LIVE BLOG: Journalist’s Violent Death Rocks Ukrainian Capital
VISUAL REPORTS
Something Stinks In Russia's Irkutsk
Garbage is piling up on the streets of Nizhneudinsk, in Russia's Irkutsk region, after the Defense Ministry closed the town's main dump.
Georgia's Pankisi Gorge Struggles With Stigma Of Extremism
Georgia’s remote Pankisi Gorge has seen some of its young men leave to fight in Syria and Iraq. But many residents are trying to shake the region’s association with militancy, and say all they want for Pankisi is peace and stability.
It's Raining Salt: Toxic Storm In Central Asia Sparks Health Fears
A storm that hit Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on May 27 covered everything with a layer of salt and made local farmers worry about their crops and doctors worry about residents' health.
Pakistan’s Tribal Areas Celebrate And Protest End Of Colonial Laws
Pakistan's Federal Administered Tribal Areas have merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, ending decades of rule established under 19th-century British colonial laws.
OTHER NEWS
Russian Journalist Who Criticized Kremlin Shot Dead In Kyiv
In an interview with RFE/RL in 2016, Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko, murdered in Kyiv last night, called Russia’s annexation of Crimea a ”turning point.” He said a “unique chance was missed” by democratic forces in December 2011, and that since then, “lots of money has been poured into the army” and forces ready to fight on the state’s behalf. “The laws have become tougher, the opposition is destroyed, some have been killed, others have emigrated.” Babchenko, who ultimately fled to Ukraine for fear for his safety, said he hoped to return to Russia, and had no desire to be a citizen of any another country.
Lavrov Rejects Any Russian Role In Babchenko Killing
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has rejected a Ukrainian allegation that Moscow was behind the killing of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko in Kyiv, calling it part of an anti-Russia campaign.
Financier Browder Released In Spain After Detention By Interpol
British-American financier Bill Browder says he has been released by Spanish police after being briefly detained on a Russian Interpol arrest warrant.
Russia Under Fire At UN Over Downing Of MH17
Russia has rejected calls at the United Nations to accept responsibility for the July 2014 downing of Flight MH17 over Ukraine after an investigation found that a Russian Army missile caused the explosion that killed all 298 people on board.
Nearly 400 Jehovah’s Witnesses Communities In Russia Appeal To European Court
The European Court of Human Rights has accepted complaints from 395 Jehovah's Witnesses communities in Russia, which banned the group as an extremist organization in April 2018. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Lithuanian Minister Says Having World Cup In Russia 'Stupid Idea'
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius has said having the World Cup in Russia is "a stupid idea," but says that a coordinated EU diplomatic boycott of the soccer championship next month is unlikely.
Azerbaijan's Aliyev Hails 'New European Energy Map'
Azerbaijan has inaugurated the first phase of the Southern Gas Corridor project aimed at transporting natural gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe, bypassing Russia.
Polish PM Calls Nord Stream 2 ‘Weapon’ Of Hybrid War
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki says Russia's planned natural-gas pipeline, Nord Stream 2, is a weapon of hybrid warfare that Moscow wants to use to undermine European energy security and the solidarity of the European Union and NATO.
Georgia Severs Relations With Syria For Recognizing Southern Ossetia, Abkhazia
Georgia says it will sever diplomatic relations with Syria over its decision to recognize the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries.
Kazakh Hacker Involved In Yahoo Breach Gets Prison
A U.S. judge has handed down a five-year prison sentence and hefty fine to a Kazakh-born computer hacker who U.S. prosecutors say unwittingly worked with a Russian spy agency in a massive Yahoo data breach.
Kyrgyz Bride Kidnapping Turns Fatal, Prompts Outrage
Kyrgyz authorities are investigating the brutal stabbing death of a 20-year-old woman by a man who had abducted her hours earlier near Bishkek as part of a longstanding but illegal Kyrgyz practice known as "bride kidnapping."
RFE/RL Turkmen Journalist Released After Serving Sentence
Turkmen journalist and RFE/RL contributor Saparmamed Nepeskuliev has been released after serving a three-year prison term on drug charges that human rights groups and a UN panel denounced as politically motivated.
MOST READ/RUSSIA: Reporting Russian Deaths In Syria
Russia’s Defense Ministry on May 27 confirmed the deaths of four Russian soldiers killed by “terrorists” during the week of May 21 in Syria, while local media outlets have reported deaths of at least six soldiers, some of whom have reportedly been burned alive. Russia has confirmed 51 soldiers dead since the start of its military involvement in Syria, eight of whom died in May. (over 244k views on Russian Service website)