VISUAL REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: Russia’s Virtual Empire
Whatever you call it, the Russian-occupied territories in the former Soviet Union are being integrated de facto into the Russian Federation.
Soyuz Capsule Heading For ISS With U.S., Russian Astronauts Aboard
A spacecraft carrying a U.S. astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut has blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, heading for the International Space Station.
A Moment In The Sun For Armenia’s Yazidis
A village near Yerevan is set to become one of the most important sites for the embattled Yazidi faith.
Daghestan's Tightrope Walkers See Tradition Disappearing
In Daghestan, in southern Russia, one village has produced several generations of tightrope walkers who have joined traveling circuses, now a dying trade.
OTHER NEWS
Russian Journalist, Putin Critic Dies After Severe Beating
A prominent Russian journalist known for articles criticizing Russia’s government and President Vladimir Putin has died at a hospital in St. Petersburg after being severely beaten by unknown assailants.
Russian Police Detain 10th Suspect In St. Petersburg Subway Bombing
Police in Moscow have detained a 10th suspect in connection with the April 3 bombing that killed 15 people on a St. Petersburg subway train.
Media Regulator Says Twitter Will Comply With Law, Locate User Data In Russia
Russia's media regulator says Twitter has agreed to store some of its users' data inside Russia, a move that would comply with domestic law but stoke further fears about user privacy and surveillance.
Novaya Gazeta Gets Envelope From 'Grozny' With Unidentified White Powder
The independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta received an envelope containing an unidentified white powder on April 19, the newspaper reported.
In Annual Report, Medvedev Says Russian Economy Avoided Catastrophe
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev promised not to raise taxes in 2017, and vowed to consider indexing retirement payments for working pensioners, delivering a moderately upbeat annual report on the troubled economy.
ICJ Rejects Kyiv's Call To Halt Russian Support For Separatists
The International Court of Justice at The Hague has refused Ukraine’s request to impose provisional measures against Russia to block what Kyiv says is Russia's monetary and military support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Russia's Floating Nuclear Power Plant Making Waves In St. Petersburg
Ecologists in Russia's northern capital are raising the alarm over government plans to fuel a floating nuclear power plant just 2 kilometers from the heart of the city.
As Russian Film Row Escalates, 'Experts' Malign Looks Of Last Tsar's Lover
Russian Duma deputy Natalya Poklonskaya escalated her battle this week against a new film "experts" say is a sordid smear against Tsar Nicholas II and Russian Orthodoxy.
Flight Attendant Loses Discrimination Suit Against Russia's Aeroflot
A Russian court has rejected a lawsuit filed by an Aeroflot flight attendant who accused the national airline of discrimination based on body size.
Cumulative Wealth Of Richest Russian Businessmen Grew By $100 Billion
According to Forbes Magazine, the cumulative wealth of Russia’s 200 richest businessmen amounted to $460 billion in 2017, increasing by $100 billion over the previous year. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
EU Warns Moldova To Honor Trade Pact As President Looks To Russia
The European Union warned Moldova on April 19 to honor its trade accord with the bloc in the face of President Igor Dodon's turn toward Russia.
Protests Against Ruling Party Continue In Belgrade For 17th Day
Despite rain and cold weather, several hundred people participated in a two-hour protest walk in Belgrade on April 19 marking the 17th day of demonstrations against the ruling party.
ANALYSIS: Azerbaijan To Provide Georgia With Alternative To Russian Gas
In reaching an agreement to purchase gas from Azerbaijan, Georgia has both obviated the need to purchase any additional Russian gas in 2017 and temporarily deflected criticism of a recent deal with Gazprom.
COMMENTARY: The Hague Court’s Crimea Ruling
Commenting on the case to RFE/RL, international law expert Vladimir Gladyshev told RFE/RL that it is foremost a victory for the International Court of Justice, which, through its ruling, has affirmed its jurisdiction and indicated its intent to exert its influence in the international arena. (Russian Service)
PODCAST: ‛The Last Drop’: Why Belarusians Took To The Streets
FURTHER AFIELD: Will Azam Taleghani Be Iran’s First Woman To Run For President?