Category: Azer News

A broad-format meeting has been held at the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ADPU) at the initiative of the Vice-Rectorate for Social and Humanitarian Affairs, bringing together the leadership of student organizations operating within the university, AzerNEWS reports.

The meeting was attended by Professor Fikrat Rzayev, Vice-Rector for Social and Humanitarian Affairs; Turan Karimli, Head of the Department for Event Organization and Student Affairs; Ismayil Nasirov, Chief Specialist of the department; Tarlan Aghayev, specialist at the Heydar Aliyev Center; as well as chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of student organizations active at the university.

During the meeting, discussions focused on priority areas outlined in ADPU’s 2026 action plan. Participants reviewed the content of upcoming projects, mechanisms for their implementation, and coordination matters. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening ties with the university’s regional branches, expanding institutional cooperation among student organizations, increasing joint initiatives, and organizing systematic and goal-oriented awareness activities among students.

Within the framework of the session, concrete proposals were voiced regarding support for student initiatives, enrichment of the social and cultural environment, promotion of national and moral values, and the formation of a healthy organizational climate within the university. Participants engaged in an active exchange of views on these matters.

It was noted that building the activities of student structures on coordinated and strategic foundations would significantly contribute to revitalizing student life at ADPU, strengthening the university’s corporate identity, and fostering the continued development of its academic environment.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to His Majesty Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia, AzerNEWS reports.

The letter reads as follows:

Your Majesty,

My Dear Brother,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I am pleased to convey to you and, through you, to your fraternal people, my sincerest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the Day of Founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

We are very pleased that the relations between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, which are a good example of strong friendship and rooted in brotherhood, are expanding day by day and being enriched with new content. The high-level political dialogue between us is accompanied by our cooperation across the economic, energy, humanitarian and other domains.

I would like to particularly note the fruitful joint activities of our countries in the fields of renewable energy and investment. The construction and recent commissioning of the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant by your brotherly country’s ‘ACWA Power’ company is a vivid manifestation of our close partnership.

I am confident that we will continue to make joint efforts to enhance Azerbaijan-Saudi Arabia interstate relations and fully benefit from the potential of our mutually beneficial cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Availing myself of this pleasant opportunity, I sincerely congratulate you and your brotherly people on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, and wish you robust health, happiness, success in your endeavors, as well as everlasting peace and prosperity to Saudi Arabia.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 19 February 2026

The UEFA Champions League play-off second leg between Newcastle United and Qarabag FK will be overseen by a team of experienced officials from Italy, AzerNEWS reports.

The match will be refereed by renowned FIFA official Davide Massa, who will be assisted by Filippo Meli and Stefano Alassio as the assistant referees, while Luca Pairetto will serve as the fourth official.

In the video assistant referee (VAR) booth, Daniele Chiffi will take charge, with German referee Christian Dingert assisting him.

The match is scheduled to take place at St James’ Park on the night of February 24-25, kicking off at midnight Baku time. In the first leg, Newcastle secured a commanding 6-1 victory over Qarabag, leaving the Azerbaijani side with a challenging task in the return fixture.

This game promises to be a high-stakes encounter as Qarabag looks to mount a comeback in front of Newcastle’s passionate home crowd.

The UEFA Champions League is a continental tournament that brings together the best teams from Europe’s top domestic leagues.

It is widely regarded as the pinnacle of club football, attracting millions of fans worldwide.

Clubs from UEFA’s member countries compete for the title, which is seen as the ultimate achievement for European club teams.

The format of the UEFA Champions League has evolved over time.

The current structure includes several stages: Qualifying Rounds, Group Stage, Knockout Rounds and Final.

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League marks the 71st edition of Europe’s top club football competition, and the 34th since it was rebranded from the European Cup to the UEFA Champions League.

The final will take place on May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.

A commemorative event marking the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide is set to take place on February 25 at the conference hall of the Press, Publications and Public Relations Department of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, AzerNEWS reports.

The ceremony, dedicated to honoring the victims of the tragic events, has been initiated by the Trkiye-Azerbaijan Friendship, Cooperation and Solidarity Foundation, which operates in Ankara.

The gathering will be held under the patronage of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, with organizational support from the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Turkiye.

The human rights commissioners (Ombudsmen) of both Azerbaijan and Turkiye are also expected to participate in the event.

The tragic events occurred on February 25-26, 1992, when Armenian armed forces, with direct support from the 366th regiment of the former USSR stationed in Khankandi in Azerbaijan’s Garabagh region, launched a brutal attack on Khojaly from multiple directions.

The attack had devastating consequences: approximately 613 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed.

In addition, around 1,000 people were left disabled, eight families were completely wiped out, 25 children were orphaned, and 130 children lost at least one parent.

Furthermore, 1,275 innocent individuals were taken captive, and the fate of 150 people remains unknown to this day.

Azerbaijan and Austria are strengthening ties through collaboration in music education and cultural exchange, AzerNEWS reports.

A high-level meeting on this topic took place between Murad Huseynov, Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister, and Wolfram Rosenberger, Director of the Innsbruck City Music School. The discussion also included Leyla Gasimova, head of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center.

The meeting focused on organizing music education programs for children and adolescents, training professional staff, and developing students’ skills and knowledge. Both Azerbaijani and Austrian representatives explored initiatives such as hosting local and international competitions at the school level. They also discussed conducting summer and winter music courses, workshops and seminars, scientific conferences, and other experience-sharing programs.

Deputy Minister Huseynov emphasized the role of music education in shaping young people’s worldview and highlighted the long-standing traditions of music schools in Azerbaijan. He noted that exposure to international practices and professional exchange is critical for maintaining the relevance and quality of music education.

Wolfram Rosenberger provided an overview of the Innsbruck City Music School, describing it as the largest music school in Austria, with more than 4,700 students enrolled.

The school offers a broad spectrum of music education, including programs for keyboard, string, wind, percussion, and folk instruments, as well as vocal training and ensemble work. Students also have access to symphonic orchestra, jazz, and rock ensembles, making the school a vibrant cultural institution that integrates students actively into musical life.

During the meeting, participants discussed ways to further develop children’ s musical skills, improve school management, and strengthen cooperation in other areas of mutual interest.

Both sides expressed commitment to building a long-term partnership aimed at enhancing the quality of music education and expanding opportunities for students in Azerbaijan and Austria.

As part of its ongoing efforts to educate the public on proper conduct during emergencies, the relevant departments of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) have organized a series of awareness events across the country, AzerNEWS reports.

Experts from the State Fire Control Service, the Small Vessels Supervision Service, and the Water Rescue Service participated in the initiatives. The Baku Regional Center (RC) held sessions at the Baku Main Customs Department, Secondary School No. 121 in the Khazar district, and the Ankara School-Lyceum in the Narimanov district.

Meanwhile, the Ganja RC organized an event at “Yeni Ganja Hotel Company” LLC, and the Karabakh RC visited Secondary School No. 2 in Khachinabad village, Beylagan district. The Aran RC conducted awareness activities at the administrative building of the Qashalti-Qaraqoyunlu village representative office in Naftalan city and at the secondary school in Qarqucaq village, Goranboy district. In the northwest, the Ismayilli village of Mollaisaqli school and Ismayilli City Kindergarten No. 4 hosted MES awareness sessions. The North RC held its event at the Bostanchi village secondary school in Khachmaz district.

The primary goal of these events was to equip citizens with the necessary knowledge and skills to respond safely to natural and man-made emergencies. Participants received detailed information about the classification of emergencies, the types of incidents most common in Azerbaijan, including fires and earthquakes and the essential safety measures to follow in such situations.

Additionally, the purpose and use of MES’s emergency hotline, “112,” were explained, and demonstrations on how to operate basic firefighting equipment were conducted. The interactive format encouraged participants to ask questions, all of which were answered thoroughly by the experts.

Through these engaging initiatives, the Ministry continues to strengthen public preparedness and promote a culture of safety nationwide.

The US economy has expanded by 1.4% in the last quarter of 2025, while market expectation was at around 3%, AzerNEWS reports citing Anadolu Agency.

In the third quarter, the country’s GDP has increased by 4.4%, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reminded on Friday.

The bureau said: “The contributors to the increase in real GDP in the fourth quarter were increases in consumer spending and investment.

“These movements were partly offset by decreases in government spending and exports. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, decreased.”

The BEA also said that the deceleration in the fourth quarter, versus the previous quarter, reflected downturns in government spending and exports and a deceleration in consumer spending that were partly offset by an acceleration in investment.

The decrease in imports was smaller than in the prior quarter.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday on US based social media platform Truth: “The Democrat Shutdown cost the U.S.A. at least two points in GDP.

“That’s why they are doing it, in mini form, again. No Shutdowns! Also, LOWER INTEREST RATES. ‘Two Late’ Powell is the WORST!!!”

An earthquake has been recorded 35 km southwest of the Gobustan station, in the Shamakhi district, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Earthquake Research Bureau of the Republican Seismological Service Center, the tremor was recorded near the epicenter.

It was felt at intensities of 3 to 4 on the seismic scale in nearby villages.

This week, the average prices of Azeri Light CIF, Azeri Light FOB Ceyhan, Urals, and Dated Brent crude oils all experienced fluctuations, AzerNEWS reports.

The average price of Azeri Light CIF crude from Azerbaijan’s Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli field rose by $0.21, or 0.3 percent, from last week, reaching $71.04 per barrel. During the week, the price of this grade ranged from a low of $68.92 to a high of $72.78 per barrel.

Azeri Light crude on FOB terms at the Turkish port of Ceyhan averaged $68.40 per barrel this week, up $0.06, or 0.3 percent, compared to the previous week. Prices for this grade fluctuated between $66.28 and $70.13 per barrel over the reporting period.

Urals crude oil averaged $40.46 per barrel, marking a $0.14, or 0.4 percent, increase from last week. Its weekly range was $38.32 at the lowest and $42.13 at the highest.

Meanwhile, Dated Brent crude oil averaged $71.47 per barrel, slightly down $0.23, or 0.3 percent, from the previous week. The price of Dated Brent ranged from $69.74 to $72.76 per barrel during the week.

Officials from Azerbaijan’s Information and Communication Technologies Agency (ICTA) and Georgia’s telecom regulator, the Communications Commission (ComCom), held a high-level meeting to discuss regional cooperation in telecommunications security, AzerNEWS reports.

During the talks, Tural Zarbaliyev, Director of ICTA’s Regulatory Department, raised concerns over a recent surge in fraudulent calls targeting Azerbaijan. He noted that most of these calls originate from numbers that imitate Azerbaijan’s national numbering format but are presented with Georgia’s international dialing code, +995.

The discussions focused on potential measures to prevent such fraud, with both sides exchanging ideas on practical solutions. Officials emphasized that expanding bilateral cooperation would make a significant contribution to ensuring regional telecom security.

It was also highlighted that meetings like this help establish rapid information-sharing mechanisms, identify risks in a timely manner, and coordinate joint actions.

Strengthening regional collaboration against cyber fraud and spoofed calls, sharing best international practices, and aligning technical capabilities were underlined as key steps toward developing sustainable solutions in the field.