Clinton in Bangladesh to push tolerance, democracyMay 5, 2012 - 15:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Bangladesh to press tolerance, unity, democracy and development in one of the world's most impoverished nations. Clinton arrived Saturday, May 5 in the capital of Dhaka, which has been increasingly tense in recent weeks with general strikes protesting the disappearance of an opposition leader and a crackdown on dissent. Her visit, however, is expected to bring a brief respite. In a goodwill gesture, the opposition has suspended protests for the occasion. The U.S. sees Bangladesh as a potentially important voice for moderation among Muslim majority nations. American officials say Clinton's trip, the first by a secretary of state since 2003, is aimed bringing ties with the Muslim majority country to a new level, The Associated Press reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. |