VISUAL REPORTS
Russian HIV Patients Deal With Stigma As Infection Rates Rise
Nearly 160,000 new cases of HIV were diagnosed in Europe last year, with two-thirds registered in Russia, according to the World Health Organization. Ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1, RFE/RL’s Russian Service spoke to one HIV patient in Moscow, who described the routine prejudice he faces.
Defeated Georgian Presidential Candidate Rejects Results
Grigol Vashadze, the candidate on the losing side of the runoff in Georgia's presidential election, has told supporters that he doesn't recognize the results, and called on them at a rally in Tbilisi on November 29 to demand street protests and snap parliamentary elections.
Belarus Man Brings Graveyard to Digital Life
Andrei Burdenkov is creating a free digital index of the country's largest cemetery in the western city of Hrodna to help people track down their ancestors. He has previously helped Americans trace their ancestors' graves in Belarus and put them in touch with living relatives.
OTHER NEWS
In Kharkiv Under Martial Law, Shrugs And Confusion Amid Mobilization
In Kharkiv, one of 10 Ukrainian districts now under martial law, regional authorities have taken some precautionary measures, ordering checks of bomb shelters, schools, and gymnasiums, where people might gather in the event of an attack. But banks are open, cafes are buzzing, and the subway is running on schedule, and many residents shrug off talk of martial law or, in some cases, haven’t heard the news.
ECHR Orders Russia To Report On Status Of Captured Ukrainian Sailors
Ukraine’s justice ministry has said that the European Court of Human Rights has ordered Russia to provide information about the legal grounds for the detention of Ukrainian sailors, the place where they are being held, their injuries, and any medical care that has been provided, and has set a deadline of December 3. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Captured Ukrainian Sailors Allegedly Transferred To Moscow
A lawyer for some of the 24 sailors from three Ukrainian naval vessels captured by Russia in the Sea of Azov last weekend has said that an unknown number has been transferred to the Lefortovo detention center in Moscow.
Moscow Rejects HIV Rates Reported By WHO Study
Moscow has rejected a new report co-authored by the World Health Organization that shows Russia registered the highest number of fresh HIV cases in Europe last year. Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova told reporters on November 29 that the number of new HIV diagnoses in the country was 85,802, not 104,000 as the report stated.
Butina Case Appears To Be Approaching Settlement
Maria Butina, the woman charged with working secretly for the Russian government to influence politicians in Washington, appears to be moving toward a settlement of her case with U.S. prosecutors. The Russian news agency TASS reported on November 29 that Butina's family expects her lawyers to make a pretrial deal.
Ukraine Bars Russian Men From Entering Country
In the aftermath of a maritime clash with Russia, Ukraine has barred Russian male nationals between 16 and 60 from traveling to the country, President Petro Poroshenko announced on November 30. Ukraine's border service has said it will only allow Ukrainian citizens to travel to Crimea following the imposition of martial law.
Local Elections Cancelled In 10 Ukrainian Regions Due To Martial Law
Ukraine’s Central Election Commission reports that it cancelled all local elections in 10 Ukrainian regions under martial law. Over 60 elections to municipal, district and regional representative offices were scheduled across those regions in December. (Russian Service)
Kosovo Spurns EU, U.S. Calls To Lift Heavy Tax On Serbian Imports
Kosovo has spurned calls from the United States and European Union to eliminate a new 100 percent tariff on Serbian imports, saying the levy will stay until Serbia recognizes Kosovo's sovereignty and reaches a normalization agreement with its neighbor.
Committee To Protect Kyrgyz People In China Established In Bishkek
A committee to protect ethnic Kyrgyz in China has been established in Kyrgyzstan amid fresh reports of further repression by Beijing of the multiethnic indigenous community in China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang.
PRESSROOM: Radio Liberty’s Early Days: ‘Every Story Was A Test’