Category: Azer News

Nepalese authorities on Friday imposed an indefinite curfew in parts of Saptari district in Madhesh province after protests broke out over the recent communal violence in neighbouring Sunsari. The move came as tensions continued in several districts, with curfews and prohibitory orders already in place in parts of Sunsari, Dhanusha and Siraha, taking the number of districts under curfew to four, AzerNEWS reports via IndiaToday.

President Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister Balendra Shah expressed deep concern over the situation and appealed for calm, unity and restraint. Police said eight people had been arrested in Madhesh province for their alleged involvement in spreading communal violence, including five from Siraha and three from Dhanusha.

The District Administration Office in Saptari imposed the curfew in parts of Rajbiraj municipality from 8 am as a precaution after groups of people staged protests in response to the clashes. Authorities have stepped up security deployment in Nepal’s southern Terai region along the Indian border as they try to contain tensions that have claimed three lives so far.

The violence began in Sunsari in Koshi province on Sunday, when members of two religious communities holding separate programmes clashed over the use of loudspeakers and the display of religious flags. Police intervened after a verbal altercation turned violent. One person was killed and more than a dozen people, including security personnel, were injured when police opened fire to disperse the clashing groups.

President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Academician Isa Habibbayli, has met with Abdulhakeem Alsenan, head of the Baku Office of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), to discuss expanding cooperation in science, research and cultural heritage preservation, AzerNEWS reports.

The meeting, held at the ICESCO Baku Office, focused on strengthening collaboration between the two institutions across a range of scientific fields.

Abdulhakeem Alsenan stressed the importance of broadening cooperation between ICESCO and ANAS, particularly through joint scientific projects. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration in calligraphy and the preservation of ancient manuscripts, noting that sharing the experiences of ICESCO member states would be beneficial in advancing these efforts.

Isa Habibbayli reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to developing scientific ties with the ICESCO Baku Office. He proposed organizing joint conferences, implementing collaborative research projects, preserving ancient manuscript collections, conducting calligraphy training programs, and pursuing cooperation in several other areas of mutual interest.

The discussions also featured remarks from Academician Teymur Karimli, Director of the ANAS Institute of Manuscripts, and Maryam Gafarzadeh, Deputy Director of the ICESCO Baku Regional Office, who presented their proposals for future collaboration.

Following the meeting, the two sides agreed to begin preparations for a memorandum of understanding between the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and the ICESCO Baku Office, laying the groundwork for expanded cooperation in science, education, and cultural heritage preservation.

The Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) is the country’s highest state scientific institution, responsible for coordinating and advancing fundamental research across a broad range of disciplines. Established in 1945 as the Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, it has operated as the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences since Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991.

Headquartered in Baku, ANAS oversees a network of research institutes and scientific centers specializing in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, earth sciences, information technologies, and biomedical research. Among its leading institutions are the Institute of Manuscripts, the Institute of Literature, the Institute of History and Ethnology, the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, and the Institute of Information Technology.

Alongside its research mission, ANAS is responsible for preserving Azerbaijan’s historical and cultural heritage, including ancient manuscripts, archaeological collections, and archival materials. It also promotes international scientific cooperation through partnerships with academies, universities, and research organizations around the world.

Azerbaijan became a member of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in 1991, paving the way for cooperation in education, science, culture, and heritage preservation.

To strengthen these efforts, the ICESCO Regional Office in Baku was officially inaugurated on April 30, 2025, becoming the organization’s first regional office in the South Caucasus. The office serves as a regional coordination hub for Azerbaijan and several Central Asian member states, supporting the implementation of ICESCO’s programs and expanding partnerships with governments, universities, research institutions, museums, libraries, and cultural organizations.

The Baku office also promotes initiatives in scientific research, educational development, the preservation of historical manuscripts and cultural heritage, youth empowerment, digital transformation, and innovation.

The planned cooperation between ANAS and the ICESCO Regional Office is expected to expand collaboration in research, manuscript preservation, and scientific exchange across the Islamic world.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that it targeted two oil tankers that allegedly attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with the Iranian authorities, AzerNEWS reports, citing Tasnim news agency.

According to the information, the IRGC claimed that the tankers ignored Iranian warnings, allegedly acting on guidance issued by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

It was also reported that two vessels were subsequently detained, while four other tankers altered their course following the incident.

The IRGC stated that it had previously warned shipping and insurance companies against following CENTCOM’s recommendations, emphasizing that any “unlawful interference” would not go unanswered.

Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US forces had redirected 24 commercial vessels and disabled and boarded four others “to ensure full compliance.”

CENTCOM also rejected IRGC claims that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is unsafe, saying the primary threat to civilian crews remains the IRGC’s actions.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, holding significant strategic importance as approximately 20% of global oil supplies and around 25% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through it. Essentially, it serves as an energy artery for countries in Asia, Europe, and even the United States.

The strait separates Iran from Oman, and in some areas, the width of the shipping channel is only two miles on each side. Given its critical role in global energy supply chains, ensuring the safety and security of this vital waterway is paramount for international trade and economic stability.

A state banquet was hosted on July 31 by President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov and First Lady Aigul Zhaparova in honor of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in Cholpon-Ata, AzerNEWS reports.

Freestyle wrestling bouts at the U-17 World Championships in Baku are set to begin on July 31, AzerNEWS reports.

Five Azerbaijani freestyle wrestlers will compete on the fifth day of the tournament.

In the 48 kg category, Huseyn Rzazade will face the winner of the bout between Amirali Faz (Iran) and Aaryan Aaryan (India). Abbas Shafiyev (55 kg) will take on Temirlan Murat (Kazakhstan), while Rashid Nazarov (65 kg) will wrestle Erik Papikyan (Armenia). In the 80 kg division, Nihad Suleymanli will meet the winner of the match between Martin Mokras (Slovakia) and Ali Zakirjanov (Kyrgyzstan). Hakim Tagiyev (110 kg) will face Behruz Ashirov (Uzbekistan).

The wrestlers competing in the remaining five weight categories will enter the tournament on August 1.

In the women’s competition, Gulkhanim Shirinova (40 kg) and Fatima Bayramova (53 kg) will compete in repechage matches later today.

So far, Azerbaijan has won six medals at the championships. In Greco-Roman wrestling, Isfahan Hasanov (80 kg), Ali Javadli (45 kg), and Abdurrahman Huseynli (51 kg) claimed silver medals, while Omar Salmanov (48 kg), Elmir Cherkezov (60 kg), and Orkhan Habibli (65 kg) earned bronze medals.

The championships are being held at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, bringing together nearly 700 young wrestlers from more than 60 countries. 29 athletes at the tournament represent Azerbaijan.

A specialized cable-laying vessel has departed from the Port of Baku to begin installing the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line toward the port of Aktau in Kazakhstan, marking a key milestone in the development of the regional digital corridor. The armored fiber-optic cable was manufactured and tested in China before being delivered to Kazakhstan’s Port of Kuryk and subsequently transported to Baku. The cable has now been fully loaded into a specialized reservoir aboard the cable-laying vessel.

Perhaps, vessels departing from Baku’s harbor are usually not headline-grabbers, unless they’re loaded with crude oil. This latest ship, which is headed from Baku to Aktau in Kazakhstan, loaded with hundreds of kilometers of fiber-optic cables armored in the ship’s cargo space, certainly deserves some extra spotlight. It is a modest piece of infrastructure indeed. At the same time, it signals where the economic dreams of the Caspian region are really headed, just as the presidents of Azerbaijan and five Central Asian countries are meeting in Bishkek to discuss that very sort of connectivity.

A vessel of more than 20,000 tonnes displacement, roughly 70 crew and technical staff aboard, an installation window of 15-20 days weather permitting, and a target of full commercial service by the end of 2026. The cable itself was manufactured and tested in China, then routed through Kazakhstan’s port of Kuryk before onward transport to Baku for loading.

Trans-Caspian Fibre Optic Cable Line, or so the project is officially referred to, is a joint venture project undertaken by the Kazakh state carrier Kazakhtelecom, and AzerTelecom International, organized via a holding company named CaspiLink B.V. The corporate structure itself is interesting: a joint venture, domiciled in the Netherlands, involving a Kazakh state-owned company and an Azerbaijani privately held telecoms company, is just the kind of business model that Western infrastructure investors would like to see rather than a bilateral agreement between states, and could pave the way for further involvement from Europe.

The business case is clear enough, per se. There were really only two paths of data flow from Asia to Europe: an undersea path that went south through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal or a combination of terrestrial and satellite paths that went through Russia. Both options are less appealing than they once were. The Red Sea path faces serious challenges in the form of damaged cables in the midst of the Houthi attacks on shipping vessels, with multiple major outages in both 2024 and 2025. The route via Russia poses serious political risks for any business entity concerned about potential sanctions from Moscow. The third path would be one via the Caspian region, connecting the South Caucasus to Central Asia without having to cross Russian or Iranian territory. In short, this is no mere isolated curiosity. This is the digital component of the same Middle Corridor which has attracted billions in investments in ports, railways and pipelines in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and beyond during the last ten years.

The traffic volume on both the terrestrial and the maritime sections of this corridor has increased substantially since 2022 despite the relatively low absolute volume of transport when compared to the Northern Corridor running through Russia. The digital connectivity has not caught up with the increase in physical transport infrastructure capacity, since it is more technically difficult to lay submarine cables in the variable marine environment and in congested shipping routes than to simply build one more railway siding. The Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line is a turning point in Azerbaijan’s digital future. This project positions the country not only as an energy and transport hub, but also as a digital communications hub. Its strategic importance is undeniable in terms of economic benefits, but also in terms of technological leadership in the region. Our infrastructure is ready to launch this project, but work needs to continue on developing data centers and a human resource base to realize its full potential.

In the longer term, the TCFO is expected to spark development of domestic data centres, sharpen local cybersecurity expertise, and bring Azerbaijan closer to realising its Digital Silk Way ambitions. For the EU, this offers a reliable, stable digital corridor bypassing geopolitically volatile routes. For Central Asia, it’s a long-awaited entry into the high-speed global internet backbone. For the Organisation of Turkic States, it is a leap toward deep integration in the information age.

As part of the preparatory phase, marine geological and engineering surveys in the Caspian Sea were launched in August 2025. The total length of the submarine cable will be 391 kilometers, while the maximum transmission capacity of the new line is expected to reach 400 terabits per second.

Yet, one cable system, even if constructed to modern standards of capacity, is no guarantee that Kazakhstan or Azerbaijan will emerge as a hub on the scale of Frankfurt or Singapore. Redundancy is crucial when it comes to subsea cables, and an area with just one or two new systems still leaves open the possibility of single-source failures that can knock out internet access for entire nations in other parts of the world. Developing a more robust system involving multiple cables in the Caspian could end up costing many hundreds of millions of dollars, not one boat charter, several industry analysts say.

In any case, the journey itself is what counts rather than the magnitude of the venture. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have wisely calculated, in the judgment of this columnist, that those in charge of the physical and digital connections of Eurasia will gain enormous clout as the global value chains become increasingly diversified away from being exposed to a point of geopolitical vulnerability. In other words, when the leaders meet this week in Bishkek to discuss the trade routes and transportation networks, they are actually talking about the right to transfer the digital communications of their region ten years from now. The ship which departed from the Baku port this week is a humble one, but the stakes behind it are big.

On July 31, the five-star Baku Resort and Spa Hotel was inaugurated on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan, AzerNEWS reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov and First Lady Aigul Zhaparova, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and First Lady Ziroatkhon Mirziyoyeva, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of Turkmenistan Sardar Berdimuhamedov attended the event.

Ramin Guluzade, Head of the Administrative Services Department of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, briefed the heads of state and first ladies on the facilities at the hotel built in the village of Kara-Oy, Issyk-Kul region.

Baku Resort and Spa was built as part of the agreement ‘On investment in the construction of a five-star hotel on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic” signed in Bishkek in 2023.

Covering over 17 hectares, the hotel is designed as a unique destination where architecture, culture, art, gastronomy, health, and recreation harmoniously converge.

The complex features 111 rooms and 10 cottages, allowing to welcome up to 330 guests.

The hotel initially plans to create 255 jobs, with a portion of these positions filled by Azerbaijani citizens.

Health and recreation are core pillars of the hotel’s concept, offering guests indoor and outdoor pools, an aqua park, and a beach designed for year-round enjoyment.

Gastronomy is an integral part of the hotel’s experience, showcasing the richness of Azerbaijani culinary traditions. Here, guests can enjoy national dishes, including traditional Azerbaijani breakfasts, across the hotel’s various restaurants.

Offering entertainment for all ages, the resort features an extensive entertainment infrastructure, including a bowling and gaming zone, a cinema, and a multifunctional outdoor sports ground.

The hotel offers modern facilities for international conferences, corporate meetings, and social events.

Located on the shores of Issyk-Kul, the world’s second-largest mountain lake and one of Kyrgyzstan’s most valuable natural treasures, the hotel complex gains even greater significance from the region’s high tourism potential.

Surrounded by the majestic Tien Shan Mountains, the region is renowned for its stunning landscapes, mineral-rich waters, and exceptional opportunities for year-round recreation, wellness, and cultural tourism.

The opening of the Baku Resort and Spa significantly contributes to the Issyk-Kul region’s tourism sector while further strengthening its standing as a premier destination.

The implementation of this project also contributes to enhancing Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan relations based on friendship and brotherhood.

‘Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan are elevating the level of their relations to an alliance,’ said President Ilham Aliyev at the third meeting of the Interstate Council of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in the city of Cholpon-Ata, AzerNEWS reports.

“This is the highest level of interaction,” President Aliyev emphasized.

On July 31, First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, alongside with First Lady of the Kyrgyz Republic Aigul Zhaparova and First Lady of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ziroatkhon Mirziyoyeva, visited the ‘Altyn Balalyk’ Health and Rehabilitation Center in the city of Cholpon-Ata, AzerNEWS reports.

Operating since May 2022, the ‘Altyn Balalyk’ Health and Rehabilitation Center has been committed to offering children high-quality medical and rehabilitation services alongside wholesome recreational opportunities.

The center features 136 rooms and 800 beds, welcoming 8,000 to 8,500 children each summer from across Kyrgyzstan and neighboring countries. Throughout the year, from September to June, it is dedicated to accepting children with disabilities for rehabilitation.

The Azerbaijan Cinema Agency will launch a nationwide programme of events titled “Under the Light of the Stars” bringing the magic of Azerbaijani cinema to audiences across the country, AzerNEWS reports.

Timed to coincide with Azerbaijan National Cinema Day, the project celebrates the country’s rich cinematic heritage.

The festivities will begin on July 31 at the Nizami Cinema Center in Baku, where a special gala event will honor the industry’s most outstanding professionals for their achievements over the past year. The evening will also feature the premiere presentations of newly produced Azerbaijani films, offering audiences an exclusive first look at the latest works from the national film industry.

Celebrations will continue on August 1 at the historic Azerbaijanfilm Studio, named after celebrated playwright Jafar Jabbarli. Organized jointly by the Azerbaijan Cinema Agency and Azerbaijanfilm Studio, the event promises an immersive cinematic experience. Guests will enjoy guided tours of the studio grounds, gain behind-the-scenes access to live film productions, and experience a visual arts program featuring a mural presentation accompanied by a live DJ performance.

As the sun sets, visitors will gather for open-air screenings of two beloved Azerbaijani classics: “The Groom’s Kidnapping” (B?yin ogurlanmasi) and “The Day Passed” (Gn keçdi), celebrating the enduring appeal of the country’s cinematic heritage.

The celebration extends well beyond the capital. Throughout the week, audiences across Azerbaijan will have the opportunity to enjoy both classic and contemporary national films at cinemas, cultural centers, parks, and other indoor and outdoor venues, making cinema accessible to viewers of all ages.

In addition, national television broadcasters and local streaming platforms will dedicate a special week to promoting Azerbaijani cinema, bringing the country’s finest films to audiences nationwide.

A special highlight for film lovers will be the KinoBox streaming platform, which will offer free access to a selection of classic Azerbaijani films from August 1 to 7, allowing viewers to revisit timeless masterpieces from the comfort of their homes.

With film premieres, industry awards, behind-the-scenes experiences, outdoor screenings, and free digital access to cinematic classics, “Under the Light of the Stars” promises to transform National Cinema Day into a true celebration of Azerbaijan’s rich filmmaking tradition and its exciting future.