End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists
On the UNESCO International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, RFE/RL has documented an expanding use of restrictive acts and intimidation targeting its journalists in no fewer than 12 countries where RFE/RL reports.
VISUAL REPORTS
Poroshenko Mocks Russian Sanctions
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has mocked Russian sanctions imposed on leading Ukrainian people and companies, saying that being on the list was an honor. He was speaking after talks in Kyiv with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who confirmed she would support extending EU sanctions against Russia at the bloc’s next summit.
DOCUMENTARY: Soviet Hippies (trailer)
Current Time TV has aired a documentary by Terje Toomistu about hippies in the Soviet Union, depicting what “flower children” experienced in the USSR. Soviet propaganda in the 1970s depicted the peace sign as a version of the swastika and hippies as a fascist group. Members were subject to arrests, forced shaving, police beatings and prison sentences. (Current Time TV)
Ironing Boards And Sticky Tape: Building A Plane In Siberia
There are few roads through the swampy tundra in western Siberia, so one resident is trying to build a tiny float plane that ordinary people can afford.
Turkmen President Shows Off Powerlifting Prowess With Barbell Made Of Gold
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has demonstrated his powerlifting skills to the members of his government at a meeting on October 26, lifting a gold barbell that was awarded to him on the occasion of the World Weightlifting Championships beginning on November 10 in Ashgabat. (Turkmen Service)
OTHER NEWS
OSCE Drone Shot Down After Spotting Russian Missile System In Eastern Ukraine
Germany and France say Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine likely shot down a drone being used by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) monitoring mission, demanding that those responsible “be held accountable.”
Cuban Leader Visits Moscow
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has arrived in Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials in an effort to bolster ties, as the former Cold War allies both face raised tensions with Washington.
After The Arrests: Russian Teens Tell Of Disrupted Lives Since Protests
In interviews with RFE/RL's Russian Service, teens across Russia told stories of how their lives were turned upside down after they were detained on September 9 during a nationwide wave of protests against a government plan to raise the retirement age.
Duma Prepares Bill Creating ‘Cyber Squads' To Enforce ‘Civil Activity’
Russian Duma deputies from the United Russia party have prepared legislation establishing cyber squads that will work in coordination with police to combat “war propaganda, incitement of national, racial or religious hatred and enmity,” and the dissemination of otherwise illegal content on the internet. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Crimean Army Clubs Spark Concern Over Efforts To Militarize Youth
Russian authorities in annexed Crimea have reported their aim to ensure that youth army clubs, called “Unarmy,” operate in all the peninsula’s schools. Clubs currently operate in about half of all schools and enroll more than 5000 boys. (Ukrainian Service/Crimea Realities)
Roscosmos Pays High Price To Insure Soyuz
An initial tender priced at approximately $2.7 million to insure the first Soyuz launch since a rocket failure last month went unanswered, but a single vendor has responded to a second bid, listed as “urgent,” for approximately $3.06 million, just in time to insure a new launch planned for November 3. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Sentsov 'Feeling Much Better' After Ending Hunger Strike
Imprisoned Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, who ended his nearly five-month hunger strike in a Russian prison in early October, is feeling "much better than a month ago," a prominent Russian rights activist says.
Hollywood Thriller 'Hunter Killer' Facing Troubles In Russia, Ukraine
The Russian and Ukrainian release of a Hollywood action film in which U.S. soldiers rescue a Russian president during a coup attempt has been postponed, and some reports suggest it could be banned in both countries due to its content.
Pashinian Told U.S. That Armenia Will Maintain Ties With Iran
Acting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian told the Armenian parliament on November 1 that he made clear to U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton last week that Armenia will pursue its national interests and maintain "special relations" with its neighbor Iran.
Armenia's Parliament Triggers New Elections
Armenian lawmakers have triggered early parliamentary elections by failing for a second time, in accordance with a prior political agreement, to elect a new prime minister. Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has sought to force fresh general elections next month.
Greek Passenger Jet Arrives In Skopje After 12-Year Delay
The first passenger flight between Greece and Macedonia in 12 years has landed in Skopje, in another sign of thawing relations after the two Balkan nations agreed to settle their decades-long dispute over the former Yugoslav republic’s name.
Court Orders Freeze On Macedonia Opposition Party HQ And Other Property
A Macedonian court has ordered the temporary freezing of property belonging to VMRO-DPMNE, the country's main opposition party, as part of an investigation into suspected unlawful political financing.
Kyrgyz Authorities Detain Nine On Suspicion Of Terrorism
Kyrgyz authorities say they have detained five foreigners and four Kyrgyz citizens in the northern Chui region on suspicion that they were involved in recruiting fighters for "terrorist groups" in Syria and Afghanistan since 2017, and planned a series of terrorist attacks in Kyrgyzstan.
Boxing’s Olympic Future At Stake As Kazakh, Uzbek Vie To Head Sport
The outcome of the election for president of the amateur boxing association, the AIBA, on November 2, in which one-time Olympic silver medalist Serik Konakbaev and incumbent Gafur Rakhimov face off, could determine whether boxing is included in the 2020 Olympics.
INFOGRAPHIC: Where In The World Is The Internet Most Free?