Fathers to feel special today, June 15
By APP,
Islamabad : It’s Fathers’ Day today—not just in Pakistan, but in most of the world countries to honor and commemorate fathers and forefathers.
Father’s Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves gift-giving, and special dinners to fathers and family-oriented activities.
In 2008, it is celebrated on June 15th in most countries.
Father’s Day is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother’s Day in celebrating fatherhood and male parenting.
Highlights of Pakistan PM’s speech
By IANS
Islamabad : Following are the highlights of Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani's speech after getting an unopposed vote of confidence from the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.
* On Kashmir: "I want to assure my sisters and brothers in Kashmir that their sacrifices will not be ignored and Pakistan will make every effort to resolve the issue in accordance with their wishes.
"I believe that confidence building measures is excellent step but it should be in the right direction.
Former Indian journalist in Pakistan shares her experiences with students in a Delhi school
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Aaghaz-e-Dosti, an Indo-Pak Friendship initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst – TC, organized Aman Chaupal at Andhra Education Society on 10th October with former Indian Journalist in Pakistan Meena Menon.
Pakistan’s new ambassador-designate Haqqani arrives in Washington
By NNN-APP,
Washington : Pakistan’s new ambassador-designate to the United States Husain Haqqani arrived here Tuesday evening to take up his assignment.
Deputy Chef-de-Mission Muhammad Aslam Khan and senior diplomats received Ambassador Haqqani upon his arrival in the U.S. capital.
Since his appointment as Pakistan’s top envoy to the U.S., Haqqani has been described in the American media as an influential figure in Washington’s diplomatic and political circles, having cultivated a wide range of contacts on the Capitol Hill and in American think tanks.
Shah Rukh Khan fan’s family awaits him in Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb,IANS,
Islamabad/Chandigarh : The father of Nasir Sultan, a 15-year-old Pakistani boy who has been imprisoned since August for having entered India illegally to meet Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, is hopeful that the Punjab and Haryana High Court will soon order his son's release.
The boy is lodged at the juvenile jail in Punjab's Faridkot town, about 250 km from Chandigarh, after he was arrested by Border Security Force (BSF) from near the India-Pakistan border.
India, Pakistan ‘closer’ to agreement on Sir Creek
By Manish Chand, IANS,
Islamabad : India Tuesday said it was "determined" to make the Siachen glacier "a mountain of peace" and stressed that the two countries are “closer" to an agreement on the disputed Sir Creek marshland.
"We are closer to an agreement on Sir Creek," Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon told reporters, referring to the 60-mile long estuary in the Rann of Kutch that separates India's Gujarat from Pakistan's Sindh province.
Iraq executes 23 prisoners
By IANS,
Baghdad : Iraq has executed 23 convicted prisoners in the past five days, six of which were carried out Monday, the government said.
India-Pakistan back-channel talks make sense: Pakistani daily
Islamabad: The revival of back-channel talks between India and Pakistan does make sense when it comes to deciding a course of action for the...
OIC condenms attack on Muslim in Assam
By IINA
Jeddah: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the attacks on Muslims in which 32 were killed, including women and children, in...
Abu Dhabi to host obesity symposium
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Around 400 medical professionals will participate in a symposium here on obesity Oct 16-17 to share new treatment methods and other aspects to fight the disease.
Student guns down vice-principal in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A vice principal of a private university was Tuesday shot dead by a student in Pakistan's Rawalpindi city, a media report said.
Iraq car bomb explosion kills 18
By Xinhua,
Mosul (Iraq) : At least 18 people were killed and 20 wounded Friday in a car bomb explosion in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, the police said.
The blast occured in a market in Tal Afar town, some 70 km west of the provincial capital of Mosul, a police official said on condition of anonymity.
The Nineveh province, some 400 km north of Baghdad, is considered to be one of the last strongholds of the Al Qaeda fighters in Iraq.
No military solution, seek political solution: Obama to Iraqis
Washington: In the face of Sunni militants' menacing advance towards Baghdad, US President Barack Obama has asked Iraqi leaders to come up with a...
No talks planned with Pakistan: India
Kathmandu : India Wednesday said there was "no structured meeting" planned between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.
"We (have not...
Two hurt in Pakistan blast
By IANS,
Peshawar : Two security officials were seriously injured Wednesday in a remote-controlled bomb explosion in northwest Pakistan, a media report said.
A security forces convoy was passing the Nala area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency when militants detonated the bomb, the Dawn reported on its website citing officials.
The injured were admitted to a hospital in Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
The security forces have cordoned off the area and started a search operation after the blast. A curfew was also imposed in Bara tehsil.
UN refugee chief lauds Iran’s generosity in hosting Afghans
By IRNA,
Tehran : The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has lauded Iran's long record of generosity in hosting uprooted Afghans and called on the international community to do more to ensure they can finally go home and rebuild their lives, UN Information Center said on Tuesday.
"In my work I'm used to visiting the worst places in the world, where people are suffering and life is tough," Antonio Guterres said on Friday, during a visit to Torbat-e-Jam, a camp located about 80 kilometres from the country's border with Afghanistan.
Hamas invites France FM to visit in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : A spokesman for Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza invited France Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Sunday to visit in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Kouchner, who is visiting in Israel, had earlier said that France is willing to mediate between Israel and Hamas to release captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and stop firing rockets at Israel "if France is asked to."
Pakistani security agencies present action plans to PM
Islamabad: Pakistan's security agencies presented options to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for responding to Taliban terror attacks across the country, media reported Wednesday.
Sharif's meeting...
Fatah al-Islam threatens fighting against “humiliation” in Lebanon
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Fundamentalist Sunni group Fatah al-Islam, defined by Lebanese government as a terrorist group, has vowed to confront those "bowing the heads of the Sunni in Beirut" with "bloodshed," pan-Arab Al-Hayat daily reported Thursday.
In an indirect reference to Shiite Hezbollah group, Fatah al-Islam said in a statement what happened in Beirut, "the killing, burning and humiliation to our Sunni people is not justified or accepted."
Iran passes bill to reduce ties with Britain
By IANS,
Tehran : The Iranian Majlis passed a bill Sunday to downgrade the country's diplomatic ties with Britain, a media report said.
Pakistan to move troops if Indian tensions worsen
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan will divert troops to its border with India and away from fighting militants on the Afghan frontier, if tensions erupt in the wake of the attacks on Mumbai, a senior Pakistani security official said on Saturday.
The next two days would prove crucial to relations between the nuclear-armed rivals, a second official said, after India blamed 'elements' from Pakistan for the coordinated assault on Mumbai that killed 195 people.
Italy to send military instructors to help Libyan rebels
By IANS,
Rome : Italy would send 10 military instructors to help Libyan rebels in the battle against forces led by Muammar Gaddafi, Italian Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa has said.
94 jailed in Saudi Arabia for joining jihadi ranks
Riyadh : Ninety-four people, mostly Saudi nationals, have been convicted in two separate cases and sentenced to up to 27 years in prison each...
Six killed in explosion at Pakistan funeral
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least six people were killed and about 25 injured Friday when an explosion ripped through a Shia Muslim funeral in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province, officials said.
An angry crowd took to the streets after the blast and some people fired guns into the air in Dera Ismail Khan city, 300 km south of the provincial capital Peshawar.
A small crowd also threw stones at police outside the hospital.
"Six bodies and 20 injured have been moved here," said Ashiq Saleem, head of the district headquarter's hospital.
Thirteen civilians, ten militants killed in Sawat operation
By KUNA,
Islamabad : At least 13 civilians and ten militantss were killed in the ongoing security forces operation against local Taliban militants in Pakistan's northern Sawat valley.
Security forces and militants are still exchanging heavy fire in Sawat and both sides are using heavy weapons and mortar shells, said security officials on Thursday.
Officials told KUNA that mortar shells hit two small houses in Kabal and Devali areas that killed at least 13 people from two families, including women and six children, while five people were wounded.
US, Iraq forces find 14 bodies in mass grave
By SPA
Baghdad : U.S. and Iraqi security forces found 14 bodies in a mass grave north of Baghdad and some showed signs of torture, the U.S. military said on Sunday.
U.S. forces said the grave was discovered in a neighborhood near Muqdadiyah, 90 km (55 miles) northeast of Baghdad. A similar grave of 37 bodies was found nearby on Friday, Reuters reported.
"The bodies appear to have been at the location for two to six months," the military said in a statement. "Some showed signs of torture and some had gunshot wounds to the head."
Election postponed in 4 NA, 8 provincial constituencies
By APP
Islamabad : Election was postponed in 12 constituencies, including four for National Assembly and eight for provincial assemblies, due to various reasons. For National Assembly seats, election was not held in NA-207 Larkana-Shikarpur-cum-Kamber Shahdatkot due to murder of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto on December 27, while polls on NA-119 Lahore-II were terminated due to death of PML’s Tariq Banday on February 5.
Dhaka Islamist leaders jailed for 1971 `war crimes’
By IANS,
Dhaka : A tribunal Monday ordered that four top leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) be jailed in connection with the "war crimes" committed during Bangladesh's 1971 freedom movement.
This was the first ruling given by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal that is trying Islamist militants accused of rape, loot and murder of thousands of unarmed civilians in the run-up to the movement that led to separation from Pakistan.
Pakistan postpones by-polls a second time
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Citing the law and order situation and the forthcoming budget, the Election Commission of Pakistan Monday postponed the June 18 by-elections by two months, triggering shock among the ruling coalition.
"In view of the law and order reports and because of the budget session due in June, the by-elections are being postponed," Election Commission Secretary Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad told IANS.
He said the elections would now be held Aug 18 and a new schedule issued.
IMF asks Pakistan to raise revenue target
By IANS,
Islamabad : The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to raise its tax collection target of Rs.1,250 billion ($16 billion) during the current fiscal, but no figure has been specified.
"Due to depreciation of the rupee by 24 percent against the dollar and higher inflationary pressure in the range of 20 to 25 percent, (the IMF says) the tax collection target should be fixed on the higher side of earlier target of Rs.1,250 billion," The News Friday quoted official sources as saying.
Iran to further clarify civilian use of n-plan to west
Tehran: Iran is likely to further clarify civilian use of nuclear plan in talks with western powers, as the country's Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif...
EU’s Solana hopes for Tehran’s positive response to six-nation nuclear incentives package
By Xinhua,
Tehran : EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Saturday that he hoped for a positive response from Iran soon to the nuclear incentives package offered by the six major world powers.
"I hope that the answer will be soon and positive," Solana told a press conference after talks with Iranian officials on Saturday.
"It is an offer that is going to be considered (by Iran) and we are waiting for the answer that they hope will be soon," he said, adding the offer is "full of opportunities for Iran" and may become the "starting point for real negotiations."
‘Contemporary art in Pakistan not here to stay’
By IANS,
Karachi : Contemporary art in Pakistan was not here to stay, an eminent art critic said here.
Explosion in Somalia kills Mogadishu official and 5 others
By SPA,
Mogadishu, Somalia : An explosion killed a Somali official, his wife and four others Saturday in the capital Saturday, witnesses and officials said.
Hassan Illmi Abtidoon, the deputy district commissioner of Mogadishu's Yaqshid district, was traveling in a car in the capital along with his wife, driver and three bodyguards, said Ahmed Gedi, who worked with the official.
FMs continue preparations for Islamic summit in Dakar
By KUNA
Dakar : Foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) continued on Tuesday their preparatory meeting for the 11th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, set for March 13-14.
Kuwait is represented at the two-day preparatory ministerial meeting by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.
35 militants killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Air strikes by US-led coalition forces killed 35 Taliban militants in eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province Thursday, an official said.
"US-led coalition forces pounded Taliban hideouts in Walmama district Wednesday night leaving 35 militants dead," said Hamidullah Zhwak, spokesman of the provincial administration.
Explosion in power plant kills 2 in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : A huge explosion Saturday morning hit a power plant in southern Afghan province of Helmand, killing two and injuring eight others, provincial police chief Mohammad Hussian Andiwal said.
"It happened around 9 a.m.(GMT0430) as explosion ripped through the administrative department of power plant in Gereshk district leaving two staffs dead and wounding eight others including six employees," Andiwal told Xinhua.
Pakistani minister says no consent given to US for raids in Pakistan
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Information Minister said Monday President Zardari has not given any form of consent to United States or allied forces to carry out strikes inside Pakistan.
Zardari told the Wall Street Journal that the U.S missile strikes in Pakistani tribal regions is under an understanding between the two countries.
"Unilateral actions by the U.S often serve as a setback to our joint efforts against terrorism, " Sherry Rehman said in a statement as Zardari statement has evoked strong resentment in the country.
Iran urges extraordinary OIC FM meeting
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iran has called for holding an extraordinary meeting of OIC foreign ministers to review the inhumane crimes committed by the Zionist regime.
The request was made in a message issued by Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki to Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.
Devising appropriate and urgent mechanisms to stop Zionists' crimes was one of the main reasons behind Iran's request for holding the OIC foreign ministerial meeting, Mottaki added.
Airstrikes continue against IS targets in Syria, Iraq
Washington : The US-led coalition continues to conduct airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in Syria and Iraq over the past two...
US urged to approve more aid for Pakistan’s progress and fighting terrorism
By APP,
New York : An influential U.S. newspaper Monday called on the Bush administration to back a plan for a $2.5 billion additional non-military aid to Pakistan as it urged the newly elected government to closely monitor developments along the Pak-Afghan after a peace deal with tribal leaders.
Polish oil worker abducted in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Unidentified gunmen kidnapped a Polish employee of an oil exploration firm and killed his driver and two guards in northwestern Pakistan Sunday, the police said.
Their vehicle was ambushed in Basal area of Attock district, about 85 km from the capital Islamabad.
"Attackers seized the Polish employee and shot dead his Pakistani driver and guards when they tried to put up resistance," a senior police official said on condition of anonymity.
Yemen Is One Of Major Countries Receiving Refugees: FM
By Bernama,
Sana'a : Foreign Minister Abu Baker al-Qirbi confirmed that Yemen faces exceptional situation since early 1990s because of continuous streaming of refugees from African Horn, saying that Yemen is one of major countries receiving refugees, Yemen News Agency (Saba) reported.
"Yemen has forgiveness policy towards refugee applicants, especially Somalis because of deep links between the two peoples," said al-Qirbi in the opening ceremony of the Regional Conference on Refugees Protection and International Migration held here on Monday.
Pakistani Taliban likely behind Danish embassy blast: officials
By AFP,
Islamabad : Pakistani Taliban militants likely carried out a suicide attack on the Danish embassy in Islamabad in revenge for controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, officials said Tuesday.
But the car bombing on Monday, which killed at least six people, was believed to be a one-off and would not scupper peace talks between the Islamist rebels and Pakistan's new government, a senior government official said.
PPP leader calls for calm in run up to Pakistan election
By IRNA
Islamabad : The leader of the main opposition party in Pakistan on Sunday called for calm in the run up to the election scheduled to be held on February 18.
Asif Ali Zardari, who replaced ex-PM Benazir Bhutto as Pakistan People's Party leader, said the bombers wanted Pakistan to give up on democracy.
Pakistanis go to the polls on Monday, in what is intended to be a landmark in the transition to democratic rule.
Some 80,000 soldiers have been deployed across the country to try to reassure voters amid fears of further violence.
Anti-terror raids not against Muslim community: Abbott
Melbourn: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Friday the ongoing counter-terrorism raids are against crimes and not against religion.
The remarks came while hundreds of...
US must target terrorist leaders in Pakistan: Book
By IANS,
New Delhi: Having eliminated Osama bin Laden, the US must target more and more terrorist leaders based in Pakistan, says a new book released here.
Three top commanders among 27 militants killed in Pakistan
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces have killed 27 miscreants and terrorists including 3 top commanders in 24 hours, army said Momday.
The commanders included Okasha, Malanga and Riaz while 3 Security Forces personel, including an officer have also been killed and 17 soldiers were injured.
Fierce clashes are taking place in different areas, said the army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas.
Abbas also told a news conference that the security forces are engaged with miscreants and the terrorists inside Kanju town in Swat to clear and secure the area.
UAE, China hold bilateral talks
By IANS/WAM,
Beijing : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China have discussed their strategic ties and ways to enhance bilateral relations between them.
Saudi relief plane lands in China
By IINA,
Cinchona, China : Saudi Arabia donated A Saudi Arabian plane carrying relief aid worth $50 million arrived here yesterday. This was in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz to provide China with urgent humanitarian aid and money following the earthquake which recently hit the country, causing huge losses and suffering.
The plane was received by Saudi Ambassador to China Yahaya Abdulkarem Al Zaid, Director General Assistant of Chinese Foreign Affairs Wen Zen Shon and a number of senior officials.
Jihad fires 4 rockets at Israel in revenge
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement's armed wing claimed responsibility on Thursday for launching four homemade rockets from northern Gaza Strip at southern Israel.
The group said in a leaflet sent to reporters that its militants fired four homemade rockets at the town of Sderot "in response to killing of an Islamic Jihad member in Rafah in southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday."
Turkey condemns Israeli land offensive on Gaza
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Turkey condemned on Sunday Israel's move to send ground forces into the Gaza Strip despite international warnings and calls for an end to the ground offensive.
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the country has earlier expressed its profound concerns about the Israeli air strikes and called on Israel to put an end to the strikes and allow dispatch of humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza.
Rice to attend Iraq security conference in Kuwait
By Xinhua
Washington : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said here Wednesday that she will attend an international conference in Kuwait in April to promote Iraq's security.
"I have just accepted the invitation of the Kuwaiti government to hold the third Iraqi neighbors conference toward the end of April," Rice told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The scheduled conference, a follow-up meeting in Istanbul in November, will be attended by Iraq's neighbors, UN Security Council permanent members including the United States and other G8members.
Bomb blast kills 21 civilians in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kandahar : A roadside bomb believed to have been planted by Taliban insurgents blew up a tractor in southern Afghanistan, killing 21 civilians including women and children, officials said Thursday.
The civilians were on their way to a wedding ceremony in the Darwaishan area of Garmsir in southern province of Helmand Wednesday when the incident occurred, Assadullah Sherzad, the provincial police chief told DPA.
Pakistan, China to continue cooperation in civil n-energy
Islamabad : China and Pakistan have agreed to continue bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, in line with...
Moussa calls for implementation of Arab initiative, supports Lebanese dialogue
By NNN-SANA,
Beirut : The Secretary General of Arab League Amr Moussa has called for the implementation of the Arab initiative for solving the Lebanese political crisis, pointing out that the invitation of Speaker of Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri to dialogue should not be refused.
In a speech at opening the Arab Economic Forum in Beirut on Friday, Moussa said that he exerts every possible effort to achieve progress in resolving the Lebanese crisis.
Jordanian King stresses need for stronger Arab solidarity
By NNN-Petra,
Amman : Jordan's King Abdullah II has underlined the need to achieve the highest degree of Arab solidarity.
During a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa Sunday, King Abdullah also called for an end to inter-Arab differences that constitute an obstacle to reaching an effective Arab stand in the face of political, security, and economic challenges.
Bush Calls Pakistan’s Musharraf
By SPA
Washington : President George W. Bush telephoned Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf following his party’s loss in parliamentary elections, but the White House said Thursday that the Pakistani people must decide the embattled leader’s political future.
“It’s now time for the newly elected folks to show up and form their government,” Bush said Wednesday during a news conference in Ghana that happened after the telephone call. “The question now is will they be friends of the United States. I hope so.”
30 police, paramilitary troops abducted in northwestern Pakistan
By SPA,
Peshawar, Pakistan : Police say militants have abducted 30 police and paramilitary troops in a northwestern Pakistan valley, the Associated Press reported.
Officer Ismail Khan said insurgents on Tuesday overpowered the security forces who were manning a security post in the Swat Valley.
Two British troops killed by blast in south Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti
Kabul : Two British troops from the NATO-led force in south Afghanistan were killed by a bomb explosion while on a routine patrol on Sunday, the British Defense Ministry said on Monday.
The fatalities bring the British death toll in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion up to 91.
The ministry said in a statement: "Just after 16:53 hours local time, the Marines were conducting a patrol in the vicinity of Kajaki, Helmand province, when the vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion."
Ramzan Far From Home – Indian Muslims in the Gulf
Special Correspondent, TCN
Dammam (Saudi Arabia): For the past three years, the month of Ramzan in the Arabian Peninsula has coincided with the winter season,...
Two Palestinian gunmen killed in Israeli airstrike
By RIA Novasti
Gaza : At least two Palestinian militants were killed and four wounded late on Sunday when an Israeli missile destroyed a car in Gaza City, local radio reported on Monday.
Radio Al Quds cited witnesses as saying that the gunmen belonged to the radical group Islamic Jihad, whose members have become the main target of Israeli airstrikes in recent weeks, launched in retaliation against frequent rocket attacks on Israeli towns bordering Gaza.
Four killed in Pakistan drone strike
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least four suspected militants were killed and two others injured in a drone strike in Pakistan's northwest tribal region Tuesday night, media reports said Wednesday.
Two killed in Kabul suicide bombing
Kabul: Two persons, including the attacker, were killed and 20 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up among people who had gathered to...
Terror common threat, don’t play blame game: Pakistan
By IANS,
New Delhi: Terrorism is a common threat for both India and Pakistan and a blame game will not help, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani said Thursday.
Gaza: UN official reports horrific hospital scenes of casuaIties
Tehran, Jan 13, IRNA -- Senior United Nations officials said Monday they were horrified at the human costs amid reports that over 40 percent of the nearly 900 Palestinians killed in the Israeli offensive, and almost half of the 3,860 wounded, were women and children.
Tide turns for jailed politicians, businessmen in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : The tide seems to be turning in Bangladesh. Scores of politicians, officials and businessmen jailed for many months, mostly on corruption charges, are starting to get bail with the courts rejecting the Emergency Rules under which they were arrested.
The development comes as the government is preparing for fresh elections to parliament in December and engaging political parties in a dialogue.
It may be a coincidence, but the courts are becoming increasingly assertive.
Kuwait participates in conference on climatic change
By KUNA,
Oslo : Kuwait is participating in a two-day international conference on climatic changes and official statistics that got underway here on Monday.
Kuwait is represented in the conference by the acting head of the central statistics department, Hessah Ibrahim Al-Janahi, and the specialist in statistics analysis, Amal Slaiman, besides the consultant of Kuwait embassy in Sweden, Faisal Saleh Al-Atiqi.
Conferees will be discussing international statistical reports concerning the climate changes.
20 killed in Nigeria explosion
Abuja: At least 20 people were killed in a bomb explosion that rocked Zaria city in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kaduna on Tuesday, provincial...
Hamas agrees to close breached Gaza-Egypt border
By Xinhua
Gaza : Hamas will work with Egypt to close their breached border, a senior Hamas official said on Saturday on returning from talks in Cairo.
"We will work to close the border between us and Egypt. We will gradually restore control over the border, in cooperation with Egypt. " Mahmoud al-Zahar told reporters here in Gaza upon returning from Cairo, adding that Egypt will close breached Gaza-Egypt border on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia cracks down on funding of militants abroad
Riyadh : A court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced 13 persons to varying jail terms for financing jehadis outside Saudi Arabia.
The criminal court in...
Turnout in Bangladesh’s ninth parliamentary elections sets record
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's ninth parliamentary elections held on Monday recorded a stunning 86.29 percent voter turnout, breaking all records of the previous national polls, the country's Election Commission said.
Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda told reporters at a press conference here on Thursday that the turnout makes record this time as there was a congenial atmosphere for the national polls.
"We took all kinds of measures to make the elections transparent and free from muscle power," he said.
Pakistan blames Al-Qaeda for hotel bombing
By AFP,
Islamabad : Pakistan on Sunday blamed Al-Qaeda linked Taliban militants for the massive suicide truck bombing at the Marriott Hotel that killed at least 60 people and injured more than 260.
Dramatic footage of Saturday night's attack showed the carnage could have been far worse, but the attacker failed to get through a secondary barrier when he crashed his explosives-laden truck into the hotel's security gates.
Kabul pact: Pakistan’s India discomfort makes it hard, says US
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
UN chief due on Gaza visit to assess damage
GAZA, January 20 (RIA Novosti) - UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon is due to visit the Gaza Strip on Tuesday to inspect the damage following Israel's three-week offensive on the densely-populated enclave, a UN source said.
The visit, part of a Middle East tour, comes as Israel started pulling out its troops on Sunday from Gaza and a warning by the UN that the cost of rebuilding the Hamas-controlled region could reach billions of dollars with millions more needed to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.
Pakistan’s development affected by wave of terrorism
By NNN-APP
Kasur : The current wave of terrorism in the country has badly affected the momentum of development and progress initiated by the Muslim League government in the last five years, said central vice president PML (Q) and former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri.
Talking to APP here, he regretted that in the recent suicide attack in Lahore precious lives were lost and severe injuries were caused to so many innocent people.
Israeli soldiers injured in car attack in West Bank
Jerusalem: Three Israeli soldiers suffered injuries Wednesday night in a suspected run-over attack near the city of Bethlehem in the West Bank, the Israel...
Dubai among venues for US Democrats’ global videoconference
By IANS,
Dubai : This west Asian metropolis is one of the five cities chosen by the US Democratic Party to discuss American foreign policy positions over videoconference this month ahead of the presidential elections later this year.
Jerry Hagstrom, a political analyst and a senior leader of the Democratic Party, will engage journalists and policy specialists from the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Denver between 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Aug 25 at the Dubai School of Government (DSG), the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
Abbas calls for more active European role in Mideast peace process
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday called on Europe for a more active role in the Middle East peace process in addition to its supportive economical role.
Abbas made his statements as he met with visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. They signed an agreement to establish an industrial zone in Bethlehem with a cost of 21 million U.S. dollars.
Bolivia, Libya Establish Diplomatic Relations
By Prensa Latina,
La Paz : The governments of Bolivia and Libya established diplomatic relations officially in virtue of an understanding memorandum Wednesday, signed in this capital.
David Choquehuanca, Bolivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Libyan Foreign Ministry General Director for America Mohamed Matri were in charge of signing the agreement.
The document highlights the intention of both countries to establish links of friendship based on equality and mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and domestic affairs.
35 terrorists killed in Pakistan air strikes
Islamabad : At least 35 suspected terrorists were killed when military planes shelled their hideouts in Pakistan's North Waziristan Agency Sunday.
According to the Inter-Services...
Two Palestinian gunmen killed in Israeli air strike
By RIA Novosti
Gaza : An Israeli missile killed at least two Palestinian militants and wounded one in central Gaza Friday morning, local radio reported.
The militants were hit near Maghazi refugee camp close to the Israeli border. They were identified as members of Saraya al-Quds, the military wing of the radical group Islamic Jihad.
The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike was launched against terrorist targets in the area.
Earlier Friday, Israeli gunboats fired at Palestinian fishermen in the northern Gaza Strip. No casualties were reported.
Opposition party says to form national reconciliation government
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which has emerged the single largest party in parliamentary elections, will form a government of national consensus with like minded parties, the party co-chairman said Tuesday.
Asif Ali Zardari told a news conference that he had talked to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and discussed the future plan.
The PPP has secured 85 National Assembly seats of 268 general seats on which elections were held on Monday.
Sharif's Muslim League-N has secured 65 seats and placed second in the number game.
Iran to receive frozen funds next week
Tehran : Iran will next week receive the fifth installment of the $4.2-billion frozen funds it was promised last year as part of an...
India exposes Pakistan’s ban on JuD, blames Mumbai attacks on ISI
By IANS,
New Delhi : Terming the organisers of the Mumbai and Kabul attacks as clients and creations of the ISI, India Thursday condemned the "licence" that banned terrorist outfits like Jamaat-ud-Dawa continue to enjoy in Pakistan.
"We have seen reports that representatives of terrorist groups Jaish-e-Muhammad, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Jamat-ud-Dawa participated in a public meeting yesterday at Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir," external affairs ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said here in response to a question.
Pakistan government ask EC to rescind decision on bypoll delay
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Pakistan government will ask the Election Commission to rollback its decision to postpone the June bypolls by two months after the issue snowballed into a major row within the ruling coalition The PML-N, a key ally in the coalition led by the Pakistan People's Party, yesterday sought action against senior PPP leader Rehman Malik after it emerged that he had asked the North West Frontier Province government to seek the postponement of the by-polls.
Abu Dhabi to build new refinery
By IANS
Abu Dhabi : The emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to build a new oil refinery, according to the general manager of Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company TAKREER, WAM news agency reported Monday.
The planned capacity of the new refinery would be 417,000 barrels per day (bpd) and it would be completed by 2013, Jasem Ali Sayegh said Monday while speaking at the ninth annual meeting of the Middle East Refining Conference in Abu Dhabi.
Restructure Pakistan’s education system: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : A complete restructuring of the education system is needed in Pakistan where the literacy level still remains among the lowest in the world, said a daily Monday.
Israeli defence chief blasts Russia-Iran weapons sale deal
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon on Tuesday slammed a Russian decision to lift a ban on selling an advanced missile defence system...
UN Sec-Gen, ‘Friends of Lebanon’ welcome diplomatic efforts to end crisis
By NNN-UNNS,
Beirut : A group that includes foreign ministers and representatives from the European Union and the Arab League, as well as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has welcomed an Arab League initiative to send a delegation to Lebanon to promote dialogue in the fractured country.
A statement released by the “Friends of Lebanon” called for the immediate election of a president without prior conditions and the establishment of a national unity government.
India, Bangladesh to start regular coastal shipping service
Dhaka : India and Bangladesh are all set to start a regular coastal shipping service, media here reported Tuesday.
It is likely to happen after...
ISF approves $ 72.2 million for Five Muslim Countries
By SPA,
Jeddah : The Board of Directors of the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF) has approved allocation of $ 72.2 million for five member states, namely Bangladesh, Indonesia, Burkina Faso, Jordan and Chad.
The Board of Directors, which has recently held its meeting under the chairmanship of Dr Ahmad Mohammed Ali, the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), reviewed the ISF's activities and future plans.
Over 10,000 Syrians escape to Turkey
By IANS,
Ankara : More than 10,000 Syrians fled to Turkey in last 10 days as clashes escalated on the Turkish- Syrian border, a media...
Yemen calls on Hamas and Fattah for settling dispute in Gaza
By SPA,
Sana'a : Yemen called on Sunday Palestinian Hamas and Fattah movements to stop current dispute in Gaza Strip to bring about security and stability as well as unity of the Palestinian people, the Yemeni news agency "SABAH" reported.
A source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed importance of resuming dialogue between the two movements, which was called by President Ali Abdullah Saleh under sponsorship of Qatar and participation of Arab League, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia in addition to Yemen within Yemeni initiative, Sana'a and Cairo agreements.
Arab postal services to set up new money transfer system
By IANS,
Dubai : Postal services of eight Arab countries, led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s Emirates Post, have signed an agreement to set up a regional, low-cost post-to-post money transfer system.
The new system would be backed by the International Financial System (IFS) software application of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 24th UPU Congress in Geneva recently by the heads of postal services of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen, apart from the UAE.
Rabies kills 5,000 in Pakistan every year
By IANS,
Islamabad : As many as 5,000 people die of rabies in Pakistan every year, experts say.
Indian Club in Bahrain completes 100 years
Manama : An Indian expatriates' club in Bahrain celebrated its 100th anniversary Friday.
The Indian Club was originally established in 1915 as the Bahrain Sports...
Arab publishers to join in Frankfurt Book Fair
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The Arab book industry will participate at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany this week, it was announced Wednesday.
Putin to undertake Middle East tour
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russian President Vladimir Putin will Monday start his tour of the Middle East, according to presidential aide Yury Ushakov.
Coalition soldier, militants killed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : A US-led coalition soldier and several Taliban militants were killed in a series of clashes and an explosion in Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday.
The soldier died of wounds he sustained during a roadside blast in the western region Monday, the US military said in a statement.
The nationality of the deceased soldier was not disclosed. Most of the soldiers under the coalition banner are from the US.
The Afghan ministry of defence said Wednesday that its forces killed four "enemies" in Delaram district of Farah province in the west of the country.
Pakistani court rejects bail for US man
By IRNA,
Islamabad : A court in Pakistan Monday dismissed the bail application of an American national, who was arrested in northwest on Friday for illegal stay, court officials said.
3-km-long painting to be created in Iran
By IANS,
Tehran : A three-kilometre-long painting will be created to mark the 30th victory anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, IRNA news agency reported.
The long painting will feature different subjects of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The Director General of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry's Office for Visual Arts, Mahmoud Shalouei, said that the painting measuring three kilometres in length will be created around the Museum of Contemporary Arts.
The work is to be painted by some 1,000 artists under the supervision of veteran Iranian painters, he said.
Unprecedented number of pilgrims this year exceeding 1.7 million
By NNN-KUNA,
Riyadh : More than 1.7 million pilgrims have arrived at the holy sites of Makkah to perform Hajj, breaking record number this season.
The number of incoming pilgrims registered 1.729,841 distributed over the air, sea and land ports.
This came in a cable sent by INterior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdelaziz to King Abdullah bin Abdelaziz on the occasion of completion of pilgrims arrival to Makkah.
Pilgrims will spend Tarwiyah day in line with the Sunnah (teachings) of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).
Greens worried after Karachi heavy water leak
By IANS,
Islamabad : The recent leak of heavy water at the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (Kanupp) has environmentalists and civil society activists in Pakistan worried.
Lebanon’s opposition has not refused Arab initiative – Arab League Sec-Gen
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : Ending the political crisis in Lebanon "does not need a miracle", Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said.
He said here Thursday that the Lebanese opposition did not "oppose" the Arab relevant initiative. "Efforts are intensified to get out of the current predicament, that does not need a miracle, especially a consensus candidate has already been agreed upon," Moussa told reporters following talks with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir.
India asks Pakistan to hand over Dawood Ibrahim
NewDelhi : India Saturday asked Pakistan to hand over the "country's most wanted" and 1993 Mumbai blasts' mastermind Dawood Ibrahim, while the Congress said...
Saudi King holds discussions with Palestinian President in Jeddah
By NNN-SPA,
Jeddah : Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has received at his palace here President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestinian National Authority and chairman of the Executive Committee of Palestine Liberation Organisation.
During the audience Sunday, they discussed the developments of the Palestinian issue, continual aggressions of Israeli forces on the Palestinian people, and the necessity of achieving a just and comprehensive peace ensuring Palestinians the establishment of an independent state on their national land with Al-Quds as its capital.
Two ‘generals’: 1971 surrender ceremony at Dhaka re-enacted
By Subir Bhaumik,
Dhaka : The singers had just finished their patriotic numbers when a shrill whistle rent the air.
A surge of men piled on...
UN opens new camps for displaced Pakistanis
By Xinhua,
United Nations : The UN has opened three new camps to house the displaced Pakistanis fleeing the war in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), officials said.
The displaced Pakistanis continue to pour into the camps as their homes were ravaged in the conflict between the security forces and the Taliban, the UN office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Monday.
The lack of funds has hampered the UN's relief efforts for displaced people, it said.
Zimbabwe NGOs urge EU to lift sanctions on Mugabe
By IANS,
Harare: A Zimbabwean association of voluntary organisations Monday called on the European Union (EU) to lift the sanctions on Zimbabwe's president and his...
Pakistan not to attend Bonn conference
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan will not attend a global conference on Afghanistan in Bonn Dec 5 in protest against the NATO air attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
Dozens killed in Baghdad bombings
By DPA,
Baghdad : At least four bombs exploded in central Baghdad Tuesday morning, killing dozens of people, according to reports.
Initial accounts from witnesses reported 42 dead and 90 wounded. The al-Arabiya broadcaster reported up to 65 deaths.
The explosions took place near a market in the centre of the Iraqi capital.
Witnesses described panic in the streets after the blasts, which hit the central districts of al-Shurja, al-Qahira, and al-Karkh.
26/11 mastermind Lakhvi gets bail in Pakistan
Islamabad : Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, one of the main accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case, was granted bail Thursday by an anti-terrorism court...
Most Muslim bodies don’t mind tricolour at madrassas
By Sanjay Sharma, IANS
Bhopal : The Jamaat-e-Islami in Madhya Pradesh may object to hoisting the national flag at madrassas, but many other Muslim bodies and intellectuals see no problem in such a move.
Anwar Safi, spokesperson of the Jamaat-e-Islami (Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh), had said in a statement Thursday that hoisting the tricolour on national festivals should not be mandatory for madrassas.
Iran rejects Brown’s offer to settle nuclear stand-off
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran Tuesday rejected the suggestions by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown that Tehran should "make the right choice" in its stand-off with the West over its controversial nuclear programme, IRNA reported.
In a speech in London earlier Tuesday, Brown said with continuing to enrich weapons grade uranium, Iran remained a "critical proliferation threat" and risked severe sanctions.
Iraqi police help US target terrorist in Syria: Report
By DPA,
Baghdad : The Iraqi police tipped the US military to the whereabouts of a senior Al Qaeda terrorist hiding in a Syrian border village that was the site of Sunday's controversial US raid, the al-Arabiya news network reported Tuesday.
The Dubai-based network reported that the US raid targeted Al Qaeda senior leader Badran Turki al-Hisan, who was of Iraqi origin.
It added that the Iraqi government had been demanding his handover from Syria since February when it labeled him one of the "most dangerous terrorists of Al Qaeda".
Israel warns against opening dialogue with Iran
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni warned US president-elect Barack Obama Thursday against holding a dialogue with Iran, saying Tehran could interpret such overtures as
"weakness."
But she added she was not concerned that a US administration under Obama would greatly change its attitude toward Israel.
"The bottom line is that also a US under Obama is not willing to accept a nuclear Iran," said Livni, who heads Israel's ruling Kadima party and is a leading candidate for the premiership in the country's upcoming parliamentary elections Feb 10.
Governor among 18 killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : An Afghan governor and at least 17 Taliban militants were killed in violence, authorities said Sunday.
India committed to Palestine cause, also to two-nation solution
United Nations : While supporting a two-nation solution to the burning Israeli-Palestinian conflict, India also maintained its strong commitment to the Palestinian cause,...
Pakistani Taliaban says government has increased attacks in tribal areas
Islamabad: Pakistan's outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has accused the government of increasing attacks on militant hideouts and raids on houses of its members in...
UAE expands food aid programme in Yemen
By IANS/WAM,
Sana'a : The UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) is expanding its food aid operations to needy people in three Yemeni governorates -- Al Mahwit, Hajjah, and Sana'a.
Russia calls for restraint amid Lebanon crisis
By Xinhua
Moscow : Russia on Monday called Lebanese political leaders to show restraint and calm in a bid to prevent further escalation of the most serious political deadlock that has sparked riots in the Arab nation.
"It is important to prevent further escalation and search for ways to settle all disputes by dialogue and within the Constitution," Itar-Tass news agency quoted Foreign Ministry sources as saying.
Pakistan, Turkish air forces to conduct joint exercise: official
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Air forces of Pakistan and Turkey will conduct joint exercises this month, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said on Monday.
"The Exercise would be conducted in Pakistan during the month of April," a PAF statement said." "To benefit from the expertise and professional experiences of each other, PAF and the Turkish Air Force (TuAF) are conducting a Joint Exercise 'Indus Viper-2008' in Pakistan," it said.
The statement said that a contingent of TuAF fighter aircraft and personnel will undertake joint planning and execution of various combat missions in the exercises.
Ask Bangladesh for better access, Tripura CM urges Modi
Agartala : Tripura has urged the prime minister to pursue Bangladesh so that it allows access to its water and land routes that could...
Arabic calligraphy expo opens in Dubai
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : An international Arabic calligraphy exhibition has opened here.
Bangladesh become first South Asia country to ratify International Criminal Court treaty
By EuAsiaNews,
Brussels : The government of Bangladesh has ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Statute will enter into force for Bangladesh on 1 June, 2010, bringing the total number of States Parties to the Rome Statute to 111, said the ICC which is based at the Hague, the Netherlands, in a statement Wednesday.
Obama convenes Mideast peace talks
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the first of a series of meetings Wednesday with leaders from the Middle East as he relaunches the peace process.
Netanyahu arrived at the White House for the private meeting with Obama that precedes separate Obama meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan's King Abdullah and Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak.
Obama is expected to deliver a statement following the meetings and host a working dinner for the leaders Wednesday night.
40 killed in Somalia
By Xinhua,
Mogadishu : At least 40 people were killed and 60, including 11 children, wounded when insurgents traded heavy fire with Somali troops and African Union (AU) peacekeepers Monday in the Somali capital, hospital sources and witnesses said.
Shelling began after insurgents fired mortars at the Mogadishu airport where a plane reportedly landed. AU peacekeepers at the airport and Ethiopian and Somali government forces returned the fire.
Yusuf Omar, an eyewitness in the capital, said that he saw five civilians killed by an artillery shell that hit the pavement near their house.
US targets Norwegian for joining Al Qaeda
Washington : The US Tuesday announced it has designated a Norwegian citizen as a terrorist for joining Al Qaedain Yemen.
Anders Cameroon Ostensvig Dale travelled...
Rainwater enters Zardari’s home, meetings cancelled
By IANS,
Islamabad : Choked pipelines caused rainwater to enter two floors of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's official residence, causing cancellation of at least three meetings.
Kuwait emir in landmark Tehran visit
Tehran : Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Sunday started a landmark visit to Tehran focused on mending fences between Iran and the...
Pakistani legislator calls for early completion of IP gas project
By IRNA,
Islamabad : A Pakistani parliamentarian on Thursday called for early completion of multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline project between Iran and Pakistan.
U.S.-Iraq security pact faces objections
By Jamal Hashim, Xinhua,
Baghdad : The long-delayed agreement which will keep the U.S. troops in Iraq after 2008 is confronted with objections as the expiration of the UN mandate is looming near.
The largest political bloc in the parliament, the Unified Iraqi Alliance (UIA), raised issue with a draft of the agreement on Sunday, further blurring the prospect that the deal will be able to come through by year's end.
Official: Pakistan to take action if India provides credible evidence
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior of Pakistan Rehman Malik Tuesday said if India provided credible evidence about culprits involved in the Mumbai attacks Pakistan would take action to bring them to justice.
Addressing a joint news conference with Interpol Secretary General Ronald Nobal here, Malik said India had neither provided any information officially to Pakistan about the arrest of a Pakistani national nor had it shared any concrete proof about those behind Mumbai attacks.
Pakistan’s Senate condemns U.S.-led coalition attack
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Senate Thursday adopted a unanimous resolution, strongly condemning an attack by Afghanistan-based coalition troops on a Pakistani border region, which resulted into the killing of some 20 people.
"The Chinook helicopter-borne ground attack supported by additional air assets based in Afghanistan is a gross violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Senate resolution said.