>> Sreenivasan: ON THIS EDITION FOR SATURDAY, JULY 15: INSIDE PUTIN'S RUSSIA: THIS OPPOSITION LEADER IS INSPIRING THE YOUNGER GENERATION TO SPEAK OUT.

HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS WITH A PLAN TO USE FACE SCANS AT AMERICA'S AIRPORTS.

AND THE EXPANSION OF POWER AND CRACKDOWN ON DISSENT ONE YEAR AFTER A FAILED COUP IN TURKEY.

NEXT ON PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND.

FROM THE TISCH WNET STUDIOS AT LINCOLN CENTER IN NEW YORK, HARI SREENIVASAN.

>> Sreenivasan: GOOD EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THE NATION'S LARGEST INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE REJECTING THE SENATE'S LATEST BILL TO REPEAL AND REPLACE PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

THE CURRENT BILL INCLUDES AN AMENDMENT BY TEXAS SENATOR TED CRUZ TO LET INSURERS SELL PLANS THAT DON'T COMPLY WITH OBAMACARE REGULATIONS, ALONGSIDE PLANS THAT DO.

SUPPORTERS SAY THIS COULD LOWER INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND INCREASE CONSUMER CHOICE OVER OBAMACARE, WHICH HAS LIFTED THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS INSURED ABOVE 91%.

AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS, A LEADING HEALTH INSURANCE LOBBYING GROUP, AND BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, THE NATION'S LARGEST PROVIDER, SAID THE CRUZ AMENDMENT IS "UNWORKABLE IN ANY FORM."

IN A LETTER TO SENATE LEADERS, THE INSURERS SAID THE AMENDED BILL WOULD "UNDERMINE PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE WITH PRE- EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCREASE PREMIUMS, AND LEAD TO WIDESPREAD TERMINATIONS OF COVERAGE FOR PEOPLE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE INDIVIDUAL MARKET."

IN HIS WEEKLY ADDRESS, PRESIDENT TRUMP URGED REPUBLICANS TO RALLY BEHIND THE BILL EXPECTED TO COME UP FOR A VOTE NEXT WEEK.

>> THE LEGISLATION WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS PROVIDES THE CHOICE AND CONTROL PEOPLE WANT, THE AFFORDABILITY THEY NEED, AND THE QUALITY THEY DESERVE IN HEALTHCARE.

>> Sreenivasan: SIX HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS FROM AFGHANISTAN, STYMIED BY VISA ISSUES, FINALLY ARRIVED IN WASHINGTON TODAY TO COMPETE IN A ROBOTICS COMPETITION THAT STARTS TOMORROW.

U.S. OFFICIALS HAD TWICE DENIED THE ALL-GIRLS TEAM VISAS TO TRAVEL TO THE U.S., APPARENTLY DUE TO CONCERNS THEY MIGHT NOT RETURN HOME.

THEN, THIS WEEK, PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKED NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS TO CLEAR THEIR TRAVEL.

THE AFGHAN GIRLS WILL COMPETE AGAINST CHILDREN FROM 150 COUNTRIES.

THE PIONEERING, IRANIAN-BORN MATHEMATICIAN MIRYAM MIRZAKHANI HAS DIED OF BREAST CANCER.

SHE WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY WOMAN TO WIN THE PRESTIGIOUS FIELDS MEDAL, IN 2014, FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMPLEX GEOMETRY.

A STANFORD UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR, MIRZAKAHNI WAS 40 YEARS OLD.

IN CHINA TODAY, THE FAMILY OF NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER AND POLITICAL PRISONER LIU XIAOBO HELD A FUNERAL CONTROLLED BY THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY.

THE GOVERNMENT LET THE FAMILY SCATTER HIS ASHES INTO THE SEA, ENSURING NO GRAVESITE WOULD EVER BECOME A HUB FOR PROTESTERS.

THE 61-YEAR-OLD DIED OF CANCER THIS WEEK AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT FOR SUBVERTING STATE POWER.

THAT FOLLOWED HIS PUBLICATION OF A MANIFESTO CALLING FOR AN END TO CHINA'S ONE-PARTY RULE.

LAWMAKERS ARE CALLING FOR ACTION ON INVASIVE SPECIES AFTER AN ASIAN CARP WAS CAUGHT NEAR LAKE MICHIGAN.

LEARN MORE AT www.pbs.org/newshour.

>> Sreenivasan: ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, OUR TOP STORY WAS THE FAILED COUP ATTEMPT IN TURKEY BY RENEGADE SOLDIERS TRYING TO TOPPLE PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN.

SINCE HIS SECURITY FORCES STOPPED THE COUP, ERDOGAN HAS CRACKED DOWN ON PERCEIVED OPPONENTS, WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CIVIL SERVANTS LOSING THEIR JOBS OR GOING TO JAIL.

TODAY, HIS GOVERNMENT FIRED 7,000 MORE AS ERDOGAN ATTENDED A "NATIONAL UNITY" MARCH IN THE CAPITAL OF ANKARA AND UNVEILED A MEMORIAL TO 250 TURKS WHO DIED IN THE COUP.

IN THE PAST YEAR, ERDOGAN OFFICIALLY EXPANDED HIS EXECUTIVE POWERS IN A REFERENDUM APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF VOTERS.

SONER CAGAPTAY, FROM THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY, HAS WRITTEN A NEW BOOK CALLED "THE NEW SULTAN: ERDOGAN AND THE CRISIS OF MODERN TURKEY."

HE JOINS ME NOW FROM WASHINGTON.

SO, IN THIS ONE-YEAR PERIOD, WHAT'S HAPPENED TO TURKEY?

>> TURKEY HAS ACTUALLY NOT BECOME MORE DEMOCRATIC, UNFORTUNATELY.

ALTHOUGH THE COUP WAS PREVENTED, IT HAS BECOME MORE AUTHORITARIAN AND LESS DEMOCRATIC, AND THAT IS PRIMARILY BECAUSE INITIALLY GOING AFTER COUP PLOTTERS, PRESIDENT ERDOGAN HAS THEN USED THE POST-COUP POWERS, STATE OF EMERGENCY, GIVEN TO HIM TO GO AFTER HIS OTHER OPPONENTS.

TURKEY IS AN EXTREMELY POLARIZED PLACE, WITH HALF OF THE COUNTRY ADORING ERDOGAN, AND THE OTHER HALF OF THE COUNTRY THAT BASICALLY LOATHES HIM.

AND ERDOGAN HAS TARGETED ANYONE IN THAT GROUP THAT LOATHES HIM.

THAT NOT ONLY INCLUDES MEMBERS OF THE GULEN MOVEMENT, WHO ERDOGAN BELIEVES IS ALIGNED WITH THE COUP EFFORT, BUT ALSO LIBERALS, LEFTISTS AND KURDISH NATIONALISTS.

>> Sreenivasan: ERDOGAN WILL SAY, "LISTEN, I'M IN A...

I'M IN A ROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL...

IN PARTS OF MY COUNTRY THAT WANT TO SPLIT OFF AND BREAK OFF.

I'VE HAD TERRORIST ATTACK HAPPENING ON MY OWN SOIL.

I NEED THIS POWER, I NEED IT CONSOLIDATED."

AND HE'S... THAT MESSAGE HAS SUNK IN WITH HIS SUPPORTERS.

>> IT HAS.

AND OF COURSE, ERDOGAN HAS A BRIGHT SIDE, AS WELL-- THAT HE HAS DELIVERED ECONOMIC GROWTH, WHICH IS WHY THE CONSERVATIVES HAVE BANDED AROUND HIM.

BUT HE ALSO HAS A DARK SIDE, WHICH IS THAT HE HAS CRACKED DOWN ON OPPOSTION AND ERODED DEMOCRATIC CHECKS AND BALANCES.

THE PROBLEM IS, WHILE HALF OF THE COUNTRY LOVES HIM, THE OTHER HALF OF THE COUNTRY THAT DESPISES HIM WILL NEVER FOLD UNDER HIM.

AND THE RISK FOR ERDOGAN IS THAT HE KNOWS, AS I EXPLAINED IN "THE NEW SULTAN," HE KNOWS THAT HE CANNOT CONTINUE TO GOVERN TURKEY THE WAY HE LIKES SO LONG AS IT'S DEMOCRATIC.

AND THAT IS WHY IT LOOKS TO ME AND TO OTHER ANALYSTS THAT HE'S TAKING STEPS TO END DEMOCRACY IN TURKEY.

FOR EXAMPLE, HE'S JUST SAID THAT THE STATE OF EMERGENCY PUT IN PLACE AFTER THE COUP WILL BE EXTENDED INDEFINTELY UNTIL THERE IS PEACE AND WELFARE IN TURKEY.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE PEACE AND WELFARE?

SO, THAT MEANS IT'S BASICALLY PERMANENT.

AND FOR THE 40 MILLION TURKS WHO OPPOSE HIM, THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.

SO, I FEAR THAT IF HE ENDS DEMOCRACY, THERE'S DEFINITELY A RISK FOR THAT HALF THAT OPPOSES HIM WHO WILL NOW THINK THAT THEY CANNOT VOTE HIM OUT.

THAT SOME ELEMENTS OF THEM, MAYBE YOUTH ELEMENTS OF THEM, MIGHT EVEN RADICALIZE.

SO, TURKEY'S POLARIZATION COULD EVEN GET WORSE AS A RESULT OF THESE POLICIES.

>> Sreenivasan: HOW MUCH OF ERDOGAN'S POSITION IS BOLSTERED BY THE CRUCIAL NATURE OF TURKEY IN THE FIGHTING IN SYRIA OR IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

I MEAN, IT SEEMS THAT THERE'S SOME PRETTY HUGE ALLIES THAT ARE COUNTING ON TURKEY'S SUPPORT.

>> I THINK ERDOGAN BASICALLY KNOWS THAT THE UNITED STATES AND NATO ALLIES NEED TURKEY TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT ISIS, AND HE BASICALLY GETS A HALL PASS IN THAT REGARD.

DESPITE HIS DEMOCRATIC TRANSGRESSIONS, HE'S STILL INVITED TO SUMMITS AND MEETINGS.

BUT THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH TURKEY CAN CONTINUE WITH THIS POLARIZED ENVIRONMENT, EVEN THOUGH ERDOGAN MIGHT RECEIVE OPEN ARMS FROM OUTSIDE DIGNITARIES, BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT SOME OF THE OPPOSITION GROUPS ARE VIOLENT AND RADICAL AND, IN FACT, TERRORISTS SUCH AS THE KURDISH GROUPS, P.K.K.

AND THEREFORE, GOING FORWARD, HE'S GOING TO HAVE A VIOLENT CHALLENGE COMING FROM THE RIGHT.

AND HE HAS ADVERSARIES IN THE REGION, INCLUDING RUSSIA, WHOM HE OPPOSES IN SYRIA, WHICH HAS HISTORIC LINKS TO KURDISH GROUPS WHICH COULD EASILY UNDERMINE HIM GOING FORWARD.

>> Sreenivasan: ALL RIGHT, SONER CAGAPTAY FROM THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY AND THE AUTHOR OF THE NEW BOOK, "THE NEW SULTAN: ERDOGAN AND THE CRISIS OF MODERN TURKEY."

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S A PLEASURE.

>> Sreenivasan: ALL WEEK THE NEWSHOUR, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE PULITZER CENTER ON CRISIS REPORTING, HAS FEATURED STORIES IN OUR SERIES "INSIDE PUTIN'S RUSSIA," AND WE BRING YOU OUR FINAL INSTALLMENT TONIGHT.

VLADIMIR PUTIN IS SERVING A THIRD TERM AS RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT AND IS EXPECTED TO SEEK A FOURTH NEXT YEAR.

HE HAS BEEN WIDELY POPULAR SINCE FIRST COMING TO POWER AS PRIME MINISTER IN 1999.

BUT THIS SPRING SAW THE LARGEST ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS INSIDE RUSSIA IN YEARS.

IN TONIGHT'S SIGNATURE SEGMENT, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT NICK SCHIFRIN AND PRODUCER ZACH FANNIN INTRODUCE US TO THE GROWING OPPOSITION MOVEMENT AND ONE OF ITS KEY LEADERS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE SEASON OF RUSSIA'S DISCONTENT.

UNDER PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, THERE'S BEEN A TACIT AGREEMENT THAT PEOPLE ENJOY THEIR LIVES AND STAY OUT OF POLITICS.

NOW, MANY RUSSIANS ARE DECIDING THAT BARGAIN'S NO LONGER WORTH IT.

>> ( translated ): UNTIL RECENTLY, PEOPLE WERE THINKING POLITICS WERE SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY.

BUT NOW, PEOPLE UNDERSTAND POLITICS HITS CLOSE TO HOME.

>> Reporter: 38-YEAR-OLD ALEXEY KOTOROV AND HIS NEIGHBORS HAD CONSIDERED THEMSELVES APOLITICAL, BUT THEY LAUNCHED THESE PROTESTS WHEN THE CITY OF MOSCOW PLANNED TO EVICT THEM FROM THEIR APARTMENTS TO KNOCK THEM DOWN AND BUILD HIGH RISES.

AS ALWAYS, POLICE PRESENCE WAS STRONG.

BUT SOME RUSSIANS' FEAR OF THEIR STATE SEEMS TO BE FADING, AND FAITH IN THEMSELVES, RISING.

DO YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> ( translated ): WE CAN CHANGE THINGS IF WE STAY TOGETHER.

WE NEED TO STAY ACTIVE.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW TO RECREATE CIVIL SOCIETY.

FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, CIVIL SOCIETY HAS ALMOST DISAPPEARED.

>> Reporter: IN THE 1960s, THE FORMER SOVIET UNION BUILT KOTOREV'S APARTMENT COMPLEX AS INEXPENSIVE HOUSING... >> SO, THIS IS YOUR HOME?

>> THIS IS MY HOME.

>> Reporter: ...FOR PEOPLE LIKE HIM TO HAVE THEIR OWN SPACE.

INSIDE, IT'S NICE, WITH A VIEW OF THE MOSCOW RIVER.

KOTOREV ACCUSES LOCAL OFFICIALS OF WANTING TO SEIZE VALUABLE LAND TO GET RICH.

>> ( translated ): NOW IS A VERY IMPORTANT MOMENT.

THE PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO UNITE TO SHOW THE GOVERNMENT THEIR POINT OF VIEW.

>> Reporter: THE MAN MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING THAT UNITY IS ALEXEI NAVALNY.

THE 41-YEAR-OLD LAWYER IS THE COUNTRY'S MOST PROMINENT OPPOSITION POLITICIAN ON A CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION.

HE CALLS THE RULING UNITED RUSSIA PARTY, "THE PARTY OF CROOKS AND THIEVES."

IN MARCH, HE POSTED AN HOUR-LONG YOUTUBE EXPOSE ABOUT MANSIONS, YACHTS AND LAND THAT HE SAYS WERE CORRUPTLY ACQUIRED BY PUTIN'S PRIME MINISTER, DMITRY MEDVEDEV.

>> ( translated ): MEDVEDEV CAN STEAL SO MUCH AND SO OPENLY BECAUSE PUTIN DOES THE SAME, BUT ON A GREATER SCALE.

THE SYSTEM IS SO ROTTEN, THERE'S NOTHING HEALTHY LEFT.

>> Reporter: NAVALNY'S BEEN FIGHTING PUTIN FOR SIX YEARS.

IN 2011, HE SPARKED MASSIVE PROTESTS AHEAD OF A PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION HE CALLED RIGGED.

>> ( translated ): IT'S VERY SIMPLE: POWER TO THE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: TWO YEARS LATER, HE RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR MOSCOW MAYOR AGAINST THE PUTIN-BACKED INCUMBENT.

TODAY, BY USING YOUTUBE, NAVALNY CIRCUMVENTS STATE-RUN MEDIA AND MAINTAINS A HUGE FOLLOWING.

THIS VIDEO HAS 23 MILLION VIEWS.

>> ( translated ): THIS IS OUR COUNTRY, AND THESE SWINDLERS ARE STEALING OUR MONEY.

EVERYONE SHOULD FIGHT HOWEVER HE CAN.

>> Reporter: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ANSWERED HIS CALL.

ON MARCH 26 AND JUNE 12, RUSSIANS LAUNCHED THE MOST WIDESPREAD UNSANCTIONED PROTESTS IN A QUARTER CENTURY.

THEY WERE HELD IN 185 CITIES.

NEARLY ALL THE PROTESTERS WERE YOUNG AND MOTIVATED TO SPEAK OUT BY CORRUPTION.

"PUTIN'S A THIEF," THEY CHANTED.

"POLICE, JOIN THE PEOPLE," THEY SAY.

"DON'T SERVE THE GOVERNMENT OF MONSTERS."

POLICE DECLINED THEIR INVITATION AND ARRESTED 1,700 PROTESTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING NAVALNY.

HE WAS SENTENCED TO 25 DAYS IN JAIL FOR ORGANIZING AN UNSANCTIONED RALLY.

HE WAS ALSO ARRESTED AND JAILED IN MARCH.

AND BACK IN 2014, HE WAS CONVICTED OF A FELONY: DEFRAUDING CLIENTS OF A SHIPPING COMPANY HE HELPED HIS BROTHER, OLEG, START.

OLEG REMAINS IN PRISON.

ALEXEI CALLS HIS BROTHER A HOSTAGE AND THE CHARGES FABRICATED, BUT HIS CONVICTION MEANS LEGALLY HE CAN'T RUN FOR OFFICE.

THAT HASN'T STOPPED HIM FROM CAMPAIGNING FOR NEXT YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

>> ( translated ): WE DO NOT OWE THE GOVERNMENT ANYTHING.

IT IS THE GOVERNMENT WHO OWES US.

THEY BUILD AN AUTHORITARIAN REGIME THAT DOESN'T GIVE ANYTHING BACK.

>> Reporter: HIS RALLIES ARE UNUSUAL IN A COUNTRY WHERE RETAIL CAMPAIGNING IS ALMOST UNHEARD OF.

THE CROWDS ARE YOUNG, AND HE TALKS LIKE THEM.

>> ( translated ): THEY THINK WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS, THAT WE HAVE TO SHUT UP AND LISTEN.

THEY TELL US, "( BLEEP ) YOU," AND WE HAVE TO SAY, "OH, OKAY, WE'RE VERY SORRY."

BUT NO, WE HAVE GATHERED HERE TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS, AND WE'LL OBTAIN THE ANSWERS.

>> HIS ANTI... ANTI-CORRUPTION MESSAGE RESONATES WITH ME, AND I THINK THAT HE'S A VERY CHARISMATIC POLITICIAN.

>> Reporter: 23-YEAR-OLD KIRIL KOZLOVSKY-- AND ANYONE IN THE CROWD WHO WANTED ONE-- GOT A PHOTO WITH NAVALNY.

KOZLOVKSY PROMPTLY POSTED IT TO HIS PROFILE ON VK, RUSSIA'S EQUIVALENT OF FACEBOOK.

KOSLOVSKY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT PUTIN HAS BROUGHT RELATIVE PROSPERITY TO RUSSIA.

HE'S NOT EVEN OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHAOS THAT PUTIN HELPED END WHEN HE CAME TO POWER IN 1999.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS WHO SAY, "LOOK, THINGS WERE A LOT WORSE FOR US BEFORE PRESIDENT PUTIN"?

>> IN THE 18 YEARS THAT HAVE PASSED, HE AND HIS TEAM COULD HAVE DONE A LOT MORE TO HELP THE SITUATION, A LOT MORE TO MAKE IT BETTER.

AND HE DIDN'T.

SO, HE'S TO BLAME FOR THIS.

>> Reporter: IN CHEBOKSARY, 375 MILES EAST OF MOSCOW, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT MADE SURE NO ONE IN THE CITY CENTER WOULD RENT SPACE TO THE NAVALNY CAMPAIGN, SO HIS GATHERINGS TAKE PLACE ON THE EDGE OF TOWNS, LIKE THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX.

SEMYON KOCHKIN IS THE LOCAL CAMPAIGN MANAGER.

>> ( translated ): WE WERE REJECTED BY ALL THE LANDLORDS, BY ALL THE HOTELS, EVEN THE INTERNATIONAL HOTELS.

EVEN CONSTRUCTION FIELDS REJECTED US.

>> Reporter: KOCHKIN SAYS HE'S BEEN TARGETED PERSONALLY.

LAST YEAR, ON VK, HE POSTED A CLIP FROM COMEDIAN JOHN OLIVER'S HBO PROGRAM, "LAST WEEK TONIGHT."

>> SCAMMING ISIS IS THE BEST THING ANYONE DID ON EARTH THIS WEEK!

>> Reporter: THE VIDEO SHOWS BANNED ISIS SYMBOLS, AND KOCHKIN WAS ARRESTED FOR EXTREMISM.

HE TOOK A SELFIE IN THE BACK OF A POLICE CAR.

HE ACCUSES THE GOVERNMENT OF EXPLOITING ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS TO SILENCE NAVALNY'S CAMPAIGN.

>> ( translated ): WE ARE CONSTANTLY FIGHTING WITH THE AUTHORITIES, AND IT'S ALWAYS ONE-SIDED.

BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTION SEASON, THEY MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE.

♪ >> Reporter: LOCAL POLICE ALSO ARRESTED 35-YEAR-OLD ANDREI USIPOV.

HE'S THE LOCAL ORCHESTRA'S FIRST VIOLIN.

ON MARCH 26, HE JOINED THE NAVALNY PROTEST, AND, A WEEK LATER, POLICE INTERRUPTED A REHEARSAL TO TAKE HIM TO JAIL.

I ASKED HIM IF HE THOUGHT HE'D BE ARRESTED FOR PROTESTING IF NAVALNY WERE PRESIDENT.

>> ( translated ): I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE, UNDER ALEXEI NAVALNY, THE COUNTRY WILL BE MORE OPEN.

ALEXEI IS FOR TRANSPARENCY, AND ONLY WITH TRANSPARENCY CAN WE OVERPOWER CORRUPTION.

>> Reporter: ARRESTS ARE ONLY ONE WAY THE RUSSIAN ESTABLISHMENT PUSHES BACK.

STATE TV PORTRAYS NAVALNY'S PROTESTS AS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO RUSSIA'S STABILITY.

LISTEN TO WHAT THE COUNTRY'S MOST POPULAR ANCHOR SAID LAST MONTH: >> ( translated ): THEY USE PEOPLE TO PROVOKE THE CROWD AND MAKE THE SITUATION SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL, ACHIEVING CHAOS.

FIRST, IN ONE SQUARE IN ONE CITY, AND THEN THEY PLUNGE THE ENTIRE COUNTRY INTO POVERTY AND-- I'M AFRAID TO SAY-- CIVIL WAR.

>> Reporter: GOVERNMENT-RUN HIGH SCHOOLS FORCE STUDENTS TO WATCH A VIDEO COMPARING NAVALNY TO HITLER, ACCUSING HIM OF BEING A FASCIST TRYING TO UNDERMINE THE STATE.

BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A GENERATION, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE REJECTING THE GOVERNMENT'S TALKING POINTS.

IN A CLASSROOM 2,000 MILES FROM MOSCOW, STUDENTS POSTED A VIDEO OF THEMSELVES CHALLENGING A GOVERNMENT-FUNDED SCHOOL TEACHER WHO CALLED NAVALNY'S SUPPORTERS FREAKS AND DEFENDED CORRUPTION.

>> Reporter: THE PRESSURE ON NAVALNY HIMSELF IS SOMETIMES PHYSICAL.

LAST YEAR, MEMBERS OF THE PRO- GOVERNMENT COSSACKS DOUSED NAVALNY WITH MILK AND BEAT UP HIS STAFF.

IN APRIL, A STATE TV CHANNEL SHOWED AN ASSAILANT AFTER HE SPRAYED NAVALNY WITH GREEN DYE AND CHEMICALS.

NAVALNY'S RIGHT EYE NEEDED SURGERY.

NAVALNY ACCUSED THE KREMLIN OF ORGANIZING THE ATTACK.

>> ( translated ): EVEN IF I LOOK LIKE THIS, DOES THAT MEAN THAT WE WILL ACCEPT MONEY'S BEEN STOLEN AND USED TO BUY YACHTS?

I DON'T THINK SO.

>> Reporter: NAVALNY'S POLL NUMBERS REMAIN LOW, BUT HE'S CHANGING PUBLIC OPINION.

TWO-THIRDS OF RUSSIANS NOW IDENTIFY CORRUPTION AS THE COUNTRY'S NUMBER ONE PROBLEM.

PRESIDENT PUTIN AVOIDS RESPONDING TO NAVALNY SUBSTANTIVELY.

BUT THE NAVALNY EFFECT MEANS AT A TOWN HALL IN MOSCOW, WHERE QUESTIONS ARE USUALLY SCREENED IN ADVANCE, THIS TEENAGER DARED TO ASK PUTIN ABOUT CORRUPT OFFICIALS UNDERMINING THE PUBLIC'S FAITH IN GOVERNMENT.

>> ( translated ): HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?

>> Reporter: PUTIN RESPONDED: >> ( translated ): YOU READ YOUR QUESTION.

DID YOU PREPARE IT YOURSELF, OR DID SOMEONE PUT YOU UP TO IT?

>> ( translated ): LIFE PREPARED ME FOR THIS QUESTION.

( LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE ) >> Reporter: WHILE HE'S INSPIRED THE YOUNGER GENERATION, SOME FELLOW PUTIN OPPONENTS CRITICIZE NAVALNY FOR BEING A NATIVIST.

SIX YEARS AGO, HE RELEASED VIDEOS COMPARING IMMIGRANTS WHO WORK IN RUSSIA TO COCKROACHES.

NAVALNY STANDS BY THE VIDEOS AND SAYS HE WANTS TO APPEAL TO NATIONALISTS, WHICH IS WHY HE RARELY CRITICIZES PUTIN'S MUSCULAR AND POPULAR FOREIGN POLICY IN UKRAINE AND SYRIA.

NAVALNY TURNS DOWN INTERVIEW REQUESTS-- INCLUDING OURS-- AND TRIES TO KEEP THE FOCUS ON CORRUPTION.

YOU SAVE YOUR HARSHEST CRITICISM OF THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS DOMESTIC POLICY, OBVIOUSLY, NOT HIS FOREIGN POLICY.

IN FACT, YOU DON'T TALK VERY MUCH ABOUT HIS FOREIGN POLICY.

IS THAT BECAUSE YOU AGREE WITH MOST OF IT?

>> ( translated ): I DON'T TALK A LOT ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY BECAUSE HERE EVERYONE IS INTERESTED IN WAGES, INCOME AND BAD ROADS.

>> Reporter: HE TRIES TO FEED POPULISM TO AN AUDIENCE THAT'S HUNGRY.

HE HIGHLIGHTS GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION TO PEOPLE WHO FEEL THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.

AND HE'S TRYING TO CONVINCE A GENERATION-- AND PERHAPS THE COUNTRY-- THAT POLITICS REQUIRES PARTICIPATION.

>> Sreenivasan: SOME TIME SOON, YOU COULD HAVE YOUR FACE SCANNED AS YOU BOARD AN OVERSEAS FLIGHT.

IT'S ALREADY BEING TESTED IN A HANDFUL OF AMERICAN AIRPORTS, WITH TWO AIRLINES-- DELTA AND JETBLUE-- DIRECTLY PARTICIPATING.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SEES THIS SYSTEM AS A TOOL TO CATCH IMMIGRANTS OVERSTAYING THEIR VISAS.

BUT AS THE PROGRAM EXPANDS, IT WILL TAKE PHOTOS NOT JUST OF FOREIGNERS BUT U.S. CITIZENS, AS WELL.

THIS RAISES SECURITY, ACCURACY AND PRIVACY QUESTIONS.

JOINING ME NOW FROM HOUSTON TO DISCUSS THIS IS ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTER FRANK BAJAK.

FRANK, FIRST OF ALL, JUST LAY OUT THIS EXPERIMENT, OR LAY OUT HOW THIS IS ROLLING OUT FOR US.

>> WELL, INTERESTINGLY, IT'S NOT REALLY AN EXPERIMENT BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS THAT IT INTENDS TO GO AHEAD WITH THIS AT ALL HIGH-VOLUME AIRPORTS BEGINNING IN 2018.

NOW, THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT STARTED OUT AS APPLYING ONLY TO WHAT THEY CALL NON-IMMIGRANT FOREIGNERS-- AND THAT'S, LIKE, 50 MILLION PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE UNITED STATES ANNUALLY-- TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE NOT OVERSTAYING VISAS AND TO KEEP BETTER TRACK OF THAT.

CONGRESS HAS NOT EXPLICITLY APPROVED THIS FOR U.S. CITIZENS, BUT CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, WHICH IS PART OF HOMELAND SECURITY, SAYS THAT THEY CAN ONLY DO THIS IF THEY DO IT FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING U.S. CITIZENS.

>> Sreenivasan: AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THIS INFORMATION?

SAY I TAKE MY PHOTO, OR THE AIRLINES TAKE MY PHOTO, OR C.P.B.

GETS MY PHOTO.

WHERE DOES IT GO?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, EVERY U.S. CITIZEN NOW HAS IN THEIR PASSPORT A LITTLE CHIP THAT HAS THE BIOMETRIC INFORMATION.

IT HAS THEIR BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION, WHERE THEY LIVE, ET CETERA, THEIR BIRTH DATE.

AND IT'S GOT A PHOTO WHICH IS ENCODED IN THAT CHIP.

IT CAN USE THAT INFORMATION TO COMPARE IT AGAINST, SAY, OUTSTANDING ARREST WARRANTS.

BASICALLY, IF SOMEONE IS WANTED FOR A CRIME.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT'S NOT GOING TO RETAIN THIS INFORMATION, IT'S NOT GOING TO KEEP RECORDS OF THIS INFORMATION, BUT THE BORDER PATROL OFFICIAL I SPOKE TO SAID THAT THEY'RE NOT PRECLUDING THAT IN THE FUTURE THEY COULD RETAIN THAT INFORMATION.

>> Sreenivasan: WHAT ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF THESE IMAGES, THESE IMAGE RECOGNITION?

LET'S SAY YOU GET CAUGHT IN KIND OF A FACE SCAN TRAP AND THERE'S A FLAG, BUT IT'S...

IT'S A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

>> WELL, FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY IS STEADILY IMPROVING OVER THE YEARS.

AND IT'S NOW...

THE BEST OF IT IS AT 90% TO 95% ACCURACY.

HOWEVER, THE EXPERTS THAT I TALKED TO SAID THAT THERE ARE APT TO BE MISMATCHES.

AND IF THERE IS A MISMATCH, WHAT CAN HAPPEN?

FIRST OF ALL, IT CAN CAUSE TRAVELING DELAYS.

IF YOU'RE BOARDING AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT OF 500 PASSENGERS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT UP TO 50 PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO GET STOPPED AND HAVE TO GO THROUGH A MANUAL CHECK.

BUT THE ISSUE IS ALSO ON THAT MISMATCH, WHAT IF I'VE GOT AN IDENTICAL TWIN WHO'S A WANTED FUGITIVE?

WELL, IS THAT GOING TO FLAG ME?

>> Sreenivasan: I KNOW IN THE PAST THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS THAT THESE ALGORITHMS AREN'T VERY GOOD AT IDENTIFYING OR MISIDENTIFYING WOMEN OR PEOPLE OF COLOR BECAUSE OF THE SAMPLE SET THAT THEY USED.

>> INDEED, THAT'S TRUE.

IN FACT, THERE'S A RESEARCHER AT M.I.T.

MEDIA LAB WHO'S LOOKED INTO THIS, AND HE SAYS THAT THERE IS A BIAS AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR BECAUSE OF THE SELECTION IN TESTS THAT'S BEEN USED.

BUT I THINK THAT THE BIGGER QUESTION THAT CONCERNS THE PRIVACY EXPERTS IS, IT'S VERY EASY TO QUICKLY NOW COMPARE THESE TO THE FACE PRINTS OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM OTHER DATABASES INSTANTANEOUSLY, AND I THINK THAT THIS IS THE WORRY.

>> Sreenivasan: FRANK BAYAK FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JOINING US FROM HOUSTON TODAY.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND, SATURDAY.

>> Sreenivasan: MODERN-DAY MEXICO CITY WAS ONCE THE CAPITOL OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE, WITH THE ANCIENT CITY OF TENOCHTITLAN CONTAINING ITS MOST SACRED SHRINES.

THAT'S WHAT A NEW ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY, INCLUDING SOME OF THE FINEST AZTEC GOLD EVER FOUND, IS CURRENTLY BEING UNEARTHED.

THE REMAINS OF A YOUNG WOLF COVERED IN GOLD IS BEING EXCAVATED IN A SITE IN THE HEART OF MEXICO CITY.

ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE FOUND 22 COMPLETE PIECES OF GOLD, INCLUDING A CHEST PLATE AND PENDANTS.

THE EIGHT MONTH OLD WOLF WAS SACRIFICED BY THE AZTECS BEFORE BEING BURIED WITH THE GOLD, FLINT KNIVES, AND SEA SHELLS IN A STONE BOX MORE THAN 500 YEARS AGO.

THE WOLF REPRESENTED THE AZTEC'S WAR AND SOLAR GOD, AND WAS BELIEVED TO HELP GUIDE FALLEN WARRIORS IN THE AFTERLIFE.

PROJECT DIRECTOR LEONARDO LOPEZ SAYS THE DISCOVERY OF THE REMAINS AND PRECIOUS OBJECTS IS EXCEPTIONAL.

>> ( translated ): THE WOLF WAS ADDED TO THESE GOLD-LAMINATED PIECES AS JOINT SYMBOLS OF DEATH, WAR AND SACRIFICE.

>> Reporter: THE DISCOVERY WAS MADE IN APRIL NEAR THE STEPS OF THE MOST SACRED AZTEC TEMPLE AFTER TWO BUILDINGS THAT ONCE COVERED THE SITE IN DOWNTOWN MEXICO CITY WERE DEMOLISHED.

IN 1900, THE BOX THAT CONTAINED THE TROVE OF GOLD WAS DAMAGED WHEN A SEWER LINE WAS INSTALLED DIRECTLY NEXT TO IT.

BUT ARCHEOLOGISTS WORKING ON THE SITE BELIEVE THE WORKERS MUST NOT HAVE NOTICED THE CACHE, LEAVING THE CONTENTS UNDISTURBED.

WHILE THE SITE HAS BEEN STUDIED FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, LOPEZ BELIEVES THAT THIS AREA COULD STILL YIELD MORE ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDS IN THE FUTURE.

>> ( translated ): WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THAT THIS IS THE AREA WHERE THEY BURIED THEIR RULERS BECAUSE IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE KEPT FINDING ALTARS.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE ARE SURROUNDED BY BUILDINGS WHICH ARE COLONIAL JEWELS, AND WE CANNOT AND WILL NOT DEMOLISH THEM.

>> Sreenivasan: ON PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND SUNDAY, THE LARGEST FINANCIAL CRISIS IN PUERTO RICO'S HISTORY SPARKS TOUGH AUSTERITY MEASURES.

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION OF PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND.

I'M HARI SREENIVASAN.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.