live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
One of the region’s largest innovation events, “Baku ID-2025”, has officially kicked off in Baku. Organized by SABAH.HUB in partnership with government agencies and leading representatives of the private sector, this year’s festival is held under the theme “The Regional Nexus”.
The event, hosted at Jolly Joker Baku and the Stone Chronicle Museum, focuses on fostering technological and innovative cooperation across the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
In his opening speech, Rahim Bayramli, CEO of SABAH.HUB, announced that Azerbaijan is entering a new phase in its innovation agenda. He revealed that construction has already begun on the “SABAH.city” project, a modern hub set to host the Baku ID-2026 edition next year. According to Bayramli, this initiative will further accelerate the region’s technological development and solidify Azerbaijan’s position as a major innovation center.
Board Member Farhad Pashayev also addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of the festival in shaping the national innovation landscape.
Key panel discussions at the event covered topics such as artificial intelligence, new skill sets, and the future of the workforce. Fariz Jafarov, head of the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4SIM) under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, outlined the center’s mission and its global partnerships. He noted that 4SIM is one of 22 centers within the World Economic Forum’s global 4IR network, playing a vital role in shaping future technologies and public policy. The center also supports initiatives for human capital development by organizing training in areas such as technology literacy and presentation skills.
One of the most anticipated parts of the “Baku ID-2025” festival is its startup competitions. These contests showcase the region’s most promising and innovative projects, offering young entrepreneurs vital opportunities to connect with global investors and bring their ideas to life. The festival hosts more than 32 local and international investors, over 75 startups, 4,000+ participants, and more than 21 partners.
The event is held in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Education, SOCAR, PASHA Holding, and 4SIM. With such strong institutional support, Baku ID is quickly evolving from a regional gathering into a globally recognized innovation platform. The festival also opens valuable doors for talented students and young professionals.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
The suspension of two major grain terminals in Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk could increase pressure on Kazakhstan’s agricultural market if Russian exporters divert supplies to Central Asia at discounted prices.
Georgia’s Prime Minister says the EU’s inclusion of a major Black Sea cable project on a key infrastructure list is fresh evidence of the country’s importance to regional energy and digital connectivity.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has dismissed Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan and appointed former parliament speaker Alen Simonyan as his replacement.
Central Asia’s economy has surpassed $543 billion, driven by Kazakhstan’s economic weight, strong exports and foreign investment, while growing trade across Asia points to an increasingly connected region.
The United Nations refugee agency is planning a settlement and carpet-weaving workshop for Afghan returnees in Kabul as the country grapples with large-scale returns and growing pressure on housing, jobs and basic services.
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