The latest: World Cup Kicks Off Without Russia

10.06.2006
World Cup Kicks Off Without Russia
Host Germany and Costa Rica got the soccer World Cup under way with a match in Munich on June 9 following an impressive ceremony that opened what is seen by millions of fans across the globe as the biggest football event on the planet. It feels sad to see Russia away from the tournament.

10.06.2006
South Russian Province Mourns Pro-Kremlin Officials, Other Victims Slain in Friday Attack
Authorities in Russia’s southern province of Ingushetia, bordering on the restive Chechnya, have declared a day of mourning for the victims of two attacks, in which two pro-Kremlin officials were killed. A senior police official, along with his children and guards, and an official responsible for helping Russian families resettle in the war-torn region were gunned down Friday.

10.06.2006
Russia Refuses to Hand Over Diplomat Charged With Sexual Assault in Canada
Canada has asked Russia to return one of its diplomats to Canada to face charges of drugging and sexually assaulting two young men in his apartment here in February. Russia rejected the request saying the allegations amounted to an attempt by criminal groups to blackmail the former embassy official.

10.06.2006
2 Police Officers Charged in Attack on Tajik Students in Russian Capital
Two police officers were detained, as prosecutors in Moscow continued their investigation of the alleged involvement of several policemen in the beating of Tajik students at a university hostel in the Russian capital.

10.06.2006
Russia Approves NHL Transfer Deal
Russia’s ice hockey chiefs eventually approved on Friday a transfer agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL), ending a long confrontation with their North American counterparts. Russia had been the only major hockey power not to sign the deal, calling it unfair.

10.06.2006
U.S. Denies Political Motives in Blocking Russia’s WTO Bid
The United States is not throwing up any political hurdles to Russia’s bid to join the WTO, new U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said. Russia said earlier the U.S. government was injecting political questions about democracy and human rights into the trade negotiations.