Two miners killed, 20 injured after Colorado mine blast

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Colorado mine blast

 

Two people are dead and at least 20 injured following an explosion Sunday morning at a Colorado mine.

The 7.20am blast killed two people at the Ouray County mine, a further 20 were taken to local hospitals. Operator Star Mines has accounted for all other employees.

A Star Mines spokesperson told the Plain Dealer that the injuries came from workers inhaling toxic chemicals and gases immediately after a ‘powder smoke incident’ triggered the blast.

The miners are suspected to have inhaled nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide, the paper added.

The mine is located in southwest Colorado almost 300 miles north of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

Will the losers get the hump? Indians bedeck camels in beads and jewellery in contest to find world’s prettiest

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These remarkable pictures show a selection of elaborately adorned animals taking part in the prettiest camel competition.

The camels can be seen dressed in coat-like decorations made entirely from brightly coloured pom-poms and other woven materials. The animals even have necklaces and headdresses – decorated with delicate jewels and beads.

The competition was held at the Pushkar Fair, in the Thar desert, India this week.

The gathering – during which in the region of 20,000 camels are bought and sold – attracts thousands of tourists from around the world.

The camel beauty pageant, which has been held for decades, is taken very seriously. In fact, one competitor was furious after his pride and joy failed to win top prize.

The Pushkar Fair, otherwise known as Pushkar ka Mela, is held every year. It is a five-day camel and livestock fair and is believed to be one of the world’s largest.

The prettiest camel award is not the only competition the fair hosts – attendees may also compete for the title of ‘longest moustache’ or ‘prettiest bride’.

The Thar Desert, sometimes referred to as the Great Indian Desert, is in the northwestern area of India and forms a natural boundary running along the border between India and Pakistan.

 

No wonder she wants more children! Shakira shares pictures of adorable son Milan after revealing plans to expand family

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Shakira recently revealed plans to expand her family.

The 36-year-old singer and her 26-year-old partner Gerard Piqué welcomed their first child in January and Shakira has shared a collage of photographs on her Instagram page, showing the smiling tot with his proud parents.

The happy family appear to be enjoying a day together at the park in the snaps, captioned simply ‘November 17th / 17 de Noviembre. Shak (sic)’ and Milan couldn’t be happier to be the centre of attention.

According to E! News, Shakira recently gave an interview to Colombian magazine Aló where she revealed her desire to have more children.

‘We definitely want more children,’ she shared. ‘It’s just a matter of time for us to get organised. Luckily, I laugh a lot lately thanks to great personal happiness, enjoying my profession and having a good time with my loved ones.’

While Gerard is a successful football player with FC Barcelona, Shakira believes his future career lies in music rather than sport.

She said: ‘My son has a unique personality. He loves being in the studio with me because he’s a very curious child and he’s very comfortable in that environment.

‘He loves music, of course, since he’s growing up in this environment, and that is reflected in an album containing a rocker spirit and a fusion of more ethnic sounds.’

 

26 killed when train crashes into cars near Cairo

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At least 26 people were killed Sunday night when a cargo train slammed into two cars south of Cairo, Egyptian state-run media reported.

Another 28 people were injured, Egypt’s head of emergency services told the Egynews website.

It was not immediately clear what led up to the collision.

Deadly train crashes are not uncommon in Egypt.

In January, train cars filled with Egyptian security force recruits hopped the tracks and crashed in Giza, killing at least 19 people and injuring some 107 others.

 

President Serzh Sargsyan will conduct a working visit to Austria

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Նախագահ Սերժ Սարգսյանը մեկնել է կարճատև արձակուրդ

 

 Tonight, President Serzh Sargsyan will leave on a working visit to the Republic of Austria. On November 19, in Vienna there will take place a meeting between President Serzh Sargsyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev.

In the framework of his visit, President Sargsyan will also meet with the President of Austria Heinz Fischer.

 

 

Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Russian Federation on the plane crash in Kazan

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ՍԵՐԺ ՍԱՐԳՍՅԱՆ

 

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on the plane crash in Kazan which claimed dozens of lives.

The President of Armenia expressed deepest condolences on the crash of an aircraft of Tatarstan airlines, which claimed lives of the passengers and conveyed his sincere words of grief and support to the families and friends of the victims.

President Serzh Sargsyan awarded the Order of Honor to the prominent state figure Vladimir Movsissian

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Վլադիմիր Մովսիսյան,Սերժ Սարգսյան

By the decree of President Serzh Sargsyan, the prominent state, political and public figure Vladimir Movsissian was awarded the Order of Honor for his years-long and outstanding state and public service as well as for his significant contribution to Armenia’s economic development.

Today, at the Presidential Palace there took place the award ceremony which was attended by V. Movsissian’s family members, partners, party friends, and high state officials. At the outset, Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the prominent statesman on his 80th birth anniversary, wished him good health, long life, well-being and many happy days to his family. In his remarks, President Sargsyan spoke about a life and work dedicated to Motherland. “One can speak about Vladimir Movsissian’s life at length. One can list all positions he has held and success Armenia achieved in the same periods of time. However in my view, in brief Vladimir Movsissian can be called a “person who represents an entire epoch.” I am convinced that Vladimir Movsissian is one of those individuals who represent and signify the era of important achievements in the history of the Armenian people,” President Serzh Sargsyan said. Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of the impressive legacy created by Vladimir Movsissian and his multiple colleagues in Soviet Armenia and underscored that without that substantial legacy, its the economic, scientific, spiritual and cultural base it would have been impossible to build independent Armenia. The President noted that Vladimir Movsissian through his untiring work was one of those who had created those traditions. “Under any circumstance, you were striving to make your input in building a strong and self-sufficient Armenia. Only powerful Armenia can compel others to reckon with her, only powerful Armenia will be reckoned with by her distant and close, friendly and not friendly neighbors. With this somber realization, in the twenty-two years of Armenia’s independence you have been contributing your experience, knowledge and organizational talent and continue to contribute now and serve our nation and our people. I take this opportunity to thank you for the huge work carried out by you in the Commission on Sevan Lake issues,” President Serzh Sargsyan said and wished that the outstanding statesman continues his patriotic work since his country and his people need him.

In his thank-you remarks Vladimir Movsissian said that it was a great honor for him to receive from the President of Armenia the Order of Honor in the presence of his family, friends, colleagues and comrades-in-arms. “As the poet said, every now and then, I converse with my conscience, looking back from a distance of 80 years, I think about the road I traveled, assess tasks fulfilled and unfulfilled, take a sober view of them, and make my conclusions. Things I have done have been done with your assistance, assistance of our people, of my colleagues, of every state structure, with the assistance of my comrades-in-arms” the recipient of the high award noted in his remarks. He said he was extremely pleased to hear the President’s assessment regarding the impressive legacy created in Soviet Armenia which became a basis for independent Armenia’s development: it speaks about a strong bond between the two societies. According to V. Movsissian, it will become a great impetus for Armenia’s further development.

Vladimir Movsissian spoke briefly about his life and work, about his achievements and accomplishments and underscored that he has always been very lenient about that. “When I succeeded in something, I never got excited too soon about it. When I failed in something, I never got disheartened too soon, but was waiting stubbornly for the time to come when I could again and again serve my country and my people,” the statesman said in his remarks and assured the President of Armenia and those present at the award ceremony that he was in a good shape, ready to continue to serve our people and state which faces numerous challenges and which can be conquered only through the united efforts. He expressed readiness together with his colleagues and friends from the older generation to continue to bring his knowledge and services to the strengthening of our statehood and prosperity for our people.

“I held it out: I was tormented by grief, I was happy with success – I have seen it all. And I thank you all for not leaving me one on one with my inner world; you have been by my side and always supported me, I have managed to hold it out. We all have to hold it out. Today, I continue my work with clear conscience and clean hands,” Vladimir Movsissian said, expressing also gratitude to the members of his family who throughout his entire work did everything to make him work unreservedly.

President Bako Sahakyan met in Martakert region’s Vank village with participants of the “Artsakh Youth Forum-2013”

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Բակո Սահակյան, "Արցախի երիտֆորում-2013" On 17 November President Bako Sahakyan met in Martakert region’s Vank village with participants of the “Artsakh Youth Forum-2013”.
A number of issues related to foreign and domestic policy of Artsakh as well as programs being implemented for the youth were raised during the meeting.
According to the Head of the State youth problems are always at the spotlight of the authorities, and the state will continue to do everything possible for solving them efficiently.
Minister of culture and youth affairs Narine Aghabalyan, minister of education and science Slava Asryan and other officials partook in the meeting
Բակո Սահակյան, "Արցախի երիտֆորում-2013"

 

Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan met famous Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo Jr

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Արցախ, Բակո Սահակյանը, Պլասիդո Դոմինգո-կրտսեր On 17 November Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan met famous Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo Jr.
President Sahakyan expressed gratitude to the singer for concertizing in Artsakh noting that it contributed greatly to developing culture, deepening intercultural dialogue, adding that it possessed a message of peace. Issues related to realizing a number of cultural programs in our country were touched upon too.
NKR culture and youth affairs minister Narine Aghabalyan, other officials partook in the meeting.

Cyprus in Mourning for Dead Ex-President

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Կիպրոսի նախագահ,Գլաֆկոս Կլիրիդիս

 

Cyprus’ government has declared a three-day mourning period for late former President Glafcos Clerides.

Government spokesman Christos Stylianides said after a Cabinet meeting Saturday that the respected politician’s state funeral Tuesday will be held with honors befitting a sitting president and will be a public holiday.

Flags will fly at half-staff at all public buildings and schools and all public events will be cancelled over the mourning period.

Clerides’ body will lie in state at the Orthodox Christian Cathedral of the Lord’s Wisdom in Nicosia until his funeral.

Clerides, who died Friday, was widely regarded as a world-class statesman who guided Cyprus into the European Union.

He strove for most of his five-decade long political career to reunify the ethnically split country, but an accord eluded him.

 

Lavish £25,000 gold and diamond crown worn by Victoria Beckham for her royal-themed wedding goes under the hammer

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Դեյվիդ և Վիկտորիա Բեքհեմներ

The crown worn by Victoria during the lavish nuptials is to be sold at auction with a guide price of £25,000 – though experts say a superfan of the singer-turned designer could well pay a good deal more.

The gold and diamond crown tiara made by acclaimed jewellery designer Slim Barrett, is to be sold in the Fine Jewellery sale at Bonhams auction house in London.

The tiara, entitled East of Paris, which Victoria wore throughout the ceremony, is valued at £18,000 – £25,000 and is crafted from 18-carat latticed yellow gold, set with large brilliant-cut diamonds and suspended diamond drops.

The couple were married on July 4 1999 by the Bishop of Cork, Paul Colton, at LuttrellstownCastle, in Ireland and the couple’s four-month old son Brooklyn was the ring bearer.

To complement her crown Victoria wore a £60,000 wedding gown by Vera Wang and sat alongside her husband on matching gold thrones.

The Victoria and AlbertMuseum exhibited the work in 100 Tiaras, Past and Present and it was included in the prestigious Diamond Divas exhibition at The DiamondMuseum in Antwerp.

 

Speeding Truck Overturns Killing 22 in West India

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Հնդկաստան,բեռնատարի վթար

 

Police say a speeding truck has overturned on a potholed road, killing at least 22 people in western India.

Police inspector Ashok Malage said 32 others were injured in the pre-dawn accident Saturday near the city of Belgaum in Karnataka state.

The victims were farm workers traveling to help harvest sugar cane.

He says 10 children and three women were among the dead.

Malage says the truck was speeding on a badly potholed stretch of the highway when it overturned.

India has the world’s deadliest roads, with more than 110,000 people killed annually. Most crashes are blamed on reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and aging vehicles.

 

China abolishes its labour camps and finally eases its one-child policy, allowing couples to have two children if one of the parents is an only child

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China eases its one-child policy

 

China will loosen its decades-old one-child policy and abolish a much-criticised labour camp system, its ruling Communist Party said.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the party announced the changes in a policy document on Friday following a key, four-day meeting of party leaders that ended on Tuesday in Beijing.

Under the new family-planning rules, couples can have two children if one of the parents is an only child.

China’s one-child policy currently limits most urban couples to one child and allows two children for rural families if their first-born is a girl.

Other exceptions previously also included allowing two children for parents who are themselves both singletons.

The Chinese government credits the one-child policy introduced in 1980 with preventing hundreds of millions of births and helping lift countless families out of poverty.

Couples who flout the rules face hefty fines, seizure of their property and loss of their jobs.

 

The RA Presidential Award Ceremony for Global Contribution in area of IT for year 2013 at the Presidential Palace

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Սերժ Սարգսյան,Ցուգիո Մակիմոտո, տիկին Կումիկո Մակիմոտո,մրցանակ

 

 Tonight, at the Presidential Palace there took place the RA Presidential Award Ceremony for Global Contribution in area of IT for year 2013.

At the reception held in honor of Mr. Tsugio Makimoto, the President of Semiconductor Industry Association, former CEO of the Hitachi Company and Mrs. Kumiko Makimoto, the President of the Executive Council of the Award Committee of the World Information Technologies (WIT) Hovik Musayelyan presented the procedure of selecting the Award winners, named previous winners of the Presidential Award, spoke about the concept behind the Presidential Award and its goal, as well as about Armenia’s competitive advantage in the IT area. He expressed hope that some years from now, it will be noted that thanks to this Award, the most brilliant and outstanding individuals of the world science, education and business, becoming the recipients of the this Award, will come to Armenia, bringing with them the contemporary culture of high-tech and will promote the image of our country and make it recognizable all over the world as a country which stands on knowledge and intellect. According to Hovik Musayelyan, Armenia’s competitive advantage is linked closely to the IT area and our country has every necessary prerequisite and potential to become a regional hub and important player in that area. In his remarks, the President of the Executive Council of the Award Committee also quoted the winner of the RA Presidential Award for 2011, famous Steve Wozniak, “There is no Noble Prize in the IT area but for me this award equals Noble Prize. I receive it from the President of Armenia, and I am proud for that.”

A member of the Commission, Tony Moroyan briefly presented to the guests of the reception the biography of the Award winner Tsugio Makimoto.

Present at the reception was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Armenia Tikahito Harada who expressed gratitude for the recognition by Armenia of the significant input made by the world-famous Tsugio Makimoto to the IT area and for bestowing him with such a high award, which according to the Ambassador proves the existence of dynamically developing strong friendly ties between Armenia and Japan.

At the reception held on the occasion of the Award ceremony, President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement.

In his thank-you remarks, the Awardee Tsugio Makimoto expressed gratitude for being awarded one of the most prestigious awards in the IT area spoke about his work and prospects of development of information technologies in the world.

 

****

Congratulatory remarks by the President of Armenia at the RA Presidential Award Ceremony for the Global Contribution to the Area of Information Technologies

 

Distinguished Mr. Makimoto,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, I have performed a very enjoyable duty: I have handed to Mr. Tsugio Makimoto the RA Presidential Award for the Global Contribution to the area of the Information Technologies. Dr. Makimoto is one of the most distinguished personalities in Japan’s IT industry. He is so farsighted that his vision and proposals are always ahead of times. In the last fifteen years, we have witnessed creation of various revolutionary goods and platforms which have changed the approaches of the public and even of the specialists, among them Smart cards, Smart phones, electronic books, etc. All this was inspired also by Dr. Makimoto’s ideas.

With this Award, the people of Armenia manifest their admiration and gratitude to those who are moving forward the human civilization and in their own way become symbols of their times. With this Award we pay tribute not only to Dr. Makimoto but also to his native land – Japan, the home of brave and diligent, wise and talented people. We witnessed how a horrific earthquake shattered Japan; we also witnessed how the people withstood tenaciously that natural catastrophe and how united and organized they work for healing their wounds. For our country and our nation, which have witnessed multiple earthquakes, it is a real lesson.

Japan’s economic and technological achievements are remarkable and instructive not only for us but also for the entire world. With this Award, we also strive to attract attention of our young people to effective deeds and successful people. We want to give our young people right examples and true guidelines. We strongly believe that people are the greatest treasure of the land, and Japan is a strong proof of that.

Dear Mr. Makimoto,

I once again congratulate you on this Award. Please be assured that the Makimoto’s Wave discovered by you has, so to speak, crossed the ocean and reached Armenia. The IT area is the most rapidly developing area in Armenia and we pin great hopes on this promising field. Thanks to the individuals like yourself all processes in today’s world, including political, have acquired a new speed. Today’s young people have no idea what new professions will emerge tomorrow. In situation like this every one, no exceptions, has a greater responsibility which makes us move in step with times.

Distinguished Doctor Makimoto,

I wish you and your family good health and all the best, new achievements in your gratifying work. Please be assured that your success will make us here, in Armenia very happy.

Thank you for coming to Armenia, I also thank you for the works you will be performing in Armenia in next ten or twelve days.

Thank you.

 

President received the recipient of the 2013 RA Presidential Award for Global Contribution in the Area of Information Technologies (IT) Tsugio Makimoto

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Սերժ Սարգսյան,ՏՏ ոլորտ, Ցուգիո Մակիմոտո

 President Serzh Sargsyan received today the Chairman of Semiconductor Industry Association, President of the Techno Vision Company, former CEO of the Hitachi Company, and the recipient of the 2013 RA Presidential Award for Global Contribution in the Area of Information Technologies (IT) Tsugio Makimoto.“It’s a great honor for us to host and award one of the outstanding architects of the IT area of our times, whose achievements in that area have been groundbreaking and have influenced all areas of our life. Here, in Armenia we attach great importance to the development of IT area, and today it has become one of the fast developing areas,” President Serzh Sargsyan said at the meeting. He expressed confidence that Tsugo Makimoto’s visit to Armenia will foster our cooperation with Japan and at the same time will inspire Armenian specialists working in the area of information technologies, including those young people who are thinking of working in the future in that area.

Tsugo Makimoto expressed gratitude for the award and said that it was a great honor for him to be recognized in Armenia in such a way. “In the 21st century, information technologies have been playing a large and critical role in the race for winning the global competition. I wish that Armenia and Japan can find opportunities for cooperation in that area,” Tsugio Makimoto said. He said that would be staying in Armenia longer than he was initially planning and would like to familiarize closely with our country, the history, and culture of the Armenian people.

After the meeting, at the Presidential Palace there took place the ceremony of cancelling the stamps dedicated to the RA Presidential Award for Global Contribution in the Area of Information Technologies. One of the stamps depicts the RA Presidential Award for the global contribution in the Area of IT, the other shows the commemorative medal presented to the awardees, with the globe on the background which symbolizes a border-free world. Along with the two stamps, a postcard will be issued with the portraits of the three previous awardees.

In the evening, a reception will be held on the occasion of the RA Presidential Award Ceremony for Global Contribution in area of IT for year 2013 and in honor of Mr. Tsugio Makimoto and Mrs. Kumiko Makimoto.

 

***

Additional Information on the RA Presidential Award in the area of Information Technologies

 

Tsugio Mikamoto is the fourth recipient of the RA Presidential Award in the area of Information Technologies. The first one was awarded in 2010 to Craig R. Barrett, former Chairman of the Board of the Intel Corporation; the second was awarded in 2011 to a co-founder of the Apple Computers Corporation Steve Wozniak, and the third in 2012 – to the Honorary President of Synopsys Federico Faggin.

The RA Presidential Award in IT area was established by President Serzh Sargsyan’s July 6, 2009 decree and was aimed at fostering the development of this area. It is an annual award which is bestowed on the individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the area of information technologies and whose input – technological, educational, managerial, financial or other – has resulted or will result in substantial developments in the IT area.

The selection process in carried out by the Award Committee nominated by the President of Armenia and by the international selection commission. The Award comprises a medal commemorating Armenia and high technologies, a diploma and a memorial souvenir.
***

Dr. Tsugio Makimoto
Retired CEO of Hitachi Electronic Device Group and Sr. Managing Director of Hitachi
Currently, the President of SSIS and Techno Vision
(A brief CV)

 

Dr. Makimoto has been one of the most effective visionaries of Japan’s IT industry. He has pushed the technology limits to bring the building blocks that have included advance semiconductors & display devices. These building blocks have enabled the electronics industry to develop and launch most of the electronics products that have changed the world, and impacted almost all aspects of our lives since 1970’s, and continue today and going forward. Last fifteen years, we have seen many paradigm shifting products and platforms, e.g. Smart Card, Smart Phones, e-books, Tablet PC’s, GPS navigation systems, Servers, PC’s, HDTV, Telecommunications, Robotics and Automation, Electronic Games, Mobile Products, Internet, Social Networking, and others yet to come.

His visionary models and projection let him to discover and publish the famous “Makimoto Wave” that relates to the cyclical nature of semiconductor industry.

Prior to his retirement from Hitachi, Dr. Makimoto has served as the CEO of Hitachi Electronic Device Group and Senior Executive Managing Director. Since then, he has stayed active in various distinguished positions in the high tech multinational and industry groups. These have included: Sr. Corporate Advisor of Sony Corporation, Member of Advisory Panel of National Science & Technology Board of Singapore, Board Director of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing in Singapore, Member of Industry Advisory Board of UC Berkley, Chairman of PDF Solutions, also he was instrumental in establishing WSC (World SC Council).

Currently he is the president of SSIS (Society of Semiconductor Industry Specialists) and the founder & President of Techno Vision. He also holds senior advisory positions with several multinational companies: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp, Micronics Japan Corp and Nantero Corp. in USA.

Dr. Makimoto holds a BS in Applied Physics from University of Tokyo, MS in EE from Stanford University as well as Ph. D from University of Tokyo. He has been nominated and been an IEEE Fellow since 1997. He has been the recipient of many international awards, e.g. IR-100 Award, Ichimura Award and Bellwether Award. He is the author of several visionary books and other publications. 

Belarusian Protester Jailed for 5 Days for T-Shirt

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Ալեքսանդր Լուկաշենկո,Լեոնիդ Սմովժ

 

A protester arrested in Belarus for wearing a T-shirt criticizing authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko has been freed after five days in jail.

Leonid Smovzh, a 53-year-old railroad engineer, told The Associated Press after his release Friday that he was given no heat, light or foot for two of those days.

He was arrested after a protest on Sunday for wearing a T-shirt on which he had written “For Belarus without Lukashenko.” On the back it said “For Belarus without dictatorship.”

Lukashenko has ruled the former Soviet republic for 20 years and has shown little tolerance for dissent.

Smovzh said he wore the shirt so he would not be ashamed to look his grandchildren in the eye when they asked, “what did you do for us?”

 

Bolivian forces find $2 million cocaine stash hidden in wine bottles

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Բոլիվիա,կոկաին

 

Bolivian police have seized a massive stash of cocaine diluted inside hundreds of wine bottles, state media reported Thursday.

Authorities believe the $2 million worth of diluted and solid cocaine is tied to a drug trafficking organization that made shipments to Italy, the state-run ABI news agency said.

Police said they arrested a Brazilian suspect in a raid in a residential neighborhood in the city of Santa Cruz.

The man tried to kill himself with a pocket knife when authorities cornered him, according to ABI.

“They were diluting it and putting it in bottles that they were going to put wine labels on,” Marco Centellas, head of Bolivia’s special forces to combat drug trafficking, told the state news agency.

Sweden’s famous ice hotel, which is made entirely from frozen water, is ordered to have smoke alarms fitted

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Շվեդիա, սառցե հյուրանոց

 

The world-famous Swedish Ice Hotel has been forced to install a fire alarm.

The hotel, which is rebuilt every year, was refused planning permission lest they install one on the premises.

However, this soon proved not to be an outlandish request, as the alarm went off when a guest lit a cigarette in a cleaning cupboard.

 

Շվեդիա, սառցե հյուրանոց

Despite the entire hotel, including all furniture and appliances inside it, being built from ice from river near Jukkasjärvi, Kiruna, the National Housing Board threatened to put a stop to this year’s construction.

Press officer Beatrice Karlsson explained that the hotel struggled to find a smoke alarm which could withstand cold, damps and the fact that the Ice Hotel moves during the season as the building melts and freezes.

The Jukkasjarvi ice hotel prides itself on being the first of its kind in the world, first opening in 1990.

It is open each year from December to April, with everything from the glasses in the Ice bar to the chairs and beds the hotel sculpted from ice taken from TorneRiver.

 

Iran’s Culture Minister Defends Facebook

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Iran’s culture minister has again spoken up in defense of social media, saying Facebook shouldn’t be banned and that it’s not a “criminal application.”

Ali Jannati told the semi-official Fars news agency on Friday that he uses and posts on Facebook and that an overseer body should lift the existing ban. In the past, Jannati has advocated that all social media networks be accessible to Iranians.

Iran banned the networks over alleged “abuse” after opposition members widely used them during the 2009 unrest following re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Jannati’s remarks underscore what has become a growing rift between the moderate-leaning government of new President Hassan Rouhani and Iran’s hard-liners.

Rouhani doesn’t have the authority to make decisions on freeing up social media, which is considered an internal security matter.

 

MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR TOLERANCE

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We are living through a period of global transition.  New centres of power and economic dynamism are emerging.  Technology is connecting us ever more closely, and cross-cultural exchanges are deepening every day – but this does not mean there is more understanding.  Societies are more diverse but intolerance is on the rise in too many places.

Across the globe, nations and communities face profound and enduring economic, social and environmental challenges.  Poverty, hunger and disease remain at unacceptable levels.  Every region is experiencing the rising impact of climate change.  Natural disasters are a constant reminder of human vulnerability.  Conflicts and inter-community tensions persist across the globe.  Millions face the daily threat of violence and displacement.

There are no individual solutions to these multifaceted and inter-related challenges.  We can only advance as a community of nations and cultures,  on human solidarity and recognizing that we share a common destiny.  This is why tolerance is so important.

Tolerance is not passive.  It demands an active choice to reach out on the basis of mutual understanding and respect, especially where disagreement exists.  Tolerance means recognizing that our diversity is a strength – a wellspring of creativity and renewal for all societies.

Tolerance can, and must, be learned.  We need to teach girls and boys not just how to live together but how to act together as global citizens.  We need to nurture tolerance by promoting cultural understanding and respect – from parliaments to the playground.  We need to tackle growing inequality and reject social exclusion based on gender, disabilities, sexual orientation, and ethnic or religious background.

Tolerance is the strongest foundation for peace and reconciliation.  At this time of rapid and often bewildering change, it has never been so important.  On this International Day, I call on national and community leaders – and all those who wield influence through traditional and social media and among their peers – to embrace tolerance as the bond that will unite us on our common journey to a peaceful, sustainable future.

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