What the Papers Say, July 16, 2013

Kommersant

1. Natalya Korchenkova et al. report headlined "Inviolability grants" says a large number of NGOs, including the ones labelled as foreign agents, have applied for the presidential grants. The authors outlines the procedure of distributing the grants; pp 1, 3 (967 words).

2. Alexei Shapovalov article headlined "Manufacturing of zero" says statistics show that industrial growth in Russia amounted to only 0.1 percent in the first six months of 2013. Growth of production costs and falling demand are the main reasons for the trend; pp 1-2 (503 words).

3. Viktor Khamrayev article headlined "State Duma to work until end" says Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has spoken out for parliamentarianism at his meeting with the United Russia parliamentary faction; pp 1-2 (622 words).

4. Yevgeny Timoshinov et al. report headlined "National welfare may become private" says Mechel has become the first private company to ask for financing from the National Welfare Fund after the state-controlled corporations. Mechel needs additional funding to build a railway line up to Vanino port in Khabarovsk Territory; pp 1, 7 (649 words).

5. Taisya Bekbulatova and Sergei Goryashko article headlined "Alexei Navalny to listen to his verdict as Moscow mayoral candidate" says the Moscow city electoral commission is ready to register opposition activist Alexei Navalny as a mayoral candidate. Navalny is to have his verdict in the KirovLes case pronounced on 18 July; p 3 (550 words).

6. Andrei Kolesnikov article headlined "With feeling of deep satisfaction" reports on President Putin's dive to the Baltic Sea bed in a submersible to study a frigate which sank there in the 19th century; p 4 (1,419 words).

7. Sergei Strokan et al. report headlined "Alexander Lukashenko opens Russia for China" comments on Belarussian President Lukashenko's visit to China, the country which he considers a strategic partner; p 6 (710 words).

8. Pavel Tarasenko interview with Nils Muiznieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, criticizing the Russian legislation that labels some NGOs as foreign agents and calling for clear rules for checks of organizations; p 6 (638 words).

Nezavisimaya Gazeta

1. Vladimir Mukhin article headlined "North Caucasus resource who cannot be called up" reviews the results of the conscription campaign which has just finished in Russia; pp 1-2 (667 words).

2. Alexandra Samarina article headlined "Kremlin thinks about abolition of municipal filter" says the so-called municipal filter, requiring candidates to collect signatures of municipal deputies in order to run for governors, may be abolished. The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of the presidential administration; pp 1, 3 (953 words).

3. Alexei Gorbachev article headlined "Manezhnaya case to be added to Bolotnaya trial" says six more people may be arrested as part of the investigation into 2012 disturbances in Moscow. These people are suspected of diverting the attention of the police from the Bolotnaya square protest by starting clashes on the Manezhnaya square; pp 1-2 (799 words).

4. Anastasya Bashkatova article headlined "Authorities provoke increase in prices" says a recent survey by VTsIOM public opinion research center has shown that Russians are displeased with growing public utilities tariffs, inflation, bureaucracy and poor healthcare. The authorities' pledges to curb inflation are not fulfilled; pp 1, 4 (903 words).

5. Tatyana Ivzhenko article headlined "Questionable present" says the Ukrainian government has handed over 75 facilities on the territory of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra monastery to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church controlled by the Moscow Patriarchate; pp 1, 6 (754 words).

6. Gleb Postnov article headlined "Elder let down by article" says ideologist of Tatarstan nationalism Zaki Zaynullin is going to leave the region as his followers refused to support him when a criminal case was opened against him; pp 1-2 (408 words).

7. Editorial headlined "Hesitating capital" reviews the results of a recent survey showing that half of Muscovites have no political affiliation. These undecided voters could be used by both the authorities and the opposition; p 2 (489 words).

8. Sergei Kulikov article headlined "France plays in favor of Gazprom" says the decision of the French authorities not to begin shale gas extraction in the country will ruin hopes of some Europeans to become less dependent on Russian gas; p 4 (626 words).

9. Yevgenya Novikova article headlined "Taleban from Pakistan join ranks of fighters against Assad" says Pakistani Taleban have sent their fighters to help the Syrian rebels fight against Bashar Assad's regime; p 6 (577 words).

Vedomosti

1. Yury Nekhaychuk article headlined "Obligatory car insurance to be abolished" says the Finance Ministry wants to abolish the obligatory car insurance for drivers and defines the obligatory insurance practice in a new law; pp 1, 14 (651 words).

2. Editorial headlined "Russia of contraries" says Russia has been listed fifth among the developed countries in terms of purchasing power parity. The rating, however, did not help Russians raise their living standards and improve government institutions; pp 1, 6 (461 words).

