Category: Azer News

Azerbaijani football club Neftchi Baku has signed a major name to bolster its attacking lineup – Cameroon national team forward Vincent Aboubakar.

According to Azernews, the black-and-whites have reached an agreement with the 33-year-old striker, who arrived in Baku to join the team.

The club announced the transfer through a video shared on its social media accounts, in which Aboubakar greeted the fans and expressed his excitement about playing for Neftchi.

Aboubakar has previously played for several prestigious clubs, including FC Porto (Portugal), Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia), and Besiktas (Trkiye). His most recent club was Hatayspor, another Turkish side.

The experienced forward is expected to bring international quality and leadership to Neftchi’s attack as the club continues to strengthen its lineup for upcoming competitions.

‘Investment cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is also strengthening,’ President Ilham Aliyev said during his interview with Kazinform News Agency.

‘Azerbaijani investments in Kazakhstan’s economy have reached $225 million, while Kazakh investments in Azerbaijan total $136 million. These figures demonstrate both sides’ mutual interest in long-term partnership and sustainable development,’ the head of state added.

On October 17, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, along with family members, and Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, participated in a tree planting ceremony in the Vatican Gardens.

The pomegranate tree, a gift from the Azerbaijani side to the Holy See, symbolizes the source of life, family integrity, abundance, and fertility in Azerbaijan. It was mentioned that the pomegranate, which has many useful properties, is widely used in various aspects of the Azerbaijani culture.

The pomegranate tree planted in the Vatican Gardens, which are of great historical, architectural and religious importance, will embody the friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See.

Expressing her profound gratitude to Mehriban Aliyeva for this valuable gift from the Azerbaijani side, Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, underlined that it will become a crucial symbol of the friendship and cooperation consistently advancing between the two countries.

On October 17, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Vatican Apostolic Library.

Archbishop Giovanni Cesare Pagazzi, Head of the Apostolic Library and Apostolic Archive, informed First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva about the historical manuscripts, as well as historical sources, restored and digitized within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the Vatican Apostolic Library, and the Vatican Apostolic Archive.

It was mentioned that in 2013 and 2014, the restoration and digitization of 75 manuscripts of importance in the context of preservation of the history and culture of Azerbaijan, including the Turkic heritage, discovered in the Vatican Apostolic Library with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, have already been carried out.

The cooperation with the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Vatican Apostolic Archive will provide Azerbaijani scientists and researchers with access to rare manuscripts, ancient maps, as well as valuable publications in various languages preserved there, thereby allowing to obtain new and important information about the historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan in the future.

It is worth noting that the Vatican Apostolic Library is one of the world’s oldest and richest libraries. Its foundation was officially laid by Pope Sixtus IV in 1475. This library houses more than 80 thousand manuscripts and over 1.6 million books related to history, religion, and culture. Its main collections consist of ancient manuscripts, incunabula (books dating back to the 15th century), maps, engravings, and written documents. The library is open for researchers and scholars interested in conducting scientific studies.

The Vatican Apostolic Archive is a sacred and scientifically valuable place where official documents, letters, and administrative correspondence collected by the Holy See over the centuries are preserved. This archive contains a rare and unique heritage in terms of both church and world history. This place, which has been known as the “Secret Vatican Archive” for many years, was renamed the Vatican Apostolic Archive by Pope Francis in 2019.

The Vatican Apostolic Archive, regarded as one of the world’s largest historical archives, contain documents dating from the 9th century to the present day. This archive is considered the memory of the Catholic Church. Its function is to ensure the preservation of the church’s historical decisions, positions and diplomatic relations for future generations. The archive is directly overseen by the Pope, managed by a prefect appointed by him.

Then, First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva presented a series of books and publications highlighting the history, nature and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan to the Apostolic Library.

The Azerbaijani national amputee football team played its latest match in Group C of the Nations League, held in Baku, Azernews reports.

The Azerbaijani side faced off against Israel at the Bayil Arena. The encounter proved to be a tightly contested one, with neither team managing to find the back of the net, ending in a goalless draw. Both sides demonstrated strong defensive play and determination, with several missed chances keeping the scoreline level until the final whistle.

This result follows Azerbaijan’s impressive 3-0 victory over Belgium the previous day, a win that boosted the team’s confidence and standings in the group. The national squad has shown remarkable progress and resilience throughout the tournament, reflecting the growing strength of amputee football in the country.

Azerbaijan will continue its campaign on October 19 with two crucial matches against the Netherlands and Ukraine. Victories in these games could secure the team a top spot in the group and a place in the next stage of the competition, as they aim to make their mark in European amputee football.

On the night of October 17-18, the Sun unleashed two moderate solar flares classified as M-class, according to the Russian Institute of Applied Geophysics, Azernews reports. One flare, rated M1.0, lasted 26 minutes, while the second persisted for 21 minutes, marking a period of moderate solar activity that experts continue to monitor closely.

Solar flares are sudden bursts of radiation caused by the release of magnetic energy in the Sun’s atmosphere. They are categorized into five classes based on their X-ray brightness: A, B, C, M, and X. M-class flares are medium-strength events-more intense than C-class flares but less powerful than X-class flares. While unlikely to cause major disruptions on Earth, they can affect satellite communications, GPS systems, and power grids under certain conditions.

The Russian Institute emphasized the importance of monitoring solar activity to better understand the Sun’s behavior and anticipate potential impacts on Earth’s technological systems. The recent flares were observed using advanced solar observation instruments, enabling scientists to track their intensity, duration, and possible geomagnetic effects.

Solar activity follows an approximately 11-year cycle, with alternating periods of higher and lower flare frequency. Currently, the Sun is approaching a phase of heightened activity, making continuous observation critical for both scientific research and practical applications, such as predicting geomagnetic storms that could disrupt satellites or electricity transmission networks.

Although these recent M-class flares were moderate, they provide valuable insights for solar physicists and space weather forecasters. Understanding such events helps improve early-warning systems and informs preparations to protect modern technological infrastructure from potential solar impacts.

On October 17, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican.

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva expressed her pleasure at meeting Cardinal Pietro Parolin again and congratulated the Catholic world on the occasion of the ‘Jubilee Year.’

She thanked the Secretary of State for his participation in the COP29 event held in Azerbaijan in November last year and hailed the dynamic expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See in recent years.

Emphasizing that Azerbaijan embodies the values of religious tolerance and multiculturalism as both state policy and a societal norm, Mehriban Aliyeva spoke about the work carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation within the framework of cooperation with the Holy See. She noted the great potential for further developing bilateral relations. Speaking about the relations with the Catholic community in Azerbaijan, the First Vice-President said: ‘The issue raised during the Secretary of State’s visit to Azerbaijan in November last year-the construction of a second Catholic Church in our country-has found a positive resolution. A positive decision on this matter has already been made by President Ilham Aliyev, and construction of the second Catholic Church in the capital will begin in the near future.’ Mehriban Aliyeva underlined that Cardinal Pietro Parolin is regarded in Azerbaijan as a close friend of the country and its people and expressed gratitude for his contributions to the successful and steady development of bilateral cooperation.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed his honor at seeing First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva again and conveyed his deep appreciation to the Azerbaijani state and personally to President Ilham Aliyev for efforts in strengthening relations with the Holy See. He described his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan at COP29 as a gesture of respect toward the Vatican. Highlighting the projects implemented with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Cardinal praised the cooperation and the exemplary relations between the state and the Catholic community in Azerbaijan. ‘The construction of a second Catholic Church in Baku is a highly commendable development, and for that, we are grateful to Azerbaijan. This is yet another manifestation of the care and respect shown to all religions in your country. Azerbaijan serves as an example for many countries in this regard,’ he said.

The Cardinal also noted that the awarding of Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, with the ‘Friendship’ Order by President Ilham Aliyev is another sign of respect toward the Holy See.

Pietro Parolin congratulated Azerbaijan on the signing of the Joint Declaration by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States on August 8 in Washington and on the initialing of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He reaffirmed the Vatican’s unequivocal support for peace in the region.

Expressing her gratitude to Cardinal Pietro Parolin for his congratulations, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva highly valued the outcomes of the Washington Summit, emphasizing that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia remain committed to the peace agenda and expressing hope for the establishment of lasting peace in the region.

The open court hearing session for criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanian, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, who are accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes-including the preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war-as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, forcible retention of power, and numerous other crimes resulting from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, continued on October 17.

The court session was held at the Baku Military Court, chaired by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with the panel consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). Each accused individual was provided with an interpreter in their native language, as well as legal representatives for their defense.

The session was attended by the accused persons, their defenders, a portion of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as prosecutors defending the state prosecution.

Judge Z. Aghayev stated that a group of people had applied to the court, noting that they would not be able to participate in the court proceedings for compelling reasons, and that their statements to the preliminary investigation should be examined in the trial.

No one objected to the subsequent examination of their statements from the preliminary investigation.

Z. Aghayev mentioned that those statements would be announced during subsequent sessions.

Afterwards, the trial continued with the announcement of documents.

The court proceedings reviewed the documents based on the interviews of accused Arayik Harutyunyan, Bako Sahakyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanian, and others to a number of internet resources, their statements and opinions expressed during the meetings, as well as the posts made on their social media accounts.

According to the documents, those interviews, statements, speeches, and posts featured calls, spreading ethnic, national, and religious hostility between the peoples, and against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan, other criminal information, as well as incitements to war and terrorism.

Following the announcement of the documents, the presiding judge gave the floor to the accused to hear their views on the documents.

Accused L.Mnatsakanyan requested to re-examine his interview with the Armenian journalist on the Jidir Duzu plain.

Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department for Defense of State Prosecution at the Prosecutor General’s Office, said that the interview had already been screened at one of the previous court hearings, during the interrogation of the accused, and that Levon Mnatsakanyan answered the questions from the state prosecutors about it.

