Kerala explores healthcare pact with UAE
By IANS,
Dubai : A visiting delegation from Kerala is discussing a proposed agreement on healthcare manpower with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government here.
The delegation, led by state Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi, was received by UAE Health Minister Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami here late Thursday.
According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the two sides discussed ways of having a memorandum of understanding for training medical, nursing cadres and exchange of expertise in the first aid care and preventive medical sectors.
16 killed in Iraq violence
By IANS,
Baghdad: At least 16 people were killed and 30 injured when two car bombs ripped off a Shiite neighbourhood here Thursday night, Xinhua reported.
US to repatriate Yemeni prisoners from Guantanamo
By IANS,
Sana'a : The US will repatriate Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo Bay in groups, Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qerbi said.
Najjar supports Kyrgyzstan’s decision to close US base
By IRNA,
Moscow : Iran’s Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar on Friday supported Kyrgyzstan’s decision to close the US military base.
“We support Kyrgyzstan’s decision on pulling out the military base in Manas, and are happy about it. We take it as good news. Iran assumes that the presence of occupiers, wherever they are, always causes trouble for residents of the region. So when we hear that occupiers are leaving the region, we always welcome it,” the Minister said.
Iraqi forces capture four suspected militants
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) have captured three suspected al-Qaida militants and a leader of the Iranian-backed Shiite militia during operations in Baghdad and western Iraq, the U.S. military said on Saturday.
The ISOF captured an al-Qaida leader suspected of conducting bomb attacks against U.S. and Iraqi security forces in an operation in the town of Garma near the city of Fallujah, some 50 km west of Baghdad, a military statement said.
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.
Test launch of Pakistani ballistic missile successful
Islamabad : Pakistan authorities on Monday conducted a successful test launch of the 'Shaheen-III' surface-to-surface ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads...
Gaddafi vows to fight to the last man
By IANS,
Tripoli: Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi Wednesday vowed to fight to the "last man and last woman" to defend his country.
Saudi Arabia dismisses Moussaoui’s allegations
Washington : Saudi Arabia has dismissed claims by a convicted terrorist that it had a role in the 9/11 attacks in the US.
While dismissing...
US to pull out 8,000 troops from Iraq by February
By Xinhua,
Washington : US President George W. Bush said Tuesday that he plans to withdraw about 8,000 US troops from Iraq by February 2009 and send some 4,500 troops to Afghanistan by January.
In a speech at the National Defense University, Bush said that improving conditions in Iraq would allow a "quiet surge" of American troops to Afghanistan, where there has been a resurgence of the Taliban and a growth in violence.
The troop cut is smaller than many had expected.
Iraqis begin voting for parliament
By DPA,
Baghdad : Iraqis headed to the polls amid heavy security Sunday morning to cast their votes in the second parliamentary election since the US overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003.
Three people were killed by a car bomb Saturday in Najaf, the interior ministry said. More than 50 other people, including 37 Iranians, were injured in the attack near the Imam Ali Holy Shrine, the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed's cousin Ali.
Nearly 6,300 candidates are competing for 325 seats in parliament, making it the largest parliamentary election in Iraq's history.
Air strikes target Libyan capital
By DPA,
Tripoli : The international coalition to enforce a UN authorised no-fly zone over Libya conducted airstrikes overnight Wednesday, Arabic satellite broadcaster Al Jazeera reported.
Death toll in US air strike in Pakistan rises to 10
By KUNA,
Islamabad : The death toll in the latest US air strikes in a Pakistani tribal agency has increased to 10 while there are conflicting reports about the wounded figures.
Citing unnamed sources local news channels reported that at least ten persons were killed in the air strikes while several were wounded A local Ajj news channel said 11 teenaged fighters were killed in the strike.
Geo news reported that all the victims were students of the targeted Madrassah.
However, security sources, confirmed that a wanted Al-Qaeda militants was killed in the strike.
15 killed in Pakistan’s Quetta city blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 15 people were killed and over 20 wounded after a blast hit Pakistan's Quetta city Friday, said police sources and media reports.
Afghanistan world leader in hashish production: UNODC
By IRNA,
Tehran : The first-ever UNODC Afghanistan Cannabis Survey produced by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, launched in Vienna today, shows that the world’s biggest producer of opium is also a major producer of cannabis.
NATO, Iran hold first talks in 30 years
By Xinhua,
Brussels : Diplomats from the NATO and Iran held their first talks in 30 years here, focusing on possible cooperation on Afghanistan, an official said here.
An Iranian diplomat met NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Martin Erdmann, the alliance's spokesman James Appathurai told reporters.
Appathurai said that it was "a first informal contact" and the Iranian side is interested in cooperation on Afghanistan. The spokesman refused to identify the Iranian diplomat.
UAE president orders planting of 41,000 trees
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the planting of 41,000 date palm seedlings at schools and mosques across the country.
Pakistani Hindus protest kidnapping of young girls
By IANS,
Islamabad : Some political parties and Hindu groups in Pakistan are furious over the kidnapping and alleged conversion of Hindu girls in Sindh province.
Pakistan looks to Iran to mitigate energy woes
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan plans to import gas and electricity from Iran to overcome the country's energy shortage, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.
Najib Razak sworn in Malaysian PM
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Najib Tun Razak, son of a former premier, was sworn in Friday morning as Malaysia's sixth prime minister.
