VISUAL REPORTS
Kazakh Women Demand Social Reforms
Police formed a cordon in front of Kazakhstan's presidential palace in the capital city, Nur-Sultan, as dozens of women gathered to demand better social benefits.
Volga, Volga! Low-Water Crisis Raises Questions About Managing Russia's Main Artery
In the central Russian city of Ulyanovsk, bathers at a popular municipal beach must traipse more than 200 meters to reach the Kuibyshev Reservoir. Near Kazan, the capital of Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, centuries-old pavement has reemerged from receding waters to become a popular promenade.
From Fasting To Feasting (And Cricket) During Ramadan In Pakistan
Street vendors in the northern Pakistani city of Rawalpindi open their stalls before dawn during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to prepare the meal eaten before the sun rises. After sunset, the crowds return.
OTHER NEWS
Erdogan Says No Backtracking On S-400 Deal With Russia
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, declaring, “We are determined,” says Turkey will not cancel a deal with Russia to buy an S-400 air-defense system, despite pressure from fellow NATO member the United States.
Russia Rejects UN Court Jurisdiction Over Ukraine Claims
In public hearings this week at The Hague, Netherlands, Russia has argued that the International Court of Justice lacks jurisdiction in Kyiv's case over Moscow's seizure of Ukraine's Crimea region and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Moscow Resumes Hearings Of Captured Ukainian Sailors
A court in Moscow has resumed hearings of Ukrainian sailors who were captured and detained by Russian security forces in November 2018 in waters near the Kerch Strait. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ruled on May 25 that Russia release all 24 sailors from three Ukrainian boats, but the Kremlin has rejected the order, claiming the tribunal lacks jurisdiction over the case. (Ukrainian Service)
Tinder Denies Data Transfers To Roskomnadzor
Tinder has denied transferring user data to Russia’s media regulator. Russian media reported last week that Roskomnadzor had added the dating app to the registry of organizations that “disseminate information,” thereby subjecting it to requirements to provide personal data at the request of Russian law enforcement agencies. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Russian Firm To Produce ‘Stalin’ Sausages
A meat-processing factory in the town of Shelanger in Russia’s Mari El Republic says it will soon start producing sausages named after Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
Prague Criticizes Russian Legislation On 1968 Czechoslovakia Invasion
The Czech Foreign Ministry has criticized Russian legislation that it says misrepresents the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Russian lawmakers are reportedly proposing to amend existing laws to state that the invasion was aimed at stabilizing “an attempted coup.”
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy Due In Brussels For First Trip Abroad
New Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is set to meet with European Union and NATO leaders during a visit to Brussels this week -- his first foreign trip since his inauguration last month.
Kosovo Charges Ethnic Serb With War Crimes
The suspect, identified only as Z.Dj., was accused by Kosovar prosecutors of committing atrocities against ethnic Albanian civilians in the town of Peja, about 85 kilometers west of Pristina, in March-April 1999.
Dozens Demand Meeting With Kazakh Interim President
Dozens of men and women from across Kazakhstan gathered at the headquarters of the country's ruling party, claiming that their attempts to get justice in the courts had failed and calling for interim President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev to intervene on their behalf.
Former Kyrgyz Prosecutor Detained Over Early Release Of Notorious Crime Boss
Former Kyrgyz Prosecutor-General Aida Salyanova has been detained over the “illegal early release” in 2013 of Aziz Batukaev, one of the country's most notorious crime bosses.
Uzbek President Pardons Hundreds As Ramadan Ends
On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has reportedly issued a decree, according to which 361 inmates will be released from prison, and the prison terms of 214 inmates will be shortened. Seven pardoned convicts are people older than 60, six are women, and one person is a foreign national.
ELSEWHERE: Iranian Human Rights Lawyer Receives ‘Shockingly Harsh’ Sentence
PRESSROOM: Newseum Memorializes Three RFE/RL Afghan Journalists