Category: News

Gunman  stormed the premises of a police regiment of Armenia’s Police this morning and took people hostage, Press Service of the Armenian National Security Service reports.

At the same time their supports are disseminating misinformation on social media about a coup and invasion of buildings. The NSS declares that the reports do not correspond to reality.

The state authorities are working in their normal capacity and the law enforcement bodies are  working to stabilize the situation. Negotiations are under way with the armed group to organize their surrender to RA authorities.

“We assure that this any and similar attempts will be foiled by the law-enforcement bodies, those responsible will be held accountable,” the NSS said.

36-year-old super middleweight contender Arthur Abraham (45-5, 30 KOs) beat little known bottom dweller Tim-Robin Lihaug (15-2, 8 KOs) by an eighth round stoppage in a fight at the Max Schmeling Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany.

Abraham knocked Lihaug with a 1-2 combination in the 8th. After Lihaug got back to his feet, Abraham unloaded on him with power shots until the fight was stopped. The fight was stopped at 1:09 of the round.

Political instability in Turkey, a NATO member and critical U.S. partner in the fight against terrorism, is already threatening to have an impact on the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State in Syriaand Iraq, USA Today reports.

On Saturday, one day after a coup attempt, Turkey closed airspace to military aircraft around Incirlik Air Base, forcing the U.S. to halt air operations at the base, the Pentagon said.  Incirlik is the base Turkey lets the U.S. use to launch anti-ISIL missions.

Commercial power to the base had also been cut off, but the U.S. was using an internal power source.

“U.S. officials are working with the Turks to resume air operations there as soon as possible,” Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said. “In the meantime, U.S. Central Command is adjusting flight operations in the counter-ISIL campaign to minimize any effects on the campaign. U.S. facilities at Incirlik are operating on internal power sources, and a loss of commercial power to the base has not affected base operations.”

The new Man Utd signing looked bright has he played the first 45 minutes in Saturday’s pre-season win over Wigan Athletic, with the manager also impressed with Eric Bailly.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was impressed with Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first game for the club, insisting his performance in the 2-0 win over Wigan was “very positive,”  Goal.com reports.

The summer signing from Dortmund started at the DW Stadium and looked bright in his position behind lone striker Will Keane, creating one gilt-edged chance that Memphis Depay missed from close range.

Mkhitaryan was withdrawn at half-time, with Keane and substitute Andreas Pereira grabbing second-half goals to seal the win, but Mourinho was happy with the Armenian’s contribution.

He told MUTV: “[Henrikh] Mkhitaryan is a top-class player and currently at the best stage for a footballer – 27/28 years old. He is magnificent the way he thinks about football, he thinks very quickly and it’s so sweet how he touches the ball.

“He can play in different positions behind the striker. He doesn’t have the sharpness yet but his performance was very positive.

Stability in Turkey is important for the region, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared.

“We keep following the developments taking place in Turkey,” MFA Spokesman Tigran Balayan wrote on Facebook.

“Stability and order in the neighboring country based on democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms  is important for the whole region,” Tigran Balayan said.

President Serzh Sargsyan has arrived in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh  for a working visit. President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan today met with Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan.

A range of issues related to the cooperation between the two Armenian states and its expansion were discussed during the meeting.

The Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire 23 times at the line of contact with the Karabakh forces last night, NKR Defense Ministry reports.

The rival fired more than 170 shots in the direction of the Armenian positions, including from sniper rifles.

The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army refrained from response actions and continued the reliable protection of the military positions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has flown in to Istanbul, after an army group said it took over the country, the BBC reports.

He was seen surrounded by cheering supporters, saying in a live TV speech that the coup attempt was an “act of treason” and the army must be cleansed.

Sixty people died during overnight clashes, many of them civilians, and 754 soldiers were arrested, officials said.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the situation was largely under control.

He has ordered the military to shoot down aircraft being used by coup plotters.

Earlier, one of the helicopters being flown by forces involved in the coup attempt was shot down over the capital Ankara.

Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the military chief of staff, Gen Hulusi Akar, are still unknown. He is reported to have been taken hostage by rebel soldiers.

Gen Umit Dundar, commander of the 1st Army, has been appointed acting chief of staff.

Sporadic gunfire is still reported in major cities.

04: 18 At least 12 injured

At least 12 people have been injured after the parliament building was hit by two bombs, Anadolu news agency says.

04:16 Turkish President to make an address

TASS – Turkish President will make a special address in the coming hours – Press Secretary

04:10 104 soldiers who attempted the coup in Istanbul  identified

Anadolu news reports 104 soldiers who attempted the coup in Istanbul have been identified, some detained.

04:00 Turkey’s state broadcaster back on air

Reuters – Turkey’s state broadcaster, TRT, is back on air.

03:58 Turkey’s PM: Ankara airspace closed, will shoot down aircraft

Turkish Prime Minister has declared a no-fly zone over Ankara, NTV broadcaster reported.

03:43  Turkish parliament  hit by bombing

AFP – Turkish parliament in Ankara hit by bombing: state news agency

03:39 Intelligence spokesman says coup attempt “repelled”

AP – Turkish national intelligence spokesman says coup attempt has been “repelled.”

03:33 US voices support to Turkey’s “democratically elected” government

.: I spoke to FM Cavusoglu & emphasized U.S.’s absolute support for ’s elected, civilian gov’t & democratic institutions.

— Department of State (@StateDept)

02:41 Tanks ‘deployed outside parliament’

The private Turkish Dogan news agency is reporting that the military has deployed tanks outside the parliament building in Ankara, according to AFP.

02:40 Kerry hopes for continuity in Turkey amid coup reports

AP – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he hopes for stability and continuity in Turkey following reports that an attempted military coup is under way in the NATO member state.Kerry, in Moscow for talks on Syria with Russian officials Friday, told reporters he did not have details of the situation rapidly unfolding on the ground in Turkey and said it would be “inappropriate” to comment on developments. But he expressed hope that the key ally and strategically important member of the coalition fighting the Islamic State would remain at peace.

02:25 Reports of clashes in Istanbul’s Taksim Square

BBC – Supporters of President Erdogan turned out to Taksim Square in the centre of Istanbul as reports of the attempted coup emerged.

There have since been reports of clashes there, with some on Twitter saying that gunfire has been heard near the square.

02:03

Loud explosion were heard in Turkish capital Ankara,the Associated Press reports.

CNN-Turk says explosion occurred at state-run television building.

The state-run Anadolu news agency said gunshots were heard around Presidential Complex in Ankara, witnesses say military helicopters fired.