Page 12 - Current Time News Today

Labeled "extremists" at home, independent Belarusian journalists living and working abroad worry that troubles attracting advertising and competition for media grants mean that their work encouraging Belarusians to support democracy is under threat.

Russian elections are usually predictable and dull affairs. The outcome is known beforehand since the Kremlin handpicks all the candidates, has total control over the media and also rigs the votes. Despite this, there has been an unexpected flurry of activity in the run-up to the March 15-17 presidential election in Russia.

Anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin's registration as a candidate for Russia's presidential election is under question by authorities after the country's election commission claimed to have found "flaws" in his application. In an interview with Current Time, he discussed his presidential election bid and his fight to get on the ballot for the March 15-17 vote.

In Vladimir Putin’s relaxed stroll to reelection to a fifth term as Russia’s president, something has gone off script. In the dead of winter, thousands of people stood outside in

Russian MPs have proposed raising the conscription age for foreigners who have been granted Russian citizenship. Source: Nastoyaschee Vremya (Current Time), with reference to the website of the lower house of the Russian parliament Details: The State Duma has introduced amendments to the law "On Military Duty and Military Service", which increase the conscription age to 50 years for foreigners.

Ukrainian forces struck Russian targets in the vicinity of Belbek airfield in occupied Sevastopol, Crimea on January 31. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk amplified geolocated footage on January 31 showing a Ukrainian

Anti-war candidate Boris Nadezhdin catches the winter mood as Putin fights to keep power.

While Boris Nadezhdin has gained more support than expected, many experts suspect he will ultimately be barred from running.

January 25 marks 100 days since the arrest in Russia of RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. Facing the prospect of years in prison, she writes from jail: “We live now; we won't have any 'other' time. What have we done today?"

Russia plans to make consular registration mandatory for citizens living abroad, and to collect biometric data from foreigners entering the country.