Category: Azer News

It is possible to triple trade along the Middle Corridor and halve transit times by 2030, Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said on Thursday at the CAMCA Regional Forum in Baku.

“Forms of energy consumption are changing. Oil played the leading role in the past, followed by gas. Today, we are talking about a green energy corridor for the same customers and the same markets. The difference is that this time we are working more closely with our neighbours and the wider region, particularly the countries on the eastern side of the Caspian Sea. Our partners to the west of Azerbaijan continue to participate in and support this process,” he stated.

Jabbarov noted that Azerbaijan’s lack of direct access to the open sea had pushed the country to pay particular attention to connectivity.

“On the one hand, Azerbaijan is a landlocked country. On the other hand, this feature has created a certain natural selection. It has meant placing a strong emphasis on connectivity to reduce our geographic vulnerability and being willing to invest in this area,” the minister emphasized.

He said the development of the Port of Alat, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, Azerbaijan’s shipbuilding industry, as well as investments in ports and relevant terminals abroad, were all part of this strategy.

“The same applies to energy infrastructure, pipelines and fibre-optic connectivity, where we believe there is even greater potential. According to the World Bank’s 2023 assessment, if the necessary investments are made and efficiency measures are implemented, continued efforts to improve connectivity could triple trade along the Middle Corridor and halve transit times by 2030,” Jabbarov added.

According to him, Central Asia has remained Azerbaijan’s fastest-growing regional trading partner over the past five years.

Azerbaijani boxers will compete at the U17 European Boxing Championships, which will begin in Budva, Montenegro, on October 3.

A total of 21 Azerbaijani athletes, including eight girls and 13 boys, will take part in the nine-day competition.

The tournament is expected to feature nearly 500 boxers representing 40 countries.

Boxing is known as one of the oldest sports in the history of humankind.

The earliest evidence of boxing dates back to Egypt around 3,000 BC.

This sport was introduced to the ancient Olympic Games by the Greeks in the late 7th century BC.

In 1924, the International Amateur Boxing Federation (FIBA) was established.

Since 1946, it has been referred to as the International Boxing Association (AIBA). Boxing made its Olympic debut at the 1904 Games in St. Louis.

In 1926, the boxing championship was held for the first time in Azerbaijan, where national boxers took first place.

Since 1992, the Azerbaijani Boxing Federation has been a full member of the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

Azerbaijani boxers have won many prestigious awards at many international championships.

Aghasi Mammadov has entered Azerbaijan’s history of boxing as the first national boxer to win a gold medal at the world championship.

Another Azerbaijani boxer, Fuad Asadov, was among the medallists at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.

Many times, Azerbaijan has been chosen as the host country for major boxing championships.

The AIBA Youth World Championships were held in Baku in 2019. This world championship was the first licensed youth tournament to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Games held in Singapore.

The country also hosted the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, which was the first major qualifying event for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The longstanding defense partnership between ASELSAN and Azerbaijan has entered a new phase with the signing of a term sheet agreement at the Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition (ADEX 2026) targeting the establishment of a strategic production facility in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. The company has also signed a framework agreement with the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, expressing its intention to procure ALP 100 Multifunction AESA Air Surveillance Radar systems from ASELSAN to meet the requirements of the Azerbaijani Air Force.

Through the term sheet agreement between ASELSAN, ASELSAN BAKÜ LLC, and NOVASIS LLC, the partners announce their intention to establish a strategic production facility in Nakhchivan, expanding Azerbaijan’s domestic defense manufacturing capabilities, advancing technology transfer and strengthening Azerbaijan’s defense industrial infrastructure.

The planned facility is expected to facilitate the transfer of advanced manufacturing technologies for ASELSAN’s Laser Guidance Kits (LGK), TOLUN precision-guided munitions, and KORKUT air defense systems, contributing to the development of Azerbaijan’s indigenous defense industry. This potential collaboration also aims to foster a highly skilled workforce and support the integration of domestically produced munitions into current and future Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), fighter jet, and trainer aircraft platforms in the Azerbaijani inventory.

The agreements signed at ADEX further build on ASELSAN’s enduring partnership with Azerbaijan and reflect the two countries’ shared commitment to advancing defense cooperation and technological capabilities, as ASELSAN President and CEO Ahmet Akyol underlined: ‘Our long-lasting partnership with Azerbaijan is steadily evolving to new horizons. By declaring our will to extend production capabilities for our systems like LGK, KORKUT and TOLUN to Nakhchivan, we aim to support our allies in building a resilient, localized defense infrastructure. Furthermore, the framework agreement for the ALP 100 Multifunction AESA Air Surveillance Radar represents another important step in our cooperation. Our contribution to providing critical technologies, including advanced radar systems, will further strengthen our ties and support Azerbaijan in enhancing its defense capabilities. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to regional stability and helps ensure that our cutting-edge technologies are closely tuned to the operational needs of the Azerbaijani armed forces.’

At ADEX 2026, ASELSAN is also showcasing a broad portfolio of advanced defense technologies spanning counter-drone systems, air defense, airborne solutions, electronic warfare, radar, and secure communications. The portfolio includes solutions such as the KORKUT 100/25 air defense system, ASELFLIR 600 electro-optical system, TOLUN precision-guided munition, KORAL electronic warfare system, and MURAD and FULMAR radar family, alongside advanced communication and guidance technologies. Together, these solutions demonstrate ASELSAN’s integrated approach to addressing evolving operational requirements across multiple domains.

The death toll from an avalanche that struck a base camp in the Himlung Himal area of the Himalayas on September 27 has risen to 11, according to The Himalayan Times.

The avalanche hit the base camp located at an altitude of around 4,900 meters near Himlung Himal, a 7,126-meter peak in Nepal. Search and rescue teams have continued operations in the area following the incident, despite challenging conditions at the high-altitude site.

According to the newspaper, rescuers have recovered the bodies of four more people, bringing the confirmed death toll to 11. Seven bodies had previously been found at the site.

Search and rescue operations are continuing for five people who remain missing. Authorities and rescue teams are working to locate those still unaccounted for and determine whether anyone else may have been affected by the avalanche.

Rescuers had earlier evacuated 10 people who were found alive in the camp area. The survivors were transported by helicopter from the high-altitude location.

The incident has highlighted the risks faced by climbers and expedition teams operating in the Himalayas, where sudden avalanches and severe weather conditions can pose significant dangers, particularly at high elevations.

United States President Donald Trump claimed that “by annihilating Iran, we’ve created peace in the world” in an interview with Time magazine, published on Thursday.

“With Iran, I don’t think you could ever have peace,” he said, repeating that he may restart airstrikes on the country after the midterm elections in November. He admitted that “some forms” of US ammunition stockpiles are “a little bit lower than other forms,” but stressed that the administration signed new deals with defense contractors, claiming that they will cost “less than America makes in a single month from Venezuelan oil.”

Turning to artificial intelligence, Trump said the US is “making a lot of money” from the industry and that he does not want to “destroy” it with regulations. Asked about OpenAI’s agents hacking into government websites, Trump asked, “Who breached it? They’re not allowed to do that.”

Russia has ordered a group of employees of the Hungarian Embassy in Moscow, as well as Hungary’s consulates general in St. Petersburg and Kazan, to leave Russian territory within two weeks.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the decision, saying it was taken in response to Hungary’s expulsion of Russian diplomats.

The ministry described Budapest’s move as ‘unfounded and clearly unfriendly,’ and said Moscow’s decision was a reciprocal measure.

Hungary’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Russia’s decision, according to reports. Budapest said it was not interested in further escalation but intended to continue its diplomatic activities in Russia.

The latest development marks a new deterioration in diplomatic relations between Moscow and Budapest, which have maintained diplomatic ties despite broader tensions between Russia and European countries.

Both sides have traditionally maintained channels of diplomatic communication, making the expulsion of diplomats a significant measure in their bilateral relations. Diplomatic expulsions are generally used by governments to signal strong objections to the actions of another state while formally maintaining diplomatic relations.

The number and positions of the Hungarian personnel ordered to leave Russia were not specified in the initial announcement.

‘The organization of the first-ever Media Forum in Baku, at the initiative of Azerbaijan within the framework of CICA, as it takes place on the eve of the CICA Summit, is of particular significance in drawing greater attention to the activities we carry out jointly with member states during our chairmanship and to the important role the organization plays on the international stage,’ President Ilham Aliyev said in his address to the participants of the CICA Media Forum on ‘Building Trust through Media in a Polarized World,’ organized by the Media and Broadcasting Council.

The head of state also noted: ‘Today’s Forum on ‘Building Trust through Media in a Polarized World’ is a valuable opportunity to highlight that the field of information and communication is an important and integral part of confidence-building. The media should be seen not only as a broad platform for sharing information, but also as an important instrument of public diplomacy, mutual understanding, and regional cooperation.’

Yemen’s Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba has warned that the Houthis are expanding cooperation with aligned groups across the Horn of Africa, describing the emerging network as a ‘dangerous ‘Red Sea Axis.”

In a statement posted on X, Yemen’s Foreign Ministry said there was evidence pointing to growing links involving weapons transfers, training, smuggling activities and joint operations.

According to the ministry, the alleged network connects armed groups that had previously been viewed as separate security threats operating across different parts of the Red Sea and Horn of Africa region.

‘The evidence is clear: weapons transfers, training, smuggling and shared operations are connecting actors once treated as separate threats,’ the ministry said.

The comments come amid continued concerns over security in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, key maritime routes connecting the Middle East, Africa and global shipping markets.

The Yemeni government has previously accused the Houthis of developing ties with regional and transnational networks as part of efforts to expand their military and logistical capabilities.

The ministry did not provide details of the specific groups it believes are involved in the alleged network or disclose evidence supporting the latest claims.

The Houthis, who control large parts of northern Yemen including the capital Sanaa, have carried out attacks and launched missiles and drones in the Red Sea region in recent years, citing their support for Palestinians in Gaza.

The latest allegations have not been independently verified.

The Azerbaijan Journalists Network Public Union has presented a documentary titled “Towards Tomorrow”, focusing on reconstruction efforts in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur and the Great Return process.

According to the Azerbaijan Journalists Network Public Union, the documentary was produced as part of the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture”.

Speaking at the premiere, Ayaz Mirzayev, chairman of the union, said the film tells the story of the reconstruction of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, the return of residents to their ancestral homes and the establishment of a new life in the region through personal stories.

The documentary features residents’ impressions as well as newly built settlements designed in modern architectural styles, with a particular focus on the human factor.

Filming took place in Aghdam, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Kalbajar, Lachin, Shusha, Khankendi, Khojaly and Zangilan.

Ayaz Mirzayev wrote the screenplay, Zaka Gulu directed the film, Emin Huseynov served as cinematographer, and Elmar Tariyeloghlu was responsible for editing.

“Towards Tomorrow” was produced as part of the project “Reconstruction and Cities of the Future in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur”.

The project was implemented with financial support from the Agency for State Support of Non-Governmental Organizations.

Basic Summer Mountain Training Course, held at the Sachkhere Mountain Training Center of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia with the participation of servicemen from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye, has concluded.

During the training, the servicemen accomplished exercises in vertical movement and descent, rock climbing using special mountaineering equipment as well as hand and foot techniques, and various practical tasks in mountainous and rocky terrain.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the participants highlighted the importance of the knowledge and skills acquired during the course, as well as the significance of continuing joint activities among the servicemen of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye.

The main objective of the course is to enhance servicemen’s practical skills in operating in mountainous and rocky terrain, improve their ability to use mountaineering equipment properly and safely, and facilitate the exchange of experience among the servicemen of the participating countries.

At the conclusion of the course, certificates and badges were presented to the servicemen who successfully completed the training, followed by a commemorative group photo.