Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan now expects average annual inflation to reach 5.7% in 2026, up from the previously forecast 4.8%, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Ministry of Finance.

The revised forecast was disclosed in the ministry’s report on the execution of the 2026 state and consolidated budgets during the first half of the year and its expectations for the remainder of the year.

The ministry said the inflation forecast was increased after taking into account the actual inflation rate recorded so far this year, global commodity and food prices and their impact on import prices, changes in regulated tariffs for goods and services, as well as other factors.

The upward revision indicates that the government expects price pressures to remain somewhat stronger than initially anticipated through the end of 2026.

The United Arab Emirates has pushed back against a Financial Times (FT) report examining the Gulf state’s expanding military and economic presence across Africa, accusing the newspaper of portraying Abu Dhabi’s engagement on the continent through an outdated ‘imperial’ lens, AzerNEWS reports.

In a rare rebuttal published by the FT on Monday, Afra al-Hameli, the UAE’s director of strategic communications, said Abu Dhabi was ‘disappointed’ by the characterization of its growing African partnerships.

‘To describe partnerships negotiated with sovereign African governments as evidence of ‘imperial ambition’ is deeply patronising,’ al-Hameli wrote. She argued that such a description relied on a ‘stereotypical and outdated narrative’ that treated African governments as passive recipients of foreign influence rather than independent actors capable of determining their own interests.

The rebuttal followed a series of FT investigations into the UAE’s expanding footprint across Africa. One report published earlier this month examined a network of Emirati interests spanning ports, logistics, agriculture, mining, finance and security.

The FT has also reported on the UAE’s involvement in Sudan, including an investigation into the alleged recruitment and deployment of Colombian fighters by a UAE-based security company to fight alongside Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The UAE has repeatedly denied supporting the RSF, which has been accused of serious atrocities during Sudan’s civil war. The United Nations and the United States have accused the paramilitary force of committing acts amounting to genocide in Sudan.

The dispute highlights the growing scrutiny surrounding the UAE’s role in Africa. Abu Dhabi has increasingly positioned itself as an investor and strategic partner across the continent, particularly in infrastructure, logistics, food security, mining and energy.

The UAE argues that these partnerships are negotiated with sovereign governments and reflect mutually agreed economic and strategic interests. Critics, however, contend that the scale of Emirati investment, combined with its security relationships and alleged involvement in regional conflicts, gives Abu Dhabi influence extending well beyond conventional commercial engagement.

The FT’s reporting has therefore placed the UAE’s African strategy at the centre of a wider debate over whether Gulf states are emerging as new economic and geopolitical powers on the continent, and how African governments are navigating competition among external partners.

Hundreds of drones were reported to have targeted Moscow overnight, with Russian authorities saying 620 unmanned aerial vehicles were flying toward the capital, AzerNEWS reports.

According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, 180 drones were intercepted and shot down on the approaches to Moscow and across several districts of the Moscow Region.

The drones were reportedly downed in Bogorodsky, Ramensky, Pavlovsky Posad, Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Voskresensk, Stupino, Kolomna and Elektrostal.

Later, the mayor reported that Russian air defense forces had intercepted and destroyed another 17 drones heading toward Moscow.

One drone struck a Wildberries warehouse in the Atlant-Park area of Bogorodsky District.

Wildberries said its logistics complex in the Moscow Region sustained minor damage following the reported drone attack. The company’s press service reported that the facility had been evacuated in advance, and no goods were damaged in the incident.

Moscow’s Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports have been temporarily closed to flights amid the reported overnight drone attack on the capital.

Car tariffs have emerged as one of the main points of contention in the latest trade negotiations between Canada and the United States.

Canadian authorities are pushing for tariffs on cars exported to the United States to be reduced to 10% or for existing exemptions to be extended to vehicles containing American-made components.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, however, is calling for a minimum tariff rate of 15%, putting additional pressure on Canada’s auto industry.

Canadian negotiators held consultations in Washington over the weekend in an effort to prevent higher duties from being introduced as early as this week. On the U.S. side, the talks reportedly involved senior officials, including U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamie Grierson and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

On July 21, Trump announced additional 50% tariffs on certain Canadian products in response to Ottawa’s trade measures against American goods. Energy products, potash, seafood and critical minerals are exempt from the new duties. The restrictions are expected to take effect on August 19.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that Ottawa is prepared to respond if the new U.S. tariffs come into force. However, he stressed that Canada would not take retaliatory measures before the American restrictions actually take effect.

The dispute is particularly important for the automotive sector because Canada and the United States have deeply integrated supply chains. A single vehicle can cross the border several times during the manufacturing process, meaning that higher tariffs could ultimately increase production costs on both sides.

The standoff also carries risks for consumers. If manufacturers pass the additional costs on to buyers, higher tariffs could eventually translate into more expensive cars and potentially make new vehicles less affordable in both countries.

The outcome of the negotiations could therefore have implications far beyond the auto industry, affecting thousands of jobs, investment decisions and the broader economic relationship between two of North America’s closest trading partners.

A commercial vessel sailing out of the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an “unknown projectile,” AzerNEWS reports.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported the incident.

The strike damaged the vessel’s engine room and killed one crew member. The other sailors were evacuated to safety by the Omani coast guard and received assistance.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency, which operates under the Royal Navy, did not disclose the vessel’s name, flag, or the source of the fire.

No party has so far claimed responsibility for the incident.

Azerbaijani boxer Banuchechak Nasirli has advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 U19 European Boxing Championships in Loznica, Serbia, AzerNEWS reports.

The national team member, competing in the 48kg weight category, faced Katarzyna Gornisiewicz of Poland in the quarterfinals.

Nasirli defeated her opponent 3-2 (30:27, 28:29, 28:29, 30:27, 29:28). By reaching the semifinals, she has secured at least a bronze medal.

The Azerbaijani boxer will face Ireland’s Ellen Joyce in the semifinal on August 20 for a place in the final.

Meanwhile, four more members of the Azerbaijani national team will compete in their quarterfinal bouts on August 18.

The Azerbaijani team at the 2026 U19 European Boxing Championships consists of 10 male and three female boxers competing in different weight categories.

The team includes Ali Aliyev (50kg), Nihat Gasimov (55kg), Ali Bakishov (60kg), Shahin Aslanov (65kg), Rza Rzayev (70kg), Adil Zalov (75kg), Renat Giyasli (80kg), Heydar Azmammadov (85kg), Zaur Samadov (90kg), Safdar Mammadov (+90kg), Banuchechak Nasirli (48kg), Gular Huseynova (51kg), and Amina Taghiyeva (54kg).

Emil Gurbanaliyev and Asif Mammadov are officiating as judges at the championships, while Anar Babanli is serving as a referee evaluator.

United States President Donald Trump posted an image on his social media platform Truth Social, labeling the Strait of Hormuz as “new U.S. territory”.

Last week, Trump hinted at the idea of the vital maritime route becoming American territory.

“Pretty soon, I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States. Essentially, that’s what it is,” he said, claiming that Washington already has full control over the disputed waterway.

Azerbaijani MMA fighter Mirmehti Miriyev has defeated Mongolia’s Batochir Batsaikhan at ONE Friday Fights 166 in Bangkok, Thailand, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Azerbaijan Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Miriyev competed against Batsaikhan in a bantamweight MMA bout and secured a unanimous-decision victory after three rounds. ONE Championship officially records the result as a unanimous decision in the third round.

The victory marked Miriyev’s debut in ONE Championship, one of the world’s leading martial arts organizations. The Azerbaijani fighter, who competes under the nickname “The Unbroken,” is associated with Grappland 411. Sherdog lists him with a professional record of 5-2 prior to the ONE bout, including five submission victories.

Miriyev’s previous professional victory came in June 2026, when he defeated China’s Huibo Ding by armbar submission at WLF – W.A.R.S. 95.

ONE Friday Fights 166 and The Inner Circle 26 took place at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium, featuring international fighters competing in Muay Thai, kickboxing and MMA. Fighters from over 190 countries participated in the event.

Mirmehti Miriyev’s victory represents a notable result for Azerbaijan on his debut on the ONE Championship stage.

OpenAI announced on Tuesday the launch of ChatGPT for Teens, a dedicated version of its AI chatbot designed for younger users.

Promising that the model would help teens “think critically, deepen understanding, and use AI with confidence,” the service also includes additional safeguards, tools encouraging healthy use, and expanded parental controls. Alongside the launch, OpenAI unveiled a partnership with CodeAI focused on AI literacy in schools, with plans to introduce millions of students to responsible AI use, launch a Builders Challenge for high school students, and provide educational resources for teachers.

A joint advisory council will also examine child development, learning needs and emerging AI risks to help guide future development of ChatGPT for Teens.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Duncan Norman, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Azerbaijan, on August 18.

The ambassador presented his credentials to the head of state.

Beginning his remarks in Azerbaijani, Duncan Norman said: ‘Your Excellency, when my wife Kerry and I first came to Azerbaijan 27 years ago, we were deeply impressed by the warmth of the people and the great potential of Baku. Since then, Azerbaijan has undergone tremendous development. I am honored to open a new chapter in relations between our countries.’

Stating that work on a new strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan is ongoing, the ambassador emphasized that this would further advance the achievements of the two countries through deeper cooperation, strengthening security, and promoting innovation across shared priorities.

The ambassador expressed his country’s desire to build a dynamic partnership with Azerbaijan in the fields of renewable energy, defense, and aviation, while highlighting educational ties and stronger connections between young people.

He noted that the UK Government appreciates President Ilham Aliyev’s efforts to establish peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia and supports this progress.

Duncan Norman also recalled that his country was the first international partner to support Azerbaijan’s demining efforts.

The head of state wished the ambassador a pleasant stay in Baku and highly praised him for speaking Azerbaijani.

President Ilham Aliyev said that the issues on the agenda are of great importance not only from a bilateral perspective, but also for regional development and cooperation.

Expressing gratitude to the UK Government for its assistance in demining, the head of state noted that Azerbaijan needs closer international cooperation in this area.

Recalling that Azerbaijan-UK cooperation began precisely in the energy sector 30 years ago, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the significant potential for partnership in renewable energy. In this context, he noted that the first solar power plant in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories was constructed by bp.

Noting that, in the 35 years since gaining independence, Azerbaijan has lived only one year in peace, the head of state emphasized that this represents a major shift for the region.

President Ilham Aliyev said that, taking into account the situation in the region, security will continue to be a priority on the country’s agenda.

Noting that a positive investment climate has been created in Azerbaijan, the head of state highlighted the strong mutual interest of Azerbaijani and British companies.

President Ilham Aliyev wished the ambassador success in his activities.