In Azerbaijan, a bus collided with the Russians with a "KamAZ": five injured

New traffic accident in which Russian citizens have suffered, been outside the country. A passenger bus with Russian pilgrims from Mecca in the night on Tuesday into the crash in Azerbaijan. As a result of the incident, five people injured.

"Ikarus" collided with a truck KamAZ on the Rostov-Baku highway near the village of Zeynalabdin Taghiyev (20 km from Baku), as a result of various injuries were five pilgrims from Dagestan.

All the victims are placed in hospitals, they provide the necessary assistance with reference to the channel ANS Press.

Obezdnom accident happened on the road, located on the repair.

This is the third accident abroad over the past two weeks, which hit the Russian tourists. At last week's road accident occurred in Egypt. On 22 December a group of tourists back to Sharm el-Sheikh, a tour to Jerusalem. The disaster occurred 10 kilometers from Dahab on the road linking the resort of Dahab to Sharm el-Sheikh. According to preliminary reports, a bus driver, who survived the accident, much more than speed. In conditions of poor visibility on a mountain trail, and night because raged at this time in the Sinai sand storm that led to the tragedy. As a result of the death of six Russians and one citizen of Ukraine, another 17 were Russians.

Less than a week earlier, on Dec. 16, Russian citizens caught in a traffic accident in southern Israel. At 60 km from the resort city of Eilat in southern Israel fell into the abyss of a tourist bus in which a group of tour operators and tourists from St. Petersburg. The disaster has claimed the lives of 24 Russians, 25 people were injured.

Big Crash at Russian Intersection

Vladimir Putin last year gave George W. Bush samovar and a collection of sonnets

Copper and brass samovar two-collection "English sonnet XVI-XIX centuries," the Moscow publishing house "Rainbow" was U.S. President George W. Bush as a gift from his former Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at their meeting in Kennebankporte held in July last year. This is evidenced by the regular list given to the leadership of the U.S. administration presents the 2007 calendar year.

It was prepared by the protocol department of the U.S. State Department and published in the so-called Federal Register - the official compilation of documents the U.S. government news agency.

As is clear from this list, First Lady of USA Lore Bush, Putin at the same summit in the written Kennebankporte handed oil painting, which show field flowers.

According to archival documents of American Foreign Minister, exchanged gifts, not only the political leaders of Russia and the United States. Previous Chief of General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Army General Yuri Baluyevsky presented in November 2006, then-chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff (KNSH) U.S. Armed Forces, General Peter Pace automatic 9 mm.

A former Russian Navy Vladimir Masorin in August last year gave the Chief of Staff of the Navy, the current head of KNSH, Admiral Michael Mallenu statuette of St. George, spear the dragon. His wife Masorin presented with a box for jewelry and a bracelet.

Perhaps the most expensive of those on the list of gifts were presented U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Do their Arab monarchs. King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud handed the boss of U.S. diplomacy in July 2007, set decoration, comprising necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring of rubies and diamonds worth 165 thousand dollars.

Jordan's King Abdullah II gave Rice a similar set of decorations, just inlaid with diamonds and emeralds. His department appreciation for the State Department protocol in 147 thousand dollars.

UN Security Council held a meeting on the situation with the pirates in Somalia and adopted a resolution

The last meeting of the UN Security Council on Somalia was aimed "at strengthening the international legal framework for states and organizations that are off the coast of the country are trying to counter the sea robbery." This was announced on Tuesday evening, Russian news conference in New York, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Approval of the members of the UN Security Council resolution "focuses on the positive response to a request from the Government of Somalia, which ... has offered to carry out operations against pirates, not only in the territorial waters of the state, but also on land and airspace," he said news agency.

"The question is not easy, because we want very much to avoid any language that would create ambiguity and to leave the field for abuse, or any free interpretation, but eventually agreed upon and adopted by consensus text (the resolution) eliminates such possibilities," - noted Minister.

Extremely important, according to Lavrov, is that "control over the whole operation remains in the hands of the UN Security Council." "He will continue to identify additional steps that will be required, and will monitor it, it will present mandate" - the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Given that the mandate approved by 12 months, one year we will have an opportunity to assess how effective were these efforts, "he added.

The resolution continued the head of Russian diplomacy, "also rightly raised the question of coordination of actions of all those who, at the request of the Government of Somalia is involved in operations to combat piracy and sea robbery."

"Russia - one of those states. We have already taken steps to ensure safety of navigation in the area in coordination with other parties, in particular from the European Union", - stressed Lavrov. In doing so, the Minister expressed the view that "additional measures for more consistent, more coordinated actions will benefit all of this work."

However, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry did not respond to the question of how exactly the territory of Somalia will be fighting pirates. "This is not discussed," - he said.

"A week ago, had requested the Government of Somalia that in addition to operations in the territorial waters of the State, was made possible action on land and airspace," - he said.

"I understand that this is simply a task that was, which was approved in principle by the UN Security Council", - said the minister. Mechanism for the realization of these shares if they are required to be determined in close contact and consultation with the Government of Somalia "- Lavrov stressed.

Oil settled at the point of 44 dollars per barrel due to the reduction of supply, OPEC

Oil is stable near 44 dollars on Tuesday after a six-reversed the downward trend on Monday because the stock markets and news of the reduction of supplies from Saudi Arabia, passes Reuters.

The market is also waiting for the OPEC summit to be held on 17 December, and which is expected to be decided on a further reduction of production to support prices, reached last week, four-year minimum.

By 8 am Moscow time January futures on the American light oil rose 18 cents to 43.89 dollars per barrel. Futures on the same sorts of Brent oil added 2 cents to 43.44 dollars per barrel.

"There is some buying interest by positive news from the U.S. - and this is facilitating the rally - said Mark Pervan of ANZ Bank. - But it may be short, since we are waiting for new negative economic data, which may delete prices."

Efforts to Washington to finalize the plan of salvation problematic American bit comforted investors, and supported global stock and commodity markets.

The Japanese Nikkei index rose by 0.5% in early trading on Tuesday, followed by Wall Street.

Prices also supported hopes for a new agreement to reduce output of OPEC, which likely will be adopted at the summit of the cartel.

OPEC has already agreed to reduce production by about 2 million barrels a day to keep prices from declining, and its members call for a new reduction at a meeting in Algiers.

The largest oil exporter Saudi Arabia, which is called the "fair price" for oil 75 dollars per barrel, would increase the reduction of supply in some Asian and European customers in December and January in order to limit the rapid decline in prices.

"What can raise prices in the short term - so the decision of OPEC to next Wednesday - said Pervan. - In anticipation of the summit marked a weak buying interest."

The oil cartel will seriously fight for something that does not allow prices to fall below 40 dollars a barrel, despite the fact that in the short-term forecasts show lower prices - said the representative of the management company BlackRock.

Chart: Oil price NZ dollars

Hirsch: Should we reform the law on the end of life?

After months of controversy skillfully fomented by the Association for the right to die with dignity, will be officially made public Wednesday, the evaluation report of the law on patients' rights and end of life. The time for idle controversy must end.

The consultation, conducted in full transparency and with a desire to allow everyone to express their positions, now urges us to implement the Law of 22 April 2005, to translate the principles into the practices of care and provide the means necessary for a finally fit for human and social realities of the end of life. Failing that, other models will be promoted, such as Belgium, which, in a few years, a commonplace practice of euthanasia to apply to persons affected by Alzheimer's disease or psychiatric illnesses, even operating room to remove the organs for medical or scientific ...

A few days of the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the claim by some of euthanasia to end "lives unworthy of being lived," causing our values and our attitudes surprises. In defiance of the lessons of history and battles for the sick and their relatives to be recognized in their desire to finally be able to live their life in society without discrimination, this of ultimate freedom, affirmed in the appeal the death medically administered, violates the very foundations of democracy. It gives us all innocence in the excesses of an obvious barbarism.

We can not tolerate the rhetoric of some fine minds that proclaim as a victory of moral urgency decriminalize euthanasia, without spending the less attention to those more vulnerable than others, who find such arguments as an insult, a sham, the unbearable event of a rejection which revokes their very humanity. The propagandists current medically assisted suicide very exceptional commitment which, in recent years to better recognize the right of sick or disabled people, their aspirations for a quality of existence, to a position in society and to respectful care, adapted, attentive to their profound choices, their real needs. They reinforce the logic of indifference, the renunciation or abandonment and thus the relegation of our patients at the margins of the city, in a state of insecurity and chronic vagrancy, at home or in institutions as experienced places of segregation. The early issuance of a life so unworthy of their life seems preferable to the daily experience of a covert, anonymous, undifferentiated euthanasia society.

We must resist the figures imposed a culture of death with dignity, rethink and re solidarity essential to a society worth living until its conclusion. It is argued that the existence, dignity and rights of sick or disabled people are better than the discussions attempting indecent organize the management of the death of the most vulnerable among us: those for whom our obligations to the contrary are the strongest. We must give a public expression for reflection on the meaning of life, the value of fighting for life led by the sick and their relatives to preserve human existence, the meaning of a story man , Despite what the threat.

I call for a mobilization ethics: it concerns the foundations of democratic life and seeking a dynamic of shared responsibility, a commitment to those and those waiting for our society other responses that the final solution of an assisted death.

Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? Part 2 of the video series on how to be healthy and happy.

The Davis arrives in Spain

The Davis Cup is already in Spain. The heroes of the third crown of the Spanish tennis landed close to 5.00 in the morning at Barajas. Despite the marathon trip, their faces showed more happiness to tiredness. Verdasco, Feliciano, Ferrer, the captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario and the president of the Federation, Pedro Munoz, and of course ... Cup, if only a replica. [The pictures] [See more videos]

After the festival celebration yesterday, the players in the Davis had lived a quiet trip. Tired by the festivities in Argentina, on the way back to Spain, there was hardly festive mood, as confirmed Fernando Verdasco, the last to make act of presence, nothing more to get to Madrid.

However, the big absentee was the 'Salad Bowl', which will arrive next week to Spain, as it is being recorded in London under the name of the winner as Spain and Argentina as a runner. It will be the third visit of the trophy this year, as was shown last January at the headquarters of the Community of Madrid during the presentation of the sponsorship of 'Madrid Tourism' to the Davis Cup and the month of September at headquarters BNP Paribas during the draw for the 2009 edition.

Fernando Verdasco, hero of the final to secure the point which gave the victory to the Spanish team, said that what is living "is a dream come true." "Since I started giving my first hit with the racket and dreamed of living a moment like this. I still do not think so," said the player.

On the withdrawal of his friend Rafa Nadal shortly before the final, said: "We were confident of victory but, following the withdrawal of Rafa, we enjoyed less pressure and could play more relaxed despite the harassment of the fans argentina" .

Madrid player, visibly tired by the long voyage and the celebrations, did not want to position themselves to the continuation or not of Pedro Munoz at the head of the federation, considering that it was not the most appropriate time to discuss that topic.

Meanwhile, Feliciano Lopez and David Ferrer, were happy for the victory but admitted that still are not very aware of what they have accomplished. "In the coming days we will we realized what we have achieved."

Feliciano, who won two of the three points with which Spain secured the victory in the Davis Cup, has assured that, no doubt, are the two most important matches of his career. "Right now all I can say is that I'm living through one of the happiest moments of my life."

Today is a day of rest for the new golden boys of our tennis to recover from the shocks of the weekend. But starting tomorrow will begin visits and tributes. The recognition is well deserved.

Sanchez Vicario bet by Albert Costa

Emilio Sanchez Vicario, until now the captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team and its players, considered to Albert Costa as better suited to replace him in office, said this morning on arrival at Madrid-Barajas airport coming Argentina.

Sanchez Vicario, having reaffirmed its decision to leave the post after achieving the third Davis Cup for Spain, the first outside the home, indicated that meets Albert Costa, in his view, technical and human qualities to play office successfully.

"I think it is my natural successor, is very close to the group of players that make up the core of the team and has proven its qualities as a coach directing Feliciano, who has shown remarkable progress in the last period," said Sanchez Vicario .

Past master who taught the journalists and the few fans who were waiting given the time you have taken your land trophy as the winner of the Davis Cup, expressed his happiness at the success achieved in Argentine and lands for having shared the last three years "with the best generation of tennis players that Spain has had."

Israel carried out an operation in the Gaza Strip, killing five militants, Hamas "

On the night of November 5, Israeli Air Force, for the first time since the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement in June 2008, attacked by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. As a result of air strikes on targets in the Khan Yunis area (south of the Gaza Strip) were destroyed, four militants of Hamas, carrying a mortar attack on Israeli territory. Before the evening was killed in an exchange of field commander of Hamas, several militants were wounded, said NEWSru Israel.

The message of the death of militants came from the Palestinian side, Israeli military only confirmed information about the air strikes.

Earlier, army press service said that Israeli units had a local operation to destroy a tunnel near Al-Bureij (central Gaza Strip). The tunnel, according to the Israeli military, preparing fighters for new attempts abduction of Israeli soldiers. "It's - reaction to the imminent threat is not a violation of the truce" - quoted military news agency.

On the Israeli side, according to preliminary data, one soldier was slightly injured. The Palestinians have one killed, which is identified as field commander "Brigad Izzeddina al-Kassama" Mazen Saad.

Ruling in the Gaza Strip, Hamas confirmed that the fighters of its military wing - "Brigad Izzeddina al-Kassama" engaged in fierce armed clashes with the Israeli army. In a statement motion also says that his response will be strong, and the enemy will pay a high price. "

In response to the operation in the Palestinian territory on the night of Wednesday, militants fired rockets into Israel - in the south fell at least 21 shells, transmits Interfax, citing an Israeli radio station "Seventh Channel". There were no damage to buildings only.

According to preliminary data, Palestinian terrorists fired mortar shells from the war also. As a result of mortar attack, three soldiers were injured: two was moderately wounded, a third wounded easily.

The Israeli army invaded the pocket the first time since June this year when it signed a truce for six months. Previously, and the one and the other parties have repeatedly expressed interest in preserving the regime of calm.

The ceasefire agreement was concluded with the Egyptian brokered between Israel and Gaza ruling Hamas movement on June 19, and its validity expires in mid December. During that time, drastically reduced the number of rocket attacks from Gaza by the typically small groups beyond Hamas.

According to estimates by Israeli special services, the Islamists are interested in extending the truce, at least for another few months. In turn, Israel would also like to maintain the status quo, at least until the parliamentary elections on Feb. 10, 2009 and the subsequent formation of the government.

BREAKING FREE FROM AN ISRAELI ZOO (GAZA)

Moscow will not be a mediator between Sukhumi, Tskhinvali and Tbilisi at the talks in Geneva

Russia will not mediate between the delegations of Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia to find a mutually acceptable format for the upcoming 18 November in Geneva, the second round of discussions on the situation in the Caucasus. This is unofficially made clear on Friday in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We are not going to bother this case the organizers of the discussions. I do not intend to persuade Abkhazia and South Ossetia that they must give and take on the role of second class at the meeting," - told Interfax on Tuesday a source in the Russian foreign service .

Anonymous companion agency recalled that Russia intends to participate only in those meetings, which will be part of the Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Recall the first round of discussions on the situation in the Caucasus after the August conflict was held in Geneva in mid-October and ended with nothing.

At the request of Georgia, representatives of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the negotiations have been allowed to participate in consultations at the expert level. Representatives of the two republics found it impossible to participate in the conference in such a status, after which the delegations of Abkhazia and South Ossetia demonstratively left the meeting, despite exhortations from Russia.

Russia and Georgia then accused each other of breakdown of the talks. In the future, representatives of the two republics have confirmed that they will participate in the Geneva meeting 1-19 November only on an equal footing.

