Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Russia

At Least Nine Die In Second Russian Hospital Fire

December 10, 2006 -- Officials in Russia say at least nine people have been killed and 15 others injured in a fire at a health clinic in Siberia, the second deadly fire to strike a health facility in two days.

Moscow Fire Kills 45

TEXT SIZE - +

December 10, 2006

Authorities have suggested both blazes might have been set deliberately.

Officials are quoted as saying the more recent fire broke out overnight at a psycho-neurological clinic near the town of Taiga in the Kemerovo region.

Authorities said arson is being investigated as a possible cause.

More than 220 people were reported inside the building when the fire broke out.

At least 45 women died in a fire at a drug-rehabilitation center in Moscow early on December 9 in a suspected arson attack.

(ITAR-TASS, AFP)

Russia's Battle Against Corruption

Citizens of Russia's Urals region protest against alleged corruption in connection with a proposed smelting plant on Lake Shartash (TASS)

'A NATIONAL THREAT': Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the crippling problem of corruption during his annual address to the Federal Assembly in May. He emphasized the damaging impact of corruption on the country's economy and pledged to rid Russia once and for all of a "serious obstacle" ...(more)