POLITICS
* Newly appointed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has made first steps in reshuffling the staff at the ministry caught in a series of corruption scandals. Meanwhile, the status of former defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov as a witness in investigation may change to a suspect as the probe reveals further details of the massive fraud. (Kommersant, Vedomosti)
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
* Victoria's Secret, the largest American retailer of lingerie, is planning to open a fully-fledged store chain in Moscow in 2014 following the success of its stores that have been selling accessories in the Russian capital since 2011. (Kommersant)
* Russia’s largest independent crude producer LUKoil has acquired a 25 percent stake in a geological exploration, development and production project in the Gulf of Guinea off Sierra Leone in West Africa. Experts believe that the company is attempting to compensate for its shrinking share on the Russian market. (Kommersant)
* The Russian government is planning to spend some 8 billion rubles (about $250 million) next year to support domestic regional air carriers. Experts believe that the subsidy is “unreasonably excessive.” (Vedomosti)
* Russia’s Renova group has invested $2 million in Novelos Therapeutics, a US pharmaceutical company developing novel drugs for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. (Vedomosti)
* Russian software developer SPIRIT has entered the Indian market by establishing partnership with Infotel mobile phone operator. The Russian form specializes in voice and image transfer via IP-networks. (Kommersant)
WORLD
* The Chinese Communist Party is expected to reshuffle its entire leadership by the end of the XVIII Congress that opens on Thursday. Experts predict a vicious power struggle between old-timers and younger generation of the party elite. (Kommersant, Vedomosti)
* Russia would prefer to see John Kerry, the former Democratic Party candidate for President of the United States in 2004, rather than Susan Rice as the future US Secretary of State after Hillary Clinton vacates the post in the near future. Currently, John Kerry serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. (Kommersant)
* “Russia plays a colossal role in the Middle East” – an exclusive interview with Israeli President Shimon Peres ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
* Russian political analysts discuss the future of relations between Moscow and Washington in light of Barack Obama’s reelection for the second terms in the White House. (Izvestia)
SOCIETY
* Russia may toughen weapons possession rules following a shooting rampage by a 30-year-old Moscow resident on Wednesday that left six people dead and one seriously injured. (Izvestia)
* What’s wrong with proposed education reform in Russia? Russian teachers are planning nationwide protests against the proposed education reform. The draft legislation aimed at bringing the Russian education system closer to European standards will be reviewed by Russian lawmakers at the end of November. (Moscow News)
* Russia has moved to a 5th place in global ratings of countries whose citizens spend the most amount of money on foreign tourism. An average Russian spends about 1,200 euros per trip abroad, according to UNWTO. (Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
* A non-fiction book based on an ungoing criminal investigation of the Georgian attack on South Ossetia in August 2008 has been translated into English and French. The Russian original, titled The Tragedy Code: 08/08/08, hit the shelves several month ago. (Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
* Despite its rather complicated rules, softball gains popularity among Muscovites. (Moscow News)
