Category: Azer News

During my visit to Azerbaijan, I had the opportunity to visit the ASAN Service center, which allowed me to see firsthand how government services can be efficiently organized with a citizen-centric approach, said Steve Nouri, CEO and co-founder of GenAI Works, according to Azernews.

‘During my main presentation in Baku, I spoke openly about the current state of modern generative artificial intelligence, upcoming challenges, risks, and real opportunities. I particularly highlighted how the growing gap between countries that only consume technology and those that create and develop it will be decisive in the near future. In this context, I am proud that GenAI Works has signed an official partnership agreement with the ASAN Artificial Intelligence Platform (ASAN AI HUB). This collaboration will open new opportunities to support innovation in the region. At the same time, it aims to ensure that the next phase of AI development is both more inclusive and grounded in local creative potential,’ S. Nouri said.

Today, another match of the XIV round will be held in the Italian Misli Premier League in football.

Azernews reports that in the only match of the day, ‘Karvan-Yevlax’ will host ‘Shamakhi’ at home. The match will start at 14:00.

Currently, the Shamakhi representative is in 9th place with 14 points, while the Yevlax club is in the last – 12th place with 5 points.

It should be noted that in the opening match of the XIV round, ‘Qarabag’ drew 1:1 with ‘Zira’ away. The other matches of the round will be held on December 8-9.

During the 2026 World Cup draw on Friday, FIFA awarded former U.S. President Donald Trump its inaugural ‘FIFA Peace Prize,’ presented in the form of a gold medal and trophy.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Trump while presenting the award, stating it was ‘in recognition of his exceptional and extraordinary actions to promote peace and unity around the world.’

A video shown prior to Trump’s stage appearance described him as ‘a dynamic leader who has engaged in diplomatic efforts that created opportunities for dialogue, de-escalation and stability, and who has championed the unifying power of football on the world stage.’

Earlier, when reporters asked about the upcoming award, Trump reiterated a version of his claim that he has settled ‘eight wars.’

In his acceptance speech, Trump described the award as ‘one of the great honours’ of his life before pivoting to remarks on ticket sales for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which he said are progressing well.

Tesla Inc. and x.AI Corp. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elon Musk took to X on Saturday to express his wonder about “how long” it will be before the European Union disintegrates, Azernews reports.

“How long before the EU is gone?” Musk wrote on X, adding “AbolishTheEU.” In a previous post, the entrepreneur claimed that “the EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people,” Musk wrote on X.

Musk’s comments came amid his ongoing feudwith the EU after the bloc fined X pound 120 million for breaching its Digital Services Act (DSA).

Hong Kong residents are voting in an election widely seen as a measure of public sentiment following a deadly fire that claimed nearly 160 lives last month in Tai Po.

The government has launched an extensive campaign to encourage voter participation in choosing members of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Hong Kong’s mini-parliament responsible for making and amending laws. All candidates have been vetted to ensure loyalty to Beijing.

Authorities have responded to the Tai Po fire by distributing aid to survivors, arresting suspects, and enhancing building safety regulations, amid public scrutiny over the incident.

A total of 161 candidates are competing for 90 seats in this year’s LegCo election, the second held since Beijing overhauled Hong Kong’s electoral system in 2021 to allow only ‘patriots’ to run. While Beijing argues that these reforms ensure stability, critics contend they undermine democratic participation. The previous election, conducted under the new system, saw record-low turnout of just 30%.

In a bid to boost participation, the government has deployed an array of incentives and publicity campaigns. Voters receive ‘thank you’ cards redeemable for shopping vouchers, beauty services, medical check-ups, and insurance premiums. Public swimming pool and museum entry will be free on polling day, and neighbourhood carnivals, televised variety shows, and a gala are being organised.

Election-themed mascots and a campaign song adapted from Cantopop star Aaron Kwok’s 2001 hit ‘Let’s Vote, Together We Create The Future’ have also been introduced. Chief Secretary Eric Chan stated that these measures aim to foster a ‘happy and festive mood’ and encourage residents to recognise the election’s importance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House later this month to discuss the challenging second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, Azernews reports via Yeni Shafak. Netanyahu also stated he will not leave politics even if granted a presidential pardon for his ongoing corruption trial.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed an upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump to coordinate on the next stages of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. During a press conference in Jerusalem alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Netanyahu indicated the talks at the White House would focus on implementing the more complex second phase of the truce, which includes Gaza’s reconstruction and establishing a new governing framework.

Netanyahu described the upcoming phase as “more difficult, or equally difficult, than the first,” noting it would follow the confirmed return of all living Israeli hostages and the remains of those killed from Gaza. The ceasefire, mediated by Trkiye, Egypt, and Qatar with US backing, has held since October 10. Its initial phase involved a prisoner exchange, while subsequent steps aim to rebuild the devastated enclave and install an administration excluding Hamas.

Separately, Netanyahu addressed his domestic legal challenges, asserting he has no intention of resigning from political life even if he receives a presidential pardon. Last week, he formally requested clemency from President Isaac Herzog for longstanding corruption charges, a move opposition figures criticized as an implicit admission of guilt. The prime minister also faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes in Gaza.

Today, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Azerbaijan.

According to Azernews, the Iranian minister, who will meet with Azerbaijani officials during the visit, will discuss the development of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The visit, which was carried out at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is part of the ongoing regular consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries at various levels.

The energy corridor stretching from Syria to Trkiye, and further from Trkiye to Azerbaijan, holds significant future profitability, US Ambassador to Trkiye Tom Barrack said during the ‘Middle East and Africa 2025’ event hosted by the Milken Institute Analytical Center, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the forum, Barrack underscored Trkiye’s pivotal role in the region, noting that it remains a key country not only for Azerbaijan but also for Armenia. He suggested that meaningful geopolitical shifts could unfold following the signing of a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan, renewing expectations for the eventual opening of the Armenian-Turkish border.

According to the diplomat, establishing an uninterrupted route extending ‘from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean’ would create a strategic channel that could help address long-standing energy challenges across the region. Such a corridor, he added, would unlock new connectivity opportunities and reshape the regional energy landscape.

Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, met with Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Misnad, National Security Adviser to the Emir of Qatar, Azernews reports citing Hajiyev’s post on X.

‘Today I met with my brother Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Misnad, National Security Adviser to the Emir of Qatar. We discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments,’ Hajiyev said.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Warner Bros. Discovery has entered exclusive negotiations with Netflix to potentially sell its film studios and the HBO Max streaming service. Sources familiar with the matter say this move positions Netflix ahead of rivals Paramount Global and Comcast, both of which have also submitted bids, Azernews reports.

Netflix’s offer, estimated at around $28 per share, could become the largest acquisition in the company’s history.

Industry insiders suggest that an announcement could come soon. Some analysts are calling the deal ‘the boldest shake-up in the media market in a decade,’ noting that combining Warner’s content with Netflix’s global streaming infrastructure could significantly reshape the competitive landscape.