<div class=Toronto prepares for Monday transit strike
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Toronto prepares for Monday transit strike

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Saturday, April 9, 2005

The Toronto Transit Commission is expected to strike Monday. The TTC workers union, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, rejected a deal offered by TTC management. They last went on strike in 1999. The average daily ridership exceeds 1.3 million passengers.

The city of Toronto has prepared to help deal with the forecasted traffic congestion by opening up free parking for car-pools at 14 city-owned community centres, banning parking on some city streets, and opening up some bus-only lanes to car-pools.

The initial deal, which was rejected, offered a 2% wage increase over five years. With a huge turnout the union-members voted against accepting the offer with a 99% majority according to a press release by the union. The union rejected the latest offer Friday reported to be a three-year contract with raises of 2.75 percent in the first year, three percent in the second and 3.25 percent in the third.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Toronto_prepares_for_Monday_transit_strike&oldid=1093887”
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<div class=Southern Ocean whale slaughter to resume
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Southern Ocean whale slaughter to resume

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Tuesday, January 3, 2006

The international environmental organisation, Greenpeace, have been shadowing a Japanese whaling fleet currently operating in the Southern Ocean in Australian Antarctic Territory. They claim a minor victory against the six-vessel fleet, saying no whales have been killed since Christmas Eve. However they expect a resumption of whaling and protest activity soon.

Greenpeace has two ships, MV Esperanza and MV Arctic Sunrise, active near Antarctica, in an effort to disrupt the whalers, who intend on slaughtering over 900 Minke whales and 10 Fin whales in the region this summer. The activists aim to stop the Japanese whaling fleet as it tries to catch nearly 1000 whales for what is claimed to be scientific research.

Greenpeace chief Steve Shallhorn states that the protesters have chased the six-ship fleet northwards, with the vessels now away from the designated whaling zone. Greenpeace plan to maintain their efforts to keep the whalers in the public eye.

“What the fleet is doing is trying to outrun Greenpeace so that it can sneak back into the whaling grounds and resume the kill,” he said. “And for that very reason, we’re doing our very best and are succeeding in keeping up with the factory whaling ship. We are certain that they do not want any further publicity.”

He said Greenpeace will continue its high-speed tailing for as long as it takes. “We’re capable of staying out there for many more weeks,” he said. “The [Japanese] fleet is clearly embarrassed by having their actions exposed to the world, since the spotlight on their activities shows what it really is – commercial whaling with a very thin disguise.”

The whalers have been unable to kill any whales since Christmas Eve due to poor weather and harassment by Greenpeace vessels, and the Washington-based Sea Shepherd ship, RV Farley Mowat. The Sea Shepherd is operating independently of Greenpeace but say they are working towards a common objective – “the shutting down of illegal whaling in the Southern Ocean.”

Greenpeace expedition leader Shane Rattenbury says the whalers have a season of about 100 days. “Their quota is 945 whales. If you lose, say, 10 per cent of those through bad weather, they’ve got an average they need to catch of 10 a day and it’s gone 10 days now without having any whales,” he said. “That starts to add up pretty quickly. They’re under a bit of pressure to get on with the business.”

Japan’s Institute for Cetacean Research have rejected the claims made by Sea Shepherd, that Japanese warship was being sent to Antarctica to protect the fleet against the activists.

The Japanese institute spokesman condemned Sea Shepherd over the claim by Farley Mowat captain Paul Watson, who called on the Australian Government to keep the peace.File:Greenpeace Vessels Esperanza and Arctic Sun.jpg

Sea Shepherd had requested the presence of the Australian navy to monitor events in the Southern Ocean. However, Australia’s environment minister, Senator Ian Campbell, said that Sea Shepherd’s threats to attack the fleet “risk setting back the cause of whale conservation many years”.

Capt Watson said yesterday: “Stop threatening us, Mr Campbell, and charge us if you believe we are acting unlawfully. Stop posing for the Japanese [who] are in blatant violation of international conservation laws.”

Japan’s Fisheries Agency, which conducts the whaling, said the claim was a tactic by Sea Shepherd to try to raise the stakes for extra publicity.

“This is why the environmentalists’ campaign in the Antarctic is a PR stunt: every time they get some media coverage there’s always some member not too far away asking the public for money,” an agency spokesman said in a statement. “Only this time, it completely backfired and now people will question what these groups say.”

The spokesman had no response to Greenpeace’s claim that another vessel had joined the whaling fleet and was refuelling the ships within the boundary of the Antarctic Treaty’s nature reserve.

Mr Rattenbury said the 57 activists and crew aboard the Greenpeace ships were in good health following a quiet New Year’s Day celebration on deck under a midnight sun.

Wikinews Australia has in-depth coverage of this issue: Southern Ocean whaling season (2005-2006)

He said his ships were not in contact with the Farley Mowat, which is believed to be closer to the Antarctic ice shelf. The Farley Mowat’s weblog quoted ship captain Paul Watson as saying the Sea Shepherd group had no conflict with Greenpeace, despite earlier British media assertions.

“As far as I am concerned both Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace are working towards a common objective – the shutting down of illegal whaling in the Southern Ocean,” said Paul Watson.

Greenpeace believes the fleet killed at least 25 whales from the time it contacted the whalers just before Christmas.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Southern_Ocean_whale_slaughter_to_resume&oldid=3827839”
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<div class=Banned film ‘The Profit’ appears on Web
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Banned film ‘The Profit’ appears on Web

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Sunday, March 23, 2008

Copies of The Profit, a 2001 film blocked from distribution in the United States due to a court injunction won by the Church of Scientology, appeared on the Internet Friday on peer-to-peer file-sharing websites and on the video sharing site YouTube.

Directed by former film executive Peter N. Alexander, the movie has been characterized by critics as a parody of Scientology and of its founder L. Ron Hubbard. Alexander was a Scientologist for twenty years, and left the organization in 1997. The film was funded by Bob Minton, a former critic of Scientology who later signed an agreement with the Church of Scientology and has attempted to stop distribution of the film. Alexander has stated that the movie is based on his research into cults, and when asked by the St. Petersburg Times about parallels to Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard said: “I’ll let you draw that conclusion … I say it’s entirely fictional.”

The film was released in August 2001, and was shown at a movie theatre in Clearwater, Florida and at a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in France. A Scientology spokesman gave a statement at the time saying “the movie is fiction and has nothing to do with Scientology”. The Church of Scientology later took legal action in an attempt to stop further distribution of the film. The Church of Scientology claimed that the film was intended to influence the jury pool in the wrongful death case of Scientologist Lisa McPherson, who died under Scientology care in Clearwater, Florida.

In April 2002, a Pinellas County, Florida judge issued a court order enjoining The Profit from worldwide distribution for an indefinite period. According to the original court injunction received by Wikinews, the movie was originally banned because the court found that it could be seen as a parody of Scientology. In his April 20, 2002 ruling on the injunction, Judge Robert E. Beach of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Pinellas County, Florida wrote: “…an average person viewing the film entitled The Profit could perceive that it is a parody of the Church of Scientology”.

“To the extent that any person considered as a potential juror in evaluating any issues involving the Church of Scientology, the process of voir dire provides a fair and complete remedy to eliminate any potential juror that may possibly have been influenced to be less than fair and impartial,” added Beach.

Luke Lirot, the attorney for the film’s production company, announced on the film’s website on April 7, 2007 that “We have absolutely no exposure for any repercussions from the court order,” but that the film was still blocked from distribution due to an ongoing legal battle. Lirot wrote: “all that’s stopping the release of the movie is the legal battle with the partner who was compromised by Scientology (Robert Minton) and is currently using his power as partner to stop the release of the film.”

In an October 2007 article, The Times described the film as “banned in the US because of a lawsuit taken out against it by The Church of Scientology,” and Russ Kick’s The Disinformation Book of Lists included the film in his “List of 16 Movies Banned in the U.S.”. An 8-minute teaser segment from The Profit appeared on the film’s website and on the video sharing site YouTube in February 2008, and an attorney representing Bob Minton sent a letter to Luke Lirot requesting that the film clip be taken down. In a response letter, Lirot wrote that “Rather than damage any asset of the LLC, the short clip merely keeps the film in the public eye, and in a positive way.”

On Friday, copies of the film began to circulate on peer-to-peer file-sharing websites and on YouTube. A link related to the film’s appearance on the Internet on the community-based link aggregator website Digg.com had 3,638 “Diggs” – and hit the front page of the site’s Entertainment section on Saturday.

I had nothing to do with this release at all. But I’m happy it’s out there.

On Saturday, Scientology critic and Emmy award-winning journalist Mark Bunker put a streaming version of the film on his website, www.xenutv.com, and encouraged others to watch and discuss the film on a real-time chat channel. In a video posting to YouTube Saturday, Bunker said “I did not do it. I had nothing to do with it … I had nothing to do with this release at all. But I’m happy it’s out there … people are finally having a chance to see it. A lot of people have been curious over the years and there’s been a lot of interest in seeing the film, so finally you can.”

We have all wanted to see this movie that scientology kept hidden away from us. We have all wondered just how damning could this story be that we were banned from watching it.

On the newsgroup alt.religion.scientology, a poster by the username “Alexia Death” commented on the film’s appearance on the Internet in the context of censorship: “It is out! And so it is a WIN if many people review it even if they say it SUCKS! … Being bad is no cause to allow censorship … And being censored is no cause to assume its good”. A post to the blog Blogsreel commented: “We have all wanted to see this movie that scientology kept hidden away from us. We have all wondered just how damning could this story be that we were banned from watching it.”

In a post on Sunday to the message board attached to the official website for the film, attorney Luke Lirot asked that individuals stop distributing copies of The Profit over the Internet. Lirot wrote: “It has been brought to my attention that several unauthorized transmissions and downloads of this protected work have taken place over the last 72 hours. Such actions are copyright violations and are unlawful. I request that any further distribution and/or dissemination of this important work cease immediately and any copies of the work that have been downloaded please be deleted.” In his statement, Lirot recognized the rights of individuals under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, but also said that unauthorized distribution of the film “will only serve to harm the goal of vast distribution”.

Blog postings have attributed the film’s appearance on the Internet as part of the anti-Scientology movement Project Chanology organized by the Internet-based group Anonymous, but this has not been confirmed. Wikinews previously reported on international protests against Scientology which took place as part of Project Chanology on February 10 and March 15. A third international protest by Anonymous is scheduled for April 12. Titled “Operation Reconnect”, the third international protest will focus on highlighting Scientology’s practice of disconnection.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Banned_film_%27The_Profit%27_appears_on_Web&oldid=4579693”
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The Time For Air Conditioning Service Is Now, Before The Heat Wave Hits

The Time For Air Conditioning Service Is Now, Before The Heat Wave Hits

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The Time for Air Conditioning Service Is Now, Before the Heat Wave Hits

by

Maria Allen

Summertime temperatures are heating up across the country, and that means it’s time to make some important household maintenance checks in order to ensure the comfort and quality of your indoor air. As any responsible homeowner knows, a small investment in annual, routine maintenance can help you prevent large, more serious repair problems in the days ahead.

When temperatures and humidity levels begin to rise, the air inside your home can quickly become stale and stifling. Even simple, everyday tasks such as drying your hair or running the vacuum can leave you feeling sweaty and uncomfortable. And if your bedroom is upstairs, where the hottest air tends to settle, it can be almost impossible to get a good night’s sleep. Of course, you could turn on your air conditioning unit or central air, but after so many months of not being used, what if you discover it no longer works? You’ll be left scrambling to find an air conditioner repair service right at the height of the heat wave, when getting a same-day appointment can be a whole lot harder. So don’t wait until the peak of the summer season to make certain you’ll have cool air. Contact your local heating and cooling specialist today for timely preventative

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDtT6hSpV4s[/youtube]

air conditioning service

. With the recent weather fluctuations all around the country, you never know when extreme temperatures will strike. This way, you’ll be prepared to keep the air inside your home cool and comfortable, whatever Mother Nature sends your way.

To maximize the efficiency of your home’s central air conditioning, as well as safeguard the quality of the air you’re breathing, why not enhance your routine maintenance check to include an air duct cleaning? Without regular, thorough duct cleaning services, you could be blowing bacteria, pollen, dust, and other allergens into your household air every time the air conditioner kicks on. Using a professional-grade Roto Brush, your local heating and cooling contractor can make a clean sweep of your home’s forced air cooling system, from the supply and return air ducts to the registers and grilles to the coils, diffusers, and housings. A comprehensive air duct cleaning is especially helpful for anyone who suffers from respiratory ailments or seasonal allergies.

So pick up the phone today to protect the quality and comfort of the air inside your home, just in time for the rising temperatures ahead. Your hometown HVAC specialist can help you ensure your home stays comfortably cool with air conditioner repair and maintenance services.

A senior Internet marketer for Prospect Genius, Maria Allen writes about home improvement issues and effective lead generation for local businesses.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com

<div class=Mutated strain of H1N1 virus detected in US and Norway
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Mutated strain of H1N1 virus detected in US and Norway

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Friday, November 20, 2009

Health officials in both the United States and Norway have confirmed the presence of a mutated strain of the H1N1, swine flu virus in several patients in the countries. The mutation is resistant to current treatments for H1N1 such as tamiflu, oseltamivir and zanamivir.

At least three patients in Norway were confirmed to have the mutated strain of H1N1, with two of the cases being fatal. Health officials say the three cases are not related and isolated from one another.

At least four new cases of the mutation were detected in patients at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina. Three of the four cases were fatal, but the same patients also had severe underlying illnesses before they caught influenza. Two prior cases of the mutation in the same state, were reported in the Summer of 2008. Health officials say none of the cases are related.

Director of the Center for Disease Control‘s Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Anne Schuchat says the cases are appearing in the U.S. “sporadically.”

“It’s just too soon for us to say what this is going to mean long term. It’s an important finding for the influenza virologists, and they’re looking into it. [The mutation] has no implications for how good the match of the vaccine is and no implications for treatment with antiviral medicine,” said Schuchat during a press conference.

Health officials in other countries such as Mexico, China, Japan, Ukraine and Brazil, also report cases of the mutation.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Mutated_strain_of_H1N1_virus_detected_in_US_and_Norway&oldid=2526354”
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<div class=Glasgow cannabis enthusiasts celebrate ‘green’ on city green
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Glasgow cannabis enthusiasts celebrate ‘green’ on city green

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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Coinciding with Easter Sunday, Glasgow Cannabis Social Club’s annual 420 event was held on Glasgow Green, under sunny blue skies, and overlooking the river Clyde. Despite the city’s council attempting to revoke permission for the gathering at the last minute, police were happy for it to go-ahead with approximately a dozen officers attending in high-visibility vests.

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The Daily Record reported five arrests were made for minor offences, likely smoking and possession of small quantities of cannabis. Taking a less-sensational — and more accurate — line of reporting, the Monday edition of Glasgow’s Evening News stated five were referred to the Procurator Fiscal who is responsible for deciding if charges should be brought.

Official figures provided by the police were that 150 attended. With people coming and going, Wikinews reporters estimated upwards of 200 attended, compared to nearly 700 who had signed up for the event on Facebook. Hemp goods were advertised and on sale at the event, and some attendees were seen drinking cannabis-themed energy drinks.

“I was searched and charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act (which is a lot of bollocks)” one attendee noted online, adding “not fair to happen on a brilliant day like it was, other than that I had a great day!” A second said they were openly smoking and ignored by police, who “were only really focusing on people who looked particularly young”.

Cannabis seeds were openly and legally sold at the event and a hydroponics supplier brought a motortrike towing an advertising trailer. Actually growing cannabis is, however, illegal in the UK.

With the event openly advocating the legalisation of cannabis, speakers put their arguments for this to a receptive crowd. Retired police officer James Duffy, of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, spoke of the failed United States alcohol prohibition policy; stressing such policies needlessly bring people into contact with criminal elements. Highlighting other countries where legalisation has been implemented, he pointed out such led to lower crime, and lower drug use overall.

One speaker, who produced a bottle of cannabis oil he had received through the post, asserted this cured his prostate cancer. Others highlighted the current use of Sativex by the National Health Service, with a cost in-excess of £150 for a single bottle of GW Pharmaceuticals patented spray — as-compared to the oil shown to the crowd, with a manufacturing cost of approximately £10.

Similar ‘420’ pro-cannabis events were held globally.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Glasgow_cannabis_enthusiasts_celebrate_%27green%27_on_city_green&oldid=4627126”
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<div class=Powerful car bomb blast hits Kabul, Afghanistan
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Powerful car bomb blast hits Kabul, Afghanistan

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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Afghan government officials have said that a powerful suicide car bomb hit near the Indian Embassy in Kabul on Thursday, killing at least 17 people and wounding more than 80 others. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast, saying their target was the embassy.

The Afghan Interior Ministry says the explosion killed mostly civilians on the heavily guarded road between its headquarters and the Indian Embassy.

Eyewitnesses reports said that the the blast was very powerful, shattering shop windows, filling the air with dust and scattering debris all along the road.

General Sayed Abdul Ghafar Sahibzada, the Kabul police chief, said the suicide bomber exploded his vehicle in the center of the capital. Some of the victims include police officers, he said.

Thursday’s blast comes one day after the eighth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion into Afghanistan to topple the Taliban government.

Last year, a similar attack by a Taliban suicide car bomber killed about 60 people near the Indian embassy. It was the deadliest assault in the capital since 2001.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Powerful_car_bomb_blast_hits_Kabul,_Afghanistan&oldid=4634825”
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Assisted Living Facilities In Florida

Assisted Living Facilities In Florida

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By Adriana N.

Imagine experiencing life as an elderly person. One is striving to remain as independent as possible, and to rely on those in the medical field quite minimal. This is generally a transition time, especially those in Florida. Assisted living facilities help others to remain autonomous. However, this is not always the case if they are in a wheelchair, or have gone through some traumatic even in their life, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Each person has their own room, and nurses come in to make sure that medicine is taken. Nurses Aides assist others in dressing, bathing, and so forth, in order for the individual to experience their life with a plethora of people that are within their generation. All of them adjust in their own way, while others rebel. What is sad is that many do not receive visits from family members during their last days.

Anyone in an Assisted Living Facility gets to experience games. Bingo nights are available, Beauticians make the individuals feel good about themselves through much pampering, and blood pressure checks are provided on a regular basis. Everyone is watched closely in the midst of them doing their activities for daily living.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a8h1yUbpag[/youtube]

Florida is a pretty state surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. For anyone living in these facilities, they get to enjoy the warmth from the weather, and when family does arrive possibly have an opportunity to go to the beach along with shopping, or any hobby they may have taken up over the years in their life. Many choose to retire where it is beautiful, such as China or Thailand, so that they can experience a new culture as well as meet others from a variety of backgrounds.

No matter what location a person lives, they are able to make a difference, whether they are elderly or in any given field. Assisted Living Facilities foster growth, and strive to provide the best medical care possible to their residents. Many families choose to become proactive about the person they have living there, while others do the opposite.

Without Assisted Living Facilities, people would not have an opportunity to remain in optimum health, and would deteriorate faster. Whatever the case, mental health issues can arise due to lack of exercise, and the inability to socialize with others due to their current circumstances. This is where people who work in these institutions can make a positive impact on their life through much encouragement, and interaction with them.

People do not have to live in a facility, but can choose to remain in their home with having private duty nurses come in to take care of them. However, some families are able to afford both possibilities. This is all dependent upon the individual, and where they choose to live, but that is not always the case depending on their health.

In the end, the family and the patient benefits because both are getting their needs met. They are both able to socialize, and experience high self-esteem in the process. Each of them are able to keep track and participate in daily activities, and have the opportunity go out of their way to make sure that their loved one’s needs are well taken care of, regardless of cost and time.

About the Author: Happen to be looking for Assisted Living Texas or Assisted Living Arizona? Our directory provides up-to-date and comprehensive listings for seniors across North American.

Source: isnare.com

Permanent Link: isnare.com/?aid=623177&ca=Home+Management

<div class=FBI arrests nuclear engineer and wife on charges of espionage
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FBI arrests nuclear engineer and wife on charges of espionage

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Monday, October 11, 2021

In the United States on Saturday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) arrested a couple in West Virginia. Court documents released Sunday allege they tried to sell classified data to a foreign nation.

The Maryland couple, former U.S. Navy nuclear engineer Jonathan Toebbe and his wife Diana Toebbe, were both arrested and charged with violating the Atomic Energy Act. Mr. Toebbe worked on naval nuclear reactors and acoustic quieting. Ms. Toebbe is a teacher at the private Key School in their neighborhood in Annapolis, now on indefinite suspension according to the school.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in regards to the case, “The complaint charges a plot to transmit information relating to the design of our nuclear submarines to a foreign nation.” The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges the couple tried to sell this information to a foreign agent who was actually an FBI undercover agent.

Documents filed in federal court allege Mr. Toebbe arranged to sell restricted information to a foreign power identified only as “COUNTRY1” over several months via encrypted messages, and that he arranged “drops” of these data on SD cards in various locations in exchange for payments in cryptocurrency.

At the first of the drops in West Virginia, the DOJ alleges Mr. Toebbe hid an SD card in a peanut butter sandwich while Ms. Toebbe acted as a lookout. At the second of these in eastern Virginia, the DOJ charges that an SD card was placed in a chewing gum package. Federal officers arrested the couple at the third drop site, in West Virginia, on Saturday.

Both Mr. and Ms. Toebbe are set to appear in federal court tomorrow in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=FBI_arrests_nuclear_engineer_and_wife_on_charges_of_espionage&oldid=4650189”
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<div class=Four arrested after building spire in Moscow painted in Ukrainian colors
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Four arrested after building spire in Moscow painted in Ukrainian colors

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Friday, August 22, 2014

Russian authorities have detained four people on Wednesday on suspicion of vandalism, following an incident where the spire of the iconic Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building in Moscow was painted in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The suspects, reportedly consisting of two men and two women, allegedly ascended the building by stairs to reach its top floor, before using climbing equipment to complete the ascent, according to Moscow police.

