Category: Azer News

President Ilham Aliyev shared a post on his X social media account congratulating Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni.

“Heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on becoming the longest-serving Prime Minister in the history of the Italian Republic. This historic milestone reflects her strong leadership, political determination, and the confidence of the Italian people. I highly appreciate Prime Minister Meloni’s personal role and valuable contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy. I am confident that our friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation will continue to deepen and expand for the benefit of our countries and peoples,” the post reads.

The Indian GSLV-F17 launch vehicle has successfully placed the EOS-05 (GISAT-1A) Earth observation satellite into orbit.

The launch was reported by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The satellite is designed to provide round-the-clock monitoring of natural disasters, weather conditions, and agricultural land across India.

The launch took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Sriharikota Island, located in southeastern India.

The new satellite is expected to provide valuable data that can help authorities monitor floods, cyclones, droughts, and other natural disasters more effectively. It could also support farmers by providing information about changes in agricultural areas.

Interestingly, Earth observation satellites play an increasingly important role in modern life. They can collect information over large areas in a short period of time, helping governments make faster decisions during emergencies and improve environmental monitoring.

Billionaire investor Leon Black has failed to appear before a US congressional committee investigating the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, instead filing a lawsuit challenging subpoenas requiring him to provide documents and testify under oath.

Black’s lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington on Thursday, argues that the subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee are ‘invalid’ and have ‘no legitimate connection’ to the committee’s stated legislative purpose.

The subpoenas require Black to provide nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) and sit for an on-camera deposition under oath.

Black previously appeared voluntarily before the committee in June but walked out of the hearing after lawmakers questioned him about NDAs he may have signed, according to members of the committee.

Black has denied wrongdoing in connection with his dealings with Epstein.

In his lawsuit, Black argues that forcing him to disclose the NDAs could expose women who have no known or public connection to Epstein and who had agreed to confidentiality.

‘This is no longer about finding the truth about Epstein. It is about trying to destroy Mr Black,’ Susan Estrich, an attorney for Black, said in a statement.

‘We were left with no choice but to file this lawsuit in response to an abuse of Congressional power.’

Following Black’s failure to appear, Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, a member of the House Oversight Committee, accused him of defying two congressional subpoenas.

‘His connections to Epstein and his unwillingness to cooperate are unacceptable. We must hold him in contempt immediately,’ Garcia said.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer also criticized Black for resorting to litigation rather than testifying.

‘Mr Black’s testimony is crucial to our investigation,’ Comer said.

Failure to comply with congressional subpoenas can lead to a contempt referral to the Justice Department, potentially exposing an individual to prosecution.

Black previously told the committee that he had employed Epstein as a wealth-management adviser and paid him $158 million over the course of their years-long association for what he described as legitimate services.

He has said he was unaware of Epstein’s ‘nefarious activity’ until Epstein was charged with sex trafficking in July 2019.

Black’s name also appears in files released by the US Justice Department as part of its investigation into Epstein. The records include photographs, videos and investigative documents.

However, appearing in the Epstein files does not in itself indicate wrongdoing, and Black has not been charged with a crime in connection with Epstein’s activities.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that a strengthening El Niño event could increase the risk of extreme weather conditions in the coming months.

According to the WMO’s latest forecasts, there is a nearly 100% chance that the current El Nino event, which fully developed in mid-August, will continue through February 2027. The organization said the event is expected to strengthen further in the coming months due to unusually high ocean temperatures, reaching its peak toward the end of 2026. Its climate impacts are expected to continue through much of 2027.

El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon characterized by warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. A strong El Nino can significantly alter temperature and rainfall patterns in different parts of the world.

For September-November 2026, WMO multi-model forecasts indicate an increased likelihood of above-normal temperatures across almost all land areas, alongside rainfall patterns showing a pronounced and classic atmospheric response to the strong Pacific El Niño.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that typically develops every two to seven years, when waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific become unusually warm. That warming can alter atmospheric circulation thousands of miles away, shifting rainfall and temperature patterns everywhere.

The WMO said some regions are already experiencing serious impacts from droughts and floods. The organization warned that these effects could become more severe as the El Nino event strengthens.

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergey Naryshkin (pictured) said on Friday that there is a “real” risk of a large-scale conflict erupting in Eurasia.

“The risk of a large-scale conflict across Eurasia is very real, which is a cause for deep concern. According to our data, European leaders are opting for a controlled escalation, following the brinkmanship strategy developed by Western intelligence agencies in the previous century,” Naryshkin stated at the 22nd Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Security Agencies and Intelligence Services of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Member States in St. Petersburg.

In addition, the Russian spy chief noted that European society, which he described as “too pampered and perverted,” is not prepared for a full-scale war with Russia, so European politicians and interest groups are “exploiting the myth of a threat from the East to sharply increase military spending, shift industry toward military production, and modernize the army, as well as road and port infrastructure.”

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Culture Adil Karimli has met with Gio Cristofoli, bp’s Regional President for the Caspian-Central Asia-Trkiye region, to discuss cooperation in the cultural sphere.

Adil Karimli noted that culture is one of the areas where Azerbaijan and bp have developed successful cooperation. He praised the company’s support for museums and exhibitions, the promotion of creative initiatives, and publications dedicated to the legacy of prominent figures in Azerbaijan’s cultural life.

Gio Cristofoli reaffirmed bp’s commitment to supporting cultural projects in Azerbaijan and said the company would continue contributing to initiatives in the field.

The meeting also focused on expanding cooperation, including potential collaboration in the production of historical films.

Karimli invited Cristofoli to visit the Creative Center of the Ministry of Culture and attend the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which will be held in Baku on October 27-29.

Note that the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue is an international platform dedicated to promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation among cultures and civilizations.

The forum is held in Baku as part of the Baku Process, an initiative launched by President Ilham Aliyev in 2008 to promote intercultural and interfaith dialogue and strengthen cooperation among different societies.

World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue 2026 will be held under the theme “Dialogue for a Shared Future: Building Bridges in a Fractured World.”

The event is expected to provide a platform for international participants to exchange views on contemporary challenges and explore ways to strengthen cooperation among cultures and communities.

Hungary has blocked the next stage of Ukraine’s European Union membership process for the third time.

Budapest refused to approve the results of negotiations on the second and third negotiating clusters at a meeting of the EU Working Party on Enlargement.

The Hungarian government has linked its position to the rights of the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine. Budapest says Hungary will not support further progress in Ukraine’s EU accession talks until Kyiv takes what it considers necessary steps to protect the rights of ethnic Hungarians.

The blocked second cluster concerns the EU internal market, while the third focuses on competitiveness and inclusive growth. Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations began in 2024, and opening individual negotiating clusters requires the unanimous approval of all EU member states.

The latest blockage comes despite a June agreement between Ukraine and Hungary that Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar described as “historic”. The agreement was aimed at strengthening guarantees for the educational, cultural, linguistic and political rights of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia.

However, the agreement has not resolved Budapest’s objections to Ukraine’s EU accession process.

At the same time, Hungary’s new government continues to maintain dialogue with Kyiv. Prime Minister Péter Magyar has previously called for expanded educational, cultural, linguistic and political rights for Hungarians living in Transcarpathia.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov discussed Azerbaijan-European Union cooperation with Sweden’s newly appointed Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Louis Morsing.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Bayramov received Sweden’s newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan, Louise Morsing, on September 4.

During the meeting, Ambassador Morsing presented copies of her credentials. Jeyhun Bayramov congratulated her and wished success in diplomatic mission. The importance of her role in further developing relations between Azerbaijan and Sweden was also highlighted.

The two sides discussed the current state and future prospects of bilateral relations, including political dialogue, economic and trade cooperation, as well as collaboration in humanitarian and education sectors.

Both sides emphasized that regular political consultations between the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Sweden have contributed to advancing the bilateral agenda. They highlighted the importance of continuing reciprocal visits and high-level contacts.

The meeting included an exchange of views on regional security. Bayramov briefed the ambassador on Azerbaijan’s efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus, the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and new opportunities for regional cooperation.

The sides also discussed Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the European Union, regional connectivity, energy security, and other international issues of mutual interest.

Azerbaijan and Brazil have discussed opportunities to further develop aviation ties between the two countries.

Samir Rzayev, Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), shared the details on his social media.

“Yesterday, I had a business meeting with Bernard George Leopold de Garcia Klingl, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brazil to Azerbaijan,” he reported.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the renewal of Azerbaijan Airlines’ fleet, expanding its route network, and further developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Brazil in the aviation sector.

They exchanged views on aircraft manufactured by Embraer, one of the leading companies in Brazil’s aviation industry.

“Azerbaijan Airlines currently operates seven Embraer aircraft on regional and medium-haul routes. Their presence in our fleet reflects the practical cooperation that has already developed between the two countries in this area,” he noted.

Rzayev also wished the Ambassador success in his diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan and further achievements in his future work.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that Israel would target Iran’s infrastructure, including energy facilities, if Tehran launches an attack against Israel, The Times of Israel reported.

Speaking at a meeting with Defense Ministry officials on the occasion of the Jewish New Year, Katz said Israel was closely monitoring the situation in Iran, including what he described as growing economic pressure and concerns over potential unrest.

‘We see signs that the intense economic pressure that Iran is under and the fear of rebellion and the collapse of the regime could push them to desperate measures,’ Katz said.

Addressing the possibility of an Iranian attack, Katz warned that Israel would respond without restrictions.

‘An Iranian attack on Israel would free us from all restrictions. We will strike all infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, and return Iran to the Stone Age and darkness,’ he said.

Katz added that Israel was prepared for any possible development, saying the country was ready to respond both defensively and offensively.