Nicaraguan pilots, soldiers to train in Russia

Nicaragua says it will send 14 soldiers and airmen to Russia for six years of training. The cooperation agreement was announced on Friday, on the eve of a meeting between leftist President Daniel Ortega and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin.

Nicaragua was a close Russian ally under Ortega in the 1980s, when Nicaragua fought U.S.-backed Contra rebels. The two countries have strengthened relations again since Ortega regained the presidency in 2006 elections. (AP)