Mideast: UN Secretary-General urges Israel to exercise restraint
By APP,
United Nations : Condemning the killings of civilians in the Gaza Strip, including the “tragic” deaths of a mother and four of her children, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Israel to exercise maximum restraint.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ban reminded the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “of its responsibility to protect civilians under international humanitarian law during its military operations.”
Crashed helicopter was fully airworthy: Pakistan Army
Islamabad : The Pakistan Army has said that the Mi-17 helicopter which crashed on Friday killing two foreign envoys was fully airworthy.
"The crash occurred...
Bomb scare in Lahore
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) building in Lahore was Saturday evacuated after reports said a bomb was planted there. However, no explosives were found.
Japan”s envoy for Middle East to attend Arab League summit
By KUNA
Tokyo : Japan's special envoy for the Middle East Process will visit Syria, Israel, Palestine and the US to dicuss with his counterparts the current situation on the peace process, the Foreign Minsitry announced.
Dr. Tatsuo Arima, the government's special envoy, is scheduled to arrive in Damascus on Friday, where he will attend the two-day Arab League summit from Saturday as an observer.
During his stay in Syria, Dr. Arima is scheduled to hold talks with government officials from various Middle Eastern countries, the ministry said.
Death toll in Baghdad car bombing rises to 10
By Xinhua
Baghdad : The death toll from a car bomb attack in central Baghdad on Thursday rose to 10, with 50 others wounded, an Interior Ministry source said on Friday.
"The final toll from the Bab al-Sharji area car bombing rose to10 killed and 50 others injured," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The attack took place at about 2:00 p.m. (1100 GMT) when a booby-trapped car parking near the commercial building of al-Khaiyam in the crowded area of Bab al-Sharji detonated, the source said.
Private chopper with 6 on board crashes in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A privately owned helicopter with six people on board crashed into the Indus river Wednesday in the southern Pakistani city of Sehwan.
Iraq signs security pact with US on stationing troops
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and the US envoy to Iraq Ryan Crocker signed Monday the long-awaited security pact which would allow US forces to remain in the country for three more years, state-run TV reported.
"This is an historic day for the Iraqi and US relations," Zebari said during the signing ceremony.
He said the agreement has to be approved by parliament before it goes into force, adding that "there is a positive atmosphere among the political leaders."
Obama warns US patience with Iran is limited
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama said initial talks with Iran Thursday were "constructive" but cautioned Tehran must take concrete steps to assure the world its nuclear activities were peaceful and that US patience was "not unlimited".
Obama made the remarks hours after talks led by EU (European Union) foreign policy chief Javier Solana with Iran and included representatives from Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US concluded in Geneva.
US envoy to OIC confident of improving US image in Islamic countries
By KUNA
Washington : US president's envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Sada Cumber said it is possible to improve the US's image in the Islamic World.
Cumber told a press conference Wednesday night that by spreading a message of international peace and stability, the US will be able to correct any misperceptions.
Future visits to Islamic countries and the bilateral meetings held with leaders and Islamic organizations in the US and abroad will help deliver this message, he added.
France, UAE to sign nuclear energy agreement – sources
PARIS, Jan 11 (KUNA) -- France and the UAE are expected to sign a four-billion-euro agreement to provide the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the potential to develop civil nuclear energy, French diplomatic sources said Friday.
The agreement should be signed during a visit to the UAE by French President Nicolas Sarkozy on January 15, the sources, speaking on condition of anomymity, told reporters in a briefing.
France will provide the know-how and expertise to develop the civil nuclear energy project in the UAE, said the sources.
US investigates whether Baitullah Mehsud died in drone attack: WSJ
By IANS,
Washington : The US government has begun an investigation into whether Pakistan Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, who is said to be responsible for the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was killed in a drone attack Wednesday, senior officials have said here. DNA tests will be carried out to determine if indeed Mehsud has been killed.
Earlier reports had indicated that one of the wives of Mehsud had been killed in the drone strike in northwestern Pakistan's South Waziristan tribal agency.
PM Gilani briefed on India’s response to Pakistan’s 30 queries
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was on Thursday briefed on India's response to Pakistan's 30 queries seeking more information on the Mumbai terror attacks.
During a meeting at the Prime Minister's house here, Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik presented Gilani a copy of answers handed over by the Indian government in response to Pakistan's 30 questions, the official APP news agency reported.
Malik also briefed the Prime Minister on the overall law and order situation in the country.
Ethnic violence erupts in Karachi, 27 killed
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 27 people were killed and around three dozen injured in ethnic violence in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police and health officials said Thursday.
The clashes between activists of ethnic Urdu-speaking Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the minority-Pashtun population erupted Wednesday when gunmen shot dead two MQM supporters in the shanty-town neighbourhood of Khwaja Ajmair Nagri.
Over 173,000 Haj pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia
By IANS,
Riyadh : More than 173,000 pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia to perform Haj, Xinhua reported Sunday.
Suicide bombing in Iraq kills 25
By DPA,
Baghdad : A suicide bomber walked into a large group of mourners gathered for a funeral in the Iraqi province of Diyala Monday evening and detonated the explosives strapped to his body, killing at least 25 people and injuring "many more", police said.
A police officer told the Voices of Iraq news agency that it was not immediately clear how many died or were wounded in the attack in central Jalawla, roughly 200 km north of Baghdad. "But," he said, "the death toll will likely be high because of the strength of the blast."
Turkish president not to contest for second term
Istanbul: Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Sunday that he will not run for a second term in the forthcoming presidential elections in August.
"I will...
25 bodies found in Algeria’s gas field
By IANS,
Algiers : The Algerian Special Forces have discovered 25 bodies in the gas field facility attacked by militants in Tiguentourine in southern the country, a media report said Sunday.
Engage Syria for peace in Middle East: UAE daily
By IANS,
Dubai : The incoming US administration must understand the role of key players in the Middle East if it looks forward to resolving the crisis there, WAM has quoted a United Arab Emirates (UAE) daily as commenting.
''It is imperative for the next US administration to fully comprehend the role played by key nations in the Middle East region. Without this understanding, any effort to address the challenging problems would prove futile,'' wrote Gulf News Sunday in its editorial.
Hamas against linking truce to releasing Israeli soldier – Israel
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israel said on Monday that the Palestinian Islamic organization Hamas expressed opposition to linking an aspired truce to release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Israel Radio, citing security sources, said the Israeli intelligence official, Amos Gilad, was notified about Hamas' opposition to releasing the soldier at a meeting between him and the chief of the Egyptian intelligence, Omar Suleiman, held in Cairo yesterday.
Israeli army to acquire rockets
By IANS,
Tel Aviv : The Israeli military will acquire rockets with ranges of 40 and 150 km, a media report said.
Pakistan to continue talks with Taliban
Islamabad : Pakistan's top civilian and military leadership decided Monday that "all-encompassing talks" would be conducted with the Taliban to "achieve tangible results," officials...
Ebola vaccine in five years: Israeli scientist
Jerusalem : Leslie Lobel, a virologist at Israel's Ben-Gurion University, is not surprised by the current epidemic of the Ebola virus disease in West...
Germany pledges more aid to Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Germany's Foreign Minister Frank Walter said here Tuesday that his country will increase its development assistance to Pakistan to deal with the financial crisis.
Walter, on a one-day visit to Islamabad, urged the international community to stand by Pakistan at the difficult time to overcome the challenges posed by economic crisis and terrorism.
Addressing a joint press conference, co-chaired by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Walter said his country wants to strengthen bilateral ties with Pakistan.
15 Pakistani security men killed in bombing
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least 15 Pakistani security men were killed in a remote-controlled roadside bomb explosion in northwestern Pakistan late Tuesday, the News Network International (NNI) news agency reported Wednesday.
A convoy of six vehicles was carrying ration for security forces when the bomb exploded at Sarsenay area, some 30 km from Mingora, a major city in the Swat Valley of North West Frontier Province, reported NNI.
Security forces and militants exchanged fire after the explosion.
Three policemen killed in attack on US Consulate in Istanbul — official
By KUNA,
Istanbul : The death toll in the attack of the US Consulate here earlier Wednesday stands at three policemen, with two others injured, an official said.
Istanbul Governor Muammer Gular told reporters that the three unknown militants in a white car opened fire on the consulate, killing and injuring the five policemen standing guard at the building.
Turkish media reported that three of the four militants were killed in the attack, adding that the "20-25 year old attackers used pomp action shotguns and handguns."
Customs officials seize large drug consignment
By IANS
Dubai : Customs officials in Dubai have seized a large shipment of narcotic substances into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Dubai International Airport, WAM news agency reported Friday.
The drugs - pills of narcotic substance Keptagon - were hidden in a building material shipment from an Arab country. The drugs were packed in 17 large sacks.
The 230,000 pills weighing approximately 40 kg were discovered by the Port Authority's trained dogs and confiscated by Dubai Customs.
US worried about militant connections in Pakistan
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The US says it's taking a "pretty bold" stand on Pakistan, a key US ally in the war on terror, worried as it is about "some elements" there having connections with the militants in the region.
While "Pakistan, the government, the entity" was a US ally, "there are elements in Pakistan that worries one that there are connections to the militants in the region", US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in an interview with The Politico and Yahoo! News.
Toll escalates to 450 in Libya clashes
Tripoli : At least 450 people were killed in violent clashes in Libya's second largest city of Benghazi, officials said Sunday.
"The people killed include...
UAE to issue commemorative coins
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The UAE central bank will issue commemorative one dirham coins to mark the 50th anniversary of first oil exports from its Umm Al Shaif oil field.
Deposed judges can never be reinstated: Musharraf
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan President Pervez Musharaf has said the country's deposed judges would not be restored in any circumstances, the media here said Tuesday.
In an interview to The News Musharraf said a situation would not crop up prompting parliament to restore the judges since any change in the present status will require two-thirds support in the legislature.
"A two-thirds majority will be needed to amend the constitution. The incumbent judges are holding their offices in accordance with the constitution," the president said.
Iran to stop Europe oil exports
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran will stop its oil exports to Europe, Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi said Saturday.
India awaiting word on Pakistan’s Mumbai probe: Mukherjee
By IANS,
New Delhi/Islamabad : India Saturday said it was awaiting a formal communication on Pakistan's probe into the Mumbai terror attacks that New Delhi has blamed on elements operating from the neighbouring country, even as Islamabad hoped its enquiry would ease sub-continental tensions.
"The Pakistani High Commissioner (Shahid Malik) paid a courtesy call on the Home Minister (P. Chidambaram) on January 29, 2009. He did not provide any details on the results of the investigation in Pakistan into the Mumbai attacks," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in New Delhi.
Jaswant’s views on Jinnah not ours, says BJP
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday disassociated itself from senior party leader Jaswant Singh's praise for Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah, saying it "does not represent the views of the party".
A day after Jaswant Singh's book "Jinnah - India, Partition, Independence" was launched at a function in the capital, BJP president Rajnath Singh said the views expressed by the former external affairs minister were not that of the party.
OIC supports Palestinian decision
Jeddah: The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani has welcomed the Palestinian leadership's decision to sign letters of...
Illegal Bangladeshi immigration being tackled: Government
By IANS,
New Delhi : The central government is taking adequate steps to curb illegal infiltration from Bangladesh into northeastern states like Assam, the Lok Sabha was told Tuesday.
Egypt asks Arab economies to join hands against globaL crunch
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Arab countries should join hands to stave off the impact of the global financial crunch on their economies, Egypt's Minister of Trade and Industry Rachid Mohamed Rachid has said.
