Even if true and the Chechens claim to have killed dozens of Russians that total would rise sharply should the fighting become hand-to-hand in Chechnya's towns, let alone mountain warfare.

ECONOMIST: Special

The BBC's Will Grant, in Mexico City, says the law is also likely to further strengthen the hand of anti-bull fighting activists.

BBC: New Mexico City law punishes animal cruelty with jail

But if the two countries start fighting hand to hand, no-one can forecast its extent of escalation and how destructive it will be.

BBC: China media: Territorial tensions

But without further changes to the labour laws, the bosses of these former state-owned leviathans are fighting with one hand tied behind their backs.

ECONOMIST: Deutsche Telekom