VISUAL REPORTS
Chinese Ambassador Riled By Questions About Abuse In Xinjiang
China's ambassador to Kazakhstan, Zhang Xiao, reacted angrily when asked by journalists about Beijing's reported crackdown against mostly Muslim ethnic groups - including Uyghurs and Kazakhs - in Xinjiang Province.
Kosovo Police Operation Fans Tensions With Serbia, Russia
Serbia ordered its troops on high alert, and Russia accused Kosovo of provocation following a Kosovar police operation in the country’s mainly ethnic-Serb north.
Kosovo Man Aims for Record With Giant Trump Mosaic
An artist from Gjakova in Kosovo is aiming to set a new world record with a 560-square-meter mosaic of United States President Donald Trump, made from grain .
America Through A Soviet Lens
Life in the U.S., as captured by Soviet photographers.
OTHER NEWS
U.S. Envoy Calls Russian Activities In Eastern Ukraine An 'Occupation'
U.S. Special Envoy on Ukraine Kurt Volker has called Russian activity in eastern Ukraine an "occupation" and urged Moscow to start implementing its obligations under the 2015 Minsk accords.
Angering Anti-Corruption Crusaders, Russia Proposes Banning Access To Land Registry
Russia's Economy Ministry has proposed restricting access to the Unified Land Registry, or EGRN, a database widely used by journalists and anticorruption campaigners to shed light on the lifestyles of the country's elite
Roskomnadzor Orders Yekaterinburg Website To Delete Protest Videos
The local website Yekaterinburg Online has been ordered by Russia’s media regulator to remove two livestreams from its YouTube channel showing local protests against plans to build an Orthodox church. The local prosecutor’s office has requested the strike, alleging the clips include “calls for mass riots, extremist activities, and participation in mass events,” in violation of “established procedure.” Local authorities suspended plans for the church last week. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Lithuania Expels Chief Editor Of Sputnik’s Local Branch
Marat Kasem, the chief editor of Sputnik's Lithuanian branch, has been kicked out of the Baltic nation and banned from entering for five years amid growing concerns in the West over Russian state media influence.
Saakashvili Hails Return Of Ukrainian Citizenship
Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president who served as governor of Ukraine’s Odesa region in 2015-16, has welcomed the restoration of his Ukrainian citizenship by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a "courageous step by a courageous and worthy president."
Kosovar Victims' Family Fears Hero Status For Serb War Criminal
War criminal or war hero? As the June 17 hearing at the UN war crimes court on the early release of Vlastimir Djordjevic approaches, many fear the distinction is lost.
Ahead of Arsenal - Chelsea Match, Football Watchers Ask, 'Why Baku?'
Speculation over whether Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan would play in a Europa League championship match in Baku have led to larger concerns over Azerbaijan’s human rights record and 'sportswashing.'
Turkmenistan Orders Massive Closures Of Shops And Services In Ashgabat
Owners of shops, fitness clubs, barber shops, and beauty salons in the capital city Ashgabat’s downtown area have been notified by police that their licenses will not be renewed, and in many cases have been given only a few hours to surrender their premises. The official reasons for the closures, which have been ordered on a massive scale, are not known. (in Russian, Turkmen Service)
Nazarbaev Presents Nazarbaev Medals To Putin, Lukashenka, And Jeenbekov
Former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has awarded the presidents of Russia, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan the Order Of The First President Of The Republic Of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev during a summit of leaders of ex-Soviet republics in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, which is also named after him.
Uzbek Women Given Houses By President Forced To Return Them
Authorities have forced several single and low-income women to return houses given to them during President Shavkat Mirziyoev’s visit earlier this month to Uzbekistan’s eastern Andijan province. The women were told by state journalists to praise the president on TV for the generous gift, but then told by local authorities after the visit to leave the homes. (in Russian, Uzbek Service)
Year After Kidnapped Bride Murder, Violence Against Women Persists In Kyrgyzstan
Human Rights Watch is calling on the government of Kyrgyzstan to do more to stop violence against women and girls, saying that weak enforcement of current legislation leaves half the population of the country at risk.