Polish engineer’s refusal to convert costs him his life
By Nadeem Sarwar and Sajjad Malik, DPA,
Islamabad : Piotr Stanczak did not exhibit the slightest hint of hesitation when the Pakistani Taliban asked him to choose between execution and conversion to Islam.
Whether the Polish geologist acted out of pride or religious conviction, he decided to pay through his blood to save his faith, a choice that bewildered his killers and keep them talking about him with respect after his murder.
Jordan signs nuclear co-op deal with France
By NNN-Xinhua,
Amman : Energy-scarce Jordan and France signed a cooperation agreement to develop peaceful use of nuclear energy, the official Petra news agency reported.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Salah Basheer and his visiting French counterpart Bernard Kouchner inked the agreement in Amman on Friday, which outlined the framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the two countries, said the report.
The two also signed a second deal on military and economic cooperation, it added.
UN Sec Gen deplores deadly Embassy bombing in Pakistan
By NNN-UNNS,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced his outrage at Monday’s deadly car bombing outside the Danish Embassy in the Pakistani capital.
Media reports say at least six people have been killed and dozens of others injured in the attack, which took place in the early afternoon in Islamabad.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said that a security guard working at a nearby United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) building was among those killed, and six local staff working for a UNDP project were among the injured.
Afghanistan voter helpline answering 35,000 queries per week
By NNN-UNDP,
Kabul : With Afghanistan polling day just days away, a non-stop humming sound emanates from the voter helpline call centre that operates in Kabul.
All operators are as busy as ever, answering questions ranging from “Do women have the right to vote?” to “What is the election date?”, “How will our votes be counted?” and “When will the results be announced?” In the past two months, the number of calls rose from 25,000 to nearly 35,000 per week.
US still ‘plumbing’ A. Q. Khan network
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Notorious Pakistani nuclear scientist A. Q. Khan and his nuclear black market network may be out of business, but it's still a "matter of continuing interest" to the US.
"We've learned a lot. The network's broken up. It's out of business," state department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters Monday". "But I think we as well as others are still plumbing the extent of all of the A.Q. Khan network's activities."
Bush to stay the course on Iraq, Mideast policy
By Joe Macaron, KUNA
Washington : In his last speech before Congress, US President George W. Bush appeared to stay the course on Iraq and Middle East policy in his last year in office.
"Our enemies in Iraq have been hit hard. They are not yet defeated, and we can still expect tough fighting ahead," said Bush in his State of the Union address before Congress, late on Monday.
President Bush did not set a deadline for US withdrawal, a priority demand for Democrats who hold the majority in Congress.
Seven bodies found in Pakistan
Islamabad : At least seven bodies were recovered Monday in Pakistan's Karachi city, media reported.
The victims were shot in the head as well as...
U.S. marine killed in attack in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A U.S. marine was killed and two others were injured when their unit came under small-arms fire from an "enemy force" in Iraq's western province of An bar, the U.S. military said on Wednesday.
The attack occurred on Sunday while the soldiers' unit was conducting clearing operations in a village in northern the province, the military said in a statement.
The name of the deceased soldier is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, it added.
Four French troops killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul: At least four French soldiers died in Afghanistan Saturday when a suicide bomber targeted a NATO convoy.
All Palestinian factions to meet in Ramallah tonight
RAMALLAH, Dec 29 (KUNA) -- Representatives of all Palestinian factions, including the advesaries Fatah and Hamas, will hold a meeting at headquarters of the Palestinian authority here later tonight, a lawmaker announced.
Iran’s Red Crescent Society to send aid ships to Gaza
By IRNA,
Tehran : Director General of Public Relations of Iran’s Red Crescent Society announced here Tuesday I. R. of Iran's first aid ship carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza people is to leave Iranian waters, soon.
Seyed Alireza Sadatmir said that the three thousand ton vessel carrying aid including medicine, sanitary items and food material for Gaza people as well as a medicine and a media team would leave for Gaza very soon.
He added that soon after the first ship, another one with a number of volunteers to help residents of Gaza will depart toward the Gaza.
Sentence of Iraqi shoe-throwing journalist reduced
By DPA,
Baghdad : An Iraqi court has reduced the sentence handed down to Montadher al-Zaidi, the journalist who threw his shoes at former US president George W. Bush, the satellite news channel al-Arabiya reported Tuesday.
The court reduced al-Zaidi's sentence to one year, down from a previous judge's March sentence of three years in prison, al-Arabiya said.
Top US, Iranian diplomats meet for further n-talks
Lausanne : US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif began their first meeting of a fresh round of...
Jordan’s King warns Israel against launching Gaza operations
By SPA,
Amman, Jordan : Jordan's King Abdullah II has warned Israel against launching military operations in Gaza saying it would hinder peace efforts and endanger regional security.
Abdullah made his warning in a royal palace press statement following talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman. Abbas had earlier traveled to Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Any vast Israeli military operation in Gaza poses a great danger to the security and stability in the Mideast and drastically harms efforts to achieve peace, Abdullah was quoted as saying Wednesday by the Associated Press.
Some 13,000 Saudies trained for tourism
By NNN-SPA,
Dammam (Saudi Arabia) : Some 13,000 Saudis have been trained to work in the tourism sector and related fields through the National Project for the Development of Tourism Human Resources initiated by the General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (GCTA).
The move is part of the nationalisation of the travel and tourism sector in which Saudis of both sexes are being trained in specific skills and also in how to deal with tourists on a personal level through the project’s awareness programme.
Zardari to attend Islamic meet in Saudi Arabia
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will attend a two-day Islamic summit in Makkah in Saudi Arabia in August, Geo News reported.
Dutch diplomats detained in Pakistan for carrying illegal arms
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistani police detained briefly two Dutch diplomats for carrying illegal weapons in Pakistani capital Islamabad a day ago, media reports said Wednesday.
According to the liberal English-language Dawn newspaper, the officers stopped a suspicious diplomatic car with a camouflaged number plate in a high-security zone near the official residence of President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday.
During a search of the vehicle, police recovered two 9 mm pistols, four magazines, two smoke grenades, two stun grenades and six bulletproof jackets.
Pakistani foreign minister to visit US next week
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will pay an official visit to the US Sep 18-22, the foreign ministry said Saturday.
Vice PM: Israel in direct negotiation with Hamas
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Vice Premier Haim Ramon said Monday that the Jewish state is holding talks directly with the Palestinian movement Hamas, despite a government decision forbidding such moves.
This is the first time that Israel has officially admitted any direct contact with the militant group that the Jewish state regards as a terrorist organization, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on its website.
Senior UN officials deny accusations of favouritism in Afghan presidential polls
By NNN-UNNS,
United Nations : The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan has only ever sided with electoral institutions in the country’s recent presidential ballot, and never with any of the candidates, UN officials said Wednesday as they refuted allegations of bias.
The Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) and Independent Election Commission (IEC), both established under Afghan law, began an audit of the disputed election results on Monday, with all political parties monitoring the process, including representatives of the two main presidential candidates.
EU envoy warns Gaza can become next Somalia
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel's policies in the Gaza Strip are likely to turn the territory into Somalia, European Union special envoy to the Middle East Marc Otte told local daily Ha'aretz on Thursday in an interview.
"The implications of Israeli activity may be that Gaza becomes Somalia," Otte said.
The envoy added that "Israel's tactics in the Gaza Strip did not work," deeming the failed blockade and sanctions only strengthened the Islamic Hamas and weakened moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as well as Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
Israeli lawmaker says U.S. planning Annapolis follow-up
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli lawmaker Yossi Beilin said Tuesday that the United States is planning a Middle East summit which is supposed to be a sequel to the Annapolis peace conference.
The summit will be held in May at the Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheik in Egypt and attended by U.S. President George W. Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and leaders of Egypt and Jordan, said the Member of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.
Six killed in Pakistan drone strike
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least six suspected militants were killed late Monday in a US drone strike in Pakistan's northwest tribal region, a media report said.
Pakistan massacre an attack on progress: French envoy
Kolkata : French Ambassador to India Francois Richier Wednesday strongly condemned the massacre in a Pakistan school that left nearly 141 people dead, most...
A new generation of Muslim peace educators
By Amina Rasul and Qamar-ul Huda,
Davao City, Philippines - In this age of widespread misperceptions that Islam is a religion of violence and intolerance, an Islamic peace education curriculum, addressing peacebuilding from an authentic Islamic perspective, is essential.
Obama, Merkel meet to discuss Afghanistan, climate change
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Tuesday to discuss the war in Afghanistan and ongoing negotiations to produce an international climate change pact.
Merkel met Obama for the first time since her re-election in September and as the Obama administration conducts a comprehensive review in Afghanistan, where the war remains deeply unpopular in Germany and increasingly so in the US.
35 militants killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : A total of 35 Taliban militants have been killed and 30 wounded during security operations launched across Afghanistan since Tuesday, the Afghan interior ministry said Wednesday.
Twin blasts kill 14 in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul: Fourteen civilians died in a twin bomb attack in Afghanistan Sunday, police said.
Taliban flees villages, suffers hundreds of casualties: Governor
By DPA,
Kandahar : Hundreds of Taliban insurgents were killed or wounded as NATO and Afghan forces drove out militants who had recently infiltrated several villages in the southern province of Kandahar, its governor said Thursday.
"The district is totally cleared of the Taliban," Assadullah Khalid said at a press conference in Kandahar city, referring to the nearby Arghandab district.
He did not give the exact toll but said several Pakistani fighters were among the dead.
Pakistan seeks early hearing of Lakhvi’s case
Islamabad : The Pakistan government Friday sought early hearing of alleged 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi's case in the Supreme Court, media...
Five US soldiers killed, Shia mosque blown up in Iraq
By DPA,
Baghdad : Five US soldiers were killed in two attacks in Iraq, US military said Sunday, while in the southern city of Basra the Iraqi army blew up a mosque housing the headquarters of the Shia Thaarallah party.
The US military said four Marines had been killed Friday by a roadside bomb in the western Anbar province, and another soldier died that evening when a roadside bomb struck a patrol in eastern Baghdad.
Indonesia joins UN peace mission exercise in Bangladesh
By Xinhua
Jakarta : Indonesia on Sunday sent 40 military personnel to join a UN peacekeeping force exercise in Bangladesh.
The exercise, code-named "Shanti Doot-2", was opened by Bangladeshi Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshal Zia Rahman at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT), an institute responsible for handling peace missions, Antara news agency on Tuesday quoted a press statement issued by the Indonesian Military (TNI) Headquarters as saying.
Iran to test its first nuclear power plant Wednesday
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran will test its first nuclear power plant Wednesday near the Persian Gulf city of Bushehr.
The Russian-built nuclear power plant, some 15 km south of Bushehr City, is expected to generate 1,000 megawatt of electricity.
A Russian delegation, led by the country's state atomic corporation Rosatom chief Sergei Kiriyenko, arrived here early Wednesday to oversee the test run of the plant, IRNA reported.
Australia to send military forces to Middle East
Canberra : The Australian government Sunday decided to send military forces to the Middle East as part of the international efforts to combat the...
BSF kills two Pakistanis: Pakistan media
Islamabad : Two Pakistani villagers were killed Monday in firing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in Punjab province, the media reported.
Three others...
Int’l activists plan to challenge Israel’s siege on Gaza
By NNN-WAFA,
Ramallah : Palestinian and international activists plan to challenge Israel's siege on the Gaza Strip by navigating a small sailing ship into the Israeli-controlled waters off the Gaza Strip.
The vessel is to set sail for Gaza from Cyprus on Aug 5, according to a statement by the US-based Free Gaza Movement, which is organising the action along with the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and the US-based Free Gaza Movement.
The activists expect to confront Israeli naval patrol boats when they reach Gaza waters.
PPP “rethinking” position on Fahim as next Pakistan PM
By NNN-PTI
Islamabad : PPP is "rethinking" its position on Makhdoom Amin Fahim being the prime ministerial candidate as it would have to choose a person who could take along its coalition partners in a new government in Pakistan, party co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has indicated.
After the PPP did not get a majority in the February 18 parliamentary polls due to "selective rigging", it began "rethinking the position" because of the considerations of forming a coalition government, according to Zardari.
Resignation reports rumours, says Pakistan defence minister
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar Monday denied he had offered to resign and termed such reports as "baseless rumours".
Reports said the minister offered his resignation in protest after immigration staff prevented him Thursday night from leaving for China on an official visit because his name was on a list of people facing a travel ban after an amnesty law was scrapped.
But Mukhtar told Online news agency that it was a "rumour".
No immediate need for Musharraf’s impeachment: Amin Fahim
Islamabad, Feb 24, IRNA ,Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Vice Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim said there is no need for immediate impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf.
"However, the parliament is sovereign institution and it will take into consideration all issues, adding he does not want the confrontation at present."
He said, in an interview, PPP leadership is aware of all problems of the country; however, this is an organized party and has experts to cope with the problems.
Israel keeps siege on West Bank, arrests attackers of settlement — radio
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli Army forces continued on Saturday imposing siege on the West Bank to prohibit Palestinians from entering Jerusalem.
All Israeli security forces and Army units are still on high state of alert in case Palestinians carry out attacks on Israel, local radio reported.
State of alert was announced after Thursday's attack which caused the death of eight Jewish settlers and injured many others.
The radio reported the army is keeping its blockade until Sunday, at least.
Arab states lobby against Dutch anti-Islam film
By DPA
Valletta : Arab states attending the European Union-Arab League meeting in Malta lobbied the Dutch government against a highly controversial anti-Islam film about to be released in the Netherlands.
The foreign ministers of Syria, Egypt and Morocco spoke against the film with Dutch State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment Ahmed Aboutaleb, a Muslim himself, at the ministerial meeting that ended Tuesday, The Times of Malta reported.
Profile: Khaleda Zia — leader of major party in Bangladesh’s 9th parliamentary election
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : The 9th parliamentary election in Bangladesh kicked off on Monday. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is one of the two major parties of the country and Khaleda Zia is BNP's chairperson. She ruled Bangladesh as prime minister twice from 1991 to 1996 and 2001 to 2006 and also served as leader of the opposition in the Parliament from 1996-2001.
Here is the profile of Khaleda Zia.
UN to hold special meeting in Pakistan’s floods Thursday
By IRNA,
Islamabad : A special meeting of the UN General Assembly will be held in New York Thursday to discuss flood situation in Pakistan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Monday.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad the foreign minister said that senior representatives from different countries are participating in the meeting. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also participate in the meeting.
ADB To Discuss Asian Response To Economic Crisis
By Bernama,
MANILA : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday said it will hold its 42nd annual meeting early May in the Indonesian tourist island of Bali to discuss issues such as the Asian response to the global financial crisis, climate change and regional integration, China's Xinhua news agency reported.
Around 3,000 delegates including government leaders, central bank governors and finance ministers as well as representatives from academia, the media and civil society groups are expected to attend the four-day gathering starting from May 2.
Talks on for release of Indo-Pakistan pows, says a Pakistan Gen.
By NNN-PTI
Attari, Amritsar : Pakistan and India are having talks for release of prisoners of war of 1965 and 1971 conflicts, who are languishing in jails in the two countries, a senior Pakistani Army officer said today.
Major General Muhammad Haroon Aslam, who is heading a 14-member delegation of Pakistani Rangers for a bi-annual meeting with Border Security Force in Chandigarh, said the issue of PoW is being taken up by both the countries at the level of foreign ministeries.
EU-Pakistan summit postponed
By IANS,
Brussels : A summit between the European Union (EU) and Pakistan to be held here April 21 has been postponed due to air traffic problems, the EU Presidency has announced.
Air traffic in a number of European countries has been suspended because of volcanic ash from Iceland.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was to embark Monday on a tour to France, Belgium and Spain, has postponed his trip, EuAsiaNews reported Sunday.
Iran to respond to incentive package Friday
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran said it would respond Friday to the package of incentives offered by five Security Council members and Germany (P5+1), official IRNA news agency reported.
Saeed Jalili, secretary of Supreme National Security Council and the country's chief nuclear negotiator, told European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana over the telephone Tehran's response to the package and its reply to the letters of foreign ministers of P5+1 countries would be delivered Friday.
New opportunity for peace in Mideast: Bush
By DPA
Tel Aviv : US President George W. Bush arrived in Israel Wednesday at the start of a three-day visit and said that he saw a "new opportunity" for peace in the in the Middle East.
"The US and Israel are strong allies. The source of that strength is a shared belief in the power of human freedom. Our people built two great democracies under difficult circumstances," he told dignitaries at the welcoming ceremony Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.
"The alliance between our two nations helps guarantee Israel's security as a Jewish state," he said.
Arabs, Europeans criticise Israeli settlement policy
By DPA,
Amman: European and Arab parliamentarians ended a two-day meeting Sunday by urging Israel to freeze all settlement activity in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, which they said is wrecking trust with the Palestinians and "jeopardising" a two-state solution.
"The continuing expansion of settlements is destroying trust among partners, undermining the authority of the Palestinian negotiators and prejudging the outcome of the final negotiations," said a communique adopted by the sixth plenary session of the Euro-Med Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA).
Israel tests missile alert system
By IANS,
Jerusalem : Israel Sunday launched a week-long test of an alert system that sends text messages to cellphones in areas likely to be hit in a missile strike.
Pakistan, Turkish air forces launch joint exercises
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani and Turkish air forces on Monday launched a 10-day joint exercise, according to a statement from Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
The exercises code-named "Indus Viper" were launched at Pakistan Air Force base in eastern Pakistan's Punjab province, the PAF statement said.
Turkish Air Force contingent arrived with five F-16 C/D aircraft and 50 personnel at the PAF base to participate in the exercise.
The ten-day multi-dimensional exercise, in which the combat crew will be exposed to near realistic scenarios, would end on April 29.
Protests in Pakistan over rigging allegations
By IANS,
Islamabad : Some losing candidates in Pakistan's May 11 elections Monday alleged the polls were rigged, a media report said.
Collective steps needed to tackle terror: Rehman Malik
By IANS,
Islamabad : Collective steps are needed to tackle the growing menace of terrorism in the SAARC countries, Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said.
Algeria takes preventive steps to counter Ebola
Algiers: The Algerian health authorities Sunday announced that they have taken preventive measures to counter the spread of deadly Ebola virus.
The country has already...
Pakistan should act now to show it is serious: Krishna
By IANS,
Bangalore : External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Saturday said it was high time Pakistan acted against the perpetrators of Mumbai attack to prove that it was serious about fighting terrorism.
"I think it is for Pakistan to act now against the perpetrators of 26/11 to show the world and India that they are serious about fighting terrorism. We have given enough evidence through six dossiers against conspirators, abettors and perpetrators of 26/11," Krishna told reporters at his residence here.
Conference opens in Saudi Arabia to address challenges facing Islam
By Xinhua,
Riyadh : Religious scholars and delegates from more than 50 Muslim countries on Wednesday began an international conference to address the challenges facing the Islamic world.
The Islamic world is faced with various severe challenges including tensions between Islamic sects and extremism of some Muslims, Saudi King Abdullah said at the three-day conference held in the holy city of Mecca.
A conference of the Islamic world is needed to address problems and to present to the world the good message of Islam, he told some 500 delegates.
More Israelis, Palestinians willing to compromise: Poll
By IANS,
Jerusalem : A growing number of Israelis and Palestinians are inclined to accept compromises that would enable their governments to reach a peace agreement, a survey has said.
NATO soldier dies in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : A soldier with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) died Saturday in Afghanistan, a statement said.
Syria faces total internet blackout
By IANS,
Damascuss : Internet services across Syria were down since Friday morning and the west Asian nation remained completely offline, the country's state telephone and internet service said.
UK repeats pledge to change law on arrest of Israeli war criminals
By IRNA,
London : Britain’s Conservative-led government Thursday repeated its pledge to change the law to prevent Israeli leaders from being arrested for alleged war crimes, even though it is opposed by its Liberal Democrat coalition partners.
“A suitable legislative amendment will be brought before parliament at the first opportunity,” Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said in a statement ahead of the House of Commons adjourning for its summer recess next week.
Bomb blast averted in Karachi
By IANS,
Karachi : A bomb weighing 13 kg was found near a road here in this Pakistani port city Friday, and was defused by a bomb disposal squad.
Hamas official: borders with Egypt to be closed Sunday
By Xinhua
Gaza : A senior Islamic Hamas official said Saturday that the borders between the Gaza Strip and Egypt will be closed on Sunday in coordination between Egypt and Hamas police.
"Security forces from both sides will start on Sunday closing the borders until finalizing the measures aiming at rearranging the movement of exit and entrance," Mahmoud al-Zahar told reporters on his way from Egypt to Gaza.
5 killed, 20 wounded in Iraq bombing
By IANS,
Baghdad : Five people were killed and 20 injured Tuesday in a suicide car bombing in Baghdad, authorities said.
"The latest reports said that five were killed and 20 others injured by the suicide car bombing," a source told Xinhua news agency.
The attack took place at about 10.45 a.m. near the criminal investigation office close to the Taharriyat Square in Karrada.
The suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden car to the entrance of the office and blew it up.
Pope lauds respect from Muslims in Lebanon
By IANS/AKI,
Rome: Pope Benedict XVI has praised Lebanon's Muslims for the "great respect and sincere consideration" they showed him during a vist to the country last week.
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.
Musharraf summons aides for meeting in Dubai
By IANS,
Islamabad : Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf, who is currently in London and faces possible arrest if he returns home, has summoned his key aides for a meeting in Dubai to discuss his future plans.
Musharraf "is likely to reach Dubai from London within the next few days where he has summoned his close aides for consultation regarding his political ambitions", The News said Tuesday, quoting sources close to the former president.
Palestinian children living in poverty
By IANS,
Jerusalem : Three out of four Palestinian children in East Jerusalem live below the poverty line, a report has said.
The survey conducted by an Israeli rights group, Association for Civil Rights in Israel, said the majority of the 300,000 Palestinians, including 95,000 children, in East Jerusalem live in increasing poverty.
Only one out of 10 Palestinians in the area has access to social services. Almost 160,000 others have no access to the city's water and sewage network, Iranian Press TV reported.
UAE works to restore historic buildings in cultural city
By IANS,
Dubai : Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have launched a major initiative to preserve a number of historic buildings in the cultural city of Al Ain.
The projects include the restoration of Al Jahili Castle and House of Hamad bin Hadi Al Daramaki, according to Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, director general of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), the government agency in charge of overseeing the initiative.
Yemen, US discuss security cooperation
By NNN-SABA,
Sana'a : Minister of Interior Mutahar Rashad al-Masri has met with the US envoy for Limiting the Global Threat of Small Arms and Light Weapons Lincoln Lee.
During the meeting, al-Masri and Lee talked on cooperation between Yemen and United States in the fight against terrorism.
Al-Masri appreciated the US assistance to Yemen in different security fields. The US official highlighted efforts of Yemen in combating terror.
Zardari’s children vow to stand by convicted Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's daughters have promised to "stand by" Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who was convicted Thursday for contempt of court.
Shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist’s trial adjourned
By DPA,
Baghdad : The trial of an Iraqi journalist who famously threw his shoes at former US President George W. Bush in December opened in Baghdad Thursday, and was later adjourned.
Montazer al-Zaidi, a journalist for the Cairo-based al-Baghdadiya television station, arrived in court clad in a suit and draped in an Iraqi flag.
People in court waved Iraqi flags as the 30-year-old arrived, and cheered. A crowd gathered outside the court also waved Iraqi flags, and chanted demands for his release.
OIC Chief calls for peaceful settlement of Lebanese crisis
By IINA,
Jeddah : The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu called upon all Lebanese parties to observe calm and self-restraint and to resume peaceful dialogue to resolve the political crisis. In a statement, he pledged OIC’s full support for the resumption of dialogue between the warring parties. Prof. Ihsanoglu expressed his deep concern over the armed clashes and the tension currently prevailing in Lebanon.
British Muslims congratulates President-elect Obama
By NNN-APP,
London : The Muslim Council of Britain in its congratulatory message to the President-elect Barack Obama has expressed hope that he would tackle the world problems with all his dedication and strong will.
In his message, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General, MCB, said the election of Senator Obama has been hugely symbolic and will no doubt be a cornerstone of inspiration for people well beyond the shores of the USA.
Pakistan observes Benazir’s seventh death anniversary
Islamabad: The seventh death anniversary of former prime minister and ex-Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Benazir Bhutto is being observed across Pakistan Saturday, a...
Libel plea against Khaleda rejected
Dhaka : A court in Bangladesh Monday rejected a libel plea against the country's main opposition leader Khaleda Zia.
A.B. Siddiqui, chief of Jananetri Parishad,...
Iraq signs first oil contract with foreign consortium in 36 years
By DPA,
Baghdad : The government of Iraq Tuesday signed a contract with a Chinese-British consortium to develop southern Iraq's massive Rumaila oil field, a spokesman said.
Iraqi oil ministry spokesman Assim Jihad told the DPA that the contract, Iraq's first with a foreign firm since Iraq nationalised its petroleum resources in 1972, was signed in the presence of Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani and the Chinese and British ambassadors.
Couple’s abduction: Swiss president calls up Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad: President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey has spoken to Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani over the July kidnapping of a Swiss couple.
Mobile phone services resumed in Karachi
By IANS,
Islamabad: Mobile phone services that had been suspended indefinitely early Monday in Pakistan's port city of Karachi over security concerns were resumed after nearly 10 hours.
Protests in Delhi over Gaza crisis
New Delhi ; Nearly 250 people, including activists, artists and school children, protested here demanding India should boycott all collaborations and end military ties...
Hamas supporters to rally near Israeli Karni crossing
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Palestinian Islamic Hamas movement on Thursday called on its supporters to join a rally in eastern Gaza City near an Israeli commercial crossing in protest against the embargo imposed by Israel one year ago.
Hamas made the call through mosques, saying the people should gather in Gaza City's mosques at Thursday noon prayer before making their way to the Karni crossing.
Over the past two days, Hamas has been calling on its supporters and the Palestinian people to march towards the Israeli commercial crossing "to break the siege."
Israel removes 10 roadblocks in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel has lifted another 10 roadblocks, all located near the West Bank city of Hebron, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday.
The removal of the barriers was part of a series of measures that Israel was implementing to facilitate the movement and improve the life of local Palestinians, said the IDF.
Four Germany-based US soldiers charged with pre-meditated killing of Iraqi prisoners
By IRNA,
Berlin : Four Germany-based US soldiers are accused of killing an unidentified number of Iraqi detainees in cold blood last year, the European edition of the American military daily Stars and Stripes reported Wednesday.
The four GIs who are scheduled to stand trial in the south German town of Vilseck on August 26, are charged with committing premeditated murder in Iraq after taking male prisoners to a canal where they shot them.
Israeli settlers invade W. Bank city to perform religious rituals
By KUNA,
Ramallah : Hundreds of extremist Jewish settlers stormed into Orta village, southern Nablus, on Wednesday to perform religious rituals.
Witnesses said some 200 Israeli settlers stormed into the village in the early hours of the day, under the protection of 25 tanks, to perform their prayers in residential areas.
A curfew was imposed on the residents, and a school gate was reportedly torn down and contents were searched.
Man held with one kg gold at Dhaka airport
By IANS,
Dhaka : A man has been detained with gold ornaments weighing one kg and foreign currencies worth over Tk 2 crore at the international airport here.
9 climbers feared dead in avalanche on K-2
By SPA,
Islamabad, Pakistan : A Pakistani tour operator says nine climbers are feared to have died in an avalanche after scaling the world's second-highest mountain, K-2.
Nazir Sabir says 22 climbers, mostly foreigners, reached K-2's summit Saturday but an ice avalanche struck them during their descent, the Associated Press reported.
He says nine of the mountaineers are feared to have died and three others are missing. His Alpine Club of Pakistan organized a Serbian expedition on the mountain.
Sabir says a Serbian climber is among the nine feared dead.
Israeli defence minister heads to US to discuss Iran
By IANS,
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Tuesday headed to Washington for talks with senior US officials about the Iranian nuclear programme.
Final brigade of US combat troops leaves Iraq
By DPA,
Washington : The final US combat troops departed Iraq early Thursday, ahead of schedule to complete a key phase of President Barack Obama's plan to withdraw, US media reported.
An NBC television correspondent embedded with the US Army's 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, reported the troops began crossing the border into Kuwait at 1:30 a.m. (2230 GMT Wednesday).
Bangladesh parliament elects new presiding officers
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's ninth Jatiya Sangsad or parliament had a formal start Sunday as it unanimousloy elected a lawyer and a former soldier as its presiding officers.
Advocate Abdul Hamid is speaker and Col (retd) Shawkat Ali is deputy speaker for the house that has to transact massive lawmaking business, the UNB news agency reported.
Chief whip Abdus Shahid proposed Hamid's name for the post of speaker, which was seconded by Segupta Yasmin.
The deputy speaker's candidature was proposed by S.M. Firoz and seconded by Mojibul Huq.
Afghan clashes leave over 2 dozen militants dead
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Conflicts in Afghanistan have left more than two dozens anti-government militants dead in a single day on Friday, officials said Saturday.
Afghan forces backed by the U.S.-led Coalition troops eliminated more than 12 insurgents in Afghanistan's southern Uruzgan province, a press release of the troops issued here Saturday said.
"Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces killed more than a dozen militants during a security patrol in Shaheed Hasas District, Uruzgan province Friday," the press release said.
Israel says it will not accept a nuclear Iran
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Israel has reiterated it will not accept a nuclear Iran in its neighbourhood and will rule out no option in dealing with it.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak made this statement while meeting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday night.
According to reports from the meeting, Barak urged the US to continue to impose sanctions on Tehran.
Israel regards Iran as its primary existential threat, given Tehran's nuclear ambitions coupled with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statements that the Jewish state should be erased from the map.
Rights group urges Israel to stop using white phosphorous
By IANS
New York : A human rights group Saturday accused Israel of using hazardous white phosphorous in its military operation in Gaza in violation of the international law, IRNA reported.
The white phosphorus, used as concealment during military operations, has major effects that can severely burn people and could set ablaze structures, fields, and other civilian objects in the vicinity, Human Rights Watch said.
Iraqis Vote As Violence Begins To Fade
By BERNAMA,
An electoral worker checks ballot boxes at a counting centre in Basra, 420km southeast of Baghdad January 30, 2009. REUTERS/Atef HassanBAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqis vote on Saturday in an election that will test the war-battered country's fragile security gains and perhaps ease lingering sectarian resentment still fuelling violence in some areas.
Pakistan denies reopening NATO routes to Afghanistan
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistan's Foreign Office has denied reports of reopening the NATO supply routes to Afghanistan, and said there was no ultimate decision about it so far.
Pakistani PM urges militants to lay down arms for dialogue
By NNN-Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani urged militants to lay down arms for dialogue with his new government.
"Unfortunately, some people have adopted violence as the source of expression of their opinion. As the democracy has now started, I urge all those people to give up the way of violence and join us in the democratic journey. We are ready to hold talks with all those who lay down arms and adopt the path of peace," Gilani said in his first policy statement after a confidence vote.
Israel’s opposition seeks diplomatic settlement with Palestine
Jerusalem: The center-left Zionist Union, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main political rival in the March 17 elections, presented on Sunday its platform with...
Eleven killed, over 50 wounded in Rawalpindi carnage
By KUNA,
Islamabad : More than nine security personnel and two suicide bombers were killed and over 50 others were wounded in Rawalpindi carnage at the time of Friday prayer, said officials.
Two suicide and grenade explosions hit a mosque on Friday in Rawalpindi city of Pakistan, killing and wounding several others.
According to initial reports by police and military sources, the worshippers were coming out of a mosque in Qasim market on Peshawar Road of the city after offering Friday prayer, when a hand-grenade explosion took place.
No country can violate Iran: Ahmadinejad
By DPA,
Tehran : No country can violate Iran or deny its rights, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday in response to remarks by US presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Clinton.
"No country in the world could violate Iran and deny its legitimate rights," Ahmadinejad said in a speech in the western city of Hamedan, carried live by Khabar news network.
Clinton, one of the main Democratic presidential candidates, had Tuesday warned that she would order the US military to "totally obliterate" Iran if the Islamic state carried out a nuclear strike against Israel.
Journalist couple killed in Dhaka
By IANS,
Dhaka : Two Bangladeshi journalists -- a husband-wife duo -- were Friday night found murdered at their home in Dhaka, police said Saturday.
Taliban peace panel chief condemns attacks in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Maulana Samiul Haq, chief of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan's (TTP) three-member peace talks committee, requested the group Friday to end all kinds...
UN Hails Lebanon, Syria Diplomatic Ties
By Prensa Latina,
United Nations : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the reestablishing of diplomatic ties between Lebanon and Syria, a historical action pending constructive common dialogue to benefit both countries, turning a new page in the relations between the two neighbor countries.
Lift emergency in Bangladesh: US
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : The United States Friday insisted that Bangladesh lift the state of emergency to hold a fair and transparent election.
"A transparent election is not possible under the emergency. Therefore, emergency has to be lifted. It needs open political activities, meetings, rallies and debates to have a good election,” Richard Boucher, assistant secretary of state, told reporters here.
“We have been pushing to lift the emergency to have credible elections," Boucher, who arrived here Thursday on a two-day visit, said.
Merkel, ministers attend Muslim solidarity rally
Berlin: Germany's top politicians and leaders of religious communities joined a solidarity rally organised by Islamic groups in Berlin Tuesday, calling for joint actions...
Iraq wants goods ties with neighbours – Iraqi PM
By NNN-KUNA,
Brussels : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has told the European Parliament (EP) that the security situation in Iraq has improved and gave an assurance that "free and fair" provincial elections will be held in October.
Speaking at a joint meeting of the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee and its Delegation for Relations with Iraq Wednesday, Al-Maliki said Bqghdad wants good ties with its neighbouring countries. "We want good relations with Turkey, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in our internal affairs."
Manama to host World Islamic Funds Conference
By IINA,
Manama : The Fourth Annual World Islamic Funds and Capital Markets Conference (WIFCMC 2008) will be held at the Gulf International Convention Centre here on May 26 and 27. With the Islamic investments market standing on the threshold of an exciting boom period, the conference will assess where the next wave of growth opportunities will come from.
Karzai again calls for national reconciliation
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai has repeated his call to the Taliban to put down arms and join the process of national reconciliation in the war-torn country.
Bush leaves Egypt, wraps up Middle East tour
By Xinhua
Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) : US President George W. Bush left the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt Wednesday afternoon, wrapping up his eight-day Middle East visit that aimed at winning Arab support for a peace deal and isolating Iran.
Before leaving Egypt, the US president said at a press conference jointly with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that the US has "a long-standing friendship with Egypt," which has a long history of culture.
Pakistan condemns Israeli attacks in Gaza
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan Sunday condemned the large scale loss of life as result of Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq reacting to resent Israeli attacks said, We believe that violence is point to further aggravate tension in the region.
Pakistan urges that utmost restraint should be exercised and right of self-determination of Palestine people should be respected, he said.
Local manufacturing makes Dhaka’s river dredging cheaper
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's massive river dredging drive is for the first time using locally manufactured dredgers that are more cost effective and also energy efficient.
Dredge Bangla (Private) Limited has manufactured two dredgers that have been engaged in dredging the river Gorai, which was almost dead due to siltation caused by inadequate flow of water from the river Padma.
13 killed in Iraq car bombing
By IANS,
Baghdad : At least 13 people were killed and 28 others wounded Monday when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden car into a prison near the Iraqi capital, an official said.
UN, US urge Afghan government to probe alleged poll fraud
By DPA,
Kabul : The US and the UN have increased their pressure on the Afghan government to allow a thorough review of the Aug 20 presidential election following mounting allegations of vote rigging, diplomats and news reports said Tuesday.
A Western diplomat told DPA that Western missions in Afghanistan have been growing very concerned over the widespread fraud allegations and were trying to convince President Hamid Karzai not to interfere in investigations of complaints by the Independent Election Commission.
Sheikh Hasina – The reluctant politician is Bangladesh PM again
By IANS,
Dhaka : She was initiated into politics through the crucible of one of the world's bloodiest assassinations when her entire family was terminated. More than three decades after that fateful August day in 1975, when the legacy of her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman fell on her, Sheikh Hasina has become Bangladesh prime minister for a second term.
Al Qaeda confirms Osama’s death
By IANS,
Islamabad : Al Qaeda has confirmed the death of its chief Osama Bin Laden in a statement posted on jihadist internet forums.
Hamas storms Fatah-affiliated university in Gaza
By RIA Novosti
Gaza : Islamist group Hamas has taken control of the Al-Azhar University in Gaza, associated with rival movement Fatah, who were forced out of the Gaza Strip last year by Hamas, a deputy principle said Monday.
A deputy principal at Al-Azhar, one of Gaza's largest universities, told journalists that police took over the university campus early Monday, denying entry to both students and university staff.
Zardari wants Punjab broken up
By IANS,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari has promised to break up Punjab and create a new province of Janoobi (South) Punjab.
Drone worry ok..what about terrorism: Karzai asks Imran
By IANS,
Islamabad: In a letter to former cricketer Imran Khan who opposes drone strikes in Pakistan, Afghan President Hamid Karzai asked him what steps Islamabad has taken to weed out terrorism.
Israel on full alert after Demona attack — media
By KUNA
Gaza : Israel announced Tuesday that its police and army forces were put on full alert in fear of another attack similar to the one which occurred in Demona city yesterday.
According to Israeli radio, the police forces were on alert in all cities of the country and areas near the West Bank.
The radio also said that Commissioner of the Israel Police Inspector General Dudi Cohen called for increasing efforts to find Palestinians working in Israel without a license.
Indian university offers scholarships to Afghan students
Chandigarh : In an effort to strengthen people-to-people linkages between India and Afghanistan, the OP Jindal Global University (JGU) in Sonipat, Haryana, has announced...
Abu Dhabi to host cooking festival
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi will host a festival of cooking art next month to showcase its tradition of hospitality and promote tourism in the emirate.
‘Qatar to be less affected by financial crisis’
By IANS,
Dubai : Qatar’s ruler Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani Tuesday said his country would be less affected by the global financial crisis than other developing nations because there was no shortage of liquidity.
“The consequences of the world crisis on the state of Qatar will be less than on many of the other developing countries, because the banks and monetary institutions in Qatar enjoy a high monetary cover,” the Emir said while addressing the 37th ordinary session of the country’s advisory council in Doha.
Four killed in Bangladesh mall fire
By DPA,
Dhaka : At least four people were killed and 20 injured in a devastating fire at Basundhara City, Bangladesh's largest shopping mall, here Friday, officials said.
Firefighters recovered three charred bodies from the upper floors of the 21-storey building, in which the top five floors were destroyed, Tejgaon zone police chief Mahbubur Rahman said.
Earlier, a firefighter of the Basundhara group was killed and 20 people sustained burn injuries.
Israel cancels civil flights in north amid Syria tensions
By IANS,
Jerusalem : The Israeli Defense Forces has said it would shut down civil air traffic in northern Israel until Thursday.
Afghan Taliban deny having bases in Pakistan
By Prensa Latina,
Kabul : The Afghan Taliban have denied having bases in Pakistani territory and said the false campaigns are aimed at distracting the attention from their capability and strong resistance they pose.
The Taliban rebels said they have neither bases nor they need one in Pakistan or any other place out of Afghanistan due to their control over vast Afghan areas to carry out their operations.
US Defence Department said the Taliban control 11 of the 34 Afghan provinces, while some analysts put it at 72 percent of the Afghan territory.
Street clashes in Tehran ahead of elections
By DPA,
Tehran : Supporters of incumbent Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his main electoral challenger Mir-Hossein Moussavi clashed in Tehran Friday, just one week ahead of the June 12 presidential elections.
A thousand of Moussavi supporters were holding a rally in Tehran's Vali-Asr square when suddenly the same number of presidential supporters staged a counter rally, eyewitnesses said.
After initial verbal quarrels between the groups, the supporters of both sides started clashes and police forces immediately interfered to prevent an escalation of the confrontations.
Italy may unfreeze $3.6 bn of Libyan assets
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Rome : Italy plans to release 2.5 billion euros ($3.6 billion) of Libya's assets and transfer it to the rebel-led government, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said.
Iran, Iraq vow to expand defense co-op
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran and Iraq vowed Sunday to expand their defense cooperation, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported.
Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar and his visiting Iraqi counterpart Abdul Qadir Mohammed Jassim Obeidi al-Mifarji voiced the intention during their meeting.
Israeli PM’s lawyers examine key witness in corruption case
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's lawyers on Thursday began cross-questioning a key witness in the ongoing "money envelopes" investigation that might unseat the embattled leader.
The questioning session is expected to last five days, when lawyers of the probes-laden Olmert will put American Jewish businessman Moshe Talansky on the grill.
Talansky previously testified that he gave Olmert some 150,000 U.S. dollars, much of it in envelopes, as campaign contributions before the latter became prime minister in 2006.
We want result-oriented dialogue on Kashmir, says Qureshi
By IANS,
Islamabad : Islamabad wants to have a meaningful dialogue with New Delhi over the the Kashmir issue, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said here.