Category: Azer News

An evening dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the birth of Mobil Ahmadov, a prominent representative of Azerbaijan’s vocal school, People’s Artist and professor, has been held at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre.

The concert, titled “Following My Teacher’s Path. Operetta Pearls,” paid tribute to the artistic legacy of the distinguished master, whose name holds a special place in the history of Azerbaijan’s national musical art.

The event was initiated by Honored Artist and renowned opera singer Ramil Gasimov, a worthy successor to Mobil Ahmadov’s artistic traditions, together with the staff of the Musical Theatre.

The concert was directed by Honored Art Worker Hafiz Guliyev, with Honored Art Worker Fakhraddin Atayev as conductor and Honored Artist Vagif Mastanov as choirmaster.

Deputy Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament and academician Rafael Huseynov and Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament’s Culture Committee, People’s Artist Polad Bulbuloglu, spoke about Mobil Ahmadov’s life and artistic career, his major contribution to the development of Azerbaijani culture, and shared personal memories of the distinguished singer and educator.

The programme featured performances by Honored Artists Nargiz Karimova, Saida Sharifaliyeva and Elbar Aliyev, vocalists Eleonora Mustafayeva and Aydan Hasanli, as well as the theatre’s choir.

The programme included arias and duets from works by prominent Azerbaijani composers, including Tofig Guliyev, Arif Melikov, Haji Khanmammadov, Vasif Adigozalov, Jahangir Jahangirov, Said Rustamov, Ramiz Mustafayev, Suleyman Alasgarov, Azer Rzayev, Ashraf Abbasov, Polad Bulbuloglu and other masters of national music.

Each performance served as a musical tribute to Mobil Ahmadov, an artist who, over decades, made a significant contribution to the development of vocal art in Azerbaijan through his voice, artistry and teaching.

The anniversary concert, which brought together representatives of different generations of Azerbaijan’s musical community on one stage, was warmly received by the audience and repeatedly met with applause.

At the end of the evening, Mobil Ahmadov’s daughter expressed her gratitude to the organizers and all the participants for honoring her father’s memory and helping preserve his rich artistic legacy.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday that the alliance has “all the response options we need” for Russia’s hybrid attacks, noting that not all reactions will be disclosed.

He also stressed that the response will not always be “tit for tat” and that supporting Ukraine also strengthens NATO against Russia.

“Putin knows very well that he will not be able to divide us,” Rutte said. He repeated that NATO’s reaction to Russia’s attacks will “always be more support for Ukraine.” Turning to spending targets, he defended the alliance’s increase from 3.5% to 5%, arguing that it will require both traditional defense elements and new technologies, including drones and artificial intelligence.

The Azerbaijan group of the ‘Peace Bridge’ Initiative expresses its deep disappointment at the biased attitude displayed by Armenian media and the unacceptable tone of public discussions surrounding the diplomatic corps’ visit to Azerbaijan’s Garabagh and East Zangezur regions on September 11-12, 2026.

First and foremost, the diplomatic corps’ visit to the sovereign territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan cannot, in itself, be a subject of dispute. Of particular concern are the hostile statements directed at ambassadors and states for participating in the visit. Such statements contradict Armenia’s commitment to recognise Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are currently in the post-conflict phase, and both countries face the important responsibility of addressing the consequences of decades of confrontation. As part of peace initiatives, we, as representatives of civil society, are taking steps with the support of the governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia to support the peace process, promote dialogue and contribute to confidence-building measures.

The cultural heritage located on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan belongs to the Azerbaijani people and is protected by the state.

To ensure justice, cultural heritage should be discussed on the basis of the principles of reciprocity and open dialogue. To achieve these objectives, representatives of civil society have established a platform for professional discussions on issues that form an integral part of the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The peace process must not be allowed to come under pressure from revanchist forces, as this could seriously jeopardise progress towards peace. We call on Armenian society to demonstrate restraint for this purpose and not to give impetus to the malicious agendas of certain individuals in Armenia and beyond its borders.

Farhad Mammadov

Kamala Mammadova

Rusif Huseynov

Dilara Afandiyeva

More than 200,000 bee colonies have been relocated to Azerbaijan’s liberated territories as beekeeping activity expands in the region, Agriculture Minister Majnun Mammadov said.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the second Honey Festival in Kalbajar, Mammadov said the number of bee colonies in Azerbaijan has increased in recent years.

The country currently has more than 30,000 beekeepers and nearly 800,000 bee colonies, he said.

According to the minister, beekeeping has deep-rooted traditions in Kalbajar, while the government is providing support to residents returning to the liberated territories to engage in beekeeping.

Mammadov also highlighted the growing commercial potential of Azerbaijan’s beekeeping sector.

He said 83.5 tonnes of beekeeping products were sold at last year’s 25th Republican Exhibition and Fair of Beekeeping Products.

The fair, organised by Agrarian Supply and Procurement under the Ministry of Agriculture, brought together nearly 300 beekeeping farmers from more than 30 regions of Azerbaijan.

Beekeepers were also supported with the packaging and branding of their products, Mammadov said, adding that such initiatives are important for strengthening the presentation of beekeeping products on the domestic market and expanding export opportunities in the future.

He noted that the branded presentation of products displayed at the Kalbajar festival demonstrates the results of work in this area.

Meanwhile, more than 3,000 hectares of agricultural land in the liberated territories are currently being cultivated using modern irrigation systems, the minister said.

He said the use of modern irrigation technologies is being expanded through state support and incentive mechanisms, contributing significantly to higher agricultural productivity.

The allocation of land plots to residents resettled in villages is also continuing. Mammadov said an announcement had been issued concerning the allocation of land in three villages in Aghdam, with applications to be accepted until October 1.

Construction of three new residential districts in Kalbajar city is scheduled to begin next year as restoration and reconstruction efforts continue in the liberated region.

Bashir Hajiyev, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Kalbajar district, told journalists that the projects for the new residential districts have been completed and are currently at the expert review stage.

According to Hajiyev, the second residential district will comprise 182 apartments, while the third and fourth districts will include 476 and 807 apartments respectively.

The new residential areas will be provided with water, gas, electricity and high-speed internet infrastructure.

Hajiyev also said that the design of Kalbajar city park has been completed and construction is expected to begin next year. The design of an administrative building in the city is also planned.

He stressed that restoration and reconstruction work in Kalbajar is progressing in stages, with particular attention being paid to technical issues during the implementation of new projects.

The return of Kalbajar residents to the city is also continuing in stages. Hajiyev said that 162 families are currently settled in the city.

Meanwhile, construction work in Zar village of Kalbajar district is nearing completion, with the resettlement of residents expected to begin soon.

A total of 547 individual houses, a 100-place kindergarten and a school with capacity for 528 pupils have been built in the village.

Hajiyev said the resettlement process would begin once construction work has been fully completed.

‘The original residents of the village will return to their ancestral lands, live there and work there,’ he said.

Iran has presented the United States with seven conditions through intermediaries, saying that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on their fulfillment.

According to Tasnim, Iran has sent seven conditions to the United States through intermediaries for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Thus, the strait will remain closed until all seven conditions, approved by Iran’s highest authorities, are fulfilled. Therefore, the agreement reached between Iran and Oman does not mean that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened.

It was noted that reopening the strait depends entirely on steps to be taken by Washington.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, holding significant strategic importance as approximately 20% of global oil supplies and around 25% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through it. Essentially, it serves as an energy artery for countries in Asia, Europe, and even the United States.

The strait separates Iran from Oman, and in some areas, the width of the shipping channel is only two miles on each side. Given its critical role in global energy supply chains, ensuring the safety and security of this vital waterway is paramount for international trade and economic stability.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has confirmed his invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit Kazakhstan.

According to Akorda, the Kazakh president met with Sergio Gor, the US president’s special envoy for South and Central Asia, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

At the beginning of the meeting, Gor handed Tokayev a letter from Trump congratulating Kazakhstan on the upcoming 35th anniversary of its independence.

Tokayev thanked the US president for his warm wishes and reaffirmed his invitation for Trump to visit Kazakhstan.

The Kazakh president noted that the expanded strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States was developing dynamically and stressed the importance of further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

“I am currently preparing to attend the G20 Summit in Miami. I think this will also be a good opportunity to discuss issues on the bilateral agenda. We prefer concrete work and practical steps to nice words when it comes to developing our cooperation,” Tokayev added.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure were contributing to a diesel shortage.

Speaking to reporters while attending the Irish Open at his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Trump was asked whether he had spoken with Zelenskyy following his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump responded by calling on the Ukrainian leader to stop targeting Russian diesel production.

‘Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,’ Trump said. ‘Let him go after targets but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel fuel.’

Ukraine has increasingly used long-range drones to strike Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure, arguing that the facilities help finance Moscow’s war effort and supply fuel for its military.

Trump’s comments come as Russia and Ukraine continue to exchange large-scale overnight drone attacks, with strikes reported on both sides.

Two people were killed in Russia’s Tatarstan on Sunday after Ukrainian drones struck the city of Nizhnekamsk, according to regional authorities. Fourteen others were reportedly injured.

At the same time, Ukrainian authorities reported Russian drone attacks on the Black Sea port of Odesa and areas near Ukraine’s border with Poland.

The latest attacks come amid an intensifying Russian air campaign against Ukraine. Moscow has increasingly relied on drones and missiles to strike Ukrainian infrastructure, including energy facilities, while Kyiv has expanded its campaign against targets inside Russia.

The exchange of strikes has complicated diplomatic efforts to bring the war to an end, with Trump continuing to press both Moscow and Kyiv towards negotiations.

Trump’s latest comments specifically place pressure on Kyiv over its campaign against Russia’s energy infrastructure. His remarks suggest that Washington is increasingly concerned not only about the military consequences of Ukraine’s long-range strikes but also about their impact on Russia’s domestic fuel market.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has argued that Russia’s energy infrastructure remains a legitimate component of its war effort because it provides fuel and financial resources for Moscow’s military campaign.

The remarks came on the same day that Ukrainian officials reported Russian attacks close to the Polish border. Debris from a Russian drone reportedly caused a fire near the Yahodyn border crossing, while railway infrastructure in the area was also hit.

Poland scrambled fighter jets during the Russian aerial assault, underscoring the growing security concerns along NATO’s eastern flank.

The developments illustrate the increasingly complex nature of the war, with Russia continuing to strike Ukrainian cities and infrastructure while Ukraine seeks to extend the reach of its attacks against Russian military and energy targets.

Trump’s call for Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian refineries therefore adds a new point of tension to the US approach to the conflict, particularly as Washington seeks to push the two sides towards a negotiated settlement.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Syria today for talks with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said.

According to the ministry, the two-day visit will focus on efforts to ensure lasting peace, stability and prosperity in Syria, as well as strengthening bilateral ties.

Fidan and al-Shibani are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in trade, energy and transport, alongside broader efforts to deepen economic links between the two countries.

The talks are also expected to address Syria’s integration process, including the planned dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as well as efforts to strengthen Syria’s territorial integrity and state institutions.

The situation in southern Syria will also feature in the discussions, with the two sides expected to assess further steps aimed at improving the country’s security and stability.

The visit will last two days.

Yemeni government forces have carried out airstrikes against Houthi positions and military equipment and shot down five drones belonging to the group as fighting intensifies across the war-torn country.

The Yemeni Armed Forces’ media centre said on Sunday that military aircraft carried out three strikes against Houthi positions and barracks in Al-Taba Al-Sawda and Jabal Al-Munim on the Al-Dhabab front in southwestern Taiz province.

The army-affiliated September Net website separately reported that airstrikes targeted Houthi personnel, military equipment and vehicles in the coastal city of Dhubab and on northern fronts.

The strikes destroyed vehicles and weapons and killed Houthi fighters, the report said, without providing details on the number of casualties.

Meanwhile, the government-aligned Nation’s Shield Forces said its 6th Brigade had shot down five Houthi drones in the Al-Aghbara area on the Al-Wazi’iyah front west of Taiz during clashes.

The latest developments come amid significant shifts in territorial control in Yemen as fighting between government forces and the Houthis, which intensified in early July, continues to escalate.

The Houthis have claimed control of several districts in the western coastal provinces of Al-Hudaydah and Taiz, as well as Red Sea islands, including Mayyun Island near the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Government forces, meanwhile, have reported advances in the northern province of Al-Jawf near the Saudi border, saying their forces are moving towards the provincial capital, Al-Hazm.

Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and several provinces in September 2014.

A Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 in support of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, turning the conflict into a wider regional war.

The latest escalation highlights the continuing volatility of Yemen’s front lines, with competing forces seeking to consolidate territorial gains while fighting continues across several strategic areas.