Taliban’s ‘nebulous’ shadow impossible to control: Pakistani media
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Taliban's "nebulous" shadow is looming far beyond its strongholds, threatening large sections of the citizenry, particularly women, and is almost impossible to control, an editorial in a leading Pakistani English daily said Thursday.
Another editorial said the ideology the Taliban sought to impose "makes the worst excesses of fascist dictatorship pale by comparison".
The extremist right-wing ideology the Taliban represent "and the tactics they employ are casting a shadow that looms far beyond their strongholds", Dawn said in an editorial.
30 militants killed in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : Afghan troops have killed 30 Taliban insurgents, including a commander, in Afghanistan's southern province Helmand, said a statement of the Afghan Defense Ministry, released here Thursday.
Mullah Abdul Bari and 29 of his men were killed on Wednesday ina five-hour operation supported by air force and conducted in MusaQala and Kajaki districts of the troubled Helmand province, the ministry said.
It said 12 more insurgents were detained during the operation.
Libyan tribal chiefs call for amnesty
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Libyan tribal chiefs have urged a general amnesty for all fighters engaged in the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, the Al Jazeera news network has reported.
24 killed, 23 injured in Iraqi violence
By DPA,
Baghdad : At least 24 people were killed and 23 others injured in separate attacks in the Iraqi capital as well as in the southern Iraqi city of Hillah, sources said Saturday.
US air force continued to strike Baghdad's Shia Sadr City Saturday, killing 18 people and wounding another 23, medical sources told DPA.
Sources said the dead included women and children.
The air raids come as part of a security offensive launched by the Iraqi government March 25 and aims at clearing Sadr City of illegal militants and criminal gangs.
India, Pakistan talks on CBMs Thursday
By IANS,
Islamabad : India and Pakistan will hold bilateral talks Thursday in Islamabad to review confidence building measures (CBMs) between the two countries, said an official Tuesday.
Suicide bomber kills five in Iraq
By DPA,
Baquba (Iraq) : A suicide bomber killed two US soldiers, an Iraqi interpreter, and two bystanders in the Iraqi city of Baquba, witnesses said.
Eleven people were also wounded when a man detonated explosives strapped to his body near the offices of the local government in Baquba, 60 km north of Baghdad, witnesses said.
The Dubai-based satellite television channel al-Arabiya reported that three US soldiers had been killed and that four Iraqis were among the casualties in the attack. The US military did not immediately confirm the deaths.
Military: 2nd U.S. soldier killed in S Baghdad shooting
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A second U.S. soldier was killed and three others wounded in Monday's small-arms fire attack south of Baghdad, the U.S. military said on Tuesday.
The attack occurred shortly before 1:00 p.m. local time (1000 GMT) on Monday as the troops were leaving a council meeting facility in the town of Madain, some 30 km south of Baghdad, a U.S. military statement said.
The troops returned fire and killed the gunman, the statement said, adding that an interpreter was also wounded by the attack.
Prevail upon India to work with us: Nawaz’s aide to Kerry
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's key advisor Tuesday said the US being an influential member of the international community could prevail upon...
Hamas says its leaders to meet Jimmy Carter in Cairo
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Hamas spokesman said on Wednesday that its delegation is set to travel from the Gaza Strip to Cairo later in the day to meet former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Pro-Hamas daily newspaper Palestine reported that Hamas and the(deposed) Palestinian government, headed by Ismail Haneya, received an invitation to meet former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in Cairo.
Emirates Islamic Bank profits up
By IANS,
Dubai: The Emirates Islamic Bank announced Tuesday that its operating profits rose to 138 million dirhams (about $16 million) at the close of the first quarter of 2012.
Iran’s Rafsanjani rejects deadline for nuclear response
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran's head of the Expediency Council and former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Friday rejected a deadline for Tehran to respond to an offer of incentives by six major countries aimed to persuade Iran to halt uranium enrichment.
"When we are in talks, what can deadline mean then?" Rafsanjani was quoted by official IRNA news agency as saying in his Friday prayers sermon at Tehran University.
"We should sit and raise our calls in a logical atmosphere free from any hue and cry," he said.
Indian response to extradition request for murder accused awaited: Bangladesh
Dhaka : Bangladesh was keenly awaiting India's response to its request for extradition of multiple murder accused Nur Hossain, arrested in Kolkata over the...
Pakistani Taliban faction declares Ramadan truce
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A Taliban faction in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region Saturday declared a 40-day unilateral ceasefire because of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Ahmadullah Ahmadi, spokesman for the Taliban group led by Hafiz Gul Bahadar, said: "In respect of the holy month of Ramazan and for the sake of the people, the local Taliban Shura (council) has decided to declare a unilateral ceasefire."
The NNI news agency quoted Ahmadi as saying that Taliban commanders in the region have been ordered to stop attacks on the security forces.
Pakistan Navy hands over command of Task Force 150 to French navy
By APP
Manama, Bahrain : Pakistan Navy Commodore Khan Hasham Bin Saddique handed over command of Combined Task Force 150 to French Navy Rear Admiral J L Kerignard during an impressive and colourful change of command ceremony onboard Pakistan Navy Ship Tippu Sultan. The ceremony was attended by high ranking military and civilian officials from different countries. A 5-member delegation from Pakistan led by Vice Admiral Saleem Ahmad Meenai HI (M) also graced the occasion.
Pakistan sacks Mumbai attacks prosecutor
By IANS,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari Friday sacked Deputy Attorney General Sardar Muhammad Ghazi, who was the special prosecutor for the trial of the Pakistani suspects in the Mumbai terror attacks, Dawn News reported.
Ghazi had Feb 18 claimed that the Pakistani government had formally sought extradition of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive during the Nov 26-29, 2008 carnage that claimed the lives of more than 170 people, including 26 foreigners, and injured more than 300.
Pakistani government officials had immediately contradicted Ghazi's claims.
Pakistan to check trafficking in radioactive materials
By Xinhua,
Islamabad, : The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Saturday signed an agreement to jointly tackle the illegal trafficking in radioactive material, officials said.
The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed by the parties, seeks to take up joint measures for detection and management of radioactive and nuclear materials at strategic points, FBR chairman, Abdullah Yousaf, said at the signing ceremony.
Partial recount of vote starts in Iran: Report
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran started a partial recount of the June 12 presidential election votes Monday, Iran's state-owned satellite TV al-Alam News reported.
Iran's Guardian Council, the top legislative body, had agreed to recount a random 10 percent of the votes after the disputed election caused large scale demonstrations in the country.
The recount result will be declared within 24 hours, the Arabic-language al-Alam television said.
Pakistan zeroes in on Lahore mastermind
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has zeroed in on the alleged mastermind of last week's terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, a media report said Monday.
"The Lahore police have named the mastermind as Mohammad Aqeel. A raid was conducted on his hideout but he managed to escape," Geo TV said.
"His accomplice Talat has been arrested," the channel added.
UAE, Brunei hold talks on education
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Brunei have held discussions over education and ways to boost cooperation.
Pakistan hits Taliban amid Swat valley exodus
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistani jets strafed militant positions in the troubled Swat district Thursday as civilians struggled to flee the escalating conflict, officials and locals said.
The fresh fighting came as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned that the humanitarian crisis was intensifying in the north-west region.
Jet aircraft targeted Taliban fighters in the Khwazakhela area, about 25 km north of the district's main town, Mingora, a security official said on the condition of anonymity.
Spokesman for Fatah’s armed wing denies bombers entered Israel via Egypt
By Xinhua
Gaza : A spokesman for al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, armed wing of Palestinian Fatah movement, denied on Monday the reports that the two suicide bombers attacking Israel entered Israel via Egypt's Sinai Peninsula where the border fence with Gaza had been blew holes.
"The two departed from Gaza, and then they went to the liberated areas called 'area A', then to the territories occupied by Israel in 1948," Abu al-Waleed told a news conference held in Gaza City without explanation of "area A."
Khaleda Zia’s former aide dead
By IANS,
Dhaka : Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, who played an important role in the Khaleda Zia regime, died past midnight Wednesay after fighting lung cancer.
Bhuiyan was 67, the Daily Star reported.
A long-time minister and secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for 11 years, Bhuiyan was removed by Zia in 2007 amid media reports that he was floating his own faction of the party.
Five bodies found in quake-hit Afghan district
by IANS,
Kabul : Five bodies have been found from the rubble in an Afghan district that was hit by a landslide after an earthquake jolted parts of the country Monday.
Swat operation ending, Mehsud next target, says Pakistani minister
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar said Friday that the army's operation against the Taliban in the country's northwestern region was nearing its end and people uprooted by the conflict could start returning to their homes from Saturday.
The government forces launched a major offensive in Swat and three neighbouring districts around two months ago when the Islamist insurgents failed to observe the terms of a peace deal.
Russia accuses Libya of training Syrian rebels
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia's envoy to the UN has accused Libya of running a training centre for Syrian rebels combating the "legal government" of President Bashar al-Assad.
Afghanistan, Enlargement, Kosovo to dominate NATO summit
By KUNA
Brussels : Heads of state and government of NATO will gather in the capital of Romania, Bucharest, 2-4 April in the 26-member Alliances largest summit ever to discuss its present operations, enlargement, and the new security challenges.
NATOs operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo and the issues related to enlargement will be the main topics for discussion, NATO spokesman James Appathurai told journalists in Brussels Wednesday afternoon.
Washington, Baghdad close to signing long-term agreement – Iraqi FM
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has said that a long-term agreement will be finalised with the US soon.
Zebari told the press Sunday that negotiations on the matter had been long and continuous with both parties trying to sign an agreement in favour of both states' interests.
Talks on the long-term deal have reached its final stages, affirmed Zebrai.
Sources close to the Iraqi negotiators said that both countries are planning a scheduled plan to pull out US forces by 2010-11.
Gaza power plant closed for second day due to fuel shortage
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The sole Gaza power plant is still shutting down for the second consecutive day after Israel didn't allow on Sunday industrial diesel for operating the plant, a senior official said in Gaza.
Kan'an Obied, chief of energy authorities in Gaza told reporters that Gaza power plant is still completely closed for the second day and doesn't supply any electricity to Gaza population due to lack of fuel.
Ban on al-Jazeera operations in West Bank lifted
By DPA,
Ramallah : The Palestinian Authority (PA) has decided to lift its ban preventing the al-Jazeera satellite channel from working in the West Bank, but at the same time said it would go ahead with planned legal measures against the Qatari-based broadcaster.
"The decision to reopen the pan-Arab channel's offices in the West Bank was motivated by the Palestinian Authority's interest in the freedom of the press," a statement issued Sunday by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's office in Ramallah said.
Pakistan envoy meets Nitish Kumar
By IANS,
Patna : Pakistan's High Commissioner Salman Bashir met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here Thursday ahead of his visit to Pakistan next month, an official said.
Iran puts 25 more people on trial over protests
By Xinhua,
Tehran: Iran Sunday put 25 more people on trial for participating in the demonstrations over alleged irregularities in the June 12 presidential elections, a media report said.
"A number of opportunist individuals disturbed the Iranian nation through destructive acts," said the indictment read by the deputy prosecutor general of Tehran.
The prosecutor said some of the defendants used explosives and attacked Basij forces (voluntary militia).
The revolutionary court held two other sessions for trying detained protesters this month, IRNA news agency reported.
Zardari elected Pakistan president
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari was Saturday elected the country's 13th president, defeating his two rivals from the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) factions with a big majority.
Nigerian military confirms 150 killed in Boko Haram attack
Abuja : Around 150 people died in the recent attack by Boko Haram in Baga town of Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, the military...
Three bombs found inside Lebanese army post
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Three unexploded bombs were reportedly found inside a Lebanese army intelligence post near the northern city of Tripoli, local Naharnet news website reported on Monday.
Investigation showed that the shock of the first explosion which killed a Lebanese army soldier in the Akkar post on Saturday had apparently disabled the other bombs from blowing up, said the report.
The military prosecutor summoned all soldiers in Akkar post to investigate how the bombs reached the position without being noticed, according to the report.
Number of Nigerian pilgrims killed in Haj stampede rises to 64
Abuja: The official toll of Nigerian Haj pilgrims who died in the stampede last Thursday in Saudi Arabia rose to 64 after ten more...
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.
Protest in Indonesia over anti-Quran Film
By IINA
Jakarta : Geert Widers' anti-Islam film continues to ire the world's Muslims as Indonesia joins the protests against the blasphemous motion picture. Thousands of students from an Indonesian Islamic school took to the streets yesterday in Magelang, in Central Java province, carrying posters demanding that authorities shut down websites streaming Wilders' film, SCTV reported.
The 17-minute film "Fitna" accuses the Holy Quran of inciting violence and has provoked worldwide condemnation.
Afghan President calls on NATO-led troops to avoid harming civilians
By NNN-Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday called on NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to avoid harming non-combatants while fighting against Taliban militants.
"Although the NATO and the Coalition troops have done a lot to reduce civilian casualties; our objective is to reach the point where there is no civilian casualty," the president said in his speech at the joint session of parliament resumed after winter vocation.
Malaysian parliament bars motion on Hindraf ban
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian parliament, Dewan Rakyat, Monday barred an emergency motion seeking a debate on the ban imposed on the Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) last week.
Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected a motion filed by M. Kulasegaran, an ethnic Indian lawmaker, calling the government's action "unjust, unwarranted and ham-fisted".
The emergency motion, filed last Friday, was rejected by the speaker on the ground that there was no urgency to debate the matter as the MPs could do so in their speech on the budget, Star Online said.
Kuwaiti crude price, main topic in electoral campaigners” agendas
By Ahmad Faraj, KUNA,
Kuwait : National Assembly elections 2008's campaigns referred to the economic state in the country, highlighting the record high prices of Kuwaiti crude, and the effects on the Kuwaiti people's living standards.
The discussion on economic worries in the country has lead to the reference to the price of Kuwaiti crude, which exceeded the USD 100 per barrel mark, questioning its effect on the Kuwaiti economy.
Senior Pakistani journalist injured in attack
Islamabad: Pakistan's Geo News' senior anchorperson Hamid Mir who was injured in an attack by gunmen in Karachi Saturday, is now reported to have...
Seven die in Afghanistan blast
By IANS,
Kabul : Seven civilians, including three children, were killed in a blast in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, authorities said Tuesday.
OCHA condemns Hamas confiscation of aid supplies in Gaza
By KUNA,
UNITED NATIONS : John Holmes, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on Wednesday condemned as "unacceptable" the confiscation of aid supplies from the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza yesterday by Hamas personnel, and demanded the aid be returned immediately.
UNRWA also condemned Hamas move earlier today. Hamas rejected the accusation.
Still ready to go to Delhi for talks: Sartaj Aziz
Islamabad: Pakistan's National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz said here on Saturday he is still prepared to go to New Delhi for talks with his...
Gunmen kill nine Iraqis from same family
By SPA
Samarra, Iraq : Gunmen shot dead nine members of an Iraqi family after storming their house in the village of Awja, north of Baghdad, on Thursday, police said, according to Reuters.
"They attacked the house at 4 a.m. and opened fire," said a policeman who was at the scene but who declined to be named. "They killed the husband, his wife and their seven sons. We don't yet know why."
Speaking from a hospital in nearby Tikrit, where the bodies were brought, another policeman said the dead included a seven year old boy.
Separated by a barbed wire, torn apart by politics: Families on the LOC
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Hunderman Brok (Kargil) : A barbed wire can often represent the idea of security, but...
Surgeon refuses to treat ‘controversial’ Akhtar
By IANS,
Karachi : A renowned Pakistani knee specialist has refused to treat Shoaib Akhtar in a bid to keep his 'reputation intact', a leading Pakistani newspaper Jang reported Monday.
The newspaper quoted a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official on the condition of anonymity claiming the doctor told Shoaib that "I'm regarded among the best surgeons in the country and cannot put my reputation at stake by treating you because your international career is filled with controversies".
Now, crocodiles are Bangladesh’s new export item
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has a new item on its export list - crocodiles. The first consignment that has just left for Germany is worth $100,000, a media report said Saturday.
The maiden export was conducted Friday by the Reptile Farm Ltd., country's lone crocodile farm, five years after it began farming the reptile.
The farm, located in the Hatiber village in northern Mymensingh district, now has 825 saltwater crocodiles.
22 killed in fresh Yemen clashes
Sanaa : Fierce confrontations flared up between the Shia Houthi group and Al Qaeda-backed Sunni tribesmen in Yemen's central province of Al Bayda Monday,...
Pakistan: four Afghans caught in weekend attack on military camp
By NNN-AfghanNews,
Islamabad : Four militants captured in a brazen weekend raid on a military base in Pakistan's northwest came from across the border in Afghanistan, the military said Monday.
The paramilitary camp was attacked early Sunday by about 600 militants, most believed to be from Afghanistan, sparking a major clash that left six security troops and 49 insurgents dead.
The Pakistani Frontier Corps said in a statement Monday that four militants captured in the battle came from Afghanistan's Kunar province, directly across the border.
UAE, Portugal discuss tourism cooperation
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The UAE and Portugal Monday discussed cooperation in the tourism sector.
Pak economy facing serious threat
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Despite promises and commitments of international financial agencies, economy of Pakistan is facing serious threats.
Pakistan is reportedly discussing a $10 billion to $15 billion support package with the IMF and other bodies at Dubai.
The IMF, it is said, would provide the package if satisfied with the steps taken by the government of Pakistan to stabilize its economy.
Zia fails to meet sons at mother’s funeral
By IANS
Dhaka : Former prime minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia was not able to meet her two jailed sons at her mother's funeral here as prison authorities staggered their parole.
Lodged in a special jail since Sep 3 last year, Zia burst into tears when she arrived at her residence in Dhaka cantonment to have a final glimpse of her mother Taiyaba Majumder.
Zia and her sons were released on parole Saturday to attend the funeral of Majumder, whose body was flown to Dhaka by an air force helicopter from Dinajpur in northern Bangladesh where she died Friday.
Suspected U.S. drones launch missile attack in Pakistan’s tribal area, 5 killed
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Suspected United States drones launched on Friday a missile attack in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal area, killing five persons, private DAWN NEWS TV channel reported.
The suspected U.S. drones fired two missiles at a house at Daug village in South Waziristan and five persons were reportedly killed.
The missile attack in South Waziristan came in quick succession to another one which left at least 20 people dead in North Waziristan on Friday.
Probe into police attack on Pakistan newspaper
By IANS,
Islamabad : Senior officials have been directed to probe the police attack on a Peshawar based Urdu newspaper, a minister said.
Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains epicentre of Al Qaeda: Obama
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Noting that the "border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan remains the epicentre of Al Qaeda," President Barack Obama says he has "no intention of sending US boots on the ground" to Yemen and Somalia.
"I do think it's important to recognize that the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan remains the epicentre of Al Qaeda, their leadership, and their extremist allies," he said in excerpts of an interview with People magazine released Sunday.
Hamas warns Abbas’ leadership against “partial” deals with Israel
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : The mainstream Palestinian organisation Hamas has vowed to remain committed to "jihad" (holy war) and pursue the resistance against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Hamas, in a statement Thursday on the occasion of the 1967 "naksa" (setback) when Israel occupied east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Golan Heights, expressed staunch opposition to peace negotiations with Israel and accused President Mahmoud Abbas of being involved in "fruitless negotiations with the Zionist occupation" at the expense of basic national principles.
Iran replaces US dollars in oil transactions
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran has replaced the US dollar with other currencies in its oil transactions, an oil ministry official said Wednesday.
"The dollar has completely been removed from our oil trade. Crude oil customers have agreed with us to use other currencies. Our future oil business will be in euro in Europe, yen in Asia," he added.
Crashed Lufthansa cargo plane was carrying arms for S.Arabia: report
By IRNA,
Berlin : A Lufthansa cargo plane which crashed at Riyadh's international airport late last month, was reportedly carrying weapons for Saudi Arabia and unspecified materials for the US military, the weekly news magazine Der Spiegel said Saturday.
It cited witnesses at Frankfurt airport as saying that machine guns bound for Saudi Arabia were loaded on the plane which was on its way from Frankfurt to Hong Kong via Riyadh and Sharjah.
The report did not say from where these machine guns originated.
Iran set to hold large-scale war games with air defense drills
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and armed forces will begin on Monday a three-day military exercise to test new weaponry and practice repelling potential air strikes on its territory, the local media said on Sunday.
"The main goal of the exercise is to evaluate the combat readiness [of the Iranian army], to test new weapons developed by Iranian scientists, and to practice defensive measures in case of a potential violation of the Iranian airspace by the enemy," the media said.
Fifteen militants killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : US-led coalition forces have killed 15 militants during an operation in Laghman province, some 60 km northeast of Afghan capital Kabul, a statement issued by the coalition here said Saturday.
The operation targeted a Taliban commander who carried out attacks in Kabul, Laghman and Kapisa provinces, including the August 2008 attack in which 10 French soldiers were killed, the statement said.
15 killed in Syria car bombing
By IANS,
Damascus: At least 15 people were killed in Syria Saturday when a booby-trapped car exploded at a restive suburb of Damascus in the evening, Xinhua reported.
Missiles hit Israeli Negev region — Israeli spokesman
By KUNA,
Gaza : At least four missiles were fired late on Tuesday and early this morning from northern Gaza Strip, targeting southern Israel, an Israeli Army spokesman said.
Israeli local radio quoted the spokesman as saying "four missiles landed in the Negev region, near Gaza Strip, without causing causalities or material damage." Fatah's Aqsa Martyrs Brigades meanwhile claimed responsibility for firing five local-made missiles in two waves at the Israeli settlement of Sderot, early Wednesday.
ANP leader killed in Pakistan blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : An Awami National Party (ANP) leader was killed Sunday when a roadside bomb hit the vehicle he was travelling by in Pakistan's Swat Valley, Geo News reported.
Fatah slams Hamas call to form new Palestinian leadership
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas slammed Saturday its arch-rival Islamic Hamas movement for seeking to form a new leadership for the Palestinians.
"Hamas calls for new leadership aimed at replacing the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people all over the world," a Fatah statement sent to reporters said.
In a speech in Qatar last week, Hamas' exiled leader Khalid Meshaal advocated a new umbrella body to represent the Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and in the Diaspora.
Pakistani forces retake emerald mines from Taliban
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces have retaken emerald mines from Taliban after heaving shelling in Swat valley, killing 35 militants, local media reported Wednesday.
Taliban had occupied extremely precious stone mines of ‘lapis lazuli’ near Mingora, main city in Swat, in February shortly after a peace deal was signed to end violence in the country.
Time limited for Mideast peace deal : US
By DPA,
London : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned that Israel and the Palestinians do not have unlimited time to achieve a peace deal and the expansion of Israeli settlements would not mean those houses would remain under Israeli control under a final peace agreement.
"I do believe that the window for the two-state solution will not be forever open," Rice told reporters Thursday on board a flight to London. "I think you could argue that it has gotten narrower and narrower over time."
Eleven women candidates win on NA general seats
By APP
Islamabad : Eleven women candidates on the national assembly general seats have won the contest.
According to break-up, out of the winning women 5 belonged to PPP, two to PML-Q, 2 to PML-N, while one each from Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and independent candidates, private news channel Geo reported.
Qatar PM wishes Modi
New Delhi: Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani Saturday congratulated BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on his success...
Rice concludes her Mideast tour
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrapped up a two-day visit to Israel and the West Bank Wednesday by receiving promises to resume Israel-PNA peace negotiations suspended after IDF offensive in Gaza.
At a joint press conference Wednesday with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Rice said that she had obtained assurances from both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to resume peace negotiations without any preconditions.
Hamas’ Haneya calls for meeting with Abbas, Egyptians on Gaza border crossings
By Xinhua
Gaza : Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Ismail Haneya called Wednesday for an emergency meeting with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and Egyptian officials on opening Gaza border crossings.
Haneya, dismissed Palestinian prime minister after Hamas took over the Gaza Strip by force from the security forces loyal to Abbas' Fatah movement last June, made the call in a televised address to Gazans.
Bring your problems to our court, IS tells Afghans
Kabul : The Islamic State terrorist group has asked people in parts of eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan to refer their problems to their...
Israel maintains siege on West Bank
By KUNA
Gaza : Israel has decided to extend a tight siege on the West Bank, imposed since last Thursday, for an indefinite period of time.
Israel Radio, in a broadcast early on Sunday, quoted security sources as saying that the blockade on the West Bank would be reviewed during the course of the week and the relevant authorities would ponder prospects of lifting it in light of reports about the general security conditions.
Bulgaria to mediate Middle East conflict
By Xinhua
Sofia : Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov stated Wednesday in the city of Ramallah that Bulgaria was going to mediate between Israel and the Palestine Authority for the resolving of the Middle East conflict, local Sofia News Agency reported.
Parvanov, who was visiting Palestine at the invitation of his Palestinian counterpart Mahmud Abass, suggested during his joint press conference with Abbas that Bulgaria organize a trilateral economic forum in order to enhance trade among the three states.
US military probes reports of Afghan civilian deaths
By DPA,
Kabul: The US military said Thursday that a targeted rebel commander in western Afghanistan survived an airstrike, but it was investigating "unsubstantiated" reports that civilians were among the dead.
The US military said that its air force killed an insurgent commander, Mullah Mustafa, and 16 of his fighters in an airstrike in western Ghor province Wednesday. It added the "warlord" had links with Iran and the Taliban.
However, the military said in an updated statement Thursday that "credible reports surfaced that Mustafa survived the attack."
Will destroy all Houthi missiles within days: Saudi Arabia
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that all ballistic missiles of Yemen's Houthi rebels will be destroyed in the coming days, Xinhua reported citing...
Acid hurled at two Pakistani teens in Karachi
By IANS,
Islamabad : Two teenaged girls suffered horrific burns after a man threw acid at them in Pakistan's Karachi city.
UAE group donates 12 ambulances to Tunisia
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation of the UAE has given 12 state-of-the-art ambulances to Tunisia.
Pakistani factories using dead dogs in chicken feed
By IANS,
Islamabad : Reports of dog and donkey meat being used to prepare chicken feed in factories in Lahore has caused an outrage among residents in the Pakistani metropolis.
Reports of attack on Pakistani prisoner false: Tihar jail
By IANS,
New Delhi : Tihar Jail authorities Friday described media reports of attack on a Pakistani prisoner as "false, frivolous and mischievous" and said there was no threat to his life.
Science is life, says Modi on visit to Masdar City in UAE
Abu Dhabi: "Science is Life", wrote Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and digitally signed in the visitor's book at Masdar City...
Police chief, three bodyguards killed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kunduz (Afghanistan) : Taliban militants attacked a district centre in northern Afghanistan, killing four police officers including a police chief, local government officials and a rebel spokesman said Wednesday.
Noor Khan, police chief of Dasht Archi district in northern Kunduz province and brother of Mohammad Omar, the provincial governor, was killed along with his three bodyguards in a Taliban attack Tuesday night, said Shaikh Sahdi, administrative chief of Dasht Archi.
Bangladesh govt holds dialogue with business community
By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka : There is no room for confusion about holding general elections in the country by December next as the government is determined to hold the polls according to its announced roadmap.
Quoting Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, Education and Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said this at a joint press briefing at the Chief Adviser's Office on Tuesday after dialogue with the business community.
Iran warns US against military attacks
By DPA,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Tuesday warned the US against any military attacks on his country.
India to Pakistan: More people should be prosecuted for 26/11
By IANS,
Islamabad: Hoping for a "positive outcome" from his talks here, Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram Saturday said he has conveyed to Pakistan that more people were behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and "more people" should be prosecuted.
"We think more people lay behind the Mumbai attack and more people should be prosecuted," Chidambaram told reporters here after Friday night's talks with his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik.
"That point has been made to the Pakistan government," he stressed.
Minister Sherry Rehman for boosting Pak-US cooperation in health sector
By NNN-APP,
Washington : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms. Sherry Rehman, who also holds the portfolio of health, conferred with the US Secretary for Health and Human Services, Mike Leavitt, for boosting cooperation between the two countries in the health sector.
During her 45-minutes meeting, Sherry Rehman informed the US Secretary for Health that the newly elected Government of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is keen to broaden cooperation with United States in all areas including economy, trade and social sectors.
Bahrain, UAE hold talks
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Monday held discussions for strengthening bilateral relations.
US carrier rescues eight Iranian sailors
By DPA,
Manama (Bahrain) : Eight Iranian sailors whose vessel caught fire were rescued by US Navy helicopters in the Arabian Sea, according to a US military statement late Thursday.
Two helicopters from the nuclear-powered carrier USS Harry Truman carried out the rescue operation on high seas, after an F/A-18 jet assigned to the carrier squadron spotted a vessel on fire, according to a statement issued by the Bahrain-based US 5th Fleet Command.
The vessel in distress was sighted late Wednesday about 80 km from the aircraft carrier.
Wife of Pakistani PM Fauzia Gilani in Rome to attend 2nd NAM first ladies...
By NNN-APP,
Rome, Italy : Begum Fauzia Yusuf Raza Gilani, wife of the prime minister arrived here Saturday to attend the second Summit of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) of the First Ladies.
Begum Gilani who arrived here by a commercial flight, was received at Rome International Airport by Pakistan’s ambassador to Italy Tasnim Aslam and other senior embassy officials.
Four Indians die in Malaysia shophouse fire
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Four Indians were killed in a fire that gutted a shophouse in Malaysia Wednesday, an official said.
The fire broke out in the shophouse located in Jalan Pasar, Masai, near Johor Baru.
Johor Fire and Rescue deputy director Syukor Sani Hashim said the fire was detected at 3 a.m. and the blaze destroyed two adjacent stationery and textile shops.
"Two of the victims were working at the textile shop while two others were with their friends. The charred remains have yet to be identified," he told reporters.
Pakistan, U.S defence bodies hold dialogue
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Top defence institutions of Pakistan and the United States are holding dialogue in Islamabad ‘to foster understanding’ between the two forums and the respective countries, the army has said.
The National Defence University, Islamabad and the National Defence University Washington Strategic Dialogue will also know each other’s perception about some of the vital international and regional issues, an army statement said. The dialogue concludes on Tuesday.
Hamas official defends ceasefire with Israel
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A senior Hamas leader on Monday defended the ceasefire which Egypt brokered between the Islamic movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Mahmoud Zahar, former Hamas foreign minister, said his movement's goal "was the security of the Palestinian people, land and holy places, not the safety of the Israeli occupation."
"Hamas will spare no effort in providing safety and security to the Palestinian citizens in the Gaza Strip" which is controlled by Hamas, Zahar added.
Five killed, 10 injured in two separate attacks in Iraq
By DPA,
Baghdad : At least five people, including an Awakening Council leader, were killed and 10 were injured in two separate attacks in northern Iraq Sunday, the police said.
In Salahaddin province, some gunmen forced their way into the house of Awakening Council leader Amer Gassem Khadir, killed him and four others before escaping, a police source told the Voices of Iraq (VOI) news agency.
Two women and a child were also injured in the attack. It was not specified if the casualties were members of the same family.
Thai PM calls for promotion of Tehran-Bangkok relations
By IRNA,
Kuala Lumpur : Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva called Saturday for expansion of Tehran-Bangkok relations due to Iran’s influential role in the region.
In a meeting with Iran’s Ambassador to Thailand Majid Bizmark, the Thai prime minister called for promotion of Iran-Thailand economic and cultural ties in particular.
Meanwhile, the Iranian diplomat briefed Vejjajiva on existing bilateral relations in the fields of energy, tourism, agriculture and small industries.
Pakistan scrap market blast kills 8: TV
By IRNA
Lahore : At least 8 people were killed and several others injured in blast at a scrap market in the Pakistani eastern city of Lahore, TV channels reported.
City Police Chief Malik Iqbal confirmed five people were killed in the blast.
The blast also injured 20 others at Misri Shah's neighborhood of the city, Geo television reported.
Police said that gas cylinder caused the blast.
They said that the injured included students of the nearby institutions.
Witnesses said that the laborers were cutting a gas cylinder was when it exploded with a huge bang.
Manmohan Singh lauds role of Indian diaspora in Oman’s development
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Muscat : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday lauded the contribution of the large expatriate Indian community in Oman for its contribution to the development of this Gulf nation.
"You represent close to 500,000 Indians in Oman, the largest expatriate group in the country," Singh said, while addressing a gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Indian embassy here.
"You are a vibrant and industrious community. You are a microcosm of the multicultural and multi-religious diversity of India," he said.
Almost 40 Taliban militants killed in southern Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : A total of 38 Taliban militants have been killed in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, an Afghan Defense Ministry source said on Monday.
The militants were killed in a joint operation overnight Saturday by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghanistan's national army.
Clashes between militants and NATO-led coalition forces intensified in Afghanistan over the weekend.
A British ISAF soldier was killed when his vehicle exploded in Helmand province on Saturday.
Expansion of Iran-Nicaragua bilateral ties
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Iran's Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has held discussions here with Nicaragua's Foreign Minister Samuel Santos Lopez on expansion of bilateral ties.
Referring to Tehran-Managua cordial economic and political cooperation, Larijani expressed satisfaction over the growing relations between the two sides.
Reiterating that expansion of Iran-Nicaragua economic, political and parliamentary cooperation is an important strategy, he expressed hope that the two countries would witness further boost in bilateral relations.
Awami League, Bangladesh government hold talks, finally
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's military-backed caretaker government and Awami League, the country's largest political party, for the first time engaged in formal talks that were conciliatory, but both sides kept options open on key issues.
The two-hour meeting on Thursday was inconclusive and more rounds would follow, ostensibly to allow both sides to consider the timing and extent of lifting curbs on political activity and prepare for the December elections.
Technical fault forces Emirates aircraft to abort take-off
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) national airline Emirates has announced that an aircraft at Kuwait International Airport was forced to abort take-off because of a technical fault.
A spokesman for the Dubai-based airline said the captain of flight number 856 noticed smoke coming out of the rear end of the plane and aborted the take-off Wednesday, the state-run Emirates News Agency reported.
"Preliminary information indicates that the source of the smoke may be the engine exhauster. Investigations are on," he added.
Chinese Defence Minister meets Pakistani chief air staff
By NNN-Xinhua,
Beijing : Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie met here with Tanvir Mahmood Ahmad, chief of the general staff of the Pakistan Air Force, pledging to enhance cooperation between the two nations' air forces.
The meeting took place on Monday. Liang, who is also a state councilor, said China and Pakistan, as good neighbors, friends, partners and brothers, had witnessed close exchanges and comprehensive cooperation between the two defense departments and armed forces in recent years.