Pakistan’s Hajj policy to be announced
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan s Hajj policy for 2008 will be announced by July 2008, said Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary Wakeel Ahmed Khan.
He told the reporters that his ministry has started work to come up with a Hajj policy for this year so that Pakistani pilgrims can get better service and comfort.
Khan that because of the continuous rise in fuel prices, the Pakistan International Airlines or PIA is not able to announce the new airfares to Saudi Arabia from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and Faisalabad.
Unicef to help displaced women, children of Syria
By IANS,
United Nations : The Unicef will address urgent issues related to health, education and other needs of thousands of displaced Syrian women and children, a UN spokesman said.
Pakistan military vows to continue anti-militancy operations
Islamabad : Pakistan's top military commanders Wednesday decided to continue two major operations against the Taliban and other militant groups.
The security forces are presently...
El-Baradei prepares reports on Iranian, N.Korean nuclear programs
By NNN-KUNA,
Vienna : IAEA director general Dr. Mohammad El-Baradei is preparing two reports about implementation of IAEA safeguards in Iran and North Korea, to be examined during meetings of governors council of the UN nuclear watchdog slated for June 2.
The first report is about developments of the Iranian nuclear file and outcome of negotiations with Iranian officials to tackle outstanding issues about Tehran's controversial nuclear program, an official source at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told KUNA Tuesday.
Iraq Base Suicide Attacks Kill 20
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : At least 20 deaths and 55 wounded were the toll of twin suicide attacks at a recruitment center on Al-Saad base in Baquba, east of Diyala, north Baghdad.
Medical and security sources said the two attackers detonated their vests packed with explosives at the Iraqi military base.
An Arab TV channel said a policeman died Monday when an unidentified man opened fire from his vehicle in Mosul, Ninewa, and drove away.
Pakistani government scraps peace deal with militants
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The Pakistani government has scrapped a peace deal with the militants in the country's northwest, saying the militants have continued violent attacks, a senior official said Monday.
Local government of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) signed an agreement with the militants in Swat valley last month.
The militants, in the agreement, were committed to stopping attacks on the security forces.
UAE president meets Spanish king over bilateral ties, regional issues
By Xinhua,
Abu Dhabi : President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks on Sunday with visiting Spanish King Juan Carlos over bilateral relations and regional issues, Emirates News Agency reported.
During the meeting, Sheikh Khalifa expressed his hope that King Carlos' visit will revamp bilateral relations in all areas, particularly in economic, commercial, investment, tourist and cultural fields.
Fish therapy makes its way into Gaza
By IANS,
Gaza : Fouad Yahya, a resident of the Gaza Strip, had never expected that one day a fish will help treat his skin disease, a therapy that he learnt about via the internet.
India summons Pakistan’s envoy
By IANS,
New Delhi : With more evidence surfacing about the alleged involvement of Pakistan-based elements in the Nov 26 Mumbai terror attacks, India Monday summoned Pakistan's High Commissioner in New Delhi Shahid Malik.
The Indian external affairs ministry communicated to the Pakistani envoy its concerns about the alleged involvement of elements in Pakistan in the multiple terror attacks in Mumbai that killed 183 people and left more than 250 injured, official sources said.
Indonesia To Close Down ‘youtube’ Website If Film Fitna Not Deleted
By Bernama
Jakarta : The Communication and Information Ministry has asked the "YouTube" website to delete the flim 'Fitna' of Dutch politician Geert Wilders from its menu and is ready to close down the website if it does not comply.
"We have officially requested the deletion of the film. We will allow the website time for administrative adjustments but if they don't do it, we will close them down," ANTARA news agency quoted Communication and Information Minister Muhammad Nuh as saying here on Thursday.
India welcomes return of democracy in Bangladesh
By IANS,
New Delhi : Hailing the return of multi-party democracy after nearly two years in Bangladesh, India Tuesday welcomed the “historic victory” of the Grand Alliance led by Sheikh Hasina Wajed and hoped to bolster bilateral ties under the new dispensation.
“India congratulates the people of Bangladesh on the fair, peaceful and free conduct of their general elections which mark the return to multi-party democratic politics in a close and friendly neighbour,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said in a statement here.
Israeli FM: no future for Palestinians under Hamas
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Foreign Minister TzipiLivni said on Thursday the Palestinians had no future under Hamas' rule, vowing to continually struggle against it, local Ha'aretz reported.
Livni held a meeting with her Romanian counterpart Adrian Cioroianu Thursday, after which she was quoted as saying that Israel would continue its struggle against the "terror" created by the Islamist group.
Ten Pakistani troops killed on Afghan border
By SPA,
Peshawar, Pakistan : At least 10 Pakistani troops died in a clash and an air strike on the Afghan border, Pakistani military officials said Wednesday.
The clash broke out late Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
Blast in Turkey’s dairy products factory killed two
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Two workers were killed and 5 others
were injured in a blast occurred in a dairy products factory in Cubuk town of Turkish capital city of Ankara on Thursday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Etihad Airways named the best in Middle East
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways has been recognised as "Best Airline in the Middle East" for 2012 by the readers of Premier Traveler magazine in the US.
Diseases feared after Yemeni floods
By SPA,
Sana'a, Yemen : The World Health Organization has expressed fears that waterborne diseases and malaria could strike southern Yemen, following massive flooding caused by
a tropical storm last week, Associated Press reported.
Top Yemeni official Sadek Amin Abu Ras says that the death toll has reached 93.
WHO said in its Wednesday statement that it has provided $100,000 for the affected population, in addition to medicine for some 50,000 patients in the hard-hit southern
provinces of Hadramut and al-Mahra.
18 Taliban fighters killed in army operations
Kabul: At least 18 Taliban fighters were killed and seven injured in Afghan army operations, the defence ministry said Thursday.
The killings took place in...
Egyptian media slam U.S. policy ahead of fifth anniversary of Iraqi war
By Xinhua
Cairo : Major Egyptian newspapers on Wednesday strongly criticized the U.S. policy in Iraq on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion on the Mideast and Arab country.
"Iraq is experiencing the worst stage of its modern history and is living under a brutal military occupation," Al Ahram said in its editorial on Wednesday.
Five years ago, the United States launched the Iraqi war under the pretext of its disarmament and bringing freedom and democracy to Iraqi people, the influential Egyptian newspaper said.
38 infected with anthrax in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka, : At least 38 people have been detected with anthrax, three weeks after they consumed beef from two infected cows in a village in Bangladesh, an offical said.
The incident happened in Sirajganj district, 134 km from Dhaka, Xinhua reported.
"The preliminary signs and symptoms show that the people have been infected with anthrax," local livestock officer Altaf Hossain was Friday quoted as saying by official news agency BSS.
FAO Proposes to Invest Oil Profits in Agriculture
By Prensa Latina
Cairo : The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has suggested to invest oil profits to develop agriculture in poor countries in the Middle East.
The proposal was made by FAO Director General Jacques Diouf at the 29th Conference of that UN agency, which was held in this capital.
Diouf explained that as in rich countries like Saudi Arabia most land is desert, poor states with fertile land lack the necessary means to invest in agriculture and palliate food shortages.
UAE bank to acquire Royal Bank of Scotland’s retail business
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has signed a deal to acquire the Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS) retail banking business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement was signed Wednesday and the acquisition is subject to approval by UAE Central Bank.
This would be the first acquisition of an international bank's retail banking franchise in the UAE by a local bank.
Close terror cells in India: Pakistan parliament
By IANS,
Islamabad/New Delhi/Washington : Pakistan's parliament Wednesday asked the world community to press India for the closure of "terror cells and to stop anti-Pakistan propaganda", even as the president and the prime minister said that the armed forces were ready to defend any aggression against the country.
A strongly-worded resolution passed unanimously by the National Assembly urged the global community to press India to "close terror hubs and stop anti-Pakistan propaganda" through the media and at international forums.
Pakistani PM says Karzai’s statement may hamper development work in region
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Wednesday strongly condemned Afghan President Hamid Karzai's statement over Pakistan's alleged involvement in terrorist attacks inside Afghanistan.
It could hamper development process in the region, Gilani said in a statement issued before the start of cabinet meeting here.
Hamas ready to resume fight in Gaza
Gaza: Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Hamas movement, said Thursday "resistance fighters " were ready to resume fighting with Israeli army after...
Dance performance by Egyptian troupe at Jamia Millia Islamia
By TwoCircles.net News Desk,
New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia organized a dance performance by a troupe from Egypt last week at the open air theatre with over 4000 audience including students and staff of the university.
New resolution on Iran’s nuclear issue under discussion: US
By DPA,
Washington : The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany are meeting here to discuss Iran's failure to cooperate with UN demands that it dismantle its nuclear programme.
The talks could include discussion of another possible set of resolutions against Iran, said US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.
The meeting comes just days before next week's UN General Assembly debate among heads of state, when US Jewish organizations were planning a major rally Monday against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad outside the United Nations.
Palestine seeks UN action to end Israeli occupation
United Nations : A Palestinian envoy to the UN Tuesday called on the UN Security Council to support its initiative to end Israel's occupation...
Iraq says it held peaceful election with widespread turnout
By IRNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi government said on Sunday that it held peaceful election with widespread turnout.
In Iraq’s first big vote since 2005, polling stations stayed open for an extra hour to allow late-comers to cast their ballots.
Seen as a test of the country’s democracy and stability, women also voted in large numbers, with female candidates making up some 27 percent of those running.
While he himself was not standing, the vote was also being viewed as a referendum on prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki.
Terrorism, instability pose risks to Mideast – Mubarak
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Sunday terrorism and instability were still posing grave risks and real challenges to the Middle East region.
He made the statement in an address to the nation on the anniversary of the victory of October 6, 1973, against Israel.
"This generation saw dramatic changes in our regional sphere from the second Gulf war to the war against Iraq," Mubarak said.
42 Boko Haram militants killed in Nigeria attack
Lagos : At least 42 Boko Haram insurgents have been killed in a clash with military forces in a failed attack in northeast Nigeria's...
Hundreds of Mubarak supporters gather in Cairo
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Cairo : Hundreds of supporters of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak gathered in central Cairo Monday to demand that charges against him be dropped.
Obama condemns violence against protesters in Syria
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Washington: US President Barack Obama has condemned the Syrian authorities for using force to quell nationwide protests against Bashar Assad's regime.
Over 70 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : U.S.-led coalition forces killed over 70 Taliban militants in a ground operation supported by air strikes in the eastern Pakistani province of Paktia on Wednesday, local authorities said.
The Taliban, ousted from power after a U.S.-led military operation in 2001, have been stepping up their activities in recent months.
"During the bombing 73 Taliban militants were killed," a spokesman for the province's governor said, adding that 15 were also injured.
SAARC interior ministers’ meet postponed
By IRNA,
New Delhi : The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) interior ministers' conference, scheduled for February 26 to 28 in Islamabad has been postponed.
The date did not suit the Nepalese interior minister and this was the sole reason for putting the event on hold, All India Radio (AIR) reported quoting official sources in New Delhi.
One killed in Karachi gas station blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least one person was killed and several injured in Pakistan's port city of Karachi Sunday morning after a cylinder explosion occurred at a CNG station, Geo News reported.
New head of German army union urges dialogue with “moderate Taliban forces”
By IRNA,
Berlin : The new head of the German army union, Ulrich Kirsch called for a dialogue with moderate Taliban political forces, press reports said Thursday.
Kirsch who heads the Bundeswehrverband, the army's quasi trade union, which represents around 65 percent of German soldiers, stressed the urgent need for a rapprochement with "moderate Taliban forces." The German government had in the past signaled green light for political talks with the radical Afghan militia.
Malaysian politicians take to blogging
By Julia Yeow, DPA,
Kuala Lumpur : At a glance, the web page can easily be mistaken as a government information website with its uninspiring layout, long-winded welcome note and cheesy mugshot. However, further exploration will reveal that the site actually belongs to a most unlikely blogger - an ageing politician with Malaysia's embattled ruling party.
Similar blogs belonging to at least a dozen veteran politicians with Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition have sprung up over the last three months.
540 gunmen arrested in Diyala, Iraq
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi security forces arrested about 540 gunmen in Diyala governorate within operation (Bashaer Al-Kair), said a statement.
Media spokesman for the Defense Ministry Major General Mohammad Al-Askari said on Saturday that amongst the 540 gunmen were 42 top Qaeda terrorist network leaders, adding weapons were confiscated during the operation.
Around 1,000 international observers to monitor elections
By SPA
Islamabad : Nearly 1,000 international observers and journalists and 20,000 local observers would monitor the February 18 parliamentary elections, officials said.
Foreign observers have been advised to stay away from Swat, Shangla, Lower Dir, Malakand Agency, Hangu, Tank, Bannu, South and North Waziristan Agencies, Mohmand Agency, Bajaur Agency, FR Kohat, Darra Adam Khel, FR Bannu, Kacha Area of Sindh and Kohlu, Dera Bugti and Killa Abdullah in Balochistan because of the security situation.
Middle East’s first common user gas pipeline inaugurated in UAE
By IANS,
Sharjah : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) based natural gas company Dana Gas and Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat) have announced the completion and inauguration of the Middle East's first common user gas pipeline here, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
The main pipeline of the project is a 48-inch (122 cm) gas pipeline that connects the Sharjah gas hub at Sajaa to the fast-growing industrial area at Hamriyah, and covers a distance of 32 km, with a transport capacity of one billion cubic feet per day.
India says Pakistan in denial, questions anti-terror pledge
By IANS,
New Delhi/Islamabad : Regretting Pakistan's “continuing pattern of evasiveness and denial” in the wake of the Mumbai atrocity, India Wednesday said it was still awaiting a response and underlined that statements by Pakistani leaders only reinforced its doubts about Islamabad's capacity to act against terror.
“There is a continuing pattern of evasiveness and denial in Pakistan's response to the terrorist attack on Mumbai,” External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters here.
Three children killed in missile strike in Pakistan
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Three children were killed and two women injured in a cross-border missile strike in Pakistan's troubled North Waziristan tribal region, the fourth such attack in the area within a week.
Three missiles hit a home at Gorwack in North Waziristan, officials were quoted as saying by TV channels.
A total of 18 people have been killed and 15 injured in the four missile strikes in North Waziristan within a week.
22 killed in Afghan suicide bombings
By IANS,
Kabul : At least 22 people, including three policemen, were killed in suicide bombings in Afghanistan Tuesday, an official said.
10 militants killed in Afghan raids
By IANS,
Kabul : Ten Taliban militants have been killed in military operations across Afghanistan Since Saturday, the interior ministry said Sunday.
Pakistani security forces fire on U.S. helicopters
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan's security forces and local trial people fired on two United States helicopters and forced them to fly back to Afghanistan, website of local newspaper Daily Jang reported on Monday.
The incident happened late on Sunday. The two U.S. helicopters entered Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal area bordering Afghanistan, said the report.
Pakistan's security forces and local people fired on them and they flew back to Afghanistan, according to Daily Jang.
UAE, Montenegro establish diplomatic relations
By Xinhua
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE)and the Republic of Montenegro have established diplomatic relations of the ambassadorial level, the official Emirates News Agency reported on Saturday.
The diplomatic relations between the UAE and Montenegro start from April 4, 2008, a joint statement by the two countries was quoted as saying.
The joint statement was signed Friday in New York by UAE's Permanent Representative to United Nations Ahmed Abdul Rahman AlJaramain and his Montenegrin counterpart Nebojsa Kaludjerovic.
Trial run on June 1-3 of Agartala-Kolkata bus via Bangladesh
Agartala : The trial run of a bus service between Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh will be held on June 1-3, a minister said...
6,000 killed in Libyan unrest
By IANS/AKI,
Tripoli : Some 6,000 people have died since the anti-government protests erupted in Libya, the Libyan Human Rights League has said.
Indian Muslims protest against the siege of Gaza
By TwoCircles.net news desk
New Delhi: Indian Muslim organizations staged a dharna (sit-in) yesterday at Jantar Mantar near the Indian Parliament against the blockade of Gaza Strip by Israel. All prominent Muslim organizations were represented by their leaders and activists. The initiative was taken by the All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, the umbrella body of Indian Muslim organizations.
Amman prosecutor summons Danish journalists, editor in cartoon case
By Xinhua,
Amman : Jordan's Prosecutor General of Amman Hassan Abdallat has subpoenaed Danish journalists and editors involved in reprinting cartoons deemed insulting to the Prophet Mohammed, local daily Jordan Times reported on Wednesday.
The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of Jordanian media outlets, unions and political parties in April, two months after Danish newspapers reprinted the cartoons that triggered widespread protests in the Muslim world when they first appeared in 2006.
Pakistan presidential spokesman dismisses rumor on Musharraf’s resignation
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A Pakistani presidential spokesman on Wednesday dismissed rumors on President Pervez Musharraf's resignation, saying the rumors are "unsubstantiated."
"President Musharraf is not resigning," presidential spokesman Rashid Qureishi told private Dawn TV channel. "President Musharraf has been very supportive of the government."
Qureishi said that the unsubstantiated rumors have caused plunge of the stock market.
450 injured in Pakistan clashes
Islamabad : At least eight protesters were reported killed and 450 people injured in clashes with police in Pakistan as anti-government protests continue in...
Lahore women’s college bans jeans
By IANS,
Lahore : Apparently bowing to terror threats, a prominent women's college here known for its progressive outlook has barred its students from wearing jeans and other figure-hugging outfits but the institution says it is only going by the rules.
"The Kinnaird College administration has banned the students from wearing jeans or other tight dresses in the wake of possible terrorist threats," Daily Times said Thursday.
Libyan rebels capture British special forces troops
By DPA,
London : Eight British special forces commandos were captured by rebel forces in eastern Libya, the Sunday Times reported.
UAE university boasts of region’s biggest grid computing system
By NNN-WAM
WAM Dubai : Sun Microsystems has deployed one of the most advanced super grid computers in the world at the UAE University. The system is the regions biggest grid computing system and places the UAE University in the Top 500 list of high performance computing grids worldwide.
The super grid is deployed in service of the community at large, and will support the teaching and research missions of the University by providing students and faculty with unprecedented computing power.
Ahmadinejad: Iran starts to install 6,000 nuclear centrifuges
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic had started to install 6,000 centrifuges at Natanz nuclear plant, state media reported.
The president made the remarks after inspecting various sections of Natanz nuclear site in central Isfahan province, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Ahmadinejad arrived in Natanz nuclear site Tuesday morning to attend a ceremony marking the third anniversary of Iran's National Day of Nuclear Technology.
Bush, Maliki discuss political process in Iraq
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki held a video conference call with US president George Bush Wednesday and discussed the political process in Iraq, as well as security and economic developments nationwide, Maliki's office said.
Maliki affirmed to Bush that political forces were united to create positive atmosphere to rebuild the country.
The Iraqi government has been implementing a program to develop national economy and rebuild the country, said Maliki.
Bangladesh launches probe into faulty vitamin drive
By DPA,
Dhaka : Authorities in Bangladesh have launched an investigation into the reported death of a baby and illnesses among 400 other children following a nationwide administration of Vitamin A and de-worming medicines, media reports said Tuesday.
The health ministry Monday formed a five-member committee to probe the illnesses and report its results within two days.
The ministry also urged parents not to panic, and assured them the Vitamin A capsule is not harmful for children, according to report in Prothom Alo newspaper.
Three persons killed in Pakistan’s sectarian violence
By SPA,
Peshawar, Pakistan : Gunmen killed three persons in a drive-by shooting in Pakistan's northwest on Saturday in what appeared to be a sectarian attack, officials said.
The assailants, riding on a motorbike, opened fire on the three person in the town of Dera Ismail Khan as they sat in a shop, killing all of them on the spot, Abdul Ghafoor, head of the police station in the area, told Reuters.
Abu Dhabi to host world energy summit in January 2012
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi will host the 5th annual World Future Energy Summit Jan 16-19.
Rebels kill eight in Syrian town
By IANS,
Damascus : The Al Qaeda-inspired Nusra Front stormed a town in southern Syria Wednesday, killing at least eight people, the official SANA news...
Oil Ministers of India, Pak, Iran to hold talks on pipeline soon
By IRNA,
New Delhi : The oil Ministers of India, Pakistan and Iran will soon hold talks to sort out "safety and security issues" pertaining to the $ 7.4 billion Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline that would pass through Pakistan.
India also broached the topic of early clearance for the $ 22 billion Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) gas supply deal issue with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his short visit here on Tuesday.
He is understood to have promised to look into the whole issue in a positive frame of mind.
Iran accuses US of invading Afghanistan, Iraq
By IANS,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Wednesday accused the US of invading Afghanistan and Iraq on the pretext of Sep 11 terror attacks, repeating his doubts over the veracity of the incident.
Addressing a large gathering Wednesday in the central city of Qom, Ahmadinejad said over one million people have so far been killed in occupied Iraq and tens of thousands of civilians have been massacred in Afghanistan after US forces invaded the two countries, reported the Iranian news agency IRNA.
Pakistani GenNext in US doesn’t want to return: Jabeen Akhtar
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
PML-Q Asks Musharraf To Step Down
By Bernama,
Islamabad : Several members of the opposition PML-Q, which is aligned with Pakistan's embattled President Pervez Musharraf, have publicly urged the former military strongman to step down and some have even said they will vote in favour of an impeachment motion against him.
At least 10 PML-Q parliamentarians have appealed to ruling Pakistan People's Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to give a "safe exit" to Musharraf if he resigns.
Palestine Mourns over Israeli Massacre
By Prensa Latina
Gaza : The Palestinian National Authority declared on Wednesday three days of mourning and a general strike to protest the killing of 19 people by the Israeli army in Gaza, called a massacre by national leaders.
The incursion, which left over 50 wounded people, started at dawn, when several excavators destroyed agricultural areas outside Gaza, while the infantry, supported by armored vehicles and helicopters, burst into the Zaitun neighborhood and shot people at close range.
Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existance in region: PM
By APP
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday said Pakistan is a peace loving country and believes in peaceful co-existence with credible minimum deterrence.
“Pakistan’s defence doctrine is based on maintaining credible minimum deterrence to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and to ensure peace and stability in the region,” the Prime Minister said while talking to Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mehmood Ahmad at PM House.
Algeria takes preventive steps to counter Ebola
Algiers: The Algerian health authorities Sunday announced that they have taken preventive measures to counter the spread of deadly Ebola virus.
The country has already...
Hamas warns Israel of Gaza uprising against siege
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) warned on Sunday that the Palestinians in Gaza are likely to take up a popular uprising to end a ten-month Israeli blockade.
Ayman Taha, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said, "The comprehensive Zionist blockade on the Gaza Strip will be defeated by a strong popular uprising."
"No one knows what kind of uprising it will be, or when and where," Taha said, vowing that his movement will support them.
European Muslims Charter born
BRUSSELS, Jan 10 (KUNA) -- Representatives of about 400 Islamic organizations in Europe signed an historic document here Thursday evening to enhance cooperation among Muslims in Europe and to correct the distorted image of Islam.
The "European Muslims' Charter" aims to define a number of principles in accordance with the common understanding of Islam within the European context.
Five dead, 24 injured in Pakistan blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least five people were killed and 24 injured Monday in a bomb blast at a political rally in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region, Geo News reported.
In Pakistan, who will win the war?
By IANS,
Islamabad : Thousands of troops are all set to launch a major military offensive against the increasingly aggressive Taliban in a do-or-die war that appears to have united Pakistan like never before against the Islamist outlaws.
As Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar still reel from the spate of audacious terror strikes, nearly 30,000 troops are moving towards the lawless South Waziristan region close to Afghanistan for Operation "Rah-i-Nijat" (Road to Deliverance).
GCC customs” officials hold 37th meeting
By KUNA,
Riyadh : Customs' officials of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states held their 37th meeting here on Saturday at the GCC's General Secretariat headquarters.
President of the Qatari Public Authority for Customs and Ports Ahmad Ali Al-Muhannadi addressed the meeting by saying that accelerating global changes had led GCC states to update their custom systems.
‘Australian troops accidentally killed Afghan governor’
By RIA NOVOSTI,
Kabul : Australian troops in NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) may have accidentally shot dead an Afghan district governor last week, the Bakhtar news agency said Friday.
The agency said that Rozi Khan, the governor of the Chora district in southern Afghanistan's Uruzgan province, was killed during a shootout involving Australian troops.
The firefight happened near the Australian Defence Force (ADF) base.
"It is not possible at this time to determine that he was killed by ADF fire," a military statement 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.
IMRC की मुहिम : दस विदेशी डॉक्टरों के साथ भारत के गांवों तक पहुंचेगी...
By TCN News
लखनऊ: भारत के कोनों-कोनों तक पहुंचकर राहत कार्य करने वाली अमरीका संस्था इन्डियन मुस्लिम रिलीफ एंड चैरीटीज़ यानी IMRC के...
Indian family waits for months to receive body from Saudi Arabia
Riyadh : A poor Indian family is waiting for several months to receive the body of their breadwinner, who had committed suicide in Saudi...
17 killed in Pakistan drone strikes
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 17 suspected militants were killed Friday in drone strikes launched in Pakistan's northwest tribal region, a media report said.
China asked to stop construction work in Pakistani Kashmir
By IANS,
New Delhi : India has conveyed its concerns to China about its involvement in executing projects in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and asked Beijing to cease such activities.
The first flight of PIA leaves for Kuwait
By SPA
Islamabad : The first flight of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) left the newly built Sialkot international airport (SIA) for Kuwait, officials said.
It had 102 passengers on-board. The PIA would operate a weekly flight on Sialkot-Kuwait route.
The airline is considering expanding its network to other international destinations in near future, with a focus on initiating Haj and Umrah flights from Sialkot.
The cargo flights would also be started in the near future from this airport.
Blair to concentrate on Mideast peace in Davos
By NNN-KUNA
Geneva : Quartet Special Envoy to the Middle East Tony Blair has said that he will concentrate in Davos on how to bring peace to the Middle East.
Blair said, in his capacity as co-chair of the 38th Economic Forum Conference which commenced Wednesday in Davos, that he would also discuss how to bring along investments to the Palestinian territories, an issue he described as being of considerable importance.
He would also discuss the issue of climate change and other topics, he said at the opening press conference of the Davos meeting Wednesday.
What would Prophet Muhammad do?
By Asma Uddin
Scholar and author Omid Safi is best known to many Muslim Americans as being at the forefront of the Progressive Muslims movement, which finds in Islamic spirituality a powerful voice for social justice and pluralism. In his latest book, "Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters" (Harper Collins), Safi explores the origins of that spirituality: the character and being of the Prophet Muhammad.
13 killed in Syrian bombing
Damascus: Thirteen people were killed and many injured when an explosive-laden car exploded in Syria's Homs province Thursday, the interior ministry said.
The explosion came...
12 killed in Iraq attacks
Baghdad : At least 12 people were killed and 18 wounded in separate attacks across Iraq Friday, police said.
Two people were killed and six...
Gilani speaks on Pakistan’s Defense Doctrine
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan's defense doctrine is based on maintaining minimum credible deterrence to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to ensure peace and stability in the region, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani says.
"Pakistan is a peace loving country and believes in peaceful co-existence," he said while talking to Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mehmood Ahmad Monday, according to an official statement.
China renews support for Syria’s efforts to restore occupied Golan
By NNN-SANA,
Beijing : Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi has assured Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Fayssal al-Mikdad of China's support for Syria's efforts to restore the occupied Golan.
He stressed during their meeting here Monday the need for pushing bilateral relations forward in all fields, voicing China's appreciation of Syria's role in reaching the Doha Agreement to resolve the Lebanese crisis.
Hezbollah to follow closely Israeli drill along Lebanese border
By DPA
Beirut : The Shia movement of Lebanon is to "follow closely" Israel army manoeuvres planned for Sunday, the group's commander in south Lebanon, Nabil Kaouk, was quoted as saying Saturday.
"Israel's military drill is not a testament of its strength but of its frustration and despair following its defeat in the Second Lebanon War," Hezbollah television al-Manar quoted Kaouk as saying.
According to Lebanese security sources, Hezbollah has put its militants in a state of full alert ahead of Sunday's manoeuvres.
UAE, Arab aviation body sign pact to boost skill pool
By IANS,
Dubai : The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Arab Civil Aviation Commission (ACAC) have signed a pact to build capacity of its staff, WAM news agency reported.
As part of the agreement, training grants will be offered to ACAC member-states during 2010-2012.
Training will include aviation safety measures, accident probes, security and management, among others. Training will be imparted in the UAE and abroad.
Over 173,000 Haj pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia
By IANS,
Riyadh : More than 173,000 pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia to perform Haj, Xinhua reported Sunday.
Saudi Arabia covered with snow in coldest winter for 20 years
ABU DHABI, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Northern parts of Saudi Arabia are covered with snow with schools, mosques and administrative bodies paralyzed, local media reported Friday.
The oil-rich kingdom is being hit with subzero temperatures and snow storms with freezing winds of up to 50 km/h (30mp/h). Some regions have been experiencing problems with water supplies as pipes have frozen, and livestock has died from the cold.
25 killed in Iraq clashes
Baghdad : A total of 25 people were killed and five wounded in separate clashes between security forces and Sunni militant groups in Iraq...
Al-Jazeera: Earthquake shakes northwestern Iranian province
By Xinhua,
Tehran : A 5.3 magnitude earthquake hit a northwestern Iranian province on Tuesday, the pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV channel...
99 people affected by mass hysteria in Bangladesh
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : A total of 99 people have fallen victim to mass hysteria, a temporary psychiatric illness, in Bangladesh's southwestern Jessore district, some 164 km southwest of the capital, The Independent newspaper reported Tuesday.
The endemic illness broke out between July 2 and July 7. A total of 70 students were admitted to the local hospital.
Mass hysteria became rampant in the country last year with several hundred people suffering from it. Most of them were students.
Pakistan: call for setting up poly-technical institutions
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has stressed the need for establishing technical educational institutions across the country to overcome shortage of skilled manpower.
In a meeting with Director Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), Yasmin Munir, the ICCI President that there was a great shortage of skilled manpower, which could only be overcome with the help of TEVTA and other technical training institutes.
Arab League criticizes ICC arrest warrant for Sudan president
By IRNA,
Cairo : The Arab League meeting in Cairo on Saturday criticized the International Criminal Court's prosecutor for requesting the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
Arab foreign ministers said that Sudan's courts should judge alleged Darfur war crimes in a resolution following the crisis talks over the ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo's request on Monday for Bashir to be arrested.
The resolution said that "effective justice will be realized with the follow-up of the Arab League and the African Union."
Iran’s supreme leader says U.S. presence fundamental problem for Iraq
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Monday that the presence of U.S.-led forces in Iraq is the country's fundamental problem.
"The most fundamental problem of Iraq is the presence of foreign forces in that country," state television quoted Khamenei as saying in his meeting with Maliki in Tehran.
The Iranian supreme leader also said he was sure that the Iraqi people will overcome the difficult circumstances and reach the status they deserve, according to Iranian state television report.
Iraqi legislators approve election law
By DPA,
Baghdad : Iraq's parliament adopted a new election law late Sunday, finally paving the way for voters to head to the polls early next year.
The next parliament would see an increase from 275 seats to 325 seats, according to the new legislation, which also appeared to resolve disputes between parties over the allocation of the spots.
The distribution of seats across the country's provinces and representation of Iraq's religious and ethnic groups have created tensions between the various parties and endangered attempts to forge a consensus.
Istanbul mosque bomb threat turns out to be a hoax
By IANS,
Istanbul : A historic 16th century mosque in Istanbul received a bomb threat Friday that later turned out to be a hoax call, police said.
Obama arrives in Jerusalem for visit
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama arrived at Jerusalem late Tuesday for a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territory.
During the fifth leg of his week-long overseas tour, he is scheduled to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other officials, and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and the rockets-striken southern city of Sderot.
Arab leaders wrap up Damascus summit
By Xinhua
Damascus : Leaders and representatives from 21 Arab countries wrapped up the 20th Arab League (AL) summit on Sunday and adopted Damascus Declaration on a series of key Arab issues read out by AL Secretary General Amr Moussa.
The two-day summit, starting from midday Saturday at the Ummayad Palace in the southern suburb of Damascus, brought together only 11 Arab leaders, including President Bashar al-Assad.
Lebanon announced on Tuesday to shun the summit, urging the Arabs to tackle Lebanon's months-long political deadlock.
Zillur Rahman is new Bangladesh president
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Zillur Rahman was declared the president of Bangladesh Wednesday.
Bangladesh's Election Commission declared the senior leader of ruling Awami League Zillur Rahman to be the country's new president as he was the only presidential candidate. He was declared elected unopposed.
Suicide bomber kills 15 Iraqis
By IINA
Baghdad : A suicide bomber killed yesterday at least 15 people and wounded eight when he blew himself up during a funeral for a policeman north of Baghdad, officials said. The suicide attack occurred in Sadiyah, a town 95 km north of Baghdad in the volatile Diyala province, where US and Iraqi forces are still battling Sunni extremists of Al-Qaeda. Police said the bomber mingled among the mourners and then triggered an explosive vest.
Iran continues nuclear tour with showing its enrichment site
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran Sunday continued a tour for several envoys of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and showed them its uranium enrichment site in Natanz, central Iran.
Pakistan must be taken on board on any decision on Afghanistan: PM Gilani
By NNN-APP,
Berlin : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday said Pakistan has achieved great deal of success in the counter terrorism operation against extremists and terrorists and now requires assistance in initiating development projects in the cleared areas.
Talking to the Foreign Minister of Germany Guido Westerwelle who called on him here at his hotel, soon after his arrival, the prime minister said the Pakistani nation has stood up to the challenge of extremism and terrorism and boldly decided to wipe out these curses.
Mao, Bhutto set terms of secret n-deal: Washington Post
By Arun Kumar,IANS,
Washington, Nov 13 (IANS) The terms of a secret deal under which China transferred 50 kg of uranium to Pakistan in 1982 for making two atomic bombs were set in a mid-1976 conversation between Mao Zedong and then Pakistan prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a leading US daily reported Friday.
Citing accounts of controversial Pakistani nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan, The Washington Post said Khan - then a metallurgist working at a Dutch centrifuge manufacturer - was provoked to offer his services to Bhutto by India testing its first nuclear bomb two years earlier.
Is god a brothel keeper, wonders ex-law minister and triggers row
By IANS,
New Delhi: Former union law minister Ram Jethmalani Saturday kicked up a row at an international conference on terrorism, asking if Islam's jehadi doctrine does not virtually render "god a brothel keeper", prompting a Saudi Arabian envoy to walk out of the conference.
Addressing the seminar, Jethmalani wondered if the jehadi doctrine, propagating the belief allegedly held by Islam's Wahab sect that Muslims attaining martyrdom while fighting non-Muslims "get a place in heaven and the company of the opposite sex there", does not amount to saying that "god is a brothel keeper".
We are fighting for our lives: Pakistani President Zardari
By NNN-APP,
London : In his article published Monday in a respected British daily “The Guardian”, President Asif Ali Zardari has pledged to defeat the terrorists and said Pakistan’s security is backed up by democracy and a strong economy.
Thed President wrote that the war against terrorism has cost Pakistan not just in lives but also in economic terms, freezing international investment and diverting priorities from social and other sectors.
US drone attack kills six in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least six people were killed in a suspected US drone strike in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal agency, media reports said Thursday.
The pilotless aircraft fired two missiles at a house at Kanigoram village, killing the six and injuring nine.
Egypt to host Palestinian national dialogue
By Xinhua,
Cairo : Egypt is preparing for hosting a Palestinian national dialogue conference in the next few weeks to help restore Palestinian unity, Palestinian Ambassador in Cairo Nabil Amr said on Tuesday.
Amr dismissed reports that Egypt is having second thoughts about holding the anticipated conference, noting that Egypt is determined to render the meeting a success, the Egyptian official MENA news agency reported.
Race is on to film Bhutto’s life
LONDON, Jan 31 (APP): A leading Hollywood actor and director Robert Redford is planning a film about the life of the assassinated former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, says a report in the British media.
The report said that no details are yet available about the Redford project, but it is thought that Benazir Bhutto’s husband, Asif Ali Zardari, is likely to give his support to a big American production.
Lebanon bans animation film critical of Iran
By DPA
Beirut : Lebanon has banned the film "Persepolis", which has annoyed authorities in Iran for its critical portrayal of the Islamic revolution, a Lebanese interior ministry source said Wednesday.
The source did not give a specific reason why the film was banned in Lebanon, while it has been screened in Iran.
Another interior ministry source close to the anti-Syrian majority said the ban was because the head of the Lebanese General Security, Wafik Jezzini, is close to the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah and "he did not wish to anger them".
UAE launches social welfare fund campaign
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a novel campaign encouraging contributions of as little as one dirham ($0.27) to raise funds for social care and development projects.
Called 'Dirham Wa Bas' (One dirham only), the campaign was launched Wednesday under the Social Responsibility Fund of the Ministry of Social Affairs and is supported by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the official Emirates news agency WAM said.
Olmert, Mubarak discuss Israeli-Palestinian peace process in Sharm El-Sheikh
By NNN-KUNA,
Sharm El-Sheikh : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have held discussions here on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Mubarak expressed at the meeting Tuesday he was happy to meet Olmert, stressing the importance of discussing many issues including the Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire that took effect last Thursday through an Egyptian sponsorship.
For his side, Olmert said Egypt is a strategic partner in the region and has special efforts in the peace process.
10,000 men guarding Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal: official
By IANS,
Islamabad : About 10,000 security personnel are guarding Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and Western fears about the safety of the weapons are unfounded, a senior official has said.
Air Commodore Khalid Banuri, director of arms control and disarmament affairs at the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), said that Pakistan's �command and control structure' for the weapons was better than that of many other nuclear-armed states, and many countries had officially acknowledged this, DawnNews reported Thursday.
Afghan suicide blast kills civilian, wounds 2 policemen
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A suicide bomber exploded himself next to a police vehicle in southern Afghan province Helmand Wednesday, killing one civilian, and wounding several others including two policemen, officials said.
The attack occurred just as the police car was moving into a police headquarter in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital in Helmand, Mohammad Hussein Andiwal, provincial police chief told Xinhua.
He said two policemen were seriously wounded and two passing-by civilians also sustained injuries in the blast which damaged the police vehicle.
Turkish parliament OKs anti-terrorism action in Syria, Iraq
Ankara: The Turkish parliament Thursday passed a motion to authorise cross-border military actions in neighbouring Syria and Iraq to fight terrorist groups.
Of the 396...
U.S., Iraqi forces detain 40 Qaida suspects west of Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Ramadi, Iraq : U.S. troops and Iraqi security forces raided on Thursday strongholds of al-Qaida network in Anbar province, detaining 40 Qaida suspects, a provincial security source said.
Based on intelligence reports, the troops surrounded and searched al-Qaida hideouts in villages in the vast area of Lake Tharthar in the province and captured 40 wanted suspects, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
During the operation, the troops also found and confiscated large amounts of weapons and ammunition, the source said.
Jaswant Singh is not wrong on Jinnah
By Firoz Bakht Ahmed, IANS,
The ghost of partition is haunting us even today. I am no admirer of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, but Jaswant Singh is right in trying to peel off years and years of falsification of the truth behind India's partition. His "Jinnah - India, Partition, Independence" is a path-breaking book.
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.
Afghan president condemns Kabul blast
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned a suicide bombing in the capital Kabul that killed 12 people and wounded at least 84 others early on Thursday.
The blast, caused by a suicide bomber in a car, was strong enough to be felt in the Russian Embassy compound on the other side of the Afghan capital.
The Indian Embassy, located opposite the Interior Ministry, was the site of Kabul's deadliest suicide attack, which killed more than 50 people in July 2008.
India, Pakistan say talks to continue, play down negatives
By IANS,
New Delhi/Islamabad: After two days of sharp rhetorical exchanges following foreign minister-level talks, India and Pakistan Saturday played down differences, saying the talks have not collapsed and the engagement to normalise ties will continue.
However, even as the two sides tried to counter the widespread perception that the July 15 talks ended in a deadlock, they seemed to echo their core concerns. While Pakistani leaders said that all issues should be discussed, India reiterated that it preferred a gradual, calibrated approach.