Blast wounds three Dutch Nato-soldier in Afghanistan
By ANTARA News/Reuters
Amsterdam : Three Dutch soldiers from NATO-led forces in Afghanistan were hospitalized on Sunday after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device near the town of Tarin Kowt, the Defence Ministry said.
One soldier lost both his legs in the explosion and his condition was critical, the ministry said in a statement posted on its Web site.
"It is sad to conclude that terrorists, who intend to block a peaceful and energetic Afghanistan, use this kind of cowardly method," said Dutch Finance Minister Eimert van Middelkoop.
Iraqi government vows to demilitarize Basra
By SPA
Baghdad : The Iraqi government vowed Monday to demilitarize Basra as relative calm was returning to the southern city, an interior ministry spokesman said, a day after Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr ordered his followers to stop fighting government troops, according to dpa.
"Security forces will carry out orders of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to take away all weapons in Basra by the April 8 deadline," interior ministry spokesman Brigadier-General Abdel-Karim Khalaf told the Voices of Iraq (VOI) news agency.
Gunmen kill Pakistani soldier in southwest
By IRNA
Islamabad : Unidentified gunmen on Tuesday attacked a vehicle of paramilitary forces in Pakistan southwest, killing one soldier and injuring three others, witnesses and hospital sources said.
Members of the Frontier Constabulary were traveling in their official jeep when came under fire at Saryab road in Quetta, the capital of southwestern province of Balochistan.
No group claimed responsibility of the attack.
Authorities blame such attacks on anti-government Baloch insurgents.
The injured soldiers were taken to the civil hospital.
Pakistan military appoints new intelligence chief
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Kayani has appointed new chief of the Military Intelligence(MI), the military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas confirmed on Thursday.
Abbas told Xinhua that Major General Mohammad Asif replaced Major General Nadeem Ejaz as the MI director general, and the new MI chief will take the post Friday.
Ejaz, appointed MI chief by then army chief Pervez Musharraf in 2006, has been posted as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Bahawalpur of Pakistan's Punjab province.
Chinese, Pakistani FMs agree to shore up all-around cooperation
By NNN-Xinhua
Beijing : Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi agreed with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi Wednesday to shore up all-around cooperation between the two nations.
In their telephone conversation, Yang first congratulated Qureshi, who was sworn in as Pakistan's foreign minister Monday.
China and Pakistan are traditionally good neighbors, and to further deepen their all-weather friendship and shore up all-around cooperation are the common wishes of both sides, the two ministers agreed in the conversation.
Israel removes 50 West Bank barriers easing Palestinian travel
By RIA Novosti
Tel Aviv : Israel has notified the U.S. and the Palestinian National Authority that it has removed 50 roadblocks to ease the movement for Palestinians in the West Bank, the Haaretz newspaper reported Thursday.
The removal of the barriers was part of a package of measures agreed Sunday at a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Israeli defense minister, Ehud Barak, and Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad.
US will cooperate in expanding relations with Pakistan
By APP
Washington : The United States has signaled its readiness to work with the new Pakistani government in carrying forward bilateral cooperation in a wide array of fields, including continuation of the democratic process in the country.
“ We are looking forward to being able to continue our cooperation and work with Pakistan on a variety of issues from the fight against extremism, to economic and political development, and continuing the democratic process there,” the State Department said.
Oman’s sultan meets U.S. Defense Secretary on co-op
By Xinhua
Abu Dubai : Oman's Sultan Qabus bin Said met visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in the Omani capital Muscat on Saturday, news reaching here said.
During the meeting, the pair reviewed "aspects of existing cooperation between the two friendly countries in various fields," the official Oman News Agency (ONA) said, giving no further details about the meeting.
Tehran, Washington may soon hold new talks on Iraqi security
By RIA Novosti
Tehran : Iran is studying a U.S. proposal to hold a fourth round of talks on Iraqi security in the near future, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
The new round was originally scheduled for mid-February, but has been postponed twice for "technical reasons."
"We have received an official request from the United States to hold a new round of talks on Iraq and we are studying this proposal," Mohammad Ali Hosseini told a news conference in Tehran.
Iran sends letter to UN over three Persian Gulf islands
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iran has sent a letter to the United Nations over its ownership of the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf region, a senior Foreign Ministry official said.
Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference Monday, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Mohammad-Ali Hosseini, announced the above while commenting on a recent claim of the United Arab Emirates officials over the three islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Mousa.
Israeli troops kill at least one Palestinian militant in Gaza
By RIA Novosti
Gaza : Israeli troops have killed at least one Palestinian militant in a military operation in northern Gaza, local medical officials said Tuesday.
The Israeli military reported however that two militants had been killed and that small arms and antitank grenade launchers had been found on them.
Israel Defense Forces said the operation was carried out to counter "standard terrorist threats - sniper and missile fire and attempts to break through the border by militant groups."
Lebanese speaker “stunned” by French FM remarks
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was "stunned" by the comment of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner who accused him of closing down the parliament and of "lacking freedom to move," Al-Akhbar daily reported on Wednesday.
Berri, a main leader of Lebanese opposition bloc, is carrying out Arab and international contacts to assure a new round of dialogue among Lebanese rival groups.
Police: 10,000 workers protest in Bangladesh
By SPA
Dhaka, Bangladesh : An official says about 10,000 textile workers have clashed with police near Bangladesh's Capital during protests demanding better wages to meet higher food prices, the Associated Press reported.
Dozens of people including at least 20 police officials have been injured in violence Saturday, police station Official Angur Akhter said by telephone.
The protesters are demanding better wages so that they can face higher food prices, she said.
Yemeni University announces AIDS remedy
By NNN-SABA
Sana'a : Chairman of the Iman University Abdul Majeed al-Zindani has announced his university readiness to treat HIV-affected people.
The announcement was made at a press conference on the sidelines of the first international health conference that coincided with the sixth medical forum held recently in Yemen.
Al-Zindani said that after twenty years of search he and a medical team could produce a medication that will help cure the HIV- affected people.
He added the medication was produced under the supervision of the University of Abdul Aziz Bin Saud.
Emirates launches service to Washington
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, has launched a daily non-stop service from Dubai to Washington's Dulles international airport.
Iranian trade unions to reopen markets Saturday
By IANS,
Tehran : Iranian trade unions Thursday agreed to reopen Tehran's grand bazaar a day after a series of protests led to closure of shops and business centres.
Syrian rebels demand $700,000 for hostages
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: Syrian abductors of two Russian citizens and an Italian national have demanded a ransom of over $700,000 for their release, the Kommersant daily said.
Israel completes border fence with Egypt
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Tel Aviv: Israel has completed the construction of a 230-km security fence along the Egyptian border, an official said.
Israel, US test new missile defence system
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Tel Aviv : Israel and the US have carried out the first successful test of the Arrow 3 missile defence interceptor, the Israeli defence ministry said.
Jordan denies giving military training to Syrians
By IANS,
Amman : Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour has rejected reports that military training is being provided to Syrians in Jordan, the state-run Jordan Television reported.
Afghan women getting jailed for ‘moral crimes’
By IANS,
Kabul : The Afghan government should take urgent steps to halt an alarming increase in women and girls imprisoned for “moral crimes,” Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.
26 killed, 80 injured in Iraq violence
By IANS,
Baghdad: As many as 26 people were killed and 80 injured due to bombings and clashes in different parts of Iraq Wednesday.
Turkey to lift Twitter ban
Ankara : Turkey’s president said Sunday the government would soon lift its ban on Twitter, which has sparked criticism at home and abroad.
“It is...
40 suicide jackets seized from Afghanistan border
Islamabad : At least 40 suicide jackets were seized by security forces at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, media report said Monday.
Official sources said the jackets...
‘Holistic approach being adopted for strengthening higher education sector in Pakistan’
By Aslam Chandio, TwoCircles.net,
Islamabad: Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman Higher Education Commission of Pakistan said that the confidence shown by the Government of Pakistan in HEC’s capacity to develop higher education will be honoured and a holistic approach is being adopted to further strengthen this sector in all regions of the country.
Muslims in Britain take part in flashmob style ‘Big Iftar’
London : The tradition of breaking fast among friends, neighbors and the needy has been part of the Islamic tradition for centuries. Here in the UK, the desire to share the spirit of Ramadan has given rise to a growing popularity of flashmob Iftars and public Iftars at places of worship, community centers and even parks. This year is no different, Al Arabiya News reported.
Syria’s President Assad sworn in for new seven-year term
Beirut : Bashar al-Assad has been sworn in for a third term as Syria's president in a ceremony in Damascus, after an election his...
Will Britain’s powerful Zionist lobby forgive Sayeeda Warsi?
By M Ghazali Khan,
The first ever female Muslim Minister in the history of Britain, Sayeeda Warsi, has displayed extraordinary courage by resigning as a Foreign Office Minister over David Cameron Government’s “morally indefensible” stand on Israeli barbarism in Gaza.
Ukraine allows Malaysian personnel deployment at MH17 crash site
Kuala Lumpur : The Ukraine parliament has ratified a bilateral agreement which allows up to 90 Malaysian non-military personnel to be deployed at the...
Israel slams militant Islamists in UN address
United Nations:Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday lashed out at militant Islamists in a speech at the UN, saying Palestinian militant group Hamas and...
250 held in Dubai for breaking the law
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: The Dubai municipality in cooperation with Dubai police has apprehended 250 street vendors, beggars and car-washers for violating the law.
Hollande recalls French ‘debt’ to Muslim soldiers
By IINA,
Paris : President Francois Hollande Tuesday said France “owed a debt” to Muslim soldiers who died in World War I and pledged a...
Indo-Pak prisoners’ list issued by Aaghaz-E-Dosti
By TCN News,
New Delhi: In view of building trust, Aaghaz-e-Dosti has released details of the Indian and Pakistani prisoners lodged in each other’s jail. This is probably the first time when any such detailed list will be made public. By this, we hope to facilitate transparency as well as to sensitize people on both sides about each other’s pain and towards the larger goal of peace and humanity.
Gaza’s sole power plant down after Israel attack
Gaza City : The only power plant supplying electricity to the Gaza Strip was knocked out of commission by Israeli shelling, deputy director of...
Palestinian official urges Israel to open commercial crossing with Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Palestinian official said Saturday that the flow of goods into Gaza will remain weak unless Israel opens a key commercial crossing point into the besieged territory.
"The promises to increase the amount and sorts of products that Israel sends to Gaza can not be met unless al-Muntar (Karni) crossing is opened," said independent lawmaker Jamal al-Khodary, who leads a campaign against the sanctions that Israel imposed on Gaza last year.
Save me, Musharraf urges Saudi Arabia
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Disappointed by his American friends, President Pervez Musharraf, who faces impeachment by the ruling coalition, has sent an "SOS message" to the Saudi authorities, a source said Monday.
"The message was sent through a senior Saudi diplomat based in Islamabad," the source told IANS, adding the president has received a response that is "not very positive".
The source said the Saudi authorities, however, are sending a senior government official to gain a first hand view of the situation arising out of the impeachment move.
Taliban own up air force bus bombing in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The Taliban insurgents in Pakistan claimed responsibility for the bomb blast targeting an air force bus that killed over a dozen of people in northwestern city of Peshawar Tuesday.
Maulvi Omer, spokesman for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistan Alban Movement, said the blast was the response to the military operation in northwestern region, the Geo TV reported.
The TTP spokesman also threatened to launch more attacks against the army if the military operation in the region was not stopped.
Up to six people killed in Baghdad car bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll from a car bomb explosion targeting Shiite pilgrims in northeastern Baghdad on Saturday rose to six, with ten others injured, an Interior Ministry source said.
"Our latest reports said that six people were killed and ten others wounded by the car bomb blast in the Shaab neighborhood," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Over 3 dozen militants killed in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : The U.S.-led Coalition forces and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have eliminated more than three dozens of militants over two days of fierce fighting in southern Afghanistan, said a Coalition statement released here on Friday.
Several groups of militants engaged ANSF and Coalition forces reconnaissance patrol with machine guns, RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenade) and small arms, the statement said.
20 killed in bomb blast in Pakistan hospital
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 20 people were killed Tuesday when a bomb exploded in a hospital in Pakistan's northwest city of Dera Ismail Khan, an official said.
The bomb exploded in the emergency ward of the hospital, said Mohsin Shah, the head of the local administration.
A crowd had gathered in the ward because of an earlier murder. The body of a state-run grocery store employee was brought to the hospital after he was shot dead by unknown gunmen in the city.
Among the injured were also four policemen who were investigating the murder.
Suicide bombing in Pakistani hospital kills 23
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 23 people, including two policemen, were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a hospital in Pakistan's restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP), officials said.
Pro-Taliban militants accepted responsibility for the attack in the town of Dera Ismail Khan, some 300 km south of the provincial capital Peshawar.
The blast occurred outside the emergency ward of the hospital where a crowd of mostly Shia Muslims had gathered to protest the assassination of their leader, Asif Shah, by unknown gunmen riding a motorbike earlier in the day.
Militants can’t challenge writ of the govt: Gilani
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday stressed the need to know the root causes of terrorism and said the parliament should form a strategy to deal with the issue.
Speaking in the National Assembly during debate on law and order situation, the Prime Minister said the house is sovereign and can debate for as many days as it wants and then comes up with a strategy to deal with the issue.
Iran to develop independent missile headquarters: commander
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran is planning to establish an independent headquarters of missiles, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported Wednesday, quoting a top military commander.
The agency quoted Brigadier General Mohammad-Ali Jafari, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as saying that forming of an independent commandership of missiles aimed at strengthening the structure of the missile section.
"We should not allow the basic spirit of success and victory to be diminished in Revolution Guards", Jafari said.
Pakistani neuroscientist Dr. Aafia to plead not guilty to murder charges in US court...
By APP,
New York : Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistani neuroscientist, would plead not guilty at her arraignment in a federal court Thursday on an indictment alleging attempted murder and assault of U.S. agents during a interrogation session in Afghanistan in July, her lawyer said Tuesday.
The indictment of Dr. Siddiqui, 36, who is being held without bail at a high security federal detention center in Brooklyn, was announced on Tuesday afternoon. It contains no charges of terrorism.
Qur’an translations in 107 languages on show
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Translations of the holy Quran in 107 living world languages are on display at the Qur'an translation section of the ongoing 16th Tehran International Qur'an Exhibition.
Announcing this, director of the section, Naqdi said that those interested can read the Qur'an in any language they like.
Stating that efforts are underway to promote translation of the holy book in various languages, he further said that in addition to the biography of translators, their photos and ways of life are also featured in the section.
Three civilians among 28 killed in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Al least 28 people, including three civilians, were killed as security forces pounded militants' hideouts in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region Wednesday, the Dawn News reported.
The security forces pounded militants' hideouts with jets in Bajaur tribal agency in North-West Frontier Province, killing 28 people, including three civilians, said the report.
Backed by gunship helicopters, the Pakistan Army and paramilitary Frontier Corps Tuesday launched a joint major and first-ever ground operation against militants in the tribal agency bordering Afghanistan.
Karzai supports new US strategy in war on terror
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Thursday he supported a new US strategy in the war against terror, which includes military operations inside Pakistan, and called for more international aid and training for his country's security forces.
"The new strategy is something that me and my colleagues in the Afghan government have talked about three and a half years ago," Karzai said at a press conference marking the seventh anniversary of the Sep 11, 2001, attacks for which the Al Qaeda terror network claimed responsibility.
100 militants killed in northwest Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At Least 100 Islamic militants have been killed in two separate clashes with security forces in northwest Pakistan, officials said.
Military troops, backed by gunship helicopters and artillery fire, targeted rebel positions Thursday in the Tangkhata area of Bajaur district in the country's lawless tribal region.
"Up to 90 insurgents, most of them foreign fighters, died," said a security official, requesting anonymity.
With two begums free, Dhaka in poll mode
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's military-backed interim government has mounted efforts to bring together the two battling begums - former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina who have been provisionally freed from detention - to prepare for the December parliamentary polls.
"We will bring the two leaders across the table to create an atmosphere of trust and a new mode in politics," Commerce and Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters after Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson, was Thursday released on bail after more than a year's imprisonment.
More than 250,000 Afghan refugees repatriated this year: UN
By Xinhua,
Kabul : More than a quarter million Afghan refugees, mostly from Pakistan, have returned to their country so far this year with the support of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), a statement of the body released here Tuesday said.
"Since January this year, UNHCR has assisted a total of 251,880 registered Afghans to repatriate from the neighbouring Pakistan and Iran," the statement said.
It noted that 248,951 refugees have returned from Pakistan and another 2,929, from Iran.
The UNHCR would provide a cash of $100 to each person returning to Afghanistan.
Malaysian government wants to ban Hindraf
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian government wants to ban the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) that has on many occasions caused unrest, says a top home ministry official.
As Hindraf was not a registered organisation, the ministry's legal unit would look into the technicalities of disbanding the group, home ministry secretary general Abdul Aziz Mohammed Yusof told The New Straits Times Tuesday.
Roadside bombing kills 3 U.S. soldiers in W Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A roadside bombing on Wednesday killed three soldiers with the U.S.-led Coalition forces and wounded another in western Afghanistan, said a Coalition statement received here on Thursday.
"The incident took place at about 8 p.m. local time (1530 GMT) when a Coalition vehicle struck an IED (improvised explosive device) killing three Coalition service members and wounding one in western Afghanistan," the statement said.
It added that Coalition personnel secured the scene, and the incident was under investigation.
Over 40 killed or missing in floods in Yemen
By NNN-KUNA,
Sanaa : Forty-one people were killed or missing in Yemeni governorate of Hadhramout as a result of floods caused by heavy rain fall which also damaged houses and infrastructure facilities in different parts of the country.
"Forty-one are the initial estimates of dead or missing people in Hadhramout, while there are five deaths in Al-Muhra governorate, and two killed by thunder in Muqbana area in Ta'ez governorate," state-run news agency (Saba) said.
US asks Syria to control its border
By NNN-KUNA,
Washington : The United States has called on Syria to control more its border days after US forces in Iraq launched a strike on a village inside the Syrian territories.
"We would like to see happen is for them to better screen individuals coming into Damascus Airport, for them to better patrol their borders," said State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Wood.
Syria has said four US helicopters attacked the al-Sukkariya farm in the al-Boukamal area in eastern Syria, killing eight civilians, and that US soldiers stormed a building there.
Karzai in touch with senior Taliban leaders: Afghan official
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Afghan President Hamid Karzai is in touch with the senior leadership of former ruling Taliban that went underground after the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops landed in the war torn country after 9/11, says a senior Afghan official.
"Yes, Hamid Karzai is in touch with them (Taliban) for some time and wants to establish long term peace in Afghanistan," the senior Afghan official visiting Pakistan told IANS, while requesting anonymity.
Water to be pumps in Mina in preparation for the 8th of Thu Al-Hijjah
By SPA,
Makkah : The General Directorate of water in the Makkah Region will begin pumping water through networks in Mina in preparation for the day of Tarwiyah (watering), the Eighth of Zil-Hijja.
On the Tarwiyah day the pilgrims spend in Mina day and night hours prior to moving to Arafat in the morning of the next day (Sunday).
This was announced by general supervisor of the General Directorate of water in the Makkah Al-Ahmad Baghdadi.
Turkey hosts trilateral summit meeting to help bringing Afghnistan,Pakistan closer
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Turkey on Friday hosted a trilateral summit meeting with Afghanistan and Pakistan in a bid to bring the two troubled neighboring countries closer.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul chaired the meeting with his counterparts, Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan, in the Turkish largest city of Istanbul, which was also attended by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to the semi-official Anatolia news agency.
Saudi Arabian Airlines to fly 500,000 pilgrims
By SPA,
Jeddah : Saudi Arabian Airlines will fly about 500,000 pilgrims back home, Khaled Al-Mulhim, Director General of the national carrier, has said.
Sami Badr, Director of the Hajj Terminal at Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz Airport, told the Jeddah-based Arabic newspaper "OKAZ" that there was coordination between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Hajj Ministry to bring pilgrims to the airport seven hours prior to the departure time of their flights.
He added that offices have been set up at Makkah entry points to organize the departure process.
Israel’s expulsion of human rights envoy is dangerous: UN
By DPA,
New York : Israel's decision to expel a US expert on human rights was a "dangerous" move that contravened mandates given to rights advocates working for the UN, president of the UN General Assembly said Monday.
Richard Falk was detained at Jerusalem's airport Sunday and then deported back to the US. Falk's mandate given by the 192-nation UN assembly is to assess the situation in Palestinian-occupied territories.
The Israeli foreign ministry Monday said Falk was "unwelcome in Israel".
Dhaka steps up vigilance along border with India as bombs, explosives seized
By NNN-APP,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Monday put all border outposts of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on high alert with neighbouring India as police retrieved a powerful bomb on a timer and two hand bombs in southwestern bordering district of Jessore on Monday.
Explosive experts were called in immediately to defuse them, police guarding the spot said.
Obama receives briefing on India-Pak troop build-up
By NNN-PTI,
Washington : US President-elect Barack Obama, who is keeping a close tab on India-Pakistan ties in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes, has received security briefings on the reported build up of troops on the Indo-Pak borders.
Obama, who is spending Christmas vacation in Hawaii, received the briefing on the latest situation in South Asia on Saturday from White House officials.
Pakistani media mourns Muhammad Najeeb
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani media Friday paid homage to Muhammad Najeeb, the IANS Islamabad correspondent who died Thursday after a heart attack. One report called him a "much-valued friend of the media community".
Najeeb, 41, was Thursday afternoon rushed to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) where, according to a report in The News Friday, "he allegedly expired for want of emergency treatment".
His wife and three sons - Saad, 12, Hassan, 10, and Sheheryar, 5 - survive Najeeb. He was the youngest of three brothers and three sisters.
Special envoy has no mandate to deal with Kashmir: US
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The United States has made it clear that its newly appointed special envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, has no mandate to deal with Kashmir and his sole job is to help bring stability to Afghanistan.
"His mandate is to go out and try to help bring stability to Afghanistan, working closely with Pakistan to try to deal with the situation in the FATA region," Pakistan tribal belt along their porous border that has become a terrorist safe haven, State Department acting spokesman Robert Wood said Tuesday.
Israeli troops killed Gaza children carrying white flag, witnesses
Gaza City, Feb 2, IRNA -- International organizations, citing videos and witnesses say Israel has committed crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza.
Human Rights Watch and other groups allege that Israel's tactics for achieving a military advantage in Gaza led to disproportionate death and suffering of a civilian population that was denied medical care, refuge and electricity, especially in the urban warfare in and around Gaza City.
"Gaza became a kind of free fire zone for the Israelis," said Fred Abrahams, senior emergencies researcher for Human Rights Watch.
Dhaka slams Islamabad for linking Bangladesh to Mumbai attacks
By IANS,
Dhaka : Dhaka has strongly condemned a Pakistani investigation agency's claim of a Bangladesh-based terror outfit's involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks.
"Militants and terrorists do not belong to any territory, country and nation. I am shocked at such a claim," The Daily Star Saturday quoted Home Minister Sahara Khatun as saying.
"We need your cooperation and suggestion. I can promise that I would try to root out terrorism, militancy and extortion even if I have to put my life on the line if you cooperate with us," the minister said at a college sports gathering.
U.S. soldier dies in Iraq
By Xinhua,
BAGHDAD : A U.S. soldier has died as a result of a non-combat related incident in Iraq, the U.S. military said on Monday.
A military statement said a soldier assigned to Multi National Division - Baghdad (MND-Baghdad) was killed on Sunday without saying how or where exactly the incident occurred.
MND-Baghdad is also known as Task Force Baghdad, whose major area of responsibility is the city of Baghdad.
The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, the statement said, adding that the incident is under investigation.
Pakistan rejects international concerns over Islamic laws
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan Thursday rejected international concerns over the introduction of an Islamic judicial system in parts of its North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) as "speculative".
"There are some reactions including in NATO. These are mostly speculative," Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at his weekly press briefing, when his attention was drawn to criticism from some Western nations.
Islamic courts will be set up in the Malakand division under an agreement between the NWFP government and the outlawed Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-e- Muhammadi group.
Turkey denies US request to establish sea base
ANKARA, Feb 20 (KUNA) -- Turkey Friday denied the US asked Ankara to establish a sea base after Kyrgyzstan announced closure of the US air base in the Central Asian Republic.
"We have not received any request in this regard up until now," Turkish army spokesman General Metin Gurak told a weekly press briefing. He, however, did not deny press reports that the US might ask for the sea base.
Gurak declined to comment if the US asked Turkey to establish a sea base near the Black Sea city of Trabzon to replace the Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan.
Khaleda-led opposition returns to Bangladesh parliament
By IANS,
Dhaka : The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Monday joined the ninth parliament, ending its row of 17 working days with the speaker over seating arrangements in the house.
The party led by two-term former prime minister Khaleda Zia said it was joining the house following an assurance after prolonged negotiations from Speaker Abdul Hamid of "respectable seating arrangements in the House", Star Online reported.
Control, arrest and punish terrorists, Gordon Brown tells Pakistan
By IANS,
London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for terrorists in Pakistan "to be brought under control, arrested and brought to trial".
Speaking after Tuesday's terrorist attack wounding six Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Brown also revealed that the "vast majority" of Al Qaeda militants are now in Pakistan, not Afghanistan.
Gaza crisis ‘political’ says former Irish president
By IRNA,
London : Former Irish president and UN High commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson has castigated Israel as well as the international community over the continuing siege of Gaza.
Large number of protesters’ tents erected in Bahrain’s Pearl Square
By IRNA,
Manama : An informed source here told IRNA Monday night in order to keep maintaining presence at Pearl Square Bahraini protesters have erected a large number of tents there.
Gaddafi’s youngest son joins protesters
By IRNA,
Tehran : The youngest son of the embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Saif al-Arab joined the Libya’s anti-government protesters on Thursday.
Extremist Jews attack Palestinian children in Jerusalem
By KUNA,
Gaza : A group of extremist Jews attacked a number of Palestinian children in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem Sunday night using sticks and gas against the youth.
China, Turkey, Korea keen to invest in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Chinese, Turkish and Korean businesses have shown keen interest in investing in Pakistan's "textile city" of Karachi, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.
UN chief condemns Pakistan school bus attack
By IANS,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday condemned the attack on a school bus in Pakistan in which four children and the driver were killed.
Pakistan wants to strengthen its energy sector
By IANS,
Islamabad : The government was committed to strengthening the energy sector for the overall economic development of Pakistan, a minister said.
Pakistan has permanently stopped NATO supply: Minister
By IANS,
Islambad : Pakistan has permanently stopped passage of NATO supply through the country following an airstrike that left 25 soldiers dead, said Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
Militants kill three in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad: Militants killed three people in Pakistan's northwest tribal region Wednesday, local media reported.
Will battle terror together: Zardari
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran have agreed to fight terrorism together, said President Asif Ali Zardari Friday, after a trilateral summit here.
British journalists held for spying in Libya
By IANS,
London : A Libyan militia has released a video of two British journalists held on suspicion of spying.
Pakistani parliament seeks UN inquiry into Bhutto’s assassination
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Parliament on Monday adopted a unanimous resolution, seeking inquiry into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto who was killed in firing and suicide attack on December 27th.
Benazir was assassinated in the city of Rawalpindi shortly after she addressed a big election rally.
The resolution was moved by the Law Minister Farook H Naek, which was passed unanimously by the lower house of the parliament.
Death toll rises to 40 in Iraq’s Diyala car bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll from a car bomb explosion in the city of Baquba, the capital of Diyala province on Tuesday, rose to 40 with some 70 others injured, a provincial police source said.
"The latest reports said that up to 40 people were killed and some 70 others injured by the Baquba car bombing," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Earlier, the source put the toll at 12 killed and more than 40 others wounded.
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.
No American official has access to Pakistan’s nuclear program: FM
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Foreign Minister told the Parliament on Friday that no American official has been placed to have access to the country's National Command Authority (NCA).
Local media has reported that the US State Department has sought the accreditation of an official to be posted at the American embassy here with the NCA, the body that controls Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
"Pakistan will not permit this," Qureshi told the National Assembly, lower house of the parliament.
GCC, US joint military exercise to held April 20
By NNN-KUNA,
Abu Dhabi : The (Hasm Al-Oqban 2008) joint GCC-US military exercise will be held Sunday with the participation of the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the USA while Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Jordan will act as observers.
According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the exercise would last for two weeks and is going to include workshops and meetings that would boost military cooperation between the US and the GCC states.
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.
Turkey planning missile defence network
By RIA Novosti,
Ankara : Turkey is planning to build its own long-range missile defence network by 2010.
The missile shield would include at least eight anti-missile batteries meant to protect strategic targets from theatre-range ballistic missiles.
The project includes an initial off-the-shelf procurement of four batteries in a tender that will be announced in the near future, ANKA news agency said.
Lebanese Army deployed in Mount Lebanon
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : The Lebanese army has been deployed to the area of Aitat and other towns in Aley, Mount Lebanon.
Security sources told KUNA that the army was deployed after the Mount Lebanon areas witnessed three hours of intense fighting which claimed Sunday the lives of six people.
Pro-government Druze leader Walid Jumblatt stated that the clashes would lead to more tension between the Druze and Shiite sects, adding that he had assigned head of the Democratic bloc Talal Arsulan to negotiate with the opposition's gunmen.
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.
Israel kills two Palestinians in Gaza
By SPA,
Gaza : The Israeli army killed a gunman and a Palestinian civilian on Wednesday in separate incidents in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, medical workers said.
The gunman was killed by an Israeli air strike during a ground raid near Khan Younis, in the southern part of the territory, the medical workers said. An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed the strike, according to a report of Reuters.
Fatah al-Islam threatens fighting against “humiliation” in Lebanon
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Fundamentalist Sunni group Fatah al-Islam, defined by Lebanese government as a terrorist group, has vowed to confront those "bowing the heads of the Sunni in Beirut" with "bloodshed," pan-Arab Al-Hayat daily reported Thursday.
In an indirect reference to Shiite Hezbollah group, Fatah al-Islam said in a statement what happened in Beirut, "the killing, burning and humiliation to our Sunni people is not justified or accepted."
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.
Tehran agrees with Solana’s visit on nuclear proposal
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Tehran Wednesday agreed "in principle" to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana's visit to deliver a promoted incentive package to Iran, reported the official IRNA news agency.
Foreign Minister Manouchrhr Mottaki was quoted as saying that Solana has sent us a message asking us to let him to travel to Iran to deliver the package and "we have agreed in principle with the visit."
The date "will be announced when it was fixed," said Mottaki.
Bahrain Elected to Human Rights Council
By SPA,
United Nations : The United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly on Wednesday elected 15 out of 26 member states from five regions vying through a secret ballot for a seat on its Human Rights Council, an international body that address human rights issues.
Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste were both defeated in the Asian category by Bahrain, Japan, South Korea, and Pakistan.
Britain and France defeated Spain for a European seat.
Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine beat the Czech Republic in the Eastern Europe category.
U.S. soldier killed in bomb attack north of Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : An American soldier was killed on Monday by a roadside bomb explosion in Salahudin province north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
The soldier died as a result of fatal wounds sustained from the blast in the province, the military said in a brief statement.
Two more soldiers were wounded by the blast and were evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment, the statement said.
The name of the deceased soldier is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, it added.
Moussa extols Arab efforts for Lebanon as successful
By KUNA,
Damascus : Visiting Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on Monday commended common Arab action on Lebanon as "successful" and having made a major achievement.
Moussa was speaking to reporters following a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem.
Fruitful Arab efforts for Lebanon would lead to more favorable points and activities on other Arab fronts, he said.
Moussa hailed the Syrian role in the settlement of the Lebanese standoff.
"No buts, the Syrian role was important and decisive," he said.
British defense secretary urges combined efforts along Pak-Afghan border to combat extremism
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : It will require determined efforts on both sides of the Afghanistan and Pakistan border to tackle the challenges to global security presented by violent extremism, the visiting British Defense Secretary Des Browne said here on Monday.
Browne made the remarks while holding a series of talks with Pakistan Defense Minister Chaudry Ahmad Muktar, the Chief of the Army Staff General Kayani, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Committee Major General Tariq Majid.
Gilani seeks more US aid for Pakistan
By IANS,
New York : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani has urged the US to increase economic and defence aid to help strengthen his country's newly elected democratic government.
Gillani told the Wall Street Journal that he made his case for further aid during a recent meeting in Egypt with President George W. Bush. However, he did not specify how much more in assistance he asked for.
Gillani said further aid was needed to help provide political and economic stability as the nation seeks to fight terrorism after getting a democratically elected government.
IAEA to discuss tougher report on Iran’s nuclear issue
By Xinhua,
Beijing : An upcoming meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to focus on a latest report on the Iranian nuclear issue, which struck a tougher tone than before.
The report, prepared by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, was submitted last week to the United Nations Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors, which will start a five-day meeting in Vienna Monday.
Iraq says agreement talks with U.S. still in early stage
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The Iraqi government said Sunday that its negotiations with the United States over their future relations are still in the early stage and the sovereignty will not be sacrificed.
The remarks came amid strong voice in Iraq against a planned agreement, which is expected to enable the U.S. a long-term military presence here.
The two sides intended to wrap up by the end of July the negotiations which commenced early this year.
Several Pakistani troops die on border
By IINA,
Islamabad : At least 18 people are reported to have been killed in clashes on the Pakistan-Afghan border. Ten of the dead were reported to be Pakistani troops killed by an apparent missile strike by US or Nato-led forces, launched from Afghanistan. Eight Taleban militants were also killed in the fighting, a Taleban spokesman said. None of the Pakistani, Afghan or US militaries, or Nato, have yet officially commented on the incident.
Israeli soldiers kill 2 militants in Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : At least two Palestinian gunmen were killed on Thursday when they tried to storm an Israeli army post in northern Gaza Strip, emergency officials said.
Fighters from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement and the National Resistance Brigades of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) attacked the post in Beit Lahiya town and exchanged fire with Israeli forces, the two groups said in a joint statement.
Militants, Afghan civilian killed in Coalition forces operation
By Zhang Yunlong, Xinhua,
Kabul : An anti-insurgents operation of the U.S.-led Coalition forces have left several militants killed and one female civilian dead in eastern Afghan province of Paktia, a Coalition statement issued here Friday said.
The Coalition forces while searching compounds in Zurmat district Thursday to target two militant leaders were engaged by armed militants, it said.
"The force responded with small-arms fire and air strikes, killing several militants and a woman who was located with the attacking militants in the building," it 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.
Pakistan, India Agree to Foster Peace
By Prensa Latina,
New Delhi : Pakistan and India agreed fostering a dialogue for peace between the two countries Friday, with the meeting between the Foreign Affairs Ministers of both nations, Mahmoud Qureshi and Pranab Mukherjee respectively.
Pakistani Foreign Affairs Ministry Qureshi arrived in New Delhi Friday for a three-day visit to improve bilateral relations, fostering the peace dialogue and discuss on bilateral cooperation.
Taliban frees two abducted Pakistani journalists
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Taliban insurgents Saturday freed two journalists from their captivity in a tribal region in northwestern Pakistan, News Network International news agency reported.
Pir Zubair Shah, a part-time employee of The New York Times and Akhtar Somroo, photographer for the newspaper, were abducted Friday by Taliban insurgents in Mohmand Agency.
The report quoted a Taliban spokesman as saying that the journalists had been freed after preliminary questioning.
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.
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.
Muslim D-8 Group urges quick resolution of Food Problem
By SPA,
Kuala Lumpur : The leaders of the Group of the eight Muslim developing countries (D-8) urged today the governments to work for solving the problem of food, and said failure to resolve this problem would have disastrous repercussions.
Addressing the summit's inaugural session, Malaysian Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi underscored the importance of regional and international cooperation for confronting the problems of oil and food.
The group is comprised of Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, and Turkey.
Obama, shifting focus from Iraq, eyes more troops for Afghanistan
By NNN-APP,
New York : Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said he would, if elected, send “at least two additional combat brigades” to fight in Afghanistan and pull out the bulk of US forces from Iraq by mid-2010
“Ending the war (in Iraq) is essential to meeting our broader strategic goals, starting in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the Taliban is resurgent, and al-Qaeda has a safe haven,” Obama wrote in a New York Times article on Monday.
Philippines likely to reopen embassy in Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Manila : The Philippines is likely to reopen its embassy in strife-torn Iraq within the year as the situation there continues to improve, an official from the country's Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.
The decision to reopen the embassy in Iraq would depend on security reports from the U.S. government intelligence, Philippine TV network GMA News Reported, citing Jesus Yabes, assistant Foreign Secretary for the Middle East and African affairs.
3,000 detained workers in UAE freed, set to resume work
By IANS,
Dubai : United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities Wednesday ordered the release of around 3,000 expatriate workers, a vast majority of them Indians, who were detained July 4 for their involvement in a violent strike.
"Following police investigations, the release of all the workers, except for eight, has been ordered today (Wednesday)," a diplomatic source told IANS.
"The workers are likely to resume work at their site in Ras Al Khaimah tomorrow," the source said.
The eight detained include seven Indians and one Bangladeshi.
Coalition operation eliminates several militants in C Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Several militants were killed Tuesday during a U.S.-led Coalition forces operation to disrupt militant activities in central Afghan province of Wardak, said a Coalition statement released here on Wednesday.
Coalition forces searched several compounds in Sayed Abad district 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, the statement said.
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.
PKK deny link to Turkey bombings
By DPA,
Ankara : A senior Kurdish separatist figure Monday denied that the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) had carried out a bomb attack in Istanbul Sunday night that killed 17 people and left more than 150 injured.
"This is a dark incident... This incident has no connection to the Kurdish freedom struggle. They cannot make a connection with the PKK," Zubeyir Aydar, a former Turkish parliamentarian who is now head of the political section of the PKK, told the PKK-inked Firat news agency.
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.
Abbas condemns Israeli offensive on Gaza Strip
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday lashed out at an Israeli military operation in Gaza City and termed it as "a massacre and mass execution."
"We can't remain silent before the crimes of killing our Palestinian people. Such crimes don't bring any peace," Abbas told reporters in Ramallah.
During an Israeli ground operation in eastern Gaza City, which started early Tuesday morning and lasted till noon, at least 16 people were killed and more than 45 others wounded.
Accelerating Yemen’s accession into GCC reflects good relations – DPM
By NNN-Saba
Sana'a : Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdul-Karim al-Arhabi has said that serious steps of Gulf countries to pace integration of Yemen totally in the Gulf bloc reflect close relations between Yemen and the Gulf countries.
He said Monday that a meeting for the Yemeni-Gulf committee would be held next Saturday in Riyadh co-chaired by him and GCC Secretary-General Abdul-Rahman al-Attyiah to discuss means of pacing integration of Yemen to the GCC and roadmap to reach this point.
Fresh Israeli airstrike kills two Palestinians
By Xinhua
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed and three wounded on Wednesday evening in a fresh Israeli airstrike on a car in central Gaza Strip, medics and eyewitnesses reported.
Witnesses said that an Israeli aircraft struck a car near al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, in which three militants were believed to be riding, killing two and wounding several others.
They also said that shortly after the first strike, the Israeli aircraft fired another missile at the same area, which also caused casualties.
Musharraf vows to defeat elements conspiring to destabilise Pakistan
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf blamed internal and external elements for conspiring to destabilise the country but said the nation has the resilience to defeat all such elements.
“We can surmount all difficulties, (but) we need to have confidence in ourselves and faith in our abilities and we have to defeat such elements,” President Musharraf said Thursday at PTV’s weekly interactive programme ‘Aiwan-e-Sadr sey’ on the “challenges confronting Pakistan and the way forward.”
Two Palestinian dies, three injured in Israeli air raid
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed on Friday while three others were injured when Israeli aircraft executed a raid on Jabaliah town in the north of Gaza Strip.
The Israeli planes fired a couple of missiles at a group of Palestinians who were walking on one of Jabaliah streets, killing two of the pedestrians and injuring three others, eyewitnesses said.
According to Palestinian medical sources, the victims were identified as Ismail and Mahmoud Al-Barsh, in their 20s. The injured were admitted to Al-Shifa'a Hospital for medical care.
Iran receives fifth consignment of nuclear fuel from Russia
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iran received the fifth shipment of nuclear fuel from Russia on Tuesday for it's first nuclear powerplant being built at the Gulf port city of Bushehr, state media reported.
The newly arrived consignment contained 11 tons of enriched uranium and the rest nuclear fuel will be received in three separate shipments in coming weeks, said the state television.
Major UN powers discuss sanctions against Iran
New York, Jan 25 (DPA) The five UN Security Council permanent members met for preliminary discussions of a draft resolution to impose further sanctions on Iran in the protracted dispute over its nuclear programme, diplomats said.
Envoys from the US, Russia, Britain, France and China met at the UN headquarters Thursday just two days after their foreign ministers and the German foreign minister met in Berlin to devise new pressure on Tehran to abandon its nuclear activities.
Red Cross says at least 4 killed in Beirut explosion
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Red Cross Committee announced that at least four people were killed and 20 others injured in a powerful explosion in a Christian neighborhood in Beirut on Friday, the official National News Agency reported.
The blast, which occurred at around 10 a.m. (0800 GMT), targeted a military vehicle in the Chevrolet neighborhood northeast of Beirut.
U.S. says deal with Iraq to provide foundation for troops to operate
By Xinhua
Washington : The United States said Friday that the planned agreement of future U.S. relations with Iraq will be able to provide a legal foundation for U.S. troops to operate in the country.
"The main goal here is simply to provide a legal foundation for our troops to be able to operate in Iraq once the current U.N. mandate expires," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.
Spokesman: U.S. has not changed policy toward Iran
By Xinhua
Washington : The United States has not changed its policy toward Iran although its envoy was found sitting together with the Iranian foreign minister at an international panel, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Wednesday.
Referring to reports that U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad sat beside Iranian Foreign Minister at a panel of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Saturday, McCormack said that Khalilzad's behavior was not authorized.
Egypt closes border with Gaza
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egypt closed the last breach of the border fence along the Egyptian-Gaza border on Sunday morning amid efforts exerted to mediate among parties concerned on the administration of Rafah crossing.
About 300 Egyptian military troops were deployed near Rafah crossing along the Egyptian border with Gaza to stop the flow of Palestinians into the Egyptian side, a security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
U.S. for quick polls, emergency lifting in Bangladesh
By Xinhua
Dhaka : The United States Monday said it would be better for Bangladesh to withdraw the state of emergency as soon as possible and hold an election participated by all.
The visiting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs of U.S. State Department Donald Camp said this Monday.
He also said civil rights must be protected and due legal process in trials, including the trials of the two former prime ministers, should be followed, leading newspaper The Daily Star reported Tuesday.
Israel to respond militarily to Dimona attack – FM
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli Foreign Ministry said Monday evening Israel would have to launch military operations against the Palestinians in response to the deadly attack that took place earlier today at a shopping center in the southern town of Dimona.
Amira Uron, the ministry spokesperson, condemned the attack as "regrettable terrorist act," according to reports reaching here from Israel.
"The terrorist attack, targeting Israeli civilians is nothing new to the terrorist leaders ruling Gaza Strip at present," she said.
Israeli incursion into Gaza leaves 2 Palestinians dead
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed and two others were injured Tuesday during an Israeli military incursion in Shaoka town near Rafah city, south Gaza Strip.
Medical sources said the two men, in their 20s, were members of the Izzidine Al-Qassam brigades, military wing of Hamas.
According to eyewitnesses here, Israeli soldiers, with tanks backup, executed an incursion at dawn, and the Israelis met some resistance.
Palestinian negotiator refuses statehood without Gaza, Jerusalem
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Monday the Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmoud Abbas won't accept a future statehood without the Hamas-run Gaza Strip or Jerusalem as its capital.
"The Palestinian statehood will not be created without the West Bank, Jerusalem as the capital, and the Gaza Strip," said Erekat.