Category: Azer News

The UK and France have carried out a joint airstrike on an underground ISIS (Daesh) facility in central Syria, according to a statement from the British government on Saturday, Azernews reports citing Anadolu.

British Defense Secretary John Healey described the strike as part of ongoing efforts to prevent Daesh from rebuilding its capabilities and spreading what he called its ‘dangerous and violent ideologies.’

‘This action shows our UK leadership, and determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to stamp out any resurgence of Daesh and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East,’ he said in a statement.

‘This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how our Armed Forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad,’ he added.

The UK Defense Ministry said Royal Air Force aircraft had been conducting routine patrols over Syria to prevent any resurgence of the group following its military defeat in 2019.

‘Careful intelligence analysis identified an underground facility in the mountains some miles north of the ancient site of Palmyra. This facility had been occupied by Daesh, most likely to store weapons and explosives. The area around the facility is devoid of any civilian habitation,’ the statement said.

‘RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker, therefore joined French aircraft in a joint strike on the underground facility on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 3,’ it noted.

‘Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to target a number of access tunnels down to the facility; whilst detailed assessment is now underway, initial indications are that the target was engaged successfully. There is no indication of any risk having been posed to civilians by the strike, and all our aircraft returned safely,’ the statement concluded.

The 10th International Art Biennale has officially opened in Beijing, bringing together artists and artworks from around the world, Azernews reports.

This year’s biennale is held under the theme ‘Coexistence’ and features more than 600 works from 120 countries. The exhibition showcases paintings, sculptures, photographs, contemporary art pieces, video works, as well as artworks created using modern digital technologies.

Azerbaijan is represented at the biennale by the artwork ‘Village Wedding’ by artist Butunay Hagverdiyev. Organized with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the work focuses on the guests who bring vibrancy to a traditional wedding ceremony, rather than the bride and groom. Through vivid colors and expressive composition, the artist highlights rural elements of Azerbaijan’s national wedding traditions and presents a poetic image of the simple and hardworking Azerbaijani people.

The artwork has attracted strong interest from Chinese and international artists, as well as visitors to the exhibition.

The biennale is jointly organized by the China Federation of Literature and Art, the China Association of Artists, and the Beijing Municipality, and will run until January 28. The program also includes the 1st International Art Conference, held as part of the broader exhibition.

The National Hydrometeorology Service has issued a yellow alert for strong winds expected on January 4 in Baku, the Absheron Peninsula, and several other regions, Azernews reports.

According to the Service, westerly winds will blow in Baku, the Absheron Peninsula, and the districts of Dashkasan, Ganja, Samukh, Goranboy, Naftalan, Neftchala, Khizi, Mingachevir, Oghuz, Shaki, Shamakhi, and Gobustan. Wind speeds are expected to reach 13.9-20.7 meters per second.

Residents are advised to exercise caution, especially in exposed areas, and secure any loose objects that could be affected by the strong winds.

President of the United States Donald J. Trump has announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been captured and removed from the country. The statement was made via Trump’s official account on the social media platform Truth Social, Azernews reports.

In his post, Trump declared:

‘The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’

The announcement has sparked immediate global attention due to its geopolitical significance. Trump emphasized that the operation was conducted in coordination with U.S. law enforcement agencies and promised further details at a scheduled press conference.

As of now, no official statements have been released by Venezuelan authorities. The international community is closely monitoring developments surrounding this unprecedented event.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has strongly urged all Hajj missions worldwide to complete Hajj registration procedures at an earlier stage, as preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage season intensify.

According to Azernews, the announcement was made by Vusal Jahangiri, Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO) and supervisor of the Hajj electronic system.

Jahangiri said that the visa issuance process will begin on the first day of Ramadan and is expected to be completed within one and a half months.

He also called on Azerbaijani citizens intending to perform Hajj to register without delay, stressing the importance of timely applications.

‘Regardless of whether the quota is filled or not, the acceptance of documents will end on February 15, 2026,’ Jahangiri said.

The statement underscores the stricter timeline set by Saudi authorities as part of efforts to streamline Hajj organization and ensure smoother logistical planning.

The Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (AHIK) is holding a series of festive celebrations in Baku for children in connection with December 31 – World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

AHIK told Azernews that the events are aimed at ensuring children enjoy their leisure time in a meaningful and engaging way, while creating a joyful atmosphere and lasting memories for young participants. The festively decorated venues, adorned with colorful lights and New Year-themed ornaments, have attracted significant interest from children thanks to specially designed entertainment programs.

The cheerful interactions of Father Frost and the Snow Maiden, along with dancing around the New Year tree together with children, added to the festive spirit and brought smiles to young faces.

Vibrant musical performances and entertaining stage shows further heightened the holiday mood. Children, particularly those entrusted to society as the legacy of fallen heroes, enjoyed themselves freely in a caring and warm environment, experiencing moments of genuine happiness.

It was also noted that Azerbaijan’s trade unions are organizing similar celebrations for orphans and children deprived of parental care at children’s homes and boarding schools across various cities and regions of the country.

Turkmenistan has legalized cryptocurrency mining and trading, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

The new legislation, signed on Thursday by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, brings virtual assets under the country’s civil law framework and introduces a licensing system for cryptocurrency exchanges. Under the law, exchanges will be regulated by Turkmenistan’s central bank, representing the first formal legal framework for crypto-related activities in the country.

At the same time, cryptocurrencies will not be recognized as legal tender, currency, or securities. Existing regulations on internet access and digital services remain unchanged.

Turkmenistan’s economy is largely dependent on natural gas exports, with China as its main buyer. The country is also continuing work on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

The legislation on digital assets comes amid other regulatory changes. In April last year, Turkmenistan adopted a law introducing electronic visas, aimed at simplifying entry procedures for foreign visitors.

Since gaining independence in 1991, Turkmenistan has maintained a tightly regulated economic and administrative system. Recent legislative steps indicate adjustments in specific regulatory areas while preserving existing governance structures.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has stated that the government does not know the current whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, Azernews reports.

Speaking to local media, Rodríguez emphasized that authorities are demanding ‘immediate proof that they are alive.’

The statement comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared that the United States had carried out a ‘successful large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader.

The announcement has sparked confusion and concern in Caracas, where officials are pressing for clarity on the fate of the Venezuelan leader and his spouse. International observers are closely monitoring developments, as the situation carries significant geopolitical implications.

In the midst of the global race for AI dominance, Chinese tech companies are offering record-breaking salaries to attract top talent. According to sources, ByteDance (owner of TikTok) and Tencent have significantly increased their budgets for salaries and bonuses to secure leading AI experts, Azernews reports.

ByteDance has reportedly boosted its employee bonus fund by 35% compared to last year and is planning a future salary increase of up to 150%. Tencent, meanwhile, has been actively recruiting high-caliber specialists from competitors, sometimes offering salaries twice as high as their current pay.

Recently, Tencent announced the hiring of Yao Shunyu, a former OpenAI researcher, as its new chief AI scientist-a move that underscores the company’s commitment to building cutting-edge AI capabilities.

However, industry observers note that this ‘golden age’ for AI professionals sharply contrasts with the broader tech sector, which has seen significant layoffs. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 100,000 technology workers lost their jobs worldwide, highlighting the growing divide between highly specialized AI talent and the general workforce.

Analysts suggest that this trend may intensify global competition in AI, as Chinese companies strive to secure talent that could give them a decisive edge in areas ranging from natural language processing to autonomous systems.

Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, will face criminal prosecution following an indictment issued in New York, the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has said.

Azernews reports that Bondi announced the development in a post on the social media platform X, stating that Maduro and Flores would be held criminally liable in connection with the charges brought against them in New York.

In her post, Bondi emphasized that the couple would soon face ‘the full force of American justice’ on U.S. soil and in American courts.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been detained and removed from the country. Trump said the United States had carried out a ‘successful large-scale operation’ against Venezuela and its leader.