Category: Azer News

International referee Eldar Zulfugarov has received a new appointment from the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), AzerNEWS reports citing the Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation.

He will serve as the first referee in today’s CEV Women’s Champions League play-off match in Greece between Olympiacos S.F.P. and Italy’s Numia Milano.

The second referee for the match will be Hungarian official Agnes Batkai-Katona.

The Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation (AVF) is the governing body of volleyball and beach volleyball in Azerbaijan.

The federation was founded in 1991 and became a member of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) in 1992.

The main goals of the AVF are to promote volleyball across the country, support youth and grassroots development, improve coaching and officiating standards, and achieve consistent success at the international level.

The federation works closely with clubs, schools, and regional organisations to expand participation and raise the overall quality of the sport.

Honored Artist Bahram Bagirzade has hosted a special autograph session at Park Bulvar, AzerNEWS reports.

During the event, the beloved author signed each book personally, taking the time to chart with the visitors and share a few words of encouragement with young readers.

The books like “Azerbaijani Tales”, “Novruz Holiday”, “Ramadan”, “Hello, Baku” and many others provide an insight into Azerbaijani history, culture and traditions.

The atmosphere was lively and joyful at the meeting. Everyone left feeling warm and happy, cherishing the memories of a truly special event.

Note that Bahram Bagirzade is a well-known Azerbaijani actor, showman and publisher.

He is also a key member of the legendary KVN team “Parni iz Baku”, one of the most successful and well-known teams of the 20th century.

Bahram Bagirzade is a member of cultural organizations, including the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, Azerbaijan Filmmakers Union, the Azerbaijan Photographers Association, and the Society of Caricaturists.

In recent weeks, the court has delivered its final verdict concerning a group of Armenian nationals accused of separatism, war crimes, financing terrorism and crimes against humanity in Azerbaijan’s territories liberated from occupation in Qarabag (Karabakh from its Russian pronunciation).

According to the ruling, Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan and Levon Mnatsakanyan have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 19 to 20 years, with some receiving life imprisonment.

The verdict concerning Ruben Vardanyan, however, was postponed and was expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

But who is Ruben Vardanyan, and why was he detained and brought to Baku?

On 19 September 2023, following Azerbaijan’s anti-terror operations, separatist armed formations in Qarabag were dismantled. Prior to that, armed groups entrenched in certain parts of the region were reportedly financed not only by the individuals named above, but also by Ruben Vardanyan, who had arrived in Qarabag from Russia in an organised manner.

Azerbaijani sources state that surveillance footage obtained by the Azerbaijani army’s drones revealed weapons and ammunition being transported into Qarabag through illegal and concealed routes in military vehicles, operations allegedly linked to Vardanyan’s broader plans.

Ruben Karlenovich Vardanyan known with his full name, the Russian-Armenian oligarch did not arrive in Qarabag by chance. Amid the unfolding political process, he assumed the self-styled position of ‘state minister’ of the so-called regime, entering Azerbaijani territory illegally, reportedly with the backing of Russian peacekeepers, according to some sources.

His financial background has long attracted scrutiny. Vardanyan amassed significant wealth through his involvement in the investment bank Troika Dialog, which was implicated in large-scale money-laundering schemes. Allegations have also circulated regarding links to arms supplies during the Russia-Ukraine war. The Forbes report said that his fortune stood at approximately $1 billion in 2021.

Yet the central question remains: why Qarabag?

Although numerous accounts of his past exist, the most credible assessments suggest that after years in business, Vardanyan was drawn into politics, a move that would ultimately prove decisive. His political inexperience became evident in 2023, when he sought to construct a quasi-state structure on the territory of another sovereign nation. That ambition, coupled with alleged attempts to finance separatism and terrorism, marked the beginning of the end.

There is no shortage of information regarding Vardanyan’s business dealings, including allegations of financial manipulation, corruption and illicit financing. One cannot help but wonder whether, had he not set foot in Qarabag, he might have continued operating in the shadows of global finance. Instead, he chose a path that thrust him into the heart of a geopolitical conflict.

In June 2021, Vardanyan renounced his Russian citizenship under unclear circumstances. He subsequently acquired Armenian citizenship and, from 2022 onwards, entered Qarabag, then partially under occupation, illegally. During this period, he declared himself ‘state minister’ of the self-proclaimed ‘Artsakh Republic’.

Given the scale of his wealth, his decision to relinquish Russian citizenship and relocate first to Armenia and then to Qarabag was unlikely to have been coincidental. Some sources suggest he anticipated potential international legal scrutiny and sought to rebrand himself politically. By shifting from the world of finance into the political arena, he appeared to attempt a strategic repositioning.

For a time, Qarabag provided him with relative obscurity. However, as political dynamics accelerated, he was reportedly encouraged by certain figures to formalise his political ambitions and assume a leadership role.

Following Azerbaijan’s September 2023 operations, Vardanyan attempted to leave for Armenia via the Lachin border checkpoint but was detained by Azerbaijani border guards. He was transferred to Baku, where he faces charges including financing separatism and terrorism.

Today, the court is expected to deliver its final ruling in his case.

NASA is preparing for a second full fueling attempt of its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket this week, aiming to load more than 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as part of a full launch countdown rehearsal, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The operation, known as a wet dress rehearsal (WDR), will begin with a call to stations in Firing Room 1 at the Launch Control Center at 6:40 p.m. EST (2340 UTC) on Tuesday, Feb. 17, and will culminate in the actual fueling of the rocket on Thursday, Feb. 19, simulating a T-0 at 8:30 p.m. EST (0130 UTC).

This full-length fueling demonstration follows last week’s ‘confidence test’ on Thursday, Feb. 12. During that test, NASA teams loaded an unspecified amount of liquid hydrogen (LH2) onto the rocket’s core stage to evaluate newly replaced seals in the area used for propellant loading. While the test revealed a new ground equipment issue that reduced the flow of hydrogen into the rocket, NASA confirmed that it gathered valuable data from key objectives, particularly from the core stage interface known as the Tail Service Mast Umbilical (TSMU), which had experienced leaks during the first WDR on Feb. 3.

‘The confidence test related to the seals we repaired after WDR-1 provided a wealth of data, and we observed materially lower leak rates compared to the first test,’ said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on social media. ‘Nothing broke to prematurely end the test – we simply gathered sufficient information and determined that additional troubleshooting was unnecessary.’

During the first wet dress rehearsal, hydrogen leaks occurred when the team transitioned from a slow-fill to a fast-fill rate on the core stage, forcing multiple pauses. Because hydrogen is highly combustible, NASA strictly limits how concentrated it can be in the air. During WDR-1, the LH2 levels briefly exceeded the 16 percent safety limit, stopping the countdown at T-5 minutes and 15 seconds.

Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson explained that WDR-1 was meant to test three key objectives: holding the rocket in a fully fueled state for up to three minutes, demonstrating the ability to recycle the countdown after a planned cutoff, and performing a handoff to the Automated Launch Sequencer. ‘We didn’t get a chance to complete those tests on Feb. 3,’ she said.

All of these objectives will be attempted again during WDR-2. The plan is to take the countdown to T-1 minute and 30 seconds, hold for up to three minutes, continue through the terminal countdown to T-33 seconds, pause, and then recycle the clock back to T-10 minutes for another run through the terminal sequence.

Like WDR-1, WDR-2 will also involve a demonstration of launch day activities by the closeout crew, even though they will not be physically present at the pad. Initially, NASA had planned to omit this part, but later decided to include it to better simulate real launch procedures.

NASA has emphasized that no formal launch date will be set until the wet dress rehearsal campaign is successfully completed. March 6 remains the earliest potential launch within the window, but officials stress that safety will remain the highest priority.

‘There is still a great deal of work ahead to prepare for this historic mission,’ Isaacman said. ‘We will not launch until we are ready, and the safety of our astronauts remains paramount.’

The Artemis SLS mission is not just a technical milestone – it marks the next step toward NASA’s goal of returning humans to the Moon and eventually sending astronauts to Mars. The lessons learned during WDR-2 could influence future missions, potentially improving fueling efficiency, leak detection, and countdown reliability for decades to come.

In January 2026, Azerbaijan imported 129,932.80 tons of wheat, according to the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The value of this wheat amounted to $28,872,000, AzerNEWS reports.

In January 2025, the country imported 86,654.05 tons of wheat with a value of $18,695,000. Compared with the same period in 2026, wheat imports increased by about 50 percent in volume and 54.4 percent in value.

Looking further back, available trade data shows that in January 2024, Azerbaijan imported approximately 75,800 tons of wheat, valued at around $16.4 million (based on statistical customs reports for early 2024).

In January 2023, wheat imports were slightly lower at roughly 68,200 tons, valued at about $15.2 million, reflecting more moderate demand and a stronger domestic supply situation at the time.

In line with the directive of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan continues to implement the Great Return program to the territories liberated from occupation, with another group of former internally displaced persons resettled in the city of Aghdam.

AzerNEWS reports that in the latest phase, 120 families – a total of 419 people – have relocated to Aghdam. For decades, these families had lived in temporary accommodation across the country, primarily in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings. Their return marks another step in the government’s large-scale reconstruction and repopulation campaign aimed at restoring life to districts heavily damaged during the years of occupation.

For many, the move is more than a change of address – it is the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise.

‘We are three sisters. I was 23 when we were forced to leave Aghdam and became internally displaced,’ Fazila Novruzova told journalists. ‘For the past 33 years, we have lived in Baku’s Sabail district. Now, with immense joy and pride, we are returning to our homeland – to Aghdam.’

Novruzova expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported displaced families throughout the years, particularly President Ilham Aliyev. ‘We thank everyone who stood by us in difficult times and extended their support,’ she said, adding that her plan is to begin a new chapter of life in her native city and contribute to its revival.

Another returnee, Vazir Aliyev, described the day as historic. ‘This is a very significant day for us. We are returning to our hometown of Aghdam. The city is once again welcoming its residents, and we greet this moment with great joy and pride. We have waited for this day for years,’ he sid.

Aliyev emphasized that the relocation is not simply a resettlement but a true homecoming. ‘We hope that life will return to all our liberated villages and cities. Our children grew up without seeing these lands. Now they will come to know their homeland and build their future here.’

Ceyran Huseynova, another former displaced resident, said the day was unforgettable. ‘I thank God for this day. May God protect our President, grant mercy to our martyrs, and health to our veterans,’ she said.

Recalling the painful memories of leaving Aghdam decades ago, Huseynova admitted that emotions were overwhelming. ‘When we left our homeland, we believed we would one day return. Today, that dream has become reality. My child was born in Baku and grew up without seeing her native land. Now we are returning home together.’

The returnees paid tribute to the servicemen who lost their lives during the conflict, noting that their sacrifice made the present moment possible. Officials describe the resettlement of Aghdam as both a humanitarian priority and a strategic milestone in post-conflict recovery.

Once reduced to ruins, Aghdam is now undergoing rapid reconstruction, with new residential complexes, infrastructure, and public facilities rising across the city. Authorities say further waves of relocation are planned in the coming months as the Great Return gathers pace.

The International Mugham Center has honored the musical legacy of well-known mugham master, People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov, AzerNEWS reports.

The memorial evening was organized as part of the “Unudulmayanlar” (The Unforgettables) project.

Renown mugham singer, composer, teacher, and recipient of the state orders “Shohrat,” “Istiglal,” and “Sharaf,” left a deep mark on Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage.

Director of the International Mugham Center, Honored Artist Sahib Pashazade welcomed the guests of the event.

In his speech, Sahib Pashazade hailed the maestro’s outstanding role in the development of Azerbaijani musical culture.

He pointed out that the mugham compositions and tasnifs of the author of more than one hundred works form part of the golden fund of national art, while his pieces continue to be performed with admiration by both young and acclaimed mugham singers.

The evening’s host, writer and playwright Ilgar Fakhmi, underlined that as a teacher, Mammadov trained several generations of mugham and folk song performers.

Director of the Music College under the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, Honored Art Worker Nazim Kazimov, remarked that drawing upon the heritage of outstanding Azerbaijani khanandas (mugham singers), the master forged his own distinctive path in the art of mugham. He carefully transmitted the high traditions of the national school, and many of his students went on to become laureates of prestigious festivals and competitions.

The concert program featured People’s Artist Eyyub Yagubov, Honored Art Worker Aghil Malikov, Honored Artists Sevinj Sariyeva and Ilkin Ahmadov, as well as khanandas Nisbat Sadrayeva, Huseyn Malikov, Malik Hasanov, Murad Lachin, and clarinettist Shamsi Mammadov. The audience heard mugham compositions, tesnifs, and unforgettable songs from the artist’s repertoire.

Performers were accompanied by an instrumental ensemble of soloists from the International Mugham Center, featuring Rustam Muslimov (tar), Honored Artist Togrul Asadullayev (kamancha), Maryam Islamova (qanun), Rafael Asgarov (balaban), Siyavush Karimov (naghara), and Sayyar Teymurov (bem-nagara).

The memory of Alibaba Mammadov, his unique voice, and his invaluable contribution to the development of mugham art continue to live on in the hearts of admirers and in the creative journeys of his students.

Alibaba Mammadov was born on February 5, 1930, in the Baku settlement of Mashtagha. He received his musical education from 1953 to 1958 in the class of khanende (mugham singer) Seyid Shushinski at the Azerbaijan State Musical School. Since 1945, he was a soloist at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic (now the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall).

From 1978 to 1988, he was a soloist with “Azkonsert.” In 1968, at the initiative of maestro Niyazi, he established a folk instrument ensemble called “Humayun” at the philharmonic.

The People’s Artist himself led the ensemble. A prominent representative of mugham art, he played a significant role in the performing arts of Azerbaijan. Alibaba Mammadov was the author of more than 100 songs and tasnifs.

Recordings of the mughams “Rast,” “Bayati-Shiraz,” “Rakhab,” “Dashti,” “Humayun,” and other works in his performance are preserved in the Golden Fund of national art.

As a teacher, Alibaba Mammadov educated more than one generation of mugham performers and folk song artists.

His work is an excellent example of preserving and developing the traditions of the national khanende school.

Alibaba Mammadov passed away on February 25, 2022, and was buried in the Alley of Honor.

The two-day creative workshop “Heritage of Europe,” organized by the European Union jointly with the NGO Arts Council Azerbaijan, has concluded in Baku, AzerNEWS reports.

Held in shopping malls, the event transformed traditional retail spaces into living art venues, where everyone could witness the birth of a work of art.

The choice of malls for the workshop was deliberate. The organizers deliberately brought art into the public space, making it accessible to a wide range of audiences-from casual visitors and families with children to young people. The public format transformed the creation process into a lively dialogue with society, where viewers not only observed but became part of the creative process.

The first day of the event featured a performance by the Detache-Sabah Violin Ensemble, which added a special atmosphere to the workshop and enhanced the artistic experience. Over the course of two days, visitors were able to observe the painting process in real time, witnessing the compositions being born, the color palette being formed, and the concept of each work being developed.

More than twenty artists participated in the workshop, including Nigar Muslimova, Lyaman Hajiyeva, Sevinj Akhmedova, Raul Sadigov, Oksana Kazimova, Leylifar Museibova, Ulviya Kheyrullazade, Tarana Aliyeva, Eldar Babazade, Sevinj Ganjaliyeva, Banu Akhmadzade, Roya Hasan, Leyla Orujova, Sevda Rustamova, Turana Huseynova, Naila Maharramova, Asmar Azadi, Samir Gafarov, and Gunay Ibishova.

The artists presented their vision of European heritage through painting. Every stroke, every detail aroused the audience’s keen interest – people enjoyed watching art being created, asking questions, and discussing ideas with the artists.

The organizers of the FantazEU 2026 festival expressed their gratitude to all participants for their contribution to the success of the event.

The festival’s main mission is to expand cultural horizons and strengthen ties between Europe and Azerbaijan, and the “Heritage of Europe” workshop was a vivid demonstration of how art can unite people and create a space for dialogue and inspiration.

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

The U.S. Department of War is preparing to test a mobile nuclear reactor designed for military applications, AzerNEWS reports.

The project is being developed in partnership with the United States Department of Energy, combining defense and civilian nuclear expertise.

According to official plans, on February 15, 2026, a next-generation nuclear reactor will be transported by a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base. From there, it will be moved to the San Rafael Energy Research Center for a series of tests and technical evaluations.

The mobile reactor is part of a broader effort to develop small modular reactors (SMRs) capable of providing reliable, carbon-free power in remote or strategically sensitive locations. Unlike traditional large nuclear plants, SMRs are compact, easier to transport, and designed with enhanced safety systems. For the military, such reactors could power remote bases, radar installations, or emergency operations without relying on vulnerable fuel supply chains.

Earlier, U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance announced that Washington plans to supply small modular reactors to Armenia as part of a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. The initiative is expected to support Armenia’s energy security and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Experts note that while mobile nuclear technology offers strategic and environmental advantages, it also raises questions about safety, security, and non-proliferation. If successful, however, the project could mark a significant step toward more flexible and resilient energy systems – both for defense purposes and for civilian use in the future.

The 16th general meeting of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) has been held in Baku, Azernews reports.

After the official opening, the Vice-President of the Federation, Altay Hasanov, made a video report on the activities of the federation, the competitions held and the results achieved during 2021-2025.

He said that over the past five years, Azerbaijani gymnastics has developed dynamically and our gymnasts have worthily represented our country in international arenas.

AGF Financial Director Victoria Abushova presented the financial report for 2021-2025. At the general meeting, relevant changes were made to the Federation’s Charter and approved in a new edition. Changes were made to the structure of the Federation’s Control, Inspection and Disciplinary Commissions, and the formation of the Athletes and Appeal Commissions was reflected in the Charter.

Then, elections were held for the Executive Committee. According to the results of the vote, Mehriban Aliyeva was re-elected as the President of the AGF (Chairman of the Executive Committee) for the next five years. Altay Hasanov was elected as the Vice-President of the Federation (Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee), and Rauf Aliyev, Rafig Beybutov and Vafa Bekarova were approved as members of the Executive Committee for the next five years.

The meeting discussed and adopted the “Disciplinary Rules”, “Ethics Rules”, as well as the “Rules for Ensuring a Safe Environment in Gymnastics and Protecting the Identity of Participants”.

Thus, Mahir Rafiyev, Elshad Narimanov and Ruslan Mirzazade were elected members of the Control and Inspection Commission, Nazim Rajabov, Aytaj Gasimova, Elmar Jalilov, Namig Aliyev and Jala Ahmadova were elected members of the Disciplinary Commission, and Khagani Mammadov, Elchin Usub and Rashad Akhundov were elected members of the Appeal Commission.

Finally, athletes who achieved high results in prestigious competitions in 2025 were awarded commemorative medals.