VISUAL REPORTS
Belarus’s 'Fighting Girlfriends' Intend To Win
Belarusian presidential candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed supporters for the first time at a campaign rally on July 25, speaking in Orsha, where she was joined by two other women representing imprisoned candidates. Nearly 3,000 people attended the rally, two weeks ahead of the August 9 presidential poll.
Russia's Acid River: Leak Kills Wildlife, Plants In Urals
An acid leak from an abandoned mine has turned a local river red, devastating local flora and marine life in Russia's Ural Mountains.
PHOTOGALLERY: How Poland Beat Back Lenin's Communists
Rarely seen photographs of the David-versus-Goliath fight between Poland and communist Russia that raged on the outskirts of Warsaw 100 years ago.
TOP NEWS
Germany Rejects Trump Proposal For Russia's Return To G7
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has rejected allowing Russia's return to the Group of Seven (G7). “The reason for expelling Russia was its annexation of Crimea and intervention in eastern Ukraine,” Maas said in a July 27 interview to German media. “So long as we don’t have a solution there, I don’t see any chance” of Russia rejoining the G7, Maas said.
Privatbank Says Kolomoyskiy, Partner Laundered Nearly $800 Million Through U.S.
Privatbank, the Ukrainian lender nationalized by the state in 2016, now claims its former owners laundered nearly $800 million through the United States using a group of U.S. companies called Optima and other U.S. entities.
Ukraine Accuses Pro-Russian Separatists Of Breaking Ceasefire
Only hours into a new ceasefire in eastern Ukraine that went into effect at midnight on July 26, Ukraine has announced that Russia-backed separatists have violated it. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Nobel Author Alexievich Says Lukashenka Faces 'New Generation' In Belarus
In an interview with RFE/RL's Belarus Service, Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich threw her support behind an upstart female challenger in next month's presidential election, and urged authoritarian incumbent Alyaksandr Lukashenka to ensure the ballot is free and fair.,
Former Vedomosti Journalists Create New Outlet
A group of journalists who recently left Vedomosti newspaper after a change in editorial leadership and policy announced the launch of a new media project, VTimes. The online platform, which will launch this fall, will resemble the old Vedomosti and report about health, ecology, responsible consumption, and human capital. (Russian Service)
Azerbaijani Police Arrest Top Opposition Figure
Fuad Qahramanli, an executive member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party and a top opposition figure in Azerbaijan, has been arrested on charges of seeking to overthrow the government -- allegations that his party says are politically motivated.
Armenians And Azerbaijanis Clash In Moscow
Azerbaijanis and Armenians have engaged in fights and violent rampages in Moscow following recent cross-border clashes between the two Caucasus nations. Moscow police said on July 25 that they had arrested more than 30 people. on charges of involvement in fights and disturbances. Police in St. Petersburg detained dozens the same day in a bid to prevent additional clashes.
Serbian President Seeks More Warplanes
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has accused the United States and other Western countries of arming Serbia's NATO neighbors and Kosovo. “The Americans, Turks, and Germans are taking care of their beloved child,” Vucic said on July 26, referring to Kosovo. He said Washington recently delivered armored vehicles to Kosovo’s security forces.
Anti-Government Protests In Bulgaria Continue For 17th Day
Several hundred people protested the government in the Bulgarian capital on July 25, shouting "Resign!" and "Mafia" as some threw tomatoes and rolls of toilet paper at the Council of Ministers building in central Sofia. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov replaced four ministers last week in a reshuffle meant to end calls for his resignation.
Rights Activist Askarov Dies In Kyrgyz Prison Hospital
Jailed human rights activist Azimjan Askarov has died in custody. Askarov, a well-known ethnic Uzbek human rights activist sentenced to life in prison on charges rights groups described as trumped-up, had been transferred to a different detention center on July 24 amid reports about an abrupt worsening of his health.
ICYMI: How Tajikistan Blocked Term Extensions For Key OSCE Officials