VISUAL REPORTS
BUS-ted -- Protesting Pedestrians Pursued In Decidedly Low-Speed Chase
Amateur video shows four men dressed up as a yellow cardboard bus being pursued by police on foot on November 10 as they attempted to cross Vladivostok’s Golden Bridge. The span opened in 2012, but only permits vehicles to cross despite protests by local pedestrians.
Survivor Of Kosovo Mass Killings Seeks Justice For His Family
Bekim Gashi barely escaped a 1999 massacre by Yugoslav troops in Kosovo in which his mother and sisters died. Nearly 20 years later, he must relive the tragedy as he testifies in the war crimes trial of two officers who ordered the killings.
INFOGRAPHIC: A Rally In Russian Protests
A controversial law raising the retirement age in Russia has led to a massive rise in protests around the country.
OTHER NEWS
Kremlin Says U.S. ‘Unpredictability’ Causing Global Concern
The Kremlin has lashed out over what Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says is the recent "unpredictability" of the United States, saying it was causing "deep global concern."
Merkel Echoes France's Call For Europe To Create Its Own Army
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is calling for the eventual creation of a European army, echoing a suggestion by French President Emmanuel Macron. "...we have to work on a vision of one day creating a real, true European army," she said in a speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg on November 13.
Russia Threatens To Boycott Davos Meeting If Oligarchs Kept Away
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on November 13 that Russia will consider boycotting the upcoming World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, if Russian oligarchs are kept out of the prestigious gathering. It was reported earlier that several Russian billionaires blacklisted by the United States, including Oleg Deripaska and Viktor Vekselberg, had been asked not to attend the event.
On Second Try, Navalny Allowed To Attend European Court Ruling
Opposition politician Aleksei Navalny posted a photo of himself at passport control after managing to leave Russia to attend a ruling in his case at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, a day after he was barred from boarding a flight out.
Russia’s Independent New Times Raises Funds To Stave Off Roskomnadzor
The Russian media outlet The New Times has raised approximately $368,000 to pay an unprecedented fine issued by Roskomnadzor for tardy submission of information about funds “from a foreign agent” the magazine receives. New Times is appealing the fine, which was feared could result in the publication’s closure. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir has deplored the penalty and called for it to be reversed. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
ECHR Pursues Complaint About Parental and Women’s Rights In Chechnya
The European Court of Human Rights has submitted questions to the Russian government regarding a complaint from Chechen resident Luisa Tapaeva, whose children were taken from her by relatives of her husband following his death in 2015. The Court for the first time also raised questions about gender discrimination and systematic violations of women's rights in Russia’s North Caucasus region. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Russia Claims Need For More Prisons For Convicted Police
A top official of Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service has said the country needs more prisons to hold police officers and other law enforcement agents who have been convicted of crimes, claiming “an anticorruption effort is under way, a cleansing is under way."
Opposition Calls For Czech PM's Resignation As Son Claims 'Abduction'
Six opposition parties have called for Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis's resignation and proposed a no-confidence vote following a report in which the leader's son said he was held against his will in Crimea amid scrutiny over accusations that his father embezzled European Union funds.
Romania Dismisses EU Charge Of Backsliding On Reforms
Romania's prime minister has blasted the European Union over a critical report on the country's justice system, and dismissed criticism that the country is backsliding on democratic reforms, insisting that Bucharest is ready to take over the EU's rotating presidency next year.
Macedonia Will Seek Arrest In Hungary of Ex-PM Gruevski
Macedonia's Interior Ministry says it will seek the arrest of conservative former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on an international warrant after confirming he fled to Hungary to avoid serving a two-year prison sentence for corruption.
Tajik Security Service Confirms Arrests Over Alleged Plot To Attack Russian Base
After an initial denial, Tajikistan's State Committee for National Security (KDAM) has confirmed the arrest of 12 people suspected of plotting an attack on the Russian military base in Dushanbe earlier in November. RFE/RL recently reported that 12 alleged members of the extremist group Islamic State were apprehended near the Russian base in the Tajik capital on November 4.
POLL: One Quarter Of Russians Do Not Use Internet
A recent Levada Center poll found that 24% of Russian citizens has never used the internet, compared to 30% in 2015. Among Russians 18 years and older, 76% report they are regular internet users, with 57% going online on a daily basis. (Russian Service)