LUKoil’s U.S. GAAP net profit down 50% to $3.36 bln in 1H09:
Russia’s largest independent oil company LUKoil announced on Friday a 50% year-on-year drop in its U.S. GAAP net profit in the first half of 2009 to $3.362 billion.
IMF to allocate 195 million euros to Latvia:
The International Monetary Fund has given Latvia another 195 million euros ($278 million) under a deal agreed last year to help the Baltic country cope with a severe recession.
Russia sends ceremonial guards to Libya parade:
Russia will send an honor guards company to Libya to take part in a military parade dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Libyan revolution on September 1.
Six injured by suicide bombers in Chechnya:
Three police officers and three civilians were injured early on Friday when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in Chechen town of Shali, a Chechen police spokesman said.
Infrastructure collapse: allegation or reality?:
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti economic commentator Vlad Grinkevich) – The accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant is one of the biggest man-made disasters in modern Russia. It has exceeded the Chernobyl catastrophe in the amount of the simultaneously released energy and the scale of destruction.
Soviet and Russian anthem author Mikhalkov dies at 96:
The legendary Soviet-era children’s writer and poet Sergei Mikhalkov, who penned the lyrics to the Soviet and modern Russian national anthems, died on Thursday at the age of 96.
Arctic Sea hijack suspects charged with piracy, abduction:
Eight men detained last week on suspicion of hijacking the Arctic Sea cargo ship have been arraigned on piracy and kidnapping charges.
Russia international reserves down $2.3 bln to $398.3 bln in week:
Russia’s international reserves, largely holding gold and foreign exchange, were down $2.3 billion to $398.3 billion in the week of August 14 – August 21.
Nicaragua plans meat exports to Russia from 2010:
Nicaragua plans to supply 12,000 metric tons of beef and pork products to Russia annually from 2010, the country’s agriculture and forestry minister, Ariel Bucardo, said on Thursday.
Customs officials seize 80 kg of heroin on train in south Russia:
Customs officials in southern Russia have seized a record stash of about 80 kg (176 lbs) of heroin, a spokesman for the local customs office said on Thursday.
Who needs the destabilization of South Ossetia?:
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti commentator Dmitry Babich) – Someone obviously tried to spoil a double holiday in the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali by staging an explosion on Wednesday.
Russia reports 211 swine flu cases:
The number of people diagnosed with the swine flu virus in Russia has risen to 211, Russia’s chief sanitary official said on Wednesday.