Category: Azer News

The ‘Baku Open’ table tennis tournament has officially started in Azerbaijan’s capital, bringing together amateur and veteran players in a celebration of the sport, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Azerbaijan Table Tennis Federation, the tournament is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the International Table Tennis Federation and to Baku’s designation as the 2026 World Sports Capital.

The competition, hosted at the Shua Sports Complex, primarily features amateur and veteran table tennis players showcasing their skills. Professional athletes are allowed to compete only in doubles matches, where each team consists of one professional and one amateur player.

The tournament will be held across two stages-April 4-5 and April 11-12-with a total prize fund of 3,000 manats.

According to the National Hydrometeorological Service, starting from today and over the coming days, unsettled weather is expected across the country. Precipitation is forecast, with heavy rainfall in some areas. Short-term floods and rising water levels are possible in certain mountain rivers, while intense and occasionally heavy rain may affect flood-prone areas around Baku. Thunderstorms and intermittent strong winds are also expected.

AzerNEWS reports that, in this regard, the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) has issued an appeal to the public, urging citizens to observe relevant safety rules.

‘It is recommended to stay away from hazardous areas to avoid flooding, mudflows and inundation caused by heavy rainfall. In case of danger, people should immediately move to higher ground and strictly follow the instructions and advice of rescue services.

During strong winds, citizens are advised to keep away from light structures and temporary buildings, as well as from buildings and advertising boards. It is also recommended not to stand under electric poles and wires or tall trees. Considering that strong winds complicate firefighting efforts, fire safety regulations must be strictly observed in windy conditions. In addition, operators of small vessels should take into account that going out to sea in such weather conditions is prohibited.

At the same time, to protect against lightning hazards, electrical appliances should be unplugged, and the use of telephones (landline, mobile, public phones, etc.) should be avoided. When outdoors, people should not approach power lines, lightning conductors, drainage systems or antennas, nor take shelter under tall trees; instead, they should seek lower ground. If in a vehicle, drivers should stop, close the windows and wait until the lightning passes.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye on the occasion of Senegal’s national holiday – Independence Day, AzerNEWS reports.

“Dear Mr. President,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend to you and, through you, to your entire people my warmest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Senegal – Independence Day.

I am confident that we will continue to make joint efforts to further develop successfully the friendly relations and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Senegal, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

On this festive day, I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Senegal lasting peace and prosperity,” the letter reads.

Armenia imports certain products of Azerbaijani origin, including gasoline and diesel fuel, and cargo transit through Azerbaijani territory is carried out regularly, AzerNEWS reports, citing Armenian media.

This was stated by Armenia’s Minister of Economy, Gevorg Papoyan.

‘Only one or two Azerbaijani products enter Armenia: gasoline and diesel fuel. Almost every day, goods are transported through Azerbaijan. For example, one supermarket chain, Nor Zovk, applied to import semolina via Azerbaijani territory; another organization requested to import Russian coal; a third imports grain, and a fourth is already importing fertilizers. This has now expanded significantly. I am already having difficulty keeping track of how many products are being transported,’ he said.

In the 2025/2026 season, 38 football clubs in Azerbaijan obtained licenses to participate in various competitions, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a report by the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), 41 clubs applied for licensing, and 38 successfully met the requirements. Overall, the clubs fulfilled 1,627 licensing criteria, while 93 criteria remained unmet. Among the Premier League and First League teams, 10 head coaches hold a UEFA PRO license. Half of the Premier League clubs and 60 percent of the First League clubs operate as limited liability companies.

AFFA also reported on financial allocations received from UEFA in 2025. Local clubs collectively received 73,386,489 manats. Qarabag earned 61,123,325 manats due to its successful performance in European competitions. Sabah received 3,027,845 manats, Araz-Nakhchivan 2,480,415 manats, Zira 2,070,729 manats, Neftchi 1,023,094 manats, Sumqayit 833,496 manats, Sabail 706,895 manats, Turan Tovuz 706,895 manats, Kapaz 706,895 manats, Gabala 427,340 manats, and Samaxi 279,555 manats.

In 2025, AFFA received a total of 61,437,894 manats from various sources. The largest share came from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, SOCAR, contributing 26 million manats, which accounted for 42.3 percent of the total. Az?rMas provided over 11 million manats, UEFA contributed 6.4 million manats, a SOCAR grant agreement added 5.3 million manats, and UEFA broadcast rights brought in 4.9 million manats. FIFA contributed 2.8 million manats, Pasa Sigorta 1.9 million manats, and other sources brought in over 1.2 million manats. Partners such as Pasa H?yat, Ensol LLC, Carlsberg, and Az?rlotereya also contributed to AFFA’s revenue. Spending on national teams amounted to 27,881,267 manats.

AFFA allocated 2,825,058 manats in 2025 to support federations, members, and football academies. The largest funding went to the Futsal Federation, which received 1,631,458 manats. The Football Development Fund received 384,000 manats, Regional Football Federations 208,000 manats, and the Youth Football Federation 180,000 manats. The Beach Football Federation was allocated 138,000 manats, the Azerbaijani Disabled Football Federation 86,000 manats, the Field Football Federation 60,000 manats, and the Baku Football Federation 45,000 manats.

In the area of infrastructure, AFFA spent 4,254,477 manats in 2025 on stadiums, national team training centers, and other sports facilities.

The largest share was spent on the Dalga Arena, which received 1,738,010 manats for maintenance and rehabilitation. Agsu Stadium received 833,788 manats, Bina Stadium 791,181 manats, Bayil Stadium 328,477 manats, and the national team training center 303,042 manats. Shamakhi Stadium’s needs were met with 213,379 manats, and the Education and Rehabilitation Center for the development of players and specialists received 46,600 manats.

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Defense Industry, Hidayat Azimov, has met with a delegation led by Hakan Karatas, Deputy Chairman of Presidency of Defense Industries, during the latter’s business visit to Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a statement from Ministry of Defense Industry of Azerbaijan, the meeting focused on strengthening the legal and institutional framework of cooperation between the two sides. Discussions centered on the implementation of provisions outlined in a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding, with both parties exploring concrete steps to advance collaboration.

As part of these efforts, a relevant implementation agreement was signed to facilitate practical cooperation and ensure the execution of joint initiatives in the defense industry sector.

During their visit, Karatas and Azimov also held meetings with the leadership of Turkish-Azerbaijani University and Baku Higher Oil School, highlighting the importance of academic and institutional partnerships in supporting defense industry development.

An event dedicated to Science Day has been held at the Central Scientific Library of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), organized by the Youth Academy, AzerNEWS reports.

Associate Professor Elmir Babayev, Chairman of the Youth Academy, stressed the vital role of science in ensuring sustainable societal development and strengthening innovative potential. He highlighted that encouraging young researchers, training scientific personnel, and expanding international cooperation are among the key priorities.

Later, Head of the Science and Education Department of the ANAS Presidium Office, Doctor of Philology Sarkhan Khaveri, spoke about the history behind the establishment of Science Day and the Academy’s role in the country’s scientific life, both in the past and present.

He noted that a new phase began at ANAS following a relevant decree signed in 2022 by President Ilham Aliyev, with special attention now being given to youth.

The event also featured presentations on topics such as “The Protection and Development of the Azerbaijani Language in State Policy,” “Azerbaijan-China Literary Relations,” “Archaeology in the 21st Century,” and “Memorial Complexes: An Analysis of the Composition of the Ganja Memorial Complex.”

Science Day in Azerbaijan is observed each year on March 27. It was instituted on April 9, 2018, by President Ilham Aliyev, aligning with the 1945 establishment of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).

Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) commemorates this day with conferences and scientific events to promote scientific development.

Across the country, the occasion is marked by conferences, exhibitions, academic discussions, and outreach events, reflecting Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to integrate its scientific community into the global knowledge network and strengthen its innovation-driven future.

The Central Scientific Library of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences is one of the country’s foremost research libraries with a rich history dating back to the early 1920s, evolving over a century into an essential scientific information center that supports scholars, students, and the broader public.

Originally formed from early bibliographic efforts and systematically expanded alongside the development of Azerbaijan’s scientific community, the library now preserves a vast universal collection of over 1.3 million items in more than 50 languages, including rare manuscripts and valuable historical publications.

Beyond traditional book lending and reference services, the library actively embraces modern information technologies, with extensive digitization projects, electronic catalogs, and participation in global library networks that provide access to international resources and research collaborations.

It also hosts exhibitions, scientific conferences, and special collections such as the Academicians’ Library and engages in international partnerships to foster academic exchange and innovation.

The Central Scientific Library bridges conventional scholarly traditions with contemporary research needs.

The Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov has met with athletes who achieved outstanding results in international competitions over the past month, AzerNEWS reports.

The meeting held at the Azerbaijan Sports Academy began with the performance of the National Anthem.

During the event, individuals awarded the honorary titles of “Honored Master of Sports of Azerbaijan” and “Master of Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan” were presented with their official certificates and badges.

Praising the athletes’ achievements on the international stage, Farid Gayibov congratulated both the competitors and their coaches.

He noted that throughout March, Azerbaijan’s national anthem was played in 12 different countries. In total, Azerbaijani athletes secured 40 gold, 35 silver, and 43 bronze medals during the month.

A video highlighting these international successes was screened, while representatives from various sports disciplines shared insights into their competitions and results.

In closing, the minister wished the athletes even greater victories in their upcoming competitions.

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the French aircraft carrier “Charles-de-Gaulle” has been deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, AzerNEWS reports.

The country’s Navy has also decided to keep the ship’s three “E-2C Hawkeye” radar aircraft in service until 2032.

According to foreign media outlets, the third and final technical overhaul of the aircraft carrier is scheduled to begin in 2027. This is intended to keep the ship operational until 2038.

The “Charles-de-Gaulle” will then be replaced by a new ship called “France libre”. During this period, it is planned to receive the new “E-2D Advanced Hawkeye” deck radar aircraft, but at least one “E-2C Hawkeye” will remain in service.

It should be noted that the “France libre”, which will be commissioned in 2038, will be the largest French aircraft carrier built by the “Naval Group”. The total cost of the project will exceed 12 billion euros.

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has authorized the crew of the Orion spacecraft to perform a key maneuver that places the vehicle on a trajectory toward the Moon, AzerNEWS reports.

To complete the maneuver, Orion must fire its main engine for 5 minutes and 49 seconds. The engine is capable of producing up to 2.7 tons of thrust, allowing the spacecraft to precisely adjust its path for the lunar journey.

The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying Orion as part of the Artemis II mission launched on Wednesday at 18:35 local time from the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. They are expected to fly around the Moon at a distance of about 8,000 km from its surface before returning safely to Earth.

The mission is scheduled to last 10 days and marks a major step forward in humanity’s return to deep space exploration. The last crewed mission to the Moon took place in December 1972 during Apollo 17, making Artemis II the first mission in over 50 years to send astronauts into lunar orbit.

If successful, the crew will travel farther from Earth than any humans since the Apollo era, setting a new milestone for human spaceflight. Notably, this mission will also test critical systems needed for future lunar landings, including those planned under the broader Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon-and eventually pave the way for missions to Mars.

Interestingly, Artemis II is also significant from a historical perspective: it will be the first time a woman and a person of color fly on a mission to the Moon, highlighting NASA’s efforts to make space exploration more inclusive in the 21st century.