Syrian rebels hold pro-government prisoners in former school

10:34 | Armenia Orinats Yerkir cannot oppose RPA

While the other parliamentary factions are going to vote against the government program, Orinats Yerkir faction will vote for it.
Source: Zhamanak
09:45 | Armenia Prosperous Armenia opposed to government program

Despite the recent statement of Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan that his party cannot be opposition, PAP will vote against the government program submitted to the parliament.
Source: Zhamanak
09:43 | In the world Henrikh Mkhitaryan called by Armenia national team

From 28 May to 12 June, Armenia will hold a training camp.
Source: FC Shakhtar
09:29 | In the world Today marks World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

The day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together better.
Source: UN
09:07 | In the world US and China leaders to hold summit

The US and Chinese presidents will hold their first summit in California in June.
Source: BBC
09:06 | In the world Obama urges Myanmar to stop violence against Muslims

Obama called for an end to the killings of Rohingya Muslims in western Myanmar's Rakhine state.
Source: Reuters
09:02 | In the world Guatemala court overturns ex-dictator's genocide conviction

Guatemala's top court overturned the genocide conviction of former dictator Efrain Rios Montt and ordered on Monday that his trial restart.
Source: AP
08:56 | In the world Iraq Shiites targeted in fresh violence

A string of car bombings and shootings across Iraq left more than 50 people dead Monday.
Source: CNN
08:51 | In the world North Koreans 'free Chinese crew'

A Chinese fishing crew seized by North Koreans two weeks ago has been freed along with their boat.
Source: BBC
08:46 | In the world Dozens dead in Oklahoma tornado

At least 51 people, including 20 children, have been left dead after a huge tornado tore through Oklahoma City suburbs.
Source: BBC
08:40 | Armenia No significant precipitation expected

The air temperature will go up in daytime by 3-4 degrees.
Source: Meteo-TV
22:00 | Armenia 2 men arrested in killing over iPad in Las Vegas

Two men have been arrested in the killing of a teenage boy over an iPad in Las Vegas, police said Sunday.
Source: ABC News
21:46 | Region Eurovision: Azerbaijan probes Russian 'nul points'

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has ordered an inquiry into why his country gave Russia "nul points" at Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest.
Source: BBC
21:38 | In the world Nigeria eases curfew in northeast, fights on against Boko Haram

Nigeria relaxed a curfew on Monday in parts of the northeast where its troops are mounting their biggest offensive yet against militants from the Islamist group Boko Haram.
Source: Reuters
21:27 | In the world Russia delivers first Lada cars to Venezuela

Russia has delivered a first batch of 450 Lada cars to Venezuela, said Sergei Goreslavsky, head of Russian Technologies high-tech state corporation's international economic cooperation department.
Source: Ria.ru
21:20 | In the world Fighting breaks out in Congo

Fighting erupted between the Congo national army and the M23 rebel group near the mineral-trading city of Goma, ending a nearly six-month lull in violence around the city.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
21:08 | In the world 'Terrorist attack' in Moscow prevented

Russian counter-terrorism agents have carried out a raid on a group planning a terrorist act in Moscow killing two suspects, officials say.
Source: BBC
21:00 | In the world Yahoo is investing big-time in the social media

The company announced today that it has purchased Tumblr, the popular blogging and social media network, for $1.1 billion.
Source: ABC News
20:50 | Region NDM of Hungary refutes information on having issued postage stamps in honor of Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev

The Hungarian postal service, Magyar Posta, had nothing to do with a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the birth of Azerbaijan’s strongman leader Heydar Aliyev, the National Development Ministry said on Monday, The Budapest Times reports.
Source: The Budapest Times
20:45 | In the world Hezbollah suffers big losses in Syria battle

About 30 Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and 20 Syrian soldiers and militiamen loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have been killed in the fiercest fighting this year in the rebel stronghold of Qusair.
Source: Reuters
20:32 | In the world Without U.S. helicopters, afghans struggle to save wounded

The roads were too dangerous for an army ambulance.
Source: The Washington Post
20:26 | Region UN: Azerbaijan violates embargo on trade in arms with North Korea

The UN report accuses Azerbaijan of violating the embargo on trade in arms with North Korea.
Source: Ruskor
20:25 | In the world Two consecutive blasts kill 3, injure over 40 in Dagestan

The blasts took place about 15 minutes apart, near the Bailiff Service building, local authorities say.
Source: Ria.ru
20:20 | In the world Balloon crash kills tourists in Cappadocia, Turkey

Two Brazilian tourists have been killed and more than 20 other people injured after two hot-air balloons collided in Turkey, a local official says.
Source: BBC
20:12 | In the world Billboard Music Awards: Stars dazzle on Red Carpet

Pictures: Yahoo.com
20:06 | In the world Goldman Sachs selling ICBC stake

The stake in the bank, which was one of the first Chinese lenders to accept foreign investors as shareholders, has been lucrative for Goldman.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
20:00 | In the world Google warns users: Don't wear video glasses in the bathroom

Users of Google Glass are being given some basic advice – take them off when visiting public conveniences.
Source: Breakingnews.ie
19:10 | Armenia Tigran Sargsyan: Negotiations with Russia over gas price are underway

“Armenia is using its leverage to get a low price for imported gas and is holding negotiations with Iran and our strategic ally Russia,” said the Armenian PM.
Source: Panorama.am
18:12 | In the world Messi: I can only play for Barca

"I cannot play with any team other than Barcelona," he told reporters in Qatar, where he took part in a charity event.
Source: AFP
17:48 | Region Grigor Chiftchyan: Armenian churches of Iran belong not only to Armenians but also to entire humanity

“At first glance, it seems that the historical Armenian churches of Iran belong to Armenians but indeed they belong to the Iranian people and to the entire humanity,” said the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Atrpatakan.
Source: ISNA
17:01 | Region Bako Sahakyan visits Patara village

Artsakh leader visited the village of Patara in Askeran region where he attended the inauguration of a memorial to perished freedom fighters.
Source: presidential press service
16:07 | In the world Roberto Carlos to coach Turkish Sivasspor club

The former Brazilian international reportedly accepted the offer after consulting with friends from his time with Fenerbahce.
Source: Xinhua
16:07 | Region Ararat Avanesyan and Arthur Gasparyan awarded Medal for Liberation of Shoushi

Bako Sahakyan signed a decree awarding freedom fighters Ararat Avanesyan and Arthur Gasparyan Medal for Liberation of Shoushi for their courage in the battles for the defense of the homeland.
Source: presidential press service
15:46 | Armenia Heritage member predicts repositioning in political field

“I think not rearrangement but repositioning will occur in the political field,” Stepan Safaryan told reporters.
Source: Panorama.am
15:00 | Armenia Increase in gas price is beneficial to Armenian government, says Andrias Ghukasyan

“First of all, the increase in gas price is beneficial to the Armenian government as the taxes will increase as a consequence of it,” he said.
Source: Panorama.am
14:22 | Armenia Andrias Ghukasyan: We are planning to create a new party

The former presidential candidate noted that he has social-democratic ideology but is not going to join any of the existing parties.
Source: Panorama.am
13:44 | Region OSCE Mission to monitor contact line in Fizuli direction

The NKR authorities expressed their readiness to assist in conducting the monitoring and to ensure the security of the OSCE Mission members.
Source: NKR MFA
13:36 | Region Lithuanian media: Azerbaijan is massively buying votes at ‘‘Eurovision-2013’’ song contest (Video)

Azerbaijan in all countries carried out buying up of votes during the "Eurovision 2013" song contest, the "buyers" told to Lithuanian journalists who were carrying out their own investigation, writes the Lithuanian portal “15min.lt”.
Source: 15min.lt
11:39 | Armenia Armenian parliament to discuss gas price increase on May 23

The discussion, initiated by Hovik Abrahamyan, will host Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia Robert Nazaryan.
Source: Panorama.am
11:38 | Armenia Serzh Sargsyan congratulates national philanthropist Louise Manoogian Simone on birthday

On behalf of the entire Armenian nation and his own behalf, President Serzh Sargsyan cordially congratulated national philanthropist Louise Manoogian Simone on her 80th birthday and wished her health and many happy years ahead.
Source: presidential press service
11:06 | Region Azerbaijan violates ceasefire about 200 times over past week

