Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan’s judokas will participate in the Grand Prix tournament in Zagreb, Croatia, Azernews reports.

The competition, which is part of the International Judo Federation’s calendar, will be held from November 14 to 16.

Azerbaijan will be represented by a total of 15 judokas (12 men and 3 women) across 9 weight categories.

The men’s team will be led by Robert Kravchik, the head coach of the national men’s team, while Amina Abdellatif will coach the women’s team.

For the men, Hseyn Allahyarov and Murad Muradli will compete in the 60 kg category, Islam Rahimov and Nazir Talibov in the 66 kg, Ibrahim Aliyev and Rufat Shovlatov in the 73 kg, Vusal Qalandarzade in the 81 kg, Aslan Kotsoev and Vugar Talibov in the 90 kg, Ajdar Baghirov in the 100 kg, and Jamal Gamzatkhanov and Kanan Nasibov will represent Azerbaijan in the +100 kg category.

For the women, Konul Aliyeva will compete in the 48 kg category, while Aydan Valiyeva and Gultaj Mammadaliyeva will compete in the 52 kg category.

The three-day tournament will feature 397 athletes (230 men and 168 women) from 48 countries.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art across the country. The President of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation is Rashad Nabiyev.

The country’s modern judo history was laid by Mehman Azizov, who won a silver medal at the Old World Championship in 1998.

A year later, the winner of the World Youth Games in Moscow, Rasul Salimov, grabbed the bronze medal at the European Championship in Slovakia. Another national judoka, Elchin Ismayilov, became the European champion in 2000 in Wroclaw.

However, the achievements of Azerbaijani judo fighters did not stop there. Elnur Mammadli was named the best in the 73 kg division at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The list of the country’s top judo fighters includes Rustam Orujov, Irina Kindzerskaya, Mammadali Mehdiyev, Elmar Gasimov, Hidayat Heydarov, Zelym Kotsoiev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.

At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, judokas Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg) and Zelym Kotsoiev (100 kg) earned gold medals for Azerbaijan.

Turkiye’s growing focus on data security policies and strategic cloud investments has begun attracting strong international attention. With its expanding digital infrastructure, the country is moving closer to becoming a regional data hub for global technology and investment. Backed by private sector initiatives and international partnerships, this transformation has taken a major step forward with a new collaboration between Turkcell and Google Cloud.

The two companies signed a strategic agreement to establish a Google Cloud Region in Turkiye, marking a milestone in the nation’s digital ecosystem. Under the agreement, Turkcell will partner with Google Cloud to provide the necessary infrastructure for the new region, which is planned to become operational between 2028 and 2029. The cloud zone will consist of three or more data centers, forming a hyperscale cloud region capable of hosting advanced digital services. The companies revealed that it took nearly two and a half years of preparation to reach this stage.

‘This is more than just an agreement – it’s a significant step forward in Turkiye’s digital journey,’ said Turkcell CEO Ali Taha Koç. He announced that Turkcell plans to invest $1 billion in data centers and cloud technologies as part of the partnership. ‘For the first time, Turkiye will host a hyperscale cloud region. Through this agreement and our broader cloud operations, we will accelerate the country’s digital growth, creating over $5 billion in annual economic value. Our customers will gain instant access to the world’s most advanced AI and cloud technologies, fully compliant with national regulations. Turkiye’s data will stay in Turkiye,’ he emphasized.

Highlighting the global significance of the project, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said, ‘This new region will bring all of our cloud computing services to Turkiye and become part of our global network of 42 cloud regions.’ Kurian noted that the Turkish region will offer the same advanced features available in cloud regions across the United States – including accelerated computing power, high-performance storage, advanced network infrastructure, cybersecurity systems, data analytics, and AI-based processing tools. He underscored Google Cloud’s long-term commitment to Turkiye, saying the company aims to help Turkish developers and businesses process, interpret, and innovate with data using Google’s AI technologies.

Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz also congratulated the two companies, stating that the partnership will accelerate Turkiye’s digital transformation. ‘This agreement reflects the confidence that leading global technology brands have in our economy’s strength, resilience, and capacity for innovation,’ Yilmaz said. ‘By integrating advanced data infrastructure and next-generation cloud technologies into our digital ecosystem, this partnership will enhance efficiency and innovation across both the public and private sectors.’

He added that the collaboration supports Turkiye’s vision to strengthen its digital sovereignty and establish itself as a regional hub for technology, connectivity, and sustainable growth.

Meanwhile, Turkcell CEO Ali Taha Koç also shared the company’s third-quarter financial results, reporting strong growth across all metrics. ‘In the third quarter, we maintained a solid financial performance while increasing investments. Our revenues rose 11 percent year-on-year to ?60 billion ($1.8 billion), and we achieved an EBITDA margin of 43.9 percent. Net profit from continuing operations grew 32 percent to ?5.4 billion ($162 million). Our mobile subscriber base surpassed 39 million, giving us a 40 percent market share – nearly 10 million more than our closest competitor,’ Koç said.

He added that Turkcell exceeded expectations in the first nine months of the year and revised its year-end targets upward:

‘We are raising our revenue growth forecast to around 10 percent and our EBITDA margin target to the 42-43 percent range. Our data center and cloud business, where we’ve rapidly become the market leader, grew 51 percent in revenue. With a total investment of pound 545 million ($585 million), our data centers now have an active capacity of 50 MW, following the addition of 8.4 MW this quarter. We’ve also revised our growth outlook for data center and cloud revenues upward to around 43 percent.’

On November 13, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Samir Nuriyev introduced Jeyhun Jalilov, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, to the public of the Autonomous Republic, Azernews reports.

Prior to the event, they visited a statue of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the city of Nakhchivan, and put flowers in front of it.

Speaking at the ceremony, Samir Nuriyev stated that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev always keeps the social, economic and cultural development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in the spotlight.

Noting that important measures have been undertaken to develop Nakhchivan as part of the constructive efforts in the country, the head of the Presidential Administration mentioned that the ‘State Program on the socio-economic development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027’ has been adopted. He added that the main goal is to boost the development of the Autonomous Republic by achieving sustainable economic and social growth, and ensure its comprehensive integration into the country’s economy.

It was stated that in accordance with the Action Plan for the implementation of the State Program, the existing opportunities should be used more effectively and all forces should be mobilized to create a favorable business environment, and to promptly and efficiently fulfill the tasks related to the development of trade, export-oriented industry, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, the social sphere, human capital and other areas.

Touching upon the statements made by the President of Azerbaijan at the reception on November 12 regarding the new appointments, the head of the Presidential Administration emphasized that the head of state considers service to the people, humility, and a responsible approach to official duties as the primary working principles, and that in their activities officials should be guided by these principles.

Samir Nuriyev conveyed the instructions and recommendations of the President of Azerbaijan to the new leadership of the Autonomous Republic, expressing his hope that he would live up to the confidence placed in him by the President of Azerbaijan.

Jeyhun Jalilov expressed his deep gratitude to the head of state for the high level of trust and noted that he would live up to the trust placed in him.

More than half a million students across South Korea took the country’s notoriously difficult university entrance exams on Thursday, with police and public services mobilized nationwide to ensure test-takers arrived at their venues on time, Azernews reports.

According to the Ministry of Education, 554,174 applicants were registered this year – a 6% increase from last year and the highest number since 2019. Most candidates were born in 2007, a year that saw a temporary baby boom as it was considered a particularly auspicious time for childbirth.

To minimize disruptions, the government imposed a 35-minute flight ban during the English listening test, except for emergency situations. The measure affected around 140 flights, including 65 international arrivals and departures. Air traffic data showed planes circling airports, as the Ministry of Transport restricted aircraft flying below 3,000 meters.

Banks, government offices, and financial markets opened an hour later than usual to help reduce morning traffic and allow students to reach test centers smoothly.

The nine-hour exam, known as the Suneung (College Scholastic Ability Test), is widely regarded as a life-defining event in South Korea’s hypercompetitive society. Success in the test often determines not only university placement but also future job prospects and social standing.

Interestingly, several superstitions and rituals surround exam day. One of the most well-known taboos is eating seaweed soup, as its slippery texture is believed to symbolize ‘slipping up’ on the test, prompting many households and restaurants to avoid serving it on exam day.

Experts note that the surge in test-takers this year reflects a brief demographic anomaly. About 496,000 babies were born in 2007, marking a short-lived rebound in the birth rate that had been declining since the mid-1990s. Today, however, South Korea faces one of the fastest-aging populations in the world, with birth rates again hitting record lows.

The intense focus on education has shaped South Korea’s economic miracle, but it has also fueled debates about mental health, work-life balance, and the pressure on youth. In recent years, some policymakers have suggested reforms to make the system more flexible – yet for now, exam day remains one of the most solemn and dramatic days of the Korean year.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Justice Farid Ahmadov held a meeting with his Georgian counterpart Paata Salia, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Justice.

Minister Ahmadov expressed his satisfaction in welcoming the guest to Azerbaijan and emphasised that the relations between the two countries, based on mutual trust, continue to develop successfully not only on a bilateral level but also within international organisations.

He noted that the fact that Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze paid their first official visits abroad to Azerbaijan after assuming office this year reflects the sincere nature of bilateral relations and their foundation on mutual respect.

During the meeting, the sides discussed studying international experience to improve the fields of enforcement, special enforcement, and probation; conducting effective exchanges of best practices with Georgia in these areas; and the positive contribution of the 2022 Batumi Law Forum and the Memorandum of Cooperation signed during that event to the development of bilateral relations. The parties also exchanged views on holding joint events in the future and expanding cooperation into new areas.

Both ministers underscored that digitalisation in the justice sector remains a priority for both countries. The Azerbaijani side highlighted the innovative steps taken to digitalise enforcement processes, including the ‘Electronic Auction’ platform, the ‘Mobile Enforcement’ application, and the AI-powered ‘E-qanun.ai’ legal search platform, which provides access to documents and the legislative database.

The meeting concluded with both sides noting that the visit and discussions would make a significant contribution to the exchange of experience and ideas, as well as to the further strengthening of legal cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Chinese tech giant Baidu unveiled two new artificial intelligence chips on Thursday at its annual developer and client event. The chips are designed to power next-generation AI models and reduce China’s reliance on US chipmaker Nvidia, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

The M100, developed by Baidu’s unit Kunlunxin Technology, is engineered to improve inference efficiency in AI models that use the mixture-of-experts technique. Meanwhile, the M300 is intended for training ultra-large multimodal models with trillions of parameters, enabling cutting-edge AI research and applications.

Commenting on the announcement, Executive Vice President Shen Dou said the M100 will be fully released in early 2026, while the M300 is expected in 2027. He highlighted that the chips will provide powerful, low-cost, and controllable AI computing capabilities, supporting China’s goal of AI self-sufficiency.

Experts note that these chips could not only strengthen Baidu’s AI ecosystem but also position China as a major player in the global AI hardware race, challenging the dominance of Western chipmakers. With the M100 and M300, Baidu aims to accelerate AI adoption across industries, from autonomous driving and healthcare to finance and natural language processing.

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By Alimat Aliyeva

Fuel reserves in Bulgaria are running low, with gasoline
expected to last only about 35 days and diesel about 50 days,
according to a statement from the Bulgarian Agency for State
Reserves, Azernews reports, citing Reuters.

The situation worsened after the United States imposed sanctions
at the end of October 2025 on two major Russian oil corporations,
Lukoil and Rosneft. Lukoil operated the country’s largest oil
refinery in Burgas and owns hundreds of gas stations across
Bulgaria, making the sanctions particularly disruptive.

Experts warn that the sanctions are causing concern within the
Bulgarian government, especially with winter approaching. Although
Bulgaria maintains reserves of crude oil and petroleum products
abroad, importing them will take time, potentially leaving the
country vulnerable in the short term.

In response, the Bulgarian government has taken several measures
to ensure energy security. Fuel exports, primarily diesel and
aviation fuel, have been temporarily banned to other EU countries.
Additionally, last week the Bulgarian parliament passed a law
allowing the Burgas refinery to be temporarily placed under state
control for transfer to a new owner, protecting it from the impact
of American sanctions.

Analysts note that Bulgaria’s swift actions could serve as a
model for other European nations heavily reliant on Russian energy,
highlighting how geopolitical moves can have immediate effects on
local energy markets.

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Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.

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