Armenia could become a small transit hub: economist on developments around iran JAMnews Yerevan An economist is assessing Armenia’s evolving role in the economy, influenced by ongoing events in Iran and the broader Middle East. Agasi Tavadayan highlights a significant influx of capital originating from Iran, the Gulf states, and Russia. This shift presents both…
Georgia is facing increasing scrutiny regarding the treatment of stray dogs. Recent reports suggest the Georgian government may be secretly euthanizing street animals, including cremation in Gori. Salome Partsvania, a local activist, documented the situation, beginning with the capture of 65 stray dogs by the National Food Agency on March 30th, ostensibly for vaccination. Many…
The Georgian state council has rejected a request for early release for mzia amaghlobeli, founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti. The appeal, submitted by the administration of Rustavi Prison, cited her good conduct and lack of prior convictions, despite their earlier assertion that she “acknowledges the fact that happened but does not consider it a criminal…
The Supreme Court of Daghestan has issued sentences in absentia against three individuals linked to the October 2023 antisemitic riot at Makhachkala airport. The rulings, delivered on April 2, 2026, concerned those accused of organizing the disturbance. Ex-MP Ilya Ponomarev, preacher Israel Akhmednabiev, known as Abu Umar Sasitlinsky, and activist Abakar Abakarov received these sentences….
Georgia’s annual inflation has slowed to 4.3%, driven largely by rising prices for food and services. The National Statistics Office (GEOSTAT) reported an 0.8% increase in inflation during March. This deceleration is primarily attributed to a 7.5% year-on-year rise in food prices, which previously saw increases of 9-10% annually. Despite this, the impact of escalating…
Following tense discussions between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia has implemented stricter regulations on the import of Armenian goods. This action occurred a day after the meeting, which involved critical remarks regarding Armenia’s relationships with the EU and the US. Sergei Dankvert, head of the Russian Federal…
Abkhazia, 03.04.2026: The absence of opposition within Abkhazia’s new Public Chamber raises significant questions. Sukhum – A newly formed composition of the Abkhazia Public Chamber lacks any opposition representatives, as candidates from opposing groups failed to secure selection. The established process designates one-third of the chamber’s members for appointment by the president, another third through…
On April 1st, Azerbaijan’s external economic standing was assessed as remarkably stable, notwithstanding the challenges stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict. An ING Group-produced macroeconomic analysis of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) highlighted several key influences impacting the region. These included elevated fuel prices, a diminishing global willingness to take investment risks, possible…
On April 1st, Maria Sacharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced that Moscow was not engaged in discussions with Astana or Yerevan concerning the transfer of the railway operation concession to Kazakhstan. She made this declaration during a press conference. Sacharova referenced statements made by Russian Minister of Transport, Andrei Nikitin,…
Black Sea Petroleum (BSP), the operator of the Kulevi oil refinery in Georgia, is focused on transitioning away from utilizing Russian crude. Davit Potskhveria, co-founder and CEO of the company, detailed this shift during an interview with Business Media Georgia. Initially, BSP processed oil sourced from Russia, but now the firm is aggressively expanding its…