The latest: Russia’s Putin Starts Talks with EU Leaders on Energy, Democracy Issues

20.10.2006
Russia’s Putin Starts Talks with EU Leaders on Energy, Democracy Issues
European Union leaders arrived in Finland for sensitive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, torn between pleading for closer energy ties and raising concerns about democracy and Georgia.

20.10.2006
European “Most Sophisticated Satellite Ever” Launched from Baikonur
A Soyuz-Fregat rocket has lifted off from the Russian space base at Baikonur, Kazakhstan, bearing a large European weather satellite.

20.10.2006
Six Apart and SUP Fabrik Sign Deal to Localize Livejournal in Russia
Six Apart, the world leader in blogging software and services, and SUP, an emerging Russian online media company, have announced a partnership to localize and improve the LiveJournal service for Russian speakers worldwide. Russia is the second-largest territory for LiveJournal users, with over 4.4 million monthly visitors to the site.

20.10.2006
Russian Scientists Say Earth May Collide With Asteroid in 2035
Scientists from the main observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences say that an asteroid can crash into the Earth in 2035 causing a global disaster.

20.10.2006
Russian Parachute Team Suspends Training After Jumper’s Death
The Russian parachute team has suspended its training in Vladikavkaz after a parachute jumper’s death, an official of the North Ossetian Youth and Sports Ministry has said.

20.10.2006
Russian Tycoon Offers Sharon Stone $1.5m for a Date — Paper
Acress Sharon Stone, who arrived in Moscow to open a luxury clothing boutique, has been subject to a date proposal from an unnamed Russian tycoon.

20.10.2006
Israel Finds 39 Russian-Made Missiles in Hezbollah Hides
Israel’s military has discovered 39 Russian-origin missiles in Hezbollah’s arsenal in Lebanon.

20.10.2006
Israeli PM Calls Russian Jews to Pack Bags and Go Home
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called on Russia’s Jews to “pack their bags” and move to Israel at a meeting with community leaders during a visit to Moscow.

20.10.2006
Russian Club Sues Malkin for Escaping to NHL
A Russian hockey club filed an antitrust lawsuit Thursday against the NHL and the Pittsburgh Penguins, saying rookie Evgeni Malkin shouldn’t be allowed to play in the league because he remains under contract in his native country.

20.10.2006
Spanish King Denies Killing Drunk Russian Bear
A spokeswoman for King Juan Carlos said Russian reports that he brought down a tame and inebriated bear during a visit in August were “ridiculous”.