Washington, Sept.22 : Rock samples retrieved last month from beneath the Arctic Ocean indicate that the North Pole is part of Russia, the Russian government announced yesterday.

The Russians contend that the Lomonosov Ridge, an undersea structure running across the Arctic Ocean beneath the pole, is a geological extension of the Russian region of Siberia.

Moscow: In order to enhance its modest Russian juice market share, US snack and beverage giant PepsiCo is all set to get hold of 76 per cent of Russia’s leading juice maker, Lebedyansky for $2 billion.

PepsiCo is making concluding discussions over the acquisition that will be the biggest ever in the worldwide juice industry. The deal would have effect before the year end.

Moscow: India is desperate to get into the profitable construction business, chiefly to build up world-class hotels, in Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi that will host 2014 Winter Olympics.

Indian ambassador Kanwal Sibal allged, “Ahead of the winter Olympics in Sochi we are keen to build world class hotels here and would like to pick local contacts for this.”

Mr. Sibal was speaking at a business gathering during his visit to the Krasnodar Territory in south Russia, which is also called the country’s breadbasket and seaside resort land.