VISUAL REPORTS
Russians Gather For ‘Returning The Names’ Of Victims Of Stalin
Hundreds of people have gathered at the Solovetsky Kamen (Solovki Stone) memorial on Moscow's Lubyanka Square on October 29 for a daylong ceremony honoring the memory of some 40,000 Muscovites executed by Soviet authorities during Josef Stalin's Great Terror.
Dozens Of ‘New Greatness’ Protesters Detained In Moscow, St. Petersburg
Police in Moscow and St. Petersburg have detained at least 68 people taking part in unauthorized protests against a criminal case brought against 10 Russians accused of extremism. Protesters say the case, over a group called New Greatness, is a provocation by authorities.
Georgia's Presidency Goes To Runoff After Closely Fought First Round
Georgia's presidential election will go to a runoff after French-born former Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili won the first round by a razor-thin margin but failed to muster enough votes to avoid a showdown against her closest rival.
'Keep It Wild': Tian-Shan Tempts Tourists With Stunning Beauty
Tourists from around the world are increasingly finding their way to Kyrgyzstan's Heavenly Mountains. RFE/RL's Adilet Bektursunov, a former guide there, shows us why locals want to "keep it wild."
Prague Marks Centenary Of Czechoslovakia's Independence With Military Parade
The Czech Republic has marked 100 years since Czechoslovakia gained independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire with the biggest military parade in its postcommunist history.
OTHER NEWS
Lavrov Says Moscow Preparing Answers To U.S. Nuclear-Treaty Concerns
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on October 28 that Moscow is drafting responses to a list of questions recently presented by the United States concerning the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
Russia Fails In Bid To Schedule UN Vote On Nuclear Treaty
Russia has failed in a bid at the United Nations to schedule debate on a resolution to preserve the 1987 INF treaty, which U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to abandon. Fifty-five members of the body’s disarmament committee voted against the Russian proposal, 31 voted in favor, and 54 abstained.
OSCE Slams Moscow For Fine Against Independent News Website
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir has condemned an "exceptionally high" fine imposed on October 26 by a Moscow court against the independent The New Times online news outlet, and called on Russian authorities to protect freedom of the media.
Russia To Equip Belarus Bases With Samarkand Radio-Electronic Defense Systems
Russian media reports that the defense ministry plans to install radio-electronic warfare systems at 13 different bases, including in Belarus, with orders that they be operational by November 2019. The “Samarkand” systems, which equip Russia’s Northern Fleet and all surface ships like cruisers and destroyers, are intended to help secure military communications systems. (Belarus Service)
Russia To Spend Billions Of Rubles On Fresh Water For Crimea
Russian has announced plans to spend approximately $289.7 million over the course of the next three years to improve the supply of fresh water to residents of Russia-annexed Crimea. But some experts contest the viability of a proposal to develop underground water resources, which are limited, while pointing out that a plan to desalinate sea water requires expertise that Russia currently lacks, and electricity that the peninsula has only in short supply. (Crimea Realities website)
Nearly Three Million Russians Banned From Travel Due To Financial Debt
Russian media is reporting that 2.8 million Russians who owe money for alimony, fines, bank loans and other financial obligations have been restricted as of September 1 from traveling abroad. Travel restrictions due to financial debt have been in effect in Russia since 2005. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Uzbek Homes Demolished To Make Way For Mirziyoev’s Presidential Palace
Many Uzbeks are angry after their homes were razed and they were displaced to make way for a palatial residence belonging to President Shavkhat Mirziyoev and a "presidential highway" leading to it.
Kazakhstan Detains Ten For Propagating Terrorism Via Internet
Kazakhstan's Committee for National Security has detained 10 people in Almaty, Aqmola, and Qaraghandy regions for allegedly using social networks and messaging apps to provide financial backing for terrorism, or "propagate terrorism and incite religious discord."
MAJLIS PODCAST: Why Thousands Of Central Asians Joined Islamic State
INFOGRAPHIC: Stalin’s Red Stars Over Moscow