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Ukraine is set to restart attacks on Russian oil refineries following a two-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, amid growing tensions wi...
Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route from 26 May, 2026, marking a major step in restoring regional rail connectivity after services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision was confirmed in a joint communiqué following high-level talks in Baku between President Ilham Aliyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, held on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) this week.
The current departure times and stops are listed in the Baku–Tbilisi train timetable.
The resumption of passenger rail services is part of a broader effort to strengthen transport links between the two countries.
Both governments describe it as a strategic corridor connecting the Caspian region with Türkiye and wider international markets.
Officials also confirmed the completion of modernisation works on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project, with a Coordination Council protocol formally approving the final acceptance of upgrades carried out on the line.
Management of the railway infrastructure will also be transferred to a joint venture, BTKI Railways LLC, in what both sides described as an important step toward improving operational efficiency and long-term connectivity across the corridor.
Alongside the rail announcement, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed a series of agreements expanding cooperation in energy and transit infrastructure.
These include intergovernmental deals on natural gas supply to Georgia, the continuation of transit arrangements for Azerbaijani gas exports to international markets, electricity supply cooperation, and electricity transit through Georgia to Türkiye.
Energy companies from both countries also signed Heads of Terms setting out commercial frameworks for future long-term agreements, expected to be finalised by October 2026.
In addition, the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), SOCAR Midstream Operations, and the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation signed an operating agreement covering the Georgian section of the Western Route Export Pipeline, including the Supsa Oil Terminal and associated infrastructure.
Both sides emphasised that the agreements reinforce Azerbaijan and Georgia’s role as a key regional connectivity hub linking energy and transport routes across Eurasia.
Officials said the expanded cooperation reflects a shared commitment to deepening economic integration and strengthening long-term infrastructure links between the two countries.
Yemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for the recent drone and missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh and at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, vowing to carry out more attacks in the coming days.
The Saudi-led coalition said early Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukraine's soldiers have had their access to Starlink satellite internet restricted. Kyiv's troops use the terminals, made by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to pilot drones. A source in Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the restrictions would make it harder for Kyiv's army to down Russian drones.
The Saudi-led coalition said early Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
Türkiye says talks with Washington are continuing over six F-35 fighter jets it purchased but never received, as Ankara pushes for the lifting of U.S. sanctions on its defence industry.
Uzbekistan's freight volumes along the Middle Corridor have doubled in five years, highlighting the growing importance of Azerbaijan and the Port of Baku as key links in its trade routes to Europe.
Kazakhstan is considering new rules governing the use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms, including requirements to label AI-generated content. The proposal was discussed at the tenth Astana Media Week, which also focused on digital threats and children's online safety.
Azerbaijan has taken over the chairmanship of a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) labour and social protection council, as it prepares to introduce a sixth package of social reforms in 2027.
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