55 countries to participate in Abu Dhabi oil meet
By IANS
Abu Dhabi : More than 1,400 exhibitors from 55 countries will participate in the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2008 (ADIPEC) Nov 3-6, WAM news agency reported Monday.
The exhibition is one of the world's largest oil and gas events in which major national and international oil companies and manufacturers of related equipment take part.
ADIPEC was launched in 1984 and is supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s Ministry of Energy. The event is being organised under the patronage of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayhan.
Musharraf swears in Pakistani Cabinet ministers
By SPA
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf has sworn in a new Pakistani Cabinet made up of ministers.
Twenty-four ministers took the oath from Musharraf at a ceremony in the capital. Most of them are from the parties of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, the Associated Press reported.
Abbas to visit Riyadh, Cairo to brief on his talks with Rice
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will head to Saudi Arabia and Egypt to brief their leaders on the talks he held with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday in Amman, an official Palestinian radio reported on Tuesday.
Abbas will meet King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on Tuesday and will meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak later on Wednesday in Cairo, according to the radio Voice of Palestine.
Former Bangladesh PM’s son charged with tax evasion
By DPA
Dhaka : Tarique Rahman, elder son and political heir to former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, faced charges of concealing assets worth millions of dollars by submitting a false statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission, officials said Tuesday.
Rahman, 43, was indicted by a district court in Dhaka for amassing assets including expensive apartments, luxurious farmhouses and holiday retreats for the rich which did not tally with his known sources of incomes, anti-corruption officer Towfiqul Islam said.
Hezbollah may strike Israel via third party — Haaretz
By KUNA
Gaza : Hezbollah may try to carry out an attack in northern Israel with the help of another paramilitary organization, which can provide it with deniability, intelligence officers told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense committee on Tuesday.
Senegalese to perform Umrah at the expense of President Wade
By IINA
Dakar : As many as 1400 Senegalese will perform Umrah at the expense of President Abdoulaye Wade. "This was in a gesture of thanksgiving for the people of Senegal for their contributions to make the 11th Dakar Islamic Summit a resounding success," according to Wade's spokesman. The pilgrims will leave for Makkah, in two batches of 700 each, during this month. The cost of the operation is estimated at between "900 million and one billion FCFA (between 1.3 and 1.5 million euros), Elhadji Amadou Sall, the spokesman said.
Germany boosts financial aid for Iraqi refugees
By IRNA
Berlin : Germany's Foreign Ministry has increased its financial aid for millions of Iraqi refugees by 2.5 million euros, press reports said Wednesday.
The funds will be allocated to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to be used for refugees in Syria, Jordan and even those Iraqis who were displaced inside their own country.
Germany's total financial aid for Iraqi refugees stood at 3.7 million euros since the beginning of the year.
Pakistan rejects Afghanistan statement on nuclear waste
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan on Wednesday termed as baseless a statement from an Afghan cabinet Minister that Pakistan had dumped nuclear waste in southern Afghanistan during Taliban period.
Afghanistan Parliamentary Affairs Minister Farooq Wardag has been quoted as saying that Pakistan had buried nuclear waste in Kandahar and Helmand when Taliban were ruling the areas.
"Afghan minister statement regarding dumping of nuclear waste by Pakistan in Afghanistan was baseless," Foreign Ministry spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said.
Pakistan military appoints new intelligence chief
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Kayani has appointed new chief of the Military Intelligence(MI), the military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas confirmed on Thursday.
Abbas told Xinhua that Major General Mohammad Asif replaced Major General Nadeem Ejaz as the MI director general, and the new MI chief will take the post Friday.
Ejaz, appointed MI chief by then army chief Pervez Musharraf in 2006, has been posted as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Bahawalpur of Pakistan's Punjab province.
Chinese, Pakistani FMs agree to shore up all-around cooperation
By NNN-Xinhua
Beijing : Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi agreed with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi Wednesday to shore up all-around cooperation between the two nations.
In their telephone conversation, Yang first congratulated Qureshi, who was sworn in as Pakistan's foreign minister Monday.
China and Pakistan are traditionally good neighbors, and to further deepen their all-weather friendship and shore up all-around cooperation are the common wishes of both sides, the two ministers agreed in the conversation.
Saudi King, Kuwait”s Amir discuss means of bolstering bilateral ties
By KUNA
Riyadh : Official talks were held on Saturday between the state of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia chaired by visiting Kuwait's Amir, Highness Sheikh Sabah al Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah and Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud.
The two sides discussed the already strong bilateral relations at all levels.
They also discussed a number of regional and Arab issues of reciprocal interest.
Palestinians to have say in any settlement with Israel – Abbas
By NNN-KUNA
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has stressed that a peaceful settlement with Israel will not be "at any cost", pledging at the same time that Palestinians will have their say in any settlement reached.
Abbas made the remarks during his reception of a number of Fatah leaders in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, who recently won elections.
The Palestinian president urged them to hold Fatah's sixth general conference despite all obstacles, the Palestinian Radio said Sunday.
Top Pakistani General concludes visit to Jordan
By SPA
Islamabad : Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Tariq Majid returned home last night from a six-day visit to Jordan, said an official statement.
Director General Operations and Plans Maj Gen Bilal Omer and other senior officers received Majid at Islamabad Airport.
Majid held wide-ranging discussions with his Jordanian counterpart General Khalid J Al-Sarayreh and highlighted the need for strengthening military cooperation between both the countries.
Pakistan may lift restriction on A. Q. Khan
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan Monday hinted it may lift the restrictions on nuclear scientists Abdul Qadeer Khan, under house arrest since January 2004.
"I do not want to see his (Khan's) movements restricted. He is a Pakistani and a respected Pakistani," Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told private Dawn TV channel.
Khan, founder of Pakistan's nuclear programme, was put under house arrest in 2004 after he confessed on state-run television to illegally selling nuclear technology outside Pakistan.
Pakistan’s regional assembly for halt to military operation
By IRNA
Islamabad : Provincial assembly in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution calling for an immediate end to military operation in the province.
The resolution, adopted in the first session of the Balochistan assembly, also called for the early release of political prisoners and rehabilitation of internally displaced people in the province.
The Assembly also passed another resolution calling for a United Nations probe into assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
Kuwait Cabinet approves publication of call for election on April 13
By NNN-KUNA
Kuwait : The Kuwaiti cabinet has approved the publication of a decree inviting voters to the National Assembly (parliamentary) elections on April 13, Deputy Premier and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Faisal Al-Hajji Bukhadhour said.
The decree will be published by the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm, he told KUNA following the weekly cabinet meeting at the Al-Sief Palace here Monday.
Iran sends letter to UN over three Persian Gulf islands
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iran has sent a letter to the United Nations over its ownership of the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf region, a senior Foreign Ministry official said.
Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference Monday, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Mohammad-Ali Hosseini, announced the above while commenting on a recent claim of the United Arab Emirates officials over the three islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Mousa.
Indonesian Internet companies block Web sites
By SPA
Jakarta, Indonesia : At least three Internet companies say they have blocked access to YouTube and MySpace because of an anti-Islam film by a Dutch lawmaker.
The move Tuesday was in response to an order by the Indonesian government.
IndosatM2, a popular Internet Service Provider, and two other companies said they had temporarily blocked YouTube, MySpace and three other video-sharing Web sites.
It was not immediately clear if the country's other seven or so providers were following suit, the Associated Press reported.
Israeli troops kill at least one Palestinian militant in Gaza
By RIA Novosti
Gaza : Israeli troops have killed at least one Palestinian militant in a military operation in northern Gaza, local medical officials said Tuesday.
The Israeli military reported however that two militants had been killed and that small arms and antitank grenade launchers had been found on them.
Israel Defense Forces said the operation was carried out to counter "standard terrorist threats - sniper and missile fire and attempts to break through the border by militant groups."
Palestinian killed in northern Gaza Strip
By SPA
Gaza City, Gaza Strip : Palestinian medical officials say a man has been killed during clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip.
Medical officials say two others were moderately wounded. Palestinians reported fighting in the northern Gaza Strip throughout the day Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.
Iran announces more nuclear achievements as U.S. threatens more sanctions
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iran announced new "achievements" in its nuclear program on Tuesday as the United States warned that Tehran will face further international sanctions over its disputed nuclear work.
On the occasion to mark Iran's National Day of Nuclear Technology on Tuesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country has tested a new advanced centrifuge and started to install 6,000 new centrifuges at Natanz nuclear plant, according to the official IRNA news agency.
Iran’s Peaceful Nuclear Programme Belongs To All Humanity
By Bernama
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran's nuclear programme belongs to all humanity, Iranian national news agency, IRNA, reported Wednesday.
Speaking in the special ceremony marking Iran's National Nuclear Day Tuesday, he said the country's nuclear programme is regarded as the most significant event in the contemporary era.
Iran has successfully tested new cheaper nuclear devices in smaller dimensions that are five fold faster than the present models, he said.
UNRWA lauds support of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Charity Foundation
By WAM
Abu Dhabi : Ambassador Peter Ford, representative of general commissioner of United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestinians in Near East (UNRWA), has hailed the humanitarian efforts exerted by the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Charity Foundation to help the Palestinian refugees in Gaza through supporting the operations of UNRWA.
The remarks were made during a visit paid by Ford to the head office of Sheikh Khalifa Foundation in Abu Dhabi, where he was received by Mohammed Hajji Khoori, executive director of the foundation and other officials.
Quran leaf sells for world record of Dlrs 5 million
B IRNA
London : A 7th-century leaf from a Holy Quran has set a new world auction record for any Islamic manuscript, after fetching Pnds 2.48 million pounds (Dlrs 4.92 m) in London.
Christie's International on Tuesday reported its biggest-grossing sale of Islamic art, with a 282-lot raising a total Pnds 11.8 m, more than double upper estimate.
The 36-centimeter vellum leaf, thought to be from Madina, is one of the earliest Quran fragments. The price paid by a private anonymous collector was nearly 25 times the presale lower estimate of Pnds 100,000.
Saudi Financial support for demining operation in South Lebanon
By SPA
Beirut : Under the directives of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, the Saudi Embassy in Beirut handed over a sum of $500,000 to UN Mine Action Coordination Center, Southern Lebanon (MACC SL).
The check for the amount was handed over to MACC SL's Chief Operation Officer Tekimiti Gilbert.
Saudi Charge D'Affairs Fayez Talat Wafa said the support of demining project demonstrates the permanent positions of the Kingdom beside Lebanon and in support of the safety of its citizens and protection of its territory.
Witness in Hariri assassination inquary has disappeared – France
By NNN-KUNA
Paris : France has confirmed that a key witness in the investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in February 2005 has disappeared.
Zuheir Mohammed Al-Siddiq is wanted by Lebanese authorities for questioning and an extradition order was issued by these authorities, according to Arab sources here.
French officials have been careful in their handling of the Al-Siddiq case given that he has been in this country since mid-2005. He was arrested by the French secret service in October 2005, but he has not been handed over to Lebanon.
24 Taliban killed in clashes, air strikes in Afghanistan
By SPA
Kandahar, Afghanistan : A provincial official says Afghan and foreign troops have killed 24 Taliban militants during an operation in southern Afghanistan, the Associated Press reported.
Ghulab Shah Alikheil says the joint forces clashed with the militants in two areas of southern Zabul province.
Alikheil said eight other militants were wounded in Friday's clashes and airstrikes.
Alikheil says there were no casualties among Afghan and foreign troops.
Iraq dismisses 1,300 security members after clashes in the south
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The Iraqi government decided to dismiss more than 1,300 soldiers and policemen because they refused to fight Shiite militiamen during recent clashes in southern Iraqi cities, a security source said on Sunday.
Up to 921 soldiers and policemen, including 37 senior officers, have been fired from their jobs in the Iraqi police and army units in the southern city of Basra, where the U.S.-backed Iraqi security forces fought Mahdi Army militia, loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, Interior Ministry spokesman Major Gen. Abdul Kareem Khalaf said.
Manila welcomes any move to establish peace in Mideast region
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo has said here that Manila welcomes any meeting leading to the establishment of peace and stability in the Mideast region.
He made the remarks Sunday in response to a question about the meeting of Iraqi neighbouring countries in Kuwait during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki.
Since 1.2 million Filipinos live in the regional states, establishment of peace and security in the Middle East region, through diplomatic dialogue, is very important for Manila, he said.
Called Bengalis, Malaysian Sikhs walk out of function
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : A group of Malaysian Sikhs walked out from a function when Perak state's chief executive referred to them as Bengalis.
Perak's Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin made the gaffe Sunday when he wished the Tamil community "Puthandu Vazth-uka" or Happy New Year followed by "Happy Vasakhi to the Bengali community".
"For generations, Sikhs have bit their lips when mistakenly referred to as Bengalis. Many usually excuse the gaffe by ordinary folk who do not know any better," media reports from the Perak capital Ipoh said.
Iran’s state TV station airs video of Hormuz ship incident
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iran's state television station on Thursday aired a video released by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) of an incident of confrontation between U.S. and Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz four days ago.
The footage, which lasted for about four minutes, showed an Iranian commander in a speedboat contacting a U.S. sailor via radio, asking him to identify the U.S. vessels.
IAEA chief to hold ‘important’ meetings with IRI leaders
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said Friday ties between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have entered a new stage. He also said ElBaradei will hold "important" meetings with Iranian leaders Saturday.
Aqazadeh who was addressing a joint press conference with the IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei, assessed his talks with Elbaradei as "good and comprehensive."
Arab Nations, UN Work for Iraqi Refugees
By SPA
United Nations : The Arab League is set to work with the United Nations refugee agency and other international organizations on a fundraising and public awareness campaign to assist displaced Iraqis.
The campaign, announced in a statement by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is entitled “Arabs Hand-in-Hand with Iraqis.”
The initiative launched on Friday and coverage will be provided by Arab satellite television, including Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, and Egyptian satellite, UNHCR said.
Gunmen launch second attack on American school in Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : Gunmen broke into an American school building in Beit Lahya west of the Gaza Strip early on Saturday in the second such attack on it since Thursday.
Local radio stations quoted school director Rabhi Salem as saying that an unidentified armed group broke into the school building Saturday dawn, sabotaged parts of it, stole computers and other items and set fire at six buses that were completely destroyed.
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.
Yamani chairs meeting of Protection of Competition Council
By SPA
Riyadh : Minister of Commerce Dr Hashim Yamani chaired here today an extraordinary meeting of the Protection of Competition Council.
