21.06 Russian Press at a Glance, Friday, June 21, 2013
POLITICS
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the freedom of expression on the internet with global business leaders at the ongoing St. Petersburg Economic Forum. Russian lawmakers have tentatively approved a controversial online anti-piracy bill, despite outcry from Russian Internet companies and advocates of online freedom. (Kommersant)
An investigation into an online hoax involving Russian Railways chief Vladimir Yakunin is gaining momentum as the Federal Security Agency (FSB) has determined that the email claiming Yakunins resignation was sent from a server based in Moscow. (Kommersant, Izvestia)
Russian NGOs, which have been branded foreign agents under new legislation, are looking for alternative ways of financing by refusing foreign grants and seeking Russian sponsors. In addition, they are considering registration as international organizations. (Kommersant)
Moscow managed to get a number of concessions from Washington before signing a new bilateral framework on nuclear threat reduction on June 14. The agreement is seen as an extension of the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction umbrella agreement, a 1992 bilateral deal that expired on Monday and regulated aspects of weapons transportation, storage and destruction, as well as prevention of proliferation. (Kommersant)
RUSSIA
In a move that opens the door to sanctions, the US Department of State has named Russia for the first time among the world's worst countries for forced labor and sex trafficking in its 2013 Trafficking in Persons Report. (Kommersant)
The president of Russia's Skolkovo Foundation, billionaire businessman Viktor Vekselberg, may become a suspect in an investigation into misuse of state funds allocated for innovation projects. (Izvestia)
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Teetering on the brink of recession, Russia's gross domestic product grew 1 percent year-on-year last month after expanding 3.1 percent the month before, the Economic development Industry reported. (Kommersant)
Russian oil giant Rosneft hopes to sign agreements in the near future to supply several hundred million tons of oil to China worth a total of more than $60 billion, allowing the company to rapidly eliminate the debt accumulated after the purchase of TNK-BP. (Vedomosti)
Turkish holding Renaissance is planning to build about 750,000 sq.m of residential and commercial property in St. Petersburg under a project worth $1 billion. (Vedomosti)
DEFENSE
The Russian Defense Ministry has terminated a tender for delivery of mobile field camps for the Russian army. The equipment was originally planned to be purchased in Germany. (Vedomosti)
Russias Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter and Yak-130 combat trainer were among the highlights of the display at Le Bourget a summary of the Paris Air Show. (Rossiiskaya Gazeta, Izvestia)
Kyrgyzstan on Thursday gave the United States until July next year to shut its air force base at Manas, a staging post for US troops and supplies in Afghanistan but now deemed unnecessary as foreign forces pull out of the war-torn Central Asian country. (Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
SOCIETY
* Russian sociology experts have unveiled the results of a comprehensive study on poverty in Russia. Rossiiskaya Gazeta publishes exclusive detailed report on the study.
* A new criminal case has been opened following an investigation into massive embezzlement of state funds under the Glonass satellite navigation program. (Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
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