The latest: U.S. Set to Bring Iran Draft to UN Vote, With or Without Russia’s Support

07.05.2006
U.S. Set to Bring Iran Draft to UN Vote, With or Without Russia’s Support
The United States said Saturday it was prepared to bring a UN resolution on Iran’s nuclear program to a vote — with or without Russia and China’s support. The resolution, co-sponsored by Britain and France and backed by the U.S., would demands that Iran suspend uranium enrichment.

07.05.2006
Russia Joins Strasbourg Hearings in WWII Veteran’s Claim Against Latvia
Russia is joining as a third party in hearings being held by the European Court of Human Rights over an appeal filed by a World War II veteran against Latvia, the presidential press office said Sunday.

07.05.2006
Russian Church Abroad Mulls Unity With Orthodox Believers in Moscow
After Communists seized power in Russia in 1917, exiles set up the Russian Orthodox Church abroad, waiting for the day that worshipers could freely practice their faith back in the motherland. The All-Diaspora Council of the Russian Church in exile mulls plans of reunification with Moscow.

07.05.2006
Russian Prosecutors Say Will Appeal Acquittal of Klebnikov’s Murder Suspects
Russia’s top prosecutors said Saturday they would appeal the acquittal of two men accused of murdering an American journalist investigating corruption in the closed, sometimes violent world of Russian business. The United States, leading rights groups and Paul Klebnikov’s family urged a renewed probe into the killing.

07.05.2006
Former Tajik Official Denied Asylum in Russia
A Moscow court on Saturday refused to grant temporary asylum to Tajikistan’s former trade minister, Habib Nasrulloyev. In doing so the court sided with the Federal Migration Service, which had argued that “there are no grounds for granting the former minister temporary asylum”.

07.05.2006
Russia’s Putin Steps Into Power Struggle in Chechnya
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stepped into an increasingly bitter power struggle between the two most powerful officials installed by Moscow in the war-torn province of Chechnya. Putin is backing Chechen President Alu Alkhanov as a “last counterbalance” against the growing influence of the powerful Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov, Kommersant Daily wrote.

07.05.2006
Russia Wins Euro Men’s Gymnastics Title
Russia won the final of the European men’s gymnastics championships on Saturday, beating defending champion Romania. Russia had 272.225 points, while Romania finished with 270.325. Belarus took bronze, and Ukraine edged Italy for fourth place.

07.05.2006
Armenia Holds Funerals for Plane Crash Victims
Armenians observed a moment of silence Saturday for the victims of the Armenian airliner crash that killed all 113 people on board, while experts were still seeking to determine why the plane crashed into the Black Sea earlier this week.

07.05.2006
U.S. Cheney Dismisses Russia’s Negative Reaction to Criticism of Putin
Vice President Dick Cheney shrugged off negative Russian reaction to his criticism of President Vladimir Putin, saying he had merely described “the extent to which they seem to resist the development of strong democracies” in Eastern Europe.