NATO doesn’t know if Gaddafi is dead or alive
By IANS/AKI,
Naples : NATO said Tuesday it was unaware of embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi being dead or alive and denied its air strikes on Tripoli were aimed to kill him.
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.
Pakistan to facilitate Afghan reconciliation process
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan was committed to playing a facilitator's role in the Afghan reconciliation process, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
OIC condemns Delhi blast
By IANS/WAM,
Jeddah : The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the bombing at the Delhi High Court that killed 13 people and injured 96.
Pilot dies as Pakistani Air Force trainer crashes
By IANS,
Islamabad : A Pakistani Air Force (PAF) pilot was killed when his trainer jet crashed in Balochistan Wednesday, the authorities said.
Modi visit: India, Tajikistan to boost anti-terror cooperation
Dushanbe (Tajikistan): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India and Tajikistan have resolved to intensify cooperation in combating terrorism as well as...
Pakistan Supreme Court grants bail to Lal Masjid cleric
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Supreme Court Wednesday granted bail to a radical cleric who incited a standoff with security forces at Islamabad's Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) and adjoining seminary nearly two years ago, his lawyer said.
"The court has observed that there was no evidence against Maulana Abdul Aziz in this case that could prevent his release on bail," attorney Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui told reporters.
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.
Six killed in Pakistan suicide blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : Six people, including a paramilitary Frontier Corps official, were killed Monday in a suicide attack in northwestern Pakistan, the News reported.
Two security personnel were also injured in the attack which targeted a security check post in Darra Adam Khel in North West Frontier Province, the report said.
According to sources, a suicide bomber blew up himself at the check post, killing five passersby and a security official.
Security forces had cordoned off the area and an investigation was under way.
Over 1.6 million people displaced in Pakistan, say officials
By Xinhua,
Islamabad: More than 1.6 million people have been displaced in Pakistan's troubled North West Frontier Province (NWFP), as the battle against the Taliban hots up, officials said Monday.
About 164,000 people have fled their homes in the Malakand region alone since the military operation started in the area in late April.
A total of 17 relief camps have been set up in the area to house the displaced civilians.
The provincial relief office said nearly 215,017 people are presently housed in the camps. Some of the displaced people have come from the neighbouring areas.
Lebanon accuses Israel of violating its border
By DPA,
Beirut : The Lebanese Army Friday accused Israel of violating the Lebanese border by establishing an observation post in a restricted area on the outskirts of the Kfarshouba hills.
"In clear violation of a restricted area of Lebanese territory, and in an attempt to impose a new reality on the ground, the Israeli enemy Wednesday set up an observation post at the edge of Kfarshouba and a military position overlooking Baathaeel pond," a Lebanese army statement said.
24 kids die after taking paracetamol in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : A private pharmaceutical firm in Bangladesh was ordered to be sealed after 24 children died on consuming paracetamol suspension, an official said.
The drug administration ordered the firm to suspend manufacturing and marketing of their products including vitamin and paracetamol suspension, New Age said Thursday.
The government ordered a seven-member committee to probe the cause of deaths.
10 militants killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Ten Taliban militants were killed in fighting with the security forces in southern Afghanistan Friday, officials said.
The incident took place in Ghanzi province in southern Afghanistan.
"Our policemen came in contact with the Taliban rebels in Gilan district early Friday and 10 enemies (Taliban militants) were killed," provincial police chief Khayalbaz Shirzoi told Xinhua. There were no casualties on the police side, he said.
Pakistan checking reports on Baitullah Mehsud’s death
By DPA,
Islamabad : A Pakistani security official said late Wednesday the intelligence agencies were trying to confirm reports that Taliban head Baitullah Mehsud had died in a suspected US missile strike that killed his wife in tribal region near Afghan border.
"We have been busy for hours to check the information coming from the area that Baitullah also died with his wife," a local intelligence officer said on condition of anonymity.
"Whether confirmation or disconfirmation will definitely be available in next couple of hours," he added.
Two rockets fired into Afghan capital, no casualties
By DPA,
Kabul : Two rockets believed to have been fired by Taliban militants landed near the presidential palace Tuesday, but caused no casualties, police said.
The rockets were fired from Bagrami, in the southern part of Kabul city, a police official in Kabul told DPA.
"Both rockets hit areas around the presidential palace, but fortunately there were no casualties," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud is alive, says rebel commander
By IANS,
Wana (Pakistan) : A commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Monday said his organisation will select a new chief in the next five days according to the instruction of their leader Baitullah Mehsud, a media report said.
Waliur Rehman, commander of the group in South Waziristan, said: "We have thousands of suicide attackers, who can destroy their (government) targets anywhere." He added that Baitullah Mehsud is alive, but seriously ill.
"Baitullah Mehsud has entrusted the organisation's affairs to me two months back," he said.
Afghan poll review panel completes probe in fraud charges
By DPA,
Kabul: A UN-backed Election Complaints Commission announced Monday its verdict on contested ballots from the Aug 20 Afghan presidential election, but it was not known if the rulings would push the country to a runoff vote.
"The ECC has finalised all of its decisions with respect to polling and counting for the presidential elections and has officially communicated them to the IEC," the election panel said in a statement.
Pakistani court seeks report on US agency Black Water
By IANS,
Lahore : The Lahore High Court has sought a detailed reply from the government on an application alleging that US security agency Black Water was indulging in illegal activities in Pakistan and had a hand in the recent bomb blasts in Peshawar.
Holding there was possibility that Black Water was behind the Peshawar terror acts, the petition, filed by advocate Zafarullah, has asked that it be banned, Online news agency reported Friday.
Indian Haj delegation interacts with pilgrims in Jeddah
By IANS,
Jeddah : A 25-member Indian Haj goodwill delegation visited this port city of Saudi Arabia and interacted with Haj pilgrims there, expressing their satisfaction with the arrangements made by the Indian Haj mission.
The delegation, which was led by senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz, reached the Jeddah Haj terminal Sunday. On Monday the delegates visited various accommodations for pilgrims in Mecca and Aziziya.
They also visited the main office of the Indian Haj mission and a 50-bed hospital run by them.
Bangladesh opposition may get another front-row seat in parliament
By IANS,
Dhaka : The speaker of the Bangladesh parliament Tuesday mooted one more front row seat to main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to end the latter's year-long boycott over the seating arrangement.
"I can request the prime minister to allocate one more front row seat to the opposition if they raise the demand inside the parliament," Star Online quoted Speaker Abdul Hamid as saying.
Pakistan postpones new Taliban offensives by six months
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistan Army has ruled out new offensives against the Taliban in the next six months, instead it would try to consolidate recent gains made in anti-terror operations.
Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, Director General Inter Service Public Relations, said this in a press conference with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
The announcement comes as a disappointment to the US, which has pushed Pakistan to expand its operations against militants staging cross-border attacks on coalition troops in Afghanistan.
Ethiopian plane crashes off Lebanon
By DPA,
Beirut : An Ethiopian airliner carrying 92 passengers and crew crashed into the sea shortly after taking off from Beirut airport early Monday, an airport official said.
The official said that around 50 Lebanese nationals were among the passengers. There were also seven crew members on board, he added.
The Boeing aircraft was en route to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when it disappeared off the radar screens shortly after take-off, the state-run Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Should India talk to Pakistan? Why not, say experts
By Sarwar Kashani, IANS,
New Delhi: It is necessary for India to talk to Pakistan and raise its concerns with the civilian government there because that very move can help isolate the forces that spread hatred and terror, former diplomats and experts here opine.
Dismissing the notion that diplomatic engagement with the neighbour can take place only after Islamabad takes concrete action against anti-India terrorism, the experts who spoke to IANS appeared united in the belief that dialogue was the only way to solve all problems, including terror.
Victims’ kins protest mosque plan at 9/11 site
By IANS,
New York : A community board has approved the construction of a mosque at the site of New York's World Trade Centre, which was destroyed in the September 11 terrorist attack, triggering protests by the victims' relatives in the city.
Relatives of 9/11 victims clashed with supporters of the proposed mosque near "Ground Zero", soon after members of Manhattan Community Board 1 approved the project with 29-1 votes. Nine members abstained the voting which concluded after four hours of debate.
Nobel laureate accusing Israel of ‘slow genocide’
By IRNA,
London : Nobel peace laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire has accused Israel of committing “slow genocide” against the Palestinian people after being forcefully prevented from delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“Gaza has been cut off from the world for over three years. The people of Gaza don't have enough basic things for their needs,” 66-year old Maguire said after being deported by Israel with four other Irish activists aboard the MV Rachel Corrie.
Who will speak for me if I belong to Pakistan’s Minority Community?
By Abdul Hafiz Gandhi,
LPG prices to drop in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Pakistan will decrease by about Rs.40 per kg after a new energy policy is implemented next month, an official said.
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.
Sharjah to host world’s greatest oratorio on history of Islam
By IINA,
Sharjah : Celebrating the selection of Sharjah as the Islamic Culture Capital of the Arab region 2014, the emirate is all set to...
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...
8 year old Bhatkal boy earns prestigious ‘Preacher of the Nation’ award in UAE
By TwoCircles.net Staff reporter,
New Delhi: A Karnataka coastal town of Bhatkal which continuously remain in mainstream media’s focus due to its being a “home town” of alleged Indian Mujahideen outfit’s absconding founders Reyaz and Iqbal Shabandri has unfortunately missed the Indian mainstream media’s spotlight when an 8 year little boy of its origin won the highest prestigious reward for a child in Dubai of being ‘Preacher of the Nation’.
JTA decries Israel’s offensive in Gaza
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Jamia Teachers’ Association (JTA) has strongly condemned the ongoing atrocities being perpetrated by Israel on helpless Palestinians in Gaza.
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."
Fatah agrees to join committee to end politically-motivated arrests
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement has accepted to join a national committee designated to end politically-motivated detentions of Palestinians, a Palestinian official said Saturday.
The formation of this committee was offered last week during a meeting between Hamas leaders in Gaza and officials from leftist Palestinian factions after a surge of politically-motivated detentions.
Over 3 dozen militants killed in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : The U.S.-led Coalition forces and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have eliminated more than three dozens of militants over two days of fierce fighting in southern Afghanistan, said a Coalition statement released here on Friday.
Several groups of militants engaged ANSF and Coalition forces reconnaissance patrol with machine guns, RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenade) and small arms, the statement said.
Afghan army set to assume more duty in Kabul: German minister
By IRNA,
Berlin : The Afghan army is expected to assume more security responsibilities in Kabul over the next six to nine months, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung told the daily Rheinischen Post newspaper on Saturday.
"Afghan (security) forces have to ensure Kabul's security over the next six to nine months," Jung said.
The German army will also step up the training of the Afghan army to 7,500 soldiers, he added.
The annual cost of the Afghan deployment of the German military is estimated to increase from 466.9 to 500 million euros, according to Jung.
Many in Pakistan opposed to safe passage for Musharraf
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : A large number of politicians, lawyers and civil rights leaders are opposed to the idea of Pervez Musharraf being given safe passage out of the country after his resignation as president, though there are reports his bete noire Nawaz Sharif has agreed to it after a meeting with an envoy from Saudi Arabia.
Suicide bombing in Pakistani hospital kills 23
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 23 people, including two policemen, were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a hospital in Pakistan's restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP), officials said.
Pro-Taliban militants accepted responsibility for the attack in the town of Dera Ismail Khan, some 300 km south of the provincial capital Peshawar.
The blast occurred outside the emergency ward of the hospital where a crowd of mostly Shia Muslims had gathered to protest the assassination of their leader, Asif Shah, by unknown gunmen riding a motorbike earlier in the day.
Taliban claims responsibility for twin blasts in E Pakistan, warns of more attacks
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)spokesman Maulvi Umar Thursday claimed responsibility for two blasts in eastern Pakistan, private TV channel Ary One World reported.
Maulvi Umar also asked the security forces to stop their operations in the northwestern part and tribal areas, said the report.
He warned that more attacks would be conducted in other places if the operations were not terminated.
Up to 45 people were killed and 60 others injured in two suicide blasts in Wah Cantt in Punjab province on Thursday, the state-run PTV reported.
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.
Ahamadinejad’s presence at China Paralympics to affect Iranian champs’ results – Official
By IRNA,
Beijing : Head of National Paralympics Committee of Iran told IRNA here Monday President Mahmoud Ahamadinejad's presence at 2008 China 13th Paralympics Opening Ceremony would definitely positively affect performance of Iranian athletes.
Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa added, "The Iranian President's presence is proof for the extent of importance the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches to athletic sports.
Zardari prepares to be sworn in as Pakistan’s president
By DPA,
Islamabad : Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), is set to take the oath of office Tuesday as president of Pakistan after his weekend election, officials said.
"Zardari will be sworn in at a ceremony to be held at the President House around 1 p.m. today," his party's spokesman Farhatullah Babar said Tuesday.
Abdul Hamid Dogar, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, is to administer the oath.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and foreign diplomats based in Islamabad were expected to attend the ceremony.
Three civilians among 28 killed in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Al least 28 people, including three civilians, were killed as security forces pounded militants' hideouts in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region Wednesday, the Dawn News reported.
The security forces pounded militants' hideouts with jets in Bajaur tribal agency in North-West Frontier Province, killing 28 people, including three civilians, said the report.
Backed by gunship helicopters, the Pakistan Army and paramilitary Frontier Corps Tuesday launched a joint major and first-ever ground operation against militants in the tribal agency bordering Afghanistan.
100 militants killed in northwest Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At Least 100 Islamic militants have been killed in two separate clashes with security forces in northwest Pakistan, officials said.
Military troops, backed by gunship helicopters and artillery fire, targeted rebel positions Thursday in the Tangkhata area of Bajaur district in the country's lawless tribal region.
"Up to 90 insurgents, most of them foreign fighters, died," said a security official, requesting anonymity.
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.
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.
‘Pakistan not informed about latest US air strike’
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Thursday denied that the US forewarned it of the overnight missile strike in Pakistan's northwest tribal region that was carried out hours after US assurances of enhanced coordination on critical security issues.
"No Sir! We were not informed," Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told journalists in Islamabad a day after the US aerial attack killed six suspected Taliban militants in Baghar Cheena village of South Waziristan tribal district.
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 spy chief briefs lawmakers on horrors of Taliban threat
By DPA,
Islamabad : Taliban militants are using children as fighters and suicide bombers, Pakistan's new spy chief told lawmakers in a rare briefing on threats posed by Islamic militants in the country's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), media reports and officials said Thursday.
Militants are brainwashing innocent children to use them for killing people, Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, who was appointed director general of the military's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) last week, told the closed-door joint session of parliament's upper and lower houses the previous day.
Afghanistan security situation may worsen: US military chief
By DPA,
Washington : The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff in Afghanistan, Admiral Mike Mullen, has said the situation in the country will worsen, according to reports Friday.
In light of the poor economic situation and an intensifying Taliban insurgency, he told US media: "I would anticipate next year would be a tougher year."
"The overall development is not going in the right direction," he said, according to the New York Times.
Condoleezza Rice cancels plan to visit UAE, Oman
By SPA,
Washington : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday she cancelled plans to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman this week and instead will stay in Washington to help address the global finance crisis.
Rice said Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte will represent the United States at the fifth annual Forum for the Future in Abu Dhabi on October 17-19, adding she was “disappointed” she cannot attend the event.
Alleged coup plotters go on trial in Turkey
By DPA,
Ankara : The trial of 86 people accused of plotting to prepare the ground for a military coup got under way in Istanbul Monday.
The long-awaited trial of the so-called Ergenekon gang began some 17 months after police discovered hand grenades in an Istanbul house belonging to a former non-commissioned officer.
An investigation found that the grenades were from the same batch that was used in an attack on the Istanbul offices of Cumhuriyet newspaper in 2006.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pakistan’s refusal to handover terrorists expected: BJP
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday said Pakistan's refusal to handover 20 "most wanted" individuals to India was on expected lines and demanded that the government build international pressure on Pakistan through the United Nations to secure the suspects.
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.
Saudi Arabia Watchful with Hajj
By Prensa Latina,
Riyadh : Some 100,000 Saudi troops are patrolling the Islamic Holy City Mecca, to provide security to over three million Muslims at the Hajj or annual pilgrimage beginning Saturday.
Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz said pilgrims from all over the world would flood every sacred place every Muslim must visit at least one in his lifetime.
The crowd virtually paralyzes the Islamic world as prelude to four days of Eid Al-Adha, main feast of the Muslim calendar 70 after Ramadan.
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.
Saudi Arabian Airlines to fly 500,000 pilgrims
By SPA,
Jeddah : Saudi Arabian Airlines will fly about 500,000 pilgrims back home, Khaled Al-Mulhim, Director General of the national carrier, has said.
Sami Badr, Director of the Hajj Terminal at Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz Airport, told the Jeddah-based Arabic newspaper "OKAZ" that there was coordination between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Hajj Ministry to bring pilgrims to the airport seven hours prior to the departure time of their flights.
He added that offices have been set up at Makkah entry points to organize the departure process.
Pakistan has all right to defense if war is thrust: FM
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Foreign Minister Mahmood Quraishi said Sunday that Pakistan does not want war and desires peace, 'but if war is thrust on us, then we have all the right to defend'.
Talking to media at Multan Airport, Quraishi said, "We are prepared to fully cooperate with India, but India should provide concrete evidences."
The foreign minister said, "We possess all the potentiality for defense and the Pakistan Armed Forces are absolutely prepared for defense."
Obama receives briefing on India-Pak troop build-up
By NNN-PTI,
Washington : US President-elect Barack Obama, who is keeping a close tab on India-Pakistan ties in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes, has received security briefings on the reported build up of troops on the Indo-Pak borders.
Obama, who is spending Christmas vacation in Hawaii, received the briefing on the latest situation in South Asia on Saturday from White House officials.
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.
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.
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.
Militant violence leaves 30 people dead in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 30 people were killed Tuesday in militant violence in Pakistan's restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan as the country's military asked external powers to stop demanding it to do more against Islamic militancy.
Pakistani military jet aircraft attacked militant positions in Kandharo village of Mohmand tribal region before ground troops moved in to clear the area.
Pakistani security forces kill 60 in tribal region
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan security forces, backed by fighter planes and gunship helicopters, killed about 60 militants in a tribal region, security officials said Tuesday.
In the ongoing operation in Mohmand Agency, the forces from 'Frontier Corps' advanced and secured a main road in the region, a statement said.
"The Security Forces have killed 60 militants during the last 24 hours operation in Mohmand Agency," the statement said.
In the process, militants' strongholds in areas called Habibzai and Mulakhel were destroyed.
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.
India’s 26/11 evidence ‘insufficient’, says Pakistan probe agency
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in its report to the interior ministry on the Mumbai attacks, has termed as insufficient the evidence provided by India of the involvement of elements from this country, a media report Saturday said.
The FIA report would be made public after a point-to-point discussion in a high-level joint meeting of top officials of the interior and law ministries to be held at the interior ministry Saturday), The News said.
Dhaka slams Islamabad for linking Bangladesh to Mumbai attacks
By IANS,
Dhaka : Dhaka has strongly condemned a Pakistani investigation agency's claim of a Bangladesh-based terror outfit's involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks.
"Militants and terrorists do not belong to any territory, country and nation. I am shocked at such a claim," The Daily Star Saturday quoted Home Minister Sahara Khatun as saying.
"We need your cooperation and suggestion. I can promise that I would try to root out terrorism, militancy and extortion even if I have to put my life on the line if you cooperate with us," the minister said at a college sports gathering.
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.
Iran’s reformist Khatami to run for presidency
By Xinhua,
TEHRAN : Iran's former reformist president Seyed Mohammad Khatami announced his decision on Sunday to run in the upcoming presidential elections, Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
"Here, I earnestly announce my candidacy in the elections," said Khatami at a press conference, adding that "I announce that, from the beginning until now, in spite of whatever had been said, I never hesitated (in my decision)."
It was rumored in the past months that Khatami was hesitated to run for the upcoming presidential elections which will be held on June 12, 2009.
Five militants killed in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least five militants were killed and six others were injured in an exchange of fire with security forces Friday in northwestern Pakistan, a military statement said.
According to the statement, militants opened fire on a patrolling party of the Pakistan Army near Matta in the Swat district, forcing the security personnel to retaliate.
In the exchange of fire, three militants were killed and five others were injured, it said.
In another exchange of fire near Aligrama in Swat, two militants were killed and another was injured.
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".
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.
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.
Accelerating Yemen’s accession into GCC reflects good relations – DPM
By NNN-Saba
Sana'a : Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdul-Karim al-Arhabi has said that serious steps of Gulf countries to pace integration of Yemen totally in the Gulf bloc reflect close relations between Yemen and the Gulf countries.
He said Monday that a meeting for the Yemeni-Gulf committee would be held next Saturday in Riyadh co-chaired by him and GCC Secretary-General Abdul-Rahman al-Attyiah to discuss means of pacing integration of Yemen to the GCC and roadmap to reach this point.
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.
Fresh Israeli airstrike kills two Palestinians
By Xinhua
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed and three wounded on Wednesday evening in a fresh Israeli airstrike on a car in central Gaza Strip, medics and eyewitnesses reported.
Witnesses said that an Israeli aircraft struck a car near al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, in which three militants were believed to be riding, killing two and wounding several others.
They also said that shortly after the first strike, the Israeli aircraft fired another missile at the same area, which also caused casualties.
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.
Six-nation talks on Iranian nuclear issue to be held Tuesday
By Xinhua
Berlin : Foreign Ministers from Germany, Russia, China, the United States, France and Britain are to hold talks in Berlin on Tuesday on the Iranian nuclear program, the German Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.
Tunis worried about situation in occupied Palestinian territories
By Xinhua
Tunis : Tunis is deeply worried about the situation in occupied Palestinian territories, especially the Gaza Strip, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry announced Monday.
A statement released by the ministry said that the deterioration of the situation in the occupied territories, especially the Gaza Strip, could trigger a humanitarian disaster.
Iran receives fifth consignment of nuclear fuel from Russia
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iran received the fifth shipment of nuclear fuel from Russia on Tuesday for it's first nuclear powerplant being built at the Gulf port city of Bushehr, state media reported.
The newly arrived consignment contained 11 tons of enriched uranium and the rest nuclear fuel will be received in three separate shipments in coming weeks, said the state television.
Mubarak says he allows Gazans into Egypt to buy basic needs
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Wednesday said he ordered the Egyptian security forces at the Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egyptian border to allow Palestinians to cross the terminal to buy their basic needs, the Egyptian Nile TV reported.
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.
Israel Embassy Shot in Mauritania
By Prensa Latina
Tel Aviv : A group of six armed men opened fire on the Israeli Embassy in Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania, on Friday, one of the north African countries that has relations with Tel Aviv.
The Israeli ambassador to Mauritania, Boaz Bismut, said no embassy employees were hurt in the early Friday morning attack.
Security guards at the embassy engaged in a battle with the armed men who were firing from a nearby disco, and who left the area in a car.
Mauritania, Egypt and Jordan are the only Arab States that have relations with Israel.
Barak announces intention to remain in gov’t
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Sunday announced his intention to remain in the government despite a "harsh" final report on the Lebanon War in 2006, incurring criticism from the opposition as well as members of his own party, local media reported on their websites.
Olmert agrees to soften his attitude on prisoners release
By KUNA
Ramallah : Radio Israel said Monday Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has approved recommendations put forward to him by a special ministerial committee calling on him to be more flexible in dealing with Palestinian prisoners.
Members of the committee agreed on the number of prisoners to be set free in return for releasing Israeli soldier Jilaad Shalit, who was captured by Hamas in Gaza.
According to Israeli media, such a move by Olmert is expected to speed up the process leading to a prisoner exchange with Hamas.
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.
Hamas: PNA uses Gaza humanitarian crisis for political aims
By Xinhua
Gaza : A spokesman for the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Thursday that Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is using humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a tool to defeat Hamas movement.
"The crisis in Gaza was a humanitarian one resulted from the siege...it is unacceptable that the crisis be exploited in a way that builds pressure on Hamas movement," said Sami Abu Zuhri.
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.
U.S. forces kill two al-Qaida leaders north of Baghdad
By Xinhua
Tikrit, Iraq : U.S. troops killed on Saturday two non-Iraqi Arab leaders of the al-Qaida in Iraq network near the restive city of Samarra, 120 km north of Baghdad, a security source said.
"The Saudi national, Abu Nooh, leader of Qaida group in Samarra and his Algerian assistant Abu Asim, were ambushed and killed by the U.S. troops early on Saturday morning in the Ragga area west of Samarra," Mazin Younis, head of Samarra anti-Qaida Awakening Council group, told Xinhua.
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.
Israel arrests six Palestinians in West Bank raids
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Israeli forces on Monday arrested six Palestinians in several parts of West Bank, Palestinian security sources said.
The detentions took place in the cities of Hebron, Tulkarem and Qalqilia, the sources added. Israel says the people were detained for being wanted by the Israeli security agencies.
Israel boosted up security measures in the West Bank since last week following a suicide attack into southern Israeli town Dimona on Jan. 4. The suicide-bombers were from West Bank city of Hebron.
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.
Iran summons Danish envoy as cartoon row resurfaces
Tehran (ANTARA News) - Iran summoned Denmark's ambassador to protest the reprinting on Wednesday of a cartoon of Prophet Mohammed that caused bloody riots in the Islamic world two years ago, the state run IRNA news agency reported.
The cartoon, one of a series of 12 cartoons first published in September 2005 that sparked protests in early 2006, was reprinted in at least 17 Danish newspapers a day after Danish police foiled a murder plot against the cartoonist.
Palestinian brigades attack Israel”s Soufa Crossing
By KUNA
Gaza : The National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel's Soufa Crossing Saturday morning.
In a statement, the brigades said one of its units launched an "advanced" locally-made missile at the crossing, located close to Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
Security high alert in Pakistan ahead of elections
By KUNA
Islamabad : Security has been given high alert across Pakistan as the election campaign ends Saturday midnight and the country prepares to embrace much-awaited general elections on Monday.
The Federal Interior Ministry has received reports that suicide bombers, trained in bordering tribal region, have entered in the major cities and could target leading elections candidates to sabotage February 18 elections, ministry sources told KUNA.
Iran, Iraq emphasize on need to restore brder posts
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : The deputy foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq have signed a border agreement to restore the posts at the two countries' shared land and water international borders, including those in Arvand River.
According to IRNA Political Desk reporter, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister (Arab World and African Affairs) Mohammad-Reza Baqeri said at the ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here Wednesday to sign the agreement in the presence of Iraq's Deputy Foreign Minister (Legal Affairs) Muhammad al-Haaj Hammoud that bilateral ties are friendly.
Islamic Jihad rejects NATO deployment in West Bank
By Xinhua
Ramallah : The Islamic Jihad movement on Thursday rejected any NATO deployment in the West Bank as part of a planning Israeli withdrawal from the territory.
The radical Islamic group voiced the rejection in a statement in response to Israeli media reports that the U.S. was considering deploying NATO forces in the West Bank after pushing Israel to end the occupation of the territory.
"The Palestinian people don't need a new occupation under the U.S. command," said the Jihad statement.
Afghan Blast Kills British Soldier
By Prensa Latina
Kabul : One British soldier died and another was wounded when their vehicle activated a roadside bomb in Helmand, north of Sangin, south Afghanistan.
Military sources said in Kabul the soldiers belonged to the International Security Assistance Forces led by NATO. The ISAF report omits details on another soldier dead and a second wounded.
This fatality raised to 89 the amount of itish killed since the beginning of the US-led invasion out of the 7,800 British soldiers deployed, mostly in Helmand.
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.
UN Security Council fails again to address Gaza situation
By NNN-KUNA
United Nations : The Security Council once again failed to issue a press statement on the deteriorating situation in Gaza because of US objection.
Council president Ricardo Alberto Arias of Panama spoke to reporters in his national capacity following a council discussion of the matter late Thursday, saying he is "profoundly concerned about the increased violence in the Middle East region."
He added that "we are concerned about the effect it has on the civil population and with the effect it has on the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
US does not intervene in Palestinian damages lawsuit
By SPA
Washington : The Bush administration on Friday declined a request from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to intervene to stop compensation payments in legal cases won by the families of American victims of Palestinian violence, U.S. officials said.
“We are declining the statement of interest in this case,” said State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey.
Under the U.S. legal system, the president can decide in cases of national strategic importance “to declare an interest” in a court case and call for a lawsuit to be dropped.
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.
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."
Three policemen killed, wounded by roadside attack in S. Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : One Afghan policeman was killed and two others wounded when their vehicle hit a mine planted by Taliban insurgents in southern Afghan province of Helmand on Wednesday, said an official.
Mohammad Hussein Andiwal, the provincial police chief told Xinhua that accident occurred at around 5 a.m.(GMT0030) when a group of police were patrolling in Gereshk district.
Meanwhile, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, the purported spokesman of Taliban took responsibility for this roadside attack adding around six policemen were killed and injured.
PPP led coalition agree to distribute Ministries
By IRNA
Islamabad : The coalition of PPP-PML-N, ANP and others has agreed to distribute the Ministries in an equitable way and decided to appoint five Federal Minister in the first phase to resolve the matter within a week.
Reliable sources said Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi of PPP will hold the office of Foreign Ministry and PML-N leader Ishaq Dar will be appointed as Finance Minister, Sherry Rehman as Information Minister and Syed Khurshid Shah as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.
Former head of FIA Rehman Malik will be inducted as Advisor to Interior Ministry.
UAE appoints the country’s first female judge
By Xinhua
Abu Dhabi : President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Wednesday appointed the country's first female judge, making it the second Gulf country to have a female judge after Bahrain, the official Emirates News Agency reported.
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.
Iraqi parliament speaker calls for extraordinary session to end clashes
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoudal-Mashhadani on Friday called for an extraordinary session to discuss the ongoing clashes between the government troops and Shiite militiamen.
Israeli soldiers kill Hamas militant in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : A militant of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) was shot dead early on Friday by Israeli troops' gunfire southeast of the Gaza Strip, Hamas sources and medics said. Hamas said in a leaflet sent to reporters that one of the movement's militants was killed in an exchange of fire with an Israeli army force east of al-Garara village in southern Gaza Strip.
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.
Rice meets with Palestinian, Israeli officials
By KUNA
Jerusalem : A meeting was held on Monday among Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni and her American counterpart Condoleezza Rice, along with Head of Palestinian Final-Status Negotiations Team Ahmad Qurei, Israel Radio said.
The radio added that the meeting was held at Dawood Hotel in Jerusalem, addressing final-status issues.
Singapore’s religious Council condemns anti-Islam Dutch Movie
By SPA
Singapore : Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura "MUIS" (The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore), has condemned the production and release of the video called "Fitna".
The 15-minute video was produced by Geert Wilders, a Dutch right-wing Member of Parliament.
In a statement, 'MUIS' said "the film distorts verses of the Holy Quran. It also incites hatred of Muslim immigrants among Europeans, by including acts of violence that were committed by radicals."
Major corruption charges leveled against son of former Bangladesh PM Zia
By KUNA
New Delhi : In a major anti-graft move, Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has formally leveled charges against Tareque Rahman, detained son of former PM Khaleda Zia, for amassing illegal wealth and concealing information.
ACC submitted the charge sheet to the Court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Dhaka last night, Bangladesh's leading English daily 'The Daily Star' reported Tuesday.
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.
Palestinians to have say in any settlement with Israel – Abbas
By NNN-KUNA
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has stressed that a peaceful settlement with Israel will not be "at any cost", pledging at the same time that Palestinians will have their say in any settlement reached.
Abbas made the remarks during his reception of a number of Fatah leaders in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, who recently won elections.
The Palestinian president urged them to hold Fatah's sixth general conference despite all obstacles, the Palestinian Radio said Sunday.
Tehran, Washington may soon hold new talks on Iraqi security
By RIA Novosti
Tehran : Iran is studying a U.S. proposal to hold a fourth round of talks on Iraqi security in the near future, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
The new round was originally scheduled for mid-February, but has been postponed twice for "technical reasons."
"We have received an official request from the United States to hold a new round of talks on Iraq and we are studying this proposal," Mohammad Ali Hosseini told a news conference in Tehran.
Pakistan hints to lift restrictions on detained nuclear scientist
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan's Foreign Minister hinted on Monday to lift restrictions on the country's nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, who has been under detention since January 2004.
Khan was put under house arrest after he was produced on the state-run television to say that he exported nuclear technology outside Pakistan.
But Khan said in recent interviews that he had taken responsibility of nuclear transfer only to save the country.
US officials say troop cut unlikely
By IRNA
New York : Pentagon officials said that they do not expect Gen. David Petraeus to recommend or predict additional US troop cuts in Iraq when he testifies before Congress this week.
Nevertheless, some officials hope that by year's end, an additional brigade or two could be pulled out, according to an aide to a senior general.
Petraeus spent his last day before his scheduled "State of Iraq" report to Congress polishing his opening statement, which remains a closely guarded document, according to one of his top aides.
Pentagon files charges again an Afghan detainee in Guantanamo
By KUNA
Washington : The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) declared on Monday charges against a Guantanamo detainee from Afghanistan.
"Mohammed Kamin provided material support to terrorism by joining the terrorist organization al Qaeda and receiving training at al Qaeda training camps on making remote detonators for improvised explosive devices (IEDs)", said the Pentagon in a statement.
Taliban owns Afghanistan suicide attack
By Xinhua
Kabul : Taliban has claimed responsibility for Thursday's suicide attack in southern Afghan city of Kandahar, which killed at least eight civilians.
A caller who identified himself as Qari Yusuf Ahmadi and claimed to be a Taliban spokesman told Xinhua that a suicide bomber named Ahmadullah Khan from Kandahar city carried out the attack targeting NATO forces.
The attack injured 26 people and destroyed two vehicles, besides killing eight peole.
Israeli missile targets Palestinians in eastern Gaza — sources
By KUNA
Gaza : A Palestinian was injured early on Sunday after a missile fired by Israeli ground forces targeted Shejaeya district in eastern Gaza.
Palestinian security sources said the Israeli forces stationed at Nahal Azor, eastern Gaza, launched a missile towards a number of Palestinian citizens on Al-Mantar Street in Shejaeya, where one of them was injured. The sources added that ambulances rushed to the site and medics transferred the injured Palestinian to the Al-Shefa Hospital in Gaza to receive treatment.