A court in Cherkessk (Karabakh-Cherkess Republic) fined Jamal Bostanov three thousand rubles. The local resident was found guilty of distributing materials deemed extremist (Article 20.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

The Armenian publication ZARTNIR.MEDIA reported today on alleged documents from Russian intelligence agencies regarding the upcoming June 7 elections in Armenia and a possible change of power in the country. The authors of the publication claim that the documents were obtained after hacking the phone of a Russian intelligence officer. There is currently no independent confirmation of the authenticity of the materials.

The former head of the Alushta Muslim community, Lenur Khalilov, has been in a Federal Penitentiary Service medical facility in the Arkhangelsk region for two months. He is being held due to serious illnesses, including liver cancer.

The opposition party "Gakharia for Georgia" will introduce a parliamentary resolution protesting the "deepening alliance" agreement concluded between Russia and South Ossetia, as well as Moscow's policy of annexing Georgian regions. This information was announced at a briefing by party representative MP Shalva Kereselidze.

Heavy rainfall in the North Caucasus has caused widespread flooding in Ingushetia. According to the regional office of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, more than 60 private homes and adjacent areas were damaged in the republic.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced at a briefing that the poverty rate in the country had decreased to 7.1% in 2025, lifting approximately 90,000 citizens out of poverty. He attributed this progress to improved economic indicators.

Margarita Simonyan, head of Russian state-run media outlets Russia Today and Sputnik, once again harshly criticized Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, calling on the country's citizens to "destroy" him. She asserted that voting for Pashinyan would only be possible under the influence of a powerful hallucinogenic drug.

22-year-old Crimean Tatar Fevziye Osmanova, along with other female inmates, was transferred to a cell in the men's wing of Pretrial Detention Center No. 1 in Simferopol. This was reported by her mother, Elyanora Osmanova.

The signing of a major package of agreements between Georgia and Azerbaijan became possible following Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Tbilisi and his talks with Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. This was announced by Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili.

According to the minister, following the meeting, the parties began to move toward formalizing the agreements "very effectively and quickly."

Kvrivishvili emphasized that the signed documents are of "historic" significance for both countries, and that the energy component of cooperation is particularly important for Georgia.

The minister noted that the new agreements should strengthen the country's energy security, and Azerbaijan will maintain its status as Tbilisi's strategic partner in this area.

On May 18, Georgia and Azerbaijan signed a package of agreements in the fields of energy and transport. These include a 20-year intergovernmental agreement on electricity supplies and transit, as well as a two-decade extension of the contract for Azerbaijani gas supplies, in effect since 2003. Georgian authorities believe this will help ensure a stable public gas supply.

Also, starting May 26, passenger rail service between the capitals of Georgia and Azerbaijan, which was interrupted almost six years ago, will be restored. A train will run between Tbilisi and Baku every day.

Due to heavy rainfall in the Chechen village of Mesker-Yurt, the Dzhalka River overflowed its banks, flooding 45 homes, including eight houses, which were completely submerged. According to the Shali District administration, local residents were evacuated and temporarily housed with relatives.