The latest: Israel Hopes For Russia’s Assistance in Freeing Hostages

21.07.2006
Israel Hopes For Russia’s Assistance in Freeing Hostages — Envoy
Israel is hoping for Russian assistance to secure the release of two soldiers seized by Lebanon-based radical group Hezbollah, the Israeli ambassador to Russia has said.

21.07.2006
More Russians Trust Putin After G8, Basayev Death — Survey
President Vladimir Putin’s rating rose from 77 to 79 percent after he hosted the Group of Eight summit and security forces claimed responsibility for killing Russia’s most wanted man Shamil Basayev.

21.07.2006
Russia Signs USD 1 Bln Contract on Supplies of Fighter Jets, Helicopters With Venezuela
Russia has signed a contract on supplies of military planes and helicopters to Venezuela worth over $1 billion, the defense minister said Friday.

21.07.2006
Thieves Swipe Bike From Circus Monkey
Unknown criminals wrecked a circus show in the Russian republic of Buryatia by stealing a motorcycle that was used by a monkey. Owners hope that the bike will be returned soon as neither adults nor children can ride it — it was not designed for humans.

21.07.2006
Russian Supreme Court Releases Former Atomic Energy Minister
The Russian Supreme Court has released former Atomic Energy Minister Yevgeny Adamov, who was detained last year on charges of fraud and abuse of authority.

21.07.2006
Russia, India to Produce, Sell 1,000 Supersonic Cruise Missiles
Russia and India intend to make 1,000 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles over the next ten years through their joint venture company, and nearly 50 percent of them are expected to be sold to other countries, defense sources said Friday.

21.07.2006
U.S. NGO Faces Closure In Uzbekistan
Another U.S. non-governmental organization is facing closure in Uzbekistan. The Justice Ministry says Winrock International violated Uzbek law by providing legal training to women and inviting experts from Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.

21.07.2006
Russian, German Intelligence Services to Rescue Kidnapped Israeli Solders — Report
Russian and German intelligence services are using contacts to Middle East extremists in a bid to win the freedom of three Israeli soldiers being held by militants, a report said Friday.

21.07.2006
3 of 12 CIS Leaders Will Not Attend Informal Summit in Moscow
Armenian, Georgian and Ukrainian Presidents will not attend the seventh informal “shirt-sleeves” CIS summit, which starts today in Moscow.

21.07.2006
Russian Defense Minister Dismisses Georgia’s Statement on Peacekeepers’ Withdrawal
Russia’s defense minister dismissed a call by Georgia’s parliament for Russian peacekeepers to leave two breakaway provinces and made the latest in a series of increasingly bellicose warnings to Tbilisi against military action.

21.07.2006
Russia, China to Explore Moon Jointly
Inter-governmental commissions of Russia and China are holding talks on a joint program of Moon exploration using probes, a senior official of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos), Nikolai Sanko said Friday.

21.07.2006
Moscow Opts Out of 2016 Olympics Bid — Mayor Luzhkov
Moscow will not bid for the 2016 Olympics after failing in its attempt last year to host the 2012 Games, the city’s mayor Yuri Luzhkov said on Thursday. It is believed European cities will have only a small chance of success for 2016 after London was awarded the 2012 Games.

21.07.2006
Carrier Rocket Puts Russian Military Satellite Into Orbit
A military satellite launched on a Russian carrier rocket has been put into orbit, a Space Forces spokesman said Friday. The Molnia-M carrier rocket launch was conducted from the Plesetsk space center at 8.20 a.m. Moscow time (4:20 a.m. GMT) Friday and the rocket delivered the Cosmos satellite into its designated orbit at 9.16 a.m. Moscow time (5:16 a.m. GMT).

21.07.2006
EU Voices Deep Concern Over Russia-Georgia Tensions
The European Union is “deeply concerned” by tensions between Georgia and Russia and recent incidents in the breakaway region of South Ossetia, a statement said on Thursday.

21.07.2006
Chechnya’s pro-Moscow Leader Calls for Amnesty Extension, Third Term for Putin
Chechnya’s Moscow-backed President Alu Alkhanov has called for an extension of a planned amnesty for rebels in the North Caucasus to last until Jan. 1.

21.07.2006
Putin Honors Russian Agents After Death of Chechen Warlord
President Vladimir Putin awarded a group of Russian security officials medals Thursday for their alleged role in the killing of Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev. Local media did not say how many people received awards or which agencies they came from.

21.07.2006
Moscow Mayor Pledges Support to Georgia’s Restive Abkhazia
Moscow will continue to promote friendly ties and economic cooperation with Georgia’s breakway province of Abkhazia, the mayor of the Russian capital said during his visit to Sukhumi this week. Moscow will “work with the leadership of Abkhazia, without any doubts or fear, as with an independent force,” he said.