GC: 82 percent of Iranians participated in elections
By IRNA,
Tehran : Guardians Council (GC) spokesman Abbasali Kadkhodaie said 82 percent of the eligible Iranians turned out in the 10th Presidential Elections on Friday.
He said while the GC initially anticipated 70 percent voter turnout, the figure rose to over 82 percent, according to the latest reports attained.
Saying that the GC experts were inspecting the complaints received about the procedure of the yesterday’s polling, he stressed that the complaints have been very few.
Pakistan faces direct threat from extremism, not India: Clinton
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Warning Pakistan that the direct threat from violent extremism it faces could destabilise the entire region, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has voiced the hope that the India and Pakistan will resume their stalled dialogue.
"But what we see as the direct threat to Pakistan right now comes from the violent extremism," she said.
Nuclear issues settled, no need for review: Iran
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran has settled all its nuclear issues with the UN nuclear watchdog, so there was no need to review the issues in talks with world powers, a senior Iranian nuclear official said Tuesday.
Deputy chief nuclear negotiator Ali Baqeri said that there had been some remaining issues which Iran has settled with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and hence removed all IAEA concerns and reaffirmed the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear projects.
Three policemen injured in clashes in S Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Three policemen were wounded on Friday when Iraqi security forces clashed with unknown gunmen in Iraq's southern province of Basra, a provincial police officer said.
"The clash broke out when gunmen opened fire on a procession of Shiite worshippers, gathering in the al-Jumhuriya neighborhood in the province to commemorate the religious ritual of Ashura," Col. Abdul Kareem al-Zaidi, the provincial police spokesman, told Xinhua.
Two released Japanese tourists depart Yemen
By NNN-SABA,
Sana'a : Well-informed sources said that the two Japanese women tourists Keiko Mishima, 41, of Suginami Ward, Tokyo, and Shizuko Endo, 44, of Fukuoka, left Yemen on Friday morning a day after they were freed from their kidnappers in Marib province, 170 kilometers east of the capital, Sana'a.
The sources said to Saba, that Keiko Mishima and Shizuko Endo enjoy good health after they were kidnapped last Wednesday by gunmen in Marib.
White House acknowledges Pakistan President Musharraf’s efforts, reaffirm support
By NNN-APP
Washington : The White House acknowledged President Pervez Musharraf’s key role in the fight against terrorism as well as leading the country to free and fair elections as it reaffirmed President George Bush’s support for the Pakistani leader.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino stated at the daily briefing that it is up to the Pakistani people to see what their new government would look like and added President Bush continues to support President Musharraf.
Palestinians “infuriated” over settlements building – Chief Negotiator
By NNN-KUNA
Ramallah : Palestinian chief negotiator Ahmad Qurie has said that Palestinians were "infuriated" by Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert's statements regarding the continuation of building of settlements.
Qurie said that he conveyed the issue to Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Both had an informal meeting earlier Monday evening.
Continuing to build settlements was considered an "appalling" violation to Israel's obligations to the Road Map and the peace process, Qurie told reporters after his meeting with Livni.
Poland takes over security of Afghanistan’s Ghazni province
By DPA,
Warsaw : Polish Defence Minister Bogdan Klich confirmed Friday that his country will take over security responsibility for the southern Afghan province of Ghazni, the PAP news agency reported.
The Polish contingent, composed of 1,600 troops armed with eight helicopters, is now concentrated in three different provinces in Afghanistan's south.
According to Klich, Poland is taking up a more visible presence in Afghanistan, thus helping to secure Poland's interests in NATO and to reach the Polish goals on the world stage.
Olmert, Abbas meet in Jerusalem
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Monday in Jerusalem, media reported.
During the meeting, Abbas would urge Olmert to restore calm in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, an advisor to Abbas, said on Sunday, according to Ha'aretz daily.
Abu Rudeineh told reporters that Abbas would ask Olmert to maintain an Egyptian-brokered truce declared effective in June between Israel and Gaza militants.
Zardari’s sister wins
By IANS,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari's sister Faryal Talpur won the Larkana in the general elections, a media report said Sunday.
Libya welcomes Russian efforts in peace talks
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Libya will support any Russian assistance in the peaceful mediation of the crisis in the country, a minister has said.
Pakistani police register case against ex-CIA chief in drone strike
Islamabad : Pakistani police on Thursday filed murder and terrorism charges against the former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) station chief in connection with a...
Iran ready for talks without preconditions: Official
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Iran is ready to hold talks on its nuclear programme with the West without any preconditions, a senior Iranian official said Tuesday.
"Iran's main position on talks regarding (the country's) nuclear programme is that discussions should be held without any preliminary conditions," said Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, Iran's envoy at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Ban strongly condemns Monday’s bomb attack in Karbala
By NNN-KUNA
United Nations : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned in the strongest terms Monday's bomb attack in Karbala which killed over 50 people and injured many more.
"The secretary-general appeals to all Iraqis to show maximum restraint in the face of these provocative actions. He also urges all Iraqi leaders to resolve their differences through political dialogue and in a spirit of national reconciliation," his spokesperson Michele Montas told the daily press briefing Tuesday.
The concept of justice in Islam
By Asghar Ali Engineer,
Islam is hardly known as religion of justice even though justice is its most fundamental value. Islam had appeared in a tribal society wherein justice as value was almost unknown. Tribal society has certain oral conventions and has no written law, and oral conventions develop over a period of time and need for justice, as such, is hardly felt. One more reason for this is private property and wealth does not exist in such society. The only persistent law is that of revenge and retaliation. The Qur’an refers to it as a law of retaliation.
Taliban deputy chief announces new offensive in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : The deputy of the Afghan Taliban's supreme leader Mullah Omar announced Wednesday that the militants would launch a new "strong and robust" operation in Afghanistan to counter more than 25,000 additional US and NATO forces due to arrive in the country this year.
"As the US and NATO wants to send more troops to Afghanistan, the Afghans too sense the need for a strong and robust operation to counter the new forces," Mullah Brodar Akhund, the Taliban movement's number two leader, said in a statement posted on their website.
Abbas says little progress achieved for Palestinian-Israeli negotiation
By Xinhua,
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday said here that the ongoing peace negotiation between the Palestinians and the Israelis had achieved little progress.
Abbas made the remarks in his address to the AU Summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort, noting that Israel continues its hostile practice against the Palestinians, including the building of settlements and the continuing siege against the Palestinians.
Missing flight pilots refused to fly together: Malaysian minister
Kuala Lumpur : The two pilots of the Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines flight, that went missing March 8, had refused to fly together, Malaysia's acting...
Nine Boko Haram fighters killed in Nigeria
Abuja: The Nigerian military Monday confirmed it killed nine Boko Haram fighters in the northeastern Borno state.
"Patrol troops have successfully repelled an ambush in...
Rare 17th century textiles on display in Abu Dhabi
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : More than 200 pieces of rare textiles from the 17th century from across central Asia are being showcased in one of the most comprehensive exhibitions ever held in the world.
Islamic embroidery from Morocco, Turkey, Algeria, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and a few regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan will be on display for four months at the royal palace here. The exhibition is being organised by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and the deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Israeli air force rehearses attack on Iran: Report
By DPA,
New York/Tel Aviv : Israel carried out a major air force exercise earlier this month that United States officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, The New York Times reported Friday.
More than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighters participated in the exercise, carried out over the eastern Mediterranean and over Greece during the first week of June, US officials said.
Indonesia: Police capture four of 11 escaped Afghan illegal immigrants
By NNN-Antara,
Pekanbaru (Indonesia) : Police have captured four out of 11 Afghan illegal immigrants who ran away from an immigration detention center here on Monday night.
"This is the second time illegal immigrants have escaped from the detention center this year. In June 28, some 37 illegal immigrants from Afghanistan also ran away from this place," the center`s chief, Yanizur, said here on Tuesday.
Part of the absconding Afghans were named Muhamad Zia, Muhammad Ali, Jalil, Ghulam Husein, Muhammad Raja, Abdul Ali, Ghani, Ali Esmaili, Asif, Sultan and Naseem.
PM condemns Islamabad blast
By IANS,
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday condemned the suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel in the Pakistani capital that killed at least 46 people.
In a letter to his counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, Singh said that such attacks were a grim reminder of the challenges both countries faced from destructive forces.
"Such attacks are a grim reminder of the challenges we face from destructive forces which have pitted themselves against the values of democracy and pluralism and the voices of moderation," said Singh.
Pakistani forces blow up bases of extremists
By IRNA,
Peshawar : Pakistani security forces continued operation against militant groups in a tribal region on the second day on Sunday and destroyed their two more centers, officials said.
The government sent more reinforcement to the tribal
Khyber agency, only a few kilometers away from Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province.
Three extremist groups 'Lashkar-e-Islam', 'Ansar-ul-Islam' and 'Amar bil Maroof Wa Nahe Anil Munkir' had been active in Khyber agency, and involved in internal clashes.
Egypt’s interim cabinet quits
Cairo : Interim Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab Monday submitted his cabinet's resignation to newly-elected President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, a media report said.
Sisi then asked...
Kidnappers release 118 Afghan workers, 32 still held
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan officials said Saturday they were trying to secure the release of 35 construction workers after their kidnappers released 118 labourers in western Afghanistan.
The militants who identified themselves as members of Taliban insurgents abducted 153 workers on their way to a construction site in Bala Bulok district of western Farah province Sunday.
Three of the workers were released Tuesday.
Pakistan’s PML-N says will quit coalition if judge issue unresolved
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : A spokesman for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said on Monday that the party would quit the coalition if the judge issue could not be resolved within one month.
The PML-N may quit the coalition if the difference with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) could not be resolved in one month, Siddiqul Farooq told local Dawn News TV channel.
The PML-N, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and the PPP emerged as the two largest parties in National Assembly, lower house of the parliament, in the general elections held on Feb. 18.
Pakistan needs $1.3 bn to repair NATO-damaged roads
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan needs around $1.3 billion to repair the roads damaged due to heavy traffic, having been used as supply lines for NATO forces in Afghanistan, a minister has said.
One more U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : One more American soldier was killed and another injured by indirect fire on Thursday, the U.S. military said on Friday.
A brief military statement said that a soldier, assigned to A 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, was killed and another wounded by indirect fire at Convoy Support Center Scania, without saying the exact place of the incident.
However, the area of responsibility for the Convoy Support Center Scania is located south of Baghdad.
Hamas denies al-Qaida exists in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : Interior Ministry of the deposed Hamas administration on Wednesday denied a claim by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that fighters related to al-Qaida had infiltrated into the Gaza Strip.
In a statement sent to the press, the ministry said Abbas' claim that al-Qaida exists in Gaza was "meant to give Israel pretext and cover to target the civilian residents" in the Hamas-ruled Gaza.
Germany pulls out of NATO operations in Mediterranean
By DPA,
Berlin: Germany has pulled out of NATO operations in the Mediterranean, the defence ministry said Tuesday, following the military alliance's involvement in the Libya conflict.
U.S. ‘reset’ for the Middle East
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti commentator Andrei Murtazin) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Asian tour is an easy guide for understanding the new U.S. administration's foreign policy priorities.
First come China and South East Asia, then the Middle East - Egypt, Israel and Palestine. And lastly Europe, where Clinton will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Turkish presidential candidate warns of sectarian conflict
Istanbul: Selahattin Demirtas, a presidential candidate of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Wednesday warned of the deepening sectarian conflict based on the ideological...
Imran Khan dares Pakistan government to arrest him
Islamabad : Pakistan's Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party chairman Imran Khan has refused to seek bail after being charged with attacks on the parliament and PTV...
Pakistani court halts death row convict’s execution
Islamabad : The Lahore High Court (LHC) Friday put on hold the execution of a death row convict, media reported.
A two-judge bench of the...
Pakistan likely to award MFN status to India soon
Islamabad: The Pakistan government is likely to give India the status of most favoured nation (MFN) within a few days, media reported.
“India has given...
Lebanese president vows to liberate occupied land
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Lebanese President Michel Suleiman confirmed that Lebanon has the right to liberate its land by all legal means, local LBC TV reported Wednesday.
"This is an international right which we will not give up," Suleiman said at a welcome ceremony for the Israeli-freed prisoners at Beirut international airport, adding that "We are attached importance to the return of the Palestinians to their land."
He congratulated the resistance for "this new achievement" and called for unity in facing the Israelis.
Pakistan and France Sign Defense Collaboration Plan
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan and France have signed a defense collaboration plan for the year 2008-09, an official statement said.
The Director-General of foreign military cooperation, Maj-Gen Noor Hussain, and Deputy Chief of the Staff of French Forces for International Relations, Air Marshal Pierre Bourlot, signed the plan in Islamabad.
The Two countries agreed to enhance military cooperation and offer military courses and training assistance for tri-services officers .
Western oil firms stage a comeback in Iraq
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Major western oil firms are now set to stage a comeback in Iraq some four decades after being driven out by Saddam Hussein, WAM reported Saturday quoting media reports.
Four oil giants - American ExxonMobil, the Dutch group Shell, France's Total and British major BP, all partners in the Iraq Petroleum Company, are in talks with Iraq's oil ministry for no-bid contracts to service the country's largest oilfields. Among others in the field are Chevron and smaller firms.
Live TV coverage of terrorist incidents be avoided: Pakistani Minister Kaira
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira Wednesday asked the electronic media to avoid live coverage of terrorist incidents and rescue activities as these caused depression among the masses.
Addressing a joint press conference alongwith Director General, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) to inform media about the latest updates on the on-going operation in South Waziristan, he said the government does not want to force its decision; rather it is pursuing dialogue with media organizations to convince them on the matter.
Five killed in Afghanistan attack
Kabul: At least five people were killed and seven injured in an attack in Afghanistan, the authorities said Saturday.
A bomb targeted a car in...
Pakistan braces for elections amid flaring violence
By KUNA
Islamabad : Pakistan is bracing for much-anticipated general elections, expected to be held in the mid-February, amid flaring up violence, political as well as power and wheat crisis.
While, the threats of possible large-scale military operation are looming on the bordering tribal region, the federal government is trying to fight off a new wave of suicide bombers and meet the growing oil, energy and wheat shortages.
Two Egyptians killed in drive-by shooting
Cairo: Two Egyptian civilians were killed when gunmen opened fire at the car of a police officer in Al-Arish, the local capital of Egypt's...
Al-Jazeera journalist freed in Egypt
Cairo : Al Jazeera Arabic service journalist Abdullah Elshamy, who was jailed without any charge in Egypt for the last ten months, has been...
Swat civilians flee as Pakistani army battles Taliban
By DPA,
Islamabad : An exodus of thousands of civilians resumed in Pakistan's Swat valley Sunday as a curfew was temporarily lifted to allow people to flee the intensifying conflict between the army and the Taliban fighters.
Authorities announced a break in the curfew until the afternoon and asked the residents of at least four areas near Swat's main town of Mingora to leave for safer places outside the mountain district.
Ahmadinejad ends “historic” visit, hails Iraq ties
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday wrapped up his two-day "historic" visit to Iraq, during which he hailed the brotherly ties with the former foe and lashed out at the United States.
The visit is part of the campaign of the Iranian president to scuttle the U.S. attempt to prevent Iran from spreading influence in Iraq and other neighboring countries.
Ahmadinejad was given a red-carpet welcome by his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani.
24 militants killed in Pakistan airstrikes
Islamabad: At least 24 militants were killed on Sunday in airstrikes by the Pakistan armed forces conducted in the country's Khyber Agency and North...
Saudi Health Ministry is the competent authority to ban Haj visas
Jeddah : Minister of Haj Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Hajjar announced that the Ministry of Health is the competent authority to issue instructions with...
2 anti-Qaida fighters killed, 18 injured in suicide attack in NE Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Two Awakening Council group fighters were killed and 18 people injured in a suicide attack on Monday at a checkpoint in the city of Baquba, capital of the volatile province of Diyala, a provincial police source said.
The incident occurred shortly before midday when a woman blew up her explosive-vest at a checkpoint manned by Awaking Council fighters in central Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Five US troops killed in Afghanistan: Pentagon
Washington: Five service members of the US troops were killed Monday in a possible friendly fire during a security operation in Afghanistan, the Pentagon...
Israel concerned over US plans to meet Iranian officials
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : Israel has expressed its concern over US plans to send a senior envoy to meet with representatives of the Iranian government on their country's nuclear programme.
