Kommersant
1. Alexei Sokovnin article headlined "Investigators transit border of Federal Customs Service" says that the Federal Customs Service and the Investigative Committee have clashed over the investigation of a fraud case. The head of the agency has accused investigators of incompetence; pp 1, 5 (450 words).
2. Ivan Safronov interview headlined "'We cannot delay tasks of state defense order due to Finance Ministry'" with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, speaking about changes that have already taken place in the defense industry and that are still in store; pp 1, 4 (2,465 words).
3. Yelena Chernenko article headlined "Wiki- evidence estimated at 35 years" says that a U.S. military court has sentenced WikiLeaks informant Bradley Manning to 35 years in prison; p 1 (698 words).
4. Roman Rozhkov article headlined "No cinema" says that the Roskomnadzor media watchdog has called on communications providers to block access to the website Opensharing.org because it has violated the so-called anti-piracy law; pp 1, 10 (559 words).
5. Natalya Gorodetskaya article headlined "Mayors to be protected from prosecutors by law" says the government approved a bill on Aug. 21 reducing the number of checks of municipal bodies by prosecutors; p 2 (300 words).
6. Tatyana Yedovina article headlined "Accession to WTO does not go too far" says that according to Moody's, only large retailers have so far benefited from Russia's accession to the WTO. Agriculture and light industry have suffered most of all from the move; p 2 (546 words).
7. Sofya Samokhina et al. article headlined "Central Elections Commission defends RPR-Parnas" says that the Central Elections Commission (CEC) has upheld a complaint filed by the RPR-Parnas, challenging Khakassia's electoral commission's decision not to verify the party's list of candidates for the regional parliamentary election. Eight parties, including four parliamentary ones, are displeased with the decision and plan to dispute it; p 3 (576 words).
8. Taisia Bekbulatova and Sergei Goryashko article headlined "United Russia mayors to be trashed over at party meetings" says that the Kaliningrad Region branch of the United Russia party will hold a meeting to get clarifications from Kaliningrad mayor Yaroshuk as regards foreign property owned by his wife. The Omsk region's branch of the party will hold a meeting to discuss Omsk Mayor Dvorakovsky's refusal to cut short his vacation after a fatal accident on the Irtysh river; p 3 (475 words).
9. Natalya Gorodetskaya article headlined "Presidential council to announce online selection" says the presidential council on human rights is expected today to approve principles for conducting examinations on high-profile cases; p 3 (300 words).
10. Alexander Voronov article headlined "Billions spent on water" looks at damage caused by heavy floods in Russia's Far East; p 5 (678 words).
11. Krasnodar-based Anna Perova article headlined "Officials convicted for natural calamity" says that a Krasnodar Territory court has passed prison sentences on three former Krymsk town officials and a suspended sentence on another one, having found them guilty of negligence in the course of the 6-7 July 2012 floods in the town, which claimed the lives of 153 people; p 5 (509 words).
12. Sergei Strokan article headlined "Chinese court to hear directing testimony" says that the trial of former Politburo member Bo Xilai has begun in China and features a Russian expert's comment on the issue; p 6 (577 words).
Nezavisimaya Gazeta
1. Vladimir Mukhin article headlined "Sergei Shoigu takes back Emergencies Ministry" says that the Russian authorities are considering reorganizing the Emergency Situations Ministry into a state service that will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry. The article also features military experts' comments on the issue; pp 1-2 (904 words).
2. Alexandra Samarina article headlined "Municipal filter could be canceled" says that the president's human rights council will, among other things, discuss the future of the municipal filter for governor elections at a meeting with President Putin in early September. The municipal filter could be abolished or improved, the article says; pp 1, 3 (786 words).
3. Mikhail Sergeyev article headlined "Burial of Russian aircraft-building sector" says that according to experts from the Strategy Partners Group, if the Russian authorities do not change principles of support for the domestic aircraft-building sector, it will lose competitiveness. The archaic management system is the main problem facing the sector, experts say; p 1, 4 (654 words).
4. Tatyana Dvoynova article headlined "Certificate demanded from sea urchin" says that Prime Minister Medvedev has authorized the Federal Fisheries Agency (Rosrybolovstvo) to issue certificates on sea bioresources exported to China and Japan as a measure to fight against poaching; pp 1, 5 (634 words).
5. Tatyana Ivzhenko article headlined "Ukrainians stake on Germans" says that a Ukrainian lawmaker has submitted to the parliament a bill aimed at slowing down Ukraine's drift to the EU. The article also features a Russian expert's comments on the issue; pp 1, 6 (1,129 words).
6. Darya Tsilyurik article headlined "Neuroparalytic war in Syria" says that the Syrian opposition has accused the ruling authorities of using sarin nerve agent near Damascus, which claimed the lives of hundreds of people. UN experts are ready to conduct an investigation into the issue; pp 1, 7 (676 words).
7. Andrei Serenko article headlined "Kalmykia's opposition complains to Putin" says that the Kalmykia's opposition has asked President Putin to intervene in the situation in the republic, which is unstable and out of control of the republic's authorities. If nothing changes, the Sept. 8 parliamentary election in the region might be wrecked, oppositionists believe; p 2 (587 words).
8 Editorial headlined "Fight for pension contributions of Russians" says that state and private companies resort to different tricks trying to attract as many pension contributions as possible; p 2 (500 words).
9. Oksana Skripnikova article headlined "Professionals to win war of ratings" says that according to the Civil Society Development Foundation, the ruling United Russia party will win the Sept. 8 elections. Only mayoral elections in Voronezh and Yekaterinburg may be intriguing; p 2 (654 words).
10. Alexei Gorbachev article headlined "Citizens differ in assessing GKChP" looks ahead at two rallies to be held in Moscow today: one is dedicated to the Day of Russian flag and the other — to the victory over supporters of the GKChP (State Committee on States of Emergency); p 3 (728 words).
11. Mikhael Dorfman article published in the Carte Blanche regular column headlined "To take away nationalism from nationalists" looks at the multi-ethnic nature of Russia and says that this multi-ethnicity is delusive; p 3 (942 words).
12. Sergei Turanov article provides the list of Russia's best lobbyists for July 2013; p 4 (1,382 words).
13. Igor Naumov article headlined "New regulator involved in state purchases system" says that the Economic Development Ministry will be responsible for information support in the state purchases sector; p 4 (599 words).
14. Igor Klimov article headlined "Growth of investment is growth of wellbeing for all" praises the work of acting Moscow Region governor Andrei Vorobyov in his current role; the article is paid from the election fund of Vorobyov, who is running for Moscow Region governor in the Sept. 8 election; 5 (900 words).
15. Yury Panyev article headlined "Cairo does not need aid from West" says that the U.S. and the EU have practically lost control over the situation in Egypt; p 7 (751 words).
16. Vladimir Skosyrev article headlined "Former Politburo member's case being heard in China" features a Russian expert's comment on the trial of former Politburo member Bo Xilai in China; p 7 (632 words).
Vedomosti
1. Olga Kuvshinova et al. article headlined "New taxes for your business" says that the Labor Ministry has suggested increasing insurance contributions to 30 percent for small business and the Economic Development Ministry has suggested giving special loans from the National Welfare Fund to businessmen as a measure of support for the sector; pp 1, 4 (1,047 words).
2. Editorial headlined "Give birth for free" says that the recent initiative to abolish the maternity capital to replenish the budget put forward by the Finance Ministry may not come true for political reasons; pp 1, 6 (396 words).
3. Alexei Nikolsky article headlined "There are no turnstiles for SKR" says the Federal Customs Service has expressed surprise at methods used by the Investigative Committee, when investigators came to the customs HQ to confiscate documents on 21 August; p 2 (400 words).
