VISUAL REPORTS
The French Connection: Donbas Fighters Don Yellow Vests
French citizens who joined Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine have now resurfaced among the Yellow Vest protesters in Paris.
'Iron Lilya': Human Rights Defender Challenges Authority In Crimea
Human rights lawyer Lilya Gemedzhi defends Crimean Tatars against persecution in Russia-annexed Crimea. Wearing a hijab in court, she is a rare sight, and a hero to her clients and her four children.
The Disappearing Art Of Postoli In Ukraine
Traditional Ukrainian postoli shoes are becoming a rare commodity as one of the last Carpathian Hutsul shoemakers struggles to continue the craft.
PHOTOGALLERY: Soviet Tourism Posters Of The 1930s
Intourist, the Soviet travel agency, was established in 1929 to attract foreign visitors to the U.S.S.R. Using the classic elements of early communist graphic design, Intourist managed to entice tens of thousands of foreigners (many from the United States) to special tourist sites designed specifically for them.
OTHER NEWS
Differences Remain Over Russia-U.S. Missile Pact As Deadline Looms
Russian news agencies on January 31 have quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying "Unfortunately, there is no progress," following talks with U.S. Undersecretary of State Andrea Thompson about implementation of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on the sidelines of a meeting of the UN Security Council.
European Court Fines Russia Millions Over 2006 Expulsion Of Georgians
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has ordered the Russian state to pay Georgia 10 million euros ($11.5 million) over the mass deportation of Georgian citizens from Russia in 2006.
Russian Dismisses Proposal To Permit International Observers In Kerch Strait
Russia’s foreign ministry has commented on a proposal by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to permit German and French experts to monitor compliance with international shipping in the Kerch strait, stating “there can be no question” of sending such a mission, and that arrangements were misunderstood. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Russia’s Media Regulator Accuses BBC Of Violations
Russia's media regulator says the BBC World News channel has committed unspecified "violations" while operating in Russia. The regulator, known as Roskomnadzor, had announced in December that it had begun a review of the channel’s Russian operations and its websites.
Detained Russian Activist Belatedly Allowed To Visit Ailing Daughter In Hospital
A 17-year old Russian teenager died shortly after authorities in the western city of Rostov-on-Don ignored a local court ruling and finally allowed her mother, Anastasia Shevchenko, a detained activist affiliated with the Open Russia civil society group, to visit her in the hospital.
Soyuz Rocket 'Anomaly' To Delay U.S. Satellite Launch
The launch of a Russian Soyuz rocket set to carry satellites into space for U.S startup OneWeb has been delayed after an "anomaly" was discovered on the spacecraft, the company says.
Belarus First In Line To Receive Russian SU-30 SM Jet Fighters
Belarus media reports that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has announced that Belarus will be the first country to receive new generation SU-30 SM multipurpose jets.The minister visited the Irkutsk Aviation Plant that produces the jets on January 30. (Belarus Service)
With Name Change Out Of The Way, Macedonia Looks To Start EU Talks Soon
Speaking in Vienna on January 30 after meeting with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev told reporters that Macedonia should soon be able to show "progress in the area of the rule of law” and judicial reforms, and in the fight against corruption and organized crime.
Struggling Turkmenistan To Privatize Transport Sector, End Science Funding
Turkmenistan says it will privatize much of the state-owned transport system and gradually end funding for the country's Academy of Sciences as it looks to bolster its struggling economy and save money amid a continuing slump in its energy sector.
FURTHER AFIELD: Tehran Bans Dogs In Public