VISUAL REPORTS
Erdogan Urges Bosnian Diaspora To 'Show Their Strength'
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on his compatriots living in Europe "to show their strength to the whole world" as he sought to shore up support from the country’s diaspora at a rally in Sarajevo ahead of elections next month.
Skripal Would Be Dead If Poisoned By Military-Grade Agent
In remarks made during a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Sochi on May 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that former double agent Sergei Skripal "would have died" quickly if a military-grade poison had been used.
Ukraine’s Lviv Introduces Police On Bicycles
Ten policemen were the first to take to the streets, on bikes, in Lviv on May 20. The EU-financed program makes Lviv the 12th city in Ukraine to introduce bicycle patrols. (Ukrainian Service)
Siberian Spring: Soviet Scientists' Brief Spate Of Freedom
Hidden deep in the woods of Siberia, a community of top Soviet scientists created an isolated pocket of freedom and openness -- until Brezhnev stamped it out.
OTHER NEWS
Russia Unveils World’s First Floating Nuclear Plant
Russia has unveiled the world's first floating nuclear power station in the port of the far northern city of Murmansk. The Akademik Lomonosov was towed out of the St. Petersburg shipyard on April 28 and arrived on May 17 in Murmansk, where its nuclear reactors will be fueled.
British Parliament Report Slams Effects Of ‘Dirty’ Russian Money
“Dirty” Russian money is undermining Britain's efforts to stand up to the Kremlin and supports President Vladimir Putin's campaign "to subvert the international rules-based system," a parliamentary report says.
Britain Launches New Investigations Of RT
British media regulator Ofcom has launched three new investigations of the Russian state-owned TV channel RT. Several news programs and political talk shows are the focus of the investigations, which Ofcom stresses do not necessarily indicate a violation has taken place. (Russian Service)
Rumors Of Surkov Retirement Roil Russian Media
Russian media is reporting the imminent retirement of Kremlin “grey cardinal” Vladislav Surkov, the reputed mastermind behind the annexation of Crimea and the Russia-backed separatist movement in Ukraine’s eastern regions. (Donbas Realities, Ukrainian Service)
World Cup Snapshot: Nizhny Novgorod Residents Wonder If The $1.1 Billion Was Well Spent
In less than a month, Russia will host the 2018 World Cup soccer championship. In the Volga River metropolis of Nizhny Novgorod, one of the 11 cities throwing open its gates, local officials insist that everything is ready for the big event, but an alarming number of blue construction fences remain throughout the city.
Chelsea Owner Abramovich Misses FA Cup Final 'Due To Visa Issues'
Russian billionaire and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich did not attend the team's FA Cup final game because his U.K. visa expired and has not been renewed, according to British and Russian media reports.
New Fighting In Donbas Results In Several Killed And Captured
Ukraine’s military and separatist leaders of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic have reported an escalation in fighting. The separatists have claimed that fighting near Gorlivka has resulted in five Ukrainian soldiers killed and four wounded, with three separatist soldiers captured by the Ukrainian side. Ukraine’s military has confirmed the capture of separatists fighters, but denied any losses. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
‘Ilinden Macedonia' Tentatively Approved As Macedonia’s New Name
Macedonia's prime minister says agreement with Greek leaders has been reached on a new name for his country, possibly ending a decades-long dispute between the Balkan neighbors. "Republic of Ilinden Macedonia" has been agreed to as the compromise name by both sides and will be put to referendum for approval by Macedonian citizens.
Djukanovic Returns to Montenegrin Presidency With Pledge For Stability
Milo Djukanovic, taking the oath in parliament on May 20 as Montenegro's president for a second term, declared, "Montenegro has become the most economically developed country in the Western Balkans, the leader of reforms and negotiations with the European Union, and certainly the first next member of that alliance."
Media Watchdogs Urge Kazakhstan To Revise 'False Information' Law
A coalition of 26 international press freedom organizations has called on Kazakh authorities to review recent civil and criminal actions taken against two popular independent media outlets and revise legislation used to silence the media.
BLOGGING CENTRAL ASIA: The Small Changes In Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoev was praised during a meeting to Washington last week for changes he's been making since taking over as leader of Uzbekistan in September 2016 -- particularly moves to release activists and journalists imprisoned by his predecessor.
MAJLIS PODCAST: How Are Central Asian Migrants In Russia Radicalized?