"The international credit crisis will have negative impact on the world trade due to the recession which has hit the US and Europe. other economies will also feel the pinch in varying degrees," WAM quoted the Egyptian minister as telling reporters here Sunday.
Rachid arrived here Sunday on a two-day visit of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of a regional tour.
UN peacekeeping chief calls for mandate of Afghan mission to be sharpened
By APP
United Nations : The mandate of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) must be sharpened given the challenges the country has faced in the past year, including a resilient insurgency and a booming drug industry, the world body’s peacekeeping official said Wednesday.
Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, told an open debate of the Security Council that the insurgency is “more ruthless than we ever imagined,” and that “a massive illegal drug economy thrives in the vacuum of state authority.”
Spain asks Israel to foster peace talks
By IANS/EFE,
Madrid : Spain has asked Israel to take "necessary steps" to begin a dialogue with the Palestinians as soon as possible, even as Lebanon warned of an "implosion" in the Middle East if a new peace process fails.
"A failure in that peace process means that an implosion could occur in the Middle East, extremism will flourish in all corners of the region," Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri said at a joint press conference with the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero Thursday.
Ban strongly condemns Saturday’s rocket attack near UN compound in Baghdad
By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned late Saturday the rocket attack that occurred near the UN compound in Baghdad, Iraq, his press office said.
"Shocked and saddened," Ban "strongly condemns" the rocket attack in the proximity of the UN compound in Baghdad.
He expressed his condolences to the families of victims and sincere wishes of speedy recovery to the injured catering staff working for the UN.
Boy,11, tortured to death in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : An 11-year-old servant in Pakistan has died after being allegedly tortured by owners of the house he was employed at.
Released Britons relate horrors of Israeli massacre
By IRNA,
London : Released British activists have returned to the UK speaking of the “horrors” of Israel’s massacre in international waters of passengers aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.
“The last 72 hours have been the most harrowing in my life,” said director of campaigns and operations at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Sarah Colborne, who was a passenger on the Mavi Marmara, the main ship in the convoy.
Saudi Arabia denies counterterrorism operation during Haj
By IINA,
Riyadh : The Ministry of Interior has denied reports published in a Washington-based online newspaper that Saudi officials had launched a massive crackdown on Al-Qaeda terrorists who were allegedly planning to attack pilgrims participating in this year’s Haj. The Middle East Times — a sister publication of the Washington Times which is owned by News World Communications — carried the report on December 16 quoting unnamed US intelligence officials. The report said the Saudi government’s operation followed alerts that Al-Qaeda planned to launch a bloody assault on pilgrims.
Militants may exploit flood-affected children: Zardari
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and a top US senator have warned that militants may exploit orphans and children of flood-affected people for their terror activities.
"We are giving them everything we’ve got. There is a possibility that some negative forces would exploit this situation. For example, militants can take orphaned babies and put them in terror training camps," the president said at a joint press conference with US Senator John Kerry Thursday after visiting flood-affected areas of Multan and Jampur.
Blast kills five in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Three soldiers were among five people killed in Pakistan Wednesday when a bomb struck an army convoy, police said.
Five killed, 34 injured in Peshawar blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least five people were killed and 34 others were injured Monday night in a bomb blast at a market in northwest Pakistan's Peshawar city.
UN official rebuffs Israeli “humanitarian corridors” plan
By KUNA
Brussels : The head of the U.N. agency responsible for aiding Palestinian refugees rejected Wednesday an Israeli plan to set up "humanitarian corridors" in case of a bigger Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.
"We would refuse to engage in that discussion and there are many people who would have a lot of objection to that," Karen Koning Abuzayd, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) told a conference in Brussels this evening.
India denies violating Pakistani airspace, ‘technical intrusion’, says Zardari
By IANS,
New Delhi/Islamabad : India Sunday denied allegations that its fighter jets had violated Pakistani airspace, even as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari described it as a "technical incursion" and media "overhype".
Media reports were rife in Pakistan early Sunday saying that Indian fighter jets had violated its airspace late Saturday night and early Sunday in Lahore and Pakistan-administered Kashmir sectors, and an emergency was declared at the Pakistan Air Force airbases at Shorkot and Sargodha.
Bahrain to help treat Gaza injured
Dubai : Bahrain will help 100 people injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza to get treatment in Egypt, a media report said Friday.
Bahrain has...
42 Taliban killed, 37 held in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : At least 42 Taliban militants have been killed and 37 arrested in a nationwide anti-terrorism crackdown in Afghanistan, the interior ministry said Sunday.
Afghan opium production up by 61 percent
By IANS,
Kabul : Opium production in Afghanistan has increased by 61 percent in 2011 in comparison with 2010, a UN report released here said Tuesday.
Iranian navy detects US aircraft carrier in drill zone
By IANS,
Tehran : The Iranian naval forces have detected a US aircraft carrier in the area of its ongoing military exercises, said Iranian Navy's deputy commander Seyyed Mahmoud Mousavi.
New US general takes command of Afghan military mission
By DPA,
Kabul : US General David McKiernan took command of the 40-nation NATO-led military alliance in Afghanistan Tuesday.
The change of command took place in a ceremony at NATO's Headquarters in Kabul attended by foreign ambassadors and senior Afghan officials including President Hamid Karzai.
Karzai thanked the outgoing NATO commander for his courage and service in stabilizing the country and fighting terrorism during his mission, but cautioned the new US commander that his job would not be easy in the face of mounting insurgency in the war-ravaged country.
Blair cancels Gaza visit, reasons not declared
By KUNA,
Gaza : Representative of the Middle East Diplomatic Quartet Tony Blair canceled a visit to Gaza Strip previously planned for Tuesday, but the reasons for the cancellation were not revealed.
A new timing for the visit is to be announced by Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza John Ging at a press conference.
There are reports, meanwhile, that Blair is currently at the Israeli Erez Crossing.
Twin suicide bomb kills 14, including Baghdad anti-Qaida leader
·Up to 14 people were killed, including an anti-Qaida leader, in a twin suicide bombing.
·Most of the victims were Awakening Council group members, the source said.
·There is some evidences indicate that Qaida in Iraq network is behind the attack.
By Xinhua
Restructure Pakistan’s education system: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : A complete restructuring of the education system is needed in Pakistan where the literacy level still remains among the lowest in the world, said a daily Monday.
Two killed in Pakistan firing
Islamabad: At least two people were killed Saturday when unidentified gunmen opened fire at a vehicle in the southern port city of Karachi, police...
One killed in Iran quake
By IANS,
Tehran : One person was killed and 17 were injured while hundreds of homes were destroyed when a 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Iran Saturday, officials said.
Iranian president rejects U.S. accusation on Iraqi issue
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday rejected the U.S. accusations that his country is supporting Shiite militias who fight U.S. troops in Iraq.
The U.S. practice of "accusing others without evidences will only bring it more problems in the region and it would not be able to solve the problems. They (the Americans) should accept the fact that the Iraqi people does not like the Americans," Ahamdinejad said in joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
Iran asks Interpol to arrest top Israeli officials
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran has asked Interpol to arrest 34 top Israeli political officials and 114 military commanders on charges of war crimes in the Gaza Strip, Fars news agency has reported.
The list, compiled by the Iranian prosecutor general's office, includes outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Ehud Barak.
Dhaka won’t hand over top ULFA leader to India
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh says it will not hand over Indian separatist leader Anup Chetia, who served a jail term here for entering the country with fake documents, but stressed it would not allow its territory to be used by militants.
Death toll in Kandahar suicide attack crosses 100
By DPA
Kabul : Kandahar's provincial governor said Monday that the death toll in the country's deadliest suicide attack rose to more than 100 victims with several dozen others injured.
"According to our new information, the death toll for yesterday's suicide attack has gone up to more than 100 people," Assadullah Khali said.
He said about 80 deaths were registered by provincial hospitals, while the remains of 20 others were taken directly from the site of Sunday's attack by their relatives.
UAE highlights relations with France
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stressed on the significance of its trade and investment relations with France.
There would have been no revolution without internet: ElBaradei
By IANS,
New Delhi: Egyptian opposition leader Mohammed ElBaradei Friday said that there would have been no Jasmine Revolution without the internet.
Iran president heads list of top int’l politicians: German survey
By IRNA,
Berlin : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad leads the ranking of top international politicians in terms of their overall political qualities, according to an opinion poll released Tuesday by the Munich-based weekly news magazine Focus.
Ahmadinejad had the highest score among the world's leading 32 politicians, among them US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.
Some 6,918 out of a total of 35,270 people cast their vote for the Iranian president whose combined grade was 2,76 with 1 being the best and 6 being the worst grade.
Malaysia to construct tallest building in Karachi
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 (NNN-APP) -- Malaysian joint venture company, IM Technologies Pakistan (Private) Limited, will design and build 47 Storey IT Tower Complex, the largest and tallest building in Pakistan with a total investment of US$ 197 million.
The agreement in this regard was signed in a simple but impressive ceremony between City Nazim Karachi, Syed Mustafa Kamal and Mr. Krishnan Tan, CEO and Managing Director of IJM Technologies Pakistan (Private) Limited in Kuala Lumpur, Friday.
King, Crown Prince greet Gilani on his election as Pakistan PM
By SPA
Riyadh : The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has sent a cable of congratulations to Yousaf Raza Gilani on his election as Pakistan's Prime Minister.
The King expressed his good wishes to Gilani and highlighted the existing historical relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and reiterated his keenness on further cementing these ties.
A similar cable of greetings was also sent by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, to Gilani.
Report: Abbas feels pessimistic about Mideast peace after meeting Bush
By Xinhua,
Washington : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said that his meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush over the Mideast peace process failed to make any progress, local press reported Friday.
Abbas is pessimistic about the prospects of achieving any deal with Israel this year, the Associated Press said after an interview with the Palestinian leader.
The biggest obstacle is Israel's continued expansion of Jewish settlements on Palestinian-occupied territories, Abbas said.
Arab League launches “Arabs hand in hand with Iraqis” solidarity campaign
By NNN-KUNA
Cairo : The Arab League has announced a wide-scale media campaign for solidarity with 4.5 displaced Iraqis, both at home and abroad.
The three-month campaign seeks to raise a minimum of USD 123 million.
Hisham Youssef, chief of Cabinet of the League's Secretary General held a joint press conference with Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma, who called for the campaign, and the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Cairo Tuesday.
Egypt court bans Al Jazeera
Cairo : An Egyptian court Wednesday ordered a ban on Al Jazeera for promoting "hatred" among Egyptians and "undermining national unity", a state-run daily...
India-Saudi ties growing stronger: Envoy
New Delhi: India-Saudi Arabia ties are going strong and their bilateral energy cooperation is at a high level, the kingdom's envoy, Saud bin Mohammed...
Majority of Fatah movement supports dialogue with Hamas: official
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : A majority in Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement supports a resumption of dialogue with rival Hamas, a senior Fatah official said here Saturday.
Mohamed al-Hourani, a member of Fatah central committee, said a majority within the Fatah movement also wanted to reach a realistic deal of reconciliation with Hamas.
The two rival movements, Fatah, which controls the West Bank and Hamas, which has been controlling the Gaza Strip since last summer, are the biggest political groups that represent 90 percent of the Palestinian population.
Palestinian official: Israeli offensive leaves 27 dead since Tuesday
By Xinhua
Gaza : A Palestinian health official said Thursday that the Israeli army had killed 27 Palestinians in a row in Gaza and the West Bank since Tuesday this week.
