China coal mine gas leak kills 32
Thirty-two miners were killed in a coal mine gas leak in southwest China`s Guizhou Province and three others are missing, state media reported on Friday.
U.S. military frees 9 Iranians held in Iraq
The U.S. military said on Friday it had released nine Iranians held in Iraq, including two it accused of links to Iran`s elite Qods Force, signaling a possible change in tone between the bitter rivals.
Georgian president concerns West and angers Russia
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili drew an angry response from Russia on Thursday and faced growing censure from supporters in the West after he quashed opposition protests and imposed emergency rule.
Indian PM heads to Russia to sign defence, energy deals
India`s premier is expected to sign deals with Russia concerning trade, nuclear energy and defence during his trip to Moscow next week, officials said.
State of emergency in Georgia is violation of human rights - Russia
Russia called events in Georgia, where a 15-day state of emergency was declared Wednesday night, a violation of human rights and democratic freedom, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
Swiss president arrives in Moscow today
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey will arrive in Moscow on Thursday on a two-day visit, during which she will meet with Russia`s president and foreign minister.
Georgia blames Russia as police and protesters clash
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili blamed Russia on Wednesday for orchestrating six days of mass protests against him, hours after riot police beat and fired tear gas at opposition demonstrators.
School shooter kills 8, self in Finland
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire at his high school in this placid town in southern Finland on Wednesday, killing seven other students and the principal before mortally wounding himself in a rampage that stunned a nation where gun crime is rare.
Britain will grant Russians a biometric visa soon
British consulates in Russia launched on Thursday compulsory biometric data gathering for visa applicants, in line with the U.K.`s gradual introduction of the system for all nationals requiring visas.
Lufthansa willing to move cargo hub to Russia: German ministry
The German transport ministry indicated Friday that Lufthansa was willing to transfer its Asian cargo hub from Kazakhstan to an airport in Russia, but a timetable needed to be worked out.
OSCE monitors to head to Russia despite limits
An international security organization said Friday that it will go ahead with plans for a "restricted" mission to monitor Russia`s parliamentary election, and urged Moscow to cooperate fully.
North Korean nuclear disabling to begin Monday
U.S. technicians are expected to begin on Monday the process to dismantle North Korea`s nuclear complex, which makes weapons-grade plutonium, a senior U.S. envoy said on Saturday.
US disappointed in China, Russia response on Iran sanctions
The United States on Friday urged China and Russia to make a stronger effort toward agreeing a new set of sanctions on Iran, after what Washington said was a disappointing response by the two countries in major power talks in London.
Deadly HIV-TB co-epidemic sweeps sub-Saharan Africa: report
Drug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV have merged into a double-barreled epidemic that is sweeping across sub-Saharan Africa and threatening global efforts to eradicate both diseases, according to a report released Friday.
Russians will not flock to EU if visa regime lifted
Russia`s presidential adviser on EU relations said the 27-nation bloc has no need to fear a mass influx of migrants from Russia if the visa regime is scrapped.
Asian, European stock markets slide
Markets in Asia and Europe slumped Friday, tracking losses on Wall Street overnight as investors worried about a possible end to U.S. interest rate cuts and a slowing American economy.
U.S.: Tough Iran sanctions near after Russia-China block
Russia and China have been blocking tough U.N. sanctions against Iran for months, the United States said on Thursday, but major powers will seek to impose them if Iran does not halt nuclear work within two weeks.
Viktor Zubkov and Islam Karimov discussed Russian-Uzbek relations
The relations between Uzbekistan and Russia "will develop further", Uzbek President Islam Karimov said at the Friday meeting with Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov at his presidential residence. Karimov welcomed the Russian premier at the presidential palace.
UK spies trying to destabilize Russia: Lugovoy
The man wanted by Britain for the murder of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko says British secret services are trying to destabilize Russia.
China`s Brilliance to assemble cars in Russia
China`s Brilliance Auto has signed an agreement to assemble more than 100,000 cars in Russia over the next five years, as it steps up its global expansion plans, state media said Friday.
Russia and China block tough Iran sanctions: U.S.
The United States said on Thursday Russia and China had been blocking tough U.N. sanctions against Iran for months and pledged a drive to impose them if Iran did not halt nuclear activity within two weeks.
Tropical Storm Noel buffets south of US
Tropical Storm Noel buffeted south Florida with high surf and winds as it swirled slowly toward the Bahamas Thursday after triggering mudslides and floods in the Caribbean that killed at least 81 people.
Iran warns U.S. of "quagmire" as Russia urges diplomacy
Iran warned the United States on Wednesday it would find itself in a "quagmire deeper than Iraq" if it attacked the Islamic state, and Russia intensified efforts for a diplomatic solution to Tehran`s nuclear row with the West.
US stock futures dip, suggest lower open
U.S. stock futures fell Tuesday, indicating a lower start to the regular session, as the Federal Reserve prepares to start a two-day meeting on interest rates.
Russia to file Arctic claim to U.N. this year: report
Russia will file a claim to the gigantic mineral wealth of the Arctic seabed with the United Nations by the end of the year, Russia`s natural resources minister was quoted as saying on Tuesday.