The latest: Beginning of the End for Interpol

19.05.2006
Beginning of the End for Interpol
Speaking at a meeting held by Interpol in Minsk amid a boycott by the EU, a senior Russian law enforcer praised Interpol that had allegedly backed Russian arrest warrants issued for self-exiled tycoon Boris Berezovsky, Yukos co-founder Leonid Nevzlin, and other people wanted in Russia. Leonid Nevzlin, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, casts doubts on the credibility of the statement made by the chief of the Russian delegation.

19.05.2006
Russia to Assume Council of Europe Presidency
Russia will assume the six-month presidency of the Council of Europe on Friday. After a session at ministerial level of 46 Council of Europe states, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, already in his capacity as chairman of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers from May 19 to November 15, will present the priorities of Russia’s presidency for the next six months.

19.05.2006
Russian Soldier Jailed Over Brutal Hazing of Young Conscript
A Russian court-martial has convicted an army sergeant of abuse and sentenced him to five years in prison in connection with the brutal hazing of a young conscript that led to the amputation of the victim’s legs.

19.05.2006
Orthodox Activists Burn “Da Vinci Code” Poster in Central Moscow
Around 100 protesters representing a Russian Orthodox movement Thursday burned a poster advertising the new film based on The Da Vinci Code at Pushkin Square in central Moscow, on the day of the controversial film’s premier. The demonstrators held icons, crosses and banners, one of which read: “The Da Vinci Code: you buy a ticket — you sell Jesus.”

19.05.2006
Russia to Join NATO in Anti-Terrorism Sea Training
The Russian frigate Pitliviy begins conducting operations with NATO forces in the Mediterranean on Friday, as preparations are made for Operation Active Endeavour, the alliance’s seaborne anti-terrorism mission.“Pitliviy” will conduct mission-oriented training with NATO forces until June 4.

19.05.2006
Russia Signs Deal to Send First Malaysian Astronaut to ISS
The Russian company Rosoboronexport has signed a deal with Malaysia’s Defense Ministry to take a Malaysian astronaut to the International Space Station.

19.05.2006
Russian Delegation Flees From Berlin Aerospace Show
The Russian Tu-204-300 airliner, which was in danger of being seized to satisfy the financial claims of German businessman Franz Sedelmayer, who is attempting to enforce on Russia the payment of 2.3 million dollars, left for Moscow.

19.05.2006
Average Russian Drinks 19 Liters of Alcohol a Year — Report
An average Russian drinks 19 liters of pure alcohol a year, a report on Russia’s alcohol policy has revealed. This is ten liters above the level that separates a nation with a drink problem from a nation that is becoming extinct.

19.05.2006
Moscow Gays to Hold Parade Despite Ban
The gay march will be held in Moscow in spite of the ban imposed by the city authorities, the organizer has said.

19.05.2006
Senior Russian Orthodox Cleric Meets Pope Benedict
A senior cleric from the Russian Orthodox Church has held a rare meeting with Pope Benedict in the latest sign that once icy relations between the churches are thawing, Vatican sources say.

19.05.2006
Russia’s Safina Ousts Kim Clijsters at Rome Masters
Determined Dinara Safina slammed the door on any chance for Kim Clijsters to return next week to world number one, dumping the second seed out of the Rome Masters 6-4, 7-6 (7/2).

19.05.2006
Czechs Eliminate Russians in World Hockey Championship Quarters
Zbynek Irgl’s goal late in extra time gave the Czech Republic a dramatic 4-3 victory over Russia on Thursday, sending the titleholders into the world championship semi-finals.