VIDEO REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: Putin’s War On The ‘90s
The Kremlin’s recent moves in the Balkans are an attempt to set the clock back.
Refugees Launch Mass Hunger Strike In Serbia
Hundreds of refugees and migrants stranded in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, launched a hunger strike on January 24.
Kyrgyz Court Reinstates Life Sentence For Activist
A court in Kyrgyzstan reinstated a life prison sentence for a human rights activist in a verdict described by the UN as "deeply troubling."
OTHER NEWS
Japan Says It Intercepted Three Russian Warplanes Near Its Borders
Japan scrambled fighter jets to intercept three Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers that were approaching the country's borders on January 24, Tokyo's Defense Ministry said.
Russian Bill Decriminalizing Domestic Violence Advances In Duma
Legislation that would decriminalize some forms of domestic violence has advanced in the Russian parliament despite vehement criticism from human rights and family protection groups.
Russia Indicts RFE/RL Contributor In Crimea
Mykola Semena, a contributor to RFE/RL’s Crimea unit, was formally indicted on January 20 by Russian authorities on charges of “separatism” linked to an article he wrote denying Russian sovereignty over Crimea. (Crimea Realities)
Russia Detains Human Rights Lawyer In Crimea
Russian lawyer Nikolai Polozov, who has represented defendants in cases believed by human rights advocates to be politically motivated, was detained on January 25 by six security agents near his hotel in Simferopol.(Crimea Realities)
Dispute Over St. Petersburg Cathedral Takes Anti-Semitic Turn
Leaders of Russia's Jewish community have accused a top lawmaker of making anti-Semitic remarks in his criticism of protests against the handover of St. Petersburg's St. Isaac's Cathedral to the Russian Orthodox Church.
EU Court Upholds Sanctions Against Buk Missile Producer
A European Union court upheld sanctions against Russian munitions manufacturer Almaz-Antey for producing weapons systems supplied to Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. (Russian Service)
Tummy Tuck? New Pearly Whites? Medical Tourism A Boon In Belarus
More than 50,000 "medical tourists" came to Belarus in 2016, an indication of the country’s emergence as a destination for cut-rate access to doctors and treatments.
Kosovar, Serbian Leaders Agree To Further Talks On Normalizing Ties
The leaders of Kosovo and Serbia agreed in Brussels on January 25 to hold further high-level talks on establishing normal relations after a flare-up in tensions this year.
Prominent Kazakh Journalist Sentenced For Extortion
Kazakh journalist Bigeldy Gabdullin has been found guilty of extortion and given a five-year suspended sentence with parole-like restrictions.
Kyrgyzstan Detains Two Suspected Terrorists With Fake U.S. Dollars
Kyrgyz authorities say they have detained two suspected members of a terrorist group who were carrying $56,000 in counterfeit bills allegedly printed in Turkey.
Tajik Police Told To Lose Weight Or Else
A special commission has been set up by Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs to enforce a December, 2016 order requiring policemen measuring 5’5” to weigh no more than 165 lbs or risk dismissal. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Watchdog Says Populism Wrong Medicine To Fight Corruption
Announcing its 2016 corruption index on January 25, Transparency International said corruption and social inequality are reinforcing each other around the world, generating popular disenchantment with political establishments.
ANALYSIS: Georgian Transit Agreement With Gazprom Under Fire
A transit agreement reached earlier this month between the Georgian government and Russia's Gazprom has incurred widespread criticism.