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South Caucasus News

Belarus pardons 28 political prisoners


The pardons are linked to the upcoming Belarusian Independence Day, celebrated on July 3, News.Az reports, citing The Insider.
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According to the Viasna Human Rights Center, 28 of those pardoned are political prisoners. The Belarusian government’s press release states that they were convicted of “crimes of an extremist nature.”
It is claimed that they had petitioned for pardons and, as part of the process, admitted their guilt. The names of those pardoned have not been disclosed.
Some pardons in the country are issued in exchange for the lifting of foreign sanctions. Last December, for instance, Belarusian authorities pardoned 123 people in exchange for the removal of sanctions on Belarusian potash. Among them were Maria Kalesnikava, Ales Bialiatski, and Viktar Babaryka.

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South Caucasus News

Why is Poland freezing MiG-29 shipments to Ukraine?​


Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Ukraine had initially agreed to share its expertise in the development and production of drones with Poland. In exchange, Warsaw pledged to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets from its own arsenal to the Ukrainian military as they were being retired from Polish service, News.Az reports, citing UAWire.

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“Ukraine is indeed strong in drone technologies. We wanted Ukrainians to share their know-how and some of their technologies with us,” the minister said.

He did not specify why Kyiv later backed out of the cooperation agreement with Warsaw, but he referenced a recent diplomatic conflict between the two countries. The dispute was triggered when President Volodymyr Zelensky granted an honorary title to a Ukrainian military unit in recognition of the UPA, a move that led Poland to revoke Ukraine’s president from the Order of the White Eagle.

Ukraine received its first MiG-29 fighter jets from Poland in 2023. At that time, Polish authorities had planned to supply all their aging, Soviet-era MiGs-modernized in the mid-2000s-to Ukraine’s armed forces. These aircraft were slated to be replaced by newer American F-35s for the Polish military. However, Warsaw has now suspended the transfer program.

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South Caucasus News

Iran blocks IAEA access to bombed nuclear facilities​


Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said on Wednesday that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors “will not be granted any access” to the country’s bombed nuclear installations, citing a recently enacted parliamentary law and a corresponding Supreme National Security Council resolution, News.Az reports, citing Yeni Şafak.

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“Parliament itself passed the law, and the Supreme National Security Council has also adopted a corresponding resolution,” Qalibaf said in televised remarks posted on his Telegram channel.

“Under this law, no access whatsoever will be granted to sites that have been bombed and damaged,” he added. Qalibaf stressed that Tehran “will not grant any access” beyond what the council authorizes, noting that “the IAEA inspectors are only entitled to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and the Tehran Research Reactor.”

The speaker’s remarks coincide with the entry into force of a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran — brokered by Pakistan and electronically signed on June 18 by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump. The agreement provides a framework for ending the war that began in late February and addressing outstanding issues through negotiations, including a cessation of hostilities across all fronts, sanctions relief and the nuclear file.

The deal also encompasses the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional security arrangements, according to the text of the agreement. Diplomatic sources confirmed the memorandum establishes mechanisms for verification and implementation, though details regarding inspector access to military sites remain contentious amid ongoing tensions.

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South Caucasus News

Gerasimov deceives Putin; the general leads the dictator to terrible disaster



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South Caucasus News

Países da Oceania – Toda Matéria


São 14 os países da Oceania. Além dos países, existem mais de 10 mil ilhas na região. A Oceania é conhecia como o “Novíssimo Mundo”. Com 8 milhões de km², a Oceania é o menor continente do mundo, sendo o maior de todos os continentes a Ásia, com 45 milhões…

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South Caucasus

US sees Azerbaijan as key partner in transforming South Caucasus— chargé d’Affaires


US-Azerbaijan cooperation is focused on transforming the South Caucasus into a connected region integrated with the global economy, serving as a bridge between East…

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South Caucasus

UNICEF: Children adopt AI more than three times faster than adults


A new UNICEF analysis has found that children are embracing artificial intelligence at a much faster pace than adults, with millions using the technology for schoolwork…

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South Caucasus

Azerbaijan-EU ties extend beyond horizon, says top official


Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said the partnership between…

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South Caucasus

Azerbaijan values expanding cooperation with US, deputy PM says


Azerbaijan attaches great importance to expanding cooperation with the United States, and the signing of the Strategic Partnership Charter marked a historic milestone…

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South Caucasus

Azerbaijani servicemen complete Chinese language training


The Foreign Language Centre of the Military Management Institute under Azerbaijan’s National Defence University (NDU) has held a graduation ceremony for participants…