France set to discuss new measures to thwart terror attacksJanuary 10, 2015 - 10:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Key members of the French government will meet Saturday, Jan 10 morning to decide on new measures aimed at thwarting a repeat of the attacks in Paris that culminated in a massacre of 12 people at a satirical newspaper, and a supermarket bloodbath that left four hostages dead, the Associated Press reports. World leaders have telephoned President Francois Hollande to express their personal sympathies. On Sunday, Germany's Angela Merkel, Britain's David Cameron as well as Italy's Matteo Renzi, and Spain's Mariano Rajoy have agreed to join in a unity rally in central Paris. With explosions and gunfire, security forces Friday ended the three days of terror, killing the two al Qaeda-linked brothers who staged a murderous rampage at the Charlie Hebdo newspaper and an accomplice who seized hostages at a kosher supermarket to try to help the brothers escape. Twenty people are dead, including the three gunmen. A fourth suspect, Hayat Boumeddiene — the common law wife of the market attacker — is still at large and believed to be armed. Al Qaeda's branch in Yemen said it directed the attack against the publication Charlie Hebdo to avenge the honor of the Prophet Muhammad, a frequent target of the weekly's satire. The brothers were not unknown to authorities: One had a terrorism-related conviction for ties to a network sending fighters to battle American forces in Iraq, and both were on the U.S. no-fly list, according to a U.S. official. Hollande urged his nation to remain united and vigilant, and the city shut down a central Jewish neighborhood following fears of more violence. "The threats facing France are not finished," he said. "We are a free people who don't cave to pressure." 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. |