3. Lilya Biryukova et al. report headlined "Neither Putin nor Medvedev" says gubernatorial candidates supported by the authorities do not use images of President Putin and Prime Minister Medvedev in their campaigns. They stake on door-to-door canvassing with a more personal approach to the electorate; p 2 (646 words).

4. Editorial headlined "Approaching internet" comments on the State Duma plans to draft a bill which will make popular blogs equal to media publications; p 6 (290 words).

Izvestya

1. Alexander Yunashev et al. report headlined "Kremlin to evaluate effectiveness of local officials and speakers" says the presidential administration is to commission experts to develop criteria for assessing the effectiveness of regional politicians. The criteria will help the Kremlin understand who needs additional training; pp 1, 3 (610 words).

2. Alena Sivkova article headlined "State Duma plans to rewrite Dima Yakovlev law" says the State Duma is planning to amend the law banning U.S. citizens from adopting Russian orphans. Mixed U.S.-Russian couples will be allowed to adopt children from Russia; pp 1, 4 (543 words).

3. Sergei Podosenov article headlined "Political scientists consider Levichev to be third force at elections" says LDPR mayoral candidate Nikolay Levichev may suit Moscow voters who do not support the United Russia and are not interested in the radical opposition; pp 1, 3 (697 words).

4. Marya Kunle and Vladimir Zykov article headlined "Gazprom to commission tablet computer for Alexei Miller for 120M rubles" says Gazprom has announced a tender for the development of a tablet computer for the company's CEO Alexei Miller. The gas monopoly is ready to pay 119.7 million rubles (about $3.6 million) for the innovation; pp 1, 4 (679 words).

5. Alexander Yunahsev article headlined "Vladimir Putin dives into history" reports on the president's dive to the bottom of the Baltic Sea in his latest publicity stunt; p 2 (400 words).

6. Konstantin Volkov article headlined "Islamists kill servicemen among opposition in Syria" says the Syrian opposition is falling apart into a secular and a radical Islamist sections; p 7 (448 words).

7. Konstantin Volkov article headlined "America hurries to become more familiar with new Iranian head" says the U.S. is looking for ways of beginning direct talks with new Iranian President Rouhani. Washington is particularly interested in the discussion of Tehran's nuclear plans; p 7 (547 words).

8. Marya Gorkovskaya article headlined "West calls for Muhammad Morsi to be released" comments on the latest developments in Egypt; p 7 (500 words).

Rossiiskaya Gazeta

1. Yury Gavrilov article headlined " Standing sentry" reports on the large-scale military exercise involving troops in Siberia and the Far East of Russia; pp 1-2 (827 words).

2. Irina Nevinnaya interview with deputy head of Rostrud (federal labour and employment service) Ivan Shklovets, speaking on indexation of wages and grey salaries in Russia; pp 1, 4 (745 words).

3. Tatyana Zykova article headlined "In time machine" reports on the president's dive to the bottom of the Baltic Sea in his latest publicity stunt; p 2 (1,000 words).

4. Article by political scientist Leonid Radzikhovsky headlined "Eternal flame" looks in depth at ethnic clashes which break out in Russia sometimes; p 3 (805 words).

Moskovsky Komsomolets

1. Alexander Minkin article headlined "Russian authorities" comments on a delay of military transport aircraft during the ongoing exercise, caused by a fuel debt; pp 1-2 (591 words).

2. Viktorya Prikhodko article headlined "Putin dives for history, again" reports on the president's dive to the bottom of the Baltic Sea in his latest publicity stunt; pp 1-2 (300 words).

3. Ignat Kalinin article headlined "Snap army drill: 1.5 million kilometers in three days" reports on the ongoing military exercise; p 2 (400 words).

Noviye Izvestya

1. Vera Moslakova interview with Yabloko party leader Sergei Mitrokhin speaking on the Moscow Region governor elections and the difficulties opposition candidates are facing; pp 1 — 2 (757 words).

2. Sergei Putilov article headlined "Global problem" says that Russia's succession to the WTO has a negative impact over the Russian economy; p 3 (600 words).

RBC Daily

1. Alexander Litoy interview with Grigory Melkonyants, co-chairman of the Golos movement, speaking on plans to continue monitoring elections in Russia and the persecution of NGOs in the country; p 2 (900 words).

2. Psychiatrist's Ramil Garifullin article headlined "Epileptoid mask of Snowden" describes the profile of the CIA whistle-blower Edward Snowden, saying that his striving for boundless power is the main reason for what he has done; p 6 (450 words).

Krasnaya Zvezda

1. Dmitry Semyonov article headlined "In one strategic plan" features an extensive report on the ongoing large-scale military exercise in Russia's Central and East military districts; pp 1-2 (2,500 words).