VISUAL REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: The Pop Star And The Oligarch
How nervous are the Kremlin's loyalists about the new protest mood sweeping Russia?
VOX POP: Why Are Authorities Interfering With Navalny’s Election Campaign?
A majority of respondents to an informal street poll in Moscow said that Navalny’s investigations reflect badly on the government, and that authorities are afraid of his challenge to their power and view him as a threat. One respondent called him a criminal. One said the office of the president is useless, and that the entire system needs to be changed. (Russian Service)
Public Sharply Divided Over Ukraine's Ban On Russian Social Networks
President Petro Poroshenko's blanket ban in Ukraine on several Russian Internet services, including leading Russian-language social networks and a popular search engine, has struck a chord -- or a nerve, depending on who you ask.
Transgender In Tbilisi: Maria's Story
Georgia is one the few post-Soviet countries that bans discrimination against gay and transgender people. Ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on May 17, RFE/RL filmed this profile of Maria, a transgender woman who confronts bigotry every day on the streets of Tbilisi.
OTHER NEWS
Canada Backs Magnitsky Bill Sanctioning Rights Violators In Russia
The Canadian government will back sanctioning officials from Russia and other nations deemed guilty of human rights violations, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland announced on May 17.
European Parliament Demands Investigation Into Abuse Of Gay Men In Chechnya
The European Parliament has passed a resolution calling on authorities in Russia's Chechnya region to allow international human rights organizations to conduct a "credible investigation into the alleged crimes against men perceived to be gay" in the North Caucasus republic.
Lithuania Gives Refuge To Gay Men From Chechnya
Lithuania's foreign minister says the Baltic nation has given refuge to two gay men from Chechnya following reports of a campaign of torture and abuse against homosexuals in the southern Russian region.
U.S. State Department Official Warns Of Russia's 'Malign Influence' In Balkans
A top U.S. State Department official has warned that Russia is deepening efforts to influence Balkans politics, including encouraging the Serb-dominated part of Bosnia-Herzegovina to secede.
Poroshenko Hails 'Historic Day' As Visa-Free EU Travel Deal Is Signed
Representatives of the European Parliament and the European Council have signed a document in Strasbourg formalizing a long-awaited visa-liberalization deal with Ukraine.
Opening Of Navalny's Election Headquarters In Moscow Postponed Again
Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny says he has had to postpone the opening of his election campaign headquarters in Moscow.
Russian Oligarch Records A Video Address To Navalny
Alisher Usmanov, a Russian mining and metallurgy magnate, has posted to YouTube a 12 minute-long video rant against Alexei Navalny, calling him a “scoundrel,” “criminal,” and “failed businessman,” and demanding that he apologize for accusing Usmanov of failing to pay taxes and spending time in jail. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
No Video Link With Yanukovych As Treason Trial Resumes In Kyiv
A Ukrainian court has resumed hearings in the treason trial of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, but an expected video link with the fugitive former leader failed to materialize.
News About Svetlana Alexievich’s Death Is Fake
Russian news agencies today, citing a fake tweet attributed to new French minister Francoise Nissen, falsely reported the death of Nobel-winning author Svetlana Alexievich. RFE/RL spoke to Alexievich today, who said she is well and that “someone is impatient.” (In Russian, Current Time TV)
Russian Ministry's Trophy Hunter Turns Killer
Police found a gruesome scene in an apartment on the southwestern edge of Moscow on May 15. The previous evening, a man shot and killed his girlfriend and her 4-year-old daughter before turning his hunting rifle on himself.
Azerbaijani Court Orders Forcible Return Of Activists Leyla, Arif Yunus
A court in Azerbaijan has ordered human rights activists Leyla and Arif Yunus to be returned to the country from the Netherlands to participate in new hearings in their politically charged case.
Armenia's Ruling Party Names Parliament Speaker
Armenia's Republican Party, which won last month’s parliamentary elections, has proposed former Health Minister Ara Babloyan for the position of parliament speaker.
Georgia Irked By EU Envoy's Visit To South Ossetia
The Georgian Foreign Ministry summoned the European Union's ambassador on May 17 to complain about what it said were inappropriate comments by an EU envoy during a visit to breakaway South Ossetia.
COMMENTARY: The Kremlin’s Tired People
Political commentator Konstantin Gaaze told RFE/RL that a fourth term for Russian President Vladimir Putin would be the “sunset phase” of his personalist regime, adding, “An important element of power in Russia is its unpredictability,” and that “subordinates never know 100 percent the plans of their leader.” (Russian Service)
EXPERTS AVAILABLE: Presidential Elections In Iran