Mo'aweia Hassanein, chief of emergency and ambulance service in the Ministry of Health, told reporters that the Israeli army killed 19 Palestinians in Zeitoon neighborhood, eastern Gaza City on Tuesday, wounding over 40 with 12 still admitted to intensive care unit.
UN, UAE help Mauritania combat child trafficking
By IANS,
Nouakchott (Mauritania) : The interior ministry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the UN Children's Fund (Unicef) have organised a training workshop to combat child smuggling and trafficking here, WAM news agency reported Saturday.
The workshop was inaugurated Friday by Mauritanian Justice Minister Yahya Ould Sid'el Moustaph and the inaugural session was attended by officials from the UAE, the Mauritanian government and the Unicef.
Pakistan recognises terrorism as shared threat with India: US
By IANS,
Washington: The United States says it's encouraged by Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts as it believes that Islamabad now recognises terrorism as a "shared threat" with India and other countries.
Security and counter-terrorism efforts were part of the discussion at the first Pakistan-US strategic dialogue here this week "and we will continue our cooperation", State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley told reporters Friday.
18 dead in Pakistan landmine blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : Eighteen people were killed when a bus carrying a marriage party was blown up in a landmine explosion in Pakistan's Mohmand Agency.
According to Geo News, the marriage party bus was struck with anti tank mine planted by militants in Lakro area.
Eighteen people, including women and children, were killed while six people were injured.
Afghan women in jail for ‘moral crimes’: Report
By IANS,
London : About half of the women in Afghan prisons are being held for moral crimes like adultery or running away from home, says a Human Rights Watch report.
Is nuclear Pakistan really dangerous?
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Goncharov) - The world panics whenever Pakistan conducts a test of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
A Muslim state with nuclear weapons and extremists is also testing missiles? But this criticism is hardly justified. What should Pakistan do if it has nuclear warheads? It couldn't possibly carry them by aircraft.
Singapore sends landing ship tank to Gulf region
By Xinhua,
Singapore : A Singapore Navy Landing Ship Tank (LST) left the country's Changi naval base early Saturday for the Gulf region to support the multi-national reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
According to the statement issued by the Defense Ministry on Saturday, RSS Resolution and its crew of about 175 personnel will undertake tasks such as protecting the waters around key oil terminals, conducting patrols and boarding operations, as well as providing logistics support for coalition vessels and helicopters during the three-month deployment.
One Killed, 40 Arrests in Iraq
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : Unidentified men killed a member of an armed pro-government Iraqi group as Defense Minister Abdul-Qader al-Ubaydi headed to the northeast to supervise security operations.
Police say the member of pro-government Sahwa Council was killed in Hilla, Babel, by gunfire while driving his motorbike.
The Sahwa Councils were set up with official support at several locations, namely in Diyala, Ninive, Salah al-Din and Al-Anbar to boost tribal power against the resistance and Al-Qaeda.
Pakistan’s Geo News sues ISI
Islamabad : Pakistan's Geo News has sued the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for defamation after accusations of being anti-state, the channel said Friday.
The channel, which...
Pakistan supports “Kosovars’ legitimate aspirations”
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan has said it "understands and support the legitimate aspirations of the Kosovars and the need for peace in Kosovo and the region."
A Foreign Ministry statement Pakistan is watching the developments in Kosovo carefully.
Pakistan-US talks on security, counter-terrorism begin
Islamabad : The second round of Pakistan-US Strategic dialogue focussing on issues such as security, counter-terrorism and law enforcement began Tuesday, a media report...
Flydubai strengthens presence in Africa
By IANS,
Dubai: Flydubai, Dubai's first low cost airline, is set to expand its network in Africa with the announcement of flights to Djibouti from Sep 1, WAM news agency reported Monday.
"Djibouti is an important trading destination with established commercial links with Dubai, most notably through DP World, which operates the Port of Djibouti," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer of Flydubai.
Are Muftis try to break off BJP alliance: Omar
Srinagar : Is Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti trying to force the BJP to break their...
Ban telephones Zardari on Mumbai terror attack
By IANS,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday spoke to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari over telephone on the Mumbai terror attacks, an official said.
Michele Montas, spokesperson for the secretary-general, told reporters at the UN headquarters that Ban telephoned Zardari to discuss with him issues related to the terrorist attack on Mumbai last week that killed as many as 183 people, including several foreign nationals.
Details of the phone call were not immediately available.
Somalian Govt. to Meet Opposition
By Prensa Latina,
Addis Ababa : Representatives of the Somalian transition government and the opposition in exile are expected to meet in Djibouti on May 10, a note from the Ethiopian Foreign Minister announced on Saturday.
These talks are part of pro-reconciliation efforts by Somalian Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein.
It is the first such meeting between the Executive of the neighboring country and the members of ARS ( Alliancefor the Re-Liberation of Somalia, a Muslim-led coalition.
Bangladesh deploys troops ahead of polls
By DPA,
Dhaka : Military troops fanned out across Bangladesh Saturday to assist in maintaining law and order for the Dec 29 parliamentary polls to return the south Asian nation to democracy, officials said.
The deployment was made four days ahead of an earlier announced date, in the wake of withdrawal of state of emergency Dec 17, the country's Chief Election Commissioner A.T.M. Shamsul Huda said.
As many as 51,000 army troops will be deployed in addition to police during and after the elections, commission officials said.
Bilawal Bhutto to contest 2018 elections from mother’s seat
Islamabad : Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Monday announced he will contest the 2018 general elections from his mother's home...
Mohamed Morsi wins Egyptian presidency
By IANS,
Cairo : The Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Morsi was Sunday declared the winner of Egypt's presidential election run-off.
Pakistan President to work with new govt according to constitution
By NNN-APP
Rawalpindi : President Pervez Musharraf said the winning party or a coalition would form the next government and he would work with it according to the constitution.
Talking to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who is Co-Chair of the Pakistan Caucus on the Hill, at the President’s Camp Office here on Monday he said there was no conflict in his role with the Prime Minister in accordance with the Constitution, which was based on the parliamentary system.
UAE starts conservation projects
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : The UAE is according top priority to environment conservation and has launched two major projects on recycling carbon dioxide and converting waste into energy.
The Emirates launched a paper recycling programme to increase awareness on pollution and a project for conservation of power Thursday.
Two leading business groups from the region -- Emirates General Petroleum Corporation "Emarat" and Emirates Environmental Working Group -- collected and recycled around 16 tonnes of paper waste from Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Iran launches first communication satellite
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran Sunday launched its first communication satellite into space, Iranian state television reported.
The report said that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made the countdown for the Omid (Hope) satellite, which was launched on the Safir (Envoy) rocket.
Ahmadinejad termed the launching a great technological achievement for the Iranian nation.
The same rocket was first tested last February under the name Kavoshgar (Explorer) 1 upon Ahmadinejad's direct order from a space centre in order to prepare for the launch of the Omid satellite.
Trial of Bush’s shoe-attacker Iraqi journalist put off
By DPA,
Baghdad : The trial of Montazer al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad has been postponed, according to court officials.
Al-Zaidi, a reporter for the Cairo-based Baghdadia channel, faces seven to 10 years behind bars if found guilty of "aggression against a president". His trial was originally set for Wednesday (Dec 31).
A spokesman for Iraq's Central Criminal Court said Tuesday that the postponement was agreed upon following an appeal by the journalist's lawyers.
Four Al Qaeda-linked militants killed in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : The US-led coalition in Afghanistan Friday said its troops killed four suspected Al Qaeda-associated militants during an operation in the eastern province of Paktia.
A military statement released by the US forces said that the foreign fighters were killed in Paktia province Thursday.
The operation was carried out in Zurmat district of south-eastern Paktia province.
"Coalition forces targeted an Al Qaeda-associated militant known to assist local Taliban leaders with the movement of Arabs and other foreign fighters into Afghanistan," it added.
GCC states” diplomats celebrate 27th anniversary of establishing bloc
By Abdel Razzak Al-Hezami, KUNA,
Riyadh : Consulates of member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have organized a celebration marking the 27th anniversary of the GCC under sponsorship of Makkah Amir, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.
Kuwaiti Consul in Jeddah Ali Al-Haifi told KUNA the celebratory gathering, held last night, was the first time to be organized in the Red Sea city.
‘Contemporary art in Pakistan not here to stay’
By IANS,
Karachi : Contemporary art in Pakistan was not here to stay, an eminent art critic said here.
Palestine calls on international community to protect East Jerusalem
By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : Palestine has called on the international community to take "urgent measures" to protect East Jerusalem from Israel's illegal construction of settlements for there can be no peace without it and that it shall remain the capital of the future Palestinian state.
Kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia call on unity among Arabs
By Xinhua,
Amman : Kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia stressed that the unification of Arab attitudes and activating joint Arab cooperation are the best way to address the challenges facing the nation and preserve its interests, the Royal Hashemite Court said on Sunday.
The two heads made the remarks during Sunday's talks in Jeddah, which focused on the political developments on Arab and regional arenas, efforts to achieve regional peace and stability as well as ways to activate all-round bilateral relations.
Gaza family that lost 29 members in offensive sues Israel
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : A Palestinian family that lost 29 members in Israel's recent offensive in Gaza filed a law suit Tuesday against the Israeli leadership, demanding $200 million in compensation, the Israeli media reported.
The Samouni family, from the southern Gaza City suburb of Zaytoun, filed the suit at a court in northern Israel against outgoing Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Army Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi.
In the morning of Jan 4, an Israeli tank shell hit the family's three-storeyed building, killing seven of its members.
4 U.S aid workers killed in Pakistan’s bomb attack: report
By IRNA,
Islamabad : At least four American aid workers were killed in a roadside bomb attack in Pakistan’s northwest on Wednesday, sources said.
The U.S embassy said it is investigating reports of death of the USAID workers.
The bomb exploded as a convoy of security forces, foreign aid workers and local journalists were on their way to attend a school opening ceremony in Lower Dir district in North West Frontier Province, District Police Officer, Mumtaz Zarin said.
Thousands of Bangladeshi workers trapped in Libya
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has sought help from international organisations for thousands of its nationals trapped in Libya.
UK to increase aid for Pakistan to 665 million pounds: Hague
By IRNA,
Islamabad : British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Wednesday United Kingdom will increase development aid for Pakistan to 665 million pounds over next four years.
“This would include 250 million pounds for education programme and 50 million pounds to support stabilization and reconstruction in areas affected by conflict on border with Afghanistan,” Hague told a joint press conference with Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Justice Ministry delegation to visit U.S.
By SPA,
Riyadh : A delegation from the Justice Ministry will arrive in the United States on October 22, to get acquainted with the system of judiciary management.
Dr Abdel-Malik Al Al-Sheikh, the Supervisor General of the office of the Justice Minister, said the visit comes within the framework of the visits being organized by the Justice Ministry to a number of countries.
He noted that similar visits were earlier paid to the Netherlands, Austria, Singapore and Malaysia.
Palestinians move for Gaza war-crimes probe
By IINA,
The Hague, Netherlands : The Palestinian Authority has recognized the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in a move aimed at allowing an investigation of possible war crimes during the recent Gaza conflict, the court said.
The court can only investigate if asked by the UN Security Council or an involved state that has recognized the court. Israel has never recognized its jurisdiction. Only states can recognize the court and it is unclear if the Palestinians can do so.
US strikes in Pakistan kill 301 civilians in 10 months
By DPA,
Islamabad : Dozens of cross-border strikes carried out by US forces from Afghanistan into Pakistan's lawless tribal region have killed 301 civilians and wounded more than 240 others so far in 2008, a media report said Tuesday.
Citing figures compiled by Pakistan's interior ministry, The News daily said most of those killed in 32 recorded incidents of missile strikes, drone attacks and one ground raid by the US forces were civilians.
Bangladesh Coast Guard in Kolkata for maritime cooperation
Kolkata : A delegation of Bangladesh Coast Guard is on a two-day visit to Kolkata as part of the ongoing cooperation between the coast...
UAE to name ambassador to Baghdad soon
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The United Arab Emirates will appoint its ambassador to Baghdad within few days, the Iraqi government said on Thursday.
During a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the visiting UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al-Nahayan announced that his country "will appoint its ambassador to Baghdad during the next few days," Maliki's office said in a statement.
Maliki, for his part, welcomed the UAE efforts to promote the diplomatic Arab representation in Iraq, said the statement obtained by Xinhua.
Iran to post Web response to Dutch anti-Islam film Fitna
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : Iranian authorities plan to post a film on the Internet on Thursday designed as a riposte to a controversial anti-Koran documentary by a Dutch politician, an Iranian newspaper said.
According to the Tehran Times, the new documentary, entitled "Beyond Fitna", was directed by a group of Iranian filmmakers and produced by the Islam and Christianity Nongovernmental Organization.
Israel resumes limited fuel supplies to Gaza
By RIA Novosti
Tel Aviv : Israel eased the blockade to the Gaza Strip on Tuesday allowing fuel and medicine to be bought into the Palestinian enclave, local media said.
The blockade of fuel and goods to Gaza began Friday, when Israel halted fuel supplies and shut all border crossings with the Palestinian enclave in response to ongoing insurgent rocket attacks from the territory, controlled by Islamist group Hamas.
70,000 Pakistani officials have not got salary
By IANS,
Islamabad : A staggering 70,000 government employees here did not get their salary on time due to an auditors' strike, a media report said.
Pakistani Minister: government determined to strengthen democratic process
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A. Memon Friday said that the government is fully determined to strengthen the democratic process in the country.
Abbas calls on Israel to accept two-state solution
By DPA,
Bethlehem : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Saturday reiterated calls for Israel to accept a two-state solution, vowing not to resume negotiations with Israel without an explicit Israeli recognition of previously signed agreements.
Addressing an audience at the opening of an event celebrating Jerusalem's role in Arab culture, Abbas said justice and peace would not come to the Middle East without "an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital".
"Jerusalem is the key for peace," said Abbas.
IAEA: Iran makes progress on nuclear program explanation
By Xinhua
Prague : Iran had made progress in the explanation of certain questions concerning its controversial nuclear program, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed El-Baradei said in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia on Friday.
After meeting with Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis in Bratislava, Baradei said he hoped that Iran would continue to show maximal transparency in order to dispel all fears of the international community and meet the U.N. Security Council's demands, the Czech news agency CTK reported.
Medical expertise should aid needy: UAE envoy
By IANS,
New Delhi : United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador Mohamed Sultan Abdalla Al Owais Wednesday said that the medical expertise of India and the UAE should benefit the needy.
Palestinian official welcomes Mubarak’s call for Fatah-Hamas talks
By Xinhua
Cairo : A senior Palestinian official welcomed here on Friday Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's call to resume talks between rival Palestinian movements Fatah and Hamas, the Egyptian official MENA news agency reported.
The Palestinian authority is cooperating with any Egyptian or Arab efforts to help unite the Palestinians, representative of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo Nabil Shaath was quoted as saying in an interview with the Doha-based al-Jazeera TVchannel.
Diplomats in Pakistan a puzzled lot
By IANS,
Islamabad : As Pakistan's political circus continues unabated, foreign diplomats here are at their wits end in figuring out when ringmaster Asif Ali Zardari, co-chair of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that leads the country's ruling coalition, will script the last act.
"The people of Pakistan are not the only ones who feel confused and puzzled because of the intriguing politics of the top political leaders after the elections - foreign diplomats in Islamabad are equally baffled," The News said Friday.
Israel frees 19 Palestinian prisoners in proof-of-life deal
By DPA,
Tel Aviv/Betunia (West Bank) : Israel freed 19 female Palestinian prisoners late Friday morning, in exchange for a proof-of-life video of a soldier held in the Gaza Strip for over three years.
Although observers say the swap could be for first step in a deal to bring Gilad Shalit back to Israel, Israeli officials have cautioned that the soldier's release may still a long way off.
The video of Shalit, running to over two minutes, showed the soldier looking in good health, thin and clean-shaven, Israeli media reported.
Sudan, UN, AU hold consultations on hybrid ops in Darfur
By NNN-SUNA
Addis Ababa : A technical consultative meeting involving the Sudanese government, the United Nations and the African Union (AU) was held here Sunday to discuss ways to complete elements of the UN-AU hybrid peacekeeping operation in Darfur.
Spain seeks new anti-terror strategy in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Madrid : Spain has called for a new strategy to defeat Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan where some 800 Spanish soldiers as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are fighting the rebels, EFE reported Tuesday.
Reporting to parliament's defence committee, Defence Minister Carme Chacon said a solution to Afghan insurgency would require more than military action, warning that the situation in the central Asian country constitutes "a global threat".
Russia dismisses EU sanctions on Syria
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia will not participate in the European Union (EU) sanctions against Syria and will not allow the inspection of ships sailing under its flag, an official said.
US senator finds ISI-Taliban ties ‘troubling’
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : An influential US senator says it has been difficult for the US to build trust with Pakistan's military and intelligence services because ties between Islamabad's spy agency ISI and Taliban remain troubling.
"We need to fix this relationship," Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Democratic Chairman John Kerry said at a Congressional hearing Thursday on "Afghanistan's Impact on Pakistan":
Gaza at risk of disease outbreaks: WHO chief
By Xinhua,
Geneva : After the end of fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, the Gaza Strip now faces a high risk of disease outbreaks, the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
"Right now, we very sadly see ideal conditions for outbreaks of disease," said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan.
Addressing a session of the WHO Executive Board, Chan said the 22-day conflict in Gaza had caused a humanitarian crisis there.
"As public health professionals, we need to be deeply concerned about the health of Gaza's civilian population," she said.
Pakistani fighter jets kill 18 militants
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani jets carried out air strikes Sunday on suspected insurgent hideouts killing 18 militants in Tirah valley in Pakistan, a media...
Pakistan hope to sign counter-terrorism, visa abolition MoU with Malaysia
By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : Pakistan hopes to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia on counter terrorism and the abolition of visas for diplomatic and official passport holders, says Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
He stated this at a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here Tuesday on the sidelines of the 6th summit meeting of the Group of Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D-8) here.
Pakistani lawyers launch four-day procession over judges
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The Pakistani lawyers on Monday started their four-day long procession to protest failure to restore judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf last year.
The procession, dubbed the "long march", started from southern port city of Karachi and will drive across Sindh and Punjab provinces and reach capital Islamabad on June 12.
Aitizaz Ahsan, president of Supreme Court Bar Association, said on Sunday that the procession was to create public awareness about the need for reinstating independent judges.
First Saudi Relief Plane leaves for Myanmar
By SPA,
Riyadh : In line with the directives of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz to provide urgent assistance to the Union of Myanmar to alleviate the horrible impact of cyclone 'Nargis' and flood that hit Myanmar recently, a Saudi cargo plane loaded with 73 tons of urgent assistance left King Khalid International Airport this morning for Yangon.
The Plane is carrying foodstuffs, Medicines and blankets.
Iraq to reopen Abu Ghraib prison with new name
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraq would reopen Abu Ghraib prison next month with a new name, an official said Sunday.
"I can confirm that we will reopen Abu Ghraib prison next month after changing its name to Baghdad Central Prison," Busho Ibrahim, deputy justice minister, said.
He said the prison was renamed because the old name "has left a bitter feeling in the memories of Iraqis".
Iraqis see the Abu Ghraib prison as a torture centre under the regime of Saddam Hussein and later a symbol of American abuse of some Iraqi prisoners.
Terror-hit Peshawar school resumes classes
Islamabad : The army-run Peshawar school which was ravaged by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan a few weeks ago resumed its classes Monday, a media report here...
Female suicide bomber kills at least two people in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A female suicide bomber blew herself up at a shop in central Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least two people and wounding four others, an Interior Ministry source said.
"A female wearing an explosive vest blew herself up inside an electrical shop at a commercial area near the National Theater Intersection in Karrada neighborhood in central Baghdad," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The woman entered the shop after being chased by Iraqi army soldiers on suspicion that she was a suicide bomber, the source said.
Seven gunned down in Pakistani shop
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least seven people, including two policemen, died Sunday after unidentified masked gunmen opened fire at a shop in Pakistan's Quetta city, officials said.
More freight trains to run between India, Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan and India have decided to increase the frequency of cross-border freight trains to boost trade between the two countries.
"We have agreed to increase goods containers from 60 to 150 and operate trains from both the countries on same days," an official told IANS, following a three-day inter governmental railway meeting between the two neighbours earlier this week in India.
On their return to the country through Wagah border, the Pakistani delegation said they had very useful and successful talks with their Indian counterparts.
Afghan police kill 11 Taliban insurgents
By Xinhua,
Kabul: Eleven Taliban militants were killed in clashes with the Afghan Police in western Afghanistan, an official said Friday.
The fighting took place in Herat Province in western Afghanistan. Five Taliban militants were also wounded in the fighting, provincial police chief Asmatullah Alizai said.
"The clash took place after militants attacked a US private security company in Rabat-e-Sangi district Thursday evening. The police rushed to the spot and in the ensuing gun battle 11 militants were killed," Alizai said.
Iran ready for talks on Afghanistan crisis
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran Thursday said it has accepted the US invitation to a conference on Afghanistan and was ready for talks to help resolve the crisis in the war-torn country, Press TV reported.
"Afghanistan and Iran share a long border, so Afghan security and development is naturally an important priority of ours," Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said Wednesday.
World powers urged to prevent Israel from derailing peace
By DPA,
Amman : Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Saturday called on the world community to prevent Israel from "derailing peace efforts" by insisting on the continuation of settlement activity in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, according to a royal court statement.
Abdullah and Abbas held talks at the Red Sea port of Aqaba to appraise the outcome of the latest round of shuttle diplomacy which was wound up Friday by US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, apparently without success.
Scientists find first dinosaur tracks on Arabian peninsula
By IANS,
Dubai : The scientific community is abuzz with something rarely seen in the Arabia peninsula - dinosaur tracks.
Footprints of ornithopod, a large dinosaur, as well as a herd of 11 small and large herbivorous sauropods were found preserved along a Mesozoic coastal mudflat in the Republic of Yemen, according to a study published in the scientific journal PLoS One.
“No dinosaur trackways had been found in this area previously. It's really a blank spot on the map,” said Anne Schulp, who led the study.
White House says US to work hand-in-hand with Pakistan on curbing extremism
By APP
Washington : Voicing confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to deal with violent extremism, the White House on Thursday said the United States will work hand-in-hand with the South Asian ally on the best way to combat extremists.
Spokesman Gordon Johndroe acknowledged the new Pakistani government’s resolve to curb extremism and also noted that various political leaders in the country have different ideas about the best way to handle the problem.
Gunmen kill Iraqi priest in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Unidentified gunmen shot dead a Christian priest in central Baghdad Saturday, an interior ministry source said.
The incident took place at around midday. The gunmen shot dead Yousif Adel, a priest of the Saint Peter Church, in the Karrada neighbourhood, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Last month, the body of a Chaldean Catholic archbishop was found near the city of Mosul in northern Iraq after he was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.