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The Week's Best

The Week's Best: 9 RFE/RL Stories You Need To Read (Or Watch)

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The Week's Best

The Week's Best: 9 RFE/RL Stories You Need To Read (Or Watch)

We know that rferl.org isn't the only website you read, and it's possible that you may have missed some of our most interesting journalism from the past week. To make sure you're up-to-date, here are some of the highlights produced by RFE/RL's team of correspondents, multimedia editors, and visual journalists over the past seven days.

As Karabakh War Rages, Armenian Leader Treads Delicately In Relations With Kremlin

Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh has complicated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s relations with the Kremlin, as it has created new geopolitical opportunities and challenges for Russia in the South Caucasus. By Ron Synovitz

With Fish Dying And Talk Of Rocket Fuel In The Water, Residents Of Russia's Kamchatka Want Answers

Some experts fear that toxic rocket fuel could be behind Russia's latest ecological disaster, a mysterious event that has sickened people and left hundreds of marine carcasses strewn on the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. By Matthew Luxmoore

Upheaval In Kyrgyzstan Follows Two Revolutions This Century
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Upheaval In Kyrgyzstan Follows Two Revolutions This Century
by RFE/RL

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Upheaval In Kyrgyzstan Follows Two Revolutions This Century

The political turmoil in Kyrgyzstan follows a period of relative calm in the country's post-Soviet history, which is marked by revolutions in 2010 and 2005. By Ray Furlong

What Happened To Russia's Amber Room?

<p>Russia&#39;s Amber Room, photographed in 1917. The dazzling space was paneled with tons of finely carved amber, gold, and jewels. The room was presented as a gift to Peter the Great by Prussia in 1716 and dubbed by some an &quot;eighth wonder of the world.&quot;</p>
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Russia's Amber Room, photographed in 1917. The dazzling space was paneled with tons of finely carved amber, gold, and jewels. The room was presented as a gift to Peter the Great by Prussia in 1716 and dubbed by some an "eighth wonder of the world."
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>Amber is fossilized tree sap that has hardened to gem-like chunks through tens of millions of years underground. It has been highly valued since prehistory for its translucent, caramel beauty.&nbsp;</p>
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Amber is fossilized tree sap that has hardened to gem-like chunks through tens of millions of years underground. It has been highly valued since prehistory for its translucent, caramel beauty. 
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>The Amber Room was inside the Catherine Palace, a former royal residence near St. Petersburg, until 1941.</p>
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The Amber Room was inside the Catherine Palace, a former royal residence near St. Petersburg, until 1941.
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>During the German invasion of the Soviet Union (pictured), curators at the Catherine Palace tried to dismantle and safeguard the Amber Room amid the Nazi onslaught. But after several fragile amber panels crumbled in the gloves of the workers, the decision was made to hide the treasure behind hurriedly constructed false walls.</p>
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During the German invasion of the Soviet Union (pictured), curators at the Catherine Palace tried to dismantle and safeguard the Amber Room amid the Nazi onslaught. But after several fragile amber panels crumbled in the gloves of the workers, the decision was made to hide the treasure behind hurriedly constructed false walls.
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>The attempt to hide the Russian treasure was swiftly uncovered by looting Nazis, who carried it to Koenigsberg in today&#39;s Kaliningrad -- then a German region -- to be kept in the town&#39;s castle (pictured).</p>
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The attempt to hide the Russian treasure was swiftly uncovered by looting Nazis, who carried it to Koenigsberg in today's Kaliningrad -- then a German region -- to be kept in the town's castle (pictured).
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>Soon the tables of the war turned and the Soviet military advanced into Nazi-held territory. During the Red Army&#39;s drive into Koenigsberg, backed by massive Allied air support, much of the city was destroyed.</p>
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Soon the tables of the war turned and the Soviet military advanced into Nazi-held territory. During the Red Army's drive into Koenigsberg, backed by massive Allied air support, much of the city was destroyed.
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>Koenigsberg after the war</p> <p>Many experts who researched the fate of the Amber Room believe the priceless panels were destroyed in the firestorm that gutted much of the city, but a rumor persisted that fleeing Germans took the Amber Room&#39;s paneling with them aboard a steamship.&nbsp;</p>
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Koenigsberg after the war

Many experts who researched the fate of the Amber Room believe the priceless panels were destroyed in the firestorm that gutted much of the city, but a rumor persisted that fleeing Germans took the Amber Room's paneling with them aboard a steamship. 
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>Boats escape the Red Army&#39;s advance, on the Baltic Sea in early 1945. A steamer called the Karlsruhe was one of 158 boats sunk during the massive sea-borne evacuation. The vessel was carrying 1,058 people and a large cargo when it sank.</p>
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Boats escape the Red Army's advance, on the Baltic Sea in early 1945. A steamer called the Karlsruhe was one of 158 boats sunk during the massive sea-borne evacuation. The vessel was carrying 1,058 people and a large cargo when it sank.
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>On September 30, a group of Polish divers announced they had found the wreckage of the Karlsruhe off the Polish coast.</p>
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On September 30, a group of Polish divers announced they had found the wreckage of the Karlsruhe off the Polish coast.
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>A photo taken inside the boat, which was reportedly sunk by Soviet warplanes. The Polish divers released a statement saying the ship was &quot;practically intact. In its holds we discovered military vehicles, porcelain, and many crates with contents still unknown.&quot;</p>
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A photo taken inside the boat, which was reportedly sunk by Soviet warplanes. The Polish divers released a statement saying the ship was "practically intact. In its holds we discovered military vehicles, porcelain, and many crates with contents still unknown."
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>A photo from inside the Karlsruhe. The contents of the ship&#39;s cargo is expected to be revealed in the coming days.</p>
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A photo from inside the Karlsruhe. The contents of the ship's cargo is expected to be revealed in the coming days.
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>After the disappearance of the treasure during World War II, Soviet authorities commissioned a team of craftsmen, including&nbsp;Vyacheslav Kurakin (pictured), to reconstruct the Amber Room within the Catherine Palace.</p>
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After the disappearance of the treasure during World War II, Soviet authorities commissioned a team of craftsmen, including Vyacheslav Kurakin (pictured), to reconstruct the Amber Room within the Catherine Palace.
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>A craftsman uses a historic photo for reference during the reconstruction. Work to replicate the Amber Room took 24 years.</p>
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A craftsman uses a historic photo for reference during the reconstruction. Work to replicate the Amber Room took 24 years.
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
<p>The reconstructed Amber Room as it appears today. One of the divers involved in the discovery of the sunken German vessel claimed it &quot;may provide groundbreaking information on the disappearance of the legendary Amber Chamber.&quot;</p> <p>Previous treasure hunters <strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/27/germany" target="_blank">have raised hope of uncovering</a></strong> the remains of the Amber Room that turned out to be false leads.&nbsp;</p>
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The reconstructed Amber Room as it appears today. One of the divers involved in the discovery of the sunken German vessel claimed it "may provide groundbreaking information on the disappearance of the legendary Amber Chamber."

Previous treasure hunters have raised hope of uncovering the remains of the Amber Room that turned out to be false leads. 
Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II.
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What Happened To Russia's Amber Room?

Polish divers have discovered a shipwreck that media reports suggest may hold the remains of the storied, tsarist-era Amber Room. The priceless treasure mysteriously disappeared after being looted by Nazi forces during World War II. By RFE/RL

Explosions Rock Cities As Armenia-Azerbaijan Fighting Escalates
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Explosions Rock Cities As Armenia-Azerbaijan Fighting Escalates
by RFE/RL

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Explosions Rock Cities As Armenia-Azerbaijan Fighting Escalates

Cities on both sides of the conflict between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have been by hit by sustained rocket and artillery fire, marking an escalation in fighting that was already some of the heaviest since a truce in 1994. By Ray Furlong, RFE/RL's Armenian Service, and RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service

Belarusian Protests Spill Off The Streets, Into The Sports Arena

In the wake of the jailing of one of Belarus's biggest basketball stars for attending a protest, athletes across the country have expressed solidarity and called for boycotts of competition. In the case of the handball club Vitsyaz, the refusal to compete earned it banishment from its practice facilities and national competition. By RFE/RL's Belarus Service

'Mockery Of Justice': Wife Of Detained Belarusian Blogger Demands His Release
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'Mockery Of Justice': Wife Of Detained Belarusian Blogger Demands His Release
by RFE/RL

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'Mockery Of Justice': Wife Of Detained Belarusian Blogger Demands His Release

The wife of a popular Belarusian blogger held by the authorities for over 100 days in pretrial detention has demanded his immediate release. RFE/RL social-media consultant and blogger Ihar Losik was arrested on June 25 and accused by authorities of using his popular Telegram channel to "prepare to disrupt public order" ahead of the disputed August 9 presidential election. His wife, Daria, claims Losik is being held in "deliberately inhumane conditions" and is being pressured to admit to crimes he did not commit. By RFE/RL's Belarus Service and Current Time

Serbian Officials Double Down On Ethnic Insult, Stoking Tensions With Albanians

Two of Belgrade's most powerful ministers have poured gasoline on smoldering ethnic tensions by repeatedly hurling epithets at ethnic Albanians and disrespecting war victims. By Bekim Bislimi, Ljudmila Cvetkovic, and Andy Heil

Belarusians Ponder Slow Course Of Change After Seeing Quick Results In Kyrgyzstan

Belarusian protesters got a glimpse of how to bring about immediate change when they saw their Kyrgyz counterparts' rapid success in getting disputed election results overturned. But while some may envy that achievement, others found stark differences between the situation in the two countries and calling for a continuation on the path of nonviolent resistance. By Michael Scollon

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