NATO urges Germany to send more troops to Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Berlin : NATO has urged Germany to send more troops to volatile southern regions in Afghanistan, according to a German newspaper report.
"Germany plays a leading role in northern Afghanistan and is doing an exemplary job. But I believe the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) could use more of this in other parts of Afghanistan," said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop in an interview with the Bild Am Sonntag newspaper, excerpts of which were released ahead of the publication of the paper Sunday.
Taliban appoints Muslim Khan as spokesman
By IANS,
Peshawar : Islamist insurgent group Teherik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has named Muslim Khan as the group's new spokesman, the Online news agency reported Wednesday.
The acting head of the TTP, Moulvi Fakhir Muhammad Wednesday appointed the group's spokesman in the Swat region as its new chief spokesperson.
The decision was taken after the arrest of the TTP's central spokesman Moulvi Omar by the security forces.
Khamenei endorses Ahmadinejad as Iranian president: Report
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has endorsed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his second term in office, a media report said Monday.
Ahmadinejad was declared the victor of the June 12 election with almost two-thirds of the votes, Press TV reported.
Ahmadinejad will be sworn in as president Wednesday in a ceremony in the parliament.
He will then have two weeks to introduce his cabinet to law-makers for their approval.
South Korea to recruit 7,000 workers from Bangladesh
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : South Korea will recruit over 7,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers from Bangladesh in the next 16 months, the country's ambassador to Bangladesh said here on Monday.
Ambassador Suk-Bum Park said around 3,000 Bangladeshis would get jobs in South Korea's construction, textile, fisheries, agriculture, electronics and machinery sectors this year and the rest in 2009.
"We would recruit around 3,000 workers under the first 'Employment Permit System (EPS)' system this year. In 2009, the number of recruitment will be around 4,000," he said.
‘Syria ready to talk to Israel’
By DPA
Tel Aviv : Syria is prepared for peace talks with Israel, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim has said.
Amorim made the statement in Jerusalem Thursday after he arrived in Israel following a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.
Israeli media reported that the Brazilian minister brought Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Perez a message from al-Assad, in which the Syrian president spoke of opening direct talks with his Middle East neighbour.
World’s tallest building opens in Dubai
By DPA,
Dubai : Thousands of people craned their necks Monday evening in Dubai to watch fireworks shoot from the sides of the world's tallest building, now called the Burj Khalifa, after United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
The tower had hitherto been called the Burj Dubai, but after a few brief remarks, Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, pulled aside a curtain covering a plaque commemorating the inauguration of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan Tower.
Foiled suicide attack on Pakistani troops kills 17 civilians
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 17 civilians, including five schoolchildren, were killed and several others were injured Saturday in a foiled suicide attack on paramilitary troops in Pakistan's restive tribal region, a media report said.
Soldiers fired at an explosives-laden vehicle chasing their convoy in a busy market in Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan district that borders Afghanistan.
The shots caused the vehicle to explode, killing 17 passersby, including five schoolchildren, Geo television channel reported.
Palestinian factions fire rockets into Israel after seven killed
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Palestinian militants fired tens of home-made rockets and mortar shells into Israeli targets around Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
The armed factions said the rocket attacks were in response to the killing of seven Palestinians, including a woman and her four children, during an Israeli army operation in northern Gaza Strip Monday.
The armed wing of Islamic Hamas movement, which ruled Gaza Strip, claimed responsibility for launching nine Qassam rockets into Sderot city in Western Negev.
Kurdistan doubts Turkish attack goals
By NNN-KUNA
Irbil : The Iraqi Kurdistan regional presidency, government and parliament here Saturday voiced resentment at Turkish attacks on the region, casting doubts about the real intentions of such Turkish offensives.
A spokesman for the presidency said in a release that all preparations and arrangements were taken to face any Turkish aggression on the people of Kurdistan Region or populated areas there.
Orders have been issued to the population of Kurdistan Region to valiantly resist Turkish attacks, he said.
Pakistani Taliban intermediary meets interior minister for talks
Islamabad : The second phase of the peace talks between the Pakistan government and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is likely to begin next week.
The...
Pakistani American who fought for ‘minority within minority’
By Ashok Easwaran, IANS,
‘Afghan solution minus Pakistan won’t be productive’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan is part of the Afghanistan solution and any effort to address this issue minus Pakistan will not be productive, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.
Israel’s military threat hollow slogan: Iran
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran Monday termed Israel's military threat against its nuclear installation hollow and said Tel Aviv is not in a position to threaten the Islamic country.
"It is a hollow slogan and they do so whenever they want to transfer their internal crisis out of the regime structure," IRNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini as saying at his weekly press briefing.
Hosseini was responding to reporters' questions about a massive Israeli air force exercise in the Mediterranean and its threat to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities.
Mining firm unearths 2,600-year-old Buddhist monastery
By IANS,
London : A Chinese company digging an unexploited copper mine in Afghanistan has unearthed a sprawling 2,600-year-old Buddhist monastery.
14 militants killed in Pakistan’s tribal region
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 14 militants were killed Tuesday in two incidents in Pakistan's tribal region, Xinhua reported.
NATO Bombing Kills More Afghan Civilians
By Prensa Latina,
Kabul : At least 17 Afghan civilians, including 15 children, died during a raid of the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) led by NATO in Helmand southern province, reported official sources Friday.
The police chief in Helmand general Assadullah Shirzad told the media that foreign planes bombarded buildings in Nad Ali district Thursday killing civilians, among them children and women.
‘Malaysian government, opposition not doing enough for Tamils’
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : A Malaysian parliamentary forum has highlighted the continuing dissatisfaction among the Indian community a year after a Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rally to voice their problems was suppresed.
Participants at the forum chaired by Charles Santiago, a lawmaker from Klang Valley, said neither the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) nor the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) have addressed the issues of poverty, unemployment, low wages and poor education facilities that face the Indian community.
Pakistan economy to grow by 4.5 percent
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan's economy during the 2007-2008 fiscal year is expected to grow by 4.5 percent while the inflation rate is to vary between 20 percent and 22 percent.
The country's central bank, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), said that exports for the fiscal year are expected to remain in the range of $21.50 billion-$23 billion.
In its annual report for the fiscal year (July 2007-June 2008), the SBP said that the economic growth rate during the year was originally planned at 5.8 percent, short of the target by 1.2 percent.
About 90 militants killed in Pakistan: Army
By IANS
Rawalpindi : About 90 militants were killed Friday in fighting with security forces in the South Waziristan region of Pakistan, Online news agency reported.
According to Pakistan military's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a large number of militants attacked Ladha Fort with small arms and rockets around 10 a.m. local time.
Security forces retaliated with artillery, mortar and small arms fire, killing about 50 to 60 militants and dispersing the rest.
The troops suffered no casualty, the military said.
Libya Blocks Presidential Statement on Middle East
By SPA
United Nations : The United Nations Security Council on Thursday failed to pass a presidential statement condemning the killing of eight Jewish students in Jerusalem after Libya insisted the text include mention of an ongoing Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Israel not to swap Palestinian prisoners for soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel has refused to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for two soldiers kidnapped by the Lebanese organization Hezbollah, local daily Ha'aretz on Sunday quoted an official as saying.
Israel and Hezbollah have been negotiating a prisoner swap via German mediator Gerhard Konrad since two Israeli soldiers, Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, were kidnapped in a cross-border raid on July 12, 2006, which ignited a 34-day military conflict between the Jewish state and Lebanon.
Lebanon: peace still precarious
By NNN-IRIN,
Naqoura : Hezbollah’s claim to victory over Israel in its 16 July prisoner swap undermines moderate Arab states and leaders, and may encourage armed struggle across the region at a time of upheaval in the relations between the West and the Middle East, a number of observers have said.
Iraq: cell of female suicide bombers arrested
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi and US Security authorities have arrested a terrorist cell that used women in suicide operations.
A source in the operations command of Diyala told KUNA on Saturday that Iraqi and US forces earlier in the day stormed a home of a terrorist cell of female suicide bombers in Al-Makhesa village north east of Diyala.
The source added that the operation also resulted in the arrest of scores of women suicide bombers without saying how many.
Air Arabia Q1 net profit up 81 percent
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : The Middle East and North Africa's largest low-cost airline Air Arabia Monday announced net profit of 78 million dirhams ($21.2 million) in the first quarter of 2008, an 81 percent rise from the corresponding period last year.
During the first quarter of 2008, the company posted a turnover of 383 million dirhams ($104.2 million), up 59 percent compared to 241 million dirhams ($65.6 million) during the first quarter of 2007, according to a statement issued by the Sharjah-based airline here.
Mumbai attacks likely to frost India-Pakistan ties
By Manish Chand, IANS,
New Delhi : With India blaming "elements in Pakistan" for engineering terror strikes in Mumbai and Islamabad warning New Delhi against "playing politics", the thawing ties between the two countries are headed for a prolonged winter, fear diplomats and analysts.
"All fingers point to the LeT's (Lashkar-e-Tayeba) involvement. The LeT is hand in gloves with the ISI (Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency)," Satish Chandra, a former envoy of India to Pakistan, told IANS.
Israeli planes strike town in Gaza causing casualties
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli aircraft raided targets in the Gazan town of Beit Lahiya in the north of the strip on Wednesday killing and injuring several Palestinians, medical sources said.
The sources said the planes launched at least one missile at a group of civilians north of Beit Lahiya, causing the casualities.
Palestinian medics, boarding ambulances, arrived swiftly at the scene to evacuate the dead bodies and hospitalize the injuried, the sources added.
Seven insurgents, policeman killed in Iraq clashes
By Xinhua
Tikrit (Iraq) : A policeman and seven gunmen have been killed in separate clashes between the security forces and suspected insurgents in the restive Salahudin province, north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the police said.
Eighteen suspected insurgents were also detained by the government security forces in the province Tuesday, a police official said.
At first the gunmen attacked a police checkpoint outside the town of Shirqat, some 280 km north of Baghdad, and fled the scene, Hassan Ahmad from the provincial police command told Xinhua.
Bangladesh deploys more border guards as Myanmar erects fence
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has deployed more troopers of its border guards after Myanmar moved men and material for erecting a barbed wire fence along a 200-km border between the two countries.
The move indicates fresh tension after the stand-off in the Bay of Bengal between the two neighbours in November last year, New Age newspaper said Wednesday.
Dhaka has made diplomatic moves and has refrained from saying anything provocative.
U.S. spy plane shot down in Pakistan’s tribal belt
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A United States spy plane was shot down in Pakistan's tribal belt on Tuesday, local newspaper The News reported on Wednesday.
Pakistan's security forces and Wazir tribesmen shot down a Central Intelligence Agency-operated U.S. Predator plane near Angoor Adda in South Waziristan tribal agency bordering Afghanistan, said the report.
The wreckage of the drone was in the custody of security forces at a border village.
The News quoted official sources as saying that the drone had been flying over Pakistani border village since Tuesday morning.
Muslim parents appeal hijab ban in Russian court
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: Muslim parents whose children have not been allowed to wear headscarves or hijab to school in a southern Russian region have appealed to the Supreme Court.
Egypt detains 24 illegal immigrants near border with Israel
By Xinhua,
Cairo : Egyptian security authorities on Sunday detained 24 Africans who tried to illegally cross into Israel, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported.
The group of infiltrators were discovered near the border with Israel and arrested by Egyptian security forces patrolling the border area, said the report.
On Tuesday, Egyptian border guards shot dead two illegal immigrants who tried to sneak into Israel.
Bush hopeful about OPEC oil production increase to help alleviate high prices
By Xinhua
Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt : U.S. President George W. Bush is hopeful about an OPEC oil production increase to help alleviate high prices, media reports quoted a White House spokeswoman as saying on Wednesday.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino revealed the news to reporters traveling with Bush to Egypt from Saudi Arabia, said the reports.
Israeli drone shot down near nuclear site: Iran
Tehran: Iran's elite Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said it has downed an "Israeli spy drone" over its territory, media reports said Sunday.
The radar-evading...
UAE student develops unique vehicle for disabled
Abu Dhabi : An architectural engineering student in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has developed a unique vehicle that would help disabled people to...
Pakistani firing worst since 1971 war: BSF
Jammu : The Border Security Force (BSF) said Tuesday that it was for the first time after the 1971 war that Pakistani troops were...
Etihad targets flying 25 mn passengers by 2020
By IANS,
Dubai : Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has set a target of flying 25 million passengers by 2020.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline also said in a statement that it was planning to double the number of cities it serves from the current 50 to 100 by that year.
The statement quoted the airline's chief executive James Hogan as saying in the course of a visit to the US and Canada: "Our projections to 2020 reflect that order and the scale of our ambitions, closely aligned to the growth of Abu Dhabi as an economic and tourism powerhouse."
Pakistan seeks cooperation with countries in South Asia
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to regional cooperation under SAARC during a meeting held in Maldives.
Pakistan food aid programme halted after suicide attack
By IANS,
Washington : A UN agency has temporarily shutdown its food aid programme in Pakistan's restive tribal region after a suicide bomb attack on one of its posts killed 46 people.
Lebanon closes illegal crossings into Syria
By DPA,
Beirut : Lebanese security forces erected barricades Monday, blocking nine illegal crossings into neighbouring Syria, a Lebanese security source said.
Lebanese troops and police patrols managed to close nine illegal overland crossings along the northern borders with Syria, the source said.
The source said the operation was aimed at controlling the illegal crossings, where a lot of smuggling enters and leaves Lebanon.
The source did not elaborate, but said the operation would continue for several days to make sure all crossings were "well controlled".
No Children’s Day in besieged Gaza
By NNN-Xinhua,
Gaza : After returning from school, 14-year-old Mahmoud Awad took a quick meal and rushed out with a bag full of cigarette boxes to peddle on the streets of Gaza city, as usual.
Children's Day is something Mahmoud never heard of before, let alone any gift from his families on this occasion.
Instead, Mahmoud's mind is now preoccupied by a new "ordeal" as Hamas police forces, which took over Gaza last June, started to crack down on children selling cigarettes in the streets.
Over the past ten days, Mahmoud has been taken to Hamas-run police station three times.
Two people killed, 19 injured in Baghdad attacks
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Two people were killed and 15others injured in attacks across Baghdad on Wednesday, a well-informed police source said.
One civilian was killed and six others were injured when U.S. troops opened fire after being hit by a roadside bomb near their patrol in Baghdad's southeastern neighborhood of Fadhiliyah, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Hamas: Israeli military training on Gaza border prelude to offensive
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The armed wing of Islamic Hamas movement on Wednesday said Israeli army exercises and training on Gaza Strip borders prove that Israel prepares for offensive.
Abu Obaida, a spokesman for al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas, rejected Israeli statements that these training were defensive."The Israeli occupation has never been in a state of defense," AbuObaida said.
He added these training "on Gaza Strip borders, in the air and in its sea reveal what the occupation plans to do in the coming days."
Pakistan consistently endeavours to uphold international laws: Ambassador Salman Bashir
By APP
Beijing : Pakistan firmly believes in the vision and pledges of the United Nations and has consistently endeavoured to uphold international law as well as broaden and deepen multilateral cooperation. The Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Salman Bashir said this while addressing the opening ceremony of the Chinese National Rounds of Jessup International law Moot Court here Tuesday.
Mubarak’s aide jailed for seven years
By IANS,
Cairo : The Cairo criminal court Wednesday sentenced a close aide of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to seven years in jail and slapped a fine of four billion US dollars.
Bush completes Mideast trip in Egypt with commitments to regional peace
By Xinhua
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : U.S. President George W. Bush ended his Mideast tour on Wednesday in the Egyptian Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh as both the United States and the northern African country made more commitments to promote the Mideast peace process.
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : U.S. President George W. Bush ended his Mideast tour on Wednesday in the Egyptian Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh as both the United States and the northern African country made more commitments to promote the Mideast peace process.
Twin suicide bomb kills 14, including Baghdad anti-Qaida leader
·Up to 14 people were killed, including an anti-Qaida leader, in a twin suicide bombing.
·Most of the victims were Awakening Council group members, the source said.
·There is some evidences indicate that Qaida in Iraq network is behind the attack.
By Xinhua
Blair’s testimony and the motive for the Iraq War
By Yamin Zakari
"No matter how skilfully he ducked and dived today, Tony Blair's legacy will forever be that of the illegal, immoral Iraq war.”
- Angus Robertson of the SNP
The ineffectual Chilcot Inquiry was never designed to account Tony Blair; rather it appears to have served as a lesson for future Prime Ministers not to make ‘administrative’ errors like submitting dodgy dossiers. Moreover, it gave Tony Blair an opportunity to present his side of the story in a casual manner.
Israeli shooting at Palestinian fishermen violates truce
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Israeli marine vessels on Saturday opened fire at Palestinian fishermen in the sea, violating a ceasefire with Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas, Palestinian security sources said Saturday.
The shooting, which occurred in the Mediterranean along northwest Gaza city at dawn, caused no casualties, the sources added.
On Friday, Israeli gunboats fired two shells at Palestinian fishing boats in southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah when they were fishing offshore, causing damage to two boats.
Pakistan denies U.S troops, intelligence agents operating in tribal areas
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan has said that U.S troops and intelligence agencies are not operating inside its tribal areas and described American media reports as baseless.
Foreign Office Spokesman, Muhammad Sadiq said the media functions freely in Pakistan as well as in United States and such unfounded news stories are published in both the countries.
Sadiq rejected a report in the New York Times that the United States is considering options to operate in Pakistan's tribal regions.
Russia’s Medvedev calls on Iran to cooperate with the IAEA
By DPA,
Moscow : Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called on Iran to allow immediate inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the Islamic republic's second uranium enrichment facility, Russian media reported Saturday.
Medvedev said the announcement by Iran of a second facility had created difficulties for the international community in the row over Tehran's nuclear capabilities.
Abbas: No inter-Palestinian talks if Hamas rejects PLO
By Xinhua,
CAIRO, Feb : Visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned here Sunday that there will be no inter-Palestinian talks unless Hamas accepts the legitimacy of the Fatah-dominated Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Abbas told reporters at a press conference that "we make it clear that... no dialogue with those who rejects the Palestine Liberation Organization," referring to the rival Hamas movement who took control of the Gaza Strip in a coup in June 2007.
"The organization (PLO) is the only representative of the Palestinians," he added.
‘Repairing damage of terror strikes on India challenge for Pakistan’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Repairing the "damage" caused by the terror strike on the Indian embassy in Kabul and by the frequent skirmishes along the Kashmir frontier pose a "challenge" for the new Pakistani government, an editorial in a leading English newspaper said Monday.
"Recent acts of terrorism in Kabul against the Indian embassy there and in Indian cities have led to a new trade of accusations. Islamabad has denied involvement. Skirmishes along the LoC (Line of Control in Kashmir) have added to mounting tensions," the editorial in The News said.
Pakistan moves to revamp health sector
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's new Health Minister Sherry Rahman has initiated steps to revamp the ailing sector by removing inept bureaucrats and launching probes against corrupt officials, warning that no one would be spared.
"As part of reforms and corrective measures to put things in the ministry of health in order, (Rahman) has initiated necessary measures," The News reported Monday.
"The ministry of health failed to deliver during the previous government," it quoted an official as saying.
Two Palestinians killed, five injured in Israeli air raid on Gaza
By KUNA,
Gaza : Two Palestinian activists were killed and five others were injured in an Israeli air raid targeting Al-Shujaiya district, eastern Gaza Strip, late Wednesday night.
"Israeli combat jets fired at least one missile at an armed group affiliated with Eziddin Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas," local radio reported.
Sources underscored that these groups were stationed near one of Al-Shujaiya neighborhood schools when an Israeli missile killed two of their members and injured five others.
Pakistani troops fire at Indian posts in Kashmir
Jammu: Pakistani troops resorted to "unprovoked firing" at Indian positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, the military said Saturday.
The...
95% of Paks prefer Urdu TV news channels: survey
By IRNA,
Islamabad : While news channels are increasingly initiating different news choices for English and Urdu news, it is seen that 95 percent of all Pakistani TV Viewers prefer Urdu language for news channels, findings of a survey said Friday.
Only 3 percent say they watch news in English while the remaining 2% either do not watch news or gave no response, according to a survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan.
Hamas: Rice visits to secure more time for Israel’s expansion projects
By Xinhua,
Gaza : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visits to Israel and the Palestinian territories aim at granting more time for Israel to continue Judaization projects, Islamic Hamas movement said on Sunday.
US optimistic about final nuclear deal with Iran
Washington: A day after reaching a framework agreement with Iran, the Obama administration on Friday sounded upbeat about the prospect of a final deal...
Revisiting South Asia under PM Modi
By Syed Ali Mujtaba,
South Asia, the countries surrounding India, forming a regional grouping called SAARC has come to acquire top priority status in the policy framework of the new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pakistan frees dozens of pro-Taliban militants under peace deal
By DPA,
Peshawar : The government in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) has freed dozens of militants under a peace deal with the rebels who have fought the security forces to enforce Taliban-style rule in the restive valley of Swat, officials said.
The release came after a meeting between the local authorities in Swat and the close aides of pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah.
Four policemen killed in Pakistan gun attack
Islamabad: Four policemen were killed on Thursday when unidentified assailants opened fire on a police mobile in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
The incident took place in...
Withdraw rail fare, freight hike: Jayalalithaa
Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa Friday termed the hike in rail passenger and cargo carriage rates "worrisome" as it would fuel inflation...
Members of Palestinian security force spread in Jenin
By KUNA,
Ramallah : Members of the Palestinian security force Saturday were deployed in the Jenin city in accordance with a government plan to maintain security there.
Major-General Deyab Al-Ali said in a statement about 600 security members were sent to Jenin to join security forces there, affirming that their mission was to maintain security in the city which was witnessing instability.
The mission would continue despite outside interferences to undermine the plan, stated Al-Ali, adding that the security force received special training at a camp in Jordan.
France to invite Syrian President for national day celebrations
By KUNA,
Paris : President Nicolas Sarkozy has invited Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to attend the French "Bastille Day" national celebrations on July 14, a further sign of warming ties between the two countries.
Al-Assad will already be in Paris on July 13 at the invitation of Sarkozy but to attend a summit of Mediterranean leaders.
The French leader has invited all participants at that summit, including Al-Assad, to take part in the national day even, diplomatic sources confirmed.
France pledges more troops to Afghanistan
By DPA
Bucharest : France has pledged to send a "substantial" number of troops to NATO's mission in Afghanistan, a NATO spokesman said Wednesday.
The contribution will allow US troops to support Canada in the south of the country, thus satisfying Canadian demands for support in the war-torn region as a precondition for staying in the country until 2011.
Dhaka begins process for ‘war crime’ trials
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has launched investigation against the chief of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), beginning the process of trial of those accused of committing "war crimes" during the 1971 liberation war.
People who collaborated with the Pakistan government during the 1971 freedom movement are called "war criminals" in Bangladesh.
Sharif arrives at Modi’s swearing-in
New Delhi : Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday arrived at Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
Sharif exchanged greetings Indian...
Lebanon to boycott Damascus summit
By DPA
Beirut : The Lebanese cabinet decided late Tuesday not to attend the March 29-30 Arab summit being hosted by Syria, a ministerial source said.
"We have decided not to attend the Syrian summit," the source said, without elaborating.
Lebanon's parliament Monday postponed for the 17th time a session to elect a new president, because the ruling coalition and opposition were unable to agree on the makeup of the next government.
The session was put back to April 22 to allow further negotiations.
Pakistan tests cruise missile Hatf-VII
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Tuesday successfully test-fired the indigenously developed cruise missile Hatf-VII (Babur), having a range of 700 km, the military said.
Iraqi civilian deaths on the rise
By IRNA
Baghdad : The toll of civilian deaths in Iraq has soared in recent weeks as Iraqi and American security forces carried offensive on Basra and Sadr City, according to Interior Ministry figures.
The battles reached their peak after Iraqi forces began an assault on Basra one week ago; that fighting has dropped off since Sunday, when Moqtada Sadr, Iraqi anti-occupation campaigner asked Mahdi Army to lay down its arms and made a series of demands of the Iraqi government.
Northeast chief ministers to visit Dhaka seeking transit facility
By IANS,
Agartala : A group of chief ministers from the northeastern states will visit Dhaka next month to press for transit facilities to the region via Bangladesh.
The delegation will meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Trade and Commerce minister Farooq Khan and President Zillur Rahman March 4 and 5 to discuss the transit and other trade and business related matters, a senior official said here Wednesday.
The ministry of development of north eastern region (DoNER) will sponsor the first-ever chief ministers' delegation to Bangladesh.
Israel keeps eye on strengthening of Hezbollah
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel has admitted that the Lebanese guerilla group Hezbollah, with which it held a prisoners swap last month, has gained significant strength in the past couple of years.
"Hezbollah has gained significant strength in the last couple of years," Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said during an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Armored Corps drill in the Golan Heights.
"We're following closely the violations of the balance by Hezbollah and Syria, and the strengthening beyond the fence," Barak was quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post Tuesday.
Ex-Pakistan Army officers, ISI trained Mumbai attackers: NYT
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : American intelligence agencies have determined that former officers from Pakistan's Army and its powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency helped train the Mumbai attackers, the New York Times has reported citing a former Defence Department official.
India, Oman to better economic and defence engagement
New Delhi : Bilateral trade and defence cooperation will top the agenda when Oman Foreign Minister Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah visits India June...
Plea to make Urdu Pakistan’s official language dismissed
By IANS,
Islamabad : A petition seeking to direct the government to make Urdu the official language of Pakistan has been dismissed by the Lahore High Court.
Israeli planes hit targets in Gaza
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Israel launched a series of airstrikes Sunday night on several targets in the Gaza Strip, including a police station and the border area between Gaza and Egypt, witnesses said.
Residents of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah, which borders Egypt, said that Israeli F-16 jets dropped at least four bombs at the border area between their town and Egypt, with no injuries reported.
Iran, EU reiterate willingness to resume nuclear talks
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran and the European Union (EU) Monday reiterated their willingness to resume talks on the dispute over the Islamic country's controversial nuclear programmes, ISNA news agency reported.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeid Jalili and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana agreed in a phone conversation to continue what Iran called "talks in a constructive atmosphere," the news agency reported.
The duo had voiced the same willingness in a phone call last Monday.
Shun yellow journalism, Pakistani media told
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Urdu press and electronic media need more editorial control unless they want to meet the fate of the News of the World, a daily said Sunday.
10 dead in Egypt car accident
By IANS,
Cairo: At least 10 people were killed when a truck collided with three cars on a desert road leading to Egypt's Alexandria city, Xinhua reported.
Basic facts about Yemen
By Xinhua,
Sana'a : Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping will pay a visit to Yemen on June 24 to 25 at the invitation of Yemeni Vice President Abdal-rab Mansur al-Hadii.
The following are some key facts about Yemen in southwest Asia:
Bordering Saudi Arabia on the north, Oman on the east, the Red Sea on the west and the Gulf of Aden on the south, the Republic of Yemen covers an area of 555,000 square km with the capital city of Sana'a.
It has a population of 21.6 million, mostly Arabs. Arabic is the official language.
Toll in Kabul hotel attack rises to six
By DPA
Kabul : A suicide attack in a luxury hotel in the Afghan capital left at least six people dead and another six injured, an Afghan interior ministry official has said.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack Monday, which took place during a visit by Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
Store was unharmed, officials said. Carsten Thomassen, 38, a Norwegian reporter with Oslo daily Dagbladet, died late Monday of his injuries, the newspaper's website reported.
Malaysia to have first Islamic Television Station
Kuala Lumpur – (IINA)February 17 – Malaysia will have the first Islamic television station in the world soon to enhance people's understanding of Islam. The executive chairman of World Islamic Network Television Sdn Bhd (WINTV) Khairuddin Abu Hassan said the time had come for Malaysia as a model Islamic country to have an Islamic-based television station. "This station will broadcast Islamic programs in a moderate way which can be understood by and impress all the races in the country," he said in a statement issued Friday.
Pakistan journalist community to protest manhandling
Islamabad : Pakistan's journalistic community called for a countrywide protest Tuesday over the attack on a female anchor and other journalists by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf...
Lebanese crisis expected standstill
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese current situation would probably be standstill in the coming period, local daily As Safir reported on Monday.
The Lebanese file "will probably be ignored in the coming period" and the current situation in the country would "stay until after the American presidential elections," an Arab diplomat source returning from Washington was quoted as saying.
General petraeus submits preliminary Iraq report
By SPA,
Washington : General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, has submitted to Defense Secretary Robert Gates his initial recommendation on when to resume a U.S. troop withdrawal and at what pace, a senior military officer said Friday.
The officer, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said Petraeus was still analyzing the situation and had not yet submitted a final set of recommendations, which he is expected to do within the next week or so. The officer did not provide any specifics of Petraeus’ initial recommendations.
UAE mulling over publishing China’s People’s Daily
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: The possibility of publishing an overseas edition of the Chinese newspaper People's Daily was discussed here Tuesday between the UAE's National Media Council Director General Ibrahim Al Abed and the newspaper's visiting delegation.
Once published from the UAE, the paper will cater to about 200,000 Chinese people living in the country, thus bringing them news from home and enlightening them on the culture and traditions of the UAE at the same time, WAM news agency reported.
Explosion near Danish embassy may be linked to offensive cartoons
By Amena Khokhar, KUNA,
Islamabad : While people continued holding protest demonstrations in several small cities of Pakistan to condemn reprinting of sacrilegious cartoons in Danish newspapers, a huge blast targeted Danish embassy in Islamabad killing as many as eight persons and wounding twenty-four others including foreigners.
A suicide bomber blew his explosive-laden vehicle at the entrance gate of a NGO, Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment, in front of the Danish embassy. The embassy and NGO offices are only ten meters apart.
11 killed in Afghan coal mine accident
By IANS,
Kabul : Eleven miners were killed when a coal mine collapsed in northern Afghanistan Saturday, Xinhua reported.
Over 900 new HIV cases in Pakistan
Islamabad : At least 994 new HIV/AIDS cases have been detected across Sindh province in Pakistan this year, according to a media report.
"These numbers...
India, Afghanistan send broad hint to Pakistan – stop terrorism
By IANS,
New Delhi : In an apparent reference to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan Monday said that countries needed to prevent acts of terrorism emanating from their soil.
A joint statement issued at the end of President Hamid Karzai's 24-hour trip to New Delhi said the visit was symbolic, "to express Afghanistan's solidarity with the government and people of India in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attack".
Ties with Pakistan go beyond security: Obama
By IANS,
Washington : Pledging ties with Pakistan that go "far beyond security issues", US President Barack Obama has said he is "very fond" of the country he had visited during his college days.
"President Obama began by noting that he is very fond of Pakistan, having visited the country during college," Associated Press of Pakistan quoted a White House statement as saying after a 40-minute meeting Sunday between Obama and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on the margins of the Nuclear Security Summit.
New era in Kashmir as trade convoy leaves for Muzaffarabad
By F. Ahmed, IANS,
Salamabad Uri (Jammu and Kashmir) : To the sound of drumbeats and loud cheers, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra Tuesday flagged off the first trade convoy that will cross the Line of Control (LoC) dividing the two Kashmirs and herald a new era of goodwill.
Afghan mayor killed in suicide blast
By IANS,
Kabul : The mayor of Afghanistan's Kandahar city was killed Wednesday in a suicide attack when he was attending a meeting, Xinhua reported.
Pakistani nuclear weapons cannot fall into wrong hands – top expert
By NNN-APP,
Washington : Pakistan has a strong command and control system with tight security arrangements in place for protection of its nuclear weapons, which make the strategic assets inaccessible for militants, a top expert on South Asian nuclear affairs said.
Naeem Salik, author of the recently published book “The Genesis of South Asian Nuclear Deterrence - Pakistan’s Perspective” also told an audience of experts, diplomats and academics at Johns Hopkins University that Indian nuclear program preceded Chinese quest for atomic weapons.
Pakistani gunned down in Copenhagen
By IANS,
Copenhagen : A 48-year-old man of Pakistani ethnicity was Wednesday killed in a brutal street shooting in the Danish capital, Xinhua reported.
12 die in Taliban attack on Indian embassy in Kabul
By IANS,
Kabul/New Delhi : A Taliban suicide bomber exploded near the Indian embassy in Kabul Thursday, killing 12 people and injuring nearly 90 in the second such attack since July 2008.
No Indian was killed in the devastating bombing on the busy road outside the embassy. Afghan officials said the dead were one police officer and 11 Afghan civilians, most of whom were Indian visa seekers.
British soldier killed in Afghan ambush
By IRNA,
London : A British soldier has been killed in Afghanistan after his patrol came under fire, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced Wednesday.
The latest death takes the number of British military casualties in the country since 2001 to 111. All but seven have been killed since UK troops were first deployed in Helmand two years ago.
The MoD said that two other soldiers were also injured in the latest incident in which a patrol was hit with roadside bombs during a battle against Taliban insurgents in the Kajaki area of Helmand.
Pakistani students interact with youths in Delhi schools
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Aaghaz-e-Dosti, an Indo-Pak Friendship initiative of India based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst – TC, organized Aman Chaupal on 4th October at two centres - Hastal Village and Jeevan Park, of AAM Foundation, an NGO that provides free English classes.
Carter holds second meeting with exiled Hamas leader in Damascus
By Xinhua,
Damascus : Visiting former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on Saturday held talks with exiled Hamas politburo chief in Damascus Khaled Meshaal for a second time in two days.
The two sides discussed several subjects, including Israeli-Palestinian crossing points, captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit,the siege on the Palestinians and a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, Meshaal's deputy Moussa Abu Marzouk said after the one-hour meeting.
British PM denies cutting aid to Pakistan
By IANS,
London: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Thursday denied claims by one of his ministers that Britain was cutting spending on counter-terrorism in Pakistan.
"Counter-terrorism expenditure in Pakistan, and generally, is increasing this year and will increase next year," Brown said.
"It is important to recognise our counter-terrorism effort is also linking up the efforts of our police forces here and our border control system, which is keeping the country as safe as possible," he added.
Pakistani Army chief to visit Britain end-September
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will visit Britain in the last week of September for discussions on military ties between the two countries.
Three US nationals killed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : NATO military in Kabul said two US soldiers and one civilian were killed in eastern Afghanistan Saturday in an incident that was still under investigation.
"Two US service members and one US employee were killed today in eastern Afghanistan," the military alliance said in a statement.
Afghanistan's eastern region, which shares a long border with Pakistan, is the main hub for the Haqqani network, an associate group of Taliban militants.
The latest deaths took to 29 the number of US soldiers killed in Afghanistan in January.
Unity between Gaza and West Bank is national basic – PLO
By NNN-WAFA,
Ramallah : The PLO Executive Committee (EC) has affirmed that the ongoing settlement activities cause a main danger on the future of the Palestinian people and the entire peace process.
In a meeting chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah Tuesday, the EC rejected all Israel's pretexts to justify expansion of settlements, calling on the US administration to exert efforts to halt settlements and implement the Annapolis conference undertakings as well as save the current political process from failure and collapse.
US to support Yemen improve quake monitoring
By NNN-SABA
Dhamar (Yemen) : The US Liverpool Institute in California is willing to help Yemen in implementing various scientific studies that contribute to reducing earthquake risks.
This was decided during a meeting between Deputy of Dhamar governor Yahia al-Shaif and Earthquake Science Group at the Liverpool Institute here on Wednesday.
They discussed aspects of cooperation between Yemeni Center of Monitoring and Studying Earthquakes and the US Liverpool Institute as well as exchanging experiences and information between them.
Pakistani daily rues political rift over crash probe
By IANS,
Islamabad : A Pakistani daily has described as "agonising" the political rift over the probe into an aircrash here that left 127 people dead.
Iraq’s Sadr declares renewal of ceasefire, U.S. welcome
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iraq's radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered on Friday to extend the six-month-old ceasefire of his Mahdi Army militia, and the U.S. military hailed the decision.
"Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered that the activities of the Mahdi Army will be suspended for another six months," Hazim al-Araji, a top aide for Sadr read out the Sadr statement during the ceremony of Friday prayer in Kadhimiyah neighborhood in northern Baghdad.
1st phase of Great Prophet 6 Wargame staged successfully
By IRNA,
Tehran : The first phase of the Great Prophet 6 Wargame, featuring unveiling of underground missile launch pad, was successfully carried out.
Pakistan not to allow use of its soil for terror acts – Zardari
By IRNA,
Islamabad : US senator John Kerry met with President Asif Ali Zardari here Monday and assured Pakistan of every possible help in war against terrorism.
During the meeting John Kerry stressed on need for Indian leadership's ease of tension with Pakistan through holding dialogue and cooperation. He asked Pakistan to cooperate with India in investigating violent incidents that took place in Mumbai.
President Asif Ali Zardari touching on the occasion, said that country's soil will not be allowed to be used for carrying out terrorist activities.
Afghanistan: govt raps emergency response commission as winter death toll rises
By NNN-IRIN
Kabul : The lower house of the Afghan National Assembly has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the national emergency response commission to boost and expand humanitarian assistance to thousands of people affected by extremely cold weather and heavy snow.
"If [government] officials fail to reach and assist affected people within 10 days, we will go for impeachment and a vote of no-confidence," warned Yunus Qanoni, speaker of the house, at the end of a parliamentary debate on disaster management.
Witness in Hariri assassination inquary has disappeared – France
By NNN-KUNA
Paris : France has confirmed that a key witness in the investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri in February 2005 has disappeared.
Zuheir Mohammed Al-Siddiq is wanted by Lebanese authorities for questioning and an extradition order was issued by these authorities, according to Arab sources here.
French officials have been careful in their handling of the Al-Siddiq case given that he has been in this country since mid-2005. He was arrested by the French secret service in October 2005, but he has not been handed over to Lebanon.
Police kill militant commander in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
KABUL : A militant commander was killed and four others were arrested in southern Afghanistan by the Afghan police, with the assistance of the US-led coalition troops.
A military statement said the militant leader was killed in Washir district of the country's Helmand on Saturday.
The troops were conducting a search operation on a suspected mid-level Taliban commander's compound, the statement noted.
As the combined force approached the compound, the suspect exited and took up a fighting position in a nearby valley, engaging the troops with small-arms fire, it added.
Islamic scholars adopt charter for solidarity
By IINA,
Makkah : Eminent Islamic scholars and thinkers from around the world on Tuesday adopted an Islamic Solidarity Charter, recommended the establishment of a league of economic entities to achieve economic integration of the Ummah and proposed the institution of the King Abdullah Islamic Solidarity Prize.
Arab group to table Israeli settlement draft resolution in UN Security Council
By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : The Arab Group has decided unanimously to table a draft resolution calling on Israel to immediately stop the construction of settlements in the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
The draft, Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour told Arab reporters here Tuesday, would be tabled by Libya, the only Arab member in the Security Council Thursday following the Council's monthly briefing on the Middle East, with a vote not foreseen this month while the US, which opposes the Arab move, presides over the Council.
Iran Inaugurates Space Program
By Prensa Latina
Tehran : The first space program totally designed by Iranian technicians was inaugurated Monday with the launching of the Kaveshgar 1 rocket in orbit and opening the aerospace center and exhibit of a research satellite.
Mahmud Ahmadineyad, president of the Islamic Republic, said that in the modern world, it is necessary "to keep an active and affective presence in space, to guarantee a more honorable life for the nation."
No deal over Musharraf’s ouster: Rehman Malik
By IANS,
Islamabad : Some "friendly countries" played a role in the ouster of former president and military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has admitted but he stressed that "it cannot be termed as a deal".
"Few of our friendly countries levelled the surface for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan and negotiations were held with Musharraf on transfer of power with their reference. But it can not be termed as a deal," Malik told Ary News in an interview.
Top NATO commander visits site of Afghan air strike
By DPA,
Kunduz (Afghanistan) : The top NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, travelled to the northern province of Kunduz Saturday to visit the site of a deadly NATO airstrike, where villagers claimed that "scores" of civilians were killed.
Teams from the Afghan government, NATO military and the UN are investigating the incident, in which trucks hijacked by the Taliban were hit in a US jet strike ordered by the local German command of the NATO-led force.
Militants kidnap over 20 Pakistani security personnel
By IANS,
Islamabad : Unidentified militants Thursday attacked a checkpost in northwest Pakistan, killing at least two security personnel and kidnapping 22 others, media reports said.
Iraqi forces stage new military operation in Mosul
By Xinhua,
Mosul, Iraq : Iraqi security force on Saturday launched a massive offensive against al-Qaida militants in the city of Mosul, capital of the northern province of Nineveh, a provincial security source said.
"Military offensive against al-Qaida militants began on Saturday morning in the city of Mosul," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Hundreds of Iraqi soldiers backed by armored vehicles and U.S. troops have deployed in different areas of Mosul, which has been under strict security measures since late Friday, the source said.
Israeli army arrests 10 in Gaza raid
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians during a raid carried out in southeast Gaza Stripafter midnight, Palestinian security sources and witnesses said on Saturday.
The witnesses said that at least seven tanks and four bulldozers rolled into the eastern territories of Rafah city after midnight and withdrew early in the morning.
No talks until Israel meets its obligations: Abbas
By DPA,
Ramallah/Jerusalem/Amman : Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday that the best way to achieve peace was through direct talks, which Israel was willing to begin immediately, but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Jewish state first had to meet its obligations under international agreements.
European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs and Security supremo Catherine Ashton, for her part, said the EU was waiting for the talks to begin, and the question was how best to achieve this.
Israel, US test new missile defence system
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Tel Aviv : Israel and the US have carried out the first successful test of the Arrow 3 missile defence interceptor, the Israeli defence ministry said.
Kuwait Interior Min. says held successful, transparent talks in Riyadh
By KUNA
Kuwait : Kuwaiti Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Khalid Al-Sabah here Monday described as "very successful" his talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince nayef bin Abdulaziz earlier today in Riyadh.
Speaking to KUNA after returning home from a short visit to Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Jaber said the talks dealt with regional security conditions, and how to coordinate positions vis-a-vis security situations.
He said the talks were transparent and covered the impacts of the security developments in neighboring countries.
Russian equipment for Bushehr NPP in Iran – Tehran
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : The Russian equipment for the Bushehr nuclear power plant earlier held up on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border has been finally delivered to Iran, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
"The cargo is on its way to the Bushehr NPP after Azerbaijan received all documents required from the Russian side," Mohammad Al Hosseini told Iranian satellite TV channel Alalam.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said Thursday Azerbaijan has allowed the Russian equipment for Bushehr, detained on the border more than a month ago, into Iran.
Taliban announces ceasefire for Pakistan polls
By Muhammad Najeeb
Islamabad, Feb 14 (IANS) The Taliban in Pakistan has announced a ceasefire ahead of the Feb 18 parliament polls, saying no attacks will be carried out on any election facility or rally.
"We announce ceasefire in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and tribal areas during elections," an organization named 'Taliban Ittehad' or Taliban Alliance said in a message released to the media.
The message signed by Maulvi Umer of the Taliban Alliance said that from South Waziristan to Swat in NWFP they will not attack any people or election facility.
After Canada, Dhaka moves US to get Mujib killer
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has moved the US authorities through the Interpol to secure the custody of a former army officer convicted for murdering the country's founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The National Central Bureau (NCB), Interpol's regional office in Dhaka, has sent a letter to its Washington office seeking deportation of fugitive Lt. Col. (retd) A.M. Rashed Chowdhury, The Daily Star said.
The move came a day after the Canadians said they had seized the passport of another fugitive, Major (retd.) Noor Chowdhury, and would cooperate in sending him back.
China offers Pakistan military aid to fight terrorism
By IANS,
Islamabad : China has offered Pakistan military aid to fight terrorist activities in the country, media reports said Saturday.
"Beijing will further cooperate with Pakistan in dealing firmly with terrorists," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told reporters here Friday.
Yang was addressing a press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmud Qureshi, The News reported.
Qureshi said: "Pakistan will purchase equipment from China to fight terror. Pakistan has expressed the desire to purchase some anti-terror equipments from China to which they have agreed.
Coalition forces say insurgents killed in Helmand operation
By KUNA
Kabul : The Afghan security forces, advised by the coalition troops, killed several insurgents during an operation in Grishk district of Helmand province.
A statement from coalition forces' Bagram base here on Wednesday said that the joint operation was conducted March 2.
A separate statement said the Afghan and coalition forces have positively identified a Taliban leader detained during a joint operation as Mullah Shabir.
Iran’s Ahmadinejad appoints US educated scholar as advisor
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Tuesday appointed US educated Hamid Molana as his advisor, state-run IRNA news agency reported.
Molana has worked with the faculty of International Relations of major American and European universities in the past 50 years, the report said.
He is the founding director of the International Communication Programme at the School of International Service in the American University.
Pakistan says it values China’s support for SCO membership
Islamabad: Pakistan Friday said it appreciates China's support for the country's quest to become member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as the group...
Governor of Iraq’s Nineveh province survives assassination attempt
By DPA,
Baghdad : The governor of Iraq's Nineveh province survived an assassination attempt in the northern city of Mosul Saturday, government sources said.
Militants opened fire on Dored Kashmola's convoy in the Zanjily area where he was supervising an operation, sources told DPA.
The attack destroyed the vehicles, but no injuries or deaths were reported, the sources said, adding it was not the first time Kashmola survived an attempt on his life.
18,000 registered madrassas in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : There are over 18,000 registered madrassas for men spread across Pakistan, a minister said.
EU, Russia welcome Obama’s dialogue offer to Iran
By DPA,
Washington : The European Union (EU) and Russia welcomed US President Barack Obama's offer to Iran Friday for a new start, with the US commitment to engagement, not threats, in its pursuit of diplomacy.
Obama, in a message to Iranians early Friday, said the effort could not be one-sided, suggesting the people of Iran also "have a choice" about whether they take their "rightful place in the community of nations".
Archaeologists in Jordan unearth ‘first church in world’
By DPA,
Amman : Archaeologists in Jordan have discovered what they claimed to be the "first church in world" at Rihab, 40 km north-east of Amman, the Jordan Times reported Monday.
"We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33AD to 70AD," Abdul Qader Hassan, head of the Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies told the paper.
The discovery lying underneath Saint Gorgeous Church in Rihab is "amazing, because we have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians, the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ", he said.
Israeli archaeologists discover 1,700-year-old footprints
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Israeli archaeologists have found the 1,700-year footprints of people working on a mosaic during the times that the Romans were ruling the region.
The imprints of bare feet and sandals - sized 34, 37, 42 and 44 - were discovered under the Lod Mosaic, one of the largest and best-preserved mosaic floors ever discovered in Israel.
The mosaic floor is believed to be part of a villa that belonged to a wealthy man from the 4th century AD. At the time, what is now Israel and the Palestinian areas was part of the Byzantine, or Eastern Roman Empire.