Stories from Russia

New amendments to Russian law regarding the distribution of works mentioning drugs went into effect on March 1. Publishers report difficulties applying the new requirements due to a lack of clear criteria from the Ministry of Digital Development regarding age labeling. A company stakeholder's share in a firm decreased from 52% to 8%. Literary critic Andrey Shcherbak noted that biographies of Mikhail Bulgakov and Vladimir Vysotsky may face censorship due to propaganda regulations. Publishers expressed concerns regarding the complexity of applying these new standards to existing texts. He suggested that artificial intelligence may be distributing these labels, leading to a desire to combat printed word and books. Mandatory labeling for electronic gadgets went into effect in Russia on May 1. The requirement was announced by the Honest Sign service.

Several influential figures, including a New York Times journalist, a celebrity fitness trainer, a conservative TV host, and a popular health podcast host, are promoting nicotine. They describe it as a 'saving product' for productivity and vitality, or claim it can increase alertness, downplaying its negative aspects and potentially concealing information from parents about its effects.

Kazan-based hockey team Akbars won the first match of the Gagarin Cup semi-final series against Metallurg with a score of 5-2. The victory places them in a strong position for the upcoming series. The match was part of the ongoing Gagarin Cup playoffs.

A peculiar tradition among the Inguish people in Russia prohibits a son-in-law from meeting his mother-in-law. This custom, which dates back to Soviet times when such meetings could lead to imprisonment, is explained as a historical practice. Despite the tradition, marriage consent rules still apply.

Interethnic marriages are frequent in Dagestan, with one in three marriages in the city being between different ethnic groups. This reflects the region's diverse population of 32 ethnic groups.

A Dutchman living in Russia expresses a strong connection to Russian culture, stating he feels 'a bit Russian' despite maintaining his Dutch identity. He describes his experience as being a 'Dutchman in Russia,' highlighting a deep appreciation for the country and its people.

Existing tax laws in Russia allow for significant income generation, but the wealthiest citizens find ways to evade taxes, limiting revenue collection. Increased investment in tax collection, including hiring more personnel for the tax service, could improve the amount of taxes gathered.

Ukrainian families have been separated during evacuations from the special military operation zone. Many children have lost contact with their families, with some ending up with relatives in Germany and the Netherlands. The Ukrainian side has reportedly provided a list of missing children to the Russian side for investigation.

Russian officials are reportedly navigating complex political situations and potential corruption schemes. There is speculation that a deal may be struck, which could lead to attempts to manipulate the situation. However, the deep entanglement in corrupt practices is expected to complicate any resolution and bring issues to light.

Five tourists, including three women and two men, died following flooding in the Chaynaya area of the Kuban region. Over 100 emergency responders are currently engaged in rescue and recovery operations in Belorechensk and surrounding rural settlements. The local government reports that while the threat to the general population has subsided, recovery efforts continue.