Emergence of an eTurkey
By Itir Akdogan
For more than 40 years Turkey has been taking certain measures to reach the European Union criteria of a member state. As part of a drive to increase innovation in and access to technology, the EU has allocated more than 100 billion euros for the i2010 Programme to create a "Single European Information Space", in which innovation and investment in technology is a priority. Becoming an information society is one of the reforms Turkey is undertaking to increase its chances of joining the EU.
India, Iran should work for global peace: Iranian minister
New Delhi: Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Thursday said the time of "zero sum game" played by the West was over and...
Japan expresses willingness to lend loan, technical expertise for Circular Railway Project in Karachi...
By APP,
Tokyo : Japan has engaged consultants to prepare Special Project Feasibility Report (SEPROF) on mega Karachi Mass Transit Circular Railway (KMTCR) and also expressed willingness to provide loans and technical expertise for the project, said a senior official at Pakistan’s Embassy has said.
“The Economic Affairs Division and Planning Commission have granted approval for conducting the SEPROF study on the project, said the Economic Minister at Pakistan Mission Iftikhar Babar while talking to APP.
Iraq invasion a bonus for Al Qaeda holy war
By Samia Hosny, DPA
Cairo : If Afghanistan provided combat training for Al Qaeda jehadists nearly three decades ago, Iraq since the US-led invasion has become the main front in the network's holy war and provided a breeding ground for more converts to its violent ideology.
Car bomb, clashes kill 30 people in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 30 people died in the ongoing military offensive against the Taliban in northwest Pakistan and an explosion outside a cinema Friday that is believed to be in retaliation to the army operation.
The fresh violence came as the UN appealed for $543 million in aid to help the refugees fleeing the army operation in Swat and neighbouring districts of North Western
Frontier Province (NWFP).
Mujib planned separation from Pakistan in 1969: Hasina
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had made detailed plans for the liberation from Pakistan during a stay in London in 1969, his daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.
Sheikh Mujib discussed his plans at a meeting held a few months after his release from prison following a prolonged trial in the Agartala conspiracy case in which then Pakistan government had brought sedition charges against him and 34 others, Hasina told a meeting Sunday.
Iraq goes for oilfield modernisation in big way
By RIA Novosti,
Washington : Iraq is to sign by month-end over 30 contracts for development and modernisation of its oil fields with major western companies, a US daily has said.
The two-year contracts will be awarded to companies that have been acting in advisory roles to the Iraqi oil ministry in recent years, the Washington Post reported, quoting ministry spokesman Asim Jihad.
Five oil companies - US-based ExxonMobil and Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell, France's Total and the British oil company BP - are expected to secure the biggest contracts to develop Iraq's vast oil resources.
Anti-corruption drive causes fall in investment in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : The interim government's drive against corruption has been cited by a report as one of the three main reasons for the slide in Bangladesh's domestic and foreign investment.
The other two reasons, as per the report of the planning ministry, are poor implementation of the annual development programme (ADP) and inflation.
The caretaker government headed by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed has jailed over 200,000 people since January last year on charges of misuse of office and corruption.
Israeli troops kill W.Bank Palestinian group leader
By SPA
Jenin, West Bank : Israeli troops shot dead a leader of the Islamic Jihad group in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, Palestinian hospital officials and the Israeli army said.
Israeli forces operating in the West Bank town of Qabatiya, near the city of Jenin, killed Walid Obeidi in a gunfight, Palestinian witnesses were quoted as saying by Reuters.
Two other Islamic Jihad group members were wounded and arrested by the Israeli troops, they said.
Bangladesh celebrates 43rd anniversary of Victory Day
Dhaka : Bangladesh Tuesday celebrated the 43rd anniversary of its victory over the Pakistani forces in 1971 War of Liberation in which about three...
Pakistan,Iran may open border gates to increase trade
Islamabad : Iranian authorities have indicated that more zero-point gates on the Pakistan-Iran border will be opened along with five districts of Balochistan province...
2 tons of marijuana found in an abandoned Afghan school
By SPA,
Kabul, Afghanistan : Afghan and coalition troops found and destroyed 2.5 tons of marijuana in an abandoned school in southern Afghanistan, while coalition troops killed four insurgents elsewhere in the south, officials said Sunday.
The marijuana, which was stored in 2-feet (0.6-meter) tall stacks, filled several rooms of the abandoned school in the Arghistan district of the southern province of Kandahar, a statement from U.S. forces in Afghanistan was quoted as saying by Associated Press.
Suicide bomber kills 25 pilgrims in Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A suicide bomber Sunday blew himself up at a procession of Shiite pilgrims in the town of Iskandriya, 50 km south of Iraqi capital Baghdad, killing at least 25 pilgrims and wounding some 40 others, an Iraqi interior ministry source said.
"A suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest blew himself up at a procession of Shiite pilgrims who were travelling on foot to the holy city of Karbala, some 110 km south of Baghdad," the source told Xinhua.
Six-member US Congressional delegation meets President Musharraf
By SPA
Islamabad : A six-member US Congressional delegation led by Congressman John F. Tierney has met President Pervez Musharraf Thursday.
The Feb 18 parliamentary election was a victory of the forces of moderation, the president told the delegation and stressed importance of political stability to ensure economic growth, social development, fight against extremism and terrorism.
Musharraf said he has extended his full cooperation to the new government. He said Pakistan was fighting extremism and terrorism in its national interest.
Bangladesh to review its constitution
By IANS,
Dhaka: Bangladesh's parliament Wednesday formed a 15-member parliamentary committee to begin a review of the country's 1972 constitution. The opposition parties opposed the move by keeping out.
The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who recommended the committee to the House, hopes to amend the constitution and debate its basic tenets socialism and secularism that were altered by past military-led governments.
Lawyers in Pakistan hold anti-Musharraf rally
By KUNA
Islamabad : Lawyers across Pakistan Thursday held anti-Musharraf rallies and observed "Iftikhar" day in solidarity to dismissed Chief Justice under the emergency rule in November last year.
More than 3,000 lawyers chanting anti-Musharraf slogans burnt his effigy and demanded the immediate release of Chauhdary Iftikhar, who is under house arrest since his dismissal from his post as chief justice.
Similar rallies, attended by thousands of lawyers and political activist, were also held in Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Gujranwal and several other areas.
Explosion rocks Cairo amid presidential poll
Cairo : One person was injured and several cars were burnt Tuesday when an explosive device went off near a church in Egypt's capital...
Bangladesh bans Chinese powdered milk amid health panic
By DPA,
Dhaka : Bangladesh imposed a ban on the sale and import of powder milk from China Monday after laboratory tests found presence of toxic chemical melamine in the samples, officials said.
The health ministry also warned the people against the use of tainted powdered milk from three major Chinese companies for making sweets and baby food.
Amnesty claims widespread rights violations in Iran
By IANS,
Washington : Global human rights monitor Amnesty International has said there have been "widespread and persistent human rights violations in Iran", CNN reported Tuesday.
Israel wants open ceasefire without time limit: Hamas
By DPA,
Gaza City : Israel has rejected an 18-month ceasefire with Hamas and wants an open lull without a time-limit, the Islamist Hamas movement said Saturday.
Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, said that Egypt, which has mediated between Israel and Hamas, and his movement can't accept such an open lull in accordance with Israel's request.
"The ceasefire agreement was drawn up and was waiting to be made public by Egypt but Israel put obstacles by calling for an open ceasefire without any time ceiling," Barhoum added.
Abu Dhabi investors buy into downtown Berlin
By Clive Freeman, DPA
Berlin : First it was Potsdamer Platz which was redeveloped, after the communist Berlin Wall was cleared off it. Now, it is the turn of the heart of former West Berlin, near the war-ruined Memorial Church and Zoo Railway Station, to attract investors.
Abu Dhabi and other emirates investors plan to plough millions of euros into a major revamp of what used to be the central business district of West Berlin in the bad old days of division.
US forces out of Iraq by 2011: Dabbagh
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Reports specifying that US forces in Iraq would be poised to leave in three years "are inaccurate," said Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh on Friday.
However, he said that it was agreed by the Iraqi and US sides that US forces would pull back from major cities next summer, and eventually depart Iraq by the end of 2011.
Nonetheless, he underlined that after that date it would be up to the Iraqi government to decide if the US forces would be needed to stay on or not.
Drone attack in Pakistan kills five suspected militants
Islamabad: At least five suspected militants, including what sources claim to be a high value target, were killed in a US drone attack in...
‘Low investment harming Pakistani farming’
By Suhail Yusuf, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan is struggling to reverse the effects of low investment in agricultural research in the 1990s, according to experts.
Despite being an agrarian economy, the country's investment in agricultural research declined 31 percent between 1991 and 2000, said M.E. Tusneem, chairman of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC).
"The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) sources show a sharp decline in Pakistan agricultural research (in the 1990s), the lowest among SAARC countries," Scidev.Net quoted Tusneem as saying.
Dhaka slams Islamabad for linking Bangladesh to Mumbai attacks
By IANS,
Dhaka : Dhaka has strongly condemned a Pakistani investigation agency's claim of a Bangladesh-based terror outfit's involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks.
"Militants and terrorists do not belong to any territory, country and nation. I am shocked at such a claim," The Daily Star Saturday quoted Home Minister Sahara Khatun as saying.
"We need your cooperation and suggestion. I can promise that I would try to root out terrorism, militancy and extortion even if I have to put my life on the line if you cooperate with us," the minister said at a college sports gathering.
Pakistan must ‘root out’ anti-India terror groups: Clinton
By IANS,
Mumbai: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday that Pakistan needed to "root out" terrorist groups directed against Indian interests.
Clinton told a news conference here that the US had seen "a much greater effort and commitment ... to take on the terrorists" in Pakistan.
"There is a concerted effort we can look forward to. It is too early to tell the outcome of this commitment from Pakistan. In the next few days, I believe, there will be greater awareness whether or not to bring the Mumbai terrorists to justice."
Indonesian plane crash: 142 body bags taken to site
Jakarta: A total of 142 body bags have been taken to the site where an Indonesian military plane crashed on Tuesday in Medan city,...
Former Pakistani foreign secretary Niaz Naik found dead
By IANS,
Islamabad : Former Pakistani foreign secretary Niaz Naik, who had been involved in back channel diplomacy with India, has been found dead in his house here, police said Saturday.
The police said they were informed that the lights in Naik's house were on all night but there was no apparent movement there. The doors were then broken open and Naik's body was found.
Naik had died three to four days ago, police said, adding an autopsy would reveal the cause of death.
Suicide bombing kills 17 Saudi policemen
Riyadh: At least 17 policemen were killed in Saudi Arabia on Thursday when a suicide bomber targeted a mosque, Al Arabiya reported.
The horrific incident...
Abbas calls for Palestinian state during Bush term
By DPA
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday called for the creation of a Palestinian state by the end of US President George W. Bush's term in office.
"We would like to end these peace negotiations during your term in office," he told a joint news conference in Ramallah with Bush, the first US president to officially visit the central West Bank city.
"We are starting with you a new year, hoping that this will be the year of the creation of peace," Abbas said.
Pakistanis want ban on formula milk
By IANS,
Islamabad: Health experts, MPs and civil society members of Pakistan's Sindh province want a ban on formula milk.
Osama urges Europe to withdraw forces from Afghanistan
By DPA,
Cairo/Berlin : A new message purported to be from Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden urged European nations Friday to end their alliance with the US and withdraw their forces from Afghanistan.
"We are neither asking for something trivial nor invalid; justice demands that you lift your oppression and withdraw your troops and reason demands that you don't hurt your neighbours," said the audio message posted on some Islamic websites.
Exhibition on Prophet’s life underway in Jeddah
By IINA,
Jeddah : An exhibition titled “In Support of the Prophet’ was kicked off at King Fahd Hospital here on Saturday. The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Abdul Mon’em Hasan Al-Shaikh, general director general of the hospital.
The gender-segregated exhibition will remain open till Wednesday. The exhibition is aimed to educate people more about the illustrious biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in both languages, Arabic and English.
Official: 17 killed in bus, train collision in Bangladesh
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : At least 17 people were killed and 21 others were injured in a collision between a express train and a passenger bus early Wednesday morning in Bangladesh's Tangail district, about 80 km northwest of capital Dhaka, according to an official.
Deputy Commissioner of Tangail Akhter Ali Sarker, chief executive of the district, confirmed to Xinhua on the phone at the scene that 17 persons were killed in the accident.
Cracks widening in US-Pakistan alliance against terrorism
By DPA,
Islamabad : As Taliban activities rise to a disturbing level in Afghanistan, the relations between two close allies in the war on terror - United States and Pakistan - seem to be souring.
Hours after Wednesday's statement by the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, that Washington was planning military operations to eliminate militant sanctuaries in Pakistan, Pakistan's army chief vowed to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country "at all cost."
U.S. president extends sanctions against Iran for 1 year
By RIA Novosti
Washington : U.S. President George W. Bush signed an order extending sanctions against Iran for another year, the White House press service said.
The order says the measure is being taken "because the actions and policies of the Government of Iran continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States."
Pakistan will defend its territory at all costs: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistan will defend its territorial frontiers at all costs, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani following a NATO air strike that left two dozen soldiers dead.
Iran ranks 40th in science production in world
By IRNA
Tehran : The deputy chief of Iran's Academy of Medical Science said that Iran ranks 40th in terms of science production in the world.
Reza Malekzadeh added that Iran has recently made great progress in in production of science.
Among the Middle-East states, only Turkey stands above Iran in the field of science, he added.
Referring to Iran's active international cooperation in the field of science, Malekzadeh said that Iran has scientific cooperation with the US, UK, Canada and some European countries and that such cooperation is to expand in the future.
Olmert to face police questioning Friday
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is to be questioned by police for an hour Friday morning, his office said in a statement Thursday night.
The statement closely follows a Channel 2 report that police has arranged a questioning on Friday morning at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem after receiving a special permit from Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to investigate the prime minister within 48 hours.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is to be questioned by police for an hour Friday morning, his office said in a statement Thursday night.
US aid to Pakistan in region’s collective interest: Envoy
New Delhi : The recent US proposal to give $1 billion aid to Pakistan is in "collective interest for the region" and Washington's relations...
Palestinian leader slams PA for ignoring Gaza humanitarian plight
By IRNA,
Berlin : A prominent Palestinian civic leader in Germany on Tuesday lashed out at the western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) government and a number of Arab countries, among them Egypt and Jordan, for ignoring the humanitarian crisis in Gaza triggered by Israel's ever-tightening blockade.
‘Donations not enough to meet Syrian refugees’ needs’
By Sheikh Manzoor,
Kuwait City : The UN relief and humanitarian organisations may not be able to launch relief and assistance on a massive scale...
Saudi energy summit calls for greater transparency in oil market deals
By Xinhua,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia : The Jeddah energy summit on Sunday called for "improved" transparency and regulation in oil production and financial markets dealing in crude oil, said a final communique of this summit.
As for the financial markets, which have been playing an active role in the oil price hike, leaders and ministers from the 36 nations said "the transparency and regulation of financial markets should be improved through measures to capture more data on index fund activity and to examine cross-exchange interactions in the crude market."
Saudi deploys 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers for anti-Houthi campaign
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia deployed 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers and other navy units on Thursday, after it launched operation against the Houthi rebels...
Kashmiris vital stakeholders in conflict resolution: Pakistan
Islamabad : The Kashmir issue should be addressed according to the will of the Kashmiri people who are important stakeholders in the resolution of...
Malaysia’s first lady denies row with husband PM
By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia's First Lady, Jeanne Abdullah, is neither pregnant nor is she angry with her prime minister husband.
Jeanne denied explained Saturday that she had not been seen recently with Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at public functions because she was resting after a minor surgery for a heel infection.
The two appeared in public together after many days and took turns speaking in light tones with the media.
It was Jeanne's second public appearance since she attended the Eid-e-Milad (the Prophet's birthday) functions March 20.
Indian biscuits for Afghan schoolchildren via Pakistan: UN welcomes move
By IANS,
United Nations : The World Food Programme of the UN has welcomed India's decision to donate $12 million for distribution of biscuits to 1.2 million schoolchildren in Afghanistan, to be transported through Pakistan.
The fortified biscuits, to be produced in India, will be shipped to Afghanistan through Pakistan, Michele Montas, spokesperson for UN Secretary General, told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York Friday.
"This marks a major transportation breakthrough, opening a new route for humanitarian aid from India to Afghanistan," Montas said.
Rights groups ask WikiLeaks to remove Afghanis’ names
By IANS,
Washington : Several human rights groups have asked whistleblower website WikiLeaks to erase the names of Afghan civilians from the thousands of classified documents which include details of Afghanis who helped US forces in fighting the Taliban.
A group of five human rights organisations is pressing WikiLeaks for redacting the names of Afghanis from the war documents it is publishing, fearing that the website's actions could jeopardise the safety of Afghans who assisted the US military.
Malaysian PM’s ex-aide being probed for sedition
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : An investigation was launched Thursday against Nasir Safar, who resigned as a special officer to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, for sedition after he spoke against the country's Chinese and Indian ethnic minorities.
Safar quit after protests over his remarks made at a seminar in Malacca earlier this week.
He caused a furore at the seminar on the 1Malaysia concept when he made derogatory remarks about Chinese and Indian immigrants coming to Malaysia.
Rice says to work for resuming Israeli-Palestinian peace talks
By Xinhua
Cairo : Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday called on Israel and the Palestinians to resume peace talks, saying she will work toward resumption of the negotiations of the two sides as soon as possible.
Rice made the remarks during a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit following talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Restoring constitution reaffirms Bhutto’s philosophy: Zardari
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the steps taken to restore the constitution, under which his own powers will be drastically reduced, reaffirms the political philosophy of the document's framer, the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, that the people alone are the legitimate fountainhead of political power.
"We pledge to continue forward our march to empower the people," the president said Sunday in his message to the nation on Bhutto's 31st death anniversary.
Jamia organises interactive session on West Asia, film screening on Afghanistan
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: The Subject Association of Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia on Wednesday organized an Interactive Discussion on...
Huge blast heard in Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : Radio stations in Gaza reported on Sunday night that Israeli military aircraft fired a missile towards a group of citizens west of the city.
The radio stations said that the shelling targeted a jeep vehicle that was standing in the vicinity of the house of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya killing scores of citizens on board and destroying the vehicle.
Ambulances rushed to the scene and citizens were urged by the radio to exercise caution in fear of other possible raids.
Iran ready to cooperate with U.S. on global issues – Ahmadinejad
By RIA Novosti,
TEHRAN : Iran is ready to cooperate with the new U.S. administration in tackling global issues on the basis of "mutual respect," the Iranian president said on Friday.
"Iran announces its readiness to welcome genuine and correct changes in polices conducted by the new U.S. administration, and to cooperate with Washington on the resolution of urgent global problems in an atmosphere of mutual respect and fairness," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a meeting with the newly appointed Swiss ambassador to Iran.
Kuwait, Myanmar sign agreements, MoU
By NNN-KUNA,
Naypyidaw : Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has held discussions here with Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Lt-Gen Thein Sein.
The talks took place in a cordial atmosphere, followed by the signing of two agreements on bilateral investment, economic and technical cooperation, in addition to an MoU between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
Kuwaiti Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shemali signed the agreements, while Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khalid Suleiman Al-Jarallah signed the MoU on behalf of the Kuwaiti side.
Iranian negotiators head to Vienna for n-talks
Tehran : The Iranian negotiating team left for Vienna Monday for crucial nuclear talks with the world powers.
Iran will do its best to start...
Tehran to host Int’l Congress on School Effectiveness, Improvement
By IRNA,
Kuala Lumpur : Tehran will host International Congress on School Effectiveness and Improvement in 2014.
Head of the Tehran Education Department made the remarks in the 23rd International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
Referring to the shining presence of the Iranian students in global Olympiads and being pioneer in scientific, industrial and research technologies, Zakaria Yarzlou cited the event as the best venue to introduce the Iran’s education system.
At least 80 killed by blast in south Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti
Kabul : At least 80 people have been killed and many injured by an explosion in the Kandahar province in south Afghanistan, national media reported on Sunday.
A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in a crowd of about 500 people watching dog fights west of the city of Kandahar, a local television channel, Tolo, said.
The exact number of casualties is still uncertain.
Kabul : At least 80 people have been killed and many injured by an explosion in the Kandahar province in south Afghanistan, national media reported on Sunday.
A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in a crowd of about 500 people watching dog fights west of the city of Kandahar, a local television channel, Tolo, said.
The exact number of casualties is still uncertain.
OIC Chief condemns senseless suicide attacks in Iraq
By SPA,
Jeddah : Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has strongly condemned the suicide bomb attacks which took place in Iraq last Monday.
In a press statement issued here yesterday, the Secretary General expressed grave concern that the recent wave of acts of violence of sectarian and ethnic character might exacerbate the already volatile security situation in Iraq and deepen the cycle of violence.
Israeli troops kill Palestinian in Gaza — medical sources
By KUNA,
Gaza : A Palestinian militant was killed early on Wednesday during an Israeli incursion in northern Gaza Strip, medical sources said.
"Israeli troops carried out an incursion at dawn into the eastern sectors of Jabaliyah town in northern Gaza Strip where they killed a Palestinian militant near the grave yard," a medical source said.
Why polygamy should not be encouraged?
Need to repeat and reassert that polygamy is only an option not a compulsion in Islam.
By Dr Kouser Fathima
First and foremost. Let it be...
Toll in Turkey mine disaster now 232
Istanbul/Ankara : The death toll in Turkey's horrific coal mine accident rose to 232 Wednesday with hundreds of miners still trapped underground.
Prime Minister Recep...
Drone strike kills five militants in Afghanistan
Kabul: Five militants were killed following an airstrike by International Forces in eastern Afghanistan's Nuristan province, an official said on Sunday.
"NATO-led forces' unmanned planes...
Israel approves release of 250 Palestinian prisoners
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved the release of 250 Palestinian security prisoners as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, local news service Ynet reported.
The move was requested by caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who promised to set free another 250 Palestinian prisoners during his meeting earlier this month with Abbas, said the report.
The weekly cabinet meeting green lighted the proposal despite objections from a number of ministers, the report said.
’40-50 percent of drugs in Pakistan are fake’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has become a lucrative target of counterfeit drug sellers, according to media reports Saturday.
About 40 to 50 percent of medicines being sold in Pakistan are counterfeit, said Dawn newspaper quoting experts.
The problem has become huge and might cause prolonged illness or even death of patients, according to the experts.
The experts, at a meeting held here Friday in connection with the global Intellectual Property Rights Day, said the global trade of counterfeit drugs had crossed $35 billion.
No end to Iran’s nuclear programme – Iranian nuclear official
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : An Iranian nuclear official has said here that no end can be envisioned for Iran's nuclear programme because nuclear technology worldwide is progressing daily.
Deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran for International Affairs Mohammad Saeedi, in an interview with IRNA Friday, ruled out speculations over Iran's nuclear capability and over operation of centrifuges following an announcement that
6,000 new centrifuges -- the P1 generation type -- have been installed.
Attention-seeking behind Pakistan’s ceasefire violation: Parrikar
New Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said Pakistan's intention behind firing may be to "get attention" as the neighbouring country continues to...
Vote audit of Afghan presidential runoff suspended
Kabul : The vote audit of Afghan presidential runoff was suspended Sunday.
"The process of auditing the votes cast in presidential runoff was suspended due...
Israeli actions against Palestinian civilians are serious war crimes – UN
By KUNA
Geneva : UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, John Dugard, said Friday those responsible for "cowardly actions" in Gaza against innocent civilians are guilty of serious "war crimes" and should be prosecuted and punished for their crimes.
He added that the the killing of some 40 Palestinians in Gaza in the past week, among other actions, raises very serious questions about Israel's respect for international law and its commitment to the peace process.
UK wrong to blame Islam as “driver” of terrorism, Muslim police warn
London, Jan 21, IRNA -- The National Association of Muslim Police (NAMP) has castigated one of the main planks of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy as misguided, stigmatising Muslims and causing Islamophobia.
The government was wrong to blame Islam as the main cause of terrorist activity, the association warned MPs investigating the Prevent Violent Extremism programme.
11 shot dead at Karachi rally
By IANS,
Islamabad : Unidentified armed men opened fire at a political rally in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, killing at least 11 people and injuring more than 30, a media report said.
Egyptian FM: Gaza truce needs to be followed by further steps
By Xinhua,
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit on Saturday termed the Egypt-brokered Gaza truce as a step towards a comprehensive Palestinian-Israeli peace, which needs to be followed by further steps.
Abul Gheit made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the second day of 13th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council ahead of the AU Summitin the Egyptian Red Sea resort.
17 militants killed near Afghan capital
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the U.S.-led Coalition forces killed 17 armed militants and detained 10 more suspects in Kabul province, said a Coalition statement released here on Sunday.
During joint operations on Saturday, ANSF and Coalition forcestargeted a Haqqani foreign fighter facilitator in Zadran District,135 kilometers south of the capital city of Kabul, killing one armed militant and detained 10 suspected militants, the statement said.
How do we control these violent protests?
By Shafaque Alam
The anti-Islamic video circulating on the internet, followed by the offensive cartoons published in a French magazine, indicate a bad omen and a threat to the world peace.
UN urges Afghans to vote again in presidential polls
United Nations: UN secretary-general's special representative for Afghanistan, Jan Kubis urged Afghans to take part in Saturday's second round of the presidential polls, media...
Iran president sacks interior minister
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Saturday sacked the country's Interior Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi, according to a news report.
State-run IRNA news agency reported that a caretaker interior minister has been appointed.
"The president has appointed Mahdi Hashemi as caretaker interior minister," the report said.
Hashemi will remain in his post until a candidate nominated by Ahmadinejad has been approved by the Iranian parliament.
Bangladesh to create a fund to deal with climate change
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : The Bangladeshi caretaker government has proposed to create a fund titled "Fund for Climate Change" and allocate 3000 million taka (about 43 million U.S. dollars) for this purpose in the next fiscal's budget.
Finance and Planning Adviser of the caretaker government Mirza Azizul Islam said this Monday when announcing the budget over state-owned radio and television for the year 2008-09 (from July 2008 to June 2009).
Bangladesh last year had been seriously affected by floods and cyclone Sidr, causing huge loss of lives of properties.
Pakistanis return 13 Indian trucks with bananas
Jammu : Pakistani traders on Wednesday turned back 13 Indian trucks carrying bananas from Jammu and Kashmir over a dispute with Indian traders, an...
UAE leader meets US envoy
By IANS/WAM,
Sharjah : Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tuesday met US Ambassador to UAE Michael H. Corbin and discussed bilateral issues.
Pakistan to import 100,000 tonnes of sugar
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan will import 100,000 tonnes of sugar due to a shortage following floods that ravaged sugarcane crops in Sindh province.
Abu Dhabi varsity to promote multicultural harmony
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabhi : Students from Abu Dhabi University and 16 countries will give traditional performances Thursday as part of the annual Global Day celebrations.
Israel to keep siege on Gaza effective Thursday
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli authorities have decided to keep gateways skirting Gaza Strip shut on Thursday but the measure might be revised soon, in light of developments and conditions, according to Israel Radio.
The radio said in a broadcast early on Thursday that the Israeli-manned checkpoints around the strip would remain closed today, in line with a decision taken by senior Israeli security officials at a meeting held late on Wednesday.
Iran wants n-talks in Istanbul
By IANS,
Istanbul : Iran has said it wanted the negotiations on its nuclear programme to take place in Istanbul.
Turkish factory blast kills 2, injures 5
By SPA,
Istanbul, Turkey : An explosion at a factory near the Turkish capital of Ankara Thursday has killed at least two people and injured five others, according to media reports.
One of the injured was badly hurt in the blast in the boiler room of a dairy products factory in the town of Cubuk in Ankara province, private NTV television said, citing officials from the governor's office, according to AP.
Other media, including state-run news agency Anatolia, confirmed the explosion and the number of dead. The cause of the explosion early Thursday was unclear.
Afghan interior minister, spy chief quit in wake of attacks
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghanistan's Interior Minister and its intelligence chief have resigned over their failure to prevent Taliban attacks on last week's peace assembly in Kabul, the presidential palace announced Sunday.
President Hamid Karzai summoned Interior Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar and intelligence chief Amrullah Salah so they could explain the Taliban attacks, aimed at stopping the so-called peace jirga attended by Karzai and more than 1,600 delegates from across the country, the palace said in a statement.
Bangladesh cabinet approves draft vagrant and homeless (Rehabilitation) Act
By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka : The Bangladeshi cabinet on Sunday approved the draft of the Vagrant and Homeless (Rehabilitation) Act-2010 in order to ensure shelter for the vagrant and homeless people.
EU observers say Afghan elections ‘largely positive’
By DPA,
Kabul : Election monitors from the European Union Saturday described the Afghan presidential elections as "largely positive".
Two days after the elections, the European Union Election Observation Mission to Afghanistan, in a statement, welcomed the elections "as a victory against those who wanted to prevent the Afghan people from deciding their own future".
The mission said the Independent Election Commission "generally functioned efficiently" and that the election process "seems at this stage to have been largely positive."
India for dialogue with Pakistan in violence-free environment: Modi
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India was open to dialogue with Pakistan on all outstanding issues but in an environment free...
White House spokesman departs on day of change in Egypt
By DPA,
Washington: US President Barack Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs held his final White House briefing after more than two years on the job.
Suicide explosion kills 30 in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : At least 30 pilgrims were killed and dozens of others injured in a suicide attack south of the Iraqi capital Friday,...
Palestine: At least seven Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks
By NNN-WAFA
Gaza : Six citizens were killed and four others wounded on Thursday morning in two Israeli strikes on east Jbalya, north trhe Gaza Strip, medical sources said.
They added that Israeli warplane fired missiles on a group of people killing six and wounding four, some seriously.
In another attack, a teacher was killed and five others were wounded on Thursday morning as Israeli artillery bombarded Beit Hanoun town, north the Gaza Strip, witnesses said.
US pleased, Pakistan PM satisfied with successes in South Wazaristan
By NNN-APP,
Washington/Islamabad : As Pakistan made fresh gains in its anti militant drive in South Waziristan, the United States said it is pleased with success of the operation, taking place along Pakistan-Afghan border region considered critical to security efforts in both countries.
State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to back the ally with economic and security assistance.
Germany not fazed by Obama’s Afghanistan criticism
By IRNA
Berlin : The German government said Friday it was not impressed by statements of American Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama who called on European states to boost their efforts in Afghanistan and not rely on the United States and Britain to do the "dirty work" in combating the Taliban.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg said that his country was "aware of its international responsibilities and duties, especially in Afghanistan."
UN observers shot at in Syria: Ban
By IANS,
United Nations : UN observers trying to reach the scene of the latest reported massacre of Syrian villagers were shot at with small arms, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday.
No Americans killed in Peshawar blast: US
By IANS,
Islamabad : The US embassy here Monday denied that two Americans were killed in a car bomb attack in Peshawar.
Suicide bombings in Kabul kill 19, wound 54
By DPA,
Kabul : At least 19 people were killed and 54 wounded in several blasts triggered by suicide bombers and gunfire that rocked Kabul Wednesday, a day ahead of a visit by US special envoy Richard Holbrooke, officials and witnesses said.
"The information we received from five hospitals in Kabul city shows that 19 people were killed and 54 others were wounded in today's (Wednesday) attacks," said Abdullah Fahim, a spokesman for the Public Health Ministry.
PLO central council to meet on dismissing Hamas-held parliament
By Xinhua
Ramallah : The Palestinian Liberation Organization's (PLO) Central Council will meet Sunday evening to discuss dismissing the Hamas-dominated parliament and call for early elections.
"The central council has the right to dissolve the Legislative Council" because of the split between the Hamas-run Gaza Strip and the West Bank where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement still dominant, said Akram al-Haimouni, a Fatah lawmaker.
Divorced parents protest in Pakistan city
By IANS,
Lahore : A group of divorced parents, mostly fathers, held a protest in this Pakistani city over delay in legal proceedings that denies them access to their children.
Nearly 100,000 have fled Libya in past week: UN
By DPA,
Geneva : Nearly 100,000 people have fled the unrest in Libya over the last week, according to the United Nations' refugee agency UNHCR.
UN official expresses shock to deteriorating situation in Gaza
By KUNA
Ramallah : United Nations under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes expressed on Friday his worries concerning the deteriorating situation in Gaza Strip.
Holmes said in a press conference after visiting today hospitals in Gaza and Beit Lahyia where he expressed shock at the levels of destruction and loss in these areas after the closure of passageways, including levels of unemployment among Palestinians.
Israeli soldiers kill Hamas militant in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : A militant of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) was shot dead early on Friday by Israeli troops' gunfire southeast of the Gaza Strip, Hamas sources and medics said. Hamas said in a leaflet sent to reporters that one of the movement's militants was killed in an exchange of fire with an Israeli army force east of al-Garara village in southern Gaza Strip.
Palestinian PM: Israel fails to meet peace obligation
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad Saturday said the Israeli government failed to meet any obligation, especially ending settlement expansion in West Bank.
Fayyad told the Ramallah-based al-Ayyam daily after an international donor's meeting Friday in London to provide aids to the cash-strapped Palestinian National Authority (PNA).
Fayyad warned that the continuation of the settlement activities, inside what the Palestinians hope to be their future state, "will make the peace process meaningless."
Iraqi PM and VP discuss unity government
By SPA,
Baghdad : Iraq's prime minister Nouri al-Maliki met Sunday with the Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi to discuss issues relating to unity government.
The meeting between al-Maliki and al-Hashemi came a day after the Sunni leader al-Hashemi described the return of his boycotting political bloc, the National Accordance Front, to the Cabinet as a priority.
The two men discussed the future of the political process and the rebuilding of a national and unified government, according to a statement from the presidency office.
Pakistan shuts educational institutions till security improves
By IANS,
Islamabad : All government and private schools, colleges and universities throughout Pakistan have been closed after fears of militant attacks in the wake of twin suicide bombings at a university campus here, officials said.
The News Wednesday quoted the officials as saying that all educational institutions will remain closed till the security situation improves in the country.
All schools run by the armed forces have been shut since Sunday in the wake of the military offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan that began Saturday.
US open to talks with Iran on reviving nuclear deal
By DPA,
Washington : The United States is open to holding talks with Iran designed to revive a nuclear swap deal and is hopeful that such a meeting, which would include other world powers, could take place in the coming weeks, the US State Department said Wednesday.
Iran sent a letter Monday to the United Nations nuclear monitoring body, known as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), signalling an interest in renewing the discussions.
Andhra assembly condemns Peshawar carnage
Hyderabad : The Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly Thursday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the massacre of school students in Pakistan's Peshawar town.
On the first...
Surviving in the worst: The tale of widow Rohingya refugees living in Jammu
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net,
Jammu: Three weeks ago, Tahira Begum, 25 a Rohingya refugee along with her husband and two kids, was...
Israeli spokesman: Three missiles hit southern Israel from N. Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : Three missiles hit southern Israel in two separate attacks Thursday, launched from North Gaza, said an Israeli Army spokesman.
The spokesman told Radio Israel one of the missiles hit in an empty close to Sderot settlement, near Gaza Strip.
He pointed out the other two exploded in Eshkol region, northeast Gaza, and the army was now trying to pinpoint the exact location.
According to the spokesman, there was no loss of life or material damage.
Netherlands Rejects ‘Fitna’
By Bernama
Islamabad : The Netherlands Embassy here says the Netherlands Government unequivocally rejects the anti-Islam film "Fitna" released by Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders, Saudi Arabia's news agency SPA reported.
A spokesperson of the embassy said the Netherlands Prime Minister regretted that Wilders released the film, stating that it serves no purpose other than to cause offence.
The spokesperson said the Netherlands government is heartened by the initial restrained reactions of Dutch Muslim organisations.
U.S., Iraqi troops kill leader of extremist militant group in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : U.S. and Iraqi special forcese liminated on Monday a commander of an extremist network accused of criminal activities against Iraqi forces and civilians in Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces, led by U.S. Special Forces advisers, conducted an operation to detain a reported extremist commander in the Amel neighborhood in southwestern Baghdad, a military statement said.
Lebanese PM hails prisoners swap as Hezbollah victory
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora said that the prisoners swap deal between Israel and Hezbollah is a "huge failure" for Israel and a "national success" for Hezbollah, local Daily Star reported on Wednesday.
"Releasing the prisoners through the German mediator is a huge failure of Israeli policy," Seniora said in a statement released by his press office Tuesday.
President Musharraf rejects resignation rumors
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Saturday dismissed as baseless rumours of his resignation and said that the rumours had created panic among the people.
Local media was recently full with reports that President Musharraf has decided to resign and some reports even suggested that he will leave the country.
"I have not decided to resign. I will remain in Pakistan. I do not have any house outside Pakistan. Rumors of resignations about my resignations are rubbish," President Musharraf told senior reporters.
One in five US war veterans suffer mental problems
By Xinhua,
Washington : One in five US soldiers who returned from the Iraq or Afghanistan war, suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a report.
The Rand Corporation (a non-profit US think tank) Thursday said in its report that nearly 20 percent (300,000) of the US troops reported symptoms of mental problems. Around 19 percent experienced a possible traumatic brain injury, while seven percent suffered both problems.
10 militants killed in missile attack in Pakistan’s tribal region
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Ten militants were killed in a missile attack in Pakistan's tribal region, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported Wednesday.
Four missiles hit the hideouts in Baghar village in South Waziristan tribal area on Tuesday night, said the report.
Local media reports said the missiles were fired from spy planes.
Pakistan’s terror safe havens remain security challenge, says US
By Arun Kumar,IANS,
Barak orders reopening of Gaza crossings at noon — daily
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak ordered on Tuesday partial opening of Gaza Strip crossings, despite last night's decision to close them in response to Palestinian mortar attacks.
16 dead in Pakistan drone attack
By IANS,
Islamabad : Sixteen people died in a US drone attack early Monday in Pakistan.
15 civilians injured in car bomb in Mosul
By KUNA,
Irbil : Fifteen civilians, including women and children, were injured in a car bomb attack, the third in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Thursday, police said.
A booby-trapped car, parking on the side of the road, exploded today and injured at least 15 civilians, a police source said.
He told KUNA the explosion caused damage to nearby houses, shops and cars.
Seventeen people were killed, including three policemen, and 20 others were injured when a suicide attacker detonated the explosives he was carrying.
Afghanistan war may be lost in Pakistan: US think tank
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The Afghanistan war may be lost in a home-grown insurgency hit Pakistan unless US takes some "game-changing steps" including talks on an India like civil nuclear deal, suggests a US think tank.
"The Afghanistan war may be lost on the battlefields of Pakistan, where a vicious conflict is now being fought by Pakistan against a home-grown insurgency spawned by the war across its Western frontier," said the Atlantic Council of the United States in a report released Monday.
Tehran Symphonic Orchestra to perform in European cities
By IRNA,
Tehran : Tehran Symphonic Orchestra plans to perform peace and friendship symphony in Rome, Italy, as part of the programs to mark victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Composed by the noted Iranian composer, Majid Entezami, the symphony features the role of Iran’s nation in the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
Following Rome, the performance conducted by Manuchehr Sahbaei will also be held in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria.
Syrian president meets AL chief on Lebanon
By Xinhua
Damascus : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad held talks with visiting Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa on Saturday on the political crisis in neighboring Lebanon and the "dangerous developments" in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Moussa reviewed the political developments in Lebanon and the consultations he made to solve the pending issues among the Lebanese parties in the framework of an integrated Arab plan endorsed in Cairo on Jan. 6, the official SANA news agency reported.
200 killed in parts of Afghanistan because of severe winter weather
By KUNA
Geneva : The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) said Friday that the harsh winter weather in the Western and Central Highlands Regions of Afghanistan over the past weeks led so far to 200 deaths. UN OCHA spokesperson Elizabeth Byrs told reporters that the provinces of Herat, Farah, Badghis, Ghor in Western Region and Dai Kundi were severely affected, with the majority of roads closed and the price of what food and fuel are available, rising steeply. Herat Airport, the main airport in the West, closed for a number of days.
Various splinter groups are involved in suicide bombings, says interior minister
By SPA
Islamabad : Various splinter groups having sympathies with banned extremist organisations are involved in series of suicide bombings in Pakistan, Interior Ministry Spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema says.
Extremist elements want to destabilise Pakistan but their nefarious designs would be foiled at all costs, he told the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV).
Cheema said the law enforcement agencies are diligently working out a plan to eliminate terrorism from the country in 2008.
Bush calls Gilani, renews strong commitment to US-Pak cooperation
By NNN-APP,
Washington : President George W Bush on Thursday renewed United States’ firm commitment to economic and anti-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan during a telephonic call to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and expressed sympathies over recent terrorist bombings that have claimed scores of innocent lives, the White House said.
Israel Kills 17 Palestinians in Gaza, three-day mourning declared
By IRNA
Gaza City : Israeli troops raided the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, killing 17 Palestinians.
Hamas government declared three-day mourning and ordered flags on all government buildings to be lowered half-mast.
Son of a senior Hamas leader was among the civilians killed in the operation.
An undercover army unit moved first into the Zeitoun area east of Gaza City, striking Palestinian houses and the civilians moving around in the city.
16 Palestinians and the son of a senior Hamas leader, Mahmoud Zahar, were killed, witnesses said.
Iran summons French ambassador to protest Paris’ regional policies
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iranian Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned the French ambassador Bernard Poletti to protest Paris' stance over regional issues in the Mideast, the state media reported.
Since France has chosen to provide "one-sided support" for the "Zionist regime" and French officials have made "unreal, illogical and hasty remarks" on the Iranian president, Director General for Western Europe at the Foreign Ministry Mostafa Dolatyar conveyed Iran's protest to the French envoy, the official IRNA news agency said.
Ten killed as boat capsizes in Bangladesh
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : At least ten people died and 25 were injured when a boat capsized in Bangladesh, 109 km northeast of capital Dhaka, the private news agency UNB reported. The survivors were quoted as saying that the boat with about 50 passengers on board collided with a ferry in Titas river in Brahmanbaria district at noon.
The engine boat then capsized amid shrill cries of the passengers, they said.
Ten bodies, including those of women and children, have been recovered so far, UNB reported.
UAE to launch health census
By Xinhua,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon launch its first health census as part of a plan to overhaul and streamline health services, The National newspaper reported Monday.
The nationwide survey will be conducted by the Arab federation's health ministry and monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to the report.
The ministry said the census will help in creating a database for use in formulating healthcare policies.
Prominent Iraqi cleric among seven killed in Iraq attacks
By DPA,
Baghdad: Seven people were killed in a string of attacks in Iraq, including a prominent Sunni cleric, and 20 wanted individuals were arrested, Iraqi security sources said Wednesday.
A policeman and a civilian were shot and killed by gunmen in the Serj Khana market in the centre of the city of Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad, security sources said.
In an unrelated incident in Mosul's neighbourhood of Telafr, a civilian was shot and killed by gunmen.
Iraqi security forces arrest to Al-Qaeda sponsor, female suicide bombers
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi security forces on Friday stated that they have put a stop to what they described as "the direct sponsors of Al-Qaeda in the Diyali province," as well as female suicide-bombers in the Iraqi area.
"Ibrahim Al-Towaijri, the direct sponsor of Al-Qaeda in Diyali has been arrested by the Iraqi authorities," said Director of the National Command Centre in the Iraqi Ministry of Interior Major General Abdulkarim Khalaf in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
Zardari gets 24 hours to ‘bring down political temperature’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Under a new deal "backed by Washington, London and the army establishment", Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has been given 24 hours to act on the lawyers' stir for overturning the controversial measures of former ruler Pervez Musharraf, a media report said Friday.
Zardari was Friday "reportedly asked to go by the army and the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani if he does not accept a new deal hatched by them in consultation with foreign powers", a Pakistan News website said.
Wary Iran keeps door open for India on pipeline project
By IANS,
New Delhi: A day after talks with Indian leaders, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Tuesday said the "door was open" for India to join the tri-nation gas pipeline, but indicated his wariness with the Indian response, saying the project could change in the future.
Iran has in place a bilateral arrangement with Pakistan on the gas pipeline and both countries have begun work on the project, Mottaki said here.