WORLD
A Russian-backed candidate is unlikely to win as the former Georgian republic of Abkhazia goes to the polls to elect a new president on Friday. (Moscow News)
A major international scandal could be brewing following the admission by NATO commanders that the allies deployed special forces units to help rebels fight Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in Libya despite limitations set by a UN mandate. (Kommersant, Izvestia)
Fans of Apple around the world are uncertain about the future of the company as legendary and charismatic Steve Jobs resigns as chief executive. (Kommersant,Vedomosti, Izvestia)
ECONOMY BUSINESS
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ordered an overhaul of safety checks on Russia’s spacecraft in the wake of a carrier rocket accident that led to the loss of a Progress space freighter. (Kommersant)
British telecommunications holding Aegis has announced plans to pay a record 100 mln euros for Russia’s Master Ad outdoor media agency. (Kommersant)
Russian banks have recently shown growing interest in issuing loans for construction, real estate development and transportation projects. (Kommersant)
Russian tycoon Alisher Usmanov may soon become a major shareholder of UC Rusal aluminum holding if he agrees to by the share of Sual Partners in the company. (Vedomosti)
Half of the Russian population will be able to improve their housing conditions through mortgage lending by 2020, Russia’s state-owned Mortgage Agency (AIZhK) claims. (Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
SOCIETY
Starting next year, illegal taxi drivers in Moscow will have to pay a fine of 10,000 rubles ($330) if caught by traffic police. (Moscow News)
Environmental activists have called on Moscow residents to stop using plastic bags for shopping and use bags made of woven cloth instead. (Moscow News)
DEFENSE
The Russian military has tested an S-400 air defense system in the vicinity of the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow to prove its ability to distinguish between military and civilian aircraft. (Izvestia)
SCIENCE
Dutch scientists are developing “bullet-proof skin” or “bio-armor” by implanting an organic web extracted from goat milk into human skin. Interview with the author of the project. (Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
CRIME
A retired police investigator arrested this week on suspicion of organizing the 2006 murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya has denied wrongdoing. (Moscow Times, Vedomosti, Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
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