Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny ends hunger strike

Moscow — Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny said on Friday that he had decided to end his nearly three-week-long hunger strike after being warned by his doctors that continuing it would put his life at serious risk. The 44-year-old politician said in an Instagram post published by his allies on the 24th day of his strike that he would end his protest demanding independent medical care, having now been examined by non-prison doctors. 

Navalny's announcement followed a round of large protests, drawing thousands of people onto the streets on Wednesday in dozens of cities across Russia, in support of the Kremlin critic.  According to the outspoken foe of President Vladimir Putin, he was examined twice on Thursday by civilian doctors, which he and his allies saw as significant progress toward meeting their demands.