TODAY: High turn-out in regional elections clouded in allegations of fraud; United Russia victory looks likely; spoof TV show showing Russian invasion sends panic across Georgia. START replacement deal imminent (apparently). Mass protest against toxic fumes; police confiscate newspaper run; Russia hits back at US rights report; ex-police chief lands new job; Orthodox church courts controversy with new building plan; night time drinking under fire

Turnout was high in the weekend’s elections; meanwhile accusations of fraud are flying between United Russia and opposition parties.  A cash-for-votes scandal involving frontrunners United Russia has hit the town of Tula, according to the Other Russia.  All of which bodes ill for Medvedev’s promise of a commitment to democractic procedures, which these elections are widely believed to test.  Early reports say that United Russia are, unsurprisingly, heading for victory.  A spoof television show announcing that President Mikheil Saakashvili has been assassinated in a Russian invasion of Georgia, backed by opposition leaders Nino Burjanadze and Zurab Nogaideli, has provoked mass panic in Georgia.  The opposition politicians concerned are reportedly outraged and have accused the government of being behind the fake report.  Mr Saakashvili, whose own grandmother is reportedly among the terrified, has apparently defended the program as a ‘maximally close’ representation of Russia’s intentions.