Russian News From Russia: May 29th, 2009!

Russia News Source – RIA: May 29th, 2009!

Italian investors to develop tourism in Russia’s Altai Territory:
Investors from Italy’s South Tirol region have agreed to develop tourism in southwest Siberia’s Altai Territory, the Altai administration said.

Russia wants CSTO to be as strong as NATO:
Russia is planning to build a strong military contingent in Central Asia within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) comparable to NATO forces in Europe, a Russian business daily said on Friday.

Dollar down 34.16 kopeks, euro up 5.11 kopeks:
The official dollar rate set by the Russian Central Bank for May 30 is 30.9843 rubles, down 34.16 kopeks from Friday, the Central Bank said.

Russia’s richest man to build ‘seven star’ hotel in Turkey:
Metals magnate Mikhail Prokhorov, Russia’s richest man, has received permission to build a ‘seven star’ hotel near Izmir on Turkey’s Aegean Sea coast, national media reported on Friday.

UN chief rejects Georgia’s claim of ‘Russian blackmail’:
The head of the United Nations has dismissed a claim by Georgia that he was forced to amend a report on the UN Caucasus mission due to Russian “blackmail”, and called the allegation “unfortunate.”

Russia opens chemical weapons destruction facility in Siberia:
Russia opened on Friday the first unit of a chemical weapons destruction facility in Siberia’s Kurgan Region, and pledged to destroy 45% of existing stockpiles by the end of 2009.

NASA extends contract with Russia for trips to space station:
NASA has signed a $306 million deal with Russia’s Federal Space Agency Roscosmos extending the current contract for transporting crew to the International Space Station.

Nissan to open car factory in Petersburg on June 2:
Nissan will officially open a car factory in St. Petersburg on June 2, the Japanese car giant said.

Russia’s international reserves surge to $402 bln as of May 25:
Russia’s international reserves, which include foreign exchange and gold, have grown to $402 billion as of May 25, the Central Bank chief said on Thursday.