Russia fire: Fifteen people killed in nightclub blaze after ‘flare gun discharged inside’

Stephen King Testifies Against Penguin’s Proposed $2 Billion Merger Stephen King Testifies , Against Penguin’s Proposed , $2 Billion Merger.Bloomberg reports that author Stephen King has testified against Penguin Random House’s $2.18 billion acquisition of Simon & Schuster. .Bloomberg reports that author Stephen King has testified against Penguin Random House’s $2.18 billion acquisition of Simon & Schuster. .The best-selling author reportedly argued that the proposed acquisition would weaken competition in the publishing industry.On August 2, King appeared as a government witness in the Justice Department’s antitrust suit attempting to block the billion dollar deal.On August 2, King appeared as a government witness in the Justice Department’s antitrust suit attempting to block the billion dollar deal.According to King, consolidation in the publishing industry has led to lower pay for authors over the course of his long career.According to King, consolidation in the publishing industry has led to lower pay for authors over the course of his long career.It becomes tougher and tougher for writers to find enough money to live on, Stephen King, Antitrust suit testimony, via Bloomberg.Bloomberg reports that the deal would see Penguin, the top book publisher, take over Simon & Schuster, the fourth largest.Bloomberg reports that the deal would see Penguin, the top book publisher, take over Simon & Schuster, the fourth largest.The government’s antitrust suit alleges that the acquisition will result in lower advances for authors and fewer choices for consumers.The government’s antitrust suit alleges that the acquisition will result in lower advances for authors and fewer choices for consumers.The companies argue that the merger will not affect internal competition between Penguin and Simon & Schuster.Bloomberg reports that King openly mocked this claim while testifying. .Most of King’s library of books are published by Simon & Schuster’s imprint Scribner.According to King, the five largest publishers, which would include Simon & Schuster, have largely squeezed out independent book stores.According to King, the five largest publishers, which would include Simon & Schuster, have largely squeezed out independent book stores The Independent Leslie Jones narrates Lincoln Project campaign against voter intimidation during midterms Leslie Jones teams up with Lincoln Project against voter intimidation in midtermsLincoln Project The Independent 988 suicide, crisis lifeline offers mental health support The last two and a half years of the pandemic have been incredibly stressful for many of us. The US has seen a record number of Americans dying by suicide and drug overdoses. This summer, Georgia and other states launched a three-digit helpline for people experiencing a mental health crisis. It’s called “The 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.” The Independent A fire in a Russian nightclub has killed 15 people and injured five others, reportedly after a flare gun was used inside. Emergency services were able to evacuate 250 people when the blaze erupted in the city of Kostroma in the early hours of Saturday.The governor of the Kostroma region, Sergei Sitnikov, said five people were slightly injured and received medical assistance. © Provided by The Independent Firefighters fight the blaze at Polygon cafe in Kostroma, Russia (EPA) © Provided by The Independent Hundreds of people were evacuated from the building as the fire took hold (AP) The roof of the building collapsed during the fire. A criminal investigation has been launched, and the police are searching for the person who used the flare gun.Kostroma, a riverside city of 270,000, is located roughly 340 kilometers (210 miles) north of Moscow.It wasn’t the first time that pyrotechnics caused a deadly fire at a recreational venue in Russia.In 2009, more than 150 people were killed in a blaze at the Lame Horse nightclub in the city of Perm that erupted after someone set off fireworks. © Provided by The Independent At least fifteen have died with more injured (EPA) And earlier this year a fire erupted at a popular nightclub in Yaounde, Cameroon’s capital, setting off explosions and killing at least 17 people.The deadly blaze occurred at the Livs Nightclub in the capital’s Bastos neighborhood, setting off a series of explosions. Workers said it was a short-circuit that customers initially thought was a fireworks show. The explosions went off once the blaze spread to a place where cooking gas was being stored, causing panic, the workers said in January.From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here. Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Send MSN Feedback Please give an overall site rating: Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window