VISUAL REPORTS
The Moscow Migrants' Martial Arts Club
Uzbek migrants are proudly flying their country's flag as they compete on the mixed martial arts, or MMA, circuit in Moscow.
The Donbas Sniper War
Sniper fire across enemy lines remains a leading cause of death among Ukrainian troops in the country’s eastern regions, despite precautions. Long-range snipers require expensive equipment, although four years into the war, most of the gear used by Ukrainian troops is supplied by volunteers. (In Russian, Donbas Realities website, Ukrainian Service)
Turkmen Restroom Police Guard Against Unclean Use Of President’s Image
Police in Turkmenistan are conducting bathroom checks to make sure people are not using pages from magazines and newspapers depicting President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov’s image as toilet paper. Transgressors are fined and have even been fired from their jobs. (Current Time TV, Facebook)
OTHER NEWS
The Photo That Fueled The Babchenko Hoax
The killing of Arkady Babchenko did not happen. But you’d certainly be forgiven if, after the first reports emerged late on May 29, you had glimpsed a photograph of his body lying face down in a pool of blood and concluded that this was proof that another Russian reporter had been murdered.
NATO-Russia Council Meeting Aims To Defuse Tensions
NATO ambassadors are due to confer with their Russian counterparts on May 31, in the first NATO-Russia Council meeting this year, to discuss the conflict in Ukraine, reducing tensions over military maneuvers, and other issues.
Russia's Lavrov In North Korea Ahead Of Planned Trump-Kim Summit
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is meeting with senior officials in North Korea in an effort to ensure Moscow’s voice is heard ahead of a planned summit between the U.S. president and the North Korean leader.
Wary Of Sanctions, Lukoil Puts Iran Projects On Hold
A Lukoil official reportedly told investors during a conference call on May 30 that, in light of the threat of U.S. sanctions, the Russian oil giant is putting a hold on plans to develop two vast oil fields in Iran.
U.S. Judge Dismisses Kaspersky Bid To Overturn Ban On Its Software
A U.S. judge has dismissed lawsuits by Russia's Kaspersky Lab that sought to overturn bans on the use of its software in U.S. government computers. The company said it would appeal the rulings, which leave in place prohibitions ordered by the U.S. Congress and imposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Sobchak And Gudkov To Lead New Party
Former presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak announced at a press conference on May 31 that a new Party of Changes will be officially launched at a founding congress on June 23. Jointly led by Sobchak and opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov, the party, she said, will aim to contest regional elections, including the September Moscow mayoral elections, and elections to the State Duma in 2021. (Russian Service)
EU, Council Of Europe Condemn New Executions In Belarus
The European Union and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have strongly condemned the reported secret executions of two Belarusians whose appeals had been rejected by the country's Supreme Court.
Macedonia Plans Autumn Referendum On New Name
Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev says that talks between Macedonia and neighboring Greece on his country’s name are in a “final” phase, adding that a referendum on whatever solution is found will be held in the autumn.
New Bill Arrives For Damage To Aral Sea
Residents of Turkmenistan's northern Dashoguz Province are being sent into the fields to try and save local crops after a storm blowing salt from the desiccated Aral Sea swept through the region on May 26-27.
PRESSROOM: RFE/RL Turkmen Contributor Released From Prison After Serving Term