Day: February 25, 2026

In a “tense meeting,” Axios said, Hegseth told Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei that if his firm did not drop its safety guardrails, the Pentagon would cancel its $200 million contract and “declare Anthropic a ‘supply chain risk,’ or invoke the Defense Production Act to force the company to tailor its model to the military’s needs,” News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
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Anthropic has “aggressively positioned itself to be a key player in national security” and was the first AI firm to “integrate its technology into the Pentagon’s classified networks,” The Washington Post said. But tensions have mounted over Amodei’s “ethical concerns about unchecked government use of AI,” The Associated Press said, especially for “fully autonomous armed drones” and “AI-assisted mass surveillance that could track dissent.” Some Trump administration officials have lambasted Anthropic’s “hard-line on domestic surveillance and AI weapons” as “Woke AI,” NPR said.
Tuesday’s meeting “ended in a stalemate,” as Amodei “reiterated the company’s red lines and said they wouldn’t interfere with the Pentagon’s operations,” The Wall Street Journal said. Either of Hegseth’s threatened sanctions “would be nearly unprecedented,” and a supply-chain risk designation would affect “a swath of companies, including many in the tech sector.” Defense Production Act experts “questioned whether it could be used to force Anthropic to drop the limitations it seeks to maintain,” the Post said.

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The initiative, the government said, responds to what it describes as an “institutional blockade” that has hindered approval of several social and economic reforms promoted by the executive branch, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
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The call for a constituent assembly, already authorized by the relevant electoral authority, requires support from more than 2 million citizens, equivalent to 5% of the national voter registry.
A citizen-led committee has been formed to gather the required signatures within six months. The committee aims to collect 3 million signatures, although Petro had previously suggested a goal of 10 million, local newspaper El Espectador reported.
Petro has been the main advocate of the initiative to reform Colombia’s Constitution. He first raised the possibility of a constituent assembly nearly two years ago and revived the proposal in recent months.
The president has framed the effort as a way to “deepen social reforms” that he argues are necessary for Colombians. He has said the proposals would be of “popular initiative” and that “any citizen will be able to submit proposals,” although they would ultimately be subject to the decision of a citizen committee.
Opposition sectors have criticized the proposal because it would unfold during an active electoral calendar.
Critics argue that the signature-gathering process could allow government-aligned figures, including public officials, to campaign in ways that benefit left-wing candidates in the March congressional elections and the May presidential vote, newspaper El Tiempo reported.
Petro has outlined nine thematic areas that would guide the constituent debate. These include changes to the pension system, healthcare, education, public utilities and the mining code, as well as initiatives related to data sovereignty and artificial intelligence.
He has also proposed deepening agrarian reform and strengthening Colombia’s adaptation and mitigation efforts in response to climate change.
The proposal also calls for a new territorial framework for the country, a judicial reform and changes to the political and electoral system, including adjustments to campaign financing, mandatory voting and recall mechanisms.
It further contemplates immediate legislative implementation of the 2016 peace accords with former guerrilla group FARC, policies addressing drug trafficking and measures aimed at comprehensive national security.
The possibility of holding a constituent assembly remains in its early stages.
If the required number of signatures is reached, the proposal must be debated in Congress. If lawmakers approve it, a national referendum would be called for voters to decide whether to convene the assembly, El Expreso reported. The process also would require review by Colombia’s Constitutional Court.

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From managing plans and finding information to capturing and refining content, Galaxy S26 reduces the effort and number of steps required to get things done, News.Az reports, citing Samsung Newsroom.
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As Samsung’s third-generation AI phones, Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra handle complex tasks in the background, allowing users to focus on results rather than how the technology works.
The Galaxy S26 series was engineered with Samsung’s most advanced capabilities working together as one: incredible performance, an industry-leading camera system and Galaxy AI. This provides a strong foundation that gives Galaxy S26 users the confidence to depend on their phone throughout the day without compromising security or privacy.
Building on Samsung’s decades of innovation in display technology, Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces the world’s first built-in Privacy Display for mobile phones to unlock a new class of display experiences and reinforce Samsung’s commitment to privacy at a pixel level. Galaxy S26 Ultra also delivers a customized chipset and upgraded thermal management that enable faster and more powerful AI — all wrapped up in the slimmest Ultra yet.
Together, these choices allow the Galaxy S26 series to deliver the most powerful Galaxy experience yet.
“We believe AI should be something people can depend on every day, designed to work consistently for everyone and without the need for expertise,” said TM Roh, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “With the Galaxy S26 series, we focused on making AI feel effortless, working quietly in the background so people can focus on what matters.”
Powerful Performance Designed Around Everyday Use
Engineered for all-day performance, the Galaxy S26 series is built on the most powerful hardware ever on a Galaxy S series, powered by a customized chipset. Across the line-up, the Galaxy S26 series is engineered for AI performance, power efficiency and thermal management, ensuring demanding tasks run smoothly and consistently, so users can rely on their device when it matters.
On Galaxy S26 Ultra, a customized mobile processor — Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy2 — delivers the best performance ever in its class with significant gains across CPU, GPU, and NPU to support faster, smoother experiences that keep up throughout the day.
A CPU performance increase of up to 19%3 means Galaxy S26 Ultra responds more quickly and handles complex workloads intelligently, even when multiple tasks are running at once. A 39% improvement in NPU performance powers always-on Galaxy AI features that run seamlessly, allowing users to move between tasks without lag or interruption. A 24% boost in GPU performance delivers richer visuals and more fluid gameplay.
To sustain this level of performance, Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces a redesigned Vapor Chamber with thermal interface material positioned along the sides of the processor, allowing heat to spread more efficiently across a larger surface area. This improves4 heat dissipation to keep the device cool and consistent, even during demanding activities such as gaming, multitasking and video capture. To support all-day use, Galaxy S26 Ultra also brings Super Fast Charging 3.0, minimizing downtime by reaching up to 75% charge in just 30 minutes.5
Embedded into the processor, Samsung’s proprietary technologies enhance visual performance. ProScaler6 improves image scaling so photos and videos appear richer and clearer at a glance by sharpening text and fine detail while smoothing textures. Additionally, Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) delivers more subtle and lifelike colors thanks to image processing with four times the precision compared to the previous generation.
Taken together, these advancements deliver dependable all-day performance, making every action feel effortless.
Galaxy’s Industry-Leading Camera System
The Galaxy S26 series brings the same focus on intuitive interaction to creativity and productivity, delivered through the industry-leading Galaxy camera system. With an approach that integrates capturing stunning photos and videos, editing and sharing into a single, seamless experience, creativity feels more natural and accessible even without professional tools or technical knowledge.
On Galaxy S26 Ultra, wider camera apertures7 allow more light to reach the sensor, delivering clearer photos with richer details in low-light conditions, even when zoomed in. Enhanced Nightography Video8 keeps footage clearer and more vibrant even in dim scenes, whether capturing concerts indoors or recording moments around a campfire after sunset. Video capture is further enhanced with upgraded Super Steady9 capabilities, which add a horizontal lock option for greater stability and to make consistent framing easier to achieve, even with bumpy trails or fast-paced activities. Galaxy S26 Ultra is the first Galaxy device to support APV, a new professional-grade video codec designed to deliver efficient compression for high-quality production workflows. Optimized for advanced creators, it ensures visually lossless video quality that stays true even after repeated editing.
Improvements to the AI ISP10 now extend to the selfie camera, capturing more natural skin tones and finer detail in mixed lighting.
Editing photos and videos is just as easy and straightforward, with AI-powered tools built into familiar workflows so users can make changes quickly and unlock their creativity without design expertise.
With the upgraded Photo Assist11 suite, users can simply describe what they want to change in their own words. Changing the scene from day to night is just a matter of asking. It can also add to images and restore missing parts of objects like a bite taken out of a cake. Personal details, such as a spill on clothing, can also be cleaned up with Galaxy AI’s new ability to change outfits in photos. Edits can now be made continuously, reviewed step by step, and easily adjusted or undone along the way, making the process feel fluid rather than final.
Creative Studio12 builds on this simplicity by bringing creation and customization into one integrated space, making it easy to act on ideas when inspiration strikes. Starting from a sketch, photo or prompt, users can quickly turn ideas into polished visuals — from stickers and invitations to personalized wallpapers — and refine or share them without switching tools or interrupting creative flow.
The Galaxy S26 series also simplifies frequent visual tasks with AI-powered tools like the Document Scan, which removes distortions and distractions such as creases or fingers to deliver clean scans instantly. Multiple images can be organized automatically into a single PDF, making it easy to digitize receipts, forms or notes.
The Most Intuitive Galaxy AI Experience Yet
The Galaxy S26 series is designed to make frequently used experiences feel straightforward and user-friendly, with Galaxy AI reducing the steps between intent and action. It works more proactively and seamlessly on the user’s behalf based on context, surfacing the right support at the right moment and automating tasks with minimal manual input. As the technology fades and handles tasks in the background, users can focus on the results.
With Now Nudge,13 timely and relevant suggestions help users stay in the flow without being distracted. If a friend asks for photos from a recent trip, Galaxy S26 automatically suggests photos from the Gallery, removing the need to search through albums or switch between apps. When receiving a message about a meeting, Galaxy S26 can recognize related Calendar entries and check for conflicts.
On the Galaxy S26 series, Now Brief14 has become more proactive and personalized.15 It surfaces timely reminders for important events – from reservations to travel updates – based on personal context, helping users stay organized throughout the day.
Searching for information is also easier than ever. Circle to Search with Google16 on the Galaxy S26 series has been upgraded with enhanced multi-object recognition, so users can now explore more deeply on multiple parts of an image at once. If users spot a look they love, the feature also identifies everything from the jacket to the shoes, all in one search.
Galaxy S26 series features an upgraded Bixby17 as a conversational device agent, making it more intuitive and easier than ever to interact with Galaxy devices. Users can navigate their devices and adjust settings using natural language, without the need for exact terminology or commands.
Alongside Bixby, Galaxy S26 series integrates a choice of agents, including Gemini and Perplexity. Once set up, tasks can be completed with a single button press or voice prompt. Galaxy S26 can also handle multi-step tasks in the background, streamlining the process on the user’s behalf. For example, with Gemini, booking a taxi18 is as simple as asking, reviewing the details and tapping confirm. These agents support tasks such as searching and carrying out complex tasks seamlessly across apps through natural interaction.
Together, these proactive, personalized and adaptive experiences lay the foundation for more agentic AI experiences — setting the stage for Galaxy devices to become trusted companions that understand and anticipate user needs.
Layers of Protection in the Age of AI
As mobile experiences become more personalized thanks to AI, protecting user privacy becomes even more critical. Samsung builds protection into every layer of Galaxy S26, keeping personal data secure while giving users transparency and control over how their information is used.
Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces privacy at the pixel level with the mobile industry’s first built-in Privacy Display,19 a breakthrough in display technology that fundamentally changes how privacy can be protected on a phone. Designed for everyday situations like transit, cafés and shared environments, Privacy Display goes beyond anything previously available on mobile devices — hardware and software working as one to protect privacy without compromising the viewing experience.
By controlling how pixels disperse light, the display keeps content clear, bright and comfortable for the user in everyday use, while limiting what others can see. Unlike traditional stick-on privacy films, Galaxy’s integrated Privacy Display preserves full viewing quality from all directions when off, and limits visibility for others from side viewing angles when activated, even when switching between portrait and landscape orientation.
Users can customize when it turns on — such as when entering PINs, patterns and passwords or opening selected apps — and adjust privacy levels depending on the situation. Partial Screen Privacy intelligently limits visibility for notification pop-ups, while Maximum Privacy Protection further obscures side views for added discretion, all with minimal impact on power or usability.
The Galaxy S26 series also brings smarter software safeguards that work quietly in the background. AI-powered Call Screening20 identifies unknown callers and summarizes intent, making it easier to safely manage calls. Privacy Alerts use machine learning to proactively notify users in real time when apps with device admin privileges unnecessarily attempt to access sensitive data, such as precise location, call logs or contacts. These alerts help users quickly understand when apps are seeking deeper access, so they can manage permissions with greater clarity and control.
Private Album, built directly into Gallery, lets users easily hide selected photos and videos without creating a separate folder or signing into a Samsung Account. To stay ahead of emerging threats, Galaxy S26 also extends Samsung’s innovation in post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to critical system processes, including software verification and firmware protection, strengthening device integrity for the future.
New updates to Knox Matrix further strengthen protection across connected Galaxy devices, adding PQC-enabled end-to-end encryption for more services such as eSIM transfers and clearer visibility into firmware update status across the ecosystem through Security Status of Your Devices.
These experiences are supported by Samsung Knox, the multi-layer security platform that protects Galaxy devices from the chip level up. For on-device Galaxy AI, Personal Data Engine (PDE) enables context-aware, personalized AI experiences. To keep this process safe, Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP) encrypts each app’s data, while Knox Vault adds a physical layer of protection that isolates sensitive data inside its own secure hardware. Together with settings that let users choose how AI features operate, Galaxy S26 combines hardware and software to deliver a comprehensive, system-wide approach designed to keep personal data protected.
These updates build on Galaxy’s existing security and privacy portfolio which includes Auto Blocker, Theft Protection, Private Sharing, Secure Wi-Fi and more. These layers of protection are designed to give users greater transparency, choice and control through Samsung’s continued mobile security innovation in the age of AI. And with seven years of security updates, Galaxy S26 helps keep these layers resilient over time — supporting longer, more confident use well into the years ahead.
Galaxy S26’s ease of use continues even when the phone is out of reach. The new Galaxy Buds4 series is a natural companion to Galaxy S26, extending everyday experiences beyond the phone while delivering rich and immersive hi-fi sound. When Galaxy S26 is paired with Galaxy Buds4, interactions can continue naturally in moments when using hands isn’t practical. Users can activate AI agents21 with their voices, manage calls through simple Head Gestures22 on Buds4 Pro, and stay connected without breaking their flow.
Availability
Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26+ and S26 will be available for pre-order starting from February 25. The Galaxy S26 series features a unified design language across all models, with shared color options including Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue23 alongside the Samsung.com-exclusive24 Pink Gold and Silver Shadow.
For added peace of mind, Samsung Care+25 offers comprehensive coverage optimized to users’ device needs, including fast repairs for accidental damage, extended warranty, and certified expert support available both at home and abroad. This ensures a seamless mobile lifestyle and provides lasting protection that safeguards the value of Galaxy devices.

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Franco, a lesbian activist who grew up in a favela and became an outspoken critic of Rio’s powerful militia groups, was 38 when she was gunned down in the city center alongside her driver, Anderson Gomes, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
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The case sent shockwaves through Brazil and drew international condemnation.
The four-justice Supreme Court bench voted unanimously to convict former federal lawmaker Chiquinho Brazao, 62, and his brother Domingos, 60, a former state lawmaker, of ordering the hit on Franco.
They were each sentenced to 76 years and three months in jail for double aggravated homicide, armed criminal organization, and the attempted murder of one of Franco’s advisors who survived the attack.
The court found that Franco had been targeted as she was a threat to the interests of the Brazao brothers.
From her position on the city council, Franco worked to prevent the expansion of clandestine housing developments in poor neighborhoods, one of the militias’ biggest sources of income.
The Brazao brothers “didn’t just have contact with the militia. They were the militia,” Judge Alexandre de Moraes said in court.
Franco was murdered to deliver a “message” to Rio’s political class, the court heard.
She was, said Moraes, “a black woman who dared to go against the interests of militia members, men, and white people.”
Rio’s militias emerged around four decades ago when former police officers and security agents created so-called self-defense groups to protect communities from drug gangs.
They quickly evolved into powerful criminal organizations — controlling large parts of the city, extorting residents and seizing public land — while benefiting from high-level political support.

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Ottawa summoned OpenAI’s safety team for talks on Tuesday after the ChatGPT maker said it had not contacted police about an account that it banned belonging to an alleged mass shooter, News.Az reports, citing Reuters.
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Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, is suspected of killing eight people on February 10 before taking her own life in a small town in British Columbia.

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This is where using a VPN can make a difference. VPNs allow workers to connect through servers in other countries, which helps bypass these location blocks. To get started with this kind of access, many remote workers turn to ExpressVPN download. It’s one of the most reliable ways to create a secure connection that appears as if you’re logging in from another country.
A web developer in Baku might miss frontend roles on a US-based site unless they connect through a server in North America. Setting up the right connection helps remove these obstacles and gives Azerbaijani professionals more room to grow globally.
Meeting Local Rules Before Working Abroad
Before remote workers in Azerbaijan start accepting jobs from abroad, it’s important they register properly at home. Self-employed workers must get a taxpayer ID and register as individual entrepreneurs. This gives them the legal base to run a freelance business and allows smooth use of bank services tied to their work. 
Skipping this step might result in payment delays or account limits, especially when large amounts are involved. Legal registration isn’t just paperwork. It supports credibility. A UI/UX designer working with a tech firm in Sweden may be asked for proof of legal status before the contract moves forward. It also matters during tax season. 
Having a clear record of income and payments can help avoid trouble later. Beyond taxes, many digital platforms ask users to submit ID or confirm banking info. Taking care of these local steps first makes international work easier. 
How Azerbaijani Freelancers Benefit from Global Access
Earning online through remote work can help freelancers in Azerbaijan raise their income compared to only working locally. A copywriter in Lankaran may get paid in euros by a client in Spain, which can stretch further once converted. Even small projects abroad can add up to more consistent income when handled with care. 
Access to global job sites also means workers can choose better terms and reject offers that don’t match their goals. Some companies look for talent that works in similar time zones but charges less than rates in Western Europe. This puts Azerbaijan in a good position. A DevOps engineer may land a contract with a German firm that wants someone within a few hours’ difference but doesn’t want to hire inside the EU. 
These gaps in the market help Azerbaijani workers stand out, especially when they deliver well and build trust. The goal isn’t just to work more, but to work smarter with clients who value the service enough to pay fairly and keep coming back.
Skills That Make a Difference in Remote Roles
Not every remote job requires deep technical knowledge, but the ones that pay well often do. Many Azerbaijani workers are already learning skills like React, Node.js, Python, or cloud tools such as AWS. A backend developer who can write clean code and handle basic deployment might pick up steady work from clients in the UK or Australia. 
These clients don’t always want full-time hires; they often need project support, which matches how most freelancers work. Even non-technical roles benefit from strong digital habits. A virtual assistant in Sheki who knows how to handle scheduling, invoicing, and online research tools can be far more useful than one who doesn’t. 
Good communication is just as important. Being clear with updates and timelines often keeps clients happy and saves time on both sides. Professionals who focus on practical skills, handle tasks with care, and keep their word usually get invited back. In the global economy, that reputation becomes your biggest asset.
Working Across Borders Without Leaving Home
Working for international clients from Azerbaijan allows people to earn well without moving abroad. It reduces housing and travel costs while still giving access to better job options. A translator in Guba might work with legal documents for firms in Turkey or Poland, never needing to leave home. 
Time zone compatibility also helps, since many clients in Europe find it easier to work with freelancers in Azerbaijan than with teams much farther away. This type of work model keeps growing because it solves problems for both sides. Companies save money, and workers get more options. 
With a reliable internet connection, solid skills, and smart tools, Azerbaijani professionals can continue building careers that reach well beyond national borders.

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“Of course we are prepared – for both options. War, God forbid, and peace,” he said in an interview with Indian TV channel India Today ahead of another round of the US-Iran talks in Geneva on February 26, News.az reports, citing TASS.
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The Iranian top diplomat said that his country is capable of effectively defending itself.
“We have learnt lots of lessons from the last war and so we are more prepared,” Aragchi said. “There will be no victory for anybody. It would be a devastating war.”

“Negotiation and diplomacy is the only option,” he said. “We are ready to address concerns but we are not ready to give up our right for peaceful use of nuclear tech.”

On February 26, Geneva will host a third round of talks between Iran and the United States on Tehran’s nuclear dossier. The Iranian delegation is expected to be led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and US special envoy Steve Witkoff should head the American negotiators.
In January, the White House warned that it was seriously considering the use of force against Iran. Washington then expressed hope that Tehran would sit down at the negotiating table and conclude a fair deal, implying a complete renunciation of nuclear weapons. However, the Iranian authorities have repeatedly stated that they have no intention of building an atomic bomb.

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