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Tuesday February 3 2026
Layoffs without recession: What AI economy is really doing to jobs

Layoffs without recession: What AI economy is really doing to jobs

Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the S&P 500 has climbed more than 70%, while job openings have fallen by roughly 30%. The visual contrast became known online as the “scariest chart in the world,” symbolizing a growing fear: that productivity, profits, and growth may no longer require proportional human employment.The data itself is real. Job openings peaked at 11.5 million in March 2022, the highest level since tracking began in 2000. By August 2025, openings had fallen to about 7.18 million. Over the same period, the S&P 500 rose from roughly 3,840 to nearly 6,700.

Nation
Azerbaijan State Security Service arrests four citizens over Ukraine-Russia conflict

Azerbaijan State Security Service arrests four citizens over Ukraine-Russia conflict

The State Security Service (SSS) of the Republic of Azerbaijan has launched a comprehensive investigation into citizens participating in illegal armed conflicts outside the country’s borders. These measures aim to identify and hold accountable individuals involved in paramilitary groups not recognized by national legislation, Azernews reports, citing the SSS Press Service.

Oil & Gas
SOCAR considers expanding use of drones and advanced monitoring technologies

SOCAR considers expanding use of drones and advanced monitoring technologies

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is exploring the expanded use of remote monitoring technologies, including drones and data modeling tools, to improve the assessment of its assets.

Business
Azercell hosts National Informatics Olympiad team ahead of Youth Day [PHOTOS]

Azercell hosts National Informatics Olympiad team ahead of Youth Day [PHOTOS]

Ahead of Youth Day, Azercell welcomed members of Azerbaijan’s national team preparing for international Informatics Olympiads with the company’s support. The meeting highlighted the young talents’ achievements on the international stage, as well as the long-term, systematic cooperation model that underpins these successes.

Analysis

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
Armenia’s pre-election debate slips back into Karabakh illusions [OPINION]

Armenia’s pre-election debate slips back into Karabakh illusions [OPINION]

As Armenia approaches its parliamentary elections scheduled for June, opposition forces appear increasingly eager to revive long-discredited narratives in an attempt to mobilize a shrinking and disoriented electorate. The closer election day comes, the more desperate the rhetoric sounds. Among the most active voices in this campaign of political nostalgia is Armenia’s former president and former leader of the so-called “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” Robert Kocharyan.

Armenian Aggression
ANAMA clears 1,738 hectares of mines in liberated territories

ANAMA clears 1,738 hectares of mines in liberated territories

In January, Azerbaijani demining teams detected and neutralized 37 anti-tank mines, 337 anti-personnel mines, and 1,364 unexploded ordnance (UXO) in territories recently liberated from occupation, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA).

World
Artemis II nears launch with wet dress rehearsal

Artemis II nears launch with wet dress rehearsal

NASA has announced that the countdown has officially begun for the wet dress rehearsal of the Artemis II mission to the Moon. On Friday, 30 January 2026, the space agency said it would target Monday, 2 February, for the rehearsal. By Saturday, 31 January, NASA confirmed that the countdown started at 20:13 EST (1 February, 01:13 UTC), marking 48 hours until the first wet dress rehearsal window, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

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
Youth Day 2026: Azerbaijan recognizes young achievements

Youth Day 2026: Azerbaijan recognizes young achievements

On February 2, Azerbaijan marks a day that has quietly become one of the most meaningful in the country's calendar, Azernews reports.

Culture
National Art Museum holds lecture on Islamic Art and Easel Paintings from Iravan's Sardar Palace [PHOTOS]

National Art Museum holds lecture on Islamic Art and Easel Paintings from Iravan's Sardar Palace [PHOTOS]

A lecture entitled "The Collection of Islamic Art of the Georgian National Museum and Easel Paintings from the Sardar Palace of Iravan" has been held at the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, Azernews reports.

Events
Turkic Cooperation Organizations hold 6th coordination committee meeting in Istanbul [PHOTOS]

Turkic Cooperation Organizations hold 6th coordination committee meeting in Istanbul [PHOTOS]

On January 30, 2026, the President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Mrs. Aktoty Raimkulova, participated in the 6th Meeting of the Coordination Committee of the Cooperation Organizations of Turkic States, held at the Secretariat of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Istanbul.

Sports
Azerbaijan Premier League: Shamakhi team defeats Kapaz

Azerbaijan Premier League: Shamakhi team defeats Kapaz

The latest matches of the 23rd round of the Azerbaijan Premier League have been played, Azernews reports.

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