Obama administration seeks extra $32 million to train Mali troopsJanuary 26, 2013 - 16:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Barack Obama administration is seeking an additional 32 million dollars to train African troops to fight Islamic extremists in Mali, Belfast Telegraph said. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the request had been made to Congress. The United States is not providing any direct aid to the Malian government because the democratically elected president was overthrown in a coup last year. However, it has been providing aid to the French-led mission, transporting French troops and equipment to Mali. France has some 2,400 forces in the West African nation but says it wants African nations to take the lead in fighting the extremists who rule northern Mali. The French-led operation began on January 11 after the militants surged southward from their strongholds and took the town of Konna, later recaptured by government forces. 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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |