Bundestag OKs plans to provide military assistance in anti-IS fightDecember 4, 2015 - 15:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Germany's Parliament has approved plans to provide military assistance in the fight against Islamic State militants, including reconnaissance jets and up to 1,200 support personnel, the Associated Press reports. Lawmakers voted Friday, December 4, 445 to 146 to approve the plan crafted by Chancellor Angela Merkel's Cabinet this week following a pledge of greater support in the wake of the deadly attacks in Paris, which IS has claimed responsibility for. Germany plans to send up to six Tornado reconnaissance planes and tanker aircraft, as well as a frigate to help protect the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean, but won't actively engage in combat. Two German Tornados and a tanker are expected to be sent to Turkey's Incirlik air base next week but won't be fully operational until next month. The frigate's also to be in place soon. 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 | Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. |