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South Caucasus News

Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation commissions’ meeting concludes


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South Caucasus News

Red Cross: 303 people from Armenia still considered missing


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South Caucasus News

Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation commissions’ meeting concludes


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South Caucasus News

Newspaper: What did person who desecrated Russia flag attributes say to Armenia law enforcement officers? – Armenia News


Newspaper: What did person who desecrated Russia flag attributes say to Armenia law enforcement officers?  Armenia News

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Audio Review - South Caucasus News

The Daily Beat: 31 January


Following the Prime Minister’s “unexpected” resignation, highly expected government shake-up continues to be a hotly debated topic among opposition politicians and the media. According to media reports, ministers closely associated with PM Garibashvili won’t be included in a new cabinet. Media forecasts also suggest that foreign affairs, defense, and justice ministers will almost certainly be removed from the government. In the meantime, the ruling Georgian Dream party readies to hold a party conference to nominate a candidate for prime minister.


The opposition Formula TV announced the axe of its entertainment TV programs, saying it will focus on news and political talk shows only. The announcement published on Formula TV’s Facebook page pays tribute to the staff and says, “Despite stable growth in ratings, Formula TV could not mobilize the planned funds last year,” blaming the political situation in the country and “the regulations aimed at reducing the funds for critical media.” Formula TV was founded by former Defense Minister David Kezerashvili, who transferred half of its shares to the TV channel’s management and journalists last year.


The pro-Russian, anti-liberal Conservative Movement/Alt-Info party was ordered to pay GEL 233 000 (around USD86,900) by the National Enforcement Bureau of the Justice Ministry for omissions in its financial declaration and not paying the fine. The Alt-Info party accuses the government of turning to the Western course and attacking the conservative flank. In its announcement, the party claims the payment must be made within a week; otherwise, it faces property confiscation and accounts freezing.


As part of an investigation into an alleged false notification on terrorism, the State Security Service searched the residence of Beka Vardosanidze, a closely associated blogger with the ultra-conservative, pro-Russian Conservative Movement/Alt-Info party. Vardosanidze is also known for disseminating hate speech and homophobic views. According to the Security Service, Vardosanidze’s computers and data devices were seized for expertise, and he will be questioned as a witness.


Tbilisi City Court fined Gela Mtivlishvili, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Georgian news agency “Mtis Ambebi,” GEL 2000 (around USD 750). Police detained Mtivlishvili during a tense eviction standoff in central Tbilisi on January 23. He was released on parole later that day. “Although the court did not have any evidence except for the false and perjured testimony of the police, I did not expect any other decision from Judge Nino Shcherbakovi,” Mtivlishvili told the RFE/RL–Georgian Service, adding that he will appeal this decision.


The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) reduced the key refinancing rate by 0.5 percentage points to 9%. According to NBG, Georgia’s low inflation results from tight monetary policy, lower inflation expectations, and a significant decline in external shocks caused by the war and the pandemic. The NBG noted that headline inflation increased by 0.4 percent annually in December, while core inflation was 1.9 percent. 


The Data of the Day

According to the rapid estimates released by the National Statistics Office, the country’s estimated real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate amounted to 8.3% for December 2023 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Statistics Office suggests that construction, manufacturing, financial and insurance activities significantly contributed to GDP growth.


Categories
South Caucasus News

The Daily Beat: 31 January


Following the Prime Minister’s “unexpected” resignation, highly expected government shake-up continues to be a hotly debated topic among opposition politicians and the media. According to media reports, ministers closely associated with PM Garibashvili won’t be included in a new cabinet. Media forecasts also suggest that foreign affairs, defense, and justice ministers will almost certainly be removed from the government. In the meantime, the ruling Georgian Dream party readies to hold a party conference to nominate a candidate for prime minister.


The opposition Formula TV announced the axe of its entertainment TV programs, saying it will focus on news and political talk shows only. The announcement published on Formula TV’s Facebook page pays tribute to the staff and says, “Despite stable growth in ratings, Formula TV could not mobilize the planned funds last year,” blaming the political situation in the country and “the regulations aimed at reducing the funds for critical media.” Formula TV was founded by former Defense Minister David Kezerashvili, who transferred half of its shares to the TV channel’s management and journalists last year.


The pro-Russian, anti-liberal Conservative Movement/Alt-Info party was ordered to pay GEL 233 000 (around USD86,900) by the National Enforcement Bureau of the Justice Ministry for omissions in its financial declaration and not paying the fine. The Alt-Info party accuses the government of turning to the Western course and attacking the conservative flank. In its announcement, the party claims the payment must be made within a week; otherwise, it faces property confiscation and accounts freezing.


As part of an investigation into an alleged false notification on terrorism, the State Security Service searched the residence of Beka Vardosanidze, a closely associated blogger with the ultra-conservative, pro-Russian Conservative Movement/Alt-Info party. Vardosanidze is also known for disseminating hate speech and homophobic views. According to the Security Service, Vardosanidze’s computers and data devices were seized for expertise, and he will be questioned as a witness.


Tbilisi City Court fined Gela Mtivlishvili, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Georgian news agency “Mtis Ambebi,” GEL 2000 (around USD 750). Police detained Mtivlishvili during a tense eviction standoff in central Tbilisi on January 23. He was released on parole later that day. “Although the court did not have any evidence except for the false and perjured testimony of the police, I did not expect any other decision from Judge Nino Shcherbakovi,” Mtivlishvili told the RFE/RL–Georgian Service, adding that he will appeal this decision.


The Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) reduced the key refinancing rate by 0.5 percentage points to 9%. According to NBG, Georgia’s low inflation results from tight monetary policy, lower inflation expectations, and a significant decline in external shocks caused by the war and the pandemic. The NBG noted that headline inflation increased by 0.4 percent annually in December, while core inflation was 1.9 percent. 


The Data of the Day

According to the rapid estimates released by the National Statistics Office, the country’s estimated real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate amounted to 8.3% for December 2023 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Statistics Office suggests that construction, manufacturing, financial and insurance activities significantly contributed to GDP growth.


Categories
South Caucasus News

US military shoots down Iranian drones, Houthi missiles, over Gulf of Aden


The USS Carney shot down three Iranian drones and one anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen

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South Caucasus News

Taiwan tracks 33 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships


The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense tracked 33 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. (GMT +8) on Wednesday (Jan. 31) and 6 a.m. on Thursday (Feb. 1), Report informs via Taiwan News.

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South Caucasus News

CBA currency exchange rates (01.02.2024)


According to the official exchange rates of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan for today, the US dollar remained unchanged at 1.7000 manat, euro decreased by 0.1% to 1.8369 manat, and the Russian ruble went down by 1.1% to 0.0188 manat.

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South Caucasus News

Finnish police against collecting donations for Ukrainian army


Finnish police did not allow volunteers to collect donations for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Report informs, citing Iltalehti newspaper.