Category: Azer News

A press conference has been held in Baku ahead of the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Formula 1 drivers speaking to the media before the race weekend.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who has raced at the Baku City Circuit several times, discussed his experience at the track, Ferrari’s recent form and the team’s preparations for this weekend.

During the press conference, Leclerc said Ferrari needs a strong qualifying result to be competitive in the race. He described qualifying as one of the team’s main difficulties this season and believes a good starting position could give Ferrari a stronger chance on race day.

He also highlighted track temperatures as a factor that could have a significant effect on the car’s performance, saying the team will need to pay close attention to conditions throughout the weekend.

Leclerc said he enjoys racing on the Baku City Circuit, although his previous appearances there have not been easy. He hopes Ferrari can turn things around this weekend and improve on its recent results.

The Ferrari driver said the team’s previous difficulties in Baku cannot simply be blamed on the circuit. He noted that Ferrari has experienced problems in several areas over the past few race weekends and will look to address them ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held on the Baku City Circuit from September 24 to 26, with qualifying on Friday and the race on Saturday.

A meeting has been held with representatives of the women’s and men’s teams that will compete in the Volleyball Super League during the 2026-2027 season at the Volleyball Center of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The meeting was attended by Shir-Aslan Karimov, Director of the AVF Sports Department; Zohrab Gozalbeyli, Head of the Communications Department; Nargiz Ismayilova, Coordinator for Training Activities for Junior Age Groups; representatives of the teams participating in the Super League; and federation staff.

It was noted at the meeting that the competition, previously held under the name Higher League, will be called the Super League starting from the new season. The regulations for the 2026-2027 Super League season were also presented to club representatives.

Karimov said that, as in the previous season, nine women’s teams – Turan, DH Volley, Ganja, National Aviation Academy, UNEC, Azermash Absheron, Murov Az Terminal, Azerrail and Nakhchivan – and six men’s teams – Rescuer, Army, Neftchi, Murov Az Terminal, Azerrail and Youth – will compete in the Super League.

He noted that there will be two changes in the women’s competition this season. The team that competed under the name Absheron last season will participate this time as Azermash Absheron. Nakhchivan will make its Super League debut.

The Super League is scheduled to start in October 2026 and conclude in April 2027. The competition will consist of a league stage and playoffs.

In the women’s competition, the league stage will be played in a single round on a home-and-away basis. Based on the results, eight teams will advance to the playoffs.

In the men’s competition, matches will be played in two rounds on a home-and-away basis. At the end of the two-round league stage, the teams finishing in first to fourth place will qualify for the playoffs.

The meeting also included discussions on the competition rules, new requirements, registration and other organizational matters.

The United States, Japan, and South Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and to addressing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

According to the U.S. Department of State, the three countries also intend to strengthen efforts to prevent North Korea from obtaining financial resources that could be used to support its nuclear and missile programs. Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul have previously emphasized the importance of enforcing international sanctions and closing loopholes that allow Pyongyang to generate revenue for prohibited activities.

At the same time, the three foreign ministers stressed that diplomatic channels should remain open. They expressed support for dialogue with North Korea and called on Pyongyang to return to negotiations aimed at reducing tensions and promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The officials also agreed to expand cooperation in several other areas, including economic security, artificial intelligence, energy, and emerging technologies. These areas have become increasingly important as the three countries seek to strengthen their cooperation not only in traditional security but also in technology and supply-chain resilience.

Trilateral cooperation between Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul has become an important part of their approach to regional security. The countries regularly exchange information and coordinate their responses to North Korean missile launches and nuclear activities. They have also discussed cybersecurity and measures to counter illicit financial activities linked to North Korea.

An interesting fact is that cooperation among the three countries extends far beyond military issues. In recent years, they have increasingly focused on areas such as artificial intelligence, critical technologies, energy security, and supply chains. This reflects a broader shift in international security, where technological and economic resilience are becoming closely connected with traditional national security.

The three governments therefore face a dual challenge: maintaining pressure on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs while keeping diplomatic channels open in case opportunities for dialogue emerge.

A Community Center aimed at creating new opportunities for engaging with residents has started operating in Icherisheher.

The center was established on the administration’s initiative. Its main goal is to involve residents in social and cultural activities, organize their leisure time effectively and support their various initiatives.

Previously, a Service Center had also been opened in the area to address residents’ requests and needs. The newly opened Community Center, meanwhile, will focus directly on closer engagement with residents, learning about their interests and suggestions, and implementing joint projects and events.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Rufat Mahmud, Chairman of the Board of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration, spoke about the contribution the new venue will make to residents’ daily lives. He emphasized that Icherisheher lives not only through its historical monuments, but also through the people who reside there, their memories and traditions. He noted that residents play a special role in preserving the ancient quarter.

The Community Center, which is intended exclusively for Icherisheher residents, will host various meetings, clubs, workshops and cultural events for different age groups and interests. Members of the Icherisheher Council of Elders and the “Goru” Youth Initiative Group, as well as children and adults, will be able to participate in these activities.

The center is expected to become an important platform for encouraging residents’ active participation in community life, creating opportunities to turn new ideas into reality and further developing the rich social and cultural environment of Icherisheher.

Icherisheher, also known as the Old City, forms the historical core of Baku. Surrounded by fortress walls, the ancient quarter preserves a rich architectural heritage reflecting different periods of the city’s history. Among its best-known landmarks are the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs.

The Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve was established in 1977 to protect, preserve and study the area’s architectural and cultural heritage. The reserve covers the historic quarter and its monuments while also supporting the preservation of its traditional urban environment and way of life.

In 2000, Icherisheher, together with the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, the historic quarter remains not only a major cultural and heritage site, but also a living residential community. The new Community Center is intended to further strengthen this connection between heritage preservation and the everyday life of Icherisheher residents.

Pakistan’s Minister for Public Works and Communications, Fazal Shakoor Khan, has reportedly been abducted by armed men, according to local reports.

The minister’s vehicle was stopped by armed individuals, who then took Khan to an unknown location.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Further details about the circumstances of the alleged abduction and the identity or motive of the attackers have not yet been disclosed.

The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran has issued an appeal to Azerbaijani citizens currently in the country following the cancellation of all scheduled passenger flights between Azerbaijan and Iran.

The embassy called on citizens who have purchased tickets to return to Azerbaijan but are unable to do so by air due to the cancellations to contact the embassy or the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Tabriz.

Diplomats will assist citizens in returning to Azerbaijan through the land border crossings operating between the two countries.

The statement reads as follows:

‘Attention: Azerbaijani citizens currently in Iran regarding the cancellation of scheduled passenger flights between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran!

Azerbaijani citizens who purchased flight tickets to return to Azerbaijan but are unable to do so due to flight cancellations are requested to contact the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Islamic Republic of Iran or the Consulate General in Tabriz for assistance in returning to the country via the land border crossings operating between Azerbaijan and Iran.

Azerbaijani citizens who purchased tickets to Azerbaijan from Iranian airlines are advised to contact the sales offices of those airlines to obtain a refund.

For further information and assistance:

Hotlines of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Islamic Republic of Iran:

France has welcomed Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s decision to pardon French national Martin Ryan, who had been in custody in Azerbaijan since December 2023, describing the move as a step toward normalizing bilateral relations.

In a statement issued by France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs on September 23, Paris said it “highly appreciates this humanitarian gesture.”

“France has welcomed the decision by the President of Azerbaijan to pardon our national, Martin Ryan, who had been in custody in Azerbaijan since December 2023. France highly appreciates this humanitarian gesture,” the statement said.

According to the French Foreign Ministry, the decision followed what it described as a “patient and demanding dialogue” with Azerbaijani authorities.

“This decision is the result of a patient and demanding dialogue with the Azerbaijani authorities-a dialogue we intend to continue and which marks a step toward the normalization of our relations,” it said.

France also thanked officials and teams in both countries who worked toward Ryan’s release.

“France extends its thanks to all the teams in both Paris and Baku that worked tirelessly to achieve this positive outcome,” the ministry said.

Martin Ryan, who was accused of espionage for France, was pardoned on September 23.

This was reflected in a decree signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, pardoning a number of convicted individuals.

Martin Ryan, a citizen of France, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by the Baku Grave Crimes Court under its judgment dated 16 March 2026.

Azerbaijan’s team has added two more gold medals to its tally at the Sarajevo World Judo Championships Veterans 2026 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Babek Hajiyev (-60 kg) and Movlud Miraliyev (-100 kg) won all their bouts in the M5 age category to become world champions.

Both judokas have claimed the gold medal at the World Judo Championships for Veterans for the fourth time in their careers.

Earlier, Mammadali Mehdiyev (-100 kg) won gold, while Abulfat Ismayilov (-60 kg), Mahir Abbasov (-81 kg), Joshgun Abdullayev (-90 kg), Shikhrajab Shikhmuradov and Ahmad Mammadov (both -73 kg), and Anar Agayev (-90 kg) secured bronze medals.

As a result, Azerbaijan’s medal tally at the World Judo Championships for Veterans has reached nine, including three gold and six bronze medals.

The Azerbaijani team currently ranks sixth among 65 participating countries.

The championship has attracted 1,350 competitors from 65 countries across six continents, including 1,169 men and 181 women. The competition features 63 men’s and 46 women’s age/weight categories.

Azerbaijani judokas have built a strong reputation on the international stage, regularly competing for medals at the Olympic Games, World and European Championships, and other major tournaments.

Their achievements have helped establish Azerbaijan as one of the prominent judo nations, with athletes known for their technical ability, fighting spirit, discipline, and determination.

A major role in the development of the sport has been played by the Azerbaijan Judo Federation. Established in 1972, the federation oversees the development and promotion of judo in the country and represents Azerbaijani judo internationally.

The federation is currently headed by Rashad Nabiyev, who also serves as Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transportation.

The foundations of Azerbaijan’s modern judo success were laid in the late 1990s. Mehman Azizov won a silver medal at the 1998 World Championships, marking one of the notable achievements of the new era. In 1999, Rasul Salimov, who had won the World Youth Games in Moscow, claimed bronze at the European Championships in Slovakia. A year later, Elchin Ismayilov became European champion in Wroclaw.

Azerbaijani judo continued to make significant strides in the following years. One of the landmark moments came at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where Elnur Mammadli won the gold medal in the 73 kg category.

In recent years, Azerbaijan’s judo success has been represented by a new generation of accomplished athletes, including Hidayat Heydarov, Zelym Kotsoiev, Zelim Tckaev, Balabay Aghayev, Ushangi Kokauri, Gultaj Mammadaliyeva, Leyla Aliyeva, Fidan Alizade, and Aisha Gurbanli, among others.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Trkiye and Pakistan have convened for a quadrilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The meeting brings together the foreign ministers of four influential Muslim-majority countries as world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, according to Al Arabiya, as reported on a social media account.

The discussions are expected to focus on regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East, ongoing conflicts and efforts to strengthen coordination among the four countries.

The meeting comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with the conflict involving Iran, developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and wider regional security concerns featuring prominently on the international agenda.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Trkiye and Pakistan have maintained diplomatic contacts on major regional issues and have sought to coordinate positions on developments affecting the wider Muslim world.

Further details on the outcome of the quadrilateral meeting are expected to emerge following the talks.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to “depopulate Gaza City” on Tuesday in case of kidnappings of Israeli citizens or soldiers.

While speaking at a military ceremony on the occasion of Yom Kippur, Katz revealed that there are intelligence indications that Hamas is planning new kidnappings of Israelis. “In light of various intentions and intelligence, I warn the terror organization and its supporters, from Iran to [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan: if even one Israeli soldier or civilian is kidnapped, the entire Gaza City’s … one million residents will be evacuated southward,” he said.

“This is the language that the jihadist terror organizations in Gaza and Lebanon understand, and this is the language we speak,” Katz concluded.