RIA Novosti

Indian PM to start official visit to United States

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:59:27 GMT

Main news of November 20

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:00:00 GMT

A roundup of what has happened in the past 24 hours

Bulgaria seizes Ukrainian cargo vessel for repair arrears

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:53:00 GMT

Bulgaria has seized a Ukrainian cargo vessel because of nonpayment for repairs, the Bulgarian Focus news agency reported on Friday.

First proton beam completes loop through Large Hadron Collider

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:11:00 GMT

The first circulating beam of protons successfully made it through the entirety of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) on Friday, a source at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) told RIA Novosti by telephone.

Medvedev pins hopes on new EU president to boost ties

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:53:00 GMT

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed hope on Friday that the appointment of Herman Van Rompuy as European Council President could boost Russia-EU ties.

Kokoity 'anticipates' Belarus to recognize South Ossetia

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:47:00 GMT

South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity said the former Georgian republic "anticipates" its recognition by Belarus, but "does not insist" on an immediate decision.

Work on Bushehr continuing as scheduled - Russian contractor

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:24:00 GMT

Russian and Iranian officials confirmed on Friday that work to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant is going as scheduled, Russia's state nuclear power equipment and service export monopoly said.

CIS countries could scrap dollar in several years - Kudrin

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:40:00 GMT

CIS countries could drop the U.S. dollar in financial settlements and start using their national currencies within the next few years, the Russian finance minister said on Friday.

WHO reports 525,000 swine flu cases worldwide

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:09:00 GMT

The total number of officially confirmed swine flu cases has exceeded 525,000 worldwide, with about 6,750 fatalities, the World Health Organization reported on Friday.

Turkey cancels tender for first NPP project

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:53:00 GMT

Turkey on Friday canceled a tender for the construction of its first nuclear power plant, Turkey's Electricity Trade Corp (TETAS) said.

Putin to travel to France next week

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:54:00 GMT

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will visit France on November 26-27, when a decision could finally be made on the purchase of a French Mistral-class helicopter carrier, a government spokesman said on Friday.

Foreign investment in Russia down 28% in 9M09

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:44:00 GMT

Foreign investment in the Russian economy in the first nine months of the year fell 27.8% year-on-year to $54.738 billion, the state statistics service said on Friday.

Child mortality rates drop in Russia - UNICEF report

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:24:00 GMT

The number of children dying before they reach the age of five in Russia fell by just over 50% between 1990 and 2008, a UNICEF report said.

Norilsk Nickel acknowledges pollution, says measures taken

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:05:00 GMT

Russia's metals giant Norilsk Nickel acknowledged on Friday Norway's accusations over pollution caused by the company, but said it has been tackling the problem.

Russia looks to new EU leaders to continue strategic ties

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:20:00 GMT

Russia expects a continuation of its strategic partnership with the European Union following yesterday's election of the bloc's first president, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

Afghan suicide bomber kills 13

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:23:00 GMT

A suicide bomber on a motorbike killed 13 people and injured 36 in a crowded square in southwest Afghanistan's Farah early on Friday.

Number of China's millionaires grows despite global recession

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:45:00 GMT

The number of dollar millionaires in China is expected to grow to 450,000 by the end of this year, despite the overall decline in global wealth, the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has said.

Japan's central bank upgrades economic outlook, keeps interest low

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:23:00 GMT

Japan's central bank has upgraded its assessment of the national economy and opted to keep its interest rate at 0.1%, amid government pressure to prevent deflation.

20-year-old South Korean model found dead in Paris apartment

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:12:00 GMT

A 20-year-old South Korean model has been found dead in her Paris apartment, her modeling agency said.

Obama congratulates new EU president

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:21:00 GMT

U.S. President Barack Obama has congratulated Belgium's prime minister on his election as the European Union's new president.

Suicide bomber on motorcycle kills six in Afghanistan

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:07:00 GMT

A suicide bomber blew himself up on Friday morning while riding a motorcycle through a crowded area of Farah in southwest Afghanistan, killing at least six people, local police said.

Russian ship breaks out of 'ice prison' in Antarctic

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:32:00 GMT

A Russian icebreaker that had become stuck in the Antarctic ice, has finally managed to leave the heavy ice zone, a spokesman for Russia's Far Eastern shipping company said on Friday.

Ukraine seeking part in Russia's Glonass project

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:39:00 GMT

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has offered Russia her country's participation in the ambitious Glonass global positioning project.

Cuba blasts report on human rights violations in the country

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:23:00 GMT

Cuba has sharply criticized a recent report on human rights violations in the country prepared by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) organization.

Atlantis astronauts conduct ISS maintenance spacewalk

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:36:00 GMT

Two astronauts from U.S. shuttle Atlantis crew have completed the first spacewalk of their current mission to the International Space Station, NASA said on its website.