Regional News
Russia: number of school starters down 25% in two years
In Russia, the number of school starters has gone down by 25% in the last two years 01.09.2025 Article published on the moscowtimes.ru website In September, around 1.5 million new starters will take their seats in classrooms across Russia. In total, 18 million pupils will be starting/returning to school, according to a Russian Government …
More than 20 Russian regions to penalise “encouraging women to have abortions”
More than 20 Russian regions are introducing penalties for “encouraging women to have abortions” 01.09.2025 Article published on the moscowtimes.ru website On 1 September, laws to prohibit “encouraging women to have abortions” came into force in the Bryansk and Kirov regions. According to the RBK, similar regulations are already in force in …
More than half of Tajikistan’s population have no access to drinking water.
More than half of Tajikistan’s population have no access to drinking water. A new water supply plan announced by Dushanbe has been greeted with scepticism 29.08.2025 Article published on the rus.azattyq.org website The Tajikistan Government has announced a three billion somoni (approximately US$324 million) programme to provide 72% of the country’s …
Russia: project to help teenagers leaving orphanages
An educational project “Your first apartment” has been launched to help teenagers leaving orphanages 26.08.2025 Article published on the ASI website This project aims to help teenagers lead independent lives. On 26 August, a public event to discuss the “Your First Apartment: How to Start Living an Independent Life After Leaving …
People displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh receive unpaid pensions following Ombudsman intervention
Persons forcibly displaced from the Nagorno-Karabakh region finally receive a year’s worth of unpaid pensions following the intervention of Armenia’s Human Rights Ombudsman 25.08.2025 Article published on the aysor.am/ru website An official representative of people forcibly displaced from the Nagorno-Karabakh region submitted an appeal to the office of Armenia’s Human Rights Ombudsman …
Kyrgyzstan proposes to legalise “voluntary tipping” to medical professionals
Tips instead of decent wages? Kyrgyzstan proposes to legalise “voluntary tipping” to medical professionals 23.08.2025 Video article published on the rus.azattyq.org website In Kyrgyzstan, there is a proposal to legalise “voluntary tipping” to doctors. The Ministry of Justice believes there should be a transparent way for people to express their gratitude …
Survey into Russian charitable giving – what and to whom?
Results of a survey on who Russians help the most and how often 22.08.2025 Article published on the givingjournal.ru website The Aimars communications group, the Sidorin Lab reputation management agency and the X5 Vyruchayem charity, have carried out research on people’s attitudes to charity. Over a three-month period from 1 April …
Crime wave and trauma among returning Russian military personnel
Russia’s law enforcement agencies continue to report rising crime following the return of more than 130,000 participants in the war in Ukraine, including former prisoners 20.08.2025 Article published on the moscowtimes.ru website During the first six months of this year, the Prosecutor General’s Office recorded 27,124 crimes in the Russian Federation, which …
Belarus: “Ridiculous” prices still on the rise but maybe a small glimmer of hope
Belarus: “Ridiculous” prices still on the rise but maybe a small glimmer of hope 11.08.2025 Article published on the zerkalo.io website According to the country’s National Statistics Committee, Belarus’s annual inflation rate rose to 7.4% in July (from 7.3% the previous month). In particular, the cost of food went up by 10.6% …
