Opinion: Welcome to Moscow; please hold your breath

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Acrid smoke from major forest and peat fires, combined with Communist ineffectiveness and the normal activities and movements of a few million humans, are choking the Russian capital. Even air traffic was diverted on these warm summer days.

Other than the round-the-clock breathing difficulties, it’s a great time to vacation in the historic city and see if former spy chief Vladimir Putin is wearing his shirt or not.

The Ticket’s favorite photo of the week is viewable right here. An intriguing photo gallery of the week’s best pictures from around the world is, as always, available over here on LATimes.com.

OK, resume your normal breathing pattern -- except in LA.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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