The appointment of Viktor Zubkov as Russia’s new prime minister has intensified speculation that Vladimir Putin harbours ambitions of remaining in office beyond next year’s presidential election.

For September 9, 2007 human rights activists know four of the people of KC (Karachay-Cherkessia) who had been subjected to massive political repression carried out in the region in preparation for the Olympics-2014 in Sochi. Their names are Barakayev, Kabardayev, Karasov, Turkmenov.

During the past few weeks, the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria has been in the Russian news for three separate and important reasons. First, there has been a marked increase in the activity of the local mujahideen.

Just as “success” in Iraq is a myth, so is the ‘war is over” propaganda in Chechnya as the Mujahideen continue on the steadfast path with more attacks reported as Chechen President Dokku Umarov released a Ramadan statement on the state of affairs in the Caucasus.

The Russian authorities have distributed information saying that Pavel Kosolapiy, whom the Russian mass-media nicknamed as “Basayev’s shot-firer”, might be behind the bus explosion in city of Togliatti, Samara Province of Russia. It is claimed that similar bomb was detonated under the “Nevskiy Express” a few months ago.

Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Iran has reached self-sufficiency in manufacturing military tools, equipment and weapons, adding that the Islamic Republic’s success in manufacturing hi-tech weapons has surprised enemies.

In case arrogant powers invade the Islamic Iran, we will bury the remainder of their reputation, commander of the Iranian air force said on Thursday.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Thailand, in a press release on Tuesday, condemned US unilateral sanctions against Iran.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said European nations risk damaging their ties with Iran by supporting the US in the dispute over the country’s nuclear program.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a message to Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Thursday extended his congratulations to the Algerian president, government and nation on the country’s national day.