VISUAL REPORTS
The Story Of 'Poland's Anne Frank'
A new documentary about Renia Spiegel, a young Polish Jew who was murdered by the Nazis in the Polish city of Przemysl, has premiered in Warsaw. Her diary, which details her life in the Przemysl ghetto, has just been published in English after lying in a bank vault for decades.
Pret-a-Protest: Russian Demos Inspire Fashion Designs
Russia's protest movement has inspired a new wave of fashion designs.
'You're Fired': Turkmen President Sacks Interior Minister On TV
Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov fired his interior minister on October 1 in a humiliating spectacle.
OTHER NEWS
U.S. Envoy In Moscow Calls For Whelan Release
U.S. Ambassador to Moscow Jon Huntsman has called on the Russian government to "immediately release" Paul Whelan, an American citizen being held on espionage charges that he denies. Huntsman visited Whelan at the Lefortovo detention center in Moscow on October 2. Speaking to reporters after, he cited the former Marine's "deteriorating health" and "the lack of any evidence whatsoever" in seeking his release.
Putin Calls U.S. Concerns Of 2020 Election Meddling ‘Laughable’
Speaking at a session of the Russian Energy Week meeting in Moscow on October 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that concerns expressed by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his report “that [Russia] might collude” in the U.S. 2020 elections were “laughable," adding, "It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad."
Russia 'Arbitrarily' Blocking Fergana News Agency Website
Amnesty International has called on Russia to immediately overturn its decision to block the Fergana news agency's website, calling the move "another arbitrary and cynical attack" on freedom of expression.
Russian Police Fired After Forcing Uzbeks Out Of Second-Floor Window
Two police officers in the town of Balashikha near Moscow have been dismissed and face unspecified charges for forcing two Uzbek men to jump from a second-floor apartment last month. Dilshod Temirov and Ilhom Holmatov were hospitalized with multiple bone fractures. Both are highly-skilled restoration artists who were invited by the Moscow Polytechnical Museum for restoration works at several museums in the Russian capital.
Zelenskiy's Eastern Ukraine Election Deal Draws Mixed Reactions
A deal announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to allow local elections in separatist-held parts of eastern Ukraine under certain security conditions has triggered a backlash, including protests, in Ukraine and praise from the Kremlin.
What Is The Steinmeier Formula -- And Did Zelenskiy Just Capitulate To Moscow?
The term has led television news programs and been debated at hipster cafes and family dinner tables since early September, when it emerged that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was seriously considering it as a way to reinvigorate negotiations with Russia over the war in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine Reports 336 Russian Citizens In Custody
Ukraine’s State Penitentiary Service reports that, as of September 1, a total of 336 Russian citizens are being held in the country, with 130 in custody in pre-trial detention centers and 206 held in prisons. The figures predate the September 7 prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, in which each country received 35 detainees. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
How Russia's Interference In Ukraine Has Altered U.S. Policy Toward Belarus
While U.S. relations with Russia remain out in the cold five years after Moscow’s seizure of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, ties with Belarus appear to be thawing. Washington and Minsk announced in September that they will again exchange ambassadors after more than a decade-long disruption in diplomatic relations.
Former Trump Campaign Aide Hired By Kosovo Party Ahead Of Elections
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has hired Sam Nunberg, a former campaign adviser to Donald Trump, ahead of parliamentary elections this weekend.
Bulgarian Live Talk Show Enlists Police To Cool Off Nationalist Politician
A live talk show on Bulgarian public television (BNT) was suspended on October 1 after the host called for police intervention to calm the rants of Volen Siderov, leader of the country’s Attack nationalist party.
Bones Of Contention With Bulgaria Threaten North Macedonia's EU Hopes
After 14 long years as a candidate to join the European Union, North Macedonia appears to be on the threshold of opening membership talks. But differences remain with neighboring Bulgaria over key historical personalities who are considered national heroes in both countries.
Tajikistan Gives Chinese Tax-Free Rights To Silver Mine
Tajikistan’s parliament has approved the transfer of a silver mine to Chinese investors in a deal that exempts the company from taxes for seven years and relieves it of tariffs on the import of equipment and machinery. The Yakchilva mine is located in the Murghab region in the Pamir Mountains at an altitude of 4,500 meters above sea level. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Turkmenistan Cracks Down On (Some) Drone Owners
RFE/RL Turkmen Service reports that authorities in the country’s northeastern Lebap region are interrogating, fining, and even prosecuting citizens who are found to have drones, the import of which is illegal. At the same time, videographers at Turkmen weddings make wide use of drones; it’s unclear where they get the devices. (in Russian, Turkmen Service)