"Let's revive the Soviet school of education. It was the best in the world, everyone has always recognized this, and this is what our legislative proposals should be aimed at. After all, the Unified State Exam is just some kind of torture for young people."

–  Chairman of Russia’s Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, reminiscing about how the Soviet system of education really made the grade.

"They are waiting for conversations from us, but not concrete actions.”

– Andrei Alekseenko, the new mayor of Krasnodar, seems to have confused the demands of his citizens.

An exhibit showing off the machine gun of our favorite mustached president (alongside other artifacts from August 2020 unrest) is currently gracing Minsk's Independence Palace.

Dmitry Muratov, the longtime editor in chief of the opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta received the Nobel Peace Prize, sharing the award with Philipina journalist Maria Ressa.

What could be more sinister than a Medusa with a mustache? A hint: a Medusa with a mustache and a reputation for being Europe’s last dictator.

On this, Vladimir Putin's 69th birthday, we are reminded that even authoritarian leaders are softies for good dogs. Maybe especially so?

In this week's Odder News, polling stations get wild, a family cat saves the day, and where in Russia is the head of the last Kazakh khan?

"The App Store portal: who regulates it? Artificial intelligence, people from Mars?”

– Andrei Klimov, seeking to understand what’s going on behind the scenes with Apple’s App Store on September 17.

As policy dictates, election staff must now dispose of unused ballots in Russia's State Duma elections – and you’ll find that some have been cutting corners. Chainsaw, anyone?

“Lids are very relevant seasonal paraphernalia for many. Everyone accepted the gifts, even adherents of other political views.”

– Local news from gorbatka.ru, on United Russia’s election campaign strategy.

Pressure on independent journalism, champagne importers, and some Olympics and architectural news.

In this week's Odder News, futuristic cities, unexpected parliamentary candidates, and the twisties.