VIDEO REPORTS
Opera Flash Mob: Bishkek
A typical evening's shopping at a supermarket in the Kyrgyz capital in December suddenly turned into a cultural event when members of the Kyrgyz National Conservatory broke out in a Verdi chorus to advertise an upcoming concert.
Home Schooling Amid Military Standoff In Eastern Ukraine
The village of Zaytseve in eastern Ukraine is split down the middle between separatist and Ukrainian national forces. Some children must cross multiple checkpoints on their way to school, while others, confined by conditions of war, study at home.
Belarusian Activist Takes To The Wolves
Olena Seliah takes care of wolves whose mothers were killed in the forest, finding friendship among the predators. (Belarusian Service)
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Bad News Trumps Glad Tidings During Russia's Long Vacation
The long Russian New Year and Orthodox Christmas break has brought plenty of grim news, but a few good jokes and rays of sunshine, too.
Azerbaijan Suffers From Currency Crash, Low Oil Prices
An Azeri man claiming insurmountable personal debt set himself alight, illustrating the country’s struggle following the collapse of the national currency last month.
Ukrainian Tycoon Takes Russia To Court
Ihor Kolomoyskiy, who lost hundreds of millions of dollars in assets in Crimea after Russia annexed the peninsula in 2014, is suing.
Russia’s Defense Industry Stagnates Under Sanctions
RFE/RL has investigated the impact of Western sanctions on Russia’s defense industry, finding that updates of military components for new tanks, guns, and submarines were fulfilled in only seven out of 127 cases scheduled for 2015. (In Russian)
Russian Imports Banned In Ukraine
Effective January 10, Ukraine will ban the import of alcohol, dairy products, tea, coffee, beer, and selected domestic and industrial products from Russia. (Current Time TV)
Swine Flu Cases Registered In Armenia
Six deaths have been documented and hospitals are reporting additional cases, although the country’s health authorities deny the situation amounts to an epidemic. (In Russian)
New Jihadist Magazine Gives Tips On Strategic Communication
A group of German-speaking jihadists has launched Kybernetiq, an online magazine that provides information on encrypted communications and Internet security.
Russia’s favorite term for its biggest import, oil, is wearing thin now that prices are sagging to 11-year lows. If you could buy it in the store, it would be cheaper than bottled water.