Category: Azer News

Researchers at Xi’an Jiaotong University have created a system that allows a robot dog to be controlled without joysticks or buttons-just by thinking about the desired action, combining brain-signal reading technology with autonomous navigation, Xu, one of the project leader, AzerNEWS reports.

The system uses a non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI). Sensors placed on the head read the brain’s electrical signals without any surgery or implants. When a person thinks an intention, such as ‘move forward,’ the brain produces a distinct signal. The system recognizes it, translates it into a command, and sends it to the robot.

‘It’s a kind of remote control in your mind,’ Xu explains.

Currently, the robot can understand 11 basic commands, including forward and backward movement, turns, and other simple actions. The system has an accuracy of over 95%, with a delay between thought and movement of about one second.

Direct brain-control technologies have existed for some time, but the most precise systems often require surgical implants, which carry risks of infection, signal degradation, and device rejection. The non-invasive approach is safer, cheaper, and more convenient-but the signals it captures are less precise. Asking a human to control every movement of the robot would quickly lead to overload.

The team solved this problem by dividing roles between human and robot. Humans are responsible only for communicating high-level intentions, like ‘where to go,’ while the robot autonomously handles routing, obstacle avoidance, balance, and precise movements, reducing user workload and improving system stability.

This technology could have important applications in rehabilitation, elderly care, and assistance for people with limited mobility, transforming the robot dog from a novelty into a practical assistive companion.

Xu emphasizes that the future of such systems lies in combining brain interfaces with artificial intelligence and environmental perception, enabling management that is both intuitive and practical. Experts predict that as these systems evolve, we may soon see robots in homes, hospitals, and care facilities responding almost instantly to human thought, blurring the line between mind and machine.

The United Arab Emirates has reportedly canceled residency permits for citizens of Iran, according to Tehran Times, AzerNEWS reports.

The report claims that authorities in Abu Dhabi have also revoked ‘golden visas’ previously granted to Iranian investors, alleging that the move affects significant Iranian-held assets in the country.

The publication further stated that the decision could involve assets valued at approximately $530 billion, though no independent confirmation has been provided.

]As of now, the UAE authorities have not officially confirmed the reported measures, and the details surrounding the alleged cancellations remain unclear.

Thousands of American troops, including Marines and paratroopers, are headed towards the Middle East as United States President Donald Trump considers starting a ground operation in Iran, Israeli I24 News reported on Sunday, citing officials familiar with the matter, AzerNEWS reports.

“All options are on the table. It all depends on the president’s decision,” another US source told the outlet, emphasizing that both military and diplomatic solutions are being considered. The officials did not disclose any details about the possible timeframe of the operation.

Unofficial reports about the possible ground operation have been pouring in lately, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf accusing the US side of preparing for escalation while publicly speaking of peace efforts.

According to the NY Times, the arrival of 2,500 Marines and another 2,500 sailors is keeping the number of American troops in the Mideast region at over 50,000, roughly 10,000 more than usual, as President Trump decides on his next step in his month-old war in Iran.

While it is still unclear just what the Marines, from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, will be charged with, U.S. officials say the president is weighing whether to try a larger attack, like venturing to seize an island or other ground as part of Mr. Trump’s effort to open the Strait of Hormuz.

The narrow waterway, through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil usually traverses, has been largely closed because of attacks by Iranian forces who are retaliating against the U.S. and Israeli war on their country.

Usually there are around 40,000 American troops scattered around at bases and on ships at any time around the region, including in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. But as Mr. Trump has escalated the war in Iran, that number has reached more than 50,000, according to a U.S. military official.

The number of troops no longer includes the 4,500 aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Gerald Ford, however. That ship has been hobbled by constant mishaps, including a fire that broke out in the laundry. The Ford withdrew from the region on March 23 and sailed to Crete. On Friday it arrived in Croatia. It remains unclear where it is headed next.

Last week, the Pentagon also ordered about 2,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East to give Mr. Trump additional military options.

The location of the Army paratroopers is not public, the military official said. But they will be within striking distance of Iran. The paratroopers could be used to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub in the northern Persian Gulf, where U.S. warplanes bombed more than 90 military targets earlier this month. Or they could be deployed for other ground operations in conjunction with the Marines.

But military experts caution that even 50,000 troops, many of them at sea, is a small number for any kind of major land operation. Israel used more than 300,000 troops for its operations in the Gaza Strip that began in October 2023. The U.S.-led coalition that invaded Iraq in 2003 was close to 250,000 at the beginning.

At almost a third of the size of the continental United States, Iran has around 93 million people. Taking, let alone holding, a country of its size and complexity and weaponry with 50,000 troops is not doable, military experts say.

Azerbaijani FIFA referee Tural Gurbanov has been appointed as the main referee for an international match for the first time in his career, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan, Gurbanov will officiate the Netherlands vs. Belarus match in the second round of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers.

He will be assisted by fellow Azerbaijani referee Asiman Azizli and North Macedonian official Aleksandar Gjurovski. The fourth official for the match will be Vlatko Ilioski.

The Group B7 fixture is scheduled to take place on March 31 at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya.

It should be noted that Gurbanov previously served as the fourth official in the Kosovo vs. Netherlands match (0-1) held on March 25.

The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special has achieved impressive streaming numbers, amassing more than 6.3 million views across Disney+ and Hulu within its first three days of release, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The surge in viewership has also sparked renewed interest in the original Hannah Montana series, which has seen an extraordinary 1,000 percent increase in streams since the special premiered.

Fans of the beloved Disney Channel series are celebrating as the 20th Anniversary Special brings Miley Cyrus back to the role that launched her career. The special debuted on Disney+ and Hulu, exactly 20 years after the original show first aired on March 24, 2006, marking a full-circle moment for audiences worldwide.

The official trailer, released ahead of the premiere, teased Cyrus revisiting her Hannah Montana persona, featuring nostalgic moments, behind-the-scenes footage, and reflections on how the show shaped pop culture and her own life.

Hosted by podcaster Alex Cooper, the special blends interviews, live musical performances, and surprise guest appearances. Among those featured are Miley’s father Billy Ray Cyrus, long-time collaborator and Disney Channel star Selena Gomez, and rising artist Chappell Roan, offering fans both heartfelt discussion and musical nostalgia.

In addition to revisiting classic moments from the original series, Cyrus performs beloved songs including “The Best of Both Worlds” and “This Is the Life,” and debuts a new track titled “Younger You,” written especially for the event as a tribute to her younger self and her devoted fanbase.

The Azerbaijani cultural community has suffered a heavy loss. The prominent representative of national cinematic art, Chairman of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan, recipient of the President’s personal pension, State Prize laureate, and People’s Artist Rasim Ahmed oglu Balayev passed away on March 29, 2026, at the age of 78.

Rasim Balayev was born on August 8, 1948, in the city of Aghsu. After completing secondary school, he studied at the Acting Faculty of the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts from 1965 to 1969. From 1969 to 1972, he worked as an actor at the institute’s Training Theatre.

Since 1972, Rasim Balayev had been an actor at the ‘Azerbaijanfilm’ film studio. In 1990, he was appointed First Secretary of the Board of the Union of Cinematographers of Azerbaijan, and in 2022, he was elected Chairman of the Union.

From the very beginning of his work at ‘Azerbaijanfilm,’ Rasim Balayev gained recognition as a talented actor. Thanks to his unique performance style and high artistic culture, he quickly won the hearts of cinema audiences. The memorable and powerful characters he created on screen were always warmly received by wide audiences.

As a master artist who skillfully drew upon the rich traditions of Azerbaijani cinema, Rasim Balayev’s creative path constitutes a distinct chapter in the history of national cinema culture. The films in which he played leading roles are part of the golden fund of Azerbaijani cinema. The vivid characters he portrayed with deep insight into their inner spiritual world are among the unforgettable pages of our cinematic chronicle. These unique roles, created with natural talent, have always stood out for their originality and remained at the center of attention.

While bringing to life images of our heroic historical past and contemporary figures, the master artist succeeded in creating a vivid picture of the era. All these roles performed by Rasim Balayev hold great importance in promoting our nation’s national and spiritual values and in educating the younger generation in the spirit of loyalty to the Motherland. The portrayals of the legendary Babek and Nasimi by the artist are considered among the greatest achievements of Azerbaijani cinematography.

Rasim Balayev also demonstrated his artistic mastery by creating memorable characters in films produced beyond Azerbaijan.

He was also known as a public figure who approached social processes with a deep sense of civic responsibility. He spared no effort in preserving and promoting our national and spiritual values.

Rasim Balayev’s services to the development of national cinema culture were duly appreciated. Over the years, he was awarded high state honors and honorary titles. He was decorated with the highest orders of independent Azerbaijan – ‘Shohrat,’ ‘Sharaf,’ and ‘Istiglal.’

The bright memory of the outstanding artist and modest, caring individual Rasim Balayev will forever live in the hearts of our people.

May Allah rest his soul in peace!

Ilham Aliyev

Mehriban Aliyeva

Ali Asadov

Sahiba Gafarova

Samir Nuriyev

Eldar Azizov

Farah Aliyeva

Adil Karimli

Polad Bulbuloglu

Anar Rzayev

Haji Ismayilov

Shafiga Mammadova

Ogtay Mirgasimov

Fakhraddin Manafov

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has shared a post on X following the recent Israeli military attacks in southern Lebanon, as a result of which has killed a health worker. AzerNEWS reports via The Guardian that the strike also destroyed a medical warehouse in the same city, according to the WHO official.

Besides, the reports say that the WHO has verified that Israeli attacks have killed 51 Lebanese health workers since 2 March – including nine paramedics on Saturday.

Back to the WHO Chief, in his post on X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the WHO has verified that 51 Lebanese health workers have been killed since 2 March, including nine paramedics just yesterday. “Attacks on health facilities must cease immediately. This cannot become the norm. Health workers are safeguarded under international humanitarian law and should not be targeted. Peace is the best medicine.”

The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has expressed full support for the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as ‘the most serious crime against humanity’, AzerNEWS reports.

In a statement, the organization described the resolution as a significant step toward addressing centuries of colonial injustice faced by peoples of African descent.

BIG emphasized that the transatlantic slave trade, as one of the most brutal manifestations of colonialism, led to the forced enslavement of millions and deprived affected populations of economic, cultural, and social development.

‘The consequences of that heavy legacy continue to this day,’ the statement said.

The group also highlighted the importance of reparations, stressing that justice should go beyond financial compensation and include:

– official apologies

– the return of looted cultural heritage

– the creation of educational and endowment funds

– mechanisms to prevent similar crimes in the future

The organization noted its active role in raising these issues at international platforms, including participation in sessions at United Nations headquarters such as the Working Group and Permanent Forum on the Rights of Peoples of African Descent in 2024 and 2025.

BIG also stated that its inclusion in a report by the UN Secretary-General reflects its growing recognition as a reliable international partner advocating for the rights of peoples affected by colonialism.

The group called on UN member states to take practical steps to implement the resolution, deepen discussions on reparations, and commit to advancing historical justice.

Sabina Aliyeva, the Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan, has called for greater international recognition of the mass killings of Azerbaijanis in 1918, describing them as acts of genocide, AzerNEWS reports.

In a statement marking the March 31 – Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis, Aliyeva said that Azerbaijanis had been subjected to systematic ethnic cleansing and mass violence throughout various periods of history, particularly in the early 20th century.

According to the statement, the events of March-April 1918 represent one of the most tragic and violent episodes, during which thousands of civilians were killed based on their national and religious identity.

‘These events have left an indelible mark on the historical memory of our people,’ the statement noted, adding that mass killings took place across multiple regions, including Baku, Shamakhi, Karabakh, Zangezur, Iravan, Nakhchivan, and Guba.

Aliyeva cited historical records indicating that entire settlements were destroyed during the violence. In Shamakhi district alone, 110 villages were reportedly burned, while more than 150 were destroyed in Karabakh, 115 in Zangezur, 98 in the Kars region, and 167 in Guba.

The discovery of a mass grave in Quba, containing numerous human remains, was highlighted as further evidence of the scale and brutality of the killings.

The statement emphasized that archival materials, eyewitness testimonies, and other legal documents confirm that the violence was not random but part of a deliberate and systematic policy of ethnic cleansing. Legal assessments, it added, classify these acts as genocide under international law.

Aliyeva also expressed concern that the international community has yet to adopt what she described as a fair and principled position regarding these events.

She noted that a decree issued in 1998 by Heydar Aliyev officially designated March 31 as the Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis and initiated efforts to provide political and legal recognition of the events, as well as to promote historical awareness globally.

The Ombudsperson stressed that international recognition of these crimes is essential not only for restoring justice but also for preventing similar atrocities in the future.

She called on international organizations and United Nations member states to take a principled stance and recognize the 1918 events as genocide.

The Indian government has forecast an annual economic growth of 7-7.4 percent for the upcoming fiscal year beginning April 1, AzerNEWS reports.

However, escalating tensions in the Middle East are already affecting the country’s economy.

The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up fuel prices in India and disrupted logistics, while the Indian rupee has also weakened against other currencies.

In response, the government plans to reassess the economic outlook in April, and economists predict that the growth forecast is likely to be revised downward.