Category: Azer News

Japanese automaker Honda Motor has introduced a financial incentive program to encourage employees to actively use artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily work, AzerNEWS reports.

Employees who demonstrate advanced AI skills can receive a monthly bonus of up to ¥135,000 (approximately $920), rewarding those who successfully integrate AI tools into their professional activities.

The company has established a three-level AI certification program that includes both a written examination and an interview. Based on their performance, employees are awarded one of three competency levels in artificial intelligence.

So far, 280 of Honda’s 45,000 employees have earned AI certification, although fewer than ten currently qualify for the highest monthly bonus. Over the next few years, Honda aims to increase the number of certified AI specialists to 1,000. These employees are expected to help accelerate the adoption of AI across manufacturing and business operations while also training their colleagues.

The initiative reflects Honda’s broader strategy of improving productivity, streamlining workflows, and enhancing innovation through artificial intelligence. The company believes that wider adoption of AI will strengthen its competitiveness as the automotive industry undergoes rapid technological transformation.

Similar programs are emerging across Japan. Convenience store operator FamilyMart now considers employees’ use of AI as one of the factors in performance evaluations. However, the policy has sparked debate, as opportunities to apply AI vary considerably depending on an employee’s role and responsibilities.

Meanwhile, All Nippon Airways (ANA) has incorporated AI into its employee innovation program. One successful project involved developing an AI-powered image analysis system to monitor aircraft engine conditions, helping improve maintenance efficiency and detect potential issues earlier. The team behind the project received additional financial rewards.

According to the Nikkei Asian Review, as of March 2026, fewer than 10% of Japan’s 143 largest companies offered direct financial incentives for employees to use artificial intelligence in their work. Nevertheless, analysts expect this number to grow as businesses increasingly invest in AI-driven productivity and digital transformation.

British citizen and military veteran Matthew Roy Desmond has been detained in Georgia for more than two months after entering the country with prescription medication used to treat chronic spinal pain, according to his lawyers, AzerNEWS reports.

The defense says 49-year-old Desmond is facing serious narcotics-related charges because his medical documentation was not fully compliant with Georgian requirements when he crossed the border.

According to his legal team, Desmond entered Georgia from Trkiye through the Sarpi Border Crossing on his motorcycle in April after traveling through 25 other countries.

“He travelled through all those states without any problems. But after entering Georgia, he was detained and has now spent more than two months behind bars,” one of his lawyers, Jaba Kochlamazashvili, said during a joint press briefing in Tbilisi.

The lawyers said Desmond, who is currently being held at Gldani Prison, possessed prescriptions for all three medications he was carrying: pregabalin, buprenorphine and codeine.

However, according to the defense, the prescriptions had not been notarized and apostilled, leading Georgian authorities to arrest him on narcotics-related charges.

Desmond’s lawyers argue that the medications were legally prescribed for the treatment of his chronic spinal condition and are seeking his release.

Spain’s conservative ex-prime minister Mariano Rajoy faced criticism at home and in France Sunday after saying the neighbouring country’s national football team had “no French players”, AzerNEWS reports.

The comment, published in an opinion piece in Spanish online news site El Debate, came as Spain prepares to face France Tuesday in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final.

Spain’s current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the remark as “xenophobic”.

“There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin colour. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it,” the Socialist leader wrote on X.

“Spain belongs to those who love it and work for it. Not to those who shame it with xenophobic statements.”

French politicians have also lashed out at Rajoy’s comment.

France “has no skin colour or religion”, said French Socialist party leader Olivier Faure on X.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told French channel BFMTV that Rajoy’s comment was “absolutely unacceptable”.

Communist party leader Fabien Roussel compared Rajoy’s comment to widely criticised remarks by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla, who said after Paraguay’s elimination by France in the round of 16 that star player Kylian Mbappe was a “colonised Cameroonian who has really pretended to be French”.

“They just can’t stop themselves from slinging this disgusting racism,” said Roussel.

Naima Moutchou, France’s minister for overseas territories, called the comments evidence of “systematic and widespread hatred of France and what the nation is”.

“Every time Les Bleus win, the same racist obsessions and insults re-emerge,” she said.

“First on the 907 amendment-you know it very well, but maybe not everyone knows that-that was a very unfair move from the United States Congress towards Azerbaijan back in 1992,” President Ilham Aliyev said at the opening ceremony of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum.

“When the Freedom Support Act was adopted in the U.S. Congress to support the newly independent countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union with financial assistance, Amendment 907 was introduced by pro-Armenian senators. By the way, President Biden was one of them. He was a senator at that time, and this probably explains why we had so many difficulties with the Biden administration,” the head of state noted.

Between July 13 and 14, Shusha will welcome its fourth annual gathering, which has evolved into one of the most significant international media forums of the South Caucasus region. Nearly 160 media representatives, experts, and authorities from 54 different countries will participate in the conference, including about 30 international press agencies, over 60 top media organizations, and some 10 international institutions and corporations. Though fewer participants are expected than in the previous three forums, where 600 delegates from 81 countries participated, the calibre of the delegates and the nature of the agenda indicate that the forum is heading towards depth rather than breadth.

The theme – “The Mission of Media in Promoting Peace: Truth Restoration and Trust Re-establishment”- is more specific than the previous themes and follows the general direction of where the conference has been headed since 2022. The first one was about the trends in global media, the second one – about disinformation, the third one – about the impact of AI on information resiliency. The current theme is very much connected with the geopolitical situation in which the conference takes place – namely, a region coming out of a conflict situation, a highly weaponized global information environment in different theaters at once, and media influenced by AI to make disinformation and its detection more complex than ever before.

These sessions are divided into five groups that are interesting enough to watch to see what comes out of them. The first of these is the role of the media in building peace; this is the headline topic of the seminar, and the one that is of most immediate relevance to Shusha itself. A city that has been occupied for almost 30 years and which is now being rebuilt as the cultural capital of Azerbaijan is already going to be a provocative setting for discussions on how journalism either aids or hinders reconciliation. The second group is the question of cross-border media dialogue in a region where the two media systems have not interacted professionally for generations. Given the surrounding context, a peace process advancing through direct bilateral diplomacy, the first Azerbaijani fuel shipments reaching Armenian consumers, and a growing network of economic and transport ties being quietly rebuilt across what was recently a conflict frontier, and as much as the mention of recent developments in the region – the question is no longer whether cross-border media dialogue is desirable in principle, but whether the journalistic infrastructure and professional trust exist to make it something more than symbolic.

Third, the restoration of public trust, an issue which is worldwide in scope but even more relevant for societies which have undergone information wars during periods of conflict and are seeking to establish common ground regarding contested pasts.

Fourth, international collaboration to fight disinformation, a theme which has been featured in each of the forums’ past editions and assumes particular relevance given the well-documented extent of Russian and Iranian information campaigns during the period of normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Fifth, AI and media ethics – the link from this forum to future editions in 2024 and 2025.

The significance of this year’s forum timing lies in the surrounding context. This includes all the major events that have occurred in the region. The global information landscape related to these events is complex, contested, and rapidly changing. A forum gathering 160 media professionals from 54 countries in Shusha this week will address real and current issues regarding the region’s future and peace.

This format, comprising panel discussions, individual interviews, and interactivity, demonstrates the transition of the initiative from a conference format to something more like a working platform. The difference will depend on whether it results in any practical output (editorial norms for joint work, cooperative fact-checking systems, bilateral communication channels in the media) or remains at the level of high-level discussion. This is the key question to follow during the two days of the forum.

China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East (CSCEC Middle East) has been awarded the contract to build the new headquarters of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The development will feature a 275-meter, 55-story office tower with five underground parking levels in Kuwait City’s Sharq district, a prime waterfront business area overlooking the Arabian Gulf.

CSCEC Middle East secured the project after winning an international competitive tender organized by Kuwait’s Central Agency for Public Tenders, reinforcing the company’s strong position in the region’s construction market.

The new government complex will serve as a modern hub for foreign investors, housing a one-stop investment center, administrative offices, conference facilities, and public service areas. The building will also incorporate a range of sustainable design features, including energy-efficient double-glazed curtain walls, intelligent building management systems, and landscaped sky gardens aimed at improving environmental performance and occupant comfort.

Construction is expected to take 24 months, with completion scheduled for the second quarter of 2028.

The Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority plays a central role in implementing Kuwait Vision 2035, the country’s long-term strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil. The agency supports foreign investors by providing licensing services, tax incentives, and streamlined administrative procedures designed to attract international businesses and capital.

The contract further strengthens CSCEC Middle East’s growing portfolio in Kuwait. The company has previously delivered several landmark projects, including the Central Bank of Kuwait headquarters and major facilities at Kuwait University, underscoring its experience in delivering large-scale public infrastructure across the Gulf region. The latest project also reflects Kuwait’s continued investment in modern infrastructure as it seeks to enhance its business environment and attract greater levels of foreign direct investment.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed on Sunday that she will step down from her post, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s previous announcement regarding a large-scale overhaul of the Cabinet of Ministers, AzerNEWS reports.

“I am grateful to the President for his trust and high assessment of the work of our team. I am proud that I had the honor of leading the Government in the most difficult period in the modern history of Ukraine,” Svyrydenko wrote on her Telegram channel.

Zelensky previously revealed that he had offered Svyrydenko a new position focused on international relations, following her one-year tenure as the country’s premier.

Azerbaijani freestyle wrestler Yusif Dursunov has won the gold medal at the U20 European Championships held in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, AzerNEWS reports.

Yusif Dursunov, who competed in the 125 kg weight category, faced Russia’s Soslan Gabuyev in the final. The match ended with Dursunov’s victory, earning him the title of U20 European champion.

Wrestling remains the most widely followed sport in Azerbaijan and is governed by the National Wrestling Federation, established in 1993.

A major turning point in the nation’s wrestling legacy came at the Rio Olympic Games, where Azerbaijan distinguished itself as one of only two countries to improve its medal haul across five consecutive Olympic Games.

Azerbaijan’s success continued in 2020, when its freestyle wrestlers finished third in the overall medal standings at the Individual World Cup in Serbia, capturing two medals, one silver and one bronze, behind leaders Russia and Turkiye.

Further highlighting the country’s strength on the world stage, Osman Nurmagomedov claimed the 92 kg world title at the 2022 World Championships in Belgrade, overcoming a Russian rival in the final.

Most recently, Azerbaijan added to its Olympic record at the 2024 Summer Games, securing three bronze medals in wrestling. Hasrat Jafarov reached the podium in the 67 kg Greco-Roman category, while Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125 kg) and Magomedkhan Magomedov (97 kg) delivered bronze medals in freestyle wrestling.

The country has earned a reputation for successfully hosting major competitions, from European and World Championships to youth tournaments, welcoming athletes from around the globe with world-class venues and hospitality.

Cities like Baku, Ganja, and others have become key destinations for wrestling fans, showcasing Azerbaijan’s ability to combine a rich sporting heritage with modern event management.

The Gunay Children’s Theatre, operating under the Baku Children and Youth Theatre, has concluded its 23rd season with a guest performance of Uzeyir Hajibayli’s musical comedy “The Cloth Peddler” at the Ganja State Drama Theatre, AzerNEWS reports.

The company remained actively engaged throughout the season, performing at various theatres and cultural venues across the capital while carrying out creative and educational activities. Particular emphasis was placed on the moral, ethical, artistic, and patriotic education of children and young people.

During the season, the theatre presented musical and literary compositions dedicated to Azerbaijan’s Victory Day and State Flag Day, as well as the 130th anniversary of the birth of Sergey Yesenin. It also staged the program “Karabakh is Azerbaijan!” at the Azerbaijan National Art Museum.

In addition, the troupe participated in a gala evening marking the 100th anniversary of composer Vladimir Shainsky at the Small Hall of the Baku Music Academy. During the New Year holidays, the young performers presented a live theatrical production entitled “Winter Wonders” at the Azerbaijan State Children’s Philharmonic Hall.

A special place in the theatre’s repertoire is occupied by “We Do Not Forget,” a production based on Zarangiz Mansurova’s poem “Answer Me!” and dedicated to the Khojaly tragedy. Performed in Azerbaijani, the play was staged several times during the season. Its video version was submitted to the Mark Twain International Literary Award Competition in the United States, where the Gunay Children’s Theatre received a First Degree Diploma in the Drama category.

The company also organized Novruz holiday celebrations at the Uzeyir Hajibeyli House Museum and the Russian Cultural Center. Children from low-income families, those deprived of parental care, and children with special needs were invited to attend the festive events.

Throughout the season, the theatre participated in the final concert of the “Earth and Sky” project at the Cathedral Church, gave an open-air concert in Icherisheher (the Old City) on International Children’s Day, held a charity concert at the Rehabilitation Center for People with Down Syndrome, and visited the “Hope” Children’s Shelter, where it presented a special Azerbaijani-language program for the children.

The theatre also took part in a cultural event held as part of the “Pushkin with Nizami and Poets of All Times” project.

One of the final performances of the season was Uzeyir Hajibayli’s immortal operetta “The Cloth Peddler”, staged at the Shusha Musical Drama Theatre. Along with other guests, children with Down syndrome were invited to attend the performance.

‘We have worked on connectivity issues for a quite long time, working more actively for over 10 years,’ said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the opening ceremony of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum.

The head of state noted: “Utilizing our geographic advantages, we made efforts to build a platform for multilateral cooperation.”