Dhaka seeks closer economic ties with Beijing
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh hopes to attract Chinese investment in its infrastructure and manufacturing sectors and consolidate its defence ties during the visit of Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed to China that begins Monday.
Talking to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Ahmed said he expected closer economic cooperation with China and more Chinese investment in Bangladesh.
"I hope my visit will strengthen economic cooperation in different fields and trade between the two countries, and improve and increase Chinese foreign investment in Bangladesh," Xinhua quoted Fakhruddin as saying.
65 militants killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : Sixty-five militants were killed in fighting with the security forces in eastern Afghanistan, Xinhua reported Thursday.
Toll in Afghanistan suicide attack hits 57
Kabul : The toll in the suicide bomb attack at a volleyball match in Afghanistan at the weekend has risen to 57, with 66...
Gunmen kill 10 at Nigerian pub
By IANS,
Abuja: At least 10 people have been killed and several others seriously injured by unidentified gunmen at a drinking joint in Nigeria's Plateau state, Xinhua reported.
Pakistan angrily reacts to British, Afghan leaders’ remarks
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan on Thursday angrily reacted to remarks by Afghan President and British Prime Minister, who had alleged that Islamabad is exporting terrorism in Afghanistan and the world.
British Prime Minister, David Cameron, who was speaking in the Indian city of Bangalore, also accused Islamabad of having links with terrorist groups, noting that the Pakistani government was guilty of double dealing by both making an alliance with the West and helping terror groups inside Pakistani territory.
21 killed in bus accident in west Iran
By Xinhua,
Tehran : A bus collided with a truck in Iran's western province of Hamadan, killing 21 people and wounding another 11, Iran's Press TV reported on Saturday.
The incident occurred at around midday (0730 GMT) on Friday between the towns of Hamadan and Malayer in the west of the country.
The bus was speeding at the time of the collision when the truck was overtaking illegally.
The bus was traveling from Kermanshah in the west to the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, local police said.
FM: Egypt seeks to control border with Gaza
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said Monday his country will seek to control its border with the Gaza Strip gradually and restore the situation there to an acceptable condition.
Abul Gheit reiterated the stance in contacts with foreign officials on this matter, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said in a statement.
Egypt is holding contacts with all sides concerned to activate a 2005 agreement that regulates the administration of crossings, including Rafah checkpoint, Zaki said.
200 people from Uttar Pradesh trapped in Iraq
Lucknow : More than 200 people from various parts of Uttar Pradesh are stuck in violence-hit Iraq, officials said Thursday.
Of these, 150 are pilgrims...
Suspected US drone attack kills 30 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : A suspected US drone Saturday fired two missiles on a militant hideout in Pakistan's northwestern restive tribal region, killing at least 30 people, an intelligence official said.
Seven people were also injured in the attack in South Waziristan, a sanctuary of Taliban and al Qaeda militants launching cross-border attacks on international troops in Afghanistan.
Iran, Indonesia review expansion of religious cooperation
By IRNA
Kuala Lumpur : Iran's Ambassador to Jakarta Behrouz Kamalvand conferred on Thursday with Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Maftuh Basyuni on expansion of cooperation between the two countries.
Since there are many Indonesian people wishing to pay pilgrimage to holy places in Iran or travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj ritual via Iranian territory the Islamic Republic can be of great help in this regard.
Upcoming summit of Origination of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Senegal is regarded as a suitable opportunity to solve problems facing the Muslim world, he said.
IS fights for control of Syrian Kurdish city
Beirut : The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group Wednesday fought to gain control over the eastern part of the Syrian Kurdish city of Kobane,...
Dubai to set up hydrogen based power plant
By IANS
Dubai : The emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to set up a hydrogen based power generation plant, WAM news agency reported Monday.
As the first step towards building the plant, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) signed Sunday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of three global firms from US, Canada and China to conduct a study for setting up the plant.
UAE’s Red Crescent distributes aid in Afghanistan
By WAM
Kabul : The Red Crescent Authority (RCA) of the United Arab Emirates has distributed food packages, clothes and around 500 school bags to Afghan children in different regions.
The materials are the last batch of RCA's Afghan orphans' support programme for 2007.
The programme has provided 97000 US dollars in direct support to 489 male and female Afghan orphans, according to director of RCA's office in Kabul Abdullah Khalifa Al-Murshedi.
Suicide bombings kill over 20 people in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : More than 20 people, including nine paramilitary troopers, were killed in two sucide bombings in Pakistan Saturday, officials said.
At least six members of Pakistan's paramilitary, the Frontier Corps (FC), were killed and four others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a check post in Islamabad when the soldiers were having dinner, Senior Superintendent of Police Tahir Alam said.
The blast occurred in the upmarket residential area of F-7/3 near the Jinnah Supermarket, nearly four kilometres from President Asif Zardari's office.
Suicide bomber kills at least 6 in Iraq’s Diyala province
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A suicide bombing struck a security checkpoint near a marketplace in a town in the volatile Diyala province on Wednesday, killing at least six people and wounding 18 others, a provincial police source said.
Missing Balochistan prosecutor general found
By IANS,
Islamabad : Abdul Wasay Tarin, the missing prosecutor general of Pakistan's Balochistan province, has been found with the help of tribals, Geo News reported citing his family.
UAE, Tajikistan discuss relations
By IANS/WAM,
Dushanbe : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Tajikistan have held talks over their bilateral relations and explored ways to enhance them.
Urgent need to protect women, child rights in UAE
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : There is an urgent need for federal and government agencies and civil society organisations to unite in an effort to protect the rights of women and children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), experts have said.
Experts at the inaugural forum of institutions supporting protection of women and children in the UAE Wednesday called for legislation to counter violence against women, and proper implementation of the Children's Act to protect children.
Dubai’s ‘Car Free Day’ helps reduce carbon emission
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: The fourth annual "Car Free Day" organised by the Dubai Municipality helped reduce 14 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission.
UAE’s Emirates, Australia’s Jetstar in new codeshare pact
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) national carrier Emirates airline and Australian low budget carrier Jetstar have announced an agreement which is...
Canada may end Afghan mission without NATO reinforcement
By Xinhua
Ottawa : Canada will have to end its military mission in Afghanistan if NATO does not assume a greater role in the country's volatile south, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the French president by phone Tuesday.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy was the third foreign leader Harper had spoken to in the past week in an effort to rally NATO support for Canada's 2,500-plus troops fighting in and around Kandahar province.
Harper had previously called U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to discuss the issue.
Latest figures in Iran’s Presidential Elections
By IRNA,
Tehran : According to the latest results of Iran’s Presidential Election, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has got 65.24 percent of the votes.
Head of the Elections Headquarters Kamran Daneshjoo told reporters Saturday morning that 35,268 ballot boxes had been counted until 5:50 am which were 77.13 percent of the total boxes.
According to Daneshjoo, out of 28,050,761 counted votes, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has got 18,302,924 votes which constitutes 65.24 percent of the total counted votes.
Swap will not begin unless Israel gets report on missing pilot — radio
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israel will not give green light to the prisoners-swap with Hezbollah until it receives a satisfying report on a missing Israeli pilot,a spokesman of the Israeli government said Wednesday.
The announcement came after an Israeli official signed the swap agreement in Germany.
U.S. confirms to have new talks with Iran on Iraq security
By Xinhua
Washington : The United States confirmed on Monday that it is prepared to resume long-delayed talks with Iran on security in Iraq.
"We have reconfirmed to the Iraqi government our readiness to have these discussions (with Iran) focus on the security situation in Iraq. There's no date set for them," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
Washington conveyed the message Sunday to the Iraqi government, according to the spokesman.
Petition to close down Mossad quashed
By IANS,
Tel Aviv : The Israeli Supreme Court has dismissed a petition seeking to close down the country's spy agency Mossad.
White coffee: Malaysia starts new trend in beverages
By IANS,
Ipoh: Coffee drinkers from across the world are now flocking to Malaysia's Ipoh city to taste a beverage created there for the first time - white coffee.
Pakistani president”s visit to Kabul delayed owing to bad weather
By KUNA,
Islamabad : The visit of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to Kabul, the first since taking office, has been delayed owing to bad weather.
The announcement was made at a press conference by Information Minister Sherry Rehman.
During his daylong visit, the president was to hold talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai on matters related to joint combat against terrorism and future direction of bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
Israel announces ‘humanitarian corridor’ for Gaza Strip
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Israel plans to establish a "humanitarian corridor" to get needed supplies to Palestinian civilians in the embattled Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced overnight Tuesday.
The plan would allow limited time windows to get humanitarian supplies into parts of the Palestinian territory, Ynetnews reported online, citing the prime minister's office.
US says concerned at ‘provocative actions’ in Pakistan
By IRNA,
Islamabad : The US Mission to Pakistan is concerned about the continued provocative actions and false allegations against US personnel working to implement the new partnership between the leaders of Pakistan and the United States, the US embassy said Thursday.
Pakistani authorities recently briefly detained US petsonnel and their vehicles in different parts of the country for what they say using fake number flats for their diplomatic cars.
SC bans Tamil Nadu bull fights
New Delhi: The Supreme Court Wednesday banned Tamil Nadu's centuries-old Jallikattu bull fights.
A bench of Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose also...
Bangladesh gets first non-Muslim chief justice
Dhaka : Surendra Kumar Sinha, seniormost appellate judge in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, was Monday appointed the chief justice of the country.
He will...
Religious scholars ask Karzai to stop missionaries
By KUNA
Kabul : Afghan scholars warned President Hamid Karzai not to allow foreign missions to the country and especially to the far-flung poverty-hit areas in it.
The demand was made in a meeting between the Afghan president and members of the Afghanistan Islamic Council, a pro-government body having the central office in Kabul with its branches in all the provinces.
Rajnath skirts Jaswant issue in Shimla
By IANS,
Shimla : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh, who arrived here Tuesday evening for the party's brainstorming session, refused to speak further on senior leader Jaswant Singh's praise for Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah in his latest book.
Rajnath Singh reached here for his party's three-day chintan baithak (brainstorming session) beginning Wednesday, and only said "no comments" when reporters sought his reaction to the controversy sparked off by Jaswant Singh's views in his book.
Netanyahu condemned for opposing Iran’s n-talks
Washington : US Secretary of State John Kerry has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was wrong in opposing the ongoing nuclear talks between...
US air strikes kill 14 people in Sadr City
By IRNA,
Baghdad : US air strikes on Sadr City on Saturday killed at least 14 people.
Hospital officials said they had received 14 bodies and treated 25 wounded following air raids on residential areas.
It was not immediately clear if they were gunmen or civilians.
Two rockets hit al-Sadr hospital in the densely populated shanty town on Saturday, wounding 20 people, including women and children, and damaging a number of ambulances in the compound.
Iran has called on warring parties to sit at negotiating table to end hostility.
PM to meet Hasina, Rajapaksa on BIMSTEC sideline
By IANS,
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet the prime minister of Bangladesh and the president of Sri Lanka during the BIMSTEC...
US pitches for restarting India-Pakistan dialogue
By IANS,
New Delhi: Pitching for resumption of the India-Pakistan dialogue, the US Thursday said it is pressing Islamabad to take firm and urgent action against extremists and terrorists operating in its territory.
"US has welcomed better relations between the two countries. The pace, scope and character of the relationship has to be decided by the two countries," US Under Secretary of State William Burns told reporters here.
Dhaka to seek help from neighbours to tackle militancy
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has said it will seek help from neighbouring countries in its fight against militancy.
A statement in this regard came from State Minister for Home Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj, who is heading a 17-member committee to coordinate action against militants and mobilise public opinion against their activities.
Sohel Taj, although a junior minister and first-term lawmaker, enjoys proximity to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
IAEA calls on Iran to cooperate with int’l community over nuke issue
By Xinhua,
Vienna : The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday in a report Iran has shown a lack of cooperative sincerity with the international community in solving its nuclear issues, calling on the country to cooperate in this regard.
The IAEA's report also noted that the international community always doubted whether Iran's nuclear programs were only for peaceful use as Iran claimed. The IAEA called for actual actions by the Iranian government so as to clear such doubt.
Most Germans say new Afghan strategy will fail: survey
Berlin, Jan 29, IRNA -- Some 76 percent of Germans believe that the new strategy in Afghanistan will fail, according to an opinion poll released Friday by the public television network ZDF.
Only 18 percent of those questioned think that the NATO-led mission will ultimately succeed, while six percent had no opinion on the issue.
Meanwhile, 65 percent of respondents said that they opposed dispatching additional soldiers to north Afghanistan, where German troops are
deployed as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Israeli ground operation, airstrikes continue, 514 killed
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Israel on Sunday intensified strikes on the Gaza Strip for the ninth consecutive day, a day after its army carried out a large-scale ground operation into the enclave, leaving 514 people killed since Dec. 27.
Israeli warplanes struck by missiles dozens of targets into Gaza on Sunday as columns of tanks rolled deep into the enclave on Saturday night, cutting it into two separate areas, Hamas local Radio Station al-Aqsa Radio said.
Iran’s army powerful deterrent to enemies: president
By IANS,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in an obvious warning to the West, Thursday said the country's armed forces would react to any threat of aggression.
Addressing a military parade marking the National Army Day here, the president said: "No major power is able to jeopardize the Iranian nation's security and interests of its people. Iran's army, the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij would respond strongly to even the minimum aggression."
Iraq still a challenge – UN Sec-Gen
By NNN-KUNA
Cairo : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that, despite recent progress achieved at internal security level in Iraq, its environment still represents a challenge.
He pledged, in an interview with the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram published Saturday, to maintain the UN's role as an "objective mediator" in international conflicts.
The UN's main objective is to defend the interests of the Iraqi people, he said and added that the international community was determined to live up to its mission in that country against all odds.
Fresh talks in Egypt over Gaza-conflict
Cairo:Israeli and Palestinian negotiators began their indirect talks here Monday to find a long-term solution to the conflict in Gaza, BBC reported.
The fresh discussions...
Egyptian diplomat: border with Gaza should be open not breached
By NNN-KUNA
Washington : Egypt Ambassador to the United States Nabil Fahmi said that his countrys border with Gaza should be open but not breached.
"Egypt cannot participate in a situation focused on changing Palestinian policy through Palestinian suffering", said Fahmi in a speech before the Palestinian Center in Washington Friday.
Fahmi said the border with Gaza must be open, transparent and secure but not breached.
EU welcomes Israel-Hezbollah prisoner exchange
By DPA,
Brussels : Wednesday's prisoner exchange between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement was "first and foremost a positive step taken by both sides," which contributed towards regional stability, European Union External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.
China to continue efforts to reduce pressure on Iran
By NNN-IRNA
Beijing : China and Russia will continue efforts to reduce pressure on Iran concerning its nuclear case, a Chinese official said here.
Director-General of the Department of West Asian and North Africa of Chinese Foreign Ministry Song Aiguo made the remark in a meeting with the visiting Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili Thursday.
Song said that despite pressures of the US and certain Western countries, Beijing believes that there should be no pressure and sanctions on Iran over its nuclear case.
Pakistan Rangers fire at Indian positions in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu : Pakistan Rangers fired at Indian positions overnight on the international border in Samba and Jammu districts, causing no damage, police said Thursday.
A...
Pakistan: PM calls coas, appreciates successful operation against terrorists
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday telephoned Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kiyani and expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of the operation against the terrorists, who had holed up in a check post near the GHQ.
He lauded the sacrifices of the ‘jawans’ and officers of the Pakistan Army who laid down their lives in the line of duty and foiled the attempt of the terrorists.
China’s envoy to visit Egypt, Palestine, Israel
By NNN-Bernama,
Beijing : China's special envoy on the Middle East issue Sun Bigan is to visit Egypt, Palestine and Israel soon to promote the alleviation of tense in the Gaza Strip, Xinhua news agency reported.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the announcement here on Saturday. He voiced the Chinese government's severe concern over the escalating conflict in Gaza, adding China had made unremitting efforts to resolve the conflict.
Lebanese gather for protest against Hezbollah arms
By DPA,
Beirut : Supporters of outgoing Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri gathered in Beirut Sunday to protest the weapons arsenal held by the rival Shiite movement Hezbollah.
At least 11 killed, 191 wounded in Iran mosque blast
By RIA Novosti
Tehran : At least 11 people have been killed and another 191 wounded in a blast at a mosque in southern Iran, Iranian media reported on Sunday.
The explosion occurred on Saturday evening in a crowded mosque in the city of Shiraz, the capital of the southern province of Fars, the media said.
Local police said the possibility of sabotage had not yet been proved, adding that the explosion might have been caused by negligence involving explosives left behind from an earlier exhibition held near the mosque.
Indo-Pak leaders feel war could get out of their hand: Blair
By NNN-PTI,
Washington : Leaders of nuclear-powered India and Pakistan feel that a war between the two countries could soon get out of their control resulting in "tremendous devastation" on both sides, a top Obama Administration intelligence official has said.
Testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence, said the possession of nuclear weapons by the two countries is possibly preventing the tension escalating into a war.
Britain condemns suicide attack in Israel
By KUNA
London : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband Tuesday "utterly" condemned yesterday's suicide attack in Dimona.
The Foreign Secretary said in a statement there can be no justification for this deliberate attack on civilians.
The minister said his thoughts are with the families of the victims and those injured.
"Yesterday's attack, the first in Israel for a year, was aimed to undermine the peace process," he said.
Post-WikiLeaks, US to amend law to curb media
By IANS,
Washington : Alarmed with the expose of Afghanistan war secrets by whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks, US lawmakers are working on a legislation to amend a law which shields journalists from revealing confidential sources.
Senators of the ruling Democratic Party are backpedalling from WikiLeaks, the website that recently disclosed more than 75,000 classified documents related to the Afghanistan war, The New York Times reported.
Ahmadinejad terms European politicians ‘one more stupid than the other’
By DPA,
Tehran: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Saturday termed European politicians "one more stupid than the other".
"These (European) politicians neither know anything about politics nor about history," Fars news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying in a speech at at Arak mosque in Tehran.
"For example, they come and say let's destroy the minarets of the mosques and they think by that, they can block the flood of the Islamic movement and belief," he said at a ceremony marking an annual Shiite Muslim mourning ceremony.
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.
China says no direct investment in Libya
By IANS,
Beijing : China does not have direct investment in Libya. It only has contract projects, an official has said.
Pakistan urges US to find alternative to drones
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has asked the US to find alternatives to drone strikes for the purpose of eliminating terrorists.
Local anti-Israel protests held around UK
By IRNA,
London : Dozens of rallies, marches and vigils were being held across the UK Saturday in the latest wave of local protests against Israel’s continuing massacre of more than 1,100 Palestinians in Gaza.
The biggest demonstration was expected to be held again in London at a rally in Trafalgar Square following last weekend’s national march in the British capital that was attended by up to 200,000 people.
Pakistani parliament’s in-camera session on security begins
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Parliament opened 'in-camera' session Wednesday to discuss security situation in country and to devise consensus strategy to counter scourge of terrorism.
Sources said that Director General Military Operations Lt. Gen.
Ahmed Shujaa Pasha briefed the members of parliament and political leaders about the ongoing military offensive in the tribal regions and Swat Valley in the Northwest Province.
Chidambaram in UAE, holds bilateral talks
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: India's Finance Minister P. Chidambaram met Abu Dhabi crown prince Gen. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral relations between the UAE and India.
Blast in high security area in Lahore kills one
By NNN-PTI,
Lahore : A woman was killed and four persons were injured when a car bomb went off in a high-security residential complex for government officials in this eastern Pakistani city Wednesday.
The explosion occurred at 9.20 am within the Government Officers Residences complex, an area in the capital of Punjab province where senior government officials and judges reside.
The dead woman was identified as Farzana Masih and her husband was among those injured in the blast, officials said.
Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold key security talks
Islamabad : Top Pakistani and Afghan defence officials are scheduled to hold key security talks in Islamabad Thursday, officials said.
Afzal Aman, Director General Military...
Double crisis hits Badawi-led Malaysian government
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : With a minister threatening to quit and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim claiming the support of 31 members of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi seems to be in serious trouble.
Mounting pressure on Badawi to step down as he had lost majority, Ibrahim claimed that more than 31 BN lawmakers had agreed to cross over to his opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat. He, however, refused to reveal the names of the 31 MPs, Star Online reported Tuesday.
ISIS parades looted Iraqi weapons in Syria
Damascus : The Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), now calling itself Islamic State, staged a military parade in Syria's northern city...
Palestinian PM calls for Palestinian national consensus on security doctrine
By NNN-KUNA
Washington : Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad called on Monday for a national consensus with Hamas on a security doctrine.
Delivering a policy speech in the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP), Fayyad said that political differences between the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas could be "sorted out" once both sides reach this consensus and agree on a security doctrine and the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority.
Harpoon missiles not modified: Pakistan
By IANS,
Karachi : Pakistan Monday repudiated reports that it had illegally modified the US-supplied Harpoon anti-ship missile to enable them to strike at land targets in India.
"We have not and will never violate any convention or principles on that, and all international obligations are being honoured by the Pakistan Navy," naval chief Admiral Nauman Bashir said.
The US protest on the issue "is based on sheer misunderstanding, which is being clarified at the appropriate level", he told reporters on the sidelines of an international conference on piracy on the high seas.
India, Pakistan reiterate commitment to fight terrorism in all forms
By IRNA,
New Delhi : India and Pakistan on Tuesday reiterated commitment to fight terrorism in all forms.
Somali president escapes roadside bomb attack
By DPA,
Mogadishu : A roadside bomb killed three policemen, one of them a senior officer, in Mogadishu Wednesday just minutes after a convoy carrying Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed had driven past.
The bomb went off near Al-Mathal school in southern Mogadishu, as an armoured vehicle went past on patrol, instantly killing the head of police in west Mogadishu, officials told DPA.
"The commander died in the blast and two other policemen died in the hospital," a government official who requested anonymity, said.
Pakistani govt announces five-point programme for Women Development
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The Ministry of Women Development will launch a five-point programme named after Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.
Under the programme the government will move the long overdue Domestic Violence Bill in the parliament and all government land allotment will be done in the name of the women of the house, Minister for Women Development Sherry Rehman said while reviewing the performance of the ministry.
Afghan district governor among 11 killed in Taliban attacks
By DPA,
Kabul : A district governor and three others were killed in a militant attack in northern Afghanistan, while seven police personnel were killed in a roadside blast in country's southern region, officials said Wednesday.
Mohammad Muhsin, district governor for Dehna Ghori of northern Baghlan province, his son and two other government officials were killed when their vehicle was ambushed by Taliban militants in the district Wednesday morning, Jawid Basharat, spokesman for the provincial police chief said.
Pakistani coalition partners meet to discuss clipping Musharraf powers
By KUNA,
Islamabad : The coalition government leaders Tuesday met here to exchange views on the constitutional package aimed at clipping the Presidents powers and transferring them to the Prime Minister.
Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Nawaz Sharif, the leader of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), met for more than two hours here.
Official sources told KUNA that Asif Ali Zardari shared details of the proposed constitutional package with Nawaz Sharif and also held discussions on the Judges reinstatement issue.
Five killed in Gaza car bomb explosion
By Xinhua,
Gaza : At least five people, including four Hamas militants, were killed Friday in a car bomb explosion in Gaza city, hospital sources said.
According to Shifa hospital sources, four militants and an eight-year-old girl were killed Friday evening in an explosion in the western part of Gaza city. Around 20 people were injured in the blast.
Witnesses said the four militants were inside the car when the blast took place.
Palestinian president to pay first visit to Slovenia
By Xinhua,
Belgrade : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will pay a working visit to Slovenia on Thursday, his first visit to the former Yugoslav republic, Slovenian President Danilo Tuerk's office said on Wednesday.
Abbas and Tuerk will discuss the progress in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and touch on the relations between Palestine authorities and the European Union, said the president's office in a statement.
Road crash kills 19 in Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : A truck carrying goods collided with a passenger bus in northwest Afghanistan on Monday killing at least 19 and injuring 29 others, local health officials said.
The incident occurred on a highway in the Dushi district of Baghlan province.
"Seven of the injured are believed to be in a critical state," a spokesman for the ministry said.
In a similar accident Sunday, seven people were killed and two injured in the country's northern Balkh province.
Malaysia keen to partner with Andhra for various projects
Hyderabad : Malaysia has evinced interest in partnering with Andhra Pradesh for various projects.
A delegation from Malaysia called on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N....
Tunis worried about situation in occupied Palestinian territories
By Xinhua
Tunis : Tunis is deeply worried about the situation in occupied Palestinian territories, especially the Gaza Strip, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry announced Monday.
A statement released by the ministry said that the deterioration of the situation in the occupied territories, especially the Gaza Strip, could trigger a humanitarian disaster.
Arab countries pledge support to US against IS
New York : Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have promised to stand alongside the US "until the end"...
12 killed in bombing near Baghdad
By IRNA,
Baghdad : A suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest blew himself up just inside the courtyard of a Shia mosque in a town south of Baghdad on Friday, killing 12 people and wounding 19.
The attack took place in Mussayib, a town about 80 kilometers, south of Baghdad, as about 700 people were attending Friday prayers and preparing to hold a peaceful march in protest at the ratification in the Iraqi Parliament on Thursday of a new security agreement with the United States.
One ton drugs seized in Iran
By IANS,
Tehran : Police in Iran have recovered a haul of over one ton of illicit drugs during an anti-narcotics operation in the country's southeastern region, Fars news agency has reported.
OIC seeks immediate measures to address food shortage
By IINA,
Jeddah : In a message to the High Level Conference on World Food Security, held in Rome, from June 3 to 5 June 2008, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu expressed OIC’s concern about the rapidly escalating global food crisis which threatens to negate the efforts of the international community towards alleviating hunger and malnutrition, for poverty eradication and achieving sustainable development.
Arabs of Jerusalem receive lower quality of medical care: study
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net
Even 40 years after the occupation, Israel has failed to extend basic services to Arabs of East Jerusalem. A study recently published found that Arabs residing in the area receive lower quality of medical care compared to Jews.
The study conducted by Israeli scientists in four local hospitals found that Arabs who were recently diagnosed for diabetes received lower quality of care compared to Jewish patients. This difference was more contrasting among Arab women.
Journalist shot dead in Egypt
Cairo: An Egyptian journalist was killed Friday during clashes between security forces and supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi at a neighbourhood in...
Imam’s killing is test for justice in Thailand: rights group
By DPA
Bangkok : The slaying and alleged torture of an imam by authorities in southern Thailand poses a "key test" for the country's justice system, deemed one of the causes of the cycle of violence in the area, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.
The New York-based human rights group said the death this month of Yapa Koseng has highlighted the broader problem of ill treatment of Muslims in Thai Army custody during operations against militants.
India supports Arab peace plan
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Riyadh: India Sunday expressed "strong support" to a Saudi-proposed initiative aimed at ending the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The Indian decision was made known on the second day of Manmohan Singh's visit to Saudi Arabia, the second by an Indian prime minister after 1982.
"We exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and on the status of the peace process in the Middle East," Latha Reddy, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said here Sunday.
Gaza Palestinians storm border with Egypt
By RIA Novosti,
Gaza : Hundreds of Palestinians from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip tried to force their way to Egypt through the Rafah crossing, eyewitnesses said on Wednesday.
Only the sick and those with visas, around 150 people, were allowed to cross into Egypt, leaving several thousands behind. The crossing was then closed.
Egyptian border guards used water cannons to disperse the angry crowd, which threw stones at them and Palestinian security forces.
Dubai reporter ‘missing’ after Iran clashes
By DPA,
Dubai: A reporter working in Iran for the Dubai Media Corporation has failed to make contact with the company since deadly clashes at the weekend, the company announced in a statement Monday.
The 27-year-old Syrian national, Reza al-Bacha, had previously been in constant communication with editors, according to the statement carried by the official WAM news agency.
Al-Bacha has worked in Iran for the past year for the Dubai conglomerate, which runs various media outlets in the emirate.
Musharraf seeks support to launch own party
By IANS,
Dubai: Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf is busy mustering support to launch his own political party, media reports said Sunday.
Musharraf spent a busy week in Abu Dhabi before flying back to London - holding marathon meetings with his lawyers, political partners and retired officials, including his close aide Major General Rashid Qureshi, the Online news agency reported.
Russia to continue arms supplies to Syria
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Paris : Russia's state-controlled arms trader Rosoboronexport intends to fulfill its contract for the supply of armaments to Syria.
Pakistan to sell 200,000 tonnes of wheat
By IANS,
Islamabad : Islamabad has approved the sale and export of 200,000 tonnes of wheat to create space for fresh stock procured from farmers, a media report said Tuesday.
US condemns Afghan bombings
By IANS,
Washington : The US strongly condemned the two suicide bombings in Afghanistan Tuesday that left at least 59 people dead and 154 others injured.
No Diwali sweets exchange at Attari border
Amritsar : The Border Security Force (BSF) Thursday did not exchange sweets and greetings with their counterparts Pakistan Rangers on the occasion of Diwali.
This...
20 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul: Twenty Taliban militants were killed in fighting in eastern Afghanistan Saturday, officials said.
Aziz Ahmad Wardak, the provincial police chief for southeastern province of Paktia, said that their forces backed by NATO air support killed 20 Taliban militants in Ahmadkhail district of the province early Saturday.
The fighting erupted after the militants attacked a police post in the district, wounding four police forces, he said, adding that the police forces fought back and called in NATO aircraft to target the militants.
Indian fighter jets violate Pakistan air space :Geo TV
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Indian fighter planes Saturday violated Pakistan's air space by entering two places in Kashmir and Lahore.
Planes of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which were already on alert, quickly came into action and forced the India's fighter jets to leave Pakistan air space, Geo TV sources said.
The sources further said that the Indian planes were fully equipped with warheads.
Meanwhile, a state run TV channel has reported that a loud blast was heard in Arabian Sea between Badin and Jati cities Saturday night.
However, further details about the blast were not received.
Rice: U.S., Israelis, Palestinians all want successful outcome of Annapolis process
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday that U.S., Israelis and the Palestinians all want to work hard for the improvements that can lead to a successful conclusion of the Annapolis process, local daily Jerusalem Post reported on its website.
Rice, who started Saturday a three-day shuttle visit to the Middle East, made the remarks after a trilateral meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
10 killed in Iraq blast
By IANS,
Baghdad : Ten people were killed and 40 others were injured in a bomb blast in southern Iraq Friday, Xinhua reported.
Iran proposes OPEC to consider another oil cut
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran Saturday proposed the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to again consider an output cut of one to 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) to help maintain a balance between oil supply and demand, the state television IRIB reported.
"It is better for a decision to be made for another cut of one million to 1.5 million barrels per day," Iran's OPEC representative Mohammad Ali Khatibi was quoted as saying.
"So that a balance between supply and demand is reached," he added.
Egypt expected to broker national Palestinian dialogue
By Xinhua
Gaza : Egypt intends to invite various Palestinian factions for talks in Cairo and bridge the gap between rival groups of Hamas and Fatah, an Islamic Jihad leader said on Sunday.
"Egypt keeps on its efforts to reunite the Palestinians and seeks to host a comprehensive Palestinian dialogue about different internal issues," said Khaled al-Batsh in Gaza. However, he ruled out that the dialogue may start in the comingdays. "The efforts may take several weeks until the atmosphere and the preparations are ready."
UN, NGOs review security measures after Kabul attack
By NNN-IRIN
Kabul : Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in Afghanistan have temporarily imposed restrictions on their international staff members’ movements in Kabul after gunmen attacked a high-profile hotel, aid workers and Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry said on Jan 15.
Seven people were killed, including two foreigners, and six others were injured in the attack on the city’s Serena Hotel, which is close to the Presidential Palace where many foreign diplomats and other visiting dignitaries reside.
Pakistan wants strong economic ties with Sri Lanka
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has sought stronger economic ties with Sri Lanka so as to enhance trade between the two countries.
Delhi Police on alert for potential jihadists to Iraq
By Alok Singh,
New Delhi : After news of four Mumbai youths having reportedly flown to Iraq to join the jihadists there and many disaffected...
Carter meets Hamas leader in Syria
By DPA,
Damascus/Gaza City : Defying the US White House, former US president Jimmy Carter held talks with chief Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in Damascus seeking to broker a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Carter and Mashaal also discussed the need to end the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip and the fate of an Israeli soldier who was abducted by Hamas nearly two years ago, according to a Hamas website citing Mashaal's deputy, Musa Abu Mrazoque.
Report: Iran buys wheat from U.S. first time in 27 years
By Xinhua,
Washington : Iran this summer resumed buying U.S. wheat after a 27-year hiatus, a sign of the limited options for importers seeking large quantities of high-quality grain, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
Since the 2008-09 marketing year began on June 1, Iran has bought more than 1 million tons of hard red winter wheat directly from the U.S., which is "a very large amount," the report quoted Bill Nelson, analyst for Wachovia Securities as saying.
India still keeping all options open against Pak — Mukherjee
By KUNA,
New Delhi : India has sent a stern warning to Pakistan that it was still keeping "all options," including military strike, open against it, and added that it should not presume the likelihood of military retaliation was fading with time.
India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that India reserves the right to protect its interests and people if Pakistan failed to check the spread of terrorism, reported the "Times Now" news network.
"Instead of contradiction and denial, they will have to take action," Mukherjee added.
Kuwaiti transparency authority will oversee scheduled parliamentary polls
By Muntaha Al-Fadhli, KUNA,
Kuwait : A national transparency authority will oversee the scheduled parliamentary process and record and report any irregularities during the polls due on May 17.
Chairman of Kuwait Transparency Society (KTC) and the Higher Transparency Commision Salah Al-Ghazali told KUNA that teams of the commission would observe the polls and report any irregularity or offense such as vote buying, suspicious financial funding, violence or any illegal act related to ballot casting.
12 injured in Lahore blast
Islamabad: At least 12 people were injured in a blast at a shop in Pakistan's Lahore city Geo News reported Friday.
The shop owner said...
Power point budget presentation in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith will present the annual budget through a power point presentation in parliament June 10, cutting short the traditional long speech.
This is the first time when a finance minister will use modern technology to unveil the budgetary proposals in the house.
He will only deliver a brief speech highlighting some of the major proposals, Deputy Speaker Col. (retd) Shawkat Ali told The Daily Star.
3 killed, 20 injured in suicide attack in NW Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Three people were killed in a suicide attack in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, private TV channel DAWN NEWS reported.
An explosive-laden vehicle rammed into a school in Shabqadar Tehsil in Charsadda district of North West Frontier Province, said the report.
As a result, three persons were killed and 20 others injured.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pakistan should act now to show it is serious: Krishna
By IANS,
Bangalore : External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Saturday said it was high time Pakistan acted against the perpetrators of Mumbai attack to prove that it was serious about fighting terrorism.
"I think it is for Pakistan to act now against the perpetrators of 26/11 to show the world and India that they are serious about fighting terrorism. We have given enough evidence through six dossiers against conspirators, abettors and perpetrators of 26/11," Krishna told reporters at his residence here.
Bangladesh-India standoff over oil exploration in Bay of Bengal
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has deployed two war ships in the Bay of Bengal after a standoff with India over hydrocarbon exploration in the waters, according to a media report quoting a navy official.
The row began as three survey vessels backed by the Indian Navy started exploration early Thursday, eight nautical miles inside what Dhaka claims is its maritime territory near the Fairway Buoy navigation channel around Block 14 in the southwest of the Bay.
Australia Denounces Anti-Islam Film
By Bernama
Melbourne : Australia has added its voice to the international chorus of outrage over an anti-Islam film posted on the internet by a right-wing Dutch politician.
Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Geert Wilders' film, "Fitna" equated Islam with acts of terror and violence and was "highly offensive".
"It is an obvious attempt to generate discord between faith communities," Smith is quoted by the Australian Associated Press as saying.
"Like leaders in the Muslim world and in Europe, I strongly reject the ideas contained in the film and deplore its release.
Tesco store attacked by Gaza protesters in Britain
London : Police officers were attacked and articles thrown around at a Tesco store in the British city of Birmingham, during a protest against...
Ghulam Ali’s performance cancelled, fans disappointed
By IANS,
Patna : Hundreds of fans of Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali were sorely disappointed after his performance at the Rajgir festival in Bihar was cancelled following the terror attack in Mumbai and the souring of India-Pakistan relations, an official said.
Ghulam Ali was scheduled to perform at the inaugural session of the two day Rajgir festival beginning Dec 6. But now another Ghazal singer Talat Aziz will perform in his place.
Russia urges Iraqi leaders to end violence
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Russia's foreign ministry Thursday called on Iraq's political and religious leaders to step up efforts to end violence in the country.
"We are urging political and religious leaders in Iraq to do their utmost to end this fratricidal conflict, creating the necessary conditions for building a democratic and prosperous state," said foreign ministry spokesperson Mikhail Kamynin.
Nine killed in car bomb attacks in western Iraq
By Xinhua,
Fallujah (Iraq) : At least nine people were killed and 15 others injured Thursday in two separate suicide car bomb attacks in Iraq's western province of Anbar, the police said.
In one of the attacks, a suicide bomber blew up his explosives laden car outside the al-Hedheiri police station in central Fallujah city. The powerful blast destroyed a school and several houses nearby, a police official said.
In the second incident, another car packed with explosives was detonated near the al-Tawheed police station in Jolan neighbourhood in northern part of the city.
Pakistan, India to hold 5th round of peace talks on July 21
By KUNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan and India will hold the fifth round of Composite Dialogue Process (CDP) on July 21 in New Delhi to discuss among others Kashmir and trade related issues.
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir will head the Pakistani side to discuss with his counterpart the segments of "Peace and Security including Confidence Building Measures (CBMs)" and "Jammu and Kashmir", said a foreign office statement.
Both sides, it said, will look into the prospects of a just and peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Abbas, Olmert in Jerusalem Monday to resume negotiations
By NNN-WAFA
Jerusalem : Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are here to resume the meetings aimed at achieving some progress in the current negotiations between the two sides.
The meeting comes after the visit paid by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the region in which she called on both sides to resume meetings between Abbas and Olmert.
Taliban, Islamist leader begin talks in Swat
By IANS,
Islamabad : The talks between an Islamist group and Taliban's Pakistan chief Maulana Fazlullah for the restoration of peace have begun in Swat, where Islamabad allowed the Taliban to impose Shariat (Islamic law).
Maulana Sufi Muhammad, chief of the Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM), and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader -- and also his son-in-law -- Fazlullah were meeting at an "undisclosed location" in Matta, Geo TV reported.
The first round of talks was held between a TNSM delegation and Fazlullah.
Iran, US n-talks constructive
Tehran : Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that the first session of a two-day meeting in Geneva with the US has been...
Suicide bomber kills 15, wounds 17 west of Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Ramadi, Iraq : A suicide bomber blew himself up at a gathering of tribal leaders and local officials in Anbar province on Thursday, killing 15 people and wounding 17 others, a provincial police source said.
The attacker blew up his explosive-belt in the building of the municipal council of the town of Garmah, near the city of Fallujah, when Sunni Arab tribal leaders and local officials were holding a meeting there, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Somali MP shot dead
By IANS,
Mogadishu: Unidentified gunmen have shot dead a member of the new Somali parliament, Xinhua reported
Manmohan Singh arrives in Qatar
By IANS,
Doha : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in the this capital city of Qatar Sunday evening on the second leg of his three-day Gulf tour.
Earlier, he was seen off in Muscat by Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said. He was given a guard of honour on his return as during his arrival in Oman on Saturday.
India and Oman signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during Singh's visit to set up an India-Oman Joint Investment Fund with a seed capital of $100 million, which will be expandable to $1.5 billion.
Hamas urges Gaza escapees to return
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Hamas movement on Sunday called for Palestinians, who fled heavy fighting with Hamas to Israel, to return to the Gaza Strip, and promised not to arrest those proved to be unwanted.
"All those who are irrelevant to acts shaking the security will be immediately released and returned to their families and houses," if they come back to Gaza, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.
Kashmir calm after Kasab hanging
By IANS,
Srinagar : The hanging of Ajmal Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist caught during the Mumbai terror attack, did not produce any adverse reaction in the Kashmir Valley Wednesday.
Iraq frees Saddam Hussein’s interior minister
By IANS,
Baghdad: Iraqi authorities have released the country's former interior minister Mohmoud Dhiyab al-Ahmed from prison, according to an official with Ministry of Justice.
Iran eyes n-fuel to power ships
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran will use nuclear fuel to power its merchant vessels, an Iranian MP said Tuesday.
Pakistan, Britain trade charges as 12 arrested for terror plot
By IANS,
London : Pakistan and Britain asked each other to "do more" to counter terrorism after British police arrested a dozen men - most of them Pakistani students - for suspected links with a major terror plot.
"We are dealing with a very big terrorist plot - we've been following it for some time," British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Thursday.
"We know that there are links between terrorists in Britain and terrorists in Pakistan ... Pakistan has got to do more to root out the terrorist elements in its country," he added.
OPEC daily basket price closes lower
Vienna: The basket of 12 crude oils of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) closed at $59.96 a barrel on Friday compared to...
Pakistani Taliban step up activities, occupy booster of state TV, kidnap policemen
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Taliban have stepped their activities in parts of the country and have taken over the control of the booster of the state-run television and kidnapped police men from a police station, witnesses and police said Tuesday.
Armed Taliban occupied booster of PTV in the restive Bajaur tribal region and spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban Maulvi Umar said the booster is still in their control.
The authorities had formed a jirga or council of tribal elders to negotiate with the Taliban to end occupation of the booster but failed to convince Taliban.
Muslims banned from Black Eyed Peas show
By IANS,
London : Malaysia has banned Muslims from attending an upcoming Black Eyed Peas concert because it is sponsored by a beer company.
The "Fergalicious" hitmakers are due to perform at a theme park in Kuala Lumpur next month as part of Irish alcohol giant Guinness' 250th anniversary concerts but officials have barred Muslims from attending because there will be widespread drinking, reports contactmusic.com.
"Muslims cannot attend. Non-Muslims can go and have fun," an official at Malaysia's ministry of information, communication and culture, said.
Middle East peace deadline expires
London : A US deadline for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians has come to an end without the two side reaching any...
Boeing 747-8 freighter to join Etihad Airways fleet
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Etihad Airways has signed a multi-year agreement with Atlas Air Worldwide to provide the UAE flag carrier with its first Boeing 747-8 Freighter.
Israel frees five Palestinian prisoners
By NNN-KUNA,
Ramallah : Israel has freed five Palestinian prisoners as part of a recently UN-brokered deal with the Lebanese organisation Hezbollah according to which the two sides swapped prisoners and remains of those who died in captivity.
The freed prisoners arrived Wednesday in two Israeli-driven vehicles at the Al-Taibah passageway of the northern town of Tulkarem where they were handed over to Palestinian security personnel, security sources reported.
US military drops weapons in areas held by IS in Iraq
Baghdad: Volunteer forces in Iraq fighting against the Islamic State (IS) terrorists said US military aircraft dropped weapons in areas held by the terrorist...