Seven days in photos. June 5-11, 2010

Israel’s May 31 attack on a flotilla carrying human rights activists and humanitarian aid to blockaded Gaza remains in the spotlight.

The International Forum “Drug Production in Afghanistan: A Challenge to the International Community” held on June 9 and 10 was sponsored by RIA Novosti, and attracted the attention of other Russian news outlets.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said at the forum that Russia has approved the Strategy for the National Anti-Drug Policy to 2020. He emphasized that drug trafficking from Central Asia requires a joint response from the international community.
Photo: The Deadly Harvest exhibition at the forum depicted methods used by drug smugglers.

On June 10, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in France on a working visit. He met with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and gave an interview to French journalists. Military and technical cooperation was among the topics discussed.

On June 11, Vladimir Putin and Francois Fillon attended the opening of the Russian National Exhibition of technology and innovation at the Grand Palais. Representatives of leading Russian companies, of French and Russian government agencies, and a number of Russian regional governors were in attendance.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tashkent began on June 10 and continued on June 11. The situation in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and the international fight against drug trafficking topped the agenda. President Dmitry Medvedev headed the Russian delegation.

On Wednesday, June 9 special forces of the Federal Security Service captured Ali Taziev, aka Magas, one of the militant leaders in the North Caucasus.

Warsaw faces new threats of flooding after a leak began in the Wal Zawadowski embankment on the Vistula River on June 9.

The flood was caused by heavy rainfall. Water in the Vistula is expected to keep rising. More than 170 kilometers of Poland’s railroads are out of service due to flooding.

The 19th FIFA World Cup, the first to be held in Africa, began in South Africa on June 11 with a 1-1 draw between the home team and Mexico in Johannesburg. Photo: Johannesburg residents in the streets.