Category: Azer News

The minimum need criterion in Azerbaijan will be increased to ?300 in 2026, which is expected to lead to a rise in social assistance payments next year, Azernews reports.

Member of Parliament Vugar Bayramov announced the change during a joint meeting of the Milli Majlis Committees on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship, and on Labor and Social Policy, where the draft law ‘On the Budget of the State Social Protection Fund for 2026’ was discussed.

According to the MP, setting a higher need threshold is essential for both increasing the average amount of targeted social assistance and expanding the number of eligible applicants.

‘Raising the need criterion will increase the monthly payments provided to citizens under the targeted social assistance program from next year,’ Bayramov said.

‘It will also allow more low-income families to apply for this support. Currently, about 80,300 low-income families, including 353,300 individuals, receive targeted state social assistance. This means a significant number of families will benefit from the upcoming increase.’

The criminal case against Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, charged under articles of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious offenses, continued on November 4.

The open court session at Baku Military Court-presided by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve Judge Gunel Samadova)-provided the accused with an interpreter in his native language, Russian, and state-funded legal representation.

Judge Zeynal Agayev introduced the court panel, state prosecutors, interpreters, and others to the victims participating for the first time and their legal heirs or representatives, explaining their rights and obligations as stipulated by legislation.

Subsequently, Emil Babishov, the new lawyer defending Ruben Vardanyan’s rights, submitted a motion to the court.

He noted that in previous sessions, Vardanyan and his then-lawyer had filed several motions. The full extracts of the court’s decisions on those motions had not been provided to the defense. The lawyer requested that the full extracts be delivered to the defense side.

It should be recalled that in the previous session, a new state-appointed lawyer was assigned to Ruben Vardanyan. Until then, his rights were defended by a lawyer of his own choice. Two sessions prior, Vardanyan had waived his chosen lawyer.

Judge Zeynal Agayev stated that the extracts in question had already been provided to the defense and that they could continue to exercise this right.

Ruben Vardanyan then submitted another motion, requesting the summoning of a representative from the State Border Service to the court session. He explained that this relates to one of the charges against him-illegal crossing of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s state border.

Vardanyan’s defense lawyer, Emil Babishov, also supported the accused’s position and motion, requesting its satisfaction.

Addressing the motion, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev stated that the defense’s motion did not clearly indicate who should be summoned and for what reason, what testimony that person could provide in the witness phase, and its relevance to the charges against the accused. He added that there is no need for statements from State Border Service employees regarding illegal border crossing in the current proceedings.

Vusal Aliyev stated that if the accused claims to have crossed the Republic of Azerbaijan’s state border legally-contrary to the charge-and wishes to prove it, there are procedures provided by law. If the accused entered Azerbaijani territory legally, his civilian passport should bear the stamp of the State Border Service. He can prove this by presenting the stamp in his passport.

Vusal Aliyev requested that the motion not be granted.

After hearing the parties, the court issued a decision: the motion was left without consideration.

Judge Zeynal Agayev also noted that if information about the individual is provided in accordance with the law, the matter can be discussed.

The judge then announced that a group of recognized victims had submitted applications to the court, stating that due to valid reasons they could not attend the proceedings and confirming their preliminary investigation testimonies.

The parties raised no objections to the announcement of these testimonies in court.

Subsequently, victims who suffered from Armenia’s aggressive war and occupation policy gave statements.

Responding to questions from state prosecutor Terane Mammadova, victim Sagif Mikayilov said he was injured due to provocations by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups in the direction of Asgaran settlement, Khojaly district.

Victim Aydin Garibov stated that in Khalfali village, Shusha district, he, Ceyhun Shahnamazli, and Tarlan Jabbarov were wounded by enemy fire.

Answering questions from Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department for Defense of State Prosecution at the Prosecutor General’s Office, victim Kenan Abilov said he received a bullet wound to his left arm from enemy small arms fire on an unnamed height in Khankendi district.

Victim Yusif Veysov stated that in Chanagchi village, Khojaly district, he suffered shrapnel wounds to the kneecap when a mortar shell fired by remnants of Armenian armed forces and illegal groups exploded nearby.

Victim Rahib Mammadov, answering questions from state prosecutor Fuad Musayev, said that in Zangezur district, due to an enemy hand grenade explosion, Farid Mehbaliyev and Tabriz Rahimov were killed, while he, Ibrahim Mayilli, Seymur Hasanov, and several others whose names he does not currently recall were injured.

Togrul Najafli emphasized that in Zangezur district, due to enemy provocation, he and several others were injured, while Farid Rustamov, Farid Mehbaliyev, and Tabriz Rahimov were killed.

Answering questions from state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, victim Faiq Jafarov noted that in Lachin district, due to an enemy mortar shell explosion, he and several others were injured, while several more were killed.

Victim Emin Mammadov, responding to questions from Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev, said that in Lachin district, due to an enemy hand grenade explosion, Ali Aliyev was killed, while he, Tural Aghjabayov, Gabil Mammadov, and several others whose names he does not recall suffered various bodily injuries.

Ramazan Mahammadov stated that in Khojavend district, due to an enemy artillery shell exploding nearby, he and several others were injured.

Victims Seyran Eminov, Vuqar Mammadov, Tural Bagirov, Narmaddin Guliyev, Ali Rustamov, Ahmad Ibrahimov, Tural Imamguliyev, Saleh Ismayilov, Asif Mammadov, Ariz Hashimov, Vidadi Khaniyev, and Nazir Gulaliyev reported being injured due to enemy provocations in Kalbajar district.

Gulu Guliyev, Boyukaga Hasanov, and Sakhavat Guliyev stated they were injured in Lachin district; Seymur Hasanov, Asif Mammadov, and Ugur Shukurlu in Zangezur district due to enemy provocations.

Subsequently, Ibad Ismayilov, Ilkin Rahimov, and Elmir Beydullayev stated they were injured in Khojavend district; Aykhan Abdullayev near Isa Spring in Shusha city; Gunduz Gurbanov in Khalfali village, Shusha district; Rafael Salimov in Aghdam district; and Hijran Sultanov in Aghdara district due to provocations by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal armed groups.

Documents from the criminal case materials collected during the preliminary investigation were also announced in court, and evidence was examined.

The next court session is scheduled for November 18.

Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).

As part of his official visit to Algeria, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov was received by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the current state and future prospects of bilateral relations, highlighting their foundation of friendship and mutual respect.

Both parties expressed mutual interest in deepening political dialogue and expanding cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economy, education, humanitarian affairs, energy, transport, agriculture, tourism, and science and technology.

They emphasized that the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Governments of Azerbaijan and Algeria marks a key step toward advancing bilateral relations.

Discussions also underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation within international and regional organizations, such as the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement. Both sides praised Azerbaijan’s initiatives and leadership during its chairmanship of major international platforms, noting their contribution to global dialogue and regional stability.

Minister Bayramov informed President Tebboune about the history of Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan, the country’s vision for lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus, and the ongoing reconstruction and restoration efforts in the liberated territories.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to broadening their partnership on multiple fronts.

Azerbaijan has nominated its candidate for the position of Deputy Chair of the International Telecommunication Union’s Development Sector (ITU-D) Study Group 1 for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region.

According to Azernews, the nomination was made by Azercosmos, the country’s Space Agency. The position will be represented by Ilgar Abdullayev, Adviser on Space Law to the Chairman of the Azercosmos Board.

The election of the new composition of the ITU-D Study Groups will take place in November 2025 in Baku, during the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25). The process will be held in accordance with Article 20 of the ITU Constitution.

The upcoming conference will serve as an important global platform for member states to discuss research outcomes and recommendations related to digital development, connectivity, and innovation.

ITU-D Study Groups play a critical role in advancing global progress in telecommunications and communication technologies. They focus on exploring emerging technologies and addressing contemporary challenges in the telecommunications sector – from digital inclusion to infrastructure development.

Azerbaijan’s growing engagement within the ITU framework underscores the country’s ambition to become a regional digital hub and a key contributor to international telecommunications policy.

Korean streaming platform Tving is set to launch a dedicated content hub on Disney+ in Japan as part of a strategic partnership with the U.S. entertainment giant, Azernews reports, citing Korean media.

The collection, titled ‘Tving Collection,’ will go live on Wednesday within the Japanese version of Disney+ and will feature original Tving series such as Dear X, alongside hit titles from its parent company CJ ENM, Tving announced on Tuesday.

The launch marks the first time Disney+ has opened an internal content hub in the Asia-Pacific region for an external brand. Tving hopes to leverage Disney+’s established presence in Japan to reduce market entry risks and reach a broader audience.

‘As a local streaming service with the largest library of Korean content, we see this as a valuable opportunity to showcase Tving’s brand power in Japan,’ said Tving CEO Choi Ju-hui at a partnership event on Tuesday.

The collaboration also gives Disney+ a chance to differentiate itself in Japan’s competitive streaming market through popular Korean content.

‘We plan to expand our lineup by combining Tving’s compelling Korean storytelling with Disney+’s blockbusters and local hits,’ said Tamotsu Hiiro, Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Japan.

Tving has accelerated its global expansion this year, as domestic growth has slowed. Annual growth in South Korean streaming subscribers has hovered around 5% since 2020, according to the Korea Information Society Development Institute. The Korean market, currently valued at roughly 6 trillion won ($4.1 billion), is projected to plateau over the next three to four years.

Facing continued dominance by Netflix in Korea, Tving is increasingly turning to international markets for growth. Last month, the platform expanded into 17 Asia-Pacific regions, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, through a partnership with Warner Bros.’ global streaming platform HBO Max.

By combining Tving’s Korean content with Disney+’s global reach, this partnership could help accelerate the ‘K-wave’ in Japan, introducing a new generation of viewers to K-dramas and original series. Analysts predict that such collaborations could make Korean content a key differentiator for streaming platforms across Asia-Pacific in the coming years.

Those who grew up in the early 2000s surely remember The Rasmus, the Finnish rock band that defined a generation with hits like “In the Shadows,” “Livin’ in a World Without You”.

Teenagers everywhere sang along, air-guitars in hand, to the hits that topped the charts and played endlessly on MTV.

Even years later, their songs still bring back vivid memories of adolescence and school days. For many, The Rasmus remains a symbol of 2000s nostalgia.

The Rasmus, formed in 1994 in Helsinki, has long been recognized for their unique blend of alternative rock and gothic tones. Over the years, they built a reputation for creating powerful, memorable songs that combine dark atmospheres with catchy melodies. Their global breakthrough came with the 2003 album “Dead Letters”, which sold over two million copies worldwide and set records for Finnish music royalties abroad.

Finally, after years of anticipation, Finnish rock band took the stage in Baku for the very first time.

The concert at the Heydar Aliyev Palace was brimming with energy as the audience sang along to the old hits like “In the Shadows”, “Livin’ in a World Without You”, and “Jezebel”.

Songs from the band’s new album “Weirdo” were also met with great enthusiasm and interest throughout the concert.

As band members Emppu Suhonen and Eero Heinonen previously shared in an interview with AZERNEWS, The Rasmus’ latest album, “Weirdo”, is musically a bit harder and heavier. With so many difficult things happening in the world right now, they wanted to create a rock album that reflected the times.

They worked closely with acclaimed producers Desmond Child and Marti Frederiksen to craft the sound. In the final phase of production, Joseph McQueen contributed additional rock and metal elements to complete the album

Fans filled the hall with lively cheers, hand-waving, and dancing, following Lauri’s lead through every song.

The moment The Rasmus struck the first chord, the hall seemed to breathe with them.

Lights twisted and danced like flames, projections painted the walls with color and motion, and the band moved with a presence that made the air itself feel electric.

By the night’s end, it was obvious this was just the beginning. With the band promising a return, Azerbaijani fans left buzzing with excitement, already looking forward to the next chance to see them live.

As a result of continuous monitoring of government information systems conducted by the Special Communication and Information Security State Service (SCISS), 52 indicators of compromise (IOCs) linked to cyberattacks have been identified and centrally blocked.

According to Azernews, the SCISS reported that of these cyber threats, 31 were detected through internal investigations, while 21 were identified based on reports received from various government agencies.

It should be noted that the Special Communication and Information Security State Service of Azerbaijan is responsible for ensuring the cybersecurity and information protection of state institutions. The agency conducts regular monitoring of government digital infrastructure to detect and prevent cyber threats, unauthorized access, and data breaches.

In recent years, as global cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated, the Service has intensified its efforts to strengthen cybersecurity resilience across Azerbaijan’s public sector.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation of heads of member institutions of the Arab Coordination Group on November 5, Azernews reports.

The delegation included Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group; Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of the OPEC Fund; Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX); Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development; and Waleed Al-Bahar, Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.

President Ilham Aliyev highly appreciated the intention of the member institutions of the Arab Coordination Group to support projects related to the development of social infrastructure in Azerbaijan, particularly at a time when the country is carrying out large-scale restoration and construction works in Garabagh and East Zangezur. The head of state emphasized that these initiatives further expand the fraternal and friendly relations with the financial institutions, as well as with the countries and peoples they represent.

Noting that major infrastructure projects in Azerbaijan have already been completed, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the implementation of state programs in water supply, transport, and other areas, and stressed that new state programs in various directions will also be adopted in the future.

On behalf of the delegation, Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser expressed gratitude to the head of state for the reception and shared his deep impressions of his visit to the liberated Garabagh, including the city of Shusha, praising the large-scale reconstruction efforts underway.

During the conversation, the sides hailed the successful and fruitful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the member institutions of the Arab Coordination Group, discussed the favorable investment and business environment in the country, and exchanged views on prospects for future cooperation and the implementation of joint projects.

The ‘Joy of Victory’ literary-musical evening marking the fifth anniversary of the historic victory in the Patriotic War was held at the Baku Book Center, bringing together renowned scientific, cultural, and public figures.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, and Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center, attended the event.

The event commenced with the observing of a minute of silence to honor the sacred memory of martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and territorial integrity of the Motherland.

Addressing the event, Gunel Rzayeva, Director of the Baku Book Center, noted that the heroism of the martyrs has always been a source of pride for the Azerbaijani people. She described the liberation of the Azerbaijani territories from nearly thirty years of enemy occupation by the valiant Azerbaijani Army led by Azerbaijani President, Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, as well as the restoration of the country’s territorial integrity, as the most glorious page in the history of the independent Azerbaijani statehood.

In his remarks, Ilgar Fahmi, Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers Union, highlighted the moral significance of the Victory claimed in the Patriotic War for the Azerbaijani people, and the exemplary role of valiance and heroism of the martyrs for future generations.

Other speakers included Ali Nur, Azerbaijani People’s Artist, and father of martyr Rovshan Nurzada; Fatima Ismayilova, wife of unit commander of the Azerbaijan Special Forces, martyred warrant officer, Hero of the Patriotic War Jamal Ismayilov; and Malayka Majidova, mother of martyred Major Elchin Mansurov, Hero of the Patriotic War.

The artistic program followed featuring the Azerbaijani folk songs and composers’ pieces performed by the soloists of the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra after Gara Garayev, operating under the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall after Muslim Magomayev, and the Choir of the International Mugham Center after Jahangir Jahangirov.

The event also featured the screening of a video highlighting heroic scenes of the Azerbaijani Army during the 44-day Patriotic War, images of the liberated cities and villages, as well as the perpetuation of the memory of the martyrs.

“Our language is ancient and rich – the mother tongue of over 50 million people – and needs no foreign borrowings. True, there is an international lexicon, and we all use it. But if there is an old word in the Azerbaijani language, why replace it with a word from another language?”

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev touched upon a very sensitive point while speaking at the conference dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. This point, in fact, subtly reflects the depth of our language, its historical essence, and our national identity.

Every nation lives through its language. Language is not merely a means of communication; it is the very essence of a people’s identity, their collective memory, and their soul. If a nation’s language dies, the nation itself inevitably fades from history, no matter how powerful or developed it once was. The fate of the Latins, once the creators of the mighty Roman Empire and the cradle of Western civilisation, is the most vivid reminder of this truth. Their empire’s glory still echoes, but the Latin nation no longer exists.

The Azerbaijani language, however, has withstood the test of time. It is one of the richest and oldest languages of the East, a language that once served as one of the region’s three lingua francas, alongside Persian and Arabic. Despite centuries of struggle against the dominance of these languages, Azerbaijani never disappeared. It remained alive through the pens of great poets such as Fuzuli, Nasimi, and Khagani, who raised Azerbaijani literature to the level of the finest Eastern classics. When one thinks of Eastern literature and culture today, it is impossible to do so without recalling these names – and their works in the Azerbaijani tongue.

Yet history has not always been kind to our language. The 19th century brought calamity when Northern Azerbaijan was occupied by Tsarist Russia. The spread of modernism across the world, coupled with the fall of the Qajar dynasty in Iran, the last Azerbaijani rulers of Southern Azerbaijan, dealt a heavy blow to the language’s natural development. For a while, it seemed as if Azerbaijani would sink into oblivion.

Then came the 1950s – a turning point. For the first time, the Soviet Azerbaijani Constitution recognised Azerbaijani as the state language. This landmark decision, achieved through the tireless efforts of Mirza Ibrahimov and Imam Mustafayev, gave new life to a language that had long been in a coma. However, Moscow was not pleased. In the 1970s, the Soviet centre tried to remove this article from the Constitution. But Azerbaijan’s then-leader, Heydar Aliyev, resisted firmly. His political will and determination forced Moscow to retreat, and as a result, the Azerbaijani language began to flourish once again in schools, in literature, and in the hearts of the people.

Regrettably, the language faced another existential threat decades later; this time, not from Moscow, but from within. In the early years of independence, certain figures who came to power by chance tried to rename the language and even advocated for the removal of specific sounds from the alphabet. These attempts were not mere linguistic proposals; they were efforts to separate the nation from its cultural roots. Once again, it was Heydar Aliyev’s decisive intervention that saved the language. He brought together experts and linguists on national television to debate the issue openly. In those discussions, his deep understanding of linguistics became clear. Those who sought to undermine Azerbaijani identity were left without words before his arguments.

Today, the Azerbaijani language moves forward with the same confidence as the Azerbaijani state itself. Yet, as President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly reminded, the duty to protect the language never ends. ‘However, we, the independent Azerbaijani state, are the guardians of the pure and literary Azerbaijani language.’

Indeed, the challenge today is no longer survival, but purity. In a world dominated by globalization and digital communication, languages easily fall prey to unnecessary foreign borrowings. President Aliyev has warned against this trend, noting that ‘our literary language in some places is getting lost among Azerbaijanis living in other countries. It is used more as a household language and is full of foreign words. But if we do not protect our language, if we do not keep our language clean and pure, then we can eventually lose it.’

This warning should resonate deeply. The preservation of language purity is not an abstract task for linguists – it is a matter of national identity. The President underscored this truth when he said, ‘For every nation, the mother tongue is the core of national identity, and all public figures and society as a whole must act in unity to protect it.’ In other words, the future of Azerbaijan depends on the collective consciousness of its speakers, writers, scientists, politicians, and ordinary citizens alike.

The richness of Azerbaijani lies not only in its vocabulary but also in its history – a history of survival, of cultural defiance, and of renewal. There is no need, as the President rightly observed, to replace ancient native words with foreign ones. ‘If there is an old word in the Azerbaijani language, why replace it with a word from another language? This is either a mistake or a provocation. Both are unacceptable.’

Today, the Azerbaijani state, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, continues to strengthen not only its political and economic sovereignty but also its linguistic sovereignty. New schools, universities, and media institutions play a vital role in ensuring that the younger generation speaks and writes in pure Azerbaijani.

Languages, like nations, live only when they evolve yet remain faithful to their roots. The Azerbaijani language, having survived empires, occupations, and ideological pressures, is now entering a new era – one of global presence and national pride. But as history teaches us, survival alone is not enough. The soul of a nation must remain untainted, and that begins with the words we speak.

As President Ilham Aliyev declared, ‘The preservation of the purity of the Azerbaijani language should be the duty of every Azerbaijani citizen. if we, as a people, as a nation, do not protect our language, our national identity may slowly be undermined.’ These words are not merely an appeal; they are a national commandment. For in the end, as long as our language lives, Azerbaijan will live – free, proud, and eternal.