Afghanistan: influx of Pakistani refugees could spark crisis – ministry official
By NNN-IRIN,
Kabul : Any increase in the flow of refugees from northwestern Pakistan into eastern parts of Afghanistan could lead to a humanitarian crisis unless international aid organisations deliver urgent assistance, a senior official at Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Returnees Affairs (MoRRA) has said.
"We are deeply concerned about insecurity in the Tribal Areas [of Pakistan] and the influx of Pakistani refugees into Afghanistan," Abdul Qader Ahadi, deputy minister in the MoRRA, told IRIN in Kabul.
Four Indians among 64 detained at Sharjah airport
By IANS,
Dubai : Four Indians are among 64 people detained at the Sharjah International Airport for trying to illegally enter the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The arrested were trying to enter the country in search of jobs while holding tourist visas, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
"Some tourist firms in the country do not abide by the instructions on the tourist visas that should be issued only for tourism purposes and not for work," said Abdullah Ali Saeed Bin Sahoo, director of the Naturalisation and Residency Department in Sharjah.
Moussa meets Cypriot Parliament Speaker
By KUNA,
Cairo : Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Amr Moussa on Wednesday discussed with Cypriot Parliament Speaker Marios Karoyian Arab-Cypriot relations and the Cypriot conflict as well as the Union for the Mediterranean.
A League statement said the two men discussed regional situations in the Arab region focusing on Lebanon, Iraq, Darfur, Somalia and Palestinian reconciliation.
For his part, Karoyian extended an invitation for Moussa to visit Cyprus and expressed his opinion on the need to strengthen ties between the Arab League and his country.
Pakistani troops kill 20 militants
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan army said Wednesday it had killed at least 20 Taliban militants in the lawless tribal region along the Afghan border.
Helicopter gunships and artillery pounded several positions of rebels in Bajaur district, where the military and paramilitary troops are carrying out a major offensive against Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters since early August.
"Eight among the killed were foreigners," army spokesman Major Murad Khan told DPA.
The term "foreigner" is mostly used to refer to Al Qaeda linked militants of Arab and Central Asian origin.
10 killed in two blasts in Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : At least 10 people were killed and 21 injured in two bomb blasts in Islamabad and in Dir near Peshawar in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Thursday, officials said.
The incidents occurred when an in-camera session of a joint sitting of both houses of parliament was under way in the capital amid tight security. The army generals are briefing the MPs on their operations against terrorists and the war on terror.
Pakistan to set up committee to facilitate trade ties with China
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered the setting up of an inter-ministerial committee to review and report progress on economic and trade ties with China, state media reported on Saturday.
The committee headed by Zardari will meet monthly to assess the progress made to materialize the agreements inked during his visit to China, the official Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
Explosion in SW Pakistan kills four people
By KUNA,
Islamabad : Four people were killed and five others were wounded in a bomb explosion in southwestern province of Baluchistan on Sunday, police said.
A remote-controlled bomb exploded with a huge bang in the Bazaar of Dera Bugti town, over 350 kilometers from Quetta, the provincial capital, police sources told KUNA.
They said the explosion killed four persons and wounded five others. The wounded, one in critical condition, had been whisked to hospitals.
Security was put on red alert and police cordoned off the scene.
Pak economy facing serious threat
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Despite promises and commitments of international financial agencies, economy of Pakistan is facing serious threats.
Pakistan is reportedly discussing a $10 billion to $15 billion support package with the IMF and other bodies at Dubai.
The IMF, it is said, would provide the package if satisfied with the steps taken by the government of Pakistan to stabilize its economy.
Iran’s president denies reports on being sick
Tehran, Oct 27 (DPA) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has denied reports that he was sick, saying he had just caught a cold and been a bit tired.
"Like anybody else I might catch a cold, get tired sometimes but I am not (seriously) sick," Ahmadinejad said on state television Sunday night.
There had been reports that Ahmadinejad suffered from low blood pressure and needed medical care.
Some reports even speculated that he might not run in next June's presidential elections due to chronic exhaustion.
NATO”s Afghan forces “have reached their limit” — British General
By KUNA,
London : Coalition forces in Afghanistan have "now reached their limit", according to General Sir Michael Rose, former commander of UN forces in Bosnia.
He said Tuesday that NATO forces should consider forming local tribal militias to help stabilize the country.
General Rose made his comments when writing for the military think tank the Royal United Services Institute, in central London.
He warned that there are not enough combat troops to continue the momentum against the Taliban.
Bangladesh relaxes emergency, allows poll campaigning
By DPA,
Dhaka : Authorities in Bangladesh Monday announced further relaxation of a state of emergency to allow campaigning for parliamentary and local polls.
The government also decided to withdraw troops from the field, nearly 22 months after they were deployed as part of a declaration of a state of emergency, an adviser to the military-backed interim administration told reporters.
Ahmadinejad congratulates Obama on his success
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday congratulated US president-elect Barack Obama on his election victory, the official IRNA news agency reported.
"Mr Barack Obama, the president-elect of the United States of America, I congratulate you for being able to attract the majority of votes in the elections," Ahmadinejad said in a message addressed to the next president of the US, which has been the arch foe of Iran for decades.
Tighter security over possible attacks in Turkey
By KUNA,
Istanbul : Turkey's General Directorate of Security issued strict orders to all security and intelligence bodies across the country to take all necessary measures to counter any possible attack, similar to the assault on Istanbul which claimed many lives months ago.
The intensive security measures were ordered after intelligence information suggested members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) managed to enter the Turkish capital, Ankara, to execute suicide bombings, Turkish daily Zaman cited security sources as saying.
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.
Pakistani government to overcome economic crisis soon – Minister
By NNN-APP,
Lahore : Pakistani Provincial Minister for Finance and Planning and Development, Tanveer Ashraf Kaira said that the government would soon overcome the economic crisis and there is no danger of default as the nation's banking system is very strong.
He expressed these views while talking to mediamen after inaugurating Bank Al‑Falah Limited Branch at PIA, Housing Society here Friday.
The Minister said that liquidity position of banks has been improved after the timely steps taken by the State Bank of Pakistan.
Argentina, well-known for corrupt judges
By IRNA,
Tehran : Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hassan Qashqavi, said on Monday citing a report by a specialized international organization that Argentina is well-known for its corrupt judges in the world.
He made the remarks commenting on a recent anti-Iran move made by the Argentine judicial system regarding the case of the 1994 terrorist bombings of two Jewish trade centers in Buenos Aires.
China calls for India-Pakistan dialogue after Mumbai attacks
By Xinhua,
Beijing : China Thursday called for dialogue between India and Pakistan to clear the confusion after last week's terror attacks in Mumbai to maintain peace and stability in South Asia.
China firmly opposes terrorism and it is in the best interest of India and Pakistan to strengthen dialogue and bilateral cooperation, foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters.
"It is in line with the requirements for regional peace and stability and the common expectation of the international community," he said.
Iraqi presidency council approves security pact with US
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The Iraqi presidency council Thursday approved a security pact that will allow US troops to remain in the country for three more years, an official said.
"The presidency council has ratified the security deal with the US," council spokesman Naseer al-Ani said.
The Iraqi presidency council consists of President Jalal Talabani and his two deputies.
On Nov 27, the Iraqi parliament had already endorsed the pact by a wide margin.
Israel’s foreign minister asks to reconsider Gaza ceasefire
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni Sunday called for more discussion among Israeli leaders about whether to continue the ceasefire with Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip.
"The ceasefire agreement will end shortly, and is not being honoured by the Palestinian side. At the moment, we need renewed thought on whether we will act," The Jerusalem Post quoted Livni as saying at the weekly cabinet meeting.
The Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that took effect on June 19 is on the verge of collapse following a wave of violence since Nov 4.
Malaysians asked to check Indian visas
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian Indian Tour and Travel Agents (Mita) has advised travellers to India to check the authenticity of Indian visas.
Mita president K. Thangavelu made the appeal after the Indian high commission uncovered a scam following the loss of 2,000 visa stickers from its visa centre in Kuala Lumpur, The Star newspaper said Saturday.
Pakistani truckers halt supplies to NATO forces
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistani truck drivers have decided to stop transporting supplies to US and Nato forces in Afghanistan following a string of attacks by Taliban militants, a media report said Monday.
The decision was taken Sunday during a meeting of Khyber Transport Association (KTA), a powerful organization of the owners of up to 4,000 lorries and trailers.
"We feel that our drivers and vehicles are not safe anymore," KTA head Shakir Afridi told The News daily.
Malaysian government introduces witness protection bill
By DPA,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's law minister Tuesday introduced a witness protection programme in Parliament as part of efforts to protect whistle-blowers in corruption and criminal cases.
Nazri Abdul Aziz presented the proposed legislation, which would provide accommodation and a new identity to those accepted as witnesses.
Under the bill, the attorney general would approve applications by whistle-blowers who have to meet an exhaustive list of criteria, including passing physical and mental examinations.
Poll: Palestinians, Israelis seek more active U.S. role in moderating conflict
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Most Palestinians and half of Israelis hope the United States to play a more active role in moderating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a latest poll published Tuesday.
The poll was conducted by the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah.
Iran urges UN to alleviate sufferings in Gaza
By IANS,
New York : Iran's envoy Eshaq Ale Habib has urged the UN Security Council to take immediate steps to alleviate the sufferings of people living in the Gaza Strip, IRNA reported Saturday.
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has reached disaster point. People living there are enduring a humanitarian catastrophe unprecedented in the last several decades, he said at a meeting of the UN Security Council Friday.
Pakistan sees ‘positive’ development in ties with India
By Muhammad Najeeb,IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Tuesday said there were "positive"
developments in its relations with India during the last 48 hours amid
reports that the United States has backed Islamabad's demand for "concrete
evidence" before taking action against the Mumbai attack suspects New Delhi
has named.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a policy statement
issued Tuesday reiterated his stance on cooperating on a joint investigation
into the Mumbai incidents.
"Pakistan considers the development in last 48 hours as positive and
Zillur Rahman to be next Bangladesh President: Hasina
By NNN-PTI,
Dhaka : Veteran Awami League leader Zillur Rahman will be named Bangladesh's next President by the party, which is set to form government after sweeping the December 29 polls, Prime Minister-elect Sheikh Hasina said, setting aside an apparent pre-poll deal reached with key ally H M Ershad.
"The opinion of the Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) is that senior party leader Zillur Rahman will be the next President of the country" when incumbent Iajuddin Ahmed quits, Hasina told reporters on Saturday night after her party MPs were sworn in.
Pakistan has not rejected India’s evidence on terrorism: Envoy
By IANS,
New Delhi : Islamabad has not “rejected” the evidence handed over by New Delhi, which points to the involvement of elements across the border in the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan's envoy here said Tuesday.
“There is no question of rejection of material that the Indian government has given us,” Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik told reporters here on the sidelines of a conference of Asia Africa Rural Development Organisation.
“We are in the process of examining the evidence and we will get in touch with authorities,” Malik said.
Hope for Israel-Hamas ceasefire emerging: UN
By DPA,
New York : The search for a sustainable Israel-Hamas ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was emerging as countries engaged in resolving the conflict were reaching a consensus, a UN official said Wednesday.
"It seems that the elements for a way out of this crisis are emerging, but more work needs to be done quickly to flesh out a package and secure a buy-in of the crucial players," Robert Serry, the UN coordinator for the Middle East peace process said at UN headquarters in New York.
No safe places in Gaza, says UN official
By Muin Abdul Majid, NNN-Bernama,
Dubai : As the pounding of Gaza by Israel continues, a United Nations official has made a grim observation of the tragic reality on the ground -- neither homes nor UN shelters are safe for the nearly 1.5 million people in the coastal enclave.
"There are no safe places to flee. We call on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilians," says UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Maxwell Gaylard.
Malaysia says no to race relations law
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian government has shot down a proposal for a race relations law after a study revealed that the people do not favour enforcing better racial ties through law, a media report said Wednesday.
Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Mohammed Shafie Apdal Tuesday said the decision came after exhaustive discussions within the cabinet and with representatives of all communities.
Last Israeli troops leave Gaza Strip
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Israel pulled the last of its soldiers out the Gaza Strip Wednesday morning, over two and a half weeks after they were sent in as part of an intense Israeli operation against militants in the salient, a military spokesman in Tel Aviv said.
The spokesman would not give further details about the withdrawal.
Israeli troops began pulling out the Strip Sunday evening, hours after Israel announced a unilateral ceasefire, ending its three-week-long Operation Cast Lead.
Pakistani security forces kill 60 in tribal region
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan security forces, backed by fighter planes and gunship helicopters, killed about 60 militants in a tribal region, security officials said Tuesday.
In the ongoing operation in Mohmand Agency, the forces from 'Frontier Corps' advanced and secured a main road in the region, a statement said.
"The Security Forces have killed 60 militants during the last 24 hours operation in Mohmand Agency," the statement said.
In the process, militants' strongholds in areas called Habibzai and Mulakhel were destroyed.
Belgium to monitor Lebanese coasts under UNIFIL March 1
By KUNA,
Brussels : Belgium announced Wednesday its participation in the observation mission off the Lebanese coasts as part of the UN International Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
A Defense Ministry states said Belgium would be monitoring the Lebanese coasts aboard frigate "Leopold 1" as part of the UNIFIL for three months.
It added that the UN had agreed to the Belgian proposal, effective as of March 1.
Insurgent responsible for German embassy bombing killed
By DPA,
Kabul : A high-ranking militant believed responsible for the suicide bombing of the German embassy in Kabul earlier this month was killed and another one captured, the international ISAF forces said Friday.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) supported Afghan forces in raiding compounds in the Afghan capital and the neighbouring Logar province in the night from Thursday, ISAF said in a statement.
One bomb-maker was detained and "a senior insurgent commander killed", ISAF said without providing further detail on the militants.
Two missiles fired from Gaza on Southern Israel
By KUNA,
GAZA : Southern Israel was attacked here early on Sunday by two missiles fired from northern Gaza, according to the Israeli Army.
A spokesman of the army stated to Radio Israel that the missiles attacked western Negev in Southern Israel, causing no casualties or damage. He added the missiles exploded in the areas of Sdot Hanegev and Eshkol, near the strip, and warning sirens were heard.
No Palestinian faction claimed the responsibility for this attack yet.(end) zt.lb KUNA 010932 Feb 09NNNN
Iranian Navy plans to build new bases
By IANS,
Tehran : The Iranian Navy plans to establish new bases in the Sea of Oman by 2015, Mehr News reported.
The naval bases are currently under construction and they will be completed by the end of the fifth five year Socio-Economic Development Plan (2010-2015), said Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, commander of the Iranian Navy Sunday.
He said that the navy intends to expand its presence in the Sea of Oman region, in line with its strategic objectives.
Priyanka Gandhi arrives in Bangladesh on two-day visit
By IANS,
Dhaka : Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, daughter of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, arrived here Tuesday afternoon on a two-day visit amid tight security to see rural development projects in the country.
"She is the first high-profile Indian dignitary to visit Bangladesh since (Prime Minister Sheikh) Hasina's new government came to power in early January," Star Online said.
Her visit precedes that of Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee who is due here Monday on a day's visit to discuss key bilateral and regional issues.
UN forms three-member team to probe Benazir’s killing
By IANS,
Islamabad : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has announced a three-member commission to investigate former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination.
The UN chief, who arrived here from Afghanistan Wednesday afternoon, said at a press conference that the global organisation was ready to assist Pakistan in tackling the challenges it is facing.
According to state run television, Ban said while addressing the conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that a prosperous Pakistan is in the interest of all.
19 policemen injured in NW Pakistan suicide attack
By Xinhua,
ISLAMABAD : A suicide bomber struck a check post in northwestern Pakistan early Monday, injuring at least 19 policemen, two of them critically, police said.
Local TV channels quoted police sources as saying that a suicide bomber tried to ram a mini-truck into the Baraakpul police check-post near Bannu of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) when around 30 security personnel were present in the building.
The suicider blew up himself some 16 meters away from the check-post when security forces opened fire on him.
Kazakhstan allows U.S. non-military transit to Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti,
ASTANA : Kazakhstan has permitted the transit of non-military logistical supplies for U.S. troops deployed in Afghanistan, a Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
Yerzhan Ashikbayev said only the land transit of civilian cargoes for the U.S. contingent in Afghanistan had been allowed. He also said that their "technical and commercial parameters" had yet to be specified.
Moscow said on Friday it would allow the transit of non-military supplies for U.S. troops in Afghanistan as soon as Washington provided Moscow with cargo specifications.
Coalition options wide open after Israeli election
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : The only certainty to emerge from exit polls and the first official results in Tuesday's Israeli election is that nothing is certain.
Three separate exit polls on Israel's three television news channels gave the centrist Kadima party of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni a sparse, two-seat lead over the hardline Likud of former premier Benjamin Netanyahu, and first initial results, which began trickling in after midnight, showed the margin closing to just one seat.
The gap was small enough to allow both Livni and Netanyahu to claim victory.
Many feared dead in suicide attack in Kabul
By IANS,
Kabul : Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the justice ministry and a police station in Afghanistan's capital Kabul Wednesday, reportedly killing several people, media reports said.
The audacious attacks took place ahead of a visit by Richard Holbrooke, the new US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan's Geo TV quoted a policeman near the justice ministry as saying: "A double suicide attack hit a government office ... and left many people dead."
India asks Pakistan to take credible action against terrorists
By IANS,
New Delhi : With Pakistan dilly-dallying in its response to the Mumbai attacks, President Pratibha Patil Thursday reminded it to honour its anti-terror commitment and asked it to take "decisive and credible action against all terrorist groups that are based in, and operate from, its territory".
Underlining the threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan, the president said the Nov 26 Mumbai terrorist attacks were "deliberately planned to retard our economic progress".
Five militants killed in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least five militants were killed and six others were injured in an exchange of fire with security forces Friday in northwestern Pakistan, a military statement said.
According to the statement, militants opened fire on a patrolling party of the Pakistan Army near Matta in the Swat district, forcing the security personnel to retaliate.
In the exchange of fire, three militants were killed and five others were injured, it said.
In another exchange of fire near Aligrama in Swat, two militants were killed and another was injured.
Pakistan fighting for survival against Taliban: Zardari
By IANS,
Islamabad : Saying the Taliban held "huge amounts of land", President Asif Ali Zardari has said the militia may have overrun Islamabad but for the army which he said was fighting for Pakistan's survival.
"They (Taliban) do have a presence in huge amounts of land in our side. Yes, that is the fact," a sombre Zardari told US TV channel CBS.
"Taliban want to overtake the state of Pakistan," he said. "It is indispensable to halt rising influence of Taliban by using force as they desire to change our living style.
Zardari permits Sharia laws in parts of Pakistan’s northwest
By IANS,
Islamabad : Bowing to the demands of a radical cleric, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zadari has permitted the enforcement of Sharia laws in parts of the country's restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP), including the Swat Valley that has been taken over by the Taliban.
At a recent meeting with a NWFP government, Zardari agreed to the demand of radical cleric Sufi Muhammad Khan of the Tehrik-e-Nifaz e Shariah-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) to impose Islamic law in the entire Malakand division including Swat, Dawn reported Monday.
Shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist’s trial adjourned
By DPA,
Baghdad : The trial of an Iraqi journalist who famously threw his shoes at former US President George W. Bush in December opened in Baghdad Thursday, and was later adjourned.
Montazer al-Zaidi, a journalist for the Cairo-based al-Baghdadiya television station, arrived in court clad in a suit and draped in an Iraqi flag.
People in court waved Iraqi flags as the 30-year-old arrived, and cheered. A crowd gathered outside the court also waved Iraqi flags, and chanted demands for his release.
Suicide blast kills 20 in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A suicide bomb explosion that ripped through a funeral prayer in Pakistan's restive North West Frontier Province killed at least 20 people and wounded several more, Geo TV reported.
The army has moved into the area.
The blast took place near Shobra hotel at Dera Ismail Khan when hundreds of people were attending the funeral prayer of Sher Zaman, a man shot dead a day earlier, the channel quoted police sources as saying.
Writ of Pakistani state threadbare: media
By IANS,
Islamabad : The attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team is proof that "the writ of our state is threadbare" and signals the requiem for international sporting events in Pakistan, an editorial in a leading English newspaper said Wednesday, with another saying the assault "highlights the folly of negotiating with those bent on destroying our way of life".
Iran rules out becoming NATO supply route for Afghanistan
By IANS,
Berlin : Iran will not allow NATO forces to use its territory to transit non-military supplies to Afghanistan, an Iranian legislator said here Friday.
Alaeddin Boroujerdi said: "Iran is not interested in becoming a logistic bridge for NATO." He made the remarks at a press briefing at the Iranian Embassy in Berlin, IRNA reported.
Pakistan impedes lawyers’ anti-government march
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistani authorities Friday impeded a cross-country lawyers' rally by blocking a protest convoy from travelling to the capital city Islamabad to join a planned sit-in against the faltering year-old government.
Police stopped Ali Ahmed Kurd, a key leader of the protesting lawyers, and scores of his supporters early Friday from entering the southern Sindh province from where the group planned to travel to the eastern town of Lahore before marching on the capital.
Explosion targets Israeli foot forces Gaza — statement
By KUNA,
Gaza : Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad organization, claimed responsibility Monday for detonating anti-personnel explosives targeting Israeli foot forces in al-Buraij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip.
"The explosion occurred at dawn and was followed by intensive fire against the Israeli troops," the brigades said in a statement, noting that the operatives made direct hits causing casualties among the Israeli soldiers.
Iraqi shot by British soldier to get 2 million pounds payout
By NNN-KUNA,
London : A young Iraqi man accidentally shot by a British soldier will receive 2 million pounds, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
The commercial TV station "Channel 4 News" reported, late on Monday, that the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was set to receive the payout after suffering severe spinal injuries which left him paralysed.
The sum is far higher than anything paid to any British troops injured in Iraq and is likely to reopen the controversy over the compensation levels for wounded service personnel, commentators said.
Report: Iraqi Sunni bloc to return to Maliki’s gov’t
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The major Sunni Arab political bloc, Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF), agreed to return to the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi news agency Voice of Iraq (VOI) reported on Wednesday.
"The IAF has decided to return to the cabinet, but it is too early to name the bloc's ministries or the candidates for those ministries," Dhafir al-Aani, a lawmaker with the IAF bloc, was quoted as saying.
Eight persons killed, two dozens injured in Pakistan
By SPA,
Islamabad : At least eight persons were killed and nearly two dozen others injured when a boiler exploded in a sugar mill in Pakistan's Sindh province Thursday, police said.
The incident took place in the Abadgar Sugar Mills of Tando Muhammad Khan.
Eight people died on the spot while the condition of seven injured persons is critical.
The wounded persons were shifted to the hospitals of Tando Muhammad Khan and Hyderabad.
Pakistan’s government plans to export 3 million tons of surplus rice
By SPA,
Islamabad : The government is planning to export 3 million tons of surplus rice during the current financial year, earning $1.8 billion, an official said.
Total exportable surplus from 2007-08 rice crop is estimated at 3 million tons, Qadir Bux Baloch, Agriculture Development Commissioner, said.
He added that out of 3 million tons exportable rice 1 million tons Basmati and 2 million tons Irri would earn foreign exchange of $1 billion and from basmati while US $ 0.8 billion from other rice.
Top rebel leader, 12 insurgents captured in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan troops have arrested 12 Taliban insurgents, while a top rebel was captured in Uruzgan province in the southern part of the country.
Troops with support from the US-led coalition forces have arrested a dozen Taliban insurgents in operations in Khost province in the east and Nimroz province in the southwest, a statement from the US-led coalition forces said Thursday.
The military operations were carried out Wednesday.
Cuba to start oil exploration in Gulf of Mexico
By IANS,
Havana : Spurred by experts' reports that Cuba is sitting on oil, the government has decided to start drilling in the Gulf of Mexico next year, Spain's EFE news agency reported Thursday.
"We are currently studying the seismic activities in the Gulf of Mexico and next year we would start petroleum exploration there," the official daily Juventud Rebelde Wednesday quoted Industry Minister Yadira Garcia as saying.
Following initial seismic reports suggesting that the island may have huge oil reserves, international oil firms have shown special interests in the area.
Iran wary of the heavy burden of refugees
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Iran is wary of heavy burden illegal immigrants imposed on national budget as Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi on Saturday put the figure of refugees in Iran at three million.
Pour-Mohammadi He said that two million immigrants have entered the country illegally.
Sadr threatens ‘open war’
By IRNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi cleric Moqtada al Sadr has threatened "open war" if the crackdown by Iraqi and US forces against his loyalists continues.
The statement ratchets up the tension between the cleric and Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki.
The US troops have launched a major military offensive on Sadr's Mehdi Army militia and Maliki threatened to bar the cleric's mass movement from political life.
Bahrain air set to start India flights
By NNN-PTI,
Dubai : Bahrain Air will begin operating flights to India, with the launch of flights to Kochi in Kerala from May 26.
The operations to Kochi on May 26 will start with three flights a week and become a daily service from October this year, the airline's Managing Director Ibrahim Al Hamer said.
"We are looking forward to support from the 280,000-strong Indian community, which is the single largest expatriate group in Bahrain," he was quoted as saying in Gulf Daily News.
Bangladesh not recognising problem of migration – Indian FM
By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Expressing concern over the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants coming into India, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday charged the Bangladesh Government with refusing to recognise the problem.
"The problem is genuine. Unfortunately, Bangladesh Government refuses to recognise the problem. If we do not recognise the problem, how will we solve it," he told reporters here.
Mukherjee, who was interacting with journalists at an orientation programme on Parliamentary reporting, said there are many reasons behind Bangladeshis migrating to India.
Indonesia calls for UN action on high food prices
By DPA,
New York : Indonesia said Wednesday that the UN should adopt measures against rising food prices to prevent a full-scale crisis worldwide.
Jakarta's UN Ambassador Marty Natalegawa said there had been piecemeal reaction to world food prices but not yet concerted short-term or long-term plans to deal with the issue.
"We need a holistic approach involving the UN, and we as governments have to come up with solutions," Natalegawa said.
Indonesia is currently a UN Security Council member.
Iraqi forces not ‘fully operational’, says Britain
By DPA,
London : Iraqi forces involved in the recent fighting in the southern port of Basra are "still months away from becoming fully operational," Britain's Defence Secretary Des Browne said Thursday.
Browne, confirming an earlier government decision to put the planned withdrawal of 2,500 British troops from Basra on hold, said cuts would be made only "if the conditions allow".
However, Britain was still hoping to reduce its 4,100-strong force, based at Basra airport, during the next regular six-monthly rotation of forces, Browne told parliament.
Turkish leader arrives in Damascus
By SPA,
Damascus, Syria : Turkey's Prime Minister arrived in Damascus Saturday for talks with Syria's leader on rising prospects for Syrian-Israeli peace, the Associated Press reported.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was originally here to open a Syrian-Turkish business forum. But his visit has gained added significance with Syrian President Bashar
Assad's announcement that he received an Israeli offer of a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights in return for a peace treaty.
Malaysia: labour and human rights of non-citizens must be protected
By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia : The labour and human rights of non-citizens -- migrant workers, asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons --must be safeguarded, regardless of their immigration status in the country.
Migration Working Group (MWG) co-ordinator Alice Nah listed out common violations of labour and human rights as cheating by agents; wrongful arrest and detention; unpaid wages; wrongful dismissal; and wrongful deduction of wages, among others.
She urged the government to ensure that the right to redress for all non-citizens was protected.
Australian soldier killed in clash with Taliban in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
Sydney : Taliban militants have killed an Australian soldier and wounded four others in an armed clash in Afghanistan, a senior military official said on Monday.
Defence Force head Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston said in a statement that the 27-year-old soldier lost his life in a fierce clash with the militants that involved automatic guns, rockets and hand-grenades. Four Australian soldiers were also wounded in the firefight that broke out while the force was on a patrol mission.
Candidates for upcoming elections in Kuwait pursue campaign
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Candidates campaigning to win seats in the National Assembly affirmed that dialogue between the executive and legislative authorities must be based on constructive basis and called for instilling patriotism in the conscience of the generations.
Bassam Al-Bassam, a nominee in the second constituency, affirmed at his campaign rally, held late on Sunday, necessity of constructive dialogue between the two authorities, as well as mutual respect of opinions between the lawmakers and the executives, for sake of promoting the democratic process in the country.
Iranian President starts Pakistan visit
By SPA,
Islamabad : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived Monday in Pakistan for a brief visit.
Ahmadinejad is to meet with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during the hours-long stopover on his way to Sri Lanka, the Associated Press reported.
A key subject is expected to be the pipeline, which Pakistan and India are considering building to import natural gas from Iran.
Ahmadinejad: Iran, Pakistan to finalize peace pipeline project
By IRNA,
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday high ranking Iranian and Pakistani officials are to finalized Peace pipeline project soon.
In an exclusive interview with Pakistan's state TV channel, the Iranian president referred to fruitful talks with Pakistani officials and expressed the hope that the legal issue of gas deal between the two countries would be resolved very soon.
Mideast peace must include solution for Palestinian refugees: Ban Ki-moon
By APP,
United Nations : A sustainable peace in the Middle East will have to factor in a viable and just solution to the Palestinian refugee issue, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said.
“The Palestinian people’s desire or right to live a normal daily life in their own sovereign land remains undiminished, as do the individual and collective rights of Palestine refugees,” Ban said in a message to a UN meeting convened in Paris to assess the condition of the refugees and examine the role of the world body in alleviating their plight.
300 killed in Iraqi Shia bastion in April
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll in clashes between the Shia militia and the US-backed Iraqi forces in the capital's Sadr City area climbed to more than 300 in April, sources said Wednesday.
Women and children were among the victims of the clashes in the stronghold of Mahdi army militia, loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the sources told Xinhua.
Up to 321 people were killed and some 834 wounded in the clashes in the slum of Sadr City in April, according to the ministry database.
Hamas lifts ban on pro-Fatah newspaper
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Hamas court on Thursday allowed a Palestinian newspaper to resume distribution in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip after nearly three months of banning.
Following the decision, the Ramallah-based al-Ayyam daily will appear in the newsstands in Gaza Strip after 78 days of absence.
On Feb. 12, Hamas' first instance court ruled that the newspaper, loyal to rival Fatah party, is not allowed to be distributed in Gaza for the newspaper published a cartoon that Hamas considered harming the parliament it leads.
GCC Defense consultative meeting concludes
By KUNA,
Doha : The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Joint Defense Consultative Ministerial Council concluded a meeting on Tuesday on finding ways to improve military development and coordination among the GCC countries.
The two-day meeting discussed a proposed item presented by the Custodian of the Two holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul-aziz on upgrading the joint military Gulf Peninsula Shield.
Kuwait was represented by First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
Iran, Algeria sign cultural accord
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Iran and Algeria have inked an agreement on expansion of cultural cooperation between the two states.
The agreement was signed by Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad-Hossein Saffar-Harandi and his visiting Algerian counterpart, Khalida Toumi.
During the ceremony Wednesday, the Iranian minister said culture is a key to all closed doors.
Fresh US-Iran talks halted, not dead: Iraqi minister
By DPA,
Baghdad : The latest round of talks between the US and Iran over Iraqi security has been stalled against the backdrop of rising tension between both countries but would be held at the right time and place, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference, Zebari said the Iraqi government has not asked either country to hold the fourth round of talks.
"There is growing tension in the area," Zebari said, adding that neither Washington nor Tehran has rejected the idea of holding talks.
Israel resumes fuel shipments to Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Israel on Monday resumed fuel shipments to Gaza Strip after about a week of halting, Palestinian officials said.
Four tank trucks of industrial diesel were seen entering the Strip and going to the only power station there which was shut down on Saturday due to fuel shortage.
Mujahed Salama, director of the Palestinian Petroleum Agency, said that Israel started to pipe fuel into Palestinian depots at Nahal Oz crossing in eastern Gaza city.
Lebanon Mediators to Qatar
By Prensa Latina,
Cairo : The team of Arab League mediators for the crisis in Lebanon will meet in Doha, Qatar, prior to their Beirut visit.
The Qatar round is aimed at adopting a common stand on Lebanon, which has has been immersed in a political crisis since November 2007 due to disagreement between the Parliament majority and opposition over appointing a president.
In Doha, the Arab League team led by Qatar Premier and Foreign Minister Hamad Bin Yasem Bin Yaber al Zani plans to meet with Lebanese Parliament President Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Fuad Siniora..
Seven million poor in Yemen; says will not achieve MDG in 2015
By NNN-SABA,
Sana'a : Yemen said on Friday it faces difficulties in achieving the goals "Millennium Development" in 2015 despite poverty rate had declined from 40.1 percent to 34.8 percent of the 22 million population.
In its annual report, Social Affairs and Labour Ministry pointed out the high rate of population growth had kept the number of poor people at approximately seven million people, noting the decreased of poverty level is still simple comparing with the objectives of Millennium Development.
Its first goal requires reducing the number of poor people to half.
Jordan to set up joint border free zone with Iraq
By Xinhua,
Amman : Jordan is ready to establish a joint free zone at the Karama border with Iraq to facilitate increasing flows of goods on border, said an official of Jordan's free zones authorities after a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart.
The free zone is expected to cover a few hundred dunums (1 dunum = 0.1 square km) of land bordering Iraq, said Mahmoud Qteishat, director general of Jordan's Free Zones Corporation, added that "As long as the security on the road from Amman to Baghdad keeps getting better, business will improve."
Kuwaiti leadership receives cables of condolences from Turkey
By KUNA,
Kuwait : His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received a cable on Friday from Turkish President Abdullah Gul in which he expressed his sincere condolences on the passing of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.
His Highness the Amir sent a cable in response, in which he thanked the Russian president for his heartfelt sentiments.
Food Crisis Challenges Governments
By Prensa Latina,
Kuala Lumpur : The urgency for overcoming inflation and solving the food crisis represents a challenge for many governments, affirmed Malaysia prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Local commentators emphasized the message of the head of the federal government to celebrate the recent 62nd anniversary of his National Organization Party of United Malaysians (UMNO).
Abdullah Badawi highlighted the need to concentrate financial resources in a direction that will protect the population, prevent the food crisis and reduce inflation.
Israeli police due to question Olmert over reported bribes
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli police will question Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this week after obtaining evidence about his involvement in financial corruption cases, Israel Radio said on Saturday.
The radio said the interrogation of Olmert would be conducted before a scheduled testimony by the US millionaire businessman Morris Talansky, suspected of having secretly paid illegal money to Olmert in exchange for personal favors.
Police asked Olmert's lawyer, on Friday, to set a date for interrogating his defendant as soon as possible.
Jordanian-flagged ship may be hijacked off Somali coast
By Xinhua,
Amman : A Jordanian-flagged ship might have been seized by pirates off Somali coast, the official Petra news agency reported Saturday, quoting Transport Minister Alaa Batayneh.
The vessel, "Victoria," owned by a United Arab Emirates company, was sailing from India to Somali capital Mogadishu with 4,200 tons of sugar, which was humanitarian aid from Denmark, Batayneh said.
Authorities lost contact with the vessel Saturday morning where 12 crew members from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Tanzania were on board, he said.
Palestine President’s intention to resign unfounded – Presidental spokesman
By NNN-WAFA,
Ramallah : Palestine Presidency Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rdeina denied on Sunday evening news that President Mahmoud Abbas has threaten to resign, affirming that such statements are unfounded.
Abu Rdeina told WAFA that President Abbas would continue exerting efforts to achieve the dream of the Palestinian people in establishing the independent state, with Jerusalem as its capital.
Meanwhile in Egypt's SHARM EL-SHEIKH, President Mahmoud Abbas called on Sunday on the USA to be unbiased, siding with the international legitimacy and not to negotiate on Palestine behalf.
Yemen Is One Of Major Countries Receiving Refugees: FM
By Bernama,
Sana'a : Foreign Minister Abu Baker al-Qirbi confirmed that Yemen faces exceptional situation since early 1990s because of continuous streaming of refugees from African Horn, saying that Yemen is one of major countries receiving refugees, Yemen News Agency (Saba) reported.
"Yemen has forgiveness policy towards refugee applicants, especially Somalis because of deep links between the two peoples," said al-Qirbi in the opening ceremony of the Regional Conference on Refugees Protection and International Migration held here on Monday.
Five injured in Pakistan blast
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A blast took place in northwestern Pakistan injured five people, TV channel Dawn News reported Tuesday.
The explosion occurred when an army truck goes by at Kohat town in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), said the report.
The blast was triggered by an improvised explosive device and four security personnel and a civilian suffered injuries.
No group claimed responsibility for the blast.
Afghan FM concerned over reported peace talks between Islamabad and militants
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta on Tuesday expressed concern over reported talks and a possible peace deal between Pakistani government and militants.
"Talks with extremist groups would not benefit peace in both Afghanistan and Pakistan," Spanta told newsmen here after returning from a visit to the United States.
He said that such talks and peace deal with militants in the past had negative impacts for both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Lebanese rivals reach deal to end crisis
By DPA,
Beirut/Doha : Lebanese rivals have reached an agreement at dawn Wednesday to end the political crisis in Lebanon after five days of talks in Doha and a president is scheduled to be elected either Thursday or Friday, sources at the talks in Doha said.
Ali Hassan Khalil, a member of the opposition, confirmed to DPA "that a solution has been reached and it will be announced at a press conference in Doha Wednesday".
Khalil said that army commander Michel Suleiman will be elected at a parliament session by the end of this week.
Hotel Guests In Bangladesh To Reply Mandatory Questions Before Checking-in
By Bernama,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's Home Ministry is going to introduce some new rules for hotel guests that will make it mandatory for them to provide 24-personal information before checking in, a senior official said Wednesday.
The senior official of the Bangladesh Home Ministry said the country is going to introduce the rules to curb increasing criminal incidents in the country.
He said many local and foreign criminals, particularly robbers use hotel as a base for their operations.
Pakistan calls for addressing root causes of conflicts
By NNN-APP,
United Nations : Pakistan has called for identifying and addressing the root causes of disputes in an effort to lay the foundation for sustainable peace and development in states recovering from conflicts.
“Experience has shown that the biggest and most ominous gap in peace-keeping and peace-building strategies is the failure to comprehend and address the root causes of conflicts,” Ambassador Munir Akram told the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
Police questions Olmert over bribery, Talansky money Friday
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is to be questioned by Police Friday over suspicions of involvement in bribery and financial corruption.
Radio Israel Thursday said police so far thinks it is probable the premier received money in violation of law from US Jewish businessman Morris Talansky, and that there is mounting evidence in this regard.
Olmert would be questioned 10 a.m. at his residence in Jerusalem.
Committee of supporting Syrian prisoners calls to release Al-Weli
By NNN-SANA,
Qunaitera : The committee of supporting Syrian prisoners in the Israeli prisons called the United Nations and its various humanitarian and juristic associations and organizations to interfere immediately to exert pressure on Israel in order to release the Syrian Prisoner Sitan Nimr al-Weli and all Syrian prisoners in the Israeli prisons.
Al-Weli was recently submitted to a surgery in al-Afola Hospital then the Israeli authorities carried him to al-Ramla Prison in spite of his bad health situation and his need to an intensive health care.
GCC states” diplomats celebrate 27th anniversary of establishing bloc
By Abdel Razzak Al-Hezami, KUNA,
Riyadh : Consulates of member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have organized a celebration marking the 27th anniversary of the GCC under sponsorship of Makkah Amir, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.
Kuwaiti Consul in Jeddah Ali Al-Haifi told KUNA the celebratory gathering, held last night, was the first time to be organized in the Red Sea city.
Tehran calls for demolition of all nuclear weapons
By IRNA,
Tehran : Iran's envoy in the European bureau of the UN in Geneva said full demolition of the nuclear weapons is the only real guarantee for getting rid of the their danger.
Iran's Ambassador and permanent representative in the European bureau of the United Nations in Geneva Ali Reza Mo'ayyeri delivering a speech in the UN Disarmament Conference underlined importance of the body as the sole source for multilateral negotiations on disarmament in the world.
Remote-control bomb blast kills child, injuries 2 in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A bomb explosion triggered by a remote control in Kandahar province of southern Afghanistan Friday left one child dead and two other civilians injured, the police said.
The bomb attached to a bicycle exploded in Arghandab, a district north of the provincial capital Kandahar city, where usually local families go for Friday picnics, Sayed Aqa Saqib, provincial police chief, told Xinhua.
There has been no responsibility claim yet but Saqib blamed "Afghanistan's enemy", which is referred to anti-government militants, for the blast.
Foreigner among eight killed in Denmark’s Pakistan embassy: Advisor
By IRNA,
Islamabad : At least eight people, including a foreign, were killed when a car bomb exploded near the Denmark Embassy in Islamabad, the Interior Advisor said.
Rehman Malik said policemen and private security guards deployed for security of the embassy were among those killed.
The bomb exploded at the main gate of the embassy at 1:20 pm. The blast badly damaged building of the embassy, according to witnesses.
Rehman Malik said the car used in the blast was registered in Islamabad and a high level inquiry has been ordered.
Bangladesh to create seven million new jobs
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's caretaker government will create more than seven million new jobs in the next three years to reduce poverty in the country, a senior official said Wednesday.
The new target has been set to fulfill the objectives of the second version of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), which will come into effect July 1, an official of the planning ministry said.
In March 2003, Bangladesh presented its first three-year plan to achieve sustainable economic growth, tackle poverty and initiate social development projects.
New Envoy Haqqani and Secretary Rice discuss advancing US-Pakistan ties
By NNN-APP,
Washington : Pakistan’s new ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discussed advancing wide-ranging relationship between the two countries at a meeting here Tuesday afternoon.
During the 30-minute meeting, they discussed matters of common interest to both nations.
Ambassador Haqqani’s meeting with Dr Rice marked the first one-on-one contact between the top American diplomat and a senior Pakistani official since the inception of a new government in Islamabad following its parliamentary polls early this year.
Turkish authorities find 82 kg of explosives in SE
By KUNA,
Istanbul : Turkish authorities found 82 kilograms of explosives in the southeastern part of the country, saying Friday that members of the Kurdish Workers Party had planted them there.
The Security Directorate said the explosives were hidden at a farm in Diyarbakr, of Kurdish majority, adding that the bomb squad had neutralized the explosives after first evacuating the area.
Turkey had come under a number of attacks, where in 2003 a blast in Istanbul targeted two synagogues, the British Consulate and a British bank, killing 58 people.
ILO, FAO launch joint website to showcase their activities
By IRNA,
Tehran : Two United Nations agencies dealing with labour and agriculture launched over the weekend a new website designed to highlight the many areas in which they work together, including youth employment, safety and health and crisis management.
The website: "Food, Agriculture and Decent Work" (www.fao-ilo.org) describes the cooperation and activities of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 10 major fields and provides links to related information sources.
Lebanese president says no difficulties face new cabinet forming
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese President Michel Suleiman on Sunday announced that forming the new cabinet is not facing difficulties, local Naharnet news website reported.
Suleiman, who paid a "non-political" visit to Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir at the Maronite Church's seat in Bkirki, made the remarks after the visit, said the report.
The president also paid tribute to the recent statement by Maronite Bishops saying it reflected a feeling of "national responsibility," noting that the Bishops had called for "real partnership in managing the nation."
Toy bomb explosion kills four children in Pakistan
By KUNA,
Islamabad : Four children were killed in a Pakistani northern valley when a toy bomb exploded on Monday, police said.
Children in Chitral valley were playing with a toy, they found in a field, when it exploded with a huge bang, local news channels quoted police sources as saying.
They said the explosion killed four children on the spot.
Police said that it has cordoned off the area and is conducting investigations.
Building peace is harder than fighting in Afghan town
By DPA,
Gereshk (Afghanistan) : Two shots ring out in the darkness as the Danish army jeeps crawl through an unlit, heavily rutted alley - a perfect site for an enemy ambush or a strike by suicide bombers known to be at large in the town.
The patrol commander quickly establishes the source: One of his men fired warning shots at a minivan as it approached without headlights and failed to heed torch signals to stop. One bullet blew out a front tyre while fragments of the other ricocheted into the Afghan driver's foot.
Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs receives British Ambassador
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah received British Ambassador in Kuwait Stuart Laing on Wednesday, during which the two discussed bi-lateral ties between both countries and the latest developments in the region.
The Undersecretary also later received German Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Michael Worbs, to discuss the Berlin Ministerial Conference to be held on 24 June aimed at supporting Palestinian security institutions.
The meeting also discussed regional and international developments.
Taliban vow to avenge US attack that killed 11 Pakistani soldiers
By DPA,
Islamabad : Taliban militants Thursday pledged to take revenge for the US airstrike that destroyed a Pakistani army post near the Afghan border and killed 11 paramilitary troops this week.
"We have the right to defend our country. Any aggression by NATO forces inside Pakistan will be responded with full force," said Asad, a spokesman for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
‘Syria ready to seize chance to make peace with Israel’
By IANS,
New Delhi : Syria, which last month announced resuming indirect contacts with Israel, has said it is ready to "seize any opportunity to make peace" but is not willing to give up an "inch of territory".
Syria had "always pursued just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the Madrid (conference in 1991) terms of reference and on basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions", visiting Syrian Minister for Expatriates Bouthaina Shaaban told reporters here Monday, a day before Syrian President Bashar al-Assad comes to India for a five-day visit.
Afghan, NATO operation begins to retake Taliban-held villages
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan and NATO officials said they launched an operation Wednesday to push out Taliban militants who recently took over several villages in southern Afghanistan.
Hundreds of Taliban fighters took over the villages in Arghandab district in southern Kandahar province, posing a threat to Kandahar city 20 km south and strategic links from the capital Kabul to the southern and western provinces of the country.
The Afghan-led operation supported by Canadian soldiers began Wednesday morning, Mark Laity, spokesman for NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said.
Dubai Ports World buys majority stake in Spanish port
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates-based marine terminal operator Dubai Ports World (DP World) has announced the purchase of a 60 percent stake in a company holding exclusive concession for a container terminal in northern Spain, WAM news agency reported Thursday.
The privately owned company - Contarsa Sociedad de Estiba (Contarsa) - holds the concession for Tarragona container terminal, which is located on the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona and serves the hinterland of northern and central Spain.
Basic facts about Yemen
By Xinhua,
Sana'a : Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping will pay a visit to Yemen on June 24 to 25 at the invitation of Yemeni Vice President Abdal-rab Mansur al-Hadii.
The following are some key facts about Yemen in southwest Asia:
Bordering Saudi Arabia on the north, Oman on the east, the Red Sea on the west and the Gulf of Aden on the south, the Republic of Yemen covers an area of 555,000 square km with the capital city of Sana'a.
It has a population of 21.6 million, mostly Arabs. Arabic is the official language.
Hamas: Gaza crossings closure violates ceasefire
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Palestinian Islamic Hamas movement on Wednesday said Israel's decision to shut crossing points into Gazabreaches the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire deal.
"Before the Egyptian side, Israel pledged not to close the crossing points and to ease the siege," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoom said in a statement.
Gaza crossings remain closed, Hamas says closure violates truce
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday ordered commercial crossing points into the Gaza Strip to remain closed for a second day and Gaza ruler Hamas said the decision violates an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire.
Israel's official radio reported that the closure will be placed until further evaluating the security conditions after the Islamic Jihad (Holy War), a small Palestinian group in Gaza, fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday.
Pakistan: conflict disrupting life, displacing people in northern areas
By NNN-IRIN,
Peshawar : Ahsan Khan, 35, has lived in Peshawar almost all his life. He never imagined he would one day consider moving away - but that day has come.
Because of ongoing hostilities between militants and government forces, the young businessman, his wife and two small children are seriously considering leaving the capital of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
“There is just too much uncertainty. We now really fear extremist militants may one day walk into Peshawar,” Ahsan told IRIN.
Iraq to scrap security contractor immunity
By IRNA,
Baghdad : The US has agreed to scrap immunity for foreign security guards in Iraq, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said.
Foreign firms employing thousands of guards won huge contracts in Iraq after the 2003 US-led invasion, but were not subject to Iraqi or US military law.
Iraqi frustration became fury last year when guards killed 17 people in a day.
The firm involved in the 2007 killings - Blackwater - was one of the biggest security contractors in Iraq and which protects US diplomats.
28 killed, 141 wounded in blast in Afghan capital
By SPA,
Kabul, Afghanistan : A suicide car bomb exploded outside the Indian Embassy in central Kabul on Monday, killing 28 people and wounding 141, officials said.
