RUSSIAN SPECIAL TROOPS LAUNCHED OPERATION TO RELEASE HOSTAGES IN NORTHERN OSSETIA SCHOOLSeptember 3, 2004 - 23:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Today Russian special troops launched operation to release the hostages captured and kept by terrorists in a school in Beslan town in Northern Ossetia. As reported by Utro Russian electronic newspaper, everything began with an agreement to convey the bodies of the victims. A car was driven close to the building. To all appearances the fighters decided to use it to cut their way out. As reported by Echo of Moscow radio station, a group of schoolchildren managed to flee. Maybe this was the cause why skirmish started. There are casualties already. Security service officers are evacuating relatives of those kept in the school and journalists. Columns of smoke are seen over the school. It should be reminded that there are five Armenians among the hostages kept in the school, one of which is a first-form pupil. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Armenia says ready to extend nuclear plant’s lifetime by 10 years Armenia has taken necessary measures to extend the lifetime of its nuclear power plant until 2036. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. |