News of the Day, 18:00 Moscow time

* Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said

- Dialogue is continuing with Washington on linking strategic arms reduction with the U.S. plans to deploy missile defenses in central Europe

- Efforts should be united in the fight against terrorism in Russia's Caucasus

- The establishment of a transit center at Kyrgyzstan's Manas airbase will contribute to the fight against terrorism

- Russia's interest in a gas pipeline project across the Sahara desert in north Africa has no political aspect

* Namibia wants to expand cooperation with Russia, especially in trade, investment and technology, President Hifikepunye Pohamba said

* Gazprombank and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia have signed a deal to finance the construction of a 800 MW gas turbine power plant in Namibia, the bank said

* The State Duma committee for CIS affairs approved Mikhail Zurabov, Russia's former health minister, as the country's ambassador to Ukraine

* Belarus's outspoken leader, Alexander Lukashenko, softened his recently harsh rhetoric toward Russia, saying Moscow remains Minsk's main ally despite a host of disputes

* The Russian Navy supports the idea of conducting international anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden under the UN aegis, its commander, Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky, said

* The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe expressed concern over the clampdown on street protests in Iran following the controversial reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last week

* Russia will start construction of a second Project 885 Yasen (Graney) class nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine in July, a shipbuilding industry official said

* Russia will not be able to launch its new gaming zones in less than four or five years, the head of Russia's special economic zone regulator said