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Sport
Lee Claims World Gold as Tasoev Secures His Third World Title in Baku
Hyeonji Lee claimed her first world title at +78kg, defeating former champion Romane Dicko to complete a dominant day. At +100kg, Inal Tasoev delivered a spectacular ippon against home favourite Ushangi Kokauri to secure his third world title and retain the red backpatch.
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Sport
Historic Gold for Lytvynenko as Sulamanidze Triumphs in Baku
Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko made history at -78kg, defeating Kaila Issoufi to become the UAE’s first-ever judo world champion. At -100kg, Georgia’s Ilia Sulamanidze overcame Dota Arai in the final to claim his first world title, turning previous bronze into gold.
Iran
Iran's IRGC strikes tanker and threatens to target ships beyond Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned that vessels “violating” its designated routes would be pursued and "punished" anywhere in the region, as maritime agencies reported two further strikes on commercial ships in the Persian Gulf.
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Indonesia: Baby orangutan saved from Borneo wildfires as habitat destruction escalates
A young orangutan has been rescued from wildfires in Borneo. Named Novita, the three- to four-year-old female was found clinging to a tree in Central Kalimantan on 26 September, with burns to her hands and feet after crossing the flames.
Modern Nomads
Inside Kazakhstan’s rock-hewn mosques now recognised by UNESCO
In partnership with MDQ
Five rock-hewn mosques and associated sacred sites dating from the 12th to the 18th centuries make up Kazakhstan’s newest UNESCO World Heritage property. The complexes preserve centuries of Sufi tradition alongside much older beliefs.
Saudi Arabia
Houthi strikes on Riyadh airport kill three, including airline captain
Two missile strikes on King Khalid International Airport forced diplomats to shelter in place and delayed dozens of flights, as Yemen’s government claimed progress in its Red Sea counter-offensive. Houthi forces said they were holding their ground.
Business
German logistics group Rhenus plans 14 Middle Corridor terminals
Global logistics company Rhenus Group plans to build a new multimodal hub in the Kazakh city of Aktau and develop up to 14 terminals along the Middle Corridor. This network will link Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye, and connect the route to the company's infrastructure in Europe.
Business
QatarEnergy eyes LNG production in early 2027 amid $3bn loan reports
QatarEnergy is advancing its LNG expansion and has reportedly secured a $3 billion (€2.68bn) loan from Chinese banks as war damage and shipping risks constrain exports. Shipments through Hormuz are recovering, but remain far below pre-war levels.
South Korea
Kyiv open to dialogue with South Korea after it recalls ambassador
Kyiv says it is open to “constructive dialogue” with Seoul despite its decision to recall its ambassador. South Korea’s decision comes just days after its president threatened to take punitive action against Zelenskyy’s violation of the non-disclosure agreement.
Sport
Tsunoda Claims World Gold as Murao Retains His Title in Baku
Ai Tsunoda Roustant claimed her first senior world title at -70kg, defeating Michaela Polleres in golden score. At -90kg, Sanshiro Murao delivered a spectacular ippon against Goki Tajima in an all-Japanese final, defending his title to become a two-time world champion.
Azerbaijan
Experts in Baku urge action as missing persons surge worldwide
Around 280,000 people are registered as missing in Ukraine alone, with 10,000 new cases added each month, part of a 70% global rise since 2019. Forensic experts meeting in Baku said the obstacle was not forensic capacity but governmental reluctance.
Iran
Iran strikes tankers outside Hormuz in signs of expanding campaign
Two commercial vessels were hit within 24 hours — one off Qatar, the first attack in that area in six months, and one off Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman — as IRGC-affiliated outlets suggested Tehran had extended operations beyond the crucial strait.
Business Series
Inside this country's push into international clean energy
In partnership with Azpromo
Azerbaijan is expanding its international energy portfolio through renewable projects, strategic partnerships and new infrastructure, as it seeks to strengthen energy security and connect regional markets with Europe.
