Pro-democracy activists attack Yemeni polling stationsFebruary 20, 2012 - 16:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Several polling stations in Yemen were targeted by blasts on Monday, February 20 according to pro-democracy activists, amid calls from a separatist movement for a boycott of Tuesday's presidential election, which sees Vice President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi as its sole candidate, M&C reported, citing DPA. A blast was recorded outside an educational institute in the southern province of Aden that was to be used as a polling station for Tuesday's vote. An unknown group fired a rocket-propelled grenade on another polling station in the same province. No one was injured in the attacks, according to the online Ain Yemen news, which is run by Aden-based activists. In the southern sea port city of al-Makla, flames were seen rising from another polling station. The Southern Movement, which is seeking independence for the country's southern provinces, has described the election as a 'farce' and has called for collective acts of civil disobedience to mark Tuesday's vote. The election is the centrepiece of a United Nations-sponsored power-transfer deal signed in November by the outgoing president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the opposition. In a televised speech late Sunday, Hadi pledged to address the concerns of southern separatists and northern rebels and said his government's two-year plan would focus on unifying the army following a string of defections to the anti-Saleh camp. 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 | 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. 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. |