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In accordance with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the Great Return to the territories liberated from occupation continues.

AzerNEWS reports that in the early hours of the day, a new group of families departed for the Red Bazaar settlement (Qirmizi Bazar) in the Khojavand district, marking another step in the ongoing reconstruction and repopulation efforts in the region.

According to information, the settlement has now welcomed 17 families, comprising a total of 74 people.

Returning residents expressed gratitude to the country’s leadership for the conditions created for their return. They also paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives during the liberation of the territories, praying for mercy for the martyrs and wishing good health to the veterans.

Earlier 92 families, comprising 332 people, have been resettled in the city of Aghdam. These families had previously lived in temporary accommodations across the country, including dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

Existing flood defenses in Venice will only be able to protect the city from rising sea levels for a limited time. In the long run, authorities may need to consider more drastic measures – including the partial relocation of parts of the city inland, AzerNEWS reports.

This conclusion comes from a study led by Piero Lionello of the University of Salento, whose team analyzed how resilient the Venetian lagoon barrier system is to long-term sea level rise.

At present, Venice’s primary line of defense is the MOSE system – a network of mobile barriers installed at the three inlets of the lagoon. Researchers estimate that even with upgrades, these defenses may remain effective only until sea levels rise by around 1.2 meters. Beyond that threshold, the city will likely need to adopt a completely new adaptation strategy.

The study outlines four possible scenarios: further enhancement of the existing barrier system, construction of ring-shaped dams around the historic center, transformation of the lagoon into a fully enclosed basin, or the gradual abandonment of certain areas combined with the relocation of key cultural assets.

If sea levels rise by about 0.5 meters, building circular dams around central Venice could become necessary. While this would help protect the historic core and nearby islands, it would also require large-scale pumping systems and significantly alter the city’s transport and tourism infrastructure. Estimated costs range from $540 million to $4.9 billion.

A more radical option involves creating a fully enclosed lagoon with permanent barriers and external protective structures. This approach could safeguard the city from much higher water levels, but it would likely devastate the lagoon’s delicate ecosystem. The projected cost of such a project could exceed $32 billion.

In an extreme scenario – with sea levels rising by more than 4.5 meters – scientists are even considering the partial relocation of Venice inland. This would involve moving cultural monuments and abandoning parts of the historic urban landscape, with estimated costs reaching up to $108 billion.

According to Robert Nicholls of the University of East Anglia, there is no perfect solution for Venice. Efforts to protect cultural heritage, housing, jobs, and the natural environment inevitably come into conflict.

Researchers stress that Venice is not an isolated case. Many low-lying coastal cities around the world face similar long-term risks. What makes Venice unique, however, is its extraordinary cultural value – which turns the fight against rising seas into not just an engineering challenge, but a global effort to preserve one of humanity’s most iconic urban landscapes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Tuesday that Moscow knows how the conflict in Ukraine will end, but “won’t make any public statements about it”, AzerNEWS reports.

“We’ll simply implement and strive for the goals we’ve set for ourselves, and accomplish the tasks we face,” he noted during a meeting with municipal employees. In addition, Putin declared enemies “are thinking about how to frame the fact that victory will belong to the Russian Federation.”

At the same time, Putin said that the Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia should reach the standard of living in the rest of the country by 2030.

Reconstruction and rehabilitation work in Karabakh is continuing at full speed, with the final year of the State Program for the liberated territories now underway, AzerNEWS reports.

This was stated by Emin Huseynov, the Presidential Special Representative for the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts, in comments to journalists.

Huseynov said that over the past period, more than 30,000 internally displaced persons have been resettled in the liberated areas. In total, more than 70,000 people are now living, working, and studying in these territories.

‘Today, 92 families have been relocated to the city of Aghdam, and the process is continuing with increasing momentum every day. This year, the resettlement process to the liberated territories will reach its peak. It is projected that up to 20,000 people will be relocated to Aghdam alone. Around 15,000 people are expected to be resettled in the Fuzuli and Khojavend districts. Reconstruction and rehabilitation work is also ongoing across 25 settlements in Khojavend,’ he added.

Background

On September 27, 2020, long-standing tensions escalated into full-scale military operations. Azerbaijan launched a counter-offensive, utilizing modern warfare tactics-most notably the extensive use of precision drones and advanced satellite intelligence.

The turning point occurred on November 8, 2020, when Azerbaijani forces liberated the fortress city of Shusha, strategically positioned above the regional capital.

The Ceasefire: On November 10, a trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia ended the hostilities. Under the agreement, Armenia returned the occupied districts of Agdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin to Azerbaijan.

Final restoration of sovereignty

While the 2020 war liberated the surrounding districts, parts of the region remained under the control of a separatist administration. On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched localized “anti-terror measures” lasting less than 24 hours. This led to the total dissolution of the separatist regime and the full restoration of Azerbaijan’s constitutional order across its entire internationally recognized territory.

Today, the region is undergoing massive reconstruction and demining efforts through the “Great Return” program, aimed at resettling displaced populations into newly built “smart villages” and cities.

Azerbaijan has participated in the global celebration of International Day for Monuments and Sites, welcoming thousands to explore its rich history and cultural landmarks, AzerNEWS reports.

One of the key highlights was the special “Open Doors” event at the Nizami Ganjavi National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature, where nearly 2,800 visitors immersed themselves in the country’s literary heritage.

The museum, known for housing an extensive collection of Azerbaijani literary works, attracted a diverse crowd. Middle school students, university professors and students, as well as foreign residents, all gathered to learn about the towering figures of Azerbaijani literature.

Guided tours throughout the day offered visitors an in-depth look at the museum’s vast collection of manuscripts, artefacts, and interactive displays, shedding light on Azerbaijan’s centuries-old literary traditions.

For many, the “Open Doors Day” served as an enlightening opportunity to connect with Azerbaijan’s cultural roots.

Visitors explored the exhibits that celebrated the profound contributions of Azerbaijani writers, poets, and philosophers.

The day offered the perfect opportunity for both locals and visitors to deepen their knowledge of Azerbaijani heritage in a welcoming and accessible environment.

The Nizami Ganjavi National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature is one of the most significant cultural institutions in Azerbaijan, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich literary heritage of the country. Named after the great 12th-century poet Nizami Ganjavi, one of the most important figures in Azerbaijani literature and world poetry.

The Nizami Ganjavi National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature captivates visitors with its striking blue majolica on the facade, adorned with statues of six prominent figures from Azerbaijani literature. These include Fuzuli, Vagif, Mirza Fatali Akhundov, Natavan,Jalil Mammadguluzade and Jafar Jabbarli.

Housed in a building constructed in 1850 as a one-story caravanserai, the museum was extensively renovated in 1943. During this renovation, the facade and interior were redesigned in a national style, and the statues of notable Azerbaijani literary figures were placed on the balcony.

The museum spans 2,500 square meters, with a collection that includes over 3,000 manuscripts, rare books, illustrations, portraits, sculptures, miniatures, documentary photos, and other significant items displayed across 30 main halls and 10 auxiliary rooms.

On May 14, 1945, the museum officially opened its doors to the public, quickly becoming a central cultural landmark in Baku.

Visitors can explore a variety of multimedia materials, including films, performance clips, music pieces by renowned Azerbaijani composers, and poetry recitations by celebrated actors.

Among the museum’s most popular exhibits are the halls dedicated to the lives and works of important historical figures, such as the 13th-century scholar Nasiraddin Tusi, the mystic Shams Tabrizi, poets Zulfugar Shirvani and Molla Gasim Shirvani, Shah Ismail Khatayi, Hasan bay Zardabi, and the playwright Husein Javid.

In the museum’s monitor room, visitors can access comprehensive information about Azerbaijani literature, culture, and traditions, available in Azerbaijani, Russian, English and other languages.

This makes the museum a center for cultural education and a must-visit for anyone interested in Azerbaijan’s rich literary heritage.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates held talks last week with the United States over a potential financial ‘lifeline’ in case tensions linked to the conflict with Iran escalate further, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the meeting involved UAE Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and representatives of the Federal Reserve System. Discussions reportedly focused not on a loan, but on a pre-approved currency swap arrangement.

