[GeronL]

A Hamburg newspaper, Die Welt, reported in a clear text format that the urgent flee of German diplomats from Russia was caused by radiation approaching Moscow.

SO, how slow does radiation move? :)

[DManA]

I’m terribly skeptical of this at this point.

[mainsail that]

kavkazcenter is the worst of the worst of the jihadists. The “grain of salt” needs to be adjusted accordingly

[J Edgar]

Wow - is this a GW event?

[Freedom of Speech Wins]

This danger spreads through all of Russia?

[sinanju]

Considering the source, I’d like some confirmation.

Ahh, just like the good old days of Kremlinology. With the official news heavily censored the most bizarre of rumors take flight.

[fishtank]

About Kavkaz Center (The Caucasus Center)

Kavkaz Centre (www.kavkazcenter.com) is a Chechen internet agency which is independent, international and Islamic. Our agency was founded in March 1999 in Jokhar (Grozny) by the CRI National Centre for Strategic Research and Political Technology, registered with the CRI Ministry of Justice in October 1998 (N 1377/б-17).

The internet agency Kavkaz Centre provides reporting of events in the Islamic world, the Caucasus, and Russia. One of Kavkaz Centre's chief objectives is to report events in the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria connected to the Russian military aggression against the CRI. Besides we also provide international news agencies with news-letters, background information and assistance in making independent journalistic work in Caucasus.

Kavkaz Centre is a privately run, independent agency and does not represent the viewpoint of any state structures or the CRI government. The Kavkaz Centre agency makes it its mission to report real events in Ichkeria under conditions of a total information embargo and to disseminate to the world community the truth about the war, the war crimes, the evidence of genocide on the part of the state aggressor against the entire population and the positions of the side defending against aggression -- the Chechen mujahedeen.

The agency has plans to widen its activity in creating a complete international information corporation and organization of additional information structures.

[brothers4thID]

While this is an excellent example of poor translation of even poorer reporting, the underlying facts are still extremely troubling. The Russian regulatory and containment administrations for nuclear power and weapons have been notoriously lax. We know the fires are widespread- satellite images aren't all that hard to obtain. We know that drought in the major grain producing regions is severe. We know that Putin has called for a halt to all food exports.

All of these things indicate approaching famine conditions with the added danger of widespread radioactive contamination.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

From the State Department
Travel Advisory

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1162.html

Russian Federation
August 06, 2010

“The State Department alerts U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Russian Federation due to fires in Russia and their impact on safety, air quality, and transportation. This Travel Alert expires on September 5, 2010.

Forest fires and extreme high temperatures in the Moscow region and surrounding areas of central Russia have produced hazardous levels of air pollution and caused numerous flight delays and cancellations in Moscow.

Persons contemplating travel to Moscow and surrounding areas should carefully consider their plans in light of these developments. The hazardous air quality means that persons with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

The situation has prompted the Russian government to declare a state of emergency in Moscow, Vladimir, Ryazan, Voronezh, Novgorod, the Republic of Mordovia, and the Republic of Marii-El.

Fire related conditions can change quickly, due to changes in wind direction and weather conditions. Persons planning travel to the Moscow area should monitor weather conditions and stay in touch with their airline.

We recommend U.S. citizens register their travel plans with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website.”

That was just an advisory. Here is the definition of a warning:

“Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government’s ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria.”

The Russian Federation is not on that list. The embassies did can cancel appointments for 08/09/10, however.

[blam]

So...they're going to ship the radioactive wheat to other countries?

Russia Agrees To Allow Some Previously Scheduled Wheat Exports

"Russia is caving after reports that a wheat ban would cause food riots in Egypt and South Africa. Another reason for wheat prices to keep sliding."

[Doomonyou]

Pure BS smokescreen.

They have a zombie breakout.

[dfwgator]

Pinging our Polish Freepers to find out if they know anything about this.

[Enterprise]

Are you hearing anything from the Middle East on this? I know Russia is a little out of the area of course, but there might be some chatter.

[brityank]

(click for full size)

Moscow: Smog City
 
St. Petersburg Times

Temperatures in St. Petersburg broke yet another record Saturday when the mercury soared to 37.1 degrees Celsius, while the smog that has been choking the capital for the past few days also caught up with the city at the weekend.

Weather forecasters say Saturday’s temperature is the highest registered in the history of meteorology in St. Petersburg, which is to say in about 150 years.

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