Over the past several weeks, a series of high-profile incidents across Russia has reignited debate over xenophobia, religious intolerance and the authorities’ response to alleged hate-motivated incidents.

Courier bags featuring built-in digital screens—capable of displaying and remotely updating advertisements—are currently under development in Chechnya. The project is a collaboration between the M.D. Millionshchikov Grozny State Oil Technical University (GGNTU) and the "Novaya Era" (New Era) advertising agency.

Reported Ukrainian strikes on targets in the Caspian Sea may signal a widening of the geography of the Russia-Ukraine war and pose additional risks for the entire Caspian region. 

Rosselkhoznadzor’s ban on the import of Armenian dairy products could cost the republic's producers approximately $16 million a year, according to the Telegram channel Baza.

A destructive storm that swept through Russia's Rostov region has left one person dead, dozens injured and caused widespread disruption to utilities, transport and power infrastructure.

Georgia's State Security Service has opened a criminal investigation into a series of major power outages that hit the country on two consecutive days, 24 and 25 July. 

Azerbaijan’s parliament, the Milli Majlis, has strongly rejected an amendment adopted by the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee calling for the release of Armenian prisoners, describing it as containing “unfounded accusations” against Azerbaijan and representing “another attempt to use the United States Congress as a tool of political pressure against Azerbaijan in the interests of the Armenian lobby.”

Seasonal declines in vegetable prices continued across Russia’s North Caucasus over the past week, while fuel costs and several food staples recorded further increases.

Authorities in Russia’s North Ossetia have imposed restrictions on gasoline sales to motorists from outside the republic in an effort to reduce long lines at filling stations, curb fuel resale, and ensure local residents have access to supplies.

The European Union has once again placed Mikhail Gutseriev—a Russian billionaire of Ingush descent and founder of the Safmar industrial-financial group—on its sanctions list. These restrictions were introduced as part of the 21st sanctions package adopted in response to Russia's war against Ukraine.