The Haaretz Israeli newspaper said Israel told the United States, "there is a bad feeling in Israel and dissatisfaction with the US move," and that, "there can be no concession on the demand to end uranium enrichment as a precondition to negotiating with Iran."
Connectivity important for regional transit trade: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said connectivity through air, land and sea was necessary to promote regional transit trade.
Pakistan’s Musharraf concludes visit to China
By SPA,
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf returned here last night on conclusion of a six-day visit to China.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Senate Chairman Muhammadmian Soomro, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majeed, services chiefs and senior officials received the President at the Chaklala Air Base near Islamabad.
During the visit, the President was accompanied by Minister for Defense Ahmed Mukhtar;
Gaza air strikes kill five, rocket barrage on Israel
By DPA
Gaza/Tel Aviv : Responding to a barrage of rocket and mortar fire, Israeli air strikes have killed five Palestinians in Gaza, including a boy, his father and uncle who died when a missile missed its target and hit their civilian car.
Israeli troops in the West Bank also killed a senior commander of the radical Islamic Jihad Wednesday, who had been sought by Israel for years.
Taliban militants kill 28 members of tribal peace committee in Pakistan
By KUNA,
Islamabad : Taliban militants have killed at least 28 members of Tribal Peace Committee (TPC) in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal agency, bordering Afghanistan, officials said.
Their dead bodies were found Wednesday near Jandola district, security officials told KUNA on Wednesday. They added that two more members of the TPC were still missing.
Two killed in bomb attack in Afghanistan
Kabul: At least two people were killed and seven others injured Friday when a bomb went off during a New Year celebration in the...
Jordan hands back smuggled artifacts to Iraq
By Xinhua,
Amman : Jordan on Sunday delivered to Iraq nearly 2,500 artifacts which were recovered by Jordanian Customs after looted from Iraqi museums and archeological sites in the past years.
Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Maha Khatib presented these artifacts dating back 7,000 to 200 BC, according to head for Iraq's antiquities and heritage office Amira Iidan, during a brief ceremony at the Jordanian Antiquities Department to Iraqi antiquities minister Mohammed al-Uraibi.
Interior ministry: 76 civilians killed in Coalition airstrike in W Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : An airstrike of the U.S.-led Coalition forces Friday in Sindand district of Heart province in western Afghanistan killed 76 civilians including women and children, the Afghan interior ministry said.
The ministry said in a statement that it has started investigation into the huge civilian casualties caused by international forces' air bombing.
The government-run RTA television quoted a member of parliament said there were up to 80 civilians, majority of whom are women and children, died in the Coalition airstrike.
Pakistan parties say to accept elections results
By IRNA
Lahore : Former Chief Minister of Punjab and central leader of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that all political parties should accept the election results with open heart because those who do not accept the results would be doing no service to democracy and the country.
Recruiter of child suicide bombers nabbed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : A terrorist who allegedly recruited Afghan children to serve as suicide bombers has been taken into custody, US officials said Sunday.
The arrest was made south of the Afghan capital of Kabul. A second rebel sympathiser was taken into custody Saturday in Logar province.
The two belonged to the Hakkani Network, considered to be "one of the deadliest Taliban organisations" and had been active in the troubled Afghan area along the Pakistani border.
US-led coalition troops and Afghan soldiers participated in the mission.
BSF, Pakistan Rangers hold flag meeting
Jammu : A sector commander level flag meeting was held Friday between Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers on the international border in...
Pakistan town goes without water for fortnight
By IANS,
Islamabad : Over 200,000 residents of a town in Pakistan's Sindh province have been without water for the past 15 days as the water supply was stopped due to maintenance work at a canal.
Egypt’s top lawmaker invited to Euro-Mediterranean meetings
By NNN-KUNA
Cairo : European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering invited Egypt's top lawmaker to attend Euro-Mediterranean Parliament meetings.
In a phone conversation Friday, Poettering asked Ahmed Fatehi Sorour, speaker of the Egyptian People's Assembly, lower house of parliament, to set aside a resolution adopted by the European Parliament, criticizing the status of human rights in Egypt, an Egyptian parliamentary source was quoted by Egypt's state-owned Middle East News Agency (KUNA).
Livni calls on Kadima party to prepare for general elections
By KUNA,
Gaza : The leader of Israeli Kadima Party called here on Monday on members of her party to be ready for general elections, an indication of her failure in forming a new government.
Tzipi Livni who was tasked by the president to form a new government, stated to the Israeli radio that the party should be ready for the elections.
She added that the priority goes for solidfying the current government coalition and exerting all possible efforts to expand it.
UAE, Ethiopia discuss agreements
By IANS/WAM,
Addis Ababa: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ethiopia have held talks over progress being made in signing of agreements in various fields between the two countries.
Israel Kills Three Palestinians in Gaza
By Prensa Latina
Gaza : At least three Palestinians of the Islamic Resistance Movement were killed on Friday during an Israeli air raid in northern Gaza Strip, security sources reported.
The recent deaths brought the number of Palestinians killed in the last 24 hours to at least 12 and over 50 wounded, in the Israeli army offensives in the occupied territories.
Two of the dead were members of the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, who were targeted by an Israeli missile dropped from a warplane in Beit Hanoun locality, northern Gaza, said the sources.
UAE launches sustainable lifestyle kit
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched an innovative reusable kit to help raise awareness about the region's unique biodiversity as well as reduce carbon emission.
Three UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan in two days
By IRNA,
London : Three British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan in the past two days ending a virtual month’s lull during which the UK suffered no fatalities.
According to the Ministry of Defence, two soldiers from the same regiment died within hours of each other after being involved in separate incidents in Helmand province on Monday.
India takes up Taliban targeting Sikhs with Pakistan
By IANS,
New Delhi : India Friday said it had taken up the issue of treatment of minorities with Islamabad, following reports of Sikhs being persecuted by the Taliban in parts of Pakistan.
"The government of India has taken up the question of treatment of minorities in Pakistan with the government of Pakistan," external affairs ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said here.
He was responding to reports about Sikh families in Pakistan being driven out of their homes and forced to pay jaziya (a tax levied on non-Muslims, under a version of Islamic law).
Agreement reached over problematic clauses in revised OIC Charter — source
By KUNA
Dakar : An agreement has been reached over some problematic clauses in the revised Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said sources from the 11th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference on Friday.
In a statement to KUNA, the sources expected the revised charter to be approved by the OIC summit today, following intense deliberations by leaders or their representatives.
Israel will continue to block Gaza Strip crossings
By KUNA
Ramallah : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barrak said Sunday that the Jewish state would continue to block Gaza Strip crossings.
In a cabinet session, he claimed Israel was keen on not causing a humanitarian crisis in the strip.
Moreover, he said Israeli forces had intensified their activity for fear that Palestinian factions would execute so-called "terrorist operations," adding that Israeli authorities were inclined to close off Gaza borders.
Muslim Brotherhood members sentenced to death
Cairo: An Egyptian criminal court Monday sentenced 528 members of the Muslim Brotherhood to death on the charge of assaulting police stations in the...
Pakistan President urges a just, equitable settlement of Kashmir
By NNN-APP
Rawalpindi : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Thursday urging a just, equitable and negotiated settlement of Kashmir dispute said the country will continue its moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people.
Talking to Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, at the Camp Office, President Musharraf said the dispute needs to be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiris and is acceptable to both Pakistan and India.
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.
Israel to release 250 Palestinian prisoners before the Eid Al-Adha
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : The Israeli government has approved a decision to release 250 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons before the Eid Al-Adha.
The approval was granted Sunday at the weekly meeting of the Israeli Cabinet that was headed by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert who called on the ministers to agree to the release of the Palestinians as a gesture of goodwill.
The Yedioth Ahronoth reported on its website that "the proposal did not pass without the vocal objection of several ministers."
Explosion near Danish embassy in Islamabad kills over 8 people
By Amena Khokhar, KUNA,
Islamabad : More than eight persons were killed and 17 others were wounded in a huge explosion near Danish embassy here on Monday causing damage to several nearby buildings including India House and UN office.
Palestinian petrol stations still on strike
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Palestinian gas union on Tuesday decided to keep on strike and not to receive restricted fuel shipments as long as Israel does not increase the amount of daily deliveries.
The Petrol Station Owners Association (PSOA) "still refuses to receive the reduced fuel shipments and refuses to run gas stations unless Israel makes a commitment allowing the delivery of all needed fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip," said Mahmoud al-Khozendar, vice-president of the association.
Amid furore, Trump disowns Muslim database idea
Washington : As his call to create a database to track Muslims in America created a political furore, Donald Trump said the idea was...
Six killed in Iraq twin bombings
By DPA,
Baghdad : Twin car bombs shook the Iraqi capital Sunday, killing at least six people, two days before the deadline for US soldiers to leave Iraqi cities, police said.
The first car bomb detonated near Baghdad University's Faculty of Administration and Economy in the Talbiya district of the capital as a US patrol passed by. Six civilian bystanders were killed in that attack, police told Baghdad's Aswat al-Iraq news agency.
The second car bomb struck a police garage in the west of the city, wounding seven policemen, police said.
Two Turkish soldier killed in clash with PKK rebels
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Two Turkish soldiers were killed in an operation staged against the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party(PKK) in southeastern Turkey on Friday, the General Staff said in a statement.
Two soldiers were killed in a clash with PKK rebels in Mount Cudi region in southeastern province of Sirnak on Friday, said the statement.
British army corporal jailed for spying for Iran
By DPA,
London : An Iranian-born army interpreter who worked for Britain's top general in Afghanistan was Friday sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment by a criminal court here for spying for Iran.
Daniel James, 45, was working for General David Richards, the then head of NATO forces in Afghanistan, when he was arrested in December 2006.
A jury at London's Old Bailey Criminal Court had found him guilty of "communicating information to an enemy", the most serious of three charges he faced under Britain's Official Secrets Act.
Sharif turns on the heat after inconclusive talks with Zardari
By Muhammad Najeeb and Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
Islamabad/London : The main constituents of Pakistan's fragile ruling alliance were at loggerheads again Saturday - a day after seven hours of London talks failed to break a deadlock on whether to reinstate judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari pleaded he was helpless, while a leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) - or PML-N - threatened to pull his party from the coalition government in Islamabad if the sacked judges are not reinstated.
Zardari softpedals on Kashmir at UN, India takes note
By IANS,
New York : In his debut speech at United Nations, Pakistan's new president Asif Ali Zardari focused on combating terrorism while softpedalling on the Kashmir issue, wanting Islamabad and New Delhi to resolve their disputes by accommodating each other's concerns and interests - a positive sign noted by India.
Hundreds in Lebanon protest against Israeli raid on Gaza
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Hundreds of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon Saturday marched to the Egyptian embassy here to protest against the Israeli raids on Gaza.
Riot police have thrown a security ring around the embassy in western Beirut to prevent the protesters from entering into the premises, Hezbollah Al-Nour radio reported.
Lebanese soldiers were also deployed to control the situation, it said.
The protesters were from the Palestinian refugee camp Bourj el-Barajneh in the southern part of the city.
One killed in Lebanon clashes
By DPA,
Beirut : At least one woman was killed and three wounded Sunday when clashes erupted in Beirut between followers of the Western-backed ruling majority and those of the Hezbollah-led opposition, Lebanese police said.
Clashes erupted with machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades launched between followers of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and those loyal to Shia House Speaker Nabih Berri in the populated areas of Aiyshe Bakar and Mar Elias, the police said.
At least one woman was killed and three others were wounded, the police said.
US targets key financiers of Al Qaeda, Al Nusra Front
Washington: The US Friday imposed sanctions on two alleged key financiers of al-Nusra Front and Al Qaeda, authorities said.
Abdul Mohsen Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Sharikh and...
Kuwait Univesity professor denounces aggression against Muslims in Southeast Asia
By KUNA,
Kuala Lumpur : A Kuwait University (KU) Islamic studies Professor on Thursday denounced aggression against innocent muslims in southeast Asian countries of Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
"Islam is a religion of peace and has nothing that contradict with world peace", KU Dean of Sharia and Islamic Studies Dr. Mohammad Al Tabtabai, who is currently visiting Malaysia, told KUNA.
250 held in Dubai for breaking the law
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: The Dubai municipality in cooperation with Dubai police has apprehended 250 street vendors, beggars and car-washers for violating the law.
16 Taliban killed in drone attacks in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : At least 16 Taliban militants were killed in US-led airstrikes carried out by pilotless aircraft in southern Afghanistan, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said Tuesday.
NATO pinpointed a group of insurgents who were moving mortar rounds and ammunition Monday near a safe house in Helmand province, the ISAF said in a statement.
"An unmanned aerial vehicle launched one Hellfire missile, killing 13 insurgents," it said, adding that there were no reports of civilian casualties in the Naw Zad district, where the incident took place.
Ahmadinejad: Iran, Pakistan to finalize peace pipeline project
By IRNA,
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday high ranking Iranian and Pakistani officials are to finalized Peace pipeline project soon.
In an exclusive interview with Pakistan's state TV channel, the Iranian president referred to fruitful talks with Pakistani officials and expressed the hope that the legal issue of gas deal between the two countries would be resolved very soon.
No evidence of al-Zawahiri’s death or injury: Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan Saturday said there was no evidence or information on death or wounding of Al Qaeda's No.2 leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
The evidence is not available on the Al Qaeda leader's death or injury in a suspected US strike, Dawn News TV channel quoted the spokesman, Athar Abbas, as saying.
A US media report claimed that al-Zawahiri had been critically injured, and might be possibly dead, in a suspected US missile strike in northwestern Pakistan Monday.
Olmert, Abbas avoid discussing Jerusalem during summit talks
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas avoided discussing the sensitive issue of Jerusalem during their summit meeting in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening, though they agreed to accelerate peace talks, local daily Ha'aretz reported.
"The issue of postponing the discussion on Jerusalem to the end of negotiations was not brought up in talks between me and Abbas," Olmert was quoted as saying after the meeting with Abbas.
A Pakistani train that broke down seven times
By IANS,
Islamabad : The ill-health of Pakistan Railways was highlighted when a train broke down seven times and reached its destination a staggering 35 hours late.
Pakistani official: Karakarum highway an important alternate trade route
By NNN-APP,
Beijing : Underscoring the importance of the Karakuram Highway (KKH) that provides an important alternate trade route to China and Central Asian countries, a senior official at Pakistan Embassy here stressed the need to be further supported and sponsored by the concerned countries in view of its huge multi-purpose scope and potential in the context of present scenario of globalization and promotion of regional trade.
This was stated by Economic Minister at Pakistan Embassy, Sardar Aminullah Khan in an interview on Monday.
Iranians in Malaysia protest anti-Iran film
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Iranians living in Malaysia Tuesday lodged their protest with the government against a cable channel's plans to screen a Hollywood movie they consider as anti-Iranian, official IRNA news agency reported.
Iran's Ambassador in Kuala Lumpur Mehdi Khandaq-Abadi led the group of Iranians to lodge Tehran's official protest during a meeting with Malaysia's Minister of Information Ahmad Shabery Cheek against the cable channel's plan to show the movie "300" that Iranians believe distorted their country's history.
Israeli ministers oppose truce with Hamas
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : A majority of Israeli security cabinet ministers on Wednesday voiced their objection to the Egypt-brokered ceasefire deal with Palestinian militant groups, Israeli media reported.
The truce agreement equals legitimizing Hamas, the Gaza Stripruling movement which Israel regards as a terrorist organization, and would only allow Hamas to regroup, rearm and recruit more operatives before it continues its attacks on Israel, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth cited the ministers as arguing during a security cabinet meeting.
Six injured in blast at Islamabad police headquarters
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Six people were injured as an explosives-laden car blew up near a building housing Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) officials at the police headquarters here Thursday, police said.
The blast badly damaged the three-storey residential building reserved for the squad but no one was inside at the time of the attack. The block is situated about 300 metres from the main police headquarter building.
"Six people present near the building were injured," said Sub-Inspector Liaqat Ali, who was present at the headquarters at the time of the blast.
India to Pakistan: Zardari call stories bid to divert attention
By IANS,
New Delhi/Islamabad : Dismissing Pakistani reports that he had called up President Asif Ali Zardari on Nov 28, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Sunday said that such stories were being spread by those seeking to "divert attention from the fact of an attack on India from Pakistani territory by elements in Pakistan".
Mukherjee stressed that he had last spoken to Zardari during his visit to Islamabad in May this year.
UAE delivers aid for Libyan schools
By IANS,
By WAM,
Tripoli: About 20 tonnes of stationery, school bags, and clothes for displaced students have been delivered by the UAE's Red Crescent Authority (RCA) to the Libyan Red Crescent.
Two Seas Canal to provide Jordan with considerable amount of water
By NNN-Petra,
Amman : One of the objectives of the Two Seas Canal is to protect the Dead Sea from vanishing as the water level is shrinking at a rate of 1 metre per year, Secretary-General of the Jordan Valley Authority and head of the project’s steering committee Musa Dafi Al Jamaani said.
Jamaani told PETRA that the project will provide 900 million cubic metres of fresh water a year for Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Israel once it is completed.
“Jordan’s share will stand at 570 mcm while the rest will go to Israel and the Palestinian Authority,” he added.
Another Musharraf attack case convict executed in Pakistan
Rawalpindi : Pakistan, Friday, executed another convict involved in the assassination attempt on former president Pervez Musharraf in 2003.
The convict, Khalid, who had planned...
Thai government admits failure in Muslim South
Bangkok – (IINA ) January 19, 2008 – The Thai government yesterday admitted failure to win hearts and minds of the Muslim minority to end a bloody unrest in the violence-wracked south. "We made great progress on military operations last year, but our efforts with the people remained static," Reuters reported quoting government spokesman Chaiya Yimwilai, as saying. "We need to beef up on the arrests, searches, intelligence as well as the civil affairs operations," he said.
Pakistan arrests another suspect in Bhutto murder
Islamabad (ANTARA News/AFP) - Pakistani police have arrested a fifth man on suspicion of involvement in the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in December, an investigator said Friday.
The suspect, identified as Abdur Rasheed, was taken into custody from a house in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on Thursday and is described as a key member of the gang that plotted Bhutto`s murder.
"Abdur Rasheed was a key member of the gang and was involved in providing weapons to the group members," a senior police investigator told AFP.
UN chief condemns attack on Afghan UN office
By IANS,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the suicide attack on a UN office in Afghanistan's Herat province.
Nawaz defiant, says lawyers’ march will continue; army alerted
By IANS,
Islamabad : The army was placed on alert here Saturday as a defiant opposition leader Nawaz Sharif turned down the government's plea to call off the lawyers' "long march" for restoration of the Supreme Court judges sacked in 2007, saying there was no room left for talks.
In other developments Saturday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman sent her resignation to Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, apparently miffed over President Asif Ali Zardari's orders to blank out Geo TV and other private channels for highlighting the lawyers' stir.
Abu Dhabi to host forum on charity, corporate social responsibility
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Sheikhs, corporate leaders and heads of non-governmental bodies are among a cross-section of people expected to attend the Arab Giving Forum to be held here Jan 5-6 next year.
The two-day forum is being organized to promote and disseminate the culture of giving and the concept of corporate social responsibility among individuals and companies, according to the official Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Palestinian refugees and right of return are red lines – Erekat
By NNN-Petra,
Ramallah : Head of the PLO Negotiations Affairs Department Saeb Erekat has said that Palestinian refugees and right of return are red lines for the Palestinian Authority as well as other standards such as Jerusalem, borders, settlements and water.
In special statements to PETRA here Thursday, Erekat said that the Israeli media tries to mislead public opinion especially the United States by implying that Israel wants to achieve peace especially with the Palestinians.
Days of terrorism are over, asserts Iraqi defence minister
By DPA,
Baghdad : Two days ahead of the June 30 deadline for US troops to leave Iraqi cities and towns, Iraqi Defence Minister Abdel-Qadir al-Ubaidi Sunday struck a defiant tone.
"The days of terrorism are over," al-Ubaidi said in remarks carried on Iraqi state television. "I challenge terrorists to attack any police station. We are now the stronger side."
"We must cooperate and remain unified and defiant in order to uproot terrorism from the country," the defence minister said.
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.
Pakistan advances clock to conserve energy
By IANS,
Islamabad : Facing a huge energy deficit, Pakistan has drawn up a comprehensive plan for conserving power by advancing clocks by an hour and ordering markets to close by 9 p.m. from June 1.
The adjustment in the Pakistan Standard Time (PST) would take it six hours ahead of GMT. Henceforth, sunrise in Islamabad will be at 6 a.m. instead of 5 a.m. and sunset at 8 p.m.
Pakistan, which faces an energy shortfall of 4,000 MW, has twice before attempted to introduce daylight saving time but has failed on both occasions, Dawn reported Thursday.
Berlin to probe report on ISAF’s use of Afghan children to find land mines
By IRNA
Berlin : Germany's Defense Ministry has pledged to conduct a "thorough" investigation after a former German ISAF officer alleged that soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have repeatedly used Afghan children to detect land mines in the war-rigged country.
Beate Spaethe told journalists in Berlin on Friday that all necessary measure would be undertaken to "thoroughly" probe the case.
No danger of coup: Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Wednesday ruled out the danger of a military coup in the wake of the Lahore terror attack and the political instability in the country following the poll bar against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother.
"Reports appearing in the media (about the possibility of a military coup) are not credible," Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told Times Now news channel.
Noting "there is an elected and stable government in place" in Pakistan, Basit added: "The media is free to say what they want. I can't stop them.
Bomb kills Afghan official
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A district chief and two of his bodyguards were killed in eastern Afghanistan when thier vehicle hit a roadside mine planted by the Taliban militants, an official said.
The mine struck the car of Badi Zaman Sabari, chief of Nadir Khahkot district in Khost province, killing him on the spot and wounding two of his bodyguards, an official told Xinhua. Sabari was on his way to office.
Pakistan’s economy needs a boost: Zardari
By IANS,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday stressed the need for efforts to improve economic conditions in the country.
Interior minister content with smooth flow of voting
By Abdullah Al-Harbi, KUNA,
Kuwait : Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid Al-Sabah expressed his content Saturday with the smooth flow of voting in the fourth constituency and all other districts, adding that security authorities were doing everything in their capacity to guarantee smooth elections.
Speaking to reporters in the sidelines of his tour of a school in New Jahra, fourth constituency, he said that the ministry was keen on implementing all regulations, lauding the cooperation of citizens with the organizers at the polling stations.
He wished all candidates success.
Pakistan examining cleric’s comments on Sharia courts
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani government is examining the remarks of a Taliban-linked radical cleric on the supremacy of Sharia courts over the existing judiciary, a senior minister said Monday.
A recording of Sufi Muhammad's public address Sunday, during the course of which he said Pakistan's judicial system was un-Islamic and vowed to impose Sharia across the country, is being viewed to evaluate the intent behind his remarks, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told Geo TV.
Afghan floods kill 250 people
By Xinhua,
Kabul : At least 250 people have died in flash floods in different parts of Afghanistan, a media report said Saturday.
The heavy rains since mid-March wreaked havoc in different parts of the war-torn country.
At least 250 people have died and 180 others injured in flash floods during the period, affecting 10 Afghan provinces, the Arman-e-Millie newspaper reported citing officials.
Nearly 400,000 hectares of farmlands have been affected in the floods, the report said.
OIC’s secretary general welcomes Sudan-Chad agreement
By SPA
Jeddah : Secretary General of Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Professor Ekmel-Eddin Ihsan Oglu has welcomed the reconciliation agreement signed by Sudan and Chad in Dakar on Thursday under the patronage of Senegalese President Abdullah Wade.
In a press statement released here today Oglu lauded the great efforts exerted by the Senegalese President , the current Chairman of the OIC, Which paved the way for signing the agreement between the two African countries.
Suicide bombing rocks Afghanistan city
By IANS,
Kabul : Sixteen people were either killed or injured Tuesday in a suicide car bombing in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province in south Afghanistan, an official said.
Remove trust deficit, expedite 26/11 trial: PM told Gilani
By IANS,
New Delhi: In a meeting in Bhutan four days ago, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Pakistani Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani to eliminate trust deficit and asked for expediting action against the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna informed parliament Monday.
Pakistan stands at 103 out of 124 states
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan stands at 103 out of 124 states on Global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, underlining a frail travel and tourism regulatory framework, low prioritization of the industry, low marketing effectiveness and a constricted tourism perception.
17 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : At least 17 Taliban militants have been killed in a countrywide military operation in Afghanistan, the interior ministry said Thursday.
Now a TV with an inbuilt Quran
By IANS,
Dubai : A leading global consumer electronics major Tuesday launched what it claims to be the world's only television with the holy Quran built in.
LG Electronics unveiled the new plasma series TV with the built-in Quran in Saudi Arabia Tuesday to mark the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The TV allows viewers to read the Quran, search and bookmark passages and listen to scriptures, an LG statement said.
It also includes LG's 'Time Machine DVR' technology for recording and playing back TV shows.
Islamic Relief Worldwide leads the way for ‘Islamic Declaration on Climate Change’
By A Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
Istanbul/New Delhi: Islamic Relief Worldwide, an international humanitarian organisation and a member of the United Nation's Economic and Social Council has...
Israel approves release of 250 Palestinian prisoners
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved the release of 250 Palestinian security prisoners as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, local news service Ynet reported.
The move was requested by caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who promised to set free another 250 Palestinian prisoners during his meeting earlier this month with Abbas, said the report.
The weekly cabinet meeting green lighted the proposal despite objections from a number of ministers, the report said.
Another terror attack near Karachi airport, militants flee
Karachi: Heavily-armed gunmen mounted a brazen attack near the Karachi international airport, within a day of a terror siege there that ended in a...
EU provides extra financial aid to Palestinian authority
By NNN-KUNA,
Brussels : The European Union is providing an additional 40 million euro to the Palestinian Authority to help meet its current expenditures and ensure the continued delivery of public services.
The funds will be used to help pay for salaries and pensions, social allowances to vulnerable Palestinian families and fuel for the power plant to provide electricity to the people of Gaza, the European Commission said in a statement Wednesday.
Afghan suicide car blast wounds 6 including 2 Canadian soldiers
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A suicide car bomber targeted a military convoy in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province Wednesday wounding six persons including two Canadian servicemen, a senior police officer in the province Abdul Raziq said.
"The terrorist driving a car exploded it next to a Canadian military convoy on the Spin Boldak-Kandahar highway this morning injuring six persons including two Canadian soldiers," Raziq told Xinhua.
Two passers-by and two Afghan police were also injured in the explosion, he added.
Delhi’s Haj quota must be increased, demands Sisodia
New Delhi : Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday demanded that the central government increase the Haj quota for the city-state.
"We request...
Egypt cuts Gaza border crossing points to two
RAFAH, Egypt (AFP) - Egypt resealed the border with the Gaza Strip except for two crossing points on Tuesday as it tried to stem the uncontrolled movement that has seen hundreds of thousands cross in the past week.
By sundown Egyptian forces had stapled coils of razor wire along most of the breaches which Palestinian militants blew in the border fence last week leaving just two points where movement continued in both directions.