Main news of May 21

A roundup of what has happened in the past 24 hours.

RUSSIA

* RIA Novosti has denied media reports that it helped carry out a controversial opinion poll ahead of Turkey's general election next month and is considering taking legal action

 

WORLD

* Tens of thousands of opposition supporters rallied in Tbilisi demanding President Mikheil Saakashvili early resignation, while in the Black Sea port of Batumi protestors attempted to storm into a television building

* At least six people were killed and 23 injured in an explosion at a military hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul

* Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh has temporarily handed his duties over to Vice President Alexander Ankvaba, a presidential spokesman said

* German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle condemned  the conviction of Belarusian opposition leaders for taking part in mass protests after last year's presidential polL

* The International Monetary Fund approved a 26 billion euro ($36.8 billion) loan to Portugal to help the country overcome its debilitating debt crisis