The latest: Russia Promises to Block Any UN Sanctions on Iran

23.10.2006
Russia Promises to Block Any UN Sanctions on Iran
Russia stuck to its guns on Iran at the weekend, saying it would definitely block any United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution to sanction Iran for its nuclear program.

23.10.2006
Israel Downplays Russia’s Comments on Hamas
Israel’s prime minister on Sunday downplayed the Russian foreign minister’s comments that it was “unrealistic” to demand that Hamas immediately recognize Israel and disarm.

23.10.2006
Russian Soyuz Cargo Ship Blasts Off to ISS
An unmanned Russian cargo ship carrying 2.76 U.S. tons of supplies, equipment and gifts blasted off Monday en route to the international space station.

23.10.2006
Italy Enraged by Russia’s Putin Risky Mafia Joke
An alleged mafia jibe directed at Italy by Russian President Vladimir Putin received widespread coverage in the Italian media and risked straining relations between the two countries.

23.10.2006
Disinsectant Explosion Destroys Apartment, Cockroaches Survive
A grandmother’s fight against insects in her home has had her rushed to hospital after the anti-cockroaches liquid she was spraying around too generously exploded.

23.10.2006
Lithuanian Court Refuses to Extradite Former Yukos Banker
A former Yukos banker wanted in Russia on embezzlement charges will not be extradited, Lithuania’s Court of Appeal has ruled.

23.10.2006
Finnish Haulers Complain About Illegal Fees at Russian Border Crossing
Russian customs officials are collecting illegal fees from haulers for crossings, at least at the Svetogorsk Customs Station across the from Imatra. According to transport operators, the fee is EUR 10 to EUR 80 per crossing. If the driver refuses to pay, he or she could have to wait for dozens of hours in a queue.

23.10.2006
Russian Music Download Site Demands MasterCard, Visa Reverse Ban
Controversial Russian MP3 site AllofMP3, along with its hosting firm, Mediaservices, has hit back at the credit card companies that banned it from making sales last week.

23.10.2006
Russian Mayor Resigns Over Corruption Scandal
The mayor of the Russian city of Volgograd standing trial on fraud charges has told court he is stepping down.

23.10.2006
Amnesty International Urges Russia Not to Deport Uzbek Terrorism Suspect
The international human rights group Amnesty International urged Russia not to deport an Uzbek national accused of terrorism in his Central Asian homeland, saying he was at risk of death if extradited.

23.10.2006
Officials to Face Lawsuit Over Bungled Hostage Release Operation in Moscow Theater
Relatives of those who died in the bloody hostage siege four years ago at a Moscow theater said Monday they plan to sue officials for negligence over the bungled rescue operation.

23.10.2006
Modern Art Gallery Vandalized in Moscow, Owner Battered
A group of young men stormed into a leading Moscow art gallery, destroying an exhibition of paintings by an ethnic Georgian artist and injuring its owner, the gallery owner has said.