Category: Azer News

Eight railcars carrying wheat and ten carrying coal will be dispatched tomorrow from Bilajari station to Armenia, transiting via Azerbaijan.

AzerNEWS reports that this shipment adds to the growing volume of transshipments passing through Azerbaijani territory. To date, transit freight from Russia to Armenia via Azerbaijan has exceeded 36,000 tons of grain, nearly 9,000 tons of fertilizer, 1,136 tons of propane, 133 tons of aluminum, 414 tons of anthracite, and 67,000 tons of timber.

During the same period, Azerbaijan exported nearly 15,000 tons of diesel fuel along with approximately 5,000 tons of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline directly to Armenia.

Emin Jafarov, head of the Competitions Organization Department of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), has received an appointment from UEFA, AzerNEWS reports.

He will serve as the UEFA delegate for the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match between Iberia (Georgia) and Larne (Northern Ireland), scheduled for August 11.The match will take place at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi.

The UEFA Europa League (UEL) is Europe’s second-tier annual club football competition, organized by UEFA. The 2026/27 UEFA Europa League qualification phase is currently underway, running from 10 July to 27 August 2026, with clubs competing through three qualifying rounds and the play-off round for places in the 36-team league phase.

The league phase is scheduled to begin in September 2026, with each team playing eight matches (four home and four away) against different opponents under UEFA’s Swiss-system league format. The top eight clubs will advance directly to the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th-24th will compete in knockout play-offs. The season will conclude with the 2027 UEFA Europa League Final, to be played at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt on 26 May 2027.

Formed in 1992, the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) is the governing body of football in Azerbaijan.

The Association is responsible for overseeing all aspects of amateur and professional games in its territory.

It runs numerous competitions, the most famous of which is the Azerbaijan Cup. AFFA is a member of both UEFA and FIFA.

A year after the landmark Washington meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the South Caucasus is beginning to look less like a geopolitical fault line and more like a region undergoing strategic reconfiguration. Although many recognise it as only the initialling of a peace agreement, the significance of the 8 August 2025 meeting, in fact, lies in the wider shift it set in motion: from conflict management towards connectivity, economic integration and a new balance of power.

First of all, for Azerbaijan, the process has helped consolidate the gains achieved since the 2020 war and the restoration of full sovereignty over Qarabag in 2023. The strategic challenge has since moved beyond the conflict itself. It is now about shaping the political and economic order that follows it. And certainly, that distinction matters.

Peace with Armenia potentially removes one of the main obstacles to Azerbaijan’s deeper integration into regional transport and economic networks. Baku is already positioned at the intersection of the Caspian Sea, Central Asia, Trkiye and Europe. Its role in energy supplies and the Middle Corridor has given it growing importance as a bridge between East and West.

The opening of regional communications could strengthen that position further. The proposed route connecting Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan through Armenia, within the framework associated with the Washington process, has significance extending well beyond the movement of goods. It could become part of a broader east-west network linking China and Central Asia to the Caspian, Azerbaijan, Trkiye and European markets.

That is precisely where Washington’s interests enter the equation.

The United States has little reason to view the South Caucasus solely through the lens of Armenian-Azerbaijani reconciliation. Russia’s war in Ukraine has increased the strategic value of routes bypassing Russian territory, while competition with Iran has made alternative regional connectivity increasingly important.

A more integrated South Caucasus could therefore serve several American interests at once: reducing reliance on Russian transport networks, strengthening Central Asia’s connections with Western markets, expanding alternative trade routes and limiting the strategic leverage that Iran derives from its geography.

The Middle Corridor consequently has a geopolitical dimension that goes well beyond commerce.

The choice of Washington as the venue for the 2025 meeting was also significant. It demonstrated that the United States wants to play a more consequential role in determining the region’s post-conflict architecture. The question for Washington is no longer simply how to secure peace between Baku and Yerevan, but what strategic order should emerge after peace.

However, there is an important distinction between American ambitions and American control.

Azerbaijan is not simply an instrument of Washington’s strategy. Baku’s importance derives from its own geographical position, infrastructure, energy resources and relationships with Trkiye, Central Asia and Europe. Any attempt to build a new regional connectivity architecture must take Azerbaijan’s interests and influence into account.

This is perhaps the most important change of the past year. Azerbaijan’s role has expanded from being a central party to a conflict settlement to becoming one of the principal actors in designing the region that follows it.

The South Caucasus is consequently entering a new phase. Russia remains an important power, Iran retains significant interests, and Trkiye’s regional influence continues to grow. But the emergence of stronger east-west connections is creating new strategic possibilities.

One year after Washington, the central question is no longer simply whether peace can hold. It is who will shape the regional order that peace makes possible.

And on that question, Baku is increasingly difficult to bypass.

After years of speculation, Warner Bros. has officially confirmed that a fifth installment in the iconic Matrix franchise is in development. The announcement was made in the latest financial report from Warner Bros. Discovery. According to current estimates, the film is not expected to premiere before 2027, AzerNEWS reports.

Reports about a new Matrix film first surfaced in 2024, when it was revealed that Drew Goddard-best known for The Martian, The Cabin in the Woods, Lost, and Daredevil-had been hired to write the screenplay. Fans are hoping his vision will bring a fresh perspective to the legendary sci-fi universe while preserving the philosophical themes that made the original films so influential.

The latest financial report confirms that the project is still in its early stages. The film has yet to secure a director, and Warner Bros. has not revealed any plot details or production timeline.

The cast also remains a mystery. There is currently no confirmation that Keanu Reeves will reprise his role as Neo. Following the massive success of the John Wick franchise, Reeves has one of the busiest schedules in Hollywood. Nevertheless, the official announcement suggests that the studio is moving forward with the project and may already be discussing the return of key cast members.

Released in 1999, the original The Matrix revolutionized science fiction cinema and is widely regarded as one of the greatest cyberpunk films ever made. Its groundbreaking visual effects-most notably the iconic “bullet time” technique-reshaped action filmmaking and continue to influence Hollywood to this day.

While The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions achieved strong commercial success, the fourth installment, The Matrix Resurrections (2021), received mixed reactions from both critics and audiences. Despite a production budget of around $190 million, the film earned only about $160 million at the global box office, making it a commercial disappointment.

It remains unclear whether The Matrix 5 will continue the story established in previous films or introduce an entirely new chapter set within the Matrix universe. Either way, the return of one of cinema’s most influential science-fiction franchises is already generating excitement among fans worldwide.

If the project stays on track, The Matrix 5 could become one of the most anticipated blockbuster releases of the decade, marking a new era for a franchise that has inspired generations of filmmakers, gamers, and science-fiction enthusiasts.

South Korea will introduce new rules requiring used car dealers to disclose the full cost of a vehicle in advertisements, as part of a government initiative to improve transparency and strengthen consumer protection in the second-hand car market, AzerNEWS reports, citing Korean media.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the new regulations, which will take effect next year, will require dealers to clearly display the total purchase price of a vehicle, including all mandatory fees, instead of advertising only the base price. The changes are designed to prevent unexpected charges that many buyers currently discover only at the final stage of a purchase.

Consumers will also receive stronger legal protections. If a defect appears during the warranty period, buyers will have the right to request repairs from the seller. In cases where a major component-such as the engine or transmission-develops a serious fault within seven days of purchase, and the repair is considered excessively expensive or time-consuming, customers will be entitled to cancel the sale and receive a full refund.

The government said that an excessive repair burden would generally include repairs costing more than 3 million won (around $2,100), exceeding 30% of the vehicle’s purchase price, or taking longer than 30 days to complete.

South Korea’s used car market is one of the largest in Asia, with around 2.5 million vehicles changing hands every year. The country also exported approximately 880,000 used vehicles last year. Despite the market’s size, consumers have frequently complained about hidden fees, misleading vehicle information, and difficulties obtaining compensation for defects.

As part of the reforms, the government will also introduce mandatory insurance for used car dealers, replacing the current vehicle performance insurance system. The new program is expected to provide broader warranty coverage while reducing insurance costs, giving buyers greater confidence when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle.

Officials say the reforms were developed following discussions at a government policy coordination meeting and are intended to modernize the used car industry. Draft amendments to the relevant laws are expected to be submitted in the coming months, while a dedicated task force will oversee the implementation of the new rules.

The measures reflect a broader global trend toward greater transparency in the used vehicle market, as governments seek to protect consumers and improve trust in second-hand car sales.

Amid growing geopolitical instability, rising risks to traditional trade routes, and businesses’ efforts to diversify supply chains, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) linking China, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Trkiye, and Europe is gaining increasing strategic importance.

According to AzerNEWS, it was published by China’s official Xinhua News Agency.

Azerbaijan, located at the intersection of the East-West and North-South transport corridors, views the Middle Corridor not only as a transit project but also as a tool for economic diversification, non-energy sector development, and strengthening its position in Eurasian logistics.

The article highlights that growing interest in the Middle Corridor is connected with changes in Eurasia’s transportation landscape. Previously, much of overland cargo traffic between Asia and Europe passed through Russia, while maritime routes relied heavily on the Suez Canal and the Strait of Malacca. However, the Ukraine crisis, tensions in the Middle East, and other geopolitical factors have encouraged international businesses to seek alternative routes.

The Middle Corridor starts in China and passes through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia before reaching Trkiye and Europe. Compared with traditional maritime routes, it offers shorter delivery times, while unlike the northern route through Russia, it is not affected by sanctions.

Highlighting Azerbaijan’s role in the corridor, Xinhua noted that the development of the route aligns with the country’s broader economic restructuring goals. Baku aims not only to benefit from transit revenues but also to expand income from ports, warehouses, logistics services, finance, and insurance, while encouraging the growth of processing industries.

The Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Alat Free Economic Zone are considered key elements of this strategy. Azerbaijan seeks to transform transit cargo flows into drivers of industrial development and investment.

According to the article, developing transport infrastructure remains a government priority. The Baku International Sea Trade Port currently has a handling capacity of 15 million tons of cargo and 100,000 TEU annually. After the completion of expansion projects, these figures could increase to 25 million tons and 500,000 TEU.

The article also highlighted the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, describing it as a key component of the western section of the Middle Corridor. Following modernization completed in June 2026, the railway’s annual capacity increased from 1 million tons to 5 million tons.

Alongside infrastructure development, Azerbaijan is also focusing on improving the institutional framework of the route. The country is actively involved in coordinating the Middle Corridor, harmonizing tariff policies, transport documentation, customs procedures, and digital services, including the implementation of a single-window system.

Through these efforts, Azerbaijan aims to evolve from a geographic transit point into a functional logistics hub, becoming an organizer of transport processes and a service platform within Eurasia’s growing trade network.

The article notes that the future prospects of the Middle Corridor will depend on regional political developments, including the progress of the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, the Ukraine crisis, and the situation in the Middle East.

In the long term, the competitiveness of the route will depend not only on the scale of infrastructure investments but also on the ability of participating countries to coordinate their activities effectively. Azerbaijan is seeking to strengthen its position as a major transport and logistics hub on the western coast of the Caspian Sea and as a key link in Eurasia’s evolving transportation network.

On August 8, the Open Water Swimming Race “Let’s Cross the Kura?! 5” will be held in Mingachevir on the banks of the Kura River, AzerNEWS reports.

The event is jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Azerbaijan Swimming Federation, and the Baku City Circuit Operations Company.

The project “Let’s Cross the Kura?!” has become one of the largest mass open water swimming events in Azerbaijan in recent years. The initiative is aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, popularizing water sports, and supporting their wider development across the country.

The race “Let’s Cross the Kura?!” will be held in Mingachevir for the fifth time. Since its launch in 2022, interest in the event has grown each year, reaching a record level this year. A total of 616 participants have registered to take part in the 2026 race. The youngest participant is 12 years old, while the oldest is 79.

For the first time this year, the competition will feature two distances – 350 meters and 1,000 meters. A total of 111 participants will compete in the 1,000-meter race, while 505 swimmers will take part in the 350-meter category.

The competition will be held among men and women in six age categories: 12-17, 18-23, 24-35, 36-55, 56-70, and over 71 years old.

The top three male and female participants in each age category will be awarded prizes.

Approximately 800 people were evacuated after a fire broke out at a Wildberries logistics facility in Yekaterinburg city, AzerNEWS reports.

Artem Zhoga, the Russian president’s plenipotentiary representative in the Ural Federal District, said no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. Wildberries stated that the fire began at around 7:40 a.m. local time following the attack and that emergency services were dispatched to the scene. The company noted that employees had been evacuated in advance, helping to prevent casualties.

The incident follows a similar event in late July, when a Wildberries logistics facility in Yekaterinburg was evacuated after a drone attack. On that occasion, debris from a downed drone fell onto a parking area in the city’s Chkalovsky District, sparking a fire that spread across approximately 300 square meters. The warehouse itself was not damaged, and no injuries were reported.

Earlier, Russian air defense forces also repelled a drone attack in the Tver region. According to Governor Vitaly Korolev, debris from one of the intercepted drones caused minor damage to the facade of a Wildberries logistics complex. No casualties were reported.

Amid the continuing attacks, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade, Arman Shakkaliyev, announced that Wildberries plans to build logistics warehouses in Kazakhstan. However, on August 5, the e-commerce company said it has no plans to relocate its main logistics hubs outside Russia, while confirming it will continue expanding its network by constructing new facilities abroad.

Azerbaijani taekwondo fighters has won a total of 22 medals at the Batumi Open International Tournament held in Batumi, Georgia, AzerNEWS reports.

The national team finished the competition with 8 gold, 6 silver, and 8 bronze medals.

The gold medalists were Ayan Aliyeva (27 kg), Darya Huseynova (30 kg), Fidan Gafarova (33 kg), Rada Asad (44 kg), Ruqayya Humbatli (51 kg), Sabrin Bayramova (52 kg), Harun Salmanzade (58 kg), and Gulnaz Abdullazade (59 kg).

