RFE/RL Headlines
12/14/2010 8:35:22 PM
A daily digest of the English-language news and analysis written by the staff of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty RFE/RL is looking for guest bloggers, preferably writing from and about our broadcast region. If you're interested, drop us a line at webteam@rferl.org. |
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Features
Russia's Khodorkovsky Awaits Verdict In Second Trial
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former oil tycoon who many now see as Russia's most famous political prisoner, faces an additional six years in jail in what his supporters say will really be a verdict on the state of authoritarianism in Russia. More 
Mottaki Doomed By Personal Animus, Not Political Visions
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's firing of Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki was sudden and brutal. But the firing may say more about Ahmadinejad's personal style and preferences than about disagreements over foreign policy. More 
Holbrooke Death Unlikely To Change U.S. Policy On Afghanistan, Pakistan
Analysts and experts say Richard Holbrooke's influence on U.S. policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan had been waning in recent months and his death therefore is unlikely to alter Washington's course in those countries. More 
Prosecutors To Appeal U.K. Bail For WikiLeaks' Assange
A British judge has granted bail to Julian Assange, the controversial founder of the WikiLeaks whistle-blower website, who was being held in a London prison on an international arrest warrant. More 
Russian Gov't OKs Highway Through Khimki Forest
After years of debate and escalating protests, the Russian government has given a green light to the construction of a controversial highway between Moscow and St. Petersburg passing through Khimki forest. The committee says alternatives would not only cost more money, but would displace more people from their homes. Ecologist and activists are appealing to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev not to approve the decision. More 
Bakiev's Nephew Appeals Verdict
Kyrgyzstan's Chui Oblast Court will review on December 20 the appeal by Sanjar Bakiev of the 10-year prison term he received last month. More 
Kyrgyz Hajj Pilgrims 'Stranded For Weeks'
Some 200 Kyrgyz Muslims who hoped to take part in the hajj last month are stranded along Saudi Arabia's border with the United Arab Emirates. More 
Chornobyl Veterans Protest In Ukraine
About 100 veterans of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster have staged a protest on Liberty Square in Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkiv. More 
Armenian Military Launches Hotline For Complaints
Armenia's Defense Ministry has launched a hotline for reporting complaints, following a recent surge of violent incidents and non-combat deaths within the armed forces. More Kyrgyz officials say another weapons cache was found in the southern Osh region. More 
Wife: 'No News' Of Iranian Filmmaker
The wife of jailed Iranian filmmaker and journalist Mohammad Nourizad says she has had no news about his health, just days after he planned to begin a dry hunger-strike in Tehran's Evin prison. More 
Serbian Inflation Hits 10 Percent
Central Bank Governor Dejan Soskic said the government had planned for inflation of 6 percent in 2010. More 
Armenia Approves Army Plan
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and his National Security Council have approved a five-year plan to modernize the armed forces, including the acquisition of long-range, precision-guided weapons. More 
UN Policy Change May Endanger Lives
The trade union of the United Nations administrative personnel is concerned that revisions in the existing policy on security management will put lives at higher level of risk and as a result -- more casualties for the UN staff operating in volatile areas. More 
'Unfortunately, A Hazara MP Cannot Represent Pashtuns'
This week, "On The Waves Of Freedom" discussed corruption and governance in Afghanistan with lawmaker and former presidential candidate Ramzan Bashardost and other guests. More 
The Balkans Look To 2011 With Cautious Optimism
A number of situations could have turned ugly recently in the Balkans. Does the fact that they didn't translate into hope for progress? More |
