Taliban, Al Qaeda could spread globally: Zardari
By IANS,
Washington : The Taliban and the Al Qaeda could spread in other parts of the world if they were not defeated in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has warned.
"Pakistan and the world community cannot afford defeat in the war against terror," Zardari wrote in The Washington Post Monday.
Zardari also asked for urgent international assistance, arguing that the world should rally in support of Pakistani democracy.
"We need immediate assistance, Pakistan paid a heavy price more than US and NATO in the anti-terror war," the president wrote.
Etihad launches club for art enthusiasts
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways will launch a club exclusively for art enthusiasts who fly with the airline, it was announced Friday.
Nawaz Sharif a liar, says Musharraf
By IANS,
Islamabad : Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf has termed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif a "compulsive liar", a media report said.
Pakistani Taliban threaten to attack secular parties
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani Taliban have threatened to attack the secular political parties in the country, the Dawn reported Monday.
Bahrain revokes citizenship of 56 terror suspects
Manama: Bahrain's High Criminal Court on Thursday ordered stripping of citizenship of 56 suspects in connection with a terrorist plot.
Head of the terror crimes...
No one listens to Pakistan on Kashmir: daily
Islamabad: The world has stopped listening to Pakistan's ritualistic appeals to resolve the Kashmir dispute with India based on old UN resolutions, a newspaper...
Three million pilgrims begin rituals for the Hajj
By IRNA,
Holy Mecca : Nearly 3 million pilgrims chanting prayers converged in a valley just outside the holy city of Mecca at the beginning of the five-day hajj pilgrimage.
Pilgrims from about 100 countries left Mecca after completing the first ritual of the hajj by circling the sacred Kaaba stone structure inside the Grand Mosque, which Muslims all over the world face during their five daily prayers.
Dressed in white robes, pilgrims piled into and on top of buses on their way to a ritual of prayer and reflection in Mina, 3 miles east of Mecca.
Dubai opens first Islamic bourse
By IANS
Dubai : The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) has become the first Islamic bourse with its Sharia Board issuing the standards for trading shares of the listed companies, WAM news agency reported Thursday.
The first set of standards was announced during a special session held Wednesday in Dubai. The session was attended by a large number of dealers, brokers, representatives of listed companies, Sharia law experts and journalists.
Britain commited to stability in Iraq – British Defence Secretary
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Visiting British Defence Secretary Des Browne has renewed Britain's commitment to improve the security and economic situation in Iraq.
Britain is sticking to its commitment towards Iraq despite the planned withdrawal of its forces, Browne told a press conference here Thursday.
Britain's efforts will focus in the coming period on the economic development, updating the airports and seaports and improving the security atmosphere and health and education services for the citizens in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, he pointed out.
Alleged spy for Israel executed in Iran
By DPA,
Tehran : An Iranian businessman charged with spying for Israel has been executed in Iran, media report said Saturday.
Ali Ashtari was hanged Monday after he confessed to spying for Iran's archenemy, a spokesman for the Iranian intelligence service said.
Ashtari was sentenced to death in June by a revolutionary court for spying for the "Zionist regime." The verdict was later confirmed by the Supreme Court.
Espionage convictions in Iran usually carry death sentences or heavy jail terms because, according to Islamic law, the convicts are "mohareb," or enemies of god.
Russia condemns Taiwan’s referendum on UN membership
By Xinhua
Moscow : Russia has strongly condemned the Taiwan authority's declaration to hold a referendum on UN membership in the name of Taiwan March 22, saying it poses a grave problem for the world.
The decision of the Taiwan authority led by Chen Shui-bian to hold the "referendum", despite strong objections from the Chinese central government and the world community, will pose a severe threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and to the Asia-Pacific region, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said Monday.
Malaysia vows to continue brokering peace talks between Philippine gov’t, rebels
By Xinhua,
Manila : The Malaysian government vowed Thursday to continue brokering the stalled peace talks in Kuala Lumpur between Manila and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation front (MILF) rebels, despite its scheduled pull-out this month of its monitors from the Mindanao conflict zones.
Malaysian military chief General Tan Sri Abdul Aziz made this assurance during his closed-door meeting Thursday morning with his Filipino counterpart General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. at the military headquarters of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Pakistani journalist dead
By IANS,
Islamabad : Senior Pakistani journalist Yousuf Khan has died in Karachi. He was 53, a media report said.
Al Qaeda-inspired group claims Egypt attacks
Cairo : Al Qaeda-inspired militant group Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis has claimed responsibility for twin suicide bombings that killed three people and wounded eight others...
Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to reduce regional tension
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan and Afghanistan Thursday agreed on several measures to enhance bilateral cooperation, remove misunderstandings and reduce regional tension, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Thursday.
Talking to newsmen in Islamabad, the Foreign Minister said during his telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart Rangin Dadfar Spanta the two sides agreed to hold joint mini jirga or council of elders after Eidul Fitr in Islamabad.
Six arrested in connection with Iraq blast
By DPA
Baghdad : Six people were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of involvement in a suicide bombing in Iraq's holy city of Karbala while six children were killed in a mortar attack on their home in Baghdad.
A female suicide bomber blew herself up Monday evening near a Shia holy shrine in Karbala, killing at least 49 people and injuring 70, some of them Iranian worshippers, police and witnesses said.
Pakistani politicians speaking at cross-purposes on Kashmir?
By IANS,
Islamabad : Are Pakistani politicians speaking at cross-purposes on Kashmir? It would seem so, with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressing ignorance that the issue was close to resolution as a result of back-channel diplomacy with India by the previous government.
"Neither I, nor the people of Pakistan have any knowledge about a Kashmir solution evolved by the previous government," he told reporters here Sunday.
No such proposal had ever been debated, nor was there any record about it at the foreign office, he added.
Dhaka, Islamabad spar over 1971 ‘war crimes’ trial: report
By IANS,
Dhaka : Thirty-eight years after Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan, the two countries are sparring over the "war crimes" committed in 1971, a media report here said Monday.
Dhaka has set in motion the process of trying the survivors among those who killed unarmed civilians, targeting sympathisers of the freedom struggle and religious minorities, especially Hindus.
It has sought help from the UN as well as cooperation from Pakistan, where many of the Islamist militia members are believed to be living.
Top U.S. military officer holds talks with Pakistani army chief
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A top U.S. military officer Wednesday opened talks with Pakistani army chief in a bid to reduce tension in Pakistan's tribal region, local TV channels reported.
During the talks with Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Kayani said that only the Pakistani army were allowed to conduct operations against militants on the Pakistani soil, according to private GEO TV channel.
As many as 500 Media Delegates cover World Conference on Dialogue
By SPA,
Madrid : As many as 500 media delegates are participating in the coverage of the World Conference on Dialogue, organized by the Muslim World League (MWL) in Madrid, which began its three-day deliberations yesterday under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.
India-Pakistan peace still a far cry
By Amulya Ganguli, IANS,
Blessed are the peacemakers. But to be successful, their efforts have to be rooted in reality. This wasn't the case with a recent seminar in New Delhi, which called for the resumption of India-Pakistan dialogue, because its timing was hopelessly wrong.
Two PKK rebels killed in clash in SE Turkey
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Turkish security forces killed two militants of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in southeastern Turkey on Saturday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
The Turkish security forces clashed with a group of PKK militants in a mountainous area in Yuksekova town of Hakkari province, according to the report.
In a separate incident in the southeastern province of Sirnak, a security officer was wounded when explosives planted on a road went off.
NATO soldier among 17 killed in attacks in Afghanistan
By DPA
Kabul : One NATO soldier was killed and another wounded in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, while 11 policemen and five Taliban militants were killed in separate attacks, officials said Tuesday.
The foreign soldier died of wounds from an explosion in southern Ghazni province, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement.
The statement did not disclose the nationalities of the soldiers, citing ISAF's policy that does not release the nationalities of the victims prior to the relevant authorities doing so.
PRC claims responsibility of attacking Zikim
By KUNA
Gaza : Saladin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), claimed responsibility for firing a rocket Friday morning at the Israeli settlement of Zikim.
In a press release, the brigades said a "Nasser III" rocket was fired at the Israeli site that was built on Palestinian territories occupied in 1948.
"The Zionist enemy" admitted that the rocket hit a military site in Zikim, it added.
Malaysians sceptical about Pakistan’s investment proposals
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur/Islamabad : Pakistan is trying hard to woo foreign investment from countries like Malaysia, promising them a good business climate and assuaging their security fears. However, a team of Malaysian media persons returned from Pakistan unimpressed.
Pakistani authorities, among them Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, sought to remove fears from investors and cited 12 contracts signed during the China visit of President Asif Ali Zardari.
Dubai to host 9th Arab Media Forum
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: Dubai will host the 9th edition of the Arab Media Forum (AMF) May 12-13.
Dubai Press Club Sunday said final preparations are underway, with over 2,000 media and academic professionals have registered online to attend the event at The Atlantis-Palm hotel. Journalists from the region will be honoured at the event that will also discuss issues facing the industry.
Pakistan condemns explosion outside Pakistani consulate in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan on Thursday condemned the bomb explosion outside its consulate in western Afghanistan, urging the Afghan government to take responsibility seriously.
The explosion occurred on Thursday morning when some one threw an explosive device towards the consulate of Pakistan in Pakistan's Herat, wounding at least one police.
Strasbourg fines Russia $225,000 over Chechen disappearances
MOSCOW, February 26 (RIA Novosti) - The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has ordered Russia to pay 176,744 euros ($225,700) in compensation to the relatives of four people who went missing in Chechnya between 2002-2005.
The plaintiffs say the missing people vanished after being arrested by Russian servicemen. They also said that the Russian authorities failed to effectively investigate the cases.
The relatives claimed that armed men took Aslanbek Astamirov, Alis Zubirayev, Ilyas Sagayev and Yunadi Sagayev from their homes in Urus-Martan and Chechen-Aul.
India congratulates Hasina on winning general election in B’desh
By IRNA,
New Delhi : India's Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Tuesday congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her landslide victory in general elections.
Dr. Singh called Mrs. Sheikh Hasina, president of the Awami League Party of Bangladesh this morning and warmly congratulated her on the landslide victory in the general elections.
The prime minister said that India looked forward to working with the government and people of Bangladesh in the years ahead for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.
‘State, central governments prepared to deal with mischief by Pakistan, terrorists’
Jammu: The central and state governments are fully prepared to deal with any mischief by Pakistan or the terrorists, Jitender Singh, minister of state...
Freezing weather kills over 100 in Afghanistan
By RIA Novasti
Kabul : Over 100 people have died due to freezing weather in various provinces of Afghanistan in the past few days, the country's Ariana TV channel reported on Monday.
Continual heavy snowfall has cut off thousands of people living in isolated communities in the mountainous country, making deliveries of medicine and essential goods almost impossible. Several people have been killed in avalanches and accidents on the snow-covered roads.
Malaysia: call for state governments’ cooperation in harmonising syariah law
By NNN-Bernama,
Seremban, Malaysia : Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has asked the state governments to help realise the federal government's efforts in streamlining the syariah (Islamic) law in the country.
He said with cooperation of the state governments, the syariah law could be raised to the level of the civil law.
10,000 detainees released in Iraq this year: US military
By DPA,
Baghdad : More than 10,000 detainees have been released from US-run detention centres in Iraq so far this year, compared with some 8,900 released in all of 2007, the US military said Saturday.
The release of the detainees was part of its programme to rehabilitate prisoners through religious counselling and education and vocational training, the military said in a statement.
About 21,000 detainees are currently held in US-run detention centres in Iraq, including about a dozen women and over 300 juveniles, according to the statement.
Hamas slams Abbas for criticizing its rule of Gaza
By Xinhua,
GAZA : The Islamic movement of Hamas Monday slammed the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for criticizing the movement's political attitudes of ruling the Gaza Strip.
Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman in Gaza made the accusation in a statement in response to Abbas' Sunday remarks during his two-day visit to Egypt that there is no dialogue with those who do not recognize Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
Italy government “flexible” on Afghan troop rules
By SPA,
Rome : Italy's new conservative government will be more flexible on rules of engagement for its troops in Afghanistan, who cannot now be used in a combat role, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said in a newspaper interview, according to Reuters.
With the United States urging allies to play a bigger role in the war against the Taliban, Frattini told La Stampa newspaper Italy would "start arguing more concretely in terms of
flexibility and adaptability on the ground" at an Afghan donors' conference in Paris next month.
Iraqi deputy minister escapes bomb attack in Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraqi deputy oil minister escaped with wounds a roadside bomb attack near his house in central Baghdad on Monday morning, an Interior ministry source said.
"Saheb Salman Qutub, was wounded when a roadside bomb detonated as he was leaving his house in the Atefiyah neighborhood," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
One of Qutub's bodyguards was also injured by the blast, the source said.
Backgrounder: Major political parties in Pakistani legislative election
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan will hold elections for the lower house of parliament and assemblies in its four provinces on Monday, and 49 political parties have applied for poll symbols with the Election Commission this year.
The following is a brief look at the main parties in the election.
Pakistan People's Party (PPP)
The Pakistan People's Party was launched in 1967 by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was elected as its first chairman.
Indian wounded in Bahrain blast
Manama: An Indian worker was wounded in an explosion at a cold store in Bahrain's west coast village of Karzakan that claimed the life...
Over five lakh Pakistani kids to get polio drops
By IANS,
Islamabad : Over five lakh children in Pakistan's Balochistan province will be administered polio drops during a three-day campaign starting Nov 8, a senior official said Thursday.
KRCS volunteers ready to provide assistance at polling stations
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) volunteers are stationed at polling stations around the country to provide medical assistance for voters and campaigners when necessary.
Volunteer Zainab Al-Qattan told KUNA that she had been present at Ahmadi Kindergarten, designated as a polling station, since early this morning to provide first aid should the need arise.
She added that each volunteer had the necessary equipment to measure blood pressure and sugar levels, as well as basic medicaments.
Delay in sub-continental talks will help terrorists: Pakistani PM
By IANS,
Karachi/Bangalore : Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Saturday that delay in resuming India-Pakistan talks will only help terrorists in achieving their nefarious designs.
Pakistan wants equity-based relations with India and resumption of the composite dialogue at the earliest, he said, while speaking to reporters in Karachi after inaugurating a housing scheme for low income people.
India had frozen the composite dialogue process in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that New Delhi has blamed on elements operating from Pakistan.
2008 a year of turbulence, strife for Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb,IANS,
Islamabad : The year set to end was one of turbulence for Pakistan, with a virtual war between Islamist militants and the government taking a huge toll and inviting comparisons with failed states.
The year 2008 began with the aftershocks of the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto as she was on the verge of clinching a power sharing deal with then president Pervez Musharraf.
US calls Syrian president ’cause of instability’
By IANS,
Washington : The US has said it does not want Syrian President Bashar al-Assad remaining in power, as he was the "cause of instability" in his country.
Dhaka court sentences Jama’at workers for 2005 blasts
Dhaka, March 24 (IANS) A Dhaka court sentenced three members of the banned militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) for the 2005 explosions that killed eight people and injured 40. One member was acquitted.
Fahima, alias Farzana, the widow of the JMB's second-in-command Siddiqul Islam Bangla Bhai, was sentenced to 10 years for the explosions at the offices of two cultural centres Udichi and Shatadal Shilpi Goshthi. Besides, two other JMB men were awarded a total of 31 years in jail, the Daily Star reported.
Malaysian Indian woman wants her conversion to Islam invalidated
By IANS,
George Town (Malaysia) : An ethnic Indian housewife in Malaysia Wednesday said she would appeal against a civil court ruling that heard her plea questioning her conversion to Islam when she was seven years old.
Siti Hasnah Bangarama Abdullah, 28, was converted along with her four siblings in 1983 when her parents, both born Hindus, embraced Islam.
She sought a declaration from the court that her conversion to Islam was invalid, Star Online reported.
Saudi Shoura Chief attends IPU Assembly in Cape Town
By SPA,
Cape Town : South African President Tambo Mbeki opened here on Sunday the 118th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
The delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the meeting is led by Chairman of the Shoura (Consultative) Council Dr Salih bin Abdullah bin Humaid.
Representatives of more than 130 parliaments around the world are participating in the Assembly.
Pakistan: govt to setup modern Psychotrauma research centre
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said government would support setting up of a modern psychotrauma research centre to deal with the psychological effects of terrorist attacks.
Inaugurating here the first international conference on psychotrauma on Saturday, the Prime Minister said “we will ensure implementation of Plan of Action as proposed by the conference to deal with the serious issue.”
India and Pakistan: Lengthening shadows of a toxic past
Sixty-four years after they parted ways, their toxic past and violent split still continues to haunt India and Pakistan and hundreds of millions of people on both sides of the divide
Paleastine: UN commemorates 60th anniversary of Nakba
By NNN-WAFA,
New York : The President of the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, Father Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, discussed the question of Palestine in a meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement commemorating the 60th year since the Nakba – the catastrophe that befell the Palestinian people in 1948 – in New York on Friday.
Noting that the right to self-determination is a key principle in the U.N. Charter, Brockmann remarked that the Palestinian people have been deprived of this right for over sixty years.
US aid to flood-hit Pakistan totals $76 mn
By IANS,
Washington : The US assistance to the flood-affected areas of Pakistan has totalled $76 million, the State Department said.
"As of this morning, the additional money that the US is providing is to Save the Children, and that's $4.1 million. That will be used for food vouchers enabling flood victims to purchase food in their local markets," department spokesman Mark Toner said Thursday.
Toner also said the 19 helicopters ordered by Defence Secretary Robert Gates to help the affected population will be in place over the next few days.
Three militants killed in Pakistan
Islamabad : At least three militants were killed Friday in firing between security personnel and rebels in Pakistan's Khyber Agency.
Security officials tried to stop...
Pakistan panel to probe fake certificates
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has formed a committee to probe allegations that customs authorities had issued fake Free Trade Agreement clearance certificates.
Who is Nabeela Syed, the Indian-American Muslim woman who made history in US midterm...
An Indian-American hijab-wearing Muslim woman has made history by becoming the youngest person to win the election for Illinois’ 51st Congressional District.
Afnan Habib...
Banana speed eater hospitalised in Ukraine
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: A girl in Ukraine had to be rushed to the hospital after she tried gobbling some bananas against the clock during a speed eating contest.
Israeli citizen held in Egypt
By IANS,
Cairo: The Egyptian authorities Sunday arrested an Israeli national for sneaking into South Sinai governorate, security sources said.
Peace process only way forward in India-Pakistan relationship: Sayeed
Jammu : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Friday said the peace process between India and Pakistan was the only way...
Strict action ordered against Pakistani chief justice’s son, realtor
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered strict action in a bribery case involving Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry's son and a real estate tycoon.
Oil Ministers of India, Pak, Iran to hold talks on pipeline soon
By IRNA,
New Delhi : The oil Ministers of India, Pakistan and Iran will soon hold talks to sort out "safety and security issues" pertaining to the $ 7.4 billion Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline that would pass through Pakistan.
India also broached the topic of early clearance for the $ 22 billion Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) gas supply deal issue with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his short visit here on Tuesday.
He is understood to have promised to look into the whole issue in a positive frame of mind.
Pakistan police raid firm providing security to US embassy
By IANS,
Islamabad : Following a raid here early Saturday, the police claim to have recovered 61 illegal guns and nine pistols from the offices of a private security firm providing security to the US embassy.
The raid came after it was revealed that the Interior Ministry had issued licences for highly sophisticated assault rifles to the company called Inter Risk, with the prime minister's special permission, Dawnnews.com reported.
The police have registered a case of fraud against the owner of the company and arrested two people.
Observers would be free to witness election process in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- International observers would be free to move anywhere in Pakistan to witness the electoral process, said Secretary Election Commission (EC) Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad Friday.
"Election Commission would issue them Accreditation Cards enabling them to freely visit polling stations and view the voting process", he said while talking to state-run Associate Press of Pakistan (APP).
The Secretary said EC would issue the Accreditation Cards to as many observers as desire to come and witness this process.
Bangladesh sending a male Taslima as Dy High Commissioner in Kolkata?
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Some Muslim intellectuals of West Bengal have jointly sent a letter to Bangladesh Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina urging her not to send to India a controversial Bangladesh writer – who is known for his blasphemous writings – as Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, India because such appointment will be against the public interest and against the interest of Government of Bangladesh.
Pakistan president quashes polls delay rumours
By IANS,
Islamabad: Dismissing rumours about delay in the parliamentary elections, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has vowed to hold transparent and timely polls, Xinhua reported.
How a hostel in Delhi is keeping hopes of Rohingya students alive
By Inder Bisht, TwoCircles.net
Sitting cross-legged in a small room, Fayaz, Hussain and Saifful are poring over their textbooks as they prepare for their annual...
Manmohan offering ‘badly needed’ olive branch: Pakistani media
By IANS,
Islamabad: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has offered a "badly needed" olive branch to restore sub-continental peace by offering to walk half the way to resume the dialogue with Pakistan, an editorial in a leading English daily said Thursday, while another hoped Islamabad would "be able to meet" New Delhi at that point.
Manmohan Singh's statement in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday "will be seen as the olive branch that is badly needed in the present state of impasse between India and Pakistan", Dawn said in an editorial headlined "A silver lining".
Israeli warplanes renew violation of Lebanese airspace
By NNN-SANA,
Beirut : Israeli warplanes have renewed violation of the Lebanese airspace in South Lebanon, Bka'a and Beirut.
The Guidance Department at the Lebanese Army Command said in a statement Monday that an Israeli reconnaissance warplane violated the Lebanese airspace over A'lma al-Sha'ab town heading north and circled over al-Khiam and then headed to the occupied territories.
Al Qaeda prepares ‘non-Arab’ women suicide bombers
By IANS,
New York : The Yemen-based Al Qaeda group has formed a women's brigade of "non Arab" suicide bombers as part of its new tactic to attack western targets, anti-terror experts said.
It was "inevitable" that Al Qaeda would eventually turn to using women with a western appearance to carry out suicide attacks.
Airliners and all forms of transport could be targeted as well as sports stadium, ports and power stations, the Daily Telegraph reported quoting security Officials.
Bangladesh FDI drops 36 percent
By IANS,
Dhaka : Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh plunged by 36 percent in 2009 and may see no dramatic improvement, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has said.
The UNCTAD blames it on the bureaucratic red tape that continues to act as the biggest barrier in attracting overseas funds.
The economy was also beset by energy shortage, driving away investors, S.A. Samad, executive chairman of the state-run Board of Investment (BoI), said here Thursday while releasing the UNCTAD report titled "Inflow of FDI in Bangladesh in 2009".
Israel sets conditions for undeclared truce — radio
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israel announced Sunday its willingness to agree on an undeclared truce in Gaza Strip, if Hamas stopped missile attacks and weapon smugglings into the strip, Israeli radio reported.
The radio also reported an Israeli government source saying that if Hamas agreed to this deal, there would be no need for Israel to execute military operations in Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israel said it is not negotiating with Hamas, claiming nobody presented any suggested solutions to calm the situation in the first place.
Obama leaves Afghanistan without meeting Karzai
Kabul : US President Barack Obama paid a short visit to Afghanistan but returned home without meeting his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai due to...
Angry Yemeni protesters storm Egyptian consulate for Cairo’s role in Israeli offensive on Gaza
By Xinhua,
Sana'a : Hundreds of angry protesters stormed the Egyptian consulate in southern Yemeni city Aden to protest against Cairo's role in the ongoing Israeli military offensive on Gaza.
The protesters stormed the two-story consulate's front gate and threw computers from windows while setting fire to the Egyptian flag, said media reports reaching here from Aden.
A Yemeni security official was quoted as saying that most of the protesters were local university students who were later removed peacefully from the building surrounded by heavy security forces.
OIC receives prime plot of land to build its new headquarters
By IINA,
Jeddah : The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has received a prime plot of land allotted to build its new headquarters from the Jeddah Municipality at a ceremony held here yesterday. The Municipality officials handed over the documents related to the site to senior officials of OIC including its Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. The ceremony was also attended by senior officials of the Saudi Ministry of Finance, the Jeddah Construction Development Company as well as officials from the OIC member countries.
Pakistan parliament passes anti-terror law
Islamabad : Pakistan's parliament Wednesday adopted a long awaited anti-terror law to deal effectively with insurgents who are fighting against the country's security forces.
The...
Iran Firm on Peaceful N-Program
By Prensa Latina,
Tehran : Iranian Parliament President, Ali Larijani, advised today to "take seriously" the warnings of an attack on the Islamic Republic made by Mohamed El Baradei, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Larijani called for the West not to provoke Iran over its nuclear development for peaceful use and repeated "there is little time for interaction," according to IRNA news agency.
Dhaka seeks easier browsing in Bengali on the Internet
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has filed an application with the global internet body to facilitate easier browsing on the net in Bengali.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina filed the formal application to include Bengali in country code and Top Level Domain (ccTLD) for a greater recognition of the language in the world community.
It was moved Feb 21. The fight to have Bengali as an official language of Pakistan was started on this date in 1952, when Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan.
Partnership with media being forged to protect people against onslaught of terrorism says...
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman said the government as the primary guarantor of public and national security was forging a partnership with media to protect people against the onslaught of terrorism, which is wreaking havoc with their lives, minds and spirits.
At the same time, in pursuit of stated policy of ensuring media freedom multiple efforts were being undertaken to facilitate the growth of an independent and self-regulating media that is free to carry out its due professional role, she said on Saturday.
Suspected militants damage 17 NATO supply vehicles in Pakistan
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Suspected militants torched 17 vehicles as well as buidlings of a site housing containers loaded with supplies for NATO forces in Afghanistan, police said on Sunday.
Suspected Taliban militants armed with rockets and Kalashnikovs attacked three terminals on the Ring Road locality of Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province, according to police reports.
Around 150 armed militants entered the Asim, Pak Kabul and Amanullah terminals setting on fire vehicles over there, police officer Tariq Suhail said.
Mottaki: Nuclear weapon has no place in Iran’s defensive doctrine
By IRNA
Vienna : Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in the 38th meeting of the World Economic Forum in the mountainous area of Switzerland " Davos" underlined that nuclear weapon has no place in Iran's defensive doctrine.
In a meeting dubbed as " Understanding Iran's foreign policy", which was held in Davos on Saturday evening, Mottaki said, "We believe that if atomic weapons had been able to prevent crisis, they would have prevented many crises in the past."
For example, the Zionist regime, by having more than 200 nuclear warheads, could win war in Lebanon.
Afghan peace envoy to visit Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Afghanistan's peace envoy Salahuddin Rabbani will arrive here Monday to discuss ways to expedite the reconciliation process in the war-torn country.
US asks Pakistan to prosecute Mumbai terror suspects
By IANS,
Kolkata: The United States Wednesday asked Pakistan to prosecute "successfully" the seven 26/11 Mumbai terror attack suspects and marshal facts and evidence to punish Hafiz Saeed who, India says, masterminded the carnage.
"It is very important that Pakistan prosecute successfully the seven Mumbai suspects and take facts and evidence about Hafiz Saeed and prosecute him," US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer told mediapersons here.
Citing a bureaucratic lapse, the Lahore High Court Monday dismissed two cases filed under the anti-terrorism act against Saeed.
Sheikh Hasina to be released to seek medical care abroad
By DPA,
Dhaka : Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina will be released from detention so she can seek medical treatment abroad, officials said Wednesday.
Hasina, the leader of opposition Awami League, detained on corruption charges for nearly a year, is to be released Wednesday for eight weeks so she can obtain medical treatment abroad, said prison chief General Zakir Hussain.
She is due to fly to the US for ear and eye problems.
Hasina, who led Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001, has been held in a special jail set up on the grounds of parliament since July.
Zakat Collection & Estimation Committees commence works
By SPA,
Riyadh : The Ministry of Finance announced Wednesday that the assigned committees to collect Zakat of Livestock and make estimation as regards 'Zakat' on crops and fruits, will starts its works at the beginning of the Month of Rajab for the year 1429 AH in governorates and centers around the Kingdom for the year's reaping seasons of crops and fruits.
India to Pakistan: More people should be prosecuted for 26/11
By IANS,
Islamabad: Hoping for a "positive outcome" from his talks here, Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram Saturday said he has conveyed to Pakistan that more people were behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and "more people" should be prosecuted.
"We think more people lay behind the Mumbai attack and more people should be prosecuted," Chidambaram told reporters here after Friday night's talks with his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik.
"That point has been made to the Pakistan government," he stressed.
Manmohan Singh’s ‘no war’ statement hailed in Pakistani media
By IANS,
Islamabad : Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's declaration that there was “no question of war” post-26/11 has been hailed in two Pakistani editorials, even as a noted analyst has termed as “headstrong” New Delhi's “attitude” in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.
“Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on Tuesday that there is 'no question of war' between the two neighbours will have allayed some of the fears that the tension on our eastern border may spiral out of control,” Dawn said in an editorial headlined “The right response”.
130 Hamas fighters killed in ground offensive: army
By ANTARA News,
Jerusalem : The Israeli army claimed on Tuesday that it had killed 130 Hamas fighters since launching a ground offensive in Gaza at the weekend.
"In the last two days at least 130 Hamas terror operatives were killed in battles with IDF ground forces in the Gaza Strip," an army spokesman was quoted by AFP as saying.
The claim could not be immediately verified.
Israel poured ground forces into Gaza late Saturday, a week after unleashing a massive air and naval bombing campaign against Hamas targets in the enclave aiming to stop rocket fire.
Fatah agrees to join committee to end politically-motivated arrests
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement has accepted to join a national committee designated to end politically-motivated detentions of Palestinians, a Palestinian official said Saturday.
The formation of this committee was offered last week during a meeting between Hamas leaders in Gaza and officials from leftist Palestinian factions after a surge of politically-motivated detentions.
Anti-war protester scales scaffolding at UK parliament
By IRNA,
London : A lone demonstrator scaled scaffolding at the British parliament Thursday in a protest against the cost of the nine year-old war in Afghanistan.
The protester is believed to be from ‘Democracy Village,’ which has been encamped outside the House of Commons in Parliament Square since May 1 and has pledged to stay until British troops are withdrawn from Afghanistan.
US army due to release 3,000 detainees during Ramadan in Iraq
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : The Multi-National Force (MNF) has released here 433 Iraqi detainees as a part of a plan to free about 3,000 prisoners during the holy month of Ramadan, the MNF said in a statement.
The organisation responsible for coalition forces detention operations in Iraq, TF-134, released 433 inmates during the first week of Ramadan, and would let go more than 700 detainees during the second week of the holy month, the statement said Tuesday.
More than 19,000 detainees are held in MNF-guarded prisons and cells. The figure was as high as 26,000 in November 2007.
Bahrain ruler pardons 225 prisoners
By IANS,
Dubai : Bahrain ruler King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Wednesday pardoned 225 prisoners ahead of the holy festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The king’s move came following a meeting he held with leading religious figures in the country, the state-run Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported. Eid-ul-Fitr is to be celebrated in October this year.
According to the report, the prisoners who have been pardoned were not involved in criminal acts that harm the security of the nation and its citizens.
King Hamad has issued orders to adopt appropriate procedures to release the prisoners.
Counting begins in Pakistan as voting closes
By KUNA
Islamabad : Voting for the provincial and national assemblies seats has closed and counting has begun in Pakistan. Initial reports received from several presiding officers of polling stations showed candidates of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and Benazir Bhuttos Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), securing more votes than pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q).
US-India, Pakistan-China alliance visible after Mumbai: Nepal Maoists
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : The ruling Maoist party of Nepal has warned that the Mumbai terror attacks would escalate greater tensions in South Asia pitting a strengthening India-US alliance against Pakistan, the alleged home of the terrorists, and its ally China.
"After the Mumbai attack and tensions escalating between India and Pakistan, the South Asian region is again becoming a hotspot in world politics," warned the Maoist-affiliated Red Star fortnightly that hit the stands this week.
UK for “free and fair” elections call to Pakistan
By KUNA
London : Britain Monday urged Pakistan to press ahead with "free and fair" elections in the wake of the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
Britains Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the House of Commons the delay in holding elections as a result of the assassination last month was "regrettable".
But the period between now and February 18 must be used to build confidence in the democratic process.
Robber jumps to death in Karachi
By IANS,
Islamabad : A burglar jumped to his death from a fourth-floor apartment in Karachi when police raided the place.
Al Qaeda vows retaliation, teen bombers held in Iraq
By DPA,
Baghdad : The Al Qaeda in Iraq vowed Tuesday to fight back government troops engaged in a security offensive in northern Iraq where more suspected members of the group have been captured, including six teenagers.
In a videotape posted on the Islamic al-Hesbah website, a spokesman for the Islamic State of Iraq linked to Al Qaeda said the group would retaliate against the offensive in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh.
PTI MNAs resignation should not be accepted: Jamaat-e-Islami
Islamabad : The far-right political group Jamaat-e-Islami Sunday said the resignations submitted by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party members should not be accepted, otherwise...
Pakistan vows to bounce back in Asia Cup
By Omar Khalid, IANS,
Karachi : A day after crashing to an embarrassing fourth position in the five-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh (Malaysia), Pakistan have promised to bounce back in next month's Asia Cup.
Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan told IANS in an interview from Kuala Lumpur Tuesday that his team learnt vital lessons from the defeats during the Azlan Shah Cup and will return to Malaysia for the Asia Cup, well-balanced and better-prepared to win the eight-nation contest to be played from May 9-15 in Kuantan.
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.
Suicide bomb attack kills 2 in Pakistan: TV
By IRNA,
Islamabad : A suicide bomber on Tuesday tried to attack a security check post in Pakistani northwestern city, killing a police man and injuring several others, police said.
The bomber also died when the police on suspicion tried to stop him at the city of Bannu, according to the report.
Five other people were injured in the attack in the military area of the city.
Witnesses said that a man came in a cycle-rickshaw and wanted to enter the check post but the police foiled his attempt and blew himself near the post.
UN accuses IS of killing 1,000 people in Iraq
Geneva : Islamic State (IS) militants have killed nearly 1,000 people in Iraq over the past three weeks, the United Nations said Monday.
UN High...
Over two dozen Indians stranded in Saudi Arabia
Jeddah : Twenty five Indian workers are stranded here due to bureaucratic formalities as their sponsor has not paid the Saudi Arabian ministry of...
Pakistani president condemns mosque blast, pledging anti-terrorism
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the attack on a mosque in the northwest and reiterated his commitment to fight terrorism with full force, state media reported on Thursday.
At least 25 people were killed and over 50 wounded when unidentified miscreants hurled hand grenades at a mosque in lower Dir district of North West Frontier Province.
The lower Dir district is bordering with Afghanistan and Bajaurtribal agency, where Pakistan's security forces are conducting military operation against local Taliban militants.
Pakistan: Zardari nominated for being symbol of federation, says PM Gilani
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said the country’s president should be the symbol of federation, adding the nomination of Asif Ali Zardari as presidential candidate was made on the same principle.
The Prime Minister was speaking to mediapersons after meeting Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, leader PPP (Sherpao) at his residence to seek his faction’s support for Asif Ali Zardari in the upcoming presidential election.
Al Shabaab claims responsibility for Somalia bomb attack
Mogadishu: Somalia's Al Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for Sunday's suicide bomb attack in Somali, which killed at least 6 people and injured...
Ban Ki-moon says situation in Gaza “unbearable”
RAMALLAH, Jan 15 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said here on Thursday that the death toll due to the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip and the increasing number of deaths is "unbearable".
Ban Ki-moon expressed, during a press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Al-Quds, his indignation over the bombing of the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza by Israel.
Etihad, Jet Airways in code-share pact
By IANS,
Dubai : Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has entered into a code-share agreement with leading Indian private carrier Jet Airways.
Under the deal, which will come into effect July 1, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will place its two-letter 'EY' code on all Jet Airways flights from its own home base to New Delhi and Mumbai.
In turn, Jet Airways will place its '9W' code on the daily services operated by Etihad on the same routes.
China, Russia, Pakistan hold talks on Afghanistan
By IANS,
Beijing : Diplomats from China, Russia and Pakistan Wednesday held talks on Afghanistan in Beijing, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.
Geelani apologizes for ‘unintentional’ leadership comment
By IANS,
Srinagar : Syed Ali Shah Geelani, senior separatist leader and chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat group, Monday apologized for "unintentional use of words" that might have hurt the feelings of other separatist leaders after his speech triggered a leadership war.
Addressing mediapersons at his Hyderpora residence here, Geelani said: “If during my speech at today's mammoth rally any unintentional use of words by me has hurt the sentiments of any of my colleagues or anybody, I tender my apology for that.
Iran reaffirms validity of Iran-Iraq 1975 Accord
By IRNA
Tehran : Foreign Ministry on Wednesday reaffirmed commitment to good neighborly relations with Iraq, national sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in line with Accord signed by the two parties in Algiers in 1975.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that according to the statement issued in Algiers on March 6, 1975, the two nations signed the Accord in Baghdad on June 13, 1975 which dealt with border issues and good neighborly relations and three protocols were annexed to it.
Israel arrests 9 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli forces arrested nine Palestinians during raids in West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli sources said on Monday.
The detentions took place in Nablus, Ramallah, and Qabatya, the Palestinian sources said.
Israeli sources said that nine wanted Palestinians were arrested and taken to interrogation.
The West Bank, where President Mahmoud Abbas' forces control, is not included in a six-month ceasefire which took place in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Thursday.
Major Pakistani parties agree on coalition government
By IRNA
Islamabad : Major political parties in Pakistan on Thursday agreed to form coalition governments in the center and provinces, leaders of two major parties said.
"We intend to be together in the parliament. We will strengthen democracy," Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and leader of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif said at a joint press conference.
Zardari and Sharif had a 2-hour first formal discussion on the formation of governments and they agreed in principle to form governments in the center and provinces.
UAE to be linked to WHO’s regional health alert system
By IANS
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be linked to a "regional alert system" of the World Health Organisation (WHO) by the year-end, a senior official has said.
The regional alert system would help the UAE to be part of the immediate reporting system for the region, said Najeeb Al Shorbaji, coordinator of knowledge management and sharing at WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
Jordan’s King Abdullah to meet US President in Washington on Wednesday
By NNN-Petra,
Amman : Jordan's King Abdullah II is scheduled to meet US President George W.Bush in Washington on Wednesday.
King Abdullah, who will visit Washington at Bush's invitation, will discuss progress in the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, the latest developments in the region and means to bolster bilateral ties between both countries.
Meanwhile, His Majesty has left for Manama on a two-day visit to Bahrain during which he will hold talks with the King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifah on the current situation in the Middle East.
UAE group wins at Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
By IANS,
Sharjah: The Kalimat Publishing House from Sharjah has won the best cookbook translation award in the UAE at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2012.
Fayyad: forming a transitional gov’t would unify territories
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Salam Fayyad, prime minister of the Palestinian caretaker government, said Saturday that forming anew transitional government of national accordance would unify the Palestinian territories.
Fayyad told reporters in Ramallah that agreeing on forming an interim government of national accordance to prepare for new elections would be "a realistic introduction to unify the West Bank and the Gaza Strip."
Air India plane lands in Oman after bomb hoax
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : An Air India passenger plane travelling from Kuwait to Mumbai made an emergency landing Friday at the airport in Oman's capital Muscat after a passenger claimed there was a bomb on board, a media report said.
The Boeing 737, carrying 160 passengers, was in the Omani airspace when a passenger told crew members there was a bomb on board, leading the pilot to request for an emergency landing in Muscat, Xinhua reported citing Oman's official ONA news agency.
Pakistan: poverty forces trafficking of children on the rise
By NNN-IRIN
Lahore : A disturbing new trend in people smuggling is emerging in Pakistan: More and more children are being sent by their parents on hazardous journeys in a bid to reach wealthier countries, with several instances of such trafficking reported recently in local newspapers.
Of the more than 2,200 persons deported to Pakistan in 2007, mainly from Oman or Iran (from where many hoped to reach European destinations), 15 were children under 18, according to figures maintained by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Ahmadinejad : Israel at end of line, will soon fade away
By ANTARA News/DPA,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once again attacked Israel Friday, saying the Jewish state would soon "fade away from the earth."
"The crimes being committed by the Zionist regime (Israel) are happening because it is aware that it has reached the end of the line and will soon fade away from the earth," Mehr news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying during an anti-Israeli rally in Tehran.
He said Israel had lost direction and was increasingly finding that world powers were becoming hesitant to show further support for the Jewish state.
Tight security at posh Karachi schools
By IANS,
Karachi : Police checkposts have come up in and outside schools located in posh localities of Pakistan's commercial capital following a string of terror attacks across the country, including bombings at the International Islamic University in Islamabad.
Private security guards were on duty alongside checkposts that have come up at the schools located in Clifton, Defense and other posh areas, Geo News reported Tuesday.
Police and private security guards will be also be deployed on rooftops of schools from 6 a.m. till the time school gets over.
Turkish troops return to basis after achieving targets
By KUNA
Ankara : Turkish General Army Staff on Friday said its troops will return to bases as soon as they achieve their targets against PKK in northern Iraq.
The ground attack was executed by some 10,000 troopers that made a 10-kilometer incursion into Iraqi soil and will return after ending the mission, Turkish news Agency Cehan said.
Afghan Taliban confirm Mullah Omar’s death
Kabul: The Afghan Taliban on Thursday confirmed the death of their leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, but did not say when and where he died.
"Leadership...
Pakistan admits links to Mumbai terror attacks
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan admitted Thursday for the first time that "a part of the conspiracy" related to the Mumbai terror attacks was planned on its soil and that it had arrested six suspects.
But Interior Minister Rehman Malik insisted at a news conference here that the terrorists, who slaughtered some 170 people in Mumbai in November and who India says were Pakistanis, were "non-state actors".
Russia completes delivery of nuke fuel for Iran’s Bushehr plant
By Xinhua
Tehran : The eighth and last nuclear fuel shipment from Russia arrived in Iran Monday morning, completing Russia's promised nuclear fuel delivery for Iran's first nuclear power plant, the official IRNA news agency reported.
IRNA quoted Iran Atomic Energy Production and Development Company as saying that the last shipment has been forwarded to Bushehr nuclear power plant which is being built at the Gulf port city of Bushehr.
Official: Hamas never to recognize Israel
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), stressed on Wednesday that his movement will never recognize the state of Israel, which would "disappear one day" by armed resistance.
Al-Zahar was speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference to revive al-Nakba, or the catastrophe, an expression the Palestinians use for the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.
"Israel is going to disappear one day and the Palestinian people will remain to fully liberate all their occupied lands," he said.
US commandos kill 20 in Pakistan: official
By DPA,
Islamabad : US commandos killed at least 20 people including women and children in a cross-border raid Wednesday in Pakistan's tribal region, a high-ranking government official said.
"Innocent citizens of Pakistan including women and children were martyred," Owais Ahmed Ghani, the governor of the North-Western Frontier Province, said in a statement.
According to Ghani, commandos based in Afghanistan supported by three helicopter gunships carried out the "outrageous" attack in the Angor Adda area of the South Waziristan tribal district.
US asks Bangladesh to help train Afghan police forces
By IRNA,
New Delhi : US has asked Bangladesh to send combat troops to Afghanistan to help the multinational forces bring stability in the war-torn nation.
Islamic Declaration on Climate Change calls Muslims to support Paris meet in December 2015
By A Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
Istanbul/New Delhi: An ‘Islamic Climate Change Declaration’ has called on the world's Muslims to play an active role in combating...
Israel begins to free Palestinian prisoners
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israel Monday began freeing 198 Palestinian prisoners, in a goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The prisoners were to be transferred from a prison close to Jerusalem to a checkpoint near Ramallah, from where they would cross into Palestinian territory for an official welcome at Abbas' headquarters compound in the West Bank city, Israel Radio said.
The list of prisoners being freed included two with "blood on their hands" - Israeli terminology for attacks in which Israelis were killed.
Palestinian presidency condemns Israeli escalation in West Bank, Gaza strip
By NNN-KUNA
Gaza : The Palestinian presidency has lashed out at the serious Israeli military escalation in Gaza Strip and the frequent incursions in the West Bank, namely Nablus.
"Israel's ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people in the West Bank is not serving the peace process and the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations," said presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaina in a press release Thursday.
Palestinian journalists bid farewell to Reuters colleague
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A couple hundred Palestinian journalists on Thursday bid farewell to their Reuters colleague who was killed a day ago while filming Israeli shelling in Gaza Strip.
On Wednesday afternoon, Faddel Ouda Shana'a, 24, who worked for Reuters as a cameraman, was killed in artillery shelling of the Israeli army in Johr el-diek area in southeast Gaza city.
Dhaka wants to restore 1972 constitution
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh government wants to "restore the constitution" framed in 1972, a year after independence, to reinforce the spirit of secularism, rule of law, human rights and democracy, a minister said.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shafique Ahmed said his ministry would take steps to restore the 1972 constitution "in order to re-establish the spirits of secularism, the great liberation war, rule of law, human rights and democracy in the country".
At UN, governments to push for Pakistan flood aid
By DPA,
New York : High-ranking government officials were to make a strong pitch at the UN Thursday for greater contributions to assist the victims of Pakistan's unprecedented floods that have affected more than 13 million people.
Officials were to address the UN General Assembly in a hastily convened session to discuss the widespread destruction caused by monsoon rain-swollen floods. At least six to eight million Pakistanis, including 3.5 million children, desperately need immediate relief.
Gunmen abduct French aid worker in Kabul
By DPA,
Kabul : A group of unknown gunmen abducted a French aid worker Monday in the Afghan capital, Kabul, and shot dead an Afghan driver who tried to rescue him, the police said.
The Frenchman was kidnapped as he was walking to his office with a colleague, said Zemarai Bashary, an interior ministry spokesman.
The two men were on foot in the Kart-e-Parwan neighbourhood when three gunmen snatched the Frenchman and took him to an unknown location by car, said a senior police official who requested anonymity.
Malaysian airlines troubled by crash rumours
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian budget airline, AirAsia, is facing an unusual problem -- hoax messages are being posted on blogs that speak of its planes crashing.