Germany’s Hamburg votes against hosting 2024 OlympicsNovember 30, 2015 - 10:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Hamburg has withdrawn from the race to host the 2024 Olympics after falling short in a public referendum. Just shy of 52% of voters rejected the proposal, meaning the German city will pull out of the race with immediate effect, the Guardian reports. Officials announced the verdict on their Twitter feed, @2024Hamburg, declaring: “A crucial day is coming to an end – 48.3% ‘Yes’ votes in Hamburg are not enough to stay in the bidding process for the Games 2024.” Hamburg’s decision leaves four cities – Rome, Paris, Budapest and Los Angeles – in the running, with the victors set to be declared in September 2017. Hamburg is the second German city whose public have rejected proposals to host a Games, with Munich having voted against a plan to bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics. 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 | 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. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |