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Nursultan Nazarbayev ruled Kazakstan between 1991 and 2019. Over three decades the former president and his inner circle, accused of corruption and nepotism, have built a cult of personality around him.

Nursultan Nazarbayev ruled Kazakstan between 1991 and 2019. Over three decades the former president and his inner circle, accused of corruption and nepotism, have built a cult of personality around him. © elbasy.kz

Kazakstan: Nazarbayev’s Fading Personality Cult

Since 1991, the ex-leader has become identified with the state itself, but his status is now crumbling.

Members of the Kyiv Territorial Defense Unit are trained in an industrial area outside the capital Kyiv. US intelligence stated that a Russian miliary invasion of Ukraine is "imminent", but Ukrainian authorities have called the statement as exaggerated.

Members of the Kyiv Territorial Defense Unit are trained in an industrial area outside the capital Kyiv. US intelligence stated that a Russian miliary invasion of Ukraine is "imminent", but Ukrainian authorities have called the statement as exaggerated. © Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

“Calm Down and Breathe” - Ukraine Downplays Russian Invasion

Experts say that Zelensky fears the impact on the country’s economy and his chances of winning a second term.

Pro-Kremlin disinformation in Ukraine has reached levels unseen since 2014, say researchers. International audiences are not spared as studies show that Russian state-controlled media that cater for Western audiences in various languages, such as RT and Sputnik, disseminate anti-West conspiracy theories.

Pro-Kremlin disinformation in Ukraine has reached levels unseen since 2014, say researchers. International audiences are not spared as studies show that Russian state-controlled media that cater for Western audiences in various languages, such as RT and Sputnik, disseminate anti-West conspiracy theories. © Misha Friedman/Getty Images

Ukraine: Russia Mobilises Disinfo Alongside Military

Could a sudden increase in fake news be a precursor to real-world escalation?

Marin Pavlescu, 19, left his mandatory military service as he denounced that he was harassed because of his homosexuality, sparking a debate about the army and LGBT rights in Moldova.

Marin Pavlescu, 19, left his mandatory military service as he denounced that he was harassed because of his homosexuality, sparking a debate about the army and LGBT rights in Moldova. © Marin Pavlescu

Moldova: A Soldier’s Coming Out Sparks Debate

The case of 18-year-old gay recruit who refused to finish his mandatory military service due to harassment has set off a wider discussion about LGBT rights.

Ukrainian servicemen in the trenches near the town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region. (January 8, 2022)

Ukrainian servicemen in the trenches near the town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region. (January 8, 2022) © IWPR

In the Trenches of Ukraine’s Long War

As diplomacy scrambles to avert the threat of a Russian invasion, Ukraine is locked into a consuming, nerve-wrecking conflict against Moscow-backed militias.

Prominent Kyrgyz investigative journalist Bolot Temirov as he was arrested in the office of the outlet he founded, Terminov Live, on January 22.

Prominent Kyrgyz investigative journalist Bolot Temirov as he was arrested in the office of the outlet he founded, Terminov Live, on January 22. © Kloop.kg

Kyrgyz Authorities Arrest Investigative Journalist

Case highlights growing pressures on free expression in Central Asian state.

A view of central Kazakstan's capital Nur-Sultan, with the 105-metre tall Baiterek tower on the horizon. Previously known as Astana, meaning "capital city" in Kazakh, the city of 1 million was renamed on 20 March 2019 as a tribute to the long-ruling Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, shortly after his resignation.

A view of central Kazakstan's capital Nur-Sultan, with the 105-metre tall Baiterek tower on the horizon. Previously known as Astana, meaning "capital city" in Kazakh, the city of 1 million was renamed on 20 March 2019 as a tribute to the long-ruling Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, shortly after his resignation. © Leon Neal - Pool/Getty Images

Kazakstan: Will Nur-Sultan City Be Renamed?

Calls for reinstatement of “Astana” as ex-leader continues to be blamed for legacy of corruption and inequality.

A Ukrainian border guard stands at the post in this undated photo.

A Ukrainian border guard stands at the post in this undated photo. © State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

Will Belarus be Springboard for Russian Incursion into Ukraine?

Troop deployment reinforces tensions ahead of war games planned for next month.

Armenia Questions CSTO Role

The military alliance’s intervention in the Kazak crisis came in stark contrast to its inaction over Karabakh.

Global Voices: Europe/Eurasia

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A woman reacts over the body of her daughter, next to a clinic that was damaged during a Russian missile attack, on June 1, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. At least three were killed, including a child, and others were injured by falling debris from intercepted missiles.

A woman reacts over the body of her daughter, next to a clinic that was damaged during a Russian missile attack, on June 1, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine. At least three were killed, including a child, and others were injured by falling debris from intercepted missiles. © Roman Pilipey/Getty Images

Ukraine Justice: “Reporting the Story is Just the Start”

Journalists need training and support to properly cover war crimes trials.

Students attend a lesson on housekeeping at a training facility for domestic workers on November 22, 2022 in Kampala, Uganda. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are a frequent destination for Ugandan domestic workers, with official estimates suggesting that around one hundred and sixty-five thousand Ugandans are in temporary employment contracts in the region.

Students attend a lesson on housekeeping at a training facility for domestic workers on November 22, 2022 in Kampala, Uganda. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are a frequent destination for Ugandan domestic workers, with official estimates suggesting that around one hundred and sixty-five thousand Ugandans are in temporary employment contracts in the region. © Luke Dray/Getty Images

International Migrants Day

Ugandan Women Pay the Price of Exploitation

Activists warn that vulnerable domestic workers risk abuse, often returning with serious health conditions.

Ukraine War Diary by A. Borden

Harsh Victory at Position X

Commitment, sacrifice and luck secured a vital early win in the south-eastern campaign, but can Ukrainian forces press on?

Sevim Kaya has been a bus driver for 16 years.

Sevim Kaya has been a bus driver for 16 years. © Umut Akar

Behind the Wheel in a Macho City

Some women face Adana's male-dominated traffic chaos for a living.

Karine (not her real name) was 15 when she realised that the male body she was born into was not hers. She moved from the rural community she grew up in to the capital Yerevan to be free to be herself. Unlinke many people in her community she was able to find a stable job as a hairdresser and manicurist.

Karine (not her real name) was 15 when she realised that the male body she was born into was not hers. She moved from the rural community she grew up in to the capital Yerevan to be free to be herself. Unlinke many people in her community she was able to find a stable job as a hairdresser and manicurist. © Anahit Zakaryan

Life in the Shadows for Armenia’s Transgender Community

Recent murder highlights widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTI people.

An AFPTV cameraman films while smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12, 2023 as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for the sixth consecutive day. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8.

An AFPTV cameraman films while smoke plumes billow during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on October 12, 2023 as raging battles between Israel and the Hamas movement continue for the sixth consecutive day. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8. © Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images

The Israel-Hamas Conflict

Interview: The War on Disinformation

Open source intelligence (OSINT) can provide facts – but impatient, angry audiences often prefer opinions.

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