21.09 Main News of Sept. 21

RUSSIA

* Russia has nominated film director Fyodor Bondarchuks movie Stalingrad for the US Academy Awards, a member of Russias Oscars nomination commission has said.

* A militant leader was shot to death in Russias violence-plagued North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, police said.

* North Koreas coast guard has opened fire on a Russian fishing vessel in the Sea of Japan, a spokesman for the fishing company said.

WORLD

* Russia is in theory prepared to change its stance on Syria if it finds out that Syrian President Bashar Assad is cheating, the Kremlin chief of staff said Saturday.

* A top Russian official warned Ukraine on Saturday that its trade balance will have a deficit of up to $15 billion if the ex-Soviet nation signs a free trade agreement with the European Union.

* Tajikistans strongman leader who has iron-fistedly ruled the impoverished ex-Soviet nation for almost two decades was fielded for reelection on Saturday by a political youth group

* A US Senator and leading voice on the tangled and thorny topic of international child adoption said this week Russia is doing a great disservice to itself by raising parentless children in institutions, but expressed little hope that Moscows ban on adoptions of Russian children by American parents would be lifted anytime soon.

SPORTS

* Sebastian Vettel continued his blistering pace Saturday as he stormed to pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix, while his championship rival Fernando Alonso could manage only seventh place

* Ural Yekaterinburg held on to clinch a 1-1 draw against Krylya Sovetov Samara in the Russian Premier League on Saturday despite coming under heavy pressure late in the game.

* Alexander Samedovs penalty gave Lokomotiv Moscow a 3-1 win away to Dynamo Moscow on Saturday, but the derby was overshadowed by controversial refereeing and the poor state of the pitch.