Category: Azer News

A recent report by the NGO Defenders of Human Rights on the rise of religious discrimination in France has raised serious concerns among both the public and government authorities. The report warns that discrimination based on religious affiliation is increasingly tolerated and, in some cases, even perceived as normal, Azernews reports.

According to the Ipsos Institute’s Access to Rights survey, 7% of the population reported experiencing discrimination based on religion in the past five years, up from 5% in 2016. The report notes that discrimination occurs across multiple areas of life, including education, employment, housing, access to services, and social activism.

Discrimination is particularly pronounced among Muslims or those perceived as Muslim, with 34% reporting experiences of bias (compared to 27% in 2016), while among Christians, the figure remains at 4%. Muslim women are identified as the most vulnerable group: 38% reported discrimination, compared with 31% of Muslim men. Human rights activists highlight that 15% of women wearing religious symbols, particularly the hijab, have faced direct discrimination. Employment is cited as the sector most affected. Furthermore, 41% of individuals perceived as ‘Arab’ reported religious discrimination, reflecting the overlap between religious and ethnic bias.

The report also emphasizes that discrimination often comes with abuse of power, including public insults, anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic attacks, desecration of places of worship, and cyberattacks. Claire Hedon, head of Defenders of Human Rights, notes that such incidents can have profound consequences, including anxiety, social isolation, economic difficulties, and loss of trust in government institutions. The report highlights a paradox: some policies aimed at combating separatism may inadvertently reinforce these trends.

Data from the National Human Rights Commission for 2024 indicates that 24% of respondents interpret secularism as a ban on religious symbols in public spaces. The NGO argues that this reflects a misinterpretation of the principle established by the 1905 law on the separation of church and state, sometimes presenting secularism as a form of collective atheism used to restrict religious expression. To address this, the organization proposes including the topic of secularism in school curricula starting from elementary education.

Claire Hedon stressed that combating religious discrimination is not only a legal obligation but also essential for maintaining social cohesion in France. She urged government institutions and society at large to take the issue seriously and emphasized the importance of broader educational initiatives to foster tolerance and inclusion.

Report notes that while anti-discrimination laws exist, many victims hesitate to report incidents due to fear of stigma or lack of trust in authorities. Experts suggest that improving reporting mechanisms and public awareness campaigns could play a critical role in reducing discrimination and strengthening social cohesion.

The next plenary meeting of the autumn session of the Milli Majlis has officially commenced, marking another important step in the parliament’s review of key national legislative priorities, Azernews reports.

Members are set to consider 16 agenda items, with particular attention on the third reading of several draft laws forming part of the 2026 state budget package.

These discussions are expected to shape the financial and economic framework for the coming year, covering spending allocations, fiscal policy directions, and sectoral priorities for national development.

The session is being chaired by Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, who opened the meeting and initiated the review process for the day’s legislative workload.

An international conference titled ‘Artificial Intelligence and Patents’, jointly organized by the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), opened on December 9.

As Azernews reports, speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Board of the Intellectual Property Agency, Professor Kamran Imanov, described artificial intelligence as one of the greatest technological achievements of human civilization.

‘Intellectual property should not shield itself from new technologies-it must adapt to them,’ Imanov emphasized, noting that issues related to artificial intelligence remain a constant priority in Azerbaijan.

He recalled that President Ilham Aliyev has approved the ‘Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025-2028’, which covers key sectors such as the economy, public administration, education, and infrastructure.

According to Imanov, this strategy also calls for the creation of a legislative framework that supports the development of artificial intelligence, which naturally places reforms in intellectual property laws on the national agenda.

The prioritization of several issues in the document titled ‘Strategic Agenda for EU-Armenia Partnership,’ signed following the 6th meeting of the EU-Armenia Partnership Council held on 2 December 2025 in Brussels, is a matter of serious concern, as they distort the realities of the post-conflict period and run counter to the overall peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Azernews reports.

Commenting on the recent document, the ministry noted that the bilateral document sets strategic priorities between the EU and Armenia for the next seven years, and its inclusion of issues targeting Azerbaijan is unacceptable. The ministry warned that this approach could negatively affect Azerbaijan-EU relations.

“The wording in the introductory part of the document and several other sections such as ‘Garabagh Armenians displaced following Azerbaijan’s military operations,’ in reference to Armenian residents who voluntarily migrated from Azerbaijan to Armenia following their refusal of reintegration plans proposed by Azerbaijan, as a partnership priority between the EU and Armenia, and the classification of those people as ‘refugees’ is a vivid example of bias against Azerbaijan.

Moreover, the support for full, immediate, and effective implementation of all relevant rulings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) expressed within the section on possible EU contributions to the regional normalisation processes clearly refers to the well-known claims brought by Armenia against Azerbaijan.

While it is entirely irrational to bring an issue of purely bilateral nature that directly concerns Azerbaijan and Armenia into an agenda with another party, such an approach also disregards the fact that Azerbaijan likewise has its own legitimate court proceedings against Armenia.

This provision in the EU-Armenia document directly contradicts the peace process, considering an article regarding the elimination of these claims in the peace agreement initialed with the participation of the leaders of Azerbaijan, the U.S., and Armenia in Washington, and raises serious questions about the proclaimed intention of the Armenian side.

Identification of Armenians, who are accused of and sentenced for crimes against humanity and military crimes, as ‘prisoners of war,’ and prioritisation of their release is a serious distortion of realities, and is unacceptable.

While the EU-Armenia document enshrines multiple provisions that support Armenia’s lacking regional consensus ‘crossroads of peace’ initiative, it is concerning that not a single reference was made to the ‘Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity’ (TRIPP) project, a crucially important arrangement in the normalization process, reached during the 8 August Washington D.C. Summit. This raises questions with regard to the seriousness of Armenia to implement its commitments within the agreement on TRIPP, co-signed by the Prime Minister of Armenia in Washington D.C., and about the proclaimed support of the EU to this project.

Given that Article 7 of the initialed draft agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia obliges not to allow the deployment of any third party’s forces along their shared border, another serious concern is the decision to preserve and fully operationalise the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA), which has been used as a propaganda tool against Azerbaijan, instead of bringing its activities to an end.

Among the listed priorities, the emphasis on military and defense issues also serves to promote Armenia’s militarization.

The issues outlined above, which revive the elements of the former conflict despite the positive progress achieved in the post-conflict normalization since 8 August, cast serious doubt on Armenia’s intentions. Our expectation is that Armenia and the EU will take concrete steps to remove these harmful provisions, which do not reflect the current realities. For our part, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and draw the necessary conclusions,” the statement reads.

As global energy systems become more complex and demand for secure supply routes continues to grow, pipeline operators are under increasing pressure to strengthen safety and reliability. The Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), a key link in the Southern Gas Corridor, is among the major projects investing heavily in advanced maintenance technologies to meet these rising expectations.

In this interview for Azernews, TANAP Maintenance Manager Yavuz Bozdogan offers an inside look at how the company is modernising pipeline integrity management, as well as robotic crawlers and corrosion safety. Bozdogan discussed the company’s innovative application of robotic crawlers for internal tank corrosion inspection. Besides, he highlighted why the technology matters, how it has transformed safety practices, and what challenges the oil and gas sector still faces.

Q: Today you joined the panel to speak about robotic crawlers. What was your experience with this technology at TANAP?

Yavuz Bozdogan:

I talked about the robotic crawlers we used for internal corrosion inspection of tanks. We carried out this inspection in 2022 to increase coverage as much as possible. Normally, we conduct corrosion inspection on the outer surface of tanks, but we wanted to make the internal inspection better.

We used robotic crawlers for this. At first, if you look only at the cost of a robotic crawlers, it seems more expensive than manual inspection. But when you consider safety, downtime, and the overall cost, the total cost of using a robotic crawlers is actually about half of what scaffolding would cost.

So when you think of total cost and safety, using technology-robotic crawlers-is more feasible than manual UT measurement. It also supports the safety side: no need to work at height, in confined spaces, or with a large team. You only need a crawler operator and a joystick. You finish the inspection, get the results, evaluate them, and if needed, you can repeat it easily since you don’t need scaffolding.

Q: What are the main challenges in the oil and gas sector today?

Yavuz Bozdogan:

I think one of the biggest challenges is safety. Precautions must be taken, and they can be active or passive. Passive measures include documentation or training. But real active barriers-the ones that truly prevent incidents-are the ability to detect, measure, analyze, and take action against leaks.

Leaks have many impacts: environmental, reputational, and financial. Private companies experience these impacts differently, and state-owned ones also feel them differently. And of course, there is the human impact-injury or loss of life among employees. That’s why I believe safety is the biggest challenge.

Q: How does TANAP approach safety in daily operations?

Yavuz Bozdogan:

At TANAP, safety is the top priority. We use a permit-to-work system and a control of work approach. For some tasks, we prepare for a full week even if the actual work only takes two hours. That week of preparation ensures we complete the job safely, without anyone getting hurt.

Through this system, we take additional precautions and finish the job safely and smoothly-without injuries, without even a scratch.

Netflix’s effort to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is facing unexpectedly strong resistance and growing political scrutiny, as a hostile bid from Paramount Skydance and the involvement of former U.S. President Donald Trump place the merger at the center of a high-profile national debate, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison, announced on Monday that it would offer $30 per share for WBD, criticizing Netflix’s $27.75-per-share deal unveiled on December 5 as offering ‘inferior and uncertain value.’ Paramount Skydance claims its bid would provide shareholders an additional $18 billion over Netflix’s proposal and offer a smoother regulatory path. The company also stated that its acquisition would strengthen Hollywood’s production ecosystem, reinforce theatrical releases, and boost competition across the entertainment industry.

Based on Paramount Skydance’s offer, the total value of the all-cash deal would reach $108.4 billion, compared with Netflix’s $82.7 billion cash-and-stock package. Unlike Netflix’s plan-which involves WBD’s film studio and streaming service while spinning off Discovery Global, the company’s Global Networks division, into a new publicly traded company-Paramount Skydance’s bid covers the entirety of WBD.

Paramount said it had submitted six acquisition proposals to WBD over the past 12 weeks but received no meaningful response, prompting it to bring the offer directly to shareholders. According to a Forbes report, the hostile bid is backed by the Ellison family, RedBird Capital, sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, and Jared Kushner, former President Trump’s son-in-law. Regulatory filings indicate that Kushner’s Affinity Partners has committed an unspecified amount of equity financing to the deal.

Following the announcement of the Netflix-WBD merger plan, U.S. entertainment analysts warned that antitrust concerns and political factors could delay final approval for years and potentially disrupt the broader industry. Hollywood unions have already voiced concerns over potential job losses and higher consumer prices in an industry still recovering from strikes and the COVID-19 downturn, a sentiment echoed by lawmakers from both parties.

Paramount Skydance’s aggressive approach, combined with Trump’s direct involvement, has turned what might have been a routine regulatory review into a high-stakes political and corporate showdown. Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have described a Paramount Skydance-WBD merger as a potential antitrust ‘five-alarm fire,’ raising alarms over political favoritism and foreign influence.

Michael Tiberi, executive producer of Swallowtail and Dragonfly, told Xinhua, ‘If the president doesn’t voluntarily recuse himself from a deal his own family is involved in, this could be a very long and bloody legal battle.’

Trump, meanwhile, expressed uncertainty about the Netflix deal on Sunday, warning that the combined market share of Netflix and HBO ‘could be a problem,’ and said he planned to ‘be involved’ in the regulatory process-an unusual declaration signaling a potentially protracted and politically charged review. At the same time, he praised Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and avoided directly criticizing the company’s merger plan.

The situation intensified Monday morning when Paramount launched its bid directly to WBD shareholders. Minutes later, Trump criticized Paramount Skydance and Ellison for allowing 60 Minutes to interview Trump’s former ally Marjorie Taylor Greene. Observers say it remains difficult to predict how Trump will navigate the emerging clash between Ellison and Sarandos, who also has cultivated ties with the former president, including a dinner at Mar-a-Lago and a subsequent Oval Office meeting last month. Trump later confirmed the meeting and praised Sarandos as a visionary leader, while reiterating antitrust concerns about Netflix’s growing market position.

Netflix, the global streaming leader, reported 301.63 million subscribers in its most recent filing. WBD’s HBO Max ranks fourth with 128 million subscribers. Netflix argues that competition from YouTube, TikTok, and other global platforms prevents market dominance, and said its $5.8 billion breakup fee-which it would pay to WBD if the acquisition fails regulatory approval-demonstrates confidence in the deal’s approval.

The current showdown recalls 2016, when Trump opposed the AT and T-Time Warner merger, arguing that HBO and its parent company wielded excessive influence-a dispute that foreshadowed his readiness to weigh in on major media deals and link regulatory decisions with personal grievances. Influential MAGA figures, including Steve Bannon and Matt Gaetz, quickly echoed Trump’s concerns and urged him to block the Netflix-WBD merger.

WBD’s board said it would review Paramount’s offer but reaffirmed its endorsement of Netflix’s bid, advising shareholders to ‘take no action.’ Netflix expects the merger with WBD to take 12 to 18 months, depending on regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Market reactions on Monday reflected the ongoing turmoil: Paramount shares rose 9.02%, WBD climbed 4.41%, and Netflix slipped 3.44%, highlighting investor uncertainty amid what may become one of the most closely watched media mergers in recent history.

On December 8, 2025, “The Revival of Garabagh: The Story of the Azerbaijani Renaissance,” an innovative book project commissioned by the Garabagh Revival Fund, was officially presented, Azernews reports.

The event was attended by state and government officials, members of the Azerbaijani Parliament, family members of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland, participants of the Garabagh War, donors and partners of the Fund, as well as media representatives.

The event began with the performance of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs who gave their lives for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Motherland.

Delivering the opening speech, Chairman of the Board of the Garabagh Revival Fund Rahman Hajiyev provided extensive information about the significance and preparation process of the book “The Revival of Garabagh: The Story of the Azerbaijani Renaissance.”

It was noted that this book broadly highlights the history of Garabagh, the period of occupation, its liberation, the reconstruction process, and its outlook for the future by incorporating texts, photographs, as well as interviews with officials, state representatives, experts, and the memories of people displaced from their native lands:

“Covering nearly 500 pages, ‘The Revival of Garabagh: The Story of the Azerbaijani Renaissance’ is not merely a book – it is a chronicle enriched with texts, photographs, and interactive digital materials that brings Garabagh’s revival story to life in all its colors before the reader.”

It was emphasized that the book is part of a special digital ecosystem created within the project.

Thus, through hundreds of QR codes placed throughout the book, readers can access materials on the website www.book.revival.az and other online resources, view extended photo galleries, full video and text versions of exclusive interviews, historical literature, and other materials.

At the same time, by visiting the online store available at https://book.revival.az/estore/ and making a donation to the Fund, it is possible to obtain the book in any desired quantity and in various editions (including Classic, Prestige, and Signature Collection).

The “Victory AI” artificial-intelligence-based guide, created in the form of a Phoenix bird and included in the ecosystem, provides readers with extensive information about the book’s content and, more broadly, about the history of Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur, the period of occupation, and the ongoing revival.

These features take the publication beyond the classical definition of a book, transforming it into an innovative, dynamic, and interactive project adapted to the reading preferences of modern generations.

Stating that Garabagh has transformed from a conflict zone into a region of peace and revival, Rahman Hajiyev noted that the purpose of preparing the book is to bring to the attention of the international community the truths about Karabakh, the large-scale reconstruction and development works carried out in the liberated territories under the leadership of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and Azerbaijan’s efforts toward ensuring lasting peace in the region.

Afterwards, the video presentation of “The Revival of Garabagh: The Story of the Azerbaijani Renaissance” and the video titled “From Tragedy to Victory”, reflecting the reconstruction and revival of the liberated territories, were shown. The event continued with a Q and A session with the author. Moderated by Gultakin Qaradagli, British writer Graham Wilson answered numerous questions.

During the event, MP and member of the Supervisory Board of the Garabagh Revival Fund Tural Ganjaliyev, MP Rizvan Nabiyev, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center Revan Hasanov, founder and CEO of Veys?loglu Group Aydin Talibov, and other speakers noted the importance of the book and expressed their confidence that it would make a significant contribution to conveying the truths about the events in Garabagh, the reconstruction and redevelopment works carried out in the liberated territories under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, and Azerbaijan’s efforts toward establishing lasting peace in the region to an international audience.

At the end of the event, “Iteca Caspian” and “Caspian Event Organisers” companies, which donated 28,500 AZN to support the reconstruction of Garabagh and received the book “The Revival of Garabagh: The Story of the Azerbaijani Renaissance”, as well as PASHA Capital Investment Company, which donated 10,000 AZN and received the book, were presented with “Donation Certificates” on behalf of the Fund.

It should be noted that all event participants were presented with three books authored by Graham Wilson on behalf of the Garabagh Revival Fund and the author himself: “Ilham Aliyev: A Portrait of a President,” “The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of Heydar Aliyev and Azerbaijan,” and “Azerbaijan Democratic Republic: A Dream That Never Died.”

We would also like to remind that those wishing to obtain the book “The Revival of Garabagh: The Story of the Azerbaijani Renaissance” may visit the online store at https://book.revival.az/estore/, select their preferred edition, and receive the book by making a donation to the Garabagh Revival Fund.

The book will soon be translated into Azerbaijani and several foreign languages.

During the event, the exhibition “The Revival of Garabagh: The Story of the Azerbaijani Renaissance”, organized based on the photographs featured in the book and showcasing the reconstruction and redevelopment works carried out in the liberated territories, as well as the rich nature and rare flora and fauna of Garabagh, was also presented.

The “Mara’ee 2025” event held in the Kingdom of Bahrain stood out as a remarkable occasion that brought together the country’s ancient traditions, historical farming culture, and modern outlook, Azernews reports.

The word “Mara’ee” means pasture and vast living spaces, reflecting the rhythm of life, work culture, and community unity that have shaped Bahraini society over centuries. The festival is not limited to preserving national values and showcasing rich traditions; it also serves as a significant platform that strengthens intercultural ties in the region and attracts international attention.

On this prestigious stage, the program presented by the Azerbaijani delegation became one of the festival’s brightest highlights.

According to the State Border Service (SBS) press center, the performances, featuring skilled horsemen, an orchestra distinguished by elegance and stage culture, and dance groups embodying every detail of national color were prepared under a unified concept. The result was an aesthetic and dynamic composition that drew great interest. These performances reflected the professionalism of the special ensembles operating within the cultural and creative sphere of the Azerbaijan State Border Service as well as their mission to represent the country with dignity on the international stage.

The complementary stage numbers were praised for their content, energy, and emotional impact, and were recognized as one of the longest and most memorable programs of the event.

This year’s festival was attended by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, who expressed his special gratitude to the Azerbaijani delegation and shared his positive impressions of the program.

The successful presentation of the Azerbaijani delegation at “Mara’ee 2025” added another valuable contribution to the high-level promotion of the nation’s culture, professional ensembles, and national values on the international arena.

During her visit to Turkmenistan, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the performance of the ‘Galkynysh’ National Equestrian Games Group in Turkmenbashi on December 9 and visited an exhibition dedicated to Turkmen national cuisine.

The ‘Galkynysh’ National Equestrian Games Group, which preserves Turkmenistan’s ancient equestrian traditions, national culture, and folklore, showcased a rich cultural heritage to the guests.

Vice-President Leyla Aliyeva then toured the exhibition on Turkmen national cuisine, where detailed information about its traditions was presented.

The event was accompanied by musical performances and dance group numbers.

The “Asset Integrity and Corrosion and Coatings Conference” opened this week, bringing together more than 500 delegates from over 20 countries, including leading industry experts, company executives, and global technology providers, Azernews reports.

The event focuses on the latest developments in asset integrity management, corrosion mitigation, and protective coating technologies – areas increasingly vital to the energy sector’s future.

Speaking at the opening session, Deputy Vice President of SOCAR and Executive Director of SOCAR Midstream Gas Operation highlighted the strategic importance of maintaining existing infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability.

He stressed that proper integrity management not only prevents incidents but also extends the lifespan of assets, reducing the need for new construction.

Maintains of existing infrastructure is not only about the cost, it is about the responsible use of materials and minimizing environmental impact.

The speaker added that each industrial project consumes significant natural resources, and maintaining current systems is essential for sustainability across the entire value chain: “Our aim in integrity management is to ensure sustainability.”

Corrosion – described as a growing global threat – was another priority topic. The SOCAR representative emphasized that the challenge extends beyond the oil and gas sector and will remain significant even as companies transition to new energy systems.

“Corrosion causes economic losses and environmental damage, and improving our protective coatings is crucial. Though we have to concentrate on improving the coatings applied to our systems to prevent further corrosion. Of course, the industry also needs to advance new technologies,” he said.

The conference features two main tracks: the Asset Integrity Conference and the Corrosion and Coatings Conference. The programme includes more than 50 technical sessions, several panel discussions, and extensive networking opportunities aimed at encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Over 50 speakers are delivering presentations, while more than 25 companies are showcasing advanced technological solutions. The event plays a key role in aligning regional industry practices with international standards, supporting safer, more efficient, and more sustainable infrastructure management across the energy sector.