Syrian Army planning major offensives in Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa: RussiaApril 29, 2016 - 10:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Syrian Army is planning offensives against the cities of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa with the support of the Russian Air Force, RIA news agency quoted Alexei Borodavkin, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, as saying on Friday, April 29. Dozens were killed in recent air strikes in the Syrian city of Aleppo, including doctors and patients in the charity hospital Medecins sans Frontieres on Thursday. Violence in Syria has intensified in recent days, despite a truce. The upsurge in violence comes amid reports that the Syrian army, backed by Russian air power, is gearing up for a major offensive in Aleppo. The escalation has threatened to derail the UN-brokered peace talks, which resumed last month. 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 | CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. 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. |