Cultural Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli met Italy’s culture chief in Rome to expand cooperation in heritage protection, museums, creative industries, music and performing arts. Music & Heritage: A Baku conference marked the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayli, spotlighting his students who became the first women composers in the East. Education Policy: Azerbaijan’s general education law draft adds national identity and secularism as core state principles. Mugham Spotlight: Sahib Pashazade chaired Uzbekistan’s State Conservatory exams for folk instruments and led a masterclass featuring Azerbaijani composers. Exhibition in Focus: The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum opened “Threads of Remembrance,” using textile art to explore memory, language and ecological ties between Finland and Azerbaijan. International Partnerships: ADA University’s delegation visited the Polytechnic University of Turin to grow education and research cooperation. Food Culture Abroad: Azerbaijan’s national cuisine was presented in Sofia for Sustainable Gastronomy Day, featuring UNESCO-linked traditions like lavash and dolma. Arts Calendar: Azerbaijan Tango Festival unveiled its program, with events set to open in Icherisheher. Human Rights Watch: HRW reported leaked Bulgarian export licences for phone-tracking and interception tools linked to Circles/NSO, raising new questions about EU surveillance controls.