Asia-Middle East Dialogue opens in Egyptian Red Sea resort
By Xinhua
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : The second Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED) opened on Saturday in Egyptian Red Searesort Sharm el-Sheikh in order to foster dialogue and strengthen cooperation between the two regions in political, economic, cultural and scientific fields.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit opened the dialogue as the host of the meeting as well as the new Chairman of the Dialogue, which was attended by foreign ministers, representatives and senior officials from 50 Asian and Middle east countries.
Arab media forum to kick off in Kuwait April 6
By NNN-KUNA
Kuwait : Under the auspicious of His Highness the Primer Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, the 5th Session of the Arab Media Forum, themed "Positive media dialogue between East and West," will kick off here on April 6.
Secretary General of the Arab Media Forum Madhi Al-Khamees told KUNA on Saturday that a number of politicians, Arab and foreign media figures will participate in the two-day session, namely the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.
‘World in grip of food crisis’
By IANS
Sharjah : Amid a continued global shortage of food supply because of severe droughts in several countries and with grain being diverted to biofuel production, the world is in the grip of a food crisis, WAM news agency reported Monday citing a UAE daily editorial.
"The pressure is visible on the streets already with protests against food prices increasing and governments around the world responding with often counterproductive controls on prices and exports," the Gulf Today wrote on its editorial Sunday.
Malaysian wildlife officials save wok-bound monitor lizards
By DPA
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian wildlife officers seized 222 endangered clouded monitor lizards believed to be bound for cooking pots at restaurants in neighbouring countries, a news report said Monday.
Six officers from the wildlife department in the central state of Pahang were conducting random checks at an oil palm estate late Saturday when they discovered the lizards, said state wildlife director Saharudin Anan.
He said the lizards were bought from locals as well as Indonesian workers who would trap them at the plantation.
Iraq outlook grim, says US think tank
By Xinhua
Washington : A new report released Sunday by a Washington think tank offered a grim outlook of Iraq.
The report from the US Institute of Peace concluded that political progress in Iraq has been "so slow, halting and superficial, and social and political fragmentation so pronounced, that the US is no closer to being able to leave Iraq than it was a year ago".
"Lasting political development could take five to 10 years of full, unconditional US commitment to Iraq," it said.
The report also came up with some proposals on how the US could reduce its presence in Iraq.
Afghanistan, Pakistan will fight extremists together: Karzai
By SPA
Kabul : Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai on Sunday expressed confidence that his government would work closely with the new Pakistani Prime Minister to fight extremism plaguing both countries, Pakistan's English Daily "The News" reported.
"There is no doubt that continuation of the war on terrorism is a priority for Afghanistan and there is no doubt that Pakistan suffers at the hands of terrorism," Karzai told a press conference.
Iran installing 3,000 new centrifuges
By DPA
Tehran : Iran has started to install 3,000 new centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear plant in central Iran, the website of state television network IRIB quoted President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as saying Tuesday.
"Last year our scientists installed 3,000 centrifuges in Natanz and we entered the phase of uranium enrichment at industrial level and today we have started the installation of 3,000 new centrifuges," the IRIB website quoted Ahmadinejad as saying.
Also, the ISNA news agency reported the installation of only 3,000 new centrifuges.
Gaza power plant warns its fuel can last two days
By SPA
Gaza City, Gaza Strip : The Director of Gaza's only power plant says he'll have to shut it down in two to three days unless Israel resumes fuel shipments.
Israel halted supplies after an attack on fuel depot on the Gaza-Israel border last week which killed two Israeli workers, the Associated Press reported.
The power plant's fuel reserves have been low in recent months, after Israel restricted fuel supplies in hopes of forcing halt to rocket attacks from Gaza.
Iran preparing package to help resolve world problems: FM
By IRNA,
Tehran : Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Sunday that Iran is preparing a package to help resolve the regional and international problems.
He made the remarks in a joint press conference with his visiting counterpart from the Philippines, Alberto Romulo.
"Since the Middle East region and the entire world are suffering from a variety of crises, Tehran is preparing a package to put forward for the settlement of regional and international problems and present it publicly," Mottaki noted.
LAS head to hold talks with Lebanese leaders
By IRNA-Itar-Tass
Beirut : Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS) Amr Moussa on Wednesday will hold talks with political leaders of Lebanon within the framework of a mediator mission.
The Egyptian diplomat will discuss with them a three-stage plan aimed at the Lebanese crisis settlement that was approved on Sunday, January 7, at an urgent meeting of the LAS foreign ministers in Cairo.
Olmert welcomes Bush’s call for Palestinians to end attacks against Israel
By NNN-KUNA
Ramallah : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has welcomed US President George W. Bush's call for Palestinians to abide by the Road Map plan, ending all sorts of attacks on Israel.
He told the Israeli cabinet Sunday that he and Bush focused during their talks on the two-state solution, indicating that any future plans must include the Gaza Strip which is controlled by the Hamas movement.
Olmert called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to end the Hamas control of Gaza in accordance with the Road Map peace plan.
Musharraf chairs meeting of Caretaker Sindh Cabinet
By NNN-APP
Karachi : President Pervez Musharraf has ruled out the formation of a national government or any change of date for the upcoming general elections in the country.
He was chairing a meeting of the Caretaker Sindh Cabinet at the Chief Minister House here on Monday.
Syria astonished over Bush’s statements on Palestinian right of return
By Xinhua
Damascus : Syria expressed on Tuesday its astonishment over U.S. President George W. Bush's recent statements that was said to "cancel" the Palestinian right of return, the official SANA news agency reported.
"According to the international law, the American president doesn't have a right to annul an international resolution that guarantees and preserves the right of return of the Palestinian refugees," SANA quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying.
Fresh Israeli airstrike kills two Palestinians
By Xinhua
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed and three wounded on Wednesday evening in a fresh Israeli airstrike on a car in central Gaza Strip, medics and eyewitnesses reported.
Witnesses said that an Israeli aircraft struck a car near al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, in which three militants were believed to be riding, killing two and wounding several others.
They also said that shortly after the first strike, the Israeli aircraft fired another missile at the same area, which also caused casualties.
Malaysia condemns Israel’s blockade of Gaza
By Xinhua
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday condemned Israel's blockade of Gaza and its closing of all border crossings between Israel and the Palestinian territory.
"The blockade has exacerbated the already worsening humanitarian crisis in the area and this will cause a humanitarian catastrophe," the prime minister said in a statement.
UN Official Criticizes Israel Bans
By Prensa Latina
United Nations : UN Special Secretary for Religious Freedom Asma Jahangir condemned Israel on Monday for imposing "discriminatory and arbitrary" restrictions on Muslim and Christian access to sacred places.
The expert in human rights affairs spoke on the matter after concluding a visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Report: White House criticizes envoy over Iran
By Xinhua
Washington : The White House has expressed anger about an appearance in which U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad sat beside the Iranian foreign minister at a panel of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Saturday, the New York Times reported Wednesday.
Khalilzad was still in Europe and could not be reached for comment. His spokesman, Richard A. Grenell, characterized Khalilzad's appearance beside Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki as "just a multilateral conversation with the moderator."
Israeli airstrike targeting rocket crew in Gaza wounds 2 militants
By Xinhua
Gaza : Two Palestinian militants were wounded early Saturday as an Israeli airstrike hit the group of militants who were preparing for firing home-made rockets into southern Israel from northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical sources said.
"The two men were taken to Beit Hanoun hospital and then transferred to another hospital in Jabaliya refugee camp," said Mu' awia Hassanein, director of ambulance and emergency department at the health ministry.
The two sustained moderate injuries, he added.
Israel tightens West Bank security following suicide-bombing threats
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Israeli army imposed blockade on a West Bank city for the second day which aimed to thwart possible suicide attacks on the Jewish state, Palestinian security sources said on Monday.
The security sources said that Israeli army prevented men under 35 years old from leaving Jenin city in northern West Bank and tightened procedures on the checkpoints.
Israel said the closure was imposed following alerts that members of the Islamic Jihad movement in Jenin plan to carry out suicide attacks on Israel.
Fear is palpable, as Pakistanis prepare for elections
By Zofeen T. Ebrahim, IANS
Karachi : In the elite drawing rooms of Pakistan's largest city, they are whispering to each other to stock up on kitchen items in case the situation gets "really ugly" in these days ahead of elections in the country.
The undercurrent of fear is palpable with some going on to say that the Dec 27 violence, which killed former prime minister and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto, was just a "trailer of things to come". And that election day Feb 18 may bring a wave of violence - not terror related but politically motivated.
Discovery of 140 kg of explosives in Turkey
By KUNA
Istanbul : Turkish authorities found on Thursday over 140 kilograms of explosives in town of Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey.
Turkish security forces found about 140 kilogram of C-4 explosives in the Kurdish majority city of Hazro, near Diyarbakir town, noting that the explosives were hidden in an agricultural land and was discovered in a combing operation was executed in region, Turkish Chief of Staff said.
The authorities also found grenades and bombs manufacturing materials, adding that explosives experts deactivated the bombs and evacuated the area.
Pakistani President willing to work with any PM
By NNN-Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said Monday that he was willing to work with any Prime Minister and party that would form the government.
Talking to reporters after casting his vote at a polling station at Bhindara School in Rawalpindi, Musharraf said whichever party won in the general election would form the government.
Musharraf said he remained committed to the policy of political reconciliation in the larger interest of the country.
Iran, Tajikistan to broaden media cooperation
By NNN-Bernama
Dushanbe : Iranian Ambassador to Tajikistan Ali Asghar Sherdoust has called for Iran and Tajikistan to develop media cooperation especially in Persian, the common language of the two nations, Iranian news agency (Irna) reported.
He told reporters that the ground is now well prepared for expansion of all out media cooperation between the two countries.
Following agreements between Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan for launching a Persian language TV station, the preliminaries have been done and the joint programme will be aired in the future.
Fallujah, once hotbed of Sunni rebellion, rejects new Iraqi flag
By DPA
Baghdad : The new Iraqi flag - purged of references to former president Saddam Hussein - has been rejected by the local council of the western Iraqi town of Fallujah, once the centre of insurgency in the so-called Sunni triangle, a city councillor said Wednesday.
Fallujah was the centre of command for Sunni Arab insurgents and loyalists of Saddam's defunct Baath Party until a massive offensive by over 10,000 US and Iraqi troops flushed out rebellion in the city and the then restive Anbar province.
Efforts to continue for restoration of judiciary’s supremacy in Pakistan: Nawaz Sharif
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Chief of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said efforts will continue for restoration of supremacy of judiciary in the country.
Addressing a rally organized by the lawyers and members of civil societies here near Judicial Colony on Thursday, he said judiciary will be made independent with the joint efforts and help of people.
Israel arrests 17 Palestinians in West Bank raids
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Israeli forces stormed several towns in West Bank and arrested 17 Palestinians, Palestinian security sources said on Wednesday.
In Nablus city, the army detained four residents, claiming they were wanted by Israel.
According to witnesses, Israeli special forces entered the city and opened fire at the four residents and arrested them.
A witness, called Mohammed Eiliwi, said the undercover forces stopped their mini-bus taxi, approached to another Palestinian car and opened fire on the four, who were inside the car.
Turkish delegation arrives in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A delegation of senior officials from the Turkish foreign ministry arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday to discuss the tension on the Iraqi-Turkish border, an Iraqi foreign ministry official said.
"I can confirm that the Turkish delegation of senior officials of the Turkish Foreign Ministry is in Baghdad," the official said on condition of anonymity.
"The Turkish delegation is now holding a meeting with the Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and a group of his senior ministry officials," the source said.
Agreement reached with PPP on most of issues: Sharif
By APP
New Delhi : There is agreement on most of the issues including restoration of 1973 Constitution between Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Group) and Pakistan Peoples Party.
In an interview with “Hindustan Times” published on Wednesday, Nawaz Sharif while describing the removal of judges as an ugly development, said his party, the civil society and many other parties had committed to the people that if “we come to power, we will restore the judiciary to the November 2, 2007 position. Democracy isn’t possible without the judiciary’s independence.”
Iraq’s Islamic official calls for autonomous Shia region
By DPA
Baghdad : A senior official of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq Ammar al-Hakim Wednesday called for the creation of an autonomous Shia region to help quell the ethnic conflict in Iraq.
"We strongly believe in the efficiency and significance of founding the autonomous region," al-Hakim said ahead of the Shiite religious gathering to commemorate Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Muslim prophet Mohammed, in Karbala, some 100 km south of Baghdad.
US does not intervene in Palestinian damages lawsuit
By SPA
Washington : The Bush administration on Friday declined a request from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to intervene to stop compensation payments in legal cases won by the families of American victims of Palestinian violence, U.S. officials said.
“We are declining the statement of interest in this case,” said State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey.
Under the U.S. legal system, the president can decide in cases of national strategic importance “to declare an interest” in a court case and call for a lawsuit to be dropped.
1 killed, 29 injured in suicide blast in Pakistan’s tribal area
By Xinhua
Islamabad : One person was killed and 29 others were injured Saturday when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle in the convoy of the security force in Pakistan's tribal area.
The official APP news agency reported that the convoy of the security force was heading towards Jar area from Khar, headquarters of the Bajaur Agency when the a bomber rammed his vehicle into the convoy, killing one security man and injuring 29 others.
Kuwaiti official receives Timor Leste’s acting President in Australia
By NNN-KUNA
Sydney : Advisor at the Kuwaiti Premier's Diwan Sheikh Dr. Salem Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received Timor Leste's acting President Fernando Lasama on Saturday in Australia's Darwin province.
While lauding overall bilateral ties, Lasama expressed heartfelt gratitude for Kuwaiti leadership's wishes of speedy recovery to ailed Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, who is currently being treated at the Royal Darwin Hospital.
UN Secretary-General condemns Israeli crimes in Gaza
By IRNA
New York : United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday condemned Israeli violence against civilians living in Gaza.
Addressing the Security Council, he condemned Israeli indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza Strip residential areas.
He said that Israel has made "disproportionate and excessive use of force against civilians.
The international community mounted pressure on the Security Council to begin emergency talks on what the member states describe as Israeli systematic genocide against Palestinians.
British Army investing defective shell death of woman and three children in Iraq
By NNN-KUNA
London : The British Army is investigating claims that a defective shell fired by British troops killed an Iraqi woman and injured three children, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
The illumination round is understood to have been fired in response to a militant rocket attack in Basra, but may have malfunctioned.
The MoD said Wednesday it learned of the casualties with "great regret and sadness." An MoD spokesman said it was investigating the incident, which happened last Sunday, with Basra police.
Turkey launches air strikes against rebels in N Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Turkey launched air strikes Tuesday night on rebel targets in northern Iraq, an Iraqi security source said on Wednesday.
Turkish warplane targeted the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in the Sidekan area of Arbil province, but no casualties had been reported, the source said on conditional of anonymity.
The latest strikes came about a week after Turkey wrapped up across-border ground military operation going after the PKK members.
Suicide car bombing kills four policemen in Iraq
By Xinhua
Mosul (Iraq) : At least four policemen were killed and 17 others wounded in a suicide car bomb attack Friday morning on a police station in Mosul, capital of the Nineveh province in northern Iraq, police said.
The attack took place at about 7:00 a.m. when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into the Waqqass police station in the centre of city and blew it up, Nineveh police spokesman said.
The powerful blast partially destroyed the police station's building as well as several other buildings nearby, he said.
Negotiations on TAP pipeline to be held in Islamabad
By SPA
Islamabad : Negotiations on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) gas pipeline project will be held in Islamabad on April 22 and 23, officials said.
Turkmenistan would present a third-party certification of its gas reserves during the talks.
Turkmenistan claims to have gas reserves of 159 trillion cubic feet (TCF) at its Daulatabad fields, but Pakistan wants a third-party certification. Issues of project structure, security problems in Afghanistan, transit fee and gas pricing would be also discussed, officials said.
Musharraf discusses Zardari-Nawaz decision on judges
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Monday discussed with his legal aides options before him after two major parties, set to form the next government, resolved to restore judges sacked by him.
Officials said that members of the caretaker cabinet, including Prime minister Muhammadmian Soomro, Attorney General Malik Abdul Qayyum and others met in the presidency to discuss the situation after the two-party coalition announcement on the issue.
Hamas: discussions on border reopening made headway
By Xinhua
Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement on Thursday said discussions on reopening a crossing point between Egypt and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip have made progress.
"An essential progress was made in the talks between Hamas and the Egyptian officials regarding Rafah crossing," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.
A final agreement, however, on the mechanisms of running the passage was not reached, he said.
Afghan troops kill 3 militants, wound 9 in south
By NNN-Xinhua
Kabul : Afghan troops killed three militants and injured another six in southern Afghan province of Zabul on Wednesday, said an official on Thursday.
"Clashes between Afghan troops and militants in Deh Chopan district of Zabul province left three militants dead and six others injured," Fazal Haudi, the district chief told Xinhua.
Conflicts and Taliban-related violence claimed around 8,000 lives last year, according to a latest-released UN figure.
Prosecutor moves to outlaw Turkey’s ruling party
By DPA
Ankara : Turkey's ruling party could be closed down and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan banned from politics after a top prosecutor announced Friday that he had opened a case at the constitutional court to have the party banned for allegedly undermining the state's secular nature.
PPP names Gillani as its PM nominee
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan's leading political party Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Saturday nominated Yousuf Raza Gillani as its prime ministerial nominee, according to local TV channels.
The announcement was made in a statement issued to the media by the PPP.
Musharraf pledges support for new government
Islamabad, March 23 (Xinhua) Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf said Sunday that he would support the newly elected government.
Speaking at a military parade on the 68th Pakistan Day here, Musharraf said the new government would continue the fight against terrorism and work for economic development and political harmony.
"Pakistan has no aggressive designs against anyone. But we will maintain deterrence," he said.
At least 25 killed, dozens injured in clashes in Basra
By DPA
Baghdad : At least 25 people were killed in Iraq Tuesday, including civilians and members of Mahdi militia, and dozens others were wounded in ongoing heavy fighting between the Iraqi forces and militants in the southern city of Basra, security sources said.
The sources said that al-Sadr hospital admitted more than 50 of the injured, most of them Iraqi troops and police officers. Sixteen bodies were also taken to the facility.
Pakistani officials hold successful talks with tribesmen
By SPA
Islamabad : Government authorities successful negotiations with tribesmen led to the release of the hijacked Pak-Afghan Friendship bus Wednesday, officials said.
The Zakhakhel tribesmen had hijacked the bus and made hostage forty passengers of the near Zakhakhel area (Landi Kotal) early Wednesday morning.
UN-assisted refugee repatriation in South Sudan tops 100,00
By NNN-UNNS
Khartoum : More than 100,000 people who fled the decades-long civil war in southern Sudan have returned home to restart their lives in a repatriation programme that began after the signing of a 2005 peace agreement, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday.
Maliki: some Shiite militants worse than al-Qaida
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Saturday said some militias of his Shiite sect was worse than al-Qaida terrorists, while the Mahdi Army militants refused to give up.
"Unfortunately, when we were talking about al-Qaida, among us there are those who are worse than al-Qaida," he said at a meeting with tribal leaders in Basra which was broadcast by the state broadcaster al-Iraqiya.
Egyptian FM calls for more co-op between Asia, Mideast
By Xinhua
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit here on Saturday called for more cooperation between Asia and Mideast to achieve a better future for the two regions.
Abul Gheit made the remarks in his address at the second Ministerial Meeting of Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED), expecting this meeting to boost cooperation and development of the two regions.
Graphic warnings on Malaysian cigarette packs soon
By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : Cigarette packs in Malaysia will soon have graphic pictorial and text warnings on the dangers of smoking to discourage the habit, said Health Minister Liow Tiong.
He said images were more effective than words as the impression would last longer, The Sun daily reported Monday.
"Pictures of the hazards caused by smoking, such as damaged lungs and bad teeth, will be used on cigarette packs. We feel that by putting pictures, we will be able to send a more alarming warning to consumers," he told the media Sunday.
U.S.: six nations to renew talks on Iran’s nuclear issue
By Xinhua
Washington : Officials from the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany are due to meet later this month in a bid to renew their efforts to make Iran halt its sensitive nuclear work, the State Department said on Monday.
"I can only narrow it down to mid-April. We're going to wait, we're going to let our hosts announce the meeting," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
The spokesman did not offer more details of the meeting, including who will host the talks.
NATO soldier killed in southern Afghanistan
By SPA
Kabul, Afghanistan : An explosion hit a NATO patrol in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, killing one soldier and wounding another, the alliance said.
The troops were patrolling in Ghazni province, NATO's International Security Assistance Force said in a statement. No details were given about the explosion or the troops' nationalities.
In the western province of Herat, Taliban attacked a checkpoint Monday in Shindand district, killing two police officers and wounding another, said Rauf Ahmadi, spokesman for the western region police.
Yemeni University announces AIDS remedy
By NNN-SABA
Sana'a : Chairman of the Iman University Abdul Majeed al-Zindani has announced his university readiness to treat HIV-affected people.
The announcement was made at a press conference on the sidelines of the first international health conference that coincided with the sixth medical forum held recently in Yemen.
Al-Zindani said that after twenty years of search he and a medical team could produce a medication that will help cure the HIV- affected people.
He added the medication was produced under the supervision of the University of Abdul Aziz Bin Saud.
Four women, child killed in Afghan anti-Taliban raid
By DPA,
Kabul : Four women and one child were killed by US-led coalition forces during an operation in southern Afghanistan, in which several militants were also killed, the military said Friday.
The operation targeted a Taliban militant "known to coordinate foreign fighter operations" in Giro district of southern Ghazni province Thursday, a US military statement said.
Musharraf impeachment motion to be moved next week
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's ruling coalition will table the impeachment motion against President Pervez Musharraf in the lower house of the parliament next week, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said Tuesday.
She said that the charge sheet against the president will be completed in a day or two and after consultations between the coalition partners, will be tabled in the National Assembly.
According to Rehman, the charge sheet against the president was "very strong" but he would be given full chance to defend himself.
Tribesmen kidnap French engineer in Yemen
By DPA,
Sanaa (Yemen) : Tribesmen have abducted a French engineer of Algerian origin in south-eastern Yemen to press authorities to free three jailed fellow clansmen, tribal sources said.
The sources told DPA that the kidnappers took the man, who works for a giant gas exporting project, at gunpoint from the Habban area about 40 km from Ataq, the
provincial capital of Shabwa.
Shabwa, some 580 km south-east of the capital Sanaa, has been the scene of several kidnappings of foreigners in recent years.
17 killed in Lebanese bus explosion
By Xinhua,
Beirut : At least 17 people, including 10 army soldiers, were killed and some 40 wounded in an explosion in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli Wednesday, LBC TV reported.
The blast occurred hours before Lebanese President Michel Suleiman's arrival in Syrian capital Damascus for talks that is expected to redefine ties between the two neighbours.
The explosives were placed near a bus station in the Banks Street in Tripoli, which is mostly used by soldiers to take the bus for their service posts, the reports said.
Lebanon President to Visit Syria
By Prensa Latina,
Beirut : Lebanese President Michel Suleiman condemned a lethal blast that killed 18 and left 40 wounded at the port city of Tripoli and lashed at terrorist threats.
Invited by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, this 48-hour official visit to Syria is the first since the 2005 military withdrawal under a bilateral accord and a Security Council Resolution.
The bilateral agenda includes establishing diplomatic ties which the respective presidents agreed at the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean on July, 13, 2008.
Oman sets up team to survey uses of mercury, mercury-containing products
By Xinhua,
Abu Dhabi : The Omani government has set up a working team to conduct a comprehensive survey about the uses of mercury and the products containing mercury now in circulation in the country, the English newspaper Oman Daily Observer reported Saturday.
The team formed by the Omani Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs consists of staff from various state departments and private organizations concerned with the management of chemical substances, the report said.
Up to six people killed in Baghdad car bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll from a car bomb explosion targeting Shiite pilgrims in northeastern Baghdad on Saturday rose to six, with ten others injured, an Interior Ministry source said.
"Our latest reports said that six people were killed and ten others wounded by the car bomb blast in the Shaab neighborhood," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
US-Pakistan cooperation will continue: Rice
By Xinhua,
Washington : The US will continue to work with the Pakistani government, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said after President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation Monday.
Rice thanked Musharraf, a key US counter-terrorism ally, for his help in the fight against Al Qaeda.
Musharraf, who took power in 1999 in a military coup, announced his decision to step down in a televised speech to the nation earlier in the day.
Iran condemns terroristic act in Algiers
By IRNA,
Tehran : Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi strongly condemned terroristic acts in Algiers suburb in which tens of people were killed.
According to the report of Foreign Ministry Media Department on Wednesday, Qashqavi called such actions which aim innocent citizens 'inhuman'.
He condoled with Algerian people and government and wished fast recovery for injured of the incident.
US, Iraq negotiating details on forces agreement
By DPA,
Washington : US and Iraqi officials are working on the details of an agreement to establish a legal basis for the presence of US soldiers after the end of this year, the White House said Friday.
"We are in the process of working out details right now," said Gordon Johndroe, a White House spokesman. "There are still discussions ongoing."
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in Iraq Thursday, holding several hours of talks on the broader military and political agreement with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.
Tehran to respond to IAEA within its commitments – IAEO
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Tehran will give its response to the remaining questions raised by the United Nations nuclear watchdog in line with its commitments, Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation (IAEO) deputy head Mohammad Saeedi said.
Speaking to reporters here Sunday, he said Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is systematic based on regulations of the Safeguards Agreement.
He said that Iran-IAEA cooperation is normal and will continue in the future.
At least 95 killed in sectarian clashes in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 95 people were killed and about 200 injured in the weekend sectarian clashes in Pakistan's tribal region along the Afghan border, media reports said Monday.
Heavily armed fighters from rival Shia Toori and Sunni Bangash tribes targeted each other's positions Sunday with missiles, rockets and assault rifles across the tribal district of Kurram Agency.
N Lebanon clashes kill one Imam, wound three others
By Xnhua,
Beirut : A gun battle between Sunni Muslims and Alawites in a north Lebanon village mosque on Sunday left one Imam killed and three others wounded, Local Naharnet website reported Monday.
Automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades were used in the fighting in the village of Sheikhlar, which left Imam Ezzedine Qassem killed and was "triggered by dispute between villagers," the report said.
Security officials said that rescue workers had not been unable to enter because of the intensity of the fighting at the time, the report added.
Zardari wins majority in Pakistan’s presidential election
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday won majority in the presidential election, according to an unofficial result.
Zardari, widower of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, secured 281 votes from the national parliament and has secured about 460 votes altogether from the total number of 702 votes though the rest of votes in eastern Punjab province is not announced yet.
The PPP members and Zardari's two daughters began to chant slogans and celebrate Zardari's victory in the parliament house.
UNHCR press conference in Tehran
By IRNA,
Tehran : Director General of the Bureau for Alliance and Foreign Immigrants Affairs (BAFIA) Seyyed Taqi Ghaemi and the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres held a press conference in the BAFIA Office in Tehran.
Addressing the conference, Ghaemi termed Islamic Republic as one of the biggest countries in term of accepting the refugees.
"Establishing peace and security will pave the way for the voluntary repatriation of the refugees," Iranian official said.
Zardari promises ‘good news’ on Kashmir before Indian elections
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's new President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday said he would have "some good news" on the Kashmir issue before India holds its next Lok Sabha elections.
The 55-year-old Zardari, once known as "Mr 10 Percent", was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar at a ceremony at the presidential palace here.
Pakistani troops kill 12 in offensive on tribal districts
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 12 people, including two civilians, were killed Tuesday as Pakistani jets and helicopter gunships pounded insurgent positions in the country's tribal areas along the Afghan border, officials said.
Thousands of troops backed by tanks and artillery pushed into the district of Bajaur, particularly in the Rashakai, Loi Sam and Tang Khata strongholds of Taliban militants and al-Qaeda-linked fighters from Central Asia, the military said.
Five U.S. soldiers killed in helicopter crash in S Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Five American soldiers were killed on Thursday when a U.S. helicopter crashed near the southern city of Basra, the U.S. military said.
A CH-47 Chinook made a hard landing about 100 km west of the country's second largest city of Basra as it was part of an aerial convoy flying from Iraq's neighboring Kuwait to Balad area, some 80 km north of Baghdad, a U.S. military statement said.
Rockets hit NATO base, killing 4 civilians in E Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Rockets targeted a base of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on Friday, killing four civilians in eastern Afghan province of Paktika, saidan ISAF statement.
Insurgents fired rockets targeting an ISAF base in Zirok district of Paktika province. But the rockets landed in a field where local women and children were working, the statement said.
"The attack killed four, including a child," it said.
EU condemns Pakistan suicide attack
By IANS,
Brussels : European Union foreign policy chief Javeir Solana Sunday condemned the suicide bomb attack that killed 53 people at the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital Islamabad Saturday.
Solana said he condemns "in the strongest possible terms the despicable bomb attack", according to EuAsiaNews.
He also expressed his sympathy to the Czech Republic on the death of its envoy Ivo Zdarek and a colleague of his in the attack.
Afghan consul general kidnapped in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Afghanistan's consul general in Pakistan Abdul Khaliq Farahi was kidnapped by armed gunmen Monday in the country's restive northwest region, state-run PTV reported.
Unidentified gunmen fired at the vehicle in which Farahi was travelling in Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province and kidnapped him, said the report.
The driver was killed at the scene by the gunmen, according to PTV.
However, private Dawn News TV channel said the driver was also kidnapped along with the consul general.
The channels did not give any more details.
Bombings kill 31 at Baghdad markets
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A string of bomb attacks on Sunday killed 31 people and wounded more than 100 at two Baghdad markets, interior ministry officials said.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the first attack took place just before dusk in southwestern Baghdad's 4th Shura neighborhood.
A parked minibus with explosives went off in the busy market, where residents were picking food for the meal that breaks the daily fast in the Muslim fasting holy month of Ramadan, they said.
US troops kill mastermind of Al Qaeda in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : US troops killed an Al Qaeda leader believed to be involved in some deadly bombings in Baghdad and shooting a Russian diplomat in 2006, the US military said Saturday.
Mahir Ahmad al-Zubaydi, also known as Abu Assad or Abu Rami, was killed along with an unidentified female when US soldiers raided his house in Baghdad's Sunni neighbourhood of Adhamiyah Friday, a military statement said.
Iran-Iraq educational coopration to expand
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Education ministers of Iran and Iraq here on Monday stressed the need to expand cooperation in the education sector.
Iranian Minister Ali Reza Ali Ahmadi said that his country is ready to cooperate with Iraq in building schools as well as in the technical and vocational fields.
Stating that Iran has a history of 150 years of education, he further said that education is based on scholastic schedule and Iran is prepared to make its experiences in the field available to its neighbor.
More Kuwaiti firms take part in Iraq reconstruction
By IANS,
Dubai : An increasing number of Kuwaiti firms are taking part in the massive reconstruction programme being carried out in war-torn Iraq.
Iraq's Minister for Housing and Reconstruction Bayan Dizayee has signed a package of high-profile deals with major Kuwaiti firms to implement reconstruction projects across various Iraqi provinces, reports the state-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
The signed deals involve apartment buildings, infrastructure projects and import of construction materials, the minister was quoted as telling reporters in Kuwait.
Solana affirms EU will help boost Israeli-Syrian peace efforts
By KUNA,
Damascus : A visiting senior official of the European Union affirmed on Thursday that the Israeli-Syrian track of negotiations is basic in the overall Middle East peace process and expressed hope that some progress would be achieved on this particular path.
The EU is seeking with all possibe means to push forward the efforts on this track, said the High Representative of the European Union Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, in a statement after meeting with Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moallem.
Two Turkish engineers kidnapped in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Two Turkish engineers were kidnappedin Afghanistan, a Turkish official said on Saturday.
Burak Ozugergin, spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, onsaid that the engineers were kidnapped while working on the construction of a radio station on the Afghan-Pakistani border approximately two days ago.
The driver and translator of the two engineers were also reported as being kidnapped, said Ozugergin.
Turkish authorities are in touch with their Afghan counterparts to find the kidnapped engineers, added Ozugergin.
Syrian FM, British Foreign Secretary to work for stability in region
By NNN-SANA,
London : Official talks were held here between Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband followed by a working lunch, during which both sides discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region.
The talks Monday concentrated on the US aggression on Syrian lands carried out Sunday that claimed the lives of a number of Syrian civilians, the latest developments in Lebanon, Iraq, the peace process and cooperation on combating terrorism.
Militants, not India, Pakistan’s biggest threat: Obama
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has said that the US needs to convince Pakistan's "fledgling democratic government" that its "biggest threat" is not India but militants within its own borders.
"Well, I am concerned about it," he told CNN in an interview Saturday when asked if he was worried about the stability of Pakistan under its new democratic dispensation with Al Qaeda seemed to be going after the new leadership.
Iran urges change in US int’l approach
By IRNA,
Tehran : Government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham said here Wednesday that the US president-elect Barack Obama should strive to rebuild the international image of the United States and remove the world's lack of confidence in Washington.
Obama won the 2008 US presidential election, defeating John McCain, and will be sworn in as the first African-American to hold the nation's highest office.
He expressed hope that Obama would make fundamental changes in the US approach regarding international issues.
Pakistan calls for halt to U.S. spy plane cross-border attack
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has urged, in his address to top NATO military generals, for a halt to U.S drone missile strikes within the Pakistani territory.
Kayani made the appeal while addressing the military committee of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in Brussels at the invitation of Admiral Giampaolo Di Paolo, Chairman of NATO's Military Committee, according to a statement issued by the Pakistani army Wednesday.
Iran warns of Persian Gulf blockade if attacked
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran has again warned that it would blockade the oil export route in the Persian Gulf if its nuclear sites were attacked, Iranian media reported Saturday.
"We are capable of blockading the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf and whoever does not believe this should ... see what happens in reality," Navy Commander Admiral Habibollah Sayari said.
Australian PM calls for calm between India, Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Canberra : Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Sunday called for calm between India and Pakistan following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai for which New Delhi has blamed "some elements in Pakistan".
"What is called (for) is calm between Islamabad and New Delhi in what could be a very difficult period ahead," he said in a statement.
Rudd said terrorism was the enemy of all civilised people.
Clash leaves 10 militants killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)and the U.S.-led Coalition forces during two separate operations Tuesday killed 10 insurgents in war-torn Afghanistan, said Coalition statements released here on Wednesday.
ANSF and Coalition forces were conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol when they were engaged by militants from multiple fighting positions using small-arms, indirect and rocket fire in Nad Ali district of southern Afghan province of Helmand, the statement said.
Israeli siege only reinforces Gazans’ determination, UK author
By IRNA,
London : British author and broadcaster Alan Hart has castigated the Israeli policy of collective punishment against the Palestinians in Gaza but warned that it will prove to be counterproductive.
"Everything Israel has done since its creation has been counter- productive," said Hart, who is a specialist on the Middle East.
"All the siege will do is to only reinforce the Gazans' determination," he said.
Rice in Pakistan to discuss Indo-Pak tension
By KUNA,
Islamabad : The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, arrived here on Thursday to press Islamabad to extend all possible cooperation to New Delhi on the Mumbai terror attacks.
She was holding a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, and official sources told KUNA that the talks would mainly cover renewed tension in relations between India and Pakistan.
EU court annuls freeze of Iranian group’s assets
By DPA,
Luxembourg : The European Court of First Instance Thursday annulled an asset freeze wrongly imposed by the European Union (EU) on the People's Mujahedin of Iran (PMI), an organisation that seeks to bring democracy to Iran.
The decision follows two previous rulings in which the Luxembourg courts said the EU was wrong to keep the PMI's assets frozen, despite the group being taken off a British list of terrorist organisations.
Founded in 1965, the PMI operated a military wing in its early years, but says it renounced violence in June 2001.
Pakistan should invoke nuclear deterrence: Analyst
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan should invoke its nuclear deterrence in the wake of the "hyped escalation" that has followed the Mumbai terror attacks - and also organise candlelight vigils throughout the country in memory of those who died in the strikes, an analyst of energy geopolitics has said.
"The imperatives of mature statesmanship required Pakistan to not only not blink in the face of this hyped escalation, but come up with its own level of escalation by invoking its nuclear deterrence," Zeenia Satti wrote in The News.
The article was headlined "Post-Mumbai hype".
Palestinians official confirms Abbas to meet Bush in Washington on Dec. 19
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is to meet with outgoing U. S. President George W. Bush in the White House on Dec. 19, a Palestinian official confirmed Friday.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, an aide to Abbas told reporters in Ramallah, in the West Bank that Abbas would hold "a last valedictory meeting with President Bush in the White House on Dec. 19."
Presidents Abbas and Bush held several meetings in the United States, Israel, Egypt as well as in the West Bank since Abbas succeeded late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in January 2005.
Pakistan issues coin to honour Benazir on anniversary
By IANS,
Islamabad : The State Bank of Pakistan will issue a new Rs.10 coin in honour of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto to mark the fist anniversary of her death in a suicide attack.
The central bank said it will issue about 300,000 of the commemorative coins bearing Bhutto's portrait with the words "Daughter of the East - Honourable Benazir Bhutto" inscribed in Urdu, The News reported Friday.
Spain rules out more troops for Afghanistan
By IANS,
Madrid : Spain has ruled out more troops for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) fighting the Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan but said it was considering sending peacekeepers to war-ravaged Somalia.
While ruling out out more troops for Afghanistan, Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero told reporters Friday Madrid's involvement in the South Asian country was "very measured", EFE reported Saturday.
The prime minister was responding to reporters' questions during a press conference at the Moncloa Palace.
Malaysian Catholic weekly has to await verdict on use of ‘Allah’
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian authorities have cleared a Catholic weekly's publication but have stipulated that it must await a court verdict on the use of the word "Allah" on its masthead before it can resume printing.
The weekly, Herald, must say it is meant for Christians only and must be distributed only in churches. It should also not publish in the official language Bahasa Malaysia, the Home Ministry said while approving its annual printing permit.
Israeli strike on Gaza mosque kills 11
By DPA,
Gaza City : An Israeli airstrike on a mosque in the northern Gaza Strip late Saturday afternoon killed 11 people and wounded 50, 24 of them seriously, Palestinian sources reported.
An Israeli military spokesman had no immediate comment on the report, which comes on the eighth day of an Israeli offensive, mainly conducted through aerial attacks on the Gaza Strip.
A second airstrike on Rafah, at the southern end of the Strip, killed four people, Palestinians said, bringing the death toll from Israeli operations Saturday to 19 Palestinians.
Dead between 580 and 600 people in Gaza — ICRC
By KUNA,
Geneva : ICRC Director of Operations Pierre Krahenbuhl said that the widely reported figures for the dead in Gaza stood between 580 and 600 and the wounded at 3,000.
He described the situation in Gaza for the civilians as unsustainable and added that the ICRC is dealing with a full blown humanitarian crisis and that the situation has become intolerable.
"It is critical at this point that the parties to the conflict keep civilians out of the firing line, direct attacks against civilians are prohibited and the same applies to indiscriminate attacks," he added.
US strike in Pakistan killed four top Al-Qaeda men: Report
By DPA,
Washington : A Jan 1 strike from an unmanned US drone in Pakistan killed four top al-Qaeda operatives, including a suspect in both last year's Islamabad hotel attack and the 1998 truck bombings against US embassies in Africa, the Washington Post reported on its website early Friday.
The report cited US counter-terrorism officials with access to secret reports, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Bush hails ‘non-communal democracy’ in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : Outgoing US President George W. Bush called up newly-sworn in Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to congratulate her on her victory and hailed the recent polls for ushering in "a non-communal democracy" in the country.
Hasina in turn emphasised the need to evolve a "joint initiative to fight terrorism in South Asia".
Bush telephoned Hasina late Saturday to congratulate her on her "huge victory".
She told Bush that terrorism was "one of the main problems in South Asia", New Age newspaper said quoting an official announcement.
Landmark changes proposed in Pakistan’s constitution
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's constitution could see revolutionary changes with the country's provinces being given greater autonomy and the federal government responsible only for defence, foreign affairs and finance if a bill on this clears parliament.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Monday filed the draft bill with the National Assembly secretariat to remove the controversial 17th Amendment that had been enacted at former president Pervez Musharraf's behest and to loosen the federal government's control over the provinces.
Hamas to pay compensation to war victims
By DPA,
Gaza City : The radical Islamic organisation Hamas said Thursday it would begin Sunday making cash payments to victims of the recent Israeli military offensive against the Gaza Strip.
Taher al Nuni, spokesman for the Hamas-led government in the Strip, said families of those killed in the offensive would receive 1,000 euros, while the wounded would each receive 500 euros.
Owners of destroyed homes would receive 4,000 euros to help rebuilding work, and those whose homes were damaged would receive 2,000 euros.
17 killed in US drone attacks in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least six suspected Al Qaeda members and 11 local militants were killed Friday as US drones fired around a half dozen missiles at two militant hideouts in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan, intelligence officials said.
Three Hellfire missiles targeted a house in the Zirki area of Mir Ali in the tribal district of South Waziristan, a known sanctuary for Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters launching cross-border attacks on international forces in Afghanistan.
Second batch of Chilean aid to Gaza arrives in Jordan
By Xinhua,
SANTIAGO : The second batch of humanitarian aid from Chile arrived Tuesday in Jordan and will be sent to Gaza soon, according to local media reports.
"We are providing the aid to people who suffered the (Israeli) raids in Gaza," Jose Miguel de la Cruz, the Chilean ambassador to Palestine, said while delivering the relief material to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization.
BBC chief must resign over Gaza aid ban, says petition
By IRNA,
London : A petition has been presented to the BBC’s Aberdeen office in northern Scotland calling for the resignation of director general Mark Thompson in the latest public protest against the refusal by the broadcaster to show a coordinated appeal for Gaza aid.
The demand was hand in during a protest against the continuing ban outside the Aberdeen offices on Wednesday organised by the UK’s largest peace group network, Stop the War Coalition (STWC).
India yet to receive Pakistan’s response on 26/11: Pranab
By IANS,
Kolkata : India is yet to receive an official response on the dossier it has given to Pakistan on the Mumbai terror strikes, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here Saturday. "I am yet to receive any official communication from Islamabad so far," Mukherjee told reporters.
Mukherjee was responding to Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's comment Friday that its probe report on the November terror mayhem would be made public either on Monday or Tuesday.
At least 32 killed in Iraq suicide attack
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : At least 32 pilgrims were killed and 55 others injured in a suicide attack south of the Iraqi capital Friday, a police source said.
According to the source, a female suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest exploded herself among a procession of Shia pilgrims in Mussayab, 44 km south of Baghdad.
Most of the victims were women and children, said the official who wanted not to be named as he was not authorised to disclose the information.
Tens of thousands of Shia pilgrims were walking to the holy city of Karbala.
Indo-Pak leaders feel war could get out of their hand: Blair
By NNN-PTI,
Washington : Leaders of nuclear-powered India and Pakistan feel that a war between the two countries could soon get out of their control resulting in "tremendous devastation" on both sides, a top Obama Administration intelligence official has said.
Testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence, said the possession of nuclear weapons by the two countries is possibly preventing the tension escalating into a war.
Pakistan reacts cautiously to South Asian anti-terror force
By IANS,
Dhaka : Pakistan has described Bangladesh's proposal for a South Asian task force to combat terrorism as "a new and good idea".
"We have discussed the issue. Right now it is just an idea. We have to discuss the subject with the concerned persons now," Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's special envoy Mirza Zia Isphahani, on a five day visit here, was quoted as saying by New Age.
The proposal was discussed at some length last week during the brief visit of Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee who welcomed the proposal.
