Main news of August 24

WORLD

According to preliminary data, 20 out of 90 people survived as a Kyrgyz passenger plane bound for Tehran crashed near the capital, Bishkek, the country's emergencies minister

* The breakaway Georgian republic of South Ossetia is to ask Russia to set up extra observer posts on its de facto border with Georgia, the republic's acting prime minister, Boris Chochiev, said

* A train hit a mine near the Georgian city of Gori, a Georgian Interior Ministry official said, adding that there were no reports of casualties.

* Moscow and Kiev should take each other's interests into account when drawing up foreign policy, and should work to resolve the issue of Russia's Black Sea fleet, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said

* A U.S. warship has delivered $13 million worth of humanitarian aid to the Georgian port of Batumi, Georgia's Ministry of Defense said

* The Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights called the destruction in Tskhinvali an insult to mankind during a visit to the devastated South Ossetian capital

* Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia were ready for cooperation with observers from the Organization for Co-Operation and Security in Europe

RUSSIA

* The residence of a member of Russia's upper house of parliament was attacked by unknown assailants armed with automatic weapons in the Russian republic of Ingushetia, police said

* Russia is interested in the further development of trade and economic ties with Jordan, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said after talks with King Abdullah II

* Six people, including a two-year-old boy, died during a fire in the Russian Volga area city of Samara, a local doctor told RIA Novosti.

SPORTS

* Russia's Alexey Tishchenko beat Daouda Sow of France in the final of the lightweight (60 kg) category to take gold on the final day of the Beijing Olympics.

* Russian women won Olympic gold in the rhythmic gymnastics Group All-Around event in Beijing

* Russia took third place at the Beijing Olympic Games with 72 medals - 23 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze

* International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge declared the Beijing Olympic Games closed

* Zenit St. Petersburg stormed to an away win against the Volga area side Krilya Sovetov, 24 hours after Rubin FC stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points