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