Morning re-cap of main news, December 23
* Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart, George W. Bush, discussed a UN resolution on Iran in a telephone conversation ahead of a vote in the Security Council
// Dec. 24, 2006 - 07:46 GMT
Iran says will continue uranium enrichment despite UN sanctions
TEHRAN, December 24 (RIA Novosti) – Iran will continue its uranium enrichment program despite sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said Sunday.
// Dec. 24, 2006 - 08:26 GMT
Turkmenistan pays last respects to its late leader
ASHGABAD, December 24 (RIA Novosti) – Thousands of people gathered in Turkmenistan's capital of Ashgabat Sunday to pay their last respects to authoritarian leader Saparmurat Niyazov.
// Dec. 24, 2006 - 09:05 GMT
UN Security Council to Vote on Iran, Russia's Vote in Question
The U.N. Security Council scheduled a vote Saturday on a resolution that would impose sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program, culminating two months of tough negotiations aimed at getting Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment.
// Dec. 24, 2006 - 09:41 GMT
Two militants surrender in Chechnya
GROZNY, December 24 (RIA Novosti) – Two members of illegal armed formations have surrendered in the Republic of Chechnya in Russia's North Caucasus, the local law-enforcement bodies said Sunday.
// Dec. 24, 2006 - 09:45 GMT
Strong winds disrupt electricity supply in southern Russia
ROSTOV-ON-DON, December 24 (RIA Novosti) – Strong winds have disrupted electricity supply in Russia's several southern districts that are home to some 25,000 people, the regional emergencies service said Sunday.
// Dec. 24, 2006 - 09:59 GMT
Putin congratulates Azerbaijan president with birthday
MOSCOW, December 24 (RIA Novosti) – President Vladimir Putin congratulated the president of Azerbaijan with his birthday, the Kremlin press office said Sunday.
// Dec. 24, 2006 - 10:23 GMT
Russian Owner of Chelsea Set to Cut Down Transfer Spending
Big-spending Chelsea will cut down on buying players in future years, according to billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.
// Dec. 24, 2006 - 10:55 GMT
Hollywood Plans Film Based on Litvinenko's Book
A book co-written by Alexander Litvinenko, the murdered former spy, which alleges that the Russian government was secretly behind bombings that killed 300 people, may be made into a film.
// Dec. 24, 2006 - 11:00 GMT
Russia's UN Envoy Says Moscow Is 'Satisfied' With Iran Resolution, Iran Refuses to Cease Enrichment
"We are satisfied that all of the Russian side's concerns and positions on key issues were considered and incorporated into this resolution's text," Russia's ambassador to the United Nations said as quoted by Russian news agencies.
// Dec. 24, 2006 - 11:10 GMT