Moscow market of illegal vodka is estimated to be 25%. Outside Moscow it is as high as 50%. Experts believe that a significant part of illegal vodka is produced during the so-called "fourth shift," meaning, by the official manufacturers at night time. The price of illegal vodka is significantly lower than the price of licensed vodka. The minimum price of legal vodka in Moscow is 75 rubles ($2.6), while outside Moscow it is only 60 rubles (less than $2)

19.11.2009
To this day, All-Russia Exhibition Center (former VDNKh) is one of the largest Moscow attractions. This year the Center celebrates its 70^th anniversary. The exhibition was established by Stalin’s decree on February 17, 1935 as the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition.  The original design of the complex resembled the solar system. According to the architect’s plan, a huge statue of Lenin was to be placed in the center of the square

18.11.2009
Russia is equipping its spaceport at Kourou, the Space Center of French Guiana. This week it sent there two Soyuz rockets. They will be launched into space in 2010 along with the Russian boosters Vega. At the moment, a new launch pad is being built in the Guiana Space Center for launching Russian spacecraft. Why is Russia so interested in developing its space program in Guiana with its horrible climate and sad fame of a former French colony for incorrigible offenders?

16.11.2009
Medvedev’s meeting with his American counterpart Barack Obama became the central political intrigue of the recent APEC Summit. Everyone was expecting the presidents to release landmark statements regarding the possibility to sign the new arms reduction treaty at the end of November. However, the presidents simply demonstrated their mutual friendliness and made several abstract statements