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Second suspect held in slaying of journalist

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 23, 2007

A Turkish nationalist convicted of bombing a McDonald's restaurant in 2004 has confessed to inciting the killing of prominent Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in Istanbul, police said Monday. Yasin Hayal told police he provided a gun and money to the teenager who is suspected of carrying out Friday's shooting, the Hurriyet newspaper reported, citing police records. The teenager, Ogun Samast, has confessed to killing Dink, according to a chief prosecutor. Dink had questioned Turkey's denial of what Armenians say was genocide carried out by Turks during World War I.

President urges democracy union

Serbian President Boris Tadic called on pro-democratic parties on Monday to put their differences aside and quickly form a coalition government to stave off gains made by ultranationalists in Sunday's parliamentary election. Tadic's Democratic Party finished second, behind the nationalist Radical Party. Because no party won enough votes to govern alone, a coalition government is necessary. Tadic's party and another pro-democracy group got the most votes, positioning them to form a government.

Top Islamic leader turns himself in

The second highest member of Somalia's defeated Islamist forces, a man described as a moderate Muslim and potential peacemaker, surrendered to Kenyan authorities and is staying at a hotel in Nairobi, Western diplomats and Somali officials said Monday. If Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed agrees to hold talks with Somalia's government, it could be a major step toward preventing the insurgency that many Islamic leaders have threatened in Somalia. Ahmed is not believed to be wanted by the authorities and apparently surrendered because he was afraid for his life after the defeat of his forces.

Vatican initiative wins support

China's state-backed Catholic church welcomed a newly announced Vatican initiative to repair ruptured relations with Beijing and said a promised letter from Pope Benedict XVI to Chinese Roman Catholics could be helpful. "I am hopeful that it can improve Chinese-Vatican ties," said Liu Bainian, vice chairman of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. China's official Catholic church, backed by the communist government, refuses to recognize the Vatican's authority, while many clergy and Catholics remain loyal to the pope.

Elsewhere

Israel: The new commander of the Israeli army will be reserve Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, the government said Monday. He replaces Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, who resigned last week under criticism for the military's performance in last summer's war in Lebanon against Hezbollah guerrillas.

United Nations: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon announced Monday that an external audit would be conducted of the U.N. Development Program in North Korea after the United States alleged it had funneled millions of dollars to Kim Jong Il's regime.

France: The Louvre Museum had a record 8.3-million visitors in 2006 thanks to Friday night programming, successful temporary exhibits and a lecture series by Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison, the Paris museum said.

[Last modified January 23, 2007, 01:32:06]