Condoleezza Rice: Putin’s return makes mockery of democracy

19:03 | In the world Villa ruled out for Spain

Villa, 30, underwent surgery last December after fracturing his left shinbone at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
Source: ESPN
18:49 | In the world Martin Kelly called in to Roy Hodgson's squad for Euro 2012 warm-up against Norway

The 22 year-old, who has made six appearances for England's Under-21 team, had never previously been involved in a senior England squad.
Source: Telegraph
18:23 | In the world Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has minor knee operation in Sweden

The midfielder underwent the procedure in Sweden and it is reported to have been a success.
Source: Guardian
18:14 | In the world Sneijder: Robben should come to Inter

"The fans' reaction was absolutely disgraceful. And that's not all. It's also remarkable to see that nobody at Bayern has defended him," Sneijder stated to Voetbal International.
Source: Goal.com
16:36 | Region Iran accused ruling Azerbaijani leadership of holding anti-Iranian activities

An Iranian supreme clergyman urged Iranian mass media to protest against Azerbaijan during Eurovision 2012 days.
Source: Azadlig
16:35 | Armenia Weather forecast: Air temperature to go up

Tonight it will be +10+12, +24+26 in daytime on the 23rd of May and +16+18 in the evening.
Source: Meteo-tv
16:34 | Armenia No privileged people on Final Bell Rings day

He encouraged the parents to avoid trusting cars to their teenage children.
Source: Panorama.am
16:32 | In the world Syrian conflict to spread to Lebanon

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Syria's opposition disparate groups to comply with a UN-brokered ceasefire and end all violence.
Source: Ria Novosti
15:14 | Armenia Nana Dzagnidze to play at Mika Yerevan Club

Mika is going to take part in European Chess Club Championship to be held on 10-18 October, 2012 in Eilat, Israel.
Source: armchess.am
15:13 | Armenia A Iskandaryan: No extraordinary events happening for Armenia

Source: Panorama.am
15:10 | Region Armed conflict between Azeri soldiers kills two

Officials say one of the soldiers killed the other and then committed a suicide.
Source: Trend news agency
15:06 | Armenia S Nikoyan: Common values and missions unite PA member states

Common values and missions, including establishment of peace and stability in the Black Sea region and friendly relations unite the Assembly’s member states.
Source: Panorama.am
15:00 | Armenia RA President: BSEC PA role greatly signified

Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Parliamentary Assembly (PA) 39th plenary session kicked off in the National Assembly, Yerevan.
Source: Panorama.am
14:58 | In the world Russian grannies qualified for Eurovision 2012 finals

The Russian grannies thanked those who voted for them.
Source: Panorama.am
14:42 | Region Organ trafficking ring unveiled in Israel

Ten people were detained for allegedly being involved in a human organ trafficking ring.
Source: Times of Israel
14:32 | Armenia Clara Barton commemorative events to be held at Armenian Genocide Museum

Hayk Demoyan, the Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, John Heffern, the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Ashot Hovakimian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of RA and Kevin Patti, American historian representing Clara Barton National Historic Site will make remarks during the event.
Source: Genocide-Museum
12:36 | Region The Independent: Behind the preposterous glitz of Eurovision stands the oppressive Azerbaijani regime

“Amnesty International records at least 12 prisoners of conscience in Azerbaijani jails and Azerbaijan comes near the bottom of the press-freedom index.”
Source: The Independent
12:34 | Armenia Armenian Heritage Park unveiled in Boston

A gift from Massachusetts’ Armenian-American community, the park celebrates local immigrants and their contributions to the community.
Source: MFA
12:30 | Armenia Orinats Yerkir also to hold banquet

By the advice of Heghine Bisharyan NSC Secretary Arthur Baghdasaryan plans to hold a banquet at Geghama restaurant complex owned by businessman Khachik Khachatryan.
Source: Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun
12:28 | Armenia Fire chases RPA

“The 21st century is age of fire. Unlike water, the world will now go through the ordeal by fire,” Hraparak writes.
Source: Hraparak
12:25 | Armenia Helsinki Association website hacked

“I don’t know who is behind this attack,” organization’s Chairman Mikayel Danielyan told Aravot.
Source: Aravot
12:24 | Armenia Viktor Dallakyan to be Chairman of Civil Service Council

Current Chairman of Civil Service Council Manvel Badalyan submitted a withdrawal application.
Source: Haykakan Zhamanak
12:22 | Armenia Sergo Karapetyan’s tenure as Minister of Agriculture hangs by thread

Orinats Yerkir Party will have two ministerial portfolios in the new cabinet keeping the positions of Agriculture and Emergency Situations Ministers.
Source: Yerkir
08:58 | In the world Body of missing Harvard student found

Portland Police Chief Michael Sauschuck confirmed Tuesday that a body pulled from Portland Harbor in the city's Old Port area is that of 31-year-old Nathan Bihlmaier.
Source: CNN
08:45 | In the world Interpol targets 55 suspects using social network sites for child sex abuse images

The 55 suspects allegedly created groups that posted images of children under age 13 being abused.
Source: CNN
08:44 | In the world Egypt gears up for landmark presidential vote

Egyptians are preparing to head to the polls in their first free presidential election, 15 months after ousting Hosni Mubarak in the Arab Spring uprising.
Source: BBC
08:37 | In the world Argentina bomb found ahead of Alvaro Uribe talk

Officials in Argentina say they have found explosives at a theatre in the capital, Buenos Aires, where former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe was due to make a speech on Wednesday.
Source: BBC
18:14 | In the world Chelsea tell Fernando Torres he is going nowhere despite complaints

Didier Drogba has confirmed he will leave Chelsea this summer but Fernando Torres will not be following his fellow striker out of the club.
Source: Guardian
17:59 | Armenia Syunik region suffers damage from hail

Hail caused damage to gardens and sown areas in the villages of Lehvaz, Shvanidzor, Vardanidzor, Shrvenants, Norashenik, Nerkin Khotanan and the town of Kapan, Syunik region.
Source: Emergency Channel
16:46 | In the world Putin appoints former ministers as aides

A day after disclosing the new Cabinet, Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed several former ministers as presidential advisers.
Source: Gazeta.ru
15:49 | Armenia Melik-Shahnazaryan: Threat to Armenia is also threat to CSTO

"Bordyuzha’s statement is a signal to Azerbaijan that Armenia is in the focus of attention of CSTO states which are determined to protect the interests of their ally," said the expert.
Source: Panorama.am
15:00 | Armenia Arthur Kirajyan wins in Minsk

A large international boxing tournament took place in Minsk, with five Armenian boxers participating, alongside with sportsmen from 11 countries.
Source: ARMNOC
13:56 | Armenia Armenian under-19 football team heads to Italy

They will participate in UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite round on May 23.
Source: Panorama.am
12:44 | Armenia David Tonoyan dreams of being Defense Minister

Those familiar with his activities assert that fulfillment of his dream will be the end of our army.
Source: Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun
12:42 | Armenia New ministries may be established soon

Source: 168 Zham
12:41 | Armenia Oskanian & Co give up parliamentary mandates

By interesting coincidence, almost all of them objected to formation of a coalition with RPA, and as it happens PAP leader exactly “gets rid” of them.
Source: Irates de Facto
12:38 | Armenia Vigen Sargsyan may become Parliament Speaker

Besides discussions over Prime Minister’s candidacy, the political circles also consider the issue of future Parliament Speaker these days.
Source: Irates de Facto
12:37 | Armenia All Ministers to stay in their jobs except Minister of Sport

It is rumored that spokesman for Prosperous Armenia Party Khachik Galstyan may be appointed as Minister of Sport.
Source: Hraparak
12:34 | Armenia Orinats Yerkir communicating good news

Behind-the-scenes talks in power circles on forming a coalition fail to yield any results, and Orinats Yerkir Party is happy about the situation.
Source: Zhoghovurd
12:31 | Armenia Robert Kocharyan leaves for Moscow following Tsarukyan-Sargsyan meeting

PAP is confident that Kocharyan’s trip is connected with the issue of whether or not PAP will join the coalition.
Source: Hraparak
12:29 | Armenia Constitutional referendum for PAP Deputy Prime Minister

President Serzh Sargsyan has promised Gagik Tsarukyan that he will give Deputy Prime Minister’s mandate to Prosperous Armenia Party after the presidential elections.
Source: 168 Zham
09:22 | In the world Suicide blast kills more than 100 troops in Yemen

A suicide bomber dressed in a military uniform set off a blast that killed more than 100 soldiers in Yemen Monday.
Source: CNN
09:21 | In the world 13 dead, 30 injured after train crash in India

The Hampi Express was traveling from Hubli to Bangalore and crashed into a stationary goods train in Penukonda, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
Source: CNN
09:03 | In the world China fake parts 'used in US military equipment'

Vast numbers of counterfeit Chinese electronic parts are being used in US military equipment, a key Senate committee has reported.
Source: BBC
09:02 | In the world Three climbers die on Mt Everest descent

The three are reported to be a South Korean, a German and a Nepali-born Canadian woman.
Source: BBC
18:49 | In the world Del Piero 'regret' at final defeat

Alessandro Del Piero admits there are regrets at ending his Juventus career with a defeat, “but these have been fantastic years and I am proud of everything I’ve done.”
Source: Football Italia
18:27 | In the world Mazzarri: It seemed unthinkable to beat Juventus this season

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has said that his side beat the odds to see off Juventus 2-0 in the the Coppa Italia final.
Source: Goal.com
17:53 | Armenia Raffi Hovannisian receives US Ambassador

They exchanged views on post-election Armenia, American-Armenian relations, and regional developments.
Source: Heritage
17:45 | Armenia Lori region suffers damage from hail

It was reported today that hail had caused damage to agricultural areas of about 220 hectares in the village of Mikhaylovka, Lori region of Armenia.
Source: Emergency Channel
17:35 | Armenia Bordyuzha: CSTO states will unequivocally support Armenia

“Armenia is a full-fledged member of CSTO,” organization’s Secretary General said during the Yerevan-Moscow-Kiev-Astana-Kishinev space bridge.
Source: Panorama.am
16:34 | In the world Putin unveiled new Cabinet

Source: Reuters
16:15 | In the world Aztag marks 85th anniversary

Source: Panorama.am
16:14 | Armenia No sexual revolution in Armenia: It was evolution

Armenia was the first state in Soviet Union to found Clinic of Sexopathology in 1985.
Source: Panorama.am
16:12 | Armenia Edward Nalbandian meets with Armenian community in Chicago

Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian arrived in Chicago to take part in the meeting of the heads of the countries of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan to be held in the frames of the NATO Summit.
Source: MFA
13:52 | Region Gul meets with Merkel and Hollande

Turkey will suspend relations with EU presidency, but will keep relations with EU commissions and other structures.
Source: CnnTurk

11:48 17/11/2011 » Politics

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice described Vladimir Putin’s decision to run for a third term as a mockery of democracy.

“First of all, the way that the whole thing was done makes a bit of a mockery of the electoral process,” Rice said in an interview.
Asked if it was a good idea for Putin to run again, Rice said "no" and sighed. "It's unfortunate."

If Putin is elected in March as universally expected, Rice said, there is a chance, and perhaps a probability, that he may try to limit dissent and centralize power more than he had during his earlier incarnation as president.

"There will be certain constraints and realities even for Vladimir Putin," she added, saying Russians have a greater sense of the wider world through travel and the Internet and may not tolerate political repression.

Source: Panorama.am