Egypt destroys Gaza smuggling tunnels
By DPA,
El Arish (Egypt): Egyptian security forces have destroyed four tunnels leading across the border to the Gaza Strip, one of them large enough to smuggle cars, officials said Saturday.
Europeans see China as biggest threat to global stability
By ANTARA News/AFP,
London : Europeans see China as a bigger threat to global stability than the United States, Iran or North Korea, according to a poll published Tuesday.
The Harris survey for the Financial Times showed that an average of 35 percent of voters in Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Italy saw China as the biggest threat to global stability, compared to 29 percent who thought the same of the United States.
In Italy, 47 percent of voters named China as the biggest threat, up from 26 percent in a similar poll last year.
EU welcomes Pakistani steps on human rights
By IANS,
Brussels : The European Union has welcomed steps taken by Pakistan to improve its human rights record, including its ratification of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
Pakistan also signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Thursday, EuAsiaNews reported.
"The steps taken by Pakistan represent a positive development," noted a EU presidency statement Friday.
Rice “pleased” with progress in Iraq-Turkey relations
By KUNA,
Kuwait : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said here that she was "pleased" with the progress in relations between Iraq and Turkey.
The US official made the remarks following a meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on the sidelines of the Third Expanded Ministerial Conference of the Neighboring Countries of Iraq Tuesday.
"We just had a very good discussion on the cooperation the US, Turkey and Iraq are undertaking" on a number of issues related to Iraq's security and economy.
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.
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.
Lebanese talks progressing in Qatar
By IINA,
Doha : Lebanon's political leaders have agreed to form a committee to discuss the country's electoral law, as part of ongoing crisis talks in Qatar.The agreement on Saturday to form a six-member panel to look at the electoral law follows a deal brokered by the Arab League to end the worst internal fighting in Lebanon since the 1975-90 civil war. Fouad Siniora, Lebanon's prime minister, and Saad Al Hariri, leader of the majority in parliament, are among those from the government present at the talks.
Pakistan’s Senate to debate defence budget
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : For the first time in Pakistan's history its defence budget was presented in the upper house of parliament Tuesday. It is expected to be taken up for debate Wednesday.
"Tabling the defence budget in the Senate is the first step towards supremacy of the parliament," Leader of the House senator Raza Rabbani told IANS.
He said the government was expecting a thorough debate on the issue that has been brought before parliament for the first time.
Rabbani said the defence budget will also be discussed in the lower house of parliament.
Huge explosion near Indian embassy in Kabul
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A huge explosion near the Indian embassy and the interior ministry building in the Afghan capital Monday occurred causing a number of casualties.
A Xinhua reporter on the spot said the blast was so powerful that it could be heard and the smoke seen from several kilometres away from the scene.
Several ambulances were seen busy shifting bodies of victims while foreign troops and Afghan police cordoned off the area.
Hamas warns Israel against attacking Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement on Sunday warned Israel against carrying out any military action in the Gaza Strip in response to homemade rockets from Gaza at Israel.
"Israel would be playing with fire in case it carries out any military action against Gaza," said Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, adding "The occupation (Israel) should think carefully before carrying out such an action."
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.
Nasrallah: prisoners swap closes chapter of 2006 war
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said on Wednesday evening that the prisoner swap conducted earlier this day with Israel "closed chapter of the 2006 war."
Nasrallah delivered the speech via large screens to the tens of thousands of his supporters who had gathered for the celebrations for released prisoners in southern Beirut.
He expressed warm welcome to all the five returning Lebanese prisoners, terming the prisoners swap as a victory.
Hamas to keep prisoner swap case top secret
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced on Saturday that it has decided to keep the case of the prisoner swap with Israel top secret, prohibiting talking about the case in the mass media, Hamas official said.
The movement's spokesman in Gaza Ayman Taha told reporters that "this case (prisoner exchange) has been closed by Hamas movement and there is a decision not to speak about it in the mass media."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Diplomat: Iran staunch supporter of Palestine
By IRNA,
Beijing : Iran's Ambassador to China Javad Mansouri said Friday that Iran will remain supporter of Palestine under any condition.
"Palestine belongs to whole the world of Islam. Muslim nations defend the Palestinians' cause and the Islamic Republic of Iran too will remain supporter of Palestine under any condition," said Mansouri in an address to a group of people at Palestine Embassy in Beijing on the 60th anniversary of Palestine occupation.
Mansouri said Muslim nations should close ranks to foil plots of the world arrogance and Zionism.
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.
Hamas warns of carrying out escalatory actions to break the sieget
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Hamas movement threatened on Saturday to carry out new escalatory measures to break a blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip since the movement took control of Gaza last June.
"The threat to carry out measures to break the siege came after the Egyptian efforts to reach a truce with Israel had failed," said Hamas spokesman in Gaza Sami Abu Zuhri.
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.
Muslim scholars meet in Saudi for inter-faith dialogue
By DPA,
Mecca : Muslim religious scholars, intellectuals and media figures from around the world were to meet Wednesday in the Islamic holy city in Saudi Arabia to lay out the basis for dialogue with other faiths.
The three-day inter-faith conference will be opened by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who had announced in March for the first time plans for dialogue between Muslims, Christians and Jews.
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.
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.
Barak labels UN resolution 1701 as failure
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday criticized that the United Nations resolution 1701 that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war failed to stop the Hezbollah guerrilla group from arming itself with Syrian assistance.
"Security Resolution 1701 did not work, doesn't work, and is a failure," Barak was quoted by Israel Army Radio as saying during a Labor faction meeting.
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.
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.
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.
Obama says Israel construction plans ‘unhelpful’
By DPA,
Jakarta: US President Barack Obama Tuesday said newly published Israeli plans to build over 1,300 homes on Palestinian land would not help efforts to reach peace in the Middle East.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Palestinians call on Arab League to stop Israeli settlement activities
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mussa has received a memo signed by 16,000 Palestinians calling on the Arab League, the UN Secretary-General, and the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to stop the Israeli settlement activities.
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.
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.
Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan to strengthen anti-terrorism co-op
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Presidents of Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday stressed their determination to strengthen tripartite cooperation to fight against terrorism, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
At the joint press conference held by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari following the Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan tripartite summit in Istanbul on Friday, Gul said that the three parties confirmed that counter terrorism is the priority they have attached to.
Zardari does not deny Mumbai attacks directed from Pakistan
By ANTARA News/DPA,
Ankara : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday refused to deny reports that the attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai were carried out by people operating from Pakistan.
"Pakistan has always discouraged, and our position that we are the victims of terrorism. Pakistan is currently doing its own internal investigation and it is waiting for concrete proof," Zardari said.
Asked whether Pakistan would change its own approach to combatting terrorism in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, Zardari said his government`s focus would remain on fighting terrorists.
42 killed in Israeli army strike on Gaza school: officials
By DPA,
Gaza City : An Israeli strike on a UN-school in northern Gaza killed at least 42 Palestinian civilians in the deadliest single incident since Israel launched its offensive in the Strip 11 days ago, health officials said.
Gaza emergency services chief Mo'aweya Hassanein told reporters that dozens more were injured in the strike Tuesday afternoon on the al-Fakhoura school in the Jabaliya refugee camp, north of Gaza City.
UN Spokesman Chris Gunness said he was unable to immediately give details as was unable to reach his own staff in Gaza.
India should not talk of surgical strikes: Musharraf
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : India should not talk of "surgical strikes" on Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attack, as forces were ready to "retaliate to any aggression", former president Pervez Musharraf said Saturday.
"India should not talk rubbish like surgical strikes. Our forces are not sitting idle and have full capacity to retaliate to any level of aggression," the former military dictator told reporters before leaving for the US where he is scheduled to deliver lectures at various institutes.
‘Obama must fulfil promises regarding Iran’
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari has said that US President Barack Obama must fulfil the promises he made regarding Iran during his campaign if he is to revive ties between the two countries, Iran's IRNA news agency reported Wednesday.
He added that Iran will accept no preconditions for talks over its nuclear issue.
Safari was in Brussels for talks on energy related issues with European Union 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.
Palestinian killed near N Gaza border
By Xinhua,
GAZA : Palestinian medical workers said on Monday Israeli troops killed a Palestinian man in northern Gaza Strip.
The workers said they picked up the body of Khaled al-Kafarana, 22, from an area near the border between Israel and Beit Hanoun town in the north of the Strip.
Al-Kafarana was hit by a missile from an Israeli helicopter around midnight as he apparently was trying to infiltrate into the Israeli territories, they added.
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.
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.
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...
Myanmar reiterates commitment to peace in Rakhine state
Yangon: Myanmar President U Thein Sein has voiced his commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the country's western state of Rakhine and carrying...
Sporadic violence in Karachi after MQM chief’s arrest
Islamabad: Unidentified persons torched four vehicles in the Pakistani commercial hub of Karachi Tuesday following the arrest of MQM leader Altaf Hussain in London...
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...
US accountable for tensions in Pakistan, says Clinton
By IANS,
Washington : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has acknowledged that the US too had a share in creating the problem that plagues Pakistan today, a media report said Saturday.
In an appearance before a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee Thursday, Clinton explained how the militancy in Pakistan was linked to the US-backed proxy war against the Soviets in Afghanistan, Geo TV reported.
US ready to help Pakistan disrupt Taliban supply lines
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The US says it is working closely with the intelligence services of Pakistan and other countries to disrupt the weapons supply lines of Taliban extremists posing a threat to other nations as well.
"Yes, we know that the extremists are being supplied," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday at her first briefing for the foreign media through what was billed as a global press conference.
American with Al Qaeda sheds light on shadowy world
By IANS,
Washington : An American who converted to Islam and fought for the Al Qaeda before his arrest in Pakistan last year is now cooperating with authorities, opening a rare window into the shadowy world of the terror network, American media reports said Thursday.
Bryant Neal Vinas, a 26-year-old from Long Island, New York, is one of the few Americans known to have made the trek to Al Qaeda's secret Pakistani compounds, US and European anti-terrorism officials told the Los Angeles Times.
Apex court asks Gujarat to explain ban on Jaswant’s book
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Tuesday asked the Gujarat government to explain why it banned expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh's book "Jinnah - India, Partition and Independence" in the state.
A bench of Justice Altmas Kabir and Justice Cyriac Joseph issued a notice to the Gujarat government on a lawsuit of Singh, challenging the state's Aug 19 order banning the book in the state.
Pakistan top brass meet ahead of US NSA talks
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's top political and military leadership met Wednesday to discuss the internal security scenario and the progress in the war against terror ahead of talks with visiting US National Security Advisor James Jones and CIA director Leon Panetta.
Quoting sources in the presidency, Online news agency reported that the meeting discussed the agenda of talks with the US delegation "so that the government and military leadership are on the same level".
Israeli Navy seizes Gaza-bound aid ship
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : The Israeli Navy boarded and seized a ship bound for the Gaza Strip Saturday, a military spokeswoman said.
"The ship was boarded with the full compliance of the crew. There were no casualties," she said.
Israeli ships had been shadowing the 'Rachel Corrie' since early morning, after the vessel refused four requests to change course and head for the Israeli port of Ashdod instead of for the Gaza Strip, which is under an Israeli naval blockade.
Bangladesh Observer closed down
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Observer, one of the country's oldest English language daily newspapers, closed down Tuesday after a prolonged dispute between the owners and employees.
Founded in 1949 as Pakistan Observer, it was owned and run by Hamidul Haq Chowdhury, who was Pakistan's foreign minister at one time.
He gave the control of the newspaper to the Bangladesh government when it was renamed Bangladesh Observer in 1972. The ownership was restored to his family in 1984.
Pakistan braces for flood surge
By DPA,
Islamabad : Authorities in southern Pakistan were Thursday preparing for the arrival of flood waters that have left hundreds dead and large areas devastated on their way through the northwest and centre of the country.
"Up to 1 million cubic feet (28,300 cubic metres) per second of water will pass through Guddu Barrage at Indus River in Sindh Province sometime in the evening," said Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry, the head of Pakistan's meteorological department.
"However, there is no forecast of rains in the area at that time," he added.
Flood refugees attack relief vehicles in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Angry refugees ransacked aid vehicles carrying relief goods to flood victims in Pakistan, forcing officials to halt the operation, local media reported Saturday.
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and International Organisation for Migration officials told police their vehicles were looted near Jadeywala village, in Muzaffargarh district of Punjab province.
Dawn newspaper quoted aid coordinator Mohammad Kamran as saying that his organisation had suspended its relief operation after the attack.
Iran’s state TV station airs video of Hormuz ship incident
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iran's state television station on Thursday aired a video released by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) of an incident of confrontation between U.S. and Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz four days ago.
The footage, which lasted for about four minutes, showed an Iranian commander in a speedboat contacting a U.S. sailor via radio, asking him to identify the U.S. vessels.
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.
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.”
EU asks Israel to end ‘collective punishment’ of Gaza
By DPA
Brussels : European Union Commissioner for external relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner Monday called for an end to Israel's fuel blockade of Gaza, describing it as a case of "collective punishment."
"The recent decision to close all border crossings into Gaza as well as to stop the provision of fuel will exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and risks escalating an already difficult situation on the ground," she said in a statement.
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.
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.
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.
Iranian test shows need for missile defence system: Pentagon
By DPA
Washington : Iran's test-launch of a research rocket could aid the country in developing ballistic missile technology, the Pentagon has said, insisting on the urgency to deploy the proposed missile-defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Iran tested a rocket Monday saying it would lay the groundwork for eventually launching its own satellites. US officials are concerned the programme could boost a missile capability and a potential to carry nuclear weapons.
Pakistan says it has done most to counter Al Qaeda
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan said Wednesday that it has done more than any other country to counter the challenge of the Al Qaeda.
"We do not need to repeat that. Pakistan has given more sacrifices than any other country in this war," Foreign Ministry spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said in response to comments by US intelligence chief that Al Qaeda and the Taliban were present in Pakistan's tribal region.
Mike McConnell, US director of national intelligence, has said that the tribal areas of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan remain a sanctuary for Islamist terrorist activity.
Five American soldiers killed in Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Five U.S. soldiers were killed Friday in two separate bombings in Iraq, the U.S. military said on Saturday.
Four soldiers were killed when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while they were on a combat patrol in northwest of Baghdad, themilitary said.
Another soldier was killed and three others were wounded in an explosion near their vehicle as they carried out operations in Tamim province, the military said in another statement.
The wounded soldiers were sent to a coalition medical facility for treatment.
Arab, European FMs to discuss Middle East conflicts
By NNN-KUNA
Vienna : Foreign ministers of a number of Arab countries will discuss with European counterparts, in Malta Monday, cooperation and best means to address conflicts in the Middle East.
According to a press release issued by the Austrian Foreign Ministry, the Arab and European ministers, in addition to Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa, will be given a review by Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plasnik on outcomes of her recent tour in the Middle East.
Pakistani PM greets nation on ‘successful’ completion of elections
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro on Monday congratulated the Nation on the successful completion of 'free, fair and transparent' elections.
In a statement the Prime Minister said these were historic elections held under most challenging times and the people of Pakistan have proved to the world that they are a responsible Nation, determined to protect their sovereignty and solidarity.
UN says smugglers, ‘outside’ militants move to Gaza
By DPA
New York : UN officials said there is a "disconnect" between the Middle East peace process and realities on the ground, particularly in Gaza Strip, where smuggling continues and "outside militant groups" had moved into the territory.
UN special envoy for Middle East peace process Robert Serry and John Holmes, the UN undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, appeared before the UN Security Council Tuesday to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Russia urges Iran to fulfill new UN resolution
By Xinhua
Moscow : Russia urged Iran on Tuesday to comply with demands of the international nuclear energy watchdog and a new resolution of the United Nations Security Council.
"We expect the Iranian leadership to thoroughly analyze the statement of the six foreign ministers together with the contents of the adopted resolution, and will make a decision to comply with the demands of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the UN Security Council," the ministry said.
Explosion injures three, DPO narrowly escapes
By APP
Buner, Pakistan : Three sustained critical injuries while District Police Officer Abdul Ghafoor Afridi narrowly escaped when unknown militants detonated a roadside Improvised Explosive Device here at Buner Baba on Friday, police said.
The bomb went off minutes before vehicle of the DPO passed from the site of explosion. However, three persons travelling in another car sustained critical injuries and were rushed to hospital.
Palestinian killed by Israeli army fire near Gaza
By SPA
Gaza City, Gaza Strip : Palestinian medics say a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli army fire as he approached Gaza's border fence with Israel.
The Israeli military says the man was armed and hurled a grenade at forces close to the fence. The man was killed late Friday and the body was retrieved by Palestinian medics Saturday, according to a report of the Associated Press.
WHO declares Somalia polio-free
By IINA
Mogadishu : The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a major victory against polio in Somalia. Polio's eradication in the conflict-ridden country was as a result of the untiring efforts of some 10,000 volunteers and health workers across the Horn of Africa. “Against a backdrop of widespread conflict, large population movements and a dearth of functioning government infrastructure, transmission of poliovirus in the country has been successfully stopped,” according to a recent WHO statement.
Iranian envoy to attend BOAO Forum for Asia
By IRNA
Beijing : Iran's Deputy Economy Minister, Mohsen Talaie is to arrive in China on Thursday to attend BOAO Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2008, it was announced on Wednesday.
An informed source at Iranian embassy in Beijing told IRNA that Chinese President Hu Jintao will inaugurate the forum to be held on April 11-13 under the theme of "Green Asia".
Some 2,000 senior officials, experts and representatives from several world countries will be attending the three-day forum.
National Water Company Board holds First Meeting
By SPA
Riyadh : The Board of Directors of the National Water Company held here today its First meeting under the chairmanship of Minister of Water and Electricity Eng. Abdullah Al-Hussein.
Al-Hussein briefed the Board of Directors on offers pertaining to the privatization of the Water and Sewage sector as well as on the Company's organizational skeleton and statutes, its financial authorities, policies of human resources and the proposed motto of the Company.
Malaysian PM discusses hand-over, Bernama
By IRNA
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has signaled he would support a transition of power to his deputy, Bernama news agency said on Saturday.
Abdullah oversaw the ruling party's worst election results in 50 years.
The move comes after the government suffered its worst ever showing in last month's general election.
Since then Abdullah has been under intense pressure from within his own party to step aside.
While his UMNO party won the election, the surge in opposition support left him vulnerable.
Death toll of Iranian mosque blast rises to 11
By Xinhua
Tehran : The death toll of a blast which occurred in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz on Saturday night has risen to 11, the official IRNA news agency reported Sunday.
The bomb blast at the Shohada Hosseiniyeh mosque when a prominent local cleric was delivering a speech, and right now more than 191 people were injured, said the report.
Iranian media previously said 8 people were killed and more than 66 were wounded, but adding the number of the casualties could increase because some wounded were in critical condition.
Kosovo will not declare independence before March 10 – paper
BELGRADE, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Kosovo will not declare unilateral independence before March 10, a Pristina-based newspaper said, citing sources in the Kosovo delegation negotiating the province's status.
The Express daily referred in particular to an agreement between Spain and other European Union states that Kosovo authorities would not proclaim independence until after parliamentary elections in Spain, due on March 9.
UAE, France sign landmark nuclear cooperation agreement
By NNN-WAM
Abu Dhabi : UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Nicholas Sarkozy have witnessed here the signing of a landmark bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement between the UAE and France.
The agreement, which was signed by UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner, provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries in the evaluation and potential use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Pakistan tests nuclear capable ballistic missile
By DPA
Islamabad : The Pakistan Army's Strategic Missile Group Friday conducted a successful launch of a medium-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile, marking the conclusion of its annual field training exercises, the military said in a statement.
With a range of 700 km, Shaheen-1 (Hatf-IV) is an operational weapon system held by the army's Strategic Force Command. The missile is capable of shooting both conventional and nuclear weapons with pinpoint accuracy.
Arab FMs gather to discuss Lebanese, Gaza crises
By Xinhua
Cairo : An emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers started here Sunday afternoon at the headquarters of the Cairo-based Arab League (AL) on the Lebanese political stalemate and the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip.
The Arab foreign ministers are expected to review Arab steps, particularly a three-point Arab plan, endorsed to help resolve the current crisis over the Lebanese presidential elections.
Iraqi cameraman killed in bomb attack in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A roadside bomb detonated near the vehicle of an Iraqi television crew in Salahudin province in north of Baghdad, their television reported on Wednesday.
Alaa Abdul Kareem al-Fartousi, a cameraman for the al-Furat television, was killed by the blast near the town of Balad on Tuesday, while his deputy cameraman and a female journalist were seriously wounded, the television said.
GCC support economic, political reforms in Yemen – Al-Attiya
By NNN-KUNA
Sanaa : GCC member states are determined to support efforts by the Yemeni government to implement a road map to join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and follow reform guidelines called for by the conference of donor states, GCC Secretary-General Abdel-Rahman Al-Attiya said Friday.
Speaking to reporters on his arrival to Sanaa, he said the reforms called for are part of a batch of national measures included in the 2006-2010 five-year development plan.
Rice may visit Israel, Palestinian areas next month
By Xinhua
Washington : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said here on Wednesday that she may visit Israel and the Palestinian territories in early March to help the two sides narrow their differences in peace talks.
Rice told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbaswere trying to continue peace talks "without much public glare" and the United States was doing everything it could to help.
Iran summons Danish ambassador over Mohammed cartoon
By DPA
Tehran : The Iranian foreign ministry Thursday summoned the Danish ambassador over the re-publication of a controversial cartoon depicting Prophet Mohammed wearing a bomb as a turban.
Condemning the move, the foreign ministry in Tehran called on the Danish government to confront "such renewed insults" which it termed contrary to both humanitarian and democratic norms, Fars news agency reported.
Israel boosts protection for its ministers
By KUNA
Gaza : The Israeli security body, Shin Bet, decided to boost security measures to protect cabinet officials, especially while abroad, Radio Israel reported.
The radio said the decision came after the assassination of Hezbullah leader Imad Mughnieh a few days ago.
Virtue of the decision, official security staff are to accompany ministers in their travels, both for official work and otherwise, and "This is in fear of assassination attempts," the radio said.
Turk Army Bombs Iraqi Kurdistan
By Prensa Latina
Baghdad : The Turkish army bombed Thursday alleged positions of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) in the northern Iraqi mountainous zone, security force sources reported.
Turkey has deployed thousands of soldiers along the border with this Arab country, where the PKK has bases and refuges.
The troops sent by Ankara have attacked those targets through small-scale operations in the country's interior zone, and also with air actions.
Journalist Bazlur Rahman dead
By IANS
Dhaka : Bazlur Rahman, former editor of the daily Sangbad and a freedom fighter, has died following a massive heart attack.
He was 67.
Rahman's wife Matia Chowdhury is a former minister and Awami League presidium member.
Rahman started his career as a reporter with the Sangbad in 1961. He also had a brief stint with the daily Ittefaq, The Daily Star newspaper said Wednesday.
He was once actively involved in politics as a member of the Communist Party of Bangladesh and of the National Awami Party (Mozaffar).
ADB to get feedback on safeguard policy update
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Representatives from Government, civil society, academy, development agencies and the private sector are taking part in consultations in Hanoi, Vietnam this week to give feedback on a proposed update of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) environmental and social safeguard policies.
Hamdan, al Beshir confer on latest Arab, world issues
By WAM
Abu Dhabi : Deputy Prime Minister HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Sunday night visiting Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bestir.
Sheikh Hamdan and Sudanese head of state explored ways of enhancing bilateral ties and exchanged views on wide-range current issues at Arab, regional and international levels.
Sheikh Hamdan hoped al Beshir's visit would contribute to further bolstering UAE-Sudan cooperation in sectors of economy, trade and investment.
Three explosions in Pakistani city, over 20 dead, scores wounded
By KUNA
Islamabad : More than 20 people were killed and scores wounded in three explosions that rocked an east Pakistani city Tuesday morning, a week after two suicide blasts in the city killed over 11 and wounded dozens others, said police and eyewitnesses.
The first explosion took place inside the six-storey Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) building on the busiest Temple Road in Lahore, and the second occurred near a school and Bilawal House of slain Benazir Bhutto in Model Town area, police sources told KUNA.
Mubarak set for talks at Kremlin on nuclear and arms trade
By DPA
Moscow : Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak is expected strike a deal with Moscow during his visit on nuclear cooperation, the terms of which will depend on Russia's ambition to sell arms to Cairo, Russian newspapers said Tuesday.
In opening a two-day visit at the Kremlin, Mubarak expressed hope that "relations which have lasted over 50 years will further develop successfully."
The Egyptian leader, who trained as a pilot in the former Soviet Union, remembered: "I have been in this country many times, I know it well."
Sarkozy pledges troops to Afghanistan
By SPA
London : French President Nicolas Sarkozy pledged Wednesday to send more troops to Afghanistan, as he traveled to Britain for a two-day state visit aimed at creating a new era of trust between the neighboring nations.
Sarkozy said in an interview in advance of his arrival that France and Britain must trust each other more and work together on immigration, defense and the economy.
New Pakistani PM says government will reinstate judges
By SPA
Islamabad, Pakistan : Pakistan will fight terrorism as its top priority but will also negotiate with groups willing to lay down their arms, the country's new prime minister said Saturday.
Yousaf Raza Gilani said in his first policy speech that the government also will seek to reinstate judges sacked last year.
We are confronting many challenges, but we are not afraid of these challenges, and we will face them, Gilani told lawmakers.
Parliament elected Gilani on Monday, six weeks after opposition parties triumphed in elections that have restored democracy.
Hezbollah may strike Israel via third party — Haaretz
By KUNA
Gaza : Hezbollah may try to carry out an attack in northern Israel with the help of another paramilitary organization, which can provide it with deniability, intelligence officers told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense committee on Tuesday.
Iran manufactures radar-evading vessels, UUVs
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Experts of Iran's defence industries have successfully manufactured radar-evading vessels and unmanned undersea vehicles, Minister of Defence Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said.
The minister said Tuesday that the strategic products were designed and produced in the current Iranian year designated by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the "Year of Innovation and Progress".
The minister said that mass production of UUVs and the radar-evading vessels would remarkably promote combat power of the Iranian Navy.
Syria-Lebanese summit talks very fruitful, successful – FMs
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem has said that talks between President Bashar al-Assad and President Michel Suleiman of Lebanon have laid the ground for excellent relations between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters in a joint news conference with his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh, Moallem said that "the Lebanese brothers will be informed of any developments on the Syrian-Israeli indirect talks."
He said that "demarcating Sheba'a farms cannot be made under the Israeli occupation ... this occupation should be ended."
U.S. helicopter hard landing kills 7 in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A U.S. transport helicopter went down Thursday in southern Iraq, killing seven people on board, the U.S. military said.
The military said the seven died when a CH-47 Chinook experienced a hard landing at approximately 12:01 a.m.(2101 GMT Wednesday) about 100 km west of Basra.
The helicopter was on a transport mission from Kuwait to the Balad base in northern Iraq.
It said the incident was under investigation.
In November 2003, a CH-47 helicopter was shot down some 60 km west of Baghdad, killing 15 soldiers and leaving 21 injured.
Afghan ambassador-designate kidnapped in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Afghan ambassador-designate to Pakistan Abdul Khaliq Farahi was kidnapped in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar Monday.
The vehicle carrying Farahi was attacked by unidentified gunmen in the Hayatabad area of the capital city of North-West Frontier Province, News Network International (NNI) news agency said, adding that his driver was killed in the attack.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
Over 3,400 Indians use Kuwait amnesty scheme
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : With just a week left for the expiry of an amnesty scheme in Kuwait for illegal expatriates to regularize their status, over 3,400 Indians have put in their applications.
"Over 3,400 Indians have applied for emergency outpasses till now," Dinesh Bhatia, charge d'affaires in the Indian embassy in Kuwait, told IANS over telephone Wednesday.
"We are processing the same and will get to arrive at the final figure in consultation with Kuwaiti authorities after the scheme gets over," he added.
Pakistan summons US envoy over airstrikes
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan summoned US Ambassador Anne Patterson Wednesday to lodge a protest over recent missile strikes by US drones in the country's tribal region along the border with Afghanistan.
"It was underscored to the ambassador that the government of Pakistan strongly condemns the missile attacks which resulted in the loss of precious lives and property," a statement from the country's foreign ministry said.
"It was emphasised that such attacks were a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and should be stopped immediately," it added.
Explosion in Gaza kills policeman, injures three others
By KUNA,
Gaza : A Palestinian policeman was killed while three others were injured last night due to an explosion near a police headquarters in the Gaza Strip, a local radio reported on Friday.
The radio station in Gaza said the policeman and his mates at the bombs squad were trying to dismantle an explosive device at the headquarters.
The dismantling was a failure and the bomb detonated ending Alaa Al-Ajala's life.
Malaysian Indian wins award for educating poor kids
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Indian Dhanveer Singh has won the Most Outstanding Youth of the Year award for his work to educate poor children in Southeast Asian nations' He says being with children inspires him.
Singh's non-profit organisation SOLS247 is working among the disadvantaged youth in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Timor Leste, who are not in the league of the region's "tiger economies".
He was conferred the award at the Fourth Asian Youth Ambassadors (AYA) Dream Malaysia Awards ceremony here Sunday.
Pakistan to release 101 Indian prisoners Wednesday
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : One hundred and one Indian prisoners being released by Pakistan will cross the Wagah border Wednesday when Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be in New Delhi to discuss confidence building measures with his counterpart Pranab Mukherjee.
Pakistan Sunday announced that that 99 Indian fishermen arrested for illegally entering into Pakistan's territory and two other prisoners who have completed their jail terms will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border on Wednesday.
At least four dead in Kabul explosion
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : At least four people were killed and over 10 injured when an explosive device went off near the U.S. embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, a source in the country's interior ministry said on Thursday.
The official dismissed media reports that the explosion had occurred just outside the U.S. embassy, saying that the bomb had been detonated outside a state-run printing firm at least 200 meters away from the entrance to the U.S. compound.
"A terrorist attacked a NATO convoy," the source said, adding that the blast had occurred during rush hour.
China calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
By Xinhua,
Beijing : Israel and Hamas should cease fire immediately and mitigate the humanitarian crisis, Sun Bigan, China's special envoy to the Middle East Region, told the press Thursday afternoon.
Voicing deep concern over the ongoing turbulence in the region, Sun said immediate ceasefire is urgent. Israel should stop military operations in Gaza immediately and Hamas should stop firing rockets at Israel.
UN official outlines Gaza situation
By IRNA,
Tehran : A top UN official in Gaza said on Monday that so many families have been destroyed in so many ways.
Gaza Director of Operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) John Ging reported from ground zero, noting that at his last briefing on Friday he had hoped they would not have a further death toll.
Pakistan willing to amend anti-terror laws: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan is willing to amend its laws to enable it prosecute its nationals responsible for terror acts outside the country and is also prepared to share intelligence with India to prevent the recurrence of Mumbai-style attacks, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.
Since the present statute doesn't apply to people who have committed offences outside Pakistan, "if somebody is out of country and is guilty, then certainly we have to look in to our own laws as well", Gilani told the Financial Times in an interview published Saturday.
Former Iranian president hopes Obama to be fair, rational
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran expects new US President Barack Obama to adopt a fair and rational approach toward the Islamic state, former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani said here at a Friday prayer ceremony.
"Repeating the policies by [former US president George W.] Bush would not solve anything, but the new administration should adopt a fair and rational approach towards Iran," said Rafsanjani, who still plays an influential role in Iran's political scene as head of the Experts Assembly, the country's highest clerical body.
Iran ready for talks with US: Ahmadinejad
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that Iran is ready to talk in "fair atmosphere" with the US.
Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a speech marking the 30th anniversary of the victory of Iran's Islamic Revolution.
Yusuf Estes explains Islam’s beauty
By IINA,
Jeddah : Prominent American Islamic scholar and a preacher from Texas Yusuf Estes said that the strident smear campaign against Islam and Muslims following September 11 terror attacks in the United States encouraged many American men and women to study and embrace Islam. “They are doing the job for us,” Estes, himself a convert, said while delivering a lecture on “The Beauty of Islam” at the Saudi German Hospital Auditorium here on Friday night. However, he reminded Muslims of their big responsibility in spreading the message of Islam among others.
Captured UK sailors were not in Iraqi waters, documents confirm
By IRNA,
London : Fifteen British sailors and marines captured by Iran last year were not in Iraq's maritime territory as the UK government claimed, official documents released under the Freedom of Information Act confirm.
The sailors were apprehended in March 2007 because the US-led coalition designated a sea boundary for Iran's territorial waters without telling the Iranians where it was, according to internal Ministry of Defence (MoD) briefing papers.
UN approves Iran’s proposal on combat trafficking antiquities
By NNN-IRNA,
Vienna : Iran's proposal on combat against trafficking antiquities was approved by the 17th session of UN Crimes Commission.
Iran's proposed resolution, passed during the last session of the commission, underlined the need for preserving antique objects as parts of the common human heritage.
It also said that serious measures should be taken to stop the organized groups trafficking the antiquities.
The five-day session, inaugurated in the Austrian capital city on Monday, concluded its work Friday evening.