08.10 Russian Press at a Glance, Tuesday, October 8, 2013
POLITICS
The signing of a visa facilitation agreement between Moscow and Brussels cannot be sped up artificially, says the European Union’s new ambassador to Russia, former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas U?ackas.
(Kommersant)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry praised Syria for complying so far with its obligations to eliminate its chemical weapons and called for an international conference to draft further steps next month.
(The Moscow Times)
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
Russian telecommunications company Rostelecom’s capital expenditure will total no more than 10 percent of its earnings by 2018. The long-distance telephone provider’s strategy stipulates that it would spend less on network construction and earn more as a provider of internet access and additional services.
(Vedomosti)
A law introduced by the Kremlin is raising hopes for a new era in the development of Russia’s offshore oil and gas riches by streamlining the involvement of foreigners. Taking effect in January, the law allows state-controlled giants Gazprom and Rosneft to take on foreign companies to help extract reserves from under the seabed and provides a partnership model that may prove lucrative for foreigners.
(The Moscow Times)
Audit Chamber head Tatyana Golikova has gotten broader powers to control the efficiency of budget spending than her predecessor Sergei Stepashin.
(Moskovskiye Novosti)
Deputy Mayor Marat Khusnullin has spoken out against building affordable housing in Moscow, arguing that expensive apartments are a key ingredient in controlling migration rates.
(The Moscow Times)
RUSSIA
The international Circle of Light festival is winding down in Moscow. Farewell shows will be demonstrated at sites in the Russian capital’s center and south.
(Moskovskiye Novosti)
The president has started reforming the country’s highest courts: Russia’s Supreme Arbitration Court will be abolished, and its powers will be given to the Supreme Court, whose composition will be reformed.
(Izvestia, Kommersant)
Ten months after the government banned adoptions of Russian children by US citizens, the authorities say the number of children adopted domestically will more than double by this year's end amid increased state funding. Thanks to a range of government measures, the number of adopted children in the country will more than double to reach 15,000 by the end of 2013, Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets said.
(The Moscow Times)
SOCIETY
The widow of Russian security service defector Alexander Litvinenko, who died in London of radioactive poisoning in 2006, will insist on a public investigation of his death.
(Kommersant)
For more details on all the news in Russia today, visit our website at http://en.ria.ru.


