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Al-Qaeda in Yemen claims the terrorist group is responsible

A statement sent to several media outlets by an alleged member of Al-Qaeda in Yemen claims the terrorist group is responsible for the Charlie Hebdo shooting and carried it out as a “revenge for the honor” of Prophet Muhammad.
AP and The Intercept quoted a statement sent to them by a source within Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), commonly referred to as Al-Qaeda in Yemen.
The statement, provided on condition of anonymity, says “the leadership of AQAP directed the operations and they have chosen their target carefully as a revenge for the honor of Prophet [Muhammad].” It directly refers to the Wednesday attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which resulted in 12 people killed.
However, it goes on to explain that the attack targeted not just the controversial outlet, but France in general “because of its obvious role in the war on Islam and oppressed nations.”
The “operation” was in line with threats voiced by Sheikh Usama (the late Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden) to the West about “the consequences of the persistence in the blasphemy against Muslim sanctities.”

Two arrested in Australian counter-terrorism raids

Two suspects have been arrested in new anti-terrorist raids in Sydney, Australian officials said on Saturday. The arrests are part of an investigation into extremist activity by supporters of Islamist militants fighting in Syria and Iraq. One man, 33, was detained on Friday on the charges of acquiring and possessing ammunition illegally. Another, 21, was arrested the same day on charges of illegal firearms and ammunition possession. The “long-running investigation” is not a result of any specific concerns at this time, but is part of a crackdown on terrorist sources of finance and other support of foreign fighters and those intending to carry out terrorist attacks on Australian soil.

​3 dead, 97 injured in building fire in S. Korea

At least three people were killed and 97 injured in a fire that broke out in 10-story apartment building in the city of Uijeongbu, South Korea, police said. Five of the injured are in critical condition. The majority of the building’s residents have already been evacuated. The rest of them are waiting for rescue brigades on the roof.

Ex-leader of Syrian opposition turns down Moscow talks

Former president of Syrian National Coalition, opposition member Mouaz Al Khatib has refused to come to negotiations with Syrian government officials in Russia in January, saying there are no conditions to ensure success of the meeting. Al Khatib is not the first to refuse the invitation sent to prominent figures of the Syrian opposition to have talks in Moscow, as the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces has already declined the talks. Most of the opposition believes Russia is their enemy as it supports Syrian President Bashar Assad. UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura expressed his readiness to come to the talks planned for January 26-29.
Media agencies