Day: February 17, 2026

Recent data from the United States has shown that inflation increased at a slower pace than anticipated in January. Consumer prices rose by 0.2 percent month-on-month, slightly below analysts’ expectations of 0.3 percent, while the annual increase reached 2.4 percent, marginally under the forecast of 2.5 percent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the rise in service costs drove much of the inflation, including airline tickets, healthcare, entertainment, personal care, and communication services, while prices for used vehicles, household furnishings, and car insurance declined.

The International Mugham Center has honored the musical legacy of well-known mugham master, People’s Artist Alibaba Mammadov, AzerNEWS reports.

In January 2026, Azerbaijan transported 95,800 tons of cargo worth $171.5 million via maritime routes, AzerNEWS reports, citing the State Customs Committee. Compared to the same period last year, the value of maritime shipments fell by…

#SouthCaucasus #GayRights #litmustest
Gay Rights is the litmus test of the state of the Civil Rights in the South Caucasus in general. It does not do any good to deny the right to the personal happiness to the 5-15% of the population, often well educated and artistic. These pic.x.com/BSvi5dCHlo

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 17, 2026

#SouthCaucasus #GayRights #litmustest
Gay Rights is the litmus test of the state of the Civil Rights in the South Caucasus in general. It does not do any good to deny the right to the personal happiness to the 5-15% of the population, often well educated and artistic. These pic.x.com/hkMYwxqW9K

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 17, 2026

S&P has downgraded the sectoral risk component rating for Azerbaijan’s banking sector within the framework of the Banking Sector Country Risk Assessment (BICRA), reducing it from level 8 to level 7, AzerNEWS reports.