Iranian official calls Russia’s seizure of radioactive material ‘lies’

The reported seizure of a consignment of radioactive material from a Tehran-bound passenger at a Moscow airport is “a lie,” an official at Iran’s embassy in Russia has claimed.

Customs were alerted by a warning system at Sheremetyevo airport ahead of the Moscow to Tehran flight that radiation in the departures hall was 20 times above normal. (more…)

Russia seizes Iran-bound radioactive material

Russia’s customs service said Friday it had seized radioactive sodium-22, an isotope that is used in medical equipment but has no weapons use, from the luggage of a passenger planning to fly from Moscow to Tehran. (more…)

Syrians protest against Assad after Russia U.N. move

Hundreds of thousands of Syrians took to the streets on Friday to protest against President Bashar al-Assad, activists said, a day after Syria’s big power ally Russia sharpened its criticism of Damascus in a draft United Nations resolution. (more…)

Syria’s civil war is bigger than Syria itself

It is the Arab Earthquake. Not “spring,” not “wave of reform,” not even “awakening” can describe the systemic upheaval that has engulfed Syria. Let us call an earthquake an earthquake.

France welcomes Russia’s move at UN to end Syria’s violence

The French envoy to the United Nations on Thursday welcomed a resolution proposed by Russia on the Syrian crisis, saying it was “an extraordinary event,” AFP reported. (more…)

Russia and China move at UN to end violence in Syria

Russia and China on Thursday submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council, seeking to end the violence in Syria, which the UN said has claimed more than 5,000 lives.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, who holds the council presidency for the month of December, did not disclose the exact contents of the text but said it will be discussed by the 15 council members in the coming days. (more…)

Beirut Bank Seen as a Hub of Hezbollah’s Financing

Last February, the Obama administration accused one of Lebanon’s famously secretive banks of laundering money for an international cocaine ring with ties to the Shiite militant group Hezbollah.

Now, in the wake of the bank’s exposure and arranged sale, its ledgers have been opened to reveal deeper secrets: a glimpse at the clandestine methods that Hezbollah (more…)

U.S. designates Saudi national Saleh al-Qarawi as terrorist

The U.S. State Department said Thursday it designated Saleh al-Qarawi, a leader in a Lebanese militant organization, as a specially designated global terrorist.

Al-Qarawi, a Saudi citizen, fought U.S. forces in Fallujah alongside al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi before becoming a senior leader of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades (more…)

Putin points to U.S. role in Gadhafi’s killing

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused U.S. drones and special forces of involvement in the death of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in comments Thursday.

He also attacked U.S. Sen. John McCain over a warning that Russia might follow the same path as Libya, suggesting McCain was not of sound mind following his time as a prisoner during the Vietnam War. (more…)

Moussawi Apologizes over verbal clash with Gemayel

Hezbollah MP Nawwaf Moussawi apologized on Thursday to Speaker Nabih Berri and the MPs over the language he used during his verbal clash with Phalange MP Sami Gemayel during Wednesday’s parliamentary session. (more…)