Vladimir Rozanskij

State-run newspaper Minskaja Pravda asked to avoid publication of satirical articles against the Catholic Church. Intervention of the Apostolic Nuncio in Minsk, Monsignor Ante Jozič. Priests painted as Nazi collaborators; the memory of the martyrs of Rositsa besmirched.

The ruling party exceeds the critical threshold of 43%, thus avoiding an early parliamentary vote, as agreed with the EU. Former footballer Kaladze goes to the ballot to remain mayor of the capital: he is challenged by opposition leader Melia. Many violations reported at the polling stations.

With a strong opposition showing in local election, the country could see snap parliamentary elections. The ruling Georgian Dream party and Saakashvili's United National Movement clash. The former president was arrested upon his return from exile in Ukraine.

Authorities will verify the formation of pastors for faith communities, especially those who have studied abroad. Controls will also be carried out on celebrations, rituals, missionary activities and teaching. Protestants and Jehovah's Witnesses are the main targets.

More troops deployed on the border between the two countries. Kabul: Tajiks must not meddle in our affairs. President Tajikistan: in Panjshir the Taliban violate the rights of the Tajik minority. Russian expert: the Taliban will not dare to cross the border. Dushanbe positions itself to boost regional role.

A year ago a new conflict erupted between Yerevan and Baku for control of the Armenian enclave on Azerbaijani territory. At the end of the conflict there were 3,777 Armenian and 2,895 Azerbaijani dead. The opposition in Armenia accuses Prime Minister Pushinyan of being too weak towards Azerbaijan.

Now she risks being repatriated to Uzbekistan, from where she fled after the 2005 Andijan massacre. A point of reference for all Central Asian migrants. She has accused some Russian officials of corruption. Putin's representative for human rights intervenes to help her.

The Putin regime wants to exploit the legislature to shelter institutions from dissent. More restrictions on the oppositions are expected. Goal to extend the use of electronic voting, more manipulable from above. Radical proposal: replace elections with referendums confirming who is in power.

Four Tajiks and one Russian jailed; the others are being sent back to their countries of origin. According to the FSSB, they organised attacks "against the infidels". Together with China and Pakistan, the Kremlin has opened a channel of dialogue with the Afghan Taliban: it could come to regret it.

Islamic Republic and Azerbaijanis deploy troops and armaments on the border. Tensions resurfaced in 2018 after US withdrawal from Iranian nuclear deal. Wave of refugees amass at border with Azerbaijan. Turkey ready to help Baku 'brothers'. The shadow of tensions between Sunnis and Shiites. Azeris want a leading role in the Caucasus.

Protests over falsification of results, especially those related to electronic voting in the capital. Ukraine and Turkey contest vote in Crimea; Georgia against vote in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Navalnists: "Useful vote" against Putin candidates worked in Siberia. Communists advance.

Serdar, son of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, has reached the age to succeed his father. The Turkmen satrap could rule from behind the scenes like Nazarbayev in Kazakhstan. Internal security strengthened after the return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan.