Democratic Action Party leader Eugene Wamalwa has concluded his campaign efforts for opposition candidate Seth Panyako ahead of the Malava parliamentary contest, warning against electoral fraud while urging voters to remain peaceful. The former Defense minister emphasized vigilance against ballot manipulation as his candidate faces United Democratic Alliance nominee David Ndakwa, who enjoys support from the ruling administration's infrastructure.
The opposition received momentum through endorsements from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and ex-Interior Minister Fred Matiang'i, both backing Panyako's platform centered on accountability and constituency development. However, the Democratic National Alliance candidate withdrew and...
An investigation into Sierra Leone's underground trade in human body parts has exposed individuals claiming to supply organs and limbs for purported ritual magic ceremonies. Two people posing as practitioners of juju offered to obtain body parts for substantial fees, with one demanding the equivalent of $3,000 for female limbs and another alleging connections to a network of 250 collaborators.
Authorities struggle to prosecute these cases in a nation with just one pathologist serving 8.9 million residents. An 11-year-old boy was found murdered with organs, eyes, and an arm removed, yet police never officially classified it as a ritual killing. A university lecturer disappeared and turned up buried at a herbalist's shrine, but those...
American and Ukrainian negotiators reported substantial advancement on a revised peace framework following discussions in Switzerland, with plans for continued intensive deliberations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the session as highly productive while acknowledging that remaining issues require resolution before President Trump and Zelensky can present any agreement to Moscow.
The leaked American proposal contains contentious elements such as Ukrainian military withdrawals from eastern territories, recognition of Russian control over annexed regions, and abandonment of NATO membership aspirations in exchange for unspecified security commitments. The framework also envisions Moscow's economic reintegration through...
Evgeny Aldonin, the 45-year-old former CSKA Moscow midfielder and Russian national team captain, faces an advanced cancer diagnosis that has prompted colleagues to organize fundraising efforts through a charitable foundation. The retired footballer has already undergone multiple surgical procedures as his condition continues to deteriorate, according to oncology specialists treating him.
Despite the severity of his illness, teammates and associates remain optimistic about his recovery prospects. The Russian Premier League has called for widespread support across club boundaries, highlighting his achievements as a UEFA Cup champion with CSKA, dual domestic league winner, and five-time Russian Cup victor during his playing career.
New electric vehicles have dropped in price by roughly 30% across St. Petersburg during the past year, with the average model costing approximately 5.5 million rubles, according to data from Avito Auto analysts reviewed by 78.ru. The NIO ES6 experienced the steepest decline at 48.4%, bringing its price down to 5.1 million rubles, while the Hongqi E-HS9 decreased 21% to 7.5 million rubles and the Zeekr 001 fell 10.4% to 6.7 million rubles.
Market experts attribute the price reductions to increased availability of budget-friendly versions and more affordable trim levels entering dealerships. The most sought-after brands during 2025 were Ora, Zeekr, Hongqi, Voyah, and Jidu.
Meanwhile, seasonal vehicle maintenance costs have climbed in...
St. Petersburg authorities plan to restrict the sale of souvenirs featuring city landmarks after officials determined that many items sold to tourists are manufactured elsewhere and contain inaccuracies. Legislative Assembly deputy Dmitry Panov said the cheap merchandise damages the city's reputation through distorted depictions of famous sites, such as an abnormally shortened Admiralty spire.
Under the proposal, only locally made products or those from other Russian regions carrying a special designation would be permitted. Foreign-made souvenirs would need individual government approval before reaching store shelves. The Petersburg Diary reported that annual souvenir sales in the city exceed 1 billion rubles, making quality control a...
Dagestan has emerged as Russia's most visited domestic destination, according to Ilya Umansky of the Russian Union of Travel Industry, who credits the republic's ability to retain existing visitors while consistently drawing newcomers. The region continues expanding its tourism infrastructure each year.
Murmansk Oblast ranks second due to its aurora borealis displays, while Kaliningrad, Buryatia, and Altai round out the top five. Umansky highlighted the Far East as another area making substantial progress in tourism development.
The Northern Capital received more than 200,000 Chinese visitors throughout the year, with the summer and New Year periods proving most popular. Prime attractions for this demographic are the Hermitage Museum...
An 11th-grade student from St. Petersburg School No. 667 has claimed top honors at the 2025 All-Russian Artificial Intelligence Olympiad, outperforming more than 52,000 competitors from 26 nations. Elisey Kirpichenko, who developed his interest in computer science after ninth grade, follows a customized curriculum while independently pursuing advanced studies in the field.
Governor Alexander Beglov extended congratulations to Kirpichenko, who has earned an invitation to compete in the Machine Learning championship's offline round taking place in Istanbul next month. The international competition drew participants from grades eight through 11 across countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Cyprus, and Armenia.
Deputy Prime Minister...
St. Petersburg's Cinema House hosted a screening of the industrial documentary Man of Profession, created with Gazprom Pererabotka, as part of the Open International Film Festival In Love with Art. The sold-out event drew strong audience interest in workplace documentaries and featured an accompanying exhibition titled Course for Development, which displayed portraits of company personnel.
Festival general producer Ilya Mikhailov-Sobolevsky praised the corporate partnership for reviving industrial cinema focused on individual narratives. Yulia Mitrofanova, who leads public relations for Gazprom Pererabotka, described the documentary initiative as central to the firm's communication goals, reinforcing both public perception and internal...
