U.S. Senate confirms James Comey to be FBI next directorJuly 30, 2013 - 13:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Senate confirmed James B. Comey Jr. to be the next director of the FBI, giving the agency its first new head since before the September 2001 attacks. Comey, the former No. 2 official in the Justice Department under President George W. Bush, was confirmed yesterday 93-1. Once sworn in, he will take over for Robert Mueller, who has led the agency since days before the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. President Barack Obama praised the Senate vote, calling Comey “a natural leader of unquestioned integrity.” “In the face of ever-changing threats, he has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to defending America’s security and ideals,” Obama said in a statement issued by the White House. “The FBI will be in good hands long after I’ve left office.” Comey, 52, will lead a law enforcement agency that has been changing to address increased threats posed by computer hackers and domestic terrorism, amid heightened public concerns over the reach and scope of classified surveillance programs disclosed by a former intelligence contractor. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |