Milestones

Ten years ago: Invoking emergency powers, the government of South Africa outlawed any action, word or written document protesting the practice of detention without trials or calling for the release of detainees.

Five years ago: The Russian Congress of People’s Deputies rejected an appeal by President Boris Yeltsin for another six months to carry out his reforms, ordering him to select a new Cabinet by July; a compromise was worked out a few days later.

One year ago: 7-year-old Jessica Dubroff, who’d hoped to become the youngest person to fly cross-country, was killed with her father and flight instructor when her plane crashed after takeoff from Cheyenne, Wyo.