* Astronomy

After the deadly abuse of a soldier at the Russian Plessezk space base, Defence Minister Anatoli Serdyukov has dismissed its commander.

Deputy chief of the Plesetsk cosmodrome Maj-Gen Konstantin Chmarov was sacked for negligent performance of his duties, which recently led to the death of Private Sergei Sinkonen
 Pvt Sinkonen died in hospital earlier this week of the injures inflicted by officers Victor Bal and  Vadim Kalinin.
Chmarov was acting cosmodrome chief at the moment of the incident.

"In connection with the tragic events at the Plesetsk cosmodrome, which resulted in the death of Private Sergei Sinkonen, Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov decided to punish the officials whose negligent performance of duties led to the perpetration of the crime, by as far as sacking them" - Defence Ministrys press service.

Read more