Category: Azer News

Local elections have officially begun in North Macedonia, with voters heading to the polls to elect mayors and municipal council members across the country, Azernews reports.

A total of 3,480 polling stations have been set up to serve the electorate across 81 municipalities. There are 1,832,415 registered voters eligible to participate in the elections.

A total of 10,490 candidates are contesting various local positions, including 309 candidates running for mayoral posts. The elections are being monitored by 1,451 observers, including 644 international and 807 local monitors.

If no mayoral candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a second round of voting will be held on November 2.

Local elections in North Macedonia are held every four years, and this is the eighth such election since the process began. Previous local elections took place in 1996, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021.

These elections play a key role in shaping governance at the municipal level and are seen as a barometer of public sentiment ahead of national elections.

In the heart of the South Caucasus, a new chapter is being written, one not of conflict, but of construction, cooperation, and collective hope. Garabagh, once the epicenter of geopolitical tension, is now emerging as a symbol of resilience and rebirth. Azerbaijan’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding its liberated territories has not only inspired its own citizens but has also captured the attention of the international community. From Tehran to Tokyo, from Ankara to Berlin, nations and investors are looking toward Garabagh with renewed interest and purpose.

At the III Azerbaijan National Urban Planning Forum (NUFA3), held in October 2025, a powerful message echoed through the halls: Garabagh is open for partnership. Among the most notable voices was that of Yaghoub Houshyar, the mayor of Iran’s historic city of Tabriz. His statement was clear and confident – Tabrizi businessmen are eager to participate in the reconstruction and development of Garabagh. ‘Coordination is already underway,’ he said, ‘and future involvement will only expand. It is natural for Tabrizi entrepreneurs to engage in Garabagh’s revitalization, especially in education and infrastructure projects, and this is supported at the state level.’

This declaration is more than a diplomatic gesture. It is a reflection of the deep cultural and historical ties between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Iran, particularly the Azerbaijani population of Tabriz. But more importantly, it signals a broader trend: Garabagh is becoming a magnet for international investment and collaboration.

Since the liberation of Garabagh and surrounding districts in 2020, Azerbaijan has embarked on one of the most ambitious reconstruction efforts in modern history. Roads, schools, hospitals, and smart villages are being built from the ground up. The government has prioritized sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity – ensuring that the region not only recovers but thrives. This vision has resonated globally.

Countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have expressed interest in contributing to Garabagh’s development. Turkish companies have already played a leading role in infrastructure projects. From Far East to America firms are offering expertise in cultural restoration, exploring smart city solutions, and eyeing opportunities in agriculture, tourism, and energy.

Why this surge of interest? Because Garabagh represents more than just a reconstruction zone – it is a gateway to regional stability and economic integration. Investors see a rare opportunity to be part of a transformative journey, one that blends profit with purpose. Governments recognize that supporting Garabagh’s revival is a pathway to deeper diplomatic ties with Azerbaijan, a country that has proven itself as a reliable partner and rising regional power.

Moreover, Azerbaijan’s transparent and investor-friendly policies have made engagement in Garabagh both feasible and attractive. The state offers guarantees, incentives, and streamlined procedures for foreign entities. The emphasis on public-private partnerships ensures that development is not only state-driven but also market-responsive.

The involvement of Tabrizi businessmen is particularly symbolic. It reflects a grassroots desire for cross-border cooperation and people-to-people connectivity. As Mayor Houshyar rightly noted, this collaboration will bring cities and nations closer together. It is a model of how economic engagement can foster cultural understanding and mutual respect.

But the story does not end with Iran. Delegations from Central Asia, the Balkans, and even Latin America have visited Garabagh in recent months. They come not just to observe, but to explore, to propose, and to commit. The region’s potential – in agriculture, mining, renewable energy, and tourism – is vast and largely untapped. With peace restored and infrastructure expanding, Garabagh is poised to become a hub of innovation and prosperity.

Azerbaijan’s leadership deserves credit for turning a post-conflict landscape into a canvas of opportunity. The strategic vision laid out by President Ilham Aliyev has guided this transformation with clarity and conviction. By prioritizing reconstruction, inclusivity, and international cooperation, Azerbaijan has sent a powerful message: Garabagh is not a closed chapter, but an open invitation.

In a world often divided by borders and ideologies, Garabagh stands as a testament to what unity and vision can achieve. It is a place where history meets hope, where nations converge not to compete, but to collaborate. And as more countries and investors join this journey, the region’s future grows brighter.

Garabagh is rising – not just from the ashes of war, but into the light of global partnership. The world is watching, and more importantly, the world is participating.

On October 17, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican.

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva expressed her pleasure at meeting Cardinal Pietro Parolin again and congratulated the Catholic world on the occasion of the ‘Jubilee Year.’

She thanked the Secretary of State for his participation in the COP29 event held in Azerbaijan in November last year and hailed the dynamic expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See in recent years.

Emphasizing that Azerbaijan embodies the values of religious tolerance and multiculturalism as both state policy and a societal norm, Mehriban Aliyeva spoke about the work carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation within the framework of cooperation with the Holy See. She noted the great potential for further developing bilateral relations. Speaking about the relations with the Catholic community in Azerbaijan, the First Vice-President said: ‘The issue raised during the Secretary of State’s visit to Azerbaijan in November last year-the construction of a second Catholic Church in our country-has found a positive resolution. A positive decision on this matter has already been made by President Ilham Aliyev, and construction of the second Catholic Church in the capital will begin in the near future.’ Mehriban Aliyeva underlined that Cardinal Pietro Parolin is regarded in Azerbaijan as a close friend of the country and its people and expressed gratitude for his contributions to the successful and steady development of bilateral cooperation.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed his honor at seeing First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva again and conveyed his deep appreciation to the Azerbaijani state and personally to President Ilham Aliyev for efforts in strengthening relations with the Holy See. He described his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan at COP29 as a gesture of respect toward the Vatican. Highlighting the projects implemented with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Cardinal praised the cooperation and the exemplary relations between the state and the Catholic community in Azerbaijan. ‘The construction of a second Catholic Church in Baku is a highly commendable development, and for that, we are grateful to Azerbaijan. This is yet another manifestation of the care and respect shown to all religions in your country. Azerbaijan serves as an example for many countries in this regard,’ he said.

The Cardinal also noted that the awarding of Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, with the ‘Friendship’ Order by President Ilham Aliyev is another sign of respect toward the Holy See.

Pietro Parolin congratulated Azerbaijan on the signing of the Joint Declaration by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States on August 8 in Washington and on the initialing of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He reaffirmed the Vatican’s unequivocal support for peace in the region.

Expressing her gratitude to Cardinal Pietro Parolin for his congratulations, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva highly valued the outcomes of the Washington Summit, emphasizing that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia remain committed to the peace agenda and expressing hope for the establishment of lasting peace in the region.

On the night of October 17-18, the Sun unleashed two moderate solar flares classified as M-class, according to the Russian Institute of Applied Geophysics, Azernews reports. One flare, rated M1.0, lasted 26 minutes, while the second persisted for 21 minutes, marking a period of moderate solar activity that experts continue to monitor closely.

Solar flares are sudden bursts of radiation caused by the release of magnetic energy in the Sun’s atmosphere. They are categorized into five classes based on their X-ray brightness: A, B, C, M, and X. M-class flares are medium-strength events-more intense than C-class flares but less powerful than X-class flares. While unlikely to cause major disruptions on Earth, they can affect satellite communications, GPS systems, and power grids under certain conditions.

The Russian Institute emphasized the importance of monitoring solar activity to better understand the Sun’s behavior and anticipate potential impacts on Earth’s technological systems. The recent flares were observed using advanced solar observation instruments, enabling scientists to track their intensity, duration, and possible geomagnetic effects.

Solar activity follows an approximately 11-year cycle, with alternating periods of higher and lower flare frequency. Currently, the Sun is approaching a phase of heightened activity, making continuous observation critical for both scientific research and practical applications, such as predicting geomagnetic storms that could disrupt satellites or electricity transmission networks.

Although these recent M-class flares were moderate, they provide valuable insights for solar physicists and space weather forecasters. Understanding such events helps improve early-warning systems and informs preparations to protect modern technological infrastructure from potential solar impacts.

Ramiz Mehdiyev has been relieved of his membership in the Security Council of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

Mehdiyev was included in the Security Council by the Presidential decree dated October 23, 2019.

The Sabail District Court of Baku has made a decision in the criminal case against Mehdiyev.

The court granted the petition regarding Mehdiyev, who was brought to criminal responsibility for particularly serious crimes, and chose a preventive measure in the form of house arrest for a period of four months.

He is accused under Articles 278.1 (actions aimed at seizing state power), 274 (treason) and 193-1.3.2 (legalization of property obtained by criminal means) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

On October 17, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, visited Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City to review the progress of restoration work carried out with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of Saint Peter’s Basilica, provided First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva with detailed information about the Basilica and the restoration process there.

The largest church in the world – Saint Peter’s Basilica is considered the religious center of the Catholic world and is one of the four Papal basilicas in the Vatican. In terms of architecture, the church is one of the most outstanding buildings of humanity. While its foundation was laid in the 4th century, the current building represents the 16th-17th centuries.

The head of the Church is the Pope, and the management of the Vatican City State is entrusted to a Cardinal appointed by the head of the Holy See. That cardinal also holds the status of archbishop of the Vatican City State. Since February 20, 2021, Italian-born Cardinal Mauro Gambetti has been the head of Saint Peter’s Basilica.

On February 28, 2019, an agreement was signed between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Saint Peter’s Basilica on the restoration of the bas-relief of the “meeting between Pope Leo I and Hun Emperor Attila” located in the church and the “Tullius Zetus” mausoleum in the basilica’s necropolis. Restoration work on the project has been completed.

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archbishop of Saint Peter’s Basilica, expressed his deep appreciation to First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the high-level and rapid implementation of the restoration work carried out in the church.

First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has shared a post on her social media accounts on the occasion of the Day of Restoration of Independence, Azernews reports.

The post reads: ‘May Azerbaijan’s state independence, sovereignty, and the peace and tranquility in our country be eternal!’

German flag carrier Lufthansa plans to scale back its domestic flight operations as part of efforts to cope with soaring operational costs, mounting taxes, and rising airport fees, Azernews reports, citing Germany’s media outlets.

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told local media that expenses have doubled since 2019, prompting the airline to cancel approximately 100 domestic flights per week next summer. He warned that further reductions would be inevitable if local costs are not brought under control.

Spohr noted that certain routes – including Munich-Mnster/Osnabrck and Munich-Dresden – are particularly at risk, as operations on these lines have become unprofitable.

While international travel has largely recovered to pre-pandemic levels, domestic routes in Germany continue to lag behind. Business travel, in particular, remains significantly lower than before 2020. Lufthansa attributes this ongoing decline to the widespread shift toward videoconferencing, which has reduced the need for in-person meetings.

Iran said on Saturday that it was no longer bound by restrictions on its nuclear program as a landmark 10-year deal between it and world powers expired, though Tehran reiterated its ‘commitment to diplomacy,’ Azernews reports, citing Arab News.

The 2015 deal – signed in Vienna by Iran, China, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the United States – saw the lifting of international sanctions against the Islamic republic in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program.

But the pact had already been in tatters after Washington unilaterally withdrew during President Donald Trump’s first term, with Iran later pulling back from its commitments.

The reimposition last month of UN sanctions at the urging of three of the deal’s European signatories rendered the accord effectively moot.

From now on, ‘all of the provisions (of the deal), including the restrictions on the Iranian nuclear program and the related mechanisms are considered terminated,’ Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement on the day of the pact’s expiration.

‘Iran firmly expresses its commitment to diplomacy,’ it added.

Western powers have long accused Iran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons – something it has repeatedly denied, insisting its nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production.

The deal’s ‘termination day’ was set for October 18, 2025, exactly 10 years after it was enshrined in the UN’s Security Council resolution 2231.

The accord capped Iran’s uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent in exchange for sanctions relief and provided for strict supervision of its nuclear activities by the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

But Washington left the deal in 2018 and reinstated sanctions, after which Tehran began stepping up its nuclear program.

According to the IAEA, Iran is the only country without a nuclear weapons program to enrich uranium to 60 percent. That is close to the threshold of 90 percent required for a bomb, and well above the level needed for civilian nuclear use.

‘Irresponsible actions’

In July, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA following the war with Israel, with Tehran pointing to the agency’s failure to condemn Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities.

The unprecedented bombing campaign by Israel and the retaliation by Iran during the 12-day war derailed ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

At the initiative of France, Britain and Germany, widespread UN sanctions against Iran returned into force in late September for the first time in a decade.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a letter addressed to the United Nations on Saturday that the expiration of the 2015 deal renders the sanctions ‘null and void.’

Britain, France and Germany accuse Iran of not cooperating with the IAEA and would like it to return to negotiations with the United States.

‘Iran’s efforts to revive the exchanges (with the IAEA) that led to the agreement in Cairo were also sabotaged by the irresponsible actions of the three European countries,’ the Iranian foreign ministry said in Saturday’s statement, referring to a recent framework to resume cooperation.

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, shared a post on his official X page regarding the visit of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva to the Vatican, Azernews reports.

Hajiyev stated that the First Vice President’s productive meetings, including her meeting with Pope Leo XIV, clearly demonstrate Azerbaijan’s commitment to interfaith understanding and intercultural dialogue.

“The visit of the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, to the Vatican; her intense, productive meetings; and especially her audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the country’s support for the restoration of Catholic Christian heritage, and its long-term cooperation in this field vividly demonstrate Azerbaijan’s commitment to interfaith understanding and dialogue among religions, cultures, and civilizations. This visit is also a bright example of Azerbaijan’s cultural and humanitarian diplomacy.

Azerbaijan-a secular nation with a Muslim-majority population, rich Islamic traditions, and a long history of peaceful coexistence among Muslims, Christians, Jews, and representatives of other faiths-stands today as a shining example of inclusivity, tolerance, and multicultural harmony.

Proud of its strong record in women’s empowerment transforming the entire South Caucasus region into a space of peace and stability, Azerbaijan continues to advance a positive global agenda focused on peace, dialogue, and cooperation,” the post reads.