Iran’s Security Official talks with top Chinese, Russian negotiators
By SPA,
Geneva : Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili in separate meetings with the top Chinese and Russian nuclear negotiators on Sunday called for final settlement of Iran's nuclear dossier which was discussed with representatives of Group 6+1 in Geneva.
Group 6+1, which included high ranking representatives from Britain, Germany, France, China, Russia and the US and EU top negotiator Javier Solana, met with the Iranian envoy on Saturday and discussed various issues such as Iran's modality plan for continued talks.
Attorney: Decision on whether to indict Olmert to be made soon
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli State Attorney Moshe Lador said Monday that a decision will be made soon on whether to indict Prime Minister Ehud Olmert over the ongoing "money envelopes" investigation, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported onits website.
The evidences the prosecutors have gathered against Olmert, whois suspected of taking illicit money from American businessman Morris Talansky, will soon be submitted to Attorney General Menahem Mazuz, who will then decide whether to take Olmert to court, said Lador.
Israel arrests 12 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli army arrested 12 Palestinians early Tuesday during raids in West Bank cities, security sources said.
The detainees seized in Nablus and Hebron cities were taken to interrogation, the sources said, adding that two of the detainees in Hebron were accused of throwing stones at Israeli vehicles.
Israel stages almost daily raids in the occupied territory and arrests Palestinians it accuses of planning or participating in attacks against Israeli targets.
Pakiatani govt not to pass on burden of increased fare to pilgrims
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Advisor to Prime Minister on Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has said that government will not pass on the burden of any increase in fares to pilgrims keeping in view increasing oil prices at the international market.
Talking to APP here on Wednesday, he said earlier PIA and the Religious Ministry had agreed on fare issue but now he feared PIA might increase fare for Hajj operation after unprecedented surge in petrol prices.
“The government and PIA will bear the burden of increased fares and we will not pass on the burden to pilgrims” , he said.
Dhaka’s Best Air to fly to Colombo, Male
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladeshi private airliner Best Air is adding Colombo and Male on its South Asia map. Emanating from Dhaka, the flights for these destinations begin Monday.
This is the first foray of a Dhaka-based airline to the Maldivian capital where 40,000 Bangladeshis work, Best Air chairman Haider Uz-Zaman was quoted as saying by the New Age newspaper.
Hamas launches crackdown against Fatah following Gaza blasts
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Hamas forces launched a crackdown on supporters and charities linked to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement in Gaza Strip early Saturday following a mysterious blast that killed a number of Hamas people.
Among the detainees was a colonel working in the pro-Abbas intelligence service and a cameraman works for the German ARD television.
Bangladesh condemns Bangalore blasts
By NNN-PTI,
Dhaka : Bangladesh today condemned the Bangalore bombing in the "strongest terms" calling it an act of "mindless terrorism."
"All Bangladeshis condemn the bombing in the strongest terms. These were acts of mindless terrorism, and such crimes never pay," Foreign Adviser of the interim government Iftekhar Ahmed Chowhdhury said in a statement.
"Our sympathies are with the families of the bereaved and with the government and the people of India."
A series of explosions on Friday rocked India's IT hub killing two persons and injuring 12 others.
Emirates gets its first Airbus A380 giant airliner
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) national carrier Emirates airline Monday took possession of the first of the 58 Airbus A380 jumbo aircraft it had placed orders for.
Emirates chairman and chief executive officer Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum attended the function to take possession of the aircraft at Airbus's Jurgen Thomas A380 Delivery Centre in Hamburg, according to an Emirates statement here.
"We have stood firm on our commitment to the A380," Sheikh Ahmed said while accepting the aircraft.
Israeli commander sacked for shooting at arrested Palestinian
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) Tuesday suspended the commanding officer of the soldier who was captured on film shooting a blindfolded, handcuffed Palestinian protester in the foot with a rubber-coated metal bullet earlier this month.
An IDF spokesman said its Northern Command Chief, Major General Gadi Eisenkot, had ordered the officer to take a 10-day leave of absence after a hearing Tuesday and pending further investigation.
Eisenkot described the incident as "severe" and said it amounted to a "moral failure" on the part of the commander, the spokesman said.
Pakistani Taliban step up activities, occupy booster of state TV, kidnap policemen
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Taliban have stepped their activities in parts of the country and have taken over the control of the booster of the state-run television and kidnapped police men from a police station, witnesses and police said Tuesday.
Armed Taliban occupied booster of PTV in the restive Bajaur tribal region and spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban Maulvi Umar said the booster is still in their control.
The authorities had formed a jirga or council of tribal elders to negotiate with the Taliban to end occupation of the booster but failed to convince Taliban.
Pakistan experts same US-India nuclear deal: PM Gilani
By NNN-APP,
Washington : Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said Pakistan expects from United States the similar kind of nuclear deal it made with India.
“There should be no discrimination. If they want to give such nuclear status to India, we expect the same for Pakistan,” the Prime Minister said in a conversation with Richard N. Haass, President of Council on Foreign Relations at a meeting jointly organized with the Middle East Institute here.
OIC expresses concern over military takeover in Mauritania
By NNN-KUNA,
Riyadh : Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has expressed concern over the military takeover staged against the democratically-elected goverrnment in Mauritania Wednesday and detention of the president and prime minister by the army officers.
He said in a statement that he was particularly dismayed by this development as Mauritania had been exhibiting exemplary development towards the entrenchment of democracy and rule of law in the country with the visible positive role and support of its armed forces.
Indians now number around 420,000 in Qatar
By IANS,
Dubai : The population of expatriate Indians in Qatar stood at 419,096 as of July 31, more than double that of the local Qatari population, a minister said.
The country's Minister of State for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani revealed the figure in the course of a meeting with India's Ambassador to Qatar George Joseph, the Gulf Times newspaper reported.
The meeting was part of a series of farewell calls the ambassador is making prior to his departure from the Gulf nation.
Afghan intelligence agents free German hostage
By DPA,
Kabul : An Afghan-German businessman kidnapped in Kabul was freed by Afghan agents, a spokesman of the country's intelligence service said Thursday.
"Our agency was informed of the case yesterday and our forces conducted an operation last night, freeing the hostage and arresting three of the kidnappers," Sayed Ansari, a spokesman for the National Directorate of Security, told DPA.
Another source from the same spy agency, who did not want to be named, said that the man was freed from a house in Bagram district in northern Parwan province, 50 km from Kabul.
UAE commits $10 million to nuclear fuel reserve proposal
By NNN-WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates has contributed $10 million towards a fuel bank proposal originally launched by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) in 2006.
Palestinian official urges Israel to open commercial crossing with Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Palestinian official said Saturday that the flow of goods into Gaza will remain weak unless Israel opens a key commercial crossing point into the besieged territory.
"The promises to increase the amount and sorts of products that Israel sends to Gaza can not be met unless al-Muntar (Karni) crossing is opened," said independent lawmaker Jamal al-Khodary, who leads a campaign against the sanctions that Israel imposed on Gaza last year.
Save me, Musharraf urges Saudi Arabia
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Disappointed by his American friends, President Pervez Musharraf, who faces impeachment by the ruling coalition, has sent an "SOS message" to the Saudi authorities, a source said Monday.
"The message was sent through a senior Saudi diplomat based in Islamabad," the source told IANS, adding the president has received a response that is "not very positive".
The source said the Saudi authorities, however, are sending a senior government official to gain a first hand view of the situation arising out of the impeachment move.
Iran, EU agree to continue nuclear talks
By SPA,
Tehran : Iran's chief atomic negotiator Saeed Jalili and European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana agreed to continue nuclear talks in a telephone conversation on Monday, Iran's state television reported.
"Jalili ... and Solana agreed that the two sides' negotiations continue in a constructive atmosphere," the television report said. "The two sides insisted on the
continuation of talks."
Eight civilians among 33 killed in Afghanistan air strike
By KUNA,
Kabul : Eight Afghan civilians were among the 33 people killed in a coalition forces' air strike in southern Afghanistan, the military said on Monday.
A statement from the coalition forces' Bagram base said the civilians were taken hostage by the militants at a compound where they (militants) retreated after exchange of fire with the soldiers.
Lebanese president’s upcoming visit to Syria carries tough mission
By Suzan Haidamous, Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese President Michel Suleiman is faced with a tough mission during his upcoming two-day official visit to Syria, local analysts said.
Among other thorny issues, the establishment of diplomatic ties and the opening of embassies will top the agenda of the meeting between Suleiman and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.
America’s biggest law firm opens second office in UAE
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Global legal services giant DLA Piper, the largest law firm in the US, has opened its second office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
DLA Piper has over 3,700 lawyers in 65 offices spread across 25 countries.
The new office, located at the Al Bateen locality here, will initially comprise four partners and eight lawyers but this number is likely to more than double, according to a DLA Piper statement. The firm has a 100-strong lawyer team at its Dubai office. Its other offices in the Gulf are at Doha in Qatar and Muscat in Oman.
Iran manufactures radar-evading vessels, UUVs
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Experts of Iran's defence industries have successfully manufactured radar-evading vessels and unmanned undersea vehicles, Minister of Defence Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said.
The minister said Tuesday that the strategic products were designed and produced in the current Iranian year designated by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the "Year of Innovation and Progress".
The minister said that mass production of UUVs and the radar-evading vessels would remarkably promote combat power of the Iranian Navy.
Many in Pakistan opposed to safe passage for Musharraf
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : A large number of politicians, lawyers and civil rights leaders are opposed to the idea of Pervez Musharraf being given safe passage out of the country after his resignation as president, though there are reports his bete noire Nawaz Sharif has agreed to it after a meeting with an envoy from Saudi Arabia.
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.
20 killed in bomb blast in Pakistan hospital
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 20 people were killed Tuesday when a bomb exploded in a hospital in Pakistan's northwest city of Dera Ismail Khan, an official said.
The bomb exploded in the emergency ward of the hospital, said Mohsin Shah, the head of the local administration.
A crowd had gathered in the ward because of an earlier murder. The body of a state-run grocery store employee was brought to the hospital after he was shot dead by unknown gunmen in the city.
Among the injured were also four policemen who were investigating the murder.
Pakistani-origin men in possible plot against British queen
By IANS,
London : A cell of young Pakistani-origin men found guilty of terror offences may have been plotting to attack the queen and other members of the British royal family, a newspaper reported Tuesday.
Those targeted included Queen Elizabeth II, her husband Prince Philip, their sons Princes Charles, Andrews and Edward and daughter Princess Anne.
Also on the list were Princess Michael of Kent, the duke and duchess of Gloucester and the duke and duchess of Kent, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Death toll of twin blasts in E Pakistan reaches 45
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Up to 45 people were killed and 60 others injured in two suicide blasts in eastern Punjab province on Thursday, the state-run PTV reported.
The blasts occurred at the main gate and another gate of Pakistan Ordinance Factory in Wah Cantt, a city located approximately 50 km northwest of Islamabad, said the report.
The blasts took place when the shift was changed and a lot of workers were leaving the cantonment.
Local TV channel reports said they were suicide blasts targeting the workers.
Sarkozy presides over honour ceremony for Afghan war dead
By KUNA,
Paris : French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday presided over an important ceremony to honour the ten French soldiers killed while on a reconnaissance patrol in Afghanistan last Monday.
In the presence of Prime Minister Francois Fillon, Defence Minister Herve Morin, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and most of the other members of his cabinet, Sarkozy, visibly moved, sat at the head of the congregation for a religious ceremony, which included tearful family members of those killed.
Gunmen shoot dead local politician, four other in northwest Pakistan
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Unidentified gunmen shot dead a local leader of the ruling party and three of his colleagues with him in Pakistan's northwest, police said Thursday.
Mouhammad Amin, a leader of the ruling nationalist party in North West Frontier Province, and his three friends were shot dead late last night in the restive Swat valley.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack but suspected militants have in the past targeted politicians belonging to ruling parties.
Police said that armed men ambushed their car at Deolai area, killing them at the scene.
Afghanistan still faces long haul to counter drugs, UK warns
By IRNA,
London : The British government has welcomed the latest UN drugs report for Afghanistan showing a 19 percent reduction in poppy cultivation this year but warned there is 'no room for complacency'.
"It will take a long time for Afghanistan to be in a position to run a self-sustaining legal economy, police force, justice system and public services. We are in this for the long haul," Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown said.
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.
UAE Urges UN To Tackle Obstacles Hindering War Against Terrorism
By Bernama,
New York : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has urged the United Nations (UN) to boost joint efforts, so as to tackle strongly the obstacles hindering the total eradication of terror.
The country also called for systematic, objective, balanced and transparent review of the definition of terrorism to facilitate international consensus on the definition of the phenomenon, Emirates news agency (WAM) quoted Acting Charge d'Affairs at the UAE Mission at the UN Headquarters Anwar Othman Barout Saleem Al-Barout as saying on Sunday.
With two begums free, Dhaka in poll mode
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's military-backed interim government has mounted efforts to bring together the two battling begums - former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina who have been provisionally freed from detention - to prepare for the December parliamentary polls.
"We will bring the two leaders across the table to create an atmosphere of trust and a new mode in politics," Commerce and Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters after Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson, was Thursday released on bail after more than a year's imprisonment.
Qatar Telecom posts record profit in second quarter
By IANS,
Dubai : Qatar Telecom (Qtel), Qatar's exclusive telecommunication services provider, has announced record profits for the second quarter of 2008 ending June 30.
The company posted net profits of 655 million Qatari riyals ($180 million), an increase of 59 percent from the same period last year, according to a Qtel statement.
"We have continued to make excellent progress towards our strategic goals this period, reporting record profits as well as making an important acquisition," Qtel chairman Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani said in the statement.
PPP aims to oust Punjab government
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) which is in power at the centre and in three of the four provinces is eyeing the fourth and the largest province of Punjab to form its own government there to consolidate its power.
"Our party leaderships considers it important to form the government in Punjab otherwise it would be difficult for the central government to function smoothly," a PPP leader told IANS.
Palestinians call on Arab League to stop Israeli settlement activities
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mussa has received a memo signed by 16,000 Palestinians calling on the Arab League, the UN Secretary-General, and the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to stop the Israeli settlement activities.
Double crisis hits Badawi-led Malaysian government
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : With a minister threatening to quit and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim claiming the support of 31 members of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi seems to be in serious trouble.
Mounting pressure on Badawi to step down as he had lost majority, Ibrahim claimed that more than 31 BN lawmakers had agreed to cross over to his opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat. He, however, refused to reveal the names of the 31 MPs, Star Online reported Tuesday.
U.S. helicopter hard landing kills 7 in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A U.S. transport helicopter went down Thursday in southern Iraq, killing seven people on board, the U.S. military said.
The military said the seven died when a CH-47 Chinook experienced a hard landing at approximately 12:01 a.m.(2101 GMT Wednesday) about 100 km west of Basra.
The helicopter was on a transport mission from Kuwait to the Balad base in northern Iraq.
It said the incident was under investigation.
In November 2003, a CH-47 helicopter was shot down some 60 km west of Baghdad, killing 15 soldiers and leaving 21 injured.
Russia opposes new UN sanctions on Iran
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia is opposed to any new UN measures against Iran over its disputed nuclear programme for now, the foreign ministry said Saturday.
The statement came after six world powers met Friday to discuss a fourth round of UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic suspected of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
The meeting in Washington brought no agreement.
Tehran insists it pursues nuclear research to generate electricity.
"We spoke out against extra measures by the UN Security Council at the current stage," the ministry said.
Israeli PM Olmert hands in formal resignation
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert handed in Sunday evening his resignation to President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, after serving in the office for 33 months.
Earlier in the day, the premier told his cabinet he was planning on handing in his mandate, following the election last week of Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni as the new leader of his ruling Kadima Party.
"This is not an easy decision and not a simple one," Olmert said to his ministers, adding that "I think I am acting in a suitable, statesmanlike and responsible manner, as I promised the Israeli public."
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.
Afghan ambassador-designate kidnapped in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Afghan ambassador-designate to Pakistan Abdul Khaliq Farahi was kidnapped in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar Monday.
The vehicle carrying Farahi was attacked by unidentified gunmen in the Hayatabad area of the capital city of North-West Frontier Province, News Network International (NNI) news agency said, adding that his driver was killed in the attack.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
Iranian, Pakistani Presidents call for finalization of IPI deal at New York meeting
By NNN-IRNA,
New York : Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari called for finalization of the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project.
The two presidents agreed that India could join the finalization of the IPI gas deal project, which is known as the Peace Pipeline if it so desires.
The meeting took place Wednesday on the sidelines of the 63rd meet of the UN General Assembly in New York where Ahmadinejad called for further Tehran-Islamabad cooperation.
Kidnappers release 118 Afghan workers, 32 still held
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan officials said Saturday they were trying to secure the release of 35 construction workers after their kidnappers released 118 labourers in western Afghanistan.
The militants who identified themselves as members of Taliban insurgents abducted 153 workers on their way to a construction site in Bala Bulok district of western Farah province Sunday.
Three of the workers were released Tuesday.
Pakistan: govt for crackdown against hoax callers
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The Government has directed the federal and provincial administrations and law enforcement agencies to double their efforts against the hoax callers and take strict action against them.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) have been asked to launch a crackdown against the hoax calls and callers in collaboration with other intelligence agencies to avoid this practice.
The operation would initially be launched in all major cities, including the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Over 3,400 Indians use Kuwait amnesty scheme
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : With just a week left for the expiry of an amnesty scheme in Kuwait for illegal expatriates to regularize their status, over 3,400 Indians have put in their applications.
"Over 3,400 Indians have applied for emergency outpasses till now," Dinesh Bhatia, charge d'affaires in the Indian embassy in Kuwait, told IANS over telephone Wednesday.
"We are processing the same and will get to arrive at the final figure in consultation with Kuwaiti authorities after the scheme gets over," he added.
Human Rights Watch slams Jordan for prison torture
By DPA,
Amman : The Human Rights Watch Wednesday accused the Jordanian authorities of practicing "routine and widespread torture" at its prisons and urged the government to amend its mechanisms for investigating, disciplining and prosecuting abusers.
The charges came in a 95-page report entitled "Torture and Impunity in Jordan's Prisons: Reforms Fail to Tackle Widespread Abuse" that was released at a press conference.
Badawi should step down now, says Mahathir
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmed Badawi should step down immediately and not wait until March, his predecessor and friend-turned-critic Mahathir Mohamad has said.
Mahathir said that Badawi, while announcing that he would quit in March as chief of the ruling United Malaysian National Organisation (Umno) and with that give up the prime ministership, had not allowed autonomy to his would-be successor, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Exhibitors from India in Dubai gem show
By IANS,
Dubai : Exhibitors from India are among those from 20 countries participating in a global gem show taking place in Dubai.
Over 100 exhibitors from the coloured stones industry have gathered here for the International Gem Show Dubai 2008 that started Monday.
The three-day exhibition, under the patronage of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), is being organised by the International Coloured Gemstone Association (ICA) and supported by the Middle East GemBureau.
17 militants die as Pakistan combat jets bomb Taliban positions
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : At least 17 militants were killed on Monday when Pakistani combat jets and gunship helicopters bombed suspected Taliban positions in the troubled northwestern Swat valley and adjoining Bajaur tribal region.
Ten militants were killed when jets struck militant positions at several places in Charmang and Loisam sub-districts of Bajaur Agency, considered strongholds of the local Taliban.
A number of militant hideouts were destroyed in the bombing, TV channels reported.
Pakistani PM Gilani meets Japanese counterpart in Beijing
By NNN-APP,
Beijing : In a meeting held with the Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on the sidelines of ASEM Summit in Beijing, Saturday, the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani thanked the former for Japan’s doubling of its official development assistance for Pakistan to US$ 479 million in 2007 and the grant assistance through UNHCR for the internally displaced persons in Pakistan, this year.
Eight killed in US raid on Syrian village DPA
Damascus, Oct 27 (DPA) Syria Monday condemned a commando raid on a remote border village by US forces in which it said eight civilians, including four children, were killed.
A government spokesman in Damascus added that the Iraqi government also bore responsibility for the incident.
According to the state-run news agency SANA, the eight victims included a married couple, their four children, and two men in the attack at the village Sunday.
90 dead, 20,000 displaced in Yemeni floods
By SPA,
Sana, Yemen : Flooding caused by a tropical storm has killed 90 people and displaced 20,000 others in southern Yemen, police and the World Food Program said Monday.
The WFP, which said 20,000 people were displaced, said it has been difficult to get aid to hard-hit Hadramut province because many roads were destroyed by floodwaters after Thursday's storm.
A police official said 90 people died and 24 farms were wrecked, foreign news agencies reported.
German FM holds talks with Pakistan President
By SPA,
Islamabad : German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived here today for a two-day official visit to Pakistan for wide-ranging talks with top officials on means of bolstering bilateral cooperation.
Immediately after arrival, Steinmeier proceeded to the Presidential palace in Islamabad where he held talks with President Asif Ali Zardari on regional and international issues as well as bilateral relations and security developments in the region, official sources said.
Arab League and Arab Security Council condemn US attack on Syria
By NNN-SANA,
Cairo : The Arab League general secretariat has condemned the US attack on Boukamal in north-eastern Syria that claimed the lives of innocent civilians.
In a statement issued Monday, the Arab League underlined that such a violation will not help stability in the region and opens the door for new tension in the region and destroy the credibility of the move toward peace and stability in Iraq and its neighbours.
The statement stressed solidarity with Syria in her right to defend her territories and protect her people.
Afghanistan, Pakistan pledge to build better relations
By DPA,
Ankara : Pakistan and Afghanistan leaders Thursday reiterated their pledges to cooperate towards promoting peace, security, stability and economic development in the region.
Meeting in Istanbul with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Gilani and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai vowed to continue cooperation in a number of fields and welcomed talks to promote peace in the two countries.
Explosion in Gaza kills policeman, injures three others
By KUNA,
Gaza : A Palestinian policeman was killed while three others were injured last night due to an explosion near a police headquarters in the Gaza Strip, a local radio reported on Friday.
The radio station in Gaza said the policeman and his mates at the bombs squad were trying to dismantle an explosive device at the headquarters.
The dismantling was a failure and the bomb detonated ending Alaa Al-Ajala's life.
Karzai congratulates U.S. President-elect, calls for strategy change in Afghan war
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai Wednesday congratulated Barack Obama on his victory in the U.S. presidential elections and called for change in the strategy on war against terrorism.
"I congratulate Senator Barack Obama on winning the presidential elections and we hope there will be a change in the strategy of war on terror," Karzai told newsmen at a press conference immediately after the result of U.S. Presidential polls came out.
Security forces hit militants” hideouts in Pakistan
By KUNA,
Islamabad : More than ten militants were killed in fresh military air strikes in Pakistan's northern lush-green on Saturday, security sources said.
Military gunship helicopters conducted fresh air strikes in Malamjabba and Kabal areas of Sawat districts, the sources told KUNA.
They said several suspected militant hideouts were destroyed, adding that at least ten militants were killed.
Sources said that operation was still continuing in the area.
Malaysian Indian wins award for educating poor kids
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Indian Dhanveer Singh has won the Most Outstanding Youth of the Year award for his work to educate poor children in Southeast Asian nations' He says being with children inspires him.
Singh's non-profit organisation SOLS247 is working among the disadvantaged youth in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Timor Leste, who are not in the league of the region's "tiger economies".
He was conferred the award at the Fourth Asian Youth Ambassadors (AYA) Dream Malaysia Awards ceremony here Sunday.
India, Pakistan to hold talks on liberalising visa regime
By Muhammad Najeeb,IANS,
Islamabad : Top officials from the interior ministries of Pakistan and India will meet here Nov 25 to discuss liberalizing their visa regime, as also issues related to counter-terrorism and counsellor access to prisoners in each other's country.
Indian Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta will reach Lahore Nov 24 from where he will come to Islamabad the next morning for bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart Syed Kamal Shah, an official of the interior minister said.
Banned outfit planning fresh bombings in poll-bound Bangladesh: report
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's banned Islamist militant outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) has begun stockpiling explosives and is planning a fresh round of attacks across the country in the run up to the Dec 18 general elections, officials said.
The military-backed caretaker government has failed to follow up its drive against Islamist militancy, media reports Tuesday said quoting security officials.
Karzai in touch with senior Taliban leaders: Afghan official
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Afghan President Hamid Karzai is in touch with the senior leadership of former ruling Taliban that went underground after the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops landed in the war torn country after 9/11, says a senior Afghan official.
"Yes, Hamid Karzai is in touch with them (Taliban) for some time and wants to establish long term peace in Afghanistan," the senior Afghan official visiting Pakistan told IANS, while requesting anonymity.
Missile attack kills 4 in NW Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least four people were killed in a missile attack in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, private TV channel Geo reported.
Some unknown militants fired a missile in Andi Khel area of Frontier Region of Bannu district in North West Frontier Province, killing four persons and injuring several others, said the report.
The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Security forces cordoned off the area after the incident.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
U.S. optimistic about approval of security pact with Iraq
By Xinhua,
Washington : The United States is confident that the Iraqi parliament will approve a controversial military pact that allows American troops to remain in Iraq until the end of 2011, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Wednesday.
"We think we're on a good trajectory right now," Perino told reporters. "All we need to do is to have them have the reading, let the parliament debate, as you would in a democratic society, and then have a vote. We think they'll be able to do it later this week, or early next week, or next week."
At least four dead in Kabul explosion
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : At least four people were killed and over 10 injured when an explosive device went off near the U.S. embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, a source in the country's interior ministry said on Thursday.
The official dismissed media reports that the explosion had occurred just outside the U.S. embassy, saying that the bomb had been detonated outside a state-run printing firm at least 200 meters away from the entrance to the U.S. compound.
"A terrorist attacked a NATO convoy," the source said, adding that the blast had occurred during rush hour.
India, Pakistan agree on visa liberalization
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan and India have agreed on the need for visa liberalization and decided to discuss ways to cooperate in curbing cross border crime, according to Online news agency.
A joint statement, issued at end of the home secretary level talks, said the Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of India will meet soon to discuss cooperation in addressing issues like human trafficking, illegal immigration, and counterfeit currency.
Activists want end to Israeli blockade of Gaza
By IRNA,
London : Human rights activists are calling on Egypt to open its border with Gaza to prevent the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the strip.
Parliamentarians, community leaders, NGOs and human rights activists, from different countries, have written a letter to be delivered on Saturday by the Egyptian Embassy to President Hosni Mubarak to ask him to open Gaza crossing.
IAEA monitors safety of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant
By Xinhua,
Tehran : The International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) representative to Iran Christer Viktorsson said on Sunday that IAEA monitors the safety of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, in Iran's southern Bushehr province, the official IRNA news agency reported.
"Cooperation between IAEA and Iran on the security and safety of Bushehr nuclear power plant is in line with existing protocols and agreements," IRNA quoted Viktorsson as saying, adding that "Iran is now fully cooperating with IAEA to maintain safety of Bushehr nuclear power plant."
Violence escalates in Karachi, over 40 killed
By KUNA,
Islamabad : More than 40 people have been killed in the violence in Pakistan's southern Karachi port city, erupted Saturday night between two local ethnic communities.
While the violence continued to escalate in Pakistan's commercial hub, the provincial government Monday issued orders of "shoot on site" and banned pillion-riding.
Members of two ethnic communities went on a rampage and attacked each other on Saturday night in Karachi. The violence spread like fire in various parts of the city and have brought the daily life on standstill.
Water to be pumps in Mina in preparation for the 8th of Thu Al-Hijjah
By SPA,
Makkah : The General Directorate of water in the Makkah Region will begin pumping water through networks in Mina in preparation for the day of Tarwiyah (watering), the Eighth of Zil-Hijja.
On the Tarwiyah day the pilgrims spend in Mina day and night hours prior to moving to Arafat in the morning of the next day (Sunday).
This was announced by general supervisor of the General Directorate of water in the Makkah Al-Ahmad Baghdadi.
Pakistani President to attend trilateral summit in Turkey
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will leave for Turkey on Friday to represent Pakistan at the trilateral summit and discuss with Afghan President ways to bring lasting peace to the region, officials said Wednesday.
The trilateral summit is being hosted by Turkey with the sole objective of bringing Pakistan and Afghanistan closer and forging stronger bonds between the two countries.
Rice sees no military standoff between Pakistan, India
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday that Pakistan and India had both given responsible statements and no military action was on the cards in both countries.
"I found the Pakistani leadership very focused and committed," she told reporters after talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and senior army officials.
"I do want to thank you for the leadership role that you have taken," she told Zardari.
Pakistani president vows to help in Mumbai attacks probe
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Zardari Thursday assured visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Ricethat Pakistan will assist in investigation into last week's Mumbai attacks, according to a statement from the Pakistani president office.
"The government will also take strong action against any Pakistani elements found involved in the attack," Zardari told Rice, said the statement.
"Pakistan is determined to ensure that its territory is not used for any act of terrorism," the statement quoted Zardari as saying.
China calls for India-Pakistan dialogue after Mumbai attacks
By Xinhua,
Beijing : China Thursday called for dialogue between India and Pakistan to clear the confusion after last week's terror attacks in Mumbai to maintain peace and stability in South Asia.
China firmly opposes terrorism and it is in the best interest of India and Pakistan to strengthen dialogue and bilateral cooperation, foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters.
"It is in line with the requirements for regional peace and stability and the common expectation of the international community," he said.
Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan to strengthen anti-terrorism co-op
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Presidents of Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday stressed their determination to strengthen tripartite cooperation to fight against terrorism, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
At the joint press conference held by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari following the Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan tripartite summit in Istanbul on Friday, Gul said that the three parties confirmed that counter terrorism is the priority they have attached to.
NATO troops fire on bus in Afghanistan, killing 4
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : NATO forces in Afghanistan have killed four passengers on a bus that failed to stop when driving toward their patrol, the ISAF press service said.
The incident occurred on Friday morning 40 km south of Kabul on the road to Kandahar. The International Security and Assistance Force said the bus driver did not heed signals to slow down, warning gestures or shots in the air, so the soldiers were forced to fire on the vehicle.
Saudi Arabian Airlines to fly 500,000 pilgrims
By SPA,
Jeddah : Saudi Arabian Airlines will fly about 500,000 pilgrims back home, Khaled Al-Mulhim, Director General of the national carrier, has said.
Sami Badr, Director of the Hajj Terminal at Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz Airport, told the Jeddah-based Arabic newspaper "OKAZ" that there was coordination between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Hajj Ministry to bring pilgrims to the airport seven hours prior to the departure time of their flights.
He added that offices have been set up at Makkah entry points to organize the departure process.
Death toll rises to 18 in Baghdad twin bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll of a double explosions outside a traffic police headquarters in central Baghdad on Wednesday rose to 18 and 52 people injured, an Interior Ministry source said.
"The toll of the car bomb and a roadside bomb attacks in Nahdhaarea rose to 18 killed and 52 injured," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The attack took place when a booby-trapped car detonated outside the headquarters near the al-Nahdha parking lot in central Baghdad on the east side of Tigris River, the source said.
Pakistan has all right to defense if war is thrust: FM
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Foreign Minister Mahmood Quraishi said Sunday that Pakistan does not want war and desires peace, 'but if war is thrust on us, then we have all the right to defend'.
Talking to media at Multan Airport, Quraishi said, "We are prepared to fully cooperate with India, but India should provide concrete evidences."
The foreign minister said, "We possess all the potentiality for defense and the Pakistan Armed Forces are absolutely prepared for defense."
More Than 300 Indonesians Died In Saudi Arabia
By Bernama,
Jakarta : Some 325 Indonesian Haj pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia up to December 21, local media reported.
Of the 325 Haj pilgrim deaths, 225 occurred in Mecca, 36 in Madinah, and four in Jeddah, Indonesia's Antara news agency said.
Around 150 Indonesian Haj pilgrims received medical treatment due to illness, the agency added.
The number is slightly lower than last year's 327 Haj pilgrims who died in the same period, Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Haj Pilgrimage Committee Barita Sitompul was quoted by the news agency as saying.
Earthquake hits Iran
By SPA,
Tehran : An earthquake measuring 4.2 on Richter scale shook the vicinity of Jam city in Bushehr province, southern Iran, Sunday night, Iran's news agency "IRNA" reported.
The Geophysics Institute of Tehran University registered the quake.
The epicenter of the tremor has been an area located 52.26 degrees in longitude and 28.04 degrees in latitude.
There are no reports of any casualty or damage to the property caused by the tremor.
Iran is often shaken by quakes of varying magnitudes as it sits on some of the world's most active seismic fault lines.
Dhaka steps up vigilance along border with India as bombs, explosives seized
By NNN-APP,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Monday put all border outposts of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on high alert with neighbouring India as police retrieved a powerful bomb on a timer and two hand bombs in southwestern bordering district of Jessore on Monday.
Explosive experts were called in immediately to defuse them, police guarding the spot said.
Israel must end ‘unlawful’ attacks, says Amnesty International
London, Dec 29, IRNA ,Amnesty International Monday expressed its horror at Israel's ongoing slaughter of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, calling for an end to the massacre and for Gaza's emergency needs to be met.
"The horrific death toll risks growing due to the unavailability of adequate medical care for the hundreds of injured," the London-based human rights group said three days after Israeli air attacks killed over 300 Palestinians.
Abbas calls for Security Council meeting on Gaza situation
By DPA,
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Saturday for the UN Security Council to hold an urgent meeting to stop the Israeli air and ground offensives on the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in a statement that Abbas called on the Security Council to convene immediately "to halt and stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip."
"President Abbas intensified his contacts with Arab and foreign countries to stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip without any preconditions," Erekat said.
Gaza will become Zionist cemetery, warns Iran speaker
By IINA,
Tehran : Iran's Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said the resistance of the Palestinian people will turn the Gaza Strip into a Zionist cemetery. Addressing lawmakers prior to the open session of parliament on Sunday, Larijani took aim at the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza. He said the destruction of medical centers in Gaza is the visible expression of crime against humanity. "Fortunately, the Zionists are confronted by the Palestinians' defense and sustained serious losses. The Zionists should bear in mind that Gaza will become their cemetery," Larijani added.
China calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
By Xinhua,
Beijing : Israel and Hamas should cease fire immediately and mitigate the humanitarian crisis, Sun Bigan, China's special envoy to the Middle East Region, told the press Thursday afternoon.
Voicing deep concern over the ongoing turbulence in the region, Sun said immediate ceasefire is urgent. Israel should stop military operations in Gaza immediately and Hamas should stop firing rockets at Israel.
Differences in Malaysian opposition over Islamic law
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Differences have cropped up in Pakatan Rakyat (PR), Malaysia's opposition alliance, over the desirability of introducing Islamic laws in a multi-religious society, with one of its ethnic Indian leaders opposing it.
Lawyer-lawmaker Karpal Singh, chairman of Democratic Action Party (DAP), one of the PR constituents, has lashed out at the alliance chief Anwar Ibrahim, saying his assertion that Islamic hudud laws apply only to Muslims "is a fallacy", The Star newspaper reported Friday.
Over 1,000 New Zealanders stage demonstration against Israel
By Xinhua,
Wellington : More than 1,000 people held rallies in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland Saturday in protest against Israel's attacks on Gaza.
The protesters marched from Aotea Square at midday to the U.S. consulate, where they threw about 100 shoes at the building, considered a grave insult by Arabs.
The march then returned to Aotea Square for speeches. Israeli flags were also burnt during the protest, according to the demonstrators.
Some of the protesters were clothed in Palestinian flags and held placards of dead and mutilated children.
343 Indian fishermen detained in Pakistan: official
By Muhammad Najeeb,IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Friday said it had in its detention 343 Indian fishermen while 19 of its own fishermen were in Indian jails for violating maritime boundaries.
In an online media briefing, the Foreign Office spokesman said the waters of the Indus delta at the Arabian Sea are considered good for fish breeding that lures the Indian fishermen into entering Pakistan's territorial waters for a better catch.
Iraqi senior official escapes bomb explosion
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : An Iraqi high-ranking official escaped unhurt in a bomb explosion Tuesday, an interior ministry source said.
Ammar Aziz Muhammad Ali, undersecretary of Higher Education Ministry, escaped unhurt when a roadside bomb went off near his convoy in the Nidhal Street in Baghdad central district of Karrada, the source said, requesting anonymity.
The blast wounded two of Ali's bodyguards and two by-standers, besides damaging one of his convoy's vehicles, the source said.
UN official outlines Gaza situation
By IRNA,
Tehran : A top UN official in Gaza said on Monday that so many families have been destroyed in so many ways.
Gaza Director of Operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) John Ging reported from ground zero, noting that at his last briefing on Friday he had hoped they would not have a further death toll.
Insurgent responsible for German embassy bombing killed
By DPA,
Kabul : A high-ranking militant believed responsible for the suicide bombing of the German embassy in Kabul earlier this month was killed and another one captured, the international ISAF forces said Friday.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) supported Afghan forces in raiding compounds in the Afghan capital and the neighbouring Logar province in the night from Thursday, ISAF said in a statement.
One bomb-maker was detained and "a senior insurgent commander killed", ISAF said without providing further detail on the militants.
Pakistan willing to amend anti-terror laws: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan is willing to amend its laws to enable it prosecute its nationals responsible for terror acts outside the country and is also prepared to share intelligence with India to prevent the recurrence of Mumbai-style attacks, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.
Since the present statute doesn't apply to people who have committed offences outside Pakistan, "if somebody is out of country and is guilty, then certainly we have to look in to our own laws as well", Gilani told the Financial Times in an interview published Saturday.
US to improve ties with Muslim world — Obama
By KUNA,
Kuwait : US President Barack Obama stressed Monday he will fulfill the promises he made during his presidential election campaign on improving US ties with the Muslim world.
In his first interview with an Arab television station, with Al-Arabiya, Obama told the Muslim world "Americans are not your enemy".
"My job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world ... that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries," he added.
U.S. wants partnership with Muslim world based on respect – Obama
By RIA Novosti,
Washington : U.S. President Barack Obama has said during his first formal interview since his inauguration that the U.S. will seek to reach out to the Muslim world.
During Monday night's interview with the al-Arabiya news channel, Obama said that while Israel was a "strong ally of the United States," his administration was ready to "initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest" with the Muslim world.
Iraq’s provincial elections: A test of fragile calm
By DPA,
Baghdad : As voters prepare to go to the polls Jan 31, Iraq stands balanced on a knife-edge as the streets are safer now than they have been at any time since the country slid into civil war in 2005.
When Iraqis vote in 14 of the country's 18 provinces to choose the provincial councils that will govern them, the country could make a great step forward in drawing a line under the recent years of bloodshed. Or, many Iraqis say, if the polls are viewed as unfair, the country could tip back into carnage and chaos.
Former Iranian president hopes Obama to be fair, rational
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran expects new US President Barack Obama to adopt a fair and rational approach toward the Islamic state, former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani said here at a Friday prayer ceremony.
"Repeating the policies by [former US president George W.] Bush would not solve anything, but the new administration should adopt a fair and rational approach towards Iran," said Rafsanjani, who still plays an influential role in Iran's political scene as head of the Experts Assembly, the country's highest clerical body.
Israeli troops killed Gaza children carrying white flag, witnesses
Gaza City, Feb 2, IRNA -- International organizations, citing videos and witnesses say Israel has committed crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza.
Human Rights Watch and other groups allege that Israel's tactics for achieving a military advantage in Gaza led to disproportionate death and suffering of a civilian population that was denied medical care, refuge and electricity, especially in the urban warfare in and around Gaza City.
"Gaza became a kind of free fire zone for the Israelis," said Fred Abrahams, senior emergencies researcher for Human Rights Watch.
Kyrgyzstan to demand closure of US base on its territory
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Kyrgyzstan will demand the closure of a US military base on its territory that is used to support anti-terrorism operations in neighbouring Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has said.
"The Kyrgyz government has taken a decision to terminate the rent of the base," Bakiyev told a news conference after holding talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
NATO modifies anti-narcotics order after leak
By Xinhua,
Brussels : NATO's top military commander has modified his order on the rules of engagement by his troops in the fight against narcotics in Afghanistan after the original version was leaked to the media.
NATO spokesman James Appathurai said Wednesday that NATO commanders have agreed that drug traffickers and drug-producing facilities will only be hit where they provide "material support" for the Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan.
In the leaked letter, NATO's General John Craddock had wanted all drug traffickers to be targeted.
Roadside bombing kills 6 guards of district chief in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan : A roadside bombing targeting a vehicle of district chief of Musa Qala district in southern Afghan province of Helmand killed at least six guards aboard Wednesday, said an official.
Abdul Salam, the district chief, told Xinhua it occurred at around 12:00 p.m. local time (0830GMT) when the vehicle of his guards running in the riot Musa Qala district hit remote-controlled mines planted by Taliban militants, leaving six dead onthe spot.
Iran ready to cooperate with U.S. on global issues – Ahmadinejad
By RIA Novosti,
TEHRAN : Iran is ready to cooperate with the new U.S. administration in tackling global issues on the basis of "mutual respect," the Iranian president said on Friday.
"Iran announces its readiness to welcome genuine and correct changes in polices conducted by the new U.S. administration, and to cooperate with Washington on the resolution of urgent global problems in an atmosphere of mutual respect and fairness," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a meeting with the newly appointed Swiss ambassador to Iran.
Zillur Rahman all set to be declared Bangladesh president
By IANS,
Dhaka : Veteran leader of the ruling Awami League Zillur Rahman is poised to be declared the next president of Bangladesh, with no other nomination paper being filed for the presidential poll scheduled Feb 16.
Awami League (AL) chief whip Abdus Shahid filed Rahman's nomination with the returning officer (RO) Sunday, The Daily Star reported Monday.
Iran’s reformist Khatami to run for presidency
By Xinhua,
TEHRAN : Iran's former reformist president Seyed Mohammad Khatami announced his decision on Sunday to run in the upcoming presidential elections, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
"Here, I earnestly announce my candidacy in the elections," said Khatami at a press conference, adding that "I announce that, from the beginning until now, in spite of whatever had been said, I never hesitated (in my decision)."
It was rumored in the past months that Khatami was hesitated to run for the upcoming presidential elections which will be held on June 12, 2009.
Dhaka, Delhi sign trade, transit pacts, move closer on terrorism
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh and India Monday rejuvenated their political and economic ties, renewing a trade pact that envisages transit facility to India, and moved closer on their resolve to combat terrorism.
A 12-hour hectic visit here of Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee saw confluence of views on bilateral and regional issues between the South Asian neighbours, made possible by the emergence in Bangladesh of a new political dispensation last month under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Pakistan seeks more information on 26/11, India terms it insincere
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan said Monday it needed more information on the Mumbai terror attacks and New Delhi expectedly reacted in anger, accusing Islamabad of insincerity in prosecuting the perpetrators of the carnage.
A statement issued here after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani chaired a meeting of the cabinet Defence Coordination Committee said the evidence India has furnished, pointing to involvement of elements from Pakistan in the Mumbai mayhem, was insufficient.
Five militants killed in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least five militants were killed and six others were injured in an exchange of fire with security forces Friday in northwestern Pakistan, a military statement said.
According to the statement, militants opened fire on a patrolling party of the Pakistan Army near Matta in the Swat district, forcing the security personnel to retaliate.
In the exchange of fire, three militants were killed and five others were injured, it said.
In another exchange of fire near Aligrama in Swat, two militants were killed and another was injured.
Pakistan may seek Kasab’s custody
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan said Saturday it might seek the custody of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrrorist captured during the Mumbai mayhem, to aid its investigations into the carnage.
"If Ajmal Kasab is needed for the investigation process, then India could be asked for handing him over," Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters in the southern port city of Karachi, adding that at the moment, it would be premature to say anything else in the matter
Train-truck collision kills eight in Bangladesh
By DPA,
Dhaka : At least eight people were killed and dozens others injured Tuesday as a train collided with a truck in northwestern Bangladesh, the police said.
The accident occurred at around noon at the Khasiabari level crossing in Joypurhat district, some 280 km from the capital Dhaka, killing the eight victims on the spot, said inspector Noor Hossain at Joypurhat police station.
He quoted witnesses as saying that the victims were riding on the "Rocket Mail" train engine-front when the engine rammed into the truck that had reached the level crossing.
‘Shariat deal proof of Pakistan military’s defeat’
By IANS,
Islamabad : A deal to enforce Shariat laws in parts of Pakistan's restive northwest is proof of the military's defeat against Taliban militants operating in the area and has "implications" for other parts of the country, an editorial in a leading English daily said Tuesday.
"The fact is that this deal shows that the Pakistan military has in fact been defeated by the militants; that we are now incapable of retaining control of vast tracts of our own territory," The News said in an editorial headlined "Shariah in Swat".
NATO supply tanker attacked in northwest Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A NATO supply tanker was attacked by militants in northwest Pakistan, a media report said Saturday.
This is the latest attack on a NATO supply route in Pakistan. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the report said without giving any further details.
Nearly 75 percent of the supplies for US and NATO troops in Afghanistan currently travel through Pakistan. The supply route has been under increasing attacks of late.
Control, arrest and punish terrorists, Gordon Brown tells Pakistan
By IANS,
London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for terrorists in Pakistan "to be brought under control, arrested and brought to trial".
Speaking after Tuesday's terrorist attack wounding six Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Brown also revealed that the "vast majority" of Al Qaeda militants are now in Pakistan, not Afghanistan.
SAARC summit likely to be deferred: Report
By IANS,
Dhaka : The 16th SAARC summit is likely to be deferred to at least the first quarter of 2010 as the Maldives has expressed its inability to host the gathering this year after October, when its tourist season would be in full swing.
Economic recession is another reason that is deterring the Maldives, New Age newspaper said quoting diplomatic sources here.
Iran rules out becoming NATO supply route for Afghanistan
By IANS,
Berlin : Iran will not allow NATO forces to use its territory to transit non-military supplies to Afghanistan, an Iranian legislator said here Friday.
Alaeddin Boroujerdi said: "Iran is not interested in becoming a logistic bridge for NATO." He made the remarks at a press briefing at the Iranian Embassy in Berlin, IRNA reported.
President Zardari to lift Governor’s rule in Panjab province, says local media
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Buckling under intense domestic and international pressure, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday decided to lift Governor's rule in Punjab and allow the main opposition PML-N to form government in the politically-crucial province, local media reports said.
Iran rejects Brown’s offer to settle nuclear stand-off
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran Tuesday rejected the suggestions by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown that Tehran should "make the right choice" in its stand-off with the West over its controversial nuclear programme, IRNA reported.
In a speech in London earlier Tuesday, Brown said with continuing to enrich weapons grade uranium, Iran remained a "critical proliferation threat" and risked severe sanctions.
Palestinian doctor sues Libya for violating rights
By DPA
Amsterdam (The Netherlands) : The Palestinian doctor sentenced to death by the Lybian authorities for deliberately infecting over 400 children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in July 2007 has filed a complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee, his attorney said Wednesday.
Attorney Liesbeth Zegveld said in a statement published Wednesday she had filed the complaint on behalf of her client Ashraf El-Haggog Gomma Tuesday to protest serious human rights violations committed against himself and the five other Bulgarian medics in the Benghazi hospital case.
Pakistan’s nukes safe, Musharraf tells US delegation
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf expressed his annoyance at the US presidential hopefuls having reservations over the safety of nuclear assets in the country and said the nuclear weapons are safe, Online news agency reported Wednesday.
Musharraf met a US delegation led by Senator Joe Lieberman Wednesday and said the presidential hopefuls were expressing their views without being aware of the ground realties in Pakistan.
Kosovo will not declare independence before March 10 – paper
BELGRADE, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Kosovo will not declare unilateral independence before March 10, a Pristina-based newspaper said, citing sources in the Kosovo delegation negotiating the province's status.
The Express daily referred in particular to an agreement between Spain and other European Union states that Kosovo authorities would not proclaim independence until after parliamentary elections in Spain, due on March 9.
Hamas leader sets terms for resumption of dialogue with Abbas
By Xinhua
Gaza : Ismail Haneya, a senior Hamas leader and the deposed Palestinian prime minister, on Saturday set terms for the resumption of dialogue with President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah movement.
"Stopping all security coordination and cooperation with the occupation forces (Israel) is a condition to resume the dialogue," Haneya told a crowd of pilgrims who had recently returned to Gaza from Saudi Arabia.
Mubarak urges for flexibility on Palestinian issue
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday called on the Palestinian and Israeli parties to show flexibility to reach an agreement on the Palestinian issue, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported.
Mubarak made the remarks during his tour to the Upper Egyptian city of Qena, some 450 km south to Cairo, noting that there is hope as U.S. president George W. Bush mentioned that the two sides will reach an agreement.
Iraqi high-ranking judge shot dead in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Gunmen assassinated an appeals court judge as he was heading to work in western Baghdad on Monday, an Interior Ministry source said.
"Unknown armed men in two cars gunned down Amir Jawdat al-Naieb, an appeals court judge and a member of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council, at about 8:30 a.m. (0530 GMT)," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Naieb's driver was seriously injured by the attack, and died later while he was transported to a nearby hospital, the source added.
Israeli army detains 10 wanted Palestinians in W Bank
By Xinhua
Ramallah : The Israeli troops arrested early on Monday morning 10 Palestinians in the West Bank, said to be wanted for being involved in planning attacks against Israel, Palestinian security sources reported.
Israeli Radio, which also confirmed the report, quoted an Israeli army spokesman as saying that 10 Palestinians, wanted by Israel, were detained in the West Bank cities of Nablus, Tulkarem, Hebron and Jericho.
EC delimits parliamentary constituencies in Bangladesh
By NNN-PTI
Dhaka : The Election Commission has realigned the constituencies for Bangladesh's 300-seat parliament, with 49 existing constituencies in 18 of the 64 districts witnessing delimitation, officials said here Tuesday.
Under the new arrangement the number of seats in Dhaka district have been increased from existing 13 to 20 seats in view of its growing population, while the southeastern Chittagong and southwestern Barisal and Khulna divisions have seen a decrease in the number of their constituencies.
UAE, France sign landmark nuclear cooperation agreement
By NNN-WAM
Abu Dhabi : UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Nicholas Sarkozy have witnessed here the signing of a landmark bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement between the UAE and France.
The agreement, which was signed by UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner, provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries in the evaluation and potential use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Israeli army kills senior Jihad commander in W Bank
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Israeli army on Wednesday assassinated a senior Islamic Jihad commander near the West Bank city of Jenin and arrested four of his colleagues, security sources and witnesses said.
According to residents, more than 60 Israeli army vehicles, backed by bulldozers, stormed Qabatia town, to the south of Jenin, and surrounded a house where Walid al-Abidi, 40, and his colleagues were holed up.
Iraq announces traffic ban ahead of major Shiite festival
By Xinhua
Baghdad : The Iraqi government announced a vehicle ban in Baghdad and southern provinces on the eve of a major Shiite religious festival of Ashura, south of the capital, state media reported on Wednesday.
"There would be a curfew for vehicles in Baghdad, Diyala Province and all of the country's southern provinces, starting from 8 p.m. (1700 GMT) Thursday to 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) Saturday," the Iraqi state-run television, quoted Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem Khalaf, spokesman of the Interior Ministry 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.
Seven killed in three Israeli air strikes on Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : Seven Palestinians were killed and 10 others wounded on Thursday in three airstrikes on Palestinian militants in different Gaza Strip areas, medics and witnesses said.
Two militants from al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas movement's armed wing, were killed and four others wounded in a fresh Israeli air strike on Zeitoon neighborhood in southern Gaza City on Thursday evening, witnesses and medics said.
Two Palestinian dies, three injured in Israeli air raid
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed on Friday while three others were injured when Israeli aircraft executed a raid on Jabaliah town in the north of Gaza Strip.
The Israeli planes fired a couple of missiles at a group of Palestinians who were walking on one of Jabaliah streets, killing two of the pedestrians and injuring three others, eyewitnesses said.
According to Palestinian medical sources, the victims were identified as Ismail and Mahmoud Al-Barsh, in their 20s. The injured were admitted to Al-Shifa'a Hospital for medical care.
Israeli air strike wounds three Palestinians, one seriously
By Nojoud Al-Qassem, KUNA
Ramallah : An Israeli warplane attacked a civilian car in Gaza city early on Monday wounding three occupants of the vehicle, medical sources said.
Dr. Mu'awiah Hassanain, in charge of the emergency department of the Palestinian Health Ministry, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the wounded were whisked to Al-Shifaa Hospital. One was in serious condition.
Witnesses said the three men were injured when an overflying Israeli warplane hit their vehicle with a single air-to-surface missile.
U.S., Iraqi troops kill leader of extremist militant group in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : U.S. and Iraqi special forcese liminated on Monday a commander of an extremist network accused of criminal activities against Iraqi forces and civilians in Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces, led by U.S. Special Forces advisers, conducted an operation to detain a reported extremist commander in the Amel neighborhood in southwestern Baghdad, a military statement said.
Six-nation talks on Iranian nuclear issue to be held Tuesday
By Xinhua
Berlin : Foreign Ministers from Germany, Russia, China, the United States, France and Britain are to hold talks in Berlin on Tuesday on the Iranian nuclear program, the German Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.
5 soldiers killed in Pakistan’s tribal area
By Xinhua
Islamabad : At least five soldiers were killed early Tuesday morning when militants attacked their post in Pakistan's tribal area of South Waziristan bordering Afghanistan, the military said.
The militants launched a pre-dawn attack on a military post in a village in South Waziristan where a militant commander, Baitullah Mehsud, blamed for the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto is said to be hiding.
"Security forces retaliated with fire causing heavy casualties on miscreants," the military said in a statement.
Regional anti-corruption conf. kicks off in Jordan
By KUNA
Dead Sea, Jordan : The regional conference on the United Nations Convention against Corruption started in Jordan's Dead Sea resort Monday evening.
The conference is reviewing the anti-corruption mechanisms in the Arab countries in light of the provisions of the convention.
Two policemen killed in Baghdad bombing
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Two policemen were killed and three other people injured in a bomb attack in central Baghdad on Thursday, an Interior Ministry source said.
"A roadside bomb detonated at about 8:30 a.m. (0530 GMT) near an Iraqi police patrol in the al-Andelus Square in Karrada district," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The blast resulted in the killing of two policemen and the wounding of a policeman and two civilians, the source said.
Pakistan Army kills 30 militants in tribal region
By DPA
Islamabad : Up to 30 Islamic militants and two soldiers were killed Friday when Pakistan's security forces launched an offensive in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan to recover four trucks carrying ammunition rebels had seized the day before, the army said.
"A group of six hired civilian trucks, which were carrying stores and supplies, including some ammunition, was intercepted by miscreants at Dara Adam Khel Thursday and four of these were hijacked," a statement from the Pakistani Army said.
Pakistan tests nuclear capable ballistic missile
By DPA
Islamabad : The Pakistan Army's Strategic Missile Group Friday conducted a successful launch of a medium-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile, marking the conclusion of its annual field training exercises, the military said in a statement.
With a range of 700 km, Shaheen-1 (Hatf-IV) is an operational weapon system held by the army's Strategic Force Command. The missile is capable of shooting both conventional and nuclear weapons with pinpoint accuracy.
Arab FMs gather to discuss Lebanese, Gaza crises
By Xinhua
Cairo : An emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers started here Sunday afternoon at the headquarters of the Cairo-based Arab League (AL) on the Lebanese political stalemate and the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip.
The Arab foreign ministers are expected to review Arab steps, particularly a three-point Arab plan, endorsed to help resolve the current crisis over the Lebanese presidential elections.
Roadside bomb kills 3 in eastern Baghdad
By SPA
Baghdad : A roadside bomb struck a minibus in southeastern Baghdad, killing at least three passengers and wounding five, police said.
The bomb apparently was meant for a police patrol but missed its target and blew up near the bus, which was carrying a coffin to a funeral, a police officer said. The attack occurred at about 8:30 a.m. in the New Baghdad neighborhood, the Associated Press reported.
Pakistan says foreign intelligence agencies behind in lawlessness
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan said on Monday that foreign intelligence agencies are involved in lawlessness in the country.
Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah told the Senate Standing Committee on Interior that the government has solid evidence that foreign intelligences are involved in deteriorating situation in Pakistan.
Shah did not name any country and said that threat of terrorism and suicide attacks on politicians still exists.
He said it is very difficult to stop suicide bombers.
First Gulf Bank earns record profit of $547 mn
By IANS
Abu Dhabi : The First Gulf Bank (FGB), one of the leading financial institutions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced a record profit of 2 billion dirham ($547 million) for 2007, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
According to the FGB board of directors, the figure was up by 31 percent from last year's profit.
The bank's consistent growth coupled with healthy profitability, efficiency, and liquidity and capital adequacy ratios with return on average equity at 21 percent demonstrates strong financial performance, the bank said.
Iraqi cameraman killed in bomb attack in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A roadside bomb detonated near the vehicle of an Iraqi television crew in Salahudin province in north of Baghdad, their television reported on Wednesday.
Alaa Abdul Kareem al-Fartousi, a cameraman for the al-Furat television, was killed by the blast near the town of Balad on Tuesday, while his deputy cameraman and a female journalist were seriously wounded, the television said.
Afghan deputy governor among six killed in suicide attack
By KUNA
Kabul : A deputy provincial governor and five more people were killed in a suicide blast inside a mosque in southern Afghanistan on Thursday.
The bomber blew himself inside a mosque in Lashkargah, capital of the country's southern Helmand province when people were busy praying.
Pir Mohammad was among the six people killed in the huge blast, police chief of the province Mohammad Hussain Andiwal confirmed to KUNA over the telephone.
Istanbul factory blast kills 17, injures over 60
By RIA Novosti
Ankara : An explosion at a fireworks factory in Turkey's largest city Istanbul on Thursday left 17 dead and 68 injured, local media said.
The blast went off at 9.45 a.m. local time (7.45 a.m. GMT) in the industrial Davutpasha district, in Maltepe, which houses shops and factory outlets.
Eight of the injured are in a critical condition. People are still being pulled out from the debris of the collapsed five-story building. The number of victims could rise, doctors said.
Deputy governor, six others killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : At least seven people, including a top government official, were killed and 20 injured in two suicide attacks in Afghanistan Thursday, the police said.
Early in the morning, a suicide bomber blew his car prematurely near a bus of the Afghan National Army in the capital, killing one civilian and injuring two, an official said.
Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.
CNN: Top al-Qaida commander in Afghanistan killed
By Xinhua
Washington : One of al-Qaida's top commanders in Afghanistan has been killed, CNN reported on Thursday.
Citing a Western official and a senior U.S. military official, CNN reported that the commander, identified as Abu Laith al-Libi, was a key link between Taliban and al-Qaida and ranked as one of the United States military's 12 most-wanted men.
Israel welcomes Hamas plans to cut economic ties with Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : Israel welcomed Sunday news that Hamas intends to sever Gaza Strip's economic ties with the Hebrew state, saying that the decision would be in the state's interest.
According to daily Yediot Ahronot, Israeli Army sources said the reports which indicated that Hamas was seriously considering possibility of cutting economic ties with Gaza were received favorably.