Category: Azer News

Researchers at Northwestern University in the United States have developed an experimental drone called “Phantom Twist” that is nearly invisible to the human eye, AzerNEWS reports.

The project uses artificial intelligence to optimize the drone’s design, making it extremely difficult to detect with the naked eye while operating at high speed.

The technology is based on the same principle that makes the blades of a fast-spinning fan appear nearly invisible. Equipped with a single motor and one rotor, the prototype spins at 25 revolutions per second, exceeding the speed at which the human eye can clearly perceive its movement.

During development, researchers generated approximately 20,000 different design configurations using computer simulations. AI algorithms then analyzed each model to optimize the placement of the battery, motor, electronic board, and balancing components.

The virtual prototypes were also tested in 100 different environments. According to the research team, the resulting Phantom Twist drone is about ten times less visible than a conventional quadcopter.

The scientists believe the technology could have applications beyond the military. In the civilian sector, it could help wildlife researchers observe animals with minimal disturbance. Future versions of the drone are expected to feature even lower noise levels, further improving its suitability for environmental and conservation work.

Incoming British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that he will scrap the government’s controversial digital ID scheme immediately upon taking office on Monday, July 20, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a statement from Burnham’s office, the decision represents a major “reset of priorities” aimed at redirection. The new Labour leader intends to divert the funding and administrative resources previously earmarked for the digital ID program into lowering the cost of living and addressing everyday challenges facing British citizens.

The digital ID system was originally unveiled last autumn by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of the annual Labour Party conference. Starmer had championed the compulsory “Brit card” framework as a modern tool to crack down on illegal employment and streamline public services. However, the proposal faced an intense public and political backlash, including a petition that garnered over three million signatures, prompting ministers to scale back the plans to a voluntary system earlier this year.

The financial scope of the project had also fueled fierce debate. Last November, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projected the national ID initiative would cost taxpayers roughly £1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) over three years-an estimate the previous prime minister’s office had disputed. By abandoning the project completely, Burnham’s team hopes to distance the incoming administration from unpopular Whitehall policies and signal a swift transition toward regional devolution and economic relief.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it intercepted and halted four vessels attempting an unauthorized crossing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, AzerNEWS reports.

According to an official IRGC statement broadcast by the Al-Hadath television network, the ships allegedly ignored multiple maritime warnings before attempting to navigate the chokepoint. Revolutionary Guard officials stated that two of the vessels were disabled and rendered immobile as a direct result of military strikes, while the remaining two were forced to turn back.

Simultaneously, the IRGC claimed to have shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone in southern Iran. State-aligned Iranian media outlets broadcast footage showing the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) being brought down over Bushehr province by naval defense forces.

The escalation follows a series of early morning air strikes launched by the United States military against Iranian positions. Washington declared its operations were direct retaliation for a series of continuous attacks directed at US forces stationed in Jordan, which recently resulted in the deaths of two American servicemen.

The Chinese Literature Congress, a major international scientific conference organized by the Institute of Literature of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has convened in Beijing to foster intercultural dialogue and global academic cooperation, AzerNEWS reports.

The prestigious event drew more than 100 leading scholars from China’s top scientific and higher education institutions, alongside international researchers from Azerbaijan, Italy, Spain, and other nations. The congress served as a vital platform for expanding scientific collaboration and addressing contemporary issues in literary studies.

Azerbaijan was represented at the conference by Dr. Agshin Aliyev, Head of the Azerbaijani Language Department at the Faculty of Asian Studies, Beijing Foreign Studies University. Dr. Aliyev delivered a keynote lecture titled “Azerbaijan’s Literary Relations on the Ancient and Modern Silk Roads: Chinese Motifs in Azerbaijani Literature.”

In his presentation, Dr. Aliyev highlighted how Azerbaijan’s strategic geographic position bridging East and West played a critical historical role in shaping cultural and literary exchanges along the ancient Silk Road trading routes. He noted that Chinese motifs have been woven into Azerbaijani literature since the era of oral folklore, persisting through classical and contemporary literary works as a testament to the rich, enduring cultural heritage shared by the two nations.

The congress also featured the official book launch of Chinese Modernization and New Mass Art and Literature, prepared by the Institute of Literature of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Attendees emphasized the publication’s significance in analyzing the evolving trends of contemporary Chinese art and literature.

As part of the ongoing Vagif Poetry Days, Shusha has officially launched its first-ever open-air library, named “Kitab Dayanacagi” (Book Stop), right in the center of the historic city, AzerNEWS reports.

The project is the result of a collaborative partnership between the Ministry of Culture, the Shusha City State Reserve Administration, Azercell Telecom LLC, and Aztelekom LLC. According to the Ministry of Culture, the initiative aims to showcase the cultural and literary heritage of Azerbaijan’s cultural capital while expanding reading opportunities for both residents and visitors.

The grand opening ceremony drew notable figures, including Orkhan Fikratoglu, Advisor to the Minister of Culture; Tural Novruzov, Executive Director of the Shusha City State Reserve Administration; and Sona Abbasova, Director of the Corporate Communications Department at Azercell.

Speakers at the event highlighted that the 24-hour open-air facility will allow locals and tourists to freely access and enjoy the library’s diverse collection of books at any time of day.

Renowned People’s Poet Vahid Aziz, a prominent figure in contemporary Azerbaijani poetry, was honored as the library’s very first guest. The opening concluded with a literary session focusing on the poet’s career, moderated by Farid Huseyn, poet, essayist, and Chairman of the Youth Council of the Writers’ Union of Azerbaijan. During the gathering, Vahid Aziz recited some of his most celebrated poems and took questions from the audience.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have declared the entire Gaza periphery a closed military zone to prevent a mass demonstration organized by right-wing and far-right activists aiming to enter the enclave, AzerNEWS reports.

According to Al-Hadath television network, the security measure was implemented ahead of a planned “March of Thousands”. The event was expected to draw several high-profile political figures, including eight cabinet ministers. Among those slated to attend were National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The stated goal of the demonstration was to advocate for the re-establishment of Jewish settlements inside the Gaza Strip.

Earlier in March, Minister Smotrich claimed that preparatory plans to establish three new settlements within Gaza had been finalized. Although he publicly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz to advance the project, no official government actions were taken.

The current war in the Gaza Strip erupted on October 7, 2023, following a cross-border attack by Hamas into southern Israel. According to Israeli authorities, that assault resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the outbreak of hostilities. The conflict has displaced the vast majority of the enclave’s population, leaving roughly two million residents confined to narrow coastal zones, heavily reliant on temporary tent encampments and damaged structures for shelter.

Azerbaijan’s national boxing team claimed 13 medals at the U-17 International Boxing Tournament held in Gori, Georgia, AzerNEWS reports.

Competing against athletes from five countries, the Azerbaijani team finished the tournament with an impressive haul of five gold, six silver, and two bronze medals.

The gold medalists were Hasrat Mammadov (46 kg), Ismayil Nasirzade (52 kg), Ali Abasli (60 kg), Yusif Hasanli (66 kg), and Shukar Aliyev (80 kg), all of whom defeated every opponent on their way to the top of the podium.

Silver medals were won by Vagif Mahammadli (50 kg), Gardash Rahimov (54 kg), Ali Jamalzade (57 kg), Yusif Agakishiyev (75 kg), Saleh Farajov (80 kg), and Mehran Rasulov (+80 kg).

Aydin Shahbazov (46 kg) and Sabir Rustamov (60 kg) completed Azerbaijan’s medal tally by earning bronze medals.

American researchers have identified two naturally occurring molecules that may help slow the progression of the most common form of lung cancer, AzerNEWS reports.

The findings were published in the scientific journal FASEB BioAdvances.

The researchers studied non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and found that restoring the levels of two microRNAs-microRNA-15a (miR-15a) and microRNA-16 (miR-16)-reduced the production of proteins that tumors need for rapid growth.

According to the study, these small molecules play a crucial role in regulating gene activity and help control the processes of cell growth and division. By restoring their normal levels, scientists believe it may be possible to inhibit tumor development and open new avenues for targeted cancer therapies.

The researchers noted that further studies will be needed to evaluate the clinical potential of this approach before it can be translated into treatments for patients.

International credit rating agency Moody’s Ratings has reaffirmed the Baa3 long-term issuer rating of Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company (SOCAR), AzerNEWS reports.

In its latest report, the agency said the rating reflects SOCAR’s baseline credit assessment (BCA) of ba2, Azerbaijan’s Baa3 foreign-currency sovereign rating, the government’s full ownership of the company, the strong financial interdependence between SOCAR and the state, and the high likelihood of government support should the company encounter financial difficulties.

The agency said SOCAR’s baseline credit profile is supported by the company’s strategic role in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sector and its importance to the national economy. Moody’s also highlighted the company’s solid financial performance, strong credit metrics, and close ties with the Azerbaijani government, which maintains substantial financial reserves and has the capacity to provide support if necessary.

At the same time, Moody’s pointed to several factors that constrain SOCAR’s credit profile. These include declining hydrocarbon production, the company’s growing mergers and acquisitions activity, corporate governance considerations, exposure to fluctuations in global oil prices, and the high concentration of its operations in Azerbaijan.

Several guests who attended a reception hosted by the French Embassy in Armenia to mark France’s National Day on July 14 have reportedly been hospitalized, AzerNEWS reports.

According to local media, many attendees of the Bastille Day celebration sought medical assistance after the event and were diagnosed with an intestinal infection.

In a statement issued on July 18, the French Embassy in Armenia confirmed that a number of guests who attended the July 14 reception had reported symptoms consistent with food poisoning.

“Guests who attended the reception held at the Embassy of France on the occasion of the National Day on July 14, 2026, have informed us that they experienced symptoms of food poisoning,” the embassy said.

The embassy expressed its sincere apologies to those affected and stated that it hopes the cause of the illness will be identified. It added that the matter has been referred to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia.

Among the attendees at the reception was Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, along with other government officials and diplomatic representatives.

The exact cause of the reported food poisoning has not yet been determined, and Armenian health authorities are expected to investigate the incident.