VISUAL REPORTS
The 1917 Revolution Then And Now
On November 7, 1917, Vladimir Lenin and his Bolsheviks swept aside provisional authorities in Petrograd to gain the upper hand in the Russian Revolution. Here's how various scenes from 1917 looked then and now.
Russia's Communists Mark Centenary Of Bolshevik Revolution
Supporters of Russia's Communist Party, armed with the slogans, "We are proud of the country of Soviets!" and "Peace to nations, land to peasants, plants to workers!" are set to march in downtown Moscow today to mark the centennial of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.
Bosnian Serbs Memorialize Former Russian UN Ambassador
In eastern Sarajevo, a Bosnian Serb group unveiled a monument to the late Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, for his role in blocking a resolution that would have condemned the Srebrenica massacre as genocide.
Centuries Of Foreign Presence Cannot Fix Afghanistan
In an interview with RFE/RL at his home in Herat, powerful former warlord Ismail Khan said, “If foreign forces want to stay in this country for decades or even centuries and keep a friendly government in place [in Kabul], there will never be peace and security. Freedom, independence, and religion is in the blood of our people.”
OTHER NEWS
5 Russian Soldiers, 4 Reporters Injured In Syria Blast
Russia’s Defense Ministry says five of its soldiers and four Russian television reporters have been injured by a mine explosion in eastern Syria.
Putin Seeks To Widen Mandate For Russian National Guard
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed legislation to expand the authority of the National Guard, an entity created last year and headed by Putin's former chief bodyguard.
Ekho Moskvy Radio Journalist Back On Air
Tatyana Felgengauer, a journalist with Russia's Ekho Moskvy radio who was stabbed in the throat by an attacker last month, took part in a morning show on November 6 and says she is hoping for a full recovery.
Saudi Arrest Shatters Kadyrov’s Hopes
Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud, a Saudi prince who was arrested in a purge of royals and former ministers in the Kingdom on November 4, had met with Chechnya’s prime minister two days earlier to discuss directing charity to the republic, developing an Akhmat Tower hotel complex in Grozny, and initiating direct flights between Grozny and Jeddah. (Caucasus Realities website)
Protesters In Kazan Demand Schools Teach Tatar Language
Protesters have rallied in the capital of Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, demanding that Tatar-language classes be mandatory at schools in the region.
Anticorruption Activists Call To Investigate Ukraine’s State Security Chief
Following a report by RFE/RL’s investigative program Schemes, the Center For Combating Corruption, a Ukrainian NGO, has called for an official investigation of State Security Services Chief Valeriy Geletei on allegations that he has used agency resources and personnel for personal purposes. (Ukrainian Service)
TV Audiences Register Fatigue Over Crimea
Ukraine’s National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting reports that Ukrainian TV channels devoted 2 percent of air time to Crimea-related topics and 8 percent to the war in Eastern Ukraine between August and September 2017, findings that reflect a lack of audience interest in the subjects. (Crimea Realities website)
End Of Cheap Oil Means Hard Times For Belarus Refinery
Aleh Viktaravich says the days of earning a decent wage at the Naftan oil refinery in Navapolatsk, some 240 kilometers north of the Belarusian capital, are long gone.
Tajikistan Targets Foreign-Educated Clerics In Anti-Extremism Effort
Tajik authorities have pledged to dismiss many foreign-educated imams across the country in a move they say is aimed at averting religious extremism.
LGBT Rights Watchdog Stops Operations In Tajikistan Under Pressure
A group defending gay rights in Tajikistan's northern region of Sughd says it has been forced to stop its operations following a series of inspections by local authorities.
Former Economy Minister Among 23 On Trial In Kazakhstan
Former Kazakh Economy Minister Quandyq Bishimbaev went on trial along with 22 other defendants charged with bribery and embezzlement on November 7.
Uzbek Blogger Nasriddinov Said Held In Tashkent
Colleagues of prominent Uzbek blogger Hayot Hon Nasriddinov say he has been held incommunicado after being detained by the National Security Committee in Tashkent around October 20.
PARADISE PAPERS: Russia’s Dealings With Facebook, Twitter, And Kushner
PARADISE PAPERS: Wilbur Ross’s Hidden Dealings With Russians
7.40am -- Good Morning!
[Excerpt: Current Time TV’s daily, first-read for Russian-speaking audiences.]
“Activists with Eduard Limonov’s group Another Russia hung a banner on the roof of a house in St. Petersburg with the message, ‘Ilyich, wake up! They [expletives deleted]….’ In this way, the National Bolsheviks celebrated the centenary of the 1917 October Revolution. Police immediately removed the banner and detained 23 persons.”