Morning re-cap of main news, February 15
* A spokesman said Sergei Kiriyenko, Russia's nuclear chief, would visit Iran on February 23
// Feb. 16, 2006 - 05:27 GMT
Russian, Vietnamese PMs discuss energy, investment
HANOI, February 16 (RIA Novosti) – Russia is interested in energy, high-tech and investment cooperation with Vietnam, the Russian prime minister said Thursday.
// Feb. 16, 2006 - 06:27 GMT
Georgia's Parliament Calls for Withdrawal of Russian Peacekeepers From Breakaway S.Ossetia
Georgia's parliament on Wednesday unanimously called for the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from the breakaway region of South Ossetia and for replacing them with international forces. The Russian Defense Ministry said peacekeepers would continue to serve in the region under the 1992 agreement.
// Feb. 16, 2006 - 06:48 GMT
Iran Must Freeze Enrichment to Gain Moscow's Support - Russia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow will only host Iran's uranium enrichment program if Tehran agrees to re-impose an indefinite freeze on enrichment at home.
// Feb. 16, 2006 - 06:56 GMT
Second of two Urals city hostage-takers dies
YEKATERINBURG, February 16 (RIA Novosti) – A second man has died in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg from wounds sustained in a police operation after he took a woman hostage, a spokesman for local police said Thursday.
// Feb. 16, 2006 - 07:01 GMT
Court martial to consider hazing cases in Urals tank college
YEKATERINBURG, February 16 (RIA Novosti) – A garrison court martial will start considering a series of hazing cases in a tank college in a Urals city, a court spokesman said Thursday.
// Feb. 16, 2006 - 07:18 GMT
Police seize emeralds worth over $200,000 in Moscow
MOSCOW, February 16 (RIA Novosti) – Police in Moscow have seized a major haul of precious stones in an undercover operation that could have netted the chief suspect in the case hundreds of thousands of dollars, a news release from the economic crime department said Thursday.
// Feb. 16, 2006 - 07:38 GMT
Five climbers trapped in avalanche in south Russia rescued - official
CHERKESSK/MOSCOW, February 16 (RIA Novosti) – Five climbers trapped in a mountain gorge after an avalanche in southern Russia have been rescued, a local official said.
// Feb. 16, 2006 - 08:02 GMT
Russian companies to sell shares worth $20bln in 2006 - official
MOSCOW, February 16 (RIA Novosti) – Russian companies will sell shares worth $20 billion in 2006, a senior official said Thursday.
// Feb. 16, 2006 - 08:19 GMT
Russian Convict Killed After Hostage-Taking Attempt
A 23-old convict in Yekaterinburg was killed after trying to take a policewoman hostage after hearing his verdict. His accomplice died of wounds at a hospital later. The woman was only slightly injured, when the criminal occasionally scratched her with a knife.
// Feb. 16, 2006 - 08:47 GMT