Indian political parties welcome Zardari comment
By IANS,
New Delhi : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's description of militants in Jammu and Kashmir as "terrorists" has been welcomed in India by both the ruling Congress party and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“We welcome this statement of the Pakistan president. People of Pakistan in general and politicians in particular now realise that both our nations need to move in the direction of development rather than weaponisation,” said Minister of State for Home Shakeel Ahmad.
Pakistan offers to share nuclear technology with Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : Pakistan has offered to help Bangladesh with the latter's proposed first nuclear power reactor, which was conceived when they were a single country, but never took off.
Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alamgir Babar Monday said that his country was ready to share nuclear technology for civilian purposes to help tackle the massive energy crisis.
Babar said Pakistan's offer was "on the table" and it was for Bangladesh to decide whether the country wanted to discuss it, the Daily Star newspaper reported Tuesday.
Sudan rebels claim to have killed 130 soldiers
By IANS,
Khartoum : A rebel group in Sudan Tuesday said it has killed 130 Sudanese army soldiers in an attack along the Sudan-South Sudan border, Xinhua reported.
US troops ‘mistakenly’ kill eight Afghan soldiers
Kabul: At least eight Afghan army soldiers were killed and five wounded after the US Air Force contingent of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission...
Teaching Chinese in Pakistani schools puzzling: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : A decision to teach Chinese in schools in a Pakistani province is a little puzzling, said a daily Thursday.
Local Taliban threatens to blow up MPA hostel in NW Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Local Taliban has sent a threat to the members of provincial assembly (MPA) hostel in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, private DAWN NEWS TV channel reported Monday.
The Taliban warned that the MPA hostel in Peshawar, capital city of North West Frontier Province would be blown up and security has been put on high alert in the area, said the report.
The Interior Ministry of Pakistan Monday put a Taliban group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on banned list.
US ‘disappointed’ by Palestinian reconciliation deal
Washington:The US said Wednesday that it is "disappointed" by the reconciliation agreement between two main Palestinian factions, which could "seriously" complicate peace efforts.
Under the...
House of Iraqi Tribal Leader Bombed
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : At least one person was killed and another 22 wounded in a suicide truck bomb attack against the house of a community leader in Nineveh province, northern Iraq, according to police sources.
The sources revealed that the driver rammed the vehicle into the residence of Sheikh Abdel Razaq al Wakaa, a leader of the main Iraqi tribes. He and his wife were injured.
The attack took place in the small village of Al Haud, in Al Qayara, 31 miles from Mosul, provincial capital, and damaged Al Wakaa's home and other neighboring houses seriously.
Israel concerned that Hamas will not release Shalit in prisoner exchange
By KUNA
Gaza : Israel expressed its concern Sunday that Hamas did not intend to carry out a prisoner exchange that would bring about the release of Gilad Shalit, who was abducted by the Palestinian faction on June 25, 2006.
Israeli Defense Ministry sources told Radio Israel that "the common belief is that Shalit is the winning card in the hand of Hamas when facing any operation waged by the Israeli Army in Gaza Strip." Hamas is demanding the release of hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails in return for Shalit.
Qatar Airways to probe wrong India map in presentation
By IANS,
Panaji : Qatar Airways Monday said it will hold an in-house inquiry after a map of India it displayed during a presentation here had a large part of Kashmir missing.
Asked about the misrepresentation of India's sovereign borders in the map, the airline's chief executive officer (CEO) Akbar Al Baker said: "We will ask the corporate communications department to look into it."
Two JMB activists awarded death sentence in Bangladesh
Dhaka : A court in Dhaka sentenced two activists of the militant Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to death Wednesday, for shooting dead a police informant...
Abducted UN official released in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A United Nations official who was abducted in Pakistan more than two months ago was released Saturday, a media report said.
The kidnappers said they had released John Solecki, chief of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Quetta city, on humanitarian grounds, private TV channel Dawn News said.
Solecki would be sent to a hospital first and flown to the capital Islamabad later.
Pakistan releases 36 Indian prisoners
Islamabad : Pakistani authorities Friday released 36 Indian prisoners from the Karachi district prison Malir.
Thirty-five fishermen and one civilian were released after they completed...
Pakistan stresses on regional cooperation strategy at SAARC
Kathmandu : Sartaj Aziz, adviser to the Pakistan prime minister on national security and foreign affairs, Tuesday stressed that a regional cooperation strategy must...
Iranian negotiator: Drafting of nuke deal may start next month
Tehran: A top Iranian negotiator has expressed optimism that Iran and the six world powers involved in nuclear talks with the Islamic republic may...
UAE, UNESCO sign educational agreement
By IANS,
By WAM,
Paris: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the UNESCO have signed an agreement on the operation of the the Sharjah-based Regional Centre for Educational Planning (RCEP).
Filipinos embrace Islam in Saudi Arabia
By IINA
Riyadh : Some 141 Filipinos embraced Islam in Saudi Arabia. They eagerly converted to Islam after getting acquainted with the religion and its potential to save mankind from being trapped in falling plights, Al Riyadh Arabic daily reported. The Filipinos are among those who work in the southern Jizan region and religious preachers acquainted them with the priorities of the religion during courses organized by Saudi organizations.
It is worth mentioning that a significant number of followers of other faiths convert to the enlightening religion of Islam in Saudi Arabia every year.
Israel ‘plans attack on Tehran within months’
By IANS,
London : Israel is planning to attack Iran "within months", the Daily Mail reported Saturday.
Malaysia a glorious Islamic country, says Sheikhul Al-Azhar
By Khairul Anuar Muhammad Noh, NNN-Bernama
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia is a glorious Islamic country because its people shun racism and are not blindly obsessed, said Sheikh of Al-Azhar Dr Sheikh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi.
"I pray to God for Malaysia to continue to be a peaceful, safe and progressive country and for the love and caring to persist among its people as well as be protected against any ill-doings, he said in an interview with Bernama yesterday.
He spoke in Arabic and was translated by Religious Advisor to the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Othman.
Bangladesh has taken a balanced position with regards to strengthening ties with all countries:...
By NNN-BSS
New York : Adviser for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury has said that in the field of foreign policy Bangladesh has taken a 'balanced position' giving national interest a top priority.
Dr Chowdhury, who is in New York in connection with a meeting of the LDCs, was talking to newsmen here on Wednesday at the Bangladesh mission here.
Bangladesh permanent representative Ismat Jahan and consul general M Shamsul Haque were present on the occasion.
Pakistan culls poultry stock as avian influenza hits Karachi
By DPA
Islamabad : Pakistani authorities Friday culled thousands of birds to control an outbreak of avian influenza at poultry farms in the southern port city of Karachi, an official said.
"We have culled 5,500 birds after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of HH5N1 virus at a farm in Guddap district," said Ali Akbar, the director of Poultry Research Institute Sind.
Animal health workers had tightened surveillance at hundreds of other farms that supply poultry products to the city's 15 million people, Ali said, adding the bird flu was limited to only one farm.
Three independent MPs join Hasina’s party
By IANS,
Dhaka : Three independent MPs have joined the ruling Awami League (AL) led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, swelling the treasury benches in parliament.
The party that swept the polls last December now has 232 members in a house of 300.
Kabirul Islam of Narail 1, Khandaker Abdul Baten of Tangail 6 and Muhammed Imajuddin Pramanik of Naogaon 4 changed their allegiance Sunday, the parliament secretariat announced.
Pakistan, Afghan intelligence sign landmark deal
Islamabad : Pakistan's premier intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Afghan intelligence outfit National Directorate of Security (NDS) have signed a landmark deal...
Man with Ebola like symptoms dies in Pakistan
Islamabad : A man who was hospitalised with Ebola like symptoms has died, a media report said Tuesday.
Zulfiqar Ahmed, 40, who returned from Togo...
Pakistan expels NYT scribe on election eve
By IANS,
Washington : Pakistan has expelled the Islamabad bureau chief for The New York Times on the eve of national elections, according to the influential US daily.
BBC apologises to Iran for distorting name of Persian Gulf
By IRNA,
London : The BBC has issued an apology for distorting the name of the Persian Gulf in one of its travel programmes, insisting it was a “genuine mistake” for calling the waterway the ‘Arabian Gulf.’
The apology comes after prominent geographer and geopolitician, Pirouz Mojtahedzadeh, protested to the state-funded corporation, the BBC, saying that producers were once again engaged in the “old game of tampering with historical names of geographical places for reasons of dubious nature.”
Iran’s Rafsanjani rejects deadline for nuclear response
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran's head of the Expediency Council and former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Friday rejected a deadline for Tehran to respond to an offer of incentives by six major countries aimed to persuade Iran to halt uranium enrichment.
"When we are in talks, what can deadline mean then?" Rafsanjani was quoted by official IRNA news agency as saying in his Friday prayers sermon at Tehran University.
"We should sit and raise our calls in a logical atmosphere free from any hue and cry," he said.
German opposition party rips “criminal” Israeli flotilla attack
By IRNA,
Berlin : Germany's opposition party The Left (Die Linke) on Tuesday lashed out at Israel for what it termed its "criminal" attack on the Gaza peace flotilla.
The head of The Left Gregor Gysi said in a press release that the Israeli military action on the aid ships was "not justified" at all.
According to the Left Party, five Germans were aboard the Marmara, the main passenger boat in the protest flotilla.
A senior official of the party, Christine Buchholz was quoted saying that number included two female German lawmakers, Annette Groth and Inge Hoeger.
Bush authorises military aid to Kosovo
By Xinhua
Washington : US President George W. Bush has authorised military assistance to newly independent Kosovo, the White House said.
According to the Presidential Determination Bush signed Wednesday, the US grants Kosovo eligibility to receive defence articles and defence services under the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act.
India, Pakistan to jointly combat terror: PM
By Manish Chand, IANS,
On Board Air India One : A day before he meets Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in New York, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Tuesday he will take up the issue of cross-border terror with Zardari but set a positive tone by stressing that both countries should work together to combat the scourge.
"There are enormous challenges ahead for both India and Pakistan. We are to see how peace can be brought and how we can work together," Manmohan Singh told reporters on his way to New York, when asked about his agenda for talks with Zardari.
Iran To Continue Cooperation With IAEA: Jalili
BEIJING, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said here Thursday that Iran will continue its positive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"Countries which intended to impose sanctions against Iran and put the country under pressure have achieved no success yet," Jalili told IRNA upon his arrival in Beijing.
"International developments and Iran's rational attitude will not let any country to use various means including sanctions or pressures," he added.
OIC foreign ministers discuss varied agenda
By IRNA
Dakar : A varied agenda ranging from the Israeli- Palestinian conflict to the economic, social, cultural and humanitarian issues through political, legal and financial affairs is being discussed by foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
The two-day meeting will be held as a prelude to the 11th heads of state and government summit to take place in the Senegalese capital on March 13-14, according to APS, Senegalese press agency.
Israeli PM orders demolition of synagogue assailants’ homes
Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday ordered security officials to demolish the homes of two Palestinians that perpetrated a deadly attack on a...
Mubarak, Olmert meet on Gaza truce
By Xinhua,
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held talks here on Tuesday with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on a fragile truce in the Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip, pledging to exert more efforts to mediate between Israel and the Palestinians.
The talks of the two leaders in the Egyptian Red Sea resort are "transparency, frankness and clarity," Egyptian presidential spokesman Suleiman Awad told reporters following the meeting.
Four U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Four American soldiers were killed in separate incidents in Iraq, the U.S. military said on Tuesday.
Two soldiers assigned to Multi-National Division-Baghdad were killed by a rocket propelled grenade attack at about 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) Monday, a brief military statement said without specifying the location of the incident.
A third soldier was killed when a roadside bomb explosion followed by small arms fire attack on his vehicle while patrolling an eastern Baghdad area Monday, another statement said.
Hezbollah: US target killed
By IRNA
Beirut : Hezbollah, the Lebanese political party which stood against Israeli aggression in July-August 2006 said that one of his commanders Imad Mughniyeh was killed by Israeli state terrorism.
"Imad Mughniyeh, a senior Hezbollah commander was killed by Israeli state terrorism," Hezbollah said in a statement.
Hezbollah of Lebanon said that a car bomb in the Syrian capital of Damascus killed its commander.
UN confirms killing of 90 civilians by Coalition air raid in W. Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Tuesday confirmed the killing of 90 civilians including women and children in Shindand district of western Herat province during air strike by U.S.-led Coalition forces against Taliban militants, a statement released here said.
"Investigations by UNAMA found convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men," the statement said, "15 other villagers were wounded."
Pakistani constable kills two, kills self
By IANS,
Islamabad : A Pakistani policeman Thursday committed suicide after killing a fellow constable and another man, police said.
Two dead, nine hurt in four bomb attacks in Iraq
By IANS,
Baghdad : At least two policemen were killed and nine civilians wounded in four bomb attacks in Iraq, police said.
Putin, Abbas to meet April 18
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russian President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will meet April 18 to discuss plans for a Middle East peace conference due to be held in Moscow, a Kremlin spokesman said Tuesday.
Abbas, who is to arrive in Moscow Friday, will discuss bilateral relations with Russia besides the Middle East peace process during talks with the Russian president, the official said.
Russia is involved in the Middle East peace process as a party to the quartet of mediators along with the US, the UN and the European Union.
10 Palestinians killed in latest Israeli strike
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Ten Palestinians were killed and 20 others wounded Tuesday afternoon when the Israeli army hit a school run by the UN in northern Gaza, emergency officials said.
Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency and ambulance services in the Palestinian health ministry told reporters that 10 civilians were killed in the strike on al-Fakhoura school in Jabalia refugee camp.
He said 20 others were also wounded in the attack but did not mention whether the school was hit by a ground or an ariel missile attack.
‘Influential capitals’ backing Sharif’s return to power: report
By IANS,
Islamabad : If certain "influential capitals" have their way, opposition leader Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) could soon return to the federal coalition of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, a media report Wednesday said.
"Some leading world capitals, evincing a keen interest in reshaping Pakistan's political scene, want the PML-N to rejoin the federal cabinet and take over key economic ministries," The News said in a report headlined "Key capitals want PML-N to rejoin federal cabinet".
UAE commences agricultural investments in Sudan, Egypt, India, Pakistan
By NNN-WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The UAE has taken practical steps to address world looming food crisis by aggressively investing in agriculture and livestock in countries with fertile agricultural lands, particularly Sudan, Egypt, India and Pakistan.
Israel destroys Hamas interior office in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : Israeli Apache attack helicopter gunship destroyed by three air-to-ground missiles the building of the interior ministry in the deposed Hamas government in Gaza City, witnesses said.
Three consecutive explosions were heard in the northeastern part of the city, said the witnesses, adding that the building of Hamas interior offices was targeted with three missiles fired by Israeli helicopters.
Medics said that four civilians were lightly to moderately injured, who were treated at Shifa Hospital in the city.
Roadside bomb attack kills US soldier in Baghdad
By SPA,
Baghdad : The U.S. military says an American soldier has died of wounds sustained in a roadside bombing in Eastern Baghdad.
The military says the bomb struck the soldier's vehicle during a combat patrol in eastern Baghdad at approximately 6:15 p.m. Friday.
Saturday's announcement raises to two the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq in May, the Associated Press reported.
At least 50 U.S. troops were killed in April _ the deadliest month since September when 65 U.S. troops died.
Iran blasts Obama for repeating Bush’s mistakes
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran's government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham Saturday criticised the new US President Barack Obama for following George Bush's approach towards Iran, Fars news agency reported."The era of this (Bush's) literature has passed and speaking in the language of the past is not suitable for today's situation," Elham said, referring to Obama's emphasis on the need for the suspension of Iran's nuclear activities.
"Today you cannot speak illogically and you cannot set preconditions," he added.
World Halal Day 2019 to be celebrated in Russia – Samara
TCN News
World Halal day 2019 is to be celebrated in Samara region, Russia to boom the economic upswing of investment, trade, infrastructure, livelihood and...
Hillary Clinton greets Bangladeshis on New Year
By DPA,
Dhaka : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Sunday sent a New Year message to all Bangladeshis living across the world ahead of the Bengali New Year 1416 - which is celebrated Tuesday.
"I send greetings to all around the world who are observing Pahela Boishakh (the first day of Bengali calendar), the New Year festivity celebrated by those who share common Bengali culture," Clinton said in a message released by the US embassy in Dhaka.
Sharing a common cultural heritage, Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal celebrate the Bengali New Year with huge festivities.
UAE sends 500 tonnes food aid to Somalia
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sent 500 tonnes of food to Somalia as part of its humanitarian assistance to the poverty-stricken country during the holy month of Ramadan.
Abdullah Mattar Al Mazrouie, UAE ambassador to Yemen, said more than 500 tonnes of food supplies were sent from Sana'a to save time and energy. The quick response by the Khalifa bin Zayed Charity Foundation was aimed at meeting the needs of Somali people during Ramadan.
Somali ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Hassan said the aid would help Somalis cope with the ongoing food crisis.
Palestinian group claims responsibility for attack in West Jerusalem Wednesday
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : A Palestinian group has announced responsibility for the attack in a busy street in West Jerusalam in which three people were killed and 30 others were injured.
The responsibility for the attack Wednesday was announced in a statement circulated here and bore the signature of "Hebron Liberals -- The group of Imad Moghneia".
A Palestinian ploughed his bulldozer into an Israeli bus, vehicles and pedestrians in one of Jerusalem's busy street. Israeli police shot dead the driver.
UNICEF Malaysia launches campaign to aid Haiti quake victims
By KUNA,
Kuala Lumpur : The United Nations children's fund, the UNICEF, in Malaysia has launched a "2010 Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal" in aid of those affected by the Haiti earthquake.
The organization is seeking some USD 120 million to support its activities to aid children and families who survived Tuesday's earthquake and suffer due to massive devastation and high human toll.
A statement by UNICEF Malaysia said the organization had a critical role to play, noting that nearly half Haiti's population was under the age of 18.
Israeli strikes on Gaza continue for sixth day; fatalities reported at 400
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli air strikes on Gaza Strip continued for the sixth day, Thursday, amidst reports that the death toll now exceeded 400.
Palestinian medical sources told KUNA that more than 400 Palestinians had so far been killed in the Israeli operation, among them a large number of women of children.
More than 2,000 Palestinians have been wounded in the air raids, the sources added, saying that the injuries of many of these were grave and that the ICU was over-crowded with people hit with shrapnel and many with severed limbs.
Peshawar suicide bombing kills 17
By IANS,
Peshawar : At least 17 people were killed and 26 seriously injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the main gate of this North West Frontier Province capital's judicial complex on Thursday in the ninth such attack here in two months.
A large number of lawyers were present in the court complex when a suicide bomber, after being stopped by a police officer, blew himself up, killing 17 people, including three policemen and two lawyers. Several vehicles were destroyed in the blast.
Mubarak approves committee to amend constitution
By IANS,
Cairo : Embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Tuesday took another step towards democratic reforms as he approved a committee to oversee constitutional changes.
Pakistan PM convenes allies meeting
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has convened a meeting of coalition parties to discuss the politician situation in the country, Geo News reported Wednesday.
Saudi deploys 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers for anti-Houthi campaign
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia deployed 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers and other navy units on Thursday, after it launched operation against the Houthi rebels...
Malaysian Indian artists get new platform
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur: Symbols Art Club, a new platform for Malaysian Indian artists to connect and to express themselves, has begun by holding its first exhibition - Caves on Canvas.
The venue is the Batu caves that has a series of caves and cave temples, located in Gombak district, 13 km north of the national capital.
The caves house one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.
Pakistan Minister vows to ensure peaceful conduct of upcoming elections
By APP
Islamabad : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Nisar A. Memon has vowed to ensure peaceful conduct of the upcoming general elections.
“The government took tight security measures during the holy month of Muharram and our security plan proved successful. We will continue with the same security measures on the eve of election,” he told BBC radio.
UAE builds 40 schools in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad: The UAE Project to Assist Pakistan has built 40 schools and handed them over to authorities in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Outages to end in Pakistan: Minister
By IANS,
Islamabad : A minister has said that electricity cuts would end by 2014-15 in power-starved Pakistan, a few days after his colleague announced that outages would end overnight.
25 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan
Kabul : Security forces have killed at least 25 Taliban militants in Afghanistan, the interior ministry said Thursday.
Police personnel backed by the army killed...
Iraq parliament postpones July 8 session
Baghdad : Iraq's parliament Monday postponed its session scheduled Tuesday due to the failure of the political blocs to agree on the three top...
Pakistan seeks peaceful solution for Afghan election crisis
Islamabad : Pakistan Wednesday called for a peaceful and negotiated settlement of differences over the presidential run-off election in neighbouring Afghanistan.
The call came a...
Forced marriages are now illegal in Britain
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : The British government Tuesday introduced stringent new laws to prevent forced marriages and protect those who have already fallen victim to a practice that is particularly widespread among Pakistani Muslim communities.
From Tuesday anyone convicted of trying to force someone into marriage could be jailed for up to two years.
A victim, friend or police can apply for a Forced Marriage Protection Order that will forbid families from actions such as taking people abroad for marriage, seizing passports or intimidating victims.
Men against violence-2: Socio-economic inequality leads to violence
By Nasiruddin Haider Khan,
Dhaka : If violence is not natural, and not ingrained in our genetic makeup then the question is, what the root of violence is. Violence, which is gender based. Gary Barker has done lot of research in this area and he has an answer. He is associated with International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) as Director, Gender, Violence and Rights. He strongly advocates the engagement of men in ending gender-based violence (GBV).
No confrontation with anyone: Zardari
By IANS,
Lahore : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Monday reiterated that he was not in confrontation with any institution of the state and urged all stakeholders to work together for the good of the country.
Zardari expressed these views while talking to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Governor House here. Punjab Governor Salman Taseer was also present at the meeting, Online news agency reported.
This was the second meeting between both the two leaders in the last three days.
UN Council slams killing of US aid worker, others by IS
United Nations : The UN Security Council has strongly condemned "the heinous and cowardly murders" of US humanitarian aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig and at...
Bush, Maliki, agree on ‘time horizon’ for US troop cut
By AFP,
Tucson, Arizona : US President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki have agreed to set a "time horizon" for US troop withdrawals as part of a long-term security pact, the White House said Friday.
But any reduction in the US force presence "would be based on continued improving conditions on the ground and not an arbitrary date for withdrawal," spokeswoman Dana Perino said in a statement.
Israelis uncertain about Obama visit, Palestinians have low hopes
By DPA,
Jerusalem : While Israelis appear uncertain of what to make of US presidential nominee Barack Obama or what to expect if he were elected, Palestinians seem to have no real high hopes for any major changes in US Middle East policy which they believe strongly favours Israel anyway.
Both sides are nevertheless keen to see what Obama has to say when arrives on a brief campaign tour next week, during which he is expected to divide his time between Jerusalem in Israel and Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, meeting officials from both sides of the conflict.
It is Indian independence day once again in Dubai
By Aroonim Bhuyan,IANS,
Dubai : Even as winds of gloom swept across the world's financial markets, a group of Indians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated India's independence day here at a golf course.
"India's independence is something so big that we cannot limit the celebrations to a single day," India's Consul General in Dubai Venu Rajamony said at a function here organized by the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC), Sharjah chapter, to mark the 61st anniversary of India's independence at the end of the annual Indian Independence Golf Tournament.
Several militants killed near Afghan capital
By Xinhua,
Kabul : The U.S.-led Coalition on Friday eliminated several militants in an operation to disrupt militant activities in Kapisa province, some 80 kilometers north from Afghan capital Kabul, said a Coalition statement released here on Saturday.
The force searched a compound in Nijrab district targeting a Taliban commander smuggling weapons into Afghanistan, as well as conducting IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attacks against international forces, the statement said.
US asks Pakistan to take ‘forceful action’ against Taliban
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The US wants Pakistan to take "consistent, determined, and forceful action" against the Taliban and other extremists operating there and in Afghanistan, but has denied it has set a two week deadline.
"I don't know where this two-week timeframe came from, but look, we have said very clearly that we believe the Pakistanis need to take action against these extremist elements," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters Friday.
10 killed in another attack on Gaza’s school shelter
Gaza : At least 10 people were killed Sunday when an Israeli shell hit a UN-run school-shelter in southern Gaza city of Rafah, a...
19 Syrians killed in protests
By IANS,
Damascus : At least 19 Syrians were killed and 75 were wounded amid anti-government protests, state-run SANA news agency reported.
Bangladesh asks Myanmar to stay off disputed waters
By NNN-PTI,
Dhaka : The row between Bangladesh and Myanmar is hotting up over lucrative hydrocarbon exploration in the Bay of Bengal.
For the second time in the last ten days Bangladesh has warned Myanmar in continuing exploration in overlapping claim areas in the Bay of Bengal.
The warning from Dhaka came as the two countries resumed talks today to reach a settlement over the disputed maritime boundary.
Pakistan, Iran resolve issues pertaining to IPI, to ink agreement soon
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Pakistan and Iran on Monday resolved all issues regarding the US 7.5 billion dollars gas pipeline project, paving way for inking an agreement soon at a mutually agreed date in Tehran.
Iran also agreed to provide 1100 MW of electricity to Pakistan to help it overcome the shortage, particularly in areas adjoining Iran.
Pakistan, US spar over Coalition Support Fund
By IANS,
Islamabad : Differences have cropped up between Pakistan and the US over the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to be released to this country and negotiations between the two countries on this Tuesday remained inconclusive.
Finance ministry sources told Online news agency that during negotiations between senior officials of the ministry and US embassy, it was stressed that $2 billion should be paid under the fund.
The US, however, said it would pay only $1.4 billion as the receipts received from the Pakistan Army showed a shortfall of $600 million dollars.
UNRWA official warns of public health, ecological outbreaks in Gaza
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 13 (KUNA) -- John Ging, UNRWA's Director of Operations in Gaza, on Tuesday warned of a public health, such as cholera, and an ecological disasters because of the lack of water and electicity in Gaza.
Ging told reporters via video link from Gaza that there is "very real concern in the medical community in Gaza for a public health outbreak of some sort, cholera, or whatever, because of the water shortage".
Denmark Re-Prints Mohammed Cartoons
By Prensa Latina
Copenhagen : The Danish daily Jylland Post reprinted this Wednesday cartoons of Prophet Mohammed although the protests of 2006 left 150 fatal victims.
The cartoons picture Mohammed with the face of a villain and a bomb in his turban and appeared after the arrest of two Tunisians and a Dane of Moroccan origin in Aarhus.
Jacob Scharf, head of the Danish intelligence (PET), said the preventive arrests were owed to a plot in its early phase to attack those who ridicule the Prophet.
Gilani welcomes release of Pakistanis by Saudi Arabia
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Saudi Arabia government has freed five Pakistanis who were wrongly implicated in a narcotics case in that country, the Online news agency reported.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday welcomed the decision by the Saudi government.
The Pakistanis were freed after the arrests of the real culprits who had placed the narcotics in the victims' belongings before they boarded the flight to Saudi Arabia. The accused were arrested in Pakistan.
Bahraini woman gives birth to sextuplets
By IANS,
Dubai : In what is believed to be the second case of its kind in Bahrain, a woman gave birth to sextuplets at a hospital in Manama.
The Bahraini woman gave birth to three boys and three girls at the Salmaniya Medical Complex in the Bahraini capital after a 25-week pregnancy, the state-run Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
The new-borns, weighing between 460 and 650 grams, were delivered by Caesarean section and were said to be in stable and fine condition.
Being premature, the babies have been put under intensive care at the neo-natal ward.
Israeli army kills 46 Palestinians in Gaza
By DPA
Gaza : The Israeli army killed 46 Palestinians and wounded 200 Saturday in a large-scale ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical sources said.
The sources said Israeli warplanes and tanks fired missiles and shells at houses and individuals in the area. At least 20 of the victims were civilians, including four women and six children.
Ban proposes additional resources for UN coordinator on Kuwaiti issue
By NNN-KUNA
United Nations : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Security Council to allow the transfer of USD 900,000 from the Iraq escrow account to pay for the future activities of the UN high-level coordinator for the issues of Kuwaiti detainees and stolen property.
In a letter Tuesday to council president Vitaly Churkin of Russia, Ban said the expenses undertaken by the former coordinator, the late Yuli Vorontsov, during the last eight years amounted to about USD 2 million transferred from the Iraq escrow account.
14-year old Palestinian girl killed in Israeli air raid
By IRNA,
Gaza City : A fourteen-year old Palestinian girl was killed in Israel air raid on Gaza early Saturday.
Israeli aircraft hit the town of Beit Lahiya with missiles on Saturday, local officials said.
Medics at Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza said that 10 civilians were also wounded critically.
The apparent target of the Israeli raid in northern Gaza on Saturday was Talat Hassan Marouf, a local Hamas leader.
The aircraft targeted his house killing his 14-year old daughter, Mariam. Her mother was also wounded in the missile attack.
UAE sends relief material for displaced Libyans
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: A United Arab Emirates plane left for Tunisia Friday with relief material for displaced Libyan citizens who have taken refuge in that country.
Yemen protesters hit government buildings
By IANS,
Sanaa: About 7,000 protesters stormed into two government buildings and a police station in Yemen's southern port city of Aden and set them on fire, an official said.
Madrid Mayor’s soothing slogan against post Brussels rightwing hysteria
By Saeed Naqvi
If “terrorize” and “polarize” is the name of the game, the message from the Brussels terror attack has been transmitted to Madrid...
Pakistan to act against LeT; no n-deal, or US role in Kashmir
By Arun Kumar
Washington : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came to the US with a litany of complaints against India with the...
30 bus passengers kidnapped by Boko Haram in Cameroon
Yaounde: About 30 passengers of a bus were kidnapped Monday by suspected Boko Haram militants in a town in Cameroon along the border with...
‘Cross-border crime up after Bangladesh Rifles mutiny’
By IANS,
Dhaka : Cross-border movement of criminals, and trafficking of illicit goods including small arms "increased alarmingly" in the days following February's mutiny by troopers of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), according to an internal security report.
National security is likely to be affected by the recent development, and trafficking of illegal weapons might rise taking advantage of it, The Daily Star said Friday, citing the report, submitted to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other high authorities of the government early April.
Iranian film shows that tragedy breaks down barriers
By Vanessa Arrington and Kowsar Gowhari
The film Bam 6.6 weaves the drama of Tobb and Adele, a Jewish-American, with other accounts of the catastrophic natural disaster that killed more than 40,000 people and destroyed 90 percent of the buildings in the historic city of Bam, which means "high place", in southern Iran. It goes beyond the tale of these two Americans and other survivors, however, to show how quickly divisions of nationality and politics break down in the face of major tragedy.
Two Palestinian women becoming judges
By IINA,
West Bank : Two women have made history by smashing the last male-only bastions in the Palestinian territory of West Bank to become its first female judges. Khuloud Faqih, 34, and Asmahan Wuheidi, 31 were appointed to the Islamic courts yesterday by top judge Sheik Taysir Tamimi, opening the door for other women in the country. Across the Arab world, Sudan is the only country to have women judges in Islamic courts, West Bank-based academic experts on Islamic affairs said.
Egypt pushes for implementing Gaza ceasefire proposal
By Yu Zhongwen, Xinhua,
Cairo : Egypt has been in intensive contacts with parties concerned recently to push for the implementation of a ceasefire initiative in the Gaza Strip proposed by President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday.
On Saturday morning, Mubarak held talks with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the Egyptian proposal.
At a press conference following talks with Mubarak, Abbas urged Israel to accept the Egyptian plan in a bid to put an end to the conflict in the Palestinian enclave.
U.S. vows to continue to push for Middle East peace deal
By Xinhua,
Washington : The White House said Wednesday that the United States will continue to push for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal before President George W. Bush leaves office.
"We will continue to work on a deal before the end of the year," U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
Nine Afghan policemen killed in shootout with US-hired guards
By DPA,
Kabul : A police chief in the restive southern Afghan province of Kandahar was among nine officers killed Monday in a gunbattle between Afghan police and US-hired private security guards, officials said.
Matiullah Qati and eight other police officials, including the head of the crime investigation department, were killed in the fighting in the prosecutor's office in the provincial capital, also called Kandahar, Ahmad Wali Karzai, head of the provincial council and brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, told DPA.
PPP parliamentarians for Zardari as president
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Parliamentarians belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have nominated party co-chair Asif Ali Zardari for next month's presidential elections, a party leader told reporters Wednesday evening.
"All participants at the meeting held in Islamabad have nominated Mr. Zardari for the country's top office," PPP MP Farzana Raja said.
She said that Zardari, while thanking the parliamentarians, said he would place their recommendation before the party's central executive committee (CEC) at its meeting here Friday.
India will develop national highway linking Bangladesh
By IANS,
Agartala : After deciding to construct a bridge over the Feni river in south Tripura to get access to the Chittagong port in Bangladesh, India has decided to convert the connecting two-lane national highway into four-lane one, officials said Tuesday.
"The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) would convert the Agartala-Sabroom portion (133 km) of the Assam-Agartala national highway (NH 44) from the existing double lane to four-lane at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore by 2013," Tripura public works department (PWD) chief engineer Sunil Bhowmik told reporters here.
Muslims join campaign for more democracy in UK
London, Feb 5, IRNA – British Muslims are being urged to back a campaign for democratic renewal launched by POWER2010 ahead of the UK’s forthcoming general election.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it was urging everyone to vote to strengthen local democracy and “fix the disconnect between parties and the voters.”
“British Democracy is clearly in difficulties. For too long political power in this country has been locked away in the hands of a small number of people at the centre,” the MCB said.
Polish engineer’s refusal to convert costs him his life
By Nadeem Sarwar and Sajjad Malik, DPA,
Islamabad : Piotr Stanczak did not exhibit the slightest hint of hesitation when the Pakistani Taliban asked him to choose between execution and conversion to Islam.
Whether the Polish geologist acted out of pride or religious conviction, he decided to pay through his blood to save his faith, a choice that bewildered his killers and keep them talking about him with respect after his murder.
Hamas delegation arrive in Cairo for Gaza truce talks
By Xinhua,
Cairo : A Hamas delegation arrived here Saturday evening to hear from the Egyptian side about Israel's response to a Cairo-mediated ceasefire in the Gaza Strip now under Hamas rule.
The Hamas delegation reached Cairo via the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, said the Egyptian new agency MENA.
According to MENA, Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman is scheduled to hold talks with the four-member Hamas delegation led by senior leaders Khalil al-Haya and Jamal Abu Hashem.
Syrian army officer wounded in Damascus blast
Damascus : A senior Syrian army officer was wounded in an explosion in a northern Damascus district on Monday, a monitoring group reported.
The blast...
Iran threatens Israel
Tehran, July 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Iran will respond with its new indigenously built anti-radar ballistic missiles if Israel attacks the Islamic republic, the official media reported.
Three Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza fighting
By SPA,
Gaza : Three Israeli soldiers and four Hamas group members were killed in clashes in the Gaza Strip near its main fuel terminal on Wednesday, the Israeli military and Hamas said.
US to continue missile strikes in Pakistan: Gates
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Describing Afghanistan as the greatest military challenge for the US, Defence Secretary Robert Gates has indicated that missile strikes in Pakistan will continue to root out Al Qaeda members based across the porous border.
"There is little doubt that our greatest military challenge right now is Afghanistan," Gates said in his first comments to the Congress as President Barack Obama's defence secretary Tuesday.
OAPEC Sec-Gen meets OPEC President in Algeria
By NNN-KUNA,
Algeria : Secretary-General of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) Abbas Ali Taqi made a visit to Algeria on Saturday, that is to last for two days.
In a statement, the Algerian Ministry of Energy and Mining said that its Minister Shakib Khalil is to meet the OAPEC Secretary-General.
Khalil, who holds the position of President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), will discuss several key energy and oil-related issues with Taqi, as well as Arab forms of cooperation in the field.
Nawaz Sharif congratulates Modi
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday congratulated BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for winning the Indian general election.
Sharif telephoned Modi and...
Terror strikes Pakistan again, 25 die in Lahore blast
By IANS
Lahore : At least 25 people were killed and more than 80 injured Thursday when a massive blast ripped through the busy high court area near Mall Road here, in Pakistan's second major terror attack in less than two weeks.
There was panic in this cultural capital of the country as the deafening explosion, which occurred around 11.40 a.m., shook the Lahore High Court and Supreme Court Registry buildings.
People could be seen lying motionless on the street; mangled cars and blood lay spattered around the blast site.
Egypt invites Hamas to hear Israel’s final response to lull
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Egypt has invited a Hamas delegation to Cairo to discuss Israel's decision regarding the Egyptian offer for a ceasefire between Israel and armed Palestinian groups, Hamas sources said on Wednesday.
According to the invitation, Hamas representatives will be in Cairo on Sunday to meet Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman who just returned from Israel after presenting the Gaza ceasefire initiative.
Kidnapped Turks return home from Afghanistan
By SPA,
Ankara, Turkey : Turkish media say two Turkish captives released in Afghanistan have returned home.
State-run Anatolia and private Dogan agencies say the two engineers, Gokhan Gul and Erhan Gunduz, arrived in the city of Trabzon aboard a private plane Monday.
Afghan police say they were kidnapped in western Afghanistan and were released along with their Afghan driver Sunday in Herat province.
Afghan authorities said the two worked for a road construction company. They had disappeared for a week.
China sees no signs of war between India, Pakistan – Ambassador
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : “China sees no signs of war between India and Pakistan” said Ambassador of China to Pakistan Lou Zhaohui while talking to media persons at a ceremony held here Saturday.
Answering a question he said that both the nuclear states should carry on process of dialogue uninterrupted and seek solution of the problems through peaceful means instead of opting for any extreme step.
He appreciated the role of Pakistan saying that the role of Pakistan is highly appreciative in wake of Mumbai terror incident which will go a long way in achieving peace.
Pakistani minister indicates int”l conspiracy against countrys nuclearassets
ISLAMABAD, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- Pakistani Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Nisar A. Memon Wednesday said there is an international conspiracy against Pakistans nuclear assets.
The Minister added that perpetrators were making efforts to derail the democratic process.
Talking to media delegations from different small cities, Memon said that right from the beginning of the year 2007, efforts were underway to derail the democratic system in Pakistan.
Musharraf summons aides for meeting in Dubai
By IANS,
Islamabad : Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf, who is currently in London and faces possible arrest if he returns home, has summoned his key aides for a meeting in Dubai to discuss his future plans.
Musharraf "is likely to reach Dubai from London within the next few days where he has summoned his close aides for consultation regarding his political ambitions", The News said Tuesday, quoting sources close to the former president.
Palestinians not even given rights of prisoners, says Amnesty
By IRNA,
London : Amnesty International has castigated the Israeli regime for denying Palestinians the most basic health facilities in its continuing siege of Gaza.
During her 25 years of experience, the situation in the occupied territories has never been as bad, said Donaltella Rovera from Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa Program.
The 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza are living in a huge prison under collective punishment imposed by the Israeli regime, Rovera said.
India training Afghans will increase mistrust: Pakistani daily
By IANS,
Islamabad: India training Afghan security forces as part of the Kabul-Delhi accord "has the potential to increase mistrust in the region", said a leading Pakistani daily Thursday.
Abdullah leads in Afghan presidential election
Kabul: Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah was leading in the partial results, the country's Independent Election Commission (IEC) chairman announced Sunday.
"The IEC had tallied...
Taliban commander arrested, 15 killed in Afghanistan
By DPA
Kabul : Afghan police have arrested a senior Taliban commander in southern Afghanistan, while 15 insurgents have been killed in Afghan and NATO joint operation in the same region, officials said Sunday.
Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Jabar was arrested by police in southern province of Kandahar Saturday, the interior ministry said in statement.
It described Jabar as deputy commander for Mullah Mansoor Dadullah, another senior Taliban commander, who was arrested by Pakistan forces in February this year while crossing the border from Afghanistan into Pakistan.
Bangladesh mourns freedom fighters’ killings in 1975
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh observed "black day" Wednesday to mourn the 1975 killings in jail of four of its freedom fighters who held offices in the first government after independence.
Israel arrests Palestinian footballer for aiding Hamas
Jerusalem: A Palestinian soccer player has been arrested on charges of meeting a Hamas militant in Qatar in April and helping with delivering money...
Islamabad, New Delhi must reduce nuclear risk: Pakistani daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : It would be in the interest of Pakistan and India to reduce the "nuclear risk", a leading Pakistani daily has said in an editorial.
The Daily Times suggested how in an editorial Friday: "First, nuclear risk reduction, ... implementing systems to prevent the accidental triggering of these weapons of mass slaughter (and) second, moving away, mutually, from expansion towards mutually agreed reductions."
Pakistan entered the nuclear arms race in the subcontinent to protect itself from the "original author of this race India".
UN voices support for legitimacy of Yemeni president
United Nations: The UN Security Council on Sunday adopted a presidential statement on Yemen, voicing support for Yemeni President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi and...
FBI to track hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindus, Arabs
Washington : Six US lawmakers along with leading advocacy groups have welcomed the inclusion of Sikh, Hindu, and Arab American communities in the Department...
Iraqi PM accuses regional powers for escalation in Basra City
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has said that military operations in Basra sent a clear message to regional powers who attempt to escalate tension in the southern city of Basra and nearby provinces.
The Iraqi Interior Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that Al-Maliki held a security meeting with security commanders after arriving in Basra where he was leading efforts to curb the armed militias.
Elections cmte warns candidates of campaigning outside polling stations
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Secretariat of the Joint Interior-Municipal Elections Committee warned candidates Saturday against engaging in any form of campaigning outside polling stations before or during the elections, slated May 17.
Committee head Mohammad Al-Moussawi told KUNA that law 4/2008 prohibited setting up shacks or tents, or putting up posters with the aim of advertising for candidates outside schools designated as polling stations.
He called on candidates to abide by laws regulating the elections to avoid prosecution and to guarantee a smooth flow of the process.
High oil prices negate effects of new UN sanctions: Iran
By RIA Novosti
Tehran : High oil prices on global markets will help Iran to compensate for negative consequences of the future UN economic sanctions against Tehran over its controversial nuclear programme, the economics minister said Monday.
"The experience shows that sanctions do not affect the Iranian economy. With high oil prices...we can compensate for any damage (from UN sanctions)," the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) quoted Davoud Danesh-Jafari as saying.
Hindu community facing ‘forced conversions’ in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Hindus in Pakistan have been facing problems due to forced religious conversions, an issue that came up at a seminar titled...
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sends cable of condolences to Sudan’s President
By SPA,
Jeddah : The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of condolences to President of Sudan, Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Basheer on the victims of the passenger plane fire in the Sudan.
EU calls for end to Gaza blockade
Brussels, Jan 25 (DPA) The EU has called on Israel to lift its blockade of border crossing into the Gaza Strip over concern about the humanitarian situation there.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas telling him he was "deeply concerned at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and was calling urgently for the blockade on Gaza to be eased in order to allow humanitarian aid to reach the people."
He also urged Hamas to stop rocket attacks into Israel Thursday.
8,000 sued over Bangladesh clash
By IANS,
Dhaka : Over 8,000 people have been sued in cases filed in connection with a clash in Bangladesh's Sylhet district during a countrywide strike Monday, a media report said Tuesday.
Militants blow up girls’ school in Peshawar
By IANS,
Islamabad: Unidentified militants Saturday blew up a girls' primary school in Pakistan's Peshawar city, Geo News reported.
US halting military aid to Pakistan for expulsions
By IANS,
Washington : The US is stopping millions of dollars in aid to the Pakistani military after the expulsion of over 100 US Special Forces trainers by Islamabad.
Islamabad confirms Sharif-Modi Friday meeting
Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday confirmed a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Premier Narendra Modi on the sidlines of the Shanghai Cooperation...
Two commanders among nine killed in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
Kabul : A Taliban and an al-Qaeda commanders were among the four militants killed by the US-led coalition troops in southern Afghanistan.
A statement from the coalition forces Bagram base here on Saturday said the four militants were killed during an operation in Ghazni province on Friday.
The al-Qaeda and Taliban commanders were known weapons and foreign fighter facilitators in Andar districtd and they were believed to have coordinated and directed militant activities against locals, government of Afghanistan and the coalition forces, said the statement.
Iraq denies it seeks advanced Russian weapons
By DPA,
Baghdad : Baghdad is not seeking to buy advanced Russian weapons systems, an Iraqi government spokesman said Monday, denying earlier reports.
"Iraq does not want to buy heavy, advanced weapons from Russia," spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Baghdad's al-Iraqia television.
Any reports to the contrary were "absolutely untrue," al-Dabbagh said, adding that budget cuts and Iraq's current security requirements precluded the purchase of advanced fighter jets or air defence systems.
India asks Pakistan to jointly fight terror, discusses Kashmir CMBs
By Manish Chand, IANS,
Islamabad : India Tuesday asked Pakistan to jointly fight terrorism "amidst a new democratic environment" in Islamabad even as the two countries exchanged Kashmir-specific CBMs and moves for expanding economic ties.
No chance to reach peace agreement by end of 2008 – Olmert
By NNN-WAFA,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that there will be no chance for Palestinian and Israeli sides to reach a peace accord that includes the issue of Jerusalem by the end of 2008.
"I don't believe we can reach an understanding this year that includes the Jerusalem issue," Olmert was quoted Monday by the local daily Ha'aretz as saying to the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee.
"There is no practical chance of reaching an overall understanding on Jerusalem," he said.
Egypt’s presidential registration ends with two candidates
Cairo: Egypt's electoral commission has ended registrations for next month's presidential election, leaving the race between former military chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Sisi and...
Yemeni Crater to be declared historic city
By NNN-SABA,
Aden : Director-General of Seera district in Aden province Khalid Wahbi said on Friday that the province is planning to approve a decision to declare Crater a historic city due to its several historic milestones and sites.
Speaking to Saba, Wahbi said that two tourist projects are being implemented in Crater city and funded by the World Bank at the cost of USD 1180000, adding that the first project is to light the historic castle of Seera in order to facilitate movement and access from and to the castle.
Egypt’s ex-president Morsi jailed for 20 years
Cairo : An Egyptian court on Tuesday sentenced ousted president Mohamed Morsi to 20 years in prison for inciting the killings of protestors outside...