Main news of February 6

A roundup of what has happened in the past 24 hours

WORLD

* Ukraine's presidential contenders exchanged accusations of fraud and preparations for provocative acts at the crucial vote runoff due Sunday

* Former central banker Sergei Tigipko, who came third in the first round of Ukraine's presidential election, said he was ready to be prime minister if either of the two candidates wins a runoff

* At least one person has been killed and thousands have been evacuated as a cyclone has hit French Polynesia, according to Euronews television channel

* At least 25 people have been killed and over 100 injured by two subsequent blasts in Pakistan's financial capital, Karachi, local media reported

* Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have agreed on a scheme of nuclear fuel swap, but some details are still to be coordinated, the Iranian foreign minister said

RUSSIA

* Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sacked a senior health official for public criticism of a draft law introducing state regulation of pharmaceutical pricing, the government said

* Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov urged Iran to address international concerns about its disputed nuclear program

* Washington's continued efforts to build a missile defense shield in Europe have complicated nuclear arms reduction talks with Russia, a Russian deputy prime minister said

* Russia and NATO reaffirmed plans to step up cooperation following a freeze in relations, Russia's Foreign Ministry said

* Moscow highlighted the need to carry out an assessment of missile threats jointly with both Washington and Europe in response to U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Romania

* Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov presented the country's concept of a European security treaty at an international conference in Munich

* A Russian frigate, the Neustrashimy (Fearless), seized a boat with seven pirates on board during an operation to thwart an attack on a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, a Russian Navy spokesman said

SPORT

* FC Moskva has become the first football club ever to withdraw from the Russian Premier League