live Trump says Iran wants to ‘settle’ as U.S. pauses talks for Khamenei funeral
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies...
Georgia is set to impose a transit fee on the second shipment of petroleum products from Azerbaijan to Armenia, according to Armenian media quoting a statement from Karen Ayiryan, Director of Mega Trade on Thursday (8 January).
Ayiryan said the introduction of a transit fee is unlikely to significantly affect fuel prices in Armenia because broader factors such as international market prices and currency fluctuations also shape retail costs.
The upcoming shipment, which includes both premium and regular petrol as well as diesel fuel, will be subject to charges.
The Georgian side hasn't released any statements on the topic.
The development follows the historic first commercial deliveries of Azerbaijani fuel to Armenia via Georgian territory last month.
The first batch was transited through Georgia free of charge after Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze instructed Georgian Railways to waive tariffs.
The transit was framed by Tbilisi as a sign of commitment to regional cooperation, with the Georgian government emphasising its role as a strategic partner for both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The new deliveries are part of a broader reopening of economic links between Armenia and Azerbaijan following decades of conflict and the trilateral peace declaration signed in August 2025 under U.S. mediation.
The first shipment, consisting of around 1,220 tonnes of SOCAR-produced AI-95 petrol dispatched from Baku on 18 December, was described by Armenia’s economy minister as the first commercial petrol trade between the two countries since independence.
According to multiple reports, the second shipment confirmed by Armenia’s Economy Ministry includes thousands of tonnes of fuel (with AI-92 petrol, AI-95 petrol and diesel) and is anticipated to help diversify energy supplies in Armenia and introduce competitive pricing.
Earlier local reporting also indicated that Armenian officials have discussed the possibility of alternative routes for transit if tariff issues are not resolved, underlining the economic stakes for Yerevan.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Germany has requested urgent talks with China's ambassador following reports that Chinese authorities trained Russian soldiers, adding fresh strain to relations between Beijing and Europe amid the war in Ukraine.
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.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the eastern German city of Erfurt on Saturday as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) opened its annual party conference, where delegates voted to keep Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as the party's co-leaders.
Armenia's parliament has passed a new law raising the requirements for citizens living abroad to vote in national elections, following concerns over alleged efforts to influence last month's parliamentary vote through Armenian citizens residing in Russia.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Georgia’s only oil refinery will stop using Russian crude oil by September to preserve access to Western markets, its operator has said.
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