POLITICS

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called human rights ombudsmen his allies and proposed to make the institution obligatory for every region of the country.

(Kommersant, Vedomosti, Izvestia)

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Two Moscow students came up with an idea to exploit the creativity of those who have a sweet tooth by setting up a service that allows the fans of sweets to make their own chocolates or pastries from 125 ingredients. The idea has been quickly taken up by shrewd businessmen who invested 3.5 million rubles ($110,000) in Mixville company.

(Vedomosti)

The scandal around Armenia’s refusal to buy Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 passenger planes under existing contract has taken a surprise turn on Thursday when Sukhoi Civil Aircraft detained the only Superjet operated by Armavia for alleged failure to pay the accumulated debts.

(Kommersant)

Russian state oil major Rosneft started exploration of the Arctic shelf a year earlier than originally planned amid fears that it may fall behind the competitors in the development of rich hydrocarbon deposits there.

(Vedomosti)

Russia may soon host the first boutique-hotel from the U.S. Morgans Hotel Group, which is known for eclectic design of its hotels. The hotel will be located in the Moscow City business district downtown Moscow.

BANKING

Nine out of 30 top-rated Russian banks have raised interest rates on personal savings deposits following a sharp decline last month in the inflow of funds deposited by Russian citizens. The move is expected to help them keep regular customers from “deserting” to competitors.

(Kommersant, Vedomosti)

DEFENSE

A crash landing of Russia’s newest helicopter gunship Mi-28 Night Hunter on Thursday in North Ossetia was most likely caused by engine problems. Two previous Mi-28 crashes also resulted from engine failures.

(Kommersant)

WORLD

The battle for Julian Assange has taken an even more belligerent path on Thursday as Britain threatened to storm the Ecuadorian embassy in London to arrest the WikiLeaks founder who has taken refuge there. Ecuador has earlier announced its decision to grant the 39-year-old Australian political asylum in the country.

(Kommersant, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, Moscow News)

SOCIETY

According to a recent poll by the Levada Center, the majority of Russians believe that the trial of three female members of the scandalous punk group Pussy Riot is “just and unbiased.” However, human rights activists and experts claim that the trial has been launched to appeal to “the most conservative and least educated strata of the Russian society.”

(Kommersant)

SECURITY

Russian federal security officers will be subjected to mandatory narcotics tests as the number of FSB personnel caught “playing with drugs” continues to grow.

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

Russia’s Security Council is preparing a national contingency plan to stave off the threat of shortages of potable water in the world. The plan will serve as a mandatory “instructions manual” for all federal-level executive bodies.

(Izvestia)

SPORTS

Russian mountan climbers are planning to climb five highest peaks around the world and set Sochi 2014 Olympic flags on their tops. The list comprises Elbrus, Everest, Kilimanjaro, Kostyushko Peak and Aconcagua Mountain.

(Izvestia)

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