At least four dead in Kabul explosion
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : At least four people were killed and over 10 injured when an explosive device went off near the U.S. embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, a source in the country's interior ministry said on Thursday.
The official dismissed media reports that the explosion had occurred just outside the U.S. embassy, saying that the bomb had been detonated outside a state-run printing firm at least 200 meters away from the entrance to the U.S. compound.
"A terrorist attacked a NATO convoy," the source said, adding that the blast had occurred during rush hour.
China calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
By Xinhua,
Beijing : Israel and Hamas should cease fire immediately and mitigate the humanitarian crisis, Sun Bigan, China's special envoy to the Middle East Region, told the press Thursday afternoon.
Voicing deep concern over the ongoing turbulence in the region, Sun said immediate ceasefire is urgent. Israel should stop military operations in Gaza immediately and Hamas should stop firing rockets at Israel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
Indians in Saudi Arabia asked to get machine-readable passports
Riyadh : The Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia has appealed to all Indians living in the kingdom to get machine-readable passports issued as soon...
Obama says Israel construction plans ‘unhelpful’
By DPA,
Jakarta: US President Barack Obama Tuesday said newly published Israeli plans to build over 1,300 homes on Palestinian land would not help efforts to reach peace in the Middle East.
Pakistan to enlarge pictorial warning on cigarette packs
By IANS,
Islamabad: The Pakistan government will increase the size of the pictorial health warning on cigarette packets from 30 to 50 percent, a media report said Tuesday.
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.
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.
Drone attack kills four in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Four people were killed and two others were injured in a US drone attack early Tuesday morning in northwest Pakistan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cyclone Bijli hits Bangladesh coast
By DPA,
Dhaka : Cyclone Bijli hit the Bangladeshi coast late Friday night, but the tropical storm had weaken slightly before reaching the southeastern shoreline, officials said.
A Bangladesh meteorological department statement said that the cyclone - with a wind speed of 90 km per hour - would take five to six hours to cross the coast.
Several thousand inhabitants of islands in the Bay of Bengal were already evacuated earlier Friday, ahead of the storm.
Will fraud mar credibility of Afghan elections?
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghanistan observers say they expect irregularities in the voting for Thursday's presidential elections but added that their concern lies in whether the problems would rise to a level that would impact the credibility of the balloting.
Zardari wants partners help Pakistan
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Asif Ali Zardari has said Pakistan looks forward to its partners in this war to assist the country in overcoming over difficulties so that the goal of democratically elected government to meet the expectations of the people of Pakistan could be achieved.
"Pakistan needs trade and market access for its product in order to set its economy on the path of stability and prosperity," the President said during meeting with the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Richard Halbrooke, the Presidential spokesamn said.
Quirks of History: How Jinnah forestalled Fazlul Haq’s gambit
By Prof. Refaqat Ali Khan,
Write Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh, an NGO, invited me to attend the SAARC Literary Festival in Dhaka on 27-28 February, 2014. Delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives were participants. The seminar / festival proposed a discussion / review “Beyond Borders, Trust and Reconciliation”.
‘More than 150,000’ killed in Syrian conflict
Istanbul : More than 150,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011, the Syrian Observatory for Human rights said in a new figure released Tuesday.
Muslim Organizations in Mumbai send memorandum to Egypt’s Ambassador to India
By A. Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Expressing their concerns for the violation of Human Rights in Egypt, some Muslim organizations in Mumbai has sent a combined memorandum to the Egypt’s Ambassador to India. These organizations have also appealed Government of India to bring the matter before United Nations and help restore democracy in Egypt.
Of Pakistan’s Punjab and high levels of drug use
By Aslam Chandio, TwoCircles.net,
Islamabad: When it comes to drug use, Pakistan’s province of Punjab due to its large share of the population, has the highest number of people who use and inject drugs with 2.9 million people using illicit substances in the past year and approximately 260,000 people who currently inject drugs.
Pakistan’s SC orders formation of national council for protecting minorities’ rights
By Aslam Chandio, TwoCircles.net,
Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday ordered the federal government to form a national council of minorities' rights for protection of minority rights and ensuring religious harmony.
Love Thy Neighbor: Nawaz Sharif’s Visit to India
By Ram Puniyani,
India Pakistan relations have always been mired with in various controversies, which have been preventing the friendly relations with our neighbor, who in ‘popular perception’ is seen as an enemy. It is due to this that while all the members of SAARC countries have been invited, the one to draw maximum popular attention has been the coming of Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. In a deft move India’s the then Prime Minister designate sent an invite to all the heads of SAARC countries for his swearing in ceremony, (16 May 2014)which was held with great pomp and show.
“We are all Palestinians” Chant tens of thousands in London
By M Ghazali Khan,
London: Thousands of protesters, estimated around 100,000, have demonstrated outside the Israeli Embassy against Israeli aggression on Gaza and the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.
Obama’s Eid greeting to Muslims backfires
Washington : A White House message on Twitter wishing “Muslims in the United States and around the world a blessed and joyous celebration” of...
Pakistan lodges protest with India over firing across ‘working boundary’
By Aslam Chandio, TwoCircles.net,
Islamabad: The Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Monday summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner and lodged a protest over what it called...
Bomb in northern Lebanese city kills 18
By SPA,
Tripoli, Lebanon : Lebanese security officials say the toll from the morning rush hour bombing of a bus carrying civilians and members of the military in the northern city of Tripoli has now risen to 18 killed and 40 wounded.
The Associated Press quoted officials as saying that the dead included 10 off-duty soldiers.
The blast occurred Wednesday morning when a roadside bomb went off on a busy main street of Tripoli as a public bus drove by.
General petraeus submits preliminary Iraq report
By SPA,
Washington : General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, has submitted to Defense Secretary Robert Gates his initial recommendation on when to resume a U.S. troop withdrawal and at what pace, a senior military officer said Friday.
The officer, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said Petraeus was still analyzing the situation and had not yet submitted a final set of recommendations, which he is expected to do within the next week or so. The officer did not provide any specifics of Petraeus’ initial recommendations.
India, Palestine hold talks on bilateral issues
By IRNA,
New Delhi : Visiting President of Palestinian, Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday held talks Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. West peace process and bilateral issues are understood to have been discussed at length during the talks.
Later an agreement on the construction and equipping of a school named after the first prime minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in Abu Dees in Palestine was signed.
Seven militants killed in northwestern Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least seven militants were killed and several injured in the overnight military operation in Pakistan's restive northwestern tribal region bordering Afghanistan, media reports said Tuesday.
Security forces pounded the militants' hideouts in Damadola, Badaan, Safray and Kaga areas of Mamond in Bajaur tribal agency where Pakistani troops have been engaged in fierce clashes with Taliban and Al Qaeda militants since last August, the News Network International news agency reported.
‘Obama must fulfil promises regarding Iran’
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari has said that US President Barack Obama must fulfil the promises he made regarding Iran during his campaign if he is to revive ties between the two countries, Iran's IRNA news agency reported Wednesday.
He added that Iran will accept no preconditions for talks over its nuclear issue.
Safari was in Brussels for talks on energy related issues with European Union officials.
Iran ready for talks with US: Ahmadinejad
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that Iran is ready to talk in "fair atmosphere" with the US.
Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a speech marking the 30th anniversary of the victory of Iran's Islamic Revolution.
Obama plans to push forward on Middle East peace
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama intends to work toward Middle East peace regardless of who forms Israel's new government, the White House said Wednesday.
"President Obama looks forward to working with whoever makes up that next Israeli government in a search for lasting and durable peace in the region," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
Obama telephoned President Shimon Peres to congratulate Israel for its successful elections and praised him for his steadfast support for a two-state solution with the Palestinians, the White House said.
Pakistan expands crackdown on opposition groups, lawyers
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Police in Pakistan expanded crackdown on opposition parties and lawyers and arrested scores of them in the country’s northwest to frustrate their attempt of a 'Long-March' on capital Islamabad, opposition groups said Friday.
Lawyers and opposition political parties planned to stage sit-in outside the parliament house in Islamabad from March 16 to press for the demand of the restoration of former Chief Justice Supreme Court and other judges sacked by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007 when he imposed emergency rule.
Zia faces her first formal graft charge
By IANS,
Dhaka : Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia Tuesday faced her first formal graft charge as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accused her and 10 others of abuse of power in awarding a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian company Niko.
Her law minister Moudud Ahmed and former state minister for energy A.K.M. Mosharraf Hossain are among the others named in the charge sheet before the court.
Zia, 62, who ruled Bangladesh for 10 years, during 1991-96 and then in 2001-06, has been in jail since last September.
Lebanon treads on eggs as riots enter 3rd day
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanon is treading on eggs as fears about another civil war rises after riots in Beirut left at least eight people dead and 40 others injured.
GUNBATTLES SWEEP BEIRUT
The sectarian fighting between anti and pro-government supporters in Beirut entered the third day on Friday. The crackle of gunfire and sporadic bursts of rocket-propelled grenade echoed in many districts of Beirut.
At least eight people were killed and 40 others wounded during the fighting, security sources told Xinhua anonymously on Friday.
Lebanon is, will remain strong with will of PPL – Suleiman
By NNN-KUNA,
Kuwait : Lebanon is strong and will remain so with the will of its people, said Lebanese Army Commander and presidential nominee General Michel Suleiman on Thursday.
Speaking to "Al-Qabas" newspaper, he said, "We have survived difficult phases and blows, but every time, the Lebanese people proved that they can overcome their wounds and pain with the support of their Arab brothers and friends around the world."
Italy government “flexible” on Afghan troop rules
By SPA,
Rome : Italy's new conservative government will be more flexible on rules of engagement for its troops in Afghanistan, who cannot now be used in a combat role, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said in a newspaper interview, according to Reuters.
With the United States urging allies to play a bigger role in the war against the Taliban, Frattini told La Stampa newspaper Italy would "start arguing more concretely in terms of
flexibility and adaptability on the ground" at an Afghan donors' conference in Paris next month.
Arab League Chief optimistic that Lebanese cabinet will be formed within hours
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa expressed on Saturday his optimism that the awaited Lebanese cabinet would be formed within hours, saying that there were "serious indications" in this regard.
He clarified in a press release that talks being held on this matter were back on track and were headed toward a mutual agreement.
Moussa received and made intensive phone calls with several Arab and Lebanese parties of concern, noting that he sensed "real progress" towards forming Lebanon's cabinet and expecting to wrap up this debate within hours.
Israel to close crossings with Gaza Strip – source
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israel announced Monday evening that it would be closing all crossings linking it with the Gaza Strip.
Haaretz newspaper said on its website that an Israel military source has affirmed that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the closure of the three crossings providing Gaza with its needs of food and vital supplies.
The decision was taken after mortar shells fell on the Karni crossing without causing any casualties.
IAEA chief to hold ‘important’ meetings with IRI leaders
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said Friday ties between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have entered a new stage. He also said ElBaradei will hold "important" meetings with Iranian leaders Saturday.
Aqazadeh who was addressing a joint press conference with the IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei, assessed his talks with Elbaradei as "good and comprehensive."
Gunmen launch second attack on American school in Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : Gunmen broke into an American school building in Beit Lahya west of the Gaza Strip early on Saturday in the second such attack on it since Thursday.
Local radio stations quoted school director Rabhi Salem as saying that an unidentified armed group broke into the school building Saturday dawn, sabotaged parts of it, stole computers and other items and set fire at six buses that were completely destroyed.
Tajik officers seize 500 kg of drugs on Afghan border
By RIA Novosti
Dushanbe : Tajik special forces seized over 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of opium-related drugs on the Afghan border and arrested eight suspects, a source in the country's Security Committee said on Thursday.
An estimated 73 kg of heroin was seized in the special operation. The source said the suspects are believed to be part of a major international drug-smuggling ring.
Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic in Central Asia, is a major transit country for drugs from the world's largest heroin producer, Afghanistan.
Turkey may launch major attack on Iraq Kurds in March
By RIA Novosti
Ankara : Turkey may carry out a military operation against Kurdish insurgents based in northern Iraq in the second half of March, a national daily reported on Thursday.
"The operation may only start when the snow begins to melt, which will be some time in late March," Sabah said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, indicated on Wednesday that weather conditions would be a key factor in a possible operation.
Kuwaiti FM lauds relations with Tunisia
By NNN-KUNA
Tunis : Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah has lauded relations with Tunisia during his meeting here with President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.
Speaking to the Tunisian media on Tuesday, Sheikh Mohammad said that the meeting was a chance to view means to bolsteral bilateral relations on different domains.
Dhaka government to talk to parties on poll code
Dhaka, March 25 (IANS) Bangladesh's army-backed caretaker government wants to initiate talks with political parties to evolve a code of conduct for the elections it has promised for this yearend.
But it also wants the politicians' support to sustain political and electoral reforms and the anti-graft drive that politicians say is aimed against them.
Israeli illegal settlements ‘highly provocative,’ says UK minister
By IRNA,
London : Foreign Office Minister Lord Howell has accused the Israeli regime of being “highly provocative” by continuing to build illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian territories.
Zardari stays execution of Christian woman
By Awais Saleem,IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Friday stayed the execution of a Christian woman who was sentenced to death on charges of blasphemy.
Italian jailed in Dubai for molesting air passenger
By IANS,
Dubai : An Italian man was Tuesday sentenced to four months in jail by a Dubai court for molesting a woman traveller on a flight from Jakarta to Dubai.
NATO Libya mission to continue as long as necessary: Rasmussen
By IRNA,
Berlin : NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen vowed Thursday to keep up military pressure on the regime of Libyan dictator Moammar Qadhafi 'as long as necessary.'
Malaysia top favorite ‘halal holiday’ destination
By IINA,
Jeddah : Malaysia tops the world’s favorite destinations for Muslim travelers, according to a survey released on Tuesday.
The United Arab Emirates and Turkey...
KABUL, Afghanistan, February 08, SPA -- Bitter cold, nowstorms and avalanches have killed at least 654 people in Afghanistan this winter, a government official said.
Weather-related incidents have also left 84 people injured and killed at least 100,000 cattle, said Abdul Matin Edrak,
head of the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Commission.
Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries and is largely mountainous, with winter temperatures often plunging well below freezing, the Associated Press reported.
Eight security personnel killed in Peshawar blast
By IANS,
Peshawar : Eight security personnel were killed when an abandoned car they sought to check exploded on the outskirts of Pakistan's Peshawar city Saturday.
Residents of Badahber village had alerted the police to the car parked on a roadside with a man's body inside. As the police team approached it, the vehicle blew up, the authorities said.
A media report identified the dead as five policemen and three Frontier Constabulary soldiers. At least six people were injured.
Dawn News quoted a police official as saying that a remote-controlled bomb was planted in the car.