Traffic restrictions to be imposed in Ganja on CIS Games closing day

Traffic restrictions will be applied on certain roads in the city of Ganja on the official closing day of the third CIS Games, Azernews reports.

On October 8, the date of the closing ceremony, traffic will be fully restricted at the intersections of Heydar Aliyev Avenue, Muhammad Fuzuli Street, Ataturk Avenue, Turgut Ozal Street, Behram bay Akhundov, Faiq Nemanzade, Ilham Mz?ff?roglu, and Chingiz Mustafayev streets.

Due to the traffic restrictions on Ataturk Avenue, routes 6 and 7 will be rerouted through Heydar Aliyev Avenue during the event.

Route 12 will have a change in its final stop, which will be Bilal Qahramanov Street instead of the Ganja Railway Station due to the restrictions on Ataturk Avenue.

Routes 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8 will continue to operate along Heydar Aliyev Avenue.

Spectators attending the closing ceremony will be able to use public transportation passing near the Ganja City Stadium area.

Azerbaijan is hosting the third Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Games from September 28 to October 8, 2025, marking a significant event in the region’s sports calendar.

This multi-sport competition brings together athletes from CIS member states and invited countries, aiming to promote friendship, cooperation, and athletic excellence.

For the first time in the history of the CIS Games, competitions are being held across seven cities in Azerbaijan: Ganja, Mingachevir, Gabala, Shaki, Goygol, Yevlakh, and Khankandi.

Each city hosts events in different sports, with the second-largest city, Ganja, serving as the main hub and officially designated the CIS Sports Capital for 2025.

Around 23 sports are being contested across 12 venues, highlighting a broad and inclusive athletic program.

A total of 1,624 athletes from 13 countries are participating in the third CIS Games.

Event mascots Babir and Leyla are helping to generate enthusiasm among young fans.

Azerbaijan’s Gabala hosts official luncheon on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev for leaders attending OTS summit [PHOTOS]

On October 7, an official luncheon was hosted in Gabala on behalf of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in honor of the heads of state and government participating in the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Azernews reports.

President Ilham Aliyev: Today, Organization of Turkic States has evolved into one of the significant geopolitical centers

‘Today, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has evolved from merely a platform for cooperation into one of the significant geopolitical centers,’ said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during his address at the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States, Azernews reports.

The head of state expressed his satisfaction with the growing prestige of the Organization on the international stage, saying: ‘Our shared historical and ethnic roots, along with common national and spiritual values, bring us together as a family.’

Azerbaijan highlights strong cooperation within Turkic States Organization

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS), founded on shared language, history, and traditions and rooted in the Nakhchivan Agreement, has developed cooperation in more than 35 areas, including political, economic, and cultural sectors.

Azernews reports that Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov made the remarks at a meeting of the OTS Council of Foreign Ministers in Gabala.

Bayramov emphasized that in a time when confidence in international institutions is shaken, the dynamic cooperation within the OTS-built on brotherhood and mutual trust-is not only a source of pride but also a solid foundation for hope in the future. He stated: ‘Today, we will hear proposals from member states on further strengthening our organization. On the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, the number of annual OTS Summit meetings has been increased to two, creating an opportunity for flexible, in-depth, and comprehensive discussions on our cooperation potential.’

National Art Museum presents new permanent exhibition [PHOTOS]

A new permanent exhibition titled “Azerbaijani Fine Arts: From Classicism to Postmodernism” has opened at the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, Azernews reports.

Director of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Honored Cultural Worker Shirin Malikova, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, People’s Artist Farhad Khalilov, People’s Artist and Academician Omar Eldarov, and the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Architects’ Union, Honored Architect Elbay Gasimzade participated in the event.

In their remarks, they emphasized the significance of the exhibition, which brings together various periods of our national art from the 1950s to the 2000s, and presents the creative journeys of painters and sculptors through their outstanding works of art.

Following the speeches, the participants familiarized themselves with the exhibition. The display features nearly 80 works, including paintings, sculptures, and graphic art.

The exhibition, showcasing the works of artists from different generations, creates a comprehensive panorama of Azerbaijani fine arts. It presents both the artistic world of painters working in the realism style in the early 20th century and the modernists who introduced new approaches in form and expression in the subsequent periods, as well as works by contemporary artists addressing global themes. This allows viewers to explore the wide horizons of Azerbaijani painting.

In themed sections, visitors can find paintings depicting the stunning landscapes of Baku, the psychologically deep portraits of prominent figures, genre paintings reflecting everyday life, and abstract works expressing the philosophical harmony of color and form. These diverse pieces organically combine the classical roots and contemporary explorations of the Azerbaijani painting school, demonstrating the richness and dynamic development of national art.

Works by renowned and emerging artists, such as Taghi Taghiyev, Gafar Seyfullayev, Vajiha Samadova, Badura Afganli, Asaf Jafarov, Bayim Hajiyeva, Nadir Gasimov, Mirnadir Zeynalov, Farhad Khalilov, Chingiz Farzaliyev, Salhab Mammadov, Sirus Mirzazade, Aydan Salahova, and others, from different periods and styles, are presented in a unified space, creating a complete picture of 20th-century visual arts.

The painting section of the exhibition is enriched by the works of Azerbaijani sculptors such as Jalal Garyagdi, Elmira Huseynova, Natig Aliyev, Sahib Guliyev, and Teymur Rustamov, who represent various generations and excel in classical and abstract styles.

These contributions add significant depth to the exhibition. Here, traditional realism and contemporary plastic languages are presented side by side, allowing viewers to trace the development of the national sculptural school.

The sculptures on display capture both the psychological richness of human figures and the new interpretations of form and space, drawing the audience’s attention.

Founded in 1937, Azerbaijan National Art Museum offers art connoisseurs some of the best examples of decorative-applied arts of Western Europe.

Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum, and around 12,000 items are kept in storage. Here, you can see masterpieces of the Italian, French, German, and Polish masters of brush.

The museum has successfully organized and hosted numerous high-level international exhibitions, showcasing the works of renowned artists.

These exhibitions have not only attracted art enthusiasts but have also contributed to the cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and other countries.

Baku hosts 65th PABSEC Social Policy Committee Meeting

On October 7, the 65th meeting of the Committee on Social and Humanitarian Policy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) began its work in Baku, Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The session is being attended by parliamentary representatives from Azerbaijan and several other member states.

The committee is expected to discuss key issues related to social development, cultural cooperation, humanitarian challenges, and strategies for enhancing regional collaboration in these areas.

It should be noted that the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) is a regional international organization founded in 1992 to foster economic collaboration and political dialogue among countries in the wider Black Sea region.

Member States include: Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkiye, and Ukraine.

Its Parliamentary Assembly (PABSEC), established in 1993, serves as a platform for national parliaments to contribute to the organization’s goals by promoting democratic values, parliamentary dialogue, and cooperation on economic, environmental, social, and humanitarian issues.

Azerbaijan is an active member of the organization and has hosted several BSEC events, reaffirming its commitment to regional cooperation.

Climbing tournament held in Shusha in honor of Victory Day [PHOTOS]

A thrilling rock climbing tournament, “Follow the Path of Heroes,” has taken place in Shusha, commemorating the 5th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s historic victory in the 44-day Patriotic War, Azernews reports.

The two-day event featured a hiking trip on the first day, where participants walked from Mukhtar village to Jidir Plain, familiarizing themselves with the paths once traversed by the national heroes.

On the second day, the rock climbing competition at Jidir Plain turned into an intense and exciting sporting battle.

Both professional and amateur teams competed, and the winning teams were awarded diplomas.

The tournament was not only a sports competition but also a significant expression of respect for our martyrs, a commemoration of our Victory history, and an important event for instilling a spirit of patriotism in the youth.

The sports event was organized by the Azerbaijan Mountaineering Federation, with support from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district, the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency, and the Shusha State Historical and Architectural Reserve Administration.

Korean anger grows over Tesla battery as government reviews subsidies

The South Korean government is contemplating reducing subsidies for Tesla following persistent battery defects that have left some three-year-old models unable to charge. This issue has intensified scrutiny over Tesla’s commitment to consumer protection in one of its key markets, Azernews reports, citing Korean media.

Tesla owners in Korea have expressed growing frustration-not only over the battery malfunctions but also due to what they describe as the company’s ‘irresponsible’ handling of the problem.

Online communities have mobilized, demanding recalls or free battery replacements, and have even submitted a petition to the National Assembly. The petition, which has already gathered over 14,000 signatures, has prompted the country’s transport and environment ministries to closely monitor the situation.

‘We cannot continue to provide subsidies for vehicles that disadvantage consumers. Depending on Tesla’s response, we may consider withdrawing subsidies altogether,’ said an official leading the EV subsidy program at the Ministry of Environment.

‘We requested a detailed explanation from Tesla Korea but have yet to receive any meaningful response,’ the official added.

Tesla remains a dominant player in the Korean EV market. Last year, the company sold 29,750 vehicles, making it the third-largest imported car brand behind BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Notably, the Model Y was the top-selling electric vehicle in Korea during the first half of this year, with 15,432 units sold-surpassing popular domestic models like Kia’s EV6 and Hyundai’s Ioniq 5.

As Tesla faces mounting pressure from both consumers and regulators, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the company can restore trust in the Korean market and maintain its subsidy eligibility.

Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty visits Azerbaijan [PHOTOS]

On October 7, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov arrived in Azerbaijan to participate in the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Azernews reports.

A guard of honor was lined up for the Turkmen leader at Gabala International Airport.

At the airport, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was welcomed by Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Adil Karimli and other officials.