The Council’s Secretary General Mohammed Sindi said the participants of the meeting had reviewed issues pertaining to the hike of the prices of diaries and their derivatives.
The Council has ordered its General Secretariat to investigate in this respect.
U.S. announces arms sale to Saudi Arabia
By Xinhua
Washington : The U.S. Pentagon said Monday it plans to sell advanced bomb delivery systems to Saudi Arabia, coinciding with U.S. President George W. Bush's arrival at the Gulf country.
The package, worth 123 million U.S. dollars, will provide Saudis with 900 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or JDAMs, which is a bomb delivery system, it said.
The deal was made public as the Pentagon notified the Congress about details of the sale.
The Congress will have 30 days to decide whether to approve the plan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gaza militants resume rockets attacks at Israel
By Xinhua
Gaza : Gaza militant groups resumed on Tuesday morning makeshift rockets attacks from the Gaza Strip to southern Israeli communities, Israeli and Palestinian sources reported.
The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) claimed responsibility for launching two homemade rockets from northern Gaza Strip at the southern costal Israeli town of Ashkelon, causing no injuries or damages.
Iran calls new Security Council resolution a “mistake”
TEHRAN, January 23 (RIA Novosti) - Iran's president has said the new nuclear program resolution agreed on Tuesday by the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany is a mistake, national TV said on Wednesday.
"Our position is crystal clear. As we have stated before, from our point of view, Iran's nuclear problem is over, but they have made the same mistake again...an ineffective resolution," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.
Britain welcomes accord on new UN resolution on Iran
By DPA
London : Britain Wednesday welcomed the agreement reached on a new UN Security Council resolution on Iran's nuclear enrichment programme and urged Tehran to respond positively to international pressure to suspend its nuclear activities.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who took part in the latest round of discussions among the UN's five veto powers and Germany in Berlin Tuesday, said the meeting was "united, constructive and determined."
Training cut for Afghan-bound recruits
By KUNA
London : Nearly 1,000 new British Army recruits could have their combat training halved to meet a shortage of troops available to deploy to Afghanistan, it was reported here Thursday.
Under plans being considered by the Army, some newly-enlisted soldiers would spend just 14 weeks on a combat infantry course instead of the normal 26-28 weeks, according to The Times newspaper.
The move has been proposed because all of the battalions due to replace 52 Brigade in Afghanistan next year are currently at least 100 soldiers below required strength, the paper said.
Tajik officers seize 500 kg of drugs on Afghan border
By RIA Novosti
Dushanbe : Tajik special forces seized over 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of opium-related drugs on the Afghan border and arrested eight suspects, a source in the country's Security Committee said on Thursday.
An estimated 73 kg of heroin was seized in the special operation. The source said the suspects are believed to be part of a major international drug-smuggling ring.
Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic in Central Asia, is a major transit country for drugs from the world's largest heroin producer, Afghanistan.
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.
Bombs Kill 51, Hurt 92 in Baghdad
By Prensa Latina
Baghdad : The Iraqi capital was shaken on Friday with two bomb attacks that killed 51 and wounded 92 persons, most of them seriously, said police.
According to preliminary reports, the first morning blast occurred at Al-Ghazl pet market in central Baghdad, taking the lives of 43 persons and wounding 78 others.
An official from the Ministry of Defense confirmed that the bomb was hidden in a box of birds, but the media holds that it was a suicide bomber.
Gaza militants fire makeshift rockets into Israel
By Xinhua
Gaza : Gaza-based Palestinian militants shelled southern Israel communities with makeshift missiles on Monday following a brief calmness, militant groups said.
The Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement said in a press release that its militants fired two home-made rockets into southern Israeli town Sderot. "The operation was in response to the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and West Bank," said the statement.
In the West Bank city of Jenin, Israeli forces killed two Jihad gunmen and wounded a third earlier in the morning.
Top German MP backs Afghan deployment
By IRNA
Berlin : A senior German legislator of the co-ruling Social Democratic Party broke ranks with the country's leadership by supporting US and NATO calls for the deployment of German combat troops throughout Afghanistan, the daily Bild newspaper reported Monday.
IAEA chief warns against military action to solve Iranian nuclear issue
By Xinhua
Cairo : Visiting UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei on Monday warned against a military action to solve the Iranian nuclear issue, the Egyptian official MENA news agency reported.
In an interview with Egyptian TV, ElBaradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said a military strike to settle the Iranian nuclear issue would complicate the situation and send the Middle East region into a vicious cycle of violence.
US may reach Iraqi refugee resettlement goals for 2008
By NNN-KUNA
Washington : Top US officials in charge of Iraqi refugee resettlement said this week the US is prepared to admit 12,000 Iraqi refugees by the end of September, but cautioned the final number may fall short of the goal.
According to the latest government statistics 1,432 Iraqi refugees have been resettled in the US since October, including 375 in January.
Israeli operation leaves 2 militants dead in south Gaza
By RIA Novosti
Gaza : Israeli troops killed two militants from Gaza's ruling radical Islamic movement Hamas and wounded several Palestinians in border clashes, Hamas hospital sources said on Tuesday.
The two activists from Hamas's military arm were shot dead in eastern Rafah near the southern border of the Palestinian enclave during a routine operation by Israeli troops in an area used by militants to launch rocket attacks on Israel.
The Israeli Air Force earlier killed a leader of the Popular Resistance Committees' armed wing in northern Gaza.
Iran says space program poses no threat to peace
By RIA Novosti
Tehran : A spokesman for Iran's government gave assurances on Tuesday that the country's achievements in space technology and research pose no threat to peace and stability in the world.
Gholam-Hossein Elham's comments come a day after Tehran's successful launch of the Explorer-1 research rocket, which is reportedly capable of carrying a satellite into orbit, and the unveiling of the country's first domestically built satellite, named Omid, or Hope.
3 Iraqis killed during raid north of Baghdad
By SPA
Baghdad : Three Iraqis were killed, including a woman, and at least one child was injured after American soldiers stormed a tiny one-room house north of Baghdad and opened fire, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Tuesday.
Iraqi police said a couple and their 19-year-old son were killed, and that their two young daughters were wounded in the U.S. raid around 11 p.m. Monday. One of the young girls died early Tuesday, and the other was evacuated to a U.S. military hospital, police was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
30,000 monitoring personnel mobilized for Pakistan’s elections
By SPA
Islamabad : Nearly 30,000 members of civil society and grassroots organizations are being mobilized to monitor polling in virtually all the 272 constituencies of the National Assembly (Lower House of Parliament) of Pakistan to be held on February 18, a top civil society leader said.
This is happening for the first time in Pakistan's history.
Germany to send more troops to Afghanistan
By DPA
Berlin : Germany is to send a 200-strong Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to Afghanistan in the summer of 2008 to provide additional security for reconstruction teams working in the region, German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung said Wednesday.
The troops are to replace a larger Norwegian contingent, which is leaving. Their main tasks are to conduct patrols and provide security and crowd control, as well as mount evacuation and search operations.
Pakistan ideal for foreign investment: minister
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro lauded the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry for promoting business and investment in the country and said Pakistan was an ideal place for foreign investors.
“Pakistan offers great economic opportunities to both local and foreign investors with handsome return on their investments,” he said at an LCCI reception Thursday night.
He said Lahore Chamber has always played an active role in supplementing government efforts particularly for the economic growth and prosperity of the country.
Pakistan on important journey to complete democracy: minister
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Nisar A. Memon said the nation was on important journey to complete democracy and all stakeholders must play their active role in the upcoming general elections and making it a successful.
Taking to PTV Thursday, the Minister expressed satisfaction over the electioneering that was getting momentum day by day across the country.
Five American soldiers killed in Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Five U.S. soldiers were killed Friday in two separate bombings in Iraq, the U.S. military said on Saturday.
Four soldiers were killed when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while they were on a combat patrol in northwest of Baghdad, themilitary said.
Another soldier was killed and three others were wounded in an explosion near their vehicle as they carried out operations in Tamim province, the military said in another statement.
The wounded soldiers were sent to a coalition medical facility for treatment.
Israeli airstrike targeting rocket crew in Gaza wounds 2 militants
By Xinhua
Gaza : Two Palestinian militants were wounded early Saturday as an Israeli airstrike hit the group of militants who were preparing for firing home-made rockets into southern Israel from northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical sources said.
"The two men were taken to Beit Hanoun hospital and then transferred to another hospital in Jabaliya refugee camp," said Mu' awia Hassanein, director of ambulance and emergency department at the health ministry.
The two sustained moderate injuries, he added.
Canterbury Archbishop defends remarks on Islamic Shariah
London – (IINA) February 09 – The Archbishop of Canterbury has defended his comments on Islamic Sharia law, following widespread criticism. A statement on his website said that he "certainly did not call for its introduction as some kind of parallel jurisdiction to the civil law". However, at least two General Synod members have called for Dr Rowan Williams to resign following the row. Colonel Edward Armitstead told the Daily Telegraph: "I don't think he is the man for the job." Speaking to BBC radio on Thursday, Dr.
Hamas warns Israel of heavy price if leaders harmed
By Xinhua
Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement on Monday warned that Israel will pay heavy price if the Jewish state harms Hamas leaders in response to Qassam rocket attacks targeting southern Israel from the Hamas-ruled Gaza.
"The Israeli threats against senior leaders like Prime Minister Ismail Haneya are dangerous escalation that we strongly warn against," said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.
Israel will pay the price for any "stupid act it may commit," said Abu Zuhri, adding that if the crimes were carried out, Hamas' response "would be unprecedented."
Palestinian negotiator refuses statehood without Gaza, Jerusalem
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Monday the Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmoud Abbas won't accept a future statehood without the Hamas-run Gaza Strip or Jerusalem as its capital.
"The Palestinian statehood will not be created without the West Bank, Jerusalem as the capital, and the Gaza Strip," said Erekat.
British journalist feared missing in Iraq
By NNN-KUNA
London : The UK Foreign Office said Tuesday it was "urgently" looking into reports that a western journalist - said to be British - has been kidnapped in Iraq.
Reports from Iraq said a British employee of US network CBS and his interpreter had been seized by gunmen last Sunday. The pair were reportedly kidnapped near their hotel in Basra.
The British Foreign Office said it was investigating the report.
A spokeswoman said, "We are aware of reports of a western national missing in Basra and we are urgently looking into it."
Iraq-Iran-US round of talks not set yet – Iranian official
By NNN-KUNA
Tehran : Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said on Tuesday that the next round of talks with the United States regarding Iraq is not determined yet.
Hosseini said such talks will be held in Baghdad, but the date is not yet set.
The Iranian official also denied US claims concerning the discovery of Iranian weapons used against the US in Iraq, adding that such claims are made without proof.
Military torture of Bangladesh journalist alleged
By IANS
New York : The arrest and torture of journalist Tasneem Khalil by Bangladesh's military intelligence highlights abuses under emergency rule and the interim government's failure to restrain the security forces, Human Rights Watch said in a report Thursday.
The rights group also called upon the Bangladesh government as well as the country's donors to urgently tackle the endemic problem of torture in the country.
Rice to participate in Iraq’s neighbour countries meeting in April
By NNN-KUNA
Washington : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday she would visit Kuwait end of April to participate in a meeting of countries neighbouring Iraq.
Rice said in a hearing before the Congress Foreign Relations 2009 budget that she accepted the invitation of the Kuwaiti government to participate in the 3rd Iraq's neighbouring meeting in late April.
Representatives from Iraq, its neighbouring countries and permanent UN Security Council (UNSC) member countries will attend the meeting.
Syria pledges efforts to find murderer of Hezbollah leader
By Xinhua
Damascus : Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said Thursday that Syria would find the murderer of Hezbollah commander Imad Moughniyah as soon as possible.
Muallem made the remarks after meeting with his visiting Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki, who came to Damascus following a trip to Lebanon where he attended the late commander's funeral.
Moughniyah was killed in a car bombing in a residential neighborhood in Damascus late Tuesday.
Pakistan gets ready for ‘mother of all elections’
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan goes to the polls Monday to elect members to its national parliament and four provincial assemblies in a contest President Pervez Musharraf describes as the "mother of all elections" but which others say is the most colourless in decades.
More than 80 million people are eligible to cast their votes in the polls, the 10th general elections since formation of the country in 1947. The polls are being held under tight security with the army out to help the law enforcing agencies to ensure peaceful polling.
Death toll from cold, snow mounts to 926 in Afghanistan
KABUL, Feb 16 (KUNA) -- The number of Afghans killed by the chilly weather continued in the snow-covered Afghanistan has reached almost 1,000 since the beginning of the winter this year.
About a fortnight back, the Health Ministry had said that some 600 people and thousands of cattle have expired while hundreds more people living in remote areas of Afghanistan have been cut off from the big cities due to the excessive snowfall in the impoverished country.
Delay in Iran-US talks nothing to do with Ahmadinejad’s visit to Iraq
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Postponement of the next round of Iran-US talks on Iraq is not related to an upcoming visit to Baghdad of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
"We saw no relationship between the two issues," Mohammad-Ali Hosseini told reporters at his weekly press briefing Sunday.
Earlier in the day, he said that the fourth round of the Iran-US talks on the situation in Iraq was postponed for "technical reasons." The two sides have so far held three rounds of talks on the Iraqi situation, on May 28, July 24 and Aug 6, 2007.
British soldier killed in Afghanistan blast
By KUNA
London : A British soldier has been killed and a second injured in an attack in Afghanistan, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Monday.
The soldiers were on foot patrol in southern Afghanistan when they were caught in an explosion yesterday.
An MoD spokesman said "Yesterday evening the soldiers were taking part in a foot patrol near Kajaki, Helmand Province, when they were caught in an explosion".
Foreign observers, ambassadors, analysts express satisfaction over election process
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Foreign observers, ambassadors and analysts who visited various polling stations across the country have expressed satisfaction over the polling process.
US Senator John Kerry has said that voters and supporters of different candidates have expressed their confidence in the voting process at the polling stations he had visited, Radio Pakistan reported.
In an interview after visiting a polling station, John Kerry said he was impressed by the polling structure devised by the Election Commission.
Radio officials in the Gulf Cooperation Council will hold their second meeting
By KUNA
Riyadh : Officials in charge of radio broadcast in the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) hold their 12th meeting here on Wednesday. The officials are expected to discuss a number of topics aimed at the transfer of broadcasting cooperation to broader vistas through mere modern technology, especially in the area of digital radio.
They are also expected to review proposals submitted by the Secretariat and member states on the development of coordination between the radio authorities in the GCC States and the development of broadcast caders.
Hamas delegation heads for talks in Cairo over border issues
By Xinhua
Gaza : A delegation from Hamas movement headed for Cairo for talks with the Egyptian officials on reopening a crossing point between the Hamas-ruled Gaza and Egypt, a Hamas website reported on Tuesday.
Reopening Rafah crossing, which was closed last June when Hamas took over Gaza by force, was the main purpose of the visit, according to Palmedia.net news website.
Iran, Iraq emphasize on need to restore brder posts
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : The deputy foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq have signed a border agreement to restore the posts at the two countries' shared land and water international borders, including those in Arvand River.
According to IRNA Political Desk reporter, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister (Arab World and African Affairs) Mohammad-Reza Baqeri said at the ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here Wednesday to sign the agreement in the presence of Iraq's Deputy Foreign Minister (Legal Affairs) Muhammad al-Haaj Hammoud that bilateral ties are friendly.
Turkey may launch major attack on Iraq Kurds in March
By RIA Novosti
Ankara : Turkey may carry out a military operation against Kurdish insurgents based in northern Iraq in the second half of March, a national daily reported on Thursday.
"The operation may only start when the snow begins to melt, which will be some time in late March," Sabah said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, indicated on Wednesday that weather conditions would be a key factor in a possible operation.
Two Palestinians killed, one wounded in Israeli raid on Maghazi Camp
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinian activists were killed and a third was wounded in an Israeli air raid early Friday on Maghazi Camp, central Gaza Strip.
Palestinian witnesses and medical sources said Israeli helicopters launched a missile at a number of Palestinian activists grouping near the border between eastern Maghazi Camp and Israel, killing two and wounding a third.
Ambulances rushed to the area and medics transported the three victims to a hospital in Der Al-Balah, central Gaza.
Israel issues hijack alert to all incoming airlines
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel has ordered all carriers heading for the country to tighten security measures against potential terror attacks to avenge the killing of Hezbollah leader Imad Mugniyah, media reports said Friday.
According Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the ministry of transportation issued an instruction to all airlines flying into the Jewish state to strengthen their security measures to avoid any terror or hijack attempts.
Kuwaiti FM lauds relations with Tunisia
By NNN-KUNA
Tunis : Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah has lauded relations with Tunisia during his meeting here with President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.
Speaking to the Tunisian media on Tuesday, Sheikh Mohammad said that the meeting was a chance to view means to bolsteral bilateral relations on different domains.
UN Security Council fails again to address Gaza situation
By NNN-KUNA
United Nations : The Security Council once again failed to issue a press statement on the deteriorating situation in Gaza because of US objection.
Council president Ricardo Alberto Arias of Panama spoke to reporters in his national capacity following a council discussion of the matter late Thursday, saying he is "profoundly concerned about the increased violence in the Middle East region."
He added that "we are concerned about the effect it has on the civil population and with the effect it has on the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
Roadside bomb kills senior police officer in northwest Pakistan
By SPA
Peshawar, Pakistan : A roadside bomb killed a senior police officer and his driver Friday as they drove through a militancy-plagued region of northwestern Pakistan, AP quoted police as saying.
The bomb killed Javed Iqbal, the deputy police chief of the Lakki Marwat district of North West Frontier Province, and his driver as they were driving through the district, said Khaled Khan, a police official. It was unclear who was behind the attack.
21 Palestinians, including at least 8 civilians, killed in escalating violence
By SPA
Gaza City : Twenty-one Palestinians, including at least eight civilians, were killed late Friday and early Saturday in escalating Israeli-Palestinian fighting that renewed threats of an Israeli invasion of Gaza and clouded peace efforts. A baby and two teenagers were among the dead, and dozens of people were wounded, AP reported.
In all, 54 people have died since Israeli aggression spiked Wednesday. At least 23 were civilians, the youngest a 6-month-old boy.
Moussa, Syrian president discuss Lebanese crisis, Arab summit preparations
By KUNA
Damascus : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad discussed Saturday the Lebanese crisis, preparations for the 20th Arab Summit and proposals for its draft agenda.
The official statement by the presidential court gave no further details on the meeting, except that it was attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Muallem.
Israel sounds out world opinion on large-scale ground incursion into Gaza
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel has been trying to sound out the world reaction over its large-scale ground incursion into Gaza while it intensified strikes on Gaza during the past few days.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday spoke over phone with international Quartet Middle East Envoy Tony Blair and Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suliman and impressed upon them that Israel would no longer be able to tolerate the current situation.
Israeli ground troops pull out of northern Gaza
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pulled out the ground troops from the northern Gaza Strip early Monday morning, completing the first stage of the activity dubbed Operation Hot Winter.
An IDF spokeswoman told Xinhua that counter-terror operations were expected to continue.
Jerusalem : Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pulled out the ground troops from the northern Gaza Strip early Monday morning, completing the first stage of the activity dubbed Operation Hot Winter.
An IDF spokeswoman told Xinhua that counter-terror operations were expected to continue.
Two anti-Qaida fighters killed in N Iraq
By Xinhua
Tikrit, Iraq : Two members affiliated to local anti-Qaida Awakening Council armed groups were killed and three others injured in shootings in Salahudin province on Tuesday, a provincial police source said.
The two anti-Qaida fighters were killed Tuesday when unknown gunmen showered their car with bullets while they were driving in the al-Dour town, 15 km east of Tikrit, the capital of the province, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
IHC stays notification on PB-35 Khuzdar-III
By APP
Islamabad : A Division Bench of Islamabad High Court here Thursday restrained Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) not to issue official notification of returning candidate on PB-35 Khuzdar-III, till the disposal of case. The Division Bench comprising Justice Mohammad Munir Paracha and Justice Syed Qalbe Hassan heard the writ petition filed by Mian Atta-ur-Rehman Mengal, a PML-Q candidate, through Wasim Sajjad, senior advocate of Supreme Court.
Israel keeps siege on West Bank, arrest attackers of settlement
By NNN-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.
Lebanese PM says willing to go to Damascus if “convenient”
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora has said that he is willing to visit Damascus and participate in the upcoming Arab summit "if all circumstances were convenient," local As-Safir daily reported Saturday.
"The visit, (however) does not mean any change in our convictions," Seniora was quoted as noting on Friday.
Syrian, Qatari, Omani, Iranian FMs discuss in Damascus Lebanon, Arab summit
By NNN-KUNA
Damascus : Foreign ministers of Syria, Qatar, Oman and Iran held a meeting in Damascus Saturday to discuss the political standoff in Lebanon, situations in occupied Palestinian territories and upcoming Arab summit, an Arab diplomatic source said.
Syria's Walid Al-Mu'allem, Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani, Oman's Yusuf bin Alawi and Iran's Manouchehr Mottaki held a working lunch in a restaurant close to Damascus airport, The source, requesting anonymity, told KUNA.
Ban appoints registrar for special tribunal for Lebanon
By NNN-KUNA
United Nations : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Robin Vincent of Britain as the Registrar of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to prosecute the suspects in the assassination of Lebanese former premier Rafik Hariri and others, it was announced here.
Vincent will commence his duties on a date to be determined, Ban's office said in a statement late Monday.
Three explosions in Pakistani city, over 20 dead, scores wounded
By KUNA
Islamabad : More than 20 people were killed and scores wounded in three explosions that rocked an east Pakistani city Tuesday morning, a week after two suicide blasts in the city killed over 11 and wounded dozens others, said police and eyewitnesses.
The first explosion took place inside the six-storey Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) building on the busiest Temple Road in Lahore, and the second occurred near a school and Bilawal House of slain Benazir Bhutto in Model Town area, police sources told KUNA.
FMs continue preparations for Islamic summit in Dakar
By KUNA
Dakar : Foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) continued on Tuesday their preparatory meeting for the 11th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, set for March 13-14.
Kuwait is represented at the two-day preparatory ministerial meeting by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.
Israel resumes airstrikes in Gaza
By RIA Novosti
Tel Aviv : Israel resumed airstrikes Thursday against Palestinian militants in Gaza ending a week-long ceasefire in response to new rocket attacks aimed at Israeli border towns, an army spokesperson told RIA Novosti.
According to the Israeli military, Palestinian militants from the radical Islamic Jihad group fired 12 rockets and two mortar shells at southern Israel overnight. No casualties have been reported, but one of the rockets hit a house in the town of Sderot.
"We have carried out an airstrike against a rocket launcher," the spokesperson said.
Japan voices concern over Israeli settlement expansion
By KUNA
Tokyo : Japan voiced concern Thursday over Israel's plans to resume construction of some 750 housing units at the settlement in the vicinity of Jerusalem, urging the Israeli government to immediately reverse the decision.
"Such measure in the controversial settlements might further undermine the momentum for peace and might have negative impacts on the current peace process between the Israeli and the Palestinian sides," Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Kazuo Kodama said in a statement.
UK air strike kills Afghan civilians
By KUNA
London : Four Afghan civilians have been killed in an airstrike by British forces, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
The attack happened when troops called for help during a Taleban ambush in Helmand Province, south Afghanistan, the MoD confirmed last night.
"We deeply regret that this incident happened and do everything we can to mitigate this from happening," the MoD said.
The four bodies, two women and two children, and one injured person were found when troops inspected the area.
11 suspected militants detained from Afghanistan’s Khost
By NNN-Xinhua
Kabul : Eleven suspected militants have been detained from eastern Afghan province of Khost during a Afghan and Coalition forces joint operation, according to a Coalition statement issued here early Friday morning.
Afghan National Security Force and the U.S.-led Coalition forces on March 12 searched compounds in Tanai district "targeting militants linked to foreign fighter, improvised explosive device and weapons facilitation operations," and detained 11 individuals, it said.
The statement said the detained individuals will be questioned.
British Muslim Minister attending Islamic Summit in Senegal
By APP
London : Shahid Malik, the UK Minister for International Development, is attending the 11th Islamic Summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
This is the first time in the OIC’s 40 year history that a UK Minister has attended the Summit. During the conference Malik will discuss a range of issues including how to get all children into school and the positive impact that can have on promoting peace, democracy and international security.
Malaysia’s Abdullah Urges OIC To Launch Defence Against Extremism, Islamophobia
By Abdul Muin Abdul Majid, Bernama
Dakar : Malaysia urged the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to mount a defence against extremism and Islamophobia and strive to grow through self-reliance as it handed over the chairmanship of the grouping to Senegal Thursday after four-and-a-half years at the helm.
Bad weather to hit UAE on Saturday and Sunday
By WAM
Abu Dhabi : The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology of the Meteorological Department is strongly advising drivers to be cautious while driving on the highways on Saturday and Sunday.
It said visibility will be very poor as a result of bad weather caused by sandstorm, particularly in the western region.
The department also advised people who have allergy and asthma to remain indoor during this period.
UAE’s Royal Jet named world’s leading private jet charter
By IANS
London : The United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based flight services company Royal Jet has been named the world's leading private jet charter by the World Travel Awards (WTA), WAM news agency reported Saturday.
The award was presented to Royal Jet's President and CEO Shane O'Hare by the WTA's Executive Director Manon Han at a function here.
Dhaka government to talk to parties on poll code
Dhaka, March 25 (IANS) Bangladesh's army-backed caretaker government wants to initiate talks with political parties to evolve a code of conduct for the elections it has promised for this yearend.
But it also wants the politicians' support to sustain political and electoral reforms and the anti-graft drive that politicians say is aimed against them.
Lebanon’s presidential vote postponed for 17th time
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri has postponed a parliamentary session dedicated for the election of a new president of the republic scheduled Tuesday to April 25 amid continued deadlock between rival political leaders.
The Speaker's Office announced the postponement of the 17th session Monday after the Lebanese political leaders failed once again to reach a political solution that would facilitate the process of electing a president.
French Defense Minister says NATO in control in Afghanistan
By SPA
Paris : The French Defense Minister says NATO forces have «overall control» of the military situation in Afghanistan.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Herve Morin said France is looking at ways of boosting its troop levels there. But he said no decision has been made, and an announcement won't come until next week's NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania.
Muslims “will soon outnumber tradition churchgoers” in the UK — research
By KUNA
London : The increasing influence of Islam on British culture is disclosed in research Tuesday that shows the number of Muslims worshipping at mosques in England and Wales will outstrip the number of Roman Catholics going to church in little more than a decade, it was disclosed here.
Projections to be published next month estimate that, if trends continue, the number of Roman Catholic worshippers at Sunday Mass will fall by 679,000 by 2020, The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported.
Mubarak set for talks at Kremlin on nuclear and arms trade
By DPA
Moscow : Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak is expected strike a deal with Moscow during his visit on nuclear cooperation, the terms of which will depend on Russia's ambition to sell arms to Cairo, Russian newspapers said Tuesday.
In opening a two-day visit at the Kremlin, Mubarak expressed hope that "relations which have lasted over 50 years will further develop successfully."
The Egyptian leader, who trained as a pilot in the former Soviet Union, remembered: "I have been in this country many times, I know it well."
Lebanon to boycott Damascus summit
By DPA
Beirut : The Lebanese cabinet decided late Tuesday not to attend the March 29-30 Arab summit being hosted by Syria, a ministerial source said.
"We have decided not to attend the Syrian summit," the source said, without elaborating.
Lebanon's parliament Monday postponed for the 17th time a session to elect a new president, because the ruling coalition and opposition were unable to agree on the makeup of the next government.
The session was put back to April 22 to allow further negotiations.
U.N. Chief: Annapolis Target for Two-State Solution Achievable
By SPA
United Nations : United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Tuesday said the “ambitious goal” of an independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel by the end of 2008 is achievable.
Israeli DM considers approving US plan to transfer weapons to W. Bank
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is considering approving a US plan to allow the transfer of weapons, protective gear, and night-vision goggles for Palestinian security forces in the West Bank, The Jerusalem Post reported on Wednesday.
Israeli army arrests Hamas military leader – radio
By KUNA
Gaza : The Israeli army arrested Hamas military leader Dawood Jaber early Wednesday morning, the Israeli radio reported.
The Israeli army spokesman told the radio, "The arrest of 6-year wanted suspect Dawood Jaber took place in Tolkarem, northern Gaza Strip." Israel accuses Jaber of plotting the suicidal bombing of Bark Hotel, five years ago, which resulted in the death of 30 Israelis.
Meanwhile in Gaza Strip, Palestinian Security sources said that militants killed the leader of Jaish Al-Islam (the army of Islam) after kidnapping him yesterday.
Syria keen on enhancing Arab solidarity – Al-Assad
By NNN-SANA
Damascus : President Bashar al-Assad has reviewed with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa the agenda of the forthcoming Arab Summit and the efforts exerted to unite the Arab ranks and enhance Arab common work.
President al-Assad stressed Tuesday Syria's keenness to enhance Arab solidarity and importance of outlining proper mechanisms for the implementation of the Arab summit resolutions.
Pakistan considers UN role in probing Bhutto’s killing
By Xinhua
United Nations : Pakistan's new prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the country may ask the United Nations to investigate Benazir Bhutto's assassination, a UN spokesperson said Wednesday.
Michele Montas told reporters that UN chief Ban Ki-moon had called the prime minister Wednesday morning to congratulate him.
At that point, the prime minister informed the secretary-general that the Pakistani Parliament intended to take up the issue of a potential UN investigation into Benazir Bhutto's assassination.
Iraqi parliament speaker calls for extraordinary session to end clashes
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoudal-Mashhadani on Friday called for an extraordinary session to discuss the ongoing clashes between the government troops and Shiite militiamen.
Pakistani PM gets confidence vote from parliament
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Saturday took vote of confidence from the parliament and even opposition groups declared support to him.
The major opposition group Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) and other small groups also announced support to Gilani as the confidence vote was tabled by the speaker of the National Assembly for the house consent.
Chinese delegation call on PPP leaders
By APP
Islamabad : China and Pakistan agreed on mutual consensus over exchange of trade, youth and cultural delegations to strengthen the brotherly relationship between the two countries and formulation of strategy particularly to counter terrorism.
It was proposed in the meeting held between the Chinese delegate headed by Liu Hung Cai of Communist Party of China and leaders of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) comprising Jhangir Badar, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Senator Raza Rabani, Nafeesa Shah and Ibn- Muhammad Rizvi here in People’s Secretariat.
Chinese Vice Minister calls on President Musharraf
By APP
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf highlighting Pak-China relations said Pakistan cherishes its long-standing friendship with China and confident that it would continue to gain strength in future to serve the best interests of the two countries and the region.
He was talking Friday to Liu Hongcai, Vice Minister of the International Department of Communist Party of China who is leading a five-member delegation for the 9th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) being held in Islamabad from Friday to Sunday.
UN Chiefs “offensively anti-Islamic” video, appeals for calm
By APP
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday strongly condemned the Internet broadcast of a video made by the Dutch politician Geert Wilders, describing it as “offensively anti-Islamic,” while calling on those upset by the film to remain calm.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson after Thursday night’s airing of the film, Ban said “there is no justification for hate speech or incitement to violence. The right of free expression is not at stake here”.
Sri Lankan eye banl in Pakistan
By NNN-Govt Portal
Colombo : Sri Lankan eye specialists have announced that an eye bank will be set up in Sialkot, Pakistan to provide free eye treatment including transplanting of corneas.
A.P.S. Abeysuriya, a Sri Lankan eye specialist said at the launching of a free cornea transplanting camp at the Aleem Welfare Hospital on Wednesday (26) that the proposed eye bank would be functional by December 2008 and that Sri Lankans will be donating corneas directly to the facility.
Egyptian President hopes Lebanese conflict solved before Arab summit
By NNN-KUNA
Damascus : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Saturday he had high hopes the Arab summit, currently held in Damascus, would be preceded by a resolution of the political conflict in Lebanon to enable it practice its sovereign right as an independent state.
Mubarak, in a speech he distributed here because he was not attending the two-day summit, said the political conflict in Lebanon was threatening its stability and security.
Man divorces two wives in three minutes – over SMS
By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : A Malaysian businessman divorced both his wives in three minutes, pronouncing 'talaq' by using the short messaging service (SMS) in front of a lower court judge.
Roslan Ngah, 44, informed the media in advance about his intention but the latter took it as an April Fool's joke, till it actually happened, The Star newspaper said Wednesday.
He admitted that the two wives, having become "close friends", had actually sought the divorce together and he felt sad about it.
Several insurgents killed, 4 arrested in Coalition’s operation in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : A number of armed insurgents were killed and four other suspected were detained during a operation run by the U.S.-led Coalition forces to disrupt Taliban facilitation networks in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, said a Coalition statement released here on Thursday.
Coalition forces on Tuesday performed a search of compounds in the Kajaki district, targeting a Taliban leader conducting weapons facilitation activities in the area as they engaged with several insurgents wielding AK-47s and possessing explosives, the statement said.
U.S. airstrike kills family members in southern Iraq
By Xinhua
Basra, Iraq : A U.S. air strike hit a house in Iraq's second largest city of Basra, killing three people and wounding six others, all were from one family, witnesses said on Thursday.
"A U.S. aircraft pounded a house in the al-Qiblah neighborhood in western the city of Basra last night," residents of the neighborhood told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The attack killed three civilians, including a woman, and wounded six others, all from one family, they said.
Turkish PM plays down European court verdict on PKK
By KUNA
Ankara : Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan played down Friday the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Communities to cancel the Turkish-outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) from the blacklist of terrorist organizations.
The position of the European countries against the PKK did not change despite the court verdict, Erdogan told reporters here following an official visit to Sweden.
Leaders of the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, and the European Parliament, assured that the PKK would remain blacklisted, he disclosed.
Iran receives US official note to hold talks on Iraq: FM
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iran has received an official note from US officials to hold the fourth round of talks on Iraq, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said.
"We are studying the US officials' repeated request which was sent to us as an official note to hold new round of talks on Iraq," Hosseini told his weekly press conference here Monday.
The fourth round of talks between Iranian and US officials on Iraq's security situation was expected to be held on March 6, but was cancelled at the last minute.
Two NATO soldiers among 22 killed in Afghan violence
By KUNA
Kabul : Two soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were among the 22 people killed in fresh violence in different parts of Afghanistan, officials here said on Monday.
A NATO spokesman said two British troopers were killed as their patrol hit a landmine blast in the southern Helmand province, where they are stationed as part of the peacekeeping operations of the multi-national force.
Burj Dubai the world’s tallest structure
By NNN-WAM
Dubai : The Burj Dubai (Dubai Tower) has surpassed the height of the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota, United States, to become the world's tallest man-made structure.
Developed by the Emaar Properties, the iconic high-rise Burj Dubai is now 629 metres (2,063.6 ft) high while KVLY-TV, which holds the record for the world's tallest supported structure since 1963, has a height of 628.8 metres (2,063 ft).
Al-Assad meets Berri, renews Syria’s support for dialogue among Lebanese
By NNN-SANA
Damascus : President Bashar al-Assad has held discussions with Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri the results of the recently held Damascus Arab Summit, and the Lebanese issues in particular.
Al-Assad reiterated Syria's support for dialogue among the Lebanese and national consensus as the only means to resolve the Lebanese crisis.
He expressed Syria's readiness to present all possible assistance requested by the Lebanese to achieve security and stability in Lebanon.
Pentagon files charges again an Afghan detainee in Guantanamo
By KUNA
Washington : The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) declared on Monday charges against a Guantanamo detainee from Afghanistan.
"Mohammed Kamin provided material support to terrorism by joining the terrorist organization al Qaeda and receiving training at al Qaeda training camps on making remote detonators for improvised explosive devices (IEDs)", said the Pentagon in a statement.
Hundreds evacuated after gas leak at Pakistani nuclear plant
By DPA
Islamabad : Hundreds of people were evacuated Tuesday after a leakage of hydrogen sulphide gas at a nuclear facility in eastern Pakistan, media reports said.
The leakage of non-radioactive but toxic gas at the nuclear reactor in Khushab, about 250 km south of Islamabad, also left several workers at the facility unconscious, Geo news channel said. It did not report what caused the leakage.
Security forces vacated hundreds of employees from the plant and its adjacent residential colonies that house the employees.
Iraq violence casts pall on key US Congress report
By AFP
Washington : US lawmakers Tuesday grilled the top US general in Iraq amid fierce fighting on the ground as Shiite radical leader Moqtada al-Sadr threatened to end a truce which had helped staunch the bloodshed.
Sadr's threat hung over the key hearing in the US Congress, as General David Petraeus urged troop withdrawals to be frozen for at least 45 days after July to allow military commanders to review security.
Senior Qaeda operative arrested in Iraq’s Anbar province
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Iraqi Ministry of Interior has announced that Iraqi forces have detained the assistant of Abu Ayub Al-Masri, senior Al-Qaeda leader, in Al-Anbar.
The ministry said Thursday that the Iraqi forces managed to arrest Nazal Sabar Al-Jughaify, aka Abi Al-Jarrah, who is an assistant of Abu Ayub Al-Masri, and another Al-Qaeda senior leader in western Iraq on Tuesday.
The statement said the arrest took place in Al-Ramadi, Al-Anbar's largest city.
The arrestee was spotted and captured after two years of trying to track him down.
Police: 10,000 workers protest in Bangladesh
By SPA
Dhaka, Bangladesh : An official says about 10,000 textile workers have clashed with police near Bangladesh's Capital during protests demanding better wages to meet higher food prices, the Associated Press reported.
Dozens of people including at least 20 police officials have been injured in violence Saturday, police station Official Angur Akhter said by telephone.
The protesters are demanding better wages so that they can face higher food prices, she said.
Yemeni University announces AIDS remedy
By NNN-SABA
Sana'a : Chairman of the Iman University Abdul Majeed al-Zindani has announced his university readiness to treat HIV-affected people.
The announcement was made at a press conference on the sidelines of the first international health conference that coincided with the sixth medical forum held recently in Yemen.
Al-Zindani said that after twenty years of search he and a medical team could produce a medication that will help cure the HIV- affected people.
He added the medication was produced under the supervision of the University of Abdul Aziz Bin Saud.
Four Taliban held in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
Kabul : The US-led coalition and Afghan troops have arrested four militants of an anti-America group linked to Taliban, officials here said on Monday.
The four detainees are members of the "Haqqani" group, said a statement from the US' Bagram base here. The raid on their hideout was conducted in the southeastern Khost province of Afghanistan, said the statement.
The identities of the four arrestees were not revealed. However, it was said they were arrested during search of several compounds in Gurbaz district of the province.
Cyclone Bijli hits Bangladesh coast
By DPA,
Dhaka : Cyclone Bijli hit the Bangladeshi coast late Friday night, but the tropical storm had weaken slightly before reaching the southeastern shoreline, officials said.
A Bangladesh meteorological department statement said that the cyclone - with a wind speed of 90 km per hour - would take five to six hours to cross the coast.
Several thousand inhabitants of islands in the Bay of Bengal were already evacuated earlier Friday, ahead of the storm.
Three policemen killed in Iraqi suicide bombing
By Xinhua,
Baquba (Iraq) : A suicide bomber Monday struck a joint US and Iraqi foot patrol in Iraq's Diyala province, killing at least three policemen and injuring 12, a police source said.
The suicide bomber blew up his explosive laden vest among US and Iraqi security personnel who were patrolling in Tapo Street in Baquba city, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, a police source said.
The US troops have sealed off the area.
US ready to help Pakistan disrupt Taliban supply lines
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The US says it is working closely with the intelligence services of Pakistan and other countries to disrupt the weapons supply lines of Taliban extremists posing a threat to other nations as well.
"Yes, we know that the extremists are being supplied," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday at her first briefing for the foreign media through what was billed as a global press conference.
Anti-Taliban cleric among 12 killed in Pakistan blasts
By DPA,
Islamabad : A prominent cleric who supported the military offensive against the Taliban in Pakistan's northwestern Swat valley was killed Friday along with 11 other people in two separate mosque bombings in the militancy-plagued country, officials said.
The explosions came a day after security forces repulsed a militant raid on the residence of a regional army commander in the northwestern region, killing two attackers and arresting five after a shoot-out.
Taliban commander among six killed in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least six militants, including a Taliban commander, were killed in two separate clashes in northwest Pakistan, Geo TV said Friday.
The report said the security forces bombed two Taliban hideouts Thursday in the Chapri Feroz Khel and Atman Khel areas, killing at least six militants including a local Taliban commander.
In separate developments Thursday, the Pakistani forces also captured several Taliban militants during fighting in Orakzai, South Waziristan and Kurrum regions, officials said.
24 kids die after taking paracetamol in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : A private pharmaceutical firm in Bangladesh was ordered to be sealed after 24 children died on consuming paracetamol suspension, an official said.
The drug administration ordered the firm to suspend manufacturing and marketing of their products including vitamin and paracetamol suspension, New Age said Thursday.
The government ordered a seven-member committee to probe the cause of deaths.
More British soldiers for Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
London : The British government will send reinforcements to Afghanistan to "help maintain the required operational effectiveness" in the wake of rising number of casualties suffered by its troops while fighting the Taliban in that country, officials said Friday.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said 125 additional soldiers will be deployed in Afghanistan to strengthen the security ahead of the presidential elections in August.
Two more British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
London : Two more British soldiers have died in separate bomb blasts in Afghanistan, bringing the total killed there so far this month to 22, the defence ministry in London said Monday.
It said one of the men who died was taking part in the second stage of Operation Panther's Claw, the US-led offensive in southern Afghanistan. Both deaths occurred Monday.
July has proved the "bloodiest" month so far for British troops in Afghanistan, where 191 service personnel have now died since operations began in 2001.
Pakistan checking reports on Baitullah Mehsud’s death
By DPA,
Islamabad : A Pakistani security official said late Wednesday the intelligence agencies were trying to confirm reports that Taliban head Baitullah Mehsud had died in a suspected US missile strike that killed his wife in tribal region near Afghan border.
"We have been busy for hours to check the information coming from the area that Baitullah also died with his wife," a local intelligence officer said on condition of anonymity.
"Whether confirmation or disconfirmation will definitely be available in next couple of hours," he added.
Will fraud mar credibility of Afghan elections?
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghanistan observers say they expect irregularities in the voting for Thursday's presidential elections but added that their concern lies in whether the problems would rise to a level that would impact the credibility of the balloting.
Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud is alive, says rebel commander
By IANS,
Wana (Pakistan) : A commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Monday said his organisation will select a new chief in the next five days according to the instruction of their leader Baitullah Mehsud, a media report said.
Waliur Rehman, commander of the group in South Waziristan, said: "We have thousands of suicide attackers, who can destroy their (government) targets anywhere." He added that Baitullah Mehsud is alive, but seriously ill.
"Baitullah Mehsud has entrusted the organisation's affairs to me two months back," he said.