The latest: Russia’s Top Prosecutor, Justice Minister Swap Jobs

23.06.2006
Russia’s Top Prosecutor, Justice Minister Swap Jobs
Russian lawmakers backed Vladimir Putin’s proposal to appoint Justice Minister Yuri Chaika to the top prosecutor post, vacated earlier this month after Vladimir Ustinov was relieved of his duties in a move seen by many as part of the anti-corruption drive. However, on Friday Vladimir Putin appointed Ustinov to the vacated post of the justice minister.

23.06.2006
Neighboring Russia Central Asia States “Try to Sell Their Souls” - US Official
The United States accused certain Central Asian leaders of trying to “sell their souls” for personal gain on Friday and denied Washington was seeking undue influence in a region rich in oil and gas.

23.06.2006
New Chechen Rebel Leader Vows to Expand Fight Into Russia
The new leader of the self-declared Chechen separatist government, Doku Umarov, pledged today to expand rebel attacks to “many Russian regions”.

23.06.2006
Russian Diplomats’ Fate Unknown, Reports of Execution Refuted
A leading U.S. television network has apologized for the inaccurate translation of an online statement posted by an Iraqi militant group linked to al-Qaeda, that had said that four diplomats abducted earlier in Baghdad had been killed.

23.06.2006
Russian Custom Service Misspent $140 mln — Auditors
The Audit Chamber said the Federal Customs Service had failed to efficiently use a $140 million loan disbursed for its IT upgrading by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The loan was borrowed against government guarantees, and has been serviced using only federal budget funds.

23.06.2006
European Rights Official Responds to Russian Liberal’s Accusations
A senior official of Europe’s leading human rights body responded to remarks made earlier by Garry Kasparov, Russia’s former chess champion and a vocal critic of the Kremlin, in an open letter published by Financial Times.

23.06.2006
Russian Authorities Fail to Close Web-based News Agency
The Russian cultural agency, which controls law observance by mass media, was not able to close the web-based news agency Bankfax. The local court of the Altai region, which examined the charges against the website, decided that there were no traces of extremism in Bankfax’s activity.

23.06.2006
Russian Ovechkin Named Top NHL Rookie
Alexander Ovechkin had to have a great season to edge out Sidney Crosby for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He did just that, and the 20-year-old Russian was rewarded by being named top rookie during the NHL’s annual awards gala Thursday night. He led all first-year players in scoring with 106 points including 52 goals.

23.06.2006
U.S., European Leaders Concerned Over Russia’s Policies
The U.S. and the EU have voiced concern over what they said was a degradation of civil liberties in Russia. They also noted that Russia’s international policies too often ran contrary to theirs, citing Russia’s stance on Iran, Hamas, and Putin’s support for the Lukashenko regime in Belarus.

23.06.2006
WWF, Russian Officials Warn of Environmental Disaster in Chechnya
Oil spills and pollution from war-ravaged sewer systems are threatening the environment in Chechnya, one of Russia’s richest natural habitats, the international environmental group WWF and Russian officials said.

23.06.2006
Russia Refutes Media Reports of N Korea’s Kim Visit
Officials in Russia played down media speculation Friday that North Korea’s secretive leader Kim Jong-il had entered the country.

23.06.2006
Russia Says Belarus War Games Not Directed at Any Particular Nation
Ongoing military exercises between Russian and Belarusian forces — the largest exercises ever for the two ex-Soviet republics — are not directed toward any nation, alliance or enemy in particular, Russia’s defense minister said Thursday.

23.06.2006
Tunisia’s Santos Bracing For Clash With Ukraine
Tunisia’s leading scorer Santos could be a surprise starter for the 2004 African Nations Cup champions in their do-or-die clash with Group H rivals Ukraine in Germany on Friday, said coach Roger Lemerre on the eve of the match.

23.06.2006
Moscow Faith Summit to Issue Message to G8 Leaders
A statement of universal values by some of the world’s religious leaders will be delivered to the leaders of the Group of Eight top industrialized nations, organizers of an international religious summit said Thursday. More than 100 religious leaders are expected to gather in Moscow on July 3-5 ahead of the G8 summit in St. Petersburg.