Musharraf to seek refuge in London: report
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf could seek refuge in London, a British newspaper reported Tuesday.
The Daily Telegraph quoted an unnamed senior Western diplomat in Islamabad as saying Musharraf could first head for Saudi Arabia on a Muslim pilgrimage, but that London could be his ultimate destination.
The British government did not comment on the report, but London has long been a favourite destination of exiled Pakistani politicians, alongside Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
A lonely birthday for Musharraf
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : There were no flowers and no cards either for Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on his 65th birthday Monday as uncertainty ruled the day with the government preparing to impeach him on charges of murder, corruption and misuse of power in the last nine years.
Born in New Delhi on Aug 11, 1943, Musharraf is unlikely to forget this 65th birthday -- the day the National Assembly and provincial assemblies are set to initiate the impeachment process against the military dictator who has vowed to fight until parliament passes the resolution.
Lebanese speaker warns against serious Israeli threats
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri cautioned the Lebanese against serious Israeli threats, telling them to "sleep with your eyes open", local As-Safir daily reported Monday.
"Sleep with your eyes open, because you must be aware of the Israeli threats," Berri told tens of thousands who joined a rally on Sunday marking 30 years since Imam Moussa al-Sadr, founder of the Shiite Amal movement, disappeared in Libya.
Sunday's rally was organized by the Shiite Amal movement which is now headed by Berri.
Ancient Egyptian tomb had 23-feet-long pyramid!
London : In a thrilling discovery, archaeologists have unearthed a ransacked 3,300-years-old tomb at an ancient cemetery in Egypt that had a 23-feet-high pyramid...
Renewed clashes in Tehran as Moussavi plans speech
By DPA,
Tehran : With clashes continuing Sunday night on the streets in Tehran, Iran's opposition leader Mir-Hossein Moussavi plans to make a speech to Iranians in the capital's Azadi (Freedom) square.
Eyewitnesses from several parts of Tehran say clashes between Moussavi supporters and police were continuing and had grown more violent since Saturday scuffles.
Police also tried to prevent clashes between Moussavi supporters and those of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose supporters were on motorbikes and holding clubs similar to baseball bats.
Chinese minister to attend Iran nuclear talks
By IANS,
Beijing : China's Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong will lead a delegation to Iran for nuclear talks which are scheduled to start Tuesday,...
Medical sources: Death toll in Gaza exceeds 1200
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Gaza emergency chief Mo'aweya Hassanein said Saturday that the death toll since the beginning of the Israeli offensive on Gaza on Dec. 27, 2008 has reached 1203 Palestinians.
In a statement, Hassanein noted that more than 5300 Palestinians were also wounded during the past 22 days of Israeli military offensive.
Hassanein added that among the dead, there are 410 children under age 18, 108 women and 113 men over 50-year-old.
PCB, ICL players in deadlock over central contract
By IANS,
Karachi : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the country's players in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) have hit a roadblock over the central contract.
The ICL players asked for central contracts before snapping their ties with the rebel Twenty20 Indian league.
However, PCB's chief operating officer Saleem Altaf Thursday made it clear that the central contracts will only be given to the ICL players once they leave the league and start performing on the domestic circuit.
Hamas says no talks on captive soldier before Israel commit to ceasefire
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Talks to release an Israeli soldier held hostage by Hamas will not begin unless Israel fully commits itself to Gaza ceasefire, a Hamas official said on Thursday.
In the coming two days, Hamas will assess Israel's commitment to the ceasefire according to the amounts of goods the Jewish state allows into Gaza, said Osama al-Muzini, a Hamas leader close to the file of captive soldier Gilad Shalit.
Lebanese cabinet invited to presidential election in parliament
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has invited Prime Minister Fouad Seniora and his government to take part in the scheduled presidential election on Sunday, The Daily Star reported on Saturday.
"Berri wants Sunday's session to be a national ceremony," sources close to Berri was quoted as saying.
"All ministers will attend ... the ones in office as well as the resigned ones ... this is not a problem at all," the sources added.
US consider judges issue as Pakistan’s internal issue: Embassy
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : “The restoration of judges is Pakistan’s issue to solve. It is not for the United States to prescribe solutions, said a statement issued by Elizabeth Colton, Spokesperson, U.S. Embassy here.
“ Our interest is in supporting Pakistan’s democratic transition and continuing our common struggle against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda,” she added.
Malaysia Airlines bans babies from first class
By IANS,
London : Malaysia Airlines has banned babies from first-class cabins after wealthy passengers complained they were not able to sleep peacefully during their flights, a media report said.
Corruption is like cancer, cut it out: Pakistani daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Corruption is like cancer that has to be cut out from the society, a Pakistani daily said Friday after the Supreme Court stated that corrupt officials should be sacked.
Suicide bomber kills 2 U.S. soldiers in Baghdad Shiite bastion
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A suicide bomber blew himself up on Tuesday inside a building of the district council office of Baghdad Shiite bastion of Sadr City, killing two U.S. soldiers and four Iraqis, an Interior Ministry source said.
Islamic Jihad says not to be first to break ceasefire
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement will neither formally sign an Egypt-brokered ceasefire deal with Israel nor be the first to break it, Israeli daily Ha'aretz quoted a senior Jihad member as saying Thursday.
All 12 Palestinian factions has reportedly accepted the Egyptian proposal, which would offer Israel a period of lull in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, in exchange for the opening of the crossing points into the coastal territory, with a possible extension to the West Bank.
Lebanese party leader lauds Syrian move to establish diplomatic ties with Lebanon
By Xinhua,
Cairo : Syria's decree to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon is a first step in the right direction, visiting leader of the Lebanese Forces Party Samir Geagea said here on Tuesday.
Geagea made the remarks at a dinner banquet hosted by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported.
However, Geagea said the Syrian move is not enough, urging more steps to settle pending issues between Lebanon and Syria.
Religious intolerance on rise in South Asia: Report
By IANS
New Delhi: Religious intolerance is on the rise in South Asia, including in India, leading to discrimination and violent attacks against minorities, says a new report by Minority Rights Group International.
The report titled "State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2010", which was released Thursday, says that while religious nationalism was on the rise, the abuse of counter-terrorism laws too have led to a growing pattern of persecution against religious minorities globally.
A day after Pakistan attack, strict vigil at Delhi school
New Delhi : Security at a Delhi school was very strict Wednesday, with policemen frisking everyone entering the premises, a day after a school...
Dhaka brings madrassas under watch
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's education ministry has directed district authorities to gather information about madrassas after a number of militants were arrested this month and charged with using the seminaries to store huge quantities of arms and explosives.
Authorities held seven members of Pakistan-based Islamic organisation Dawat-e-Islami from Patharghata area in Chittagong Monday on suspicion of militant activities.
Pakistan bans Musharraf from leaving country
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Saturday stopped former president Pervez Musharraf from leaving the country a day after a court ordered it.
Two Palestinians detained in Israeli incursion in N. Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinians were detained late Friday night during an incursion executed by Israeli forces into the northern part of Gaza Strip.
Palestinian security sources said several Israeli tanks led by special army units executed an incursion into Abusafia district, east of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip and detained two Palestinians at midnight.
They added that the incursion coincided with intensive shooting and house-to-house search operations in the area, which falls close to the borders with Israel.
12 die in Algerian blasts
By IINA,
Algiers : At least 12 people have been killed by two explosions at a train station east of the Algerian capital. Two bombs detonated within minutes in the town of Beni Amrane in Boumerdes region, 50 km from Algiers. The first bomb killed a French citizen and his Algerian driver as they were leaving the town's railway station. The second device exploded as rescue workers arrived. No group has claimed the bombings, which follow attacks blamed on Al Qaeda-aligned militants. The Frenchman was an engineer working for a French firm on a renovation project at the station.
More than 36 insurgents killed in Afghanistan
By SPA,
Kabul : Afghan and U.S.-led coalition forces have killed more than 36 insurgents during several days of fighting in the south of the country this week, the U.S.
military said on Saturday.
Violence has risen in Afghanistan this year with about 2,500 people, including 1,000 civilians, killed in fighting between insurgents and foreign and Afghan forces, Reuters quoted aid agencies as saying.
No soldiers from the Afghan and U.S. forces or any civilians had been killed in the fighting, which was continuing on Saturday, a spokesman for the U.S. military said.
UN-African Union and Sudan Sign SOFA Agreement
By SPA
United Nations : The United Nations and the African Union on Monday signed an agreement with the Sudanese government on the status of a hybrid peacekeeping force in Sudan’s Darfur region.
The United Nations spokesperson’s office told SPA that the so-called Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) will allow the stationing of about 26,000 troops in Darfur.
Jean-Marie Guehenno, under secretary general for peacekeeping operations told SPA that the deployment would be the largest U.N.-funded deployment since the U.N. Mission in former Yugoslavia.
19 gunmen killed in Egypt raid
Cairo: At least 19 gunmen have been killed in a security raid by the Egyptian army in Sheikh Zuweid city of Egypt's North Sinai...
Blast Kills 46 Iraqi Recruit Hopefuls
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : A suicide attack at a police recruitment center in Sinyar, Ninive, home to the Yazidi minority, killed 16 and wounded 30 and medical sources said the numbers may still grow since some wounded are in serious condition.
The suicider set off a belt of explosives wrapped around his waist among the crowd seeking for a job which they will not find elsewhere due to the US over five-year war and occupation of Iraq.
Egypt lashes out at US human rights report on it
By KUNA
Cairo : Egypt has refused the content of the annual report that was issued by the United States Department on human rights situation in the world and in particular over Egypt.
The Egyptian rejection was echoed by spokesman of the Foreign Ministry Hossam Zaki in his first comment since the report was issued saying Egypt rejects the installation of any state itself as guardian of human rights in the world and issuing verdicts in this regard.
Zaki affirmed that his country's position in this regard is clear and does not bargain over it.
Cleric asks his militia to cease fire in Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iraq's radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered Sunday his Mahdi militia to withdraw from the street battle with Iraqi army in all Iraqi cities, including Baghdad and Basra.
"In order to stop Iraqi blood being shed and maintain unity of Iraq, we call for an end to all armed appearances in Basra and all other Iraqi cities," Sadr said in a statement.
"We declare that anyone carrying weapon and target security forces, government institutions and political parties' offices, will not be one of us," Sadr said.
US seeks increased military ties with Pakistan
BY IANS,
Washington : Saying it wanted to move beyond a transactional relationship, the US says it wants to ramp up military ties with Pakistan to help combat militancy.
"We need to substantially increase our military assistance and broaden the form," US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Mich�le Flournoy said at a seminar here.
Suicide blast in Lahore kills over 17, wounds over 70
By Amena Khokhar, KUNA
Islamabad : At least 17 persons including 15 policemen were killed and over 70 critically wounded in a suicide blast in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Thursday, police said.
A suicide bomber, disguised as a policeman, blew himself up outside the High Court (HC) building in Lahore, about 370 kilometers southeast of Islamabad, while the HC Bar Association meeting was underway and lawyers were about to hold a rally, police sources and a journalist from the city told KUNA.
U.S. signs deal with Lebanese army on military equipment
By Xinhua,
Beirut : U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Eric Edelman and the Lebanese army commander Gen. Jean Kahwaji signed an agreement that would give additional automatic grenade launcher to the Lebanese army, local Daily Star reported Saturday.
Edelman met Friday with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora and Kahwaji to discuss ways to enhance the Lebanese army's capabilities, the report said.
Lebanese parliament speaker supports Arab plan
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a main opposition leader, expressed support on Sunday towards a decision by Arab foreign ministers backing the election of Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman for the president of the country.
In a statement released Sunday, Berri praised "Arab unanimity on (safeguarding) Lebanon's supreme interest," adding that "We hope it would be carried out in reality."
PPP urged for any evidence to official probe on slain Benazir
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan's Caretaker Minister for Interior Lt-Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan has urged the leadership of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) to hand over evidence if they have any, to the investigating team probing the suicide attack on her in Rawalpindi.
No progress on Iranian nuclear issue: IAEA
By DPA,
Vienna : The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Wednesday it had not been able to make any progress on clarifying whether Iran had conducted research that was related to developing nuclear bombs.
In his latest report on Iran to IAEA member states, Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said that "regrettably, as a result of the lack of cooperation by Iran in connection with the alleged studies and other associated key remaining issues of serious concern, the Agency has not been able to make substantive progress on these issues".
Saudi-led coalition airstrikes kill 40 in barracks in Sanaa
Sanaa : At least 40 people died and hundreds were injured in six airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition against Special Security Forces barracks, controlled...
No licence to any Indian channel: Pakistani minister
By IANS,
Islamabad : No licence has been issued to any Indian or Indian content channels, a Pakistani minister has clarified.
Kuwaiti Interior Minister cables counterpart as he ends visit
By KUNA,
Damascus : The Kuwaiti Minister of Interior, Sheikh Jaber Khalid Al-Sabah, Tuesday sent a cable of thanks upon concluding his visit to Syria to his counterpart Bassam Abdulmajeed.
The minister expressed gratitude for the hospitality with which he was received and efforts to create an environment conducive to productive security talks, which he held with officials of the host country.
Official: Pakistan to take action if India provides credible evidence
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior of Pakistan Rehman Malik Tuesday said if India provided credible evidence about culprits involved in the Mumbai attacks Pakistan would take action to bring them to justice.
Addressing a joint news conference with Interpol Secretary General Ronald Nobal here, Malik said India had neither provided any information officially to Pakistan about the arrest of a Pakistani national nor had it shared any concrete proof about those behind Mumbai attacks.
Pakistan urges new consensus on disarmament: Envoy
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan has called for a new consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation to respond to new realities and challenges and reaffirmed its opposition to arms race at regional or global level.
In an address at the U.N. Disarmament Commission, a subsidiary of the General Assembly on Monday, Pakistan's permanent representative to the United States Ambassador Munir Akram said that unless there was broad agreement on goals and parameters that needed to be pursued, it would be difficult to achieve breakthroughs, according to a message received in Islamabad.
Netanyahu promises to keep Supreme Court ‘independent’
By IANS,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to ensure the Supreme Court's judicial independence in the country.
45 injured in series of blasts in a hotel in Dhaka
By KUNA,
New Delhi : At least 45 persons were wounded in a series of blasts in a multi-storey hotel in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka late on Sunday.
Thirty of the injured have been admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Islami Bank Central Hospital and the number of casualties is expected to rise, leading English newspaper of Bangladesh, "The Daily Star," reported in its Monday edition.
Due to the explosions, five floors of 12-storey "Hotel Orchard Plaza' were engulfed by a devastating fire, trapping many residents and employees inside the building, "The Daily Star" said.
US offers $70 mn new aid to Syrian opposition
Washington : The US announced on Friday that it will provide nearly $70 million in new non-lethal assistance to the Syrian opposition, as the...
Afghanistan concerned over Pakistan-India tension
By IANS,
Kabul : Expressing concern over escalating tension between Pakistan and India, Afghanistan has said that withdrawing Pakistani security forces from the western border and moving them to the border with India would affect Afghanistan, Online news agency reports.
According to Radio Kabul, Afghan Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sultan Ahmad said Afghanistan wants peace resolution of differences as increasing tension between Pakistan and India is tantamount to preparing the ground for terrorism in the region.
UNSC set to welcome, strongly support Lebanese Doha agreement
By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : The Security Council is scheduled to discuss and issue a French-drafted presidential statement Thursday welcoming and strongly supporting the agreement reached Wednesday by Lebanese leaders in Doha, Qatar, under the Arab League auspices.
The council would consider the agreement an "essential step" towards the resolution of the Lebanese current crisis, the return to the normal functioning of Lebanese democratic institutions, and the complete restoration of Lebanon's unity, stability and, independence.
Stranded Thai Muslim pilgrims request extended Hajj
By NNN-TNA,
Bangkok : Requests are being made to the Saudi embassy in Bangkok to extend the annual Haj pilgrimage held in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for another few more days as nearly 1,000 Thai Muslim pilgrims trying to travel there were still stuck in Thailand Saturday as Suvarnabhumi international airport is still shut down by anti-government protesters.
Islamic bloc backs Kosovo independence
Riyadh (ANTARA News) - The 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference on Monday said it supports the independence of Kosovo, whose Albanian ethnic majority are mostly Muslim.
"The Islamic umma (nation) wishes the people of Kosovo and its government success in their new struggle to build a strong and prosperous country," the Islamic bloc was quoted by AFP as saying in a statement issued from its headquarters in the Saudi city of Jeddah.
Two rockets fired into Afghan capital, no casualties
By DPA,
Kabul : Two rockets believed to have been fired by Taliban militants landed near the presidential palace Tuesday, but caused no casualties, police said.
The rockets were fired from Bagrami, in the southern part of Kabul city, a police official in Kabul told DPA.
"Both rockets hit areas around the presidential palace, but fortunately there were no casualties," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
EU parliament calls for stronger EU role in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
Brussels : The European Parliament (EP) called Tuesday for a much larger political role for the European Union (EU) in Afghanistan and stressed the need to maintain the distinction between military and civilian actions by all actors.
In a report adopted by a large majority, the EP notes that "in Afghanistan , the EU is primarily known as a humanitarian organization," and calls for a major strengthening of political will and commitment by the EU.
Supply route talks with Pakistan continuing: Pentagon
By IANS,
Washington : The US has said it is continuing scaled-down discussions with Pakistan on the re-opening of NATO supply routes to Afghanistan.
Polls open in Egypt amid tensions
By IRNA
Amman : Municipal elections are taking place in Egypt against a backdrop of violent popular unrest and calls for a boycott by the opposition Muslim Brotherhood.
Some 52,000 local councillors are being selected - but the ruling National Democratic Party is standing unopposed in the great majority of seats.
Only 20 candidates affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood are being allowed to stand after thousands were rejected.
A youth, 15, was shot dead during protests in Mahalla al-Kubra on Monday.
Mehsud rules out cooperation with UN’s Bhutto murder probe
By IANS,
Islamabad : Baitullah Mehsud, a Pakistani Taliban commander suspected of having a hand in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has ruled out cooperating with a UN probe into the killing, saying the world body was "subservient to the US".
"The United Nations is not a neutral body. It is subservient to the United States. I don't expect it to conduct an impartial enquiry," Mehsud said Saturday at a press conference in Kotkhai town, in the restive South Waziristan province bordering Afghanistan.
"We will not work with it," Dawn Sunday quoted him as saying.
Terrorism a diplomatic asset: Fair is foul, foul is fair
By Saeed Naqvi ,
The ISIS threat has been around for months. Why was it not nipped in the bud? Obama’s response in the course of a conversation with Thomas Friedman of the New York Times is revealing. “We did not start airstrikes all across Iraq as soon as the ISIS came in because that would have taken the pressure off Nouri al-Maliki”, the then Shia prime minister in Baghdad.
Muslims, non-Muslims hold large gathering to promote unity, peace
London, Oct 26, IRNA, The fourth international festival on Global Peace and Unity opened in London on Saturday.
Tens of thousand Muslims and non-Muslims are taking part in the event.
The two-day event, organized by Islam Channel in cooperation with several other Muslim and non-Muslim institutions such as the Muslim Council of Britain and the Islamic Bank of England, aims to forge unity among Muslims and non-Muslims.
Various cultural, artistic and educational programs and exhibitions were held on the sidelines of the festival.
Army chief: Iran to hold another air force war game soon
By Xinhua,
Tehran : The commander of Iran's Army Air Force, Amir Pilot Ahmad Migani, said on Tuesday that the great war game of Iran's Army Air Force will be held soon, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
The war game called "the protectors of Velayat air" has been scheduled to present the defense and battle power of the Air Force and to practice protective mechanisms, Migani told reporters.
IS beheads second US journalist
Washington: The Islamic State militant organisation has posted a video titled "A second message to America", showing the beheading of American journalist Steven Sotloff,...
Bungled suicide blast injures civilian in Afghanistan
By KUNA
Kabul : Only a civilian was injured in a botched up suicide attack in southern Afghanistan while six members of a family were killed as roof of their house collapsed due to heavy rains and snowfall in the eastern zone of the country on Thursday.
In the first incident, a suicide bomber blew up the explosives fastened to his body in Qalat, capital of the country's Zabul province, police officials and local said.
Al Qaeda confirms Osama’s death
By IANS,
Islamabad : Al Qaeda has confirmed the death of its chief Osama Bin Laden in a statement posted on jihadist internet forums.
Syria doubts Moscow’s influence in Mideast peace process
By RIA Novosti,
Damascus : The United States is a key player in the Middle East peace process, while Russia lacks clout, Syria's president said on Tuesday.
"This was also the case during the Soviet era," Bashar al-Assad said in an interview with the Qatar newspaper Al Watan, going on to state that, "The U.S. plays a leading role in the peace process in the Middle East due to its special relationship with Israel."
He also doubted the viability of a Middle East peace conference in Moscow, pointing out that neither its time frame, nor format or agenda has been defined yet.
Suspected Boko Haram militants kill 23 in Cameroon
Yaounde: Suspected Boko Haram militants killed at least 23 people and burned a village down in Cameroon's Far-North Region, according to a Cameroon army...
Bangladesh apex court refuses to resume Hasina trial
By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh's Supreme Court has declined to revoke the stay granted by the high court on the trial of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a graft case and has referred the case to a full-bench for hearing Thursday.
Last week, the government had moved the petition seeking permission to appeal against the Jan 17 high court orders in the case in which Hasina, her younger sister Sheikh Rehana and cousin Sheikh Selim are accused of extorting around $500,000 (30 million taka) from a businessman.
Bush presses Riyadh on oil but no concrete promises secured
By Xinhua,
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia on Friday gave no concrete promises to visiting U.S. President George W. Bush who is in the oil-rich kingdom to press for an immediate increase in its oil production to help tame record oil prices.
On May 10, the kingdom already raised supplies to customers by increasing oil output of 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) and "supply and demand are in balance today," Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi told a press conference, while Bush held talks with King Abdullahbin Abdul-Aziz.
Pakistan makes tangible progress in fulfilling its pledges to promote and protect human rights...
By APP,
United Nations, New York : Pakistan Thursday ratified International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights (ICESR) and signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as well as Convention against Torture and other Cruel, inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).
In a brief ceremony at United Nations Headquarters here, Pakistan’s Permanent
Representative, Ambassador Munir Akram, signed the Conventions on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.
South Korean President arrives in UAE on three-day visit
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : South Korean President Myung-bak Lee Saturday arrived in the UAE on a three-day state visit.
13 die in drone attack in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 13 people, including six foreigners, were killed Wednesday in a US drone attack in northwest Pakistan, a media report said.
Police: 10,000 workers protest in Bangladesh
By SPA
Dhaka, Bangladesh : An official says about 10,000 textile workers have clashed with police near Bangladesh's Capital during protests demanding better wages to meet higher food prices, the Associated Press reported.
Dozens of people including at least 20 police officials have been injured in violence Saturday, police station Official Angur Akhter said by telephone.
The protesters are demanding better wages so that they can face higher food prices, she said.
World powers do not want nuclear-powered Iran
By IRNA,
London : A senior American researcher says it is obvious that most of the world’s powers do not want Iran to become a nuclear power.
Professor Larry Sabato, the director of the University of Virginia’s Centre for Politics, told IRNA that Iran’s stances regarding regional and international developments are the centrepiece of the Western opposition to Iran.
IS threatens French, American citizens in Morocco
Rabat: A new video released by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group on the internet features three members who threaten to attack French and...
2,000 jobs lost due to workers’ agitation: Bangladeshi minister
By IANS,
Dhaka : Over 2,000 jobs were lost as a garment factory was burnt down in a workers' agitation for which instigation came from "a certain quarter", a Bangladeshi minister has said.
Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith did not elaborate on his allegation while replying to queries in parliament Tuesday.
He said the police "are badly corrupt, and it is a tough job to improve this situation", The Daily Star reported.
The minister said the government is mulling over formation of an industrial police to control untoward situations in garment factories.
Over 27,000 telecom devices seized in UAE
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in the UAE has confiscated over 27,600 unauthorised devices in the country.
UAE starts flights to Baghdad
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE will start flights to Baghdad from April 26, making it the first airline in the Gulf to fly to Iraq.
Etihad will operate five return flights per week from Abu Dhabi to Baghdad and will expand its operation with two additional return services to a second Iraq destination - Erbil - from June 1, James Hogan, chief executive of Etihad Airways, said.
"We are committed to building and strengthening ties in our region and we are pleased that Etihad will be the first airline in the UAE to fly to Iraq," he said.
23 killed in Yemen attack
By IANS,
Aden (Yemen) : At least 11 soldiers and 12 terrorists were killed when Al Qaeda attacked a military base in Yemen Monday, Xinhua reported.
Ahmadinejad’s letter to Obama covers key issues – Deputy FM
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to US President-elect Barack Obama contained important points which well answered expectations of the global community and international opinion, said a senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said at a seminar on 'Human Rights in Iran and the World' Sunday that Ahmadinejad's initiative in sending the letter neutralised the charge that US politicians have raised against Iran for years, alleging that the country is a warmonger.
Palestinian ambulances to halt due to fuel crisis
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Palestinian health ministry's ambulances will stop working in Gaza Strip later on Saturday due to lack of fuel, an official said.
"At 6 p.m., no ambulance vehicle will be able to move and they will completely come to a halt," said Mu'awia Hassanein of the ministry's emergency department.
"After checking with gas stations, it was sure they have had no single liter of benzene," he told reporters.
Israel gradually reduced fuel shipments into Gaza since Hamas seized control of the area last June.
Scotland Yard detectives to receive all assistance from Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, JANUARY 05 , SPA -- Interior Minister Lt-Gen Hamid Nawaz says the Scotland Yard detectives, currently in Pakistan, would be provided all documents, videos and photographs of the last moments of the public meeting addressed by former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
There will be no influence on these detectives from our side, he told reporters.
The minister said that the Scotland Yard team has formally started work to help probe Ms Bhutto's assassination.
Stir against Islamist parties contesting Bangladesh polls
By IANS,
Dhaka : Former freedom fighters and secularists in Bangladesh have stepped up campaign against Islamist parties contesting the Dec 29 polls as many allege they had collaborated with Pakistani authorities in killing unarmed civilians in 1971.
Their principal target is the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), the country's largest Islamist party, and a combine of smaller parties who are in alliance with two-term prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Palestinian FM expresses hope for extension of Gaza truce to West Bank
By Xinhua,
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riyadh al-Maliki on Saturday expressed his hope that the Egypt-brokered Gaza truce would last and be extended to West Bank.
Maliki made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the second day of the two-day 13th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council ahead of the AU Summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort.
Jewish man stabbed in apparent militant attack in Jerusalem
Jerusalem : A Jewish man was stabbed in Jerusalem Sunday evening in an apparent militant attack, police said.
The victim, in his early thirties, was...
Israel allows more cargo into Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Security sources in Gaza said Thursday Israel facilitated movement at commercial crossing points and allowed more sorts of goods to enter the coastal Gaza Strip over the past two days.
The improvement comes as an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which controls the enclave, entered its eighth week.
Through Sufa crossing, one of the four commercial crossings, Israel allowed pipes and heavy equipment used in drainage and water treatment projects in addition to equipment used in agriculture.
Iraqi situation theme of Mubarak-Zebrai talks Sunday
By NNN-KUNA
Cairo : President Hosni Mubarak and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebrai will meet Sunday to discuss the Iraqi situation.
An Egyptian diplomatic source told KUNA that Mubarak-Zebari talks would focus on Egypt's efforts to help in stabilizing and reconstructing Iraq.
Zebrai would underscore the current situation in his country to Mubarak and discuss the possibility of reopening Egypt's diplomatic mission in Iraq.
The fourth run of the three-way US-Iranian-Iraqi talks will also be highlighted in the meeting.
Turkey targets rebels’ infiltration
By SPA,
Ankara, Turkey : Turkey's military says its warplanes and artillery units have struck Kurdish rebel positions in Northern Iraq.
The military says it targeted rebels who were trying to Infiltrate into Turkey, in northern Iraq's Zap, Avasin-Basyan and Hakurk regions. The areas, which are close to the border with Turkey, were hit on Friday and early Saturday.
All planes returned safely to their bases, the military said in a brief statement Saturday, according to a report of the Associated Press.
Kyrgyz grand Mufti condemns anti-Islam film
By IRNA
Bishkek : Kyrgyz grand Mufti and several religious and press circles of the country have condemned Dutch film blaspheming Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Holy Quran.
Mufti Murat Ali Jumanov said release of the film was in line with the enemies' efforts to defame Islam and the Holy Quran.
He urged the Muslim society to counter such hostile measures against Islam and the holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH).
Muslim countries have condemned the film made by the far-right MP Geert Wilder, which was posted online on Thursday.
Centre not to extend ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir
New Delhi (IANS): The Centre on Sunday decided not to extend the suspension of anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir as announced in the...
Defense chief: Gaza operation unlikely to end rocket attacks
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday that even a large-scale military operation in Gaza Strip will not cease rocket attacks from the Hamas-ruled region.
The Egypt-mediated Gaza ceasefire, which went into effect in June, is effectively halting the barrages, Barak said in an interview with local TV Channel 10, adding that he hoped the truce would last for a year.
Lebanese cabinet wins confidence vote
By Xinhua,
Beirut : The Lebanese cabinet on Tuesday won 100 votes of confidence out of 107 lawmakers in parliament over its policy statement, LBC TV reported.
"The cabinet got 100 votes out of 107 present, five voted against and two sustained," parliament speaker Nabih Berri announced at the end of the session.
The Lebanese parliament convened after almost two years of non-functioning, and approved the cabinet policy statement allowing it to rule officially for nine months and end its task with a general election in 2009.
A Pakistan where people want Modi as PM
By Imran Khan ,
Purnea (Bihar): It's true. People of this Pakistan want Narendra Modi to become prime minister of India.
More than 250 residents,...
Iraq calls three-day national mourning for Baghdad blasts
By DPA,
Baghdad : Iraq announced Sunday a three-day national mourning period for the victims of the twin terror blasts in central Baghdad.
Head of the rescue team, Abdel Rasoul al-Zaidi, said that his men were able to put out the fire in the buildings and that they are now looking for survivors or bodies under the rubble.
Dozens of people were killed and injured in the blasts. "The two explosions were so huge and have left enormous damage," al-Zaidi said.
People of Pakistan condemn Mumbai blasts, says peace activist
By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Saudi Arabia executes two Pakistanis for drug smuggling
By DPA,
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia Thursday executed two Pakistani nationals for smuggling drugs, a statement by the interior ministry said.
The ministry had ordered the men be executed by sword after they were caught smuggling heroin in the eastern city of Damman.
Drug smuggling carries the death penalty in the Islamic state, where 63 people have been executed since the beginning of the year.
Ethnic Indians urged to join Malaysian armed forces
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Young Malaysian Indians should join the country's armed forces, a former soldier has said, lamenting that the number of those coming forward at present was "discouraging".
Negri Sembilan state's Ex-Warriors Association head Major Murugiah said the ethnic Indian youth must realise that serving and protecting the country was a good cause and they should be proud of it, reported Malaysia Nanban, a Tamil daily.
One dead after attacks following Hariri rally
By DPA,
Beirut : A member of Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) died Sunday after an attack Saturday by supporters of the pro-Syrian Hezbollah party, the PSP reported.
The PSP, made up primarily of representatives from Lebanon's Druze population, said Lutfi Zeineddine died from injuries sustained in the attack. The attack occurred shortly after a massive rally Saturday in downtown Beirut to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri.
U.S. soldier killed in bomb attack in Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A U.S. soldier died of wounds sustained when a roadside bomb explosion struck his vehicle in Baghdad, the U.S. military said on Saturday.
The soldier was on "combat patrol" in eastern the capital when he was attacked at about 6:15 p.m. (1515 GMT) on Friday evening, a military statement said.
Several areas in eastern Baghdad, including the sprawling Shiite slum of Sadr City, are strongholds for Mahdi Army militiamen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who fight the U.S. and Iraqi security forces since late March.
Bangladesh Gears Up Bird Flu Preparedness Programme
By Bernama,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh caretaker government has geared up bird flu preparedness programs across the country after the first case of human infection was identified in a child in May.
The government has set up isolation units at different district hospitals and expanded its existing surveillance network, China's Xinhua news agency reported Monday quoting a leading English newspaper as saying.
Health authorities are maintaining strong vigilance to avert any outbreak of this virulent H5N1 virus that passes from birds to human.
Saudi Arabia detains over 500 terror suspects
By DPA,
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia has arrested 520 terror suspects of different nationalities in security sweeps launched since the beginning of the year, an official from the Saudi interior ministry said Wednesday.
A total of 701 people of different nationalities were arrested so far this year but 181 of them were later released and the rest is still in detention, an unnamed official was quoted as saying by the state press agency SPA.
Muslims should ’empty’ Swiss accounts: Turkish minister
By IANS/AKI,
Ankara : Muslims should consider withdrawing their money from Swiss bank accounts in response to the country's ban on construction of minarets, a Turkish minister said.
"I am certain this (vote) will prompt our brothers from Muslim countries who keep their money and investments in Swiss banks to review their decision," said Egemen Bagis, cited by Turkish daily Zaman.
Bagis is the chief negotiator for Turkey's European Union accession as well as minister for European affairs.
Palestinians Favor 2009 Elections
By Prensa Latina,
Ramallah : Most of the Palestinians approve the end of the presidential mandate of Mahmoud Abbas on Jaunary 9, though they would be ready to re-elect Abbas if the parliamentary elections were made next year, said a poll here Friday.
A poll by the Palestinian Center for Politics and Investigations showed that 64 percent of the interviewed people in the West Bank and the Strip of Gaza believe Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, should not extend his presidential mandate.
Bomb explodes in Ain El Hilweh camp, no casualties
By ANTARA News/DPA,
Beirut : A bomb exploded late Monday inside the Palestinian refugee camp Ain el Hilweh in southern Lebanon, but did not inflict any casualties, Palestinian sources said.
The bomb exploded in Hay al Manshiyeh, an area inside Ain el Hilweh, which is the home of some 70,000 Palestinian refugees, and caused only material damage, the sources said.
Ain el Hilweh, one of the 12 camps that host some 367,000 Palestinian refugees across Lebanon, has in recent months seen clashes between the mainstream Fatah movement and hardlined groups Jund al-Sham and Fatah al-Islam.
No foreign troops in terror war: Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Tuesday politely but firmly told the US it would not permit foreign troops on its territory to take on the Taliban and the Al Qaeda in the tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan, urging the creation of "mutual trust" in the struggle and a halt to the US drone attacks in the region.
Iran mulls base to launch bigger satellites
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran is planning to construct a facility to send bigger satellites into orbit, the official media reported Friday.
11 shot dead at Karachi rally
By IANS,
Islamabad : Unidentified armed men opened fire at a political rally in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, killing at least 11 people and injuring more than 30, a media report said.
Lebanon’s parliament majority leader visits Baghdad
By SPA,
Baghdad : The leader of Lebanon's parliamentary majority is visiting Iraq, the Associated Press reported.
Saad Hariri's trip is a diplomatic success for Iraq, which wants closer ties with the region.
A statement by the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says he and Hariri discussed Lebanon's new government.
The statement says Hariri praised Iraq for its security improvements in the meeting Thursday.
Role for all races in ‘One Malaysia’: PM-in-waiting
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The "One Malaysia" concept is vital to recognise the contributions made by Malaysians of all races towards the development of the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is expected to take over as the country's premier later this week.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmed Badawi is scheduled to meet the royal constitutional head of the state Thursday to resign and make way for Razak.
Media speculation is that Razak might be sworn in Friday. But he refused to confirm or deny this, The Star newspaper said.
Aircraft off the radar in this age puzzles experts
New York : Can a modern aircraft with a plethora of advanced features just vanish into thin air?
Hard to believe but the disappearance of...
India discusses terror with Dhaka, asks Pakistan to be sincere
By IANS,
Dhaka : India and Bangladesh Monday boosted their multi-faceted ties by signing two economic pacts and joined hands to combat the "growing menace of terrorism" in the region.
Without naming Pakistan, New Delhi also sought to expose the "unwillingness" or lack of "sincerity" on the part of some countries in the region in combating terrorism, and discussed with Dhaka the setting up of a regional taskforce to fight terror.
Women playing major role, says UAE minister
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : Women are playing a major role in the UAE's development and there is a need to enhance their role in business as well, a minister said.
Emirati women occupy 18 percent of the cabinet and 22.5 percent of the Federal National Council, the UAE parliament. There are 10 percent women in the diplomatic corps and 30 percent in top decision making positions in the government, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, minister for foreign trade said Thursday.
Afghanistan: civilians fleeing onfoot at night of NATO offensives
By NNN-IRIN,
Kabul : Hundreds of civilian families are fleeing parts of Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, ahead of a major military operation by foreign and Afghan forces.
The offensive is expected to drive Taliban insurgents out of Marjah, which has an estimated population of 80,000 people, according to government officials, and the surrounding area.
Israel says construction in E Jerusalem to be expanded
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim said on Tuesday that 1,100 new apartments will be built in two Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem, local media reported.
Boim told Israel Radio that the bids of the construction of 370 apartments in Har Homa and an additional 750 in Pisgat Ze'ev would go out soon.
"There is no delay, limitation, or suspension of the construction of Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem," he was quoted as saying.
US Predident says his trip to Middle East aimed to promote peace
By NNN-WAFA
Washington : US President George W. Bush said Saturday that his trip to the Middle East next week aimed to promote peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
"This is a region of great strategic importance to the United States, and I'm looking forward to my visit," Bush, who leaves Jan. 8, said in his weekly radio address.
Bush said he planned to push Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Mahmud Abbas to make progress on peace talks restarted at a US-championed conference in Annapolis, Maryland.
Israel stops aid ship from entering Gaza: Iran
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran claimed Wednesday that Israeli forces have stopped its ship containing humanitarian aid for Palestinians from reaching the Gaza Strip, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The Iranian ship 'Shahed' carrying food and medicine for Gazans who have been suffering from severe humanitarian crisis was stopped some 20 miles off the Gaza coast, said Ahmad Navab, an Iranian official in charge of the aid shipment.
The ship, which left Iran's southern port of Bandar Abbas two weeks ago, was to arrive at the port of Gaza Saturday, Navab said.
Hague to defend clandestine mission to Libya
By IRNA,
London : Foreign Secretary William Hague is to make a statement in parliament later Monday following the embarrassing failure in sending a clandestine team to Libya to meet rebel groups.
US backs Pakistan’s military offensive against militants
By IRNA,
Islamabad : The United States supports Pakistan's military offensive against militants in tribal regions and Swat valley in the northwest, a visiting top American diplomat said on Monday.
US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher told a news conference after meetings with Pakistani leaders that there is a need for both political and military solutions to address the menace of terrorism.
Italy launches probe agaist 10 suspects for alleged terror links
Rome:At least ten people are being investigated in Italy for suspected ties with Islamist terrorist networks abroad, media reported Tuesday.
Chief prosecutor Massimo Pignatone opened...
Cold weather claims 37 lives in Afghanistan
By DPA
Kabul : Heavy snowfall and cold weather left at least 37 people dead in Afghanistan's southern province of Ghazni in the past 24 hours, the provincial governor said Tuesday.
"Over the past 24 hours, 37 people including some 20 children were killed due to cold weather in the province," provincial governor Faizullah Faizan said.
He said some of the people died en route to health centres after their vehicles were blocked by snow.
Israeli FM cautiously optimistic on talks with Palestinians
By Xinhua,
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has expressed her cautiously optimism on the success of the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, the organizers of a World Economic Forum meeting said here Tuesday.
Livni voiced the cautiously optimism at a session of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East on Monday night at the Egyptian Red Sea resort, according to a press release issued by the organizers on Monday.
Minister of Social Affairs approves registration of Heritage Foundation
By SPA,
Riyadh : Dr.Yousuf Ahmed al-Othaimeen, Minister of Social Affairs approved here today the registration of Al-Turath (heritage) Foundation headed by Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Secretary General of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).
Suspected US drone strikes kill eight in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least eight people were killed and four injured in two suspected US drone strikes in Pakistan's northwestern tribal district of North Waziristan Sunday, security officials said.
An unmanned drone aircraft fired three Hellfire guided missiles into a compound in the Alora Mandi area of North Waziristan, a known safe haven of Taliban and Al Qaeda militants launching cross-border raids on NATO-led international forces in Afghanistan.
Terrorists storm into police agency office in Lahore, two killed
By IANS,
Lahore : Heavily armed terrorists stormed into the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) building in a congested area of this Pakistani city Thursday morning. Two of them were killed in the exchange of bullets that followed, reports said.
Senior police officials said the building, housing the office of the elite security force, had been cleared and a suicide jacket and grenades recovered from the militants.
An official said that four men attacked the FIA building. While two of the men had been gunned down, one was taken into custody, media reports said.
Three policemen injured in clashes in S Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Three policemen were wounded on Friday when Iraqi security forces clashed with unknown gunmen in Iraq's southern province of Basra, a provincial police officer said.
"The clash broke out when gunmen opened fire on a procession of Shiite worshippers, gathering in the al-Jumhuriya neighborhood in the province to commemorate the religious ritual of Ashura," Col. Abdul Kareem al-Zaidi, the provincial police spokesman, told Xinhua.
Abbas present initiative for inter-Palestinian dialogue
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas presented on Wednesday night an initiative to resume an inter-Palestinian dialogue among all Palestinian political factions and parties including Hamas.
Abbas initiative was presented in a televised announcement aired from his Ramallah headquarters on the Palestinian satellite television.
"Depending on our desire to keep the Palestinian territories united and responding to the calls to bring the situation back to before June 14, I call for launching a comprehensive national dialogue," said Abbas.
SAARC summit helped reduce tension with Afghanistan: Pakistani PM Gilani
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the 15th SAARC summit in Colombo had helped reduce tension with Afghanistan.
“The visit has helped in (reducing) tension and dispelling many apprehensions and misunderstandings with Afghanistan,” he told reporters after his return from Colombo.
The Prime Minister said that in his meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai he was assured that Afghanistan was ready to remove differences with Pakistan.
Karzai said “if you take one step forward we will take one thousand steps,” Gilani added.
Sharif Univ third in Bulgarian mathematics contest
By IRNA,
Tehran : Sharif University of Technology ranked third for the fourth consecutive year at the 15th International Students Mathematics Contests held in Bulgaria, said the university chancellor, Saeed Sohrabpour.
The 8-member team dispatched by the university to the event won seven gold medals, one bronze medal competing with 90 teams from different universities, he said.
Rice sees no military standoff between Pakistan, India
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday that Pakistan and India had both given responsible statements and no military action was on the cards in both countries.
"I found the Pakistani leadership very focused and committed," she told reporters after talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and senior army officials.
"I do want to thank you for the leadership role that you have taken," she told Zardari.
UAE students to get cyber security training
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: School students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will undergo special cyber security training to learn various safety measures while using the internet.
Unending suicide attacks to pre-empt military offensive?
By Zofeen T. Ebrahim, IANS
Karachi : Reeling from one deadly suicide attack after another, each deadlier and more sophisticated than the previous, post-election Pakistan was supposed to have paved the way for a peaceful climate, with President Pervez Musharraf routed in the elections and the militant's political grievances addressed.
But experts fear the violence will not cease, at least in the near future. There are many who even see the attacks as a strategy to pre-empt a speculated military offensive.
Afghanistan-Pakistan border still epicentre of Al-Qaeda: Barack Obama
By NNN-PTI,
Washington : The Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains the epicentre of al Qaeda activities, US President Barack Obama has said, ruling out sending troops to Yemen where the group has become a concern of late.
"The border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan remains the epicentre of al Qaeda," Obama said in an interview to People magazine, the excerpts of which were released today.
At the same time he acknowledged that al Qaeda's branch in Yemen has become "a more serious problem", but ruled out sending troops to Yemen at this point of time.
Pakistan won’t hand over terror suspects to India: Zardari
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said Islamabad will not hand over suspected terrorists like Dawood Ibrahim, Masood Azhar and Hafiz Muhammad to India, but try and sentence them in its own courts if it had proof against them.
"I am definitely going to look into all the possibility of any proof that is given to us," Zardari said on CNN's "Larry King Live" Tuesday when asked if he was going to comply with India's demand to hand over some 20 suspected terrorists believed to be living in Pakistan.
Anwar Ibrahim to face another trial on sodomy charge
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim will be tried by a high court bench on charge of sodomy - the same accusation he faced a decade back when he was sacked as the deputy prime minister.
His lawyers Thursday said a high court ruling dismissing his plea in the matter was "very disappointing".
Ibrahim had won a favourable ruling last November. But Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah Thursday said the Sessions Court judge "had erred".
The case has been set for mention next Tuesday, The Star newspaper said.
U.S. reiterates accusations against Syria
By Xinhua
Washington : The United States reiterated on Tuesday its call for Syria to stop alleged human rights abuses and end its alleged support for terrorism.
"It is time for the Syrian government to modify its behavior, end its support for terrorism in the region, and provide its citizens with the rights they deserve," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said in a statement.
The State Department issued the statement about two months after Syria attended the U.S.-brokered Mideast conference in Annapolis, Maryland.
100,000 from Pakistan take refuge in Afghanistan
Kabul : Around 100,000 people, who were forced to leave their houses in the wake of Pakistan army operations against militants in North Waziristan,...
Terror attack fears spur more security for Hasina
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has stepped up security for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina following intelligence reports that terrorists were planning to assassinate her, it was reported Sunday.
Security and intelligence agencies last month warned Hasina of possible attempts on her life by extremist groups including the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) and Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), The Daily Star newspaper said.
It said that the Special Security Force (SSF) had assumed responsibility for her security.
Pakistan’s 24-member central cabinet sworn in
By IRNA
Islamabad : A 24-member Pakistani cabinet was sworn-in on Monday, which marks the completion of the transfer of power to the new government after the February 18 parliamentary elections.
President Pervez Musharraf administered the oath to the cabinet members at a special ceremony at the Presidency in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani attended the ceremony.
Jaswant Singh’s expulsion shows bias still exists against Pakistan: PML-N
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party Thursday criticised the expulsion of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh from the party for his praise of Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah saying "India still has prejudice and bias" against the country even 62 years after partition.
The PML-N said Singh's expulsion "shows the real face of India that boasts of great democracy in the world", the Online news agency reported.