Category: Azer News

Iranian judicial authorities have brought charges against the director, production team, and host of Ofogh TV following the broadcast of a controversial programme that mocked protesters killed during the January protests, Azernews reports.

The programme, titled ‘Khat-Khati’ (‘Scribbles’), aired on Sunday on Ofogh TV, a channel widely regarded as being close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. During the broadcast, host Mohammad-Hossein Mohabbati made remarks that were widely perceived as ridiculing the deaths of protesters, triggering a wave of public anger across the country.

With a mocking tone, Mohabbati claimed that the Islamic Republic had kept the bodies of those killed in ‘cold places’ so that, in the event of a future attack by the United States or Israel, the authorities could blame foreign powers for the deaths. He then jokingly asked where the bodies were being kept, offering satirical multiple-choice answers such as a ‘side-by-side fridge,’ an ‘ice cream machine,’ a ‘supermarket freezer,’ and a fourth option: ‘I’m an ice seller-don’t ruin my business.’

The comments were apparently made in response to remarks by Arjang Amir-Fazli, an Iranian actor living abroad. In a video posted on Instagram last week, Amir-Fazli claimed that the government was keeping a large number of bodies in cold storage so that ‘if Trump ever fires a missile, they can say Trump killed these people.’ His statement had already sparked widespread debate and controversy on Iranian social media.

According to Iran’s official news agency IRNA, citing the Judiciary’s Media Center, the Tehran Prosecutor has formally filed charges against the director of Ofogh TV, the programme’s production team, and the host.

In a separate statement, the Public Relations Office of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) announced that Ofogh TV’s director, Sadegh Yazdani, had been dismissed for ‘insulting the martyrs and those killed in the January events.’ The broadcaster also confirmed that the programme has been taken off air.

The incident has reignited broader criticism of state media in Iran and its handling of sensitive issues related to protests, casualties, and public trust.

At the opening of the 5th Kuwait Oil and Gas Show and Conference (KOGS) 2026, TotalEnergies and Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation, exchanging expertise, and conducting technical studies, Azernews reports.

The signing ceremony was attended by Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies; Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah, CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation; and Ahmad Jaber Al-Eidan, CEO of KOC.

The MoU includes technical studies on new exploration opportunities in Kuwait, with TotalEnergies mobilizing its expertise to support future projects.

Patrick Pouyanné said, ‘We are pleased to strengthen our cooperation with Kuwait Oil Company through this MoU, which reflects our shared ambition to contribute to Kuwait’s objectives in developing its resources. The studies to be carried out will help inform future projects, while further deepening our long-term relationship with Kuwait.’

The agreement highlights ongoing collaboration between international energy companies and national oil operators in the Gulf region, aiming to enhance resource development, technology transfer, and long-term strategic partnerships in the oil and gas sector.

In January 2026, the State Border Service of Azerbaijan continued intensive measures to protect the country’s state border and combat smuggling, illegal migration, and drug trafficking, Azernews reports.

During the month, 17 individuals were detained for violating the state border, including four Azerbaijani citizens. Foreign nationals from Pakistan, Algeria, and Iraq were also among those apprehended. In addition, three individuals were detained while attempting to cross the border using forged or false documents.

The State Border Service also reported that 117 individuals were detained for violations of border regulations.

As part of broader efforts to combat crime, border authorities detained 302 wanted individuals and handed them over to relevant law enforcement bodies. At the same time, 599 individuals were prevented from leaving the country, while eight individuals were denied entry into Azerbaijan.

In the fight against drug trafficking, a total of 120 kilograms of narcotics were seized from illegal circulation during January. Border authorities also uncovered contraband worth 6,570,790 Azerbaijani manats (around $3.86 million), including weapons, medications, and tobacco products.

The State Border Service emphasized that operations to ensure border security and counter transnational threats remain ongoing.

Employers in Azerbaijan face the greatest difficulty finding qualified personnel in sales and marketing, technical professions, and accounting and finance, Azernews reports, citing the 5th issue of the Labor Market Bulletin by the State Employment Agency reports.

According to the bulletin, the sectors with the most acute staff shortages are:

Sales and marketing: 16.7%

Technical professions: 15.8%

Accounting and finance: 15.3%

Construction and manual labor: 9.5%

Trade: 9.5%

Tourism and service sector: 8.6%

Agriculture and livestock: 7.7%

Office and administrative support: 6.3%

Healthcare: 5.4%

Over the past year, the majority of job vacancies in companies were posted in technical professions (21.2%), followed by sales and marketing (17.1%) and accounting and finance (13.5%). Construction and manual labor, as well as agriculture and livestock, each accounted for 13.1% of vacancies. Vacancies in trade stood at 10.4%, office and administrative support at 9.5%, healthcare at 7.2%, and the tourism and service sector at 6.8%.

The data highlights a persistent demand for skilled professionals in technical and commercial fields, reflecting ongoing workforce challenges across Azerbaijan’s labor market.

On February 3, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan observed the joint operational-tactical exercise Peace Shield – 2026, conducted with the participation of servicemen from the armed forces of both countries in Abu Dhabi.

The exercise, conducted in urban, mountainous, and maritime environments, involved tasks such as detecting and neutralizing illegal armed groups, restoring control over a seized vessel, neutralizing terrorist elements and releasing hostages, evacuating the wounded, preventing riots and sabotage-type activities threatening public security, and conducting firefighting operations.

The main goal of the exercise is to enhance the professional skills of military personnel in counterterrorism operations, contribute to lasting peace, and facilitate the exchange of experience between the armed forces of Azerbaijan and the UAE.

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.

According to the Service, intelligence suggests that a significant number of Azerbaijani citizens have been killed, gone missing, or sustained injuries while fighting in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Several individuals are also reportedly being held in captivity.

Following targeted investigations, four citizens have been formally detained. Real Eldaniz oglu Nabiyev (born 1991), Faris Famil oglu Huseynov (born 1993), Ali Elnur oglu Mammadov (born 1994), and Murov Hasan oglu Mirhashimli were found to have participated in combat operations under the control of various armed groups. In January 2026, these individuals were taken into custody, and a court has ordered their pre-trial detention.

The State Security Service reiterates that joining such foreign armed conflicts is a serious criminal offense under Azerbaijani law. The agency warned that strict legal measures will continue to be enforced against any citizen found guilty of participating in military actions on foreign soil.

AI-generated songs are becoming increasingly popular on music streaming platforms. A great number of music lovers are drawn by catchy melodies.

Thanks to platforms like Suno AI and Loudly, anyone can create a full-fledged song with just a few lines of description.

Neural networks are already acting as creative assistants, generating melodies, beats, arrangements and even vocal parts, which in turn, reduces the time from idea ti prototype.

However, copyright and creative ethics remain serious concerns, weighing heavily on the global music industry.

Battle for Voice: Invisible Expansion of AI

Around 50,000 music tracks created by algorithms are uploaded to digital platforms every day. The latest studies conducted by industry giants like Deezer and Ipsos show that 97 per cent of listeners cannot distinguish an AI track from the work of a real composer.

Modern neural networks generate sound in studio-quality 48 kHz, simulating the natural breathing of a vocalist and micro-performance errors previously considered the exclusive domain of humans.

Moreover, the rapid growth of AI has sparked an unprecedented wave of lawsuits. At the forefront is the RIAA’s lawsuit against leading developers of music neural networks. Major labels (Sony, Universal, Warner) are accusing startups of massive copyright infringement as their models were trained on millions of protected tracks without permission.

Moreover, the landmark “ELVIS Act” was passed in the US in order to protect an artist’s voice and image from unauthorised copying.

Celebrities like Billie Eilish and Nicki Minaj have openly spoken out against the predatory use of artificial intelligence.

Hacking Dopamine System

Scientists have discovered that the brain perceives AI music as a kind of “junk food.” It’s saturated with very pleasant harmonies, causing an immediate dopamine response. However, this instant gratification conceals a trap as the perfect mathematical precision of AI rhythms causes rapid auditory fatigue.

The human brain is hardwired to search for errors and unique intonations, and when they’re absent, music quickly turns into background noise.

Moreover, research at the Higher School of Economics has confirmed the existence of the N400 effect. Our brain subconsciously registers a semantic inconsistency when it hears the voice of a familiar artist in a generated context. So, we can sense a catch even before we realise it.

Despite criticism, AI music generates a soundscape that helps people quickly enter a state of deep focus or deep sleep. This personalised therapy is 40 per cent more effective than standard meditation records.

Despite criticism, AI music generates a soundscape that helps people quickly enter a state of deep focus or deep sleep. This personalised therapy is 40 percent more effective than standard meditation recordings. This opens the way to “digital medicines” where music is tailored to each individual’s brain at a specific moment in time.

Diminishing Role of Recording Artists

In the era of classical recording studios, music instruments significantly contributed their share of live energy.

The writing process could take years. Composers, musicians, and performers could spend years working on songs that would later become hits and make history. Each song was a source of inspiration, imbued with true feelings and emotions.

The physical contact with the instrument, the vibration of the soundboard, is essential for the formation of neural connections.

However, what is the reality we see today? Unfortunately, from a creator, the human has become a curator.

The music artist no longer builds a song note by note. He sifts through endless AI-generated iterations, choosing the “least bad” option.

Back to Basics: How to Preserve Humanity in the World of Algorithms?

We’ve reached a point where technology can simulate everything but an authentic experience.

In a world of content deluge, the value of human creativity and the real physics of sound has skyrocketed.

Interestingly, the reaction to the onslaught of artificial intelligence has been a sharp rise in interest in analogue technology.

Tape recordings, the use of vintage tube microphone and live music have become the hallmarks of high art.

In a world where music becomes background noise for productivity, it’s important to make time for active listening. Live concerts and physical recordings are becoming the new “digital detox.”

True art is born in the resistance of the material, not in pressing a single “Generate a hit” button. The future of the music industry depends on our attention.

AI can write billions of songs, but only humans decide which one will live forever in their hearts. Our ability to experience a wide range of emotions and empathize through sound is something algorithms won’t be able to replicate until we stop appreciating it ourselves.

NGC 7722 is located approximately 187 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Pegasus. Also known by its catalog names IRAS 23361+1540, LEDA 71993, and UGC 12718, this lenticular galaxy was first discovered by German astronomer Heinrich Louis d’Arrest on August 12, 1864, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

‘A lenticular (lens-shaped) galaxy is a type that occupies a middle ground between the more familiar spiral galaxies and elliptical galaxies,’ astronomers from Hubble said in a statement.

‘These galaxies are also less common than the other two types, in part because their appearance can be ambiguous, making it difficult to classify them definitively as either spiral, elliptical, or something in between.’

‘Many lenticular galaxies exhibit features from both spiral and elliptical galaxies,’ they explained. ‘In the case of NGC 7722, it lacks the well-defined arms characteristic of a spiral galaxy. However, it has an extended, glowing halo and a bright central bulge, similar to those found in elliptical galaxies.’

‘Unlike elliptical galaxies, NGC 7722 retains a visible disk, with concentric rings swirling around its bright nucleus,’ they added.

The galaxy’s most striking feature is the long, winding lanes of dark red dust that coil around its outer disk and halo.

The new image of NGC 7722, captured by Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), brings these stunning dust lanes into sharp focus, revealing the intricate structure of the galaxy in unprecedented detail.

‘Dust bands like those seen in NGC 7722 are not uncommon in lenticular galaxies, and they stand out against the smooth, broad halo of light that typically surrounds these galaxies,’ astronomers noted.

The unique dust lanes of NGC 7722 are believed to be the result of a past merger with another galaxy, a phenomenon often seen in lenticular galaxies.

‘While the precise formation process of lenticular galaxies remains unclear, it’s widely accepted that mergers and other gravitational interactions play a crucial role in their evolution. These events can reshape galaxies, depleting their gas reserves while simultaneously bringing in new dust and material,’ the astronomers explained.

Lenticular galaxies, like NGC 7722, are often considered to be ‘fossil galaxies,’ as many of them appear to be in the later stages of their evolution. They typically lack the gas and dust needed to form new stars, making them less active than their spiral counterparts. However, the presence of these dark dust lanes suggests that some lenticular galaxies, such as NGC 7722, might still be undergoing subtle changes, hinting at their complex and dynamic histories.

Azerbaijan aims to significantly increase financial inclusion and accelerate the next phase of digitalization in the country’s payment ecosystem. According to projections, the digitization of consumer-to-business (C2B) payments, which stood at 32% at the end of 2023, is expected to nearly double by 2027. Over the same period, business-to-business (B2B) payments among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are projected to rise from 5-10% to 15-20%.

As reported by Azernews, the forecast comes from a report titled ‘The Next Wave of Digitalization in Azerbaijan’, prepared by Mastercard in collaboration with the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CBA).

The report highlights that Azerbaijan has made notable progress, particularly in digitizing consumer payments:

‘In 2023, the digitization level of consumer payments reached 32% and was expected to rise to 38% by the end of 2024. The ‘Cashless Azerbaijan’ initiative, launched in 2017 in partnership with Mastercard, has played a decisive role in accelerating consumer payment digitalization in recent years. Thanks to the successful implementation of these initiatives and effective stakeholder support, Azerbaijan has taken significant steps in digital transformation.’

However, the report notes that SME payments still hold substantial potential for digitization. Creating synergy between consumer and SME payment digitalization could position Azerbaijan as a regional leader in digital payments.

Building on the 2017 initiative, the 2024 study ‘The Next Wave of Digitalization in Azerbaijan’ aimed to further accelerate payment digitization and expand credit access. The research analyzed both C2B and B2B payment flows, segmenting them by payment methods and behavioral patterns to identify opportunities and challenges.

‘A diagnostic analysis covering over 15 key areas was conducted to determine the main obstacles in segments still heavily reliant on non-digital payments. The study combined market assessments, surveys, focus groups, stakeholder interviews, mystery shopping exercises, and the insights of Mastercard Advisors on Azerbaijan’s economic dynamics.’

Following the diagnostic phase, the study evaluated more than 60 initiatives from over 40 countries with similar digital development stages. Twenty-two initiatives were identified as highly suitable for Azerbaijan, with detailed roadmaps developed for their implementation.

‘This process established the strategic and practical steps needed to advance the next wave of digitalization in Azerbaijan,’ the report concluded.

The findings indicate that Azerbaijan is poised for a significant leap in both consumer and SME payment digitalization, laying the foundation for broader financial inclusion and enhanced economic efficiency across the country.

On February 3, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting with Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, in Abu Dhabi, Azernews reports.

Mohamed Abdelsalam fondly recalled his visits to Azerbaijan and meetings with the Azerbaijani President. He once again congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on receiving the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.

Expressing his gratitude for the congratulations and the high award, President Ilham Aliyev praised the efforts of the Zayed Foundation, especially the essential role it plays in promoting the humanitarian legacy and human values of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, across the globe.

President Ilham Aliyev’s receipt of this award was also assessed as a reflection of the high regard expressed by Pope Leo XIV and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, for the President’s efforts toward establishing peace.