POLITICS
Russia sees "elements of blackmail" in the West's linking of new sanctions against Syria with the extension of the international observer mission there, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday, and said it was unrealistic to expect Moscow to force President Assad to step down
(Kommersant)
Two opposition activists have fled Russia and say they want to receive political asylum in Europe for fear of imprisonment after being investigated for violence at a May 6 protest
(The Moscow Times)
The Russian Public Chamber proposed on Monday to regulate the country’s grassroots volunteer movement, which is burgeoning away from the watchful eye of the authorities
(Kommersant)
UN's special envoy on Syria, Kofi Annan, arrived in Moscow for talks on the resolution of the ongoing Syrian conflict
(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
Ruling United Russia party lawmakers are planning to put some media outlets on a list of “specially monitored” organizations
(Nezavisimaya Gazeta, The Moscow Times)
As a disputed bill branding foreign-funded nongovernmental organizations as "foreign agents" awaits approval by the Federation Council, confusion reigned Monday over the bill's effect on large international business groups
(The Moscow Times)
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
The IMF has cut its forecast for Russia’s2013 GDP growth outlook from 4 percent to 3.9 percent, but left unchanged its 2012 economic growth at 4 percent, according to the World Economic Outlook
(Kommersant)
Russian companies must fully exploit the potential of WTO membership and become key players on global metallurgy markets, President Vladimir Putin said
(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
OIL & GAS
Investment bank Renaissance Capital is predicting a tide of government takeovers in the oil and gas industry
(The Moscow Times)
WORLD
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid an official visit to Israel, where she reassured the staunch U.S. ally of the continued mutual cooperation and assistance
(Kommersant)
CRIME
The Russian Investigative Committee pressed formal charges on Monday against a former Moscow policeman accused of organizing - but not contracting - the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya
(Kommersant)
MOSCOW
Car owners in the Russian capital will now have to pay 5,000 rubles (over $150) if their cars are towed away for illegal parking
(Kommersant)
Moscow authorities expect massive incremental income tax collection from apartment landlords to start next year - a measure that might bring an additional 5 billion rubles ($154 million) into the city budget, although some experts warn the effort might backfire
(The Moscow Times)
SPORTS
Football coach Fabio Capello has said he would be "happy" and "proud" to take the Russia job. The 66-year-old Italian was one of a dozen high-profile candidates for the post, which was vacated by Dick Advocaat after Euro 2012.
(Kommersant, Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
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