Latest news with #SergeyBobylev

Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Kazakhstan bans face coverings in public places
FILE PHOTO: Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attends a plenary session of the Eurasian Economic Forum in Minsk, Belarus June 26, 2025. Sputnik/Sergey Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo ALMATY - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on Monday prohibiting individuals from wearing clothing in public places that covers their faces, joining a trend in several Central Asian countries to restrict forms of Islamic dress. The text of the law says clothing that "interferes with facial recognition" will be banned in public, with exemptions for medical purposes, in adverse weather conditions and at sporting and cultural events. The legislation, one in a series of wider amendments signed into law on Monday, does not explicitly mention religion or types of religious dress. Tokayev has previously praised the legislation as an opportunity to celebrate ethnic identity in Kazakhstan, a majority-Muslim country and former Soviet republic. "Rather than wearing face-concealing black robes, it's much better to wear clothes in the national style," he was quoted by Kazakh media as saying earlier this year. "Our national clothes vividly emphasise our ethnic identity, so we need to popularise them comprehensively." Other Central Asian countries have introduced similar laws in recent years. Police in Kyrgyzstan have conducted street patrols to enforce their ban on the Islamic niqab face veil, according to local media reports. In Uzbekistan, violating the niqab statute carries a fine of over $250. Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon signed a ban on wearing clothing in public that is "alien to national culture." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


The Star
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Kremlin on Trump's 'playing with fire' comments: National interests paramount for Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a statement to the media at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia May 11, 2025. Sergey Bobylev/Host agency RIA Novosti/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo


The Star
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Putin visits Kursk region for first time since ejecting Ukrainian forces
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a statement to the media at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia May 11, 2025. Sergey Bobylev/Host agency RIA Novosti/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Barnama
14-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Putin, Anwar to Hold Talks on Bilateral Ties and Regional Issues
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia May 11, 2025. Sergey Bobylev/Host agency RIA Novosti/Handout via REUTERS MOSCOW, May 14 (Bernama-TASS) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to hold talks on Wednesday with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, TASS news agency reported. According to the Kremlin press service, the two leaders will discuss key areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in politics, trade, and the economy. They are also expected to outline further steps to strengthen ties between their countries. Putin and Anwar will additionally exchange views on pressing international and regional developments. bootstrap slideshow The two leaders last met in September 2024 on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok. Russia and Malaysia share similar positions on various regional and global issues. Both countries cooperate actively through platforms such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In January 2025, Malaysia became an official BRICS partner state. Currently, Russia and Malaysia have signed 20 cooperation agreements. According to Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Nail Latypov, bilateral trade reached approximately US$2.5 billion by the end of 2024.


The Star
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Russia's Putin proposes direct talks with Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a statement to the media at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia May 11, 2025. Sergey Bobylev/Host agency RIA Novosti/Handout via REUTERS MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul. Following are key quotes translated into English by Reuters. "It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv. Nevertheless, we are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions." "Despite everything, we offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul." "Let me remind you that as a result of these negotiations, a joint draft document was prepared, and it was initialed by the head of the Kyiv negotiating group, but at the insistence of the West, it was thrown into the trash." "Russia has repeatedly made ceasefire initiatives." "Kyiv authorities have not responded to any of our ceasefire proposals." "During the three days of the declared ceasefire, Kyiv has made 5 attempts to attack the Russian border." (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)