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Monday February 16 2026
Belgrade, Baku seal power plant deal in push for energy security and sovereignty [ANALYSIS]

Belgrade, Baku seal power plant deal in push for energy security and sovereignty [ANALYSIS]

Energy security, sovereignty and strategic trust are drawing President Ilham Aliyev and President Aleksandar Vucic closer than ever. The first meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council in Belgrade meant more than diplomatic warmth: it marked a deliberate move to firm up Azerbaijan–Serbia relations in long-term energy investment, political coordination and economic integration. From a planned 500-megawatt gas-fired power plant near Nish to expanded gas exports, renewable energy cooperation and food security agreements, both countries are positioning themselves as reliable partners in a volatile European landscape.

Nation
Expired military munitions to be safely eliminated at two sites

Expired military munitions to be safely eliminated at two sites

Expired and unserviceable ammunition will be destroyed at a military training ground near the settlement of Pirəkəşkül and at a training center located in the Ağdərə District, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Defense Ministry.

Oil & Gas
SOCAR’s first major project in Serbia takes shape as gas power plant near niš advances

SOCAR’s first major project in Serbia takes shape as gas power plant near niš advances

The gas-fired thermal power plant planned near the Serbian city of Niš will become the first major joint project of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) in Serbia, with work on the project already under way, AzerNEWS reports.

Business
Azerbaijan’s private sector debt remains low as S&P highlights banking stability

Azerbaijan’s private sector debt remains low as S&P highlights banking stability

Azerbaijan’s private sector debt-to-GDP ratio stands at around 26 percent, remaining lower than in Georgia, Armenia, and Uzbekistan, and broadly in line with levels seen in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The country also continues to have the lowest share of foreign currency lending in the region, which stood at about 16 percent as of the end of 2025, according to S&P Global Ratings, AzerNEWS reports.

Analysis

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
Press conference held in Yerevan after Azerbaijan–Armenia civil society talks [VIDEO]

Press conference held in Yerevan after Azerbaijan–Armenia civil society talks [VIDEO]

A press conference was held on February 14 in Armenia following a roundtable discussion between representatives of Azerbaijani and Armenian civil society under the framework of the “Peace Bridge” initiative.

Armenian Aggression
President Aliyev: Sentenced separatist leaders were “masterminds of war crimes”

President Aliyev: Sentenced separatist leaders were “masterminds of war crimes”

“These are the leaders of the illegal separatist regime, which illegally functioned on our territory, on the territory of the sovereign Azerbaijani state, recognized as such by the entire international community, including Armenia."

World
Israeli Air Force conducts new airstrike in southern Lebanon

Israeli Air Force conducts new airstrike in southern Lebanon

The Israeli Air Force has carried out a new airstrike targeting areas in southern Lebanon, AzerNEWS reports.

Travel
Azerbaijani pilgrims currently at Medina international airport

Azerbaijani pilgrims currently at Medina international airport
Second group of Azerbaijani pilgrims to depart for Hajj this month

Second group of Azerbaijani pilgrims to depart for Hajj this month
Astana celebrates Novruz with festive events and cultural celebrations [PHOTOS]

Astana celebrates Novruz with festive events and cultural celebrations [PHOTOS]
Albania’s impeccable hospitality and exuberant architecture

Albania’s impeccable hospitality and exuberant architecture
Experience charm of autumn season at Shahdag National Park

Experience charm of autumn season at Shahdag National Park
Georgian foreign travelers arrive in Shusha

Georgian foreign travelers arrive in Shusha

Lifestyle
Valentine's Day in Baku: where love meets city's most romantic spots

Valentine's Day in Baku: where love meets city's most romantic spots

Baku in February is a city of contrasts: the Caspian's cold breath mixes with the warm glow of street lamps, and the historic stone walls of the Old City stand beside modern towers of glass and steel.

Culture
Int'l Mugham Center presents major work by Uzbek thinker [PHOTOS]

Int'l Mugham Center presents major work by Uzbek thinker [PHOTOS]

International Mugham Center has hosted a presentation of the Azerbaijani translation of "Muqaddimat al-Adab", a seminal work by the renowned Uzbek thinker Al-Zamakhshari, AzerNEWS reports citing the center.

Events
From energy to AI: What US-Azerbaijan strategic partnership really means

From energy to AI: What US-Azerbaijan strategic partnership really means

J.D. Vance’s visit to Baku and the signing of a US–Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership Charter mark more than a routine diplomatic upgrade. They reflect a renewed American interest in the South Caucasus at a time when global energy insecurity, supply-chain disruption and geopolitical fragmentation are reshaping Washington’s priorities.

Sports
Vittozzi grabs gold for Italy in women's 10km pursuit at Milano Cortina Games

Vittozzi grabs gold for Italy in women's 10km pursuit at Milano Cortina Games

Italy's Lisa Vittozzi put on a superb display of shooting, hitting all 20 targets to win gold in a thrilling women's 10km biathlon pursuit race at the Winter Games on Sunday, AzerNEWS reports.

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