UAE officials described the move as precautionary, stressing that the situation is not yet critical. However, they acknowledged that recent Iranian strikes have inflicted significant economic damage.

‘They also believe that President Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran has drawn their country into a destructive conflict, the consequences of which have not yet been fully resolved,’ the report said, citing sources. ‘They have told US officials that if the UAE does not have enough dollars, they will be forced to use yuan or other currencies for transactions.’

Such a shift could have broader implications for the global financial system, where the US dollar remains dominant, particularly in energy markets, where most oil contracts are denominated in dollars.

The report notes that the UAE currently does not have a standing swap line with the Federal Reserve, and it remains unclear whether such a request would be approved. Existing arrangements are typically reserved for close US partners, including Mexico, Canada, Brazil, the European Union, and more recently Argentina.

The issue comes amid heightened financial activity in the Gulf. The Financial Times recently reported that Persian Gulf states have increased debt issuance, taking advantage of a temporary ceasefire to secure funding through both sovereign and state-backed channels.

The Emirati dirham, which is pegged to the US dollar, is supported by reserves of around $270 billion. However, the ongoing conflict has put pressure on the currency due to capital outflows, market volatility, and broader economic uncertainty.

The “FotoBax” national photography competition is being held by the IDEA Public Union and the “Reza Visual Academy”, AzerNEWS reports.

The competition is being organized under the patronage of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Founder and Chairperson of the IDEA Public Union, and with the initiative of Reza Deghati, founder of the “Reza Visual Academy” association and internationally recognized photographer. The competition is part of the “Children’s Eyes on Earth” international photography project and is dedicated to the theme “I Love Nature – Azerbaijan’.

The main goal of the competition is to raise environmental awareness among children and youth, strengthen their interest and love for the nature of our country, and provide an opportunity for them to express their thoughts through photography.

Those wishing to participate in the competition should submit up to 20 photographs they have taken to the website by September 21.

The competition is open to children and adolescents under the age of 18.

It is planned that “UFC Fight Night” events will be held annually in Baku until 2028, AzerNEWS reports.

UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) has signed a multi-year cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Baku City Circuit (BCC) Operations Company.

According to the agreement, the first event will take place on June 27 at the National Gymnastics Arena.

The UFC’s debut event held at the Baku Crystal Hall last June brought together more than 14,000 spectators. The complete sell-out of tickets has shown the great interest in MMA in the region.

At the event in Las Vegas, UFC President and CEO Dana White and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Farid Gayibov, discussed the continuation of this success and the future development opportunities of the partnership.

“Baku is one of the best cities in the world to visit. The city is incredibly beautiful, and the people who live there are extremely hospitable. When I visited last year, I was amazed. The hospitality was at the highest level. The fans are incredibly enthusiastic about sports, and at the same time, they are well-informed. People come from all over the world, and they absolutely have to experience it themselves,” Dana White said.

Minister Farid Gayibov stated that the establishment of a long-term partnership with the UFC is an important step in strengthening Azerbaijan’s position as a global sports hub:

“Based on our experience hosting prestigious events such as the first European Games and Formula 1, this partnership will accelerate the development of mixed martial arts and create new opportunities for athletes from Azerbaijan and the region. UFC has already become a significant part of the Baku sports calendar and provides local fighters the chance to perform in front of their home crowd. This partnership once again proves Azerbaijan’s potential to host high-level international sports events.”

“After the successful debut event of the UFC last year, which was held with a full stadium, we are pleased to expand our partnership and host Fight Night events again in Baku. We expect even higher interest in this year’s event, and the number of visitors coming to the city will increase. We are confident that the event will be more large-scale and of a higher quality, providing participants with an unforgettable experience, “added Maqsud Farzullayev, CEO of the Baku City Circuit Operations Company.

To stay up to date with all the latest news about the event and to get early access to tickets, fans can register at UFC.com/Baku and follow the @UFC page on social media for the latest UFC updates.