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.
Spokesman: U.S. has not changed policy toward Iran
By Xinhua
Washington : The United States has not changed its policy toward Iran although its envoy was found sitting together with the Iranian foreign minister at an international panel, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Wednesday.
Referring to reports that U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad sat beside Iranian Foreign Minister at a panel of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Saturday, McCormack said that Khalilzad's behavior was not authorized.
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.
GCC support economic, political reforms in Yemen – Al-Attiya
By NNN-KUNA
Sanaa : GCC member states are determined to support efforts by the Yemeni government to implement a road map to join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and follow reform guidelines called for by the conference of donor states, GCC Secretary-General Abdel-Rahman Al-Attiya said Friday.
Speaking to reporters on his arrival to Sanaa, he said the reforms called for are part of a batch of national measures included in the 2006-2010 five-year development plan.
Palestinian negotiator calls for ceasefire to save Gaza
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat Tuesday called for a ceasefire with Israel to prevent a disaster in the Gaza Strip which is suffering from lack of food and medicine.
"Considering all these dangerous situations in Gaza, I demand a comprehensive, mutual and coincident calmness to take place immediately," Erekat told Voice of Palestine radio.
Israel launches daily attacks in the Gaza Strip where Islamic Hamas movement rules. The offensive coincides with more than seven months of unprecedented Israeli blockade on the coastal strip.
KFAED signs loan agreement with Sudan to finance traffic dam project
By NNN-KUNA
Kuwait : The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) has announced it will soon sign a loan agreement worth 16 million Kuwaiti dinars (USD 59 million) to contribute in the financing of a traffic dam project in Sudan.
KFAED said in a statement Thursday the project aims to meet the demand for electric power and reducing the cost of electricity production through the establishment of a dam and a hydroelectric station on the Nile River.
Israel boosts protection for its ministers
By KUNA
Gaza : The Israeli security body, Shin Bet, decided to boost security measures to protect cabinet officials, especially while abroad, Radio Israel reported.
The radio said the decision came after the assassination of Hezbullah leader Imad Mughnieh a few days ago.
Virtue of the decision, official security staff are to accompany ministers in their travels, both for official work and otherwise, and "This is in fear of assassination attempts," the radio said.
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.
Journalist Bazlur Rahman dead
By IANS
Dhaka : Bazlur Rahman, former editor of the daily Sangbad and a freedom fighter, has died following a massive heart attack.
He was 67.
Rahman's wife Matia Chowdhury is a former minister and Awami League presidium member.
Rahman started his career as a reporter with the Sangbad in 1961. He also had a brief stint with the daily Ittefaq, The Daily Star newspaper said Wednesday.
He was once actively involved in politics as a member of the Communist Party of Bangladesh and of the National Awami Party (Mozaffar).
Three explosions in Pakistani city, over 20 dead, scores wounded
By KUNA
Islamabad : More than 20 people were killed and scores wounded in three explosions that rocked an east Pakistani city Tuesday morning, a week after two suicide blasts in the city killed over 11 and wounded dozens others, said police and eyewitnesses.
The first explosion took place inside the six-storey Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) building on the busiest Temple Road in Lahore, and the second occurred near a school and Bilawal House of slain Benazir Bhutto in Model Town area, police sources told KUNA.
Bad weather to hit UAE on Saturday and Sunday
By WAM
Abu Dhabi : The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology of the Meteorological Department is strongly advising drivers to be cautious while driving on the highways on Saturday and Sunday.
It said visibility will be very poor as a result of bad weather caused by sandstorm, particularly in the western region.
The department also advised people who have allergy and asthma to remain indoor during this period.
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.
Palestinian resistance factions attack Israeli settlements, military base
By KUNA
Gaza : Several Palestinian resistant factions claimed responsibility on Friday for firing several missiles and mortar shells on several Jewish settlements.
The military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for firing two 80-milimeter mortar shells on Israeli military base Abu-mutaibeq in east of Gaza.
In press statement received by KUNA, the group said their Mujahideen were able to target the Israeli military base Friday evening.
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.
German daily highlights Israel’s systematic misuse of Holocaust
By IRNA,
Berlin : The German daily Die Tageszeitung (taz) on Wednesday highlighted Israel's systematic instrumentalization of the Nazi-era Holocaust for its own political goals.
"Israel's right-wing government is instrumentalizing the Holocaust for its policy. No Israeli government has ever misused the Holocaust as much as the present one to justify its policies," the paper said in an editorial.
It added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been using the Holocaust to justify any Israeli aggression as "an act of self-defense."
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...
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...
We want to reach peace satisfactory to both Palestinians and Israelis – Abbas says
By NNN-WAFA,
Washington : President Mahmoud Abbas said that we are doing everything we can in order to seriously negotiate and reach a peace that would be satisfactory to both the Palestinian side and the Israeli side, a peace that would be promoted throughout the world.
In a press statement with US President George W. Bush in the White House, President added that we believe that you actually are truly seeking a true, genuine and lasting peace in the Middle East, and I am certain that you would like to see an agreement and settlement before the end of your term.
Five countries voice readiness to invest in Iran
By NNN-IRNA,
Hamedan : Deputy Chairman of Trade Promotion Organisation of Iran Ali Houshmand Manesh said on Thursday that Iraq, Tajikistan, Sudan, Armenia and Russia have voiced readiness to invest and establish trade centers in Iran.
Speaking to IRNA during the current visit of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Hamedan province, he said the foreign countries have voiced readiness to invest in Iran and the Iranian officials are now reviewing their offers.
Hamas lifts ban on pro-Fatah newspaper
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Hamas court on Thursday allowed a Palestinian newspaper to resume distribution in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip after nearly three months of banning.
Following the decision, the Ramallah-based al-Ayyam daily will appear in the newsstands in Gaza Strip after 78 days of absence.
On Feb. 12, Hamas' first instance court ruled that the newspaper, loyal to rival Fatah party, is not allowed to be distributed in Gaza for the newspaper published a cartoon that Hamas considered harming the parliament it leads.
Iran warns Europe not to cross “red lines” in nuclear offer
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran on Saturday warned European countries not to cross its "red lines" in a new offer of incentives to coax Tehran to roll back its nuclear program, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The European countries are well aware of Iran's red lines, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said during a joint press conference with his Yemeni counterpart Abu Bakr al-Qurbi.
Four US Soldiers Killed in Iraq
By Prensa Latina,
Washington : Four US soldiers died when a roadside bomb exploded in the Iraqi western province of Al Anbar, the Pentagon reported on Sunday.
A communique issued by the Defense Department noted that the attack took place on Friday.
Another two US marines died last week in a similar incident in Al Anbar, a region that Washington had already considered safe.
The cities of Ramadi and Falluja, stronhold of the resistance against occupation, are located in Al Anbar, the largest Iraqi province.
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.
Food Crisis Challenges Governments
By Prensa Latina,
Kuala Lumpur : The urgency for overcoming inflation and solving the food crisis represents a challenge for many governments, affirmed Malaysia prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Local commentators emphasized the message of the head of the federal government to celebrate the recent 62nd anniversary of his National Organization Party of United Malaysians (UMNO).
Abdullah Badawi highlighted the need to concentrate financial resources in a direction that will protect the population, prevent the food crisis and reduce inflation.
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.
Hamas invites Frensh FM to visit Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) ruling Gaza Strip called Saturday on French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to visit the territory to learn about the suffering of its people.
Taher al-Nounou, a spokesman for the Hamas government in Gaza, told the press that the invitation "was motivated by France's moral stance" which was reflected throughout Kouchner's remarks.
Arab League chief arrives in Syria for talks with president
By KUNA,
Damascus : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa arrived in the Syrian capital on Monday for forecast talks with top officials on regional affairs, it was officially reported.
Moussa, who arrived from Lebanon where he attended a ceremony of electing Michel Suleiman as president after months of vacancy in the top post as a result of political crises, was expected to hold talks with President Bashar Al-Assad.
Suicide blast kills 4 civilians in W Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A suicide attacker exploded his explosive-laden vehicle Monday afternoon as a foreign troops' convoy was passing by in Shindand district of western Afghan province Herat, killing four civilians and wounding 12 others, a police official said.
The official, a spokesman for police department in western zone of Afghanistan who identified himself by Ahmadi, told Xinhua that the blast occurred at some 5 p.m. local time and was against the local-based foreign troops, but causing no casualties to the passing-by military convoy.
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.
US soldier killed, four others injured in Baghdad
By ANTARA News,
Baghdad : A US soldier was killed and four others were injured Tuesday when a bomb struck their patrol in west Baghdad, a US military spokesman said.
The soldier died of his wounds after several surgical operations, Abdel-Latif Rayan, a spokesman for the US military told the Voices of Iraq news agency.
He was the second US soldier to die in Iraq in July.
Earlier, the US military said four security contractors were killed and eight injured by a roadside bomb in northern Iraq.
Israeli cabinet endorses prisoner swap with Hezbollah
By NNN-KUNA,
Ramallah : The Israeli cabinet has approved the prisoner swap with Hezbollah with 22 ministers voting in favour, and only three against.
The next step is for the Israeli president to approve the deal.
According to Israeli law, prisoners who killed an Israeli shall be pardoned only with a presidential endorsement.
The newly-inked decision will come into effect on Wednesday.
Maliki, Bush discuss troop withdrawal timetable over phone
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraqi and U.S. leaders have talked about bilateral relations in a phone conversation, including working out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the Iraqi government said Friday.
Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and U.S. President George W. Bush stressed the importance of achieving a timetable to hand over security control to the Iraqi security troops so as to lay the ground for the pullout of the U.S. force.
Several militants killed in Afghanistan — coalition
By KUNA,
Kabul : The US-led coalition troops announced Wednesday the killing of several militants during an operation in Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan in an operation conducted in Said Abad district, along the Kabul-Kandahar Highway.
"Coalition forces searched several compounds in Said Abad targeting a Taliban commander suspected of conducting attacks on coalition forces, including the June 26 attack in Wardak resulting in the deaths of three coalition service members and an Afghan interpreter," said a coalition statement.
Pakistan army again open fire on Indian side
By IRNA,
Srinagar, India : Pakistani forces again opened firing on Indian troops in the Nariya post, in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, Wednesday.
No casualty reported so far.
Earlier, on Monday evening at least 12 Pakistani troops crossed into Indian territory and opened fire in the Lepa Valley of Nawgam sector in Kupwara district killing an Indian jawan.
Indian forces returned the fire driving the intruders back.
Four of the intruders were reportedly killed in the exchange of firing.
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.'
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.
Saudi intelligence chief in Pakistan on Musharraf’s fate
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Saudi intelligence chief dashed to Islamabad to broker a deal between the embattled President Pervez Musharraf who is facing impeachment and possible trial, local media reported.
Muqrin ibn Abdul Aziz met President Musharraf and leaders of the ruling coalition to discuss a 'safe exit' for the President, TV channels reported.
There was no official word and also the Saudi embassy did not comment.
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.
Australian FM says to renew aid offer to Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Canberra : Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said on Monday his country will renew its offer of counter-terrorism assistance to Pakistan after the suicide truck bombing of an Islamabad hotel which killed at least 53 people.
Smith told ABC Radio while in New York for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly that he would hold formal bilateral talks with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi this week.
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.
Pakistan to release 101 Indian prisoners Wednesday
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : One hundred and one Indian prisoners being released by Pakistan will cross the Wagah border Wednesday when Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be in New Delhi to discuss confidence building measures with his counterpart Pranab Mukherjee.
Pakistan Sunday announced that that 99 Indian fishermen arrested for illegally entering into Pakistan's territory and two other prisoners who have completed their jail terms will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border on Wednesday.
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.
Afghanistan signs Anti-Cluster bomb Treaty
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghanistan has inked the Anti-Cluster Bomb Treaty in Norwegian capital Oslo, according to a statement released by Afghan presidential Palace on Thursday.
"Afghan ambassador to Norway Jawed Ludin signed the Treaty on behalf of his government at a two-day conference in Oslo on Wednesday," the statement said.
So far, 92 countries have joint the international treaty to ban the product and use of the cluster munitions.
Israeli spokesman: Six Palestinian missiles launched at S. Israel today
By KUNA,
Gaza : A spokesman of the Israeli Army Thursday said Palestinians fired six local-make missiles from Gaza Strip on different areas of southern Israel, as the ceasefire seems to be taking its last breath.
A spokesman told Radio Israel the missiles were fired at different intervals, the last of which fired after noon today on the Western Negev region.
He added the missiles came hours after raids by Israeli jet planes on Palestinian targets in Gaza and the killing of a Palestinian in an attack on his home in Beit Lahya.
Hasina government moves to quell campus violence
By IANS,
Chittagong (Bangladesh) : The newly installed Sheikh Hasina government has deployed the police to quell campus violence after Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists snapped telephone lines of the Chittagong University vice-chancellor's office and drove out the deputy registrar, a media report said Wednesday.
Four assistant proctors of the university submitted their resignation letters Tuesday to Vice-Chancellor (VC) Badiul Alam who accepted the resignations of three of them, The Daily Star said.
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.
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.
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.
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...