Over the course of the previous night, the suspects proceeded to paint the top half of the building’s star-shaped spire blue and erected a Ukrainian flag atop at about 7:15 am local time, reports the Interfax news agency, with information corroborated by Moscow’s municipal emergency services. The alterations to the building made by the suspects remained for several hours, before workers removed the flag and repainted the spire to its normal color. Containing 32 floors and standing at a height of 176 m (577 ft), the Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building is one of the Seven Sisters, skyscrapers constructed between 1947 and 1953 in Moscow under the direction of Joseph Stalin.

Following the act, at least one of the suspects then reportedly descended from the building by parachute, reported state news channel Rossiya 24, and captured on a video published by Lifenews, reportedly filmed by a local resident. Additional video broadcast by Rossiya 24, taken from a window, captured a parachuting suspect landing in a nearby playground. Among the suspects was Alexander Pogrebov, who has denied the charges brought forth by authorities. “I was detained for parachuting off the skyscraper. I chose that place because it’s beautiful. […] It just so happened that at the time of the jump, someone else committed an act of vandalism — they destroyed the spire with paint, and raised the Ukrainian flag.” said Pogrebov in an interview to LifeNews.

Pogrebov’s comments were supported by a police official, who stated to the Itar-Tass agency: “The two young men and two girls say they jumped from a high building with parachutes. They say they didn’t hoist any flag and didn’t paint the flag.” If convicted of vandalism, Pogrebov and the other suspects may be sentenced to a maximum of three years imprisonment. Over the phone to Bloomberg, an unidentified duty press official stated the suspects were previously arrested over other charges. According to reports from Russian state television, all four suspects were Russian citizens.

Other acts by Russian protestors to show support and solidarity with Ukraine, contrasting the approval which came following the Russian annexation of Crimea, included the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem by protestors while being arrested. Russian musician Andrey Makarevich, who fronts the band Mashina Vremeni, which translates to “Time Machine”, was labelled as a “traitor” by Russian lawmakers and musicians who supported Russian interests, after he traveled to eastern Ukraine last week to perform for displaced children in regions held by the Ukrainian army.

On a post on Twitter, Russian opposition leader Gennady Gudkov stated “I don’t justify youngsters who painted a star on the skyscraper, but this is an administrative offense, not criminal”. In 2011 and 2012, following accusations of electoral fraud during the parliamentary elections at the time, Gudkov supported protestors who took to the streets of Moscow in opposition to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The act comes just days prior to Ukraine’s Day of the National Flag on August 23 and Independence Day on August 24. The country’s president, Petro Poroshenko, expressed his approval from Kiev of the act and praise for the suspects in a written post on Facebook. “On the eve of Independence Day we are starting an initiative called ‘Our Colours,’ which is devoted to the Ukrainian flag” ((uk))Ukrainian language: ???????????? ??? ???????????? ?? ????????? ?????????? “???? ???????”, ??? ?????????? ???????????? ???????, wrote Poroshenko. “And it is symbolic that, on this day, our colours have been painted on what is perhaps the greatest skyscraper in Moscow. I urge Ukrainians throughout the world, wherever they are, on the eve of the anniversary of our independence, to decorate their homes, offices, and cars in our national colours.” ((uk))Ukrainian language: ???????????, ?? ? ??? ???? ? ???? ??????? ????????????, ???????, ????????? ??????? ? ??????. ???????? ????????? ?? ?????? ?????, ?? ? ???? ?? ????, ??????????? ??????? ????????????, ?????????? ???? ???????, ?????, ???? ? ???? ??????????? ???????.

“I like very much the fact that, on the eve of celebrating the Ukrainian flag, one of Moscow’s highest buildings was painted in our colors,” Poroshenko said in a video posted on Facebook. “I congratulate these Ukrainians.” Following the deaths of more than 2,000 people and the displacement of 300,000 from their homes amid fighting in eastern Ukraine between the Ukrainian armed forced and pro-Russian separatists, Poroshenko is scheduled to discuss the crisis with Putin next week, the first such meeting in two months.

Retrieved from “https://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Four_arrested_after_building_spire_in_Moscow_painted_in_Ukrainian_colors&oldid=4581504”
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