Iran slowing down nuclear programme expansion: IAEA
By DPA,
Vienna : Iran has slowed down expanding its uranium enrichment programme, but the country still is not cooperating fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a report by the organisation said Thursday.
The report by IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei showed that since last November, only 164 additional centrifuges have started producing low-enriched uranium. Currently, 3936 such machines were operating, the report said.
Over 3,700 troops killed in Bangladesh’s liberation war
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has said 3,713 of its soldiers died during the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.
They were among the 25,505 officers and men of the Pakistan Army who joined the freedom war, a minister told parliament quoting official defence ministry statistics.
Minister of State for Liberation War Affairs Captain (retd) A.B. Tajul Islam told the house Sunday that in all 210,581 freedom fighters joined the liberation war.
Iran wants to expand ties with Iraq: Ahmadinejad
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran always wanted to expand its relations and cooperate with Iraq, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani at their summit meeting here Friday.
"We will grant Iraq all our experiences in all relevant fields and from our side, there is no limit for expanding cooperation with our friends and brothers in Iraq," Ahmadinejad told Talabani during their first round of talks, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Pakistan Air Force jet crashes, pilot killed
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A Pakistan Air Force jet Thursday crashed near the garrison city of Rawalpindi, killing the pilot, a media report said.
The Mushak jet crashed in the Pindi Gheb area of Attock district in the eastern Punjab province, the private Dawn News TV channel reported.
Details of the incident were not immediately known, it said.
Mushak is a military training aircraft used by the Pakistan Air Force, the report said.
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.
Barak orders renewal of diesel supply to Gaza
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered on Monday the renewal of diesel shipments to the Gaza Strip's power station starting on Wednesday, local media reported.
In addition to this, Israel will also allow shipments of cooking gas into the coastal area. At this point petrol and diesel fuels used for transportation needs will not be supplied, according to the report of Yedioth Ahronoth.
Cameraman among 20 killed in Gaza clashes
By ANTARA News/AFP,
Gaza City : Three Israeli soldiers and 17 Palestinians, one a cameraman for an international news agency, were killed on Wednesday as troops backed by helicopters stormed into the Gaza Strip.
Fadhil Shanaa, 25, a Reuters cameraman, was critically wounded when a missile hit his vehicle in the central Gaza Strip. He died after being taken to hospital, Dr Muawiya Hassanein, the head of Gaza emergency services, told AFP.
Two more people were killed in the air strike, medics said.
The Israeli military said it was looking into the incident.
Pakistan conducts training launch of Hatf VI (Lead)
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Monday successfully conducted the first training launch of its long-range ballistic missile Hatf VI.
"The launch was conducted by the Army Strategic Force Command and marked the culmination of a field training exercise," said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
It said the test had validated the operational readiness of a strategic missile group equipped with the Hatf-VI missile.
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.
Tehran to host 21st International Islamic Unity Conference
By IRNA,
Tehran : The 21st International Islamic Unity Conference will be held here from May 4-6.
Intellectuals, scientists and distinguished scholars and cultural figures from 45 countries, including Germany, Italy, the UK, Indonesia, Algeria, South Africa, Afghanistan, Thailand, Tatarstan, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, will attend the meeting which is to focus on Islamic unity and solidarity.
The articles to be read out at the meeting are about proximity of Islamic schools of thought and convergence of morals and cultures.
Iranian president to visit Sri Lanka
By Xinhua,
Colombo : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamadinejad will arrive at Colombo for a two-day official visit started from Monday afternoon and unveil several Iran-funded projects.
Sri Lanka's Department of Government Information said in a statement that Ahamadinejad will be welcomed at the airport by SriLankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, followed by meetings with President Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka and Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.
U.N. Envoy: National Reconciliation, Dialogue Needed in Iraq
By SPA,
United Nations : The United Nations (U.N.) under-secretary-general for political affairs, Lynn Pascoe, on Monday urged for dialogue and national reconciliation in Iraq to halt the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
Pascoe and the 15-member council discussed the secretary-general’s third report on the activity of the U.N. assistance mission in Iraq, saying: “The humanitarian situation in Iraq continues to be of great concern and provides ample evidence of the impact violence in Iraq has on civilians on a daily basis.”
Iraq supports UAE’s claim over Gulf islands
By IINA,
Abu Dhabi : Iraq has expressed its support for the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s claim over three Persian Gulf islands under Iranian control, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
In a communication to the UAE's foreign ministry, the Iraqi government reiterated its support for the Arab federation's sovereignty claim over the three islands - Tanb Al Kubra, Tanb Al Sugra and Abu Moosa.
Israelis have reservations over cease-fire agreement
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli security sources expressed reservations here Thursday over the cease-fire agreement that was worked out by Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman in Cairo yesterday with the Palestinian brigades.
Israeli radio quoted the sources saying the details of the agreement will be discussed, should Major general Suleiman come to Israel and present it to officials there.
Iran, IAEA talks to resume
By IRNA,
Vienna : Iran and the UN nuclear agency will resume talks on enhanced cooperation between the two parties, Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency has said.
Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said that the second series of discussions that started last week for three days will be resumed in the next ten days.
Iran said that the talks should be interpreted in the context of development of Iranian nuclear program citing fuel cycle and the agency's systematic monitoring.
Iraq’s first lady survives bomb attack in Baghdad
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Iraq's First Lady, Hero Ibrahim Ahmad has survived a bomb attack against her motorcade in the centre of the capital, security sources said.
Four people, including Hero's bodguards, were injured when an explosive device blasted as the motorcade passed near the building of the national theatre Sunday, a security source told KUNA.
The First Lady, wife of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, escaped injuries in the attack, the source said, adding that a number of cars in the motorcade were damaged.
Iraqis at British embassy in Baghdad claim sexual abuse
By DPA,
London : Iraqis employed at the British embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone claim to have been sexually abused, a media report has said.
According to a report by the Times Wednesday, the British Foreign Office had received complains from from an Iraqi cleaner and two cooks that a culture of sexual harassment, abuse and bullying existed at the embassy.
The accusations have been made against British employees of the US service company KBR which was responsible for catering at several embassies in Baghdad.
Fazlallah says nature of Lebanese crisis political
By NNN-IRNA,
Beirut : Lebanese Shi'a source of jurisprudence Allameh Seyyed Muhammad-Hussain Fazlallah said here Friday current Lebanese crisis in neither religious, nor ethnic, but only political.
According to IRNA from Beirut, Fazlallah who was addressing the Friday Prayer worshipers at Hasanain Mosque in a southern Beirut suburb added, "Both the Muslim and the Christian religious leaders should take extreme care not to fall preys to the ethnic disputes."
U.S. president arrives in Israel for three-day visit
By Xinhua,
Tel Aviv, Israel : U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his three-day visit...
ElBaradei to present Iran report in almost a week
By IRNA,
Vienna : International Atomic Energy Agency's Chief Mohammed ElBaradei will present his Iran report probably next weekend or earlier the week following it.
An informed source told IRNA in Vienna on Friday that the IAEA Head's report may be ready and put at the disposal of the IAEA Board of Governors' members between May 23-27.
The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the report is expected to be an ordinary one which would focus on latest developments, namely the alleged studies.
Bomb blast rocks Afghan capital, causing no casualties
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A bomb blast rocked the Afghan capital on Saturday night, but causing no casualties, deputy Kabul police chief Alishah Paktiawal said.
Paktiawal told Xinhua two bombs exploded, giving no more information.
An unnamed local police official while reached by Xinhua said the explosion occurred near a local police department in northwest part of the capital city.
Lebanese to elect new president within hours, according to Qatar-mediated deal
By NNN-KUNA,
Doha : Qatar officially announced on Wednesday that leaders of the Lebanese political parties have capped six days of thorny talks with a political settlement to the country's crisis for restoration of regular political life in the country.
UN-ESCWA to assist Yemen in seeking GCC Membership
By SPA,
Sanaa, Yemen : Executive Secretary of UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Ali Al-Dafa expressed ESCWA readiness to provide training and orientations which will facilitate the joining of Republic of Yemen to the membership of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
British serviceman killed in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
London : A British serviceman has been killed and two others injured in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said Monday. The three had been returning from operations when their vehicle was caught in a blast north of Sangin, Helmand province. It brings to 97 the number of UK troops killed in operations in the country since 2001. More than 7,000 British troops are deployed in Afghanistan, mainly in the troubled Helmand province.
GCC-EU Council hails interfaith dialogue
By IINA,
Brussels : The Joint Council for Cooperation between Gulf Cooperation Council and European Union yesterday hailed the initiative of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz to have an interfaith dialogue between all monotheistic religions. The council underscored the importance of respecting other religions and cultures and rejecting all forms of intolerance and hatred. It stressed the common determination to promote political dialogue based on mutual respect.
4,000 US troops to return home from Iraq
By DPA,
Baghdad : About 4,000 US troops, who were deployed in northern Iraq's Diyala province last year, will leave Iraq in June as part of an overall troop cut, the US military said Thursday.
The Pentagon is planning to cut troops in Iraq to about 140,000 soldiers by July after a surge that included the deployment of 30,000 extra troops to stem violence in Baghdad and surrounding areas.
The 4,000 soldiers from the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat team of the 2nd Infantry Division, will redeploy to Fort Lewis, Washington, the military said.
US to withdraw 4,000 soldiers from Iraq
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : The US Army has said that it will withdraw 4,000 of its soldiers from Iraq next June as a result of the improvement of the country's security situation.
A US Army press release Thursday said soldiers from the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat team of the 2nd Infantry Division, will redeploy to Fort Lewis base in the United States.
It said that the soldiers were deployed in the Iraqi province of Diyala in April 2007 as part of a plan to achieve security in Iraq.
Turkish warplanes attack Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq
By SPA,
Ankara : Turkish warplanes attacked several Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq on Thursday, Turkey's military said, according to AP.
No casualties were immediately reported.
The fighter jets targeted 16 rebel positions in the Hakurk region, just across the shared border, the military said in a statement posted on its Web site. It said the raids were effective and successful and that an assessment of the damage inflicted on the rebel group was under way.
Report says terrorists ready to attack Lebanon
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Terrorists have been preparing sabotage attacks in Lebanon, including assaults on UN peacekeepers, local As Safir daily reported on Monday.
Lebanese army reinforced security measures around Palestinian camps in the north and south of the country, after some Islamist officials in the southern city of Sidon received information that a "sleeping cell" based in Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian camp was instructed to leave to Iraq, said the report.
Secret deal to keep Iraq under U.S. control
By Xinhua,
London : A secret deal being negotiated in Baghdad would perpetuate the American military occupation of Iraq indefinitely, regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November, British newspaper The Independent revealed Thursday.
According to the report, the deal, details of which have been leaked to The Independent, is likely to have an explosive political effect in Iraq.
Israeli opposition moves to dissove parliament
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel's main opposition party on Tuesday set June 18 the date to introduce a bill requesting a dissolution of the current parliament and an early election which could end the premiership of scandal-enveloped Ehud Olmert.
"On June 18 we will bring forth a motion calling for the dissolution of the Knesset (parliament) in order to hurry the coming election in the most dignified way possible," local media quoted lawmaker Silvan Shalom from the Likud party as saying.
Pakistan summons U.S. envoy over coalition bombing
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan Wednesday summoned the U.S. envoy and lodged a protest over air raids of coalition forces Tuesday night in the country's tribal region, killing at least 11 soldiers, according to local press reports.
Senate leader Raza Rabbani was quoted as saying that U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson was told that such unprovoked attacks are unacceptable and could harm Pakistan's cooperation with the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan.
Militants, Afghan civilian killed in Coalition forces operation
By Zhang Yunlong, Xinhua,
Kabul : An anti-insurgents operation of the U.S.-led Coalition forces have left several militants killed and one female civilian dead in eastern Afghan province of Paktia, a Coalition statement issued here Friday said.
The Coalition forces while searching compounds in Zurmat district Thursday to target two militant leaders were engaged by armed militants, it said.
"The force responded with small-arms fire and air strikes, killing several militants and a woman who was located with the attacking militants in the building," it said.
Arab fund cuts off Iraqi debt of $100 mln
By Xinhua,
Amman : The Abu-Dhabi-based Arab Monetary Fund has written off 100 million U.S. dollars out of Iraq's a total of 500 million dollars debt, a visiting Iraqi official revealed here Saturday.
Iraqi Finance Minister Bayan Jabr made the confirmation at a press conference after Iraq and the Arab fund signed an agreement in this regard.
Many Western nations have dropped Iraqi debt but Sunni Arab neighboring states, wary of Iraq's Shiite-dominated government and its ties with Iran, have been reluctant to follow suit.
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.
Militants suspend peace deal in Pakistan’s restive valley
By DPA,
Peshawar (Pakistan) : Pro-Taliban militants in the restive valley of Swat have said that they intended severing all contacts with the Pakistani government, accusing it of delaying the implementation of last month's peace agreement.
"Our shura (council) of senior Taliban leaders which held its meeting Monday have decided to end all contacts with the government for one week. We are going to switch off our telephones right now," Muslim Khan, a Taliban spokesman, told DPA over phone from undisclosed location Tuesday night.
‘India, Myanmar slowing Bangladesh’s oil exploration bids’
By IANS,
Dhaka : India and Myanmar are hindering Bangladesh's exploration bids by raising objections on oil and gas exploration in several blocks situated across their overlapping maritime territories, say officials here.
This may slow down state-owned Petrobangla's bid to find hydrocarbon resources offshore in the Bay of Bengal, The Daily Star said Wednesday.
Bangladesh just as corrupt despite anti-graft drive: report
By IANS,
Dhaka : The anti-graft drive of Bangladesh's military-backed government has made little difference - its own law enforcing agencies have been rated as most corrupt by the Transparency International, a Berlin headquartered NGO addressing corruption globally.
Down in the first six months after the caretaker government launched its campaign in January last year, corruption has again reared its head, said a report released by the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Wednesday.
Sarkozy proclaims friendship with Israel, need for Palestinian state
By AFP,
Tel Aviv : French President Nicolas Sarkozy proclaimed his friendship for Israel at the start of a three-day visit on Sunday but also said Israeli security depended on the creation of a Palestinian state.
Rice sees Kabul’s cross-border threat as ‘not wise’, urges for cooperative efforts between two...
By NNN-APP,
Washington : Terming Kabul’s threats to pursue militants across the border into Pakistan as “not wise,” US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has instead urged cooperative efforts between the two South Asian nations against militancy on their porous border.
“I think it’s probably not wise to talk about Afghan cross-border operations,” Rice told GPS program of CNN on Sunday.
Continuing, she stated :”I think it’s better that Pakistan and Afghanistan cooperate on their respective sides of the border.”