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Apple Inc. is significantly scaling back production of its iPhone Air due to weaker-than-expected demand outside of China, Nikkei Asia reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

In contrast, the tech giant is increasing production orders for other models in the iPhone 17 lineup, driven by what the report described as ‘unexpectedly robust’ demand for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro. Sources revealed that Apple plans to manufacture between 85 million and 90 million units of its latest iPhone series, with the iPhone Air now accounting for less than 10% of total output.

The iPhone Air – introduced in September as Apple’s ‘thinnest ever’ and ‘most power-efficient’ smartphone – initially generated buzz for its sleek design and lightweight profile. However, it appears the minimalist design hasn’t resonated with global consumers as strongly as anticipated.

Analysts suggest that Apple’s decision to focus more on the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models reflects a shift in consumer priorities – with users increasingly favoring devices that offer high-end performance, advanced camera systems, and AI-driven features over ultra-thin design. The underperformance of the iPhone Air may also hint at saturation in the mid-range smartphone market, where competition from Chinese brands is especially fierce.

As part of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Business Forum held in Astana, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan (SMBDA /KOBIA) and Kazakhstan’s Foreign Trade Chamber. The agreement focuses on cooperation around Azerbaijan’s ‘SME House’ model, Azernews reports.

The MoU was signed by Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of SMBDA, and Murat Karimsakov, Chairman of the Board of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan.

The agreement outlines collaboration on the potential application of Azerbaijan’s SME House model in Kazakhstan. Under the memorandum, SMBDA will share its experience in establishing and managing SME Houses – a one-stop service centre for entrepreneurs – with the Kazakh side. The cooperation will include organising training programs and visits, offering advisory support for developing the necessary legal framework, adapting SME House services to the needs of Kazakhstan’s small businesses, and exchanging information on support infrastructure, innovative solutions, and digital services for SMEs.

As part of the visit, SMBDA representatives also participated in the 3rd meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Business Council. Speaking at the event, Orkhan Mammadov emphasised that the Council has become a key platform for fostering cooperation, sharing expertise, and exploring partnership opportunities between entrepreneurs of both countries. He reaffirmed SMBDA’s support for such platforms and its commitment to organising business missions, facilitating meetings, and supporting joint projects.

Additionally, SMBDA officials met with Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, Secretary-General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), at the organisation’s new headquarters in Astana. The meeting focused on Azerbaijan’s activities and upcoming initiatives during its chairmanship of CICA’s Business Council.

Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship of CICA for the 2024-2026 period by decision of the CICA Council of Ministers. As part of this role, the Business Council is chaired by SMBDA.

Yesterday, an AZAL aircraft landed in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, Azernews reports.

According to reports, the flight carried Azerbaijani experts traveling to Yerevan to participate in a meeting between representatives of Azerbaijani and Armenian civil society.

Sputnik Armenia confirmed the information, noting that the special flight from Baku arrived in Yerevan at approximately 16:00.

It should be recalled that the Armenian Center for Security Policy Research earlier announced that roundtable discussions would take place in Yerevan on October 21-22, bringing together representatives from both sides to exchange views and foster dialogue between the two nations.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov departed for a working visit to Georgia on October 21 to participate in the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, Azernews reports.

The forum’s opening session is currently taking place at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater, with the participation of Prime Minister Ali Asadov and other high-level representatives from various countries.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the decision to lift restrictions on the transit of goods through Azerbaijan toward Armenia, Azernews reports.

Pashinyan made the remarks during his speech at the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum.

‘In order to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond, based on the principle of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and jurisdiction of states, we proceed from principles that provide for unhindered communication between the main part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through the territory of the Republic of Armenia, as well as mutual benefits for the international and internal transit of the Republic of Armenia,’ Pashinyan said.

The Armenian Prime Minister acknowledged Baku’s step as an important development.

‘President Ilham Aliyev recently announced the lifting of transit restrictions on goods passing through the territory of Azerbaijan in the direction of Armenia. This is an extremely important statement, and I would like to express my deep gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan for this decision and welcome this statement,’ he noted.

It should be recalled that on October 21, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, in a joint press statement with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, highlighted that Azerbaijan had lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that had been in place since the occupation.

‘I must also say that Azerbaijan has lifted restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that have existed since the occupation. The first such transit was a cargo of grain from Kazakhstan to Armenia. I think this is also a good indicator that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia exists not only on paper, but also in practice,’ President Ilham Aliyev stated.

Estonia plans to open an embassy in Azerbaijan, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, Azernews reports.

‘This is an important step toward strengthening our bilateral relations,’ Tsahkna said, emphasizing Tallinn’s commitment to deepening its presence in the South Caucasus. ‘We need to enhance our representation,’ he added.

The decision marks a new stage in Azerbaijan-Estonia ties, reflecting growing political dialogue and expanding cooperation across diplomatic, economic, and cultural fields.

It is worth noting that diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Estonia date back to the early years of independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Both nations, once part of the Russian Empire and the USSR, have since built cooperative ties grounded in shared membership in the Council of Europe and the OSCE. Estonia supported Azerbaijan’s accession to the Council of Europe and backs its Euro-Atlantic integration. High-level visits, inter-parliamentary cooperation, and joint initiatives in IT and banking underscore the partnership. Cultural links are also strong, with an Azerbaijani community in Estonia and educational institutions reflecting mutual respect and enduring friendship.

On October 22, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Yagub Eyyubov and presented him with the ‘Istiglal’ Order, Azernews reports.

Welcoming Yagub Eyyubov, President Ilham Aliyev said:

– Dear Mr. Yagub, first of all, I congratulate you on your upcoming birthday and wish you good health and new successes. You have made a significant contribution to Azerbaijan’s development while serving in various responsible positions over many years. I highly appreciate this. As both you and I know, National Leader Heydar Aliyev always paid great attention to you. In the 1970s, he appointed you to responsible positions as a young cadre and showed great trust in you – trust which you fully justified. For this reason, during the period of independence, when the National Leader returned to power in 1993 at the demand of the people, he once again appointed you to several responsible positions, reaffirming his confidence in you. By his Order, you were appointed First Deputy Prime Minister, a position you have held since those years. Over the 22 years of my presidency, I have also repeatedly expressed my trust in you, reappointing you to the same position after every presidential election. Today, as I present you with this state award, I want to say that I am satisfied with your work. You serve the state and the homeland with dedication and loyalty. You are always proactive in your work and carry out my instructions with full responsibility. Taking into account your great services, I have awarded you the ‘Istiglal’ Order, the highest state decoration of Azerbaijan. With your permission, I now present this high order to you.

President Ilham Aliyev, presenting the ‘Istiglal’ Order to Yagub Eyyubov, said: I congratulate you.

Yagub Eyyubov: Thank you.

Expressing his gratitude to the head of state for the high appreciation of his work, Yagub Eyyubov shared memories related to National Leader Heydar Aliyev, noting that he had always strived to live up to the trust shown to him by both the National Leader and President Ilham Aliyev. He emphasized that under the leadership of the head of state, Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty had been fully restored, saying:

‘You are a genius personality who restored Azerbaijan’s lands. No one else could have done this – it seemed impossible. You are a great, highly skilled, and truly exceptional leader. That is why the entire nation and the whole world admire you and take pride in you.’

Emphasizing that being awarded the ‘Istiglal’ Order is a great honor for him, Yagub Eyyubov said: ‘I will never forget this for the rest of my life and will continue, to the best of my abilities, to serve you and our state with full dedication.’

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much.

The transport and transit sector continues to be a top priority on Azerbaijan’s national agenda due to its strategic importance for enhancing trade, attracting investment, and unlocking new economic opportunities, said Prime Minister Ali Asadov at the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, Azernews reports.

The Prime Minister noted that Azerbaijan’s strategic geographic location, along with substantial investments in transport infrastructure, has solidified the country’s role as a major transport and logistics hub in the Eurasian region.

‘Azerbaijan has been consistently upgrading its transport infrastructure,’ he said.

‘As a result of Azerbaijani investments, the freight capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway increased from 1 million to 5 million tons last year. Additionally, the second expansion phase of the Baku International Sea Trade Port – located at the crossroads of the country’s key rail and road networks – has been launched, aiming to boost its annual handling capacity from 15 million to 25 million tons.’

Asadov also highlighted that Azerbaijan possesses the largest commercial fleet in the Caspian Sea and operates the region’s biggest cargo airline.

In May this year, Azerbaijan inaugurated its ninth international airport in Lachin, and construction is currently underway on a new international cargo airport within the Alat Free Economic Zone.

‘These and several other strategic developments have positioned Azerbaijan as a key node in the international transport network,’ the Prime Minister emphasized.