Morning re-cap of main news, June 6
* The Economic Development and Trade Ministry said Russia and Australia had signed a protocol ending bilateral negotiations on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization
// Jun. 07, 2006 - 04:27 GMT
Bush, Blair Preach Democracy to Azerbaijan as Caspian Oil Pipeline Launch Nears
President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have urged Azerbaijan to keep on a democratic course as a key pipeline to Western markets from the oil-rich Caspian Sea nation is poised to become fully operational.
// Jun. 07, 2006 - 04:59 GMT
Ukrainian parliament facing uncertainty after two-week recess
KIEV, June 7 (RIA Novosti) – Ukraine's parliament will gather Wednesday for its regular session after two weeks of recess announced at the end of its first meeting on May 25 with its future still in the balance.
// Jun. 07, 2006 - 05:25 GMT
RUXX investment index to open down 5.33%
MOSCOW, June 6 (RIA Novosti) – Russia's newest investment index will open Wednesday at 610.64 points, down 5.33% on the previous day's trading, following Tuesday evening's sessions on major world trading floors.
// Jun. 07, 2006 - 06:03 GMT
Russia ranks 6th among leading world powers - international poll
NEW YORK, June 7 (RIA Novosti) – A poll published in New York Tuesday on popular perceptions of and attitudes toward the world's great powers ranked Russia sixth, with little hope of a radical upswing by 2020.
// Jun. 07, 2006 - 06:16 GMT
Kremlin-Sponsored Festival of Symphony Orchestras Opens in Russian Capital
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta, opened a new Kremlin- sponsored festival of international symphony orchestras created to mark Russia's independence day, marked on June 12.
// Jun. 07, 2006 - 06:32 GMT
NASA Welcomes Russian Help in Future Space Missions
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said he would welcome Russian participation in future space exploration missions that go beyond the International Space Station.
// Jun. 07, 2006 - 06:33 GMT
Khodorkovsky to Report for Prison Paper
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the jailed founder of the oil company Yukos, has been assigned to be a reporter for the prison newspaper. His lawyer, however, said he doubted that the prison authority will do Khodorkovsky any favors for contributing to the newspaper.
// Jun. 07, 2006 - 06:33 GMT
Russia's Energy Sector Needs Reliable Consumption Forecast - Minister
Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said Tuesday that Russia needs a reliable energy consumption forecast to develop the sector and reaffirmed Moscow's push for distribution assets abroad.
// Jun. 07, 2006 - 06:39 GMT
Petersburg bank forum to focus on oversight, Basel II, stability
MOSCOW, June 7 (RIA Novosti) – An international banking conference being held in St. Petersburg starting Wednesday will focus on effective sectoral regulation and oversight, the Basel II risk-based capital rules, and stability in the sector.
// Jun. 07, 2006 - 06:42 GMT