Category: Azer News

Two dry cargo vessels sailing under the Turkish flag have collided in the Sea of Marmara.

According to Turkish media reports, the Istanbul Governor’s Office confirmed the incident.

The collision occurred off the coast of Istanbul, involving the vessels Alsu and Tugberk Imamoglu.

According to the authorities, there were no visible signs of damage to the Alsu. However, the Tugberk Imamoglu had 10 crew members on board, and contact with them has currently been lost.

Turkish Coast Guard units and search-and-rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene. Rescue operations are being carried out with the assistance of helicopters and tugboats.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Dmytro Shlapachenko, the newly appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, on September 2.

Dmytro Shlapachenko presented his credentials to the head of state.

Touching upon relations between Azerbaijan and the UN, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan had hosted large-scale UN events, including COP29 and the World Urban Forum. He added that the Forum on Intercultural Dialogue would also be held this year jointly with the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

Describing Azerbaijan as an important partner of the UN, Dmytro Shlapachenko said that the country hosts prestigious events organized by the UN as a ‘middle power’ state. In this regard, he recalled the organization of COP29 and the World Urban Forum in Baku. Noting that the 4th International Mine Action Conference, themed ‘Humanitarian Demining for Urban Recovery: Setting Standards of Excellence for Safe Settlements,’ is underway in Baku today, he also said that UN Climate Week would be held in Azerbaijan.

Dmytro Shlapachenko highly appreciated Azerbaijan’s support for the activities of relevant UN bodies.

He expressed the UN’s readiness to support Azerbaijan’s current development programs with its expertise, highlighting the importance of the ongoing large-scale reconstruction efforts in the post-conflict areas of Garabagh and East Zangezur.

Touching upon the mine problem, Dmytro Shlapachenko said that the UN is ready to provide support and share its expertise with Azerbaijan in this area.

The head of state also highlighted the ongoing large-scale restoration and construction efforts in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories and noted the scale of the mine problem faced by the country. President Ilham Aliyev underlined that, despite the obstacles posed by mines to restoration and construction efforts, Azerbaijan continues its consistent demining activities.

Dmytro Shlapachenko stated that he would soon visit Garabagh and noted that a major event would be held at Garabagh University to mark United Nations Day.

The meeting also included discussions on environmental issues, including improving the ecological condition of transboundary rivers in the South Caucasus region, conducting monitoring in this area, and the decline in the water level of the Caspian Sea.

Azerbaijan’s appeal to Chinese energy companies is increasingly measurable in ships, tonnes and transit capacity. For instance, cargo moving through the Trans-Caspian route has risen roughly fivefold in seven years to about 4.5 million tonnes, while Azerbaijan’s transport infrastructure is being upgraded to handle much larger flows between China, Central Asia and Europe. That logistics base is now intersecting with the country’s offshore energy potential, giving China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) a strategic proposition that extends well beyond access to oil and gas.

The memorandum between Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy, SOCAR and CNOOC therefore arrives at a point when the Caspian is becoming more important both as an energy basin and as a link in China’s westward trade strategy. For Beijing, Azerbaijan offers something that few markets in the region can combine in one geography: established offshore production, energy infrastructure, a deepwater commercial port and direct participation in the Middle Corridor connecting China with European markets.

Azerbaijan’s energy sector remains anchored in the Caspian, where mature offshore fields increasingly require capital, technology and more sophisticated recovery techniques. CNOOC brings experience in offshore exploration and production that could help address the technical challenges associated with ageing assets, while cooperation with SOCAR allows the risks and investment requirements of future projects to be shared rather than carried solely by the Azerbaijani state.

But the larger attraction may be the infrastructure surrounding those fields. The Port of Baku at Alat has an initial cargo handling capacity of 15 million tonnes a year, expandable to 25 million tonnes, placing Azerbaijan at the centre of a logistics system designed to absorb growing east-west trade. The port is complemented by the upgraded Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, whose capacity has been increased from about 1 million tonnes to 5 million tonnes annually, while Azerbaijan’s rail operator ADY has been expanding its wagon fleet to accommodate rising transit demand.

Those assets give Chinese companies a commercial reason to look at Azerbaijan differently. The country is not simply a destination where Chinese capital can finance an offshore project. It can also serve as a logistics platform through which equipment, commodities, and manufactured goods move between Asia and Europe. China’s growing use of the Middle Corridor reinforces that proposition, with 225 block trains arriving from China in the first seven months of 2025 alone, according to Azerbaijani data.

Moreover, the CNOOC agreement points towards a broader energy relationship. Discussions covering green energy and offshore wind could give Chinese companies an opening into Azerbaijan’s emerging renewable sector, where Beijing has considerable advantages in manufacturing, project finance, and supply chains. Azerbaijan has set a target of raising renewable energy’s share of installed capacity substantially by 2030, while positioning itself as a potential supplier of green electricity to European markets.

For SOCAR, meanwhile, cooperation with CNOOC offers a route to international expansion. The possibility of joint upstream projects in third countries would allow the Azerbaijani company to combine its regional experience with China’s financial and technical capacity, potentially extending the partnership beyond the Caspian.

The strategic calculation is consequently straightforward: Azerbaijan gives Chinese companies access not to a single asset, but to an interconnected portfolio of energy, ports, railways and regional trade routes. In fact, this combination is becoming an increasingly valuable economic asset as supply chains are not in proper order and, therefore, companies seek alternatives to established routes. This is the reason why the Caspian is a much more consequential part of China’s Eurasian strategy.

British actor Rupert Grint is set to return to one of his most famous roles, playing Ron Weasley in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Grint will make his Broadway debut as Ron at New York’s Lyric Theatre on February 2, 2027, beginning a 17-week limited engagement that will run through May 30.

The return marks Grint’s first portrayal of Ron since the Harry Potter film series concluded with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in 2011.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child picks up 19 years after the events of the original story. Harry, Ron and Hermione are now adults with families of their own, while their children begin their own adventures at Hogwarts.

Grint will join a production that has already welcomed another familiar face from the film franchise. Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the eight Harry Potter films, is currently appearing on Broadway in the role.

The two actors, however, will not share the stage during their Broadway runs. Felton’s engagement is scheduled to end on January 3, 2027, just weeks before Grint begins his run as Ron.

Grint’s return marks another connection between the original film series and the stage adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world. He joins Felton as one of the original film actors to reprise his character in the Broadway production.

The Broadway engagement is scheduled to run for 17 weeks, giving Harry Potter fans a limited opportunity to see Grint step back into the role that made him internationally known.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that teams from Ukraine and Germany are finalizing the text of a “Drone Deal” aimed at strengthening the defense capabilities of both countries.

Zelensky said he discussed the agreement with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, including its substance and the timing of its signing. The talks also covered Russia’s attack on an airfield in Leipzig, which Zelensky described as another escalation by Moscow.

He said Ukraine is ready to support Germany with expertise and experience, while thanking Berlin for its continued backing. “We discussed with Friedrich Merz the Russian attack on the airfield in Leipzig. This is another Russian escalation, and it’s important that Germany responded. Friedrich informed me about the measures taken,” he said.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the 4th International Mine Action Conference in Baku, Tim Lardner, Director for Europe and Central Asia at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), said artificial intelligence and advanced technologies could fundamentally transform mine action, making demining faster, more efficient and safer.

Asked about the potential use of AI in the decontamination of mine-affected areas, Lardner said technological advances in recent years have already significantly improved the ability to locate and clear landmines.

‘I think AI is going to bring a revolution in the demining world. I think that we’ve seen over the last two years particularly how technology has brought incredible advances in our ability to locate, to destroy and to move on from some of the landmines,’ he said.

Lardner stressed that the mine action sector is only at the beginning of its potential to harness AI and other advanced technologies, highlighting Azerbaijan as a country where such innovations could have a significant impact.

‘I think we’re only at the beginning of the ability and the opportunity to use AI and advanced technologies to improve demining. And I see that here in Azerbaijan. I see that there are huge opportunities to grasp this technology, to improve and to speed up and to make more efficient the processes here in Azerbaijan,’ he said.

Looking ahead to how mine action could evolve over the next decade, Lardner acknowledged that the rapid pace of technological development makes long-term predictions difficult. However, drawing on his three decades of experience in the field, he said the sector has already undergone profound changes.

‘I’m not sure that I can look 10 years ahead. I think technology is moving so quickly. I’ve been working in demining for 30 years, and what we’re doing now is so different to what we were doing before,’ Lardner said.

He noted that technological advances have accelerated land surveying and mine clearance while making the sector safer for both demining personnel and communities returning to previously contaminated areas.

‘All of the advances over the last 30 years have meant that we are moving more quickly in terms of surveying areas, in terms of clearing mines. It also has brought a sector that is much safer for the people working in the area, for the people who are taking the land back,’ he said.

‘So it’s improved safety, it’s improved efficiency over the last 30 years,’ Lardner added.

According to the UNOPS official, the use of AI, drones and other technologies is likely to expand significantly, improving the ability to survey land and determine which areas can safely be released for use.

‘My expectation is that technology, whether that’s AI, whether that’s drones for survey, will increase exponentially. So we will learn much more quickly. Our ability to survey land, to identify safe areas will increase rapidly as well,’ he said.

Lardner said the ultimate objective of these technological advances is to accelerate the release of land while creating safer environments for communities.

‘So I really see that technology is going to be brought in and used more effectively for releasing land to make a safer environment for people living in that land,’ he concluded.

The Sea Breeze 2026 Beach Polo Tournament will take place from September 11 to 13 at Havana Beach within the Sea Breeze Resort.

The tournament is jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Equestrian Federation and Sea Breeze. Four teams representing Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Russia will compete, with a total of 12 polo players taking part. The team line-ups will feature athletes from Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Russia, Argentina and South Africa.

Two polo matches will be played each day at 16:00 on September 11, 12 and 13. The match schedule and pairings will be determined by a draw held one day before the games.

In beach polo, each match consists of four periods, known as chukkers, with each lasting approximately seven minutes. Including breaks, a match usually takes around 30-40 minutes.

The programme may be adjusted depending on weather conditions and temperatures. The final is scheduled for 16:00 on September 13, followed by the awards ceremony and presentation of the tournament trophy.

Alongside the sporting programme, spectators will have access to a DJ performance and other entertainment. Admission will be ticketed, with around 500 spectators expected over the three days.

The matches will be broadcast live by Idman TV. Polo Line, an international online channel covering the sport, will also attend the tournament, contributing to its media coverage and international reach.

The event is intended to showcase Azerbaijan’s equestrian sport in a dynamic beach polo format, strengthen ties with the international polo community and promote the country’s polo and equestrian heritage.

For doctors on the front lines of healthcare, every day brings its own responsibilities, like a patient waiting for help, a difficult decision to make and, sometimes, a life hanging in the balance.

Recognizing the weight of this responsibility, Azerbaijan is taking new steps to improve the working conditions and financial well-being of healthcare professionals. First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva has initiated an increase in the salaries of healthcare workers employed within the T?BIB system, with the aim of better recognizing their work, improving their financial well-being and strengthening human capital in the healthcare sector.

Moreover, President Ilham Aliyev welcomed the initiative and issued relevant instructions for its implementation.

The new salary regulations, which took effect on September 1, 2026, cover 72,212 healthcare workers employed at medical institutions under T?BIB (Management Union of Medical Territorial Units).

As part of the reform, the annual wage bill across the T?BIB system has increased by AZN 189 million. The additional funding will support higher salaries and introduce new remuneration mechanisms for healthcare professionals.

Salary increases will vary according to employees’ positions, specialities, workload, performance and staffing needs in different regions.

The reform provides particularly significant increases for doctors working in primary healthcare, emergency medical services, anesthesiology and intensive care, as well as specialists in fields facing staff shortages in the regions.

A coefficient of 1.3 will be applied to special incentive allowances for specialities facing staff shortages in the regions, as well as to additional performance-based payments for certain services. The measures are intended to attract more doctors to regional medical institutions and improve access to healthcare services outside the capital.

The latest decision builds on a series of measures introduced in recent years to improve the incomes and working conditions of healthcare professionals. Salaries at institutions under T?BIB have been increased since 2023, while further increases were introduced in 2025 following the rise in the minimum wage. Tariff salaries for employees of nurseries under the Ministry of Health were also increased by coefficients ranging from 1.5 to three times.

The broader aim of the reforms is to strengthen the social well-being of healthcare workers, make the medical profession more attractive, address staffing shortages in the regions and improve patient satisfaction.

These changes are particularly important for the regions, where attracting and retaining experienced medical professionals remains one of the key challenges. Better pay, improved working conditions and modernized medical facilities can make regional hospitals a more attractive choice for doctors who might otherwise build their careers in the capital.

Dr. Sevil Ismayilova is one example of a medical professional who chose to take her experience back to the region.

Anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist Dr. Sevil Ismayilova, who completed her professional development in Trkiye after graduating in Azerbaijan and later spent 25 years working at leading medical institutions in Baku, decided to continue her career in her hometown of Zardab within the T?BIB system several years ago.

Currently, Dr. Ismayilova is serving as head of the Emergency Medical Services Department at Zardab District Central Hospital. Her return to Zardab has allowed her to put the experience she gained over decades in Turkiye and Baku at the service of patients in her hometown, while also sharing her knowledge with younger healthcare professionals.

Dr. Ismayilova has welcomed the increase in healthcare workers’ salaries, saying the measure will have a positive impact on the motivation of doctors working in the regions and help attract more young medical professionals to regional hospitals.

‘In recent years, the construction of new hospitals in the regions, the renovation of existing medical facilities and improvements to their technical infrastructure have brought significant changes to the quality of healthcare services. The gap between the regions and the capital is no longer as wide as it once was.

The increase in salaries will further strengthen this process. I believe it will encourage more young doctors to consider working in the regions. Proper recognition of doctors’ work is very important both for their social well-being and their motivation.

I would like to express my gratitude to First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for her initiatives to support healthcare workers and improve their social well-being. I believe these measures will increase the motivation of medical professionals and contribute to the further development of healthcare services in the regions,’ Ismayilova said.

Iranian forces have carried out a series of strikes on a US military base in Bahrain, Iran’s Armed Forces said, according to the Tasnim news agency.

The statement said that Iranian drones targeted radar facilities and areas where US military personnel were gathered at the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain.

Iranian military officials stressed that Sheikh Isa is one of the most important US bases in the Persian Gulf region and serves as a major center for the repair and maintenance of helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Earlier, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that a large number of US soldiers had been killed in a strike on a US base in Jordan.

The IRGC said its forces had targeted US Marine Corps barracks at the Titen base near the Jordanian city of Aqaba, located on the Red Sea coast, IRIB reported. It was noted that several facilities and helicopters stationed at the base were destroyed in the strikes.

Jordan’s Armed Forces, meanwhile, stated that its air defense systems intercepted 13 ballistic missiles that entered the country’s airspace.

The European Union is set to temporarily abolish customs duties on a wide range of Armenian goods and liberalize around 80% of Armenia’s exports to the EU market for a period of two years.

According to Factor TV’s Brussels correspondent, the EU Council has approved a legislative initiative establishing the temporary preferential trade regime for Armenian exports.

The measure would provide Armenian exporters with broader access to the EU market by removing customs duties on a wide range of products.

The preferential regime will be subject to several conditions. Armenia will be required to comply with EU rules of origin for goods, refrain from introducing new restrictions on imports from the EU and respect the fundamental principles outlined in the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

These principles include democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

The initiative has not yet completed the EU’s legislative process. The proposal must still receive formal approval from the European Parliament at its upcoming session.

Once approved, the regulation will be formally adopted and will enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The temporary arrangement is expected to provide Armenian exporters with preferential access to the EU market while linking the benefits to compliance with the agreed trade and partnership conditions.