Category: Azer News

Pavan Davuluri, head of Windows and Surface at Microsoft, outlined the future direction of Windows on the social network X (formerly Twitter), stating that the platform is evolving into an ‘agent-based operating system’ with a strong focus on deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI), Azernews reports.

The announcement came shortly after the completion of an internal reorganization within the Windows division, aimed at accelerating AI integration into the operating system. While Microsoft has previously hinted at a shift toward an AI-driven OS, Davuluri’s statement represented one of the clearest confirmations of this strategy.

The response from users, however, was mixed. Many expressed concerns in the comments about Windows becoming a platform where AI agents play a central role. Common criticisms included fears of forced AI integration and skepticism about Microsoft’s overall product direction. Similar sentiments have appeared in other official Microsoft communications regarding Windows development.

Users also highlighted that the backlash isn’t just about the AI-focused concept itself but also reflects long-standing frustrations with the Windows ecosystem. Frequently discussed issues include: increased dependence on Microsoft services such as OneDrive and Copilot, system slowdowns, reduced update stability sometimes leading to failures, and growing distrust of the company’s product priorities.

Despite the criticism, experts note that an AI-driven Windows OS could unlock new productivity and automation features for businesses and developers, potentially transforming the way users interact with their computers-if Microsoft manages to balance innovation with reliability and user control.

The ‘Khojaly’ dry cargo vessel, operated by ASCO – part of AZCON Holding – has departed Port Kembla in Australia en route to the Port of Los Angeles in the United States, Azernews reports, citing the company.

According to information, the ship set sail carrying 24,251 tons of steel and is expected to arrive at its destination late next week.

At present, the ‘Khojaly’ is navigating the Pacific Ocean under full safety protocols, with the voyage being carried out in full compliance with international operational standards.

The vessel was commissioned on May 27, 2024, in the People’s Republic of China. Designed for unrestricted sailing, the Handysize-class dry cargo ship has a deadweight capacity of 38,593 tons, a length of 180 meters, a width of 30 meters, a draft of 10.47 meters, and a maximum speed of 15.7 knots.

The International Mugham Center (IMC), a prominent cultural landmark in Baku, has become a symbol of the city’s identity, distinguished by its unique architectural design and prime location, Azernews reports.

Local residents and the guests of Baku city flock to this cultural pearl, where they can enjoy Azerbaijan’s rich musical heritage.

A permanent exhibition of traditional musical instruments, showcased in the center’s foyer, further enhances the experience. Visitors can explore ancient instruments like the tar, kamancha, balaban, and qaval.

According to the IMC’s leadership, there are plans to transform this collection into a full-fledged museum exhibit, a move that promises to further boost tourism and offer international guests an even deeper connection with Azerbaijan’s musical traditions.

The International Mugham Center has seen a noticeable rise in interest this year, particularly from tourists attending mugham and ethnoconcerts.

Notably, during the 9th “Mugham” TV Contest, the center hosted numerous concerts, attracting a diverse range of visitors.

Monthly events cater to both music specialists and casual attendees, with advertising banners placed outside to draw in more tourists. During the day, as tourists pass by in anticipation of the evening performances, many stop to admire the center’s striking architecture and inviting atmosphere.

This growing international interest was particularly evident during the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, when many race fans and visitors to Baku also attended IMC’s musical events.

Moreover, foreign television channels, invited by the State Tourism Agency, have regularly featured extensive reports on the IMC, further amplifying the global appeal of Azerbaijani mugham.

For anyone visiting Baku, the IMC is an essential destination, a place to immerse oneself in the nation’s cultural essence and experience the enchanting power of Azerbaijani music firsthand.

The Mugham Center was established on the initiative of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, in accordance with the presidential decree dated April 6, 2005.

The center, which laid its foundation that same year and is known as one of Baku’s unique architectural projects, opened its doors in 2008.

The Mugham Center regularly organises large-scale music festivals and concerts by highly acclaimed cultural figures.

The Center also takes important steps towards bolstering cultural ties with Turkiye, Poland, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Morocco, and other countries.

The International Mugham Center is determined to further expand its work and promote Azerbaijani musical culture.

Numerous projects are being carried out by the center in the direction of studying and promoting mugham art.

In 2025, the Mugham Center became the first cultural institution in Azerbaijan to be awarded “international” status by legislation.

This new status contributes to improving the financial well-being of the people working at the center, which has been one of the leading concert institutions in Baku for many years.

An event titled ‘Path of Liberty’ was held in Bern, Switzerland, dedicated to Azerbaijan’s Victory Day on 8 November and the 140th anniversary of renowned composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli. Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora Fuad Muradov attended the ceremony, Azernews reports.

