Current Time

Hundreds Protest For Second Day In Russia's Khabarovsk After Arrest Of Popular Governor

Hundreds marched through Khabarovsk amid a second day of protests in the Russian Far Eastern city over the arrest of a popular regional governor.

Ukraine: Fueling Its Future Defense From Soviet ICBMs

As the U.S. and Russia debate extending their New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty past 2021, it’s a question that can come to mind: What happens to nuclear weapons that countries agree to decommission? In eastern Ukraine’s Pavlohrad Chemical Plant, many of them essentially get a second chance. Our #InUkraine program this spring took a look at how the Pavlohrad Chemical Plant converts solid fuel from Soviet-era ICBMs into propellant for new missiles.

Kazakhstan Dismisses Chinese 'Fake News' About Deadly 'Unknown Pneumonia'

Desperate relatives are waiting in line for hours for an overwhelmed Kazakh morgue to release the bodies of their loved ones, raising questions about the country's COVID-19 data. Official statistics show hundreds of deaths related to COVID-19 and more than 1,000 dead from "pneumonia." But Chinese news reports about a form of pneumonia in Kazakhstan that is deadlier than the coronavirus have been dismissed by the Kazakh Health Ministry as "fake news."

As Kazakhstan's COVID-19 Infections Rise, The City Of Almaty Struggles To Bury Its Dead

Russian Police Raid Homes Of Opposition Group Coordinators, Independent Lawmakers

Czech Intelligence And Defense Ministry Deny Ties With Former Russian Military Journalist Ivan Safronov

Former Russian Journalist Reportedly Charged With Aiding Czech, U.S. Spy Agencies

A former Russian journalist who has been arrested on treason charges is alleged to have handed secrets to the United States via the Czech intelligence service, according to his lawyer. Ivan Safronov was detained on July 7.

Russian Graffiti Artist Offers Happiness In A Spray Can

Russian street artist Boris Makarov, alias Bob Makar, has taken a spray can to gray walls in his hometown of Dubna, north of Moscow. He says he wants to brighten up people's lives. Even the local municipal head likes his work.

Moscow Election Official With Coronavirus Reportedly Worked On Voting Day

A member of a district election commission in Moscow says the chairwoman of the district worked when Russians voted for constitutional amendments even though she had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Russian Journalist Avoids Prison, Will Appeal Guilty Verdict

Russian journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva says she will appeal after a court found her guilty of "justifying terrorism" and ordered her to pay a fine of 500,000 rubles (about $7,000). The court in the western Russian city of Pskov announced its verdict on July 6 in a case that has drawn condemnation from human rights groups. The charges related to a 2018 article Prokopyeva wrote linking a suicide bombing to Russia's political climate.

Analysts: Russia's Constitutional Vote Came With 'Loaded Dice' That Undermine Rule Of Law

Initial Vote Results Suggest Russia Backs Keeping Putin In Power, But Opposition Persists

Russia Debates A Prolonged Putin Presidency

How Russia’s Presidency Could Get Even Stronger

Defining Marriage As Heterosexual: Russia Seeks To Protect The Concept Of 'Mama' And 'Papa'

Voter Selfies And Tree-Stump Polling Stations: How Russia's COVID-19 Constitutional Vote Is Playing Out

Putin's Constitutional Flip-Flop That Could Extend His Rule Until 2036

Russians are going to the polls to vote on constitutional changes that would allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in office for two more terms. Putin supports the amendment, but over his many years in power, he's repeatedly denied that he would change the constitution to extend his rule. Here’s a look back at his previous statements that are at odds with what he is saying now.

Attorney: Constitutional Amendment On International Law Could Give Russia A ‘Red Button’

God Could Soon Have A Place In Russia’s Constitution

By July 1, Russians will decide whether or not 206 amendments that could transform the role of the president and the status of citizens’ rights should become part of the Russian constitution. Although all of these changes already have been approved by President Vladimir Putin and the legislature, President Putin has stated that they will become law only with Russian voters’ approval. Until July 1, Current Time will take a look each day at the most substantial proposed changes.

Activists Detained Outside Russian Court Hearing 'Network' Case

Russian police detained dozens of activists outside a St. Petersburg courthouse where a trial was under way for two defendants accused of belonging to a terrorist organization. Opposition figures and rights defenders have said the charges against members of the group called Network are politically motivated and meant to silence activists.