NEWS

Google, Youtube, Gmail, Google Analytics are blocked in a number of countries, including Turkey and Japan. Report informs citing CNNTurk that some Internet users in Azerbaijan also face the same problem. No official announcement has been made.

Leading mobile operator of Azerbaijan, Azercell Telecom, jointly with the foremost bank in the region, International Bank of Azerbaijan, has launched a special co-branded card for their customers. This card enables its holder to earn 1 point for every 1 AZN paid via cashless payments, with a chance of converting them to on-net minutes or megabytes. To take advantage of this feature, one should send SMS with the relevant keyword to 2937 short number.

No commission fee will be issued for cashing and SMS alert service for this card. Customers may acquire the issued for four years period card starting from December, 24 for only 20 AZN at any branch office of International Bank of Azerbaijan or via official site: www.ibar.az/en/individual/plastic-cards/

“With the rapid development of technology, our biggest challenge as a leading mobile operator is to develop new products and solutions to make our subscribers more comfortable with their daily life processes and business operations. Having said that, a card launched in cooperation with our strategic partner, the International Bank of Azerbaijan, will enable Azercell customers to make their lives more mobile by creating opportunity for double-profit for them during each transaction.”, stated the CEO of Azercell, Vahid Mursaliyev.

The Chairman of the Executive Board of International Bank of Azerbaijan, Abbas Ibrahimov said: “The most important feature of this card is the result of the partnership of two large companies, each of which is a leader in its industry in the Azerbaijani market. We do hope that our partnership projects will be furthermore sustainable. The joint resources of the International Bank of Azerbaijan and Azercell will bring new benefits to our users.”

The co-brand card can be activated in USD and EUR accounts in addition to AZN currency. In the frames of “QayğıCash” project customers will get up to 20% of the spent amount as a cashback while making payments in all the partnership points with bank or the bank’s POS terminals. The credit option of the card will be also presented to customers in the soonest time.

The leader of the mobile communication industry, the largest taxpayer and the biggest investor of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan “Azercell Telecom” LLC was founded in 1996. Currently, 4.8 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Mobile operator controls 49% of market share; while its geographical coverage constitutes 99.2% (excluding the occupied territories); and population coverage 99.8%.

Azercell was the pioneering mobile operator to introduce a number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, mobile internet services, 24/7 call center service (*1111), 7/7 Front Office service, Azercell Express offices, M2M services, 4G technology and pilot version of 5G, mobile, online customer care services and customer services through social media, mobile e-signature service “ASAN Imza” etc.

Rapidly increasing 4G network of Azercell covers nearly 60 regions of the country, including Baku and Absheron peninsula. According to the results of mobile network quality and wireless coverage mapping surveys by international systems, Azercell’s 4G network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan. Azercell is the only company in Azerbaijan and CIS region which has been awarded Gold Certificate of International “Investors in People” Standard.

Social media influencers will be banned from promoting vaping, tobacco products and weapons on Instagram as the Facebook-owned platform doubles down on its existing ban on companies advertising these products.

Product endorsements are rampant on Instagram as celebrities and others with large followings, or so-called “influencers”, on the social network have struck deals to talk up clothing, food and other items.

Even though Facebook and Instagram have banned ads for tobacco products, e-cigarette makers have been using influencers to promote their products through hashtags or posts showing they were gifted the devices by companies.

“Branded content that promotes goods such as vaping, tobacco products and weapons will not be allowed,” Instagram said in a post on Wednesday.

“Our advertising policies have long prohibited the advertisement of these products, and we will begin enforcement on this in the coming weeks.”

According to CNBC here this would be the first time the platform is implementing restrictions around the type of items that can be promoted for branded content.

The new guidelines come after Instagram made changes in June to its policies allowing brands to turn an influencer’s post into a sponsored content ad that would appear on their feeds with a “paid partnership with”

Works by the national artist Nadir Gasimov (1928–2000) have been displayed at National Art Museum. The exhibition marked the artist's 90th birthday anniversary.

