Four shot dead in Nigeria bar attack
By IANS,
Abuja: At least four people were killed and seven seriously injured in Nigeria after unidentified gunmen stormed a local bar and opened fire at fun-seekers, Xinhua reported.
Curfew on Baghdad lifted, except for Kathimiya city
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : The curfew on Baghdad was lifted at 5 pm local time, except for Kathimiya city, said spokesman for Baghdad Operations Command Major General Qassem Attah.
Speaking at a press conference in Kathimiya city Tuesday, Attah affirmed the curfew on all types of vehicles was lifted except for Kathimiya city, adding that the curfew on the city would be lifted later.
Curfew was imposed on Kathimiya Monday due to three explosions which led to the death of 26 people and the injury of about 95 others.
Israeli, Palestinian leaders meeting before Bush arrival
By SPA
Tel Aviv : Israeli and Palestinian leaders meet on Tuesday, a day ahead of U.S. President George W. Bush's arrival in the region, to try to wring some sort of progress from talks that have barely advanced since a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference.
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will discuss procedural matters, including which negotiators will be assigned to thrash out the various issues that divide the two sides, an Israeli official was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
Pakistan must resist US pressure: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan could and should resist US pressure regarding the Iran-Pakistan pipeline, said a leading daily Friday.
140 Iraqi refugees in Syria head home
By SPA,
Damascus, Syria : Some 140 Iraqi refugees living in Syria headed home Wednesday on a free trip organized by the Iraqi government, citing improved security in their country.
The refugees boarded a chartered Iraqi Airways flight to take them to Baghdad, where they will receive an official reception at the airport. The Iraqi Embassy says it is
planning several such trips in the coming weeks, Associated Press reported.
Balochistan proposes steps to avert terror attacks
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Balochistan government in Pakistan seeks to introduce stringent measures to tighten security in the province.
Miliband: London, Damascus holding talks on intelligence co-op against terrorism
By Xinhua,
Beirut : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has revealed that London has been carrying talks with Damascus on intelligence cooperation against terrorism for the past 18 months, Lebanon's daily newspaper An-Nahar reported Thursday.
Miliband disclosed the news after meeting Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Fouad Seniora here Wednesday, according to the report.
"We will work with the Syrian government to combat terrorism because it threatens us both," Miliband was quoted as saying.
90 Afghans dead as NATO airstrike hits hijacked fuel trucks
By DPA,
Kunduz (Afghanistan) : Ninety people were killed Friday when a NATO airstrike hit two Taliban-hijacked oil tankers in the northern Afghan province of Kunduz as the militants were distributing fuel to civilians, Kunduz's governor said.
The militants stopped the two oil trucks, which were bound for German forces stationed in Kunduz, Thursday night on the highway connecting Kunduz with the neighbouring province of Baghlan, Governor Mohammad Omar said.
Afghan Rebels Kill Two ISAF Troops
By Prensa Latina,
Kabul : Two Latvian soldiers from the NATO–led International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) were killed by bomb and armed clashes in Faryab, north Afghanistan.
ISAF spokesman, Brigadier General Richard Blanchette, said the blast killed one and wounded three ISAF Latvians in a passing caravan.
Another 13 bystanders were injured.
Blanchette added that another Latvian soldier was killed in a rebel attack while patrolling in Faryab Province.
A total of 70,000 ISAF soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan under US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Al-Jazeera: Kuwait’s emir dissolves parliament
By Xinhua
Kuwait City : Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolved the parliament on Wednesday, the pan-ArabAl-Jazeera television reported.
The report said the ruler had informed the Kuwaiti parliament speaker Jassem al-Kharafi that the assembly was dissolved.
The decision was made after first deputy premier and ministers of Kuwaiti cabinet submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad on Monday. The opposition-dominated parliament was accused of not cooperating with the cabinet.
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain withdraw ambassadors from Qatar
Dubai/Riyadh : Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain announced Wednesday they were withdrawing their ambassadors from Qatar which, they said, was...
UAE envoy meets Afghan mines minister
By IANS/WAM,
Kabul : The United Arab Emirates ambassador to Kabul, Yusuf Saif Khamis Al-Ali, Tuesday met Afghan Minister for Mines, Wahidullah Shahrani here.
Sudan Shuns Genocide Charge VS President
By Prensa Latina,
Khartoum : The government of Sudan rejected charges filed by the International Penal Court Prosecutor against President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir for alleged genocide in Darfur.
Information and Communication Minister Al-Zahawi Ibrahim Malik said his country will no hesitate to defend its sovereignty, unity, security and territorial integrity, adding that Khartoum does not recognize that court.
More to Saudi women than the niqab
By Maha Akeel
Perhaps one of the most misunderstood and stereotyped countries in the world is Saudi Arabia, particularly when it comes to its women.
India’s crackdown on dissent may stall reforms, says NYT
Washington : Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and its political allies of trying to silence dissent, the New York Times Tuesday suggested that...
Ministry of Defence rejects claims of Taliban resurgence
LONDON, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- British Royal Marines in Afghanistan have claimed a lack of troops means the Taliban are returning to ground won in recent battles.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) Wednesday denied the troops' claims and said British forces had "much to be proud of" in what they had achieved in the country so far.
The MoD also refused to comment on reports today that senior officers fear Britons are fighting alongside the Taliban.
Suicide attack on Afghan ministry kills five
By DPA,
Kabul : At least five people were killed and six injured when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-filled vest inside a ministry in Afghanistan Thursday, officials said.
