Merkel says Ebola crisis showed need for global catastrophe planMay 18, 2015 - 14:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the Ebola crisis in western Africa has shown the world in a painful way that a global catastrophe plan is needed to deal with future epidemic outbreaks, the Associated Press reports. Merkel told the World Health Assembly Monday, May 18, that "the struggle (against Ebola) is only won if there are no new cases and if we have learned the lessons from this crisis: we should have reacted earlier." The World Health Organization has been criticized for its slow response to early warnings about the Ebola outbreak. More than 11,000 people have died from the outbreak since the first cases became public in rural Guinea in March 2014. The assembly, which is the WHO's decision-making body, is attended by delegations of all WHO member states and meets annually in Geneva, Switzerland. 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 | 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. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |