* Following a meeting in Moscow, the Group of Eight foreign ministers said:

// Jun. 30, 2006 - 04:31 GMT

MOSCOW, June 30 (RIA Novosti) – President Vladimir Putin will meet Friday with Prince Philippe of Belgium to discuss bilateral economic cooperation, including in the energy sector, aerospace and the pharmaceutical industry.

// Jun. 30, 2006 - 05:14 GMT

Russia and Belarus could hold a referendum as soon as this fall on a constitution for a joint state, a senior Russian official said Thursday.

// Jun. 30, 2006 - 05:27 GMT

The Group of Eight foreign ministers held extensive discussions on Iran, the latest Mideast crisis and a range of other international issues in a day of meetings in Moscow on Thursday. The state of democracy in Russia was not on their agenda.

// Jun. 30, 2006 - 05:27 GMT

I feel that it would be in the best interest of the U.S.A. and Russia to work closely together in many areas such as the development of existing and New Energy  and Techonolgy Exploration, which I feel would lead to much better Human understanding between the peoples of both of our countries, by working together we have a much better chance of understanding and working out our differences in a very Human way.

// Jun. 30, 2006 - 05:31 GMT

MOSCOW, June 30 (RIA Novosti) – Russia's newest investment index will open Friday at 616.02 points, up 3.35% on the previous day's trading, following Thursday evening's sessions on major world trading floors.

// Jun. 30, 2006 - 05:34 GMT

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin said his side will be looking for a win against Italy in the World Cup quarter-final on Friday, as they have nothing to lose. "We are going to aim for victory," he said.

// Jun. 30, 2006 - 05:41 GMT

MOSCOW, June 30 (RIA Novosti) – Two students are being treated in the hospital after being shot in separate apartment robberies in the south and north of Moscow, the capital's Prosecutor's Office said Friday.

// Jun. 30, 2006 - 05:56 GMT

Chechnya's new separatist leader has named warlord Shamil Basayev, wanted by Russia for a series of heinous terrorist attacks, as his vice president in a move that could signal a radicalization of the Chechen rebel movement.

// Jun. 30, 2006 - 05:59 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, June 30 (RIA Novosti) – Senior officials will join St. Petersburg's regional governor Friday for the opening of a second runway at the city airport in time to receive global leaders in the middle of next month.

// Jun. 30, 2006 - 06:06 GMT