Joint signature campaign launched in India, Pakistan
By IANS,
Chandigarh : Chandigarh Friday joined various cities in India and Pakistan in a signature campaign to garner public support against terrorism and to promote cooperation and peace between the two countries, members of a voluntary organisation said.
This signature campaign will run for a month from Jan 9 to Feb 8 and various civil society organisations, students, peace and human right activists, politicians and other concerned citizens of the two countries are expected to participate in it.
Chinese FM discusses Indo-Pak tension with his Pakistani counterpart
ISLAMABAD, Dec 26 (KUNA) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Friday called his Pakistani counterpart, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and held discussion on Indo-Pak tension in the aftermath of Mumbai attacks.
Discussing the present situation in South Asia, Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined the need for India to pursue a policy of restraint and responsibility, said a foreign office statement.
Militias loyal to Libya parliament deployed in Tripoli
Tripoli: Militias loyal to the Libyan parliament were deployed in key areas in Libya's capital Tripoli Tuesday amid rising tensions with General Khalifa Haftar.
Soldiers...
Roadblock stops Afghan returns in north-western Pakistan: UNHCR
By IRNA,
Islamabad : The UNHCR has temporarily suspended its Afghan voluntary return operation via Peshawar in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) due to a roadblock in the tribal areas leading to Afghanistan, the UN refugee agency said.
Fuelled by a dispute between local tribes, the blockage along the Peshawar-Torkham highway has left hundreds of home-bound Afghans stranded.
Over 360 Afghan families had been processed for repatriation from Peshawar Monday but were unable to leave due to the roadblock.
UK terror suspects to sue over wrongly imposed control orders
By IRNA,
London : Three Court of Appeal judges Wednesday cleared the way for two terrorist suspects to claim damages from the British government for having control orders wrongly imposed on them for three and a half years.
Their ruling upheld a previous High Court judgment that the control orders against a British Libyan, only known as AF, and an Iraqi Kurd, referred to as AE, should not merely be revoked but quashed because they should never have been made in the first place.
Palestine: Israel Made Egypt Mess
By Prensa Latina
Gaza : The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) blamed Tel Aviv for the incident Wednesday on the border with Egypt, in which thousands of people crossed to get provisions after Israel had blocked the Gaza Strip on Thursday.
Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina accused Israeli authorities of causing the events on the Rafah crossing, and said it was due to "the unacceptable blockade" against the population in that area, where basic supplies are running short.
`NGOs with foreign funding fuelling militancy in Bangladesh’
By IANS,
Dhaka : Foreign money is funding Bangladesh's NGOs that are fuelling Islamist militancy in the country, a minister has said.
Finance minister A.M.A. Muhith Wednesday said: "There is an international network against terror financing. Bangladesh has not completely become a part of that network."
He alleged that most of the NGOs, now under close scrutiny of government agencies and the Bangladesh Bank, came during Khaleda Zia's tenure (2001-06), when it shared power with Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamists.
Islamist NGOs had grown during Zia's 1991-96 tenure as well.
Heavy snow cuts off Greek villages, disrupts air traffic in Turkey, Athens
By SPA
Athens : Heavy snowfall left about 200 villages cut off across Greece Monday and forced airport authorities to cancel dozens of flights, reported ap.
Civil defense authorities were on alert, and problems with power and water supply were reported across the country as Greece was gripped by the second day of a winter storm.
Schools and universities were shut throughout the greater Athens area and in many other parts of Greece. About 200 villages, most on the southern island of Crete, were cut off by the heavy snowfall.
Iran, Syria supporting terrorism: Bush
By DPA,
Washington : US President George W. Bush has singled out Iran and Syria as supporting terrorism and undermining democracy in Lebanon.
"Since the Beirut attack, we and citizens of many countries have suffered more attacks at the hands of Hezbollah and other terrorists, backed by the regimes in Tehran and Damascus, which use terror and violence against innocent civilians," Bush said in statement Thursday.
UAE discusses relations with China, Canada
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Envoys from China and Canada met a senior official of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and held discussions on bilateral relations.
`Gilani has accepted majesty of law’
By IANS,
Islamabad: Yousuf Raza Gilani has "accepted majesty of the law", said his lawyer after the prime minister appeared before the Supreme Court that had issued a contempt notice to him.
Jinnah was ‘demonsed’ by India: Jaswant Singh
By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh has said Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah was "demonised" by India even though it was Jawaharlal Nehru whose belief in a centralised system had led to the Partition.
Jaswant, whose book "Jinnah - India, Partition, Independence", will be released tomorrow, also said Indian Muslims are treated as aliens.
"Oh yes, because he created something out of nothing and single-handedly he stood against the might of the Congress party and against the British who didn't really like him...
Arab economic summit begins in Kuwait
By Xinhua,
Kuwait City : An Arab League (AL) summit began here Monday to discuss the Gaza crisis as well as global economic meltdown.
The heads of state of the 22-member Arab League (AL) and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are attending the conference to discuss a range of issues, including Gaza and the economic crisis.
In the opening speech, Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah announced that the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) would need $34 million for Gaza reconstruction.
Hamas calls on pro-Abbas forces to stop arresting West Bank members
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian security forces arrested two members of the Islamic Resistance Movement or Hamas in West Bank, the Hamas said in a statement on Thursday.
According to the statement, the detentions took place in Nabluscity. The West Bank forces, loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, arrested Hamas supporters and members for political motivation related to the Islamic movement's takeover of Gaza Strip more than a year ago.
‘Hamas hindering formation of Palestinian unity government’
Ramallah : The Hamas movement has put "impossible" conditions ahead of the formation of a new Palestinian unity government, a senior Palestinian official said...
UN calls for support for Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Beirut: UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos Friday called on the international community to help Lebanon address the Syrian refugee crisis.
"The impact on Lebanon has...
UK military chief hints at boosting troops in Afghanistan
By IRNA,
London : Britain's chief of defence staff has hinted for the first time that more troops could be sent to Afghanistan by reversing previous reports that ruled out redeploying the UK's remaining 4,000 service personnel in Iraq.
But speaking at the Royal United Services Institute in London, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup insisted that any additional force sent to Afghanistan must be smaller than the 4,000 troops that will soon leave Iraq.
Militants blow up themselves to evade arrest — Afghan officials
By KUNA,
Kabul : The five militants, who were found dead at a house in a Kabul locality after a shootout with security forces on Wednesday morning, have actually blown themselves up, intelligence officials said.
Earlier, security forces have said that all five, holed up in a house near the historical Baghe Babar, were killed in exchange of fire.
However, intelligence officials said they had blown themselves up to evade arrest by the security forces.
Neither the Interior nor Defence Ministry issued any comment on the battle in the western locality of this central capital.
Enlargement row overshadows NATO’s Afghan plan
By DPA
Bucharest : A row over the organisation's enlargement dominated the second day of NATO's summit in Bucharest Thursday, delaying and overshadowing crucial talks on international efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.
NATO leaders agreed to welcome Albania and Croatia into their club but clashed over the membership aspirations of Georgia and Ukraine, which in the end won a promise to join at a later stage.
Meanwhile, strong protests erupted in Skopje after Macedonia's bid for an invitation was effectively vetoed by Greece.
22 Afghan militants give up arms
By IANS,
Kabul : Twenty-two Afghan militants gave up arms and handed over their weapons to the authorities Sunday, an official said.
Pakistan for enhancing aid with Europe
By NNN-APP,
London : The visiting Pakistan Commerce Secretary underscored the need of enhancing trade and investment in the South Asian country as a part of international support in the perspective of new era of democracy following the February 18 Parliamentary elections.
“Pakistan needs trade and not aid”, Syed Asif Shah told a seminar organised by the Asia House Corporate programme in Central London on Friday.
Over 150 killed in Karachi in January
By IANS,
Islamabad : A total of 155 people have been killed in separate incidents of violence in Pakistan's port city of Karachi this month, a media report said Thursday.
Majority of Fatah movement supports dialogue with Hamas: official
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : A majority in Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement supports a resumption of dialogue with rival Hamas, a senior Fatah official said here Saturday.
Mohamed al-Hourani, a member of Fatah central committee, said a majority within the Fatah movement also wanted to reach a realistic deal of reconciliation with Hamas.
The two rival movements, Fatah, which controls the West Bank and Hamas, which has been controlling the Gaza Strip since last summer, are the biggest political groups that represent 90 percent of the Palestinian population.
Bhutto suffered fatal head injury from roof hatch: Scotland Yard
By IANS
Islamabad : Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto may have died of a fatal head injury when a powerful blast made her duck and hit the roof escape hatch of her Land Cruiser, the Scotland Yard said in its report released Friday.
The only apparent injury was a major trauma to the right side of the head, which the experts exclude as being an entry or exit wound as a result of a gunshot, said the investigation report released by the British high commission.
Iraq: 3 killed, 4 wounded in Basra blast
By SPA
Baghdad : Iraqi security forces say a large explosion has demolished a building in the southern city of Basra, killing at least three militants and wounding four.
British military spokesman Maj. Tom Holloway says it's not clear what caused Monday's blast but insists no British, U.S. or Iraqi forces were involved, the Associated Press reported.
An Iraqi police official and witnesses say those killed were gunmen using the abandoned house as a base, and that the building was destroyed in an air strike.
20 killed in Pakistan boat accident
By IANS,
Islamabad : Twenty students were drowned Monday in eastern Pakistan when their boat capsized in a canal.
Pakistani Taliban threaten to attack secular parties
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani Taliban have threatened to attack the secular political parties in the country, the Dawn reported Monday.
Talks with US on Iraq security ‘useless’: Iran
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran said Monday its next round of talks with the US on Iraq security would "make no sense" in the backdrop of intense US military offensive in the war-ravaged country, IRNA reported.
"The US does not heed Iranian calls to stop indiscriminate bombardment of residential areas in Sadr City. Therefore, the warring parties should sit at negotiating table and that would help the Iraqi government to iron out the differences over national reconciliation," government spokesman Mohammed-Ali Hossiani said.
Taliban calls for boycott of Afghan elections
By Prensa Latina
Kabul: The Taliban has called for a boycott of the Afghan presidential and provincial elections scheduled Aug 20 and warned it would launch fresh attacks if its diktat is not heeded.
In a statement to the media Friday, the rebels said people must boycott these elections as the polls are backed by the US.
"The Afghans must come together to free the country from the invading troops. To participate in the elections means to be sympathetic to the occupying troops. The supporters of the holy war must frustrate the false election process," it said.
India, Saudi to share information on terrorist movement, arms, drugs
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Riyadh: Security and counter-terrorism measures will get top priority during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Saudi Arabia, says India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Talmiz Ahmad.
"This visit, taking place four years after the visit of (Saudi Arabia's) King Abdullah (Bin Abdul Aziz) to India will give both sides an opportunity to discuss important global and regional issues," Ahmad told IANS.
Three killed in Pakistan car bomb attack
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least three people were killed and 15 policemen were injured Thursday night when a suicide car bomb hit a police check-post in northwest Pakistan, a media report said.
US’ Iraq ambassador sees progress despite bombing
By DPA,
Washington : Christopher Hill, the outgoing US ambassador to Iraq, insisted Iraq has made progress in reducing the level of violence in the past year, shrugging off the lack of a government and a devastating bombing in Baghdad Tuesday.
The White House also said the draw-down of US combat troops in Iraq remained "firmly on track" as it condemned the suicide attack outside an Iraqi Army recruiting centre in Baghdad, which killed at least 58 people and left 130 others injured.
Court reserves order in Musharraf’s high treason case
Islamabad : A special court here Friday reserved judgement on dismissing the high treason case against Pakistan's former president Pervez Musharraf and others till...
Israel arrests seven Palestinian in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli army arrested seven Palestinians in West Bank cities early on Thursday, Palestinian security sources said.
The detentions took place in Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin and Jericho, the sources added.
At dawn, the Israeli army stormed Nablus and arrested three residents during raids and searching operations in houses, said the sources.
Israeli sources said the detainees were taken for interrogation because they were wanted by the security services.
Pakistan lodges protest over Afghan shelling
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan has lodged protest with Afghanistan-based NATO forces over cross-border shelling, which killed a Pakistani soldier, according to local media.
UAE Foreign Minister to visit Malaysia from Sunday
By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah Zayed Al Nahyan will make his first official visit to Malaysia for two days, beginning Sunday.
Rawalpindi has no diesel to run its trains
By IANS,
Islamabad : Trains may not run from Pakistan's Rawalpindi city from Tuesday as their engines don't have diesel.
Magnitude 5.3 earthquake hits northwest Iran
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : A 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit the Zandjan province in northwest Iran on Tuesday, a seismological assessment center in Tehran reported.
The quake was registered at 10:48 local time (06.18 GMT). No reports of destruction or casualties have been released.
On May 1, a 4.7-magnitude quake was registered in the country's western Lorestan province. About 100 people suffered minor injuries.
Terror-hit Peshawar school resumes classes
Islamabad : The army-run Peshawar school which was ravaged by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan a few weeks ago resumed its classes Monday, a media report here...
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.
Berlin rejects judicial bid to ban Turkey’s ruling AKP party
By IRNA
Berlin : The German government here Monday dismissed efforts by Turkey's chief prosecutor to ban the governing AKP party of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul branding it "incomprehensible and worrisome".
"The AKP is clearly a democratic party which became the strongest party as a result of free, fair and democratic parliamentary elections in 2007," deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg was quoted saying at a routine press briefing.
Sadr calls off huge demonstration
By IRNA
Baghdad : Moqtada al-Sadr, the Shia cleric on Tuesday called off a huge demonstration in the capital less than 24 hours before it was to take place.
The march was called for the fifth anniversary of American troops' capture of the capital, on April 9, 2003, to protest the continuing US military presence.
Iraqi and American armed forces have been tightening a cordon around Sadr City, the vast Shia district of Baghdad that is Sadr's base of support and that is named after the cleric's revered ancestors.
Israeli defence minister, Mubarak meet in Egypt
By DPA,
Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt): Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak and Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak met in the Sinai resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh Wednesday.
Ahead of the talks, officials from Mubarak's office said the two were expected to discuss efforts to restart stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks following US Mideast envoy George Mitchell's trip to the region last week.
Haj health plan focuses on infectious diseases
Riyadh : The Ministry of Health's plan for Haj this year includes measures to counter various infectious diseases and ensure pilgrims have vaccinations for yellow fever, cholera, meningitis, flu and polio.
Palestinian death toll in Israeli strikes rises to 234: UN
By DPA
Geneva : Up to 234 Palestinians have been killed in 2008 till date as a result of Israeli military attacks as against 301 in 2007, according to figures published by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Tuesday.
UNRWA said 123 Palestinians including 55 unarmed civilians, among them 27 children, died last week as a result of Israeli military operations. Five Israelis were killed in the same period, four from military operations inside Gaza and one by a rocket landing in Israel.
Six rapists to be executed in Bangladesh
By Xinhua
Dhaka : A Bangladeshi court Tuesday sentenced six young men to death for raping a housewife at a village in Feni district, about 165 km southeast of capital Dhaka.
Judge of the Women and Children Repression Prevention tribunal Nazrul Islam acquitted other 12 people linked to the case.
According to local police, the convicts broke into the house of Nurul Haq at Bhabanipur village in Feni district on the night of July 18, 2002 and raped his daughter-in-law one after another.
Indian man rescued by Oman air force
Muscat: A Royal Air Force of Oman chopper has rescued an injured Indian national who was on board a commercial ship in Omani territorial...
America’s biggest law firm opens second office in UAE
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Global legal services giant DLA Piper, the largest law firm in the US, has opened its second office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
DLA Piper has over 3,700 lawyers in 65 offices spread across 25 countries.
The new office, located at the Al Bateen locality here, will initially comprise four partners and eight lawyers but this number is likely to more than double, according to a DLA Piper statement. The firm has a 100-strong lawyer team at its Dubai office. Its other offices in the Gulf are at Doha in Qatar and Muscat in Oman.
UK urges immediate cease-fire in Gaza
By IRNA,
London : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called for an "immediate cease-fire" to the Gaza violence.
"The prime minister and I are following developments in Gaza with grave concern. The rise in rocket attacks on Israel since 19 December, and Saturday's massive loss of life, make this a dangerous moment which should be of concern to the whole of the international community," Miliband said in a statement published by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
He said that the UK supports an "urgent ceasefire" and "immediate halt" to all violence in Gaza.
Int’l media body welcomes resignation of Pakistani Information Minister
By EuAsiaNews,
Brussels : The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari for imposing a ban on the Geo TV News, accusing him of "intolerable interference" in press freedom.
The Brussels-based press body also welcomed the resignation of Information Minister Sherry Rehman in protest at the President's action.
Bomb kills two children in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad: Two children - a five-year-old boy and his 12-year-old sister - were killed in Pakistan's northwest tribal region when a bomb they had found exploded, a media report said.
US indirectly paying Afghan warlords, Taliban: Report
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The US military is funding a massive protection racket in Afghanistan, indirectly paying tens of millions of dollars to warlords, corrupt public officials and the Taliban, according to US Congressional investigators.
The security arrangements, part of a $2.16 billion transport contract, to ensure safe passage of its supply convoys throughout the country violate laws on the use of private contractors, as well as Defence Department regulations, the Washington Post reported Tuesday citing a Congressional report.
Toll in Iraq bombings rises to 54
By Xinhua
Baghdad : The death toll from the two bombs that went off in quick succession late Thursday in a busy business place in central Baghdad has risen to 54 with nearly 125 injured, a police source said.
According to the source, a roadside bomb exploded in the commercial Attar street in the capital's business district of Kharada. When the security forces and civilians gathered at the site, a suicide bomber blew himself up causing the mass casualty, he said.
Senator’s son killed in Pakistan
Islamabad : A son of a senator from Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) was shot dead Thursday, a media report said.
Shamsul Islam, son...
Bangladesh protests killing of two border guards
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has protested to India on the killing of two of its border guards Thursday night, claiming the incident took place 1.5 Km inside its territory .
The New Age newspaper correspondent in Chapainawabganj said the situation on the Raghunathpur border had been tense as both sides reinforced the deployment of border guards.
Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury strongly condemned the killing of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) personnel, saying "such incidents are totally unacceptable".
Five civilians killed in Iraq airstrike miss
Mosul : Five civilians were killed and eight injured when warplanes missed their target Friday in an attempted strike on the Turkish consulate in...
10 killed in Pakistan drone strike
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 10 suspected militants were killed Thursday in a US drone strike in Pakistan's northwest tribal region, media reports said.
Over 20 dead in Afghan violence
By IANS,
Kabul: Ten security personnel were among more than 20 killed in clashes in Afghanistan Wednesday, authorities said.
Syrian PM’s defection shows isolation of Assad: Italy
By IANS/AKI,
Rome : The defection Monday of Syrian prime minister Riyad Hijab demonstrates the "progressive isolation" of President Bashar al-Assad, Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said.
Sushma makes statement on Yemen in Lok Sabha
New Delhi : Amid a huge ruckus and slogan shouting by opposition members, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday said in the Lok...
