ElBaradei starts talks with Iran’s president
By DPA
Tehran : UN nuclear watchdog head Mohamed ElBaradei started talks Saturday with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran.
ElBaradei has been in Tehran since Friday to push Iran to clarify all outstanding issues related to the country's controversial nuclear programme.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met earlier Saturday with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili. There were no immediate reports about the meeting.
Sarkozy proclaims friendship with Israel, need for Palestinian state
By AFP,
Tel Aviv : French President Nicolas Sarkozy proclaimed his friendship for Israel at the start of a three-day visit on Sunday but also said Israeli security depended on the creation of a Palestinian state.
93 ceasefire violations on LoC by Pakistan in 2012
By IANS,
New Delhi: There were 93 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2012, taking the total number since 2010 to 188, parliament was told Monday.
India slams Pakistan over proxy war in Kashmir
Lucknow/New Delhi : In a strong message to Pakistan, both Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Indian Army chief General Dalbir Singh Tuesday accused the...
Afghanistan sets up panels for women’s rights
By Xinhua
Kabul : The Afghanistan Ministry for Women Affairs has constituted two new organisations to protect women's rights, a local newspaper reported Sunday.
The two new sets-up 'Healthy Family, Happy Society' and 'Law and Women' are aimed at eliminating violence against women and establish a healthy and prosperous society, Afghanistan Times quoted Minister for Women Affairs Hosn Bano Ghazanfar as saying.
The 'Healthy Family, Happy Society' will involve religious leaders in various provinces to sensitise people on women rights.
UK announces travel advice for Hajj pilgrims
By IRNA,
London : The British Foreign Office Thursday issued updated travel advice for UK Muslims performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia next month.
Pakistan keen to settle Kashmir issue:Abdul Basit
New Delhi:Calling for a "new era of peace and stability", Pakistan's High Commissioner Abdul Basit said on Monday that his country was "keen" to...
German Gaza activists to take Israel to court over aid flotilla raid
By IRNA,
Berlin : German activists who were on board the aid flotilla heading for Gaza will sue Israel for raiding the ships, one of the activists said here Monday evening.
Talking at a round-table discussion on the latest situation in Gaza, Inge Hoeger said she and two other companions would file a lawsuit against Israel for its lethal attack on the aid convoy.
The complaint addressed to the German federal prosecutor will include kidnapping charges, she added.
Abu Dhabi voted ‘Best City’ in MENA region
By IANS,
Dubai : Abu Dhabi has been voted the "Best City" in the Middle East and the North Africa region (MENA) in a study, it was announced Friday.
Pakistani advocate, two kids shot dead
By IANS,
Islamabad : An advocate and two of his children were gunned down in Karachi Tuesday, a media report said.
Gilani gets to see ancestor’s manuscripts in Qatar
By IANS,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani saw his ancestor Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani's handwritten manuscripts, sitting mat and robe at a museum in Qatar.
Palestinians to prosecute Israel at ICC
Ramallah: A senior Palestinian diplomat announced on Wednesday that the Palestinians will file two suits against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in...
Children safer in Kabul than London: NATO envoy
By IANS,
London: A British diplomat has sparked fury after claiming that Kabul is a safer place for children than Britain's major cities.
Suspected US drone strikes kill at least 29 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Multiple missile strikes carried out by suspected US pilotless drone aircraft killed at least 29 people in Pakistan's restive tribal region Tuesday, a Pakistani intelligence official said.
Several more people were injured in the air attacks that took place in at least four villages of North Waziristan district, a known sanctuary of Taliban and Al Qaeda militants conducting cross-border raids on US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan.
IFJ says media in Pakistan enjoys freedom
By KUNA
Islamabad : A three-member fact-finding mission of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Saturday met with President Pervez Musharraf and termed the media environment in the country as open, positive and forward-looking.
Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary and head of the delegation, told the President that the expansion and openness of media has had a positive impact on democracy, said a press statement.
Aiden White termed his visit to Pakistan as "productive" and said he found that media in the country was enjoying freedom.
Palestinian children under house arrest, awaiting trial
Jerusalem : Dozens of Palestinian children are being held within the walls of their homes in East Jerusalem, by order of the Israeli authorities,...
Earthquake jolts northwestern Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A mild earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale Saturday jolted the Swat valley in northwestern Pakistan, IRNA news agency reported.
The epicenter of the quake was located at some 300 km north of provincial capital Peshawar in the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan, the Peshawar-based Meteorological department, said.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The Swat valley is considered an earthquake prone area.
New report offers grim outlook for Iraq
By Xinhua
Washington : A new report released Sunday by a Washington think tank offered a pretty grim outlook of Iraq.
The report from the U.S. Institute of Peace concluded that political progress in Iraq has been "so slow, halting and superficial, and social and political fragmentation so pronounced, that the United States is no closer to being able to leave Iraq than it was a year ago."
"Lasting political development could take five to ten years of full, unconditional U.S. commitment to Iraq," it said.
Israeli forces roll into eastern Gaza
By Xinhua,
GAZA : Israeli forces rolled into the eastern Gaza Strip Wednesday morning and exchanged fire with Palestinian militants, witnesses and Hamas movement said.
The incursion took place to the east of al-Burij refugee camp in Central Gaza Strip where the Israeli tanks and bulldozers rolled for 300 meters, according to the witnesses.
The military wing of Hamas, the Islamic movement which controls Gaza, claimed responsibility for firing four mortar shells at the invading troops.
Yunus can’t be Grameen managing director: Dhaka
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh government has told a top US official that Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus can return to the Grameen Bank but as its honorary chief, not as the managing director.
British Muslims congratulate Obama on election
By IRNA,
London : The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has sent a congratulatory letter to US Ambassador to London Robert Tuttle, following the victory of Democrat Senator Barack Obama in the country's presidential elections.
"I take this opportunity to congratulate you and your fellow citizens in crossing this historic threshold," MCB secretary general Abdul Bari said.
"The election of Senator Obama to be your country's 44th President has been hugely symbolic and will no doubt be a
cornerstone of inspiration for people well beyond the shores of the USA," Bari said.
10,000 men guarding Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal: official
By IANS,
Islamabad : About 10,000 security personnel are guarding Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and Western fears about the safety of the weapons are unfounded, a senior official has said.
Air Commodore Khalid Banuri, director of arms control and disarmament affairs at the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), said that Pakistan's �command and control structure' for the weapons was better than that of many other nuclear-armed states, and many countries had officially acknowledged this, DawnNews reported Thursday.
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.
Indians in Saudi capital pay tribute to Saiyid Hamid
By TCN News,
Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): Large number of dignitaries, scholars and people belonging to different spheres of life from among the Indian community attended a condolence meeting held here to pay tribute to the well known educationist and Jamia Hamdard chancellor Saiyid Hamid, who passed away on December 29 at Delhi, India.
UAE firm joins UN good governance initiative
By IANS,
Dubai : A company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has joined hands with the UN to encourage businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, WAM news agency reported Sunday.
Dubai Properties Group (DPG) is among 5,500 firms worldwide to join the UN Global Compact (UNGC) initiative. Other stakeholders from over 130 countries are also its members.
Pakistan, UNHCR launch Afghan new registration cards
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan and the UN refugee agency on Thursday formally launched a nationwide project to issue new registration cards to registered Afghan refugees.
Suicide attack wounds three in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A suicide bomber blew up his explosives-packed car next to a convoy of NATO-led peacekeeping force in western Afghanistan's Herat province Saturday, wounding three soldiers, the police said.
The bomber detonated the explosive device in his car close to a convoy of Italian soldiers outside the Herat airport, provincial police spokesman Rauf Ahmad told reporters, adding that three troopers were slightly injured in the blast.
No officials from NATO and the Italian military were immediately available for comment.
Iran six-nation nuclear talks not on Lavrov’s UN agenda
By RIA Novosti,
United Nations : A six-nation meeting on the Iranian nuclear program has not been included in Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's UN General Assembly agenda, a source in the Russian delegation said on Wednesday.
"The minister will be unable to take part in such a meeting due to his busy timetable," the source said.
A U.S. State Department spokesman said on Tuesday that a meeting to discuss Iran's nuclear program involving the foreign ministers of the so-called Iran Six (Russia, China, the U.S., France, Britain, and Germany) had been cancelled.
Four killed in Iraq violence, gunmen seize town
By IANS,
Baghdad : Gunmen seized a Sunni town in Iraq's Salahudin province after clashes with security forces Thursday while bomb attacks in Baghdad and...
British home secretary in Pakistan to discuss policy on terrorism
By KUNA
Islamabad : British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith arrived here Monday on a two-day visit to discuss the revised counter-terrorism policy of the new government as well as to improve bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
After arrival, Smith was meeting with Foreign Minister Mehmoud Shah Qureshi.
The officials were discussing issues including terrorism, security, human trafficking, and other aspects of their bilateral relations and cooperation, foreign office sources told KUNA.
Suicide bomber kills senior Iraqi army officer north of Baghdad
By Xinhua
Tikrit, Iraq : A suicide bomber on a wheelchair blew himself up at an army headquarters in a city in Salahudin province on Monday, killing three officers, including a senior officer, and wounding eight soldiers, a provincial police source said.
"Brigadier Abdul-Jabbar Rabie al-Safi, deputy commander of the Samarra City, some 120 km north of Baghdad, was killed when a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest and sitting on a wheelchair blew himself up near him," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
UAE offices to be closed Jan 1
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Employees in private sector institutions as well as in federal ministries in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will get a holiday Jan 1, 2013 to mark the New Year.
Pakistani rupee hits record low
By KUNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani rupee Tuesday hit record low against US dollar, showing a devaluation of more than 24 percent since beginning of this year, further deepening the economic crisis as S and P downgraded Pakistan further into junk territory.
According to the Interbank market rate, on Tuesday the rupee slumped to 78.
80 to the US dollar -- a fall of more than 24 percent since the beginning of 2008.
Since the new democratically-elected civilian government has come into power, Pakistan is going through turbulent political, economic and security period.
Bangladesh crackdown on bloggers escalates
By IANS,
New York : Bangladesh should immediately drop charges against and release four bloggers and a newspaper editor arrested this month, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.
Osama’s death a major development, says Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka: Bangladesh has called Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden's death "a major development" and pledged its continued support to the war against terror.
UAE starts bus tour to sensitise people about diabetes
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: A bus equipped with screening tools for diabetes will hit the roads Nov 6 in the UAE to sensitise people about the disease, it was announced Friday.
Lebanon’s lawmakers to elect national president within 24 hours
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Qatar said Wednesday that Lebanon's rival factions reached a deal, which will be "carried out immediately" and lawmakers of that country will elect the Lebanese president within 24 hours.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani announced deal between Lebanese factions in Doha, said that the election of a new president of Lebanon is to come within 24 hours.
Iranians protest alleged abuse of teenaged pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
Tehran: Hundreds of people gathered in front of Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran on Saturday to protest against what they called Saudi airport guards'...
Tourists return to Pakistan’s picturesque Swat Valley
By IANS,
Islamabad : A group of 100 people have become the first tourists to visit Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley after the area, once referred to as Switzerland of the East, was cleared of the Taliban.
What attracted the visitors, largely from Lahore, Gujranwala and other areas of Punjab, was the 10-day free stay from Jan 1-10 offered by the local hoteliers association, which is now hoping for the revival of the tourism industry in the district that has been ravaged by two-and-a-half-years of Taliban occupation.
India in advanced talks for gas export to Pakistan
New Delhi : State-run gas utilities from India and Pakistan are in advanced talks for export of gas via a pipeline running from Jalandhar...
Two killed in attack on Somali presidential palace
By IANS,
Mogadishu : Two officials, including the prime minister's secretary, were killed Friday in an attack on the presidential palace here, a minister said....
Commander’s killing Gaddafi’s conspiracy: Rebel chief
By IANS,
Benghazi : Libya's rebel council chairman has said the killing of the council's military commander was part of a conspiracy by Muammar Gaddafi, Xinhua reported.
Reports of attack on Pakistani prisoner false: Tihar jail
By IANS,
New Delhi : Tihar Jail authorities Friday described media reports of attack on a Pakistani prisoner as "false, frivolous and mischievous" and said there was no threat to his life.
India to respond to firing with double force: Parrikar
New Delhi : The Indian Army must retaliate with "double the force" if Pakistani military fires on the Jammu and Kashmir border, Defence Minister...
Zardari permits Sharia laws in parts of Pakistan’s northwest
By IANS,
Islamabad : Bowing to the demands of a radical cleric, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zadari has permitted the enforcement of Sharia laws in parts of the country's restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP), including the Swat Valley that has been taken over by the Taliban.
At a recent meeting with a NWFP government, Zardari agreed to the demand of radical cleric Sufi Muhammad Khan of the Tehrik-e-Nifaz e Shariah-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) to impose Islamic law in the entire Malakand division including Swat, Dawn reported Monday.
Bangladesh proposes trilateral road link with Myanmar and Thailand
By NNN-BSS,
New Delhi : Bangladesh today proposed direct road links connecting itself with Myanmar and Thailand as Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury held separate joint meetings with his counterparts in Yangon and Bangkok in the Indian capital.
"This is (however) still at a very initial thinking stage . . . Bangladesh will immensely benefit from a road outlet to the East," a foreign ministry statement quoted Chowdhury as saying following his talks with Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win and Thai Foreign Minister Dr Tej Bunnag.
Pakistan concerned at US’ cross-border strikes
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan Monday expressed concern over cross-border attacks by the US-led NATO forces in its territory along the borders with Afghanistan.
General Tariq Majid, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), expressed the concern during a meeting with visiting US Central Command chief General Martin Dempsey in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, said a military statement.
The meeting took place on the same day when suspected US missiles hit a seminary in Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal district, killing at least six people.
Pakistan govt draws flak for “delaying” visa to Indian scholars
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Pakistan government has drawn flak from academicians in the country for adopting "delaying tactics" in issuing visas to Indian scholars which has prevented them from attending a seminar in the northwestern city of Peshawar.
Sixteen Indian scholars, who were invited for the seminar, will be unable to attend the event because of the Pakistan government's "lengthy process" for issuing visas, the organisers of the event have said.
Pakistani PM greets Sri Lankan counterpart on national day
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ratnasiri Wickramanayake on their national day falling on February 4 (Thursday).
In his message, the Prime Minister said that “I have great pleasure in extending warmest felicitations of the Government and people of Pakistan to you, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the auspicious occasion of the 62nd National Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka”.
Turkey Proposed To Join Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
ANKARA, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Turkey has been asked to join Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), a U.S. government official said on Friday.
As part of U.S. President George W. Bush's Advanced Energy Initiative, GNEP is the brainchild of cooperation of those States that share the common vision of the necessity of the expansion of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes worldwide in a safe and secure manner.
GNEP has 19 members including Australia, Poland, Italy, Canada, South Korea and Jordan. Turkey is on observer status in GNEP.
Swat Sharia laws rock Pakistan’s Senate
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Sharia laws imposed in Swat Valley and other parts of Pakistan's restive northwest Monday rocked the Senate, the upper house of parliament, with the Muttahidda Quami Movement (MQM) and other opposition parties walking out in protest against the remarks of a Taliban-linked radical cleric on the country's judicial system.
Prior to this, a heated exchange of words and sloganeering against the promulgation of the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation rocked the Senate as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan tabled it in the house, Geo TV said.
Form judicial commission to avert shutdown: Imran Khan
Islamabad : PTI chairman Imran Khan has said his party would accept the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government if a judicial commission probe clears...
Roadside bomb kills five Afghan civilians
By KUNA
Kabul : A roadside landmine in southern Afghanistan went off and killed five civilians, including a woman and a child.
The explosion took place late Monday in Helmand province. A taxi-cab, carrying civilians, hit the explosive device apparently planted by the anti-government Taliban militants to target Afghan or foreign forces vehicles.
Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hussein Andiwal, police chief of the troubled province, told journalists the casualties included three men, a woman, and a child. He accused Taliban insurgents of planting the bomb.
Bangladesh tanneries spew pollution, says report
By IANS,
New York : Workers in many leather tanneries near Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital, become ill because of exposure to hazardous chemicals, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.
Pakistan: Benazir’s mission comlpeted, democracy restored in country, says President
By NNN-APP,
Nawabshah, Pakistan : President Asif Ali Zardari said that democracy has been completely restored in the country and we have completed the mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
He was talking to PPP members of National and Provincial assemblies and party office bearers at VIP Lounge of Nawabshah Airport on Friday.
President Zardari said PPP does not believe in the politics of revenge with opponents and that is the reason why PPP tried to bring political forces of the country on one platform.
The World According to the Neo-Con Sympathisers
By Yamin Zakaria,
Almost everyday I get email responses to my essays, usually containing lots of two word expletives, e.g. “sand nigger”, “rag head”, “towel head”, “eat shit”, “sheep lover”, “camel lover”; almost all the emails originate from within the US, yes the land of the ‘tolerant’ free speech lovers. Apart from intellectual bankruptcy, the replies also indicate a deep-seated hatred, shaped by a fanatical mindset. Since stereotyping is wrong, I did ask myself the question, are those Americans, exceptional or typical.
Iran to withdraw money from EU over sanctions
By Xinhua,
Vienna : Iran will withdraw money from European Union (EU) countries and invest in other regions in response to EU sanctions against Tehran, Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Safari has said.
In an interview to Austrian newspaper "Die Presse" Wednesday, Safari pointed out that EU's sanctions would lead to serious consequences.
He believed that once "more than $100 billion" were withdrawn from European banks, it would lead to a money shortage on the continent, which would have an impact on the global economy.
Merkel, Obama discuss Middle East issue
By KUNA,
Berling : German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a long phone call Monday evening with US President Barack Obama on issues including the conflict in the Middle East, an official statement said.
A spokesman of the German government said Tuesday in a press release that Merkel and Obama also discussed the world financial and economic crises and stressed on the importance of international cooperation to overcome them.
Turkey has closed airspace to Israeli military flights: PM
By IANS/AKI,
Toronto: Turkey closed its airspace to several Israeli military flights following the deadly raid on a humanitarian aid ship bound for the Gaza Strip in May.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters here that the ban was imposed after the May 31 raid on a Turkish ship in which nine activists were killed.
The ship was part of a six-vessel aid flotilla carrying food, medicine and other items to Gaza.
The prime minister, who is in Canada at the summit of the Group of 20 major industrial and developing nations, did not provide any more details.
India, Pakistan exchange list of nuclear installations, prisoners
New Delhi : India and Pakistan Thursday exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities under an agreement that bars them from attacking...
46 children drown in Bangladesh every day: UN study
By Xinhua
Dhaka : About 46 children drown in Bangladesh every day and about 17,000 lose their lives annually as the drowning death toll peaks during the floods, according to a study by the United Nations Children's Fund.
The Unicef study released here Wednesday said drowning was responsible for 87 percent of the total child deaths caused by the floods in 2007.
Given the high prevalence of injury in children, the UN body undertook a pilot initiative to respond to this situation, said Iyorlumun Uhaa, acting country representative of Unicef Bangladesh.
Lebanese Army kills two Al Qaeda-linked militants
By DPA,
Beirut : Lebanese Army troops Saturday killed two militants loyal to Al Qaeda in eastern Lebanon, security sources said.
The two men were a part of Fatah al-Islam, a fundamentalist Palestinian group that follows the ideology of Al Qaeda, and that fought pitched battles with the Lebanese Army in the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al Bared in 2007 in northern Lebanon.
Israel arrests 363 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli forces arrested 363 Palestinians in West Bank during April, said a report from the Palestinian Center for Prisoners Defense on Saturday.
Most of the arrests took place in Nablus city where the army arrested 128 Palestinians last month, according to the report.
The Israeli forces raid West Bank cities and villages almost every night to chase down what they call activists wanted by the state of Israel.
Karama ship arrives in Gaza Strip with aid
GAZA, Dec 20 (KUNA) -- A ship, carrying relief aid and food supplies, reached the Gaza Strip Saturday after sailing from a port in Cyprus.
The Karama (pride) ship was carrying several Arab and foreign activists.
This is the first aid ship to reach Gaza after Palestinian factions announced yesterday the expiring of the truce with Israel.
The arrival of the ship sparked celebrations on the part of locals, who saw the vessel as a breath of fresh air especially as the Israeli-impose siege deprived Gazans from all necessities.
Bush confident on Mideast peace deal despite Arab scepticism
By Xinhua,
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : Visiting U.S. President George W. Bush on Saturday expressed his confidence on the objective to achieve a Middle East peace deal before his term ends in January amid growing scepticism in the Arab world.
Bush made the remarks to reporters after a meeting with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where he arrived earlier in the day to attend the opening session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East on Sunday.
More anti-Israel protests in Berlin
Berlin, Aug 20, IRNA -- Germany's capital Berlin became once again scene of protests against Isreal ongoing ethnic cleansing in occupied Palestine Friday.
Gathering in Berlin's city center, demonstrators, many of them waving Palestinian flags, called for an end to ethnic cleansing by the illegal Jewish state and a boycott of the Israel.
Protesters urged also freedom for the occupied holy Qods.
Iran talks resume in Baghdad
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Iran and the group of international negotiators - the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany - Thursday started a new round of talks in Baghdad.
Tunisia first country to prohibit Haj because of swine flu
By DPA,
Tunis/Cairo: Tunisians will not be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Muslim pilgrimage or Haj because of fears of the H1N1 virus, known also as swine flu, the government announced Tuesday.
No other country has yet said it would prevent its citizens from making the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in late November for fear they might contract the virus.
Announcing the decision at a brief press conference, Tunisian Minister of Religious Affairs Abu-Bakr al-Akhzouri said the rapid spread of the virus was behind the government's decision.
Turkish military captures Syrian with weapons
Ankara: Turkish security forces captured a Syrian national trying to enter Turkey illegally and with weapons, according to media reports Tuesday.
Turkish soldiers noticed eight...
Beggars found staying at five-star hotels in UAE
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Some of the beggars detained during a crackdown on begging
in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates (UAE) were found to be staying at five-star hotels, WAM news agency reported Sunday.
The Abu Dhabi police have stepped up the campaign against begging since the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
"There are professional beggars who have made Ramadan an investment season," said Colonel Mohammed Saleh Badah, deputy director of the department of public relations and morale guidance at the ministry of interior.
Musharraf cancels China visit amid impeachment rumours
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday called off his visit to China, hours before his departure, as the possibility of his impeachment brewed amid crucial meetings of the country's ruling coalition.
Musharraf was scheduled to leave for China in the afternoon to attend Friday's opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and meet Chinese leaders, including Prime Minister Hu Jintao.
"President Musharraf's visit now stands cancelled and the organisers have been informed about the development," foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said.
Andhra assembly condemns Peshawar carnage
Hyderabad : The Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly Thursday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the massacre of school students in Pakistan's Peshawar town.
On the first...
UAE starts price control campaign for Ramadan
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Ministry of Economy has launched a comprehensive nationwide price control campaign to prevent manipulation and monopoly and ensure smooth supply of food items during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The ministry is coordinating with consumer cooperative societies and major retail outlets to prepare the Ramadan food basket for consumers at cost prices with effect from next week, the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
The food basket will bear the logos of the ministry and the respective cooperative societies.
Muslims asked to help dispel doubts about Islam
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Muslim intellectuals from across the world have asked people from the community to be more involved in public life in an effort to dispel misconceptions about Islam.
Experts at an international conference on "Islam and Media in Europe: How to Face Islamophobia?" held in Lille, France, recommended establishing dialogue with intellectuals, opinion leaders and media professionals in Western countries.
UAE emirate pardons 140 prisoners
By IANS/WAM,
Ras Al Khaimah (UAE) : The UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has pardoned 140 prisoners so they can celebrate Eid with their families, it was announced Sunday.
Pakistani MP jailed for graft
By IANS,
Islamabad : A Pakistani parliamentarian has been jailed for three years for corruption.
Execution of heroin smugglers
By SPA,
Tabuk, Saudi Arabia : Firas Faisal Al-Aghbar (Syrian) and Firas Hussein Maktabi (Syrian) were executed in Tabuk city in Tabuk region today after being convicted of receiving heroin pills, said a statement released by the interior ministry.
The culprits were convicted by the court, and the verdict was approved by the cassation court and the supreme judicial council.
The statement confirmed the determination of the Saudi government on ensuring law and order and severely punishing the criminals.
Two rockets harmlessly crash close to Sderot — Israeli Army
By KUNA
Gaza : Palestinian factions declared firing a fresh salvo of rockets in the direction of southern Israel on Friday as the latter confirmed the week-long lull in hostilities with the Palestinians was no longer in effect.
The National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Marxist-oriented Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), said in a statement its gunners fired a pair of rockets in the direction of the Israeli town of Sderot.
Iranian, Algerian presidents open new chapter in ties – Iranian FM
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : A new chapter has opened in Iran-Algeria relations by an initiative made by the presidents of the two countries, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said.
In a meeting with the his Algerian counterpart Mourad Medelci Sunday, Mottaki said that Tehran and Algiers should remove obstacles on the way of promoting bilateral ties.
Medelci is in Iran as a member of a high-ranking political and economic delegation headed by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
18 abducted deminers rescued in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : All 18 deminers who were abducted in Afghanistan's Khost province have been rescued a day after their kidnapping, a top official has said.
Pakistani PM says judiciary to be made independent
By NNN-APP,
Multan : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani vowed for independence of judiciary and institutions and restoration of 1973 Constitution.
Addressing a large public meeting here on Saturday, the Prime Minister said that people have voted overwhelmingly for the democratic forces in the February 18 elections.
“We will fight to ensure independence of judiciary, media and institutions and restore the 1973 Constitution,” he said in his address.
Global Jain business forum to open Dubai chapter
By IANS,
Dubai : In a bid to explore business opportunities in India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a global Jain business forum will open a new Dubai chapter this month.
The Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO), comprising Jain businessmen, industrialists, knowledge workers and professionals from across the world, has announced that the new Dubai chapter will be opened in the course of a conference here Sep 26-28.
Food prices spin out of control in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : As happens in Pakistan during Ramadan every year, food prices have again spun out of control making life extremely difficult for common citizens.
According to the government's price control committee, fruit has become dearer by 20 to 25 percent and vegetables by 10 percent.
"The prices of fruits, vegetables, meat and other items are increasing on a daily basis," The News reported Tuesday on its website.
Blast in Pakistani tribal agency, 9 killed
By Amena Khokhar, KUNA,
Islamabad : At least nine persons were killed and 15 others were wounded in an explosion in a Pakistani tribal agency where forces were conducting a wide-scale security operation.
Explosives stored in the basement of a militants' center in Bara town of Khyber tribal agency exploded with a huge bang early on Monday, official sources told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
Taliban leader Fazlullah seriously injured, says Pakistani minister
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik said senior Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah has been seriously injured in fighting in the Swat Valley.
In an interview with BBC, Malik said the Taliban militants are currently on the run, but the Pakistani forces will soon capture them. He said the terrorists are hiding in South Waziristan and making plans for terror attacks.
"We need help from the world community to find out who is helping the Taliban with money and arms," the Online news agency reported Wednesday citing the minister.
Abu Dhabi approves developmental projects
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The Abu Dhabi government Sunday approved a series of developmental projects, including construction of a satellite ground station.
5 soldiers killed in operation against PKK in southeastern Turkey
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Turkish military Thursday said five soldiers of the security forces were killed in operations against the banned Kurdish Workers' party (PKK) in southeastern Turkey.
The General Staff said in a statement on its website that "four troops were killed in a clash with a group of terrorists in Kavaliregion in the southeastern province of Hakkari on Oct. 15."
The statement said reinforcement troops were sent to the region by helicopters and one of the helicopters crashed due to a technical failure.
Sweden offers fighter jets for Libya no-fly zone
By DPA,
Stockholm : Sweden is prepared to deploy up to eight fighter jets to help patrol the UN-authorised no-fly zone over Libya, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said Tuesday.
Explosion in election rally in northern Pakistan city, casualties feared
By KUNA
Islamabad : Several people have been feared dead and wounded in a bomb explosion in an election rally near Pakistans northern Peshawar...
Philippines, Kuwait ink three agreements
By NNN-PNA,
Manila : The Philippines and oil-rich Kuwait sealed Friday night three agreements to further enhance their bilateral and trade relations, and bolster cooperation in the area of investments.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and visiting Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheik Nasser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah witnessed the signing of the agreements in Malacañang last night.
The agreements were on joint undertaking in energy projects, strengthening of health related services, and enhanced tourism investments and exchanges between the two countries.
Benazir’s birth anniversary observed in Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : The 55th birth anniversary of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was observed throughout Pakistan Saturday, with the country's new rulers exhorting the country to follow her example of opposing extremism and dictatorship.
The main function was held at Larkana district's Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, the ancestral village and family graveyard of the Bhutto family.
Afghanistan tightens security ahead of presidential runoff
Kabul : The Afghan government has tightened security to ensure safety of the people during the presidential runoff Saturday, media reported Friday.
In Kabul and...
Release political detainees, EU tells Musharraf
By IANS
Brussels : The European Union has criticised Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for the continued incarceration of judges and lawyers opposed to him but congratulated the Pakistani people for rejecting extremists in this week's elections.
In its first statement on the Feb 18 polls, the EU said it "deeply regrets that not all political detainees, including judges and lawyers, were released and thus prevented from taking part in the electoral process."
It renewed calls for their immediate release and reiterated the need for freedom of the media.
India, Turkmenistan sign seven agreements
Ashgabat (Turkmenistan): Following delegation talks on Saturday, India and Turkmenistan signed seven agreements for enhanching cooperation among the two nations.
"Following delegation level talks, India...
Foreign Museums To Boost Ties With Iran’s National Museum
By Bernama,
Tehran : Iranian National Museum and the distinguished foreign museums are considering increasing their cooperation, Iranian news agency (Irna) reported Tuesday.
Announcing this on Monday, curator of the Iranian National Museum noted that some managers and officials from the Louvre Museum, Vienna's Museum of Art History and British Museum will travel to Iran in mid June.
Referring to the foreign museums' willingness for cooperating with the Iranian National Museum, he noted that the visit aims at introducing the rich history and civilization of Iran.
Hearing on Mujib killers’ review petitions concludes
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's Supreme Court Tuesday concluded the hearing on the review petitions filed by five former army officers who are lodged in prison over the killing of country's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The petitions were against the court's verdict confirming their death sentence.
After concluding the hearing Tuesday, the four-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Md Tafazzul Islam, said they would pronounce their verdict Wednesday.
Palestinian official alarms about drugs in territories
By KUNA
Vienna : A senior Palestinian official sounded the alarm here Friday about the mounting phenomenon of illegal drugs in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Fadwa al-Khawaja, a high-ranking official of the Palestinian Interior Ministry, made the warning in remarks to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the sidelines of an international conference on the fight against illegal drugs, held here.
She based her remarks on a recent study worked out by a Palestinian team and backed by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
Israel urges Brazil to join Mideast peace efforts
By EFE,
Brasilia : Visiting Israeli President Shimon Peres has urged his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to join the Middle East peace process.
"Come, President, and light the light of peace in the Middle East," Peres told Lula during a joint press conference here Wednesday after a closed-door meeting.
In response, Lula said all countries in the region "can count on Brazil for the construction of an enduring peace, the positive repercussions of which will transcend the borders of the Middle East and will benefit all mankind".
Toll in Pakistan mall blaze rises to eight, six missing
By DPA,
Islamabad : The death toll in a massive fire that gutted a popular shopping centre in Pakistan's garrison town of Rawalpindi rose to eight Sunday, while six people were still missing, officials said.
Most of the killed were emergency workers trying to put out the fire when two-thirds of the five-storey Gakhar Plaza collapsed Saturday afternoon.
"Eight people have been confirmed dead and 59 were injured. Six are still missing," deputy commissioner Haseeb Athar told reporters.
Did parliament call right on Swat deal, asks Pakistani newspaper
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's parliament might have approved by a majority the imposition of Sharia laws in parts of the country's restive northwest but is the majority always right, an editorial in a leading English daily wondered Wednesday.
"Is the majority always right? Has it in this case acted wisely? Or has the herd instinct and fear overtaken the capacity to think rationally and sensibly" asked the editorial in The News, headlined "Collective wisdom?"
Society, polity behind violence in Pakistan: Report
New Delhi : The rising tide of violence and terrorism in Pakistan has its basis in its society and polity which enable a culture...
Suicide attack kills 21 police personnel in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : A suicide bomber blew himself up Monday in a government building in southern Afghanistan, killing 21 policemen and wounding 20 while the Afghan army arrested three would-be suicide bombers in the same region, officials said.
The attack in the Uruzgan provincial capital, Tarin Kot, occurred when the bomber entered a police-training centre and detonated his explosives vest.
Zemarai Bashary, an interior ministry spokesman said the blast killed 21 reserve officers, while police chief Juma Gul Hemat said about 20 were wounded, seven in critical condition.
UN official outlines Gaza situation
By IRNA,
Tehran : A top UN official in Gaza said on Monday that so many families have been destroyed in so many ways.
Gaza Director of Operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) John Ging reported from ground zero, noting that at his last briefing on Friday he had hoped they would not have a further death toll.
Pakistan hints to lift restrictions on detained nuclear scientist
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan's Foreign Minister hinted on Monday to lift restrictions on the country's nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, who has been under detention since January 2004.
Khan was put under house arrest after he was produced on the state-run television to say that he exported nuclear technology outside Pakistan.
But Khan said in recent interviews that he had taken responsibility of nuclear transfer only to save the country.
Pakistani visitors stranded at Attari as Punjab farmers protest
Amritsar : With farmers in Punjab blocking rail tracks to protest tardy lifting of wheat by government agencies in the state, as many as...
India demands UN action against terror threats to Afghanistan
By Arul Louis,
United Nations : India has lashed out against the "systematic state supporta" from outside to terrorist organisations bent on destabilising Afghanistan and...
No repetition of attack on Pakistani soldiers: US
By IANS,
Islamabad : The US would ensure there is no repetition of incidents like the Nov 26 attack that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter has said.
Pakistan rejected Russia’s plea to not execute citizen
Islamabad: Pakistan turned down Russia's request to postpone the execution of its citizen Akhlaque Ahmed, who was hanged to death in Faisalabad Sunday.
"Russia repeatedly...
Pakistan successfully test-fires nuclear missile
By KUNA
Islamabad : Pakistan successfully test-fired on Friday a nuclear-capable missile, one week after it conducted the test of another medium range nuclear missile, said military.
Pakistan has test-fired a new Ghuari Hataf-V Ballistic missile, a technologically enhanced device with a range of 1300 km, said military in a statement.
The test was conducted at the conclusion of annual ASFC exercises. It was witnessed by President Pervez Musharraf, Chief of Army Staff Ashfaque Pervaiz Kayani and other high military officials.
Unite to end violence against women: Ban
By IRNA,
Tehran : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message on International Women’s Day, March 8, while calling for a positive image of women in the media called for laws that say violence is a crime.
According to a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) in Tehran on Saturday, the full text of his message reads:
Three held with fake 6.40 lakh Takas in Dhaka
By IANS,
Dhaka : Three people have been arrested in Dhaka after counterfeit currency worth 6.40 lakh Takas (about $7,850) was recovered from them, The Daily Star reported.
Kuwaiti FM participates in GCC-EU 18th coordination meeting
By KUNA,
Brussels : Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah will arrive here on Sunday to participate in the 18th coordination meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and European Union (EU) states.
Sheikh Dr. Mohammad is scheduled to attend a business dinner, to be held by Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmad Abdullah Al-Mahmoud in honor of GCC delegations -- where Qatar is the current rotating president of the Council.
Pakistan: President’s visit to further invigorate Sino-Pak ties in all dimensions, says Ambassador Masood
By NNN-APP,
Beijing : The upcoming visit of President Asif Ali Zardari will help further invigorate the Sino-Pak relations in all dimensions, said Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan here.
Talking to Chinese Media on President Zardari’s visit he said this will be the first official visit of Mr. Zardari to any foreign country after assuming the office of President of Pakistan.
Bangladesh Chief Adviser goes to attend D-8 summit in Kuala Lumpur
By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka, Bangladesh : Chief Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed leaves here for Kuala Lumpur on Monday to attend the 6th D-8 Summit scheduled to take place in Malaysia on July 8.
The Bangladesh's head of the government will lead the country's delegation to the summit of the leaders of Developing-8, popularly known as D-8, according to the official sources.
The theme of this year's summit is "Meeting Challenges Through Innovative Cooperation".
Malaysian woman launches poster blitz to get child from husband
By IANS,
Ipoh (Malaysia) : Malaysian Indian woman M. Indira Gandhi has launched a poster campaign to find her husband who has taken away their infant child. She says her husband is intent on converting the entire family to Islam.
Patmanathan, 40, is missing after the high court gave relief to Gandhi last week, restricting him from taking away their three children and meeting the family.
The last message Gandhi received from Patmanathan, now known as Mohammed Ridzuan Abdullah, was that he was leaving for neighbouring Singapore.
Pakistan amends 150-year-old political regulation
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has amended a 150-year-old political regulation that allowed authorities to raze houses of criminals and their relatives in Pushtun-inhabited tribal areas.
Fire guts 200 shanties in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : A fire that swept through a slum near Dhaka early Sunday gutted at least 200 shanties, police said.
Obama forges new Pakistan, Afghanistan anti-terror front
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : President Barack Obama has won a promise from Pakistan and Afghanistan to forge a new front in the fight against extremists, saying the security of both countries and the US is linked.
Presidents Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan and Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan understand the seriousness of the threat from Al Qaeda and the Taliban in the border region between the two nations, Obama said Wednesday after a trilateral summit at the White House.
Pakistani officials monitoring CCTV footage to nab bombing suspects
By IANS,
Islamabad : Investigating officials in Pakistan have received vital information from video footage obtained from close-circuit surveillance cameras about Saturday's car bombing in northwestern city of Peshawar.
At least 10 people were killed and more than 30 injured when a car bomb exploded near a busy commercial centre in Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
The Online news agency cited sources saying that law-enforcing agencies have obtained valuable information from the CCTV footages that would prove helpful in tracing the culprits.
Suicide attack kills two in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : At least two civilians were killed and three injured when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive laden car into a foreign military vehicle Saturday in Afghanistan's eastern province of Khost, officials said.
The suicide car blast occurred at 11.15 a.m. in Ismal Khel district of Khost, said district chief Dulat Khan Qaumi, declining to give further information.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed told Xinhua over phone from an unknown location that a Taliban fighter carried out the attack.
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...
UAE lists Muslim Brotherhood among terrorist groups
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially branded the Muslim Brotherhood and its local affiliates as terrorist groups, in a latest terror...
Seven killed in Pakistan blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least seven people were killed and over 20 wounded Friday in a massive blast near the police headquarters in Lower Dir district of Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province, police said.
The explosion occurred near a mosque in Khurshid police lines in Timar Gira area in Lower Dir, Geo TV reported.
"For now we have received reports from the scene that seven people have been killed and more than 20 are injured," DPA quoted an official at the district's main police control room as saying.
Ex-German UN envoy says no Mideast stability without Iran
By IRNA
Berlin : Germany's former UN ambassador, Gunter Pleuger made clear that creating stability in the Middle East without including Iran was not possible.
"A stabilization of the Middle East is hardly possible without the regional power Iran," Pleuger wrote Tuesday in an analytical piece for the online site of the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
He stressed any future Mideast security structure had to reflect "Iran's important role as a regional power."
Long-term truce agreed with Israel, says Hamas
Gaza : Egypt has brokered an agreement for a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, BBC reported Tuesday citing senior Palestinian...
Sarkozy’s visit in Saudi Arabia focuses on economic co-op
By Xinhua
Riyadh : French President Nicolas Sarkozy left Saudi Arabia earlier on Monday after wrapping up a two-day visit here which local analysts said focused on economic and energy cooperation rather than security issue.
Contrary to a visit by U.S. President George W. Bush, which is to focus on security topics, business and economic issues were high on the agenda of Sarkozy's trip here, local analysts said.
Bush in Egypt to discuss stalled Mideast peace
By Xinhua,
Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) : US President George W. Bush Saturday arrived in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, the last stop of his three-country tour in the Middle East.
Shortly after his arrival at the Sharm el-Sheikh international airport, Bush began holding talks with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak on the latest developments in the region.
According to an earlier report, Bush will hold talks with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) schedule here Sunday.
US policy not a scapegoat for extremists
By Daniel Yankelovich, CGNews,
As the competition for the US presidency heats up, the threat of Muslim extremism is bound to become a major issue in the campaign. The reason is its link to the war in Iraq. Public polling shows that Iraq is the top foreign policy issue for most Americans, with many seeing the war as increasing the risk of future terrorism against the United States and its allies. The presumptive Republican nominee John McCain has called the threat of Muslim extremism "the transcendent challenge of our times."
Iraq under cold front bringing snow and below zero temperatures
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Snow fell on large areas of Iraq following two days of low temperature.
Dr. Daoud Shaker, head of the Iraqi weather bureau told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) snow fell in Baghdad during two hours in the morning on Friday after coming under the effect of two pressure systems, one cold originating from Siberia and the other warm coming from the sea.