Russian News From Russia: July 31st, 2009!

Moscow police hunt killer of manager at Russian defense firm:
Moscow police are conducting a manhunt for the killer of a top manager at one of Russia’s largest defense firms, Almaz-Antei, a law enforcement source told RIA Novosti on Friday.

Russian monetary base down 0.6% in week to $130 bln:
Russia’s Central Bank said Friday the country’s narrowly defined money supply (M1) was 4 trillion 59.6 million rubles ($130 billion at the current exchange rate) as of July 27, down 0.6% in the week since July 20.

South Ossetia to make territorial claim on Georgian gorge:
South Ossetia intends to demand the return of its former territory, the Truso Gorge, which is currently a part of Georgia, the former Georgian republic’s president said on Friday.

Gazprom posts 40.8% net profit drop in 1H09 under RAS:
Russian energy giant Gazprom said on Friday its net profits calculated under Russian Accounting Standards (RAS) decreased 40.8% year-on-year in January-June 2009 to 169 billion rubles ($5.3 billion).

Russia’s Norilsk Nickel posts net profit of $1.7 bln for Q2:
Russia’s Norilsk Nickel announced on Friday a net profit of 52.1 billion rubles ($1.65 billion) according to Russian Accounting Standards for the second quarter of this year.

Ukrainian diplomat expelled from Russia named:
One of the Ukrainian diplomats to be expelled by Russia as part of the tit-for-tat row has been named as Igor Berezkin, a source in the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry was cited by the UNIAN news agency as saying on Friday.

Russian energy minister to visit Iraq in early August:
Russia’s energy minister Sergei Shmatko said on Friday he would pay a visit to Iraq in early August to discuss oil and energy cooperation.

Russia’s Nerpa nuclear sub starts sea trials in Far East:
Russia’s Nerpa nuclear attack submarine, damaged in a fatal accident during tests in November last year, started on Friday the second stage of new sea trials, a source involved in the tests said.

Russia dismisses NATO membership suggestions:
Moscow dismissed on Thursday comments by a U.S. administration official suggesting that Russia could become a member of NATO.

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