Category: Azer News

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters on Thursday that his country has failed to reach an agreement with the United States due to Washington’s “irrational, excessive, and domineering” approach to negotiations, AzerNEWS reports.

“Until they understand that there is no alternative to respecting Iran’s people and their interests, there will not be the conditions for progress,” Araghchi insisted. “They simply need to reconsider their policies,” he added.

The comments come after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio once again reiterated that Tehran must commit to never acquiring a nuclear weapon in order to strike a deal with Washington, noting he believes it is still not ready for that but will be soon. Reflecting on Araghchi’s stance that Iran’s defense policy is based on the “an eye for an eye” principle, Rubio said that the American stance is “a head for an eye.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Commander Majid Mousavi confirmed in a message carried by Tasnim news agency on Wednesday that if the country comes under attack once again, the region’s energy sector will be targeted, with electricity to be cut off, AzerNEWS reports.

“If our bridges and power plants are attacked, the power outage of the allies and hosts of the child killers is certain,” he underlined.

Meanwhile, IRGC spokesperson Sardar Mohebbi addressed shipping companies in a separate statement, telling them that “the mined southern route of the Strait of Hormuz is the path to the destruction of [their] capital.”

He further called on them not to “fall for the deception” of Washington.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels (“Ansar Allah”) in Yemen have claimed that they targeted two Saudi-owned oil tankers in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, AzerNEWS reports.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a video address that the Saudi-owned oil tankers “ENCELIA” and “LAYLA” had been targeted.

According to Saree, the vessels were targeted for violating the designated transit ban.

“The operation was carried out using multiple ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as UAVs, and direct hits were inflicted on the vessels,” he noted.

Providing further details on military activities in the region, Saree said the Yemeni Houthis had forced around 10 vessels to withdraw and change their routes as part of similar operations.

The Houthi military spokesperson also issued a direct warning to the Saudi government.

Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a projectile struck a tanker in the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

According to the organization, “the vessel’s master reported that it had been hit by an unknown projectile, which caused a fire on board that the crew is currently fighting.”

Saudi Arabia’s official news agency SPA confirmed that the Encelia, “owned by a Saudi company,” had been attacked, causing a fire to break out in the vessel’s bow. The agency added that all crew members were safe.

During January-June 2026, 1.0926 million people from 189 countries visited the Republic of Azerbaijan. This is 10.3% less compared to the same period last year, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the State Border Service, 28.1% of arrivals were citizens of the Russian Federation, 21.0% from Trkiye, 8.2% from Iran, 4.9% from Georgia, 4.6% from Kazakhstan, 3.2% from Uzbekistan, 2.9% from Pakistan, 2.8% from India, 2.6% from Israel, 2.4% from China, 1.8% from Saudi Arabia, 1.6% from Ukraine, 1.3% from Turkmenistan, and 1.1% each from Germany and the United Kingdom. Citizens of other countries and stateless persons accounted for 12.4% of total arrivals.

Of those arriving in the country, 68.7% were men and 31.3% were women.

Compared to January-June 2025, the number of arrivals from European Union member states increased by 9.3% to 54.4 thousand, while the number of arrivals from CIS countries increased by 1.8% to 430.4 thousand. At the same time, the number of arrivals from the Gulf countries decreased by 31.4% to 127.7 thousand, while the number of arrivals from other countries declined by 14.1% to 480.1 thousand.

Air travel remained the dominant mode of entry, accounting for 71.1% of arrivals, followed by rail and road transport at 27.5%, while 1.4% arrived by sea.

Meanwhile, the number of Azerbaijani citizens travelling abroad fell 5.1% year-on-year to 937,400 in the first six months of 2026, remaining 2.7 times below the level recorded in the first half of 2019.

Of Azerbaijani citizens traveling abroad, 41.5% traveled to Trkiye, 17.1% to the Russian Federation, 11.7% to Georgia, 6.2% to Iran, and 23.5% to other countries. Compared to the same period last year, travel to Trkiye increased by 3.5%, travel to Georgia increased by 0.2%, while travel to the Russian Federation decreased by 3.0%, and travel to Iran declined by 41.0%.

Among Azerbaijani citizens traveling abroad, 66.5% were men and 33.5% were women.

During the reporting period, 69.8% of Azerbaijani citizens traveling abroad used air transport, 28.1% used rail and road transport, and 2.1% traveled by sea.

The first meeting of the Working Group established to coordinate the implementation of the “Azerbaijani Culture-2040” Concept has taken place at the Azerbaijan National Library under the organization of the Culture Ministry, AzerNEWS reports.

The meeting was attended by Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli, Head of the Humanitarian Affairs Department of the Cabinet of Ministers’ Office Arastu Habibbayli, deputy ministers and authorized representatives of the main implementing institutions responsible for the Concept’s Action Plan, officials from the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, as well as heads of relevant structural divisions of the Ministry of Culture.

Addressing the meeting, Working Group Chairman and Minister of Culture Adil Karimli stated that the “Azerbaijani Culture-2040” Concept, approved by the presidential order, is an important strategic document defining the long-term priorities for the development of national cultural policy.

The minister noted that, in accordance with the relevant decision of the Cabinet of Ministers on ensuring the implementation of the Presidential Order dated January 14, 2026, No. 888, a Working Group consisting of responsible representatives from the main implementing institutions has been established to coordinate the implementation of the Action Plan. He pointed out that the group will play an important role in strengthening cooperation among state institutions and ensuring effective, results-oriented implementation of the Concept.

Arastu Habibbayli, Head of the Humanitarian Affairs Department of the Cabinet of Ministers’ Office, highlighted the importance of the Concept in preserving national and moral values, forming a modern cultural model, and ensuring sustainable development of the cultural sector. He stressed the need for all implementing institutions to approach their responsibilities with a high level of commitment.

Later, Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova, who heads the Ministry’s internal Working Group on the implementation of the Concept, presented information on the work already carried out by the Ministry within the framework of the strategy. She said that relevant mechanisms had been created to coordinate the implementation of 84 large-scale measures included in the Action Plan, along with the establishment of monitoring and reporting systems.

Deputy Head of the Ministry’s internal Working Group Ayaz Museyibov, who also serves as Deputy Head of the State Service for Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Culture Ministry, delivered a presentation on the Cabinet of Ministers’ decision. He provided information on the tasks arising from the document, implementation deadlines, and coordination mechanisms between relevant institutions.

During the meeting, expert Nazli Ahmadova presented an overview of the Concept’s content and its main areas of focus.

Members of the Working Group, including Deputy Minister of Science and Education Hasan Hasanli, Deputy Minister of Economy Azer Bayramov, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Vugar Karimov, Vice President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Govhar Bakhshaliyeva, Deputy Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs Sadaqat Gahramanova, and Head of the Office of the Intellectual Property Agency Khudayat Hasanli, also delivered speeches.

The participants stressed the importance of consistent implementation of planned activities, stronger inter-institutional coordination, and enhanced cooperation to achieve the goals and objectives of the Concept.

During the discussions, participants reviewed progress in preparing six state programs planned within the framework of the Concept, as well as upcoming tasks. Discussions were also held on improving monitoring and reporting mechanisms, ensuring effective implementation of the Action Plan, and identifying priorities for the next stages.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants discussed areas requiring joint action by state institutions under the Action Plan, as well as the Working Group’s activities for the upcoming period.

On January 14, 2026, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree endorsing the “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Cultural Concept, a long-term strategic plan aimed at shaping the country’s cultural development over the next two decades, according to Azernews.

The initiative seeks to balance tradition and modernity, preserving national identity while fostering sustainable growth and enhancing Azerbaijan’s cultural presence on the global stage.

The Concept envisions a contemporary cultural model that respects national and moral values and ensures structured, long-term development across all cultural sectors. It places particular emphasis on the Azerbaijani language, advocating for its stronger presence in cultural life, deeper development, and increased international visibility and influence.

To realize these goals, the Concept proposes coordinated measures to elevate the status of Azerbaijani in society, including efforts to promote, develop, and support the language as a dynamic and evolving medium of expression. Anticipated results include the growth of the Azerbaijani literary language, the creation of new works in the native tongue, and expanded use of Azerbaijani across digital platforms.

The Concept also highlights the importance of international promotion to extend the language’s global reach and enhance its role in worldwide communication. Measures will aim to increase both the quantity and quality of scientific, journalistic, and literary output in Azerbaijani, ensuring it remains a vibrant cultural and intellectual tool.

Coordinated by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the Concept outlines a phased implementation plan divided into three stages: 2026-2030, 2031-2035, and 2036-2040, each with clearly defined objectives and institutional mechanisms to guide progress.

A biographical film about hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg is set to arrive in theaters on August 6, 2027, with Universal Pictures developing the project, AzerNEWS reports citing foreign media.

The film, titled “Snoop,” will chronicle the life and career of Calvin Broadus Jr., from his early years in Long Beach, California, to becoming one of the most influential figures in music and popular culture.

The movie will be directed by Craig Brewer, who previously worked on music-driven films such as Hustle and Flow and Dolemite Is My Name. Actor Jonathan Daviss, known for Netflix’s Outer Banks, will portray Snoop Dogg in the lead role.

The biopic is being produced by Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment, Snoop Dogg, and Death Row Pictures. The project is expected to explore the rapper’s breakthrough with Dr. Dre, his rise in the West Coast hip-hop scene, his success as a recording artist, and his later career as an entrepreneur and cultural icon.

The film will also feature Snoop Dogg’s music catalogue and will mark one of the first major projects connected to Death Row Pictures’ partnership with Universal.

The production aims to tell the story of an artist whose career has spanned more than three decades and expanded beyond music into film, television, business and entertainment.

“Snoop” is scheduled to open in theaters on August 6, 2027.

The Argentine forward received the organization’s top individual honour after an outstanding tournament campaign with the national team.

The award was determined by its overall performance index, which evaluates players using weighted match ratings, goals, assists and their influence during the knockout stages of the competition.

After analysing performances throughout the tournament, IFFHS placed Messi at the top of the ranking.

