Category: Azer News

Vin Diesel has announced that filming on the final installment of the Fast and Furious franchise is expected to begin in December.

Diesel, who has played Dominic Toretto since the first film in 2001, shared the update as work continues on the next chapter of the long-running action series.

The upcoming film is planned as the final main installment of the franchise, bringing the story of Toretto and his family to a close after more than two decades on screen.

Further details about the production, including the full cast and plot, have yet to be revealed. Fans are nevertheless expecting the final film to bring back several familiar characters as the series heads toward its conclusion.

The Fast and Furious franchise has grown from a film centred on street racing into one of Hollywood’s biggest action series, spanning multiple films and international box-office successes.

Diesel’s latest announcement puts the final movie’s production on a clearer timeline, with cameras expected to start rolling in December 2026.

The death toll from the devastating floods that struck Nepal, along the border with China, on August 26 has risen to 734, while 2,498 people remain missing.

The figures were released by Nepal’s agency responsible for emergency management.

Chinese state media, meanwhile, reported that 16 people had died and 546 were missing on the Chinese side. This brings the overall toll from the disaster to 750 deaths and 3,044 missing people.

On Sunday, Nepalese authorities urged rescue teams operating in the area along the Chinese border to exercise caution as water levels rose again.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said in a warning: ‘We have received reports that the flow of floodwaters in the Bote Koshi River in Rasuwa District has increased again.’

The authorities further warned: ‘Therefore, all personnel involved in search, rescue and relief operations, people staying in riverside areas, as well as everyone else in the affected areas, particularly Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan districts, are urged to exercise caution.’

According to the US Geological Survey, the disaster occurred on the morning of August 26 along the China-Nepal border after a glacier collapsed, triggering a massive surge of water and debris downstream.

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended its congratulations to the people and government of Turkiye on the occasion of the Republic of Trkiye’s Victory Day, celebrated on August 30.

The ministry published the congratulatory message on its social media account:

“We commemorate with deep respect the cherished memory of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Turkiye’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and proudly celebrate the historic Victory achieved through the unwavering will, determination and heroism of our brotherly people.

Happy Victory Day!” the ministry said.

Ganja Stadium has been awarded UEFA Category 4 status, marking an important step forward for football infrastructure in Azerbaijan.

The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) stated that the new status is the result of two years of continuous work to bring the stadium in line with UEFA requirements.

The upgrade opens the way for Ganja Stadium to host higher-level international football matches, providing new opportunities for both domestic and international competitions.

Located in the city of Ganja, the stadium is one of Azerbaijan’s notable football venues and serves as an important sporting facility for the country’s second-largest city. Its upgraded status strengthens Ganja’s position as a potential host for major football events and contributes to the continued development of Azerbaijan’s football infrastructure.

UEFA’s Category 4 is the highest level in its stadium classification system. Stadiums in this category meet the organization’s most demanding infrastructure, safety, facilities and operational standards and are eligible to host high-level UEFA competitions.

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 series of promotional events aimed at showcasing Azerbaijan’s tourism potential have been held in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, organized by the Azerbaijan Tourism Board.

According to the State Tourism Agency, the programme covered the cities of Shymkent, Almaty, Astana and Tashkent and brought together representatives of eight local tourism industry organizations, including Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL).

More than 400 representatives of travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, media outlets and other tourism industry organizations from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan took part in the events.

Presentations highlighted Azerbaijan’s diverse year-round tourism opportunities, recent developments in the tourism sector and a range of tourism products.

Participants were introduced to opportunities for seaside holidays along the Caspian Sea, mountain resorts, health tourism, gastronomy, adventure and active recreation, cultural tourism, as well as the country’s modern tourism infrastructure.

Business meetings held as part of the programme provided a platform for Azerbaijani tourism companies and their counterparts from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to discuss prospects for cooperation and opportunities to develop joint projects.

The events also featured presentations showcasing Azerbaijan’s rich culture, national cuisine and traditional dances.

According to official figures, the number of visitors from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan increased by 5.5% in January-July 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching 62,079. During the same period, the number of visitors from Uzbekistan rose by 40.2% to 42,288.

Mattel is launching the UNO Championship Series, giving players a chance to compete for a $50,000 grand prize and a championship belt inspired by professional wrestling.

Qualifying competitions will be held through the UNO! Mobile app and at in-person events in the United States. The mobile qualifiers run from August 31 through September 27, while live qualifying events are scheduled for October in Florida, Chicago and California.

The finalists will meet in Los Angeles on November 11, where they will compete for the title and the $50,000 prize. The final will also be streamed live on Twitch.

The winner will receive more than the cash prize. Mattel has created a wearable UNO championship belt with a design inspired by wrestling title belts, adding a distinctive sporting touch to the card game’s new competitive format.

The championship marks a major step for UNO, turning one of the world’s best-known family card games into a structured competitive event with qualifiers, finalists and a championship title.

The National Hydrometeorological Service has issued yellow and orange weather warnings for windy conditions expected on August 31 in Baku, the Absheron Peninsula and several regions of Azerbaijan.

According to the service, a yellow warning is in effect for Nakhchivan, Goygol, Ganja, Samukh, Aghstafa, Gazakh, Dashkasan, Tovuz, Gadabay, Gusar, Shamkir, Khizi, Khachmaz, Shabran, Siyazan, Gobustan, Shirvan, Hajigabul, Neftchala, Aghdam, Mingachevir, Yevlakh, Tartar, Barda, Bilasuvar, Salyan, Jalilabad, Masalli, Yardimli, Lerik, Kalbajar, Lachin, Fuzuli, Beylagan, Imishli, Saatli, Sabirabad and Jabrayil. Easterly winds are expected in these areas, with speeds reaching 13.9-20.7 m/s.

An orange warning has been issued for Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, where northwesterly winds are expected.

Orange-level warnings are also in effect for Goranboy, Naftalan, Julfa and Ordubad, where easterly winds are forecast. Wind speeds in these areas may strengthen to 20.8-28.4 m/s.

The Chamber of Accounts of the Republic of Azerbaijan has held its latest collegium meeting.

The meeting discussed an audit report presented by Auditor Vafa Mutallimova on the results of an audit of the activities of the Agency for Quality Assurance in Education.

Following the discussions, the collegium approved the auditor’s report and decided that the audited institution should take the necessary measures to address the deficiencies identified during the audit.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chair of the Board of the Agency for Quality Assurance in Education and the head of a department at the Ministry of Science and Education emphasized that the audit findings would contribute to improving activities in the relevant field. They also noted that the proposals and recommendations put forward would be taken into consideration.

The collegium then discussed an auditor’s report presented by Auditor Hafiz Ismayilbayli on the results of an audit of the use of public funds and other state property by the Shahbuz District Executive Authority of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and its subordinate institutions.

Following the discussions, the auditor’s report was approved, and the audited institutions were instructed to take the necessary measures to eliminate the deficiencies identified.

The meeting also addressed other current issues on the agenda.

China’s top legislature has approved a revised National Defense Mobilization Law as Beijing moves to modernise its system for shifting from peacetime to wartime and strengthen its ability to respond to evolving security threats.

The revised law, approved on Friday during the 24th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress, will take effect on October 1. It is the first major update to the legislation since it was adopted in 2010.

The new law, comprising 14 chapters and 82 articles, sets out clearer responsibilities for military and civilian authorities involved in national defence mobilisation. It also seeks to integrate mobilisation planning more closely with economic and social development and emergency-response mechanisms.

The revisions cover defence mobilisation planning, military personnel reserves, the mobilisation of armed forces, military research, and the requisition or expropriation of civilian resources, including arrangements for compensation.

The legislation defines national defence mobilisation as measures taken by the state in response to threats to national sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, security and development interests, with the aim of enabling a rapid transition from peacetime to wartime and converting economic and social resources into defence capabilities.

Chinese officials said the changes are designed to reflect shifts in modern warfare by improving coordination over institutions, resources and military forces. The revised framework also expands mobilisation arrangements in key and emerging areas and is intended to strengthen support for combat readiness and wartime operations.

A new provision specifically calls for the use of advanced technologies in national defence mobilisation and the development of mobilisation capabilities in emerging fields.

Authorities said implementation will now focus on ensuring compliance with the revised law and developing supporting regulations.

The previous National Defense Mobilization Law was adopted in February 2010 and came into force on July 1 of that year.

Russian media outlets continue to draw criticism over their coverage of Karabakh, with accusations that some reporting and commentary show disregard for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and use language perceived as disrespectful towards President Ilham Aliyev.

The criticism points to a growing disconnect between parts of Russia’s media landscape and the broader diplomatic relationship Moscow has sought to maintain with Baku.

Russian-language media continue to revisit the Karabakh issue despite the fundamental changes that have taken place in the region since Azerbaijan restored control over the territory in 2023. Critics argue that some outlets continue to frame the issue through narratives that overlook Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity or give space to positions that challenge Baku’s sovereignty over Karabakh.

The issue is particularly sensitive because Russia has repeatedly described Azerbaijan as an important regional partner. Moscow and Baku maintain extensive political, economic and security ties, while Russia has sought to preserve its influence in the South Caucasus amid a rapidly changing regional balance.

Against that backdrop, the continued prominence of hostile or dismissive narratives about Azerbaijan in parts of the Russian media raises a broader question: how much control does the Kremlin have over a media environment that can potentially undermine Russia’s own foreign-policy objectives?

The criticism has become particularly pointed among observers who see a contradiction between Russia’s official diplomatic engagement with Azerbaijan and the tone adopted by some Russian media outlets.

One commentator went further, arguing that some Russian media outlets could effectively be acting against Russia’s interests themselves.

‘Sometimes I understand that some Russian media outlets are themselves enemies of Russia,’ the commentator said, reflecting growing frustration over what was described as continued disrespect towards Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and President Aliyev.

The dispute also highlights a wider problem for Moscow. Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus increasingly depends not only on formal diplomatic agreements but also on its ability to manage competing narratives within its own information space.

For Azerbaijan, the issue is not simply one of media tone, as coverage that questions its territorial integrity or portrays its leadership in a hostile manner can be viewed in Baku as an attempt to preserve outdated narratives about a conflict that Azerbaijan considers resolved.

For Moscow, meanwhile, the persistence of such narratives carries its own risks, especially at a time when Russia is attempting to maintain strategic partnerships beyond the West. So, antagonising Azerbaijan through media narratives could complicate an already competitive regional environment.

The question is therefore increasingly difficult to ignore: are some Russian media outlets simply reflecting domestic political narratives, or are they inadvertently working against the strategic interests of the Russian state itself?