Category: Azer News

The platform of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council plays a crucial role in sharing expertise, shaping strategies, and strengthening mutual trust, Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, said during a ministerial session held within the framework of the council, AzerNEWS reports.

Speaking at the event, Kvrivishvili emphasized that the Southern Gas Corridor clearly demonstrates what can be achieved through joint efforts, contributing to enhanced energy security and diversification.

According to the minister, Georgia proudly contributes as a transit country and has been an active supporter of the Southern Gas Corridor initiative.

‘When it comes to international energy projects, we are open to any proposals and cooperation opportunities. This will help create a healthier and more stable environment where energy demand is met both within the region and beyond,’ she stated.

Energy security remains one of Georgia’s top priorities. The minister noted that the country has developed a long-term strategy and a 10-year action plan aimed at further developing its energy sector. By 2036, Georgia plans to achieve full energy self-sufficiency and increase its installed capacity by an additional 11.5 GW, which would also expand export potential.

Kvrivishvili highlighted one of the key regional initiatives – the Black Sea energy cable project, which will pass through Georgia to Romania, enabling the transmission of clean energy to Europe. In parallel, Georgia is working with Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary on the development of the Green Energy Corridor, including the installation of electricity interconnectors.

‘This infrastructure is not only an initiative but a shared commitment,’ she said, stressing that renewable energy holds a central place in Georgia’s strategy.

The country plans to implement more than 6,000 MW of electricity projects, including wind and solar power plants. If realized, these projects will establish a stable framework for renewable energy supply. The government is also reviewing delayed projects and seeking to attract new investments to accelerate their implementation.

Georgia remains firmly committed to continued regional cooperation and to contributing to energy security and the delivery of clean energy. ‘Through such partnerships, we believe we can ensure a more reliable, sustainable, and interconnected energy future,’ the minister concluded.

Anticipation is growing in Baku as preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix are in full swing, AzerNEWS reports citing the Baku City Circuit (BCC) Operations Company.

The paddock is undergoing reconstruction, signaling that the city is gearing up to host yet another spectacular racing event.

The paddock will be set up in its usual location along Neftchilar Avenue, directly in front of the Government House. Organizers have urged both pedestrians and drivers to exercise caution around the area during the construction period.

The Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 is scheduled to take place from September 24 to 26. Once again, the world’s premier motorsport event will bring tens of thousands of visitors to Baku.

Recall that Dutch driver Max Verstappen produced a commanding performance in 2025, leading all 51 laps, claiming victory by a margin of over 14 seconds.

Second place went to George Russell for Mercedes, and the podium was completed by Carlos Sainz in a strong showing for Williams, securing the team’s first full-race podium since 2021.

Iran entered this year following the forceful suppression of large-scale mass protests, marking a turbulent start to an already fragile political environment. Shortly thereafter, diplomatic efforts to ease tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program stalled. The second round of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran, held on February 17, ended without progress. A third round of talks took place in Geneva on February 26 but also failed to produce results. Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on the development of its nuclear program.

In the early hours of February 28, Israel and the United States launched airstrikes against Iran. Following reports of the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, images circulated suggesting a divided public response inside the country. While some groups demonstrated support for the ruling establishment, others, particularly younger Iranians, reacted differently, with visible signs of relief or celebration. Against a backdrop of mounting social and political tensions, questions have arisen about the durability of Iran’s internal stability.

To assess the situation, we spoke with Iranian political analyst Mohammad Rahmanifar, who argues that Iran is already deeply fragmented along social and political lines.

According to Rahmanifar, a segment of the population remains loyal to the government due to ideological and religious convictions, particularly rooted in Shiite beliefs. ‘A certain portion of the population stands behind the government and mourns Khamenei’s death,’ he said. ‘For many of them, this is not only political but ideological and religious. I believe they will remain loyal to the government to the very end, as they have until now.’

However, he stresses that a broader segment of society, especially the youth, has grown weary of the current leadership. Over the past two decades, Iran has experienced repeated waves of large-scale protests, reflecting deep societal dissatisfaction. ‘If we look at the timeline, particularly over the last ten years, we have witnessed major anti-government protests roughly every three years,’ Rahmanifar noted. ‘Three years ago, there were widespread protests. Just one month ago, there were large-scale demonstrations again. Each time, the authorities suppressed them with significant bloodshed.’

He referred specifically to the protests in early January of this year, citing figures indicating that more than 30,000 people were allegedly shot and killed during the unrest. According to the analyst, the families of those victims remain deeply aggrieved, and the killing of Khamenei does not address or heal those wounds. ‘In my personal view, Iran could fracture internally at any moment,’ Rahmanifar said.

Even if the current government manages to withstand external military pressure from the United States and Israel – a prospect Rahmanifar views as uncertain – he believes domestic stability would remain elusive. ‘Even if the government defends itself against the U.S. and Israel, it will not be able to restore order. On the contrary, many people appear to be watching how far this war will go and may be waiting for an opportunity to resume protests,’ he argued.

Beyond the immediate political crisis, concerns are growing over potential ethnic and regional fragmentation within Iran’s multiethnic society. In particular, developments in Kurdish-populated areas have drawn attention. Rahmanifar claims that several Kurdish organizations have recently published maps that include cities in Iran’s South Azerbaijan region, such as Urmia and Sulduz, as part of a proposed Kurdish territory.

‘In recent days, five Kurdish organizations have made statements in which they included certain South Azerbaijani cities in their maps, presenting them as Kurdish cities,’ he said.

He further alleged that some of these groups are affiliated with or linked to organizations such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its Iranian offshoot, PJAK, which he described as having a history of militant activity. According to Rahmanifar, political activists in cities such as Urmia and Tabriz have expressed greater concern about potential territorial claims by Kurdish groups than about the broader U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict.

The analyst also pointed to intensified airstrikes in western South Azerbaijani cities, questioning their strategic rationale. He cited attacks on locations such as Sayin Qala (Persian name – Shahin Dej), Sulduz, and facilities linked to local police and border guard commanders in Urmia. ‘Some of these locations appear to have little strategic value for the United States or Israel,’ he said. ‘This raises the question: what is the broader objective?’

Rahmanifar suggested that the strikes may be creating conditions for future developments on the ground. He claims there are preparations underway that could enable Kurdish armed groups to launch systematic operations in South Azerbaijan under the pretext of opposing the current Iranian government, while potentially seeking territorial gains.

Such a scenario, he argues, would have broader regional implications, particularly for Turkiye and Azerbaijan, given the large population of ethnic Azerbaijanis living in Iran. ‘There are millions of South Azerbaijani Turks,’ he said. ‘In that context, specially Turkiye cannot remain indifferent to the fate of their ethnic kin.’

As tensions escalate both externally and internally, Iran faces a complex and volatile convergence of military confrontation, political unrest, and ethnic sensitivities, factors that together raise serious questions about the country’s near-term stability and territorial cohesion.

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the ratings of Southern Gas Corridor CJSC (SGC) and seven other infrastructure companies operating across emerging markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), following an update to its corporate rating criteria, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the agency, the decision follows revisions to its ‘Corporate Rating Criteria’ and ‘Industry Navigators – Supplement to the Corporate Rating Criteria’ dated January 9, 2026. The update, however, did not affect the existing ratings or outlooks of the companies concerned.

Southern Gas Corridor profile assessment

Fitch’s evaluation of SGC’s business and financial profile includes the following components:

Management: bbb- (low relative importance)

Sector indicators: bbb+ (medium importance)

Market and competitive position: bbb (medium)

Asset diversification and quality: bbb (medium)

Operating performance: bbb (high importance)

Profitability: bbb (low importance)

Financial structure: a+ (medium importance)

Financial flexibility: bbb+ (medium importance)

Other companies affirmed

In addition to SGC, Fitch affirmed the ratings of:

Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company (KEGOC)

Namibia Water Corporation Limited

GDZ Elektrik Dagitim Anonim Sirketi

Nama Electricity Distribution Company SAOC

Oman Electricity Transmission Company SAOC

Regional Electrical Power Networks JSC

National Power Company Ukrenergo

Fitch emphasized that the updated methodology had no impact on the ratings and outlooks currently in force for all listed issuers.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Monday that all 11 Iranian ships operating in the Gulf of Oman have been destroyed, according to AzerNEWS.

‘In the last two days, the Iranian regime had 11 vessels in the Gulf of Oman. Today, that number is ZERO,’ CENTCOM stated on the social media platform X. The command emphasized that Iran has a long history of harassing and attacking international shipping in the Gulf of Oman and affirmed its commitment to safeguarding free maritime navigation, declaring, ‘Those days are over.’

Iran has not acknowledged these losses.

This announcement followed US President Donald Trump’s remarks on Sunday, where he claimed that nine Iranian naval ships had been sunk, a figure he later increased to ten on Monday, also stating that Iranian naval headquarters had been ‘largely destroyed.’

The naval campaign is part of a joint military operation between the US and Israel that began on Saturday and has resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran has launched drone and missile strikes aimed at Gulf nations that host US military installations.

The most massive stars in the universe are born brilliant, live fast by cosmic standards, and die young. In this sense, WOH G64 can be considered the stellar equivalent of Jimi Hendrix – dazzling, powerful, and destined for a dramatic finale, AzerNEWS reports.

According to astronomers, WOH G64 is one of the largest known stars. It has a mass about 28 times that of the Sun and is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. Observations spanning more than three decades reveal that it behaves unlike any other star previously studied.

Scientists still have only a partial understanding of the life cycles of the most massive stars, and in this respect, WOH G64 offers valuable new insights.

In 2014, researchers detected a change in the star’s color, indicating that its surface temperature had increased as it transitioned from red to yellow. Previously classified as an extreme red supergiant, it rapidly evolved into a yellow hypergiant – a transformation that occurred astonishingly quickly by cosmic standards. Remarkably, no clear signs of a major eruption or explosion accompanied this shift.

‘Typically, stellar evolution unfolds over billions of years. On human timescales, we only witness sudden and violent phenomena such as eruptions, stellar mergers, or explosive deaths,’ said astronomer Gonzalo Muñoz-Sánchez, lead author of the study published this week in Nature Astronomy.

Muñoz-Sánchez, who conducted the research at the Athens National Observatory, noted that existing stellar models cannot fully explain WOH G64’s unusual transformation. Compared to the Sun, the star is about 300,000 times more luminous and roughly 1,500 times larger in diameter. If it replaced the Sun at the center of our Solar System, its outer layers would extend beyond the orbit of Jupiter and nearly reach Saturn. A beam of light would take about six hours to travel once around its immense circumference – a mind-bending scale.

Astronomers estimate that WOH G64 is around 10 million years old and approaching the end of its life. For comparison, the Sun is about 4.5 billion years old and is expected to shine for another 5 billion years. WOH G64 lies approximately 160,000 light-years from Earth – meaning the light we see today began its journey when early humans were first appearing on our planet.

Stars with masses between about eight and twenty-three times that of the Sun typically become red supergiants and eventually explode as supernovae. However, the fate of stars in the 23-30 solar mass range remains uncertain. They may explode as supernovae, collapse directly into black holes, or transition between evolutionary phases before their final collapse. Black holes are extraordinarily dense objects whose gravity is so strong that not even light can escape.

‘The behavior of WOH G64 may help answer this question,’ Muñoz-Sánchez explained.

Adding further complexity, observations suggest that WOH G64 is gravitationally bound to a companion star, forming a binary system. Although astronomers have not yet determined the companion’s exact size or properties, there is speculation that the two stars may have interacted closely or even partially merged in the past. Such interactions can dramatically alter stellar evolution and may explain the star’s unusual behavior.

Researchers have proposed that a violent instability may have temporarily caused WOH G64 to appear as an extreme red supergiant before it began returning to a hotter, yellow state. Another possibility is that interactions with its companion star created the illusion of a red supergiant phase.

Interestingly, stars like WOH G64 are also prolific cosmic forges. In their turbulent interiors, they create heavy elements – such as oxygen, silicon, and eventually iron – that are later scattered across space when the star dies. These elements become the building blocks of new stars, planets, and potentially life itself.

As astronomers continue to monitor this extraordinary system, WOH G64 may significantly reshape our understanding of how the most massive stars evolve – and how they ultimately meet their spectacular end.

Azerbaijan has held talks with TotalEnergies on the full-scale development of the Absheron gas-condensate field, as part of broader energy cooperation efforts.

As reported by AzerNEWS, Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov shared details of the discussions on his official X account. The minister said he met with TotalEnergies Senior Vice President Martina Oppizi to review progress on the next phase of the Absheron field’s development.

The parties also explored measures to reduce the carbon footprint of operations and discussed cooperation on a 35 MW wind power plant project, which will be implemented as part of the next stage of grid strengthening.

