Syrian TV workers kidnapped in Damascus – reportAugust 11, 2012 - 13:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A pro-government Syrian TV station said four of its employees have been kidnapped while on assignment in a suburb of the capital Damascus, Belfast Telegraph said. Imad Sarah, who is general manager of Al-Ikhbariya station, said the four were seized in al-Tal suburb north of Damascus by an armed group as they were covering events in the area. The area has witnessed shelling and clashes between government troops and rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad's regime. Al-Ikhbariya and other pro-government Syrian TV stations have often come under attack during the course of the 17-month uprising in the country. A bomb blast struck the headquarters of Syrian state TV in Damascus this week, wounding several employees. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Turkey for talks with Turkish officials as well as Syrian opposition figures. 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. |