Pakistan PM’s US visit likely to go tough
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minster Yousuf Raza Gillani's visit to the United States is likely to go tough as Washington is not satisfied with the efforts of Pakistan on war against terror.
Mr. Gillani embarked on 3-day official visit to the United States on Saturday, his first to the U.S since he has assumed office in March this year.
His visit comes at a time when there are concerns in Pakistan that the U.S is preparing to launch military raids in Pakistani tribal regions.
Kuwait mosque bomber was Saudi: Officials
Kuwait City: Kuwait's interior ministry on Sunday said the bomber who attacked a Shia mosque in Kuwait City on Friday was a Saudi national.
According...
India rejects Pakistan’s airspace breach charge
By IANS,
New Delhi/Islamabad : India Thursday repudiated a formal diplomatic note by Pakistan alleging air space violations by Indian fighter jets and said it will respond to the note formally soon.
“It had been made clear by the government of India when we saw the reports that no violations of Pakistani air space by Indian aircraft have taken place,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said here.
Zardari to be Pakistani PM, father to replace him?
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : There could be more political churning in the offing in Pakistan with talk that President Asif Ali Zardari may replace Yousuf Raza Gilani as prime minister while transferring all presidential powers to the prime minister by annulling the constitutional amendments former military dictator Pervez Musharraf effected.
Afghan woman official seeks asylum in Finland
By IANS,
Moscow: An Afghan provincial official for women's affairs has applied for political asylum in Finland after visiting the country.
Did Libya witness biggest theft in archaeological history?
By IANS,
London: A gang of looters in Libya have targetted the invaluable treasure of gold and silver coins that are believed to date to the era of Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C).
Afghanistan conference in Paris ends on positive note
By DPA,
Paris : Participants at an international conference on peace and security in Afghanistan, which ended Sunday evening in Paris, described the outcome as positive.
While no resolutions were expected, Afghanistan and its neighbours pledged to work closely on security issues, increase border security and combat drug smuggling, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting.
According to German diplomats, the goal of the conference was to strengthen regional ties, which are necessary to bring peace to Afghanistan.
7 militants killed, 4 arrested in E Afghan provinces
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan government troops have killed seven suspected militants and arrested four others in eastern Afghanistan, a local military official said Sunday.
There was no casualties on government force in the separate conflicts in Paktia and Khost provinces on Saturday, a military spokesman in the region Matak Khan Zazai told Xinhua.
"Three armed militants were killed as they engaged with troops in Zarmat district of Paktia province yesterday and four others including an injured one were captured," Zazai said.
Iraq opens trial on former regime officials
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraqi High Tribunal opened trial Tuesday on Saddam's former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and his seven codefendants over their alleged roles in the execution of 42 merchants in 1992.
It was the first time that Aziz, 72, who also served as foreign minister in Saddam's regime, appeared in court as a defendant since he turned himself in to U.S. forces two weeks after the invasion in 2003. He has appeared as a witness in earlier trials on former Saddam era officials.
Iran sentences CIA ‘spy’ to death
By IANS,
Tehran : An Iranian court has sentenced a CIA "spy", Amir Hekmati, to death, Iran's Fars news agency reported Monday.
Int”l housing NGO says Gaza closure affects 250,000 Palestinians
GENEVA, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- A leading Geneva based international NGO working for housing rights said Wednesday Israeli and international sanctions on Gaza affects some 250,000 Palestinians and the restriction on fuel stands to affect 1.5 million people in the few coming days.
The Centre for Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) said sanctions and closures on Gaza left quarter of a million people without adequate water supply and the restrictions on fuel may leave 1.5 million people without water and sewage services in the coming days.
Syria appeals to UN over Syrian prisoner in Israeli Jail
By Xinhua,
Damascus : Syria on Tuesday appealed to the UN and other international agencies to pressure Israel to ensure necessary medical care to a Syrian prisoner held in Israeli jail for 24 years.
"Syria renews appeal to all international figures and agencies to immediately shoulder legal and humanitarian responsibilities in forcing Israeli occupation authorities to secure suitable medical care to Seitan Nimr al-Wali," a Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement.
Afghanistan to buy Russian arms
By IANS,
Moscow : Afghanistan plans to buy modern weapons from Russia, Xinhua reported Tuesday.
"Afghanistan definitely needs powerful national armed forces for the purpose of protecting its national sovereignty and territorial integrity," the country's charge d'affaires in Russia Hafizullah Ebadi said.
He added that the country has a right to turn to any country to meet its needs.
Ahmadinejad a ‘gift’ to Israel: former Mossad chief
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is "the best present Israel has received" because of his anti-Israel statements, the former head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency said Wednesday.
"He unites the world against Iran," Ephraim Halevy told the US-backed al-Hurra Arabic-language television station.
"Everything he says proves to that the Iran of today is an Iran you cannot live with," he said in the interview, which was broadcast Tuesday, but excerpts of which were quoted in the Israeli media Wednesday.
Malaysian Indian woman to sue for false detention
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : A Malaysian Indian woman is seeking compensation and an unqualified apology from the Malaysian immigration department for her wrongful detention for 11 months after she was mistaken for an illegal alien from Sri Lanka.
Perak state's Health, Environment and Human Resources Committee chairman A. Sivanesan relayed Rajeshvari's demand during a media conference in Ipoh Tuesday.
Urging the department to check all detention depots in the country, Sivanesan said he feared that Rajeshvari's case could be "just the tip of the iceberg".
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to visit Iraq
By TCN News,
Bengaluru: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of the Art of Living Foundation will be visiting Iraq as part of the its sister concern International Association for Human Values (IAHV) aid distribution programme at Kurdish capital Erbil.
Four al-Qaida leaders killed in north of Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Tikrit, Iraq : Iraqi security forces raided a village in Salahudin province and killed four al-Qaida leaders, a provincial police officer said on Tuesday.
The troops on Monday afternoon raided the village of al-Salam, one of al-Qaida militants' redoubts located to the west of the town of Beiji, some 200 km north of Baghdad, Col. Hassan Ahmed told Xinhua.
Two Palestinians killed in Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinians of the military wing of the Palestinian popular resistance committees were killed by Israeli air raid in Gaza on Thursday.
Al-Nasser Salahuddin brigades, the military wing of the committees, said in a statement that 28-year-old Khalil Ahl, identified as the commander of the manufacturing unit, and 32-year-old Mohammad Al-Helo, known as a field commander, were killed in the air raid.
The two Palestinians were killed near Al-Shefa' hospital in Gaza city, the brigades said.
Palestine PM Slates New Israeli Attacks
By Prensa Latina
Ramallah : Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad affirmed Saturday that with the recent aggressions against occupied territories, Israel tries to discredit the government of the Palestinian National Authority.
The cabinet chief issued a release announcing the cancellation of an Egypt visit to attend an extraordinary meeting of the Arab League foreign ministers Sunday. The objective of the meeting is to analyze the crisis in Lebanon and the Israeli expansionist policy.
Iran trials to continue; 12 policemen, judge to be charged
By DPA,
Tehran: The trial of Iranian dissidents was set to continue Sunday, while at least 12 police officials and a judge face charges of mishandling political prisoners, ILNA news agency reported Saturday.
The third hearing of 25 more dissidents will be held Sunday morning in Tehran's revolutionary court, a judiciary statement said. It did not clarify who the 25 would be.
Dubai preparing for COPEDEC conference
By IANS
Dubai : An international conference on Coastal and Port Engineering in Developing Countries (COPEDEC) is scheduled to be held here Feb 24-28, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of the Dubai municipality, which is organising the conference, said the convention would be the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East and as such holds a special importance for the region.
"The conference will bring together over 1000 marine engineers and scientists from around the world to exchange know-how and experience," he said.
Official: Hamas delegation heads for talks in Cairo on Tuesday
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Spokesman of Islamic Hamas movement in Gaza Sami Abu Zuhri announced on Monday that an official delegation representing the movement would arrive in Cairo on Tuesday for talks with the Egyptians.
"Hamas delegation, which will only include two leaders, one from Gaza and one from Damascus, will arrive in Cairo on Tuesday to hold talks with senior Egyptian officials on several issues," Abu Zuhri told reporters.
Audit of polling stations in Afghanistan hailed
Kabul : The European Union Election Assessment Team (EU EAT) has hailed the decision of the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) to launch an...
Race is on to film Bhutto’s life
LONDON, Jan 31 (APP): A leading Hollywood actor and director Robert Redford is planning a film about the life of the assassinated former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, says a report in the British media.
The report said that no details are yet available about the Redford project, but it is thought that Benazir Bhutto’s husband, Asif Ali Zardari, is likely to give his support to a big American production.
Kuwait: Al-Jassim presents credentials to Serbia, as new non-resident Ambassador
By NNN-KUNA,
Vienna : Former Kuwaiti Ambassador to Austria Fawzi Al-Jassim submitted his credentials to Serbian President Boris Tadic on Saturday, after becoming Kuwait's new non-resident Ambassador to Serbia.
In a statement to KUNA, Al-Jassim said that he carried to Tadic, greetings from His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his best wishes for the progress and prosperity of the Serbian people.
3 killed in blast in NW Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Three people were killed in a bomb blast outside a mosque in northwestern Pakistan, local TV reported on Monday evening.
The blast occurred in Pakistan's Bajaur tribal agency and several others were also injured, state-run Pakistan TV channel said.
No further details are available.
The blast came just a day after a suicide bombing killed 13 people in Pakistan's tribal area, including four soldiers.
Turkey allows US to use airbase to strike IS targets
Ankara: Turkey will let the US carry out airstrikes against the Islamic State terror group from a key military base near the Syrian border,...
MWL condemns re-publishing of photographs insulting Prophet Mohammed
By SPA
Makkah : The secretariat general of the Muslim World League (MWL) has condemned re-publishing photographs insulting Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, by 17 Danish newspapers.
The statement released on this occasion said re-publishing the photographs will hurt he feelings of about 1.5 billion Muslims.
The statement issued by the MWL's secretary general reiterated the keenness of the Muslims on coexistence with other as well as on enhancing the pillars of the global peace and stability.
PPP leaders huddle in Dubai ahead of talks with Sharif
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : Leaders of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were holding talks here with party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari ahead of a crucial meeting in London on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML)-N rejoining the cabinet.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who arrived here Wednesday, and other cabinet colleagues discussed with Zardari the current political situation in the country, and the future of the coalition, after Sharif's party had quit the cabinet two months back over the issue of reinstatement of judges.
Once ‘Mr Ten Percent’, now Pakistan’s president
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : From being one of Pakistan's more controversial figures and even politically irrelevant until eight months ago, it has been a complete reversal of fortunes for Asif Ali Zardari, who was Saturday elected as the country's 13th president.
Aspirations of Kashmiris must be accommodated: Khar
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said Saturday that the "aspirations of the Kashmiri people must be accommodated" and they must be a part of the dialogue process.
Kuwait donates USD 1.5 million to UNRWA
By NNN-Petra,
Amman : Kuwait has donated USD 1.5 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to support the Palestinian people.
Kuwaiti Ambassador to Jordan Sheikh Faisal Al Hmoud Al Sabah delivered the Kuwaiti donation to the UNRWA deputy commissioner-general in Amman Tuesday.
Kuwait's donation showed its keenness in providing help and aid to Palestinian refugees at all UNRWA operation sites in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon in order to respond to their humanitarian needs and ease their sufferings, the ambassador said.
13 killed in Nigerian violence
Abuja: At least 13 people were killed Thursday when unidentified gunmen stormed four villages in Nigeria's Benue state, where violent clashes have increased in...
Ten Taliban militants killed, over 50 wounded in Afghanistan
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : Ten Taliban militants have been killed and over 50 wounded in an airstrike in central Afghanistan's province of Vardak, a spokesman for the province's governor said on Tuesday.
The spokesman said that on Monday Afghanistan's security forces had received information that Taliban militants were planning an attack on the administrative center of the province and decided to deliver a preventive airstrike.
"An aircraft dropped a one-ton bomb on the militants' positions, killing 10 Taliban fighters and wounding over 50," the spokesman said.
Zia’s party withdraws ex-minister’s expulsion order
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has withdrawn an expulsion order against former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar who was detained on charges of murder and connection with Islamist militancy. Babar had been a close aide to Zia's son Tarique Rahman for whom a special post has been created in the party.
Gilani defends not tabling NRO in parliament
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Tuesday defended the government's decision not to table the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in parliament for ratification.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Gilani said the government has not made NRO a matter of ego and that the government remains committed to abolishing the 17th amendment and Article 58-2(b), the Dawn newspaper reported on its website.
Bangladesh, Egypt can join PTA anytime, says Malaysian Commissioner
By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : Bangladesh and Egypt will be given flexibility by members of the Group of Eight Islamic Developing Countries (D-8) before they commit to the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) which aims to boost intra-trade among member countries.
Malaysian Commissioner for D-8, Ibrahim Abdullah, said member countries had agreed to allow these countries - which have yet to agree on the rules of origin (ROO) - to prepare before committing to the PTA.
Roadside bomb kills six civilians in Afghanistan
Kabul: Six civilians were killed when a roadside bomb planted by militants struck a car in the southern Kandahar province, an official said on...
Israeli army arrests 20 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli forces arrested 20Palestinians in the West Bank early Tuesday, Palestinian security sources and Israeli media said.
An Israeli radio said the army arrested 20 Palestinians in northern and central West Bank, who were wanted for conducting activities against Israel.
Meanwhile, Palestinian sources said a 28-year-old policeman named Sami al-Houh was among the detainees, who was taken from his house in Nablus city.
Ahmadinejad faces obstacles in winning re-election
By DPA,
Tehran: Supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, known abroad mainly for provoking tension with the West, are confident he could reach his goal of winning another four-year term, but economic trouble at home might prove a major hurdle for the incumbent.
Ahmadinejad, one of four candidates in Friday's presidential elections, was widely unknown before he unexpectedly became Iran's president in June 2005. Since then, his ongoing provocation of the West have brought Iran to the brink of international isolation.
Strange story of decade-long kidnap of Pak-born UK girl
By IANS,
London : British police are to probe strange claims of a Pakistani-born woman that she was forcibly kept in a slave labour camp in Pakistan for nearly a decade.
Nahida Bi from Glasgow has told the police she was abducted near the airport in Islamabad in 2000 soon afte she landed there on a holiday along with her mother. Her uncle, Masood, who came to receive them, was also abducted, she added.
Eight killed as bomb goes off in Iranian mosque
By DPA
Tehran : At least eight people were killed and more than 50 injured when a bomb exploded in a mosque in southern Iran Saturday, Fars news agency reported.
The bomb went off during a speech by a local cleric in the mosque in the city of Shiraz in Fars province.
The agency said that the death toll might go up as many of those injured are in a critical condition.
An emergency meeting was immediately convened at the governor's office, and all nearby streets leading to the mosque have been sealed off by police and security forces.
India’s terrorism not homegrown: Modi
New York: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said that terrorism in India was not "homegrown" and expressed regret that many countries have never...
Saudis deny secret meetings to end dollar as oil currency
By DPA,
London/Dubai : The director of Saudi Arabia's central bank Tuesday denied press reports suggesting that Gulf states had held secret talks to replace the dollar as the prime currency on world oil markets.
"There is absolutely no truth to this report," Mohammed al-Jasser, head of the Saudi central bank, told the satellite news network al-Arabiya.
20 dead in Bangladesh storm
By IANS,
Dhaka : At least 20 people have died in Bangladesh after a powerful storm lashed the country, the authorities said Thursday.
