Category: Azer News

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the launch of an intermediate-range strategic missile as Pyongyang continues testing its hypersonic weapons and strengthening what it describes as its nuclear war deterrent.

The missile was launched from eastern North Korea at dawn on Saturday, October 3, and struck a designated target about 1,000 kilometres away in waters off the country’s east coast, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

KCNA said the drill was intended to train missile troops operating the country’s ‘hypersonic strategic weapon system’ and assess the reliability, efficiency and mobility of North Korea’s war deterrent.

South Korea’s military provided a different estimate of the missile’s flight, saying it detected the launch from the Wonsan area and tracked the projectile travelling more than 700 kilometres toward the sea.

Kim Jong Un personally observed the exercise and called for further development of North Korea’s strategic weapons.

‘We must continue our responsible efforts nonstop to constantly and repeatedly make the enemy recognize the reliability and fatality of our strategic offensive means,’ Kim was quoted as saying by KCNA.

‘This is a form of exercising deterrent,’ he added, describing such launches as part of efforts to more rapidly develop the country’s nuclear war deterrent.

North Korean state media photographs showed Kim observing the launch alongside his daughter, Ju-ae, and his wife, Ri Sol-ju.

Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s sister and a senior official in the ruling Workers’ Party, had disclosed the missile test less than 12 hours after the launch. She claimed that South Korean and Japanese authorities had failed to fully track the missile’s trajectory because of limitations in their monitoring capabilities.

South Korea, however, rejected that assertion, maintaining that its surveillance systems had accurately tracked the missile.

The launch comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula following a landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone last month that wounded South Korean soldiers.

Seoul has blamed North Korea for planting the mines and demanded an apology. Pyongyang has rejected the accusation that it deliberately planted mines targeting South Korean troops.

North Korea has conducted more than 10 missile tests so far this year as it continues developing a range of strategic weapons, including hypersonic systems designed to travel at high speeds while manoeuvring during flight.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Medvedev stressed on Sunday that Ukraine is no closer to talks with Russia, claiming that Europe continues to obstruct the negotiating process.

“We want peace, and we prefer to achieve it through peaceful means. But until that’s impossible, we’ll fight, and we’ll fight with all our might,” Peskov said at a press briefing.

Furthermore, he emphasized that Russia is responding to Ukraine’s escalation, as it is currently the only way to achieve its goals. “This is currently the only way, given the lack of opportunity to discuss and negotiate, and it’s the only way to achieve our interests,” he concluded.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited the Indian captain of a flydubai flight to visit Israel as a ‘guest of honour,’ praising his actions during an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to bring down the Dubai-Tel Aviv passenger aircraft.

Netanyahu spoke by phone on Saturday with Captain Smit Machchhar, who remains hospitalized after being injured during the September 30 incident aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073.

‘You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel, and you are a hero of the entire world,’ Netanyahu told Machchhar in a video of the conversation released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu also said he wanted Machchhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a ceremonial flame at Israel’s Independence Day celebrations in May 2027, describing the role as one of the country’s highest honours and noting that it is usually reserved for Israeli citizens.

Under Israel’s established selection process, however, the prime minister does not have unilateral authority to choose the torch lighters. Candidates are selected through an advisory committee and subsequently approved through the designated ministerial process.

Machchhar was commanding the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv when he was attacked inside the cockpit by his co-pilot. UAE investigators have said the co-pilot planned a ‘terrorist act’ and attacked the captain with a crash axe kept inside the cockpit.

Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others aboard the aircraft to intervene and overpower the attacker. Other pilots subsequently took control of the aircraft, which was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Machchhar later described the confrontation during his conversation with Netanyahu, saying the co-pilot had initially asked for time to pray.

‘A lot of locals, they do pray, which is not out of the ordinary. While he was praying, out of respect, I was just looking at the front and not at the back,’ he said.

Machchhar said he then suddenly felt a powerful blow to the back of his head.

‘Suddenly, after I think I would say about four to five minutes, there was a big blow to the back of my head. My first thought was that there was catastrophic damage to the aircraft and something is not right.

‘But then after that the blows kept coming one after the other. That’s when I realised that it’s not the aircraft, it’s the other guy who was in the cockpit with me.’

Although injured and with the aircraft rapidly losing altitude, Machchhar said he made a final effort to reach the cockpit door.

‘I had that one last fight left in me,’ he said.

‘That’s when I pushed against everything. I gave everything that I had and just went for the door and opened the door, and thankfully people were waiting.’

The aircraft was subsequently brought under control and landed safely in Saudi Arabia. No passengers were killed in the incident.

Machchhar has also spoken with Modi from hospital. The Indian prime minister praised the captain’s courage and presence of mind during the incident.

Investigations into the attack and the circumstances surrounding the co-pilot’s employment and security screening remain ongoing.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected a media report claiming that Iranian diplomats were expelled from the United States after ignoring an order to leave following the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) annual session in New York.

“All Iranian diplomats who attended UNGA, except one who departed earlier, left as scheduled,” the minister said in a social media post. “Taking pride in fake diplomat ‘expulsion’ is inappropriate for the head of any diplomatic corps. It oozes desperation and defeat, and is inconsistent with UN host nation obligations,” he concluded.

The day before, Axios reported that two Iranian diplomats, who stayed in New York after the UNGA session ended, were “kicked out” of the US on the order of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Sunday that Germany will provide Ukraine with a military aid package worth about pound 1 billion.

During his visit to Kyiv, the chancellor said that Russia’s attacks on Germany will not cease if Berlin stops providing aid to Ukraine. He added that Germany is preparing an energy aid package for Ukraine worth approximately pound 350 million.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed in a social media post that the aid package includes weapons and help for the Ukrainian energy sector ahead of winter. “As of today, we have 15 agreements and documents, and most of them concern security cooperation, production, relevant procurement, our orders for German industry, and joint projects in Ukraine. The total value of our agreements today is more than pound 8.5 billion. A special agreement was signed that creates more opportunities for our joint efforts to counter drones,” he stressed.

Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen, Rashad al-Alimi, announced on Sunday that a military operation had begun to retake areas controlled by the Houthi militant group.

Al-Alimi said in a televised address that the armed forces, security forces, and other military formations had been instructed to begin operations under an approved plan aimed at restoring government control over Houthi-held areas, adding that the government’s forces would seek to extend “the authority of the state and its institutions over the entire territory.”

The Saudi-backed president noted that the operation will continue until “victory is achieved.”

Lilit Galstyan, Chairwoman of the Armenian National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs, has said she is prepared to travel personally to Baku as part of a proposed humanitarian mission concerning Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan.

Galstyan, who is also a member of Armenia’s delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), said she had submitted what she described as an ‘urgent humanitarian appeal’ to the organization ahead of its autumn session, requesting assistance in arranging a visit to Baku.

‘Ahead of the OSCE PA autumn session, I have sent an URGENT HUMANITARIAN APPEAL to the OSCE PA with a request to organize a humanitarian visit to Baku,’ Galstyan said.

In her appeal, the Armenian lawmaker argued that such a mission would be consistent with OSCE PA principles concerning human rights, humanitarian issues and peaceful conflict resolution.

Galstyan raised concerns over the situation of Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan, referring to them as ‘prisoners of war and other ethnic Armenian detainees’ and alleging that their families have insufficient access to information about their condition.

‘For the third year in a row, trials of Armenian prisoners of war and other ethnic Armenian detainees have been held behind closed doors in Azerbaijan. Their families are denied access to their loved ones,’ she claimed.

She further said that information obtained through proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights and telephone conversations between detainees and their families had raised concerns in Armenia regarding their physical and psychological condition.

Galstyan also claimed that international humanitarian organizations and neutral observers have not been able to visit the detainees, pointing specifically to the absence of visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross over the past year.

‘This situation is directly related to the OSCE parliamentary structure’s statutory obligations to protect human rights, human dignity, and humanitarian principles,’ she said.

In making her case for a visit, Galstyan referred to paragraphs 208 and 209 of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 2025 Porto Declaration.

According to the Armenian MP, the provisions call for mechanisms to monitor the cases of people deprived of their liberty, including through official visits and verification of their circumstances. She said the declaration also addresses the rights of people affected by the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and calls for fair and humane treatment in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law.

‘I believe that the humanitarian visit to Baku by members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly could become a concrete and significant manifestation of these commitments,’ Galstyan said.

She called on the OSCE PA to support and facilitate a mission to Azerbaijan to meet Armenian detainees and assess their humanitarian and human rights situation.

Galstyan stressed that she would be prepared to make the trip even if a broader delegation could not be arranged.

‘I AM ALSO READY TO GO TO BAKU ALONE AND IN PERSON,’ she said.

The Armenian lawmaker sought to portray the proposed visit as a humanitarian rather than political initiative, arguing that it could contribute to confidence-building between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

‘It is extremely important to emphasize that this is not a political initiative, but a humanitarian step, which can be considered an important and concrete step towards building trust and a real peace process,’ Galstyan said.

She also requested assistance in securing the necessary guarantees for the entry, security and return of any members participating in such a mission.

‘Thank you in advance for your quick response and all the efforts made towards its implementation,’ Galstyan concluded.

The Armenian nationals referred to by Galstyan include former political and military figures of the separatist administration that operated in Azerbaijan’s Garabagh region before Baku restored full control over the territory in September 2023.

A number of those former officials have since been convicted by the Baku Military Court of serious offences connected with the decades-long Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. In February 2026, the court convicted 15 defendants on charges that included crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism and the violent seizure of power. Five defendants, Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Davit Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan and David Babayan, received life sentences, while former separatist leaders Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were among those given lengthy prison terms. The convictions were subsequently upheld on appeal.

Ruben Vardanyan, who served as a senior official in the former separatist administration, was tried separately and sentenced to 20 years in prison in February 2026 on charges that included terrorism, war crimes and crimes against humanity. His international legal representatives have disputed the proceedings and argued that he did not receive a fair trial.

Azerbaijan therefore rejects the characterization of the cases simply as the detention of Armenian ‘hostages,’ maintaining that those prosecuted were facing criminal proceedings over alleged or, in cases where final judgments have been issued, established offences under Azerbaijani law connected with the conflict.

The premiere of Shahmaran, a new production inspired by the famous legend of the Turkic world, was held at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre on October 3.

According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture, the premiere was attended by Anar Alakbarov, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Culture Minister Adil Karimli; representatives of the public; and theatre enthusiasts.

Featuring a libretto and stage direction by Irada Gozalova and music by Honored Artist Vugar Jamalzade, the production reimagines the ancient story of Shahmaran, a figure associated with wisdom, love and eternal life.

At the heart of the production is Shahmaran’s return to a turbulent world, where she passes judgment on humanity for its sins, bringing the legendary figure into dialogue with the problems and contradictions of the modern age.

The performance is presented in a rock-inspired style, with its songs featuring lyrics drawn from the works of renowned Eastern thinker and poet Omar Khayyam.

The production team includes set designer Vusal Rahim, choirmasters Honored Artist Vagif Mastanov and Malahat Gasimova, lighting designer Rafael Vagifoglu, concertmaster Fidan Aliyeva and assistant director Elmaddin Dadashov. Movement design was created by People’s Artist Parviz Mammadrzayev and Zaur Aliyev.

The cast featured People’s Artist Parviz Mammadrzayev as Zalim, Aydan Hasanova as Shahmaran, Amrah Dadashov as the Student, Samadzade Khasiyev as Loghman, Huseyn Alili as Gara and Murad Farzaliyev as Boz.

The theatre’s choir and ballet troupes also took part in the production, combining music, choreography and dramatic performance in the contemporary interpretation of the Shahmaran legend.

The premiere was met with strong interest from the audience.

Following the performance, Anar Alakbarov and Adil Karimli took to the stage to congratulate the creative team behind the production. The evening concluded with commemorative photographs with the cast and production team.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday he had ordered the closure of crossings into the Gaza Strip and the West Bank ahead of the anniversary of the October 7 attack.

The minister stated that a general closure will be imposed on October 5 and October 7 amid ceremonies marking the third anniversary of the Hamas attack, adding that the decision does not affect Israelis using West Bank checkpoints. He stressed that Palestinian “essential workers in the healthcare sector” will be allowed to cross West Bank checkpoints, as will other Palestinians in cases where there are “commitments by the state to the High Court of Justice.”

In addition, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said that humanitarian aid will not enter Gaza while crossings are closed.

Iran’s army is set to begin providing basic military training to civilian volunteers as part of a new programme aimed at preparing citizens for ‘national defense,’ according to the West Asia News Agency (WANA).

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Alian-Nejad, the Iranian army’s deputy for training and education, said the programme, known as ‘Janfada,’ will begin at three designated facilities in Tehran.

Under the initiative, personnel from all four branches of Iran’s army will be deployed to designated field-garrison sites to provide civilian volunteers with basic military instruction.

According to Alian-Nejad, participants will initially undergo basic military training before progressing to more advanced courses.

The programme represents an effort to provide participating civilians with foundational military skills that could be used in the event of a national defense requirement.

Further details regarding the duration of the courses, the number of volunteers expected to participate or whether the programme will subsequently be expanded beyond Tehran were not immediately provided.