Capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, on the Caspian coast
Multiple Champions League playoff ties have produced tense finishes, with Sabah overturning a late deficit against Hapoel Beersheva to reach the group stage; other ties see Glimt and Celtic maintaining leads as Monaco prepares the draw.
Ukraine has warned airlines and insurers that expanding long‑range drone strikes have made Russian airspace unsafe for civilian flights. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine is not targeting civilian aircraft but that "drone‑infested skies" require airlines to rethink routes. Moscow has condemned the warning as "state terrorism" and moved to protect airports and keep services running.
Climate patterns have intensified this year, driving heatwaves, droughts and floods across multiple regions. Governments are mobilising finance, strengthening resilience, and adjusting policies as temperatures and rainfall shift. Aid budgets face pressure while activists warn of rising humanitarian needs.
Kimi Antonelli has extended his championship lead after winning at Madrid’s Madring circuit, where overtaking proved difficult and for many the race failed to live up to expectations. Norris faced misfortune under a virtual safety car, while drivers call for changes to improve racing at the controversial street circuit.
The 2027 Formula 1 schedule has expanded sprint races from six to ten, with Monaco hosting a short-form event for the first time. Other sprints are planned in Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Canada, Britain, Italy, Brazil and Qatar as organisers seek greater fan engagement amid regional tensions and security concerns.
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Investors are recalibrating portfolios as fresh data and ongoing policy updates push markets toward new equilibria. Experts say the changes will shape asset valuations, inflation expectations, and risk appetite in the near term.
Esteban Ocon has reiterated that his Formula 1 career is not over as Haas confirms he will part ways at year’s end. With Bearman outperforming him this season, Ocon is exploring options for 2027 while remaining focused on the current races.
Esteban Ocon has been told Haas will part ways with him at year’s end. He has been racing in F1 since 2016 and has previously won the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. Ocon says he remains motivated and will push for strong results in the remaining races while seeking future opportunities. Haas thanks him for his professionalism as they move to appoint a replacement.
Russell has secured a dramatic win in the latest F1 race, narrowing the championship gap to 66 points behind Antonelli after a late surge and Verstappen’s close challenge. Hadjar returns to podium, while Norris, Piastri and others face a tough day amid late incidents and safety cars.
Lando Norris has demanded a one-race ban for Franco Colapinto after Colapinto's high-speed restart crash eliminated Norris, Gasly and Colapinto's Alpine teammate in Azerbaijan. Colapinto has apologised and received a five-place grid drop for Malaysia; the FIA is expected to review the incident.
Azerbaijan has amended school uniform rules to reflect a secular principle. While not explicitly banning the hijab, the changes are prompting protests as students and teachers report denial of entry for headscarves, arrests connected to unrest, and social-media outages.
China has reiterated support for a two-state solution and calls for immediate, unhindered access to Gaza to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. Wang Yi has met with Israeli President Herzog and pushed for renewed dialogue, with Beijing offering to work with the international community on a political settlement amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Azerbaijan has tightened dress rules in state schools to enforce secularism, leading to entries denied to hijab-wearing pupils and teachers. Protests have erupted domestically as international groups condemn the move and tensions with Turkey rise over the issue.
Kimi Antonelli has dominated this season and is poised to become the youngest Formula 1 world champion if he finishes ninth or better in Mexico City. Russell and Hamilton trail, with Mercedes scrambling to tune the upgrade package as the championship remains in reach for the Italian driver.
Erdogan has planned to visit Azerbaijan as tensions escalate over Baku’s hijab ban in schools and Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel. Aliyev’s absence from a Turkic summit underscores a cooling of ties, while Erdogan has fired an adviser and pressed for closer regional unity.
Fifa has invited council members to view key documents in person at its Zurich headquarters under confidentiality rules, as it reviews governance questions and faces Uefa pressure ahead of next year’s presidential vote.