Iran keeps its struggling economy afloat with the help of a "dark fleet" that ferries illegal oil shipments to China. But the clandestine trade comes with huge risks, leaving Tehran vulnerable to wildly fluctuating oil prices, Chinese demand, and continuing international efforts to sanction its main revenue stream.
European Council President Charles Michel on January 7 downplayed criticism of his plan to resign early to run for a seat in the European Parliament in June, saying there was plenty of time to choose his successor and the EU had options to "avoid Viktor Orban."
Children in costumes dominated the annual Alilo parade in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, on January 7, the day on which many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas. The traditional procession is similar to the longstanding custom of carol singing in other countries. The modern-day Alilo march raises funds for orphanages.
Multiple major social media platforms were reportedly suspended in Pakistan on January 7, coinciding with a fundraising telethon of the opposition Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI) party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
A Tajik man being held in connection with an alleged terrorist plot targeting Cologne Cathedral remains in custody after two weeks as a result of a European arrest warrant issued by Austria, police said on January 7.
The Islamic State (IS) extremist group has claimed responsibility for a deadly minibus explosion in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Kyrgyzstan has changed its national flag. It was clear from the time the idea of altering the flag was first proposed in September 2023 that the country’s president, Sadyr Japarov, wanted the change. There was strong opposition from many of the country’s citizens, but that met with a very aggressive response from authorities and very quickly the idea became a reality. The process by which Kyrgyzstan’s flag was changed is especially interesting because it illustrates more broadly how the country has... Читать дальше...
Every year on January 6, hundreds of Bulgarian men mark the Epiphany feast by dancing to folk tunes in the icy water of the Tundzha River, in the town of Kalofer. Part of the ritual includes a scramble for a wooden cross thrown into the water by an Orthodox priest, who also gives blessings to the onlookers. Although most Bulgarians are Orthodox Christians, unlike many of their coreligionists they celebrate Christmas on December 25.
Here are some of the most compelling photographs from the first week of 2024 from around RFE/RL's region.
