Vladimir Putin on Friday delivered one of his most searing attacks yet against the Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili, saying it may not be safe to wear ties around him.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A masked gunman entered a church and shot dead a Russian Orthodox priest well-known for his missionary work among the young, investigators said Friday.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A masked gunman entered a church and murdered a Russian Orthodox priest who had received death threats for converting Muslims to Christianity and criticizing Islam, prosecutors and church officials said Friday.

Russian Orthodox priest shot dead in Moscow church, assistant wounded. A gunman killed a Russian Orthodox priest in his Moscow church and seriously wounded the reverend's assistant, officials said Friday.

EDITOR'S NOTE ? The United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child 20 years ago Friday, yet hundreds of millions of children still suffer from violence, hunger and disease. Associated Press correspondents around the globe interviewed children who illustrate the remaining challenges, along with some victories.

20 years after UN pact to protect children, some successes alongside a long list of woes. EDITOR'S NOTE ? The United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child 20 years ago Friday, yet hundreds of millions of children still suffer from violence, hunger and disease. Associated Press correspondents around the globe interviewed children who illustrate the remaining challenges, along with some victories.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced late Thursday a compromise deal with Ukraine on the thorny issue of gas supply, lessening the threat of multibillion-dollar fines that might cripple Ukraine's economy.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced late Thursday a compromise deal with Ukraine on the thorny issue of gas supply, lessening the threat of multibillion-dollar fines that might cripple Ukraine's economy.

An Russian Orthodox priest who was an outspoken critic of both Islam and ultra-nationalist groups was shot dead in his Moscow church by a masked assassin, investigators said Friday.

Former Soviet leader Gorbachev criticizes Kremlin, hints at political comeback. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev criticized Kremlin policies Friday and toyed with the ambitious idea of attempting a political comeback.

Thawing permafrost caused by global warming is costing Russian energy firms billions of dollars annually in damage control and shrinking Russia's territory, Greenpeace warned in a new study Friday.

Germany's new Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle emphasised strong relations with Russia during his first visit to Moscow Friday, but remained discreet on human rights issues.

Incoming EU president Herman Van Rompuy kept a low profile Friday as the 27-nation bloc's leaders faced flak for picking him and a little-known British peer to lead a revamped Europe on the world stage.

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Friday said Washington aims to boost cooperation with Canada in the Arctic, as Russia and others eye its vast untapped resources.

Today is Monday, November 23, the 327th day of 2009. There are 38 days left in the year.

President Barack Obama on Sunday won the strongest backing yet from Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on the Iranian nuclear crisis as the US leader warned that Tehran was "running out of time".

The UN atomic agency unveils its latest report on Iran's disputed nuclear drive Monday, with world powers warning Tehran is "running out of time" to respond to a UN-brokered offer to end the standoff.

President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday said Russia should learn from Singapore's "great example" of economic transformation as he made the first ever visit by a Russian head of state to the island.

The UN atomic agency unveils its latest report on Iran's disputed nuclear drive Monday, with world powers warning Tehran is "running out of time" to respond to a UN-brokered offer to end the standoff.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia announced the latest delay to Iran's first nuclear power station on Monday, saying that technical issues would prevent its engineers from starting up the reactor at the Bushehr plant by the year-end.