International Olympic Committee to set up $2 million refugee fundSeptember 4, 2015 - 17:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday, September 4 decided to set up a two million-dollar refugee fund as the migrant crisis grips Europe, Reuters reports. Tens of thousands have fled the Syrian conflict in recent weeks, crossing via Turkey and Greece on their way to central and northern Europe. The plight of those fleeing conflict in their own countries such as Syria, as well as economic migrants escaping poverty, has polarized opinion in Europe, with the amount of new arrivals stretching the EU's asylum system, as well as straining relations within the bloc. "We have all been touched by the terrible news and the heartbreaking stories in the past few days," IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement. "With this terrible crisis unfolding across the Middle East, Africa and Europe, sport and the Olympic Movement wanted to play its part in bringing humanitarian help to the refugees." "We made a quick decision that we needed to take action and to make this fund available immediately," he said. The amount would be distributed through projects proposed by National Olympic Committees and other interested parties and the whole process would be done "extremely quickly" given the nature of the crisis, the IOC said. The IOC is the latest sports body to take action in the migrant crisis. Bayern Munich on Thursday pledged to set up a training camp and raise one million euros in aid while several other sports organizations or football clubs have plans to help in this issue. 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 | 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. |