Gevork Vartanian, a former Soviet intelligence agent who helped derail a Nazi plot to assassinate allied leaders during World War Two, has died. He was 87 years old. Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service made the announcement Wednesday, saying Vartanian died Tuesday in Moscow. Vartanian, whose father was a Soviet agent of Armenian descent based in Iran, […]
Militant Leader Issues Video Challenge to Nigerian President
Posted January 11th, 2012 at 1:25 pm (UTC-5)
A leader of the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram has promised more attacks in a new video posted on the Internet. The 15-minute video, seen on YouTube, shows Imam Abubakar Shekau, who is believed to head a faction of Boko Haram. In the video, Shekau says his group’s fighters will continue to kill and are […]
Bombing Kills Iranian Nuclear Scientist
Posted January 11th, 2012 at 1:25 pm (UTC-5)
Iranian media say a bomb blast in Tehran has killed a university professor who also worked as a scientist on Iran’s nuclear program. The Fars news agency said two unidentified people on a motorcycle planted the bomb under the car of Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, killing him and his driver on Wednesday. The report said a […]
US Instates New Ambassador to Russia
Posted January 11th, 2012 at 12:50 pm (UTC-5)
The new U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, officially takes up his duties this Saturday. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton conducted the swearing-in ceremony for McFaul on Tuesday in Washington. She said his appointment represents “the kind of deeper cooperation and closer ties” with Russia that U.S. President Barack Obama supports. “Now, when President […]
China Warns Against US ‘Interference’ on Tibet Issue
Posted January 11th, 2012 at 12:30 pm (UTC-5)
China has warned the United States not to use religious incidents as a pretext to interfere in its domestic affairs, after Washington said it was “seriously concerned” that more Tibetans have set themselves on fire in China. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Monday the recent wave of self-immolations shows there is enormous anger […]
Pakistan’s Army Chief Issues Warning After PM’s Comments
Posted January 11th, 2012 at 12:15 pm (UTC-5)
Pakistan’s military is warning of “grievous consequences” for the country, following the prime minister’s remarks that army and intelligence chiefs acted unconstitutionally. The military said Wednesday the remarks by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have “very serious ramifications,” after he said this week that two top security officials acted unlawfully by making unilateral submissions to […]
Canada to Deport Alleged Rwandan Genocide Inciter
Posted January 11th, 2012 at 12:15 pm (UTC-5)
A man accused of helping to instigate the 1994 Rwandan genocide has lost his battle to remain in Canada. Leon Mugesera had requested a stay on his deportation order but was turned down Wednesday by Canada’s Federal Court in Montreal. Mugesera, a Rwandan Hutu, allegedly helped incite the genocide with a 1992 speech in which […]
Bombing Kills Iranian Nuclear Scientist
Posted January 11th, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
Iranian media say a bomb blast in Tehran has killed a university professor who also worked as a scientist on Iran’s nuclear program. The Fars news agency said two unidentified people on a motorcycle planted the bomb under the car of Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, killing him and his driver on Wednesday. The report said a […]
Syrian President Rallies Supporters, Western Journalist Killed in Violence
Posted January 11th, 2012 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made a rare public appearance, telling thousands of supporters in Damascus that his government will triumph over what he calls a “conspiracy” behind 10 months of opposition unrest. Meanwhile, a French television reporter became the first Western journalist to be killed since the unrest began 10 months ago. France 2 Television […]
Scotland, Britain Clash Over Independence Vote
Posted January 11th, 2012 at 11:40 am (UTC-5)
Scottish leader Alex Salmond says that the people of Scotland should set the terms of a referendum on independence from Britain — not the British government. London on Tuesday set out the conditions under which Scotland can decide whether to sever its centuries-old constitutional ties with Britain. But the government said such a vote would […]
