The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MOSCOW

  • Injury toll rises to 360 in Moscow’s concert terror attack

    Injury toll rises to 360 in Moscow’s concert terror attack

    The number of injuries from last week’s terror attack on the Crocus City Hall in a suburb of Moscow has risen to 360, local media reported today.

    The TASS news agency citing the Federal Disaster Medicine Centre reported this morning that, 360 people, including 11 children, were injured as a result of the terrorist attack.

    According to the centre, 92 people have been hospitalised, 63 others already been discharged, and outpatient care was provided to 205 people.

    Earlier on Monday, head of the Russian Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin said the deaths from Friday’s terrorist attack had risen to 139.

    Read Also: No evidence Ukraine involved in Concert Hall attack near Moscow – U.S.

    Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Tatyana Golikova, said on Tuesday that the rising toll of injuries was from individuals in shock leaving the scene without immediately seeking medical care.

    (Xinhua/NAN)

  • No evidence Ukraine involved in Concert Hall attack near Moscow – U.S.

    No evidence Ukraine involved in Concert Hall attack near Moscow – U.S.

    Washington sees no evidence that Kiev had a hand in a terrorist attack on a concert hall near Moscow, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said.

    Harris claimed in an interview with the ABC News broadcaster that a branch of the Islamic State terrorist group known as ISIS-Khorasan (banned in Russia) was behind the massacre.

    “No, there is no, whatsoever, any evidence (of Ukrainian involvement).

    “And in fact, what we know to be the case is that ISIS-K is actually by all accounts responsible for what happened,” she said.

    She also described the attack as “an act of terrorism.”

    “The number of people who have been killed is a tragedy, and we should all send our condolences to those families,” the U.S. vice president added.

    Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov told Sputnik that there was no need to jump to conclusions, commenting on recent U.S. statements about the ISIS involvement in the terrorist attack, as Russian special services were conducting investigations to find those responsible for the incident.

    A shooting occurred on Friday evening in the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the city of Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow, followed by a massive fire.

    A Sputnik correspondent who witnessed the attack reported that at least three men in camouflage had broken into the music hall, shooting people point-blank and throwing incendiary bombs.

    The Russian authorities said that at least 137 people were killed in the attack, while Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT and the Rossiya Segodnya media group, said the death toll had reached 143 people.

    Read Also: Moscow concert attack: Putin vows revenge as death toll rises to 130

    Eleven people were detained in connection with the attack, including four who were directly involved, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said.

    All four suspected gunmen were detained in the Russian region of Bryansk, which borders Belarus and Ukraine, the FSB added.

    The four suspects were charged with terrorism and ordered to be held in pretrial custody until May 22, Moscow’s Basmanny District Court said.

    All of them are from Tajikistan and risk a life sentence in prison.

    The Moscow-area concert hall shooting became the deadliest attack in Russia in nearly 20 years.

    (Sputnik/NAN)

  • 40 killed, over 100 injured in Moscow concert hall attack

    40 killed, over 100 injured in Moscow concert hall attack

    Gunmen killed 40 people and injured over 100 others in a shooting at a concert hall near Moscow, according to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) yesterday.

    “According to preliminary data, as a result of the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall complex, 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured,” the FSB said, after multiple gunmen burst into the building in the Moscow region, a territory adjacent to the Russian capital.

    The incident took place in Krasnogorsk, the administrative center of the Moscow region, where the music band Picnic was performing in the Crocus City Hall, according to preliminary information. They were uninjured in the attack, law enforcement agencies said.

    An explosion was also later reported at the venue, causing a large fire. The country’s Emergency Ministry said that about a third of the building was engulfed in flames, with several helicopters working to extinguish the blaze.

    The Russian Attorney General’s office said the unidentified people opened fire before the concert began, with an investigative committee opening a criminal case following the incident, declaring it a “terrorist attack.”

    The fate of the shooters remains unknown, with some reports claiming they managed to flee the scene.

    Over 100 people have so far been evacuated from the building, the ministry added, with more people awaiting assistance on the roof.

    Moscow special forces, police, and firefighters rushed to the scene, where more than 50 ambulances have assembled, the Health Ministry said.

    The Crocus City hall was  collapsing in some places due to the fire, Russian media later reported.

    Moscow police elevated security measures amid concert hall shooting as people are searched in subway stations and other public places.

    Read Also: Military kills 106 terrorists, apprehends 103

    Security measures were subsequently stepped up in Moscow, with police searching people in subway stations and other public places, reportedly after the shooters’ escape from the scene of the attack.

    Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the attack minutes after it began and was receiving continuous updates yesterday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

    In response to the attack, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev demanded the “total execution of the terrorists and the repression of their families.”

    Andrey Vorobyov, governor of the Moscow region, announced that a task force would be set up to address the situation.

    Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin expressed condolences to the loved ones of those killed and wounded in the attack.

    “A terrible tragedy occurred at the Crocus City Hall today. I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims. I gave the order to provide all necessary assistance to all those who were injured during the incident,” he said.

    Sobyanin also announced that all entertainment events in Moscow were cancelled over the weekend.

  • Man who attacked police officers in Moscow dies

    A man who fired shots at a pair of Moscow Police Officers died in a hospital on Friday from the injuries he sustained after the police returned fire, officials said.

    The police identified the man as Rinat Kunashev, originally from the North Caucasus.

    They said he fired 10 shots with a pneumatic weapon at two officers providing security for the Chilean embassy at around 7:50 pm on Thursday (1650 GMT), wounding one in the left hip.

    Read Also: Woman in Police net over attempted trafficking

    The officers fired six shots back, hitting him in the head and was immediately taken to the hospital.
    No motive for the attack could be discerned.

    The attack drew extra attention because of its proximity to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow.

  • Dons hail World Cup champion France

    Two Associate Professors at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday congratulated France for emerging winners of the World Cup in Russia.

    The Nation reports that France beat Croatia 4-2 on Sunday at the just concluded tournament held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

    Chuka Chukwube, Associate Professor of Russia Language said that he was happy with France’s victory from a competition he described as “very interesting from the onset.”

    Chukwube said that he supported France at the finals because of the many black players of African descent that made up the team.

    “The world cup has been very dramatic and entertaining since it started with countries who paraded big stars being knocked out at the early stages.

    “France deserved to win because they had a complete representation of the human race in their team.

    “They had a lot of talented black players who rose to the occasion and delivered in terms of ball control, strategy and netting goals.

    “Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe were exceptional and played a major role to the opportunities that led to the goals, ” the professor said.

    Also, Boniface Igbeneghu, Associate Professor of French Language commended Croatia for getting to the finals for the first time in the history of the World Cup.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: Will Smith performs in closing Ceremony

    Igbeneghu said that the Croatians played well but were no match for the superior prowess of the French team which had different races from different countries.

    “I was confident all along that France will emerge winners of the World Cup; the French team played beautifully well and defended their quarter from conceding unnecessary goals.

    “I congratulate them for a well deserved victory, ” he said.

    Meanwhile, Jemike Okoroji, a French lecturer with Alliance Française said that the victory would be memorable for France that last won the World Cup 20 years ago.

  • Russia 2018: Enjoy yourselves without me – Zlatan

    Sweden’s former striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, said on Thursday that the country’s team to the World Cup in Russia would enjoy less pressure without him in the squad.

    He told reporters in Moscow that his absence in the team would reduce expectation from the players at the tournament.

    “I think Sweden; they have less pressure when I’m not there, because when I’m there we’re supposed to win everything.

    “Just enjoy. No pressure, because I’m not there,” the 36-year-old said.

    The LA Galaxy forward, who played 116 times for Sweden over 15 years, was in Moscow to promote Visa card-less payment systems.

    Sweden are in Group F with world champions, Germany, Mexico and South Korea and will open their account against the Koreans on Monday in Nizhny Novgorod.

    Read Also: Zlatan departure a big loss for European soccer – Mourinho

    Germany, though, will be the mountain to climb.

    “Germany is the Deutsche-machine. You know they will do well, and they always do well,” Ibrahimovic said.

    “I always say a good team doesn’t have 11 players, they have 22 fantastic players.

    “With Germany, it’s not like you have a star; I think the team is the star, and that’s why they’re so strong.”

    He also said Brazil “will do something out of the limits” as they looked to rebound from their 7-1 nightmarish thrashing by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals in their own country.

    NAN

     

  • Football for Friendship Programme: 1,500 participants leave for Moscow in June

    The International Day of Football and Friendship has been celebrated in over 200 cities of the world, with special events to promote friendship, mutual respect and healthy living.

    Ayomide Ayanbunmi a young footballer who is aspiring to be a great player, and Hussain Dikko a young journalist who already blogger and joins in the act of commentary at local football centres, especially in the northern part of the country, will be representing Nigeria in Moscow during the Football for Friendship program as well as during the FIFA World Cup.

