Russia & Georgia: Wine Tourism Program Presentation

Bikers held a memorial event in honor of Valery “Bely” Roditelev, who was killed 40 days earlier in a clash with members of a rival motorcycle club. Participants gathered to pay tribute with a minute of silence and to lay flowers at the site of his death. Organizers noted that Roditelev was a respected member of the biker community and always supported younger members of the movement. Among those present were singer Grigory Leps and Alexander Zaldastanov, known by his nickname “The Surgeon,” founder and leader of the "Night Wolves". The event took place peacefully and without incident.

“The Council is split exactly in half — and not for political reasons at all: one half pays their dues, and the other doesn’t,” Nemtsov claims. “Who’s holding back my five thousand? I’d like the record amended — I gave the money to Boris Nemtsov at one of the meetings,” says Dmitry Gudkov. Ilya Konstantinov raises the question of how the Council prioritises between political prisoners receiving support. Members argue over whether to make contributions to lawyers for political prisoners. The motion to provide support fails. A roll-call vote is held, and Gudkov insists that the Opposition Coordination Council has no right on the termination of funding at this time. Konstantinov argues: “We have no right to make behind-the-scenes decisions!” — and leaves the room. There is no quorum to continue the vote.

A report from a warming center for the homeless, organized by the Synodal Charity Department of the Russian Orthodox Church. The tent is located on Nikoloyamskaya Street, between Taganskaya and Kurskaya metro stations. In the first 10 days of its operation this year, it was visited by 900 people. Up to 50 people can be inside the tent at one time. It is heated by two industrial heat guns and powered by an electric generator. The center requires 200 liters of diesel fuel each day to operate. The homeless are provided with hot meals.

A compilation of reports and selected moments from filming in 2013. Putin’s speeches, protest rallies, Navalny, interviews with visitors at Nashestvie, Russian Marches, and other actions — a kind of trailer for life in Russia in 2013.

Elmira Abdrazakova from Mezhdurechensk in the Kemerovo region, the winner of the Miss Russia 2013 contest, received a Hyundai Solaris car in addition to the title of the most beautiful woman in the country. Upon receiving the car, Abdrazakova remarked that she now has everything a woman needs to be happy.

American citizen Kendra Scaggs and her husband adopted a five-year-old girl, Polina Joy Scaggs, through a Russian court on December 24. Under Russian law, a one-month “quiet period” followed the adoption, during which the court’s decision could still be reversed. Soon afterward, however, a new law was passed that, in the view of many, could annul adoption rulings that had not yet been fully finalized. Under this law, adopted children in some cases were to remain in Russia, even if a court had already issued a favorable decision. Polina Joy Scaggs, however, was able to leave for the United States, as her case had been approved before the legal changes came into effect. The law interfered in personal destinies, creating uncertainty and distress for parents and children alike.