The latest: Moscow Wants Hamas to Abide Agreements With Israel

03.03.2006
Moscow Wants Hamas to Abide Agreements With Israel — Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has told Hamas that Moscow expected it to abide by all previous Palestinian agreements with Israel. “We are counting on Hamas, as the leading political force of the national assembly and also the future government, making a contribution to the full and all-embracing fulfillment of all former agreements,” he said.

03.03.2006
Hiddik Denies He Will Train Russian National Football Team
PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink has denied reaching an agreement with the Russian Football Association (RFU) to become their new national coach after this year’s World Cup finals.

03.03.2006
50-Year-Old Mother Studies Karate to Protect 22-Year-Old Son From Bullies
A 50-year old Russian woman has started practicing karate to protect her 22-year-old son from local bullies. After she applied her skills on one of the local hooligans, her son can freely go for a walk.

03.03.2006
CE Head Sees Hamas Invitation to Moscow Constructive
Council of Europe Secretary General has described Russia’s decision to invite delegation of Hamas militant group to Moscow as quite constructive.

03.03.2006
Hamas Delegation Arrives in Moscow Possibly Tempering Its Stance on Israel
A Hamas delegation arrived in Moscow Friday morning, led by Khaled Mashaal. The delegation plans to spend three days in Moscow.

03.03.2006
Chechen Rebel Leaders Blast Hamas for Russia Talks
Chechnya’s rebels have slammed Hamas, saying leaders of the Palestinian group had given their blessing to the “murder of the Chechen people” by meeting top Russian officials. They said the Islamists had sold out their principles, and showed itself as hungry for power as corrupt officials who governed the Palestinians before.

03.03.2006
Greenpeace Criticizes Russia’s Environmental Review Process
Greenpeace Russia have condemned the state environmental review process surrounding plans for an oil pipeline route trough the Lake Baikal protected area.

03.03.2006
Russia Still Upbeat on Nuclear Deal With Iran — Minister
Russia and Iran have failed to agree on a joint venture for uranium enrichment, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov admitted Friday. However, Russia still hopes for the positive outcome of further talks with Tehran, he added.

03.03.2006
7 Participants of Anti-Hamas Rally Detained in Moscow
Upon the arrival of the Hamas delegation, Moscow policemen have detained at least seven participants of an anti-Hamas rally near the Embassy of the Palestinian Authority in downtown Moscow.

03.03.2006
Estonian Teenagers Fined $10 for Drunk Parties in President’s Palace
Estonian police have established participants of wild parties organized by teenage grand-daughters of the nation’s president in his house. The felons were fined $10 each.

03.03.2006
Pack of Cigarettes Explode Tearing Man’s Hand Apart
A pack of cigarettes exploded in a man’s hands in the Russian city of Cheboksary.

03.03.2006
Iran Can Build Nuclear Bomb Within 5 Years — Russian Think Tank
Iran can get nuclear weapons within five years, a Russian think tank, the Foreign and Defense Policy Council, said in its report. The body claims that the consequences will not be catastrophic as long as Iran remains stable.

03.03.2006
Nuclear Waste Plant Chief Dismissed Over Breach of Environment Safety in Central Russia
A Russian court ordered the dismissal of the head of the nation’s main nuclear waste processing facility over violation of safety rules. Earlier prosecutors said the head of Mayak had sanctioned dumping of radioactive waste into the Techa River in 2001-2004 and embezzled the funds allocated for preventing the damage.

03.03.2006
Ukrainian Politician and Journalists Denied Entrance into Belarus
Five Ukrainian journalists and the head of the Pora party, Vladislav Kaskiv, were not allowed to enter Belarus.

03.03.2006
Matisse Stolen at Rio Carnival Put Up for Sale on Russian Website
A valuable painting stolen last week from a Rio de Janeiro museum was put up for sale on an Internet auction site for $13 million, Brazil’s federal police said on Thursday. Henri Matisse’s “Luxembourg Gardens” was advertised on a Web site hosted in Russia.

03.03.2006
Russian Cosmonauts to Play Golf in Orbit
Russian cosmonauts want to hit a golf ball into Earth’s orbit from the International Space Station (ISS). If NASA blesses this affair, they would set a record for the longest golf drive ever made.

03.03.2006
Italian Commission Says Soviet Intelligence Was Behind 1981 Attempt on Pope
An Italian parliamentary commission has concluded “beyond any reasonable doubt” that the Soviet Union was behind the 1981 shooting of Pope John Paul II. Russia has dismissed the allegations as “absurd”.