More than 1,500 shots were fired in Karabakh’s direction.
Source: NKR Defense Army
11:05 | Armenia 35 young people from European countries discuss youth unemployment in Dilijan

From 10th to 18th of May Dilijan city hosted 35 young people from various European countries such as Italy, France, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Czech Republic, Turkey and Greece.
Source: Armenian Progressive Youth NGO
10:39 | Armenia Mher Hovhannisyan in Limburg

Armenian IM Mher Hovhannisyan has scored 2.5 points after 3 rounds at Limburg Open.
Source: armchess.am
10:07 | Region Bako Sahakyan meets with members of Armenian National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Relations

Issues related to cooperation between the parliaments of the two Armenian states in foreign policy were discussed during the meeting.
Source: presidential press service
09:16 | Armenia Serzh Sargsyan reelected President of Armenian Chess Federation

Serzh Sargsyan was reelected President of the federation during the conference of the federation held on Saturday.
Source: presidential press service
09:15 | In the world Imran Khan's party wins revote in Karachi, protests expected

Cricket hero Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf party won a revote in an upmarket constituency of Karachi on Sunday.
Source: Reuters
09:07 | In the world Venezuela says taking steps to restore U.S. diplomatic ties

Foreign Minister Elias Jaua suggested in a televised interview that the move to name government ally Calixto Ortega as charge d'affaires in Washington could be a prelude to restoring ambassadors.
Source: Reuters
09:03 | In the world 2 FBI agents die in hostage rescue training exercise

Special Agent Christopher Lorek and Special Agent Stephen Shaw were assigned to the FBI's Critical Incident Response Group. The cause of the incident is under review.
Source: CNN
08:59 | In the world Iran claims it hanged CIA, Mossad spies

Two men who the Iranian government said worked as spies for Israel and the United States were hanged Sunday morning.
Source: CNN
08:54 | In the world China asks North Korea to free seized boat

Owner Yu Xuejun said the vessel had been in Chinese waters when the 16-man crew were seized on 5 May.
Source: BBC
08:50 | In the world Fierce battle for key Syrian town

Fighting has raged in Syria's town of Qusair after government troops launched a major operation to seize the strategic rebel stronghold.
Source: BBC
08:45 | Armenia Air temperature will go down

Precipitation is expected from time to time in the whole territory
Source: Meteo-TV
21:38 | In the world Hollywood actor Brad Pitt to promote new film in Moscow

The 35th film festival will kick off with the premiere of the upcoming apocalyptic horror film, World War Z, to be attended by producer-star Pitt and film director Marc Forster.
Source: Ria.ru
21:30 | In the world North Korea fires missiles into sea

The missiles posed no danger to neighboring countries.
Source: The Wall Street
21:10 | In the world Iran Exporting Medical Products to 40 World Countries

An Iranian health official said on Saturday.
Source: Fars

09:15 01/08/2012 » Society

In what has been one of the hottest summers many Syrians can remember, the classrooms of an elementary school in the north of the country are packed full -- not with schoolchildren, but with pro-government prisoners captured by rebels, according to CNN.

In one classroom this week, at least 40 adult men sat barefoot on cushions on the crowded floor in front of the teacher's chalkboard. Their heads were shaved. Most of them hid their faces as armed men showed visiting journalists the room.

"They are shabiha," said one of the armed men, referring to Syria's much-feared pro-government militia.

Months ago, Syrian rebels from the Tawheed (Unity) Brigade converted this school into a makeshift detention center that now houses at least 112 detainees. Jailers invited CNN reporters to visit the facility, provided its exact location not be identified for security reasons.

The prison warden, a former employee of the Agriculture Ministry who asked only to be called Abu Hatem, insisted conditions at the school are far better than at government detention facilities.

"See, the prisoners and the guards eat the same food," he said as he showed eggs, a bowl of plums, and a boiling pot full of potatoes in the prison's kitchen.

But during brief supervised encounters with prisoners, there were signs suggesting some of the captives had endured beatings and perhaps far worse during or since their capture by rebel forces.

One of the prisoners could barely see, his eyes were so swollen and purple. But it was unclear how long he had been held and whether his injuries might have been suffered in battle.

Source: Panorama.am