Category: Azer News

Baku in February is a city of contrasts: the Caspian’s cold breath mixes with the warm glow of street lamps, and the historic stone walls of the Old City stand beside modern towers of glass and steel.

For couples, this contrast creates a uniquely romantic setting, one where a Valentine’s dinner can be as intimate as a candlelit table and as dramatic as a night overlooking the sea.

The city’s leading hotels and restaurants get ready to present exclusive Valentine’s Day experiences, while Baku’s public spaces create the perfect setting for a romantic evening stroll.

Below are the most reliable and meaningful ways to celebrate love in Baku, based on confirmed events, hotel Valentine’s programs, and well-known dining venues:

Concert “For Lovers” at Heydar Aliyev Palace:

On Valentine’s Day evening, Azerbaijani singer Abbas Baghirov returns to one of Baku’s grandest stages with a special concert titled “For Lovers”.

The event will take place at Heydar Aliyev Palace after more than a decade since his last major solo show in Baku.

Baghirov is recognized as an Honored Artist of Azerbaijan and has a long career rooted in both popular and romantic repertoire.

For this event, his set list is expected to reflect the theme of love, with selections likely drawn from both classic and contemporary Azerbaijani songs that resonate with the holiday’s spirit

Valentine’s Special at Hayal Kahvesi

Also on 14 February, Baku’s popular night music venue Hayal Kahvesi will host Miri Yusif for a dedicated Valentine’s Day concert. This is a contemporary live music event aimed at a younger, passionate audience wanting a festive, high-energy celebration

Miri Yusif is a celebrated Azerbaijani artist known for blending genres like pop, soul, and folk into performances that engage audiences with both lyrical depth and dynamic stage presence.

His concerts often create an atmosphere that is simultaneously joyful and reflective, fitting for a celebration of love.

Candlelight Concert at Chamber and Organ Music Hall

One Baku’s most atmospheric musical experiences returns with its Valentine’s edition at the Chamber and Organ Music Hall. This performance is part of the internationally celebrated Candlelight concert series, a concept that brings live music to life under soft, warm candle-like lighting in intimate historic venues.

The concert program for the evening weaves together a selection of well-known local and international film melodies and romantic classical pieces, delivered by a live ensemble typically featuring strings and piano in delicate harmony.

The full performance runs for about 60 minutes, and on Valentine’s Day, there are two identical sessions you can choose from – the first around 18:30 – 19:30 and the second around 20:30 – 21:30, allowing visitors to plan their evening around the show.

The candle-lit setting creates an intimate atmosphere that enhances the emotional resonance of each piece played, making the event especially suited for couples seeking a refined Valentine’s experience.

Fuad Akhundov: Baku in Love Stories

Baku Music Academy’s Opera Studio will host a special creative musical evening by Fuah Akhundov, titled “Baku in Love Stories”. This show is scheduled as part of the city’s cultural program for Valentine’s Day and promises a unique blend of music and storytelling that centers on the theme of love as experienced through the city of Baku itself.

Unlike a traditional pop or classical concert that focuses on performance alone, Fuah Akhundov’s program is formatted as a thematic creative evening. The central idea of the event is to explore and express love through musical expression, personal narratives, and cultural reflections that are tied to the city, its history, people, and romantic motifs.

The creative evening is designed to include both musical segments and narrative elements, with live singing and thematic interludes that connect each piece to the idea of Baku’s historic and everyday love stories.

Valentine’s Day Festival in UNESCO Site

The Old City (Icherisheher) became the site of a special Valentine’s celebration that stretches from 7 February through 14 February with activities and public attractions dedicated to couples and visitors interested in marking Day of Love.

The central gathering point for this festival is Gosha Gala Square, one of the most picturesque public spaces inside the ancient citadel, surrounded by narrow cobblestone streets, fortification walls, and centuries-old architecture.

The square and parts of the Old City are adorned with Valentine’s motifs – heart-shaped lights, ornamental banners, and romantic design elements, creating a warm, visually memorable environment for couples and visitors.

Specially designed areas for photographs are set up throughout the festival zone, inviting couples to capture moments in thematic frames and against bespoke backdrops that celebrate love and the historic charm of Icherisheher.

Local artisans and vendors participate in small markets or pop-up stands, where visitors can find romantic souvenirs, handcrafted gifts, and themed keepsakes to commemorate the occasion.

Baku in February is a city of contrasts: the Caspian’s cold breath mixes with the warm glow of street lamps, and the historic stone walls of the Old City stand beside modern towers of glass and steel.

For couples, this contrast creates a uniquely romantic setting, one where a Valentine’s dinner can be as intimate as a candlelit table and as dramatic as a night overlooking the sea.

The city’s leading hotels and restaurants get ready to present exclusive Valentine’s Day experiences, while Baku’s public spaces create the perfect setting for a romantic evening stroll.

Below are the most reliable and meaningful ways to celebrate love in Baku, based on confirmed events, hotel Valentine’s programs, and well-known dining venues:

Concert “For Lovers” at Heydar Aliyev Palace:

On Valentine’s Day evening, Azerbaijani singer Abbas Baghirov returns to one of Baku’s grandest stages with a special concert titled “For Lovers”.

The event will take place at Heydar Aliyev Palace after more than a decade since his last major solo show in Baku.

Baghirov is recognized as an Honored Artist of Azerbaijan and has a long career rooted in both popular and romantic repertoire.

For this event, his set list is expected to reflect the theme of love, with selections likely drawn from both classic and contemporary Azerbaijani songs that resonate with the holiday’s spirit

Valentine’s Special at Hayal Kahvesi

Also on 14 February, Baku’s popular night music venue Hayal Kahvesi will host Miri Yusif for a dedicated Valentine’s Day concert. This is a contemporary live music event aimed at a younger, passionate audience wanting a festive, high-energy celebration

Miri Yusif is a celebrated Azerbaijani artist known for blending genres like pop, soul, and folk into performances that engage audiences with both lyrical depth and dynamic stage presence.

His concerts often create an atmosphere that is simultaneously joyful and reflective, fitting for a celebration of love.

Candlelight Concert at Chamber and Organ Music Hall

One of Baku’s most atmospheric musical experiences returns with its Valentine’s edition at the Chamber and Organ Music Hall. This performance is part of the internationally celebrated Candlelight concert series, a concept that brings live music to life under soft, warm candle-like lighting in intimate historic venues.

The concert program for the evening weaves together a selection of well-known local and international film melodies and romantic classical pieces, delivered by a live ensemble typically featuring strings and piano in delicate harmony.

The full performance runs for about 60 minutes, and on Valentine’s Day, there are two identical sessions you can choose from – the first around 18:30 – 19:30 and the second around 20:30 – 21:30, allowing visitors to plan their evening around the show.

The candle-lit setting creates an intimate atmosphere that enhances the emotional resonance of each piece played, making the event especially suited for couples seeking a refined Valentine’s experience.

Fuad Akhundov: Baku in Love Stories

Baku Music Academy’s Opera Studio will host a special creative musical evening by Fuah Akhundov, titled “Baku in Love Stories”. This show is scheduled as part of the city’s cultural program for Valentine’s Day and promises a unique blend of music and storytelling that centers on the theme of love as experienced through the city of Baku itself.

Unlike a traditional pop or classical concert that focuses on performance alone, Fuah Akhundov’s program is formatted as a thematic creative evening. The central idea of the event is to explore and express love through musical expression, personal narratives, and cultural reflections that are tied to the city, its history, people, and romantic motifs.

The creative evening is designed to include both musical segments and narrative elements, with live singing and thematic interludes that connect each piece to the idea of Baku’s historic and everyday love stories.

Valentine’s Day Festival in UNESCO Site

The Old City (Icherisheher) became the site of a special Valentine’s celebration that stretches from 7 February through 14 February with activities and public attractions dedicated to couples and visitors interested in marking the Day of Love.

The central gathering point for this festival is Gosha Gala Square, one of the most picturesque public spaces inside the ancient citadel, surrounded by narrow cobblestone streets, fortification walls, and centuries-old architecture.

The square and parts of the Old City are adorned with Valentine’s motifs – heart-shaped lights, ornamental banners, and romantic design elements, creating a warm, visually memorable environment for couples and visitors.

Specially designed areas for photographs are set up throughout the festival zone, inviting couples to capture moments in thematic frames and against bespoke backdrops that celebrate love and the historic charm of Icherisheher.

Local artisans and vendors participate in small markets or pop-up stands, where visitors can find romantic souvenirs, handcrafted gifts, and themed keepsakes to commemorate the occasion.

Moulin Rouge: Musical Tale of Passion and Drama

On 14 February 2026, audiences in Baku will have the opportunity to witness a passionate theatrical production titled “Moulin Rouge Musical Show”, staged for Valentine’s Day at the JAM SS Theatre.

The performance presents anintense and emotionally charged narrative built around the themes of love, jealousy, passion, and betrayal. It draws inspiration from the legendary world of “Moulin Rouge”, the famed Parisian cabaret that has captured imaginations for over a century as a symbol of romance, glamour, and dramatic intensity.

Rather than being a simple revue or light entertainment, this musical production is described as a dramatic and immersive stage story: behind the glittering surface of luxury and spectacle lie shattered fates, dangerous desires, and love that can destroy as much as it enchants. The narrative explores how passion can both illuminate and devastate the human heart.

In this “Moulin Rouge” adaptation, audiences can expect vivid staging, emotive musical numbers, and scenes that capture both the allure and the darker edges of passionate love, making it a compelling choice for couples and theatre lovers, marking Valentine’s Day.

bp and TPAO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly evaluate new opportunities in the oil and gas sector, reinforcing energy cooperation between the two companies, AzerNEWS reports, citing a LinkedIn post by Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, bp’s Vice President for the Caspian Region.

The agreement was signed in Istanbul and outlines the parties’ intention to collaborate both in Trkiye and internationally. Under the MoU, bp and TPAO will assess potential cooperation in areas including the development of discovered hydrocarbon resources, evaluation of exploration prospects, strengthening oil export capacity and expanding gas transportation infrastructure.

The move signals a strategic step toward deeper upstream and midstream collaboration, as both companies seek to enhance regional energy development and explore international growth opportunities. The partnership may also contribute to strengthening Trkiye’s role in regional energy transit and supply diversification.

Further details regarding specific projects or timelines have not yet been disclosed.

The White House is currently reviewing the list of goods subject to import duties and is considering reducing tariffs on certain products, particularly in the metals sector, AzerNEWS reports.

Last summer, US President Donald Trump signed a decree that doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, raising them from 25% to 50%. According to reports, some government officials believe that these high duties have been negatively affecting consumers by driving up prices on a wide range of products, including packaged foods and beverages.

Officials also note that the current tariff system has become overly complex and difficult to manage, prompting calls for simplification. The proposed easing of tariffs could have significant implications for key US trading partners, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union.

Trade analysts suggest that reducing tariffs could not only ease consumer costs but also strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with allies. At the same time, critics warn that lowering duties may impact domestic metal producers who have benefited from protectionist measures, highlighting the delicate balance policymakers must navigate. Some experts also note that this potential adjustment could be an early sign of a broader shift toward more pragmatic trade policies in response to global economic pressures.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, together with First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, arrived in the Federal Republic of Germany on February 13 to attend the Munich Security Conference, AzerNEWS reports.

Ukraine’s Armed Forces have released updated figures on Russian military losses since the start of the full-scale invasion, reporting continued heavy attrition across personnel, equipment, and weapons systems, AzerNEWS reports.

According to data published by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, from February 24, 2022, to February 13, 2026, Russian forces have suffered approximately 1,250,950 personnel losses, including about 800 over the past day.

The cumulative losses also include:

435 aircraft

347 helicopters

11,667 tanks

24,028 armored combat vehicles

37,254 artillery systems

1,642 multiple launch rocket systems

1,300 air defense systems

133,392 operational-tactical unmanned aerial vehicles

4,286 cruise missiles

28 ships and boats

2 submarines

78,268 vehicles and fuel tanks

4,070 units of special equipment

In addition, the Ukrainian military reported significant Russian equipment losses over the past 24 hours alone. According to the General Staff, Ukrainian forces destroyed:

5 tanks

3 armored combat vehicles

41 artillery systems

1 air defense missile system

1 heavy machine gun system

1,239 unmanned aerial vehicles

16 cruise missiles

127 trucks and fuel vehicles

The General Staff noted that the figures are being (clarified) as combat operations continue and stressed that the data reflects confirmed losses based on operational reports from the battlefield.

The latest update underscores the sustained intensity of fighting and the growing toll on Russian military capabilities as the war enters its fourth year.

Google has unveiled an updated version of its Gemini 3 Deep Think, an AI platform designed to tackle complex problems in science, engineering, and advanced research, AzerNEWS reports.

Developed in collaboration with scientists, the system is optimized for research challenges where data may be incomplete, contradictory, or where no single ‘correct’ answer exists.

The Deep Think mode is now available in the Gemini app, but full access is limited to Google AI Ultra subscribers. For the first time, the platform can also be accessed via the Gemini API, allowing engineers, researchers, and companies to integrate its capabilities into their own workflows after applying for permission.

According to Google, Gemini 3 Deep Think has achieved impressive results across multiple benchmarks. In the Humanity’s Last Exam, the system scored 48.4% without external tools. On the ARC-AGI-2 benchmark, it achieved 84.6%. In programming tests on Codeforces, the model earned an Elo rating of 3455. In the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad tasks, it performed at a gold medal level, with similar high marks in chemistry and physics Olympiads. On the CMT-Benchmark for theoretical physics, the system scored 50.5%.

Based on Gemini 3 Deep Think, Google DeepMind developed an AI agent called Aletheia. Aletheia is capable of analyzing scientific hypotheses, identifying flaws in reasoning, and suggesting refined solutions. Notably, the agent can recognize when a problem is beyond its capabilities and indicate that no answer can be provided.

To tackle complex research, Aletheia leverages Google search tools and web navigation. When reviewing scientific literature, it minimizes errors and avoids citing nonexistent sources – a frequent problem for AI in academic contexts.

Developers evaluated the agent’s performance across five levels of autonomy. In fully autonomous mode, Aletheia proposed potential solutions to three open problems posed by renowned mathematician Paul Erdos, though these were classified as ‘minor novelties.’ Among 700 unresolved Erdos problems analyzed, it suggested solutions for 13; nine of these had already been solved, leaving only four genuinely new contributions. Of 212 proposed solutions overall, only 6.5% were considered ‘meaningfully correct,’ with the remainder containing errors or misinterpreted problem statements.

Developers acknowledge that the system still tends to simplify problem formulations to increase the likelihood of finding an answer, and it remains more error-prone than human experts.

Despite these limitations, Gemini 3 Deep Think and Aletheia are being hailed as promising tools for accelerating scientific research. Experts believe that while AI is not yet capable of replacing professional scientists or mathematicians, it can serve as a powerful assistant – helping researchers explore hypotheses, test ideas, and sift through massive amounts of data far more efficiently than before.

Some futurists even speculate that, over time, agents like Aletheia could become collaborators in frontier research, helping humans tackle problems once considered too complex or computationally intensive to approach.

China’s space program, aiming to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030, conducted a test flight of a new reusable booster and crew capsule late Tuesday (US time), yielding spectacular results, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) described the demonstration as ‘a significant breakthrough in the development of China’s manned lunar exploration program.’ China and the United States are effectively racing to achieve the next human Moon landing, a contest fueled by both national prestige and interest in lunar resources. The Long March 10 rocket and the Mengzhou spacecraft, both tested on Tuesday, are central to China’s lunar architecture.

A subscale version of the Long March 10 rocket lifted off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island at 10 p.m. EST Tuesday (11 a.m. Beijing time Wednesday). The launch allowed engineers to verify critical systems in the new Mengzhou capsule. Flying without a crew, the spacecraft ascended on the booster before activating its abort motors just over a minute into flight, simulating an in-flight escape at maximum aerodynamic pressure (Max-Q). The capsule then deployed parachutes and splashed down safely offshore from Hainan Island.

Unlike NASA and SpaceX abort tests-where boosters are typically expended-the Long March 10 first stage continued ascending after the capsule separated. Powered by its kerosene-fueled YF-100 engines, it reached space, reentered the atmosphere, reignited its engines, and made a precise propulsive landing in the South China Sea next to a recovery barge. CMSA confirmed that both the booster and capsule landed safely in designated areas.

A recap video from Chinese state media highlights the successful test. CMSA said it verified ‘the functional performance of the rocket’s first-stage ascent and recovery, as well as maximum dynamic pressure escape and spacecraft recovery,’ while also collecting valuable data for future manned lunar missions.

The Mengzhou capsule, whose name means ‘dream vessel,’ will ferry astronauts from Earth to lunar orbit, where they will transfer into a lander for Moon missions. It is also expected to service China’s space station in low-Earth orbit, gradually replacing the Shenzhou capsule used since the 1990s. The spacecraft is designed for multiple reuses and can carry up to seven astronauts in low-Earth orbit missions, with smaller crews for lunar flights. Its first orbital test flight is scheduled later this year, when it will dock with the Tiangong space station.

The Long March 10 rocket, capable of placing payloads up to 70 metric tons into low-Earth orbit, will eventually transport the 26-metric-ton Mengzhou spacecraft to the Moon. CASC, China’s leading state-owned aerospace contractor, said the recovery of the booster sets the stage for ‘subsequent full-profile flight tests’ and marks a ‘significant step’ in mastering reusable rocket technology.

China’s progress comes amid a surge in domestic reusable rocket initiatives, with at least ten companies developing rockets at various stages of maturity, aiming to rival SpaceX’s successes. In December, Chinese launch providers tested the Zhuque-3 and Long March 12A rockets with partially reusable boosters, and several companies have carried out high-altitude vertical takeoff and landing tests.

These advancements coincide with NASA’s preparations to send a crew of four astronauts on a loop around the far side of the Moon next month. While China demonstrates rapid progress in reusable rockets and lunar exploration, US lunar lander technology for crewed Moon missions is still several years from readiness.

Yuriy Husyev, Ukraine’s ambassador to Baku, has expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for the humanitarian assistance provided to Kyiv, AzerNEWS reports, citing a post share by the ambassador on his X account.

Husyev noted that he oversaw the delivery of generators from Azerbaijan to Irpin together with Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, and Seymur Mardaliyev, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Ukraine.

“Grateful for Azerbaijan’s steadfast support for Ukraine.,” Husyev wrote.

Earlier, Azerbaijan’s ambassador had confirmed that humanitarian aid from Baku had successfully reached Kyiv.

A fresh political controversy has emerged in Azerbaijan following a public statement by the State Security Service (SSS) and the release of an official video concerning the detention of former senior official Ramiz Mehdiyev. Authorities say 17 million manat in cash was confiscated during searches connected to the investigation. The SSS has framed the case as part of a broader inquiry into an alleged network accused of seeking to undermine the constitutional order.

According to the official reports circulating in commentary, the alleged network included figures such as Abbas Abbasov and opposition leader Ali Karimli. The authorities claim the group operated in coordination with foreign intelligence services and sought to organise a change of power through unconstitutional means. These claims have not been independently verified, and those named have previously rejected accusations of wrongdoing in other contexts.

The SSS alleges that the network aimed to destabilise the country by fostering social tension, influencing public opinion and damaging Azerbaijan’s international standing. Particular emphasis has been placed on the period preceding the 2020 conflict in and around former Nagorno-Karabakh (now Qarabag), known domestically as the V?t?n Mharib?si (Patriotic War). Official narratives suggest that certain actors attempted to cultivate a perception of military defeat and internal fragility during that period.

In a related development, opposition journalist Ganimat Zahid, editor-in-chief of the opposition newspaper Azadliq, posted a message on social media declaring that he had attempted to organise a coup against the authorities. The statement has added a further layer of complexity to an already sensitive investigation, although it remains unclear how or whether his remarks are connected to the SSS case.

Cases involving allegations of coup plotting and foreign interference are not unique to Azerbaijan. In recent years, a number of governments have confronted similar crises. In 2016, an attempted coup in Turkiye targeted the administration of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leading to mass arrests and a sweeping security response. In 2021, supporters of then US President Donald Trump (at present) stormed the United States Capitol in an event widely described as an unprecedented challenge to the American constitutional process. Meanwhile, several post-Soviet and African states have experienced military or political upheavals framed by authorities as externally encouraged destabilisation efforts.

Analysts note that allegations of foreign involvement are frequently central to coup investigations, particularly in geopolitically sensitive regions. The South Caucasus, situated between Russia and Iran, remains an area of strategic competition, and domestic political disputes are often interpreted through a wider regional lens.

In Azerbaijan, the authorities have repeatedly emphasised the importance of safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order. Supporters of the government argue that decisive action is necessary to prevent instability. Critics, however, have historically called for transparency and due process in politically sensitive investigations. At the time of writing, the legal proceedings in the current case are ongoing, and detailed judicial findings have not yet been made public.

The unfolding investigation is likely to shape Azerbaijan’s domestic political climate in the months ahead. Beyond the immediate legal questions, it also raises broader issues about national security and the balance between dissent and stability in a region where both internal and external pressures remain acute.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current head of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has come under renewed scrutiny after a video resurfaced in which he downplays the risks posed by infectious diseases, using a controversial personal anecdote, AzerNEWS reports.

In the video, RFK Jr. says he is ‘not scared of a germ,’ claiming that he ‘used to snort cocaine off of toilet seats,’ before adding that he is aware the disease in question could potentially kill him. The remarks, delivered in a casual tone, have triggered criticism given his current role as the top US health official responsible for overseeing public health policy, disease prevention, and crisis response.

Public health experts and commentators argue that such statements risk trivializing the seriousness of infectious diseases and could undermine public trust in health guidance, particularly at a time when clear communication from authorities is considered critical. Critics note that personal risk tolerance should not be conflated with public health messaging, especially from an official tasked with protecting vulnerable populations.

Supporters of RFK Jr. counter that the comments were informal and taken out of context, emphasizing his broader skepticism toward what he has described in the past as exaggerated public health fears. Nonetheless, the video has reignited debate over whether his rhetoric aligns with the responsibilities of leading HHS, an institution central to managing disease outbreaks, vaccination programs, and national health emergencies.

The World Uncertainty Index (WUI) has reached an unprecedented peak, surpassing levels previously recorded during some of the most turbulent events in modern history, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Iraq War, the 2008 global financial crisis, and even the COVID-19 pandemic, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), which compiles the index, this spike signals that global uncertainty has reached a historical high, reflecting widespread instability across political, economic, and social spheres.

The WUI measures the frequency of the term ‘uncertainty’ in country reports, providing a unique lens to quantify how unpredictable or volatile conditions are perceived globally.

The more often the word “uncertainty” is mentioned in EIU country reports, the higher the country’s uncertainty index.

Higher uncertainty generally translates into lower investment, slower economic growth, and increased financial volatility.

Last year, the WTI hit its ATH of 106,862.2 during Q3 and remained only slightly below 100,000 during Q4.

The global tariff tensions, geopolitical conflicts in Eastern Europe, West Asia, and Latin America, the weakening dollar, and the threat to the Federal Reserve’s independence during the Donald Trump administration are the primary factors behind the uncertainty.

U.S. market rallying amid record ‘uncertainty’

But it might seem strange why a metric indicating uncertainty has been hitting record highs while nearly all the major market indicators are performing exceedingly well on the charts.

Whether it’s the NASDAQ Composite (above 24,000 points), the Nasdaq 100 (above 26,000 points), or the S and P 500 (above 7,000 points), nearly every market benchmark has been hitting new record highs.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index-an index of the value of the USD relative to a basket of foreign currencies-is at its lowest point at around 95.

So, the U.S. market is rallying higher while the general public is losing faith in the fiat currency.

The dollar debasement has driven traders to flock to precious metals like gold and silver. Gold surpassed $5,500 per ounce and silver surpassed $100 per ounce to hit new record prices recently.

But unlike precious metals, Bitcoin (BTC) has failed to leverage the dollar debasement trade of late.