He took over from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who stepped down after leading the country for over five years. Badawi made way for Razak well before the end of his second term, marking a smooth political transition in the prosperous Southeast Asian nation.
Razak, 55, took his oath of office before Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the royal head of the state.
Taliban claims downing Pakistan Army helicopter
By DPA,
Islamabad : The Taliban Friday claimed to have shot down a Pakistan Army helicopter in the country's lawless tribal region, a media report said.
A spokesman for the Islamic militants told Sama television that the Taliban had also captured the pilot of the helicopter gunship.
If the claim is correct, it could be the first helicopter brought down by the Taliban in Pakistan.
However, a military spokesman denied the claim. "The helicopter crashed in the Orkzai tribal district due to a technical fault," Major General Athar Abbas said.
Obama speech gets mixed reviews from US Muslims, Jews
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : President Obama's historic speech to "reboot" relations with the Islamic world received enthusiastic reviews from American Muslims, but the reaction of the US Jewish community was mixed.
In the Washington area, the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) hosted a 6 a.m. viewing of the speech for local Muslim groups and community leaders.
Mideast quartet plans Moscow meeting in spring 2009
By RIA Novosti,
UN : The quartet of international mediators on Middle East settlement has agreed to hold an international conference on the Middle East settlement in Moscow sometime in spring 2009, the diplomatic body said in a statement.
A ministerial session of quartet members -- the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations - was held in New York late Friday as part of the current session of the UN General Assembly
The Quartet statement said the idea of holding the Moscow meeting in spring 2009 "is acceptable."
Arab FMs back initiative on Lebanon, urge Israel to lift Gaza siege
By Xinhua
Cairo : Arab foreign ministers on Sunday reiterated their support for an Arab initiative to resolve the current Lebanese political crisis, and urged Israel to lift the blockade on the Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting at the Arab League (AL) headquarters in Cairo, Arab foreign ministers stressed their consensus on abiding by the Arab initiative and continuing efforts to implement the Arab plan to resolve the Lebanese political crisis.
18 suspects arrested for Kuwait bombing
Kuwait City: Eighteen suspects were arrested following a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque here that killed 27 people and left 222 wounded on...
Saudi Arabia limits family visit visa to six months
Riyadh : The passport department of Saudi Arabia has announced a new regulation that limits the family visitor visas to six months, an official...
South Korea to send troops to Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : South Korea plans to deploy troops to Afghanistan to protect its nationals working in humanitarian organizations, the Yonhap news agency said on Friday.
Seoul is expected to deploy over 200 soldiers and some 20 police officers early next year to expand its Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan. The security forces will not participate in combat operations, except to protect PRT staff.
Israeli Arab charged with joining jihad groups
Jerusalem : Israel security agency Shin Bet Thursday announced that earlier this month it arrested an Israeli Arab on suspicion of joining Al Qaeda-affiliated...
U.S. says new sanctions against Iran are under consideration
By Xinhua,
Washington : The United States and four other permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany are considering new sanctions against Iran after Tehran failed to give clear answer to an incentives package by the six major powers, the State Department said Wednesday.
"We are very disappointed that Iran has failed yet again to give ... a clear answer to the P5+1 generous incentives package. The letter we received yesterday appears to be a stalling tactic," State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said.
Malaysian police officers head for MH17 crash site
Kuala Lumpur : Sixty eight Malaysian police officers left Wednesday night for Kiev to secure the crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and...
77 militants killed within day in Afghanistan
Kabul : At least 77 Taliban militants were killed in army operations in Afghanistan since early Saturday, defence ministry said Sunday.
"Afghan National Army (ANA)...
Taliban using civilians as human shields: Pakistani Army
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Taliban in Pakistan's restive northwest are using civilians as human shields to forestall the security forces action against them, the military said Monday as six soldiers and 10 militants were killed in the fighting.
The military operation in the Buner and Lower Dir districts of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) "is continuing while at least 2,000 innocent civilians are being used by the militants as human shields in Buner's Pir Baba area", the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Bush waives law, restore aid to facilitate democratic rule in Pakistan
By SPA
Islamabad : U.S. President George W. Bush has waived restrictions in a democracy related law to pave the way for assistance to Pakistan this year, saying the step would help in transition to democratic rule in the country and is important to US counter-terrorism efforts, officials said.
The waiver of the law came as Pakistan entered a new era of democracy with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) taking oath as head of a coalition government following Feb 18 parliamentary elections.
Pakistan’s liberal policies provide attractive investment opportunity: Musharraf
By NNN-APP
Rawalpindi : President Pervez Musharraf said economic reforms in the country have created an enabling environment for investment in the private sector making it an attractive destination.
Talking to Chief Executive Officer of China Mobile Guo Yong Hong here at the President’s lodge, he said Pakistan has been made an attractive destination for investment by pursuing liberal policies.
Israeli air raids on Gaza an outcome of Bush”s visit — Hamas
By KUNA
Gaza : Hamas said Tuesday's Israeli air raids on eastern Gaza, in which 14 Palestinians have been killed so far, is a natural outcome to the visit of US President George W. Bush.
Bush's visit provided cover for the Israeli government to widen its attack against the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza Strip, said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri in a press release.
He added that negotiations the Palestinian Authority was holding with Israel were useless.
So far today, 14 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air raids on eastern Gaza.
Karachi base attack: Ex-naval commando, brother held
By IANS,
Lahore: A former naval commando and his brother have been detained here for the terror attack at a key naval base in Karachi, a media report said.
Modi welcomes agreement between Afghanistan’s Ghani, Abdullah
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday welcomed the agreement between Afghan leaders Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Abdullah Abdullah, saying India will stand steadfastly...
Terminate sanctions on day of implementing n-deal: Iran
Tehran: The international economic sanctions on Iran should be completely lifted when a nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group of world powers enters into...
Palestinian arrested after breaching Gaza border
Jerusalem : A Palestinian youth, armed with a knife, was arrested after infiltrating from the Gaza Strip.
A military patrol discovered signs of infiltration along...
Israel has violated All International Laws: Huwaida Arraf
By TwoCircles.net news desk,
Mumbai: To punish the Palestinians specially Gazan, who elected Hamas, Israel has violated all the International laws, said Huwaida arraf a leader of International Solidarity Movement,ISM, fighting against illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Huwaida Arraf is on a week long visit to India as part of her campaign to garner supports from the governments as well as the civil societies around the world to end more than three years Gaza-blockade by the occupant Israeli forces, says Awami Bharat president Feroze Mithiborwala.
‘London Plan’ failed miserably: Nawaz Sharif
London : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday remarked that the "London Plan" failed miserably, referring to a meeting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman...
NATO condemns Kandahar bombing
By KUNA
Brussels : NATO condemned Monday the Kandahar bombing that led to the death and injury of more than 70 people attending a dog-fight.
NATO Secretary, Jaap de Hoop de Schefferi, added in a statement issued last night, that those whom committed this crime are against peace and stability in Afghanistan, expressing his deep condolences to the families of the victims.
He stressed continuous NATO support to Afghanistan, also stressing that this incident will not weaken the NATO's resolve to carry on its mission in the area.
Resistance Pounds Iraqi Army
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : A resistance armed command killed four army soldiers and wounded seven others in an attack against a military patrol nearby Al Bubali city, in the western Iraqi province of Al Anbar on Friday.
The Iraqi troops had the support of US helicopters, and their crew members confirmed to have killed six fighters.
The Iraqi Army reported six dead and 13 wounded among its troops in a string of insurgent attacks in the last 12 hours.
Iran’s president vows to continue nuclear work
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that his country will continue its nuclear program, one day after a meeting of six major powers in Berlin agreed on the major points of a UN resolution on the Iran nuclear issue.
"The Iranian nation will continue the way in pursuing our rights within the framework of international laws," Iran's state television quoted Ahmadinejad as saying.
Bangladesh seeks to increase trade with northeast India
By IANS,
Agartala : Bangladeshi trade and industry groups have said they would increase trade and economic activities with India's northeast region and urged Dhaka to provide transit facilities to India.
"We have decided to start business and education tourism with the northeastern region," said Abdul Matlub Ahmad, president of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Pakistan PM chairs high-level meeting
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani chaired a high-level meeting that included Army and ISI chiefs amid speculations that preparedness of the armed forces was reviewed.
Though a government release issued after the meeting on Saturday did not give details about the meeting, television channels reported that the meeting reviewed the operational preparedness of the armed force and resolved to defend Pakistan's territorial integrity.
Occupying Wall Street will topple capitalism: Iranian leader
By IANS/AKI,
Tehran : Demonstrations against Wall Street will "topple Western capitalism", Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday.
Police tear gas opposition rally in Pakistan
By IRNA
Islamabad : Police fired tea gas and used batons to disperse a rally of opposition groups in the southwestern city of Quetta on Saturday, which are calling for elections boycott.
The All Parties Democratic Alliance (APDM) had organized the rally to ask the people not to cast vote in the February 16 elections.
The police arrested scores of APDM activists.
The demonstrators also pelted stones at the police.
Bangladesh: Army to be deployed across the country from Dec 20, says Moeen
By NNN-BSS,
Chittagong, Bangladesh : Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh General Moeen U Ahmed said said army would be deployed across the country from December 20 as per the government decision on the occasion of parliamentary election.
General Moeen U Ahmed said this on Saturday while talking to journalists after inauguration of redesigned Bhatiyari Golf Course at the picturesque Bhatiary valley near Chittagong Cantonment this afternoon.
Pakistan: nuclear programme govt’s top priority, says PM Gilani
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Saturday reiterated his government’s determination to keep the country’s nuclear programme on top of its priorities.
Speaking to engineers and scientists of Khushab Nuclear Complex, the Prime Minister said it is appreciable that Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) completed its projects without any foreign assistance.
He expressed the belief that future projects would also be completed in time according to international standards.
Awami League holds talks with government in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : Representatives of Bangladesh's caretaker government and the largest party, the Awami League, held table talks Sunday, ending a prolonged stand-off ahead of the general elections promised for this year-end.
The agenda of the talks was not announced. But political sources said the Awami League leaders demanded unconditional release of their leader, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in jail since July last year and is ailing.
34 militants killed in latest Pakistani Army operation
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least 34 Taliban militants were killed and seven others captured in an operation carried out by the Pakistani Army in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the army said in a statement Thursday.
The army said five soldiers were also injured in the operation in Malakand Division of the NWFP in the past 24 hours to Thursday evening.
The operation against the militants is still continuing, the statement said.
Pakistan’s growing nuclear arsenal, South Asia’s biggest concern: NYT
By Arun Kumar,
Washington : Noting that "Pakistan, with the world's fastest-growing nuclear arsenal, is unquestionably the biggest concern," in South Asia, a leading US...
751 Taliban killed, heliborne troops land in Swat
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 751 insurgents have been killed in the security forces' operation in Pakistan's troubled northwest, the military said Tuesday, on a day when heliborne troops landed in the heartland of the Swat Taliban for what seemed to be the final push against the militants.
Chief military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas told reporters that 751 militants had so far been killed in Operation Raah-e-Haq that began April 26, while 29 security personnel had lost their lives and 77 were injured.
Four killed in Pakistan missile strike
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Four people, including two Arab nationals, were killed in a missile strike at a house in Pakistan's tribal region Saturday.
The private NNI news agency quoted tribesmen as saying that two Arab nationals were among those killed in the attack when the missiles, fired from across the border in Afghanistan, hit the house of tribesman Noor Khan Gangikhel near an army camp at Zari Nur area in Pakistan's South Waziristan.
They said that they saw drones flying in the area before the missiles were launched.
Pakistani PM Gilani vows to restore 1973 constitution to its original form
By APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday vowed to restore the 1973 Constitution to its original form which would help in securing the rights of an independent judiciary and free press. He was talking to a six-member bi-partisan US Congressional delegation which called on him here at the Prime Minister House this afternoon.
Pakistan could get $2.8 bn military aid from US
By IANS,
Washington : Pakistan could get $2.8 billion in military aid from the US in addition to the proposed $7.5 billion civilian aid package spread over five years, a defence official has been quoted as saying.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the FOX News channel that the additional money would be spent on "equipping, training, and building infrastructure directly related to counter insurgency operations".
UN secretary general calls for international mobilisation against terror
By Arul Louis ,
United Nations: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for “mobilising all resources and political will” to fight terrorism in the...
Son of Saudi crown prince participates in airstrikes against IS
Riyadh : Prince Khaled bin Salman, a pilot and son of the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, is taking part in the airstrikes against...
‘Election results reflect success of democratic forces’
By APP
Lahore : PML-N central leader and former parliamentarian Muhammad Pervez Malik has said that Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) will fulfil its promise and ensure reinstatement of deposed judges, independence of judiciary and supremacy of constitution. He said that democratic forces, with the support of masses have won the elections, inflicting a crushing defeat on supporters of one-man rule and turncoats.
Arab health insurance meet begins in Libya
By IANS/WAM,
Tripoli : A two-day seminar on the health insurance sector in the Arab region began here Sunday.
It is organised by General Arab Insurance Federation in cooperation with African Insurance Company and Jordanian Society for Health Insurance.
Insurance companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other countries are participating.
The theme is: "Cooperation and Coordination between Insurance Companies and Treatment Service Providers for the Success of Health Insurance."
Iran inaugrates Oil Bourse to pave way for int’l oil business to Iran
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari has said that Iran's Oil Bourse has been inaugurated to pave the way for international oil business to Iran in the near future.
The specialised bourse for oil derivatives and petrochemical products is regarded as a turning point in oil transactions, he said.
Nozari made the remarks in a ceremony Sunday marking the inauguration of Iran's Oil Bourse in Tehran.
Zardari wants India in Friends of Democratic Pakistan group
By IANS,
London : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said here that his country wants India to be part of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan group, a media report said Friday.
"We want India to be the part of Friends of Democratic Pakistan and will encourage any Indian investment in this regard," Zardari said while speaking Thursday at the think tank International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), the Nation newspaper reported on its site.
Abbas concludes visit to United States
By SPA,
Washington : Asked for comment, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said: President Bush is helping to push the process forward. This wasn't a meeting in which major breakthroughs were expected.
Ultimately, this is for the Israelis and the Palestinians to come to an agreement. Each party has more to do - and given the serious commitment of the leaders, the president remains confident that defining a state by the end of the year is still possible,» he said.
15 British nationals killed in Tunisia attack
London: At least 15 British nationals have been killed in Friday's attack in Tunisia, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said on Saturday.
In...
Pakistan arrests sixth suspect in Mumbai attacks
By IANS,
Lahore : Pakistan has arrested a sixth suspect in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and is conducting a "sincere investigation" into the carnage, the country's interior minister says.
Speaking to reporters at the wedding ceremony here Sunday night of a ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader here, minister Rehman Malik however refused to provide details of the fresh arrest.
Pakistan has faced 101 Mumbai-like incidents: Gilani
By IANS,
New Delhi: Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism with "101 Mumbai-like incidents" having taken place, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said and asked India to resume dialogue as both the countries "cannot afford war".
"There are 101 Mumbai-like incident in Pakistan after that. Dialogue is the only answer. We are both responsible nations. We can only move forward. We cannot afford war. The only way forward is talks," Gilani said in an interview to CNN-IBN television channel broadcast Thursday.
Bush acknowledges challenge in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Washington : U.S. President George W. Bush acknowledged the challenge facing the U.S. military in Afghanistan Wednesday, saying June is a "tough month" there.
Speaking at a White House news conference, Bush said the rising U.S. casualties in Afghanistan can be attributed to the fact "that our troops are taking the fight to a tough enemy."
He also said June was "tough for the Taliban," too, since U.S. and coalition forces launched more attacks against the insurgents there.
Obama ‘fully biased’ towards Israel: Jordanian Islamists
By DPA,
Amman: Jordan's influential Muslim Brotherhood movement Thursday accused the administration of the US President Barack Obama of showing "complete bias" towards Israel, and warned Arab countries against bowing to Washington pressure to normalise ties with the Jewish state.
"The pressures reportedly put by Obama on Arab countries to normalise ties with the Zionist entity is evidence that this administration is fully biased with the aggressors against the victims," the movement's leader Hammad Saeed said in a statement.
Pakistan’s election panel chief stopped from visiting India
By IANS,
Lahore: The Pakistani government Saturday barred the chief election commissioner (CEC) and the panel's secretary from visiting India to protest the snubbing of the country's cricketers at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.
The CEC, Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza, and panel secretary Ishtiak Ahmad Khan were about to leave for New Delhi at 2.30 a.m. when they were stopped by the government at Lahore Airport, Online news agency reported, quoting official sources.
Egypt looks forward for further Kuwaiti aid to develop power – Al-Ahram
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has contributed in the construction of up to eight mega power stations in Egypt, the daily "Al-Ahram" said in a report published on Saturday.
This Kuwaiti contribution is estimated at KD 184 million, some 3.7 Egyptian pounds, a substantial portion of the foreign support for the country's vital sector.
UAE, Peru discuss economic cooperation
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Peru have held talks over economic cooperation between the two countries.
US making elaborate efforts to monitor Pakistan polls
By IANS
Washington : The US has high stakes in Pakistan's general election, being held Monday, and is making elaborate efforts to monitor the exercise but is also prepared for irregularities, the State Department has said.
Besides a high-powered Congressional team going to Pakistan as observers, the Bush administration will have US embassy employees fanning out to various locations in the country to see how free and fair for the purpose, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing Friday.
Car bomb hits Iranian ambassador’s house in Yemen, envoy unhurt
Tehran : Iran's ambassador to Yemen was not hurt in Wednesday's car bomb explosion in capital Sanaa, the foreign ministry said.
"According to the latest...
UN aid for Iraqis at stake due to price rise in Jordan
By Xinhua,
Amman : The UN refugees agency warned that its aid programs for Iraqis are in jeopardy because of price hike in Jordan, whose food price has doubled or more after canceling fuel subsidies in February, local Jordan Times said Monday.
Pakistan sets guidelines for foreign poll observers
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan has set stringent guidelines for more than 1,000 observers and foreign journalists expected to visit the country for the Feb 18 elections, with the move viewed as an attempt to restrict the visitors' movement.
Mideast quartet to meet in Jordan on April 17
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : The Middle East Quartet, comprising Russia, the EU, the UN and the U.S., will gather on April 17 in Amman, the capital of Jordan, a Russian Foreign Ministry representative said Tuesday.
The quartet will "discuss plans for future action, including the organization of an international meeting on the Middle East and an upcoming ministerial meeting of the Quartet," Sergei Yakolev said.
The ministers' meeting will be a forerunner of Mideast peace talks in Moscow, for which a date has not yet been fixed, he said.
Iran Won’t Negotiate Its Lawful Atomic Energy Rights
By Bernama,
Tehran : Iran will not negotiate its lawful atomic energy rights, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted by Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) as saying on Tuesday.
"We should not make any premature forecasts. Let them present the initiatives first, and Iran will not stop uranium enrichment research in exchange for economic incentives," he said.
He made these remarks when asked on whether Iran would consider the updated set of the sextex proposals containing the demand to suspend uranium enrichment research.
10 killed in Iran unrest
By DPA,
Tehran : While Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continued to ignore the protests against the outcome of the June 12 presidential elections, state television reported Sunday that at least 10 people were killed in Saturday's clashes.
The news network Khabar quoted the police as saying that at least 10 were killed and several injured in the unrests. Earlier state television reports had spoken of 13 dead.
Militants free 59 security personnel in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Islamic militants Tuesday released 59 paramilitary troops and police officers abducted over the week from Pakistan's restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan, officials said.
Hundreds of heavily armed men from the Toori tribe seized 45 paramilitary soldiers of the Frontier Corps (FC) Monday after intercepting their convoy moving from Parachinar, the main town in tribal district of Kurram, to the Afghan border.
Ghulam Ali imbroglio: Pakistani censor chief wants South Block to step in
New Delhi : Amidst the controversy surrounding the cancellation of renowned Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali's concert in Mumbai, the country's censor board...
Police officer injured in Jerusalem synagogue attack dies
Jerusalem : A police officer seriously injured in the attack by two Palestinians in a synagogue in West Jerusalem has died, bringing the number...
Iran arrests rebel leader
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran has arrested Abdolmalek Rigi, the leader of the Sunni Muslim rebel group Jundollah, state media reported Tuesday.
The group is accused of drug-trafficking, kidnapping and bombings in the south-eastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan.
Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najar told Khabar news network that Iran had planned the arrest in advance but waited so that Rigi could be caught.
The Sunni rebel leader was reportedly arrested inside Pakistan and transferred to Iran.
The interior minister gave no further details.
100 Arab Political Parties Condemn US Threats Against Iran
Amman, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Secretariat of Arab parties, an umbrella group with 100 Arab political parties condemned the United States and the Zionist regime's threats against Iran.
In the statement, a copy of which was faxed to Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) Bureau here, the secretariat underlined the necessity of closing of foreign military bases in Arab lands to guarantee complete independence of Arab countries.
The secretariat, based in Amman, also condemned assassination of Imad Mughnieh, one of top commanders of Lebanon Hezbollah.
Twenty-two students burnt to death in Iran road accident
By RIA Novosti
Tehran : Twenty-two Iranian students were burnt to death after their bus crashed with a fuel tanker and went ablaze in western Iran, Iranian media reported on Sunday.
Seven people were injured in the accident that took place late on Saturday, the media said.
The fuel tanker's driver who fell asleep at the wheel and swerved into the opposite lane is believed to blame for the road accident.
Son of newly appointed Dutch military chief among 2 dead in Afghanistan
By SPA,
The Hague, Netherlands : The Dutch military says the son of the newly appointed armed forces commander was among two Dutch soldiers killed in a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan, according to AP.
Military spokesman Lt. Gen. Freek Meulman says there is no evidence to indicate that 23-year-old Dennis van Uhm was targeted in the explosion. He was a first lieutenant.
Gen. Peter van Uhm assumed his job as the Netherlands' top military commander on Thursday.
Two more Dutch soldiers were wounded in the blast early Friday. One was in critical condition.
Jordan hands back smuggled artifacts to Iraq
By Xinhua,
Amman : Jordan on Sunday delivered to Iraq nearly 2,500 artifacts which were recovered by Jordanian Customs after looted from Iraqi museums and archeological sites in the past years.
Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Maha Khatib presented these artifacts dating back 7,000 to 200 BC, according to head for Iraq's antiquities and heritage office Amira Iidan, during a brief ceremony at the Jordanian Antiquities Department to Iraqi antiquities minister Mohammed al-Uraibi.
11 militants killed in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 11 militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Pakistan's northwest region bordering Afghanistan, a media report said.
UN to call for another probe into Gaza conflict
By DPA,
New York : Fourteen months after the outbreak of the Gaza war, the UN General Assembly was set to again tackle the conflict with a new draft resolution to be debated Friday.
Similar to a resolution the Assembly passed last year, Friday's draft would again urge Israel and the Palestinian Authority to each investigate the Israel-Hamas fighting in Gaza Strip in the winter of 2009.
The draft resolution, already endorsed by 19 Arab states and the Palestinian Authority, calls for an investigation that is "independent, credible and in conformity with international standards".
Afghans to ask for $50 Billion aid at Paris conference
By SPA,
Kabul : Afghanistan will ask international donors for $50 billion in aid at a conference in Paris next month, President Hamid Karzai's senior economic advisor said.
International donors have pledged some $24 billion at three donor conferences since 2002, but the level of aid to Afghanistan is still many times lower per head than to other countries struggling emerging from conflict such as Kosovo or East Timor, Reuters reported.
Iran’s nuclear activities fully transparent – Jalili
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili has said that Iran's nuclear activities are fully transparent.
Addressing members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Brussels Wednesday, Jalili said: "Let me explain several points. We have both fulfilled our duties and taken many confidence-building measures beyond our duties.
"Today, our activities are transparent," said Jalili, adding that as an NPT signatory, Iran insists on its rights.
Pakistan seeks n-deal, US help in reviving talks with India
By IANS,
Washington: Ahead of its first strategic dialogue with the US, Pakistan has sought expanded military aid, an India type civil nuclear deal and a direct US role in reviving the peace process with India, according to a media report.
The demands have been made in a 56-page document sent to the US ahead of Wednesday's talks in what some American officials believe is an implicit offer to crack down on the Afghan Taliban in return, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Iran discovers gas field
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran has discovered a gas field in the Caspian sea, Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi said Sunday.
Suicide car bomber hits Canadian troops in southern Afghanistan, 1 civilian killed
By SPA
Kandahar, Afghanistan : A suicide car bomber attacked a convoy of Canadian troops Wednesday in the southern city of Kandahar, killing a passing civilian and wounding one soldier, Ap reported.
A Humvee military vehicle had been destroyed. NATO troops cordoned off the area, preventing journalists and police from getting near the vehicles.
A passing truck driver was killed in the attack, and two civilian passers-by were wounded, said police officer Nematullah Khan.
Over 70 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : U.S.-led coalition forces killed over 70 Taliban militants in a ground operation supported by air strikes in the eastern Pakistani province of Paktia on Wednesday, local authorities said.
The Taliban, ousted from power after a U.S.-led military operation in 2001, have been stepping up their activities in recent months.
"During the bombing 73 Taliban militants were killed," a spokesman for the province's governor said, adding that 15 were also injured.
Benazir Bhutto gave life for democracy, freedom: Pakistani PM Gilani
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto gave her life to brighten the light of democracy and freedom and illuminate new ways for progress and prosperity of people and stability of the country.
In a message on the first death anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the Prime Minister said Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is representative of the aspirations of the Pakistani people.
He said the party is determined to wipe out poverty, ignorance, backwardness, terrorism and shun regional and linguistic prejudices.
No change in Iranian demand on gas price: Deora
By IANS
New Delhi : Iran has not offered any fresh formula to break the current logjam in the proposed 5-million tonne per annum liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal with India, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said here Thursday.
"The Indian government is pursuing the matter with the Iranian authorities for expediting the implementation of the deal but no fresh formula has come from the latter," Deora told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
Pakistan to receive 4 F-16 fighter jets from U.S.
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan will receive four refurbished F-16 fighter-jets from the United States on Saturday, a media report said.
The fighter jets are part of a consignment of 12 refurbished planes that Pakistan would receive from the United States.
Pakistan, a major non-NATO ally of the United States, receive two of these jets earlier this year and another four last month. Two more planes would be delivered next month, Dawn News newspaper said.
Eight militants killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : Afghan and NATO-led troops killed eight militants in Afghanistan Wednesday, police said.
The killings were reported from Nahri Sufi village in Kunduz province, Xinhua quoted a police officer as saying. Three militants were injured in the operation.
Cabinet approves MoU with Bangladesh on trafficking
New Delhi: The cabinet on Saturday approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh on the prevention of human trafficking and speedy prosecution.
"The union...
Two explosions heard in Rawalpindi
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Two explosions were heard in Pakistan's garrison city of Rawalpindi near the capital Monday morning, Dawn News channel reported.
The blasts could also be heard in Islamabad and police are trying to locate the sites of the explosions, said the report.
The Geo TV said that ambulances were seen moving to the army area in Rawalpindi.
However, Dawn News quoted military sources as saying that all sensitive installations in Rawalpindi were safe and secure.
Window panes of some buildings in parts of Rawalpindi were smashed in the blasts, according to TV reports.
Suicide attack kills 15 in eastern Afghanistan
By SPA,
Kabul, Afghanistan : A NATO spokesman says a suicide attack in eastern Afghanistan has killed 15 people and wounded 25 others.
Maj. Martin O'Donnell said there were NATO troops in the area of the attack Tuesday but there were no alliance casualties.
He said the insurgents opened fire before a suicide bomber blew himself up in Khogyani district of Nangahar province.
Alliance medics were treating the wounded, the Associated Press reported.
India sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, alleges Rehman Malik
Islamabad, Sep 23 (IANS) Pakistan Wednesday again appeared to be speaking in twin voices on improving ties with India, and accusing New Delhi of promoting terrorism in this country.
"Yes, it is true the terrorists arrested from Swat and tribal areas of the country have confirmed Indian involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan," Online news agency quoted Interior Minister Rehman Malik as telling a private TV channel.
Kasab oblivious to seriousness of charges: new lawyer
By IANS,
Mumbai : Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab does not understand the gravity of the Mumbai terror attacks case or the charges against him, senior criminal lawyer Abbas Kazmi said after being appointed to defend him Thursday.
Kazmi was permitted to meet his new client, Kasab, at the Arthur Road Central Jail premises after the days' proceedings were completed in the Special Court set up there.
Inform about jailed foreigners waiting deportation: Delhi HC
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Thursday directed the central government to inform it on the number of jailed foreigners waiting for...
US citizen arrested in Egypt for possessing arms
By IANS,
Cairo : A US citizen of Egyptian origin has been arrested at Cairo airport with guns and other weapons in his luggage, officials said.
The man who was coming from New York was arrested Wednesday for possessing arms and ammunition, Xinhua reported quoting state-run MENA news agency.
According to airport authorities, security personnel have found two handguns, 250 bullets, two swords, five daggers and six pocket knives hidden in his luggage.
Ruler of Sharjah offers donation for Arab, Muslim scholars’ encyclopedia
By NNN-WAM
Sharjah : Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council member and ruler of Sharjah offered donation to the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) to help it complete compilation of encyclopedia for Arab and Muslim literary figures and scientists.
Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, director general of the department of culture and information in Sharjah said the "donation comes in line with unlimited support of Sheikh Sultan to the projects which serve Arab and Islamic nation".
Israel to take more strict measures with Palestinians – Olmert
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : Israel has implied that it will take more strict measures with the Palestinians as punishment after Wednesday's attack in Jerusalem.
The Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said Thursday Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert held, Wednesday evening, a series of meetings with government officials to discuss the situation of Jerusalem's Arab residents.
It said the Israeli government thinks the Arab residents use their residency rights to move freely into central Israel to carry out terrorist attacks.
Nearly 40 dead in Afghan violence
By IANS,
Kabul : Three NATO soldiers and 36 Taliban militants were killed in Afghan violence, Xinhua reported Thursday.
NATO says talks progress on Russian Afghan help
By SPA
Brussels : NATO is in talks with Russia on a set of accords for the alliance to use Russian land and airspace to transport troops and equipment to its security forces in Afghanistan, REUTERS quoted the sources of the alliance as saying on Saturday.
The pacts are part of a package of Russian assistance for NATO's 43,000-strong operation in Afghanistan which could be announced at an alliance summit early next month which President Vladimir Putin is due to attend as guest.
Key commanders of Hafiz Gul Bahadur group killed in airstrikes in Pakistan
Peshawar: Airstrikes by the Pakistani military in the Datakhel tehsil of the North Waziristan tribal area killed at least seven key commanders of the...
Kazakhstan launches construction of gas pipeline to China
By RIA Novosti,
Astana : The construction of a natural gas pipeline to link energy-rich Kazakhstan with China began on Wednesday, the Kazakh construction company Kazstroiservis said.
The pipeline, Kazakhstan's first natural gas export route to external markets bypassing Russia, is expected to be completed in June 2010 and have an initial capacity of 4.5 billion cubic meters annually, Kazstroiservis said.
The new gas route is part of a larger project to build a system of pipelines running from Turkmenistan across Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to energy-hungry China.
Palestinian president condemns “Israeli massacre”
By KUNA,
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned on Monday "the Israeli massacre" that took the lives of seven Palestinians including four children,...
Iran warns US against military attacks
By DPA,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Tuesday warned the US against any military attacks on his country.
Customs officials seize large drug consignment
By IANS
Dubai : Customs officials in Dubai have seized a large shipment of narcotic substances into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Dubai International Airport, WAM news agency reported Friday.
The drugs - pills of narcotic substance Keptagon - were hidden in a building material shipment from an Arab country. The drugs were packed in 17 large sacks.
The 230,000 pills weighing approximately 40 kg were discovered by the Port Authority's trained dogs and confiscated by Dubai Customs.
Saudi king pledges to crush terrorism
Riyadh : Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has said his government was determined to confront terrorism and will adopt all measures to protect...
Shoaib gave false information in divorce paper?
By IANS,
Hyderabad: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, who is set to marry Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza, could land in fresh trouble for furnishing false information while giving divorce to his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui, according to official documents.
The divorce and agreement papers, which Shoaib signed April 7, have the name of his late father as Malik Saleem Hussain while the invitation for the April 15 wedding reception carries the name of his father as Malik Faqeer Hussain, the documents show.
Saudi king to allow only official fatwas
By DPA,
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has moved to block any issuance of public fatwas, or religious edicts, by clerics not officially appointed, a newspaper reported Friday.
"We have noted many violations that we cannot allow, thus it is our religious obligation to confront it firmly to protect religion, preserve unity and to prevent evil," the king said in the decree, published by the al-Sharq al-Awsat daily newspaper.
Only approved scholars would be allowed to issue public edicts, in the kingdom's first such large-scale reform of the religious rulings.
Pakistan resisting US pressure for more data on its air travelers
By NNN-APP,
New York : Pakistan is resisting increasing Obama administration’s pressure to provide the United States with much broader airline passenger information to track terrorist travel patterns, The New York Times reported Monday.
Citing unnamed administration officials, the newspaper said in a front-page report that Pakistan had for several years rebuffed the request but the issue is now on a short list of sticking points between the two countries that have intensified since the failed Times Square car bombing attempt.
Pakistani Taliban threatens to kill 29 hostages
By IANS,
Islamabad : Taliban militants have threatened to kill all 29 hostages they hold captive if the government fails to withdraw troops from Hangu, a town in the restive North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan.
The 29 officials, kidnapped by the militants before the military operation commenced in Hangu Wednesday, were at a "safe place", a Taliban spokesman told the Dawn newspaper Saturday.
"As soon as they (militants) receive orders from the central leadership, they would start killing them (hostages) one by one," the newspaper said quoting Maulvi Haider, the spokesman.
Pakistan-Iran border reopens
By IANS,
Islamabad: The border between Pakistan and Iran was reopened Sunday after three months, a media report said.
US judge dismisses Blackwater case; Iraqis upset
By IANS,
Baghdad : Iraq has said it regretted the decision by a US judge to dismiss the charges against five Blackwater security guards who allegedly killed innocent Iraqi civilians in 2007.
"The Iraqi government regrets and is disappointed by the decision," Ali al-Dabbagh, spokesman for the government, said in a statement Friday.
"The investigations conducted by the Iraqi authorities confirm clearly that the Blackwater guards committed murder and violated the rule of using arms under the circumstances of being threatened," Xinhua reported quoting the official.
OIC Chief urges Sudan, Chad to respect Dakar deal
By IINA
Jeddah : The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has expressed his deep concern over the recent developments along the Sudan –Chad borders. While stating that the OIC has been following closely the situation, the Secretary General, in a statement, appealed to the two countries to rededicate themselves and live up to their commitments contained in the Dakar Agreement signed by the two parties on March 13, 2008.
UN report says over 8,000 killed in Afghanistan in 2007
By RIA Novosti
New York : Over 8,000 people, including at least 1,500 civilians, were killed in violence in Afghanistan in 2007, a new UN report said.
The report to be discussed by the UN Security Council on Wednesday said that in spite of "tactical successes by national and international military forces, the anti-government elements are far from defeated."
According to the report drafted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, last year's violence was at the highest level since the U.S.-led invasion of the country against the Taliban in 2001.
Pakistan: ISI already under civilian control, says Minister Sherry Rehman
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman said that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was already working under the civilian control.
“ISI is already under civilian control. It is overseen by establishment and cabinet divisions which work under the Prime Minister,” she told a private television (Express News) by phone from London on Sunday.
Sherry Rehman said that it was government’s endeavour to provide smooth working conditions to all institutions functioning within a civilian set up and to avoid any miscommunication.
19 militants killed in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
Kabul : US-led coalition troops on Saturday said they had killed 19 and arrested two militants in multiple operations in different parts of Afghanistan on Friday.
Iraqi PM struggling to repair crippled cabinet
By Xinhua
Baghdad : The Iraqi government led by the Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is conducting a swirl of political efforts to bring the breakaway parties back to the government, which has been running at its half capacity for nearly six months.
Iraq's presidential council, comprised of its president and two vice presidents, have given Maliki two options: persuading its opponents to rejoin the cabinet or reshuffling the current portfolios to form a new one.