The latest: Russia, U.S. Urge Mediators to Step Up Middle East Peace Efforts

29.08.2006
Russia, U.S. Urge Mediators to Step Up Middle East Peace Efforts
Moscow and Washington are urging international mediators step up efforts to secure peace in the Middle East, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement after a meeting between a Russian and U.S. diplomats Tuesday.

29.08.2006
North Ossetia’s Government Dismissed as Inefficient
President of North Ossetia Taimuraz Mamsurov has dismissed the republic’s government.

29.08.2006
Three Russian Parties to Join Ranks Ahead of 2007 Duma Vote
Three of Russia’s smaller political parties are poised to merge, a party leader and the speaker of Russia’s upper chamber of parliament said Tuesday.

29.08.2006
Russian Children Drink More, Prod Less — Report
The number of drug addicts among minors in Russia has fallen, while alcoholic children have grown in number, a state drugs control agency has said.

29.08.2006
Dozens of Children Witness Russian Circus Clown Death
A hot-air balloon caught fire during a circus stunt, killing a clown acrobat as dozens of children watched, police said Tuesday.

29.08.2006
Safin, Davydenko to Head Russian Team at Davis Cup in Moscow
Nikolai Davidenko and Marat Safin will lead Russia in next month’s Davis Cup semi-final against the U.S. in Moscow.

29.08.2006
Russia Moves to Ban Religious Rites of Indigenous Finno-Ugric People Mari
A pagan priest is on trial in Russian Volga region for allegedly inciting religious, national, social and linguistic hatred by publishing his book on pagan religious rites.

29.08.2006
Russia Says Dozens of Japanese Ships Simultaniously Violate Its Border
Thirty-nine Japanese fishing vessels reportedly entered Russian territorial waters on August 27, an incident Russia regards as a challenging provocation.

29.08.2006
Russia Announces Plans for New Space Station, Mars Mission
The International Space Station will be dismantled after 2015 to be replaced with a new orbital station.

29.08.2006
Russian Jews Urge Jerusalem to Ban Gay Parade, Warn of Possible Attacks
The Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia (FJCR) calls the Jerusalem authorities to bar gay parade planned for September 21, the eve of the Jewish New Year.

29.08.2006
Uzbekistan Seeks Closure of Another U.S. NGO Over “Proselytizing”
Uzbekistan is seeking the closure of another U.S. nongovernmental organization. Authorities in the post-Soviet republic claim they have “irrefutable evidence” that members of the Partnership in Academics and Development (PAD) NGO have been proselytizing among local Muslims and Orthodox Christians.

29.08.2006
Stalin, Hitler Were Possessed by Satan — Vatican Exorcist
Adolf Hitler and Russian leader Stalin were possessed by the Devil, the Vatican’s chief exorcist claims. “You can tell by their behavior and their actions, from the horrors they committed and the atrocities that were committed on their orders,” Father Gabriele Amorth, who is Pope Benedict XVI’s “caster out of demons,” stressed.

29.08.2006
Two Young Russians Injured in Turkey Blast — Consul
Two Russians have been injured by a powerful blast that hit the Turkish Mediterranean resort city of Antalya on Monday, the Russian consul general said.

29.08.2006
Maria Sharapova Signs $25m Lifelong Deal with Prince
At the age of 19, Maria Sharapova is committing to a “lifetime” of sponsoring the only tennis racket brand she’s used as a pro.

29.08.2006
Russia’s Kuznetsova, Dementieva Advance in U.S. Open
Former U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova survived a real battle in the first round at Flushing Meadows Monday as she scrambled past German qualifier Sandra Kloesel 6-2 2-6 6-3. Fourth seed Elena Dementieva had no such problems, hammering American Laura Granville 6-1 6-4 to reach the second round.

29.08.2006
Russia’s Putin, Montenegrin Leader Discuss Economic Cooperation
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hosted Milo Djukanovic, the leader of Montenegro, for talks focusing on economic cooperation between his nation and the diminutive Balkan country.

29.08.2006
Most Russians Blame Foreigners for Country’s Misfortunes — Poll
Many adults in Russia believe foreigners are responsible for their country’s problems, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. As many as 58 percent of respondents believe people of non-Russian nationalities are to blame for many of Russia’s misfortunes.

29.08.2006
Hungary Cancels Moscow Trip as Top Prize in Anti-Soviet Uprising Quiz
A trip to Moscow will no longer be the top prize in a nationwide school quiz on the Hungarian uprising against Soviet domination, following pressure on the government, the Hungarian education ministry has said.