Georgia
Euronews Georgia ends local news coverage, begins reorganisation
It is unclear what proportion of the staff will stay on after the reorganisation.
News Stories
Yesterday, 13 January 2026
Yesterday, 13 January 2026
Chechnya
Kadyrov publishes video of meeting after reports of kidney failure
During the meeting, he instructed his subordinates to step up efforts to combat fake information.
Daghestan
Man accused of preparing terrorist attack in Daghestan sentenced to 19 years in prison
The Southern District Military Court has found Zamir Saitov guilty of participating in a terrorist community and preparing attacks in Daghestan.
Georgia
‘This person is our conscience’ — Georgians rally for Mzia Amaghlobeli’s freedom a year after her arrest
Amaghlobeli was detained last January and later sentenced to two years in prison.
Armenia–US Relations
Armenia faces possible 25% tariffs from US over trade with Iran
US President Donald Trump announced imposing a new 25% tariff on ‘any Country doing business with’ Iran.
Chechnya
Mass brawl breaks out at freestyle wrestling tournament in Grozny
The incident occurred during the North Caucasus Federal District junior championship after a bout between wrestlers from Chechnya and North Ossetia.
Daily Brief
Tuesday, 13 January 2025
Regional * US President Donald Trump announced a tariff of 25% to ‘any Country doing business with’ Iran which he said would take effect ‘immediately’, calling the order ‘final and conclusive’. Iran is one of Armenia’s most important trading partners — in 2025 Armenian exports to Iran amounted to $83 million, while imports — based on the country of origin of products — totalled $615 million. Armenia * Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will today visit the US and meet with the US Secretary o
Monday, 12 January 2026
Chechnya
Adam Kadyrov threatens to kidnap Zelenskyi and bring him to Grozny
Adam Kadyrov has said he is ready to find Zelenskyi and bring him to Chechnya if he receives the appropriate order.
Georgia
Georgian Dream welcomes US withdrawal from Venice Commission
The commission had previously criticised legislation adopted by the Georgian authorities.
Georgia
Former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili sentenced to 5 years in prison
Gharabishvili received a reduced sentence for money laundering following a plea deal with prosecutors.
Armenia
Kremlin propagandist Solovyov says Russia could start ‘special military operation’ against Armenia
Vladimir Solovyov added that for Russia, ‘losing Armenia would be a huge problem’.
Armenia
Armenian authorities liken Pashinyan-led church reform agenda to 2018 Velvet Revolution
There are claims that the Church reforms pursue similar goals as the 2018 revolution, but this time in the spiritual sphere.
Chechnya
Kadyrov’s kidneys have failed, Ukrainian media reports
According to Ukrainian media, Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov is in serious condition in a private hospital.
Daily Brief
Monday, 12 January 2025
Armenia * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced that in total 16 priests have joined the Church reform he launched along with ten high-ranking priests, including Bishop Gevorg Saroyan. * Separately, Catholicos Karekin II has dismissed Bishop Gevorg Saroyan from his post as Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, citing ‘abuse of office, failure to fulfil the duties incumbent upon the Primate, as well as instances of coercion and pressure exercised against the clergy of the diocese’. In t
Friday, 09 January 2026
Chechnya
Putin told Bush bin Laden was behind Chechen Wars, declassified documents show
Declassified records of talks between George Bush and Vladimir Putin were published by the US National Security Archive.
Georgia
Six Georgians reportedly aboard Venezuela-linked tanker seized by US
The US has said that it has been chasing after the tanker for almost two months.
Georgia
Georgian Dream to file complaint with BBC over 2024 crackdown documentary ‘in upcoming days’
The BBC film angered both the ruling party and its critics.
Armenia–Azerbaijan Relations
Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange list of potential trade goods, Pashinyan says
Discussions regarding other trade goods are reportedly ongoing, as Armenia is set to receive a second batch of Azerbaijani fuel.
Chechnya
Chechnya threatens to publicly shame bloggers on TV for insulting republic
National Policy Minister Akhmed Dudaev has openly said that control over online content would continue inside and outside Chechnya.
Daily Brief
Friday 9 January 2026
Armenia * Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan received Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi. Aside from bilateral issues, they also discussed the unblocking of regional infrastructures. Takht-Ravanchi’s visit followed criticism from Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who in December called the Trump Route ‘effectively the same as the Zangezur project’, adding that Tehran was ‘firmly opposed to it’. * Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated th
Thursday, 08 January 2026
Chechnya
Delimkhanov announces plans to ‘focus on’ traditions amongst Chechens outside Chechnya
At the same time, he refused requests from human rights defenders to intervene in the case of Seda Suleymanova, who was abducted by her relatives
Georgia–EU Relations
Papuashvili urges Georgians to listen to the Church instead of Brussels
The Georgian Parliamentary Speaker made the comments referring to Patriarch Ilia II’s remarks on the ‘abuse’ of freedom of speech.
Chechnya
Zelenskyi suggests the US oust Kadyrov like it did Maduro
The Chechen Head responded to the Ukrainian president’s remarks with a sharp statement on Telegram.
Georgia
Georgian police detain three in two Kvemo Kartli killings
The murders took place less than a day apart.
Daily Brief
Thursday, 8 January 2025
Regional * On Thursday, Azerbaijan will ship a second batch of fuel to Armenia, Azerbaijani pro-government APA reported. The shipment will include ‘1,000 tons of 92-octane gasoline, 1,000 tons of diesel fuel, and 1,800 tons of 95-octane gasoline’. In December 2025, in a historic first, Azerbaijan sent a shipment of petrol to Armenia through Georgia. Armenia * Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi has visited Armenia for ‘political consultations’, Iranian Mehr Agency report
Wednesday, 07 January 2026
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan detains former customs chief in tobacco smuggling case
Those detained are accused of smuggling over $3 million in tobacco.
Georgia
First Georgian protester criminally charged with ‘blocking road’ on hunger strike for over two months
Zurab Menteshashvili, 61, was detained in late October.
Chechnya
Body of Chechen woman killed by ex-husband in France sent home two months after her death
Larisa Arsanukaeva’s body was reportedly held in France for an extended period due to the lack of consent from her ex-husband’s family.
Armenia
Armenian skier fined for covering the word Azerbaijan from his suit
Azerbaijan has been a Global Destination Partner of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation starting 2025.
Daily Brief
Wednesday, 7 January 2025
Armenia * Mikael Mikaelyan, an Armenian skier, has been fined for covering the word Azerbaijan on his uniform during the Italian stage of the Tour de Ski competition. The incident took place on 31 December. The ski suit had Azerbaijan written across the torso as part of a sponsorship agreement signed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Gagik Sargsyan, the president of the Ski Federation of Armenia, defended the athlete and said the federation was ready to pay the fine imposed on