The talks reflect Azerbaijan’s continued focus on expanding gas production while integrating renewable energy solutions and improving sustainability in its energy sector.

Melania Trump presided over a United Nations Security Council meeting on children and education in conflict on Monday in New York, amid ongoing US military operations in Iran, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

Her remarks focused on the importance of education in fostering ‘tolerance and world peace’ among children affected by war and crises.

This marked the first time a spouse of a world leader has presided over a UN Security Council session. Trump did so on behalf of the United States, which holds the rotating presidency of the council this month.

During the session, the first lady also extended her condolences to the families of US service members who have lost their lives, though she did not reference any specific military operations.

Observers noted that her role highlights an unusual precedent in international diplomacy, where first spouses take on more visible responsibilities on the global stage. Some analysts suggest this could signal a broader effort by the US to promote ‘soft power’ initiatives, emphasizing humanitarian and educational agendas even during periods of military engagement.

Interestingly, several delegates praised her approach for bringing attention to the plight of children in conflict zones, while others viewed it as a carefully crafted symbolic gesture amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Azerbaijan will be represented at the 13th Umut International Young Film Forum in Bishkek from March 4 to 7, AzerNEWS reports citing Kyrgyz media.

The event aims to support newly launched projects, contribute to the professional development of young filmmakers, and promote international cooperation in the film industry.

The forum is organized by the public foundation “Umut Art Cinema” with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic.

This year, the forum’s motto is “With Love from Paris.” The event is dedicated to the People’s Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, actor and painter Dogdurbek Kydyraliyev, as well as the veteran of Kyrgyz cinema, film scholar, critic, and educator Seyit Bokonbayev.

The forum covers two main areas – a competition and an industry platform. Within the program, international and national competitions will be held, along with special screenings that provide opportunities to meet the filmmakers.

This year, films from Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and several other countries will be presented.

Within the “Umut Industry” platform, master classes, lectures, presentations, and professional meetings will be organized. The main event will be the presentation of projects in the short-feature film category.

Azerbaiajn marks the 115th anniversary of the birth of the legendary mugham master and People’s Artist Bahram Mansurov, AzerNEWS reports.

To honor his enduring legacy, the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, together with the International Mugham Center, hosted a gala evening attended by prominent figures from the music world, cultural luminaries, and devoted admirers of mugham.

The event was hosted by Academician Rafael Huseynov, who traced the milestones of Bahram Mansurov’s life and career, emphasizing that his artistic heritage continues to inspire contemporary performers.

Hailing from the illustrious Mansurov family, which has played a pivotal role in preserving and popularizing classical Azerbaijani mugham, Bahram Mansurov grew up in Icherisheher, immersed in a musical environment where melodies were part of everyday life.

This rich cultural upbringing profoundly shaped his professional path. In 1932, at the invitation of Muslim Magomayev (grandfather of the legendary singer Muslim Magomayev), he joined the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, to which he remained devoted throughout his life. Mansurov became the first Azerbaijani musician whose mugham performances were recorded by UNESCO, first on vinyl and later on CDs, and distributed worldwide.

A particularly heartwarming moment of the evening was the celebration of the 70th birthday of Rafael Mansurov’s son and artistic heir, Elkhan Mansurov. The Director of the International Mugham Center, Honored Artist Sahib Pashazade, presented him with a congratulatory letter, recognizing his contributions to the development of national music.

Tributes and reminiscences of the great tar player were shared by People’s Artists Vamig Mamedaliyev, Sardar Farajov, Mokhlet Muslimov, Alim Gasimov, along with Honored Art Worker Zemfira Gafarova, Honored Artist Razi Shukurov, and associate professor of the Baku Music Academy, Mahmud Aliyev.

Eldar Mansurov, son of the legendary musician, composer, and People’s Artist, expressed his gratitude to the organizers for honoring his father’s memory and emphasized the importance of preserving the traditions of the national musical school.

The evening concluded with a concert featuring acclaimed mugham performers, a vibrant testament that the art and spirit of Bahram Mansurov continue to live on and resonate with audiences today.

Bahram Mansurov was born on February 12, 1911, in the historic Icherisheher area of Baku, into a family deeply immersed in music and Azerbaijani cultural traditions. His grandfather, the musicologist Meshadi Malik Bay, hosted gatherings where mugham masters, singers, and musicians from across the country would perform, attended by notable figures such as Seyid Azim Shirvani, Khurshidbanu Natavan, and Abdurrahim Bey Hagverdiyev, which shaped Mansurov’s early musical development.

