a worse situation than in previous waves.”
— Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered the military to limit vacations and trips abroad for servicemen and women due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
— Russia will be “covered” by the Omicron variant and should brace for a “very high” number of Covid-19 cases, Alexander Gintsburg, the head of the state-run Gamaleya Institute which developed the country’s Sputnik V vaccine, said.
Jan. 10
— Russia confirmed 15,830 Covid-19 infections and 741 deaths.
Jan. 9
— Russia confirmed 16,246 Covid-19 infections and 763 deaths.
Jan. 8
— Russia confirmed 16,568 Covid-19 infections and 796 deaths.
Jan. 7
— Russia confirmed 16,735 Covid-19 infections and 787 deaths.
Jan. 6
— Russia confirmed 15,316 Covid-19 infections and 802 deaths.
Jan.5
— Russia confirmed 15,772 Covid-19 infections and 828 deaths.
Jan. 4
— Russia confirmed 15,903 Covid-19 infections and 834 deaths.
Jan. 3
— Russia confirmed 16,343 Covid-19 infections and 835 deaths.
Jan. 2
— Russia confirmed 18,233 Covid-19 infections and 811 deaths.
Jan. 1
— Russia confirmed 19,751 Covid-19 infections and 847 deaths.
Dec. 31
— Russia confirmed 20,638 Covid-19 infections and 912 deaths.
— Russia recorded more than 115,000 excess deaths during November 2021, according to official statistics published Thursday — a new record high since the start of the pandemic.
— Russia's Health Ministry on Thursday advised Russians against traveling abroad for the New Year holiday due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
— Over 100 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Russia, Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova said Thursday.
Dec. 30
— Russia confirmed 21,073 Covid-19 infections and 926 deaths. Cases in Moscow rose from 1,798 on Wednesday to 2,661 on Thursday, a nearly 50% increase.
Dec. 29
— Russia confirmed 21,119 Covid-19 infections and 932 deaths.
Dec. 28
— Russia confirmed 21,922 Covid-19 infections and 935 deaths.
Dec. 27
— Russia confirmed 23,210 Covid-19 infections and 937 deaths.
Dec. 26
— Russia confirmed 23,721 Covid-19 infections and 968 deaths.
Dec. 25
— Russia confirmed 24,946 Covid-19 infections and 981 deaths.
Dec. 24
— Russia confirmed 24,703 Covid-19 infections and 998 deaths.
Dec. 23
— Russia confirmed 25,667 Covid-19 infections and 1,002 deaths.
— Moscow confirmed over 3,000 new Covid cases, a 60% jump compared to Wednesday.
Dec. 22
— Russia on Wednesday confirmed 25,264 Covid-19 infections and 1,020 deaths.
Dec. 21
— Russia on Tuesday confirmed 25,907 Covid-19 infections and 1,027 deaths.
— Russia has detected 41 cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 so far, health authorities said Tuesday.
Dec. 20
— Russia confirmed 27,022 Covid-19 infections and 1,019 deaths.
Dec. 19
— Russia confirmed 27,967 Covid-19 infections and 1,024 deaths.
— Russia could send free shipments of its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to Africa in the future, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which finances and promotes the jab, has said.
Dec. 18
— Russia confirmed 27,434 Covid-19 infections and 1,076 deaths.
Dec. 17
— Russia confirmed 27,743 Covid-19 infections and 1,080 deaths.
— Russia claimed its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine provides “robust” long-term protection against the Omicron variant, disputing the findings of an independent study which found the Russian jab produced no antibody response whatsoever to the new highly transmissible variant.
Dec. 16
— Russia has detected the Omicron variant in 25 people so far, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said.
— Russia confirmed 28,486 Covid-19 infections and 1,133 deaths.
— Russian lawmakers approved legislation in a first reading that will require people to show health passes to access public places like bars and restaurants, as the country gears up for a winter Covid wave.
— Russia has not yet provided all the information requested by the WHO to certify the country’s flagship Sputnik V vaccine, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. “It's true that some information needed for certification has not yet been submitted. We had a different understanding of what information was needed and how it has to be submitted, we have different standards, etc," Peskov told journalists, adding that the Kremlin is not worried by the lengthy approval process the vaccine has faced.
Dec. 15
—Russians with coronavirus antibodies from both foreign and domestic vaccines will be able to get a QR code valid for six months, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said Monday.
— Russia will scrap the proposed bill that would require QR codes to access public transport, State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced on his Telegram channel on Sunday.
Dec. 6
— Russia has confirmed its first reported cases of the Omicron variant. The new strain was detected in two people who traveled into the country from South Africa, Russia’s consumer and health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said. Another 10 Russians who returned from South Africa have tested positive for the coronavirus and their samples are currently being analyzed to determine the variant, the agency added.
Dec. 3
— Russia said it recorded its deadliest month in decades in October, with the total number of excess deaths since the start of the coronavirus pandemic surpassing 810,000.
Dec. 2
— Russia will require citizens entering the country from South Africa or neighboring countries to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival due to the Omicron variant starting Dec. 2, Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova announced.
Nov. 30
— Russian President Vladimir Putin called for mutual recognition of vaccines against the coronavirus to help curtail the pandemic, as concern grows around the world about the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
— Russians returning from countries with which Moscow has not formally restored air travel will have to quarantine for 14 days, Anna Popova, the head of Russia’s Rospotrebnadzor consumer and health watchdog said. The validity of health passes obtained by a negative PCR test will also be reduced from 72 to 48 hours. Popova also advised Russians not to travel abroad for New Year holidays as part of a package of recommendations outlined in response to the Omicron variant.
— Putin has ordered the government to create an updated action plan for the Omicron strain by next week, he said at an investment forum.
Nov. 29
— As many as 1,500 Russian tourists have been left stranded in South Africa as countries scramble to ban flights from the region, media reported Monday.
— The backers of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V said Monday that the jab is effective against the new Omicron coronavirus variant but they were also developing an adapted booster.
Nov. 28
— The new Omicron variant may be spreading across Russia by tourists returning from Egypt, Senator and Honored Doctor of Russia Vladimir Krugly said Sunday. Russia’s consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, which leads the country’s Covid-19 response efforts, later denied Krugly’s claims.
Nov. 25
— St. Petersburg aims to vaccinate 80% of its population by mid-January through vaccination, its Governor Alexander Beglov said Thursday. He said 67% of the city is currently vaccinated.
— Russian lawmakers are seeking to recognize those vaccinated against the coronavirus with foreign jabs, the Izvestia daily reported Thursday.
Nov. 24
— President Vladimir Putin repeated his stance that Covid-19 vaccination should be voluntary as regions and cities tighten restrictions on the unvaccinated.
— He added that he has received a nasal Covid-19 vaccine, days after saying he received a Sputnik Light booster shot.
— Russia has registered a Covid-19 vaccine for children 12 to 17 years old, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova announced.
Nov. 23
— Russia and Hungary have agreed to mutually recognize each others' vaccination certificates, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, marking the first such agreement between Russia and another country.
Nov. 22
— A Siberian region of Russia has become the first in the country to impose self-isolation rules for residents who haven’t yet been vaccinated against Covid-19.
— The republic of Tatarstan became the first Russian province to enforce QR code passes on public transit earlier Monday.
Nov. 21
— President Vladimir Putin said he had had a third dose of a Covid vaccine. "I had it two hours ago," Putin said on state television channel Rossiya 24, assuring viewers that his booster injection of the Sputnik vaccine had been painless.
Nov. 19
— Russia's herd immunity has surpassed 50%, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said.
Nov. 17
— Two more Russian coronavirus vaccines are currently undergoing preclinical trials, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said. So far, Russia has authorized four vaccines: Sputnik V, the one-dose Sputnik Light, EpiVacCorona and CoviVak.
— There is "no end in sight" to the Covid-19 pandemic in Russia yet, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
— A Far East Russian region has become the first in the country to introduce vaccine passports for internal flights as federal lawmakers race to mandate health passes for public transport and other areas.
Nov. 16
— Russia will resume air travel with Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mongolia from Dec. 1, authorities announced. It will also lift all remaining restrictions on flights with Mexico, Cuba and Qatar starting that day. Starting Dec. 12, train connections to Finland will resume.
Nov. 16
— U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has received approval to conduct trials of Paxlovid, a novel oral antiviral treatment aimed at preventing and treating Covid-19. Ninety people in a handful of Russian cities will take part in the trials.
Nov. 12
— Russia will introduce health passes for access to public places, restaurants and intercity trains and planes in a radical move designed to boost Russia's sluggish vaccination campaign.
Nov. 9
— St. Petersburg mandated vaccination against Covid-19 for all residents over 60 years old as well as people with certain chronic illnesses.
— Russia is now the world leader in coronavirus deaths for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
— The developer of Russia's coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V has said Moscow should make jabs mandatory as inoculation rates remain low despite record deaths and campaigning by authorities.
Nov. 8
— Russia’s nationwide paid holiday aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus came to an end Monday. Some regions are keeping the restrictions in place and many others are implementing digital passes showing proof of vaccination or recent Covid-19 recovery.
— QR codes proving one's vaccination continue to be valid for one year after vaccination, Russia's Health Ministry and Digital Development Ministry said Monday following reports that the validity period had changed to 6 months.
