73 French soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001
By IANS,
Paris : The number of French soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 has risen to 73, the government said Friday.
Pakistan would have attacked India in 1998: Gohar Ayub Khan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan would have launched a full-fledged air attack had India attempted to prevent its 1998 nuclear tests, maverick politician and former foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan says in a new book.
In the book titled "Testing Times as Foreign Minister", Khan claims that in the event of an attack by India on the nuclear test site at Chagai in Balochistan, the Pakistan Air Force would have launched attacks on pre-designated targets in India, The News reported Saturday.
International seminar on Hajj: A Model of Global Unity held in New Delhi
By RINA,
New Delhi: Iran Cultural House in New Delhi in collaboration with Hajj Committee of India organized an international seminar on “Hajj: A Model of Global Unity.” Speakers from India and abroad highlighted the aspects of Hajj that strengthen the unity of Muslim Ummah.
Indonesian firm plans eco-industrial park in Nayachar
By IANS,
Kolkata: Universal Success Enterprise (USE), promoted by non-resident Indian industrialist Prasoon Mukherjee, plans to develop an eco-industrial park on Nayachar Island, a proposed chemical hub.
The proposed Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) will come up on the island, near Haldia in East Midnapore district.
"USE group is developing two eco-industrial parks, a 13,000-acre one in Nayachar island and 5,000 acres in Dholera (Gujarat)," Mukherjee said Thursday while addressing a seminar organised by Confederation of Indian Industry.
IFF launches health campaign for poor Indian workers in Saudi
By Muhammed Iqbal for TwoCircles.net,
Dammam (Saudi Arabia): “Health is really a grace of God and one must take utmost care of his health”, said Brother Abussamad while inaugurating the two week long health campaign ‘Healthy People Healthy Nation’ by India Fraternity Forum (IFF) at Apsara Auditorium, Al-Khobar.
Mohammad (PBUH) as liberator
By Asghar Ali Engineer,
This month we celebrated the birth day of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is celebrated by Muslims with great devotion and reverence. But often it has been seen that devotees do not reflect on the message of the person whom they so venerate. It just becomes a tradition rather than occasion for deep reflection. Muslims also refer to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as Muhsin-e-Insaniyyat i.e. the benefactor of humanity but hardly care to know in what respect he became benefactor?
LIC overseas arm ties up with Qatar’s Doha Bank
By IANS,
Dubai : Qatar's Doha Bank has tied up with LIC (International), the overseas subsidiary of India's Life Insurance Corp (LIC), to market a range of insurance, retirement and investment products in West Asia.
An agreement to this effect was signed by Doha Bank chief executive R. Seetharaman and LIC (International) managing director and chief executive Sudhin Roy Chowdhury, according to a Doha Bank statement.
Iranian official refutes reports over resignation of FM
By NNN-KUNA
Tehran : Iranian Foreign Ministry denied news reports over resignation of Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki from his post.
An official at the Iranian Foreign Ministry who did not disclose his name told Al-Alam news channel that the news was untrue and that the minister was staying in his post.
Bhangra at Malaysian election rally
By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : Heavy downpour has not cooled the campaign fever as Malaysia goes to the polls Saturday. And there is bhangra too, to entertain voters.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi braved one rain-lashing Sunday night with some 2,000 people hearing him.
He was greeted by kompang, the traditional Malay dance, bhangra from India's Punjab province and traditional Chinese and Indian music.
***
Pregnant candidate rushed to hospital
KeADILan to ensure stronger & more vibrant economy in Malaysia: Anwar Ibrahim
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and current advisor to Parti KeADILan Rakyat, (PKR), has in a statement said that KeADILan’s economic agenda received a resounding mandate on March 8th when Malaysians went to the polls and quadrupled the number of seats held by the opposition in Parliament, awarding us with 50 per cent of the seats in West Malaysia.
Maldives president unharmed, wife injured in speedboat blast
Male: The president of the Maldives was unhurt but his wife and two others were injured in an explosion on board their speedboat...
7,000 Hindus wrongly documented as Muslims in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur : A task force of non-governmental organisations in Malaysia has said that some 7,000 Hindus living in the country are wrongly classified...
Settlers, anti-occupation activists clash in West Bank
Tel Aviv, Oct 3 (DPA) Israeli settlers clashed Friday at an olive grove near the West Bank town of Hebron with activists protesting the Israeli occupation in the region, the police said.
According to settlers, the fracas broke out when one of the activists pushed the wife of settler leader Itamar Ben-Gvir. The activists, however, said the settlers attacked them first.
One anti-occupation activist was detained by the police, a police spokesman, Mickey Rosenfeld, said.
Western woman aid worker shot dead in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : Unknown gunmen killed a foreign woman when she was going to her office in the western part of the capital city Monday,
police said.
The attackers, who were riding on motorbike, fled the area following the shooting, said Zemarai Bashary, interior ministry spokesman.
Bashary declined to provide more information or identify the victim.
But a police official, who did not want to be named because he was not authorized to talk to news media, said the victim was from South
Africa and worked with an aid organization.
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.
ISAF plane makes hard landing in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : A C-130 plane with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) made a hard landing Sunday in Afghanistan, but there were no casualties, a statement said.
The Indian Ulema and Muslim Women’s Education
By Maulvi Waris Mazhari,
(Translated from Urdu by Yoginder Sikand)
Scotland’s Chef of Year award for South Asian woman
By Venkata Vemuri, IANS,
London : Mahrukh But, Pakistani-born Scotland's first female Asian head chef, has been declared Chef of the Year at this year's Scottish Curry Awards in Glasgow.
Mahrukh is the head chef at Bukharah, an Indian restaurant in Glasgow's four-star Lorne Hotel. The restaurant won the top restaurant title at the awards function held last week.
Mahrukh, who hails from Pakistan, also has the distinction of being her home country's first female head chef. She worked in top star hotels before shifting to the Sheraton in Dubai. She joined Bukharah in 2009.
Rosary beads save British soldier from Afghan landmine
By IANS,
London : A British soldier was saved by his rosary beads in Afghanistan when he stooped to pick them up and saw that he was next to a landmine. It was strikingly similar to his great grandfather's experience who escaped a blast when he picked up his fallen rosary beads.
Glenn Hockton, 19, was on patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, when bent down to pick up his prayer beads after they fell off, Daily Express reported Tuesday.
It was then that he realised that he was standing close to a mine.
Bodies of two Indians killed in Dubai fire identified
By IANS,
Dubai : The Dubai police Sunday handed over to the Indian consulate here the bodies of two of the 10 Indian workers who were killed in a fire at their bachelor accommodation last month.
The bodies of Gangaram Palepu, son of Chinnaiah, and of Sanjeev Kokku, son of Thukanna Kokku, were handed over to the Indian authorities after completion of the DNA identification process on them, the Indian consulate said in a statement here.
Two ‘generals’: 1971 surrender ceremony at Dhaka re-enacted
By Subir Bhaumik,
Dhaka : The singers had just finished their patriotic numbers when a shrill whistle rent the air.
A surge of men piled on...
Wagah border suicide bomber identified
Islamabad: Pakistani security forces claimed to have identified the man who had carried out last month's suicide bombing at the Wagah border crossing with...
17 killed in attack on security check point in Libya
Tripoli: Fourteen army soldiers and three civilians were killed Friday in an armed attack at a security check point in Libya, an official said.
The...
Iranians protest alleged abuse of teenaged pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
Tehran: Hundreds of people gathered in front of Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran on Saturday to protest against what they called Saudi airport guards'...
IS video shows drowning of five ‘spies’ in a cage
Baghdad: The Islamic State (IS) militant group has published a gruesome video purportedly showing over a dozen men being murdered in northern Iraq, including...
Ghulam Ali’s concert at Lucknow Mahotsava on: Official
Lucknow: Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, who on Wednesday announced he was cancelling all his scheduled concerts in India, will, however, go ahead with...
Saudi Arabia announces success of Haj season
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday the success of the current Haj season with the departure of pilgrims after performing related rituals.
Saudi King...
Pakistan has suffered a lot after 9/11: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has suffered greatly after 9/11 as the war on terror has cost the country over 35,000 citizens, said a leading daily Sunday.
Pakistan wants more EU market access for its products
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan wants more market access to European markets through Turkey for its products, a minister said.
Seven family members shot dead in Iraq
By IANS,
Baghdad : Seven members of a family were shot in a town near Baghdad Wednesday, while six others were injured in two blasts in the Iraqi capital, Xinhua reported.
UNODC holds 3rd Regional meeting on human trafficking and migrant smuggling routes in Islamabad
By Aslam Chandio, TwoCircles.net,
Islamabad: As part of United Nation’s global fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling under its Global Plan of Action, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Islamabad brought together senior law enforcement officials from Bahrain, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan.
Were seven PMs wrong in facilitating separatists’ talks: Yasin Malik
New Delhi: Claiming seven past Indian prime ministers had "facilitated" meetings between Kashmiri separatists and visiting Pakistani leaders in India, JKLF leader Yasin Malik...
Hamas says Israel digs tunnels to kidnap Hamas leaders in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : Israel has dug tunnels under the Gaza Strip in order to kidnap senior Hamas leaders, Hamas Interior Minister Said Siam told the London-based Arabic newspaper al-Sharqal-Awsat.
In an interview published Thursday, Siam said Israeli internal security has been acting through local agents across the strip to purchase apartments which could be used as bases of operations for such kidnappings.
Israeli troops raid Nablus city hall, mosques
By SPA,
Nablus, West Bank : Israeli troops raided the city hall of the West Bank town of Nablus on Wednesday, confiscating five computers.
Hafez Shaheen, Nablus' deputy mayor, said troops also raided six mosques and seized five buses belonging to schools. Nablus' mayor, Adli Yaish, is a Hamas politician who has been imprisoned by Israel.
The military had no immediate comment, the Associated Press reported.
Bangladesh terror group issues death threats to 10
Dhaka: The Ansarullah Bangla Team, a Bangladeshi Islamist terror organisation, has issued death threats to 10 people, including the prime minister's political advisor, H.T....
Micro-credit pioneer Yunus to address Indian parliament
By IANS,
Dhaka : Micro-credit pioneer and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been invited to deliver a lecture in the Indian parliament during its winter session this year.
Yunus will deliver the second Professor Hiren Mukerjee Memorial Annual Parliamentary Lecture Dec 9 at the Central Hall of Parliament House, the Yunus Centre announced here Monday.
The lecture series is in memory of Hiren Mukherjee, a prominent member of the Communist Party of India elected to the Lok Sabha for five times from 1952 to 1977, United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency reported.
Bangladesh: President inaugurates redesigned websitenof bdnews24.com
By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka, Bangladesh : President Zillur Rahman today
inaugurated the redesigned website of online news agency bdnews24.com at Bangabhaban here.
During the inauguration, the President hoped that it would encourage all to step forward towards building digital Bangladesh.
He also wished all success of the new designed website of bdnews24.com.
Bdnews24.com Editor-in-chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi and Social Affairs Editor Baby Maudud were present on the occasion.
Hindu woman fights claim that she converted to Islam
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : A Malaysian woman is fighting to establish that she is a Hindu, denying a claim by the government's social welfare department that she converted to Islam in 1983.
Siti Hasnah Vangarama Abdullah, who goes by her original name S. Banggarma, 27, was issued a conversion certificate when she was seven years old in 1989. Her lawyer Gooi Hsiao Leung said: "Clearly, you cannot convert twice."
The certificate lists Banggarma and her younger sister as Muslim. Banggarma, however, says that her younger sister was not even born at that time.
Two held as Hasina charges father’s killers of terror links
By IANS,
Dhaka : Two people have been arrested as Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused killers of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, of organising a bomb attack on a lawmaker.
Mehnaz Rahman, who was detained Saturday, is the eldest daughter of Lt. Col. Khondkar Abdur Rashid, a fugitive condemned to death in the August 1975 killing of the country's founding father. She said that her father is living in Libya with the rest of the family.
International seminar on ‘Arabic Panchatantra and Indo-Arab Cultural Relations’ in Bhopal
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: A three-day international seminar on “Arabic Panchatantra and Indo-Arab Cultural Relations” is starting here in Bhopal from January 12. Two Kuwaiti lady professors will be participating in the seminar amongst others.
UN condemns Israel, Palestinian militants in heavy fighting
By DPA
New York : The UN has condemned both Israel and the Palestinians for the heavy fighting and in particular the high death toll inflicted by the Israeli Defence Forces on the Palestinian civilians in Gaza Strip.
The UN Security Council was convened for an urgent meeting late Saturday at the request of Libya on behalf of the Palestinian Authority to discuss the situation, which UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said had caused a terrible civilian death toll.
UAE-China trade exceeds $19 bn
By IANS
Sharjah : Relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China are poised to scale new high with bilateral trade touching $19.4 billion last year, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
"Some 2,000 Chinese firms operate in the UAE, and about 200,000 Chinese nationals work in the country, primarily in the construction sector," the news agency said quoting media report.
Bilateral trade has grown by 41 percent over the past year, it said.
Three ex-generals face probe for corruption
By IANS,
Islamabad : Three retired Pakistani generals are facing a probe for corruption. The Dawn said Sunday that such an investigation was taking place for the first time in the country.
Don’t distort language, Bangladesh court tells media
By IANS,
Dhaka : Radio and television channels have been told by a court not to distort Bangla and other foreign languages in their broadcasts, a media report said.
Are there more tunnels on India-Pakistan border?
By IANS,
Jammu : After the discovery of a tunnel running from Pakistan to India, security personnel fear that more such tunnels may have been dug to push terrorists and weapons into Kashmir.
Afghanistan may ink mining deal with SAIL-led consortium
By IANS,
Kolkata : Afghanistan is likely to sign an agreement with a SAIL-led consortium in January 2013 to mine Hajigak iron ore in Bamiyan province after getting cabinet clearance.
Group of students and young professionals supporting Indo-Pak peace reaches out to political parties...
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Aaghaz-e-Dosti, which is a group of students and young professionals working for Indo-Pak peace on both sides of the border, in a press release on Wednesday, 2nd April, appealed to all the Political Parties to breathe ‘the spirit of peace, love and friendship’ into the daily lives of all South Asians particularly, Indians and Pakistanis, requesting the parties to include ‘better relations with Pakistan’ as one of their agenda in election campaign. This request comes second in the series, the first of which was made to the political parties in Pakistan during 2013 election there.
Forensic experts to examine Makkah bones
Riyadh: Forensic experts in Makkah will begin examination of the bones found at the Grand Mosque expansion project site to determine whether they are...
P5+1 will be responsible for problems in n-talks: Iran cleric
Tehran : The P5+1 group of world powers should be held accountable if negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme hit a snag, a senior Iranian...
India will suffer if it attacks Pakistan: Minister
Islamabad: India will suffer "heavy losses" if it goes to war against Pakistan, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned on Sunday.
"If India tried to...
Pakistan observes golden jubilee of 1965 war with India
Islamabad : Pakistan on Sunday observed the golden jubilee of its 1965 war with India.
Processions were held in major cities, including capital Islamabad, and...
An India-Pakistan fashionable affair at Shaan-e-Pakistan
New Delhi: Painting a story of harmony, peace and friendship between Indian and Pakistan, as many as 14 designers from both the countries along...
Lebanese speaker blames majority leader for preaching “Sunni-Shiite discord”
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has criticized Majority leader legislator Saad Hariri for "preaching the Sunni-Shiite discord in Beirut instead of rejecting such a discord," local Al-Akhbar daily reported Wednesday.
Berri, a prominent opposition leader and a close ally of Shiite militant group Hezbollah, said two government decisions regarding Hezbollah should be cancelled before any dialogue.
Moscow opposes imposing sanctions against Iran: Official
By IRNA,
Ardebil : Head of Russian Federation Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mines said Moscow opposes imposing any kind of sanctions against Iran, because such sanctions would hurt mutual trade and economic ties.
Recep Safarev on the sidelines of a joint meeting with heads of chambers of commerce of Ardebil province on Monday told IRNA, "Iran is an independent and influential country in the region of Middle East and has plenty of common interests with Russia."
Afghan police kill Taliban commander
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Police in Afghanistan's northeast Takhar province eliminated a Taliban militia commander, a press release of Interior Ministry issued here Saturday said.
"Mullah Usman was killed when several armed militants under his command raided a police checkpoint in Kalafgan district Friday night," the press release added.
However, it did not say if any more insurgents or policemen were killed in the clash lasted for one hour.
Missiles hit Israel’s Ashkelon – radio
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : A missile was fired on Sunday from northern Gaza Strip towards southern Israel, an Israeli Army spokesman said.
An army spokesman told an Israeli radio station that the rocket landed in an open area near the Israeli settlement of Ashkelon, north Gaza Strip.
The explosion did not cause any causalities or material damage, he added.
No Palestinian faction claimed responsibility for the attack.
Iraq Base Suicide Attacks Kill 20
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : At least 20 deaths and 55 wounded were the toll of twin suicide attacks at a recruitment center on Al-Saad base in Baquba, east of Diyala, north Baghdad.
Medical and security sources said the two attackers detonated their vests packed with explosives at the Iraqi military base.
An Arab TV channel said a policeman died Monday when an unidentified man opened fire from his vehicle in Mosul, Ninewa, and drove away.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party calls for 48-hour strike
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies Sunday called for a 48-hour countrywide strike from July 6, Xinhua reported.
US gives aid for hydroelectric dams in Pakistan
By IANS,
Washington : The US has provided funds to Pakistan to complete construction of two hydroelectric dam projects in the country, a media report said Saturday.
Bangladeshi banker killed in Qatar car crash
By IANS,
Dhaka : A Bangladeshi banker and his son were killed in a car crash in Doha Saturday.
Bombings at Iraqi mosques kill 25
By DPA,
Baghdad : At least 25 people were killed and 37 others injured Friday in a series of attacks targeting four mosques in Baghdad, Iraqi security sources said.
Police forces cordoned off all the areas around the mosques in different parts of Baghdad. The blasts took place right after the Friday prayers.
According to the Voices of Iraq news agency, a car bomb that went off near al-Shroufi mosque in the northern district of al-Shaab left 15 civilians killed and 40 wounded.
UN tribunal to arbiter Delhi-Dhaka maritime border despute
By IANS,
Dhaka: The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has nominated three judges to constitute an arbitration tribunal on the Bangladesh-India maritime boundary dispute.
The judges are Rudiger Wolfrum of Germany, Tullio Treves of Italy and Ivan Anthony Shearer of Australia. Wolfrum will preside over the tribunal.
Seven Baha’i leaders in Iran get 20 years jail
By IANS,
New Delhi : Seven Baha'i leaders, convicted in Iran on charges of conducting propaganda activities against the Islamic order and spying, are believed to have been sentenced to 20 years jail, community leaders said here Tuesday.
The Indian Baha'i community "completely and categorically" denied the charges against the two women and five men being held in Tehran's Evin prison since 2008.
Persian Gulf is authenticated internationally, UK daily reminded
By IRNA
London : The Iranian Embassy in London has reminded a leading British daily that Persian Gulf is authenticated internationally and not a mere colloquial name for the strategic waterway.
In an article on Monday, the Times newspaper explicitly suggested that the name of the waterway was only known in Iran as the Persian Gulf.
"The fact is that Iran is not the sole party which insists that this strategic waterway maintain its true identity," the embassy said.
Extreme cold devastated livestock sector in Afghanistan: FAO
By NNN-PTI
New York : Extreme cold has devastated the Afghan livestock sector, killing over 3,00,000 animals since late December and seriously affecting livelihoods, a new United Nations report said.
High prices for fuel, vegetable oil and cereals are compounding the vulnerability of poor households, reducing their access to food, it added.
Pakistan summons Dutch ambassador over anti-Islam film
By DPA
Islamabad : Pakistan Friday summoned the Netherlands' ambassador and lodged a strong protest with him on the Internet release of a film by Dutch lawmaker, saying it defamed Islam.
He was told that "the defamatory film which deeply offended the sentiments of Muslims all over the world and which was expected to result in expressions of strong abhorrence and outrage," a statement from the foreign ministry said.
Anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders released the film "Fitna" over the video-sharing website late Thursday.
Discussion on shared history of Indo-Pak at Delhi’s book fair
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Aaghaz-e-Dosti, a cross border initiative for Indo-Pak Friendship organised a session on February 14, on inaugural day of World Book Fair in the national capital at the 'Sahitya Manch' on the theme 'Shared History-Shared Hopes'.
Hope to bring back 39 abducted Indians from Iraq soon: Sushma
New Delhi : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday that her "only regret" in her year in office has been the failure...
17 soldiers killed in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad: At least 17 soldiers were killed Sunday in two bomb attacks on army vehicles in Pakistan, media reports said.
UAE-based Indian businessman offers jobs to freed nurses
Thiruvananthapuram: UAE-based Indian businessman B.R. Shetty has offered the 46 nurses freed by insurgents in Iraq jobs in hospitals he owns across the Gulf...
VHP seeks help for Pakistani Hindus in Delhi
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Sunday urged citizens to help out Pakistani Hindus who had fled their country to escape persecution and whose visas expire Monday.
Yemeni navy officer survives assassination attempt
Sanaa: A high-ranking officer of the Yemeni navy forces escaped an assassination attempt in the southeastern province of Shabwa Tuesday evening, a security official...
Iraqi Kurds accuse Baghdad of politicising jounalist’s murder
Baghdad : The Kurdish regional government Tuesday accused the central government in Iraq of stirring up political trouble with the Kurds by politically exploiting...
Indian Hajis limited to bring 5-litre of Zamzam but will be provided with hi-tech...
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Mumbai: Under the revised agreement between Hajj Committee of India and Saudi Arabian Airlines Indian Hajis will be provided with 5 litre cans of Zamzam water on their return to India. Previous year Hajis could bring 10-litre of Zamam along with their belongings while returning from Saudi Arabia.
Mujib’s portrait to adorn all Bangladesh currency notes
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh plans to have the portrait of its founding father, slain former president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on all currency notes, its finance minister said Sunday.
The minister, A.M.A. Muhith, told parliament that the government has planned to introduce all currencies inscribed with portraits of the man who is revered as Bangabandhu.
His daughter, Sheikh Hasina, is currently the prime minister.
Jinnah was ‘demonsed’ by India: Jaswant Singh
By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh has said Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah was "demonised" by India even though it was Jawaharlal Nehru whose belief in a centralised system had led to the Partition.
Jaswant, whose book "Jinnah - India, Partition, Independence", will be released tomorrow, also said Indian Muslims are treated as aliens.
"Oh yes, because he created something out of nothing and single-handedly he stood against the might of the Congress party and against the British who didn't really like him...
US more in alignment with Islamic values than many Muslim states: Sheikh Aaidh Al-Qarni
By Siraj Wahab
A popular Saudi author and religious scholar has raised some questions about governmental and societal practices across the Arab world and asserts that the United States is more in alignment with many Islamic values than many countries represented as Muslim states.
Sheikh Aaidh ibn Abdullah Al-Qarni, whose self-help book “Don’t Be Sad” sells briskly both in English and Arabic, made the remarks in two recent columns published in the pan-Arab mass-circulation Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.
Sewa Helping War-affected Afghan Women
By Bernama,
New Delhi : Having transformed the lives of thousands of women artisans in the country, the self-help organisation Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) is now helping war-affected women of Afghanistan to rebuild their lives, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported Tuesday.
For the last one year, SEWA, with the support of the Government of India, is working with the Ministry of Women's Affairs, Kabul, on setting up a vocational training centre for women at Bagh-e-Zanana in the Afghan capital.
Muslim unity foils enemies’ plots in region: IRGC commander
By IRNA,
Tehran : Brigadier General of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corp (IRGC) Mohammad-Ali Ja'fari said hare Sunday that the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran has led vigilance and solidarity among Muslims, foiling enemies' plots in the region.
Making the remark in a meeting with Syrian Defense Minister Hassan Turkmani, Ja'fari added that the sympathy, Islamic unity and vigilance in the Middle East has foiled many conspiracies of the enemies such as the US and the Zionist regime.
USAF Helicopter Bombs Iraqi Family
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : The US helicopter attack to Tamra small village in Salahadin Iraqi Northern Province has killed five members of a family, reported the police.
According to Tikrit agents the settlement was bombed early in Wednesday morning and a couple and its three children also died in the operation.
No US sources referred to the attack against that civil area.
Three other people living close to the house destroyed by the helicopter were wounded, emphasized the police..
Australian architect to perform Odissi in Malaysia
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Nidhya Sakathevan, an Australia-based architect, is to stage an Odissi dance performance in Malaysia Saturday .
Kuala Lumpur-born Nidhya, 27, the New Straits Times said, initially learnt Bharatanatyam from her mother, Amritha Devi of the Amrithanjali Dance Academy.
Odissi originates from India's Orissa state and Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu. They are popular in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries because of the cultural affinity.
Nidhya was trained in Odissi by Perlis-born Guru Chandrabhanu, who has opened a school in Melbourne.
Pakistan population now 184 mn
By IANS,
Islamabad : The population of Pakistan has gone up to 184 million this year from 119 million in 1990, a report said.
Pakistan mine blast kills one
By IANS,
Islamabad: At least one miner was killed and over 50 were trapped after three blasts shook an underground coal mine Sunday in southwest Pakistan, media reports said.
Indian pays blood money, saves four countrymen in Saudi Arabia
By IANS,
Dubai: An Indian entrepreneur in Qatar offered "blood money" to save the lives of four of his countrymen sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, a media report said Sunday.
Book on UAE Armed Forces issued
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : A book on the UAE Armed Forces has been issued to mark the 35th anniversary of the UAE Armed Forces Unification, it was announced Saturday.
Iran missile programme no threat to Europe: French official
By IANS,
Moscow: Iran's ballistic missile programme does not yet pose a threat to Europe or the US, a top French official has said.
TV reporter shot dead in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A TV reporter, his brother and a friend were gunned down in Pakistan's Sindh province Thursday night, a media report said Friday.
Saudi Ambassador to India visits AMU
By TCN News,
Aligarh: Reflective of India- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relations that go back to several centuries, Dr Saud Mohammed Al-Sati, the Saudi Ambassador to India, while addressing at the Aligarh Muslim University announced close educational ties in between the two countries.
Indian Social Forum organizes seminar on ‘Present India and Alternative Politics’ in KSA
By TCN News,
Jubail, KSA: Indian Social Forum, organized public seminar on ‘Present India and Alternative Politics’ in Cookxon Auditorium, Jubail.
Speaking on the occasion Abdul Hannan, General Secretary of Social Democratic Party of India(SDPI), Karnataka explained the need of politics and role of SDPI towards making India where everyone has equal rights.
Development of any society will come through collective efforts by men and women, says...
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Development of any society would come through collective efforts by men and women to improve the quality of their lives, Rula Ghani, the First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, said here on Wednesday.
“It is through relentless activism, dedication and blind courage that women could help change the mindsets of people,” Ghani said delivering her keynote address at a two-day SAARC conference on ‘Gender, Community and Violence: Changing Mindsets for Empowering the Women of South Asia’ here.
17 miscreants arrested in Darra Adam Khel
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Security forces arrested 17 miscreants and recovered huge arms cache in Darra Adamkhel.
Talking to media in Darra Adamkhel, security officials said that large cache of weapons has been recovered from a house during search operation in Pir Jan and Timerkhel areas.
The arms cache included 350 Russian made missiles, three wireless sets, mines detector, 15 heavy machine gun barrels, several rifles and important documents.
Security forces said that operation would remain continued till the elimination of the extremists in the area.
Iraqi militant sentenced to death for killing U.S. soldiers
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : An Iraqi court sentenced a militant to death for his role in killing three U.S. soldiers in an attack on their force south of Baghdad in 2006, the U.S. military said on Wednesday.
The Central Criminal Court of Iraq reached a unanimous verdict Tuesday that "Ibrahim Karim Mohammed Saleh al-Qaraghuli was found guilty as charged and sentenced to death," the military said in a statement.
The militant was charged with "acts of terrorism in the murder of three American military personnel in June 2006," the statement added.
Tide turns for jailed politicians, businessmen in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : The tide seems to be turning in Bangladesh. Scores of politicians, officials and businessmen jailed for many months, mostly on corruption charges, are starting to get bail with the courts rejecting the Emergency Rules under which they were arrested.
The development comes as the government is preparing for fresh elections to parliament in December and engaging political parties in a dialogue.
It may be a coincidence, but the courts are becoming increasingly assertive.
No Pakistani city is safe: squash legend Jansher Khan
By K. Hussain, IANS,
Karachi : Squash legend Jansher Khan rejected several offers to coach in foreign countries to enjoy a retired life in Peshawar, but frequent suicide bombings in the capital of Pakistan's restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP) are making him rethink his decision.
"Peshawar is becoming more and more unsafe each day," Jansher told IANS. "In fact no city is safe in Pakistan. They (suicide bombers) can strike anywhere and anybody."
UAE’s GDP grew by 5.2 percent in 2007
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The gross domestic product (GDP) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) grew by 5.2 percent in 2007, according to the latest figures released by the UAE's ministry of economy.
The country's economy also expanded to 729.7 billion dirhams ($198.6 bilion) in 2007, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported citing the figures.
GDP in the non-oil sector grew by 16.8 percent, touching 467.9 billion dirhams ($127.4 billion). This accounted for 64.1 percent of the total GDP during 2007.
NATO, Pakistan vow to intensify anti-Taliban cooperation
By DPA,
Brussels : NATO and Pakistan agree that winning over the hearts and minds of tribesmen living in the country's lawless border with Afghanistan is crucial to defeating the Taliban, the transatlantic alliance's top military commander said Wednesday.
"Only a comprehensive approach - which means engaging the people living there, and having their understanding and support, can facilitate the solution to the problem," said Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, head of the NATO military committee.
UAE group wins at Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
By IANS,
Sharjah: The Kalimat Publishing House from Sharjah has won the best cookbook translation award in the UAE at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2012.
Indo-Pak academics in Jamia on human rights in South Asia
By TCN News,
New Delhi: The Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women’s Studies & Department of Tourism, Hotel, Hospitality & Heritage Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia are going to jointly organize a one-day International Seminar on “Human Rights in South Asia”.
India, Pakistan hold flag meeting on LoC
Jammu : A flag meeting between Indian and Pakistani army commanders was held on the Line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch...
Turkey hosts 1.37 mn Syrian refugees
Ankara : The number of Syrian refugees in Turkey has exceeded 1.37 million, according to a statement issued by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency...
Taliban advancing deeper into Pakistan: NYT
By IANS,
New York : The Taliban have advanced deeper into Pakistan by engineering a class revolt that exploits profound fissures between a small group of wealthy landlords and their landless tenants, says the New York Times.
The strategy cleared a path to power for the Taliban in the Swat Valley, where the government allowed Islamic law to be imposed this week, the influential US daily said Friday in a report from Peshawar citing government officials and analysts there.
Bangladesh PM urges developed nations to contribute more to ensure food security for developing...
By NNN-BSS,
New York : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the developed nations to contribute more in mobilizing a substantial fund to ensure food security for developing countries as they are badly hit by current global economic meltdown.
Daughter of Ahmadinejad advisor requests asylum in Germany
By IANS,
Nuremberg: The daughter of a close associate of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has requested asylum in Germany, after attending a human rights film festival in Nuremberg, a festival spokesman said Tuesday.
Filmmaker Nargef Kalhor, 25, had refused to return to her native Iran after the festival and applied for asylum instead. She is currently in a refugee centre near Nuremberg, the spokesman added.
New footprint for Bangladesh’s Grameen: Adidas shoes
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is to step into Adidas shoes...literally. His Grameen Group, which is mainly into rural credit, is planning a joint venture with the German sports apparel maker to make low-cost shoes for the poor.
If the deal gets through, it will be a major footprint in Yunus' social business, The Daily Star said Sunday.
UAE to regulate NGOs working for disabled
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Non-Governmental Organisations working for the rehabilitation of disabled people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will now come under the control of the ministry of social affairs.
An ordinance in this regard was issued Monday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of UAE, which aims to regulate private sector services in this category.
The regulation will contribute to the development of services for disabled people and their effective integration into the society, a statement from the ministry of social affairs said.
Lebanese Shia cleric dies
By IANS,
Beirut : Lebanese Shia cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah died Sunday at the age of 75.
Fadlallah died at Beirut's Bahman Hospital, where he was being treated for internal bleeding since Friday, Xinhua reported.
He was a supporter of Iran's Islamic Revolution and the spiritual leader and mentor of Lebanon's Shia armed group Hezbollah.
He was also known for his moderate views on social affairs, especially on women. Shia Muslims account for about 30 percent of the Lebanese population.
India does not rule out Modi-Sharif meet at SAARC
New Delhi : India Sunday did not rule out a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on...
UAE’s first artificial battery-powered heart transplant
Dubai: A 21-year-old student in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) city of Sharjah, has received the country's first artificial heart transplant, a media report...
20 civilians kidnapped in Afghanistan
Kabul : At least 20 civilians were kidnapped after unidentified armed men intercepted buses on a highway in Afghanistan's Zabul province.
"The incident took place...
30 more Guwahati-bound Rohingyas held in Tripura-Assam border
Agartala, Jan 21 (IANS) Even as 31 Rohingya Muslims are stranded along the India-Bangladesh borders since Friday, 30 more Rohingyas, including 12 children, were...
British Muslims on jehad trip to Somalia: WikiLeaks
By IANS,
London : British Muslims are travelling to Somalia for "jehadi tourism" to get training for terrorist attacks in Britain, secret US diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks have revealed.
DPRK denounces US military attack on Libya
By NNN-KCNA,
Pyongyang : A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has denounced military attacks by the United States on Libya.
Pakistan, US are friends, says US official
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan and the US have a friendly relationship, but friends often disagree with one another, an American official has said.
Over 250 people to get new houses in UAE
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : A total of 277 people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will get new houses built by the government.
UAE, Vietnam discuss ties
By IANS/WAM,
Hanoi : UAE and Vietnam have discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation.
Urgent need for peace in Middle East: Pope
By DPA,
Rome : Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI Sunday called for the prompt resolution of the Middle East conflict and urged Muslim countries to guarantee total religious freedom.
Remove India, Pakistan border restrictions: Sikh pilgrims
By IANS,
Lahore: The border restrictions between Pakistan and India should be abolished for peace and prosperity in the region, said a group of Sikh pilgrims from India.
UAE’s Etisalat chairman named World CEO of 2010
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Mohammed Omran, the CEO of UAE's telecommunication service provider Etisalat, has been named the World CEO of 2010 at a ceremony in Britain, it was announced Saturday.
Pakistan salutes its own Mohammad Rafi
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistanis paid rich tributes on the 16th death anniversary of legendary playback singer Masood Rana, who was widely known as "Pakistani Rafi".