US, Iraq negotiating security agreement, Washington Post
By IRNA
New York : The Bush administration is negotiating two accords with the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to replace the UN mandate for a multinational military presence there that expires at the end of this year, Washington Post said.
The first is a "status of forces agreement," or SOFA, defining and protecting the legal status of US military personnel and property in Iraq. Negotiated and signed under executive authority, it is a binding commitment but does not require congressional approval, it said.
National Water Company Board holds First Meeting
By SPA
Riyadh : The Board of Directors of the National Water Company held here today its First meeting under the chairmanship of Minister of Water and Electricity Eng. Abdullah Al-Hussein.
Al-Hussein briefed the Board of Directors on offers pertaining to the privatization of the Water and Sewage sector as well as on the Company's organizational skeleton and statutes, its financial authorities, policies of human resources and the proposed motto of the Company.
Malaysian PM discusses hand-over, Bernama
By IRNA
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has signaled he would support a transition of power to his deputy, Bernama news agency said on Saturday.
Abdullah oversaw the ruling party's worst election results in 50 years.
The move comes after the government suffered its worst ever showing in last month's general election.
Since then Abdullah has been under intense pressure from within his own party to step aside.
While his UMNO party won the election, the surge in opposition support left him vulnerable.
Two missiles launched from Gaza towards Israel — statement
By KUNA
Gaza : Palestinian gunners resumed early on Sunday launching missiles from Gaza strip towards southern Israel.
Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), stated that it launched early on Sunday two rockets towards Sderot town and eastern Nejev, adjacent to Gaza strip.
"This operation was in response to the crimes committed by the Israeli forces against our people in West Bank and Gaza Strip," said the Marxist-oriented faction.
Death toll of Iranian mosque blast rises to 11
By Xinhua
Tehran : The death toll of a blast which occurred in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz on Saturday night has risen to 11, the official IRNA news agency reported Sunday.
The bomb blast at the Shohada Hosseiniyeh mosque when a prominent local cleric was delivering a speech, and right now more than 191 people were injured, said the report.
Iranian media previously said 8 people were killed and more than 66 were wounded, but adding the number of the casualties could increase because some wounded were in critical condition.
8 police killed in Afghan attacks
By SPA
Kandahar, Afghanistan : Afghan officials say eight policemen have been killed in two attacks in southern Afghanistan.
Kandahar provincial police chief Sayed Agha Saqib says militants attacked and killed four police eradicating a field of poppies in Maiwand. Saturday's attack was at least the third time militants have killed police on eradication teams in the last month.
Gereshk district police chief Khair Uddin Shuja says Taliban fighters ambushed a police vehicle overnight and killed four officers and wounded seven in neighboring Helmand.
Iran protests to UN over Israeli threats
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini has said that Iran has sent a letter of protest to the United Nations over Israel's threats.
The letter was handed over to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council by Iran's permanent envoy to the UN, Mohammad Khazaei, on Friday.
In his April 7 statement, Israeli National Infrastructure Mminister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer threatened the Iranian nation with destruction.
Manila welcomes any move to establish peace in Mideast region
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo has said here that Manila welcomes any meeting leading to the establishment of peace and stability in the Mideast region.
He made the remarks Sunday in response to a question about the meeting of Iraqi neighbouring countries in Kuwait during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki.
Since 1.2 million Filipinos live in the regional states, establishment of peace and security in the Middle East region, through diplomatic dialogue, is very important for Manila, he said.
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.
Abbas forces detain 21 Hamas members in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Islamic Hamas movement denounced on Monday that 21 Hamas members have been arrested by the security forces of President Mahmoud Abbas in different West Bank areas.
"The security forces of the interior ministry in the caretaker government of Salam Fayyad has escalated its actions and detained 21 people allover the West Bank," said a Hamas leaflet sent to reporters.
According to the leaflet, the arrests took place in the towns of Nablus, Jenin, Hebron and Bethlehem.
High alert in Bangladesh on Bengali New Year
By DPA,
Dhaka : Security was put on high alert as thousands of people thronged the national park in the Bangladesh capital Monday morning to welcome the Bengali New Year.
A street march by students wearing masks highlighted the ceremonies dubbed by the country's Muslim clerics as anti-Islamic.
Suspected Islamic activists were held responsible for a deadly bomb attack inside the park during similar Bengali celebrations in 2001.
The attack left seven people dead and several more injured among the spectators.
Iraq’s neighbors discuss need to maintain security
By SPA,
Damascus : Iraq's neighboring countries discussed on Monday the current security situation in Iraq and the requirements to maintain stability in the country during the closing of their second annual meeting in Syria.
Representatives of the United Nations Security Council and representatives of the Organization of Islamic Conference also participated in the meeting of Iraq's neighboring countries, the German news agency "DPA" reported.
Pakistani parliament seeks UN inquiry into Bhutto’s assassination
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Parliament on Monday adopted a unanimous resolution, seeking inquiry into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto who was killed in firing and suicide attack on December 27th.
Benazir was assassinated in the city of Rawalpindi shortly after she addressed a big election rally.
The resolution was moved by the Law Minister Farook H Naek, which was passed unanimously by the lower house of the parliament.
Israel to renew limited fuel supplies to Gaza Strip
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has ordered the renewal of fuel deliveries to the Gaza Strip, almost one week after they were cut off following a Palestinian-militant shooting attack on a border fuel terminal which killed two Israelis.
Israel Radio reported that diesel fuel for the Gaza power station, and cooking gas are included in the minister's decision, but petrol for motor vehicles will not be delivered.
Israel in recent months has cut back on the fuel it delivers to the strip, to protest continued Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel.
Europeans see China as biggest threat to global stability
By ANTARA News/AFP,
London : Europeans see China as a bigger threat to global stability than the United States, Iran or North Korea, according to a poll published Tuesday.
The Harris survey for the Financial Times showed that an average of 35 percent of voters in Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Italy saw China as the biggest threat to global stability, compared to 29 percent who thought the same of the United States.
In Italy, 47 percent of voters named China as the biggest threat, up from 26 percent in a similar poll last year.
UN agencies call on Israel to resume distribution of fuel to Gaza
By KUNA,
Geneva : Head of the Geneva office for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said Wednesday that United Nations humanitarian and development agencies called on Israel to immediately resume the distribution of sufficient fuel to Gaza Strip to allow Palestinians there to go about their normal daily lives.
He added that eight UN bodies found the current situation is a threat to the health and well-being of the population of Gaza Strip, 56 percent of whom are children.
Niger to host International Seminar on Islamic Religious Sciences
By IINA,
Niamey : The International Seminar on Study of Islamic and Religious Sciences Development will begin in Niamey, capital of Niger, on May 12. A galaxy of Muslim scholars, academics, officials of Islamic organizations, directors of educational institutes and experts of education affairs from various Muslim countries will participate in the two-day event, to be organized by the Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL). Dr. Abdullah Al Turki, secretary general of MWL, will chair the seminar.
Jordan to boost cooperation in transport field with all Arab countries
By NNN-Petra,
Amman : Jordanian Prime Minister Nader Dahabi has said that Jordan was keen to develop cooperation with all Arab countries in the transport field.
He highlighted the important role played by the transport sector, as it is the main pillar for cooperation in the economic and trade fields and in the movement of goods and passengers among countries.
Iranian president flaunts military power at army day parade
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday said the country's army was a powerful deterrent to all enemies, an obvious warning to the West against any attack over Iranian interests.
"No major power is able to jeopardize the Iranian nation's security and interests due to the Iranian people's power today, Iran's army, the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij would respond strongly to even the minimum aggression," Ahmadinejad told a military parade marking the country's National Army Day in southern Tehran.
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.
Pakistan seeks Saarc help in Bhutto killing probe
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Thursday sought the cooperation of other South Asian governments in investigating the killing of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto late last year.
"Member states of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) are requested to share any information that can contribute to the probe," said Rehman Malik, the adviser to incumbent Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani.
No American official has access to Pakistan’s nuclear program: FM
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Foreign Minister told the Parliament on Friday that no American official has been placed to have access to the country's National Command Authority (NCA).
Local media has reported that the US State Department has sought the accreditation of an official to be posted at the American embassy here with the NCA, the body that controls Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
"Pakistan will not permit this," Qureshi told the National Assembly, lower house of the parliament.
Israeli Army assassinates member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades
By KUNA,
Ramallah : A member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Palestinian Fatah's armed wing, was assassinated by Israeli Army Special Forces' Unit at Balata Refugees' Camp, eyewitnesses said on Friday.
Hani Al-Kaabi, 26, was gunned down in an ambush set by the unit, whose members had disguised themselves in Arab costumes, the eyewitnesses noted, adding that another activist, Samer Abu Leil, was injured during the attack.
They also abducted another member of the Brigades, Alaa Ulaian. At the same time, a girl was injured with random gunfire by the troops, the eyewitnesses said.
Israel allows PNA to build 20 police stations across West Bank
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel and the Palestinian National Authority reached an agreement on Friday, allowing the Palestinians to build 20 police stations in the West Bank in a bid to enforce its security plan there.
It is the first time Israel approved such a measure since 2001. According to the agreement, most of the stations will be established in the B areas, where under 1993 interim peace accords Israel retains the right to deploy troops against suspected militants.
Third of million Afghan, Iraq war veterans are depressed
By IANS,
Washington : Nearly 20 percent of US servicemen back from Iraq and Afghanistan - or a third of a million - suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, but only half of them have sought treatment, according to a study by a US non-profit organisation.
Researchers of the RAND Corporation also found that about 19 percent of these veterans reported experiencing a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed, with seven percent reporting both a probable brain injury and current major depression.
Arab League slams Israeli ‘holocaust’
By IINA,
Cairo : The Arab League condemned yesterday Israel’s “holocaust” in the Gaza Strip the day after violence in the isolated territory killed over 20 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and three Israeli soldiers. A statement from the General Secretariat of the 22-member pan-Arab body “denounced Israel’s collective punishment policy as a ‘holocaust’,” the official MENA news agency reported.
GCC, US joint military exercise to held April 20
By NNN-KUNA,
Abu Dhabi : The (Hasm Al-Oqban 2008) joint GCC-US military exercise will be held Sunday with the participation of the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the USA while Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Jordan will act as observers.
According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the exercise would last for two weeks and is going to include workshops and meetings that would boost military cooperation between the US and the GCC states.
Young Palestinian succumbs to injuries in Gaza
By KUNA,
Gaza : A young Palestinian died here Sunday from injuries he sustained in an incursion by Israeli forces into Hajar Al-Deek town in central Gaza, four days ago.
Medical sources said the boy, identified as Ahmad Abdulmajeed Al-Najjar, was seriously injured and taken to Al-Shefa Hospital in Gaza. He succumbed to his injuries this morning, they said.
Israeli forces had killed 19 Palestinians four days ago during the incursion into the town, which is near the Israeli border, and the victims included a journalist.
Revision of Pakistan by-polls schedule raises eyebrows
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Election Commission's unexpected move to revise the by-election schedule "continues to be discussed in political circles as this is a unique instance in the commission's history", a media report Sunday said.
Quoting sources in the commission, The News said: "Never before a decision taken regarding the elections or by-elections was reviewed, without citing any concrete reasons."
Hamas official says ceasefire deal not reached yet
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A spokesman for Islamic Hamas movement in Gaza said Tuesday that a deal on a ceasefire between Palestinian militant groups and Israel, through Egypt, hasn't been reached yet.
The Egyptian Al-Ahram Daily had earlier reported that Egypt and Hamas have agreed on a ceasefire and that the intelligence chief of Egypt Omar Suleiman is expected to visit Israel soon to present the main points.
Lebanon tries to elect president after 17 postponements
By DPA,
Beirut : Lawmakers from the ruling anti-Syrian majority started to arrive at the Lebanese parliament Tuesday to attend a scheduled parliament session to elect a president for the country after postponing the decision 17 times.
So far the session has not been cancelled by Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, who is also a member of the pro-Syrian opposition in the country.
Lebanon's parliament has been paralysed over the election of a new president for over 16 months. The country has had no president since pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud stepped down on Nov 23 last year.
Israel resumes power fuel supplies to Gaza strip
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israel is providing the Gaza Strip with a million litres of industrial diesel to operate the electric power plant, head of the Palestinian Petrol Agency in Gaza Mujahid Salama said in a statement.
"Tanker trucks carrying diesel have already begun entry to Gaza Strip through Nahel Oz Crossing, since early morning," Salama told Voice of Palestine radio Wednesday.
Israeli and Palestinian sources had confirmed that the Gaza Strip will be supplied with a million litres of industrial diesel necessary to fuel the electric power plant.
US backs Pakistan’s negotiations with militants
By IANS,
Washington : The US has expressed support for the new Pakistan government's move to negotiate with militants who lay down their arms, saying it was the outcome - the end of Al Qaeda and other extremists - that matters.
Richard Boucher, the US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, Wednesday lauded the Pakistani leadership's avowed commitment to the war on terror.
UN chief urges more efforts to help Iraq overcome divisions
By Xinhua,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday that more needs to be done to help Iraqi communities resolve the fundamental issues that divide them.
In his latest report to the Security Council on the UN Mission in Iraq, Ban noted that some initial steps towards national reconciliation in Iraq have begun.
He said that the Iraqi government "continues to face formidable challenges to reaching a national consensus on how to share power and resources."
Pakistani Hindu worker’s murderers go unpunished
By Zofeen T. Ebrahim, IANS,
Karachi : Three weeks since Jagdeesh Kumar, a 22-year-old Hindu worker in a garment factory in Pakistan's largest city, was beaten to death by a mob for allegedly making blasphemous remarks about Prophet Mohammad, his murderers remain unpunished.
"Would our judicial system do so (punish the perpetrators)?" asks A.H. Nayyar, an Islamabad-based peace activist. He answers himself: "Not likely. It has never done so earlier either.
1 NATO soldier killed, 4 wounded in S. Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : One soldier serving the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was killed and four soldiers were wounded in an engagement with insurgents during a patrol in southern Afghanistan Sunday, an ISAF statement issued here Monday said.
Without elaborating, it said the wounded soldiers were transported to an ISAF hospital to receive treatment.
The ISAF did not release the casualty's nationality, quoting a policy.
"Next of kin have been notified," it added.
Iran: President kicks off regional tour, heads for Pakistan
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad left for Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday morning at the first leg of his three-nation tour to regional states which would later take him to Sri Lanka and India.
The president is accompanied by his senior advisor, Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi, Head of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Minister of Commerce Massoud Mir-Kazemi as well as a group of other senior officials.
Peaceful protest held by Sadr City people
By IRNA,
Baghdad : The face-off between Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and the Iraqi government unfolded Sunday on the streets of Sadr City where a peaceful demonstration against continued violence there was held by members of the Iraqi Parliament even as clashes went on a few blocks away.
Iraqi Militia Rejects Govt Conditions
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : A spokesman for cleric Muqtada al Sadr called Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki's conditions to end the military campaign against the Al Mahdi Army "illegitimate" on Monday.
Maliki's terms are to lay down arms, non-interference in government affairs, non-interference in Police and Army duties and the handing over of wanted militiamen.
The terms were announced on Saturday after several weeks of fierce
clashes between the Al Mahdi Army and joint US-Iraqi forces, which
left over 400 victims in Sadr City neighborhood in Baghdad.
MI5 accused of colluding in torture of Britons in Pakistan
By IRNA,
London : Officers of Britain's MI5 domestic security agency are being accused of "outsourcing" the torture of British citizens to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) in an attempt to obtain information about terrorist plots.
A number of British terrorism suspects who have been arrested in Pakistan at the request of UK authorities say their interrogation has convinced them that MI5 colluded in the mistreatment, the Guardian newspaper reported Tuesday.
Iraq opens trial on former regime officials
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraqi High Tribunal opened trial Tuesday on Saddam's former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and his seven codefendants over their alleged roles in the execution of 42 merchants in 1992.
It was the first time that Aziz, 72, who also served as foreign minister in Saddam's regime, appeared in court as a defendant since he turned himself in to U.S. forces two weeks after the invasion in 2003. He has appeared as a witness in earlier trials on former Saddam era officials.
Hindraf leader to take oath in jail
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : His plea for freedom not heeded, M. Manoharan, the detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader, is expected to take oath as a legislator at the Kamuntin Detention Camp May 8.
Manoharan was elected to the Selangor state legislature from Kota Alam Shah in the March general elections while in prison.
He is serving a two-year term under the stringent Internal Security Act (ISA) along with four others of the Hindraf for organising a protest rally of Tamil Hindus in November.
Lebanon’s ruling majority calls for presidential election on May 13
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese majority leader Saad Hariri called again for presidential election on May 13, local Al-Mustaqbal daily reported Wednesday.
"It is the duty of each MP (members of parliament) in political blocks who claim they agree on electing consensus candidate Michel Suleiman (as president) to go to parliament on May 13, and vote for him," Hariri was quoted as saying after meeting with Prime Minister Fouad Seniora on Tuesday night.
Hariri said he favors dialogue with opposition on condition a president is elected on May 13.
Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills one Palestinian
By DPA,
Gaza City : Israel launched an airstrike on a metal workshop in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah Wednesday afternoon, killing one Palestinian and injuring three, hospital officials said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the airstrike, saying the target was a weapons warehouse.
Militants from Gaza meanwhile fired at least nine rockets and three mortar shells at Israeli communities near the border with the Strip Wednesday, she said. Several fires were ignited in some of the communities.
Turkey planning missile defence network
By RIA Novosti,
Ankara : Turkey is planning to build its own long-range missile defence network by 2010.
The missile shield would include at least eight anti-missile batteries meant to protect strategic targets from theatre-range ballistic missiles.
The project includes an initial off-the-shelf procurement of four batteries in a tender that will be announced in the near future, ANKA news agency said.
Olmert, Abbas to discuss Israeli settlements, roadblocks
By SPA,
Tel Aviv : The Israeli and Palestinians leaders will discuss Israeli settlements and roadblocks in the West Bank at a summit Monday, a Palestinian official said, two issues given prominent mention by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her latest diplomatic mission in the region.
Activities of Iranian headquarters for assistance in rebuilding Lebanon are legal
By NNN-IRNA,
Beirut : The Iranian headquarters embarking of providing assistance in rebuilding Lebanon has stated that all its activities are legal.
Responding on a recent statement by some officials in Lebanon who had claimed that Iran is interfering in Lebanon's domestic affairs, the headquarters issued a statement on Monday stating that Iran had implemented more than 400 development projects in different areas of Lebanon following the war with Israel.
Malaysia to spend $778 million on food security
By IINA,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia will spend 2.49 billion ringgit ($778 million) this year to increase food production, a top minister said amid soaring costs globally for staple items like rice.
MNF affirms anti-terrorism cooperation with foreign intelligence
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : The Multi-National Force's (MNF) Major-General Kevin Bergner has affirmed here that exchange of intelligence information with neighbouring states with Iraq has occurred in order to crack down on Qaeda operations.
Bergner said in a joint press conference with Iraqi spokesman Dr Tahseen Al-Sheikhali Wednesday that about 50 terrorists were arrested in the city of Mosul north of Iraq, adding that the exchange of information led to an improvement in anti-terrorism operations.
Fourth constituency candidate calls for motivating young people
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Fourth constituency candidate, Abdullah Al-Mutotah, urged the motivation of young people and placing emphasis on this important segment of the society, whom he called the true wealth of the country.
Speaking at the opening of his campaign headquarters in Jahara city, themed "simple dreams in a complicated reality," Al-Mutotah noted that there was a need for according more attention to the needs and issues of youth.
Motivating them and giving them the right background and education is the only means to guarantee a good future, he said.
Deproscribing MKO discredits UK combating terror, says Iran
By IRNA,
London : Iran has castigated a court ruling in favour of deproscribing the exiled Mujahideen Khalq organization (MKO) from a British list of terrorist groups under current legislation.
The Iranian Embassy in London said it "strongly denounces" Wednesday's judgement and "considers the ruling as a clear evidence of insincerity on the part of the Britain in its approach towards tackling terrorism specially in our region."
Pakistan sets conditions for talks with militants
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan on Thursday set up three conditions for possible talks with the militants in the country, saying military action is not the only way to wipe out terrorism and extremism.
"Political engagement is an essential part of this policy but it is possible only with those who renounce militancy and violence, do not allow the use of Pakistan's territory against any other country and do not help foreign terrorist elements to find hideouts in our territory," Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told a regular news briefing.
Arab FMs holds urgent meeting on Lebanon in two days – spokesman
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Spokesman of the Egyptian foreign ministry Hosam Zaki said on Friday that an urgent meeting for Arab foreign ministers is expected to be held within the next few days to examine the current Lebanese crisis.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia had rendered a request to hold the meeting at the Arab League headquarters and to discuss the issue during an Arab foreign ministers council, Zaki noted, adding that the request was conveyed to the League's Secretary General Amr Moussa.
Iran lashes out at US, Britain, France at NPT conference
By NNN-IRNA,
Vienna : Iran's Ambassador at IAEA said on last day of preliminary session of Conference to Revise the NPT recent anti-Iran communique issued at this session should be appreciated as it revealed the fact that US, Britain and France have no well intentions, or political will to solve problems peacefully.
These three countries, that are armed with nuclear weapons, along with China and Russia, on last working day of the ongoing meeting read out a communique in which Iran's uranium enrichment is referred to as a threat against the NPT.
Voter is responsible for determining country”s future — candidate
By KUNA,
Kuwait : The fifth constituency candidate for the parliament elections Fatma Al-Nahham said the Kuwaiti citizens hold a great responsibility in determining a better future for the country.
She added in a symposium held in Al-Fintas area, late on Sunday, at the development center, the candidates' responsibility lies in choosing the efficient candidate who is capable of working for the best of the country.
Report: U.S. warship heads towards Mediterranean water
By Xinhua,
Beirut : A U.S. warship has crossed the Egyptian Suez Canal towards the Mediterranean as Lebanon political crisis boiled into sectarian clashes, As-Safier daily reported Monday.
U.S. had previously sent the USS Cole guided-missiles destroyer off the Lebanese coast on Feb. 28 and left to the gulf in March.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had defended the previous deployment, saying it was aimed at showing "Washington's readiness to defend its ally's interest in the region."
Dubai-style island resorts planned on the Thames
By IANS,
London : Gulf property developers are planning to build luxury island resorts in England - complete with yacht marinas, theatres, an opera house and housing - along the lines of the famed artificial palm islands of Dubai, a newspaper reported.
Iran’s proposal package presented to Solana
By NNN-IRNA,
Brussels : Iran's Ambassador to Belgium on Tuesday, presented Tehran's package of proposals aimed at resolving the world problems to the European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana.
Ali Asghar Khaji told Solana that Iran's proposed package which contained solutions to the world political, security, economic and energy problems, will help make breakthrough to resolve international crises.
The Iranian envoy urged all world powers to find solutions to the current crises and help establish peace, stability and justice throughout the globe.
Israel kills two Palestinians in Gaza
By SPA,
Gaza : The Israeli army killed a gunman and a Palestinian civilian on Wednesday in separate incidents in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, medical workers said.
The gunman was killed by an Israeli air strike during a ground raid near Khan Younis, in the southern part of the territory, the medical workers said. An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed the strike, according to a report of Reuters.
Afghan police kill would-be suicide bomber
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan police have shot dead a would-be suicide bomber in eastern Khost province, an official said Thursday.
A man equipped with explosive devices and assault rifle was gunned down Wednesday, provincial police spokesman Wazir Badshah told Xinhua. "The man was attempting to enter Khost city the provincial capital to carry on suicide attack."
On Monday, Afghan police arrested two more would-be suicide bombers in the country's northern Balkh province.
Blast in Turkey’s dairy products factory killed two
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Two workers were killed and 5 others
were injured in a blast occurred in a dairy products factory in Cubuk town of Turkish capital city of Ankara on Thursday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Dhaka court orders arrest of 12 former ministers
By IANS,
Dhaka : A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against a dozen former ministers, some of whom it declared absconding, in a corruption case filed against former prime minister Khaleda Zia and her associates.
Thursday's action, another first in Bangladesh's military-backed caretaker government's drive against corruption, prompted some of those charged to move a higher court for anticipatory bail.
Pakistan Political Problem Prevails
By Prensa Latina,
Islamabad : The leader of Pakistani People's Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari predicted a solution to the controversy over judges' restoration that has made the coalition government collapse.
Even when he called for reconciliation in a press conference Wednesday night, that position caused friction with the President of Pakistan Muslim League N (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif.
Both parties, the country's main political forces, want to solve the problem of judges removed by President Pervez Musharraf through an unpopular measure last November, but differ in the way to do so.
Iraqi forces detain 1,068 suspected insurgents in Mosul
By Xinhua,
Mosul, Iraq : Iraqi security forces detained 1,068 suspected insurgents in a major offensive targeting al-Qaida militants in Mosul in northern Iraq, a military source said on Saturday.
"A total of 1,068 suspected insurgents have been arrested so far," with large amount of weapons and ammunition confiscated, said Lieut. Gen. Riyadh Jalal Tawfiq, head of the military operation.
Israeli prosecution upholds Talansky’s deposition in Olmert’s case
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli State Prosecutor's Office on Sunday voiced its support for a court decision to hear preliminary testimony from New York financier Morris Talansky in the ongoing criminal investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Olmert has no right to challenge the Jerusalem District Court's decision on Talansky's deposition scheduled on May 25, the prosecution told the Supreme Court in response to a petition from Olmert, who allegedly received illegal funds from Talansky before becoming the prime minister in 2006.
Attorney general: no legal decision on Olmert probe in near future
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz said Sunday that it is unrealistic to expect a decision in the near future on the ongoing investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
"I am not certain that in the coming weeks we will make a legal decision, this is an unrealistic attitude," Mazuz said in an interview with Israeli TV Channel Two broadcast on Sunday.
French FM to visit Palestinian territories, Israel later this week
By KUNA,
Paris : French Foreign Minister Beranrd Kouchner will be paying the Palestinian Territories and Israel a visit on the occasion of the international investors conference, which is due in Bethlehem on May 21, it was announced here Monday.
The three-day conference, of which the Palestinians are seeking about USD two billion in development projects, will be attended by a large number of potential investors in an aim to boost the Palestinian economy.
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.
14 insurgents killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan troops have killed 14 Taliban militants in southern province of Zabul, a local official said Wednesday.
"Afghan troops with the support of air power pounded militants positions in Khak-e-Afghan district Tuesday night killing 14 rebels," Gulab Mangal, deputy to Zabul provincial administration, told Xinhua.
He said eight of the bodies left on the ground appeared to be foreign nationals.
However, the official did not say if there were any casualties on Afghan forces.
Israeli official says talks with Syria not to derail Palestinian track
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Renewed peace talks between Israel and Syria will not come at the expense of the ongoing negotiations with the Palestinians, Israeli daily Ha'aretz quoted a senior official as saying on Wednesday.
"The government remains committed to pursuing both the Syrian and Palestinian tracks," said the Israeli official, shortly after the Jewish state confirmed that indirect Israeli-Syrian talks are underway with Turkish mediation.
Two journalists killed in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Two Iraqi journalists were killed in separate incidents in Baghdad and Diyala province in northeast of the capital, police and media sources said on Thursday.
Wisam Ali Oudah, a cameraman working for private television station Afaq, was killed on Wednesday afternoon by a sniper while heading home in the Obeidi neighborhood in eastern Baghdad, an employee in the TV station told Xinhua.
Hamas delegation to brief Palestinians on Gaza ceasefire talks
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Hamas delegation will return to Gaza on Thursday after talks with Egyptian officials about a proposal for a ceasefire with Israel.
Ismail Radwan, a spokesman for Hamas, said the delegation will hold internal talks with Hamas leaders after it returns from Cairo" before briefing the Palestinian people on the results of lull talks."
The delegation was intended to get Israel's response to the Egyptian-brokered truce which is expected to last for six months in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
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.
U.S. soldier killed in bomb attack north of Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : An American soldier was killed on Monday by a roadside bomb explosion in Salahudin province north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
The soldier died as a result of fatal wounds sustained from the blast in the province, the military said in a brief statement.
Two more soldiers were wounded by the blast and were evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment, the statement said.
The name of the deceased soldier is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, it added.
Olmert denies Syrian claim that Israel agrees return of Golan Heights
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday denied outright the Syrian claim that Israel had already agreed to cede the Golan Heights during their talks.
"No obligations were offered - either spoken or in writing – to Syria," Olmert was quoted by local daily Jerusalem Post as saying. "All I said from February 2007 until May 2008 was 'I know what you want and you know what I want.'"
British defense secretary urges combined efforts along Pak-Afghan border to combat extremism
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : It will require determined efforts on both sides of the Afghanistan and Pakistan border to tackle the challenges to global security presented by violent extremism, the visiting British Defense Secretary Des Browne said here on Monday.
Browne made the remarks while holding a series of talks with Pakistan Defense Minister Chaudry Ahmad Muktar, the Chief of the Army Staff General Kayani, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Committee Major General Tariq Majid.
Israel on threshold of “historic process” with Syria – Olmert
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that Israel was on the threshold of "a historic process" with Syria, according to reports reaching here from Israel.
The ongoing talks with Syria are serious and could remove the threat to Israel's northern areas, Israeli local daily Yediot Ahronot quoted Olmert as saying.
The talks are going on in line with the real situation now not the situation 10 years ago, he pointed out.
The prime minister asserted that his government took the issue of negotiations with Syria seriously and prepared well for them.
Pakistan govt supports China in quake relief efforts: minister
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman Tuesday said that Pakistan government was supporting China in its efforts for provision of rescue and relief to the victims of earthquake in Chinese province Gansu.
She was talking with media persons on the occasion of seeing off a mobile surgical team comprising Pakistani doctors and paramedics, which left for China from PAF Chaklala Airbase. The mission also carried tons of medicines and foodstuff.
NATO commander says Pakistan sovereign, hopes for agreement enforcement
By NNN-APP,
New York : Acknowledging Pakistan’s sovereignty over its areas, a senior NATO commander in Afghanistan has expressed the hope for enforcement of any peace agreements in the country’s areas along restive Afghan-Pakistani border.
“Pakistan is a sovereign country. Our interest from NATO’s perspective is that whatever agreements are made will hopefully be enforceable,” U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J.
Schloesser told Newsweek. At the same time, the new NATO commander favored talks with legitimate tribal leaders in Afghanistan.
Arab cmte formed to document Israeli humanitarian crimes against Palestinians
By KUNA,
Cairo : The Executive Bureau of the Arab Justice Council agreed Tuesday on the formation of a committee for documenting genocides, and humanitarian and war crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.
Bureau members, who met at the Arab League headquarters, agreed to form the six-member committee, presided by Palestinian Justice Minister Ali Khashana.
In a press release, the Palestinian minister said the proposed committee would be placing a work plan so that it may begin carrying out its tasks, but foresaw that its work would meet obstacles.
Militants set on fire health center in E Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Anti-government militants set ablaze a clinic in Afghanistan's eastern Khost province early Wednesday, a police officer said.
Armed militants set on fire a health clinic in the outskirts of Khost city, the capital of Khost province, at 3 a.m. local time and destroyed it, a senior police officer in the province, Azizullah Paktiawal, told Xinhua.
The police have arrested six suspected persons in this regard, he added. The clinic was providing health service to some 40,000 locals.
Gilani seeks more US aid for Pakistan
By IANS,
New York : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani has urged the US to increase economic and defence aid to help strengthen his country's newly elected democratic government.
Gillani told the Wall Street Journal that he made his case for further aid during a recent meeting in Egypt with President George W. Bush. However, he did not specify how much more in assistance he asked for.
Gillani said further aid was needed to help provide political and economic stability as the nation seeks to fight terrorism after getting a democratically elected government.
Taliban claims responsibility for Kabul attack that killed 3
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : The Taliban has claimed responsibility for a suicide car bombing in Afghanistan's capital Kabul early on Thursday, which claimed the lives of three civilians.
Along with the fatalities, at least five other people were injured in the explosion, which occurred at about 8 a.m. local time (03:30 GMT), Afghan police said adding the attack was aimed at a U.S. military SUV carrying coalition soldiers.
A Taliban member phoned reporters to claim responsibility for the attack.
15 civilians injured in car bomb in Mosul
By KUNA,
Irbil : Fifteen civilians, including women and children, were injured in a car bomb attack, the third in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Thursday, police said.
A booby-trapped car, parking on the side of the road, exploded today and injured at least 15 civilians, a police source said.
He told KUNA the explosion caused damage to nearby houses, shops and cars.
Seventeen people were killed, including three policemen, and 20 others were injured when a suicide attacker detonated the explosives he was carrying.
Turkish warplanes attack PKK positions N. Iraq
By KUNA,
Istanbul : Turkish warplanes raided locations of rebel Kurds in northern Iraq on Thursday, the Turkish Army reported.
A statement by the Army on its website said the strikes targeted 16 bases of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), also known as the PKK, in the mountainous spot of Hakurk northern Iraq.
The Turkish Army had and still is executing parliament-approved military operations against the PKK since last February, where more than 2,000 of PKK believed to have lost their lives.
The parliament's green light of launching the attacks ends next October.
IAEA to discuss tougher report on Iran’s nuclear issue
By Xinhua,
Beijing : An upcoming meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to focus on a latest report on the Iranian nuclear issue, which struck a tougher tone than before.
The report, prepared by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, was submitted last week to the United Nations Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors, which will start a five-day meeting in Vienna Monday.
Iraq says agreement talks with U.S. still in early stage
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The Iraqi government said Sunday that its negotiations with the United States over their future relations are still in the early stage and the sovereignty will not be sacrificed.
The remarks came amid strong voice in Iraq against a planned agreement, which is expected to enable the U.S. a long-term military presence here.
The two sides intended to wrap up by the end of July the negotiations which commenced early this year.
German FM hails detainee exchange between Hezbollah, Israel
By Xinhua,
Beijing : German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was pleased with the "first step" in the exchange of detainees between Israel and Hezbollah.
His remarks were made in a press conference following his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora in Beirut Sunday.
"We are pleased that this exchange operation is a first step to a positive dynamic in secret talks aimed at achieving the final exchange operation," Steinmeier said.
Defence Minister aussie Iraq mission a success
By NNN-Bernama,
Melbourne : Australian Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has paid tribute to Australia's combat troops in Iraq , saying they will leave a lasting legacy in the strife-torn nation.
The 550-member Overwatch Battle Group-West (OBG-W), based at Camp Terendak within the sprawling Tallil base outside the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's Dhi Qar province, has started its withdrawal, The Australian newspaper’s online edition says.
Three Bodies Found At Site Of Ajman Hotel Collapse
By Bernama,
Dubai : Three bodies have been recovered from the rubble of a hotel under construction which collapsed in the emirate of Ajman.
They were found at 7 pm and 11 pm Monday and in the early hours of Tuesday, Ajman police chief Colonel Ali Abdullah Alwan was quoted as saying by the online edition of Gulf News.
The tragedy happened at about 2 am yesterday when the concrete ceiling of the basement of the Laguna Beach Hotel while the workers were pouring concrete.
Ahmadinejad calls for enhanced Tehran-Havana cooperation in NAM
By NNN-IRNA,
Rome : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said here that Tehran-Havana cooperation in NAM can further boost the pursuit of their common goals.
Ahmadinejad told Cuban First Vice President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura on the sidelines of the UN food summit that Iran and Cuba are two countries in a similar camp and their cooperation has been viewed favourably internationally.
Over 15 insurgents killed in failed attack on coalition base in Southern Afghanistan
By NNN-Xinhua,
Kabul : Over 15 insurgents have been killed in a failed attack on a military base of the U.S.-led Coalition forces in Uruzgan province of southern Afghanistan, the U.S.-led military said.
Militants attacked on Tuesday Afghan security forces at the base and the ensuing fighting between Afghan, Coalition forces and insurgents in nearby villages left several militants dead, said a statement on Friday issued from Bagram Air Field, a major Coalition base.
“Several” Taliban killed in central Afghanistan: Coalition
By KUNA,
Kabul : The US-led coalition troops claimed killing several Taliban during an operation in central Afghanistan.
A statement from the coalition forces' Bagram base on Saturday said the militants were eliminated in an operation in Tagab district of the central Kapisa province.
Several militants were killed and another three arrested in Tagab district after the militants attacked the troops with small and heavy arms. The troops were conducting operation in the area.
The troops responded to killing all those involved in the attack against the coalition troops.
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."
Several Pakistani troops die on border
By IINA,
Islamabad : At least 18 people are reported to have been killed in clashes on the Pakistan-Afghan border. Ten of the dead were reported to be Pakistani troops killed by an apparent missile strike by US or Nato-led forces, launched from Afghanistan. Eight Taleban militants were also killed in the fighting, a Taleban spokesman said. None of the Pakistani, Afghan or US militaries, or Nato, have yet officially commented on the incident.
Israeli soldiers kill 2 militants in Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : At least two Palestinian gunmen were killed on Thursday when they tried to storm an Israeli army post in northern Gaza Strip, emergency officials said.
Fighters from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement and the National Resistance Brigades of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) attacked the post in Beit Lahiya town and exchanged fire with Israeli forces, the two groups said in a joint statement.
Hamas leader calls on Europe to change Palestine policy
By NNN-KUNA,
Brussels : Hamas leader Khaled Meshall has urged Europe to take a lead role in finding a solution to the Palestine question.
In an interview with the EuroNews TV channel broadcast late Wednesday night, Meshall said the Europeans "need to know that there isn't a solution by hiding behind the American's impossible conditions. The solution is to give Palestinians their rights and put an end to the Israeli occupation. At the moment, there is a historic chance".
Conference raises $21.4 bn for AfghanistanBy Siegfried Mortkowitz
By DPA,
Paris : Donors at a Paris conference pledged some $21.4 billion in aid to give a political and financial boost to the reconstruction of
Afghanistan, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said.
Of that total, the US pledged nearly half, or $10.2 billion, US First Lady Laura Bush said earlier Thursday.
"Afghanistan has reached a decisive moment for its future. We must not turn our back on this opportunity," Bush told the representatives of 67 nations and 17 international organisations gathered at the conference.
Two ISAF soldiers die, one wounded in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Two soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) died and another one wounded when they encountered insurgents while on patrol in southern Afghanistan, the ISAF said Friday.
The incident occurred Thursday, the NATO-led military said in a statement, but gave no details.
"These soldiers' lives were taken while trying to help bring peace and security to Afghanistan," Brigadier General Carlos Branco, ISAF spokesperson, was quoted as saying in the statement.
Three killed in fresh Israeli airstrike on northern Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Three Islamic Hamas militants were killed and two wounded on Thursday night in an Israeli airstrike on a group of militants in northern Gaza Strip, medics and witnesses said.
Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency service in the Palestinian health ministry, told reporters that three dead Palestinians and two wounded were brought to a local hospital on Thursday night.
Iraqi PM wraps up visit to Jordan
By Xinhua,
Amman : Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki wrapped up a two-day official visit to Jordan on Friday.
Al-Maliki held talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Nadir Dhahabi on a series of issues including Iraqi political process and means to enhance bilateral relations, especially economic links.
Both King Abdullah and Dhahabi reaffirmed Jordan's keenness to build strong relations with Iraq, offering all needed political support to enable it to preserve security and stability and ensure the unity of the country.
Iran takes action with Security Council against US media
By IRNA,
New York : Iran took action with the United Nations Security Council against US media campaign over national nuclear program and Iraq meddling.
Iranian Permanent Ambassador to United Nations Mohammad Khazaee presented a written response to the US media allegations against Iran which was circulated on Friday as the UN Security Council document.
The UN Security Council held a meeting yesterday to review the latest Iraqi developments.
Gunmen target army patrol in Lebanon, 12 arrested
By DPA,
Beirut : Lebanese forces detained 12 people Saturday after gunmen fired at an army patrol near a Palestinian refugee camp in the north of the country, a Lebanese security official said.
The incident took place in Qobbeh, a predominantly Sunni district on the northeastern edge of the port city of Tripoli, the official said.
"Unidentified gunmen fired as the army patrol was passing by, but there were no injuries," he said.
The attack prompted the Lebanese army to increase its presence in the area.
Army posts have been the target of similar attacks in northern Lebanon.
Hamas to determine on Gaza truce after getting Israel’s answer
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Hamas will decide its stance regarding ceasefire with Israel after receiving the Israeli responses to the ceasefire proposal Sunday in Cairo, a Hamas spokesman said.
The spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, added that the Islamic movement's stance regarding the ceasefire "was determined," stressing that it will not commit itself to the lull if Israel did not open crossing points into Gaza.
He also reiterated that the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, whom Hamas holds as hostage in Gaza, will not be freed under the ceasefire deal.
Israel approves east Jerusalem housing project
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel has decided to build tens of thousands of new apartments in Jerusalem, including a couple of thousand in Jewish neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city, the Jerusalem municipality said Sunday.
The building proposal, which won city approval earlier this year, has been authorized by Israeli Interior Ministry's building and planning committee, local daily the Jerusalem Post reported, citing Jerusalem Municipality spokesman Gidi Schmerling.
Suicide attack kills 10 civilians in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : A suicide bomber killed at least 10 civilians and wounded six in the southern Afghan province of Helmand Friday, while two US-led coalition troops were killed in the same province, officials said.
Helmand police chief Mohammad Hussein Andiwal said the attacker detonated his explosive device as a convoy of foreign forces was passing in Gereshk district.
He said the injured people were also civilians,adding, "there is no further detail about any foreign troops casualties."
Female suicide bomber kills 16 in Iraq
By AFP,
Baquba, Iraq : At least 23 people were killed in Iraq on Sunday, including 16 by a woman suicide bomber who blew herself up in the central city of Baquba, security officials said. The bomber detonated her explosive vest beside a police patrol near the gate of the Diyala provincial governor's headquarters and a courthouse, a security official said.
Doctor Ahmed Fuad from Baquba hospital said 16 bodies had been received by the hospital's mortuary. Among those killed were eight policemen, two women and a child, he told AFP.
Kuwait opens door for first batch of Police Women Institute cadets
By NNN-KUNA,
Kuwait : Kuwaiti Minister of Interior Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid Al-Sabah has issued a decree to open the door for the first batch of cadets of its Police Women Institute.
The decree constitutes a landmark move in the history of the Kuwait police force, director-general of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Science Youssef Al-Madhahka told reporters here Monday.
"This is a qualitative move in supporting and rehabilitating the human resources of the Interior Ministry so that they could meet all security needs.
Roadside bomb attacks decline in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Washington : Roadside bomb attacks at the Iraq-based U.S. troops declined by nearly 90 percent from the last year, according to a newspaper report on Monday.
The USA Today report was released as one more American soldier was killed and five others wounded in an ambush in Baghdad.
Citing the Pentagon records and interviews with military leaders, the report said that a total of 11 U.S. troops were killed in May by roadside bomb blasts, compared to 92 in the same month last year.
19 killed in fresh violence in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 19 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in fresh clashes in militant-dominated north-west Pakistan, media reports said Tuesday.
Fierce fighting erupted between troops loyal to top Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud and pro-government tribesmen Monday when militants attacked the members of a peace committee in the town Jandola, the gateway to the restive South Waziristan tribal district.
Up to 12 people were killed and 10 wounded in ensuing gun battles that continued during the night, the English-language Dawn News television channel reported.
Hamas, Fatah to release hostages they hold
By Xinhua,
Gaza : In preparation for possible dialogue, rival Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah handed out lists of their prisoners to a leftist faction to get them freed, an official from the faction said on Tuesday.
Talal Abu Zarifa, a leader from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), said the names were received Monday during separate meetings with delegation from Hamas and Fatah.
Supreme Court defers election in Sharif’s constituency
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Supreme Court Wednesday ordered that by-elections in Lahore constituency from where Nawaz Sharif was to contest be delayed following a Lahore High Court ruling that barred the former prime minister from contesting the poll.
The government had filed an appeal with the Supreme Court to reverse the ban saying it was Sharif's fundamental right to contest the polls.
The apex court while setting aside the high court decision issued notices to both the parties for June 30 for arguments on merits of the case.
Pakistan: Federal Govt moves appeal to Supreme Court against LHC decision barring Nawaz Sharif...
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The Federal Government on Wednesday filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Lahore High Court (LHC) decision disqualifying Mian Nawaz Sharif from contesting the June 26 by-election, Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Raja Abdul Rehman said.
The DAG told reporters the federation has filed the appeal following an approval from the competent authority.
Iran parliament speaker warns the West over nuclear program
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani warned here on Thursday that the West will suffer if it continues to speak with Iran in the language of force, saying that pressuring Iran is a mistake, Iran's Press TV satellite channel reported.
Speaking at a commemoration ceremony for the martyrs in a bombing, Larijani accused the western powers of practicing "cruel methods" to curb Iran's technological advancement by unjustly taking advantage of nuclear and human rights issues.
Taliban influence in Afghanistan growing: Russia
By RIA Novosti,
Brussels : The Taliban is steadily expanding its zone of influence in Afghanistan, the Russian ambassador to Kabul said Thursday.
The Taliban, ousted from power after a US-led military operation in 2001, have been stepping up their activities in recent months. The radical Islamic movement has vowed to increase attacks to undermine the present Afghan administration.
Hamas official slams factions for firing rockets into Israel
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A senior Hamas leader slammed two Palestinian factions for violating an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire and launching rockets into Israel.
Since the six-month ceasefire took effect on June 19, three rocket attacks took place by the Jihad and a group affiliated with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.
Pakistan, India Agree to Foster Peace
By Prensa Latina,
New Delhi : Pakistan and India agreed fostering a dialogue for peace between the two countries Friday, with the meeting between the Foreign Affairs Ministers of both nations, Mahmoud Qureshi and Pranab Mukherjee respectively.
Pakistani Foreign Affairs Ministry Qureshi arrived in New Delhi Friday for a three-day visit to improve bilateral relations, fostering the peace dialogue and discuss on bilateral cooperation.
Iraqi PM stresses role of tribal chiefs in preserving national unity
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has stressed that national reconciliation is significant in preventing Iraq from sliding into civil war.
"We have sidestepped civil war, and you, as tribal chiefs, are instrumental in achieving that," he said when receiving a delegation of tribal chiefs here Sunday.
Iraq has always been a nation of disparate tribes with roots deep in its history, he said.
Israeli cabinet approves exchange of prisoners with Hezbollah
By NNN-KUNA,
Ramallah : The Israeli cabinet has approved the prisoner exchange deal with Hezbollah, which will facilitate the return of captives Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. The motion was carried with a majority of 22 ministers.
The Israeli radio said that despite defence officials' warning that prisoner exchange with Hezbollah will prompt further abductions, 22 ministers voted in favour of the deal.
Earlier, Prime Minister Olmert told the cabinet that the captives are "probably dead".
Jordan’s first nuclear plant looms amid deals with Western powers
By Xinhua,
Amman : Jordan's first nuclear plant is looming in sight as it inked a preliminary nuclear cooperation deal with Britain on Sunday, the third one in a month with Western nuclear powers on pumping nuclear energy.
Under the latest deal, Britain and Jordan will jointly promote "the establishment of a reliable source of nuclear fuel for future civilian light water nuclear reactors" in the Arab kingdom, said Chairman of Jordan Atomic Energy Commission Khalid Touqan.
Solana calls on Israel to halt settlement activities
By KUNA,
Brussels : European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana warned Wednesday that it will be extremely difficult to have negotiations on the final-status of Palestine if Israel does not stop its settlements in occupied Palestinian lands.
"Realities on the ground have to change. I want to say it very clearly that settlements have to stop. We cannot enter in a process which is part of the way to determine by the end of the year 2008 if there is no clear commitment on the settlements," Solana told a conference on Palestine in the European Parliament.
Israel to take more strict measures with Palestinians — Olmert
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israel implied that it will take more strict measures with the Palestinians as a punishment after Wednesday's attack in Jerusalem.
The Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said Thursday Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held, Wednesday evening, a series of meetings with government officials to discuss the situation of Jerusalem's Arab residents.
It said the Israeli government thinks the Arab residents use their residency rights to move freely into central Israel to carry out terrorist attacks.
Pakistan decries US claim on cross-border operation
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan Thursday said its army has the sole responsibility of fighting terrorism on its soil and it would not allow cross-border operations by foreign troops in pursuit of the militants.
"Pakistan has once again clarified that on Pakistan side of the border along Afghanistan, it is the Pakistani troops who have the sole responsibility to take action against the terrorists," said foreign ministry spokesman Muhammad Sadiq.
One more corruption case against Khaleda Zia, son
By IANS,
Dhaka : Continuing with its anti-graft drive, Bangladesh's caretaker government has sued former prime minister Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman for allegedly drawing money for a non-existent orphanage.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Thursday filed another case against the two, now in jail, and five others for embezzling over 21 million takas ($350,000) by forming an eyewash establishment named Zia Orphanage Trust, named after Khaleda Zia's late husband, the assassinated former president Ziaur Rahman.
Afghan MP assassinated in south
By KUNA,
Kabul : Unidentified armed men gunned down a parliamentarian in southern Afghanistan Friday night, said the Interior Minister on Saturday.
Habibullah Khan, member of the Lower House of the Afghan parliament, was assassinated by two unidentified armed men while on way to his house in Zherai district of Kandahar province last night, the ministry said in a statement.
Khan, a former jihadi commander and an influential tribal elder, is the tenth member parliamentarian killed since the election of the parliament in 2005.
Taliban frees two abducted Pakistani journalists
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Taliban insurgents Saturday freed two journalists from their captivity in a tribal region in northwestern Pakistan, News Network International news agency reported.
Pir Zubair Shah, a part-time employee of The New York Times and Akhtar Somroo, photographer for the newspaper, were abducted Friday by Taliban insurgents in Mohmand Agency.
The report quoted a Taliban spokesman as saying that the journalists had been freed after preliminary questioning.
Larijani: Iran believes in fair, logical dialogue
By IRNA,
Tehran : "The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes negotiations in principle and of course believes that any talks should be held within a fair framework and in a logical course," said Larijani in a meeting with Algerian ambassador to Tehran Mohammad al-Assin Waraqi here on Saturday.
Somewhere in his remarks, Larijani said Iran and Algeria share common interests in different domains especially in the political field and the grounds can be exploited in a good manner given close stances held by the two sides officials.
Hamas warns Israel against attacking Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement on Sunday warned Israel against carrying out any military action in the Gaza Strip in response to homemade rockets from Gaza at Israel.
"Israel would be playing with fire in case it carries out any military action against Gaza," said Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, adding "The occupation (Israel) should think carefully before carrying out such an action."
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.
Yemen: 800,000 African refugees, mostly Somalis, by end 2007
By NNN-IRIN,
Sana'a : The Somali consul in the port city of Aden, southern Yemen, said hundreds of African migrants crossed the Gulf of Aden to Yemen in June in search of a better life in Saudi Arabia despite a high risk of death at sea or at the hands of ruthless smugglers.
"They made the perilous sea journey despite rough seas. The number of arrivals registered by the UN Refugee Agency [UNHCR] was over 700, while those who were not registered stood at about 350," Hussein Hajji, the Somali consul, told IRIN.
Int’l Committee calls on Israel to adhere to int’l laws in occupied Syrian Golan
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : The Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories has expressed concern over the situation in the occupied Syria Golan and Israel's attempts to blot out the Golan's Syrian Arab identity, its practices of abusing Syrian captives in Israeli prisons, and the obstacles it places to hinder inter-family visits.
Pak national visits motherland after 61-year wait
By IANS,
Chandigarh : After waiting 61 years, Pakistani national Mohammad Yusuf finally returned to his native village Kamalpur, near Rupnagar town, Friday. The 80-year-old Yusuf was accompanied by his son Arshad, an officer in the Pakistan police.
It was an emotional reunion for Yusuf meeting his childhood mates, Jaggu Ram and Ram Sarup, who had especially come from Kurukshetra town in Haryana to meet their old pal. Yusuf's family migrated to Pakistan in 1947 after India's partition.
Yusuf was honoured at a function held in the village gurdwara Sunday.
FM: Italy willing to mediate Israel, Lebanon peace talks
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Italy is seeking to play mediator in peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, visiting Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told Israeli President Shimon Peres as the two met in Jerusalem on Tuesday afternoon.
"We stand before a rare window of opportunity and are obligated to make the most of it. There is no reason why Israel should not engage all of its neighbors in peace negotiations, including Lebanon," Frattini, who began his visit to Israel Tuesday, was quoted by local daily Yedioth Ahronoth as saying.
Five arrested for links with Karachi blasts
By IANS,
Islamabad : Five people have been arrested by the authorities in connection with the series of bomb blasts Monday in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, IRNA news agency reported Wednesday.
Two people were killed and over 40 injured in seven blasts that rocked the Sindh provincial capital of Karachi Monday, officials said.
No insurgent group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
The blasts occurred in an area mostly inhabited by ethnic Pashtoons.
China slams BBC, international court over Darfur
By DPA,
Beijing : China Tuesday voiced "grave concerns" over the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s decision to charge the Sudanese president with genocide in the embattled Darfur region, and said a BBC report alleging that China had violated a UN arms embargo on Darfur was "strongly biased."
"China has grave concerns and misgivings about the ICC's prosecution," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.
"The ICC's actions should be helpful to the stability of the Darfur region and to finding a solution to the issue, not the contrary," Liu told reporters.
Obama, shifting focus from Iraq, eyes more troops for Afghanistan
By NNN-APP,
New York : Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said he would, if elected, send “at least two additional combat brigades” to fight in Afghanistan and pull out the bulk of US forces from Iraq by mid-2010
“Ending the war (in Iraq) is essential to meeting our broader strategic goals, starting in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the Taliban is resurgent, and al-Qaeda has a safe haven,” Obama wrote in a New York Times article on Monday.
Iranian Air Force to stage large-scale war games
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : Iran's military will hold a major air exercise soon to demonstrate its capabilities, a top air force official said Tuesday.
The war games, dubbed Protectors of Velayat Air, "will demonstrate our strength and will send the message to our enemies that if they contemplate an attack, they will meet a powerful blow," Iran's Air Force commander Ahmad Mighani said.
He said the air force was operating at full combat readiness and added that Iran had developed aircraft that were capable of evading radar detection, which "would increase the country's air strength".
Obama, McCain urge focus on Afghanistan
By DPA,
Washington : Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Tuesday said the US must broaden its foreign policy focus beyond Iraq, as he pledged to end the war and focus on fighting Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, while Republican John McCain put forward his strategy for addressing ongoing violence there.
In a speech on foreign policy in Washington ahead of a planned trip to Europe and the Middle East, Obama said the war in Iraq "distracts us from every threat that we face and so many opportunities we could seize."
Concerns over Darfur escalation after war crime charges
By Michael Logan, DPA,
Nairobi/Khartoum : The official levelling of war crimes charges against Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir has been welcomed in many quarters, but fears remain that the decision could cause an escalation of violence in Darfur and more misery for millions of long-suffering displaced Darfuris.
Nasrallah: prisoners swap closes chapter of 2006 war
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said on Wednesday evening that the prisoner swap conducted earlier this day with Israel "closed chapter of the 2006 war."
Nasrallah delivered the speech via large screens to the tens of thousands of his supporters who had gathered for the celebrations for released prisoners in southern Beirut.
He expressed warm welcome to all the five returning Lebanese prisoners, terming the prisoners swap as a victory.
Israeli soldier who shot at handcuffed Palestinian arrested
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : An Israeli soldier who fired a rubber-coated bullet at a handcuffed Palestinian was arrested and the officer holding the man was detained for questioning, Israeli media reported on Monday.
Video footage of the incident was released Sunday by the Israeli rights organization B'tselem.
It was filmed July 7 by a 14-year-old Palestinian school girl during a demonstration in the West Bank village of Nil'in against a separation barrier Israel was building.
Gunmen shoot dead Iraqi tribal leader northeast Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Unknown gunmen killed a tribal leader in a drive-by shooting in the volatile Diyala province on Monday, a provincial police source said.
"Abdul Ghafoor Abdullah, a chieftain of the Obeid clan in Diyala, was gunned down when unknown armed men showered his car with bullets while driving in the Abu-Seida area, some 70 km northeast of Baghdad," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
U.S. Secretary of State Rice starts visit to UAE
By Xinhua,
Abu Dhabi : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday arrived in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), starting a two-day visit to the Gulf oil-exporting country, the official Emirates News Agency reported.
Rice held talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crownprince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, over bilateral relations between the two countries and a series of regional issues.
Hamas militant killed in Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Hamas militant was killed in an unknown circumstance in eastern Gaza city on Tuesday, the Islamic movement's armed wing said.
A statement by Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas said Khalil Ibraheem Jendeya, 24, has been killed during a Jihad mission, without providing any details.
Meanwhile, Mu'awia Hassanein working with the emergency services at the Health Ministry said Jendeya was brought dead to a hospital at 02:00 a.m. local time, along with two others seriously injured with shrapnel on their bodies.
PM: PNA may stop West Bank security plan if Israel continues raid
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Wednesday threatened to retreat a security plan if Israel continued its raids in West Bank cities.
"The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) may draw back the security plan that it implements in the Palestinian towns if Israel steps up its aggressive acts," Fayyad told reporters in Ramallah.
The escalation of Israeli raids, which include detentions and shutting down charities, "coincided with the start of the security plan that aims at serving the citizens," Fayyad said.