Category: Azer News

Another shipment of goods from Russia to Armenia has been carried out through Azerbaijani territory, AzerNEWS reports.

According to Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, a train consisting of 14 wagons carrying a total of 979 tonnes of wheat was dispatched from the Bilajari station toward the Boyuk Kesik direction.

The company noted that, to date, more than 36,000 tonnes of grain, nearly 9,000 tonnes of fertilizer, 1,136 tonnes of propane, 133 tonnes of aluminum, 414 tonnes of anthracite, and 67,000 tonnes of timber materials have been transported from Russia to Armenia in transit through Azerbaijan.

The statement also said that during the same period, Azerbaijan exported nearly 15,000 tonnes of diesel fuel to Armenia, as well as around 5,000 tonnes of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline.

On October 21, 2025, in a joint press statement with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev announced that Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that had existed since the time of occupation. The first such transit cargo was a shipment of Kazakh grain to Armenia.

Trkiye continues to stand firm among the countries confidently preferred not only for trade, investment, and diplomacy, but also for a qualified international workforce. At a time when global uncertainties are escalating and the competition for skilled human resources among nations intensifies daily, Trkiye maintains its position as a primary hub for international talent thanks to its reassuring working environment, robust production infrastructure, and favorable investment climate.

Speaking to Yeni Safak, Minister of Labor and Social Security Prof. Dr. Vedat Isikhan disclosed the latest figures reflecting the reversal of the brain drain. Isikhan stated that over the past five years, a total of 379,441 work permits or work permit exemption certificates have been issued for professionals serving in critical strategic fields-ranging from science and engineering to software development, medicine, academia, and advanced technology. Isikhan emphasized that by expanding its high-value-adding human resources and integrating them into the economy, Trkiye has significantly boosted its productive power and international competitiveness.

Providing details on the scope of work permits and exemptions, Isikhan noted that 191,960 work permit certificates were issued over the last five years for professionals such as academicians, physicians, specialists, and members of similar professional occupations.

“We issued 50,013 work permit exemption certificates for qualified professions, including medical and dental specialization trainees, professional soccer players, coaches, athletes, tour operators, cross-border service providers, seafarers, international students, specialists to be employed in military factories and shipyards, and pilots involved in forest fire prevention,” Isikhan explained. “In addition to these, we issued 137,468 work permits for technicians, associate professionals, and auxiliary professional personnel. In total, 379,441 work permits and exemptions were granted over the past five years to meet the skilled employment needs of Trkiye. This has paved the way for these individuals to contribute directly to Trkiye’s production, exports, technological transformation, and economic growth. In this context, our Esteemed President’s meticulous approach in international diplomatic processes has played a pivotal role in leading qualified foreign workforces to choose Trkiye.”

Highlighting that Trkiye has once again proved to be a safe harbor during a period when regional crises are reshaping global labor movements, Isikhan added:

“Among the 379,000 work permit and exemption documents issued, there are numerous qualified personnel who chose our country to continue their work after being affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In this regard, more than 15,000 work permits or work permit exemptions were issued to individuals from that region, primarily for IT sector personnel and software developers. Furthermore, 16,759 of these 379,000 documents were issued for sectors requiring advanced technology, thereby fulfilling the skilled workforce demands of Trkiye’s strategic sectors with qualified personnel from all over the world.”

Minister Isikhan also indicated that the total count of over 379,000 issued permits includes data from the International Talent Transfer project, which is jointly conducted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

“Since September 2022, work permits have been issued for a total of 4,921 individuals, a significant portion of whom work in the fields of RandD and technology,” Isikhan stated. “As part of the Trkiye TechVisa program-one of Trkiye’s major programs targeting global technology entrepreneurs run in partnership with various ministries-534 tech start-up applications have been received since September 2024. Of these, 107 were deemed eligible, and work permit exemptions were granted to the applying qualified workforce.”

Emphasizing that the prestigious Turquoise Card-awarded to high-skilled workers, investors, scientists, artists, and athletes-remains a cornerstone tool of Trkiye’s international talent strategy, Isikhan concluded:

“The Turquoise Card is a prestigious work permit that grants its holder an indefinite right to work, as well as residency rights for their family members. Within this framework, we have issued Turquoise Cards to 58 foreign nationals. The investment volume of the companies owned by, partnered with, or employing these Turquoise Card holders is estimated to exceed $50 billion.

While Trkiye integrates the world’s qualified human capital into its production ecosystem, it continues to offer a safe, strong, and sustainable future for global talents through policies supporting high-value-added investments. In this sense, the Turquoise Card is Trkiye’s way of telling foreign nationals, ‘You are a part of this country.’ The Turquoise Card is not merely a permit; it is a powerful invitation.”

China has connected the world’s first 16-megawatt floating wind power platform using tension leg platform (TLP) technology to the power grid of the Lufeng offshore oilfield, AzerNEWS reports, citing Xinhua.

According to the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the platform is capable of operating under extreme weather conditions equivalent to a Category 17 super typhoon, withstanding wind speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour, and has an estimated service life of 25 years.

The floating wind platform is located approximately 136 kilometers offshore in the Pearl River Mouth Basin in the northern South China Sea. Standing nearly the height of a 110-story building, the structure weighs around 7,800 tonnes, while its wind turbine swept area is comparable to 7.5 standard football fields.

Electricity generated by the platform is transmitted to the Lufeng Oilfield’s power grid through submarine cables. The facility is expected to produce approximately 54 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, helping reduce the oilfield’s reliance on conventional energy sources.

The platform is expected to generate approximately 54 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually for the oilfield. This will help save around 15,000 cubic meters of fuel oil and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 35,000 tonnes per year.

Scientists at Kindred Companion Sciences have created two beagles using CRISPR gene-editing technology that appear to no longer produce the main allergen associated with dogs., AzerNEWS reports.

Researchers modified the gene responsible for producing Can f 1, a protein considered one of the primary causes of allergic reactions to dogs. According to the company, the edited beagles do not produce this protein, which could potentially reduce allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to dogs.

Matt Walker, a geneticist and CEO of Kindred Companion Sciences, who has experienced dog allergies since childhood, said that he has been living with one of the modified dogs for more than a year without experiencing allergic symptoms. He explained that CRISPR technology allows scientists to make precise changes to DNA instead of waiting for rare natural mutations to occur.

However, experts warn that the technology does not mean dog allergies have been completely eliminated. Jeff Sorell, a pathologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, noted that Can f 1 is only one of several dog allergens. Some people may still react to other proteins produced by dogs, which were not affected by the genetic modification.

Kindred Companion Sciences says that commercial use of this technology is still far in the future. Scientists plan to continue monitoring the beagles throughout their lives to study their long-term health, development, and the safety of genetic editing.

If successful, this research could open new possibilities for people with severe pet allergies, allowing them to live more comfortably with animals in the future. At the same time, scientists emphasize that careful testing and ethical considerations will be essential before genetically modified pets become widely available.

As part of the “Art History for Children” project, children from Children’s Home No. 1 visited the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art and took part in an educational program dedicated to Azerbaijani art, AzerNEWS reports.

The participants embarked on an engaging journey through the centuries, exploring the evolution of Azerbaijani art from ancient times to the present day. They discovered the richness of the country’s cultural heritage, from the prehistoric rock carvings of Gobustan to decorative and applied arts, monumental architecture, painting, graphic art, sculpture, as well as the unique traditions of Azerbaijani music and literature that reflect the nation’s history and identity.

The interactive program gave the children an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of art while learning how Azerbaijan’s national culture has developed over the centuries. Through discussions and hands-on activities, they were introduced to both classical and contemporary artistic traditions and gained a deeper understanding of the close connection between art, history, traditions, and national identity.

The highlight of the program was a practical workshop, where the participants stepped into the role of young artists. Inspired by Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, they incorporated motifs from the ancient Gobustan petroglyphs, the geometric patterns of traditional Islamic girih ornaments, and the elegant designs of the country’s distinctive shebeke stained-glass art into their own creative works.

The event left a lasting impression on the participants. The interactive format and hands-on exploration of traditional crafts created an enjoyable learning experience, inspiring the children to further explore Azerbaijan’s artistic heritage and develop their own creative talents.

Azerbaijan’s Qarabag FC will play the first leg of its UEFA Conference League third qualifying round tie against Ukraine’s Dynamo Kyiv on August 6, AzerNEWS reports.

The Azerbaijani champions will face the Ukrainian side away from home at the Arena Lublin Stadium in Lublin, Poland.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 Baku time and will be officiated by a team of referees from Denmark.

The return leg is set to take place in Baku on August 13, where Qarabag will look to secure a place in the next stage of the competition.

The 2026-27 UEFA Conference League marks the sixth edition of UEFA’s third-tier European club competition, bringing together teams from across the continent to compete for continental success.

The tournament champions will earn an automatic place in the league phase of the 2027-28 UEFA Europa League, provided they have not already qualified for the UEFA Champions League or the Europa League through their domestic league results.

Defending champions Crystal Palace will not have the opportunity to retain their Conference League title, having already secured a place in the 2027-28 UEFA Europa League league phase.

Under UEFA’s current competition format, clubs competing in the Europa League league phase can no longer drop into the Conference League later in the season.

Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat met with Spain’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business Carlos Cuerpo Caballero in Madrid, holding high-level discussions aimed at deepening bilateral commercial ties.

Announcing details of the meeting via his social media account, Bolat stated, “As part of our visit to Spain-one of our most critical trade partners within the European Union-we held a highly productive meeting in Madrid with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, Mr. Carlos Cuerpo Caballero. During our meeting, we comprehensively addressed our bilateral commercial and economic relations with Spain, a strategic partner, friend, and ally. We evaluated concrete steps to carry our existing economic partnership even further, agreeing to hold the 4th Term Trkiye-Spain JETCO (Joint Economic and Trade Committee) Meeting in Madrid this coming autumn, with strong participation from the business communities of both nations.”

Noting that global and regional economic developments were thoroughly reviewed during the talks, Minister Bolat emphasized that Trkiye-EU economic relations formed a major topic on the agenda.

“In this framework, we shared our expectations regarding the modernization and more effective operation of the Customs Union, which forms the foundation of our strong economic integration with EU member states,” Bolat explained. “We exchanged views on public procurement as one of the priority areas that could elevate our economic cooperation to a higher level. Furthermore, we evaluated recently enacted EU trade, competition, and industrial policies-most notably the Net Zero Industry Act (Industrial Acceleration Act). We emphasized that shaping these policies with an inclusive approach that encompasses Trkiye will contribute significantly to both the EU’s competitiveness and Europe’s broader economic security.”

Bolat added: “On the occasion of our meeting, we congratulated Spain on its FIFA World Cup championship. Expressing our deep sadness over the recent forest fires in Spain, we reaffirmed Trkiye’s strong support for friendly and allied Spain during this difficult process.”

Highlighting Spain’s status as Trkiye’s fourth-largest trade partner within the European Union, Minister Bolat shared ambitious growth targets for bilateral commerce.

“We aim to increase our annual bilateral trade volume with Spain from last year’s $20.5 billion to $25 billion in the medium term,” Bolat stated. “Within the framework of the vision set forth by our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, we firmly believe that the deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership between Trkiye and Spain will grow even stronger in the upcoming period, built upon the innovative initiatives of our business community and mutual trust.”

American company SpaceX has published its first quarterly financial report since going public, AzerNEWS reports.

The company reported a net loss of $541 million for the quarter, a significant improvement compared to the more than $1 billion net loss recorded during the same period in 2025. This means SpaceX has nearly halved its losses year over year.

At the same time, quarterly revenue reached $7.8 billion, representing a 92% increase compared to the same quarter last year. The strong growth was driven by a higher number of commercial launches, expanding Starlink services, and increased demand for space-related operations.

SpaceX completed its initial public offering (IPO) in June. Following its stock market debut, the company’s shares climbed to $225.60, but later pulled back. At the close of trading on August 4, the stock finished at $125.33.

Despite the decline in its share price, many investors remain optimistic about SpaceX’s long-term prospects. The company continues to be a global leader in the aerospace industry, with ambitious projects including reusable rockets, the expansion of the Starlink satellite network, and future missions to the Moon and Mars.

British singer Dua Lipa will become the curator of the 2026 London Literature Festival, one of the UK’s oldest annual literary events. The festival will take place at the Southbank Centre, one of London’s most important cultural venues, AzerNEWS reports.

Dua Lipa will oversee the programme through her Service95 Book Club, which she launched in 2022 as part of her wider creative platform. The book club has become a space for discovering new authors, discussing important stories, and connecting readers from around the world.

During the festival’s opening weekend on October 24-25, Lipa will personally host a series of conversations with renowned writers and artists. On October 24, she will discuss her literary debut White Teeth with acclaimed author Zadie Smith. She will also appear on stage with American singer and poet Patti Smith, as well as musician and poet Mustafa, for a special discussion about creativity and storytelling.

The programme will also feature a conversation with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, a poetry evening with Kate Tempest, and many other literary events. Organisers aim to create a unique atmosphere where literature, music, and modern culture come together, highlighting the connections between different forms of artistic expression.

Previous curators of the festival have included famous figures such as Tom Hanks, Margaret Atwood, and Malala Yousafzai. Dua Lipa’s appointment reflects the growing influence of musicians and artists beyond their traditional fields, showing how popular culture can inspire interest in books and reading.

The London Literature Festival will run from October 20 to November 1, 2026, as part of the celebrations for Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary and the UK’s National Year of Reading.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu made statements to Yeni Safak regarding the memorandums of understanding signed last week between Turkiye and Iraq concerning the Development Road Project. Stating that the agreement reached on the Fishabur-Ovaköy connection marks a major hurdle cleared for the project, Uraloglu said, “The memorandum forms the legal and technical foundation of the transport link between Turkiye and Iraq. Therefore, we regard the agreement we signed as one of the most critical milestones of the project.”

Emphasizing that their current objective is to bring the memorandum of understanding to the field, Uraloglu noted, “While we say, ‘Let’s break ground and strike the pickaxe,’ the Iraqi side says, ‘Let’s lay the first stone.’ In essence, both sides are expressing the same goal. We aim to complete the technical preparations and take the first concrete step within this year. With the border connection finalized, there is no longer any uncertainty clouding the infrastructure investments. The period ahead will focus on financing and implementation.”

Highlighting that the two memorandum texts signed in Ankara constitute mutually complementary foundational steps, Uraloglu stated: “One of these is the memorandum providing for the establishment of the link between Turkiye and Iraq via Fishabur-Ovaköy; the other is a framework memorandum on developing transport infrastructure in exchange for natural resources. One strengthens the physical link of the project, while the other reinforces its financial infrastructure. Moving forward, technical and administrative work will be conducted to put these memorandums into practice. Details regarding implementation guidelines, investment phases, technical blueprints, and financing models on a project basis will be finalized by our relevant institutions in coordination with our Iraqi counterparts.”

Uraloglu explained Turkiye’s proposed model of “transport infrastructure in exchange for oil” with the following words: “Actually, this topic is not new. We were previously working on international financing models. Various financing options involving the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkiye, and Iraq were evaluated. However, due to both the government change in Iraq and developments in the region, progress could not be achieved at the desired pace. During this process, we recognized that Iraq’s greatest strength lies in its natural resources, and we brought back to the agenda our proposal to utilize these resources for financing transport investments. In our talks in Baghdad, we saw that the Iraqi side approached this perspective more favorably. With this model, our goal is to ensure that the project can proceed without being solely dependent on seasonal budget limitations.”

Pointing out that the Fishabur-Ovaköy connection will serve as an alternative and complementary line to Habur, Uraloglu said, “The corridor stretching from the Grand Faw Port through Mosul to Turkiye will become uninterrupted, strengthening a new logistics route extending from the Persian Gulf to Europe.” Addressing the need to manage transport infrastructure holistically alongside customs processes, Uraloglu added, “We do not view the corridor merely as a highway or a railway; we evaluate it as a unified logistics corridor encompassing customs procedures, digital systems, and border-crossing processes. This approach will shorten transit times, reduce costs, and enhance the corridor’s competitiveness.”

Describing the Development Road as a multimodal project that also encompasses energy and communication lines, Uraloglu concluded his remarks by saying: “It is projected to contribute approximately $55 billion to the Turkish economy over a 10-year projection and create an average of 70,000 jobs annually. Supporting a project with such immense economic potential through a robust financial structure is of paramount importance for the future of regional trade