The latest: Kremlin Thwarts Washington Interests

05.03.2006
Kremlin Thwarts Washington Interests — U.S. Task Force
The Bush administration should stop pretending Russia is a genuine strategic partner and adopt a new policy of “selective cooperation” and “selective opposition” to the authoritarian government of President Vladimir Putin, a U.S. bipartisan task force has concluded.

05.03.2006
Russian Patriarch Urges Hamas Delegations to Seek Peace With Israel
Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia has urged the Palestinian leadership to seek dialogue for peace during a meeting in Moscow. The patriarch pointed out that Palestine has always been a special place for the Russian people as the Holy Land for the Orthodox.

05.03.2006
Special Forces Prevent Burning Scarecrows of Bush, Putin, Blair in Moscow
Russian Special Forces (OMON) have broken up a show in downtown Moscow in order not to let its participants burn down scarecrows of Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, which replaced a straw effigy of Lady Maslenitsa, the symbol of the Pancake week festival celebrated in Russia.

05.03.2006
Azeri Doctors Blame Bird Flu for Death of 2 Girls
Two girls from a family hospitalized on suspicion of contracting bird flu have died in Azerbaijan. Six members of their family were rushed to a hospital earlier this month. They were diagnosed with acute pneumonia, but the cases arouse a great deal of suspicion, doctors said.

05.03.2006
Russia’s Petrova Ruins Mauresmo’s Hopes For World Number One
Russia’s Nadia Petrova has dashed Amelie Mauresmo’s hopes of grabbing the world number one spot by winning the WTA Qatar Open title 6-3, 7-5. Petrova, the second seed, ensured a fourth straight success for Russian players in Doha as well as picking up her second career crown.