Category: Azer News

The number of people killed in the Venezuela earthquakes has grown to at least 589, according to a statement by interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Friday. At least 2,980 people have been injured, AzerNEWS reports.

Rodriguez stated that 214 aftershocks have been recorded following the 7.1-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday.

The minister added that medical teams across the country have provided assistance to more than 4,300 injured people as emergency and rescue operations continue in the aftermath of the disaster.

Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage caused by the earthquake, and the number of casualties could rise as search efforts proceed.

United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described on Friday the newest trade agreement between his country and the European Union as a “historic accomplishment”, AzerNEWS reports.

Writing on X, Lutnick stressed that the deal will mostly benefit “our great automakers, fishers, ranchers and so many producers who will finally have a level playing field when trading with Europe.” He also insisted that “Europe has reduced their tariffs to ZERO for the first time ever.”

In the newest deal, the US limited its tariffs on most European exports, including cars and semiconductors, at 15%. Meanwhile, the EU axed import duties on US industrial goods, extended duty-free access for US lobsters, agreed to purchase $750 billion in US energy products, and pledged to invest $600 billion in the Northern American country.

Azerbaijan and Trkiye are jointly advancing efforts to establish a simplified customs corridor as part of broader initiatives to facilitate trade and strengthen connectivity along the Middle Corridor, Chairman of the State Customs Committee (SCC) Shahin Bagirov has said, AzerNEWS reports.

Speaking on the initiative, Bagirov said customs cooperation among the Turkic states continues to deepen, creating favorable conditions for expanding regional trade and transport links.

“Our relations with the Turkic states in the field of customs are strengthening, and this process is gradually becoming stronger,” he said. “These relations give impetus to increasing interstate trade turnover, particularly as these countries are located along the Middle Corridor.”

Bagirov noted that Azerbaijan and Trkiye are actively working on the implementation of a simplified customs corridor, while discussions are also underway with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan on establishing an initial information exchange mechanism.

“Our main goal is to develop and implement a ‘Single Window’ system,” he said, adding that the project is intended to simplify customs procedures, improve data exchange, and facilitate cross-border trade across the region.

The SCC chairman also highlighted Azerbaijan’s active role within the World Customs Organization (WCO), noting that the country serves as a member of the organization’s Policy Commission, where it contributes to discussions on customs governance and international cooperation.

According to Bagirov, Azerbaijan also played a key role in the establishment of the Customs Cooperation Fund, which is expected to support future information exchange, improve data quality, enable advance information sharing, and ultimately contribute to the implementation of the “Single Window” system among participating countries.

He acknowledged that the initiative remains a long-term undertaking due to the technical, legal, and procedural issues that must be resolved before full implementation.

“It is currently impossible to say exactly when this process will be fully completed because it requires resolving technical, legal, and other procedural matters,” Bagirov said.

He added that the participating Turkic states have shown significant interest in the initiative and expressed confidence that a unified customs platform could eventually be established across the Middle Corridor.

“We aim to create a unique system among the Turkic states through the ‘Single Window’ mechanism that can serve as an example to the world,” Bagirov said. “Azerbaijan is playing a very active role in this process, with many of the initiatives being proposed by our country, and we are confident that we will successfully complete this work.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially cemented its place in football history by becoming the highest-scoring tournament in the history of the competition, AzerNEWS reports.

According to official FIFA statistics, an astonishing 173 goals have already been scored so far in the tournament. This milestone breaks the previous record of 172 goals set just four years ago at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Remarkably, the new record has been shattered before the group stage has even concluded, with several matches still left to play. This guarantees that the final goal tally will rise significantly higher, setting an unprecedented benchmark for future tournaments.

Taking to his official Instagram account to celebrate the milestone, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated:

“Surpassing the previous record of 172 goals scored in Qatar already demonstrates the excitement and the power of attacking football that is making the 2026 FIFA World Cup unforgettable.”

The historic surge in goals is largely attributed to a major format change introduced this year, which sees the tournament expand to feature a record-breaking 48 national teams for the first time in history.

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening defense cooperation with Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports.

The statement was made by the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Duncan Norman, in a post on his X social media account marking Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces Day.

“On the occasion of Armed Forces Day, I visited the Alley of Martyrs and paid tribute to those who dedicated their lives to the defense of Azerbaijan.

The UK highly appreciates the developing defence cooperation with Azerbaijan and is committed to further strengthening our partnership,” the ambassador wrote.

The anniversary season will be the largest in the festival’s history. This year, musicians from ten countries will participate, and the program will blend a wide variety of musical traditions and cultures, AzerNEWS reports.

The main distinguishing feature of the anniversary program is its scale and diversity: representatives from ten countries will participate, culminating in a genuine Brazilian carnival, filling the Old Town with an atmosphere of joy and unbridled energy.

The opening promises to be truly vibrant: audiences will be treated to the fiery rhythms of Cuba and Latin America performed by Josephine “Pepa” Baker. Musicians from Azerbaijan, Romania, Hungary, Israel, Brazil, France, Argentina, Turkey, and an ethno-jazz group from Georgia will also perform on the festival stage. It’s impossible to single out any one concert-each program was created as an independent musical journey with its own mood, sound, and character. The festival is prepared for the most discerning music lovers, with new names, genres, and experiences added daily. In its anniversary year, the festival will be held entirely in Icheri Sheher. All concerts will take place in the Old City, and the musicians will be based on the festival grounds. Rebranding for the anniversary, the Baku Piano Festival is now the Shahin Novrasli Festival, and the festival’s main color is red, the color of energy, inspiration, and forward movement, befitting the rich, vibrant, and energetic program. A special atmosphere will reign beyond the main venues. Free stages will be available in Icheri Sheher, where everyone can experience the festival’s music, feel its rhythm, and become part of a grand cultural celebration. Throughout the festival, guests will be greeted by a festival bazaar featuring handcrafted items, souvenirs, and culinary surprises. And before the evening concerts, the space will be filled with music thanks to live DJ sets, creating a festive atmosphere even before the artists take the stage.

However, the most important thing will remain unchanged: the heart of the festival will always be Baku and its unique atmosphere of hospitality and multiculturalism. It was here that the idea was born, where its unique atmosphere and devoted audience were formed. The core of the festival program remains vibrant, sincere music with the power to unite people. High-quality performance, an ability to connect with the audience, and transform each concert into a vibrant event have long been the festival’s hallmark.

During his annual speech to Parliament, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that Georgia had concluded successful negotiations with Azerbaijan, securing more than 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas at an optimal price, AzerNEWS reports.

“We held very important negotiations with Azerbaijan on natural gas supplies and secured guarantees for more than two billion cubic meters of gas at an optimal, reasonable price,” Kobakhidze said.

According to the prime minister, more than 60 settlements, covering approximately 10,000 households, were connected to the country’s gas distribution network during the reporting period as part of Georgia’s gasification program.

Kobakhidze emphasized that the negotiations with Azerbaijan, which he described as a friendly country, were of fundamental importance to Georgia’s energy security.

“We conducted very important negotiations with our friendly country, Azerbaijan, regarding gas supplies, and these talks were concluded with great success. I would like to thank both the Ministry of Economy and our Azerbaijani friends for the negotiations and the results achieved. This is extremely important for the country’s energy security,” he added.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran could become a new market for American agricultural exports amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran and a reported agreement, AzerNEWS reports.

Speaking at a dinner with American farmers at the White House, Trump expressed optimism about the potential economic opportunities.

“I think it’s going to be very big,” the U.S. president said.

On Thursday, The New York Post, citing a senior U.S. official, reported that under the agreement, Iranian funds frozen in the United States would be released. However, the funds would not be transferred directly to the Iranian government.

Instead, Washington insists that the money be paid directly to companies supplying Iran with approved goods, including agricultural products, medical equipment, and other authorized items.

According to Iranian media reports, Tehran is expected to receive a total of $12 billion in two installments under the arrangement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan (MFA) has conveyed its condolences to Venezuela, AzerNEWS reports.

“We are deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela, causing tragic loss of life and widespread destruction.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and express our solidarity with the people and government of Venezuela during this difficult time.

We wish a swift recovery to all those affected,” the publication reads.

A pair of powerful earthquakes slammed Venezuela less than a minute apart Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings in the capital, Caracas, and leaving dozens dead and hundreds injured.

Acoording to Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez , at least 32 people have died in the earthquake and some 700 people are injured.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the first earthquake was near the town of San Felipe, about 100 miles west of the capital, and the second, larger earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.5, hit only 39 seconds later close to the nearby town of Yumare.

The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed on Thursday the recent expulsion of a Romanian diplomat from Russia, saying it’s “predictable”, AzerNEWS reports.

Earlier in the day, Russia summoned Romania’s ambassador and informed him about the declaration of persona non grata of the interim manager of the Consulate General of Romania in St. Petersburg, as well as the consulate’s closure.

The ministry also stated that this was a response from Moscow to the Romanian authorities’ decision in May, following the drone incident, to declare the Russian ambassador persona non grata and close the Russian Consulate General in Constanta.