He emphasized that when the interview was reviewed during the previous hearing, Levon Mnatsakanyan expressed his opinions on the parts he disagreed with, which was also reflected in the minutes of the hearing. The public prosecutor added that there was no need to re-examine that evidence and requested the court to take the above into account.

Subsequently, Judge Zeynal Aghayev announced the part of the minutes of the hearing where the mentioned video interview was presented, and where Levon Mnatsakanyan raised his objection.

Then, the defendant D. Ishkhanyan filed an appeal, claiming he had been given the opportunity to view the video recording of the interview with former Deputy Minister of Defense of Armenia Manvel Grigoryan.

It should be noted that at the previous court hearing, D. Ishkhanyan had requested that the video recording to be loaded to the tablet provided to the defendants.

D. Ishkhanyan also requested to familiarize himself with a copy of a secret document signed by Kamo Vardanyan, the ‘deputy chief of staff of the army’ of the so-called regime.

A copy of the order was presented to the accused for familiarization.

Additionally, the defendants Davit Ishkhanyan and David Babayan stated that they did not agree with many of the details indicated in the announced documents.

Defendant A. Ghukasyan requested the court to provide conditions for him to express his opinion on the announced documents at the next court hearing.

Judge Zeynal Aghayev stated that the request would be taken into account.

The court proceedings will continue on October 20.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state – including the aforementioned criminal association – on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.

The following individuals – Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, David Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan – are being charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and additional articles.

Microsoft has embarked on an ambitious redesign of the Windows operating system, aiming to transform it into a platform driven primarily by voice commands and artificial intelligence (AI), Azernews reports.

Yusuf Mehdi, the company’s executive vice president, told The Verge about plans to deeply integrate AI capabilities throughout every layer of the system, moving far beyond simply adding a chatbot.

According to Microsoft’s leadership, a new era of computing is approaching, where AI will no longer be a standalone tool but will become an essential part of hundreds of millions of daily use cases. The ultimate vision is to create what Mehdi calls a true ‘AI computer’ by rebuilding the core of the operating system around these advanced technologies.

‘Our goal is to rewrite the entire OS around AI, creating what can be called a true AI computer,’ Mehdi said.

The current version of Windows 11 already incorporates some AI-powered features. For instance, users can now activate the Copilot assistant using the voice command ‘Hey, Copilot!’ This hands-free feature allows quick access to the assistant for answers, productivity help, or general inquiries. The interaction is signaled by a beep, and users can end the session simply by saying ‘goodbye,’ after which the assistant shuts down automatically.

Another recent innovation is the Copilot Vision feature, which is available in all regions where Copilot operates. This functionality enables AI to analyze the contents displayed on the screen, assisting users with applications, troubleshooting, or even providing step-by-step guidance for tasks such as completing games. Unlike the earlier Recall function, which faced privacy concerns, Copilot Vision requires explicit user consent before scanning the screen, operating similarly to how Microsoft Teams handles broadcasting.

Microsoft is testing a feature called Copilot Actions. This functionality will empower the AI assistant to perform tasks directly on the PC-such as editing photo batches-automatically. Currently, Copilot Actions is in closed beta with a limited number of scenarios as Microsoft continues to optimize the underlying AI model.

This ambitious integration of AI into Windows highlights Microsoft’s commitment to redefining personal computing, where intelligence is embedded seamlessly to enhance productivity, creativity, and user experience. As AI becomes more deeply woven into the operating system, the way people interact with their devices could be fundamentally transformed, moving us closer to a future where computers understand and anticipate our needs intuitively.

At the instruction of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense has inspected the logistical support and combat readiness level of Azerbaijani Army units, Azernews reports.

According to the Ministry of Defense, senior officials visited commando military units and other formations to assess the quality of improvements made to the social and living conditions of servicemen and to review the organization of military service.

Following the inspection, Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, gave additional instructions to responsible officers regarding winter preparedness, further improvement of service and living conditions in military units, enhancement of combat capability, seasonal maintenance of weapons and equipment, and the continuity of logistical support.

Highly praising the combat and moral-psychological readiness of the personnel, the minister met with servicemen to discuss issues of their interest.

During the meeting, Minister Hasanov spoke about the successful reforms implemented in the field of army building under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. He noted that the President’s resolute defense of Azerbaijan’s national interests at high-level international events has further strengthened the country’s reputation and influence on the global stage. The minister also conveyed to the personnel the key directives set by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief for the Azerbaijani Army.

Later, Minister Hasanov instructed officers to ensure strict adherence to discipline and safety regulations, promote healthy interpersonal relations within the ranks, and pay special attention to the health and well-being of the personnel.

Colonel General Hasanov emphasized the importance of maintaining constant oversight of troop organization, keeping all types of logistical support under close attention, and strengthening control over the observance of safety rules. He issued concrete directives to the command staff to that effect.