VISUAL REPORTS
Ukrainian Authorities Seize Russian Tanker Implicated In Sailors' Detention
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) says it has seized a Russian tanker that Moscow allegedly used to block three Ukrainian naval vessels before detaining them and 24 Ukrainian sailors in November 2018.
Rare Among Athletes, NHL Star Expresses Criticism Of Putin
When up-and-coming NHL star Artemi Panarin recently spoke out about Russian President Vladimir Putin and lawlessness in Russia, people paid attention. When they heard what he had to say, jaws dropped.
Ex-President Poroshenko’s Car Assailed After He Leaves Questioning
At least four men rushed toward the vehicle of former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, with one of them jumping on the hood, after he was questioned as a witness on July 25 over the sale of his shipbuilding plant.
Uzbek Farmers Claim Police Locked Them On A Boiling Bus
RFE/RL has obtained video of farm workers in Uzbekistan's southern Kashkadarya Province allegedly being locked on a bus in temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius. The workers claim they were kept there after farmers missed a meeting on using too much water and fertilizer on their farms.
OTHER NEWS
Russia Labels Atlantic Council 'Undesirable'
Russia's prosecutor-general's office says it is designating Washington-based think tank the Atlantic Council an "undesirable" organization, a move that could limit the group's cooperation with Russian entities and prevent its employees from entering the country.
Trump, Zelenskiy Outline Pending Meeting During Phone Call
U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy on his parliamentary victory as the leaders discussed the agenda of their first tête-à-tête, which will take place in Washington most likely before summer’s end.
Final Ukraine Election Results Confirm Zelenskiy Landslide
The Ukraine's Central Election Commission’s final tally following the July 21 parliamentary elections shows President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s party taking top spot with 43.16 percent of the votes. His main challenger, the pro-Russian political party For Life, placed a distant second with 13.05 percent of the ballots.
RT Fined In Britain For Broadcasting Breaches
British media regulator Ofcom has fined RT £200,000 for failing to comply with the country’s broadcasting rules. Ofcom cited seven programs aired between March 17 and April 26, 2018 on the Skripal poisoning, Syria, and Ukraine’s position on Nazism and its treatment of the Roma community for “failing to maintain due impartiality.” (Russian Service)
Moscow Council Candidate Sobol Detained
Lyubov Sobol, a Russian opposition figure who is seeking to contest Moscow’s September city council elections, was briefly detained on July 26 outside the city’s election commission headquarters in the latest in a series of actions targeting independent candidates.
Suspect Detained In Death Of Russian LGBT Rights Activist
Russian authorities say they have detained a suspect in the murder of LGBT activist Yelena Grigoryeva, who was slain near her home in St. Petersburg. The man, a Kyrgyz-born resident of St. Petersburg whose name was not released, killed Grigoryeva during an altercation and had no political motive, authorities said.
Probe Suspended In Fatal Acid Attack Against Ukrainian Activist
Ukraine's prosecutor-general has suspended an investigation against a high-ranking regional official charged in the death of Ukrainian anti-corruption activist Kateryna Handzyuk, sparking concern among the country’s rights groups.
Georgian Ex-Defense Minister Okruashvili Arrested
Georgia's former defense minister and current leader of the Victorious Georgia political party, Irakli Okruashvili, has been arrested by police in the Georgian capital Tbilisi in connection with an attempt last month to storm the parliament.
UN Nuclear Watchdog Appoints Romanian Diplomat As Acting Chief
The International Atomic Energy Agency has appointed Romanian diplomat Cornel Feruta as acting director-general until a new chief for the United Nations' nuclear watchdog is chosen following the death earlier this week of Yukiya Amano.
Gulnara Karimova Residence Proposed For Transfer To Sports Federation Of Mirzioyev’s Son-In-Law
The Uzbek government has proposed transferring the confiscated residence of Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of late Uzbek President Islam Karimov, to the Federation of Triathlon Sports of Uzbekistan. The federation is headed by Otabek Umarov, the first deputy head of the Security Service of the President of Uzbekistan and the husband of the youngest daughter of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
POLL: Most Russians Run Out Of Money Before Next Salary
A study by the online lending service Robot Seimer finds that three quarters of Russians fail to make ends meet from one monthly paycheck to the next, with 40% of respondents falling short by about $158. Five percent of respondents have money to save, and 6.6% reportedly depend on no regular salary at all. (Russian Service)
COMMENTARY: Kyrgyzstan's Embattled Ex-President Scores, With An Assist From Putin
PAKISTAN: Fired And Furious: Pakistan’s Media Crisis