Siniora complains to ban against Israeli anti-Lebanese statements
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : Prime Minister Fuad Al-Siniora sent Friday a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in which he complained against anti-Lebanese statements by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other Israeli officials.
Siniora hoped Ban will give a great attention to this issue and inform the UN Security Council (UNSC) members about the contents of this letter and how dangerous the Israeli statements were, the Prime Minister's office said in a statement.
Israel warned last Wednesday of attacking the infrastructure in Lebanon if a new conflict arises with Hezbollah.
Abu Dhabi to start profiling of tourists
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Tourism authorities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will start profiling visitors to get an insight into the variety of factors that drive tourism here.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) will launch a year-long campaign next month in which over 5,000 visitors to Abu Dhabi will be interviewed by a professional research company commissioned to carry out the survey, the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
France calls for dialogue with Taliban
By DPA,
Paris : French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has called for dialogue with the Taliban in Afghanistan in an interview published Monday.
"Of course, one has to negotiate with the Taliban, at least those who are prepared to lay down their weapons and talk," Kouchner told Le Figaro newspaper.
"In addition, the allied forces should coordinate closely" since separate negotiations with the Taliban at local level would have no result, he added.
UAE to release 724 prisoners ahead of Ramadan
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: In a humanitarian gesture ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the release of 724 prisoners.
Sheikh Khalifa also pledged Monday to incur all the prisoners' debts and financial commitments that ensued from the cases against them in the courts.
Taliban changing tack as religion no longer working: Editorial
By IANS,
Islamabad : The killing of two aides of radical cleric Sufi Mohammad who had brokered a controversial peace deal between the Taliban and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government points to a change in the militants' tactics as religion no longer seems to be working for them, an editorial in a leading English daily said Monday.
"Religion is no longer working for Baitullah Mehsud as the national consensus in Pakistan veers against his TTP," Daily Times said in an editorial headlined "Possible change in Taliban tactics".
A.Q. Khan allowed to move within Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday allowed disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who pioneered Pakistan's nuclear programme, to move within the country but asked him not to speak to the media.
Justice Sardar Aslam in his short order said Khan is allowed to travel within Pakistan to meet his relatives and family members but after security clearance.
President greets Bangladeshi counterpart on National Day
By IRNA,
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday congratulated the Bangladeshi President, Zillur Rahman, government and nation on the National Day of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
In a message cabled on Wednesday, President Ahmadinejad touched on the positive record of Iran-Bangladesh cooperation and said, “I hope relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh will be further upgraded at bilateral and international levels.”
US urges restoration of talks on Iraq: envoy
By IRNA,
Tehran : Iran's Ambassador to Baghdad, Hassan Kazemi-Qomi said on Saturday that Washington has recently asked Tehran to start new round of talks on Iraq through Swiss embassy in Tehran.
Talking to reporters, he voiced Tehran's readiness to continue talks in order to help resolve the existing problems facing the Iraqi people.
The Iranian and US officials have so far held three rounds of talks on Iraq situation on May 28, July 24 and August 6, 2007 respectively.
Pakistan foreign secretary to visit Nepal
By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS,
Kathmandu : Less than a week after India sent its Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon to Kathmandu to discuss border problems with Nepal's new government as well as the halted peace process, Pakistan is sending its foreign secretary here for talks.
Salman Bashir is arriving Saturday on a three-day visit, Nepal's foreign ministry said.
Like Menon, the Pakistani envoy will meet Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala.
Terrorism a threat to Pakistan’s tourism sector
By IANS,
Islamabad : The detonating security situation in Pakistan has seen its world tourism ranking dropping from 111 last year to 113 in 2009, a new report says.
According to a report of the World Economic Forum, Pakistan ranked 113 out of 130 countries in 2009 also because of the lack of a tourism regulatory framework.
Online news agency quoted sources in the tourism ministry as saying that the minister, Atta-ur-Rehman, does not take interest in his portfolio as he has no experience in the field and that his current policy was to "kill time".
Bangladesh Islamists float political party with government nod
By IANS,
Dhaka : Leaders of the banned Islamist outfit Harkatul Jihad al Islami (HuJI) in Bangladesh have floated the Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) ahead of the December elections with permission from the caretaker government, which said it had found the group had no terror links.
Tracing back their origin to the 1980s war in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union, the HuJI leaders say they formed a 15-member convening committee in May as the caretaker administration gave them the go-ahead after a probe found nothing that could link them to any subversive campaign.
Pakistan warns India to take water treaty violation case in the court
By KUNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Monday warned India to end violaation of water treaty and release its share of water from their reservoir or it will take the issue to the International Court of Arbitration. If India continues violations of Indus Water Treaty then options were open for Pakistan to take the issue into the court of arbitration or to neutral experts, said Indus Water Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah while talking to media.
Rawalpindi traffic cops impose Rs.50 mn in fines in 4 months
By IANS,
Rawalpindi : The Rawalpindi traffic police fined a staggering 274,262 violators a hefty Rs.50 million ($594,000) in the first four months of the current year, it said Sunday.
Chief Traffic Officer and Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Muhammad Akhtar Abbas in a statement said the traffic police impounded 5,005 motorcycles and vehicles for violating various rules during this period.
Israeli flags burned in protests over Gaza bombing
By NNN-KUNA,
London : Angry protesters took to the streets across the UK Saturday to demonstrate against the bombing of Gaza; burning the Israeli flag and throwing fireworks as the military action against Hamas was stepped up.
Police said at least 10,000 people packed London's Trafalgar Square -- organizers claimed at least six times that number -- in the largest of a series of rallies at home and abroad demanding an end to the military action.
Seven killed in suicide blast at Indian embassy in Kabul
By DPA,
Kabul/New Delhi : At least seven people were killed in a suicide attack Monday morning that targetted the Indian embassy in the Afghan capital, officials said.
Five people died on the spot while two succumbed to their injuries in hospital after a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-packed car, according to the Afghan defence ministry.
The attack took place near to the interior ministry, said Zemarai Bashary, interior ministry spokesman.
Residents of Syria’s Old Homs city return home
Damascus : After a period of two years of conflict, residents of Syria's Old Homs city have finally returned to their homes after the...
Court rejects appeal of five Islamic extremists in Australia
Sydney: Five members of a Sydney terrorist cell will remain behind bars after a court here Friday dismissed their appeals filed against convictions and...
PCB should support Younis: Imran Khan
By IANS,
London: Pakistan's legendary cricketer Imran Khan said Thursday the country's cricket authorities should support captain Younis Khan.
"Younis is a courageous captain but he needs support," Imran said.
The man who led the country to its maiden World Cup win in 1992, also backed Younis, who was criticised for branding Twenty20 cricket as mere "fun" cricket. "Younis is right in saying Twenty20 matches are just about entertainment," Imran maintained.
US air strike kills Iraqi judge -police
By SPA
Baghdad : A U.S. air strike killed five Iraqi civilians including a judge in the northern town of Tikrit on Wednesday, Iraqi police said.
U.S. forces acknowledged that civilians had been struck during a battle with suspected militants which included strikes from fixed-wing aircraft.
"After the air strike, coalition forces continued to receive heavy enemy fire as armed terrorists ran from the target and attempted to hide in neighboring homes using the occupants as human shields," they said in a statement.
Kuwaiti FM arrives in Riyadh for GCC ministerial meeting
By KUNA
Riyadh : Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah arrived here Saturday to participate in the 106th meeting of GCC foreign ministers.
He was received at the Riyadh Airbase by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, GCC Secretary General Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah, Kuwaiti Ambassador Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, top Saudi officials and embassy staff.
Bangladesh opposition may get another front-row seat in parliament
By IANS,
Dhaka : The speaker of the Bangladesh parliament Tuesday mooted one more front row seat to main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to end the latter's year-long boycott over the seating arrangement.
"I can request the prime minister to allocate one more front row seat to the opposition if they raise the demand inside the parliament," Star Online quoted Speaker Abdul Hamid as saying.
At least thirty people were killed in Pakistan
By SPA
Islamabad : SPA At least thirty people were killed and dozens others injured in twin suicide bombings that struck the most populated and busiest area of Pakistan s second biggest city of Lahore Tuesday morning, police said.
In both cases, the bombers hit their explosive laden vehicles with their targets.
The first bomber collided his vehicle with the entry gate of the eighty-storey building housing the offices of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
All the five persons sitting on its reception desk were among those killed instantly.
3.5 mn Pakistani flood victims drinking dirty water: UN
By DPA,
Islamabad : Some 3.5 million survivors of the worst floods in Pakistan's history only have contaminated water to drink, which is increasing the risk of water-borne diseases spreading, the UN said.
The floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains a month ago have impacted more than 20 million people. Nearly half of them rely on the assistance provided by the government or international aid organisations.
Pakistani engineer abducted in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Taliban militants Saturday abducted a Pakistani engineer working for an Afghan road construction company in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, a senior police official said.
"The Pakistani national was a road engineer and worked for an Afghan road construction company. Armed Taliban militants abducted him after injuring his Afghan driver. He was involved in the reconstruction of the Kandahar-Gereshk road," provincial police chief Syed Aqa Saqib told Xinhua.
He did not give more details.
Deutsche Bank offers clients access to Saudi stock market
By IANS,
Dubai : With Saudi Arabia announcing opening up of its stock market to foreign investors, Deutsche Bank said it is ready to commence offering its international clients access to the Saudi stock exchange Tadawul.
"We are delighted with the CMA's (Capital Market Authority's) historic resolution, which we believe will greatly enhance the depth and breadth of the Saudi capital market," Henry Azzam, Deutsche Bank's chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa and chairman of the board of its subsidiary Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, said in a statement.
21 militants arrested in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani police have arrested 21 suspected militants in a search operation on the outskirts of the Dera Ismail Khan city in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), a media report said Saturday.
The suspected militants are from the Dir and Swat regions of the country where the Pakistan Army has launched a final push against the Taliban, the Online news agency said.
The city has witnessed a resurgence of violence, in which many people have died in bomb attacks.
The police have also banned the motorbikes in the city in view of the security situation.
Pakistan’s former judge named caretaker PM
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's election panel Sunday named Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, a former judge of the country's top court, as caretaker prime minister, officials said.
Iran TV station says mosque blast was not an attack
By SPA
Tehran : A blast in a mosque in southern Iran that killed at least 10 people on Saturday was not an attack and was probably caused by negligence, a police official was quoted as saying on Sunday by a state television station.
"The blast may have been caused by explosives left behind from an earlier exhibition commemorating the (1980-88) Iran-Iraq war," said the English-language Press TV.
Iranian media said at least 10 people were killed in the blast in the southern city of Shiraz and more than 160 were wounded, Reuters reported.
UAE launches campaign against Hepatitis C
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has launched a nationwide awareness campaign to encourage residents to be screened for Hepatitis C.
UN chief condemns bomb attacks in Iraq
By DPA,
New York : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Monday "strongly" condemned bomb attacks that killed dozens of people in Baghdad and injured many more.
"No cause can justify these attacks on civilian targets," Ban said. He extended his "heartfelt condolences" to the government of Iraq, the victims and their families.
"The secretary general appeals to the people of Iraq to remain committed to a path of reconciliation despite such attacks, including through the ongoing election preparations," he said. "The United Nations remains committed to supporting them in that process."
Nine injured as protests continue in Yemen
By DPA,
Sana'a: At least nine people were wounded after security forces opened fire at anti-government protesters in the southern Yemeni port city of Aden Friday, witnesses said.
US ignored torture of Afghan prisoners: Report
By RIA Novosti,
Washington : A civil rights group has said it has documents from the defence department that confirm the US authorities ignored torture by Special Forces of Afghan prisoners during interrogation.
A lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union Thursday said, "These documents make it clear that the military was using unlawful interrogation techniques in Afghanistan. Rather than putting a stop to these systemic abuses, senior officials appear to have turned a blind eye to them."
Syria condemns terrorist attack in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Damascus : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad condemned on Sunday the terrorist attack in the Pakistani capital Islamabad that killed dozens of civilians on Saturday evening, the official SANA news agency reported.
President Assad made the condemnation in a telegram he sent to his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, SANA said.
In the telegram, Assad expressed his deep grief and offered his condolences to Zardari, the friendly people of Pakistan and the families of the victims. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
42 Boko Haram militants killed in Nigeria attack
Lagos : At least 42 Boko Haram insurgents have been killed in a clash with military forces in a failed attack in northeast Nigeria's...
Afghan President: Anti-terrorism battle must focus on sanctuaries
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai Tuesday in a meeting with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) delegation emphasized the battle against militants and terrorist activities must be conducted in their sanctuaries rather than villages where innocent Afghan civilians live.
From 2004, Afghanistan began to see increased terrorist activities for clear reasons, the international community and the main partners in the war on terror neglected the sanctuaries in the region, for the terrorists and the Taliban for a long time, Karzai said.
UN chief calls for disbanding of Hezbollah
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The UN secretary general has said that disbanding militias in Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah, is 'of vital importance'.
"The threats posed by the existence of militias outside the control of the State, especially Hezbollah's vast paramilitary infrastructure, cannot be overstated," the UN official website quoted Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as saying.
Three injured in blast outside Pak consulate in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
Kabul : Three persons were injured in a bomb explosion outside Pakistan consulate in Afghanistan's western province of Herat on Thursday.
The bomb was planted on a bicycle parked in front of the consulate, police said.
The injured included a police guard and two civilians.
Spokesman for the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul Naeem Khan said no official of the consulate was injured in the explosion.
A police official in Herat Mohammad Sabir said it was a minor explosion that injured three people.
The two injured civilians included a woman and a child.
Iraqi Parliament approves “2008 budget, governors’ councils” laws
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Iraqi parliament on Wednesday approved laws of the 2008 federal budget, the governors' councils and the general pardon following months of debate over the controversial draft bills.
First deputy speaker Khaled Al-Attiyah told a news conference after the session the house approved the federal budget law after delaying debate for five times.
He noted that 17 percent of the budget were allocated for the Kurdistan region.
British parliament ‘symbolically’ recognises Palestine state
London : A motion forwarded by Labour MP Grahame Morris seeking recognition of Palestine state was passed with a huge majority in the British...
Pakistan army kills 23 in Bajaur tribal agency
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan's security forces on Thursday continued their military operation in northwestern Bajaurtribal agency, and killed 23 militants since Wednesday night.
Gunship helicopters started shelling in Charming, Cheenar, Kohiand Babarha areas of Nawagai Tehsil of Bajaur agency, destroying various underground hideouts and bunkers of militants, local Geo TV reported.
The security forces in their latest crackdown killed five militants while 18 militants were killed in Wednesday night operation in Mamund Tehsil.
Turkey allows Syria-bound plane to resume journey
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Ankara: A Syria-bound passenger aircraft, which was forced to land in Ankara over suspicion that it was carrying prohibited cargo, has been allowed to resume its journey.
Lankarani expected to attend conference on health
By IRNA,
London : Iranian Health Minister Kamran Bagher Lankarani is expected to attend an international conference on 'Closing the Gap in a Generation' on health inequalities.
The two-day conference, starting Thursday, is being organized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) based on the work of its Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (CSDH).
Morocco arrests two people linked to IS
Rabat: Moroccan authorities have arrested two people linked to the radical Islamic State (IS) Sunni extremist organisation as they prepared to leave the country...
Pakistan responsible for most polio cases: WHO
Islamabad:The World Health Organisation (WHO) has held Pakistan responsible for nearly 80 percent of polio cases reported globally.
"The situation is primarily due to a...
Over 140 who fled Pakistan prison back in jail
By IANS,
Islamabad : As many as 143 of the 384 inmates who fled a prison in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province following an audacious Taliban attack are back in jail, an official said.
Pakistan buries Lahore victims
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Friday buried the scores of victims of the multiple attack on a Sufi shrine in the city of Lahore, which is turning into the epicentre of terrorist violence.
Many of the bodies of the 44 worshippers, who died in the suicide attack, were buried in different parts of the Punjab province after having been identified by their respective families, witnesses and police sources told EFE.
According to the police, 152 to 175 persons are still recovering from their injuries at their homes and in hospitals, including 28 who are in critical condition.
Israel interested in peace with Syria
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel is interested in realizing peace with Syria if Damascus breaks away from "the axis of evil," Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth quoted a senior Israeli official as saying Sunday.
"Peace with Syria is in Israel's interests, on the condition that Damascus is cut off from the axis of evil," said the official, whose name was not revealed.
Meanwhile, the official admitted the existence of the Turkish channel between Israel and Syria, while adding that negotiations could take time and expectations should be kept realistic.
Pakistan’s apex court maintains foreign travel ban on Musharraf
Islamabad : Pakistan's Supreme Court Monday suspended a lower court's order allowing former president Pervez Musharraf to go abroad, lawyers said.
The Sindh High Court...
Russia urges Turkey, Iraq to solve problems politically
By KUNA
Moscow : Russia called on Turkey and Iraq Friday to explore political means to solve their problems while taking into consideration the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.
Official spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said it was important to prevent the use of the Iraqi territories as a spring board for launching "terrorist attacks" against neighboring countries.
He called on the Turkish government to exercise self-restraint and said the military action against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq was further complicating the situation in the region.
Indian Social Forum to organise tournament for social service at Jubail
By TCN News,
Dammam: Karnataka Chapter of Indian Social Forum, an Indian expatriates Socio- Cultural Organization is organizing a “Social Forum Cup -2015’ for Indian Expatriates residing in eastern province at Jubail, Dammam and Khobar.
Iran on verge of acquiring N-arms: Israeli PM
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: Iran will be able to build nuclear weapons in six to seven months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.
Art of Living says centre vandalised in Pakistan
Bangalore : The Art of Living (AoL) centre near Pakistan's capital Islamabad has been vandalised by unidentified gunmen, the city-based humanitarian and educational non-government...
Al Qaeda suspect killed in Iraq
By IANS,
Baghdad : Three people including a terror suspect were killed and 18 injured in a car bomb explosion in northern Iraq, Xinhua reported Tuesday.
Assad’s cousin killed while fighting with rebels
Doha: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's cousin Hilal al-Assad has been killed along with seven of his fighters while fighting against rebels in the border...
People voted against Musharraf’s emergency move: chief justice
By Muhammad Najeeb and Devirupa Mitra, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan's deposed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry may be out of sight, but his voice can still be heard. Despite being under house arrest, he addressed lawyers in two cities Thursday and asserted the people's verdict was against the provisional constitution order (PCO) promulgated by President Pervez Musharraf.
Bangladesh EC to ease party registration rules
By NNN-PTI,
Dhaka : Election Commission in emergency- ruled Bangladesh will ease the procedure for registration of political parties laid out in the electoral reforms law, as most of them expressed their inability to fulfil the required criteria at a short notice ahead of the December 18 polls.
The political parties would now be able to get registered with the Election Commission by submitting "provisional" party constitutions but with clear pledges that they would meet the conditions set by the commission for reforms, the EC said late yesterday.
Roadside bomb kills nine in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : Nine civilians, including women and children, were killed by a roadside bomb Saturday in eastern Afghanistan, a police official said.
Lack of army support did Musharraf in
By IANS,
Islamabad : The lack of support from the Pakistani Army proved to be the last straw for Pervez Musharraf and prompted him to step down as president, a media report said Tuesday.
"The final push for Musharraf came from the army top brass which was sucked into this controversy by the outgoing dictator himself primarily to save his skin from a sure impeachment," The News said quoting sources.
The article was headlined "The last punch".
10 women killed in Baghdad attacks
Baghdad : At least 10 women were killed and 23 others wounded in attacks at a residential complex here Saturday, an interior ministry source...
NATO-led forces retreat after deadly attack in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan abandoned a remote outpost days after militants forced their way inside it and killed nine US soldiers, the military said Wednesday.
The ISAF and Afghan forces would continue to have a strong presence in the area and would continue regular patrols around the nearby village of Wanat in the north-eastern province of Kunar, a NATO statement said.
The militants used Wanat to launch Sunday's attack.
Bhutto’s widower acquitted in murder case
By IRNA
Islamabad : A court in the Pakistani southern port city of Karachi on Monday acquitted widower of slain leader Benazir Bhutto in a murder case of a judge and his son.
Asif Ali Zardari was charged in the assassination of double murder of High Court Judge Justice Nizam Ahmed and his son Nadim Ahmed, a lawyer, who were shot dead in an attack on June 10, 1996, outside their house in Karachi.
Zardari's lawyer Shadat Awan said that the prosecution failed to produce any evidence against his client and that the case was filed on political grounds.
Palestinians mark 60th anniversary of “Nakba”
By Xinhua,
Gaza/Ramallah : The Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza on Thursday marked the 60th anniversary of al-Nakba, meaning Catastrophe Day--the day the state of Israel was established on what they hold dear as the territories of historic Palestine.
A central rally was held in downtown the city of Ramallah, where thousands of Palestinians waved Palestinian flags and held banners calling for solving the Palestinian cause and stressing onthe Palestinian refugees' rights of return.
Legal help to a Nepali National by QIFF
By TCN News,
Qatar: A Nepal national working as a labor in Qatar who was denied accident insurance claims by his employer, was helped by Qatar India Fraternity Forum and succeeded to get back the his accident insurance claims by fighting a legal action from 3 years.
Venezuela snaps diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza
By IANS,
Caracas : Venezuela has announced that it was breaking diplomatic relations with Israel “in the face of the seriousness of the atrocities against the Palestinian people", EFE reported Thursday.
In a communique released by the foreign ministry, the government of President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday that it would insist "before the international community that the crimes against humanity committed by (Israel's) leaders be denounced before the International Criminal Court".
Yemeni, Chinese official talks held in Sana’a
By NNN-SABA,
Sana'a : The Yemeni-Chinese official talks were held at the Republican Palace here between Yemen and China co-chaired by Vice President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi and the Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping.
Hadi welcomed the Chinese guest Tuesday, reviewing a number of issues related to joint cooperation and historical relations between the two countries.
He also expressed his appreciation for the Chinese continuous support for Yemen for boosting development process, intending to attract more Chinese investments in the country.
Turkish FM: Tehran declaration still valid despite UNSC resolution
By IRNA,
Ankara : Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stressed the tripartite Tehran Declaration was still valid despite the United Nations Security Council resolution.
He said talks on the issue will be held probably in September.
Making the remarks in a news program in CNN Turk, he said Turkey’s negative response to the anti-Iran resolution has created no problems for it in its ties with Washington.
Karzai seeks Pakistan’s cooperation in war on terror
By IANS,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai Monday termed terrorism as the common enemy of Afghanistan and Pakistan and sought firm anti-terror support from Islamabad.
Pakistan lays down time frame for deciding cases
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's new National Judicial Policy mandates a three-month time frame for deciding criminal cases, while cases attracting the death penalty have to be resolved in six months.
This apart, the policy bars Supreme Court and high court judges from officiating as provincial governors and also tightens the procedures to curb corruption.
Home owners seizing opportunity as NA candidates rent homes as campaign HQs
By Hanan Al-Qaysi, KUNA,
Kuwait : Renting residential homes for campaign purposes, across all five constituencies, is a growing phenomenon so far into the 2008 elections, despite the soaring real estate prices in the country.
On this issue, Abdullah Al-Bidah, an agent of one of the homes in the market, told KUNA that A home owner is seeking to lease his house to serve as campaign headquarters for KD 6,000. The home has a strategic location with wide spaces around it which could be put to good use, he indicated.
Two IS linked suspects arrested in Morocco
Rabat: Two Islamic State (IS) linked suspects, who were planning to leave for training camps in Syria and Iraq, were arrested in Morocco, the...
Bangladesh govt signs $55m loan with ADB for water resources management
By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka, Bangladesh : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will extend a $55 million loan to support small-scale water services in Bangladesh that will help cut rural poverty, improve community involvement, and address the threat posed by severe floods and other climate change-related events.
An agreement between the government and the ADB was signed today at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in the city. ERD Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and ADB Country Director Paul J Heytens signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.
Premier, Canadian Senate speaker discuss future cooperation
By IRNA-Saba
Sana'a : Prime Minister Ali Mujawar held talks here on Sunday with the Canadian Senate speaker Noel Kinsella over the Yemeni-Canadian future cooperation, particularity in the economic, investment, environmental, educational, training and energy fields.
They also dealt with the standing relations between the Yemeni Shoura Council and Canadian Senate as well as the governmental keenness on strengthening such ties.
Israel-Syria peace talks announcement shocks Golan settlers
By DPA,
Qatzrin (Golan Heights) : "Dangerous, irresponsible, reckless" is how Dalia Amos, spokeswoman of the Golan Heights settlers council, describes Israeli Prime Ehud Olmert's surprise decision to revive indirect peace talks with Syria after an eight-year hiatus.
The unpopular, "panicking" premier is willing to hand over a crucial security and national asset to the Syrians to save himself politically, she charges. "We think that every citizen in the state of Israel must be worried."
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.
Three UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan in two days
By IRNA,
London : Three British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan in the past two days ending a virtual month’s lull during which the UK suffered no fatalities.
According to the Ministry of Defence, two soldiers from the same regiment died within hours of each other after being involved in separate incidents in Helmand province on Monday.
US to leave 9,800 troops in Afghanistan after 2014
Washington : US President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he planned to leave 9,800 American troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014.
The troops will be reduced...
Pakistan seeks to curb cyber crimes
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan is contemplating promulgating an ordinance to curb rising cyber crimes. But critics feel the government's real aim is to restrict information flow.
According to the proposed law, taking anybody's picture without consent and sending unscrupulous material or messages through mobile telephones or Internet or obtaining information on arms and ammunition will be punishable offences.
"The law proposes seven-year imprisonment or 300,000 (Pakistani) rupees fine or both," said a government official.
Chaudhry is Pakistan’s ‘constitutional’ chief justice: SCBA president
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who was sacked by Pakistan's former military dictator General Pervez Musharraf last November, is the "constitutional" chief justice and would be back in the chair soon, says the Supreme Court Bar Association's (SCBA) newly elected president.
Ali Ahmed Kurd said Wednesday, a day after defeating the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party's candidate (PPP) Muhammad Zafar: "Pakistan's constitutional chief justice is Justice Iftikhar and let me assure you he will soon be restored."
3.5 kg heroin seized in UAE
By IANS,
Dubai : Authorities in the United Arab Emirates Monday foiled a bid to smuggle 3.5 kg of heroin, hidden inside cars spare parts, into the country.
The seizure by customs officials here is considered the second of its kind in less than a month where spare parts were used to smuggle narcotics.
Omar Ahmed Al Muhairi, Senior Manager of Air Cargo Operations at Dubai Customs stated that inspectors suspected a postal parcel coming from an Asian country which contained a carton with four pieces of spare parts made of steel inside.
India-Bangladesh collaboration can save Sunderbans: Experts
Kolkata : India and Bangladesh must collaborate to facilitate and maintain a flow of fresh water round the year to save the Sunderbans mangrove...
Pakistan spy chief briefs lawmakers on horrors of Taliban threat
By DPA,
Islamabad : Taliban militants are using children as fighters and suicide bombers, Pakistan's new spy chief told lawmakers in a rare briefing on threats posed by Islamic militants in the country's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), media reports and officials said Thursday.
Militants are brainwashing innocent children to use them for killing people, Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, who was appointed director general of the military's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) last week, told the closed-door joint session of parliament's upper and lower houses the previous day.
Iran nuclear dispute takes centre stage at IAEA meet
By DPA
Vienna : The UN nuclear watchdog said Monday a fullfledged investigation into questions regarding possible attempts by Iran to pursue nuclear weapons needed yet to take place.
Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the agency's regular March meeting the issue still needed clarification, despite "encouraging" progress on other outstanding issues.
Israel Drops 16 Bombs on Gaza
By Prensa Latina,
Gaza : Israel on Tuesday launched about 16 bombs against Gaza as part of its declared "total war"” against Hamas Islamic group, leaving at least 362 people dead and 1,600 others wounded in four days of consecutive aggression, amid strong rejection worldwide.
Israeli F-16 fighters bombed government buildings in Gaza, considered alleged headquarters of armed instances of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) ruling the territory since June 2007.
At least ten Palestinians, including security agents and civilians, died today.
UAE condemns Algeria gas field attack
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has condemned in the strongest terms, the terrorist attack which targeted the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria and left over 37 hostages dead.
33 insurgents killed in Eastern Afghanistan
By SPA,
Kabul, Afghanistan : Helicopters and a bomber attacked insurgents massing in eastern Afghanistan under cover of darkness and killed more than 30 of them, the U.S.-led coalition said Tuesday.
Reconnaissance aircraft spotted large groupings of insurgents armed with heavy machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades on Monday night in Khost province, the coalition was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
GCC condemns China terrorist attack
Riyadh : Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has strongly condemned the terrorist attack at a train station...
Two suicide bombings kill over 20 Iraqis
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Two suicide bombings, one involving a female attacker, left more than 50 people killed or injured on Wednesday in Iraq.
A suicide bomber blew himself up in a tent on a funeral site at the Zaidan village of Abu Ghrab area, some 15 km west of Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said.
The blast killed at least 20 mourners and wounded about 30others at the funeral held for the head of a local school, the source said.
It was not immediately clear why the funeral was targeted, but extremists in Iraq usually kill randomly.
Israel to respond militarily to Dimona attack – FM
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli Foreign Ministry said Monday evening Israel would have to launch military operations against the Palestinians in response to the deadly attack that took place earlier today at a shopping center in the southern town of Dimona.
Amira Uron, the ministry spokesperson, condemned the attack as "regrettable terrorist act," according to reports reaching here from Israel.
"The terrorist attack, targeting Israeli civilians is nothing new to the terrorist leaders ruling Gaza Strip at present," she said.
Bahrain chosen venue of Ophthalmology Meet for Mideast&Africa
By SPA
Riyadh : The Tenth session of the International Ophthalmology conference for the Middle East and Africa will start its deliberations in Manama, Bahrain, on March 26.
The five-day conference is being convened in the Bahraini capital according to a decision adopted by The Middle East-African Ophthalmology Council.
This was disclosed by the Council's Chairman Dr. Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Rajihi, who is also a member of the Board of Directors in The Saudi Society for Ophthalmology and Chief of The Information Technology Committee.
Lahore High Court extends house arrest of JuD head
By IANS,
Lahore : The Lahore High Court Monday extended the house arrest of Hafeez Saeed, head of the banned outfit Jamaat-ud-Dawa, and four others by 60 days.
Hafiz Saeed was presented before the review board of the court along with his four aides under high security, The News reported.
The Punjab government pleaded to the court to extend the house arrest of the banned outfit's leaders. However, Saeed's counsel Zafar Iqbal opposed the government's request.
Pakistani Army chief to visit Britain end-September
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will visit Britain in the last week of September for discussions on military ties between the two countries.
18 killed in Pakistan suicide attack
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 18 people were killed and more than 40 injured Monday in a suicide bomb attack at the guest house of a lawmaker in Pakistan's Punjab province, the police said.
The explosion occurred when Rashid Akbar Nawani, a member of the lower house of Pakistan's parliament, the National Assembly, was meeting supporters at the courtyard of the house in Bhakkar district, some 325 km west of the provincial capital Lahore.
Malaysian Indian Congress elections this year
By IANS,
Singapore : The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) will hold its organisational elections, postponed due to the country's general elections May 5, later this year.
Hamas denies rocket attacks suspension to avoid Israeli retaliation
By Xinhua
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Monday denied allegations that key Palestinian factions have agreed to freeze rocket attacks on Israel to avoid Israeli offensives into Gaza.
"The resistance against the occupation is a legitimate right and Hamas will not stop responding to the ongoing Israeli occupation crimes against the Palestinian people," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoom told reporters in Gaza.
Airstrikes by Syrian government forces kill 182 civilians in a week
Beirut : The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has intensified its airstrikes on anti-government forces over the past week, killing 500 people, 182...
Somalia bomb attack toll rises to 19
Mogadishu:The death toll from car bomb blast in the southern Somali town of Baidoa has risen to 19 while at least 20 others were...
University professor elected to lead French Muslim council
By IINA,
Paris : A university professor from Morocco who has pledged to help build more mosques in France was elected yesterday to head the country’s official Muslim council in a vote seen as a fresh start for the body. Mohamed Moussaoui, 44, will replace Dalil Boubakeur, the rector of the Paris Grand mosque, who held the post of president since the council was set up in 2003 to provide a voice for France’s five million Muslims, the largest such community in Europe.
Iran blames Afghan mess for terrorism, asks Pakistan to act
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Underlining solidarity with India in the wake of the Mumbai carnage, Iran Friday asked Pakistan to deal with terrorism "with an iron hand" and advised the two countries to resolve issues with a "cool-headed" approach.
Tehran also indicated that the progress in negotiations on the tri-nation pipeline that seeks to transport Iranian gas to India via Pakistan has been hit by the strain in the India-Pakistan ties in the aftermath of the terror strikes in Mumbai.
Kuwait marks 20 years since first Gulf war
By DPA,
Kuwait City: Kuwait's cabinet Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the 1990 invasion of the country by Iraqi troops, noting that the war had a lasting impact on citizens.
Minister of Defence Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah "bitterly remembered" what was called a "heinous crime" at a cabinet meeting, state-run Kuna news agency said.
The invasion by Iraq Aug 2, 1990, started a seven-month occupation of the state, during which hundreds were killed and hundreds more went missing. Many of those who disappeared during the conflict were never found.
Over five million kids affected by Syria conflict: Unicef
Geneva: Some 5.5 million Syrian children fell victims to the three-year-old crisis in the war-torn country, the UN Children's Fund (Unicef) said Tuesday while...
Muslim Organizations in Mumbai send memorandum to Egypt’s Ambassador to India
By A. Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Expressing their concerns for the violation of Human Rights in Egypt, some Muslim organizations in Mumbai has sent a combined memorandum to the Egypt’s Ambassador to India. These organizations have also appealed Government of India to bring the matter before United Nations and help restore democracy in Egypt.
Jamiat calls Trump’s Jerusalem remark “Highly provocative”, asks Arab world to review their US...
TCN News
New Delhi: Reacting to US President Donald Trump 's announcement of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Maulana Mahmoo Madani , the...
Five militants killed in Gaza fire exchanges with Israeli troops
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Five militants of Islamic Hamas movement were killed on Saturday in a series of attacks in eastern and southern Gaza Strip, medical officials in Gaza said.
Hamas security sources said that a Hamas police officer was killed and three were wounded in a fresh Israeli air strike carried at around noon. An Israeli aircraft targeted a Hamas police vehicle in the southern Gaza town of Rafah, witnesses said.
15 killed in violent clashes in Libya
Tripoli : Over 15 people were killed and 10 others injured in violent clashes on Saturday between forces of the General National Congress (GNC)...
Pakistan-Iran Bilateral Relations To Remain Intact
By APP,
Tehran : Iran-Pakistan bilateral relations will not be affected by the latest developments in Pakistan. This was stated by outgoing Pakistani Ambassador to Tehran, Shafkat Saeed.
Ambassador Shafkat Saeed stated that the new Pakistani government intends to have strong political relations with the Islamic republic of Iran.
He also announced that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has been invited to visit Tehran, adding that the visit is expected to take place sometime in the next few months.
Pakistan: Shakeri calls for immense cooperation between two nations on Iqbal day
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masha’allah Shakeri has greeted the Pakistani people on the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the poet and thinker who represents cultural and friendly cooperation between the two brotherly nations and also the entire Islamic world.
In a message on the Iqbal Day, the ambassador said Allama Iqbal enjoys great respect and popularity among people of both countries and his poetry has had immense influence on the thoughts of the thinkers of these two countries.
Pakistan wants cordial relations with all its neighbours
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said Pakistan wants to have cordial and friendly ties with all its neighbours.
“ It neither harbours any aggressive designs against India nor would allow any individual or entity on its territory to harm the bilateral ties between the two countries through their activities,” he added.
He said Pakistan remains committed to the composite dialogue and wishes to resolve all outstanding issues with India amicably.
Arab League strongly condemns Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : The Arab League has strongly condemned Israel's barbaric aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza which resulted in the death of more than 20 people and the injury of tens of others including children and elderly women and men.
The Arab League Secretariat noted in a statement here Thursday the continuing suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, including a real humanitarian and environmental crisis amid ongoing Israeli imposed sanctions and the closure of borders to energy and power supplies.
Security Council urges prompt, impartial probe into convoy incident
By IRNA,
Tehran : The Security Council Tuesday condemned the acts that led to the deaths of at least 10 civilians after the Israeli military Monday intercepted a convoy of aid ships bound for Gaza, calling for a “prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation.”
Dozens of others were also wounded when Israeli forces took control of the six-ship flotilla in international waters, according to press reports. The convoy was said to have been carrying educational, medical and construction materials, as well as hundreds of activists from different countries.
Asia-Middle East dialogue serves common interest of the two regions – Egypt
By NNN-KUNA
Sharm El-Sheikh : Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit has hailed the second ministerial meeting of the Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED II) as a "positive step towards enhanced dialogue between nations of both regions."
"The just-ended event laid the groundwork for practical, profound and lasting dialogue to serve the common interests of the nations of the two regions," Abul-Gheit said in a press briefing here Sunday.
Israeli missile targets Palestinians in eastern Gaza — sources
By KUNA
Gaza : A Palestinian was injured early on Sunday after a missile fired by Israeli ground forces targeted Shejaeya district in eastern Gaza.
Palestinian security sources said the Israeli forces stationed at Nahal Azor, eastern Gaza, launched a missile towards a number of Palestinian citizens on Al-Mantar Street in Shejaeya, where one of them was injured. The sources added that ambulances rushed to the site and medics transferred the injured Palestinian to the Al-Shefa Hospital in Gaza to receive treatment.
Bloodshed Marks Rice Iraq Visit
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : A bloody weekend with over 70 people dead and about 20 others wounded was the panorama that US Secretary of State Condolezza Rice left in Iraq.
While official sources today speak of nearly 20 victims in the clashes and bombings of the last two days, Rice congratulated the Iraqi government for advances in security.
Upon her arrival in Baghdad Sunday, the US diplomat came up against an ultimatum by Shiite clergyman Muqtada al Sader, warning of a possible open war if the foreign troops refuse to begin withdrawing gradually.
I don’t think Osama is in Pakistan: Gilani to Brown
By IANS,
London: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani told Britain's Gordon Brown Thursday he doesn't think Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden is hiding in his country.
After a meeting with Brown, the Pakistani premier dismissed an earlier suggestion from Brown that his country should do more to hunt down Bin Laden.
Gilani praised America's cooperation with Pakistan on security issues but he said Pakistan had yet to be given any "credible or actionable information" on Bin Laden.
Khaleda asks for more security to attend court hearing
Dhaka : Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia has asked for more security to attend the next hearing of her corruption case in the...
Pakistani forces kill 14 militants in trial offensive
By IRNA,
Rawalpindi : Pakistani security Forces continued offensive in the tribal region of Bajaur Agency on Friday, killing at least 14 militants, and injuring another eight, police said.
The security officials said that troops pounded the suspected hideouts of militants and Taliban fighters in Nawagai areas of Charmang, Chinar, Kohi and Banda area, some 40 kilometers north-west of the agency headquarters Khar and inflicted heavy losses to them.
US deploys underwater drones to hunt for Iranian mines
By IANS,
London: The US is to intensify its military build up in the Persian Gulf by deploying miniature underwater drones to hunt for Iranian mines, The Telegraph reported Thursday.
Pakistani police bust man-eunuch wedding, 42 people arrested
By DPA,
Peshawar : Police arrested a man for marrying a eunuch in northwestern Pakistan, officials said Tuesday.
Malik Iqbal, in his late 40s, his 18-year-old partner Kashif, also known as Rani, and 40 wedding guests were detained Monday in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
"Following complaints from locals we raided the place and found that the wedding party was in full swing," police officer Shahid Khan told DPA.
Indian election elicits keen interest in Pakistan
By Nivedita,
Lahore : Will Narendra Modi win? Will India get a stable government? What are Arvind Kejriwal's prospects? Is the Congress finished? The questions...
Hyderabad to host international seminar on Prophet Muhammed
Hyderabad : An international seminar on the life and ways of Prophet Muhammed will be held here from February 21 to February 23.
Eminent Islamic...
Israelis in Ankara for talks with Syria: Report
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Two aides to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were in Turkey Sunday, apparently to start the second part of indirect talks between Israel and Syria being mediated by Ankara, reports said.
The officials were identified by media reports as Yoram Turbovitz and Shalom Turjeman, the aides who had participated in the first part of the negotiations.
The talks with Damascus began last month in "good faith", though Turkish officials shuttled between the representatives of the two sides who did not meet each other.
Arab FMs agree on integrated plan on Lebanon
By NNN-KUNA
Cairo : Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa said here on Saturday that the Arab foreign ministers had agreed at the emergency meeting that shifted from a consultative meeting to a formal meeting on an Arab integrated plan unanimously issued with respect to developments in the situation in Lebanon.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah headed the Kuwaiti delegation to the meeting.
Pakistan quake toll rises to 300
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The toll in Wednesday's devastating earthquake in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan rose to 300 Friday, officials said.
Around 40,000 people were displaced and 200 villages affected in the 6.2 magnitude quake early Wednesday, the state-run PTV reported.
The Dawn newspaper Friday said that thousands of quake-affected people are still spending nights in freezing cold without proper shelter and food.
US Defense Department praises Iraqi ‘intent’ in going after southern militiamen
By SPA
Washington : The U.S. Defense Department's top military official on Wednesday praised Iraq's government for going after militiamen in the southern city of Basra, according to The Associated Press.
At a Pentagon news conference, Adm. Mike Mullen said it will take a while to figure out who won and who lost in last week's fighting. But he also said that he applauds the intent the Iraqis had in trying to solve the problem of violence in the city.
Saudi Iraqi Team Starts Search For Remains Of Iraqis Buried In Saudi Arabia During...
By Bernama
Riyadh : A Saudi Iraqi team has started search at graveyards in North Eastern Saudi cities for remains of Iraqis buried in Saudi Arabia territories during Kuwait liberation war 1991, it was reported here Wednesday.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said Thursday that the search, under the supervision of the International Red Cross, started last Sunday, targeting the recovery of 64 remains based on official estimates.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia handed over the remains of 59 Iraqis buried in Saudi territories to Iraqi authorities.
At least three killed in explosion in southern Israel
By RIA Novosti
Tel Aviv : An explosion in a shopping mall in the city of Dimona in southern Israel has killed at least three people, a source at the local ambulance service said on Monday.
Five people have sought medical assistance so far, but the overall number of victims is "likely to rise," the source said.
Local television report that police officers shot a second suicide bomber, who failed to detonate his explosive device.
Iran opposes Caspian oil pipeline project
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran has objected to the construction of an undersea oil pipeline linking Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan through the Caspian Sea, because it threatened the marine ecosystem, a media report said Saturday.
Iran's deputy oil minister for international affairs, Hossein Noqrekar-Shirazi, said the undersea pipeline for supplying Kazakh oil to Azerbaijan poses threat to the Caspian ecosystem, Press TV reported.
Israeli troops steals millions of shekels from money changers in West Bank
By NNN-WAFA
Ramallah, Palestine : Israeli troops raided Palestinian money changers across the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, seizing cash worth more than $800,000, security sources confirmed.
The sources said Israeli troops entered the homes and offices of a total of 14 money changers.
They also added that the troops arrested five money changers and confiscated three million shekels ($840,000) in Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin and Tulkarm.
U.S. reports new Gulf confrontation, Iran denies
By Xinhua,
Washington : U.S. officials said Friday that a vessel contracted by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf fired warning shots on two Iranian fast boats Thursday, but Iran denied the claims .
The U.S. ship Westward Venture, contracted by the U.S. Military Sealift Command to carry military cargo to Kuwait, fired upon the boats after attempts to get the Iranian boats' attention failed, FOX News quoted Pentagon sources as saying.
A U.S. navy security team, armed with M16 rifles and machine guns, was onboard the Westward Venture at the time the warning shots were fired.
Pakistan: Zardari nominated for being symbol of federation, says PM Gilani
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said the country’s president should be the symbol of federation, adding the nomination of Asif Ali Zardari as presidential candidate was made on the same principle.
The Prime Minister was speaking to mediapersons after meeting Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, leader PPP (Sherpao) at his residence to seek his faction’s support for Asif Ali Zardari in the upcoming presidential election.
Geo News telecast blocked in parts of Pakistan
Islamabad, March 13 (IANS) The telecast of Pakistan's Geo News television channel was blocked in some parts of the country Friday, the channel's website said.
The channel broadcast has been blocked in parts of Karachi, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Quetta, Multan, Rawlakot, Muzaffarabad, Deepalpur and Sargodha cities, it said.
According to the channel, government officials have directed the cable operators to place Geo News channel at the 'tail end', making it difficult for the viewers to watch the channel.
US warns of attack in Indonesia’s Bali
By DPA,
Jakarta : The US embassy in Jakarta Thursday warned of a possible attack on New Year's Eve on Indonesia's resort island of Bali.
The embassy said in a circular posted on its website that the information was received from Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika.
"There is an indication of an attack to Bali tonight," the warning said, quoting the governor's message.
"Please don't panic, but put your security system to full alert," the warning said.
Australian officials said Thursday, however, that the warning of a possible attack was just that.
Govt according high priority to social schemes: Pakistani PM Gilani
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the government is according high priority to the social sector schemes, particularly in the areas of population, health and education as envisioned by our great leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
In a message on the occasion of World Population Day, the Prime Minister said World Population Day is being observed across the globe today (July 11).
OIC secretary general welcomes new Iraqi government
Jeddah : Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani has welcomed the formation of a new inclusive Iraqi government,...
Easing Israeli closures and boosting Palestinian security vital – UN Sec-Gen
By NNN-WAFA,
New York : An easing of Israel’s closures in the occupied Palestinian territory, a genuine freeze of Israeli settlement activity and continued Palestinian efforts to enhance security are crucial if the Middle East conflict is to be resolved, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.
German MEP urges return of Iran’s nuclear file to IAEA
By IRNA,
Berlin : A German legislator of the European Parliament called for the return of Iran's nuclear dossier to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Talking to IRNA in Berlin Friday evening, Tobias Pflueger of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left parliamentary faction said the Venna-based UN atomic watchdog was 'formally responsible' for the Iranian nuclear case.
He reaffirmed that the IAEA was the 'sole institution' to probe whether western accusations against Iran's nuclear program proved to be true or not.
118 illegal residents arrested in Pakistan
Islamabad : At least 118 illegal residents, including a Sri Lankan national, were arrested during a massive search operation Sunday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tribal...