The Chairman of the OSCE PA has changed his mind about coming to Tbilisi
The President of the OSCE PA, Pia Kauma, announced her cancellation on the eve of her planned visit to Georgia.
 
"After discussions and careful consideration, I decided to postpone the visit to Georgia until the moment when the participation of the OSCE PA will be most effective," Kauma commented on her decision.
 
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Assembly emphasized that the organization is ready to listen to political opponents in Georgia and help implement OSCE/ODIHR recommendations regarding elections.
 
The Georgian opposition made statements about the untimeliness of the visit on January 8-10. The same position was expressed by the fifth president of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili. In addition, the member of the European Parliament from Latvia Ryhards Kols, who actively supports the Georgian opposition, called the planned visit of Pia Kauma to Tbilisi "a catastrophic and untimely step." According to the MEP, the Georgian authorities would present this meeting as a "propaganda victory" against the background of the strengthening "autocracy" in the country.
Последние новости
Residents over 55 in Karachay-Cherkessia five times more likely to visit online learning websites
Society
Residents over 55 in Karachay-Cherkessia five times more likely to visit online learning websites
17 October 2026

In the third quarter of 2026, monthly internet traffic to educational websites in Karachay-Cherkessia was 1.3 times higher than in the first quarter. Among users aged over 55, the figure increased fivefold, according to a study by telecommunications operator MegaFon and the Skillbox educational group.

Reporters Without Borders condemns forced detention of Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief
Human rights
Reporters Without Borders condemns forced detention of Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief
17 October 2026

Sergei Sokolov was taken to Russia’s Investigative Committee and held in the building for around three hours, despite having been officially summoned for questioning as a witness. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the incident as a new stage in the pressure on one of Russia’s last independent media outlets.

Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
Society
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
16 October 2026

More than 3 billion rubles have been paid out to residents of Dagestan affected by spring floods. Fyodor Shchukin announced this on October 15 while speaking at a session of the republic’s People’s Assembly. On the same day, deputies elected him as the head of the region, following which he took the oath of office and assumed his duties.

Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
Human rights
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
16 October 2026

A Russian military appellate court has rejected the appeals of four Crimean Tatars—Nariman Ametov, Ali Mamutov, Vokhid Mustafayev, and Enver Khalilyayev—who were convicted of involvement with the organization ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir.’ The sentences handed down by the Southern District Military Court on May 21, 2026, remain unchanged. According to the TASS news agency, citing court sources, the individuals—part of what is known as the "third Dzhankoy group"—were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 14 to 15 years.