Category: Azer News

As part of the “Wind of Culture” event series, organized by the Culture Ministry’s Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center for Culture (MEMIM) with the support of the Garabagh Regional Department of Culture, five-day masterclasses have been held at Fuzuli State Drama Theater in Horadiz settlement, Azernews reports.

The masterclasses were conducted under the project “Professional Theater Lessons in the Regions.”

The workshops, which reflected contemporary creative approaches in stage arts, were conducted by director and actor Jeykhun Dadashev, as well as theater scholar and MEMIM staff member Daglar Yusif.

The goal of these masterclasses was to enhance the professional level of the theater’s troupe and foster an active, creative environment, and they were well-received by the theater’s creative team.

As part of the project, masterclasses were also organized at the Agdam State Drama Theater from October 20 to 25.

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

The Swedish Chemicals Agency has reported that counterfeit Labubu dolls imported from countries outside the European Union contain dangerous levels of DEHP, a phthalate that can cause fetal and reproductive system disorders, Azernews reports.

This hormone-disrupting substance, used to soften plastic, has been banned in toys in Sweden for over 20 years.

According to the Customs Service, more than 5,300 counterfeit dolls have been seized this year, most of them in the Gothenburg area. Tests revealed that 5 out of 7 fake dolls contained hazardous chemicals, with DEHP concentrations up to 250 times higher than the legal limit.

Inspectors emphasize that the situation is particularly alarming because children are more vulnerable to toxins, and their hormonal systems are still developing. They also warned that there is no way for consumers to tell by appearance whether a toy is dangerous, and selling counterfeit toys is illegal.

The Chemicals Agency recommends that parents dispose of fake dolls in household waste. Original Labubu dolls, however, have been tested by experts and were found to be completely safe.

Interesting fact: DEHP is part of a group of phthalates that can enter the body through skin contact and even breathing, making daily contact with contaminated toys especially risky for children.

Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) continues to advance efforts to ensure more efficient freight transport, faster operations, and the elimination of bottlenecks along the North-South and East-West international transport corridors that cross the country, Azernews reports, citing ADY.

To this end, the company is holding meetings with partners, conducting negotiations, reaching agreements, and upgrading key segments of railway infrastructure.

According to the company, design and construction work is progressing on the Sumgayit-Yalama railway line, one of the crucial segments of the North-South Corridor passing through Azerbaijan.

‘The design phase of the Sumgayit-Yalama railway line has been completed, and 96 percent of construction and installation work on the first and second sections is finished. In addition, reconstruction of the Alat-Osmanli-Astara line, another vital part of the North-South Corridor, began in 2024. Construction is planned for completion by 2028. Fifty-five percent of the design work on the Alat-Osmanli-Astara line has been finalized, and 37 percent of construction and installation work on the Alat-Osmanli section has been completed,’ the company noted.

ADY stated that the overall modernization of infrastructure will significantly enhance the speed and efficiency of freight operations.

Recently, the company completed the implementation of an alternating current (AC) traction power system along the Ujar-Hajigabul segment (122 km) of the Baku-Böyk K?sik mainline railway. This work was carried out as part of the larger project to design, supply, and install the power system along the corridor that carries the bulk of transit cargo moving through Azerbaijan. The upgrade fully transitions the Ujar-Hajigabul section of the Baku-Böyk K?sik line to AC power.

‘The transition to AC power will improve the traction capacity of electric locomotives, increase the volume of freight transported by rail, reduce energy and resource consumption, and raise train operating speeds. These are major advantages for long-distance rail corridors,’ ADY emphasized.

The company added that applying the AC system on the Baku-Böyk K?sik line will boost the efficiency and capacity of freight operations along the Middle Corridor. All main international rail routes through Azerbaijan, especially the Middle Corridor, stand to benefit directly from this modernization.

ADY also highlighted a recent milestone reached during Kazakhstan Transport Week. The heads of the railway administrations of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia-Rovshan Rustamov, Talgat Aldybergenov, and Lasha Abashidze-signed a Roadmap on eliminating bottlenecks along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor).

‘Under the document, priority areas include infrastructure upgrades, renewal of rolling stock, optimization of operational procedures, enhanced coordination among the three countries, and strengthening the infrastructure and operational efficiency required to accommodate rising cargo volumes,’ the company said.

The minimum need criterion in Azerbaijan will be increased to ?300 in 2026, which is expected to lead to a rise in social assistance payments next year, Azernews reports.

Member of Parliament Vugar Bayramov announced the change during a joint meeting of the Milli Majlis Committees on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship, and on Labor and Social Policy, where the draft law ‘On the Budget of the State Social Protection Fund for 2026’ was discussed.

According to the MP, setting a higher need threshold is essential for both increasing the average amount of targeted social assistance and expanding the number of eligible applicants.

‘Raising the need criterion will increase the monthly payments provided to citizens under the targeted social assistance program from next year,’ Bayramov said.

‘It will also allow more low-income families to apply for this support. Currently, about 80,300 low-income families, including 353,300 individuals, receive targeted state social assistance. This means a significant number of families will benefit from the upcoming increase.’

The criminal case against Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, charged under articles of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other serious offenses, continued on November 4.

The open court session at Baku Military Court-presided by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve Judge Gunel Samadova)-provided the accused with an interpreter in his native language, Russian, and state-funded legal representation.

Judge Zeynal Agayev introduced the court panel, state prosecutors, interpreters, and others to the victims participating for the first time and their legal heirs or representatives, explaining their rights and obligations as stipulated by legislation.

Subsequently, Emil Babishov, the new lawyer defending Ruben Vardanyan’s rights, submitted a motion to the court.

He noted that in previous sessions, Vardanyan and his then-lawyer had filed several motions. The full extracts of the court’s decisions on those motions had not been provided to the defense. The lawyer requested that the full extracts be delivered to the defense side.

It should be recalled that in the previous session, a new state-appointed lawyer was assigned to Ruben Vardanyan. Until then, his rights were defended by a lawyer of his own choice. Two sessions prior, Vardanyan had waived his chosen lawyer.

Judge Zeynal Agayev stated that the extracts in question had already been provided to the defense and that they could continue to exercise this right.

Ruben Vardanyan then submitted another motion, requesting the summoning of a representative from the State Border Service to the court session. He explained that this relates to one of the charges against him-illegal crossing of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s state border.

Vardanyan’s defense lawyer, Emil Babishov, also supported the accused’s position and motion, requesting its satisfaction.

Addressing the motion, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev stated that the defense’s motion did not clearly indicate who should be summoned and for what reason, what testimony that person could provide in the witness phase, and its relevance to the charges against the accused. He added that there is no need for statements from State Border Service employees regarding illegal border crossing in the current proceedings.

Vusal Aliyev stated that if the accused claims to have crossed the Republic of Azerbaijan’s state border legally-contrary to the charge-and wishes to prove it, there are procedures provided by law. If the accused entered Azerbaijani territory legally, his civilian passport should bear the stamp of the State Border Service. He can prove this by presenting the stamp in his passport.

Vusal Aliyev requested that the motion not be granted.

After hearing the parties, the court issued a decision: the motion was left without consideration.

Judge Zeynal Agayev also noted that if information about the individual is provided in accordance with the law, the matter can be discussed.

The judge then announced that a group of recognized victims had submitted applications to the court, stating that due to valid reasons they could not attend the proceedings and confirming their preliminary investigation testimonies.

The parties raised no objections to the announcement of these testimonies in court.

Subsequently, victims who suffered from Armenia’s aggressive war and occupation policy gave statements.

Responding to questions from state prosecutor Terane Mammadova, victim Sagif Mikayilov said he was injured due to provocations by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups in the direction of Asgaran settlement, Khojaly district.

Victim Aydin Garibov stated that in Khalfali village, Shusha district, he, Ceyhun Shahnamazli, and Tarlan Jabbarov were wounded by enemy fire.

Answering questions from Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department for Defense of State Prosecution at the Prosecutor General’s Office, victim Kenan Abilov said he received a bullet wound to his left arm from enemy small arms fire on an unnamed height in Khankendi district.

Victim Yusif Veysov stated that in Chanagchi village, Khojaly district, he suffered shrapnel wounds to the kneecap when a mortar shell fired by remnants of Armenian armed forces and illegal groups exploded nearby.

Victim Rahib Mammadov, answering questions from state prosecutor Fuad Musayev, said that in Zangezur district, due to an enemy hand grenade explosion, Farid Mehbaliyev and Tabriz Rahimov were killed, while he, Ibrahim Mayilli, Seymur Hasanov, and several others whose names he does not currently recall were injured.

Togrul Najafli emphasized that in Zangezur district, due to enemy provocation, he and several others were injured, while Farid Rustamov, Farid Mehbaliyev, and Tabriz Rahimov were killed.

Answering questions from state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, victim Faiq Jafarov noted that in Lachin district, due to an enemy mortar shell explosion, he and several others were injured, while several more were killed.

Victim Emin Mammadov, responding to questions from Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev, said that in Lachin district, due to an enemy hand grenade explosion, Ali Aliyev was killed, while he, Tural Aghjabayov, Gabil Mammadov, and several others whose names he does not recall suffered various bodily injuries.

Ramazan Mahammadov stated that in Khojavend district, due to an enemy artillery shell exploding nearby, he and several others were injured.

Victims Seyran Eminov, Vuqar Mammadov, Tural Bagirov, Narmaddin Guliyev, Ali Rustamov, Ahmad Ibrahimov, Tural Imamguliyev, Saleh Ismayilov, Asif Mammadov, Ariz Hashimov, Vidadi Khaniyev, and Nazir Gulaliyev reported being injured due to enemy provocations in Kalbajar district.

Gulu Guliyev, Boyukaga Hasanov, and Sakhavat Guliyev stated they were injured in Lachin district; Seymur Hasanov, Asif Mammadov, and Ugur Shukurlu in Zangezur district due to enemy provocations.

Subsequently, Ibad Ismayilov, Ilkin Rahimov, and Elmir Beydullayev stated they were injured in Khojavend district; Aykhan Abdullayev near Isa Spring in Shusha city; Gunduz Gurbanov in Khalfali village, Shusha district; Rafael Salimov in Aghdam district; and Hijran Sultanov in Aghdara district due to provocations by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal armed groups.

Documents from the criminal case materials collected during the preliminary investigation were also announced in court, and evidence was examined.

The next court session is scheduled for November 18.

Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).

As part of his official visit to Algeria, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov was received by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the current state and future prospects of bilateral relations, highlighting their foundation of friendship and mutual respect.

Both parties expressed mutual interest in deepening political dialogue and expanding cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economy, education, humanitarian affairs, energy, transport, agriculture, tourism, and science and technology.

They emphasized that the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Governments of Azerbaijan and Algeria marks a key step toward advancing bilateral relations.

Discussions also underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation within international and regional organizations, such as the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement. Both sides praised Azerbaijan’s initiatives and leadership during its chairmanship of major international platforms, noting their contribution to global dialogue and regional stability.

Minister Bayramov informed President Tebboune about the history of Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan, the country’s vision for lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus, and the ongoing reconstruction and restoration efforts in the liberated territories.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to broadening their partnership on multiple fronts.

Azerbaijan has nominated its candidate for the position of Deputy Chair of the International Telecommunication Union’s Development Sector (ITU-D) Study Group 1 for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region.

According to Azernews, the nomination was made by Azercosmos, the country’s Space Agency. The position will be represented by Ilgar Abdullayev, Adviser on Space Law to the Chairman of the Azercosmos Board.

The election of the new composition of the ITU-D Study Groups will take place in November 2025 in Baku, during the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25). The process will be held in accordance with Article 20 of the ITU Constitution.

The upcoming conference will serve as an important global platform for member states to discuss research outcomes and recommendations related to digital development, connectivity, and innovation.

ITU-D Study Groups play a critical role in advancing global progress in telecommunications and communication technologies. They focus on exploring emerging technologies and addressing contemporary challenges in the telecommunications sector – from digital inclusion to infrastructure development.

Azerbaijan’s growing engagement within the ITU framework underscores the country’s ambition to become a regional digital hub and a key contributor to international telecommunications policy.

Korean streaming platform Tving is set to launch a dedicated content hub on Disney+ in Japan as part of a strategic partnership with the U.S. entertainment giant, Azernews reports, citing Korean media.

The collection, titled ‘Tving Collection,’ will go live on Wednesday within the Japanese version of Disney+ and will feature original Tving series such as Dear X, alongside hit titles from its parent company CJ ENM, Tving announced on Tuesday.

The launch marks the first time Disney+ has opened an internal content hub in the Asia-Pacific region for an external brand. Tving hopes to leverage Disney+’s established presence in Japan to reduce market entry risks and reach a broader audience.

‘As a local streaming service with the largest library of Korean content, we see this as a valuable opportunity to showcase Tving’s brand power in Japan,’ said Tving CEO Choi Ju-hui at a partnership event on Tuesday.

The collaboration also gives Disney+ a chance to differentiate itself in Japan’s competitive streaming market through popular Korean content.

‘We plan to expand our lineup by combining Tving’s compelling Korean storytelling with Disney+’s blockbusters and local hits,’ said Tamotsu Hiiro, Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company Japan.

Tving has accelerated its global expansion this year, as domestic growth has slowed. Annual growth in South Korean streaming subscribers has hovered around 5% since 2020, according to the Korea Information Society Development Institute. The Korean market, currently valued at roughly 6 trillion won ($4.1 billion), is projected to plateau over the next three to four years.

Facing continued dominance by Netflix in Korea, Tving is increasingly turning to international markets for growth. Last month, the platform expanded into 17 Asia-Pacific regions, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, through a partnership with Warner Bros.’ global streaming platform HBO Max.

By combining Tving’s Korean content with Disney+’s global reach, this partnership could help accelerate the ‘K-wave’ in Japan, introducing a new generation of viewers to K-dramas and original series. Analysts predict that such collaborations could make Korean content a key differentiator for streaming platforms across Asia-Pacific in the coming years.

Those who grew up in the early 2000s surely remember The Rasmus, the Finnish rock band that defined a generation with hits like “In the Shadows,” “Livin’ in a World Without You”.

Teenagers everywhere sang along, air-guitars in hand, to the hits that topped the charts and played endlessly on MTV.

Even years later, their songs still bring back vivid memories of adolescence and school days. For many, The Rasmus remains a symbol of 2000s nostalgia.

The Rasmus, formed in 1994 in Helsinki, has long been recognized for their unique blend of alternative rock and gothic tones. Over the years, they built a reputation for creating powerful, memorable songs that combine dark atmospheres with catchy melodies. Their global breakthrough came with the 2003 album “Dead Letters”, which sold over two million copies worldwide and set records for Finnish music royalties abroad.

Finally, after years of anticipation, Finnish rock band took the stage in Baku for the very first time.

The concert at the Heydar Aliyev Palace was brimming with energy as the audience sang along to the old hits like “In the Shadows”, “Livin’ in a World Without You”, and “Jezebel”.

Songs from the band’s new album “Weirdo” were also met with great enthusiasm and interest throughout the concert.

As band members Emppu Suhonen and Eero Heinonen previously shared in an interview with AZERNEWS, The Rasmus’ latest album, “Weirdo”, is musically a bit harder and heavier. With so many difficult things happening in the world right now, they wanted to create a rock album that reflected the times.

They worked closely with acclaimed producers Desmond Child and Marti Frederiksen to craft the sound. In the final phase of production, Joseph McQueen contributed additional rock and metal elements to complete the album

Fans filled the hall with lively cheers, hand-waving, and dancing, following Lauri’s lead through every song.

The moment The Rasmus struck the first chord, the hall seemed to breathe with them.

Lights twisted and danced like flames, projections painted the walls with color and motion, and the band moved with a presence that made the air itself feel electric.

By the night’s end, it was obvious this was just the beginning. With the band promising a return, Azerbaijani fans left buzzing with excitement, already looking forward to the next chance to see them live.

As a result of continuous monitoring of government information systems conducted by the Special Communication and Information Security State Service (SCISS), 52 indicators of compromise (IOCs) linked to cyberattacks have been identified and centrally blocked.

According to Azernews, the SCISS reported that of these cyber threats, 31 were detected through internal investigations, while 21 were identified based on reports received from various government agencies.

It should be noted that the Special Communication and Information Security State Service of Azerbaijan is responsible for ensuring the cybersecurity and information protection of state institutions. The agency conducts regular monitoring of government digital infrastructure to detect and prevent cyber threats, unauthorized access, and data breaches.

In recent years, as global cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated, the Service has intensified its efforts to strengthen cybersecurity resilience across Azerbaijan’s public sector.