24.10 Russian Press at a Glance, Thursday, October 24, 2013
A brief look at what is in the Russian papers today
POLITICS
The majority of Russians acknowledge the existence of political opposition in the country, but believe that its influence on state affairs is very weak. Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov and Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) are regarded as key opposition figures, according to a recent survey by Russias Public Opinion Foundation. (Kommersant)
Gennady Onishchenko, formerly head of a Russian public health watchdog, has resigned and become an adviser to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. (Izvestia, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Moskovskiye Komsomolets, Vedomosti)
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
After several years of growth, the demand for electricity supplies in Russia could dwindle to 1 percent or less in 2013-2014 due to the closure of energy-dependent production facilities and the exodus of several key consumers from the countrys unified electricity grid. (Kommersant)
The appointment of Igor Komarov, former general director of Russia's biggest automaker Avtovaz, to the post of deputy chief of the Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) marks the beginning of the long-anticipated reform of the countrys space industry. (Vedomosti, Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
The lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, has passed a draft law that would enforce the disclosure of beneficiaries of foreign companies working in Russia. A 30-percent tax on any passive income would be imposed on companies that refuse to do so. (Vedomosti)
US consumer foods and drinks giant PepsiCo, has launched a second production line of snack foods at its plant in Russias Rostov region. (Vedomosti)
A new law has come into force in Russia banning unofficial sales of SIM cards, in a bid to crack down on makers of hoax calls and telecoms fraud. (Komsomolskaya Pravda)
DEFENSE
Russia aims to cooperate with Western powers on security issues but needs guarantees that a US missile shield in Eastern Europe would not target its nuclear forces, Russias Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said after his first meeting with NATO counterparts in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council. The missile defense dialogue apparently remains in a stalemate. (Kommersant, Moskovskiye Komsomolets, Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
A criminal investigation into suspected negligence while handling ammunition has been launched following the death of six Russian paratroopers in an explosion during live-firing drills in northwestern Russia on October 22. (Kommersant, Moskovskiye Komsomolets, Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
CRIME
Russias Supreme Court has ruled that a life sentence handed down to the defunct Yukos oil companys former security head Alexei Pichugin was lawful and refused to amend it in line with a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights. (Kommersant)
Russias Investigative Committee said it had dropped the piracy charges against 30 people who were on board Greenpeaces Arctic Sunrise ship, replacing them with charges of hooliganism. However, Russia refused to take part in proceedings initiated by the Netherlands at an international maritime tribunal over the detention of the Arctic Sunrise crew. (Izvestia, Moskovskiye Komsomolets, Nezavisimaya Gazeta)
Russias Investigative Committee has released personal details about Volgograd suicide bomber Naida Asiyalova and asked for help from citizens in finding her husband, Dmitry Sokolov, who is suspected of masterminding the terrorist attack that killed six people and injured more than 50 on Monday. (Izvestia, Komsomolskaya Pravda)
SECURITY
The management of the Moscow Metro subway system is planning to spend 1.4 billion rubles ($44 million) on the purchase of special anti-terrorism equipment to be installed in underground stations. The equipment is designed to interrupt and suppress radio waves emitted by remote controls used by terrorists to trigger explosive devices. (Izvestia)
SOCIETY
Another 20 years of current immigration policy, and Moscow will become Moskvabad, experts say, warning Russians do not want to do the jobs migrants are currently doing. (Novaya Gazeta)
SPORT
English football club Manchester City has made accusations of racism against supporters of Russian club CSKA Moscow after a chanting targeting Man Citys Yaya Toure at a match won 2-1 by the visitors in Moscow Wednesday. (Kommersant, Moskovskiye Komsomolets, Komsomolskaya Pravda)
For more details on all the news in Russia today, visit our website at http://en.ria.ru
