Radio Free Europe

RFE/RL journalists report the news in 22 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Russia.

More news

North Ossetia Imposes Limits On Incoming Cars As Line Grows At Region's Border Crossing With Georgia.

The traffic jam at the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border stretched more than 20 kilometers on September 28, and the wait time was about two days.

The traffic jam at the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border stretched more than 20 kilometers on September 28, and the wait time was about two days.

North Ossetia has imposed restrictions on cars arriving from other parts of Russia as an exodus of military-age men out of the country has resulted in a long line of vehicles at a remote border crossing with Georgia.

Sergei Menyailo, North Ossetia's governor, said on September 28 that the restrictions were being introduced in Russia's North Caucasus region because it “will not be physically able to ensure order and security if this flow continues to grow."
The restrictions apply to "citizens who are registered with the military not only in North Ossetia, but also in other regions of the country," Menyailo said on Telegram after imposing the restrictions by decree .
Menyailo calls the decision to restrict entry a "forced measure" associated with "a huge amount of transit traffic" and many kilometers of queues at the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border. Exceptions will be made only for residents of North Ossetia, Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, and Georgia, and tourists who have the necessary documents. Mobile operational groups are already working at the entrances to North Ossetia and at the entrance to the Upper Lars checkpoint to check whether those entering are subject to conscription. Representatives of the military registration and enlistment offices in the operational groups have general lists of conscripts from the Ministry of Defense, Menyailo said. North Ossetian authorities announced the creation of a temporary draft office at Upper Lars on September 27 to issue draft papers to reservists who are attempting to leave Russia in defiance of the mobilization order. Tens of thousands of draft-age men have been leaving Russia since President Vladimir Putin announced a partial military mobilization last week. Georgia, which allows Russians to stay without a visa for up to a year, has been one of the most popular destinations. There are no direct flights between Russia and Georgia, and the Upper Lars crossing, which straddles a remote mountain pass, is the only operational crossing point between them. The traffic jam at Upper Lars on September 28 stretched more than 20 kilometers, and the wait time was about two days. On September 27, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that the number of trucks and cars waiting to cross the border had grown to 5,500. In response to the huge traffic jam, Russian citizens have been allowed to cross the border at the Upper Lars on foot despite the border crossing not being intended for this. Before Putin announced the military mobilization about 5,000 to 6,000 Russian citizens crossed into Georgia through Upper Lars every day. Now the daily influx of Russians is about twice that, said Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri. Georgia does not plan to impose restrictions on Russians. Georgian authorities on September 28 also condemned the so-called referendums that took place from September 23 to September 27 in four territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia. “These attempts to annex Ukrainian territories are unacceptable. Georgia strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement .
The statement described the referendums as “cynical violations of international law and the will of the Ukrainian people, who continue to fight heroically against the invasion.”

With reporting by Reuters

BBC boss Tim Davie rejects idea of commercial model.

BBC boss Tim Davie rejects idea of commercial model.

The BBC director-general has said that a commercial model for the licence fee would be a mistake that could leave the UK's media market "looking exactly like America". Speaking to The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee, Tim Davie said: "In my view, it...

Sky News -

Potential voter to 'Jesse Watters Primetime': Does Biden remember who his wife is?.

Potential voter to 'Jesse Watters Primetime': Does Biden remember who his wife is?.

'Jesse Watters Primetime' asks residents their thoughts on the first family's marriage. Subscribe to Fox News! Watch more Fox News Video: Watch Fox News Channel Live: FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service delivering bre...

Fox News -

Terrifying new footage shows cargo ship SLAMMING into Baltimore bridge causing massive collapse.

Terrifying new footage shows cargo ship SLAMMING into Baltimore bridge causing massive collapse.

NEW footage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse shows the horrifying moment the bridge crumbles into the water, sending cars into the frigid river below. A bridge in Baltimore collapsed at around 1:30 am on Tuesday morning after a cargo ship,...

The Sun -

Sec. Buttigieg downplays concerns about U.S. bridges after collapse in Baltimore

Sec. Buttigieg downplays concerns about U.S. bridges after collapse in Baltimore

Secretary of Transportation Pete #Buttigieg sought to tamp down concerns about the safety and durability of bridges throughout the U.S. after a bridge in #Baltimore collapsed. » Subscribe to NBC News: NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative...

NBC News -

Baltimore declares a local state of emergency after a major bridge partially collapses.

Baltimore declares a local state of emergency after a major bridge partially collapses.

#Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has declared a local state of emergency after the Francis Scott Key Bridge partially collapsed in #Maryland. » Subscribe to NBC News: NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that de...

NBC News -

President Biden responds to protestors calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

President Biden responds to protestors calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

President Biden responds to protestors calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. » Subscribe to NBC News: NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that deliver compelling, diverse and engaging news stories. NBC News Digital ...

NBC News -