4. Svetlana Bocharova and Lilia Biryukova article headlined "Reforms are stronger than RAN" says that academics have drafted amendments to a bill on reforms in the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAN), but the Russian authorities do not want the bill to be amended; p 2 (604 words).
5. Olga Proskurina and Svetlana Bocharova interview with Moscow mayoral candidate from the Yabloko party, Sergei Mitrokhin, headlined "'If Sobyanin is elected, he will be a very dangerous mayor'", speaking about his election campaign, his rivals and his prospects at the Sept. 8 election; p 8-9 (6, 931 words).
6. Maria Eysmont article headlined "Civil society: nationalization of agents" says that Russian people have begun to actively finance noncommercial organizations and other important public projects, which is evidence of increasing confidence in each other, that is one of the most important features of a developed civil society; p 7 (420 words).
7. Vladimir Sidorovich article headlined "Energy market: At empty pipe" looks at problems facing the Russian gas giant Gazprom in Europe; p 6 (918 words).
8. Margarita Lyutova article headlined "They threaten Ukraine with deprivation of freedom" quotes presidential adviser Sergei Glazyev as saying that if Ukraine signs a free-trade agreement with the EU, Russia may cancel a free-trade regime with it; p 11 (551 words).
Izvestia
1. Dina Ushakova article headlined "Economic Development Ministry asks for 200 billion rubles (about $6 billion) for small and medium-sized business" says that the Economic Development Ministry wants to almost triple state support for small and medium-sized business within the next three years; pp 1-2 (895 words).
2. Maria Kunle article headlined "Courts begin to side with taxmen more often" says that it has become difficult to be at law with the Federal Tax Service; p 1 (630 words).
3. Gaydar Batyrkhanov and Andrei Gridasov article headlined "Former Skolkovo financier's property seized" says that the Moscow's Basmannyy district court has seized 30,000 euros and the off-road car Range Rover from the former head of the financial department at the Skolkovo innovation fund, charged with large-scale embezzlement; pp 1,3 (550 words).
4. Anastasia Kashevarova et al. article headlined "Kremlin to give money to foreign agents" says that about 2,000 noncommercial organizations in Russia, including those who were earlier financed from abroad, will receive presidential grants; p 2 (658 words).
5. Sergei Podosenov article headlined "Communists ask to initiate criminal case against KPSS" says that the Communist Party of the Russian Federation has accused the Communist Party of Social Justice (KPSS) of fraud and demanded that its electoral lists should be checked to reveal ghost voters. The CPRF considers the KPSS as its spoiler; p 2 (595 words).
6. Maria Forkovskaya and Yulia Tsoy article headlined "Military decide to return debt to Hosni Mubarak" says that former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has been freed from custody and features a Russian expert's comment on the issue; p 4 (548 words).
7. Maxim Sokolov article headlined "Not yet established holiday" contemplates why the victory over supporters of the GKChP (State Committee on States of Emergency), celebrated on Aug. 22, has not become a public holiday in Russia yet; p 5 (804 words).
Rossiiskaya Gazeta
1. Yelena Kukol interview " with the director of the Economic Development Ministry's trade negotiations department, Maxim Medvedkov, headlined "Year in WTO passes", speaking about the first results of Russia's membership in the WTO; pp 1, 3 (1,161 words).
2. Irina Rybnikova interview with acting Moscow Region governor Andrei Vorobyev headlined "To Vorobyov personally"; Vorobyev speaks about problems that Muscovites are concerned about most of all; pp 1, 6 (2,818 words).
3. Vitaly Petrov and Alexander Meleshenko article headlined "Who orders survey" zooms in at a report on the Sept. 8 elections prepared by the Civil Society Development Foundation; p 2 (794 words).
4. Olga Sviridova article headlined "Country of miners — new century" features an interview Kemerov region governor Aman Tuleyev gave journalists ahead of Miner Day; p 4 (1,300 words).
5. Konstantin Makyenko article headlined "No dawdling here and there" comments on the future of Russian space sector; p 5 (700 words).
6. Tatyana Shadrina and Ivan Yegorov article headlined "'Admiral' wins pirates" says that the first website distributing illegal content has been blocked in Russia under the anti-piracy law; p 7 (419 words).
7. Vladislav Vorobyov article headlined "Foreign Ministry authorized to reconcile" says that today Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet the head of the Palestinian delegation at peace talks with Israel in Moscow; p 8 (459 words).
Moskovsky Komsomolets
1. Tatyana Zamakhina article headlined "Medvedev defends children, but gives up old people" says that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has criticized the idea to abolish the maternity capital, but said nothing about the rise in the retirement age; pp 1-2 (350 words).
2. Konstantin Smirnov article headlined "Year with WTO. Who benefits?" sums up the results of Russia's year-long membership in the WTO; p 1 (400 words).
3. Yelena Korotkova interview headlined "'Well, even if I had come to hospital and stood near bed...'" with Omsk Mayor Vyacheslav Dvorakovsky, who explains his decision not to cut short his vacation over a fatal accident on the Irtysh river; p 3 (200 words).
4. Matvey Ganapolsky article headlined "Brain burst from State Duma" criticizes the performance of the State Duma and compares its work to that of the Ukrainian parliament; p 3 (450 words).
5. Inga Smolyaninova article headlined "Moscow mayoral election results predetermined" focuses on a report on the Sept. 8 elections made by the Civil Society Development Foundation; p 5 (250 words).
Noviye Izvestia
1. Olga Goncharova and Maria Konstantinova article headlined "'To turn newcomers into slaves is a shame'" features human rights activists' comments on raids against illegal immigrants across Russia; pp 1, 5 (501 words).
2. Veronika Vorontsova and Boris Vinokur article headlined "Sinking in troubles" gives an update on the state of affairs in the flood-stricken Khabarovsk Territory and Amur Region; pp 1, 5 (1,440 words).
3. Vera Moslakova article headlined "No boycott" says that 10 out of 12 participants in the so-called Bolotnaya case over the May 6 unrest in Moscow's Bolotnaya Square, who initially refused to take part in the trial, have given up this idea. The article also features experts' comments on the issue; p 2 (566 words).
4. Nadezhda Bulanova article headlined "'No dice'" says that according to the Civil Society Development Foundation, formally independent candidate Sergei Sobyanin will win the Sept. 8 mayoral election in Moscow; p 2 (580 words).
5. Yulia Savina article headlined "At top of voice" says that according to the Civil Society Development Foundation opposition candidates may win the Sept. 8 mayoral elections in Yekaterinburg and Voronezh; p 2 (672 words).
6. Anatoly Stepovoy article headlined "Is silence three kopecks worth?" says that none of scientists, writers, artists, actors and musicians have so far responded to Russian human rights activists' appeal to condemn a campaign against illegal immigrants, published yesterday by the Novaya Gazeta newspaper; p 2 (529 words).
7. Pavel Kalitin article headlined "Flying from light to dark" wonders why a man who gave away late Hermitage Capital fund lawyer Sergei Magnitsky has not been included in the U.S. Magnitsky Act banning entrance to some Russian officials to the United States; p 5 (440 words).
Komsomolskaya Pravda
1. Alexander Kots and Dmitry Steshin report from Egypt headlined "Cross on wrist — target for Islamists" says the Muslim Brotherhood has been discriminating against Christians; p 10 (500 words).
2. Nigina Beroyeva article headlined "Fight near Damascus: Provocation or real chemical attack?" says the reports of use of chemical weapons in Syria have coincided with a visit of UN experts to the country. Politician Eduard Limonov calls the news a provocation; p 11 (400 words).
Krasnaya Zvezda
1. Viktor Ruchkin article headlined "Opposition's last trump" doubts that the Syrian government was interested in using chemical weapons while the UN experts were present in their country; p 3 (500 words).
