State Dept. Condemns ‘Selective Targeting’ Of RFE/RL
“The Russian government continues to stifle press freedom and media independence,” the State Department declared in a statement on Friday. “We condemn the selective targeting of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA) under Russia’s law on ‘foreign agent’ media outlets.”
VISUAL REPORTS
Refugees Play Football On Red Square
Players from Syria, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe battled it out at an event on Moscow's Red Square aimed at raising awareness about the plight of refugees. The UNHCR says there were 126,000 refugees in Russia in 2017, with the overwhelming majority from Ukraine.
Great Georgian Women Become 'Fairy-Tale' Heroes
A new book of modern "fairy tales" celebrates the accomplishments of women in Georgian history -- and aims to destroy the gender stereotypes found in much of children's literature.
PHOTOGALLERY: Rising From The Steppe: Kazakhstan’s Capital Turns 20
Once an obscure township on Kazakhstan’s wolf-plagued plains, Astana has outgrown its teen years and is now firmly established as the country’s capital city.
OTHER NEWS
For Trump-Putin Summit, A Cold War Backdrop In Helsinki
When U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet next week, the talks will mark the fourth time that Helsinki has hosted negotiations between the leaders of the two nuclear powers, continuing Finland's legacy as neutral territory for the former Cold War foes to hash out their differences.
EU, Ukraine To Discuss Reforms, Russia At Summit
The European Union and Ukraine are holding their annual summit, with the two sides expected to discuss topics that include Kyiv’s reform agenda and Russia's seizure of Crimea in 2014 and backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Two Convicted In $30 Million Insider-Trading Scheme With Links To Ukraine
Vitaly Korchevsky, a former Morgan Stanley vice president, and his co-defendant, Vladislav Khalupsky, have been convicted by a U.S. jury in a $30 million insider-trading case that U.S. authorities have called one of the largest on record, using sensitive business information stolen by computer hackers based in Ukraine.
British Woman Exposed To Novichok Nerve Agent Dies
British police say Dawn Sturgess, a 44-year-old mother of three who fell critically ill after being exposed to the same nerve agent used in the poisoning of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, has died.
Rights Activist's Drug-Possession Trial To Begin In Chechnya
Amid severe concern from fellow activists, a preliminary hearing in the trial of Oyub Titiyev, the head of the Memorial' office in Chechnya, is set to be held on July 9 at a court in the Chechen capital, Grozny. Titiyev is being tried on a drug-possession charge he contends was fabricated as a reprisal for his human rights work.
Journalists Urge Release Of RFE/RL Ukrainian Contributor Aseyev
More than 300 journalists have appealed to the group negotiating the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, urging the release of Stanislav Aseyev, an RFE/RL contributor held by Russia-backed separatists on espionage charges. Aseyev announced a hunger strike last week. (Ukrainian Service).
Russia Once Again Discussing ‘Alternative Internet’
Russian media reports that the Kremlin is once again considering creating an “alternative internet” in response to what it views as the dominating role of the U.S. in the industry. The Russian Foreign Ministry has reportedly said it will advance such plans if a “broad consensus” on international internet regulations cannot be reached. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
‘Putin’s Witnesses’ Wins At Karlovy Vary Film Festival
The film Putin’s Witnesses by Russian director Vitaly Mansky, created with the support of Current Time TV, won first prize for the best documentary film at the Karlovy Vary film festival over the weekend. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Putin's Halo? Russian Artist Fires Back Against Online Ridicule
The Blessing Of The Ages, a painting done by Russian artist Aleksandr Nemtsov in 2012, has gone viral six years later for all the wrong reasons.
Armenia Charges Ex-President's Brother In Financial Crime Probe
Armenia's Special Investigation Service has said that the brother of former President Serzh Sarkisian,Levon Sarkisian, his son Narek, and his daughter Ani have been charged with conducting illegal business activity.