Spanish paper says reporter, photographer kidnapped in SyriaDecember 10, 2013 - 17:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Spanish newspaper El Mundo said one of its reporters and a freelance photographer are being held hostage in Syria by a group linked to al Qaeda. According to the Associated Press, El Mundo said Tuesday, Dec 10 that veteran reporter Javier Espinosa and photographer Ricardo Garcia Vilanova were taken captive on Sept 16. It said it had refrained from publicizing the news because their families were trying to make discreet contact with the captors. The newspaper said the two were taken along with four members of the Free Syrian Army rebel group at the Tal Abyad checkpoint in the northern province of Raqqa. It identified the kidnappers as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria group known by its initials, ISIS. Related links: 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 | Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |