RIA Novosti

Main News of May 16

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:59:00 GMT

Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash in Indonesia

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:19:00 GMT

Terror Attacks on the Rise with UN Observers - Assad

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:29:00 GMT

The number of terrorist attacks in Syria has increased since UN observers arrived in the country, President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday in an interview with the Rossia 24 TV channel.

S. Sudan Aims to Receive Anti-Aircraft Missiles

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:15:00 GMT

The Chief of General Staff of South Sudan’s military, General James Hoth Mai, has pledged that within a few months the country will acquire anti-aircraft missiles to defend its territory from attacks by neighboring Sudan, the Sudanese Tribune daily reported.

Ukrainian Court Rejects Ex-Minister’s Sentence Appeal

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:24:00 GMT

The Court of Appeals in Kiev upheld on Wednesday the conviction of jailed former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko.

Azeri Opposition Inmates On Hunger Strike

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:29:00 GMT

Twelve jailed Azerbaijani opposition activists have started a hunger strike to coincide with the upcoming Eurovision song contest, Azerbaijan’s Public Chamber opposition movement said on Wednesday.

Greeks to Vote in New Polls on June 17

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:20:00 GMT

Greece will hold new parliamentary polls on June 17 and a court official will head an interim government until then, state television said on Wednesday.

Ukraine to Launch Shale Gas Production by 2017

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:19:00 GMT

Ukraine will launch the production of shale gas, seen as an alternative to Russian natural gas, by 2017, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Eduard Stavitsky said on Wednesday.

Tymoshenko May Only be Released by Court - PM

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:02:00 GMT

Jailed former Ukraine Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, may only be released after consideration of her appeal but not at “the command of the [executive] authorities”, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Wednesday.

Laurent Fabius to be New French Foreign Minister – Media

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:26:00 GMT

Laurent Fabius, who served as prime minister from 1984 to 1986, will be a new French Foreign Minister as Socialist party first secretary Martine Aubry will not be included in the government, French media reported on Wednesday.

Putin to Visit Belarus on May 31

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:36:00 GMT

Vladimir Putin will pay his first foreign visit as President to Belarus on May 31, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

Georgia Lets Ivanishvili Contest Presidential Election

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:16:00 GMT

The Georgian Parliament adopted an amendment to the country's constitution on Tuesday allowing EU citizens to participate in parliamentary and presidential elections in the country as voters and candidates, allowing Georgian-born billionaire businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili to stand as a candidate in the polls, daily online news service Civil.ge reported.

Russia-India partnership

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:11:00 GMT

Crashed Superjet 100 ‘Black Box’ Recovered – Media

Wed, 16 May 2012 06:34:00 GMT

The Indonesian authorities have confirmed they have found the cockpit voice recorders of the crashed Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 passenger jet at the bottom of a steep valley at Mount Salak, the ANTARA News agency said.

Ex-Bosnian Serb General Mladic Goes on Trial

Wed, 16 May 2012 01:05:00 GMT

The long-awaited trial of the former Bosnian Serb army chief Ratko Mladic opens on Wednesday at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague

Famous Mexican Writer Carlos Fuentes Dies at 83

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:03:00 GMT

Mexico's most celebrated novelist Carlos Fuentes died on Tuesday in a Mexico City hospital at the age of 83 after experiencing heart problems

Viktor Bout’s Transfer to Colorado Prison Postponed

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:07:00 GMT

U.S. prosecutors have postponed the transfer of convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout from his Brooklyn jail to a super maximum security prison in Colorado

Kiev Ready to 'Remove Obstacles' to Better EU Ties - PM

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:57:00 GMT

Ukraine is ready to do its best to settle all problems hampering relations with the European Union, particularly the case of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said Tuesday.

Indonesia Takes Charge of Russian Jet Crash Probe

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT

The Indonesian government will take control of the investigation into a Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash, with Russian teams to have their movements limited, vice presidential spokesman Yopie Hidayat said on Tuesday, The Jakarta Post reported.

Informal CIS Summit Opens in Kremlin

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:03:00 GMT

The leaders of 11 former Soviet republics have begun their informal summit in the Kremlin.

Putin Pledges to Develop Ties with Uzbekistan

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:14:00 GMT

Russia will develop its ties with Uzbekistan, a key Central Asian country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at a meeting with his Uzbekistan counterpart Islam Karimov.

China Slams Cameron-Dalai Meeting

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:46:00 GMT

China lodged an objection to Britain on Tuesday over Prime Minister David Cameron's meeting with the Dalai Lama.

Russia Seeks Return of Nationals Held in Libya

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:05:00 GMT

Russia will continue to insist that the rights of its citizens held in Libya are observed and will continue to try to secure their return home, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesman for human rights Konstantin Dolgov said.

Tymoshenko Refuses Medical Treatment over 'Media Leaks’

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:01:00 GMT

Ukrainian ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who is serving a seven-year jail term over her role in the signing of a 2009 gas deal with Russia, has refused to continue medial treatment for spinal disk herniation, Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister Alexander Tolstanov said on Tuesday.

WWF Names Key to Better Ecology in Russia

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:22:30 GMT