Solana says Israel-Palestinian agreement likely this year
By Xinhua
Brussels : The European Union's top diplomat Javier Solana said here Tuesday Israel and the Palestinians could possibly strike a peace deal this year.
"Politically, an important meeting took place yesterday," he said in the European Parliament, referring to the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Jerusalem.
"I do think that we have still a chance to move the process to a settlement before the end of year 2008," Solana said, adding "I don't want to sound too optimistic, I want to sound realistic."
India condemns ‘dastardly’ bid on Karzai’s life
By IANS,
New Delhi/Kolkata : India Sunday condemned the “dastardly” attempt to assassinate Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul and expressed “relief” that he was not hurt in the attack that killed one person and injured 11.
Speaking in Kolkata, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee also "underscored the need for the international community to show zero tolerance for terrorism", according to the external affairs ministry in New Delhi.
UK raises terror threat to ‘highly likely’ ahead of Afghan conference
By IRNA,
London : Britain has restored the terror threat level facing the country to ‘severe,’ indicating that an attack is ‘highly likely.’
The decision made from an analysis by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) comes less than a week before an international conference on Afghanistan is being hosted in London, when there will also be discussions on the threat of terrorism in Yemen.
Pakistani mountaineer honoured in US
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Legendry Pakistani climber Nazir Sabir was honoured with the honorary membership of American Alpine Club as a token for his outstanding achievements in Himalayan climbing and his services in the field of environmental protection.
According to message received here, Nazir is one of the few selected climbers outside America holding the honour.
He was invited to attend and deliver a lecture at the annual dinner of the AAC in Golden, a mountain outpost in Colorado.
UAE to host Dugong conservation meet
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Marine experts from across the globe will meet here Oct 4-6 to discuss the conservation of the Dugong, it was announced Sunday.
King: settlement policies threaten Palestinian rights to independent state
By Xinhua,
Amman : Jordan's King Abdullah II warned in Britain on Thursday that continued Israeli settlement policies threaten Palestinian rights to an independent state, according to a statement by the Jordan's Royal Hashemite Court.
The King, who made the remarks during talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street, said that achieving peace and living in security and stability in the region would not be realized through settlement construction or by ignoring the historic rights of the Palestinian people.
‘Hakimullah Mehsud’s death not confirmed’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Friday he could not confirm the death of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud in a US drone attack in South Waziristan.
"We are not clear whether Hakimullah Mehsud was among those killed in a US drone strike (on Thursday) or someone who resembles him was killed," he told reporters outside parliament.
On Thursday, there were reports that Mehsud was believed to be among the 15 militants killed in a US drone strike.
Arab postal services to set up new money transfer system
By IANS,
Dubai : Postal services of eight Arab countries, led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s Emirates Post, have signed an agreement to set up a regional, low-cost post-to-post money transfer system.
The new system would be backed by the International Financial System (IFS) software application of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 24th UPU Congress in Geneva recently by the heads of postal services of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen, apart from the UAE.
UNSC calls on Syria to allow humanitarian access
By IANS,
United Nations : UN Security Council has called on the Syrian authorities to allow "immediate, full and unimpeded" humanitarian access.
Israeli strike kills Hamas militant in S Gaza Strip
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Israeli air force on Thursday carried out a strike on a car in southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah, killing a wanted Palestinian fighter, witnesses and security sources said.
The targeted man escaped the missile but was seriously injured, said the witnesses, and he died later in the hospital. The security sources identified the man as a Hamas commander called Nafez Mansour, 40.
A bystander girl was also slightly wounded in the bombing which took place in al-Shabora refugee camp in the border town of Rafah.
Suspected US missile strike kills 12 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : A suspected US missile strike Friday killed at least 12 people in a restive north-western Pakistani tribal region along the Afghan border, an intelligence official said.
About a dozen people were also injured when two missiles were fired from a suspected US pilotless aircraft and hit a house in Dande Darpa Khel near Miran Shah, the main town in the North Waziristan tribal district, the official said.
Kuwait modifies entry law for expatriates with GCC residency visa
By IANS,
Dubai : Foreigners holding residency visas in any of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations can now enter Kuwait by simply securing a tourist visa at any of the country's entry points.
First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Acting Interior Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah has issued a resolution amending a previous ministerial decision regulating entry of residents of GCC states into the country, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
AFMI convention in Toronto stresses on defending pluralism and democracy in India
TCN News
The American Federation of Muslims of Indian origin (AFMI) held their 28th convention last month October in Toronto.
AFMI, that is mainly concerned about...
Int’l Women’s Day tomorrow; this year’s focus on investing in women development
By APP
Islamabad : International Women’s Day will be marked tomorrow (March 8) throughout the world including Pakistan with specific focus on investing in the development of girls and women.
Various programmes including seminars, debates and walks will be organized to mark the day to acknowledge women’s achievements.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in his message on International Women’s Day urged the need to create mechanisms for tracking investments in gender equality.
Being well-informed a must for effective teaching — experts
By KUNA
Kuwait : Teachers need to be well-informed in their field and have a wide range of professional skill in order to exercise "effective teaching," said educational experts on Sunday.
Representatives of the quality control team, part of the committees of the National Education Development Conference which kicked off earlier today, presented a paper on "Quality in Effective Education," in which they highlighted a number of educational quality awards that served to boost the educational process.
Roadside bombings kill Afghan worker, wound 3 police
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Roadside bombings in Afghanistan claimed one local worker and left three policemen seriously wounded, said sources from police on Tuesday.
Abdul Razek, boder police chief in southern Afghan province of Kandahar told Xinhua that workers with a local road construction company were struck by roadside mine planted near their construction site in Spin Boldak district Tuesday morning leaving one dead and another wounded.
Final report on Israel-Hezbollah conflict to be released on Jan. 30
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Winograd Commission probing the conduct of the Second Lebanon War announced on Sunday that it would present its final report on Wednesday, Jan. 30.
Local news website Ynet quoted sources close to the commission as saying that the report "will be harsh and will be presented to the public, so it may decide for itself who should be held responsible for the war's failures."
Israeli raids injure two civilians in Gaza
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli F-16 jet fighters bombarded early Monday several sites in the Palestinian cities of Gaza and Khan Yunis, injuring two people and causing damage to some houses.
Pakistan capable to deal with current economic challenges – ADB
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Director General of Central and West Asia Department of Asian Development Bank (ADB), Juan Miranda said here on Saturday that Pakistani government was taking practical measures to deal with the current economic situation.
In a statement issued after meeting with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Finance Minister Naveed Qamar and State Bank Governor Shamshad Akhtar, Juan Miranda said that ADB stands ready to support Pakistan governments efforts to deal with economic situation.
13 Al Qaeda militants killed in Yemen
By IANS,
Sana'a : At least 13 Al Qaeda militants and 10 soldiers were killed when the militants launched an attack at military troops in Yemen Sunday, army officers said.
Two former Bangladesh premiers on trial next week
By IANS,
Dhaka : Former Bangladesh prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, who have been in jail for several months, go on trial next week on charges of corruption in connection with an oil contract awarded to a Canadian firm.
Awami League's Hasina, 61, was prime minister 1996-2001, and Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) Zia, 62, headed the government 2001-06. Both dealt with Niko Resources during their tenures, and have been charged by the Anti Corruption Commission of causing huge loses to the exchequer.
Blast near Denmark’s Pakistan embassy kills three
By IRNA,
Islamabad : At least three people were killed and 10 wounded when a bomb exploded near the Denmark Embassy in Islamabad, Interior Secretary said.
The bomb exploded at the main gate of the embassy, badly damaging building of the embassy, Syed Kamal Shah said.
Shah said that two police men among those killed in the blast.
Doctors at Islamabad's two main hospitals said that five people were killed in the blast.
A doctor at the Polyclinic Hospital said that four dead bodies were brought to the hospital.
NATO soldier killed, 3 others wounded during chopper emergency landing
By Xinhua,
Kabul : An Mi-8 supply helicopter loaded with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after taking off from an ISAF base in eastern Afghan province of Kunar Sunday, killing one soldier and injuring three others, said an ISAF statement.
However, it did not identify the nationality of the victims or the cause of the accident.
A spokesman with ISAF press department told Xinhua that the case is under investigation.
NATO, Pakistan vow to intensify anti-Taliban cooperation
By DPA,
Brussels : NATO and Pakistan agree that winning over the hearts and minds of tribesmen living in the country's lawless border with Afghanistan is crucial to defeating the Taliban, the transatlantic alliance's top military commander said Wednesday.
"Only a comprehensive approach - which means engaging the people living there, and having their understanding and support, can facilitate the solution to the problem," said Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, head of the NATO military committee.
Hundreds of children missing after Pakistan floods
By IANS,
Islamabad : Hundreds of children have been missing following the devastating floods in Pakistan, a media report said.
Pakistan to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr Saturday
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr Saturday, the Shawwal moon sighting committee announced.
Stop terrorism for better ties, PM tells Pakistan
By IANS,
Jammu/Shangus (Jammu and Kashmir) : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday asked Pakistan to stop terrorists from using its soil to mount attacks against India if it wished to have normal bilateral ties.
"Until Pakistan lives up to this condition, the bilateral relations cannot be normal between India and Pakistan," Manmohan Singh said at an election rally in Satwari in Jammu region.
India abhors ‘political vacuum’ in Pakistan: Narayanan
By IANS,
New Delhi : India abhors the "political vacuum" in Pakistan created by the tussle between President Pervez Musharraf and the Pakistan People's Party-led ruling coalition, says National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan.
Narayanan said in an interview published Tuesday that New Delhi was seriously concerned that this vacuum could allow radical extremist outfits in Pakistan more space to step up their activities not only in Afghanistan but also in India.
US envoy, Pakistani President discuss security
By IRNA,
Islamabad : US Special Representative for Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke Wednesday met Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed security situation in region and war against terror, presidential spokesman said.
The two leaders also discussed matters relating to Pak-US bilateral relations and Strategic Dialogue , spokesman Farhatulah Babar said.
Babar said that the meeting was part of the consultative meetings that Ambassador Holbrooke has been holding with Pakistan’s political leadership and state authorities.
Little chance of India-Pakistan war, Zardari indicates
By IANS,
London : There is little chance of an India-Pakistan war, Asif Ali Zardari, co-chair of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that heads the country's ruling coalition, has said. Instead, the two countries should focus on areas like cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
"Both of our countries exploded nuclear devices in May 1998. We have now proved to each other and the world that we are firmly in the group of elite countries that have nuclear weapons. We do not have to prove our military prowess anymore," Zardari said.
52 detainees killed in Iraq
Baghdad : At least 52 detainees were killed in a militant attack on a police station in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, security sources...
UAE’s Etisalat chairman named World CEO of 2010
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Mohammed Omran, the CEO of UAE's telecommunication service provider Etisalat, has been named the World CEO of 2010 at a ceremony in Britain, it was announced Saturday.
Turkish opposition party brings “hijab” issue to court
By KUNA
Ankara : The Republican People's Party (CHP), Turkey's major opposition party, lodged an appeal Wednesday to the Constitutional Court against the recent amendment of a legislation which allowed female students wearing "hijab" (Muslim headscarf) to get into universities.
The amendment runs counter to the secularist values of Turkey, CNN quoted secretary general of the party Ondar Sav as saying after lodging the appeal to the court.
The amendment places the religious ideology above the secular constitution and laws of Turkey, he said.
Palestinian negotiator urges Hamas to end Gaza takeover
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat Wednesday called on Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to end its control of the Gaza Strip, saying the takeover has negative impact on the peace talks with Israel.
"Every time we hold negotiation with the Israelis, the issue of the Gaza Strip being controlled by Hamas is raised. The takeover is like a sword pointed at our necks," Erekat told reporters in Ramallah.
Yemen, US discuss security cooperation
By NNN-SABA,
Sana'a : Minister of Interior Mutahar Rashad al-Masri has met with the US envoy for Limiting the Global Threat of Small Arms and Light Weapons Lincoln Lee.
During the meeting, al-Masri and Lee talked on cooperation between Yemen and United States in the fight against terrorism.
Al-Masri appreciated the US assistance to Yemen in different security fields. The US official highlighted efforts of Yemen in combating terror.
India, Pakistan top diplomats to meet June 29, visa accord soon
By Manish Chand, IANS,
Helicopter crash kills five in Iran
By IANS
Tabriz (Iran) : At least five people on board a helicopter have been killed after it crashed near the Oushan Mountains in Iran's northwestern province of East Azarbaijan, IRNA news agency reported Saturday.
According to a provincial official the incident took place Friday afternoon. The helicopter belonged to the police.
The commander of East Azarbaijan Police, Brigadier Mohammad-Ali Nosrati said the chopper crashed near Oushan mountains in the vicinity of the city of Varzeqan, in the province of East Azarbaijan.
21 killed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : Thirteen policemen, seven civilians and a soldier for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation were killed in separate attacks across Afghanistan, officials said Sunday.
The soldier with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was killed in an explosion in Lashkargah, the provincial capital of Helmand, while patrolling with Afghan forces.
A brief statement from NATO troops in Kabul confirmed the fatality, but did not provide details about the deceased's identity. Most of the soldiers based in Helmand are British.
Mottaki confers with Russian, German, Chinese FMs on the phone
By IRNA,
Tehran : Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and his Russian, German, and Chinese counterparts, in separate telephone conversations, said negotiation between Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and EU's Javier Solana should continue until a result acceptable to both sides is attained.
According to Foreign Ministry Media Department on Wednesday, Iran's nuclear issue and the latest developments in the dispute between Georgia and Russia were discussed in the talks between Mottaki and the three foreign ministers.
Afghanistan: top UN envoy welcomes cabinet reshuffle
By NNN-UNNS,
Kabul : The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has welcomed the changes announced by President Hamid Karzai to his 26-member cabinet, stating that they reflect the priorities set by the Government and its people.
The changes announced Saturday pertain to five portfolios, namely the ministers of the interior, education, agriculture, refugees, and parliamentary affairs.
Saudi minister highlights Islam’s moderation
By IINA
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia's Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Sheikh Saleh Alu Al Sheikh highlighted the importance of spreading knowledge and clarification of facts as well as proper understanding of the true meaning of the Islamic Shariah. "It is an essential to understand Islam so as to worship Allah Almighty properly", he said. The minister made the remarks while delivering a lecture on 'Moderation and its impact on the life of the Muslims' at the officers club here last night
Former archbishop renews appeal for release of UK hostages in Iraq
By IRNA,
London : Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey made a new appeal Saturday for the release of five Britons held in Iraq for almost a year.
Speaking in English and Arabic in a video, released through the Times newspaper, Carey urged the kidnappers as "honourable men" and "men of faith."
The former spiritual leader of the Church of England made a similar appeal in December, but according to the BBC, the British government distant itself from the new call after maintaining a virtual news blackout about the hostages.
Pakistan election staff urged for careful counting of ballots
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice ® Muhammad Farooq on Monday urged the polling staff to be more careful while counting ballots to ensure “not only free and fair but also credible elections in the country”.
The CEC was talking with the journalists after visiting a polling station established at F.G.Boys Higher Secondary School in Chak Shahzad.
He was told that out of 1400 registered votes in the polling station 400 votes have been cast. He was told that polling was proceeding in a smooth manner.
Pakistan ruling coalition denies rift over judges
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's ruling coalition denied Wednesday it was split over the restoration of Supreme Court judges sacked nine months ago and said an announcement giving them their jobs back was likely Friday.
A two-member committee of Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfanday Wali Khan and Jamait Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) head Maulana Fazlur Rehman met here to finalize the modalities to restore the judges the posts taken away by then president Pervez Musharraf in November last year.
Bangladesh, Bhutan agree on trade, energy, focus on climate change
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh and Bhutan Monday agreed to step up trade, explore cooperation in energy sector and focus on climate change at the next summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Bhutan, that is to host the SAARC Summit next April, agreed to place climate change on top of the agenda at the end of a four-day visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The two agreed to work on land route connectivity through India on the assumption that the latter has given a nod in approval.
A. Q. Khan network may have shared weapon design with Iran, North Korea :...
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : An international smuggling ring once led by Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan may have secretly shared blueprints for an advanced nuclear weapon with Iran, North Korea and other 'rogue' countries, according to a US daily.
The now-defunct ring, previously known to have sold bomb-related parts to Libya, Iran and North Korea, also acquired designs for building a more sophisticated compact nuclear device that could be fitted on a type of ballistic missile used by Iran and other developing countries, the Washington Post reported Sunday.
Taliban militants kidnap district chief in E Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Mohammed Ghias Haqmal, the district chief of Marawar district in eastern Afghanistan's Kunar province, was kidnapped by Taliban militants on Friday night, Shafiq Hamdam who works for the international troops in east Afghanistan told Xinhua.
Meanwhile, the purported Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahaid claimed responsibly for that abduction.
Shafig Hamdam also said that an attack on a logistic convoy in east Afghanistan on Friday left one civilian dead and wounded three others including one Afghan soldier.
Abbas chooses Hamdallah to form Palestinian unity government
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday officially designated Rami Hamdallah to form the interim unity government that was agreed upon with the Gaza-based...
Pakistani leader asks West to shun double standards on Palestine
By IRNA,
Islamabad : A Pakistani political and religious leader Wednesday urged the west to give up double standards, saying in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistani tribal regions it supports the use of force, but in Palestine it stresses negotiations.
"Western powers, which advocated democratic ideals should respect sovereignty of Pakistan and follow one criteria," Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir," Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman said.
France, India will halt barbarism of Taliban: Sarkozy
By IANS,
New Delhi : Expressing solidarity with India after the attack on its embassy in Kabul Thursday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying France will work with India to halt "the barbarism of the Taliban".
"I would like to express my full support and deep solidarity to you in these painful circumstances," Sarkozy wrote to Manmohan Singh on the day a powerful suicide bomb blast targeted the Indian embassy in Kabul, killing 17 Afghans and injuring over 80.
Diplomat: US, UK, France concerned over ElBaradei’s Iran report
By IRNA
Vienna : A western diplomat in Vienna says the US, the UK, and France are worried about positive report of the IAEA Chief Mohammed ElBaradei on Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
The diplomat told IRNA on condition of anonymity that following Tehran's cooperation based on agreement with the IAEA, the cases related to such subjects as the plutonium tests, the past status of P1 and P2 and metal uranium document were closed.
IAEA chief warns against military action to solve Iranian nuclear issue
By Xinhua
Cairo : Visiting UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei on Monday warned against a military action to solve the Iranian nuclear issue, the Egyptian official MENA news agency reported.
In an interview with Egyptian TV, ElBaradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said a military strike to settle the Iranian nuclear issue would complicate the situation and send the Middle East region into a vicious cycle of violence.
Economic diplomacy new watchword for Pakistan foreign secretary
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's missions abroad need to concentrate more on "economic diplomacy" in developing country-to-country relationship, particularly with the neighbours, new Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said Saturday.
Pakistan being a developing country has to work more aggressively in deepening economic ties with its friendly countries, he said.
Bashir, who served as ambassador to China, assumed his new responsibilities Saturday replacing Riaz Mohammad Khan.
22 killed, 187 injured in Kirkuk suicide bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Up to 22 people were killed and 187 others injured in a suicide bomb attack which targeted a demonstration in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Monday, a local police source said.
"Up to 22 people were killed and 187 others injured by the suicide bomb attack in Kirkuk," Brigadier Burhan Wasif, a police chief of the city told Xinhua.
A suicide bomber blew up his explosive-belt among a crowd of Kurdish people demonstrating in front of the government building in the center of Kirkuk, some 250 km north of Baghdad, the source said.
OPEC not under any pressure: Badri
By IRNA
Tehran : Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Abdullah al-Badri said here Saturday evening that OPEC is not under any pressure.
Al-Badri, who arrived in Iran on Friday on a three-day visit, made the remarks in a press conference after his meeting with Oil Minister Gholam-Hossein Nozari.
He reiterated that there is coordination and unity among all OPEC member states admitting that there were some differences of views among them in the past.
Sarkozy stresses opposition to Turkey’s EU accession
By SPA,
Vienna : French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday reiterated his reservations about European Union membership for Turkey ahead of his one-day visit to Austria, where he was expected to meet with broad support for his position, DPA reported.
Apart from the "special case" Turkey, which was Europe's "partner," Europe had to consider carefully where its outer borders should be, Sarkozy told the Austrian daily Kurier in its Friday edition.
"I believe Europe must have borders, as this is the condition for a real political Europe, not just an economic unit," he said.
Afghan suicide attack kills at least 80 people
By SPA
Kabul : An explosion rocked Kandahar city in Southern Afghanistan on Sunday, killing at least 80 people and injuring dozens, DPA quoted the provincial governor as saying.
"According to information from the hospitals, 60 dead bodies are in there (hospitals) and another 20 dead people were taken away by their relatives, so in total 80 people were killed," Assadullah
Khalid told reporters in Kandahar.
The governor said a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in a crowd of people gathered in the western part of the city to watch a dog-fighting competition.
Israeli authorities warn against visiting Goa, India
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel's Counter Terrorism Bureau(CTB) on Wednesday issued a travel advisory warning Israelis not to visit the Goa region of India.
"The Goa region is a potentially tempting target for Islamic terror groups, particularly leading up to the New Year celebrations," local news service Ynet quoted the CTB as saying ina statement.
Stressing that the warning was "very concrete", the CTB recommended that all trips to the area be postponed to the end of December.
Khaleda Zia willing to join a delayed election
By DPA,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia Thursday night announced that her party and allies would join the December election if the poll was deferred by 10 days.
"We will definitely join the elections if they take place on Dec 28," Zia, who leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led four-party alliance, told a press conference.
She also asked the country's military-backed government to launch fresh round of talks to ensure participation of all the parties in the election to return the South Asian nation to democracy.
Execution of six Pakistani terrorists approved
Islamabad : Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif has approved the execution of six terrorists who were sentenced to death by military courts, a...
Politician calls for Ummah unity to help oppressed Muslim nations
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani former senator and religious leader here Wednesday asked all Islamic countries to join hands to fight for rights of oppressed Muslim nations.
Five killed as train bogies derail in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least five people, including four children, were Sunday killed in a blast on the rail tracks which led to derailment...
Power supply restored in Bangladesh
Dhaka : Electricity supply resumed in Bangladesh, nearly 10 hours after the breakdown of the national grid.
Masum-Al-Beruni, managing director of Power Grid Company of...
Turkish President arrives in Syria
By KUNA
Damascus : Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrived here Saturday to participate in the celeberations marking Damascus as the Capital of Arab Culture for the year 2008.
He was welcomed at Damascus International Airport by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mou'allem and Minister of Culture Riyadh Naasan Agha.
Gul is scheduled to meet with Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad on the sidelines of the visit, where both sides would discuss latest regional developments, bilateral relations and means of enhancing them at all levels.
EU sends experts to assess Gaza humanitarian situation
By KUNA,
Praugue : The current Czech leadership of the European Union (EU) sent three humanitarian conditions experts to Gaza Strip in order to assess the situation and aid needed.
The team consists of two employees at the Czech Foreign Ministry and one from the Czech development agency, the Czech press agency cited sources at the ministry as saying.
The team is sent in coordination with the United Nations and the EU commissions.
A report will be presented by mid 2009 to the EU members, showcasing the team's activities and findings.
Five policemen killed in suicide attacks in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Three suicide bombing attacks in south Afghanistan Saturday killed five policemen and injured three, a senior official said.
"Three suicide bombers in an attempt to target government employees entered the governor's office in Kandahar and one of them blew himself up at the gate of the compound while two others exploded themselves inside," head of Kandahar Provincial Council Ahmad Wali Karzai said.
The attacks in Kandahar coincide with the first day for the registration of candidates in Afghanistan's presidential elections set for Aug 20 this year.
Iran urges IAEA chief to reconsider nuclear report
By IANS,
Tehran: Head of Iran's Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi Sunday urged the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, to reconsider his report on Iran's nuclear activities.
Boroujerdi told reporters that "since Mr. Amano is to present his report to the agency's Board of Governors next Monday, he'd better use the chance and change the report," Xinhua reported citing the official IRNA news agency.
Indian expatriate in Saudi Arabia wins national award back home
Riyadh : A principal of an Indian school in Saudi Arabia has received recognition from the Indian government for his valuable contribution to the...
Pakistan to free 35 Indian prisoners on I-Day
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Wednesday announced plans to release 35 Indian prisoners Friday on the occasion of India's 61st Independence Day.
The measure is a goodwill gesture and part of Pakistan's strategy to improve relations with India, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said in a statement.
The group includes 34 fishermen captured by Pakistan's maritime security forces after they entered Pakistani waters in search of a bigger catch, and one civilian, who has completed his prison term for illegally entering and staying in the country.
Pakistan searches for solution to power shortages
By Mick Elmore, DPA
Islamabad : Pakistan's electricity production was nearly 3,000 megawatts short of demand in March. The country made up the difference by turning off lights, and everything else, for several hours a day.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani after being sworn in March 25 put the "energy crisis" up with terrorism as a top issue to address during his first 100 days in office. But things will get worse before they get better, Gillani warned, with power outages increasing through June when air conditioners are turned on to beat the heat.
Foreign intelligence hindering peace talks: Afghan minister
By IANS,
Ankara : Afghan Foreign Minister Ahmed Osmani has said that foreign intelligence agencies are disrupting peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the...
Mass grave of soldiers found in Iraq
Baghdad : A mass grave of dozens of Iraqi army soldiers massacred by the Islamic State (IS) was found in Nineveh province, a Kurdish...
Steps taken previously to improve Pak-India relations can be pushed forward: Indian Security Adviser
By APP,
New Delhi : Indian National Security Adviser M K Narayanan has said steps taken in the past to improve Pakistan-India relations can be pushed forward. Narayanan in an interview to Karan Thapar for ‘India Tonight’ programme said Kashmir “isn’t the easiest thing” to address and said the PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari, who is likely to be the President of Pakistan, is “going to take it on as the first test of his leadership.”
He praised Pakistani Army Chief General Kayani as “a widely respected professional soldier.”
Arab-American family slams United Airlines over discrimination
New York : An Arab-American family slammed United Airlines after its staff removed them from a flight in an incident that they claimed was...
Bangladesh fears militant attacks on garment factories
By DPA,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Tuesday alerted its intelligence agencies and local governments against possible militant attacks on garment industries contributing major export earnings to its economy, a junior minister said.
"We have alerted the intelligence agencies so that the militants cannot unleash attacks on the ready-made garment industries," Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj, the state minister for home affairs, said at a press briefing after a meeting with the leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
Sand-made phoenix displayed on Persian Gulf island
By IRNA,
Bandar Abbas, Hormuzgan prov : Iranian artists put on display on Sunday a colored sand-made design of a phoenix on the Hormuz island in the strategic Straight of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf waters.
Phoenix was selected as the symbol of Iran’s Islamic Revolution this year while Iranians are celebrating the 30th victory anniversary of the 1979 revolution. The celebrations would reach their climax on February 10 by massive ceremonies to be held nationwide.
Pakistani man kills mother, brothers, himself
By IANS,
Islamabad : A man in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar shot himself dead after killing his mother and two brothers following a family brawl, Geo News reported Thursday.
Eight dead in Iraq bombings, shooting
By DPA,
Baghdad : Four people were killed Sunday and 10 injured in a series of five explosions across eastern and central Baghdad, police said.
Several coordinated blasts took place near Baghdad University in the centre of the capital, killing one civilian and injuring three others, the Aswat al Iraq news agency reported.
A bomb attached to a car exploded in another part of the capital, killing three civilians and injuring four.
Three police officers were also injured in an explosion near their vehicle while they were on patrol.
Iranian plane catches fire, 46 injured
By IANS,
Tehran : At least 46 passengers on board a domestic aircraft were injured Sunday as the plane caught fire while landing at Mashhad airport.
Fire broke out in the tail of the Taban Airlines plane while it was landing at the airport at 7.20 a.m. (0920 IST). The aircraft took off from the southeastern Iranian city of Abadan, Press TV reported.
Initial reports indicated that at least 46 of the 157 passengers aboard the Russian-made Topolov have been injured.
Pakistan wants positive outcome from Bonn: Official
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Monday said it wants a positive outcome from the international conference being held in the German city of Bonn to draw up a roadmap for Afghanistan's future.
Fire brought under control at Kuwait’s Shuaiba Refinery
By SPA,
Kuwait : A fire broke out at Shuaiba Refinery after midnight Sunday killing one maintenance contractor and injuring another, according to Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) Monday, which said the flames are now under control.
KNPC told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) refinery operations were not affected by the fire and are still at their daily 200,000 barrel per day capacity.
The fire broke out 12:20 Sunday night during maintenance work at an isomax unit and there was only minor material damage at the unit's incinerator as a result of the fire, the company said.
20 killed in Pakistan boat accident
By IANS,
Islamabad : Twenty students were drowned Monday in eastern Pakistan when their boat capsized in a canal.
Pakistan culls poultry stock as avian influenza hits Karachi
By DPA
Islamabad : Pakistani authorities Friday culled thousands of birds to control an outbreak of avian influenza at poultry farms in the southern port city of Karachi, an official said.
"We have culled 5,500 birds after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of HH5N1 virus at a farm in Guddap district," said Ali Akbar, the director of Poultry Research Institute Sind.
Animal health workers had tightened surveillance at hundreds of other farms that supply poultry products to the city's 15 million people, Ali said, adding the bird flu was limited to only one farm.
Democracy only way for sustainable progress, Pakistan president
By IRNA
Rawalpindi : President Pervez Musharraf has said that democracy is the only way for sustainable progress and prosperity and asserted that the forthcoming elections would be free, fair, transparent and peaceful.
He was talking to a delegation of international election observers of Centre for Media and Democracy.
He said that the caretaker governments, which are non-political and neutral in character, are mandated to carry on the governance process in an impartial manner.
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...
India asks Pakistan to refrain from making harsh statements
By IRNA,
New Delhi : Amidst a war of words between India and Pakistan on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told his Pakistani counterpart that both countries should adhere to the peace process and refrain from making "harsh statements" against each other.
Singh told Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that "both countries should resolve all bilateral issues, including the Kashmir dispute, through dialogue and adhere to the peace process".
Arab media experts discuss role of Arab media in addressing terrorism phenomenon
By KUNA,
(With photo) CAIRO : A permanent team of Arab media experts tasked with following-up the role of the Arab media in addressing the phenomenon of terrorism held here on Monday its sixth meeting at the headquarters of the League of Arab States with the participation of representatives of ministries of information in a number of Arab countries.
US to deploy 3,200 Marines in Afghanistan
By DPA
Washington : President George W. Bush has approved the deployment of 3,200 Marines to Afghanistan to meet a shortfall that US officials say was caused by the reluctance of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies to send more troops to the war-torn country.
Bush approved the recommendation by Defence Secretary Robert Gates, the Pentagon said Tuesday. Gates has been mulling sending more troops there ahead of a possible offensive by the Taliban on the southern part of the country. NATO commanders have requested an additional 7,500 soldiers.
UAE president’s brother killed in plane crash
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Tuesday confirmed the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nahayan, brother of the country's president, who was missing since a plane crash, WAM news agency reported.
Sheikh Ahmed, who was the head of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and chairman of the board of trustees of the Zayed Foundation for Charity and Humanitarian Works, was in a private plane when it crashed into the ocean March 26 near the Moroccan capital city, Rabat.
US has yet to request for opening of interest section in Iran – FM
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : The United States has yet to make a formal request for opening an interest section in Iran, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said.
"The US officials have followed up the issue in an American way which is through media and informed sources. We've got no request to this effect," Mottaki told reporters after a cabinet meeting Sunday.
He added that during his last visit to New York, he was asked by reporters to comment on the issue which was quoted from "informed sources and media."
"I answer that it could be considered," added the foreign minister.
Pakistan’s intelligence official shot dead
By Xinhua
Islamabad : A Pakistani intelligence official was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Friday in northeast part of the country, local media reported.
Khaliq-ur-Rehman, an inspector of the Intelligence Bureau (IB),was ambushed when he was returning home after offering Friday prayers in Charsadda, a town in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province.
The slain IB official suffered two bullets, one on chest which caused his death, News Network International (NNI) quoted police as saying.
PM assures justice in Kazmi case to a delegation of MPs
By Mohammad Ali, TwoCircles.net,
Pakistani President Musharraf lauds army for professionalism, sacrifices
By NNN-APP
Rawalpindi : President Pervez Musharraf Monday lauded the professionalism and the sacrifices being rendered by Pakistan Army for defending the country from external and internal threats.
Talking to Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani here at his Camp Office, the President noted the role of the army in ensuring security during the general election.
He appreciated the measures taken by the Pakistan Army in combating terrorism along the Pak-Afghan border, Fata and Swat.
Etihad launches flights to Iraq’s Basra
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has launched a flight from Abu Dhabi to Basra in Iraq.
Eight US soldiers killed in Iraq
By IINA
Baghdad : ight US soldiers were killed in separate attacks in Iraq yesterday in one of the deadliest days for the US military in several months. In one attack, insurgents killed three US soldiers and their translator in Iraq's restive province of Diyala where a massive American and Iraqi military sweep has been targeting Al Qaeda militants for several months, according to AFP. The military said another soldier was also wounded in the blast. The Diyala attack that took place on Monday was announced by the military today.
Red Cross says at least 4 killed in Beirut explosion
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Red Cross Committee announced that at least four people were killed and 20 others injured in a powerful explosion in a Christian neighborhood in Beirut on Friday, the official National News Agency reported.
The blast, which occurred at around 10 a.m. (0800 GMT), targeted a military vehicle in the Chevrolet neighborhood northeast of Beirut.
Nine killed in multiple explosions in Syria
Damascus : At least nine people were killed and over 20 others injured in three different explosions Sunday in the Syrian city of Homs,...
Arab Parliament expresses readiness to mediate between Eritrea, Djibouti
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Chairman of the Arab Interim Parliament (AIP) Mohammad Jassem Al-Saqer has expressed readiness to mediate between Djibouti and Eritrea to resolve their border problems peacefully.
Al-Saqer, in a press release Thursday, said the parliament is keen on maintaining good neighbourly ties among the Arab countries, as well as resolving border problems through peaceful means.
He called on leaders of the two warring African nations to hold a meeting to demarcate the border line between the two countries.
Pakistan coalition government holds crucial meet in Dubai
By Aroonim Bhuyan and Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Dubai/Islamabad : With just two days to go before expiry of their 30-day deadline to decide on the restoration of sacked judges, the top leadership of Pakistan's coalition government held a crucial meeting in Dubai to discuss the issue as well as the future of President Pervez Musharraf.
The four-hour-long meeting, held at the residence of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, ended Monday night. However, the participants left without talking to the media. Details of the outcome are awaited.
Pakistani envoy in Germany to attend Bonn meet?
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani ambassador in Germany is likely to attend an international conference on the future of Afghanistan to be held in Bonn Dec 5, a media report said Friday.
Israel asked to halt constructions in Palestinian areas
By Xinhua
Geneva : The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has passed a resolution demanding that Israel halt building settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
The resolution was passed Thursday at the 7th session of the UNHRC, which denounced Israel's March 17 decision to build settlements in East Jerusalem and neighbouring areas.
The resolution said that Israeli settlement activities constituted grave violations of international law and the pledges made by Israel at the Annapolis peace conference in the US in November.
Cameroon frees German hostage taken by Boko Haram
Yaounde : A German hostage abducted by the Boko Haram Islamist militants was freed by the Cameroonian army with help from the forces of...
Israeli Army urges Palestinians to wait before returning to their homes
By KUNA,
Gaza : The Israeli Army is advising Palestinians who left their homes during the assault on Gaza Strip "not to return to their homes just yet", even after the unilateral Israeli announcement of ceasefire.
Yediot Ahronot paper, on its website, reported that the army advised those living in areas where Palestinian factions fire missiles on Israeli targets in particular to stay away a while longer.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians were displaced during the Israeli 22-day assault on Gaza Strip abandoning homes, farms, and property in fear for their lives.
NATO Libya mission to continue as long as necessary: Rasmussen
By IRNA,
Berlin : NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen vowed Thursday to keep up military pressure on the regime of Libyan dictator Moammar Qadhafi 'as long as necessary.'
High civilian casualties tarnish U.S.-imposed democracy in Iraq
By Yu Zhixiao, Xinhua
Beijing : High Iraqi civilian casualties over the past five years after the U.S.-led coalition forces toppled the Saddam Hussein regime have tarnished the U.S.-imposed democracy in the volatile country, analysts say.
The coalition troops started an invasion into Iraq by bombarding the Iraqi capital Baghdad on March 20, 2003, and swiftly brought down the administration of Saddam Hussein, who was earmarked as a cruel dictator by the United States and some other Western countries.
World powers do not want nuclear-powered Iran
By IRNA,
London : A senior American researcher says it is obvious that most of the world’s powers do not want Iran to become a nuclear power.
Professor Larry Sabato, the director of the University of Virginia’s Centre for Politics, told IRNA that Iran’s stances regarding regional and international developments are the centrepiece of the Western opposition to Iran.
Iranian president to visit Sri Lanka
By Xinhua,
Colombo : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamadinejad will arrive at Colombo for a two-day official visit started from Monday afternoon and unveil several Iran-funded projects.
Sri Lanka's Department of Government Information said in a statement that Ahamadinejad will be welcomed at the airport by SriLankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, followed by meetings with President Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka and Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.
Yemeni intelligence official killed
Aden: A colonel of the Yemeni military intelligence agency was killed in a drive-by shooting by unidentified gunmen Saturday, the latest in a series...
Kuwait PM’s 8-stop Asian tour important in eco, trade fronts: Minister
By NNN-KUNA,
Manila : The eight-stop Asian tour of His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah will play a great role in boosting economic cooperation and increasing trade exchange and bilateral investments, said the Gulf state's Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shimali on Saturday.
Speaking to KUNA, he said that in Brunei, talks between top officials touched on the investment sector, namely between Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) and its counterpart in Brunei.
IAEA optimistic on US-led settlement of Iran nuclear dispute
By NNN-IRNA,
Vienna : Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed El-Baradei said he felt optimistic about an eventual US-led settlement between Tehran and the West.
He told The Los Angeles Times that the US President-elect Barack Obama gave him "lots of hope" after he inserted a proposal to abolish all nuclear weapons in the Democratic Party platform and advocated opening diplomatic dialogue with rivals.
I was not a dictator: Musharraf
By IANS,
London : Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has said it would be incorrect to dub him a dictator as, but for him, the media would not be enjoying the freedom it does.
"If I was a dictator, the media would not have gotten independence during tenure," he told a delegation of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) here, Online news agency reported, quoting a private TV channel.
The overall political situation in Pakistan, the war against terrorism and regional issues were discussed at length during the meeting of the erstwhile ruling party.
Zardari condemns Gojra riots, 800 booked
By IANS,
Gojra (Pakistan): Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the violence in the country's Punjab province in which nine people, including six women, were killed and dozens injured after two rival groups fought with guns and sticks, media reports said Sunday.
The violence erupted Saturday in the Gojra tehsil in Toba Tek Singh district of the province over the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran by one of the groups.
Fierce clashes broke out when a mob marched towards a village of the rival community to settle scores after the news spread.
Obama expresses support for Yemen action with Saudi King
Washington: US President Barack Obama spoke with Saudi King Salman, discussing recent developments in Yemen and emphasised the US support for the action taken...
Hamas open to peace deal with Palestinian backing: Carter
By AFP,
Jerusalem : Former US president Jimmy Carter said on Monday the Islamist Hamas movement told him it would recognise Israel's right to live in peace if a deal is reached and approved by a Palestinian vote.
Carter made the comments following two meetings in Damascus with exiled Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal that angered Israel and the United States, which consider the movement a terror group despite its victory in 2006 elections.
Iran-Kuwait Talks Begin
By Prensa Latina
Tehran : Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Manuchehr Mottaki Thursday announced the opening of a new round of bilateral negotiations with Kuwait and said it is the result of the political willingness of both governments.
Mottaki extolled the role played by the heads of States of the two countries in strengthening mutual exchange.
Israeli jets raid Gaza targets
By IANS,
Gaza : Israeli airplanes struck several targets in the Gaza Strip, apparently in response to the injury of two soldiers by Palestinian militants.
Witnesses said that the air strikes destroyed two smuggling tunnels beneath Gaza's southern border with Egypt late Tuesday. Medical sources said there were no casualties in these raids, Xinhua reported .
I didn’t even slap anyone: Bangladesh war crimes accused
By IANS,
Dhaka : A top Islamist leader of Bangladesh accused of leading a militia that killed thousands of civilians during the 1971 freedom struggle has claimed he had "not even slapped anyone".
Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid has been listed as president of the Al Badr, an islamist force of Razakars (volunteers), who looted and killed thousands of people, including members of Hindu religious minority, perceived as sympathetic to the freedom movement.
Pakistani President urges steps to check diminishing natural forests
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf has stressed for immediate action to stop damage to the diminishing natural forests in the country.
In a message on the commencement of Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign starting Thursday, President Musharraf said the natural forests on mountains, riverside and Indus delta are under great stress due to high demands for wood by dependent communities, which needed proper attention.
Abbas calls for lifting of Israel’s siege of Gaza
By NNN-KUNA
Ramallah : President Mahmoud Abbas has called on Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, allowing fuel to enter the city in order for vital services to resume.
The president also urged the Arab League to hold an urgent meeting to discuss the situation and means to end it.
Abbas also addressed the Palestinian people in Gaza, calling on them to withstand the harsh conditions for the sake of all Palestinians.
5.1 million have been displaced inside and outside Iraq – IOM
By NNN-KUNA
Geneva : The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has said that five years after the 2003 war in Iraq more people than ever before are displaced from conflict and sectarian violence, indicating that the humanitarian crisis in the country is far from being solved.
According to IOM, there are now more than 5.1 million Iraqis who are either displaced (IDPs) within Iraq or are living as refugees abroad. Of these, 2.7 million are IDPs and more than 2.4 million refugees, predominantly living in neighbouring Syria and Jordan.
Suicide bomber kills one, injures two in Kabul
By Xinhua
Kabul : A suicide bomber drove a car and exploded himself prematurely near a bus belonging to the Afghan National Army in capital Kabul early Thursday, killing one civilian and injuring two, an official said.
"It occurred at around 7 a.m. in the 4th district of Kabul," said an official from the interior ministry who is reluctant to give his name. "One civilian was killed and two were injured."
Meanwhile, a source from the defence ministry confirmed that one of its personnel was injured in the incident.
Pakistan begins ‘clean-up’ of militants in North Waziristan
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces have started a clean-up operation against militants in Mirali in North Waziristan, the Pakistan Army said Saturday.
"Terrorists are being...
‘Pakistan’s literary scene not good, infrastructure lacking’
By Gunja,
New Delhi : There is "not much of a literary scene in Pakistan and the infrastructure is underdeveloped with only a handful of English publishers", says author Bilal Tanweer, adding that a few in the Urdu press are doing excellent work but they need more help.
Turkey aborts bombing intelligence building with some 500 kg of explosives
By KUNA
Istanbul : Turkish authorities have aborted planned bombing of a building housing offices for the central intelligence in the southeast of the country.
"Khabar Turk" website reported on Friday that up to 495 of explosives were set to go off and blow up the building in the province of Shirnak. But police arrested two members of the Workers Party of Kurdistan (the PKK) while the pair were trying to plant the explosives.
The PKK, a group based in the southeast of the country, advocates establishing a separate Kurdish entity.
Jordan’s King reaffirms full support for Iraq
By NNN-Petra,
Baghdad : Jordan's King Abdullah II has reaffirmed strong support for Iraq's security and stability, essential for the security and stability in the Arab world.
King Abdullah made his remarks during talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and Iraqi Vice-President Adel Abdel Mahdi here Monday.
"Jordan stands at equal distance from all components of the Iraqi people," said the King, who arrived in Baghdad earlier in the day on a brief working visit to Iraq.
King Abdallah, Abbas in Washington to overcome peace obstacles
By Joe Macaron, KUNA,
Washington : King Abdallah of Jordan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are due to arrive in Washington on Tuesday amidst diplomatic efforts to overcome the many hurdles on the Palestinian Israeli track.
A Palestinian diplomat in Washington, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the main topics of discussion are the expansion of Israeli settlements and ways to revive the negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government.
Iraqi government, al-Mahdi Army agree to a cease-fire
By IRNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi government and al-Mahdi Army agreed to a cease-fire.
Sheik Salah al-Obeidi, an aide to anti-occupation cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, says the cease-fire will go into effect Sunday.
He made the ceasefire agreement public in the southern city of Najaf on Saturday, IRNA reporter in Baghdad said.
Iran has called on warring parties to sit at negotiating table and settle dispute through dialogue.
Pakistan salutes its own Mohammad Rafi
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistanis paid rich tributes on the 16th death anniversary of legendary playback singer Masood Rana, who was widely known as "Pakistani Rafi".
UAE to release 676 prisoners to mark Ramadan
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will release 676 prisoners, including foreign nationals, to mark the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
462 militants, 22 Pakistani soldiers killed: Governor
By IRNA,
Islamabad : At least 462 militants and 22 security personnel have been killed during fighting in a Pakistani tribal region in 10 days, the provincial governor said.
Security forces launched major operation against the militants in Bajaur tribal region last week to flush them out from the area.
Fighting has forced around two hundred thousands people to flee to other areas, opposition parties and rights groups say.