VISUAL REPORTS
Pope Warns Of Divisive Ideologies As He Beatifies Romanian Bishops
Pope Francis has warned against any new ideological attempt to sow fear or division in society as he beatified seven Romanian Greek-Catholic bishops who died in prison during Romania’s communist regime.
Anti-Government Protests In Serbia Pass Half-Year Mark
Thousands marched in Belgrade on June 1 to protest against the Serbian government of President Aleksandar Vucic, in rallies that have taken place every Saturday since December.
Uzbekistan's 'Miracle' Mineral Water Madness
Thousands of people have flocked to a well in Uzbekistan’s Chust district to fill up on mineral water they believe has miraculous healing powers. But Uzbek health officials are warning that the water isn't safe to drink.
PHOTOGALLERY: Mass Death On Soviet Rails, 30 Years Later
The Soviet Union's deadliest postwar train disaster occurred 30 years ago on a route to the Black Sea, claiming 575 lives and injuring 800 -- according to official figures.
OTHER NEWS
U.S. Judge Finds Alleged Russian Hacker Nikulin Competent To Stand Trial
A U.S. judge has ordered that Yevgeny Nikulin, a Russian national extradited from the Czech Republic and charged in one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history, is mentally competent to stand trial, paving the way for the start of formal proceedings.
Kremlin Comments On Calvey Case Ahead Of Flagship Economic Forum
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the Kremlin would like to see prominent American investor Michael Calvey attend Russia's flagship annual economic forum in St. Petersburg later this week, but that the Kremlin would not intervene in his case. Calvey is under house arrest on financial fraud charges.
Don't Build The Church Here: 'Localized' Protests Pose New Challenge To Kremlin
As President Vladimir Putin closes in on his 20th year as Russia's preeminent leader, the Kremlin has effectively sucked the oxygen out of any viable political opposition. But Russia is entering a new period of civic activity. Protests are erupting that are local, unscripted, younger, and more often than not, independent of established civil-society groups or political parties.
Thousands Rally In Russia's Komi Republic Against New Landfill
Some 7,000 demonstrators, protesting what they called Moscow’s "colonial politics," have rallied in Russia's northwestern Komi Republic against the construction of a new landfill in the neighboring Arkhangelsk region.
Roskomnadzor To Require Tinder To Share Data With Security Services
Russia’s media regulator has added the dating app Tinder to the official registry of organizations that “disseminate information.” The designation means that, if requested by law enforcement agencies, Tinder must provide data to Roskomnadzor about its users, including, possibly, photos, IP addresses, social media profiles, and payment information. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Elton John Excoriates Censorship Of Film For Russian Market
Elton John has lashed out at the decision by a Russian distributor to remove intimate same-sex scenes from the domestic release of the biopic Rocketman, rejecting “in the strongest possible terms the decision to pander to local laws and censor Rocketman for the Russian market."
Russian Pollster Changes Survey Questions, And Putin's Ratings Soar
One week ago, the Kremlin was jolted by a new opinion poll that showed trust in President Vladimir Putin had fallen to the lowest level in nearly 20 years. One week later, a new survey by the same pollster showed markedly different results.
Kuchma Returns To ‘Minsk’ Negotiations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced that former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma will once again represent Ukraine on the trilateral “Minsk” group, which is charged with negotiating a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. Kuchma, 80, left the group in 2018, citing his age. (Ukrainian Service)
Azerbaijan Cancels Boeing Contract Over Safety Issues
A spokesman for Azerbaijan's flag carrier AZAL says the company has canceled a $1 billion contract with Boeing to purchase 10 737 MAX jets following the fatal crashes involving the aircraft in Ethiopia and Indonesia.
Kazakh Women Rally To Demand Benefits Ahead Of Snap Presidential Poll
Dozens of women have rallied in front of the presidential palace in Kazakhstan's capital, Nur-Sultan, demanding the government fulfill its promises to support single mothers and families with many children, less than a week before a snap presidential election.
Chinese 'Reeducation Camps' Whistle-Blower Leaves Kazakhstan
Sairagul Sauytbay, an ethnic Kazakh Chinese national whose court testimony helped expose so-called "reeducation camps" in northwestern China, has left Kazakhstan after Kazakh officials denied her asylum.
ELSEWHERE: After Centuries Of Neglect, Afghanistan’s Historic Minaret Under Threat From Taliban