The silver medals were won by Umid Shahbazov (41 kg), Ulvi Mammadov (45 kg), Zeyd Sadikhov (45 kg), Esmanur Azayeva (47 kg), Farid Khalimov (48 kg), and Fatima Ramazanli (55 kg).

The bronze medalists were Umid Aslanov (25 kg), Esma Abdullazade (29 kg), Ahmad Murvatov (33 kg), Yagut Ismayilli (33 kg), Nazli Hajiyeva (37 kg), Malikajdar Galabayov (41 kg), Elgun Mammadli (49 kg), and Javad Heydarli (53 kg).

Taekwondo is one of the most popular sports in the country, attracting athletes of all ages.

The Azerbaijan Taekwondo Federation has trained many prominent athletes since its foundation in 1992.

In 2018, Radik Isayev (80 kg) was crowned European Champion for the second time in his career.

Another national taekwondo fighter, Milad Beigi Harchegani (80 kg), became the world taekwondo champion in 2019.

In 2021, Azerbaijani female taekwondo athlete Minaya Akbarova claimed a bronze medal at the European Taekwondo Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria. She won the bronze medal in the 46 kg weight class.

Moreover, the Azerbaijani taekwondo team won five medals at the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games.

The taekwondo fighters won one gold, two silver, and two bronze in Konya, Turkiye.

The medals came from Farida Azizova (gold medal), Javad Aghayev, Minaya Akbarova (silver medals), Hashim Mahammadov, and Patimat Abakarova (bronze).

In total, Azerbaijani sportsmen captured 99 medals at the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games, including 29 gold, 36 silver, and 34 bronze.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, taekwondo fighter Gashim Magomedov (58 kg) and boxer Alfonso Dominguez (92 kg) enriched the country’s medal haul with silver medals.

The national team secured a total of seven medals, including two gold, two silver, and three bronze.

Intensive energy diplomacy conducted between Ankara and Baghdad throughout July has culminated in a major step forward, ensuring that both nations continue to expand their energy cooperation. Just four days after a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, the two sides reached a one-year agreement to enable the efficient operation of the Iraq-Turkiye Crude Oil Pipeline.

The “Crude Oil Transport Agreement,” negotiated between Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) and Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) alongside the North Oil Company (NOC), was signed yesterday during a ceremony in Ankara. The event was attended by Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alpaslan Bayraktar and Iraqi Minister of Oil Basim Muhammad Hudayir.

Under the signed agreement, a daily capacity of 750,000 barrels of the pipeline system has been allocated to Iraq’s state-owned oil companies, SOMO and NOC. This arrangement aims to ensure a more efficient utilization of the Silopi-Ceyhan Crude Oil Pipeline System (SCP). Until a long-term, comprehensive cooperation model is established between the two countries, the duration of the crude transport agreement has been set for one year to guarantee that ongoing oil flows remain uninterrupted.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alpaslan Bayraktar stated, “We are capping off a historic week with a historic agreement. The Iraqi Prime Minister’s visit to our President ushered in a process where bilateral relations are being advanced, and new projects are discussed and put into motion. In addition to this, Turkish Petroleum becoming a partner in the Kirkuk oil fields was truly a historic and vital milestone.”

Highlighting that Trkiye has maintained the operational readiness of the two pipeline systems running from Silopi to Ceyhan for nearly 50 years, Bayraktar noted: “BOTAS is responsible for operating this pipeline, as well as managing the storage and loading operations in Ceyhan. Our vision is for these lines, which hold a daily capacity of 1.5 million barrels, to operate at full capacity moving forward. We want to transport oil coming from Iraq-and perhaps in the future from Kuwait and other Gulf nations-along this route to global markets through Ceyhan.”

Minister Bayraktar also noted that during President Erdogan’s meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi, an initiative was raised for Iraq to supply 1 million barrels of crude oil required by refineries in Trkiye, describing it as a major development.

“This is genuinely crucial for our country’s oil supply security,” Bayraktar remarked. “Decades ago, our refineries in Trkiye were designed specifically to process oil from neighboring countries. Consequently, Iraqi and Kirkuk crude are the products most utilized by our refineries.”

Extending his wishes that all the agreements forged this week bring prosperity to both nations, Bayraktar reaffirmed the significance of Turkish Petroleum’s partnership in the Kirkuk fields and indicated that further joint ventures lie ahead.

“After Monday, we are opening a brand-new page,” Minister Bayraktar concluded. “On this new page, we will advance collaboration across all energy domains-primarily oil, natural gas, and electricity-as well as other economic sectors, pushing our bilateral trade volume far beyond its current $17 billion mark.”