Category: Azer News

Swedish music streaming giant Spotify is preparing to introduce a special AI-persona label for artists created with the help of artificial intelligence. The new tag is designed to help users distinguish virtual performers from real musicians and, according to the company, make the platform more transparent and trustworthy, AzerNEWS reports.

The AI label will appear in the mobile app on an artist’s profile, in search results, and next to their songs in playlists. A large-scale rollout of the new system is expected to begin in mid-September.

Previously, Spotify launched the Verified by Spotify system, which required musicians to prove that they were real people. Artists could demonstrate their authenticity through social media activity, merchandise, and other forms of public presence. However, the initiative faced criticism. AI-music expert and copyright advocate Ed Newton-Rex argued that such requirements could disadvantage legitimate artists who do not have a strong social media presence or sell merchandise.

Spotify now plans to combine human verification with AI-powered tools to identify profiles representing AI-generated personas. Artists will also be able to voluntarily declare that their profile represents an AI persona. If Spotify automatically applies the label, profile owners will have the opportunity to confirm the status or appeal the decision.

The new policy will also affect Spotify’s recommendation algorithms. AI-persona artists will not be included in editorial or personalized recommendations unless users have already chosen to follow or listen to them.

Importantly, Spotify is not banning AI-generated music. Instead, the company is focusing on transparency, allowing users to listen to AI-created music while making its origin clear. This could become an important step as generative AI continues to transform the music industry.

If an AI-generated artist becomes a global star, should it be treated the same way as a human musician? As AI music becomes increasingly sophisticated, streaming platforms may soon have to rethink not only how music is recommended, but also what it means to be an ‘artist’ in the digital age.

Global crude oil production is forecast to average 74.89 million barrels per day in 2026, AzerNEWS reports.

The forecast was included in the May edition of the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Short-Term Energy Outlook, published by the U.S. Department of Energy.

According to the EIA’s quarterly production forecast, global crude oil output is expected to average 77.27 million barrels per day in the first quarter of 2026, 71.27 million barrels per day in the second quarter, 73.96 million barrels per day in the third quarter and 77.08 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the EIA forecasts global crude oil production at 81.27 million barrels per day in 2027. According to the agency’s projections, global crude oil output is expected to average 80.08 million barrels per day in the first quarter of 2027, 80.95 million barrels per day in the second quarter, 81.60 million barrels per day in the third quarter and 82.43 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter.

According to the State Statistics Committee, Azerbaijan produced 13.270 million tons of crude oil, including gas condensate, in January-June this year.

The figure was 421,800 tons, or 3.1%, lower than in the same period last year.

Of the total crude oil production during the reporting period, 13.236 million tons consisted of marketable crude oil, down 424,200 tons, or 3.1%, from the same period a year earlier.

Overall, the value of output in Azerbaijan’s mining industry amounted to 19.3 billion manats in January-June, representing a 2.8% decline from the corresponding period of the previous year.

According to the Ministry of Energy, 7.9 million tons of production during the reporting period came from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli field, 1.7 million tons from Shah Deniz and 0.3 million tons from the Absheron field. SOCAR’s oil production, including condensate, amounted to 3.4 million tons.

A total of 10.5 million tons of oil, including condensate, was exported during the period. Of this amount, 9.5 million tons came from the consortium, 0.7 million tons from SOCAR and 0.3 million tons from JOCAP.

The ministry said that during the first six months of the year, crude oil production averaged 61,000 tons, or 449,000 barrels, per day, while condensate production averaged 12,000 tons, or 103,000 barrels, per day. Total oil production averaged 73,000 tons, or 552,000 barrels, per day.

Oil refining amounted to 2.9 million tons during the reporting period.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that U.S. forces opened fire on the Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova after the commercial vessel attempted to sail through the Gulf of Oman toward Iran, AzerNEWS reports.

CENTCOM announced the incident on its official X account, saying the vessel was attempting to breach the U.S. blockade imposed on Iran.

According to the command, a U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the vessel’s engine compartment after the ship’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings from U.S. forces.

The strike was intended to stop the vessel from continuing toward Iran. CENTCOM said the Vela Nova is no longer proceeding toward Iran in violation of the U.S. blockade, which it described as remaining fully in effect.

CENTCOM also provided figures on its enforcement operations. As of August 11, U.S. forces had redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to bypass the blockade, disabled three vessels that failed to comply with U.S. demands, and boarded and inspected two vessels.

The incident involving the Vela Nova highlights the growing risks facing commercial shipping in the region. The Gulf of Oman and surrounding waterways are critical routes for international trade, and military enforcement measures could have broader consequences for shipping companies, maritime insurance costs and regional trade.

Crude oil inventories in the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) have fallen below 300 million barrels for the first time in more than four decades, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the US Department of Energy, the reserve declined by another 6.1 million barrels last week, reaching 298.7 million barrels – the lowest level since January 1983.

The decline comes amid growing pressure on global oil supplies and heightened tensions surrounding the conflict with Iran. The US has been drawing on its strategic reserves to help stabilize the market and limit the impact of supply disruptions.

The SPR has a total storage capacity of around 714 million barrels, meaning current inventories are now below half of their potential capacity.

The situation is particularly significant because rebuilding the reserve to previous levels could take years and would require billions of dollars in purchases.

With global oil markets already facing geopolitical risks, further disruptions could put additional upward pressure on crude prices and fuel costs worldwide.

A meeting has been held with members of Azerbaijan’s national cadet judo team ahead of the Guayaquil World Championships Cadets 2026, AzerNEWS reports.

The athletes received recommendations ahead of the prestigious competition, with particular emphasis placed on demonstrating determination, discipline, and responsibility on the tatami.

The Guayaquil World Championships Cadets 2026 will take place in Guayaquil, Ecuador, from August 20 to 23.

Azerbaijan will be represented by 14 judokas, including 10 boys and 4 girls across nine weight categories.

A total of 479 judokas from 62 countries will compete in the tournament.

Azerbaijani judokas have built a strong reputation on the international stage, regularly competing for medals at the Olympic Games, World and European Championships, and other major tournaments.

Their achievements have helped establish Azerbaijan as one of the prominent judo nations, with athletes known for their technical ability, fighting spirit, discipline, and determination.

A major role in the development of the sport has been played by the Azerbaijan Judo Federation. Established in 1972, the federation oversees the development and promotion of judo in the country and represents Azerbaijani judo internationally.

The federation is currently headed by Rashad Nabiyev, who also serves as Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transportation.

The foundations of Azerbaijan’s modern judo success were laid in the late 1990s. Mehman Azizov won a silver medal at the 1998 World Championships, marking one of the notable achievements of the new era. In 1999, Rasul Salimov, who had won the World Youth Games in Moscow, claimed bronze at the European Championships in Slovakia. A year later, Elchin Ismayilov became European champion in Wroclaw.

Azerbaijani judo continued to make significant strides in the following years. One of the landmark moments came at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where Elnur Mammadli won the gold medal in the 73 kg category.

In recent years, Azerbaijan’s judo success has been represented by a new generation of accomplished athletes, including Hidayat Heydarov, Zelym Kotsoiev, Zelim Tckaev, Balabay Aghayev, Ushangi Kokauri, Gultaj Mammadaliyeva, Leyla Aliyeva, Fidan Alizade, and Aisha Gurbanli, among others.

Heatwave warnings have been issued in several regions of Spain and Portugal due to high temperatures, AzerNEWS reports, citing EFE.

According to Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), temperatures in the country could rise to 40°C. In response, the agency has raised the alert level across most of the country to yellow (risk) and orange (high risk).

Meteorologists have also warned that the risk of wildfires will be very high in the coming days.

Portugal’s Institute for Sea and Atmosphere has also issued heat warnings for four districts in the northeast of the country. Temperatures in these areas are also expected to approach 40°C.

As previously reported, heatwave warnings were issued in 78 departments in France due to abnormally high temperatures. In the UK, the government’s emergency COBRA meeting has been scheduled in response to an approaching heatwave.

In recent weeks, Europe has again recorded extreme heatwaves, posing an increasingly serious threat to public health. These soaring temperatures are leading to an increase in heat stress and fatalities, particularly among the elderly and other vulnerable groups.

Australian researchers have created human heart valve tissues from stem cells that could help advance treatments for childhood heart disease, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) said Wednesday, AzerNEWS reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The Melbourne-based institute said the three-dimensional tissues mimic key molecular features of human heart valves, providing researchers with a new platform to study how valves form, grow and become damaged.

The research, led by MCRI, was published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.

Heart valve disease affects around 28 million people worldwide and occurs when one or more of the heart’s four valves fail to open or close properly. It can result from developmental problems, infections or aging.

There are currently no treatments that can repair damaged heart valves, leaving many patients reliant on surgery to replace them.

For children, existing replacement valves do not grow with the body, meaning they may require multiple open-heart surgeries as they develop.

“By creating heart valve tissues that mimic the molecular features of a human version we can now test and advance new treatments at scale in the lab,” lead author Dr. Holly Voges of MCRI said in the institute’s statement.

The researchers also demonstrated that the lab-grown tissues could be used to model inflammatory valve disease, which can lead to rheumatic heart disease.

Australia has some of the world’s highest recorded rates of rheumatic heart disease, a largely preventable condition that disproportionately affects Indigenous Australians.

Enzo Porrello, director of stem cell medicine at MCRI, said engineered stem cells allowed researchers to recreate the complex structure of heart valves.

“In the future, this technology could be used to more accurately model valve disease and support the development of stem cell-derived replacement valves that grow and adapt with a patient,” he said.

With the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and organized by the Baku Public Choir, Azerbaijan’s first “AVAZ” Youth Choir Camp has been held at the Shaki Olympic Sports Complex, AzerNEWS reports.

On the first day of the camp, participants visited the monument to National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Shaki.

The opening ceremony that followed provided information about the aims and program of the camp, while talented young participants performed selections from Azerbaijani and world music.

Throughout the camp, various training sessions and activities aimed at the musical and personal development of young people were organized. Participants took part in sessions on yoga, “Choreographic Stage Movement and Stage Speech,” “Project Management,” “Team Building,” and “The Use of Digital Tools in Creativity.” An intellectual competition was also held among the young participants.

As part of the camp, a public discussion titled “Integrating Musicians into the Business Environment and Developing the Music Industry” was held. During the meeting, the participants’ questions were answered, while current challenges in the music sector and possible ways to address them were discussed.

Concert meetings featuring composer and pianist Tural Mammadli and popular guitarist Rahman Mammadli included performances of various musical pieces. The participants also exchanged views on promoting Azerbaijani musical culture internationally and expanding creative opportunities for musicians.

Interactive choir sessions led by Dmitry Babayev, senior lecturer at the Baku Music Academy, as well as master classes by Honored Artist Anar Shushali and Shola Safaraliyeva, contributed to developing the participants’ vocal and performance skills, increasing their interest in choral art, and enriching their stage experience.

On August 8, the “AVAZ” participants performed a concert program at the Iç?ri Bazar fortress complex in the Gakh district, followed by a performance at the Shaki Khan’s Palace on August 9. In addition to solo performances by the young participants, the choir performed such works as “Karabakh”, “Student”, “Bayatilar”, “Love” and “Sari Gelin”.

The main goal of the “AVAZ” Youth Choir Camp is to bring young people together around choral art, support the development of their musical and creative potential, and bring a new impetus to the development of Azerbaijan’s choral culture.

The Baku Public Choir, meanwhile, aims to make choral art accessible to a wider audience based on the principle that “music is for everyone” and to contribute to the development of an inclusive, modern, and sustainable choral culture in Azerbaijan.

Transit fees for ships passing through the Panama Canal have surged sharply amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz linked to the conflict in the Middle East and growing demand for alternative shipping routes, AzerNEWS reports, citing Financial Times.

According to the information, the average price paid in daily auctions for access to the canal’s locks has reached around $1.1 million, several times higher than last year.

The newspaper reported that in recent weeks, fees for vessels seeking priority passage through the canal’s main locks have climbed as high as $2.5 million. In some individual auctions, prices reached $3.78 million and $2.63 million, respectively.

The surge in demand has also led to a significant increase in the number of vessels waiting to transit the canal, adding to congestion and putting further pressure on shipping costs.

Previously, shipping companies could book passage through the Panama Canal in advance at a discounted price. Now, about 30% of the traffic is determined by the auction results.

Another factor is the abnormal warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean, a phenomenon known as El Niño, which can cause drought in certain regions. According to Argus, falling water levels in the Panama Canal are expected to persist as a result of El Niño, potentially putting further pressure on shipping capacity and transit costs.

Australia, Bulgaria, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, France, the United States and 33 other countries have issued a joint statement calling on “all relevant countries” to provide advance notification of launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and space launch vehicles, AzerNEWS reports.

The statement, published on the website of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, calls for notifications to be issued at least 24 hours before a launch.

The appeal is addressed to all countries, but places particular emphasis on nuclear-armed states that conduct launches of ICBMs, SLBMs and space launch vehicles.

Under the proposed notification system, countries would provide information on the general class of the ballistic missile or launch vehicle, as well as the expected launch time, launch area and direction of flight.

The countries also called for clear and timely warnings to be provided to pilots and mariners in accordance with international standards. Such notifications are intended to improve safety and reduce the risk of misunderstandings or miscalculations during missile and rocket launches.

Earlier, North Korea, according to Tokyo and Seoul, launched at least one ballistic missile – the eleventh in a row this year.