Bovines, Berries, and Bros

This week, we've got news on the Lada, beautiful cows, and trends of Russian superfoodies.

• Russian carmaker Lada just posted their best month since December 2013. Apparently the market is ripe for small, reliable automobiles: in November 2020, 38,000 were sold, up 22% from last year.
• Winners of an online cow beauty pageant were announced earlier this week, which was held in a village in Sakha Republic. The competition, featuring animals decked out in traditional Russian garb, Hollywood costumes, and even makeup, was won by a pair of bulls named Ootoy and Tootoy, with their sailor costumes. Don't worry: we're certain that makeup won't impact the flavor of steaks.
• Russian online food delivery company Wildberries has reported a steep jump in superfoods, diet products, and vegetarian and vegan goodies. Keto-diet related products have increased by 52%, books on healthy eating by 51%, and vegetarian diets by 33%. Demand for almond flour has increased almost eight-fold (775%)! Our guess is that Russians are getting tired of the extra pounds gained from lockdown.
• Emergency dispatchers in the Siberian city of Nizhnevartovsk are under fire after a resident called emergency services 1200 times in an attempt to get an ambulance for his elderly mother, who was at home with a fever. After three days of waiting, the resident took his mom in himself, which is what a good son should do. But still, 1200 calls?
• Three years after the inauguration of Moscow's FemFest, the same organization is getting ready to launch MaleFest, a celebration of modern Russian masculinity. Which, if it involves beer, guns, and monster trucks, sounds like fun.