Better than Minsk
The week's news at a glance.
Kiev
Ukraine received its first three asylum seekers this week, and the government has no idea what to do with them. Long criticized for its poor human-rights record, rigged elections, corruption-ridden government, and dismal economy, Ukraine is used to seeing its own citizens seek asylum in the West. But this week, three history teachers from neighboring Belarus applied for asylum in Ukraine. The three said Belarusian police had interrogated and beaten them because of their criticism of the rigidly authoritarian, Soviet-style president. Valentyna Subotenko of Ukraine’s Citizenship Department told Radio Free Europe that the government is researching the laws on how to handle an asylum application. In the meantime, the three men are sleeping in a tent village in Kiev along with hundreds of Ukrainian coal miners, who came to the capital to protest dangerous working conditions and low pay.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 19, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - 2024 votes, AI woes, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 high rating cartoons about Biden's low poll numbers
Cartoons Artists take on checklists, ice creams, and more
By The Week US Published
-
A gastronomic tour of the Costa de la Luz
The Week Recommends This Spanish spot has fantastic restaurants "rooted in the region's distinctive produce"
By The Week UK Published