Category: Azer News

Baku is hosting the second meeting of the ministers of industry, science, technology, and innovation of the Turkic States Organization (TSO), Azernews reports.

The event brings together high-level officials, including Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, TSO Secretary-General Kumanichbek Omuraliev, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Economy and Trade Bakyt Sydykov, and Turkiye’s Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir, along with other senior representatives from member states.

Baku hosted the international symposium ‘Modern religious education models: in the context of spiritual values and global challenges,’ bringing together leading religious and academic figures from across the world, Azernews reports.

Within the framework of the event, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations Ramin Mammadov held a series of bilateral meetings with heads of religious and scientific institutions from Trkiye, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, the United States, Russia, and Georgia.

During the meetings, discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the field of religious education, spiritual development, and intercultural dialogue. Ramin Mammadov underlined that the attention and care given to religion and religious education in Azerbaijan form a vital part of the state’s policy on religion, initiated by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and continued successfully under President Ilham Aliyev.

He emphasized that Azerbaijan’s approach aims to safeguard a healthy religious environment, preserve spiritual stability, and align religious education with modern global standards. Highlighting the country’s unique model of interfaith harmony and multiculturalism, Mammadov noted that relations among various confessions in Azerbaijan are built on mutual respect and cooperation, making the country a global example of peaceful coexistence.

The symposium participants praised Azerbaijan’s efforts to promote dialogue among religions and cultures, recognizing the country as a model for tolerance and coexistence. They expressed interest in continuing such academic and interreligious initiatives, emphasizing the importance of joint projects and knowledge exchange in strengthening international cooperation in religious education.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday that Russia will assess the latest sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union and will respond accordingly, Azernews reports.

Speaking at a press conference, Peskov noted that Moscow will do “what best serves our interests.”

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted that his country will not bow down to the pressure others are trying to put on it.

A day after President Trump’s first major punitive action against Russia over its war in Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin called new U.S. oil sanctions ‘an unfriendly act’ and warned of an overwhelming response if Kyiv gets the powerful missiles it seeks.

Head of the State Agency for the Protection of Strategic Objects of Azerbaijan, Major General Ilgar Abbasov, has been dismissed from his post, Azernews reports.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

The World Coaching Organization (WCO) has been delivering international coaching programs for years, empowering individuals and organizations across various countries, Azernews reports. This year, for the first time, the program will be held in Azerbaijan.

On December 12, 13, and 14, the World Coaching Organization (WCO) will present the International Coaching Certification (ICC) training program in Baku.

The event is being implemented as a result of a collaboration memorandum signed between Soulmind and the World Coaching Organization (WCO) in Finland, marking a new stage in the development of the coaching field in Azerbaijan.

Led by social psychologist and executive coach Pauliina Hallama (Finland) and WCO Director of Development John Swallow (Finland), participants will engage in an experience of mutual learning, deep understanding, and professional growth.

Training Packages

DISCOVER Package – (Basic Package)

30 hours of live training

Invitation to join the World Coaches Community

Participant Certificate upon completion

DEVELOP Package – (Most Popular and Optimal Package)

60-hour comprehensive program:

30 hours of live training

30 hours of practical coaching and supervision

? The ideal choice for gaining practical knowledge, deep experience, and real-world coaching skills.

EXCEL Package – (Premium Package)

Includes all the content of the Develop package, plus:

1-year paid membership in the World Coaches Community

A 60-minute 1:1 personal coaching or mentoring session with a Master Coach

? Designed for those who aim to stand out in the professional coaching field and grow on an international level.

Participants who successfully complete the training hours will receive an International Coaching Certification (ICC).

Registration seats are limited.

Azerbaijan should align its artificial intelligence (AI) practices with international standards to ensure effective governance and economic growth, Azernews reports.

According to information, Salar Imamaliyev, Director General for Commercial Affairs of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, made the remarks at the international conference ‘SOCGOV 2025: Artificial Intelligence – for People and Transformation’ in Baku.

Imamaliyev stressed the importance of harmonising institutional and technological standards in Azerbaijan with global practices:

‘Four international standards have already been adopted and made available to the public. However, the formation of a new regulatory framework in the field of artificial intelligence and the continuation of the process of applying standards remain one of the main challenges.’

He added that adopting such standards is crucial for improving the quality of life of citizens, both in governance and in driving economic growth.

On October 24, 2025, at around 10:50 a.m., a deadly explosion occurred at the Ovruch railway station in the city of Ovruch, Zhytomyr Oblast, Azernews reports via Ukrainian media.

According to preliminary reports, a man detonated a grenade, causing multiple casualties.

Initial information confirmed four fatalities, including a border guard and two civilian women, as verified by Ukraine’s State Border Service. Additionally, twelve individuals, among them two soldiers, sustained injuries of varying severity.

Law enforcement authorities stated that the explosion took place during a document inspection of passengers on a diesel train stationed at the platform. During the inspection, a 23-year-old resident of Kharkiv pulled out an explosive device and detonated it, killing himself instantly.

It was later revealed that the suspect had previously been detained for attempting to illegally cross the state border, raising questions about his motives and background.

Investigators are currently working at the scene to establish all the circumstances surrounding the incident, while security measures have been tightened in the area to prevent further threats.

Central Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina stated on Friday that the national economy is expected to recover from overheating in the first half of 2026, Azernews reports.

Speaking at a press conference following the central bank’s monetary policy decision, Nabiullina said that the bank revised down its GDP growth projections for 2025, and now anticipates that the Russian economy will grow between 0.5% and 1%. “GDP growth will accelerate in the coming years,” she noted.

The governor further said that inflationary pressures will linger until mid-2026. “The updated forecast raises the inflation estimate for next year to 4-5%.

This revision is due to temporary inflationary factors, including the situation in the fuel market, tax increases, and the faster indexation of utility rates,” she underlined, adding that inflation is expected to hit the central bank target of 4% in the second half of 2026.

During the 9th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Serbia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Belgrade, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) and Serbia’s Development Agency (RAS) approved a roadmap for bilateral collaboration, Azernews reports.

The document outlines the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022 between KOBIA and RAS, aiming to strengthen cooperation in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Covering the period 2026-2027, the roadmap includes measures to support connections between Azerbaijani and Serbian SMEs, organize SME-related events, share best practices and business opportunities, establish collaboration among SME-related organizations, exchange data, and facilitate participation in jointly organized events.

Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of KOBIA, highlighted at the Intergovernmental Commission meeting and the Azerbaijan-Serbia Business Forum the importance of expanding cooperation in SME development. He emphasized the value of sharing experiences related to the SME House initiative and noted that Azerbaijan’s participation in the Baku Climate Pledge, promoted by KOBIA, would contribute to joint efforts.

Mammadov also provided a detailed overview of KOBIA’s activities and the support and services it offers to SMEs.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged the United States to avoid conflict, following US President Donald Trump’s authorization of the CIA to conduct covert missions in Venezuela as part of what he called a broader campaign against narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean and the Pacific, Azernews reports.

Speaking at a meeting with loyalist trade unions, Maduro called for ‘peace forever,’ warning against military escalation.

‘No crazy war, please,’ Maduro said in English.

Flight-tracking data indicated that a US B-1 bomber flew over the Caribbean near Venezuelan airspace on Thursday-the second such flight in a week. It was unclear whether the aircraft entered Venezuelan territory.

Trump vowed to continue strikes against ‘drug traffickers abroad’ without seeking a formal declaration of war from Congress, adding that upcoming operations would target suspected cartel members in countries including Venezuela.

US defense officials maintained that every targeted vessel was linked to narcotics smuggling. However, several lawmakers have voiced concern over the limited evidence presented to justify the strikes, which, according to AFP, have killed at least 37 people since September 2.

Maduro responded by highlighting Venezuela’s defensive capabilities, claiming the country has 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles deployed across key military sites. The short-range systems are designed to intercept low-flying aircraft and drones.