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The “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Statistics between the State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan and the Statistical Agency under the President of Tajikistan” has been approved, Azernews reports.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, subsequent to the activation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), it is imperative that the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan facilitate the execution of its stipulations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan is required to formally communicate to the Government of Tajikistan that all requisite internal protocols for the Memorandum of Understanding to become operational have been duly fulfilled.

The Baku Music Academy’s Opera Studio has hosted the premiere of Pietro Mascagni’s one-act opera “Cavalleria Rusticana” (Rustic Chivalry), Azernews reports.

This opera, one of the most significant works of the Verismo movement, was first performed in Rome in 1890.

The production showcased both emerging talents and esteemed figures from the Azerbaijani stage, including soloists from the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

The leading roles were portrayed by Aytaj Shikhalizade as Santuzza, Honored Artist Azer Zade as Turiddu, international competition winner Taleh Yahyayev as Alfio, Honored Artist Sabina Vahabzade as Lucia, and Nina Makarova as Lola.

The creative team was headed by People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Javanshir Jafarov, who served as both conductor and artistic director.

The stage direction was handled by Ludwig Baumann, with Hafiz Guliyev, an Honored Artist, as the director, Yusif Babayev, an Honored Culture Worker, as the scenographer, and Sevil Hajiyeva, also an Honored Artist, as the choirmaster.

Set in a small Sicilian village on the eve of Easter, the opera tells the story of Santuzza, who, betrayed and abandoned by her lover Turiddu, is consumed by jealousy and despair. When she learns that Turiddu has rekindled his affair with his ex-lover, Lola, in her anguish, she exposes the secret of Lola’s husband, Alfio’s infidelity.

The opera reaches its tragic conclusion with a duel between the two men, ending in Turiddu’s death.

The audience warmly embraced the performance, deeply moved by the emotionally charged vocal performances, the expressive direction, and the rich musical backdrop, which created a powerful Sicilian atmosphere.

Thanks to the heartfelt performances, evocative music, and meticulous stage design, the production left a lasting impact on the audience, offering a night filled with genuine dramatic emotions.

Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945) was an Italian composer best known for his operas. His 1890 masterpiece “Cavalleria Rusticana” caused a sensation in the opera world and played a key role in launching the Verismo movement in Italian opera.

Mascagni composed fifteen operas, an operetta, several orchestral and vocal works, as well as songs and piano music.

Throughout his lifetime, he achieved great success both as a composer and a conductor, performing his own works and those of other composers. His operas showcase a wide variety of musical styles.

A round table titled ‘Economic and trade cooperation between China’s Shaanxi Province and Azerbaijan’ was held in Baku, organized by the Export and Investment Promotion Agency – AZPROMO, as part of the visit by the delegation of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

According to AZPROMO, Tural Hajili, Deputy Executive Director of the agency, highlighted the development dynamics of Azerbaijan-China cooperation, including the growing participation of Chinese companies in investment projects across Azerbaijan. He also discussed the activities of Azerbaijan’s trade representative office and trading houses in China and presented details about the 1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum held in September, inviting Shaanxi-based organizations and companies to take part in the next forum.

Wang Hongwei, Party Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, commended the favorable business environment established in Azerbaijan for foreign investors and emphasized the strong potential for expanding mutual trade and investment ties between the two sides.

The event also featured presentations by Azerbaijani and Chinese companies, showcasing the economic potential of both countries. The meeting concluded with a discussion on future cooperation opportunities and an exchange of information aimed at further deepening bilateral economic relations.

A decision has been made regarding Yevgeniy Belousov, editor-in-chief of the Baku branch of the Rossiya Segodnya Information Agency (‘Sputnik Azerbaijan’), who was detained following operational-search measures conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) at the agency’s Baku office, Azernews reports.

The Khatai District Court issued the decision.

It should be recalled that Igor Kartavikh, executive director of Sputnik Azerbaijan, who was previously detained during the same operation, has already been released.

In June of this year, the Azerbaijani MIA conducted an operation at the Baku branch of Rossiya Segodnya (‘Sputnik Azerbaijan’), resulting in the arrest of both Kartavikh and Belousov.

A postage stamps issued by Azerpost LLC at the initiative of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum to mark the 200th anniversary of the outstanding artist Mirza Gadim Iravani, have been presented in Baku, Azernews reports.

The event was attended by prominent figures of science and culture, members of the Azerbaijani Parliament, as well as heads and representatives of the diplomatic corps in Azerbaijan.

In their remarks, director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum Shirin Malikova and head of the postage Stamps Department of Azerpost LLC Sitara Huseynova emphasized that the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the celebration at the state level of the 200th anniversary of Mirza Gadim Iravani in 2025 is an important step in preserving, studying, and promoting the legacy of the great artist among the wider public. They noted that the presented postage stamps are a valuable contribution to the program of events marking the jubilee year.

The ceremony of canceling (stamping) the stamps then took place, with the participation of Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov, Acting Chairman of the Board of Azerpost LLC Isi Mustafayev, and Director of the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art Shirin Malikova.

The postage stamps depict the famous portrait works of M. G. Iravani, including “The Warrior”, “Portrait of the Qajar Princess Mah Talat Khanum”, “Portrait of a Noblewoman”, “Portrait of the Qajar Prince Vedjiulla Mirza”, and “Fath-Ali Shah”. These magnificent examples of art, representing various stages of Iravani’s creative career, are characterized by innovative features for their time not only external resemblance but also individual traits and the revelation of the inner world of the depicted subjects. The original portraits from the collection of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum were also displayed at the presentation.

At the conclusion of the event, the Ensemble of Ancient Musical Instruments, operating under the Azerbaijan State Museum of Musical Culture and led by People’s Artist, Munis Sharifov, presented a concert program featuring gems of folk art.

Sinopec, China’s largest oil refiner, announced on Thursday the discovery of a new shale oil reserve estimated at 100 million tonnes in Sichuan Basin in southwest China, Azernews reports, citing Xinhua.

The company said that the discovery was made in the Qijiang District of Chongqing Municipality. An exploratory well drilled at the site has achieved a flow rate of 38.64 cubic meters of oil and 10,000 cubic meters of natural gas per day during test production, it said.

Shale oil mainly refers to liquid hydrocarbons trapped in formations of shale rock that can be extracted for refining. It is often found in organic-rich shale and thin interlayers of carbonate rock, sandstone and siltstone. As an unconventional oil and gas resource, it also contributes to stable crude oil production in China.

Sinopec has continued to increase efforts in shale oil exploration and development, having identified three new large-scale shale oil fields. Last year, the company’s annual shale oil production reached 705,000 tonnes, up 308,000 tonnes from the previous year.

A total of 14 kilograms and 100 grams of narcotics were prevented from being smuggled into Azerbaijan, according to a statement released by the State Border Service (SBS), Azernews reports.

As Azernews reports, the operation was carried out jointly by officers of the ‘Lankaran’ border detachment of the SBS and the Astara District Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During the operation, Azerbaijani citizens Emin Jafar oglu Jafarov and Neman Arif oglu Rahmatullayev were detained as suspects while attempting to flee the scene in a ‘BYD’ vehicle with the state registration number 99-PC-617.

The SBS noted that operational-investigative measures related to the incident are ongoing.

On October 21, an international conference titled ‘The Caucasus, Central Asia, and Europe in a New Global Order’ was held in the Austrian capital, organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the Vienna Diplomatic Academy, and the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development, Azernews reports.

The opening ceremony featured remarks by Ambassador Martin Eichtinger, Director of the Vienna Diplomatic Academy. Panel discussions included contributions from members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, such as Vuk Jeremic, President of the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly; Benita Ferrero-Waldner, former Austrian Foreign Minister and EU Commissioner; Boris Tadic, former President of Serbia; Nino Burjanadze, former President and Speaker of the Georgian Parliament; and Ana Birchall, former Deputy Prime Minister of Romania and former Greek Foreign and Defense Minister.

The discussions focused on the growing role of the Caucasus and Central Asia in global politics, emerging opportunities for interregional cooperation, the restoration of trust in international diplomacy, and the partnership of South Caucasus and Central Asian countries with the European Union.

On the sidelines of the event, members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center also held meetings with former Austrian President Heinz Fischer, former Austrian Chancellors Alfred Gusenbauer and Sebastian Kurz, and Jan Kubiš, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Slovakia and former Slovak Foreign Minister.

Azerbaijan and the Kyrgyz Republic have discussed prospects for boosting mutual trade and strengthening economic cooperation across key sectors, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov shared on his X account that he met with Bakyt Sidikov, Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, on the sidelines of the 2nd Meeting of the Ministers of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Within the framework of the 2nd Meeting of Ministers of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation of the Organization of Turkic States (@Turkic_States), it was a pleasure to meet with Bakyt Sydykov, Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic. He noted that the parties discussed ways to increase trade turnover and enhance cooperation in technologies, innovation, agriculture, energy, logistics, and infrastructure. These discussions aim to further strengthen the strategic partnership and economic ties between the two Turkic nations.

The President of the Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation (AVF), Shahin Baghirov, has met with the members of the U-15 national team, who won the bronze medal at the third CIS Games, Azernews reports.

The federation president first congratulated the players and coaching staff of the team on their bronze medal achievement. He evaluated this award as a successful result of the activities carried out by the AVF to promote the development of children’s volleyball.

Shahin Baghirov advised the young volleyball players to always work hard and strive to become strong, recognized volleyball players in the future and earn a place in the national team. He wished them success in upcoming competitions and throughout their careers.

The Vice-Presidents of the Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation, Faiq Garayev, Bahruz Guliyev, and General Secretary Faig Orujov, stated that the federation continues its work to develop children’s and youth volleyball in the country.

They expressed their confidence that both the girls’ and boys’ teams will achieve even greater success in the near future.

The Azerbaijani women’s national volleyball team won the bronze medal at the CIS Games by defeating the Uzbekistan team 3-1 in the match for third place.

Recall that Azerbaijan concluded the Games with an impressive total of 184 medals, including 33 gold, 56 silver, and 95 bronze, securing second place in the overall medal standings.

This result marked Azerbaijan’s best performance at the CIS Games since their inception in 2021.

In the first edition of the Games, Azerbaijan won 60 medals (16 gold, 16 silver, and 28 bronze), and in the second edition, 62 medals (10 gold, 17 silver, and 35 bronze).

Russia topped the medal table with 231 (130-61-40) medals. Belarus secured third place, claiming 122 medals (32-38-52).

Seven cities in Azerbaijan, including Ganja, Shaki, Gabala, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Goygol, and Khankandi, proudly hosted the third CIS Games.

A total of 1,624 athletes from 13 countries are participating in the third CIS Games.

Event mascots Babir and Leyla are helping to generate enthusiasm among young fans.