Muslim World News

Muslim World News

Algeria, Cuba call for immediate ceasefire in Libya

By IANS, Algiers : Algeria and Cuba have called on all concerned parties in Libya to end clashes and begin peace talks at the earliest, Xinhua reported.

NATO Libya mission to continue as long as necessary: Rasmussen

By IRNA, Berlin : NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen vowed Thursday to keep up military pressure on the regime of Libyan dictator Moammar Qadhafi 'as long as necessary.'

Stand by Pakistan’s security forces: Malik tells countrymen

By IANS, Islamabad : Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik has urged the people not to criticise the military, and to stand by the country's security forces.

Four killed in Iraq violence

By IANS, Baghdad : Four people were killed Monday in two separate incidents of violence in Iraq's Mosul city, Xinhua reported.

Pakistan panel to probe fake certificates

By IANS, Islamabad : Pakistan has formed a committee to probe allegations that customs authorities had issued fake Free Trade Agreement clearance certificates.

A Pakistani industrial unit that has Rs.110 bn liability

By IANS, Islamabad : The Pakistan Steel Mills, the country's largest public sector industrial unit, is burdened with liabilities totalling a stupendous Rs.110 billion (Rs.11,000 crore).

Pakistani apex court suspends Rehman Malik from Senate

By IANS, Islamabad : Pakistan's Supreme Court Monday suspended the Senate membership of Interior Minister Rehman Malik for holding dual nationality, a media report said.

Bengali new year celebrated in Bangladesh amid tight security

By NNN-Xinhua Dhaka : The Bengali New Year is celebrated Monday across Bangladesh, especially in capital Dhaka, with a festive atmosphere. Tens of thousands of people in masks and traditional dress, mostly students of the Dhaka University, held a colorful parade through the university, ushering in good spirits for the new year and vowing to defeat any ill-will. At the forefront of the parade were precisionists carrying symbolic figures of the owl, tortoise, tiger and elephant.

Iraqi shot by British soldier to get 2 million pounds payout

By NNN-KUNA, London : A young Iraqi man accidentally shot by a British soldier will receive 2 million pounds, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. The commercial TV station "Channel 4 News" reported, late on Monday, that the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was set to receive the payout after suffering severe spinal injuries which left him paralysed. The sum is far higher than anything paid to any British troops injured in Iraq and is likely to reopen the controversy over the compensation levels for wounded service personnel, commentators said.

Gaza clashes leave 5 militants, 3 Israeli soldiers dead

By DPA, Gaza City/Tel Aviv : Separate early morning clashes in the Gaza Strip Wednesday left three Israeli soldiers and five Palestinian militants - four from Hamas and one from the Islamic Jihad - dead, Palestinian and Israeli spokesmen said. The three soldiers were killed in an early morning firefight with gunmen, who were spotted approaching the heavily-guarded fence which separates the Strip from Israel, just south of the Nahal Oz crossing point, east of Jebalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.

Israel could start major operation in Gaza in summer – paper

By RIA Novosti, Tel Aviv : Israel could launch a major ground incursion in the Gaza Strip this summer to cripple Hamas's infrastructure, The Jerusalem Post quoted unidentified sources in Jerusalem as saying. They said the incursion, similar to a 2002 operation in the West Bank, would not take place until mid-June, a month after U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to Israel. After the operation, Israel would hand Gaza over to Egypt or a "third party", the sources said.

Pakistan committed to IPI gas pipeline project, U.S envoy told

By IRNA, Islamabad : Pakistan has told the United States that it is committed to signing the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline deal with Iran to meet its emerging energy requirements, reports said Thursday. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Khawaja Asif informed the U.S Ambassador Anne W Patterson in a meeting that Pakistan and Iran are in the final stages of signing the IPI gas pipeline project deal, the report in a major daily said.

Pakistani Ambassador: Olympic torch relay underscores universality ogf games

By NNN-APP, Beijing : Pakistani Ambassador Salman Bashir has said that the lighting of the Olympic flame and its relay across continents, underscores the universality of the games. In a congratulatory message to the English language China Daily on its special supplement on Olympic Torch relay, the Ambassador underscores the universality of the games, which, he said will unite all peoples under the apt motto of “One World One Dream”.

Carter, exiled Hamas leader meet in Damascus on peace efforts

By Xinhua, Damascus : Visiting former U.S. President Jimmy Carter met with exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus on Friday and discussed the peace efforts in the region. The talks between Carter and Meshaal focused on three basic topics, namely the fate of Israeli captive Gilad Shalit, the situation in Gaza and the lift of the siege there, deputy chief ofthe exiled Hamas politburo Moussa Abu Marzouk told reporters.

Third of million Afghan, Iraq war veterans are depressed

By IANS, Washington : Nearly 20 percent of US servicemen back from Iraq and Afghanistan - or a third of a million - suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, but only half of them have sought treatment, according to a study by a US non-profit organisation. Researchers of the RAND Corporation also found that about 19 percent of these veterans reported experiencing a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed, with seven percent reporting both a probable brain injury and current major depression.

Britain extends conditional support to Pakistan’s dialogue plan with militants

By Xinhua, Islamabad : Britain supports Pakistan's reconciliation process with the militants "but the talks should beheld with those who wanted to surrender or lay arms", British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said. Miliband arrived in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) on a two-day visit for talks with the new government. The new provincial government has formed a committee of senior officials to hold dialogue with the militants in the Swat valley and tribal regions.

Iraq neighbors’ meeting opens in Kuwait with Maliki’s call for help

By Xinhua, Kuwait City : A ministerial conference on Iraq opened here Tuesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki urged the neighbors to help stabilize his war-torn country. The neighboring countries, especially the Gulf neighbors should help stabilize Iraq by living up to pledges to forgive its debt, Maliki urged at the opening session of the conference.

Civilian casualty toll mounts, Iran urges US to stop bloodshed

By IRNA, Baghdad : The civilian casualty toll mounted Wednesday as US escalated air strikes on residential areas in Sadr City amid Iranian call on the US to stop air strikes. "Iran is concerned over further bloodshed and civilian deaths in Iraq," Hassan Kazemi Qomi told a press conference in Baghdad earlier this week. He said that the warring parties should sit at the negotiating table. IRNA reporter in Baghdad said citing Iraqi Interior Ministry that two omen were among seven civilians killed in indiscriminate bombardment of Sadr City overnight.

Pro-Taliban militant leader directs halt to attacks in Pakistan

By DPA, Islamabad : Top leader of pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan has directed his comrades "to immediately cease their activities" as the government inches toward signing a peace accord with the rebels, media reports said Thursday. Baitullah Mehsud, the head of the country's umbrella militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), issued the orders Wednesday in pamphlets. "He has warned that his directives should be complied with and those violating them will be publicly punished," read the order, which was published in several newspapers.

U.S. reports new Gulf confrontation, Iran denies

By Xinhua, Washington : U.S. officials said Friday that a vessel contracted by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf fired warning shots on two Iranian fast boats Thursday, but Iran denied the claims . The U.S. ship Westward Venture, contracted by the U.S. Military Sealift Command to carry military cargo to Kuwait, fired upon the boats after attempts to get the Iranian boats' attention failed, FOX News quoted Pentagon sources as saying. A U.S. navy security team, armed with M16 rifles and machine guns, was onboard the Westward Venture at the time the warning shots were fired.

Second Arab Conference on intellectual property to kick off Saturday

By NNN-KUNA, Cairo : The Arab League will play host on Saturday to the Second Arab Regional Conference on the Teaching of Intellectual Property Law in the Arab World. The conference is being co-organized by the league's IP unit, the Arab Lawyers Union (ALU), the IP Regional Institute of Egypt's Holwan University in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Cairo-based league said in a statement on Friday.

A test for the world community

By NNN-WAM, Sharjah : The world is on the brink of a disaster as millions of people are facing poverty because of global food scarcity and high food prices, a UAE daily paper warned Thursday. ''It may even affect political and economic stability of many countries. Unlike any natural calamity like tsunami, drought or flood that devastates the world every year, this looming crisis is man-made and needs immediate attention,'' wrote The Gulf Friday.

Afghanistan backs Pakistan’s move to make peace with non-threatening Taliban

By NNN-APP, New York : Stating that he was confident of the new Pakistan government’s “good intentions”, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has supported Islamabad’s move to make peace with the Taliban who do not pose any threat. “But,” he told New York Times, “if the deal is with those that are hard-core terrorists, Al Qaeda, and are bent upon sooner or later again causing damage to Pakistan, and to Afghanistan and to the rest of the world, then that’s wrong and we should definitely not do it.”

Pakistani Hindu worker’s murderers go unpunished

By Zofeen T. Ebrahim, IANS, Karachi : Three weeks since Jagdeesh Kumar, a 22-year-old Hindu worker in a garment factory in Pakistan's largest city, was beaten to death by a mob for allegedly making blasphemous remarks about Prophet Mohammad, his murderers remain unpunished. "Would our judicial system do so (punish the perpetrators)?" asks A.H. Nayyar, an Islamabad-based peace activist. He answers himself: "Not likely. It has never done so earlier either.

Israel ends 10-day closure of Palestinian territories

By SPA, Tel Aviv : The Israeli military says it is lifting a blanket closure of the West Bank and Gaza it imposed for 10 days over the Jewish Passover holiday. The Associated Press quoted a military statement as saying that the closure ended Monday morning. It mainly affected the West Bank.

Ahmadinejad: Iran, Pakistan to finalize peace pipeline project

By IRNA, Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday high ranking Iranian and Pakistani officials are to finalized Peace pipeline project soon. In an exclusive interview with Pakistan's state TV channel, the Iranian president referred to fruitful talks with Pakistani officials and expressed the hope that the legal issue of gas deal between the two countries would be resolved very soon.

Olmert regrets Gaza civilian deaths, blames Hamas

By Xinhua, Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday expressed "deep regret" over Monday's civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip while accusing Hamas of exposing Palestinian civilians to danger. "I would like to express my deep regret on behalf of the Israeli government and the State of Israel over the tragic incident in which a mother and her four children were killed in Beit Hanoun, " local daily Yedioth Ahronoth quoted Olmert as saying at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.

Suicide bomber kills at least 16 in eastern Afghanistan

By RIA Novosti, Kabul : A suicide bomber blew himself up on Tuesday in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least 16 people and injuring over 40, the local Tolo TV channel said. The attack came after militants had fired shots and rocket-propelled grenades at a police station in the town of Khogyani. The suicide bomber then detonated his device in the middle of a crowd as civilians fled the fighting.

Hamas lifts ban on pro-Fatah newspaper

By Xinhua, Gaza : A Hamas court on Thursday allowed a Palestinian newspaper to resume distribution in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip after nearly three months of banning. Following the decision, the Ramallah-based al-Ayyam daily will appear in the newsstands in Gaza Strip after 78 days of absence. On Feb. 12, Hamas' first instance court ruled that the newspaper, loyal to rival Fatah party, is not allowed to be distributed in Gaza for the newspaper published a cartoon that Hamas considered harming the parliament it leads.

Fuel shortages, rising food prices hampering UN aid efforts in Gaza, W.Bank

By APP, United Nations : Fuel shortages and rising food prices are placing heavy burdens on the UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees and forcing it to cut back on life-saving activities in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, its spokesperson said.

Iraq to always remain sovereign – PM

By NNN-KUNA, Baghdad : Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has said that Iraq will not be influenced by any party and will always be independent, asserting that stability of the region will not materialise without Iraq's stability. In a meeting with tribal elders in Karbala Sunday, Al-Maliki said Iraq respects its responsibilities and commitments towards the international community, and seeking good relations with neighbouring countries. He called on the neighbouring countries to establish good relations with Iraq because Baghdad would always be strong, free and sovereign.

Bangladesh invites MNC bids for oil and gas exploration

By IANS, Dhaka : Bangladesh hopes to get nine foreign oil and gas multinational corporations, including some global names, to bid for offshore blocks for exploration. Submission of offers for exploration in eight shallow water blocks and 20 deep-sea blocks in the Bay of Bengal is to begin shortly. The bidding is the first of its kind for Bangladesh where the focus is exclusively on the Bay of Bengal. The country hopes to catch up in the race where neighbours India and Myanmar have already gone ahead and found oil and gas.

Zia faces her first formal graft charge

By IANS, Dhaka : Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia Tuesday faced her first formal graft charge as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accused her and 10 others of abuse of power in awarding a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian company Niko. Her law minister Moudud Ahmed and former state minister for energy A.K.M. Mosharraf Hossain are among the others named in the charge sheet before the court. Zia, 62, who ruled Bangladesh for 10 years, during 1991-96 and then in 2001-06, has been in jail since last September.

Sharif, Zardari lunch date in London to restore judges

By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS, Islamabad : Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, leaders of the main partners of Pakistan's ruling coalition, are scheduled to meet over lunch in London Thursday to discuss the fate of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf when he imposed emergency Nov 3 last year, official sources said. Sharif, head of his own faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Nawaz), is already in London where his wife underwent knee surgery. Zardari, chief of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), left for the British capital Wednesday night.

Inquest opens in UK’s heaviest loss of life in Afghanistan

By IRNA, London : The delayed inquest into 14 British soldiers killed in Afghanistan, when a Nimrod reconnaissance plane crashed in nearly two years ago, formally opened Wednesday with a cockpit recording of moments before the aircraft burst into flames. The explosion, which resulted in the heaviest single loss of life for British forces since the Falklands war, happened minutes after the spy plane refueled near Kandahar on September 2 2006.

President: Fight against drugs needs world resolve

By IRNA, Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad underlined that campaign against drugs needs world resolve. In a meeting with Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and the executive director of fight against drugs and crimes Antonio Mario Casta, President Ahmadinejad said countries like Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan have suffered the most on drugs. He went on to say, "Parts of the expenses which other countries pay for campaign against drugs can be spent for fight against drug production."

Ahmadinejad faces new dilemma as rice prices rise in Iran

By Farshid Motahari, DPA, Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can certainly not complain about not having enough excitement these days. The country is facing renewed financial sanctions through the UN Security Council due to Tehran's defiance over its nuclear projects, neighbouring Iraq is accusing Iran of supporting and arming Shia insurgents, and the West is more and more isolating the Islamic state. Furthermore the new parliament is expected to be more critical of the president than during the previous legislative period, especially over his economic policies.

Lebanon treads on eggs as riots enter 3rd day

By Xinhua, Beirut : Lebanon is treading on eggs as fears about another civil war rises after riots in Beirut left at least eight people dead and 40 others injured.   GUNBATTLES SWEEP BEIRUT The sectarian fighting between anti and pro-government supporters in Beirut entered the third day on Friday. The crackle of gunfire and sporadic bursts of rocket-propelled grenade echoed in many districts of Beirut. At least eight people were killed and 40 others wounded during the fighting, security sources told Xinhua anonymously on Friday.

I’m powerless, says Zardari after seven hours of talks

By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS, London : The two leaders of Pakistan's ruling alliance have failed to reach agreement on the important issue of reinstatement of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf, agreeing to disagree after seven hours of inconclusive talks here.

Palestinian PM optimistic over archieving security plan

By NNN-KUNA, Ramallah : Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has expressed optimism over achieving the security plan in the Palestinian areas. During his visit to the city of Nablus Sunday, Fayyad said he was optimistic all objectives of the security plan would be achieved. He said that the Palestinian National Authority has been following the issue of normalizing the security situation in the Palestinian areas which began in the city of Nablus and was followed by Jenin.

Dubai-style island resorts planned on the Thames

By IANS, London : Gulf property developers are planning to build luxury island resorts in England - complete with yacht marinas, theatres, an opera house and housing - along the lines of the famed artificial palm islands of Dubai, a newspaper reported.

Pro-Abbas forces arrest Islamic Jihad, Hamas members

By Xinhua, Ramallah : Islamic Jihad movement on Monday said the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) arrested two of its members in northern West Bank city of Jenin. In a statement sent to the press, the movement said that members of the Palestinian Intelligence Service arrested Raed Abu al-Rab and Yousef Kmail in the city. A third member of the movement's armed wing escaped after exchanging fire with the Palestinian forces, the statement added.

Iran starts nuclear talks with IAEA

By SPA, Tehran : Iran on Monday started nuclear talks with a delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Tehran, 'ISNA' news agency reported. This round of talks is headed by Iran's IAEA envoy Ali-Asqar Soltanieh and IAEA regional Chief Herman Nackaerts and is being held at Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.

Food Crisis Challenges Governments

By Prensa Latina, Kuala Lumpur : The urgency for overcoming inflation and solving the food crisis represents a challenge for many governments, affirmed Malaysia prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Local commentators emphasized the message of the head of the federal government to celebrate the recent 62nd anniversary of his National Organization Party of United Malaysians (UMNO). Abdullah Badawi highlighted the need to concentrate financial resources in a direction that will protect the population, prevent the food crisis and reduce inflation.

Palestinian rocketeers target Israeli town

By KUNA, Gaza : A Palestinian faction said on Tuesday its gunners targeted the Israeli town of Sderot with missiles. Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad in Palestine organization, said in a statement it was responsible for unleashing three "Quds" missiles in the direction of the town. The gunners who fired the missiles narrowly escaped a retaliatory Israeli air strike in the north of Gaza Strip. A spokesman of the Israeli Army confirmed that two missiles harmlessly crashed close to Sderot early today.

Yemen Is One Of Major Countries Receiving Refugees: FM

By Bernama, Sana'a : Foreign Minister Abu Baker al-Qirbi confirmed that Yemen faces exceptional situation since early 1990s because of continuous streaming of refugees from African Horn, saying that Yemen is one of major countries receiving refugees, Yemen News Agency (Saba) reported. "Yemen has forgiveness policy towards refugee applicants, especially Somalis because of deep links between the two peoples," said al-Qirbi in the opening ceremony of the Regional Conference on Refugees Protection and International Migration held here on Monday.

Syria says it is involved in peace talks with Israel

By KUNA, Damascus : Syria announced on Wednesday that it was involved in peace talks with Israel under Turkish sponsorship. The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted an official source of the Foreign Ministry as saying Syria and Israel had begun indirect peace talks under Turkish auspices.

Lebanon is, will remain strong with will of PPL – Suleiman

By NNN-KUNA, Kuwait : Lebanon is strong and will remain so with the will of its people, said Lebanese Army Commander and presidential nominee General Michel Suleiman on Thursday. Speaking to "Al-Qabas" newspaper, he said, "We have survived difficult phases and blows, but every time, the Lebanese people proved that they can overcome their wounds and pain with the support of their Arab brothers and friends around the world."

TV: PML-Q to support PPP if Pakistan’s coalition breaks

By Xinhua, Islamabad : Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Thursday said the PML-Q would support the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) if the ruling coalition broke, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported. The PML-Q, which is the largest opposition party in Pakistan, will not join the PPP in the government but support it in the National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament, Shujaat said.

Italy government “flexible” on Afghan troop rules

By SPA, Rome : Italy's new conservative government will be more flexible on rules of engagement for its troops in Afghanistan, who cannot now be used in a combat role, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said in a newspaper interview, according to Reuters. With the United States urging allies to play a bigger role in the war against the Taliban, Frattini told La Stampa newspaper Italy would "start arguing more concretely in terms of flexibility and adaptability on the ground" at an Afghan donors' conference in Paris next month.

Saad Hariri tipped to become Lebanon’s new prime minister

By DPA, Beirut : Saad Hariri, head of the anti-Syrian majority in the Lebanese parliament, was tipped Friday to become the next prime minister after the election of army commander Michel Suleiman as president. Former president Amin Gemayel, who has close ties to the pro-Western majority, nominated Hariri to take over from Fouad Seniora. "Since he is the head of the largest parliamentary bloc it's only normal that he (Hariri) becomes the prime minister," Gemayel told DPA.

Hamas invites Frensh FM to visit Gaza

By Xinhua, Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) ruling Gaza Strip called Saturday on French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to visit the territory to learn about the suffering of its people. Taher al-Nounou, a spokesman for the Hamas government in Gaza, told the press that the invitation "was motivated by France's moral stance" which was reflected throughout Kouchner's remarks.

Pakistan needs several years to curb militancy: US

By IANS, Islamabad : Pakistan needs several years to defeat Al Qaeda-linked terrorists operating in its tribal region along the Afghan border, the Pentagon has warned. This apart, the peace talks between the Pakistani government and tribal militants will make it easier for terrorists to cross the border, the commander of the US forces in Afghanistan has warned. "We are troubled by the negotiations and the possibility of yet another peace deal in the northwest," Dawn Sunday quoted Gen. Dan McNeill as saying in a dispatch from Washington.

Sources: Abbas intends to reshuffle Palestinian gov’t

By Xinhua, Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas intends to reshuffle acting government of Salam Fayyad by adding more members from his Fatah movement, sources said on Tuesday. The sources, quoted by local Palestinian news agency Sama, reported that Abbas ordered lawmakers from Fatah to hold discussions over reshuffling Fayyad's government by replacing some ministers and adding more ministers from Fatah.

NATO commander says Pakistan sovereign, hopes for agreement enforcement

By NNN-APP, New York : Acknowledging Pakistan’s sovereignty over its areas, a senior NATO commander in Afghanistan has expressed the hope for enforcement of any peace agreements in the country’s areas along restive Afghan-Pakistani border. “Pakistan is a sovereign country. Our interest from NATO’s perspective is that whatever agreements are made will hopefully be enforceable,” U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser told Newsweek. At the same time, the new NATO commander favored talks with legitimate tribal leaders in Afghanistan.

France strongly denies secret contacts with Hamas

By KUNA, Paris : The French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday emphatically denied rumours of secret contacts held with the Islamist movement, Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and which is listed as a "terrorist organization. " Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascale Andreani said that there was "no official contact" and "no negotiations with Hamas." The official said that a former French ambassador to Iraq and former Director of the Foreign Ministrys Middle East and North Africa department had had "individual" contact with Hamas within the framework of "research" he was doing.

Pakistani PM holds supporters of undemocratic forces responsible for crisis

By KUNA, Islamabad : The Pakistani Prime Minister Thursday said supporters of "undemocratic" forces were responsible for prevailing political crisis however the country can overcome the challenges by adhering to the democratic process on a sustainable basis. Addressing a gathering at the National Defence University, Yousuf Raza Gilani said the political leadership of the country was determined to resolve all contentious issues.

Iran sees not much change in ties with US if Barack Obama wins presidency

By NNN-Bernama, Kuala Lumpur : Iran does not think there will be much change in terms of its relations with the United States should Democratic candidate Barack Obama become president, says Dr Ali Akbar Velayati, the Adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader for International Affairs.

IAEA sets ‘new trap’ for Iran, says former president

By DPA, Tehran : Iran's former president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani Friday accused the UN nuclear watchdog of setting a "new trap" in its nuclear dispute with Tehran. In its latest report, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had failed to provide explanations for intelligence indicating it may have pursued a nuclear arms programme. The report renewed "baseless claims from the past" and "is a new trap for Iran because we have already clarified all outstanding issues with the IAEA," Rafsanjani told a Friday prayer ceremony.

Pakistan pays Rs.25 bn to clear oil companies’ bills

By IANS, Islamabad : With Pakistan freezing domestic prices of petroleum products, the government has been forced to give state-owned oil marketing companies Rs.25 billion to enable them to clear their bills. The government has frozen domestic prices for a fortnight, the second time it is doing so.

Ruling on headscarf must be respected — Turkish chief of staff

By KUNA, Istanbul : Turkish Chief of Staff, General Yasar Buyukanit, said Friday the constitutional court's annulment of the parliament's decision to allow Muslim women to wear the "hijab" (headscarf) at universities must be respected, reminding that the country was a secular, democratic state. Yesterday, the Turkish constitutional court ruled out amendments ratified by parliament to lift the ban on wearing the headscarf at universities and educational institutions.

Police seizes explosive-laden vehicles near Islamabad amid high security

By KUNA, Islamabad : Hours after security was placed on red alert in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, police seized three explosive-laden vehicles in neighboring Rawalpindi and arrested at least three would-be suicide bombers, said police on Friday. Acting on a tip, police conducted a raid in Jinnah town of Rawalpindi late Thursday night, police sources told KUNA. They said three explosive-laden vehicles were impounded and at least three would-be suicide bombers were arrested.

Bomb attacks hit Iraqi police, nine wounded

By Xinhua, Baghdad : Two roadside bomb explosions struck police patrols in Baghdad on Sunday, wounding nine people, including three policemen, an Interior Ministry source said. A roadside bomb went off near a police patrol close to the Turkish embassy in Baghdad's Waziriyah neighborhood, wounding three policemen and two civilians, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. The blast also damaged a police vehicle, the source said.

Berlin pledges 420 million euros for rebuilding Afghanistan

By IRNA, Berlin : The German government has pledged 420 million euros for the Afghan reconstruction process over the next two years ahead of Thursday's Afghanistan Compact meeting in Paris, according to a foreign ministry press statement released Wednesday. Germany is the fourth largest-donor nation in the war-stricken country. The conference in the French capital aims to raise more than the 10.5 billion US dollars pledged at the London donors conference two years ago.

Karzai appeals for aid at Afghanistan conference

By DPA, Paris : Afghan President Hamid Karzai Thursday appealed to the international community to provide long-term aid for his struggling country. The most important needs were energy and agriculture, he told the representatives of 67 nations and 17 international organisations gathered at a conference in Paris to give his government a political and financial boost. Karzai also asked donor nations to improve the coordination of aid with his government in Kabul. "Parallel structures exist currently that hinder the establishment of Afghan institutions," he said.

Hamas dismisses Rice visit as useless

By Xinhua, Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement on Sunday slammed the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Israel and the West Bank, calling it as useless and a waste of time. Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman in Gaza said in a written statement sent to reporters that the visit of Rice and her meetings with Palestinian officials "won't bring anything good for the Palestinian people." "Rice came to the region to exert pressure on President (Mahmoud) Abbas and to spoil the efforts aiming at launching a Palestinian comprehensive dialogue," said Barhoum.

Kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia call on unity among Arabs

By Xinhua, Amman : Kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia stressed that the unification of Arab attitudes and activating joint Arab cooperation are the best way to address the challenges facing the nation and preserve its interests, the Royal Hashemite Court said on Sunday. The two heads made the remarks during Sunday's talks in Jeddah, which focused on the political developments on Arab and regional arenas, efforts to achieve regional peace and stability as well as ways to activate all-round bilateral relations.

Car bomb kills 50 in Iraq

By DPA, Baghdad : A car bomb blast in northern Baghdad left more than 50 people dead and 80 wounded Tuesday, a police source said. "The car that was parked in a garage in al-Hurriya district, north Baghdad, has exploded leaving at least 130 casualties. All of them are civilians," sources told DPA. The bomb ripped through the garage and a bus stop as well as striking an outdoor market and apartments in Hurriya, a predominantly Shia neighbourhood, according to the CNN website.

Somali president escapes roadside bomb attack

By DPA, Mogadishu : A roadside bomb killed three policemen, one of them a senior officer, in Mogadishu Wednesday just minutes after a convoy carrying Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed had driven past. The bomb went off near Al-Mathal school in southern Mogadishu, as an armoured vehicle went past on patrol, instantly killing the head of police in west Mogadishu, officials told DPA. "The commander died in the blast and two other policemen died in the hospital," a government official who requested anonymity, said.

Kuwait opens door for first batch of Police Women Institute cadets

By NNN-KUNA, Kuwait : Kuwaiti Minister of Interior Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid Al-Sabah has issued a decree to open the door for the first batch of cadets of its Police Women Institute. The decree constitutes a landmark move in the history of the Kuwait police force, director-general of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Science Youssef Al-Madhahka told reporters here Monday. "This is a qualitative move in supporting and rehabilitating the human resources of the Interior Ministry so that they could meet all security needs.

Roadside bomb attacks decline in Iraq

By Xinhua, Washington : Roadside bomb attacks at the Iraq-based U.S. troops declined by nearly 90 percent from the last year, according to a newspaper report on Monday. The USA Today report was released as one more American soldier was killed and five others wounded in an ambush in Baghdad. Citing the Pentagon records and interviews with military leaders, the report said that a total of 11 U.S. troops were killed in May by roadside bomb blasts, compared to 92 in the same month last year.

One British soldier killed in S Afghanistan

By Xinhua, London : British Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday that one British soldier was killed in a firefight in southern Afghanistan. The soldier from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was killed on Tuesday morning during a firefight in Helmand province, the ministry said in a statement. "He was on a deliberate operation against the Taliban in the Upper Sangin Valley when he was fatally wounded," said the ministry, adding that next of kin had been informed.

Iran parliament speaker warns the West over nuclear program

By Xinhua, Tehran : Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani warned here on Thursday that the West will suffer if it continues to speak with Iran in the language of force, saying that pressuring Iran is a mistake, Iran's Press TV satellite channel reported. Speaking at a commemoration ceremony for the martyrs in a bombing, Larijani accused the western powers of practicing "cruel methods" to curb Iran's technological advancement by unjustly taking advantage of nuclear and human rights issues.

Suicide bomber kills 15, wounds 17 west of Baghdad

By Xinhua, Ramadi, Iraq : A suicide bomber blew himself up at a gathering of tribal leaders and local officials in Anbar province on Thursday, killing 15 people and wounding 17 others, a provincial police source said. The attacker blew up his explosive-belt in the building of the municipal council of the town of Garmah, near the city of Fallujah, when Sunni Arab tribal leaders and local officials were holding a meeting there, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Jordan, Britain sign nuclear co-op memorandum

By Xinhua, Amman : Jordan entered into a preliminary nuclear accord on Sunday with Britain in a bid to take advantage of the latter's expertise to facilitate its civil nuclear program, a senior Jordanian official said. Chairman of Jordan Atomic Energy Commission Khalid Touqan told reporters that the U.K. and Jordan have agreed in a memorandum to join efforts to promote "the establishment of a reliable source of nuclear fuel for future civilian light water nuclear reactors" in the energy scarce kingdom.

UAE gas company announces new oil discovery in Egypt

By Xinhua, Abu Dhabi : Dana Gas of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the largest private-sector natural gas company in the Middle East, announced on Sunday that it has made a new oil discovery in its concessions in Egypt. The new discovery by the Sharjah-based Dana Gas is the company's first discovery in its major drilling campaign in 2008, according to a press release by the company. "This is the first discovery for Dana Gas in its major drilling campaign for this year," said Ahmed Rashid Al Arbeed, the company's Executive Director for Upstream.

Blast at Iran gas canister centre, 15 feared dead

By SPA, Tehran : An explosion at a gas distribution company in a town near the Iranian capital was thought to have killed 15 people, Iran's Fars news agency said on Monday. The cause of the blast late on Sunday was not immediately clear, but Fars said a large number of gas canisters used in homes for cooking had exploded. "It is not yet clear if (the blast) was intentional or not," Fars reported, adding that the explosion occurred at a gas company in a suburb of Karaj, west of Tehran.

Syria returns princeless archeological artifact to Iraq

By NNN-SANA, Damascus : Syrian Minister of Culture Dr Riadh Naasan Agha has handed over here a priceless archeological artifact to the Iraqi Minister of Tourism and Archeology Mohammad Abbas al-Uraibi. The artifact was confiscated by Syrian authorities while it was being smuggled from Iraq to Syria. The artifact, 100 cm high and 40 cm wide, is part of the Nimrod Temple, which is located in northern Iraq, near al-Mosul. It depicts the Assyrian Nimrod engraved on a type of stone that stores light during the day, making it glow in the dark.

Arab League Chief optimistic that Lebanese cabinet will be formed within hours

By NNN-KUNA, Cairo : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa expressed on Saturday his optimism that the awaited Lebanese cabinet would be formed within hours, saying that there were "serious indications" in this regard. He clarified in a press release that talks being held on this matter were back on track and were headed toward a mutual agreement. Moussa received and made intensive phone calls with several Arab and Lebanese parties of concern, noting that he sensed "real progress" towards forming Lebanon's cabinet and expecting to wrap up this debate within hours.

Bangladesh FM’s adviser says there should be limit to high food prices

By Siti Radziah Hamzah, NNN-Bernama, Kuala Limpur : Bangladesh feels there should be a limit to the extent of high food prices influenced by the surge in demand for biofuel, says Dr Ifthekar Ahmed Chowdhury, the adviser to the country's Foreign Minister. The general consensus was that biofuel contributed towards the food crisis as crops were being turned into ethanol and mixed with fuel, he added Sunday.

Seven killed in suicide blast at Indian embassy in Kabul

By DPA, Kabul/New Delhi : At least seven people were killed in a suicide attack Monday morning that targetted the Indian embassy in the Afghan capital, officials said. Five people died on the spot while two succumbed to their injuries in hospital after a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-packed car, according to the Afghan defence ministry. The attack took place near to the interior ministry, said Zemarai Bashary, interior ministry spokesman.

U.S. condemns car bomb attack near Indian embassy in Kabul

By Xinhua, Toyako, Japan : The United States on Monday condemned the suicide bomb attack near India's embassy in the Afghan capital Kabul, which killed at least 28 people. "We condemn this needless act of violence, and offer our sincere condolences to those injured and especially to those families who lost loved ones," said U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe. At least 28 people were killed and 141 others injured in the suicide attack near the Indian embassy in Kabul Monday morning, according to an Afghan Health Ministry spokesman.

Remembering the diplomat son lost to a terror strike

By IANS, Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh) : A day after the suicide bomb attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul, a pall of gloom enveloped the house of V. Venkateshwara Rao, an Indian diplomat who lost his life along with 43 others. "He told me over phone that he will come to celebrate his birthday on Aug 26 and take us to Delhi, where we will live together," Rao's father Vadapalli Appalacharyulu said as tears roll down his cheeks. "He also wanted to know what he should bring for me from Kabul," Appalacharyulu added.

Israel officially confirms signing of prisoners swap deal with Hezbollah

By KUNA, Gaza : Israel has officially confirmed the signing of a deal to exchange prisoners with Hezbollah, the Israeli radio reported on Monday. The radio quoted sources in the Cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as saying that Ofir Dekkel, the official in charge of the file of prisoners and missing soldiers, and the UN envoy Gerhard Conard signed the deal.

Israel to close crossings with Gaza Strip – source

By KUNA, Gaza : Israel announced Monday evening that it would be closing all crossings linking it with the Gaza Strip. Haaretz newspaper said on its website that an Israel military source has affirmed that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the closure of the three crossings providing Gaza with its needs of food and vital supplies. The decision was taken after mortar shells fell on the Karni crossing without causing any casualties.

Explosion in Gaza kills 2

By SPA, Gaza City, Gaza Strip : An explosion went off early Tuesday at a Hamas training camp in Gaza, killing two members of the group and wounding three, a Palestinian health official and Hamas said. The Israeli military said it was not involved, according to a report of the Associated Press. The blast came during a three-week-old truce between Gaza's Hamas rulers and Israel.

Terrorism cannot be fought only by using force: Gilani

By IANS, Kuala Lumpur : Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has spoken of "a new, multi-pronged strategy" to combat terrorism at home, making it clear that it could not be won only by using force. Stressing the need for a political dialogue with the pro-Taliban tribals and militants who have been battling the government for long, Gilani told the New Straits Times: "The fight against terrorism cannot be won merely through short-term military, legislative or administrative measures."

Iran urges UN to help free kidnapped diplomats

By NNN-FNA, Tehran : Iran is seeking the assistance of the United Nations to help secure the release of four Iranian diplomats kidnapped in Lebanon in 1982. Tehran believes the four - three diplomats and a journalist - are being kept in Israel, but the Zionist regime has so far denied holding the four.

Palestinian officials to Washington amid low expectations for peace

By Joe Macaron, KUNA, Washington : Palestinian negotiators arrive to Washington on Tuesday to hold talks with US officials in what could be a last bid to overcome the stalemate in a peace process that seems out of reach before the end of the year. "The meeting in Washington is to talk to the Americans about what can be achieved before President George W. Bush leaves office," said the Director of Middle East Democracy at Brookings Tamara Cofman Wittes in an interview with KUNA. "It is impossible and too complicated to get a final status agreement before next January," she added.

22 PKK rebels killed in operation in SE Turkey

By Xinhua, Ankara : A total of 22 rebels of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) were killed in the operations staged by the Turkish security forces in Sirnak province in southeastern Turkey in the past four days, a Turkish military statement said on Tuesday.  

Palestinian officials arrive in Washington amid low expectations for peace

By NNN-KUNA, Washington : Palestinian negotiators have arrived here to hold talks with US officials in what could be a last bid to overcome the stalemate in a peace process that seems out of reach before the end of the year. "The meeting in Washington is to talk to the Americans about what can be achieved before President George W. Bush leaves office," said Director of Middle East Democracy at Brookings, Tamara Cofman Wittes in an interview with KUNA. "It is impossible and too complicated to get a final status agreement before next January," she added.

Concerns over Darfur escalation after war crime charges

By Michael Logan, DPA, Nairobi/Khartoum : The official levelling of war crimes charges against Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir has been welcomed in many quarters, but fears remain that the decision could cause an escalation of violence in Darfur and more misery for millions of long-suffering displaced Darfuris.

Israel, Hezbollah swap prisoners

By DPA, Tel Aviv/Beirut : A long-anticipated exchange of prisoners between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah got underway Wednesday morning, with officials of the radical Shia organization handing over the bodies of two Israeli soldiers to Red Cross officials on the Lebanese side of the border with Israel. Two black vehicles brought the two black coffins, confirming long speculation about the fate of the two soldiers kidnapped two years ago by Hezbollah.

Bush, Maliki, agree on ‘time horizon’ for US troop cut

By AFP, Tucson, Arizona : US President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki have agreed to set a "time horizon" for US troop withdrawals as part of a long-term security pact, the White House said Friday. But any reduction in the US force presence "would be based on continued improving conditions on the ground and not an arbitrary date for withdrawal," spokeswoman Dana Perino said in a statement.

UN-AU Darfur mediator arrives in Khartoum

By NNN-KUNA, Khartoum : Joint mediator of the UN and African Union (AU) to Darfur Djibril Yipene Bassole arrived here Saturday for talks with Sudanese officials on the situations in the troubled province, and Khartoum's efforts to enforce peace and stability in the western province. Minister of state at the Sudanese foreign ministry Ali Karti told reporters Bassole's two-day visit, the first since assuming his mediator's post, was to get acquainted with the situation in general in Darfur.

Obama arrives in Baghdad

By IRNA, Baghdad : US Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama arrived in Baghdad on Monday, on the second stage of a major foreign tour. Obama, who is visiting as part of a Congressional delegation, will meet senior Iraqi officials and US military leaders. "Afghanistan had to be the central focus of the war on terror," Obama said during his visit to Afghanistan on Sunday.

UAE’s Air Arabia celebrates 10 million passenger mark

By NNN-WAM, Sharjah : Air Arabia has announced that it has flown more than 10 million passengers since its launch in October 2003. The carrier passed the mark at the end of June 2008. In the first half of 2008, Air Arabia carried more than 1.6 million passengers, an increase of 33 per cent compared to 1.2 million passengers in the corresponding period last year. Passenger average load factor -- passengers carried as a proportion of available seats -- for the first half of 2008 stood at 86 per cent, a 3 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

U.S. troops capture suspect linked to Iranian-backed Shiite militants

By Xinhua, Baghdad : U.S. soldiers captured a suspected propaganda specialist affiliated to Iranian-backed Shiite militiamen during a raid on his house in southeastern Baghdad on Monday, the U.S. military said. Based on intelligence reports, the troops raided the house of the suspect who believed to be affiliated with the Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq in the Baghdad al-Jadida neighborhood, or New Baghdad, a military statement said.

Coalition soldier, several militants killed in Afghanistan

By KUNA, KabulA soldier of the US-led coalition troops died of wounds he had suffered during a roadside bomb blast in Helmand province of Afghanistan. A statement from the coalition forces' Bagram base said the soldier died this (Monday) morning. His identity and nationality were not released. Earlier in the day, the NATO-ISAF had also announced the death of one of its soldiers in fighting in the southeastern province of Khost.

U.S. Secretary of State Rice starts visit to UAE

By Xinhua, Abu Dhabi : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday arrived in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), starting a two-day visit to the Gulf oil-exporting country, the official Emirates News Agency reported. Rice held talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crownprince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, over bilateral relations between the two countries and a series of regional issues.

Several militants killed in Afghanistan — coalition

By KUNA, Kabul : The US-led coalition troops announced Wednesday the killing of several militants during an operation in Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan in an operation conducted in Said Abad district, along the Kabul-Kandahar Highway. "Coalition forces searched several compounds in Said Abad targeting a Taliban commander suspected of conducting attacks on coalition forces, including the June 26 attack in Wardak resulting in the deaths of three coalition service members and an Afghan interpreter," said a coalition statement.

Hamas launches crackdown against Fatah following Gaza blasts

By Xinhua, Gaza : Hamas forces launched a crackdown on supporters and charities linked to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement in Gaza Strip early Saturday following a mysterious blast that killed a number of Hamas people. Among the detainees was a colonel working in the pro-Abbas intelligence service and a cameraman works for the German ARD television.

Musharraf to attend Beijing Olympics opening ceremony: spokesman

By IRNA, Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will be visiting China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on August 8, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. Briefing newsmen in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said the President will visit China at the invitation from the Chinese Government. The President will also hold meetings with the Chinese leadership including President Hu Jintao, the spokesman said.

Pakistan army again open fire on Indian side

By IRNA, Srinagar, India : Pakistani forces again opened firing on Indian troops in the Nariya post, in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, Wednesday. No casualty reported so far. Earlier, on Monday evening at least 12 Pakistani troops crossed into Indian territory and opened fire in the Lepa Valley of Nawgam sector in Kupwara district killing an Indian jawan. Indian forces returned the fire driving the intruders back. Four of the intruders were reportedly killed in the exchange of firing.

IAEA official due in Tehran Thursday – spokesman

By NNN-IRNA, Vienna : The United Nations nuclear watchdog's deputy director general, Olli Heinonen, is to visit Iran on Thursday, an IAEA spokesman said. Talking to IRNA Wednesday, the spokesman did not say how long Heinonen would stay in Iran. Heinonen is the International Atomic Energy Agency's deputy director-general for regional department of safeguards operation. He visited Iran in May.

Indians now number around 420,000 in Qatar

By IANS, Dubai : The population of expatriate Indians in Qatar stood at 419,096 as of July 31, more than double that of the local Qatari population, a minister said. The country's Minister of State for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani revealed the figure in the course of a meeting with India's Ambassador to Qatar George Joseph, the Gulf Times newspaper reported. The meeting was part of a series of farewell calls the ambassador is making prior to his departure from the Gulf nation.

UAE commits $10 million to nuclear fuel reserve proposal

By NNN-WAM, Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates has contributed $10 million towards a fuel bank proposal originally launched by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) in 2006.

Dhaka, Malaysia to sign money laundering pact

By IANS, Dhaka : Bangladesh is to seal a pact with Malaysia on sharing information over money laundering, a newspaper report here said. The Bangladesh Bank and Bank Negara Malaysia, the central banks of the two countries, will sign the agreement Monday, the the New Age newspaper reported. Bangladesh also wants similar agreements with several countries including India. The central bank is also trying to join the Egmont Group, an organisation of financial intelligence units, to share information on and combat money laundering and terror financing.

Malaysia top favorite ‘halal holiday’ destination

By IINA, Jeddah : Malaysia tops the world’s favorite destinations for Muslim travelers, according to a survey released on Tuesday. The United Arab Emirates and Turkey...

Eight security personnel killed in Peshawar blast

By IANS, Peshawar : Eight security personnel were killed when an abandoned car they sought to check exploded on the outskirts of Pakistan's Peshawar city Saturday. Residents of Badahber village had alerted the police to the car parked on a roadside with a man's body inside. As the police team approached it, the vehicle blew up, the authorities said. A media report identified the dead as five policemen and three Frontier Constabulary soldiers. At least six people were injured. Dawn News quoted a police official as saying that a remote-controlled bomb was planted in the car.

KABUL, Afghanistan, February 08, SPA -- Bitter cold, nowstorms and avalanches have killed at least 654 people in Afghanistan this winter, a government official said. Weather-related incidents have also left 84 people injured and killed at least 100,000 cattle, said Abdul Matin Edrak, head of the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Commission. Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries and is largely mountainous, with winter temperatures often plunging well below freezing, the Associated Press reported.
Send this to a friend