We know you're busy and probably don't have the time to read all of our coverage each and every day. That's why we've put together The Week's Best. Here are some of the highlights produced in English by RFE/RL's vast team of correspondents, multimedia editors, and visual journalists over the past seven days.
A 'Very Painful' Book Boom: As Russia Wages War On Their Culture, Ukrainians Turn To Reading
With new bookstores blossoming and readership trends changing, readers and publishing industry insiders speak of a spike in demand for Ukrainian books. Some authors say the book boom is a response to Russia’s war on Ukraine and its culture. By Aleksander Palikot
For Some In Russia’s Far-Flung Provinces, The Ukraine War Is A Ticket To Prosperity
Hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine. But in far-flung, less-well-to-do provinces, war wages and benefits being paid to soldiers, veterans, and survivors is transforming life, providing a ladder for economic prosperity. By Mike Eckel
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Sandstorm: Kyrgyz Quarry Ignites Controversy Over Presidential Project
Sandstorm: Kyrgyz Quarry Ignites Controversary Over Presidential Project
Kyrgyz authorities seized a massive sand quarry on the outskirts of Bishkek, citing environmental violations by the operator. Now the government is skirting environmental laws to ramp up production there, triggering outrage among residents and environmentalists. By Baktygul Chynybaeva and Nargiza Asekova
Unseen Persia: Thousands Of Photographs Leaked From Iranian Archive
Life under Iran’s Qajar dynasty has been brought to light in spectacular fashion by a leak of photos stored in a Tehran museum. By Amos Chapple and Kian Sharifi
Unfinished Business: Alia Nazarbaeva Poses A Problem For 'New Kazakhstan'
More than two years after bloody events that ended her father’s domination of Kazakh politics, Nursultan Nazarbaev’s youngest daughter, Alia Nazarbaeva, is still making headlines for all the wrong reasons. But will she or any of the former president's closest family members ever face justice? By Chris Rickleton
Iran's 'Highly Engineered' Race For Presidency Dominated By Hard-Liners
Iranian authorities have allowed five hard-liners and one reformist to run in the presidential election on June 28. Experts say the final list of candidates announced June 9 suggests that the Islamic republic is not taking any chances and wants to ensure that hard-liners maintain their grip on power. By Kian Sharifi
Taliban's Education Ban On Afghan Girls Fuels Spike In Child Marriages
June 13 marks 1,000 days since the Taliban banned teenage girls from attending school in Afghanistan, a move that has contributed to a surge in forced and child marriages. An economic and humanitarian crisis and the lack of educational and professional prospects for women have fueled the trend, activists said. By Firuza Azizi
Icons Of Liberation: The Interesting Ways That Kosovo Pays Tribute To Clinton, Blair, Albright
The lasting legacy of NATO's intervention endures as Kosovars continue to honor those who supported them during the 1998-99 war by naming town square, streets, businesses, and even children after those they consider to be their liberators. By Doruntina Baftiu and RFE/RL's Kosovo Service
Nikol Pashinian: From Jailed Activist To Beleaguered Leader
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian first came to prominence in 2008 when he helped lead anti-government demonstrations, which were violently broken up by police. Ten years later, he came to power on the back of another round of street protests. But now, with sustained anger over the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, the tables have turned. By Joshua Kucera
Is China Exporting Its Political Model To The World? A New Report Says Yes.
A new report based on thousands of previously unseen Chinese government documents shows how Beijing is selling its authoritarian political model to the Global South -- and Eastern Europe and Central Asia -- through special government to government training programs and exchanges. By Reid Standish