VISUAL REPORTS
Georgian President Honors Fallen Soldiers From 2008 War With Russia
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili laid a wreath at a ceremony to honor fallen soldiers in the brief war with Russia that began on August 7, 2008. Each side has accused the other of starting the hostilities.
Bodies Of Czech Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan Returned To Prague
The bodies of three Czech soldiers -- Martin Marcin, Kamil Benes, and Patrik Stepanek -- killed in a suicide attack over the weekend in Afghanistan were received in Prague on August 8 in a ceremony marking the deadliest incident involving the army's foreign missions in four years.
Oleh Sentsov: The Latest In A Line Of Notable Hunger Strikers
Ukrainian Filmmaker Oleh Sentsov's hunger strike marks one of several high-profile efforts to employ the tactic to put a spotlight on a political cause.
OTHER NEWS
Ukrainian Ombudswoman Urges ‘Rapid Actions’ To Save Sentsov
Ukrainian Ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova says "rapid actions" are needed to save the life of Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, who has reportedly lost 30 kgs and some heart function during his hunger strike in a Russian prison. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maryana Betsa tweeted on August 8, “End is Near.”
Poroshenko Confirms 2014 Meeting With Manafort Team
Before Ukraine’s 2014 snap presidential election, a top strategist for businessman Petro Poroshenko’s campaign met with Paul Manafort, RFE/RL has confirmed. "We had a meeting, yes, but no relationship" with Manafort’s team, Poroshenko spokeswoman Darya Khudyakova said on August 8.
Russian Operatives Have Penetrated Florida's Election System, U.S. Senator Says
Russian operatives have penetrated the election system of one of the largest U.S. states, and could delete voters' registration documents ahead of the November elections, Florida Senator Bill Nelson told the Tampa Bay Times on August 8.
Ruble Plummets On U.S. Announcement Of More Sanctions
The Russian ruble dropped 3.1 percent to 65.55 per dollar, the lowest level since November 2016, and the downward spiral continued in Asian trading early on August 9, after the U.S. announced new sanctions against Moscow in response to the Skripal poisoning.
Russia Denounces New Sanctions Over Skripal Attack
The Russian Embassy in Washington denounced what it called "draconian" new sanctions imposed over Moscow's alleged nerve agent attack against an ex-Russian spy in England, and called the allegations of Russian poisoning "far-fetched."
We're Still Waiting For Our Wages, Say World Cup Workers
The new 45,000-seat stadium built at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers for this summer's FIFA World Cup cost 17 billion rubles ($268 million). But around 100 of the workers who built the edifice claim they haven’t been paid, and are demanding about 50 million rubles ($790,000) in wages owed added to the bill.
Following Moscow Penitentiary Protest, Pussy Riot’s Alyokhina Barred From Leaving
Pussy Riot band member Maria Alyokhina has been told by border police that she is barred from leaving Russia, one day after she and two other activists hung a banner reading "FSIN = GULAG" in front of the headquarters of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) in Moscow.
Belarus Detains Deutsche Welle Correspondent As Media Crackdown Widens
A local correspondent for German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle has been detained in Belarus on suspicion of obtaining information illegally from the state-run news agency, BelTA, amid what appears to be a widening crackdown on independent media.
Belarusian Nobel Laureate Alexievich Cancels Event In Ukraine Amid Threats
Belarusian writer and Nobel Literature Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich says she has canceled her meeting with readers in the Ukrainian city of Odesa amid threats.
Brother Of Armenian Leader Arrested After Search Finds Weapons Cache
The brother of Armenia's former prime minister Hovik Abrahamian was arrested on suspicion of illegal arms procurement and possession, Armenia's security service said on August 8.
Macedonia Arrests Seven Suspected Of Fighting With Islamists In Syria
Macedonian police say they have arrested seven people on suspicion that they fought alongside Islamist insurgents during the wars in Syria and Iraq.
Kazakhstan Bars Dozens Of Foreign TV Channels
Kazakhstan has withdrawn the operating licenses of almost 90 foreign television channels over "the failure to comply with a new law on registration," including Russia's NTV Plus 3D, Dozhd, Russia Today, Spas, Radost Moya, the Nautical Channel, MUSICBOX, RU.TV, Fashion TV, Dozhd, and TNT-Comedy.
After Deadly Cyclist Attack, Tajik Minister Turns To Drama To Warn About Islamic State
In official meetings and speeches in recent months, Tajikistan's interior minister has frequently warned about the dangers of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group. Now Ramazon Rahimzoda has turned to the stage, using drama to show how joining IS can destroy lives and tear families apart.
POLL: Support For Putin’s Foreign Policy Falls
A recent Levada Center poll has found that support among respondents for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy has fallen from 22 to 16 percent, and those who respond that he protects Russia’s state interests has dropped from 25 to 17 percent over the last two years. (Russian Service)