The United Russia party nominated Ramzan Kadyrov as its candidate for a new term as head of Chechnya. After his nomination, Kadyrov stated that he was running "under duress" and that, if the decision were entirely up to him, he would nominate another candidate. Learn more in our video.

Scientists from the Chechen Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with specialists from the St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have developed a technology that enables speech synthesis systems to correctly pronounce words in the Chechen language. This innovation will allow voice assistants, digital announcers, and other digital services to read texts aloud with greater accuracy. The *Chechnya Segodnya* newspaper reported the development, citing the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.

Despite the absence of diplomatic relations and an unfinished peace process, trade between Azerbaijan and Armenia continues to grow. In the first six months of 2026, Azerbaijan exported goods worth $17.1 million to its neighbor. These figures come from Azerbaijan's State Statistical Committee.

In a column for the conservative publication *Townhall*, American political commentator Brian Leib described the current stage of US-Azerbaijan relations as the most successful in the republic's history of independence.