At the opening ceremony, the museum's director, Honored Art Worker Chingiz Farzaliyev stressed that Gasimov's art covers more than half a century, from the end of 1940 to 2000.

The artist, who worked in various art styles genres was mainly remembered for his paintings inspired by the Absheron Peninsula and the Caspian Sea. His works are included in the "Golden fund" of national art.

Speaking about the work of Nadir Gasimov, Chingiz Farzaliev emphasized that the artist  discovered many talents.

In his speech, the Cultural Minister Abulfas Garayev stressed the importance of holding the exhibition of works by Nadir Gasimov.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists Union, People's Artist Farhad Khalilov shared his memories about the artist.

Elmira Gasimova, daughter of Nadir Gasimov,  expressed gratitude to the organizers of the exposition.

Next, the guests viewed the works displayed at the exhibition.

In his paintings, the artist brilliantly depicted the sun scorched and oil-saturated land, sometimes raging, pacific undulating sea, oil wells located on land and under water.

In the mid-50s of last year, Nadir Gasimov created portraits of famous personalities of Azerbaijan - USSR national artists Bulbul and Marzia Davudova, as well as drilling master Gulbala Aliyev.

However, the artist’s favorite theme was not only the Caspian. He often visited the country's regions to find inspiration in Azerbaijani nature.

In the 1960s, Gasimov created such paintings as "On the Cotton Field",  "On Rice Fields", "Lankaran Girls" and others.

About 100 works by the artist are stored in museums  of the CIS countries, as well as in the USA, Belgium, France, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Bulgaria, etc.

Musica Viva Moscow Chamber Orchestra has performed a spectacular concert at the Heydar Aliyev Center.

The orchestra's artistic director and conductor Alexander Rudin (cello), Alexey Volodin (piano) and Andrey Ershov (trumpet) delighted the audience with music pieces by such world-famous composers as W.A. Mozart, J.S.Bach, A. Arensky and D.Shostakovich.

The Orchestra’s performance of "Arazbari", work of Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli, was warmly welcomed by the audience.

Founded in 1978, Musica Viva orchestra is a universal musical group performing in various genres. The orchestra’s repertoire ranges from West-European and Russian music of the 17th-18th centuries to the pieces composed in late 20th century.

Musica Viva was the first in Russia to perform some music pieces composed by R.Schumann, J.Ch.Bach, C.P.E.Bach, A.Salieri; J.-M.Kraus, I.Pleyel and revived a lot of compositions of Russian composers A.Gretchaninov, N., A. and I. Tcherepnins, other.

Over the past 10 years, Musica Viva has been successfully implementing large projects.

Musica Viva is a regular participant in international music festivals. The orchestra has successfully performed in Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, China, Finland, France, India, Spain, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Taiwan, Turkey and Japan.

Alexander Rudin is a People’s Artist of Russia, a State Prize laureate, a world-famous cellist, conductor, collaborating with symphony and chamber orchestras. His repertoire covers both famous and never before performed works created over 400 years for cello.

Alexey Volodin is one of the most talented representatives of the Russian piano school,  who has exceptional technical skills. He is a laureate of various international competitions.

Andrey Ershov is an extremely talented trumpeter. He is a soloist of the Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theater.

The State Philharmonic Hall will please music lovers with a concert timed to World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

The concert will take place at the Organ Music Hall on December 24 within "Youth Support" project.

Talented musicians Sabina Beylarbayova (organ), violinists Fidan Musayeva, Khadija Mehdiyeva, Elmira Dadasheva, Sariya Nasibova, Nigar Asgarova, pianists Bibikhanum Gadimaliyeva, Nargiz Niftalieva, Fidan Shukurlu, Gunel Tahirzade, Nazrin Shukurzade, vocalists Oya Ergun, Teymur Kazimov and others.

The concert's artistic director is associate Professor of the Azerbaijan national Conservatory Leyla Zaliyeva.

The program will feature works by Azerbaijani and foreign composers, as well as young talent Aysel Alikhanli.

"Youth Support" project addresses the wide audience with different tastes and aims at discovering and supporting  young talents..

The project is headed by the director of the Philharmonic Hall, People's Artist Murad Adigozalzade, coordinator-Ayla Karimova-Zaharia.

December 31 marks the Solidarity Day of the World Azerbaijanis. The last day of December is annually celebrated as a day of Azerbaijani unity.

The main idea of this holiday is the unity and solidarity of the Azerbaijanis from all over the world, respect of national and spiritual values. 

The Philharmonic Hall is the unique center of classical music popularization. The building was constructed during 1910-1920.

There are seven bodies in this grandiose building, including Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra, Azerbaijan State Choral Chapel, Azerbaijan State Camera Orchestra named after Gara Garayev, Azerbaijan State Piano Trio, Azerbaijan State String Quartet, the honored Collective named after Fikrat Amirov, Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble and Azerbaijan State Orchestra of Folk Musical Instruments.

Moreover, the performances of soloists from foreign countries are also regularly organized here.

Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) hosted a meeting with a delegation from the British company International Drilling Fluids (IDF).

At the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed, providing for cooperation between BHOS and IDF in the field of oil & gas engineering and chemical engineering, the exchange of specialists within this cooperation, conducting joint research activities, etc. The document was signed by Rector of BHOS Elmar Gasimov and Executive Director of IDF Koroush Tahmasibi.

At the meeting, an agreement was reached to conduct joint research activities, organize various laboratory courses for students and hold trainings for employees.

The company International Drilling Fluids provides engineering services for drilling, development and production activities in the oil & gas industry. The company conducts practical research activities to resolve drilling issues. The company, headquartered in London, plans to open its office in Azerbaijan.

An official welcome ceremony has been held for President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, who is on an official visit in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A guard of honor was arranged for President Volodymyr Zelensky in the square decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev welcomed President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the President of Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky saluted Azerbaijani soldiers.

President Ilham Aliyev and President Volodymyr Zelensky reviewed the guard of honor.

The national anthems of Ukraine and Azerbaijan were played.

State and government officials of Azerbaijan were introduced to President Volodymyr Zelensky and members of the Ukrainian delegation were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev.

The guard of honor marched in front of the Azerbaijani and Ukrainian presidents to the accompaniment of a military march.

The 9th General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking countries (TURKPA) will be held in the Azerbaijani Parliament in Baku on Dec. 18, Trend reports referring to the parliament.

A meeting of the TURKPA Council of Assembly will be held before the assembly and the chairmanship of the organization will be transferred from the Turkish Grand National Assembly to the Parliament (Milli Majlis) of Azerbaijan.

The event will bring together delegations of member countries led by speakers of parliaments, representatives of Turkic cooperation structures and other international organizations.

The agenda of the 9th General Assembly includes reports and recommendatory decisions of the meetings of the TurkPA standing committees, adoption of model laws, reports of the observation mission for the early presidential elections in Kazakhstan, as well as the adoption of legal documents of the organization.

Following the 9th TURKPA General Assembly, the Baku Declaration will be adopted.

The designing of railway to Shahdag ski resort has started in Azerbaijan, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Javid Gurbanov said at a press conference held in the headquarters of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP)

Gurbanov said that the Asian Development Bank has allocated a loan to build the Baku-Guba-Russia’s state border railway, adding that joint work is to be done with Kazakh and Turkish companies.

The head of Azerbaijan Railways noted that work on acquisition of land for the construction of a railway from Baku to Lankaran district has been completed.

Gurbanov said that the railway to Lankaran district will run not along the coast, but along a new section.

“Design work was carried out to ensure that the railway to Lankaran consist of two railway tracks,” the head of Azerbaijan Railways added. “After solving financial issues after 2021, the work is planned to begin."