Egypt officials sacked after Sinai deaths

22:00 | In the world Sweden reinforcing police in riot-hit Stockholm

Reinforcements of specially trained police are being sent to Stockholm after five nights of unprecedented rioting in the capital's suburbs.
Source: BBC
21:40 | In the world Obama nods to drones in Naval academy Speech

President Obama gave a nod to his newly articulated drone policy as he addressed the graduating class of the U.S. Naval Academy on Friday.
Source: ABC news
21:25 | In the world Russia pledges 1.7 bln euros for Serbian south stream

“The Russian side undertakes to finance that section,” Putin said after a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Tomislav Nikolic in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Source: Ria.ru
21:10 | In the world Syria opposition seeks to unify as momentum for talks builds

Syria's fractious opposition scrambled to agree a new leadership on Friday in a bid to present a coherent front at peace talks which the US and Russia are convening to seek an end to more than two years of civil war.
Source: Reuters
21:00 | In the world Wash. patrol chief: Oversize load on truck hit I-5 bridge north of Seattle, caused collapse

The truck made it off the bridge and the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Source: The Washington Post
20:48 | In the world UN rapporteur Emmerson hails 'historic' Obama drone vow

The lawyer leading a UN drone inquiry has praised a speech by US President Barack Obama as a "significant step towards increased transparency".
Source: BBC
20:38 | In the world Suspected kashmiri rebels kill indian soldiers

Four Indian army soldiers and a suspected rebel were killed in fighting in the Indian portion of Kashmir on Friday, officials said.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
20:30 | In the world 'We loved you so much, you didn't deserve this'

Devastated family of murdered soldier Lee Rigby pay emotional tribute to him.
Pictures: The Daily Mail
20:21 | In the world Putin, Obama to Meet in June, September – Kremlin

The first meeting will be in Lough Erne on the sidelines of the G8 Summit and then Obama’s visit to Russia.
Source: Ria.ru
20:15 | Region On Turkey's proposed alcohol restrictions

A look at legislation passed in Turkey's parliament early Friday that would ban all alcohol advertising and tighten restrictions on the sale of such beverages.
Source: ABC news
20:07 | In the world Explosion and gunfire shake Kabul

Afghan Channel One TV quoted police as saying a group of assailants had entered the Directorate of the Afghan Public Protection Force.
Source: BBC
20:00 | In the world Kerry says Israelis, Palestinians must make tough decisions

Israeli and Palestinian leaders must decide soon on whether to revive long-dormant peace negotiations to end their decades-old conflict.
Source: Reuters
19:01 | In the world Michel Platini renews call for 'sport police'

Uefa president Michel Platini has renewed his call for the establishment of a European sports police force to deal with match-fixing, hooliganism and doping.
Source: BBC Sport
18:34 | Armenia Serzh Sargsyan meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs

The parties discussed issues related to the current stage of Karabakh peace process and future steps.
Source: presidential press service
18:19 | Armenia UAE ambassador presents credentials to President Serzh Sargsyan

Serzh Sargsyan and Saif Mohammed Abid al-Zaabi discussed ways of developing and furthering bilateral relations and cooperation in different fields of activity.
Source: presidential press service
17:38 | In the world Milan fans say 'no thanks to Seedorf'

A group of AC Milan fans were caught hanging up a banner outside the club's headquarters early on Friday to express their opposition to the prospect of former player Clarence Seedorf taking over the team.
Source: Gazzetta del Sud
16:51 | Armenia Andranik Matikozyan wins Metropolitan Chess Tournament

IM Andranik Matikozyan (Armenia) scored 7.5 points out of 10 to solely take first prize at the 27th Metropolitan Chess Tournament in Los Angeles.
Source: armchess.am
15:34 | Armenia Serzh Sargsyan meets with President of European Civil Aviation Conference

President Sargsyan said Armenia appreciates the role of the European Civil Aviation Conference in developing and providing security to global and European aviation.
Source: presidential press service
15:10 | Armenia Armen Martirosyan: Russia punishes Armenia by increasing gas price

“Under such social conditions, the increase in gas price may cause social riot,” said the deputy chairman of Heritage party.
Source: Panorama.am
14:33 | Armenia Armenian parliament to host hearings on measures to eliminate hailstorm consequences

On May 23, the Armenian government approved measures to eliminate consequences of the May 12 hailstorm that caused damage to 46 communities in Armavir province.
Source: Panorama.am
14:12 | Armenia Levon Zurabyan: Authorities concealed information about increase in gas price

“On May 13, the Public Services Regulatory Commission received a bid on the increase in price for natural gas, with a contract stipulating that the new gas price entered into force on April 1,” the ANC member said.
Source: Panorama.am
12:50 | In the world Magnitude 8.2 earthquake strikes Russian Far East

The epicentre of the quake was located at a depth of 385 miles in the Sea of Okhotsk, 244 miles west of the nearest city, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Source: Reuters
12:40 | Armenia Worsening social situation contributes to emigration, Orinats Yerkir MP says

“The people in Armenia live in tough social conditions, and the increase in gas price and hail damage added to it,” Hovhannes Margaryan said.
Source: Panorama.am
12:14 | Armenia Social riot is brewing in Armenia, says Heritage MP

With the crisis deepening, it is inevitable that there will be a social riot and a revolution in Armenia, head of Heritage parliamentary faction Ruben Hakobyan told a parliamentary briefing.
Source: Panorama.am
11:11 | Armenia Republican MP against government program?

Although RPA voted for the government program, Republican MP Nahapet Gevorgyan, despite registering for the parliament session, did not participate in the voting.
Source: Zhamanak
10:12 | Armenia Governors of Kotayk, Syunik and Tavush to be dismissed in mid-June

Those to be dismissed include Kotayk governor Kovalenko Shahgaldyan, Syunik governor Suren Khachatryan and Tavush governor Armen Ghularyan.
Source: Haykakan Zhamanak
09:48 | Armenia Pan-Homenetmen Games to take place in Armenia

This year, the 9th Pan Homenetmen Games will be held in Yerevan, from July 27 to August 3.
Source: Asbarez.com
09:12 | In the world Second jewel theft strikes Cannes film festival

A necklace reportedly worth 1.9m euros (£1.6m) has been stolen during the Cannes film festival, in the second such theft to hit this year's event.
Source: BBC
09:04 | In the world Syrian opposition scrambles to save credibility ahead of peace talks

The Syrian opposition in exile met on Thursday to decide whether to attend a peace conference that the United States and Russia see as a crucial path to ending two years of civil war.
Source: Reuters
09:00 | In the world 5.7-magnitude earthquake shakes Northern California

There have been eight aftershocks ranging from 2.6-to-3.5-magnitude.
Source: AP
08:55 | In the world Bridge collapses in Washington state

An Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River in Washington has collapsed, a spokesman for the Washington State Patrol said.
Source: CNN
08:50 | In the world UK names soldier killed in London

The soldier killed in an attack in London has been named as Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Source: BBC
08:47 | In the world Barack Obama defends 'just war' using drones

President Barack Obama has defended the use of drones in a "just war" of self-defence against deadly militants and a campaign that had made America safer.
Source: BBC
08:41 | Armenia Air temperature will go up

It will be partly cloudy after midday, but no precipitation is expected yet.
Source: Meteo-TV
22:53 | Region The Times: Story about loss of votes given for Russia at Eurovision puts Azerbaijan in very awkward situation

The foreign ministers of Russia and Azerbaijan have temporarily postponed the "less urgent problems - like, the question of the border war between Azerbaijan and Armenia smoldering for "22-years," and have stressed that they will try to work together to resolve the crisis that had occurred during the "Eurovision," the British newspaper Times writes.
Source: The Times
22:00 | In the world UK Police: 2 more arrests linked to hacking death of british soldier in London

Source: ABC news
21:50 | In the world Boy Scouts of America set to vote on gay youth ban

The vote by more than 1,400 delegates comes amid intense lobbying by gay-rights activists and members of conservative organizations.
Source: Reuters
21:35 | In the world Uefa: New drug-testing plans and 10-match bans for racism

Uefa will retrospectively study 900 doping samples given since 2008 as it attempts to combat use of performance-enhancing drugs in European football.
Source: BBC
21:28 | In the world UK emergency committee meets after Muslim terrorists hack soldier to death

Prime Minister David Cameron says there are strong indications it was an act of terrorism.
Source: Fox News
21:20 | Armenia The sale by Russia of S-300 air defense systems to Syria would be “destabilizing” for the region

US Secretary State John Kerry said on Thursday.
Source: Ria.ru
21:17 | Region Amnesty International: Azerbaijani authorities continue to intimidate and arrest those who criticize government

The Azerbaijani government continues to intimidate and imprison people and groups who criticizes the government.
Source: Amnesty International
21:10 | In the world Appellate Court: Berlusconi ran illegal scheme

A Milan appeals court has explained why it upheld Silvia Berlusconi's tax fraud conviction, saying the politician illegally purchased the rights to broadcast U.S. movies on his private TV network.
Source: ABC news
21:03 | In the world Gunmen kill seven Iraqi soldiers in worsening conflict

More than 300 people have been killed in violence over the past week.
Source: Reuters
20:55 | In the world Britain’s Cameron: London attack ‘will only . . . make us stronger’

A day after two alleged Islamic extremists brutally killed a British soldier, Prime Minister vowed that his nation would not succumb to fear and promised a vigorous investigation.
Source: The Washington Post
20:45 | In the world Bangladesh factory collapse probe uncovers abuses

The report said the building had been constructed with sub-standard materials on unsuitable land.
Source: BBC
20:40 | Region Azerbaijan can be deprived of the right to participate in ‘‘Eurovision’’ song contest for three years

Azerbaijani “ITV” channel which broadcast the "Eurovision-2013" can either be deprived of participating in the song contest for three years or can be fined for false transfer of the vote count, the lawyer of the Russian law firm "UST" Denis Shumsky says, the RIA Novosti reports.
Source: RIA Novosti
20:37 | In the world European stock markets post heavy losses after Nikkei plunges 7%

It will take a few minutes for the closing auction in London to be concluded.
Details: The Guardian
20:30 | In the world 80 year-old-man climbs Everest, breaks record

Yuichiro Miura reached the summit of Mount Everest around noon Japan time on Thursday, becoming the oldest person ever to do so.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
20:24 | In the world UN chief visits Goma, Congo

Ban Ki-moon stressed that security must go hand-in-hand with development in the troubled eastern city of Goma on Thursday.
Source: ABC news
20:18 | In the world New Parliament to be built in central Moscow – Kremlin

The project was put on hold, however, due to the financial crisis.
Source: Ria.ru
20:12 | In the world London attackers known to British security services

Two British men of Nigerian descent accused of hacking a soldier to death on a London street in revenge for wars in Muslim countries were known to security services.
Source: Reuters
20:05 | In the world Niger suicide bombers target Areva mine and barracks

A bomb at a barracks in Agadez killed at least 19, including 18 soldiers, officials told the BBC. Four attackers died and a fifth is holding four army officers hostage.
Source: BBC
20:00 | In the world World's most expensive sheepdog sells for £10,000

A sheepdog trainer has bounded into the record books once again after his latest talent sold for nearly £10,000 - making him the most expensive in the world.
Source: The Daily Mail
18:59 | In the world Higuain to join Juventus this summer

Madrid want €25m though Antonio Conte's side have only gone as high of €20m as of Wednesday.
Source: Goal.com
18:37 | Armenia Gagik Makaryan: SMEs and common citizens will be most affected by gas price increase

“If the gas price goes up, even a normal family will have to pay AMD 90,000 for gas in winter season,” said the chairman of Republican Union of Employers of Armenia.
Source: Panorama.am

09:17 09/08/2012 » In the world

Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi has sacked the country's intelligence chief and the governor of the country's North Sinai province, BBC reported.

Hours earlier, the Egyptian military launched an offensive in the region against suspected Islamist militants which it says has killed 20 people.

The campaign comes after militants killed 16 Egyptian border guards in the area on Sunday.

On Wednesday, more attacks followed on checkpoints in the town of al-Arish.

Those attacks left a number of people wounded and the military offensive was launched hours later.

The sacking of the country's intelligence chief was announced in a statement on state-run TV.

"Gen Mohamed Murad Mowafi is given retirement starting from today," presidential spokesman Yasser Ali said.

Gen Mowafi had been quoted in Egyptian media as saying that the intelligence services had received warning of Sunday's attack.

However, he said they had only passed the matter on to the relevant authorities, saying that the intelligence services' job was only to collect information.

Mr Mursi has appointed an acting intelligence chief, Gen Mohamed Raafat Abdel-Wahed.

He also dismissed the commander of the presidential guard, as well as several other top security officials.