Messi featured in all seven of Argentina’s matches at the World Cup, playing 626 minutes. He recorded eight goals and four assists, directly contributing to 12 goals during Argentina’s run to the final. His consistent impact in crucial matches was a key factor behind IFFHS’s decision.

The federation highlighted that Messi’s performances in the knockout rounds played a major role in Argentina’s progress, with his statistical impact placing him above all other players assessed in the IFFHS ranking.

This latest recognition adds another historic achievement to Messi’s international career, following his World Cup triumph with Argentina in 2022.

At 39 years old, the captain once again proved his ability to perform at the highest level of world football.

Player: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Matches Played: 7

Minutes: 626

Goals: 8

Assists: 4

Average Match Rating (IFFHS): 8.33

Award: IFFHS Best Player

The administration of US President Donald Trump is discussing the possibility of conducting a military operation against Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist group operating in Mali, AzerNEWS reports.

According to The Washington Post, citing current and former US officials familiar with the deliberations, if the US authorities decide to carry out such an operation, Mali would become the eighth country targeted by strikes ordered by Trump since the beginning of his second presidential term. The list also includes Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria and Venezuela.

The official also called terrorism in the Sahel a “multinational problem,” adding: “We urge regional partners and NATO allies to support the Alliance of Sahel States in their war against JNIM and ISIS.”

The Pentagon declined to comment, while the State Department said the US “unequivocally condemns the terrorist activity in Mali,” according to the report.

???????In 2018, the US State Department designated JNIM in Mali as a foreign terrorist organization.

In the most recent fighting, the JNIM ambushed a Mali military convoy, reportedly killing or capturing at least 50 soldiers. The JNIM also released video appearing to show soldiers surrendering.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Manila on the sidelines of ministerial-level events of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), AzerNEWS reports, citing the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the information, the two officials held a detailed exchange of views on a wide range of bilateral and international issues, building on recent high-level contacts.

During discussions on Ukraine, Lavrov briefed his US counterpart on the situation along the line of contact and reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to seek a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict. He also reiterated Moscow’s commitment to the proposals put forward by the US side during the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Anchorage.

The two officials also discussed regional and international issues, including the situation in the Gulf.

Following the meeting, the sides agreed to continue contacts between their foreign ministries, including through participation in international organizations.

Archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) have completed the fifth consecutive season of excavations at the Kilsadag Temple Complex in Azerbaijan’s Gabala district, AzerNEWS reports citing the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology.

The latest fieldwork continues a long-term archaeological research project that has been underway at the site since 2022.

The expedition, titled Archaeological Research of the Material and Cultural Heritage of Caucasian Albania, was led by Associate Professor Natig Alishov, PhD in History, from the Institute’s Department of Ancient Period and Albanian Archaeology.

This year’s fieldwork focused on uncovering the architectural features of the site’s surviving structures and further investigating the fortified acropolis surrounding the temple complex. Each excavation season has expanded researchers’ understanding of what is emerging as one of the country’s most significant archaeological sites linked to ancient Caucasian Albania.

Previous excavations in 2025 revealed sections of defensive walls and the foundations of two strategically positioned towers protecting the acropolis. Building on those discoveries, archaeologists widened the excavation area this year to examine the site’s fortification system in greater detail.

The results exceeded expectations. Survey excavations indicate that the complex was defended by more than ten towers, suggesting a much larger and more sophisticated defensive network than previously believed. In excavation squares identified as K and L, researchers uncovered additional sections of the fortress wall enclosing the eastern side of the circular temple, together with the remains of three towers constructed parallel to the defensive walls.

Excavations also continued inside Room No. 1, where a test trench had been opened during the 2025 season to better understand the site’s cultural layers. Archaeologists uncovered a stone-box grave and two earth burials, discoveries that may prove crucial in reconstructing the chronology of the settlement.

One of the most significant findings is that these burials were located beneath the foundations of the religious and public buildings uncovered during excavations over the past four years. This indicates that the cemetery predates at least part of the monumental architecture, pointing to several distinct phases of occupation and development at the site.

Anthropological samples collected from the graves will undergo radiocarbon (C-14) analysis, which is expected to provide a more precise chronology for the burials as well as the construction of the fortress walls and defensive towers surrounding the temple complex.

The latest field investigations also suggest that the fortifications extended well beyond the circular temple itself. Archaeologists believe the defensive system once formed part of a much larger settlement.

Researchers note that a considerable portion of the archaeological site suffered extensive damage during the Soviet period, when the Gabala Radar Station (RLS) was built in the nearby Emilidag area. The military installation occupied hundreds of hectares, and its construction affected the northeastern section of the ancient settlement. Defensive trenches, air-defense positions, and other military structures significantly disturbed the archaeological landscape.

Despite these losses, substantial remains have survived beneath the ground. Archaeologists believe the ongoing excavations around the Kilsadag Temple Complex and its surrounding acropolis may ultimately reveal the remains of another major city of ancient Caucasian Albania.

Situated near Amili village in the Gabala district, the Kilsadag Temple Complex has yet to be identified in known written historical sources. Nevertheless, each excavation season brings new evidence that the site was not merely an isolated religious monument but part of a large, fortified urban center whose history is only beginning to emerge.