Stories from Moscow · Russia

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.

Moscow has launched an unmanned tram, a project initiated by the mayor who attended the launch event. The event features a collection of works from the early 20th century. This exhibition aims to highlight the impact of the avant-garde movement on Russian art. Yandex has launched a new feature on its Textator platform to notify users' relatives when they receive suspicious calls. The system identifies calls from unknown numbers and sends alerts to close contacts during or up to 24 hours after the call. This measure aims to protect vulnerable individuals like children and the elderly from criminals. Russia has introduced a new feature designed to detect scams. The application 'Massazher Max' has become the top downloaded application. Following 'Massazher Max' are 'Azona', 'Vitas', and 'Berman' in the contact category.

Russian astronomical instruments created in the early 18th century operate without traditional mechanical parts like gears or springs. These instruments, commissioned by Maharaja Jai Singh II, utilize sunlight, shadow, and precise calculations to function. They accurately display hours, minutes, and seconds. Ancient astronomical instruments, known as Radayantras, utilized stone and sunlight to track time with accuracy for the 18th century. These devices allowed for time determination within 2 seconds, surpassing the precision of contemporary European mechanical clocks. The reliance on natural elements proved more reliable than intricate mechanisms.

A figure known as 'the stone destroyer' or 'philanthrope' has been mentioned in a Moscow broadcast. A person's weight of 73 kilograms is equivalent to approximately 11.5 stones. The speaker asked an artist, observer, and philosopher about her views on aging. The artist responded that when she noticed her hands aging, she realized she should only draw what she truly desires.

A discussion in Moscow explored self-destructive behaviors, suggesting individuals may harm themselves by trying to protect themselves too much. The speaker advised against pathological self-protection, recommending a short period of 2-3 days for such behavior before seeking professional help.

Scammers are impersonating florists and photographers, contacting potential clients and asking for money to be transferred to personal cards before disappearing. These individuals exploit parents' concerns for their children's future by taking advance payments for services like photo albums and then ceasing all contact. The scammers typically use two factors: time and the natural anxiety of parents. A Russian source warns against education scams, stating that it is increasingly difficult for consumers to identify fake emails. The design and structure of these fraudulent messages closely resemble those from legitimate contract partners or booking providers.

Creators of a Russian film project are planning a sequel that aims to be more profound. They reference Michael's upcoming release on May 28th and aspire to capture the immersive quality of Peter Jackson's 'The Beatles: Get Back' documentary.

The film received 97% positive audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, while critics gave it less than 40% positive ratings. The daughter of the film's subject criticized it for catering to fans living in a fantasy world. A new film, described as a pleasant but weak sequel, has premiered. The movie features a violinist husband and a new subordinate for the character Miranda. Lady Gaga also makes an appearance, reportedly invited by Meryl Streep. The Guardian called the film 'good-natured and cheerful entertainment,' while Variety found it 'pleasant but still weak.' The Hollywood Reporter noted a 'lush sequel with successful astrologers but mixed meanings.' A film has received a 74% rating from film critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 63 on Metacritic.

Russians have set a long-standing record for purchasing used cars this year.

Radio Sputnik recommends using public transportation due to deteriorating weather conditions. Car sharing services in the capital have restricted access to vehicle rentals due to adverse weather conditions. Moscow experienced a number of trees falling, with over a hundred trees uprooted in the Strogino district alone. Several trees were torn from their roots and landed on cars. Landscape designer Olga Platonova commented on the impact of precipitation and frost on plants. Approximately 200 trees fell in Moscow due to strong winds and wet snow, damaging parked cars and power lines. Several homes lost electricity. City officials are working to clear fallen trees, and emergency services are on standby for potential water accumulation. Additional forces and resources have been deployed to manage the situation.