In his remarks, Muradov noted that under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan’s diaspora policy has entered a new stage of development. He also highlighted the significant contributions of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva to promoting Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage internationally.

Muradov emphasized that Azerbaijani communities worldwide are celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Victory with great enthusiasm and continue implementing successful initiatives aimed at showcasing Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage abroad. He stressed that cultural diplomacy plays an essential role in strengthening trust between nations, deepening mutual understanding, and building lasting friendships – a priority for Azerbaijani diaspora organizations.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Fuad Isgandarov, underlined the important role of the diaspora in strengthening the country’s international image and promoting humanitarian values, noting that cultural events significantly contribute to Azerbaijan’s global outreach.

Maryam Gulamova, head of the Caspian-Alpine Society, stated that the organization’s projects help build cultural bridges between the two countries and emphasized the importance of promoting Azerbaijani culture in Europe not only through artistic programs and festivals but also at an academic level.

The event also featured the presentation of the monograph ‘Modernity and Archaics: 20th Century Azerbaijani Musical Culture in the Context of Three Empires’ by Germany-based composer and musicologist Elmir Mirzayev. The author provided detailed insights into the work, which covers 200 years of Azerbaijan’s historical and cultural development. The book has been translated into German and published by Transcript-Verlag (Bielefeld), and distributed to major libraries in Azerbaijan and Germany.

Moderated by Sara Abbasova, First Secretary of Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the event continued with a cultural program.

The artistic segment featured performances of Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s ‘Ashigsayagi,’ ‘Arazbari,’ ‘Sansiz,’ and ‘Sevgili Canan,’ as well as Mirzayev’s composition ‘Dedication,’ honoring the victims of the Khojaly genocide. Soprano Mara Huseynova, members of the ‘Berner Klaviertrio’ – violinist Roman Filipov, cellist Pierre Deppe, pianist Igor Andreev – along with works by Turker Gasimzade, composer and dean at Garabagh University, captivated the audience, earning prolonged applause.

The event was organized by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, the Azerbaijan Diaspora Support Fund, and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, with support from the Caspian-Alpine Society.

Today, our countries play a leading role in the development of the East-West and North-South corridors. Azerbaijan is making significant investments in the infrastructure of modern railways and highways, as well as airports and seaports, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the participants of the international conference on “The role of secret services in the security of international transport routes,” Azernews reports.

‘We view these transport and communication lines not only as a source of economic prosperity, but also as an important foundation for closer integration of Turkic states in political, cultural, security, and defense spheres,’ the Azerbaijani President emphasized.

As part of the 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, an International Congress on “Spiritual Heritage and Enlightenment in Central Asia and Azerbaijan” is being held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Azernews reports.

The Congress, a key platform underscoring the Central Asian countries’ commitment to spiritual values, plays a significant role in advancing intercultural dialogue and strengthening humanitarian cooperation.

The event is organized by the Uzbekistan Islamic Civilization Center, the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the World Society for the Study, Protection, and Promotion of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage (WOSCU), the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, and the Central Asia International Institute.

The Congress opened on November 13 at the Uzbekistan Islamic Civilization Center, followed by a tour of the museum exhibitions, the International Platform, and the Calligraphy School.

The event began with a message from the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and proceeded with plenary sessions involving culture ministers, muftis, presidents of national academies of sciences, museum directors, youth affairs departments, “Culture” TV channels, art academies, national libraries, and leaders of writers’ and composers’ unions from Central Asia.

During the plenary session, the Director of the Azerbaijan National Library, Professor Karim Tahirov, addressed the participants on behalf of Azerbaijani libraries, wishing the Uzbekistan Islamic Civilization Center continued success in its efforts.

During her visit to Mingachevir, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, took part in a series of environmental initiatives, Azernews reports.

The visit began with the release of 25,000 carp into the Mingachevir reservoir, attended by Leyla Aliyeva. The initiative aims to restore aquatic bioresources, increase fish stocks, and contribute to the ecological balance of water bodies.

Later, Aliyeva participated in a reintroduction program at the Korchay State Nature Reserve. Ten gazelles were brought from the Shirvan National Park and released into the reserve. The relocation is intended to enhance genetic diversity among the existing gazelle population, prevent various diseases, and promote the formation of a healthier gazelle population in the area. Currently, the Korchay State Nature Reserve is home to 810 gazelles.

As part of the visit, a tree-planting campaign was also held in Mingachevir. With Aliyeva’s participation, 100 volunteers planted 200 trees, including Eldar pines and cypresses. These species are drought-resistant and well-suited to the region’s soil and climate conditions, making them important for environmental protection and expanding green spaces.

It should be noted that these environmental initiatives are part of the ongoing work of the IDEA Public Union to protect the environment and biodiversity in Azerbaijan.

The effectiveness of cooperation in the field of security of transport and communication lines is a guarantee for the economic development and long-term stability of fraternal states, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the participants of the international conference on “The role of secret services in the security of international transport routes,” Azernews reports.

‘I am confident that today’s event and, most importantly, the continuous joint work of the secret services will help resolve key issues related to the security, stability and well-being of our countries, and also contribute to the peaceful and prosperous development of our peoples,’ the head of state added.

President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, issued an address to the participants of the international conference on “The role of secret services in the security of international transport routes.”

Azernews presents the address:

‘Dear conference participants,

I warmly welcome you to Khankendi for the opening of the international conference on ‘The role of secret services in the security of international transport routes’.

The participation of representatives of secret services from fraternal countries in this event is clear evidence of our common vision for the strengthening of security and cooperation.

It is no coincidence that today’s event is dedicated to ensuring the security of international transport routes, which are of strategic importance for our countries and the region as a whole. The conflicts observed in various parts of the world lately have led to an increase in various challenges that pose a serious threat to international and regional security. From this perspective, enhancing cooperation between secret services and security agencies is of tremendous importance in terms of protecting the vast transport network connecting Europe and Asia that passes through our countries.

Today, our countries play a leading role in the development of the East-West and North-South corridors. Azerbaijan has invested heavily in the infrastructure of modern railways and highways, as well as airports and seaports. We view these transport and communication lines not only as a source of economic prosperity, but also as an important foundation for closer integration of Turkic states in political, cultural, security and defense spheres.

The opening of the Zangezur corridor will play an important part in establishing direct and unhindered links between our countries. The increase in cargo transportation resulting from the implementation of this project will significantly enhance the competitiveness of the region. However, the growing role of our transport hubs also makes them targets for destructive forces. Our transport and communication lines are faced with the threats of international terrorism, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, smuggling, as well as cyber threats aimed at paralyzing the management of critical transport infrastructure.

It is also worth pointing at the attempts at external interference and destabilization aiming to hamper the implementation of large-scale regional projects. This is why the strengthening of cooperation between secret services has become a vital necessity. It is extremely important to conduct continuous and operational exchange of information about planned acts of sabotage against major transport facilities, routes and our states in general, and take joint preventive measures.

In this context, the development and implementation of coordinated operational measures to prevent the destructive activities of terrorist organizations and criminal groups attempting to use our transit routes should also be among the priority areas of activity. This cooperation should also include the exchange of experience in the field of protection against cyber threats, as well as the application of cutting-edge technologies for control and monitoring of transport flows.

The effectiveness of cooperation in the field of security of transport and communication lines is a guarantee for the economic development and long-term stability of fraternal states. I am confident that today’s event and, most importantly, the continuous joint work of the secret services will help resolve key issues related to the security, stability and well-being of our countries, and also contribute to the peaceful and prosperous development of our peoples.

I once again warmly welcome all the participants of the event to Garabagh and hope that the conference concludes with significant and tangible results!’

he 8th Forum and Assembly of European Athletes was held in London, the capital of the United Kingdom, Azernews reports.

The forum aims to bring together representatives of the Athletes’ Commissions of 49 European National Olympic Committees, both in-person and online, to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by athletes.

After presentations explaining the roles of Athletes’ Commissions and the support they receive through Olympic Solidarity from the European Olympic Committee (EOC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), athletes participated in several breakout sessions throughout the day.

The primary focus of these sessions was on preventing competition manipulation, how Athletes’ Commissions can effectively use social media, as well as discussions on the IOC’s “Fit For The Future” process and the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Athletes’ Council.

Later, in a video message, IOC President Kristy Coventry emphasised that the athletes’ voice has never been as strong within the Olympic Movement:

“It was a great pleasure to meet many of you at the last International Athletes Forum. The energy in that room showed that the athletes’ voice has never been stronger than it is today. That’s why events like this Forum are so important. This space is for you to speak up, share your ideas, and ensure your voice is heard on the issues that matter most to you. Together, we can shape a stronger future for our Olympic Movement.”

EOC President Spiros Kapralos noted that the representation of former athletes within the Olympic Movement, including significant participation in the EOC Executive Committee, has greatly increased, playing a crucial role:

“Compared to my time as an Olympian, today’s athletes are at the centre of the Olympic Movement. In everything we do, we consider the athletes.”

After reports and information about commissions and candidates, representatives for the Athletes’ Commissions of the European Olympic Committees for both summer and winter sports were selected.

At the Assembly, Azerbaijan was represented by Rafiq Huseynov, a member of the National Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, an Olympic medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling, and a world and European champion. He was among 18 candidates from Europe for membership in the commission._: