At least we have each other

Edward's weekly news roundup & open thread (September 3, 2023)

Window shopping in Vienna (photo credit: E. Slavsquat)

Warm Sunday greetings to you, internet friend. Welcome to Edward Slavsquat’s weekend URL-smorgasbord and open thread. You are invited to share links and monologues in the comments section.

News from Russian media

• Proposed legislation will allow Russian businesses to pay for access to data stored in government information systems. Databases will be stripped of classified information before being made available to the private sector. [Vedomosti]

• The head of the constitutional committee of the Federation Council, Andrey Klishas, has reassured Russians that they are not required to provide their biometric data upon request. However, those who don’t want their personal data stored in the Unified Biometric System (UBS) must submit an application to their local MFC (Multifunctional Center for state and municipal services). [Kapital Rus]

• Herman Gref has shared his music playlist with the world. It features “atmospheric trip-hop” (???). There is zero Bach. Confirmed sociopath. [Zvuk]

• Prigozhin was buried on August 29 in St. Petersburg’s Porokhov cemetery, according to his press service. Around 40 people attended the ceremony. There were no state or military officials present. [Zavtra]

• The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) arrested Igor Kolomoisky in Kiev. The oligarch has been charged with fraud. [Kommersant]

• Russia’s “digital sectarians” continue their push for “student profiles” and “ratings” in schools. [Katyusha]

• The Bank of Russia said biometric data stored in the Unified Biometric System will be divided into tiers based on compliance with certain criteria. Biometric data that meets requirements can be used to carry out “all types” of financial operations. [Interfax]

• In August 2023, Gazprom increased gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine to 42.1 million cubic meters per day. The volume of gas transported across Ukraine has recovered to the level of the fourth quarter of last year. In August, Gazprom delivered 1.3 billion cubic meters to the European market via this route. [Vedomosti]

• Settlements between Russian and Malaysian companies have partially switched to Chinese yuan, dirhams, and currencies of other third countries. [RIA Novosti]

• Rumors are swirling about a possible new “grain deal.” According to Turkish state media outlet Anadolu, the UN has offered to unfreeze the assets of several Russian companies if Moscow renews the agreement. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that such proposals were already included in the previous version of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, but they were not implemented. The connection of Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international settlement system is not planned as part of the new deal, diplomatic sources told TASS. [Kommersant]

• Why are fuel prices rising in Russia? [Nakanune]

• Parents are reporting that some schools are requiring children to use cards, bracelets, and other forms of ID. [Anna Rudneva]

• Moscow and Beijing are working on a new “Russia-China land grain corridor”. [ritmeurasia.ru]

• The Bank of Russia will continue to raise the key rate if inflation accelerates, Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, said in an interview. [URA]

• Putin and Xi are expected to meet in the near future. [Military Review]

• Deputy Head of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev said that since January, approximately 280,000 people have been accepted for contract service in the Russian Armed Forces. [TASS]

Edward’s media appearances

Prague-based V.O.X. TV has published the second part of my interview with the wonderful Cecílie Jílková. We spoke about the digital ruble and other fun things.

That’s all for today. Have a peaceful Sunday.

— Riley