AnewZ Morning Brief - January 23th, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for January 23th, covering the latest developments you need to know.

1. Azerbaijan, EBRD Sign Loan Agreement to Modernize Ganja's Water Infrastructure

Azerbaijan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed a €35 million loan agreement to modernize water supply and sewerage services in the city of Ganja. The agreement was inked by Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov and EBRD First Vice President Jurgen Rigterink during a meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso.

The project, part of EBRD's Green Cities program, aims to improve water accessibility and quality, enhance sewerage infrastructure, and introduce a rainwater management system in Ganja. The total project cost is €410 million, co-financed by an international donor's investment grant.

2. WEF Initiative Explores AI Integration in Azerbaijan’s Energy Systems

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is collaborating with Azerbaijan on its AI in Energy initiative, which aims to integrate artificial intelligence into the country’s energy systems to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and urban energy management.

According to the WEF's Impact Report: Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network 2023-2024, the initiative will develop targeted use cases and lessons that can improve energy systems in Azerbaijan and serve as a model for global application.

3. Headquarters of ECO Clean Energy Center to be set up in Baku

The headquarters of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Clean Energy Center will be established in Baku, as outlined in the newly approved charter of the center.

The draft law approving the charter was discussed during a meeting of Azerbaijan’s parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Inter-parliamentary Relations and has been recommended for discussion in the plenary session of parliament.

4. Samsung Unveils AI-Driven Galaxy S25 Series at Unpacked Event

Samsung has launched its Galaxy S25 series, featuring advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities aimed at enhancing user experience. The new lineup, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 models, introduces an "AI companion" powered by Samsung’s partnership with Google and its Gemini generative AI model. Among the standout features is the enhanced Circle Search, enabling users to interact with text, images, and audio seamlessly—for instance, circling an address takes users to Google Maps, or identifying soundtracks in videos with audio-based searches.

Among the standout features is the "audio eraser," designed for content creators, allowing users to isolate and remove unwanted background noises like wind, crowds, or off-key singing in videos. With these updates, Samsung positions the Galaxy S25 series as a competitor in the increasingly AI-driven smartphone market, catering to consumers seeking intuitive and multifunctional tools.

5. New Wildfire Near Los Angeles Grows to 9,400 Acres, Forcing 31,000 to Evacuate

A fast-moving wildfire erupted north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, quickly spreading to over 9,400 acres and prompting mandatory evacuations for more than 31,000 residents, with another 23,000 under evacuation warnings. Known as the Hughes Fire, the blaze, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation, has created an "immediate threat to life" in the Castaic Lake area, according to officials.

The Hughes Fire adds to Southern California’s challenging fire season, exacerbated by nine months without significant rain. Firefighters have made progress on two other major fires—the Eaton Fire (91% contained) and the Palisades Fire (68% contained)—which together have scorched over 37,000 acres, destroyed nearly 16,000 structures, and caused 28 fatalities since January 7

6. Trump Threatens Russia and Other Nations With Tariffs Over Ukraine Conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that he would impose tariffs and additional sanctions on Russia and unspecified "participating countries" if a deal to end the war in Ukraine is not reached soon. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would target Russian exports to the U.S. and possibly other nations, escalating his efforts to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiations.

The warning marks a continuation of Trump’s campaign promise to broker a swift resolution to the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While the U.S. has already imposed significant sanctions on Russia under the Biden administration, Trump’s proposal could extend to previously unaffected sectors.

7. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ‘willing to expand $600 billion investment’ with Trump admin for next 4 years

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has expressed interest in significantly expanding Saudi Arabia’s trade and investment ties with the United States by at least $600 billion over the next four years. The proposal was discussed during a congratulatory phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump following his inauguration for a second term.

8. Kyrgyzstan's Keremet Bank Limits Visa Card Use After U.S. Sanctions

Keremet Bank, a commercial bank in Kyrgyzstan recently sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department, has announced restrictions on the use of its Visa cards. According to the bank’s press service, the cards will now only function at Keremet Bank’s ATMs, POS terminals, and other payment devices.

To accommodate customers, the bank is offering free issuance of Elkart cards under Kyrgyzstan's national payment system, which can be obtained within five working days in Bishkek or ten days in other regions.

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