Categories
South Caucasus News

SC.GOV – Home | South Carolina


Career resources for K-12 students, parents, and educators as well as adult learners, veterans, jobseekers, and employers across South Carolina. Education programs and short-term industry training to support skill development and preparation for the workforce.

Categories
South Caucasus News

Prime Minister Ali Asadov visits grave of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Alley of Honors


Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov visited the grave of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the architect and founder of the modern and independent Azerbaijani state, in the Alley of Honors.

Categories
South Caucasus News

Council of Europe Committee of Ministers urges Georgia to review legislation


Georgia's legislation

The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has called on the Georgian authorities to review legislation and practices related to freedom of assembly and administrative offences. The committee published its decision after a series of meetings held from 9 to 11 June.

The committee said any restriction on freedom of assembly must comply with the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality. The document also highlights the role of civil society and expresses concern about legislative initiatives which, in its view, may conflict with democratic standards.

According to the Committee of Ministers, the cases under review concern violations of freedom of assembly and the right to a fair trial. The committee said national courts failed to examine evidence properly and did not provide sufficient reasoning to justify administrative penalties.

The document also refers to violations of the right to liberty and security. The committee links those violations to the arbitrary use of administrative detention and arrest.

The committee stresses that freedom of assembly is one of the fundamental rights of a democratic society and, together with freedom of expression, forms a cornerstone of the democratic system.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe calls on the Georgian authorities to carry out a comprehensive review of existing legislation and practice and bring them into line with the standards of the European Convention on Human Rights.

According to the committee, such changes are necessary to prevent disproportionate and unlawful administrative detentions, convictions, including criminal convictions, and the imposition of excessive fines. The document also highlights the need to ensure the overall fairness of judicial proceedings.

The document further urges the authorities to engage in meaningful consultations with stakeholders and relevant Council of Europe expert bodies.

The Committee of Ministers has also asked the authorities to provide updated information on the practices of courts and law enforcement agencies regarding administrative detentions, arrests and convictions in the context of demonstrations.

The committee has additionally requested the submission of relevant statistical data.

The committee’s decision places particular emphasis on the role of civil society. The Committee of Ministers notes that non-governmental organisations play an important part both in monitoring compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights and in supporting the implementation of judgments by the European Court of Human Rights.

The committee calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure an environment that allows non-governmental organisations to effectively monitor public assemblies and provide participants with the legal assistance they may require.

Georgia’s legislation


Categories
South Caucasus News

Ships remain on hold in the Strait of Hormuz despite announced US-Iran deal



Categories
South Caucasus News

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulates Azerbaijan on National Salvation Day


In a post shared on the social media platform X, Erdogan conveyed his best wishes to the Azerbaijani people and reiterated the close unity between the two nations.

Categories
South Caucasus News

Drones strike Russia’s Tula region – Chemical plant, civilian infrastructure is hit



Categories
South Caucasus News

Shusha Declaration marks fifth anniversary


Five years have passed since the signing of the Shusha Declaration, one of the most significant political documents underpinning the brotherly and strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

Categories
South Caucasus News

Ilia Topuria Loses UFC Lightweight Title to Justin Gaethje in White House Showdown


Georgian-Spanish mixed martial arts fighter Ilia “El Matador” Topuria suffered his first UFC loss on June 14, surrendering his lightweight title to American fighter Justin Gaethje in a major upset at a White event hosted and attended by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Gaethje landed several heavy strikes early in the opening round, damaging Topuria’s right eye and affecting his vision. Despite the injury, Topuria mounted a strong response in the second round to Gaethje, connecting with several powerful punches that nearly defeated the American fighter before the bell.

The fight ultimately turned in the fourth round when Gaethje secured a takedown. Following the round, Topuria’s corner said they were ending the contest. As a result, Gaethje was declared the winner by technical knockout and became the new UFC lightweight champion.

Topuria, severely bruised, was taken to the hospital immediately after the fight amid concerns that he may have suffered a bone fracture around his eye.

The defeat marks the first loss of Topuria’s professional career. Across 17 wins, he had built one of the most remarkable unbeaten records in UFC history. In February 2024, he challenged Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 for the UFC Featherweight Championship, winning via second-round knockout.

He vacated the featherweight title in February 2025 so he could move up to the lightweight division. Topuria then became the UFC Lighweight Champion by defeating champion Charles Oliveira via a first-round knockout in June 2025, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to claim two divisional titles while remaining undefeated.

Also Read:


Categories
South Caucasus News

IMF reaches staff-level agreement on new $690 million disbursement for Ukraine


The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level agreement to provide Ukraine with approximately $690 million in additional financial assistance following the completion of the first review of the country’s ongoing lending program, AzerNEWS reports.

Categories
South Caucasus News

Azerbaijan investment firms report sharp decline in combined assets


The combined assets of Azerbaijan’s 12 investment companies operating in the securities market stood at 173.172 million manats as of January 1, 2026, AzerNEWS reports, citing the latest market data.