2008: bad start, bad end
// Dec. 23, 2008 - 14:51 GMT
UN convenes summit to tackle global financial crisis
The United Nations is planning to hold a summit in the spring or summer of 2009 to address the global financial crisis, Russia's envoy to the UN said on Tuesday.
// Dec. 23, 2008 - 15:48 GMT
Ahmadinejad shrugs off sanctions against Iran
Iran's president said on Tuesday that international and unilateral sanctions against his country had failed to achieve their goals and simply encouraged Iran's development.
// Dec. 23, 2008 - 17:02 GMT
Russian warships leave Cuba after landmark visit
Three Russian warships left the Cuban capital of Havana on Tuesday after the first such visit to Moscow's longtime Latin American ally since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
// Dec. 23, 2008 - 17:09 GMT
Russia to upgrade strategic bombers in 2009
Russia's Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers and Tu-22M3 Backfire long-range bombers will undergo major modernization in 2009, a strategic aviation commander said on Tuesday.
// Dec. 23, 2008 - 17:30 GMT
Ukrainian president says gas dispute with Russia resolved
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said on Tuesday his country had resolved the dispute over the debt for the Russian-supplied gas by using its foreign currency reserves.
// Dec. 23, 2008 - 18:16 GMT