Deadly attack on Somalia school kills 9
By IINA,
Mogadishu : Witnesses in a town in Somalia say suspected members of the Union of Islamic Courts have shot dead four foreigners and five Somalis during an attack on a local school. The killings happened in Beledwayne, about 300 km north of the capital Mogadishu yesterday.
Somali police confirmed the incident, saying that heavily armed Muslim fighters seized Beledwayne and killed four foreign passport holders.
Slower Indosian growth rate not seen affecting FDI inflows
By NNN-BERNAMA,
Kuala Lumpur : Indonesia does not expect foreign direct investments (FDIs) this year to be affected by a projected lower growth rate and inflation of between 11 and 12 per cent, following increases in food and fuel prices.
Indonesian Minister of Trade Mari Pangestu said here Sunday that the country's growth was estimated at six per cent this year.
"Most countries in the region have similar experiences of higher inflation rates and are revising growth figures downwards. However, we do not expect the lower growth rate to have an impact on FDIs into the country.
Pakistan makes tangible progress in fulfilling its pledges to promote and protect human rights...
By APP,
United Nations, New York : Pakistan Thursday ratified International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights (ICESR) and signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as well as Convention against Torture and other Cruel, inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).
In a brief ceremony at United Nations Headquarters here, Pakistan’s Permanent
Representative, Ambassador Munir Akram, signed the Conventions on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.
Twelve Israeli warplanes violate Lebanese airspace – Army
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : Twelve Israeli warplanes have violated the Lebanese airspace, the Lebanese Army said in a statement.
The statement released by the Guidance Department of the Lebanese Army Monday said that four Israeli warplanes flew over the city of Jbiel, heading east to the al-Harmil area, while the other eight circulated over northern al-Bekaa, Beirut and al-Shouf before exiting towards the occupied territories.
Such violations of Israeli warplanes breaching Lebanese airspace, almost daily, is considered a violation of United Nations resolution 1701.
Thousands in New York protest Israeli bombardment of Gaza
By NNN-APP,
New York : Thousands of people shouting “Long Live Palestine” on Saturday evening staged a demonstration in New York to protest Israel’s escalating offensive against Gaza.
“Disarm Israel! Disarm Israel,” they demanded, and voiced their outrage against the killing of hundreds of Palestinians. Palestinian supporters stretched over six city blocks their chanting carried for many more.
“This is not just an attack on Gaza... This is an invasion against Palestine,” one protestor shouted.
Peshawar school song: Where have all the flowers gone?
By Saeed Naqvi,
Ever since US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage threatened to bomb Pakistan to the stone age unless it joined the post 9/11 global war on terror, Pakistan has faced an existential tragedy of choice. It was being called upon to kill the very mujahideen it had trained to become hardened Islamic fighters, also at America’s behest, to help expel the Soviet Union from Afghanistan.
Musharraf: Will return when time is right
By IANS,
London: Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf, currently on a lecture tour of Europe, has said he will return home when the time is right.
"I will surely return to Pakistan. The timing, however, is of essence," he said on the Facebook social networking site while replying to questions.
His return was mainly dependent on the domestic environment, Musharraf added.
Israeli parliament passes bill to draft ultra-orthodox Jews
Jerusalem : A controversial law seeking criminal penalties for ultra-orthodox Jew military draft dodgers was approved Wednesday by Israel's parliament, the Knesset.
The bill received...
Iraq gov’t submits 21 bln additional budget draft
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The Iraqi government said Tuesday that it has proposed a draft supplementary budget for 2008 amounting to 21 billions U.S. dollars, the largest expenditure bill in Iraq's history.
The add-on spending submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval would brought to near 70 billion dollars the budget amount for this year.
German chancellor rejects calls for early elections in Egypt
By IRNA,
Berlin : German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday rejected calls for immediate elections in Egypt, branding it 'wrong.'
Crocker calls for Arab role in Iraq
By IRNA
New York : The US ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, called Friday on Arab countries to play active role in Iraq.
"You can't beat something with nothing," he said, urging Arab diplomatic and economic engagement "to counterbalance Iranian influence".
He added that the US was ready to hold security talks to Iran in Baghdad but was waiting for an Iranian response.
Crocker was speaking after a week of testimonies in front of the US Congress on Iraq.
UAE to open rehab centres for people ‘lured’ by terror cells
Dubai: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will establish centres to counsel and rehabilitate people "lured and misled" into terrorism, a media report said Monday.
Some...
Home ministers’ meeting ‘immensely promising’: Pakistani media
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani media have welcomed the bonhomie between India and Pakistan following the meeting of their home ministers, but expressed apprehension that the warmth may fizzle out if both countries do not move beyond their entrenched demands.
Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram reached Pakistan Friday to attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) home ministers' conference and also meet his Pakistani counterpart, Rehman Malik.
Millions of Pakistanis face food insecurity: PM
By IANS,
Islamabad : Millions of Pakistanis were facing food insecurity due to high food prices, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said and added that the government was aware of the challenge.
Khartoum reiterates refusal of Chad’s interference in Sudan’s affairs
By Xinhua,
Khartoum : The Sudanese government reiterated on Monday its refusal of interference by the neighboring Chad in Sudan's internal affairs.
This came after Chairperson of the African Union (AU)Commission Jean Ping and AU Commissioner for Peace and SecurityRamadan Al Amamrah concluded a three-day visit to Sudan, which wasthe first for the two persons since they assumed their officeslast April.
UK MPs condemn Israeli intimidation of journalists
By IRNA,
London : Liberal Democrat shadow treasury minister Colin Breed has called on the British government to intervene over the Israeli beating of an award-winning Palestinian journalist.
"Parliament condemns the actions of the Israeli security forces with regard to the Palestinian journalist and joint winner of the 2008 Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism, Mohammed Omer," Breed said.
U.S. captures Iranian-trained bomb expert in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The U.S. military said its troops arrested an Iranian-trained bomb expert affiliated to a Shiite extremist militia in southeast of Baghdad, the U.S. military said on Wednesday.
A U.S. military statement said the troops raided the house of the suspect in the town of Numaniyah, some 180 km near the city of Kut.
The targeted suspect is believed to be a member of Iranian-backed "Special Groups" Shiite militia, the statement said.
Israeli defense minister vows to change situation in Gaza
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday evening that Hamas' ongoing attacks left Israel without choice but to respond and vowed to change the situation in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Barak made the remarks during a meeting with defense officials including Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Yuval Diskin.
Global crisis to hit Gulf economies on three fronts: report
By IANS,
Dubai : The global financial crisis is about to hit the economies of the Gulf nations on three critical fronts, slowing the region's pace of growth, according to a new report.
Lower crude oil prices, the drying up of foreign capital flows and declining demand for the region's energy-intensive industrial and building materials will slow down the growth of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, according to the GCC Economics and Strategy Report for the fourth quarter of 2008, released by leading Islamic investment bank Gulf Finance House (GFH).
8 Iraqis killed, 15 others injured in Baghdad bombing
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Eight people were killed and 15 others wounded in a roadside bomb explosion in an old marketplace in central Baghdad on Friday morning, an Interior Ministry source said.
The explosion took place in the Ghazil market, killing eight people and wounding 15 others, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The blast also damaged dozens of shops, stalls and old buildings in the market, the source said.
Burney pleads for Indian prisoners, despite immigration flap
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Human rights activist and former minister Ansar Burney has asked Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani to convert all death sentences to life imprisonment, including that of two Indian nationals.
Burney wrote to Gillani and Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, demanding that all death sentences, including that of two Indians Karpal Singh and Sarabjit Singh, be changed to life imprisonment.
In his letter sent from here Monday evening, Burney also demanded that all prisoners, including Indians, be released once they had served their sentences.
US denies dictating to Egypt
By IANS,
Washington : The US is not trying to dictate anything on how Egypt should move out of the crisis engulfing it, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley has said.
France will be punished: Al-Qaeda’s “black widow”
By Xinhua
Paris : Widow of a slain Al Qaeda terror mastermind, Fatiha Mejjati, known as the "black widow" of Al Qaeda, has warned that France would be the target of terrorism attacks and would be "punished soon," French daily Le Parisien reported Monday.
Mejjati's husband Karim Mejjati, a French-Moroccan, was killed in April 2005 in Saudi Arabia. Karim was suspected of masterminding the terror attack of March 11, 2004 in the Spanish capital Madrid that left 195 people dead.
Afghanistan still faces long haul to counter drugs, UK warns
By IRNA,
London : The British government has welcomed the latest UN drugs report for Afghanistan showing a 19 percent reduction in poppy cultivation this year but warned there is 'no room for complacency'.
"It will take a long time for Afghanistan to be in a position to run a self-sustaining legal economy, police force, justice system and public services. We are in this for the long haul," Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown said.
Many feared dead in US drone attack in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Several people, including civilians and Islamic militants, were feared killed in a US drone strike in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region bordering Afghanistan early Friday morning, Geo news reported.
The suspected US drone carried out missle attacks on Danday Dar Khel area in Miranshah, a town in North Waziristan, the report said, citing police sources who believe several civilians could have been killed in the attack.
15 killed in Nigeria attack
Abuja : At least 15 people were killed in an overnight attack in Kautikari, a local community in northeastern Nigeria's Borno state, a security...
Office of Iraq’s parliamentary speaker hit in missile attack
By SPA
Baghdad : The office of Iraq's parliamentary speaker was hit in a mortar or rocket strike on Baghdad's Green Zone government and diplomatic compound on Friday, an official in his office said, according to Reuters.
Speaker Mahmoud Mashhadani was not in his office and nor were any of his staff as it was the Muslim Friday holiday. One security guard was killed, the official said.
‘China gave uranium to Pakistan for two a-bombs’
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : In a disclosure likely to embarrass Beijing on the eve of President Barack Obama's visit, a leading US daily Friday reported that China gifted 50 kg of uranium to Pakistan with a do-it-yourself kit to make two atomic bombs in 1982.
Citing accounts by controversial Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan, The Washington Post said enough weapons-grade uranium for two atomic bombs was transferred to Pakistan in five stainless-steel boxes loaded on a Pakistani military C-130 aircraft from the western Chinese city of Urumqi.
Six government militiamen killed in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least six people were killed when a car carrying pro-government militiamen was bombed in Pakistan's northwest tribal region Wednesday, a media report said.
87 killed in Dhaka fire
By IANS,
Dhaka : At least 87 people were killed and over 100 injured in a devastating fire here in the Bangladesh capital Thursday night, officials said.
The fire broke out in a chemical factory in the old Dhaka city at about 9.20 p.m. local time. It spread to four or five houses in the congested residential area, trapping hundreds of residents, Nayeem Md. Shahidullah, an official at the Fire Service and Civil Defence of Bangladesh, was quoted as saying by Xinhua early Friday morning.
Rescue efforts was still on and people were hopeful it would end soon, he said.
Switzerland deplores ground Gaza offensive, urges reopening of crossings
By KUNA,
Geneva : The Swiss Foreign Ministry (SFM) deplored the escalation of violence in Gaza, and a statement issued by the SFM said that it has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
"In order to relieve the suffering of the civilian population and to guarantee humanitarian access, it (the SFM) has requested a durable reopening of crossings into Gaza," said the statement.
No threat of India-Pakistan war: Musharraf
Lahore, Dec 26 (IANS) Former president Pervez Musharraf said Friday that there were no chances of a Pakistan-India war, adding that both countries should work for peace.
"India should not dare attack Pakistan... our forces are fully capable of meeting any challenges," the former army chief told reporters at the wedding ceremony of former foreign minister Khushid Mahmood Kasuri's son.
8 dead, 7 injured after building collapses in Pakistan
By SPA
Islamabad, Pakistan : At least eight people died and seven were injured when a three-floor building in Rawalpindi collapsed Sunday morning after fireworks stored on the ground floor exploded, police said.
A dozen residents remained trapped inside the remains of the building but rescue teams had recovered the dead and injured from the rubble, said Rawalpindi police chief Saud Aziz.
The building collapsed in the wake of explosions of illegally stored fireworks, he said.
Two Indian nurses evacuated from conflict zone in Iraq
New Delhi:Two Indian nurses have been evacuated from the conflict zone in violence-hit Iraq even as the 17 Indians who were moved out of...
Killing civilians intolerable: Afghan government
By NNN-Xinhua,
Kabul : The chief spokesman of Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday said that his government echoed United Nations call on Taliban militants and the NATO-led forces stationed in Afghanistan to avoid harming civilians, adding any type of civilian casualties are intolerable.
"The Afghan government supports United Nations stance calling on anti-government elements and international forces to avoid harming civilians,"Waheed Omar told a weekly press briefing here.
Mubarak quits as Egypt’s president
By IANS,
Cairo : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned Friday, handing over power to the military, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced.
Explosion kills at least 5 in N Lebanon
By Xinhua,
Beirut : An explosion ripped through a bus carrying Lebanese soldiers in northern Lebanon Monday, killing at least five and wounding 17 others, local media reported.
The explosion took place near a bus carrying Lebanese army soldiers in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon.
Bahrain supports Iran’s membership in Security Council
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Bahraini Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar al-Baharna has voiced his country's support for Iran's membership in the United Nations Security Council.
In an exclusive interview with the Tehran-based Arabic-language daily 'Al-Vefaq' published on Monday, he stressed that Iran has the right to become a member of this international body.
He pointed out that so far, 47 countries have been unable to win UN Security Council membership.
15 militants killed in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 15 militants have been killed in northwestern Pakistan's Dir and Orakzai areas, a media report said.
Polio vaccine being given under army cover in Pakistan
Islamabad: Polio workers continued to administer polio drops Thursday under the protection of the army in Pakistan's Khyber tribal region in the fourth phase...
Prof. Ihsanoglu re-elected Secretary General of OIC
By IINA
Dakar : The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu was re-elected for a new term of office during the closing meeting of the 11th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held in the Senegalese capital Dakar. The new Charter sets the new term of office for OIC Secretary General at five years instead of four years as it was in the previous Charter, according to an OIC statement.
UAE signs MoU with Bangladesh
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh to develop cooperation in the field of air transport between both countries.
Israel bombs southern Gaza
By IRNA,
Gaza City : Israeli warplanes bombed southern Gaza Strip early Monday.
Palestinian officials said the warplanes hit a Hamas security compound in Khan Yunis that had already been struck three times.
IRNA reporter in Gaza City said that there is no report available on possible casualties in the air raids.
Afghanistan: civilians fleeing onfoot at night of NATO offensives
By NNN-IRIN,
Kabul : Hundreds of civilian families are fleeing parts of Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, ahead of a major military operation by foreign and Afghan forces.
The offensive is expected to drive Taliban insurgents out of Marjah, which has an estimated population of 80,000 people, according to government officials, and the surrounding area.
40 militants, two soldiers killed in Pakistan’s tribal region
By DPA,
Islamabad : Clashes in Pakistan's lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border have left at least 40 rebels and two soldiers dead, officials said.
Thousands of troops - backed by gunship helicopters, tanks and artillery fire - Friday targeted several militant position in the Tang Khata, Rashkai and Khazana areas of Bajaur tribal district, a known sanctuary of Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters, who launch cross-border attacks on the US-led international forces in Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s ISI will continue to perform under Prime Minister
By SPA,
Islamabad : An official spokesman Saturday night clarified that a Notification regarding control of ISI is being misunderstood.
The Spokesman said that ISI will continue to perform its functions under the Prime Minister.
He said the notification only re-emphasizes more coordination between Ministry of Interior and ISI in relation to war on terror and internal security.
Detail will be clarified in a comprehensive notification. ISI will continue to perform under Prime Minister, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
Iran complies with its obligation under nuclear deal: IAEA
Vienna: Iran has cut its most sensitive nuclear stockpile by more than 80 percent in implementing a nuclear deal with six world powers, and...
Bush trip emboldened Israel’s assault on Gaza, says peace group
By IRNA
London : The foremost British-based campaign group seeking justice for the plight of the Palestinians Thursday criticized US President George W Bush's trip to the Middle East for for making worse the situation in the occupied territories.
"President Bush's visit has clearly emboldened the Israeli government to escalate its military assault on Gaza," the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said.
In a letter to the Guardian, PSC chair Sarah Colborne urged the British government to call for the Israeli siege to be lifted.
US air strike on Baghdad’s Shiite area ahead of ceasefire
By DPA,
Baghdad : The stronghold of the Shia Mahdi Army militia in Baghdad's Sadr City has been bombed overnight by US aircraft hours before a deal to end the fighting in the area comes into effect, witnesses said Sunday.
"US aircraft have bombed Sadr City Saturday night and in the early hours Sunday," witnesses told DPA.
The Iraqi government has agreed to a ceasefire with the Shia militia of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to end the fighting in their stronghold.
US military’s eyes in the sky – unmanned aerial vehicles
By Richard Tomkins, DPA
Baquba (Iraq) : They sound like a loud mosquito buzzing above your head or a lawnmower rumbling in the distance. And you'll only see them by chance day or night - no matter how hard you look. But the machines producing those sounds play a key role in the war in Iraq and will do so in future conflicts around the world.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), as they are called, are the remotely piloted drones that prowl the skies above Iraq and Afghanistan, and if terrorists and insurgents haven't yet learned to fear them they should.
Lebanese Christian gathers to oppose U.S. foreign policy
By Xinhua,
Beirut : A national Christian gathering was launched to voice opposition to the U.S. foreign policy instead of "the American people" at the call of Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun, local As-Safir daily reported Saturday.
Around 150 Lebanese Christian political, economic and social figures convened to declare the birth of a Christian front, National Christian Gathering (NCG).
"Disagreement with the U.S. administration does not mean enmity with the American people," said Aoun, who is heading the gathering.
UAE, Thailand hold talks
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Top officials of the UAE and Thailand have held discussions on improving bilateral relations.
Skyrail, flyovers, waterways to decongest Dhaka
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's national capital is going in for a facelift that will include a skyrail, flyovers, underground railways and orbital waterways as part of the effort to decongest the city's roads.
Dhaka, which has a population of over 10 million, also aspires to be a regional tourism hub.
"We are examining whether a regional tourism network can be built comprising Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) Wednesday.
Five arrested for links with Karachi blasts
By IANS,
Islamabad : Five people have been arrested by the authorities in connection with the series of bomb blasts Monday in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, IRNA news agency reported Wednesday.
Two people were killed and over 40 injured in seven blasts that rocked the Sindh provincial capital of Karachi Monday, officials said.
No insurgent group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
The blasts occurred in an area mostly inhabited by ethnic Pashtoons.
UAE bourse advises investors to go for exchange traded funds
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Even as mayhem prevailed in Gulf markets along with the rest of the world, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) said Thursday it believes exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are an ideal diversification tool for Gulf markets.
At a financial brokerage forum here, ADX deputy director Rashed Al Baloushi explained how ETFs worked and how these have been expanding globally.
"An ETF is a collective investment vehicle that trades on a stock exchange, similar to a listed security," Al Baloushi explained.
Afghani gov”t, NATO troops, Taliban observe Peace Day
By KUNA,
Kabul : The International Peace Day is being observed here on Sunday, as is the case in the rest of the world, where the president's call for troops not to engage in operations against militants were met with an announcement by Taliban that it too would observe a conditional ceasefire on this day.
Spokesperson of the United Nations' Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA), in a press conference last week, urged all warring parties to observe peace on that day.
Malaysia to amend textbook after ethnic Indians’ objection
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian government Friday said a textbook, which was objected to by ethnic Indians because of references to the caste system, would be amended.
Ibrahim promises `clean fight’ in key by-election
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, facing a sodomy charge from a young aide, has promised "a clean fight" in a by-election Aug 26 through which he hopes to return to parliament and pose a threat to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's government.
He asked voters to be "warriors" and fight for their "freedom" by voting in the Permatang Pauh by-election, just five days short of Merdeka, Malaysia's Independence Day, The Star newspaper said.
Ibrahim said there would not be any "maki hamun" (cursing) and the election campaign would be based on issues.
Rice in London for talks with British leaders
By KUNA
London : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was holding talks here Wednesday with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Foreign Secretary David Miliband, covering a wide range of international issues including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran.
But British officials said that a major part of their discussions will be devoted to the NATO tensions over the provision of fighting troops in Afghanistan.
They will also look for ways to repair relations with Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai who has rejected much of the Western strategy for his country.
UAE gas giant announces $500 mn investment
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Dana Gas, the largest private natural gas company of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced that it will invest more than $500 million this year in its projects in the country, in Iraq and in Egypt, WAM news agency reported Monday.
In a statement, the Sharjah-based gas major said Sunday: "This year we will be making major investments that will rapidly take Dana Gas to a new level in its growth and development."
Two rioters sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh : A special court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced two men to death and another person to 12 years in jail for taking...
Polls in Pakistan’s tribal areas may be delayed
By IANS
Islamabad : Polls in parts of Pakistan's troubled North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and adjacent tribal areas may be delayed, according to media reports here.
The government would try to ensure that elections are held across the country on Feb 18 but polls "could be delayed in some parts of the NWFP and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) because of the present state of unrest", Pakistan's Information Minister Nisar Memon told reporters Monday.
Kuwaiti delegation arrives for Iraq neighbours” security meeting
By NNN-KUNA
Damascus : An official delegation representing the Kuwait foreign and interior ministries arrived in Damascus on Saturday to take part in security coordination meetings of countries neighbouring Iraq which would start Sunday.
Delegations representing Egypt, Bahrain, the Arab League and the five security council permenant members are also expected to join in.
The Kuwaiti delegation is led by the acting director of the international organisations at the foreign ministry, Mansour al Otaibi.
Nationwide rallies in Iran to mark anniversary celebration
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Rallies marking the 29th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran started in Tehran and various parts of the country on Monday morning.
In Tehran, people began marches in seven different directions from different parts of the metropolis city.
The people will gather at Azadi Square, the venue for bolstering national solidarity and reminiscent of major demonstrations which toppled the US-backed regime of Shah.
Eight family members shot dead in family feud
By IANS,
Islamabad : Eight members of an Afghan refugee family, including two women and a child, were gunned down early Tuesday in a family dispute in northwest Pakistan, a media report said.
Egypt to get first women bus drivers
By RIA Novosti
Cairo : Egyptian public buses are to have female drivers for the first time, national media reported on Wednesday.
The national bus service has been badly hit by a lack of staff, with many male drivers leaving to take up better-paid positions at private and tourist companies.
Women willing to become bus drivers will be trained and given a driving license to make up the shortage. Around 150 buses have recently been taken out of service in Cairo alone.
No Russian Troops to Afghanistan
By Prensa Latina
Moscow : Russia denied versions spread by western media over alleged plans to send troops to Afghanistan, according to a diplomatic sources' declaration here.
"We sent our soldiers to that country twice and we have had enough experience, that's why the issue is completely closed for Moscow," emphasized a Russian diplomat in declarations to Interfax agency..
He reiterated that in his opinion there would not be any exchange with NATO, making reference to alleged negotiations with the alliance, contrary to press versions.
Medvedev bans Gaddafi family in Russia
By IANS,
Moscow : Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Monday signed an order that prohibits Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his family from entering or transiting through Russian territory.
Israel targets Hamas bases in S Gaza, civilian wounded
By Xinhua
Gaza : A Palestinian old man was moderately wounded when Israeli gunboats opened fire at a position for Hamas naval police in southern Gaza Strip Tuesday noon, security source said.
The shelling caused severe damage to the site which is one of several others alongside the coast in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
The gunboats approached the land following the bombardment and Palestinian Hamas militants exchanged fire with the Israeli marine forces.
Pakistani apex court unhappy with Zardari case
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani Supreme Court Friday expressed unhappiness over the lack of action in reopening a Swiss money laundering case involving President Asif Ali Zardari. It has asked the country's anti-corruption watchdog to speed up matters.
At a hearing, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) submitted that it was hampered in its efforts because records relating to the case had gone missing during the tenure of then president Pervez Musharraf.
Abu Dhabi firm launches portal on Arab women
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dubai: An Abu Dubai media company has launched a website solely dedicated to Arab women, the firm said Tuesday.
The anaZahra.com aims to reflect the lives, passions and pursuits of Arab women. It also hopes to offer greater interaction and create "a sense of community", it said.
The portal will deal with topics ranging from beauty, fashion, well being to society, personal empowerment and celebrity news.
Innovative digital tools enable a higher level of engagement and connection with audiences. The content is well defined, categorized and easy to navigate.
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.
Noted Pakistani musician shuts centre after threat
By IANS,
Islamabad : A well-known sarod player of Pakistan shut his newly-opened music training centre here after his 12-year-old son was threatened. He was told to "stop teaching music".
Ban urges gov’t, NGOs to advance status of indigenous peoples
By IRNA,
Tehran : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, August 9, 2010, called on governments and civil society to fulfil their commitment to advancing the status of indigenous peoples everywhere.
According to a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC), the full text of his message reads:
India, Pakistan should focus on non-Kashmir issues: Sartaj Aziz
By Manish Chand, IANS,
Saudi breaks two world records with car plates and beads
By RIA Novosti
Riyadh : A Saudi man has broken two Guinness World Records for the largest collection of handmade prayer beads and old car number plates, local media said Wednesday.
Mohammed Yahya Al-Assiri became the first Saudi to enter the famed Guinness Book of World Records.
Assiri's collection consists of 3,220 of handmade prayer beads which are exhibits at his personal museum in Dammam, in Saudi Arabia's eastern province. The previous record was held by a Kuwaiti national with a collection of 1,020 beads.
Pakistan refutes Aghan claim on cross-border incursions
Islamabad : Pakistan Tuesday rejected as "baseless" the remarks by the Afghan foreign ministry that Pakistani troops have intruded into its territory and killed...
Iran will always stand by Lebanon: Ahmadinejad
By DPA,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Monday promised his visiting Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman that Iran would always stand by Lebanon.
"Lebanon has finally found its track after many stormy years and now enjoys tranquillity and security," Ahmadinejad said in his meeting with Suleiman.
According to ISNA news agency, Ahmadinejad further said Lebanese resistance against Israel had turned Lebanon into a symbol of courage in the region.
50 killed as Pakistan army launches crackdown in tribal areas
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan has launched a massive crackdown on pro-Taliban militants in South Waziristan Agency (SWA) with as at least 50 militants being killed in the area populated by the followers of Al Qaeda ally Baitullah Mehsud.
Troopers Saturday arrested dozens of suspected militants and seized their vehicles, while a police constable was killed when the militants attacked police lines in Tank, The News reported Sunday.
The security forces started firing artillery shells from Manzai Fort at the suspected locations of Baitullah Mehsud-led militants.
Supreme Leader’s advisor arrives in Baghdad
By IRNA,
Baghdad : Advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ali-Akbar Velayati arrived in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad on Saturday on a pilgrimage visit.
The former Iranian foreign minister will hold talks with a number of senior Iraqi officials.
He is to hold separate meetings with leader of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council Abdul Aziz al-Hakim and Iraqi Vice-President Adel Abdul Mahdi.
Humans are killing machine with or without religion
By Md Sharique Anwer,
On December 7, 2015 some extremists attacked Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine office in Paris, France killing at least 12 people for publishing cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Pakistan has no intention to enter arms race — PM
ISLAMABAD, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- Pakistan does not harbour any aggressive designs against any country and has no intention to enter into an arms race, said Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro here on Wednesday.
At a meeting with Federal Minister for Defence Saleem Abbas Jilani, he said that Pakistan's defence policy was based on peaceful coexistence in conformity with the prevailing geo-strategic environment and national aspirations.
Over 1 mn Somalis facing starvation risk, UN envoy
United Nations: The UN envoy in Somalia has warned that despite some political and security gains, the humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa...
46 Kerala nurses in Tikrit asked to board bus to Mosul
New Delhi: The 46 Indian nurses stranded in Iraq's Tikrit town that has been overrun by militants have been told to board a bus...
Karzai hints at running for second term
By DPA
Kabul : Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai Sunday hinted that he intended to run for a second term to fulfil his unfinished "goals".
Karzai, who was talking to a group of journalists in his fortified presidential palace, said that he was not happy to contest for the next presidential poll, but "the goals that I set some five to six years ago, I have fulfilled some them, but a big portion of that (goals) have yet to be finished."
Muslim students allowed to pray in schools — German court
By KUNA
Berlin : An administrative court in Berlin ruled that Muslim students should be allowed to pray in schools during their breaks, a paper said Wednesday.
Berliner Zeitung paper said that the rule taken Tuesday came after a 14-year-old Muslim student sued his school for not allowing him to pray.
Spokesman of the court said the student and seven other Muslim pupils used to pray during the breaks and that the school's administration called their parents to tell them to stop doing so, stating the state's utilities should not witness such use.
150 artists gather at international calligraphy event
By IANS/WAM,
Sharjah : Over 150 artists from 28 countries took part in an annual Arabic calligraphy event here that showcased more than 260 varieties of artwork.
Over 10,000 people from the UAE and Arab countries attended the 10-day-long fourth annual Sharjah Calligraphy Forum here which concluded Saturday.
Live performances, exhibitions and seminars on Arabic calligraphy were part of the event on decorative writing, considered one of the highest art forms of the Arab world.
Evidence shows China supporting Sudan military in Darfur: Report
By DPA,
Nairobi/Khartoum : Evidence has been uncovered proving that China has contravened a United Nations arms embargo on Darfur by providing military help to the Sudanese government in the province, the BBC reported Sunday.
The British broadcaster said on its website it had found Chinese army lorries in the restive western Sudanese province, both with anti-aircraft guns mounted.
One of the lorries was in the hands of the rebels, who had captured it from Sudanese troops, the BBC said.
Iran is not the enemy
By Ellen Francis
The "axis of evil" has no relevance for me when I think of Iran, a country I've found to have a human, loving, hospitable face throughout 40 years of encounters. I lived in Iran between 1968 and 1978, and started returning again, this time with peace delegations, in 2005. It is one of the great joys of my life to see the layers of misunderstanding and fear gradually fall away from those who visit Iran today for the first time.
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.
India to handover $1 mn relief assistance to Afghanistan
New Delhi : India would hand over $1 million financial assistance to Afghanistan for relief and rehabilitation in Badakshan province that was hit by...
Malaysia’s Mahathir quits ruling party
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad quit the ruling party Monday in a move political observers said could undermine the beleaguered government of his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Mahathir announced in a speech in his home state Kedah that he was resigning in protest over Badawi's 'refusal' to step down despite March elections that produced the worst results in the history of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
Serbian Muslim football fans protest anti-Islam film
By IANS/AKI,
Belgrade: Thousands of football fans in Serbia's Muslim-majority Sandzak region held a peaceful march against a film deemed insulting to Islam.
Pakistan dangerous to world peace: US economist
By IANS,
New Delhi : Leading economists from the US and other countries who had gathered at an international conference here Thursday aired doubts about the future of democracy in Pakistan and underlined that terrorism there could be a threat to world peace.
‘Governments should make road safety a priority’
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Deaths in traffic accidents daily worldwide are comparable with those in any major natural disaster, an international safety expert has said and called on governments to make road safety a priority, WAM news agency reported Monday.
US discounts Pakistan coup rumours
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The US has discounted rumours of a "silent coup" against Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari after reports that he had gone to Dubai following a heart attack.
Lebanese crisis highly problematic – Former Lebanese PM
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Al-Hos has said that the political crisis of his country was still highly problematic, describing as "very effective" the mediation efforts of Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.
"Moussa keeps pressing ahead with his mission," Al-Hos said in statements to the press following his meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit here Tuesday.
He expressed hope that Moussa would pursue his mission till it reached the desired results.
Bangladeshis being trafficked to Brazil
By IANS,
London : Police in Brazil have identified a gang specialising in trafficking Bangladeshi nationals into the country, a media report said.
Iran may consider opening US interest section, direct flights
By IANS,
New York : Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Wednesday said his country might consider suggestions of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on opening an US interest section in Tehran, the official IRNA news agency reported.
"We believe that restoring relations between the American and Iranian nations would be a positive move," Mottaki said in New York.
The foreign minister is currently in New York to attend a meeting of Economic and Social Council of the United Nations from June 30 to July 3.
Israeli forces storm Qalqilya, arrest five
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli forces on Tuesday arrested five Palestinians in an ongoing raid into West Bank city of Qalqilya, Palestinian security sources said.
The detainees were taken from houses and apartment buildings stormed by the soldiers, the sources said, adding that at least two of the detainees were members of Palestinian security services. About 35 Israeli military vehicles rolled into the city at dawn and were still operating, according to the sources.
Kuwait jurists highlight importance of judicial conference in Cairo
By NNN-KUNA
Cairo : Participation in the second assembly of judicial and cultural heritage promotion conference, currently held here, is highly important to transfer the experience of the Egyptian judicial expertise to the Arab World, Kuwaiti jurists said on Sunday.
On the sidelines of their participation in the conference, they told KUNA that Kuwait's participation was highly important to learn from Egypt's rich experience in the administrative judiciary field.
Slain Pakistani journalist’s widow records statement
By IANS,
Islamabad : The widow of Pakistani journalist Salim Shahzad who was abducted, tortured and killed has recorded her statement before a panel, a media report said.
Al Qaeda threatens to use Pakistan nukes against the US
By IANS,
Dubai : The Al Qaeda would use Pakistan's nuclear weapons against the US if it was able to get its hands on them, a top commander of the terror group has said.
"God willing, the nuclear weapons will not fall into the hands of the Americans and the Mujahideen would take them and use them against the Americans," said Mustafa Abu al-Yazid in an interview to Al Jazeera channel aired Sunday.
"We expect that the Pakistani army would be defeated (in Swat) ... and that would be its end everywhere, God willing," Iran's Press TV quoted him as saying.
Young Indonesians go online to defy bombers
By Ahmad Pathoni, DPA,
Jakarta: Young Indonesians are sending a defiant message to extremists behind the deadly July 17 bombings of two Jakarta hotels: "We are not afraid."
An internet campaign against terrorism in response to the attacks on the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels has come into vogue among young, technology-savvy Indonesians with its slogans "Indonesia unite!" and "We are not afraid".
Three kids die in Pakistan roof collapse
By IANS,
Islamabad : Three children were killed and two injured when the roof of their house collapsed in Pakistan's Peshawar city.
EU’s Solana starts nuclear talks with Iranian nuclear negotiator
By Xinhua,
Geneva : Top EU diplomatic official Javier Solana started a nuclear talks with Iran's nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili here on Saturday at the presence of U.S. Under Secretary of State William Burns.
Burns, the first U.S. diplomat to attend negotiations with Iran in 30 years, was here to witness the whole process of the talks.
Though Burns will not take an active role at the meeting, but his presence was widely seen as a major policy shift of Washington on Iran.
Israel blocks Palestinians from using 3G technology: officials
Ramallah : Palestinian officials late on Sunday complained that Israel is depriving them of using 3rd generation mobile telecommunications technology, causing substantial losses for...
Army kills seven militants in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan's security forces killed seven militants Tuesday in an operation in the country's northwest, media reported.
The security forces pounded militant hideouts in Swat valley in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and killed seven militants, Dawn TV news channel said.
In a separate search operation in the valley, a security official was killed when the militants ambushed a military convoy in Kabal area.
Pakistan's security forces have intensified military operation in the Swat valley since late July.
Pakistani president takes his fingers off nuclear button
Islamabad, Nov 28 (DPA) Pakistan's beleaguered President Asif Ali Zardari has amended a key law to relinquish the executive control over the country's nuclear weapons to the prime minister.
The change in the structure of the National Command Authority (NCA) came late Friday as part of 28 ordinances that Zardari had to reissue which otherwise would have lapsed after midnight Saturday under a Supreme Court ruling.
Demolitions begin as part of Makkah Haram Mosque expansion
By IINA
Makkah : Demolition of property to the north and northwest of the Haram Mosque in Makkah has begun to create more prayer space for a growing number of pilgrims and worshippers.
UAE, Britain discuss relations
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Britain have held bilateral talks over undergoing joint projects.
Britain trains special teams to fight Taliban
By IANS,
London : Specially selected commandos are being trained by British forces in Afghanistan to fight the Taliban, a media report said.
Iranian military commanders killed in suicide attack
By IANS,
Tehran : At least two senior commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) were killed in a suicide attack in southeastern Iran, Xinhua reported.
The assassinated officers were identified by the semi-official Fars news agency as Gen. Noor Ali Shooshtari, the deputy commander of the Guard's ground force, and Rajabali Mohammadzadeh, the Guard's chief provincial commander.
Fars said the attack, which occurred early Sunday in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan near Iran's border with Pakistan, killed 20 and injured dozens of others.
Onus of worksite safety in Dubai lies on engineers, contractors
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : Engineers and contractors will be responsible for the overall safety in building and other infrastructure construction sites in Dubai, according to a new safety manual.
The responsibility of maintaining overall safety in a construction project lies with the consultant engineers and contractors throughout the implementation period, the 'Safety Manual for Construction Works' issued by the building department of Dubai Municipality stated.
Pakistan to get first woman speaker
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan is set to get a woman as speaker of the National Assembly for the first time in its history with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Tuesday submitting the nomination papers of Fahmida Mirza for the post.
PPP has emerged as the single largest party with 87 seats in the Feb 18 polls. Its ally, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has backed Mirza's candidature. The two parties together got a majority, bagging 153 seats in a house of 272 and are set to form a coalition government.
Ahmadinejad links unrest to US, ‘Zionists’
By DPA,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Tuesday blamed the latest unrest in his country on the US and Israel, the ISNA news agency reported.
"This is a play staged by the US and Zionists (Israel) which just makes us puke," said Ahmadinejad in his first reaction to Sunday's protests against him and his government.
"Both those who staged and those who acted in this play are making a mistake, as the Iranian nation has seen many such plays and will not be affected," the president added.
Israel Frees 227 Palestinians
By Prensa Latina,
Ramallah : Israel released 227 Palestinians in an alleged goodwill gesture towards President Mahmoud Abbas who said total joy will come only when all 11,000 Palestinian risoners be freed.
However, happiness and patriotism merged in occupied Beituniya, seat of the Israeli checkpoint through which the released prisoners reached the West Bank.
Israeli sources said 209 prisoners came from the Ofer jail, near Jerusalem, while the remaining 18 came from Shikma prison, at the Negev, to Erez checkpoint, on the Israeli border with Gaza.
Pakistan urged to spare five Ahmadiyyas facing death for blasphemy
By IANS,
Toronto : Ahmadiyya Muslims in Canada have urged Pakistan to immediately release five members of the community facing charges of blasphemy, which is punishable by death.
The five - a man and four children - were arrested in Kot Sultan in Layyah district of Pakistan Jan 28 for allegedly writing the name of Prophet Mohammed on the walls of a washroom of the local Jamia Gulzar-e-Medina mosque.
Under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, blasphemy is punishable by death or life imprisonment.
Baghdad’s Hostages Free
By Prensa Latina
Baghdad : Five workers from the University of Baghdad kidnapped Sunday by an armed group were released later on by the police, official sources announced.
Security forces did not give details on the rescue operation, but said the kidnappers had escaped.
Meanwhile, an official from the government of former President Saddam Hussein, and three members of his family were murdered last night in Baghdad by unknown people, reported the police.
Protests against Bangladesh extra-judicial killings
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's Left parties and human rights bodies have protested against what they say are extra-judicial killings of 61 people between January and August this year.
"Sixty-one people were killed till Aug 28 after the assumption of office by the Awami League-led alliance government Jan 6," New Age newspaper said Saturday.
The victims include leaders and activists of Purba Banglar Communist Party (Janajuddha), Gana Mukti Fouz and Biplabi Communist Party (Red Flag).
Karzai’s challenger expected to boycott presidential run-off
Kabul, Oct 31 (DPA) Afghan President Hamid Karzai's challenger in the presidential run-off election is widely expected to boycott the poll scheduled for Nov 7 unless his conditions are met by Saturday midnight, officials said.
Abdullah Abdullah, the second-placed finisher in the country's Aug 20 elections cancelled a planned trip to India Saturday and was scheduled to announce whether he would boycott or take part in next week's elections in a gathering Sunday morning, according to spokesman Ali Farhad Howaida.
Pakistan Taliban chief meets reporters to prove he is alive
By DPA,
Islamabad : The new Pakistani Taliban chief has met journalists in Pakistan's lawless tribal district of South Waziristan to refute claims by Pakistani and US officials that he might have died.
Hakimullah Mehsud allowed five reporters to interview him in the remote, mountainous district Sunday on the condition that it would be reported only Monday.
"You know it's risky but I chose to present myself to the media to prove that the government's claims about my death are only propaganda and lies," Hakimullah was quoted as saying by Ishtiaq Mehsud.
US says it accidentally killed 9 Iraqi civilians
By IRNA
Baghdad : US military said on Monday that they had accidentally killed nine Iraqi civilians and wounded three in a strike aimed at al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia south of Baghdad.
A military statement released late Sunday acknowledged what appeared to be one of the deadliest cases of mistaken identity in recent weeks.
"The accidental killings happened Saturday in Iskandariya, about 25 miles south of the capital, and that the wounded were taken to American military hospitals," it said.
Iraqi farmers benefit from Australian research
By NNN-Bernama,
Melbourne : Farmers in northern Iraq are benefiting from agricultural projects undertaken by the University of Adelaide in South Australia.
Agronomy Chair Professor David Coventry is leading the university's participation in an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project to revolutionize traditional cropping methods in Iraq.
Malaysians sceptical about Pakistan’s investment proposals
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur/Islamabad : Pakistan is trying hard to woo foreign investment from countries like Malaysia, promising them a good business climate and assuaging their security fears. However, a team of Malaysian media persons returned from Pakistan unimpressed.
Pakistani authorities, among them Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, sought to remove fears from investors and cited 12 contracts signed during the China visit of President Asif Ali Zardari.
Dubai Metro starts trial operations
By IANS,
Dubai : Dubai Metro, the world's largest automated driverless metro rail network, has commenced its trial run across an 11-km stretch in this Middle East metropolis.
Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the trial between the Jebel Ali station to the south of the city and the Ibn Batuta Mall station Saturday, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported Sunday.
Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by a delegation of high-level officials at the launch.
Iraq war costs $12.5 bn a month: Stiglitz
By Xinhua
Washington : A new book, authored by Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, says that the cost of the Iraq war has now reached $12.5 billion a month, up from $4.4 billion per month in 2003.
Stiglitz and co-writer Linda Bilmes in their new book "The Three Trillion War" have given the figures, according to US media reports Monday.
The book says the war will cost at least $3 trillion before it's over, based on the forecast that US troops won't leave Iraq completely before 2017.