* Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said:

// Jun. 01, 2006 - 04:28 GMT

MOSCOW, June 1 (RIA Novosti) – Boeing (NYSE: BA) will purchase titanium products worth $18 bln from Russia over the next 30 years, the U.S. aircraft giant said.

// Jun. 01, 2006 - 05:12 GMT

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed cautious optimism on Wednesday that a meeting of major world powers in Vienna would help secure a peaceful end to a long-running row over Iran's nuclear program. Foreign Ministers from Russia, the U.S., China, France, Britain and Germany are to discuss the issue in the Austrian capital Thursday.

// Jun. 01, 2006 - 05:14 GMT

Georgia criticized the arrival of 500 new Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia on Wednesday, saying the rotation of troops was illegitimate because they arrived in the breakaway region without visas. Earlier, officials warned of a serious rise in tensions in South Ossetia following an armed standoff between Georgian soldiers and Russian peacekeepers.

// Jun. 01, 2006 - 05:25 GMT

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Wednesday that talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia were the only way to resolve the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. He did not rule out that a peacekeeping force could be sent to the conflict zone.

// Jun. 01, 2006 - 05:31 GMT

The mayor of a southern Russian city has been charged with of abuse of office and illegal business activities, officials said Wednesday. Volgorad's Yevgeny Ishchenko is the second regional official taken into custody over the past weeks for alleged corruption.

// Jun. 01, 2006 - 05:46 GMT

STRASBOURG (France), June 1 (RIA Novosti) – A high-level delegation from Chechnya will take part Thursday in a roundtable session at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, PACE officials said.

// Jun. 01, 2006 - 05:47 GMT

MOSCOW, June 1 (RIA Novosti) – Russia's newest investment index will open Thursday at 604.72 points, down 1.95% on the previous day's trading, following Wednesday evening's sessions on major world trading floors.

// Jun. 01, 2006 - 06:01 GMT

MOSCOW, June 1 (RIA Novosti) – President Vladimir Putin is absolutely dedicated to his job, but never brings work problems home with him and keeps his job and his family completely separate, according to his wife.

// Jun. 01, 2006 - 06:20 GMT

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed cautious optimism on Wednesday that a meeting of major world powers in Vienna would help secure a peaceful end to a long-running row over Iran's nuclear program. Foreign Ministers from Russia, the U.S., China, France, Britain and Germany are to discuss the issue in the Austrian capital Thursday.

// Jun. 01, 2006 - 06:56 GMT