Category: Azer News

First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva provided support to Honored Journalist of Azerbaijan Tofigakhanim Kasimova, who is suffering from cancer.

Tofigakhanum Kasimova, better known by her pseudonym Nurani, is currently in a coma.

Over the years, Nurani’s work has been published in dozens of Azerbaijani and international media outlets. Her main areas of focus are geopolitics, political processes, and issues related to the South Caucasus.

Participants of the “Azerbaijani Culture Summer School” project have completed their visit to the Karabakh region, where they explored key cultural, educational, and historical sites in Khankandi, AzerNEWS reports.

The initiative aims to introduce participants to Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, post-war reconstruction efforts, and the region’s renewed role in education and development.

The project, organized on the initiative of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijan Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev, operating under the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan, included a visit to Karabakh University.

During the visit, participants learned about the university’s activities and modern educational infrastructure.

They were informed that, established by a decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Karabakh University is the first state higher education institution founded in the liberated territories.

Officials highlighted that the university’s mission is to train highly qualified specialists for the region, promote scientific research, and support Khankandi’s transformation into a major center of education and innovation.

The participants also visited Victory Park, a landmark reflecting Azerbaijan’s restoration of territorial integrity and the historic victory in the 44-day Patriotic War.

They received information about the course of the war, the liberation of Azerbaijani cities and settlements, and the restoration of national sovereignty.

The park was presented as not only a symbol of victory and remembrance but also as a representation of Khankandi’s revival, the return of peaceful life, and the extensive reconstruction projects underway across Karabakh.

The next stop of the “Azerbaijani Culture Summer School” participants will be Baku.

Azerbaijan is taking new steps to strengthen the professional capacity of its cultural institutions and expand its role in international cultural dialogue, AzerNEWS reports.

As part of the Concept, a professional training program titled “State Protocol and International Cultural Cooperation” has been conducted for employees of the Culture Ministry to support the development of human capital and strengthen institutional capacity.

The training program consisted of three modules and 12 sessions covering topics such as the fundamentals of state protocol, diplomatic etiquette, the organization of international events, cultural diplomacy, cooperation with UNESCO, and the practical application of international protocol.

The training was delivered by diplomat and expert Fikrat Pashayev.

Its purpose was to enhance the Ministry of Culture employees’ knowledge and skills in the fields of state protocol and international cooperation, as well as to strengthen their professional approach to organizing international events.

On January 14, 2026, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev approved the “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Cultural Concept, a comprehensive long-term strategy designed to shape the country’s cultural development over the next 15 years

The initiative is aimed at harmonizing cultural traditions with modern approaches, safeguarding Azerbaijan’s national identity while supporting sustainable growth and strengthening the country’s cultural influence internationally.

The Concept outlines a vision for a modern cultural framework based on national and moral values, with a focus on ensuring systematic and sustainable progress across various cultural fields. Special attention is given to the Azerbaijani language, with measures planned to expand its role in cultural life, support its further development, and increase its recognition worldwide.

The strategy includes coordinated efforts to promote the Azerbaijani language as a dynamic means of communication and creative expression. Expected outcomes include the advancement of Azerbaijani literary language, the creation of new cultural and intellectual works, and wider use of Azerbaijani in digital spaces.

The Concept also emphasizes the importance of promoting the language internationally to strengthen its position in global communication. It aims to improve both the volume and quality of scientific, media, and literary content produced in Azerbaijani, ensuring its continued relevance as a cultural and intellectual resource.

Implemented under the coordination of the Ministry of Culture, the “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Concept will be carried out in three phases: 2026-2030, 2031-2035, and 2036-2040. Each stage includes specific goals and institutional measures designed to guide the country’s cultural development.

The Turkic World Week was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from June 29 to July 3 to mark the commemorate the 100th anniversary of the historic First Turkological Congress.

The event was organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), and the Ministry of Science and Education, in cooperation with the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), TURKSOY, Baku State University, the Turkic Academy, and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.

The week-long program gathered officials, representatives of international organizations, scholars, and cultural figures to commemorate the lasting significance of the First Turkological Congress, held in Baku in 1926.

The events highlighted the common cultural heritage of Turkic peoples, promoted humanitarian ties, and supported the development of new scholarly initiatives throughout the Turkic world.

A major achievement of the program was the adoption of the Khankandi Declaration, a document that sets out future directions for cooperation among Turkic states in areas such as science, education, language, culture, and the preservation of shared historical heritage.

The declaration also reaffirmed the commitment to the values and principles introduced at the First Turkological Congress.

Pakistan-based English-language news outlet Dispatch News Desk (DND) has published an analytical article examining the outcomes of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum, describing the event as an important platform for addressing the evolving role of media in an increasingly complex information environment.

In the article, the author argues that the forum demonstrated how journalism is being reshaped by rapid technological advances, particularly the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the spread of disinformation. According to the publication, participants stressed that media organizations must adapt to these challenges while preserving professional ethics, credibility and public trust.

The analysis also highlights discussions on the responsibility of journalists in an era of digital transformation, noting that the widespread use of AI-powered tools has created new opportunities for content production but has also increased the risks associated with misinformation and manipulated content. The publication suggests that these developments require stronger international cooperation and more effective mechanisms for verifying information.

The article further points to President Ilham Aliyev’s participation in the forum, saying his remarks focused on regional developments, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy priorities, transport connectivity and the country’s post-conflict reconstruction efforts. According to DND, the President’s address provided participants with broader insights into the geopolitical dynamics of the South Caucasus and Azerbaijan’s vision for regional cooperation.

The publication concludes that the Shusha Global Media Forum has evolved beyond a traditional gathering of journalists into an international platform where media professionals, policymakers and experts exchange views on the future of journalism, technological innovation and the growing importance of reliable information in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Participants of the “Azerbaijani Culture Summer School” project have completed their visit to the Karabakh region, where they explored key cultural, educational, and historical sites in Khankandi, AzerNEWS reports.

The initiative aims to introduce participants to Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, post-war reconstruction efforts, and the region’s renewed role in education and development.

The project, organized on the initiative of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijan Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev, operating under the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan, included a visit to Karabakh University.

During the visit, participants learned about the university’s activities and modern educational infrastructure.

They were informed that, established by a decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Karabakh University is the first state higher education institution founded in the liberated territories.

Officials highlighted that the university’s mission is to train highly qualified specialists for the region, promote scientific research, and support Khankandi’s transformation into a major center of education and innovation.

The participants also visited Victory Park, a landmark reflecting Azerbaijan’s restoration of territorial integrity and the historic victory in the 44-day Patriotic War.

They received information about the course of the war, the liberation of Azerbaijani cities and settlements, and the restoration of national sovereignty.

The park was presented as not only a symbol of victory and remembrance but also as a representation of Khankandi’s revival, the return of peaceful life, and the extensive reconstruction projects underway across Karabakh.

The next stop of the “Azerbaijani Culture Summer School” participants will be Baku.

The winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will become the first team in football history to receive a unique championship award, AzerNEWS reports.

For the first time ever, championship rings will be presented at a FIFA World Cup tournament. The tradition is well known in major American sports leagues, and its introduction at the 2026 World Cup is especially symbolic because the tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A limited edition of 2,026 championship rings will be produced, with each ring featuring an individual serial number as a tribute to the year of the tournament. Thirty rings will be presented to the players and coaching staff of the winning team, while the remaining 1,996 rings will be available for purchase worldwide as official FIFA-licensed memorabilia.

The design of the rings will include the image of the World Cup trophy on one side and the winning team’s emblem on the other. Each ring will be individually numbered, customized to size, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Immediately after the final whistle, the captain and head coach of the champions will receive temporary commemorative rings. The official championship rings for all 30 members of the winning team will then be specially produced, with the award ceremony taking place once they are completed.

The introduction of championship rings marks a new chapter in World Cup traditions and brings the tournament closer to the culture of American professional sports, where such awards have become symbols of legacy and victory.

In the 2026 World Cup final, Spain and Argentina will compete for the title. The decisive match will be held on July 19 at the stadium in New Jersey and will begin at 23:00 Baku time.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it carried out a strike against a U.S. command center near the town of Al-Tanf in southern Syria, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a statement cited by the Iranian news agency Mehr, the attack destroyed a radar system and several specialized helicopters at the facility.

The IRGC also stated that Iran continues to maintain “full control” over the Strait of Hormuz, describing the strategic waterway as remaining under the control of Iranian forces.

Separately, Iranian media reported that the United States launched a missile strike on Iran’s Iranshahr Airport using fighter aircraft. According to Tasnim News Agency, three explosions were heard in the area.

No information has yet been released regarding possible casualties or damage to the airport’s infrastructure.

Paraguayan politician and businessman Rolando Segovia Páez has called for closer cooperation between Azerbaijan and Paraguay during his first official visit to Baku, emphasizing the untapped potential for expanding bilateral relations in trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange, AzerNEWS reports.

During his visit, Segovia Páez expressed support for establishing an Honorary Consulate of Azerbaijan in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay’s second-largest city and the economic center of the strategically important Triple Frontier region shared with Brazil and Argentina. According to him, such a diplomatic presence would contribute to raising Azerbaijan’s profile in Latin America while creating new opportunities for business cooperation and people-to-people contacts.

He noted that Ciudad del Este serves as one of Paraguay’s principal commercial hubs, making it well positioned to facilitate economic and investment partnerships between the two countries. Segovia Páez also stressed the importance of promoting academic and cultural cooperation, including initiatives that introduce Azerbaijan’s history, culture, tourism potential, and economic achievements to wider audiences in South America.

As part of his visit, Segovia Páez attended the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum, where he joined media representatives, policymakers, and experts from dozens of countries in discussions on the evolving global information landscape. He praised Azerbaijan for hosting the international event, describing the forum as an important platform for dialogue, the exchange of ideas, and strengthening cooperation among media professionals from different regions.

Segovia Páez also commended Azerbaijan’s growing international role, highlighting the country’s efforts to promote regional connectivity, intercultural dialogue, and balanced international engagement.

The visit reflects growing interest in expanding contacts between Azerbaijan and Latin America, with both sides exploring new avenues for cooperation across economic, educational, and cultural sectors.

American payment company Stripe and private equity firm Advent International are reportedly considering a joint acquisition of PayPal in a deal valued at more than $53 billion. If completed, the merger would create the world’s largest digital payments operator, with an annual payment volume of approximately $1.9 trillion, AzerNEWS reports.

According to sources, the companies submitted a preliminary proposal earlier in July to acquire PayPal on an equal ownership basis. The offer values PayPal shares at $60.50 each, representing a 28% premium over the company’s most recent closing stock price.

Founded in the late 1990s, PayPal was one of the pioneers of the digital payments industry. However, in recent years the company has experienced slower growth and increasing competition from services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other emerging fintech platforms. As a result, PayPal’s market capitalization has fallen to around $36 billion, nearly ten times lower than its peak five years ago.

Despite these challenges, PayPal still serves more than 430 million active customer accounts worldwide. For Stripe, which has traditionally focused on merchants and online businesses, acquiring PayPal would provide direct access to a massive global consumer base while significantly strengthening its position in the digital payments market.

Industry analysts believe that, if finalized, the transaction could become one of the largest deals in fintech history. The combined company would be better positioned to compete with major technology firms, accelerate innovation in digital payments, and expand its range of financial services for both businesses and consumers.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Sok Chea, the newly appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to Azerbaijan, on July 17.

The ambassador presented his credentials to the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev held a conversation with the diplomat.

President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to bilateral relations and mutual support with Cambodia, as well as to active contacts at the level of both governments and ruling parties. Emphasizing the importance of elevating cooperation beyond the political sphere to include the economy and investment, the head of state noted that Azerbaijan and Cambodia are friendly nations.

Expressing his gratitude for the warm reception, Ambassador Sok Chea conveyed the greetings of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia and Prime Minister Hun Manet to President Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state expressed his appreciation for the greetings and asked the ambassador to convey his best regards to the King and the Prime Minister of Cambodia.

The ambassador emphasized that Cambodia highly values its friendly relations with Azerbaijan. He noted that despite the geographical distance between the two nations, Azerbaijan and Cambodia share identical positions on key global issues, including sustainable development, international peace, and stability.

Highlighting the strong potential for strengthening bilateral cooperation, the ambassador pledged to spare no effort to expand ties in trade, tourism, culture, and people-to-people contacts.

During the meeting, the sides praised the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Cambodia within various international organizations.

They also expressed hope that the expected visit of Cambodia’s Prime Minister to Azerbaijan will create excellent opportunities to further expand bilateral relations.