Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Russians can now carry guns for ‘self-defense’
In an amendment to its tough gun control laws, the Russian government eases restrictions, allowing citizens to carry licensed weapons for the purposes of ‘self-defense.’ Until now Russian gun enthusiasts were only permitted to carry firearms for hunting or target shooting after obtaining a license through the Interior Ministry. Russian gun licenses are to be renewed every five years, and applicants face strict background checks and are required to take gun safety courses. The addendum to the law now lists self-defense as a legally acceptable reason for carrying a weapon. However, a 2011 Levada poll found that 81 percent of Russians opposed easing the existing gun regulations.
In spite of its restrictive gun laws, Russia has seen its share gun violence. In 2012, a 30 year old lawyer opened fire on his colleagues at a pharmaceutical company, killing six. Just last year, 15-year-old straight A student, Sergey Gordeyev, killed a teacher and a police officer after taking 29 students hostage. The government’s press service underscored that carrying a weapon will remain prohibited at educational institutions, establishments which operate at night and serve alcohol, and mass public gatherings such as street demonstrations or protests. The legislation also forbids carrying a weapon while under the influence of alcohol. The law broadly defines self-defense weapons, including smoothbore long barrelled guns, pistols, revolvers, and other firearms, as well as Tasers, and devices equipped with teargas. Long barrelled fire arms and edged weapons are, however, forbidden by the law. In addition, the amendment softened requirements for foreigners bringing arms into the Russian Federation or purchasing arms on Russian territory. The grace period for foreigners awaiting a license from the Interior Ministry for firearms has been increased from 5 to 10 days.
INC News, 16/12/2014 - via RT
European Commission ‘blacklists' 19 Kazakhstani airlines
The European Commission released the updated EU Safety List of airlines subject to an operating ban within Europe on Thursday (December 11), Kazinform has learnt from the EC's official website.
Boasting one of the best aviation safety records in the world, Europe strives to raise aviation standards across the globe. To this end, it publishes the EU Safety List that has been updated every three months since 2006, azh kz refers to inform.kz.
According to the updated list, the European Commission banned all Kazakhstani air carriers, except for Air Astana, from operating in European airspace because they were found unsafe.
The list includes 19 Kazakhstani airlines, namely Air Almaty, Atma Airlines, Avia Zhainar, Bek Air, Beybars Aircompany, Burundayavia Airlines, COMLUX-KZ, East Wing, Euro-Asia Air, Fly Jet KZ, Investavia, Irtysh Air, Jet Airlines, Kazair Jet, Kazairtrans Airline, Kazaviaspas, Prime Aviation, SCAT, and Zhetysu Aircompany.
Air Astana has been restricted to operating in Europe under specific conditions - it is only allowed to use the specific aircraft types.
INC News, 16/12/2014 - via AK ZHAIK
Kazakhstan celebrates its Independence Day
Today Kazakhstan celebrates its Independence Day, the main national holiday of the country. It is the 23rd anniversary of independence of the Central Asian republic.
Kazakhstan attained its independence back to 1991. Since the early 90s due to wise and far-sighted policy of President Nursultan Nazarbayev the Republic of Kazakhstan has earned a remarkable standing in the world and built up a reputation for playing a host to such global events as the OSCE Summit in 2010 and annual Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, azh.kz reports.
Kazakhstan promotes the non-proliferation movement. The country abandoned the fourth largest nuclear arsenal and shut down the Semipalatisk nuclear test site.
The young Kazakh capital, Astana, won the right to host the international specialized exhibition "EXPO-2017" in Paris where 103 BIE member states supported its bid.
For the past 23 years since attaining independence Kazakhstan under the leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbayev has enjoyed political stability, expanding economy and growing prosperity of the population. The international community considers Kazakhstan as a strategic partner. It also hails Kazakhstan's success in the international arena and the special role of our country in the Central Asian region.
