Vladimir Putin is associated with Petersburgers with Leo and Orel, and most politicians with rodents . This was told by the professor of St. Petersburg State University, the head of the laboratory of ethnic sociology and psychology of St. Petersburg State University Zinaida Sikevich, the Rosbalt news agency reports. The data was obtained during a study built on the use of associations. The same set of associations (lion and eagle) causes Peter the Great to surveyed.

The positions of American troops near the city of Khost in the province of Paktia on Wednesday night were attacked by the Taliban and militants of Al-Qaeda, said the representative of the US Armed Forces, Major Bryan Hilferti, ITAR-TASS reports. According to him, an armed clash occurred in the area of ​​the host airfield. "The attackers opened intensive fire from automatic weapons, grenade launchers and mortars. We responded fire to the fire. The shootout lasted several hours.

Russian customs officers prevented smuggling abroad, ITAR-TASS reports. According to the press service of the State Customs Committee today, the employees of the Bryansk customs found that the bell was cast in 1817 and is of great historical value. An examination has been assigned to determine the cost of the seized bell. In relation to a citizen of Ukraine who tried to get him from Russia without documentation at customs, an investigation is being conducted.

To combat counterfeiters who are rapidly improving the technology of fake money, the US Department of Finance plans to add a little color to banknotes, besides traditional green.

The Japanese student of Furukava Takashi was killed in Vladivostok. He studied the Russian language at college at the Far Eastern State University and at the end of March was to return to his homeland to the city of Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido. According to the press service of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the region, the corpse of a 24-year-old Japanese was discovered on Monday evening by neighbors in the apartment, which he rented in the city center.

Mercury spills were found on Wednesday at the school ╧84 of the village of Borovoye, the Novosibirsk Region, RIA Novosti reports. In connection with the incident, classes at the school have been stopped, students are evacuated from the building. Specialists of the Ministry of Emergencies went to the place, who will have to eliminate the spilled poisonous metal and sanitize, the regional department for civil defense and emergency matters said. Mercury spills were discovered at the labor office.

The organizers were forced to suspend the National Australian Championship in surfing due to a huge flock of sharks, which invaded coastal waters near the beach, allocated for competitions. According to RIA Novosti , the championship, which is the largest event for surfers this year, was supposed to begin on Wednesday morning on one of the popular beaches of the Australian state of Queensland - Kurrava.

The oldest resident of the planet died in the USA. According to RIA Novosti , Mod Ferris-Laz lived in the town of Kroldwater in Michigan, where she died on Monday from complications caused by pneumonia. The long -liver, listed in June last year in the Guinness Book of Records, lived 115 years and 56 days. Although her birth certificate was long lost, her age was confirmed thanks to the testimony of marriage issued by the 16-year-old mod in 1903.

The Curonian Kosa Customs Post in the Kaliningrad region seized a smuggled batch of engines for combat aircraft. As ITAR-TASS reported today in the press service of the State Customs Committee of Russia, 22 undeclared engines for military aircraft followed Lithuania. A criminal case has been instituted against the participants in this smuggling operation - citizens of Russia and Lithuania.

The head of the RAO "UES of Russia" Anatoly Chubais announced his new grandiose plan on Tuesday. He is going to synchronize the work of all energy systems in Europe, the CIS and the Baltic countries. Synchronization of the work of energy systems, in particular, provides for the flow of electricity in case any of them is experiencing a shortage.

Aeroflot air specialists intend to start a three -day strike on March 30, Viktor Kleshchenkov, Chairman of the Council of Air Specialists of the Company (PROS), told Interfax . He noted that the Council of the Trade Union sent the company to the company's appropriate notification.

Television channels change their owners and change themselves. Changes will also affect music television companies. According to the "newspaper" , within three weeks, MTV general director Boris Zosimov will sell his shares in the channel to the American owner - Viacom. The television company has three shareholders - Viacom, Boris Zosimov and the former chairman of the board of directors of the Metalloinvest holding Oleg Kiselev.

Muslims of the steppe village of Kayasul, Neftekumsky district of Stavropol, adjacent to Dagestan, elected the new imam of the local mosque, expressing the distrust of the former, appointed by the spiritual department of Muslims of Karachay-Cherkessia and Stavropol. As the correspondent of RIA Novosti was told in the Council for Economic and Public Security of the region, which resigned imam is considered in Kayasul involved in the involvement of young people in the ranks of the Wahhabis .

In the Leninsky district of Grozny, at 7:30 Moscow time, two residents of Grozny - mother and daughter were shot. The Chechen policeman who hastened to their aid was also killed. According to ITAR-TASS, the investigation group arrived at the scene of the incident was blown up in a landmine, laid down near the scene. Five policemen were injured, including the investigator of the Chechnya prosecutor's office.

A large -scale special operation began in Grozny on Wednesday. Law enforcement agencies are looking for militants, weapons, warehouses and shelters. This unprecedented action is held simultaneously in all areas of the capital of Chechnya. Representatives of military commandants, Sobrovtsy and riot police participate in it. In addition, soldiers of the internal troops and representatives of the FSB are involved.