Plus: Tackling violence against women, and a cross-Atlantic portal ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. Russian President Vladimir Putin has replaced his defence minister: long-standing ally Sergei Shoigu is out, and Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov is in. Steve Rosenberg weighs in on the shuffle. In Australia, Katy Watson looks at various initiatives to tackle violence against women. We're also reporting on Chinese dissidents, a mystic island and a portal connecting Dubliners and New Yorkers. | |
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TOP OF THE AGENDA | New defence minister is about the money | | Like Mr Putin, Mr Belousov is close to the Russian Orthodox Church and is said to be a martial arts enthusiast. Credit: Reuters | Vladimir Putin has just started his fifth term as Russia's president. His position at the Kremlin is not under discussion, but the same can't be said of at least one member of his cabinet. Defence minister Sergei Shoigu has been replaced by Andrei Belousov, a civilian economist who was serving as deputy prime minister after working for several years as an aide to Mr Putin. Russia editor Steve Rosenberg said the shuffle at the defence ministry isn't surprising, as Mr Shoigu's position had grown weaker as a result of military setbacks against Ukraine. The choice of Mr Belousov signals that Russia wants to better align its economy to the war efforts, just as the offensive against Ukraine intensifies.
War in Ukraine: Almost 1,800 people have been evacuated from the Kharkiv area in the north-east of the country following recent attacks. 'No first line of defence': Despite official denials, Ukraine appears to have been ill-prepared to repel Russia's incursion in the Kharkiv area, Jonathan Beale reports.
Belgorod explosion: Russia has blamed a Ukrainian air strike for the partial collapse of a building in the border city. | |
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| Efforts to tackle gendered violence | | So far this year, 28 women have been violently killed in Australia, according to campaigners. Credit: EPA | Two weeks ago, tens of thousands of people around Australia took part in marches calling for gendered violence to be declared a national emergency. One of the projects aiming to change the attitudes that contribute to violence against women involves high school students. |
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| | Katy Watson, Sydney correspondent |
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| | "For a young woman growing up in Australia it's scary, knowing these things are happening," says student Shriya, who listens intently at the back of the classroom as the group is given small cards with statements such as "equality", "slut-shaming" and "sending unwanted nudes". They're asked to place the phrases along a line of masking tape on the floor - labelled "respect and consent culture" at one end, and "violence and abuse culture" at the other. "Think of the line today as a metaphor for your gut feeling," says Tara Gleig, a student support officer who is helping run Love Bites. |
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| | Brisbane murder: A teenager who pleaded guilty to killing a woman after breaking into her home has been jailed for 14 years. | Further listening: Katy Watson joins reporter Tiffanie Turnbull on The Global Story podcast to discuss the depth of Australia’s problem with violence against women – and how the country might solve it. |
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BEYOND THE HEADLINES | Chinese dissident still pursued decades on |
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| | | Beijing 1989: Yan Xiong pictured during the Tiananmen Square protests. Credit: BBC | Three decades ago, Chinese dissidents were being smuggled out of the country in a secret operation called Yellow Bird - but as one of them tells the BBC, Beijing is still pursuing them. When Yan Xiong decided to run for public office in the US, he started noticing some odd occurrences. |
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SOMETHING DIFFERENT | Mystic island | Siquijor's healers are attracting visitors far beyond the Philippines. | |
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And finally... | A 24/7 livestream offering Dubliners a view of New York City - and vice versa - was unveiled in the two cities last week. The idea behind the project is to unite citizens via technology on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, and beyond: over the summer, the portal is due to connect the Irish capital to cities in Poland, Brazil and Lithuania. | |
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