VIDEO REPORTS
On Display at ‘Made in Russia’ Fair: Hope, Patriotism, and Crimean Wine
With Western sanctions blocking many high tech imports into Russia, the country's entrepreneurs are hoping to grab a bigger slice of the domestic market. They showed off their new products at a Moscow trade show.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Ukraine Sanctions Russian Officials, Foreign Journalists
The Kremlin and western media companies and advocacy groups have criticized an order by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko barring numerous journalists, among 400 other individuals and 90 companies and other entities, from entering Ukraine. Referring to undefined threats to national security, Poroshenko explained the order as a response to “illegal elections” planned by pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Aliyev Goes On Attack Against EU Values
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has condemned the EU, accusing it of being "anti-Azerbaijani" and mocking Europe’s response to the refugee crisis. The attack comes after the European Parliament adopted a resolution criticising the country’s human rights record and calling for the release of imprisoned civic activists and journalists.
Impasse Over U.S.- Russia Nuclear Treaty Hardens (With INFOGRAPHIC)
In an interview with RFE/RL, Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller said Russia risks provoking "military and economic countermeasures" if it continues to stonewall over a U.S. accusation that it violated its obligations under the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. An infographic shows the missiles covered under the treaty.
Russia To Close US Embassy’s American Center
The United States has expressed “regret” about Russia’s decision to close a decades-old American cultural center operating in Moscow under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy.
Russian Girl Jailed For A Twerk Dance
A court in the southwest Bryansk region sentenced a 21 year-old girl to 10 days in prison on charges of “hooliganism” for recording a video of a “twerk” dance against the backdrop of a memorial dedicated to World War II, officially referred to in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. (Current Time TV)
Teliasonera Is Leaving CIS Market After Bribe Scandal
Swedish telecom company TeliaSonera announced that it will curtail its activities in the former CIS countries and shift its focus to Europe, to include Russia. A recent investigation found that the company paid $381 million to the daughter of Uzbekistan’s president to enter the country's market. (Current Time TV)
PODCAST: The Receding Waters Of Central Asia
Long ago, the Amu Darya, one of Central Asia's two great rivers, emptied into the Caspian Sea. Now, formerly rich agricultural areas supported by the river are desert, and concerns are growing about spreading desertification in the region.