Islamic gathering on Quran and Sunnah to begin in Morocco today
By IINA
Rabat : The Fourth Gathering on the Holy Quran and Prophet's Tradition (Sunnah) is set to begin in Figuig, south of Oujda in eastern Morocco, today. The Rabat-based Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) have extended support for the conference, organized by the Abdel Wafi Association of Holy Quran, in cooperation with the Islamic Studies Branch of the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, at the Oujda Mohamed I University.
World body seeks punishment for Jakarta terrorists
By Betwa Sharma, IANS,
United Nations: The UN Security Council has condemned the two bomb blasts that occurred in Indonesia's capital Jakarta Friday and called for the terrorists to be brought to justice.
The 15-member council unanimously passed a non-binding statement that said: "The Security Council underlines the need, and affirms its confidence in the government of Indonesia to bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice."
Israel ignores ‘roadmap’ to peace, continues to build houses
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Israel is continuing to build settlements despite agreeing to freeze construction at a U.S.-hosted peace conference last November, an Israeli paper said Monday citing a report by an Israeli peace movement.
The report released on Sunday said that 101 "instances of settlement construction" had been recorded in the occupied West Bank since December, while the U.S.-brokered conference set the construction freeze as one of the primary cornerstones for peace.
EU starts dialogue with Myanmar on human rights
Brussels: European Union foriegn ministers Monday approved the opening of a dialogue on human rights cooperation with Myanmar to help the country advance with...
Musharraf denies he misappropriated US anti-terror funds
By DPA,
Islamabad : A spokesman for President Pervez Musharraf has denied that the embattled leader had "misappropriated" millions of dollars of military aid provided to Pakistan by the United States since the September 11, 2001 al-Qaeda terrorist attacks.
"The allegations are absurd and baseless. Every penny that we got in aid since 2001 has been accounted for," presidential spokesman Rashid Qureshi Sunday told DPA.
Six major countries meet over Iran’s nuclear issue
By Xinhua,
Washington : Representatives from the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany discussed on Friday over possible new sanctions against Iran as Tehran refuses to comply with United Nations resolutions, the State Department said.
The United States and its European allies are trying to push the United Nations to impose the fourth sanctions against Iran in a bid to force Tehran to give up its nuclear program.
Major dispute over Libya strategy set to mar NATO talks in Berlin
By IRNA,
Berlin : Deep differences over the western Libya strategy is to overshadow a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin on Thursday and Friday.
Estonia rotates troops in Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti,
Tallinn : Estonia has sent fresh troops to Afghanistan as part of a regular rotation of its peacekeeping contingent in the south of the war-torn Central Asian country, the Estonian Defense Ministry has said.
Estonian soldiers have been in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since 2003. About 300 Estonian troops are currently providing support to units of the British 19th Infantry Brigade in the Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan.
14-year old Palestinian girl killed in Israeli air raid
By IRNA,
Gaza City : A fourteen-year old Palestinian girl was killed in Israel air raid on Gaza early Saturday.
Israeli aircraft hit the town of Beit Lahiya with missiles on Saturday, local officials said.
Medics at Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza said that 10 civilians were also wounded critically.
The apparent target of the Israeli raid in northern Gaza on Saturday was Talat Hassan Marouf, a local Hamas leader.
The aircraft targeted his house killing his 14-year old daughter, Mariam. Her mother was also wounded in the missile attack.
Dhaka to sensitise teachers against corporal punishment
By IANS,
Dhaka: Bangladesh will sensitise school teachers against corporal punishment to students, a media report said.
Differences in Pakistani government over clipping president’s powers?
By IANS,
Islamabad : Differences seem to have emerged in the Pakistani government over a constitutional amendment to drastically curtail the powers of the president, with a key minister staying away when the bill was tabled in parliament Friday.
Law Minister Babar Awan did not attend the National Assembly session apparently because he was indisposed. However, the appointment of Raza Rabbani as advisor to the prime minister is said to be the real reason behind the absence, Online news agency reported.
Sacked judges to be reinstated in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The Pakistan government will reinstate all the deposed judges including ex-chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on March 21, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Monday.
"I announce the restoration of all deposed judges including Iftikhar Chaudhry according to a promise made by the president of Pakistan and myself," Gilani said.
The government's decision came the same day when the "long march" led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif is due to arrive in Islamabad for a sit-in to urge the government to restore the judges sacked in 2007.
17 killed, 133 injured in Iraq bomb attacks
By IANS,
Baghdad : At least 17 people were killed and 133 wounded in two bomb attacks that targetted offices of Kurdish parties in Iraq Wednesday, the police said.
Powerful quake kills 21 in southwest Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : A powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale rattled Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province Wednesday morning, killing at least 21 people and injuring scores of others, media reports said.
The US Geological Survey on its website said the earthquake struck 60 km northeast of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan at 5.10 a.m.
At least 17 people died in Balochistan's Ziarat district and many were feared trapped under the rubble of several houses that collapsed during the strong shocks, DawnNews television channel reported quoting local authorities.
10 died of swine flu in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Ten people have died of swine flu in Pakistan but the health ministry has failed to devise any effective strategy to stop the spread of the viral disease, officials said.
Till date, 63 people have been affected by the disease. The National Programme for Influenza failed to create awareness about swine flu among people, the Online news agency said Sunday quoting unnamed sources in the ministry.
India congratulates Hasina on winning general election in B’desh
By IRNA,
New Delhi : India's Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Tuesday congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her landslide victory in general elections.
Dr. Singh called Mrs. Sheikh Hasina, president of the Awami League Party of Bangladesh this morning and warmly congratulated her on the landslide victory in the general elections.
The prime minister said that India looked forward to working with the government and people of Bangladesh in the years ahead for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.
Islamists reject offer to join new Jordan government
By DPA,
Amman: Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood movement and its political arm, the Islamic Action Front, have turned down an offer to join the new government, the IAF chief said Sunday.
Egypt’s military council appoints new PM
By IANS,
Cairo : Egypt's ruling military council has appointed Kamal Ganzouri as the new prime minister, a media report said.
Afghan president reshuffles five cabinet ministers
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced Saturday a reshuffle in five ministries including the interior portfolio, amid mounting concerns about insecurity and rule of law caused by Taliban-led insurgents and criminal gangs in the war-torn country.
Mohammad Hanif Atmar, former education minister, replaced Zarar Ahmad Muqbil as country's interior minister, Karzai's office said in a statement.
Muqbil, who had served as a interior minister since the formation of Karzai's elected government in late 2004, was appointed minister for refugees and repatriation.
Former Pakistan PM Gilani’s son booked for murder
Islamabad : Former Pakistan prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's son has been booked in a murder case in Lahore after his security guard allegedly...
Lebanese Army fires at Israeli jets flying over Lebanon
By DPA,
Beirut : The Lebanese army fired anti-aircraft salvoes at four Israeli jets that penetrated the country's airspace Tuesday, an army source said.
"The army fired at the jets over the region of Hasbaya" in the south of Lebanon, the source added.
Lebanon considers Israeli overflights a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which ended a 33-day war between Israel and Shia militant group Hezbollah in 2006.
Israel says such flights are necessary to monitor the movements of Hezbollah near the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister wishes success to GCC Summit
By SPA,
Muscat : “The GCC countries support the efforts that aimed at achieving peace and understanding between parties of any conflicts, due to their full conviction that constructive dialogue is the only way to get results that serve interest of all, " Sayyid Fahd said.
MQM leader says banned outfits targeting party workers
Islamabad : Pakistan's Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Haider Abbas Rizvi Friday claimed that proscribed religious outfits are involved in targeted killings of more...
Pakistan, US to hold business talks Tuesday
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan and United States will hold talks to promote business will be held in Washington Tuesday, US Embassy here said Monday.
US Ambassador in Islamabad Anne W. Patterson and Pakistan Minister of State for Investment Saleem H. Mandviwalla will lead the third delegation of Pakistani business leaders to the US as part of the Pakistan Business Ambassadors Program, the embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said.
Israeli defence minister, Mubarak meet in Egypt
By DPA,
Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt): Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak and Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak met in the Sinai resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh Wednesday.
Ahead of the talks, officials from Mubarak's office said the two were expected to discuss efforts to restart stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks following US Mideast envoy George Mitchell's trip to the region last week.
Islamabad banks on domestic borrowing for budget deficit
By IANS,
Islamabad : Islamabad is banking on domestic borrowing to finance an over Rs.1 trillion budget deficit, an official said.
Israeli rocket victims file lawsuit against North Korea
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Thirty residents of northern Israel that were wounded by rockets fired from south Lebanon by Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon war have filed a lawsuit at the Washington District Court against the North Korean government, the Jerusalem Post daily reported Friday.
The plaintiffs in the $100 million suit say North Korea provided military training to Hezbollah and also constructed a series of bunkers which allowed the Iranian-backed guerrilla group to fire thousands of missiles at Israel during the war from below the
Israeli blockade degrades Gaza’s living conditions: UN
By DPA,
New York : Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip has resulted in the devastation of livelihoods, a rise in food insecurity, and an energy, water and sanitation crisis for the territory's 1.5 million Palestinians, the United Nations said Monday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the blockade, which began in June 2007 after Hamas militants took over Gaza from the Palestinian Authority, has triggered a "protracted human dignity crisis".
Pakistan military kills 104 militants in two tribal agencies
By NNN-KUNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan military has reportedly killed 104 militants in the ongoing operations in two tribal agencies, close to Afghan border.
Citing military officials, local ARY news channel reported that troops have killed at least 104 militants in Khyber and Orakzai tribal agencies.
It said that the military jets bombed suspected militant hideouts in the two agencies.
In Khyber region, said the channel, about 45 militants were killed and over 70 others were wounded.
Gujarat riots: High Court upholds life imprisonment for 14
Ahmedabad (IANS): The Gujarat High Court on Friday upheld the life imprisonment awarded by a SIT court to 14 people for the massacre of...
Survey: Most Israelis think Israel headed in wrong direction
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : A majority of Israelis believe that their country is headed in a wrong direction, found a survey released Sunday.
Sixty percent of Israelis feel that "the situation in Israel is headed in the wrong direction," while only 24 percent think the country is moving in the right direction, according to the poll, carried out by KEEVOON Research, Strategy & Communications, a leading survey research firm in Israel.
Hamas plays down PNA’s consideration of banning its armed wing in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Hamas spokesman Monday played down reports that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) was considering to outlaw the movement's armed wing in the West Bank.
"This is a shame on those who study to ban the al-Qassam brigades and this decision will greatly fail," said Fawzi Barhoom,a spokesman for Hamas in Gaza.
"Those who want to ban al-Qassam have to face all the Palestinian people and this will be impossible," Barhoom added.
Yemen, Jordan discuss Religious guidance cooperation
By NNN-SABA
Sana'a : Minister of Religious Endowment and Islamic Affairs Hamud al-Hitar held talks on Saturday with his Jordanian counterpart Abdul-Fatah Salah over mutual cooperation between the two countries in field of guidance.
They discussed aspects of the cooperation in fields of technical and planning programs, documents and manuscripts restoration and training Imams of mosques and preachers in addition to availing from the Jordanian endowment legislations.
Means of activating mutual cooperation agreement signed between the two countries in this field were discussed as well.
Obama speech stirs controversy at home
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : President Barack Obama's Thursday speech to the Muslim world has stirred controversy at home with some calling it "a continuation of his detente" and others finding fault with his "studious avoidance" of the word "terrorism".
The New York Times said Obama "delivered a sweeping message that was forceful and, at times, scolding". And tweeting from Cairo, Washington Post's staff writer Howard Schneider wrote: "Halftime analysis from the crowd: let's see how he implements it."
Gunfire at Rafah kills one Palestinian
By Xinhua
Gaza : One Palestinian was killed and three others were wounded in a shooting incident at Rafah crossing at Egypt-Gaza border on Monday, a day after Egyptian border guards finally sealed off the breached border fences, witnesses and medics said.
Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of ambulance and emergency service in Gaza said that Hamed al-Qadi was killed and three others were wounded in the incidenet.
‘UAE respects security precautions of other nations’
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The security and stability that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) enjoys is the outcome of the country's keenness to provide everyone here with an opportunity to live and earn with honour and dignity, according to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Shiekh Khalifa's comments come in the wake of recent terror alerts issued by the British and US missions in this country.
In an interview with Lebanese daily Al-Nahar, the president said that alerts
Civilian deaths ‘serious setback’ to Afghan surge – UK military chief
By IRNA,
London : Britain’s Chief of the Defence Staff admitted Monday that the killing of 12 civilians in Helmand had damaged Operation Moshtarak's efforts to win support of local communities in Afghanistan.
"It is a very serious setback,” Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup said after a rocket missed its target and hit a house in Marjah at the start of the biggest military offensive in Afghanistan since the 2001 joint US-UK invasion.
Iran should not bow to pressure in n-talks: Khamenei
Tehran: Iran's nuclear negotiators should not yield to pressure by the world powers in the ongoing nuclear talks, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei...
US hopes Pakistan coalition holds together after Musharraf exit
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The US has offered support to Pakistan's ruling coalition to curb militancy and extremism threatening US, Afghanistan and Pakistan, while hoping it holds together even after the exit of former President Pervez Musharraf.
"Well, I hope they were united by the fact that the Pakistani people in their first free and fair election in quite a long time elected them all to help govern Pakistan," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told CNN in Warsaw, Poland.
Militants gun down Afghan district chief, 4 bodyguards
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Militants in Afghanistan's eastern Khost province gunned down a district chief along with his four bodyguards Sunday, provincial administration spokesman Khyber Pashtun said.
"Mirza Jan Nimgali, district chief of Qalandar district, was on the way to his office at 3:30 p.m. when Taliban insurgents ambushed his vehicle, killing him and his four bodyguards on the spot," Pashtun told Xinhua. He did not give more details.
Top IAEA investigator arrives in Tehran
By IRNA,
Tehran : The UN nuclear watchdog's top investigator, Olli Heinonen, has arrived here to hold talks with Iranian officials on the country's peaceful nuclear programme.
Upon arrival at the Imam Khomeini International Airport early Monday, he was welcomed by Iranian Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali-Asghar Soltanieh.
IAEA Director for Regional Safeguards Operations Herman Nackaerts is accompanying Heinonen on his two-day visit to the Islamic Republic.
US in firmer commitment to Iraq pullout date
By IRNA,
New York : A sweeping accord between Iraq and the United States would set the end of 2011 as a concrete date for American withdrawal from Iraq, based on the performance and increasing capacity of the Iraqi security forces, according to a draft of the agreement.
The accord, which the Bush administration has been detailing in a series of briefings for lawmakers and their staffs, reflects several concessions to the Iraqi government.
UN Security Council condemns terrorist attacks in Islamabad and Karachi
By NNN-APP,
United Nations : The UN Security Council has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistani cities of Islamabad and Karachi, and called for bringing to justice those behind these “reprehensible” incidents.
In a statement read out to reporters on Tuesday by Ambassador Le Luong Minh of Vietnam, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency for the month, the 15-member body reiterated “the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.”
Blast injures 11 people in western Turkey
By Xinhua,
Ankara : A blast in western Turkey's Izmir province injured 11 people on Thursday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
local NTV reported earlier that 13 people, including one military officer, three soldiers and eight policemen, were wounded in the explosion in Izmir.
A car parked in front of military and police shuttles in Konak town of Izmir exploded at around 7:45 a.m. local time (0445 GMT), according to Anatolia.
Izmir Governor Cahit Kirac was quoted as saying that three soldiers and eight police officers were wounded in the blast.
Radical cleric asks Iraq not to sign security deal with US
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraq's radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr Thursday urged the government not to sign security deal that set a framework for the US troops' presence in the country after 2008.
"I call on the Iraqi government not to sign the security agreement with the United States and I confirm that I am ready to support the government publicly and politically if it doesn't sign," Sadr said in a statement obtained by Xinhua.
Lakhvi leads luxurious life in Pakistani jail
Islamabad : Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi has been living a luxurious life in a jail in Pakistan's Rawalpindi city, with access...
Coalition soldier killed in central Afghanistan IED blast
By KUNA,
Kabul : A soldier of the US-led coalition troops was was killed in a blast caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) in central Afghanistan, said a statement.
"One coalition service-member was killed today when a vehicle struck an IED in Tagab Valley, Kapisa province," said the military statement released late on Friday.
The identity of the deceased is being withheld until next-of-kin notification.
Two Russian planes arrive in Moscow with Gaza evacuees
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Two planes carrying Russian and CIS nationals, evacuated from the Gaza Strip following Israeli airstrikes, have arrived in Moscow, the emergencies ministry said on Saturday.
The two flights carrying 102 Russians and 76 nationals from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Moldavia were evacuated from Gaza by bus on Friday and taken to Jordan for the onward flights to Moscow.
Some 250 Russians, mainly the wives and children of Palestinians who studied at Russian universities, live in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli DM threatens to escalate military operations in Gaza
By KUNA
Ramallah : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak threatened to escalate military operations in the Gaza Strip if missiles continued to be launched from there at southern Israel.
Barak, speaking while on tour of a military base in southern Israel, said the Jewish state would be taking measures for such an escalation, which would coincide with fortifying settlements in the West Bank to protect them from missiles.
For the past three days, Israel has been waging continuous air raids on Gaza Strip, killing dozens of Palestinians.
Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime talks snagged
By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh's talks with Myanmar on demarcation of their maritime boundary have hit a snag, compounding its economic woes in the Bay of Bengal, where it is unable to reach an accord with India.
The two-day technical meeting here of Bangladesh and Myanmar on the delimitation of maritime boundary ended inconclusively as the parties failed to narrow down their differences on a number of issue, including the process of demarcation in the Bay of Bengal and unimpeded passage for Myanmar in the Naf river.
Egypt Toughens Palestine Border
By Prensa Latina
Ramallah : Egypt deployed hundreds of members of its security forces along the Sinai border on Tuesday, to control entry of Palestinian emigrants from the Gaza Strip.
That flow increased a week ago when Gaza residents opened holes in the wall with Egypt, and entered into that territory to escape the serious situation caused by the Israeli blockade.
Ramallah : Egypt deployed hundreds of members of its security forces along the Sinai border on Tuesday, to control entry of Palestinian emigrants from the Gaza Strip.
That flow increased a week ago when Gaza residents opened holes in the wall with Egypt, and entered into that territory to escape the serious situation caused by the Israeli blockade.
NATO defense ministers yet to reach consensus on drug role in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Budapest : NATO defense ministers are yet to reach consensus on the alliance's role in the fight against narcotics in Afghanistan, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Thursday.
"It is a complex question. I can't say that all noses are pointing in the same direction," he told a press conference.
Discussions on this issue will continue on Friday, he said, hoping that the ministers could come to some form of conclusion by the end of the two-day meeting.
Egypt completes canal project to turn desert into farmland
By IANS/WAM,
Alexandria (Egypt) : An ambitious $100 million canal project to bring water from the Nile river to the Toshka desert in Egypt to convert arid regions into farmland and boost animal production has been completed.
The Sheikh Zayed Canal project, funded by the Abu Dhabi government, is part of a bigger human settlement plan that aims to construct all modern civic amenities in the desert.
The grant was mainly used in the construction of the canal, three irrigation stations and development of farmland.
Families dominate Gulf corporate boards: new research
By IANS,
Dubai : Powerful families dominate corporate boards in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with up to 100 percent board ownership in some of the region's public companies, says new research here.
The research, conducted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based merchant bank The National Investor (TNI) and Hawkamah, an institute of corporate governance, found that, on an average, 25-75 percent of companies researched have at least two board members from the same family, including 76 percent of Qatari companies and only 39 percent of Dubai-listed companies.
Iraq sets free Saddam Hussien’s loyalist
By IANS,
Baghdad: A former Saddam Hussien loyalist was set free after being cleared of draining the marshlands in the country's south, while other co-defendants were sentenced ranging from seven years in prison to death penalty, an official said Wednesday.
Khamis Sirhan al-Muhammad, the No. 54 of the 55 most wanted Saddam officials, was freed several days ago and has been living in Saqlawiyah town, some 50 km west of Baghdad, the official, also a relative of Muhammad, told Xinhua.
UAE, Australia discuss ties
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Officials of the UAE and Australia have held talks on boosting bilateral relations, especially in the nuclear energy sector.
Mild earthquakes jolt northern Israel, no casualties
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Two mild earthquakes shook northern Israel on Friday, causing no casualties or damage.
Israel's Geophysical Institute measured the tremors respectively at the magnitudes of 3.8 and 3.9 on the Richter scale, both of which were centered in southern Lebanon and felt by residents of northern Israel, with no injuries, deaths or damage reported.
The quakes came a day after five tremors struck Lebanon within three hours, two of which had a magnitude of over 4. Residents in northern Israel, which borders Lebanon, felt the harmless quakes.
Iraq bomb explosion kills six
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Six people were killed and eight others injured Sunday in a roadside bomb explosion in Iraq's southern city of Basra, a police source said.
Two policemen and four civilians were killed in the blast targeted at a police patrol in Basra's Hamdan neighbourhood, the source said.
The wounded were four policemen and four civilians.
The oil-rich Basra is the second largest city in Iraq.
Pakistan has moved fewer troops to Indian border: Holbrooke
By IANS,
Washington: Pakistan has moved more troops to its border with Afghanistan than it has to its border with India since the Nov 26 Mumbai terror attacks, according to a top US official.
But the US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, declined to say how many troops Pakistan has moved from the border with India even as he refuted a suggestion that Pakistani troops there are back to the pre-Mumbai attack levels.
No compromise on nukes: Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's nuclear weapons formed the cornerstone of its deterrence doctrine and would be retained at all costs, a top military commander said Thursday.
"No amount of coercion, direct or indirect, can force us to compromise on this core interest," Online news agency quoted General Tariq Majid, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, as saying while addressing the convocation of the National Defence Course, Armed Forces War Course and Allied Officers War Course at the National Defence University here.
Two soldiers killed in Afghanistan bomb attacks
Kabul : Two Afghan army soldiers were killed in roadside bombings, said the country's defence ministry Thursday.
"Two Afghan National Army personnel were martyred in...
Gulf-European Joint Meeting on Climate Change to hold tomorrow
By SPA
Riyadh : The Second Gulf-European Joint Meeting on Climate Change will be held tomorrow in the Belgian Capital, Brussels.
The participants of the meeting will discuss issues pertaining to climate change and other related topics.
“Istiska” prayers offered throughout Saudi Arabia
By SPA
Riyadh : In Makkah, "Istiska" prayers were led by Sheikh Salih bin Mohammed al-Talib, the Imam of the Haram.
He urged the worshippers to adhere to the teachings of Islam and to remain God-fearing people.
He pointed out to the phenomena of climate warming, floods , drought, diseases which inflict the human beings, animals and birds, desertification and environmental imbalance.
"These phenomena make us deeply believe in what we were told by the Prophet (Peace be upon him).
South american fm”s meeting concludes
By KUNA
Buenos Aires : The Arab Foreign Ministers and their South American counterparts concluded a two-day meeting on Thursday to prepare for the upcoming summit scheduled to be held in Qatar later this year.
The Foreign Ministers agreed that the next Arab-South American summit, the second of its kind since the 2005 Brazil summit, be held in Qatar in the fourth quarter of the year at a date to be proosed later.
UN vehicle hit by roadside bomb south of Beirut
By Xinhua
Beirut : A UN peacekeeping vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb south of Beirut on Tuesday, the Doha-based...
India should take Pakistan’s Mumbai probe queries seriously: Minister
By IANS,
Multan (Pakistan) : Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that India should take this country's questions seriously, otherwise it would be difficult to make further progress in investigations regarding the Mumbai terror attack, Online reported.
Talking to mediapersons at Multan airport Sunday, Qureshi said India was changing its statements from time to time which was creating hurdles in the investigations.
He also said that US drones did not use Pakistani airbases for attacks on tribal areas.
105 Muslim Brotherhood members referred to criminal court in Egypt
Cairo : The Egyptian prosecution Monday referred 105 Muslim Brotherhood members, including the group's top leader Mohamed Badie, to criminal court for inciting violence...
Syrian opposition meets in Kazakhstan for peace talks
Astana : A majority of Syrian opposition negotiators meeting this week behind closed doors in this Kazakhstan' capital have signed a joint document calling...
Islamabad court seeks official response in Lodhi sacking
By IANS,
Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court Wednesday asked the government to submit a reply regarding the sacking of then defence secretary Lt. Gen. (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi.
Arab League has to sholder responsibility towards Gaza strip siege – Assad
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : President Bashar al-Assad has held discussions with the Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on the latest regional and international developments, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories and Iraq.
Al-Assad and Moussa also discussed the next meeting of the Arab Ministerial Council on the level of foreign ministers scheduled for late November.
The president expressed Syria's deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli siege and practices.
Less duty hours for Abu Dhabi workers during Ramadan
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Abu Dhabi government Tuesday announced a regulation reducing the working hours for employees of private firms from eight hours to six hours a day during the holy month of Ramadan.
Labour Minister Saqr Ghobash has issued a circular under which the work hours of private sector firms will be reduced from eight hours to six hours, without affecting salaries of employees.
Afghanistan Food Shortage Alerts UN
By Prensa Latina
United Nations : The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned the Afghan livestock and agriculture sectors have been devastated by this year´s extreme cold.
According to FAO figures more than 300,000 cattle head have died from the cold wave since December.
FAO officials expressed concern extreme cold has affected the main sources of nutrition of the Afghan people, who are already suffering from food shortage in the NATO-occupied country.
Iran’s foreign minister studying Obama’s message
By DPA,
Tehran : In a first official reaction, Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki late Friday said he was studying an offer by US President Barack Obama to open a new era in relations and put old divisions aside.
In a video message to Iran on Nowruz, which is Iranian New Year, Obama early Friday offered a new beginning, saying the United States was committed to engagement, not threats, in its pursuit of diplomacy.
Iran to launch three new satellites
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran plans to launch three new domestically-manufactured satellites, Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi has said.
Saudi Arabia-backed summit to combat IS gets underway
Riyadh : A regional meeting at the foreign ministers' level to formulate a strategy to counter terrorism, particularly the threat from the Islamic State...
Ten killed in bomb attacks in Iraq
By DPA,
Baghdad : At least 10 people were killed Monday and 45 injured as four bombs rocked separate locations here, television reports said.
Iraq's al-Iraqia channel said four were killed and 15 were injured in a blast in the bustling al-Alawi commercial district in central Baghdad.
Two further bombings occurred in Shiite-dominated suburbs, while the fourth attack involved a car bomb in al-Naria district, in southeast Baghdad, targeting an official of the Interior Ministry.
Yemen brokers Fatah, Hamas reconciliation deal
By IINA
Sana'a : Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have signed a Yemeni-brokered reconciliation deal yesterday, promising to renew discussions after months of hostilities. The two factions reconvened in Sana'a earlier in the day in a last ditch effort to hammer out a compromise over the future of the Gaza Strip and West Bank. The Sana'a Declaration read: "We, the representatives of Fatah and Hamas, agree to the Yemeni initiative as a framework to resume dialogue between the two movements to return the Palestinian situation to what it was before the Gaza incidents".
775 illegal expatriates arrested in UAE
Dubai : As many as 775 illegal residents were arrested during November as part of a police campaign launched in the emirate of Sharjah...
Five militants killed Afghanistan operation
Kabul: At least five militants were killed while eight others were wounded in a military operation in Afghanistan's western province of Herat, a police...
Ethnic allegiance remains strong ahead of Afghanistan presidential elections
By Mohammad Reyaz,
“I have come here to visit the grave of our champion, the hero of Afghanistan,” says 25-year-old Haroon, at the half-built mausoleum of Ahmed Shah Masood in Panjsher. Haroon is a Tajik now settled in Kabul, who is unemployed and does not mince words in declaring that he will vote for Abdullah Abdullah, a close aide of Masood, in the April 5 presidential elections.
France urges Iran to scrap nuclear program to avoid new sanctions
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : France hopes that Iran will abandon its nuclear program and that further sanctions against it can be avoided, the French foreign minister said on Thursday.
In an interview with Ekho Moskvy radio, Bernard Kouchner said he had met with Iranian representatives last week and his impression was that "the Iranians are reluctant to discuss the nuclear issue" and that they could be pursuing a military program.
Nevertheless, he said "we hope to avoid sanctions against Iran."
Solidarity boats reach Gaza Strip
By IRNA,
Gaza City : Two boats carrying members of a US-based pro-Palestinian group have arrived in the Gaza Strip, despite an Israeli blockade of the territory.
The boats left the port of Larnaca in Cyprus on Friday morning.
The Free Gaza protest group said about 40 activists from 14 countries were on board the boats to highlight the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza in June 2007 when Hamas took control of the territory by force.
Since then, Israel has allowed in little more than basic humanitarian aid as a means of isolating Hamas.
Iraq seeks good neighborly relations with Kuwait – official
By IRNA
Kuwait City : The Iraqi government seeks to establish good neighborly relations with Kuwait based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and independence of the country, Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi said here on Tuesday after visiting the Big Mosque in the country's capital.
The Iraqi politician is in Kuwait on a visit.
"Our relations should be built on the basis of abandonment of the mistakes and absurdity committed by the overthrown regime of Saddam Hussein that brought trouble and suffering to both peoples," Hashemi said.
Afghanistan: UN urges NATO to adopt ‘historic approach’ to conflict
By NNN-IRIN
Kabul : As NATO sets about exploring ways to boost its military effort in Afghanistan at a summit in Bucharest on 3 April, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Kai Eide are urging a “holistic approach” and better coordination by all parties to defeat the Taliban and restore stability.
Ban and Eide are calling on NATO to increase non-military support to the Afghan government in order to tackle the insurgency more effectively and help rebuild and develop the country, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said.
Bangladesh ex-army chief arrested in graft case
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Former Bangladesh army chief of staff Gen (retd) Mustafizur Rahman was arrested here Sunday in a graft case charging him of purchasing Mig-29 warplanes causing loss to the country.
He was arrested and detained at Apollo Hospital in capital Dhaka where he was undergoing heart treatment.
Persian Gulf a historical name, say international archaeologists
By IRNA,
London : The Persian Gulf is a geographical name rooted from ancient history, according to leading archaeologists from around the world.
This issue was raised at a recent two-day international workshop on 'The Persian Gulf in Prehistory and History' held at Durham University, in northern England earlier this month.
"From my perspective, the geographical term for that body of water is the Persian Gulf," head of the Department of Archaeology at Durham University, Professor Robin Coningham, said.
Nine killed in southwest Pakistan riots
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least nine people, including a policeman, were killed Saturday as the riots over the assassination of three ethnic political leaders continued for a third day in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
A police official said the bodies of six coal miners were found in outskirts of provincial capital Quetta.
"The attackers first kidnapped the poor labourers, shot them dead and dumped their bodies in the mountains in Marwar area," police investigator Barkatullah Khan said.
Bangladesh to add 400,000 new Bangla words to Google
Dhaka : The Bangladesh government will add 400,000 new Bangla/Bengali words to Google Translate on its Independence Day on March 26 in a bid...
Mother, three kids burnt to death in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A woman and her three children died in a fire in a Pakistani village in Punjab province, Geo News reported Sunday.
138 bodies found after Turkey quake
By IANS,
Istanbul : At least 138 bodies have been found after a magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit Turkey's southeastern Van province Sunday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said early Monday.
Private chopper with 6 on board crashes in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A privately owned helicopter with six people on board crashed into the Indus river Wednesday in the southern Pakistani city of Sehwan.
US-Iran n-talks enter third day
Lausanne : The new round of talks over Iran's long-disputed nuclear programme between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad...
UAE to help house Palestinian refugees in Syria
By IANS
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates Red Crescent Authority (UAE -RCA) and United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) have signed an agreement to develop a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, WAM news agency reported Friday.
Under this agreement, the RCA would provide $5 million for financing the project while UNRWA would supervise the execution of the project, which includes construction of 140 residential units to house 670,000 refugees and a health centre.
Malaysia’s Punjabi party gets woman chief
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia’s Parti Punjabi Malaysia (PPM) has for the first time elected a woman president.
Susheel Kaur, 59, heads the party that her father Jeswant Singh founded 24 years ago.
Frustrated at the party being unable to gain entry into the Barisan Nasional (BN), the ruling coalition, she has hinted that it might move to the opposition alliance, Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
A senior consultant who majored in social impact studies, Susheel Kaur was elected unopposed by more than 50 delegates at the party's biennial general meeting in Ipoh.
Zardari assures Sri Lanka team attackers will be punished
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday assured Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama that the perpetrators of the assault on his country's cricket team would be punished for their crimes.
Bogollagama arrived in Islamabad to discuss Tuesday's brazen attack in the eastern city of Lahore where more than a dozen gunmen ambushed the Sri Lankan team's convoy, killing six Pakistani policemen and wounding seven visiting sportsmen and their coach.
Taliban, Islamist leader begin talks in Swat
By IANS,
Islamabad : The talks between an Islamist group and Taliban's Pakistan chief Maulana Fazlullah for the restoration of peace have begun in Swat, where Islamabad allowed the Taliban to impose Shariat (Islamic law).
Maulana Sufi Muhammad, chief of the Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM), and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader -- and also his son-in-law -- Fazlullah were meeting at an "undisclosed location" in Matta, Geo TV reported.
The first round of talks was held between a TNSM delegation and Fazlullah.
Pakistan needs to destroy terror safe havens: US
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The United States has said Pakistan as a "nuclear state" was well aware of its "enormous responsibilities" that included working in "close partnership" with Washington to dislodge, dismantle and destroy terrorist "safe havens" in the country.
"Obviously as a nuclear state Pakistan has enormous responsibilities within the community of nations that have nuclear weapons," President Barack Obama's National Security Adviser General James Jones told reporters Friday.
UAE Charitable Foundation pumps AED 3 mil into well-drilling project in Djibouti
By NNN-WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The Zayed Charitable Foundation has allocated AED 3 million into well-drilling projects in Djibouti, according to an agreement signed here by the Foundation's acting director-general Salim Obaid Al-Dhaheri and Djiboutian Ambassador to the UAE Idris Ahmed Sharo.
The project is part of a programme funded by the UAE's leading charity to drill wells in 10 African countries.
Engage India more for resolving Afghanistan crisis: Sen Kerry
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : An influential US senator has suggested that the Obama administration engage more with India and Pakistan for a political resolution in Afghanistan as US officials acknowledged New Delhi's stakes in the region.
"I personally would say no, I don't think troops are the answer," John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN Sunday when asked if the new US commander in Afghanistan, Gen David Petraeus, asked for more troops.
Coalition soldier killed, Taliban blamed for violating “Peace Day” pledge
By KUNA,
Kabul : A soldier of the US-led coalition and two local civilians were killed in a roadside bomb blast in southern Afghanistan, the military said on Monday.
A brief statement from the coalition forces' Bagram base said the incident was being investigated.
Name and nationality of the soldier was not released. Also the exact location of the blast was not made public.
In a separate statement, the international forces in Afghanistan accused the Taliban of not respecting their pledge of truce on the International Peace Day on Sunday.
UAE holds talks with Romania and Turkey
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in all sectors with Romania and Turkey.
Iran to decide downed US drone’s fate
By IANS,
Tehran: Iran's foreign minister Ali-Akbar Salehi has said that the fate of the downed US spy drone would be decided by the country and rejected the US request of returning the drone.
Canada likely to keep troops in Afghanistan until 2011
By DPA
Montreal : Canadian troops would remain in Afghanistan until 2011 under a proposal made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority conservative government.
But the proposal, which has bipartisan support, would call for Canadian troops to refocus their role from combat to training the fledging Afghan security forces and reconstruction. Harper made the proposal Thursday night at a public defence-related event.
The proposal and its likelihood of success diminishes the possibility that Harper's government might fall over the Afghanistan troop issue.
Turkey plans to set up strategic dialogue mechanism with Iraq
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Turkish Foreign Minister AliBabacan said here on Wednesday that Turkey and Iraq wanted to setup a strategic dialogue mechanism, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Babacan made the remarks during a joint press conference with his visiting Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store. "Such mechanism would be led by prime ministers of the two countries," said Babacan, adding that "the mechanism will be comprised of several ministers (besides the prime ministers) from the two countries."
U.S. troops kill 10 militiamen in Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : U.S. troops killed ten suspected Shiite militiamen backed by Iran in eastern part of the Iraqi capital, the U.S. military said on Thursday.
A military statement said that the incident occurred on Wednesday when U.S. troops observed and engaged suspected Shiite militia group, code-named "Special Groups", planting roadside bombs in the Fedhieliyah neighborhood in Baghdad al-Jadida or New Baghdad district.
Pakistan shoots down NATO airstrike probe report
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has rejected the report of an investigation into last month's NATO airstrike that left two dozen Pakistani soldiers dead, saying it is "short on facts".
PCB requests ICC to replace Razzaq for injured Arafat
By Omar Khalid,IANS,
Karachi: Pakistan have made a special request for including seasoned all-rounder Abdul Razzaq in their 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 as a replacement for Yasir Arafat, who is down with a hamstring injury.
Sources in the Pakistan camp told IANS Wednesday that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a bid to get Razzaq included in its touring party for England ahead of the team's Super Eight game against Sri Lanka June 12.
Will visit my ‘sasur bari’ for the first time, says Pranab
By Ranjana Narayan, IANS,
Rice: Mideast peace talks move in right direction
By Xinhua
Amman : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Amman on Monday that Mideast peace talks are "moving in the right direction."
Meanwhile, she criticized Israel for continuing building new settlements, saying it does not conform to the roadmap peace plan which was revived at the U.S.-sponsored Annapolis conference last November.
"Settlement activity should stop; Expansion should stop," Rice said.
Over 100 schools constructed by UNICEF in Pakistan after 2005 quake
By NNN-UNICEF,
Islamabad : More than 100 new schools have now been constructed and handed over to the government in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), in an initiative by UNICEF and Pakistan’s Earthquake Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (ERRA) to “build back better” in areas where schools were destroyed in the 2005 earthquake.
An additional 186 schools are expected to be completed by the end of 2010.
10 killed in clash between Taliban groups
Islamabad : At least 10 militants were killed and three others injured in a clash Tuesday between two groups of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)...
Hamas armed wing: Lull with Israel is over
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement armed wing al-Qassam Brigades announced on Friday morning that the lull with Israel is over, saying Israel is responsible for the end.
The group said in a leaflet sent to reporters that at 6:00 a.m.(4:00 GMT) "The Tahde'aa with Israel is official over and Israel is held fully responsible for ending it," adding "if Israel escalates, we are ready to defend our people."
Jordanian King stresses need for stronger Arab solidarity
By NNN-Petra,
Amman : Jordan's King Abdullah II has underlined the need to achieve the highest degree of Arab solidarity.
During a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa Sunday, King Abdullah also called for an end to inter-Arab differences that constitute an obstacle to reaching an effective Arab stand in the face of political, security, and economic challenges.
Pranab, Modi congratulate Egypt’s president-elect
Cairo : Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are among world leaders who have congratulated new President-elect Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for...
Firing leaves 4 dead, 3 injured in SW Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Unidentified gunmen shot dead four cricket players in southwestern Pakistan's Balochistan province on Friday, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported.
Some cricket players were on their way back after playing a match when they were fired on in Quetta, capital of Balochistan province, said the report.
Four players were gunned down while three others sustained injuries in the firing. The injured have been rushed to a local hospital.
The gunmen fled the scene after the attack. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
India-Pakistan flag meeting ahead of Sufi festival
Jammu: A commander-level flag meeting was held on Sunday between India's BSF and Pakistan Rangers to discuss arrangements for the forthcoming festival at the...
Mumbai attacks: Saudi intelligence chief in Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz arrived here Tuesday for talks on the situation in the region in the wake of the Mumbai terror carnage and on Pakistan' political situation, a senior official said.
The official said that Muqrin, who is considered to be a powerful man in the Saudi kingdom and is a close confidant of King Abdullah, will be meeting President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the situation after the Mumbai attacks.
Islamic Revolution flourishing despite conspiracies: Pakistan leader
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani religious leader said on Thursday that Islamic Revolution in Iran has been flourishing gloriously for past 32 years thwarting a variety of conspiracies.
Biden played key role in forcing Musharraf shed uniform: Gilani
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : US Vice President-elect Joseph Biden played a key role in forcing former military dictator Gen. Pervez Musharraf to quit as army chief and in restoring democracy in Pakistan, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said Monday.
The prime minister was replying to a question on why Biden had been given the highest Pakistan civilian award Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam. He said that Biden played a very effective role as chairman of the US foreign relations committee in restoring democracy in Pakistan.
Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable ballistic missile
Islamabad: Pakistan Thursday conducted successful training launch of a short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, capable of delivering nuclear and conventional warheads, the military said.
The...
Bombings at Islamabad university, 1 dead
By IANS,
Islamabad : Synchronised blasts, including a suicide bombing, rocked the Islamic University campus in this Pakistan capital, killing at least one person and injuring 13.
According to reports, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the girls' cafeteria inside the campus.
Ahmed Hassan, an eyewitness, told Express TV that a man entered the university saying he had to deliver something. He then detonated himself.
The blasts took place in the boys hostel and the cafeteria.
Hamas Warning: We will Resist
By Prensa Latina,
Gaza : Explosions, smoke and incredible figures of victims were a common scene in Gaza on Saturday because of Israeli bombings, as Hamas predicted fuerce resistance and Muslim nations are trying to check the carnage.
Entering its second week, the Israeli aggression has included so far about 700 air and sea attacks against the small, densely populated Gaza Strip, resulting in 437 people killed and another 2,250 wounded, mostly civilians, according to medical and UN sources.
US military hands over former headquarters to Iraq
By IANS,
Washington : Camp Victory, the US military headquarters in Iraq, has been handed over to Iraqi authorities, BBC reported 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.
Gaza militants fire rockets into S Israel
By Xinhua
Gaza : Palestinian armed groups claimed responsibility on Thursday for firing rockets into Western Negev territories in Israel in response to Israeli military escalation in Gaza Strip.
Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam, the military wing of Islamic Hamas movement, said its fighters shelled Sderot city, a city 1 km away from northeast Gaza Strip, with seven home-made rockets in two rounds of barrage at around 8:00 a.m. (0600 GMT).
Blast kills two in Syria
By IANS,
Damascus : A booby-trapped car went off Tuesday in front of a church in northern Syria killing two people, Xinhua reported.
Rice angry over Beirut bombing attack on U.S. embassy vehicle
By Xinhua
Riyadh : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice here Tuesday was angry over a bombing attack on a U.S. embassy vehicle in Beirut earlier in the day, expressing her "outrage" at the incident.
Rice, who accompanied U.S. President George W. Bush in Riyadh on an eight-day Mideast tour, voiced her "outrage" at a joint press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal.
"I want to state the outrage of the United States against the terrorist attack that took place in Lebanon today," Rice told the reporters.
Maliki reveals impasse over US forces long stay in Iraq
By IRNA,
Amman : Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki has said that talks with the US on a long-term agreement allowing US forces to remain in Iraq have "reached an impasse".
Speaking in the Jordanian capital, Amman, Maliki said the American demands infringed Iraqi sovereignty.
With the UN mandate for US forces to be in Iraq expiring at the end of 2008, the White House wants a deal by July.
The deadlock came as Mehdi Army leader Moqtada Sadr said only a select group of the militia should fight US forces.
Iran warns of reaction to tough oil sanctions
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran has warned of reaction to the West's possible tougher sanctions on the country's oil industry, Xinhua reported.
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."