Category: Azer News

According to the state news agency TASS, Google LLC has been fined 22.8 million rubles (approximately $298,600) in Russia for distributing virtual private network (VPN) services through its Google Play platform. VPN services allow users to conceal their location and encrypt internet traffic, which can enable them to bypass website restrictions, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The ruling was issued by the Tagansky District Court in Moscow. The court found the company guilty on six administrative counts under the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses. According to the decision, Google failed to comply with its obligations as an ‘online information resource’ by not removing content that authorities deemed illegal under Russian law.

In recent years, Russia has tightened regulation over foreign technology platforms, particularly regarding content moderation and access to restricted online resources. VPN services have become a focal point in this regulatory effort, as they are widely used to access blocked websites and social media platforms.

The fine adds to a series of legal and financial pressures faced by international tech companies operating in Russia, reflecting broader tensions over digital sovereignty, data control, and internet governance.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their daughter Arzu Aliyeva inspected the progress of reconstruction in the village of Khanabad, located in the Khojaly district, AzerNEWS reports.

Elchin Yusubov, Special Representative of the President for the city of Khankendi and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, briefed the head of state and the First Lady on the details of the reconstruction projects implemented in the village.

Khanabad is part of the eponymous administrative territorial district of Khojaly. The village was liberated from occupation following the anti-terror operations conducted by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in September 2023.

Historically, the village featured a secondary school, a cultural center, a library, and a medical facility. It is also home to significant cultural heritage sites of national importance, including a 13th-century church and the 9th-century “Aslan Galasi” (Lion Castle) architectural monument.

The village consists of 276 houses, of which 115 were deemed uninhabitable and 161 were classified as partially fit for residence. To date, 120 houses have been fully renovated, with an additional 41 slated for completion by the end of this year. Just a few days ago, 38 families (154 individuals) returned to the village.

A wide array of social infrastructure projects has been completed. These include the restoration of three existing transformer stations and gas and power lines, alongside the installation of new electrical, gas, and fiber-optic cables. Major repairs were conducted on sub-artesian wells and the central water reservoir, while construction has commenced on two additional reservoirs. To stabilize the water supply, a pumping station was built in the nearby Asgaran settlement, and internal village roads have been fully restored.

At the entrance to the village, a ‘Khanabad’ composition has been installed; a park has been laid out along the shore of Khanabad Lake; an overpass has been constructed; and the National Flag has been raised.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughter Arzu Aliyeva visited the home of Amrah Sahibli, who returned to the village, and had a conversation.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has issued a direct apology to the employees of the Gates Foundation following the release of thousands of documents and photographs from the estate of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. During a high-stakes internal town hall meeting, Gates reportedly “took responsibility for his actions,” admitting that his past association with Epstein had “cast a shadow” over the organization’s global humanitarian efforts, AzerNEWS reports.

The meeting, described by sources as a rare moment of vulnerability for the billionaire, comes as federal investigators and House Democrats released a massive trove of over 3 million pages of evidence under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The files include undated photographs of Gates-some showing him in conversation with the formerly-titled Prince Andrew and others near private aircraft-as well as unverified emails from Epstein’s personal accounts.

Gates’ representatives were quick to clarify his position during the fallout:

Gates addressed images circulating that show him with women whose faces have been redacted or retouched. He asserted these individuals were Epstein’s staff members and the photos were taken following legitimate business meetings.

He reiterated that he had no contact with Epstein after 2014 and has consistently ignored subsequent outreach from the financier before Epstein died in 2019.

The foundation continues to maintain that Gates was never involved in or aware of Epstein’s criminal activities.

Beyond the photographs, the “Epstein Files” contained startling-though largely unverified-claims regarding Gates’ health and his work in global pandemic prevention. According to draft emails Epstein wrote to himself in 2013, the financier alleged a much darker, transactional nature to their relationship.

