Exhibition ‘Echoes of Centuries: Azerbaijani Musical Instruments’ opens in Jordan [PHOTOS]

On October 7, 2025, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Jordan, in collaboration with the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO and under the patronage of Princess Dana Firas, President of the Petra National Trust and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, hosted the opening of the exhibition “Echoes of the Centuries: Azerbaijani Musical Instruments” in Amman, the capital of Jordan, Azernews reports.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Jordan’s governmental and cultural institutions, members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the Kingdom, as well as notable figures from the academic and artistic communities, and local public representatives.

In his speech at the opening, Eldar Salimov, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, emphasized that the exhibition was not only an art display but also a reflection of the Azerbaijani people’s spirit, their centuries-old history, and rich cultural heritage. He noted that Azerbaijan’s musical traditions date back to ancient times, including the musical and dance scenes depicted in the rock carvings of Gobustan and Gamygaya.

The Ambassador Salimov further pointed out that Azerbaijani music has always held an important place in the spiritual life of the people, and it is widely reflected in the works of great classical poets such as Nizami Ganjavi and Mohammad Fuzuli, as well as in “Book of Dede Qorqud” epic

He also mentioned prominent figures like Uzeyir Hajibayli, Fikrat Amirov, Gara Garayev, Muslum Magomayev, and other distinguished artists, whose work has played a key role in bridging Eastern and Western cultures.

The Ambassador said that each musical instrument on display-tar, kamancha, nagara, saz, qaval, qanun, oud, tutak, and zurna serves as a living carrier of national memory and is a manifestation of Azerbaijan’s historical and spiritual identity.

Ambassador Salimov also noted that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijani music culture has entered a new phase of development. He highlighted the restoration of the Kharibulbul Festival in the city of Shusha as a prime example of national cultural revival.

In conclusion, the Ambassador presented the musical instruments and Azerbaijani carpets, which represent the country’s ancient craftsmanship, to the Petra National Trust as an official gift on behalf of the Azerbaijan National Commission for UNESCO.

He described this symbolic gesture as a reflection of Azerbaijan’s contribution to the preservation and promotion of humanity’s shared cultural heritage.

During the event, participants were treated to a performance by Jordan’s “Duroob” group, featuring classical Azerbaijani musical pieces.

National boxers reach European U19 Championship finals

Azerbaijani boxers have reached the finals of the European Boxing U19 Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Azernews reports.

On the first day of the semi-finals, two Azerbaijani athletes advanced to the final.

Banuchichak Nasirli (48 kg) defeated Amelja Sula(Italy) in the semi-final with a score of 5:0 (29:26, 29:27, 29:27, 30:25, 30:25). She will face Mathilda Fragnieres (France) in the final.

Bilalhabasi Nazarov (50 kg) tested Razvan Ionut Panaite (Romania).

The Azerbaijani boxer won all three rounds, securing a 5:0 victory (30:27, 30:26, 30:25, 30:25, 30:26). He will meet Tommaso Orlando (Italy) in the final.

Another Azerbaijani boxer, Subkhan Babayev (60 kg), faced Luka Chkhikvadze (Georgia).

As his opponent advanced to the next stage, Subkhan Babayev earned the bronze medal.

The final bouts of the European Championship will take place on October 10.

Approximately 105 female and 189 male boxers from 33 countries are participating in the tournament.

Boxing is recognized as one of the oldest sports in human history, with the earliest records of the sport dating back to ancient Egypt around 3,000 BC.

The Greeks introduced boxing to the ancient Olympic Games in the late 7th century BC.

In 1924, the International Amateur Boxing Federation (FIBA) was founded, and in 1946, it was renamed the International Boxing Association (AIBA). Boxing made its Olympic debut at the 1904 Games in St. Louis.

Azerbaijan hosted its first boxing championship in 1926, with national boxers claiming first place. Since 1992, the Azerbaijani Boxing Federation has been a full member of AIBA.

Azerbaijani boxers have earned numerous prestigious accolades in international competitions. Aghasi Mammadov made history by becoming Azerbaijan’s first gold medalist at the World Championships. Fuad Asadov also earned a spot on the podium at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Azerbaijan has been selected several times to host major boxing events.

The country previously hosted the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, which served as the main qualification tournament for the London 2012 Olympics.

In 2019, Baku hosted the AIBA Youth World Championships, marking the first youth competition to act as a qualifier for the 2010 Singapore Olympics.

Baku and Tbilisi strengthen defense ties through UAV experience exchange

In accordance with the bilateral military cooperation plan between the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan and Georgia for 2025, a delegation from the Georgian Ministry of Defense visited Azerbaijan within the framework of the program ‘Exchange of Experience in the Field of UAVs’, Azernews reports.

According to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, the Georgian delegation received a detailed briefing on the activities of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Azerbaijani Army, including their use in combat operations, organization of flight missions, and ongoing development trends in this field.

During the meeting, both sides discussed areas of mutual interest and emphasized the importance of regular experience exchange programs for enhancing cooperation and operational efficiency between the two countries’ defense institutions.c

Court continues trial over terrorism financing case in Baku

A trial has been held on the criminal case initiated by the State Security Service (STS) against Khagani Omarov, Anar Salamzadeh, and Elchin Azizov, who are accused of financing terrorism, Azernews reports.

The hearing took place at the Baku Grave Crimes Court under the chairmanship of Judge Nigar Imanova. During the session, the defense submitted a motion requesting the termination of the criminal case against Khagani Omarov.

The court rejected the motion, deeming it unfounded. Subsequently, witnesses gave testimony, and the statements previously provided to the investigation by four individuals involved in the case were read aloud in their absence.

The trial is set to continue on October 28.

It should be noted that the accused were detained as a result of an operation conducted by the State Security Service. The investigation revealed that they had transferred funds to certain individuals operating abroad to support terrorist activities. They were charged under Article 214-1 (financing of terrorism) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Honored Artist Ayyub Guliyev participates in Int’l Opera Festival [PHOTOS]

The 33rd International Opera Festival, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the renowned world opera figure Maria Bie?u, has taken place in Chi?inau, Moldova, Azernews reports.

The festival brought together stars from prominent opera stages across various countries. It featured 20 special guests from 12 countries, including France, Germany, Ukraine, Greece, Azerbaijan, Chile, Cuba, Poland, Italy, Romania, the Netherlands, and Spain.

Along with these international conductors and singers, the festival also showcased the leading soloists, symphonic orchestra, choir, and ballet troupe of the National Opera Theater of Moldova, making it one of the country’s major cultural events.

The festival opened with Giuseppe Verdi’s “Un ballo in maschera” and also featured renowned stage works such as “Eugene Onegin”, “L’elisir d’amore”, and “Turandot”, as well as the ballets “Don Quixote” and “Romeo and Juliet”, all of which received special attention.

One of the festival’s most anticipated events was the joint performance of four countries’ artists in Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot”.

The performance, led by Ayyub Guliyev, Principal Conductor of the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theater, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan, and Associate Professor at the Baku Music Academy, featured soprano Kristel di Marco from France and tenor Diego Godoy from Chile.

Their performances were met with standing ovations. The opera was further enriched by the participation of the singers, choir, and symphonic orchestra of the National Opera Theater of Moldova.

Special guests in the audience included Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Moldova, Ulvi Bakhshaliyev, the Director of the National Opera Theater of Moldova, Nicolae Dohotaru, the Director of the National Philharmonic, Svetlana Bivol, and the Artistic Director of the Moldova Radio Symphonic Orchestra, Georgi Mustya.

The festival concluded on October 5 with a grand gala concert program.

Unilab celebrates partnership with TikTok via ‘Grand Affiliate Day’

When the leading pharmaceutical company and one of the fastest-growing digital and eCommerce platform today join forces, there are countless reasons to celebrate growth in business.

The Unilab Bayanihan Center in Mandaluyong City was recently filled with positive and exhilarating energy as numerous people trooped to the venue for the first-ever Unilab Grand Affiliate Day. The event was a fitting celebration for the partnership between Unilab and TikTok Shop.

‘It is through TikTok that I discovered how different it is to connect with others today,’ said Jose Antonio Evangelista, operating vice president and head of Unilab Consumer Health, during his opening remarks.

He highlighted the event as an opportunity to recognize and thank the affiliates for their continuous patronage while reintroducing Unilab’s extensive and trusted portfolio of brands.

An affiliate is an individual who promotes products or services of a company using TikTok as their platform. During the Grand Affiliate Day, about a thousand affiliates were invited to access numerous booths with fun-filled games, activities, product giveaways, prizes, overflowing food and engaging talks that made the occasion truly memorable.

In his opening remarks, Evangelista highlighted the company’s values of ‘husay at malasakit’ (excellence and compassion) and its mission to make Filipinos happier and healthier for the last eight decades.

He continued, ‘We see you not just as creators or affiliate marketers, but as people who can share our mission with others. We believe you can embody our values while playing the role of reliable and strong business partners. He concluded with a reassurance of Unilab’s constant support.

Carme Tunguia, digital ecommerce director, corporate digital transformation, echoed the message.

‘We realized we cannot do it alone. We need partners to reach every home, family and community. That’s why we saw the potential in TikTok’s affiliate network,’ she said.

Observing the smiling faces of the attendees, Tunguia explained how the company carefully selects affiliates who produce objective content and can inspire followers to become advocates of Unilab products.

‘You are vital to our mission of delivering trusted healthcare and quality medicine across the Philippines,’ she emphasized.

Tunguia also highlighted TikTok’s role in connecting with the Gen Z demographic. She explained how Unilab’s diverse product range increases online exposure and how TikTok has been instrumental in this effort.

‘The best-seller differs online from offline and across other platforms. TikTok has helped us understand our target markets better,’ Tunguia noted, illustrating how Unilab and TikTok are leveraging each other’s strengths.

Tunguia reiterated her earlier point, ‘You are not just our partners but our advocates, reaching millions to extend the gift of health. One click, one share and one sale at a time.’

She later added, ‘We call this partnership with TikTok as the Impact Duo-that’s influence meeting impact.’

The event continued with TikTok sharing the platform’s most popular features and exciting opportunities. The platform also outlined new ways for affiliates to boost their reach, engagement and earnings, detailed the most preferred products, provided tips on how to effectively promote health items, reminded the audience about common violations on the app, and shared key contact information for assistance.

The crowd swelled as the day continued with more activities.

‘I can feel that you care for and value each affiliate here. You treat us as partners,’ shared an attendee. He jokingly added, ‘I wish other brands would do the same.’

With a brand partner like Unilab, being an affiliate is a promising journey. As TikTok creator and licensed pharmacist Karenn Casil, popularly known as the Pinay Pharmacist, stated, ‘There is no difficulty in selling Unilab products because the people already trust the brand. When it comes to quality, they opt for Unilab.’

She further noted that even before she started creating content on TikTok, her pharmacy business was already experiencing strong sales of Unilab products.

The first Unilab Grand Affiliates Day in partnership with TikTok proved to be a success. Strengthening this mutually beneficial relationship, more TikTok users are expected to join the community.

Tunguia shared some ideas on what makes a good affiliate, emphasizing, ‘It’s all about your content-how clearly you pass the message, being truthful about what you stand for, and staying objective and factual. Followers trust you because they follow you and are highly engaged.’

She added that to succeed as an affiliate, one must be authentic, genuine and consistent in their messaging.

The event was not only a celebration of the strong partnership between Unilab and TikTok but also a showcase of the promising benefits awaiting their affiliates. These partners left the venue armed with bags filled products and special gifts, but most importantly, with hearts full of hope and gratitude.

WATCH: Where to eat in Singapore’s Sentosa Island

Wondering where to dine in Sentosa Island, Singapore? From Chinese-Peruvian dishes to Japanese favorites and premium steak and seafood, here are three restaurants to check out on your next visit.

Craving something unique? CHIFA! serves Chinese-Peruvian flavors in dishes like Hen “Caldo Criollo” Chimichurri Soup, Saho Fan Salteado con Lomo de Res and churros for dessert.

For those in the mood for Japanese food, KA-MON offers refined dishes, such as Baby Chicken, King Oyster Mushroom and Ice Cream Mochi.

And if you’re looking for both seafood and steak, Osia Steak and Seafood Grill delivers with its Grass-fed Angus Beef Striploin, Mushroom Cream Soup and Signature Hot Chocolate Soup.

HEFAMAA to Patients: Demand respect, know your rights at hospitals

The Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) has called on residents to be more assertive in exercising their rights when accessing healthcare services across the state.

Speaking during a Sensitisation Campaign and Town Hall Meeting on ‘The Roles and Responsibilities of HEFAMAA in Lagos State’ held at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary of HEFAMAA, Dr. Abiola Idowu, represented by Mrs Oladunni Omonike Olutola, Deputy Director of Health Education, said patients have the right to ask questions and demand respectful treatment from healthcare providers.

‘Clients and patients have every right to ask questions. It is your individual right to know about the treatment you are receiving, the drugs being administered, and the direction of your care,’ Idowu stated.

‘Nobody should trample on your rights. We are in the 21st century, every individual has a right to be treated with dignity,’ she added.

She encouraged residents not to tolerate disrespect or intimidation in healthcare settings.

‘If anyone shouts at you, politely correct them. Tell them, ‘Please don’t shout at me, I’m here to obtain treatment.’ When you know your rights, people will respect you,’ she said.

Idowu further explained that government facilities exist primarily to serve the public, emphasising that health workers are employed to meet the needs of patients.

‘If patients stop going to these facilities, doctors and nurses will have no work to do. It is because of you that they are there, so you must be respected. Demand for your respect, it is your right,’ she added.

The HEFAMAA boss also noted that the Lagos State Government continued to invest heavily in the health sector to ensure quality service delivery.

However, she acknowledged that some health workers still fall short of expected standards despite continuous training.

‘When government recruits doctors and nurses, we train them for three to six months on proper conduct and patient relations,’ she explained.

‘But people have individual differences. Some forget everything once they get the job. That is why we constantly remind them that their attitude matters, a good attitude attracts patients, while a bad one drives them away.’

