Russia sent troops to help control a countrywide uprising in Kazakhstan on Thursday, as fresh clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in the main city of Almaty.
Police in Almaty have reported killing dozens of rioters since the protests in Almaty turned violent on Wednesday Wednesday. Authorities said at least 18 members of the security forces had been killed, including two found decapitated. More than 2,000 people have been arrested.
The TASS news agency quoted witnesses as saying more people were killed and wounded in renewed battles in Almaty's main square, which was occupied alternately by troops and protesters on Thursday.
Explosions and gunfire were heard as military vehicles and scores of soldiers advanced, although the shooting stopped after nightfall.
Earlier, military personnel regained control of the main airport from protesters.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Friday that "constitutional order" had mostly been restored in the Central Asian country.
"An anti-terrorist operation has been launched. The forces of law and order are working hard. Constitutional order has largely been restored in all regions of the country," Mr Tokayev was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office.
The Kazakh interior ministry said in a separate statement that 26 "armed criminals" had been "liquidated" and more than 3,000 detained.
The arrival of Russian troops followed a call by Mr Tokayev for assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a Moscow-led military alliance of former Soviet states. He blamed the unrest on “foreign-trained terrorists” who he said had seized buildings and weapons.
The internet has been shut down across the country, making it difficult to gauge the extent of the unrest.
The violence is the worst since Kazakhstan declared independence three decades ago. Following its independence, the country was ruled by Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Although he stepped down as president three years ago, Mr Nazarbayev, 81, held on to the reins of power through other positions.
Moscow said it was sending troops on a “counter-terrorist operation” and has backed Mr Tokayev's claim that the uprising is being led by foreign-trained terrorists.
The general secretary of the CSTO told the Russian RIA news agency that the overall peacekeeping force would number about 2,500, and could be strengthened if necessary.
It was expected to be a short mission of “a few days or weeks”, RIA quoted him as saying.
The US said it was closely monitoring reports of the deployment and had questions about whether the forces were legitimately invited to the country.
“We have questions about that deployment precisely because Kazakhstan, the government of Kazakhstan ... has its own resources, and the government is, and has been, well fortified,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.
“We will be watching very closely for any violations of human rights and any efforts or actions on the part of foreign forces to seize Kazakh institutions,” he added.
The uprising, which began as protests against a New Year's Day fuel price rise, grew violent on Wednesday when protesters chanting slogans against Mr Nazarbayev stormed and torched public buildings in Almaty and other cities.
Mr Tokayev responded by dismissing his Cabinet, reversing the fuel price rise and distancing himself from his predecessor, including by taking over a powerful security post Mr Nazarbayev had retained.
But those moves have failed to appease the protesters.
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Asia Cup Qualifier
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Result: Winners play at Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in September
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29: Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30: UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6: Final
Asia Cup
Venue: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Schedule: Sep 15-28
Teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus the winner of the Qualifier
HOW TO WATCH
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Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
Stamp duty timeline
December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%
April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.
July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.
March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.
April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.
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2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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New Zealand 153 and 56 for 1 in 22.4 overs at close
Pakistan 227
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