Category: Azer News

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy are set to kick off with a star-studded opening ceremony featuring some of the world’s most renowned artists, Azernews reports.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and American pop icon Mariah Carey will take the stage to perform, the Organizing Committee’s Press Service confirmed.

Andrea Bocelli, a multiple-time Grammy nominee, is no stranger to grand stages. In 2016, he performed at the San Siro Stadium in Milan before the UEFA Champions League final-a venue that will also host the Olympics’ opening ceremony.

Joining him will be Grammy-winning Italian singer Laura Pausini, adding her iconic voice to what promises to be an unforgettable musical celebration.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22 in the cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, showcasing both world-class sports and spectacular cultural events.

Azerbaijan will be represented at the Winter Olympics by alpine skier Anastasiya Papatoma and figure skater Vladimir Litvintsev.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has approved amendments to several laws in connection with the implementation of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan ‘On Mine Clearance Activities,’ Azernews reports.

The amendments, signed by the head of state, introduce changes to a number of legislative acts to ensure more effective enforcement of mine clearance regulations and related safety measures.

Under the amendments, if a monument is discovered during construction, economic, or other activities, including mine clearance, all work must be immediately suspended. The relevant authority designated by the appropriate executive body and the designated scientific organization must be notified, after which the authority and the scientific organization are required to conduct research and carry out other measures stipulated by law within two months.

In such cases, construction, economic, and other activities, including mine clearance operations, may resume only with the permission of the body designated by the relevant executive authority, based on the opinion of the designated scientific organisation and specialists.

If mine clearance activities are carried out in areas of historical or archaeological significance, the territory will be examined in advance by specialists, and preliminary research of monuments will be ensured. The relevant authority designated by the executive body will also ensure the participation of its representative and specialists at the site where such activities, including mine clearance, are conducted.

It is also stipulated that the protection of monuments discovered during mine clearance activities in the city of Shusha, as well as construction, restoration, repair, mine clearance, and economic activities in historically and archaeologically significant areas, will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Law ‘On the Cultural Capital of Azerbaijan – Shusha City.’

The amendments further expand the rights of victims in the field of mine clearance activities related to the protection of public health. In accordance with the Law ‘On Mine Clearance Activities,’ victims will be provided with specialized medical care in state healthcare institutions at the expense of the state budget, or, where services are included in the benefits package under the Law ‘On Medical Insurance,’ at the expense of compulsory health insurance funds.

In addition, the amendments establish a legal basis for the use of animals in mine clearance activities in Azerbaijan for the purpose of detecting explosive ordnance. Provided that the requirements of other regulatory legal acts are observed, animals may be used for this purpose in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Iran has once again strongly condemned what it described as U.S. interference in its internal affairs, Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said during a telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Azernews reports.

Araghchi told Jaishankar that peaceful protest rallies held across the country had been hijacked by various terrorist groups and turned into violent unrest. He emphasized that Iran is fully capable of confronting and neutralizing any destabilizing or subversive plans.

During the call, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar highlighted the importance of bilateral relations between Tehran and New Delhi. He stressed the need to prevent further escalation of tensions in the region and to restore stability, adding that India is ready to cooperate toward these goals.

The two ministers also exchanged views on bilateral ties, as well as regional and international developments.

It is worth noting that protests erupted in Iran in late December following a sharp depreciation of the national currency, the rial, against foreign currencies, along with soaring inflation and other economic difficulties. Reports indicate that there have been casualties, including deaths and injuries, although no official figures have been released.

The TopSpeed portal has released its latest ranking of the 10 fastest sedans, showcasing the most thrilling cars of 2026, Azernews reports.

Topping the list is the Tesla Model S Plaid, which can accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in an astonishing 1.99 seconds, cementing its place as one of the quickest production sedans ever. In second place, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance delivers a perfect mix of luxury and power, reaching 97 km/h in just 3 seconds. Close behind, the Mercedes-AMG EQE Sedan sprints to 97 km/h in 3.2 seconds, proving that even fully electric sedans can dominate in speed.

The rest of the top 10 features equally impressive machines, including the Audi S e-Tron GT, the hybrid Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance, the American muscle sedan Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, the sporty BMW M5 and BMW M3 Competition xDrive, the electric Porsche Taycan 4S, and the compact powerhouse Audi RS3, all capable of accelerating from 0 to 97 km/h in 3.3 to 3.6 seconds.

What’s particularly fascinating is that half of these top performers are electric or hybrid models, highlighting the automotive shift towards high-speed efficiency. From German engineering precision to American muscle, this ranking proves that sedans today can combine practicality, luxury, and breathtaking performance in a way that was almost unimaginable just a few years ago.

An international online exhibition titled “Friendship on the Silk Road” has been organised through cooperation between the Artists’ Union of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The project is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The exhibition brings together works by a total of 18 professional artists representing Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, showcasing a wide range of creative styles and aesthetic perspectives.

The paintings reflect the shared civilizational space shaped by the Great Silk Road and, within this context, interpret the common historical memory and cultural-spiritual heritage of the Azerbaijani and Uzbek peoples through the lens of contemporary artistic thinking.

As part of the online exhibition, a catalogue complementing the project’s conceptual and artistic content was also presented.

The catalogue opens with a foreword by Gunay Afandiyeva, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, and Cultural Ambassador of Uzbekistan.

She notes that the joint exhibition “Friendship on the Silk Road” by Azerbaijani and Uzbek artists is yet another vivid example of the cultural unity between the two brotherly countries and peoples.

The deputy emphasised the importance of bringing artists from both nations together on a shared cultural platform and strengthening cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

Describing the initiative as a meaningful contribution to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, she stated:

“The project once again reflects, through the universal language of art, the spirit of multifaceted partnership between our two countries-rooted in shared historical values and reinforced by today’s common political will. I am delighted that, alongside many areas of life, a creative dialogue in the field of visual arts is also developing successfully between our peoples. I express my gratitude to all the organizers and talented artists involved in the project and wish the creative team inspiration and continued cooperation. May the artistic embodiment of Azerbaijani-Uzbek brotherhood revive our shared cultural heritage once again.”

In his opening remarks, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Bahrom Ashrafkhanov, described the project as a vivid symbol of the deep historical, cultural, and spiritual ties between the two brotherly nations.

“Art, as a universal language, clearly reflects the shared values, traditions, and worldview that have taken shape along the Great Silk Road over centuries,” he said.

“The particular significance of this online exhibition lies in the fact that it is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Over these years, our countries have built a strong strategic partnership based on mutual respect, trust, and support,” he added.

The Ambassador also expressed sincere gratitude to the Azerbaijani Parliament and Nakhchivan Artists’ Union for their direct support in organizing this important cultural initiative, expressing confidence that the exhibition would further contribute to strengthening Uzbek-Azerbaijani friendship and developing humanitarian cooperation.

The project’s curator for Azerbaijan is Ulviyya Hamzayeva, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Chair of the Nakhchivan Artists’ Union, and Honored Artist. The curator for Uzbekistan is Khurshed Khalilov, a member of the Creative Union of Artists of Uzbekistan.

The catalog for the online exhibition was designed by Araz Khudiyev, photographer and designer of the Nakhchivan Artists’ Union.

“Friendship on the Silk Road” is planned as a long-term cultural initiative, with the presented exhibition marking the first stage of the project.

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has approved a new regulatory framework aimed at strengthening market risk management practices across the banking sector, Azernews reports.

According to the Central Bank, the ‘Rule on Market Risk Management in Banks’, adopted by a decision of its Board of Directors, is designed to align Azerbaijan’s banking regulations with Basel III standards while introducing unified and progressive requirements for managing market risks.

The new rule sets out comprehensive requirements for banks’ market risk management systems, including internal policies, governance mechanisms, and risk assessment procedures. It covers key areas such as the identification, measurement, monitoring, and reporting of market risks, ensuring a more structured and transparent approach across the sector.

In particular, the framework defines advanced methodologies for measuring different types of market risk, including interest rate, currency, equity, and commodity risks. It also introduces more sophisticated approaches to managing interest rate risk arising from the banking book (IRRBB), allowing banks to better assess potential vulnerabilities linked to fluctuations in market conditions.

The Central Bank noted that the implementation of the new rules will enable more accurate risk identification and measurement, while enhancing banks’ ability to respond to adverse market movements. Overall, the regulation is expected to strengthen the resilience of Azerbaijan’s banking sector and reduce potential losses stemming from market volatility.

The ‘Women Entrepreneurs in Successful Partnership’ project has been relaunched through the joint organization of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan (SMBDA), Marsol Group, and the National Association of Entrepreneurs’ Society (ICMA), Azernews reports.

An official event marking the restart of the project was held at the Baku SME House, bringing together representatives of supporting organizations and women entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the event, SMBDA Chairman Orkhan Mammadov and ICMA Chairman and founder of Marsol Group, Tural Mustafayev, highlighted ongoing measures to support the development of women’s entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan, private sector initiatives in this field, and the objectives of the project. It was noted that now in its third year, the initiative aims to increase women entrepreneurs’ economic and social participation and to expand business networking opportunities among them.

This year’s project will involve more than 100 women entrepreneurs representing various sectors. As part of the initiative, a series of training sessions, seminars, and masterclasses will be organized, along with business meetings, office and production site visits, and social activities.

During the event, promotional films about the project were screened, and the views of this year’s project partners were presented. Participating women entrepreneurs also familiarized themselves with the operations of the Baku SME House and the services it provides to business owners.

The ‘Women Entrepreneurs in Successful Partnership’ project has been implemented since 2024. This year’s partners and supporters include Kapital Bank, Malham International Hospital, Corian Baku, Atirshah Perfume, Gizli Bahçe Restaurant, and Moon Group. The project is scheduled to conclude in March this year.

Azerbaijan has mutually exempted diplomatic passport holders from visas with Somalia, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the law on approving the “Agreement between the Governments of Azerbaijan and Somalia on mutual visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders” in this regard.

Thus, the above-mentioned agreement, signed in Kampala on October 15, 2025, was approved.

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly held a secret meeting with Reza Pahlavi, the former crown prince of Iran and a leading opposition figure, amid ongoing mass protests across the country, Azernews reports via Axios.

The meeting, first reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid and citing a senior U.S. official, focused primarily on the scale and trajectory of the unrest in Iran.

U.S. officials have not officially confirmed the meeting. However, it is described as the first high-level contact between the Trump administration and the Iranian opposition since protests erupted on December 28. According to the report, Pahlavi is seeking to position himself as a ‘transitional leader’ should the current political system in Iran collapse.

Witkoff previously took part in nuclear negotiations with Iran as Trump’s representative, giving the meeting added political weight amid escalating tensions.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on January 13 that the unrest has resulted in 2,571 deaths, including at least 2,400 protesters, 147 government-affiliated individuals, 12 children, and 9 bystanders. The organization also confirmed 18,434 arrests, 1,134 serious injuries, and the release of 97 forced confessions.

At least 12,000 people have reportedly been killed during the ongoing protests in Iran, the editorial board of Iran International stated, describing the events as ‘the largest massacre in Iran’s contemporary history.’ The mass killings are said to have occurred mainly over two consecutive nights, January 8 and 9.

Iranian authorities have not independently confirmed the reported number of deaths. International reactions are expected as the scope of the alleged crackdown continues to emerge.

President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning, stating that the United States would take ‘very strong action’ if Iranian authorities begin executing detained protesters. In an interview, Trump said the situation in Iran ‘is not going to end well’ and noted that Washington is awaiting official confirmation of the reported death toll.

Trump stopped short of detailing potential U.S. actions but said the ‘ultimate goal is victory,’ referencing past U.S. operations against Iran’s nuclear facilities and the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He has also publicly encouraged Iranians to continue protesting, writing on Truth Social that ‘help is on the way.’

The reported meeting between Witkoff and Pahlavi underscores growing international attention on Iran’s internal crisis, as protests persist and pressure mounts on the Iranian leadership.

Apple and Google have announced a collaboration to develop the next generation of artificial intelligence infrastructure, Azernews reports.

As part of a multi-year partnership, Apple will build a new generation of its Foundation Models based on Google’s Gemini AI and cloud computing infrastructure. These models will power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri, expected later this year.

‘After a thorough evaluation, Apple concluded that Google’s AI technology provides the most advanced infrastructure for Apple Foundation Models. This collaboration will offer users exciting new opportunities and enable innovative services. Apple Intelligence will continue to operate both on Apple devices and Apple’s dedicated cloud infrastructure while maintaining the company’s high privacy standards,’ the two companies said in a joint statement.

Following the announcement, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, surpassed a $4 trillion market capitalization. Alphabet became the fourth company ever to reach this milestone, after Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple. By comparison, the total market value of all companies in the S and P 500 in 2025 was about $44 trillion, highlighting the enormous influence of the ‘tech big four’ in the global market.

Experts believe this partnership could accelerate the development of a ‘universal assistant,’ combining the capabilities of Siri, Google Assistant, and other intelligent services-potentially transforming how people interact with devices and online services in the coming years.