VISUAL REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: Natural Born Liar
The roots of Putin's chronic lying run deep.
VOX POP: What Has Changed After Nemtsov’s Death?
Most respondents in an informal street poll in Moscow said “Nothing has changed,” although one said Nemtsov’s murder had a “tragic impact” on him and was possibly an “awakening” for others. One respondent said nothing in Russia has changed for the past 500 years, one didn’t know who Nemtsov was, and one answered, “Thank goodness we live well now, and glory to Putin.” (Russian Service)
Kyrgyz PM Kicks Out Official From Meeting
In a cabinet-level meeting to address the country’s poverty, Kyrgyz Prime Minister and presidential candidate Sooronbay Jeenbekov ordered the state deputy director for construction to "Go get out the door. Hey, get out," claiming he came to the meeting unprepared and that the “people are dissatisfied with you.” (over 277K views on Current Time TV Facebook)
Disabled Actors Star In Kazakh Films
Actors with disabilities are cast into starring roles by award-winning Kazakh film director Aziz Zairov.
OTHER NEWS
Jurors Deliberating In Trial Of Accused Nemtsov Killers
Jurors are deliberating in the Moscow trial of five men from Russia’s republic of Chechnya who are charged in connection with the 2015 killing of former Deputy Prime Minister and opposition politician Boris Nemtsov.
Russia Cancels Talks With U.S. In Response To Sanctions
The U.S. State Department has expressed regret over a Kremlin decision to cancel a meeting between U.S. Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Russia To Beef Up Defenses On Western Flank, Citing NATO Threat
Russia's defense minister says that the security situation near the country’s western borders has worsened and thta Russia will beef up its forces there.
U.S. Official Says Russian Hackers Targeted Election Systems In 21 States
A U.S. official says Russian government-linked hackers targeted election systems in at least 21 states during the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign.
Three Die From Surrogate Alcohol Poisoning In Russia
Russian authorities say a mass surrogate-alcohol poisoning in the Moscow region has left three people dead.
Ukraine President Says Defense Deals With U.S. To Be Signed Soon
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that members of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration plan to visit Kyiv in the near future to sign "very important" defense agreements.
Ukraine’s Security Service Solicits Reporting Of ‘Anti-Ukrainian Activities’
Ukraine’s national security service, under director Vasyl Hrytsak, has launched a Facebook page that encourages users to report information on acts that pose a threat to national security. The move recalls a previous initiative by Hrytsak calling on Ukrainians to resist “information aggression” and the "enemy fifth column," and has been denounced by critics as threatening basic freedoms and provoking false and malicious reporting. (Ukrainian Service)
Activist Flees Crimea Fearing For Safety
Ukrainian activist Natalya Kharchenko says she has fled the Russian-annexed Ukrainian region of Crimea, fearing for her safety.
Trial Of Crimean Journalist Semena Adjourned Until July
The trial of Mykola Semena, an RFE/RL contributor who is fighting what he says is a politically motivated separatism charge on the Russian-controlled peninsula, has been adjourned until July 7.
Crimean Tatar Leader Umerov's Trial Resumes In Simferopol
The trial on separatist charges of a Crimean Tatar leader who has criticized Russia's seizure of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine resumed on June 21.
Tens Of Thousands Of Ukrainians Traveling Visa-Free
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reports that more than 30,000 Ukrainian citizens have taken advantage of the country’s visa-free status inside the European Union since it was enacted on June 11. (Ukrainian Service)
Female And Gay: Vucic's Unlikely Choice For PM
The nomination of Ana Brnabic to head Serbia's government is an astonishing first.
Romanian Prime Minister Ousted From Office By His Own Party
Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu and his government have been ousted from power in a no-confidence vote that was submitted by members of his own Social Democratic Party.
The Children Of Central Asia’s Presidents
RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service examines how the adult children of Central Asia’s long-serving leaders accumulate government appointments, official rank, and academic degrees. (in Russian, Kazakh Service)
MOST READ/RUSSIA: Crimea’s Costs Are Out To Sea
Russia’s Travel Industry Association reports that tourism from Russia to annexed Crimea decreased 30 percent over the previous year as a result of bad weather and high prices. A spokesperson estimates costs for a one-week vacation in a Crimean hotel with breakfast and no flights at around 22,000 rubles, or approximately 370 USD; the costs for a one-week stay in Turkey at a 3-star hotel with flights costs, on average, 25,000 - 35,000 rubles, or about 420-585 USD. (over 44k views on Russian Service website)
PODCAST: More Signs Of Turkmenistan’s Economic Meltdown
PHOTO GALLERY: Pakistan’s Dazzling ‘Jingle Trucks’