Category: Azer News

‘Over the past five years, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan have significantly increased their strength,’ said President Ilham Aliyev in his address on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year.

‘Supplied with new weapons and equipment, our Army is now capable of performing any task,’ the head of state emphasized.

The Swiss police held a press conference on Thursday following an explosion that occurred in the Crans-Montana ski resort town, Azernews reports.

The death toll has now been updated to “several dozen,” while the number of injured is currently at around 100, the police specified. They reiteratedthat the incident isn’t being investigated as an attack but rather a fire. A previous report from the Blick media outlet suggested that the cause of the explosion could have potentially been pyrotechnics used at a concert.

Swiss authorities revealed that nationals of other countries are also among the victims, without giving further details. The country’s State Council declared a state of emergency to “mobilize all necessary resources immediately over the next few days,” according to Blick. Meanwhile, Italy’s Foreign Ministry said that information from the Swiss police indicates that there are approximately 40 casualties.

A festive celebration marking 31 December – World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year was held at the ‘Tut ?limd?n’ Social Rehabilitation Center for Children, organized at the initiative of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Affairs.

According to Azernews, the event was attended by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center.

The celebration unfolded in a joyful and festive atmosphere. As part of a special program featuring Father Frost and the Snow Maiden, children recited poems, performed songs, and presented various artistic compositions, sharing the spirit and joy of the holiday.

Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva familiarized themselves with the conditions created at the center, showing interest in the social and psychological environment established for the children, as well as the rehabilitation and development-oriented service models. They received detailed information about the center’s activities and engaged warmly with the children, learning about their wishes and aspirations and sharing in their holiday happiness.

Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Affairs Bahar Muradova provided an overview of the center’s main areas of activity. She noted that the ‘Tut ?limd?n’ Social Rehabilitation Center for Children operates with the aim of ensuring the rehabilitation, social adaptation, and integration into society of children living in difficult circumstances, those deprived of parental care, and children belonging to risk groups, within a safe, healthy, and caring environment. Strengthening children’s psychosocial well-being and preparing them for independent life were highlighted as key priorities of the center.

At the conclusion of the event, children were presented with holiday gifts and extended heartfelt congratulations on World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

Within the framework of the event, Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva also viewed a vehicle donated to the center by ‘AzerEnerji’ OJSC, taking into account the center’s needs. It was noted that the vehicle will contribute to improving the operational efficiency of the center and facilitating more effective access for children to various rehabilitation and social services.

The event concluded with an exchange of views on strengthening the activities of such centers and expanding their operational network.

Car buyers in Europe are facing a tough decision: the shift from internal combustion engines to electric drives is gaining momentum, and more and more people are asking which electric vehicles are truly suitable for everyday use. In 2025, experts from the German Automobile Club (ADAC) conducted a large-scale test of 112 models to determine which ones deserve attention, Azernews reports.

Cars with different types of engines participated in the testing: diesel, gasoline, hybrid, and fully electric. The results were impressive: electric vehicles clearly took the lead. Among the top performers were not only premium models but also more affordable options, making them appealing to buyers with different budgets.

ADAC experts evaluated over 300 parameters, ranging from passenger space and trunk volume to safety, energy efficiency, and driving behavior.

Five electric vehicles achieved the highest score of 1.6: among them were the Mercedes EQS, Skoda Enyaq crossovers, and the new Elroq. The top list also included the Audi A6 Avant e-tron and Q6. These models stood out for excellent handling, modern design, and high comfort, making them suitable for both city driving and longer trips.

Chinese cars also participated in the tests, with mixed results. For example, the Nio EL8 scored 1.8, comparable to the Volvo EX90. The MG S5 EV and XPeng G6, both scoring 2.0, proved to be worthy alternatives to the Volkswagen ID.4 and Tesla Model Y (1.9). The XPeng P7 (2.2) and the hybrid Lynk Co 08, with an electric range of up to 176 km, ranked in the middle of the field.

