Category: Azer News

The third day of the international music festival DREAM Fest 2026 once again brought together prominent figures from the music industry at Sea Breeze, turning the Caspian coastline into a center not only for music but also for fashion trends, AzerNEWS reports citing Trend Life.

Before the concert program began, the attention of guests and photographers was focused on the red carpet. Famous performers and festival attendees walked the carpet, showcasing stylish outfits, bold fashion choices, and carefully selected details.

Light summer looks, elegant classic styles, sparkling accessories, and creative fashion statements created a festive atmosphere. Artists posed for photographers, spoke with media representatives, and shared their expectations for the evening’s performances.

The DREAM Fest red carpet once again became a major event in its own right, where music met fashion and the glamour of the stars blended with the warm atmosphere of Baku’s summer.

Following the celebrity appearances, the excitement moved to the main stage, where the third day’s concert featured performances by Orkhan Zeynalli, Aysel Alizade, Ty Dolla $ign, Merab Amzoevi, Jah Khalib, Lvbel C5, Jaman T, ANDRO, Sabi, Misha Miller, and Megi Gogitidze.

The evening brought together hip-hop, rap, pop, and Eastern musical influences in a dynamic show that offered audiences memorable performances and unexpected musical combinations.

The third festival day became a celebration of creativity and self-expression, reflected through music, fashion, and the unique atmosphere of DREAM Fest.

This year’s Summer Fest 2026, dedicated to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and innovative technologies, continues to bring together young people from across Azerbaijan, contributing to the development of their knowledge and skills, fostering innovative thinking, and creating networking opportunities, AzerNEWS reports.

The second camp of the festival, titled “Media and Digital Literacy,” was held from July 20 to 24. The camp enabled participants to enhance their ability to work with reliable information in today’s media environment, promote safe practices in the digital world, gain practical and theoretical knowledge on the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence technologies, and develop their personal brands.

Coinciding with Azerbaijan National Press Day, the camp featured training sessions and panel discussions led by prominent TV presenters and journalists, as well as experts in media and information technologies from both the public and private sectors.

The sessions covered a range of topics, including “Media Literacy in the Digital Age,” “Trusted Media, Emerging Trends, and Career Opportunities for Youth in the Digital Era,” “Effective and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools,” “Digital Literacy, Disinformation, and the Challenges of the AI Era,” “From Screen to Reality: Experience, Values, and Success Stories,” and “Personal Branding, Creativity, and Responsibility in the Digital World.”

In addition to theoretical learning, the camp featured a variety of interactive activities designed to strengthen participants’ teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. These included an eco-bag painting masterclass, the “Digital Intelligence” quiz competition, a volleyball tournament, hiking, an excursion to the Observatory Museum, an airsoft tactical game, and entertainment activities, all aimed at ensuring a productive and engaging leisure experience.

On the final day of the five-day camp, participants attended an interactive information session organized by the IDEA Public Union, where they learned about practical ways to protect the environment through educational games. The program concluded with a meeting featuring Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Tayyar Bayramov and his students. During the event, participants enjoyed performances of beloved Azerbaijani folk songs, discussed the country’s rich musical heritage, and took part in a masterclass led by the renowned musician.

As Azerbaijan’s largest youth festival in terms of both participant numbers and duration, Summer Fest 2026 will continue through September with a series of themed camps focusing on Creative AI, Smart Cities and Technology, Science, Ethics and the Future, Engineering and Coding, Startups and Entrepreneurship, and AI, Sports and Health.

Summer Fest 2026 is organized with the support of the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation, in partnership with the IDEA Public Union, and jointly implemented by the Azerbaijan National Council of Youth Organizations, the Azerbaijan Student Youth Organizations’ Union, the Azerbaijan Union of Volunteer Organizations, the Azerbaijani Students and Alumni Platform, the CAVAN Youth Movement Public Union, the Great Return Youth Organization, and the Young Volunteers Public Union.

The final trailer for the upcoming superhero film “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” has been released, offering audiences a new glimpse of the highly anticipated installment in the Spider-Man franchise, AzerNEWS reports.

The trailer showcases new action sequences and highlights the challenges faced by the film’s protagonist as he continues his journey as the web-slinging hero. The release has generated significant interest among fans awaiting the next chapter of Spider-Man’s story.

“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is scheduled to premiere on July 31. The film is expected to continue the story of the Marvel superhero and expand the character’s cinematic universe.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. The cast also includes Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal, Michael Mando, Tramell Tillman, and Mark Ruffalo.

The story takes place four years after the events of “No Way Home.” Peter Parker is now living alone after erasing himself from the memories of those closest to him. He has dedicated his life to fighting crime as Spider-Man in a New York that no longer remembers his identity. However, a new threat emerges, forcing him to face unexpected challenges and changes.

The film is written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, who previously worked on the Spider-Man trilogy starring Holland. It is produced by Kevin Feige, Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, and Rachel O’Connor.

A meeting has been held at Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population with Wajiha Qamar, the Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, AzerNEWS reports.

Deputy Minister Hidayat Abdullayev highlighted that cooperation based on the friendly and fraternal relations between the two countries also creates opportunities for expanding ties in the social sphere.

The meeting discussed opportunities for cooperation in the areas of labour migration, employment, vocational training, and human capital development.

The sides exchanged views on the preparation of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of vocational training between the two ministries.

Wajiha Qamar noted that there is significant potential for expanding cooperation in vocational training and developing the exchange of experience, expressing Pakistan’s interest in strengthening relations in this area.

The parties also exchanged views on future cooperation prospects.

A familiarization tour for representatives of tourism companies from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan has been organized by the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, AzerNEWS reports. The initiative aims to showcase Azerbaijan’s tourism potential and strengthen cooperation with Central Asian markets.

According to the State Tourism Agency, during the visit, representatives of nearly 20 tourism companies from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan explored Azerbaijan’s tourism infrastructure, available services, beach tourism opportunities, cultural heritage sites, and national cuisine.

As part of the program, a B2B networking meeting was held between representatives of the tourism industries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and around 80 representatives of local tourism companies and hotels. The meeting focused on establishing new partnerships, expanding existing cooperation, and discussing opportunities for further collaboration.

The visit is part of Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to promote its tourism potential in Central Asian markets. In recent years, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have become increasingly important source markets for Azerbaijan’s tourism sector, supported by growing business ties, cultural connections, and improved air connectivity. Direct flights linking Baku with major cities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan continue to contribute to increased visitor flows between the countries.

During the first half of 2026, more than 50,000 visitors from Kazakhstan and over 34,000 visitors from Uzbekistan traveled to Azerbaijan. Compared with the same period last year, these figures represent increases of 11 percent and 49 percent, respectively.

Azerbaijan has been actively expanding cooperation with Central Asian tourism markets through promotional campaigns, industry meetings, and joint initiatives. In 2025, Azerbaijan Tourism Board organized similar activities aimed at strengthening ties with tourism companies from the region, including B2B meetings and familiarization visits showcasing the country’s tourism products and services.

The country continues to develop a diverse tourism offering, including cultural and heritage tourism, wellness and health tourism, winter tourism, gastronomy, business events, and coastal recreation. Azerbaijan’s tourism authorities have also highlighted the growing potential of regional cooperation and joint tourism products, including initiatives connected with the historic Silk Road.

The expansion of partnerships with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan reflects Azerbaijan’s broader strategy to attract more international visitors and strengthen its position as a regional tourism destination.

Iranian army claims US infrastructure in Erbil ‘almost completely destroyed’

The Iranian army has claimed that ‘almost all’ US military infrastructure in Iraq’s Erbil was destroyed during the recent conflict, while saying Tehran has begun deploying a new generation of attack drones more advanced than its Arash-2.

Speaking to Iranian state television, army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Akraminia said Iranian strikes had caused significant damage to US military bases across the region, leaving many with severely reduced operational capabilities.

He claimed that ‘almost all’ US military infrastructure in Erbil had been destroyed and that anti-Iran groups based in the area were no longer capable of conducting operations.

Akraminia acknowledged that the US maintains extensive military capabilities, equipment and bases across the Middle East, as well as in southern Europe and the Mediterranean. He said Washington was attempting to replenish equipment and capabilities lost during the conflict.

The Iranian military spokesman warned that Tehran was prepared to resume military operations if fighting broke out again, saying Iran would continue until the US understood that it could not ‘impose its will on the Iranian nation through aggression’.

Akraminia also claimed that Iran had used Arash-2 drones during the 40-day conflict but was now deploying newer systems with greater destructive power, precision and range.

He did not disclose details about the new drones, saying their capabilities had yet to be publicly revealed.

Dry weather is expected in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula on July 2, AzerNEWS reports citing the National Hydrometeorology Service.

Strong northwesterly winds will blow during the daytime.

The air temperature will be 24-27°C at night and 28-31°C during the day. Atmospheric pressure will rise from 753 to 758 millimeters of mercury. Relative humidity will be 60-70 percent.

Strong northwesterly winds are expected along the Absheron beaches during the day. Temperatures will be 26-27°C on northern beaches (Sumgayit, Novkhani, Pirshagi, Nardaran, Bilgah, and Zughulba) and 27-28°C on southern beaches (Turkan, Hovsan, Sahil, and Shikh).

In the regions of Azerbaijan, mostly dry weather is expected. Fog will occur occasionally in some mountainous areas. The west wind will be occasionally strong in some locations.

The air temperature will be 22-27°C at night and 34-39°C during the day, reaching 40°C in some areas. In mountainous areas, temperatures will range from 15-20°C at night to 25-30°C during the day.

In Nakhchivan city, Julfa, Ordubad, Sadarak, Shahbuz, and Sharur, dry weather is expected. The west wind will be occasionally strong in some areas. Temperatures will be 20-25°C at night and 34-39°C during the day.

In Khankendi, Shusha, Khojaly, Khojavand, Fuzuli, Agdam, as well as Dashkasan-Gadabay and Goygol, mainly dry weather is expected. However, short-term rain, thunderstorms, and hail are possible in some mountainous areas during the day. Fog is expected in mountainous areas at night and in the morning. The west wind will be occasionally strong in some places. Temperatures will be 15-20°C at night and 24-29°C during the day, reaching 32-36°C in some areas.

Eastern Zangazur: In Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Gubadli, Lachin, and Zangilan, mainly dry weather is expected. However, short-term rain, thunderstorms, and hail are possible in some mountainous areas during the day. Fog is expected at night and in the morning. The west wind will be occasionally strong in some areas. Temperatures will be 15-20°C at night and 23-28°C during the day, reaching 32-36°C in some locations.

In Gazakh, Ganja, Samukh, Goranboy, Tartar, Shamkir, Tovuz, and Naftalan, mainly dry weather is expected. However, short-term rain, thunderstorms, and hail are possible in some mountainous areas during the day. The west wind will be occasionally strong in some places. Temperatures will be 21-26°C at night and 33-38°C during the day.

In Balakan, Zagatala, Gakh, Shaki, Oghuz, Gabala, Ismayilli, Agsu, Shamakhi, Siyazan, Shabran, Khizi, Guba, Khachmaz, and Gusar, mainly dry weather is expected. However, short-term rain, thunderstorms, and hail are possible in some eastern districts during the day. Fog is expected in mountainous areas at night and in the morning. The west wind will be occasionally strong in some places. Temperatures will be 19-24°C at night and 33-38°C during the day, while in mountainous areas they will range from 17-22°C at night to 25-30°C during the day.

In Yevlakh, Agdash, Kurdamir, Imishli, Agjabadi, Barda, Beylagan, Sabirabad, Mingachevir, Bilasuvar, Saatli, Goychay, Ujar, Shirvan, Hajigabul, Zardab, Salyan, and Neftchala, dry weather is expected. The west wind will be occasionally strong in some areas. Temperatures will be 22-27°C at night and 34-39°C during the day, reaching 40°C in some areas.

In Masalli, Yardimli, Lerik, Lankaran, Astara, Bilasuvar, and Jalilabad, dry weather is expected. Fog is expected in mountainous areas at night and in the morning. The east wind will occasionally strengthen in some areas.

Temperatures will be 23-26°C at night and 33-38°C during the day, while in mountainous areas they will range from 20-23°C at night to 27-30°C during the day.

A tanker traveling along a route not agreed with Iran struck a mine in the Strait of Hormuz, AzerNEWS reports citing foreign media.

The incident occurred in the Strait of Hormuz.No further details about the incident have been provided.

It should be recalled that after the latest ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran, the United States launched strikes on Iranian territory on July 8. The move was reportedly carried out in response to an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, in turn, began carrying out strikes against U.S. targets in the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.

The parties agreed to halt hostilities on July 24.

The Caspian coastline in Baku was swept by a wave of music as thousands of spectators danced, sang along with their favorite performers, and greeted each appearance on stage with loud applause, AzerNEWS reports citing Trend Life.

A combination of spectacular visuals, impressive lighting effects, and live performances created an atmosphere of freedom and celebration, with music bringing people together. The third day of the international music festival Dream Fest 2026 turned Sea Breeze into a center of powerful sounds, energy, and unforgettable emotions, Trend reports from the event.

The evening began with high energy from the very first performances. Orkhan Zeynalli entertained the audience with his dynamic rap style, while Aysel Alizade added brightness and Eastern influences to the program. Merab Amzoevi impressed listeners with his emotional vocals, encouraging thousands of fans to sing along.

The mood then shifted toward dance and pop rhythms. Misha Miller and Sabi delivered vibrant pop performances, while Megi Gogitidze captivated the audience with her powerful voice and unique stage presence. Jaman T increased the energy with his confident performance, and ANDRO blended modern sounds with romantic elements and Eastern musical touches.

A special moment of the evening came with the performance of Jah Khalib. His combination of heartfelt lyrics, hip-hop rhythms, and Eastern influences immediately connected with the audience. Fans sang along to his well-known tracks, turning the performance into an emotional exchange between the artist and the crowd.

The atmosphere reached another level with the appearance of Lvbel C5. The Turkish rapper brought powerful beats, an energetic flow, and a strong stage presence that turned Sea Breeze into a massive dance floor.

The highlight of the third festival day was the highly anticipated performance of international star Ty Dolla $ign. The American artist captured the attention of the audience from the first moments, bringing a global sound to the festival stage. His signature mix of hip-hop and R and B, recognizable vocals, and energetic performance received an enthusiastic response from the crowd.

As the night continued, impressive light shows, powerful bass, and nonstop dancing created the feeling of a large-scale musical celebration on the Caspian shore. Festival hosts Regina Todorenko and Murad Dadashov also kept the audience engaged, maintaining the excitement throughout the evening.

The third day of Dream Fest 2026 brought together rap, hip-hop, pop, R and B, and Eastern musical influences, offering audiences a diverse range of performances and emotions. The festival once again showed that at Dream Fest, music is not only heard – it is experienced.

Oil has once again crossed the symbolic threshold of $100 per barrel, reviving memories of previous geopolitical shocks that sent energy markets into turmoil. The immediate explanation is familiar: rising tensions in the Middle East, concerns over shipping routes, and fears that global oil supplies could be disrupted. Yet the more important question is not why prices have surged today, but how markets will behave tomorrow. The answer may be very different from what investors witnessed only a few months ago.

When geopolitical tensions first escalated, oil prices rose rapidly as traders priced in the possibility of supply disruptions. Later, optimism returned after diplomatic efforts suggested that a broader conflict might be avoided. Prices retreated as markets assumed that the worst-case scenario had been taken off the table. That optimism, however, proved to be short-lived. Renewed instability has demonstrated that earlier diplomatic understandings were unable to deliver lasting security. As a result, the market’s perception of geopolitical risk has fundamentally changed.

Financial markets are driven not only by events but also by confidence. Once confidence is damaged, it takes considerably longer to rebuild than to lose. This psychological shift may become the defining feature of the current oil cycle. Even if a comprehensive peace agreement were reached tomorrow, traders may no longer respond with the same optimism seen during previous rounds of diplomacy. Instead of immediately removing the geopolitical risk premium from oil prices, markets are likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach, demanding evidence that the agreement is durable before fully adjusting expectations.

This distinction matters because oil prices are determined not only by physical supply and demand but also by perceived risks. The geopolitical premium embedded in crude prices reflects uncertainty rather than actual shortages. If investors believe that ceasefires can collapse within weeks or months, they will continue assigning value to that uncertainty. Consequently, the premium could persist long after military operations have subsided.

That creates two plausible scenarios for the remainder of the year.

The first assumes that a credible peace agreement is achieved in the near future. Under normal circumstances, such an outcome would have been expected to send oil prices sharply lower, perhaps toward the levels seen before the latest escalation. This time, however, markets may respond differently. Rather than collapsing back toward the $70 range, Brent crude could remain between $80 and $90 per barrel for several months while investors assess whether the agreement is genuinely sustainable. The lesson learned from recent events is simple: announcements alone are no longer sufficient. Markets will require proof.

The second scenario assumes that no lasting political settlement emerges and that regional tensions continue to threaten shipping lanes and energy infrastructure. Under those conditions, oil could remain around $100 per barrel-or even above that level-through the end of the year. Such an outcome would not necessarily imply a severe physical shortage of crude. Instead, it would reflect the persistence of geopolitical uncertainty and the market’s willingness to pay a premium against future disruptions.

Either scenario carries important implications for the global economy. Energy prices remain one of the most influential components of inflation. Even if oil stabilizes between $80 and $90 per barrel, inflationary pressures are likely to remain stronger than previously anticipated. Transportation costs, industrial production expenses, and logistics would all face upward pressure. Inflation would not return to the levels experienced during the energy crisis of 2022, but the path back to central banks’ inflation targets would become more difficult.

If oil instead remains above $100 for an extended period, the consequences become more significant. Higher energy costs would increasingly filter through supply chains, raising production expenses across multiple sectors. Import-dependent economies would face additional pressure on trade balances, while households would encounter higher fuel and utility costs. Inflation expectations, which play a critical role in monetary policy, could begin drifting upward once again.

This shift would also reshape the outlook for monetary policy worldwide. In developed markets, central banks would likely postpone interest-rate cuts that many investors currently expect. Rather than moving toward easier financial conditions, policymakers could choose to maintain restrictive interest rates for longer than markets have anticipated. The possibility of additional rate increases would also become more realistic if inflation proved stubborn and economic activity remained resilient.

The impact could be even more pronounced across developing economies. Many emerging markets are considerably more vulnerable to fluctuations in global energy prices because of their dependence on imported fuel and greater exposure to currency volatility. Higher oil prices would place additional pressure on exchange rates, increase inflation, and potentially force central banks to maintain elevated borrowing costs-or even tighten monetary policy further to protect price stability and investor confidence.

The greatest mistake would be to assume that peace automatically restores yesterday’s prices. Markets rarely function that way. They evolve through experience, and recent experience has made investors more skeptical. Diplomatic agreements that once inspired immediate confidence may now receive only cautious optimism until their durability is proven. In that sense, the current oil rally is about more than supply. It is about trust-and trust has become one of the world’s most valuable commodities.

Whether oil ultimately settles closer to $85 or remains above $100 will depend not only on political negotiations but also on whether financial markets are convinced that today’s promises will still hold tomorrow. That may be the most important change of all. The next peace agreement, if it comes, will no longer be judged by the words that announce it. It will be judged by the time that follows.