Ultimate sacrifice

Ultimate sacrifice


Today, followers of Islam around the world are celebrating their biggest holiday -- the Feast of Sacrifice. In Moscow alone, two million Muslims have joined in the festivities.


The number of Muslims in Russia runs into millions. More than 50,000 followers have gathered on Tuesday to pray in Moscow's largest mosque.


The Festival of the Sacrifice, also known as Greater Eid, which celebrates an episode of the Old Testament where Abraham took his son, Ishmael, to a lonely place in the desert and on the command of God prepared to sacrifice him, in order to show his love of God.


At the last moment God, realizing the depth of Abraham's love, called out to him, saying that his sincere intentions had been accepted, and that he need not carry out the killing of Ishmael. Instead, Abraham was told to sacrifice a ram to instead of his son.


To show their love of God and appreciation of the Old Testament story, Muslims sacrifice animals around the world.


About 20 million Russian citizens, or 15 per cent of the entire population, are Muslim, and this number is growing continually. Therefore, a large part of the Russian population takes part in today's celebrations.


In general, the atmosphere is very supportive for these festivities in the country. However, there is a general requirement that the sacrifices of animals should be done out of public view.


President Medvedev has congratulated Muslims on the celebration of Eid, which is a public holiday in some Muslim regions of the country

Georgia releases spy thriller featuring Russian agents

Georgia releases spy thriller featuring Russian agents


Georgia has released a film about a recently-detained alleged Russian spy network, which the Kremlin has called a political farce.

The film is the Georgian version of the last month's arrest of 15 people accused of being Russian spies.

In reality, however, the only evidence Tblisi has given to relatives is the apparent confession of one of those arrested. But this super agent is actually a Georgian spy, says his former chief at the Georgian intelligence.

"I personally enrolled him," David Bakuridze, a former Georgian state security officer, told RT. "He was my agent from 1992-94. After the Rose Revolution, he was recruited to work for Georgian intelligence. Also, his brother runs the security service of the whole Republic of Adzharia. I assert it officially: this man is a Georgian agent!"

Ruslan Skrylnikov has no taste for spy thrillers, but this one caught his eye: one of the supposed spies appears to be his father.

"In May this year, my dad went to Georgia to visit relatives. On the border he was thoroughly interrogated about where he was going to stay. They photographed him and took away sweets he was carrying to his nephews. Two days later he was arrested. He never contacted us afterwards. We found out about his arrest by chance, and were shocked," Ruslan says.

Six months ago, the 63-year-old was detained for crossing the border with a fake ID and trying to sell counterfeit dollars, which landed him 18 years in jail.

Now Skrylnikov is being accused of spying for Russia, but his family says espionage is beyond the capability of the ailing pensioner, who could not even send a text message from his cell-phone, let alone use the Internet.

Relatives are now appealing against the charges, and hope that their high-level lobbying of NATO and European countries will get them justice.

Fighting their corner is SOS Russia human rights group, which says it is the first time they have dealt with such a gross violation of human rights.

"This is a sanctioned provocation, a political action," said Anton Samoylenkov of SOS Russia.

"It's aimed to discredit Russia before the upcoming Russia-NATO summit and the OSCE meeting. Saakashvili wants to attract attention to himself and his super Secret Services. But we want to tell him 'You can't treat old men just like this. They are innocent. You can't jail them just because they're Russians!'"

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US government clueless about mystery missile launch

US government clueless about mystery missile launch

A mysterious missile was spotted off the coast of Los Angeles and the US military claims it has no idea where it came from.

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A helicopter from the Los Angeles CBS News affiliate captured images of what appears to be some sort of rocket or missile with a large contrail behind it.It appears to have been launched about 35 miles (56 km) off the coast of Los Angeles, California.

There are several military bases in Southern California, but so far none have said there were any launches at that time. The US Navy has said they are not responsible and the Pentagon is still investigating where the mystery missile came from.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) keeps track of anything in North American airspace and so far they haven't said what the object in the sky was; however, they have said that it is not a threat to America.

The Pentagon is looking into the possibility that it was something from a private firm. There are several defense contractors in Southern California, including Northrop Grumman, which designs spy satellites. Space X, a private space exploration firm in the area told RT they know no more than what had already been reported in the media.

The video of the missile and its trail was shown to former NATO Ambassador Robert Ellsworth. He said that it appeared to be an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), much like the ones which were launched into the Atlantic Ocean during the Cold War to intimidate the USSR.US President Barack Obama is currently on a high profile trip to Asia and Ellsworth speculated that this could be a show of force to hostile nations in that region

New premier pet

New premier pet


Vladimir Putin has a new pet: a puppy that was given to him by Bulgaria's prime minister during a trade trip.

And it seems to be love at first sight.

It's a young Bulgarian sheep dog, which will now head off to join the ever-growing prime ministerial menagerie.

Among the animals he's been presented with recently has been a tiger cub, which Putin was given as a birthday present two years ago.

The Russian prime minister is known for his affection for man's best friend. His beloved dog Connie became the first dog to get a collar to be tracked by satellite.

Viktor Bout extradited to USA

Viktor Bout extradited to USA


The alleged Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout has left Thailand after being handed over to US authorities.

After months of intense political pressure from both Washington and Moscow, the Thai government agreed with an earlier Appeals Court decision to extradite Bout to the United States early on Tuesday.

Court Documents: Missing NC Girl Was Dismembered

Court Documents: Missing NC Girl Was Dismembered

A missing N.C. girl was dismembered and police needed her stepmother's help to find the remains because they were in such remote locations, according to court documents filed Monday by the woman's lawyers. (Nov. 15)

Video Essay: Living a Month in a Museum

Video Essay: Living a Month in a Museum

Kate McGroarty stood with four other finalists ready to pour a test tube into a beaker. The results would tell her if she won an unusual prize - 30 days and 30 nights living in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Produced by Martha Irvine. (Nov. 15)

FBI: Man Declared Dead Arrested in Kidnapping

FBI: Man Declared Dead Arrested in Kidnapping

A man legally declared dead 16 years ago who is now charged with kidnapping a Las Vegas girl could be linked to the discovery of a body in Arizona believed to be that of the girl's mother, authorities said Monday. (Nov. 15)

Iowa Soldier to Receive Medal of Honor

Iowa Soldier to Receive Medal of Honor


President Obama is about to award the nation's highest military honor for bravery to Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, an Iowa soldier who was serving as a rifle team leader in Afghanistan when his platoon came under attack in 2007. (Nov. 15)

Ohio Sheriff: Missing Mom, 2 Others May Be Dead

Ohio Sheriff: Missing Mom, 2 Others May Be Dead


It's possible that three people still missing in central Ohio were killed, a sheriff conceded Monday, a day after the 13-year-old girl who disappeared along with them was rescued from the home of a man later charged with kidnapping. (Nov. 15)

Has the US lost its global influence?

Has the US lost its global influence?


The G20 has finished and after many failed attempts to reach trade deals, it appears the US has lost some influence with the rest of the global community. The Resident takes to the streets to ask, is the US still leading the world?

China laps US in efficiency

China laps US in efficiency

A construction crew in the South of China constructed a hotel in less than a week; it was built with all pre-fabricated material. It appears the US is afraid of the new economic heights China is reaching after learning of this impressive achievement. China has now surpassed Japan in economic growth, giving the US economy a run for its money

Obama promises new START

Obama promises new START


The START treaty has been held up in Congress for months because Republicans refuse to ratify it due to concerns over the US military being able to set up strategic defenses. President Obama met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during the G20 summit to discuss the matter and he assured President Medvedev he is optimistic the treaty would be pushed through

Bagram: America's blackhole in Afghanistan

Bagram: America's blackhole in Afghanistan


While the US has spent billions of dollars on humanitarian projects in Afghanistan, any goodwill generated may well be undermined by the continued existence of a notorious detention facility operating outside the proper Afghan legal framework.

No exit from Afghanistan

No exit from Afghanistan


Afghanistan looks to become a focus during the NATO summit in Lisbon later this week, where the hot topic will be the US leaving Afghanistan in 2014. Although, wasn't the US supposed to be withdrawing September, 2011? Former Bush Administration official Michael O'Brien says the problem starts with an unclear direction and objective from the national leadership!

US military fear mongering

US military fear mongering


The United States defense spending has continued to spiral out of control, a new recommendation from the government asks for a delay in the retirement age and a hold on social security. Fear mongering has been able to keep Americans afraid of "enemies" and questioning the military. Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Study wants the US to act as a partner with the world instead of an empire.