Putin reports progress in talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, saying only technical issues remain
May 25, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that “strictly technical” issues remain in resolving one of the main disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, neighbors that fought a war over a contested territory.
Iran expels four Azeri diplomats amid ongoing tensions
May 5, 2023 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran has expelled four Azeri diplomats amid ongoing tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan, Iranian media reported on Friday.
Iran's semiofficial news outlets did not provide details except to say that the four had been working in Azerbaijan's Embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northwestern city of Tabriz.
US: ‘tangible progress’ in Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks
May 4, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that Armenia and Azerbaijan have made “tangible progress” in U.S.-hosted peace talks between the two former Soviet republics that have repeatedly clashed over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azeri protesters say they’ll end blockage of key road
April 28, 2023 GMTProtesters who have blocked the road leading from Armenia to an ethnic Armenian region within Azerbaijan for four months said Friday that they will end their actions because Azerbaijan has established a checkpoint at the start of the road.
European countries, Azerbaijan agree to boost gas transfers
April 25, 2023 GMTSOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The national gas system operators of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia agreed Tuesday to boost the transfer of natural gas from Azerbaijan using the existing infrastructure of their countries, which were until recently highly dependent on Russian energy.
Armenia says soldier killed, but Azerbaijan rejects claim
April 23, 2023 GMTArmenia’s defense ministry said Sunday that one of its soldiers was killed by an Azerbaijani sniper near the border, but Azerbaijan denied the claim and separately reported that its soldiers had come under fire from Armenia in another part of the border area.
Azerbaijan weightlifters leave Armenia after flag burned
April 15, 2023 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Azerbaijan withdrew from the European Weightlifting Championships on Saturday in the capital of Armenia a day after a man ran onto the stage at the competition's opening ceremony, seized an Azerbaijan flag and set it on fire.
Armenia, Azerbaijan forces clash; at least 7 soldiers killed
April 11, 2023 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Military forces from Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed Tuesday along their border and at least seven soldiers were killed, according to the countries' defense ministries.
The confrontation follows months of tensions over the blockage of the only road connecting Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan.
Armenian PM critical of Moscow-dominated security pact
March 14, 2023 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia's prime minister on Tuesday accused a Moscow-dominated security alliance of leaving his country in the cold in the face of a threat of renewed hostilities with neighboring Azerbaijan.
Russia urges restraint after shootout near Nagorno-Karabakh
March 6, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Russia said Monday that its forces helped end a deadly weekend clash between Azerbaijani soldiers and the police of Nagorno-Karabakh, urging all parties to show restraint.
Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994.
At least 3 police officers killed in Nagorno-Karabakh clash
March 5, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — A shootout between Azerbaijani soldiers and police of Nagorno-Karabakh, a separatist ethnic Armenian region, killed at least three people Sunday, according to Armenia's Interior Ministry.
UN court calls for end to Nagorno-Karabakh roadblock
February 22, 2023 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United Nations' highest court ordered Azerbaijan on Wednesday to “take all steps at its disposal” to allow free movement of traffic along the only road between Armenia and the ethnic Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan that has been blocked by protesters in a move that has further fueled tensions between the two countries.
Azerbaijan to UN court: Armenia must stop laying land mines
January 31, 2023 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Azerbaijan appealed Tuesday to the United Nations' highest court to urgently order Armenia to stop the laying of land mines and booby traps on Azerbaijani territory and disclose the location of those already planted, in the latest legal battle focused on the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Armenia urges UN court to order Azerbaijan to end road block
January 30, 2023 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Armenia pleaded with judges of the United Nations' highest court on Monday to order Azerbaijan to break up a road blockade that is isolating the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, calling the action part of an act of “ethnic cleansing.”
Iran says drone attack targets defense facility in Isfahan
January 29, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Bomb-carrying drones targeted an Iranian defense factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight, authorities said Sunday, causing some damage at the plant amid heightened regional and international tensions engulfing the Islamic Republic.
Fatal shooting at Azerbaijan Embassy in Iran raises tensions
January 27, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A gunman stormed the Azerbaijan Embassy in Iran's capital Friday, killing its security chief and wounding two guards in an attack that spiked long-simmering tensions between the two neighboring countries.
EU greenlights Armenia mission to ease border tensions
January 23, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union agreed on Monday to dispatch a civilian mission to Armenia to help boost security around its border and improve relations with neighboring Azerbaijan, amid tensions over a transport corridor to the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
EXPLAINER: Tensions high over isolated Azerbaijan region
January 22, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Two years after Azerbaijan and Armenia ended a war that killed about 6,800 soldiers and displaced around 90,000 civilians, tensions between the countries are again high in a dispute over a six-kilometer (nearly four-mile) road known as the Lachin Corridor.
Armenian activists protest over Karabakh road link standoff
December 28, 2022 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Hundreds of opposition supporters rallied in the Armenian capital on Wednesday, urging the government to act to unblock a vital road to the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, after weeks of rising tension over Azerbaijani protests which choked off basic supplies to the territory.
UN official warns against new Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
December 21, 2022 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — A senior U.N. official urged the international community Tuesday to prevent Armenia and Azerbaijan from resuming their conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region as the two countries accused each other of violating a Russian-brokered peace agreement.
Deal reached for new non-Russian power source for Europe
December 17, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The leaders of Hungary, Romania, Georgia and Azerbaijan finalized an agreement Saturday on an undersea electricity connector that could become a new power source for the European Union amid a crunch on energy supplies caused by the war in Ukraine.
Hungary, Romania to sign electricity deal with Azerbaijan
December 12, 2022 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The leaders of Hungary, Romania, Georgia and Azerbaijan plan to meet in Romania's capital Saturday to conclude an agreement on an undersea electricity connector that could become a new power source for the European Union amid a crunch on energy supplies caused by the war in Ukraine.
Soldier wounded amid heightened Armenia-Azerbaijan tensions
November 10, 2022 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia ’s Defence Ministry reported Thursday that an Armenian soldier was wounded and in critical condition after being shot by Azerbaijani forces on the eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
UEFA revamps women’s national team soccer to end mismatches
November 3, 2022 GMTGENEVA (AP) — After a slew of mismatched, double-digit wins in qualifying for the Women’s European Championship, UEFA on Thursday announced a more balanced system with three tiers of national teams ahead of Euro 2025 and the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
No breakthrough in Armenia, Azerbaijan peace talks in Russia
October 31, 2022 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday to try to broker a settlement to a longstanding conflict between the two ex-Soviet neighbors, but announced no breakthrough.
Putin to host leaders of adversaries Armenia and Azerbaijan
October 28, 2022 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin will host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to help broker a settlement to a longstanding conflict between the two ex-Soviet neighbors, the Kremlin said Friday.
Analysis: Iran pushes militarily abroad amid unrest at home
October 21, 2022 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — As protests rage at home, Iran's theocratic government is flexing its military muscle abroad: Tehran has supplied drones to Russia that killed Ukrainian civilians, run drills in a border region with Azerbaijan and bombed Kurdish positions in Iraq.
EU to send 40 experts on Armenia, Azerbaijan border mission
October 17, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union agreed Monday to send up to 40 experts to Armenia to help watch over its border with Azerbaijan in an effort to help restore peace and build confidence between the longtime foes.
Armenia, Azerbaijan hold talks in efforts to ease tensions
October 7, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia have held talks in Prague in efforts to ease tensions between the two longtime adversaries.
Armenia agreed to “facilitate a civilian EU mission alongside the border with Azerbaijan,” according to a joint statement released early Friday, following a meeting on the margins of a European summit in the presence of the EU Council President Charles Michel and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Leaders of Turkey, Armenia hold face-to-face meeting
October 6, 2022 GMTPRAGUE (AP) — The leaders of historic foes Turkey and Armenia on Thursday held their first face-to-face meeting since the two countries agreed to improve relations.
Azerbaijan to increase gas deliveries to Bulgaria, Europe
September 30, 2022 GMTSOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Azerbaijan’s president said Friday that his country is a reliable partner and will stick to an agreement to double gas exports to the European Union by 2027.
Speaking to reporters in Bulgaria's capital, President Ilhan Aliyev called a new gas interconnector with Greece “a historic achievement and an opportunity for Azeri gas to reach Europe in larger quantities.”
Amid unrest, Iranian Guard attacks militant group in Iraq
September 24, 2022 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard on Saturday attacked a Kurdish militant group's base located in the north of neighboring Iraq, state media said, a week after widespread anti-government protests began over a young woman's death in police custody.
Russian men join exodus, fearing call-up to fight in Ukraine
September 23, 2022 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Military-aged men fled Russia in droves Friday, filling planes and causing traffic jams at border crossings to avoid being rounded up to fight in Ukraine following the Kremlin's partial military mobilization.
Blinken hosts Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs in bid to boost peace
September 19, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday in a bid to ease tensions and maintain a fragile ceasefire between the ex-Soviet countries and rivals following the largest outbreak of hostilities in more than two years.
Pelosi condemns Azerbaijan over Armenia attack
September 18, 2022 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said Sunday that the United States deplores recent attacks by Azerbaijan and called for a negotiated solution to the countries' conflict.
Pelosi, other US lawmakers visit Armenia as cease-fire holds
September 17, 2022 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — A U.S. congressional delegation headed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrived Saturday in Armenia, where a cease-fire has held for three days after an outburst of fighting with neighboring Azerbaijan that killed more than 200 troops from both sides.
Pelosi to visit Armenia as cease-fire with Azerbaijan holds
September 16, 2022 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said Friday she plans to make a weekend visit to Armenia, where a cease-fire held for a second day after an outburst of fighting with neighboring Azerbaijan that killed more than 200 troops from both sides.
Cease-fire holds between Armenia and Azerbaijan
September 15, 2022 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — A cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan held Thursday following two days of fighting that killed 176 soldiers from both sides.
Armen Grigoryan, the secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, said the truce brokered thanks to international mediation took effect at 8 p.m.
Armenia, Azerbaijan agree on cease-fire to end fighting
September 14, 2022 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiated a cease-fire to end a flare-up of fighting that has killed 155 soldiers from both sides, a senior Armenian official said early Thursday.
Armen Grigoryan, the secretary of Armenia's Security Council, announced the truce in televised remarks, saying it took effect hours earlier, at 8 p.m.
EXPLAINER: What’s behind the new Armenia-Azerbaijan fighting
September 14, 2022 GMTBorder clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan have killed 155 troops on both sides in the largest outbreak of fighting between the neighbors and longtime adversaries in nearly two years, fueling fears of even bigger hostilities.
Armenia, Azerbaijan report 99 troops killed in border clash
September 14, 2022 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Fighting on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan killed about 100 troops Tuesday as attacks on both sides fed fears of broader hostilities breaking out between the longtime adversaries.
Azerbaijan reclaims key city near Nagorno-Karabakh
August 26, 2022 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Azerbaijan has reclaimed control of a strategic city on the edge of Nagorno-Karabakh, the leader of Azerbaijan said Friday.
President lham Aliyev said Azerbaijani forces have moved into the city of Lachin and two nearby villages.
Italy’s natural gas storage is 80% full as prices hit record
August 24, 2022 GMTMILAN (AP) — Italy’s push to rapidly reduce its dependence on Russian natural gas has made the country less vulnerable to an interruption of supplies, Premier Mario Draghi said Wednesday, noting that gas storage is 80% full ahead of winter and on track to hit 90% by October.
Cyprus protests meeting of Azerbaijan, Turkish Cypriot heads
August 11, 2022 GMTNICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The foreign ministry of Cyprus said Thursday it’s lodging formal protests against a meeting between the leader of the ethnically split island nation's breakaway Turkish Cypriots and the president of Azerbaijan amid concerns of a stepped-up partition campaign.
Troops of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh clash; 3 killed
August 3, 2022 GMTYEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces reignited Wednesday in the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, where three soldiers were reported killed.
Nagorno-Karabakh military officials said drone attacks carried out by Azerbaijani forces killed two of their troops and wounded another 14.
Soccer player Rubins, capped 117 times by Latvia, dies at 43
August 3, 2022 GMTRIGA, Latvia (AP) — Latvian soccer player Andrejs Rubins, who played 117 times for the national team, has died at the age of 43, the country’s soccer federation said Wednesday.
Draw for the playoff round of the Champions League
August 2, 2022 GMTNYON, Switzerland (AP) — Draw for the playoff round of the Champions League:
San Marino’s Vicini 1st to play 100 Davis Cup matches
July 29, 2022 GMTBAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Domenico Vicini reached another Davis Cup milestone Friday by becoming the first player in tournament history to play 100 matches.
It came two days after the 50-year-old became the oldest player to win a Davis Cup match.
50-year-old San Marino player oldest to win Davis Cup match
July 27, 2022 GMTBAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Domenico Vicini has become the oldest player to win a Davis Cup match. He turns 51 in September.
Vicini and doubles partner Marco de Rossi of San Marino beat Martin Muedini and Mario Zili of Albania 6-3, 7-6 on Wednesday in Group IV play.
European leaders ink energy deals in bid to sidestep Russia
July 18, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — European leaders ramped up their push to secure alternative energy supplies Monday as fears escalate of a complete natural gas cutoff by Russia, with the leaders of Italy, France and the European Union sealing deals with their counterparts in Algeria, Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates.
New pipeline from Greece to Bulgaria offsets Russian gas cut
July 12, 2022 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — The leaders of Greece and Bulgaria on Friday marked the completion of a new pipeline that will supply natural gas from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria, whose vital supply of Russian gas was cut off in April amid the fallout over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Caspian nations reaffirm pledge to keep foreign armies out
June 29, 2022 GMTASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of the other four countries along the Caspian Sea on Wednesday reaffirmed their shared commitment to keep foreign militaries out of the region.
Leclerc receives 10-place penalty for new Ferrari engine
June 17, 2022 GMTMONTREAL (AP) — Charles Leclerc received a 10-place grid penalty because Ferrari changed his engine ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.
An engine failure knocked Leclerc out of last week's Azerbaijan Grand Prix while leading and Ferrari has since deemed the engine “beyond repair.” The FIA announced after Friday's second practice that Leclerc had taken his third fresh power plant of the year and would be penalized at the start of Sunday's race.
Bumpy ride: Mercedes aided ahead of F1′s Canadian return
June 16, 2022 GMTRecord crowds are expected to welcome Formula One back to Canada following a two-year pandemic pause, and the series returns to Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal attempting to rectify the aches of Mercedes and its 37-year-old champion.
Iran arrests suspect allegedly plotting with French spy ring
June 16, 2022 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian authorities have arrested a person accused of having a link to two French citizens being held on espionage charges, state television reported Thursday.
The report said the suspect was a Marxist who visited the two alleged French spies before the May 1 International Workers' Day, as part of a plot to "create unrest among workers.”
Verstappen wins in Azerbaijan after Leclerc engine failure
June 12, 2022 GMTBAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Max Verstappen once again pounced when rival Charles Leclerc faltered in their race for the Formula One title.
Verstappen extended his F1 championship lead by winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday — his fifth victory of the season — following yet another Leclerc early retirement.
Hamilton, Russell question safety of bouncing F1 cars
June 11, 2022 GMTBAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Lewis Hamilton said he woke up in pain Saturday because this season's Mercedes car has a tendency to bounce up and down at high speed. Now the seven-time Formula One champion and new teammate George Russell have questioned whether new 2022 rules force them to compromise their safety.
Leclerc takes pole position for Azerbaijan Grand Prix
June 11, 2022 GMTBAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Charles Leclerc is back on pole. Now comes the tricky task of converting it into a win.
Leclerc won the pole for the fourth consecutive race with a blistering lap around the Baku street circuit in Azerbaijan on Saturday, but the Ferrari driver failed to convert any of his last three pole positions into victories.