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This article deals with the topic of choosing foreign language textbook, focusing on Russian language textbooks. This is a highly important task for teachers. After the literature review on the subject, a reasoned checklist is proposed for use in the evaluation of Russian language textbooks. Use of this checklist would facilitate the task of a teacher who is called on to adopt one textbook over another but may not be familiar with the criteria for textbook analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Kazakhstan's transition from the Cyrillic to the Latin alphabet, highlighting the cultural, geopolitical, and post-colonial implications of this shift. The decision to switch alphabets is seen as a step towards modernization and strengthening national identity, but it also raises concerns about the inclusivity of the reforms, especially for non-Kazakh minority communities. The transition is intertwined with broader trends in the region, where alphabet reforms reflect issues of national identity and geopolitical shifts. The article emphasizes the need for Kazakhstan to navigate cultural, educational, and geopolitical challenges in a more inclusive manner as it continues to build its post-Soviet identity. [Extracted from the article]

The article examines the linguistic transformations in Russian society following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It explores how the Russian language has evolved, incorporating new words and expressions that emerged in response to the war's events. It highlights notable neologisms that became prevalent during the conflict's first year, reflecting the social and political changes brought about by the invasion.

Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, various important theater makers (directors, actors, set designers, composers, playwrights, critics, producers, and other theater professionals) left the country in protest and/or out of fear of repressions. They were scattered literally all over the globe, but mainly in the countries of the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Western and Eastern Europe. Do they continue to make theater and, if so, how do they do it? Does the Russian language remain the main tool of their professional communication and creative interaction? How does the local context affect their theater productions and to what extent are they integrated into this context? This article will try to briefly answer all these questions and outline the problems that arise for the Russian-speaking theater makers who continue to practice theater outside Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores linguistic nuances in Russian discourse, highlighting the political implications of subtle language choices. Topics include the debate over prepositions for Ukraine, the controversy surrounding feminized job titles, and the use of symbolic letters to signal allegiance in wartime rhetoric.

This article focuses on the Davajte! series. Developed to meet the changing needs of learners of Russian, the handbooks integrate language instruction and cultural insights with a communicative approach. The choice of themes, ranging from demography to ecology, reflects an interdisciplinary approach. The materials employ various text types, mirroring online communication styles, with hyperlinks, authentic documents, and collaborative exercises with creative aspects. Using scaffolding techniques, the grammatical section addresses critical points in students’ learning while recognizing the tight relationship between grammar and vocabulary. Emphasizing communicative goals, motivation, and individualized learning, the series strives for an integrated approach to language acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the reactions in Uzbekistan to Zakhar Prilepin's comments advocating for the restoration of the Soviet Union and the imposition of the Russian language in former Soviet states. Prilepin's remarks, particularly his mention of Uzbekistan, triggered widespread indignation and mobilized citizen journalists, bloggers, and the general populace into heated discussions. The Uzbek government issued a formal inquiry to the Russian embassy for clarification, and political experts urged a firmer response. The article highlights the deeper anxiety about the region's sovereignty and identity, with the Uzbek response reflecting a collective resolve to safeguard national integrity and resist any attempts at undermining independence. The Russian ambassador was summoned to the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that Prilepin's views were personal and did not represent the official stance of Russia. The Uzbek Ministry of Defense reaffirmed the nation's military preparedness, and members of the Uzbek parliament criticized Prilepin's stance, emphasizing the growing negative perception of Russia among Uzbeks. President Shavkat Mirziyoev made a statement acknowledging the complex and dangerous situation and the need to find the right way that meets Uzbekistan's national interests. The article also discusses the historical context of controversial statements made by Russian public figures and the impact of labor migration dynamics between Central Asia and Russia. It emphasizes the economic repercussions of labor migration and the challenge it poses to the sovereignty and independence of Central Asian countries. The article concludes by highlighting the need for Central Asian nations [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the continuation of the Russian tradition of grappling with existential questions and how these questions have evolved into popular memes in the 21st century, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Topics include the use of memes to address issues such as political denial and responsibility for the conflict, governmental corruption, and the uncertainty of the future.

The article discusses the challenges of speaking Russian during times of war, highlighting the need for caution due to censorship and potential legal consequences for antiwar statements. It emphasizes the necessity of understanding social cues and avoiding discussing sensitive topics, such as the war, in public spaces or over the telephone.

The article offers information on the complex relationship between Western readers and Russian literature, particularly during moments of political transition and upheaval.

This article, titled "A Heritage Awakened by War," discusses the author's personal connection to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite having no direct family ties to Ukraine or Russia, the author shares a genetic connection to the region through their sperm donors. The author expresses curiosity and concern for Ukraine due to their heritage, and questions why two countries with shared culture and traditions would go to war with each other. The article suggests that the conflict may be driven by Russia's desire to control Ukraine, which has embraced a democratic and liberal form of government. The author expresses solidarity with the Ukrainian people and a newfound pride in their Ukrainian heritage. [Extracted from the article]

The author discusses shadow casted over Russian culture by its invasion of Ukraine, and mentions rejection of writing in Russian. Topics discussed include examination of relationship of russophone writers with Russias and the Russian, poetry of poet Maria Stepanova that confronts readers with absurdity of live, and anticommunist revolution of 1991 that degrades Russian society.

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Researchers at the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute conducted a study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural correlates of social touch processing. The study involved 27 experimental subjects who received a 5-minute calf and foot massage before undergoing fMRI, as well as 11 healthy controls. The findings suggested differences in functional connectivity between the experimental and control groups, with implications for therapeutic approaches and sensory stimulation strategies for various conditions. The study highlights the potential impact of tactile experiences on behavior and emotional state, offering insights into the use of touch to enhance mental health. [Extracted from the article]

Each language decides in its own way which meanings have semiotic relevance (and therefore must be expressed through different lexemes) and which do not. This is the origin of many anisomorphisms in the lexical systems of different languages. In this paper the author illustrates some of them in the Russian language in contrast to Italian. The aim of the essay is to provide categories and examples to help teachers in making learners aware of such anisomorphisms between the Russian and Italian languages. This helps to develop both their lexical competence and metalinguistic thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's childhood experience with Russia language as native language.

A 33-year-old hacker from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, suspected of being involved in major cyberattacks on global infrastructure, has been arrested by the Department of Federal Police. The hacker, known as EquationCorp, was linked to breaches such as the FBI's InfraGard and the National Public Data (NPD) data breach, exposing personal information of millions. The United States may seek extradition under the Brazil-U.S. Extradition Treaty, but Brazil's reluctance to extradite its citizens could lead to prosecution within the country under local cybercrime laws. [Extracted from the article]

The Austrian financial regulator has ordered the closure of European American Investment Bank AG due to anti-money laundering deficiencies and credit losses, with ties to Adler Group SA's former chairman. The bank, based in Vienna, failed to raise required capital and lacked a viable wind-down plan, prompting the regulator's intervention. Euram Bank, founded in 1999, catered to wealthy clients, including those who spoke Russian, and had faced regulatory scrutiny leading up to its closure. [Extracted from the article]

The Austrian financial regulator has ordered the closure of European American Investment Bank AG due to anti-money laundering deficiencies and credit losses, with ties to Adler Group SA's former chairman. The bank failed to raise required capital and lacked a viable wind-down plan, prompting the regulator's intervention. Austria's deposit insurance plan is expected to cover €38 million in client deposits, with around 757 customers estimated to be compensated. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at Bauman Moscow State Technical University explores an integrative model of teaching Russian academic discourse to foreign technical students using traditional and digital pedagogical technologies. The study aims to develop the oral and written skills of non-philologists in the educational and scientific field of communication. The research utilizes a corpus of multi-genre printed and electronic academic texts, as well as audio and video resources from the internet. The study concludes that the integrative model, which incorporates educational internet resources and QR-code technology, is a valuable tool for teaching Russian as a foreign language in a professional context. [Extracted from the article]

Instead, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelen-sky - an actor-turned-politician famous for playing an actor-turned-poli-tician in the TV comedy Servant of the People - refused to budge, withstood multiple assasination attempts and rallied his people to fight. FEATURES WHEN RUSSIA'S VLADIMIR PUTIN BEGAN A MILITARY INVASION OF UKRAINE on February 24, 2022, it was widely assumed that Ukraine would surrender quickly. NO RESOLUTION From top: Zelensky, Macron, Putin and Merkel at the Normandy Four summit on December 9, 2019; a Ukrainian tank heads toward Lysychansk on June 10, 2022. Behind closed doors, Zelen-sky met one-on-one with Putin, then with Macron, and later with Merkel. [Extracted from the article]

Features As I write, six weeks have passed since the war began. STILL STANDING Fortifications surround Odesa's opera house, an iconic landmark in the Black Sea city, as Russia's bloody war unfolds. THE WARPATH FIRING LINE Volunteers in Odesa receive training in firearms as Russia's full-scale invasion grows. Russia misuses Ukrainian war victims for propaganda in order to kill more people and to indulge further killing, justifying the newly killed as a premise to kill even more. [Extracted from the article]

Twin Rivers Elementary School in Castlegar, British Columbia, is a trilingual school that focuses on English, French, and Russian languages. The school's administrators recognized the unique need of their community, which has a large population of children with Doukhobor heritage, and incorporated this heritage into the curriculum. The program began in 1983 and has been successful in improving academic performance and engagement among students. The Russian community in Castlegar has been supportive of the program, and the school continues to celebrate Russian language and culture. However, the program faces challenges as the fluency of Russian-speaking grandparents decreases with each generation. Overall, Twin Rivers Elementary School is dedicated to preserving and supporting the heritage of its community. [Extracted from the article]

Suspected foreign state-backed actors and UK domestic extremists have been using social media platforms like TikTok and Telegram to incite violence and spread racism in the UK. These actors have been encouraging users to participate in demonstrations that turned violent and have spread false allegations about the Islamic community. UK authorities suspect that foreign state-backed actors are using bots and stolen British identities to amplify anti-immigration sentiment. The UK government is investigating this activity, and social media companies have been urged to take action against these crimes. [Extracted from the article]

Suspected foreign state-backed actors and UK domestic extremists have been using social media platforms like TikTok and Telegram to promote racism, incite violence, and spread false allegations about the Islamic community in the UK. There are concerns that foreign state-backed actors are using bots and stolen British identities to amplify anti-immigration sentiment. The UK government is investigating this activity, including the manipulation of hashtags and the use of bots. Extremists are taking advantage of lax content moderation on Telegram to organize their messaging. There have been riots and violent incidents across the country, with some individuals targeting mosques and immigration centers. The government has warned social media companies about the crimes taking place on their platforms. There is evidence of Russian speakers deliberately stirring up far-right channels on Telegram. The UK government and law enforcement agencies are responding to the violent disorder and investigating the situation. [Extracted from the article]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun a two-day visit to Russia for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. The visit will involve discussions between PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on various aspects of the bilateral relationship, as well as regional and global issues. The meeting between the two leaders is expected to attract significant attention from the world media, including China. Additionally, an old photo of PM Modi and President Putin from a previous meeting has resurfaced on social media, highlighting the longstanding and strengthened ties between India and Russia. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses about history of words in Russian language borrowed from the Mongolian and Turkic languages. Topics discussed include role of the languages in the institutional development of the early Russian state, Turkic words in Russian terms for construction and structures and influence of the Mongols on Russia's internal administration.

For their size, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have sent Ukraine a remarkable amount of matériel for reasons both moral and - as a method of forward defense - practical. FEATURES Estonia and Latvia TOOMAS HENDRIK ILVES, Estonia's president between 2006 and 2016, is not known for mincing his words about Russia. In discussions in Latvia and Estonia (sadly, there was no time to visit Lithuania), it was emphasized to me more than once that the war in Ukraine was Russia's war, not just Putin's. [Extracted from the article]

Georgian lawmakers have overridden a presidential veto to pass a controversial "foreign agent" law, despite widespread protests and condemnation from the US and the European Union. The law aims to increase transparency regarding foreign influence on non-governmental organizations and independent media, but critics argue that it threatens Georgia's aspirations to join the EU and NATO. The protests against the law have been met with force from riot police, and the president has called for a referendum to determine the country's future direction. The US and EU have likened the law to measures used by Russia to suppress pro-democracy groups. [Extracted from the article]

Georgia's president, Salome Zourabichvili, has expressed concern that the country may lose its opportunity to join the European Union if the government proceeds with a controversial "foreign agent" law, which has sparked large-scale protests. Zourabichvili has called for Western partners to pressure the authorities to stop the intimidation of peaceful protesters by the police. The European Union has granted Georgia candidate status, but adoption of the law would be seen as a regression in meeting the conditions set by the European Commission. The government argues that the law is necessary to expose foreign funding of NGOs and media, while critics claim it resembles measures used by President Putin in Russia to suppress pro-democracy groups and media. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses Russia's attempts to exert influence over Moldova and potentially annex the country, similar to its actions in Ukraine. Moldova, which is making strides to join the European Union, has seen Russian-controlled regions within its borders, such as Transnistria, and now Gagauzia, draw closer to Moscow. Russian influence operations in Moldova aim to prevent the country from aligning with the West and joining the EU. The article also highlights the role of individuals and organizations, such as Ilan Mironovich Shor and the Shor Party, in promoting Russia's agenda in Moldova. While some believe that a Russian invasion is unlikely at this time, the Kremlin's interest in Moldova is growing ahead of a key election in October. The article emphasizes that Russia is employing non-military means to undermine Moldova's independence and prevent it from aligning with the EU. [Extracted from the article]

Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has accelerated the decline of the Russian language. The war has particularly affected Ukraine's Russophone South and East, leading to the depopulation of Russian-speaking communities. Additionally, many displaced Ukrainians who were Russophone are now assimilating into populations that speak foreign languages abroad and Ukrainian in safer regions of Ukraine. Furthermore, there has been a surprising rejection of the Russian language by Russian speakers themselves, with a significant decrease in the number of Ukrainians speaking Russian. This decline is also evident in political polling and everyday life anecdotes. The decline of Russian is not limited to Ukraine, as it is also occurring in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The decline of Russian is a reversal of Russia's history of linguistic dominance and is attributed to Putin's association of the Russian language with aggression and invasion. [Extracted from the article]

Central Asia and its five post-Soviet states implicitly form China and Russia's backyard, and they both pursue interests there, while meaningful and coherent engagement by the West is largely absent. Observers pointing to diverging interests in Central Asia underestimate the willingness of China and Russia to cooperate at the international level, especially given their lack of alternative partners, and to pursue their close partnership. China and Russia's actions in Central Asia thus reinforce the impression that their partnership indeed is close, even though short of an alliance. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the overlooked role of the conflict in Moldova's Transnistria region in shaping the current crisis between Russia and the European Union. The author argues that Western leaders dismissed the appeals for help from Moldova and Romania, prioritizing Russia's stability and other issues. The article highlights how the conflict in Transnistria set precedents for Russia's neo-imperial ambitions and its willingness to intervene militarily in nearby states. It also explores the connections between the armed Russian nationalists involved in the conflict and subsequent events in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. The article concludes by discussing the economic and demographic decline of Transnistria and the limits of Russia's power in the region. [Extracted from the article]