Category: Azer News

The opponents of Azerbaijan women’s handball team at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games have been confirmed, Azernews reports.

The Azerbaijan’s team will compete in Group B alongside Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Qatar. Group A will include Turkiye, Iran, Guinea, and the Maldives.

Handball competitions at the Islamic Solidarity Games will be held from November 13 to 21.

The 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games are set to take place on November 7-21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the sixth edition of this multi-sport event for athletes from countries that are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The event is expected to feature a wide array of sports, with athletes from across the Muslim world competing to promote solidarity and cultural exchange through sports?.

Recall that Azerbaijani women’s handball team won a gold medal at the 2017 Games held in Baku and a silver medal at the 2022 Games in Konya, Turkiye.

Azerbaijan hosted Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017. A total of 24 disciplines from 21 sports were contested in this edition of Islamic Solidarity Games.

Some sports also included disabled sport events such as athletics and judo.

The award ceremony for the winners of the third CINEMO International Mobile Film Festival will take place on October 31, Azernews reports citing the festival’s founder and director Ruslan Sabirli.

The festival is organized by SBRLY with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijan Film Agency.

The CINEMO Mobile Film Festival will run from October 29 to 31. Film screenings will be held at the “Nizami” Cinema Center on October 29 and 30 from 11:00 to 14:00, with the winners being announced at the award ceremony on October 31 at 19:00.

The festival features the following categories:

International: “Best Feature Film,” “Best Short Film,” “Best Documentary,” “Best Music Video,” “Best Social Media Video Blog.”

Local (Azerbaijan only): “Best Short Film,” “Best Documentary,” “Best Social Video,” “Best Photography.”

Festival participation conditions, film requirements, the prize fund, and other information can be found on the festival’s website: www.cinemoff.com.

For all inquiries, you can contact the festival’s email and social media accounts:

Apple is reportedly planning major design innovations for its iPhone lineup over the next three years, following the recent launch of the iPhone 17 series, according to sources from South Korea, Azernews reports.

The company’s first foldable iPhone is expected in 2026, featuring a horizontal folding structure similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.

In 2027, to mark the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, Apple is rumored to introduce a model with a completely frameless screen design, eliminating edges entirely for a seamless display experience.

Finally, in 2028, Apple plans to release a second foldable iPhone with a vertical folding, compact, and lightweight design, comparable to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.

These upcoming innovations suggest Apple is focusing on foldable technology and screen-to-body optimization as the next frontier for its flagship smartphones.

Six months after US President Donald Trump launched an aggressive trade war, the global economy has shown unexpected resilience, Azernews reports via the Economist reports. Despite rising tensions between the US and China, fears of a sharp economic downturn have not materialized, and many economic indicators remain positive.

After a spring slowdown, Goldman Sachs’ Current Activity Index shows that global growth continues at pre-trade-war levels, while JPMorgan’s global PMI reached a 14-month high in August. According to the Atlanta Federal Reserve, US GDP grew at an annualized rate of 3.9% in the third quarter of 2025, although a slowdown is expected in the fourth quarter. Only Finland among OECD countries is currently in recession, down from eight at the start of 2023, and the global growth forecast for 2025 has risen from 2.2% to 2.6%.

One factor behind this resilience is that Trump’s tariffs have been less severe than expected. While initial plans suggested an effective import tax of 28%, the current average stands at around 10%. At the same time, expansionary fiscal policies in the US continue to support domestic demand, sustaining market confidence.

Corporate earnings are also robust. Global corporate profits rose 7% year-on-year in Q2, and the MSCI ACWI stock index reached an all-time high. Cycle-oriented sectors like autos and construction equipment are outperforming, reflecting broader economic momentum.

Concerns that economic growth is overly dependent on artificial intelligence (AI) are largely overblown. While AI-related investments have contributed to growth in the US, much of this is tied to general information processing equipment and software, not AI specifically. Outside the US, IT has not emerged as a major growth driver.

The labor market remains stable. In the US, employment growth has slowed somewhat, but no significant change has been observed since the launch of ChatGPT. Elsewhere in the OECD, 37 countries added 3 million jobs in the first half of the year, consistent with pre-pandemic norms.

Consumer confidence, however, remains subdued. In the US, it has rebounded somewhat but is still below pre-pandemic levels. High global uncertainty and frequent searches for ‘tariffs’ suggest ongoing public concern. Some experts warn that stock market volatility linked to AI could further depress sentiment.

Despite these uncertainties, six months after the trade war escalation, the global economy continues to demonstrate strong resilience, defying initial expectations of a crisis.

Severe floods in South Sudan, compounded by an already critical humanitarian situation, have left about 9.3 million people in need of assistance, Azernews reports, citing the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Anita Kiki Gbeho.

Gbeho noted that six regions have been severely affected, with approximately 960,000 people directly impacted by the floods.

‘More than 92% of the people affected by the floods are in Conglei and Unity regions. 143 health facilities have been damaged, 44 of which are completely flooded. In the Leer region, about 63,000 people have been affected, and 23,000 have become internally displaced,’ she said.

