Violence threatened at Madonna concerts in Russia

22:31 | Region Former consultant: Heydar Aliyev was killed for not acting within interests of West

Elman Jalilov, who was Heydar Aliyev’s former consultant on legal issues, while being at the office of chairman of Armed Forces of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic said that Heydar Aliyev did not die a natural death, the Azerbaijani news agency "Haqqin.az" writes.
Source:Haqqin.az
22:00 | In the world Suicide at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

Some 1,500 visitors were cleared out of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after a man put a letter on the altar of the 850-year-old monument Tuesday, pulled out a gun and shot himself in the head.
Source: ABC news
21:45 | In the world Putin calls on shipbuilder to speed up naval deliveries

Russian President criticized the United Shipbuilding Corporation on Tuesday for delays in delivery of warships to the Russian Navy and demanded the shipbuilders improve efficiency.
Source: Ria.ru
21:36 | Region Iran cracks down on activists in runup to election

Political prisoners in some of the country's most notorious jails have had their parole or visiting rights withdrawn and some transferred to solitary confinement.
Source: The Guardian
21:30 | In the world EU mission seeks to rebuild Mali army after U.S. faltered

Under a blazing sun and the critical gaze of British and Irish instructors, a line of 11 Malian soldiers lie prone in the dust firing AK-47 rounds at targets, one-by-one.
Source: Reuters
21:20 | In the world Marks & Spencer admits fashion mistakes for women as it unveils annual profits fall to £665 million

Profits at Marks & Spencer have slumped to their lowest level in four years amid a succession of fashion disasters with dowdy designs and lack of stock.
Source: The Daily Mail
21:12 | In the world Guatemalan Court overturns genocide conviction of ex-Dictator

The decision by Guatemala’s Constitutional Court was a dramatic legal victory for General Ríos Montt, 86.
Source: The New York Times
21:05 | In the world China’s culture of hacking cost the country $873 million in 2011

That estimate is according to a recent study by academics at China’s prestigious Tsinghua University.
Source: The Washington Post
20:56 | In the world Syria and Israel in exchange of fire

Israel returned fire after one of its military vehicles was hit by shots from Syria, Israel's defence forces say.
Source: BBC
20:50 | In the world Saudi Arabia says arrests 10 from iranian Spy Ring

Eight are Saudis, one Lebanese and one Turkish national.
Source: ABC news
20:40 | In the world Syria's gains renew pressure on U.S.

The Syrian army battled Monday alongside Hezbollah militants to reclaim a rebel-held city, amplifying pressure on President Barack Obama to find a way to alter the course of events in the widening civil war.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
20:33 | In the world Russia outraged over Eurovision vote count fault

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned the disappearance of votes awarded by Azerbaijan to Russian singer Dina Garipova at the recent Eurovision Song Contest as “an outrageous action”.
Source: Ria.ru
20:25 | In the world Obama pledges all necessary help for tornado-hit Oklahoma

President Barack Obama promised on Tuesday to make available all necessary U.S. government resources to Oklahoma to help in the rescue and recovery effort in the aftermath of a devastating tornado.
Source: Reuters
20:17 | In the world David Cameron: I would never work with those who sneer at activists

UK Prime minister sends personal note to party members as senior figure claims he is 'worse than John Major'.
Source: The Guardian
20:12 | Region Mexican intellectuals are outraged by Azerbaijani ambassador’s comparison of Jose Sarukhanyan with Himmler

Mexican Professor at the Center for Economic Research, Jean Mayer responded to the article of Ilgar Mukhtarov, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Mexico, published in the newspaper "Milenio".
Source: Milenio
20:11 | In the world Apple's Tim Cook set to defend tax strategy in Senate

The appearance comes just a day after the same panel branded Apple's complex structure the "Holy Grail of tax avoidance".
Source: BBC
20:05 | In the world Syrian opposition groups say Assad must go

Syrian opposition groups meeting in Spain say they oppose all negotiation with President's government unless it is aimed at his giving up of power.
Source: ABC news
20:00 | In the world Oklahoma Twister is worst in recent memory including one that hit same town in 1999

The catastrophic storm that tore through Moore, Oklahoma on Monday bears striking similarities to other powerful tornadoes that have killed hundreds of people and caused billions in damage.
Source: The Daily Mail
18:59 | Region NKR President meets with Armenian deputy attorney-general

Issues related to the activities of prosecutor’s office were discussed during the meeting.
Source: presidential press service
18:29 | Armenia Increase in public transport fares not discussed by Yerevan Mayor’s Office

“The so-called “news” that has appeared in social networks under the title “URGENT” saying that public transport fares will increase from June 1 is untrue,” said the head of the Public Relations Department of Yerevan Mayor’s Office.
Source: Panorama.am
17:54 | In the world Radioactive leak found at US nuclear power plant

Half-inch long cracks around a nozzle on one of the tanks of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant have been discovered.
Source: Voice of Russia
17:20 | Region Artsakh leader meets with Armenian Police Chief

Issues related to the activities of law enforcement bodies and cooperation between police departments of the two Armenian states in this field were in the focus of the discussion.
Source: presidential press service
16:56 | In the world Wayne Rooney welcomes second son

Coleen and Wayne Rooney proudly showed off the first snap of their new baby boy after the ‘delighted’ couple welcomed his arrival in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Source: Metro.co.uk
16:43 | Armenia Vardan Ayvazyan: Gas price increase is purely economic issue

According to the MP, the gas price increase is a challenge to Armenia’s economy.
Source: Panorama.am
16:41 | Armenia Mher Hovhannisyan takes second prize at Limburg Open

GM Vladimir Dobrov (Russia) became the winner.
Source: armchess.am
15:48 | Region U.S. State Department: Religious freedom in Azerbaijan continues to be violated

In the U.S. annual International Religious Freedom Report notes that the religious freedom in Azerbaijan is still violated.
Source: U.S. annual International Religious Freedom Report
15:48 | Armenia Khachatur Kokobelyan: New government program does not differ from previous one

“I would ask to take it back, to outline all problems and present the ways of their solution,” said the independent MP.
Source: Panorama.am
15:13 | Armenia DPA leader: Membership to Customs Union could help solve Karabakh issue

“We should have joined the Customs Union if we wanted the gas price to remain equal to Russia’s internal price,” said Aram Sargsyan.
Source: Panorama.am
14:13 | Armenia ANC MP Hrant Bagratyan proposes government to solve three important problems

Former Armenian Prime Minister Hrant Bagratyan says the government program submitted by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is not satisfactory because it involves all sectors but says nothing about the future actions of the government.
Source: Panorama.am
13:37 | Armenia Alexander Arzumanyan to vote against government program

MP Alexander Arzumanyan says the government program submitted to the parliament is not new, but is rather the revised version of the old program.
Source: Panorama.am
12:51 | Armenia ARFD MP: Government program lacks clear formulations

“The program does not reflect the main challenges faced by the country,” Artsvik Minasyan said.
Source: Panorama.am
12:00 | Armenia Tigran Sargsyan unveils reason of gas price increase

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan admits that Russia increases the price for natural gas supplied to Armenia due to the fact that Armenia refused to join the EurAsEC customs union.
Source: 168 Hours
11:22 | In the world Mourinho to leave Real Madrid at end of season

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez announced at a news conference following a board meeting Monday that a mutual agreement was reached for Mourinho's departure.
Source: AP
11:08 | In the world Iran’s Saeed Jalili warns West over Syria

Iran – which maintains strong connections with President Bashar-al Assad’s regime – has come out strongly, warning the West against arming the rebels.
Source: euronews
10:34 | Armenia Orinats Yerkir cannot oppose RPA

While the other parliamentary factions are going to vote against the government program, Orinats Yerkir faction will vote for it.
Source: Zhamanak
09:45 | Armenia Prosperous Armenia opposed to government program

Despite the recent statement of Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan that his party cannot be opposition, PAP will vote against the government program submitted to the parliament.
Source: Zhamanak
09:43 | In the world Henrikh Mkhitaryan called by Armenia national team

From 28 May to 12 June, Armenia will hold a training camp.
Source: FC Shakhtar
09:29 | In the world Today marks World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

The day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together better.
Source: UN
09:07 | In the world US and China leaders to hold summit

The US and Chinese presidents will hold their first summit in California in June.
Source: BBC
09:06 | In the world Obama urges Myanmar to stop violence against Muslims

Obama called for an end to the killings of Rohingya Muslims in western Myanmar's Rakhine state.
Source: Reuters
09:02 | In the world Guatemala court overturns ex-dictator's genocide conviction

Guatemala's top court overturned the genocide conviction of former dictator Efrain Rios Montt and ordered on Monday that his trial restart.
Source: AP
08:56 | In the world Iraq Shiites targeted in fresh violence

A string of car bombings and shootings across Iraq left more than 50 people dead Monday.
Source: CNN
08:51 | In the world North Koreans 'free Chinese crew'

A Chinese fishing crew seized by North Koreans two weeks ago has been freed along with their boat.
Source: BBC
08:46 | In the world Dozens dead in Oklahoma tornado

At least 51 people, including 20 children, have been left dead after a huge tornado tore through Oklahoma City suburbs.
Source: BBC
08:40 | Armenia No significant precipitation expected

The air temperature will go up in daytime by 3-4 degrees.
Source: Meteo-TV
22:00 | Armenia 2 men arrested in killing over iPad in Las Vegas

Two men have been arrested in the killing of a teenage boy over an iPad in Las Vegas, police said Sunday.
Source: ABC News
21:46 | Region Eurovision: Azerbaijan probes Russian 'nul points'

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has ordered an inquiry into why his country gave Russia "nul points" at Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest.
Source: BBC
21:38 | In the world Nigeria eases curfew in northeast, fights on against Boko Haram

Nigeria relaxed a curfew on Monday in parts of the northeast where its troops are mounting their biggest offensive yet against militants from the Islamist group Boko Haram.
Source: Reuters
21:27 | In the world Russia delivers first Lada cars to Venezuela

Russia has delivered a first batch of 450 Lada cars to Venezuela, said Sergei Goreslavsky, head of Russian Technologies high-tech state corporation's international economic cooperation department.
Source: Ria.ru
21:20 | In the world Fighting breaks out in Congo

Fighting erupted between the Congo national army and the M23 rebel group near the mineral-trading city of Goma, ending a nearly six-month lull in violence around the city.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
21:08 | In the world 'Terrorist attack' in Moscow prevented

Russian counter-terrorism agents have carried out a raid on a group planning a terrorist act in Moscow killing two suspects, officials say.
Source: BBC
21:00 | In the world Yahoo is investing big-time in the social media

The company announced today that it has purchased Tumblr, the popular blogging and social media network, for $1.1 billion.
Source: ABC News
20:50 | Region NDM of Hungary refutes information on having issued postage stamps in honor of Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev

The Hungarian postal service, Magyar Posta, had nothing to do with a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the birth of Azerbaijan’s strongman leader Heydar Aliyev, the National Development Ministry said on Monday, The Budapest Times reports.
Source: The Budapest Times
20:45 | In the world Hezbollah suffers big losses in Syria battle

About 30 Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and 20 Syrian soldiers and militiamen loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have been killed in the fiercest fighting this year in the rebel stronghold of Qusair.
Source: Reuters
20:32 | In the world Without U.S. helicopters, afghans struggle to save wounded

The roads were too dangerous for an army ambulance.
Source: The Washington Post

09:25 08/08/2012 » Culture

Russian authorities were stepping up security after a threat of violence at Madonna concerts this week, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow warned, according to CNN.

"The U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg has received information regarding a threat of physical violence against spectators and performers at the St. Petersburg concert on August 9," the embassy said in a statement.

State Department officials did not provide details about the reported threat targeting Madonna's Thursday show in St. Petersburg.

"U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant regarding their personal security, and to be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially in crowded areas," the embassy said.

Liz Rosenberg, a spokeswoman touring with Madonna, said the singer was aware of the threat and the embassy's warning.

"Concerts are going on as scheduled," Rosenberg said.

Madonna performed Tuesday night at a packed Moscow stadium.

During the show, the singer joined a chorus of musicians who say they support the punk rock band Pussy Riot, whose members were charged with hooliganism after performing a song critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin in one of Moscow's grandest cathedrals.

Madonna said she was praying for the three band members, who went on trial Monday and face up to seven years in prison if convicted, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported.

"Everyone has the right to free speech, everywhere in the world. Maria, Katya, Nadia, I pray for you," Madonna said at Tuesday's concert, according to RIA Novosti. "They did something brave with their action. And I am praying for their freedom."

"Are you with me?" Madonna shouted. According to the state news agency, thousands of fans cheered, "Yes!"