25 killed in suicide bombings, clashes with IS in Iraq
Baghdad : At least 25 people were killed and some 50 others wounded in clashes with Islamic State (IS) militants and suicide bomb attacks...
Yemen uses Sudanese lands
By NNN-SABA
Sana'a : An official delegation is set to head next week for Sudan to discuss with Sudanese officials the executive steps of a Yemeni project for using Sudanese lands to plant wheat.
The weekly 26september paper said that the delegation will include officials from the ministry of Industry and Trade as well as businessmen.
The talks will focus on the details of the project aimed at planting wheat in the Sudanese lands to satisfy Yemen's demand of this basic foodstuff.
Kuwait mosque bomber was Saudi: Officials
Kuwait City: Kuwait's interior ministry on Sunday said the bomber who attacked a Shia mosque in Kuwait City on Friday was a Saudi national.
According...
Maldivian President survives attack
Male –January 08, (IINA) – Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom survived an assassination attempt by a "young man" who tried to stab him with a knife wrapped in a national flag, according Presidential Spokesman Mohamed Shareef. He said Gayoom was unhurt. The assailant "aimed at the president from about 10 feet away, but another young boy - about 15 years old - maybe one feet away jumped to prevent him," Shareef said.
Pakistani opposition leader for national govt without Musharraf
By IRNA
Islamabad : Former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif Monday proposed a national government without President Pervez Musharraf to steer Pakistan out of crisis.
Nawaz Sharif, the leader of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) told an election rally near Islamabad also called for neutral and independence Election Commission for holding free and fair elections.
"PML-N to foil Pervez Musharraf's planning for rigging in October 18 polls and the elections would be a referendum against him," he added.
Seven killed in Iraq bomb blasts
By IANS,
Baghdad: At least seven people were killed and 35 injured in two car bomb blasts in the Iraqi capital Tuesday, an interior ministry source said.
Turkey role model for Islamic states: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : Turkey has been a role model for the Islamic states because of its efforts towards strengthening democracy, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said.
$165 million US aid to Pakistan for humanitarian relief
By IANS,
Washington : The US has announced an additional $165 million in aid to Pakistan for humanitarian relief, early recovery and long-term reconstruction efforts to support the internally displaced by the military conflict with the Taliban.
US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard C. Holbrooke announced the aid in Islamabad Wednesday.
We believe in friendly ties with Pakistan: Afghanistan
New York : Afghanistan believes in comprehensive, long term and friendly relations with Pakistan, said Afghanistan Foreign Minister Zarar Ahmad Osmani at the UN...
Palestine, Israel peace talks to resume Thursday: official
By Xinhua
Ramallah (Palestine) : Palestinian and Israeli peace negotiators will meet Thursday with a US envoy assigned to follow up both sides' commitments to the roadmap peace plan, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Sunday.
When General William Fraser arrives in the region, a three-way meeting, comprising the US, Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), will be held to discuss the implementation of the US-backed peace plan, Erekat said.
Kuwait interest rate cut hailed
By IANS,
Dubai : A decision by Kuwait's central bank to cut interest rates has been hailed by the bankers and financial analysts as a step in the right direction.
The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) cut interest rates by 125 basis points Wednesday in the face of deteriorating state of the local financial market caused by the global financial crisis.
The benchmark discount rate is down to 4.5 percent from 5.75 percent and the repo rate has fallen to 2.5 percent from 3.5 percent.
Nine die in Afghanistan blasts
Kabul : At least nine people were killed Monday in two separate bomb attacks in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, a police official said.
"A police van...
Strike paralyses life in Karachi
By IANS,
Islamabad : A strike called by a political party Tuesday brought life in violence-hit Karachi city to a standstill.
Jordan court delays trial for stabbing German tourist
By Xinhua,
Amman : Jordan's State Security Court (SSC) postponed the trial of a 35-year-old man accused of stabbing a German tourist in mid-March, local daily Jordan Times reported on Monday.
The court decided to delay the trial till July 9, since Mohammad Barham, the defendant, was not admitted to the National Institute for Psychiatric Medicine (NIPM) for mental evaluation, a judicial source said.
Barham is charged of terrorist acts in connection with the stabbing of a 63-year-old German tourist in downtown Amman on March 14.
Urdu can bring India, Pak together: former Jang editor
By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,
Members from 85 nations in Dubai Quran recitation contest
By IANS,
Dubai : Contestants from 85 countries will participate in a Quran recitation competition here to mark the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The 12th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) starts on the first day of Ramadan, which falls Sep 1 this year.
Ibrahim Bumelha, chairman of the award organising committee, said that Quran memorisers from countries like Switzerland, Uzbekistan, Botswana and Zanzibar are taking part in the event for the first time, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
Iran reserves right to determine response to any threat – IRGC
By NNN-IRNA,
Isfahan : Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi has said that Iran will determine the scale and scope of response to any possible threat.
"The era of hit-and-run is over. Possible beginners of any threat against Iran should notice that Iran reserves the right to determine the scale and scope of response to any threat," Hejazi said.
India lifts ban on travel to Iraq
By IANS,
New Delhi: India Tuesday lifted the ban on grant of emigration clearance for Indians wishing to travel to Iraq, but added a cautionary advisory that they take care of their personal security while working or visiting the oil-rich Gulf country.
"The government of India has decided, in order to facilitate travel by Indian nationals to Iraq on work and/or for visits, not to extend the ban on the grant of emigration clearance, which had been issued under Section 31(1) of the Emigration Act, 1983," the advisory said.
Extremists in Pakistan pose direct threat to US, others: Hillary Clinton
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Extremists in Pakistan pose a "direct threat" to Pakistan, the US and other nations in and outside the region, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, even as Islamabad struck a new peace deal with the Taliban by agreeing to enforce Islamic law in its Swat valley.
The US is studying the agreement and trying to understand the Pakistani government's "intention and the actual agreed-upon language", Clinton told reporters Tuesday in Tokyo, her first stop in a weeklong visit to East Asia.
Car bomb kills 2 in Baghdad
By SPA,
Baghdad, October : Iraqi police say a car bomb has exploded in southwestern Baghdad, killing two civilians.
Three others were wounded when the blast occurred Sunday afternoon in Bayaa district, Associated Press reported.
A police official says the bomb-rigged car was parked on a major commercial street in the neighborhood.
Pakistan for cooperation between FIA, CBI over terrorism, 26/11
By IANS,
Islamabad : Singalling a step forward, Pakistan Saturday indicated its willingness to provide voice samples of the handlers of the Mumbai attacks and said that the investigating agencies of the two countries will work together to prevent any future 26/11-like attack.
Turning the spotlight firmly on its continuing concerns over cross-border terror, India conveyed to Pakistan that more people were behind the Mumabi terror spree and asked for "visible" action against those involved in 26/11 that led to the suspension of the composite dialogue between the two countries.
Israeli troops enter Gaza strip, kill dozens of Hamas cadres
By NNN-PTI,
Jerusalem : Israeli troops have killed dozens of Hamas militants during the much-expected ground operation into Gaza, after week-long air-strikes on the coastal strip claimed over 460 Palestinian lives.
Israeli forces marched into the coastal territory yesterday backed by heavy artillery fire, air and naval bombardment after week-long airstrikes.
Initial local media reports from both Israel and Gaza indicated that IDF troops had killed dozens of Hamas gunmen as they traded heavy fire upon entering the Strip.
UAE, France discuss educational cooperation
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : French Ambassador to the UAE Alain Azouaou and Vice Chancellor of the UAE University Abdullah Al Khanbashi held discussions Monday to develop academic cooperation.
Balance of power affected by Egyptian uprising, says analyst
By IRNA,
London : What is happening in Egypt has potential implications much wider than the Arab World, according to journalist and political analyst Sajid Ali Khan.
Pakistan PM’s aircraft develops mid-air snag
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's special aircraft had to return to Paris after it developed a snag mid-air, it was reported here.
Pakistan envoy meets Nitish Kumar
By IANS,
Patna : Pakistan's High Commissioner Salman Bashir met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here Thursday ahead of his visit to Pakistan next month, an official said.
Pakistan won’t let India build bunkers
Islamabad : Pakistan has said it won't allow India to build bunkers along the Jammu and Kashmir border in violation of a bilateral pact.
The...
Al-Qaida videos now on cell phones
By NNN-Antara
Cairo : Al-Qaida video messages of Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri can now be downloaded to cell phones, the terror network announced as part of its attempts to extend its influence.
The announcement was posted late Friday by al-Qaida's media wing, al-Sahab, on Web sites commonly used by Islamic militants. As of Saturday, eight previously recorded videos were made available including a recent tribute to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the former al-Qaida in Iraq leader killed by U.S. forces in Iraq in June 2006.
Two Turkish engineers kidnapped in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Two Turkish engineers were kidnappedin Afghanistan, a Turkish official said on Saturday.
Burak Ozugergin, spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, onsaid that the engineers were kidnapped while working on the construction of a radio station on the Afghan-Pakistani border approximately two days ago.
The driver and translator of the two engineers were also reported as being kidnapped, said Ozugergin.
Turkish authorities are in touch with their Afghan counterparts to find the kidnapped engineers, added Ozugergin.
Gilani faults media for Marriott reportage
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has faulted the media for its reportage of last week's Marriott Hotel suicide bombing, saying national interest had been ignored while finding faults with the system.
"The people's expectations from the media are high, and though not all the expectations have been addressed, the element of national interest has not been fully kept in view," he maintained while speaking at an Iftar dinner he hosted for senior journalists at the Prime Minister House here Wednesday.
U.N. agency halts Gaza imports in dispute with Hamas
By BERNAMA,
A Palestinian woman walks past the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters in Khan Younis refugee camp in Gaza February 6, 2009. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaFebruary 7, 2009 - GAZA (Reuters) - A major United Nations aid agency said it suspended importing goods into the Gaza Strip on Friday because the Islamist group Hamas that rules the territory had seized supplies for the second time this week.
Hamas denied it confiscated any supplies, saying it was a misunderstanding between drivers due to a lack of coordination.
Israel indicts two journalists for violating censorship
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Two east Jerusalem employees of a production company servicing various media outlets worldwide, including one based in Iran, were indicted in Israel Tuesday for breaking Israeli military censorship, the Ynet news site reported.
Kadir Shahin, a reporter with Iranian Arabic-speaking Alalam television station, and producer Muhammad Sarhan are accused of reporting that Israeli ground troops had entered the Gaza Strip Jan 3, before the information was cleared for publication.
Dhaka court rejects Jamaat challenge to war tribunal judges
By IANS,
Dhaka : The High Court here Tuesday summarily rejected a writ petition challenging the appointment of two judges to Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal set up for trying the 1971 "war crimes".
The challenge came from a lawyer, who is a senior member of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) whose top brass has been arraigned before the tribunal that began its work Sunday.
Indian engineer arrested in Saudi Arabia
By TCN News
Riyadh: Fasih Mahmood, an engineer from Darbhanga, Bihar was arrested by Saudi Police on Sunday and now waiting to be deported to India.
Twenty five Palestinians injured in Israeli bombardment
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli warplanes on Wednesday night launched another attack at the Gaza Strip targeting building of the Ministry of Interior of the dismissed Hamas government in the Shajaiyeh neighborhood.
Palestinian security sources said that Israeli military aircraft fired three missiles at a five-storey building of the Ministry of Interior, destroying it completely.
The sources added that 25 Palestinians were injured who were residents of the targeted neighborhood by the Israeli bombardment.
I will not quit: Musharraf
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declared Saturday that he would not resign now and would take a decision on this in the best interests of the country if ever needed.
"Let me tell you I won't resign in the present situation," Musharraf asserted while talking to news anchors of different TV channels. However, some leading anchors who are known for their hostility towards the president were not invited to the meeting, held at the presidency.
No decision yet on Pakistan army chief’s extension: PM
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday termed as "inappropriate and premature" the defence minister's assertion that army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's tenure would not be extended, an indication that this could well be on the cards.
Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar's statement earlier this week that Kayani, who is due to retire in October, would not be given an extension was "inappropriate and premature and he should not have given such a statement", Gilani said during an interaction with senior journalists here.
Malaysian edict against yoga kicks up controversy
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : A fatwa (edict) banning the practise of yoga by Malaysian Muslims has kicked up a controversy in the country, with some saying that it had nothing to do with religion and was practised because of its “known health benefits”. Two states have put on hold implementation of the fatwa.
The National Fatwa Council last week issued the edict, deeming as 'haram' (prohibited) the practice of the ancient Indian fitness regime that aims at mental and physical well-being. The Council said that yoga contained chanting and worshipping also.
Indian worker killed in Bahrain accident, two hurt
By IANS,
Dubai : An Indian worker was buried alive and two were injured in a construction site mishap in Bahrain, media reports said Sunday.
M. Devendra, 27, was laying water pipes, along with two other Indian workers, in a nine-foot-deep trench at a construction site in the Salmabad area in the heart of Bahrain when the wall around them collapsed Saturday.
Devendra, who hails from Andhra Pradesh in south India, had died by the time he was pulled out from the site 15 minutes later. The other two workers, M. Gangayya and Bala Lingam, escaped with minor injuries.
Pakistani PM urges militants to lay down arms for dialogue
By NNN-Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani urged militants to lay down arms for dialogue with his new government.
"Unfortunately, some people have adopted violence as the source of expression of their opinion. As the democracy has now started, I urge all those people to give up the way of violence and join us in the democratic journey. We are ready to hold talks with all those who lay down arms and adopt the path of peace," Gilani said in his first policy statement after a confidence vote.
Susilo Asks Indonesian Muslims To Take Islamophobia In Stride
By Bernama
Jakarta : President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged Indonesian Muslims to take Islamophobia in stride, as many people think that Islam is not preaching justice and harmony.
"The world feared Islam or was gripped by Islamophobia because it had misunderstood Islam," ANTARA quoted Susilo as saying at a function to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad's birthday at the Kanzus Shalawat Mosque in Pekalongan, Central Java on Wednesday.
He called on Muslims in the country to face Islamophobia in a rational way by building a good understanding, dialogue and cooperation.
Syria’s Assad denies meddling in Lebanon at boycotted summit
By AFP
Damascus : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denied on Saturday meddling in Lebanon as he hosted an Arab summit boycotted by half of the region's leaders, many of whom blame Damascus for the political crisis in Beirut.
"I would like to make a point with regards to Syrian interference in Lebanon.
It is the contrary which is true because pressure has been exerted on Syria for over a year to interfere in Lebanon's affairs" but we have refused to do so, Assad said.
Pakistani MPs urge government to restore Haj quota
By IANS,
Islamabad : Cutting across the political divide, Pakistani parliamentarians Saturday urged the government to restore their Haj quota, the Online news agency said.
The government Wednesday abolished the Haj quota of all parliamentarians, including the president and the prime minister, in order to "provide equal chance" to every aspirant.
Pakistani Senate chairman Jan Muhammad Jamali Saturday called for the restoration of the Haj quota, saying that there was a common consensus among the political parties on the issue.
Islamic Finance behind Britain’s most expansive residential development
By NNN-KUNA
London : Britain's most expensive residential development is to be funded by Islamic finance, the first time a property deal in this country has been backed by money raised in line with religious laws laid out in the Quran, it was revealed here.
The 1.3 billion pounds loan, to be used to turn the Chelsea Barracks, in central London, into luxury flats, a hotel and health spas, shows how Middle Eastern wealth is increasingly used to finance business deals in the UK, the Financial Times (FT) newspaper said Monday.
Pakistani pro-Taliban militant leader shuns violence after release
By DPA,
Islamabad : A pro-Taliban militant leader who was freed as part of peace talks with militants in Pakistan's restive north-west valley of Swat renounced violence hours after his release from prison, media reports said on Tuesday.
Maulana Sufi Mohammed, chief of the banned Movement for the Enforcement of Mohammedan Law (TNSM), was arrested in 2001 when he returned from what he had called "holy war" against US in Afghanistan.
Russia, NATO agree on transit of non-lethal cargo to Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti
Bucharest : Russia and NATO have agreed on land transits for non-lethal freight through Russian territory to NATO troops deployed in Afghanistan, Russia's envoy to NATO said on Friday.
"Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer exchanged letters on transits of NATO non-lethal cargo across Russia to Afghanistan during an official ceremony in Bucharest," Dmitry Rogozin said.
Al-Assad stresses necessity of intensifying efforts to realise Palestinian unity
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : President Bashar al-Assad has stressed the necessity of intensifying efforts to realise Palestinian unity, saying that "national unity among Palestinians is the only way for them to regain rights and achieve aspirations in the establishment of a Palestinian independent state with Jerusalem as its capital."
Al-Assad held two meetings with President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas on the situation in Palestine and the peace process.
UAE begins production at offshore gas field
By IANS,
Umm Al Qaiwain (UAE) : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has started producing gas from the offshore field located 20 km off Umm Al Qaiwain (UAQ) emirate, WAM news agency reported Monday.
According to UAQ Crown Prince Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mulla, up to 92 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of wet gas has been produced from the well as of last Friday.
The gas would be transported through an undersea pipeline for processing to the Rakgas plant in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK).
11 militants killed in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 11 militants were killed and 19 injured Friday in an operation launched against them by security forces in Pakistan's northwest tribal region, Geo News reported.
Pakistan expo in Mumbai cancelled at last minute
Mumbai : The second 'Made In Pakistan Expo Mumbai', scheduled to start Aug 31, was abruptly cancelled at the last minute by the organisers...
In Kasab’s village, no proof he is Pakistani: Report
By IANS,
Islamabad : A FBI team has visited the home village of Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested during the Mumbai carnage, but has failed to find conclusive evidence of him being a Pakistani, Online news agency reported.
A five-member FBI team, headed by the agency's South Asia director, William Robert, visited Faridkot in the Punjab province Wednesday and met village residents and administrative officials but could not find Kasab's name in the record of schools and NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) records, Online said.
Bangladesh seeks to supply rice to northeast India: Tripura minister
By Sujit Chakraborty ,
Agartala: In one more sign of warming cross-border ties, Bangladesh says it is keen to supply rice to food-deficient northeastern states...
SIO condemns Israeli attack on unarmed Gaza aid ship
By TCN News,
New Delhi: The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) strongly condemned the attack of Israel on the Gaza aid ship convoy that was carrying aid to the war affected Gaza. In a condolence message from Istanbul, SIO President Suhail KK said the attack is “really inhuman,” demanded Israel to stop such activities.
In the condolence message from Istanbul, SIO President said: “It's really inhuman to kill 16 unarmed people by open fire while activists in the Freedom Flotilla were from non-violent groups like Free Gaza Movement or Turks.”
Saudi Arabia, UAE meet over half of Japan’s oil needs
By IANS,
Tokyo : Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the largest oil suppliers to the world's second largest economy Japan and account for over half of the country's oil imports, WAM news agency reported Tuesday citing Japanese government figures.
Saudi Arabia remained the largest crude oil supplier to Japan in May 2009, exporting 31.4 million barrels per day and accounting for 28.8 percent of total its oil imports.
Japanese oil imports from the UAE stood at 23.9 million barrels per day in May 2009, representing 22.7 percent of the total oil imports.
India responds to Pakistan, says enough evidence to take action
By IANS,
New Delhi : India Friday handed over to Pakistan answers to 30 questions they had posed in connection with Mumbai's "horrific terror attacks" and underlined that these replies provided "enough material" for Islamabad to take the investigation forward and punish the guilty.
Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon met Pakistan's High Commissioner Shahid Malik and formally handed over India's replies to Pakistan's questions over the Mumbai attacks, official sources said.
New Pakistan chief justice to take oath Sunday
Islamabad: Justice Nasirul Mulk will take oath Sunday as the chief justice of Pakistan.
President Mamnoon Hussain will administer the oath at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president's...
ISAF denies killing 50 civilians in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) officials in Kabul Friday strongly rejected claims that more than 50 civilians were killed by allied forces in Farmakan and Bakhtabad villages in the Shindand area of the western province of Herat.
FM: Iran reviewing six-nation package with constructive view
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Sunday said his country is reviewing a package of incentives by six world powers with a constructive view, the official IRNA news agency reported.
"Iran will give an answer to the package after examining it," Mottaki told reporters after the inaugural ceremony of the 17th session of Iran-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission in Tehran.
President, PM vow to safeguard Pakistan’s defence
By IRNA,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani here Monday expressed resolve to safeguard country's defense and security and that Pakistan will itself investigate elements posing threats in this regard.
The Prime Minister held an important meeting with the President here at Aiwan-e-Sadar where Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security Mehmood Ali Durrani was also present.
The meeting discussed Pak-India tension, violation of Pakistan's air space, war on terror and the country's political situation besides other issues.
Reformists under fire again before Iran elections
By DPA
Tehran : Just 24 hours before the parliamentary elections in Iran, the country's reformists came under fire again from their conservative opponents over alleged secret links to European Union (EU) diplomats, Fars news agency reported Thursday.
The pro-Ahmadinejad conservative faction has started a new campaign against the reformists, charging them with seeking EU support to put pressure on the government.
Indian expatriates in UAE to help flood victims in J&K
Dubai : Indian expatriates from Jammu and Kashmir in United Arab Emirates (UAE) are joining hands to work towards rebuilding the flood-hit state, media...
Iran urges world to stop Saudi-led attacks on Yemen
Tehran : Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday called on the international community to condemn the Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen and to help...
Iran will face stark choices: US
By DPA,
Washington : Iran will be presented with a stark choice of either abandoning its nuclear ambitions or facing increased isolation in the international community when it meets with the world's major powers, the US State Department said Monday.
The US reaction came after it was announced that Iran will meet with officials from the five UN Security Council members - the US, China, Russia, Britain and France - plus Germany Oc 1 to discuss its disputed nuclear programme.
Refugees from northwest can settle anywhere in Pakistan: PM
BY IANS,
Islamabad: Millions of refugees who have fled Pakistan's restive northwest following the military's anti-Taliban operations can settle anywhere in the country, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilnai declared here Tuesday.
"They are Pakistanis. They can go to any part of the country," Gilani told reporters here.
"Every citizen is free to move anywhere in the country," the prime minister maintained, adding: "No restriction can be placed on the movement of displaced persons within the country."
Security alert in Islamabad after Danish embassy bombing
By Amena Khokhar, KUNA,
Islamabad : Security was tightened in the Pakistani capital on Tuesday after the suicide blast targeting the Danish Embassy killed nearly eight people, while investigators continued to look into the type of explosive used.
Authorities have set up a team of police and intelligence agents to investigate the blast that left a four-foot deep and five-foot wide crater in the middle of the road, about four meters away from the embassy gate.
Dhaka’s information rights law comes into force
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's Right to Information Act 2009 came into effect Wednesday, but officials who would enable information to be delivered are yet to be appointed.
Although the act, excepting three of its provisions, was enforced with retrospective effect from April 20, 2008, no information delivery unit has yet been set up in any government office, New Age newspaper said Wednesday.
The information commission is yet to be formed and no set of rules for the effective enforcement of the act has yet been framed in accordance with its provisions.
Pakistan’s coalition parties undecided on key ministries
By NNN-Xinhua
Islamabad : A first group of Pakistan's cabinet members is likely to take oath on Saturday as the coalition parties are yet decided on some key ministries, according to local media.
The Pakistan's coalition parties, which gripped power from the Feb. 18 elections, held a meeting on Wednesday discussion the formation of the new government, News Network International (NNI) reported.
Pakistan plane crash: 58 bodies identified, DNA tests on others
By IANS,
Islamabad : Only 58 bodies of the 152 killed when an Airbus A-321 crashed in the Margalla Hills near this Pakistani capital have been identified, officials said Thursday, adding that DNA tests would be carried out on the others.
The bodies that could be identified have been handed over to family members, Geo News reported Thursday, when Pakistan observed a day of mourning for those killed in the country's worst aviation disaster.
UN chief condemns terrorist attack in Egypt
By IANS,/WAM,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the terrorist attack Sunday on a tour bus in the southern Sinai town...
Gaza crossings to stay shut until Israeli soldier is freed
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israel will not agree to open the crossing points into the Gaza Strip until an Israeli soldier held captive in the salient for two-and-a-half years has been released, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday night.
"We will not allow the opening of the crossings to Gaza, to the extent that it will bring life back to normal, certainly not before Gilad Shalit is home," he said.
Pakistani President vows to jointly fight terrorism with Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : The visiting Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari vowed Tuesday to jointly fight militancy and terrorists with Afghanistan.
"Both countries are fighting together against terrorism promoted by non-state actors," Zardari told newsmen at a joint press conference with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai.
Zardari also emphasized that both countries "will not fall victim to their designs. We will cooperate to control stateless actors trying to create problems."
Bomber killed in Kabul suicide blast
By KUNA,
Kabul : A car bomb attack on a foreign forces' convoy outside Kabul on Saturday resulted in the death of only the suicide bomber, police said.
Chief of Kabul police Brig. Gen. Ayub Salangi said the blast targeted a foreign force convoy just outside Kabul.
However, he said, no foreign soldier was killed or injured.
NATO press office has not yet issued a comment on the incident.
Meanwhile, the coalition troops said they killed several militants during an engagement in Kapisa province, north of Kabul.
Three injured in Afghan blast
By IANS,
Kabul : At least three people were injured Sunday after a bomb went off in Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz, Xinhua reported.
Ibrahim promises `clean fight’ in key by-election
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, facing a sodomy charge from a young aide, has promised "a clean fight" in a by-election Aug 26 through which he hopes to return to parliament and pose a threat to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's government.
He asked voters to be "warriors" and fight for their "freedom" by voting in the Permatang Pauh by-election, just five days short of Merdeka, Malaysia's Independence Day, The Star newspaper said.
Ibrahim said there would not be any "maki hamun" (cursing) and the election campaign would be based on issues.
Democratic revolution in Pakistan and it’s consequences for South Asia
Safety concerns force Karachi businessmen to shift abroad
By Awais Saleem, IANS,
Islamabad : More than a dozen business establishments in the Pakistani port city Karachi have shifted abroad due to rising violence.
21 killed in fire at Bangladesh garment factory
By IANS,
Dhaka : At least 21 people, including 15 women, were killed and 50 injured in a major fire which broke out in a garment factory in Bangladesh's Gazipur town, around 50 km north of Dhaka, police said Friday.
The blaze engulfed the Garib & Garib Sweater factory at around 9:30 P.M. Thursday when workers were preparing to leave, said Suman, one of the workers who escaped the fire.
At least 50 were injured, suffering burns or smoke inhalation. Of them, 20-25 were taken to hospitals, a senior police officer said.
Israel complains to UN over Dimona attack
By KUNA
Gaza : Israel said it filed a complaint to the United Nations over Monday's Palestinian attack on Dimona.
Radio Israel said Tuesday morning that Israel's representative at the UN Dan Gillerman sent a complaint to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and an other letter to the head of the UN Security Council.
It added that Gillerman said Israel has the right to respond to the attack and protect its people, expressing in his letter his condemnation of the support of terrorism on the part of some UN members.
Zardari promises to work with Karzai to tackle extremism
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday pledged to work closely with Afghanistan in combating violent Islamic extremists in the volatile border region between the two countries.
The assurance came in a joint statement after Zardari met with British premier Gordon Brown and his Foreign Secretary David Miliband at 10 Downing Street.
It followed mounting tension between Pakistan and the US over reported unilateral American incursions into Pakistani territory apparently in hot pursuit of Al Qaeda militants.
Modi-Sharif discuss terror, skirt Kashmir
Ufa (Russia)/New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on Friday agreed to eliminate terror and expedite the trial...
Lebanese President strongly condemns Tripoli blast
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : Lebanese President Michel Suleiman strongly condemned the blast that rocked the northern city of Tripoli earlier Wednesday, killing nine people, including seven soldiers, and wounding 31 others.
A presidential statement said Suleiman "strongly condemns the terrorist crime that took place this (Wednesday) morning in Tripoli and claimed the lives of several innocent people, both civilians and military personnel."
It added that the president "reaffirmed that the Lebanese Army and the security forces will not kneel before these attempts of intimidation."
20 killed in Somalia clashes
By DPA
Mogadishu : Somali troops and Islamist insurgents clashed Thursday, leaving at least 20 people killed and 30 injured in some of the worst fighting in weeks in the country.
The fighting broke out early Thursday in Dayeeno, some 650 km north of the capital Mogadishu, after Islamist militias ambushed transitional government troops, using rocket-propelled grenades and other heavy artillery.
In the 30-minute battle, the Islamists managed to oust the troops, killing at least 15 of them.
Indian embassy in Bangladesh warns of fake visa agents
Dhaka: The Indian high commission in Dhaka Thursday warned Bangladeshis against agents approaching them offering assistance in obtaining Indian visa.
The State Bank of India...
Egyptian court defers parliamentary polls
Cairo : Egypt's administrative court on Tuesday ordered that parliamentary elections, set for March 21, be postponed to effect amendments to electoral laws after...
150,000 Afghan refugees to leave Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : The UN refugee agency plans to help in the voluntary repatriation of some 150,000 Afghan refugees from Pakistan this year.
India-Pakistan anti-terror mechanism to meet next week
By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian and Pakistani officials will meet in Islamabad next week for the third meeting of the Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism since its formation two years ago. Both sides had agreed to reactivate the anti-terror mechanism during External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Pakistan last month.
Muslim Congresswoman experiences increase in death threats
Washington, April 15 (IANS) Muslim Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has said that in the days since President Donald Trump tweeted about a speech she gave...
Zardari wins economic deals in China
By DPA,
Beijing : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao Wednesday as the two nations signed economic cooperation agreements covering satellites, trade, mining, agriculture and other sectors.
State media quoted Hu as saying that Zardari's family were "all old friends of the Chinese people" and praising Zardari's late wife, Benazir Bhutto, and her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, for their "outstanding contributions to the opening and development of China-Pakistan relations".
Suicide attack in Peshawar kills three, injures 13
By IANS,
Islamabad : Three people were killed and 13 others, all of them policemen, were injured Thursday in a suspected suicide attack in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP). This is the second suicide attack in the city in as many days.
Two motorcycle borne terrorists first hurled a hand grenade at the Ring Road in Peshawar and when policemen reached the area, a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing three people and injuring 13 policemen, Geo TV reported, quoting sources.
Two police mobile vans were also destroyed in the attack.
Afghan, Saudi leaders vow to cement bilateral ties
By Xinhua
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia have stressed for strengthening bilateral relations between the two Islamic states during a recent telephone conversation, a statement released by the Afghan presidential office said on Wednesday.
After India, France to sell 24 fighter jets to Qatar
Paris : France has agreed to sell 24 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar, while two similar sales were commissioned with Egypt in February and...
Gaza power plant closed for second day due to fuel shortage
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The sole Gaza power plant is still shutting down for the second consecutive day after Israel didn't allow on Sunday industrial diesel for operating the plant, a senior official said in Gaza.
Kan'an Obied, chief of energy authorities in Gaza told reporters that Gaza power plant is still completely closed for the second day and doesn't supply any electricity to Gaza population due to lack of fuel.
Bangladeshi rich take to Eid tourism
By IANS,
Dhaka : Many of Bangladesh's well-off families are utilising the Eid-ul-Fitr festival this year to take a holiday abroad, moving away from the grime and jostling crowds at home.
Muslims in Philippines rally against Israeli hostilities in Gaza
By Xinhua,
Manila : More than 30 Muslims on Monday rallied at the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines to denounce Israeli troops' hostilities in the Palestinian-control Gaza Strip.
Protesters upheld banners and pictures saying "Israel guilty of war crimes", "Israel butcher of children" in front of the embassy compound in Makati city of Metro Manila and called for an immediate cease-fire to the air and ground attacks of the Israeli forces that has killed 514 people since Dec. 27.
Iraq’s Islamic Party leader assassinated
By IINA,
Baghdad : A car bomb in an Iraqi market has killed at least 18 people and wounded at least 25 others. The explosion in Tal Afar in the north of the country on Friday took place at about 6.30 pm. The blast occurred in the Wahda commercial district less than 30 minutes after the expiration of a vehicle ban to prevent bombers from targeting weekly Islamic services, a security official said. Tal Afar is near Mosul, about 240km northwest of Baghdad, where US-led forces have recently been focusing their battle against fighters opposed to the US presence in the country.
Pakistan ratifies, signs three core UN human rights instruments
By APP,
United Nations : Pakistan Thursday ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESR), a multilateral treaty adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966, which came into force a decade later.
The treaty commits its parties to work toward the granting of economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) to individuals, including labour rights and rights to health, education, and an adequate standard of living.
Pakistan, Canada discuss economic co-op to reduce poverty
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Canada and Pakistan discussed increased economic cooperation with the objective to support sustainable development in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous Pakistan.
The initiatives were discussed in a meeting between David B. Collins Canadian High Commissioner and Senator Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics here on Tuesday, the News Network International news agency reported.
Pakistan-US ties have hit all-time low: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : The ties between Pakistan and the US have "hit an all-time low" following the NATO airstrike that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead, said a Pakistani daily Wednesday.
‘Sit-ins not to affect Pakistani parliament session’
Islamabad: The National Assembly session will be held as usual despite thousands of anti-government protesters occupying the area around Pakistan's parliament in Islamabad, the...
Iranian MP protests against Britain’s “illegal act”
By NNN-Xinhua,
Tehran : An Iranian parliament member (MP) protested against Britain's "illegal act," saying Iran will give necessary responses.
"Britain's move on imposing further sanctions against Iran beyond the UN Security Council resolutions is an illegal act against the Iranian nation," head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament Alaeddin Boroujerdi said in a meeting with British Ambassador to Tehran Geoffrey Adams on Saturday.
PML-Q ready to work with opposition, says Elahi
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Lahore : As various opinion polls in Pakistan suggest a drubbing for the PML-Q that ruled the country for five years alongside President Pervez Musharraf, party chief and prime minister hopeful Pervez Elahi says he is ready to work with the opposition.
Zardari, Karzai vow to cooperate to combat terrorism
By IANS,
Ankara : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai Wednesday recommitted themselves to cooperate on fighting terrorism and drug trafficking.
At a trilateral summit hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Karzai and Zardari agreed to step up cooperation and to formalize their meetings.
No formal decisions on setting up common security projects were made during the meeting. But speaking after the summit, Gul said the meetings were an important part of building trust and cooperation in the region.
Pakistani journalists protest colleague’s killing
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistani journalists Thursday held rallies across the country to protest the overnight killing of a local reporter in the troubled Swat district of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).
Musa Khankhel, a correspondent for the Geo TV and English-language daily The News, was seized by gunmen in the Matta area Wednesday when he was covering a peace rally by Islamic cleric Sufi Muhammad, the father-in-law of Taliban commander Maulana Fazlullah.
New firm to focus solely on Dubai’s retail sector
By IANS,
Dubai : The government-owned Dubai Holding Sunday announced the launch of operations of a new subsidiary that will focus solely on the retail sector.
Dubai Properties Group (DPG), a member of Dubai Holding, said its new retail development and management solutions subsidiary, Dubai Retail, has commenced operations aiming to develop the emirate's retail sector through the construction of shopping malls and retail markets.
Haiyan Mujarkech, an industry veteran, has been appointed the chief executive of Dubai Retail, according to a DPG statement issued here.
Arab League condemns Mumbai terror attacks
By KUNA,
Cairo : Arab League Thursday condemned the terror attacks Wednesday night on several locations in the Indian financial capital, Mumbai, which left hundreds of innocents dead and wounded.
A statement by League Secretary General Amre Mousa said such acts further fuel the futile cycle of violence and counter-violence. The international community, he stressed, must condemn and cooperate to put an end to such attacks.
The official also extended condolences to the Indian government and people as they overcome the aftermath of the attacks.
Stray bullet kills man after Eid prayers in Turkey
By IANS,
Ankara : A 32-year-old man died in Turkey Sunday after being hit by a stray bullet fired at the courtyard of a mosque after Eid prayers, Xinhua reported.
Fearing firing, residents leave border villages in Jammu
Jammu: Faring firing from Pakistani forces, around 2,000 villagers belonging Friday left three villages close to the international border in Jammu district to move...
EU to Tighten Sanctions on Iran
By Prensa Latina,
Luxembourg : Iranian defence of its peaceful nuclear program is shattered by European Union plans to approve new economic sanctions to make it quit uranium enrichment.
EU Fishing and Agriculture ministers gathered in this capital plan to approve sanctions against Melli Commercial Bank, with branches in London, Hamburg and Paris.
The punishment list includes enhancing the list of people and institutions without a right to entry visas, matching US actions following accusations that Tehran tries to develop N-arms.
Bharatnatyam festival in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka: A week-long Bharatnatyam festival is being held in Bangaldesh's southern port town of Chittagong.
Among those who will perform are Sukla Sarkar, Lubna Marium, Balayet Hossain Khan, Shoma Mumtaz and Anisul Islam Hero, New Age said Tuesday.
"Bharatnatyam was integrated in children competitions including Natun Kuri of Bangladesh Television and Shishu Academy competitions at the national level in the late 80s," said Mumtaz.
‘India needs patience, perseverance, long-term engagement in Afghanistan’
New Delhi : India will do everything in its power to "continue to enable" conditions in Afghanistan so that the people there are able...
35 terrorists killed in Pakistan air strikes
Islamabad : At least 35 suspected terrorists were killed when military planes shelled their hideouts in Pakistan's North Waziristan Agency Sunday.
According to the Inter-Services...
OBAMA CONGRATULATES IRAQIS ON ELECTIONS, URGES ELECTED IRAQIS TO “BEGIN WORK”
By NNN-KUNA,
WASHINGTON : U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday congratulated the Iraqi people on holding "significant" provincial elections, and said it was important that the Iraqi councils get seated, select new governors "and begin work on behalf of the Iraqi people who elected them".
"Millions of Iraqi citizens from every ethnic and religious group went peacefully to the polls across the country to choose new provincial councils," Obama said in a statement released by the White House.
Pakistan, Turkey to upgrade strategic partnership
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistan and Turkey agreed Wednesday to upgrade their strategic partnership and step up political and economic cooperation.
"Pakistan values its ties with Turkey and relations between both countries in the fields of education, defence, agriculture, education, energy and trade would be strengthened," President Asif Ali Zardari said at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul.
Bangladesh court orders government not to arrest Hasina
By DPA,
Dhaka : A court Sunday ordered Bangladesh's military-backed interim government to refrain from arresting or harassing fromer premier Sheikh Hasina Wajed, now paroled for medical treatment abroad.
The Dhaka High Court passed the order after hearing Hasina's petitions for bail in two graft cases, the former prime minister's counsel said. The measure applies until Oct 20.
PM doesn’t have to comment on truce violations: Rajnath
New Delhi : Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not have to comment on the ceasefire violations by...
Iran urges UN to close its ‘nuclear file’
UN, January 5 (RIA Novosti) - Tehran has asked the UN Security Council to close its 'nuclear dossier' and send it to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran's permanent envoy to the UN said on Saturday.
"The time has come to end the illegal consideration of Iran's nuclear issue at the Security Council, and send the case back to a relevant technical forum, specifically the International Atomic Energy Agency," Mohammad Khazaei said.
Pakistan quietly builds bridges with Hurriyat leader Geelani
New Delhi/Srinagar: Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit had a guest from Kashmir earlier this week -hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani 's son-in-law...
Suicide bombing at Pakistan mosque kills 22
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 22 people were killed and dozens injured Sunday when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a Shia mosque in Pakistan's Punjab province, government officials said.
The suicide blast took place at the main entrance of the mosque in Chakwal district, some 90 km south-west of capital Islamabad.
"At least 22 people are killed and more than 50 are injured, many of them critically," said provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah.
US slams rights record in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal
By Arun Kumar, IANS
Washington : Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal have come in for criticism for human rights violations in a new US report.
"Despite President (Pervez) Musharraf's stated commitment to democratic transition, Pakistan's human rights situation deteriorated during much of 2007," said the State Department's 2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which was released here Tuesday by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Pakistan rejects Afghan claim on nuclear waste
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan Wednesday termed as baseless a statement by an Afghan cabinet minister that Pakistan had dumped nuclear waste in southern Afghanistan during Taliban period.
Afghanistan Parliamentary Affairs Minister Farooq Wardag was quoted as saying that Pakistan had buried nuclear waste in Kandahar and Helmand areas during the Taliban ruling.
"The Afghan minister's statement regarding dumping of nuclear waste by Pakistan in Afghanistan was baseless," Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said at the weekly news briefing here.
Pakistani security forces kill 30 militants
Islamabad:Security forces Thursday killed at least 30 suspected militants in an operation in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, an official said.
Provincial Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz...
8,500 Pakistani women victims of violence in 2011
By IANS,
Islamabad : Over 8,500 Pakistani women last year suffered from violence like sexual assault, acid throwing and even honour killings, a non-governmental organisation said Tuesday.
High ranking Taliban commander arrested in S. Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : Afghan police have captured a high ranking Taliban commander named Abudl Jabar in southern Afghanistan province of Kandahar, said a Interior Ministry statement released here on Sunday.
Abdul Jabar, arrested on Saturday, was the deputy of notorious Taliban leader Mansoor Dadullah who was already arrested in February by authorities in Pakistan, the statement added.
Taliban outfit have yet to make any comment.
Muslims hold London vigil to demand equal citizenship
London, Feb 16, IRNA ,Over 30 Muslim organizations in Britain joined together Saturday in a vigil outside Prime Minister Gordon Brown's office to demand equal citizenship in the face of a new barrage of prejudice and contempt against Islam.
"Now is a time for solidarity; to affirm respect, equality and parity for all Britons, irrespective of race and creed," the organizations said.
Pakistan: anti-state elements involved in blasts
By NNN-APP,
Karachi : Sindh Information Minister, Shazia Marri has said that in the Karachi bomb blasts anti-state elements were involved and they were trying to destabilize the country.
“We will not allow their nefarious designs to succeed”, she said adding that it was incorrect to suggest that these blasts took place in areas inhabited by Pashtoons, but in different Abadis.
Addressing a press conference late Monday evening, she pointed out that there had already been high alert in Karachi and security arrangements were being monitored.
Bangladesh: taking pictures of remaining voters starts in Dhaka
By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka, Bangladesh : Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) on Friday started taking pictures of those, who could not be enrolled as voters earlier, in the city's select centers.
The task of taking pictures will continue from 9 am to 6 pm everyday till August 24, the EC sources said. Besides, they added, the EC is correcting the already finalized voters' list by excluding the names of fake ones.
"Voters of an electoral area will be able to collect their national identity cards from the concerned centers," said Deputy Election Commissioner of Dhaka city Biswas Lutfur Rahman.
Muslims should ’empty’ Swiss accounts: Turkish minister
By IANS/AKI,
Ankara : Muslims should consider withdrawing their money from Swiss bank accounts in response to the country's ban on construction of minarets, a Turkish minister said.
"I am certain this (vote) will prompt our brothers from Muslim countries who keep their money and investments in Swiss banks to review their decision," said Egemen Bagis, cited by Turkish daily Zaman.
Bagis is the chief negotiator for Turkey's European Union accession as well as minister for European affairs.
Suicide blast kills 18 Afghan police, civilians
By SPA,
Herat, Afghanistan : A suicide blast killed 18 police and civilians on Thursday in Afghanistan's western province of Farah, officials said, according to Reuters.
The incident occurred in a bazaar near a police station in Del Aram district of Farah, they said, adding 15 more were wounded.
"So far, 18 people, including police and civilians, have been killed," Farah's governor Rohul Amin told Reuters by phone.
Citing officials near the site, Amin said the bomber was wearing an all-enveloping burqa robe that Afghan women commonly wear.
5 killed, 7 injured in bomb attack in NW Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least five people, including three policemen, were killed and seven others were injured in a bomb attack in northwestern Pakistan on Friday night, local media reported.
The attack occurred in Dera Ismail Khan, a city of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), when a remote control bomb exploded near a police mobile van, News Network International (NNI) news agency reported.
Further details are not available.
No Pakistan-India military standoff: Rice
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday she didn't see any Pakistan-India military standoff in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, as President Asif Ali Zardari promised to assist in the investigation into the strikes.
"The government will also take strong action against any Pakistani elements found involved in the attack," a statement from the presidential office quoted Zardari as telling Rice.
"Pakistan is determined to ensure that its territory is not used for any act of terrorism," Zardari told Rice.
Majlis commission approves general outlines of budget bill
By IRNA,
Tehran : The Majlis Joint Commission here on Tuesday ratified the general outlines of the next year budget bill, an MP said on Tuesday.
Mohammad-Mehdi Mofatteh, Rapporteur of the Majlis Joint Commission, told reporters that the bill was ratified by 33 votes out of 43 MPs present at the commission.
According to the Majlis internal by-law, after receiving the budget bill, the MPs have 10 days to present their proposals to the parliamentary specialized commissions. The commissions then review the bill in 15 days and submit their reports to the Joint Commission.
US rejects Taliban claim for NYK attack
By IANS,
Washington : The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has dismissed claims made by the Pakistan Taliban that it was responsible for an attack in New York State in which a lone gunman killed 13 people.
"Based on the evidence, we can firmly discount that claim," Richard Kolko, an FBI spokesman, said Saturday.