I travelled to visa-free Armenia from the UAE this summer: Here are 11 hacks I wish I knew before flying
Dubai: If you're based in the UAE and are looking for a quick escape that's packed with mountains, monasteries, adventure and fresh air, Armenia deserves a spot on your travel list. I recently spent five days there on a press trip, and here's the practical guide based on my memorable summer getaway»»»
CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Is Kazakhstan quietly ditching Russia?
China’s continuously growing leverage over Russia is not in question and reports in recent days have continued to stress the point. For instance, Beijing has apparently flexed a muscle by declining to provide marine propulsion systems needed for Russia's planned expansion of the Northern Sea Route,»»»
Climate change, not dams, driving Caspian Sea shrinkage, researcher says
Climate change is the dominant force behind the falling water level of the Caspian Sea and outweighs human intervention such as upstream damming, water policy researcher Anoush Nouri Esfandiari said on July 22. The world's largest enclosed body of water, surrounded by Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan»»»
Climate change, not dams, driving Caspian Sea shrinkage, researcher says
Climate change is the dominant force behind the falling water level of the Caspian Sea and outweighs human intervention such as upstream damming, water policy researcher Anoush Nouri Esfandiari said on July 22. The world's largest enclosed body of water, surrounded by Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan»»»
CENTRAL ASIA BLOG: Is Kazakhstan quietly ditching Russia?
China’s continuously growing leverage over Russia is not in question and reports in recent days have continued to stress the point. For instance, Beijing has apparently flexed a muscle by declining to provide marine propulsion systems needed for Russia's planned expansion of the Northern Sea Route,»»»
Iran, China chamber officials float joint transport corridor to boost trade amid US strikes on rail network
Officials from Iran's Tehran Chamber of Commerce and China's Khorgos International Chamber of Commerce discussed creating a joint transport corridor to expand bilateral trade at a meeting in Tehran, Tin News reported on 22 July. The talks come as the US continues to attempt to destroy Iran's rail a»»»
China to open Afghanistan border after nearly a century? Iran to bomb “Trump” route? “Cargo corridor” journalism is where it’s at nowadays
“Cargo corridor” journalism might have seemed a dull proposition to most reporters just a few years ago, but when it comes to geographies including the Middle East, Turkey, the Caucasus and Central and South Asia, it is by now a big thing among many news outlets. First-came the full-scale invasion »»»
China to open Afghanistan border after nearly a century? Iran to bomb “Trump” route? “Cargo corridor” journalism is where it’s at nowadays
“Cargo corridor” journalism might have seemed a dull proposition to most reporters just a few years ago, but when it comes to geographies including the Middle East, Turkey, the Caucasus and Central and South Asia, it is by now a big thing among many news outlets. First-came the full-scale invasion »»»
China to open Afghanistan border after nearly a century? Iran to bomb “Trump” route? “Cargo corridor” journalism is where it’s at nowadays
“Cargo corridor” journalism might have seemed a dull proposition to most reporters just a few years ago, but when it comes to geographies including the Middle East, Turkey, the Caucasus and Central and South Asia, it is by now a big thing among many news outlets. First-came the full-scale invasion »»»
Delegation of leading Azerbaijani media representatives arrives in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
A delegation of representatives from leading Azerbaijani media outlets has arrived in Kyrgyzstan for an official familiarization visit. The visit was organized on the instructions of President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov by the president’s press secretary Askat Alagozov as part of efforts to furthe»»»
QC explores strengthening trade relations with Azerbaijan
Doha, Qatar: First Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber (QC), Mohammed bin Twar Al Kuwari, met at the Chamber’s headquarters yesterday, with Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the State of Qatar, H E Dr. Adish Mammadov. During the meeting, the two sides discussed trade and economic cooperation b»»»
Qatar Rail marks World Chess Day with successful fourth Chess Open
Doha: Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail), in collaboration with the Qatar Chess Association, announced the conclusion of the fourth edition of the Qatar Rail Chess Open, which was held from July 17 to 20 this year, in conjunction with the celebration of World Chess Day, observed annually on July 2»»»
Turkish readywear retailer Koton’s stock damaged by Ukrainian bombing of Wildberries warehouses in Russia
Inventory of Turkish fashion retailer Koton (KOTON) held at fulfillment centres belonging to Russian ecommerce giant Wildberries has been damaged by Ukrainian drone attacks, Koton said on July 20. The apparel group said the damaged stocks at two major Wildberries logistics facilities was equiv»»»
Turkish readywear retailer Koton’s stock damaged by Ukrainian bombing of Wildberries warehouses in Russia
Inventory of Turkish fashion retailer Koton (KOTON) held at fulfillment centres belonging to Russian ecommerce giant Wildberries has been damaged by Ukrainian drone attacks, Koton said on July 20. The apparel group said the damaged stocks at two major Wildberries logistics facilities was equiv»»»
Iranian media: Drone attack strikes US base at Erbil airport - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Iranian media: Drone attack strikes US base at Erbil airport 21-07-2026 20:46 PM Latest News Urgent News Iranian Army: We successfully shot»»»
Iranian Army: We successfully shot down an enemy suicide drone in the airspace of East Azerbaijan province - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Iranian Army: We successfully shot down an enemy suicide drone in the airspace of East Azerbaijan province 21-07-2026 20:47 PM Latest News »»»
Rosatom financial woes threaten Central Asia’s nuclear energy ambitions
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan may soon have to rethink their plans to develop nuclear energy. Rosatom, the Russian nuclear entity that has agreements to build nuclear plants in both Central Asian nations, is experiencing major financial difficulties. Alexei Likhachev, Rosatom’s boss, has announced the »»»
Rosatom financial woes threaten Central Asia’s nuclear energy ambitions
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan may soon have to rethink their plans to develop nuclear energy. Rosatom, the Russian nuclear entity that has agreements to build nuclear plants in both Central Asian nations, is experiencing major financial difficulties. Alexei Likhachev, Rosatom’s boss, has announced the »»»
Drone flights to be restricted in Kyrgyzstan during international events - | 24.KG
The use of airspace by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and light aircraft will be temporarily restricted in Bishkek, Chui region, and Issyk-Kul region. According to the State Civil Aviation Agency, the restrictions will be in effect during the preparation and holding of several international events»»»
Protracted Hormuz Crisis Boosts North-South Corridor Importance – Lavrov
The crisis around the Strait of Hormuz, which appears to be dragging on, is increasing the importance of the North-South international transport corridor, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. "The topic is indeed very important, especially in a situation where the crisis in the St»»»
France is building an Orwellian state in plain sight
First, a bit of recent history. In 2015, after the Maidan coup in Kiev and the beginning of the confrontation between Russia and the West, the EU created the East StratCom Task Force to fight foreign disinformation campaigns supposedly orchestrated by Russia. This agency is a part of the European E»»»
Turkish-Israeli rivalry could determine the new Middle East
Türkiye first recognised Israel in 1949, shortly after Zionist leaders like David Ben-Gurion proclaimed a Jewish state in Palestine. In so doing, it became the first Muslim-majority nation to do so (Iran was the second, its recognition coming in 1950). Six decades later, trade was booming and relat»»»
Qatar’s embassies continue to receive condolences
Doha: Embassies of Qatar abroad received an outpouring of condolences from mourners who extended their deepest sympathies following the passing of Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. In Jakarta, President of Indonesia H E Prabowo Subianto offered condolences at the headquarters of th»»»
Azerbaijan at ‘real peace’ with Armenia but wants it to change constitution
SHUSHA: Azerbaijan and Armenia are at “real peace” and rebuilding trade links after decades of conflict, a senior Azerbaijani official told Reuters, but Baku is insisting on changes to Armenia’s constitution before a final deal can be signed. The South Caucasus neighbors had been at intermittent w»»»
US could hit Hungary with up to 100% tariffs over Russian oil and gas imports
Hungary could be among the countries most affected by a new US sanctions proposal targeting Russia’s energy exports, with a draft bill allowing tariffs of up to 100% on some of the world’s largest buyers of Russian oil and natural gas. The revised legislation was unveiled in the US Senate on Tuesda»»»
Ambassador of Azerbaijan pays tribute to Father Amir
Doha, Qatar: Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Qatar H E Dr. Adish Mammadov paid tribute to late Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, describing him as one of the greatest figures in Qatar’s history whose leadership laid the foundations for the country’s remarkable development and regional »»»
China and Kazakhstan intensify nuclear ties
The chairman of Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency, Almassadam Satkaliyev, is on an extended tour of nuclear-power facilities in China, gaining insight into PRC management techniques covering the entire development cycle, from design to construction to the operation of such entities. Satkaliyev has »»»
OTP builds banking giant with Ipoteka Bank - interview with Szentpéteri
The OTP Group’s expansion in Uzbekistan is not just about acquiring a bank, but also about transforming an entire banking model. During the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), we spoke with Ádám Szentpéteri—acting CEO, deputy CFO, and Chief Transformation Officer of Ipoteka Bank, a»»»
Iran's New Supreme Leader Backs Stronger Ties With Russia
TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran is ready to remove obstacles to the implementation of joint projects with Russia, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's office said on Monday. "During a meeting with Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev, the president emphasized the need to intensify the implementation of»»»
War, visa delays, heatwaves — and now a wildfire. Why Europe travel has become more complicated for UAE holidaymakers
Dubai: For UAE travellers planning a European summer holiday, 2026 has turned into one of the most challenging travel seasons in recent years. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.First came flight disruptions linked to regional conflicts, followed by fewer flight options o»»»
Central Asia battles to stop fuel squeeze turning into supply shock
Central Asia is battling to prevent a fuel squeeze caused by sustained Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries from becoming a regional supply shock. The situation worsened on July 8 as Russia, facing domestic fuel shortages and price spikes in some regions, banned exports of diesel until the end o»»»
Pakistan travel update: 30 visa-free destinations revealed for summer holidays
As summer travel demand reaches its peak, Pakistani passport holders continue to have access to 30 destinations through visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival (VOA) or electronic travel authorisation (ETA) schemes, according to the latest Henley Passport Index July 2026 update. Pakistan’s passport rankin»»»
How top Syrian diplomat Asaad al-Shaibani’s road to Damascus is shaking the Mideast
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani’s diplomatic motorcade hit the road shortly after his appointment. From Riyadh to Beirut, Washington to Moscow, Shaibani has been at the forefront of President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s bid to open a new chapter in Mideast history. But the rebel official-turned-dip»»»
OSCE head promises to help oust Armenian church’s chief bishop in phone call with Russian pranksters
OSCE Secretary-General Feridun Sinirlioglu offered to help oust the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), in a phone call with Russian pranksters posing as Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. In recent years, Pashinyan has cracked down on the clergy, with several senior bishops placed i»»»
StateSec Busoi: Green Corridor project inclusion on PMI list, key for securing EU co-financing
Secretary of State with the Energy Ministry Cristian Busoi has signed a joint letter to EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen to prepare the application for including the Green Corridor project on the list of Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI).In a Facebook post, Busoi recalls that the project linkin»»»
US strike on Iranian railway bridge hits China-Russia trade corridor near Turkmenistan
The US struck the Aq Tekeh-Khan railway bridge in Iran's northern Golestan province with cruise missiles, hitting a link on the rail corridor connecting Iran to China and Russia, state media reported on July 9. The strike marks one of the deepest US attacks inside Iranian territory since the confli»»»
US strike on Iranian railway bridge hits China-Russia trade corridor near Turkmenistan
The US struck the Aq Tekeh-Khan railway bridge in Iran's northern Golestan province with cruise missiles, hitting a link on the rail corridor connecting Iran to China and Russia, state media reported on July 9. The strike marks one of the deepest US attacks inside Iranian territory since the confli»»»
Air defence discussions will dominate the Ankara Nato summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Turkey on July 7 for the Nato summit where he said he will discuss the supply of badly needed Patriot missiles and boosting Ukraine’s air defences. "We expect a strong and productive Nato Summit. Decisions are needed now that will provide greater p»»»
Cabinet notes parliamentary approval of a slew of laws
The Cabinet also noted parliamentary approval of a new state property draft law prepared by the Ministry of Municipality, which replaces Law No. 10 of 1987. The legislation establishes a unified and updated legal framework governing public and private state property aimed at improving protection, m»»»