VISUAL REPORTS
Ukrainian Activist's Death Triggers Calls For Ouster Of Law Enforcement Officials
Dozens of Ukrainian human rights groups and civic organizations have called for the resignation of the country's top law enforcement officials after anticorruption activist Kateryna Handzyuk succumbed to wounds suffered during an acid attack.
Attacks On Activists In Ukraine
Since the beginning of 2017, 55 activists in Ukraine have been victims of attacks. In 2018 alone, five activists have been killed. Investigations have been launched in some cases, but no perpetrators have been punished. (Current Time TV)
'Meating' Of The Minds -- Kosovo Meat Plant Cuts Through Ethnic Barriers
Albanian and Serb women have come together to create a woman-run meat-processing plant.
INFOGRAPHIC: How Russia Has Implemented Its 'Foreign-Agent' Law
A Russian bill enabling the government to designate any organization receiving funding from abroad and carrying out political activity as a "foreign agent" passed quickly through parliament and was signed by President Vladimir Putin on November 25, 2017.
OTHER NEWS
Ukrainian Parliament Vote Against The Resignation Of The Prosecutor General
Ukrainian lawmakers have voted to reject the resignation of Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko, after he offered to step down in response to public outrage over the handling of an investigation into an acid attack that killed anti-corruption activist Kateryna Handzyuk. Thirty-eight 38 deputies voted to accept the resignation, and 166 voted “against.” (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Lukashenka Rejects Need For Russian Military Base In Belarus
Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka says that his country is Russia's ally but that there is no need for a Russian military base in Belarus. Speaking to a group of U.S. experts and analysts in Minsk on November 6, he also said the U.S. "military and political role" is crucial to security in Europe.
Afghanistan Peace Council, Taliban, To Attend Moscow Talks
Officials of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, a government body responsible for reconciliation efforts with the Taliban, said on November 5 that the council will send four representatives to international peace talks in Russia this month. The Taliban's political office told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that the militant group will also participate in the Moscow talks, though it does not regard them as a "formal dialogue for peace."
Duma Proposes Stiff Penalties For Engaging Minors In Protests
Deputies from the United Russia party have introduced amendments imposing fines and arrests on persons who involve minors in unauthorized rallies. Proposed penalties include fines of approximately $757-$1000, or 100 hours of compulsory service, or 15 days in jail for physical persons; and $757-$1,515 for officials, and between $3,788-$7,577 for legal entities. (Current Time TV)
Russia To Require Telecom Operators To Link Messenger Users To Phone Data
A decree signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will require users of instant messengers to verify their identity to cellular operators. Effective May 2019, users will be given 20 minutes to verify their identity, which must match data registered with the mobile operator. A failed match will result in the suspension of service. Messaging services that violate the protocol will be subject to administrative penalties. (Russian Service)
The Kashin Obscenity
The savage attack on independent journalist Oleg Kashin 8 years ago was one of the highest-profile assaults on a Russian journalist of the past decade. But the investigation doesn't appear to have budged.
For One Moscow Parish, Orthodox Schism May Spell End Of Unique Status
Moscow’s St. Nicetas, an "embassy church" that belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church but is symbolically tied to the Constantinople Patriarchate, is feared to become collateral damage in what some are calling Christendom's biggest schism for centuries.
Armenia May Lose Post On Russian-Led Defense Group
The Russian business newspaper Kommersant is reporting that Armenia may lose its temporary leadership position on the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) after removing Yuri Khachaturov from the chairmanship last week.
Austria’s Kurz Offers Support For Serbian, Balkan EU Bids
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has visited Belgrade and said he backs the efforts of Serbia and neighboring Balkan countries to join the European Union.
Kazakhstan Demarches China Over Political ‘Re-Education Camps’
The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told RFE/RL that it has conveyed diplomatic notes to the Chinese embassy in connection with an RFE/RL video documenting the pleas of Kazakh children for the return of their parents, who are forcibly held in “reeducation camps” for muslims and ethnic minorities in China. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
MOST READ/RUSSIA: Russia’s Social Media Reacts To ‘Crimea Bridge: Made With Love!'
An uber-patriotic docudrama about Crimea’s Kerch bridge, written by RT Editor in Chief Margarita Simonyan and directed by her husband Tigran Keosayan, has prompted ridicule and sarcastic demands by critics for a refund. Supporters say the film is being trashed by bots. RFE/RL Russian service has compiled the most interesting reactions. (over 96k views on Russian Service website)
PHOTOGALLERY: Inside Chernobyl's New Container
Correspondents of RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service were among the first journalists allowed to visit the various parts of the recently built new container, which encloses the sarcophagus of the destroyed 4th energy block of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. (Ukrainian Service)