Nov. 2
— Russia's single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine produces a strong antibody response among recipients, according to research published in leading medical journal The Lancet. Sputnik Light is the first dose of Russia's two-dose Sputnik V vaccine, which is the backbone of Russia's domestic vaccination campaign and is being sold around the world.
Nov. 1
— Russian authorities said that doctors were under "extraordinary" strain due to surging coronavirus cases in Europe's worst-hit country.
— The Novgorod region in northwestern Russia has become the first region to extend the non-working week. It will order all non-essential workers to take a mandated paid holiday for an additional week after Nov. 7.
Oct. 27
— The Kremlin cautioned Russians against traveling during the Oct. 30-Nov. 7 non-working period ordered by Moscow to stem a spike in coronavirus infections and deaths.
— The Israeli government will allow tourists vaccinated with Russia's Sputnik V vaccine to enter the country starting Nov. 15.
Oct. 26
— All of Russia's 85 regions across 11 time zones have now mandated vaccines for certain categories of workers, Anna Popova, who heads the federal health watchdog that is leading the country’s response to the virus, said.
— The European Union expects countries including Russia to investigate the sale of fake Covid-19 certificates online and take appropriate measures, an EU spokesperson told RBC. The cybersecurity company Kaspersky said last week that it uncovered counterfeit travel certificates made to look as if they were issued in France or Poland being sold for an average price of $300 on the Telegram messaging app.
— Authorities in annexed Crimea said they plan to purchase mobile refrigerators to store bodies in the city of Simferopol as Covid-19 deaths continue to rise and the city's morgues are overwhelmed.
Oct. 25
— Russian authorities were investigating nurses and a doctor in St. Petersburg accused of selling fake coronavirus vaccination certificates, as the country faces a deadly new wave. The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said a doctor and three nurses are suspected of pocketing at least 100,000 rubles ($1,430) from 12 people after selling official certificates without having administered jabs.
— President Vladimir Putin instructed regional leaders to order restaurants to close between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. and to ban all entertainment events.
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin imposed a partial citywide lockdown between Oct. 28-Nov. 7 to stem the spread of the virus.
— The restrictions suspend businesses, services, catering, sports, recreation, entertainment and film screenings with the exception of the sale of essential goods like medicines and food. Mass events, except those authorized by health officials, will be banned, and theater and museum attendance will be capped at 50% with mask-wearing and digital-code rules in place. In-person public services will be suspended and kindergarteners and school students sent home between Oct. 28 and Nov. 7.
The Moscow region introduced identical restrictions shortly after Sobyanin’s announcement.
— President Vladimir Putin will not meet people face-to-face during Russia's nationwide week-long paid holiday starting on Oct. 30 designed to curb Covid infections amid record deaths, his spokesman said.
— The pace of vaccinations in Russia has accelerated following a string of regions imposing vaccine mandates for workers in certain sectors of the economy and vaccine passports for entry into indoor venues, according to the Gogov website which tracks vaccine uptake across the country. It estimates Russia is administering more than 300,000 first doses each day — up from around 120,000 a day earlier October.
Oct. 23
— Russia's second city St. Petersburg will impose a partial lockdown from Oct. 30-Nov. 7, authorities announced.
Oct. 21
— Sochi is bracing for an influx of tourists during public holidays starting Oct. 30 designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Occupancy rates in hotels are set to be at least 75%, the city’s mayor said — equivalent to peak summer months at the Black Sea resort. The city has introduced vaccine passports for entry into restaurants and bars in a bid to stop the spread of the virus despite the mass inflow of tourists.
— Russia has detected a new sub-variant of the Delta strain of the coronavirus, which risks compounding the country’s spiraling infections and deaths, a senior Russian government scientist warned.
— The European Union’s drug regulator will not approve Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine until at least the first months of 2022, Reuters reported.
Oct. 20
— President Vladimir Putin announced a non-working week in Russia from Oct. 30-Nov. 7. Putin pleaded with Russians to get vaccinated and said the public holidays could be extended further if cases do not start to fall.
— Nationwide, 87% of hospital beds reserved for coronavirus patients are occupied, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said in a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
Oct. 19
— Some 1,100 medical staff died from Covid-19 in Russia during the first six months of 2021, the chair of the State Duma’s budget committee said. That is more than twice the number who succumbed to the virus in 2020, he added.
— Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has backed plans for a nationwide non-working week starting Oct. 30. The proposal was put forward by Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova during a televised government meeting. Mishustin said the strict measures — effectively a paid vacation or orders for workers at non-essential businesses to stop going into their place of work — were “now necessary” given increased numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Golikova said some regions should introduce the non-working week earlier, on Oct. 23 and also called for unvaccinated pensioners to start self-isolating at home.
Oct. 18
— Russia's second city, St. Petersburg, announced it would tighten restrictions to battle a surge in Covid-19 cases, introducing a health pass to regulate access to crowd events.
— Moscow authorities will start fining public transport passengers whose face masks do not cover their nose and mouth, a transit official said.
— South Africa's health products regulator said it would not approve Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine due to concerns it could increase the risk of HIV infection among men. The decision was based on earlier studies testing the safety of a modified form of adenovirus — a type of virus that causes respiratory infections — known as the Ad5 and contained in the Russian jab.
— Russia will allow family members of foreigners who live in Russia to enter the country, the Foreign Ministry said. The relaxation will allow people from countries not yet on Russia’s designated list of open countries to receive a special entry permit to come to Russia, provided they have a close relative living in Russia.
Oct. 16
— According to Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova, 38 of Russia’s 85 regions have introduced vaccine mandates for certain categories of citizens and employees working in designated sectors of the economy, such as retail and hospitality.
Oct. 15
— Russia will resume regular air travel with the Bahamas, Iran, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Slovenia, Tunisia, Sweden and Thailand starting Nov. 9, the national Covid-19 headquarters announced.
Oct. 14
— Health Minister Mikhail Murashko has called on doctors who are self-isolating or even retired due to the pandemic to get vaccinated and return to work due to record increases in Covid-19 infections and deaths.
Oct. 12
— The Moscow region that surrounds the capital has imposed vaccine mandates for sales, food, transport, public service, hair salon and fitness club employees.
— Roughly 235,000 of Russia's 255,000 Covid hospital beds nationwide are occupied, with 6,000 patients on ventilators, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said.
— Russia’s western exclave of Kaliningrad has suspended planned medical procedures as it battles an “extremely difficult” surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. The central Mari El region also canceled routine operations and medical treatment from Tuesday, warning that it had run out of free hospital beds and may soon have to start treating patients in corridors.
Oct. 11
— The Kremlin described Russia's Covid fatality toll as "high" and the country's vaccination rate as "unacceptably" low, even as it rejected new restrictions so as to protect the economy.
— Moscow launched free express coronavirus tests at 20 locations across the city, as the capital continues to battle with rising infection rates. The tests give a result in 15 minutes, but are less effective than the gold standard PCR tests. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said rapid testing would allow “socially responsible citizens” to ensure they are not spreading the virus.
— The Leningrad region that surrounds St. Petersburg will require residents to present QR codes proving their vaccination status or a negative PCR test in order to enter theaters, cinemas, swimming pools and gyms through Nov. 15.
Oct. 8
— Russia reported 65,000 excess fatalities in August in a 45% jump on pre-pandemic mortality rates, official data showed. The country's overall number of excess deaths since the start of the coronavirus stands at 660,000.
— EU Ambassador to Russia Markus Ederer said that the country "has repeatedly postponed" the timing of the inspection requested by the European Medicines Agency which has slowed down the approval process of the vaccine in the EU. The Russian Ministry of Health responded by saying that it presented the EU with all the necessary documents that the block requested.
Oct. 7
— A World Health Organization delegation will visit Russia this month as part of its approval procedure for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, Russian Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriyev said.
— The problem behind WHO's suspension of Sputnik V's approval process has been resolved, said Mariangela Simao, WHO's assistant director general for access to medicines, vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
— Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has announced that mass PCR testing will be introduced in Russia's capital in 1-2 weeks.
— Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said the federal government recommends Russian regions introduce QR-codes for attending mass events, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported.
Oct. 4
— Russia’s top cabinet official on Monday criticized the country's stalling vaccination rates for failing to slow the spread of Covid-19 as Russians die in numbers not seen since the start of the pandemic.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--Putin May Have Just Become President for Life

