Category: Azer News

An earthquake was recorded in Azerbaijan’s Shamakhi district, 12 kilometers south of the Pirqulu seismic station, early on Wednesday morning, Azernews reports, citing the Republican Seismic Service Center.

The Center noted that the underground tremors occurred at 07:56 local time. Preliminary data indicate that the earthquake had a magnitude of 3.7 on the Richter scale, with the epicenter located at a depth of approximately 9 kilometers.

The tremors were felt in the epicentral zone with an intensity of up to 4 points on the seismic intensity scale, causing noticeable shaking in nearby areas. Residents in several settlements reported feeling brief vibrations, though no panic was reported.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, injuries, or damage to infrastructure. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, and seismic specialists note that such moderate earthquakes are not uncommon in the Shamakhi region, which is considered one of the most seismically active zones in Azerbaijan.

The death toll from large-scale protests in Iran has reached 5,000, including around 500 members of the security forces, according to an unnamed Iranian official, Azernews reports, citing international media outlets.

The official confirmed the figure, stating that Iranian authorities have verified the deaths linked to the protests. The official accused ‘terrorists and armed insurgents’ of killing innocent Iranian civilians during the unrest.

According to the source, some of the most severe clashes and the highest number of fatalities were recorded in northwestern Iran, where separatist groups are said to be active.

Meanwhile, the HRANA human rights group reported on Saturday that the number of those killed stood at 3,308. HRANA also stated that more than 24,000 people have been detained in connection with the protests.

The sharply differing figures highlight ongoing discrepancies between official accounts and independent human rights assessments regarding the scale and consequences of the unrest in Iran.

Hyundai Motor Co. and its sister Kia Corp. posted a record combined market share in the United States in 2025, buoyed by expanded local production and strong hybrid vehicle sales, despite Washington’s aggressive tariff measures, officials said Sunday, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap.

The two South Korean automakers sold a combined 1.84 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, accounting for a record market share of 11.3 percent, according to data from market watcher Wards Intelligence and industry sources.

Hyundai accounted for 6.1 percent of the U.S. market with sales of 984,017 units, while Kia held a 5.2 percent share with 852,155 vehicles sold.

The motor group ranked fourth in the U.S. market last year, trailing General Motors at 17.5 percent, Toyota Motor Corp. at 15.5 percent and Ford Motor Co. at 13.1 percent.

The market share growth was attributable to its marked sales expansion.

Total U.S. auto sales rose 2.4 percent to 16.23 million vehicles in 2025, while Hyundai and Kia sales climbed 7.5 percent.

Analysts also pointed out that the group benefited from a flexible production strategy and a decision to absorb tariff-related costs, rather than passing them on to consumers.

Last year, Hyundai completed its third U.S. plant in Georgia, strengthening its ability to respond to local demand and offset tariff pressures. Vehicle shipments from South Korea to the U.S. fell 4.2 percent on-year in 2025.

Strong sales of hybrid vehicles also boosted the market share, with the automakers’ U.S. hybrid sales surging 48.8 percent to 331,023 units last year, the data showed.

The group has said it plans to expand U.S. production capacity to more than 1.2 million vehicles, up from about 700,000 as of 2024.

Pakistan has been invited to join a newly announced US-led Gaza Board of Peace (BoP), a high-level international body tasked with overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction, transition governance and the disarmament of Hamas, the Foreign Office said on Sunday Azernews reports, citing Tribune.

Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed that US President Donald Trump had extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to join the Board, underlining Islamabad’s continued engagement with international efforts aimed at peace and stability in Gaza.

‘Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions,’ the spokesperson said.

The invitation comes as the White House formally unveiled the structure and membership of the BoP, which US officials describe as a global mechanism to manage Gaza’s post-war transition. Western diplomats told The Jerusalem Post that the initiative resembles ‘a kind of mini-UN’ focused initially on Gaza, but potentially expandable to other conflict zones.

Key figures, global outreach

According to the White House announcement on Friday, founding executive members of the BoP include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair, and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law. Other members include Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management; World Bank Group President Ajay Banga; and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.

Leaders from more than 60 countries have been invited to serve on the Peace Council. Canadian media reported that Prime Minister Mark Carney accepted an invitation to join. Argentine President Javier Milei publicly confirmed his acceptance, calling it ‘an honor’ and stating that Argentina would stand with countries that ‘confront terrorism head-on and promote peace and freedom.’

Turkiye confirmed receiving a formal invitation. ‘US President Donald Trump, in his capacity as founding president of the Peace Council, sent a letter inviting our President, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to participate as a founding member in the Board of Peace,’ Turkish presidential spokesperson Burhanettin Duran said.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Cairo was examining an invitation for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, while Jordan confirmed that King Abdullah was also invited and consultations were underway.

Governance, security and reconstruction

Under the US plan, Gaza will be governed during a transition period by a Palestinian technocratic administration, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), headed by Dr Ali Sha’ath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister originally from Khan Younis. The NCAG will oversee the restoration of public services, rebuilding of civil institutions and stabilisation of daily life, while laying foundations for long-term governance.

Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov has been appointed High Representative for Gaza, serving as the main link between the BoP and the NCAG and holding executive authority on the ground.

Security responsibilities will fall to an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), commanded by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, currently head of US special forces. According to the White House, the ISF will lead security operations, support ‘comprehensive demilitarisation’, and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.

A separate Gaza Executive Board has also been formed to support governance and service delivery. Its members include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, Egypt’s General Hassan Rashad, UAE Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, Dutch diplomat Sigrid Kaag and Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay, alongside several BoP members.

President Trump said on Thursday that he was backing the newly appointed Palestinian technocratic government to run Gaza during its transition, supported by the High Representative and the Board of Peace. The initiative is expected to oversee a broader US ’20-point plan’ aimed at ending the Gaza war and reshaping post-conflict governance.

While Washington has long supported Israel’s demand that Hamas surrender all weapons, the group has insisted that it would require political and security guarantees before any disarmament.

Pakistan has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and accountability for violations of international humanitarian law. Islamabad maintains that any lasting peace effort must ultimately lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, in line with UN resolutions.

Officials said Pakistan would carefully assess its role in the BoP while continuing to support diplomatic initiatives that address both Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe and the broader Palestinian question.

On January 18, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the Alley of Martyrs to honor the cherished memory of the 20 January martyrs.

The head of state laid a wreath at the “Eternal Flame” monument.

The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed.

South Korea’s military has begun deploying the high-power Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile, military sources said Sunday, as Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back called for a “balance of terror” to counter North Korea’s nuclear threat, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap.

The surface-to-surface missile — dubbed a “monster” because of its size — is designed to strike underground bunkers and is a key element of South Korea’s plan to deter and, if necessary, respond to a major North Korean attack.

South Korea has increasingly emphasized conventional strike capabilities as it seeks to strengthen deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

Ahn has called for a substantial buildup of South Korea’s strike arsenal in response to North Korea’s nuclear threats.

“Since South Korea cannot own nuclear arms as it is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, I firmly believe we should possess a considerable number of Hyunmoo-5 monster missiles to achieve a balance of terror,” Ahn said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency in October last year, noting that mass production has begun and measures are being sought to significantly increase output.

South Korea first publicly displayed the Hyunmoo-5 at an Armed Forces Day ceremony in 2023, but details have largely remained classified because of its strategic sensitivity. The military plans to field up to hundreds of advanced missiles, including the Hyunmoo-5, along with upgraded variants now under development.

The deployment began late last year and is expected to be completed during President Lee Jae Myung’s administration, whose term ends in June 2030.

Matiya Rom, a defender for Kazakhstan’s Jenis football club, may continue his professional career in Azerbaijan.

Azernews reports that the information was confirmed by the player’s agent, Adrian Mlinar.

Speaking to Vesti.kz, Mlinar commented on the Slovenian footballer’s potential move to Azerbaijan, making it clear that Rom will not be returning to his current club.

‘He will not return to Jenis. Most likely, we will reach an agreement with one of the clubs in Azerbaijan. Which club? It’s easy to guess. Qarabag or Neftçi? No, unfortunately neither of them. But it’s easy to figure out,’ Mlinar said.

Rom, a former member of Slovenia’s U-21 national team, plays as a right-back. Over the course of his career, he has represented several clubs, including Domžale, Inter Zaprešic, Kolos, Šibenik, and Telavi.

Eintracht Frankfurt and head coach Dino Toppmöller have ended their working relationship with immediate effect, according to the official website of the club, Azernews reports, citing Azertag.

Dino Toppmöller took over as head coach ahead of the 2023/24 season, and after a period of transition with several personnel changes in the squad and sporting management, successfully led the club into Europe.

The following season, he guided Eintracht to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League as well as third place in the Bundesliga, achieving the club’s best ever placing and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League via the league for the first time.

‘Dino Toppmöller has always completely identified with Eintracht Frankfurt and worked with great passion every day for this club,’ said board member for sport Markus Krösche. ‘We have high regard for his technical competence, his professionalism, his meticulous way of working and his human interaction with the team. Nevertheless, following intensive internal evaluation, we in the sporting management and collectively on the board have come to the conclusion that we need a fresh impetus due to the downward trend in recent weeks. So far this season, we have not lived up to the ethos of Eintracht Frankfurt standing for dynamic, aggressive and compact football.’

‘I would very much liked to have carried on working with this team and continued to face the challenges that we have,’ said Dino Toppmöller regarding his departure. ‘However, I accept the decision. I’ve come to Eintracht every day with great passion and joy, and regardless of the current unsatisfactory situation which undoubtedly exists, I am proud of what we achieved together over the past two and a half years. It’s a shame that we won’t be working together anymore. Thank you to everyone who believed in me, who gave me this opportunity and who placed their trust in me for so long. Thank you to all the players, the entire coaching and backroom team, the board and all the club staff. It has been an honour. I wish Eintracht calmer and, above all, more successful times.’

U21 boss Dennis Schmitt and U19 coach Alexander Meier will take interim charge of first-team duties, with Schmitt having the leading role.

‘Dennis Schmitt and Alexander Meier are ready to take responsibility for Eintracht Frankfurt in this challenging situation,’ added Krösche. ‘This gives us the required time to make a permanent appointment.’

Throughout human history, very few regions have shaped the world as profoundly as Europe. For this reason, humanity has often sought to look toward Europe, sometimes through conquest, as with the Achaemenids or the Huns, and sometimes through migration and cultural exchange. Yet over the past century or two, Europe has seen the rise of radical groups, including leftist movements, environmental activists, feminists, and others, that, intentionally or not, hinder the development of this historically powerful continent. By spreading fear, panic, and division, these movements have, in effect, tied the hands and feet of Europe’s historical engines of progress.

Recent events provide a clear example. Last week, media outlets in Azerbaijan and worldwide reported that Germany and Austria would purchase natural gas from Azerbaijan. Almost immediately, Lindsey Snell, a so-called journalist known for her support to radical and illegal groups in the Middle East and her hate towards Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Muslim community, suggested on social media that Azerbaijan was supposedly re-exporting Russian gas to Europe. Lindsey Snell’s general aura, which is not at odds with either journalistic ethics or public culture in general, is well known to everyone. This culturally flowed journo with mixed intentions, who was deported from Turkiye, still doesn’t quite understand what she wants.

But what evidence supports this claim? None. This assertion has been previously circulated by pro-Armenian groups and media, yet the highest-ranking Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly clarified that Azerbaijan exports only its own natural gas, without any Russian involvement. In reality, Azerbaijan supplies natural gas to 14 countries, one of which is Ukraine.

