Suicide attacks, clashes kill over 30 in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : Two suicide attackers blew themselves up at the police headquarters in Kandahar city Sunday, killing and wounding more than 30, while two dozen Taliban were killed in airstrikes and clashes elsewhere in the country, officials have said.
The bombers detonated their explosives inside the police headquarters Sunday afternoon, provincial police chief Matiullah Khan said. Kandahar city is the capital of the province of the same name.
Pakistan PM apprises president about all-party meeting
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met President Mamnoon Hussain Thursday and apprised him of the decisions taken at an all-party meeting which...
Japan Troops to Iraq Unconstitutional
By Prensa Latina,
Tokyo : The Supreme Court of Nagoya City Thursday ruled unconstitutional the sending of Japan's Self-defence Forces to Iraq, in the first judicial sentence pronounced in the country in relation to the issue.
The mission of those troops in the Arab country is against the peaceful Japanese Constitution in force since the Second World War, said Judge Kunio Aoyama, when referring to article 9 of the Constitution.
According to that article, the Japanese people renounces to war as a sovereign right and the use of force as a means to solve international war conflicts.
Arab League Chief to visit Lebanon Thursday to complete Arab initiative mission
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa has said that he will be visiting Lebanon on Thursday to complete his mission on the implementation of the Arab Initiative to end the Lebanese political deadlock.
Moussa said in a press release Tuesday that there is hope in ending the Lebanese crisis based on the urgency of all the parties involved due to the deteriorating situation in Lebanon.
The Arab League chief stressed the importance of dialogue among the various parties and the election of a Lebanese president.
IDF: 20 Palestinian police stations to open in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that 20 Palestinian police stations will open in the West Bank cities as part of the plan to ease restrictions on Palestinians.
Besides seven that have been opened, three more Palestinian police stations will open in Jenin on Tuesday morning, according to an IDF spokesperson.
The Palestinian police will be in charge of keeping peace, while security responsibility for the city will still remain with the IDF, the spokesperson said.
Iranian president says Iran-Pakistan ties beyond enemies’ reach
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the enemies of Iran and Pakistan are not able to scrap ties between the two countries, Iran's English-language Press TV reported on Monday.
"Iran and Pakistan enjoy high potentials and opportunities to promote partnership," Ahmadinejad said in a meeting with visiting Pakistani Minister of Privatization, Investment, Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, Syed Naveed Qamar.
Taliban made $100 mn in drug profits: UN
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghanistan's Taliban militants made profits worth more than $100 million from illicitly grown poppy for the opium trade, the UN drugs office said Tuesday.
The Taliban were charging farmers growing poppy a 10-percent "tax" on their harvest, Antonio Maria Costa, head the of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said an interview with the BBC.
According to UNODC estimates, last year's illicit poppy harvest was worth $1 billion.
OPEC maintains current oil output in Cairo meeting
By Xinhua,
Cairo : The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said that it will maintain the current crude oil output until next month's meeting in Algeria.
OPEC's president Chakib Khelil, who is also Algeria's energy and mines minister, made the remarks after the consultative ministerial meeting of the group here Saturday.
No deal over Musharraf’s ouster: Rehman Malik
By IANS,
Islamabad : Some "friendly countries" played a role in the ouster of former president and military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has admitted but he stressed that "it cannot be termed as a deal".
"Few of our friendly countries levelled the surface for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan and negotiations were held with Musharraf on transfer of power with their reference. But it can not be termed as a deal," Malik told Ary News in an interview.
Pakistani woman fighter pilot hurt in crash
By IANS,
Islamabad : A woman piloting a fighter aircraft was injured while a villager was killed when her aircraft crashed in Pakistan's Punjab province, a media report said Tuesday.
New oil field discovered in southern Iran
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : A new oil field was discovered in the city of Abadan in the Persian Gulf province of Khuzestan, Minister of Oil Gholam-Hossein Nozari said.
He made the announcement on the sidelines of a national seminar on petrochemicals here Tuesday.
According to Nozari, the deposited oil in the new oil field, 'Arvand,' is estimated at 500 million barrels.
Iran sits on the world's second largest proven oil reserves worldwide and is the number four crude producer and the second in the OPEC.
PM Gilani says Pakistan confronting serious problems
By IRNA
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday that Pakistan is facing serious problems and the new coalition government will have to find out solutions to come up with the expectations of the people.
"We are confronting with serious problems," the Prime Minister said while launching a documentary of Pakistan People's Party founder and former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
Pakistani President Zardari vows to carry composite dialogue with India
By NNN-PTI,
United Nations : Vowing to continue the "composite dialogue" with India to resolve all outstanding issues, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said whether it is the "core issue" of Kashmir or cooperation in water resources, the two countries must accommodate each other's interests.
Zardari returns after China visit
By IANS,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari has returned to Pakistan after a three-day visit to Urumqi in Xingiang province of China and Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.
Olmert: Israel has might to defend against Iranian threat
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday that Israel has the might and power to defend itself against any threat from Iran, local media reported.
"Israel definitely sees itself threatened by Iran," Olmert was quoted by the website of local daily Ha'aretz as saying during a tour in northern Israel. "Israel has the might and power to defend itself against any threat."
India cautious on Iran sanctions, pitches for dialogue
By IANS,
New Delhi : With the UN Security Council (UNSC) Wednesday imposing fourth round of sanctions against Tehran, India has no choice but to implement new measures but New Delhi has let it be known that there is no alternative to dialogue to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue.
"Being a UN member, India will have to abide by the UNSC resolution. But we continue to advocate, as we have always done, dialogue and diplomacy to resolve issues relating to the Iranian nuclear programme," official sources said.
Mukhtar re-elected Chief of Paris-based Arab World Institute
By SPA
Algiers : Former Algerian diplomat Mukhtar Talib bin Diab has been re-elected as the Director General of the Paris-based Institute of the Arab World for a period of three years.
The Algerian Press Agency quoted Mukhtar as saying that the Institute will focus in the next stage on shedding light on the Arab world and its culture and values at a time when Islam-phobia is escalating in France and Europe.
Dhaka signs its biggest power deal
By IANS,
Dhaka: Bangladesh Thursday signed a mega deal to produce 1,017 MW of power in the next three to four years.
PCB unsure of Asif in series against Kiwis
By IANS,
Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keeping its fingers crossed on the request for a clearance for fast bowler Mohammad Asif to play in next month's limited-overs series against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates.
PCB had approached the International Cricket Council (ICC), seeking its assistance to get Asif cleared for the series scheduled Nov 3-13 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
It is not clear whether Asif, who was detained in Dubai last year over possession of a small quantity of drug, will be allowed to enter the UAE for next month's series.
India seeks Kuwaiti funds in infrastructure, signs three pacts
By Manish Chand, IANS,
Kuwait : With recession hitting its ambitious plans to expand infrastructure, India Tuesday turned to the oil-rich Kuwait for investments in projects ranging from petrochemicals and power to the construction of ports and airports.
The two countries also sought to give a 21st century complexion to their multi-faceted ties by signing three pacts in areas of culture, education and science and technology.
British Foreign Secretary reaffirms Britain’s support of Lebanon’s Doha accord
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has reaffirmed his government's strong support of the Doha Accord between the Lebanese fueding parties.
The future of Lebanon is not only important for the Lebanese but for the entire region, Miliband told reporters following his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri here on Sunday.
Britain believes that Lebanon's stability is vital for the whole region and that the Doha Accord provided the ground for more progress towards stability in Lebanon and the region, he noted.
UN chief wants peaceful political solution in Syria
Geneva : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday called for "all regional actors, and all those with influence over the Syrian parties, to work together...
Pakistanian govt to step up Balochistan development
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the government would ensure development of Balochistan to bring it at par with other provinces.
In a meeting with Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi at the PM House, the Prime Minister said the government would leave no stone unturned to provide basic facilities of life to the people in the province.
Gilani said a committee on Balochistan had completed its work and the government would soon take decision in this regard.
Damascus summit renews commitment to Arab solidarity
By Xinhua
Damascus : Arab leaders and their representatives Sunday renewed here at the closing session of the 20th Arab Summit commitment to boosting Arab solidarity in protecting Arab security and overcoming inter-Arab differences.
The commitment was reaffirmed in the Damascus Declaration read by Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa at the closing session.
It also expresses favor of Arab higher interests above any differences and Arab willingness to stand together against political and economic pressures put on any Arab country.
Syrian army claims killing 50 rebels near Damascus
Damascus : The Syrian Army announced Thursday that it had killed at least 50 "terrorists", as it describes anti-government insurgents, in an ambush outside...
EU delegation arrives in Baidoa for talks with Somali officials
By NNN-ENA
Addis Ababa : A delegation from the European Union (EU) has visited Baidoa, Somalia, for talks with the top officials of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia to assure the government of international support, according to a SomaliNet report from Baidoa.
The delegation, which was in Boadoa on Saturday, was led by French Ambassador to Kenya Elizabeth Barber. The delegation members met the Somali Parliament Speaker, Acting President Sheikh Aden Madobe and Prime Minister Nor Adde, the report said.
Pakistani intellectuals laud Iranian electoral process
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani intellectuals here Monday praised Iranian electoral process, saying it has become a precedent for Muslim countries.
Speaking to IRNA about Iran's upcoming Presidential elections, scheduled for June 12, they said that despite the western propaganda Iranian democracy is self explanatory.
Air Marshal (Retd.), and former Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE, Syed Qaiser Hussain, expressing his views said that the elections in Iran have always been held in a transparent manner which is a good omen for the rest of the Islamic world.
Iran president’s visit to Iraq set to boost bilateral relations-Iraq PM
TEHRAN, February 14 (RIA Novosti) - A visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Iraq next month will help advance bilateral relations, the Iraqi prime minister said on Thursday.
An Iraqi government spokesman said earlier Thursday the two-day visit would start on March 2. Ahmadinejad will meet with President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
"We are attaching great importance to President Ahmadinejad's visit. His trip could help develop and deepen bilateral relations," Nouri al-Maliki said.
33 Indians die during Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh: Thirty-three Indians have died of illness or old-age ailments during the Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia this year, a media report said Saturday.
The...
India, Palestine hold talks on bilateral issues
By IRNA,
New Delhi : Visiting President of Palestinian, Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday held talks Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. West peace process and bilateral issues are understood to have been discussed at length during the talks.
Later an agreement on the construction and equipping of a school named after the first prime minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in Abu Dees in Palestine was signed.
The USAID launches flagship program
By SPA
Islamabad : The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a five-year $60 million flagship programme on child spacing called Family Advancement for Life and Health (FALAH).
FALAH is a visionary programme that applies lessons learned during the past 40 years about how to deliver family planning services effectively and explores new solutions to the many challenges facing Pakistan s family planning programmes, said Anne Aarnes, the Mission Director of USAID in Pakistan, according to a U.S. Embassy Islamabad statement.
Senior insurgent leader killed in eastern Afghanistan
By NNN-Xinhua,
Kabul : Maulawi Abdul Malik, a senior insurgent leader, has been killed in eastern Afghan province of Logar during an operation led by Afghan troops, the NATO-led military said here.
he operation was conducted on May 27 to disrupt bomb-making cells and operations throughout the region, according to a statement of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
The ISAF said the militant's group is linked to the burning down of two girls' schools and threats to locals attending English and computer courses.
Haj: Malaysia asks for higher special quota from Saudi Arabia
By NNN-Bernama,
Kota Baharu (Kelantan, Malaysia) : The government is negotiating with the Saudi Arabian authorities for special additional quota for Malaysians to perform the Haj so more could do so.
Minister in Prime Minister's Department, Jamil Khir Baharom, said the 26,000 quota now was not enough given the rising number of pilgrims each year.
He said given the existing quota there was concern that some elderly folks would not be able to perform the Haj.
"This was because elderly people, especially those 75 years and above, were more prone to various sickness risks.
Fencing along India-Pakistan border almost complete: Centre
New Delhi : Nearly 2,000 km of fencing along the India-Pakistan border has been put in place even as cases of cross-border infiltration are...
Karachi police arrest four suspected target killers
By IANS,
Islamabad : Karachi police Wednesday claimed to have arrested four suspected target killers allegedly involved in the killing of 73 people.
Businesss community roped in for Bangladesh political talks
By IANS,
Dhaka : The interim government in Bangladesh has involved the business community and diplomats in an effort to persuade leaders of the two principal parties to join in the political dialogue to prepare for elections this year.
However, the political dialogue could be stalled by demands for the release of the jailed former prime ministers, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, who are facing trial in graft cases.
Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Hasina's Awami League (AL) took identical 'no-freedom-no-talks' positions as the dialogue entered the fourth day Thursday.
Kayani, top US official have short, crisp talk
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had a "short and crisp" talk with a top US military official during which they discussed ways to improve regional security.
Australia seeks free trade pact with Gulf states council
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi:Australia is seeking a free trade agreement with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), WAM news agency reported Sunday.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Trade Minister Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi and Australia's foreign affairs department secretary Dennis Richardson held a discussion in this regard here Sunday.
The two sides also discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade, global economic crisis and the agenda of the upcoming World Trade Organisation meeting.
US urges Israel to avoid civilians’ deaths
Washington: The US Thursday urged Israel to do more to protect civilians in its conflict with Hamas militants.
"What we're asking for is a redoubling...
Pakistan must act against terrorists in own interest: PM
By IANS,
Mumbai : India has given enough proof that terrorists responsible for the Nov 26 attacks on India's commercial capital were from Pakistan and Islamabad bring them to book, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Saturday.
“Pakistan must work against Lashkar-e-Taiba, and other terrorist outfits must be shut down, in its own interest,” the prime minister told The Economic Times Awards function at the Trident Hotel, one of the 10 properties targeted during the Nov 26 attacks.
Chaos in Tehran after heavy snowfalls, government closes offices
By SPA
Tehran : Heavy snowfalls and temperatures reaching more than ten degrees below zero caused chaos in Tehran on Sunday forcing the Iranian administration to close down all government offices for the next two days, according to dpa.
In a statement carried by the website of state television network IRIB the government said all schools and universities would also be closed on Monday and Tuesday as weather forecasts said the heavy snowfalls and minus temperatures were to continue.
Arrest warrant for Khaleda Zia’s former secretary
Dhaka : A Bangladesh court Sunday issued arrest warrants against 11 people, including Khaleda Zia's former political secretary Harris Chowdhury, in the murder case...
Bangladeshi officials enter India, sent back
Agartala : Four Bangladeshi intelligence officials who illegally entered Tripura were beaten up by villagers but were allowed to go back after Indian officials...
New Yorkers applaud Pakistani documentary
By IANS,
Islamabad : Oscar-winning Pakistani documentary "Saving Face" has been screened in New York and was well-received, it was reported here.
Hindu housholds, temple attacked in Bangladesh
Dhaka : An around 3,000-strong mob attacked Hindu households and a temple in Bangladesh's Comilla district, media reported Monday.
The attacks took place Sunday after...
Ahmadinejad officially welcomes Turkmen counterpart
By IRNA,
Tehran : Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad officially welcomed his visiting Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.
Ahmadinejad received Berdymukhamedov in his office in the presidential venue.
The two presidents reviewed guards of honors after they listened to the anthems of the two countries played at the beginning of the reception ceremony.
The Turkmen president arrived in Tehran Friday evening at the head of a ranking delegation.
He is accompanied by all his cabinet members in his two-day visit.
Saudis deny secret meetings to end dollar as oil currency
By DPA,
London/Dubai : The director of Saudi Arabia's central bank Tuesday denied press reports suggesting that Gulf states had held secret talks to replace the dollar as the prime currency on world oil markets.
"There is absolutely no truth to this report," Mohammed al-Jasser, head of the Saudi central bank, told the satellite news network al-Arabiya.
‘Iran will not stop high-grade uranium enrichment’
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran will not stop high-grade uranium enrichment and it will also not close down the Fordo nuclear site, the country's nuclear chief told ISNA news agency Sunday.
Bangladesh, UNHCR agree to repatriate Rohingya refugees of Myanmar
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Bangladesh and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Tuesday agreed to reestablish trilateral mechanism with Myanmar to repatriate remaining 27,000 Rohingya refugees here back to Myanmar.
"Our intention is to reestablish the trilateral mechanism between Bangladesh, UNHCR and Myanmar to create condition for voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar," visiting UNHCR chief Antonio Guterres told reporters after meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.
UN assessment doubles flood homeless in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : The UN Thursday doubled to four million its estimate of the number of people left homeless by floods in Pakistan as the deaths of three children in a relief camp intensified fears of disease outbreaks.
UN officials have said that millions of displaced people are living under open skies, apparently without access to clean drinking water and proper food.
Australians want troops back from Iraq, Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Canberra : A peace rally in central Sydney Sunday urged the Australian government to withdraw troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Stop the War Coalition rally was held in Belmore Park ahead of the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.
Alex Bainbridge, one of the leaders who addressed the rally, said one million people had been killed since the war began and demanded Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who promised to pull out the 500 Australian soldiers from Afghanistan, keep his words.
When terrorists’ attacked Army Public School in Peshawar
Peshawar : When a band of terrorists stormed the Army Public School in Peshwar and at least 12 children were killed, a sense of...
Israel reseals Gaza border after mortar attacks
By RIA Novosti,
Tel Aviv : Israel has closed Gaza border crossings after Palestinian militants launched mortars at the south of the Jewish state, violating the Egypt-sponsored truce deal reached last week, a spokeswoman for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday.
The first shells landed in the vicinity of Israel's southern Negev region near the Karni checkpoint early on Tuesday. A few hours later, rockets hit the city of Sderot and an open area in western Negev.
IAEA says Iran has had no diversion in nuclear activities
By IRNA,
Vienna : Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Muhammad ElBaradei in a report released late Monday said the Agency has been able to continue to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran.
The report which was submitted to the 35 member states of IAEA Board of Governors said, "Iran has provided the Agency with access to declared nuclear material and has provided the required nuclear material accountancy reports in connection with declared nuclear material and activities."
Israeli, Palestinian security officers hold 1st meeting
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian and Israeli security chiefs met in the West Bank city of Jenin for the first time in years, Palestinian security sources said on Tuesday.
Palestinian senior officers participated in the meeting, took place in the main Palestinian security headquarters in Jenin, with Israeli army commander of West Bank district Brig. Gen. Noam Tibonand head of civil administration Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai.
UAE firm buys stake in Finnish company for $177 mn
By IANS,
Dubai/Chennai : The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) renewable energy firm Masdar has acquired 40 percent stake in a Finnish wind turbine manufacturer for $177.3 million to become a key player in the global energy market. Controlling stake in the company WinWinD Oy is with India's Sterling Infotech Group.
Masdar has paid 120 million euros ($177.3 million) to acquire the stake in WinWinD Oy. With this investment, Masdar has established its presence in all forms of renewable energy, Masdar said in a statement.
Thank you India! says Pakistan with box of mangoes
By Arvind Padmanabhan, IANS,
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday received an unexpected, yet pleasant, gift from Pakistan when a box of choicest mangoes arrived at his office, sent with the best compliments of his counterpart from across the border.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani sent the delicious shipment to Manmohan Singh, soon after accepting India's $5 million assistance toward flood relief in Pakistan.
Test launch of Pakistani ballistic missile successful
Islamabad : Pakistan authorities on Monday conducted a successful test launch of the 'Shaheen-III' surface-to-surface ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads...
Bush Orders Halt on Troop Withdrawal
By Prensa Latina
Washington : US President George W. Bush announced on Thursday an indefinite pause in troop withdrawal from Iraq and reduced the length of combat tours there to 12 months, down from the current 15-month stay.
In a speech at the White House Cross Hall, the president backed the suggestion of his top war commander in Iraq Gen. David Petraeus, who appeared before Congress this week along with US Ambassador to Baghdad Ryan Crocker.
Taliban releases audio of new leader
Kabul : The Afghan Taliban on Saturday released an audio tape of Mullah Mohammad Akhtar Mansoor, who was elected the new leader of...
Chinese engineer abducted, released in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A Chinese engineer, who was abducted by the Taliban in August last year, has been released, officials said Sunday.
The engineer arrived at the Chinese embassy here Sunday after he was released Saturday by the Pakistani Taliban insurgents in the northwestern part of the country.
China's envoy to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui met Long Xiaowei and offered him greetings. Luo also thanked the Pakistani authorities for securing Long's release.
Cyber attack on Estonia a wake-up call to all security organisations and govts: paper
By WAM
Dubai : With access to the internet available to the majority of the world courtesy of satellite links, and at the last count over 50 million web sites, it becomes ever more difficult to track down those who would use the internet with criminal intent, opined a Dubai-based English language paper.
Equally, it said, and with more commerce and governments resorting to the internet, the opportunities for creating economic havoc through cyber attacks increase.
Iranian-born Israeli arrested on suspicion of spying
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Police in Israel have arrested a 55-year-old Iranian-born Israeli on suspicion of passing sensitive intelligence information to Tehran, the police have said.
The suspect was arrested earlier this month and brought before a court Sunday.
According to reports, the suspect, who was not identified, agreed to cooperate with Iranian intelligence in order to pass them personal information on employees in the security establishment. He apparently made contact with his handlers during visits to Turkey.
However, the suspect's lawyers has denied the charges.
Over 300 Jordanians protest against lifting of fuel subsidies
By Xinhua
Amman : More than 300 Jordanians staged a sit-in outside the Jordanian Professional Associations Complex during this weekend in protest against the government's decision to lift fuel subsidies this year, the Jordan Times reported on Sunday.
Jordan Bar Association (JBA) President Saleh Armouti described the decision as political rather than economic, saying it was taken in response to requests by the International Monetary Fund.
Iran seeks international committee to disarm nuclear powers
By RIA Novosti,
New York : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in his speech to the UN General Assembly that an international committee should be set up to oversee the nuclear disarmament of all countries with atomic weapons.
In his speech on Tuesday, Ahmadinejad said that his country would not give in to demands by some Western countries to cease its own nuclear program, which Iran says is aimed only at electricity generation, but that Tehran remains open to dialogue.
"The Iranian nation is ready for a dialogue, but it has not and will not meet illegal demands," he said.
Aussie Defence Minister tells of Afghanistan concerns
By NNN-Bernama
Melbourne : Coalition forces in Afghanistan may be going backwards in their fight against Taliban extremists because of inadequate local military backup, Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon says.
Ahead of a likely rejig of Australia's deployment in Afghanistan, Fitzgibbon expressed concern that Afghan military personnel trained by NATO forces had been unable to hold ground against a resurgent Taliban.
"Some very, very good gains have been made in Afghanistan," he told ABC radio.
Israeli minister comes under fire from Gaza
By DPA
Tel Aviv : Israel's Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter and his delegation came under fire from Gaza Friday as they were touring Israel's border area near the strip, the minister said.
Dichter escaped unharmed, but his bureau chief, Matti Gil, was said to have sustained injuries.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed Palestinian militants opened fire from the Gaza Strip, aiming either at the group of officials and civilians, or possibly at nearby army outposts or patrols. She confirmed one person was injured.
Zardari shocked, delighted before filing of nomination for presidency
By IANS,
Islamabad : Three developments on the eve of the filing of nomination papers by presidential candidates brought mixed feelings to Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
The news about withdrawal of money laundering charges against Zardari by a Geneva prosecutor thrilled the presidential candidate of the PPP. But London's Financial Times shocked him saying the leading contender for the presidency is “suffering from severe psychiatric problems”.
UAE backs Syrian people, says minister
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: The UAE is committed to support the people of Syria during their current crisis, a minister has said.
Iran’s increased strength equals Islamic World’s might – Syrian Official
By IRNA,
Damascus : Governor General of Syria's Halab Province Thamer al-Hojjah said here increased strength of the Islamic Republic of Iran equals greater might of the Islamic world.
According to IRNA correspondent in Syria, al-Hojjah made the comment in a meeting with visiting Iranian Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad-Hossein Saffar-Harandi.
Polio vaccinator kidnapped, found dead in Pakistan
Islamabad: The bullet-riddled and severely tortured body of a female polio vaccinator, who was kidnapped from her house in Peshawar in Pakistan, has been...
Pakistani Army reviews anti-Taliban operations
By IANS,
Rawalpindi : The lessons learnt from the military's anti-Taliban operations in the country's restive northwest were reviewed by the Pakistani Army at the Corps Commanders conference that began here Thursday.
Quoting military sources, Online news agency reported that during the course of the conference, the constructive and positive strategies of Pakistan Army in Operation
Rah-e-Rast in the Malakand division of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) were discussed.
Iran-IAEA cooperation enjoys proper pace; Hosseini
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has had a proper pace, Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said on Sunday.
"Iran-IAEA cooperation is aimed at removing outstanding ambiguities and is taking place within the framework of their action plan," Hosseini stressed during his weekly press conference.
He made the remarks commenting on statements by the IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei who recently said cooperation between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog should promote and get a quicker pace.
Security Council to release Iraq from UN chapter that recognizes its tutelage
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Washington has informed Baghdad of a tentative approval by the UN Security Council (UNSC) to release Iraq from the Chapter VII of the UN Charter that recognizes its tutelage, Iraq's state-run al-Sabah newspaper reported Saturday
Visiting U.S. envoy to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad informed top Iraqi officials the approval of most UNSC members, an Iraqi parliament member who declined to be named was quoted as saying.
The tentative approval came after Iraq recently signed a security pact and an agreement on strategic framework cooperation with the U.S.
Eight killed, 17 injured in fresh Iraq violence
By DPA,
Baghdad : A fresh outbreak of violence across Iraq, including an attack on four shepherds near the northern city of Mosul, killed at least eight people and injured 17 others, security officials said Monday.
Gunmen shot dead the shepherds west of Mosul, 400 km north of Baghdad, police told the Voices of Iraq VOI news agency.
They also abducted two women and a child who were accompanying the shepherds.
A man wearing an explosives belt was shot dead by police, east of Mosul, after he opened fire on them, security sources said. The police then detonated the belt.
US reiterates diplomatic approach to Iran
By Xinhua
Washington : The US reiterated Wednesday that it would continue trying to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issues.
"There's no one in the administration that is suggesting anything other than a diplomatic approach to Iran," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.
Perino denied the resignation by William J. Fallon, head of the US Central Command, was the result of a disagreement with President George W. Bush on Iran.
France welcomes Iraqi decision to reintegrate some Baathists
By NNN-KUNA
Paris : France has welcomed the decision by Iraq's parliament to allow for the rehabilitation of certain Baathists who did not hold senior positions during the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein.
The Iraqi parliament has now decided to allow lower level members of the Baath party to be reintegrated in jobs in the public service, and all former members will receive pensions, according to a new law.
ISAF regrets civilian deaths in Afghanistan
By NNN-KUNA,
Kabul : The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) regretted the killing of four civilians and injuries to three others in its firing in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar.
A statement from ISAF headquarters here said the civilians were killed and injured as a car driver did not stop despite several signals by the multinational force soldiers.
The troops tried repeatedly to signal the fast-approaching vehicle with passive measures, but fearing for their safety, they fired on the vehicle.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister calls for cementing relations with Pakistan
By SPA
Islamabad : Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has stressed the need of further boosting people to people contacts between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Speaking to the members of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Bogollagama said the business community in both the countries must play active role to exploit trade potential between both the countries and sharing experiences of each other for mutual benefit.
UN chief renews calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire
By DPA,
Cairo : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday renewed his calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and stressed that all UN member states are obliged to abide by Security Council resolutions.
He made his appeal after his meeting with Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak in Cairo where he arrived as fighting in Gaza entered its 19th day and the Palestinian death toll neared 1,000. In the second such strike this week, militants in Lebanon fired three Katyusha rockets into northern Israel Wednesday morning.
Kashmiri protestors march on Indian embassy
By DPA
Islamabad : More than 200 Kashmiri protestors demanding self-determination for their homeland marched on the Indian embassy here Tuesday as Pakistan observed a national holiday highlighting the region's plight.
The men holding placards demanding freedom and chanting pro-democracy slogans marched into the capital's heavily guarded diplomatic quarter and held a brief protest outside the Indian mission.
Israel’s Olmert says peace accord with Palestinians unlikely in 2008
By SPA,
Al-Quds city (Jerusalem) : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he doesn't believe a peace accord can be reached with the Palestinians in 2008, the Associated Press reported.
Speaking to the parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Olmert says the status of Jerusalem is unlikely to be resolved that quickly.
I don't believe that understandings that will include Jerusalem can be reached this year, he said Monday, according to a participant in the meeting. There is no practical chance of reaching an overall understanding on Jerusalem.
Hamas blames int’l parties for involving in Palestinians’ internal problems
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement on Saturday blamed international parties for their involving in th ePalestinians' internal problems.
"These parties still keep on its role in arming and training a Palestinian group against another group," said Hamas' spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.
Hamas added the Quartet of Middle East players, represented in the Palestinian territories by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, was one of those parties.
Pakistan train blast toll rises to 16
Islamabad: The number of people killed in a train blast in Pakistan's Balochistan province Tuesday reached 16 at night with 40 people being injured,...
Two die in Afghanistan suicide bombing
By IANS,
Kabul: Two Afghan civilians were killed while five were wounded in a suicide bombing that targeted a police convoy in the country's northern...
West must build on success of Iran-IAEA work plan – US academics
By IRNA
London : Two American academics on Wednesday praised the success of Iran cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and suggested that the west should build upon this rather than seeking more sanctions.
The IAEA process, particularly last year's agreed work plan "is working," said Ray Takeyh, a senior fellow at the US Council on Foreign Relations and Joseph Cirincione, the incoming president of the Ploughshares Fund to prevent the threat of nuclear weapons.
US military hands over former headquarters to Iraq
By IANS,
Washington : Camp Victory, the US military headquarters in Iraq, has been handed over to Iraqi authorities, BBC reported Friday.
Stranded NATO trucks destroyed in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : More than 25 oil tankers and trucks carrying supplies to US and NATO forces were destroyed in an overnight attack in Pakistan's remote town of Chaman on the Afghan border, police said Monday.
Hundreds of lorries were stranded at the Chaman border crossing in Pakistan's south-western Balochistan province after Afghan truckers blocked the road link Friday to protest strict checks of inbound vehicles by Pakistani security forces.
Brain drain leading to mediocrity: Pakistani daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Brain drain "accounts for the growing mediocrity" in Pakistan, a leading daily said Monday.
UN report ignores devious Hamas tactics, says Israel
By DPA,
Tel Aviv/New York : Israel Tuesday rejected a UN report that held it responsible for civilian deaths and damages in Gaza earlier this year, saying it did not "intentionally fire" at UN installations and charging that Hamas used civilians as shields.
A summary of the report, delivered by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York, said investigators found that Israeli missiles killed 30 to 40 Palestinians in the immediate vicinity of the Jabalia school in Gaza Strip, where hundreds of others had taken refuge during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Rulers and their reigns in Middle East and North Africa
By IANS,
Cairo : Here is a list of leaders in Middle East and North Africa who have been in power for years:
US Planes Kill More Iraqi Civilians
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : The US air force killed five and wounded 8 in an attack to a residential area in southeastern Baghdad, reported police sources.
"The United States army carried out the air raid against Al Amil town at about 01:00 local hour," declared an agent who wanted to remain anonymous.
According to a police version the action took place against alleged rebel positions in three areas, killing five civilians, including a father, mother and son of the same family.
The air raid completely destroyed houses and seriously damaged other close buildings.
Qatar telecom operator finds place in Guinness Book
By IANS,
Dubai : Qatar's leading telecommunications provider Qtel finds a mention in the latest edition of the Guinness Book of World Records for auctioning off the world's most expensive mobile number.
Though the auction took place two years ago, it finds mention only in the 2009 edition, scheduled for release worldwide Thursday.
The number 666-6666 was auctioned for a record 10 million Qatari riyals ($2.75 million according to then exchange rates).
UAE to host autism forum
By IANS
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host a meeting to discuss the problems faced by autistic children April 5-8, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
The forum will be organised by the Zayed Higher Foundation for Humanitarian Welfare, Special Needs and Minor Affairs.
Aysha Al Mansouri, director of Abu Dhabi Autism Centre, said: "The forum will provide autistic children and their parents a real opportunity to share experiences and information about academic and social integration."
Palestine: Hamas welcomes European parliament pressure on Israel
By NNN-IRNA
Gaza : Hamas on Friday welcomed a European Parliament resolution calling for an end to Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement that Hamas welcomes the initiative taken by the European Union for an end to the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip.
"Regarding the call for an end to rocket fire, we maintain that the problem lies in the Israeli occupation, aggression and siege of our people. Hamas is ready to examine any initiative that can put an end to Israeli aggression."
Zawahiri warns of new attacks on Western countries involved in Iraq war
By Xinhua,
Cairo : Al-Qaida's No. 2 leader Ayman al-Zawahiri warned Tuesday in his latest audiotape that the terror group still plans to target Western countries involved in the Iraq War.
The tape, which appeared on an Islamic web site, could not be immediately confirmed as authentic, but the voice sounded like past audiotapes from al-Zawahiri.
When asked if the group still plans to attack Western countries that participated in the Iraq War, al-Zawarhi said, "My answer isYes! We think that any country joined aggression on Muslims must be deterred."
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to be impeached
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's ruling coalition Thursday decided to impeach President Pervez Musharraf following his failure to win the trust of the newly elected parliament and also to reinstate the judges he had sacked after declaring an emergency last November.
"Good news for democracy in Pakistan!" Asif Ali Zardari, co-chair of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that leads the ruling coalition, declared as he addressed a news conference to announce the impeachment move.
Can’t wish away foreign militants in Pakistan: Musharraf
Karachi, March 9 (IANS) Admitting to the presence of foreign militants in Pakistan's restive northwest, former president Pervez Musharraf said the issue should be addressed head-on as it could not be wished away.
"There are foreigners sitting here in our territory. Call them Al Qaeda, militants or by whatever name, but there are there," Musharraf said at a press conference here on his return from attending an international conclave in New Delhi.
Iran to quit n-talks if pressure mounts: Negotiator
Tehran : Iran will quit the nuclear talks if the other side comprising of six major world powers aimed to impose its will on...
Iran to claim damages for losses in world wars
By IANS,
Tehran: Iran plans to seek reparations from countries like the US and Britain for inflicting damage on it during the two world wars.
The Iranian parliament has called for setting up of a committee which will ask the warring nations to pay a compensation for causing destructions and extensive casualties in the country during first and second world war, IRNA news agency reported.
Zardari’s sister wins
By IANS,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari's sister Faryal Talpur won the Larkana in the general elections, a media report said Sunday.
British bomb disposal expert killed in Afghanistan
By IRNA,
London : A British bomb disposal expert was killed in a gunfight with insurgents in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced Monday.
The solider, attached to the joint force explosive ordnance disposal group, was killed by small arms fire in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province on Sunday.
The latest death brings the total the number of British troops to have been killed in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban regime in 2001 to 309.
Al Qaeda leader pledges allegiance to new Taliban chief
Kabul : Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has pledged allegiance to the newly-appointed Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Akhtar Mansoor, the media reported on Thursday.
“We...
Curfew in BAsra, Maliki vows to track down perpetrators
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Iraqi government has imposed a curfew in Basra city following several violent incidents there.
Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and several high-ranking military officials met in Basra Monday to discuss the security situation in the city.
The National Defence Centre announced that a full curfew would be imposed on the city Monday until further notice.
Security officials in Basra city affirmed that the curfew would enable the police and military to apprehend the perpetrators.
Taliban claims attack on ceremony attended by Karzai
By DPA,
Kabul : A Taliban spokesman said six of their fighters armed with assault rifles opened fire during a ceremony which was attended by President Hamid Karzai and his cabinet ministers Sunday.
Karzai abruptly left the parade, held to commemorate the victory of the mujahideen against Soviet forces, after shooting out was heard in live telecast.
"Six of our mujahideen attacked the ceremony and in the shootout three of them were martyred and the other three after the attack fled the area and are in a safe place," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told DPA.
Death toll in north Lebanon clashes rises to 6
By Xinhua,
Beirut : The death toll from heavy armed clashes between government supporters and opponents in northern Lebanon rose to six on Monday, local Naharnet news website reported.
A mortar shell fell in the heart of the northern city of Tripoli, hitting the Grand Mansouri Mosque, and several shops and homes were also damaged in the fighting, the report said.
Intensified meetings between the feuding factions lasted well into Sunday night at the residence of Tripoli's Sunni Mufti SheikhMalek al-Shaar, but failed to put an end to the fighting, it added.
Take family permission for conversion, Malaysia tells non-Muslims
By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian government will introduce a regulation requiring non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam to inform their family before doing so.
Announcing the move Thursday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said: "We will have a regulation. When a person wants to convert to Islam, we have to ask him whether his wife knows about it. If people want to convert, there is nothing wrong, why must they hide? Tell them (the family)."
Velayati hails Turkish prime minister’s denunciation of Gaza crimes
By IRNA,
Tehran : Supreme Leader's senior advisor on international affairs, Akbar Velayati said on Saturday that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's gesture in walking out of Davos conference was among a blessing from God inspired by the Islamic Revolution.
Turkish premier walked out of Davos conference to protest the savage carnage of defenseless Palestinians in Gaza.
In a special ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, he said the move is rooted in undeniable global impacts of the Islamic Revolution.
Kuwaiti Amir meets visiting President of Seychelles
By KUNA
Kuwait : His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah met here on Tuesday visiting President of Seychelles James Alix Michel and the delegation accompanying him in the precense of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Official talks between the two sides were held today headed by HH the Amir and senior state officials while they were headed by President of Seychelles and his delegation on the other side.
US studying options for a possible Pakistan strike: Post
By IANS,
Washington : The US military is reviewing options for a unilateral strike in Pakistan in the event that a successful terror attack on American soil is traced to the country's tribal areas, according to the Washington Post.
Ties between the alleged Times Square bomber, Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad, and elements of the Pakistani Taliban have sharpened the Obama administration's need for retaliatory options, the influential daily reported Saturday citing senior military officials.
Gates urges Turkey to keep Iraq incursion short
By Xinhua
Ankara : U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday that Turkey's cross-border ground operation against the rebels of the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq should be short and precisely targeted as possible.
Gates, who arrived in Turkish capital of Ankara on Wednesday for an official visit, made the remarks at a joint press conference with his Turkish Counterpart Vecdi Gonul after their talks.
Dubai plans hybrid taxis to fight pollution
By IANS,
Dubai : Hybrid taxis running both on fuel and electricity will soon be cruising in this metropolis. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has received from a local automobile dealer a fleet of 10 taxis fitted with hybrid engines.
"This deal signals RTA's commitment to protect lives and properties, conserve the environment and natural wealth, and improve levels of occupational health and public safety," Abdul Aziz Malik, chief executive of the RTA's Taxi Agency, said in the statement.
Zia’s murder mystery comes in new mango flavour
By Manish Chand, IANS,
Book: A Case of Exploding Mangoes; Author: Mohammed Hanif; Publisher: Random House; Pages: 295.
Who killed General Zia-ul Haq, the redoubtable Pakistani dictator who mysteriously died in an air crash 20 summers ago? Conspiracy theories, ranging from the bizarre to purely farcical, have never ceased since. Mohammed Hanif thickens this stew further and spices it up with a dash of dark wit to spin a page-turning thriller and an exuberant satire of the triple clichés of Allah, America and Army that colour popular perception of Pakistan.
Nawaz defiant, says lawyers’ march will continue; army alerted
By IANS,
Islamabad : The army was placed on alert here Saturday as a defiant opposition leader Nawaz Sharif turned down the government's plea to call off the lawyers' "long march" for restoration of the Supreme Court judges sacked in 2007, saying there was no room left for talks.
In other developments Saturday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman sent her resignation to Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, apparently miffed over President Asif Ali Zardari's orders to blank out Geo TV and other private channels for highlighting the lawyers' stir.
Report on pilgrims in Madinah in post-Hajj period
By SPA,
Al- Madinah, Saudi Arabia : All government and private sectors participating in Hajj at Al -Madinah are proceeding ahead with their works for the post- Hajj season, by providing services for pilgrims coming to the city of the Prophet (BPUH) around the clock.
In its report, Al-Madinah's Hajj Committee Secretariat noted that the number of pilgrims, who arrived in Al Madinah until yesterday was ( 14,085 ), registering a percentage of 33 % lower than last year while about 216 pilgrims departed the city.
Two Palestinian children die in Gaza after Israel denies them travel approval
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinian children, a boy and a girl, passed away on Saturday in Gaza Strip after Israeli forces denied them approval to travel abroad for treatment, Palestinian sources said.
The sources said 11-year-old Misleh Mohammad Qalja and 10-year-old Faten Majdi Al-Hanfawi, both residents of Gaza City, passed away today after suffering from illness.
Both were prevented from traveling abroad for treatment by Israeli forces with the closing off of crossings, they said.
Pakistani Rangers fire at Indian post
By IANS,
Jammu : In another case of ceasefire violation, Pakistani Rangers Friday fired on an Indian post on the International Border here, leading the Border Security Force (BSF) to retaliate.
UN welcomes UAE report on human rights
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The UN Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has hailed United Arab Emirates' (UAE) report on human rights achievements in the country, WAM news agency reported Friday.
Jean-Richard Prosper, committee expert and rapporteur for the report of the UAE, said that the country had increased its collaboration with the UN and said that it was progressing in the right direction.
The committee also acknowledged that the UAE had taken serious efforts to combat human trafficking and other forms of organised crime.
Musharraf, Pakistani PM meet visiting Chinese FM
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani met respectively with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Saturday and reiterated their resolve to improve bilateral ties to a new level.
They said Pakistan will always stand with China on the Taiwan and Tibet issues and Beijing Olympics will be a great success.
India keeping all options open: Indian Army chief
By IANS,
New Delhi : A war with Pakistan was the last resort but India was keeping all options open given its view that the "perpetrators of 26/11" were from that country, Indian Army chief Deepak Kapoor said Wednesday.
Stressing that Indian troops were ready, he said: "We do feel that the perpetrators of 26/11 were from Pakistan. In view of that, in India we are keeping all our options open.
"It must be understood that it is not to create any war hysteria and the options include diplomatic, economic and, as a last resort, fighting," Kapoor said at a press conference.
Death for eight for killing official in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : A court in Bangladesh Tuesday awarded the death penalty to eight people for killing a ward commissioner of Lalbagh area here...
Russia condemns Taiwan’s referendum on UN membership
By Xinhua
Moscow : Russia has strongly condemned the Taiwan authority's declaration to hold a referendum on UN membership in the name of Taiwan March 22, saying it poses a grave problem for the world.
The decision of the Taiwan authority led by Chen Shui-bian to hold the "referendum", despite strong objections from the Chinese central government and the world community, will pose a severe threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and to the Asia-Pacific region, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said Monday.
14 killed in Pakistan accident
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 14 people, including children, were killed Tuesday in an accident near Pakistan's Taxila town, a media report said.
Bangladesh ex-army chief arrested in graft case
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Former Bangladesh army chief of staff Gen (retd) Mustafizur Rahman was arrested here Sunday in a graft case charging him of purchasing Mig-29 warplanes causing loss to the country.
He was arrested and detained at Apollo Hospital in capital Dhaka where he was undergoing heart treatment.
Bomb found at Karachi hospital
By IANS,
Islamabad : A bomb weighing over 25 kg was found in the car park of a private hospital in Pakistan's Karachi city. It was discovered by a cleaner.
Jordan sends 261 aid convoys to Gaza since Israeli attacks
By Xinhua,
Amman : Jordan has sent over 200 aid convoys to the Gaza Strip since December 27, when Israel launched intensive offensive against the enclave, local daily The Jordan Times on Wednesday quoted an official as reporting.
A total of 261 aid convoys have been dispatched to Gaza ever since the war, said spokesperson with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) Mohammad Kilani.
On Tuesday, 20 trucks carrying bottled water, sugar, food parcels, blankets, mattresses and medical supplies crossed the King Hussein Bridge, added the official.