Security guards at the ministry of information and culture in Kabul opened fire at the bomber but he managed to enter the building and blow himself up, said a ministry official on condition of anonymity.
"Five people - a woman and four men - were killed," said Alishah Ahmadzai, Kabul's deputy police chief.
Five killed in car bomb in Somalia
Mogadishu: At least five people were killed and many others injured in a car bomb explosion Wednesday near in the Somali capital of Mogadishu,...
Bin Laden’s freed ex-driver arrives in Yemen
By DPA,
Sana'a (Yemen) : The former driver of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden arrived in the Yemeni capital Wednesday after his release from the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, security sources said.
Salim Hamdan, 40, arrived on a US military plane that landed in a military base near Sana'a International Airport, the sources told DPA.
Hamdan was convicted by a US military commission in August of supporting terrorism and sentenced to five and a half years in prison. He is due for release in January with time served.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka sign Memorandum of Understanding
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan and Sri Lanka have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoD) to increase the weekly frequency of flights by threefold from five to fourteen.
Delegations of the two countries met to liberalize the existing Air Services Agreement (ASA) between the two countries, said an official statement.
Pakistan delegation was led by Maj Gen Mir Haider Ali Khan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, whereas the Sri Lankan delegation was headed by D.T.P. Collure, Secretary Ministry of Ports and Aviation of Sri Lanka.
Two Hamas gunmen killed in N Gaza Strip
By Xinhua
Gaza : Israeli forces fired missiles in northern Gaza Strip early Saturday, killing two Hamas militants and wounding three others, medical sources said.
Mu'awia Hassanein, director of ambulance and emergency in the Palestinian health ministry, said Ihab al-Bana, 30, and Ali Jum'a, 25, were dead when they were rushed to the hospital, adding that three other militants were moderately hurt.
Two Iranians jailed for espionage
Tehran: A court in Iran's Kerman province sentenced two Iranian suspects to prison terms on spying charges for Britain and Israel, media reported Saturday.
One...
Pakistan to work with neighbours for peace: Zardari
By IANS,
Islamabad: Islamabad is working closely with Kabul and Istanbul for peace and stability in Afghanistan, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said at a summit in Turkey.
Ajman, Malaysia discuss relations
By IANS/WAM,
Ajman: Ajman, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Malaysia have held talks over bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation.
Bangladesh ex-dictator meets Hasina, may escape punishment
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's former military ruler Hussain Mohammed Ershad may escape punishment for violating the country's constitution following his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after which he "looked quite happy", his aides said.
The meeting Sunday took place at Ershad's instance, three days after the high court invalidated the seventh amendment to the constitution that had ratified Ershad's declaration of the martial law in March 1982.
The former military strongman's aides told The Daily Star that Hasina "asked Ershad not to worry much about his fate".
Al-Zawahiri appointed new Al Qaeda leader
By IANS,
London : Egyptian surgeon Ayman al-Zawahiri, who only this month called Pakistan a US colony, is the new chief of Al Qaeda following the killing of the group's founder Osama bin Laden.
255 tribesmen, police personnel killed by IS in Iraq
Baghdad : A total of 255 tribesmen and local policemen were executed by the militants of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group after it...
Bangladesh leader files appeal against death penalty
Dhaka: Mir Quasem Ali, a senior leader of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami, Sunday challenged the death penalty awarded to him for crimes committed during the 1971...
12 killed in attacks across Iraq
Baghdad: Twelve people were killed and 39 others wounded in separate attacks across Iraq Sunday, police said.
Five people were killed and 15 injured when...
Israel welcomes UN resolution against Iran
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel welcomes the resolution against Iran's nuclear program adopted Monday by the United Nations Security Council, the government said on Tuesday in a statement.
"This important resolution is an unequivocal message that the international community cannot countenance Iran's nuclear program," according to the statement.
France to invite Palestine, Israel for peace talks
By IANS,
Paris : France plans to invite Palestinian and Israeli leaders for peace talks scheduled for September in Paris, a media report said.
UAE provides iftar meals to Palestinians
By IANS/WAM,
Jerusalem : UAE charity the Red Crescent Authority has provided iftar meals to 20,000 Palestinians at the relief camps.
Five killed in blast at UN Islamabad’s office
By IANS,
Islamabad : Five people, including a foreigner, were killed when a suicide bomber detonated himself inside the lobby of the UN World Food Programme office in an upscale locality of this Pakistan capital.
The UN temporarily suspended its operations following the attack that was condemned by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Ishrat Rizvi, national information officer for the UN Information Centre in Islamabad, said: "We have temporarily suspended our operations in Pakistan due to the security risks to the UN staff."
Bahrain king congratulates Modi
Manama : The king of Bahrain has congratulated Indian prime minister Narendra Modi for success in the elections and wished him success in his...
Hundreds of anti-Saleh protesters injured in Sana’a
By IANS,
Sana'a : Hundreds of protesters were wounded in police action in Yemen's capital while demanding an immediate end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh rule, Xinhua reported Sunday.
Share intelligence to avoid Mumbai type attack: Rehman Malik
By IANS,
Islamabad: India must share intelligence on terrorists with Pakistan so that a "Mumbai type terror attack does not take place again", Interior Minister Rehman Malik said here Saturday.
Pakistan rejects US Naval Research Laboratory’s proposal
By SPA
Islamabad : Pakistan has rejected the US Naval Research Laboratory s proposal offering help in the preparation of geological surveys and maps, officials said.
Pakistan s Defense Ministry has issued a letter directing all the concerned departments not to accept any such proposal by any foreign institution, because the matter could involve a security risk.
The US Geological Survey and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) had offered their help in the preparation of Pakistan s geological surveys and maps.
Palestinians see peace deal delay if Olmert quits
By SPA,
Ramallah, West Bank : A Palestinian negotiator said on Wednesday any peace deal with Israel would be delayed if a police investigation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert forced his resignation and a new election was held, Reuters reported.
Saeb Erekat described the case as an internal Israeli matter but said Palestinians were following developments closely.
"If they decide to hold a new election then we will be late another year. If (Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi) Livni takes over, we will remain the same," Erekat said, referring to Olmert's designated deputy.
Pakistan: Intelligence agencies grills Taliban spokesman about Taliban plans
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Intelligence officials have been questioning the chief spokesman for the TalibanMaulvi Omar, who was arrested on Monday.
Maulvi Omar was arrested in the Mohmand tribal area while travelling to South Waziristan, near the Afghan border.
Pakistani officials said he has confirmed that the group’s leader, Baitullah Mehsud, was killed in a US drone attack earlier this month, BBC reports.
The Taliban had previously denied US and Pakistani reports that he was dead.
Seven hurt in Pakistan blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least seven people were injured in a remote-controlled blast Thursday in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region, Xinhua reported.
US envoy favours India-Pakistan trade enhancement
Amritsar: US Ambassador to India Richard R. Verma on Wednesday favoured enhancement of trade between India and Pakistan, and said he would certainly do...
Palestinian militants consider Israeli partial pullout of Erez “victory”
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Palestinian militants on Monday said an Israeli decision to pull non-combat soldiers out of a crossing point with the Hamas-rule Gaza Strip was a victory for resistance movements against the Jewish state.
"The Zionist enemy gradually admits what happened... this is a new victory for the resistance," said Abu Ahmed, spokesman for the Islamic Jihad military wing.
Anti-Qaddafi protesters storm Libyan embassy in Berlin
By IRNA,
Berlin : A small group of anti-Qaddafi protesters stormed the Libyan embassy in Berlin on Monday for the second time in less than a week, according to media reports.
Israel kills three Palestinians in Gaza
By DPA,
Gaza City : Israel killed three Palestinian militants in the northern Gaza Strip Tuesday, as they were about to launch a makeshift rocket at southern Israel, Palestinian medical officials and witnesses said.
The Israeli military confirmed only that Israel had "launched an attack" on a target in northern Gaza. A military spokeswoman gave no further details.
The Palestinian witnesses said the three were hit by an Israeli surface-to-surface missile.
Qatar plans new law to protect expatriate domestic workers
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : Qatar plans a new law that is aimed at protecting the rights of foreign domestic workers.
"Domestic workers usually don't fall under the purview of labour laws in the Gulf," India's Ambassador to Qatar George Joseph told IANS from Doha.
"The local government here (in Qatar) is now planning a separate legislation for (expatriate) domestic workers and they are very close to bringing it to effect," he said.
Two injured in Kabul explosion
By IANS,
Kabul : Two Afghan soldiers were injured in an explosion in Afghanistan's capital Kabul Sunday night, Xinhua reported.
Pakistani sentenced to life for passing defence secrets to ISI
By IANS,
Hyderabad : A city court Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment a Pakistani national for passing on vital Indian defence secrets to Pakistan and for criminal conspiracy.
Malik Arshad Mahmood, 44, was found guilty under sections 3 and 4 of the Official Secrets Act, section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, and section 14 of the Foreigners Act.
However, First Additional Metropolitan Sessions judge L. Srirama Murthy, who passed the life sentence on Malik, acquitted his Indian accomplice for want of evidence.
UAE, Finland discuss bilateral relations
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates and Finland have held talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the social sector.
Pakistani security forces make advances in South Waziristan
By IANS,
Wana (Pakistan) : The security forces claim to have taken control of the Spankai and Ghazai areas of South Waziristan along the restive border with Afghanistan, while Pakistan Air Force (PAF) combat jets pounded Taliban positions, killing 12 terrorists and demolishing several hideouts during a military operation that began late Saturday, a media report said.
Two security personnel were killed and five injured in two separate attacks in the region, which is the stronghold of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Geo TV reported Sunday quoting sources.
Pakistan was not sheltering Osama: Rehman Malik
By IANS,
Addu Atoll (Maldives) : Pakistan was not sheltering Osama bin Laden, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said here Thursday.
Islamic militants take schoolchildren hostage in Pakistan
By DPA
Islamabad : A group of Islamic militants entered a high school in a town in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Monday and took around 300 children hostage, media reports said.
The insurgents stormed into the school to escape arrest after failing to abduct a government health official and his driver in the Battal Khel area of Bannu district, 200 km south of the NWFP capital Peshawar, the Aaj television channel reported.
Pakistan: govt for crackdown against hoax callers
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The Government has directed the federal and provincial administrations and law enforcement agencies to double their efforts against the hoax callers and take strict action against them.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) have been asked to launch a crackdown against the hoax calls and callers in collaboration with other intelligence agencies to avoid this practice.
The operation would initially be launched in all major cities, including the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Dubai registers 163 percent growth in construction waste
By IANS,
Dubai : With no let up in its building boom, construction and demolition waste generated in Dubai registered a record 163 percent growth last year over the previous year, WAM news agency reported Monday.
According to the annual report of Dubai municipality's Waste Management Department, a total of 27.7 million tones of construction waste were removed from various construction sites in the city in 2007. In 2006, it just 10.5 million tonnes.
Israel adds more restrictions on Gaza power deliveries
By Xinhua
Gaza : Israel on Thursday started to reduce electricity supply to the Gaza Strip as part of pressure on the civilian population to force armed groups stop rocket attacks against Israel.
The reduction will be 1.5 megawatts out of the 120 megawatts that Israel directly sells to Gaza. Last week, the Israeli High Court rejected a petition by 10 Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations against the power cutoff.
U.S. for quick polls, emergency lifting in Bangladesh
By Xinhua
Dhaka : The United States Monday said it would be better for Bangladesh to withdraw the state of emergency as soon as possible and hold an election participated by all.
The visiting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs of U.S. State Department Donald Camp said this Monday.
He also said civil rights must be protected and due legal process in trials, including the trials of the two former prime ministers, should be followed, leading newspaper The Daily Star reported Tuesday.
Planning for terror strikes coming from Pakistan, Afghanistan: US
By NNN-PTI,
Washington : Contending that "much of the planning" for terror strikes around the world was taking place in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the United States has said it wants to help the two countries to deal with the menace.
The threat of terrorism is one that every nation and every group of people has to confront with, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a meeting of young European leaders in Brussels, while condemning the recent attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore as "just another senseless, violent act".
Copenhagen double attack perpetrator identified
Copenhagen: The alleged perpetrator of the double terrorist attack in the Danish capital Copenhagen was identified as a 22-year-old man born in Denmark, who...
Taliban announces ceasefire for Pakistan polls
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : The Taliban in Pakistan has announced a ceasefire ahead of the Feb 18 parliament polls, saying no attacks will be carried out on any election facility or rally.
"We announce ceasefire in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and tribal areas during elections," an organization named 'Taliban Ittehad' or Taliban Alliance said in a message released to the media.
The message signed by Maulvi Umer of the Taliban Alliance said that from South Waziristan to Swat in NWFP they will not attack any people or election facility.
EU meets in Poland on Palestinian statehood
By IANS,
Warsaw : Foreign ministers of European Union countries are meeting in Poland to seek a unified position on Palestinian statehood for a UN vote later this month, Xinhua reported.
Afghan woman, two kids killed in German troops’ fire
By DPA,
Kabul/Berlin : An Afghan woman and two children were killed and four other children injured as German soldiers opened fire on a civilian vehicle in the northern province of Kunduz, the Afghan police said Friday.
The incident - which occurred southeast of the provincial capital, also named Kunduz - took place Thursday evening in a region where German troops lead operations for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), German defence ministry spokesman Thomas Raabe said in Berlin.
Swat Taliban stronghold captured, militant casualties rise to 762
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces achieved a major breakthrough Wednesday by capturing the stronghold of the Swat Taliban as militant casualties on the 18th day of a military operation in the country's restive northwest rose to 762 and the army chief asked his troops to minimise collateral damage during their advance.
The security forces had established a firm foothold in Peochar, the headquarters of Swat Taliban commander Maulana Fazlullah, and other areas of the district, the military said.
N Lebanon clashes kill one Imam, wound three others
By Xnhua,
Beirut : A gun battle between Sunni Muslims and Alawites in a north Lebanon village mosque on Sunday left one Imam killed and three others wounded, Local Naharnet website reported Monday.
Automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades were used in the fighting in the village of Sheikhlar, which left Imam Ezzedine Qassem killed and was "triggered by dispute between villagers," the report said.
Security officials said that rescue workers had not been unable to enter because of the intensity of the fighting at the time, the report added.
Nine held for deadly shooting in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia Tuesday arrested a cell of nine people in connection with a deadly shooting Monday, in which five people were killed and...
Iran ready to talk nuclear issue without preconditions: Ahmadinejad
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran is open to talks on the nuclear issue with the West but without preconditions, President Mahmoud Ahamedinejad has said, IRNA reported Tuesday.
In a nationally telecast address to the nation Monday, the president said Iran was "ready to hold talks with the entire world countries, save for the Zionist regime (Israel".
However, "nuclear negotiations need to be held unconditionally", Ahamedinejad said in his first public statement on the issue, indicating that Tehran will not suspend its enrichment activities.
Pakistan flood victims move into new homes
By IANS,
Islamabad : Fifty families uprooted by devastating floods in Pakistan's northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan have moved into new houses they helped build with UN support.
Palestinians confirm Abbas-Olmert summit meeting
By DPA,
Ramallah (Palestine) : The Palestinian authority has confirmed that President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will meet in Jerusalem Monday.
Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator, Friday told reporters in Ramallah that the two leaders will discuss the core issues related to final status negotiations as well as calm in the Gaza strip.
Abbas and Olmert meet regularly to overcome difficulties that surface in the negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli teams. The last meeting took place three weeks ago.
Reginal Bureaus for boycott of Israel meet in Damascus
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : The five-day 80th Conference of Liaison Officers of Regional Bureaus of the Boycott of Israel has kicked off here with the participation of 15 Arab countries and representatives of the Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
Reports: Kidnapped Pak ambassador recovered
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin, who was kidnapped on Feb. 11, has been released, local TV channels reported Saturday.
Dawn TV quoted sources as saying that Azizuddin was expected to reach home soon.
He was kidnapped in Pakistan's tribal Khyber Agency while traveling to Afghanistan.
Several Pakistani troops die on border
By IINA,
Islamabad : At least 18 people are reported to have been killed in clashes on the Pakistan-Afghan border. Ten of the dead were reported to be Pakistani troops killed by an apparent missile strike by US or Nato-led forces, launched from Afghanistan. Eight Taleban militants were also killed in the fighting, a Taleban spokesman said. None of the Pakistani, Afghan or US militaries, or Nato, have yet officially commented on the incident.
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.
Amnesty International calls upon Bangladesh government to try war criminals
By KUNA
New Delhi : International human rights body Amnesty International (AI) has called upon Bangladesh's military-backed caretaker government to try its war criminals -- who allegedly joined hands with the then Pakistan government during the countrys liberation war in 1971.
AI wanted the present government to initiate the process of trying the war criminals at the earliest, AI secretary general Irene Khan told reporters at Dhaka Saturday night, news agency Indo Asian News Service reported Sunday.
Syrian parliamentary delegation to visit Iran
By IANS,
Tehran: A Syrian parliamentary delegation will visit Tehran for diplomatic talks, Iran's Press TV reported.
UN receives just $136 mn for Pakistan’s displaced
By IANS,
New York: The UN has received just $136 million, or just under one-fourth, of the $543 million it has appealed for to aid the three million civilians who have been displaced by the Pakistani military's anti-Taliban operations in the country's restive northwest.
Another $15 million has been pledged, APP news agency Tuesday quoted UN officials as saying.
The appeal had been made last month and was renewed at a donors' conference earlier this month.
Afghans protest against blasphemous cartoons
By KUNA
Kabul : Angry protestors, demanding expulsion of Danish and Dutch troops from Afghanistan and closure of embassies of the two countries, set ablaze Danish and Dutch flags to condemn the printing of profane caricatures of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and a film against Quran.
The angry protest by hundreds of people was staged in the country's northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif on Sunday. The people gathered in front of a shrine, known to be that of the fourth Caliph of Islam Hazrat Ali and chanted slogans against Dutch and Danish governments.
Giant unmanned airships to patrol Afghanistan skies
By IANS,
London : Giant unmanned airships that can fly for up to three weeks at a time could soon be providing cover for British soldiers in Afghanistan, a media report said Monday.
The LEMV (long endurance multi intelligence vehicle) is being developed by a team of British and American engineers and will give troops on the ground valuable surveillance information, Daily Mail reported on its website.
The helium-filled drone will, when it takes to the skies sometime next summer, become the world's longest endurance UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle).
Two Pakistani sentenced to death in Yemen
By IANS,
Sanaa : Two Pakistanis were sentenced to death by a Yemeni court Saturday after being convicted of drug trafficking, state media reported.
"Salim Dawod Abdulrahim and Imam Bakhsh Eyepub Yakoub received death penalty after the court convicted them of smuggling 1,695 kg of hashish into Yemen through its coastal territories," official Saba news agency cited the court's verdict as saying.
Israel ready to soften blockade on Gaza: EU
By DPA,
Luxembourg : Israel is ready to soften its blockade on the Gaza Strip by opening up to two land crossings into Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory, European Union (EU) diplomats said Monday.
Israel has been under increasing international pressure to reverse its embargo policy since late May, when its navy raided a flotilla bringing in aid to Gaza, killing nine activists.
Israeli forces kill one, injures 15 Palestinians in Gaza
By NNN-KUNA
Gaza : A Palestinian citizen was killed and 15 others were wounded Sunday in an Israeli raid in Rafah city, south Gaza Strip.
Eyewitnesses told KUNA, "Israeli tanks and helicopters stormed into the airport area, east Rafah, opening heavy fire on Palestinian homes." "Israeli tanks launched their attack from their posts near the borders between South Gaza Strip and Israel," eyewitnesses confirmed.
The area witnessed intense clashes between the Palestinian resistance and Israeli forces, resulting in the death of one Palestinian and the injury of 15 others.
Israel intensifies settlement expansion after Annapolis summit — report
By KUNA,
Gaza : The Department of Negotiation Affairs at the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) accused Israel on Sunday of intensifying its settlement expansion in the West Bank and Jerusalem since the Annapolis Conference.
The department, headed by Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat, asserted in a report that Israel extended its settlement expansion activities since the Annapolis Peace Conference that was held in the US in November 2007, and thereby was killing peace negotiations between the two sides.
Latest Israeli-Palestinian round of talks centers on basic issues — official
By KUNA
Gaza : A senior Palestinian official said on Wednesday that talks that were held between the Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams on Tuesday addressed a host of issues namely those related to the final status.
Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, told Voice of Palestine Radio that the discussions that involved him, along with the head of the Palestinian team, Ahmad Qurei, and the Israeli team, led by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, centered on final-status issues.
The three-hour meeting, held in Jerusalem, was attended by experts from the two sides, he added.
Death toll rises to 6 in Baghdad car bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The death toll from a car bomb explosion in northeastern Baghdad on Sunday rose to six, with 14 others injured, an Interior Ministry source said.
"The latest reports said that up to six civilians were killed and 14 people were wounded by the car bombing," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The source said that a booby-trapped car went off on Sunday morning near a mosque in the predominately-Shiite neighborhood of Sha'ab, adding that the attack apparently targeted a police patrol passing in the area.
Families displaced in Iraq returning home – Int’l Organisation for migration
By NNN-KUNA,
Geneva : The Internationall Organisation for Migration (IOM) has said that Iraqi families displaced by sectarian violence and military operations are returning in numbers to certain areas of the capital where security has improved over the past months.
Iran’s IRGC to stage military drills next week
By IANS,
Tehran: Basij militia force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) will stage two-day drills next week, a senior military commander said Saturday.
The...
US Marine dies in non-combat incident
By SPA,
Baghdad : The U.S. military says an American Marine has died in a non-combat related incident in Iraq.
The announcement pushes the monthly American death toll to 21 as May draws to a close. That is the lowest since February 2004, when 20 troop deaths were recorded, according to an Associated Press tally based on military figures.
The brief statement says the Multi-National Force _ West Marine died Friday and the incident is under investigation.
It does not give a location but the division operates west of Baghdad, primarily in the Anbar province.
Boosting economic, political assistance to Iraq importance – Sweden
By NNN-KUNA,
Stockholm : Swedish Premier Fredrik Reinfeldt has underscored the importance of boosting international assistance to Iraq in not only the economic sector, but also in the political sphere.
Speaking at the inauguration of the First Annual Review of the International Compact with Iraq (ICI) Thursday, he highlighted the need to emphasize human rights, including the rights of women and refugees, noting that since 2003, his country was host to more than 40,000 Iraqi refugees, the largest number in Europe.
Modi calls for greater cooperation with Bangladesh in energy
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday called for greater cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the areas of energy, power, infrastructure and...
HH the Amir meets Palestinian president on sidelines of Arab summit
By KUNA
Damascus : His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Saturday met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the delegation accompanying him at HH's residence in the Umayyads Palace here.
The reception was attended by members of the delegation accompanying HH the Amir.
Pakistan hopes to lure cricket teams with foolproof security
By IANS,
Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly finalized foolproof security plans for the visiting cricket teams, official sources revealed here Saturday.
Half of Gaza dead ‘children, women and elderly’
By RIA Novosti,
Damascus : Just under half of the fatalities in Israel's ongoing attack on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip are children, women or elderly people, a Palestinian health ministry official has said.
A representative for Gaza's health ministry told journalists that 854 Palestinians had so far died in Israel's two-week long attack on the enclave of 1.5 million people. A total of 270 of the dead are children, 68 women, and 90 elderly people, he added.
He also said that around 4,000 people had been wounded, including some 400 children in a serious condition.
Arab, South American Foreign Ministers hold two-day meeting
By KUNA
Buenos Aires : Arab foreign ministers will start a joint two-day meeting with their South American counterparts in the Argentinean Capital Wednesday to discuss, among other things, preparations for the upcoming summit of the two regions scheduled to be held in Qatar.
Syrian religious leader describes value of culture unifying force
By Xinhua
Stasbourg : Syria's Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Badr Al-Dean Hassoun said here Tuesday that the value of culture should be defined as a unifying rather than a dividing force.
In a speech to the European Parliament (EP) plenary session on the subject of intercultural dialogue, Hassoun said "there is one single culture" in the world, the culture of humankind, adding "we are all building one culture, so I do not believe in the conflict of cultures."
Turkey to lift Twitter ban
Ankara : Turkey’s president said Sunday the government would soon lift its ban on Twitter, which has sparked criticism at home and abroad.
“It is...
Germany voices “great concern” over Turkish incursion into N.Iraq
By IRNA
Berlin : The German government here Friday expressed "great concern" over Turkey's latest incursion into northern Iraq.
Addressing a routine weekly press briefing, German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger labelled Turkish military operations in northern Iraq a "not inconsiderable risk of destabilization." "We urge the Turkish government in its fight against terrorism to reduce its steps to the minimum to protect its own people," Jaeger added.
He warned of "further escalation" of the conflict, while urging Ankara's compliance with international law.
Blast kills two NATO soldiers in Khost, SE Afghanistan
By KUNA,
KABUL : A bomb attack on NATO convoy killed two foreign soldiers and injured another in southeastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, said a military spokesman.
Without giving more details, the spokesman said two NATO soldiers were killed and a third sustained injuries in a bomb attack in Khost province.
Police headquarters in the same province confirmed the blast and said it was carried out by a suicide bomber.
Wazir Pacha, spokesman for the Khost police headquarters, said the bomber detonated his explosives-packed car close the NATO forces' convoy.
Europe must boost Afghanistan mission: Outgoing NATO chief
By DPA,
Brussels : European members of NATO must not slacken their military efforts in the struggle against the radical Islamic Taliban in Afghanistan, outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said.
"Afghanistan is not US President Barack Obama's war. It's our war, the international community's," de Hoop Scheffer said in Brussels Monday during an interview.
Pakistan suicide blast kills six
By IANS,
Islamabad : Six people were killed and several injured Thursday in a suicide blast in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
The suicide attack took place at Rasooldar hotel in Tank district's Jandola area, Geo News reported.
Pakistan, Turkey wrap up air exercises
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan and Turkey have concluded air exercises aimed at excelling in the air combat capability, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said.
‘Taliban in talks about talks’
By IANS,
London : US President Barack Obama's recent call for a "reconciliation process" in Afghanistan has led to spurt in informal contacts between Taliban militants and other stakeholders in a series of capitals, including New Delhi, a newspaper reported Sunday.
Key players in the move include Abdullah Anas, an Algerian who was once close to Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden but now preaches moderation to young Muslims in British mosques, Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz and Qayum Karzai, the Afghan president's brother and his representative in the talks.
Postmodernism and the Quran
By Asghar Ali Engineer,
A general perception in the West is that Quranic teachings discourage progress and are incompatible with a modern way of life. Those who hold this view fall in three groups: anti-Islam elements; atheists who are opposed to all religion and spirituality; and rationalists, who consider religious teachings irrational.
Afghan elections will be challenging: British envoy
By DPA,
London : The presidential elections in Afghanistan later this month will be "very challenging" but measures are in place to "mitigate" threatened disruption from Taliban forces, Britain's ambassador to Kabul said Wednesday.
Mark Sedwill, speaking via videolink to a briefing at the Foreign Office in London, said the recent increased fighting in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan had guaranteed that about 70 percent of the people there would be able to vote.
35 dead in Turkish air raid
By IANS,
Aakara : Thirty-five people were killed when Turkish jets targeted them at the border with Iraq.
Four Pakistani soldiers killed on border with India
By DPA,
Islamabad : Four Pakistani soldiers were killed Thursday on the Line of Control (LoC) with India in the Himalayan territory of Kashmir, the military said.
"Miscreants opened small arms fire on troops at around 2 p.m. (0800 GMT) in Batal area along the Line of Control (LoC), killing two soldiers and fatally wounding two more," Pakistan military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said.
According to the spokesman, the gunmen were hiding in a wooded area that fell inside Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
UAE volunteers celebrate Eid with Syrian refugees
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Volunteers from the UAE celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with displaced Syrians living in refugee camps in Jordan.
PPP nominates Zardari for Pakistani presidency
By DPA,
Islamabad : The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of assassinated former premier Benazir Bhutto Friday nominated her widower, Asif Ali Zardari, as its candidate to succeed Pervez Musharraf as president of Pakistan.
Information Minister Sherry Rehman told reporters in Islamabad that the leadership of the PPP, the country's largest political party, had unanimously proposed Zardari.
Musharraf, who ran Pakistan for almost nine years, initially as military ruler, resigned his post Monday after being threatened with impeachment by parliament.
Afghanistan: Presidential election kicks off; candidate calls for change
By NNN-Agencies,
Kabul : As election campaign formally began in the post-Taliban Afghanistan on Tuesday, an arch rival to President Hamid Karzai's administration Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai called on Afghans to bring change through voting.
"My prime objective is to oust this corrupt administration through voting and provide shelter and job opportunities for 1 million people if people mandate me," Ahmadzai told a public meeting attended by some 1,000 of his supporters here in the Afghan capital.
Iranian women on Facebook want to shun veil: Study
London : Use of social media can influence attitudes and behaviours to a greater extent, even empower women too. According to a promising research,...
Iraqi PM extends deadline for arms handover to April 8
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iraqi government extended a deadline for Shiite militiamen in southern Basra to hand over their weapons from Saturday to April 8, the Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said in a statement Friday.
The militia would receive a financial reward if they surrender." All those who have heavy and intermediate weapons are to deliver them to security sites and they will be rewarded financially. This will start from March 28 to April 8," said Maliki.
Bangladesh to have younger border force
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh proposes to augment its border guards with younger men as part of sweeping reforms following the February mutiny in which 74 people were killed.
Proposals readied for approval by the cabinet include raising 15 new battalions and 60 Border Outposts (BOPs) and reduction of recruitment age from the present 23 years to between 17 and 19 years.
The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), which would be renamed Border Guard Bangladesh with a new logo and a new uniform, also wants its men to retire when they reach the age of 45.
South Asian officials mull joint action plan to combat climate change
By KUNA,
New Delhi : South Asian officials and experts Tuesday launched a dialogue in Bangladesh to deliberate on a joint action plan to combat climate change.
Discussions would also be held on collection of funds for their mission from internal sources as well as international donors, news agency Indo Asian News Service reported from Dhaka.
"The meeting is taking place amid growing concern over the adverse impact of climate change, like rising sea level that may partially or fully submerge Bangladesh and Maldives," Bangladesh leading English Daily "New Age" reported Tuesday.
2 Chinese engineers die in Pakistan mine collapse
By IANS,
Islamabad : Two Chinese engineers were killed in a mine collapse in Pakistan's Balochistan province, an official said Monday.
With husband unwell, Hasina may alter America tour plans
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may be forced to alter her plans to visit North America due to her husband's failing health, media reports said Saturday.
Hasina visited he husband, retired nuclear scientist M.A. Wazed Miah, at the Square Hospital here Friday night, The Daily Star newspaper said.
"He (Wazed Miah) is not yet out of danger. The members of the medical board formed by the hospital to treat the scientist will be increased from six to around 14," Sanwar Hossain, director of medical services of Square Hospital, told reporters.
Pakistani budget may freeze flour, gas prices
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's budget for fiscal 2008-09 beginning July 1 could freeze the prices of flour, electricity and gas and offer special medical discounts for the elderly.
Special measures to prevent tax evasion, relief for low-income groups, scholarships for poor students, smooth supply of flour to millers and retailers, besides diversion of resources from "certain sacred cows" to power-generation projects are also on the cards, The News reported Monday.
UN chief to visit Jerusalem, Ramallah for peace
United Nations : The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will visit Jerusalem, Ramallah and other cities during his official visit starting Sunday to broker peace...
Malaysia’s MMC to invest in Pakistan’s energy sector
By APP,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia : Malaysia’s largest investment company MMC has shown interest in investing in Pakistan’s energy sector.
The MMC delegation led by its Chairman Wira Syed Abdul Jabbar bin Syed Hassan called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani here Wednesday and expressed interest in carrying out projects in Pakistan’s power sector.
The MMC chairman said his company was preparing feasibility on the 1200 megawatt coal fired power project in Balochistan’s Gadani area.
Mosques in Britain opt for ‘open days’ to explain faith
London: Over 90 mosques across Britain are opening their doors to visitors to allow Muslims to "explain their faith beyond the hostile headlines".
The...
Pakistani Taliban leader declared proclaimed offender
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : An anti-terrorism court Wednesday declared Pakistani Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah a proclaimed offender, officials said.
