VISUAL REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: Election Interference, Western-Style
The European Court of Human Rights, which has already challenged the conviction of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny on charges of fraud, will soon review the decision barring him from seeking Russia’s presidency in March.
Putin, Medvedev Attend Orthodox Christmas Services
Russia's political leaders attended Christmas services as the country marked the holiday according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar.
Saakashvili Says Criminal Charges Against Him Are 'Ludicrous'
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, now an outspoken Ukrainian opposition figure, accused the presidents of Ukraine and Georgia of conspiring against him after a Tbilisi court sentenced him to three years in prison in absentia for abuse of power.
Clash In Kyiv As Protesters Seek Justice For Dead Lawyer
Protesters gathered in Kyiv to demand justice for a lawyer whose body was found on New Year's Day.
The Culture Of Garbage Handling In Switzerland
For almost 70 years, Switzerland hasn’t had a single dumpsite -- garbage is burned in a process that produces aluminium, gold and energy, and the smoke emitted by a waste. processing plant is absolutely safe. (over 4.4 million views on Current Time TV Facebook)
OTHER NEWS
Putin Hails ‘Eternal Christian Values’ On Orthodox Holiday
In a Kremlin press statement issued in observance of Orthodox Christmas on January 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the holiday unites Orthodox Christians around their "spiritual origins and fatherly traditions” and the "centuries-old historic and cultural heritage of our people."
Russian Supreme Court Rejects Navalny Appeal
The Russian Supreme Court has upheld its decision to reject an appeal by opposition leader Aleksei Navalny against a decision to bar him from running in Russia's 2018 presidential election.
Who Pays $1.3 Million For A Bottle Of Vodka?
The theft from a Danish bar of a bottle of vodka said to be worth $1.3 million has raised eyebrows around the world about the lavish spending habits of the nouveau riche in former Soviet republics.
'Youngest Soviet Defector' Tells His Tale Nearly 40 Years Later
Wife, two kids, house in the suburbs of Chicago, job as an office manager for the last 20 years. But nearly 40 years ago, Volodymyr, or Walter, Polovchak was at the center of a Cold War row after he refused at the age of 12 to return to his home in Soviet Ukraine following a family trip to the United States.
Ukrainian TV Station Apologizes For Gay-Bashing 'Pinocchio' Parody
A popular Ukrainian TV station and the creators of a raunchy New Year's skit have been forced to apologize and delete the holiday program from its archives after they were called out for its lewd mocking of sexual minorities.
Military In Nagorno-Karabakh Says Soldier Killed By Azerbaijani Sniper
Ethnic Armenian military authorities in Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region say one of their soldiers has been killed by an Azerbaijani sniper near the line of contact that separates the combatant sides.
At Kazakh Corruption Trial, Ex-Economy Minister Apologizes To Nazarbaev
Former Kazakh Economy Minister Quandyq Bishimbaev, who is being tried on charges of bribery and embezzlement, is protesting his innocence and pointing the finger at subordinates he says "failed" him.
COMMENTARY: In Uzbekistan, A Visit To Your Jailer's Grave
MOST READ/UKRAINE: New Evidence Of Russia’s Involvement In Donbas In 2017
Ukraine’s international online intelligence community has documented 11 new examples of Russian military hardware and weapons in the country’s eastern Donbas region in 2017, and reports that there are approximately 3,000 Russian military personnel currently residing in the separatist-controlled area. (Ukrainian Service)
MOST READ/RUSSIA: Syrian Fireworks For Russia
Russia continues to suffer losses as a result of continued military involvement in Syria, despite statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to the contrary. The Kremlin continues to deny the reported loss of seven military jets at the Hmeimim air base on December 31, even as experts provide evidence that 2B9 Vasilek (Cornflower) gun-mortars may have been used to wage the attack. (over 73k views on Russian Service website)
FURTHER AFIELD: Iran’s FM Warns Foreigners Not To Foment Protests