Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

On August 23, an official welcome ceremony was held for President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the Kuksaroy State Residence in Tashkent.

A guard of honor was lined up for President Ilham Aliyev at a square adorned with the national flags of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed President Ilham Aliyev.

The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were performed.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the President of Azerbaijan.

The Presidents reviewed the guard of honor.

State and government officials of Uzbekistan were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev, while members of the Azerbaijani delegation were introduced to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The guard of honor marched past the Presidents to the accompaniment of a military march.

The heads of state posed together for photographs.

An anniversary exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of the TÜRKSOY Photographers’ Meeting has opened in Budapest, showcasing images highlighting Hungary’s historical, cultural and natural heritage.

The exhibition was organised through cooperation between the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) and the Lakitelek Foundation, and was created as part of the 20th edition of the photographers’ meeting.

Thirteen photographers from different countries and regions of the Turkic world took part in the initiative. Their works, produced during an 11-day programme, are now on display at the Budapest Art Bridge (BAB) Gallery.

During the programme, the photographers travelled to Budapest, Pannonhalma, Kalocsa, Hortobágy and the UNESCO World Heritage village of Hollóko, documenting Hungary’s historic monuments, traditional arts, cultural traditions and natural landscapes.

The exhibition also features photographs from the Great Kurultáj, a Hun-Turkic cultural gathering held in Bugac, including images of equestrian performances, traditional costumes and ceremonies.

Other highlights include the traditional pastoral life of the Hortobágy plains, Przewalski horses at the Pentezug Wild Horse Reserve, and examples of Kalocsa’s distinctive ceramic art, traditional clothing and decorative wall painting.

The TÜRKSOY Photographers’ Meeting has been held for 20 years with the aim of building a rich visual archive of the cities, people, traditions and cultural heritage of the Turkic world.

The Budapest exhibition underlines the initiative’s broader role in documenting and promoting the cultural links connecting Turkic communities and regions through photography.

Barcelona are interested in signing RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, who could continue his career in Spain.

The Catalan club’s head coach, Hansi Flick, reportedly wants the 23-year-old French defender to join his squad.

Lukeba is currently under contract with Leipzig until the summer of 2029, meaning Barcelona would likely have to negotiate a transfer fee with the German club for his signing.

Iran and Russia are close to officially signing an executive contract for the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway, a key project within the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

The document has already been finalized and is expected to be signed soon by representatives of Tehran and Moscow, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.

The Rasht-Astara railway is considered a strategically important link in the INSTC, which is designed to improve transport connectivity between Iran, Russia and other countries along the route.

Azerbaijan’s national team of teenage judokas has delivered a strong performance at an international tournament in Ordu, Turkiye, winning four medals.

According to the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, all four members of the Azerbaijani team competing at the tournament secured medals.

Garib Atabayev (55 kg), Raul Malikzade (60 kg) and Nihad Malikli (+90 kg) defeated all of their opponents to claim gold medals. Meanwhile, Muhammad Sattarov (60 kg) finished the competition with a bronze medal.

The Azerbaijani team competed under the guidance of coach Orkhan Safarov, collecting a total of three gold and one bronze medal at the tournament.

Around 10,000 people are expected to turn out for a climate demonstration in Stockholm on Sunday, according to Swedish police and organizers, just weeks ahead of a general election where the issue is among voters’ top concerns, AzerNEWS reports, citing Arab News.

Since taking power in 2022, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing government, backed by the populist Sweden Democrats party, has cut petrol taxes and reduced requirements for petrol suppliers to add low-carbon alternatives to their mix.

Experts both in Sweden and abroad have repeatedly warned that the government’s climate policy jeopardizes the country’s emissions-cutting goals – to reduce CO2 from transport by 70 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.

Kristersson’s administration has notably rejected a government-appointed commission’s recommendations on ways to meet the 2030 target, which included phasing out fossil fuels by hiking taxes on petrol and diesel.

‘The climate crisis is very real, and it is here,’ said Beatrice Rindevall, head of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, which is co-organizing Sunday’s demonstration.

‘It is time to put in place a climate policy that reduces emissions right now,’ she added in a statement, pointing to this summer’s devastating heatwaves in Europe.

Swedes go to the polls to elect a new parliament on September 13, with the right-wing bloc trailing in opinion polls.

More than 200 non-governmental organizations and associations are expected to take part in Sunday’s march, which is due to start at 1:00 p.m. (1100 GMT).

It will bring together researchers, youth and sports associations, trade unions, outdoor and rural organizations, religious communities, and rights groups.

‘Never before have so many organizations taken part in a Swedish climate demonstration,’ Rindevall said. ‘The commitment is massive.’

According to a Verian opinion poll published by public broadcaster SVT on Thursday, 37 percent of respondents said the climate was their top priority in the election, behind only health care, education, crime and elderly care.

The government has argued that the phase-out of fossil fuels must be gradual in order to preserve and strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness and its companies.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been awarded the Heydar Aliyev Order.

The information was published by the press service of the President of Azerbaijan.

The relevant order was signed by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

“Guided by Clause 23 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I hereby order:

To award the ‘Heydar Aliyev’ Order to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev for his outstanding services to the advancement of friendship, brotherhood and allied relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 23 August 2026”

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a one-on-one meeting with President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the opening ceremony of the National Pedagogical University named after Nizami Ganjavi in Tashkent.

The heads of state first cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the higher education institution.

President Ilham Aliyev and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev planted a tree in the courtyard of the university.

The heads of state of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were briefed on the history of the National Pedagogical University named after Nizami Ganjavi and the facilities available there.

In 1935, the Tashkent Pedagogical Institute was established on the basis of the Faculty of Pedagogy of the Central Asian State University. In 1947, the institution was renamed the Tashkent State Pedagogical Institute named after Nizami, and since 1998, it has operated as the Tashkent State Pedagogical University named after Nizami.

Among the university’s graduates are numerous prominent figures who have made significant contributions to the development of Uzbekistan’s literature, culture, science, and public life.

The university comprises six higher pedagogical schools, as well as a Joint Education Higher School and a master’s department. In total, there are 33 departments. The university offers 38 bachelor’s degree programs and 31 master’s degree programs. With 730 teachers and scientific-pedagogical staff members, the university has more than 17,000 students, including six Azerbaijani citizens studying at the undergraduate and master’s levels and as independent researchers. At the same time, 250 students from 13 countries are pursuing their studies at the university.

Special emphasis is also placed on implementing international educational programs at the university. The educational institution has established close cooperation with 15 international educational organizations and 127 universities in 20 countries, as well as with UNESCO and UNICEF. Twelve joint educational programs are being implemented at the university. Additionally, four international educational and cultural centers operate at the university – the Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, and Chinese centers.

The National Pedagogical University named after Nizami Ganjavi has signed memorandums of understanding with the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, Baku Slavic University, Baku State University, Azerbaijan University of Languages, Mingachevir State University, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, and the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction.

As part of this cooperation, joint scientific research and international conferences, academic and scientific exchanges, as well as cultural and educational ties are being developed. As part of cooperation with Azerbaijan, the first five graduates of Secondary School No. 1 named after Mirzo Ulugbek in the city of Fuzuli have earned the right to study at the university on a grant basis.

Construction of the university’s new campus is underway on an area of 40 hectares in the territory of ‘New Tashkent.’ Overall, the project envisions the construction of academic buildings with a capacity of 20,000 people, as well as student dormitories accommodating 5,000 people. The new campus will feature the Nizami Ganjavi Museum and the university’s history museums.

The heads of state met with the faculty and students of the educational institution and spoke with them.

A Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief General Asim Munir will visit Tehran on August 24, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said.

The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between Iran and Pakistan and continuing Islamabad’s efforts to promote peace and security in the region.

During the visit, the Pakistani delegation is expected to hold meetings with senior Iranian officials.

The trip comes as Tehran and Islamabad seek to deepen bilateral ties and coordinate on regional security and stability.