Heavy clashes continue in Bahrain ahead of F1 Grand PrixApril 19, 2013 - 16:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Heavy clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces have continued into the night in Bahrain, ahead of Sunday April 20 F1 Grand Prix, BBC News reported. Demonstrators blocked roads with burning tyres, and police fired tear gas and stun grenades, as violence over the past week intensified. The main opposition society al-Wefaq has called for a big protest on Friday. Other activists have demanded that F1 bosses cancel the race due to Bahrain's poor human rights record. In a joint statement, motorsport's world governing body and Formula One management said the race should go ahead as planned. The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and Formula One Management (FOM) said they "also strongly believe sport can often be a force for good and that the staging of the Grand Prix in Bahrain will come some way in helping soothe some of the issues which have been raised in the media". The Bahrain Center for Human Rights says 13 people have been arrested and that clashes were continuing in villages close to the Sakhir track, the site of the race, south of the capital, Manama. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |