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Star Wars: A Russian Military Satellite Gets Very, Very Close To One Used By Ukraine

19 October 2026 at 16:02
Last week, a Russian military satellite came “exceptionally close” to another Finnish-operated satellite that provides intelligence to Ukraine. “It’s concerning and aggressive with potential hostile intent – but I also think cooler heads believe it is signaling on the part of the Russians.”

Lavrov In Tehran Amid Questions Over Whether Moscow Is Helping Iran In War With US

19 October 2026 at 14:46
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Tehran on October 19 for talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi and a meeting with President Masud Pezeshkian amid questions over what support, if any, Moscow is providing Iran to fight its war with the United States.

'We're Never Going To Be The Major Player': Former Diplomat's Reality Check On US Ambitions In Central Asia

19 October 2026 at 13:42
Marco Rubio has brought nearly 300 American business representatives to Uzbekistan for a meeting with representatives of the five states of Central Asia. But Daniel N. Rosenblum, a former US ambassador to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, cautions that investment faces major obstacles.

Trump Again Criticizes Zelenskyy, Says Open To Meeting With Putin And Xi

18 October 2026 at 23:52
President Donald Trump slammed his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and defended his decision to waive sweeping sanctions planned against Russia as an effort to keep Moscow at the negotiating table amid criticism from Kyiv and US lawmakers that it sends the wrong message to the Kremlin.

Ukrainian Officials Slam Trump's Waiver Of Russia Sanctions As Rubio Defends Move

18 October 2026 at 11:36
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said that US President Donald Trump's decision to waive sweeping sanctions against Russia was "indecisiveness," which "sends the wrong message to the aggressor."

Zelenskyy Says Russia Seeking Blackout In Ukraine After Latest Onslaught On Energy Facilities

18 October 2026 at 11:07
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian strikes targeted energy facilities in multiple regions, leaving thousands of households without electricity, as Ukrainian and Russian officials reported civilian deaths following drone attacks on October 18.

Exclusive: KGB Complex Rises On Historic Catholic Cemetery Grounds In Minsk

18 October 2026 at 08:00
Despite legal protections, the Belarusian state is building a sprawling academy complex for the KGB on the grounds of a historic Catholic cemetery in the heart of Minsk, RFE/RL’s Belarus Service has found. Plans call for a swimming pool, a shooting gallery, and office suites for senior officials.

Kasparov Says Talks With Putin Pointless, War Is 'Ideological Basis' Of His Rule

17 October 2026 at 15:02
Russian Chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov tells RFE/RL Putin is set on “liquidating Ukraine” and will not concessions. Slamming a proposed US deal to buy Russian diesel, Kasparov said that if Ukraine wins the war Putin will fall – giving a chance for democracy in Russia.

Russia's Deadly Attacks Damage Homes, Energy Sites In Ukraine As Kyiv Says Starlink Restrictions Continue

17 October 2026 at 11:27
Russia continued to pound Ukraine with missiles and drones, killing civilians and damaging residential buildings and energy sites, as Kyiv described disruptions to the satellite communications of US company SpaceX, crucial to the country's defense, as a deliberate "operation."

Sanctions, War, Isolation: Why Hasn't Iran's Hard-Line Government Collapsed?

17 October 2026 at 08:36
Iran’s Islamic republic has survived war, economic crisis, and widespread protests. So why is the system still standing? Vahid Pourostad of RFE/RL's Negah-e-Farda (Iran Tomorrow) program explains that its survival rests on entrenched networks of power and a fractured opposition.

Trump Waives Graham Act Sanctions On Russia Before They Take Effect

17 October 2026 at 08:33
US President Donald Trump has waived nearly all substantive sanctions, tariffs, and restrictions included in a bipartisan law aimed at pressuring Russia to end its war against Ukraine, prompting sharp criticism from Ukraine advocates and US lawmakers from both parties.

Rubio Travels To Central Asia As US Seeks Deeper Trade And Security Ties In Region

17 October 2026 at 08:18
As Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to Uzbekistan, Washington is hoping the high-level diplomatic engagement translates into concrete economic and security cooperation. 

Russia Still Needs More Soldiers. The Kremlin Is Still Desperate To Avoid Mobilization

16 October 2026 at 17:48
Many Russians feared the Kremlin would order a new mobilization after last month’s elections: to replenish decimated forces fighting in Ukraine. That hasn’t happened. But creative and coercive recruiting tactics – called “quiet” or “creeping” mobilization by some – continue nationwide.

Interview: Russia's Shadow War On NATO Is 'Bound To Intensify'

16 October 2026 at 12:58
Russia's shadow campaign of drone incursions, sabotage, and assassination attempts in NATO countries has largely backfired by drawing a resolute response but is approaching a "crucial point," Christopher Walker, vice president of the Center for European Policy Analysis, tells RFE/RL.

Trophylab: Hundreds Of Foreign Companies Access Research On Russian Weapons Captured In Ukraine

15 October 2026 at 15:40
A Ukrainian platform that shares captured Russian and North Korean military hardware for “destructive testing” and other research has granted access to 376 foreign companies and agencies since its launch, RFE/RL has learned.

Russia And The Taliban Are Drawing Closer. What's In It For Both Sides?

15 October 2026 at 10:27
Russia is deepening diplomatic and military cooperation with Afghanistan's Taliban rulers, driven by security concerns in Central Asia. But worsening Taliban-Pakistan tensions and questions over the scope of Moscow's assistance are complicating the rapprochement.

Zimbabwean author Simbarashe Kundizeza denies using AI to write prize-winning story

Article in Atlantic claims The Blue Fighter was artificially generated, days after it won Caine prize for African writers

The Zimbabwean writer Simbarashe Kundizeza has denied using AI to write a prize-winning short story after an article in the Atlantic said software had flagged it as almost completely AI-generated.

Kundizeza’s story The Blue Fighter was announced as the winner of the prestigious Caine prize for African writers on 6 October. Five days later, The Atlantic published an article by the author and journalist Vauhini Vara titled: “Yet Another Literary prize winner Seems to Be AI.”

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© Photograph: pr image

© Photograph: pr image

© Photograph: pr image

Girls In Hijabs Turned Away From Azerbaijani Schools Amid Protests Over Dress Code

14 October 2026 at 19:22
A new dress-code dispute in Azerbaijan’s public schools has sparked protests by parents and students after reports that girls wearing hijabs, or Islamic headscarf, were turned away from classes. The protests come after a new ban on clothing deemed incompatible with the secular nature of education.

Ukraine Tests AI-Powered Drones As Debate Grows Over Autonomous Weapons

14 October 2026 at 16:00
Ukraine is increasingly using artificial intelligence in drones and other battlefield systems to track, identify, and attack targets. Military officials say humans still remain in control of lethal decisions, but developers warn that fully autonomous weapons are moving closer to reality.

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