INC News, 16/12/2014 - via AK Zhaik
RUSSIA - Pericolosi questi giorni di crisi del Rublo! Ruble collapses 2nd day in a row, hits fresh lows against dollar and euro
No end seems to be in sight for the plight of the Russian ruble, which slumped to new record lows against hard currencies Tuesday. The EUR traded at 99.56 against the ruble, and the USD at 79.17.
The Russian stock market also went haywire, dropping more than 15 percent as of 2:30pm Moscow time, after it dropped 11 percent the day before. Sberbank, the country's largest lender, lost 17.77 percent, and VTB, the second biggest bank, fell by 14.29 percent. State-owned oil and gas companies Gazprom, Rosneft, and Surgut also saw shares plummet.
INC News, 16/12/2014 - via RT
LA NUOVA TECNOLOGIA ROMPE LA BARRIERA LINGUISTICA - Ecco come Skype tradurrà chiamate in tempo reale
È la fine di Babele, il sogno di ogni viaggiatore intergalattico. Non si chiama Babelfish, ma Skype Translator, ed è un traduttore simultaneo messo a punto da Microsoft per il programma di messaggistica Skype, che abbatte qualunque barriera geografica e linguistica. Il funzionamento è talmente semplice da sembrare magico: basta parlare, e il software traduce a voce in un’altra lingua. Skype Translator supporterà inizialmente soltanto due lingue, Inglese e Spagnolo, e sarà disponibile sui dispositivi che utilizzano Windows 8.1, ma più di quaranta lingue saranno presto a disposizione, tra cui anche l’italiano.
Sydney: i video girati dal sequestratore. Gli ostaggi davanti alla bandiera nera
Il sequestratore di Sydney ha girato dei video all’interno della cioccolateria dove ha preso in ostaggio decine di persone. Nei filmati, girati dall’uomo con un tablet, si vedono alcuni degli ostaggi costretti a diffondere le richieste del sequestratore. Sullo sfondo una bandiera nera con scritte in arabo. L’uomo ha poi caricato i video su YouTube da dove sono stati subito rimossi
Pakistan: Talebani attaccano scuola, oltre 100 vittime
Strage di studenti in Pakistan. Un gruppo di Talebani ha attaccato una scuola pubblica gestita dall'esercito a Peshawar provocando almeno 104 morti, 84 dei quali sarebbero alunni dell'istituto. All'interno dell'edificio sono state udite sparatorie ed esplosioni. Gli estremisti islamici avrebbero preso centinaia di ostaggi. Il bilancio delle vittime è stato fornito dalle autorità locali della provincia di Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Tantissimi anche i ragazzini rimasti feriti, come mostrano le immagini delle tv pakistane.
UPDATING OF PAKISTAN ATTACK - Taliban kill 100 in assault on Peshawar school
At least 100 people, 80 of them children, have been killed in a Taliban assault on an army-run school in Peshawar, Pakistani officials say. Five or six militants wearing security uniforms entered the school, officials said. Gunfire and explosions were heard as security forces surrounded the area. The army says most of the school's 500 students have been evacuated. It is not clear how many are being held hostage. A Taliban spokesman says the assault is in response to army operations. Hundreds of Taliban fighters are thought to have died in a recent military offensive in North Waziristan and the nearby Khyber area. A school worker and a student interviewed by the local Geo TV station said the attackers had entered the Army Public School's auditorium, where a military team was conducting first-aid training for students.
INC News, 16/12/2014 - via BBC
Russia makes drastic rate rise to 17% to stem rouble decline
The bank said the move was to try to ease the rouble's recent fall in value. The rouble had lost 50% against the US dollar this year as falling oil prices and Western sanctions continue to weigh on the country's economy. Before the move, the dollar bought 67 roubles. The rate rise moved it up to 58 against the dollar, although it has since slipped back to 62.
INC News, 16/12/2014 - via BBC
BREAKING NEWS - PAKISTAN: MULTIPLE CASUALTIES AND HOSTAGES - BREAKING NEWS
Scores of students killed, injured as Taliban captures army-run school in Pakistan.At least 12 people, including students, were killed and 40 injured in a Taliban seizure of a military-run school in Peshawar province, Pakistan, hospital officials said.
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