Brazil’s minister of cities resigns over corruptionFebruary 3, 2012 - 18:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Brazil’s minister of cities resigned Thursday, Feb 2 amid allegations of irregularities, the eighth member of President Dilma Rousseff’s Cabinet to step down since June. Rousseff accepted Mario Negromonte’s resignation and wished him luck in his new projects, the office of the presidency said in a brief statement. Aguinaldo Ribeiro, also of Negromonte’s Progressive Party, was named to replace him. The Progressive Party is part of the governing coalition. The Cities Ministry coordinates urban development policies in a country where more than 80 percent of the population live in cities. Negromonte is accused of awarding public work contracts to companies that had financed his party. He denies all accusations and said his resignation in no way indicated he was guilty, Associated Press reported. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | 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. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. |