Features

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan: 'There Are Always Bumps In The Road'

In an exclusive interview at RFE/RL's Prague headquarters, correspondent Brian Whitmore spoke with Justice Elena Kagan about how the U.S. Supreme Court established and preserved its independent role and whether any lessons can be derived from this experience for countries struggling to establish the rule of law and independent judiciaries.

Ukrainian Neighbors Portray U.K. Murder Suspect As 'Quiet, Diligent'

A Ukrainian student is facing terrorism-related charges in Britain over recent mosque bombings and the murder of a Muslim pensioner. People in his hometown of Dnipropetrovsk recall Pavlo Lapshyn as a modest student from a good family and someone who liked to experiment with chemicals.

Jailed Pastor Goes On Hunger Strike In Kazakhstan

Many Belarusians Jittery Over Massive Chinese Industrial Park

Chinese and Belarusian authorities are planning to build a $5 billion manufacturing park outside Minsk. The Belarusian government has promoted the park as a mutually beneficial project that could lift the former Soviet nation out of a crippling economic crisis. But the project has met with resistance from local residents.

Baku Doles Out Apartments To Journalists

Azerbaijan, which languishes near the bottom of media-freedom rankings, has awarded apartments to some 150 journalists -- all in one Baku apartment block.

Iranian Mobile Provider Under Fire For Insulting Sunnis

One of Iran's main mobile operators is under fire for allegedly insulting Sunnis in an SMS quiz. Irancell has been accused of insulting Sunnis by suggesting that Caliph Omar could have been misled by Satan. The company has been indicted despite a public apology.

British Internet Pornography Plan Criticized As 'Default Censorship'

In a major policy speech on protecting children from pornography and other harmful content on the Internet, British Prime Minister David Cameron has proposed a series of measures. Some of them have alarmed free-speech advocates.

The Rise Of Al-Qaeda 2.0

Al-Qaeda is no longer the terrorist group it once was, but its evolution into Al-Qaeda 2.0 is no less dangerous.

Belarusian Man Marries Same-Sex Partner In U.S. And, In A New Twist, Can Stay

A Belarusian man and his same-sex partner in the United States are among the first to take advantage of recent U.S. legal changes that allow binational gay spouses to remain together.

Moldovan Activists Accuse Lawmakers Of Secretly Adopting 'Gay-Propaganda' Law

LGBT activists in Moldova are alarmed that lawmakers in May stealthily adopted a "gay-propaganda" law similar to ones passed in Russia and Lithuania. The Moldovan measure became law on July 12, without public discussion or even awareness.

Afghan Religious Leader Approves Of Restrictive Edict On Women

In the latest worrying indicator of the state of women's rights in Afghanistan, a Taliban-inspired fatwa has gained the approval of one of the country’s top religious figures.