Forcibly converting people un-Islamic, says Imran Khan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan Friday said forcibly converting people into Islam was a violation of the holy Quran and...
Iran ready for talks without preconditions: Official
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Iran is ready to hold talks on its nuclear programme with the West without any preconditions, a senior Iranian official said Tuesday.
"Iran's main position on talks regarding (the country's) nuclear programme is that discussions should be held without any preliminary conditions," said Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, Iran's envoy at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Pakistan does not want n-arms race, says air force chief
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan wants to follow a policy of peaceful co-existence in the Asian region and does not wish to enter into a nuclear arms race, the country's air force chief has said.
Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian teenager in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian teenager in the northern West Bank town of Tobas on Sunday morning, Palestinian medics and witnesses said.
The witnesses said that Israeli soldiers killed 17-year-old Mohamed Nasser Daraghma, adding that they also detained another teenager who was with Daraghma at the time.
Palestinian security sources in Tobas said an Israeli army patrol was acting in the area to arrest Palestinian teens throwing stones at passing Israeli army vehicles throughout the town.
Don’t look for excuses to hire foreigners, Malaysian PM tells bosses
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Pitching for the local workforce, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has warned the employers against finding "excuses" to hire foreign workers.
Malaysia has close to three million foreign workers from the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries and from South Asia, including significant numbers from India and Bangladesh.
Najib asked the employers to treat the local workers "fairly" by offering reasonable salaries while launching the 2010 Workers' Day celebration here Saturday.
Lebanese speaker sets new date for presidential election
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Saturday set May 13 as a new schedule date for electing anew president, local ANB reported.
"Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri decided to set Tuesday, May 13,a new date for a session to elect the president of Lebanon..." a statement from the parliament was quoted as saying.
Berri, on Tuesday, postponed a parliamentary session to elect Lebanon's president, without setting the exact date of the next session.
Pakistan’s 24-member central cabinet sworn in
By IRNA
Islamabad : A 24-member Pakistani cabinet was sworn-in on Monday, which marks the completion of the transfer of power to the new government after the February 18 parliamentary elections.
President Pervez Musharraf administered the oath to the cabinet members at a special ceremony at the Presidency in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani attended the ceremony.
Nigerian army rescues 160 girls, women from Boko Haram
Abuja : The Nigerian army has freed at least 160 girls and women from the hands of Boko Haram, as it continued its advance...
EU repeats calls for ceasefire in Gaza
By DPA,
Prague : The European Union (EU) Thursday repeated its call for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East after a UN driver bringing aid to Gaza was killed in Israeli fire.
"This is another gruesome incident after a UN-administered school was hit," Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose country chairs the EU until June 30, said in a statement.
"We are repeating our call: it is impossible to delay a ceasefire," he said.
US presses destabilising Pakistan to shift focus from India to insurgency
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Deeply concerned by the deepening insurgency destabilising Pakistan, the US is pressuring Islamabad to shift its focus from India to the existential threat posed by extremists and to reach out to the Indian government to continue with confidence-building measures.
But "changing paradigms and mindsets is not easy", Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told worried US lawmakers Wednesday as they voiced concerns about the latest developments involving Taliban advances in Pakistan.
Israel to continue operation despite Security Council resolution
By DPA,
Gaza City/Tel Aviv : A UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire notwithstanding, Israel's security cabinet decided Friday to continue its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio reported.
The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that Israel would never let outside factors determine its course of action and the military would continue to carry out its duties as required.
Caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert convened his inner security cabinet Friday morning to discuss Israel's response to the resolution.
Olmert denies Syrian claim that Israel agrees return of Golan Heights
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday denied outright the Syrian claim that Israel had already agreed to cede the Golan Heights during their talks.
"No obligations were offered - either spoken or in writing – to Syria," Olmert was quoted by local daily Jerusalem Post as saying. "All I said from February 2007 until May 2008 was 'I know what you want and you know what I want.'"
Obama mulls decision on more troops to Afghanistan: Official
By Xinhua,
Washington : US President Barack Obama will soon announce his decision on the deployment of more troops in Afghanistan, the White House has said.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, who travelled with the president from Chicago to Washington, told reporters Monday that the government was reviewing the US policy towards Afghanistan and may take a decision soon to send additional troops to the war-torn country.
Qatari man pays $3.7 mn for car licence plate
By IANS,
Doha : A Qatari national has reportedly paid $3.7 million to own a car licence plate having the number 55555.
Pakistan sets up special fund for quake-hit Nepal
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has set up a special relief fund for the quake-hit people of Nepal, a top official said...
Gaza healthcare threatened by fuel shortage
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian health minister on Tuesday warned that the reducing of fuel shipments to Gaza Stripwill affect health services for the residents.
"The non-humanitarian and harsh siege has aggravated in an unprecedented way after Israel's recent decision to stop providing Gaza with the fuel," said Health Minister Fathi Abu Mughli in a letter to the press and human rights groups.
"This destroys the health system and forms a direct threat on the patients," he said.
US says it accidentally killed 9 Iraqi civilians
By IRNA
Baghdad : US military said on Monday that they had accidentally killed nine Iraqi civilians and wounded three in a strike aimed at al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia south of Baghdad.
A military statement released late Sunday acknowledged what appeared to be one of the deadliest cases of mistaken identity in recent weeks.
"The accidental killings happened Saturday in Iskandariya, about 25 miles south of the capital, and that the wounded were taken to American military hospitals," it said.
Talks with US on Iraq security ‘useless’: Iran
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran said Monday its next round of talks with the US on Iraq security would "make no sense" in the backdrop of intense US military offensive in the war-ravaged country, IRNA reported.
"The US does not heed Iranian calls to stop indiscriminate bombardment of residential areas in Sadr City. Therefore, the warring parties should sit at negotiating table and that would help the Iraqi government to iron out the differences over national reconciliation," government spokesman Mohammed-Ali Hossiani said.
Jamaat urges world leaders to intervene to end massacre of Palestinians
By TwoCircles.net news desk
New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has strongly condemned the recent Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza Strip that left more than 300 people including women and children dead and hundreds injured.
Israeli warplanes hit Gaza City for fifth day
By IRNA,
Gaza City : Israeli warplanes hit Gaza City early Wednesday causing destruction in the densely populated areas.
Hamas government buildings including office of Hamas government Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh came under bombardment.
Israel has deployed armour on border with Gaza.
IRNA reporter in Gaza said that both Israel and Hamas are preparing for a full scale ground battle.
More than 374 Palestinians have died in Israeli air strikes since Saturday; four Israelis have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza.
Britain bans Lebanese Hezbollah’s military wing
By Xinhua,
London : The British government Wednesday said it was adding the military wing of the Lebanese movement Hezbollah to its list of banned terrorist organisations.
"Hezbollah's military wing is providing active support to militants in Iraq who are responsible for attacks both on coalition forces and on Iraqi civilians, including providing training in the use of deadly roadside bombs," the Home Office said in a statement.
Israeli air raid kills Palestinian chieftain
By KUNA
Gaza : A Palestinian man was killed in an Israeli air raid which targeted his car in the village of Beit Lehia in northern Gaza, a Palestinian source said Monday.
"The martyr's name is Amer Qarmout, also known as Abul-Sa'ed," the source told KUNA. It added that the dead man was an important member of the Popular Resistance Committees in Northern Gaza.
According to eyewitnesses, at least one Israeli rocket was fired against his car, where he was driving in company with some of his friends.
The car was fully destroyed by the rocket, the source said.
Pakistan bans BlackBerry services for foreign diplomats
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has banned BlackBerry services for all foreign diplomats working in the country with immediate effect, a media report said Monday.
Pakistan investors protest as bearish stock market continues
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A number of investors staged protests in southern Pakistan's Karachi as the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE)-100 index closed at 10,213 after falling 279 points on Thursday.
The market is under severe bearish clutch for the fourth day of the trading week in a row. The Benchmark KSE-100 index has sunk to the lowest in seven years as it reached to 10,213 points, the private Geo TV reported.
Wiped out by the stock market crash, angry protestors broke windows and damaged banks and brokerage houses in bourses, said the TV channel.
MSE will showcase Malaysia’s heavyweight companies in UAE
By NNN-Bernama
Dubai : The Malaysia Services Exhibition (MSE), to be held in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will showcase Malaysian companies which had good track records, Trade Commissioner Noraslan Hadi Abdul Hadi said.
He said that the 170 companies taking part were invited and selected by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) as it wanted to show what Malaysia could offer.
Malaysian spaceman to continue training despite fund crunch
By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : The training of army doctor Faiz Khaleed to become an astronaut will continue while Malaysia reviews its ambitious space programme, says the government.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said the government was analysing the "cost benefit" of the first space mission, and whether it should go on, according to the Star newspaper Wednesday.
"If financial problems are an obstacle, we may have to think of other options. The space mission may be postponed but we want to continue with the training for the astronaut," Najib told reporters Tuesday.
Pakistan sets up panel to look into power outages
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has constituted a high-powered committee to resolve the issue of unscheduled power outages in the country.
Ahmadinejad: No one ever capable of bending Iranian nation
By IRNA,
Tehran : Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in Hormozgan Province on Friday that no one was ever capable of humiliating Iranian nation and making it bend before hegemonic powers.
Making the remark during the inauguration ceremony of the first phase of a steel facility project in the province of Hormozgan by the Persian Gulf in south of the country, he said even the big powers have now come to admit Iran’s position as a regional superpower.
Four children killed in bomb attack south of Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Four Iraqi children were killed on Saturday by a bomb explosion in the town of Iskandriyah, south of Baghdad, a local police source said.
The incident occurred before midday as children less than eight years old were playing football in a popular playing field near their houses in the town, some 50 km south of Baghdad, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Palestine has rejected Olmert’s reported proposal – presidency spokesman
By NNN-WAFA,
Ramallah : The Palestinian leadership has rejected a reported Israeli peace proposal because it does not provide for a contiguous Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Palestinian presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeineh told WAFA that the proposal does not fall in line with requirements of the Road Map and the Annapolis understandings that the borders of the future Palestinian state should correspond with Israel's pre-1967 borders.
UAE lifts ban on bird imports
By IANS,
Dubai: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted a ban on the import of live birds from North America, Europe and other places, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
UAE Environment and Water Minister Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad said import of birds will be allowed from Europe, North America and South America. However, bird imports will not be allowed from the swine flu affected countries.
Joint US-Iraqi forces attack Shia district in Basra
By DPA,
Baghdad : Joint US-Iraqi forces backed by helicopters attacked Saturday the Hayaniya district of Basra, where most of radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's close aides are concentrated, witnesses said.
Loud explosions were heard in southern Iraq's second largest city while intense clashes occurred between militants and US-Iraqi forces.
Witnesses said the attacks resulted in casualties, but reliable figures were not yet available.
Roadside bombs kill five civilians in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : Five civilians were killed and five were injured in separate roadside bombs in southern and central Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday.
Two civilians were killed and two were injured when a roadside bomb blew up a vehicle in Khakriz district of the southern province of Kandahar Tuesday morning, the provincial government said.
Two other civilians were killed in the western province of Farah Monday when their motorbike was struck by a roadside bomb, the interior ministry said.
Maldives’ new government agrees to hold early elections
By IANS,
Male : The Maldivian government Thursday agreed to hold early presidential elections, a step towards ending the ongoing political crisis in the island nation.
Relation between US, Libya are friendly: Ghaddafi
By IANS,
Dubai : Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi has thanked United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar for helping end tensions between his country and the US saying the relationship between the two nations have now been friendly.
During the course of his official speech Sunday to mark the 49th anniversary of the 1st September Revolution, Ghaddafi thanked both the Gulf countries for their efforts to permanently end tensions between Libya and the US, the state-run Emirates News Agency WAM reported from the Libyan capital Tripoli.
Ghaddafi had come to power in Libya Sep 1, 1969.
U.S. signs deal with Lebanese army on military equipment
By Xinhua,
Beirut : U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Eric Edelman and the Lebanese army commander Gen. Jean Kahwaji signed an agreement that would give additional automatic grenade launcher to the Lebanese army, local Daily Star reported Saturday.
Edelman met Friday with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora and Kahwaji to discuss ways to enhance the Lebanese army's capabilities, the report said.
EU chief makes Iran new offer to halt nuclear program
By RIA Novosti :
Tehran : EU's foreign policy chief handed Iran's foreign minister a new "packet of incentives" Saturday from the world's six nations to try and persuade Tehran to halt its controversial uranium enrichment program.
Javier Solana, who arrived in Tehran on Friday, met Manouchehr Mottaki for talks to give details of the proposal approved by the six nations - China, Russia, France, Germany, the United States, Britain.
Israeli president warns Iraq might split apart
Washington: Israeli President Shimon Peres warned Wednesday that he was not sure Iraq could remain a united country amid growing sectarian violence, the media...
Iranian artillery shells Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq
By IANS
Baghdad : Iranian artillery Thursday shelled villages in northern Iraq where Iranian Kurdish rebels are believed to be operating, according to an official.
The artillery shelled seven villages in the area of Qalit Diza in Sulaymanyah province in Iraq's Kurdish Autonomous Region, Hasan Abdallah, the head of Qalit Diza council told the Voices of Iraq news agency.
The shelling continued for over two hours and caused no casualties, the official said.
Yemeni president commends ties with UAE
By IANS/WAM,
Sana'a : Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi has praised his country's relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Pakistan PM thanks Manmohan Singh for condolence message
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has thanked Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh for his condolence message on the loss of lives in the fires in Karachi and Lahore.
World Halal Day 2018 observed in Seoul, Korea
TCN News
Middle East / Asia Business Expo 2018 was organised on 1st and 2nd November 2018 at Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas Hotel Grand Ballroom...
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...
Saudi Arabia closes embassy in Syria
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Saudi Arabia has shut down its embassy in Syria and withdrawn its staff and diplomats, al-Arabiya reported citing a statement by Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry.
Afghan Rebels Kill Two ISAF Troops
By Prensa Latina,
Kabul : Two Latvian soldiers from the NATO–led International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) were killed by bomb and armed clashes in Faryab, north Afghanistan.
ISAF spokesman, Brigadier General Richard Blanchette, said the blast killed one and wounded three ISAF Latvians in a passing caravan.
Another 13 bystanders were injured.
Blanchette added that another Latvian soldier was killed in a rebel attack while patrolling in Faryab Province.
A total of 70,000 ISAF soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan under US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Pakistan: new federal cabinet sworn in
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : The federal cabinet of the new government comprising 24 ministers took oath of their offices on Monday.
President Pervez Musharraf administered oath to the cabinet at a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate Muhammadmian Soomro, and civil and military officials.
Among 24 ministers of the newly sworn-in cabinet, Pakistan Peoples Party and Muslim League (Nawaz) make the major and almost equal share of the roll, with 11 and nine ministers respectively.
48 killed in Bangladesh landslides
By IANS,
Dhaka : At least 48 people were killed Tuesday and several others were missing in rain-triggered landslides in Bangladesh, officials said.
Heavy rains swept through Bangladesh's two southeastern districts -- Cox's Bazaar and Bandarban -- and triggered landslides, Xinhua reported.
"Rescuers in my district have so far recovered 44 bodies," said a senior police official of Cox's Bazaar district, about 391 km away from here.
At least 25-30 people including six army personnel of a military camp in the district remained missing, the report said.
UN chief voices concern at Israeli air strikes on Syria
By IANS,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced "grave concern" at reported Israeli air strikes on Syria, and called on all sides to "exercise maximum calm and restraint".
Pakistan’s parliament can try Musharraf: attorney general
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's parliament can try former president Pervez Musharraf, whose declaration of an emergency and sacking of the Supreme Court judges Nov 3, 2007 has been invalidated by the apex court, the country's top law officer said Monday.
"Parliament is supreme in this issue. If a resolution for conducting the trial of the former president is moved in parliament, after its approval, the government would be bound to act on the decision because parliament is the supreme law-making body," Attorney General Latif Khosa told reporters here.
British Foreign Secretary welcomes “promising” Mideast peace moves
By NNN-KUNA,
London : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has welcomed "promising" developments in the Middle East peace process after a ceasefire was agreed between Israel and Hamas.
Miliband told the House of Commons Tuesday that there was a "more propitious environment" than just a few weeks ago, but he also warned against getting "carried away by any sense of optimism" despite "stirrings" in the region.
Iran n-talks constructive: EU
By IANS,
Istanbul : Talks between six world powers and Iran on its nuclear programme have been described as "constructive and useful" by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
Oman navy selects Thales for self-defence capabilities
By IANS,
Neuilly-sur-Seine : European electronics major Thales has been selected by the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) to equip its patrol boats and corvettes with Vigile ESM (electronic support measures) systems, the company said.
The Vigile 200 and Vigile 400 family of ESM solutions "has been developed to monitor, measure and analyse electromagnetic signals, providing the crew with early warning, situation awareness and electromagnetic signals intelligence functions in both open ocean and dense littoral environments," a Thales statement said.
Pakistani actor hurt during film shoot
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani actor Shaan was injured during the shooting of a movie in Lahore, a media report said.
Five injured in Pakistan blast
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A blast took place in northwestern Pakistan injured five people, TV channel Dawn News reported Tuesday.
The explosion occurred when an army truck goes by at Kohat town in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), said the report.
The blast was triggered by an improvised explosive device and four security personnel and a civilian suffered injuries.
No group claimed responsibility for the blast.
Libya releases Tunisian journalist
By IANS,
Tripoli : Libyan authorities have released a Tunisian journalist working for Al-Jazeera television channel, a media report said.
Pakistan calls for addressing root causes of conflicts
By NNN-APP,
United Nations : Pakistan has called for identifying and addressing the root causes of disputes in an effort to lay the foundation for sustainable peace and development in states recovering from conflicts.
“Experience has shown that the biggest and most ominous gap in peace-keeping and peace-building strategies is the failure to comprehend and address the root causes of conflicts,” Ambassador Munir Akram told the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
US trying to win Pak confidence over new Afghan strategy: Analyst
By IRNA,
Islamabad : A senior Pakistani analyst believes visit of US Defense Secretary Robert Gates of Pakistan is aimed to take Pakistan government into confidence over new Obama administration's Afghan Policy.
Talking to IRNA on Friday former foreign secretary Shamshad Ahmed Khan said that concerns of Pakistan should be addressed before the implementation of the new Afghan strategy.
Pakistan has expressed concerns over the new military surge in the neighboring Afghanistan fearing that it could increase cross-border infiltration.
UAE sends relief material for displaced Libyans
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: A United Arab Emirates plane left for Tunisia Friday with relief material for displaced Libyan citizens who have taken refuge in that country.
Pakistani Peace Delegates Killed
By Prensa Latina
Islamabad : At least eight delegates of the peace committees involved in the negotiation process of a cease of fire between religious rebels and the Pakistani army died in the tribal region of South Waziristan on Monday.
According to the Ministry of Defense in Islamabad, the incident occurred when alleged anti government groups opened fire at those tribal leaders in Wana and Shikai localities.
Britain to increase number of diplomats in Middle East, South Asia
By SPA
London : Britain is to station more diplomats in the Middle East and South Asia as part of the fight against extremism, Foreign Secretary David Miliband wrote in a Sunday newspaper, according to dpa.
The number of diplomats in these areas will be increased by 32 per cent, Miliband wrote in The Sunday Times, while 107 million euros (158 million dollars) will be invested in Pakistan over the next three years to fight terrorism and extremism there.
The additional diplomats would in particular endeavour to build indigenous contacts.
Stop using terrorism as a policy: Pakistani paper
By IANS,
Islamabad: The use of terrorism as a "policy" should be "scrapped in its entirety" because of the harm it had caused to Pakistan and India, an editorial in a leading English daily said Saturday while commenting on the meeting of the two countries' prime ministers in Egypt earlier this week.
Another editorial noted that the meeting had "produced two versions of what really happened", thus giving rise to "more ambiguity, which is of the essence when managing intractable crises".
Roadside bomb targets US convoy, causes large blaze
By SPA,
Baghdad : Iraqi police say a dozen fire trucks and other equipment have been brought in to fight a large fire in eastern Baghdad, the Associated Press reported.
Police say the blaze broke out early Monday morning after a roadside bomb exploded next to a U.S. military convoy.
An officer said the blast damaged an armored Humvee. It also set fire to nearby shops and spread to other stalls in a large marketplace. More than a dozen U.S. and Iraqi firefighting vehicles rushed to the scene to put out the blaze.
UK wants to strengthen ties with UAE
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : British Prime Minister David Cameron has asserted that Britain is committed to strengthening economic and defence ties with the UAE.
"The deep friendship between the UK and the UAE is based on a unique, shared history and common interests. We are committed to strengthening our cooperation on defence and security," a statement issued by the British embassy here quoted Cameron as saying Saturday.
"Also, we both want to build and develop our economic ties", Cameron, who was on a visit to the UAE, said.
Bomb blast in Pakistan kills 13
By DPA
Islamabad : At least 13 people were killed and more than 50 wounded in a suicide bomb attack Friday in northwest Pakistan during the funeral of a local police official who was killed earlier in the day by a roadside bomb, officials said.
Many of the dead and wounded were fellow policemen who had gathered for funeral prayers for Javed Iqbal, a deputy police superintendent, in his home village of Mangora in the volatile North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) when the attack occurred.
Five civilians killed, militant leader held in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
Kabul : Five members of an Afghan nomadic family were killed as a vehicle, they were traveling in, hit a landmine in western Afghanistan, officials said.
The incident happened in Nimroz province as a nomadic family was shifting sheep in a truck from one place to another, said provincial Governor Ghulam Dastagir Azad.
The governor said Taliban were responsible for planting the bomb. However, the militants so far did not issue any comment.
Iraqi FM affirms talks on talks on long-term deal with US
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has confirmed continuing Iraqi-US negotiations on a long-term strategic agreement.
Zebari was speaking at a joint news conference here Sunday with visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
Lebanon: peace still precarious
By NNN-IRIN,
Naqoura : Hezbollah’s claim to victory over Israel in its 16 July prisoner swap undermines moderate Arab states and leaders, and may encourage armed struggle across the region at a time of upheaval in the relations between the West and the Middle East, a number of observers have said.
Iranian ambassador, EU envoy discuss issues of mutual interest
By IRNA,
Kabul : Iranian ambassador to Kabul Fada Hossein Maleki discussed issues of mutual interest with European Union (EU) envoy in Kabul Francis Vindrell here Saturday.
According to Iranian embassy in Kabul, in the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on international issues and the cooperation between the European Union and regional countries for expansion of stability, security, economic flourishing and helping Afghanistan toward reaching a democratic society.
Iranian n- talks to be extended to November
Vienna : Iranian nuclear talks will be extended for four more months, as stakeholders still have "significant gaps on core issues", Catherine Ashton, the...
Cautiously optimistic of Teesta being inked during Modi visit: Envoy
New Delhi : Bangladesh envoy Syed Moazzem Ali on Friday voiced "cautious optimism" on the Teesta water sharing agreement being inked during Prime Minister...
Turkey gives US no timeframe on Iraq operation-Gates
By SPA
Ankara : Turkey has given no clear timeframe for ending its military operations against Kurdish PKK rebels in northern Iraq, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters on Thursday after talks with Turkish officials, according to Reuters.
Gates also reiterated Washington's call for the operation, now in its seventh day, to be as short and carefully targeted as possible. Turkey's Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul said Turkish troops would withdraw once they had accomplished their goal.
PNA calls on Israel to end occupation of Palestinian territories
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Wednesday called on Israel to respect international resolutions and end its occupation of the Palestinian territories.
"Ending the occupation of the Palestinian territories, which dates back to 1967, is the core of the peace process," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said during an interview with Voice of Palestine radio.
Erekat said that "the era of guardianship and the Palestinian dependency has completely gone and there are no options but the creation of a Palestinian statehood."
Iran to resume excavations at anciant site
By NNN-FNA,
Tehran : Iranian archeologists are slated to start a new phase of excavations at the historical site of Bisotun located in Kermanshah Province.
Experts from Iran's Archeology Research Center will excavate Bisotun's water mill along with the Sassanid Khosrow Palace.
"Bisotun has many ancient sites which have not been excavated yet and can provide valuable information about Iran's past," Director of the Bisotun Archeology Center, Davoud Daneshian was quoted by press tv as saying.
Youth can play important role to promote Pak-Turkish relations: Turkish Envoy
By APP
Islamabad : Youth and especially the young students both from Pakistan and Turkey can play important and vital role in further promoting the traditional, brotherly and strong relations between the two countries, said Turkish envoy to Pakistan Engin Soysal.
Age of oil and gas is not dead yet, says UAE minister
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : "The age of oil and gas is not dead", says an United Arab Emirates (UAE) cabinet minister, citing the Oil and Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) prediction for growing energy demand.
"In the world of energy, there is one certainty, namely that the age of oil and gas
is not dead! Indeed, it has a long life ahead of it," Energy Minister Mohammed bin Dhaen Al Hameli said while addressing the 17th International Caspian Oil and Gas Conference in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Yemen: Negotiations with WTO to continue
By NNN-SABA,
Sana'a : Positive signs for Yemen's accession to the World Trade Organization were manifested by the attitude of the WTO member states particularly main members such as the US and EU, minister of Industry and Trade said.
Upon his departure for Geneva to take part in the proceedings of the fifth round of the negotiations with the organization, Yahya al-Mutawakil said a technical team had preceded the current delegation to Geneva to conduct bilateral negotiations with the main members of the WTO topped by the US, EU, Canada, Japan and Australia.
German foreign minister on surprise visit to Afghanistan
By DPA,
Herat : Surrounded by tight security, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived Friday in Afghanistan for a surprise visit.
Steinmeier, who is expected to stay several days in the country, arrived in the western Afghan city in a German military plane.
It is Steinmeier's third visit to Afghanistan.
Germany currently has 3,500 troops stationed in the war-torn country and is under pressure from NATO allies to increase its presence and move soldiers to the south of Afghanistan to help in the fight against Taliban insurgents.
Iran ready for talks with world powers: Ahmadinejad
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran is ready to hold talks with world powers over global issues, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday, adding "from our point of view, Iran's nuclear issue is over".
Ahmadinejad said: "We are prepared to sit down to hold talks."
He, however, said Iran will neither halt uranium enrichment nor negotiate over its nuclear rights.
"From our point of view, Iran's nuclear issue is over. We continue our work within the framework of global regulations and in close interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency," he was quoted as saying by ILNA website.
Hamas leader’s son among 15 dead in Gaza violence
By SPA
Gaza : Violence in Gaza Tuesday claimed several lives on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides, including the son of a senior Hamas leader, CNN reported.
An exchange of gunfire between Israeli forces and Palestinians killed at least 15 people and wounded 20 others in northern Gaza, Palestinian authorities said.
Separately, the son of senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar was killed when an Israeli aircraft fired into a car that approached soldiers.
Resilient Afghans come out in large number despite Taliban threats
By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net,
Kabul: Afghanistan created history on Saturday by turning out in large number to vote for the first transition of power since Hamid Karzai took over after NATO intervention in 2001, braving the incessant rain and threats issued by Taliban.
Egypt’s Mubarak meets with Iranian parliament speaker
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday morning met with visiting Speaker of the Iranian Majlis (parliament) Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, the official MENA news agency reported.
Without elaborating details of the talks, MENA said the meeting was also attended by Alaa Bugardi, chairman of the Iranian parliament's committee of national security and political affairs.
Haddad-Adel is currently on a visit here to take part in a session of the Organization of Islamic Conference parliamentary union meeting, said the report.
Israel to seal off West Bank during polls Tuesday
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Israel is to seal off the Occupied West Bank, preventing Palestinians from entering the Jewish state during the country's election day Tuesday, the military spokesman said.
The closure, which will last for 24 hours, from midnight (2200 GMT Monday), is being imposed "in light of security assessments", a statement from the spokesman's office said.
‘Iran installing new uranium enrichment centrifuges’
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran is continuing the installation of new uranium enrichment centrifuges at the central Natanz facility, the country's nuclear head said Wednesday.
Iraq to seek US nuclear technology: report
By DPA,
Baghdad : Iraq, reportedly home to the world's third-largest oil reserves, will seek peaceful nuclear technology from the US, an Iraqi lawmaker said in remarks published Monday.
"The government seeks to produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes... and to activate the scientific strategic framework agreement with the US," Iraqi lawmaker Shahid al-Jabri told Baghdad's daily al-Sabbah newspaper.
‘Palestine will respond strongly to new Israeli settlement’
Jerusalem: Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu-Rudeineh Thursday strongly condemned the announcement of the Israeli authorities to build 1,500 new housing units in West Bank...
Bangladesh to withdraw emergency from Dec 17
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh caretaker government announced Wednesday that it would lift the state of emergency from Dec 17 before the upcoming ninth parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec 29.
Meghalaya Police file charge sheet against ex-Bangladesh minister
Shillong: Meghalaya Police on Wednesday filed a charge sheet against former Bangladesh minister Salahuddin Ahmed for trespassing into India.
"We have filed a charge sheet...
Abducted Levies men, polio workers killed in Pakistan
Islamabad: Two polio workers and two security guards, who went missing a week ago, have been found shot dead in Pakistan, media reported Wednesday.
"The...
Erekat: Abbas-Olmert talks make breakthrough on checkpoints
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have made "a breakthrough" regarding Israeli checkpoints in West Bank, a Palestinian official said on Tuesday.
Saeb Erekat, a Palestinian negotiator, added that Israel "works on removing some of these checkpoints to ease the daily suffering of the Palestinian people."
The progress was made during a meeting between the two men held in Jerusalem on Monday afternoon as part of biweekly meetings to follow up the peace negotiations.
Karzai supports new US strategy in war on terror
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Thursday he supported a new US strategy in the war against terror, which includes military operations inside Pakistan, and called for more international aid and training for his country's security forces.
"The new strategy is something that me and my colleagues in the Afghan government have talked about three and a half years ago," Karzai said at a press conference marking the seventh anniversary of the Sep 11, 2001, attacks for which the Al Qaeda terror network claimed responsibility.
Suicide attack in Afghanistan kills policeman
By DPA,
Kabul : A suicide bomber attacked a police station in the southern province of Kandahar Thursday, killing one policeman and wounding four, a police commander said.
The attack, the third in as many days in the war-torn country, took place Thursday morning in Spin Boldak district close to border with Pakistan as a bomber tried to enter the district's border police headquarters with his explosive-packed vehicle, said General Saifullah Hakim, the border police commander in the region.
Sharia verdicts cannot be challenged in Supreme Court: cleric
By IANS,
Islamabad : Verdicts handed down under the newly-imposed Sharia laws in parts of Pakistan's restive northwest cannot be challenged in the Supreme Court but only before special appeal courts, says a Taliban-linked radical cleric.
"The judicial system here (Malakand division of the North West Frontier Province) will be different from the rest of the country. Here, all the cases will be settled in the Qazi courts in accordance with Sharia," The News Thursday quoted Sufi Muhammad as saying.
UN releases Benazir Bhutto’s assassination report Thursday: Pakistan
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Foreign Ministry said Thursday the Commission of Inquiry, that was formed to determine the facts in the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, will release its report later today.
The report was earlier scheduled to be released on March 31st but the announcement was postponed until April 15 on the request by President Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir’s widower.
The independent inquiry commission had begun its work in July 2009 after Pakistan formally requested the body for probe.
Nine Taliban rebels killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan police Sunday foiled a Taliban offensive on a check post and killed nine militants in the southern Afghan province of Helmand.
Daud Ahmadi, spokesman of the provincial government, told reporters the insurgents launched an attack on a police post in Gereshk district in the small hours of Sunday.
"Fighting lasted for two hours during which nine rebels were killed and their bodies were still lying on the battle field," Ahmadi said, adding that two militants were arrested.
Two police personnel sustained injuries during the gunfight, he said.
Kabul gunfight ends, all militants killed
Kabul: A five-hour gunfight close to Afghanistan's main election office in Kabul ended Saturday evening after Taliban gunmen were killed in a counter-attack, an...
Suicide bombing at Pakistan army base injures three
By DPA
Islamabad : A suicide bomber attacked the entrance to a Pakistani army base camp Monday in the restive Swat valley in the northwest of the country, killing himself and injuring three soldiers, a military spokesman said.
The bomber blew himself up after being stopped at a security checkpoint in Kabal sub-district, site of the army's largest base camp in the Swat valley, around 11:30 a.m., said Major-General Waheed Arshad, the chief army spokesman.
"Three soldiers received minor injuries," he said.
Gaza toll rises to 170
Gaza: The death toll in Gaza rose to 170 Sunday after four more Palestinians, including a father and son, were killed in three separate...
New Suez Canal project to offer 1 mn jobs: Official
Cairo : The new Suez Canal project -- aimed at expanding the existing vital waterway -- will completely eradicate unemployment in Egypt as it...
Eight killed in Pakistan blast
By IANS,
Islamabad: At least eight people were killed and 15 others injured Friday when an explosion hit a security check-post in Pakistan's northwest tribal region, Xinhua reported.
Hindu doctors’ murder a sad day for Pakistan: Imran Khan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has strongly condemned the killing of Hindu doctors by armed assailants in Pakistan's Sindh province.
Iraqi Shiite MPs in Iran for talks with Sadr
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A delegation from Shiite lawmakers in the Iraqi parliament headed to Iran for talks with anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to end ongoing clashes between Sadr followers and U.S-backed Iraqi troops, a Sadr spokesman said on Thursday.
Sheikh Salah al-Obeidi, spokesman for Sadr in the central holy city of Najaf, said five lawmakers led by deputy parliament speaker Sheikh Khalid al-Attiya traveled to Iran on Wednesday.
Pakistan about to get China’s latest n-technology
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan is in an advanced stage of negotiations with China for its latest third-generation nuclear technology to build a power plant, said a daily Monday.
Khaleda, Hasina tighten hold on parties ahead of polls
By IANS,
Dhaka : Consolidating their hold over their parties ahead of the general elections, former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia has been made president for life of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) while her rival Sheikh Hasina eased out an erring general secretary of her Awami League (AL).
While setting their respective houses in order, both have asked the military-backed government to free them "permanently" - withdraw the numerous corruption cases filed against them.
Archaeologists in Jordan unearth ‘first church in world’
By DPA,
Amman : Archaeologists in Jordan have discovered what they claimed to be the "first church in world" at Rihab, 40 km north-east of Amman, the Jordan Times reported Monday.
"We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33AD to 70AD," Abdul Qader Hassan, head of the Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies told the paper.
The discovery lying underneath Saint Gorgeous Church in Rihab is "amazing, because we have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians, the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ", he said.
World Halal Day 2019 to be celebrated in Russia – Samara
TCN News
World Halal day 2019 is to be celebrated in Samara region, Russia to boom the economic upswing of investment, trade, infrastructure, livelihood and...
Iran’s nuclear programme fully peaceful – Arab League
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Arab League chief Amr Moussa has said that Iran's nuclear programme is completely peaceful and by no means does it pose any threat.
"None of the reports released by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has shown diversion of Iran's nuclear activities to military purposes...so, it should be said that Iran's nuclear programme is peaceful and can by no means considered a threat," Moussa told IRNA on the sidelines of the 15th NAM Foreign Ministers meeting in Tehran on Tuesday.
Hamas leaders signalled desire for peace – Jimmy Carter
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Former US President Jimmy Carter has held a meeting with senior Hamas officials in the Egyptian capital and indicated that they expressed a desire to seek peace with Israel with the consent of the Palestinian masses.
Carter told an audience at the American University in Cairo Thursday that his meeting with Hamas leaders lasted about three hours.
Senior Hamas officials Mahmoud Al-Zahar and Saeed Seyam travelled from Gaza to Cairo on Wednesday for the meeting.
Bilawal: Is he really that ‘hot’?
By Zofeen T. Ebrahim, IANS
Karachi : Ever wondered what Benazir Bhutto, the slain Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader, would have thought of the way her 19-year-old son Bilawal Zardari-Bhutto is being wooed and fawned over, not just in cyber world but in her hometown of Karachi?
There seems to be no stopping the global members - now 2,264 (the numbers are inflating as we speak) - of the Facebook virtual group 'Let's not assassinate Bilawal Bhutto because he's cute, ok?' which suddenly sprouted after Bilawal was crowned the new leader of his mother's party.
Anti-corruption court to hear Pakistani minister’s plea Feb 2
By IANS,
Rawalpindi : An anti-corruption court here will Feb 2 hear a plea by Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik seeking exemption from personal appearance in two cases in which he is charged with misappropriation.
Malik and his counsel Amjad Qureshi Tuesday appeared before judge Tariq Abbasi of the Accountability Court and sought exemption from personal appearance on grounds of the security risk involved, Online news agency reported.
He also cited his hectic schedule and other engagements to seek exemption.
Security Council hails Afghan elections
By Xinhua,
New York : The UN Security Council has hailed the Afghans for holding elections defying the Taliban violence aimed at deraling the poll process.
In a statement Thursday, British UN Ambassador John Sawers, who holds the rotating Security Council presidency for August, congratulated the people of Afghanistan "on their participation in these historic elections".
UAE’s mineral water export up 38 percent
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: UAE's mineral water export rose by 38 percent to about 107 million dhirams (about $13 million) in 2010 compared to the figure in the previous year.
Pakistani Haj pilgrims injured
Islamabad : Twelve Pakistani Haj pilgrims were injured during the ritual stoning of the devil in Mina, Geo TV reported Sunday.
Saudi officials were quoted...
Multinational anti-piracy drill held in Arabian Sea
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Ankara : Warships from 13 countries have completed an anti-piracy and counter-terror naval exercise in the Arabian Sea.
Palestine, Israel Talk in Greece
By Prensa Latina,
Athens : President of the Palestine National Authority Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak are expected to discuss the Middle East peace process, on the sidelines of the 23rd Congress of the Socialist International.
Both leaders attended the said congress held at the Lagonissi resort, near Athens, and are expected to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
83 peacocks die of viral disease in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A viral disease called "Ranikhet" has led to the death of at least 83 peacocks in Pakistan's Sindh province, Geo News reported.
Official: 17 killed in bus, train collision in Bangladesh
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : At least 17 people were killed and 21 others were injured in a collision between a express train and a passenger bus early Wednesday morning in Bangladesh's Tangail district, about 80 km northwest of capital Dhaka, according to an official.
Deputy Commissioner of Tangail Akhter Ali Sarker, chief executive of the district, confirmed to Xinhua on the phone at the scene that 17 persons were killed in the accident.
Pakistan steps up security for Indian Sikh pilgrims
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has stepped up security for the Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting the Nankana Sahib gurdwara for the Baisakhi celebrations and have declared a curfew in the area, Geo TV reported
Wednesday.
The pilgrims would be provided strict security during their religious ceremonies at the gurdwara, which marks the birth place of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, it said, quoting from an official statement.
U.S. military transfers 39 detainees of top Saddam officials to Iraqis
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The U.S. military said that it has transferred 39 detainees of former members of Saddam Hussein regime to the government of Iraq two days ago.
"The detainees were all transferred from the Coalition theater internment facility at Camp Cropper in Baghdad to an Iraqi-controlled prison," said a military statement obtained by Xinhua on Wednesday.
It said that all the detainees were either already convicted or are due to stand trial in the Iraqi High Criminal Court.
Lebanon Adjourns Parliament Again
By Prensa Latina
Beirut : Lebanese Parliament session to elect the president was adjourned for 14th time because of the persistent differences between the opposition and parliamentarian majority, despite Arab League mediation.
The meeting that was foreseen for Monday was postponed because both parts disagree with creating a national unity government and portfolios distribution, referred the official communique.
Saudi says first phase of anti-Houthi operation successful
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia has said the first phase of air campaign against Yemen's Shiite Houthi group was successful, and has destroyed all of...
Drone strike didn’t kill top leader: Pakistani Taliban
By IANS,
Islamabad: The Pakistani Taliban Sunday denied reports about the killing of its top commander Hakimullah Mehsud in an US drone strike in the country's northwest.
Fayyad to ask Rice for guarantees that Gaza offensive won’t happen again
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Acting Palestinian Premier Salam Fayyad will ask visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to give guarantees that Israeli offensive into Gaza will not happen again, a government spokesman said on Tuesday.
Rice started a Middle East tour on Tuesday and is scheduled to visit Ramallah in the afternoon to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Premier Fayyad before heading for Jerusalem for talks with Israeli officials.
Afghan situation cause of Karachi violence: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : The violence in Pakistan's port city of Karachi was due to the worsening situation in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Friday.
Kuwait”s Amir arrives in Saudi Arabia for GCC summit
By KUNA,
Dammam : His Highness the Amir (of Kuwait) Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and an accompanying delegation arrived in the the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tuesday at King Abdul-Aziz Air Base in Dhahran to take part in the tenth consultative meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders.
Upon arrival, HH the Amir was received by Saudi King Abdullah Bin-Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, along with the Kingdom ministers and senior officials.
Malaysians prefer public transport, walk after fuel price hike
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Trading cars for motorcycles, switching to public transport, or simply walking to work - Malaysians are tackling the massive fuel price hike in different ways.
They have settled down to fuel-saving measures after a spurt of protests in the national capital and some other cities saw thousands of people converge on the streets.
As per an announcement by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on June 4, gasoline pump prices jumped 41 percent overnight and diesel prices surged a stunning 67 percent.
Pakistan internet connectivity is low, but cheap
By IANS,
Islamabad : Internet connectivity is low in Pakistan, but there are opportunities for growth as broadband costs are quite cheap, a team of Google and YouTube officials has said.
Little evidence on who planned, killed Benazir: Pakistani daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has "little conclusive evidence about who planned or perpetrated the assassination" of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, a leading Pakistani daily said.
UAE to host Middle East Human Resources Conference
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates would host the ninth Middle East Human Resources Conference from May 5.
The two-day event would feature a number of speakers who would share their experience in cutting edge proactive human resource strategies and effective leadership. About 500 delegates including corporate executives and leaders from public, private and non-profit organisations are expected to attend the conference.
Observer group alleges widespread fraud in Afghan polls
By DPA,
Kabul : The largest Afghan election observer group said Monday that fraud, electoral violations and irregularities were widely recorded during the country's parliamentary elections.
EU, Afghan parliamentarians discuss situation in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
BRUSSELS : The third innterparliamentary meeting between the European Parliament and the parliament of Afghanistan, Wolesi Jirga, began here Tuesday to discuss the overall situation in Afghanistan.
During their 3-day visit to the EP, the Afghan deputies will also talk about the military presence of EU countries in Afghanistan, said an EP statement.
Several EU countries have a military presence in Afghanistan as part of the two military operations, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Stipend programme boosted primary education in Bangladesh: study
Dhaka : A new study shows Bangladesh's primary education stipend programme has increased geographical coverage, enrolment, attendance and gender parity in elementary education.
The findings...
Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs receives British Ambassador
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah received British Ambassador in Kuwait Stuart Laing on Wednesday, during which the two discussed bi-lateral ties between both countries and the latest developments in the region.
The Undersecretary also later received German Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Michael Worbs, to discuss the Berlin Ministerial Conference to be held on 24 June aimed at supporting Palestinian security institutions.
The meeting also discussed regional and international developments.
Five survive Islamabad plane crash
By IANS,
Islamabad : Five people survived the passenger plane crash in Margalla Hills close to this Pakistani capital city Wednesday morning, a minister said. Some media reports, however, said that 40-45 people may have survived the air disaster.
The Airblue flight 202, flying from Karachi to Islamabad, suddenly lost contact with the airport here and crashed near the popular Damanekoh resort in the Margalla Hills at about 9.45 a.m.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said five people had survived the crash.
US Raids Baghdad Shiites
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : The US air force raided Thursday night Al Husseiniyah neighborhood in north Bagdad as part of a campaign against the Shiite Mehdi Army, leaving two dead and eight wounded.
The Iraqi Interior Ministry says the above follows an attack by joint US-Iraqi forces on Sadr City, a bastion of cleric Muqtada Al Sadr.
But the report lacks data on the victims since the area was closed down.
‘Pakistan improving ties with India’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar says Pakistan was improving ties with neighbouring countries, including India.
UN chief slams terrorist attacks in Egypt
United Nations: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has lashed out at recent terrorist attacks in Egypt, saying that there can be no justification for acts...
Muslims should not become defensive: preventing radicalisation remains a top necessity
By Kaleem Kawaja for Twocircles.net
In the last one year, there has been an upsurge in terrorism committed by a variety of terrorist groups from...
Baghdad’s streets quiet on fifth anniversary of capital’s fall
By DPA
Baghdad : The streets of Baghdad were calmer than usual Wednesday as security forces imposed a one-day blanket curfew to prevent any violence on the fifth anniversary of the fall of the Iraqi capital to US troops.
Traffic in and around Baghdad was banned and security was beefed up in neighbourhoods known for violence. Stores were closed down, government offices were not working and Iraqi newspapers were not on the stands.
Abu Dhabi Airports Company to observe Earth Hour
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) will turn off the lighting system of its second runway here to observe Earth Hour Saturday, WAM News Agency reported.
ADAC said the airport will remain operational, although the lighting system of its second runway will be turned off between 08.30 and 09.30 p.m. in support of the Earth Hour campaign to promote energy conservation.
All inbound and outbound flights scheduled during Earth Hour will use the airport's other runway.
Israeli Supreme Court: Gaza Siege Legal
By Prensa Latina
Tel Aviv : A suit against the Israeli government filed by Israeli human rights organizations because of the cutoff of power to Gaza was rejected on Wednesday by the Israeli Supreme Court, which deemed the measure legal.
The official ruling established that the Israeli government does not have the obligation to secure the wellbeing of Gaza residents or an unlimited provision of goods for them.
Bangladesh mourns martyrs, to begin trial of `war criminals’
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh observes its 40th Independence Day Thursday, when it also sets in motion the trial of the "war criminals", the Islamist militia who killed unarmed civilians during the freedom movement.
The intervening night of Thursday-Friday would be mourned as the "black night", marking the crackdown on civilians by then Pakistan Army. Bangladesh was East Pakistan before gaining independence in 1971.
Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight on the night of March 25, targeting civilians, leaving an estimated 7,000 dead.