South Sudanese rebels attack oil-producing state capital: officialFebruary 18, 2014 - 10:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - South Sudanese rebels attacked the capital of oil-producing Upper Nile state on Tuesday, Feb 18, a spokesman for the regional administration said, the first fighting in a provincial capital since rebels and the government signed a ceasefire in January, Reuters reports. Rebel forces could not immediately be reached for comment, but President Salva Kiir's government and rebels loyal to former vice president Riek Machar have both accused the other of violating the January 23 ceasefire deal signed in Ethiopia. "The fighting is continuing, but our forces are still in control of Malakal," Philip Jiben, spokesman for the Upper Nile administration, told Reuters by telephone. Gunfire could be heard in the background as he spoke. A UN official said he had received reports of fighting in Malakal but could not confirm them. The town fell into rebel hands after fighting first broke out in mid-December before government forces recaptured it last month. Related links: 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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |