Main news of November 8

RUSSIA

* The disputed Georgian region of South Ossetia joined North Ossetia in a day of mourning for the victims of Thursday's terrorist attack in the capital of the Russian North Caucasus republic

* The global economy will emerge stronger from the worldwide financial crisis, Russia's finance minister said after talks with counterparts from Brazil, India and China

* Russian Interior Ministry departments stopped the illegal activities of over 9,000 leaders and members of organized criminal groups in January-September this year, the interior minister said

* Russian Muslims hope that U.S. President-elect Barack Obama will be able to improve relations between Washington and Moscow, a deputy head of the Council of Muftis of Russia said

* Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin will pay a visit to Nicaragua, the only country to join Russia in recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Mexican media reported

* The Russian Foreign Ministry denied Ukraine's accusations that Russia is attempting to move the maritime boundary in the Sea of Azov in its favor

WORLD

* Russia and Venezuela have signed a memorandum on setting up a joint development bank with starting capital of $4 million

* Pirates off the coast of Somalia seized a Danish cargo ship with eight Russians among its 13 crewmembers, the Sovfracht Maritime Bulletin reported

* An Indian lunar probe entered into orbit around the Moon on Saturday at the start of a two-year remote sensing mission, the Indian Space Research Organization said

* Hamas confirmed it had refused to meet with Fatah representatives due to unresolved questions surrounding political prisoners, forcing the cancellation of Egyptian-sponsored Palestinian reconciliation talks next week

* The Iraqi army is capable of ensuring security in the country if the United States withdraws its troops from Iraq, the country's defense minister said