Iran surveys offer for proposal of Afghan woman as UN Human Rights Commissioner
By IRNA
Kabul : Iran's Embassy in Kabul issued a communique here Friday announcing Iran is surveying Afghan Government's proposal for nomination of Sima Samar a candidate for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
According to IRNA office in Kabul, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan invited the foreign countries' ambassadors and charge d'affaires in Kabul to introduce Sima Samar, the US Special Reporter on Human Rights in Darfur, Sudan, and the Head of Afghanistan's Human Rights Commission, as nominee for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
US considering recall of more troops from Iraq
By IANS
New York, July 13 (IANS) The US is considering the withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq beginning September, following pressing need for more troops in Afghanistan in the face of intensified insurgency by Taliban, the New York Times reported Sunday.
By the time President George W. Bush leaves office Jan 20, at least one and as many as three of the 15 combat brigades stationed in Iraq could be recalled or scheduled for recall, the daily said Sunday, citing US administration and military officials.
20 civilians killed, houses levelled into rubble in Sadr City
By IRNA
Baghdad : At least 20 Iraqi civilians were killed and 31 others wounded in indiscriminate bombardment of Sadr City by the US helicopters and tanks on Sunday.
The US troops invaded Sadr City district of Baghdad in an operation they said to control neighborhoods used by militias to fire rockets and mortars into the nearby Green Zone.
Inhabitants of the city have taken refuge in mosques and their houses have levelled into rubble.
An American Stryker squadron involved through southern section of Sadr City.
US ground assaults in Pakistan a double-edged sword
By Mayank Chhaya, IANS,
Chicago : The timing of the leak that the Bush administration authorized its Special Forces to carry out ground assaults inside Pakistan without Islamabad's prior approval could not have been more unsettling for new President Asif Ali Zardari, who will find it practically impossible to balance between Washington and his country's lawless tribal areas in the northwest.
Pakistan needs to act “transparently” in fight against terror — Rice
By KUNA,
New Delhi : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday called for international cooperation in the fighting against terrorism.
Rice, who arrived here on Wednesday on a day's visit, told journalists at the US embassy that time was ripe for the whole world to cooperate in fight terrorism, adding that Pakistan should work "transparently" for this purpose.
No free lunch: Pakistani daily on $5.5 bn aid
By IANS,
Islamabad : There is no such thing as a free lunch, a leading Pakistani daily said Monday on the $5.5 billion development aid granted by the World Bank.
Rockets pound Israel two days after truce ends
By DPA,
Tel Aviv/Gaza City : Palestinian militants pounded Israel with rockets Sunday, and Israel launched an air strike against a rocket-launching squad, as violence returned to southern Israel and the Gaza Strip after the end of a six-month truce.
The radical Islamic Jihad group took credit Sunday for firing at least 10 of the 15 rockets that hit southern Israel by late Sunday afternoon, bringing to around 60 the number of missiles and mortars fired into Israeli areas around the Gaza Strip since the truce ended Friday morning.
Musharraf renews support to new Prime Minister
By IRNA
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf Tuesday renewed his support to the new government shortly after he administered oath to the new Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani.
"I will extend my full support to him, always," President Pervez Musharraf told reporters when asked about his role in the new government.
"All the political forces in the country needed to work together to confront the threats of extremism and terrorism looming ahead".
UAE,Canada discuss relations
By IANS,
By WAM,
Ottawa: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Canada have held talks here to discuss their relations and ways to strengthen them in different areas.
Iran president calls for regional cooperation to tackle market crisis
By IANS,
Doha : Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called upon the Persian Gulf states to reconcile their differences and collecitvely tackle the impact of the global fianancial crisis on the region's economy.
"We must be careful that big powers do not pass on their economic problems to this region," official IRNA news agency Sunday quoted him as telling the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani on the sidelines of an international conference on development here.
Ex-Bangladesh PM Khaleda charged with ‘instigating arson’
Dhaka: Bangladesh Police have registered a criminal case against former prime minister Khaleda Zia for "instigating arson" here that left 27 people seriously injured,...
Valentine’s Day: Indo-Pak Peace Calendar released
By TCN News,
Chandigarh: On Valentine day, February 14, the 3rd Indo-Pak Peace Calendar was released here.
A discussion on ‘Sharing of hopes for mutual coexistence’ was also organised by Yuvsatta, Peace Club of Dev Samaj College of Education and Aaghaz-e-Dosti, a joint Indo-Pak initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst – TC.
UK lecturers call for moral review of Israeli college links
By IRNA,
London : British lecturers and academics have overwhelmingly supported a call for a review of links with Israeli colleges and universities.
A motion was backed at the University and College Union (UCU) annual conference in Manchester, northern England on Wednesday, urging its 120,000 members to "consider the moral and political implications of educational links with Israeli institutions."
It called for discussions about the occupation of Palestine "with individuals and institutions concerned, including Israeli colleagues with whom they are collaborating."
Iraq’s neighbours have vital role in helping Baghdad overcome problems – UN
By NNN-KUNA,
Kuwait : Iraq is no doubt facing grave problems, and creating an understanding between the country and its neighbours is vital in assisting in overcoming them, said UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe.
He was addressing the opening session of the Third Expanded Ministerial Conference of the Neighbouring Countries of Iraq here Tuesday.
India hands over houses built for Rohingya refugees in Myanmar
Nay Pyi Taw, Dec 11 (IANS) India on Tuesday handed over to Myanmar the first 50 housing units built for the displaced Rohingya Muslim...
Iran’s special envoy meets caretaker premier
By SPA
Islamabad : Iran's special envoy Kazem Jalali has met Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro and discussed bilateral relations, said an official statement.
Pakistan and Iran enjoy close neighborly relations and have been playing a significant role in the region for peace and stability, Soomro said.
Both countries, he added, desire to expand trade and economic links in order to ensure prosperity for their people.
Sunanda murder: Pakistani journalist may be quizzed
New Delhi : Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar is likely to be questioned over the murder of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's wife Sunanda Pushkar, police...
PPP readies to clip Musharraf’s powers
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistan president's powers to dismiss parliament and to appoint Supreme Court judges, governors and the chief election commissioner will be taken away under proposed constitutional amendments, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said Saturday.
After the party's central executive committee meeting, PPP co-chair Asif Ali Zardari told a press conference here that a 62-point package for the constitutional amendments is ready and will be discussed with the coalition partners and all other stake-holders.
Egypt court upholds death sentences for 183 Morsi supporters
Cairo: An Egyptian court Saturday upheld the death sentences for 183 Muslim Brotherhood members, including leader Mohamed Badie, media reported.
Of the 683 defendants in...
Four injured as Israeli jet fighters strike Gaza
Gaza : Four Palestinians were injured early Friday in a series of Israeli airstrikes in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, sources said.
The airstrikes came a...
Closure of Gaza crossings violates ceasefire deal: Hamas
Gaza: The Islamic Hamas movement Sunday accused Israel of violating the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement by closing the crossings of the Gaza Strip until a...
Days of shaky ceasefire translate little change for Gazans
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Gazans' dreams of better life start to fade 12 days after an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas took hold in Gaza Strip.
"Nothing has changed, we did not see cement and construction materials entering Gaza... we don't only want the Israeli fruits to come in," said Rami Ghaben, 42, who is jobless.
UK-based analyst urges Iran-West agreement on nuclear issue
By IRNA,
London : Iran's nuclear issue could be solved only through diplomatic negotiations to reach an all-out agreement with the West, a university professor suggested on Saturday.
"I believe that Iran's nuclear issue will be solved if Iran and the West establish more stable and normalized ties. A comprehensive political agreement should be concluded between Iran and the West so that problems between two sides could be resolved," Ali Ansari told IRNA from Scotland.
Swine flu threat: Saudi Arabia may bar young and old from Haj
By IANS,
Dhaka : Saudi Arabia may bar Haj pilgrims below six years and above 65 years due to swine flu fears, a media report said Wednesday.
Jeddah was yet to convey its decision to the governments across the globe that coordinate the Haj by their Muslim citizens every year, New Age newspaper said.
In Bangladesh's case, the number of pilgrims this year may be slashed by half.
PML-N ministers may quit as deadlock persists
By Muhammad Najeeb and Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
Islamabad/London : Pakistan's fragile ruling coalition was facing collapse after a US official's last-ditch mediation Sunday failed to help break the deadlock on reinstating judges and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was set to withdraw its ministers from the cabinet.
US military strikes Islamic State targets in Iraq
Washington: The US military Friday conducted two additional air strikes against the Islamic State (IS) targets in Iraq.
The new round of attacks followed the...
No incentive can replace Iran’s N-rights: Envoy
By IRNA,
Moscow : Iran's Ambassador to Russia Gholam-Reza Ansari said here Wednesday that no incentive can replace and be equal to Iran's nuclear rights.
Ansari told Radio Echo Moscow, "We just want our rights in the field and principally we are not seeking any concessions in that connection."
Asked about the G5+1 package of incentives proposed to Iran, Ansari said, "Though having no information about content of the Group's package, we hope that the incentives will in spirit be different from what has been offered to Iran over the past few years."
Saudi king names new minister, provincial governor
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's King Salman Bin Abdulaziz on Monday named a new housing minister and governor of the Northern Borders province, media reported.
In a...
Insurgents destroy another mobile tower in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : Taliban militants destroyed another tower of a telecommunication company in their former stronghold of Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan, an official said Wednesday.
"The enemies in their subversive activities attacked an antenna of a mobile company in Loya Wala area, five km north of Kandahar city Tuesday night and destroyed it completely," city official Mohammad Ahsan said.
However, he said, none of the guards at the tower were injured.
Pakistan urged to probe Lahore shooting
New York : Pakistani authorities should ensure that a judicial inquiry ordered into police shooting of rock-throwing protesters in Lahore impartially investigates possible unnecessary...
Israeli FM warns Israel against non-compliance with Annapolis principles
By KUNA
Vienna : Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority Riyad al-Maliki that there was an international consensus represented in the Annapolis and Paris Donors conferences that underlines the need to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Five Odisha workers stranded in Iraq
Bhubaneswar: At least five workers from Odisha have been stranded in strife-torn Iraq, an official said Saturday.
All the labourers, mostly plumbers, are from Kendrapada...
UAE committed to relationship with Britain, says Abdullah
By WAM
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates is committed to its long-term friendship with Britain, but expects British companies to make more effort to develop their relationship with the country, according to Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Zardari optimistic about China-Pakistan road link
By IANS,
Beijing : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Friday expressed optimism over a possible road link with China, saying its construction would boost bilateral trade.
Zardari is on a five-day visit to China, the fifth tour to the country since he took over as the president in 2008.
The president said he had his own "concept" for improving Pakistan-China trade relations. A road connection with China was one of his ideas to make this happen.
India will send more 26/11 evidence to Pakistan: Krishna
By IANS,
New Delhi : More evidence on 26/11 will be provided to Pakistan as investigations continue, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said Saturday, a day after India presented yet another dossier on the Mumbai terror attacks.
"We are in continuous touch with the government of Pakistan. It is an ongoing exercise between Pakistan and India," Krishna told reporters here.
"So as and when we collect more evidence, we will keep sending it across to Pakistan and that's what the foreign secretary did yesterday."
Death toll rises to 39 in Tunisia attack
Tunis: The death toll has risen to 39 in the deadly attack on a tourist resort in Tunisia's Sousse district, the health ministry said.
The...
Pakistan, India need to prune ‘sensitive’ list in trading: Envoy
Kolkata : India and Pakistan need to narrow down the list of their sensitive tradable items and work towards improving non-trade barriers to boost...
Netanyahu discusses peace moves with Jordan king
By DPA,
Amman: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a surprise brief visit to Amman Tuesday, where he discussed the prospects for starting "serious and effective" direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians with King Abdullah II, according to a royal court statement.
Netanyahu's visit to Jordan coincided with hectic behind-the-scenes efforts aimed at convincing the Palestinians to shift to direct negotiations from the ongoing US-brokered proximity talks.
Palestine may declare statehood if talks fail
By Xinhua
Ramallah : The Palestinians can declare their statehood unilaterally if talks with Israel fail, a senior aide to President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday.
"We can declare the independence unilaterally if the current negotiations fail to achieve results," Yasser Abed Rabbo, a member of the Palestinian negotiating team, told Voice of Palestine radio.
"This is a message to Israel and the international community that we have more than one option and choice," said Rabbo, who is also a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s executive committee.
India allows Jaswant Singh to visit Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Indian government has allowed expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh to visit Pakistan Sep 26 to promote his book "Jinnah: India, Partition and Independence", a media report said.
He will arrive in Karachi Sep 26, before heading to the Pakistani capital Sep 27 to attend a launching ceremony of the book at the Islamabad Press Club.
The former Indian external affairs minister was expelled from the BJP for praising Pakistan founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah in his book "Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence".
Yunus can’t be Grameen managing director: Dhaka
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh government has told a top US official that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus can return to the Grameen Bank but as its honorary chief, not as the managing director.
EU, Arab Ministers Look at Relations
By Prensa Latina
Rome : The European Union and Arab League began a conference in Malta Monday to discuss economic relations, cooperation and other issues.
The ministers' will also discuss Israel-Palestinian relations, the situation in Lebanon and the US occupation of Iraq.
The government of Malta convened the meeting which also involves the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Spain, Italy and Morocco.
एक रिफ्यूजी बच्चे की फ़रयाद
डॉक्टर नदीम ज़फर जिलानी, मेनचेस्टर, इंग्लैंड
तंग-दिल लोग हैं ज़मीं पे बहुत
चल सु-ए-आसमाँ करें हिजरत!
कब समुन्दर उबूर कर पाती
नाऊ काग़ज़ की हो गई...
Confrontation over names brewing in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh is to witness a confrontation between its two most important politicians, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia, after the government decided to stamp out the name of Zia's late husband and former president Ziaur Rahman from all establishments.
Provoked by the government's decision to rename all institutions and places named after Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia announced her move Wednesday to hold mass movements "in national interest" and "for the sake of the people".
Dhaka daily resumes publication after court order
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bengali newspaper Amar Desh came out with a four-page edition Friday, a day after a high court bench stayed its closure by the government and warned the authorities against harassing the daily's acting editor.
The printer's line continued to mention publisher Hashmat Ali and acting editor Mahmudur Rahman, both of whom were prosecuted by the government on criminal charges, including sedition.
Rahman was a minister in the Khaleda Zia government and the newspaper favours the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), bdnew2s24.com said.
UAE, Tunisia discuss bilateral relations
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabhi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Tunisia Wednesday discussed their bilateral relations.
Israeli army advanced 6 km in south Lebanon
By Xinhua
Beijing : Israeli forces Thursday penetrated the border line in South Lebanon towards the Wazani region in southern Lebanon, but did not cross the blue line, Future TV reported.
The report said the Israeli forces penetrated six km in the Mountazahat area in Wazani.
President launches spring tree planting, urges nation make Pakistan green
By NNN-APP
Rawalpindi : President Pervez Musharraf Friday launched the spring tree planting campaign and urged the nation to make Pakistan green by enthusiastically participating in the national cause.
The President kicked off the campaign to plant 86.5 million saplings, across the country, by planting a sapling of Pine [chir] here at his Camp Office.
The President said under the Medium Term Development Framework 2005-10 and the Millennium Development Goals ample financial resources have been allocated to increase forest cover from 5.01 to 6.0 percent by 2015.
Merkel visits Afghanistan to meet German troops
By KUNA,
BERLIN : Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel made a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Monday to meet German troops stationed in Kunduz to the north of the country.
A spokesman for the government's media department said that this visit was not announced earlier "for security reasons".
Pakistan: Zardari best choice for presidentship, says PPP Nowshera
By NNN-APP,
Peshawar, Pakistan : NWFP Minister for Excise and Taxation Liaqat Shabab said that Pakistan Peoples Party had always played a pivotal role against dictatorship.
Addressing party workers on Friday at District Secretariat of Nowshera, the Minister said that peaceful exit of Pervez Musharraf was the result of political vision and farsightedness of Asif Ali Zardari, adding that removal of Musharraf was the completion of Benazir Bhutto’s pledge she had made to the nation.
Bahraini women demand abducted Nigerian girls’ release
Manama: Bahrain's women union Wednesday condemned the abduction of 300 Nigerian school girls by a terrorist group and called for an immediate release of...
Striking Chinese workers resume work after intervention of Abu Dhabi Labour officials
By NNN-WAM
Abu Dhabi : Workers of a Chinese Company, operating in construction and contracting sector in the Abu Dhabi capital, refrained from work Thursday, demanding pay hike.
Humaid Rashid bin Dimas, assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour, said the labour inspectors headed to the worksite, where they found the "cause of strike was the pay increment" and not any other reason.
He added that the workers draw a monthly salary that is higher than the agreed pay in the construction and contracting sector in the country.
‘Chinese, Tamil schools not neglected in Malaysia’
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Chinese and Tamil language schools are not being treated as step-children, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has said after minority ethnic groups claimed such institutions were being neglected in the country.
Describing as "wild" the allegations from some members in Dewan Rakyat (parliament), Yassin Tuesday said Chinese and Tamil schools were part of the national education system.
4 U.S aid workers killed in Pakistan’s bomb attack: report
By IRNA,
Islamabad : At least four American aid workers were killed in a roadside bomb attack in Pakistan’s northwest on Wednesday, sources said.
The U.S embassy said it is investigating reports of death of the USAID workers.
The bomb exploded as a convoy of security forces, foreign aid workers and local journalists were on their way to attend a school opening ceremony in Lower Dir district in North West Frontier Province, District Police Officer, Mumtaz Zarin said.
Mumbai attacks: Rice expects ‘robust’ Pakistan response
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday she expected a "robust" response from Islamabad to the Mumbai terror attacks, while Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari promised to assist in the investigation into the strikes.
"The global threat of extremism and terrorism has to be met by all states, taking a very tough and hard line, and so that is what I am going to discuss," Rice told reporters on the flight to Islamabad from Delhi.
She repeated the message in Islamabad, prompting Zardari to promise "strong action".
Israeli citizen held in Egypt
By IANS,
Cairo: The Egyptian authorities Sunday arrested an Israeli national for sneaking into South Sinai governorate, security sources said.
Fox admits mistakes made in Afghanistan
By IRNA,
London : British Defence Secretary Liam Fox admitted Wednesday that mistakes have been made in the nine-year war in Afghanistan but insisted that the right strategy is now in place.
Danish cartoonist escapes attack by Somali
By IANS,
London : Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, whose caricature of Prophet Muhammad sparked fury in the Muslim world, escaped a murder bid when a knife-wielding Somali man broke into his house in Denmark.
The 28-year-old intruder barged into Westergaard's house in the western city of Aarhus Friday night and tried to kill the 74-year-old cartoonist in front of his five-year-old granddaughter, BBC reported.
The startled cartoonist ran into a room with his granddaughter and raised an alarm. Police, who rushed to his house, shot the man in his leg.
Myanmar to repatriate 200 Bangladeshi boat migrants
Yangon: Myanmar authorities will repatriate 200 Bangladeshi boat people rescued by Myanmar navy under an agreement between the two countries, a media report said...
No humanitarian crisis in Gaza: Israeli foreign minister
By DPA,
Valletta (Malta) : There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Friday, following a meeting with his Maltese counterpart Tonio Borg.
Israel's blockade only served to halt arms entering the Palestinian territory, the minister said, adding that the real problem in Gaza was that it was controlled by the militant Islamist group Hamas.
"There are expensive restaurants in Gaza which are always full. You can also see people with iPhones," Lieberman said.
Seven die in Pakistan boat mishap
By IANS,
Islamabad : Seven people were killed when a Pakistani cargo boat was destroyed after catching fire, Daily Times reported Sunday.
US army admits failures in Iraq: CNN
By IRNA,
New York : Failures to recognize the chaos engulfing the country and to send in enough troops to restore order after the 2003 invasion have long been highlighted by critics, but a new report shows the Army assessing itself.
Frank opinions from officers serving in the 18 months from the start of war to Iraqi elections in January 2005 reveal there were concerns at the time, not just about assumptions made by planners but at decisions taken once US-led coalition forces had control of Iraq.
Palestinian militants fire rockets into Israel for 2nd time since truce
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The armed wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement on Thursday committed a second serious Palestinian violations of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah, in a statement sent to the reporters, claimed responsibility for firing two home-made rockets into Sderot city in southern Israel.
The brigades said the attack was to stress its stance that the Gaza ceasefire between Palestinian militants group led by Hamas and Israel must include the West Bank.
Kuwaiti PM arrives in Cambodia for official visit
By Xinhua,
Phnom Penh : Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived here Sunday for a three-day official visit at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.
Hun Sen hosted a red-carpet ceremony at the Phnom Penh International Airport to welcome the Kuwaiti premier.
During his visit, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is scheduled to hold talks with Hun Sen and Chea Sim, President of the Cambodian Senate, said a press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
British defense delegation in Pakistan to help expand cooperation
By KUNA
Islamabad : A British defense delegation Monday arrived here on a four-day visit to help expand and boost bilateral defence cooperation.
A 14-member British defense delegation, led by UK Permanent Under Secretary Bill Jeffery, will attend plenary session of the Pakistan-Britain Defense Cooperation Forum (DCF) from Jan. 29 to 30, said a defense ministry statement.
Lebanese rockets hit Israel for fourth time
Jerusalem: Rockets fired from Lebanon Monday hit northern Israel for the fourth time since July 11, the Israeli army said.
"Several rockets were fired from...
Talks useless if Indian conditions accepted: Pakistan
Islamabad: Pakistan on Saturday said it has come to the conclusion that the proposed National Security Advisor (NSA) level talks between Islamabad and New...
Hundreds of Iraqis protest corruption, poor services
By DPA,
Baghdad: Hundreds of Iraqis protested Tuesday against corruption, poor services and arbitrary arrests.
Iran conservatives support ex-nuclear chief for post of speaker
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran's majority conservatives on Sunday elected Ali Larijani, former top nuclear negotiator, as the candidate for speaker in the new parliament.
The conservatives chose Larijani by 161 votes against 50 for the outgoing speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Larijani quit as top nuclear negotiator last year and was elected to parliament in March.
Conservatives secured a majority in the new parliament, winning69 percent of the 290 seats in elections in March.
22 IS militants killed in US bombing
Baghdad : At least 22 members of the Islamic State (IS) Sunni militant group were killed in US air strikes in a town bordering...
US aerial attack kills 16 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 16 people, including two women and a child, have been killed and around a dozen injured as a US drone attacked a house in Pakistan's tribal area along the Afghan border.
A security official said a pilotless US drone Friday fired two missiles at a house in Mohmmad Khel village in North Waziristan.
The compound that was demolished in the strike, belonged to an Afghan refugee, who is believed to regularly host insurgents launching cross-border attacks on US-led international forces in Afghanistan.
Beauty contest for goats begins in Saudi Arabia
By DPA,
Riyadh: A beauty competition for goats began Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, as part of an auction bringing together traders and herders in the holy Muslim city of Mecca.
Pakistan to advance clock by an hour for ‘daylight saving’
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : It's like moving from "Musharraf time" to "Zardari time", says a retired government official as Pakistan adopts Daylight Saving Time (DST) on June 1 and advances the clock by an hour.
According to a government notification, the country will advance its time on the first day of the next month and will be six hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) instead of the present five hours.
Brown seeks Iraq troop cuts but no pullout timetable
By DPA,
Baghdad : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who arrived in Iraq Saturday on a surprise visit, said he intended to reduce British troops in Iraq but refused to set an "artificial timetable" for their withdrawal.
After talks with Iraqi leaders, Brown told reporters that enormous progress on the security front has been made since his last visit to Iraq in December.
"It is important to recognize that security, prosperity, local democracy - these are the things that we are trying to move forward and trying to achieve," Brown said.
90 dead in Afghan explosion as Taliban distributes fuel
By DPA,
Kunduz (Afghanistan) : Ninety people were killed Friday when two hijacked oil tankers exploded in the northern Afghan province of Kunduz as Taliban militants were distributing fuel to civilians, said provincial governor Mohammad Omar.
The militants stopped the two oil trucks Thursday night on the highway connecting Kunduz with the neighbouring province of Baghlan, Omar said.
They took the trucks to Kunduz's Chardarah district, where the explosion occurred early Friday as civilians gathered to pick up the fuel, he said.
Suspected militant attacks in West Bank occur amid tension
Jerusalem: Tension continued to escalate between Jews and Palestinians following several violent incidents in the West Bank Friday, injuring several Israelis.
Friday afternoon, a suspected...
Dhaka may build barrage on Ganga
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh may build a barrage on the Ganga to augment water supply for agriculture and fisheries, nearly three decades after the foundation stone was laid for the project.
"We are seriously thinking of constructing the barrage as it is becoming increasingly vital for the region's irrigation, fisheries and the environment," Water Resources Minister Romesh Chandra Sen told The Daily Star newspaper Tuesday.
US expert urges Washington to stand with democracy, solve Pakistan’s border disputes
By NNN-APP,
Washington : The United States should fully stand with the democratic Pakistani leadership and make resolute efforts to settle disputes on its borders with India and Afghanistan as part of a regional approach to ensuring peace and security, top American experts has said.
“The U.S. needs to stand clearly with this newly elected democratic leadership. We should avoid shortcuts - we need to build confidence in Pakistan’s democratically elected leadership,” Bruce Riedel told conference at Brookings Institution.
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.
Iranian Media Delegation to visit Pakistan
By APP,
Tehran : A 6-member Iranian media delegation will be visiting Pakistan from April 24 to May 1 at the invitation of Islamabad Policy Research Institute. Headed by Dr. Mohammad Javad Haqshanas, Managing Director, leading Persian daily Etemad-e-Melli, the delegation comprises senior journalists from leading English and Persian dailies Kayhan International, Iran News and Jamhoori Islami as well as Mehr and Fars News Agencies.
Israel warns of threat of Hezbollah attack
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israel's counter-terrorism bureau warned Sunday of a "concrete, high-level threat" that the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrilla group planned an attack against Israelis to avenge the February 2008 assassination of Imad Mughniyah, its deputy leader.
"The Hezbollah organization is apparently prepared to carry out a serious attack (assassination, kidnapping) against an Israeli target, including abroad. This attack threatens every Israeli, especially those holding senior position," a statement from the counter-terrorism bureau said.
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.
Bhutto killed by bomb blast not bullets — Scotland Yard
By KUNA
London : British detectives called in to investigate the death of Benazir Bhutto have found she died from the impact of a bomb blast and not from gunshot wounds, it was revealed here Friday.
Bhutto, the former Pakistani Prime Minister, was killed as she left a political rally in Rawalpindi on December 27 last year.
Her killer fired three shots before detonating an explosive belt.
Pakistan govt committed to resolving judges issue: minister
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Farooq H Naek said that government is committed to restoring the deposed judges along with seniority and back benefits, but in case of re-appointment, judges would have to take a fresh oath.
There is no word of restoration and reinstatement in the Constitution; there is only one word ‘appointment’ of judges, he told media persons outside Zardari House.
Islamic conference in Makkah due to address campaigns
By KUNA,
Riyadh : The International Islamic Dialogue Conference due to be held in Holy Makkah on June 4 would set objectives of the dialogue of the Islamic nations with peoples of the world, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League said on Tuesday.
Abdullah Bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki said in a press release that the conference would also address various other issues namely the smearing campaigns against Islam and Muslim communities, scattered all over the world.
Pakistani Taliban step up activities, occupy booster of state TV, kidnap policemen
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Taliban have stepped their activities in parts of the country and have taken over the control of the booster of the state-run television and kidnapped police men from a police station, witnesses and police said Tuesday.
Armed Taliban occupied booster of PTV in the restive Bajaur tribal region and spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban Maulvi Umar said the booster is still in their control.
The authorities had formed a jirga or council of tribal elders to negotiate with the Taliban to end occupation of the booster but failed to convince Taliban.
Pakistan probing Indian hand in Balochistan: Spokesman
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistan said Thursday it was probing reports of an Indian hand in the troubles in Balochistan, even as it hoped the sub-continental dialogue process would resume with the conclusion of the Indian general elections.
"Pakistan is in the process of looking into the sources of supply of arms to militants," Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at his weekly briefing here when asked about reports of an Indian hand in the unrest in Balochistan.
ANSF, Coalition forces eliminate 43 militants in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)and the U.S. -led Coalition forces have eliminated 43 militants in Qalat district of southern Afghanistan's Zabul province, said a Coalition statement released here on Tuesday.
ANSF and Coalition forces on a patrol received fire from militants in multiple locations on Oct. 5 when they responded with small arms and called in close air support, killing the militants, the statement said.
Yemen, Algeria to sign executive programme in endowment
By NNN-SABA,
Sana'a : Yemen and Algeria will sign an executive program for cooperation in the field of religious endowment and Islamic guidance during talks to be held in the Algerian capital, Algiers, with the aim of developing cooperation relations between the two countries and means of reinforcing them.
Israeli prosecution upholds Talansky’s deposition in Olmert’s case
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli State Prosecutor's Office on Sunday voiced its support for a court decision to hear preliminary testimony from New York financier Morris Talansky in the ongoing criminal investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Olmert has no right to challenge the Jerusalem District Court's decision on Talansky's deposition scheduled on May 25, the prosecution told the Supreme Court in response to a petition from Olmert, who allegedly received illegal funds from Talansky before becoming the prime minister in 2006.
Snow falls in Baghdad, first time in 100 years
By RIA Novasti
Abu Dhabi : Iraq and other Gulf states have seen rare weather conditions, with snow falling in Baghdad for the first time in around 100 years, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Heavy rains hit the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, where authorities even had to evacuate over 1,000 inmates from flooded prison cells.
Abu Dhabi : Iraq and other Gulf states have seen rare weather conditions, with snow falling in Baghdad for the first time in around 100 years, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Heavy rains hit the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, where authorities even had to evacuate over 1,000 inmates from flooded prison cells.
US polls: Gulf media veers towards change
By IANS,
Dubai : As the US goes to vote its 44th president, speculation among the Gulf media on the outcome of the US elections clearly veered to the ‘Change we need’ bandwagon.
In an editorial headlined ‘So which way America?’ in its Tuesday edition, The Khaleej Times of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) wrote: "The choice this time around is not merely between white and black or between a white, Anglo-Saxon and Protestant candidate and a young, biracial Harvard lawyer whose father was a Kenyan Muslim."
Pakistani terrorist retracts confession, alleges police pressure
By IANS,
Mumbai : In a sudden turn of events, arrested Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir alias Kasab Friday retracted his confessional statement on his involvement in the Nov 26 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
The court-appointed government lawyer representing Kasab S.G. Abbas Kazmi told reporters after the first day's hearing that this morning after the sealed envelope containing the 40-page confession was opened, he showed it to his client.
"I asked him whether this is your statement and it is your signature," Kazmi said.
Pakistani Taliban extend deadline for Canadian Muslim journalist
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Taliban have extended deadline till April 5 for killing a Canadian Muslim woman journalist to agree to their demands for the release of prisoners.
Khadija Abdul Qahaar, 55, previously known as Beverly Giesbrecht, was kidnapped near the city of Bannu on November 11 when she was visiting the region for a documentary.
Taliban had set March end for her release but a Taliban statement distributed in Miranshah, the center of North Waziristan tribal region last night said that the Canadian Pakistani authorities did not contact them.
Israel says Arabs won’t withdraw peace plan
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli officials have dismissed as "a storm in a teacup" reports from Arab League officials that the organization may withdraw its 2002 peace plan unless Israel explicitly accepts the initiative, local daily Jerusalem Post reported Sunday on its website.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev was quoted as saying that Israel has welcomed the initiative and spoken of positive elements in the Arab League plan.
Saudi official stresses importance of rapprochment between Asian-Mideast states
By NNN-KUNA
Sharm El-Sheikh : Saudi Prince Dr Turki bin Mohammed bin Saud al-Kabeer, the Under Secretary of the Foreign Ministry for multi-party relations, reiterated here on Saturday the importance of rapprochement between the Asian and Middle eastern countries in order to contribute in deepening cooperation ties at all levels.
His remarks came during activities of the Second Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED II) ministerial meeting, themed "Partnership in Action towards a Better Future," which kicked off here with the participation of 48 states.
Israel pledges to help Kenya fight terrorism
Nairobi : The Israeli government Thursday vowed to collaborate with Kenya to tackle terrorism threats in the country.
Israeli Ambassador to Kenya Shallom Charles Cohen...
Bangladesh mulls urbanisation policy
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Bangladeshi government will formulate a National Urbanisation Policy to tackle the influx of rural people into cities for work, a minister has said.
PFI, SDPI condemn Gaza attack
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Popular Front chairman K M Shareef in a statement issued here today has said that the government refusal to a debate in the parliament about Gaza situation amounts to justifying the cruelties of Israel upon the people of Palestine. He further stated that by this act of suppressing even the right of parliamentarians to express their views on any aspect of Israel-Palestine issue, the NDA government has betrayed the traditional Indian policy of supporting the democratic and civil rights of Palestine people.
Arab-Jew clashes erupt in N Israeli city
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Clashes between Arabs and Jews erupted in the northern city of Acre on Thursday evening, after an Arab motorist entered a predominantly Jewish area during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement.
Police were trying to disperse rioters with water hoses and the chief of police was on his way to the Acre station, according to Israeli Channel 2.
Police source said that six Arab rioters were arrested and dozens of cars and shops were damaged.
Hamas slams Abbas for not meeting its chief in Syria
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Hamas movement on Monday lashed out at Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for refusing to meet with its politburo chief Khaled Meshaal based in the Syrian capital of Damascus.
After Abbas, now in Syria on a two-day visit, held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, he met on Monday with leaders of several Palestinian left-wing and opposition groups, including Islamic Jihad (Holy War) leaders in Damascus except Hamas.
Warmer India-Pakistan ties to help US war on terror: Obama
By IANS,
New York : More convivial relations between India and Pakistan would help the war against militants in Afghanistan and the US should work to improve trust between the two countries, democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said.
"A lot of what drives, it appears, motivations on the Pakistan side of the border still has to do with their concerns and suspicions about India," Obama said at a news conference in the Jordanian capital Amman Tuesday, as reported by the US print and electronic media.
Afghanistan Election Commission refuses to bring presidential election forward
By NNN-Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) Wednesday refused to support President Hamid Karzai's decree to move presidential election forward to April or May.
"We fully respect President Karzai's order of moving the election forward," Azizullah Ludin, Director of the commission said. "However, we need more time for voters' registration in some areas."
"The election will still be conducted on August 20," he added. "We need 223 million dollars more to run the election, and we need time to transport ballots to many rural areas."
Afghans are top asylum seekers in the West: UN
By DPA,
Geneva: The number of Afghans seeking asylum in industrialised countries nearly doubled last year and the group became the largest seeking protection, the United Nations said Tuesday.
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), 26,800 Afghans applied last year for asylum in industrialised countries, a 45 percent increase over 2008, pushing them to the top of the list. They were followed by Iraqis and Somalis.
All three countries are experiencing ongoing conflicts with heavy civilian tolls.
Other main countries of origin were Russia, China, Nigeria and Serbia.
US commanders want to take anti-terror war to Pakistan
By IANS,
New York : US commanders in Afghanistan have urged a widening of the war to include attacks on indigenous Pakistani militants in the bordering tribal areas, but their requests have been rebuffed for now, according to US officials.
Bush administration officials fear that attacking Pakistani radicals may annoy Pakistan's new government, which is negotiating with the militants, and destabilize an already fragile security situation, the New York Times reported Sunday.
Pakistani military schools to be shut for security reasons
By IANS,
Islamabad: Sources in Pakistan's security establishment have confirmed that educational institutions governed by armed forces will be shut for at least one week owing to security reasons, a report said Sunday.
The sources added that the administration of army public schools, Fazaia schools and colleges and navy schools and colleges have unanimously decided this on the basis of an intercepted telephonic conversation between two terrorists planning to hijack the students' bus of a renowned educational institution.
Revisiting South Asia under PM Modi
By Syed Ali Mujtaba,
South Asia, the countries surrounding India, forming a regional grouping called SAARC has come to acquire top priority status in the policy framework of the new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Clinton, Annan discuss situation in Syria
By IANS,
Washington: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday discussed situation in Syria with UN-Arab League joint special envoy Kofi Annan during a meet held in Washington.
One has to understand Jinnah to know Pakistan: Jaswant
By IANS,
New Delhi : One has to understand Mohammed Ali Jinnah - both as a man and as a statesman - to understand India's relationship with Pakistan and Bangladesh, veteran politician and author Jaswant Singh said here Saturday.
10 Syrian soldiers killed in car bomb blast
Damascus : At least 10 Syrian soldiers were killed and many others wounded when a car bomb ripped through a military checkpoint overnight in...
Two Saudi border guards killed
By IANS,
Riyadh: Two Saudi Arabian border guards were killed Monday after they were ambushed by 10 people involved in terror crimes, reported Saudi News Agency.
Iran says trying to help Lebanese reach consensus
By Xinhua
Damascus : A visiting Iranian senior official said here on Sunday that his country makes all efforts to help the Lebanese groups reach a consensus.
Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani made the remarks at a press conference while responding to a question on Iran's stance on an Arab League (AL) plan to elect Lebanese Army Chief Michel Suleiman as president, form a national unity government and approve a new election law in Lebanon.
Pakistani actress found guilty in kidnapping case
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistani TV actress Sophia Mirza has been found guilty of kidnapping a student, a media report said.
Governor’s rule lifted from Pakistan’s Punjab
By IANS,
Lahore : In a fence-mending exercise, governor's rule has been lifted from Pakistan's Punjab, paving the way for reinstalling an elected government in the country's most politically significant province.
While Governor Salman Taseer has summoned the provincial assembly to meet April 1 to elect a new chief minister, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is likely to pick an interim incumbent till the poll bar against Shahbaz Sharif, who previously held the job, is revoked.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim to be Pakistan’s next premier
By DPA
Islamabad : The incoming ruling party of slain Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has chosen the country's next prime minister, who is to be announced when the new parliament convenes early next month, party officials said Saturday.
However, a senior party official said Makhdoom Amin Fahim, vice chairman and a founding member of Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), was selected to be premier by the party's top leadership during a closed-door meeting in Islamabad Friday.
Ahmadinejad: Inventors should suffer no obstacles in their projects
By IRNA,
Tehran : Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the organization in charge of affairs relating to the Iranian scientific elite should be active in removing any obstacles Iranian innovators may encounter.
He made the remarks after inspecting an exhibition featuring innovation and prosperity in the country Sunday morning.
He said establishing of a fund to support the innovative projects by the Iranian scientific elite was a must to lower the financial risks they might face in implementing their numerous innovative plans.
Iran urges UN to close its ‘nuclear file’
By RIA Novosti
UN : Tehran has asked the UN Security Council to close its 'nuclear dossier' and send it to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran's permanent envoy to the UN said on Saturday.
"The time has come to end the illegal consideration of Iran's nuclear issue at the Security Council, and send the case back to a relevant technical forum, specifically the International Atomic Energy Agency," Mohammad Khazaei said.
Israel Urged to Stop Actions for Peace
By Prensa Latina,
Amman : Russia and Jordan called Israel on Monday to stop all actions that may disturb the peace process with the Palestinians, including settlement expansion.
