POLITICS
Russia's lower house of parliament passed this week a new bill widely expanding the definition of “state treason.” Critics claim the legislation is part of a wider crackdown on dissent by President Vladimir Putin. (Moscow News)
The Russian government may soon double its financial support for political parties that garnered over 3% of votes during the latest parliamentary elections. Parties which have been left outside the State Duma consider the move “discriminatory.” (Kommersant)
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Rosneft’s landmark deal to buy British oil major BP's 50% stake in Russia’s third largest oil producer TNK-BP may change the itinerary of the future South oil pipeline. The final destination could be shifted from Novorossiisk to Tuapse, where Rosneft has its own oil terminals. Despite the higher cost ($1 billion more), the second option will be more lucrative for Rosneft in the long run. (Izvestia)
LUKoil, Russia's largest privately-owned oil company, continues attempts to gain access to offshore shelf projects in tough competition with state-run oil companies, including Rosneft. LUKoil has announced its intention to spend $2.7 billion on oil prospecting in four shelf projects. (Kommersant)
The Russian government has approved the schedule for privatization of key state assets. Up to 6 percent of Rosneft, 25.5 percent of VTB bank and 5 percent of Russian railroads could be sold to private investors as early as next year. (Kommersant, Vedomosti)
Russian Internet providers may double tariffs for online traffic as early as in November. What impact the move might have on regular online users? A discussion by major market players. (Moscow News)
Chinese Lenovo, the leader in global computer sales, is preparing to enter the global smart phone market, which has been traditionally dominated by Apple and Samsung. (Vedomosti)
WORLD
Sergei Khrushchev, the only son of former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, recalls in an interview what it was like 50 years ago when his father and US President John F. Kennedy were locked in a war of nerves and the world inched closer and closer to a nuclear war. (Moscow News)
A recent Israeli air strike on a Nigerian arms factory could have been a rehearsal for potential attacks on Iran in the future, some experts believe. (Kommersant)
SOCIETY
Russia is divided in a heated debate over religious freedoms as school authorities in Stavropol region ban Muslim head scarves in classes. (Moscow News)
Russia registered a 14% increase in car thefts so far this year. Japanese models are traditionally among the top-five ‘most wanted’ cars. (Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
DEFENSE
The Russian Investigative Committee has launched a probe into alleged large-scale embezzlement in the Defense Ministry’s property management structures. Investigators claim that the suspects have embezzled over 3 billion rubles ($96 million) by selling off the ministry’s properties at below market value. (Kommersant, Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has successfully conducted its largest and most complex missile defense flight test ever, involving the simultaneous engagement of five ballistic missile and cruise missile targets. The test in the western Pacific “stressed the performance of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), THAAD, and PATRIOT weapon systems. (Rossiskaya Gazeta)
