The latest: France Jails 25 Militants Accused of Jihad Links With Chechen Rebels

14.06.2006
France Jails 25 Militants Accused of Jihad Links With Chechen Rebels
A French court has jailed 25 alleged Islamic militants for planning attacks in France in support of Chechen rebels. Prosecutors said the group’s intended targets included the Eiffel Tower and the Halles shopping center. The group was accused of “jihad” links with Chechen militants fighting Russia.

14.06.2006
Russia, Eastern Energy-rich States Demonstrate Alarming Decline in Democracy — Report
The American pro-democracy NGO Freedom House has issued a report saying that energy-rich countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as Russia, are declining in their democratic performance, even as their resources become strategically more important.

14.06.2006
Helicopters Bomb Rebel Positions in Russia’s Southern Region
Russian helicopters on Wednesday bombed a wooded area in the restive southern region of Ingushetia where security forces believed up to 10 Chechnyan militants were hiding.

14.06.2006
Russia Denies Violating Non-Proliferation Regime
Russia will not sign any contract with another state if it finds in its terms any kind of threat to the international regime of non-proliferation of missile technology, Russia’s top defense official told an international economic forum in St. Petersburg on Wednesday.

14.06.2006
18 Killed, 129 Wounded in Nationalist Attacks in Russia in 2006 — HR Centre
More than 100 attacks incited by nationalistic hatred have been recorded in Russia since the beginning of the year, 18 of them ending in deaths of the victims, a Moscow human rights centre reports.

14.06.2006
Fisherman Killed by New Fishing Rod
A man went fishing for the weekend and died of electric shock as his new rod was caught on a high voltage wire.

14.06.2006
American Woman Pleads Guilty in Russian Adoptions Fraud Trial
A woman accused of bilking couples out of nearly $100,000 after promising to help them adopt Russian children has agreed to plead guilty to mail and wire fraud.

14.06.2006
Belarus Prosecutor Orders Crackdown on Jewish Children’s Group
Prosecutors in eastern Belarus have issued a warning to a Jewish kindergarten music teacher after she celebrated the traditionally joyful Jewish holiday of Purim with Jewish children. The move is seen as part of a government-led campaign to restrict religious activity in the country.

14.06.2006
Russian, Foreign Hackers Increase Attacks on State Computer Networks — Official
Hackers have been attacking computer networks of Russia’s state departments and ministries more frequently, but they have all been repelled, Viktor Gorbachyov, the head of the Federal Security Service’s center for communications security said Wednesday.

14.06.2006
First Contract to Build Floating Nuclear Power Plant Signed in Russia
The state-owned nuclear power generating monopoly Rosenergoatom and Sevmash shipyard have signed a contract to build the world’s first floating nuclear power plant, the Russian nuclear agency said Wednesday.

14.06.2006
Ukraine’s Football Achievements Mean a Brighter Future for Children — Shevchenko
Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchenko is one of more than 100 football greats serving as a FIFA charity ambassador. In an interview to SOS-Kinderhof International, Shevchenko explains his decision to take part in the Children’s Villages project, speaking about the situation in his homeland of Ukraine and the chances that Ukraine and Germany have at the World Cup.

14.06.2006
Russia Will Not Discuss its Nuclear Weapons With U.S. — Official
Russia does not intend to discuss issues relating to the future of nuclear tactical weapons with the United States, a senior defense ministry official said Tuesday.

14.06.2006
Ukraine Does Not Fear Spain — Coach
Spain should be running scared of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian coach Oleg Blokhin, ahead of their clash in Group H on Wednesday. “Am I worried? It’s the Spaniards who should be worried,” he said.

14.06.2006
Russia Urges Palestinians to Stop Violence
Russia on Tuesday called on feuding Palestinians factions to stop the violence that has raised fears of imminent civil war. The statement came a day after hundreds of Palestinian police loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas went on a rampage against the Hamas government.

14.06.2006
Russia’s Putin Meets Georgian Counterpart in St. Petersburg
In an effort to mend their differences, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili met for more than two hours of talks in St. Petersburg. After the meeting, Saakashvili admitted that most issues they had discussed remain unresolved.