Today.Az http://www.today.az Covering Azerbaijan inside and outside http://www.today.az/images/logo_small.gif Today.Az http://www.today.az China creates group of experts to protect Earth from asteroid threat http://www.today.az/news/regions/256946.html World news Tue, 11 Feb 2025 18:19:00 +0400 By Alimat AliyevaChina has begun forming a team of experts to address the threats posed by asteroids and other celestial bodies, Azernews reports.According to reports, the group's primary objective is to study and monitor asteroids, as well as develop early warning systems for potential asteroid impacts. Li Mingtao, a scientist at the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated that China has made significant progress in asteroid defense efforts."In the future, we should not only enhance the configuration and performance of our equipment, but also establish a dedicated team of experts specializing in asteroid protection. We aim to contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to ensure the safety of Earth," Li Mingtao remarked.The publication also highlighted that the formation of this expert group is partly due to the recent discovery of a large asteroid that could potentially collide with Earth in seven years. On February 7, the European Space Agency (ESA) updated its forecast for asteroid YR4, raising its likelihood of a collision with our planet in 2032. As a result, this asteroid has been placed at the top of the list of space threats to Earth.This announcement reflects a growing global recognition of the importance of planetary defense. While NASA and other space agencies have been studying asteroid impacts for years, China’s increasing focus on this issue underscores the urgency of international collaboration in safeguarding the Earth from cosmic hazards. Interestingly, China's space ambitions include the development of cutting-edge technologies such as asteroid deflection methods, which could one day prevent a catastrophic impact, echoing efforts from other nations that are similarly working on asteroid mitigation strategies. Military personnel awarded for excellence in Winter Exercise-2025 http://www.today.az/news/politics/256945.html Politics Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:17:00 +0400 By Qabil AshirovAzerbaijan's Separate Combined Arms Army military personnel have returned home after representing the country with distinction at the "Winter Exercise-2025" held in Qars, Turkiye. A grand ceremony was held at the Separate Combined Arms Army (SCAA) headquarters to mark this occasion, Azernews reports, citing the Press Service of the Ministry of Defense.The Press Service noted that General-Major Kenan Seyidov, the commander of SCAA, had a speech at the ceremony about the significance of joint military exercises. He emphasized that the experience gained during the exercise would positively impact the combat readiness of the army. He also extended his gratitude to the military personnel for their skills and professionalism on behalf of the Ministry of Defense leadership.At the end of the ceremony, military personnel who excelled in performing their duties during the exercise were awarded. Aghdam Ferry back in service after completion of repairs http://www.today.az/news/business/256944.html Business Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:37:00 +0400 By Nazrin AbdulThe shipyard repair of the “Agdam” ferry, part of the Maritime Transport Fleet of the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO), has been completed, Azernews reports, citing the company.The repair work was carried out at the “Zygh” Ship Repair and Construction Plant. During the repairs, hull welding, automation, and piping work were performed, along with adjustments to the main engines and various pumps. The ferry’s underwater and surface parts, as well as the wagon deck, were cleaned and painted. Improvements were also made to the crew cabins.Additionally, modern VHF explosion-proof handheld radios and speed measurement equipment (LAQ) were installed, and the ferry's black box and Command Broadcasting Device were restored.Following the completion of repairs, the “Agdam” ferry has returned to service and is currently en route from the port of Alat to Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan.The "Agdam" ferry is 154.3 meters long, 18.3 meters wide, and has a maximum speed of 12.5 knots. Human capital and innovation drive economic growth, says chairman http://www.today.az/news/business/256943.html Business Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:18:00 +0400 By Nazrin AbdulOrkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA), emphasized that today's economic progress relies not on capital or natural resources, but on human intelligence and innovation.Azernews reports that he made this statement at the Human Development Forum in Baku.Mammadov stressed that forming highly competitive human capital is a top priority for every country. He noted that successful and sustainable economic growth in various nations has been driven by the deliberate development of human capital, with knowledge and skills becoming the main economic resources.He highlighted the ongoing efforts in Azerbaijan to improve the business environment, with significant reforms already implemented. The "Human Capital" Working Group, which includes representatives from SMEs, aims to develop human capital and improve international rankings. These efforts are crucial in shaping strategic decisions and practical solutions.Mammadov also emphasized the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, which promotes creativity, risk-taking, problem-solving, and independence, starting from an early age. He believes that the development of entrepreneurial skills is key to the country's economic growth. Additionally, he noted that the active involvement of educational institutions is vital in promoting business activity, innovation, and social responsibility. Greco-Roman wrestlers participate training camp in Croatia http://www.today.az/news/sports/256942.html Sports Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:43:00 +0400 By Laman IsmayilovaThe Azerbaijani Greco-Roman wrestling team has started a training camp in Croatia after the rating tournament.The team, which left Zagreb for the city of Porec, will undergo a training process in this city until February 22.Under the leadership of head coach Aleksandr Tarakanov, senior coach Rovshan Bayramov and coach Kamran Mammadov, twenty Azerbaijani wrestlers are participating in the training camp organized jointly with teams from different countries.However, Hasrat Jafarov, who was injured in the rating tournament and underwent ear surgery, has returned home. The Olympic medalist must undergo at least 10 days of recovery. Only after that, based on the doctors' opinion, can he begin individual training.The women's wrestling team has left Croatia for Hungary. Under the leadership of acting head coach Togrul Askerov and coach Agahuseyn Mustafayev, ten wrestlers were involved in the training process held in Tata. The training camp will last until February 22.The national freestyle wrestling team has headed to Vladikavkaz. The training camp, which will be held in the capital of North Ossetia, will last until February 26. 24 wrestlers are taking part in the training camp under the leadership of head coach Khetag Gazyumov, senior coach Jabrayil Hasanov, and coaches Taymuraz Kokoyev and Sharif Sharifov.The preparation process of all three national teams is mainly based on tactical and technical work. The training camps held abroad are in preparation for the U-23 European Championship to be held in Albania on March 8-14 and the European Championship for adults to be held in Slovakia on April 7-13.Wrestling remains the most popular sport in the county and is overseen by the National Wrestling Federation, which was established in 1993.The Rio Games opened a new page in wrestling for Azerbaijan. The country became one of only two nations ever to increase the number of medals achieved in five consecutive games.In 2020, Azerbaijani freestyle wrestlers finished third in the overall medal table of the Individual World Cup in Serbia.National wrestlers won two medals, including silver and bronze. Russia topped the medal table, followed by Turkiye.In 2022, Azerbaijani wrestler Osman Nurmagomedov (92 kg) was crowned the World Champion in Belgrade.Nurmagomedov became the World Champion after defeating the Russian wrestler in the final.At 2024 Summer Olympic, Greco-Roman wrestler Hasrat Jafarov (67 kg), freestyle wrestlers Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125 kg) and Magomedkhan Magomedov (97 kg) won bronze medals for Azerbaijan. Deputy Minister addresses youth employment and wage reforms at Baku Forum http://www.today.az/news/business/256941.html Business Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:19:00 +0400 By Nazrin AbdulIn their first jobs, young people often work for minimum or low wages, but the key issue is gaining experience and skills.Azernews reports that this was stated by Anar Karimov, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection, at the Human Development Forum in Baku today.Karimov highlighted that young people make up about 22% of Azerbaijan's population, roughly 2.3 million individuals, with 1.3 million in the workforce. Over the past year, 6,000 young people participated in vocational courses, while job fairs reached 150 and vocational services exceeded 200,000. Around 2,500 young people benefitted from self-employment programs.Additionally, reforms this year included a minimum wage increase, positively impacting about 700,000 citizens.Karimov emphasized the importance of young people adapting to the labor market and gaining skills in their early careers. State Symphony Orchestra gives spectacular concert in Baku http://www.today.az/news/entertainment/256940.html Arts & Entertainment Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:03:00 +0400 By Laman IsmayilovaAzerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra has given a spectacular concert at the State Academic Philharmonic Hall.First, musicologist, Honored Artist, Professor Zumrud Dadashzade introduced the audience to the concert program.Accompanied by the State Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Elshad Bagirov, the concert soloists Honored Artist Farida Mammadova (soprano) and Mahir Tagizade (baritone) fascinated the audience with their performances.The concert program featured works by outstanding Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev - a suite from the ballet "The Path of Thunder", "Albanian Rhapsody", Roxana's arioso and the duet "Cyrano and Roxana" from the musical "The Furious Gascon". The event aroused great public interest.Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra was established in 1964 on the initiative of outstanding Azerbaijani composers Fikrat Amirov and Gara Garayev.The orchestra has performed with many foreign conductors, such as Salim Akcil (Turkiye), Hakan ?ensoy (Turkiye), Simon Camartin (Sweden), Fabien Theerikson (France), Vladimir Runchak (Ukraine), Riccardo Averbakh (USA), Vladislav Bulakhov (Russia), Roland Freisitzer (Austria), Alexander Ivashkin (England).In 2007, the orchestra was awarded the Khumay National Prize for promoting Azerbaijani classical music around the world. Road construction progresses rapidly across Azerbaijan http://www.today.az/news/business/256939.html Business Tue, 11 Feb 2025 12:27:00 +0400 By Nazrin AbdulIn line with the Presidential Decree on constructing a new bridge on Mahammad Asadov Street, which connects Sumgayit city with Saray settlement in the Absheron region, the Azerbaijan Automobile Roads Agency has swiftly continued the construction work.The new bridge will consist of three spans, stretching 104 meters in length and 21.6 meters in width. It will have four traffic lanes, with two-meter-wide pedestrian sidewalks on both sides.So far, the construction of the outer (A1) and two middle supports (P1, P2) from the Saray settlement side has been completed, including piles, foundations, columns, and crossbars. Additionally, the beams for the first span of the bridge (16 pieces, each 33 meters long) have been fully installed, and reinforcement frames have been added. Work is currently underway to install beams on the middle span, while reinforcement and concreting are being carried out on the outer support (P2) from the Sumgayit side.The bridge will rest on four supports, with a total of 12 columns, each 1.5 meters in diameter. The structure will be supported by 80 piles, each 14 meters long and 1 meter in diameter.Recognizing the importance of this bridge, the agency has mobilized sufficient manpower and equipment to ensure the timely completion of construction.It is important to note that the original bridge, built in the 1970s, was inspected by experts from relevant agencies. The inspections revealed significant structural defects that reduced the bridge's load-bearing capacity, leading to its classification as an emergency structure. As a result, the decision was made to dismantle the old bridge and replace it with the new one. Cultural scientists discuss country's socio-cultural development http://www.today.az/news/entertainment/256938.html Arts & Entertainment Tue, 11 Feb 2025 12:06:00 +0400 By Laman IsmayilovaCultural scientific readings themed "Highly Cultured Citizen of Azerbaijan" have taken place at Ataturk Center in Baku.The event was co-organized by Azerbaijan Cultural Association "Simurg" and the Azerbaijan Society of Cultural Scientists.The readings are held for the purpose of civil assistance in the implementation of the new strategy for the socio-cultural development of Azerbaijan, developed by the Culture Ministry, taking into account the need for the harmonious development of the traditional and innovative culture of society.A person of high culture is considered a national treasure, a strategic renewable resource and the main driving force for the sustainable and safe development of the people and the state.In a report dedicated to the history of the development of national and world culture, and the role of cultural studies in national development, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Society of Cultural Scientists, Professor Fuad Mammadov, especially emphasized the ideological significance of the statements of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev on the value of culture for national development, the