Not all budget Chinese models met expectations. The BYD Atto 2 scored 2.4 due to its limited range and long charging time, while the BYD Dolphin Surf (2.6) lagged behind the European Citroen e-C3 (2.6) and Fiat Grande Panda (2.5). The Leapmotor T03 (2.9) and Dacia Spring (3.0) proved suitable mostly for urban use, although the latter impressed with excellent environmental performance – a score of 1.0 for ecology.

All cars were evaluated using a single system, regardless of engine type, class, or price. For electric vehicles, the assessment considered not only zero tailpipe emissions but also CO2 emissions based on Germany’s energy mix. Scores were on a scale from 1 (excellent) to 5 (very poor), and in the case of equal scores, models were ranked alphabetically.

An interesting observation: experts noted that new generations of electric cars are not just about range and eco-friendliness – advanced digital technologies are becoming standard even in more affordable models. Features like intelligent assistants, smart dashboards, and autopilot capabilities make electric vehicles increasingly attractive for modern families.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has released its first rating list of 2026, Azernews reports, citing the federation’s official website.

According to the rating list, Azerbaijani grandmaster Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, with a rating of 2730, is ranked 19th.

Teimour Radjabov (2692) holds 35th place, while Rauf Mamedov (2645) and Eltaj Safarli (2644) are ranked 76th and 78th, respectively. Aydin Suleymanli, rated 2628, has missed out on the top 100, finishing in 101st place. The 20-year-old grandmaster narrowly fell short of the elite group.

Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, with a rating of 2840, tops the men’s rankings.

In the women’s standings, Ulviyya Fatalieva (2434) is placed 27th, Gunay Mammadzada (2390) 53rd, Govhar Beydullayeva (2364) 77th, and Khanim Balajayeva (2351) 90th.

The women’s rankings are led by China’s Hou Yifan, who has a rating of 2613.

‘In terms of economic development, we can be proud of this year’s achievements,’ President Ilham Aliyev said in his address on the occasion of the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

Emphasizing that Azerbaijan’s foreign exchange reserves have reached a historic record of over $80 billion, the head of state said that the country’s external debt has decreased further and today accounts for only 6.3 percent of gross domestic product. He noted that Azerbaijan’s foreign exchange reserves exceed its external debt by 16 times.

A festive celebration was held at the social service institution for elderly people under the Social Services Agency of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population on the occasion of December 31 – World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

As reported by Azernews, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center, attended the event.

Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva met with the residents of the social service institution and held warm and sincere conversations with them at the festive table. The elderly residents noted that older people and the resolution of their issues are always given special attention in Azerbaijan and expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for the conditions created for them.

As part of the festive program, a cultural performance was also presented. The elderly residents performed music, recited poems, and staged short theatrical performances.

Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva congratulated the elderly residents on the New Year and wished them good health.

During the visit, they also familiarized themselves with the conditions created for elderly people at the social service institution.

At the end of the event, holiday gifts were distributed to the residents of the social service institution.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of the Republic of Cuba.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

‘Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I cordially congratulate you and through you, your entire people on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Cuba – Liberation Day.

I believe that Azerbaijan-Cuba relations, built on good traditions, will continue to advance in a spirit of friendship and cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally, in line with the interests of our peoples.

Availing myself of the opportunity, I extend my congratulations and best wishes to you on the occasion of the New Year of 2026, wishing you robust health, success in your endeavors, and everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Cuba.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 29 December 2025,’ the letter reads.

A particularly large amount of narcotics has been discovered concealed inside a shipment of watermelons transiting through Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

According to the State Customs Committee, officers of the Astara Customs Department inspected a vehicle transporting a ‘fresh watermelon’ cargo from Iran to Russia via Azerbaijani territory.

During the inspection, a service dog reacted to boxes containing the watermelons, prompting a more detailed cargo-based examination.

As a result, narcotics were found hidden inside 12 watermelons placed in the boxes. The total net weight of the seized drugs amounted to 27 kilograms and 845 grams of hashish.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

‘Over the past five years, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan have significantly increased their strength,’ said President Ilham Aliyev in his address on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year.

‘Supplied with new weapons and equipment, our Army is now capable of performing any task,’ the head of state emphasized.