11 killed in Iraqi car bomb attackFebruary 28, 2013 - 20:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A bomb in a car parked near a crowded restaurant in a Shi'ite neighbourhood of the Iraqi capital Baghdad killed at least 11 people on Thursday, February 28 police sources said, according to Reuters. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Sunni Muslim insurgents are redoubling their efforts to undermine the Shi'ite-led government and spark deeper intercommunal fighting. A further 32 people were wounded in the blast, which occurred in Baghdad's southern Shula district. Violence in Iraq is increasing as Sunni opposition swells against Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, whose power-sharing government of Shi'ites, Sunnis and ethnic Kurds has been largely paralyzed since U.S. troops withdrew in December 2011. Thousands of Sunni Muslim protesters have rallied daily since late December in western provinces against the perceived marginalization of their sect, a minority in Iraq, and have demanded that Maliki quit. Iraqi Shi'ite leaders fear that the war in neighboring Syria - where Sunni rebels are fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad, an ally of Shi'ite Iran - could further destabilize Iraq's delicate sectarian and ethnic balance. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |