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Apple has announced the appointment of John Ternus as its new CEO, effective September 1, 2026. Current CEO Tim Cook will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board, AzerNEWS reports.

According to reports, Cook will remain in his position throughout the summer, working closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth and orderly leadership transition.

During more than a decade under Cook’s leadership, Apple experienced remarkable growth. The company’s market capitalization rose from approximately $350 billion to over $2 trillion, briefly surpassing the $3 trillion mark in early 2022 – a historic milestone that underscored its dominance in the global tech industry.

The official confirmation of Ternus as CEO is expected to coincide with the release of Apple’s upcoming financial report, a move that analysts say could help reinforce investor confidence during the transition period.

Cook has led Apple since 2011, following the passing of co-founder Steve Jobs. His tenure has been defined not only by financial success but also by the expansion of Apple’s ecosystem, including services like Apple Music and Apple TV+, as well as a stronger focus on sustainability and supply chain resilience.

Ternus, who currently oversees Apple’s hardware engineering, is widely seen as a key figure behind the development of products such as the iPhone, Mac, and Apple Silicon chips. His appointment may signal a continued emphasis on innovation in hardware, particularly as Apple pushes further into areas like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and next-generation computing.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates held talks last week with the United States over a potential financial ‘lifeline’ in case tensions linked to the conflict with Iran escalate further, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the meeting involved UAE Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and representatives of the Federal Reserve System. Discussions reportedly focused not on a loan, but on a pre-approved currency swap arrangement.

UAE officials described the move as precautionary, stressing that the situation is not yet critical. However, they acknowledged that recent Iranian strikes have inflicted significant economic damage.

‘They also believe that President Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran has drawn their country into a destructive conflict, the consequences of which have not yet been fully resolved,’ the report said, citing sources. ‘They have told US officials that if the UAE does not have enough dollars, they will be forced to use yuan or other currencies for transactions.’

Such a shift could have broader implications for the global financial system, where the US dollar remains dominant, particularly in energy markets, where most oil contracts are denominated in dollars.

The report notes that the UAE currently does not have a standing swap line with the Federal Reserve, and it remains unclear whether such a request would be approved. Existing arrangements are typically reserved for close US partners, including Mexico, Canada, Brazil, the European Union, and more recently Argentina.

The issue comes amid heightened financial activity in the Gulf. The Financial Times recently reported that Persian Gulf states have increased debt issuance, taking advantage of a temporary ceasefire to secure funding through both sovereign and state-backed channels.

The Emirati dirham, which is pegged to the US dollar, is supported by reserves of around $270 billion. However, the ongoing conflict has put pressure on the currency due to capital outflows, market volatility, and broader economic uncertainty.

It is planned that “UFC Fight Night” events will be held annually in Baku until 2028, AzerNEWS reports.

UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) has signed a multi-year cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Baku City Circuit (BCC) Operations Company.

According to the agreement, the first event will take place on June 27 at the National Gymnastics Arena.

The UFC’s debut event held at the Baku Crystal Hall last June brought together more than 14,000 spectators. The complete sell-out of tickets has shown the great interest in MMA in the region.

At the event in Las Vegas, UFC President and CEO Dana White and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Farid Gayibov, discussed the continuation of this success and the future development opportunities of the partnership.

“Baku is one of the best cities in the world to visit. The city is incredibly beautiful, and the people who live there are extremely hospitable. When I visited last year, I was amazed. The hospitality was at the highest level. The fans are incredibly enthusiastic about sports, and at the same time, they are well-informed. People come from all over the world, and they absolutely have to experience it themselves,” Dana White said.

Minister Farid Gayibov stated that the establishment of a long-term partnership with the UFC is an important step in strengthening Azerbaijan’s position as a global sports hub:

“Based on our experience hosting prestigious events such as the first European Games and Formula 1, this partnership will accelerate the development of mixed martial arts and create new opportunities for athletes from Azerbaijan and the region. UFC has already become a significant part of the Baku sports calendar and provides local fighters the chance to perform in front of their home crowd. This partnership once again proves Azerbaijan’s potential to host high-level international sports events.”

“After the successful debut event of the UFC last year, which was held with a full stadium, we are pleased to expand our partnership and host Fight Night events again in Baku. We expect even higher interest in this year’s event, and the number of visitors coming to the city will increase. We are confident that the event will be more large-scale and of a higher quality, providing participants with an unforgettable experience, “added Maqsud Farzullayev, CEO of the Baku City Circuit Operations Company.

To stay up to date with all the latest news about the event and to get early access to tickets, fans can register at UFC.com/Baku and follow the @UFC page on social media for the latest UFC updates.

Reconstruction and rehabilitation work in Karabakh is continuing at full speed, with the final year of the State Program for the liberated territories now underway, AzerNEWS reports.

This was stated by Emin Huseynov, the Presidential Special Representative for the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts, in comments to journalists.

Huseynov said that over the past period, more than 30,000 internally displaced persons have been resettled in the liberated areas. In total, more than 70,000 people are now living, working, and studying in these territories.

‘Today, 92 families have been relocated to the city of Aghdam, and the process is continuing with increasing momentum every day. This year, the resettlement process to the liberated territories will reach its peak. It is projected that up to 20,000 people will be relocated to Aghdam alone. Around 15,000 people are expected to be resettled in the Fuzuli and Khojavend districts. Reconstruction and rehabilitation work is also ongoing across 25 settlements in Khojavend,’ he added.

Background

On September 27, 2020, long-standing tensions escalated into full-scale military operations. Azerbaijan launched a counter-offensive, utilizing modern warfare tactics-most notably the extensive use of precision drones and advanced satellite intelligence.

The turning point occurred on November 8, 2020, when Azerbaijani forces liberated the fortress city of Shusha, strategically positioned above the regional capital.

The Ceasefire: On November 10, a trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia ended the hostilities. Under the agreement, Armenia returned the occupied districts of Agdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin to Azerbaijan.

Final restoration of sovereignty

While the 2020 war liberated the surrounding districts, parts of the region remained under the control of a separatist administration. On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched localized “anti-terror measures” lasting less than 24 hours. This led to the total dissolution of the separatist regime and the full restoration of Azerbaijan’s constitutional order across its entire internationally recognized territory.

Today, the region is undergoing massive reconstruction and demining efforts through the “Great Return” program, aimed at resettling displaced populations into newly built “smart villages” and cities.

Japan has introduced its most significant overhaul of defense export rules in decades, easing long-standing restrictions on the shipment of military equipment abroad, AzerNEWS reports.

The updated policy opens the door for exports of more advanced systems, including warships, missiles, and other high-tech defense products – a major shift from the country’s traditionally cautious approach shaped by its post-war pacifist doctrine.

The reforms are designed to strengthen Japan’s domestic defense industry and signal a continued move away from the strict limitations that have defined its security policy since the end of World War II. Analysts say this marks a turning point in Tokyo’s strategic posture, as it seeks a more active role in regional and global security.

The timing is also significant. Ongoing conflicts such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and instability in the Middle East have placed increasing pressure on U.S. military production. As a result, Washington’s allies in Europe and Asia are looking to diversify their defense suppliers, creating new opportunities for Japan in the global arms market.

According to reports, several countries – including Poland and Philippines – are already exploring the possibility of purchasing Japanese military equipment as part of their modernization efforts. One of the first potential deals could involve the transfer of decommissioned Japanese naval vessels to Manila, which would strengthen maritime security in the region.

The reforms were approved by the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Under the new framework, five key categories of export restrictions have been lifted. Previously, Japan could export only limited types of equipment, such as rescue, transport, surveillance, early-warning, and minesweeping systems.

Now, each export deal will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, allowing for greater flexibility while maintaining oversight.

At the same time, Japan continues to uphold its three core principles of arms export control: strict screening of transactions, limits on re-exports to third countries, and a general ban on supplying weapons to states directly involved in armed conflicts. However, the government has introduced provisions for exceptions when exports are deemed essential for national security or international stability.

Experts note that beyond economic benefits, this policy shift could significantly reshape Japan’s geopolitical role – transforming it from a largely defensive power into a more influential player in the global security architecture.

There are artists whose presence does not fade with time. They simply change form, living on in the laughter, memory, and cultural imagination of their people.

Nasiba Zeynalova is one of those rare figures in Azerbaijani theatre and cinema.

This year, the 110th anniversary of her birth is being commemorated, celebrating her enduring contribution to Azerbaijani theatre and cinema.

Nasiba Zeynalova developed into a performer who could transform everyday human behavior into unforgettable art.

She is perhaps best known as the “mother-in-law” loved by almost the entire nation, a title she earned for her unforgettable performance in the musical comedy “Mother-in-Law”.

Her artistic home became the Musical Comedy Theatre, where she created a gallery of iconic roles in classical operettas by composers such as Uzeyir Hajibayli and Zulfugar Hajibayov.

Characters like Gulperi, Jahan khala, Senem, Melek khanim, and Kelek khanim were re-imagined through her unique sense of timing, expression, and emotional truth.

Her humor carried a distinctly national spirit-rooted in everyday speech, social observation, and human psychology. On stage, she could shift from warmth to sharp wit in an instant, creating characters such as Jennet khala, Nargile, and Zuleykha that felt both comedic and deeply real. These roles became cultural landmarks, remembered not only for their humor but also for their humanity.

In cinema, her collaboration with the Azerbaijanfilm studio produced a series of enduring characters that entered the golden archive of national film. Whether portraying Fatmanise in “Stepmother”, Telli in “Great Support”, Zuleykha in “Star”, or Jennet khala in “Mother-in-law”, she created screen personalities that audiences instantly recognized as reflections of their own society.

Nasiba Zeynalova’s artistic journey also placed her alongside some of the greatest names in Azerbaijani theatre history, including Lutfeli Abdullayev, Bashir Safaroglu, Hajibaba Baghirov, and Siyavush Aslan.

Together, they formed a stage harmony that defined an entire era. Particularly memorable was the creative trio of Zeynalova, Baghirov, and Aslan, whose performances turned productions such as “Hijran” into landmark works of Azerbaijani theatrical culture.

Nasiba Zeynalova passed away in Baku on March 10, 2004, and was laid to rest in the Alley of Honor. Yet her legacy has not remained in the past.

It continues to live on in every screening of her films, every remembered stage performance, and every new generation discovering the depth behind her humor.