July 30, 2020 Robberies, Vodka, and Cat-astrophic Crimes By Griffin Edwards This week, we're warned once again to be careful on the internet; priests use their powers for good; and criminals have never been so dang cute. Animals Cities & Towns Food & Drink Government Health Internet Religion Social Issues Travel Odder News
July 29, 2020 Protest Poems and Start of School By The Editors “Are all these really mercenaries? // In Moscow, their voices are heard already! // The column went more and more powerfully. // They do not ask or pray, // They want the will to reach // All the ears of the people. // And there is no task to borrow, // No, it’s not their roof that is sliding. // ‘We are not stupid, we are not stupid!’ // Ah, those who don't want to hear them.” – Sergei Shnurov, leader of the band Leningrad, and a politician and producer, who used a poem on Instagram to announce his arrival in Khabarovsk to check out the protests occuring there in response to the arrest of governor Sergei Furgal Cities & Towns Education Quote
July 23, 2020 Corruption, Crimea, and Coronavirus By Griffin Edwards This week, Spotify comes to Russia, Crimea is a hot tourist destination (like always), and three cases of corruption: one big, one small, and one straight out of a spy movie. Cities & Towns Government Health Internet Moscow Music Politics Social Issues Travel Odder News
July 16, 2020 Pirates, Pooches, and Another Putin By Griffin Edwards This week, drivers' licenses get a much-overdue update, utility bills make headlines, and we learn that pirates abound in Russia. Animals Cities & Towns Government Internet Law Politics Space Transportation Travel Odder News
July 09, 2020 Priest Gone Wild By Griffin Edwards Ultra-conservative Russian Orthodox priest Father Sergei has had quite the summer. Cities & Towns Culture Politics Religion Russia File
July 02, 2020 Kefir-Beer, a Dog Retiree, and a Grave Competition By Griffin Edwards This week: stamps honor highways, grave-diggers let loose, and Russia's cutest cop takes his leave. Animals Cities & Towns Customs Economy Religion Science Odder News
July 01, 2020 "Painting Jesus Isn't Dangerous" By Natalya Beskhlebnaya Moscow is seeing religious symbolism crop up in unexpected places. It’s not the first time, but there is something different about what is going on now. Art Cities & Towns Religion Urban Life
June 23, 2020 Even Russians Make Typos By Griffin Edwards School certificates in the city of Tolyatti were declared void due to spelling errors. Cities & Towns Education Language Russia File
June 19, 2020 Couple Just Can't Wait By Margaret Godwin-Jones Authorities are searching for a couple in Ufa who became overly physical with each other in front of a school. Cities & Towns News Russia File
June 11, 2020 New Trams, Old Memes, and New Monuments for Old Villages By The Editors This week's Odder News features monuments for dead villages, ancient memes, and a mirror for Putin. Cities & Towns Environment Health Internet Pop Culture Social Issues St. Petersburg Transportation Odder News
June 01, 2020 Tiger Queen: The Incredible American Odyssey of Rasputin's Daughter By Griffin Edwards The life of Rasputin's daughter, Maria, was full of twists and turns almost as dramatic as her father's, and took her deep into the American heartland. Biographies Cities & Towns History Russians Abroad Women
May 29, 2020 Grilling over an Open (Memorial) Flame By Margaret Godwin-Jones These people didn’t choose the best place to cook food for their picnic. Cities & Towns News Russia File