The latest: Russia Insists on Immediate Ceasefire in Lebanon

04.08.2006
Russia Insists on Immediate Ceasefire in Lebanon — Security Chief
An immediate ceasefire is a necessary prerequisite for a political settlement in the Middle East, Russian Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov said at a meeting with leader of the Lebanese parliamentary majority Saad Hariri on Friday.

04.08.2006
Belarussian Court Jails Election Observers
A Belarussian court has passed sentences on activists of the Partnership Civil Initiative for Election Observation. Mikalay Astreyka was sentenced to two years in a minimum-security penal colony; Tsimafey Dranchuk received one year in a minimum-security penal colony; and Alyaksandr Shalayka and Enira Branitskaya both were sentenced to six months of imprisonment.

04.08.2006
Ukraine’s Parliament to Vote for Pro-Russian Prime Minister
Ukraine’s parliament prepared on Friday to approve Viktor Yanukovich as prime minister, sealing the comeback of the Moscow-leaning politician after his humiliation in the “Orange Revolution” two years ago.

04.08.2006
Sharapova Never Gets Enough
The Russian-born tennis diva Maria Sharapova has never been afraid of speaking her mind and freely admits that a desire to build on a successful start to her career is fuelled by the prospect of an ever-expanding bank account. The only thing she would not discuss is her current boyfriend.

04.08.2006
Protesters Burn U.S., Israeli Flags in Russian Caucasus City
A rally against UN position over the events in Lebanon has taken place in the capital of the Russian Caucasus republic of North Ossetia. Protesters, burned U.S. and Israeli flags and chanted “hands off Lebanon!”

04.08.2006
Putin Popularity, Trust High Among Russian Voters — Poll
As many as 51 percent of Russians would vote for President Vladimir Putin if they were to elect their leader this Sunday, the latest public opinion survey has revealed.

04.08.2006
EU Sides With Latvia in Belarus Gay Porn Scandal
The Finnish EU presidency has backed Latvia after the Belarussian government brought charges against a Latvian embassy official accusing him of distributing porn materials and broadcast footage allegedly featuring the man having sex with another male.

04.08.2006
Radiological Material for 5 “Dirty Bombs” Recovered in Chechnya
Radiological material that could have been used to make as many as five “dirty bombs” was safely removed from Chechnya and returned to the Russian government in July, the National Nuclear Security Administration said.

04.08.2006
U.S. Pledges to Work With Ukraine’s New PM Despite Differences
The United States pledged to work with Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine’s newly approved pro-Russian prime minister, despite perceptions his comeback will slow his country’s march to the West. Washington hailed the fact that Yanukovych’s comeback had been accomplished through democratic means.

04.08.2006
Russia Pledges to Extradite Andijan Terror Suspects to Uzbekistan
Russian prosecutors said on Thursday they had approved Uzbekistan’s request for the extradition of 13 people facing charges of terrorism and extremism in connection with last year’s uprising in the Uzbek city of Andijan. Rights groups say the cases against the men, who they describe as refugees, are fabricated.

04.08.2006
17 Killed as Plane With Russian Crew Crashes in Congo
An aging Russian-made Antonov-28 airliner crashed into a mountain in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aircraft carried 17 people, including three Russian crew members.

04.08.2006
5 Russian Soldiers, 2 Police Killed in Russia’s Volatile Chechnya Province
Five Russian soldiers were killed on Thursday in the war-torn republic of Chechnya, while two police officers from the interior ministry’s forces were killed in neighboring Ingushetia, police said.

04.08.2006
French Reporter Found Dead in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry says a French journalist has been found dead in the apartment he was renting in Almaty, the country’s former capital.

04.08.2006
Russian Rights Group Reports Fewer Killings, Disappearances in Chechnya
A leading human rights group in Russia has reported a big drop in the number of killings and disappearances in Chechnya last year. But a climate of fear still exists and Chechens may be too scared to report missing relatives, the group said in its annual report.