Maulana Fazalullah, chief of the Taliban in Pakistan's Swat valley, is wanted for his involvement in acts of terrorism.
Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Khalil Khan Khalil directed Fazlullah and other accomplices to appear in the court or a police station within a week.
In May, the Pakistani government announced 50 million rupees (about $625,000) reward for providing information about Fazlullah.
Several militants killed, 5 others detained in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : The U.S.-led Coalition forces said on Thursday that it has eliminated several anti-government insurgents and detained five others in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, a press release of the alliance said.
It said that an operation took place in Kajaki district Wednesday and the troops searched several compounds to locate a Taliban leader associated with the murder of several Afghan government officials.
Hamas says Israeli closure of Gaza crossings meaningless
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A spokesman for the Islamic Hamas movement said Tuesday Israeli closure of Gaza commercial crossings is meaningless since Israel has not completely eased all sanctions imposed on these crossings.
Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement that since a truce in the Gaza Strip came into effect on June 19, Israel has not shown full commitment to reopening the crossings of Gaza, "therefore, closing the crossings today is meaningless."
Turkish troops advancing on Kurdish rebel headquarters
By DPA
Ankara : Turkish troops were Monday advancing on the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) headquarters located in the Qandil Mountains near the Iraqi border with Iran, Turkish newspapers reported.
PKK camps in the regions of Zap and Cemco Valley have been destroyed over the weekend and now commandos backed by F-16 warplanes were targeting the PKK's Qandil base, Hurriyet newspaper reported.
Pakistani PM Gilani calls for joint, coordinated efforts against terrorism
By NNN-APP,
Kuala Lumpur : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday stressed for joint and coordinated efforts in the global war against terrorism and extremism saying the blame game will not serve the cause.
“No one should indulge in blame game rather fight this menace jointly,” the Prime Minister told the Malaysian-based international media here in reference to a query about a suicide attack on Indian embassy in Kabul.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan wants to have excellent relations with its neighbours including India and Afghanistan.
Pakistan won’t be immune to global downturn: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : It would be naive to assume that Pakistan will remain immune as the global economic sentiment sours, said a leading daily.
Iran, Pakistan to hold joint naval drill
Tehran : A Pakistani fleet of warships docked in southern Iran is to hold a joint drill with the Iranian navy in the strategic...
Iraqi Interior Minister starts official visit to Washington
By NNN-KUNA,
Washington : Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad Al-Bolani started an official visit to Washington, at a time when the security agreement between the United States and Iraq seems to be postponed until at least next fall.
A US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told KUNA that Al-Bolani will hold talks next week with Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, where the Iraqi minister "will be reviewing a whole range of issues involving the Iraqi police and recent security gains."
Six militants killed in Pakistan’s Swat valley
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces killed six Taliban militants in Swat valley, officials said Wednesday, as thousands of people displaced by a government offensive returned to their homes in parts of the district.
The clash took place in the Kabal area, one of the former bastions of the guerrilla fighters, located near Swat's main town of Mingora.
"Six terrorists were killed and several others wounded in the intense gunfight," a security official in the region said on condition of anonymity. "Troops did not suffer any casualties."
Five dead in Karachi violence
By IANS,
Islamabad : Two political activists were among five people killed in violence in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, a media report said Sunday.
US authorizes delivery of training aircraft for Pakistan
By NNN-APP,
Washington : The United States on Wednesday authorized delivery of 20 T-37 trainer airplanes for Pakistan Air Force, which are expected to be delivered within next two months.
Pakistan had made the request for provision of the planes last year. In recent months Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, headed by ambassador Husain Haqqani, worked actively with the U.S. administration officials to expedite delivery of the aircraft, which are used for training purposes.
US Iranophobia campaign does not work
By IRNA,
Tehran : The Arab states in the region are not afraid of Iran despite US massive efforts to spread Iranophobia in the region, Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hassan Qashqavi, said on Monday.
He made the remarks commenting on a recent meeting in New York, held by the Group 5+1 members states and a number of Arab countries about Iran's peaceful nuclear issue.
Western states are trying to change their aggressive diplomacy into a public diplomacy and that is a sign of their failure, Qashqavi told reporters at his weekly press conference.
Floods force evacuation in Sindh, Balochistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Raging waters of the Indus river have flooded Pakistan's Sindh and Balochistan provinces, forcing evacuation of 90 percent of the villages. People were forced to shelter under the open skies as they saw their homes being washed away.
The country is grappling with its worst ever floods that have left over 1,600 people dead and affected over 14 million people. A media report put the total economic loss due to the floods at around Rs.250 billion ($2.92 billion).
Kerry defends Obama’s Afghanistan exit strategy
Washington : US Secretary of State John Kerry defended President Barack Obama's newly announced strategy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan amidst much criticism, media...
Four coalition troops killed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : Four US-led coalition troops were killed and five were wounded in two attacks in Afghanistan while a key local Taliban commander was also killed in fighting, officials said Friday.
Three coalition soldiers and a local interpreter were killed Friday in an attack on a coalition convoy in the east-central province of Maidan Wardak, said a military statement issued from the US military base at Bagram outside Kabul.
Identification of the victims was pending.
US airstrike kills six in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Six people were killed Thursday in a US airstrike in Pakistan's southern tribal region of Waziristan, the Dawn news TV channel reported.
According to the report, at least six people were killed when a US drone fired missiles at suspected militant hideouts in Waziristan region, the report said.
No further details were immediately available.
The area is considered to be stronghold of Taliban militants, led by Baitullah Mehsud, who was blamed for assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.