The Ministry of Economic Development has identified a shortlist of candidates for special tourist zones Having met until late yesterday, the Interdepartmental Commission for the selection of applications for the creation of tourist and recreational zones selected them, but in slightly larger quantities than planned. According to the plan, there should have been two or three such zones, maximum five. But after a heated discussion, seven were selected out of 18 applications under consideration.

Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak in St. Petersburg at the Second World Congress of Compatriots. On behalf of the head of state, the forum program was developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because “support and protection of the rights of compatriots abroad” is now one of the officially declared priorities of the ministry. The organizing committee of the congress was headed by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The electoral potential of the new party, formed as a result of the merger of Rodina, the Russian Party of Pensioners and the Russian Party of Life, is growing. This is evidenced by the results of a survey by the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM). According to the survey results, in August 20% of respondents considered the possibility of voting for this alliance, in September - 30%, and now 39% of respondents allow themselves such an opportunity.

Carmen is danced at the Moscow Art Theater School-Studio Ballet at the Art Theater? Well, not ballet - but dance, but a performance in which everything necessary is expressed by movement, and not by word? “Carmen”, where the program does not indicate the performers of the main roles, but only lists the entire course of Roman Kozak involved in the play? The Moscow Art Theater School-Studio released a non-trivial premiere. This is not just “Carmen”, this is “Carmen.

Chronicle of sporting events The congress of the International Volleyball Federation has begun in Tokyo, preceding the world championship among women's teams starting on October 31, followed immediately by the men's world championship. On the first day of the congress, membership in the FIVB of Montenegro, which received state independence as a result of the May referendum, was officially formalized.

The state must create conditions for the development of pipe production. The Russian government intends to more actively support domestic manufacturers in the competition with foreign companies. The issue of export support will be discussed at one of the upcoming cabinet meetings, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said, speaking at a recent meeting of the Council on Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship. Today, Russian positions in global high-tech markets are quite weak.

Exxon Neftegas signed an agreement on the principles of gas supplies to China The international consortium developing the Sakhalin-1 project yesterday confirmed the signing of a preliminary agreement on natural gas supplies under the project with the Chinese state-owned company CNPC. Although the Sakhalin PSAs are not officially subject to the law “On Gas Exports,” which Vladimir Putin signed in mid-July, the president personally recently “forbade” discussing independent gas supplies to China.

Are signs of a real multi-party system appearing in Russia? About how the victory of the candidate from the Party of Life over the candidate from United Russia in the elections of the mayor of Samara will affect the development of the party system in the country and whether the authorities will be able to keep under control the party projects they themselves created, Vremya Novostey correspondent Ksenia VERETENNIKOVA was told by representatives of the leading political parties of the country.

Alexander Korsik became president of the Itera group of companies A series of changes that have rocked Itera recently have led to another unexpected personnel decision.

Philip Lader and Nigel Kenny will manage RUSAL impartially RUSAL acquired independent directors. The five shareholder representatives already serving on the board (including company owner Oleg Deripaska) were joined by former US Ambassador to the UK Philip Lader and Saber Capital International Worldwide Inc partner Nigel Kenny.

A new cyclone from the Atlantic rushed to the north of European Russia. Its influence will be felt not only in the north, but also in the central regions. Over most of the European territory of Russia, abnormally warm Mediterranean air will circulate for this time of year. On Tuesday in the northwestern regions +7...+12оС, rain, heavy in places in the Leningrad region. In the central regions there will be light rain in places, temperature +8...+15оС.

Michael Schumacher ended his career with more than dignity Fernando Alonso's second place at the final stage of the Formula 1 world racing championship allowed the Spanish driver to win the championship title for the second year in a row. The victory in the race at the Interlagos home circuit went to Felipe Massa from Ferrari, but this did not help the Italian team win the team championship - the Constructors' Championship also remained with last year's winner of the French stable Renault.

The Prosecutor General's Office did not hear about the search it allegedly conducted Lawyer Boris Kuznetsov, representing the interests of YUKOS Vice-President Mikhail Shestopalov, said yesterday that recently employees of the Prosecutor General's Office conducted a search at his client's dacha near Moscow.

Georgia turned to Iran Georgia and Iran agreed to create an intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation. The head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Manouchehr Mottaki, explained that cooperation between Tehran and Tbilisi in the energy sector “cannot be regarded as opposition to some other country.” It is obvious that Mr.

US State Department official took back his words Yesterday, a senior American diplomat abandoned his harsh assessment of US policy in Iraq. “They do not reflect my views or the views of the State Department. I apologize,” said Alberto Fernandez, 48, director of press relations and public diplomacy in the US State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.