Tbilisi Residents Demand Funding for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Treatment Tbilisi, Georgia – Thousands of participants took part in a pro-European march on April 18, 2026, focusing on the urgent need for state funding to provide medication for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The annual demonstration, marking the 507th day of continuous protests, centered around the…
Georgian Government Files Third Complaint Against BBC Over Investigation Tbilisi, Georgia – The Georgian government is pursuing a third formal complaint against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) following a December 2025 investigative report concerning alleged unlawful use of force during protests in Tbilisi. Georgian Dream officials maintain the broadcaster’s reporting is damaging to the country’s…
Armenia’s Foreign Minister Skips Antalya Forum, Signaling Discontent Yerevan, Armenia – Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan did not attend the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, a move interpreted by experts as a signal of growing discontent with Turkey’s failure to implement agreements reached between the two countries. The forum, held April 17-19, featured representatives from numerous nations….
Georgia Opposition Proposes Tax Cuts to Combat Rising Prices Tbilisi, Georgia – The Georgia opposition alliance has announced a comprehensive economic response plan aimed at mitigating rising prices within the country. The initiative, unveiled on April 17, 2026, calls for immediate government action to reduce the tax burden and stimulate economic activity. The core of…
Russian MP’s Visit to Flood-Stricken Daghestan Sparks Outrage Daghestan, Russia – A visit by a Russian MP to assess the aftermath of devastating floods in Daghestan has triggered widespread anger and criticism. Biysultan Khamzaev, a member of the ruling United Russia party, travelled to Mamedkala, a village severely impacted by the second wave of flooding…
Dagestan Official Detained in Rapid Test Embezzlement Case Kirill Glazov, brother of Daghestan’s Health Minister Yaroslav Glazov, has been detained on suspicion of large-scale fraud related to the embezzlement of funds allocated for COVID-19 rapid tests. The investigation, spanning from November 2021 to March 2022, alleges that Glazov, formerly first deputy chair of the health…
Armenia Launches Universal Health Insurance System – Initial Challenges Emerge Yerevan, Armenia – April 17, 2026 – Armenia’s recently launched universal health insurance system is facing initial challenges as the nation transitions to a new healthcare model. The rollout, intended to expand access to care, has seen a significant increase in patient demand, leading to…
Russia Warns Georgia Could Be Classified as ‘Unfriendly’ Following EU Candidacy Moscow – Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on Thursday that Georgia could be designated a “country of hostility” if the nation formally joins the European Union. The declaration follows Georgia’s status as an EU candidate country granted in 2023, though Tbilisi suspended…
Armenian Speaker Emphasizes Prisoner Release as Key to Reconciliation ISTANBUL – Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Alen Simonyan stated that the release of Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan and the clarification of missing persons cases are crucial for achieving “genuine reconciliation” with Baku. The comments were delivered at the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul,…
Airspace Closure Over Southern Georgia Raises Concerns A significant no-fly zone was established over a large area of southern Georgia, including the Abastumani and Adigeni regions, following an order by ruling Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. The airspace restriction, spanning approximately 2,000 square kilometers and extending 45 kilometers deep into the country, was initially intended…