11.   Eden Fernandez was handed over to a British diplomat at the rocket-scarred headquarters of his captors in a suburb south of the ruined capital.

12.   In Grozny, the ruined Chechen capital, neither side showed any sign of budging from oft-stated positions.

13.   In Grozny, the ruined Chechen capital, the warring sides showed no sign of budging from oft-stated positions.

14.   In one incident near the ruined capital Grozny, a rebel armored personnel carrier opened fire Thursday evening on Russian soldiers who shot back in response, it said.

15.   Internationally sponsored peace talks between Russian and Chechen officials broke down quickly Thursday as heavy fighting raged south of the ruined Chechen capital.

16.   Russian and Chechen officials held their first round of internationally sponsored peace talks today even as heavy fighting raged south of the ruined Chechen capital.

17.   Security was tightened in the ruined capital to prevent possible rebel attacks during the holidays, with Russian soldiers and their Chechen allies placed on alert.

18.   Russian aircraft and artillery have pounded the ruined Chechen capital throughout the week.

19.   Russian doctors treating soldiers transported from the ruined Chechen capital to Beslan said clashes had erupted south of the Sunzha River.

20.   Rockets landed in several residential districts of the ruined capital, witnesses said.