22 killed in attacks across Iraq
Baghdad: At least 22 people were killed and 97 others wounded in separate attacks across Iraq Thursday, including a deadly bombing attack at a...
Five children among six Palestinians killed in Israeli military operation
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : Six Palestinians including four children and babies were killed during an Israeli incursion carried out early on Monday in the region of Beit Hanoun in the north of Gaza Strip, medical sources said.
Dr. Mu'aiah Hasanain, in charge of the emergency ward of the Palestinian Health Ministry, told KUNA that the victims included four members of a single family; one year-old Musaab Abu Maateq, his sister Hanaa, 3, brother Saleh, 4 and another sister named Rudaina, aged six.
Fayyad expects to run in next Palestinian presidential elections
By Xinhua
Gaza : Salam Fayyad, the Prime Minister of the caretaker government is thinking to run in the coming Palestinian Presidential elections due to be held in January 2009,a well-informed Palestinian source revealed Monday.
The source, which spoke in conditions of anonymity, told the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper that Fayyad would run in the elections "only if President Mahmoud Abbas decides not to compete on the Palestinian presidency."
Contempt plea against Pakistani law minister in Supreme Court
By IANS,
Islamabad : A contempt plea has been filed in Pakistan's Supreme Court against the country's law minister for allegedly hindering the implementation of an apex court verdict overturning an amnesty against graft.
Muhammad Tariq Asad, an advocate, filed the plea Friday seeking action against Law Minister Babar Awan under article 204 of the constitution, Online news agency reported.
8 killed, 50 wounded in Baghdad bomb attacks
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Eight people were killed and 50 wounded in a car bomb blast and a roadside bomb attack in Baghdad Monday, an official said.
At least five people were killed and some 20 others wounded when a booby-trapped car detonated in Baghdad central district in Karrada, the official said on condition of anonymity.
In a separate incident, a roadside bomb went off at a busy market in the neighbourhood of Shaab in northeast Baghdad, killing three people and wounding 30 others.
Germany apologises for bugging Afghan minister
By DPA,
Berlin : German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier phoned his Afghan counterpart Rangin Dadfar Spanta Saturday to apologise for the monitoring of an Afghan minister by the German foreign intelligence service, the BND.
Both sides had expressed the view that the affair - the monitoring of e-mail correspondence between Afghan Trade and Industry Minister Amin Farhang and a German journalist - would not impact on "the good trusting relations" between Germany and Afghanistan, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said.
‘US digging itself out of a hole in Pakistan, Afghanistan’
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington: Blaming the previous Bush administration for "a culture of poverty" that had starved the US campaign against Taliban, the top US military official says America is still digging its way "out of a hole" in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
"I'm digging myself out of a hole in Pakistan and in Afghanistan," Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told The Washington Times in an interview published Thursday.
Musharraf may quit after address to nation
By IANS,
Islamabad : Speculation over Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's resignation reached a feverish pitch Monday with some officials saying he was likely to quit in the evening after addressing the nation in the afternoon and be sent to Saudi Arabia soon after.
State run and private television channels and radio crews reached the president's camp office in nearby Rawalpindi to cover the address.
Three ex-generals face probe for corruption
By IANS,
Islamabad : Three retired Pakistani generals are facing a probe for corruption. The Dawn said Sunday that such an investigation was taking place for the first time in the country.
Sedki Sobhi sworn in as new Egypt defence minister
Cairo : Egyptian military chief of staff Gen. Sedki Sobhi took oath of office Thursday as the country's new defence minister to succeed his...
Parliament session adjourned till Wednesday
By KUNA
Kuwait : Speaker of the National Assembly Jassem Al-Kharafi adjourned Tuesday's session for Wednesday, after having earlier adjourned for 30 minutes after government representatives walked out as voting began on a proposal for a KD 50 pay raise for Kuwaitis.
The members did not return after the 30 minutes and the chairman had to adjourn for tomorrow.
The session began with approval of several documents including a letter of resignation by MP Dr. Ali Al-Emeir from the Public Utilities Committee and from the Committee for the Affairs of the Disabled.
Kuwait tops list of press freedom in Arab World — survey
By KUNA,
Washington : Kuwait topped the list of freedom of the press in the Arab world, according to an annual survey of media independency in 195 countries and territories.
The survey said the country was one of the very few to enjoy such freedom not only of the press, but also of broadcast and internet media.
PTI announces ‘dharna convention’ Jan 18
Islamabad : Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan announced Monday that his party will hold a 'dharna convention' Jan 18, media reported.
Speaking during a...
Pakistan offer attractive investment opportunities- Dr Lodhi
By NNN-APP
London, UK : Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Maleeha Lodhi has said her country has much to offer the world in terms of a rich cultural and spiritual heritage as well as attractive investment opportunities.
She was speaking at a ceremony organised by three British businesses to launch their Pakistan practices with an evening of Qawaali music at the Pakistan High Commission on Saturday.
India-Bangladesh trade hit by BDR mutiny
By IANS,
Agartala : The bloody mutiny of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in Dhaka last month has knocked off the Indo-Bangladesh border trade by 50 percent, traders here Thursday said.
"The BDR mutiny and reduction of the rate of the Indian rupee against the US dollar have largely affected the Indo-Bangla export-import business during the past few weeks," said Habul Biswas, spokesman of the Indo-Bangla Desh Trading Organisation.
Three killed in Pakistan’s Khyber Agency airstrikes
Islamabad: At least three militants were killed and six injured Saturday during airstrikes in Pakistan's Khyber Agency region, a media report said.
According to officials,...
Lebanese Speaker on European, Arab tours for support
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is on tours to Europe and Arab countries lobbying support for a new round of dialogue among Lebanese rival groups, in afresh attempt to solve the current political crisis, local Al Balad daily reported Wednesday.
Berri who leaves Paris for Italy on Wednesday is expected to meet with senior officials at the Vatican to discuss the Lebanese problem, the daily added.
Pakistani court dismisses case against FBI agent
Islamabad : A Pakistani court Monday dismissed a case against an FBI agent, who was arrested for allegedly carrying ammunition and three knives onto...
Four Palestinians killed in Gaza
Gaza: At least four Palestinians were killed and 10 injured Saturday during Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.
Spokesman of Gaza Health Ministry, Ashraf al-Qedra...
Car bomb kills 4, injures 46 in N Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A car bomb explosion killed at least four people and injured 46 others on Tuesday near Iraq's northern volatile city of Mosul, where military operation is going on to wipe out extremists, mainly al-Qaida militants.
The attack struck a crowded market at about 5:00 p.m. (1300 GMT)in the city of Talafer, some 70 km west of Mosul, a local police officer told Xinhua.
The police said women and children were among the casualties, adding the toll could rise as many of the injured remain in serious conditions.
Total solar eclipse viewed in Bangladesh
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : The long-awaited total solar eclipse was observed Wednesday morning in northwestern Bangladesh that lasted for little more than three minutes.
Despite the cloudy weather, tens of thousands of astronomy enthusiasts gathered in the South Asian country's northwestern Panchagarh district, about 440 km from here, observed the greatest celestial spectacle of the century.
Panchagarh district, the nearest town to the central line of the Umbra was earlier declared as the Capital of the Total Solar Eclipse 2009 in Bangladesh.
Senior Taliban leader held in northwest Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani officials have detained a senior Taliban leader in North West Frontier Province capital Peshawar, Dawn newspaper reported on its website Saturday.
Ustad Mohammed Yasir was reportedly a spokesman of Taliban chief Mullah Omar after the fall of the Taliban rule in Afghanistan in 2001.
Yasir was first arrested in Pakistan in 2005 but was sent to Afghanistan for further investigation by the authorities there.
However, he along with four other Taliban militants were released in exchange for abducted foreign journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo.
Landmine blasts kill five in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least five people were killed Thursday in two landmine explosions in Pakistan's restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan, officials said.
Three people died when a pickup truck carrying vegetables and passengers hit a landmine in the Araoli area of Kurram Agency in North-West Frontier Province, Ataur Rehman, area security chief told DPA.
"Five people were also injured in the blast," he added.
A few kilometres from the scene, another landmine exploded under a tractor in the Kach area of the district, leaving two more people dead and two injured.
Pakistan’s Balochistan allegation is baseless: Afghanistan
By IANS,
New Delhi: Visiting Afghanistan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta Monday rubbished Islamabad's allegation that India was backing the Balochistan insurgency in Pakistan.
"This is not a new claim by Pakistan," he said, adding: "But we need to have closer relation against international terrorism in our region."
Spanta said this during his talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna here.
Iran has right to develop N-programme for peaceful means: Analyst
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Dr. Syed Qandil Abbas, Professor of International Relations in International Islamic University on Friday said that Iran has right to develop nuclear programme for peaceful means as per regulations of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Talking to IRNA, he said that Iran's nuclear programme according to the evidence available is peaceful and its aims and objectives are not to develop nuclear weapons.
"Iran has right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful means and no body can deny it", added Syed Qandil Abbas.
6.2-magnitude quake shakes islands off eastern Indonesia
By DPA,
Jakarta: An undersea earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck Tuesday off the northern tip of Sulawesi island, but there were no immediate reports of injury and damage, meteorologists said.
The quake at a depth of 18 km near the Talaud islands between Sulawesi and the southern Philippines occurred at 6.38 p.m., the Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said.
It said the quake did not trigger a tsunami, and there were no immediate reports of injury or structural damage.
German firms angry over Berlin’s support for EU sanctions on Iran
By IRNA,
Berlin : German companies have reportedly vented their anger over Berlin's support for European Union sanctions on Iran, according to Thursday's edition of the business daily Handelsblatt.
Germany's business community is especially disappointed that the center-right government of Chancellor Angela Merkel had backed the EU's punitive measures against Iran which go beyond the UN sanctions.
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle who leads the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP), had informed the heads of German companies that Berlin would support the disputed EU sanctions.
U.S. Secretary of State Rice starts visit to UAE
By Xinhua,
Abu Dhabi : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday arrived in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), starting a two-day visit to the Gulf oil-exporting country, the official Emirates News Agency reported.
Rice held talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crownprince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, over bilateral relations between the two countries and a series of regional issues.
Two Palestinian women becoming judges
By IINA,
West Bank : Two women have made history by smashing the last male-only bastions in the Palestinian territory of West Bank to become its first female judges. Khuloud Faqih, 34, and Asmahan Wuheidi, 31 were appointed to the Islamic courts yesterday by top judge Sheik Taysir Tamimi, opening the door for other women in the country. Across the Arab world, Sudan is the only country to have women judges in Islamic courts, West Bank-based academic experts on Islamic affairs said.
100 die from fake drug use in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad: At least 100 patients at a heart institute in Pakistan's Punjab province have died from reactions to spurious drugs, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said.
Israeli strikes on northern and southern Gaza Strip kill four
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Four Palestinians, of them two militants and two civilians were killed and nine wounded in a series of Israeli army strikes and incursion into southern and northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday morning, medics and witnesses said.
Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency in the Palestinian health ministry said that a Palestinian was killed in a fresh Israeli airstrike on an area northeast of Jabalia town in northern Gaza Strip, moments after Israeli attacks left three dead.
Iraqi Sunni party demands tough action against U.S. soldier shooting Quran
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A key Iraqi Sunni party demanded Monday the U.S. military to take a tough action against its soldier who used a copy of holy Quran as a target practice, saying apology is not "enough."
The Iraqi Islamic Party, headed by Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, said in a statement that it "demands the U.S. administration to deal firmly with this desecration to make the soldier an example for others in the future."
Dubai to host ‘green’ shipping exhibition next month
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month will host an international maritime convention on "green shipping" that will present the latest energy-efficient and environment friendly technologies, WAM reported Friday.
The Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2008 exhibition would be held at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre here Dec 14-16.
Abbas, Olmert agree to push peace process forward — Erekat
By KUNA
Gaza : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed at their Monday's meeting held in Jerusalem on pushing the peace process forward to achieve a settlement by the end of 2008, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Speaking to Voice of Palestine Radio, Chief Palestinian negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat said Abbas asserted, during the meeting, importance of restoring credibility to the Middle East peace process through stopping establishment of Israeli settlements in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Seven killed in grenade attack in Azerbaijan
Baku: Seven people were killed and two seriously injured in Azerbaijan after a grenade was thrown into a house, authorities said Wednesday.
The attack took...
Bangladesh announces talks to ease tensions ahead of polls
By DPA,
Dhaka : The military-backed interim government in Bangladesh plans to hold talks beginning next week with major political parties to ease rising tensions ahead of the promised year-end general election, officials said Friday.
The talks with the former ruling Islamic Nationalist Alliance and the secular Awami League are scheduled for Sep 6 and 9 after political-inspired violence led to the appointment of the caretaker government in January 2007.
Bursting of crackers during marriages give jitters to Pakistanis
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistanis, who are witnessing a spate of terror strikes, are getting the jitters during marriage ceremonies, where bursting crackers and firing in the air takes place, as they are unable to distinguish the sound from a suicide attack.
The residents of the garrison city of Rawalpindi told The News that the passion for firing in the air and bursting firecrackers, especially during marriage ceremonies, has become a nuisance for them.
PA minister: Israel to free 150 prisoners on Aug. 25
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Minister of prisoners' affairs in the caretaker government headed by Salam Fayyad said Saturday that Israel will release 150 prisoners from its prisons on Aug. 25.
Ashraf el-Ajrami told reporters that his ministry holds intensive contacts to prepare the list of names of prisoners Israel wants to release as a goodwill gesture to President Mahmoud Abbas.
Pakistan’s Election Commission issues final list of Presidential candidates
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Election Commission Saturday issued a final list of candidates that includes three major contenders for the country's Presidency, officials said.
Presidential elections will be held on September 6th.
Three main candidates left are: Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui, former chief justice of Supreme Court and Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee in the Senate.
SAARC summit: Toss-up between Nepal, Bhutan as host likely
By IANS,
Dhaka : There is likely to be a toss-up between Nepal and Bhutan if the Maldives finally declines to host the 16th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Bhutan, which has never hosted a SAARC summit, has made a formal offer. But visiting SAARC Secretary General Sheel Kant Sharma Monday informed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that the summit is likely to be held in Nepal, New Age newspaper said quoting the prime minister's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad.
Pakistan offers reward for capture of militants
By IANS,
Lahore : The government in Pakistan's Punjab Province has announced cash rewards worth millions of rupees for information leading to the capture of 10 most wanted militants in the country, a media report said Monday.
The cash rewards, worth Rs.7 million (about $86,000), would be paid for information leading to the capture of the 10 militants - dead or alive, Geo TV said citing officials.
The list of the militants has been handed over to the law enforcing agencies, it said.
The government said these militants have helped the suicide bombers to carry out attacks.
Pakistan: Minister Sherry sees dawn of new era of democratic stability
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Sherry Rehman said on Saturday that a new era of democratic stability would dawn today after the election of Senator Asif Ali Zardari as President of Paksitan.
Talking to media persons after her arrival at the Parliament House, she said that balance of power between two pillars of the state - Parliament and Presidency was very necessary.
Sherry Rehman said Asif Zardari wants to see the country strong and stable and he would play his role as the head of state in overcoming the challenges being faced by the country.
Britain condemns release of Iraq hostage video
By DPA
London : The British government has condemned the release of a video on an Arabic satellite TV channel purporting to show one of five British hostages kidnapped in Baghdad last May.
The Dubai-based Al-Arabiya TV broadcast a clip of the bearded man, who gave his name as Peter Moore, and urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to facilitate the hostages' release.
Al Arabyia said it had received the video from a Shia group.
Pakistan, India must work out differences: Daily
Islamabad: India and Pakistan should resume dialogue and work out their difference, a Pakistani daily said on Friday.
The News International said in an editorial...
At least 40 Somali refuge-seekers die off Yemeni coast
By DPA
Sanaa (Yemen): At least 40 Somali refuge-seekers have drowned after smugglers forced them at gunpoint into the sea to avoid detection by coast guards as their two overcrowded boats approached Yemeni shores, coast guard officials said Thursday.
The officials said the bodies of 40 passengers, including those of 17 women, were washed ashore Wednesday on Hawra village in the province of Shabwa province, around 580 km southeast of Yemeni capital Sanaa.
Pakistan sacks Mumbai attacks prosecutor
By IANS,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari Friday sacked Deputy Attorney General Sardar Muhammad Ghazi, who was the special prosecutor for the trial of the Pakistani suspects in the Mumbai terror attacks, Dawn News reported.
Ghazi had Feb 18 claimed that the Pakistani government had formally sought extradition of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive during the Nov 26-29, 2008 carnage that claimed the lives of more than 170 people, including 26 foreigners, and injured more than 300.
Pakistani government officials had immediately contradicted Ghazi's claims.
Muslims should ’empty’ Swiss accounts: Turkish minister
By IANS/AKI,
Ankara : Muslims should consider withdrawing their money from Swiss bank accounts in response to the country's ban on construction of minarets, a Turkish minister said.
"I am certain this (vote) will prompt our brothers from Muslim countries who keep their money and investments in Swiss banks to review their decision," said Egemen Bagis, cited by Turkish daily Zaman.
Bagis is the chief negotiator for Turkey's European Union accession as well as minister for European affairs.
Harassment of Pakistani comedian in India condemned
By Muhammad Najeeb,IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani artistes Thursday condemned the harassment of comedian Shakeel Siddiqi during the recording of a comedy show in Mumbai.
"Performing art people are very sensitive and such kind of treatment in India raises many questions and is very unfortunate," Pakistan's leading comedian Umer Sharif told IANS.
UAE hails Nazarbayev’s idea to modernise Muslim World
By IANS/WAM,
Astana: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Wednesday welcomed the view put forth by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev suggesting the need for modernisation of the Muslim world.
President’s envoy confers with foreign ministers of African countries
By IRNA,
Algiers : President Ahmadinejad's special envoy Mohammad Reza Baqeri conferred with foreign ministers from a number of African and non-African countries in Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Saturday.
Baqeri, who is deputy foreign minister in African Affairs, discussed issues of mutual interest with foreign ministers of Egypt, Turkey, Ghana, Sierra Leone as well as deputy foreign ministers of South Africa and Bulgaria.
In the meetings, Baqeri expressed Iran's readiness to hold Iran-Africa conference and called for expansion of relations with African countries.
Iran rejects UN report on human rights
Tehran : A recent UN report on the human rights situation in Iran "lacks credibility and legality", Iran's foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afhkam said...
Pakistan air base put on high alert after terror tip-off
By IANS,
Rawalpindi : High alert was issued at Pakistan Air Force Chaklala air base following a warning from an intelligence agency that terrorists may target it, a media report said Thursday.
Obama makes first trip to Afghanistan
By SPA,
Kabul, Afghanistan : Senator Barack Obama arrived Saturday in Afghanistan on the first stop of his tour of the Middle East and Europe, aimed at boosting the U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful's foreign policy credentials, his campaign confirmed.
The U.S. senator from Illinois also plans to visit Iraq, CNN reported.
Obama spoke briefly to a pool reporter about his trip just before leaving Washington.