ISS Expedition 22 to return to Earth on March 18

Moscow expects to complete WTO talks soon - Lavrov

Moscow expects talks on the simultaneous accession of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to be concluded in the near future, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.

Russian lawmaker questions plans for Mistral purchase

Plans to buy an expensive helicopter carrier from France could hinder the development of Russia's defense industry, a Russian lawmaker said on Wednesday.

Hybrid Toyota Prius “would not stop”

The US government sent investigators on Tuesday to examine a Prius that sped out of control on a California freeway, and Toyota said it wanted to interview the driver as the besieged automaker dealt with a high-profile new headache that raised questions about the safety of its beloved hybrid.

Tajikistan convicts 56 Muslim activists for extremist activities

Tajikistan's top court on Wednesday sentenced 56 followers of Tablighi Jamaat (TJ), a radical Muslim group, for extremist activities in the Central Asian state.

Putin takes charge of technology and innovation commission

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has taken charge of a government technology and innovation commission designed to boost the country's modernization, according to a resolution posted on the government's web site on Wednesday.

Medvedev orders probe into fatal car accident involving oil executive

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered the interior minister to probe last week's car crash in Moscow involving a LUKoil vice-president that killed two doctors, his spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Russian ecologists organize coalition to cancel Putin's resolution on Baikal mill

Russian ecologists organized a coalition to stop Lake Baikal pollution by a pulp and paper mill which was reopened after being suspended for 16 months due to ecological concerns, a statement on the Greenpeace Russia website said.

What the Russian papers say

U.S. may circumvent START restrictions with Britain's help - analyst/ Beyond possible U.S. recognition of Armenian genocide/ Global geopolitical crisis to hit within next decade/ Rosneft receives offshore development license without tender

Russian tourists warned about visiting Bangkok

Russia has cautioned its nationals against visiting Bangkok in the next couple weeks due to upcoming opposition protests in Thailand, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

Gazprom Neft posts 35% US GAAP net profit plunge in 2009

Gazprom Neft, the oil producing arm of Russian energy giant Gazprom, said on Wednesday its U.S. GAAP net profit decreased 35% year-on-year in 2009 to $3.01 billion.

Berezovsky wins libel suit against Russian broadcaster

London's High Court supported fugitive Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky's libel action against a Russian TV broadcaster and an individual and awarded him a compensation of some $224,000 on Wednesday.

Medvedev orders probe of fatal car crash involving oil executive

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered the interior minister to look into a recent car crash in Moscow involving the LUKoil vice president that killed two doctors, his spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

NATO commander backs cooperation with Russia on missile defense

The new U.S. adoptive approach for European missile defense includes the possibility of using a Russian radar system as part of an integrated system, NATO's top military officer has said.

Indian nuclear energy chief: Russia has an advantage: it has a reactor, others can only show papers.

Our correspondent in India Yevgeny Beryozka talks to the chairman of India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Srikumar Banerjee about prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the lucrative sector.

Indian nuclear energy chief: Russia has an advantage: it has a reactor, others can only show papers

RIA Novosti's correspondent in India Yevgeny Bezeka talks to the chairman of India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Srikumar Banerjee about prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the lucrative sector.

The RSM-54 Sineva submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)

The RSM-54 Sineva submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)

Yanukovych says Tigipko accepts top post in Ukrainian government

Sergei Tigipko, a major player in Ukrainian politics after finishing third in the presidential elections, agreed on Wednesday to become a deputy prime minister, President Viktor Yanukovych said.

Moscow intellectuals urge Medvedev to probe car accident

Moscow's leading cultural figures signed an unprecedented open letter to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urging him to take under his personal control the investigation into a car accident last week killing two people.

India, Russia could clinch deal on new nuclear power units in April

Russia and India are close to signing a contract on the construction of the third and fourth power units at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, Indian atomic industry officials said Wednesday.

Brown, pink snow falls in Russia's South

Unusually colored brown and pink snow appeared in Russia's southern Krasnodar Region, regional meteorologists said on Wednesday.

India seeks greater nuclear cooperation with Russia - official

India may join Russia in establishing Angarsk nuclear fuel bank

India may join Russia's nuclear center of a low-enriched uranium (LEU) reserves project in Angarsk, the chairman of India's Atomic Energy Research Commission said.

India to join Russia in establishing Angarsk nuclear fuel bank

India may join Russia's nuclear center of a low-enriched uranium (LEU) reserves project in Angarsk, the chairman of India's Atomic Energy Research Commission said.

Oldest woman found in Georgia?

Rustavi 2 named the woman as Antisa Khvich-ava and said she was born in 1880, a date it established from documents at the country's civil registration agency.

Rudd's compassion plea for Bali Nine

PRIME Minister appeals directly to Indonesian President on behalf of jailed Aussies.

Bullying victim wins $290,000 payout

TEEN who suffered years of abuse receives one of the biggest compensation settlements.

Why Clarke couldn't take anymore

AN angry phone call and a tearful visit to DJ friend: weekend it all went wrong for Lara.

Clarke ends relationship with Lara - report

MICHAEL Clarke and Lara Bingle have separated and cancelled their wedding, new reports claim.

Insulation bungle will see 50,000 stripped

GOVERNMENT forced to remove foil insulation or install safety switches in 50,000 homes.

Neighbours shock as actor smashes set

THE set of Neighbours was thrown into chaos after an actor allegedly smashed up a set.

Lack of housing will 'challenge recovery'

AUSTRALIA'S under-supply of housing isn't meeting needs of the population, Reserve Bank says.

I was pushed, says 'miracle' skydiver

WOMAN who survived 914m fall claims she was pushed by an instructor after having "cold feet".

Zoo's 'dead' baby elephant is born alive

SEE the first pictures of Taronga Zoo's miracle baby elephant who remains under intensive care.

Skydiver lives after jump takes horror spin

A SKYDIVER survived after plummeting 914 metres to the ground as her parachute twisted.

'Lost Boys' actor Corey Haim dead in Burbank at 38

The Los Angeles coroner's office says "The Lost Boys" actor Corey Haim is dead at 38.

Obama pushing on health care end game

President Barack Obama is making his closing arguments for a health care overhaul, pushing a new anti-fraud plan as he cranks up the pressure on skittish Democratic lawmakers to act fast.

UN: 90 Rwandan rebels killed in eastern Congo

A United Nations official says 90 Rwandan rebels have been killed in restive eastern Congo.

Hungary makes Holocaust denial a crime

Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom has signed a law making Holocaust denial punishable by three years in prison.

Terra picks CF buyout bid over previous Yara deal

Fertilizer company Terra Industries says it will pursue a bid to be acquired by CF Industries instead of a previous agreement with Norway's Yara.

New national math, English standards drafted

Math and English instruction in the United States moved a step closer to uniform — and more rigorous — standards Wednesday as draft new national guidelines were released.

Russian drivers allegedly forced to act as shield

Russian prosecutors are investigating traffic police who allegedly ordered civilian motorists to park their cars across a highway — and remain inside — to block a fleeing criminal suspect.

Female World War II aviators to be honored

The first women to fly U.S. military planes will be awarded a Congressional Gold Medal on Capitol Hill.

SAIC receives Navy contract worth up to $625M

Defense contractor Science Applications International Corp., or SAIC Inc., on Wednesday said it received a contract from the U.S. Navy to develop and enhance command and control software.

Axel Springer 2009 net income falls 45 percent

German publisher Axel Springer AG said Wednesday that net income fell 45 percent in 2009 to euro314 million ($427 million), with a drop in demand for newspapers and magazines mitigated only partially by new Internet revenues.

Riesch tops Vonn in final World Cup downhill

Lindsey Vonn finished second to Maria Riesch of Germany in the final downhill of the season Wednesday, failing to clinch the World Cup overall title but maintaining a huge lead with three races to go.

Turkey, IMF end loan talks

Turkey says it and the International Monetary Fund have mutually agreed to call off talks for a loan.

French minister's remark in Kosovo criticized

A media watchdog on Wednesday condemned French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's recent remark that a Serb reporter was "insane" for asking him a question about alleged organ trafficking in Kosovo.

Record 237 nominations for 2010 Nobel Peace Prize

A Nobel Peace Prize official says the committee that selects the winner is considering a record 237 nominations for the 2010 award.

Police probe Toyota Prius crash in NYC suburb

The driver of a Toyota Prius told police in suburban New York that her car accelerated on its own, then lurched down a driveway, across a road and into a stone wall.

Are you ready for the toilet of the future?

While most bathrooms in the United States are business as usual, toilets in Japan and in some parts of Europe are high-tech wonders, overflowing with luxurious amenities such as heated seats, sound effects, built-in bidets and lids that raise automatically.

AP-GfK Poll: Obama more popular than Congress

Americans have come to detest Congress ever more deeply as it nears the end of a nasty fight over health care. But more than half still back President Barack Obama, a bright spot for a Democratic Party counting on its leader to help stave off expected losses in elections this fall.

Genesee & Wyoming Feb. traffic falls 9 percent

Short line and regional railroad operator Genesee & Wyoming Inc. said Wednesday its traffic fell 9 percent last month from February 2009, mostly due to lower shipments of coal, coke and ores.

Sick ships: Cruises see rise in norovirus cases

The stomach bug caught up with Kenneth Thompson just a few days before the end of the cruise. He’d seen others getting sick and was hoping he would escape unscathed. But then his stomach started to feel queasy. Pretty soon he was vomiting every half hour. “I never had anything like this,” says the 71-year-old from Concord, S.C. “It just came out of me in streams, just gushes of it.”

Bank of Hawaii offering coupons free online

Bank of Hawaii says it's come up with a way to generate more business for its clients.

Ex-wife criticizes Mandela to UK newspaper

A British newspaper's interview quoting Nelson Mandela's ex-wife bitterly criticizing the anti-apartheid icon has prompted outraged headlines in South Africa.

Percy Sledge among new names in Alabama music hall

Entertainers lined up for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony March 25 in Montgomery include Percy Sledge and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Brown-Forman 3Q profit falls on higher expenses

The maker of Jack Daniel's whiskey and Korbel champagne saw its fiscal third-quarter profit drop on higher expenses that were expected, but adjusted results surpassed analysts' estimates.

Biden: Palestinians deserve 'viable' independent state with contiguous territory.

Swiss Re puts Chile quake insurance cost at $4-7BN

Swiss Reinsurance Co. said Wednesday that the strong earthquake in Chile last month will cost the insurance industry $4-7 billion, an estimate shared by its Germany-based rival Munich Re AG.