Putin pays 2-day Middle East visit

16:02 | Armenia Manuel Petrosyan wins Armenian Regional Championship

Armenian Regional Championship, which was the qualification phase of the 74th Armenian Championship, was held in Jermuk.
Source: armchess.am
15:28 | Region Chechnya's honorary consul assassinated in Turkey

Medet Ünlü was shot multiple times at the consulate building in Ankara's Balgat neighborhood and died at the scene.
Source: Today's Zaman
15:10 | Armenia Tigran Sargsyan: Armenian government is willing to cooperate with all political forces

“If opposition presents its vision of the future, then our duty is to take from it what we think is right for our country,” the Armenian PM told reporters.
Source: Panorama.am
14:35 | Armenia PSRC representative: Gas price to be set at AMD 156 per cubic meter

Currently the price per cubic meter of gas is AMD 132.
Source: Panorama.am
14:05 | In the world Congresswoman Judy Chu: We have a duty to remind the world that mass murder and destruction must not be ignored

Rep. Chu cosponsored H. Res. 227 calling for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Source: chu.house.gov
13:27 | Region OSCE Mission monitors Line of Contact in Fizuli direction

No violation of the ceasefire regime was registered.
Source: NKR MFA
13:16 | Armenia Armenian parliament approves government program

The Armenian National Assembly, by a vote of 76 for and 41 against, approved the program of Armenian government for 2013-17.
Source: Panorama.am
12:54 | Region Zardusht Alizadeh: Azerbaijani people should take up arms and fight for their rights

“Law, justice and God mean nothing for the Azerbaijani authorities. Money is their God,” said the Azerbaijani analyst.
Source: Arannews.ir
12:00 | Armenia Duration of unemployment benefit payment to be reduced to 3 years

As a result, the unemployed will not receive AMD 3bn aid.
Source: Haykakan Zhamanak
11:25 | Armenia New resignations expected in Armenia

Several resignations are expected following approval of the government program for 2013-17.
Source: Zhamanak
10:49 | In the world Armenian intellectual kidnapped in Aleppo

Armenian writer and intellectual Hakob Mikayelyan was kidnapped by gunmen in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Wednesday, May 22.
Source: Lradou.com
10:25 | Armenia Hrant Bagratyan refuses to disclose details of his conversation with Prime Minister

“There was no separate meeting with Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,” he said.
Source: Zhoghovurd
09:54 | In the world Congressman Cicilline calls for recognition, apology

U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline in a statement called on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to formally acknowledge and apologize for the Armenian Genocide.
Source: The Armenian Weekly
09:32 | Region Turkish-Armenian writer given jail sentence for blasphemy

An Istanbul court has sentenced a Turkish-Armenian author and blogger to more than a year in prison for insulting the Prophet Mohammad.
Source: Asbarez.com
09:18 | In the world West may boost Syria rebels if Assad won't talk peace

Washington threatened on Wednesday to increase support for Syria's rebels if President Bashar al-Assad refuses to discuss a political end to a civil war that is spreading across borders.
Source: Reuters
09:13 | In the world Stockholm riots challenge image of happy, generous state

Hundreds of youth have torched cars and attacked police in four nights of riots in immigrant suburbs of Sweden's capital.
Source: Reuters
09:05 | In the world Dead Boston bombings suspect involved in 2011 slayings

Deceased Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev participated in a 2011 gruesome triple homicide outside Boston along with a Chechen killed early Wednesday during a confrontation with the FBI and Massachusetts State Police in Orlando, Florida.
Source: CNN
08:59 | In the world Man arrested in ricin letter probe

A 37-year-old man arrested Wednesday in Washington state as part of an investigation of ricin-laced letters threatened in one such letter to injure and kill a federal judge.
Source: CNN
08:53 | In the world US confirms four American citizens killed by drones

In a letter to the Senate judiciary committee, Eric Holder defended the targeted killing of Anwar al-Awlaki.
Source: BBC
08:49 | In the world Man dead in suspected UK terror attack

A man has been killed in a machete attack and two suspects shot and wounded by police in Woolwich.
Source: BBC
08:42 | Armenia No precipitation expected in Armenia

Only in the eastern regions transitory rain and thunderstorm is possible in spots after midday.
Source: Meteo-TV
22:00 | In the world Analysis: From opera to exercises, U.S. and China deepen military ties

Even as the United States accuses China of military espionage and worries about Beijing's more strident posture in the Asia-Pacific region, the ties between the armed forces of the two nations have been getting closer.
Source: Reuters
21:45 | In the world Russia’s Eurovision contestant attempts to calm vote row

There was no need for an investigation into “lost” Azerbaijani votes for her performance.
Source: Ria.ru
21:33 | In the world EU leaders in drive against tax evasion at Brussels summit

Austria has joined its EU partners in calling for a crackdown on tax evasion, despite the country's banking secrecy.
Source: BBC
21:25 | In the world Israel's air force chief says his troops need to be ready to act quickly in case of an attack from Syria

The remarks by Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel Wednesday echo statements by Israel's military chief of staff a day earlier.
Source: ABC news
21:12 | In the world Fitness-for-work tests unfair on people with mental health problems, court says

Test used to determine whether hundreds of thousands of people are eligible to claim sickness benefits substantially disadvantages people with mental health conditions.
Source: The Guardian
21:11 | In the world The average British barbecue contains TWICE as many germs as a toilet seat

Hygiene expert Dr Lisa Ackerley found the typical outdoor grill contains a staggering 1.7 million microbes per 100cm sq.
Source: The Daily Mail
21:05 | In the world Rescuers search Oklahoma tornado town ruins as recovery starts

Rescue workers with sniffer dogs picked through the ruins of an Oklahoma town on Wednesday to ensure no survivors remained buried after a deadly tornado left thousands homeless.
Source: Reuters
21:02 | Region Caspian Research Institute: Azerbaijan and Iran are engaged in something of a ‘cold war’

Azerbaijan and Iran have been engaged in something of a ‘cold war’ for some time, although the roots of the tense relationship date back to the fall of the Soviet Union, the article published in London based scientific research center Caspian Research Institute site reads.
Source: Caspian Research Institute
20:53 | In the world Petraeus’s role in drafting Benghazi talking points raises questions

The controversy over the Obama administration’s response to the Benghazi attack last year began at a meeting over coffee on Capitol Hill three days after the assault.
Source: The Washington Post
20:45 | In the world Egyptian President announces release of officers kidnapped in Sinai

The crisis recalled an attack on a Sinai military checkpoint last August that resulted in the deaths of 16 soldiers, humiliated the Egyptian military, and helped compel the generals who had ruled Egypt to hand full power to the first civilian president.
Source: The New York Times
20:40 | In the world Steven Seagal ‘almost chechen’ - Kadyrov

Hollywood star spent time on Wednesday with Ramzan Kadyrov, the former militant fighter who now heads Chechnya.
Source: Ria.ru
20:33 | In the world Venezuela ends toilet paper shortage

Venezuela's National Assembly has backed plans to import 39 million rolls of toilet paper, in an effort to relieve a chronic shortage.
Source: BBC
20:25 | Region Iran bars prominent candidates from ballot

The clerical committee that vets election candidates in Iran barred two important contenders from the ballot for next month's presidential election, virtually guaranteeing that the next head of government will be loyal to the regime of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
20:18 | In the world Oklahoma Tornado: 2 devastated elementary schools had no safe rooms

Both schools were destroyed when an EF-5 twister with winds of at least 200 mph killed 24 people Monday and injured hundreds more.
Source: ABC news
20:12 | In the world FBI says man shot dead while being questioned about Boston bombings

An FBI agent shot and killed a Florida man who turned violent while being questioned about the Boston Marathon bombings early on Wednesday, the bureau said.
Source: Reuters
20:06 | In the world Ahmadinejad to contest poll bar on ally Mashaei

Iran's President says he will contest the disqualification of his ally Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei from next month's presidential poll.
Source: BBC
20:00 | In the world Eric Garcetti wins Los Angeles mayor's race

Eric Garcetti has won the race to be the 42nd mayor of Los Angeles, becoming the first Jewish mayor in the city's history.
Source: USA Today
18:58 | Region Slovak journalist: It is a catastrophe that few people know of Artsakh

“In my country, very few people know of Artsakh and I think it is a catastrophe because there are people and churches here, and there is life here.”
Source: Panorama.am
17:47 | Region U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan: Karabakh conflict settlement is not related to energy projects

We are interested in the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, but this issue has nothing to do with the implementation of energy projects.
Source: APA
17:11 | Region Turan: Azerbaijan commanded to ‘‘bring Russia down’’ at Eurovision Song Contest 2013

If we consider that all the mobile operators in Baku "respect" the authorities, and the voting process is under the control, and if we believe in the Lithuanian disclosure about vote buying up by Azerbaijan, then, according to this situation, the logic of events suggests that someone in Baku has impulsively commanded to " bring Russia down,’’ Azerbaijani news agency "Turan" writes.
Source: Turan
17:08 | Armenia Oligarchs cannot influence political decisions – Gagik Beglaryan

Beglaryan answered negatively the question of whether he considers himself an oligarch.
Source: Panorama.am
16:42 | Armenia Parliament vice speaker points to absence of alternative government program

The parliamentarian added that criticism voiced by politicians is not worth a dime unless it contains proposals and an alternative program.
Source: Panorama.am
15:39 | Region Iranian analyst: Azerbaijan does everything possible to reduce Nakhichevan’s dependence on Iran

Iran, which has about 143-km-long border with Nakhichevan, had an important strategic role in Nakhichevan’s political and economic life.
Source: IRAS
14:23 | In the world Armenian Genocide resolution officially introduced in the House of Representatives

Congressman David Valadao along with Congressman Adam Schiff, and Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr. and Michael Grimm, officially introduced a resolution regarding the Armenian Genocide.
Source: Armenian Assembly of America
14:03 | Armenia Aghvan Vardanyan: New government program repeats previous one

“Both the government and its program have remained almost unchanged, but the life has changed and the problems have become sharper,” said the ARFD member.
Source: Panorama.am
12:33 | In the world Messi: Neymar would be wonderful addition

Lionel Messi believes Neymar would make a "wonderful addition" to the Barcelona squad should he opt to move to Camp Nou.
Source: Goal.com
12:33 | Armenia John Heffern: We call on to ensure maximum transparency in gas price talks

“Talks on gas price involve Armenia and Russia, the United States does not participate in them but this issue has public resonance and we call on to ensure a maximum transparency in the talks.”
Source: Panorama.am
11:35 | In the world Outstanding Teen Kristina Ayanian to receive Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Medal, to interview Prince Edward

“This is a dream come true for me and a rare opportunity for any television reporter to interview a member of the British Royal family,” she said.
Source: Wicked Local
10:48 | Armenia Armenian government not to sell Vorotan HPP to subsidize gas price

“The negotiations and discussions with Russia are underway and when they are over, we will see how to solve these problems and how to subsidize the gas price,” Armenian Minister of Energy said.
Source: Panorama.am
10:48 | Region Moscow finds Karabakh status quo ‘unacceptable’

Lavrov, who was hosting Mammadyarov in Moscow, added that the current status quo continued Armenia’s economic blockade.
Source: Asbarez.com
10:39 | Armenia Cuban ambassador presents credentials to Armenian President

Newly appointed ambassador of Cuba to Armenia Emilio Losada Garcia (seat in Moscow) presented his credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan.
Source: presidential press service
10:17 | Armenia Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting may take place in June

The “long-awaited” meeting between Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev may take place on June 12 in Salzburg.
Source: Hraparak
09:15 | Region Iran bars candidates for presidential election

Iranian authorities barred two potentially powerful and disruptive candidates from running in next month's presidential election on Tuesday.
Source: Reuters
09:09 | In the world Freeport Indonesia says death toll rises to 28 after tunnel accident

"We continue to grieve with the families even as we close this grim chapter," Freeport Indonesia President Director Rozik Soetjipto said in a statement.
Source: Reuters

10:25 25/06/2012 » In the world

Russian President Vladimir Putin pays a two-day trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories, the BBC report said.

Mr Putin will unveil a memorial to Russian soldiers of the Second World War at the coastal city of Netanya, a little north of Tel Aviv. This marks the contribution of Russian troops to the defeat of Nazism. More than a million Russian Jews now live in Israel; Netanya itself has a significant Russian community.

Mr Putin has re-gained the Russian presidency, the Middle East is in turmoil in the wake of the Arab Spring and Russia's close ties with Syria and Iran are proving problematic.

Hence the trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories will enable Russia to present a different facet of its Middle East policy.

Source: Panorama.am