Salem-News.com Russia articles Page 14

Economic Crisis Behind Increase of Sex Shops in Salem, Oregon`s Ukrainian Sister City

Our Correspondent in Simferopol, Ukraine, reports that the city is experiencing an economic crisis, and an explosion in sex shops. WARNING: Explicit photos.

(SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine) - When the first sex-shop appeared in Simferopol, it was as a symbol of “perestroika” – we have even “it”, and people knew, where it is located - on Pushkin street, near the museum.

The cherished door was located on the back side of the shop – and with expected inscription, «Adults only».

Iran to Test New Air Defense System

Russia and Iran clinched a deal on the sale of S-300 system in December 2007, but Russia has delayed delivery.

(TEHRAN PressTV) - Iran is to test a new anti-aircraft defense system during a five-day aerial maneuver, the Iranian defense minister has said.

The large-scale maneuver, which was launched on Sunday, is mainly aimed at developing the country's aerial defenses against any potential attack on the country's nuclear plants.

Salem as a Symbol of Criminality in Crimea

Simferopol, Ukraine is Salem, Oregon's sister city, and in the years after the fall of Communism, it was a wild and dangerous place.

(SEMFEROPOL, Ukraine) - Probably, the habitats of Salem, Oregon will be surprised, knowing, that the name of their city for inhabitants of Simferopol and all of Crimea shows something connected with the organized criminality.

This history began at the end of late 1980's, when Simferopol signed an agreement with the Salem for establishment of communications and that two cities now will be sister-cities.

Record Harvest of Marijuana Seized by Crimean Militia

News from Simferopol, Ukraine, a sister city of Salem, Oregon: A record harvest of marijuana seized by the Crimean militia in Simferopol, Ukraine may amount to political posturing,

(SEMFEROPOL, Ukraine) - The new chief of the Crimean militia, Gennadiy Moskal, hasn't been in his position very long, but he is attracting attention on a regular basis. Moskal arrested his first assistant, Marina Chernova though Moskal is probably a bigger target for the future. Some speculate that is why president Yushchenko send him to Crimea.

He already arrested Simferopol's Gennadiy Babenko, his assistant Chernova, and now has a new show underway in the Crimea militia’s yard.

Russia: From Bad to Worse

Need to support civil society - representatives abandoned to their fate by authorities in Russian Caucasus.

(GROZNY. Chechnya RFP) - Reporters Without Borders is shocked and angered to learn that the bodies of Zarema Sadulayeva, the head of an NGO that tried to dissuade young people from joining separatist armed groups, and her husband, Alek Djabrailov, were found with gunshot wounds in the boot of a car in Chechnya today following their abduction in the Chechen capital yesterday.

One of the few sources of information about the growing violence and human rights abuses in Ingushetia is the news website Ingushetia.org, whose owner, Magomed Yevloyev, was shot dead while in police custody minutes after being arrested on his return to Ingushetia on 31 August 2008.

U.N. Will Recommend that the World Should Ditch the Dollar

UN Currency specialist Avinash Persaud has long argued that the dollar would give way to the Chinese yuan as a global reserve currency within decades.

(LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) ) - A U.N. panel will next week recommend that the world ditch the dollar as its reserve currency in favor of a shared basket of currencies, a member of the panel said on Wednesday, adding to pressure on the dollar.

Horrifying Double Murder of Lawyer and Journalist in Central Moscow Underlines Climate of Impunity

Horrifying double murder of lawyer and journalist in central Moscow underlines climate of impunity.

(MOSCOW) - Reporters Without Borders today reacted with horror to the double murder in central Moscow of lawyer Stanislav Markelov, specialising in murders committed in Chechnya, and journalist on the bi-weekly Novaya Gazeta who was with him, Anastasia Baburova, shot dead as they left a press conference given by the lawyer.

Markelov had at the January 19th press conference condemned the early release of Yuri Bodanov, a Russian former colonel who was sentenced in 2003 to ten years in prison for the murder of an 18-year-old Chechen, Elza Kungayeva, whose family Markelov was representing.

Group Pressures Russia to End Brown Bear Hibernation Slaughter

Habitat loss and unregulated hunting are driving brown bears into extinction in Russia and parts of Eastern and Western Europe.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The International Fund for Animal Welfare says the slaughter of brown bears each winter in Russia takes a huge toll on bear populations while leaving countless cubs orphaned and left to die.

In Russia during the winter, hunters reportedly enter bear dens, wake the bears from hibernation and then shoot the mother. Den hunting leaves 4,000 bear cubs orphaned every year. Many of these orphaned cubs are left to starve to death, while others are taken to entertain tourists or to be eaten in restaurants.

IFAW is asking those who care about this problem to take the time to sign a petition directed to President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, and they believe an international voice is necessary.

At Least 20 Die in Russian Submarine Accident

The vessel was set to be commissioned in the Russian Navy later this year, and most of the dead were shipbuilders on board to carry out tests.

(MOSCOW, Russia) - The Russian government confirms that at least 20 died Sunday during an accident on a brand new submarine operating in the Sea of Japan. It is the worst Russian submarine disaster since Russia lost the nuclear-powered submarine Kursk in the Barents Sea on August 12th 2000. The submarine was located by searchers at the depth of 108 meters on August 13. All the Kursk's 118 crewmembers died, The ITAR-TASS News agency reports.

Russian Navy Assistant Commander Capt. 1st Class Igor Dugalo says medics have examined the poisoned crew.

"Leading physicians of the Russian Pacific Fleet have examined 21 people affected in the self-induced start of the nuclear-powered submarine fire system. Twenty of them have insignificant poisoning, and the condition of one is more serious." he said.

The Cold War is Over

The Bush Administration blames Russia of the very things it has done in the 21st Century while dismissing its conduct in Iraq as being of no consequence. A large majority of Americans would disagree.

(PASO ROBLES, Calif.) - The U.S. accuses Russia of returning to its authoritative past, but logic suggests the United States is more the aggressor than the Russians.

Since the end of the Cold War and the break up of the Soviet Union, Russia has cooperated with the United States in many significant ways that one would think should cement relationships between them.

Under reasonable circumstances it would, but Geo. W. Bush and his administration seem less interested in rapport [a friendly relationship between people based on mutual respect, trust, and a sense that they understand and share each other's concern] than in expanding U.S. influence worldwide as it relates to Bush’s religious concept.