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• 13:16 | Armenia Armenian parliament approves government program

  The Armenian National Assembly, by a vote of 76 for and 41 against, approved the program of Armenian government for 2013-17. 
  Source: Panorama.am

   

• 12:54 | Region Zardusht Alizadeh: Azerbaijani people should take up arms and fight for their rights

  “Law, justice and God mean nothing for the Azerbaijani authorities. Money is their God,” said the Azerbaijani analyst.
  Source: Arannews.ir

   

• 12:00 | Armenia Duration of unemployment benefit payment to be reduced to 3 years

  As a result, the unemployed will not receive AMD 3bn aid.
  Source: Haykakan Zhamanak
   

• 11:25 | Armenia New resignations expected in Armenia

  Several resignations are expected following approval of the government program for 2013-17.
  Source: Zhamanak
   

• 10:49 | In the world Armenian intellectual kidnapped in Aleppo

  Armenian writer and intellectual Hakob Mikayelyan was kidnapped by gunmen in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Wednesday, May 22.
  Source: Lradou.com
   

• 10:25 | Armenia Hrant Bagratyan refuses to disclose details of his conversation with Prime Minister

  “There was no separate meeting with Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,” he said.
  Source: Zhoghovurd
   

• 09:54 | In the world Congressman Cicilline calls for recognition, apology

  U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline in a statement called on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to formally acknowledge and apologize for the Armenian Genocide.
  Source: The Armenian Weekly 

   

• 09:32 | Region Turkish-Armenian writer given jail sentence for blasphemy

  An Istanbul court has sentenced a Turkish-Armenian author and blogger to more than a year in prison for insulting the Prophet Mohammad.
  Source: Asbarez.com
   

• 09:18 | In the world West may boost Syria rebels if Assad won't talk peace

  Washington threatened on Wednesday to increase support for Syria's rebels if President Bashar al-Assad refuses to discuss a political end to a civil war that is spreading across borders.
  Source: Reuters
   

• 09:13 | In the world Stockholm riots challenge image of happy, generous state

  Hundreds of youth have torched cars and attacked police in four nights of riots in immigrant suburbs of Sweden's capital.
  Source: Reuters
   

• 09:05 | In the world Dead Boston bombings suspect involved in 2011 slayings

  Deceased Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev participated in a 2011 gruesome triple homicide outside Boston along with a Chechen killed early Wednesday during a confrontation with the FBI and Massachusetts State Police in Orlando, Florida.
  Source: CNN
   

• 08:59 | In the world Man arrested in ricin letter probe

  A 37-year-old man arrested Wednesday in Washington state as part of an investigation of ricin-laced letters threatened in one such letter to injure and kill a federal judge.
  Source: CNN

   

• 08:53 | In the world US confirms four American citizens killed by drones

  In a letter to the Senate judiciary committee, Eric Holder defended the targeted killing of Anwar al-Awlaki.
  Source: BBC
   

• 08:49 | In the world Man dead in suspected UK terror attack

  A man has been killed in a machete attack and two suspects shot and wounded by police in Woolwich.
  Source: BBC

   

• 08:42 | Armenia No precipitation expected in Armenia

  Only in the eastern regions transitory rain and thunderstorm is possible in spots after midday.
  Source: Meteo-TV
   

• 22:00 | In the world Analysis: From opera to exercises, U.S. and China deepen military ties

  Even as the United States accuses China of military espionage and worries about Beijing's more strident posture in the Asia-Pacific region, the ties between the armed forces of the two nations have been getting closer.
  Source: Reuters

• 21:45 | In the world Russia’s Eurovision contestant attempts to calm vote row

  There was no need for an investigation into “lost” Azerbaijani votes for her performance.
  Source: Ria.ru  
   

• 21:33 | In the world EU leaders in drive against tax evasion at Brussels summit

  Austria has joined its EU partners in calling for a crackdown on tax evasion, despite the country's banking secrecy.
  Source: BBC

• 21:25 | In the world Israel's air force chief says his troops need to be ready to act quickly in case of an attack from Syria

  The remarks by Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel Wednesday echo statements by Israel's military chief of staff a day earlier.
  Source: ABC news

• 21:12 | In the world Fitness-for-work tests unfair on people with mental health problems, court says

  Test used to determine whether hundreds of thousands of people are eligible to claim sickness benefits substantially disadvantages people with mental health conditions.
  Source: The Guardian

• 21:11 | In the world The average British barbecue contains TWICE as many germs as a toilet seat

  Hygiene expert Dr Lisa Ackerley found the typical outdoor grill contains a staggering 1.7 million microbes per 100cm sq.
  Source: The Daily Mail

• 21:05 | In the world Rescuers search Oklahoma tornado town ruins as recovery starts

  Rescue workers with sniffer dogs picked through the ruins of an Oklahoma town on Wednesday to ensure no survivors remained buried after a deadly tornado left thousands homeless.
  Source: Reuters

• 21:02 | Region Caspian Research Institute: Azerbaijan and Iran are engaged in something of a ‘cold war’

  Azerbaijan and Iran have been engaged in something of a ‘cold war’ for some time, although the roots of the tense relationship date back to the fall of the Soviet Union, the article published in London based scientific research center Caspian Research Institute site reads.
  Source: Caspian Research Institute

• 20:53 | In the world Petraeus’s role in drafting Benghazi talking points raises questions

  The controversy over the Obama administration’s response to the Benghazi attack last year began at a meeting over coffee on Capitol Hill three days after the assault.
  Source: The Washington Post

• 20:45 | In the world Egyptian President announces release of officers kidnapped in Sinai

  The crisis recalled an attack on a Sinai military checkpoint last August that resulted in the deaths of 16 soldiers, humiliated the Egyptian military, and helped compel the generals who had ruled Egypt to hand full power to the first civilian president.
  Source: The New York Times

• 20:40 | In the world Steven Seagal ‘almost chechen’ - Kadyrov

  Hollywood star spent time on Wednesday with Ramzan Kadyrov, the former militant fighter who now heads Chechnya.
  Source: Ria.ru

• 20:33 | In the world Venezuela ends toilet paper shortage

  Venezuela's National Assembly has backed plans to import 39 million rolls of toilet paper, in an effort to relieve a chronic shortage.
  Source: BBC

• 20:25 | Region Iran bars prominent candidates from ballot

  The clerical committee that vets election candidates in Iran barred two important contenders from the ballot for next month's presidential election, virtually guaranteeing that the next head of government will be loyal to the regime of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
  Source: The Wall Street Journal

• 20:18 | In the world Oklahoma Tornado: 2 devastated elementary schools had no safe rooms

  Both schools were destroyed when an EF-5 twister with winds of at least 200 mph killed 24 people Monday and injured hundreds more.
  Source: ABC news

• 20:12 | In the world FBI says man shot dead while being questioned about Boston bombings

  An FBI agent shot and killed a Florida man who turned violent while being questioned about the Boston Marathon bombings early on Wednesday, the bureau said.
  Source: Reuters

• 20:06 | In the world Ahmadinejad to contest poll bar on ally Mashaei

  Iran's President says he will contest the disqualification of his ally Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei from next month's presidential poll.
  Source: BBC

• 20:00 | In the world Eric Garcetti wins Los Angeles mayor's race

  Eric Garcetti has won the race to be the 42nd mayor of Los Angeles, becoming the first Jewish mayor in the city's history.
  Source: USA Today
   

• 18:58 | Region Slovak journalist: It is a catastrophe that few people know of Artsakh

  “In my country, very few people know of Artsakh and I think it is a catastrophe because there are people and churches here, and there is life here.” 
  Source: Panorama.am
   

• 17:47 | Region U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan: Karabakh conflict settlement is not related to energy projects

  We are interested in the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, but this issue has nothing to do with the implementation of energy projects.
  Source: APA

• 17:11 | Region Turan: Azerbaijan commanded to ‘‘bring Russia down’’ at Eurovision Song Contest 2013

  If we consider that all the mobile operators in Baku "respect" the authorities, and the voting process is under the control, and if we believe in the Lithuanian disclosure about vote buying up by Azerbaijan, then, according to this situation, the logic of events suggests that someone in Baku has impulsively commanded to " bring Russia down,’’ Azerbaijani news agency "Turan" writes.
  Source: Turan

• 17:08 | Armenia Oligarchs cannot influence political decisions – Gagik Beglaryan

  Beglaryan answered negatively the question of whether he considers himself an oligarch.
  Source: Panorama.am 

• 16:42 | Armenia Parliament vice speaker points to absence of alternative government program

  The parliamentarian added that criticism voiced by politicians is not worth a dime unless it contains proposals and an alternative program.
  Source: Panorama.am 
   

• 15:39 | Region Iranian analyst: Azerbaijan does everything possible to reduce Nakhichevan’s dependence on Iran

  Iran, which has about 143-km-long border with Nakhichevan, had an important strategic role in Nakhichevan’s political and economic life.
  Source: IRAS

   

• 14:23 | In the world Armenian Genocide resolution officially introduced in the House of Representatives

  Congressman David Valadao along with Congressman Adam Schiff, and Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr. and Michael Grimm, officially introduced a resolution regarding the Armenian Genocide.
  Source: Armenian Assembly of America
   

• 14:03 | Armenia Aghvan Vardanyan: New government program repeats previous one

  “Both the government and its program have remained almost unchanged, but the life has changed and the problems have become sharper,” said the ARFD member.
  Source: Panorama.am

   

• 12:33 | In the world Messi: Neymar would be wonderful addition

  Lionel Messi believes Neymar would make a "wonderful addition" to the Barcelona squad should he opt to move to Camp Nou.
  Source: Goal.com
   

• 12:33 | Armenia John Heffern: We call on to ensure maximum transparency in gas price talks

  “Talks on gas price involve Armenia and Russia, the United States does not participate in them but this issue has public resonance and we call on to ensure a maximum transparency in the talks.”
  Source: Panorama.am 
   

• 11:35 | In the world Outstanding Teen Kristina Ayanian to receive Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Medal, to interview Prince Edward

  “This is a dream come true for me and a rare opportunity for any television reporter to interview a member of the British Royal family,” she said.
  Source: Wicked Local
   

• 10:48 | Armenia Armenian government not to sell Vorotan HPP to subsidize gas price

  “The negotiations and discussions with Russia are underway and when they are over, we will see how to solve these problems and how to subsidize the gas price,” Armenian Minister of Energy said.
  Source: Panorama.am

   

• 10:48 | Region Moscow finds Karabakh status quo ‘unacceptable’

  Lavrov, who was hosting Mammadyarov in Moscow, added that the current status quo continued Armenia’s economic blockade.
  Source: Asbarez.com
   

• 10:39 | Armenia Cuban ambassador presents credentials to Armenian President

  Newly appointed ambassador of Cuba to Armenia Emilio Losada Garcia (seat in Moscow) presented his credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan.
  Source: presidential press service

   

• 10:17 | Armenia Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting may take place in June

  The “long-awaited” meeting between Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev may take place on June 12 in Salzburg.
  Source: Hraparak

   

• 09:15 | Region Iran bars candidates for presidential election

  Iranian authorities barred two potentially powerful and disruptive candidates from running in next month's presidential election on Tuesday.
  Source: Reuters
   

• 09:09 | In the world Freeport Indonesia says death toll rises to 28 after tunnel accident

  "We continue to grieve with the families even as we close this grim chapter," Freeport Indonesia President Director Rozik Soetjipto said in a statement.
  Source: Reuters 
   

• 09:05 | In the world Japan considers resuming talks with North Korea

  Through the inter-governmental talks, Japan aims to not only solve the abduction issue but also address North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
  Source: Reuters

   

• 08:59 | In the world 3 scientists conspired to take Chinese bribes for their U.S. research

  Three university researchers working on medical technology are facing federal charges -- and up to 20 years in prison if convicted -- for allegedly taking Chinese money for their U.S.-funded research.
  Source: CNN
   

• 08:53 | In the world US tornado rescue effort nears end

  Fire chief Gary Bird said he was "98% sure" there were no more survivors or bodies to recover from the rubble.
  Source: BBC

   

• 08:49 | In the world Spanish couple kidnapped in Colombia

  The kidnappers contacted the hostages' family and identified themselves as members of the left-wing rebels Farc.
  Source: BBC
   

• 08:44 | Armenia Mostly clear weather expected in Armenia

  The air temperature will go up both at night and in daytime by another 2-3 degrees.
  Source: Meteo-TV
   

• 22:31 | Region Former consultant: Heydar Aliyev was killed for not acting within interests of West

   Elman Jalilov, who was Heydar Aliyev’s former consultant on legal issues, while being at the office of chairman of Armed Forces of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic said that Heydar Aliyev did not die a natural death, the Azerbaijani news agency "Haqqin.az" writes.
  Source:Haqqin.az

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