Features
Features
January 6, 2009, 17:26 Fake Obama offered free petrol to Twitter users
Fake Obama offered free petrol to Twitter users
The accounts of US president-elect Barack Obama and a number of celebrities, including pop singer Britney Spears and CNN anchor Rick Sanchez, with the social networking site Twitter have been hacked.
January 6, 2009, 14:08 Living on the front line – for eight years
Living on the front line – for eight years
Sderot, Israel – The contrails of jets trace linked circles, like an Olympic symbol being doodled in the sky, and two silver observation dirigibles hover overhead, perhaps watching the Gaza Strip for outgoing rockets or tracking potential targets for the circling planes.
January 6, 2009, 12:14 Video Time to grin and bear it in ‘Land of Smiles’
Time to grin and bear it in ‘Land of Smiles’
Thailand is often known as the ‘Land of Smiles’, but nowadays people have fewer reasons to look happy as the global recession gets into full swing. In Bangkok the usually festive New Year mood has been overshadowed by the crisis.
January 6, 2009, 10:53 Video Been there, done that – at eleven
Been there, done that – at eleven
Most young boys dream of a life of adventure, but one 11-year-old from St Petersburg, is actually living it. Sergey Davitaya is the first child to make a zero-gravity simulated flight into space. He spent more than seven minutes flying in the air.
January 5, 2009, 13:24 Video Apocalypse now – could the internet seize up altogether?
Apocalypse now – could the internet seize up altogether?
Life without the internet – American I.T. experts say it could happen within just six years.
January 5, 2009, 10:30 Totalitarian society invades screens
Totalitarian society invades screens
A classic Soviet science fiction story has been the big New Year hit in Russian cinemas. The Inhabited Island, the story of an astronaut struggling to survive on a totalitarian planet, is the most expensive Russian film ever produced.
January 4, 2009, 16:56 Ukrainian becomes fourth wife for German football legend
Ukrainian becomes fourth wife for German football legend
One of the greatest footballers in the history German football, Lothar Matthaus, has married in Las Vegas on Sunday. His other half is Ukrainian model Kristina Liliana.
January 3, 2009, 5:21 9 Muslims kicked off jet
9 Muslims kicked off jet
As the saying goes the best cloth may have a moth in it. Just so the American law enforcement system has shown its drawbacks.
January 3, 2009, 10:38 Video Poor blood donations make way for synthetic alternatives
Poor blood donations make way for synthetic alternatives
While progress has been made in Russia's blood transfusion services, experts say they still need a moral boost, as the number of blood donors is still insufficient.
January 3, 2009, 10:41 Video Russian toons go global
Russian toons go global
They're round, colourful, and completely non-violent - and they are becoming a global success. The Russian cartoon ‘Smeshariki’ is following in the foot-steps of the Teletubbies, and becoming the cartoon of choice for a new generation of children.
January 2, 2009, 14:49 Video Elephant muscles in on festive present-giving
Elephant muscles in on festive present-giving
The Secret Santa game is gaining popularity in Russia, and one Internet company has added a new twist, which sees people giving presents to complete strangers.
January 1, 2009, 14:54 Video Cuban revolution’s anniversary marked
Cuban revolution’s anniversary marked
Cuba is celebrating its 50th anniversary of the revolution which brought Fidel Castro to power. RT recalls the build up toward that fateful New Year’s Eve of 1959 and sees what has changed in the country.
January 2, 2009, 10:50 Video Business nudes: Pirelli tradition heads east
Business nudes: Pirelli tradition heads east
With pulses racing due to the New Year festivities, one Russian company has decided to celebrate by printing a raunchy new calendar which features its staff stripping off.
January 1, 2009, 9:36 Video New Year celebrated in South Ossetia
New Year celebrated in South Ossetia
After a tough 12 months, people in South Ossetia greeted 2009 amid the ruins left after the war with Georgia. The celebrations lasted all day, but instead of welcoming a new year, South Ossetians celebrated the fact that 2008 was finally over, mourning those lost in the conflict.
December 31, 2008, 21:00 Video Russia’s frontier guard first into 2009
Russia’s frontier guard first into 2009
Russia has entered the year 2009. The country’s frontier guardsmen were the first people on Earth to mark the New Year.
December 31, 2008, 14:56 Queen’s knighthood list tinted with polonium
Queen’s knighthood list tinted with polonium
The British Queen Elizabeth II has granted a knighthood to fantasy writer Terry Pratchett. She has also honoured Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, and… a health official whose team broke the news over the radioactive polonium-210 scare in 2006.
December 31, 2008, 10:32 Video Fir trees more impressive than presents
Fir trees more impressive than presents
With Christmas trees being one of the best-loved symbols of the season, Russian designers are resorting to some unusual styles for decorating them.
December 31, 2008, 10:08 Video Natalya Vodyanova – a Russian Cinderella with a big heart
Natalya Vodyanova – a Russian Cinderella with a big heart
Russia can hold its own on the world's catwalks with a number of leading international models, but few can claim the same rise from rags to riches as Natalya Vodyanova.
December 31, 2008, 9:26 Video Moscow pays drivers for going green
Moscow pays drivers for going green
With the New Year holidays on the way, the number of cars on Moscow's streets is seeing a dramatic increase. The traffic jams are causing growing frustration at a time when people are hoping to celebrate.
December 30, 2008, 9:38 Video Construction endangers wild forest
Construction endangers wild forest
Environmentalists say unique Russian woodlands are under threat with plans to build a resort. The Utrish forest near the Black Sea coast includes the country's only forest to contain juniper and pistachio trees.
December 30, 2008, 9:06 Video Snow bull competition sweeps Siberian city
Snow bull competition sweeps Siberian city
One of Siberia's biggest cities, Krasnoyarsk, has launched a 'snow cow' competition, and claims to have put together a fir tree that outdoes the one taking pride of place at Moscow’s Kremlin.
December 30, 2008, 4:55 Video Abramovich, buy us!
Abramovich, buy us!
A group of Latvians have put their country up for sale on the internet. The Baltic state has been badly hit by the global credit crunch, and they want a Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich, to buy it.
December 29, 2008, 15:23 RT Expert View: Looking back at 2008
RT Expert View: Looking back at 2008
With the end of the year just step away, RT’s experts take a look at the outgoing year. What were the main events and trends in 2008 and what can we expect next year?
December 29, 2008, 12:28 Video Harmony in the heavens
Harmony in the heavens
A four-day deadline from the Russian space agency to find a solution to bringing astronauts safely back to earth is enough pressure for any NASA engineer.
December 29, 2008, 9:44 Video Brave youngsters show fight against cancer can be won
Brave youngsters show fight against cancer can be won
New Year's Eve is a time for making wishes, but for thousands of children with serious illnesses there's just one request - to become healthy again. More than 5,000 children in Russia are diagnosed with cancer every year.
December 29, 2008, 10:15 Video Only fir-st is good enough in quest for perfect tree
Only fir-st is good enough in quest for perfect tree
Decked out in baubles, tinsel and sparkling lights, New Year trees adorn the streets of Moscow year after year. And while most people seem happy enough with them, specialists say the pitch of perfection is yet to be reached.
December 29, 2008, 8:45 'Israeli air strikes represent massive violations of international law'
'Israeli air strikes represent massive violations of international law'
The Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip represent severe and massive violations of international humanitarian law as defined in the Geneva Convention, both in regard to the obligations of an occupying power and in the requirements of the laws of war.
December 28, 2008, 20:37 Video Solzhenitsyn’s work a lasting tribute to Gulag victims
Solzhenitsyn’s work a lasting tribute to Gulag victims
The Soviet Gulag system ruined the lives of millions, and memories of it remain disturbing to many Russians today. The late writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn immortalised the Gulag through his famous publications, which were read behind closed doors in the USSR for many years.
December 28, 2008, 18:18 Video Meet the tallest New Year tree
Meet the tallest New Year tree
The city of Krasnoyarsk is preparing to greet the New Year with the tallest festive tree in the whole of Russia.
December 27, 2008, 12:34 Video UN 2008: a hard year at the office
UN 2008: a hard year at the office
At the United Nations, 2008 was a complicated year filled with conflict and controversy.
December 27, 2008, 12:35 Video Church bells strike false note with Muslims
Church bells strike false note with Muslims
The Muslim community in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region is opposing plans to include church bells in a proposed new regional anthem. Local authorities had earlier set a competition to compose an anthem for the region.
December 27, 2008, 11:33 Video Bhutto remembered one year on
Bhutto remembered one year on
Saturday marks one year since the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. The former prime minister was killed in a suicide bomb attack after an election rally near the capital, Islamabad.
December 27, 2008, 9:55 Video Bones of contention
Bones of contention
A village in central Russia is having trouble with its neighbours - even though they're buried underground. Villagers say graves are being dug to close to their homes and that it’s causing a health hazard.
December 27, 2008, 9:00 Video Does terrorism make India a no-Goa destination?
Does terrorism make India a no-Goa destination?
As India recovers from last month's attack in Mumbai, fears of new attacks remain and popular tourist destinations are feeling the pinch. However, locals in Goa say there is nothing to worry about.
December 27, 2008, 2:57 Kremlin ghosts are alive and kicking
Kremlin ghosts are alive and kicking
The Kremlin in Moscow has always been a shadowy place, steeped in mystery. Myths and legends grew up around it - including some blood-curdling ghost stories. A new book aims to throw some light on the Kremlin’s secrets.
December 26, 2008, 20:06 CIA’s weapon against Taliban - Viagra!
CIA’s weapon against Taliban - Viagra!
The KGB was once notoriously known for using attractive women as ‘honey traps’ to achieve their goals. Now, as time and technology move forwards, US intelligence has found a new way of exploiting the sexual angle…Viagra.
December 26, 2008, 18:17 Video Politkovskaya trial: prosecution case unravelling?
Politkovskaya trial: prosecution case unravelling?
The defence for the three men charged with the murder of prominent Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya claims the DNA of their clients does not match the specimens found at the crime scene.
December 26, 2008, 11:24 Video Truckers’ treats threatened by red tape
Truckers’ treats threatened by red tape
For years residents of a village between Moscow and St Petersburg have been offering traditional Russian snacks to drivers travelling between the two cities. Now, however, one of the oldest small businesses in the country is under threat.
December 26, 2008, 10:18 Video Today Grozny - tomorrow the world!
Today Grozny - tomorrow the world!
Chechnya TV’s main channel, which was founded five years ago, is now available on global satellite networks. With nearly 200,000 Chechens living outside Russia, it thus becomes the major information outlet for the diaspora scattered around the world.
December 26, 2008, 8:41 Video Indian IT sector hit by financial crisis
Indian IT sector hit by financial crisis
India's Information Technology sector is a world leader, and a driving force for the economy. But the industry, which greatly depends on business from the US, is suffering severely in the economic slowdown.