First International Conference on Muslim tourism
By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents (MATTA) will hold a one-day conference to create a better understanding and promote the benefits of Muslim tourism.
The International Conference On Muslim Tourism, Hajj and Umrah Packages 2008 (InComTHU '08), to be held on May 22 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here, is the first of its kind in Malaysia and second in the world.
It aims to present the latest updates and challenges in managing Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage.
Egypt expected to broker national Palestinian dialogue
By Xinhua
Gaza : Egypt intends to invite various Palestinian factions for talks in Cairo and bridge the gap between rival groups of Hamas and Fatah, an Islamic Jihad leader said on Sunday.
"Egypt keeps on its efforts to reunite the Palestinians and seeks to host a comprehensive Palestinian dialogue about different internal issues," said Khaled al-Batsh in Gaza. However, he ruled out that the dialogue may start in the comingdays. "The efforts may take several weeks until the atmosphere and the preparations are ready."
South Korean business delegation visits Abu Dhabi
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Representatives of over 60 top South Korean companies have arrived here in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to explore business opportunities, WAM news agency reported.
The Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp), a government department, has received the delegation Monday. The visit is aimed at learning from the experiences of ZonesCorp in developing and managing special economic zones in Abu Dhabi, the report said Tuesday.
UN agency launches ‘operation lifeline Gaza’ to feed thousands of hungry
By NNN-APP,
United Nations : The U.N. food agency has announced an initiative to help ramp up food distribution to the growing number of hungry people in the Gaza Strip, where Israel’s military offensive entered its 16th day on Sunday.
Operation Lifeline Gaza is a World Food Programme (WFP) scheme aiming to provide ready-to-eat, culturally acceptable food to hundreds of thousands of people caught in the conflict.
Iraqi premier gives militants a week to surrender
By DPA,
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has given Shia militants in the southern Maysan province a week to surrender, an Iraqi defence official said Wednesday.
The deadline for armed groups to surrender starts from Wednesday, Iraq's defence ministry spokesman Mohamed al-Askari told the Voices of Iraq news agency.
Iraqi troops launched a crackdown nearly a week ago in Amarah, the capital of Maysan, targeting Shia militants loyal to radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.
Ahmadinejad: Islamic Revolution needs big, revolutionary decisions
By IRNA,
Tehran : Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the scale of the Islamic Revolution was such that it demanded big and revolutionary decisions.
The president made the remarks during a ceremony attended by the heads of three branches of power, his cabinet ministers, parliament members and other ranking officials in the venue of Iranian Parliament. The event marked the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and highlighted the unity among different ranks of Iranian officials.
US military’s eyes in the sky – unmanned aerial vehicles
By Richard Tomkins, DPA
Baquba (Iraq) : They sound like a loud mosquito buzzing above your head or a lawnmower rumbling in the distance. And you'll only see them by chance day or night - no matter how hard you look. But the machines producing those sounds play a key role in the war in Iraq and will do so in future conflicts around the world.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), as they are called, are the remotely piloted drones that prowl the skies above Iraq and Afghanistan, and if terrorists and insurgents haven't yet learned to fear them they should.
Musharraf cancels China visit amid impeachment rumours
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday called off his visit to China, hours before his departure, as the possibility of his impeachment brewed amid crucial meetings of the country's ruling coalition.
Musharraf was scheduled to leave for China in the afternoon to attend Friday's opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and meet Chinese leaders, including Prime Minister Hu Jintao.
"President Musharraf's visit now stands cancelled and the organisers have been informed about the development," foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said.
Majority of UAE residents eco-friendly
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: A majority of people in the UAE - 82 percent - make the same "eco-friendly decision" to turn off their air conditioning when leaving home, a poll has found.
Iran agrees to send experts, workers to Qatar – Minister
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Iran and Qatar has inked a letter of understanding on dispatch of Iranian labour to Qatar.
The accord was signed Monday by Iranian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Mohammad Jahromi and his Qatari counterpart, Sultan Hassan al-Dosary.
According to the letter of understanding, the Islamic Republic is to dispatch to Qatar workforce in the areas of agriculture, processing, oil and gas, petrochemicals, health, information technology, and tourism, as well as steel, aluminum and copper industries.
Indian expats mourn 11 deaths in Qatar blast
Dubai: The expatriate Indian community has mourned the deaths of 11 expatriates in a gas tanker explosion Thursday in Qatar's capital Doha.
Of the 11...
Lebanon in turmoil as Hezbollah takes west Beirut
By AFP,
Beirut : Hezbollah fighters, their guns blazing, seized control of west Beirut on Friday after three days of deadly street battles with pro-government foes pushed Lebanon dangerously close to all-out civil war.
The United States warned that the Shiite movement must be held accountable for the violence and said it was working with Lebanon's neighbours and the UN Security Council on steps to do so.
Extremists in Pakistan pose direct threat to US, others: Hillary Clinton
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Extremists in Pakistan pose a "direct threat" to Pakistan, the US and other nations in and outside the region, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, even as Islamabad struck a new peace deal with the Taliban by agreeing to enforce Islamic law in its Swat valley.
The US is studying the agreement and trying to understand the Pakistani government's "intention and the actual agreed-upon language", Clinton told reporters Tuesday in Tokyo, her first stop in a weeklong visit to East Asia.
UN appoints panel to probe facts of Bhutto’s murder
By DPA,
New York : A three-member United Nations panel was set up to investigate the facts and circumstances of the murder of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, but not the crime itself, the UN said Friday.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he had informed by letter Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari that the Commission of Inquiry will begin work July 1 for a period of six months.
But the UN said it will not be a criminal investigation, which is the responsibility of the Pakistani government.
Tehran to host 21st International Islamic Unity Conference
By IRNA,
Tehran : The 21st International Islamic Unity Conference will be held here from May 4-6.
Intellectuals, scientists and distinguished scholars and cultural figures from 45 countries, including Germany, Italy, the UK, Indonesia, Algeria, South Africa, Afghanistan, Thailand, Tatarstan, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, will attend the meeting which is to focus on Islamic unity and solidarity.
The articles to be read out at the meeting are about proximity of Islamic schools of thought and convergence of morals and cultures.
Ramadan around the world: Lebanon, Indonesia and Guinea
By Juliette Schmidt
Last week I began a virtual tour of Ramadan around the world, inspired by the stories of my Moroccan, Pakistani and US-based colleagues at Search for Common Ground, a non-profit conflict transformation organisation. This week, as even Toronto buzzes with invitations to fast-breaking iftar dinners, I look to Lebanon, Indonesia and Guinea.
Bangladesh Islamist leaders sued for hurting Muslim sentiments
By IANS,
Dhaka : Top leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), Bangladesh's largest Islamist party, have been sued for "hurting Muslim sentiments" by a comparison with the prophet at a public function, a media report said.
A criminal case was filed at a Dhaka court Sunday against five JeI leaders, including its Ameer (chief) Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami and Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed.
Top Pentagon officer rules out military operation in Pakistan
By NNN-PTI
Islamabad : Stating that the United States had no concerns about Islamabad's nuclear arsenal falling into the hands of terrorists, America's top military officer today ruled out operations by his troops in Pakistani territory.
Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he was "very comfortable that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are secure" and the US was "not concerned that they are going to fall into the hands of t errorists".
Kouchner vague on French troops numbers to Afghanistan
By KUNA
Paris : While acknowledging that France will increase its contingent deployed with International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Tuesday that he could not as yet say what number of troops would be sent as reinforcements to that country.
The United States, the main source of troops in Afghanistan, has called on its NATO allies to bolster their commitment by several thousand troops to help defeat ever-bold Taliban forces.
Arab League condemns Israeli verdict to imprison Palestinian lawmaker
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : The Arab League has condemned here the Israeli military court's three-year prison sentence against Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Dr Abdelaziz Duwaik and several of his colleagues.
The League stated that the court's verdict last Tuesday was not based on any legal documents or evidence that convicted the Speaker of any acts of terrorism against Israel.
Bangladesh Islamists to counter 1971 `war crimes’ charge
By IANS,
Dhaka : Top leaders of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), who have been detained, have said they will counter the charge of being engaged in targeting unarmed civilians during the 1971 freedom movement.
They have reportedly confessed to allocating Taka 6.6 million ($94,754) for a three-month campaign to counter the charge as government prepares to hold what it calls "war crimes" trial.
Floods kill 48 as Haj pilgrimage begins in Saudi Arabia
By DPA,
Jeddah: Forty-eight people were killed in flash floods as the annual Haj pilgrimage began in the desert kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi government reported Thursday.
The civil defence authority for the holy Muslim city of Mecca said that Wednesday's "torrential rains and thunderstorms" had turned streets into rivers of mud, destroyed homes and swept away cars.
The 90 millimetres of rain killed 44 in Jeddah and another four in Mecca. Saudi emergency workers rescued more than 900 people, the civil defence authority said in a statement Thursday morning.
Musharraf to attend Beijing Olympics opening ceremony: spokesman
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will be visiting China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on August 8, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.
Briefing newsmen in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said the President will visit China at the invitation from the Chinese Government.
The President will also hold meetings with the Chinese leadership including President Hu Jintao, the spokesman said.
Heavy casualties in blasts targeting Nowruz celebrations in Syria
Damascus: Two explosions targeted Kurds celebrating Nowruz, or the Persian new year, in Syria on Friday causing heavy casualties.
The blasts killed and injured at...
Pakistan lodges protest over Indian airspace violation
Islamabad, Dec 18, IRNA, Pakistan on Thursday summoned deputy Indian envoy to the Foreign Ministry and lodged a protest over violation of its airspace by Indian aircraft, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
UAE warns of rough seas
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The UAE meteorology agency has issued a warning against venturing into the sea due to high tide.
Malaysian state grants $5.2 million for Tamil schools
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's Selangor state has set aside an additional $5.2 million for the development of 97 Tamil schools in the next five years, executive councillor Xavier Jaya kumar announced Friday.
Twelve new kindergartens would also be built within Tamil schools this year, Tamil daily Makkal Osai quoted Jayakumar, himself an ethnic Indian, as saying.
He said the state had so far granted $1.24 million (RM 4 million) to Tamil schools with about $122,690 (RM 522,000) distributed through parent-teacher associations.
Cautiously optimistic of Teesta being inked during Modi visit: Envoy
New Delhi : Bangladesh envoy Syed Moazzem Ali on Friday voiced "cautious optimism" on the Teesta water sharing agreement being inked during Prime Minister...
Most Americans now support government-run health plan
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : As President Barack Obama's administration works hard to push his radical healthcare reforms, a clear majority of American people now support a government-run health plan to compete with private insurers, according to a new poll.
Americans remain sharply divided about both the overall health care package and Obama's leadership on the issue, reflecting the intense partisan battle that has raged for months over the administration's top legislative priority, a Washington Post ABC News poll shows.
MQM boycotts Pakistan polls
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM) announced Saturday it will boycott elections over rigging in Karachi, a media report said.
India seeks strong action against Pakistan-based terrorism
By IANS,
New Delhi : India Thursday said that it wants "strong action", apart from "solidarity and sympathy", from the world community against terrorism.
"We have been saying this always that terrorists are coming from across the border and they are a threat to India. I am happy at least they (the US) have realised this,"
Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Thursday.
Five US troops killed in Afghanistan: Pentagon
Washington: Five service members of the US troops were killed Monday in a possible friendly fire during a security operation in Afghanistan, the Pentagon...
Rawalpindi has no diesel to run its trains
By IANS,
Islamabad : Trains may not run from Pakistan's Rawalpindi city from Tuesday as their engines don't have diesel.
UAE President holds talks with visiting Syrian President
By NNN-WAM,
Abu Shabi : President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has held talks here with visiting Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
As he welcomed Al Assad Sunday, Sheikh Khalifa expressed his hope that Al-Assad's visit would enhance bilateral cooperation. During the talks, the two leaders conferred on a number of issues on the international and regional arena.
Malaysia receives bodies of MH17 victims on day of mourning
Bangkok : Malaysia Friday paid tributes to victims of the Malaysia Airlines passenger plane which was shot down last month in eastern Ukraine, as...
17 killed in Baghdad bomb attacks
By DPA,
Baghdad : At least 17 people were killed in two car bomb attacks in the predominantly Shia Baghdad neighbourhood of Sadr City, the satellite news network al-Arabiya reported Wednesday.
It was the latest in a series of deadly attacks targeting Shia Muslims in Iraq. Suicide bombers killed more than 120 people over the space of two days last week.
In Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad, police found the body of a beheaded girl in the city's eastern district of al-Karama, police sources told DPA Wednesday.
Ban condemns “reported” killing of Palestinian civilians
By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, "gravely concerned" over the escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel Wednesday, condemned the "reported" killing of Palestinian civilians by Israeli raids.
Ban "condemns the reported civilian casualties among Palestinians, including children, during Israeli military operations, and calls on Israel to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law," his press office said in a statement.
Sixteen Palestinian civilians were killed in the Israeli raids.
Thousands in Canada protest Israel’s Gaza assault
By Xinhua,
Ottawa : Thousands of Palestinian supporters took to the streets of Canadian cities Saturday to protest Israel's attack on Gaza and to urge the Canadian government to speak up against the increasing violence in the region.
In Toronto, about 2,000 people gathered in the city's downtown center and marched on the Israeli and the U.S. consulates.
"We're calling on the Canadian government to ask for an immediate ceasefire and resume humanitarian aid," Diana Ralph, one of the organizers from the Independent Jewish Voices, told reporters.
Somali president escapes roadside bomb attack
By DPA,
Mogadishu : A roadside bomb killed three policemen, one of them a senior officer, in Mogadishu Wednesday just minutes after a convoy carrying Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed had driven past.
The bomb went off near Al-Mathal school in southern Mogadishu, as an armoured vehicle went past on patrol, instantly killing the head of police in west Mogadishu, officials told DPA.
"The commander died in the blast and two other policemen died in the hospital," a government official who requested anonymity, said.
Passports Official Cautions Citizens Not To Help Umrah-Visa
By Bernama,
Riyadh : The Director-general of Passports, Major General Salim bin Mohammed Al-Bulaihed pointed out Sunday that any assistance and support to Umrah-Visa violators in the form of accommodation, recruitment or transport from any city to another, is a flagrant violation of the laws.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that any person committing such a violation will be subject to punishment, including imprisonment or fines of ten thousand riyals (RM9,394).
India using Pakistan like punching bag, says LeT deputy chief
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : "We don't kill people," Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)'s deputy chief Hafiz Abdur Rehman Makki has claimed, denying that his outfit, now named the Jamaatul Dawah, was behind the Mumbai terror carnage. He also said that India was using Pakistan "like a punching bag" in the aftermath of the strikes that killed 172 people.
"We don't kill people. Our mission is to spread the word of Islam and Allah's message on earth. And we are not Lashkar-e-Taiba, we are Jamaatul Dawah," Makki told IANS in an exclusive interview in his office here.
Israel closes down Nablus mall
By SPA,
Ramallah : The Israeli army shut down a shopping centre that houses more than 70 stores in the northern West Bank city of Nablus Tuesday, as it pressed on with a campaign against Hamas' civil and social infrastructure in the West Bank.
The Israeli military also shut down five more institutions in the northern West Bank city, DPA reported.
On Monday, Israel had already closed down an Islamic girls school, a sports club, a clinic and a mosque run by Hamas.
Malaysia’s Education Minister departs after three-day visit to Oman
By NNN-ONA,
Muscat : Malaysian Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has departed here with his accompanying delegation winding up a three-day official visit to the sultanate.
During his visit, the Malaysian minister met with a number of senior officials in the sultanate.
He also signed for his country a memorandum of understanding between the Education Ministry in the sultanate and the Malaysian Education Ministry in the education field.
Love messages to Pakistan on Valentine’s Day
By IANS
Jammu : A rubber tube decorated with flowers and messages of love was set afloat on river Chenab for people in Pakistan on Valentine's Day by members of a political party in a Jammu and Kashmir town Thursday morning.
As the tubes with sweets, flowers and cards reached midstream, there was enthusiastic clapping by volunteers of the Democratic Socialist Party - a Kashmir based party headed by a Kashmiri Muslim girl, Darkshana Andrabi.
Hindu temple vandalised in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : An ancient Hindu temple in a village near the Bangladesh capital has been vandalised, the miscreants breaking six idols, police were quoted as saying Saturday.
Some 30-35 people attacked the Sri Sri Rahshakali temple in Ashrafdi village in Naranaganj district Friday night, the bdnews24 web site quoted a police official as saying.
They also damaged four adjacent houses and injured five people, it said.
Israel and Hamas must halt violence; humanitarian supplies must enter Gaza – Ban
By IRNA,
Tehran : United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Monday demanded that Israel and Hamas halt their acts of violence, take all necessary measures to avoid civilian casualties, and that Israel keep open all border crossings necessary for the continued provision of humanitarian supplies to Gaza, UN Information Center said.
"A ceasefire must be declared immediately," Mr. Ban said in a statement he himself read to the news media.
"They must also curb their inflammatory rhetoric. Only then can dialogue start."
Iran extends voting for hour
By KUNA
Tehran : The Iranian Election Commission has extended voting for one hour, thus closing at 7:00 pm local time.
The move came in compliance with reports from polling stations, asking for extending the balloting period, the commission said in a release here Friday.
Turnout is predicted to hit 55-60 percent in this year's election compared to 51 percent in the February 2004 polls.
Over 45,000 polling stations have been set up in 207 constituencies for people to elect representatives out of over 5,000 candidates to the 290-seat parliament.
Mortar attacks kill 15 across Syria
Damascus : At least 15 people were killed Sunday in different parts of Syria in multiple mortar attacks by armed militant groups, local media...
European Parliament members calls for greater EU commitment to Iraq
By NNN-KUNA
Brussels : Members of the European Parliament are calling for greater EU involvement in Iraq, increased transparency and efficiency of the EU aid, and more support for the United Nations' efforts in the country.
A report on Iraq debated in the European Parliament in Strasbourg Wednesday night urged the EU Council "to adopt, together with the Commission, a new strategy that will step up, both in quantitative and -- especially -- in qualitative terms, EU support for UN efforts to help build a safe, stable, unified, prosperous, federal, and democratic Iraq."
Sharif-Zardari talks inconclusive, to meet again Thursday
By Aroonim Bhuyan and Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Dubai/Islamabad : Pakistan's ruling coalition partners, discussing the issue of restoration of sacked judges, Wednesday decided to meet again Thursday, their leaders sounding optimism about positive outcome.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari met over lunch and again later in the day at an Indian restaurant in the Grosvenor House hotel in Dubai, discussing the vexed issue over seven hours.
Pakistan to act responsibly; demands evidence: PM Gilani
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday said Pakistan will act responsibly in the wake of Mumbai attacks and demanded India to provide evidence, before levelling any allegations.
Talking to CNN, he said he has talked to world leaders to diffuse the situation.“We have talked to all our friends that they use their good offices to diffuse the situation,” he said.
He was hopeful that there will no escalation between the two countries in the aftermath of the Mumbai tragedy.
Hamas: Israel to respond to ceasefire after Olmert’s U.S. trip
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Hamas movement will hear Israel's response to an Egyptian offer for a Gaza ceasefire after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert returns from Washington, a Hamas leader said on Wednesday.
Mahmoud Zahar, a Gaza-based Hamas leader, told the press that the response will be "positive" because Egypt has urged Israel to respond quickly and helpfully.
"This is in order to prevent more complications and to avoid returning again to the zero point," he added.
Bangladesh ferry toll rises to 21
Dhaka : The toll in a ferry that capsized in Bangladesh rose to 21 Thursday, after 10 more bodies were recovered, an official said.
"With...
UAE can withstand liquidity crunch but growth may slow: S&P
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is likely to withstand the current liquidity crunch but economic growth may slow down, according to ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P).
In a new report titled "UAE Liquidity Squeeze Raises Questions Over Future Growth, But Credit Fundamentals Remain Sound", S&P said UAE's liquidity conditions are only tangentially linked to the global credit crunch and are mainly driven by domestic factors.
Bush Ruled Out US Withdrawal from Iraq
By Prensa Latina
Washington : US President George W. Bush threatened on Thursday to veto any Democrat effort to tie the military budget to a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
The president rejected calls to bring the troops home and urged unconditional passage of the military budget.
"It seems that no matter what happens in Iraq, opponents of the war have one answer: retreat," the president said.
Bush lashed at suggestions from Democrat presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to bring the troops home.
Saudi government to ensure infection free Hajj
Riyadh : In the wake of the Ebola and Coronavirus outbreak, the Saudi government has said it will screen Hajj pilgrims this year.
The health...
DFLP: Closure of crossings Israeli violation of truce
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) said on Tuesday that the closure of Gaza Strip border crossings is an Israeli violation of the truce brokered by Egypt last month.
Israel ordered the closure of all Gaza Strip crossings after unknown militants fired three mortar shells at Gaza border crossings of Karni and Sofa on Monday and Tuesday.
Seven held for killing Pakistani over land row
By IANS,
Islamabad : Seven people were arrested in Pakistan's Sindh province after a man was killed in a clash over a disputed plot of land, a media report said Sunday.
Talks on restoring Pakistan’s judges remain deadlocked
By Aroonim Bhuyan and Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Dubai/Islamabad : Talks between Pakistan's ruling coalition partners, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Dubai regarding the reinstatement of the country's judges remained deadlocked overnight.
Leaders of the two parties met for over four hours, first at PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari's residence here Monday evening and then continued the meeting at a nearby hotel.
Bangladesh’s tribal chief dies in road accident
By IANS,
Dhaka : Head of the Mong tribe, Raja Paihala Prue Chowdhury, was killed when a bus carrying him plunged into a roadside ditch at Patachhara near Ramgarh in Khagrachhari district in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The 55-year old Raja, heading one of the three tribal circles, the other two being Chakma and Bohmong, died early Wednesday while returning from a 12-day tour of Australia.
Along with a woman passenger, he died on the spot.
The Raja's son Saching Prue Chowdhury, along with 23 other passengers on the bus, was injured in the accident.
Bhutto’s widower to run for Pakistani presidency
By NNN-Xinhua,
Islamabad : The ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) announced Saturday that its co-Chairman and widower of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Asif Ali Zardari would run for presidency, according to private DAWN NEWS TV channel.
Addressing a news conference here, PPP leader Raza Rabbani said that Zardari had agreed to be PPP's presidential candidate and runfor president election on Sept. 6.
Rabbani said the PPP had informed the leaders of the coalition about the nomination.
UN approves Iran’s proposal on combat against trafficking antiquities
By IRNA,
Vienna : Iran's proposal on combat against trafficking antiquities was approved by the 17th session of UN Crimes Commission.
Iran's proposed resolution, passed during the last session of the commission, underlined the need for preserving antique objects as parts of the common human heritage.
It also said that serious measures should be taken to stop the organized groups trafficking the antiquities.
The five-day session, inaugurated in the Austrian capital city on Monday, concluded its work Friday evening.
Malaysian PM inspired by Tamil poet Bharathi
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said he was inspired by Tamil poet laureate Subrahmanya Bharathi's song "Achham achham Ilai" (I have no fear) and urged people to shed fear.
"The lyric says that 'I have no fear, no trace of hidden grudges, our time has come, times have changed, hope has arrived for a better future'," he said, adding, he was 'touched' by the song.
Afghan lawmakers reject woman’s nomination for Supreme Court
Kabul : Afghanistan's parliament on Wednesday rejected the first nomination of a woman for the country's Supreme Court after she failed to win the...
MFN sets stage for Indian, Pakistani leaders meeting in Maldives
By Manish Chand, IANS,
Deportation of Gaza aid ship passengers delayed
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : The deportation of passengers and crew seized on board a Gaza-bound aid ship from Israel has been delayed because some of them refuse to sign waivers not to initiate legal proceedings, Israel Radio reported Sunday.
All potential deportees have been transported to Ben Gurion Airport, the report added.
The aid ship, the Rachel Corrie, was seized Saturday by Israeli Navy as it was on its way to the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Spanish sleuths mistook Pakistani leader’s kin for terrorists
By DPA
Madrid : The Spanish secret service CNI mistook relatives of a top Pakistani politician for terrorists, prompting the British police to detain them in London, Spanish press reports said Wednesday.
The CNI informed Scotland Yard that six members of a dangerous radical cell were flying from Barcelona to London Jan 22 to launch attacks, the daily El Mundo quoted police sources as saying.
The warning followed the detention of 12 Pakistanis and two Indians in Barcelona on suspicion of planning attacks against the local transport network.
US to supply fighters to Pakistan
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The US will supply fighter aircraft to Pakistan in an effort to intensify the fight against militants in the country's tribal regions bordering Afghanistan, a media report said.
The assurance came from US officials at a bilateral security cooperation working group meeting held in Rawalpindi Friday, Iranian Press TV reported Saturday.
The warplanes to be delivered by June 2010 include F-16 fighter jets, Lockheed P3C maritime surveillance aircraft and Cobra helicopters.
Pakistan’s 24-member central cabinet sworn in
By IRNA
Islamabad : A 24-member Pakistani cabinet was sworn-in on Monday, which marks the completion of the transfer of power to the new government after the February 18 parliamentary elections.
President Pervez Musharraf administered the oath to the cabinet members at a special ceremony at the Presidency in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani attended the ceremony.
Centre not to extend ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir
New Delhi (IANS): The Centre on Sunday decided not to extend the suspension of anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir as announced in the...
Launch of UAE satellite postponed
By IANS,
Dubai : The launch of the United Arab Emirates' first remote sensing satellite DubaiSat-1, scheduled Saturday, has been postponed to July 29, WAM news agency reported.
The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) announced that the launch was postponed by the launching company -- International Space Company (Cosmotras) -- to undertake some safety and security tests.
Musharraf not considering resignation Spokesman
ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (KUNA) The Presidential spokesman Sunday denied reports that President Musharraf was considering resignation in the aftermath of his rivals victory in the recently-held elections.
Rashid Qureshi, the spokesman, talking to local news channels termed the report as baseless and that nothing of this sort was going on in the President Office.
Gaddafi’s son Saadi granted asylum in Niger
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Saadi, one of the sons of ousted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has received asylum in Niger, the country's justice minister said.
Pakistan’s rival tribes ink peace deal
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The rival tribes of northwestern Pakistan's tribal region signed a peace deal on Thursday, marking an end to clashes which have lasted for more than one year.
The clashes between Bangash and Turi tribes in Kurram tribal agency have claimed about 1,000 lives, The News newspaper reported.
According to the peace agreement, both sides agreed that all roads, which were closed about one and half years ago, would be reopened for all kind of traffic.
Indian foreign policy on Israel-Palestine conflict has changed: Mani Shankar Aiyer
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter,
New Delhi: India’s foreign policy on Israel-Palestine conflict has changed in the last ten years, admitted Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer speaking in a conference on Israeli aggression and independence of Palestine on 14th May.
The national conference was jointly held on the completion of 60 years of Israeli occupation of Palestine under the auspices of the Joint Committee of Muslim Organizations and Sadbhawna Mission at New Delhi’s Constitution Club.
US commends Dhaka’s fight against terror
By IANS,
Dhaka : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has commended Bangladesh's fight against terrorism and religious extremism during a telephone call to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
WW III may erupt if Israel attacks Iran: Official
By IANS,
Tehran : A top Iranian official has said a World War III may erupt if his country is attacked by Israel, concerned over Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.
Saudi women to get new IDs by 2019
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia has said all women will get the new electronic and smart national ID card with biometric fingerprint technology by 2019.
“Since...
Turkish military: 124 PKK members run away from militant group
By Xinhua,
Ankara : The Turkish military said Friday that 124 members of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) have fled the terrorist organization after Turkish warplanes and artillery pounded its bases in northern Iraq in recent weeks.
Gen. Metin Gurak, Chairman of the Communication Department of the General Staff, gave the figure to reporters at a press briefing in the Turkish capital of Ankara.
‘All Israeli parties on same page over Palestinians’ rights’
Gaza:Hamas has said that all Israeli parties were on the same page over the rights of the Palestinians as the parliamentary elections are still...
100 Palestinians Killed in Four Days
By Prensa Latina
Gaza : At least 100 Palestinians have been killed and over 300 wounded in the Israeli offensive of the last four days against the Gaza Strip, where still another two people were killed in a bombing on Sunday.
The Health Ministry in Gaza said there are 15 children among the dead, including a six month-old baby, and another 312 people were wounded in the land and ground onslaught intensified on Thursday.
Ending malaria in Africa vital to anti-terrorism fight: Bush
By DPA
Washington : US President George W. Bush told a gala dinner at the residence of Kuwait's ambassador to the US that the fight against malaria in Africa was part of the global war on terrorism.
Wednesday evening's dinner was sponsored by the Kuwait-America Foundation's Stand for Africa, where Bush paid tribute to a joint US-Kuwait effort to help end malaria in Africa.
Proceeds from the dinner are to be donated to the Malaria No More initiative, a New York-based non-profit organisation set up in 2006 at the first White House Summit on Malaria
Pakistan votes: exeunt Musharraf, hello again Nawaz-Bhutto
By IANS
Islamabad : After eight years of President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistanis said a decisive 'no more' to him, rejecting not just his PML-Q but also the religious parties and brought back former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the legacy of the late Benazir Bhutto in the reckoning.
Moussa calls on Abbas to continue to lead Palestinians
By KUNA,
Cairo : Secretary General of Arab League Amr Moussa said Monday that he believes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas should continue to assume the responsibility of leading the Palestinian people.
Moussa lauded Abbas for his "no talks without the halt of settlements" stance, saying such sentiment reflected the true patriotic nature of the Palestinian leader.
Five Iraqis wounded in Baghdad car bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Five Iraqi civilians were injured in a car bomb explosion in western Baghdad on Tuesday, an Interior Ministry source said.
"A booby-trapped car parked near Salahudin intersection in the Amriya neighborhood, detonated and wounded five civilians," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The bomb apparently targeted U.S. or Iraqi security patrols in the area, but it went off prematurely, the source said.
Violence persists in Baghdad despite a relative lull announced earlier by U.S. and Iraqi officials.
Lebanon’s Shiite calls for consensus among Lebanese to form new government
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : Lebanon's Shiite Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan has called on the Lebanese people to come together and elect a new president of the republic as a prelude to forming a new government of national unity.
Qabalan, who was speaking during a ritual address to the Lebanese marking the start of the 10-day Ashura Observance Tuesday, said Lebanon would be able to cross the current political straits "through complying with the Arab peace initiative," which was launched at the latest conference of Arab foreign ministers, which was held in Cairo over the weekend.
Pakistan army again open fire on Indian side
By IRNA,
Srinagar, India : Pakistani forces again opened firing on Indian troops in the Nariya post, in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, Wednesday.
No casualty reported so far.
Earlier, on Monday evening at least 12 Pakistani troops crossed into Indian territory and opened fire in the Lepa Valley of Nawgam sector in Kupwara district killing an Indian jawan.
Indian forces returned the fire driving the intruders back.
Four of the intruders were reportedly killed in the exchange of firing.
No American official has access to Pakistan’s nuclear program: FM
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Foreign Minister told the Parliament on Friday that no American official has been placed to have access to the country's National Command Authority (NCA).
Local media has reported that the US State Department has sought the accreditation of an official to be posted at the American embassy here with the NCA, the body that controls Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
"Pakistan will not permit this," Qureshi told the National Assembly, lower house of the parliament.
UAE armed forces release book on role in Afghanistan
By ANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The armed forces of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have released a book on its role in providing security, stability and humanitarian aid in war-torn Afghanistan.
Three family members of bin Laden killed in UK plane crash
London : Three family members of former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden were killed when a private jet crashed in Britain's Hampshire county,...
Insurgents kill 11 policemen in Afghanistan
By SPA,
Kandahar, Afghanistan : NATO's International Security Assistance Force says two of its soldiers have been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan.
The alliance says two other soldiers were wounded in the blast on Sunday, according to reports of foreign news agencies.
NATO announced the deaths on Monday, the same day Taliban insurgents attacked a checkpoint in Kandahar, killing 11 policemen.
Japanese firm to design Dubai’s new $95-bn city
By IANS,
Dubai : Japanese architectural firm Nikken Sekkei has bagged the contract to design a new 350-billion dirham ($95.3-billion) city to come up within the emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Meraas Development, the Dubai-based developer owned by the Dubai government, awarded the contract to design the proposed Jumeira Gardens to the Japanese firm at the ongoing Cityscape 2008 real estate exhibition here.
Insurgent responsible for German embassy bombing killed
By DPA,
Kabul : A high-ranking militant believed responsible for the suicide bombing of the German embassy in Kabul earlier this month was killed and another one captured, the international ISAF forces said Friday.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) supported Afghan forces in raiding compounds in the Afghan capital and the neighbouring Logar province in the night from Thursday, ISAF said in a statement.
One bomb-maker was detained and "a senior insurgent commander killed", ISAF said without providing further detail on the militants.
Pakistan must stop unprovoked firing: Jaitley
New Delhi : Pakistan must stop unprovoked firing and shelling on the border in Jammu and Kashmir, said Defence Minister Arun Jaitley who warned...
US to stabilize Pakistan, Afghanistan, not to walk away: state department
By NNN-APP,
Washington : The Obama Administration is engaged in a series of discussions to map out the best way forward in Afghanistan and remains unwavering in its resolve to help stabilize the conflict-hit country as well as the Pakistani border region, the State Department said Friday.
Case registered in Peshawar school attack
Islamabad : A case was registered Wednesday in connection with the militant attack on the Army Public School in Pakistan's Peshawar city.
At least 148...
Lawyers threaten ‘long march’ if sacked not restored
By IRNA
Lahore : Thousands of lawyers will march in Islamabad on March 9th if the government did not restore the Chief Justice of Pakistan and around 60 other judges who were sacked after their refusal to show allegiance to President Pervez Musharraf, a senior lawyer leader said Wednesday.
Aitzaz Ahsan, President Supreme Court Bar Association demanded of that the government restore the deposed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and other judges by March 7.
Pakistan’s peace team refuses to meet Taliban intermediaries
By IANS,
Islamabad : In an apparent deadlock in the peace dialogue in Pakistan, the government's negotiation team Monday refused to meet the Taliban intermediaries...
Pakistan looks to Iran to mitigate energy woes
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan plans to import gas and electricity from Iran to overcome the country's energy shortage, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.
‘Preliminary’ probe into 26/11 over, to share findings with India: Qureshi
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has completed its "preliminary investigation" into the Mumbai attacks based on the information provided by India and Islamabad would share the findings with New Delhi and the world, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Friday.
Speaking to reporters here, the minister said, “The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of the interior ministry of Pakistan has completed the preliminary investigation and sent it to the Law Department.”
Israel ends 10-day closure of Palestinian territories
By SPA,
Tel Aviv : The Israeli military says it is lifting a blanket closure of the West Bank and Gaza it imposed for 10 days over the Jewish Passover holiday.
The Associated Press quoted a military statement as saying that the closure ended Monday morning. It mainly affected the West Bank.
Three US soldiers killed in east Baghdad
By ANTARA News,
Baghdad : Three US soldiers were killed Monday in east Baghdad where US and Iraqi forces are engaged in fierce battles with Shiite militia fighters, the American military said.
The soldiers were killed in an attack at around 1:05 pm (1005 GMT), a military statement said.
The latest deaths bring to 18 the number of US soldiers killed in Baghdad since the clashes with Shiite militia, mostly from the Mahdi Army of anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, erupted on March 25.
Syria asserts right to respond to Israeli violations
By IANS,
Damascus: They Syrian government has said that it holds the right to respond to any Israeli violation against its sovereignty.
Bangladesh may get custody of Mujib killer from Canada
By IANS,
Dhaka : The passport of Major (retd) Noor Chowdhury, one of the 12 former Bangladeshi Army officers convicted for killing former president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 34 years ago, has been seized in Canada.
Dhaka now hopes to get his custody, it was revealed here Monday.
State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam said Chowdhury, who has been living in Canada, will be brought back to the country, private television channel Ntv reported.
Pakistan probes smuggling of wild animals from Tanzania
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has launched an investigation into the alleged smuggling of wild animals, including elephants and lions, from Tanzania in southeastern Africa.
Pakistan arrests Taliban spokesman in Swat valley
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's military said Friday it has arrested a Taliban spokesman in the Swat valley, where troops have spent five months fighting Islamist insurgents.
Muslim Khan was captured with four colleagues including key militant commander Mehmood Khan, Geo news channel reported, citing army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas.
Muslim Khan had a bounty of Rs.10 million ($122,000) on his head for involvement in terrorist activities. Mehmood Khan also had a bounty of Rs.10 million on his head.
Further details of the arrests were not immediately disclosed.
UN confirms Paestinian targeted by Israeli raid employed by UNRWA
By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : The UN has confirmed that Awad al Geeg, the Palestinian killed on Monday in Rafah in an Israeli targeted assassination air strike, was an UNRWA employee but will not confirm that he was the deputy commander of Islamic Jihad.
Marie Okabe told the daily press briefing Tuesday in answer to a question that the 40-year-old Palestinian was deputy headmaster of a boys' preparatory school in Rafah, but "it's not for me to confirm whether or not the individual was the deputy commander of Islamic Jihad." The Islamic militant group confirmed that he was.
Palestinian factions accept Egypt’s ceasefire initiative
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Six Palestinian factions present in Cairo announced on Wednesday they accepted Egypt's initiative for a ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip, local Palestinian media reported.
The local Palestinian news agency "Sama News" quoted seniorPalestinian sources close to the dialogue in Cairo as saying that the Palestinian factions accepted the initiative.
Israel airstrikes destroy apartment, mall in Gaza
Gaza : Israeli airstrikes destroyed a six-story apartment building and a business mall in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah late Saturday, Palestinian...
Pakistani military launches new operations in restive Swat valley
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistani army troops launched a new military operation Sunday to clear out armed Islamic militants that were spotted in remote areas of the strife-torn Swat valley, where
hundreds have died in two months of clashes, according to dpa.
An unidentified number of soldiers were involved in land and air operations between the towns of Matta and Chuprial after local residents reported that small bands of militants were looting and terrorizing villages. Swat lies in the country's north-west region, only a four-hour drive from the capital Islamabad.
Haj: Malaysia asks for higher special quota from Saudi Arabia
By NNN-Bernama,
Kota Baharu (Kelantan, Malaysia) : The government is negotiating with the Saudi Arabian authorities for special additional quota for Malaysians to perform the Haj so more could do so.
Minister in Prime Minister's Department, Jamil Khir Baharom, said the 26,000 quota now was not enough given the rising number of pilgrims each year.
He said given the existing quota there was concern that some elderly folks would not be able to perform the Haj.
"This was because elderly people, especially those 75 years and above, were more prone to various sickness risks.
Suicide explosion in Pakistan kills one person
By KUNA
Islamabad : At least one person was killed and over 17 others were wounded in a suicide explosion in Pakistans Bajaur tribal agency, bordering Afghanistan, on Saturday.
A suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into the vehicle of Levis force personnel near Khar town, the agencys headquarters, local tribal sources told KUNA.
They said the explosion killed at least one civilian and wounded more than 17 others including nine personnel.
Taliban aims to take over Pakistan: Altaf Hussain
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Taliban aims to take over Pakistan in the name of Islam, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain warned Friday.
Speaking to noted Islamic scholar Tahirul Qadri on the phone from London, where he lives in exile, Hussain accused the Taliban of carrying out suicide attacks against those who opposed their agenda, Geo TV reported.
The MQM chief also said the Taliban's activities were tarnishing Islam's image across the world.
Agreeing with Hussain, Qadri said Islam was a religion of peace and tranquility.
Italy to continue full support for Turkey’s EU bid
By SPA,
Ankara : Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday night said his country would continue to support Turkey's bid to join the European Union stressing the strategic importance of Turkey in the region, according to dpa.
"Turkey should always be listened to and we defend this. Turkey has very important relations with all countries in the region," said Berlusconi in the Turkish Aegean city of Izmir following talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
U.N. Chief Condemns Pakistan Suicide Bombing
By SPA,
United Nations : U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Monday condemned Sunday’s suicide bombing in Pakistan’s Islamabad region that reportedly killed several people, mostly police, and injured dozens.
Ban’s spokeswoman Michele Montas said the secretary-general “urges all political forces to unite against the scourge of terrorism and expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan.”
She noted reports of “a series of explosions” in Karachi that have killed many more.
‘Iran ready to discuss all issues, except enrichment’
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran is ready to discuss with the West any issue except suspension of its uranium enrichment activities, an important member of the country's parliament has said.
Hamid-Reza Haji-Babaei was quoted by official IRNA news agency as telling reporters Wednesday on the sideline of the parliament session that enrichment activities are the country's sovereign right, which would not be compromised or internationalised.
India-Pakistan rivalry and heavy dosage of history
It is an undisputedly history-rich bouquet of books that IANS is offering to its readers this weekend, covering the most debated topic of India-Pakistan rivalry to juxtaposing the neighbour's state of affairs in global politics. And then there are some gems from history repolished through the eyes of foreigners. Take a look.
Iraqis fed up with bloodshed, UN should undertake responsibility
By IRNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi people are fed up with further bloodshed and carnage in their country and the United Nations should assume its responsibility of stopping humanitarian crisis there.
The US and British forces conduct indiscriminate bombardment of residential areas on Basra and Sadr City killing innocent children and youth.
India, Pakistan to launch trans-Kashmir trade
By Manish Chand, IANS,
New York : In a major confidence-building measure aimed at easing the recent strain in ties, India and Pakistan Wednesday decided to launch trade between divided Kashmir from Oct 21 and agreed to hold a special meeting next month to address New Delhi's concerns about the bombing of its embassy in Kabul.
‘China, Pakistan pose contrasting security challenges’
By IANS
New Delhi : China and Pakistan pose contrasting security challenges for India, New Delhi's top security advisor said Wednesday.
"With China, the challenge lies in the perceptions and not in the threat. It's the reverse with Pakistan," National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan said here.
He was delivering the 25th Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal memorial lecture on "Managing India's National Security & Building a Consensus for the 21st Century" at the Air Force Auditorium here.
Malaysia vows to continue brokering peace talks between Philippine gov’t, rebels
By Xinhua,
Manila : The Malaysian government vowed Thursday to continue brokering the stalled peace talks in Kuala Lumpur between Manila and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation front (MILF) rebels, despite its scheduled pull-out this month of its monitors from the Mindanao conflict zones.
Malaysian military chief General Tan Sri Abdul Aziz made this assurance during his closed-door meeting Thursday morning with his Filipino counterpart General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. at the military headquarters of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
US reviewing policies towards Pakistan, Afghanistan: Obama
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : US President Barack Obama has expressed deep concern about an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan, saying the country's frontier regions still remain safe havens for Al Qaeda terrorists and his government was reviewing policies towards that region.
The US State Department too called Tuesday's attack in Lahore that left six players and a British coach wounded and killed at least eight Pakistanis as a "vicious attack on innocent civilians."
Two Muslims transporting buffaloes killed brutally in Jharkhand
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Ranchi: In a gruesome attack on minorities in Jharkhand, two Muslim men were beaten and hanged to death...
Syria send letter to UN Sec-Gen, Security Council on tragic situation in Gaza
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem has sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN Security Council Chairman Georgy Orbina on the tragic situation in Gaza and on the necessity for the UN to move because of the catastrophe resulting from the Israeli occupation measures against the Palestinians.
Backing right to build mosque not endorsement: Obama
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : President Barack Obama has clarified that his defence of Muslims' right to build an Islamic complex near New York's Ground Zero site of 9/11 attack, was not an endorsement of the controversial proposal.
Speaking to reporters during a family vacation visit to Panama City, Florida, Obama reiterated the stand he took Friday night at a White House iftar dinner observing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
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.
Lawyers across Pakistan hold protest demonstrations
By KUNA
Islamabad : The lawyers Thursday held demonstrations across Pakistan and boycott courts to protest suicide blast outside High Court building in eastern Lahore city and demanded independence of judiciary.
The protest demonstrations were held in Southern Karachi port city, Quetta, Peshawar and other small cities and towns.
3 Dhaka officials siphoned off $285,000: Parliamentary panel
By IANS,
Dhaka : A former speaker of Bangladesh parliament and two former officials may be asked to return Taka 17.1 million ($285,000) that a parliamentary committee has said were "misappropriated" by them.
Former speaker Jamiruddin Sircar, his deputy Akhtar Hamid Siddiqui and chief whip of the Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP) Handaker Delwar Hossain, drew the money as medical allowances and additional fuel allowances "ignoring the law", an all-party parliamentary probe committee has ruled.
Former prime minister Allawi’s list wins Iraqi polls
By DPA,
Baghdad: Former prime minister Ayad Allawi's Iraqiya list won the most seats in Iraq's March 7 parliamentary election, the Independent High Electoral Commission said Friday.
Allawi won 91 seats in the 325-seat parliament, only two seats ahead of the State of Law coalition, led by his rival current Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. The Iraqi National alliance came third with 68 seats.
Shortly after the results were announced, al-Maliki described the elections as "transparent". Yet, he said he will not accept the results.
Canadian soldier killed Afghanistan
By ANTARA,
Ottawa : A Canadian soldier was killed Saturday by an improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan, bringing to 108 the number of Canadian military losses, the commander of the country's base in Kandahar said.
Combat engineer Sean David Greenfield, 25, was killed when a roadside bomb exploded under his armored vehicle in Zhari district, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Kandahar, commander Denis Thompson was quoted by AFP as telling a press conference broadcast on Canadian television.