Abstract: The subject of this research is the legal norms that regulate the procedure of determining priority of patients (triage) in the Russian Federation, as well as the grounds for bringing to criminal responsibility of the representatives of medical profession for causing death during this process. The object of this research is the social relations arising in terms of prioritizing  treatment  of patients under the circumstances of severe shortage of medical resources, namely in case of mass infection. Analysis is conducted on the established by Chapter 8 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation conditions that exclude criminal nature of the act. The conclusion is made that on their inapplicability in similar circumstances. The author examines the nature of the process of medical sorting  – allocation of patients according to certain characteristics and order of their treatment, regulatory norms, as well as analyzes  the trends in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the fact that the Russian criminal law science does not feature special research dedicated to triage, the article provides a brief overview of the works of foreign legal scholars along with similar positions of national scholars, as well as determines the circumstances that affect the criminal nature of patient's death that takes place in the conditions of severe shortage of resources. The novelty lies in the cross-sectional study of the norms of Russian criminal law and the corresponding norms of medical law, based on which the author develops solution to the problem that did not previously receive due coverage in the Russian science. The author answers the question regarding criminal responsibility for the death of one of the two patients when it is not feasible to provide simultaneous medical treatment to both. It also The article also describes potential amendments to the sectoral medical legislation for the purpose of consolidation of legal status of medical professionals, protect their rights from unsubstantiated criminal prosecution,  protect rights of the patients, and maintain ethical well-being of medical profession.

Keywords: Italy, Great Britain, USA, Russia, COVID-19, resources, criminal law, medical triage, medical law, criminal liability

Abstract: Hate crime is a prejudice-motivated crime against an unprivileged group. This article provides an overview of hate crimes against LGBT in Russia. Emphasis is placed on several aspects: (1) legal status of hate crimes in Russia, (2) available data sources and statistical analysis of anti-LGBT crimes, (3) number of such crimes and general tendency (4) problems of collection and interpretation of data. To answer these questions, the article employs previous research on the topic, reports of the local and international organizations, and law enforcement practice. Russian courts recognize motive of hate towards LGBT  as a direct “hate motive against a social group” (consisting of two or more people who regularly interact based on mutual expectations and share common identity). However, the judges often avoid the direct application of such norm, replacing the motive of hat3 with the concept of “personal antagonism” or prejudice that affected the motives of the perpetrators. This leads to a misinterpretation of anti-LGBT crime statistics, since “personal antagonism” does not entail legal consequences of hate crimes. Therefore, the absence of the official data on such crimes encourages the researchers to search for the alternative sources of statistical data. For assessing the degree of hate crimes against LGBT in Russia, the author explores various research approaches and reports, which testify to the fact that the number of such crimes has increased since 2013. The author outlines a range of challenges faced by the researchers dealing with this topic, as well as potential vectors for further research.

Keywords: LGBT, homophobia, LGBT right, discrimination, aggravating circumstances, LGBT in Russia, criminal law, hate crimes, russian law, social groups

Abstract: This article explores the promising role of modern international organizations in the production of knowledge applicable to the context of globalization and global governance, as well as the required framework and mechanisms. The subject of this research is the mechanisms of international organizations, namely OECD, in the production of knowledge used within the system of global governance. The goal lies in the overview of worldwide demand for knowledge in the context of Dolowitz-Marsh approach for assessing the prospects for the knowledge offered. The capabilities of OECD as the central standardized think tank, combined with the role of NGOs within the system of global governance, allows activating bilateral relations and transnational governance. The author analyzes the existing hypothesis about on capability of the international organizations to produce knowledge in the era of globalization; as well as examines the mechanisms of OECD and other NGOs for to outlining new horizons and actions with regards to providing a wide range of government institutions with the effective instruments. Thus, nationalization of the results of the policy indicates a comprehensive internal analysis based on the international standards that reduce the role of political interference in the outcome. The role of international organizations in the production of knowledge opens new horizons for the country to broader interaction between all interested parties based on the results of activity, simultaneously ensuring standardized interaction and practice on a bilateral basis. The article describes the capabilities of centralized, results-driven production of knowledge, as well as the prospects for extensive international cooperation and accountability of the governments.

Keywords: Transnational Administration, Global Governance, NGO, OECD, Production of Knowledge, International Organizations, Government Performance, Globalization, Performance-oriented, Government Accountability

Abstract: This article analyzes the political cooperation between Thailand and Russia over the period from 2014 to the present. The concepts of national interest, balance of powers, and neoliberalism are used as the analytical frameworks. The current bilateral cooperation is characterized by positive dynamics in the political sphere as it appears from the visits of the heads of government since 2015. These visits led to the advancement of all-round cooperation for both countries. However, the political ties have not yet reached the optimal level, and mutual cooperation between the two countries faces certain challenges. The main conclusion lies in determination of the issues in relationship between the countries: 1) political instability in Thailand affects the cooperation; some changes that took place in the Thai government between 2006 and 2014, as well as internal problems entailed by the coup d'etat, influenced its foreign policy. The author indicates that the key factors that affect Russia-Thailand relations are the political and diplomatic mechanisms. High-level visits and bilateral discussions contribute to strengthening of ties between the two countries. However, for further development of the relations, Thailand must resolve its domestic issues.

Keywords: Coup d’état, Great Powers, Political Instability, Political Cooperation, Russia, Thailand, The United States, China, Problems, Visits

Abstract: Rapid technological changes that take place in recent years affect all aspects of life. The emergence and popularization of the Internet is one of the examples of how people get access to political information and news. Previous research were focused on examination of the impact of media upon the audience, or people’s distrust to new media. The online quantitative study that involved 199 respondents from Ghana and Nigeria revealed that many people read political news online, or sometimes listen to the radio in these two regions. Print media received the lowest rating, as people’s interest in it declines. The conclusion is made that the population of Ghana and Nigeria tend to read new media for political news compared to mainstream media. Therefore, mainstream media should invest adequate resources to improve their online presence and the quality of their news content. It is indicated that new media is currently the number one tool worldwide of enticing people to protest against government policies that they believe would have negative consequences for their lives. It is shocking that the majority of respondents claimed that they watch political news on TV, compared to minority who listen to radio. The authors’ special contribution lies in determination of the most frequently used means of political communication among the residents of West African countries.

Keywords: political communication, journalism, misinformation, West Africa, political news, mainstream media, media, TikTOk, Uses and gratification, print media

Abstract: The subject of this research is the linguistic education as teaching a foreign language; while the object is the concepts of “competency” and “competence”. The authors examine and compare the views of foreign and Russian scholars upon the content of these concepts. Special attention is given to the components of the key competencies, namely communicative competence. Analysis is conducted on aspects as “communicative competence” and “communicative tolerance”. Communicative competence suggests the command of language, as well as various social roles in the collective, including communication skills. The author highlights the role of the “Foreign Language” discipline in the development of students’ communicative competence and tolerance. The conclusion is made that communicative tolerance is a component of communicative competence. It is necessary to develop communicative competence of the students as the readiness for tolerant communication with the interaction partners. Communicative competence aimed at mastering the students’ ability to tolerance communication is being formed in the context of teaching a foreign language. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that communicative competence encompasses not only the command of languages, but also various social roles in the team and the ability to communicate tolerantly. The conducted analysis can be valuable for the researchers of dealing with the nature of the categories of “competency” and “competence”.

Keywords: foreign language, communicative tolerance, сommunicative competence, key competences, competence, competency, competence-based approach, forming, students, communication

Abstract: The topic of space music requires a new scientific perspective. The goal of this article lies in examination of the historical and social peculiarities of the origin and development of space rock. The article presents futuristic interpretation of musicality of the celestial Universe. The article provides information about selected performers of this direction. Contextually, the article encompasses the stories of JULIAN'S TREATMENT and HAWKWIND. In reconstruction of the chronology for new interpretation, the author avoids repetitions and long descriptions of commonly known facts; aligns the key episodes of narration with the communication lines through the prism of social history; as well as gives assessment to the current situation and forecasts for the future. The recordings of space rock music stored in the audio archives, private collections, museums of music, and other sound libraries comprise the empirical basis for this publication. This article is first to offer periodization of the development of space music. The author’s special contribution of consists in clarification of the chronology of a range of recordings, as well as in familiarization of the audience with other aspects that are combined into a single concept. The provided material is intended for scholars in culture studies, musicologists, historians, archivists, as well as everyone interested in rock music.

Keywords: Rock’n’Roll, Universe, Sound Records, Progressive Music, Space Rock, Archives, Titan, Planet, Cosmic Trip, Hawkwind