Let us imagine, for a moment, that Azerbaijan were engaged in such a scheme. How could this go unnoticed by the West, which monitors global energy flows with satellites and other instruments? Even more, how could Ukraine-locked in a life-and-death struggle with Russia-ignore it? Ukraine actively targets Russian energy infrastructure not only on its territory but also in the Black Sea and the Indian Ocean, striking Russian shadow fleets to disrupt operations. Its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, shares crucial updates openly through the media and social media. Has he ever claimed that Azerbaijan is re-exporting Russian gas? Absolutely not. On the contrary, Azerbaijan is providing its own gas to Ukraine and other countries, strengthening regional energy security.

Claims like Snell’s are thus not only factually incorrect-they implicitly insult the Ukrainian people, who are fighting heroically on multiple fronts. Previously, such narratives relied on speculation: Azerbaijan’s gas reserves are smaller than Russia’s, so it supposedly cannot replace Russian gas in Europe. Yet these arguments ignore a crucial fact: even if Azerbaijan wanted to supply Europe entirely, it could not do so alone. Moreover, Europe does not seek a single substitute supplier. Instead, it aims to diversify its energy sources to prevent any future coercion, ensuring that no country can exert the leverage Russia once had.

This raises a larger question: how did Russia, a developing country, manage to gain influence over a continent historically at the forefront of global progress? Part of the answer lies in the radical movements mentioned earlier. Activists, pressure groups, and ideologues pushed European governments to close coal and nuclear facilities, arguing environmental harm. Consequently, Europe became dependent on Russian gas, creating strategic vulnerabilities and economic consequences, such as rising energy prices, while the human cost of war is borne in Ukraine.

Even as Europe attempts to correct these mistakes, misinformation persists. Figures like Lindsey Snell amplify radical narratives, attempting to obstruct the continent’s recovery. Yet history demonstrates that those who hinder progress without contributing are ultimately defeated. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan continues to act as a responsible energy provider, delivering natural gas to 14 countries, including Ukraine, and asserting its sovereignty and credibility in global energy markets.

Generally, the attempt to misrepresent Azerbaijan’s energy exports is not only inaccurate but strategically flawed. Those who spread false narratives ignore real facts, such as Azerbaijan’s diversified supply, Europe’s energy diversification strategy, and Ukraine’s active defense of its own energy interests. The lesson is clear: while radical movements may create noise and confusion, reality and responsibility ultimately prevail. Azerbaijan’s example shows that a country can assert itself on the global stage with transparency, efficiency, and integrity, even amid complex geopolitical pressures.

US President Donald Trump invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to become a co-founder of the newly established “Peace Council” in the Gaza Strip.

According to Burhanettin Duran, Head of Communications at the Turkish Presidential Administration, the initiative is being implemented within the framework of the Comprehensive Plan for the Resolution of the Gaza Conflict, supported by a UN Security Council resolution. The new council and related structures will be responsible for security and reconstruction issues in the region.

The Gaza Strip has remained one of the most volatile flashpoints in the Middle East, shaped by a prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has governed the territory since 2007. Gaza is a densely populated coastal enclave, home to more than two million people, and has been subject to repeated cycles of escalation, ceasefires, and humanitarian strain over the past two decades.

The current phase of the conflict follows a major escalation that sharply intensified hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Israel has framed its military operations as necessary to neutralise Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, citing security concerns and the need to prevent cross-border attacks. Hamas, designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States, the European Union, and several other countries, continues to operate an extensive network of fighters, tunnels, and military infrastructure inside Gaza.

As fighting expanded, large parts of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, including housing, energy facilities, and transport networks, were damaged or destroyed. This has placed significant pressure on humanitarian services and contributed to widespread displacement. International organisations have repeatedly warned of deteriorating living conditions, while efforts to deliver aid have been complicated by security risks, damaged logistics routes, and political constraints.