More than one in four of the Russian population live in conditions which threaten their health. Aleksey Knizhnikov, from the World Wildlife Fund, spoke in the RT studio about toughening up environmental laws throughout the country.

Russia's leading mobile operator Vimpelcom is to report first quarter earnings on June 4. Its CEO Aleksandr Izosimov told RT that Russia's underdeveloped 3G networks are expected to see explosive growth.

According to a leading French banker Russia is coping well with the international credit crunch. Laurent Couraudon, the president of BNP Paribas Russia, told RT that the country faces no problems with liquidity.

Russian environmentalists are alarmed over pollution levels. Aleksey Kokorin from the World Wildlife Fund in Russia shared his view on protecting the country's environment.

The show about Russian Empress Catherine the Great is back on stage in Ekaterinburg. Composer Sergei Dreznin told RT he hopes it will give audiences a new perspective on one of the country's most controversial rulers.