Russia spends £1m to keep the rain away
Kremlin forks out for 'cloud seeding' programme in bid for sunny May Day parade

The Russian government spent nearly £1m over the weekend in a bid to prevent rain on the May Day holiday.
According to the country's official news agency, Tass, the Kremlin paid 86m roubles (£900,000) for a programme of "cloud seeding" - spraying dispersant chemicals onto clouds so they rain earlier.
The practice was developed in the US in the 1940s and later used by the US during the Vietnam War in an attempt to extend the monsoon season and cripple enemy forces with mud. Soviet planes also seeded clouds after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster to stop radioactive particles reaching Moscow via clouds.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Russian authorities are thought to have been using the technique for decades. Last year, it was reported that the Kremlin spent millions of dollars to guarantee sunshine for celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The practice received worldwide attention after it was revealed it had been used extensively by the Chinese government during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It has even been made available to private individuals, "with companies offering the opportunity to have the weather altered for people's weddings", says The Independent.
Russia's attempts appear to have been effective - the May Day parade took place on Sunday under sunny skies.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
October 9 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Thursday’s political cartoons include common political ground over the Epstein files, a new pledge for ICE agents, Bad Bunny, and more
-
Five policies from the Tory conference
Party leader Kemi Badenoch has laid out the Conservative plan for a potential future government
-
A House of Dynamite: a ‘nail-biting’ nuclear-strike thriller
The Week Recommends ‘Virtuoso talent’ Kathryn Bigelow directs a ‘fast-paced’ and ‘tense’ ‘symphony of dread’
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations