Moscow marks No-Smoking Day

25.02, 18:14

The country’s Health Ministry is pushing for a new regulation that will oblige the tobacco industry to print onto cigarettes packs large and gloomy images of the effects of smoking.

30.12.2010, 05:30

Following its anti-alcohol campaign which featured a deranged squirrel and went viral over the internet, the Russian Ministry of Health has offered adherents of a healthy lifestyle the option of donning clothes that display the crazed squirrel.

25.10.2010, 19:56

Government deputies have come up with the revised draft of a new anti-smoking law that is seen as less radical than its predecessor.

06.08.2010, 20:09

Tobacco producers are outraged by the new production code adopted by Russia and CIS countries.

//

Published: 17 November, 2011, 19:50
Edited: 17 November, 2011, 22:50

Intelligent horse helps Muscovites give up smoking

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TAGS: Health, Thrills&Spills, Law, Prime Time Russia, Anya Fedorova, Neil Harvey, Lindsay France

As part of international anti-smoking campaign, Moscow authorities wage war against ashtrays in restaurants and send superheroes to give lectures on tobacco’s killing effects.

Eager to take part in No-Smoking Day celebrations, 27 restaurants in Moscow have strictly banned smoking on their premises, removing ashtrays from the tables and cigarettes from the menu.

While the ban on smoking in public places is just waiting to be legally introduced, some places are stepping up to the initiative voluntarily. To support the initiative, the authorities promise draw an interactive map of smoking-free cafes – it will list all the eateries that decided to give up on smoking zones.

Nearly 35 per cent of working Russians and up to 90 percent of restaurants and bar visitors are passive smokers.

For the time being, the ban on smoking in public catering facilities is not obligatory. The draft anti-smoking law will be submitted to the State Duma by late 2011.

The ministry suggests banning smoking in public places and tobacco advertising, including on public transport from 2014, while hotels, cafes and nightclubs will become smoke-free starting 2015. By 2013, cigarettes should disappear from store shelves to be sold only by catalogue.

In another curious anti-tobacco move, the Health Ministry hired its own superhero to preach non-smoking policies on Moscow streets. The red horse, called Hammer, was stopping Muscovites who happened to be passing by and lectured them on the harmful effects on smoking.

At least 400,000 people die in Russia annually from smoking-related diseases. Official statistics indicate that 45 percent of Russian citizens have smoked, and 34 percent of them smoke all the time. Currently, the average age when a person starts smoking in Russia is 11 years. Despite the annual decrease in the population, cigarette consumption grows every year.

Meanwhile, Moscow's air quality turned out to be the fourth-cleanest among eight major cities in the world.

Stockholm topped the ranking, with Paris and Prague occupying second and third place respectively. Hong Kong came eighth, preceded by New York, Kiev and London.

Cars are named the main source of pollution, accounting for 90 per cent of all emissions. The rest is due to industry and energy companies.

The survey was conducted by a Russian ecology research centre.

16.11, 23:05

Moscow’s city hall is rolling out new recycling options for the large number of Muscovites ready to go green.

Today: 21:10

A ground-breaking piece of Russian literature and revolutionary school of art were among the spotlights of this day in Russian history.

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Expats inspired by Moscow rallies

Today: 15:53

Russia’s Public Chamber has criticized calls for the results of elections to the State Duma to be cancelled, adding that they oppose all public discussion of the issue.

Parliamentary Elections 2011 08.12, 18:16

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev has called on people protesting at the result of elections to the State Duma to act legally and stressed that reports of election violations must be investigated thoroughly.

Parliamentary Elections 2011

Published: 09 December, 2011, 21:58

Moscow rally (RIA Novosti / Ilya Pitalev)

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TAGS: Election, Prime Time Russia, Immigration, Anya Fedorova, Neil Harvey, Lindsay France

This week, in light of the results of Russia's parliamentary elections, Moscow’s expat community is actively discussing the big upcoming protest rally – and its possible outcomes.

Today: 21:54

Daredevil drivers can sigh with relief, as two thirds of Moscow's 150 speed cameras are not properly functional.

Today: 22:33

As the world celebrates International Anti-Corruption Day, Russian law enforcement officials report the results of their fight against bribery.

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Hollywood holy Moscow party

12.10, 15:51

If you are a lazy bones longing for easy money and love partying all night and going to bed with the lark, we have the ideal job for you. A salary of $150 a day is on offer for simply sleeping in a gallery in your pyjamas from 10am to 9pm…

11.10, 23:40

Housepainters in Novgorod carried out an unusual act of vigilante justice on an illegally-parked BMW.

Published: 17 November, 2011, 19:37

Hollywood celebrities landed for a bash in Russia’s main cathedral (Photo by Gennady Avramenko)

TAGS: Celebrity, Russia, Lifestyle

Hollywood celebs, loud music and liquor are probably not what one might associate with Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral. But an art center in this place of worship has hosted an A-list soiree with the likes of Clive Owen, Anastasia and Megan Fox.

­The occasion? A presentation of the new Vertu smartphone. Arriving at the venue, guests crossed themselves before braving stringent face control. Many looked surprised at their holy whereabouts, having clearly ordered cabs to bring them to the address. Little had they known that the trendy art center was at the capital’s top cathedral. 

Ever since the notorious venue opened its doors in 2009, it has scored itself a controversial reputation. Many find buying antiques and attending social events under the sacred vaults of a church quite odd. In fact, some guests invited to the Vertu bash soon left in disgust.

The specially hired bouncers also looked quite out of place. Yet inside, this was a jet-setting party like any other. Even the humiliating wait some had to endure while the slow guards searched the guest list for their names was not an issue. All were intent on staying until the worshiped Hollywood stars showed up.

God bless Vertu.

Today: 16:50

There's something about a man who sees life through the lens of a camera, be it a panavision or a panasonic: the ability to create an image that speaks a thousand words. Stanley Kubrick made it in the movies, but first he did it in photography.

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Cirque du Soleil’s magic back in Moscow

24.03, 19:13

Color, fantasy, and the magic of human transformations. A display of the best Cirque Du Soleil costumes has opened in Moscow offering to meet those inspiring characters from the famous Canadian circus Company all over again.

21.02, 16:52

Cirque du Soleil, the legendary Canadian Company is planning to stage their new major acrobatic show Zarkana right in the heart of Moscow - the Kremlin palace. The show will be running in the Russian capital from February through April 2012.

01.05.2010, 17:39

Canada’s Cirque du Soleil is once again ready to invite their audiences into their charming and mysterious world of fun and fantasy. The European premiere of “Corteo” is set to be held in St. Petersburg next month.

07.08.2009, 21:07

The popular Cirque du Soleil is planning to establish a permanent platform for their shows in the Russian capital, just like in Tokyo, Las Vegas and many European cities.

06.06.2009, 17:12

The Chekhov Festival in Moscow welcomes a one-of-a-kind circus – the “Invisible” one. This stunning performance of two talents, Victoria Chaplin and Jean-Baptiste Thiérrée, celebrates fantasy and kindness.

Published: 03 November, 2011, 13:41

Cirque du Soleil to premiere new show in Moscow

TAGS: Art, Show, Russia, Circus

Legendary Canadian circus company Cirque du Soleil has brought its new show Saltimbanco to Moscow. Thursday will see the premiere of the program, which will be running at the capital’s Luzhniki Arena through November 13.

After Moscow, the show will move to St. Petersburg and then to Kiev, for the first ever appearance of the world-famous circus company in Ukraine.

Cirque du Soleil’s visits to the capital have already become a beloved tradition. Muscovites had the chance to enjoy the shows Varekai in 2009, and Corteo in 2010.

Saltimbanco, which celebrates the company’s 20th anniversary, is another beautiful performance, fusing the huge work and outstanding talent of the team to amuse the audience and bring the fairy-tale spirit into the old building of the Arena.

Saltimbanco show is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year

­The first show, Varekai was a completely new experience for Moscow. It stunned the audience with sophisticated acts, acrobatics and humor, while the second, Corteo, was a magical drama performance, sensual and gentle. Saltimbanco does not aim to beat the previous two. Its charm lies in its simplicity. It offers a chance to take a sneak peek at the history of the legendary Cirque du Soleil.

The history of the company and circus as a whole goes back to street performing, where actors often involve the audience. Saltimbanco is exactly that kind of show.  Prepare to find yourself onstage, or get tapped on the shoulder by one of the actors from behind.

Stunning acrobatics, the trademark of the circus company, are also there, along with captivating dance and music.

Based in Montreal, Canada, Cirque du Soleil was founded by Guy Laliberte in 1984. The company today employs over 5000 people, which allows it to give several stunning performances in different parts of the world, at the same time.

02.11, 18:25

A biographical book about Russian opposition politician and writer Eduard Limonov has received a literary award in France. The Renaudot Prize was awarded to the book’s author Emmanuel Carrere.

Today: 15:51

The New British Film Festival has opened in Moscow, and will screen 15 movies recently mentioned and awarded at international film festivals. The screenings will run at Moscow’s Gorizont cinema.

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A Bout face: Moscow lobbies for Bout's return

02.11, 22:14

A New York jury has convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout of trying to sell heavy weapons to a Colombian terror group. He could face from 25 years to life in prison.

Viktor Bout case 31.10, 22:49

A New York court has postponed issuing a final verdict in the case of Russian businessman Viktor Bout, who is accused of international arms trafficking. The jury is expected to deliver a verdict on Tuesday.

Viktor Bout case 11.10, 21:32

The trial of Russian businessmen Viktor Bout, an alleged international arms dealer who stands accused of trafficking weapons to terrorists, has started in New York. But Bout’s family as well as experts doubt the trial will be fair.

Viktor Bout case 25.08, 15:23

The prosecution’s position in the case of Viktor Bout, who is standing trial in the US for alleged weapons trafficking, has sustained a serious blow after the judge ruled that statements Bout made before his arrival in the US be suppressed.

Viktor Bout case 05.08, 16:18

Viktor Bout, who is standing trial in the US for alleged trafficking of weapons, gave an account of the hardships he endured in Thai and American prisons and the sleazy political dealings which may be behind his case.

Viktor Bout case

Published: 03 November, 2011, 12:51

Viktor Bout (AFP Photo / NICOLAS ASFOURI)

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TAGS: Arms, Conflict, Crime, Russia, Politics, Human rights, Law, USA, Egor Piskunov, Matt Trezza

Moscow has harshly criticized a US court’s guilty verdict in the Viktor Bout case and vowed to secure the former Soviet military officer’s return to Russia.

On Wednesday, a New York Federal jury found Bout, 44, guilty of attempting to sell heavy weapons to a Colombian terrorist group. He will be sentenced on February 8, 2012, and may get from 25 years to life behind bars.

Commenting on the decision, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that it will continue taking “all measures needed to ensure the legal rights and interests of Viktor Bout as a Russian citizen.”

“Our goal is to secure his return to his home country,” the ministry’s spokesperson Aleksandr Lukashevich said in a commentary published on the body’s official webpage.

Moscow once again pointed out that Bout – a Russian citizen – was illegally extradited from Thailand “under unprecedented political pressure from American authorities.”

What was “absolutely unacceptable,” Lukashevich stressed, is that “unlawful methods of physical and psychological influence” – which run contrary to the international law and US international obligations – were used during the “operation” involving American special services officers, and again during the investigation.

The Russian side expressed its indignation over the negative atmosphere around the Bout case which, was deliberately stirred up “at the direct instigation of the US executive power” and impeded an impartial investigation into the facts.

“One cannot consider it normal that a Russian citizen was kept in custody in unjustifiably harsh conditions, obviously aimed at making him agree to a plea bargain,” the spokesman said.

These factors call into question “the very grounds on which the prosecution was based and, correspondingly, the justice of the court verdict.”

The Russian lower house believes that the New York court decision could be politically motivated.

The verdict was delivered in a style of “typical American propaganda,” said First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky, as cited by Itar-Tass. Bout was turned into a kind of “an evil genius”, a “baddie” from Russia. The official is confident that Moscow should continue fighting for its citizen and added that “neither the state nor the family will leave him.”

Another representative of the committee, Andrey Klimov stated that both the Bout case and the verdict are pieces of the same “political put-up job.” What the former military officer is convicted of “is utter rubbish”. Following the logic of the American justice bodies, Klimov observed, one cannot even hypothetically discuss whispering “with his wife in the kitchen” anything that can pose a threat to US interests. “That is exactly what they want to imprison Bout for,” the MP asserted.

The deputy believes that Moscow should use both political and diplomatic methods in order to prevent such violations of the rights of Russian citizens from happening in the future.

03.11, 12:45

Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko suggests suspending senators’ party membership for the time of their work in the upper house of the Russian parliament.

03.11, 14:51

The Russian Education Ministry has reversed its decision to graduate the press secretary of the Investigative Committee as a lawyer after discovering that the official’s second academic degree was forged.

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