Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute: Humans and Animals Have the Same Taste in Animal Mating Calls
PANAMA CITY, Panama, March 20 (TNSjou) -- The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute issued the following news:
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Sounds attractive!
Humans and animals have the same taste in animal mating calls
In a gamified citizen science experiment, humans showed preferences for calls animals find the most attractive
By Ben Marcus
The bright colors of butterfly wings, the sweet aromas of flowers and the euphonious melodies of songbirds all evolved as signals that help individuals propagate, yet humans also find these very same signals pleasing to their own senses. In a study published today, March
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PANAMA CITY, Panama, March 20 (TNSjou) -- The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute issued the following news:
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Sounds attractive!
Humans and animals have the same taste in animal mating calls
In a gamified citizen science experiment, humans showed preferences for calls animals find the most attractive
By Ben Marcus
The bright colors of butterfly wings, the sweet aromas of flowers and the euphonious melodies of songbirds all evolved as signals that help individuals propagate, yet humans also find these very same signals pleasing to their own senses. In a study published today, March19th, in Science, scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) collaborated with researchers in U.S., Canada, and New Zealand to show that humans and animals express the same subjective preferences for particular animal mating calls. In addition, across the range in the complexity of the animal sounds found in nature, humans and animals show overlapping preferences for certain qualities of an animal's call. These findings indicate that preferences for some animal sounds are more universal than previously known.
In the early 1980s, STRI staff scientist A. Stanley Rand and STRI research associate Michael J. Ryan demonstrated for the first time that in the tropical rainforests of Central America, a female tungara frog's preference for a mate depends on the complexity of the male's call. In this new paper, Ryan, now also a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and his colleagues wanted to know whether human preferences for certain animal calls, including those from male tungara frogs, correlate with the preferences of female animals.
"After witnessing those female preferences Stan and Mike discovered when I got to measure them myself, I became fascinated with the question of where these preferences come from," said Logan James, a STRI research associate and the study's lead author. "Plus, since that team released their initial findings, we've found that other animals, including eavesdroppers such as blood-sucking flies and frog-eating bats, also prefer complex calls. This got us wondering how common acoustic preferences may be."
The team tested humans' preferences for different animal sounds using an online computer game. More than 4,000 human participants from around the world were presented with pairs of animal sounds from 16 different species across the animal kingdom and were asked to express their preference for one or the other. The animal sounds were all recorded in previous research studies, and within each pair, the animal from which the sounds came is known to display a preference for one of the two. The researchers tested whether humans showed a preference for the same sounds the animals preferred.
"In gamified citizen science, people volunteer for experiments simply because they're fun and interesting," said Samuel Mehr, an associate professor at Yale University's Child Study Center and the senior author of the study. "The method is perfect for answering questions from evolutionary biology where we aim to study phenomena across many species as opposed to just a few. Our game enabled us to test lots of humans' preferences for lots of different sounds."
The research team found broad overlap between human and animal sound preferences. They discovered that the stronger an animals' preference for a particular sound, the more likely it was that a human was to select that sound as their favorite. And the human participants were quicker to select the more attractive sound. Agreement between animals and humans was strongest for lower-frequency (lower pitch) sounds and those with acoustic adornments, such as "trills," "clicks" and "chucks."
"Darwin noted that animals seem to have a 'taste for the beautiful' that sometimes parallels our own preferences," Ryan said. "We show that Darwin's observation seems to be true in a general sense, probably due to the many sensory system properties we share with other animals."
Reference: James, L. S., Woolley, S. C., Sakata, J. T., Hilton, C. B., Ryan, M. J., & Mehr, S. A. (2026). Humans share acoustic preferences with other animals. Science: science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aea1202
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Original text here: https://stri.si.edu/story/sounds-attractive
SBA Celebrates Success of First-Ever Made In America Matchmaking Expo for Suppliers and Manufacturers
WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on March 19, 2026:
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SBA Celebrates Success of First-Ever Made In America Matchmaking Expo for Suppliers and Manufacturers
675 Small Businesses Connected with Dozens of Large Companies to Reshore American Industry
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Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the results of its inaugural 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo, a first-of-its-kind event held last week in partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Expo was designed
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WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on March 19, 2026:
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SBA Celebrates Success of First-Ever Made In America Matchmaking Expo for Suppliers and Manufacturers
675 Small Businesses Connected with Dozens of Large Companies to Reshore American Industry
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Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the results of its inaugural 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo, a first-of-its-kind event held last week in partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Expo was designedto advance the Made in America agenda by helping large producers connect with small domestic suppliers - enabling companies to build domestic supply chains, create local jobs, and restore American industrial dominance. More than 675 small business suppliers participated, along with 35 large industrial buyers, including companies and agencies such as Boeing, Honeywell International, Inc., Lockheed Martin, NASA, Toyota, and the U.S. Department of War.
"Thanks to President Trump's fair trade and tax cuts agenda, large companies are seeking to reshore their supply chains for the first time in decades, which means more local jobs and more national production capacity," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "Small businesses represent 98% of all U.S. manufacturers - and the SBA will continue to work proactively across the country to ensure they play a leading role in rebuilding American industry, particularly by supporting access to capital, deregulation, and workforce readiness. SBA is grateful to the National Association of Manufacturers, NASA, and the U.S. Department of War for making our inaugural Supplier Matchmaking Expo a tremendous success."
The Expo took place on March 11, 2026, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, and provided the opportunity for local suppliers to meet large companies seeking services and products to expand their domestic productive capacity. Participants took part in both the expo floor exhibits and one-on-one matchmaking sessions with prospective buyers, with over 170 small businesses already successfully "matching" with a large company to provide services.
Survey data and feedback from attendees following the event was overwhelmingly positive:
"This event was excellent. My only request is to have more."
"Overall good job and brought a lot of great vendors in to talk with."
"I think we should do the event at least once a quarter."
"Overall, we are grateful for the opportunity to participate and hope to attend future events as well. Thank you again for your efforts to connect small businesses with industry partners."
"Excellent event bringing together small manufacturers, government agencies, and large industry buyers. The matchmaking structure made it easy to connect with procurement teams and better understand supplier expectations."
Attendees also indicated that the Expo was effective in facilitating procurement networking, that it expanded their understanding of how to leverage SBA resources, and the vast majority would recommend a future Expo to a colleague.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/03/19/sba-celebrates-success-first-ever-made-america-matchmaking-expo-suppliers-manufacturers
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine: Clinicians Should Focus on Symptom Evaluation and Continuity of Care Following Jet Fuel Releases in Oahu, Says New Report Examining Health Risks From Potential Exposures
WASHINGTON, March 20 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
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Clinicians Should Focus on Symptom Evaluation and Continuity of Care Following Jet Fuel Releases in Oahu, Says New Report Examining Health Risks from Potential Exposures
Clinicians caring for individuals who were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated by jet fuel accidently released on Oahu, Hawaii, in November 2021 should document exposure history, carefully evaluate symptoms, and ensure continuity of primary care as evidence continues to evolve,
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WASHINGTON, March 20 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
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Clinicians Should Focus on Symptom Evaluation and Continuity of Care Following Jet Fuel Releases in Oahu, Says New Report Examining Health Risks from Potential Exposures
Clinicians caring for individuals who were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated by jet fuel accidently released on Oahu, Hawaii, in November 2021 should document exposure history, carefully evaluate symptoms, and ensure continuity of primary care as evidence continues to evolve,says a new report (https://www.nationalacademies.org/publications/29404) from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Diagnostic or screening tests to determine past exposure are not currently available, underscoring the importance of clinical evaluation and ongoing patient-centered care. The report also calls for continued environmental oversight of the drinking water system, research to improve exposure characterization, health research, surveillance of the exposed community, and other efforts to rebuild trust.
As many as 93,000 people were impacted by two accidental releases of kerosene-based aviation fuel, known as JP-5, from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The fuel releases, which contaminated the drinking water supply for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and the Aliamanu Military Reservation, were the first large-scale contaminations of a public drinking water system with JP-5 -- a complex fuel whose components can evaporate into the air, which means residents could be exposed not only by drinking contaminated water but also by breathing JP-5 vapors or through skin contact. Many people in the community have experienced acute health issues, and concerns remain about potential long-term outcomes resulting from the exposure.
After reviewing available scientific evidence, the committee that wrote the report concluded that data are insufficient to determine the risks of specific long-term health outcomes associated with the exposure. Because of this uncertainty and the absence of validated exposure tests, the committee was unable to recommend specific diagnostic tests or exposure-based clinical interventions. However, the committee found limited, suggestive evidence linking jet fuel exposure to short-term respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin, and mental health symptoms.
The committee conducted an extensive review of the scientific evidence on the potential for long-term health risks of exposure to JP-5 and available exposure assessments and models. It also visited Red Hill and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and engaged extensively with the impacted community through 15 liaisons that included active-duty service members, military families, civilians, and other Oahu residents, in addition to holding a number of virtual and in-person listening sessions.
"Recovery and healing will require compassion and understanding for the individuals and communities who have been affected by the Red Hill fuel leaks -- transparency and coordinated response efforts across military and civilian agencies are critical to support this work," said committee chair Grace M. Lee, chief quality officer and the Christopher G. Dawes Endowed Director of Quality at Stanford Medicine Children's Health and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. "Our committee drew upon core public health functions and Native Hawaiian values to develop our evidence-based recommendations, which are intended to safeguard the health and well-being of exposed individuals in ways that are equitable and responsive to their needs."
The committee found some evidence of prior drinking water contamination in Oahu, suggesting that low-level exposure before the November 2021 release is possible, with peak exposure most likely occurring between November 20 and December 3, 2021. Actions such as shutting down wells, flushing the distribution systems and household plumbing, and defueling the Red Hill facility likely reduced future exposures and helped protect public health, the report says. However, limitations in sampling methods, reliance on the odor of drinking water to guide health advisories, and the absence of specific biomarkers -- molecular clues that help physicians detect or predict health conditions -- make it difficult to fully characterize exposures. Experimental evidence suggests contamination levels were plausibly high enough to exceed safety factors for the chemical components of jet fuel.
Guidance for Clinicians
Because no clinical guidance currently exists for long-term health effects of jet fuel exposure, the report recommends that the Defense Health Agency, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and members of the Red Hill community jointly develop guidance, emphasizing the importance of careful symptom documentation and clear communication between clinicians and patients as care evolves.
Improving Exposure Mitigation and Reassurance
Some residents using the formerly contaminated drinking water systems continue to distrust the safety of their drinking water, making exposure mitigation and reassurance a critical component of clinical care and patient counseling, the report says. Relevant partners -- including the Defense Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and state health and water resource management departments -- should collaboratively and transparently ensure the safety of drinking water sources near the Red Hill facility, follow through on recommendations from oversight and accountability reviews, and jointly identify and apply lessons learned from the 2021 fuel releases to improve preparedness in other settings.
Expanding Data Collection and Research
In addition, data collection, analysis, and interpretation -- a core component of public health assessments -- should go beyond quantifying contaminants to include documenting the full scope of exposure, monitoring symptoms and health outcomes, and ensuring that affected populations are identified and followed over time. The independent Red Hill Registry, facilitated by the University of Hawaii, is a vital assessment activity that is actively enrolling the exposed population and capturing information about their symptoms. DOD should also maintain the Red Hill Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System Registry and expand it to include anyone who lived or worked at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam or Aliamanu Military Reservation from May 6, 2021, to March 18, 2022.
The VA and other government agencies should support research to develop and validate biomarkers of petroleum associated with exposure to jet fuel, standardize environmental sampling and chemical analysis methods for petroleum-contaminated drinking water, and characterize petroleum constituents from drinking water sources to points of use, the report says. Longitudinal, community-engaged studies are also needed on the potential health impacts of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons associated with jet fuels, including epidemiologic studies that carefully measure physical and mental health outcomes, toxicologic studies that replicate realistic human exposure scenarios, and research to investigate short- and long-term health effects of jet fuel exposure.
The study -- undertaken by the Committee on the Clinical Follow-Up and Care for Those Impacted by the JP-5 Releases at Red Hill -- was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/clinicians-should-focus-on-symptom-evaluation-and-continuity-of-care-following-jet-fuel-releases-in-oahu-says-new-report-examining-health-risks-from-potential-exposures
Social Security IG: Follow-up on Claims Denied Because Claimants Were Not Insured for Benefits
WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued a report (No. 052303) on January 8, 2026, entitled "Follow-up on Claims Denied Because Claimants Were Not Insured for Benefits."
Here are excerpts:
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Objective
To determine whether the Social Security Administration's (SSA) employees made the correct decisions when they denied retirement applications for claimants who did not appear to be insured for benefits but had covered earnings in the year of filing.
Background
This audit is a follow up to our 2016 review of Retirement Claim Denials
... Show Full Article
WOODLAWN, Maryland, March 19 (TNSLrpt) -- The Social Security Administration Inspector General issued a report (No. 052303) on January 8, 2026, entitled "Follow-up on Claims Denied Because Claimants Were Not Insured for Benefits."
Here are excerpts:
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Objective
To determine whether the Social Security Administration's (SSA) employees made the correct decisions when they denied retirement applications for claimants who did not appear to be insured for benefits but had covered earnings in the year of filing.
Background
This audit is a follow up to our 2016 review of Retirement Claim DenialsBecause of Lack of Insured Status.
Generally, to be insured for retirement benefits, a claimant must have 40 quarters of covered earnings and have attained age 62. SSA employees should not deny a retirement claim if the claimant is not insured for benefits at the time of filing but will become insured within 4 months and evidence of the earnings is available.
We obtained the records of 450,209 retirement claims filed between May 2014 and June 2023 that SSA employees determined the claimants lacked insured status. From this, we identified 4,077 claimants who may have been insured because they had 40 or more quarters of coverage in the year of filing.
Results
Of the 100 claimants in our sample, SSA employees denied retirement claims for 43 who alleged lag earnings when they filed their claims, were fully insured, and entitled to retirement benefits but employees did not consider their lag earnings. Despite reminders issued to employees after our prior review, employees denied the retirement claims because they determined the claimants lacked insured status; however, the claimants had lag earnings when they filed their claims.
Based on sample results, we estimate, from May 2014 to June 2023, employees denied retirement benefits to 1,753 claimants who were insured for benefits. Of these, 1,347 claimants were entitled to over $3 million in retirement benefits.
Without controls and processes to ensure employees identify, review, and document lag earnings, SSA will continue denying millions of dollars in retirement benefits to claimants who should be receiving them. Depriving retired individuals of the benefits to which they are entitled could have a significant and harmful effect on beneficiaries, including financial hardship and emotional distress.
Recommendations
We recommend SSA take appropriate action to award retirement benefits to the claimants identified in our audit and establish controls to prevent future errors. SSA agreed to implement our recommendations.
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The report is posted at: https://oig.ssa.gov/assets/uploads/052303.pdf
First Quarter 2026 Dividend
DALLAS, Texas, March 19 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:
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First Quarter 2026 Dividend
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* Bulletin No: 2026-04
The Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) has declared dividends in the form of capital stock on Class B-1 Stock and Class B-2 Stock for the first quarter of 2026.
The annualized dividend rate on Class B-1 Stock (membership and excess stock) is 4.09 percent, which equates to the average overnight SOFR rate for the fourth quarter of 2025 plus 0.1 percent.
... Show Full Article
DALLAS, Texas, March 19 -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, a district bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, issued the following news release:
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First Quarter 2026 Dividend
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* Bulletin No: 2026-04
The Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) has declared dividends in the form of capital stock on Class B-1 Stock and Class B-2 Stock for the first quarter of 2026.
The annualized dividend rate on Class B-1 Stock (membership and excess stock) is 4.09 percent, which equates to the average overnight SOFR rate for the fourth quarter of 2025 plus 0.1 percent.This dividend rate is within the Bank's current target range for dividends on Class B-1 Stock, which is an annualized rate that approximates the average overnight SOFR rate plus 0 - 0.5 percent.
The annualized dividend rate on Class B-2 Stock (activity-based stock) is 5.09 percent, which equates to the average overnight SOFR rate for the fourth quarter of 2025 plus 1.1 percent. This dividend rate is within the Bank's current target range for dividends on Class B-2 Stock, which is an annualized rate that approximates the average overnight SOFR rate plus 1.0 - 1.5 percent.
The annualized dividend rates of 4.09 percent and 5.09 percent will be applied to members' average balances of Class B-1 Stock and Class B-2 Stock, respectively, which were held during the period from October 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. The first quarter dividends on Class B-1 and Class B-2 Stock will be paid on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in the form of Class B-1 Stock with any fractional shares paid in cash.
If you have any questions, please call Member Services at 844.FHL.BANK (844.345.2265).
Sincerely,
Sanjay K. Bhasin
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Original text here: https://www.fhlb.com/library/bulletins/2026/first-quarter-2026-dividend
EPA Proposes to Give Colorado Primacy to Protect Underground Water Resources
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Proposes to Give Colorado Primacy to Protect Underground Water Resources
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Keeping promise to fast track UIC permitting, expand cooperative federalism, bolster energy dominance
DENVER - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its proposed approval of the state of Colorado's request to administer permitting for Class VI underground injection wells (UIC) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The proposal would support EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback Exit
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Proposes to Give Colorado Primacy to Protect Underground Water Resources
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Keeping promise to fast track UIC permitting, expand cooperative federalism, bolster energy dominance
DENVER - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its proposed approval of the state of Colorado's request to administer permitting for Class VI underground injection wells (UIC) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The proposal would support EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback ExitEPA's website initiative, which prioritizes clean and safe water for Americans, restoring American energy dominance and advancing cooperative federalism. EPA is accepting public comments on the proposal through May 4, 2026.
"Congress laid out a clear vision under the Safe Drinking Water Act for delegating decision-making from EPA to the states," said EPA Regional Administrator Cyrus Western. "This primacy proposal supports Congress' vision and recognizes that Colorado has the local expertise to protect its groundwater resources while supporting economic growth."
After conducting a comprehensive technical and legal review, EPA is seeking comment on whether Colorado's proposed UIC program meets all requirements for approval and that the state will implement and enforce the program consistent with the SDWA.
EPA is committed to expediting the review of UIC permits and p rimacy applications received by the agency. Today's proposed approval helps fulfill this commitment. To date, six states have received primacy for Class VI wells, including North Dakota and Wyoming in EPA Region 8. More information about UIC primacy Exit EPA's website is available on the EPA website.
EPA is requesting public comment on the agency's proposed decision for 45 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. The public can comment on the proposal online through the Federal Register Exit EPA's website using Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2025-2829.
EPA will hold a public hearing virtually on April 23, 2026, from 5-8 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. Registration for the hearing is available online Exit EPA's website or by email at UICprimacy@epa.gov.
Background
UIC programs under SDWA play a key role in our nation's economic future by protecting underground drinking water supplies and ensuring that byproducts of industrial and energy projects are safely stored underground. Class VI wells are used to inject carbon dioxide into deep rock formations for long-term underground storage, also known as geologic sequestration.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-give-colorado-primacy-protect-underground-water-resources
Bipartisan Helsinki Commission Leadership Issue Statement on OSCE Report on Human Rights Abuses in Georgia
WASHINGTON, March 19 (TNSrpt) -- The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following statement on March 18, 2026:
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Bipartisan Helsinki Commission Leadership Issue Statement on OSCE Report on Human Rights Abuses in Georgia
U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Co-Chairman Representative Joe Wilson, R-S.C., Ranking Member Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., and Commissioner Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., issued a statement today following the release
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 19 (TNSrpt) -- The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following statement on March 18, 2026:
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Bipartisan Helsinki Commission Leadership Issue Statement on OSCE Report on Human Rights Abuses in Georgia
U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Co-Chairman Representative Joe Wilson, R-S.C., Ranking Member Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., and Commissioner Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., issued a statement today following the releaseof the OSCE's Moscow Mechanism report on Georgia.
The Moscow Mechanism allows OSCE participating states to establish short-term fact-finding missions to address a specific human rights concern in another member state. Last week, the OSCE published a report describing the ruling Georgian Dream party's violations of fundamental rights and freedoms in Georgia since spring 2024.
"The OSCE Moscow Mechanism report is clear: Georgian Dream is robbing the Georgian people of their hard-won freedom and turning their country into an isolated, authoritarian state. We call on U.S. officials to join with our European partners to use sanctions and other available tools to insist that Georgian authorities heed the recommendations in this report. We must demand that they release all political prisoners, drop politically motivated charges against opposition politicians, and repeal undemocratic and unjust laws."
The Moscow Mechanism report, released on March 10, 2026, details Georgian authorities' inhumane treatment of protestors, political prisoners, and other dissenters. Key findings include:
* On unjust prosecutions of protestors: "...proceedings against the protesters tend to progress swiftly and result in harsh sanctions, while the investigations against those allegedly engaged in violence against them, including the security forces, stall."
* On the abuse of protestors, political opposition, and journalists: "The Rapporteur could discern a pattern of violence and other abuses against protesters, leaders of political opposition and journalists (in some instances the violence has arguably reached the threshold of torture), combined with almost complete impunity of perpetrators of those abuses."
* On public intimidation of journalists: "The public television is engaged in smear campaigns against some journalists of independent media. There are reports of apparently civilian violent groups which help police to chase, harass, and attack journalists."
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REPORT: https://odihr.osce.org/sites/default/files/documents/official_documents/2026/03/odgal0009c1%20ODIHR%20NV%2082-2026%20report_Moscow%20Mechanism%20invoked%20in%20respect%20of%20Georgia_0.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.csce.gov/press-releases/bipartisan-helsinki-commission-leadership-issue-statement-on-osce-report-on-human-rights-abuses-in-georgia/
