Pakistan, China to continue cooperation in civil n-energy
Islamabad : China and Pakistan have agreed to continue bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, in line with...
PML-N to back PPP government for six months
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's party Tuesday vowed to give unconditional support to a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government for six months but said it will not join the government.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) central leader Choudhury Nisar Ali Khan said cabinet members would have to take oath from President Pervez Musharraf under the amended constitution and his party was against this.
Border guard official admits to leading Dhaka mutiny
By IANS,
Dhaka : A middle-ranking Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) official has admitted to leading the mutiny by the border guard troopers in February this year that left 81 people including 55 Bangladesh Army officers dead, a media report said Sunday.
Deputy Assistant Director Touhidul Alam Saturday confessed before a Dhaka magistrate to have planned and led the mutiny, and all the operations during the carnage, The Daily Star said.
Arab experts set draft agreement on money
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Experts from the Arab ministries of justice and interior have met here and set a draft accord to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.
Committee chairman Marrouk Nasruddin, from Algeria, said in a press release Wednesday that the four-day meeting finished setting the draft agreement, aimed to be the first Arab mechanism to dry up the financing of terrorism and money laundering.
33 drown near Karachi beaches
Islamabad : Rescue teams have retrieved bodies of 33 people who drowned over the last three days at different recreational points while bathing in...
Israeli troops kill Palestinian near Jerusalem
By KUNA,
Ramallah : A Palestinian was killed by the Israeli Army troops Thursday in a settlement near Jerusalem.
Israeli sources said that the Palestinian tried to burn a gas station at the settlement located east of Jerusalem. No further information was released about the incident.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian boy was injured during clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian activists north of Bethlehem.
A huge rally began at the city square and ended at Bilal bin Rabah Mosque which is under Israeli military control.
BBC targeted in Muslim-Jewish women protest against Israeli slaughter
By IRNA,
London : Muslim and Jewish women joined forces outside the BBC’s Broadcasting House in London Monday in a ‘Vigil & Speakout’ against Israel’s massacre of more than 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza.
“We have come together to spell out the truth about occupied Palestine that the media, beginning with the BBC, refuses to report,” they said in a joint statement.
British soldiers to be questioned over Iraq war crimes
By IANS,
London : Hundreds of British soldiers will be investigated for crimes allegedly committed during the Iraq war, the Telegraph reported Sunday.
Gulf oil earnings to touch record $562 bn in 2008
By IANS,
Dubai : Oil producing nations in the Gulf will earn a record $562 billion by the end of this year, as oil prices are expected to remain above $100 a barrel, according to a new report.
The London-based Centre for Global Energy Studies (CGES), in its monthly oil report for August, has said the combined oil export earnings of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will soar to their highest level of $562 billion this year even as they pumped at their highest level, the Emirates Business 24-7 newspaper reported.
Pakistan team gets rousing welcome on return
By IANS,
Karachi : The Pakistani cricket team, which lost to arch-rivals India in the 2011 World Cup semifinal, was accorded a heroes' welcome by its fans on its return home early Friday.
Haneya welcomes Abbas’ readiness for talks with Hamas
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Deposed Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya on Tuesday welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' statements over readiness for talks with the Islamic movement.
Haneya said in a statement faxed to the media that he welcomes any efforts for conciliation, renewing call to the Arab League to engage in more serious efforts for the sake of Palestinian national unity.
"Hamas' government is ready to start a dialogue on the base of no lose or victory" between the Palestinians, according to Haneya's statement.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka sign Memorandum of Understanding
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan and Sri Lanka have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoD) to increase the weekly frequency of flights by threefold from five to fourteen.
Delegations of the two countries met to liberalize the existing Air Services Agreement (ASA) between the two countries, said an official statement.
Pakistan delegation was led by Maj Gen Mir Haider Ali Khan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, whereas the Sri Lankan delegation was headed by D.T.P. Collure, Secretary Ministry of Ports and Aviation of Sri Lanka.
Jordanian political and cultural organizations call for Confronting Western Campaigns against Islam
By SPA
Amman : Political and cultural Jordanian organizations have denounced the western media campaigns against Islam and Muslims.
They condemned, in a statement released here today, re-publishing the drawings, which insult Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, by the Danish newspapers.
The organizations pointed out that these biased campaigns stand as a witness for the existing fanatic racial mobilization against the Muslims and their sanctities.
They called for boycotting Denmark at all economic, political and cultural domains in a gradual manner.
Militants storm Kabul hotel, 13 dead
By IANS,
Kabul : Thirteen people, including six attackers, were killed and eight injured overnight when Taliban guerrillas stormed a luxury hotel here frequented by foreign nationals.
45 militants killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : At least 45 Taliban militants have been killed in operations carried out by Afghan and NATO-led troops, the interior ministry said Sunday.
14 killed, 140 wounded in Baghdad’s Sadr City
By SPA
Baghdad : Fourteen people were killed and more than 140 wounded in clashes between security forces and militants in Baghdad's Sadr City slum, a medical source said on Wednesday.
The source in the health office for the eastern half of Baghdad said the figures came from the Sadr and Imam Ali hospitals in Sadr City and the Kindi hospital in central Baghdad.
He said the casualties included women and children caught in the crossfire in the clashes, which broke out on Tuesday and continued overnight.
~Youth Views~ Western students exceed Lebanese expectations
By Nathalie Nahas,
Despite the political and economic turmoil that Lebanon has endured for many years – which culminated in violence weeks before the recent Doha accord – I recently noticed that the number of international students around the American University of Beirut (AUB) campus has grown. One only has to attend a course on Middle Eastern studies to notice the diversity of nationalities, with students coming from the United States and throughout Europe.
Three Iraqi candidates killed ahead of provincial poll
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Three Iraqi candidates have been killed in different cities ahead of the upcoming provincial election, police sources said.
Omar Farouk al-Ani, a Sunni candidate of the Iraqi Islamic party which belongs to the Iraqi Accordance Front, was killed by unknown gunmen Thursday night in western Baghdad, a police source said.
Unknown gunmen Thursday evening shot dead al-Ani in front of his home in Amiriya, west of Baghdad, and ran away.
Insurgents briefly seize Somali town, kill seven
By Xinhua
Mogadishu : Six Somali government soldiers and a child were killed and an unknown number of people wounded after Islamist fighters Wednesday overran two towns in the north but withdrew after three hours, residents said.
"We have taken over Jawhar and Mahaday towns and chased the collaborators, killed many of their soldiers and captured huge cache of weapons from the enemy," Abdelhakim Isse Abukar, spokesman for the fighters of the Union of Islamic Courts, told Xinhua by phone from an unspecified location in Somalia.
Indian, Pakistani armies exchange sweets on LoC
By IANS,
Jammu: Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged sweets Saturday on the occasion of India's 64th Republic Day Saturday, only weeks after they clashed on the Jammu and Kashmir border.
Chavez sends letter to Gaddafi wishing him victory
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Caracas : Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez sent a letter to his Libyan counterpart Muammar Gaddafi, expressing support to his "brother-in-arms" and wishing him victory.
Bush arrives in Afghanistan after eventful Iraqi visit
By DPA,
Kabul/Washington : US President George W. Bush arrived in Afghanistan early Monday on a surprise farewell visit after his eventful trip to Baghdad where an Iraqi journalist threw shoes at him and called him a "dog".
Bush made an unnanounced visit to Iraq Sunday, where he met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nuori al-Maliki.
However, his visit ended in a shameful note when an Iraqi television news reporter threw shoes at him and called him a "dog" in Arabic during a press conference with al-Maliki in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.
Taliban Leader Claims Responsibility For Police Academy Attack
By BERNAMA,
ISLAMABAD : Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud has claimed responsibility for the attack on a police training school in Lahore on Monday, China's Xinhua news agency quoted private Geo NEWS TV channel as reporting on Tuesday.
Baitullah Mehsud, leader of the banned outfit Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) confirmed that his group conducted the attack but did not give details, said the report.
Zardari asks PM to review corruption-waiver list
By IANS,
Islamabad:President Asif Ali Zardari Monday asked Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to review the names of all those who had benefited from an ordinance granting immunity to prominent Pakistanis charged with corruption.
Gilani was also asked to remove the names of those who had been wrongly included in the list, Zardari said during a meeting with the prime minister at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Online news agency reported, quoting sources.
“French Reporters” urges clarification of Pakistani cyber law
By KUNA
Paris : Press freedom organization, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), on Wednesday expressed concern about a new law in Pakistan governing press activity, including the use of photos and video on blogs.
The new law "will pose serious obstacles" to "citizen journalism," the French organization said, calling on Pakistani authorities to "clarify the definition of some of its provisions".
Iran calls UN Security Council actions illegal
By IANS
New York : Iran Saturday said the actions taken by the UN Security Council against the country over its nuclear programme lack any shred of logic and legality.
Citing the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) report on Iran, which was issued Friday, the country's permanent representative to the UN Mohammad Khazae said the report proved that the allegations made by some countries against Iran were totally flawed and baseless, official IRNA news agency reported.
Israel hands over body of Palestinian militant killed in Nahal Oz
By KUNA
Ramallah : Israeli forces handed over the body of a Palestinian killed during clashes near Nahal Oz crossing yesterday, Medical sources in Gaza Strip reported Thursday.
Sources added, the body of Hassan Awadh, 23, a member of the Popular Resistance Committees and a resident of Rafah, south Gaza Strip, was handed over by the Israeli forces.
Islamic Jihad's Quds Brigades said that communications with two militants involved in a mission against Nahal Oz was lost yesterday.
Hamas advisor: Israel wants Gaza surrendered
By IRNA,
London : A Hamas advisor says Israel is intensifying the Gaza siege in the hope of forcing Hamas to surrender the strip or accept the conditions of the Quartet.
"They (Quartet members) are asking Hamas to recognize Israel, disarm and accept all agreements concluded by the PLO," Azam Tamimi told IRNA, reiterating that the Islamic movement will never accept such conditions.
Tamimi said the whole population of Gaza is willing to resist and stand against external pressure and the Israeli blockade.
Syrian oil minister hails Iran’s cooperation in gas, oil fields
By IRNA
Damascus : Syrian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Sufian Alaw hailed Iran's cooperation in the field of oil and gas here Monday.
Responding to a question by IRNA, the Syrian minister said, "We have a wide cooperation with Iran in the fields of oil and gas and currently we are constructing an oil refinery in the district of al-Ferqles in the Hamas province with capacity of 140 million barrels annually."
NRI businessman in Oman offers jobs to rescued nurses
Muscat : Another NRI businessman has come forward to recruit the 46 Indian nurses who were rescued from war-torn Iraq last week.
M.M.Ramachandran, chairman of...
Bangladesh war hero who served three armies dead
By IANS,
Dhaka : Qazi Nooruzzaman, a hero of Bangladesh's liberation war who served the British Indian Navy and three armies during his lifetime, is dead. He was 86, a media report said.
Twenty five Palestinians injured in Israeli bombardment
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli warplanes on Wednesday night launched another attack at the Gaza Strip targeting building of the Ministry of Interior of the dismissed Hamas government in the Shajaiyeh neighborhood.
Palestinian security sources said that Israeli military aircraft fired three missiles at a five-storey building of the Ministry of Interior, destroying it completely.
The sources added that 25 Palestinians were injured who were residents of the targeted neighborhood by the Israeli bombardment.
Musharraf gets a drubbing, Bhutto and Nawaz names carry the day
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Late Benazir Bhutto's PPP and former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif's PML-N were neck and neck Tuesday as the election results came in and it became evident that the people had rejected not only religious parties but also the PML-Q backed by President Pervez Musharraf.
According to the results announced for 210 of the 272 National Assembly (NA) seats, Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party was leading with 69 seats followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz with 65.
BSF catches over 2,000 Bangladeshi immigrants
Kolkata : The Border Security Force (BSF) has caught over 2,000 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants at the border, BSF Inspector General Anil Paliwal said Monday.
"We...
Hyderabad youth on street against Israeli airstrikes in Gaza
By SM Fasiullah, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad: People in Hyderabad have raised strong voice condemning Israel’s recent air strikes on the Palestinian lands, which killed at least 100 innocent civilians and injured thousands other while also damaging numerous properties.
Toll in Lahore twin blasts rises to 28
By Xinhua
Islamabad : The twin suicide bombing attacks in the eastern Pakistan city of Lahore have left 28 people dead and 160 injured, GEO TV channel reported.
The blasts, one targeting the Federal Investigation Agency headquarters and the other hitting an advertising firm Tuesday, were the latest in a wave of violence in Pakistan.
Tripura MP wants easy visa for Bangladeshis
Agartala : A Lok Sabha member from Tripura Wednesday said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has assured him that her ministry would take steps...
Roadside bomb kills four Shiite pilgrims in S Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A roadside bomb explosion went off in southern Baghdad on Monday near a crowd of pilgrims marching to commemorate one of Shiite Muslims' holiest days, killing four people and wounding 12 others, an Interior Ministry source said. The attack occurred at about 8:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) in an intersection in the Zaafaraniyah neighborhood, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Taliban leader Fazlullah seriously injured, says Pakistani minister
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik said senior Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah has been seriously injured in fighting in the Swat Valley.
In an interview with BBC, Malik said the Taliban militants are currently on the run, but the Pakistani forces will soon capture them. He said the terrorists are hiding in South Waziristan and making plans for terror attacks.
"We need help from the world community to find out who is helping the Taliban with money and arms," the Online news agency reported Wednesday citing the minister.
Obama pledges US support to democracy, human rights
By DPA,
Cairo : In a much-anticipated speech to the world's Muslims from Cairo Thursday, US President Barack Obama said his government supports human rights and democracy.
"America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election," Obama said.
Qatari Emir, Indian PM discuss bilateral ties, regional and international developments
By SPA,
Doha : Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani received here today the visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
During the meeting, they discussed the existing relations between the two countries, ways of enhancing cooperation in all fields, the latest developments at regional and international arenas and matters of common concern.
Israeli drill a prelude for Iran attack?
By Xinhua,
Beijing : A US leak of an Israeli air exercise reported to be practice for possible bombing of Iran's nuclear sites was seen in Israel yesterday as a deliberate move to increase pressure on Teheran to halt sensitive atomic work.
"When the diplomacy of economic and political pressure fails to produce results, a shift is made to gunboat diplomacy," wrote Alex Fishman, military affairs correspondent of Israel's biggest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth.
‘Iran, Pakistan can establish peace in the region’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Iran and Pakistan could play an important role in establishing peace and stability in the region, a top Pakistani politician has said.
Iraqi authorities take over Wasti security dossier
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : The handover of the security dossier of the Wasit province has taken place here to make it the 13th province to return to Iraqi control.
There was no curfew coinciding with the ceremony Wednesday, which was the norm for such occasions. However, some precautionary measures like checkpoints were seen.
Wasit is the 13th province out of 18 under MNF management to be restored to Iraqi government control before the end of 2008.
Wasit shares east borders with Iran, and Baghdad from the north.
White coffee: Malaysia starts new trend in beverages
By IANS,
Ipoh: Coffee drinkers from across the world are now flocking to Malaysia's Ipoh city to taste a beverage created there for the first time - white coffee.
Congratulations on birth anniv. of prophet (PBUH), Imam Jaafar Sadeq (AS)
By IRNA,
Tehran : Today is the 17th of the lunar month of Rabiulawal, marking the birth anniversary of the holy prophet of Islam Hazrat Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him and His Progeny) and of his sixth rightful successor Imam Jaafar Sadeq (AS).
Millions of Iranians Sunday paid tribute to the memory of prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Imam Jaafar Sadeq (AS), the sixth Imam and rightful successor of the Prophet's (AS) household on their birth anniversaries.
Mosques and holy shrines throughout the country are reportedly festooned with electric bulbs and other decorative ornaments today.
Cuba for NAM Unity to Change Exclusive World Order
By Prensa Latina,
Tehran : Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque affirmed on Tuesday that his country will continue the battle to democratize international relations in a world where the Non-aligned States cope with ever serious challenges.
When speaking at the 15th NAM Ministerial Conference in the Iranian capital, Perez Roque pointed out that one of the chairmanship"s priorities is to consolidate the defense of its stances at the UN Security Council.
China voices serious concern over failure to implement UN’s Gaza Resolution
By Xinhua,
Beijing : China has voiced its serious concern that UN Security Council Resolution 1860 on the fighting in Gaza has not been implemented or respected by the parties involved.
"The UN Security Council Resolution 1860 represents the common will and demand of the international community on the current situation in Gaza, and should be respected and implemented," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu told a regular press conference here on Tuesday.
Militants attack paramilitary camp in Pakistan
By KUNA
Islamabad : Militants Tuesday attacked two paramilitary camps in North Waziristan tribal agency, bordering Afghanistan, wounding seven soldiers and setting ablaze a grid station, said officials.
The gunmen assaulted Frontier Core (FC) camp in Razmak area of the agency with rockets, security officials told KUNA.
They said the attack left five soldiers wounded, one of the them critically. An adjacent grid station was caught on fire, adding that the fire spread to other buildings as well causing huge property damage.
Water crisis deepens in Pakistan as India blocks main river flow
By KUNA,
Islamabad : Water shortage has become more sever in Pakistan as India has closed water flow of one of the main rivers, Chenab, said a report here on Monday.
The water blockade by India could adversely affect the crops, particularly cotton and sugarcane which were in maturity stage and required final watering, citing sources a local newspaper Dawn reported.
It said the Pakistan Indus Water Commission had taken up the matter with the federal government and convened a meeting on Tuesday to take stock of the situation and try to reach a diplomatic solution with New Delhi.
New port terminal set to boost Dubai cruise tourism
By IANS,
Dubai: A new port terminal being built here in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to boost cruise tourism in a big way, WAM news agency reported.
Though an exact launch date has still not been set, the new cruise terminal at Port Rashid is expected to open next month.
The opening could possibly coincide with the naming of the new cruise ship by Costa Cruises Feb 23, WAM said Friday.
UAE urges world community to condemn Israeli attacks
By IANS
Geneva : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called upon the international community to condemn the "massacres and genocide committed against innocent Palestinian children, women and elderly people by Israel", WAM news agency reported Friday.
Sheikha Najlaa Al Qasimi, UAE's envoy at the UN's Geneva headquarters, told the UN Human Rights Council Thursday the Israeli actions in Gaza came as a result of international silence and the encouragement it derived from such silence.
"The UN stands helpless in the backdrop of such indifference," she added.
Pakistani-American indicted in Times Square car bomb attempt
By IANS,
New York : A federal grand jury has indicted Pakistani American Faisal Shahzad in the Times Square bombing attempt on 10 counts, including attempt to commit international terrorism and use a weapon of mass destruction.
Six of the charges against Shahzad, 30, carry a maximum life sentence if convicted, including two that bring a mandatory life sentence, according to a Department of Justice statement issued after his indictment in New York Thursday.
IDB announces $1.5 billion in soft loans to poor Muslim countries
By IINA,
Jeddah : The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group announced yesterday that it would give $1.5 billion in soft loans to poor Muslim countries to increase agricultural production and achieve food security within the next five years. The announcement was made during the 33rd annual conference of IDB governors at the Jeddah Hilton that was opened by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. Finance, economy and planning ministers of 56 IDB member countries are attending the meeting, which will conclude today.
Iranian rial drops 7 percent after n-talks extension
Tehran : The Iranian rial Monday lost 7.25 percent of its value after the announcement last week that the government's nuclear talks with the...
Pakistan to facilitate Afghan-Taliban peace talks
Islamabad: Afghanistan's peace and prosperity were essential for Pakistan's own security, Adviser to prime minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has...
Militants attack officer’s convoy in Pakistan, kill guards
Islamabad : Militants attacked the convoy of a senior Pakistani officer and killed two of his guards in Balochistan province on Friday.
Armed militants attacked...
Israeli forces arrest 10 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Israeli forces on Wednesday arrested 10 Palestinians in West Bank cities, saying they were wanted by Israel, Palestinian security sources said.
The detainees were arrested in West Bank towns of Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilia and Hebron. According to Israeli sources, they were taken for interrogation.
Meanwhile, the Israeli security sources said an Israeli army force was targeted by an explosive device in al-Fawwar refugee camp near Hebron this morning.
The sources said the explosion caused no casualties or damage.
Iranian minister nomination spurs protests in Argentina
By DPA,
Buenos Aires : The nomination of Ahmad Vahidi to head the Iranian Defence Ministry spurred protests in Argentina, where Justice officials have accused him of being involved in the 1984 bombing of the Jewish mutual association AMIA, which left 85 dead.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday sought parliamentary approval for his 21-member cabinet, which includes Vahidi, ISNA news agency reported. Parliament is to start debating the new appointees Aug 30.
Talks on restoring Pakistan’s judges remain deadlocked
By Aroonim Bhuyan and Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Dubai/Islamabad : Talks between Pakistan's ruling coalition partners, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Dubai regarding the reinstatement of the country's judges remained deadlocked overnight.
Leaders of the two parties met for over four hours, first at PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari's residence here Monday evening and then continued the meeting at a nearby hotel.
UAE armed forces release book on role in Afghanistan
By ANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The armed forces of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have released a book on its role in providing security, stability and humanitarian aid in war-torn Afghanistan.
US strikes in Pakistan show Bush anti-terror policy continues
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : As drone-fired US missiles continued to target suspected Al Qaeda fighters in Pakistan just east of the Afghan border, analysts saw it as signalling that one key element of the Bush administration's war on terror remains unchanged.
Two US strikes Friday - the first since President Barack Obama took office - showed that the new US administration would continue the Bush policy of aggressively attacking militant targets in Pakistan from the air, Bruce Riedel, a specialist on Al Qaeda at the Brookings Institution said.
Pakistan has yet to take effective action: India
By IANS,
New Delhi : Days after India presented a fresh dossier on the alleged involvement of Hafiz Saeed in the Mumbai attacks, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Monday asked Islamabad to honour its anti-terror pledge and take "effective steps" to dismantle the "infrastructure of terrorism" on its soil.
9/11 led to war decision, Blair tells Iraq probe
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London: Former British prime minister Tony Blair Friday put up a strong defence of his controversial decision to invade Iraq in 2003 at an official inquiry here, saying the terrorist strikes of 9/11 changed his view of the threat posed by Saddam Hussein.
Speaking as hundreds of anti-war demonstrators protested outside the Chilcot inquiry venue, Blair said his view of the Iraqi dictator changed "dramatically" after the 9/11 attacks.
Indian borders on alert after mutiny in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Guwahati/Agartala : India Wednesday put its frontier guards on maximum alert along the Bangladesh border following a border guard mutiny in the neighbouring country, officials said.
An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) official said troopers were put on high alert and additional reinforcements rushed to sensitive border areas along the northeastern states of Tripura and Assam.
"A high alert was sounded with senior officials asked to station themselves in the border outposts," A.K. Singh, a BSF spokesperson said.
US House passes $162 bn bill for Iraq, Afghan wars
By DPA,
Washington : The US House of Representatives has passed a $162-billion measure to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for education benefits for veterans of the ongoing conflicts.
The Lower House of US parliament passed the measure in a 268-155 vote Thursday after weeks of tough negotiations with US President George W. Bush, who opposed spending extra money beyond what is needed for the wars.
The White House relented after the centre-left Democratic majority agreed to remove some domestic spending but kept the veterans' education package, which Bush had opposed.
Israeli archaeologists find ancient bread stamp
By IANS,
Jerusalem : A tiny seal with the image of a seven-branch menorah, used to stamp the kosher sign on bread 1,500 years ago, was discovered by Israeli archaeologists.
Top Russian official says Iran’s nuclear program is strictly peaceful
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : A senior Russian government official said on Wednesday after talks with the Iranian leadership that the Islamic Republic was not developing nuclear weapons.
Valentin Sobolev, who serves as the acting head of Russia's Security Council, arrived in Tehran with a delegation of high-ranking Russian officials last Sunday to discuss with the Iranian leadership international and regional issues, as well as bilateral economic cooperation and the Iranian nuclear program.
29 killed in Syria car bomb blast
Washington : At least 29 people were killed and dozens wounded Thursday in a car bomb blast in Syria near Turkish border, an opposition...
Israel arrests 13 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli army arrested 13 Palestinians during several raids in the West Bank cities and suburbs, local and security sources said on Wednesday.
In Nablus city, Israeli troops detained eight Palestinians following a midnight incursion in which the Israeli army vehicles rolled into the city from various directions.
During the operation, the army stormed a shopping mall, days after it issued an order to shut it down for its alleged links to Islamic Hamas movement, the sources said.
Fatima Bhutto’s book still on top
By IANS,
New Delhi : "Songs of Blood and Sword" by Fatima Bhutto, niece of late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, is the top non-fiction bestseller for the third consecutive week while Amish Tripathi's "The Immortals of Meluha" dominates the fiction list.
Non-fiction
1. "Songs of Blood and Sword"
Author: Fatima Bhutto
Publisher: Penguin Viking
Price: Rs.699.00
2. "The Big Short"
Author: Michael Lewis
Publisher: Allen Lane
Price: Rs.599.00
3. "Becoming Indian"
Author: Pavan K. Varma
Publisher: Penguin/Allen Lane
Price: Rs.499.00
Zardari sworn in as Pakistan president
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was sworn in as Pakistani president at a ceremony in Islamabad Tuesday, embarking on a five-year term in the top office of the country.
He became the first civilian president of the country after nine years, replacing General Pervez Musharraf, who opted to step down last month in a bid to escape an impeachment in parliament.
Israeli jets destroy house of Hamas leader
Gaza : Israeli jets struck early Tuesday the house of Ismail Haneya, deputy chief of Islamic Hamas movement, in western Gaza City, Gaza's interior...
Iraqi parliament approves new temporary flag
By Xinhua
Baghdad : The Iraqi parliament passed Tuesday a bill to slightly change the nation's flag temporarily, to meet demands from the Kurdish minority who threatened to ban Saddam Hussein's flag during a pan-Arab meeting in Arbil next month.
The approval for the new flag came by majority after 110 out of165 parliament members approved the flag change.
Pakistan parliament briefed on war on terror
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's parliament Wednesday evening met in-camera - only the third such meeting in its history - amid strict security as a military general briefed the MPs on the ongoing operations in the tribal areas of the country and the war on terror.
Director General of Military Operations Lt. Gen. Ahmad Shuja Pasha briefed the parliamentarians from both houses - the National Assembly and the Senate.
The briefing started at 6 p.m. and continued for two-and-a-half hours before the session was adjourned to meet again at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Seven killed in clashes in northwestern Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least seven people were killed Thursday when a house in Pakistan's northwestern district of Swat was hit by shells in clashes between security forces and Taliban militants, according to a TV report.
Women and children were among those killed in the Deolai area of the Swat valley, Khyber TV reported.
Clashes between Taliban and security forces started Tuesday after insurgents killed three officials and kidnapped around 30 security personnel from a check post.
UAE envoys to discuss diplomacy in Asia
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: UAE ambassadors to Asian countries will meet in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur April 22-23 to discuss strategies to pursue their foreign policies in the region.
The first forum of heads of UAE diplomatic missions in Asia will be held in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, foreign minister, and Anwar Mohammed Gargash, minister of state for foreign affairs.
The meeting, being organised as part of the annual gathering of UAE envoys, will discuss the foreign ministry's political report and the challenges the UAE diplomats are facing in Asia.
Iraqi forces curb sectarian riot as Shias observe major ritual
Baghdad : Iraqi security forces responded to a sectarian riot overnight at a Sunni district in Baghdad as Shia pilgrims observed a major ritual...
UAE calls for nuclear disarmament
By IANS,
New York : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called for nuclear disarmament and welcomed the UN Security Council resolution 1887 in this regard.
Addressing the UN First Committee on "Disarmament and International Security", Ali Ahmed Al-Shehhi, a member of the UAE delegation to the UN, confirmed UAE's renouncement of possession of nuclear arsenals which constitute a threat to international security and stability, WAM news agency reported Thursday.
19 killed in violence in northwest Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 19 people, including three soldiers and 14 militants, were killed Tuesday in fresh clashes in northwest Pakistan, security officials said.
A roadside bomb targeted a security convoy in Kabal area of Swat valley in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), killing three security forces members and injuring several, a local official said.
The official who spoke on condition of anonymity said three vehicles of the security forces were also destroyed in the attack.
Karzai rival alleges widespread fraud in Afghan polls
By IANS,
London : Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's leading opposition candidate, has said the legitimacy of his country's new government is at stake because of what he described as "state engineered fraud" at the elections.
"I think if the process doesn't survive, then Afghanistan doesn't survive.
"Because what does that mean? The same sort of regime that crafted this massive, massive rigging will be imposed upon Afghanistan for another five years," he told The Daily Telegraph in an interview published Saturday.
Abbas says ready to run Gaza crossings
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday that he was ready to run Gaza Strip crossings if Israel ends its siege on the coastal enclave, well-informed Palestinian sources said.
The sources, which spoke on the condition of anonymity said in a statement sent to reporters that President Abbas was ready to run Gaza Strip crossings "in the frame of his request from Israel to end the siege imposed on the enclave."
UNSC fact finding mission arrives in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A UN Security Council fact finding mission has arrived in Kabul to assess the situation in the war-battered country, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement Monday.
The delegation headed by Italian diplomat Giulio Terzi will hold meetings with Afghan leaders, including President Hamid Karzai and civil bodies representatives during its stay in the country.
According to the statement, the mission's talks in Afghanistan would focus on security, good governance, human rights, social and economic development.
Pakistan’s Senate condemns U.S.-led coalition attack
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Senate Thursday adopted a unanimous resolution, strongly condemning an attack by Afghanistan-based coalition troops on a Pakistani border region, which resulted into the killing of some 20 people.
"The Chinook helicopter-borne ground attack supported by additional air assets based in Afghanistan is a gross violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Senate resolution said.
UK urged to reopen corruption investigation into Saudi arms deal
London, Feb 6, IRNA -- The UK is being urged to reopen corruption investigations into the country’s largest defence manufacturer after BAE Systems agreed a plea bargain to pay a record criminal corporate fine to close US inquiries.
“The company's admission obviously calls into question its repeated denials of any wrong doing,” said Nicholas Hildyard for the social justice campaign group, The Corner House.
“Far from drawing a line under the allegations, today’s announcement simply raises far more questions and creates yet further demands for justice,” Hildyard said.
Canada not to lift arms embargo on Pakistan
By Gurmukh Singh, IANS,
Toronto : Canada Thursday clarified it has no plans to lift its arms embargo on Pakistan, a day after the defence minister said the government was contemplating resuming military sales to Islamabad.
Ottawa had imposed the embargo after Pakistan exploded its nuclear device in 1998 in response to India's second round of nuclear tests.
Injury from blast killed Benazir, Scotland Yard report says
By NNN-APP
New York : A Scotland Yard investigation has concluded that PPP leader Benazir Bhutto died after hitting her head as she was tossed by the force of a suicide blast, not from an assassin’s bullet, The New York Times reported on its website on Thursday night.
Citing officials who have been briefed on the inquiry, the newspaper said the findings support the Pakistan government’s explanation of Ms. Bhutto’s assassination in December, an account that had been greeted with disbelief by her supporters, other Pakistanis and medical experts.
Malaysian Indian Congress faces internal conflict
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) President S Samy Vellu's announcement to quit the post late next year has triggered a crisis in the party.
A movement is building up within the party even as Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who heads ruling alliance Barisan Nasional (BN), of which the MIC is a key constituent, has refused to "interfere in the party's internal affairs".
Najib Saturday acknowledged that the party problem was getting hotter, The Star newspaper said.
Pakistan declines to comment on Karzai’s allegations
Islamabad : The Pakistan Foreign Office has declined to react to allegations levelled by the outgoing Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai over a peace settlement...
Iran has no plan to make nuclear weapons: Defence Minister
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Saturday that Iran has no plans to develop nuclear weapons, the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) reported.
"We regard production of weapons of mass destruction as contrary to our religious, human and national principles," Vahidi was quoted as saying.
"Manufacturing nuclear weapon is not and has never been on our agenda," he added.
Egypt to try Morsi for leaking security papers to Qatar
Cairo: Ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, along with 10 others, will face trial over leaking security documents to Qatar, media reported Saturday.
The former president...
UN confirms Paestinian targeted by Israeli raid employed by UNRWA
By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : The UN has confirmed that Awad al Geeg, the Palestinian killed on Monday in Rafah in an Israeli targeted assassination air strike, was an UNRWA employee but will not confirm that he was the deputy commander of Islamic Jihad.
Marie Okabe told the daily press briefing Tuesday in answer to a question that the 40-year-old Palestinian was deputy headmaster of a boys' preparatory school in Rafah, but "it's not for me to confirm whether or not the individual was the deputy commander of Islamic Jihad." The Islamic militant group confirmed that he was.
Flydubai launches flight to Iraq
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: The low cost airline Flydubai has launched its first flight to Iraq by flying to the city of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region, the company announced Saturday.
The FZ201 aircraft completed a three-hour journey to Erbil Friday after it took off from the Dubai International Airport.
Flydubai's chief commercial officer Hamad Obaidalla said: "Stability is returning to Iraq and particularly to the Kurdistan region, and this makes Erbil an important gateway into the country.
Pakistan to enlarge pictorial warning on cigarette packs
By IANS,
Islamabad: The Pakistan government will increase the size of the pictorial health warning on cigarette packets from 30 to 50 percent, a media report said Tuesday.
34 dead in Afghan suicide attack, IS claims responsibility
Kabul: At least 34 people were killed and more than 100 injured on Saturday in a suicide bombing outside a bank in Jalalabad city...
Hamas warns Israel against attacking Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement on Sunday warned Israel against carrying out any military action in the Gaza Strip in response to homemade rockets from Gaza at Israel.
"Israel would be playing with fire in case it carries out any military action against Gaza," said Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, adding "The occupation (Israel) should think carefully before carrying out such an action."
Kashmiri artists and ghazal lovers mourn Mehdi Hassan
By IANS,
Srinagar : As the news of Mehdi Hassan's death spread in Kashmir Wednesday, a pall of gloom descended on the artistic fraternity and ghazal lovers here.
7 security personnel injured in NW Pakistan blast
By Xinhua,
ISLAMABAD : At least seven security personnel were injured Thursday when their vehicle was attacked in a remote control bomb blast in Pakistan's northwestern Mohmond agency.
The private Geo TV reported that the main target of the attack was to kill a Frontier Corp officer, who actually survived with injury.
Taliban issue hit-list of politicians in NW Pakistan
Pakistan suicide bombing kills 17 police recruits
By IANS,
Mingora (Pakistan) : At least 17 police recruits were killed and over 40 others seriously injured Sunday in a suicide bomb attack at a police training centre in northwest Pakistan, the Online news agency reported.
The incident took place in Mingora city, the capital of Swat Valley in North West Frontier Province (NWFP). The security forces have meanwhile started a search operation to nab the associates of the suicide bomber. A massive fire broke out at the site after the blast.
Islamic Jihad says Israel-connected spy network discovered in Gaza Strip
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Jihad movement on Wednesday announced it discovered a spy cell comprising seven collaborators with Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Abu Ahmed, a spokesman for the movement's military wing, said the spy cell was discovered ten days ago in southern Gaza Strip and its chief was seized while he guided the Jihad militants to the other members of the network.
Pakistan requests UN to investigate Bhutto’s murder
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan has formally asked the United Nations to probe the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, her husband Asif Ali Zardari said Friday.
"The request has been sent to the United Nations," Zardari told reporters in Islamabad.
He said the country's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi would soon hold a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York to "personally deliberate with him on the issue."
‘South Waziristan operations may regain investor confidence’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) said Sunday the military operations against the Taliban in South Waziristan may help regain investor confidence.
The operations will spark the confidence of local and foreign investors and change the sentiment in the stock market. This will also help the country combat unemployment, PEW said.
"If successful, like the previous operations in Swat, it will bring peace and economic activity will pick up," Online news agency quoted PEW President Murtaza Mughal as saying.
Teachers banned from using cellphones in Rawalpindi
Islamabad : School teachers in Pakistan's Rawalpindi city have been prohibited to use cellphones during working hours, a media report said Monday.
To ensure implementation...
Freeze on intake of Bangladeshi workers stays, says Malaysian PM Najib
By Abdul Muin Abdul Majid, NNN-Bernama,
Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) : Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said the freeze on the intake of Bangladeshi workers stays despite a request from his Bangladeshi counterpart for a review of the decision.
He said the request was conveyed in his talks with Sheikh Hasina Wajed on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2009 here Saturday.
Gaza toll rises to 854
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The toll in the Israeli military operation against the Islamic Hamas-led militant groups in the Gaza Strip has risen to 854, emergency officials here said.
The air and ground offensives continued in Gaza Saturday as the Israeli operation entered its 15th day.
Gaza emergency chief Mo'aweya Hassanein told reporters the death toll has reached 854 since the Israeli operation began Dec 27. More than 3,500 people were wounded, he added.
He said 18 bodies were found Saturday under the rubbles of a destroyed house.
Russia, Spain to sign Afghan transit deal next week
By DPA,
Moscow : Russia will sign a deal next week allowing Spain to transit supplies for NATO operations in Afghanistan by rail through its southern territory, an aide for President Dmitry Medvedev said Friday.
Medvedev will sign the transit agreement during an official visit to Madrid March 1-3, Interfax news agency quoted Kremlin aide Sergei Prikhodko as saying.
Spain, with over 600 military personnel based in Afghanistan, would become the fourth NATO-member state to be granted transit rights by Moscow after Germany, France and the US.
Flood leaves 10 dead, 12 injured in NW Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Ten people were killed and 12 others were injured in flood in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), according to local TV Wednesday.
The Geo TV channel quoted Muhammad Anis, District Coordination Officer of Peshawar, capital city of NWFP as saying that the flood had damaged 8,000 houses and affected 25,000 families in Peshawar.
Anis said the total loss would amount to 4 billion rupees (around 55.3 million U.S. dollars).
Torrential rains continued for days in Peshawar and caused flood waters.
Israel continues aggression in Gaza, executes air raids
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli Army continued in the early hours of Sunday its operations in different areas of Gaza Strip, causing more causalities among Palestinians.
Israeli fighter jets executed this morning several air raids on the Strip, launching missiles that demolishes buildings.
An Israeli helicopter also targed Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza, with two missiles. The camp was gravely damaged and several refugees were injuried and had to be hospitalized.
Houses in Beit Lahiya and Jabalia town were also attacked by Israeli fighter jets early Sunday.
Iranian President asks UN, FAO to speed up efforts for poverty elimination
By NNN-IRNA,
Rome : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said here that the FAO and the UN should play a more active role in the elimination of poverty.
"All plans offered by FAO for poverty eradication only serve as a `tranquilizer.' We believe the UN and FAO should play a more active role in tackling the crises, otherwise the domineering powers will take the role and turn global conditions in their own favour to the extent that the `tranquilizers' too will have no effect," he said in a meeting with UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon on the sidelines of the UN food summit here.
UN Security Council stops talks on Gaza statement
By Xinhua
United Nations : The U.N. Security Council decided on Tuesday to stop its discussions on a draft statement that would have called for an end to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
"Unfortunately, the Security Council has decided to stop discussions upon this issue," said Giadalla Ettalhi of Libya, the council's president for this month.
Ettalhi said the decision was made because council members could not reach a consensus on the nonbinding document, which requires the approval of all 15 members for adoption.
Pakistan submits request for UN probe into Bhutto’s death
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan Friday submitted a formal request to the UN for investigation into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Dawn TV reported.
Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and submitted the request, the report said.
Bhutto was killed in a gun and bomb attack last December while attending a political rally. She was a leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
President Pervez Musharraf asked for a Scotland Yard team to join in the investigation after Bhutto was killed.
Gunmen storm government building in Libya
Tripoli: A group of gunmen stormed a Libyan government compound Monday evening, demanding to transfer power to new Prime Minister Ahmed Maitiq, a security...
Turmoil in Pakistan: Sharif defies house arrest, lawyers battle police
By IANS,
Lahore : Pakistan seemed headed for political unrest as a combative former prime minister Nawaz Sharif Sunday defied his house arrest to lead a massive march to Islamabad and hundreds of lawyers and political activists swarmed the streets and fought pitched battles with police.
UK gov’t ‘very disappointed’ at unbanning MKO
By IRNA,
London : The British government insisted Wednesday it will ensure that public safety is not endangered by the deproscription of the anti-Iran Mujahidden-e-Khalq (MKO) as a terrorist group.
The MKO has "a long history of terrorism and this is why it was proscribed both in the UK and by other countries around the world," Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said.
Exiled Hamas leader condemns Israeli incursion in Gaza
By Xinhua
Damascus : Chief of Hamas' Political Bureau Khaled Meshaal, in exile in Syria, on Wednesday strongly condemned the Israeli incursion into Gaza as "a massacre that shakes the hearts of free people all over the world."
At a press conference, he called on Arab and Islamic countries to adopt an actual and practical response to this massacre while criticizing the silence of the international community.
Afghan gov’t due to take control of southern part of country by 2011: report
By IRNA
Berlin : Afghan government troops are supposed to be capable of controlling the war-stricken southern part of the country by 2011, the weekly Der Spiegel news magazine cited a secret dossier approved by NATO at this week's summit in the Romanian capital Bucharest.
According to the confidential NATO document, the envisaged progress in Afghanistan over the next three to five years has been listed and includes also a specified time frame for concrete objectives.
South Asian regional meeting on anti-terrorism rescheduled for April
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan said on Tuesday that the South Asian regional meeting on counter-terrorism has been rescheduled due to hectic phase of government formation.
The regional meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries on counter-terrorism cooperation will be held from April 15 to 17 in Islamabad, said Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema.
The meeting will be held alongside the meeting of police chiefs of the SAARC.
Risk-prone tankers threaten straits environment in Turkey
By Xinhua,
Ankara : The number of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and oil tanker traffic in Turkey's straits has grown by 2.6 times in the past 10 years, posing a serious environmental threat to the water, local Today's Zamam reported on Tuesday.
Turkey's Bosporus and Canakkale straits are of strategic importance as many countries in the Black Sea region depend on them to exchange goods with the rest of the world.
Bangladesh’s preparation for upcoming parliamentary elections in full swing
By Wang Xuemei, Xinhua,
Dhaka : With few days left, Bangladesh is in full swing for its long-awaited ninth parliamentary elections scheduled on Dec. 29 as all-out measures are taken to create congenial environment for voting.
To build up foolproof security for the elections, Bangladesh's Home Ministry will field a total of some 1 million members of the law enforcing agencies across the country to maintain law and order during the elections, according to reports of local media.
Pakistani Taliban vows revenge for death of No.2 leader
By IANS,
Washington : The Pakistani Taliban will avenge the killing of the outfit's No.2 leader, who was slain in a drone strike Wednesday, a Taliban spokesman told CNN Thursday.
Malaysian prime minister sworn in for second term
By DPA
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sworn in Monday for his second term in office after his ruling coalition secured a slim majority but suffered major losses in last weekend's elections.
Abdullah, 68, took the oath of office in a simple, closed-door ceremony before King Mizan Zainal Abidin at the royal palace.
Abdullah's ruling National Front coalition retained control of the government in Saturday's general election, but was denied a two-thirds majority of parliamentary seats.
Bangladesh’s capital dwellers rush for village homes to vote in parliamentary polls on Monday
By Naim-Ul-Karim, Xinhua,
Dhaka : With the Bangladesh's ninth parliamentary election only a day away, thousands of dwellers living in capital Dhaka have started to return to their village homes to join poll campaign and cast votes scheduled on Dec. 29.
Home bound Abdur Rahim, a private firm official, told Xinhua at a railway station here Saturday, "I am leaving Dhaka to join poll campaigns and cast my vote. Many of my family members have already left."
Gaza’s sole power plant to halt operation soon
By Xinhua
Gaza : The only power plant in the Gaza Strip decreased production to half and will shut down later Sunday due to fuel shortage after Israel sealed off all crossing points into the enclave, Palestinian officials said.
"Unfortunately, because of the lack of fuel deliveries, we have started to stop the work at the station," said Rafiq Maliha, director of Gaza power plant company.
IAEA investigators arrive in Tehran for talks
By IANS,
Tehran : Top investigator of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Olli Heinonen arrived here Monday to hold talks with Iranian officials on the country's nuclear programme, IRNA news agency reported.
Ali-Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's envoy to the UN nuclear watchdog welcomed Heinonen at the Imam Khomeini International Airport. IAEA director, Herman Nackaerts, is accompanying Heinonen on his two-day visit to the Islamic Republic.
Bush’s security adviser holds talks in Turkey
By SPA,
Ankara, Turkey : Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan encouraged dialogue to resolve the standoff over Tehran's disputed nuclear program after meeting with U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley on Thursday.
Hadley's visit to Turkey came two days before talks in Geneva in which a senior U.S. diplomat will for the first time join colleagues from other world powers at a meeting with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator.
William Burns, the No. 3 U.S. diplomat, will attend talks with Iranian envoy Saeed Jalili in Switzerland on Saturday, the Associated Press reported.
Saudi Arabia plans to erect a fence along its border with Iraq
By NNN-SPA,
Riyadh : Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, Interior Minister, considers infiltration cases into Iraq from Saudi Arabia as rare, noting at the same time that the Kingdom is planning to erect a fence along its border with Iraq to prevent infiltration attempts from Saudi Arabia to Iraq.
UAE charity educates 4 mn children in 20 countries
By IANS,
Dubai: A charitable trust in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provides education to four million children in 20 countries as part of its endeavour to remove the obstacles to their progress and to secure their future, WAM news agency reported Saturday.
Dubai Cares, launched by UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, provides primary education to children in developing countries and is considered to be the largest NGO in the world dedicated to this cause.
US announces $6.7 bn arms sale to Saudi Arabia
By IANS,
Washington: The Pentagon announced a proposed deal Friday to sell to Saudi Arabia 20 cargo aircraft and five refuelling planes, which is worth $6.7 billion.
Jailed Hasina’s release gets Dhaka’s political dialogue moving
By IANS,
Dhaka : The release from jail of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has got going the government's political dialogue preparatory to parliamentary elections promised for December.
Released to rapturous welcome on Wednesday from detention after 11 months, Hasina was quick to call for early elections. But she spoke on phone to Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed, who is heading the country's caretaker government.
Pakistan: senate Foreign Relations Committee demands OIC summit to discuss Israeli aggression
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Friday strongly condemned the Israeli state terrorism against civilians in Palestine and urged the Muslim countries to immediately convene OIC summit to discuss the recent issue of Israeli attacks on Palestine.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee in its meeting held here at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed also urged the United States Security Council to adopt resolution for immediate ceasefire by Israel.
Yemen army thwarts rebel attack as ceasefire collapses
By DPA
Sanaa: Government troops thwarted an attack by Shia rebels in the capital of the restive northwestern province of Saada Sunday after a shaky truce collapsed, a military source said.
The army fought back the rebels, known as Houthis, and "inflicted huge losses" on them after they attacked Saada city from three directions at dawn, the unnamed source said in a statement posted on the defence ministry's website.
"Elements of rebellion and terrorism tried to take advantage of the ceasefire and the halt of military operations ... to achieve gains on the ground," the source said.
Mubarak had name stitched into suit stripes
By IANS,
London : Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak had his name stitched into the stripes of swanky custom-made suits for around 10,000 pounds per suit.
Bomb attacks kill two policemen, civilian in Pakistan (Lead)
By DPA,
Islamabad : Two policemen and a civilian were killed Saturday in two separate bomb attacks in restive north-west Pakistan, officials said.
A powerful roadside bomb exploded next to a police vehicle near an Afghan refugee camp in Nasir Bagh, located on the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).
Area police chief Khaista Khan and his driver were killed and two more law enforcers were injured in the bombing, Senior Superintendent Police Peshawar Imtiaz Shah said.
Pakistan backs $1.5-bn aid from Saudi Arabia
Islamabad : Pakistan has defended taking a $1.5 billion aid package from Saudi Arabia, saying it will help overcome the country's economic crisis.
The opposition...
UN, UAE charity to launch primary education programmes in Sudan
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) based charity Dubai Cares has announced a joint venture with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) to launch primary education programmes in Sudan, WAM news agency reported Thursday.
The two organisations plan to build new school facilities, renovate damaged school buildings, train teaching staff and provide educational supplies in southern Sudan.
The programmes are expected to benefit around 700,000 children in the next ten years.
Iraq war illegal, says Clegg
By IANS,
London : Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said the invasion of Iraq was illegal, throwing into confusion the coalition government's policy.
Clegg's comments Wednesday angered some Conservative MPs, many of whom, including Prime Minister David Cameron, had voted for the 2003 invasion, The Telegraph reported.
The Liberal Democrat leader was speaking in parliament while deputising for Cameron, who is on an official visit to the US.
Umar shines in Pakistan’s thrilling win over Australia
Mirpur (Bangladesh): Former champions Pakistan bounced back in style from their loss to India with a 16-run win over Australia in their must-win ICC...
We will wait, watch: Jamaat on war crimes trial
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), whose top leaders are expected to be tried for alleged war crimes during Bangladesh's independence movement, has adopted a wait and watch policy as judges were named for the trial.
"We'll give our reaction once we learn about the government's aims and objectives behind the trial," The Daily Star quoted JeI secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed as saying.
NATO chief favours negotiations with Taliban
By DPA,
Copenhagen : The new head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) spoke out in favour of negotiations with the radical Islamist Taliban in Afghanistan, Danish media reported Saturday.
In an interview published in the Danish newspaper Politiken, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that there were groups within the Taliban with whom it was possible to speak and create reconciliation in Afghanistan.
He added however that it was also clear that there was a hard core within the Taliban that only respected military force and with whom there was no possibility of agreement.
Iran continues uranium enrichment: UN agency
By IANS,
Vienna : Iran is continuing with its uranium enrichment activities and has set up 6,000 centrifuges, the UN nuclear watchdog has said in a report.
Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohammed ElBaradei in a report Wednesday said Tehran has obtained some two tonnes of enriched industrial uranium since it started refining the nuclear fuel two years ago, according to Iran's official IRNA news agency.
Lebanese majority urges normalization of ties with Syria
By KUNA
Beirut : The Lebanese majority called Friday for the normalization of relations with Syria, and said it was committed to the Arab initiative and the Taef Accord.