Russia blocks UN tribunal to probe MH17 crash in UkraineJuly 30, 2015 - 15:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia has blocked a UN Security Council resolution that would have created an international tribunal to prosecute those responsible for bringing down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine, CNN reports. Russia was alone in the 15-member council in voting Wednesday, July 29, in New York against the establishment of the tribunal. Eleven members voted in favor. China, Venezuela and Angola abstained. Malaysia's transport minister said he was deeply disappointed by the failure to find unity in the Security Council and that the wrong signal had been sent to the families and friends of those killed. Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said Moscow still "stands ready to cooperate in the conduct of a full independent and objective investigation of the reasons and circumstances of the crash." Russia had earlier indicated that the resolution was too political and didn't wait for the outcome of two investigations currently underway. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that efforts to create the UN tribunal were premature and counterproductive, since an investigation into what happened is still ongoing. A second, criminal investigation is expected to report by the end of the year. 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |