VIDEO REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: Putin Without Borders
For now, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s quip, that Russia’s borders don't end anywhere, rings true.
VOX POP: Is Russian TV Engaged In Propaganda?
Respondents to an informal street poll in Moscow were almost unanimous in their views, saying “of course” Russian TV promotes propaganda. One said “TV everywhere does the same,” and several said they don’t watch TV at all. (in Russian)
Fire Destroys Church In Bishkek
A major fire broke out in the early hours of November 29 at a complex housing a Christian church and a private school in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek.
Kazakhs Hunger For Soviet Cafe
Some Kazakhs who have developed a taste for Soviet nostalgia can now head to a retro cafe boasting 80s interiors and tunes from times gone by.
OTHER NEWS
IMF Expects Russian Economic Recovery In 2017
The International Monetary Fund projects that Russia’s gross domestic product will drop 0.6 percent for 2016, but that rising oil prices will fuel a recovery in 2017.
Russia Threatens Military Response To Ukraine Missile Exercises Near Crimea
Ukrainian media has reported that, in response to plans announced by Ukraine’s military to practice missile launches over the Black Sea on December 1-2, the Kremlin issued a protest note to Kyiv’s defense attache in Moscow on November 26 threatening to respond to the exercises by striking Ukraine’s missiles and missile launchers. (in Russian)
Latest Minsk Talks Fail To Reach Breakthrough On Ukraine Conflict
Talks in Minsk on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine have ended with the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany all saying no new breakthroughs were made.
EU Court Upholds Some Sanctions On Russian Tycoon
An EU court has partly upheld sanctions imposed on Arkady Rotenberg, a Russian businessman and close associate of President Vladimir Putin.
Hizb- Ut-Tahrir Member Jailed In St. Petersburg
A court in the Russian city of St. Petersburg has jailed a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization.
Transmission Of HIV Through Straight Sex On Rise In Russia
Russia registered its millionth HIV-positive citizen in January this year, doubling the number of cases documented in 2010.
Kadyrov Kids Give MMA Trainer A Porsche
Ramzan Kadyrov’s sons congratulated their Mixed Martial Arts coach Abdul-Kerim Edilov on his birthday last weekend with a gift of a Porsche Panamera. Sarcastic Internet commentators said they must have saved up their school lunch money. (in Russian)
Crimea’s ‘Golden Water’
Experts say measures proposed by Moscow to address Crimea’s lack of fresh water, a longstanding problem exacerbated by Russia’s annexation of the peninsula in 2014, are late, expensive and, unless they entail a change in agricultural practices, will not stop northern areas from turning to desert. (in Russian)
Kazakh Teenager Jailed For Encouraging Terrorism Online
A teenager has been sentenced to five years in jail in Kazakhstan's northwestern city of Aqtobe on charges of encouraging terrorism on the Internet.
Tajikistan Denies Kyrgyz Allegations Of Shooting On The Border
A spokesperson for Tajikistan’s border guards told RFE/RL that shooting broke out between an unidentified vehicle and Kyrgyz border guards, while Kyrgyzstan has accused the guards of entering its territory and firing in the air. Both sides have agreed to investigate the incident. (in Russian)
COMMENTARY: New Turkmen Railway: First Stop, Aqina, Afghanistan. Next Stop...?
The proposed railway line from Turkmenistan to Tajikistan, via Afghanistan, marked a milestone on November 28 when the first station on the Afghan side of the Turkmen border opened,but it may be some time before trade really picks up.