Category: Azer News

An all-female combat unit of the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) says it is preparing for potential confrontation with Iran, according to the group’s commanders, AzerNEWS reports.

PAK, a Kurdish-Iranian armed organization operating in exile in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, has long opposed the government of the Iran. The group maintains bases in northern Iraq near the Iranian border.

During the January unrest in Iran, referred to by Kurdish groups as an uprising, PAK claimed it carried out attacks against Iranian security forces. In response, Tehran launched drone and missile strikes targeting several Kurdish opposition groups based in Iraq, accusing them of fomenting instability inside Iran.

PAK commanders now say they are preparing for a broader confrontation, should renewed civil unrest erupt in Iran or in the event of a potential external military escalation involving the United States.

Iran has repeatedly warned that it will not tolerate cross-border militant activity and has previously conducted operations against Kurdish armed factions it considers terrorist organizations. Kurdish groups, for their part, argue they are resisting political repression and defending minority rights.

There has been no official indication of imminent large-scale escalation, but regional tensions remain elevated amid ongoing security concerns along the Iran-Iraq border.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said nuclear talks with the United States have produced ‘encouraging signals’, but warned that Tehran is prepared for any scenario in advance of another round of negotiations set for Thursday.

His comments on Sunday came amid mounting fears of a military conflict, with Washington building up its military presence in the Gulf and US President Donald Trump warning of ‘really bad things’ if no deal is reached on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

‘Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region,’ Pezeshkian wrote on X.

‘Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor US actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario,’ he said.

The cautious optimism came after Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed a third round of indirect talks between the two sides in Geneva, Switzerland.

‘Pleased to confirm US-Iran negotiations are now set for Geneva this Thursday, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalising the deal,’ said al-Busaidi, who acts as a mediator in indirect talks between Washington and Tehran.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has issued a decree identifying Azerbaijani citizens who will be called up for active military service and those to be released to the reserve, AzerNEWS reports.

The decree outlines the call-up for active military service from April 1 through 30, 2026, and the release of conscripts who have completed their term.

The decree specifies that citizens born in 2008 who have reached the age of 18 by the day of conscription, as well as those born between 1996 and 2007 who are under 30, have not completed active military service in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, and are neither eligible for deferment nor exempt from conscription, will be called up for active service from April 1 through 30, 2026.

Additionally, active servicemen who have fulfilled the service period specified in Article 38.1.1 of the Law on Military Duty and Military Service will be released to the reserve during the same period.

Iran has signed a confidential pound 500m arms agreement with Russia to acquire thousands of advanced shoulder-fired air defence missiles, according to a report by the Financial Times citing leaked Russian documents and sources familiar with the arrangement.

The deal, concluded in Moscow in December, commits Russia to deliver 500 launch units of the 9K333 Verba man-portable air defence system, along with 2,500 9M336 surface-to-air missiles over a three-year period. Deliveries are scheduled to take place in three tranches between 2027 and 2029.

The agreement was reportedly negotiated between Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and representatives of Iran’s Defence Ministry and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). Tehran is said to have formally requested the systems in July 2025, following US and Israeli strikes the previous month.

The disclosure comes at a sensitive moment. Washington and Tehran are due to resume nuclear negotiations in Geneva on 26 February, even as US President Donald Trump has renewed threats of potential military action against Iran. The acquisition of advanced short-range air defence systems is likely to complicate diplomatic efforts, raising concerns about further militarisation amid already strained relations.

The Verba system is designed to target low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones, enhancing short-range battlefield air defence capabilities. For Tehran, which has faced repeated air defence vulnerabilities during periods of heightened confrontation, the systems could strengthen its layered defence network.

Moscow and Tehran have drawn closer since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Iran has supplied drones and other military equipment used by Russian forces, deepening a strategic alignment that has extended beyond arms transfers into joint military exercises. On 19 February, the two countries conducted naval drills in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, against the backdrop of reports that US warships had been deployed near Iranian waters.

The growing military cooperation underscores a broader geopolitical convergence. Both countries face extensive western sanctions and share an interest in counterbalancing US influence in their respective regions. Yet the deepening partnership also risks fuelling regional instability, particularly as diplomatic channels between Tehran and Washington remain fragile.

If confirmed, the missile deal would mark one of the most significant recent expansions of Iran’s air defence arsenal, signalling that Moscow and Tehran intend to reinforce their security ties despite mounting international scrutiny.

Expired and unserviceable ammunition will be destroyed in designated areas of the country later this week, AzerNEWS reports, citing Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry.

According to the ministry’s statement, the disposal process will take place from February 23 to 27 in full compliance with safety regulations. The destruction of munitions whose operational lifespan has expired will be carried out at a testing ground near the settlement of Pir?k?skl, as well as at a training center located in the Agd?r? District.

The ministry emphasized that all necessary safety measures will be strictly observed during the operation.

Officials also addressed residents in nearby areas, urging them not to be alarmed by possible explosion sounds during the scheduled period.

‘We call on the public not to panic due to the sound of explosions and inform them that there are no grounds for concern,’ the statement said.

Authorities routinely conduct controlled demolitions of outdated ammunition as part of standard safety and maintenance procedures.

Harry Kane netted a brace as Bayern Munich held on for a 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt that moved them nine points clear at the Bundesliga summit, AzerNEWS reports citing beIN Sports.

Bayern had been in control after Kane’s goal midway through the second half, but Eintracht fought back, netting twice in the last 13 minutes to set up a nervy ending.

Eintracht failed to clear Alphonso Davies’ looping cross, and Alexander Pavlovic met it with a thumping volley, though Kaua Santos should have done better as it trickled under him into the bottom-right corner 16 minutes in.

Kane, who had already seen a tight-angled shot parried, doubled Bayern’s lead 20 minutes in, nodding Josip Stanisic’s flick-on past Kaua in a crowded box.

Substitute Jonathan Burkardt saw a dink clip the foot of Bayern’s left post shortly after the hour, before Kane struck again in the 68th minute. He was afforded too much space outside the area and bent his strike into the bottom-left corner.

But nine minutes later, he clipped Oscar Hojlund while trying to make a clearance inside his own box, with a penalty awarded following a VAR review, and Burkardt coolly converted.

Arnaud Kalimuendo got Eintracht’s second with four minutes remaining, profiting from a loose Joshua Kimmich pass across the box as he deflected Min-Jae Kim’s rushed clearance into the empty Bayern net, though they could not find a late equaliser.

Kane hit a couple of landmarks last weekend – scoring the 500th goal of his career for club and country as well as netting his 300th goal in the top five European leagues – but his double at the Allianz Arena might prove to be some of the most important.

He has now netted 28 goals in the Bundesliga this term, more than any other player in the competition, and already better than his tally from 2024-25 (26).

Bayern were worthy of their win, having 24 shots worth 2.79 expected goals (xG), with 11 of those on target. They have already scored 85 goals in 23 games this season.

But it is at the back where Vincent Kompany will be worried after the nervy end; Eintracht managed nine shots worth 2.35 xG, scoring with both of their attempts on target in the second half.

In 2025, the response rate to applications submitted through the ‘ASAN Application’ system rose to 80%, marking a significant improvement in government feedback mechanisms.

As reported by AzerNEWS, the announcement was made by Ülvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during an event presenting the annual results of the ‘ASAN Service Index’ assessment and the performance of the ‘ASAN Application’ information system, Trend reports.

Mehdiyev emphasized that the ‘ASAN Application’ platform was established in 2020 by a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev.

‘The system was created to ensure operational communication with state institutions in cases of infrastructure-related issues. To date, 99 government bodies have been integrated into the ‘ASAN Application’ information system,’ he said.

He also noted that 511 public services were assessed last year under the ‘ASAN Service Index,’ reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, efficiency, and service quality across public institutions.

A study conducted in the Czech Republic suggests that banning mobile phones in schools does not necessarily improve student academic performance. Researchers from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Masaryk University found that while students may be less distracted without their phones, they often become more restless or undisciplined in class, AzerNEWS reports.

The study analyzed data from 21 countries and indicates that blanket bans on phones may not be effective in every school. Moreover, such restrictions do not directly address issues like cyberbullying or Internet addiction, which remain significant challenges in modern education.

Experts emphasize that it is far more beneficial to educate students on responsible technology use rather than simply banning devices. Encouraging healthy digital habits, guiding children through the online world, and adapting rules to local school conditions are more effective strategies. Schools should also pay attention to how lessons are organized, the timing of breaks, and opportunities for students to move and recharge.

In the Czech Republic, strict phone prohibitions are mostly applied to younger students, but the study suggests that flexibility and guidance may yield better long-term results.

Some schools experimenting with moderated phone use have found that allowing short, structured phone breaks can actually improve focus and motivation, as students feel trusted and learn to manage their digital lives responsibly. This approach could become a model for balancing technology and learning in classrooms worldwide.

South Korea plans to support the growth of 100 defense-focused startups by 2030, aiming to boost the defense industry’s innovation potential and accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, government officials announced Monday, AzerNEWS reports, citing Korean media.

As part of this initiative, the government also aims to foster 30 venture companies capable of generating 100 billion won ($69 million) in annual sales by 2030, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

Under the plan, startups will be given opportunities to collaborate with military branches and established defense contractors, helping to reduce barriers to market entry. The initiative also includes support for early-stage research and development in defense technology and ensures that startups can compete for defense contracts on an equal footing with larger corporations.

To track progress, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and DAPA will establish a cross-departmental oversight body to monitor implementation and make adjustments as needed.

This move reflects South Korea’s growing focus on technologically advanced defense solutions, such as AI-powered surveillance, autonomous drones, and cyber defense systems. By nurturing startups in this sector, the country aims not only to strengthen national security but also to position itself as a global hub for defense innovation in the coming decade.

National Gymnastics Arena in Baku has hosted the Trampoline Gymnastics and Tumbling World Cup, drawing 66 gymnasts from six countries, AzerNEWS reports.

Athletes showcased their skills across individual events for men and women, synchronized routines for men and women, and mixed synchronized programs in trampoline gymnastics. The first day of the competition featured the qualification rounds, while the second day was reserved for the thrilling finals.

Azerbaijani gymnasts delivered an impressive performance, closing the World Cup with a total of six medals.

The mixed synchronized duo of Seljan Mahsudova and Maqsud Mahsudov captured gold, taking first place in their event. In tumbling, Mikhail Malkin claimed gold, while Tofiq Aliyev earned silver.

Trampoline gymnastics also brought success for the host nation. The pairs Maqsud Mahsudov – Huseyn Abbasov and Seljan Mahsudova – Shafika Humbetova both secured bronze medals in the synchronized events. Seljan Mahsudova added to her medal haul with a silver in the individual category, further highlighting her remarkable versatility and consistency.

Outstanding performers in the qualification rounds were awarded the AGF Trophy. In tumbling, Mikhail Malkin emerged as the winner of the AGF Trophy for men, a recognition of his exceptional execution and dominance in the discipline.

Founded in 1956, the Azerbaijani Gymnastics Federation comprises seven gymnastics disciplines recognised by the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG).

The federation has been experiencing a revival since 2002.The restructured federation has brought gymnastics to a completely new level. The high-level organisation of the gymnastics events did not go unnoticed.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has included the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) in the list of meritorious federations.

For many years, the AGF has been included in the FIG list of the Top 10 gymnastics federations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that recent nuclear negotiations with the United States have produced ‘encouraging signals,’ while cautioning that Tehran is prepared for any scenario ahead of another round of talks scheduled for Thursday, AzerNEWS reports.

Pezeshkian’s remarks come amid growing concerns of a military escalation, as the US increases its military presence in the Gulf and President Donald Trump warns of ‘really bad things’ if a deal on Iran’s nuclear program is not reached.

‘Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region,’ Pezeshkian wrote on X. ‘Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor US actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario.’

The cautious optimism follows confirmation from Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi of a third round of indirect talks in Geneva, Switzerland. ‘Pleased to confirm US-Iran negotiations are now set for Geneva this Thursday, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalising the deal,’ al-Busaidi said, acting as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.

Iran and the US resumed nuclear talks in Oman earlier this month, followed by a second round in Geneva last week. While both sides described the discussions as generally positive, no breakthrough was achieved.