Category: Azer News

Singapore will launch its own national space agency on April 1, aiming to ‘fully harness the value and opportunities of the rapidly growing global space economy,’ the country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry announced on Monday. The ministry will also oversee the operations of the new agency, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

‘Singapore’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, microelectronics, precision engineering, and artificial intelligence position us well to seize new opportunities in the space technology sector,’ the ministry said in a statement.

Global investment in space technology is expected to continue rising after reaching record levels in 2025, according to data from investment firm Seraphim Space. The announcement was made during Singapore’s inaugural space summit by Tan See Leng, the minister overseeing energy and technology at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The National Space Agency of Singapore will be responsible for developing and operating the country’s space capabilities, as well as creating legislation and regulatory frameworks to support innovation, startups, and commercial space activities.

Singapore is already home to around 70 space-related companies, employing approximately 2,000 professionals across the space value chain, from satellite development and data analytics to downstream applications such as climate monitoring and navigation services.

Interestingly, despite its small size, Singapore has already launched multiple satellites into orbit and is increasingly focusing on Earth observation and space-based data services, areas seen as critical for climate research, urban planning, and disaster response in the Asia-Pacific region.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is exploring the expanded use of remote monitoring technologies, including drones and data modeling tools, to improve the assessment of its assets.

As reported by Azernews, Bora Engin, Manager for Digitalization and Operational Technologies at SOCAR Downstream, shared these insights during an interview with Honeywell’s Communications Director, Nadiya Dubani.

Engin noted that SOCAR plans to scale these technologies across other facilities and business segments, including its upstream operations.

He emphasized that digitalization has significantly enhanced data accuracy and transparency across the company’s operations.

‘The installation of sensors and cameras has enabled real-time monitoring and early leak detection, reducing false alarms and strengthening rapid response capabilities,’ Engin said. ‘The data we collect can also be used to forecast future energy savings. Wireless, battery-powered solutions are especially valuable for remote sites. These technologies help personnel adopt new tools while setting new standards for operational excellence and environmental responsibility.’

Engin explained that SOCAR selected Honeywell for its proven, reliable, and innovative solutions.

‘The plug-and-play simplicity of the Signal Scout solution and its minimal configuration requirements shortened deployment timelines and reduced cost risks,’ he said. ‘Sensors are magnetically mounted and easily repositioned, while cameras help accurately identify the location and volume of emissions. Integration was carried out with early infrastructure planning and close coordination between maintenance and operations teams, ensuring seamless compatibility with existing plant systems.’

Following the implementation of Honeywell’s solutions, SOCAR has seen notable improvements in its emissions monitoring capabilities, Engin added.

‘We can now detect leaks in real time and respond immediately, which has helped reduce unintentional emissions and operational losses,’ he said. ‘While precise reporting methodologies are still being refined, early results show a significant reduction in time spent on manual data collection and improved compliance with ISO 14001 standards. Continuous monitoring and data analytics have also enabled us to forecast and achieve energy savings across all our facilities.’

Bitcoin has fallen below the $75,000 mark for the first time since April 7, 2025, signaling a notable pullback in the cryptocurrency market.

Azernews reports that the world’s largest cryptocurrency dipped sharply in early trading hours.

As of 07:30 a.m. Baku time, Bitcoin was valued at $74,859.9, reflecting a 4.89 percent decline. Minutes later, at 07:35 a.m., the downward momentum eased slightly, with Bitcoin trading at $74,865, down 4.88 percent.

The drop marks a significant psychological breach of the $75,000 threshold, a level that had held for several months amid strong institutional interest and expectations of continued market resilience.

A total of $2.62 million in investment was attracted by 22 startups in 2025, according to Farid Osmanov, Chairman of the Board of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IRIA).

As reported by Azernews, speaking at a press conference today on the agency’s annual performance, Osmanov noted that the number of residents registered at the technopark has reached 165 to date.

‘Over the past year alone, 47 companies were issued registration certificates at the technopark, including four foreign and 43 local companies,’ he said.

Osmanov also highlighted progress in the Digital Document Management System, noting that 17 educational institutions and 16 business entities were integrated into the system last year.

‘More than 1,300 organizations have now been integrated into the Digital Document Management System, resulting in savings of over 31 million pages, which is equivalent to preserving approximately 5,700 trees. This technology has become one of the successful projects contributing to the development of a green society,’ he added.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its annual aviation statistics for 2025, reporting solid growth in both passenger and air cargo traffic, while warning that capacity constraints remain a major challenge for the industry, Azernews reports.

Passenger traffic continued its post-pandemic normalization, with global demand rising by 5.3% year-on-year, closely matched by a 5.2% increase in capacity. The average annual passenger load factor reached 83.6%, the highest level ever recorded for a full year.

International travel was the main growth driver, expanding by 7.1%, while capacity rose by 6.8%. The international load factor climbed to 83.5%, also a record. Domestic passenger traffic grew more modestly at 2.4%, with a load factor of 83.7%.

Regionally, the Asia-Pacific market posted the strongest growth and highest load factors, while North America recorded the weakest expansion. Latin America saw the sharpest decline in load factor despite continued demand growth.

Commenting on the results, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said:

‘The growth in passenger demand in 2025 confirmed the industry’s return to sustainable, historically normal growth rates. However, record load factors clearly demonstrate that capacity constraints remain a key challenge for aviation today.’

Air cargo also delivered a solid performance in 2025. Global cargo demand increased by 3.4%, while capacity rose by 3.7%. International cargo traffic grew faster, expanding by 4.2%. Although cargo yields declined by 1.5%, this was the smallest annual drop in three years, and yields remain 37.2% above 2019 levels.

The Asia-Pacific region led cargo growth with an 8.4% increase in demand. IATA noted a clear shift in global cargo flows away from Asia-North America routes toward Asia-Europe, alongside steady growth within Asia and on Middle East-Asia corridors.

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‘Air cargo in 2025 once again demonstrated its key role in supporting global supply chains. Even amid trade and geopolitical uncertainty, the industry was able to quickly adapt to changing demand flows.’

According to IATA, the 2025 results underline both the resilience of global aviation and the urgency of addressing supply-chain bottlenecks, fleet shortages, and long-term capacity expansion as demand continues to rise.

Ahead of Youth Day, Azercell welcomed members of Azerbaijan’s national team preparing for international Informatics Olympiads with the company’s support. The meeting highlighted the young talents’ achievements on the international stage, as well as the long-term, systematic cooperation model that underpins these successes.

Sona Abbasova, Director of the Corporate and Marketing Communications Department at ‘Azercell Telecom’ LLC, company representatives, Fuad Garayev, Deputy Director of the Institute of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the coaches of the national Informatics team participated at the event.

Cooperation between Azercell and the Institute of Education, aimed at training the national Informatics team, has been ongoing since 2017. Through this collaboration, students have the opportunity to participate in additional training sessions. The partnership also supports a structured and comprehensive program for international Olympiad preparation and the development of young people’s programming and IT skills. Currently, about 90 students involved to the additional training program each year.

As a result of this long-term cooperation, members of the national team have successfully represented Azerbaijan at prestigious international and regional Informatics Olympiads, winning a total of 104 medals, including 6 gold, 33 silver, and 65 bronze medals.

Opening the event, Sona Abbasova stated: ‘Our company is committed to developing talented young people and fostering a knowledge-driven, highly qualified human capital in the fields of IT and programming. In this context, the Institute of Education is one of our key partners. Your achievements at international Olympiads once again demonstrate the significance of this initiative. I am confident that the young people we support today will become the professionals driving the country’s technological development tomorrow.’

Fuad Garayev also commended the partnership, noting: ‘With Azercell’s support, members of the national Informatics team undertake international competition preparation in a structured and professional manner. Additional training classes, implementation of targeted training programs, and the establishment of a dedicated learning environment empower students to fully develop their potential. This comprehensive approach enhances their performance at international Olympiads and contributes to nurturing the next generation of IT and ICT specialists in the country.’

At the conclusion of the event, medalists of international Informatics Olympiads were presented with certificates and special gifts.

Starting from the beginning of the new academic year, Georgia will introduce new rules in secondary schools. Amendments to legislation concerning these innovations have already been submitted to Parliament, Azernews reports.

The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia has released official information on the upcoming changes. It is reported that Parliament will soon review the draft amendments to the Law on General Education prepared by the Ministry.

