Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry announced the banning of Russian State Duma lawmaker Nikolai Valuev from entering the country after his inflammatory remarks suggesting that Azerbaijan employs diaspora groups for unlawful activities. The ministry condemned his threats and offensive statements as unacceptable, leading to his inclusion on a blacklist of individuals barred from Azerbaijan. Valuev, a former boxing champion, is at least the third Russian official to face such a designation by Baku. Recently, Azerbaijan also closed the local branch of Rossotrudnichestvo, a Russian cultural agency, due to its illegitimate framework, a decision prompted by Valuev's provocative comments about targeting ethnic Azeris in Russia. The situation escalated following the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, with investigations suggesting potential mishaps involving Russian air defense systems. The strained relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have underscored escalating tensions in the region. President Trump has faced backlash online after labeling the Kennedy Center as 'woke' without ever attending a performance, a statement that has been met with ridicule from critics who question his basis for such strong opinions. The former president expressed his intent to oversee operations at the Kennedy Center to ensure it aligns with his vision, having recently accepted a board position despite lacking firsthand experience with the venue's offerings.
