Day: May 17, 2024

On 17 May, as part of his state visit to Azerbaijan, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko together with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev visited the country’s territories, being rebuilt after the conflict.

In the morning, Aleksandr Lukashenko flew to Fuzuli. He was met by Ilham Aliyev at the airport. The President of Azerbaijan briefed his Belarusian counterpart on the works carried out to restore and develop these territories and build new infrastructure facilities. Aleksandr Lukashenko got familiar with the new airport, and the heads of state accompanied by an impressive motorcade headed for the city.

Aleksandr Lukashenko and Ilham Aliyev toured the city, saw destroyed facilities and prospective areas for development. The Presidents traveled along the route in one car, with the Azerbaijani leader behind the wheel.

Aleksandr Lukashenko got familiar with the expositions depicting the pace of the reconstruction of the destroyed sites. After that, the two leaders headed for Shusha.

The heads of state visited the residential area of the city, examined housing conditions, memorial sites and museum and exhibition exposition on Heydar Aliyev’s activity. Aleksandr Lukashenko and Ilham Aliyev also inspected tractor equipment presented to the city by the President of Belarus.

“Use them. If you like them, we will add more,” the Belarusian head of state said. 

There are many reminders of the city’s tragic past: some houses are unrestorable. Memorial sites and temples have been destroyed.

“Telling ruins,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Restorable buildings must be fixed.”

In the city, the Presidents met the famous Soviet and Azerbaijani singer, and now the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bülbüloğlu, which came as a big surprise for Aleksandr Lukashenko.

“Polad, is this you? You are here, not Moscow?” the President said.

“This is a surprise for you!” Ilham Aliyev said.

“A gorgeous place. This is why you still sing. Air here is amazing! I recently watched a TV show starring you!” Aleksandr Lukashenko said in admiration.

Shusha has restored the house of Polad Bulbul oglu’s father, Soviet and Azerbaijani opera singer, founder of the national musical theater Murtuz Mashadi Rza oglu Mammadov, nicknamed Bulbul (“nightingale” in Azerbaijani).

Now it houses a museum dedicated to the famous performer. Nearby there is the bust of Bulbul. It was erected back in the Soviet years. Later on it was  gunned down and dismantled. Until 2021, the bust was kept in the courtyard of the Azerbaijan Museum of Art, and then it was returned to Shusha.

“Those who shoot at icons and monuments are barbarians,” the Belarusian leader said.

The State Department on Friday issued a worldwide caution security alert, warning of “the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” 

The threat warning is a result of intelligence citing threats by ISIS against Pride events in parts of Europe, three sources told CBS News. 

The State Department bulletin cites “increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events.” The last such global threat warning was issued in October 2023.

Friday’s alert follows one from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security last week that warned of the “potential targeting of LGBTQIA+-related events and venues.” 

“Foreign terrorist organizations or supporters may seek to exploit increased gatherings associated with the upcoming June 2024 Pride Month,” it said. 

June is PRIDE month with events and celebrations in much of the Western world, including the U.S. 

While the State Department bulletin is meant for overseas travel, there is concern about a domestic threat from ISIS, two sources told CBS News. 

An unclassified intelligence bulletin obtained by CBS News and dated May 10 says, “Since January 2024, ISIS has successfully conducted external operations in Iran, Russia, and Turkey; called for attacks against the West; and has promised to exact revenge on its enemies, which could include the LGBTQIA+ community.”

In May, the Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team — which includes inputs from FBI, DHS and the National Counterterrorism Center — also issued guidance on violent extremist attacks, plotting and messaging against the LGBTQIA+ community. That document flagged an incident from October 2023 in which a user of a well-known U.S. video game company who publicly swore allegiance to Hamas and ISIS posted videos calling for such attacks. The guidance urged greater engagement between the LGBTQIA+ community and public safety officials. 

The last significant ISIS attack was in March in Moscow, Russia. 

“We continue to work with our partners to evaluate the threat environment, provide updates to the American public, and protect our homeland. We urge the public to stay vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activity to their local law enforcement,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement Friday. 

• In:
• ISIS
• United States Department of State
• Pride Month

First published on May 17, 2024 / 6:11 PM EDT

© 2024 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The State Department on Friday issued a worldwide caution security alert, warning of “the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” 

The threat warning is a result of intelligence citing threats by ISIS against Pride events in parts of Europe, three sources told CBS News. 

The State Department bulletin cites “increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events.” The last such global threat warning was issued in October 2023.

Friday’s alert follows one from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security last week that warned of the “potential targeting of LGBTQIA+-related events and venues.” 

“Foreign terrorist organizations or supporters may seek to exploit increased gatherings associated with the upcoming June 2024 Pride Month,” it said. 

June is PRIDE month with events and celebrations in much of the Western world, including the U.S. 

While the State Department bulletin is meant for overseas travel, there is concern about a domestic threat from ISIS, two sources told CBS News. 

An unclassified intelligence bulletin obtained by CBS News and dated May 10 says, “Since January 2024, ISIS has successfully conducted external operations in Iran, Russia, and Turkey; called for attacks against the West; and has promised to exact revenge on its enemies, which could include the LGBTQIA+ community.”

In May, the Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team — which includes inputs from FBI, DHS and the National Counterterrorism Center — also issued guidance on violent extremist attacks, plotting and messaging against the LGBTQIA+ community. That document flagged an incident from October 2023 in which a user of a well-known U.S. video game company who publicly swore allegiance to Hamas and ISIS posted videos calling for such attacks. The guidance urged greater engagement between the LGBTQIA+ community and public safety officials. 

The last significant ISIS attack was in March in Moscow, Russia. 

“We continue to work with our partners to evaluate the threat environment, provide updates to the American public, and protect our homeland. We urge the public to stay vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activity to their local law enforcement,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement Friday. 

• In:
• ISIS
• United States Department of State
• Pride Month

First published on May 17, 2024 / 6:11 PM EDT

© 2024 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.