Headlines
  • In order to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military said late Monday that it was striking Iran for the tenth night in a row.
  • After their announcement of a naval blockade in the southern part of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia denounced the Houthis in Yemen, who are supported by Iran.
  • According to Jordan's state television, the Jordanian Armed Forces said that three missiles launched from Iran had been intercepted.
  • After the deaths of three American service personnel this past weekend, US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Monday that they "will pay" every time they kill Americans.
  • Multiple Iranian airstrikes on Middle East bases this month have injured nearly 100 US service men.
  • In the latest round of Iranian retaliatory attacks on the Gulf state allied with the United States, the Kuwaiti army said it is working to intercept Iranian missiles and drones.

Tag: RFE/RL

July 1, 2019

Uzbeks Say They’re Forced To Build...

Sources tell RFE/RL that thousands of Uzbeks are being forced to work for free as part of the president’s “Prosperous Village” program. Local residents say they’ve been told their pensions and benefits will be cut if they don’t do as they’re told, but one local official denied that

June 15, 2019

Rights Czar Visit to China Contingent...

In January, China’s foreign ministry welcomed U.N. officials to visit the region, provided they “abide by Chinese law and comply with relevant procedures,” and “avoid interfering in domestic matters or undermining [China’s] sovereignty”

June 12, 2019

The Celebrated Coachmen Of Gyumri

For many decades, a carriage driver named Grish Muradian was a famous figure in the Armenian city of Gyumri, driving visiting Soviet luminaries and appearing in films. Today, his grandson Samvel has taken the reins, and he wants to pass the tradition along to the next generation

June 10, 2019

Burning Down The House: Karelia Villagers...

The very name of the film, which is being made by the production company of Oscar-winning filmmaker and head of the Russian Cinematographers Union Nikita Mikhalkov, is enough to strike terror into the hearts of the seven people living year-round in the ancient wooden architecture of Kinerma — Fire!

Clashes, Arrests As Kazakhstan Elects New...

Police across Kazakhstan have detained dozens of protesters as the country holds a snap presidential election. In the capital, Nur-Sultan, police detained dozens of opposition supporters holding a rally, while more than 100 protesters were detained in Astana Square in Kazakhstan’s largest city of Almaty

June 9, 2019

Whipping Up Support: Were Kazakh Students...

Some of students said they were “forced” to participate in the forum by university authorities. Representatives of universities and Nur Otan rejected such statements

June 6, 2019

‘Music Is Everything’: Armenian Preteen Pianist...

She plays Bach, Chopin, and jazz — and dreams of having a pet dog. Aida Avanesian, a 12-year-old in Yerevan, is rapidly collecting kudos as a piano prodigy, but she also tries to find time to be a kid~RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

Transgender Russian Seeks Freedom In Spain

Francis Savinovskikh made headlines in Russia when the authorities took two foster children away, citing concerns that their upbringing was not “traditional.” At the time, Savinovskikh had the name Yulia and didn’t accept being a man. Savinovskikh fled to Spain to seek political asylum — and was recognized by the authorities there as a man

Digging Up The Past: A Stalin-Era...

Kazakh man discovers a Stalin-era mass grave in his backyard

Oh Deer! A Call Of The...

Strange grunts and groans have been heard in a Belarusian forest as contestants from several countries came together for the 21st European Championship of Stag Callers. The calls mimic those made by stags in the wild and are used by hunters to lure deer for the kill

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