Russian President to 'personally' monitor situation amid fears projects could alter river flows and harm Baikal eco-system.
Dmitry Medvedev rejected plans to set up a State corporation to run the economy in eastern Siberia and the Far East.
Consortium featuring Russian businessman line up bid to invest in mine which develops deposits in Siberia.
But there are questions over privatisation of mining giant Alrosa, the world's largest producer.
Pipeline will go through pristine Altai Mountains in supply route seen as economically vital by Kremlin.
Iturup gets connected, opening up the stunning scenery of the Kuril Islands to tourism.
The distance between capital city Moscow and key Siberian cities could shrink in plan envisaged by the Kremlin leader.
Investigators find one billion roubles in currency and expensive jewellery, including a diamond-encrusted pen, as official faces corruption charge.
'We've got to punish singers financially', Irina Ruzankina's lawyer said, adding that there will be '12 claims altogether, like 12 apostles'.