Surrounded by traditional instruments, Mansurov spent countless hours experimenting with music, guided by his father Meshadi Suleyman Bay and his uncle Mirza Mansur, both accomplished tar players. From a young age it was clear that mugham ran in his blood. His formal education began at a madrasa and continued at a Russian-Tatar school, and in 1921, after Azerbaijan became part of the Soviet Union, he enrolled in the 10th First Grade School with his older brother Agha Malik, beginning a lifelong dedication to music.

Despite frequent changes in schools, Mansurov pursued his musical passion relentlessly. By the age of 19, he was invited by composer Muslum Magomayev to join the first notated folk instrument orchestra and later became a soloist tar player at the Opera and Ballet Theater, performing with leading vocalists including Huseyngulu Sarabski, Yaver Kelenterli, Hajiaga Hajibababayev, Alovsat Sadigov, Haqiqet Rzayeva, Rubaba Muradova, Sara Gadimova, and Zeynab Khanlarova.

From 1978 to 1983, his performances of Azerbaijani mugham were recorded and shared worldwide by UNESCO, establishing him as a cultural ambassador for Azerbaijan. As a child he displayed exceptional talent, performing complex mugham pieces such as Rast, Chahargah, Bayati-Shiraz, and Qatar by the age of twelve or thirteen. In 1929 he joined the Azerbaijan State Eastern Orchestra and later the State Philharmonic, performing alongside prominent musicians like Jabbar Garyagdioglu, Khan Shushinski, Hajiaga Hajibababayev, and Gurban Pirimov.

Mansurov toured extensively across Azerbaijan and the Soviet Union, bringing traditional music to a broad audience. In 1931, he became part of the first notated folk instrument orchestra under Magomayev and later became lead tar player at the Radio Committee, performing solo and in a trio with Gilman Salahov on kamancha and Khalig Babayev on qaval, often broadcast live on the radio.

His connection to the Opera and Ballet Theater was lifelong. Inspired at age eleven by a performance of Leyli and Majnun, he joined the theater in 1932, accompanying Huseyngulu Sarabski in the role of Majnun. For 54 years his tar accompanied the nation’s top vocalists in mugham operas, with his artistry guided directly by composers, including Uzeyir Hajibayli.

Beyond concerts, Mansurov led a military ensemble in 1934-35, preparing the group for the Transcaucasian Music Olympiad in Tbilisi, earning national recognition. During the Great Patriotic War, he performed tirelessly for soldiers at the front and in hospitals, and from 1941 to 1944 toured Iran, introducing Azerbaijani opera and mugham to audiences familiar with him only through radio broadcasts.

In 1941, he began teaching mugham at the Baku Music Technical School, creating his own method based on his father and uncle’s traditions. He stressed both technical mastery and the historical and cultural context of each mugham, ensuring students understood the music’s roots.

Mansurov played a key role in preserving Azerbaijani mugham through recording. He was the first Azerbaijani musician whose interpretations of Chahargah and Rast were transcribed into notation. UNESCO recorded his performances of Bayati-Shiraz, Humayun, Shur, Bayati-Kurd, and Chahargah, sharing Azerbaijani music worldwide. His son Eldar transcribed the complete repertoire of mugham, dastgahs, and other traditional forms that Mansurov performed.

In 1971, the Opera and Ballet Theater celebrated Mansurov’s 60th birthday and 40 years of artistic work with a gala featuring all the mugham operas he had accompanied, and the documentary Chalir Bahram Mansurov honored his talent and influence. As a consultant, jury member, and mentor, he ensured mugham thrived. His unique tar technique, mizrabi-destkari, involved playing with the left hand only, without a pick, a method previously used only by masters like Sadigjan, Meshadi Suleyman, and Mirza Mansur, making him the sole practitioner of this style in his generation.

Bahram Mansurov passed away on May 14, 1985, in Baku at the age of 74, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire musicians worldwide. His personal archive, preserved by his wife Munevver Khanum, remains a vital resource, and his sons Eldar, Aydin, and Elkhan continue the family’s musical tradition, keeping the Mansurov name alive in Azerbaijani music. His music continues to bridge past and present, guiding future generations of artists.