Maria Alyokhina

In Germany, students are turning to crystal meth to deal with stress

Global Scan

Crystal meth is highly addictive and highly destructive. Now, a new study shows that its use in Germany is rising — and not just for the euphoria the drug induces. Crystal meth is highly addictive and highly destructive. Now, a new study shows that its use in Germany is rising — and not just for the euphoria the drug induces.

Two members of Pussy Riot are attacked by Russian thugs while eating breakfast at McDonald’s

Conflict & Justice

Two members of Pussy Riot are attacked by Russian thugs while eating breakfast at McDonald’s

Conflict & Justice
Russian OMON security forces detained dozens outside a Moscow courthouse, where anti-Putin protestors were sentenced to up to four years in prison.

Inside and outside a Moscow courtroom, Russia cracks down on dissent

Conflict & Justice
Pussy Riot's Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Aliokhina speak with two supporters at the Vinzavod Center for Contemporary Art in Moscow. Many wanted to speak with them about prison conditions in Russia.

What’s next for Pussy Riot? Prison reform and global celebrity

Global Politics

Naughty or nice? Why is Putin freeing prominent dissidents?

Conflict & Justice

Two members of the Russian band Pussy Riot on Monday joined the parade of political prisoners being released by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Dennis Rodman brings his brand of basketball diplomacy back to North Korea

Global Scan

Dennis Rodman’s controversial relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un turned another page this week. The former NBA star was in North Korea this week to select and train a North Korean basketball team that will take part in an exhibition game in honor of Kim’s birthday. Plus Egyptian activists are thrown in jail and elves — yes, elves — halt a highway project in Iceland, in today’s Global Scan.

Russian band Pussy Riot, convicted of hooliganism, given two-year sentences

Global Politics

Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich will spend the next two years in prison after a Russian judge determined they had offended the sensibilities of religious people with an anti-Vladimir Putin protest performance in an Orthodox Cathedral.