President Vladimir Putin may have just won his ticket to stay in the presidency for life .
The State Duma @ @ @ @ @ a package of constitutional amendments that include a clause that would allow any former or @ @ @ @ @ office , regardless of the number of terms the candidate previously served .
Now the @ @ @ @ @ regional legislatures before the general public votes on it on April 22 .

President Vladimir Putin may have just won his ticket to stay in the presidency for life.
The State Duma and Federation Council have approved a package of constitutional amendments that include a clause that would allow any former or current president to run for office, regardless of the number of terms the candidate previously served.
Now the amendment must be approved by regional legislatures before the general public votes on it on April 22.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--Duma Speaker: Putin, Not Oil, Is Russia’s Greatest Advantage

Volodin ’ s speech came in the wake of a proposed constitutional amendment that could allow Putin to remain in office until 2036 by resetting his presidential terms .
The amendment , proposed on Tuesday by deputy Valentina Tereshkova , has been controversial .
Russia ’ s greatest advantage in forging a new future is none other than President Vladimir Putin himself , State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said Thursday .
Addressing the State Duma on Thursday , Volodin urged lawmakers to act as patriots and unite for the common cause of strengthening Russia ’ s future through Putin ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin ] is the core of the Russian Federation ...
He grabbed Russia from the point of no return and assumed a responsibility that would remain with him for life , ” Volodin said .
Pointing to oil and gas — which make up the bulk of Russia ’ s economy but have both dramatically fallen in price in the past week — Volodin defended Putin as Russia ’ s greatest asset on the world stage .
“ Today , given the challenges and threats that exist in the world , oil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ As you can see , both oil and gas can fall in price .
Our advantage is Putin , and we must protect him.
” Volodin also used his position to defend Tereshkova , who was the first woman in space , saying that criticizing her is tantamount to attacking Russia itself .
Later on Thursday , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin agreed to support the amendment because of the “ very , very turbulent ” situation in the world today .
“ In times like these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orderly government is very significant , ” Peskov told reporters .
Under Russia ’ s Constitution , Putin will be required to step down from the presidency in 2024 , at the end of his second consecutive and fourth overall term .
Putin hasn ’ t confirmed that he would run for the presidency again if the amendment resetting his presidential terms is adopted .

Volodin’s speech came in the wake of a proposed constitutional amendment that could allow Putin to remain in office until 2036 by resetting his presidential terms. The amendment, proposed on Tuesday by deputy Valentina Tereshkova, has been controversial.
Russia’s greatest advantage in forging a new future is none other than President Vladimir Putin himself, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said Thursday.
Addressing the State Duma on Thursday, Volodin urged lawmakers to act as patriots and unite for the common cause of strengthening Russia’s future through Putin’s rule.
“Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] is the core of the Russian Federation... He grabbed Russia from the point of no return and assumed a responsibility that would remain with him for life,” Volodin said.
Pointing to oil and gas — which make up the bulk of Russia’s economy but have both dramatically fallen in price in the past week — Volodin defended Putin as Russia’s greatest asset on the world stage.
“Today, given the challenges and threats that exist in the world, oil and gas are not our advantages,” he said. “As you can see, both oil and gas can fall in price. Our advantage is Putin, and we must protect him.”
Volodin also used his position to defend Tereshkova, who was the first woman in space, saying that criticizing her is tantamount to attacking Russia itself.
Later on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin agreed to support the amendment because of the “very, very turbulent” situation in the world today.
“In times like these, having a stable, secure, orderly government is very significant,” Peskov told reporters.
Under Russia’s Constitution, Putin will be required to step down from the presidency in 2024, at the end of his second consecutive and fourth overall term. Putin hasn’t confirmed that he would run for the presidency again if the amendment resetting his presidential terms is adopted.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--Putin Forever? And Russia's Economy Rocked by Coronavirus Fallout

This week on the podcast : — In a televised statement to Russia ’ s parliament , Vladimir Putin backed a constitutional shake-up that could see him remain President for another two full terms .
The plans would mean Russia ’ s cap of two six-year presidential terms for presidents would be re-set when a batch of high-profile constitutional amendments come into force later this year , thereby allowing Putin to run for office again in 2024 and 2030 — should he wish to of course .
To dig into the developments and look at what happens now , Professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute at Kings College London joins us on the line .
— Last week , Russia rejected a proposal from Saudi Arabia to cut oil production in response to the economic fallout of the coronavirus , kicking off an “ oil price war ” and sending global energy prices tumbling .
In the studio to weigh up those claims and assess the real damage , Natasha Doff , Economy and government editor at Bloomberg News here in Moscow .
From Russia With News is hosted by Jake Cordell and produced by Pjotr Sauer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at CM Records Studio in central Moscow .

This week on the podcast:
— In a televised statement to Russia’s parliament, Vladimir Putin backed a constitutional shake-up that could see him remain president for another two full terms.
The plans would mean Russia’s cap of two six-year presidential terms for presidents would be reset when a batch of high-profile constitutional amendments come into force later this year, thereby allowing Putin to run for office again in 2024 and 2030 — should he wish to of course. To dig into the developments and look at what happens now, Professor Sam Greene, head of the Russia Institute at King's College London, joins us on the line.
— Last week, Russia rejected a proposal from Saudi Arabia to cut oil production in response to the economic fallout of the coronavirus, kicking off an “oil price war” and sending global energy prices tumbling. In the studio to weigh up those claims and assess the real damage is Natasha Doff, economy and government editor at Bloomberg News here in Moscow.
From Russia With News is hosted by Jake Cordell and produced by Pjotr Sauer. The episode was recorded and edited at CM Records Studio in central Moscow.
Read more:


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--Russia-Europe Mars Mission Delayed to 2022 Over Coronavirus

It was scheduled to launch later this year after experiencing several delays .
The unmanned ExoMars mission aims to place a robot on the Red Planet to find out whether life is present .
`` We have made a difficult but well-weighed decision to postpone the launch to 2022 , '' said Dmitry Rogozin , head of Russia 's Roscosmos agency .
A joint Russian-European mission to Mars has been postponed for two years , the Russian and European space agencies said Thursday , citing the coronavirus and technical issues .
Officials at the European and Russian spaces agencies said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August or September 2022 to carry out further tests .
Following recommendations by European and Russian inspectors , `` ExoMars experts concluded that the tests necessary to make all the components of the spacecraft for the Mars adventure need more time to complete , '' the statement said .
European Space Agency director general Jan Wörner said both sides wanted to be `` 100 % '' sure of a successful mission .
`` We can not allow ourselves any margin of error .
More verification activities will ensure a safe trip and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said in a statement that did not mention the virus .
Rogozin specifically pointed to the impact of the outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe saying the `` exacerbation of the epidemiological '' situation had hampered the scheduled launch .
The Mars mission has been marred by a series of technical problems and delays .
In August last year , the ESA identified problems with the mission 's parachute system , raising questions over whether the launch would go ahead in 2020 .

It was scheduled to launch later this year after experiencing several delays.
The unmanned ExoMars mission aims to place a robot on the Red Planet to find out whether life is present.
"We have made a difficult but well-weighed decision to postpone the launch to 2022," said Dmitry Rogozin, head of Russia's Roscosmos agency.
A joint Russian-European mission to Mars has been postponed for two years, the Russian and European space agencies said Thursday, citing the coronavirus and technical issues.
Officials at the European and Russian spaces agencies said they agreed to delay the mission until August or September 2022 to carry out further tests.
Following recommendations by European and Russian inspectors, "ExoMars experts concluded that the tests necessary to make all the components of the spacecraft for the Mars adventure need more time to complete," the statement said.
European Space Agency director general Jan Wörner said both sides wanted to be "100%" sure of a successful mission.
"We cannot allow ourselves any margin of error. More verification activities will ensure a safe trip and the best scientific results on Mars," he said in a statement that did not mention the virus.
Rogozin specifically pointed to the impact of the outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe saying the "exacerbation of the epidemiological" situation had hampered the scheduled launch.
The Mars mission has been marred by a series of technical problems and delays.
In August last year, the ESA identified problems with the mission's parachute system, raising questions over whether the launch would go ahead in 2020.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--World Athletics Fines Russia $10M, Caps Neutral Russian Athletes at 10

The system of allowing Russian athletes to take part as Authorized Neutral Athletes , World Athletics president Sebastian Coe warned , `` will be suspended if $ 5 million of the $ 10 million fine is not paid by July 1 , 2020 . ''
World Athletics on Thursday fined Russia 's track and field federation $ 10 million for breaching anti-doping rules and capped at 10 the number of Russians allowed to compete as neutrals at the Tokyo Olympics .
`` The remaining $ 5 million of the fine will be suspended for two years , to be paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Federation ) commits a further breach of the Anti-Doping Rules or fails to make meaningful progress towards satisfying the reinstatement conditions set by Council . ''
Coe said the Council felt `` severely let down by the previous RUSAF administration , which is why it has approved a new set of criteria for reinstatement of the federation . ''
`` This requires the new administration to set a clear roadmap for reinstatement , to be approved by Council , and greater oversight of the roadmap process by independent international personnel based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision-making Council had last year put a freeze on the system of allowing Russian athletes to compete as neutrals , simultaneously suspending the process of reinstating RUSAF over charges against its officials that they obstructed an anti-doping investigation .
The Russian body has just appointed a new head , Yevgeny Yurchenko , who quickly agreed with accusations made by the Athletics Integrity Unit ( AIU ) against RUSAF on the wrongdoings in the tipping-point case of high jumper Danil Lysenko , in which `` forged documents and false explanations '' were provided as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrite acknowledgement , paired with wholesale personnel change within RUSAF , opened the door for Rune Andersen 's World Athletics Task Force to deliver a more positive option for Russian athletes , albeit just 10 of them , just 19 weeks away from the Tokyo Olympics .

The system of allowing Russian athletes to take part as Authorized Neutral Athletes, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe warned, "will be suspended if $5 million of the $10 million fine is not paid by July 1, 2020."
World Athletics on Thursday fined Russia's track and field federation $10 million for breaching anti-doping rules and capped at 10 the number of Russians allowed to compete as neutrals at the Tokyo Olympics.
"The remaining $5 million of the fine will be suspended for two years, to be paid immediately if during that period RUSAF (the Russian Federation) commits a further breach of the Anti-Doping Rules or fails to make meaningful progress towards satisfying the reinstatement conditions set by Council."
Coe said the Council felt "severely let down by the previous RUSAF administration, which is why it has approved a new set of criteria for reinstatement of the federation."
"This requires the new administration to set a clear roadmap for reinstatement, to be approved by Council, and greater oversight of the roadmap process by independent international personnel based in Russia."
World Athletics' decision-making Council had last year put a freeze on the system of allowing Russian athletes to compete as neutrals, simultaneously suspending the process of reinstating RUSAF over charges against its officials that they obstructed an anti-doping investigation.
Those decisions prompted wholesale change at RUSAF.
The Russian body has just appointed a new head, Yevgeny Yurchenko, who quickly agreed with accusations made by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) against RUSAF on the wrongdoings in the tipping-point case of high jumper Danil Lysenko, in which "forged documents and false explanations" were provided as an alibi to his whereabouts.
That contrite acknowledgement, paired with wholesale personnel change within RUSAF, opened the door for Rune Andersen's World Athletics Task Force to deliver a more positive option for Russian athletes, albeit just 10 of them, just 19 weeks away from the Tokyo Olympics.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--Russian Furniture Maker’s ‘Racist’ Ad Ignites Outrage

A Russian furniture maker has apologized for publishing an advertisement that seemingly compared different skin colors with shades of upholstery after the ad ignited backlash .
The Home Collection furniture factory ’ s ad shows a group of models of different races next to a range of upholstery swatches .
The ad , which was first published on the factory ’ s VKontakte page on Jan. 30 , resurfaced this week after the “ Ruthless PR ” Telegram channel republished it .
“ Each skin color is self-sufficient and unique , ” the ad ’ s text reads .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of several skin colors allows you to create natural color solutions.
” Users quickly expressed outrage at the ad , calling its comparison of races to furniture colors “ racist.
” Others , however , failed to see the problem , with one user writing “ Only those obsessed with racism could see it here.
” Vasilisa Karpukhina , the brand manager for Home Collection , told the Govorit Moskva radio station Thursday that the post had been deleted and that the company would “ take the necessary measures to prevent such situations @ @ @ @ @

A Russian furniture maker has apologized for publishing an advertisement that seemingly compared different skin colors with shades of upholstery after the ad ignited backlash.
The Home Collection furniture factory’s ad shows a group of models of different races next to a range of upholstery swatches. The ad, which was first published on the factory’s VKontakte page on Jan. 30, resurfaced this week after the “Ruthless PR” Telegram channel republished it.
“Each skin color is self-sufficient and unique,” the ad’s text reads. “At the same time, the combination of several skin colors allows you to create natural color solutions.”
Users quickly expressed outrage at the ad, calling its comparison of races to furniture colors “racist.”
Others, however, failed to see the problem, with one user writing “Only those obsessed with racism could see it here.”
Vasilisa Karpukhina, the brand manager for Home Collection, told the Govorit Moskva radio station Thursday that the post had been deleted and that the company would “take the necessary measures to prevent such situations” in the future.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--Russians See Mass Protests As Increasingly Unlikely – Poll

Russians are less likely to take to the streets today than they were a year ago as their living standards @ @ @ @ @ Levada Center pollster has said .
The polling agency asked respondents if they think mass @ @ @ @ @ in living standards and in defense of their rights are likely to take place .
@ @ @ @ @ President Vladimir Putin ’ s speech in the State Duma on Tuesday , during which @ @ @ @ @ constitutional amendment that could see him stay in power until 2036 .
Twenty-six percent of @ @ @ @ @ are “ quite possible , ” according to the Levada Center ’ s results cited @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
This is an 8 % decrease from February 2019 , when 34 % @ @ @ @ @ were likely .
In contrast , 70 % of Russians surveyed said that mass protests @ @ @ @ @ up from 63 % last year .

Russians are less likely to take to the streets today than they were a year ago as their living standards gradually improve, the independent Levada Center pollster has said.
The polling agency asked respondents if they think mass protests against Russians’ decline in living standards and in defense of their rights are likely to take place. The poll was conducted before President Vladimir Putin’s speech in the State Duma on Tuesday, during which he voiced support for a constitutional amendment that could see him stay in power until 2036.
Twenty-six percent of Russian respondents said mass protests are “quite possible,” according to the Levada Center’s results cited by the RBC news website Thursday. This is an 8% decrease from February 2019, when 34% of Russians said mass protests were likely.
In contrast, 70% of Russians surveyed said that mass protests are unlikely to happen, up from 63% last year.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--Russia Supplies Ex-Soviet States, Iran, North Korea with Coronavirus Test Kits

The state health watchdog said in a statement that Moscow had sent 800 test kits to ex-Soviet states including Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan , as well as to Iran , North Korea and Mongolia .
Russia said Thursday it has sent test kits for the novel coronavirus to countries including Iran , North Korea and ex-Soviet states .
Russia ally Iran received 500 kits which can be used to carry out 50,000 tests , the watchdog said , adding that these were supplied free of charge .
Iran is one of the countries most affected by the outbreak with 9,000 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of North Korea , another ally of Moscow , has not confirmed a single case of COVID-19 , although there is a major outbreak in neighboring South Korea .
Russia has already supplied 10 countries with test kits which have been used to identify cases in Belarus and Armenia , the watchdog said .
The tests are made at `` Vector , '' a state-run virus and biotechnology research center in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk .
Russia earlier this month banned the export of surgical masks , ventilators and hazmat suits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So far , Russia has confirmed 28 cases of coronavirus , most of them people who had recently visited Italy .

The state health watchdog said in a statement that Moscow had sent 800 test kits to ex-Soviet states including Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, as well as to Iran, North Korea and Mongolia.
Russia said Thursday it has sent test kits for the novel coronavirus to countries including Iran, North Korea and ex-Soviet states.
Russia ally Iran received 500 kits which can be used to carry out 50,000 tests, the watchdog said, adding that these were supplied free of charge.
Iran is one of the countries most affected by the outbreak with 9,000 cases and 354 deaths.
The closed state of North Korea, another ally of Moscow, has not confirmed a single case of COVID-19, although there is a major outbreak in neighboring South Korea.
Russia has already supplied 10 countries with test kits which have been used to identify cases in Belarus and Armenia, the watchdog said.
The tests are made at "Vector," a state-run virus and biotechnology research center in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk.
Russia earlier this month banned the export of surgical masks, ventilators and hazmat suits to ensure supplies for its own citizens.
So far, Russia has confirmed 28 cases of coronavirus, most of them people who had recently visited Italy.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--We Will Publish Woody Allen’s Axed Book, RT Editor Says

Russia ’ s state-run RT broadcaster is willing to publish director Woody Allen ’ s memoir after the controversial book @ @ @ @ @ publisher , its editor-in-chief has said .
Publisher Hachette canceled publication of the book earlier @ @ @ @ @ by Allen ’ s son , the journalist Ronan Farrow , led to mass staff @ @ @ @ @ office .
Allen has been accused of molesting his adopted daughter , Dylan Farrow , @ @ @ @ @ , claims that he denies .
“ We will publish your book — if you @ @ @ @ @ no one ’ s life story should be silenced , and that all sides deserve @ @ @ @ @ RT chief editor Margarita Simonyan wrote on her Facebook page Wednesday .
Oscar-winning filmmaker Allen @ @ @ @ @ shopped his memoir “ Apropos of Nothing ” to multiple publishers before reaching a deal @ @ @ @ @ work has been revered for decades , his reputation has largely failed to recover in @ @ @ @ @ .

Russia’s state-run RT broadcaster is willing to publish director Woody Allen’s memoir after the controversial book was dropped by its U.S. publisher, its editor-in-chief has said.
Publisher Hachette canceled publication of the book earlier this month after a protest by Allen’s son, the journalist Ronan Farrow, led to mass staff walkouts at its New York office. Allen has been accused of molesting his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, when she was a child, claims that he denies.
“We will publish your book — if you wish — because we believe no one’s life story should be silenced, and that all sides deserve a fair hearing,” RT chief editor Margarita Simonyan wrote on her Facebook page Wednesday.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Allen, 84, had reportedly shopped his memoir “Apropos of Nothing” to multiple publishers before reaching a deal with Hachette. While his work has been revered for decades, his reputation has largely failed to recover in the post-#MeToo era.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-12--U.S. Ex-Marine on Trial for Attacking Moscow Police

A US ex-marine stood trial in Moscow Wednesday on charges that he had attacked police officers , and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted .
Trevor Reed , 28 , allegedly attacked police called by friends after he became very intoxicated and risked walking into traffic .
While being driven to a police station , he reportedly grabbed the arm of a police officer , causing the car they were in to swerve , and elbowed another officer in the abdomen .
The incident happened in August 2019 and Reed , who is from Texas , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre since then .
Police escorted Reed into the courtroom of Moscow 's Golovino district court for the hearing , attended by his parents , sister and Russian girlfriend .
He declined to answer questions from media in the courtroom , saying : `` You 'll have to ask my attorney . ''
His father Joey Reed told AFP his son had chosen not to plead guilty because he can not remember the incident .
`` He ca n't plead honestly one way or another , '' Reed 's father said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing of the evening except people trying to toast him with vodka at a party . ''

A US ex-marine stood trial in Moscow Wednesday on charges that he had attacked police officers, and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Trevor Reed, 28, allegedly attacked police called by friends after he became very intoxicated and risked walking into traffic.
While being driven to a police station, he reportedly grabbed the arm of a police officer, causing the car they were in to swerve, and elbowed another officer in the abdomen.
The incident happened in August 2019 and Reed, who is from Texas, has been held in a Moscow pre-trial detention centre since then.
Police escorted Reed into the courtroom of Moscow's Golovino district court for the hearing, attended by his parents, sister and Russian girlfriend.
He declined to answer questions from media in the courtroom, saying: "You'll have to ask my attorney."
His father Joey Reed told AFP his son had chosen not to plead guilty because he cannot remember the incident.
"He can't plead honestly one way or another," Reed's father said.
"He was extremely intoxicated. He remembers nothing of the evening except people trying to toast him with vodka at a party."


themoscowtimes--2020-03-11--Russia Labels European Democracy NGO 'Undesirable'

The European Union founded the Brussels-based EED in 2013 to support pro-democracy movements and independent media outside its borders that can not obtain funding otherwise .
Russia has declared the European Endowment for Democracy grant-making foundation an “ undesirable ” organization Wednesday , making it the 20th foreign group facing limitations for its work in the country .
“ This organization ’ s activities pose a threat to the foundations of Russia ’ s constitutional system and security , ” the Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office said in a statement .
A 2015 law allows Russian prosecutors to limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” foreign groups , punishing violators with fines or prison terms up to six years .
It expands on Russia ’ s 2012 ban on “ foreign agents , ” which also includes a 2017 expansion to include foreign-funded news outlets and a 2019 expansion that encompasses individual journalists and bloggers .
Last year , Russian lawmakers tasked with weeding out alleged foreign interference endorsed penalties for Russian nationals who attend “ undesirable ” NGO courses abroad .
They accused these groups of influencing election campaigns , engaging minors in mass riots and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

The European Union founded the Brussels-based EED in 2013 to support pro-democracy movements and independent media outside its borders that cannot obtain funding otherwise.
Russia has declared the European Endowment for Democracy grant-making foundation an “undesirable” organization Wednesday, making it the 20th foreign group facing limitations for its work in the country.
“This organization’s activities pose a threat to the foundations of Russia’s constitutional system and security,” the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement.
A 2015 law allows Russian prosecutors to limit or halt the work of “undesirable” foreign groups, punishing violators with fines or prison terms up to six years.
It expands on Russia’s 2012 ban on “foreign agents,” which also includes a 2017 expansion to include foreign-funded news outlets and a 2019 expansion that encompasses individual journalists and bloggers.
Last year, Russian lawmakers tasked with weeding out alleged foreign interference endorsed penalties for Russian nationals who attend “undesirable” NGO courses abroad. They accused these groups of influencing election campaigns, engaging minors in mass riots and “forming public tolerance to drug use.”


themoscowtimes--2020-03-11--Moscow to Build New $135M Coronavirus Hospital – Reports

The funds will go toward constructing the building on the city ’ s outskirts and will not be used for the purchase of medical equipment , Znak cited an unnamed source close to City Hall as saying .
Moscow plans to earmark 8.5 billion rubles ( $ 135.7 million ) for the construction of a new coronavirus hospital as the Russian capital continues to detect new cases , the Znak.com news website reported Wednesday .
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced the construction of a new coronavirus hospital in southwest Moscow on Tuesday .
It will become the third medical facility assigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Russian capital .
Neither Sobyanin ’ s announcement nor his draft decree cited by Znak.com specifies when the new hospital will be built .
Znak.com reported , however , that the draft decree orders sewage treatment and heating systems to be installed at the facility within a month .
City authorities said Wednesday that 1,000 people who had come into contact or traveled with Moscow ’ s nine coronavirus patients have been placed under medical observation .
The details of 700 others who had since left Moscow were forwarded to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia has so far reported a total of 20 coronavirus cases , most of which were contracted by people who had recently visited Italy .
Sobyanin announced a “ high alert regime ” last week , ordering self-isolation for Russians returning from hotspots China , South Korea , Iran , France , Germany , Italy and Spain .

The funds will go toward constructing the building on the city’s outskirts and will not be used for the purchase of medical equipment, Znak cited an unnamed source close to City Hall as saying.
Moscow plans to earmark 8.5 billion rubles ($135.7 million) for the construction of a new coronavirus hospital as the Russian capital continues to detect new cases, the Znak.com news website reported Wednesday.
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced the construction of a new coronavirus hospital in southwest Moscow on Tuesday. It will become the third medical facility assigned to treat patients infected with the virus in the Russian capital.
Neither Sobyanin’s announcement nor his draft decree cited by Znak.com specifies when the new hospital will be built.
Znak.com reported, however, that the draft decree orders sewage treatment and heating systems to be installed at the facility within a month.
City authorities said Wednesday that 1,000 people who had come into contact or traveled with Moscow’s nine coronavirus patients have been placed under medical observation. The details of 700 others who had since left Moscow were forwarded to the other Russian regions, they added.
Russia has so far reported a total of 20 coronavirus cases, most of which were contracted by people who had recently visited Italy.
Sobyanin announced a “high alert regime” last week, ordering self-isolation for Russians returning from hotspots China, South Korea, Iran, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-11--Russian Lawmakers Adopt Putin’s Sweeping Constitutional Amendments

Putin , who has dominated the Russian political landscape either as president or prime minister for the past 20 years , is constitutionally mandated to step down in 2024 .
He paved the way for running again in 2024 when he backed a “ reset ” of presidential terms in a surprise visit to the Russian parliament Tuesday .
Russian lawmakers have backed a set of constitutional amendments Wednesday that would allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036 .
The State Duma voted 383 to 0 in favor of lifting the restrictions Wednesday , with 43 abstentions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court would have to rule whether this would not contradict Russia ’ s main law .
The amendment allows a sitting or a former president to run for office “ regardless of the number of terms which that person held at the time when the amendment came into force.
” If , as Putin 's critics suspect , the court gives its blessing to the amendment and it is backed in a nationwide vote in April , Putin could serve another two back-to-back six-year terms .
Were he to do that , Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until 2036 at which point he would be 83 .
Putin has not spelled out what his plans for the future are , but he has said he does not favor the Soviet-era practice of having leaders for life who die in office .
Wednesday ’ s State Duma vote came after Putin unveiled a major shake-up of Russian politics and a constitutional overhaul in January .
The lawmakers cast their votes as opponents of the presidential “ reset ” held single-person pickets outside the State Duma and upper-house Federation Council buildings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ against what some called a rewriting of the constitution in the interests of the ruling elite .
One group said it had applied for permission to stage a demonstration on March 21 .

Putin, who has dominated the Russian political landscape either as president or prime minister for the past 20 years, is constitutionally mandated to step down in 2024. He paved the way for running again in 2024 when he backed a “reset” of presidential terms in a surprise visit to the Russian parliament Tuesday.
Russian lawmakers have backed a set of constitutional amendments Wednesday that would allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036.
The State Duma voted 383 to 0 in favor of lifting the restrictions Wednesday, with 43 abstentions. Putin said Tuesday that the Constitutional Court would have to rule whether this would not contradict Russia’s main law.
The amendment allows a sitting or a former president to run for office “regardless of the number of terms which that person held at the time when the amendment came into force.”
If, as Putin's critics suspect, the court gives its blessing to the amendment and it is backed in a nationwide vote in April, Putin could serve another two back-to-back six-year terms.
Were he to do that, Putin, 67, could stay in office until 2036 at which point he would be 83. Putin has not spelled out what his plans for the future are, but he has said he does not favor the Soviet-era practice of having leaders for life who die in office.
Wednesday’s State Duma vote came after Putin unveiled a major shake-up of Russian politics and a constitutional overhaul in January. The lawmakers cast their votes as opponents of the presidential “reset” held single-person pickets outside the State Duma and upper-house Federation Council buildings.
Opposition activists said they planned to protest against what some called a rewriting of the constitution in the interests of the ruling elite. One group said it had applied for permission to stage a demonstration on March 21.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-11--Putin Says Russian Economy Will Emerge 'Stronger' from Turbulence

President Vladimir Putin insisted on Wednesday that Russia will weather the economic storm triggered by its oil standoff with Saudi @ @ @ @ @ stronger . ''
`` I am sure that Russia will get through this turbulent period @ @ @ @ @ '' Putin said during a meeting with investors .
`` There are all the chances @ @ @ @ @ sectors to come out of this situation much stronger and ready for very serious competition @ @ @ @ @ `` This will effect the Russian economy in a positive way , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ to agree on oil production cuts within OPEC+ , its alliance with the Saudi-led Organization @ @ @ @ @

President Vladimir Putin insisted on Wednesday that Russia will weather the economic storm triggered by its oil standoff with Saudi Arabia and come out "stronger."
"I am sure that Russia will get through this turbulent period with dignity, calmly," Putin said during a meeting with investors.
"There are all the chances for Russia's key industrial sectors to come out of this situation much stronger and ready for very serious competition," Putin added.
"This will effect the Russian economy in a positive way," he said.
Moscow last week failed to agree on oil production cuts within OPEC+, its alliance with the Saudi-led Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-11--Tatler Becomes First Russian Magazine to Feature Trans Woman on Cover

Tatler has become Russia ’ s first magazine to feature a transgender woman on its cover , the society magazine announced as its April issue hit newsstands Wednesday .
The Kazakh-born , Paris- and Moscow-based socialite Natalia Maximova came out to her Instagram followers in December .
In the interview with Tatler ’ s chief editor , Maximova said she “ never had the need to come out ” until she witnessed and intervened in a confrontational scene in Belgium .
“ I understood then that I have no right not to defend others .
I have no right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tatler , a Condé Nast publication in Russian circulation since 2008 , said it hoped Maximova ’ s interview “ will give hope to those who need it.
” “ I want to dedicate [ the cover ] to those who fight , to those who love and to those who made their choices or [ are ] on their way to [ making ] a decision , ” Maximova wrote .
At least half a dozen major magazines around the world have featured transgender models on their covers , including Vanity Fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was previously known as former Olympic champion Bruce Jenner .
Russia classifies transgender people as mentally ill and requires them to obtain a psychiatric diagnosis of “ transsexualism ” before receiving prescribed and controlled hormone treatment .
Russia is due in 2020 to change its classification to a sexual health issue in line with the World Health Organization ’ s global manual of diagnoses .
In the absence of official statistics , experts say around 15,000 transgender people live in Russia , or 0.1 % of the country ’ s population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a transgender woman was rehired and compensated for lost income last year in Russia 's first known court case to acknowledge workplace discrimination against a transgender person .
An independent poll last spring said that Russian support for the LGBT community had reached a 14-year high .
At the same time , research has found an increase in crimes against members of the LGBT community after Russia passed its so-called “ gay propaganda ” law in 2013 .

Tatler has become Russia’s first magazine to feature a transgender woman on its cover, the society magazine announced as its April issue hit newsstands Wednesday. The Kazakh-born, Paris- and Moscow-based socialite Natalia Maximova came out to her Instagram followers in December. In the interview with Tatler’s chief editor, Maximova said she “never had the need to come out” until she witnessed and intervened in a confrontational scene in Belgium.
“I understood then that I have no right not to defend others. I have no right to stay silent,” she said. Tatler, a Condé Nast publication in Russian circulation since 2008, said it hoped Maximova’s interview “will give hope to those who need it.” “I want to dedicate [the cover] to those who fight, to those who love and to those who made their choices or [are] on their way to [making] a decision,” Maximova wrote. At least half a dozen major magazines around the world have featured transgender models on their covers, including Vanity Fair’s 2015 cover of Caitlyn Jenner, who was previously known as former Olympic champion Bruce Jenner.
Russia classifies transgender people as mentally ill and requires them to obtain a psychiatric diagnosis of “transsexualism” before receiving prescribed and controlled hormone treatment. Russia is due in 2020 to change its classification to a sexual health issue in line with the World Health Organization’s global manual of diagnoses. In the absence of official statistics, experts say around 15,000 transgender people live in Russia, or 0.1% of the country’s population.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-11--Russia Finds Defects in Mars, Telecom Rockets – Vedomosti

The launch of Russia ’ s Express 80 and Express 103 satellites on one Proton-M rocket has now been rescheduled for late May instead of March due to the defective parts , the Khrunichev Space Center which builds the rockets announced Tuesday .
Another Proton-M is still reportedly due to carry the Russian-European ExoMars-2020 rover to Mars in July .
Russia has detected defective parts in its Proton-M rockets that were set to launch Europe ’ s first rover on Mars and two communications satellites , the Vedomosti business daily reported Wednesday .
Both Proton-Ms were revealed to contain defective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vedomosti cited an unnamed source at Khrunichev as saying .
The latest revelation follows a series of Proton launch failures over the past decade and the discovery of 71 defective Proton rocket engines in 2016 .
The blunders threw the reliability of the Russian space industry into question .
Vedomosti ’ s source said that the Roscosmos space agency ’ s 450-million-ruble ( $ 7.2 million ) quality control inspection program for 2019-22 has helped avoid potential tragedies with the launches of flawed rockets .
The ExoMars mission is still expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be replaced within 45 days , according to Vedomosti .
Khrunichev announced Tuesday that it formed a special commission to find and punish those responsible for the flaw .

The launch of Russia’s Express 80 and Express 103 satellites on one Proton-M rocket has now been rescheduled for late May instead of March due to the defective parts, the Khrunichev Space Center which builds the rockets announced Tuesday. Another Proton-M is still reportedly due to carry the Russian-European ExoMars-2020 rover to Mars in July.
Russia has detected defective parts in its Proton-M rockets that were set to launch Europe’s first rover on Mars and two communications satellites, the Vedomosti business daily reported Wednesday.
Both Proton-Ms were revealed to contain defective bolts which made the rockets less durable, Vedomosti cited an unnamed source at Khrunichev as saying.
The latest revelation follows a series of Proton launch failures over the past decade and the discovery of 71 defective Proton rocket engines in 2016. The blunders threw the reliability of the Russian space industry into question.
Vedomosti’s source said that the Roscosmos space agency’s 450-million-ruble ($7.2 million) quality control inspection program for 2019-22 has helped avoid potential tragedies with the launches of flawed rockets.
The ExoMars mission is still expected to launch this July because the defective parts should be replaced within 45 days, according to Vedomosti.
Khrunichev announced Tuesday that it formed a special commission to find and punish those responsible for the flaw.


themoscowtimes--2020-03-11--U.S., Canadian Jets Intercept Russian Reconnaissance Aircraft

The two Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft on Monday entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone , sparking the deployment of @ @ @ @ @ jets , the command said .
Two Russian military reconnaissance aircraft were intercepted and escorted @ @ @ @ @ U.S. and Canadian air force jets , the North American Aerospace Defense Command said .
@ @ @ @ @ remained in the air defense identification zone , a security perimeter in international airspace , @ @ @ @ @ They came as close as 50 nautical miles to the Alaskan coast , a NORAD @ @ @ @ @ deployed F-22 and CF-18 fighters supported by a KC-135 Stratotanker and an E-3 Sentry AWACS @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The Russian aircraft did not enter United States or Canadian sovereign airspace , @ @ @ @ @ is a joint U.S.-Canadian command focused on the defense of the North American airspace .

The two Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft on Monday entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, sparking the deployment of several NORAD aircraft including fighter jets, the command said.
Two Russian military reconnaissance aircraft were intercepted and escorted for hours near Alaska by U.S. and Canadian air force jets, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said.
The Russian aircraft entered and remained in the air defense identification zone, a security perimeter in international airspace, for about four hours.
They came as close as 50 nautical miles to the Alaskan coast, a NORAD statement said Tuesday.
NORAD deployed F-22 and CF-18 fighters supported by a KC-135 Stratotanker and an E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft to track the Russians.
"The Russian aircraft did not enter United States or Canadian sovereign airspace," they said.
NORAD is a joint U.S.-Canadian command focused on the defense of the North American airspace.