Lebanese House postpones session to elect new president
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri has postponed to Feb 11 the parliament session to elect the republic's new president.
A statement issued by the secretariat of the House Sunday announced the postponement of the session which was scheduled for Monday.
The postponment followed a private meeting between Berri and Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa who had just arrived from Damascus where he met a number of Syrian officials.
The postponemnt is the 13th since the political crisis erupted in Lebanon.
Dhaka shuts four websites for cheating in ‘seven wonders’ race
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has closed down four websites accused of cheating to keep two of the country's best tourism destinations, Cox's Bazar and the Sundarbans, in the race for recognition as among the "Seven Natural Wonders" of the world.
The state-run Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), which shut down the websites, also called for legal action, The Daily Star newspaper reported.
Iranian speaker rejects prison rape claims
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani Wednesday dismissed allegations that protesters detained in the post-election unrest were raped as "sheer lies".
"Following a precise and comprehensive inquiry into (the treatment of) detainees at Kahrizak and Evin prisons, no cases of rape or sexual abuse were found," Larijani was quoted as saying by the Press TV.
"Claims of sexual abuse of detained protesters are sheer lies," the Iranian speaker added.
US senators encouraged by Pakistani political leaders’ constructive approach
By APP
Washington : Two top Democratic senators, who observed last week’s landmark parliamentary polls in Pakistan, said Tuesday they have been greatly encouraged by Pakistani political leaders’ commitment to move forward in a constructive manner. “I think Senator (Joseph) Biden, Senator (Chuck) Hagel and I were all enormously encouraged by the conversations we had with the leaders of each of the parties and by their commitment to try to move forward in a constructive way,” Senator John Kerry told a Press conference.
German chancellor’s meeting with Qatari PM shrouded in secrecy
By IRNA,
Berlin : German Chancellor Angela Merkel held closed-door talks with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani in Berlin here Monday evening.
NATO mulls Afghan mission after 2014
By IANS,
Brussels : The NATO defence ministers Wednesday endorsed a political framework for a new training mission in Afghanistan after 2014, Xinhua reported.
Pakistan tried to scuttle anti-terror pledge at Afghan conference
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London: The Pakistani delegation to a global conference on Afghanistan Thursday tried - but failed - to scotch a pledge by the international community to work at destroying the lifeline of logistical and financial support for terrorist networks.
Israeli president asks Livni to from new gov’t
By NNN-KUNA,
Ramallah : Israeli President Shimon Peres has asked Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to form a new government Monday, a day after scandal-plagued ex-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert officially stepped down.
According to Israeli laws, Livni now has 42 days to form a coalition government in order to avert snap elections that polls indicate would bring the right-wing Likud party of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to power.
UAE Water Aid to send drinking water to Gaza
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates will send 10 tanks of drinking water to the Gaza Strip where there is an acute shortage of...
Amended indictment against former Israeli president filed
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel's State Prosecutor's Office filed an amended indictment on Thursday against former President Moshe Katsav with the Jerusalem Magistrates' Court, local media reported.
The indictment is based on a plea bargain reached between Katsav's attorneys and the state in late June 2007, which was endorsed by the High Court on Tuesday.
Prosecutors charged Katsav with performing indecent acts while using coercive measures, sexual harassment and badgering a witness.
IAEA Deputy Head To Hold Talks In Tehran On Nuclear Dossier
By Bernama,
Tehran : Deputy Director General, Head of the Department of Safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Olli Heinonen will arrive in the Iranian capital on Thursday to discuss prospects for cooperation between Iran and the IAEA.
The agenda of the talks with the Islamic Republic's officials has not been disclosed, Russian news agency, Itar-Tass, reported Thursday.
India-Arab nations keen to pave new path for economic ties
By Biswajit Choudhury,
New Delhi : Projects worth billions of dollars, notably in energy, railways and finance were discussed at the two-day India-Arab Partnership Conference...
In policy reversal, US envoy to meet Iran’s nuclear negotiator
By AFP,
Washington : The United States announced Wednesday a senior US diplomat would attend international nuclear talks with Iran, in the highest-ranking meeting between the two foes in three decades.
Al Qaeda claim to have killed 30 soldiers in Yemen
By IANS,
Aden : Terror outfit Al Qaeda Saturday claimed to have killed at least 30 Yemeni soldiers and seized a military site after a deadly gunbattle with government troops, Xinhua reported.
UNHCR: 856,000 Afghan Refugees Returned Home From Iran
By Bernama,
Kabul : United nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) bureau in Aghanistan declared here that since the year 2002 about 856,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their country from Iran with the assistance of UNHCR, Iranian national news agency (IRNA) reported.
UNHCR spokesman in Kabul, Mohammad Nader Farhad, issued a press release here Monday saying that 5,500 Afghan have left Iran voluntarily in the year 2008.
Now there are still around 3 million Afghan living in Iran either legally or illegally," he was quoted as saying in the note.
UN survey: Afghan opium production remains “shockingly high”
By NNN-UNNA
Kabul : A United Nations study of opium production in Afghanistan released Wednesday has concluded that this year’s cultivation levels remain shockingly high, and will be broadly similar to or slightly lower than last year’s record harvest of 192,000 hectares.
Presenting the assessment, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Antonio Maria Costa, said that while the level of opium cultivated may have peaked, the money generated by Afghan drugs remained a destabilizing force.
Indian Army finds tunnel near Pakistan border
Jammu: Indian troops have discovered an incomplete underground tunnel leading from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir, the defence ministry said Saturday.
The tunnel was discovered...
Pakistan-Afghanistan border closed
Islamabad : The Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been closed Friday ahead of the presidential and provincial councils elections in Afghanistan, an official said.
An official of...
Rocket attack by Taliban kills 10 in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least 10 people were killed Monday when a rocket fired by Taliban insurgents hit a house of political leader in northwesten Pakistan, the Dawn News TV reported.
The rocket targeted the house of provincial assembly member (MPA) Waqar Ahmed in Swat valley in North West Frontier Province, killing his brother and other family members, according to the news channel.
The attack comes a day after the Bajaur chapter of a militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan unilaterally declared ceasefire and offered to hold peace talks with the government.
Afghan forces kill 13 militants
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan forces, backed by NATO aircrafts, have killed 12 Taliban insurgents and a group commander in the southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan, a police officer said Sunday.
In the operation in Jalai district Saturday night, 13 insurgents including their commander Mullah Abdul Khaliq were killed, provincial police chief Syed Aqa Saqib told Xinhua.
Taliban militants have not made any comment.
Ahmadinejad’s victory is a threat to world: Israel
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israeli Vice premier Shilvat Shalom Saturday stressed the Iranian nuclear "threat" following Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory in Iran's presidential election.
"The United States and the free world must reevaluate the policy on Teheran's nuclear ambitions," Shalom told Israel Radio.
Ahmadinejad's win "is exploding in the face of those who thought that Iran was built for true dialogue with the free world, including a cessation of its nuclear programme," he said.
Four killed in suicide attack in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least four people were killed in a suicide attack on a police station in restive north-west Pakistan, television station GEO TV reported Saturday.
The attackers used a pickup truck to carry out the attack in Bannu in North-West Frontier Province. The area near the border with Afghanistan is a stronghold of the radical Islamist Taliban.
The report added that at least 20 other people were injured in the incident and many of them were in critical condition.
Pakistan PM’s special envoy to visit Afghanistan
Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will Sunday send his top security adviser Sartaj Aziz to Kabul as special envoy for talks with the...
Oust Musharraf, Pakistan lawyers demand after poll verdict
By Devirupa Mitra, IANS
Islamabad : Lawyers in Pakistan, enthused by the defeat of the 'king's party' in the elections, Wednesday called for President Musharraf's ouster, and said their weekly boycott of courts will continue till the release of the detained judges.
In a sign that restrictions imposed by Musharraf may be loosening up, Interior Minister Lt General Hamid Nawaz told reporters here that detained judges were "free to move", but were not allowed to meet with media, politicians or lawyers.
Putin, Abbas meet on bilateral ties, Mideast peace process
·The focus of their discussions indicated that Moscow will play a greater role in the Middle East peace process.
·Putin said Moscow welcomes and supports Palestinian and Israeli settlement efforts.
·Putin said, "We will give you comprehensive support."
By Xinhua,
Pakistan Reaffirms commitment to help Afghanistan
By SPA
Islamabad : Reaffirming its commitment to help Afghanistan achieve peace and development, Pakistan has told the UN Security Council that its cooperation with Kabul would get a boost when a democratic government takes office in Islamabad.
Islamic Jihad vows to retaliate upon Israel for killing of its commander
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Armed wing of Islamic Jihad movement on Tuesday vowed to retaliate for the killing of one of its commanders by Israeli forces in the West Bank.
Abu Hamza, a spokesman for al-Quds Brigades, said the Gaza ceasefire "became in the windward" and that the Islamic Jihad militants will "respond immediately in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to the death of Tarek Abu Ghali."
Abu Ghali, 25, and a university student, were killed early Tuesday after the Israeli forces surrounded a house in Nablus city in a bid to arrest the commander.
Sharif urges Obama to take up Kashmir issue with India
Islamabad:US President Barack Obama spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over telephone Friday and urged him to take up the Kashmir issue with...
Karzai meets several foreign ministers ahead of Afghan conference
By DPA,
Kabul: Afghan President Hamid Karzai met Monday with several foreign ministers who arrived in Kabul for a major international meeting Tuesday, the presidential palace said.
The president received the foreign ministers of Britain, India, Iran, New Zealand and Norway at his fortified palace to discuss the contents of the conference, Karzai's office said in a statement.
Later on Monday night, Karzai was also scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is also among nearly 40 foreign ministers to attend the event, it said.
Turkey takes first step to scrap headscarf ban
By RIA Novosti
Ankara : The Turkish parliament adopted in its first reading early on Thursday a bill lifting a constitutional ban on wearing headscarves at public universities, the country's NTV television station said.
A total of 404 MPs voted in favor of changing the constitution, while 92 were against, with a two-thirds majority of 367 required.
Three Palestinian militants killed, 8 injured in Gaza Strip
By KUNA,
Gaza : Three Palestinian militants were killed and eight others were injured on Wednesday in Israeli shelling targeting a residential area located in the Gazan city of Jabaliyah.
Israeli tanks fired several shells towards the eastern sector of Jabaliyah town killing Khudor Salamah, 16, and Ibrahim, in his 20s, as well as injuring three other people, a Palestinian medical source said.
The source said that Salamah was on his way to school when he was killed with an Israeli shell.
Syria: Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union discusses ways of improving performance
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament and the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) Dr. Mahmoud al-Mashhadani called for developing its work and further activating its role in the interest of the Arab Nation and preserving its identity under the challenges and pressures put to it.
Militants storm Afghan government building, kill one
By DPA,
Kabul : A group of Taliban militants attacked a provincial capital in central Afghanistan Monday, killing at least one police officer and taking over a government building, officials said.
Around six militants stormed a police checkpoint in Puli Alam, the capital of central Logar province, and fired at the governor's office and police headquarters, Gholam Mustafa Mohseni, the provincial police chief, said.
Afghan police and army surrounded the building, where the rebels were hiding and "a fierce gunbattle" was going on, he said.
Renew humanitarian truce in Gaza: UN chief
United Nations : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Monday urged Israel and te Islamist Hamas movement to renew a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and...
30 die in Afghanistan accident
By IANS,
Kabul : Thirty people were killed and 10 injured when a passenger bus collided with a truck in Afghanistan's Kandahar province Friday, an official said.
Saudi FM rules out using oil as weapon in Gaza conflict
By ANTARA News/AFP,
Nnew York : Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal on Wednesday ruled out the use of oil as a weapon by Arab states to secure an end to the 12-day Israeli military onslaught in the Gaza Strip.
"Oil is not a weapon. You can`t reverse a conflict by using oil," he told reporters here on the sidelines of a Security Council debate on the Israeli offensive which has claimed 689 Palestinian lives.
Suicide bomber kills seven in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Ramadi (Iraq) : Seven people were killed and 16 injured Wednesday in a suicide car bomb attack in Iraq's western city of Ramadi, police said.
A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into a police check post in Ramadi town, some 110 km west of Baghdad, an official said.
Two traffic policemen were among the dead. Anbar province is considered a stronghold of the Al Qaeda network in Iraq.
The attack came two weeks after the US troops pulled out of Iraqi cities and towns.
India-Bahrain ties to deepen, expand: Pranab
New Delhi : President Pranab Mukherjee Monday expressed confidence that the "mutually beneficial cooperation" between India and Bahrain will continue to "deepen and expand".
In...
Pakistani PM leaves for maiden U.S. visit
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani left here Saturday for a three-day official visit to the United States.
"At the invitation of President George W. Bush, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will be visiting Washington on 27-30 July 2008," said a statement by the Pakistani foreign ministry.
This is Gilani's first visit to the U.S. since assuming office in March 2008. He is scheduled to meet with Bush at the White House on July 28, according to the statement.
Ahmadinejad accuses West of intimidation
By IANS,
United Nations: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has accused some "hegemonic powers" of intimidating his country, citing military threats from Israel, Xinhua reported.
Pakistan wants dialogue with India to resolve Kashmir: Qureshi
By IANS,
Islamabad: Days after the thaw with India in Thimphu, Pakistan Tuesday said it has always desired purposeful dialogue with India to resolve outstanding problems, including the "core issue" of Kashmir.
"We are trying to find a durable resolution of issues as well as cover the damage done to foreign policy during the previous regime," Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said here Tuesday while briefing the National Assembly or lower house of parliament about the government's policy on Kashmir.
17 killed in Pakistan bus accident
By IANS,
Fateh Jhang (Pakistan) : Seventeen people were killed and 55 others wounded Friday in a head-on collision between two passenger buses in eastern Pakistan, a media report said.
The accident occurred on the Pindi-Kohat road in the Fateh Jhang tehsil of the Punjab province, the Online news agency reported.
The bodies and the injured people were retrieved after cutting parts of the mangled vehicles.
Rescue teams rushed to the site to shift the injured to hospitals. The critically injured were taken to hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the report said.
16 Taliban killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : At least 16 Taliban militants have been killed in "clean-up" operations in Afghanistan, the interior ministry said Sunday.
Talk to Al Qaeda and Taliban, suggests Tony Blair’s adviser
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS
London : The British government has described as "inconceivable" a suggestion by former premier Tony Blair's senior-most aide that Western governments should consider talking to the Al Qaeda and Taliban terror groups.
Jonathan Powell, who was Blair's chief of staff from 1995 to 2007, said channels of communication should be opened in order to secure peace.
The former aide based his comments on his personal experience handling negotiations with terror groups in the province of Northern Ireland, which now has a devolved provincial assembly.
Qatar ‘meddling’ widens gulf between GCC states
By IINA,
Riyadh, : Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors from Qatar effective Wednesday because the country had threatened the “stability and security” of the region.
District chief, police official killed in Afghanistan bomb blast
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : The head of a southern Afghan district and his police official have been killed in a roadside bomb explosion that injured four other police officers, a police source said Tuesday.
The explosion went off in Registan district of Kandahar province late Monday, when a vehicle carrying the officials set off the explosive device.
EU pledges $4 mn in emergency Gaza aid
By DPA,
Brussels : The European Union's (EU) executive Sunday pledged three million euros ($4.2 million) in emergency aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip affected by Israel's week-long bombardment, even as Israeli tanks pushed into the territory.
The European Commission, the executive body of the EU, "will provide an extra three million euros' relief assistance in the Gaza Strip... The aid will be put into use as rapidly as possible to meet the basic needs of people affected by the Israeli airstrikes and by continuing access restrictions", a statement released in Brussels said.
Saudi king visits crane collapse site in Makkah
Jeddah, Sep 13 (IANS) Saudi Arabia King Salman visited the victims of deadly crane collapse in the Grand Mosque in Makkah that claimed at...
Pakistan is the most dangerous place on earth: US expert
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Calling Pakistan "the most dangerous place on earth", Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call's executive editor Mort Kondracke has suggested that the Obama administration should give "top priority" to the South Asian nation in its Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy.
"US intelligence officials say Pakistan is the likeliest source of terrorist attacks on the United States. It's the most dangerous place on earth: nuclear-armed, menaced by terrorists, economically in crisis and mired in political turmoil," said Kondracke.
Senior Qaeda operative arrested in Iraq’s Anbar province
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Iraqi Ministry of Interior has announced that Iraqi forces have detained the assistant of Abu Ayub Al-Masri, senior Al-Qaeda leader, in Al-Anbar.
The ministry said Thursday that the Iraqi forces managed to arrest Nazal Sabar Al-Jughaify, aka Abi Al-Jarrah, who is an assistant of Abu Ayub Al-Masri, and another Al-Qaeda senior leader in western Iraq on Tuesday.
The statement said the arrest took place in Al-Ramadi, Al-Anbar's largest city.
The arrestee was spotted and captured after two years of trying to track him down.
Afghanistan is world’s worst place to be born: UN
By IANS,
Geneva : Afghanistan is the most dangerous place in the world for a child to be born, the UN has said.
It is especially dangerous for girls, the UN Children's Fund (Unicef) said Thursday, in launching its annual report: The State of the World's Children, the Online news agency reported.
Afghanistan has the highest infant mortality rate in the world -- 257 deaths per 1,000 live births, and 70 percent of the population lacks access to clean water, the agency said.
Indian terror link proof yet to be given to New Delhi: Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : The evidence of Indian arms, bombs and medicines being found in South Waziristan, where the Pakistani army is battling the Taliban, was yet to be handed over to New Delhi, a foreign office spokesman said late Tuesday.
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit Khan said there exist evidences in South Waziristan Agency (SWA), which speak volumes of Indian involvement in prevailing uprising and insurgency in agency, Geo News reported.
He told Geo News that the evidences found against India in South Waziristan included Indian arms, bombs and Indian medicines.
Another UK soldier killed in Afghan war
By IRNA,
London : Another British soldier has been killed in southern Afghanistan, bringing the death toll of UK troops killed in the Afghan war to 125 since 2001.
The soldier was killed when his patrol was hit with an improvised explosive device on Saturday.
Earlier a top British commander in Afghanistan had complained about the type of vehicles used in the Afghan war, blaming the Ministry of Defense for putting the lives of UK forces at risk in the war-ravaged country.
The MoD said in a statement that the soldier was in a routine road move when his vehicle was hit.
Urgent need for peace in Middle East: Pope
By DPA,
Rome : Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI Sunday called for the prompt resolution of the Middle East conflict and urged Muslim countries to guarantee total religious freedom.
11 killed as van plunges into ravine in Pakistan
Islamabad: At least 11 people were killed and 12 others injured when a passenger van plunged into a ravine in Pakistan's Punjab province Sunday,...
Pakistan to attend D8 ministerial meeting in Malaysia in November
By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : Pakistan will participate in next month's ministerial meeting here of the D8 which is expected to issue a communique on addressing food security in the grouping of Islamic developing countries.
A statement from the Pakistan High Commission (embassy) here Monday said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi would lead the delegation to the 12th D8 ministerial meeting on Nov 2. The meeting would be preceded by the 27th session of the D8 Commission beginning Oct 30.
Two killed, nine injured in Afghan blast
By IANS,
Kabul : At least two people were killed and nine others injured after a bomb exploded near an Afghan army patrol Saturday in Khost province, authorities said.
Rights’ watchdog urges India, Pakistan to cooperate in Mumbai attack probe
By NNN-APP,
New York : Condemning terror attacks that killed nearly 200 people in Mumbai, an international human rights watchdog on Tuesday asked the governments of India and Pakistan to cooperate in a “prompt and thorough investigation” to identify the perpetrators of the crime and bring them to justice.
“No political cause can ever justify such horrific and wanton violence,” Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
Eight die in attack on Pakistani police station
By IANS,
Islamabad : Eight people, including three policemen, were killed Monday in a brazen attack by Islamists on a police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Turkey to strengthen relations with Pakistan
By IANS,
Ankara : Turkey has vowed to consolidate its relations with Pakistan.
PM Gilani briefed on India’s response to Pakistan’s 30 queries
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was on Thursday briefed on India's response to Pakistan's 30 queries seeking more information on the Mumbai terror attacks.
During a meeting at the Prime Minister's house here, Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik presented Gilani a copy of answers handed over by the Indian government in response to Pakistan's 30 questions, the official APP news agency reported.
Malik also briefed the Prime Minister on the overall law and order situation in the country.
30 rebels killed in Pakistan airstrike
By DPA,
Islamabad : More than 30 militants were killed in an overnight aerial strike by security forces in Pakistan's restive North West Frontier province, army officials said Saturday.
"Jet plans targeted a militant hideout in Matta sub-district late Friday afternoon," a military spokesman, Major Murad Khan, said.
More than 30 insurgents, including their local commander Mufti Saeedur Rehman, were killed and over 40 injured, he added.
62 ships stranded in Bangladesh port
By IANS,
Dhaka : Sixty two cargo vessels are stranded at the Chittagong port after a ship sank Monday, blocking the only channel in the estuary leading to the port.
"We are considering a move to open an alternative channel near the location of the sunken coaster (a small ship)... We may make the attempt Thursday as, otherwise, the stranded ships will face big problems hampering the country's import and export trade," New Age newspaper quoted a top shipping ministry official as saying.
Suicide car bombing kills four policemen in Iraq
By Xinhua
Mosul (Iraq) : At least four policemen were killed and 17 others wounded in a suicide car bomb attack Friday morning on a police station in Mosul, capital of the Nineveh province in northern Iraq, police said.
The attack took place at about 7:00 a.m. when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into the Waqqass police station in the centre of city and blew it up, Nineveh police spokesman said.
The powerful blast partially destroyed the police station's building as well as several other buildings nearby, he said.
Pakistan announces policy to ease energy crisis
By DPA,
Islamabad: Pakistan's government Thursday announced measures to ease energy crisis that is fomenting public anger and threatening wider unrest.
The measures include temporary expansions of weekends for government employees, early closures of markets and a 50-per-cent cut in power usage at government offices.
Announcing the steps, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Minister for Water and Power Raja Parvez Ashraf said the main reason for the energy crisis is the increase in power demand in recent years and the previous government's failure to boost power output.
UAE, Romania discuss cooperation
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The UAE and Romania have held discussions on boosting cooperation in the education sector.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia commence joint Naval exercises
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (KUNA) Seven Royal Saudi Naval Forces ships Tuesday reached the Pakistani southern port city of Karachi to participate in the joint naval exercises with Pakistan's navy, codenamed "Naseem al Bahr." The exercise, ninth in the series of Naseem al Bahr manuevers and commenced from Tuesday afternoon, will involve participation of state of the art sea and air platforms besides Special Forces, said Pakistan Navy (PN) press statement.
Backgrounder: Rice’s shuttle diplomacy trips to the Middle East
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : The U.S. State Department announced Friday that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories on Sunday, in another bid to prod the sluggish Middle East peace process.
Christians in Pakistan’s Chakwal not to celebrate X’mas
Islamabad: Christians in Pakistan's Chakwal district have decided not to celebrate Christmas this year to pay homage to the 148 people, including 132 children,...
Bangladesh Nationalist Party to accept new gov’t
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) who lost Monday's parliament elections said on Thursday they will accept the new government which comes through the elections although they don't accept the poll results.
The BNP Secretary General Khondaker Delwar Hossain told reporters here that "we want to give a chance to Awami League. We also want to see how they take cooperation from the opposition parties."
"BNP will closely observe the activities of the Awami League," he said.
21 mn Pakistani children to get anti-polio drops
By IANS,
Islamabad : Twenty-one million children below the age of five will receive anti-polio drops in 73 high-risk districts of Pakistan in a three-day campaign that concludes Thursday.
Quoting an official of the health ministry's Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), Geo News reported Wednesday that 45,000 vaccination teams across country would administer the drops.
Durrani calls for frank dialogue between Indian, Pakistani spymasters
By IANS,
New Delhi : Pitching for resuming dialogue with India, Pakistan's former national security adviser Mahmud Ali Durrani Saturday called for a "frank dialogue" between spymasters and security services to jointly combat terrorism and bridge mistrust.
In a lecture entitled 'India and Pakistan - Bridging the Gap', Durrani outlined an all-embracing vision of a bilateral relationship based on continuous dialogue, resolving 'doable' issues like Siachen and Sir Creek without much delay and greater interaction between the media, academia and the business community of the two countries.
President Ahmadinejad arrives in Colombo on two-day visit
By P. Karunakharan, IANS,
Colombo : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Colombo Monday evening on a two-day state visit during which he is expected to inaugurate two projects, including a Tehran-funded hydropower project.
The Iranian President was scheduled to arrive in Colombo from Pakistan at 5.30 p.m. but his flight was delayed by nearly an hour and 40 minutes.
At least 14 die in clashes between Yemen army, rebels
By DPA
Sana'a (Yemen) : At least 14 people, including seven soldiers, were killed and scores injured in fresh clashes between army forces and Shia rebels in the northern Yemeni province of Saada in the past two days, local sources said Sunday.
The sources said seven rebel fighters and three soldiers were killed in fierce fighting in the mountainous district of Juma'at Bin Fadhil of Saada Saturday, after four army troops were killed in similar clashes a day earlier.
Authorities did not comment on the fighting that reportedly was still going on as of noon Sunday.
Egyptian Church confirms Coptic Christians’ execution by IS
Cairo: The Egyptian Orthodox Church confirmed late Sunday that the 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians abducted by the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Libya...
D-8 summit opens in Malaysia
By IRNA,
Kuala Lumpur : The 11th meeting of foreign ministers of the Group of Eight Islamic Developing Countries (D-8) started its work on Sunday.
The meeting was inaugurated by Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim who stressed the need for further cooperation among the D-8 member states.
The D-8 compromises Iran, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.
UAE signs nuclear energy pact with US
By IANS,
Manama : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the US have signed an agreement for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al-Nahyan signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) Monday.
Obama welcomes ‘robust debate’ among Iranians
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama welcomed the "robust debate" that has taken place in Iran during the presidential election and expressed optimism it will boost efforts to open dialogue with the Islamic state.
"We are excited to see what appears to be a robust debate taking place in Iran," Obama said Friday as Iranians went to the polls to vote in a race that pits conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad against reformist challenger Mir-Hossein Moussavi.
Obama hails CIA employees killed in Afghanistan as patriots
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama offered his condolences Thursday after seven employees of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) were killed and six injured in a suicide attack Wednesday on a military base in eastern Afghanistan.
In a letter to CIA employees, Obama called those killed "brave Americans (who) were part of a long line of patriots who have made great sacrifices for their fellow citizens, and for our way of life".
Public order to be maintained after protests: Turkish PM
Ankara : The government has instructed the security forces to maintain public order, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said, as thousands of Kurdish...
Local gov’t official shot dead in northwestern Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A local government official was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in northwestern Pakistan's main town on Wednesday, local media reported.
The official, named Arif Shah, was killed in the main town of Dera Ismail Khan of North West Frontier Province due to sectarian-related violence, said News Network International (NNI) news agency.
The gunmen fled the scene riding a motorcycle after shooting. No group claimed responsibility for the killing.
Dignifying Lebanon’s past
By César Chelala,
The settlement reached in Doha last week between warring factions in Lebanon puts an end to an 18-month national crisis and raises hopes for a stable future for that beleaguered country. It may also make real my father's dream for his country, and prompt a wider movement for peace in the region.
Oman keen to force educational ties with Brunei
By NNN-Brudirect
Bandar Seri Begawan : The Sultanate of Oman would grab any opportunities to forge educational ties with Brunei Darussalam mainly in the field of Science and Mathematics in English medium.
This was revealed by Janaito Mohammed Nasser Al Lamki, Advisor for Education Programmes of the Sultanate of Oman in an interview during a visit to Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan.
Soldier killed in Pakistan landmine blast: official
By ANTARA News
Quetta, Pakistan : A Pakistani soldier was killed and two others were wounded when a landmine blew up their vehicle in the southwestern province of Baluchistan early Thursday, officials said.
The blast happened near a gas field in Nasirabad district of the region hit by a tribal insurgency, a security official told AFP.
The two injured soldiers were rushed to hospital after their vehicle was badly destroyed, the official said, requesting anonymity.
Pained at Indian bans on exhibitions, cultural troupes: Pakistani envoy
Kolkata : Asserting people of Pakistan want to have a "normal relationship" with India, Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said it "pained"...
Terrorist camps in Pakistan still active: Indian Army commander
By IANS,
Jammu : Stating that militant incursions from across the border in Kashmir had come down considerably, a senior Indian Army commander Thursday said terrorists training camps were, however, still active in Pakistan.
"There are about 800 terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir and different (terror) organisations are inter-linked," Lt.Gen. P.C. Bhardwaj, the General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Northern Command, told reporters.
Philippines to push for Islamic state in troubled south
By DPA
Manila : The Philippines government will push for the creation of a federal Islamic state in the country's troubled south as part of efforts to forge a peace agreement with Muslim separatist rebels, an official said Wednesday.
Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on peace talks with insurgent groups in the Philippines, said the government will seek amendments to the country's constitution to allow the establishment of "a federal Bangsamoro (Muslim nation) governance unit."
Pakistan polling ends, five killed
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : At least five people were killed during Pakistan's parliamentary and provincial assembly elections in which tens of thousands voted across the country Monday amid fears of terror threats.
Balloting closed at 5 p.m., but officials allowed all those who were still in the polling stations to cast their votes.
In isolated incidents of violence in different places, five people were reported killed and about 20 injured, official sources said.
Pakistan’s apex court website hacked
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Supreme Court of Pakistan website was hacked Tuesday, a media report said.
Geo News reported that hacker left objectionable messages on the website.
Sri Lankan eye banl in Pakistan
By NNN-Govt Portal
Colombo : Sri Lankan eye specialists have announced that an eye bank will be set up in Sialkot, Pakistan to provide free eye treatment including transplanting of corneas.
A.P.S. Abeysuriya, a Sri Lankan eye specialist said at the launching of a free cornea transplanting camp at the Aleem Welfare Hospital on Wednesday (26) that the proposed eye bank would be functional by December 2008 and that Sri Lankans will be donating corneas directly to the facility.
Saudi Arabia tightens controls to prevent MERS, Zika during Haj
Riyadh : The Saudi Arabian Health Ministry will enforce tight border controls to prevent the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Zika...
Top UN official congratulates new Pakistan government
By APP
New Delhi : The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, has congratulated the new government of Pakistan headed by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
“We wish the new government all success,” she told reporters at a Pakistan Day reception.
Asked about premier Gillani’s plans to seek U.N. investigation into the assassination of PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, Ms. Migiro said the U.N. would consider it when a formal request was made.
As Zardari-Gilani rift widens, US says restore Durrani as NSA
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : The US has asked Pakistan to withdraw the sacking orders of Mahmood Durrani as national security advisor, a move that laid bare the widening gulf between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the lack of coherence in tackling crucial issues like the Mumbai attack probe.
The issue has snowballed with officials disclosing that US Ambassador Anne Peterson Thursday night met Zardari and Gilani at the presidency and "insisted on withdrawing dismissal orders of Durrani".
Execution of Pakistan murder convict ordered for third time
Islamabad : An anti-terror court (ATC-3) in Pakistan's Karachi port city on Friday issued death warrant for murder convict Shafqat Hussain for the third...
Pakistan government, Taliban to hold direct talks Tuesday
Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday said the government committee will meet the Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) for direct talks Tuesday.
This statement was made by...
Turkey issues travel ban on foreign fighters
Ankara: Turkish authorities have issued a travel ban on over 12,000 foreign fighters who aim to join the Islamic State (IS) in Syria.
Foreign Minister...
Gaza death toll climbs to 779
By KUNA,
Gaza : The number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli air raid on Gaza Strip, concluding its second week Friday, has climbed to 779.
Director of the Emergency Department, Muawiya Hassanain, was reported as saying that the number rose after 50 bodies were found under the rubble in Atatra and Jihr El-Deik districts during the three-hour truce period yesterday.
Meanwhile, Palestinian medical sources reported that 21 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli air raids late last night and early this morning.
Cambodian FM names 9 new ambassadors
By Xinhua,
Phnom Penh : Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has named new ambassadors to nine countries, including Kuwait, which is to receive Cambodia's first diplomatic posting there, and Japan, where the minister's son Hor Moniroath is expected to head the Cambodian mission, state media reported Saturday.
The Japanese government had been notified of the appointment, which is awaiting the approval of the Cambodian and Japanese governments, Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying.
Illegal power connection at Shahbaz Sharif’s office
By IANS,
Islamabad : An illegal electricity connection has been detected at Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif's office, a media report said.
Afghanistan to dominate agenda of NATO defense ministers’ meeting
By Xinhua,
Brussels : NATO defense ministers will meet in the Hungarian capital of Budapest on Thursday and Friday to discuss primarily the NATO-led operations in Afghanistan amid doubts over the alliance's counter-insurgency strategy in the war-torn country.
The ministers' informal meeting is overshadowed by comments of a high-ranking British officer over the weekend that the war with the Taliban cannot be won. At the same time, the Afghan government is showing willingness to talk to the Taliban, seven years after the U.S.-led war ousted the fundamentalist movement.
Third of million Afghan, Iraq war veterans are depressed
By IANS,
Washington : Nearly 20 percent of US servicemen back from Iraq and Afghanistan - or a third of a million - suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, but only half of them have sought treatment, according to a study by a US non-profit organisation.
Researchers of the RAND Corporation also found that about 19 percent of these veterans reported experiencing a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed, with seven percent reporting both a probable brain injury and current major depression.
Israel Arrests Six Al-Qaeda Members
By Prensa Latina,
Tel Aviv : Israel’s Shin Bet (intelligence) arrested six suspects of Arab-Israeli origin for plotting US President George W. Bush assassination and attempt to set up a terrorist network linked to Al-Qaeda.
The release says two of the youths -with ages ranging from 21-24 years- live in Nazareth and study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the rest are Palestinians residents in East Jerusalem.
Iraq eyes U.S. pullout by 2010 amid Obama visit
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The Iraqi government said Monday that it hopes the U.S. combat troops would leave by 2010, raising a clear vision of time line after the two countries have agreed on a vague "time horizon."
Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh made the remarks as U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is here on a fact-finding tour.
After Obama's meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Dabbagh said Iraq did not set a fixed withdrawal timetable, but hopes the U.S. troops would end its combat role and pull out by 2010.
Check Pakistan’s population growth: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : The government's efforts to check population growth need to be supplemented by the civil society, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
Man to get 40 lashes for drinking alcohol in Qatar
By IANS/AKI,
Doha: A court in Qatar has sentenced an Asian Muslim migrant to 40 lashes for consuming alcohol.
Iranian envoy to attend BOAO Forum for Asia
By IRNA
Beijing : Iran's Deputy Economy Minister, Mohsen Talaie is to arrive in China on Thursday to attend BOAO Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2008, it was announced on Wednesday.
An informed source at Iranian embassy in Beijing told IRNA that Chinese President Hu Jintao will inaugurate the forum to be held on April 11-13 under the theme of "Green Asia".
Some 2,000 senior officials, experts and representatives from several world countries will be attending the three-day forum.
No decision yet on minimum wages for Indian workers in UAE
By IANS,
Dubai : India has not taken any decision on fixing a minimum wage limit for its workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Indian Consul General in Dubai Venu Rajamony.
"We are still discussing the issue but no decision has been taken as yet," Rajamony told reporters on the sidelines of a conference on labour management in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries here Wednesday.
No Russian asylum for Syrian president: Minister
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Moscow has not told Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to leave Syria and take refuge in Russia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
US speeding up military aid shipments to Lebanon
By DPA,
Washington : The US is picking up the pace of military aid shipments to Lebanon to help the government provide security following the outbreak of violence between rival militias, the US State Department said.
The shipments include protective gear to communications equipment and ammunition under a programme launched by the US about two years ago, department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said Wednesday.
"What we're doing now is expediting the shipment of some of the things that were already in the pipeline," Casey said.
Report: Iran to receive S-300 air defense systems from Russia soon
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran will receive the S-300 air defense systems from Russia soon, the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday.
Iran and Russia, after several years of negotiations on the purchase of the air defense systems, have concluded a deal, Esmaeil Kosari, Iranian deputy chairman of Parliamentary Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy, was quoted as saying.
He said the S-300 air defense systems will be deployed in Iran to strengthen national defense on border areas.
Jordanian activists sue Dutch lawmaker over anti-Islam film
By DPA,
Amman : A coalition of Jordanian media outlets, professional societies and political parties Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Dutch Member of Parliament Geert Wilders for releasing a short anti-Islam film on the internet in March.
"Amman Public Prosecutor Hassan Abdullah has launched an investigation into offences directed by Wilders against the Prophet Mohammed, Islam and Muslims," Zakaria al-Sheikh, who leads the "The Messenger Unites Us" campaign, told a press conference.
Western countries have no right to deny Syria assistance in nuclear field – IAEA
By NNN-SANA,
Vienna : Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei has said that the IAEA has no legal right to deny Syria, as requested by some Western countries, from getting assistance in a nuclear power project.
In a closed session of the IAEA Committee for Technical Assistance and Cooperation on Monday, ElBaradei expressed his objection to the stances of these Western countries, affirming that any IAEA member country has the full right stated by its membership.
Tribal elder, 22 insurgents killed in Afghanistan attacks
By DPA,
Kabul : Gunmen killed a tribal elder and his son in southern Afghanistan, while elsewhere in the country at least 22 insurgents were killed and eight were detained in separate operations by Afghan and international forces, officials said Saturday.
Gunmen on motorbike shot Ali Ahmad Barekzai and his son as they were leaving a mosque in southern Kandahar's provincial capital Saturday morning, said Zelmai Ayoubi, spokesman for the provincial governor.
US President Bush, Iran leader to visit Saudi Arabia
By NNN-SPA,
Riyadh : President George W. Bush of the United States of America will arrive here on Friday on a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during which he will meet the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
During the meeting, they will discuss bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them in various fields in addition to regional and international issues of common concern.
Western oil firms stage a comeback in Iraq
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Major western oil firms are now set to stage a comeback in Iraq some four decades after being driven out by Saddam Hussein, WAM reported Saturday quoting media reports.
Four oil giants - American ExxonMobil, the Dutch group Shell, France's Total and British major BP, all partners in the Iraq Petroleum Company, are in talks with Iraq's oil ministry for no-bid contracts to service the country's largest oilfields. Among others in the field are Chevron and smaller firms.
