UKRAINE LIVE BLOG: Changing Of The Guard
VISUAL REPORTS
Russia Rules Out Superjet Grounding After Crash Kills 41
Russia’s transport minister said there was no reason to ground the country’s fleet of Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft, as investigators tried to determine what forced a jet to make an emergency landing and burst into flames, killing 41 people.
High (Tech) Hopes For Tirana's Crumbling Pyramid
Plans have emerged to transform a 1980s pyramid built in the middle of the Albanian capital, Tirana, into an IT hub. It was built as a museum to dictator Enver Hoxha and has since served as a NATO base, TV studio, and nightclub. But it now stands abandoned and crumbling.
Husband Of The Year: Bulgarian Inventor Builds Robot For Injured Wife
A robot that allows people with disabilities to stand up and move about has been developed by a Bulgarian inventor. Lubomir Vassilev came up with the device for his wife, who lost the ability to use her legs in an accident.
PHOTOGALLERY: The Turbulent Journey Of Sukhoi's Superjet
A crash that killed 41 people when an Aeroflot flight burst into flames during an emergency landing in Moscow is among four major incidents involving the Superjet 100.* Issues have plagued the Russian jet since its inception.
OTHER NEWS
Pompeo Cancels Germany Visit, But Plans Meeting With Lavrov Next Week
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has abruptly canceled a visit to Germany, citing “pressing issues.” Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Pompeo and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would meet in the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi on May 14, their second meeting in just over a week.
U.S. Ambassador To Ukraine, Openly Criticized By Top Ukrainian Prosecutor, Departing Early
The U.S. ambassador to Ukraine is departing her position by the middle of May, two months ahead of schedule, according to four people familiar with the decision. A formal announcement by the U.S. State Department is expected.
Facebook Removes More Pages Linked To 'Inauthentic' Russian Operators
Facebook said it has removed more pages and accounts that are believed to have originated in Russia and were involved in "coordinated inauthentic behavior." The takedown included accounts on its Instagram photo-sharing platform.
Russian Authorities To Remove Tatar Slur From Crimean Textbook
The Russian authorities who control Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula have promised to remove a section of a high-school history textbook that claims many Crimean Tatars collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II.
OSCE Reports Tanks And Grad Missile Systems In Luhansk
OSCE observers in eastern Ukraine have reported that Russia-backed separatists have deployed tanks, howitzers, anti-aircraft missile systems, and Grad rocket missile systems in areas beyond the designated withdrawal line. Some weapon systems have also been seen in the center of separatist-held Luhansk. (Russian Service)
Ukrainian Police Investigating Attempted Murder Of Journalist
Ukrainian authorities said a reporter, identified as Vadym Komarov, has been hospitalized in a coma after a brutal attack in the city of Cherkasy, about 200 kilometers south of Kyiv. Officials did not say whether they believe Komarov may have been targeted for his reporting. He had repeatedly written about alleged corruption on the city council.
Pope Francis Arrives In North Macedonia For Historic Visit
Pope Francis has arrived in North Macedonia for the first-ever papal visit to the country. He is expected to hold a large Mass in the city's main square, and to encourage the country's drive toward integration into the EU and NATO.
POLL: Majority Of Russians Supports Ending Military Operation In Syria
A Levada Center poll conducted in April found that 55% of Russian respondents, up from 49% two years ago, support ending the military operation in Syria, while 30% support continuing to fight. Thirty-seven percent believe that Syria can become the next Afghanistan for Russia, up from 32% in 2017. (Russian Service)
Uzbekistan Criminalizes Unauthorized Use Of Drones
A new law on the use of drones carries a penalty of up to three years imprisonment for the illegal import, sale, purchase, storage or use of unmanned aerial vehicles, and 10 years for repeated violations. Previously, such actions were punishable by a $90 fine or assignment to mandatory labor. Drones may be legally imported to Uzbekistan only upon approval from the Cabinet of Ministers. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Keeping Kyrgyzstan’s Uranium In The Ground
Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov declared on May 4, 2019 that “There will be no mining of uranium in Kyrgyzstan.” But the people of Kyrgyzstan’s Tong district have confirmed there is a uranium-mining operation in their area.