VISUAL REPORTS
Protests In Russia Increased Sharply In 2018
The number of public protests in Russia sharply increased in 2018, according to a report issued by the Center for Economic and Political Reform. The report cites 2,154 protests for the year ending September 30, compared with 1,479 last year. The number of protests in the third quarter of 2018 tripled from the first quarter, and was 2.8 times higher than during the same quarter in 2017. (Russian Service)
‘Let’s Celebrate A Red White And Blue Brexit’ Billboards In London
A billboard spotted in the north of London shows Russian President Vladimir Putin winking and thanking those who organized UK’s exit from the EU, in particular Britain's former Foreign Minister Boris Johnson. Some believe activists from the group Proud Bear are responsible, but others say it’s the work of the GRU. (Current Time TV)
INFOGRAPHIC: The Last Arms Race
Mikhail Gorbachev says "a new arms race has been announced." Here's what the last one looked like.
OTHER NEWS
U.S. Sanctions Persons, Entities Over Crimea
The United States is imposing a new round of financial sanctions “targeting Russian-backed entities that seek to profit from Russia's illegal annexation and occupation" of Ukraine’s Crimea region, the U.S. Treasury has said. Russian media have quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying the sanctions are "doomed to fail" and that Moscow "won’t take them into account."
Retired Austrian Officer Suspected Of Spying For Russia
Austrian authorities have questioned a recently retired military officer under suspicion of spying for Russia for almost 20 years. The foreign ministry has summoned the Russian charge d'affaires over the matter and canceled an upcoming trip to Russia scheduled for December 2-3.
Armenia Backs Berlin Envoy Despite Reported Ties To Mafia In Germany
Armenia says it has no intention of removing its ambassador in Berlin, after a German investigative report alleged that the envoy, Ambassador Ashot Smbatian, may have ties to an Armenian mafia ring operating in that country.
Moscow Tries Again To Start Afghan-Taliban Conference
Russia is hosting a conference on Afghanistan that brings together representatives of the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program and the Taliban. As the talks opened on November 9, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke of "joint efforts to open a new page in the history of Afghanistan.”
Russia-Backed Separatists Using Gifts And Threats In Advance Of Vote
Authorities in the so-called People’s Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk are holding elections for top offices and representative bodies on November 11. The region’s Russia-backed separatists are offering lotteries and discounts groceries, waving cellphone fees, and promising increased wages to turn out the vote, and also using threats. (Ukrainian Service, Donbas Realities)
Russia Resets Computer On International Space Station After Malfunction
Russia has rebooted one of three computers aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after a malfunction was detected two days ago.
Photos Show Russian Gangster Enjoying Cushy Conditions In Prison
Vyacheslav Tsepovyaz, one of Russia's most infamous gangsters, who is serving a 20-year sentence for terrorizing a farming community in southern Russia, has been placed in solitary confinement after photos of him eating crab and caviar in prison circulated on the Internet.
Instagram Blocks Kadyrov’s Account
Instagram has blocked a new account belonging to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, after blocking a previous account in 2017 after he was added to a U.S. sanctions list under the Magnitsky act. The company has provided no explanation. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Belarus Journalists Charged With Obtaining ‘Illegal’ Data From State-Run Agency
Belarus authorities have charged the chief editor of the BelaPAN private news agency and the editor of the independent online news portal Tut.by with illegally obtaining information via the internet from the state-run BelTA news agency.
IS Says Behind Deadly Tajik Prison Riot
The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed that one of its "fighters" was responsible for starting the deadly prison riot in northern Tajikistan on November 7 that killed at least 24 people. The IS statement was carried by its Amaq news agency on November 8.
Tajik President Calls On Media To Stop Praising Authorities
During a visit to the country’s northern region last month, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon scolded local media for creating the impression “that everything is ideal,” and urged broadcasters to "expose the defects of authorities and look for ways to correct mistakes."
PRESSROOM: RFE/RL Reports Increased Attacks Against Its Journalists