POLITICS

President Vladimir Putin raised the number of his advisers to 12 from 10 and dismissed their staff.

(Vedomosti)

Russia joined a string of nations condemning North Korea’s third-known detonation of a nuclear weapon, but insisted that the situation “should not be used as an excuse to increase military activity around the Korean Peninsula.”

(The Moscow Times, Kommersant)

Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinistö to ease visa regulations. The two leaders also discussed business problems.

(Izvestiya)

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

The Russian Economic Development Ministry published its first assessment of net foreign capital outflow for this year, which stood at $8-10 billion in January 2013 ($15.3 billion in January 2012).

(Kommersant)

St. Petersburg has left Moscow far behind in terms of public-private partnership development, according to the first rankings analyzing the multibillion-dollar sector. But government officials and lobbyists said federal legislation is needed to regulate cooperation between the government and businesses.

(The Moscow Times)

Medical tourism is on the rise in Russia. The number of those wishing to receive medical treatment abroad is rising by about 30 percent annually.

(Moskovskiye Novosti)

President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill to the State Duma banning government officials from holding overseas bank accounts or owning foreign-issued bonds and shares. The legislation appeared to be a softened version of a bill passed in a first reading by the Duma last year stipulating fines or jail time for officials who do not give up certain foreign assets.

(The Moscow Times, Kommersant)

SOCIETY

Moscow’s first volunteer patrols to assist the Federal Migration Service (FMS) with enforcing immigration rules have started their activities in the Russian capital. Rights advocates have been skeptical about the idea, saying the move may trigger an outburst of xenophobia.

(Kommersant)

The State Duma overwhelmingly passed an anti-smoking bill that would ban lighting-up in almost all public places and practically eliminate tobacco advertising. The bill, which still needs approval by the Federation Council and the president, would forbid smoking in state institutions, universities, schools and hospitals, as well as in elevators and stairwells and near metro stations beginning June 1.

(The Moscow Times)

The Catholic world is gradually recovering from the recent unexpected announcement of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in late February, trying to figure out who will become his successor. The list of the key candidates consists of 13 names.

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

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