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The exchange of experience between media representatives and government communication officials, as well as the networking of influential figures shaping public opinion in both countries, highlights the growing significance of the joint Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan media platform.

Azernews reports that this message was delivered by Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during his speech at the 2nd Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Media Forum held under the theme “Digital Transformation and Media.”

Ismayilov recalled that the first media forum, held in Tashkent last year, was themed “In Search of Truth in the Digital Age: Combating Disinformation.” He emphasized that while technological advancement brings innovation, it also presents cross-border challenges that pollute the information environment.

‘Combating disinformation remains a top priority for both our countries. Last year’s discussions yielded practical recommendations, and this year’s forum continues in the same spirit by addressing one of the most pressing topics on the media agenda – digital transformation,’ he noted.

Ismayilov stressed that digital transformation is not limited to technological upgrades; it is a profound shift that redefines how societies consume information, interpret media content, and envision the future of journalism.

‘Today, news is no longer confined to traditional newspapers or television screens – it’s being shaped on smartphone displays, social media feeds, and AI-powered analytical platforms,’ he said.

He also highlighted a critical shift in media values:

‘While speed of information delivery was once the main priority, today, credibility, fact-checking, and public trust have become the most important values. The future of media depends not only on journalists but on the collaborative efforts of all public institutions.’

Concluding his remarks, Ismayilov emphasized that digital transformation is inevitable and requires active engagement:

‘We have no choice but to be active participants in this process. Through collaboration and shared expertise, we can turn technological progress into a powerful tool for national development and higher-quality information access for our citizens.’

The forum serves as a platform for strengthening media ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan and underscores the shared commitment to responsible, forward-looking journalism in the digital age.

On September 30, an official reception was hosted by Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in honor of Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic.

LG Electronics has announced the restart of the initial public offering (IPO) process for its Indian subsidiary, aiming to sell a 15 percent stake in the company on the local stock market, Azernews reports, citing Korean media.

On Tuesday, LG’s board of directors approved the sale of 101,815,859 shares, representing a 15 percent ownership in the wholly-owned Indian unit. This move is part of LG’s broader strategy to raise funds for its headquarters in South Korea by listing the subsidiary on the Indian stock exchange.

The company plans to submit the final prospectus to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) shortly, with the IPO expected to be completed as early as October. While the exact valuation and disposal date are yet to be finalized, LG confirmed that details regarding the share price range and schedule will be disclosed following SEBI’s final approval.

The IPO process was paused for five months amid global market volatility and trade policy uncertainties triggered by tariff measures under former U.S. President Donald Trump. LG initially filed a preliminary application with SEBI in December 2024 and received conditional approval in March 2025, before putting the process on hold in April.

Local Indian media estimate the IPO’s value at around 115 billion rupees (approximately $1.3 billion). Since the offering will involve only existing shares-with no new stock issuance-the proceeds will go directly to LG Electronics, allowing the company to raise capital without incurring debt or financing costs.

According to LG Electronics’ semiannual report, its standalone cash and cash equivalents stood at 1.1 trillion won ($784.5 million) as of the end of Q2 2025. A successful IPO could more than double this cash reserve, significantly bolstering the company’s financial stability.

However, LG Electronics continues to face challenges amid declining global demand for home appliances and TVs, compounded by the effects of trade tariffs. In Q2 2025, the company reported a 4.4 percent drop in revenue and a sharp 46.6 percent decline in operating profit compared to the same period in 2024.

Market analysts, including local tracker FnGuide, predict further declines in Q3, with revenue and operating profit expected to fall by 4.1 percent and 18.4 percent, respectively, year-on-year.

To navigate these headwinds, LG launched a voluntary retirement program last month, starting with its Media Entertainment Solution division, which manages TV operations. The company is also shifting focus toward expanding high-margin businesses such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), while actively exploring growth opportunities in Southeast Asia, particularly in the rapidly growing Indian market.

LG is currently the market leader in home appliances in India. Its local unit reported robust performance in the first half of 2025, generating 2.28 trillion won ($25.7 billion) in revenue and 209.7 billion won ($149.6 million) in net profit.

‘Over the years, our relations have developed rapidly and across various directions. Political relations are at the highest level,’ President Ilham Aliyev said during a joint press statement with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

The head of state emphasized that in the economic sphere, Italy is Azerbaijan’s top trading partner.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has welcomed the announcement of the Comprehensive Plan for the Resolution of the Gaza Conflict, recently put forward by US President Donald Trump, Azernews reports.

Baku views the initiative as an important step toward establishing lasting peace in the region.

YouTube, owned by Google, has agreed to pay U.S. President Donald Trump $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit related to the suspension of his account following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots. While Trump’s YouTube channel was not permanently deleted, he was banned from uploading new videos. His full access was only restored in 2023, Azernews reports.

With this settlement, Google becomes the last of the three major tech companies to resolve lawsuits filed by Trump in July 2021. At the time, he accused YouTube, Facebook (Meta), and Twitter (now X), along with their CEOs, of illegally censoring conservative voices and violating his right to free speech.

Earlier this year, Meta agreed to pay approximately $25 million in January, and X paid around $10 million in February to settle similar cases brought by Trump.

According to Trump’s legal team, the lawsuits weren’t just about restoring his accounts but about highlighting what he called the “danger Big Tech poses to free expression.” Interestingly, even after regaining access to these platforms, Trump has largely favored using his own social media network, Truth Social, which he launched in 2022 to promote what he calls an ‘uncensored alternative.’

These settlements suggest that the tech giants preferred to resolve the matter quietly rather than risk prolonged legal battles with significant political and reputational stakes.

UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2025) has kicked off in Barcelona, Spain, Azernews reports.

The Azerbaijani delegation, led by the Culture Minister Adil Karimli participates in the event.

During the speeches, the significance of the three-day conference was emphasized, and its goals were outlined.

The discussions also covered the tasks ahead and the necessary steps to address emerging challenges.

An interesting concert program was presented afterward.

Within the framework of the conference, Minister Adil Karimli held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Serbia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The discussions focused on cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Adil Karimli also had a meeting with Gökhan Yazgi, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkiye.

As part of the conference, the “3rd High-Level Ministerial Dialogue of the Friends Group on Culture-Based Climate Action” was organized on September 29. Minister Adil Karimli gave a speech at this event.

State investigator Eva Bergqvist has submitted a new proposal that would make the use of illegal IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) services punishable by law for private individuals in Sweden. According to Bergqvist, as many as 15% of Swedish households currently access such services, which she describes as a serious and growing problem, Azernews reports.

The proposed legislation includes fines for end users and stricter penalties for those who provide or distribute illegal IPTV content. Authorities such as the police, public prosecutors, the Tax Agency, and the Swedish Patent and Registration Office are expected to ramp up their efforts in combating the issue.

The report also outlines technical and regulatory measures, including the possibility of blocking illegal streams at the IP level and restricting advertisements and payment services connected to such platforms. Similar approaches have already been implemented in several other European countries, such as the UK, Italy, and Germany.

Bergqvist stressed that illegal IPTV poses not only an economic risk to Sweden’s entertainment industry but also a potential national security threat. ‘One can only imagine news broadcasts manipulated with artificial intelligence-this isn’t just about pirated movies anymore,’ she warned.

Sweden’s Minister of Culture, Parisa Liljestrand, expressed strong support for the initiative, stating that the government intends to act swiftly. ‘We take this issue seriously and will move forward with the legislative process without delay,’ she said.

The popularity of illegal IPTV services has surged across Europe in recent years, largely due to the high cost of legal subscriptions and the growing demand for on-demand content. However, authorities are increasingly concerned that many of these services are linked to organized crime networks, money laundering, and even malware distribution. As governments begin to crack down, users may soon face real consequences for streaming pirated content from the comfort of their homes.

A literary-musical gathering dedicated to the creativity of the prominent Azerbaijani poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan has taken place at the Cultural Centre of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Paris, Azernews reports.

Representatives of French literature and intellectual circles, poets and writers, as well as journalists, attended the literary gathering.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to France, Leyla Abdullayeva, delivered a speech at the event, discussing Khurshidbanu Natavan, the famous 19th-century Azerbaijani poetess and daughter of the last ruler of the Garabagh Khanate. She spoke about Natavan’s rich creative work, her contributions to the development of Azerbaijani literature and art, as well as her charitable activities. The Ambassador provided the participants with insights into the life and legacy of this prominent female figure of her time.

At the gathering, French representatives, including Alain Tremolye, a graduate of the Marseille Conservatory of Dramatic Arts and a classical vocal performer, Fatima Chbiban, the president of the “Rives Méditerranéenes” cultural organization and author of six poetry collections, and Sitara Guliyeva, a literature theory student currently studying at the University of Strasbourg in the field of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean studies and a translator of literary works, spoke about Natavan’s literary contributions. They also recited her ghazals in both Azerbaijani and French.

The presentation of the ghazals was accompanied by Azerbaijani national music and mugham. The performance featured Elchin Naghiyev, the head of the Instrumental Performance Department at the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, playing the tar, and Elshan Mansurov, an associate professor at the Faculty of Arts at Garabagh University, a People’s Artist and master of the kamancha.

The harmonious blend of mugham and the poetic depth of the ghazals not only showcased the richness of Azerbaijani culture but also touched the hearts of the listeners.

At the end of the event, the participants of the Natavan poetry gathering took a commemorative photo in front of the statue of the prominent poetess located in the garden of the Cultural Center.

Azerbaijani taekwondo national team member Ziya Hasanli (63 kg) has secured the country’s first gold medal at the 3rd CIS Games, Azernews reports.

This accomplishment represents a historic moment for Azerbaijani taekwondo.

Following his win, Hasanli expressed his feelings, mentioning that he had undergone rigorous preparation over a long period to achieve the championship:

“I achieved my goal, and I’m happy. The final fight was especially tough, but I managed to win. Winning the first taekwondo gold in the history of the CIS Games is an incredible feeling.”

On his way to the gold medal, Hasanli competed in three matches, showcasing remarkable strength and determination throughout:

“I faced three opponents. The toughest was the last fight, but I was ready, and I’m very happy with my performance. My next goal is to become an Olympic champion”, he concluded.

The third Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Games are underway in Azerbaijan from September 28 to October 8, 2025, marking a major highlight in the region’s sports calendar.

This multi-sport event unites athletes from CIS member nations and invited countries, aiming to foster friendship, cooperation, and sporting excellence.

For the first time in the history of the CIS Games, competitions are being held across seven Azerbaijani cities: Ganja, Mingachevir, Gabala, Shaki, Goygol, Yevlakh, and Khankandi.

Each city is hosting different sports, with Ganja, the country’s second-largest city, serving as the central hub and officially recognised as the CIS Sports Capital for 2025.

The event’s mascots, Babir and Leyla, are engaging young fans and building excitement around the games.

About 23 sports are taking place at 12 venues, showcasing a diverse and comprehensive program.

CIS Games 2025 brought together approximately 1,624 athletes from 13 countries.