Stories from Moscow · Russia

Online marketplace Lamoda has acquired 90% of the clothing brand Selfmade. The remaining 10% will be retained by the brand's founder, Tatiana Kutsenko, who will continue as CEO. This marks the first merger and acquisition deal for the online platform. The deal was reported by Kommersant. The total deal value was not disclosed, but Fast Fashion's revenue doubled last year, with a net profit of 8 million rubles.

The Russian market has seen a decrease in the import of powerful cars since December, with a focus shifting to older, more nostalgic models. The new program is planned to start in 2027. This change was announced by the outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's associates, who are reportedly withdrawing assets abroad. Imports of BMW and Porsche vehicles in Russia increased 1.5 times this spring. Drivers are increasingly ordering classic European models from abroad to avoid high customs duties. A Porsche 911 can cost between 10 million and 30 million rubles after delivery and customs. New models are currently priced near 50 million rubles. Alternative imports currently account for approximately 15% of the market. Auto expert Salik Masseyev noted that demand for vehicles with up to 160 horsepower will persist as long as certain rights remain.

More than 200 birds have died along the Russian coast due to pollution. Traces of contamination were found near the coast. Separately, media reports indicate over 130 dolphins have been found dead off the coast of Sochi and other areas since March.

Roscosmos has released a satellite image showing a snow-covered Moscow. The image was captured by the Elektro-L and Arktika-M series spacecraft. The photo depicts a cyclone covering European Russia, most of Europe, the Black and Mediterranean Seas, Turkey, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East and Central Asia. The peak snowfall in Moscow occurred this morning and is gradually weakening.

New software updates for cars are being delivered over the air, similar to mobile phones. The program 'Avtopilot' will explore what options are necessary for comfortable driving in Russian roads and climate. It will also question if Russian production guarantees reliability and how modern car factories resemble scientific laboratories. Modern vehicles can now receive software updates wirelessly, eliminating the need to visit a dealership.

Russian companies that invested heavily in online operations have seen their internet trade share increase. In contrast, Zolotoye Yabloko remains profitable and is growing in both turnover and profit. Zolotoye Yabloko's turnover of 204.3 billion rubles exceeds the combined turnover of the other four chains by 50 billion rubles. Consumers are reportedly favoring Zolotoye Yabloko due to its online sales services. Brand sales in Russia reached 366 billion rubles in March, representing a 33 percent increase compared to February. Total sales for the first quarter of the current year reached approximately 914 billion rubles. The automotive sector, specifically UV models, forms the primary portion of these sales. The brand Lay's achieved the highest sales growth among all food products in Russia for the year 2025. The report noted the brand's performance in the context of market trends.

The Tagansky Court in Moscow has imposed a fine on the American company Google. The company's location history data collection practices have been highlighted as a potential tool for solving crimes. Moscow is experiencing snow on power lines and tree branches. The company has refused to connect to the state registry since December 2018. This increase follows a trend of rising defense expenditures globally. In Asia, military spending has increased in China, India, Taiwan, and Pakistan due to regional tensions. A Russian court has ordered the seizure of assets belonging to Transbunker, which included approximately 30 companies from Russia and Ukraine in 2014. The seizure includes a Russian fuel terminal and the personal property of sandler Pugacheva. Additionally, the court order covers vehicles and maritime vessels held by third parties or registered to them.

The Koltsov Museum in Moscow will host a special concert on May 1st featuring an Italian Viscount digital electronic organ. The performance will also include a glass harp and a violin. Organist and professor at the Moscow Conservatory, Evgenia Krivitskaya, will participate in the concert. A concert featuring poems and songs about the war will be held on an open stage in front of the Hatt building on Tverskoy Boulevard in Moscow. The program includes works by Simonov, Tvardovsky, Bergolz, Drunina, Yevtushenko, and Akudzhava. The Moscow Provincial Theater Orchestra, conducted by Sergey Pashchenko, will participate in the event.

Data from the Cassini probe reveals that Saturn's moon Enceladus ejects fountains of water ice into space. This phenomenon is linked to Saturn's rapid rotation, with a day lasting only 10.5 hours. The moon Enceladus is described as an icy ball. These emissions are for understanding magnetic storms and auroras. Scientists now understand why Saturn's auroras appear in different locations than Earth's. The laws of physics are altered for giant planets with fast rotation and 'dirty' moons. This discovery provides further evidence of subsurface liquid water on the moon. Approximately 8% of the material ejected by these geysers escapes into space to form the ring, while 92% falls back to the moon's surface. Enceladus, which has a diameter of 500 km, ejects between 30 and 50 kilograms of matter per second. Scientists use these plumes to study the moon's subsurface ocean.

The function of trees in Chinese philosophy is to connect heaven and earth. Trees are considered friends and protectors, a concept understood by many civilizations. They are not merely decorative items to be placed and discarded. Traditional Chinese Medicine associates the season of spring with the wood element. Traditional Chinese medicine posits that the five basic elements of the universe, including wood, are governed by the flow of energy (qi). In Wu Xing theory, 'Gan' is associated with wood and the spring season, reflecting a concept of 'heaven and human harmony' where the body's functions are closely tied to seasonal changes. 'Gan' is believed to govern the smooth flow of Qi and emotions, aligning with wood's characteristic of 'spreading and uplifting'. This connection is based on shared physiological properties and the principle of Qi circulation.