Know to preserve the natural heritage of the Comoros hidden

The 'KNOWN TO STORE: THE NATURAL HERITAGE OF HIDDEN COMOROS' is a response to the call for research proposals "Biodiversity Islands in the Indian Ocean." The goal is to integrate the knowledge naturalists on several symbolic backward, but characteristics of the originality of the archipelago and illustrates the problems of conservation, to propose conservation policies relevant and appropriate to the socio-economic of the archipelago. It will demonstrate the originality of the Comoros and problems of their own in the regional context of the Indian Ocean. Indeed Madagascar has long been a powerful magnet for naturalists, and the majority of research on biodiversity in the region, followed by the Mascarene. Yet the Comoros archipelago is characterized by a rich and unique biodiversity, with rates of endemism may exceed 70% in some groups. Similarly forest ecosystems are degraded and declining at a rate high, raising fears their disappearance in the short term. To meet these degradations, a network of protected areas has been created (Mayotte) or planned (three islands). Neither the impact of damage on species heritage of the Comoros, nor the relevance of the network of protected areas have been assessed on other groups that higher vertebrates, which constitute a small part of biodiversity. Based on groups known (flowering plants, land mollusks, arachnids, insects and bugs Orthoptera) but representative of the richness and originality of the archipelago, this project aims to address three issues critical to developing an effective conservation policy in the archipelago: What is it really the biodiversity of the Comoros? What is the relevance of existing protected areas or planned? Where should I focus conservation actions and what are the priorities for conservation of species for maximum efficiency in a context of limited human and financial resources? The assessment of the distribution and conservation status of species will be based on data collected during field missions led by investigators of the project and the Comorian students and technicians trained on this occasion. But the proposed work beyond the simple inventory of the current situation of biodiversity of the Comoros, as also a diachronic, taking into account the data already available in the collections of museums, giving a fall of more than one century to judge the evolution of fauna and flora. It also introduced several innovative aspects, both on collecting data on further processing techniques Bioacoustique for inventories of insects, use of Recognizable Taxonomic Units for handling wealth communities (saving time by compared with traditional taxonomic studies), analysis of results by modeling ecological niches, to judge the relevance of the network of protected areas. The knowledge developed allow the heritage and conservation approaches and guide the strategy and conservation plans, especially for plants. The project also takes into account the socio-cultural conservation in the Comoros, as it provides awareness of environmental managers, but also to create a sociological approach to the issue of biodiversity conservation. The transfer of knowledge is an important aspect of the project, as managers, teachers and students Comoros will be integrated to work both on the ground in the laboratory (two trips planned a doctoral Comoros at the Museum of Paris). In addition to scientific publications, the results will be visible on the site of the Clearing House on Biodiversity of the Comoros and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information System), and some of the samples collected will be deposited in local institutions. The GIS developed during this project will be delivered to a Comorian. The project is led by people accustomed to organizing large multidisciplinary missions and their return, in terms of communication and conservation. It is the responsibility of Professor Jean-Noel Labat (National Museum of Natural History Department Systematics and Evolution) and Dr. Benot Fontaine (National Museum of Natural History - Department of Ecology and Biodiversity Management). Partner agencies are: National Center for Scientific Research - Paris National Center for Documentation and Scientific Research (CNDRS) - Moroni Conservatoire National Botanical Mascarin - Meeting National Museum of Natural History - Paris Department Systematics and Evolution - UMR 5202 Department of Ecology and Biodiversity Management - UMR 5173 University of the Comoros - Moroni University Cheikh Anta Diop - Dakar According to Mr Yahaya Ibrahim, head of research on biodiversity in CNDRS, a mission of the team of researchers is expected to Comoros from 18 November.

The body of Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca's and explore

Burial site, which lies the body of one of the great Spanish poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca's soon to be opened and the bodies exhumed and reburied. A settlement gave the family writer after other interested parties, reported The Times.

We know that in general the burial, in addition to the remains of the poet, are the bones of several people killed by supporters of General Francisco Franco in 1936. A long time, Lorca's relatives refused on the exhumation, explaining his decision reluctance to defile the memory of ancestors and distort history.

However, once on the initiative of the relatives of others killed, the case of the exhumation was sent to the court, the descendants of Lorca's still agreed to the opening of graves. "We will not obstruct it. While we would prefer not open dumping, we respect the wishes of other people" - the poet's niece said.

Scientists studying creativity famous poet, called such a decision sensational. In their view, the information that will be available after the opening of graves, could shed light on all the details of the death of a famous writer. "This will be a happy day in my life - said one of the researchers Ian Gibson. - Lorca was the most famous victim of civil war."

Revolt of General Franco against the democratically elected republican government began in July 1936. The following three-year uprising civil war claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. The fate of many still remains unknown. Many Spaniards had to leave their homeland and to the long years of dictatorship in forced exile.

In 2007, Spanish authorities have taken "Law on Historical Memory", rehabilitate all victims of the Civil War and dictatorship. According to the document, the state also provides them and their families all the rights they were denied and, if necessary, gives permission for the return of Spanish nationality.

Defenders: destruction of civilian targets in YUO continued after Russian troops entered Tskhinvali

The destruction of civilian facilities in South Ossetia continued for a few days after the Tskhinvali region, according to official reports, Russian troops entered. These satellite images proof neighborhoods capital made on 19 August - that is, after nine days after Tskhinvali and neighboring strategic heights were brought under control by South Ossetia and Russia.

As the Reuters, images, which were analyzed by experts the American Association of advancing scientific research (AAAS) and human rights organization Human Rights Program did not provide the answer, what of the parties - Georgia and Russia - engaged in the destruction of homes and infrastructure, but is believed headed analysis Amnesty International, will help prove the commission of war crimes.

As a representative of Amnesty International said Ariela Blatter, "these pictures do not lie - further destruction of civilian objects, took place from 10 to 19 August, will help determine exactly who was responsible for protecting civilians from attacks by militants."

"The destruction of civilian infrastructure stresses the need for the international community has begun an independent investigation into the circumstances of the conflict with the participation of all parties involved" - she said.

Lars Bromli, who heads the AAAS project on the use of satellite imagery to monitor the situation in conflict zones, said that to get pictures to prove the facts of human rights violations, it was quite difficult. "We can use only a few commercial satellites, but because the images they can order virtually any person with a sound card, the task has proven difficult," - he said.

"These images will shed light on how much damage was caused to Tskhinvali, and surrounding villages at a time when Russian troops control the situation, and what - when the territory was under the control of the Georgian army," he said.

According to Reuters, images made from space on 10 August and 19 August, show that 424 civilian facility near Tskhinvali were August 10, but August 19 they had already been destroyed. In Tamarasheni 152 buildings that were not damaged on 10 August, were destroyed on 19 August. Amnesty International also points out that the pictures confirmed that more than 100 houses in Tskhinvali were fired during the first Georgian attack.

Agency while recalled that Russia counter-attacked Georgia 7 and 8 August, after Georgian troops attempted to quell the point of shelling of Georgian villages from Tskhinvali. Russia accuses it of Georgian troops in the destruction of much of civilian targets in the area.

In public, however, there are only snapshots, dated August 19, they are presented in the format. Pdf and can be found here.

Highlights of destruction in the vicinity of the village Kehvi, for example, recorded a total of 627 injured civilians. Of those, 479 - destroyed, and 148 - is seriously damaged.

On another map shows the degree of destruction in the villages of Kehvi to Tskhinvali - as a percentage of damaged and pristine areas.

In connection with data from satellites, international human rights activists point to the need to investigate the information according to which South Ossetia and its surroundings act organized armed groups that carry out attacks against civilians, burning houses and looting, passes NEWSru Israel.

"Clearly, both sides have shown a disproportionate use of force - said at a briefing in Washington representative of Human Rights Watch Anna Neystat. - But most of the looting and burning property of people, as well as attacks on civilians, carried out the South Ossetian militia members and criminals who gave free rein to the territory controlled by Russian forces. "