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PHOTO GALLERY: Before The Murders: Rare Photographs Of Russia's Last Royal Family

PHOTO GALLERY

Before The Murders: Rare Photographs Of Russia's Last Royal Family

VISUAL REPORTS

Russian Pokemon Blogger Pleads Not Guilty As Trial Begins

A Russian blogger has pleaded not guilty to charges of religious hatred over a video of him playing Pokemon Go on his mobile phone in a church in the city of Yekaterinburg.

Ukrainian Protesters Wall Off Russia's Sberbank Headquarters In Kyiv

The Kyiv headquarters of Russia's state-owned Sberbank has suspended operations in the midst of protests by anti-Kremlin demonstrators who blocked off the building with concrete blocks on March 13.

'They Die Happy' -- Scandal At Ukrainian Clinic

The chief doctor at a psychiatric clinic in Ukraine is in custody following the death of seven patients, allegedly due to inadequate heating, which caused pneumonia. She is also alleged to have embezzled funds allocated to pay the hospital's heating bills.

Cerebral Palsy No Barrier For Kazakh Computer Whiz

Azat has cerebral palsy, but that hasn't stopped the 28-year-old from pursuing a career in computer repair and business management.

OTHER NEWS

Russia Reported Deploying Forces Near Libyan Border In Egypt

Russia appears to have deployed special forces to an air base near the Libyan border in Egypt.

EU Commissioner Says Gazprom Appears Set To Comply With Antitrust Rules

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager says Russia's state-run gas giant Gazprom appears ready to comply with European Union rules to end a five-year antitrust case and avoid fines.

Ekho Of Moscow Says Now Fully Russian-Owned

Alexei Venediktov, editor in chief of the local Russian radio station Ekho Of Moscow, announced on March 13 that the station’s shareholders have changed and it is now a fully owned Russian company, in compliance with Russian broadcasting regulations. (in Russian, Current Time TV)

Startup 3D Prints Russian Home

A home-building newbie is earning headlines for the Russian-designed 3D-printer technology that it used to erect a small house near Moscow in just a day.

Poroshenko Proposes Bill To Ban Dual Citizenship In Ukraine

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has proposed a bill, described as “urgent,” that would ban dual citizenship.

Crimean Tatar Official Receives Warning From Russia-Backed Officials

A deputy chairman of the Crimean Tatars' self-governing body, the Mejlis, has been summoned to the Russian-run Center for Combating Extremism in Ukraine's Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula.

Ukraine May Ban Russian Entrant From Eurovision Over Crimea Visit

Ukraine, which is hosting this year's Eurovision Song Contest, is considering banning Russia's competitor because she has performed in Russia-annexed Crimea.

Belarus Criticized For Largest Crackdown On Protesters In Years

Western governments and human rights groups are criticizing Belarus authorities for the biggest crackdown in years against peaceful protesters.

Residents Of Kyrgyz Village Demand Relocation After Plane Crash

Some 200 residents of a Kyrgyz village devastated by a deadly cargo-plane crash in January have held a demonstration to demand relocation by the state.

Responding To President’s Call, Uzbek Schools Grow Lemons

Following a New Year’s speech by President Shavkat Mirziyaev summoning citizens to demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, schools in Uzbekistan are now obligated to grow lemons -- at a hefty sum of $70 for resource-starved schools. (In Russian, Current Time TV)

COMMENTARY: Sokolovsky Case Is Like 1984

Commenting on the case against Ruslan Sokolovsky, who is facing trial for religious hatred and extremism after playing Pokemon Go in an Orthodox church, Yekaterinburg-based political analyst Fedor Krasheninnikov called the charges “ridiculous” and said the case looks like an attempt by forces within the security services and the Church to make him an example and “teach a lesson.” (Russian Service)

ANALYSIS: Kadyrov's Political Appointees In Russia's State Duma

A review of the activity of Chechen deputies serving in Russia’s State Duma finds hypocrisy and a veil of secrecy that shields them from their voters. Deputies congratulate each other and declare their spiritual adherence to Akhmad Kadyrov, the deceased father of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, but none has proposed legislation relating to Chechnya or raised the Republic's problems in plenary sessions. (in Russian, RFE/RL’s Caucasus Realities website)

POLYGRAPH.Info: Putin Claims Infant Mortality Rate In Russia Lower Than In Europe

PRESSROOM: RFE/RL Journalist Arrested In Belarus As Protests Escalate

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