Venezuela arrests U.S. 'mercenary,' says Chavez

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
17:55 | In the world FC Barcelona to visit Israel and Palestine

FC Barcelona will host two football clinics in the Middle East this August. The first will be in the Palestinian Territories on August 3 and the second will be in Israel on August 4.
Source: FCBarcelona.com
17:06 | Armenia Narek Galstyan: I see nothing extraordinary about Lavrov’s statement

“Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement only concerned his position on Madrid Principles,” political scientist Narek Galstyan said.
Source: Panorama.am
16:02 | Armenia Manuel Petrosyan wins Armenian Regional Championship

Armenian Regional Championship, which was the qualification phase of the 74th Armenian Championship, was held in Jermuk.
Source: armchess.am
15:28 | Region Chechnya's honorary consul assassinated in Turkey

Medet Ünlü was shot multiple times at the consulate building in Ankara's Balgat neighborhood and died at the scene.
Source: Today's Zaman
15:10 | Armenia Tigran Sargsyan: Armenian government is willing to cooperate with all political forces

“If opposition presents its vision of the future, then our duty is to take from it what we think is right for our country,” the Armenian PM told reporters.
Source: Panorama.am
14:35 | Armenia PSRC representative: Gas price to be set at AMD 156 per cubic meter

Currently the price per cubic meter of gas is AMD 132.
Source: Panorama.am
14:05 | In the world Congresswoman Judy Chu: We have a duty to remind the world that mass murder and destruction must not be ignored

Rep. Chu cosponsored H. Res. 227 calling for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Source: chu.house.gov
13:27 | Region OSCE Mission monitors Line of Contact in Fizuli direction

No violation of the ceasefire regime was registered.
Source: NKR MFA
13:16 | Armenia Armenian parliament approves government program

The Armenian National Assembly, by a vote of 76 for and 41 against, approved the program of Armenian government for 2013-17.
Source: Panorama.am
12:54 | Region Zardusht Alizadeh: Azerbaijani people should take up arms and fight for their rights

“Law, justice and God mean nothing for the Azerbaijani authorities. Money is their God,” said the Azerbaijani analyst.
Source: Arannews.ir
12:00 | Armenia Duration of unemployment benefit payment to be reduced to 3 years

As a result, the unemployed will not receive AMD 3bn aid.
Source: Haykakan Zhamanak
11:25 | Armenia New resignations expected in Armenia

Several resignations are expected following approval of the government program for 2013-17.
Source: Zhamanak
10:49 | In the world Armenian intellectual kidnapped in Aleppo

Armenian writer and intellectual Hakob Mikayelyan was kidnapped by gunmen in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Wednesday, May 22.
Source: Lradou.com
10:25 | Armenia Hrant Bagratyan refuses to disclose details of his conversation with Prime Minister

“There was no separate meeting with Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,” he said.
Source: Zhoghovurd
09:54 | In the world Congressman Cicilline calls for recognition, apology

U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline in a statement called on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to formally acknowledge and apologize for the Armenian Genocide.
Source: The Armenian Weekly
09:32 | Region Turkish-Armenian writer given jail sentence for blasphemy

An Istanbul court has sentenced a Turkish-Armenian author and blogger to more than a year in prison for insulting the Prophet Mohammad.
Source: Asbarez.com
09:18 | In the world West may boost Syria rebels if Assad won't talk peace

Washington threatened on Wednesday to increase support for Syria's rebels if President Bashar al-Assad refuses to discuss a political end to a civil war that is spreading across borders.
Source: Reuters

09:25 11/08/2012 » Society

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said authorities have arrested a U.S. citizen who "had all the appearances of a mercenary" working to destabilize the South American country's government, CNN reported.

"We are interrogating him," Chavez said at a campaign event Thursday.

Chavez said the man, whom he did not identify, was arrested five days earlier while illegally trying to cross the border from Colombia into Venezuela.

U.S. officials are operating on the assumption that Chavez's forces have someone in custody, a U.S. government source told CNN on Friday. U.S. officials have reached out to the Venezuelan government on the matter, but haven't received information, the source said.

Chavez said the passport the man was carrying had stamps from recent years in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. The president also said police seized a notebook with written coordinates from the man.

"It sends a powerful signal, how this citizen wanted to illegally enter the country, to do who knows what. ... He says he was fleeing from I don't know who. The certainty is that this forces us to activate many more alarms everywhere," Chavez said.

Chavez, who is running for reelection, has repeatedly accused U.S. officials and members of Venezuela's opposition of plotting to destabilize the country's government.

Source: Panorama.am