‘Top Al Qaeda, Taliban leadership based in Pakistan’
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Warning that the top leadership of Al Qaeda and Taliban was most likely based in Pakistan, a US South Asia expert has suggested that President Barack Obama shift the focus of his much talked about Afghanistan-Pakistan policy to Pakistan.
UAE, Lebanon seek to boost trade ties
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : The UAE and Lebanon have sought to boost trade and investments between the two countries.
Gilani invites PML-N to rejoin his government
By IANS,
Islamabad : Efforts to persuade opposition leader Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML) to rejoin the federal cabinet received a major boost Wednesday with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani formally inviting the party to return.
Gilani extended the invitation during a meeting here with Sharif's younger brother Shahbaz Sharif, who on Monday was restored as the chief minister of the Punjab province.
"It has been reliably learnt that Prime Minister Gilani invited the Pakistan Muslim League-N to rejoin the federal cabinet," Geo TV reported.
Jaswant Singh to move Supreme Court against book ban
By IANS,
New Delhi : Expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh is expected to move the Supreme Court to challenge the Gujarat government's ban on his book "Jinnah: India - Partition - Independence".
"It is an infringement of his fundamental right and he will be moving court soon," a close aide of Jaswant Singh told IANS.
Jaswant Singh, who was expelled from the BJP two days after the launch of the book, has expressed shock at the Gujarat government's move and likened it to the ban on Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses".
Missing Pakistani sailor found in Australia
Canberra : A Pakistani sailor who jumped off a navy vessel in Australia's Darwin Harbour has been found, media reported Tuesday.
The man, 23, went...
Bangladesh to rename establishments bearing Ziaur Rahman’s name
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh government has decided to rename all the establishments named after former president Ziaur Rahman. The decision prompted opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party to announce a stir to protest the move.
"According to the cabinet decision, no structures or institutions will bear name of illegal autocratic ruler Ziaur Rahman," Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told the media.
"The governments between August 15, 1975 and April 9, 1979 including Ziaur Rahman assuming power were illegal," the official was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.
UAE, Western Australia keen to boost commercial cooperation
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates and Western Australia have discussed ways to enhance and strengthen bilateral relations in future.
Egypt prosecutor lists key Muslim Brotherhood members as ‘terrorists’
Cairo: Egypt's prosecutor general on Sunday listed 18 leading members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group, including its chief, as terrorists, Xinhua reported citing...
Ecuador, Iran discuss trade cooperation and bilateral ties
By Xinhua,
Quito : Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa met with visiting Iranian chief of trade office Majid Salehi to discuss trade cooperation and bilateral relations, the Ecuadorian presidential office said Wednesday.
The meeting was held Tuesday in the Carondelet Palace, headquarters of the Ecuadorian government.
Ecuador is interested in Iran "from all points of view," according to a communique.
Salehi said everybody witnesses that Ecuador is undergoing a change, carried out by its government and people, who consider their country's future a priority.
Iran stops bomb attack on Russian consulate
By NNN-FNA,
Tehran : Iran's intelligence minister said that a terrorist group with links with the US and Britain which bombed a religious center in the southern city of Shiraz last month also planned to attack a Russian consulate in the northern part of the country.
Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi Said that the group planned to bomb the consulate in Rasht city in northern Iran to strain the friendly relations between Iran and Russia.
Afghan troops kill 16 suspected Taliban insurgents
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan troops have eliminated 16 suspected Taliban militants over the past two days in the southernand eastern parts of the country, officials said Tuesday.
In the first firefight which occurred in Arghistan and Marof districts of southern Kandahar province early Tuesday, nine insurgents were killed, commander of Border police Force in the province Abdul Razaq told Xinhua.
UAE records highest investment growth in Middle East
By IANS
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recorded the highest investment growth in the Middle East, according to the United Nations.
A report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) says that between 2001 and 2006, the UAE and its partners in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) attracted more than $81 billion in foreign direct investment, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia was the biggest recipient of FDI during the period while the UAE had the highest growth in investment in the Middle East.
In Pakistan, who will win the war?
By IANS,
Islamabad : Thousands of troops are all set to launch a major military offensive against the increasingly aggressive Taliban in a do-or-die war that appears to have united Pakistan like never before against the Islamist outlaws.
As Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar still reel from the spate of audacious terror strikes, nearly 30,000 troops are moving towards the lawless South Waziristan region close to Afghanistan for Operation "Rah-i-Nijat" (Road to Deliverance).
Pakistan Islamic party condemns selling of national land to U.S army
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Jamaat-e-Islamic Pakistan and Leader of the independent opposition group in the Senate has strongly condemned selling of national land to U.S army and has termed it as almost an act of treason.
Jamaat deputy chief Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmad said that the government has reportedly sold land to the U.S army near the town of Tarbella in the northwest.
Khurshid also submitted an adjournment motion in the Senate Secretariat to raise the issue in the upper house of the parliament.
ElBaradei reports “good progress” on settling Iranian nuclear dispute
Berlin, Feb 9, IRNA ,The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohammad ElBaradei on Saturday reported "good progress" on clarifying all outstanding issues and questions over Iran's nuclear program.
Addressing the Munich security conference in the south German city of Munich, ElBaradei said the next IAEA report will reflect this progress in the negotiations between the UN nuclear watchdog and Iran.
The IAEA chief urged "confidence-building" talks between the West and Iran.
He stressed confidence could only be restored through "direct talks."
Let 2015 be a start to a future of ‘lasts’ rather than ‘half’ measures...
By TCN News,
New Delhi: After receiving the Nobel Peace prize with India’s Kailash Satyarthi, Pakistan’s young education activist Malala Yousafzai has written an open letter to the world leaders. In India, the campaigners have sent this letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Iran’s anti-Israel remarks are ‘uncivilised’: EU
By DPA
Brussels : The European Union Monday said comments by the Iranian hierarchy to the effect that Israel is an "illegitimate state" with no future were "unacceptable, damaging and uncivilised".
In a statement issued on behalf of the bloc's 27 member states, the EU presidency strongly condemned a string of recent anti-Israeli comments made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and other top Iranian officials.
Yemenis take to streets against Saudi-led invasion
Sanaa : People in Yemen on Wednesday took to the streets to condemn the Saudi-led invasion of their country and voice their support for...
MERS under control, says Saudi Arabia
Riyadh : The Saudi Arabian government has assured citizens that measures were in place to tackle the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus...
U.S. Congressman Elton Gallegly calls on President Musharraf
By NNN-APP
Rawalpindi : President Pervez Musharraf said the February 18 elections have strengthened the moderate forces in the country and emphasized the need for harmonious coalition in the interest of peaceful governance, development and progress of Pakistan.
Talking to U.S. Congressman Elton Gallegly, who called on him here the President underlined Pakistan’s commitment to a closer and broad-based relationship with the U.S. based on commonality of interests and enhancement of areas of agreement.
US, Yemen reviewing targets to retaliate against plane bombing attempt
By IANS,
Washington : The US and Yemen are now looking at fresh targets in Yemen for a potential strike in retaliation to the botched Christmas Day attack on an airliner that Al Qaeda in Yemen claims it organised.
The effort is aimed at being ready with options for the White House if President Barack Obama orders a retaliatory strike, CNN said, citing two unnamed senior US officials. The effort is to see whether targets can be specifically linked to the airliner incident and its planning.
Lebanon seeks Arab help in political crisis
By Xinhua
Beirut : As political impasse is escalating, Lebanon is hoping that Sunday's Arab foreign ministers' meeting can help resolve the crisis and lead to the long-waited presidential elections.
The Lebanese government has prepared a document that it will present at the Arab foreign ministers meeting, which is scheduled in Cairo on Sunday, the English Daily Star reported on Saturday.
India centrally important for US success in Afghan: Holbrooke
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington: US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke says India was not formally part of his mandate, but he considered India as centrally important for America's success in the Af-Pak region.
"I want to be sure that everyone here recognises how centrally important India will be to this (the US success in Afghanistan and Pakistan)," he told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday at a hearing on "Civilian strategy for Afghanistan" ahead of the London conference on Afghanistan Jan 28.
Hamas denies policing Israeli borders to reinforce Gaza truce
By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Hamas movement on Sunday denied accusations that it was policing the Israeli borders with the Gaza Strip to maintain an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire.
"The movement did not arrest anyone because of the resistance and did not deploy any of its members on the borders to protect the Israeli occupation," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoom.
Israeli media reported that Hamas arrested a number of Palestinian militants who violated the truce between Hamas and Israel which took effect on June 19.
Indian fisherman’s body to be repatriated from Bahrain
Manama: The body of an Indian fisherman who was shot dead on-board a vessel by armed pirates off the coast of Bahrain will be...
Pakistan to see massive hike in CNG price
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has decided to significantly hike CNG prices for all categories of consumers.
State of religious freedom in India
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,
It doesn’t take a US Commission to know that religious freedom is shrinking in India but it does help in throwing a light on this subject. There has been a new wave of anti-conversion laws passed since 2000 that takes away individual’s right to choose a religion – a clear violation of fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. The Article 25 of the Constitution gives citizens of India the right to “profess, practice and propagate religion,” all these rights have come into increased attack in the last few years.
US drone kills four in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least four people died in a US drone strike in Pakistan Sunday.
Coalition helicopter shot down near Afghan capital
By Xinhua,
Kabul : One helicopter belonging to the U.S.-led Coalition forces on Wednesday morning was shot down by small-arms fire in Logar province, neighboring the Afghan capital Kabul, said a Coalition statement.
It occurred in the early morning in the Kherwar district of Logar province where the pilots safely landed the aircraft and evacuate all personnel before the aircraft caught on fire, the statement said.
There were no serious injuries to the crew or passengers and the incident is still under investigation, according to the statement .
100 militants killed in northwest Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At Least 100 Islamic militants have been killed in two separate clashes with security forces in northwest Pakistan, officials said.
Military troops, backed by gunship helicopters and artillery fire, targeted rebel positions Thursday in the Tangkhata area of Bajaur district in the country's lawless tribal region.
"Up to 90 insurgents, most of them foreign fighters, died," said a security official, requesting anonymity.
Pakistan says it wants peace, stability in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan wants peace and stability in Afghanistan but boycotted the Bonn conference as it wanted to ensure the importance of its sovereignty, the foreign office has said.
Bush leaves Israel for Kuwait
GAZA, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- US President George W. Bush left Israel on Friday heading to Kuwait after a three-day visit.
Bush boarded his plane after an official ceremony at Ben Gurion international airport in the presence of a large number of officials.
Bush had wrapped up his visit to the Palestinian territories and Israel today with a meeting with envoy of the Quartet of international peace in the Middle East, Tony Blair.
President Bush also visited two sacred Christian sites in the Galilee region of northern Israel overlooking Lake Tiberias.
US team visits Moscow over Syria crisis
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : US State Department officials Friday met Russian foreign ministry officials in Moscow to try to take a common position on the escalating crisis in Syria.
Kuwaitis hope new MPs would serve people”s causes, avoid sensationalism
By Kawthar Al-Ghanim, KUNA
Kuwait : Kuwaiti citizens expressed their hope that the next National Assembly (NA) members would serve the people's true causes, fulfill their promises, and avoid sensationalism and stirring of tension.
They told KUNA, in separate interviews, that they hope the NA would discuss urgent issues with transparency and sincerity.
Jasim Abdulaziz, an engineer, stressed on the importance of caring for youth, creative people, and inventors. They must be recognized and their talents invested for the development of the society, he said.
400,000 children in Gaza Strip showing symptoms of distress: Unicef
Gaza : Around 400,000 children in the Gaza Strip are showing symptoms of distress, including bed wetting, clinging to parents and nightmares, and need...
India, Pakistan must talk to avoid conflict: Clinton
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wants India and Pakistan to resume their peace dialogue and discuss everything, including Kashmir, since the security of both the countries is threatened by terrorists.
But while the US would encourage India and Pakistan, problems between the countries can be "solved by the two countries themselves having that kind of ongoing dialogue," she said in an interview with Pakistan's Samaa TV last week, according to a transcript released by the State Department.
Blast in Pakistan kills 10
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least 10 people were killed and more than 40 injured in a powerful blast in northwestern Pakistan Saturday, Express TV reported.
The blast took place when a car hit a police station on Kohat road of Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan, the report said.
Two buildings near the police station also collapsed under the impact of the blast and some 50 people were buried under the rubble, according to the news channel.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.
Iraqis contest forced deportations from UK
By IRNA,
London : The Refugee Legal Center has launched an urgent appeal against a ruling by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, which it says paves the way for the removal of the majority of Iraqi asylum seekers in the UK.
"If we didn't appeal the tribunal's decision, the government would have a free hand to forcibly remove hundreds of Iraqi civilians to Baghdad," said Caroline Slocock, chief executive of the campaign group.
Israel puts off Gaza invasion
By SPA,
Al-Quds city : Israeli leaders have decided not to launch a broad invasion of the Gaza Strip, the Associated Press reported.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman says Israel wants to give Egyptian-brokered truce efforts more time to succeed.
Olmert's Security Cabinet met Wednesday to discuss whether to invade Gaza or pursue the truce. Although there will be no broad military action for the time being, spokesman Mark Regev says the Israeli military will continue its preparations in case the truce talks fail.
Four killed in bomb blast in SW Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least four people were killed in a bomb blast in southwestern Pakistan's Balochistan province on Wednesday, according to state television.
The blast occurred at a shop in Sibbi city, about 320 kilometers east of capital of Balochistan province Quetta, killing at least four and injuring other three, PTV reported.
The injured were taken to the nearest hospital and the police cordoned off the site after the blast.
No group claimed responsibility for the blast.
Lucknow’s legendary Begum Hamida Habibullah passed away at 102
Lucknow (IANS): Former UP minister and one of the most popular faces in the state capital, Begum Hamida Habibullah passed away here on Tuesday...
Israel did not ask US before Gaza incursion: Cheney
By DPA,
Washington : Israel had not sought the green light from the US before launching its ground incursion against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, US Vice-President Dick Cheney said Sunday.
"They did not seek clearance or approval from us, certainly," Cheney told US television broadcaster CBC in an interview. The Pentagon earlier said Washington had been informed of the military action.
US Senate majority leader Harry Reid - a Democrat senator - meanwhile showed solidarity with Israel. Hamas was an terrorist organization that threatened the Jewish state with rocket attacks, he told CBS.
Zardari does not deny Mumbai attacks directed from Pakistan
By ANTARA News/DPA,
Ankara : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday refused to deny reports that the attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai were carried out by people operating from Pakistan.
"Pakistan has always discouraged, and our position that we are the victims of terrorism. Pakistan is currently doing its own internal investigation and it is waiting for concrete proof," Zardari said.
Asked whether Pakistan would change its own approach to combatting terrorism in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, Zardari said his government`s focus would remain on fighting terrorists.
Pakistan won’t let India build bunkers
Islamabad : Pakistan has said it won't allow India to build bunkers along the Jammu and Kashmir border in violation of a bilateral pact.
The...
Pakistan’s new parliament speaker condemns Tibet riots
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan's new parliament Speaker Fahmida Mirza has condemned the March 14 riots in Lhasa and expressed opposition to any attempts to politicise the Beijing Olympic Games.
Mirza, newly elected speaker of the National Assembly, the country's lower house of parliament, said at a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui that the Pakistani parliament fully supported the measures China has taken to maintain national unity and social stability.
Pakistan's National Assembly opposes "Tibet independence" and "Taiwan independence", Mirza said.
US suspends Pakistan consular services after Marriott blast
By Xinhua,
Washington : The US has suspended visa services at its consular offices in Pakistan following a massive suicide bomb attack on the Marriott Hotel in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, the State Department said.
"Consular services have been temporarily suspended as of today," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood told reporters Thursday.
"We are very concerned about the security situation. We had the attack on the Marriott Hotel about a week ago, and it's of great concern," he said.
Most UNSC members agree on draft text on Gaza, US awaits instructions
By KUNA
United Nations : The Security Council members, except for the US, agreed on Wednesday on a draft text that would express "deep concern" about the steep deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip due to the closure of all of the border crossings and the recent Israeli decision to reduce fuel supplies, cut off electrical power and prevent the delivery of food and medical supplies to the Palestinian population there.
Iran condemns blast in Kabul
By IRNA,
Tehran : Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini condemned terrorist act of explosion in front of India embassy in Kabul on Monday in which a number of innocent people were killed or injured.
British doctors to treat Pakistan’s cleft-lip children
By IANS,
Islamabad : A team of British doctors will give free treatment to cleft-lip and cleft-palate children as part of a health camp organised by a charity.
Six killed, 39 injured in Iraq car bombings
By IANS,
Baghdad : At least six people were killed and 39 injured Thursday in two car bombing attacks in the Baghdad region of Iraq, reported Xinhua.
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.
India, Bangladesh can supply shopping bags to the world: Jute Commissioner
By Aparajita Gupta,
New Delhi : Lack of modernisation and diversification has stunted the growth of India's jute industry and both India and Bangladesh, world leaders in jute production, need to double their output to supply enough shopping bags to the world to meet the growing demand for green products, Jute Commissioner of India Subrata Gupta said.
NATO won’t pay $5,000 per truck to Pakistan: Panetta
By IANS,
Washington : US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has ruled out paying Pakistan $5,000 for each truck carrying supplies via its territory for NATO troops in Afghanistan.
New US envoy arrives in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : US Ambassador-designate to Pakistan, Richard Olson, who arrived in Islamabad Saturday, promised to "build a relationship based on mutual respect and common interests".
Senior lawyer assassinated in Pakistan
Karachi : A senior lawyer from the minority Shia sect, who was also the counsel for many activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)...
Modi government’s Pakistan policy lacks clarity: Shourie
New Delhi : Former union minister Arun Shourie on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy on Pakistan lacked clarity and he is under...
World leaders contact Pakistani leadership, discuss Mumbai fallout
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Amid rising tensions in Indo-Pak ties after the Mumbai attacks, a number of world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Markel and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, held consultations with the Pakistani leadership to prevent the escalation of the crisis.
Miliband, who telephoned Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday, expressed the hope that Pakistan and India "will continue their bilateral cooperation" for stability and economic development in South Asia.
Pakistan: Security high alert in Islamabad
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Strict checking of vehicles has been started on all entry and exit points of Islamabad as security has been put on high alert in the capital.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Islamabad, Syed Kaleem Imam Friday directed SSP East, SSP West, SHOs of all police stations to take strict action against suspicious people and anti-social elements.
Spain deports bin Laden’s son after denying political asylum
By DPA,
Madrid : Spain Saturday deported the son of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden who had spent almost a week in the country trying to get political asylum.
Omar bin Laden, 28, boarded a plane bound for Cairo Saturday, Spain's Interior Ministry confirmed. Bin Laden's lawyer criticized the move, saying bin Laden was being removed for political reasons.
Omar applied for asylum in Spain Monday. He and his British wife, Zaina al-Sabah, 52, were in Madrid on a stopover for a flight from Cairo to Casablanca in Morocco.
Pakistan rights commission condemns religious panel’s edict
Islamabad : The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the retrogressive move by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) to roll back...
SAARC writers and academicians for promotion of peace between Pakistan and India
By NNN-APP,
New Delhi : Writers, artistes and academicians from Saarc countries have pledged to build bridges between Pakistan and India and in the region for establishing peace.
A four-day Saarc Festival of Literature began in Agra on Friday in which authors, artistes, academicians from all Saarc countries are participating.
Expressing their views at the inaugural ceremony, they said there was dire need to promote peace and understanding among Saarc countries particularly between Pakistan and India which are passing through their difficult phase of relations.
25 militants killed in Pakistani army offensive
Islamabad : At least 25 suspected militants were killed and seven hideouts destroyed in an offensive carried out by the security forces in Pakistan's...
Nawaz Sharif acquitted of wrongdoing in acquiring chopper
By IANS,
Rawalpindi : A division bench of Lahore High Court Friday acquitted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif of wrongdoing in acquiring a helicopter in the mid-1990s, saying he had taken it on rent for an election campaign.
A two-member bench of judges Tariq Shamim and Saeed Ijaz declared as null and void an accountability court's verdict holding Sharif guilty of acquiring the Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter.
The court also condoned Sharif's delay in filing his appeal.
Pakistan government fears terrorists’ reprisal over executions
Islamabad: Pakistan's interior ministry Wednesday warned that banned outfits in the country could wage terror attacks to bring to a halt executions of their...
Thai railway services almost paralysed
By KUNA,
Kuala Lumpur : Senior railways executives are negotiating with representatives of Thailand's striking railway workers Saturday, in an attempt settle problems that caused the kingdom's passenger and cargo services to virtually halt.
Losses in daily revenue have been reported to be in the region of Bt20 million (about USD 584,795).
Iran’s Ahmadinejad vows to punish ‘bullying powers’
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said his government will "severely punish bullying powers", referring to some Western nations for allegedly stoking post-election unrest in the country.
Tehran will take stern action against the bullying powers (Western states), responsible for fanning flames of dissent, state-run IRNA news agency reported Sunday citing the Iranian leader.
Iranian officials blamed the Western countries of meddling in Iran's post-election violence.
Pakistan, China to enhance military cooperation
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan and China have inked an agreement for further strengthening defence production, staging joint military exercises and training military officers.
Quoting sources, Online news agency reported Sunday the agreement was signed during the visit here of Chinese Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ma Xiaotian.
Under the agreement, Pakistan and China have agreed that both countries would work jointly for strategic stability in the region and to enhance cooperation between institutions of defence production, the sources said.
News reports: two NATO supply trucks destroyed in NW Pakistan
By Xinhua,
ISLAMABAD : Two trucks to carry luggage for NATO forces in Afghanistan were destroyed Saturday in northwestern Pakistan, the NNI news agency reported.
The private NNI news agency said that unidentified gunmen attacked a truck terminal at the Ring Road in Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
Police officer Muhammad Afaq said that dozens of armed men attacked the Bilal terminal with rockets which caused the destruction of two trucks.
Victorious Pakistan opposition parties ponder coalition government
By SPA
Islamabad : The party of assassinated Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was considering various options Wednesday to form a coalition government following its win in crucial parliamentary elections, DPA reported.
"We are in contact with other like-minded political parties to discuss the formation of a government of national consensus," said Farhatullah Babar, spokesman for Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
13,000 women own 20,000 companies in UAE
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: The number of Emirati businesswomen has crossed 13,000 who together control over 20,000 business establishments in the country, an official said.
UAE to host Islamic embroidery exhibition
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The rich tradition of Islamic embroidery, from Pakistan to Morocco, will be showcased at an exhibition starting April 6 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital, WAM news agency said Friday.
The exhibition, "A Story of Islamic Embroidery in Nomadic and Urban Traditions", will bring together more than 200 rare and majestic textiles, including a wealth of embroideries from Central Asia that have never been exhibited before in the region.
Decision to hang all death row convicts wrong: Pakistan media
Islamabad : Two leading Pakistani newspapers on Thursday criticized the government for reactivating the death penalty in all cases, going beyond issues of terrorism.
"(This)...
Holy Quran competition held in Dubai
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : A holy Quran competition was held here on the occasion of Ramdan.
1,000 extrajudicial killings since 2004 in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka: The Dhaka High Court has expressed grave concern over extrajudicial killings with human rights groups claiming a toll of over 1,000 people since 2004 when the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was formed.
Eleven people have been killed in custody since Nov 17 when the court sought an explanation on the matter from the government.
During the hearing Monday, the court asked the attorney general to convey its concern to the director general of RAB, The Daily Star newspaper said.
UK launches latest Hajj delegation
London, Nov 12, IRNA ,Foreign Secretary David Miliband Wednesday launched the latest British delegation to support Muslim pilgrims performing this year's Hajj rituals.
The Hajj Delegation, the ninth to be launched since Britain became the first Christian country to offer special consular and medical arrangements for pilgrims in 2000, was an example of 'shared purpose and partnership between both the government and British Muslims', Miliband said.
Palestine seeks extremists’ withdrawal from East Jerusalem holy sites
United Nations: The Palestine has called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to demand withdrawal of extremist Israelis desecrating Islamic holy sites in East...
Netanyahu promises to keep Supreme Court ‘independent’
By IANS,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to ensure the Supreme Court's judicial independence in the country.
Indian nurses freed in Iraq reach Home
Kochi: As many as 183 Indians stranded in strife-torn Iraq, including the 46 nurses from Kerala who were freed by Iraqi insurgents, arrived here...
MNF accuse Iran of supporting gunmen in Basra City
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Multi-National Forces (MNF) have accused Iran of backing up gunmen in the southern city of Basra.
Major-General Kevin Bergner, Multi-National Forces-Iraq spokesman, said in a press statement Wednesday that the situation in Baghdad was under control and denied that supporters of the Sadr bloc were targeted in operations conducted in Baghdad and Basra.
Suicide bomber kills nine in Iraq’s Diyala
By SPA
Baghdad : A suicide bomber killed nine people and wounded 30 others at a funeral in Diyala province north of Baghdad on Friday, a senior Iraqi security official said, according to Reuters.
The bomber struck as people gathered at a cemetery in the city of Baquba for the funeral of a policeman who had been killed on Thursday, said Abdul Kareem al-Rubaie, commander of
Diyala security operations.
Israeli gunship helicopters raid Palestinian targets killing one guerrilla
By KUNA
Gaza : Israeli gunship helicopters raided Palestinian targets in Gaza Strip early on Sunday killing one Palestinian guerrilla and wounding several others, security and medical sources said.
The sources said the multi-winged aircraft rocketed several locations in the east and north of the strip, including the region of Al-Shujaieh east of Gaza city, killing one Palestinian fighter and wounding a number of other gunmen. Several rockets crashed into advance positions manned by the guerrillas who were on a night watch mission.
Militants take hostate 44 peacekeepers in Golan
United Nations: At least 44 peacekeepers have been taken hostage by the militnts in the Golan Heights, a UN spokesperson said Friday.
"The United Nations...
Muslim body slams UK’s selective condemnation of Gaza killing
By NNN-APP
London : The Muslim Council of Britain, UK’s largest Muslim body, has expressed its deep concern over Britain’s policy of partisan support for Israel despite its atrocious behaviour in Gaza this week where it has killed over 100 Palestinians including several children as young as six months old.
South Africa voices concern over Israeli’s military operations in Palestine
By Michael Appel, NNN-BUA NEWS
Pretoria : South Africa and the Council of Arab Ambassadors are deeply concerned about the ongoing and intensified Israeli military operations against the Palestinian people in both the West Bank and Gaza.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad met with the Arab Council on Monday to discuss the serious deterioration of the situation in the Middle East, and the military escalation against Palestinian civilians recently.
Eight killed in US strikes in Pakistan
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : At least eight persons were killed and nine others injured in a missile strike carried out by a US drone in Pakistan's restive South Waziristan tribal region on Sunday.
Local tribesmen said the drone fired two missiles at a compound in Hebat Khan village in South Waziristan. The attack was carried out in an area dominated by the fighters of Pakistani Taliban commander Baitulalh Mehsud.
A school within the compound targeted by the drone was occupied by the militants some time ago, TV channels reported.
Arabs of Jerusalem receive lower quality of medical care: study
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net
Even 40 years after the occupation, Israel has failed to extend basic services to Arabs of East Jerusalem. A study recently published found that Arabs residing in the area receive lower quality of medical care compared to Jews.
The study conducted by Israeli scientists in four local hospitals found that Arabs who were recently diagnosed for diabetes received lower quality of care compared to Jewish patients. This difference was more contrasting among Arab women.
Iran parliament renewing demand to cut ties with Britain: Speaker
By DPA,
Tehran: Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani Saturday said the country's parliament was renewing its demand to cut diplomatic relations with Britain.
To Wear or Not To Wear Islamic Veil, Turkey
By Prensa Latina
Istanbul : The legal proceeding to allow the use of the Islamic veil at Turkish universities went to the Head of State for its approval.
Although constitutional reforms were approved by 411 of the 550 deputies and President Abdullah Gul will for sure approve them, main opposition party CHP (the Republican of the Peoples) impugned them before constitutional court.
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim arrested
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was Wednesday arrested for questioning by police, giving a fresh twist to the political controversy over the sodomy charge against him.
His car was stopped and he was picked up at 1 p.m., an hour before the deadline police had given him to show up for interrogation in the case.
Schools, colleges in Pakistan’s Punjab shut again due to security fears
By IANS,
Lahore : Educational institutions across Pakistan's Punjab province were closed Tuesday due to "unsatisfactory security arrangements" for students as the army continued its assault against the Taliban in South Waziristan.
The institutions that were reopened Monday have been shut again over security concerns, Geo News reported Tuesday.
According to the provincial home ministry, some of the private schools and colleges were issued directives Tuesday morning to stop working due to unsatisfactory security arrangements for students.
India says sanctions against terrorists ineffective; Pakistan vows to go for their ‘jugular’
By Arul Louis,
United Nations: The killing fields of Peshawar inspired anew an international resolve at the Security Council to combat terrorism by adopting Friday...
Olmert vows not to resign despite bribery investigation
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday evening that he will continue to function as prime minister and will not step down despite ongoing bribery investigation against him.
Olmert made the remarks during a meeting with heads of southern Israeli communities and towns near the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, reported local daily Yedioth Ahronoth.
"There are those who believe that the launching of any investigation demands a resignation, but I don't adhere to this notion and I will not step down," Olmert was quoted as saying.
Israeli soldier who shot at handcuffed Palestinian arrested
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : An Israeli soldier who fired a rubber-coated bullet at a handcuffed Palestinian was arrested and the officer holding the man was detained for questioning, Israeli media reported on Monday.
Video footage of the incident was released Sunday by the Israeli rights organization B'tselem.
It was filmed July 7 by a 14-year-old Palestinian school girl during a demonstration in the West Bank village of Nil'in against a separation barrier Israel was building.
Hamas leaders signalled desire for peace – Jimmy Carter
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Former US President Jimmy Carter has held a meeting with senior Hamas officials in the Egyptian capital and indicated that they expressed a desire to seek peace with Israel with the consent of the Palestinian masses.
Carter told an audience at the American University in Cairo Thursday that his meeting with Hamas leaders lasted about three hours.
Senior Hamas officials Mahmoud Al-Zahar and Saeed Seyam travelled from Gaza to Cairo on Wednesday for the meeting.
160 killed in 6.2 magnitude quake in Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : At least 160 people were killed and many more injured while hundreds were left homeless after an earthquake of 6.2 magnitude hit Balochistan province in southwest Pakistan early Wednesday, officials said.
"The death toll can cross the figure of 200 as rescue teams have rushed volunteers to some villages where dozens of people are buried under debris of collapsed houses," Ziarat district deputy administrator Momin Khan Dummar told IANS on telephone.
Scheduled Palestinian prisoner release thrown into doubt
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israel's plan to free 230 Palestinian prisoners Monday was thrown into doubt late Sunday night, after the country's Supreme Court ordered the release delayed until the state replied to a petition against it.
Israeli media reported that Supreme Court Justice Eliakim Rubistein ordered the state to reply by 7:45 a.m. to the petition, and said only after hearing the state's arguments would a final ruling on the appeal be made.
The transfer of the prisoners to the Palestinian areas would not go ahead before then, Rubinstein said.
Most Israelis back direct talks with Hamas on cease-fire
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : According to a poll conducted Tuesday, sixty-four percent of Israelis say the government must hold direct talks with the Hamas government in Gaza toward a cease-fire and the release of captive soldier Gilad Shalit.
The figures, obtained in a Ha'aretz-Dialogue poll, also showed that 28 percent still opposes such talks.
According to the findings, Israelis are fed up with seven yearsof Qassam rockets falling on Sderot and the communities near Gaza, as well as the fact that Shalit has been held captive for more than a year and a half.
Ethnic Indian MP accused of exploiting kids
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Ethnic Indian Lawmaker D. Jeyakumar, arrested for participating in the "Cycling For Change" campaign, will be charged with two offences - exploiting children and organising an illegal rally, a media report said Wednesday.
The Malaysian Government is taking a dim view of protest meetings being organised by ethnic Indians in which below-18 children participate.
Bush plans meeting with Olmert
By DPA,
Washington : US President George W. Bush will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Monday, the first meeting between the two leaders since the White House acknowledged that a peace deal by the end of the year is unreachable.
Bush and Olmert will discuss the peace process with the Palestinians as well as bilateral and regional issues, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Thursday.
US-Pakistan have parallel interests in fighting terror: Holbrooke
By DPA,
Islamabad : US special envoy to Pakistan Richard Holbrooke Tuesday said the two countries had parallel interests in fighting the war against Al Qaeda and Taliban militants concentrated along the Afghan border.
"The United States and Pakistan face a common strategic threat, a common enemy and a common challenge and, therefore, a common task," Holbrooke told reporters at a joint press conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Alleged Christian missionaries arrested in Tehran
By DPA,
Tehran : A number of alleged Christian missionaries have been arrested in Iran's Tehran province, official news agency IRNA reported.
31 die in Bangladesh boat capsize
By IANS,
Dhaka : At least 31 people were killed Tuesday when a boat with over 250 passengers on board capsized in the Meghna river after hitting a cargo vessel.
Palestinian negotiator calls for suspension of talks after Israeli settlement expansion plans
By Xinhua
Ramallah : A Palestinian negotiator on Thursday called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to halt peace negotiations with Israel in protest of the Jewish state's settlement expansion plans in West Bank and Jerusalem.
The Israeli tenders to build new settlements are "a big crisis that should be faced with a big crisis as well," said Yasser Abed Rabbo, who is also a member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization's (PLO) executive committee.
Kosovo set to split from Serbia
By DPA
Pristina (Kosovo) : Kosovo was set to proclaim independence from Serbia Sunday, in a move rejected by the minority Serbs and Belgrade.
President Fatmir Sejdiu confirmed Sunday that the declaration of independence was to be made during an emergency parliament session later in the day.
"We will bow to the wishes of the Albanian people today and declare independence," Sejdiu said during a visit to the grave of his predecessor and independence icon, Ibrahim Rugova.
Pakistan wants friendly relations with its neighbours: Qureshi
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan wants friendly relations with its neighbours.
Talking to private TV channel, he said, "We want peace, cooperation, friendship with our neighbours as it is in the best interest of the country."
To a question he said, "During a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister, I said that Pakistan strongly condemns terrorist act in Mumbai, has sympathy with the Indian government and ready to extend its cooperation to probe the incident."
Four new polio cases detected in Pakistan
Islamabad : Four new polio cases have been detected in Pakistani areas bordering Afghanistan, a media report said Sunday.
Three of the cases were reported...
Hamas leader urges Iran to continue to support Gazan people
By Xinhua,
TEHRAN : Visiting chief of Hamas political bureau Khaled Meshaal on Monday urged Iran to continue to support Gazan people in their ongoing "battle" against Israel.
"We call on you to continue with the steps to support the people of Gaza, because the battle is not over," Meshaal told a rally in Tehran University.
"We still have a battle -- the battle of lifting the siege of Gaza, the opening of the border crossings," said Meshaal, who arrived here Sunday for talks with senior Iranian officials on major regional and international issues.
Taliban attack NATO supply terminal in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Dozens of Taliban militants attacked a NATO transit terminal in northwest Pakistan Saturday with rockets, damaging shipping containers carrying supplies for Western troops in Afghanistan, the police said.
The attack took place at the Farhad terminal on the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of North-West Frontier Province.
"The containers caught fire after the attackers fired several rocket-propelled grenades at the terminal," said local police official Fazal Mohammad Khan.
Afghan military chief visits NDA
By IANS,
Pune : Gen. Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, Chief of General Staff of the Afghan National Army, Wednesday led a military delegation to the National Defence Academy (NDA) here that is training 32 Afghanis.
The seven-member team was briefed about the academy's training curriculum and given a guided tour of the NDA campus and its facilities by Commandant and Vice-Admiral R.K. Dhowan, a spokesman said.
Gen. Mohammadi, on an official tour of India, is visiting key military establishments including the NDA.
Pakistan preparing honourable exit for Musharraf?
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani government is preparing the ground for President Pervez Musharraf's honourable exit from office by indemnifying him against the steps he took after declaring an emergency last November.
Musharraf "has offered to resign in return for indemnity by parliament for his unconstitutional steps taken on November 3, 2007," The News reported Wednesday, quoting unidentified sources.
Law Minister Farooq H. Naek was tantalizingly vague on the issue.
"Wait and see. Everything is open as of today," he said.
Nine killed in fresh bombings in Iraq
By DPA,
Baghdad : Nine people, including four civilians, were killed in two bombings in Iraq Thursday, a day after a devastating bomb attack in Sadr City which killed 74.
In Baghdad's Bayaa district, a bomb blast killed four persons and wounded another nine.
In the western Iraqi city of Falluja, five Iraqi soldiers were killed when an explosive device blew up while they were on patrol, security sources said.
Nine further soldiers were wounded in the attack.
Bangladesh opposition leader granted bail
Dhaka: A high court in Bangladesh Monday granted Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir bail for six months in...
Hamas delegation arrives in Egypt for Israel’s response to lull proposal
By Xinhua,
Cairo : A delegation from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Monday arrived in Egypt for talks with Egyptian officials to hear Israel's response to the ceasefire proposal, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported.
The Hamas delegation is led by senior Hamas members, including former foreign minister Mahmoud Zahar, deputy political chief Moussa Abu-Marzouq and other Hamas officials.
Three Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : Three Canadian soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb blast in southern Afghanistan, NATO said Wednesday.
The soldiers, part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), were killed Tuesday when their vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, a NATO spokesman said.
The Canadian military said two other soldiers were injured during a patrol north-west of Kandahar city and were in good and fair condition after being evacuated to hospital.
No response from Pakistan to 26/11 dossier: Minister
By IANS,
New Delhi : India Saturday said it has not received any response from Pakistan on the Mumbai terrorist attack dossier it handed over six days ago and underlined that Islamabad is obliged under international conventions to hand over the suspects to New Delhi.
“I will only comment after receiving the reply,” Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told reporters when asked whether New Delhi has received any response to the dossier linking Pakistan-based elements to the Nov 26 Mumbai carnage.
Refugees in Pakistan’s northwest face inappropriate aid distribution
By IANS,
Islamabad : Refugees fleeing the Pakistani military's anti-Taliban operations in the country's troubled northwest face a familiar sub-continental malaise: inappropriate distribution of aid.
One telling instance of this is the distribution of wheat and not flour among the refugees. This forces them to sell the wheat at rock bottom prices to millers and then purchase flour from them at exorbitant rates so they can feed themselves and their families.
Oman rejects latest US state department’s report on human trafficking
By NNN-ONA,
Muscat : Oman has rejected and protested against the latest US State Department’s report on human trafficking citing the Sultanate for the second year among countries that have made no efforts to fight this global issue.
It said that the faulted report does not tell the truth, does badly with the Sultanate, and shows the short-sightedness of the other party.
SAARC summit likely to be deferred: Report
By IANS,
Dhaka : The 16th SAARC summit is likely to be deferred to at least the first quarter of 2010 as the Maldives has expressed its inability to host the gathering this year after October, when its tourist season would be in full swing.
Economic recession is another reason that is deterring the Maldives, New Age newspaper said quoting diplomatic sources here.
Turkey, Syria begin first joint military exercise
By DPA,
Ankara : Turkey Monday started its first joint military training exercise with neighbouring Syria, the Turkish general staff said.
The small-scale training exercises focussed on border protection and will last until Wednesday, said a spokesman for the general staff.
Turkey almost went to war with Syria in 1998 when Damascus sheltered Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Ocalan, but ties between the two countries have improved in the past few years as Turkey has embraced a greater willingness to engage with all of its neighbours.
UK banks accused of systematically targeting Muslim charities
London, Dec 24, IRNA ,British banks are being accused of systematically targeting Muslim charities after a second humanitarian organisation had its accounts closed this month.
The Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT), which carries out relief operations in more than 20 countries, expressed its 'dismay' in receiving a 30 day notice from Barclays Bank without any apparent reason.
The closing of its accounts comes after Interpal, Britain's leading charity operating in the occupied territories, had a similar notification about Lloyds TSB no longer clearing its checks.
Explosion in Somalia kills Mogadishu official and 5 others
By SPA,
Mogadishu, Somalia : An explosion killed a Somali official, his wife and four others Saturday in the capital Saturday, witnesses and officials said.
Hassan Illmi Abtidoon, the deputy district commissioner of Mogadishu's Yaqshid district, was traveling in a car in the capital along with his wife, driver and three bodyguards, said Ahmed Gedi, who worked with the official.
Luxury airline Royal Jet announces new fare structure for Gulf
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) international luxury executive airline Royal Jet has announced a new fare structure for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Under the new structure, passengers will be charged from the point where they commence their journey rather than from the point where the aircraft originated, according to a Royal Jet statement.
Obama to approve military aid to Pakistan with new conditions
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : US President Barack Obama is set to sign a defence bill, which includes tough new conditions on the over $2.3 billion American military aid to Pakistan.
The president is likely to sign the $680 billion fiscal 2010 defence authorisation bill passed by the Senate 68-29 Thursday despite objections to its funding for a controversial backup jet fighter engine. The House of Representatives had passed the bill on Oct 8.
Pakistan apex court chief justice to be honoured
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will receive the prestigious International Jurists Award 2012 at a ceremony in London next month.
OIC condemns Israeli attacks against Gaza residents
By NNN-SPA
Jedah : Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu strongly denounced the attacks launched by Israeli occupation against civilian Palestinians in Gaza Strip.
In a statement, he said this proves Israel's disregard of the international law and discipline and its determination to go ahead with its war crimes program and violation of Geneva 4th Agreement.
Bangladesh building collapse toll rises to 328
By IANS,
Dhaka : The toll in the building that collapsed Wednesday in the outskirts of this Bangladesh capital rose to 328 Saturday, media reports said.
Israeli-Palestine peace deal unlikely by year end: Olmert
By DPA,
Jerusalem : An Israeli-Palestinian peace deal that would also settle the disputed status of Jerusalem was unlikely to be signed by the year's end, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday, but added that gaps on other key issues were bridgeable.
"I do not believe we can reach understandings this year which will include the subject of Jerusalem," he told a parliamentary committee dealing with foreign affairs and security.
"As regards the other core issues - the gaps are not dramatic," the Ynet news site quoted him as saying.
Pakistan takes ‘serious exception’ to Pentagon report, conveys protest
Islamabad: Pakistan Wednesday took "serious exception" to the Pentagon report critical of Islamabad, including its "unsubstantiated allegations" of the existence of terrorist "sanctuaries" or...