MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti commentator Dmitry Babich) - On Monday the presidents of three influential Muslim states, Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan, gathered for a summit in Istanbul. This top-level meeting is another testimony to Turkey"s ambition to take a lead in the Islamic world. Given that Russia is Turkey"s second largest partner after the European Union with a $25 billion annual trade turnover, Ankara"s success may boost Moscow"s weight on the international stage.
Moscow police detained about 30 people, including a controversial Russian opposition leader, on Wednesday as they attempted to hold an unauthorized protest in the city center, a local police spokesperson said.
A ship with 30 crew on board sent a distress signal on Friday, warning that it could sink after becoming stuck in ice in the Sea of Okhotsk, off Russia"s Pacific coast, local emergencies officials said.