The latest: No Progress Reported as Russia-Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Moscow

14.03.2006
No Progress Reported as Russia-Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Moscow
Russia and Iran held another round of nuclear talks on Tuesday, the day after Moscow accused Tehran of thwarting diplomatic efforts to dispel Western fears about the Islamic Republic’s atomic program.

14.03.2006
Tariq Aziz Asks for Heart Treatment in Moscow
Tariq Aziz, the former Iraqi foreign minister under Saddam Hussein now held prisoner by the U.S. in Baghdad, has asked to go to Moscow for treatment of heart problems.

14.03.2006
Moscow Air Traffic Controller Busted for Smoking Dope
Moscow police officers have confiscated three packets of marijuana from a 19-year old air traffic controller in the city’s Domodedovo airport. The young man was not held criminally responsible, but the airport authorities said that he would be fired and put on black list.

14.03.2006
Russia, Syria to Push Hamas to Road Map — Russian FM
Russia and Syria are trying to persuade Hamas militant group to fulfil the Middle East road map, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.

14.03.2006
Estonian Driver Accidentally Runs Over 10 Wild Boars in One Day
A car driver in Estonia has run over 10 wild boars during one day. He was left unharmed and the animals had to be put to death.

14.03.2006
Chechen Rebels Radicalize
Radicals and Islamists now dominate the ranks of Chechen rebel fighters.

14.03.2006
Bird Flu Deaths Reported in Azerbaijan
At least three people were suspected of having died from the avian flu virus in Azerbaijan, the country’s health minister said.

14.03.2006
Russian Scientist Says Floating Nuclear Plants Could Supply Energy Worldwide
A Russian expert in nuclear energy has said that Russia can offer the world innovations in global energy security, including floating nuclear power plants. A nuclear power plant placed on a special floating platform could be easily transported anywhere in the world to provide energy, says Mikhail Kovalchuk, director of the Kurchatov Institute.

14.03.2006
Three Belarus Newspapers Shut Down Ahead of Presidential Poll
Three independent Belarusian newspapers have suspended publication after a printing house in Russia said it could no longer print them. The nation is holding presidential elections on March 19.

14.03.2006
Russia, China Refuse to Support Iran Measure
The U.S., France and Britain have failed to enlist support of China and Russia on a statement pressuring Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment efforts. U.S. and European diplomats hope they can increase diplomatic pressure on Moscow and Beijing by involving other council members in the talks.

14.03.2006
U.S. Warns Belarus of Sanctions in Case of Unfair Elections
United States has called Belarus to stop repressing opposition and civil society in connection with the coming presidential elections and threatened to impose sanctions if the demand is not fulfilled.

14.03.2006
9 Year Old Boy Crushed to Death by Elevator Doors
A 9-year-old Moscow child has been found dead in the elevator hall with his head trapped between the doors.

14.03.2006
Russia Bans Bird Hunt Trying to Prevent Bird Flu
Russian authorities are banning bird hunting in the country this year to prevent the spread of bird flu.

14.03.2006
Milosevic’s Son Plans to Bury Father in Moscow
Slobodan Milosevic’s son said Serbia would not allow his father to be buried there and that he planned to transport the former Yugoslav president’s body to Moscow for a funeral.

14.03.2006
U.S. Citizens Like Russia More Than France — Poll
Despite Russia’s drift toward authoritarian rule, Americans feel more kindly toward the country than they do toward France, according to a poll conducted by Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Russia’s approval rating was 47.1 percent compared with 45 percent for France.

14.03.2006
Ukraine Denies CIA Prison Allegations Revived by Russian TV
Russian state television revived an allegation that Ukraine hosted a secret CIA prison for terrorist suspects allegedly to prove its loyalty to the United States. Ukrainian officials denied the report.