Forests on fire in Russia’s SiberiaOctober 2, 2012 - 13:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Some 100 hectares (almost 250 acres) of woods remain on fire in Siberia, after firefighters put out eight forest fires over the past 24 hours, the local forest management department said on Tuesday, Oct 2, according to RIA Novosti. “As of today, six forest fires remain active in the region covering an area of 109 hectares,” the department said. The department also said the fires pose no danger to residential areas and industrial facilities. Two months ago, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called for personal responsibility for forest fires across the country. In the summer of 2010, devastating wildfires swept across Russia, killing more than 50 people, destroying thousands of houses, 2.6 million hectares of woods and a quarter of the country’s grain harvest. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |