RIA Novosti Earlier this week, Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor threatened to block Telegram, an encrypted messenger service allegedly used by the Islamic State. The reality behind the decision is likely more political in nature. It began in 2014, when state authorities established a registry of “information-dissemination organizers”—essentially a list of every website allowing the publication of user-generated content.

Zaur Dadayev, charged with involvement in the murder of Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, speaks inside a defendants' cage in Moscow, March 8, 2015. Five men have been found guilty of involvement in the murder of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov. Zaur Dadayev, Temirlan Eskerhanov,Khamzat Bakhaev and brothers Anzor and Shagid Gubashev were foundguilty at Moscow's Military Court on Thursday afternoon. The five men were charged withNemtsov's death in December 2015.

A.Gordeyeva / Vedomosti One in ten Russians does not have enoughmoney to buy basic groceries, a new report has revealed. A new survey by state-backed pollsterVTsIOM found that ten percent of Russians struggled to cover thecosts of food, while 29 percent said that they could not afford toreplace worn-out clothes. Pensioners in particular said that theyfaced financial hardship, with over half of Russians above the age of 65 unableto afford clothing or enough groceries.

Vladimir Yevtushenkov Artyom Korotayev / TASS The Forbes list of top Russian billionaires is known for its high volatility, but even by its usual standards, the fall of Vladimir Yevtushenkov is impressive. As of June 27, the Russian tycoon’s wealth had shrunk from $3.5 billion down to $1.9 billion in just four months.

A.Gordeyev / Vedomosti Russian life expectancy has reachedrecord highs, new data has revealed. Russians born in 2016 are expected tolive 71.87 years on average, according to state statistics agencyRosstat. Women still outlast men by several years, with the averageRussian female living to 77.06, compared to 66.5 years for males. The southern Russian region of Ingushetia boasted the highest life expectancy in the country, withresidents expected to live 80.8 years on average.

Works like 'In the Field' (1989) are typical of Basyrov's sparse, lonely aesthetic. PUSHKIN MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS A highway with a lone lamppost stretches off into an infinity of desert dunes. Two guards in fur hats and overcoats stand smoking in the midst of a vast, boundless steppe. A man squats before a pool, peering into the water, nothing but sky and a distant flat horizon behind him.