Iran nuclear issue: Kerry holds talks with Gulf foreign ministers
Vienna : US Secretary of State John Kerry held talks with the foreign ministers of UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain on the Iranian nuclear...
U.S., Israeli leaders call Iran “threat” to peace
By Xinhua,
Washington : U.S. President George W. Bush met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the White House on Wednesday with both sides describing Iran as a "threat" to peace that needs to be confronted.
"It's very important for the world to take the Iranian threat seriously, which the United States does," said Bush, while Olmert called Tehran "the main threat to all of us."
Photography works of Dubai Crown Prince on exhibit
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : A six-day photo exhibition, featuring prominent art works of Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will be held here from Monday.
पेशावर
डॉक्टर नदीम ज़फर जिलानी, मेनचेस्टर, इंगलैंड
चलो अब दफ़्न करते हैं,
हंसी को, मुस्कराहट को,
शरारत, गुदगुदी को,
Air India evacuates 3,000 Indians from Libya
By IANS,
New Delhi: Flag carrier Air India Thursday said it had brought back around 3,000 Indians from Tripoli, the capital of strife-torn Libya, since it began evacuation operations Feb 26.
Arab ministers’ meet to discuss Lebanon, Gaza crisis
By DPA
Cairo : Eighteen Arab foreign ministers met Wednesday at the Arab League headquarters here to discuss the Lebanese political crisis and the latest attacks on the Gaza Strip, and to prepare the agenda for the Arab summit, scheduled to be held in Syria March 29.
Tuesday, the Arab League ambassadors had failed to resolve these main issues and they were left for the Arab ministers to be resolved at their meeting Wednesday, diplomatic sources said.
Riots in Pakistan over power cuts
By IANS,
Islamabad : Riots broke out in Pakistan Sunday over long hours of power cuts.
Womb transplant performed in Turkey
By IANS/WAM,
Ankara : A team of Turkish surgeons took a uterus from a donor and have successfully transplanted it into a 21-year-old woman.
Egypt asks Israel to reopen border crossings with the Gaza Strip
By SPA,
Al-Quds city : Egypt has asked Israel to reopen border crossings with the Gaza Strip, the Associated Press reported.
The border crossings were closed after Palestinians violated a 3-week-old truce, the Associated Press quoted Israeli defense officials as saying Tuesday.
Israel agreed to the request, which appeared to be an attempt to prod forward the cease-fire, which was designed in part to ease Israel's crushing blockade of the coastal strip. In so doing, it suggested it might stop automatically closing the crossings in response to every truce violation.
Shia businesses shut down by Sunni pro-government supporters
By DPA,
Riffa (Bahrain) : Scores of Shia-owned businesses in Sunni areas of Bahrain were forced to shut down by supporters of the Sunni government.
Cracks widening in US-Pakistan alliance against terrorism
By DPA,
Islamabad : As Taliban activities rise to a disturbing level in Afghanistan, the relations between two close allies in the war on terror - United States and Pakistan - seem to be souring.
Hours after Wednesday's statement by the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, that Washington was planning military operations to eliminate militant sanctuaries in Pakistan, Pakistan's army chief vowed to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country "at all cost."
Berlusconi meets Gates to discuss Afghanistan, Haiti
By DPA,
Rome : Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi met Saturday with US defence secretary Robert Gates for talks which Rome said focused chiefly on Afghanistan and Haiti.
An Italian government statement said Gates had thanked Rome for its pledge to boost troop levels in Afghanistan and for the prompt assistance in the relief efforts after the earthquake in Haiti.
In December, Rome pledged a further 1,000 forces to its contingent in Afghanistan for a limited period during the course of this year. Italy currently has some 2,800 soldiers in Afghanistan.
UAE bans milk having fat-removing substance
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned the production and circulation of milk that contains a fat-removing substance called conjugated linoleic acid.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) inhibits the functioning of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that helps in removal of fat from blood. Once the fat is removed and broken down, it is stored in other parts of the body.
By suppressing this enzyme, CLA helps reduce the amount of fat that is broken down and, therefore, the amount of fat that is deposited and stored.
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 .
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades attack Israeli position with mortar fire
By KUNA
Gaza : Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement said on Thursday it bombed an Israeli military site with mortar fire.
The Brigades said in a statement that its fighters fired three mortar shells towards the zionist military Migen near Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip.
According to the statement, the attack was carried out despite the presence of intense enemy planes in the Gaza Strip's skies. The zionist artillery fired back at the location, adding that the fighters have returned to their bases unharmed.
Regional forum of Syria’s neighbouring countries discuss environmental effects
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : The Regional Forum of Neighbouring Countries has discussed here the institutional and legal framework for evaluating the environmental impact in Syria's neighbouring countries and means of limiting pollution in these countries.
The three-day forum starting Monday is organised by the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment-General Department of Environmental Affairs in cooperation with the Syrian Engineers Union.
Canadian Company Niko to invest in Pakistan
By SPA
Islamabad : Canadian Company Niko Resources Limited will invest $ 32 million for oil and gas exploration over Pakistan s four blocks located in the Arabian Sea, said an official statement.
The company also plans to invest more than $ 200 million subject to availability of viable structures after conducting seismic survey.
Pakistani scientists hook up to peers across the globe
By IANS,
Brussels : Pakistani scientists and researchers are now connected to colleagues across the globe, courtesy two of the world's most powerful computers, the European Commission said.
Pakistani scientists will now be able to connect to the world through GEANT, the world's fastest computer network dedicated to research and education, and TEIN, the Asian counterpart, Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for information society and media, said Tuesday.
Under fire, Blair to visit Middle East on peace mission
By IANS,
London : Former British premier Tony Blair is to visit the Middle East next week to try and broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, according to a report Tuesday.
Blair, the Middle East envoy for the EU, Russia, the US and Britain, is to meet Israeli and Palestinian officials and politicians in his efforts to bring an end to a conflict that has killed 300 people so far.