The massive bomb exploded near a row of metal turnstiles outside the embassy, where dozens of Afghan men line up every morning to apply for visas. The embassy is located on a busy, tree-lined street near Afghanistan's Interior Ministry in the city center, the Associated Press reported.
Swap will not begin unless Israel gets report on missing pilot — radio
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israel will not give green light to the prisoners-swap with Hezbollah until it receives a satisfying report on a missing Israeli pilot,a spokesman of the Israeli government said Wednesday.
The announcement came after an Israeli official signed the swap agreement in Germany.
No returning to cabinet till judges restored: Nawaz
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has made it clear that it would return to the cabinet of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani only after the reinstatement of the Supreme Court judges who had been sacked after an emergency was imposed last November.
PML-N chief and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif made his party's position clear when Gilani telephoned him Sunday to take him into confidence over a proposed cabinet expansion.
NATO targets militants in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad/Brussels : NATO forces have attacked targets inside Pakistan after coming under fire from militants in the country's North Waziristan region, the alliance has announced.
The attack with helicopter gunships and artillery came after NATO Task Force (TF) Currahee in Afghanistan's Paktika province "received multiple rocket attacks from militants inside Pakistan on July 15", a statement posted on the NATO website said.
Iraq Occupying Troops for Joint Operations
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : The occupying troops' command in south of Baghdad announced joint operations with the national forces to stop the increasing activity of rebels, basically against security personnel.
The spokesman from the Multinational Forces in the south of the country Chris Ford told reporters that the joint operations will begin Friday in al-Latif area, at 9 miles northern Basora, which province is at 366 miles southern Baghdad.
Israel increases fuels amounts into Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Palestinian official said on Saturday that Israel has actually increased the amounts of diesel and gasoline allowed into the Gaza Strip, but kept the same limited amounts of cooking gas.
Mahmoud al-Shawa, chief of Gaza Stations Union said in a statement that Israel on Friday added 400 thousand liters of diesel to the previous amount of diesel which is 800 thousand liters.
Illegal kidney trade thrives in Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : In what seems to be a sub-continental malaise, illegal trade in kidneys is thriving in Pakistan, like it does in parts of neighbouring India.
For many poor Pakistanis, selling a kidney has become a major "business" to meet their expenses and to pay off their loans, hospital sources and civil society organizations say.
Under the law, trade in human organs is illegal but, going by figures provided by different hospitals, an average of 30 people, including women, throughout the country sell their kidneys every month under the guise of "donations".
Bangladesh condemns Bangalore blasts
By NNN-PTI,
Dhaka : Bangladesh today condemned the Bangalore bombing in the "strongest terms" calling it an act of "mindless terrorism."
"All Bangladeshis condemn the bombing in the strongest terms. These were acts of mindless terrorism, and such crimes never pay," Foreign Adviser of the interim government Iftekhar Ahmed Chowhdhury said in a statement.
"Our sympathies are with the families of the bereaved and with the government and the people of India."
A series of explosions on Friday rocked India's IT hub killing two persons and injuring 12 others.
Egypt arrests three Palestinians involved in Gaza bombing
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Egyptian security forces arrested at the Gaza-Egypt border three Palestinian suspects who were involved in Friday's bombing attack on a Hamas car, a pro-Hamas daily said Sunday.
The pro-Hamas daily "Palestine" quoted high-ranking security sources in Gaza as saying that the Egyptian security forces arrested three Palestinians who were trying to cross the borders on Saturday night to escape to Egypt.
Iran talks of ‘double standards’ at IAEA
By IANS,
Vienna : Iran, one of the 35 members of the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Friday raised "serious concern" at the "double standard policy" of the US during the discussion on India's safeguards agreement.
While recognising India's right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Tehran's representative said the American stand has undermined the "credibility, integrity and universality" of the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Rushdie threatens to sue ex-bodyguard for ‘defaming’ him
By IANS,
London : Salman Rushdie has asked a London publisher to withdraw a book by a former Special Branch bodyguard who claims the author behaved badly and arrogantly toward policemen protecting him from assassins following an Iranian death sentence on him.
"He is portraying me as mean, nasty, tight-fisted, arrogant and extremely unpleasant. In my humble opinion I am none of those things," the award-winning author told The Guardian newspaper in comments reported Friday.
Indian and Afghan leaders decry terrorism
By SPA,
New Delhi : The leaders of India and Afghanistan on Monday decried last month's bombing of New Delhi's mission in the Afghan capital, the Associated Press reported.
Indian Prime Minster Manmohan Singh said Monday that India would give another US$450 million to aid in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
He called the bombing an attack on the friendship between India and Afghanistan and pledged that we will not allow terrorism to stand in our way.
Israel to release 150 Palestinian prisoners by end of August
By NNN-WAFA,
Ramallah : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has given his undertaking to free 150 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Head of the PLO's Negotiations Affairs Department Saeb Erekat told reporters following President Mahmoud Abbas' meeting with Olmert in Jerusalem Wednesday that Israel would free the prisoners as a "goodwill gesture to President Abbas."
He said that the two leaders reached the decision on the release of the Palestinian prisoners at the meeting, noting that it would take place by the end of August.
Seven Afghan children die in blast
By IANS,
Kabul : Seven children died in a bomb explosion in Afghanistan Tuesday, an official said.
UAE, Australia discuss ties
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Officials of the UAE and Australia have held talks on boosting bilateral relations, especially in the nuclear energy sector.
Three die in drone attack in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad: At least three people were killed Saturday in a US drone strike in Pakistan's northwest tribal area, a media report said.
UAE emirate pardons 47 prisoners
By IANS/WAM,
Fujairah (UAE): The UAE emirate of Fujairah has ordered the release of 47 prisoners as a goodwill gesture on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha.
Sikh family looted in Pakistan, gets back money
By IANS,
Islamabad : A Sikh family on a pilgrimage in Pakistan was looted of cash and valuables. But prompt police action led to the recovery of the money and the arrest of the criminals.
Iran starts six-day naval drill
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The Iranian Navy Friday launched a six-day naval exercise that would rehearse border protection and piracy control operations, the Irna news agency reported.
Afghanistan, Pakistan discuss defence cooperation
By IANS,
Islamabad : Afghanistan and Pakistan Monday held talks on boosting cooperation in anti-terror operations, a media report said.
French journalist detained in Iraq
By IANS,
Baghdad : A French journalist has been held here in the Iraqi capital for taking pictures without prior permission, Xinhua reported Thursday.
Pakistan daily’s website hacked
By IANS,
Islamabad : The website of a Pakistani daily, the News International, was hacked Monday, with the hackers claiming that they controlled the ".pk domains".
Iran hangs murderer in public
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran Wednesday hanged a murderer in public in capital Tehran, a media report said.
Iran ready to host meet on Syria
By IANS,
Tehran: Iran is ready to host the next meeting of the quartet group on Syria set to begin in near future, the country's foreign minister Ali-Akbar Salehi has said.
Inquiry on in attack on Pakistani prisoner: Shinde
By IANS,
New Delhi: An inquiry was on in the attack on a Pakistani prisoner in a jail in Jammu, union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said here Friday.