Category: Azer News

A post has been shared on the social media accounts of President Ilham Aliyev regarding the passing of People’s Poet Nariman Hasanzada.

AzerNEWS presents the post: “The Azerbaijani cultural community has suffered a heavy loss. The prominent representative of modern Azerbaijani literature, Heydar Aliyev Prize laureate, recipient of the President’s personal pension, Honored Artist, People’s Poet Nariman Alimammad oglu Hasanzada passed away on August 1, 2026, at the age of 96.

Nariman Hasanzada was born on February 2, 1931, in the village of Poylu, Gazakh district. After completing secondary school, he studied at the Faculty of Language and Literature of the Hasan bey Zardabi Ganja State Pedagogical Institute from 1949 to 1953, and from 1957 to 1961 at the M. Gorky Literary Institute in Moscow.

Hasanzada completed his postgraduate studies at the Baku State University between 1962 and 1965, subsequently defending his dissertation to receive the Candidate of Sciences degree.

Nariman Hasanzada, who entered the postgraduate course of the Baku State University in 1962, graduated from postgraduate course in 1965, defended his dissertation and received the degree of Candidate of Sciences.

Nariman Hasanzada began his career in 1962, holding different positions at the “Azerbaijani Youth” newspaper, the “Azerbaijan” magazine, and the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Committee. Serving as the editor-in-chief of the “Literature and Art” newspaper from 1978 to 1991, he worked tirelessly to further enhance the newspaper’s influence across the literary and social environment.

From 1991 to 2001, Hasanzada served as the First Deputy Minister of Press and Information of the Republic of Azerbaijan, also taking the role of Acting Minister. From 2001 until his passing, he chaired the Department of Humanities at the National Aviation Academy.

Nariman Hasanzada, a great master of words, breathed new life into our literature from the moment he entered the world of poetry. Remaining faithful to the centuries-old bright traditions of national literature, the poet made an invaluable contribution to the poetic treasury of the Azerbaijani people with his unique style of expression. His works, centered on love for the homeland, feelings of national freedom, attachment to traditional values, and a call for spiritual enlightenment, have always kept him at the vanguard of the literary process.

Distinguished by their melancholy, sincerity, fluency, and naturalness, the poet’s works reflect the thoughts and feelings of our contemporaries. In his poems and verse plays, Nariman Hasanzada revived crucial historical events and great personalities of our past in the light of historical truth, illuminating them through the lens of deep patriotism and national statehood. These works, which celebrate the struggle and heroism of the Azerbaijani people, have been successfully staged in theaters, earning the heartfelt acclaim of audiences. Many songs have been composed to the verses of the poet, who has masterfully benefited from the inexhaustible possibilities of our language, and they remain deeply cherished and widely sung today.

Seamlessly intertwined with his literary career, the artist’s multifaceted activity as a scholar, educator, and public figure serves as a bright example of dedicated service to his homeland and people. Nariman Hasanzada was actively involved in the socio-political and cultural life of the republic, serving in various years as Director of the Azerbaijan branch of the USSR Literature Fund, as well as a Deputy of district and city councils and the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan (12th convocation).

Always approaching the processes taking place in the life of the country and society with a deep sense of citizenship, Nariman Hasanzada, devoted all his strength to the development of our culture, the preservation and perpetuation of our national and spiritual values.

Nariman Hasanzada’s long-standing and fruitful efforts in advancing Azerbaijani literature and culture have been highly appreciated, as he received the highest state awards of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan – the “Shohrat” (2001), “Sharaf” (2011) and “Istiglal” (2021), and in 2026 he was awarded the “Heydar Aliyev” order.

The bright memory of Nariman Alimammad oglu Hasanzada, an outstanding poet, playwright, and renowned public figure known for his warmth and humility, will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

May Allah rest his soul in peace!”

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced that it no longer has confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, AzerNEWS reports.

The statement was issued after media reports claimed that Infantino is considering the creation of a private entity that would take control of the commercial rights to FIFA’s flagship competitions.

UEFA added that the proposal had been “unanimously rejected” by its member associations as well as by “many other federations and confederations of all sizes around the world.”

UEFA thanked fans, leagues, clubs, players, national associations and confederations, as well as political leaders and commentators, for opposing the proposal.

“Football is not for sale,” it said.

The organization criticized the process behind the proposal, saying football “cannot keep going on like this with secret schemes on fast-track timescales, cooked up by faceless individuals and of dubious benefit to the game.”

On August 1, Azerbaijan celebrates the Day of Azerbaijani Alphabet and Language.

This significant occasion was established by a decree signed by National Leader Heydar Aliyev on August 9, 2001. The choice of August 1 was not accidental, as the Azerbaijan Alphabet Commission was established on this date in 1990.

Heydar Aliyev made significant contributions to protecting the Azerbaijani language. Back in 1977, when the USSR was adopting a new constitution, he strongly opposed the absence of a clause on state language and stood firm on the issue.

Thanks to his efforts, on April 2, 1978, during a session of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR, Article 73 of the republic’s constitution was amended to recognize Azerbaijani as the official state language. This was a historic achievement and a key step in preserving the country’s linguistic and cultural identity.

Over the years, additional presidential decrees have strengthened the use of the language in education, publishing, science, and public life. These include initiatives supporting large-scale publication of books in the Latin alphabet, the publication of the Azerbaijan National Encyclopedia, and the translation of works by leading figures of world literature into Azerbaijani.

President Ilham Aliyev continues this mission with determination. His 2004 decrees on publishing in Latin script and releasing the Azerbaijani National Encyclopedia, as well as a 2007 order on translating key global literary works into Azerbaijani, have all played a vital role in promoting the language in every area of society.

In an interview with local television channels in January this year, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that preserving the native language is a shared responsibility.

“This is a great achievement. I do believe that the greatness of our people lies in the fact that we have not been influenced by other languages,” the head of state noted.

He also added that while globalization inevitably introduces foreign words through the internet, media, and international contacts, Azerbaijan must ensure that its own language retains its richness and integrity.

Speaking at the conference marking the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, President Ilham Aliyev said the state, along with scholars, linguists, writers, poets, journalists, and public figures, should give the issue the highest priority.

This year also holds special significance for Azerbaijan as the country commemorates the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress, held in Baku in 1926. The congress brought together prominent scholars from across the Turkic world and became a landmark event in discussions on alphabet reform, the transition to the Latin script, and the development of Turkic languages.

In recent years, efforts have been made to ensure the wider use of the Azerbaijani language in the digital space. President Ilham Aliyev’s decree on July 17, 2018, titled “On a number of measures to ensure the wider use of the Azerbaijani language in the electronic space,” plays a crucial role in further expanding the application of the Azerbaijani language in the digital realm.

The protection of the Azerbaijani language is, in essence, the protection of national identity itself. A nation that values and preserves its language also preserves its history, literature, traditions, and spiritual heritage. For this reason, the consistent measures taken in Azerbaijan in support of the mother tongue reflect not only respect for the past, but also responsibility for the future.

An event marking August 1 – Azerbaijani Alphabet and Language Day was held at theCultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev, operating under the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan, AzerNEWS reports.

During the event, participants were informed about the vital role of the Azerbaijani language in preserving the nation’s identity, cultural heritage, and spiritual values.

Speakers noted that President Ilham Aliyev has consistently attached great importance to protecting the Azerbaijani language, preserving its purity, and expanding its use. In this context, the President’s remarks were highlighted: “Today, the Azerbaijani language is the native language of over 50 million people. We are the guardians of the clear, pure, literary Azerbaijani language – an independent state of Azerbaijan.”

It was emphasized that under President Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan has been implementing consistent and purposeful policies aimed at developing the state language, broadening its use in various fields, and promoting it internationally.

Students enrolled in the Azerbaijani language courses at the Cultural Center shared their views on the richness of the language, its role in preserving national values, and the importance of maintaining a strong connection with one’s mother tongue.

As part of the program, attendees watched a video presentation dedicated to Azerbaijani Alphabet and Language Day.

The event concluded with an introductory tour for new members of the Cultural Center. Participants visited the center’s museums and library, where they learned more about its exhibitions, collections, and book holdings.

An oil tanker was struck near Oman’s coast in the Strait of Hormuz, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center, the vessel was hit in its engine room, causing it to lose propulsion and become disabled. The incident occurred approximately 20 kilometers northeast of the Omani port of Lima.

No injuries were reported, the UKMTO said. Local coast guard authorities have been notified, and an investigation into the incident is underway.

The dispute over navigation through the strategic waterway, a key transit route for global oil, gas and fertilizer shipments, has become a central flashpoint in the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran.

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.

Kazakhstan has dismissed reports suggesting a complete shutdown of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), AzerNEWS reports.

Asel Serikpayeva, spokesperson for Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy, said media reports claiming that the consortium’s operations could be fully suspended are not true.

The ministry noted that on July 31, the consortium temporarily suspended its operations. However, oil deliveries from shippers and the filling of storage facilities have continued without interruption.

According to the ministry, daily oil transportation volumes reached 100,000 tonnes starting on August 1. It added that further increases in shipment volumes will depend on the timely availability of tankers at the marine terminal for loading.

The Ministry of Energy stressed that it remains in constant contact with the Caspian Pipeline Consortium and cargo shippers, adding that the current situation is under control.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) is a major international oil transport project and pipeline system that moves crude oil from giant fields in Kazakhstan to a Russian port on the Black Sea. It carries about 1% of the world’s oil supply and handles roughly 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports.

French authorities have detained 328 people as part of investigations into the country’s ongoing wildfires, AzerNEWS reports.

According to BFMTV, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the figure during a press briefing.

“A total of 328 individuals have been detained as suspects in connection with the wildfires,” Nuñez noted.

Earlier, the minister confirmed that a major wildfire in the Gironde department in southwestern France had been brought under control. According to the regional prefecture, 198,000 of the 220,000 residents who were evacuated have now been cleared to return to their homes.

This year, Europe has experienced a record wildfire season, with France and Spain among the hardest-hit countries.

The European Commission previously announced that, under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 13 firefighting aircraft, four helicopters, and hundreds of firefighters from across the European Union had been deployed to help combat the blazes.

The UN noted that more than 250,000 hectares of forest have burned across Europe, with 1,254 fires recorded since the beginning of 2026. Record-breaking wildfires have affected France, Spain and other parts of Europe amid heatwaves, triggering mass evacuations and putting pressure on regional and national economies.

It is worth adding that more than 330,000 people have been evacuated across Europe, while thousands of hectares of forest have been destroyed as a new wave of extreme heat threatens to undermine firefighters’ efforts to contain the blazes.

Europe could be heading toward its worst wildfire season on record. By the end of July, fires had already destroyed more than 250,000 hectares of land – an area roughly equivalent to the size of Luxembourg.

Latvia has temporarily closed its border with Belarus due to technical issues.

According to AzerNEWS, the announcement was made by Latvian Interior Minister Janis Dombrava in a post on social media.

Kristine Petersone, a public relations specialist at the Latvian State Border Guard, clarified that the closure was caused by a malfunction in the country’s information systems. The cause of the technical failure and the timeframe for restoring normal operations have not yet been determined.

A day earlier, Dombrava urged Latvian citizens not to travel to Belarus and advised those already in the country to return home as soon as possible.

Reports of a worsening migration crisis on the European Union’s eastern border emerged at the same time as a new wave of migrants illegally crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa. The developments have renewed concerns over the security of the EU’s external borders and could prompt the temporary reintroduction of internal border checks within the Schengen Area, as Italy has already done.

It is worth adding that in September 2025, Poland completely closed its border with Belarus during the joint Russian-Belarusian “Zapad” military exercises, citing security concerns and heightened tensions along the frontier.

Turkish authorities have detained a suspected member of the FETÖ terrorist organization who was wanted for his alleged role in the attempted assassination of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the failed 2016 coup attempt, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Trkiye’s Interior Ministry.

According to the information, the suspect, identified by the initials B.K., was part of the special forces team accused of attempting to assassinate President Erdogan in the Marmaris district during the July 15, 2016 coup attempt.

The ministry said B.K. is a former army captain and helicopter pilot who was dismissed from the Turkish Armed Forces. He had been wanted under an Interpol Red Notice before being apprehended.

The arrest followed a joint intelligence operation conducted by police units in the provinces of Afyonkarahisar and Eskisehir under the coordination of the Intelligence Department of the General Directorate of Security. The suspect was ultimately detained by counterterrorism officers in Afyonkarahisar.

The Interior Ministry reaffirmed that Trkiye remains committed to combating FETÖ and its affiliated networks.

A post has been shared on the social media accounts of President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of August 1 – Azerbaijani Alphabet and Language Day.

The post says: “Today, the Azerbaijani language is the native language of over 50 million people. We are the guardians of the clear, pure, literary Azerbaijani language – an independent state of Azerbaijan.”