    Blessed with soccer talents who have left their imprints on the Nigerian football stage, like Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Sunday Oliseh and recently Mikel John Obi amongst others, it goes without saying that her Sporting Media is also very active covering the game both home and abroad. The followership of the round leather game in Nigeria is second to none. These two young lads who were carefully selected, will live with this experience forever and also inspire fellow young people when they return from Moscow with the vast knowledge they will garner at the Football for Friendship program and the FIFA World Cup.

    Thousands of children and adults are participating in friendly matches, open training sessions, flash mobs and sporting events. On this day, everyone who shares such critical human values as equality, respect for different cultures and peaceful co-existence ties a blue-and-green friendship bracelet on his or her wrist as a symbol of the Gazprom’s International Children’s social Programme Football for Friendship.

    The blue thread stands for a peaceful sky, and the green one is a football field open to everyone. The participants had received support from famous footballers, coaches, television hosts, actors and members of government agencies all over the world.

  • Russia to use 7,000 CCTV cameras during presidential election

    Russia to use 7,000 CCTV cameras during presidential election

    Almost 7,000 Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras will be operating at Moscow polling stations during the upcoming presidential election to ensure public safety, an official said.

    Vladimir Chernikov, the Head of Moscow Government’s Department on Regional Security and Countering Corruption, said this on Friday in Moscow.

    Chernikov said “to ensure security at polling stations, more than 1,500 ballot processing complexes (BPCs) were purchased, while polling stations were equipped with almost 7,000 surveillance cameras – two cameras at a station.”

    The premises, located near the local election commissions, will be checked by the authorities a day before the election, the official noted.

    Read Also: Russia deploys hypersonic missile system to south of country

    “All buildings adjacent to the polling stations, as well as the attics and cellars, will be inspected by representatives of housing and communal organisations and by the Interior Ministry’s officers.

    “Additional checks will be held directly on the eve of the Election Day,” Chernikov added.

    The polling stations and adjacent territories will also be taken under round-the-clock protection and will be verified by technical means and service dogs during the Election Day, according to the official.

    “Near the buildings, where the voting will be held, the police officers will be operating the access control with the use of metal detectors,” the department’s chief underlined.

    The Russian presidential election is scheduled for March 18, while the campaign kicked off on December 18.

    NAN

     

  • Suicide attacker targets U.S. embassy in Montenegro

    Suicide attacker targets U.S. embassy in Montenegro

    An attacker threw an explosive device at the U.S. embassy in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica on Thursday morning and subsequently blew himself up with another bomb, the Montenegrin government said.

    Both devices were probably hand grenades, the first thrown into the embassy yard and the second, who killed the attacker in the street outside, the government, said on Twitter.

    According to the government, the blasts occurred at 1.30 a.m. (23:30 GMT), adding that the police are investigating the incident.

    An embassy spokesman, Jeff Adler, told the Vijesti news website that it was checking the security status of its staff and cooperating with police to identify the attacker.

    Read Also: Djokovic weds Jelena in private ceremony in Montenegro

    The embassy also posted an alert on its website advising U.S. citizens of “an active security situation” and to avoid the embassy until further notice and “employ security practices”.

    The smallest former Yugoslav republic with just 620,000 inhabitants and the last to split from Serbia, in 2006, Montenegro joined NATO in 2017, severing traditionally close ties with Russia.

    On the day of parliamentary elections in October 2016, the authorities arrested a group of people it accused of planning a coup in conspiracy with Russia.

    Moscow dismissed the allegations as absurd and counter-accused the Podgorica government of inventing the plot in order to alienate Russia.

    NAN

  • Turkey detains 666 over social media criticism of Afrin operation

    Turkey detains 666 over social media criticism of Afrin operation

    Turkey Ministry of Interior on Monday said that since the country launched its operation in Syria’s Afrin district, police have detained 666 people, over social media posts opposing the military campaign.

    “Since the start of Operation Olive Branch, 666 people have been detained over the terrorist propaganda in social media,” the ministry said in a statement.

    Harlem Dessir, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation ( OSCE ) Representative on Freedom of the Media, denounced the detention of hundreds of people in Turkey over their public criticism of the operation.

    Desir urged Ankara to reverse its hard-line policy and release the dissenters.

    Read More: Turkey seeks arrest of ex-CIA officer over coup plot

    The Turkish Armed Forces, on Jan. 20, launched Operation Olive Branch against the Kurdish forces in Afrin, an area controlled by the U.S.-backed Kurdish People’s Protection Units ( YPG ).

    The operation has been conducted jointly with the Free Syrian Army forces.

    Damascus has firmly condemned the operation as an assault on Syria’s sovereignty and urged all the parties to exercise restraint and called for respect of Syria’s territorial integrity.

    NAN