The article by Maria Michela D’Alessandro for euronews covers the events of Russia Day in Moscow, which coincided with anti-corruption demonstrations organized by opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Despite being a national holiday, the city was unusually quiet and heavily guarded by police and special forces. Navalny was detained before the protests could start, and the demonstrations were marked by a heavy police presence, with tactics such as 'kettling' used to control the crowd. The protests led to numerous arrests and a tense atmosphere, with the situation eventually calming down by late afternoon. The journalist provides a first-hand account of the events, capturing the mood and actions of both the protesters and the police.

Ksenia Sobchak, a journalist and public figure, has announced her candidacy for the Russian presidential election in 2018. During a press conference at Moscow's Stanislavsky Electrotheatre, she presented her political program and addressed criticisms of being a Kremlin puppet. Sobchak, who is the daughter of Saint Petersburg's first democratically elected mayor, emphasized her opposition to Vladimir Putin's long tenure and discussed key issues such as the Ukrainian situation and the annexation of Crimea. She expressed support for Aleksey Navalny and outlined her campaign strategy, which includes collecting 300,000 signatures to get on the ballot. Sobchak's campaign team includes Igor Malashenko, former president of NTV. She also spoke on foreign policy, advocating for stable and friendly relations with world powers, despite her personal views on leaders like Trump.

The article discusses the upcoming Russian presidential election in March 2018, highlighting the potential candidates and their chances. President Vladimir Putin has not confirmed his candidacy, but polls suggest he has a strong lead. Opposition leader Alexey Navalny is barred from running, and socialite Ksenia Sobchak's bid is seen by some as a Kremlin strategy to liven up the election. Other candidates include journalist Yekaterina Gordon, entrepreneur Rakhman Yansukov, and blogger Samson Sholademi. Established politicians like Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Grigory Yavlinsky, Maxim Suraikin, and Andrei Bogdanov also plan to run. Despite the growing list of candidates, experts believe none pose a real threat to Putin's expected victory.

In Russia, the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution is met with a mix of indifference and nostalgia among citizens. President Vladimir Putin, prioritizing stability ahead of upcoming presidential elections, has opted for no official celebrations, instead allowing cultural events, exhibitions, and debates. The Communist Party, led by Gennadij Andreevič Zjuganov, continues to hold gatherings and parades. Public opinion is divided on the revolution's legacy, with a majority considering it an inevitable historical event but opposing the idea of a new revolution.

Ksenia Sobchak, a television presenter and daughter of the former mayor of Saint Petersburg, has announced her candidacy for the Russian presidential elections in March 2018. She has chosen a team of experienced professionals, including Igor Malashenko, Vitaliy Shklyarov, and Elena Lukyanova, to support her campaign. Sobchak's platform includes discussing LGBT rights and the HIV crisis, with journalist Anton Krasovsky handling the latter. She has expressed solidarity with opposition leader Aleksey Navalny and made a bold statement that Crimea legally belongs to Ukraine, a stance that contradicts the Russian annexation of the region in 2014. Sobchak must gather 300,000 signatures to officially run and plans to open campaign offices across Russia.

Ksenia Sobchak, the daughter of Anatoly Sobchak, the first democratically elected mayor of Saint Petersburg, has announced her candidacy for the Russian presidential elections, positioning herself against all candidates, including Vladimir Putin. Despite acknowledging Putin's help to her father, she criticizes the possibility of anyone, including Putin, remaining in power for 18 years. Sobchak, a journalist and public figure, has expressed her views on various political issues, including the situation in Ukraine, Crimea's status under international law, and the importance of building stable relations with world powers like the United States. She has shown support for opposition figure Aleksey Navalny and plans to collect the necessary 300,000 signatures from Russian citizens to secure her candidacy. Her election team includes Igor Malashenko, former president of the independent TV channel NTV.

Vladimir Putin is seeking to cultivate a new Russian leadership class through an annual contest called 'Leader of Russia'. The initiative, announced by Sergey Kirjenko, aims to select political faces based on skills, qualifications, and experience. Russian citizens under 50 with managerial experience can apply. The top 300 participants will receive a scholarship and the opportunity to interact with high-ranking state and business executives, with Sergey Lavrov, Gherman Gref, and Elvira Nabiullina serving as tutors. The final 100 will be chosen in February 2018, a month before the presidential elections, and will attend the Russian Academy of Public Administration. Putin, who has replaced 19 regional governors in the last year, is targeting the youth, with plans to launch 100 anonymous channels on Telegram to reach young voters. The article also touches on Putin's potential re-election and the exclusion of Aleksey Navalny from the presidential race.

The article discusses the escalating tensions between the United States and Russia regarding media operations and freedom. Russian authorities have warned American media outlets like Radio Svoboda, Nastoyashee Vremya, and Voice of America that they might face restrictions and be labeled as foreign agents in Russia. This comes after the U.S. intelligence accused RT, a Russian government-funded network, of influencing the 2016 U.S. presidential election and demanded it to register as a foreign agent in the U.S. Both countries are engaging in what is described as a 'mirror measure' in response to perceived restrictions on their respective state-funded media outlets. Despite the warnings and the deadline for RT to register in the U.S., the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has not yet declared U.S. media as undesirable organizations. Experts argue that forcing media outlets to register as foreign agents could limit freedom of speech and reduce media pluralism.

The article reports on protests that took place across Russia on President Vladimir Putin's birthday, organized by opposition leader Aleksey Navalny. Navalny, who was detained prior to the protests, called for these gatherings to challenge Putin's government and to pressure authorities to allow him to enter the presidential race. Despite his arrest and a law requiring public meetings to be sanctioned, supporters still rallied in various cities. The protests were particularly notable for the participation of young, educated Russians who oppose Putin's potential re-election. The Central Election Commission has stated that Navalny is ineligible to run due to a prior embezzlement conviction, but Navalny plans to continue his political efforts upon his release from a 20-day jail sentence.

The article reports on the clash between Italian riot police and refugees in Rome, following the evacuation of a building in Via Curtatone that had been occupied by refugees since 2013. The refugees, many from Eritrea and Ethiopia, had been living in the building while awaiting responses from Italian institutions regarding their relocation. The police used water cannons and batons during the confrontation, and the incident has led to an investigation into police conduct. The refugees held a press conference to highlight their plight, asking for media help to show their suffering. The municipality of Rome announced plans to relocate some individuals to Rieti, but faced opposition from local authorities. The building, known as 'Lampedusa,' had been a shelter for asylum seekers but was evacuated after a court order. The article includes personal accounts from the refugees and details the ongoing challenges they face.

On May 24, 2014, Italian photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli was killed during an assignment in war-torn Eastern Ukraine, along with Russian journalist and translator Andrey Mironov. French correspondent William Rogelon and their driver survived. Rocchelli's parents sought justice, dissatisfied with the Ukrainian investigation which ended in 2016 without concrete results. The Italian investigation led to the arrest of Vitaly Markiv, an Italian of Ukrainian descent. Markiv's lawyer confirmed his presence in Slavyansk on the day of the incident but claimed his innocence. The investigation is ongoing, and Rocchelli's parents and lawyer have declined to comment.

An investigation is underway in Sicily, specifically in the town of Biancavilla, following allegations that ambulance staff have been killing patients to receive kickbacks from funeral homes. The claims were brought to light by a whistleblower on an Italian TV show, linking numerous deaths since 2012 to this scheme. The patients allegedly died from air injections causing circulatory blockages and organ failure. Past inquiries suggest hospital employees may have been involved in tipping off funeral agencies about terminally ill patients. The local Mafia is suspected to be part of this network due to the profitability of the trade. The Santissima Addolorata Hospital, which was not aware of the scam, has initiated an internal inquiry and plans to take civil action if the accusations are substantiated.

On Russia's national holiday, June 12, young protesters took to the streets of Moscow, led by opposition leader Aleksey Navalny, to voice their discontent with the government and call for 'Russia without Putin.' Despite Navalny's arrest for organizing unauthorized protests, thousands gathered, using social media to coordinate. The youth, including teenagers, expressed their desire for non-corrupt politicians and change. Over 700 arrests were made in Moscow and 900 in Saint Petersburg. The protests and the government's response, including police action, suggest that the upcoming elections could pose a significant challenge to Vladimir Putin.

The article reflects on the historical significance of Vladimir Ilich Lenin's journey from Zurich to St. Petersburg a century ago, which marked the beginning of the October Revolution. Today, the Finland Station in St. Petersburg, where Lenin's statue stands, is a modern hub with high-speed trains to Helsinki. The piece contrasts the revolutionary past with the present-day Russia, where the pace of life is fast and the revolutionary spirit seems distant, yet the legacy of Lenin and the history of the place remain palpable.

On May 24, 2014, Italian photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli and his Russian fixer Andrej Mironov were killed in east Ukraine during a conflict. They were part of a group that included French reporter William Roguelon and a local driver. The article details the events leading to their deaths and the subsequent investigations. Rocchelli's parents sought justice, but the Ukrainian investigation stalled. The Italian authorities, however, arrested Vitaliy Markiv, an Italian-Ukrainian citizen, on June 30, following their own investigation. Markiv, who joined the National Guard of Ukraine, denies involvement, claiming he was armed only with a rifle. The Italian investigation continues with the coordination of deputy public persecutor Mario Venditti and assistant public persecutor Andrea Zanoncelli. The parents of Rocchelli and their lawyer declined to comment for the story.