Category: Azer News

Germany’s Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy said Thursday it does not expect gas shortages this winter, noting that storage levels of 60% to 70% would be sufficient for the heating season, while reserves in the country are currently around 50% full.

“A tight market situation with high prices does not yet constitute a supply crisis,” the ministry said, referring to rising commodity prices linked to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and growing tensions in the region.

Economic Affairs and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche stressed that the government is preparing “necessary” measures, including monitoring imports, LNG availability and demand, that could be ‘effectively’ deployed if the situation worsens.

A Ukrainian court has sentenced socialist activist Bogdan Syrotiuk to 15 years in prison for high treason, with his supporters arguing that the case amounts to a crackdown on political dissent during the war with Russia.

Syrotiuk, 27, was convicted on August 10 on charges of allegedly assisting Russia in its war against Ukraine. According to his supporters, however, the evidence presented by prosecutors consisted of six articles he wrote for the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS).

The articles explicitly criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin and condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while also criticising the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Syrotiuk is a member of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), a socialist political organisation. The court has also ordered the destruction of the organisation’s political literature, according to his supporters.

More than 6,000 people from around 60 countries have signed an open letter calling for Syrotiuk’s release.

His supporters have also raised concerns about his health, saying that the 27-year-old’s condition has deteriorated while in detention. They argue that the conditions in Ukraine’s prison system pose a serious threat to his health and could amount to a “death sentence.”

The case has drawn broader attention to restrictions on political activity and freedom of expression in Ukraine during the war.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian authorities have taken a number of measures against political organisations and media outlets viewed as posing security risks. The government has banned numerous political parties and restricted or blocked a large number of websites.

Supporters of Syrotiuk argue that his conviction demonstrates how wartime security measures are also being used against domestic political opponents, particularly those who criticise both Moscow and Kyiv.

Azercell has received three awards at the 2026 Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards®, recognizing the company’s achievements in human capital development and digital transformation. Azercell’s ‘Digital Transformation of the Human Capital Management System’ project received a Gold Award, the ‘Leadership Skills Development Program,’ developed in collaboration with IE Business School, received a Silver Award, and the ‘AI Bootcamp’ received a Bronze Award.

‘Investment in human capital is one of the key drivers of our company’s long-term development. As one of the leading enablers of Azerbaijan’s digital ecosystem, we invest not only in advanced technologies and digital solutions, but also in developing the knowledge and capabilities of the people who will drive this transformation forward. We believe that technological transformation creates real value when people are ready to harness new opportunities effectively and translate them into tangible business results,’ said Dilara Huseynova, Chief Human Resources Officer at Azercell.

Azercell continues to accelerate its digital transformation, integrating robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence into business processes across the company. This transformation extends to human capital management. Following the implementation of SAP SuccessFactors, 80-90% of key HR processes have been automated. AI and automation are driving greater process efficiency and enabling more data-driven decision-making.

Azercell continues to invest in employee development and strong leadership capabilities across the organization. Developed in collaboration with IE Business School, the ‘Leadership Skills Development Program’ focuses on strengthening employees’ self-management, initiative, accountability and decision-making skills, while equipping managers to lead teams effectively and support employee development.

Azercell also invests in developing the next generation of technology talent. The ‘AI Bootcamp,’ supported by Azercell, gives university students from across Azerbaijan the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of artificial intelligence and gain hands-on experience with AI technologies. The initiative supports the development of emerging AI talent in Azerbaijan and builds the skills that will be increasingly important in the future workforce.

Azercell also holds the internationally recognized Great Place to Work® certification, a global benchmark for workplace culture and employee experience. The certification is based entirely on confidential employee feedback.

The Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards® recognize outstanding programs, practices and initiatives in human capital management and their measurable impact. Entries are evaluated by an independent panel of industry experts based on their alignment with business needs, program design and implementation, innovation and measurable outcomes. The awards attract entries from leading international organizations, including Accenture, EY, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, T-Mobile, Verizon and Vodafone. Azercell’s three awards reflect international recognition of the company’s progress in technological transformation and human capital development.

‘Azerbaijan’s participation in this format (the ‘C6′ format – ed.) demonstrates our country’s contribution to strengthening interregional cooperation,’ President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with the Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA).

The president underlined that the dialogue and cooperation mechanisms established within the framework of this platform serve not only to develop interstate relations, but also to promote peace, stability and sustainable progress throughout the Eurasian space.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced on Friday that its board of directors had approved shareholder returns for 2026 totaling between 90 trillion won and 110 trillion won, equivalent to approximately $65 billion-$79.5 billion. The company described the planned returns as the largest ever announced by a South Korean company.

The package includes around 30 trillion won, or about $21.7 billion, in cash dividends for the third quarter. The remaining amount will be determined by the board at a meeting scheduled for January 2027.

Samsung said the record-breaking shareholder returns are intended to ensure that the company’s growth provides tangible benefits to investors. The strategy is designed to create a positive cycle in which stronger business performance leads to greater shareholder value and, in turn, supports long-term confidence in the company.

The board also approved a 15 trillion won ($10.8 billion) share buyback program to support employee compensation. Share buybacks can reduce the number of shares in circulation, potentially increasing the value of the remaining shares.

The announcement highlights Samsung’s strong financial position and its growing focus on returning cash to investors. It also comes as the company continues to invest heavily in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Samsung is one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers, meaning its financial decisions can have an impact far beyond South Korea. The company’s investments and spending plans are closely watched by global technology and chip markets, particularly as demand for AI-related hardware continues to grow.

Russia’s Zhukovsky and Domodedovo airports have suspended operations, while Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports are continuing to handle flights in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) said the measures were introduced to ensure flight safety. Restrictions at Vnukovo Airport have been in effect for more than two hours, while those at Domodedovo and Zhukovsky have lasted for about an hour. Restrictions at Sheremetyevo have been in place for approximately 40 minutes.

During this period, seven unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were shot down in the Moscow region.

There have been no reports of casualties or damage so far.

The first phase of the Zangazur power transmission line is nearing completion as part of efforts to connect the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to Azerbaijan’s main electricity grid and establish the Azerbaijan-Nakhchivan-Trkiye-Europe international energy corridor.

According to Azerenerji OJSC, under instructions from the country’s leadership, the company is completing construction of a 330-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line stretching 74 kilometers from Jabrayil to Aghband. The double-circuit line has a transmission capacity of 1,000 megawatts.

Construction of the line, which consists of 296 anchor and intermediate towers, each weighing more than 30 tons on average and reaching nearly 45 meters in height, is 97% complete.

Despite challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain, including during the winter, spring and summer months, Azerenerji said the project has been implemented in the shortest possible timeframe and ahead of schedule.

The next phase will involve the construction of a 100-kilometer transmission line from Ordubad to Nakhchivan, a 44-kilometer section crossing the Zangazur corridor, and a 230-kilometer line from Nakhchivan to Trkiye.

The project is considered strategically important for the full integration of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic into Azerbaijan’s unified power grid, eliminating the region’s dependence on a foreign country for frequency regulation, creating opportunities to access European energy markets, and facilitating the transmission of green energy.

The project is also regarded as one of the largest energy infrastructure initiatives in Azerbaijan’s history.

The United States Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) re-designated Lebanon’s Hezbollah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on Thursday, “for service to the Iranian regime under the command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.”

The Treasury also sanctioned 10 individuals that are part of a network responsible for transferring cash to the militia. The department claimed that the network uses couriers travelling on commercial airline flights between Lebanon, Turkey, the UAE, and Iran to move up to hundreds of millions of dollars between jurisdictions.

Hezbollah was originally designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US State Department in 1997 and under global terrorism authorities in 2001, meaning the move updates and reinforces existing terrorism classifications rather than introducing a brand-new legal authority.

Jyrtdan and Goychay Fatma, two beloved characters from Azerbaijani folklore, have been named the official mascots of the 2026 CEV Women’s Volleyball European Championship matches in Baku.

The two fairy-tale characters will play a special role during the tournament, helping create a lively atmosphere for fans while highlighting Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage.

Jyrtdan, known for his courage, resourcefulness and energy, is expected to bring excitement to the stands and entertain spectators throughout the competition. Goychay Fatma, known for her grace and sincerity, will represent Azerbaijani hospitality and help introduce the country’s traditions to visiting fans.

The two characters will serve not only as the mascots of the championship but also as symbols promoting Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage and national values.

The 2026 CEV Women’s Volleyball European Championship will be jointly hosted by Azerbaijan, Turkiye, the Czech Republic and Sweden from August 21 to September 6. Group C matches will be played in Azerbaijan, with the national teams of Azerbaijan, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania and Spain competing in the group.

Baku will host the Group C matches at the National Gymnastics Arena from August 21 to 28.

Bulgaria will provide pound 20 million this year to support preparations for the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov said following a meeting with Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov.

Ivo Hristov, who is overseeing the interdepartmental committee responsible for organizing the contest, said the government intends to provide full support for the event. The funding will cover the initial costs of hosting Eurovision, including a pound 15 million guarantee required to begin the organizational process. The remaining funds will be used for preparations and other immediate expenses.

Additional funding is expected to be included in Bulgaria’s 2027 state budget as work on the contest continues.

One of the city’s main priorities is getting the venue ready for the competition. A test concert is planned before the end of 2026, with experts from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) expected to take part. The event will allow organizers to assess the venue’s logistics, acoustics, technical equipment and overall suitability for Eurovision.

Preparations will also involve improving transport, accommodation and other infrastructure needed to accommodate the large number of visitors expected during the competition.

Burgas was selected as the host city for Eurovision 2027 earlier this month after Bulgaria secured its first-ever victory in the contest. Bulgarian singer DARA won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with her song ‘Bangaranga’, earning 516 points. She finished 173 points ahead of Israel’s Noam Bettan, setting the largest winning margin in Eurovision history.

The 2026 victory marked a historic moment for Bulgaria, which returned to the competition after a three-year absence. DARA’s win also means the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Bulgaria for the first time in 2027.

The 2027 contest will take place in Bulgaria in May, bringing one of Europe’s biggest television and music events to the country’s Black Sea coast.