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.
Terrorist safe havens in Pakistan most worrisome: US
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The havens carved out by the Taliban and other insurgents in Pakistan have become the "most worrisome" part of the US-led war in Afghanistan, says US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
Washington had a similar perch in Pakistan when US and Pakistani officials supported Afghanistan's mujahideen rebels against the Soviet Union in the 1980s - "and let me tell you, it made a big difference", he said Sunday.
"I think as long as they have a safe haven to operate there, it's going to be a problem for us in Afghanistan," he told NBC's "Meet the Press".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
India, Pakistan agree on visa liberalization
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan and India have agreed on the need for visa liberalization and decided to discuss ways to cooperate in curbing cross border crime, according to Online news agency.
A joint statement, issued at end of the home secretary level talks, said the Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of India will meet soon to discuss cooperation in addressing issues like human trafficking, illegal immigration, and counterfeit currency.
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.
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.
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.
18 killed, 44 injured in Iraq attacks
By IANS,
Baghdad: At least 18 people were killed and 44 wounded in separate attacks, including a suicide truck bombing, in central and northern Iraq Tuesday, police said.
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...
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...
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.
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.
Death toll from cold, snow mounts to 926 in Afghanistan
KABUL, Feb 16 (KUNA) -- The number of Afghans killed by the chilly weather continued in the snow-covered Afghanistan has reached almost 1,000 since the beginning of the winter this year.
About a fortnight back, the Health Ministry had said that some 600 people and thousands of cattle have expired while hundreds more people living in remote areas of Afghanistan have been cut off from the big cities due to the excessive snowfall in the impoverished country.
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.
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.
Spain mulls sending more troops to Afghanistan
By EFE,
Madrid : Spain is considering whether post-electoral security conditions in Afghanistan require an increase in the contingent that Madrid has deployed to the war-ravaged nation, Defence Minister Carme Chacon has said.
Spain is waiting to find out if there will be a second round of voting to decide whether to extend the presence of the so-called electoral battalion for another month.
More than 1,300 Spanish troops are serving with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, including 450 sent to bolster security for the Aug 20 general elections.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Iran warns Europe not to cross “red lines” in nuclear offer
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran on Saturday warned European countries not to cross its "red lines" in a new offer of incentives to coax Tehran to roll back its nuclear program, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The European countries are well aware of Iran's red lines, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said during a joint press conference with his Yemeni counterpart Abu Bakr al-Qurbi.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Two Iranians shot dead by Azerbaijani border guards
By RIA Novosti,
Baku : Azerbaijani border guards shot dead early on Tuesday two Iranians who illegally entered the country with the aim of smuggling alcohol back into Iran, Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry said.
The ministry's press service said three Azerbaijani accomplices met the Iranians near the border to hand over the goods. On being apprehended by border guards, the Iranians opened fire, and were killed in the return fire.
The three Azerbaijanis escaped, but were later detained in a search operation, the statement said. An investigation into the incident is underway.
Isreali warplanes voilate Lebanese airspace
By KUNA,
Beirut : Several Israeli warplanes have violated Lebanese airspace and flew over several Lebanese territories, Lebanese security sources said.
Sources told KUNA Wednesday Israeli fighter jets flew over Tyre and the town of Rashaya, as well as the Western Bekaa region at low altitudes.
The sources added warplanes violate Lebanese airspace almost daily in stark violation of Lebanese sovereignty and UN resolution 1701.
Halt in Gaza aid unacceptable – Russia FM
By NNN-KUNA,
Moscow : The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized on Friday the suspension of food supplies to Palestinian refugees, saying it may lead to famine and more tension.
"The termination of supplies threatens spread of hunger and a sharp rise in internal tension. Moscow believes that such actions, which may be regarded as collective punishment of the civilian population, must be avoided," Boris Malakhov, deputy spokesman for the ministry, told the press.
Arab League chief arrives in Syria for talks with president
By KUNA,
Damascus : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa arrived in the Syrian capital on Monday for forecast talks with top officials on regional affairs, it was officially reported.
Moussa, who arrived from Lebanon where he attended a ceremony of electing Michel Suleiman as president after months of vacancy in the top post as a result of political crises, was expected to hold talks with President Bashar Al-Assad.
Iran hiding information about nuclear activities: US
By DPA,
Washington : A new UN report shows that Iran "willfully" withheld information about its effort to develop technology that could lead to the building to nuclear weapons, the US said Tuesday.
"The Iranians have been wilfully non-cooperative. And you can read that in the report," US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. "It's disturbing."
The UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a report Monday saying Iran has failed to adequately answer questions based on intelligence that shows the Islamic state may have sought nuclear arms.
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.
Suicide blast kills 4 civilians in W Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A suicide attacker exploded his explosive-laden vehicle Monday afternoon as a foreign troops' convoy was passing by in Shindand district of western Afghan province Herat, killing four civilians and wounding 12 others, a police official said.
The official, a spokesman for police department in western zone of Afghanistan who identified himself by Ahmadi, told Xinhua that the blast occurred at some 5 p.m. local time and was against the local-based foreign troops, but causing no casualties to the passing-by military convoy.
Israel arrests seven Palestinian in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli army arrested seven Palestinians in West Bank cities early on Thursday, Palestinian security sources said.
The detentions took place in Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin and Jericho, the sources added.
At dawn, the Israeli army stormed Nablus and arrested three residents during raids and searching operations in houses, said the sources.
Israeli sources said the detainees were taken for interrogation because they were wanted by the security services.
US soldier killed, four others injured in Baghdad
By ANTARA News,
Baghdad : A US soldier was killed and four others were injured Tuesday when a bomb struck their patrol in west Baghdad, a US military spokesman said.
The soldier died of his wounds after several surgical operations, Abdel-Latif Rayan, a spokesman for the US military told the Voices of Iraq news agency.
He was the second US soldier to die in Iraq in July.
Earlier, the US military said four security contractors were killed and eight injured by a roadside bomb in northern Iraq.
Arab League seeks compromises in Sudan-ICC crisis
By DPA,
Cairo : In an effort to avoid possible prosecution of the Sudanese president on genocide charges, an Arab League committee formed during an emergency meeting Saturday is trying to draw up a conciliatory statement to solve the crisis between Sudan and the International Criminal Court (ICC), diplomatic sources said.
The cirsis erupted when ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo asked the court Monday to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on suspicion of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
24 killed, 62 injured in three suicide bomb attacks in Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Up to 24 people were killed and some 62 others injured in three suicide bomb attacks, targeting Shiite pilgrims in central Baghdad on Monday, an Interior Ministry source said.
The source confirmed to Xinhua that a total of 24 people were killed and 62 others injured, most of them were Shiite pilgrims.
The attacks took place in the morning when three women suicide bombers struck groups of Shiite pilgrims in the neighborhood of Karrada, the source said.
Emirates gets its first Airbus A380 giant airliner
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) national carrier Emirates airline Monday took possession of the first of the 58 Airbus A380 jumbo aircraft it had placed orders for.
Emirates chairman and chief executive officer Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum attended the function to take possession of the aircraft at Airbus's Jurgen Thomas A380 Delivery Centre in Hamburg, according to an Emirates statement here.
"We have stood firm on our commitment to the A380," Sheikh Ahmed said while accepting the aircraft.
Afghan intelligence agents free German hostage
By DPA,
Kabul : An Afghan-German businessman kidnapped in Kabul was freed by Afghan agents, a spokesman of the country's intelligence service said Thursday.
"Our agency was informed of the case yesterday and our forces conducted an operation last night, freeing the hostage and arresting three of the kidnappers," Sayed Ansari, a spokesman for the National Directorate of Security, told DPA.
Another source from the same spy agency, who did not want to be named, said that the man was freed from a house in Bagram district in northern Parwan province, 50 km from Kabul.
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.
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.
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.