Category: Azer News

Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have entered a high-stakes transfer battle to secure the signature of Tottenham Hotspur and England defender Djed Spence, AzerNEWS reports.

Both powerhouse clubs have submitted official offers to Tottenham for the 25-year-old wing-back, who has emerged as one of the major breakout revelations of the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup.

It remains unclear which project will ultimately convince the dynamic defender. Spence is currently tied to a long-term contract at Tottenham that runs until June 30, 2029.

A graduate of the Fulham youth academy, Spence has built a diverse resume through various spells with Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest, Rennes, Leeds United, and Genoa. In addition to the strong interest from Germany and France, Italian Serie A giants Juventus and Inter Milan are also closely tracking the player’s situation.

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a technological frontier. It is becoming a geopolitical system, as a source of economic power, military advantage, regulatory influence, and ideological prestige. The recent decision to establish a new international organization for AI cooperation in Shanghai, backed by 29 founding member states, is therefore more than an administrative development. It is a signal that the global contest over artificial intelligence is entering a new phase where institutions, standards, and alliances may matter as much as algorithms and chips.

The emergence of this organization reflects a broader shift in the international order. AI is increasingly treated not simply as a commercial sector but as a strategic domain comparable to energy, finance, or nuclear technology. States now recognize that whoever shapes the rules of AI governance may also shape the next architecture of global power. China appears determined to play that role. By hosting a multilateral AI body in Shanghai and framing it around international cooperation, equity, and shared benefit, Beijing is positioning itself as not only a technological competitor to the United States, but also as a normative leader seeking influence over how AI is governed worldwide.

This matters because the race in AI is not solely about innovation. It is about who defines legitimacy. The country or bloc that can present its technological rise as aligned with the common good gains a strategic advantage beyond market share. In that sense, the new Shanghai-based organization is both diplomatic instrument and political symbol.

Since the mid-twentieth century, artificial intelligence has evolved from a narrow academic field into a vast cluster of technologies that now penetrate nearly every major sector of society. AI includes machine learning systems, language models, computer vision, speech recognition, robotics, and autonomous systems. What unifies these different strands is their capacity to learn from data, adapt to changing conditions, and perform tasks once thought to require distinctly human intelligence.

Recent progress in AI has been driven by three mutually reinforcing forces: increased computing power, the availability of massive datasets, and advances in model architectures. But the significance of AI extends beyond technical sophistication. It changes the economics of capability. Much as the spread of gunpowder reduced the military advantage of highly trained elites by lowering the cost of effective force, AI reduces dependence on scarce human expertise in many professional domains. It can compress years of accumulated specialist knowledge into scalable systems that are faster to deploy and cheaper to replicate.

That comparison is not merely rhetorical. The disruptive power of AI lies in its ability to democratize certain forms of productivity while simultaneously concentrating power in the hands of those who control the infrastructure behind it.

The growing integration of AI into business and public administration underscores the urgency of this strategic competition. By 2024, major global surveys suggested that roughly half of large companies had adopted AI in at least one business process.

As AI adoption broadens, political questions become unavoidable. Who owns the data? Whose standards govern interoperability? Which legal system determines accountability for errors or harms? Who benefits from productivity gains, and who bears the cost of workforce displacement? These are not questions that markets alone can settle. They require political institutions, and increasingly, international ones.

For Washington, AI leadership is increasingly considered a matter of national security. American officials argue that unrestricted access to advanced semiconductors and AI technologies could enhance China’s military modernization, cyber capabilities, and surveillance systems. Consequently, the United States has imposed extensive export restrictions on advanced chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment while encouraging allies to adopt similar measures.

China, meanwhile, interprets these restrictions differently. Beijing argues that technological sanctions are designed not merely to protect security but to slow China’s economic rise and preserve American technological superiority.

The result is what many analysts now describe as the “AI Cold War.”

Beijing has invested hundreds of billions of dollars into creating an integrated AI ecosystem stretching from chip manufacturing and telecommunications infrastructure to cloud computing and consumer applications.

Chinese companies such as Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, Huawei, SenseTime, iFlytek, and DeepSeek have rapidly narrowed the technological gap in several AI applications.

Rather than producing one unified global AI market, current trends suggest the emergence of parallel technological ecosystems.

The United States is likely to remain the preferred AI partner for North America, much of Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and several advanced economies.

China appears increasingly positioned to expand its influence throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America through infrastructure investment, digital connectivity projects, and technology partnerships.

Many countries may ultimately avoid choosing sides altogether. Instead, they could pursue diversified AI partnerships depending on commercial, political, and security considerations. Such fragmentation resembles the broader evolution toward a multipolar international system.

The establishment of the World Organization for AI Cooperation in Shanghai reflects a broader transformation underway in global politics. Artificial intelligence is no longer simply an emerging technology – it has become a strategic instrument.

Rather than producing a single global AI order, the coming decade is likely to witness the coexistence of multiple technological ecosystems, each shaped by different political values, regulatory approaches, and strategic priorities. Competition between Washington and Beijing will undoubtedly remain intense, but complete technological decoupling appears unlikely given the interconnected nature of global innovation.

Ultimately, the winners of the AI era will not be determined solely by who develops the most powerful algorithms. Leadership will depend on who can build trusted international partnerships and architecture of global power.

The winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be decided today, AzerNEWS reports.

Heavyweight contenders Spain and Argentina are set to go head-to-head in a highly anticipated final match. The action kicks off tonight at 23:00 Baku time.

World Cup 2026 Final Match Details:

Fixture: Spain vs. Argentina

Date: July 19

Time: 23:00 (Baku time)

Referee: Slavko Vincic

Venue: New York/New Jersey Stadium

In the tournament’s third-place playoff, England secured the bronze medal following a thrilling 6-4 victory over France.

A local state of emergency has been declared in Russia’s Stavropol region following a drone attack, regional Governor Vladimir Vladimirov announced on his Telegram channel.

AzerNEWS reports that the strikes ignited two separate fires in the industrial zone of Vyazniki village, located within the Shpakovsky district. A subsequent fire was reported nearby in the northern industrial hub of Stavropol.

Preliminary reports indicate that there are no casualties or injuries.

Governor Vladimirov explained that the industrial blazes triggered secondary explosions of highly flammable materials, which accounted for the loud blasts heard across Stavropol. As a precautionary measure, residents living near the affected sites in Vyazniki village have been evacuated to safety.

Trkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is actively advancing preparations to supply electricity from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria as part of a large-scale green energy corridor project, AzerNEWS reports.

According to Trkiye newspaper, preparations for the initiative – dubbed “Electricity TANAP” – are underway on multiple fronts in Ankara. The work includes expanding electricity grid capacity, developing energy exchanges, addressing cross-border electricity trade, and establishing the necessary market regulations.

The publication reported that the state-owned electricity transmission corporation TEIAS has joined efforts to establish the physical route linking the Caspian region with Southeastern Europe, enabling the direct transmission of renewable electricity.

TEIAS is coordinating technical cooperation with electricity transmission system operators in the participating countries. One of the project’s key objectives is the construction of high-voltage electricity interconnectors, which will facilitate cross-border power flows between national grids.

The initiative also involves EPIAS, Trkiye’s energy exchange operator, and the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK).

According to the report, EPIAS is working to establish the commercial framework for the large-scale project alongside efforts to modernize electricity trading networks. The newspaper noted that Trkiye currently operates Europe’s third-largest electricity exchange by trading volume.

Belgium will develop its own military satellite system as part of efforts to strengthen its independent space capabilities, AzerNEWS reports.

For the first time, the country’s Ministry of Defense will allocate more than pound 200 million to develop an independent space infrastructure. Currently, the Belgian military relies on satellite imagery provided by France.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken told The Brussels Times that the government plans to deploy several dozen satellites, including 10 for military purposes. The satellite constellation is expected to be placed into orbit by 2030.

The initiative follows the launch of a major satellite manufacturing project by Belgian company Aerospacelab, which began construction of a production facility in 2024. The plant is designed to manufacture up to 500 satellites annually and is scheduled to begin operations in 2026.

Pursuant to the relevant order of the First Deputy Minister of Defense – Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, a graduation ceremony for the Basic Diver Course was held in the Azerbaijan Navy, AzerNEWS reports.

The memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and the Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland was honored with a minute of silence. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was then performed.

Speakers at the graduation ceremony emphasized that conducting such courses makes a significant contribution to enhancing the professional qualifications and combat readiness of personnel.

It was noted that throughout the course, participants acquired not only theoretical knowledge but also practical diving skills, including underwater technical operations, search procedures, the recovery of submerged objects, underwater hull inspections, and other diving tasks.

At the end of the ceremony, participants were awarded certificates, followed by a commemorative group photo.

More than 600,000 people in the United Kingdom are unable to work because of overweight and obesity-related health problems, AzerNEWS reports, citing The Telegraph.

The findings are based on a study conducted by researchers at the University of York, who analyzed data from more than 284,000 volunteers. The research drew on information from the UK Biobank, the country’s largest medical database.

According to the information, more than 15 million people in the UK are overweight, and around 4% of them are unable to continue working specifically because of obesity.

The study also found that men are more likely than women to leave the workforce due to excess weight.

Researchers warned that rising obesity rates could place an even greater financial burden on the UK economy. The report noted that employees diagnosed with obesity take twice as much sick leave as those with a healthy weight, highlighting the growing impact of obesity on productivity and the labor market.

The Government has announced pilot schemes in which the unemployed will be given weight-loss jabs to get more people back to work.

Researchers have previously found that obese workers are twice as likely to take time off sick as those of a healthy weight because of health problems arising from their size.

Germany’s influential political magazine Cicero has published an article titled “Gateway to Central Asia: Why Europe Is Rediscovering the South Caucasus,” highlighting the region’s growing strategic importance amid shifting geopolitical realities, AzerNEWS reports.

Written by Oliver Rolofs, the article examines how the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and rising tensions in the Middle East have fundamentally reshaped Europe’s approach to security, energy, and transport policy.

According to the author, Europe, which relied heavily on the United States for security, Russia for energy supplies, and China as a key economic market in the post-Cold War era, is increasingly seeking to establish itself as an independent geopolitical actor. Against this backdrop, the South Caucasus has evolved from what was once considered a geopolitical periphery into one of Europe’s key strategic regions.

The article argues that the war in Ukraine demonstrated that pipelines, ports, submarine communication cables, and transport corridors are not merely economic infrastructure but also powerful geopolitical instruments. At the same time, escalating tensions involving Iran and growing risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have further underscored the importance of energy and logistics security, enhancing the strategic relevance of the South Caucasus for Europe.

Rolofs notes that for many years the region was viewed primarily through the lens of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, overshadowing its broader geopolitical potential. However, the peace initiative launched between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington on August 8, 2025, has significantly changed perceptions in Brussels and other European capitals. Although issues such as border delimitation, mine clearance, and confidence-building measures remain unresolved, Europe increasingly views the South Caucasus as a bridge connecting the continent with Central Asia.

The article places particular emphasis on Azerbaijan’s expanding role in Europe’s energy security. It recalls that, following the signing of the EU-Azerbaijan Memorandum of Understanding in 2022, Azerbaijan has steadily increased natural gas exports to Europe. The country currently supplies around 13 billion cubic meters of gas annually to the European Union, compared with 8 billion cubic meters before 2022, with exports expected to reach at least 20 billion cubic meters by 2027. It also notes that Germany and Austria began receiving direct Azerbaijani gas supplies for the first time in 2026.

According to the publication, Azerbaijan now exports natural gas to 16 countries, including 10 EU member states, making it one of the cornerstones of Europe’s strategy to diversify energy supplies.

The author also highlights the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor, including the TANAP and TAP pipelines, which deliver Caspian energy resources to Europe without crossing Russian territory. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, these projects have become increasingly important in Europe’s efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy.

Beyond energy, the article stresses Azerbaijan’s role as a key transit hub linking Europe with Central Asia. Rolofs stressed that as the northern route through Russia has become constrained by sanctions and war, while the route through Iran carries heightened geopolitical risks, the Middle Corridor has emerged as one of the most reliable and promising trade routes between Europe and Asia. The corridor connects Europe with the markets of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and China through Azerbaijan.

The article notes that the European Union now considers the Middle Corridor one of the flagship infrastructure projects under its Global Gateway strategy, with plans to deepen cooperation in energy, digital connectivity, critical raw materials, transport, and logistics.

Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, took part in the Peace Alliance Summit held in Luanda, Angola, on July 16-17 at the invitation of Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), and the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, AzerNEWS reports.

The summit was organized as part of the “Call for Peace, End of Wars and Respect for International Law” initiative.

According to the CMO’s press service, the opening ceremony featured speeches by Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, and President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Félix Antoine Tshisekedi. Speakers highlighted that Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade was the only religious leader participating in the summit.

During his visit, Pashazade held meetings with Moratinos, the presidents of Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Prime Minister of Namibia, Angola’s foreign minister, the mayor of Gernika in Spain, and several other senior officials.

Addressing the opening of a thematic session on July 17, Allahshukur Pashazade praised the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations for its efforts to promote peace and respect for international law. He also commended Moratinos for his contribution to strengthening dialogue among civilizations.

The Sheikh-ul-Islam highlighted Azerbaijan’s experience in promoting peace, multiculturalism, and interfaith dialogue, as well as the country’s close cooperation with the UN Alliance of Civilizations. He noted that President Ilham Aliyev’s efforts to advance the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process have received broad international recognition.

Pashazade stressed that all holy scriptures regard the killing of a single innocent person as a crime against all humanity. He underscored the importance of preserving the memory of the tragedies of Guernica, Srebrenica, and Khojaly, calling for ongoing conflicts to be resolved peacefully on the basis of international law and for stronger international cooperation to prevent future humanitarian disasters.

The thematic session continued with discussions on “The Role of Religious and Faith Leaders in Promoting Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence.”