The “Russian Girl” and Antibiotic Allegations

In one of the most controversial draft emails, Epstein claimed he assisted Gates in dealing with the “consequences” of an extramarital encounter with a woman in Russia. The files suggest that Gates allegedly sought “antibiotics” or medication to treat a potential illness discreetly, without the knowledge of his then-wife, Melinda French Gates.

While the public knows Gates for his early warnings about global viruses (such as his 2015 TED Talk), the Epstein files contain uncorroborated allegations that Epstein sought to leverage his relationship with Gates to influence medical research and vaccine distribution networks.

Statement from Gates’ Spokesperson: “These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false. They demonstrate Epstein’s frustration at failing to maintain a relationship with Mr. Gates and the lengths he would go to to entrap and defame him.”

A “Who’s Who” of Influence?

The December 19, 2025, document dump has sent shockwaves through the worlds of politics and entertainment. Names appearing in the files range from musical icons like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Bruce Springsteen to high-ranking political figures including Donald Trump, Michelle Obama, and Jay Dee Vance.

Legal experts caution that the appearance of a name in the files does not imply wrongdoing, as many were part of Epstein’s massive social and philanthropic “Rolodex.” However, for Gates, the timing of these disclosures has already had professional consequences, leading to the cancellation of his recent keynote address at an AI summit in India to avoid “distracting from the event’s priorities.”

As a result of large-scale measures taken in recent years, not only the capital, Baku, but also the regions of Azerbaijan are developing rapidly. Following liberation from occupation, the economic regions of Garabagh and East Zangazur have gained special strategic importance on the country’s economic map through restoration and investment programs. These regions play a decisive role in Azerbaijan’s economic security, regional competitiveness, and long-term sustainable development strategy due to their natural and geographical position, as well as their industrial, agricultural, and logistics potential. Their revival is a cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s post-conflict economic transformation.

AzerNEWS discussed this topic with Vugar Bayramov, an economic expert and deputy of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan. According to him, Garabagh and East Zangazur have the potential to contribute at least 10 percent of added value to Azerbaijan’s gross domestic product in the future. This translates into approximately 15 billion manats of new economic value. Strategically, these regions organize gas exports and production, while also creating significant opportunities for expanding non-oil sector production and exports.This diversification is critical for reducing dependence on hydrocarbons and ensuring resilience against global energy market fluctuations.

Bayramov emphasized that the main priorities of state policy include infrastructure restoration, population resettlement, renewal of social services, and the implementation of ‘smart city-village’ models. About 12 billion manats have already been allocated from the state budget for this purpose, while 15 billion manats are expected to be directed to fixed capital in 2026. In total, more than 26 billion manats are projected to be invested in the region in the coming years. Such figures demonstrate the government’s commitment to transforming Garabagh and East Zangazur into hubs of innovation and sustainable growth.

‘In the next stage, work is being carried out in parallel to build the economy, which is an integral part of the reintegration process. About 12 billion manats have already been allocated from the state budget for this purpose,’ the expert noted. This highlights the dual nature of reconstruction: physical rebuilding and economic reintegration.

However, construction and development are not solely the responsibility of the state. The involvement of private companies is equally important. V. Bayramov explained that the private sector is actively participating in this process, investing in various sectors, creating new enterprises, and providing employment. Once the infrastructure phase is completed, private investments are expected to increase further, which will accelerate industrial diversification and job creation.

Given that more funds will be directed in the coming years, attracting foreign investment remains a priority. Demographically, the settlement of the region will accelerate, creating a more favorable environment for investors. This interplay between population growth and investment inflows is crucial for establishing a self-sustaining economic ecosystem.

Nevertheless, challenges persist. For decades, life in these regions was at a standstill, and only after the victory of the Azerbaijani Army did citizens begin to return to their displaced lands. The silence of more than 30 years cannot be broken in just six years of development. The population has not yet fully migrated, and both the labor force and consumer base remain limited.

Bayramov acknowledged: ‘The main challenges here are that there are many cities, but the number of consumers is still small, and reconstruction requires significant funds. Despite this, the state budget will continue to support the full formation of infrastructure in Garabagh and East Zangazur.’ This reflects the reality that economic revitalization is a long-term process requiring patience and sustained investment.

According to the State Statistics Committee, in January alone, 2 billion 275 million 641 thousand manats were invested in fixed capital in the Garabagh economic region, with the majority spent on construction and installation works. Significant allocations were made across districts such as Khankendi, Agdam, Fuzuli, and Shusha, underscoring the scale of reconstruction.

Similarly, in East Zangazur, 2 billion 811 million 671 thousand manats were invested in fixed capital in January, with 2 billion 763 million 126 thousand manats directed toward construction and installation works. Districts such as Kalbajar, Lachin, and Zangilan received substantial investments, reflecting the government’s balanced approach to regional development.

American F-22 stealth fighter jets were deployed at an Israeli Air Force base in southern Israel on Tuesday, as part of the United States’s massive buildup of military forces in the Middle East, The Times of Israel has learned, AzerNEWS reports.

The jets were stationed at an airbase in the United Kingdom in recent days, according to open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters, and were seen taking off earlier on Tuesday.

Their arrival in Israel is another step in the amassing of American aircraft in the region as tensions between Iran and the US threaten to erupt into war.

Negotiations between the two countries over the Iranian nuclear program are ongoing, and the sides are due to meet on Thursday in Geneva. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reportedly gotten the green light for a counterproposal to submit to the American negotiating team.

But US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened that he will attack Iran if those talks fail. Iran has vowed to strike Israel and US targets in the region in response.

Israeli officials are said to believe that a US strike is inevitable, and top military brass from the two countries have reportedly been in contact. One official quoted by Channel 12 news on Tuesday said that a diplomatic resolution to the conflict would be the ‘surprise of the year.’

Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall has hosted a spectacular classical music concert, AzerNEWS reports.

The stage was graced by the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra, conducted by the Honored Artist, Maestro Ayyub Guliyev.

Saida Taghizade stepped onto the stage in a stunning red gown, thrilling the audience with her presence as she took her place at the piano.

The audience was enchanted by her magnificent performance from the very first chords. The concert program opened with the overture to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera “The Marriage of Figaro”. The lightness, speed, and sparkling joy of the piece set the tone for the entire evening.

Next, the program featured Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12 in A Major, a three-movement work in which elegance is beautifully intertwined with profound emotions.”

The audience responded with great excitement, offering a standing ovation at the end of the concert. It was an incredible evening, leaving everyone impressed by the powerful music and the talented performers.

The profitability of Azerbaijani banks is expected to remain at a stable level, AzerNEWS reports, citing the report of the international rating agency Moody’s.

Moody’s latest report indicates that the average ratio of net income to tangible assets among rated Azerbaijani banks is forecast to stay around 2-3 percent. This outlook is supported by resilient net interest margins, stable income from fees and commissions, and controlled provisions for credit losses.

‘The increase in margins in recent years reflects the rising share of higher-yield loans among retail borrowers and small and medium-sized enterprises. Economic recovery continues to stimulate strong credit demand from these segments. However, while the Central Bank of Azerbaijan has lowered interest rates, putting downward pressure on returns from interest-earning assets, fierce competition for customers keeps funding costs relatively rigid, which could narrow margins. Additionally, the increase in mandatory reserves will somewhat limit the still-high profitability,’ the report notes.

The report reiterates that the profitability of Azerbaijani banks is expected to remain stable overall.

Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company (SOCAR) and South Korea’s Samsung E and A Co., Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in the energy sector, AzerNEWS reports.

The agreement was announced by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, who shared details on his official account on platform X.

During discussions with Hong Namkung, President and CEO of Samsung E and A, the parties explored opportunities for partnership in energy efficiency, production localization, and the establishment of a regional industrial hub. The memorandum also covers collaboration on human capital development and decarbonization initiatives.

‘The implementation of this document is significant for integrating local companies into the global value chain,’ Jabbarov noted in his statement.

Samsung E and A operates in engineering, procurement, construction, and project management (EPC and PM). Its portfolio spans oil and gas exploration and processing, power generation, water and waste treatment, and industrial facilities. By combining engineering solutions with efficient project management, the company has played a role in delivering industrial and infrastructure projects across multiple countries.

The new agreement underscores Azerbaijan’s ambition to strengthen international partnerships in energy and industry, while advancing sustainability and innovation in the sector.

Hamas condemned on Wednesday the United States’ decision to start providing consular services in Efrat, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, AzerNEWS reports.

In a statement shared with the Shahab News Agency, the organization insisted that the US’s move could be interpreted as a recognition of the legitimacy of the settlement, which Palestinians dispute. Hamas stressed that the decision represents a “clear violation” of international law and the Palestinians’ rights. Lastly, the group urged the international community to respond.

Previously, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the US’s move.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the US move.

‘We. appreciate the important decision by the US embassy to extend consular services to Efrat, in Judea and Samaria,’ he said, using the biblical name for the West Bank.

‘As America marks 250 years of independence, Israel stands proudly beside it,’ he added at an event marking the occasion.

The Palestinian Authority’s Colonisation and Wall Resistance Commission condemned the move, saying in a statement that it ‘constitutes a clear violation of international law and a blatant favouring of the occupation authorities’, referencing Israel.

Minister Muayyad Shubban, head of the commission, called on the US to reverse the decision, and on the international community to refrain from legitimising the settlement system.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas also decried the US decision, describing it in a statement as ‘a dangerous step that supports (Israel’s) Judaisation plans’.

The US embassy in Jerusalem also announced that such pop-up consular services will be provided in the next couple of months in another Israeli settlement, Beitar Illit, as well as in the Palestinian city of Ramallah and three cities inside Israel.

In 2025, a total of 2,995 greenhouses with a combined area of 1.5 thousand hectares were operating in Azerbaijan, reflecting a continued contraction in the sector, AzerNEWS reports.

The number of greenhouses declined by 42 units compared to 2024, when 3,037 greenhouses covered 1.6 thousand hectares. The total greenhouse area decreased by 100 hectares year-on-year. The downward trend follows a sharper drop from 2023, when the country had 3,228 greenhouses in operation.

In 2025, greenhouse tomato production totaled 156.8 thousand tons, marking a significant decrease of 68.1 thousand tons compared to 224.9 thousand tons in 2024. In 2023, production stood even higher at 268.9 thousand tons, indicating a steady decline over the past two years.

Cucumber production also fell, decreasing by 4.1 thousand tons, from 11.6 thousand tons in 2024 to 7.5 thousand tons in 2025. Lemon output edged down from 55 tons to 52 tons, while onion production remained almost stable, slipping marginally from 22.3 tons to 22.2 tons.

Gains in select crops

Despite the overall decline, some products recorded growth in 2025:

Mushrooms increased from 1.6 thousand tons to 1.8 thousand tons.

Strawberries rose from 237.6 tons to 241.1 tons.

Eggplants climbed from 15.3 tons to 17.5 tons.

Peppers saw a notable surge from 14.1 tons to 27.4 tons.

Meanwhile, the 151.3 tons of potatoes and 35.5 tons of cabbage produced in 2024 were not reflected in the 2025 statistics.

Regional Contribution

The main share of greenhouse crop production in 2025 came from the regions of Khazar, Shamkir, Absheron, Salyan, Sabunchu, Binagadi, Kurdamir, Samukh, Khizi, Tovuz, and Hajigabul.

Despite lower production volumes, Azerbaijan’s exports of fresh tomatoes, including those grown in natural conditions, increased in 2025.

Exports reached 172.86 thousand tons, up 18.72% year-on-year. Export revenues totaled $192.47 million, reflecting a 9.72% increase compared to the previous year. However, the average export price declined by 7.56%, falling to $1,113.46 per ton.

The principal export destination remained Russia, which imported 166.11 thousand tons, marking a 17.13% increase compared to the previous year.