The situation has been further exacerbated by the country’s economic crisis, including high inflation of around 100%, declining oil revenues, and ongoing political tensions. Currently, about 92% of South Sudan’s population lives below the poverty line, intensifying the impact of the floods on vulnerable communities.

Humanitarian agencies continue to call for urgent support to address the immediate needs of affected populations and to prevent further deterioration of the crisis.

A grand concert dedicated to Victory Day will take place on November 8 in Baku’s Seaside National Park, Azernews reports.

The event will be jointly organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Baku City Executive Power.

As part of the celebrations, well-known Azerbaijani singers and dance groups will perform, bringing a vibrant atmosphere to the capital’s waterfront area.

The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, symbolizing national pride and the spirit of unity on this significant day.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have not ruled out the possibility of a future summit, Azernews reports via TRT World.

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow on Friday, Peskov indicated that this understanding is based on their recent public remarks.

“Yes, President Trump stated that at present, he has stopped thinking about organising a summit. However, over the past two days, he repeatedly mentioned that he does not exclude such a summit taking place in the future,” he said.

Peskov said that since no specific dates or details have been agreed upon, it would be incorrect to suggest that anything has been sabotaged.

“Neither Trump nor Putin wants to waste time; they don’t intend to gather merely for the sake of having a meeting,” he said.

The spokesman emphasised that for a leaders’ meeting to be productive, preparatory work must first be completed at the ministerial level, specifically “by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.”

When asked about relations with Ukraine, he described the current state of negotiations as a “prolonged pause”, attributing it to Kiev’s “unwillingness to intensify the negotiation process”.

“This reluctance by Kiev to accelerate the peace talks” is actively encouraged primarily by Ukraine’s “European overseers”, he stressed.

Regarding President Putin’s warning of a “stunning response” if the US delivered Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, Peskov clarified that Putin was referring to any such strike in general, not a specific weapon.

Concerning the new Western sanctions, he said Russia will respond in accordance with its national interests.

“Currently, we’re analysing the announced sanctions. Of course, we’ll act in ways that best serve our own interests. That remains the primary focus of our actions,” he added.

Echoing a recent statement from President Trump, the Kremlin spokesperson agreed to assess the impact of the new sanctions after six months.

“Indeed, we’ll wait and see how things develop in six months. We observe what’s happening now, recall events from last year and the year before, and hope to understand the situation better in six months, maybe even a year later,” he said.

Turning to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s desire to conclude a peace treaty with Russia, Peskov confirmed that Moscow shares this aspiration.

The official added that dialogue has “virtually ceased” due to “unfriendly steps” taken by previous Japanese governments.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the signing of the UN Convention on Cybercrime as a “historic event” during a message delivered at the ceremony in Hanoi on Saturday, Azernews reports.

His remarks, read by Russian Prosecutor General Alexander Gutsan, credited the support of most UN member states for advancing Russia’s 2019 proposal to create a global treaty against cybercrime.

Putin noted that despite international tensions, diplomats and law enforcement officials worked together to finalize “the draft of this crucial document.”

The first-ever cadaver organ transplant in Azerbaijan has created a new milestone in the country’s medical history, while also highlighting several emerging challenges and directions for future development, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the international scientific conference titled ‘The First in the Region: Organ Transplantation from a Cadaver. From Successful Experience to the Future’, Head of the Medical Service Department of the State Customs Committee, Honored Doctor, and Major General of the Medical Service Jeyhun Mammadov emphasized that the event marks a turning point in Azerbaijan’s healthcare system.

He underlined the importance of maintaining confidentiality of medical and personal data of deceased donors as one of the core ethical and regulatory issues to be addressed.

‘Equally important is ensuring the capacity to collect donor organs in hospitals where brain death is registered, and advancing cadaveric organ transplantation in regional medical institutions,’ Mammadov said.

He also pointed out the need to differentiate the cost of organ transplants performed from living donors and cadavers within the medical service framework and to create effective administrative mechanisms to eliminate practical barriers during such operations.

Mammadov expressed confidence that the conference would provide valuable insights and help identify practical solutions to strengthen the legal, medical, and organizational framework of cadaveric organ transplantation in Azerbaijan.

For decades, Armenia has faced economic isolation, trapped by closed borders and limited access to international markets because of its stubborn stance in foreign policy. But a recent decision by Azerbaijan to open its territory for transit cargo is changing that narrative, offering Armenia a path toward new opportunities and signaling a real step toward peace.

President Ilham Aliyev confirmed the removal of all transit restrictions during a joint press statement with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on October 21, 2025, highlighting the economic and strategic significance of the move.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also welcomed the decision at the V Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, describing it as positive and critical for restoring trust in the region and developing economic relations.

Naturally, the progress has sparked a flurry of reactions. Perhaps most intriguing is the response from Moscow, which has drawn considerable attention from analysts and policymakers alike.

‘Azerbaijan’s decision to open its territory for transit cargo to Armenia is a sign that Baku and Yerevan are serious about moving towards peace,’ Russian expert Mikhail Belyayev stated, commenting on the landmark development.

According to Belyayev, the move carries significant economic implications: ‘This decision by Azerbaijan is of great importance in terms of increasing both bilateral and multilateral trade turnover. For Armenia, which has been blockaded by its neighbors for more than thirty years due to the Garabagh conflict, new opportunities are emerging. Through Azerbaijan, this landlocked country gains access to transport corridors leading to safe sea ports.’

He emphasized that the establishment of transport and economic ties between Azerbaijan and Armenia is broadly beneficial for both the CIS and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU): ‘Transport routes create additional jobs and stimulate economic development. Every smart leader understands that there are objective economic opportunities determined by geography. There is a long way ahead: the construction of a railway in Armenia connecting Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan will further enhance trade. The building of highways, railways, and other infrastructure contributes directly to economic growth.

Perhaps, the opening Azerbaijan’s territory for transit cargo will facilitate Armenia’s trade with other countries, including the Central Asian republics. Historically, products from these countries, as well as other EAEU member states, were transported to Armenia primarily via Russia, creating logistical complexity and giving Russia additional influence over Armenia.

Now, transport via Azerbaijan offers a shorter, safer, and potentially lower-cost route, which will improve trade opportunities, increase competition in the Armenian market, and allow goods from a broader set of countries to reach Armenia. At the same time, Russia may also benefit: new logistics routes enable the efficient transport of Russian cargo through Azerbaijan, creating economic advantages for Moscow as well.

Baku has reiterated its commitment to permanent peace and neighborly relations. This lifting of economic and trade restrictions not only supports regional stability but is also aligned with Moscow’s interests. The opening of roads, railways, and eventually air and sea links through Azerbaijan will deepen economic integration, benefiting Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia alike.

For instance in the first seven months of 2025, Armenia’s exports fell by 48.3%, amounting to 1.771 trillion drams (approximately $4.545 billion). This decline underscores the need for improved trade routes and access to broader markets. The new transit route through Azerbaijan is expected to alleviate logistical challenges, reduce transportation costs, and enhance Armenia’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.

The establishment of a direct transit route between Azerbaijan and Armenia is anticipated to stimulate economic growth in the South Caucasus. Improved connectivity will facilitate trade not only between the two countries but also with Central Asia, Trkiye, and the European Union.

The question of infrastructure is at the very heart of prospects for peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus. Stretching roughly 1,007 kilometers, the border shared by Azerbaijan and Armenia is the longest in the region, and it’s once again becoming a corridor of opportunity.

Historically, railways and highways crisscrossed this border, facilitating trade and people-to-people contact. Today, the Azerbaijani side is moving swiftly to restore these vital arteries. Many of the rail and road networks on Azerbaijan’s territory are already physically in place, awaiting only the final push to connect with Armenia and come fully back to life.

Progress is tangible: freight trains now travel the Horadiz-Aghband route as far as Gumlaq station, serving Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur. Rails stretch to Minjevan, where bridges and tunnels-currently under construction on the final 25-kilometer section-are set to open next year.

The main highway is nearing completion-95% finished-with tunnels taking shape near the border. Construction is also underway on the highway toward Iran, and the highly anticipated ‘Araz corridor,’ traversing Iranian territory, is slated for a March 2026 opening.

Elsewhere, Nakhchivan is preparing for a major rail upgrade. With a feasibility study complete, plans are in place to renovate 158 kilometers of existing track and lay an additional 30 kilometers of new lines. This project encompasses the stretch from Ordubad to the Armenian border and from Velidag station in Sadarak toward Trkiye. There is every reason to believe the connection with Armenia will soon be restored as well.

On the Gazakh route, daily passenger trains already run-three departures a day, with more expected soon. The railway to Barkhudarly, right at the Armenian border, only needs minor improvements before it too can be revived.

The Armenian side, however, faces more significant hurdles. Some rail lines have collapsed due to landslides, and while efforts to restore motor roads are underway, progress remains partial. For real regional integration to be achieved, accelerated construction on the Armenian side is essential. The gradual reopening of these communication lines could be transformative-not just for commerce, but for the entire region’s future.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov reported a 90% increase in freight traffic along the East-West corridor through Azerbaijan since 2022, highlighting the country’s growing role as a regional trade hub. This trend is expected to continue as new transit routes open up.

Additionally, the U.S.-brokered peace agreement includes the development of the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), a 32-kilometer corridor through southern Armenia connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave. This corridor will accommodate rail, oil and gas pipelines, and fiber optics, further enhancing regional connectivity.

By opening its territory, Azerbaijan is offering more than a passageway for goods-it is opening a door to trust, dialogue, and regional prosperity. Armenia gets access to vital trade corridors, Azerbaijan reinforces its leadership, and Russia stands to gain from new logistical routes. This moment reminds the South Caucasus that even small steps toward cooperation can generate lasting benefits for countries and communities alike.