Main news of April 26

 RUSSIA

* Japan's prime minister met with Russia's president-elect near Moscow for talks focusing on the agenda of the Group of Eight summit

* Russia's outgoing president told Japan's prime minister at talks near Moscow that the countries are moving in the right direction on reaching a peace treaty to formally end World War II hostilities

* Georgia wants to find peaceful solutions to its disputes with Russia, but will retaliate against any aggressive actions from Moscow, a deputy defense minister warned  

WORLD

* Iran's conservatives have strengthened their majority in parliament, winning 52 of the 82 seats being contested in a run-off, national election authorities said

* Ukraine and other former Soviet states affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster are holding ceremonies to mark the 22nd anniversary of the explosion

* At least 26 people have died following a parcel bomb explosion on a commuter bus during the Friday afternoon rush hour on the outskirts of Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, and dozens are injured

* The Olympic torch relay for this summer's Beijing games, which has been marred by pro-Tibet protests in cities around the world, passed through central Japan's Nagano with sporadic disruptions