Main News of April 26

A roundup of what has happened in the past 24 hours

RUSSIA

* Eerie green clouds that floated over the Russian capital on Thursday, prompting wild online rumors, were colored by pollen released by the explosive blooming of birch trees in the capital, emergency officials said.

* Russian prosecutors said on Thursday they saw evidence of extremism in statements by a prominent Muslim lawyer who vowed bloodshed in Russia if the authorities refuse to establish Islamic law courts

* A delegation from Syria’s Popular Front for Change and Liberation opposition movement met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday in what Russia says is part of its efforts to overcome differences between the Middle East country’s multiple opposition groups and facilitate their dialogue with the government

Russia’s Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) has proposed a special federal program to neutralize space threats, Roscosmos deputy head Vyacheslav Davydov said

WORLD

* The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has received a motion to consider a resolution on lawyer Sergei Magnitsky’s death in custody, the head of Russia’s delegation said

* Egypts presidential election commission has released the final list of 13 presidential candidates that will run to fill the office that has been vacant since Hosni Mubarak's ouster in February 2011

SPORTS

* Russian football authorities have pledged to introduce an online system where visitors can vote on referees’ mistakes, although, unfortunately for aggrieved fans, it will only be open to the referees themselves, the Russian Football Union said

* Maria Sharapova likes to dance, but “never sober” and “not in public”, the Russian tennis star said