Region

05:39

Armenia Azerbaijan Ties

EU discusses support for South Caucasus transport links with Armenia and Azerbaijan

The European Union is exploring ways to support the development of transport routes connecting Armenia and Azerbaijan as part of broader efforts to promote lasting peace and regional integration in the South Caucasus, according to EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Magdalena Grono.

19:57

IAC 2026

Antalya to host the 2026 International Astronautical Congress

The countdown is on for the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), taking place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 5–9 October 2026.

19:55

Gaza

UN inquiry demands release of detained Gaza hospital director

A United Nations inquiry has called for the immediate release of prominent Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, who has been detained by Israel, saying reports of his treatment in custody raise serious concerns about possible violations of international law.

18:56

South Asia

Pakistan steps up Afghan deportations ahead of 10 July deadline

Pakistan is tightening enforcement of its Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan ahead of a 10 July deadline, after which Afghan nationals living in the country without valid visas face immediate arrest under an Interior Ministry directive.

10:07

Kazakhstan Politics

Kazakhstan court says Tokayev can seek new presidential term under revised constitution

Kazakhstan's Constitutional Court ruled that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is eligible to seek a new presidential term under the country's newly adopted constitution. It's after a referendum on the constitution in March reset presidential term limits - a move that could extend his time in power.

22:33

South Asia

Pakistan Army links militancy and water security at top command meeting

Pakistan's military on Monday linked cross-border militancy, hybrid threats and water security during the 276th Corps Commanders' Conference, reaffirming continued intelligence-based counterterrorism operations and support for the government's position on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

21:35

North Caucasus

Why is Putin’s Chechen strongman missing from Russia’s ruling party’s election slate?

Ramzan Kadyrov has been left off the ruling United Russia party's election list for Chechnya for the first time since 2007, fuelling fresh speculation about his political future and succession plans.

17:08

Central Asia

Afghanistan and ICRC seek stronger disaster response partnership

Afghanistan's disaster authority says it and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are seeking to expand cooperation on emergency response as the country continues to face floods, earthquakes, drought and the long-term threat from mines and unexploded ordnance.

16:27

Central Asia

Green Climate Fund approves $30m to strengthen climate resilience in Tajikistan

The Green Climate Fund has approved a $30 million climate adaptation project for Tajikistan to help 73,500 people strengthen food security, protect water resources and build more resilient rural livelihoods.

15:19

Syria

At least 18 injured in Damascus bomb blast near Macron's hotel

Two bombs exploded near a hotel in Damascus where French President Emmanuel Macron had spent the night, but his office said he did not hear the explosions and was on his way to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the time. 

20:45

South Asia

Pakistan seeks Turkish investment as Shehbaz Sharif and Erdoğan deepen strategic partnership

Pakistan is seeking fresh Turkish investment after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to deepen economic cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion.

18:17

View from Georgia

Georgia vows Anaklia port will stay "100% Georgian" as global partners line up

Georgia has confirmed it will retain sole ownership of the long-delayed Anaklia deep-sea port under a "Landlord" model, while inviting international partners to invest in and operate terminals as interest grows from China, Central Asia and Azerbaijan.

13:58

View from Kazakhstan

China opens new rail freight route to Turkmenistan as Central Asia trade surges

China has launched a new direct rail freight route to Turkmenistan, expanding its transport links with Central Asia as trade and investment across the region continue to grow. The service will carry Chinese industrial and consumer goods to the Caspian region.

09:46

NATO summit

Türkiye detains more than 100 anti-NATO protesters ahead of alliance summit

More than 100 people were detained in Ankara on Sunday (5 July) after taking part in an anti-NATO protest organised by the Communist Party of Türkiye (TKP), according to the party.

05:50

Middle East conflict

Three sons prayed at Khamenei’s coffin on second day of funeral procession but not his successor

Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran held funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family on the second day of mass processions. Three of Khamenei's sons attended the ceremony, while his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, made no public appearance.

19:42

Annual Meeting

Baku hosts Black Sea Development Bank's annual meeting

Regional economic cooperation took centre stage in Baku as the 28th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank was held alongside a Business Forum. The event brought together government officials, business leaders and experts from across the region.

17:17

View from Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan eyes expanded cargo traffic through Georgia’s Poti Port

Uzbekistan is seeking to expand export and import cargo transportation through Georgia’s Black Sea port of Poti as part of efforts to diversify trade routes and strengthen regional connectivity, the Ministry of Transport said.  

10:33

Politics

Armenian court dismisses legal challenge seeking to annul election results

Armenia's Constitutional Court on Saturday dismissed legal challenges from opposition parties seeking to annul last month's parliamentary election results, paving the way for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to continue in office.

21:59

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan's ex-second in command convicted of plotting to overthrow President

Kyrgyzstan’s ex-second in command, Kamchybek Tashiev, has been convicted of plotting to overthrow the country’s President Sadyr Japarov. Tashiev and Japarov had ruled the Central Asian nation in tandem since 2020, until the former was unexpectedly ousted in February. 

19:10

Georgia-Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan to open embassy in Georgia

Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi.