Israel approves first new West Bank settlement in two decadesMarch 31, 2017 - 14:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israel has approved the establishment of its first new Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank in two decades, BBC News reports. The security cabinet voted unanimously late on Thursday, Mach 30 to begin construction on a hilltop known as "Geulat Zion", near the Palestinian city of Nablus. It will be used to house some 40 families whose homes were cleared from an unauthorised settlement outpost. Palestinian officials have condemned the move and called on the international community to intervene. It comes despite US President Donald Trump asking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month to "hold back" on settlement construction. The Israeli authorities approved thousands of new homes in existing settlements after Trump took office in January. 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 | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |