Hey, you’re busy! We know rferl.org isn’t the only website you read. And that it’s just possible you may have missed some of our most compelling journalism this week. To make sure you’re up-to-date, here are some of the highlights produced by RFE/RL’s team of correspondents, multimedia editors, and visual journalists over the past seven days.
Nano Mikautadze used to cover her head in public after an autoimmune disorder caused her hair to fall out. But in her 20s, she decided to stop wearing head scarves and decorated her scalp with a floral tattoo. By RFE/RL’s Georgian Service
Starshel, whose name means “The Hornet,” is Bulgaria’s oldest satirical publication. In its early days under communist rule, it poked fun at capitalism and American imperialism, but it also took on the country’s own leadership. Now, the weekly has editorial independence and recognition as a national treasure. By RFE/RL’s Bulgarian Service and Margot Buff
Vadim Zabolotskikh was one of thousands of Russians detained during recent demonstrations in support of jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny. But Zabolotskikh succeeded in having his case dropped when he used video of the protests to prove that his police record contained falsehoods. By Current Time
A day after RFE/RL revealed substantial evidence that Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has a secret, luxury residence, Uzbekistan Railways said the facility was actually just a recreational center for its staff and produced a video purporting to show satisfied vacationers there. But the video appears to be a rushed production filmed 1.5 kilometers away. By Ray Furlong and RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service
Her family came to Russia after fleeing civil war in Tajikistan, and now she will represent her adopted country at the Eurovision Song Contest in May. Manizha’s unlikely journey to the finals in Rotterdam has also included social activism and a role as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. By Ray Furlong and RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service