Bosnian Serbs to hold referendum regardless of court banSeptember 19, 2016 - 18:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Defying the country's constitutional court's ban, Bosnian Serbs say they will hold a referendum on a disputed national holiday in their autonomous region, the Associated Press reports. The September 25 referendum will ask residents of Bosnia's Republika Srpska region whether they agree the 'statehood' day of the Serb mini-state should remain January 9. The Court ruled the date discriminates against Muslim Bosniaks and Catholic Croats since it falls on a Serb Orthodox Christian holiday. The court banned the referendum Saturday, September 17 but Bosnian Serb prime minister Zeljka Cvijanovic said Monday it will be conducted anyway. Western officials have urged Republika Srpska to cancel the vote as it challenges the rule of law and Bosnia's peace agreement but Russia sided with the Serbs, saying they do have the right to hold the referendum. 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 | Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. |