The parties agreed to make their call at a meeting between Jordan Foreign Minister Salah Bashir and Russian representative for the Middle East Alexander Saltanov on Monday.
In a joint statement released to journalists, they urge Israeli authorities to take steps to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people, mainly in the economic field, in the wake of the blockade against Gaza.
Israeli warplanes strike on Gaza, one killed
By Xinhua
Gaza : Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes on different targets in the Gaza Strip shortly after midnight, killing one Hamas militant and wounding about 10 people, witnesses and medics said.
The Israeli airstrikes came after militant groups continued launching homemade rockets from Gaza Strip at Israeli towns and communities in southern Israel.
Israeli Radio reported that a Palestinian homemade rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a house in southern Israeli town of Sderot, and wounded two Israelis, including one child.
Fourty missiles launched injure 20 Israelis – spokesperson
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli Army on Sunday announced that more than 40 missiles were launched from northern Gaza, targeting the Israeli cities of Sderot and Ashkelon.
Despite the wide-scale military operation, Palestinian resistance factions managed to launch the missiles, which injured 20 Israelis, an Army spokesperson said.
He added that three (Jarad) missiles had hit houses that were damaged by the home-made rockets.
Hamas: Israeli-Palestinian talks are doomed to fail
By Xinhua
Gaza : Israeli and Palestinian chief negotiators are scheduled to meet on Monday to start talks on permanent status issues, where Hamas movement in Gaza said these talks are "doomed to fail."
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced earlier Sunday night that Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Quriea and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Levni would meet in Jerusalem to start talks on permanent status issues.
British minister for dialogue with pro-Taliban groups
LONDON, Jan 14 (APP): British Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown has called for political accommodation with pro-Taliban groups fighting the NATO and the British forces on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. In an interview on the BBC’s AM Show that covered the various international hotspots, the British Minister made it clear that the British forces have certainly no intentions or plans to chase and track down Talibans into Pakistan.
25 militants killed in Pakistan air strikes
Islamabad : At least 25 foreign and local militants were killed Tuesday as military jets bombed suspected terrorist hideouts in North Waziristan, the army...
Nawaz Sharif to address UN assembly Sep 26
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Sep 26, the day his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi is...
Paper: Egypt to present final version of Palestinian reconciliation
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Egypt has finished preparing its written final version of the Palestinian reconciliation and will present it to the Palestinians factions, a Palestinian daily quoted a well-informed Egyptian source as saying on Monday.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told al-Quds newspaper published in east Jerusalem that Egypt intends to present its version to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other factions, including rival Fatah and Hamas.
2,800 killed in Pakistan’s northwest in nine years
By IANS,
Islamabad: At least 2,890 people were killed in the past nine years in 2,028 terror attacks in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said a government report Tuesday.
Tunisia pardons 1,900 prisoners
By IANS,
Tunis: Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki has granted pardon to 1,900 prisoners including 29 foreigners, the official TAP news agency reported.
Pirates kill 16 Bangladeshi fishermen
By IANS,
Dhaka : Pirates have killed 16 Bangladeshi fishermen in the Bay of Bengal, police said Monday.
Pakistan: death toll in Friday’s explosion rises to 93
By NNN-KUNA,
Islamabad : The death toll in Friday's suicide explosion in northern Pakistani district has increased to 93 while several of the 70 people who were wounded were said to still be in critical condition, said officials on Saturday.
A suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden vehicle into the outer wall of a field, where volley-ball match was being played, in Lakki Marwat district of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).
District Coordinating Officer (DCO), Ayub Khan, told reporters that the bomber had used an explosive of 300 kilograms.
Iran making slow progress in uranium enrichment: IAEA
By DPA,
Berlin : Iran is making only slow progress in enriching uranium for use in nuclear applications, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said here Thursday.
IAEA General Secretary Mohammed ElBaradei said the UN nuclear watchdog is well informed on the current situation in Iran.
Tehran's enrichment programme was based on the first-generation centrifuges of the P1 type, ElBaradei said after meeting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, although research was under way into developing more sophisticated centrifuges.
Egypt court lists Hamas’ armed wing as terrorist group
Cairo: An Egyptian court Saturday banned Palestinian group Hamas' armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades, and listed it as a terrorist organisation.
"The court decided to ban...
Abbas calls for Palestinian state during Bush term
By DPA
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday called for the creation of a Palestinian state by the end of US President George W. Bush's term in office.
"We would like to end these peace negotiations during your term in office," he told a joint news conference in Ramallah with Bush, the first US president to officially visit the central West Bank city.
"We are starting with you a new year, hoping that this will be the year of the creation of peace," Abbas said.
US denies role in Iranian scientist’s death
By IANS,
Washington : The US State Department has denied the allegation that Washington was involved in the recent assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist, Xinhua reported.
Lebanese Druze leader calls for measures to limit impact of presidential crisis
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has called for "necessary steps" to be taken to limit the"negative repercussions" of the four-month-old presidential vacuum,The Daily Star reported on Tuesday.
"There are some necessary measures to be taken in order to avoid Lebanon's destruction and transformation into a country alien to us," Jumblatt, leader of Democratic Gathering which belongs to pro-government majority, was quoted as saying on Monday.
EU extends mandate of its Rafah mission
By NNN-KUNA,
Brussels : The European Union has decided to extend the mandate of its Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing for a further six months until Nov 24, 2008.
A statement by EU foreign ministers meeting here Monday reiterated the EU commitment and readiness to redeploy to the Rafah crossing point as "soon as conditions allow it." The EU mission in Rafah took effect in November 2005 and expired on Saturday.
1,232 killed in Iraq violence in November: UN
Baghdad : A total of 1,232 Iraqis were killed and 2,434 injured in terrorist attacks and violence across Iraq in November, according to a...