2 dead as pro-Ukrainian, pro-Russian activists clash in Ukraine's KharkivMarch 15, 2014 - 09:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Two people have been killed in clashes between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian activists in Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkiv, officials say, according to BBC News. Five people were injured overnight, as gunshots were fired. Rival groups blamed each other for the violence. Earlier, Russia and the U.S. failed to agree on how to resolve the crisis in Ukraine's Crimea region, ahead of a secession referendum there. This follows Thursday, March 13 night's violence in Donetsk, also in the east, where at least one person died in fighting between a pro-Russian crowd and supporters of the new government in Kiev. Russia vowed to respect Sunday's vote - but the U.S. said it was illegitimate. Moscow has been tightening its military grip on Crimea - the southern autonomous republic in Ukraine - where voters are to decide on whether to re-join Russia or stay with Kiev. In other developments: the UN Security Council is to vote on Saturday on a U.S.-drafted resolution that defines Crimea's referendum as illegal; U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden will travel to Poland and Lithuania early next week to discuss ways to support Ukraine's sovereignty, as well as Nato members' reciprocal defence commitments; the Pentagon says it will keep its aircraft carrier battle group in the Mediterranean Sea for several days longer than planned because of the Ukraine crisis; Russia has moved a column of army trucks and a number of artillery pieces into northern Crimea, eyewitnesses say; Ukrainian border guards begin checks on trains coming from Crimea into the rest of Ukraine. 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |