Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan’s men’s and women’s chess teams will play their next matches on September 23 at the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The men’s team will face Greece in the seventh round, while the women’s team will take on Armenia.

After six rounds, both Azerbaijani teams have 10 points. The men’s team currently sits 12th in the standings, while the women’s team is ninth.

The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad is being held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 27. The opening ceremony took place on September 15, while the first round was played on September 16. The competition features separate Open and Women’s sections, with both played over 11 rounds under the Swiss-system format. Each team consists of four players plus one reserve. A rest day was scheduled for September 22 following the sixth round.

The Samarkand Olympiad has set a new participation record, with 208 teams competing in the Open section and 192 teams in the Women’s section. The combined total of 400 teams surpasses the previous record of 380 teams set at the 2024 Olympiad in Budapest.

The winners of the Open and Women’s sections will receive the Hamilton-Russell Cup and Vera Menchik Cup, respectively. The Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy will be awarded to the federation with the best combined performance in the two sections.

Russia is considering replacing its ambassador to Armenia, Sergey Kopyrkin, and has reportedly already begun looking for a potential successor.

Armenian media reported that Kopyrkin could leave Yerevan by January 2027. He has served as Russia’s ambassador to Armenia since April 2018.

According to the informarion, the Kremlin is dissatisfied with the diplomat’s performance, particularly his alleged failure to establish effective communication with both the Armenian authorities and pro-Russian circles in the country.

The information about Kopyrkin’s possible resignation has not been officially confirmed. In January 2026, he continued to hold meetings with representatives of the Armenian authorities.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan decided to recall Armenia’s ambassador to Russia, Gurgen Arsenyan.

Pashinyan is reportedly dissatisfied with Arsenyan’s performance. The prime minister believes that the ambassador has failed to ease tensions in relations between Armenia and Russia.

An event titled “Azerbaijani Cinema Day in Paris” was held in the French capital.

Organized jointly by the Azerbaijan Cinema Agency and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in France, the event took place at the embassy’s Cultural Center.

Rashad Azizov, Director General of the Azerbaijan Cinema Agency, noted the growing number of studios operating in Azerbaijan’s film and animation sectors and the resulting increase in film and animation projects.

He stressed the importance of closer cooperation with other countries in implementing such projects.

Director General of the Azerbaijan Cinema Agency said international cooperation in cinema can contribute not only to film production but also to the development of cultural dialogue between nations.

He added that such cooperation could become an important tool of cultural diplomacy and expressed hope that screenings of Azerbaijani films in France would become more frequent in the future.

As part of the event, three animated films – “Under the Same Rain”, “Boom-Boom” and “Isi and Piti” – were screened, along with the documentary “Dream of Paradise”, dedicated to the life and artistic legacy of Mirza Gadim Iravani, one of the prominent Azerbaijani painters of the 19th century.

The documentary explored interesting episodes from Iravani’s life and presented audiences with an important chapter of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage.

A spectacular concert has been held as part of Khojavand City Day. The event was jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankandi, Aghdara and Khojaly districts.

The event began with the Azerbaijan National Anthem. The audience then observed a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs.

A video was screened highlighting the restoration and reconstruction work carried out in Khankandi, Khojaly, Khojavand and Aghdara. It also featured the return of residents to their native lands.

Speaking before the concert program, Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavand districts, congratulated residents and guests on Khojavand City Day.

He noted that the occasion was particularly significant as Khojavand City Day was being celebrated for the first time. According to Huseynov, the Great Return to Khojavand district, including the city of Khojavand, began a year ago and is continuing.

Huseynov said that nearly 4,500 residents, representing 1,083 families, have so far been resettled in Khojavand district.

“In just one year, people have returned to eight settlements in the district, to their native lands and ancestral homes. They are already living here, rebuilding and continuing their new lives,” he said.

The concert featured soloists of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre. Prominent representatives of the arts and lecturers from Karabakh University also took part in the program.

The performers presented popular Azerbaijani songs and works by national composers. Various musical and artistic performances were also included in the program.

The event was attended by Sultan Raev, Secretary General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), and Sabuh Gahramanov, Deputy Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankandi, Aghdare and Khojaly districts. Representatives of the Ministry of Culture and local residents also attended the concert.

The performances were warmly received by the audience. Each performance was greeted with applause.

The celebrations concluded with a spectacular fireworks display. Colorful light compositions accompanied by music added to the festive atmosphere and brought the evening to a grand finale.

Azerbaijan plans to increase the extraction and production of copper, gold and silver as part of measures to develop the mining and metallurgy sector.

Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov announced the plans during a meeting chaired by President Ilham Aliyev dedicated to the State Program for the Development of the Mining (Metal Ores) and Metallurgical Industry in Azerbaijan for 2027-2030.

Jabbarov said copper production is expected to increase significantly, while gold production will be expanded through both existing and new projects.

As a result, total exports of copper, gold and silver are projected to rise from AZN 600 million in 2025 to AZN 1.6 billion by 2030.

The minister noted that the forecast is calculated based on average global prices recorded in 2025.

According to the Jabbarov, prices of several strategic metals have increased significantly over the past decade, while global demand for these metals is expected to grow further over the next 10 years. Demand is projected to increase by 23% for aluminum, 21% for copper, 15% for zinc and 10% for gold.

He added that the expansion of local raw material and semi-finished product supplies could contribute to the development of new industrial sectors, increase demand for skilled workers and support the development of technical expertise and scientific capacity.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and American Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to meet in New York on Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Russian state-owned news agency TASS on Tuesday.

“As far as I know, Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Marco Rubio is scheduled for September 23,” Kirill Logvinov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations, told the agency in an interview.

The meeting will take place during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly as the United States continues its efforts to help settle the war between Russia and Ukraine. Later today, US President DonaldTrump will hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, after warning Kyiv against striking Russian energy infrastructure and insisting that the “ridiculous war” must end.

Iraqi armed groups will be fully disarmed and disbanded in 2027, Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi told The New York Times.

The prime minister said the country needs a clear plan for disarmament. He described the issue, along with the fight against corruption, as a “matter of honor” for him.

According to al-Zeidi, the new disarmament plan will be announced on September 30. The first stage will involve a 90-day ceasefire, after which armed groups are expected to begin handing over their weapons. The process is due to be completed by June 30, 2027.

Representatives of the armed groups, however, are seeking to extend the deadline until the end of 2027.

Al-Zaidi also added that Iraq had lost about $60 billion in revenue since the Iran-US war began and that Iran had not allowed Iraqi tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

In August, it was reported that the United States planned to complete the withdrawal of its forces from Iraq by September 30, the deadline set by Baghdad for the end of the international coalition’s anti-terrorism mission.

The Israel Football Association (IFA) has accused Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson of ‘stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy’ after he said his team would be ‘playing against genocide’ in its upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel.

Ireland and Israel are due to meet twice in the Nations League, with the first fixture scheduled for September 27 at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary. The return match will take place in Backa Topola, Serbia, on October 4, behind closed doors. Both fixtures were moved to neutral venues amid security and operational concerns.

Speaking after Ireland’s squad announcement, Hallgrímsson acknowledged the controversy surrounding the fixtures.

‘None of us feel comfortable playing in these games,’ he said.

Asked how his players could focus on the matches amid calls in Ireland to boycott the fixtures, Hallgrímsson said: ‘We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel.’

The IFA responded on social media on Monday, strongly criticizing the Irish coach.

‘We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by IrelandFootball team coach,’ the IFA said.

‘We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we’re playing against the coach who embodies them,’ it added.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has not publicly responded to the IFA’s remarks.

The Israeli government has repeatedly rejected allegations that its military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide. The war began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities and international reporting.

Meanwhile, pressure has been mounting in Ireland for the FAI to reconsider its decision to play Israel. More than 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter issued by the Irish Sport for Palestine Group calling on the association to boycott the fixtures.

‘This is a significant moment and with this moment you have an opportunity to do the right thing. Not playing the game would be the most sporting thing you could do,’ the letter said.

Former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane has also called for the matches to be cancelled, writing that Ireland ‘should not be playing Israel’ while accusing Israeli forces of committing genocide.

The FAI has previously said that refusing to play the fixtures could have significant consequences for Irish football. The association has argued that forfeiting Nations League points could affect Ireland’s qualification prospects for Euro 2028, which Ireland will co-host, as well as future competitions.

In November 2025, the FAI asked UEFA to suspend the Israel Football Association from European competitions. It has also sought to prevent Ireland and Israel from being drawn together in future competitions. UEFA said such decisions are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with security conditions among the factors considered, and that Ireland and Israel would not be separated because the countries have never been in direct conflict.

The controversy has continued to draw protests in Ireland, with demonstrators gathering outside the Irish team’s hotel in Dublin on Monday to call on the FAI to reverse its decision to proceed with the matches.

Champagne production in France in 2026 may fall to its lowest level in the past 70 years.

This year’s harvest has been severely affected by abnormal heat, prolonged drought, and fires. French vineyards have experienced several waves of extreme temperatures, which have negatively impacted grape yields and raised concerns about the future of wine production.

‘Today, no region in France is immune to abnormal heat,’ said Jean-Marie Cardeba, head of the Department of Wines and Spirits at INSEEC Grande École, in an interview with a French television channel. According to industry representatives, the decline in production has continued for the third consecutive year.

Climate change is not the only challenge facing the French wine industry. Changing consumer habits are also contributing to the decline in domestic demand. According to the data cited, the proportion of French people who drink champagne regularly has fallen dramatically compared with previous decades.

At the same time, inflation, weaker consumer demand, and higher customs duties have contributed to a decline in wine exports and sales over the past five years. As a result, producers have accumulated significant surpluses and are now reducing the area under vines.

Bordeaux is one of the clearest examples of this trend. Since 2023, around 20,000 hectares of vineyards have been cleared, while the region still has approximately 83,000 hectares of planted vineyards.

Interestingly, Champagne producers are also facing a difficult paradox: while climate change can reduce harvests, warmer temperatures can cause grapes to ripen faster and alter their acidity and sugar levels. This is particularly important for Champagne, where the balance between acidity and sweetness is essential to the character of the wine.

The situation highlights how climate change, changing consumer preferences, economic pressures, and international trade are increasingly interconnected in France’s centuries-old wine industry.

The Western Azerbaijan Community has established a Working Group to study the Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania located in the territory of present-day Armenia, including the historical Zangezur and Daryalagez regions and the Lake Goycha basin.

According to the Community, the group was established to conduct scientific research into the history, architectural and epigraphic features, and affiliation of churches, chapels, khachdash and monasteries, based on archival documents and other primary sources.

The Community said that a view has become widespread in Azerbaijan’s academic circles that the documents of the Albanian Catholicosate from the 16th to 19th centuries were completely destroyed.

‘Losses are undoubtedly present, but archives and manuscript collections in a number of countries preserve numerous documents relating both to the Albanian Catholicoses and to the religious and social history of the period, while some of these materials have already been published. These materials are scattered across various collections. Identifying them through systematic searches and compiling them into a unified academic database is the Working Group’s main mission. The Western Azerbaijan Community currently has hundreds of documents on this subject,’ the statement said.

The Community noted that a visit by foreign diplomats to the Gandzasar Monastery complex in September demonstrated that cultural heritage had become part of the diplomatic agenda.

The Western Azerbaijan Community considers the multilayered religious and cultural heritage located in present-day Armenia, including medieval monuments associated with Caucasian Albania, to be part of its heritage as the descendants of Azerbaijanis who were deported from the region.

According to the Community, this position can be substantiated in the international academic community only through evidence based on sources and independently verifiable research.

The research will also contribute to documenting the historical and cultural foundations for the safe and dignified return of the deported population, the statement added.