Britain criticises Israeli settlement plan in West Bank
London: Britain has denounced Israel's recent plan to build more settlement units in the West Bank, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has announced.
"I...
Gaza militants fire mortars on Israeli crossing
By Xinhua
Gaza : The Popular Resistance Committee, a group loyal to Hamas, on Wednesday said its fighters have fired three mortar shells on an Israeli commercial crossing point in southeast Gaza Strip.
In a statement sent to the media, the al-Nasser Saladin Brigades, the armed wing of the PRC, said the shells hit Kerem Shalom crossing on the point where Gaza, Egypt and Israel borders meet.
"The Zionist entity admitted the missiles landed on the crossing and claimed they caused no casualties," the statement said.
10 Taliban fighters killed in Afghan clashes
By SPA,
Kabul, Afghanistan : U.S.-led coalition troops clashed with a group of Taliban fighters in northern Afghanistan on Sunday, killing six militants, an Afghan provincial official said. Four other militants were killed in a clash in the south, the Associated Press reported.
In the north, troops returned fire after being attacked by militants while on patrol in the volatile Tagab valley of Kapisa province, said coalition spokesman 1st Lt. Nathan Perry.
685 medicine shops sealed in Pakistan province
By IANS,
Lahore : As many as 685 shops have been sealed by the health department in Pakistan's Punjab province for selling spurious and expired medicines, an official said.
Arab League Chief arrives in Damascus to prepare for Arab Summit
By NNN-KUNA
Damascus : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa arrived here Friday night for talks with Syrian leaders to prepare for the Arab summit, due in Damascus late next month, and the Lebanese political conflict.
Moussa told reporters after arrival that he would discuss with president Bashar Al-Assad on Saturday the Lebanese conflict and preparation for the 20th Arab summit.
He said all Arab conflicts were linked to the summit. Moussa added that his talks with the Syrian officials would deal with these conflicts foremost the Lebanese one.
Bosnian interior minister sacked
By DPA,
Sarajevo: Bosnian Interior Minister Tarik Sadovic was fired Friday, the Bosnian government confirmed.
Local news agency FENA reported that Sadovic's Muslim Party of Democratic Action (SDA) had asked for his replacement after he refused to step down.
Local reports said US officials had accused Sadovic of not taking prompt action in expelling Islamic extremists believed connected with the terrorist network Al Qaeda.
Sadovic was fired over "constant complaints coming from certain important foreign and local institutions", SDA's president Sulejman Tihic said.
US Bombing Kills 13 in Pakistan
By Prensa Latina,
Islamabad : A new US bombing against northern Waziristan, Pakistan, killed at least 13 people, Geo News Television station reported Friday.
Remote control planes launched five missiles against Jankhel in this Pakistani northwestern tribal area, allegedly an Al-Qaeda hide out, Geo News said.
According to a security officer, cited by the television station, the deceased were foreign activists.
UAE financial markets to remain closed during Eid holidays
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The financial markets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will remain closed from Saturday, the 29th day of Ramzan until the 3rd of the month of Shawwal to observe Eid holidays, WAM news agency reported.
The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has decided to close the financial markets after consultation with the representatives of the markets and financial institutions in the country, according to the report Wednesday.
Highlights of Pakistan PM’s speech
By IANS
Islamabad : Following are the highlights of Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani's speech after getting an unopposed vote of confidence from the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.
* On Kashmir: "I want to assure my sisters and brothers in Kashmir that their sacrifices will not be ignored and Pakistan will make every effort to resolve the issue in accordance with their wishes.
"I believe that confidence building measures is excellent step but it should be in the right direction.
Pakistan put to shame by terrorists, say former captains
By Omar Khalid, IANS,
Lahore : Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has said the terror-attack on Sri Lankan cricketers here Tuesday has made the hosting of the 2011 World Cup a distant dream for the country, thus echoing the sentiments of other former captains.
Inzamam-ul-Haq and Rameez Raja condemned the attack here, fearing the incident will further damage Pakistan's position as an international cricket destination.
Pakistan were to co-host 2011 World Cup with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Akram said the attacks have put Pakistan to shame.
Gulf countries, Turkey sign cooperation agreement
By IANS,
Jeddah : The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Turkey have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strategic dialogue here, WAM news agency reported Thursday.
The MoU, which was signed on the sidelines of the GCC-Turkey meeting, aims at developing positive mutual relations and multi-lateral cooperation between the two sides, as well as devising an advisory mechanism in political, economic, security and cultural spheres.
Israel confirms secret contacts with Syria
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak confirmed Tuesday that Israel has been holding secret contacts with Syria with a view to resuming peace negotiations.
Barak confirmed Israel had been exchanging messages with Syria via foreign mediators and said this was done with his knowledge.
"Israel has an interest in removing Syria from the circle of hostility, and every (Israeli) prime minister, from the right or the left, of the past 15 years wanted this," Barak told Israel Radio.
"All the messages are with my and our knowledge," Barak said.
Mass demonstrations mark 30 years of Iranian revolution
By DPA,
Tehran : State-organised mass demonstrations started Tuesday throughout Iran, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the revolution that established the Islamic Republic in Iran.
According to state media, millions of people nationwide and hundreds of thousands in the capital Tehran will attend the rallies to show their solidarity with the Islamic administration.
The crowds in the capital will walk towards the Azadi, or Freedom, Square in western Tehran where President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due to hold his annual speech.
Dhaka, Delhi sign trade, transit pacts, move closer on terrorism
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh and India Monday rejuvenated their political and economic ties, renewing a trade pact that envisages transit facility to India, and moved closer on their resolve to combat terrorism.
A 12-hour hectic visit here of Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee saw confluence of views on bilateral and regional issues between the South Asian neighbours, made possible by the emergence in Bangladesh of a new political dispensation last month under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Arab League chief to run for Egyptian presidency
By IANS,
Cairo : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa has expressed his intention to run in Egypt's next presidential election, Xinhua said, citing state TV.
NY Times criticizes desire to prolong war
By IRNA
New York : Everything Mr. McCain has to say about Iraq is more troubling, and I don't mean just his recent serial gaffe conflating Shia Iran and Sunni Qaeda, The New York Times said on Sunday.
The sum total of his public record suggests that he could well prolong the war for another century - not because he's the crazed militarist portrayed by Democrats, but through sheer inertia, bad judgment and blundering.
Ban, Bush to discuss how to put an end to Gaza crisis
By KUNA,
United Nations : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said he will discuss with President Bush over a lunch in Washington on Tuesday the situation in Gaza and how to put an immediate end to the crisis.
FAO: Feeding Bangladesh’s growing population amid rising climate challenges
By NNN-FAO,
Dhaka : At first glance it looks like another of Bangladesh's hundreds of rivers − that is, until the half-submerged houses and blackened trees come into view.
Pakistan Army slapped with Rs.120 bn `bill’ for using stadium
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistan Army has been slapped with a whopping Rs.120 billion ($1.3 billion) `bill' for using a Lahore stadium for decades by the auditor general of Pakistan.
10 killed in boat capsize off Istanbul coast
Ankara : At least 10 people were killed and 20 went missing Monday after a boat carrying migrants capsized off Istanbul’s northern coast.
Most of...
India, Bangladesh to sign extradition treaty soon: Officials
By IANS,
Agartala : India and Bangladesh will soon sign an extradition treaty after completing the required formalities, the home secretaries of the two countries said here Monday.
Party time on the streets of Bangladesh
By Sirshendu Panth, IANS,
Dhaka: Bangladesh has gone wild. It is now party time on the streets for the people, particularly the youngsters, with the much-awaited Cricket World Cup going cracking.
Afghanistan to ban private security firms
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai plans to disband all foreign and domestic private security companies by next year, his chief spokesman said Monday.
"The government of Afghanistan has decided that the security companies have to go. That will be done within coming four months," Waheed Omer told a press conference in Kabul.
A presidential decree expected to be issued late Monday would detail the process to eliminate private security firms.
Death toll rises to 47 in Iraq suicide bombings
By IRNA,
Baghdad : Death toll rose to at least 47 and 130 wounded in terrorist bombings among crowds in Baghdad and the northern city of Kirkuk.
Three blasts in Baghdad killed 26 Shia Muslim pilgrims heading for Imam Kadhimiya holy shrine.
The attacks, which wounded about 52 people, were carried out by women suicide bombers, police said.
In Kirkuk, a suicide bomber targeted a crowd of Kurdish protesters, killing at least 22 and injuring at least 80.
Car crash leaves eight dead, nine injured in Kazakhstan
By RIA Novosti,
Astana : Eight people have been killed and nine injured in a crash between a car and a minibus in southern Kazakhstan, the republic's interior ministry said on Monday.
A GAZelle minibus collided head on with an Audi car late on Sunday, killing the car driver and six minibus passengers, including three children under the age of 15, instantly. Another woman later died in hospital.
The minibus driver and eight passengers were rushed to the nearest hospital with various injuries.
Man with Ebola like symptoms dies in Pakistan
Islamabad : A man who was hospitalised with Ebola like symptoms has died, a media report said Tuesday.
Zulfiqar Ahmed, 40, who returned from Togo...
150 killed in Afghanistan avalanches
By IANS,
Kabul : At least 150 people were killed in avalanches in northern Afghanistan, an official said Wednesday.
"The avalanches have killed 150," Xinhua quoted Parwan provincial governor Mohammad Basir Salangi as saying. Many more were feared to be still buried under snow, he added.
The avalanches occurred Monday in the province's Salang Pass, some 90 km north of Kabul.
Teams of the public health ministry and Afghan National Security Forces have been searching for survivors at the site.
Media reports earlier said 70 people were killed in the avalanches.
Four killed in Peshawar blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least four people were killed Thursday in a massive explosion in the Pakistani frontier city of Peshawar, an official said.
Six people were injured in the blast that took place at a police checkpoint on the city's main road, provincial Senior Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour told reporters.
"It was a suicide bombing," DPA quoted Bilour as saying.
Suicide bombing kills 45, wounds 27 in Iraq
By DPA,
Baghdad : At least 45 people were killed and 27 wounded Thursday when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a funeral procession in a village north of the Iraqi capital, police sources said.
A police officer told DPA that a suicide bomber detonated his explosive belt targeting a funeral procession in Abu Mohamed village, some 70 km north of Baghdad.
Sources said that the suicide bomber was a member of the Awakening Council.
The Awakening Councils are local police squads located mainly in Sunni Iraqi provinces and aim at fighting the Al Qaeda terrorist network.
Israeli airstrike on Gaza mosque, house kills 15
Gaza : At least 15 Palestinians were killed and 20 others were wounded in a fresh Israeli airstrike on a mosque in eastern Gaza...
Malaysia remains committed to search MH370: PM
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Sunday the country is committed to locate the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, marking the...
Roadside bombing targeting Afghan police wounds 7 civilians
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A roadside bomb struck a police vehicle Thursday morning in Ghazni city of central Afghanistan's Ghazni province, wounding seven civilians, said a government spokesman.
Sayed Asmail Jahangir, provincial administration spokesman, told Xinhua that it occurred at around 9 a.m. (0430 GMT) when the targeted police vehicle passed through one street in Ghazni city and was hit by the IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device) planted by militants in advance.
"Explosion wounded at least seven civilians nearby, but caused no casualties on police forces," he said.
Four Saudi workers killed
By DPA,
Riyadh : Four workers were killed when they were hit by rocks while drilling for a sanitation project in the Western Saudi city of Medina, the Saudi newspaper al-Jazeera reported Sunday.
Two injured have been taken to the hospital and two others are feared dead as rescue teams continue search efforts in the rubble at the site in the northern area of the city.
Abu Dhabi to host obesity symposium
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Around 400 medical professionals will participate in a symposium here on obesity Oct 16-17 to share new treatment methods and other aspects to fight the disease.
Israeli airstrike on southern Gaza kills one Palestinian
By Xinhua,
Gaza : One Palestinian was killed and three wounded on Wednesday afternoon in an Israeli airstrike on a metal workshop in southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian medics and witnesses said.
Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency and ambulance services in the Palestinian health ministry told reporters that one Palestinian was killed and three wounded in the Israeli air raid on Rafah town in southern Gaza Strip.
No alternative to two-state solution, Blair tells Israel
By DPA,
Brussels : There can be no alternative to a two-state solution for the Palestininan crisis, Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair said here Wednesday, a day after the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in.
"There is no alternative to a two-state solution, except the one-state solution. And if there is a one-state solution, there's going to be a big fight," Blair said after a meeting with European Union (EU) officials in Brussels.
Syrian troops recapture town near Damascus
Damascus : The Syrian troops Friday recaptured a town in the eastern countryside of Damascus, as part of the Syrian forces' wide-scale offensive to...
BM Kutty – the communist from Kerala in Pakistani politics passes away
TCN News
Beeyathul Mohiyudeen Kutty, Pakistani politician from Kerala, 89 died on Sunday early morning in Karachi.
Born in 1930 at Tirur, Kerala, Kutty migrated to...
ElBaradei due in Tehran
Vienna, Jan 7, IRNA ,The UN nuclear watchdog chief Muhammad ElBaradei will visit Iran on January 11-12, said the International Atomic Energy Agency's spokeswoman Melissa Fleming here on Monday.
Fleming said in a statement, a copy of which was made available to IRNA, that the visit will be on Iran's invitation.
The statement said that during his stay in Iran, ElBaradei will meet a number of Iranian senior officials.
It said the IAEA Chief hopes the meeting would pave the ground to develop means for enforcement of the Safeguards in Iran and settlement of remaining issues.
British army corporal jailed for spying for Iran
By DPA,
London : An Iranian-born army interpreter who worked for Britain's top general in Afghanistan was Friday sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment by a criminal court here for spying for Iran.
Daniel James, 45, was working for General David Richards, the then head of NATO forces in Afghanistan, when he was arrested in December 2006.
A jury at London's Old Bailey Criminal Court had found him guilty of "communicating information to an enemy", the most serious of three charges he faced under Britain's Official Secrets Act.
Ten Israelis killed in armed attack on religious school in West Jerusalem
By NNN-KUNA
Gaza : At least 10 Israelis were killed while others were injured in a shooting attack against a religious school in occupied West Jerusalem Thursday evening, Israeli media reported.
"Two gunmen attacked with machineguns a school in the city of Jerusalem killing at least 10 people and injured scores others studying in this school," said the media reports.
The Haaretz newspaper said in its website that ambulances rushed to the school and were currently removing those who were killed, transferring the injured to hospitals in Jerusalem.
Israeli army rolls into SE Gaza Strip
By Xinhua
Gaza : Israeli troops rolled into southeastern Gaza Strip on Thursday amid heavy machine gunfire, sparking reactions from Palestinian fighters, witnesses said.
The militants rushed to the al-Shouka neighborhood in the east of border town of Rafah and fired mortar shells at the Israeli tanks and bulldozers, the witnesses said.
There were no reports of casualties on both sides. However, the Israeli bulldozers caused damage to makeshift houses and groves.
Bangladesh’s tribal chief dies in road accident
By IANS,
Dhaka : Head of the Mong tribe, Raja Paihala Prue Chowdhury, was killed when a bus carrying him plunged into a roadside ditch at Patachhara near Ramgarh in Khagrachhari district in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The 55-year old Raja, heading one of the three tribal circles, the other two being Chakma and Bohmong, died early Wednesday while returning from a 12-day tour of Australia.
Along with a woman passenger, he died on the spot.
The Raja's son Saching Prue Chowdhury, along with 23 other passengers on the bus, was injured in the accident.
India, Pakistan experts to meet over nuclear CBMs
By IANS,
New Delhi: India and Pakistan have decided to hold meetings of experts on nuclear and conventional confidence building measures.
Cooperation protocol signed to establish Jordanian-Iraqi Business Council
By NNN-Petra,
Amman : The Jordan Chamber of Commerce and Jordan Chamber of Industry signed here a cooperation protocol with the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce and Industry to establish a Jordanian-Iraqi Business Council.
The protocol aims to develop relations between the two countries' institutions and private sector as well as increasing joint cooperation and trade exchange.
25 killed in Bangladesh road accident
By Xinhua
Dhaka : At least 25 people were killed and 60 injured in a head-on collision between two passenger buses at Rajendrapur, about 40 km south of the Bangladesh capital Thursday.
The police said a Dhaka-bound state-owned bus collided with another bus coming from the opposite direction while overtaking a motorised rickshaw at about 10:40 a.m., killing 25 passengers of both the buses on the spot and injuring 60.
Police sergeant Arman confirmed the casualty figure and said injured passengers were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital.
12 hostages rescued from Somali pirates
By IANS,
Copenhagen : A Danish warship apprehended a pirate ship off Somalia's coast and released 12 hostages, including a few Pakistanis, held on board, Denmark's navy said Thursday.
Stop fighting Middle East, revise foreign policy
By IRNA,
London : A British expert of Middle Eastern relations is asking the US government to stop “fighting” in the region, if it wants to minimise domestic problems.
Asked about the recent State of the Union address by President Barack Obama, Peter Eyre said the American society is grappling with challenges which will eventually result in the “collapse of the so-called American Dream”.
Eight killed in Pakistan military convoy attacks
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least eight people, including five soldiers, were killed Saturday when a suicide car bomber and a roadside explosion separately hit two military convoys in Pakistan's restive tribal region along the Afghan border, an army spokesman said.
"A suicide attack on army convoy to place at around 0530 GMT at Eisha post while it was moving from Mir Ali area to Miranshah in the tribal district of North Waziristan," Major Murad Khan told DPA.
"Three soldiers and three civilians died in the attack, while five soldiers were injured," he added.
70 Indian border markets to be open to Bangladeshis
By Sujit Chakraborty,
Agartala : India intends to set up 70 markets, colloquially called 'haats', on its border where Bangladeshis and Indians will be able...
Armed clashes kill and injure civilians in Tripoli, Lebanon
By NNN-Petra,
Beirut : Fighting broke out Monday morning between pro- and anti-government supporters in Lebanon's second largest city, Tripoli.
Armed clashes with automatic machine guns and rocket attacks centred in Jabal Mohsen killing a number of people and 42 were wounded, mostly civilians.
Meanwhile, rival political groups, mainly the March 14 Forces and Hezbollah, traded accusations with each party blaming the other for sparking the armed conflict.
Pakistan jewellery shop robbed
By IANS,
Islamabad : Three armed dacoits robbed a jewellery shop of gold ornaments worth over Rs.12 million (around $132,000) in Pakistan's Lahore city, Geo News reported.
15 die in Iraq
By IANS,
Baghdad : Fifteen soldiers were among 17 people killed in Iraq Monday in attacks against security forces, police said.
Palestinian President: security & economy only path for peace
By NNN-WAFA,
Bethlehem : President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated that security and economy is the path for peace, adding other than that frustration, extremism and devastation would prevail.
Opening the Palestine Investment Conference in Bethlehem on Wednesday, he said that the final status issues are being under discussion with the Israeli sides, hoping no delay on any issue.
'The comprehensive development in Palestine will face many obstacles until ending the occupation and establishing a viable and independent Palestinian state,' Abbas said.
Iran condemns Britain for knighting Rushdie
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran Tuesday strongly criticised Britain for honouring controversial author Salman Rushdie with knighthood, official IRNA news agency reported.
"The Islamic republic considers Britian's act (of awarding Rushdie a knighthood) as an insult to beliefs and sanctions of over one billion Muslims worldwide," foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said, adding that Tehran "condemns such an unacceptable act."
Queen Elizabeth II last week awarded the 61-year-old author of Indian origin with the knighthood for his service to literature.
Assamese community in Gulf celebrates New Year’s Day
By IANS,
Dubai : The Assamese community in the Gulf celebrated Rongali Bihu to mark the Assamese New Year's Day over the weekend even as the festival started in Assam Monday.
Well-known artistes from Assam entertained a 150-strong crowd here at a hotel.
Moinul Haque, one of the biggest names in the art of mime in India, kept the audience in raptures in a 30-minute show.
Krishnamani Nath entertained the crowd with Assamese modern songs and Bihu songs.
Another high point of the programme was the one-man humour act of Devaprasanna Das.
Pakistan asks for more aid to combat flooding
By DPA,
Geneva : Pakistan asked the world Tuesday for more donations to help it overcome massive flooding that has affected more than 15 million people.
"We will need a huge amount of money," the country's UN ambassador told journalists in Geneva.
The envoy, Zamir Akram, sought to reassure potential donors that their money would be put to good use and not fall into the wrong hands, such as the Taliban.
"This is a very transparent exercise. The UN is deeply involved in this joint effort," he said.
Bangladesh PM Hasina arrives in London for 5-day visit to Britain
By NNN-BSS,
London : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in London Wednesday morning to start five-day visit to Britain.
Al-Qaeda behind Mumbai attack: Pakistan author
By IANS,
New Delhi : Top-selling Pakistani author and journalist Ahmed Rashid has said the Al-Qaeda was almost certainly behind the deadly terrorist attacks in Mumbai as all the hallmarks of the audacious attack pointed to the outfit.
"All the hallmarks of this attack seem to be Al-Qaeda," said Rashid while speaking to Adnkronos International (AKI) in Rome to promote his latest book 'Descent into Chaos' about the failure of US and European policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"This was a very well-trained group, there were multiple attacks that were coordinated extremely well.
Syrian, Turkish interior ministers discuss bilateral cooperation
By NNN-SANA,
Ankara : Interior Minister Maj-Gen Bassam Abdul-Majeed has held discussions here with his Turkish counterpart, Beshir Atalay, on cooperation in measures to combat drug trafficking, organised crime and illegal migration.
During the meeting Wednesday, Abdul- Majeed stressed the necessity for combating terrorism, stressing that Syria was among the first countries which suffered from terrorism.
In a statement to reporters, Abdul-Majeed indicated that his current visit to Syria was within the framework of boosting the existing bilateral relations, considered to be exemplary.
Inquiry on in attack on Pakistani prisoner: Shinde
By IANS,
New Delhi: An inquiry was on in the attack on a Pakistani prisoner in a jail in Jammu, union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said here Friday.
Hamas calls to protest Israel crimes
By NNN-Prensa Latina
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) called for protests after Friday prayers to denounce Israeli crimes against Palestinians, 32 of whom were reported dead in the last two days.
Hamas issued a release after convening massive marches today "to condemn the crimes against our people," and called for Arabs and Muslims all over the world to express solidarity with their cause.
Egypt sets up committee to re-check Mubarak’s health
By IANS/AKI,
Cairo: Egypt's attorney general has ordered the setting up of a new medical committee to re-examine former president Hosni Mubarak's health condition.
US soldier dies in non-combat incident in Iraq
By IANS,
Baghdad : An American soldier has died in a "non-combat incident" in Iraq, the US military said here.
Bush speaks with Abbas about ceasefire
By DPA,
Washington : US President George W. Bush spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday over efforts to achieve "a sustainable ceasefire" to end the fighting in the Gaza Strip, the White House said.
Bush also spoke with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak, said Gordon Johndroe, a White House spokesman.
"They agreed that for any ceasefire to be effective, it must be respected, particularly by Hamas," Johndroe said in Crawford, Texas, where Bush is vacationing.
UN chief proposes joint Gaza aid flotilla probe
By IANS,
Tel Aviv : United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has proposed to Israel to set up an international commission of inquiry into the attack on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, a media report said Sunday.
The committee would be headed by former New Zealand prime minister Geoffrey Palmer, an expert on maritime law. Its members would include representatives from the United States, Turkey and Israel, Haaretz reported.
Iraq bomb blast kills five
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : At least five people were killed and eight wounded Saturday in a bomb explosion in Iraq's northern city of Kirkuk, the police said.
The blast occurred in a car market. It was not immediately known whether the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, an official said.
Kirkuk city, some 250 km north of Baghdad, is an important industrial hub.
No further details were immediately available.
IAEA team in Tehran for talks
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : A high-level delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived in Tehran Monday for talks on nuclear issues.
Unidentified number of Israeli soldiers killed, injured in Gaza: reports
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : According to media reports aired Saturday, an unidentified number of Israeli soldiers were killed and injured within the early hours of the ground incursion to Gaza, whereas the Israeli Navy had bombarded coastal areas before the strip.
Some 25 Israeli soldiers were either killed or injured during the second phase of the wide-scale military operation dubbed "Cast Lead", which entered its eighth day; Al-Arabiya TV channel quoted anonymous Israeli sources as saying.
Israeli raid kills three Hamas members in Gaza
By IINA,
Gaza City : Three members of Hamas's armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, have been killed in an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip. Health officials said at least four other Palestinians were wounded yesterday in separate Israeli air raids. The Israeli military said it targeted fighters who had fired mortar rounds across the border. Hamas said 16 mortar shells were fired towards an Israeli-controlled border crossing in retaliation for the killings.
Pakistan Diary
By IANS,
Assassination overshadows Krishna visit
By M.R. Narayan Swamy,
Islamabad : The assassination of a Baloch leader and retaliatory street violence all over Balochistan overshadowed the visit by Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna to Pakistan.
Splashed on Thursday’s front pages of newspapers was the killing of Habib Jalib Baloch, general secretary of the Balochistan National Party, who was shot dead Wednesday outside his Quetta residence by unidentified men on a motorcycle.
Visit to Brussels, Paris and Davos highly successful: Musharraf
By NNN-APP
London : President Pervez Musharraf has termed his visit to Belgium, France and Switzerland highly productive and successful since it helped him to project Pakistan’s position on various regional and international issues in true perspective.
Bangladesh parliament security intensified
By IANS,
Dhaka : The security at Bangladesh's parliament has been intensified following a threat to blow it up, Speaker Abdul Hamid has said.
"There is no need for any fresh measures as we have taken every precaution," he said when his attention was drawn to a threat received by Parliament Secretariat Tuesday evening.
The letter, signed by Mohsin, threatened to blow up the Sangsad Bhaban, an architectural masterpiece of well-known architect Louis I Kahn.
"If they want to blow us up, they will be blown away themselves," said the speaker.
Sarkozy arrives to address Israel’s Knesset
By SPA,
Al-Quds city (Jerusalem) : French President Nicholas Sarkozy arrived at the Knesset Monday prior to addressing the legislature, as he continued a three-day visit to Israel, DPA reported.
Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife Carla and escorted by Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, was given a red-carpet welcome and greeted by a guard of honour.
UAE to host international road workshop
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host an international symposium in April to highlight social, health and economic impact of road accidents.
US troops arrest 11 Taliban in Afghanistan
By KUNA
Kabul : The US-led coalition forces said they had detained 11 Taliban militants during a joint operation with Afghan troops in the southeastern zone.
A statement released from the coalition forces' Bagram base here on Friday said the suspected militants were captured in Khost province.
All those held were accused of having links with foreign fighters and were allegely involved "in improvised explosive devices attacks and weapons facilitations," said the statement.
Death toll in Pakistan hotel blast rises to 16
By DPA,
Islamabad : The death toll from a suicide car bombing at a luxury hotel in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar rose Wednesday to 16, which included two foreign UN officials and a Spanish national, while up to 60 people were injured, a police official said.
Three suicide attackers in a pickup truck entered the Pearl Continental Hotel late Tuesday after shooting the security guards and rammed the explosives-laden vehicle into its main building.
EU starts implementing Iran nuclear agreement
Brussels : The European Council said here on Friday that it has adopted the first legal acts implementing the latest Iran nuclear deal, which...
Lobby behind Indian deaths report: Qatar
By IANS,
Dubai : Ali bin Sumaikh Al Marri, chairman of Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee, has said that given the large number of Indians...
Explosion near Danish embassy in Islamabad kills over 8 people
By Amena Khokhar, KUNA,
Islamabad : More than eight persons were killed and 17 others were wounded in a huge explosion near Danish embassy here on Monday causing damage to several nearby buildings including India House and UN office.
WAMY signs deal with Tanzanian University
By IINA,
Riyadh : The Riyadh-based World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Mirgori University in Tanzania. The MOU signed by Dr. Saleh Al Wohaibi, secretary general of WAMY, and Prof. Hamza Anjouzi of the University, stipulates cooperation between the two sides in the scientific, academic and cultural domains as well as providing the University with the specialized Arabic references.
Israel’s Livni expected to recommend snap elections Sunday: report
By AFP,
Jerusalem : The head of Israel's governing party, Tzipi Livni, is likely to recommend early elections on Sunday after ending efforts to form a coalition government, Israeli public radio reported.
Sources close to Livni told Israeli radio Saturday that she would propose snap elections to President Shimon Peres, and that the vote could be held in the next four months.
Livni, leader of the Kadima party and currently foreign minister, warned on Thursday that if she was unable to form a coalition government by a Sunday deadline, snap elections would be called.
Malaysian police officers head for MH17 crash site
Kuala Lumpur : Sixty eight Malaysian police officers left Wednesday night for Kiev to secure the crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and...
UAE,Canada discuss relations
By IANS,
By WAM,
Ottawa: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Canada have held talks here to discuss their relations and ways to strengthen them in different areas.
‘Sedition’ case reflects growing intolerance in India: Pakistani daily
Islamabad: The recent episode in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, where 67 Kashmiri students were suspended from college for three days after they cheered Pakistan's victory...
Zillur Rahman is new Bangladesh president
By IANS,
Dhaka : Veteran Awami League politican Zillur Rahman will be sworn in as Bangladesh's 19th president Thursday, the Election Commission announced Wednesday. He was declared elected unopposed.
Rahman is slated to resign as member of parliament and the deputy leader before being administered oath of office by Chief Justice M.M. Ruhul Amin, Star Online said Wednesday.
The 79-year-old veteran Awami League leader was elected unopposed as no other nominee came forward for the presidential election.
Pakistan court allows woman to change sex
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : A Pakistan court has allowed a woman to change her sex and undergo surgery after medical experts agreed that she was suffering from a "gender identity disorder" (GID) that requires an operation.
"I am thankful to the court and happy over this change," Naureen, 28, told IANS, a day after the Lahore High Court gave her permission to undergo the sex change surgery.
Iran’s N-scientist defected to CIA: Report
By IANS,
Washington: An Iranian nuclear scientist, who has been missing since June last from Saudi Arabia, has defected to the US and is helping in CIA's operation against Tehran's nuclear programme, a media report said.
Shahram Amiri, an award-winning nuclear physicist, has been settled in the US, ABC News reported quoting people briefed on the operation by intelligence officials.
The officials were said to have termed the defection of the scientist, "an intelligence coup" in the continuing CIA operation to spy on and undermine Iran's nuclear programme.
US congresswoman Sheila meets Musharraf
By SPA
Islamabad : US congresswoman Sheila Jakson, who is in Pakistan to monitor parliamentary elections, met President Pervez Musharraf Monday, said an official statement.
Another US team comprising three congressmen US Senate s foreign affairs committee Chairman Joseph Biden, former presidential candidate John Kerry and Republican Senator Chuck Hagel observed polling in Lahore.
Bangladesh keen to send workers to Libya
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh government is keen to send thousands of workers to Libya after the death of Muammar Gaddafi, a minister said.
UN vote on Iran sanctions rescheduled for Monday
By Xinhua
United Nations : The UN Security Council has rescheduled to Monday its vote on a draft resolution imposing further sanctions on Iran, a UN diplomat said Friday.
The vote, originally planned for Saturday, was delayed so that the cosponsors could have more time to discuss the text with some of the nonpermanent members, who have expressed obvious skepticism at more sanctions, said the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Iranian president to visit Sri Lanka
By Xinhua,
Colombo : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamadinejad will arrive at Colombo for a two-day official visit started from Monday afternoon and unveil several Iran-funded projects.
Sri Lanka's Department of Government Information said in a statement that Ahamadinejad will be welcomed at the airport by SriLankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, followed by meetings with President Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka and Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.
Arab, South American Foreign Ministers hold two-day meeting
By KUNA
Buenos Aires : Arab foreign ministers will start a joint two-day meeting with their South American counterparts in the Argentinean Capital Wednesday to discuss, among other things, preparations for the upcoming summit of the two regions scheduled to be held in Qatar.
Suspected US drone attack kills 12 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : A suspected US pilotless aircraft fired two missiles at a Taliban hideout Tuesday in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan, killing 12 people and injuring several more, an official said.
The Hellfire missiles demolished an office of the militants in the Ladha area of South Waziristan, a stronghold of Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud.
"According to our information, 12 people died in the attack while 10 are injured," said a local intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Most of those killed and wounded are Taliban."
Ensure adequate security for Indian prisoners: Judicial panel
By IANS,
New Delhi: An India-Pakistan judicial panel that visited Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital where Sarabjit Singh was under treatment, has recommended that jail authorities
India never agreed with Pakistan’s comment on Pillai: Nirupama Rao
By IANS,
New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao Saturday rebuffed Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's claim that his Indian counterpart had supported him in his criticism of Home Secretary G.K Pillai, saying "India did not express any agreement with Pakistan's comments on Pillai".
Rao also lent support to Pillai's statement ahead of the Islamabad talks that Pakistani spy agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) had a significant role in the Mumbai terror attack, saying that India is definitely concerned about ISI's role in 26/11.
Pakistan has failed to feed its people, says daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has failed to come up with a concerted action plan to fight hunger due to which nearly a third of the people go to bed hungry, a leading daily said Friday.
Islamic State ‘driven out of Kobane’
Damascus: Kurdish forces have driven Islamic State (IS) militants from Kobane, officials say, ending a four-month battle for the northern Syrian town.
Fighters from the...
Briton, Norwegian killed in attack on Algeria oil field
By IANS,
Algiers: A Briton and a Norwegian were killed Wednesday in an attack targeting an oil facility in Algeria's central province of Illizi, the official APS news agency reported.
25 militants killed in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)and the U.S.-led Coalition forces fought militants in a series of engagements, leaving 25 militants and eight non-combatants dead in southern Afghan province of Uruzgan on Sunday, said a Coalition statement released here on Monday.
Militants hid in buildings along a known Coalition route to launch multiple ambushes in Khas Oruzgan district and then fled into a neighboring compound where they held 11 non-combatants hostage, including several children and an infant, the statement said.
Qatar to host 21st Arab summit
By Xinhua
Damascus : Qatar will be the next host of the Arab summit, Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa announced on Sunday when reading out the Damascus Declaration at the closing session of the 20th Arab summit here.
Iraq urges Turkey to respect Iraq’s territorial integrity
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has indicated to his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the importance of respect for Iraq's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and that Turkey should avoid military actions against the PKK militants.
Al-Maliki said in the telephone conversation with Erdogan Thursday that the Iraqi government was supporting the security and stability of Turkey, stating that the "terrorist Kurdistan Workers Party is posing a threat on Turkey and border areas," government spokesman Ali Dabbagh said.
Militants threaten to blow up legislators’ hostel in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pro-Taliban militants have threatened to blow up a hostel of provincial assembly members in northwestern Pakistan, the Dawn News TV channel reported Monday.
According to the report, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Taliban group operating from Pakistan's northwestern tribal region, has sent a letter threatening to blow up the hostel meant for legislators in Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province.
Security has been tightened in the city following the threat, the report said quoting interior ministry sources.
Iran revisits intl. enrichment consortium idea
By RIA Novosti
Tehran : Iran has reiterated its call for an international uranium enrichment center to be established on its soil, a deputy head of the country's atomic energy organization said on Friday.
"Unfortunately, the export of nuclear fuel in the world has turned from a trade and economic matter into a political problem, and there is no such thing as guaranteed nuclear fuel supplies," Mohammad Saidi said.
He added that the idea of establishing an international uranium enrichment center in Iran, proposed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005, still stands.
Karachi firing claims eight lives
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least eight people were killed in two separate firing incidents in Pakistan's port city of Karachi Wednesday, Xinhua reported.
US-led coalition: 22 militants, 1 NATO soldier reported dead in Afghanistan
By SPA,
Kabul : The U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan says its warplanes have killed about 22
militants in the country's troubled east, reported ap.
A coalition statement says Afghan police called for help when gunmen attacked government offices in the Sarobi and Gomal districts of Paktika province Tuesday night.
It says an estimated 22 militants were positively identified and killed after its warplanes arrived.
Israel to resume fuel shipment to Gaza on Sunday
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel decided to resume fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip on Sunday in response to a petition filed by human rights groups with the country's High Court of Justice against the ongoing Gaza siege, local media reported.
According to a Jerusalem Post report, the amount of fuel supply by Israel will henceforth be in accordance to what was demanded by the High Court, which is 2.2 million liters per week.
However, the agreement to renew the fuel supplies did not satisfy the petitioners, who claimed that the above amount was not enough.
Bangladesh to form association to ensure maximum welfare of migrant workers
By Xinhua,
DHAKA : Bangladesh will form a labor welfare association aiming to ensure maximum welfare of the country's millions of migrant workers, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
Bangladesh's Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain has already instructed officials concerned to make a work plan for formation of the association.
Foreign tourists kidnapped in Egypt released: Officials
By DPA,
Cairo : All the 19 tourists, including 11 foreigners, taken hostage by suspected Sudanese criminals from southern Egypt were released late Monday without payment of any ransom, Egyptian Tourism Minister Zuheir Garana said.
The five Italians, five Germans and a Romanian along with eight Egyptians had been kidnapped while on a Safari near the city of Aswan and had been taken to Sudan.
Joint statement between the Republic of Uzbekistan, the State of Kuwait
By KUNA,
Tashkent : Upon the kind invitation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait paid a four-day official visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan on Monday.
During the visit, official talks were held between the leadership of both countries promoting the spirit of cooperation, and reviewing bilateral relations.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the continued relationship and discussed ways to develop and promote it for the benefit of both nations.
Qaddafi en route to Venezuela: Britain’s Hague
By IRNA,
Berlin : British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Monday he had 'some information' that Libyan leader Moammar Qaddafi was en route to Venezuela, according to German Press Agency dpa.
Pakistani photojournalist wins Pulitzer prize
By IANS
New York : A Pakistan-born, Bangkok-based photojournalist has won the prestigious Pultizer prize for "Breaking News Photography".
Adrees Latif of Reuters won the prize Monday for his dramatic photo of a Japanese videographer being attacked in Myanmar. The graphic photo shows the man, sprawled on the pavement, continuing to shoot with his camera after what turned out to be a fatal injury sustained in shooting that followed a street demonstration as troops attacked protesters.
Unfazed by threats, Burney to continue Sarabjit campaign
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Unfazed by threats from "fundamental elements", Human rights activist Ansar Burney Thursday said he would continue to support Sarabjit Singh, the Indian prisoner on death row in Pakistan, as he had been sentenced without any substantial evidence against him.
"I will continue to provide all support to Sarabjit Singh and if he was hanged, it would be a murder of humanity," Burney, a former minister, said in a statement while condemning threats to him by, what he termed as, "fundamental elements" for supporting Singh's release.
Pakistani cops use explosives’ bottle as ashtray, cause blast
By IANS,
Karachi : Two Pakistani policemen, having a smoke on a police station rooftop, casually stubbed the cigarette in a bottle containing highly inflammable chemicals for making explosives - causing a blast.
The explosion on the roof of Risala police station Saturday afternoon was caused by two policemen who were smoking on the roof, officials of the bomb disposal squad (BDS) told The News.
Potassium nitrate, which is a chemical component in explosives and is inflammable, was stored in a container on the rooftop. The chemical is also known as saltpetre.
PM assures Abdullah of India’s support to Afghanistan
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday assured Afghanistan of India's support in the efforts to build a strong and democratic country.
Modi, who...
IS video shows dozens of Yazidis converting to Islam
Cairo : The Islamic State (IS) Sunni extremist organisation, based in Iraq and Syria, Thursday released a video showing dozens of members of the...
UAE issues commemorative coin
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sunday issued a commemorative silver coin on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), WAM news agency reported.
"With an alloy of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent cooper, the face of the coin depicts the portrait of UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the denomination, while the back depicts the logo of the occasion," the bank said in a statement.
A total of 2,000 coins were issued. The coin size is 40 mm in diameter and weighs 40 gm.
Malaysian Sikhs join debate over use of the word ‘Allah’
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's 100,000-strong Sikh community is the latest party seeking to intervene in the suit by the Catholic church over the use of the word Allah.
The Malaysian Gurdwaras Council filed an application to intervene in the suit Tuesday. In a supporting affidavit, its president Jagir Singh said the word Allah in reference to god was an integral part of the original version of the Sikh holy book, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Pakistani PM for early signing of Pak-Indonesia PTA
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called for early signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Indonesia as it would encourage and enhance the volume of trade between the two countries.
He was talking to a delegation of Indonesian investors headed by Derom Bangun who along with a delegation of Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association led by Sh. Amjad Rashid, called on him here at the Prime Minister House on Tuesday afternoon.
Bangladeshi opposition owned TV channel shut
By IANS,
Dhaka: Bangladesh authorities Tuesday evening suspended transmission of private television Channel 1, owned by a former lawmaker said to be close to opposition leader Khaleda Zia's politician son Tarique Rahman, for "violating rules".
"We are very sorry to inform that the transmission of Channel 1 has been suspended temporarily," said a notice that appeared on the channel a little before 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The action came hours after Post and Telecommunications Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju said the government had decided to shut the channel.
No Americans killed in Peshawar blast: US
By IANS,
Islamabad : The US embassy here Monday denied that two Americans were killed in a car bomb attack in Peshawar.
Bangladesh: necessary measures taken to hold fair poll, CA tells c’wealth observer team
By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka, Bangladesh : Chief Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed today said his government has made all necessary preparations for holding a free, fair and credible election tomorrow.
"From the very beginning of assuming the office, I have been advocating for holding a free, fair and credible election and that election is going to be held tomorrow," he said adding that his government has already made all necessary preparations to
this end.
Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan to discuss war on terror
By IANS,
Istanbul : The foreign ministers of Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan will meet here Monday to discuss the war on terrorism.
A Turkish Foreign Ministry official told Xinhua Sunday that three foreign ministers would discuss means to promote cooperation among the three countries on security and counterterrorism.
Militants storm Afghan government building, kill one
By DPA,
Kabul : A group of Taliban militants attacked a provincial capital in central Afghanistan Monday, killing at least one police officer and taking over a government building, officials said.
Around six militants stormed a police checkpoint in Puli Alam, the capital of central Logar province, and fired at the governor's office and police headquarters, Gholam Mustafa Mohseni, the provincial police chief, said.
Afghan police and army surrounded the building, where the rebels were hiding and "a fierce gunbattle" was going on, he said.
Israeli Olmert suspected of taking cash envelopes
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is suspected of having received cash envelopes from a U.S. financier, the prosecution said Monday.
Investigators suspect that Olmert received, in person ort hrough his former office manager Shula Zaken, envelopes full of cash from New York financier Morris Talansky during their brief meetings both in Israel and the United States when Olmert served as Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor, State Prosecutor MosheLador told the Supreme Court.
21 Iraqi policemen found dead after Mosul clashes
Baghdad : The bodies of 21 policemen who were executed by militants have been found in Iraq's northern city of Mosul, capital of Nineveh...
Afghan battles leave several militants dead, 4 arrested
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan troops backed by the U.S.-led Coalition troops have eliminated several militants and arrested four suspected Taliban rebels in three separate battles in the war-battered Afghanistan, said the Coalition statement released here on Thursday.
Insurgents on Wednesday attacked the combined patrol of Afghan troops and Coalition forces in the Maywand district of southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, the statement said.
The patrol returned fire and called in air strike assistance, killing several insurgents, it said.
Militant clashes kill nine civilians in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least nine civilians, including women and children, were killed Thursday in clashes between Taliban rebels and security forces, while a compound used by militants was destroyed in Pakistan's troubled Swat district, media reports and officials said.
The civilians died when mortar shells hit their houses in several areas of Matta sub-district.
The Dawn News television channel said five members of a family were killed when a stray shell struck their house in Darmai village, while another four people were killed in a similar incident in the Sambat area.
Rice, Chinese FM Discuss Tibet, Iran ‘Incentives’
By SPA,
Washington : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday called Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi to discuss Tibet and Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. officials said.
US Air Strike Kills Four Iraqis
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : At least four persons died in a US air raid on the Iraqi city of Basra on Wednesday, official sources reported.
According to eyewitnesses, the US Air Force incursion targeted Basra's Hayaniya neigborhood early Wednesday.
That area was the scene of fierce clashes between the occupation forces and the Mahdi Army, loyal to clergyman Muqtada al Sader, late last month, which left about 300 dead and hundreds of wounded.
UN Sec Gen deplores deadly Embassy bombing in Pakistan
By NNN-UNNS,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced his outrage at Monday’s deadly car bombing outside the Danish Embassy in the Pakistani capital.
Media reports say at least six people have been killed and dozens of others injured in the attack, which took place in the early afternoon in Islamabad.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said that a security guard working at a nearby United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) building was among those killed, and six local staff working for a UNDP project were among the injured.
Airstrikes by Syrian government war crimes: Amnesty
London : The Syrian government committed "war crimes" in the airstrikes launched in the northeastern province of al-Raqqa in November 2014, killing 115 civilians,...
OIC appeals for help to Tajikistan people facing freezing cold
By NNN-KUNA
Riyadh : Warning against a "looming humanitarian crisis" in Tajikistan due to the freezing cold, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) appealed to its member countries Monday to render emergency assistances to the Tajik people.
The severe cold wave this winter led to huge material and human losses, OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said, voicing grave concern over the situation in the Central Asian country.
Need to solve ‘Pakistan problem’: Gordon Brown
By IANS,
London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Sunday that solving the “Pakistan problem” is crucial to an Afghan strategy.
Asked if more troops were needed in Afghanistan, Brown told BBC in an interview: “We [Britain] have already got more troops there but we need to solve the Pakistan problem."
“We need to ensure that there's an economic stake in the country in Afghanistan and we've got to back up the Afghan army - at some point they've got to take control of their own affairs.”
Pakistan active in UN peace keeping mission in Darfur
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan is positive in contributing troops in the United Nations Darfur peacekeepers, a military spokesman said here on Thursday.
"The United Nations has also approached Pakistan for contribution in a new peacekeeping mission in Darfur and we would actively participate in it," said military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas.
Ababs made the remarks while attending a seminar marking the 60th anniversary of U.N. peacekeeping and International Day of UN peacekeepers
Opposition victory signals rise in Pakistan stocks
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan's business community Tuesday celebrated the opposition victory in the country's general elections with a 413-point surge in the leading stock market in morning trade.