Pakistan ready to cooperate with India
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan is ready to cooperate with India in the investigation into the Mumbai terror attacks, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Tuesday.
In a nationwide telecast, Qureshi said that Pakistan was willing to offer support to the Indian government but urged New Delhi not to indulge in any blame game.
He said Pakistan had offered a joint investigating mechanism to help net the terrorists who ravaged Mumbai over three days and three nights last week, killing 183 people and injuring over 300.
Voting begins in Pakistan amid security concerns
By KUNA
Islamabad : Voting for the lower house of parliament and the four provincial assemblies commenced here in Pakistan on Monday, over a month after they were postponed in the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto's assassination and subsequent violence.
Security is on high alert across the country and hundreds of polling stations have been declared sensitive.
Media reports said that polling could not begin in several northern areas owing to snowy weather, and in several districts of Southwestern Baluchistan province.
Cold weather maintains its grip in Turkey, schools closed
By Xinhua
Ankara : As much of Turkey remained in the clutches of recent cold weather, schools have been closed in some cities in eastern and central Turkey, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on Wednesday.
When temperatures dropped as low as minus 34 Celsius degrees in southeastern Turkish province of Ardahan, primary, secondary and high schools would be closed for three days, said the report, quoting local governor.
Schools in central Anatolian province of Sivaswere were also closed on Jan. 16 and 17 due to an increasing number of absent students.
Al-Jazeera awards controversial Dutch documentary
By DPA,
Amsterdam : Dutch media reported Wednesday a controversial Dutch documentary has been awarded best film at the International Documentary Festival of Arab news company al-Jazeera in Doha, Qatar.
In the film, "Fighting The Silence", by Dutch female directors Ilse and Femke van Velzen, women who experienced sexual violence during the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, speak openly about what happened to them.
5 militants killed, arrest 14 more arrested in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : The U.S. -led Coalition forces during multiple operations have killed five militants and detained14 suspects in war-torn Afghanistan, said Coalition statements released here on Tuesday.
Coalition forces on Tuesday tracked militants to a remote location about 75 kilometers northwest of Farah city in western Afghanistan where the militants were observed loading weapons into a vehicle from a weapons cache, the statement said.
Time for world to recognise Pakistan as dejure nuclear power with equal rights: PM
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Saturday emphasized that it is time for the world to recognize Pakistan as a dejure nuclear power with equal rights and responsibilities.
He also demanded that Pakistan be given a Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) waiver for civil nuclear energy cooperation as energy is a vital economic security need of Pakistan and nuclear energy is a clean way forward.
Kidnapped Turks return home from Afghanistan
By SPA,
Ankara, Turkey : Turkish media say two Turkish captives released in Afghanistan have returned home.
State-run Anatolia and private Dogan agencies say the two engineers, Gokhan Gul and Erhan Gunduz, arrived in the city of Trabzon aboard a private plane Monday.
Afghan police say they were kidnapped in western Afghanistan and were released along with their Afghan driver Sunday in Herat province.
Afghan authorities said the two worked for a road construction company. They had disappeared for a week.
Flash flood washes away 500 houses in Afghanistan, one killed
Kabul : One person has been confirmed dead and 10 others were injured when a flash flood washed away more than 500 houses in...
Explosion heard in SW Pakistan’s Quetta city
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : An explosion was heard in southwestern Pakistan's Quetta city on Wednesday, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported.
The explosion occurred at Kalat Street on Jail Road in Quetta, capital of Balochistan province, police said.
Currently details concerning the explosion are not available and there is no report of casualties in the incident.
Turkey’s ruling party takes early lead in local elections
Ankara : Preliminary results of Turkey's local elections showed Sunday the country's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) party taking strong lead in the...
Bring your problems to our court, IS tells Afghans
Kabul : The Islamic State terrorist group has asked people in parts of eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan to refer their problems to their...
Three Afghan soldiers killed in bomb attacks
Kabul: Three soldiers were killed in blasts in Afghanistan, the country's defence ministry said Saturday.
"Three soldiers were martyred following separate improvised explosive device (IED)...
Quartet backs Russia’s proposal for Mideast conference in Moscow
By RIA Novosti,
Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) : The Quartet of Middle East peace mediators supported Russia's proposal to hold a conference on the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Moscow next year, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Sunday.
The Quartet of international Mideast mediators - the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia - held joint talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials on Sunday in Egypt. The parties supported Russia's proposal to hold a Mideast peace conference in Moscow next spring.
Pakistani govt ready to fight dengue threat: minister
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The Federal Minister for Health Ms Sherry Rehman has taken a strong note of the reports of the presence of a confirmed case of dengue fever in Islamabad.
Expressing concern at the prospects of the outbreak of the disease in the Capital, the Federal Health Minister ordered immediate measures to combat the disease.
“The government is determined to prevent the spread of disease this year. Unlike the past, we will not let it become a serious threat to the public health this time.”
Dhaka mutiny probe begins
By IANS,
Dhaka : A high powered probe has begun to find out, among other things, whether there was any role of "other forces" into the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) troopers' mutiny, a minister said as the two-day insurrection ended Thursday evening leaving over 50 dead.
Commerce Minister Mohammad Faruk Khan, a retired army colonel, did not elaborate on who he meant by "other forces" or the composition of the probe body, The Daily Star said Friday.
Israel sounds out world opinion on large-scale ground incursion into Gaza
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel has been trying to sound out the world reaction over its large-scale ground incursion into Gaza while it intensified strikes on Gaza during the past few days.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday spoke over phone with international Quartet Middle East Envoy Tony Blair and Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suliman and impressed upon them that Israel would no longer be able to tolerate the current situation.
Iran deplores human losses in US-UK air raids on Iraq
By IRNA
Tehran : Iran deplores human losses in the current waves of US-UK air raids on civilians in Iraq, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini on Saturday.
Fighting has intensified between Iraqi government forces and the militia in Basra and Sadr City after the US and British planes bombed suspected targets where at least 200 civilians were killed and 500 others have been wounded on the fifth day of crackdown Saturday.
ISESCO takes part in symposium on Prophet’s biography in Spanish writings
By NNN-KUNA
Rabat : The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) will support and take part in a symposium on the Prophets biography in Spanish writings, which is to due to be held from 22 to 24 April.
The symposium will be jointly held with the faculty of arts and humanities (Sidi Mohammed bin Abdellah University in Fez), the supreme scientific council in Morocco, the Islamic cultural centre in Madrid and the Spanish cultural centre in Fez.
Soldier killed, 18 ppl wounded in SW Pakistan violence
By KUNA,
Islamabad : At least nine people were wounded when local Baluch nationalist militants attacked a train carrying policemen in the southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, said police on Saturday.
The Quetta Express carrying policemen was coming from Rawalpindi to Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan, when the militants of banned militants group, Baluch Republican Army (BRA), opened fire at a railway station near Sibbi, the gas-rich town, Friday night, police sources told KUNA.
Iran: Government welcomes free flow of information
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Iraqi President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has welcomed free flow of information as it has currently become a public demand.
Government spokesman, Gholam-Hossein Elham said on Saturday the President made the remarks in an address to the inaugural ceremony of a meeting of the Public Relations Offices.
The spokesman said the support for the free flow of information was an issue also stressed by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
Four Germany-based US soldiers charged with pre-meditated killing of Iraqi prisoners
By IRNA,
Berlin : Four Germany-based US soldiers are accused of killing an unidentified number of Iraqi detainees in cold blood last year, the European edition of the American military daily Stars and Stripes reported Wednesday.
The four GIs who are scheduled to stand trial in the south German town of Vilseck on August 26, are charged with committing premeditated murder in Iraq after taking male prisoners to a canal where they shot them.
Report: Israeli officials deny full withdrawal from Golan
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli officials on Wednesday dismissed a statement by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem that Israel has promised to withdraw from the Golan Heights to the borders drawn before the 1967 Six Day War, local daily the Jerusalem Post reported.
Shortly after Israel, Syria and Turkey confirmed the existence of Ankara-mediated peace talks, Moallem said Damascus has received Israel's commitment for a withdrawal from the highland to the June 4, 1967 line.
Iraq burdened with tragic circumstances left by former dictatorship — VP
By KUNA
Damascus : Iraq has been burdened with the tragic circumstances left behind by the former dictatorship, during which millions of people were targeted with chemical weapons and massacres, and the country was drawn into wars, said Vice President Adel Abdulmahdi on Sunday.
Speaking at an interjection after Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa read out the Damascus Declaration, he said the deposed leader Saddam Hussein deserved to be held accountable by his people in trial, which extended for more than a year and was broadcast for the whole world to see.
Take Coronavirus threat seriously, health experts warn travelers to Saudi Arabia
By TCN News
London: Health experts from the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK (ABH), a UK-based Hajj/Umrah specific organisation, have issued a stern warning...
At least three killed in explosion in southern Israel
By RIA Novosti
Tel Aviv : An explosion in a shopping mall in the city of Dimona in southern Israel has killed at least three people, a source at the local ambulance service said on Monday.
Five people have sought medical assistance so far, but the overall number of victims is "likely to rise," the source said.
Local television report that police officers shot a second suicide bomber, who failed to detonate his explosive device.
Musharraf’s exit won’t affect dialogue process, says India
By IANS,
New Delhi/Kolkata : India Monday underlined that the resignation of Pervez Musharraf as the president of Pakistan will not affect the progress of composite dialogue in the future as its ties with Pakistan were not "individual-specific”.
India also made it clear that it had no intention of getting involved "in internal affairs" of Pakistan and underscored the need for “peace in the neighbourhood.”
American, Afghan doctors save life of 10-year-old girl
By KUNA,
Kabul : Afghan and American surgeons together saved the life of a 10-year-old Afghan girl by removing a 10-pound tumour from her abdomen through surgery.
The girl, Tor Pekay, from the western Farah province of Afghanistan, was brought to Farah hospital for problem in her stomach.
Dr. Patrick McGraw of the Farah Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) assisted by Dr. Hamid Rahmani of the Farah hospital performed the surgery.
On completion of the surgery, the doctors removed a 10-pound tumour from Pekay's abdomen, said the US military officials here.
Sheikh Hasina’s ailments caused by 2004 grenade attack: US doctors
By IANS,
Dhaka : American doctors attending to former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina have said that her poor vision and blood pressure problems as well as allergies are the result of a grenade attack on her rally here four years ago.
"The US doctors said that three of the complications except for the hearing problem are late consequences of the grenade attack," Hasina's personal physician Modasser Ali told The Daily Star newspaper.
Hasina is currently undergoing treatment in the US, which Ali oversaw before returning here.
Only 9 percent Pakistanis see US as partner: Poll
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Concerned over a new public opinion poll in Pakistan showing that 64 percent Pakistanis see America as the enemy, Defence Secretary Robert Gates says the US must maintain relationships with Pakistan for the long term to build trust.
The poll saying only 9 percent of Pakistanis see the US as a partner is disturbing to defence leaders, but not surprising, he said during a Pentagon news conference Thursday.
"First of all, one of the reasons that the Pakistanis have concerns about us is that we walked away from them twice," he said.
Abu Al-Gheit: Egypt will not abandon its support for Palestinian people
By NNN-WAFA
Cairo : Egypt voiced concern over Israeli Authorities' decision to cut power supply to Gaza Strip.
Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Abu al-Gheit said that the illegal collective punishment perpetrated by Israel on Palestinians is completely rejected by Egypt as it increases the deterioration of human situation in the Gaza Strip.
Abu al-Gheit called on Israel to stop its measures which threaten the explosaon of human situation in the Gaza Strip.
Roadside bomb kills four coalition soldiers in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
Kabul : A roadside bomb killed four soldiers of the US-led coalition in eastern Afghanistan, the military said on Wednesday.
The coalition troops did not disclose nationalities of the soldiers killed. Also it did not reveal the exact location of the explosion.
Eastern Afghanistan groups the provinces of Laghman, Kunar, Nuristan and Nangarhar.
Although nationalities of the soldiers were not disclosed, majority of the troops operating in the eastern Afghanistan are Americans.
India, Pakistan troopers exchange sweets on Punjab border
Attari (Punjab) : Border guards of India and Pakistan Thursday exchanged sweets and greetings along the international border here to mark Pakistan's Independence Day.
Officers...
Pakistan claims up-for-auction Buddha statue
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has staked claim to a Buddha statue that was put up for auction by Christie's. The auction has been stopped following the claim.
Burqas at the Airport
By Naeem Randhawa
The woman looks up from examining my papers, and now is glaring at me. I remove my sunglasses and smile, somewhat surprised at her forwardness.
Russian FM to attend 6-nation talks on Iran nuke issue in Berlin
By Xinhua
Moscow : Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend six-nation talks in Berlin on Tuesday aimed at solving the international dispute around Iran's nuclear program, the ministry said on Friday.
"The meeting is expected to discuss ways of regulating the Iranian nuclear program," a ministry spokesman was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying.
Foreign ministers from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany are likely to consider new sanctions against Iran.
Two killed in Kabul blast
Kabul : At least two people were killed and three injured when a bomb blast rocked the fifth district of Afghanistan's capital Kabul Tuesday,...
Obama says Iran ‘must choose’ its future
By RIA Novosti,
Washington : Iran "must choose" whether it wants to open the door for opportunity and prosperity, U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement on the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
"It is time for the Iranian government to decide whether it wants to focus on the past, or whether it will make the choices that will open the door to greater opportunity, prosperity and justice for its people," Obama said in a statement.
Germany pushes for new UN resolution against Iran
By Xinhua
Berlin : The German government has called for a new U.N. resolution of sanctions against Iran's disputed nuclear program, said a Foreign Ministry spokesman on Wednesday.
"We believe such a resolution is necessary," foreign ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger told reporters in Berlin.
Jaeger said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has invited his counterparts from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council to join talks in Berlin next Tuesday.
Bangladesh CA urge rotations to concentrate rehab programmes in Sidr hit areas
By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka : Chief Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Sunday urged Rotarians to concentrate their rehabilitation programmes especially in 'Sidr' hit areas, instead of scattered way, to give maximum benefit to people.
The role of Rotarians in rehabilitation of cyclone-ravaged people in southern region of the country is laudable, he added.
The Chief Adviser said this while World President of Rotary International Wilfred J Wilkinson paid a courtesy call on him at his office here.
Polish engineer’s refusal to convert costs him his life
By Nadeem Sarwar and Sajjad Malik, DPA,
Islamabad : Piotr Stanczak did not exhibit the slightest hint of hesitation when the Pakistani Taliban asked him to choose between execution and conversion to Islam.
Whether the Polish geologist acted out of pride or religious conviction, he decided to pay through his blood to save his faith, a choice that bewildered his killers and keep them talking about him with respect after his murder.
Musharraf’s launch of party draws hostile response
By Awais Saleem, IANS,
Islamabad: The announcement of the launch of a political party by former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf in London has drawn a hostile response back home.
Turkey provides humanitarian aid to Iraq
Ankara : Turkey has sent humanitarian aid to the violence-hit cities in Iraq, particularly the Turkish majority areas, a media report said Tuesday.
"It is...
India, Pakistan to jointly fight terror, promote economic diplomacy
By Manish Chand and Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : India and Pakistan Wednesday agreed to jointly combat terrorism and provide economic muscle to their relationship as they concluded the fourth round of their composite dialogue by signing an agreement on prisoners detained in each other's country and by agreeing to address all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.
Three Al Qaeda leaders arrested in Pakistan
By IANS/AKI,
Islamabad : Three Al Qaeda leaders have been arrested near Pakistan's Quetta city, the Pakistani military said in a statement.
12 terrorists killed in Pakistan
Islamabad: At least 12 terrorists were killed on Tuesday when military jets bombed militant hideouts in the restive Khyber tribal agency of Pakistan.
According to...
Four US posts attacked in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : Four American outposts were attacked in simultaneous strikes in Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan Friday, on the 10th anniversary of the start of the Afghan war.
Israeli forces shoot dead Palestinian boy
Jerusalem : Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian teenager in the West Bank city of Hebron Wednesday, medical sources and witnesses said.
Yussef Sami Shawamreh,...
Iranian Security Council head hails talks with Russian delegation
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council hailed on Tuesday the results of talks with a Russian government official as positive and constructive.
Saeed Jalili met with Valentin Sobolev, who serves as the acting head of Russia's Security Council and leads a delegation on security consultations regarding a range of issues, including Iran's nuclear program and the situation in the Middle East.
Bush phones Musharraf, greets him on elections
By IRNA
Islamabad : US President George W. Bush telephoned to President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday and greeted him on holding of free parliamentary elections, TV channels reported.
The talks lasted around 15 minutes and President Bush extended his congratulations to President Musharraf on the holding of free and free polls, Dawn TV reported.
The US President said the elections were good and would bring stability to the country.
He pledged that the US would continue its support to Pakistan in fighting against terrorism.
45 militants, six troops killed in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Fierce fighting at a paramilitary compound in Pakistan's troubled Mohmand tribal region Sunday left at least six soldiers and 45 militants dead, an official said.
The clash began early morning when more than 500 rebels attacked army positions in Lakaro, a militant stronghold near the Afghan border, according to an officer who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"Six security personnel were killed and six others were wounded," he said.
He said government troops killed at least 45 rebels, but that figure could not be confirmed independently.
Iran congratulates Modi, India
Tehran : Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has congratulated newly-elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his party's victory in the recently concluded parliamentary elections...
Peace won’t be achieved without release of prisoners in Israel – Arab League
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : The Arab League has said that achieving a lasting and just peace in the Middle East will not materialise if all Arab and Palestinian prisoners are not released from Israeli jails.
The League condemned in a press release Wednesday, the eve of the Palestinian Prisoner's Day, the Israeli inhumane practices against the Arab and Palestinian prisoners.
It called on the international community, Arab and international organisations to help guarantee the rights of the Arab prisoners in Israel.
WAMY denounces screening of Fitna
By IINA
Riyadh : The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) has denounced Thursday’s screening of an anti-Quran film by a Dutch rightwing MP and called on international bodies to prevent people from insulting religions. “These kinds of attacks by so-called sane European politicians and scholars will lead to very serious repercussions, pushing mankind to a situation of chaos and conflict,” said Dr. Saleh S. Al Wohaibi, secretary-general of WAMY. “WAMY will hold talks with Nicolaas Beets, Dutch ambassador, and drawing his government’s attention to this sensitive issue,” he added.
Dana Gas project in Iraqi Kurdistan over 70 per cent complete
By NNN-WAM
Sharjah : Dana Gas, the Middle East's first and largest regional private sector natural gas company, has announced that its project in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to supply, process and transport natural gas to fuel urgently needed local electricity generation is progressing at a rapid pace, with over 70 per cent overall project completion to date.
Corruption case against Hasina dismissed
By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh's high court Wednesday quashed a corruption trial against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina who was alleged to have received a bribe of 30 million takas ($500,000) from a businessman.
The court also declared as illegal the government's move to try her under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) that deny bail to the Awami League chief, who has three other charges - two of corruption and one of murder - pending against her.
The government said it planned to appeal the verdict before the apex court, Star Online said.
Australia condemns Indian embassy attack in Kabul
By Xinhua,
Canberra : The Australian government on Tuesday condemned a suicide bombing of the Indian embassy in Afghanistan, sending its sympathies to India and Afghanistan over the attack which killed more than 40 people.
A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden car into the Indian embassy in Kabul on Monday, killing 41 people and wounding nearly 150 others.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the Australian government "condemns the car bomb attack ... and extends its deep sympathies to the Afghan government and people and to the Indian government and people."
Bombardier ordered to pay Pakistani-origin pilot for discrimination
By Gurmukh Singh, IANS,
Tehran receives no request from Solana: Iranian FM
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini has said that Tehran has not yet received any request from EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana for negotiations.
Speaking at his first weekly press briefing in the new Iranian year (started March 20) here Monday, he said Solana has had no contact with Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili either.
He reiterated that Iran's peaceful nuclear programme is going through its regular process at the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Russia criticises Ahmadinejad’s Geneva speech
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia Tuesday criticised Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech at the UN conference on racism in Geneva.
"Unfortunately, harsh and unbalanced statements were voiced on the first day of the conference, particularly in the speech of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad," the foreign ministry of Russia said, adding that such statements had nothing to do with the conference's main topic.
Palestinian brigades attack Kibbutz Nirim
By KUNA
Gaza : Saladin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, claimed responsibility for attacking Israel's Kibbutz Nirim agricultural village, close to Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the brigades said it fired eight locally-made "Quds III" missiles at Kibbutz Nirim, east of Khan Younes, southern Gaza Strip, this morning.
The attack is in retaliation for the military campaign waged by Israel against Palestinians and its assassination of activists, it said.
Kosovo passes new constitution amid uncertainty over its future
By DPA,
Pristina : Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu Sunday signed a series of laws putting the new constitution into effect, saying it was rounding off the self-proclamation of independence from Serbia, but the territory still remains shrouded in diplomatic and legal uncertainty.
"We reached a historic moment to complete the process of completing our statehood," Sejdiu said after signing 41 laws under the new constitution, which was passed by parliament two months ago. The ceremony was attended by representatives of more than 40 countries which have recognized Kosovo.
Emirati man on a worldwide motorbike tour
By IANS,
Dubai : An Emirati man on a motorcycle trip around the world to spread the message of love, openness and fraternity has reached Switzerland via Germany and is scheduled to proceed to Spain and Portugal.
Ibrahim Ahmed Sulieman was received Saturday in Geneva by Obeid Salem Al Za'abi, permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the UN's European headquarters, who said the trip was about a message of openness, love and fraternity from the UAE to the world community.
Iraqi PM orders three-day deadline to handover weapons
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ordered a three-day deadline for militiamen in southern city of Basra to hand over weapons, Iraqi official television reported on Wednesday.
Everything possible done for free and fair elections: Musharraf
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said Saturday that his government has done everything possible for conducting free, fair and transparent elections Monday though there could be some irregularities in some areas which were beyond his control, Online news agency reported.
While talking to a visiting election monitoring delegation of Centre for Media and Democracy (CMD) at the Presidential Camp Office, Musharraf said that the Election Commission was an impartial institution.
UN body starts delivering relief items in Syria
Damascus : The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has started an airlift operation to deliver emergency core relief items for 50,000 people in...
Muammar Gaddafi captured
By IANS,
Tripoli : Libya's deposed leader Muammar Gaddafi was injured and captured Thursday by fighters of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) in Sirte, said a field commander.
U.S. marine disciplined for missionary conduct in Iraq
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The U.S. military in Iraq said Friday it has removed a marine from duties for his handing out coins with Bible words to Iraqi Muslims.
The U.S. military said in a statement that it is looking into complains from Fallujah residents that U.S. soldiers have been handing out coins with a Bible verse written in Arabic.
The statement said a marine has been removed from his duties, but noted it was an isolated incident and that there was no collective drive to influence the local Muslim population.
Quacks rampant in Rawalpindi
By IANS,
Rawalpindi : Thousands of quacks are playing havoc with poor patients in remote areas of Pakistan's Rawalpindi district as state-run medical facilities are not adequate for the growing population.
In most cases, people living in far off areas can't access the facilities either.
About 5,000 quacks are running clinics in the different areas of Rawalpindi. Most of them operate in rural areas and a few in urban areas, Online news agency reported.
The poor have to go to these quacks because they can't reach the state-run health
Iranian president vows to outline nuclear activities in UN meeting
By Xinhua,
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday that he would outline Iran's nuclear activities in the UN General Assembly meeting during his visit to New York, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Ahmadinejad made the remark prior to his departure for New York on Sunday.
He also told reporters that the UN should be a real representative of all nations and not a servant to certain powers, lobbies or parties.
Spokesman says Iran supports Arab League stance on Lebanon
By IRNA,
Tehran : Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said if Arab League delegation to Lebanon can reach a comprehensive solution, Iran will support it.
According to the report of Foreign Ministry Media Department on Wednesday, Hosseini said, "In direction of creating understanding among all Lebanese sides, Iran will support any kind of comprehensive agreement which can be accepted by all sides in Lebanon."
Turkish troops to return to bases after incursion into Iraq
By NNN-KUNA
Ankara : Turkish General Army Staff on Friday said its troops will return to bases as soon as they achieve their targets against PKK in northern Iraq.
The ground attack was executed by some 10,000 troopers that made a 10-kilometer incursion into Iraqi soil and will return after ending the mission, Turkish news Agency Cehan said.
On his part, Iraq's Ambassador in Ankara told Turkish News Agency Anatoli that his country did not send an objection letter to Ankara regarding the attack, saying that such reports were "baseless."
Boat carrying 97 people capsizes off Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur : A boat carrying 97 foreigners overturned about two nautical miles off the western coast of Malaysia, a media report said here...
India won’t forget Kargil war: Musharraf
Islamabad : Recalling the Kargil conflict of 1999 between India and Pakistan, former military strongman Pervez Musharraf on Sunday said New Delhi would never...
Palestine has rejected Olmert’s reported proposal – presidency spokesman
By NNN-WAFA,
Ramallah : The Palestinian leadership has rejected a reported Israeli peace proposal because it does not provide for a contiguous Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Palestinian presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeineh told WAFA that the proposal does not fall in line with requirements of the Road Map and the Annapolis understandings that the borders of the future Palestinian state should correspond with Israel's pre-1967 borders.
Al Qaeda determined to make ‘new history’: report
By IANS,
Islamabad: A dead Osama bin Laden is as dangerous as a living one, senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir has written a year after the killing of the Al Qaeda chief.
Pakistan: ANP likely to lead next govt. in NWFP with PPPP, PML-N as its...
By NNN-APP
Peshawar : With ANP emerging as the single largest political entity in the NWFP, is mostly likely to be in the driving seat in the formation of next government with PPPP, PML-N and Independents as its coalition partners.
The political hobnobbing has begun in the province with ‘Bilour House’ as the main center of focus where hectic political maneuvering was on to draw the complexion of new ruling setup in the NWFP.
US aggression a terrorist act – Syrian FM
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem has announced that the US has launched a terrorist act on the al-Boukamal region, killing innocent civilians, and holding the US Administration responsible for this aggression.
During a press conference held Monday following a meeting with his British counterpart, David Miliband, in London, al-Moallem called on the US officials to investigate this act, announce the results and offer interpretations on the reasons for launching such aggressive act.
400 kg hashish seized in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : Around 400 kg of hashish has been seized in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand by the interior ministry, police said.
Busy port town hub to usher in Bangladesh’s digital voting
By IANS,
Chittagong : Jamalkhan, this port town's busy area housing colleges, hospitals and consulates of foreign missions, will be part of Bangladesh's history when its 25,000 electors cast their votes digitally Thursday.
Numbered ward 21 and having 14 polling stations, Jamalkhan will mark the advent of the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the country.
A mixed feeling of excitement and doubts runs through the electorate, New Age said Sunday.
Arab FMs back initiative on resolving Lebanese crisis
By Xinhua
Cairo : Arab foreign ministers on Sunday stressed their consensus on abiding by an Arab initiative and continuing efforts to implement the plan to resolve the current Lebanese political crisis.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the headquarters of the Cairo-based Arab League (AL), Arab top diplomats lauded the efforts made by AL Secretary General Amr Moussa, urging all Lebanese parties to respond to Moussa's efforts.
Defeating IS may take longer than three years: Pentagon
Washington: US Defence Secretary and Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said on Wednesday that the fight against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group may take...
Threatened Afghan plane lands in Kandahar
By Xinhua,
Kabul: A China-bound Afghan plane of Kam Airlines, reportedly threatened by a bomb, landed at the airport in Kandahar city in southern Afghanistan Sunday night, sources at Kabul International Airport said.
An official in the airport said the plane scheduled to fly from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, to Urumqi in northwest China's Xinjiang region has now landed at Kandahar airport.
"The plane would return to Kabul after two hours," he added.
He did not provide any further information on the reason why the flight was cancelled.
Explosion kills five in northern Lebanon
By DPA,
Beirut : An explosion ripped through a bus carrying Lebanese soldiers in northern Lebanon Monday killing five and wounding 17, Lebanese security sources said.
The explosion took place near a bus carrying Lebanese soldiers in the Bahsas area in northern Lebanon.
A Lebanese soldier at the scene said the bomb was a result of a booby trapped car.
He added that it targeted a bus carrying Lebanese army soldiers.
Hospital sources said most of the casualties were soldiers.
The area was immediately cordoned off by Lebanese army troops.
London conference “purely a political gesture”: UK author
By IRNA,
London : The Afghanistan Conference in London is “purely a political gesture” by the British government as part of the Labour Party’s machination to mislead the country’s public opinion, a veteran journalist and author said.
Yvonne Ridley also said that the British prime minister is trying to look like a world leader before the British public opinion who will have to cast their votes in the near future.
Netanyahu to meet Egyptian president
By IANS,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope that the stalled peace process between Israel and Palestine would resume next week.
"I was told that the Palestinian President intends on renewing talks, and I will be very glad if the venture comes to fruition next week," Netanyahu
said adding that Israel wants peace in its own interests.
Netanyahu will meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak next Monday to discuss ways to resume talks with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Xinhua reported.
Pakistan join England in Super Eight stage
By IANS,
London: Pakistan secured a place in the Super Eight stage of the World Twenty20 as they defeated the Netherlands by 82 runs in a crucial Group B encounter at the Lord's here Tuesday.
Man of the Match Kamran Akmal hit a 30-ball 41 and skipper Younis Khan made 36 as Pakistan posted a formidable 175 for five in 20 overs.
Leggie Shahid Afridi then took four for 11, fourth best figures in T20 internationals, and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal bagged three for 20 to pack off the Netherlands for 93 runs in 17.3 overs.
Four Indians killed in Kabul attack identified
New Delhi : The four Indians killed in the overnight Taliban attack at a guest house in Kabul have been identified as Mathew George,...
Pakistan to try 3,300 terror suspects in military courts
Islamabad : Around 3,300 people accused of being hardcore terrorists will be tried in special military courts in Pakistan over the next two years...
Troops loyal to Yemeni president thwart Houthi rebels
Sanaa: Security forces and tribal militias loyal to Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi repelled an attack on Monday by Shia Houthi rebels in...
Kurdish politician Zana sentenced to prison in Turkey
By DPA
Ankara : Kurdish politician Leyla Zana was sentenced by a Turkish court Thursday to two years imprisonment after being convicted of spreading "terrorist propaganda", the NTV television station reported.
The court in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir found that Zana, the winner of the 1995 European Parliament Sakharov Peace Prize, had spread terrorist propaganda during a political rally last year.
Ahmadinejad snubs Sarkozy, says Iran will never recognise Israel
By IANS,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Tuesday accused his French counterpart Nicholas Sarkozy of arrogance for his pro-Israel stand and said Iran will never recognize "the Zionist regime", official IRNA news agency reported.
"Whoever is to talk with the Iranian nation should know that Iranians would never recognise the Zionist regime," Ahmadinejad said addressing a large crowd in the city of Ahvaz, capital of the western province of Khuzestan.
Bad weather forces Zardari to cancel Afghanistan visit
By DPA,
Kabul : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, who was scheduled Friday to visit Kabul for the first time for talks with his Afghan counterpart, Hamid Karzai, has cancelled his trip because of bad weather, the Afghan presidential palace said.
"Due to bad weather in Kabul and low visibility at the airport, President Zardari cancelled his trip to Kabul today," Simak Herawi, a presidential palace spokesman said.
Naeem Khan, spokesman for the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, said the president had postponed his trip because of poor weather in Kabul as well as in Islamabad.
Day before vote, gunmen occupy bank in Kabul
By DPA,
Kabul : An unknown number of gunmen were holed up in a government bank in the centre of Kabul Wednesday as police and army forces were trying to enter the building, officials and witnesses said.
"Our forces are already inside the bank and they are trying to clear the building of these men," Zemarai Bashary, an Interior Ministry spokesman, said.
The armed men who were driving a small car stormed inside a bank in the Jadeh Maiwand neighbourhood in Kabul after apparently being chased by police, witnesses said.
Further eight Kuwaiti candidates quit
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Another eight candidates on Thursday withdrew from the coming election race due to be held on May 17, the Election Administration said.
Thus, the total number of hopefuls nosedived from 380 to 351, it added.
The Fourth Constituency witnessed withdrawals from Bader Eid, Thamer Saad and Motlaq Mohamed.
Sabah Abdullah and Abdullah Sharar quitted from the Fifth Constituency, while Yussef Abdel-Mohsen, Abdullah Motaeb, and Zain al-Abdeen withdrew from the First, Second and Third Constituencies respectively.
Palestine: Al-Aqsa Brigades launches missiles into Southern Israel
By NNN-KUNA
Gaza : The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement announced on Wednesday it fired two missiles towards southern Israel.
The Brigades said in a statement that the locally-made rockets, Aqsa-3, targeted the Israeli Zikim post north of Gaza Strip.
The statement emphasized that the launch of these rockets came in response to the continuing crimes carried out by the Israeli occupation forces against "our people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip".
UNGA elects five new non-permanent UNSC members, Iran defeated
By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : UN General Assembly on Friday elected Japan, Turkey, Austria, Mexico and Uganda to serve as non-permanent members of the Security Council for a two-year term beginning January 2009.
Japan got 158, Turkey 151, Austria 133, Mexico 185 and Uganda 181. The required vote is 128.
Iran, which is under sanctions for the last two years over its nuclear file, got 32 and iceland 87. They lost.
U.S. forces kill 3 family members north of Baghdad
By Xinhua
Tikrit : The U.S. forces allegedly killed three people and wounded a fourth from one family in a town in Salahudin province, north of Baghdad, on Tuesday, a source from the U.S. and Iraqi liaison office said.
The incident took place at dawn in the town of al-Dowr, 30 km north of the provincial capital of Tikrit, the source from the provincial Joint Coordination Center (JCC) told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Dubai institute offers new real estate degree programmes
By IANS,
Dubai : Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI), the Gulf's first institute to focus solely on real estate education, Saturday announced the launch of its three latest degree programmes.
The latest programmes will encompass three in-built degrees; master of real estate development, graduate diploma in real estate, and certificate in real estate, according to a DREI statement issued here.
"We are committed to introducing the most relevant programmes in real estate education," Salem Al Shafiei, managing director of DREI, said in the statement.
Gaza toll rises to over 1000
Gaza : The toll in the 19-day Israeli offensive has climbed to 1,030, with the bodies of at least 130 more Palestinians being recovered...
Majority of Palestinians support Abbas, shows poll
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : An opinion poll has shown an upswing in the rating of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a majority of people have opposed his resignation.
According to the poll conducted by Near East Consulting Company, 73 percent of the respondents support Abbas while 27 percent trust the deposed Hamas prime minister, Ismail Haneya.
The poll, conducted May 24-27, involved randomly selected 830 respondents.
Fifty-nine percent recognise Prime Minister Salam Fayyad government as the legitimate one while 24 percent see Haneya's government as the true one.
Moderate earthquake shakes Pakistan’s northwest, Islamabad
By IRNA,
Islamabad : A moderate earthquake rattled most parts of northwestern Pakistan on Monday, shaking buildings and sending people into the streets in fear, the metrological department said.
The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.7, said Dr Chaudhry Qamar-uz Zaman, head of Pakistan a meteorological department.
There were no reports of any casualties or damage, he said.
The epicenter of the quake, which occurred at 08:37 a.m., was located in Hindu Kush range.
The earthquake was felt in Islamabad, Peshawar and Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Gaza hospitals overloaded with expired drugs
By IANS,
Gaza : Hospitals in the Gaza Strip are overloaded with expired drugs and medicines, Palestinian officials said.
The officials insisted Thursday that the drugs and medicines, which were donated to the Gaza Strip by aid organisations all over the world over the last two years, had expired, Xinhua reported.
Only 30 percent of the medical aid, sent to Gaza after the last Israeli military offensive 19 months ago, were used at hospitals and medical aid centres, an official in the Hamas-ruled ministry of health said.
Mortar bombings kill guards of Iraqi vice president
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Mortar shelling on Friday hit central Baghdad, killing two of the guards of Iraq' vice president Tariq Al-Hashmi, a local TV station reported. The TV station affiliated with Al-Hashmi's party said two of the guards of the vice president were killed and four civilians were injured when mortar shells landed near his office in the international zone.
An Interior Ministry source said earlier that two of his guards were injured.
It is not immediately clear if his office was intentionally targeted.
OIC appeals for help to Tajikistan people facing freezing cold
By NNN-KUNA
Riyadh : Warning against a "looming humanitarian crisis" in Tajikistan due to the freezing cold, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) appealed to its member countries Monday to render emergency assistances to the Tajik people.
The severe cold wave this winter led to huge material and human losses, OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said, voicing grave concern over the situation in the Central Asian country.
One ISAF soldier killed, three injured in separate incidents
By KUNA,
Kabul : One soldier of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was killed and three more wounded in two separate incidents in southern Afghanistan. A statement from ISAF headquarters released on Tuesday said names and nationalities of the soldiers would not be made public "unless the relevant authority does so." The brief statement neither mentioned the exact location and nature of the incidents, nor the exact date of their happening.
Rice insists Afghanistan strategy is working despite warnings
KABUL (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice denied here Thursday the allied strategy to stabilise Afghanistan was failing, saying it was incomplete and needed innovation to crush "determined enemies."
557 swine flu cases in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : A total of 557 swine flu cases have been detected in B Bangladesh this year.
The statistics, released here Sunday by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, said 125 cases were detected in August, 129 in July, 62 in June, 56 in May and 98 in April, Xinhua reported.
Two women died this year - one in April and another in August.
Muslim leaders call for introspection for solutions
By DPA,
Kuala Lumpur : Muslim leaders Monday called on Islamic nations to stop claiming to be victims of the West and start solving their internal problems to begin bridging a rift with the rest of the world.
Former Pakistani prime minister Shaukat Aziz said a growing distrust of Islam in the West is largely because of the failure of Muslim countries to project the correct view of Islam, which is that of peace and non-violence.
"The Islamic world is currently looked at in a very derogatory view," Aziz told delegates at an Islamic conference held in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Kerry to discuss India-Pakistan tensions with Sharif
Islamabad : US Secretary of State John Kerry, who will arrive here on a two-day official visit Monday evening, will raise with Prime Minister...
Palestinian Cabinet warns Israel may escalate Gaza incursion
By NNN-KUNA
Ramallah : The Palestinian cabinet warned Monday that Israel may carry out its threat of an escalation in Gaza Strip, which would pull the region back into violence and thwart peace efforts.
In its weekly session, the cabinet noted that these threats coincided with an escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, where settlements and the separating wall were continuing to be built, alongside political assassination and arrests.
UK MPs condemn Israeli intimidation of journalists
By IRNA,
London : Liberal Democrat shadow treasury minister Colin Breed has called on the British government to intervene over the Israeli beating of an award-winning Palestinian journalist.
"Parliament condemns the actions of the Israeli security forces with regard to the Palestinian journalist and joint winner of the 2008 Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism, Mohammed Omer," Breed said.
Eight Taliban bombers attack Afghan government buildings
By DPA,
Kabul : Eight Taliban fighters equipped with suicide vests and automatic weapons attacked government buildings in western Afghanistan Wednesday morning, officials said.
Interior Ministry spokesman Zamarai Bashary said seven attackers were killed by Afghan forces in Zaranj, the capital of the western province of Nimruz.
"Seven of the bombers were killed in their own explosions or by our forces," General Jabar Purdeli, provincial police chief, told DPA. He said the last militant was holed up inside a government building and the fighting continued.
President Zardari Committed To Tangible Change
By Bernama,
Islamabad : Despite the internal and external challenges facing Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari is committed to elimination of terrorism and extremism, strengthening of federation and bringing about a tangible socio-economic change in the country, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
When President Zardari took reign of the country's affairs on September 9 last year as a democratic head of state, Pakistan was facing a difficult situation in the wake of terrorist attacks and a tense environment due to drone attacks in the tribal areas.
Two bombings kill 12 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 12 people were killed and several more injured Friday in two bombings in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi and a tribal district near the Afghan border, officials said.
The first bombing tore through a house where explosives were being stored in Pakistan's largest city Karachi, killing seven suspected militants.
M.K. Narayanan meets Oman’s ruler
By IANS,
Dubai : India and Oman discussed the political and economic situation in the Middle East during the two-day visit of India’s National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan to Muscat.
“The NSA met (Oman’s ruler) Sultan Qaboos Ibn Said Al Said and his counterpart Ali Bin Majid Al Maamari, Royal Office Minister,” India’s Ambassador to Oman Anil Wadhwa told IANS Thursday.
“Regional issues of mutual interest came up for discussion during the course of the meetings,” he said.
Shahnama: The book fit for kings
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net
“Free admission, but capacity is limited to 15 and registration is recommended,” read the email sent to me the morning...
Scotland Yard team visits Liaquat Bagh for assassination probe
By IRNA
Islamabad : Scotland Yard investigators started a probe into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto by visiting Liaquat Bagh here Saturday.
The six-member team examined the place where the former prime minister came under attack on December 27 while leave Liaquat Bagh in her vehicle after addressing an election rally.
The team, which arrived in the area under tight security arrangements, inspected the venue of the public rally.
Obama hails Pakistani polls
By IANS,
Washington : US President Barack Obama has hailed the National Assembly election in Pakistan, calling it "a significant milestone" in the country's democracy building.
Israel premier questioned for sixth time in corruption probe
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israeli police were questioning Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a sixth time Friday on his alleged involvement in corruption affairs currently under investigation.
It was unclear which of the affairs would form the focus of the latest round of questioning, but Israeli media said the investigators would quiz the premier on suspicions he double - and even triple - billed sponsors for overseas visits, and used the extra money to pay for trips for his family.
Two dead in forest fire in southern Turkey
By SPA,
Ankara : Two people were burnt to death and more than 40 injured in a forest fire in southern Turkey on Tuesday, NTV television reported.
The blaze in the Mediterranean province of Mersin started around midday on Monday and forced the evacuation of a number of villagers in the region around Silifke.
In addition to destroying 400 hectares of forest, a large number of farm animals were killed in the fire.
Turkey extends mandate for striking PKK in N Iraq
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Turkey's parliament on Wednesday approved to extend the government's mandate for striking the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in north Iraq.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Tuesday that the country would launch cross-border military operations against PKK's bases in northern Iraq if necessary.
Afghanistan rebuilding itself – with a little help from India
By Ranjana Narayan,
New Delhi : As Afghanistan rebuilds its institutions, including in the fields of governance and education, after decades of war, Afghan officials...
American military chief in Pakistan amid Indo-Pak tension
By KUNA,
Islamabad : Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, Monday arrived here amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan that led Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to enhance air defense of the country During his stay, according to defense ministry sources, Admiral Mullen will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart and other senior military and government officials.
The talks would mainly focus on security at Pak-Afghan border, bilateral cooperation in the war against terrorism and Indo-Pak tension.
Strengthening extremists
By Nicholas D. Kristof, CGNews,
The yearlong siege of Gaza may soon end with the new ceasefire there, marking the eclipse of one more American-backed Israeli policy that backfired by strengthening extremists.