* An aide to President Vladimir Putin said talks during his two-day visit to Spain, which starts today, would focus on energy, security and cooperation

// Feb. 09, 2006 - 05:22 GMT

NOVOSIBIRSK, February 9 (RIA Novosti, Maxim Koshmarchuk) – A Siberian court has ruled in favor of jailed Yukos founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky in his bid to have a prison decision against him overturned, a court spokesman said Thursday.

// Feb. 09, 2006 - 06:17 GMT

Hi, as a Greek Cypriot I have an issue with the EU Commission.I don't understand how the EU Commission can accept that 35,000 Turkish troops can continue to occupy northern Cyprus — Cyprus now being an EU territory.UN resolutions have called on Turkey to get out.Leaders of our beloved EU are not interested in implementing the resolutions.Last week British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw traveled to occupied northern Cyprus to support the 'authorities' there.He did not call for the foreign troops to be removed.Now let's go north.In Latvia and Estonia,appeals by the 40% ethnic Russian population for their language and passport rights are met by EU indifference.Jack Straw has no time for them!

// Feb. 09, 2006 - 06:39 GMT

Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin has won the Grammy award. The pianist received it in the category of the Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra) for his recording of piano works by Scriabin, Medtner and Stravinsky.

// Feb. 09, 2006 - 06:59 GMT

KHABAROVSK, February 9 (RIA Novosti, Larissa Dokuchayeva) – A soldier has been arrested in the Russian Far East in connection with a hazing attack on a fellow serviceman in 2005 in what represents the latest probe into army bullying in the country, local prosecutors said Thursday.

// Feb. 09, 2006 - 07:02 GMT

After nearly five years of negotiations, India has finally signed a $500 million deal with Russia for Smerch-M 300mm BM 9A52–2 long-range surface-to-surface multiple rocket systems (MRSs). It will equip two of India's artillery regiments.

// Feb. 09, 2006 - 07:43 GMT

Three Russian peacekeepers detained in the area of the conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia because had no visas will be released Thursday, a senior Georgian official said.

// Feb. 09, 2006 - 07:48 GMT

JAKARTA, February 9 (RIA Novosti, Mikhail Tsyganov) – Iran's vice president rejected Thursday claims that his country was inflaming Muslim sentiments over the controversial publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in media worldwide.

// Feb. 09, 2006 - 08:04 GMT

Russia hopes to strike a major debt buyback deal at this weekend's meeting of finance ministers from the Group of Eight rich nations, a senior Russian finance ministry official said earlier this week. The official who spoke on condition of anonymity told the <i>Reuters</i> agency that Russia aims to reach an agreement for early repayment of $11–12 billion it owes to the Paris Club of creditors.

// Feb. 09, 2006 - 08:17 GMT

Two German businessmen, a former Russian military officer and North Korea are among those helping Iran develop missiles that the West fears could one day carry nuclear warheads, diplomats and intelligence officials say.

// Feb. 09, 2006 - 08:18 GMT