17.06 Russian Press at a Glance, Monday, June 17, 2013
POLITICS
Any improvement in Russia-US relations will hinge on President Vladimir Putin's meeting with President Barack Obama today at the G8 Summit. A number of important agreements have been prepared for signing, but Putin and Obama may have little time to discuss them, amid the pressing need to resolve the Syrian crisis.
(Kommersant)
In a preview of what to expect in the fight for the post of Moscow mayor, several opposition candidates presented their campaign platforms to municipal deputies on Saturday, in an effort to gather the required amount of deputies signatures to run in the election set for September 8.
(The Moscow Times, Izvestia)
President Vladimir Putin reached out to congratulate Hassan Rouhani on his victory in Irans presidential election. The Russian leader voiced his readiness for bilateral cooperation in various spheres to ensure international stability.
(The Moscow Times)
President Vladimir Putin once again criticized Western plans to support Syria's rebels with weapons. Speaking at a press conference alongside the British Prime Minister David Cameron in London, Putin said it was not reasonable "to support those who not only kill their enemy, but eat his intestines." (Moskovsky Komsomolets, Izvestia)
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
Taxes for startup companies may be cut by a third in line with a new initiative proposed by an all-Russian public organization.
(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government with developing a mechanism for public control over natural monopolies' investment programs.
(Vedomosti)
The fight against tax-dodging and disclosure of information about offshore company owners will be the focus of the G8 Summits economic agenda.
(Kommersant)
A General Motors joint venture has begun building a $200 million plant in Togliatti, in Samara Region to make components for its Chevrolet Niva sports utility vehicle. The 50-50 venture, GM-AvtoVAZ, is now sourcing components from the local partner, the biggest Russian automaker AvtoVAZ. But GM needs to expand its local content in Russia as part of a deal with the government.
(The Moscow Times)
Ukraines authorities suspect the WebMoney payment systems operator of money laundering.
(Vedomosti)
RUSSIA
Privately-built and operated toll roads are set to crisscross central Russia in an attempt to improve the condition of Russia's highways, more than a half of which are substandard. One toll road, currently being built in several stages, is the M11 Moscow-St. Petersburg highway.
(The Moscow Times)
SOCIETY
The State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has adopted amendments to the Civil Code, giving individuals the right to demand that any untrue information be removed, including from the internet. Experts say this will make the media even more vulnerable and will silence the wave of investigations into officials abuse of authority.
(Kommersant)
For more details on all the news in Russia today, visit our website at http://en.ria.ru.