viability of the Azerbaijani people, society and state.This ideological attitude underlies the attitude of the modern Azerbaijani state he created towards the spiritual culture of the people, and to figures of science, education, literature and art.The report provided a comparative cultural analysis of the countries of the West and the East. At the same time, emphasis was placed on the patterns and features of the development of the most highly developed countries of the world, associated with the priority development of intellectual culture as the basis of progressive development and the basis of the well-being of society.Culturologist, Professor Minakhanum Asadova spoke about the formation of cultural studies in the world and analyzed the cultural ideas of scientists, philosophers and historians. The relevance of streamlining issues in Azerbaijan related to the teaching and status of cultural studies as a science of culture, training professional national cultural specialists was emphasized.Culturologist, Associate Professor Vusala Mammadzade spoke about the achievements of the cultural policy of Azerbaijan over the past 20 years, which have made a great contribution to the development of our national culture and its popularization in the international community. It was noted that there are serious problems in promoting the dissemination of culture in educational institutions and the media. In particular, the demonstration of unethical programs on TV channels has a direct negative impact on the formation of society. She called on the intelligentsia, intellectuals, scientists and teachers to take active measures.The event was attended by representatives of state and public structures, cultural and scientific figures, creative intelligentsia, who presented a number of reports and expressed their thoughts.The participants adopted a declaration containing specific scientific recommendations for the development of highly cultured Azerbaijanis, and an appeal to the Culture Ministry and the Higher Attestation Commission under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, asking for assistance in the development of cultural science, education and enlightenment in Azerbaijan, as an important practical factor in the viability of Azerbaijani society, sustainable and safe development of the state. Ruins of an Azerbaijani mosque are being desecrated in Yerevan http://www.today.az/news/politics/256937.html Politics Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:44:00 +0400 Just the other day, Nikol Pashinyan reported on Armenia's unprecedented "tolerance" at the religious freedom summit, when a video clip appeared on social networks, taken from a travel report about a trip to Yerevan by one of the Russian bloggers.The blogger and his companions visited the oldest district of present-day Yerevan, Tepebashi. After the transfer of the city of Irevan to the Armenian capital in 1918, Tepebashi turned into Kond. The name "Kond" is practically a tracing paper from the historical name Tepebashi, meaning "top of the hill". The area is historically located on a hill, hence the name.A walk through Tepebashi led the blogger and his colleagues to the ruins of the mosque. After the expulsion of the Azerbaijani population from Yerevan, Armenians settled in this ancient area, which was once built by Azerbaijanis. They also inhabited the destroyed mosque. Over the years, without the true owners, the building collapsed almost completely, to which the local population also made efforts. In the preserved premises, an enterprising uncle opened a restaurant for himself, hung the ruins with pictures, like telling about history, well, according to all the rules of a tourist destination. The story is told not only by the pictures, but also by the uncle himself.The "guide" took the bloggers through the ruins of Tepebashi, told an Armenian tale about the history of this settlement and the local mosque. The only truth in his story was that the mosque was built five hundred years ago. That is how old the Azerbaijani city, now called Yerevan, is in reality. At the same time, the Irevan fortress was built not by the Persian, but by the Azerbaijani Khan.The most unpleasant thing about this plot is not even the historical insinuations of an Armenian, or even hashlama and dolma, which are served there under the guise of "ancient Armenian" dishes. The most unpleasant thing about the plot is that alcoholic beverages were drunk with gusto and ostentatiously under the arches of the mosque. We are not hypocrites, but there are some nuances that should be treated more carefully. If the Armenian and his guests did not know that they were under the arches of the destroyed mosque, it would be another matter. But they know and deliberately desecrate the shrine, which is already tormented by outsiders. It looks very unpleasant, including the behavior and remarks of the author of the video.Instead of further comments, we suggest that our readers click on the links of materials that present the true story of Tepebashi and its mosque. Human Development Forum kicks off http://www.today.az/news/business/256936.html Business Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:29:00 +0400 By Nazrin AbdulThe Human Development Forum has officially begun in Baku, organized in partnership with the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) and supported by Pasha Holding.The event is attended by key figures, including Anar Karimov, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population; Jalal Gasimov, CEO of PASHA Holding LLC; Vusal Shikhaliyev, Sector Head of the Department of Economic Policy and Industrial Affairs at the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan; Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Small and Medium-Sized Business Development Agency; as well as several deputies of the Milli Majlis and other notable guests.The forum brings together human resources experts, entrepreneurs, and professionals from education and development fields.It aims to address future labor market skills, the evolving demands of the workforce, and solutions to meet these challenges. Azerbaijan rejects Armenian PM's claims, calls out military buildup and territorial ambitions http://www.today.az/news/politics/256935.html Politics Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:11:00 +0400 By Akbar NovruzAzerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly refuted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s claims, published in Armenpress on February 10, alleging that Azerbaijan is preparing for an attack on Armenia.According to MFA spokesperson Aykhan Hajizadeh, Pashinyan's statements are “aimed at distorting reality and misleading the world community.” He noted that while the Armenian prime minister justifies military expansion, Armenia itself “maintained more than ten thousand trained armed formations equipped with heavy weapons on the territory of Azerbaijan for three years after the end of the 44-day war.”Hajizadeh pointed out that “since the end of the 44-day war, Armenia's military spending has increased almost threefold, from about $600 million in 2021 to $1.6 billion in 2024,” and that the country is now acquiring “offensive weapons that can deliver long-range strikes mainly to Azerbaijani territories.”Addressing Pashinyan's remarks on the Western Azerbaijan Community, Hajizadeh rejected them as “completely unfounded,” stating that the organization’s main goal is the “safe and dignified return” of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia, in accordance with international law. He also criticized Armenia’s continued territorial claims, warning that they pose “a direct threat to Azerbaijan’s security.”Hajizadeh further noted that Armenia “grossly violated and degraded the arms control mechanisms in which it participates” and “illegally deployed” military equipment in Azerbaijani territories for decades. He called on Armenia to “abandon statements and actions that undermine the prospects for achieving peace.” Ambassadors Cultural Club highlights issues of animal homelessness http://www.today.az/news/entertainment/256934.html Arts & Entertainment Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:02:00 +0400 By Laman IsmayilovaThe Ambassadors Cultural Club has hosted a workshop titled "Stories from the Streets" dedicated to the issues of animal homelessness.The author of the project idea, Suraya Mammadli, noted that the main goal is to attract the attention of the general public to the life of street dogs and cats through art, to emphasize their vulnerability and to show that each of us can contribute to the protection of homeless animals.The workshop "Stories from the Streets" is an event aimed at raising public awareness of the problems of homeless animals.The workshop participants explored this important topic, reflecting in their works the stories of homeless animals, their struggle for survival, as well as possible solutions to the problem.Talented artists like Nigar Aliyeva, Elshan Rzazade, Leyla Aghazade, Lyaman Hajiyeva, Oksana Kazimova, Ulviya Khairulla-zade, Ruslan Rustamov, Huseyn Kangarli, Banuchichyak Ahmadzade, Sevinj Ganjaliyeva, Leyli Museibova, Rashada Aliyeva, Maryam Kiblayeva, Naila Aslanova, Vusala Sharifova and Nargiz Guliyeva participated in the workshop.Each of the participants contributed to highlighting the problem through art, showing that creativity can not only inspire, but also change society's attitude to important social issues."The workshop was interesting and inspiring. The artists actively discussed the topic, shared their thoughts, exchanged personal stories and found new artistic ways to express their attitude to the problem. The communication of the participants gave the meeting a special atmosphere - creative, emotional and filled with deep thoughts," said the head of Arts Council Azerbaijan, artist Dadash Mammadov.Arts Council Azerbaijan will continue to support initiatives aimed at developing social responsibility through art.Founded by Arts Council Azerbaijan, the Ambassadors Cultural Club serves as a point of contact for cultural exchange, to create projects that inspire and unite people, and to strengthen cultural ties between diplomats, artists, and the broader audience.The club aims to highlight the unique aspects of Azerbaijani culture, such as traditional crafts, carpet weaving, music, visual arts, and contemporary art. Special attention is given to folk traditions that reflect the richness of our cultural identity.Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az. February proves unsuitability of Pashinyan's project http://www.today.az/news/politics/256933.html Politics Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0400 Due to the recent snowfall, most roads in Armenia have been closed for heavy vehicles. Even the road leading to Iran was closed, which happens quite rarely.   Against this background, the international PR campaign "Crossroads of the World" conducted by Nikol Pashinyan in recent days looks more than sad.   During his trip to Davos and Washington, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan touted his initiative as best he could. The Armenian Prime Minister was very convincing, proving that the "crossroads" is a salvation for regional transit and all the problems only come from the fact that it has not yet been implemented. He called for investments in this project, without which the Europe-Asia transit simply cannot survive. According to him, there are currently no opportunities for efficient and profitable transit in the region, and only the Crossroads of the World is able to fix everything. It's about investments.   Yes, Yerevan does not have its own funds to implement such a project. This is a lot of money, because it is not necessary to build a straight highway, but to lay routes passing through areas with difficult terrain and requiring many engineering structures - bridges, tunnels, and so on. Most of the territory of Armenia is mountainous, which makes it impossible to build railways, and the mountain serpentine, even in good weather, is unsuitable for the movement of cargo caravans and the transportation of those volumes of goods exchanged between East and West.   Europe and China will start investing rapidly. This is a legitimate desire, given that Armenia has remained aloof from all transport and logistics projects in the region, and he wants to change this reality. But Pashinyan, as always, went to the goal the wrong way. In order for Armenia to become a transit state, it does not need to reinvent the wheel. There are regional transport and logistics schemes already drawn up by Azerbaijan. Armenia can become a part of this matrix, or it can continue to remain on the sidelines. That's her business. But regional transit will not be affected in any way by its disposition.   After last week's PR campaign, the current situation on Armenia's roads turned out to be very inconvenient. Of course, it is not Pashinyan's fault that Armenia has a mountainous terrain and that the climate there is not the most suitable for uninterrupted bulk cargo transportation. No one is accusing him of this. He is accused of trying to talk about the real opportunities offered by Azerbaijan with his fantasies. In the five post-war years, it was already possible to build the required communications. Instead, Nikol Pashinyan, running around the world with a map of his "Crossroads of the World," is trying to sell Azerbaijan its own initiative of the Zangezur Corridor for opening all other roads beneficial to Armenia. This is quite clear in his statements. Half a step remains before the Armenian Prime Minister announces the Zangezur corridor as his initiative, which was generously offered to the Azerbaijani side.   Yerevan sees the opening of the Zangezur corridor only as part of its "crossroads of the world." He is not going to restore this railway line without opening other communications that were closed at the beginning of the Armenian aggression. Pashinyan made this clear, and the PR project serves the purpose of finding allies in this case. Although everyone understands that no crossroads in this region is possible without Azerbaijan. Transport communications are vital arteries, without them the economy stops. No matter how one of the neighbors treats Azerbaijan, everyone understands that it is more expensive to quarrel with Baku. This is understood both in Iran and in Russia, and Armenia has managed to fully experience it in its own practice.   "Crossroads" is wonderful, but the weather is whispering... SSS arrests Azer Bagirov in Jordan and brings him to Azerbaijan http://www.today.az/news/politics/256932.html Politics Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0400 The Sabail District Court in Baku has held a hearing regarding the detention of Azerbaijani citizen Azar Baghirov.Azar Baghirov, accused of espionage and aiding representatives of a foreign intelligence service, was detained in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan through measures taken by the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan and brought back to Azerbaijan.The case materials reveal that a foreign intelligence agency involved Azar Baghirov, an Azerbaijani citizen, to avoid revealing their participation in sabotage activities in third countries. Baghirov allegedly used his status as an Azerbaijani citizen to benefit the foreign intelligence agency and harm the state security of the Republic of Azerbaijan, engaging in espionage activities abroad.The court has ordered the detention of Azar Baghirov under Article 274 (treason) of the Criminal Code. Saudi Arabia bans taking children to Hajj http://www.today.az/news/regions/256931.html World news Tue, 11 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0400 By Alimat AliyevaThe Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has announced that pilgrims will not be allowed to bring children with them during the Hajj season in 2025.This decision was made to ensure the safety of children, as the Hajj pilgrimage attracts a massive crowd each year, making it challenging to ensure their safety in such large gatherings.In addition to this measure, the Ministry has introduced several new initiatives aimed at improving the safety and organization of the Hajj experience. These include campaigns to raise awareness about safety measures, the introduction of intelligent systems designed to guide and regulate the movement of pilgrims to holy sites, and the modernization of tent camps and pathways to enhance comfort and facilitate the performance of religious rituals.The Ministry also confirmed that, as in previous years, priority for participation in Hajj will be given to those who have not yet undertaken the pilgrimage. This helps ensure that as many people as possible are able to experience the sacred journey.Registration for the 2025 Hajj season is already officially open to citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia through the Nusuk app and the official online portal. The app and portal are part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to streamline and digitalize the registration process, making it more efficient and accessible.Interestingly, the use of advanced technology, including AI and data analytics, has been integrated into various aspects of the Hajj experience in recent years. From crowd management to real-time tracking of pilgrims, these innovations are designed to prevent accidents and improve the overall pilgrimage experience. Additionally, there are plans to continue expanding the digital infrastructure to make the Hajj more accessible to a global audience, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.As the Hajj season draws closer, these changes and innovations are likely to play a key role in ensuring the safety, comfort, and spiritual fulfillment of the millions of Muslims who undertake this sacred journey each year. World Bank’s Pryce: Policy reforms key to accelerating Azerbaijan’s path to high-income status http://www.today.az/news/analytics/256930.html Analytics Tue, 11 Feb 2025 08:30:00 +0400 By Nazrin AbdulOn February 10, 2025, the World Bank launched its 2024 World Development Report (WDR) in Baku, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities countries face in overcoming the "middle-income trap." During the event, Rolande Pryce, the World Bank’s Country Director for the South Caucasus, offered key insights into Azerbaijan's economic outlook. She discussed the country's current position and the strategic approaches it can adopt to transition toward becoming a high-income economy.In her interview with Azernews, Pryce provided further analysis on Azerbaijan’s economic trajectory, outlining the path the country could take to achieve high-income status.Pryce began by highlighting the significance of the Greater Heights report (Growing to High Income in Europe and Central Asia), which focuses on the economic trajectories of Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the South Caucasus."We’re very excited about this report," she noted. "It’s a companion to the 2024 World Development Report that focuses on the middle-income trap, and it allows us to zoom in on the economies of Europe and Central Asia."She emphasized that out of the 34 countries that have transitioned to high-income status 10 are from Europe and Central Asia."This is a great opportunity for Azerbaijan, as several of its regional peers have made this transition," Pryce explained. Currently, Azerbaijan is classified as a high-middle-income country and aspires to achieve high-income status.Pryce pointed out that the Greater Heights report outlines potential policy actions that the government of Azerbaijan could consider in order to facilitate this transition. "The report identifies strategies and actions that could help the country move forward," she said.She further emphasized the importance of aligning government policies with the right investments and institutional strengthening to support this transition. "Azerbaijan is in a good position, and with the right mix of policy reforms, it can accelerate its move to high-income status," she noted.Pryce concluded by stressing that the report’s findings offer valuable lessons for Azerbaijan to learn from its regional peers who have successfully navigated the path to high-income status. “The opportunities are there, and with continued focus and the right steps, Azerbaijan can achieve its goal,” she stated.When asked about the "3I" strategy highlighted in the 2024 World Development Report, Rolande Pryce explained, "The 3-I strategy is a key component of the World Development Report. It stands for Investment, Infusion, and Innovation."She elaborated on the three phases of the framework, starting with the first phase: Investment. "The first phase focuses on creating a strong foundation through investments in physical infrastructure, human capital, and a conducive business environment," Pryce explained. "This phase requires building strong institutions that will attract both domestic and foreign investments."The second phase, Infusion, is about integrating global technologies and knowledge into the domestic economy. "It’s about getting local actors to work at an international level and building the capacity to bring these technologies into the economy," she noted.Finally, Pryce discussed the Innovation phase. "The third phase is when countries no longer simply mimic global technologies but begin to push the technological frontier themselves," she stated. "Azerbaijan’s focus should be on developing its own products, services, and technological advancements, which would help improve productivity, efficiency, and global competitiveness."Pryce emphasized that this framework is highly relevant to Azerbaijan’s aspirations of moving from a high-middle-income status to a high-income status. "Azerbaijan’s future growth will depend on its ability to advance through these phases," she concluded.In conclusion, the World Bank’s 2024 World Development Report provides a critical roadmap for Azerbaijan as it seeks to transition to high-income status. Rolande Pryce emphasized the importance of the "3I" strategy — Investment, Infusion, and Innovation — in this context. According to Pryce, Azerbaijan is at a pivotal stage where strategic policies, targeted investments, and structural reforms can drive significant progress toward achieving its high-income aspirations.The first phase of the "3I" strategy, Investment, focuses on building strong foundations through infrastructure development, human capital, and fostering an environment that attracts both domestic and international investments. Moving to the second phase, Infusion, involves integrating global technologies and knowledge into the domestic economy, which will help elevate local businesses and industries to compete on a global scale. Finally, the Innovation phase is key for Azerbaijan to not only adopt but also push the technological frontier, fostering its own advancements and innovations.With a careful balance of these strategies, Azerbaijan has the opportunity to overcome the middle-income trap and emerge as a competitive, globally integrated economy. The report suggests that with the right mix of policy actions, Azerbaijan can leverage its existing potential and continue on its path toward sustainable, high-quality growth in the years to come. Decline in number of marriages in China increases concerns about birth rate in 2024 http://www.today.az/news/regions/256929.html World news Tue, 11 Feb 2025 08:00:00 +0400 By Alimat AliyevaIn 2024, the number of marriages in China decreased by a fifth, marking the largest drop in history, despite numerous efforts by the government to encourage young couples to marry and have children in order to combat the country’s shrinking population.According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, more than 6.1 million couples registered for marriage last year, down from 7.68 million in the previous year. The decline in interest in marriage and starting a family has long been attributed to the high costs of childcare and education in China, as reported by Reuters. Additionally, the slowdown in economic growth in recent years has made it increasingly difficult for university graduates to find work, and those who are employed often feel insecure about their long-term job prospects.For Chinese authorities, increasing interest in marriage and childbirth has become an urgent priority. China, with the world’s second-largest population of 1.4 billion people, is rapidly aging. The birth rate has been falling for decades due to the "one-child" policy implemented from 1980 to 2015 and the rapid pace of urbanization. Over the next decade, about 300 million Chinese people—roughly the entire population of the United States—are expected to retire, putting immense pressure on the workforce and the economy.In response to this demographic crisis, the Chinese government introduced several measures last year. These included a call for colleges and universities to offer "love education" that promotes positive views on marriage, love, fertility, and family. In November, the State Council of China instructed local governments to channel resources into addressing the demographic challenges and promoting respect for marriage and childbearing "at the right age."Last year, there was a slight uptick in the birth rate following a pandemic-induced lull, and 2024, the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, brought a cultural boost, with children born this year believed to be ambitious and very lucky. However, despite this rise in births, the country’s population has continued to decline for the third consecutive year, underscoring the deep-rooted challenges facing China’s demographic future.The data also revealed that more than 2.6 million couples filed for divorce last year, a 1.1% increase compared to 2023. This rise in divorce rates reflects broader social and economic shifts, with many young people prioritizing personal fulfillment over traditional family structures. As a result, the government is facing the dual challenge of not only boosting marriage and birth rates but also addressing the complex social dynamics that affect family life in modern China.In addition to demographic concerns, experts have suggested that China’s aging population could accelerate the push for automation and artificial intelligence to fill labor gaps, making the country’s investment in these sectors all the more critical. The long-term impact of these demographic shifts may reshape not only China’s workforce but also its role in the global economy in ways that will continue to evolve in the coming decades. Trial of criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan continues http://www.today.az/news/politics/256928.html Politics Mon, 10 Feb 2025 23:15:00 +0400 A preparatory session of the trial against Ruben Vardanyan, a citizen of Armenia accused of torture, mercenary, violating the laws or customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, continued on Monday.The trial is held at the Baku Military Court within the Baku Court Complex, presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova) also on the panel. The defendant was provided with a Russian language interpreter and defense attorneys.The court hearing was attended by the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, prosecutors supporting the state prosecution, as well as the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers' Office, Rufat Mammadov, representing the government of Azerbaijan.Ruben Vardanyan's defense attorney, lawyer Avraam Berman, requested that conditions be provided for a confidential meeting with his client. The judge granted this request and ensured that the defendant was allowed a confidential meeting with his lawyer.A break was announced in the court session regarding this matter.The presiding judge announced that new interpreters had been involved in the trial. The prosecution and defense did not object to the participation of the newly involved interpreters in the trial.Then, citing the non-satisfaction of the motions filed by Ruben Vardanyan, the panel of judges hearing the case objected to the composition of the court. The defendant's lawyers defended the objection.Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev noted that the criminal procedural legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan defines specific cases of objection to a judge and this objection must be substantiated.At the same time, according to the legislation, an objection can be raised if there is concrete and credible evidence confirming the judge's interest in the criminal prosecution. The prosecutor said that since the defense has not presented concrete evidence at this stage of the proceedings that the judicial panel is interested in the criminal prosecution, the objection should be left unconsidered.As the representative of the victim, Head of the Cabinet of Ministers' Office, Rufat Mammadov, and other victims participating in the trial also requested that the court disregard the objection.Then, the court went into deliberation to consider the objection. The conclusion made following the discussion was that the objection was left unconsidered.Vardanyan's defense attorney again requested that conditions be provided for a confidential meeting with his client. The judge granted this request and ensured that the defendant was allowed a confidential meeting with his lawyer.A break was announced in the court session regarding this matter.After the break, the prosecutor, defending the state accusation, continued reading out the concluding part of the indictment.The prosecutors announced the criminal acts related to the occupation of the sovereign territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a result of aggressive war launched by the criminal organization created with the direct involvement, instructions, and guidance of the Armenian state and its armed forces, as well as with material, technical, and personnel support, centralized command, and strict control, under the leadership of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serj Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikhail Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitaly Mikael Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheki Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Karamyan, Monte Charles Melkonian, and others with their direct and indirect involvement, with the goal of military aggression against Azerbaijan on its territory.Then state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev emphasized that according to the indictment, as a result of the aggressive war waged by the Armenian armed forces and illegal armed formations, the city of Khankendi, the entire part of Kalbajar, Shusha, Lachin, Khojaly, Khojavend, Zangilan, Jabrayil, Gubadly districts, the village of Karki in the Sadarak district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, 7 villages in the Gazakh district - Baghanis-Ayrim, Ashagi Eskipara, Kheyrimli, Barkhudarly, Sofulu, Gizilhajily, Yukhari Eskipara, the centers and a number of villages of the Aghdam and Fuzuli districts, as well as a number of villages of the Tartar district of the Republic of Azerbaijan were occupied and set on fire, shelled and blown up with artillery, partially or completely destroyed through other physical means, as well as subjected to the acts of theft, looting, and vandalism.As a result of the occupation, 12 cities, 18 settlements, 895 villages, and a total of 925 settlements, which are sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, were occupied and remained under occupation for many years. This led to material damage totalling 20 billion manats, including over 19 billion manats worth of material damage cross 37,168 private and public properties, and over 906 million manats worth of material damage to historical and cultural monuments, mosques, churches, museums, historical buildings and castles.State Prosecutor Tarana Mammadova continued reading out the concluding part of the indictment, listing the facts of the forced disappearance of civilians and the facts regarding the prisoners and missing persons as a result of the occupation. Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department for the maintenance of public prosecution of the Prosecutor General’s Office, listed the facts of the use of mercenaries. He then listed the facts of severe economic and ecological damage to the Republic of Azerbaijan.Given the large volume of the indictment, it was announced that the continuation of the reading of the indictment would take place in the next session.The next court session is scheduled for February 13.Ruben Vardanyan is accused of committing the following crimes under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning and waging an aggressive war), Article 107 (deportation or forcible transfer of population), Article 109 (persecution), Article 112 (deprivation of liberty in violation of international law), Article 113 (torture), Article 114 (mercenarism), Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of war), Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), Article 214 (terrorism), Article 214-1 (financing of terrorism).Additionally, he is charged with committing the following crimes under the same code: Article 218 (establishment of a criminal organization), Article 228 (Illegal purchase, transfer, selling, storage, transportation and carrying of fire-arms, accessories to it, supplies, explosives), Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security), Article 278 (violent seizure of power or violent deduction of power, violent change of the constitutional system of the state), Article 279 (Creation of armed formations or groups, which are not provided by the legislation), Article 318 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan), and other related offenses. China begin to impose duties on imported products from United States http://www.today.az/news/regions/256927.html World news Mon, 10 Feb 2025 22:28:00 +0400 By Alimat AliyevaChina's decision to impose additional duties on some goods imported from the United States officially came into effect today, Azernews reports.The Chinese government has published a list of goods that will be subject to these new tariffs. Specifically, China will impose a 15% additional duty on coal and liquefied natural gas imported from the U.S., and a 10% duty on crude oil, agricultural machinery, large cars, and pickup trucks.This move is a direct response to the U.S. decision during the Donald Trump administration to impose a 10% additional tariff on products imported from China. However, China has not limited its actions to just imposing tariffs. Since February 4, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs have begun implementing restrictions on exports of rare metals, including tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium—critical materials used in various industries, including electronics and renewable energy.Moreover, Beijing has added American companies PVH Group and Illumina to a list of unreliable entities for allegedly disrupting the normal functioning of the market by suspending regular transactions with Chinese firms and taking discriminatory actions against Chinese businesses. Additionally, China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) in response to the U.S. decision on tariffs. The State Administration for Market Regulation has also launched an investigation into Google, suspecting violations of antitrust laws.Some experts suggest that these mutual tariff impositions signal the beginning of a new "trade war" between the two countries. Donald Trump’s presidency is remembered for its hardline stance on China, which led to significant tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly in economic and trade relations. It is no coincidence that during this period, Sino-American relations hit their lowest point in recent decades.The current escalation is viewed as a continuation of the trade conflicts that began during Trump's tenure, with both nations seemingly locked in a tit-for-tat cycle of tariffs, restrictions, and regulatory actions. These tensions could have far-reaching implications, not only for bilateral relations but also for global trade, especially in industries dependent on materials like rare earth metals and high-tech components.The rising trade friction underscores the shifting dynamics of global economic power, as both countries strive for dominance in key sectors such as technology, energy, and manufacturing. With new leadership in both Washington and Beijing, it remains to be seen whether these tensions will intensify or give way to efforts at negotiation and cooperation. World's fastest supercomputer, El Capitan launches in the USA for secret research http://www.today.az/news/regions/256926.html World news Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:21:00 +0400 By Alimat AliyevaThe fastest supercomputer in the world has been officially launched at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California. According to LLNL representatives, the supercomputer, named El Capitan, cost $600 million and will be used for various classified tasks, including ensuring the safety and reliability of the United States' nuclear weapons stockpile in the absence of underground nuclear tests, which have been banned since 1992, Azernews reports.The research conducted with El Capitan will primarily focus on national security, including material discovery, high-density physics, nuclear data analysis, weapons development, and other sensitive projects.Construction of the supercomputer began in May 2023, and it became operational in November 2024, with its official unveiling taking place on January 9, 2025.El Capitan achieved the status of the world’s fastest supercomputer upon becoming fully operational, demonstrating an impressive 1,742 exaflops (a unit of computational performance). This score was achieved on the High-Performance Linpack (HPL) benchmark, a standard test used to measure supercomputing performance. El Capitan is now only the third computer in history to reach exaflop-level calculations, and its peak performance is a staggering 2,746 exaflops.This marks a significant leap forward in computing power, enabling more advanced simulations and analyses crucial to U.S. defense and scientific endeavors. Its unparalleled processing power will allow for groundbreaking simulations, particularly in areas like nuclear weapon safety, climate modeling, and material science.Notably, El Capitan is also expected to play a key role in the future of artificial intelligence and machine learning, with its immense capabilities allowing researchers to push the boundaries of AI research. The computer's performance and versatility are expected to set a new benchmark for computational science, offering unprecedented insights into everything from complex physics to biomedicine.As one of the most advanced machines ever built, El Capitan underscores the growing role of supercomputing in both national defense and technological advancement. Its speed and power position the United States at the forefront of global supercomputing, further cementing the strategic importance of high-performance computing in the 21st century. Japan's national debt reaches record high http://www.today.az/news/regions/256925.html World news Mon, 10 Feb 2025 19:50:00 +0400 By Alimat AliyevaAs of the end of 2024, Japan's public debt has reached its highest level in history, totaling nearly 1,317.64 trillion yen (around $8.7 trillion at the current exchange rate), Azernews reports.The debt has increased by 31.8 trillion yen (over $205 billion) compared to the end of 2023. According to the Kyodo news agency, the current Japanese government is unlikely to reduce this debt in the near future, as it lacks a majority in the lower house of parliament to approve the state budget and faces pressure from the opposition. The opposition is calling for lower taxes and higher spending, particularly on education, which complicates efforts to address the fiscal situation.Japan's budget deficit for the current fiscal year (April 2024–March 2025) stands at 34.95 trillion yen (nearly $230 billion), which is being financed through the issuance of government bonds. While the amount of new bonds issued has been decreasing over the past three years, Japan's budget remains heavily dependent on debt, with approximately 30% of government revenue coming from debt obligations. The national debt now exceeds the country’s GDP by more than two times, a significant concern for long-term fiscal stability.However, the vast majority of Japan's government bonds are held by domestic legal entities and individuals, which helps mitigate the risk of a default. This domestic ownership means Japan is less vulnerable to external market fluctuations and foreign creditors. Despite this, the country faces an ongoing challenge in managing its public debt amid an aging population, low economic growth, and increasing social welfare costs.Japan's debt situation underscores the broader challenges facing many developed economies, particularly as they grapple with demographic shifts and the rising costs of social programs. The country’s reliance on government bonds to finance its deficit could also limit its ability to implement necessary fiscal reforms in the future. As Japan continues to navigate this complex fiscal landscape, its ability to balance debt management with economic growth will be a critical factor in ensuring long-term financial stability. Aero India Aerospace Exhibition launches in India http://www.today.az/news/regions/256924.html World news Mon, 10 Feb 2025 19:21:00 +0400 By Alimat AliyevaThe International Aviation and Space Exhibition Aero India 2025 has officially begun at the Yelahanka Air Force Base in Bangalore, located in southern India, Azernews reports.It is reported that, during the exhibition, New Delhi intends to explore the possibility of joint production of military equipment, as well as consider options for multibillion-dollar defense deals. This underscores India’s growing role as a key player in the global defense industry and its efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities through strategic partnerships.Among the highlights of the event are two advanced fifth-generation stealth fighters: Russia’s Su-57 and the American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. These aircraft are expected to draw significant attention, reflecting the competition and cooperation between global powers in the field of military aviation.According to the Indian Ministry of Defense, over 150 foreign companies are participating in the event, which will run until Friday. Defense ministers or representatives from approximately 30 countries are expected to attend, indicating the global significance of the exhibition. The presence of these high-level officials further emphasizes the growing importance of India as a strategic defense and aerospace hub.In addition to showcasing military hardware, the exhibition serves as a platform for promoting defense innovation and collaboration. India’s defense sector, which has seen increasing modernization efforts, is poised to make further strides, particularly in joint ventures with global partners. The event also reflects India's ambitious goal of becoming a self-reliant defense manufacturing powerhouse, bolstered by initiatives like the "Make in India" campaign, which encourages domestic production of defense technologies.This year’s Aero India is likely to provide further insights into the future direction of India’s defense and aerospace industry, especially with the growing emphasis on cutting-edge technologies such as unmanned systems, cyber warfare capabilities, and space defense. Christie's hold AI Art auction http://www.today.az/news/regions/256923.html World news Mon, 10 Feb 2025 18:46:00 +0400 By Alimat AliyevaChristie’s auction house, which has previously sold works created by artificial intelligence, has announced the first exhibition entirely dedicated to the art of neural networks, Azernews reports.The exhibition, titled Augmented Intelligence, will open on February 20 at Christie's Rockefeller Center gallery in New York.Among the participants is Matt Dreyhurst, an artist and founder of the Spawning AI startup. The centerpiece of the exhibition will be a robot that creates paintings in real-time. Christie's states that the auction aims to demonstrate "how artificial intelligence can empower artists and open up new horizons in creativity."However, some artists on social media have pointed out that many generative AI tools were trained on works without the authors' permission. In their view, such auctions only promote this practice at the expense of traditional, manual artists. Already, over 1,800 signatures have been collected for an open letter demanding the cancellation of the auction.The growing debate surrounding AI-generated art highlights broader ethical concerns in the art world, particularly about copyright, authorship, and the value of human creativity. While AI-driven art is gaining recognition and even commanding high prices, many artists argue that it raises fundamental questions about ownership and the role of technology in the creative process. This ongoing tension suggests that the intersection of technology and art will continue to evolve and provoke discussion in the years to come. Aide to President highlights Azerbaijan's 3.8 times economic growth since 2003 http://www.today.az/news/business/256922.html Business Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:45:00 +0400 By Nazrin AbdulShahmar Movsumov, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, spoke at the presentation of the World Development Report 2024, reflecting on the country’s remarkable economic transformation over the past three decades.From a period of extreme poverty in the 1990s to becoming a leading regional power, Azerbaijan has built a strong, modern economy with a focus on long-term growth and diversification.Movsumov emphasized that Azerbaijan’s economy has expanded 3.8 times since 2003, with the private sector now contributing 85% of GDP. The non-oil sector’s share of GDP has risen from 48.9% in 2011 to 68% today, reflecting deliberate efforts toward diversification.He credited visionary leadership, strategic investments, and sound economic policies for this progress, which has also significantly improved the quality of life for Azerbaijani citizens through higher wages, increased employment, and expanded social services.He further acknowledged the pivotal role of the World Bank in Azerbaijan’s transformation, noting its contributions to modernizing key sectors like energy, agriculture, transportation, and healthcare. Looking ahead, Movsumov stressed the need for continued innovation, digital transformation, and investment in research and development to ensure sustainable growth and avoid stagnation as the country approaches high-income status. Khojaly Witness Reza Deghati: Honoring truth through photography http://www.today.az/news/entertainment/256921.html Arts & Entertainment Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:37:00 +0400 Renowned photojournalist Reza Deghati, known for documenting war tragedies worldwide, has continuously used his lens to reveal the realities of human suffering. His courageous documentation of the “Black January” tragedy in Azerbaijan during Soviet time was among his significant contributions to uncovering the truth. He worked tirelessly to ensure the world saw the truth.On February 26, 1992, Ramiz Abutalibov, an Azerbaijani diplomat at UNESCO in Paris, called and informed him of news about the massacre of civilians in Khojaly. Reza took the first available plane from Paris to Baku.At that time, the Intourist Hotel (now the Hilton Hotel) was the only accommodation for foreign visitors. Reza stayed with many diplomats and foreigners at this hotel. As a foreign correspondent, he went to local authorities to obtain accreditation to go to the frontline.Despite his reputation as an internationally renowned Photojournalist who documented “Black January” and whose work reached thousands of foreign media outlets, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan denied him a permit to visit Aghdam. Their answer was firm: “It is forbidden! We will not allow you to go there.”But Reza was undeterred. The obstacles reminded him of the Soviet-imposed ban on foreign journalists during the “January 20” tragedy. Determined to bypass restrictions, he searched for a way forward. His chance came in an unexpected encounter with four French doctors and pharmacists staying at the same hotel. Reza notes:“They were doctors and pharmacists. When I asked why they had come, they explained they were bringing one ton of medicine for Armenians in Stepanakert (Khankendi). When I asked why, they said, ‘All the magazines in Paris are writing that Azerbaijanis are killing Armenians. Armenians need help.’”The misinformation echoed what Reza had read in French publications. Reza Deghati’s journey to document the Khojaly massacre was not without challenges, but his determination to expose the truth led him to uncover historical facts. Despite being denied access to the conflict zone, Reza discovered that the Ministry of Defense had permitted French medics to deliver medicine to Armenians in Stepanakert (Khankendi). He convinced the doctors to add his name to their permit, and together, they set off for Stepanakert (Khankendi).After a day-long journey from Baku and crossing many checkpoints and obstacles, they arrived late evening at Aghdam, the closest town to the frontline. However, they discovered that the road to Stepanakert (Khankendi) was unpracticable and blocked. So, the group spent the night at an Azerbaijani doctor’s house in Aghdam, where their host shared stories of Armenian atrocities in Khojaly. However, the French medics were skeptical, believing the reports were exaggerated.In the next day's early morning, Reza went to the city to gather information. Upon arrival, he observed a large crowd behind the Aghdam Juma Mosque. These people, with sorrow and wailing, were survivors of the Khojaly massacre who had managed to escape.Meanwhile, Reza met the regional commander, Allahverdi Baghirov, who, like other volunteers, began to defend his country as a civilian. Through conversations with Allahverdi Baghirov and other people, Reza gradually began to understand the extent of the horrors they had experienced. He continued photographing and speaking with different people, cross-referencing their accounts to verify the consistency of their stories. Reza explains:“I have been photographing wars for 12 years, but I have never seen the tragedies that happened to the people of Khojaly anywhere else. That is why I did not want to believe how one person could commit such atrocities against another. But after seeing the mutilated bodies, their eyes gouged out, and their skin peeled off, I believed what I had heard.”When Reza returned to the doctor’s house where they were staying, he explained what he had witnessed to the French medics.Reza met Pierre Gauthier in Juma Mosque, a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Gauthier was entering the conflict zone to bring Azerbaijani corpses to the rear of the mosque, where people were gathering to search for their loved ones among the bodies.Reza's discussion with Pierre Gauthier and some of his shared stories showed the extent of the atrocities. Pierre recounted what he had witnessed, also with French medics.Allahverdi Baghirov, going for a prisoner exchange on the midway road to Askaran, invited Reza to accompany him. Baghirov suggested Reza to use his French passport and speak in French rather than Azerbaijani to ensure his safety from the Armenians. This allowed Reza to meet and communicate with Armenian soldiers. During his conversation with Armenian soldiers, Reza was surprised to encounter French man from Paris fighting on the Armenian side, who identified himself only as "George" and did not reveal his entire identity. Reza emphasizes:“He told me he was French and coming from Paris, and many other volunteers like him had come here from France and America to fight. I asked if anyone from other countries had come to fight on the Armenian side. He also said that they had come from many different countries, but the main snipers had come from Lebanon.”Reza connected the dots to his previous work in Lebanon in 1982, where he had heard Armenian ASALA members, known for their sniper skills. Reza notes:“When I was covering the war in Lebanon in 1982 and 1985, I heard that the strongest snipers were Armenians who were also members of the ASALA group. They all came to fight against Azerbaijanis in Karabakh. I was covering events during the occupation of Fuzuli, Jabrayil, and other regions, and I saw in the corpses there that most of them had been shot with a single bullet in the forehead, which means that this was the work of snipers.”During the conversation, Armenian soldiers ask Reza if he is not afraid to be with Azerbaijanis, noting that they can behead him. They offered him the option to stay with them and not return to the Azerbaijan side. Reza responded that it was okay, explaining that he is a foreign journalist with years of experience covering wars and knows how to handle different situations. At this moment, one of the Armenian soldiers, drunk and speaking a mix of Russian and Armenian, pulled a teaspoon from his pocket and showed it to Reza. Frenchman was uneasy by the drunk soldier's actions. Reza asked what the teaspoon was for, and the French explained that Armenians used it to remove the eyes of Turks (Azerbaijanis) while they were alive. After the prisoner exchange, Reza returned to the doctor's house and shared what he had witnessed with people.Accompanied by Reza, the French medics visited Juma Mosque, hospitals, and morgues in the city to observe the situation and speak with the people. During a visit to the mosque, Reza saw an elderly woman, Mrs. Garatel who came daily with her sister, Mrs. Gozal in search of her nephew and husband. Reza recounts:“I saw the elderly woman crying, covering her eyes with her hands, and moaning. She looked at me and said, "My son, my son, come, I found my nephew's body but no eyes." At that moment, I remembered the teaspoon in the hand of that Armenian soldier and felt a chill inside me. I returned to the morgue, observed corpses, and found the woman’s nephew. His eyes had been removed. The French doctors said that his eyes had been removed while he was alive, as the bleeding indicated.”After French medics met victims and heard firsthand accounts of the atrocities, they realized that reality on the ground and news in France did not match. Reza recalls:“They called Paris and said, ‘What should we do if there is such a situation here?’ And they were told by Paris to have nothing to do with it! You will take the medicines to the Armenians in Stepanakert (Khankendi). The French doctors and pharmacists were undecided.During the dinner, they told Reza that after witnessing what they had seen, they realized the reality did not match the news reports in Paris. They decided to leave the one-ton of medicine at the hospitals in Aghdam and return to Paris.Reza stayed in Karabakh, traveling to Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Lachin, and eventually, Shusha to document the front lines in Azerbaijan. He spent about a month on the front lines until the final days of Shusha. His urgent mission was to return to Paris to share the images and stories he had witnessed with the international media.Determined to share the news, Reza Deghati took the first flight from Baku to Istanbul and then to Paris, where he worked to distribute his photographs in international media and exhibit them internationally—despite considerable pressure and physical attacks on his exhibitions by the Armenians in France, Reza, a professional photojournalist, remained resolute in his mission to present the historical evidence he had documented.One of the key motivations for his persistence was the words of the elderly woman, Mrs. Garatel he had met in Aghdam: ‘I found my nephew's body but no eyes.’ For 33 years, Reza Deghati has been the voice of the Khojaly victims, documenting their struggles and ensuring their stories are heard worldwide. Reza emphasizes:“Those moments I witnessed and those voices I heard deeply affected me. It is my lifelong duty—a burden on my shoulders—to convey to the world what happened to them.”Reza Deghati developed the website (www.khojalywitness.org) with colleagues in Paris and Baku as part of his ongoing mission. It presents photographs taken in Khojaly and Aghdam in 1992 alongside the stories of the victims.One of the website's primary goals is to assist individuals in identifying and locating their missing loved ones by showcasing photographs and the personal stories of Khojaly victims and witnesses.In addition, Reza Degati's book "Massacre of the Innocents," which tells about the massacres committed against Azerbaijanis starting from the early 90s of the 20th century and was published in English and French in 2014, is the only essential and in-depth publication on the "Khojaly Massacre" published worldwide. The book includes photos taken by him during the January 20, 1990 tragedy in Baku and the February 26, 1992 massacre in Khojaly, as well as photographs reflecting the lives of refugee and internally displaced families. Azerbaijan bans entry of Russian MP over offensive remarks http://www.today.az/news/politics/256920.html Politics Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:27:00 +0400 By Akbar NovruzThe statements made by Nikolai Valuev, First Deputy Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, against Azerbaijan and its people are "completely unacceptable," Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizadeh said.According to Azernews, Hajizadeh responded to local media questions regarding Valuev’s remarks and the steps Azerbaijan would take against him. He stated that due to Valuev’s anti-Azerbaijani views, he has been included in the list of persons prohibited from entering Azerbaijan."This is not the first case of Russian State Duma deputies being designated as ‘undesirable persons’ in Azerbaijan," Hajizadeh noted. He recalled that Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the CIS Committee, and Vitaly Milonov, Deputy Chairman of the Family Protection Committee, were previously banned for their actions against Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.Hajizadeh also pointed out that all these deputies belong to Russia’s ruling United Russia party. He emphasized that Azerbaijan will continue to take appropriate legal measures against individuals acting against the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Azerbaijan clears 787 hectares of land from mines in liberated regions http://www.today.az/news/politics/256919.html Politics Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:19:00 +0400 By Qabil AshirovThe Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has released information on the mine-clearance operations carried out from February 3 to 9 in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan.ANAMA reported that during the mine-clearance operations conducted last month in the regions of Tartar, Agdere, Kalbajar, Agdam, Khojali, Khankendi, Khojavend, Lachin, Shusha, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan, 78 anti-personnel mines, 16 anti-tank mines, and 294 unexploded ordnance (UXOs) were discovered and safely neutralized.In total, 787 hectares of land were cleared of mines and unexploded military ordnance, contributing significantly to the safety and rehabilitation of these formerly occupied areas. Azerbaijan’s fire safety service reviews 2024 successes and prepares for 2025 http://www.today.az/news/politics/256918.html Politics Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:44:00 +0400 By Qabil AshirovA service meeting dedicated to summarizing the results of the State Fire Control Service (SFCS) of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) for 2024 and discussing tasks for 2025 was held recently, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Colonel Vagif Ibrahimov, the head of the State Fire Control Service, opened the meeting by providing a detailed report on the activities of the Service in 2024.He emphasized that significant efforts had been made to ensure fire safety in the country, including protective measures to safeguard citizens’ lives, health, and national resources from fire hazards. Ibrahimov highlighted the successful implementation of preventive measures in various designated facilities and residential areas, further strengthening the country's fire safety systems. He expressed confidence that the Service would continue its effective work in 2025, ensuring that the planned tasks would be carried out efficiently.Following Ibrahimov's address, Chief Fire Safety Expert of the Ministry, Major General Yusif Nabiyev, spoke about the positive trends in fire safety in the past year. He noted a reduction in the number of fires compared to previous years, attributing this improvement to the effective work of the fire prevention authorities and their wide-ranging public awareness efforts. Nabiyev also outlined the key tasks for the Service in the current year.Other speakers provided reports on various aspects of the Service's activities over the past year, presenting detailed information about the work done and discussing the planned actions for the upcoming year. The meeting included in-depth discussions on the subject, and relevant instructions were given for the future. Some 74 municipal acts annulled for failing to meet legal standards http://www.today.az/news/politics/256917.html Politics Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:03:00 +0400 By Qabil AshirovLast year, 74 municipal acts that did not comply with legal requirements were completely annulled, Azernews reports, citing Deputy Minister of Justice To?rul Hüseynov, as he said at the meeting of the National Assembly's Committee on Regional Affairs, where the "Annual Report of the Body Implementing Administrative Control over the Activities of Municipalities" was discussed.He noted that changes have been made to the legislation to increase transparency in the financial management of municipalities. A unified municipal expenditure portal has been established. As part of the fight against corruption, legal violations have been detected and sent to law enforcement agencies. In 51 cases, serious legal violations were identified, and criminal cases were initiated in 21 of them. Investigations have been conducted into illegal land sales, embezzlement, and fraud, and criminal cases have been opened against various municipal chairpersons and officials. Azerbaijani table tennis players win bronze medals in Croatia http://www.today.az/news/sports/256916.html Sports Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:19:00 +0400 By Laman IsmayilovaAzerbaijani table tennis players have taken the podium at the Europe Youth Series tournament held in Osijek, Croatia.Onur Guluzade and Tunar Bagirov won bronze medals in the doubles.They participated in the competition under the leadership of head coach Mikhail Timofeyev and coach Sabina Azizli.Over the past years, Azerbaijani table tennis players have made significant strides in table tennis.In 2023, Azerbaijani table tennis player Onur Guluzade captured a silver medal at the 23rd international tournament in memory of Nikolay Nikitin, held in Saint Petersburg, Russia.Also, the national female table tennis players brought home nine medals from the WTT Youth Contender held in Georgia.Zemfira Mikayilova, Laman Abdulhamidova, Nigar Mahmudova, Khadija Abilzade, Marziyya Nurmatova, Aylin Asgarova, Arzu Aslanova, Aysu Aghayeva, Khadija Eylazova, and Yagmur Mammadli won two silvers and seven bronzes in the tournament.Azerbaijani table tennis players also earned two medals at the Europe Youth Series tournament in 2024.The team claimed the silver and bronze medals in the mixed doubles pairs event among U13 and U15 athletes, respectively. Innovation is next frontier for Azerbaijan’s economy, official says http://www.today.az/news/business/256915.html Business Mon, 10 Feb 2025 12:57:00 +0400 Nazrin AbdulAt the World Bank’s World Development Report 2024 event, Shahmar Movsumov outlined Azerbaijan’s roadmap for future economic growth, emphasizing the importance of innovation, digital transformation, and strategic investments.He highlighted the nation’s unique geographical position, which allows it to serve as a critical trade hub, accessing half of the world’s GDP faster than 17 Central Countries. This makes Azerbaijan a key player in transcontinental trade and industrial development.Movsumov presented the World Bank’s “3-I Strategy”—Investment, Infusion, and Innovation—as a roadmap for achieving high-income status. He noted that Azerbaijan has already laid a strong foundation through significant infrastructure and technology investments. The next priority, he explained, is to foster a culture of innovation by supporting startups, investing in research and development, and promoting new technologies across all sectors.He cautioned that failure to act swiftly could result in Azerbaijan falling behind, importing outdated ideas instead of creating new ones. However, by leveraging its resources, talent, and strategic location, Azerbaijan has the potential to become a regional leader in innovation.Movsumov expressed confidence in the country’s ability to meet these challenges with bold decisions and creative solutions, ensuring a prosperous future driven by innovation and global partnerships. State Chamber Orchestra, South Korean Maestro thrill audience in Baku http://www.today.az/news/entertainment/256914.html Arts & Entertainment Mon, 10 Feb 2025 12:35:00 +0400 By Laman IsmayilovaAzerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra led by renowned South Korean conductor Jong Hoon Bae has totally captivated the audience at the State Academic Philharmonic Hall.Making his debut in Baku, Jong Hoon Bae showcased a unique and original style of performance. The unity between the conductor and the orchestra testified to the masterful execution of the pieces.The concert program included fragments from the ballet "Seven Beauties" by Gara Garayev, the symphony "Nizami" by Fikrat Amirov, and the Serenade for Strings (C major, Op. 48) by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.The maestro demonstrated high professionalism in performing the works of Azerbaijani composers.The Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra and renowned conductor Jong Hoon Bae received enthusiastic applause from the audience.Jong Hoon Bae has earned acclaim for his dynamic approach to music, having collaborated with prestigious orchestras such as the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, the St. Petersburg State Academic Symphony Orchestra, Leipzig Symphony Orchestra, Mihail Jora Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra was established in 1964 on the initiative of outstanding Azerbaijani composers Fikrat Amirov and Gara Garayev.The orchestra has performed with many foreign conductors, such as Salim Akcil (Turkiye), Hakan ?ensoy (Turkiye), Simon Camartin (Sweden), Fabien Theerikson (France), Vladimir Runchak (Ukraine), Riccardo Averbakh (USA), Vladislav Bulakhov (Russia), Roland Freisitzer (Austria), Alexander Ivashkin (England).In 2007, the orchestra was awarded the Khumay National Prize for promoting Azerbaijani classical music around the world. World Bank commits to supporting Azerbaijan's journey to high-income status http://www.today.az/news/business/256913.html Business Mon, 10 Feb 2025 12:18:00 +0400 By Akbar Novruz“Creating strong institutions is important for Azerbaijan to become a high-income country, considering its ambition is much greater”, said World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus, Rolande Pryce, speaking at the presentation of the annual World Development Report.She emphasized several strategies for overcoming the middle-income trap, including improving the investment climate, enhancing education and workforce skills, fostering innovation, and integrating into globally competitive markets.“Education and skills development are crucial for driving innovation and productivity. Also, it’s necessary to complement a good investment climate with measures deliberately designed to bring new ideas from abroad and diffuse them across the economy,” she added.Pryce pointed to Azerbaijan’s impressive economic progress, stating: “In 1993, Azerbaijan had an income per capita of US $110. By 2023, some 30 years later, it has become a middle-income economy with a per capita income 60 times higher, 6,660 GNI per capita, via the Atlas method. Azerbaijan has successfully leveraged its natural resources to reach this point, and this is impressive.”However, she noted that Azerbaijan’s ambitions extend far beyond its current status: “Becoming a high-income economy will require not only physical investments, but equally importantly, human capital formation, talent retention, and institutional strengthening to facilitate economic diversification.”As part of this effort, the World Bank has conducted in-depth research on Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with the findings to be presented in the forthcoming report, Greater Heights: Growing to High Income in Europe and Central Asia.Reflecting on the World Bank’s long-standing partnership with Azerbaijan, Pryce affirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the country’s economic aspirations.“As the country continues on its journey towards high-income status, we stand ready to support the government and the people of Azerbaijan. Together, we can overcome the challenges, and we can help you seize the opportunities that lie ahead.” Pashinyan signed up for a ChatGPT course http://www.today.az/news/politics/256912.html Politics Mon, 10 Feb 2025 12:16:00 +0400 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is flying to France, where, according to his press service, he will take part in the Paris Summit on Artificial Intelligence.   Apparently, his speeches and Facebook posts will become clearer and smarter now – there is hope that Pashinyan will master the basics of ChatGPT in Paris.   P.S. Well, it's not without its perks: of course, Pashinyan will meet with Macron, and they will once again discuss the eternal friendship between Armenia and France. All semi-finalists of Azerbaijan Chess Championship announced http://www.today.az/news/sports/256911.html Sports Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:37:00 +0400 By Laman IsmayilovaAll semi-finalists in the Azerbaijan Chess Championship have been announced.Teymur Rajabov and Rauf Mammadov, who defeated Vugar Asadli and Ahmad Ahmadzadeh in tie-breaks, respectively, have advanced to the semi-finals.Rajabov will face Mammadov in the semi-finals, while Shahriyar Mammadyarov will compete against Misratdin Isgandarov.In the women's tie-break, Govhar Beydullayeva eliminated Turkan Mammadyarov, while Gunay Mammadzadeh defeated Sabina Ibrahimova to advance. In the other match, Gulnar Mammadova defeated Khanum Balajayeva.Ulviyya Fataliyeva will face Govhar Beydullayeva in the semi-finals, while Gunay Mammadzadeh will compete against Gulnar Mammadova.For the first time in the history of Azerbaijani chess, all active chess players of the country enter the fight for the champion title.All members of the national team, chess players occupying high positions in the FIDE rating, as well as those who showed the best results in the First League are participating in the championship.In total, 19 national champions, five European champions, the winner of the World Cup, and winners of international tournaments are competing for victory.Three-time European champions Shahriyar Mammadyarov (world rapid champion), Teymur Radjabov (World Cup winner), Rauf Mammadov, the last champion of the country Aydin Suleymanli, including Vasif Durarbayli, participant of the Candidates Tournament Nijat Abasov, continental champion Eltaj Safarli, Magomed Muradli and others participate in the Azerbaijan Chess Championship.European champion Ulviya Fataliyeva, members of the national team- continental championship prize winners Gunay Mammadzade, Govhar Beydullayeva, Khanim Balajayeva, Gulnar Mammadova, as well as the current champion Ayan Allahverdiyeva, Turkan and Zeynab Mammadyarov compete in the women's championship.The total prize fund of the men's chess championship is 90,000 manats, and 30,000 manats for women.The winner of the men's championship will receive 20,000 manats, and the winner of the women's championship will receive 10,000 manats.Chess for centuries has been a popular game in Azerbaijan with ancient roots closely related to traditions.The country could preserve these traditions as chess remains to be a crucially popular sport for now.To popularise this original game, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, who is also the chairman of the National Olympic Committee, signed in 2009 an executive order initiating a state-supported chess development program, covering the years 2009-2014.The 42nd Chess Olympiad, held in Baku, is indeed an excellent example of great attention paid to the development of chess games in the country.The large-scale event attracted a total of 1,587 participants, including 894 in the Open category and 693 in the Women's event, making the Baku Chess Olympiad a significant event.Similarly, the FIDE World Chess Cup 2023 in Baku captivated chess fans with its high-calibre competition and exhilarating matches.Featuring a highly competitive lineup, the World Cup provided an exciting venue to display the remarkable skill and strategic finesse of elite chess players.Approximately 206 competitors participated in the open section, along with 103 players in the women's competition.The national chess players have always been taking high places at top-ranked tournaments. Central Bank head upbeat on Azerbaijan's economy due to growth in two decades http://www.today.az/news/business/256910.html Business Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:19:00 +0400 By Nazrin AbdulDuring the World Bank’s event on the middle-income trap, Taleh Kazimov, Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, emphasized the country’s economic achievements over the past two decades and outlined a strategy to ensure sustainable growth and avoid the middle-income trap.Kazimov highlighted that Azerbaijan’s economy has grown approximately 3.8 times over the last 20 years, with the non-oil sector expanding by 3.7 times. The country’s Strategic Foreign Reserve now accounts for 75% of its total GDP, reflecting strong fiscal discipline and a favorable external position. Despite these successes, he stressed the importance of transitioning from a resource-based economy to a diversified, high-value-added economy.“Azerbaijan’s long-term growth depends on enhancing exports of both goods and services while attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to drive innovation and transfer know-how,” Kazimov said. He also underlined the role of a robust macroeconomic framework, counter-cyclical fiscal and monetary policies, and greater coordination among economic institutions in achieving this goal.The Central Bank of Azerbaijan will focus on key priorities, including implementing the Financial Sector Development Strategy 2024–2025, strengthening the resilience of the banking sector, and developing digital financial services to improve financial inclusion. The strategy aims to boost financing for sectors with a competitive advantage and support domestic and foreign investment in innovation.Kazimov concluded by inviting stakeholders to engage in discussions on the findings of the World Bank’s World Development Framework 2024 and emphasized the importance of aligning Azerbaijan’s policies with the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework for 2025–2029, which aims to support sustainable and inclusive growth. Mono-Armenia what tales did Pashinyan tell in Washington http://www.today.az/news/politics/256908.html Politics Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:11:00 +0400 Another International Summit on Religious Freedom was held in Washington. An event where many high-profile statements are made, but which has not yet brought religious peace to the planet.   The summit was attended by the Prime Minister of Armenia, the head of the world's first mono-national and mono-confessional country. Yes, it became like this before him, and the Armenian society was like this in the minds of the "friendship of peoples", nevertheless, Pashinyan represents Armenia and should have proceeded from the realities, or not speak at all. But he came out and told stories. Nevertheless, there is a plus in his speech (at least, judging by the publications in the Armenian media) - he did not shower accusations on Azerbaijan.   In general, there has been a recent tendency in Pashinyan's speeches to reject accusations against Baku. This new tactic is, in principle, quite reasonable, given that the previous one has completely failed. Sweeping accusations and provocative statements from international platforms have brought nothing to Armenia, only complicated its path to peace. Pashinyan is unlikely to admit this, but he understands it.   In his speech at the summit, the Armenian Prime Minister sang odes to religious freedom, which is democracy in its purest form. And one cannot disagree with this. Can a society be considered democratic if there is no freedom of religion? The problem is that most people equate this freedom with religious tolerance. But these are different concepts. The first implies respect for the religious views of other people, the second implies forced acceptance of their presence. That is, different faiths tolerate each other, but patience is a fragile thing. It is difficult to call the burning of the Koran under police protection a manifestation of religious freedom. Meanwhile, the countries where this happens call themselves tolerant and democratic.   So is Armenia. No, they don't burn the Koran there, because Muslims as a significant community in this country have not existed for thirty-five years and there is no need to fight them. A small handful of Kurds and Yezidis are proudly presented as a Muslim community and speculate on it in their speeches. It is not reported how many Muslims there are in Armenia today, but according to the 2011 census, there were only 812 people. We are talking about the citizens of the country, not about Muslims who came to work from Iran, India or Arab countries. For a country with a population of one and a half million people, 812 may seem like a good number, but there is one important point here. The fact is that before the resettlement of Armenians to these lands, most of the population of the current territory of Armenia were Muslims. Muslims should not be equated, for example, with the Molokans, who migrated to the South Caucasus because of persecution and established a small community here. The peoples professing Islam are the indigenous peoples of this region. And the fact that there are only a handful of them left in Armenia is not a commendable fact at all, but a reason to think.   Speaking in Washington, Nikol Pashinyan boasted of the largest Yezidi community in the world and the world's largest Yezidi temple. By the way, the Armenian government has nothing to do with the latter - the temple was built at the expense of a Russian Yezidi businessman. There is no concern of the State for religious minorities. The socio-economic condition of the Yezidi community is at a very low level. According to media reports, in order to get some opportunities, Yezidis often have to convert to Gregorianism. There was a case when most of the population of a Yezidi village converted to Protestantism in order to receive help from Western missionaries. They have no hope left for their own "tolerant" government. Yezidis were also often the targets of bullying and violence in the army. These facts were widely reported in the press in previous years.   Pashinyan spoke about the Russian Church, the Assyrian Church, the Catholic Church, the Molokans, and even pagans. About the Jewish community, which, it turns out, feels great in the "diverse society" of Armenia, forgetting to tell that the only synagogue in the country is regularly desecrated with Nazi inscriptions and broken windows, and that even the head of the community has removed the Jewish part of her double surname, now signing herself only with her husband's Armenian surname, since It is unpopular to be a Jew in Armenia.   It is noteworthy that Pashinyan did not speak about the Muslim community as such. It is obvious that being a Muslim in Armenia is even more dangerous than being a Jew. The Armenian prime minister only said that Yerevan "has a functioning Muslim mosque, which is a very important part of our cultural heritage." At the same time, he forgot to mention that before this Azerbaijani city became the capital of Armenia, several dozen mosques operated in Yerevan. The Blue Mosque, which was left as a model of "Armenian tolerance," is run by the Iranian side and is mostly visited by Iranian citizens who come to Yerevan on business. Because the Muslim community in Armenia was destroyed, it disappeared along with the exodus of the last Azerbaijanis thirty-five years ago.   However, the US State Department placed Azerbaijan, not Armenia, under "surveillance" in January last year. Before that, the International Christian Concern operating in the United States placed Azerbaijan in the top ten countries where Christians are being persecuted on a large scale. Christians meant Armenian citizens who left Azerbaijan en masse and voluntarily in the fall of 2023. This process had nothing to do with religion, but the American so-called Christian concern, commissioned by the Armenians, presented the case differently. It was an integral part of a campaign of pressure on Baku and an attempt to move the "center of tolerance" of the South Caucasus to Armenia. A mononational and monoconfessional country began to be served with multicultural seasoning. A Council for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of National Minorities was established in Armenia, and National Minorities Day was established, but it did not become a multicultural country. And these attempts looked very poor, to be honest. Two years ago, before the New Year, Anna Hakobyan hosted a dinner with the national minorities of Armenia. Since the national minorities of Armenia are a matter of theory rather than practice, representatives of different countries working in Armenia were invited to the meeting so that the party turned out to be really international. The event was called a "Peace and Solidarity Dinner."   In general, it is very good that Nikol Pashinyan understands "how important religious tolerance is in our region." And yes, there are traditions of tolerance in the Caucasus, which the Armenians tried to destroy. It is wonderful that the Armenian Prime Minister shared in Washington his dream of "turning our regional disputes into a regional dialogue." But the topic of religious freedom has nothing to do with this dialogue. The problems between Armenia and Azerbaijan are not caused by religious contradictions, but by its territorial claims to our country. By distorting this truth, Yerevan is distorting the very essence of the peace process.   A few years ago, the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe published a report in which it was noted that the majority of the population and the authorities of Armenia share the view of the mono-ethnicity of this country. Unfortunately, having made such conclusions, the organization did not express any indignation or condemnation. Probably, respecting the "choice" of the Armenian people... Chamber and Organ Music Hall to hold series of concerts http://www.today.az/news/entertainment/256909.html Arts & Entertainment Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:58:00 +0400 By Laman IsmayilovaA number of concerts will be held at the Chamber and Organ Music Hall (Kirkha).On February 18, the Azerbaijan State String Quartet will hold a concert entitled "Chamber Music Evening". The program will feature the string quartet (B minor, op. 11) by S. Barber and the 14th string quartet “Death and the Maiden” (D minor) by F. Schubert.On February 20, at an event dedicated to the music of the Baroque era, listeners will travel to the ancient era. Soloists Khurshid Abdullayeva (harpsichord) and Ilham Nazarov (countertenor) will take part in the musical evening, performing works by A. Vivaldi, J. S. Bach, D. Scarlatti, G. F. Handel, G. B. Platti and D. Cimarosa.The Evening of Chamber Music will be held on February 21 with the participation of the artists of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra. The concert program will feature works by Azerbaijani and European composers.An evening of organ music dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide will be held on February 26.The event will feature the student orchestra of the Baku Music Academy (artistic director and conductor Uzeyir Mammadov).The soloists of the evening will be Honored Artists Farida Mammadova (soprano) and Ilham Nazarov (countertenor), as well as laureates of international competitions, organists Nigar Mammadova and Aliheydar Aydin.The program will feature works by J. S. Bach, G. B. Pergolesi, T. Albinoni, J. Haydn, F. Liszt and G. Garayev. The artistic director of the concert is Honored Artist, Professor Takhira Yagubova. Turkiye’s President Erdo?an approves migration cooperation agreement with Azerbaijan http://www.today.az/news/politics/256907.html Politics Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:34:00 +0400 By Qabil AshirovTurkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has approved the "Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Migration between the Government of the Republic of Turkiye and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan," Azernews reports, citing "Resmi Gazete."The official Turkish gazette noted that this agreement was signed between Azerbaijan and Turkiye on March 6, 2024, in Ankara.In addition, President Erdo?an has also approved the "Protocol on the Exchange of Lands for Diplomatic Missions between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Republic of Gabon."Both agreements have come into force as of their signing date. Azerbaijan’s Consulate in Los Angeles reopens after wildfires http://www.today.az/news/politics/256906.html Politics Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:22:00 +0400 Azerbaijan’s Consulate in Los Angeles has resumed its activities at its own building, Azernews reports, citing Ayxan Hac?zad?, the Head of the Press Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.It is worth recalling that, due to wildfires in California that began on January 7, the building housing Azerbaijan’s Consulate in Los Angeles was temporarily evacuated. During this time, the consulate’s operations were carried out remotely. Ship operations in Caspian Sea fully resumed after weather stabilizes http://www.today.az/news/society/256905.html Society Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:18:00 +0400 By Qabil AshirovIn the past five days, due to strong northwest winds and rough sea conditions observed in Azerbaijan's Caspian Sea waters, ships that had been anchored or in shelter areas are expected to fully resume operations today, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO).According to ASCO, with the stabilization of the weather conditions, cargo and passenger transportation carried out by the fleet of ASCO's Maritime Transport Fleet is now continuing in normal mode.It is also anticipated that operations of the Caspian Sea Oil Fleet will be fully restored by the afternoon.Nevertheless, crew members are monitoring the weather forecast and will respond promptly to any changes, following safety protocols, as stated by the organization.It is worth recalling that on February 7, the State Maritime and Port Agency's Vessel Movement Control Center issued a warning to ships due to the windy weather. It was noted that the northwest wind in the Caspian Sea waters would last until the morning hours of February 9. Listed properties of businessmen in Azerbaijan to be auctioned http://www.today.az/news/business/256904.html Business Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:57:00 +0400 By Akbar NovruzOn February 28 at 11:00, the Department of Property Affairs under the Ministry of Economy will hold an auction for the sale of listed movable and immovable property of taxpayers.The auction will be held at the Real Estate Services Venue (20 Khalil Rza Ulutürk Street, Nizami District, Baku).Seventeen properties will be put up for auction, including nine vehicles, four pieces of equipment, two plots of land, one non-residential building, and one non-residential plot. The properties are priced from 6,000 manats to 1 million manats.Those wishing to participate in the auction must submit the necessary documents to the Real Estate Services Center by February 21. SpaceX to launch 23 Starlink satellites from California http://www.today.az/news/regions/256903.html World news Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:29:00 +0400 By News CentreSpaceX is set to launch 23 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit Sunday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the US state of California.Liftoff was scheduled for 4.26 p.m. local time (0026GMT Monday), with the Falcon 9 first-stage booster supporting the mission on its 23rd flight.The company warned that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura may hear sonic booms during the launch, noting it will depend on the weather and other conditions.Following stage separation, the booster will attempt to land on the autonomous spaceport drone ship Of Course I Still Love You stationed in the Pacific Ocean.A live webcast of the mission will begin approximately five minutes before liftoff on SpaceX's website and its official X account.This mission continues billionaire Elon Musk-owned SpaceX's rapid expansion of its Starlink network, aimed at providing global broadband internet coverage. Ukraine's Zelensky hails Trump's peace plan but expects to end Russian aggression http://www.today.az/news/regions/256902.html World news Mon, 10 Feb 2025 08:00:00 +0400 U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for a quick settlement in Ukraine must not only stop the war but also ensure that there can no longer be any more Russian aggression, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview broadcast on Sunday, Azernews reports, citing the strait times.Zelenskiy said Ukraine wanted no repeat of the experience of peace accords and talks that failed to produce results in the years running up to Moscow's February 2022 full-scale invasion. And that, he said, meant putting security guarantees in place."A frozen conflict will lead to more aggression again and again. Who then will win prizes and go down in history as the victor? No one. It will be an absolute defeat for everyone, both for us, as is important, and for Trump," Zelenskiy told Britain's ITV. Public seeks answers on ex-USAID Chief's $23.3M wealth surge http://www.today.az/news/regions/256901.html World news Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:27:00 +0400 Very interesting facts about Samantha Power, the former head of USAID, have been revealed. So, it is mentioned in the report that ex-USAID Chief Samantha Power's net worth skyrockets from $6.7M TO $30M on a $180K salary.Samantha Power, Biden's ex-USAID chief, saw her wealth explode while earning just $180K per year.Currently, questions have arisen about her mysterious wealth: Where did the extra $23.3M come from? And all of this in just 3 years! USAID oversees billions in global funding—was she cashing in?The public is currently waiting for an answer to this question. It seems that Samantha Power's income could be subject to confiscation. Chemical weapons agency chief to meet Syrian officials in Damascus on Saturday, sources say http://www.today.az/news/regions/256896.html World news Sat, 08 Feb 2025 23:20:00 +0400 The head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), a global non-proliferation agency, will meet Syrian officials in Damascus on Saturday, three sources familiar with the visit told Reuters, Azernews reports, citing Arab News.Director General Fernando Arias was expected to meet interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani, two of the sources said, in a sign of Syrian willingness to cooperate with the agency after years of strained relations under now-toppled leader Bashar Assad.The sudden fall of the Assad government in December brought hope that the country could be rid of chemical weapons.Following a sarin gas attack that killed hundreds of people in 2013, Syria joined the OPCW under a US-Russian deal and 1,300 metric tons of chemical weapons and precursors were destroyed by the international community.As part of membership, Damascus was supposed to be subjected to inspections. But for more than a decade the OPCW was prevented from uncovering the true scale of the chemical weapons program. Syria’s declared stockpile has never accurately reflected the situation on the ground, inspectors concluded.When asked about contacts with the OPCW over chemical weapons still in Syria, the country’s new defense minister Murhaf Abu Qasra told Reuters in January that he “does not believe” that any remnants of Syria’s chemical weapons program remained intact.“Even if there was anything left, it’s been bombed by the Israeli military,” Abu Qasra said, referring to a wave of Israeli strikes across Syria in the wake of Assad’s fall.Details of the mission to Syria are still being worked out but its key aims will be finding and securing chemical stocks to prevent proliferation risk, identifying those responsible for their use and overseeing the destruction of remaining munitions.The OPCW has asked the authorities in Syria to secure all relevant locations and safeguard any relevant documentation.Three investigations — a joint UN-OPCW mechanism, the OPCW’s Investigation and Identification team, and a UN war crimes investigation — concluded that Syrian government forces used the nerve agent sarin and chlorine barrel bombs in attacks during the civil war that killed or injured thousands.A French court issued an arrest warrant for Assad which was upheld on appeal over the use of banned chemical weapons against civilians. Syria and its military backer Russia always denied using chemical weapons.The OPCW, a treaty-based agency in The Hague with 193 member countries, is tasked with implementing the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention. Egypt, North Korea, and South Sudan have neither signed nor acceded to the convention and Israel has signed but not ratified it. Xi says China ready to work with IOC to promote Olympic Movement http://www.today.az/news/regions/256897.html World news Sat, 08 Feb 2025 22:50:00 +0400 Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that China stands ready to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to continue promoting the development of the Olympic Movement, Azernews reports, citing Xinhua.Xi made the remarks when meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach in Harbin, capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Bach is here for the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games.China's successful hosting of multiple major sports events in recent years demonstrated the close collaboration between China and the IOC, Xi noted.Xi said that China is vigorously developing its sports sector and moving toward the goal of building a sports powerhouse and a healthy China, which will continuously make new contributions to the development of international sports.Bach praised China for advocating and practicing the concepts of unity, cooperation, equality and respect, upholding multilateralism, opposing the politicization of sports, and supporting the broad participation of developing countries in international sports.He expressed the confidence that China will continue to achieve greater accomplishments and make greater contributions to world peace, development and progress.Senior Chinese leaders including Cai Qi were present at the meeting.Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. Bach is here for the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games. South Korean tech giant to display Saudi-tailored AI models at LEAP 2025 http://www.today.az/news/regions/256895.html World news Sat, 08 Feb 2025 20:40:00 +0400 South Korea’s tech giant Naver is going to present special Saudi-tailored artificial intelligence technologies at the LEAP 2025 conference, which will start in Riyadh on Sunday, Azernews reports, citing Arab News.Organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, LEAP is the largest tech event in the Middle East. This year, the four-day event is expected to draw nearly 700 startups, more than 1,000 expert speakers, 1,800 tech brands and 170,000 visitors.Naver is among the few companies globally that has a comprehensive AI value chain, spanning data centers, cloud infrastructure and AI technologies. Its LEAP 2025 exhibition is themed “AI for Saudi Arabia, Powered by Naver” and will feature services currently provided in South Korea, with a focus on their potential adaptation for the Kingdom’s market.These include an AI-powered tutor, an AI-driven electronic medical records service that converts conversations with patients to text-based documentation, and Naver Works, a tool that can summarize, translate, and generate emails.The Korean company will present the potential localization of these technologies in Saudi Arabia’s education, healthcare, media and labor sectors.“We aim to present AI models tailored specifically for Saudi Arabia, ensuring that the Kingdom maintains its own sovereign AI capabilities,” Han Dong-geun, Naver’s public relations officer, told Arab News.“We already have two data centers and have cloud business know-how. And we also have AI experience in the form of LLMs (large language models). And so we want to introduce this value chain at LEAP 2025. AI development needs all three of these components, and we have all these capabilities.”Naver has consistently emphasized the importance of sovereign AI, warning that the expansion of generative AI — driven primarily by US and Chinese tech companies — could threaten the technological independence of other countries.The company believes its HyperCLOVA X — a Korean-based LLM, which is a type of AI program that can generate and understand text — is an example of a self-sufficient AI ecosystem that could serve as a model for Saudi Arabia’s own AI development.“South Korea is the third country in the world to develop its own LLM ... We want to collaborate with Saudi Arabia and share our know-how and experiences to develop a custom AI model that preserves Saudi Arabia’s AI sovereignty,” Han said.Saudi Arabia is emerging as the key Middle East market for the Korean tech giant, which is accelerating its foray into the region.In 2023, the company won a $100 million contract to develop a digital twin platform — a software system that creates and manages a virtual replica, or “digital twin,” of a physical asset, process, or system, enabling users to monitor its real-time behavior and simulate various scenarios.Last year, it also signed a memorandum of understanding with Aramco Digital and the Saudi Data and AI Authority to collaborate on the first Arabic LLM project, and partnered with Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company to advance smart city projects and urban planning.Naver is South Korea’s largest search engine and internet portal provider. Its business portfolio includes cloud services, AI, e-commerce, fintech, and digital content. The company logged a net income of $1.3 billion in 2024, according to regulatory filings. Istanbul boasts 15.7M population, more populous than 131 countries http://www.today.az/news/regions/256889.html World news Sat, 08 Feb 2025 19:35:00 +0400 Türkiye's most populous city, Istanbul, boasts a population of 15.7 million, ahead of 131 countries in population, according to data from the statistical bureau TurkStat and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak.Istanbul's population increased by over 45,600 people in 2024 to 15.7 million last year, 7.88 million of which are women.Istanbul accounts for 18.3% of the total population of Türkiye, the data showed.The population of Istanbul is higher than 131 countries out of the total 204 that the UNFPA tracks.Some of the countries lagging behind Istanbul in population are Belgium with 11.7 million, Czechia with 10.5 million, Greece with 10.3 million, and Hungary with 10 million in Europe.The data showed that the megacity's population surpassed Portugal, Austria, Jordan, Israel, Tunisia, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Paraguay, and Libya.