• Conviction of Putin foe sets off protest in Moscow - By NATALIYA VASILYEVA

Conviction of Putin foe sets off protest in Moscow

by NATALIYA VASILYEVA

Supporters and opponents of Russian opposition activist and anti-corruption crusader Alexei Navalny clash during unsanctioned protest in Manezhnaya Square in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014. The unsanctioned protest came hours after Alexei Navalny was found guilty of fraud and given a suspended sentence. Navalny, who has been under house arrest since February, is accused of breaking the terms of his house arrest to attend the rally and was detained by police as he approached the site of the protest. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

• Putin Is Infiltrating European Politics With Shocking Effectiveness - JEREMY BENDER

Putin Is Infiltrating European Politics With Shocking Effectiveness

JEREMY BENDER   

Putin has become shockingly effective at influencing European politics through a host of far-right parties.

The following chart from the Center for Eurasian Strategic Intelligence (CESI) shows Russia's growing influence within six different European Union countries.

• Western leaders warn of more economic sanctions if Putin doesn't end Russian backing for rebels in Ukraine

Western leaders warn of more economic 

sanctions if Putin doesn't end Russian 

backing for rebels in Ukraine

Western leaders warned Vladimir Putin at a G20 summit on Saturday that he risked more economic sanctions if he failed to end Russian backing for separatist rebels in Ukraine.

• Ukraine's Ambassador to the UN says Russia planning full-scale invasion

Ukraine's Ambassador to the UN says Russia 

planning full-scale invasion

Reports of build-up of Russian tanks and fighters in east Ukraine continue

Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Nations has said via Twitter that UN should be informed that Russia is planning a full scale invasion of Ukraine.

• Seventh illegal Russian 'aid' convoy set for Donbas delivery

Seventh illegal Russian 'aid' convoy 

set for Donbas delivery

Russia plans to send another unsanctioned 'aid' convoy to east Ukraine 
Russia has confirmed plans to send yet one more so-called 'aid' convoy to east Ukraine in the coming days. The Kremlin has already sent six illegal convoys into parts of Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian militants. 

• Putin Hits on China's First Lady, Censors Go Wild BY BETHANY ALLEN-EBRAHIMIAN

Putin Hits on China's First Lady, 

Censors Go Wild 

Russia’s Don Juan-in-chief just got a little too friendly with Xi Jinping's wife. BY BETHANY ALLEN-EBRAHIMIAN

• Russians buy dollars, hoard cash on rouble fears - Alexander Winning and Oksana Kobzeva

 Russians buy dollars, hoard cash on rouble fears

Alexander Winning and Oksana Kobzeva

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Many Russians are buying dollars and hoarding cash, increasingly concerned by a slide in the rouble and wary of possible restrictions on bank withdrawals as President Vladimir Putin blames currency woes on speculators and the West.