Pakistani gov’t to appeal against Sharif’s disqualification from by-elections
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The Pakistani government will file an appeal against the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from contesting the by-elections, said a senior official on Tuesday.
A full bench of the Lahore High Court on Monday disqualified Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif from contesting by-elections scheduled on Thursday.
Pakistani Law Minister Farooq Naek said that the federal government has decided to file an appeal against the disqualification of Sharif in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
At UN, India cautions Pakistan its forces ‘will respond to provocation’
By Arul Louis ,
United Nations: In a series of back-and-forth exchanges at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), India cautioned Pakistan that its forces...
Pakistan rebuffs US on Taliban crackdown: NYT
By IANS,
Washington: Demands by the US for Pakistan to crack down on the strongest Taliban warrior in Afghanistan Siraj Haqqani, whose fighters pose the biggest threat to American forces, have been rebuffed by the Pakistani military, according to the New York Times.
The Obama administration wants Pakistan to turn on Haqqani, a longtime asset of Pakistan's spy agency ISI who uses the tribal area of North Waziristan as his sanctuary.
Pakistan arrests senior Taliban commander: report
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Senior Taliban commander Mullah Mansoor Dadullah was arrested in a secret operation in an area of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, local TV channels reported Monday.
The reports said that Pakistani security forces arrested Dadullah and three other Taliban leaders who were injured after exchange of fire in Zhob district in the southern part of the southwest Pakistani province of Balochistan.
The other three captured Taliban leaders are Khalid Dad, Khuda Dad and Reza Muhammad. There was no official confirmation of the reports.
Quake hits northeast India, Bangladesh
By IANS,
Agartala : An earthquake of slight intensity rocked parts of northeast India and Bangladesh Monday, an official said here.
Israel opens one crossing in Gaza
By KUNA,
GAZA : Israel exceptionally opened on Friday one of the crossing to Gaza to allow the entry of trucks carrying assistance and material.
Head of the committee supervising the entry of supplies into Gaza, Raed Fattouh, told local radio that the Israeli authorities opened the southern Gaza Kerem Shalom Crossing to allow the entry of 85 trucks loaded with aid from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) and international organizations.
Russia concerned over Gaza Strip stalemate
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Russia condemns Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, as well as Tel Aviv's move to blockade fuel and food supplies to the Gaza Strip, a top Russian diplomat said on Friday.
"Moscow has growing concerns as regards the Gaza Strip situation," Mikhail Kamynin, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesman, said.
Turkey allows Syria-bound plane to resume journey
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Ankara: A Syria-bound passenger aircraft, which was forced to land in Ankara over suspicion that it was carrying prohibited cargo, has been allowed to resume its journey.
Khalifa orders releasing 103 Egyptian prisoners
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered to release 103 Egyptian prisoners, who were sentenced in different cases.
UAE signs air services agreement with Jordan
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on air services with Jordan, WAM news agency reported Thursday.
The agreement allows unlimited capacities, frequencies and routes, as well as any type of aircraft whether owned or leased that are operated by designated airlines of both countries for passenger and cargo services.
The MoU was signed Wednesday by Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Sulaiman Obaidat, head commissioner of the Jordanian Aviation regulation Authority.
IS closing in on Syria’s Kurdish city
Damascus : Islamic State (IS) militants are closing in on the Kurdish city of Kobane in northern Syria, as violent battles between Kurdish fighters...
IAEA confirms Iran’s commitment to n-deal
Tehran : The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has released a new report confirming Iran’s commitment to an interim nuclear deal it signed with...
Candidates discuss agendas hoping to rally support
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Third constituency candidate Dr. Hamad Al-Tuwaijri meanwhile blamed the legislative authority for failure of the development process, which virtually stopped, he argued, since the 1991 Liberation.
In a seminar titled "For Kuwait, and shall stand united", he said the parliament and government have gotten used to negative dialogue and passive attitude.
Many important issues have not been adequately addressed, like education, though Kuwait University was established four decades ago and the Ministry of Higher Education so far failed to improve this sector.
Judge shot dead in Afghanistan
Kabul : Unknown gunmen shot dead a judge in Afghanistan's Ghor province, an official said Monday.
"Qazi Abdul Majid, who served as a judge with...
12,000 tents distributed in Pakistan province
By IANS,
Islamabad : Over 12,000 tents have been distributed in Pakistan's flood-hit Sindh province, authorities said.
Silent in the past, why has the Gulf reacted so strongly this time?
The experts said that targeting Prophet Muhammad, the most revered figure in Islam is a red line for Muslims across the world.
Zafar Aafaq |...
India for concrete results on terror, more trade with Pakistan
By IANS,
New Delhi/Islamabad : India Wednesday impressed upon Pakistan to show concrete results in combating terrorism even as the two sides sought to advance their peace process by intensifying economic ties and removing hurdles in the way of cross-border trade.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi held talks in New Delhi lasting over one and a half hour on a wide range of bilateral issues and set a positive tone for the ongoing fifth round of composite dialogue between the two countries.
US to improve ties with Muslim world — Obama
By KUNA,
Kuwait : US President Barack Obama stressed Monday he will fulfill the promises he made during his presidential election campaign on improving US ties with the Muslim world.
In his first interview with an Arab television station, with Al-Arabiya, Obama told the Muslim world "Americans are not your enemy".
"My job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world ... that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries," he added.
Explosives-laden truck seized in Pakistan
Bpy IANS,
Islamabad: A major terrorist incident was averted in Pakistan when a truck loaded with around 600 kg of explosives was seized in Peshawar city, Geo News reported.