According to the draft, general education in Georgia will now last between 11 and 12 years, with the minimum age for starting primary education set at 6 years. Schools will accept children who turn 6 by September 15. Additionally, school uniforms will be mandatory for primary-level students.

The draft also stipulates that if a teacher, or any other staff member at a general education institution, is found guilty of violence against a student, their employment contract will be terminated. Furthermore, these employees will be banned from working in the education sector for a period of 3 years.

In addition, the amendments introduce new norms regarding the duration of basic and secondary levels of education, setting clearer guidelines for how long students will spend in each stage of their academic journey.

These changes reflect an ongoing push by the Georgian government to modernize the education system, not only by extending the length of education but also by ensuring a safer environment for students. With mandatory school uniforms and stronger penalties for misconduct, these reforms aim to improve both the quality of education and the overall student experience in Georgia’s schools.

Samsung Electronics will adopt English as the standard language for written communication with its overseas subsidiaries to reduce delays and duplication caused by translation and to accelerate global collaboration, business sources said on Monday, Azernews reports, citing Korean media.

‘We will unify written communication between Korea and our overseas subsidiaries under a global standard so that colleagues around the world can work together as one global team and collaborate more seamlessly,’ Samsung Electronics President Roh Tae-moon said in an internal message.

The new global communication guidelines will begin a pilot program this month, with full implementation planned for March. Initially, the guidelines will apply to Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, and Samsung Biologics, before expanding to other affiliates.

Under the new rules, all work-related emails and attached documents exchanged between Korea and overseas subsidiaries must be written in English from the initial drafting stage. Overseas subsidiaries are also required to prepare internal reports in English.

The policy covers reports and official documents, including files created in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, but excludes verbal conversations, messaging apps, personal notes, draft materials for review, and simple working-level coordination documents. Subsidiaries in non-English-speaking countries may continue to use local languages for internal official documents.

Roh also encouraged employees to make greater use of AI tools such as Copilot and Knox Meeting. His remarks came after feedback at a recent executive seminar at Samsung’s Human Resources Development Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi, where participants noted that the company had underutilized AI tools despite having access to them.

As of the end of last year, Samsung Electronics employed about 137,000 staff overseas, exceeding its domestic workforce of approximately 125,000. Some units have already begun routine use of English. For example, the foundry business within Samsung Electronics’ Device Solutions Division and certain teams at Samsung Bioepis have prepared reports, materials, and conducted meetings in English since last year.

Interestingly, analysts note that this move could not only improve efficiency but also strengthen Samsung’s position as a truly global tech leader, making it easier for teams across continents to innovate and respond rapidly in an increasingly competitive market.

A second patient diagnosed with mpox (monkeypox) has been admitted to Domodedovo Hospital in Moscow, Russian media report.

As reported by Azernews, citing foreign media, the announcement was made by Andrey Osipov, the hospital’s chief physician.

Osipov said that Russia’s Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being (Rospotrebnadzor) has launched an investigation to identify the possible source of infection and trace all contacts of the infected individual.

Preliminary information indicates that the newly diagnosed patient had contact with the first mpox patient who was previously hospitalized at the same medical facility.

Mpox is a rare viral disease characterized by fever, general intoxication, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash that initially appears as spots and later develops into fluid-filled lesions.

The preamble of the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is set to be amended, following approval of a relevant draft law by the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan at its plenary session today.

As reported by Azernews, the issue was addressed during discussions on the draft law titled ‘On Approval of Amendments to the Constitution of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic,’ which was put to a second vote and adopted. The first vote on the bill was held on July 8, 2025.

Under the proposed amendments, several historical references currently contained in the preamble will be removed. These include provisions stating that the foundations of Nakhchivan’s autonomy were established by the March 16, 1921 Moscow Treaty and the October 13, 1921 Kars Treaty, as well as detailed references to the region’s historical administrative status changes and previous constitutions adopted in 1926, 1937, and 1978.

Instead, the revised preamble will state that the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is an integral part of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It will also emphasize that the constitutional basis of Nakhchivan is formed by the principles enshrined in the Declaration on the Restoration of State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated August 30, 1991, the Constitutional Act on the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated October 18, 1991, and the Constitution of Azerbaijan adopted by nationwide referendum on November 12, 1995.

The draft law was submitted for discussion and adopted during the second reading at today’s plenary session.