Merkel says won’t step down earlyJuly 18, 2014 - 16:15 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Chancellor Angela Merkel says she will carry on leading Germany until at least 2017 — dismissing recent speculation that she may step down before her third term is up, the Associated Press reports. Merkel, who won a third four-year term last year, has led Germany since late 2005 and turned 60 on Thursday, July 17. Her birthday has been accompanied by a spate of media speculation that she could choose to quit early. Merkel noted Friday that she ran last year for a full term. She told reporters in Berlin: "People in Germany can assume that I will do what I told them. Everything else (comes) later." Merkel dominates her conservative Union bloc and hasn't cultivated any single obvious successor. She hasn't said whether she would be interested in a fourth term. 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 | 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. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |