VIDEO REPORTS
Is Russia A Superpower? Brian Whitmore Explains.
Russia showed the world in 2016 that it is back as a player on the world stage. But has it regained its superpower status?
Macedonia's Ruling Party Edges Vote, But No Clear Majority
Supporters of Macedonia's ruling conservative party and the leftist opposition celebrated victory in the streets of Skopje, but results later on December 12 showed that neither had secured a clear majority in parliament.
Ukrainian Activists Demand Treasury Official’s ‘Secret To Success’
Citing Ukraine’s anti-corruption campaign, activists in the town of Lutsk confronted the head of the region’s State Treasury Mihail Lomishchak, insisting he disclose the sources of his fortune, listed on his public declaration as roughly equivalent to $275,000, and his very expensive watch. Lomishchak’s official monthly government salary is $300. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
OTHER NEWS
Navalny Announces He Will Seek Russian Presidency
Prominent Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny has announced that he will run for president in an election due to be held in March 2018.
Putin Signals No Meeting With Trump Before Inauguration
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested he is unlikely to meet with Donald Trump before the U.S. president-elect is inaugurated on January 20.
Russia's 'Baby Box' Initiative Under Fire
A bill in the Duma and disapproving statements from lawmakers and government officials point to a growing movement inside Russia to shut the door on baby boxes.
CPJ Says Record Number Of Journalists Jailed
The Committee to Protect Journalists says Turkey's "unprecedented crackdown" on media has brought the total number of jailed journalists worldwide to 259, the highest number since the New York-based group began taking an annual census in 1990.
After Sinkhole, Bashkortostan Locals Now Fear Police
Dozens of Ufa residents have been threatened with arrest after protesting authorities’ response to a sinkhole that opened near their apartment block last month and swallowed up two cars, one of which vanished completely.
Savchenko, Amid Outrage, Defends Meeting Separatists
Ukrainian lawmaker and former Russian political prisoner Nadia Savchenko confirmed she met with separatist leaders in Minsk last week and insisted her actions were legal. She said the meeting was “effective” and necessary for strengthening the Minsk format on the conflict in Ukraine. (in Ukrainian)
Culprits Elude Authorities After Cyberattacks On Ukraine’s Finance Ministry
Ukrainian authorities are still looking for the culprits nearly one week after cyberattacks against the country’s financial institutions that seemed designed to inflict maximum chaos on end-of-year payments.
European Audit Reports Dim Results For Ukraine Assistance
In a report on Europe’s donor assistance to Ukraine, totaling 5 billion euros over the past eight years, the European Court of Auditors called the country’s reforms "fragile" and noted the continued influence of oligarchs on key economic sectors. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Belarus Special Forces To Operate In Russia
In a sign of closer security cooperation with Moscow, Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has approved a draft agreement allowing members of his country’s special forces to participate in anti-terrorist operations on Russian territory. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Ex-Parliamentary Chief Wins Transdniester’s Self-Styled Presidency
Vadim Krasnoselsky, head of Transdniester’s self-styled parliament, has won the breakaway region’s presidency, winning 62 percent of the vote and promising to strengthen relations with Russia and stabilize the economy.
Israeli PM Plans Stop-over In Baku En Route To Kazakhstan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled for a seven-hour stop-over visit in Azerbaijan on his was to Kazakhstan.
COMMENTARY: The Uncertain Sale Of Rosneft Shares
The Russian government’s reported sale of a 19.5 percent stake in oil giant Rosneft to the Swiss trading company Glencore and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund cannot be considered an example of privatization, says financial analyst Mikhail Krutikhin, since it is unclear who owns the stake and who will manage it. (in Russian)
COMMENTARY: Beating and Jail Time For Chewing Tobacco In Turkmenistan
The brutal arrest of RFE/RL contributor Khudayberdy Allashov and his mother on charges of possessing "nasvai," or "nas," a form of chewing tobacco, is a sign of a desperate government and a failing state.
MOST READ/RUSSIA: From USSR to Putin
Commenting on the 25th anniversary of the dissolution of the USSR, Russian politician Gennady Burbulis said that Russia’s actions in Ukraine show that an “imperial syndrome,” as a deep, sociological condition, lives on. (over 30K views on Russian Service website)
INFOGRAPHIC: How Do Europeans Feel About The Single Currency?