Idowu reiterated that HEFAMAA remained committed to promoting accountability, professionalism, and respect within health facilities across Lagos State, urging residents to take full advantage of the state’s health services without fear of mistreatment.

Also speaking at the meeting, Mr. Richard Olusanya, Chief Nutrition Officer at HEFAMAA, traced the agency’s origins to its establishment in 2006, with a clear mandate to regulate and monitor hospitals, clinics, maternity homes, and other health facilities across Lagos State.

‘HEFAMAA sets standards in key areas such as equipment, personnel, and environment. If you are running a hospital, the person in charge must be a qualified medical doctor or nurse. We don’t want one person treating eyes, teeth, and every other ailment. That’s how people fall victim to quackery,’ he explained.

Olusanya stressed that only qualified and properly equipped facilities are granted operating certificates, adding that the agency conducts biannual inspections to ensure compliance with established standards.

He also dispelled common misconceptions about health centres, clarifying that clinics are not designed to operate round the clock, unlike hospitals.

Olusanya urged all public and private health facilities to display their registration certificates prominently to assure clients of their legitimacy.

Speaking on HEFAMAA’s QR code verification system, he said, ‘Once you scan the code, you can see the facility’s name, address, and owner. You can also send your feedback-positive or negative-directly to HEFAMAA. We want people to take this information back to their communities, markets, and associations to promote safe healthcare practices.’

Anambra nears zero out-of-school children – Soludo

Anambra governor, Chukwuma Soludo said resuscitation of public school system in the state has yielded remarkable results in literacy, numeracy and school enrolment.

Soludo made the assertion at the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration and endorsement march organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), on Tuesday, in Awka.

The World Teachers Day is held annually on Oct. 5, and the theme for this year’s commemoration is – ‘Together for Teachers, Together for Tomorrow ‘.

‘Literacy and numeracy levels in public schools have increased by over 40 per cent, while public school enrolment have risen by over 45 per cent since the state resuscitated its public school system.

‘Anambra now has almost zero per cent of out-of-school children in Nigeria. This is a testament to our commitment to quality education.

‘Our administration recognises that education and human capital are our greatest assets, and we will do whatever it takes to make our public schools rise again.

Highlighting the pivotal role of teachers in achieving the reforms, the governor emphasised that no education system can thrive without quality teachers.

‘No school system survives without teachers. If you want to evaluated the future of a society, you look at the quality of its teachers,’ he stated.

The governor commended the teachers for their excellent work and for positioning the state’s public schools to win numerous national awards.

‘One of our schools emerged overall best in Nigeria, with eight other awards across various categories at the 2025 President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards.

‘You have won an 18-seater bus and laptops, but I want to add a cash prize of N10million for the overall best school and N5million each for the other award categories.

‘Also those who won various awards since 2022 when I assumed office will also get N5 million each.

‘WAEC recently named Community Secondary School, Eziowelle, as the best science school in Nigeria.

‘I’m very happy that our huge investment in education is yielding great results and you deserve to be celebrated,’ he said.

Also speaking, Mrs Chika Chukwudozie, state Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), thanked the governor for his support to the education sector.

‘We appreciate the governor for regular payment of salaries, promotions, continuous teacher training and recruitment of 8,315 teachers.

‘Renovation and upgrade of schools to smart schools, free education policy and payment of long-overdue teachers’ gratuities,’ she said.

In her remarks, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, Commissioner for Education, said the event was to thank and endorse Soludo ahead of the Nov. 8 governorship election, to enable him to continue his remarkable strides in the education sector.

Estrada files 4 counts of perjury vs accuser

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday filed four counts of perjury against former Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office over claims that he earned millions of pesos in kickbacks from flood control projects.

Estrada personally filed the complaint against Hernandez, accusing him of perjuring himself during hearings conducted by the House infrastructure committee and the Senate blue ribbon committee.

‘So there are four counts, one regarding the alleged 30 percent kickback of Senator Estrada as to the anomalous flood control projects, the second is with regard to Beng Ramos being an alleged staff of Senator Estrada,’ the senator’s lawyer, Bianca Soriano, said in an ambush interview after the filing.

‘Third is with respect to the fake-issued ID at Okada Manila and other casinos, and fourth is with respect to Brice Hernandez’s statement that he was not involved in the anomalous projects,’ she added.

Estrada again defended himself against allegations made by Hernandez, calling him a ‘habitual liar.’

‘He testified in the House that he is not involved in the flood control projects, but in the Senate, he turned out to be the mastermind,’ the senator said.

Hernandez claimed in a House hearing on September 8 that Estrada inserted P355 million worth of flood control projects in the 2025 national budget, adding that the senator received 30 percent of the total amount as a kickback.