Blair Monday spoke with senior figures, including Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, the Independent reported.
The Quartet envoy has faced calls in Britain to step up diplomacy.
Obama says US needs to pull focus away from Iraq, back to Afghanistan
By NNN-KUNA
Washington : Senator Barack Obama, a leading Democratic U.S. presidential candidate, on Wednesday said Iraq must be sent a signal that the United States will not remain there forever, and that if elected president, he wants to put his focus on Afghanistan.
In a "Fox and Friends" interview the day after he narrowly lost the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary to former first lady and senator Hillary Clinton, Obama was asked about the success of the U.S. troop surge ordered into Iraq more than a year ago by President George W. Bush.
UN observers start leaving Syria
By IANS,
Damascus : Members of the UN Supervision Mission to Syria (UNSMIS) Sunday started leaving the unrest-hit country, Xinhua reported.
Why is the world in grip of jehadist menace?
By Saeed Naqvi,
Three momentous events, all in November-December 1979, are the genesis of a great deal of chaos the world faces today.
Security official lauds voters” law abidance in 1st district
By KUNA,
Kuwait : A security official lauded Saturday the abidance of voters in the first constituency to regulations, saying that the elderly accounted for the majority of people who came to cast their ballots so far.
Colonel Ihsan Al-Owaish, the security official at Muhalhil Al-Mudhaf Elementary School in Shaab, first constituency, told KUNA that men and women had stood in line early this morning and the voting began at exactly 8:00 a.m.
Moreover, he said cars were not allowed to come within 100 meters of the polling stations in order to avoid crowding at the school gates.
Long march begins from Lahore, heading towards Islamabad
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Long march has begun from Lahore. Nawaz Sharif is leading the march. Police deployment has been increased in Model Town in an effort to foil long march.
Police have blocked the roads and said they have directed to stop long march.
Shahbaz Sharif, Qazi Hussain and Imran Khan have already reached Rawalpindi as government issued directives of house arrest of leaders. Dozens of political workers have been arrested.
The city of Lahore has been sealed completely to foil long march.
Death toll in Friday explosions in Iraq reaches 84
By DPA
Baghdad : Attacks carried out by two female suicide bombers on Baghdad's pet and bird markets Friday morning have left at least 84 people dead and 153 injured, hospital and police sources said Saturday.
Sources said that 76 of the wounded were still receiving treatment, while the others had been released from hospital.
Hospitals around Baghdad had been receiving the dead and wounded in the attacks, which occurred Friday morning as both markets were teeming with people.
Egypt’s military council appoints new PM
By IANS,
Cairo : Egypt's ruling military council has appointed Kamal Ganzouri as the new prime minister, a media report said.
N-talks not solution to Iran’s economic problems: Khamenei
Tehran : The remedy for Iran's economic problems cannot come out of the ongoing negotiations over the country's nuclear programme, but it requires domestic...
Sri Lanka, Pakistan seek closer ties
By IANS,
Colombo : Sri Lankan and Pakistani officials held talks here Sunday during which they pledged to boost cooperation in a wide range of areas, reports Xinhua.
Dubai university hosts Mobile Application Contest
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : Science students from across the UAE will participate in the annual Mobil Application contest (MAC) 2010 launched Thursday by the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research in Dubai.
This year's theme focuses on mobile-related applications with an emphasis on innovation, its originality and relevance with the local UAE culture.
The event provides students an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities in developing new mobile phone solutions and applications that meet the demand's of mobile phone users.
Haj pilgrims must be vaccinated against seasonal flu: Saudi Arabia
By IANS,
Dubai : As a swine flu epidemic rages globally, Saudi Arabia has advised all pilgrims traveling for the Haj to vaccinate themselves against "seasonal human influenza".
"The Ministry of Health advises all pilgrims, whether arriving from outside or inside the Kingdom, to obtain the seasonal human influenza vaccine prior to their departure to perform Haj or Omrah rituals, especially those who are more exposed to the disease, such as the elderly and people suffering from chronic respiratory disorders, diabetes, or kidney, liver, or heart failure," a posting on its website said.
Iran asks Arab states to keep away from nuclear row
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran has called on the Arab states not to interfere in the country's nuclear dispute with the Western world, IRNA reported Sunday.
“Arab nations should be careful not to enter a debate that has already failed, thus harming their prestige,” the report quoted Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani as saying.
He said relations with the Western world would not improve as long as those countries continue to blame Iran for terrorism.
17 killed, 45 injured in Pakistan’s Karachi rail mishap
By NNN-Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least 17 people died and 45 others injured after a passenger train collided Tuesday head on with a goods train near the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, police and hospital sources said Wednesday.
As per details, the Karachi-bound Allama Iqbal Express collided with the Super Parcel Goods train near Jumma Goth in limits of Quaidaba, police said.
BSF court clears trooper of felani killing
Kolkata: While upholding its previous verdict, a special BSF court has acquitted a trooper who was accused of shooting dead a minor Bangladeshi girl...
Jordan says Hamas-Fateh unity crucial for peace
Amman : Jordan's Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour Saturday said unity among the Palestinian factions is crucial to render peacemaking efforts a success.
Commending the reconciliation...
UK police mentor shot dead in Afghanistan
By IRNA,
London : A former police officer from Northern Ireland man was reported Monday to have been killed in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan.
Ken McGonigle from County Tyrone was working as a police mentor for the New Century civilian security firm when he was said to have been shot by an escaped prisoner in the Musa Qala district on Saturday.
Two US marines are also believed to have been killed in the incident along with the gunman, according to the BBC.
Religious leaders in Israel unite for a better future
By David Rosen,
Jerusalem: The scene was stunning. At the Druze shrine of Nebi Shueib, against the backdrop of a gleaming snow-capped Mount Hermon, the green mountains and blue sea of the Galilee, kaffiyed Muslim imams and ulema, moustachioed Druze sheikhs, black-hatted rabbis and Christian clergy in various colourful garb, mingled together in animated discussion.
Lawyers observe ‘black day’, Nawaz pulls out of cabinet
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : The issue of reinstatement of judges, sacked by President Pervez Musharraf last year, was pushed to the centre-stage of Pakistani politics Monday with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz pulling out of the coalition cabinet and lawyers across Pakistan observing a 'black day'.
The PML-N decided to pull out of the cabinet following failure of talks with coalition partner Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over the restoration of judges.
Israel appeals world to oversee Gaza rehabilitation
Jerusalem : Israeli President Reuven Rivlin called upon the international community to establish a body to oversee rehabilitation in the Gaza Strip.
"I call on...
Non-stop train to run between Lahore and Karachi
By IANS,
Islamabad : A non-stop train is to run between Lahore and the port city of Karachi on the initiative of a business body, covering the 1,000 km distance in 18 hours.
Deadly attack on Somalia school kills 9
By IINA,
Mogadishu : Witnesses in a town in Somalia say suspected members of the Union of Islamic Courts have shot dead four foreigners and five Somalis during an attack on a local school. The killings happened in Beledwayne, about 300 km north of the capital Mogadishu yesterday.
Somali police confirmed the incident, saying that heavily armed Muslim fighters seized Beledwayne and killed four foreign passport holders.
France, Israel and US Involved in Betancourt Rescue
By Prensa Latina,
Madrid : Israeli, French and American secret services were involved in the operation to free Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a Spanish newspaper said Sunday.
According to La Vanguardia daily, which cited an Israeli secret service source, Mossad, the US, and French intelligence services used time, patience and money to rescue Betancourt.
IAEA chief: senior agency official to visit Iran
By SPA,
Vienna, Austria : The head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog confirmed Sunday that a senior agency official will visit Iran again.
Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said IAEA Deputy Director General Olli Heinonen will travel to the Middle Eastern country.
Yes, he is going, ElBaradei said when asked by The Associated Press to confirm an Iranian news report. He declined to provide more details as he entered a Vienna hotel.
Pakistan wants new relationship with India: Hina Rabbani Khar
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Tuesday told parliament that Pakistan wants to build a new era of cooperation with India.
EU to use political pressure in Palestinian-Israeli peace talks – Solana
By NNN-Petra,
Amman : High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union Javier Solana has said that the EU will use political pressure to achieve what can be achieved in the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
Solana told a press conference here Sunday after a two-day visit that political pressure is part of international relations, adding that the international community and the EU should help maintain the continuity of negotiations.
Negotiations, he affirmed, must have a timetable.
Israel detains 56 Palestinians in West Bank raids
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Israeli troops had arrested a total of 56 Palestinians in the West Bank on Tuesday night in a large detention campaign, Palestinian sources and Israeli media said Wednesday.
According to Israeli radio, the army conducted incursions and raids in different parts of the West Bank, arresting 56 people.
Palestinian security sources said Israeli forces stepped up operations and detained 56 residents in Jenin, Nablus, and Bethlehem while most of the detentions took place in the city of Hebron where 43 people were arrested.
Israelis protest at Gazan crossing to press for release of soldier
By KUNA,
Gaza : Tens of Israeli people on Sunday closed Kerem Shalom crossing on the demarcaton line with Gaza Strip as a part of a demonstration to demand the release of Hamas' imprisoned Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
"People staged the demonstration at this particular crossing located at Israeli-Egyptian borders, demanding Gilad Shalit's release, who was captured by Palestinian activists in June, 2006," Israel Radio said.
The radio said the protestors vowed to disrupt entry of supplies to Gaza, as they sealed the crossing early Sunday, preventing trucks from entering.
Voters say “new blood” needed for next Kuwait”s parliament
By Mariam Bou-Shehri, KUNA,
Kuwait : Voters for the upcoming elections vary in terms of the criteria of choosing would-be MPs with regard of political and economic and personal qualifications.
Amena Al-Abed Al-Jalil told KUNA that she would cast her vote in the scheduled polls on May 17 for the first time, and because of this, she was keen on choosing a figure who would adopt her constituency's affairs seriously.
17 killed, 53 wounded in Iraq attacks
Baghdad : A total of 17 people have been killed and 53 wounded in a wave of attacks across Iraq, including an overnight suicide...
Trial of Bush’s shoe-attacker Iraqi journalist put off
By DPA,
Baghdad : The trial of Montazer al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad has been postponed, according to court officials.
Al-Zaidi, a reporter for the Cairo-based Baghdadia channel, faces seven to 10 years behind bars if found guilty of "aggression against a president". His trial was originally set for Wednesday (Dec 31).
A spokesman for Iraq's Central Criminal Court said Tuesday that the postponement was agreed upon following an appeal by the journalist's lawyers.
Pakistan has no intention to enter into arms race — PM
By KUNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan is a peaceful country and has no intention of entering an arms race in the region, said Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Thursday.
Speaking at a parade in the Pakistan Naval Academy, PNS, he added that his country would maintain a minimum credible deterrence to ensure peace in the region and to maintain the ongoing process of the country's economic development.
Moreover, he said that Pakistan sought to promote its national interests as it believed in peaceful co-existence and mutual respect.
India to develop Bangladesh port
Agartala : India would develop a river port in Bangladesh to ferry essentials, foodgrain and heavy machinery to northeast region from different parts of...
Israel must end ‘suffocating’ Gaza, says Amnesty
By IRNA,
London : Israel must end its suffocating blockade of the Gaza Strip, which leaves more than 1.4 million Palestinians cut off from the outside world and struggling with desperate poverty, Amnesty International said Monday.
“The blockade is strangling virtually every aspect of life for Gaza’s population, more than half of whom are children,” said Malcolm Smart, Middle East and North Africa Director of Amnesty.
Documentary on Imam Ghazali by British producer
By NNN-Bernama
Kuala Lumpur : Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the `Al-Ghazali The Alchemist of Happiness Documentary', directed by a British film producer, can become a small step for people to understand the teaching of Islam.
"I do hope by watching this documentary it would bring us greater understanding and happiness in our life.
"This is a different approach in explaining the teaching of Imam Ghazali," he said after witnessing of the launching of the documentary directed by British film producer Abdul Latif Ovidio Salazar, here Saturday.
Islamists oppose women as heads of state, government
By IANS,
Dhaka : Women should be debarred from holding office as heads of government or state, an Islamist party has said in Bangladesh, where women have headed governments between 1991 and 2006.
The election law should be amended to make women ineligible to hold these offices, the Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan (BKA) Saturday told a government panel led by Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed, currently holding a dialogue with political parties.
Ahmed performs prime ministerial functions in a caretaker government holding office since January last year.
Yemeni, Chinese official talks held in Sana’a
By NNN-SABA,
Sana'a : The Yemeni-Chinese official talks were held at the Republican Palace here between Yemen and China co-chaired by Vice President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi and the Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping.
Hadi welcomed the Chinese guest Tuesday, reviewing a number of issues related to joint cooperation and historical relations between the two countries.
He also expressed his appreciation for the Chinese continuous support for Yemen for boosting development process, intending to attract more Chinese investments in the country.
Legal experts, activists oppose Dhaka’s anti-terror ordinance
By IANS,
Dhaka : Human rights activists and legal experts in Bangladesh have opposed the new stringent anti-terrorism law, which makes a vast array of crimes non-bailable offences and liable to death penalty and life imprisonment, saying that it could be misused to settle political scores.
Criminal law expert and human rights activist Shahdeen Malik said there was no need for a fresh law and that offenders could be prosecuted under existing laws.
Pakistan’s National Assembly passes bill against domestic violence
By IANS,
Islamabad : The National Assembly, the lower house of Pakistan's parliament, Tuesday unanimously passed a bill against domestic violence to protect women, children and families vulnerable to crimes at home.
Moving The Prevention of Domestic Violence Bill, 2008, Yasmeen Rehman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that leads the federal coalition stressed on the need to institutionalise measures to prevent and protect women and children from domestic violence.
There is no need for National Counter Terrorism Centre: JIH
Jamaat demands complete freedom for Haj Committee to make its own travel arrangements, choose airlines
"NCTC curbs civil liberty"
"Govt should snap all diplomatic ties with Israel"
No plans for Modi-Sharif meeting in New York
New Delhi : India Tuesday virtually ruled out a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines...
Warrant issued to search Khaleda’s office
Dhaka : A Dhaka court on Sunday issued a warrant to search the office of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia after police...
Four killed in northwest Pakistan blast
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least four people, including two policemen, were killed Friday in a blast in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, Dawn News TV channel reported.
The blast occurred near a police station in Mardan area of the province, the report said.
Two policemen and two civilians were killed in the blast, it said.
UN to call for another probe into Gaza conflict
By DPA,
New York : Fourteen months after the outbreak of the Gaza war, the UN General Assembly was set to again tackle the conflict with a new draft resolution to be debated Friday.
Similar to a resolution the Assembly passed last year, Friday's draft would again urge Israel and the Palestinian Authority to each investigate the Israel-Hamas fighting in Gaza Strip in the winter of 2009.
The draft resolution, already endorsed by 19 Arab states and the Palestinian Authority, calls for an investigation that is "independent, credible and in conformity with international standards".
Pakistan’s Navy Chief starts China visit
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, currently on a visit to China, disclosed today that Pakistan will host another naval exercise, 'Aman', said an official statement.
He expressed the hope that Peoples' Liberation Army's (PLA) Navy will again participate in the exercise along with the navies of other countries in Pakistani waters that would help enhance understanding and stability in maritime domain in the world in March next year.
Sarkozy vows support for Lebanese Army
By KUNA,
Beirut : France will take part in efforts for resolving the Lebanese problems on basis of its close and historic ties with the country, the visiting French president said on Saturday.
Nicolas Sarkozy, addressing a luncheon held by his senior host, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, at the presidential palace in Baabda just southeast of Beirut, said Paris would help in settling the local problems and vowed to contribute in efforts to establish a strong state.
2009 mutiny: Bangladesh jails 657 border guards
By IANS,
Dhaka: A special court in Dhaka Monday jailed 657 paramilitary border guards for their involvement in a mutiny in February 2009.
Rockets, gunfire hours after Gaza ceasefire begins
By DPA,
Tel Aviv/Gaza : Militant Palestinians in the Gaza Strip launched rockets into the Israeli border area, near the town of Sderot only hours after the beginning of a unilateral ceasefire declared by Israel, the Israeli army said Sunday.
Five rocket impacts were recorded near the town of Sderot, an Israeli military spokesman said.
Israeli troops also came under fire by a group of Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli army reported. The troops had informed Israeli armoured units and air force which then shot at and hit the Palestinians, said the spokeswoman.
Iraq war ends? New York Times spoof says so
By DPA,
Washington : The war in Iraq is over, and President George W. Bush has been indicted for treason - so it must have been a particularly busy news day at The New York Times.
Real news, self-fulfilling prophecy or just a very elaborate hoax?
At least 1.2 million copies of a fake edition of the Times was handed out Wednesday morning to New York commuters, replete with alarming headlines - for some, almost too good to be true.
Accompanying the replica of the print edition was a website, which again looked like the Times: http://www.nytimes-se.com/
Musharraf a ‘virus’ that is bad for democracy: PML-N leader
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : A leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Tuesday compared President Pervez Musharraf to a "dangerous virus" that was harmful for Pakistan's democracy and said it was important to remove him.
"Just like a deadly virus in any computer that can destroy the whole system, Musharraf is a dangerous virus for democracy and the government cannot function properly until this virus is removed," PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said while addressing a press conference with other party leaders who resigned Tuesday from the federal cabinet.
Karama ship arrives in Gaza Strip with aid
GAZA, Dec 20 (KUNA) -- A ship, carrying relief aid and food supplies, reached the Gaza Strip Saturday after sailing from a port in Cyprus.
The Karama (pride) ship was carrying several Arab and foreign activists.
This is the first aid ship to reach Gaza after Palestinian factions announced yesterday the expiring of the truce with Israel.
The arrival of the ship sparked celebrations on the part of locals, who saw the vessel as a breath of fresh air especially as the Israeli-impose siege deprived Gazans from all necessities.
King Abdullah to open IDB annual conference
By IINA,
Jeddah : Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz will open the 33rd annual conference of IDB the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) at Jeddah Hilton Hotel next Tuesday. Ministers of finance, economy and planning from 56 IDB member countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America are expected to take part in the meeting. The two-day conference will discuss world food crisis and increases in the prices of essential commodities, as well as measures to fight poverty in member countries, said IDB President Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Ali.
Afghan car bombing toll down to 42 from 89
Kabul : The Afghan defence ministry Wednesday lowered the toll in Tuesday's suicide car bomb attack on a crowded market in southeastern Afghanistan from...
20 civilians killed, houses levelled into rubble in Sadr City
By IRNA
Baghdad : At least 20 Iraqi civilians were killed and 31 others wounded in indiscriminate bombardment of Sadr City by the US helicopters and tanks on Sunday.
The US troops invaded Sadr City district of Baghdad in an operation they said to control neighborhoods used by militias to fire rockets and mortars into the nearby Green Zone.
Inhabitants of the city have taken refuge in mosques and their houses have levelled into rubble.
An American Stryker squadron involved through southern section of Sadr City.
Iran calls EU sanctions ‘illegal, meaningless’
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran Tuesday condemned the new sanctions by the European Union (EU) over its controversial nuclear programme, and said the sanctions are " meaningless and against the international laws".
"The sanctions are illegal and show the EU's double standards and contradictory approach during the time the packages of proposals are being studied", foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said, adding that Tehran strongly condemned the sanctions, official IRNA news agency reported.
Militants blow up themselves to evade arrest — Afghan officials
By KUNA,
Kabul : The five militants, who were found dead at a house in a Kabul locality after a shootout with security forces on Wednesday morning, have actually blown themselves up, intelligence officials said.
Earlier, security forces have said that all five, holed up in a house near the historical Baghe Babar, were killed in exchange of fire.
However, intelligence officials said they had blown themselves up to evade arrest by the security forces.
Neither the Interior nor Defence Ministry issued any comment on the battle in the western locality of this central capital.
More than 2 mln new jobs through 7000 small industrial units in Pakistani province...
By NNN-APP
Lahore : Punjab provincial government plans to provide 2.5 million to 3 million jobs to skilled workers by establishing 7000 small industrial units in all the districts of the province under cluster development program.
Talking to a delegation of skilled workers here Thursday, Punjab Minister for Commerce and Investment, Mian Muhammad Shafiq said that as a result of prudent economic policies, Punjab is now the centre of attraction for foreign and local investors.
List of attacks on Indian missions in Afghanistan
New Delhi : The list of attacks on Indian missions in Afghanistan prior to the strike carried out Friday:
July 7, 2007 - The Indian...
Rockets from Lebanon remind Israelis of 2006 war with Hezbollah
By Jack Khoury, Huang Heng, Xinhua,
Nahariya, Israel : At least two Katyusha rockets fired from southern Lebanon exploded in northern Israel Thursday morning, reminding many local residents of the beginning of the Second Lebanon War in 2006.
The rockets struck the northern Israel's Nahariya area at around 8 a.m., one of them scoring a direct hit on the roof of a nursing home with 26 residents, leaving two people lightly wounded and a number of others suffering from shock.
Australia blocks shipment of scientific equipment to Pakistan
By IANS,
Sydney : Australian Defence Minister John Faulkner has blocked a shipment of scientific equipment to Pakistan, fearing it could be destined for a weapons of mass destruction programme, a media report Tuesday said.
The $115,000 shipment of two atomic absorption spectrophotometers, used for determining the concentration of a particular metal element in a sample, is the fourth to be blocked by the minister, "demonstrating his willingness to scuttle Australian business deals if it will help the government meet its international obligations", The Australian newspaper said.
Pakistani PM Gilani calls on President Zardari
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday night. The meeting lasted for over two hours.
Iraq refugees cost Jordan $2.2 billion
Amman – (IINA)February 13 – Jordan said yesterday that it estimated the costs of sheltering hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees over the past three years at more than two billion dollars, and appealed for international help. "Hosting our Iraqi brothers depletes the infrastructure and has cost the government more than 1.6 billion dinars ($2.2 billion) during the past three years," Planning Minister Suheir Al Ali told visiting UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres.
NOAL: Israel Violates UN Resolution
By Prensa Latina,
United Nations : Non-aligned Countries, NOAL condemned Israel for ignoring and violating the resolution adopted Friday by UN Security Council, demanding the immediate cease-fire of Tel Aviv against Gaza Strip.
This is a flagrant action of Israel in defiance to the repeated calls of the international community, which demand the immediate cease of military activities; as it reads the missive published in this UN headquarter in New York.
Don’t stop investing in oil sector: UAE minister
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Oil and gas producers in the Middle East should continue to invest in the industry despite the fall in oil prices across the world, according to the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Minister for Energy Mohammed Bin Dhaen Al Hamili.
"As you know, recent events in global financial markets have had a substantial impact on the oil industry," he said, while addressing the inaugural session of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec)-2008 here Monday.
Iranian supreme leader pardons over 800 prisoners
Tehran : Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has pardoned and commuted the sentences of hundreds of convicts.
Khamenei on Tuesday agreed to a...
Jordan to continue defending holy sites in east Jerusalem
Amman: Jordan would continue to defend Christian and Islamic holy sites in east Jerusalem, the country's foreign minister Nasser Judeh said Tuesday.
Judeh reiterated the...
Russia denies supplying Syria with offensive weapons
By IANS,
Moscow: Russia has denied to have supplied Syria with offensive weapons, Xinhua reported.
Iran terms Mumbai blasts mindless, cowardly
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran Friday strongly condemned the bomb blasts that struck Mumbai Wednesday evening, and termed them "indiscriminate, mindless and cowardly".
King, Crown Prince greet Gilani on his election as Pakistan PM
By SPA
Riyadh : The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has sent a cable of congratulations to Yousaf Raza Gilani on his election as Pakistan's Prime Minister.
The King expressed his good wishes to Gilani and highlighted the existing historical relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and reiterated his keenness on further cementing these ties.
A similar cable of greetings was also sent by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, to Gilani.
Israel, US agree on deployment of radar defence system
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Israel and the US have agreed to deploy high-power early-warning missile radar, which would be linked to a US satellite-based alert network, the Ha'aretz daily reported Sunday.
The radar is to be placed in the Negev desert in southern Israel and manned by US personnel, the daily said.
The Israeli defence ministry would not comment on the report.
Gaddafi guards raped kids: Amnesty
By IANS,
London : Prison guards loyal to Muammar Gaddafi raped child detainees, human rights group Amnesty International has said.
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.
US reaches out to South Asian, Arab communities
By IANS,
Washington : In a bid to reach out to South Asian and Arab communities, the US will increase engagement, dialogue, coordination and enhance information sharing with faith-and community-based groups.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano Thursday met with leaders from Muslim, Sikh, South Asian and Arab communities, described as "key partners in homeland security that contribute to many different parts of American life and exemplify the diversity that is a hallmark of our country."
Blast kills two NATO soldiers in Khost, SE Afghanistan
By KUNA,
KABUL : A bomb attack on NATO convoy killed two foreign soldiers and injured another in southeastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, said a military spokesman.
Without giving more details, the spokesman said two NATO soldiers were killed and a third sustained injuries in a bomb attack in Khost province.
Police headquarters in the same province confirmed the blast and said it was carried out by a suicide bomber.
Wazir Pacha, spokesman for the Khost police headquarters, said the bomber detonated his explosives-packed car close the NATO forces' convoy.
New society to promote green buildings in Gulf
By IANS,
Dubai : A new society was formed Wednesday to encourage construction of environment-friendly buildings in the Gulf.
Head of the Arab-European Conference on Environment Saleh Al-Muzaini told the state-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the establishment of the "Gulf Society for Green Buildings" was in line with orders from leaders of the various Gulf nations.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) form the six Gulf nations.
Pakistani budget may freeze flour, gas prices
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's budget for fiscal 2008-09 beginning July 1 could freeze the prices of flour, electricity and gas and offer special medical discounts for the elderly.
Special measures to prevent tax evasion, relief for low-income groups, scholarships for poor students, smooth supply of flour to millers and retailers, besides diversion of resources from "certain sacred cows" to power-generation projects are also on the cards, The News reported Monday.
Russia bans Turkish Islamic sect Nurcular
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Russia's Supreme Court has ruled that Turkish Islamic organization Nurcular is an extremist organization, and has banned its activities in the country.
The court granted a request by Russia's top prosecutors.
"The Supreme Court, having considered in a closed session the Prosecutor General's Office request to protect Russia's interests by ruling the activities international religious organization Nurcular extremist, and to ban its activities on Russian territory, decided to grant the office's request," the court said.
Poll: Most Britons want troops to come home from Afghanistan
By SPA,
London : More than two-thirds of Britons want their country's troops to withdraw from Afghanistan within a year, an ICM poll published by the BBC Thursday has found, according to dpa.
Of 1,013 people polled, 68 per cent said troops should come home within 12 months. The proportion of women advocating a withdrawal was 75 per cent, while 59 per cent of the men asked wanted the troops to return.
Britain currently has 8,000 troops in southern Afghanistan, and is likely to come under pressure to stock-up the contingent when the new US adminstration takes over in January.
Reforms in immigration law aimed at curbing violations: UAE
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said the recent amendments in the immigration and residency law were aimed at preventing people violating the country's laws, WAM news agency reported Wednesday quoting a top official.
The amendments were made to ensure that no one violates the rules of the country, Brigadier Nasser Awad Al Manhali, director general of the Residency and Naturalization Department in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, said adding that the changes would not affect the tourism industry of the country.
Pakistan, Turkish air forces to conduct joint exercise: official
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Air forces of Pakistan and Turkey will conduct joint exercises this month, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said on Monday.
"The Exercise would be conducted in Pakistan during the month of April," a PAF statement said." "To benefit from the expertise and professional experiences of each other, PAF and the Turkish Air Force (TuAF) are conducting a Joint Exercise 'Indus Viper-2008' in Pakistan," it said.
The statement said that a contingent of TuAF fighter aircraft and personnel will undertake joint planning and execution of various combat missions in the exercises.
Trial against former Israeli premier opens in Jerusalem
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert arrived at Jerusalem's District Court Thursday for the opening of a corruption trial against him.
It is the first trial in Israeli history against a former premier.
"Today, the chapter of bombastic statements and plastic descriptions" has ended, Olmert told reporters at the court.
"Here, the facts will be checked," he said of the court trial, speaking in a calm tone of voice.
India, Saudi Arabia to deepen ties during PM visit
By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leaves for Saudi Arabia Saturday on a three-day visit during which the two countries will deepen their strategic relationship, officials here said Friday.
"The visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders (Manmohan Singh and Saudi king Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz) to review bilateral relations and discuss regional and global issues," Lalitha Reddy, secretary (east) in the external affairs ministry, said here.
Students shouldn’t be forced to wear burqas: Dhaka court
By DPA,
Dhaka : A Bangladeshi court Sunday asked the government to ensure that women are not forced to wear burqas in public offices and schools, court officials said.
The country's High Court issued the order following reports that officials in a female college in northern Bangladesh were forbidding students from attending class unless they wear a burqa.
Two lawyers, who brought the matter to the court's attention, said the college's principal had also imposed the traditional attire on female students attending the school's cultural activities and sports.
IAF air-ambulance lifts injured soldiers from Iran
By IANS
Chandigarh : An AN-32 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) converted into an air-ambulance has carried out a medical evacuation mission of critically injured Indian security personnel from a town in Iran.
The air-ambulance, belonging to 'Camels' - a squadron based at the air force station here, carried out the evacuation mission Jan 9 from Zabol town in Iran, bordering Afghanistan.
Judges’ restoration: Pakistan coalition partner seeks to save face
By IANS,
Islamabad : The junior partner in Pakistan's ruling coalition is all set for a face-saving arrangement with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on reinstating by the Wednesday deadline the judges President Pervez Musharraf sacked last November after declaring an emergency.
"The PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz) will show more flexibility on the constitutional package if the judges are reinstated within the April 30 deadline, as we need to save face before the people," The News Monday quoted a key party leader as saying.
Iran must stop blocking satellite signals, websites: EU
By IANS/AKI,
Brussels: The European Union Monday asked Iran to stop blocking satellite signals and internet websites of various foreign media operating in the country.
Tehran must "put an end to this electronic interference immediately," EU foreign ministers said in a joint statement Monday.
The statement came after three major international broadcasters - the BBC, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America - complained in February that Iran began its "deliberate electronic interference" in their broadcasts in the country.
Threatened Afghan plane lands in Kandahar
By Xinhua,
Kabul: A China-bound Afghan plane of Kam Airlines, reportedly threatened by a bomb, landed at the airport in Kandahar city in southern Afghanistan Sunday night, sources at Kabul International Airport said.
An official in the airport said the plane scheduled to fly from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, to Urumqi in northwest China's Xinjiang region has now landed at Kandahar airport.
"The plane would return to Kabul after two hours," he added.
He did not provide any further information on the reason why the flight was cancelled.
Musharraf’s impeachment proceeding to start next week
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan's ruling coalition may start its impeachment proceedings against President Pervez Musharraf next week, said Information Minister Sherry Rehman on Tuesday.
"When we move our resolution in the joint sitting of parliament next week we will have more votes than we need to impeach the President," Sherry Rehman told reporters in Islamabad.
The ruling coalition parties on Thursday announced that they would launch impeachment against the president.
Ahmadinejad says his trip to Iraq not against any country
By IRNA
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his upcoming visit to Iraq is not against any third country rather it can benefit all.
Speaking in an interview with Iranian television, the president said, "If there is peace and brotherhood but not occupation in Iraq, and all respect the territorial integrity of that country, then, this (my trip) will benefit everybody."
President Ahmadinejad will start an official visit to Iraq on Sunday.
Iran’s president vows to continue nuclear work
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that his country will continue its nuclear program, one day after a meeting of six major powers in Berlin agreed on the major points of a UN resolution on the Iran nuclear issue.
"The Iranian nation will continue the way in pursuing our rights within the framework of international laws," Iran's state television quoted Ahmadinejad as saying.
Pakistan’s new CEC takes oath
Islamabad : Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan (retd) Saturday took oath here as Pakistan's new chief election commissioner (CEC).
Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk administered the...
US calls on Iran to transparently resolve election dispute
By DPA,
Washington : The US urged Iran Wednesday to transparently resolve the dispute over its presidential election, which has sparked days of massive protests and international criticism.
US State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the protests are a sign that Iranians have grown impatient with the country's diplomatic isolation and denied that Washington was interfering in either the election or protests.
"The Iranian people are frustrated that Iran is isolated ... from the rest of the world," Crowley said.
India, Pakistan to review composite dialogue Wednesday
By Manish Chand, IANS,
New Delhi/Islamabad : Three days after Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's path-breaking advocacy of no first use of nuclear weapons, the country's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrives here Tuesday on a four-day visit that seeks to invigorate the peace process between the two countries.
On Wednesday, Qureshi will meet his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee to discuss bilateral issues included in the Composite Dialogue that both the countries started in 2004.
Obama urges for reconciliation in Iraq
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama called for greater reconciliation between Iraq's ethnic groups during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki at the White House Wednesday.
Coming to agreements on contentious issues is essential to a unified Iraq and its stability in the future as US forces increasingly turn responsibility for security over to the Iraqis, Obama said.
"Iraq will be more secure and more successful if there is a place for all Iraqi citizens to thrive, including all of Iraq's ethnic and religious groups," Obama said.
Literary journey from Delhi to Afghanistan
Much has been written about Delhi, yet there is much to be written about. A book explores birds, animals and plant species adding a fresh perspective to the Indian capital, whereas another book examines the changing trajectory of Indian policy towards Afghanistan. Take a look.
1. Book: India's Afghan Muddle; Author: Harsh V. Pant; Publisher: Harper Collins; Pages: 194; Price: Rs. 450
Turkish army launches ground incursion into Iraq
By Xinhua
Ankara : Turkish troops have launched a cross-border operation into northern Iraq in pursuit of militants of the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), Turkish military said Friday.
According to a statement posted on the website of Turkey's general staff, Turkish Air Force jets pounded PKK targets in north of Iraq between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday to destroy organisational infrastructure in the region.
Following the air strikes, Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) launched a cross-border ground operation in the region since 9 p.m. Thursday, the statement said.
Boat with Egyptian migrants held in Italy
By IANS/AKI,
Rome : An Egyptian fishing vessel trafficking 60 migrants has been intercepted by Italian police off the southern coast of Sicily.
EU calls for democratic and transparent polls in Pakistan
By EuAsiaNews
Brussels : European Union Foreign Ministers held an exchange of views on the latest developments in Pakistan, in the run-up to general elections on 18 February during their meeting here on Monday.
The foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries in a statement " highlighted the need to hold free and fair elections by this new date, allowing for a democratic and transparent electoral process under proper security conditions."
They emphasised that stability and further progress on
the path towards democracy are amongst the most important
Gilani invites Manmohan to visit Pakistan
By IANS,
Thimphu: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday invited his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan.
"Prime Minister Gilani invited him (Singh) to visit Pakistan. He said he would love to visit Pakistan," Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told reporters here, after a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit here.
Arabs, Europeans criticise Israeli settlement policy
By DPA,
Amman: European and Arab parliamentarians ended a two-day meeting Sunday by urging Israel to freeze all settlement activity in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, which they said is wrecking trust with the Palestinians and "jeopardising" a two-state solution.
"The continuing expansion of settlements is destroying trust among partners, undermining the authority of the Palestinian negotiators and prejudging the outcome of the final negotiations," said a communique adopted by the sixth plenary session of the Euro-Med Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA).
Dhaka hopeful of progress on Teesta talks with India
By IANS,
Dhaka : Though a deal on sharing the Teesta river water was not expected to be signed by Bangladesh and India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's New Delhi visit next week, Dhaka was still hopeful of "progress" during the summit level talks.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni Thursday said she hoped that progress will be made towards signing of the deal when the two prime ministers' talk Jan 11, The Daily Star reported.
Dubai ruler offers Eid-al-Adha prayer
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: Ruler of Dubai sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum offered Eid-al-Adha prayer at Zabeel mosque here Friday.
Israel to begin construction of fence at Egyptian border soon
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel will soon begin construction of a fence at the Egyptian border in both Eilat and Nitzana Border crossings, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported Wednesday on its website.
Israel announced the plan after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met earlier in the day.
UAE discusses economic ties with Slovenia
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : UAE Economy Minister Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori said Monday his country is looking forward to a new era of economic cooperation with Slovenia.
During a meeting with visiting Slovenian Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Zbogar, Al Mansoori said the UAE is keen to organize economic forums to showcase investment opportunities in the country.
The Slovenian minister praised the UAE for its efforts in the development of renewable energy.
Berlin says ‘no’ to US demands for more soldiers in Afghanistan
By IRNA
Berlin : The German government has rejected US demands to deploy combat forces in south Afghanistan.
Addressing a weekly news conference in Berlin, government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said that a change of the current German International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mandate was "not being contemplated."
Wilhelm made clear that Germany would continue with its current mandate providing for the deployment of up to 3,500 troops, mostly in the relatively peaceful north Afghan region as well as Kabul.
Turkey refuses to set timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Turkish envoy to Baghdad said on Wednesday that his country will not set a timetable for the withdrawal of its troops fighting PKK fighters in northern Iraq.
"Our mission in northern Iraq is clear and there will be no timetable for our troops to withdraw until those terrorist bases are eliminated," the Turkish envoy, Ahmet Davutoglu, told a news conference in Baghdad after talks with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, a Kurd.
Singapore Reaffirms Commitment To Working With Malaysia
By Bernama
Singapore : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has congratulated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi on the Barisan Nasional's election victory and the formation of a new government.
In his congratulatory letter to Abdullah, Lee also reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to working with Abdullah to deepen the good bilateral relationship as well as for regional stability and prosperity.
‘Hindraf detainee not denied treatment’
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The prisons department of the Malaysian government has again denied accusations that imprisoned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P. Uthayakumar was being denied medical treatment.
It said in a statement Friday that it had never stopped Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees or prisoners from getting the medical treatment they needed.
Uthayakumar is a diabetic and his family members have repeatedly alleged that he was not getting required medicine and those sent by them were not being passed on to him, The Star reported Saturday.
Abducted Pakistani ambassador reaches back home
By KUNA,
Islamabad: Pakistans ambassador to Afghanistan, Tariq Azizudin, Saturday was flown to Islamabad from South Waziristan tribal agency, bordering Afghanistan, along with his driver and a bodyguard.
No secret US-Russia talks held over Syria: Lavrov
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Cairo : The US and Russia have never held secret discussions about possible regime change in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Cairo Monday.
Don’t arrest political opponents: Britain tells Pakistan government
By IANS,
London : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has welcomed reports that the Pakistan government will seek to revoke the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, but expressed concern at the arrests of his supporters.
Miliband said he was concerned by recent events in Pakistan and had discussed them with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke.
End death penalty, says Pakistani daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : A leading Pakistani daily Wednesday called for abolishing the capital punishment in the country.
Lebanese majority nominates Siniora to form next government
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : The majority in Lebanon have nominated incumbent Prime Minister Fuad Al-Siniora to form the next government.
The majority said in a statement Tuesday that they nominated Siniora to form the next government following the swearing in of President Michel Suleiman two days ago.
Suleiman will start Wednesday constitutional consultations with the political parties ahead of naming a prime minister.
Britain condemns release of Iraq hostage video
By DPA
London : The British government has condemned the release of a video on an Arabic satellite TV channel purporting to show one of five British hostages kidnapped in Baghdad last May.
The Dubai-based Al-Arabiya TV broadcast a clip of the bearded man, who gave his name as Peter Moore, and urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to facilitate the hostages' release.
Al Arabyia said it had received the video from a Shia group.
US condemns bombing in Lahore, urges Pakistan to continue process of
By KUNA
Washington : The United States on Thursday condemned the bombing in Lahore that killed more than two dozen police officials, and urged the Pakistani government to continue to move forward with the democratic process.
The bombing shows that there continue to be individuals in Pakistan who are intent on subverting the political process and who have no interest in seeing the Pakistani people have an opportunity to develop a democratic system, said department deputy spokesman Tom Case during a briefing.