Category: Azer News

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared himself the ‘Acting President of Venezuela,’ making the claim through a post shared on Truth Social on January 12, Azernews reports.

According to the post, Trump published an image styled as a Wikipedia entry stating that he would also serve as President of Venezuela starting from January 2026.

The statement follows events on the night of January 3, when the United States reportedly carried out an operation in Caracas, resulting in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were subsequently deported. International law experts have described Maduro’s seizure as illegal.

Since then, Trump has repeatedly asserted that the United States will govern Venezuela. However, Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez has rejected this narrative, insisting that the country remains under constitutional governance.

‘Venezuela is governed by the people and its constitutional government. President Nicolás Maduro is still here, and I am responsible for governing the country in his absence,’ Rodríguez stated.

The government led by Rodríguez has confirmed that talks have begun with the United States regarding the restoration of diplomatic missions. U.S. State Department officials have already been in Caracas, and the Venezuelan side is considering a reciprocal visit.

Trump, for his part, said that Rodríguez is ‘fully cooperating’ with Washington and that Caracas is providing the United States with everything it needs.

A protocol marking the outcomes of the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Intergovernmental Commission has been signed, Azernews reports.

The signing took place today in Baku during the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy.

The document was signed by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli.

During the event, a two-year Action Plan (2026-2027) was also adopted, outlining the implementation of 65 measures across 18 sectors aimed at strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with residents of the villages of Ashaghi Oratagh, Childiran, Heyvali, and Chapar in Ashaghi Oratagh village of the Aghdara district on January 13, Azernews reports.

The residents warmly welcomed the head of state.

Addressing the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev said: ‘You have been settled in four villages of the Aghdara district for three days now. I congratulate you on this occasion. I have visited all these villages – Chapar, Heyvali, Childiran, and Ashaghi Oratagh. The houses have been beautifully repaired and restored. Over the past two years, we have conducted monitoring in all settlements and villages of the liberated Aghdara district. In the first phase, we identified the villages to be restored, and former internally displaced persons have already returned to nine villages in the district.

The longing of many long years is now behind us; justice and righteousness have triumphed with victory. Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Azerbaijanis have returned to their ancestral lands and will live here with pride, happily, and comfortably. I am confident that from now on there will be no more war. The Azerbaijani state is a strong state. What makes us strong is our people – our nation united like a fist.

Over the past two years – since the anti-terror operation in 2023 – life has been restored across these regions: Aghdara, Khojaly, Khankendi, and Khojavend. Five years ago, displaced persons began returning to other formerly occupied territories. Today, already 73,000 people – both former internally displaced persons and those who are working, employed, or studying in the liberated territories – have settled there. Every month, the number of citizens returning to Garabagh increases. All necessary conditions have been created here: electricity, water, gas, roads, and jobs.

Today, we marked the opening of the hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of nearly 15 megawatts in the village of Gozlukorpu. This region is now fully supplied with electricity, and the energy produced here is also transmitted to other regions of Azerbaijan. Roads are being built and expanded from here to Tartar and up to Kalbajar.

Today, I also familiarized myself with the operations of the ‘Damirli’ Ore Processing Complex, where nearly 1,000 jobs are being created. There will be no problem with employment. Both the state and the private sector are creating conditions. At the same time, taking advantage of this beautiful and refreshing nature, it is essential to engage in agriculture, animal husbandry, beekeeping, and fruit growing so that you can live here comfortably and prosperously.

May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs in peace. Thanks to their blood and lives, and the heroism and bravery of our valiant fighters, we are here on this land today. We will forever keep the dear memory of our martyrs in our hearts. I must also note that we avenged the blood of our martyrs on the battlefield. Their blood has not gone unavenged. During the occupation period, we heard and repeated these words many times and lived with these aspirations. Because the loss of lands and the martyrdom of a large number of our heroes deeply pained us as a nation, but it did not break us. We did not bow down; we showed our will and, on the battlefield, we both avenged our martyrs and reclaimed our lands. In the last 80 years, no other country has achieved such a complete and absolute Victory like Azerbaijan. There have been wars and conflicts, and they continue today, but none have ended in a full and absolute Victory. Yet we, as a great nation, achieved this – in just 44 days, and then in one more day. We divided our glorious Victory and Victory march into two stages, also protecting our youth. Because if the war had not stopped on November 10, 2020, we might have had to sacrifice thousands more martyrs. Including here, in these mountains, in the Aghdara mountains, Kalbajar mountains, Lachin mountains, and the mined corridors of Aghdam. We protected them; we did not sacrifice them. But we knew that the day would come when we would reclaim all of Garabagh, restore our territorial integrity, expel the vile enemy from our lands, and achieve complete Victory. Now here, standing together with you – with a martyr’s mother on one side and an elderly woman on the other – this is a very happy feeling, a happy day, a beautiful day. I sincerely congratulate you; live happily here. Thank you.’

x x x

The meeting continued with commemorative photographs.

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President Ilham Aliyev continued: ‘Of course, we will have many more meetings. Today, the new Master Plan for the city of Aghdara will be presented to me. We will rebuild the city of Aghdara as well, just as we have already revitalized nine villages. We will construct the city too. This place will become a beautiful industrial and tourism center. These refreshing places are a delight to the eye. Mountains, forests, fresh air, springs, and rivers everywhere. That is why the future development of Aghdara will be very bright. The occupiers left virtually no intact building in this area. Look, all these restored buildings today have been rebuilt by the state. But they engaged in looting. From the ‘Damirli’ ore deposit, they perhaps took away copper worth 2 billion dollars, or even more. This is looting, illegal exploitation. Now we have returned, and operations have been established there. As I mentioned, more than 900, approximately up to 1,000 jobs will be created there. Moreover, I have given instructions that the citizens to be employed there should be from this region. Additional investments will definitely be made to expand it.

Agriculture, tourism – in other words, this is a natural paradise. But the vile enemy devastated it, leaving not one stone upon another. Every year, they collected hundreds of millions from Armenian organizations. They did not invest a single manat or dollar here; they looted everything. They burned our homes, displaced you, displaced 1 million people, razed Aghdam to the ground, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli too. They illegally settled in Kalbajar, Lachin, Khojaly. They even gave Khojaly an ugly name, but none of it stuck. Because the owners of these lands are us; we have returned, and we are building and creating.

From now on, we will live only as a victorious and proud people. Inshallah.’

The residents expressed their gratitude to the President.

Tensions remain high in Iran, following demonstrations that erupted on December 28, 2025, Azernews reports.

Although Iranian officials announced that the situation was under control and organized pro-government rallies yesterday, anti-government protesters flooded the streets in Tehran at night.

Meanwhile, the Iranian rial dropped sharply, approaching near-zero value against the euro and U.S. dollar. Furthermore, according to Iranian and French media outlets, France withdrew its non-essential diplomatic staff from Iran.

Conflicting reports also come over the Pond. Thus, on January 12, U.S. President Donald Trump noted that Iranian leaders had called to negotiate, and a meeting was set up. U.S. media outlets later reported that Iran’s Foreign Minister had approached Steve Witkoff seeking discussions.

Despite all these developments, the world woke up to news that the U.S. had issued a new alert advising its citizens to leave Iran or shelter in place. Donald Trump also wrote on his official Truth Social account that countries conducting business with Iran would be required to pay a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States.

The removal of French non-essential diplomatic staff and the issuance of the new alert have raised expectations that tensions will continue to rise.

A joint action plan aimed at strengthening military discipline and preventing legal violations in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces throughout 2026 has been signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Military Prosecutor’s Office, Azernews reports.

The document outlines a series of joint measures to be implemented over the course of the year, specifying their timelines, locations, and responsible officials.

Under the action plan, meetings will be organized in 2026 between servicemen and representatives of the Military Prosecutor’s Office across various branches of the armed forces operating under the Ministry of Defense. These meetings will take place in military units, formations, and associations, as well as in special-purpose military educational institutions.

The meetings are designed to enhance the legal awareness of military personnel, reinforce discipline and the rule of law, and implement targeted measures to address existing challenges within the armed forces.

A tactical training exercise of the N military unit was carried out in line with the Armed Forces’ 2026 training plan, the Ministry of Defense announced, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen operational readiness and command effectiveness, Azernews reports.

According to the ministry, a field-based command and control point was established during the exercise.

From there, the actions of participating units in executing assigned tasks were specified and coordinated on operational maps, while unit commanders delivered reports on the decisions taken under simulated combat conditions.

The exercise placed particular emphasis on improving the rapid and flexible decision-making capabilities of command staff, enhancing coordination and interaction between headquarters and subordinate units, and increasing the overall combat capability of the formation.

Special attention was also given to developing the field, tactical, and practical skills of military personnel, ensuring they can effectively operate in dynamic and challenging environments.

The training aimed to assess readiness levels, refine command procedures, and strengthen the ability of units to act cohesively during complex operational scenarios, in line with modern military requirements.

Iran’s national currency, the rial, has plunged to a historic low, reflecting the deepening economic crisis driven by years of international sanctions, persistently high inflation, and restrictions on oil exports. As a result, the rial’s value against major currencies such as the US dollar and the euro has effectively collapsed, Azernews reports.

The sharp depreciation has further intensified social tensions across the country, adding momentum to protests that have been ongoing since December 28, 2025. Reports indicate that hundreds of people have been killed during the demonstrations, while thousands more have been detained by security forces.

Alongside the currency collapse, inflation has accelerated, leading to a steep rise in the prices of food and basic consumer goods. The growing cost-of-living burden has emerged as a key source of public anger, with many Iranians struggling to afford essential items.

The worsening economic conditions and continued unrest highlight the mounting pressure on Iran’s economy and society, as financial instability increasingly translates into broader political and social challenges.

Initially sparked by frustration over record-high inflation, food prices, and currency depreciation, the protests quickly evolved into a broader movement demanding an end to the current regime.

Beginning with the bazaari (shopkeepers and merchants) in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and later university students, the demonstrations soon spread not only to major cities but also small settlements chanting anti-government slogans and destroying symbols of the government and the IRGC.

Rehearsals for a new stage production based on “Oil Boom Smiles on Everyone,” a play by renowned Azerbaijani People’s Writer Maksud Ibrahimbayov, are nearing completion at the Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators, Azernews reports.

The performance is being staged as part of the “Oil Boom Smiles on Everyone” festival, dedicated to Ibrahimbayov’s literary legacy. The festival runs from November 2025 through February 2026 with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The theatre’s press secretary, Samira Ashraf, noted that the premiere of the new production is scheduled for January 30.

The production is directed by Konstantin Soldatov, with stage design by Chingiz Babayev. Choreography is by Nigar Ibrahimbayli, while sound design is handled by Konstantin Soldatov and Platon Soldatov. The director of the performance is Shovgi Huseynov.

The cast features Honoured Artists Shovgi Huseynov, Elnur Huseynov, and Rasim Jafar, alongside actors Bahram Hasanov, Asya Atakishiyeva, Kerem Hadizadeh, Sabina Mammadzada, Nurlan Suleymanli, Manaf Dadashov, Shabnam Huseynova, Rashad Safarov, Umman Budagov, Mirzaga Mirzayev, Ramiq Nasirov, Adalat Abdulsamad, Huseyn Bayramov, Mehriban Huseynova, Jeyhun Mammadov, and Natiq Farzaliyev.

The upcoming premiere promises a vivid theatrical interpretation of Ibrahimbayov’s work, bringing his sharp social insight and literary depth to the stage for a new generation of audiences.

With its rich history and experience, the Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators has earned immense admiration and affection from art lovers.

The Baku Children’s Theatre officially began its operations on September 20, 1928, following a decree from the Commissariat of Public Enlightenment of Azerbaijan. The first actors and directors of the theater included Aghadadash Gurbanov, Mammadaga Dadashov, Yusif Eminli, Mina Abdullayeva, Yusif Dadashov, Susanna Majidova, Cavahir Iskandarov, Suleyman Alasgarov, Huseynagha Sadikhov, Karim Hasanov, Zafar Nematov, Maharram Hashimov, Alimammad Atayev, and others.

The Russian section of the theater was launched on November 6, 1928, with the play Five People by N. Smirnov and S. Serbakov, while the Azerbaijani section opened on January 30, 1930, with Against the Red Tie by N. Ivanter.

On July 18, 1936, the Baku Children’s Theatre was renamed the Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators by a decree of the Commissariat of Public Enlightenment of Azerbaijan.

The theatre’s collective earned widespread recognition, winning the best antique performance award at the XII International Festival of Antique Art in Simferopol, held from June 4-11, 2010, for their performance of G. Figueredo’s Aesop.

In February 2011, the theatre performed Othello at the 32nd International Festival Fajr in Kurgan, Iran, where they returned home with great success.

By decision No. 41 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, dated March 19, 2009, the Azerbaijan State Youth Theatre, along with the Baku Camera Theatre, was merged into the Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators. After significant renovation and modernisation in April of the same year, the theatre resumed its operations in a newly equipped building with updated technologies and a modern design.

The theatre actively participates in promoting Azerbaijan’s cultural achievements, showcasing its work at numerous prestigious festivals, including the first Shaki International Theatre Festival, the 19th Belaya Veja (“White Castle”) International Theatre Festival, the first International Martin McDonagh Festival, the 17th Black Sea International Theatre Festival, and the 5th International Theatre Festival Northern Meetings, among others.

Throughout its history, the theater has successfully staged a wide range of important productions, such as Sheikh Sanan (Huseyn Javid), Aydin (Jafar Jabbarli), Road to Mekkah (Jalil Mammadguluzadeh), Cherry Garden (Anton Chekhov), Othello (William Shakespeare), Aesop (Guillermo Figueredo), Hekayati Khirs Gouldour Basan (Mirza Fatali Akhundov), Victoria (Hamsun), The Trick of the Witch (Y. Schwartz), Aladdin’s Magic Lamp (Arabic Folk Tale), The Last Train or Dogs (I. Fahmi, O. Kazimi), Nutcracker (E.T.A. Hoffmann), and Sleeping Beauty.

Google has unveiled the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard designed to simplify the integration of online shopping features into chatbot dialogue interfaces. The development involved collaboration with retail industry representatives, ensuring that the protocol addresses key seller needs and enhances the efficiency of digital sales channels, Azernews reports.

UCP supports not only product search and order processing but also after-sales services, including consultations and customer support after purchase. This holistic approach aims to make interactions between customers and e-commerce platforms smoother amid the growing popularity of chat-based shopping. In addition, Google confirmed that it will maintain compatibility with other protocols – AP2, A2A, and MCP – for related e-commerce scenarios, creating a more flexible and interoperable ecosystem.

In the near future, Google service users will be able to purchase products in AI mode – directly within the browser or through the Gemini chat interface – without navigating to external websites. Initially, this functionality will be available through stores of several major U.S. retailers. Payments will be processed via Google Pay and Google Wallet, with PayPal support planned for a later stage.

Analysts suggest that the UCP could transform online shopping, making it more conversational and personalized, while also giving retailers new tools to boost engagement and sales through AI-driven interactions. As chatbots become central to digital commerce, protocols like UCP may soon become a standard for seamless, end-to-end online retail experiences.

The price of Azerbaijan’s Azeri Light crude oil at Italy’s Augusta port rose slightly on the CIF basis, increasing by $0.03, or 0.04 percent, to $68.54 per barrel compared with the previous trading session, Azernews reports.

Meanwhile, the price of Azeri Light at Trkiye’s Ceyhan port declined on the FOB basis. The price of one barrel fell by $0.22, or 0.3 percent, to $66.43.

The price of Russia’s Urals crude dropped more sharply, decreasing by $0.74, or 2.06 percent, to $35.19 per barrel.

In the North Sea, Dated Brent crude also edged lower, falling by $0.06, or 0.09 percent, to $65.42 per barrel compared with the previous level.

Under Azerbaijan’s 2026 state budget, the average oil price is projected at $65 per barrel.