Beslan: How Tragedy Unfolded At School No. 1
On September 1, 2004, one of the worst terrorist attacks in Russia's history unfolded at a school in the small North Ossetian town of Beslan. Dozens of armed assailants stormed the school and captured more than 1,100 people -- including more than 700 schoolchildren and relatives and friends who had come for a ceremony marking the first day of the new school year.
VISUAL REPORTS
‘Fascinating Conversation: Bolton Meets Belarus President Lukashenka
In an interview on August 29 with Current Time, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton called for the United States and Belarus to engage in dialogue about their common interests, and said he told President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and other Belarusian officials that “there are significant issues in the bilateral relationship involving human rights and nonproliferation.”
Former Chechen Commander Buried In Native Georgian Village
Dozens of mourners buried the body of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili in his native Georgian village of Duisi almost a week after the former Chechen commander was gunned down in Berlin.
'Allah Gives It To Me': Chechen Leader's Mega-Mosque Displaces Locals
Chechnya's Leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, has opened a huge mosque in a small town, but some displaced locals are not impressed with the construction.
Kyrgyz Opposition Politicians Transferred From Jail To House Arrest
Kyrgyz opposition politicians Omurbek Tekebaev and Duishonkul Chotonov were greeted with cheers after being released from prison and transferred to house arrest.
OTHER NEWS
Ukraine Says Date Of Prisoner Swap Still To Be Determined
A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Security Service Olena Hitlyanska has told RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service that the date of a possible exchange of detained persons between Ukraine and Russia will be announced “as soon as the date is set,” adding, “Wait a bit and let it be completed.” Earlier, there were unconfirmed reports, including from relatives of one of 24 Ukrainian sailors held by Russia, that they had all been freed. A lawyer for several Russian detainees has said his defendants are still in detention centers in Ukraine, and speculated that the exchange could take place on Tuesday, September 3. (Ukrainian Service)
Trump Considers Suspension Of U.S. Military Aid To Ukraine
U.S. President Donald Trump is considering blocking $250 million in military aid to Ukraine, Western media report, raising objections from lawmakers of both U.S. political parties.
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy Inducts Politically Untested Government
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his ruling political party have formed the youngest and least-experienced government in Ukraine’s post-independence history. Lawyer Oleksiy Honcharuk, 35, was approved as the country's new prime minister.
Ukrainian Parliament Votes To Lift Parliamentary Immunity
Ukrainian lawmakers on August 30 adopted a bill amending Article 80 of the country’s Constitution, according to which members of parliament effectively enjoyed immunity from criminal prosecution as a function of their mandate, without the chamber’s prior consent. The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2020. (Ukrainian Service)
Russian Opposition Politician Yashin Gets Fifth 10-Day Jail Term
Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin has been handed another 10-day jail term after a court found him guilty of organizing an unsanctioned protest in the Russian capital on August 3. Yashin is among several opposition politicians struggling to get on the ballot for Moscow’s city council elections next month.
Russian National Guard Mulls Equipping Units With Body Cameras
The head of the Russian National Guard Viktor Zolotov announced on August 30 that guard units may be equipped with body cameras at public events and during special operations. During July and August, employees of the National Guard were repeatedly accused of using excessive force against peaceful protests in Moscow. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Europe Loses Ground On Measles Eradication Efforts
Measles cases in Europe are soaring, with four countries -- Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Russia -- losing their elimination status due to outbreaks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
PAKISTAN: AI Calls On Pakistan To Halt Crackdown On Pashtun Rights Group
PHOTOGALLERY: The Nazi Occupation Of Prague, Then And Now
PRESSROOM: RFE/RL Presses Tajikistan To Accredit Journalists, Cease Harassment