Georgia and Azerbaijan sign landmark energy and transport agreements in Baku
In a sweeping diplomatic push in Baku, Georgia and Azerbaijan have signed a landmark package of energy and transport agreements, cementing a partne...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has had a call with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, to discuss recent developments in northern Syria, where a fragile truce remains in place between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
According to Turkish state media, the two leaders also discussed Türkiye-U.S. trade relations, especially in the defense industry field.
Shortly after his call with Trump, Erdoğan told reporters that Türkiye would continue taking steps to enhance bilateral cooperation – in multiple areas – with the United States.
He also repeated calls for the full implementation of the ceasefire deal between the SDF and Damascus, stressing that Ankara was “closely following” the situation in coordination with Washington.
Although the SDF is backed by the United States, Türkiye views the group as a terrorist organization due its close ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party, which for decades waged a violent insurgency against the Turkish state.
Earlier this month, Damascus announced the ceasefire deal, which had called for an end of hostilities between Syrian government forces and SDF fighters following several days of fighting.
Ankara and Washington both support the agreement, which also calls for the integration of armed Syrian Kurdish factions – including the SDF – into Syria’s state military apparatus.
Since the truce was announced in mid-January, both sides have accused the other of violating its terms.
Last week, Syrian government forces expelled SDF fighters from the northwestern city of Aleppo while also seizing SDF-held territory, including key oilfields, in the country’s northeast.
Last Friday (23 January), Damascus extended the truce by an additional 15 days to allow U.S. forces deployed in the region transfer imprisoned members of the ISIS terrorist group from SDF-controlled detention centers.
On Tuesday (27 January), Trump also held a phone conversation with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, after which he told reporters that his administration was “very happy” with the latest developments in Syria.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack on Iran after appeals from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, allowing negotiations to continue over a possible deal to end the conflict.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route from 26 May, 2026, marking a major step in restoring regional rail connectivity after services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a sweeping diplomatic push in Baku, Georgia and Azerbaijan have signed a landmark package of energy and transport agreements, cementing a partnership set to shape the South Caucasus corridor for decades to come.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for closer security coordination between Central Asia and China, warning that expanding trade and infrastructure links are exposing the region to increasingly sophisticated cross-border threats.
Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route from 26 May, 2026, marking a major step in restoring regional rail connectivity after services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Israeli forces intercepted dozens of Gaza-bound aid vessels in the eastern Mediterranean on Monday (18 May), prompting condemnation from the United Nations and Türkiye, while flotilla organisers said several ships continued sailing toward Gaza despite the operation.
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to security officials and government sources familiar with the arrangement.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment