Category: Azer News

A new shipment of electrical equipment designated as humanitarian aid from the Republic of Azerbaijan to Ukraine has been dispatched from the territory of the Sumgayit Technologies Park, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Energy.

The delivery was organized by the ministry in line with a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on January 16, 2026.

The humanitarian cargo includes a total of 12 low-voltage panels, 11 generators, five transformers, and 27,000 meters of cables and wires.

The assistance was organized at the request of the Ukrainian side, with the total value of the shipment estimated at $1 million.

It is noted that Azerbaijan has previously provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the field of electricity supply.

Overall, Azerbaijan’s total humanitarian support to Ukraine – including assistance aimed at reconstruction and recovery efforts – has now exceeded $45 million.

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has paid tribute to the victims of January 20, the Day of National Mourning in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing a post shared by the Ministry on its official X account.

The post reads:

“We commemorate with deep respect and mercy the martyrs who lost their lives during the inhumane attacks in Azerbaijan, an event remembered in history as Black January. We feel the pain of our Azerbaijani Turkic brothers in our hearts and, as throughout history, continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with them both in joyful moments and in times of difficulty, under the principle of ‘One Nation, Two States.’ We have not forgotten, and we will not let it be forgotten.”

The statement reflects the enduring bond and mutual support between the two nations, highlighting Turkiye’s commitment to stand with Azerbaijan in remembrance and solidarity.

The President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, has expressed gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for demonstrating political will and commitment toward achieving peace in the South Caucasus, Azernews reports.

Khachaturyan made the remarks during a panel discussion titled ‘Defining Eurasia’s Economic Identity,’ where he reflected on the evolving political and economic dynamics of the region. He emphasized that the future of the South Caucasus largely depends on the resolve and leadership of Baku and Yerevan, noting that both sides have already shown readiness to take peace-oriented steps and the political courage required for such decisions.

‘Just a year or two ago, it was difficult to imagine that we could reach the current level of interaction,’ Khachaturyan said. He pointed to emerging practical cooperation, highlighting that Armenia is already receiving cargo from Azerbaijan via Georgian territory.

Expressing optimism about future developments, the Armenian president added that direct transportation routes between Armenia and Azerbaijan could become a reality. ‘I am confident that in the future transportation will be carried out directly through our territories,’ he noted, underscoring the potential economic and connectivity benefits of normalization.

The remarks come amid ongoing discussions on regional integration, trade routes, and post-conflict cooperation, signaling a cautious but notable shift in rhetoric toward pragmatic engagement and long-term stability in the South Caucasus.

The U.S. national debt surged by $2.25 trillion in 2025, surpassing the $38.5 trillion mark, Azernews reports.

This milestone represents not only the largest total debt in U.S. history but also the fastest annual growth rate on record.

Previously, the highest annual increases were seen under former Presidents Joe Biden, whose debt growth hit $2.1 trillion in a single year, and Barack Obama, with a peak increase of $1.7 trillion.

By contrast, the slowest growth in public debt in the 21st century occurred under George W. Bush, whose first year in office saw the national debt rise by just $196 billion.

Economists note that the sharp increase in 2025 was driven by a combination of factors, including higher federal spending, rising interest payments, and emergency stimulus measures. Some analysts warn that if such growth continues, the U.S. could face mounting fiscal challenges, potentially impacting interest rates, inflation, and the government’s ability to fund future programs.

Despite the historic debt spike, the U.S. economy continued to show moderate growth, illustrating the complex balance between borrowing, spending, and economic output in a modern superpower.

French President Emmanuel Macron used his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos to urge Europe to defend its interests more assertively, as diplomatic tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump escalated following the publication of private messages and renewed trade threats, Azernews reports citing Euronews.

Speaking to a packed audience, Macron said Europe ‘should not hesitate to deploy’ all tools at its disposal to protect itself, warning against what he described as attempts to ‘subordinate Europe’ through economic and political pressure. Wearing aviator glasses and adopting a sharp tone, the French leader called on the continent to ‘fix its key issues,’ stressing the need for stronger innovation, private investment, and strategic autonomy across critical sectors.

“Europe clearly has to fix its key issues,” he emphasised in a strongly-worded message to the continent, pushing for greater innovation and private investment across key sectors.

While he did not directly address Trump, Macron did not completely shy away from the subject either.

He opened his speech by saying, “It’s time of peace, stability and predictablilty,” to considerable laughter in the room. Yet we have approached “instability and imbalance,” Macron added, stating that “conflict has become normalised.”

Then came the indirect potshot at Trump: while pointing out that 2025 was plagued by dozens of wars, the French president said, “I hear some of them have been settled.”

He circled back to the topic towards the end of his otherwise economy-heavy address. “It’s not a time for new imperialism or new colonialism,” Macron said. “This is a time of cooperation in order to fix these three global challenges for our fellow citizens.”

“We do prefer respect to bullies,” Macron concluded. “And we do prefer rule of law to brutality.”

Macron’s Davos address comes as Trump published messages showing the French leader’s confusion over Greenland and his proposal to hold a G7 meeting in Paris on Thursday that would include Russian representatives on the margins.

Trump posted screenshots on his Truth Social platform showing Macron offering to host a meeting with “Ukrainians, the Danish, the Syrians and the Russians” and inviting the US president to dinner in Paris.

“My friend … I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland,” Macron wrote. “Let us try to build great things.”

The messages emerged after Macron declined Trump’s invitation to join his Board of Peace initiative, prompting the US president to threaten 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne.

“Well, nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes and he’ll join.”

In a press briefing prior to Macron’s speech at Davos, the Élysée was explicit in its criticism of Trump’s tariff strategy, stating France does not view tariffs as a solution to global problems or economic imbalances.

Officials described the coercive trade approach as anti-cooperation and a fundamentally flawed method.

However, the Élysée said Trump’s actions validate Macron’s long-standing advocacy for European strategic autonomy, which predates the current US administration.

China has developed a truck-mounted firefighting drone system designed to tackle large or hard-to-reach fires, including those in densely populated urban areas and industrial zones, Azernews reports.

The system is deployed from a mobile command vehicle that delivers multiple drones and all necessary support equipment directly to the scene. Acting as a control hub, the vehicle coordinates operations, monitors drone activity, and provides power, while the drones are launched as needed.

Each drone can carry firefighting equipment such as water hoses, tanks, or specialized extinguishing agents, allowing crews to attack flames from above while ground teams focus on containment, evacuation, and safety measures. This aerial approach enables rapid intervention in situations where traditional firefighting methods might be delayed or limited.

Recent drills in high-rise buildings, including exercises in Shenzhen, tested innovative cable-supported drone systems to extend flight time and maintain stable power and water supply from the ground. These trials demonstrated that drones can complement human crews in complex urban environments, reaching areas that would be otherwise inaccessible.

Importantly, these systems are not intended to replace firefighters. Instead, they are designed to enhance human capabilities, reduce risks, and improve response efficiency in emergencies where every second counts. Analysts note that such technology could become a standard tool in modern firefighting worldwide, particularly as cities grow taller and more densely populated.

Experts suggest that in the near future, these drones could be equipped with AI-driven sensors to detect hotspots, monitor air quality, and even assist in search-and-rescue operations, making them a versatile asset in disaster response.

Azerbaijan Presidential Library has hosted a commemorative event dedicated to the anniversary of the January 20 tragedy, Azernews reports.

The event began with the Azerbaijan National Anthem. Following this, a minute of silence was observed in honor of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of the country.

Opening the event, Director of the Presidential Library, Professor Afet Abbasova, provided an extensive account of the historical roots and consequences of the bloody events of January 20, 1990, in Baku.

She pointed out that this date marks a turning point in the national liberation movement and is a proud chapter in the history of the Azerbaijani people.

Professor Abbasova also highlighted the pivotal role of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in politically and legally acknowledging the tragedy for the first time, stressing that this policy continues to be upheld by the state today.

The event included a video presentation dedicated to the memory of the January 20 martyrs and the heroism of the Azerbaijani people.

During the event, speakers such as Minavvar Aliyeva, Senior Bibliographer of the Library’s Information-Bibliography Service Group, Afiyat Majidova, Senior Editor of the Periodicals Fund Group, Rahshan Guliyeva, Senior Bibliographer of the Library Fund Department, and Zakir Ismayilov, Head of the Department for Library Automation, Digitization, and Electronic Resources, discussed the role of libraries in informing the international community about the January 20 tragedy and instilling a sense of patriotism in younger generations.

The speakers also addressed the ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of the martyrs and the role of this bloody chapter in Azerbaijan’s path to independence.

As part of the event, the traditional book exhibition and virtual display titled “January 20: Aggression 1990” were showcased. These exhibitions feature a range of publications in various languages detailing the causes, course, and consequences of the January 20 events, and provide documented evidence of the Soviet army’s massacre in Baku.

It is worth noting that the Presidential Library’s 2010 electronic project, “20 January: Aggression 1990,” serves as a key resource for studying the historical, political, and legal aspects of the tragedy.

Norwegian authorities have reportedly sent thousands of letters urging citizens to be prepared for the confiscation of homes and vehicles in the event of a large-scale conflict with Russia, Azernews reports, international media outlets.

The letters were issued by the Norwegian Armed Forces.

Andres Yernberg, head of the Armed Forces’ Logistics Division, told the newspaper that Norway is facing the most serious security situation since World War II.

Yernberg emphasized that Norwegian society must be ready to confront defense crises, and even war. He added that the country is currently strengthening both military and civilian preparedness measures.

On January 20, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met in Davos with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Azernews reports.

The Prime Minister conveyed the greetings of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, to the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the greetings and asked that his own regards be conveyed to the Amir of Qatar.

During the meeting, they hailed the current level of relations between the two countries. They emphasized that there is broad potential for further development of cooperation across multiple areas, including the economic and trade spheres. Both sides expressed confidence that the close ties between Azerbaijan and Qatar will continue to strengthen in the future.

The successful cooperation between the two countries in restoring Syria’s energy supply through the delivery of Azerbaijani gas by SOCAR was highlighted.

The conversation included an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated during a press conference on Tuesday in Davos that US President Donald Trump might reveal his choice for the next Federal Reserve chair as early as next week, Azernews reports.

“We have four fantastic candidates – it will be up to the president, and I would imagine that he will have an announcement maybe as early as next week,” Bessent added.

In an interview with CNBC moments later, the US Treasury secretary repeated that the Fed was losing $100 billion yearly with no accountability, because of mis-timed asset buys. He added that several Fed officials faced ethical issues under Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, and that the incumbent central bank head attending Fed Governor Lisa Cook’s Supreme Court oral arguments was “a mistake.”

Bessent did not name the four finalists, though previous comments have indicated a field of five that included National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett, former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, current Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman and BlackRock’s chief fixed income strategist, Rick Rieder.

Prediction markets have honed in on Hassett, Warsh and Waller, though White House officials have said Rieder also met with Trump, and he has gotten more interest. Recently, Warsh has become the front-runner on Kalshi, with Rieder and Waller trailing, following comments from Trump that he’d prefer Hassett stay in his current role.

Bessent has run the screening process but did not indicate a personal preference.

White House officials including Trump and the Treasury secretary have regularly criticized Powell both for his stewardship of monetary policy and setting of interest rates, as well as the way he has run the institution in general. Recent developments have seen the Justice Department subpoena Powell relating to the renovation project at Fed headquarters.