VISUAL REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: The Third Time's The Hardest
Whenever tents start to appear in Kyiv, you know the situation’s getting serious.
Ukraine’s State Security Guards ‘Serve’ On State’s Dime
They will meet your guests with a smile, park your car, and take your children to school. Meet Ukraine’s State Security guards, who provide private services to Ukraine’s officials on the state’s dime. (Production of Schemes, Ukrainian Service. Over 832k views on Current Time TV Facebook)
VOX POP: Is Vladimir Putin A Peacekeeper?
Respondents to an informal poll on the streets of Moscow said overwhelmingly they consider Russian President Vladimir Putin to be a peacekeeper. One respondent said that Putin thinks every night about how to “make his country better” and “make other countries better as well.” One said that “every confrontation with the West is welcome.” Only one respondent answered the question negatively, saying, “we are at war.” (Russian Service)
Afghanistan’s All-Woman TV Channel Surges Ahead
Zan TV is run for women and by women who are braving the threat of violence in order to break new ground in Afghanistan.
OTHER NEWS
Putin Threatens New Arms Race, U.S. Media In Russia
President Vladimir Putin threatened a potential new arms race, accusing Washington of wanting out of a key Cold War treaty, and warned of new restrictions on U.S. media if American officials pressure Russian outlets.
Russia’s Lavrov Pessimistic About Bilateral Security Talks With U.S.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the world should not expect "considerable results in the foreseeable future" from strategic stability talks between Russia and the United States.
Canada Passes Version Of Magnitsky Act
Canada has passed its version of the U.S. Magnitsky Act, which sanctions Russians for alleged human rights abuses.
Critics See Kremlin Hand In Sobchak Presidential Bid
Ksenia Sobchak’s announcement this week of her candidacy for Russia’s top office has injected some intrigue into the presidential race, and prompted accusations that the Kremlin is resorting to old tricks to add a veneer of legitimacy to the ballot.
Russian Poet Investigated For 'Insulting Atheists' Feelings'
Maksim Drozdov, a poet from Russia’s southern region of Krasnodar, is being investigated in what is thought to be the first criminal case opened by Russian police into allegations of insulting the feelings of atheists.
Lake Baikal Activists Mark Victory Over Dam Project, Vow To Fight On
Local environmentalists won a small victory on September 27, when the World Bank froze its tender process for a Mongolian project to construct a hydroelectric station on the Selenga River, the main inlet source for the massive lake.
Kadyrov Faces Difficult Budget Year
The Russian Federation’s draft 2018-2019 budget envisions cuts for the North Caucasus amounting to approximately 111 million rubles, or $1.9 million, in comparison to the current year. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, whose republic depends overwhelmingly on Federal funds, had requested a budget increase to support Chechnya’s rising birth rate. (Caucasus Realities website)
Ukraine Conducts Military Drills In Black Sea
Ukrainian Naval Forces are practicing “wolf pack” tactics in the Black Sea, according to which a group of light boats, deployed from different directions, attack a more powerful enemy. The tactic is seen by Ukrainian commanders as enabling an effective response to Russian aggression. (Ukrainian Service)
Top EU Court Upholds Sanctions On Ukraine's Yanukovych
The European Court of Justice has upheld sanctions imposed by the European Union on former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his son Oleksandr.
Belarus Shows Stark Drop In Poverty Levels
The World Bank reports that the proportion of the population living below the poverty line in Belarus has fallen sharply from 41.9 percent in 2000 to 5.7 percent in 2016, partly in response to reduced energy prices from Russia and the economic growth of Belarus’s trading partners. (Belarus Service)
Baku Uses Interpol Warrant To Arrest Journalist In Ukraine
Rights activists are criticizing the arrest of Azerbaijani opposition journalist Fikret Huseynli in Ukraine on the basis of an Interpol alert that was requested by Azerbaijan’s government.
Uzbek Authorities Release Opposition Activist After 11 Years In Prison
Uzbek authorities have released Muhammadali Qoraboev, an opposition activist, who has spent the last 11 years in prison on charges that his supporters say were politically motivated.
Kyrgyz Culture Minister Assailed Over Decision To Bury Mummy
On the eve of the last weekend’s presidential election, Kyrgyzstan quietly buried an ancient mummy that had resided at the National History Museum in Bishkek for more than 60 years.