India’s commitment to Palestinian cause an important part of foreign policy: Patil
By IRNA,
New Delhi : India's commitment to the Palestinian cause has been an important part of foreign policy and has been manifested in the continuous and consistent support to its issues in the Non- Aligned Movement, in the United Nations and in other international fora, said Pratibha Patil.
US reiterates diplomatic approach to Iran
By Xinhua
Washington : The US reiterated Wednesday that it would continue trying to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issues.
"There's no one in the administration that is suggesting anything other than a diplomatic approach to Iran," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.
Perino denied the resignation by William J. Fallon, head of the US Central Command, was the result of a disagreement with President George W. Bush on Iran.
Germany gives thumbs down to Palestinian reconciliation deal
By IRNA,
Berlin : A very close ally of the Zionist regime, Germany on Thursday reacted negatively to a reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas.
17 killed in Iraq violence
Baghdad : At least 17 people were killed and 23 wounded in a new wave of attacks Saturday across Iraq, including in the volatile...
Iran to supply 10 percent of gas market in next 20 years
By IRNA
Ahvaz : Managing director of Iran's National Gas Company said on Wednesday that Iran will become supplier of 10 percent of the world gas market in the next 20 years, compared with the current figure which stands at one percent.
Talking to reporters, Reza Kasaeizadeh said that Iran currently exports gas to Armenia and Turkey thanks to the achievements of the Islamic Revolution.
He said that Iran's gas export will increase when the South Pars 17, 18 and 19 phases are developed by 2013.
UN: Israeli Attacks “Unacceptable”
By Ilsa Rodriguez, Prensa Latina,
United Nations : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described on Tuesday as unacceptable Israeli attacks at UN schools in Gaza, and said they cannot be repeated.
His remarks come in the wake of several denunciations by United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) officials regarding Israeli attacks against duly identified UN facilities.
Three anti-Qaida members killed in Iraq’s Diyala province
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Gunmen attacked an anti-Qaida group base in a town in Iraq's Diyala province on Saturday, killing three of the group members and wounding six others, a provincial police source said.
The attack took place in the morning when some 20 armed men stormed the base of the Awakening Council group in the town of Wajihiyah, 20 km east of the provincial capital Baquba, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Eight militants killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : Afghan and NATO-led troops killed eight militants in Afghanistan Wednesday, police said.
The killings were reported from Nahri Sufi village in Kunduz province, Xinhua quoted a police officer as saying. Three militants were injured in the operation.
Arab League, Sudan agree on “package” solution for Darfur
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : The League of Arab States has announced an agreement with Sudan over a package of measures to help solve the Darfur crisis.
A league statement Wednesday said Secretary-General Amr Moussa and Sudanese officials agreed on steps and measures of political and legal nature to address the different dimensions of the Darfur crisis in cooperation and coordination with the UN and the African Union.
U.S. asks Pakistan to take specific measures for aid resumption
By IRNA,
Islamabad : U.S has asked Pakistan to take specific measures for resumption of military aid.
Kabul gunfight ends, all militants killed
Kabul: A five-hour gunfight close to Afghanistan's main election office in Kabul ended Saturday evening after Taliban gunmen were killed in a counter-attack, an...
UAE charity approves $5 mn in foreign aid
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : UAE charity Red Crescent Authority (RCA) will spend 20 million dirhams ($5.4 million) in foreign aid this year, it announced Sunday.
US, Israel concerned, disappointed over Lakhvi’s release
New Delhi/Washington: The US and Israel have expressed concern and disappointment over the release of 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi from...
Pakistan allows 14 new parties to contest polls
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistan election commission has allowed 14 new political parties to contest the next general elections.
Hamas also responsible for Gaza destruction: EU aid commissioner
By DPA,
Gaza City : European Union (EU) Aid Commissioner Louis Michel who is touring Gaza sharply criticised Israel Monday for the massive destruction he saw around him, but said Hamas also bore an "overwhelming" part of the blame.
"We have to also recall the overwhelming responsibility of Hamas," Michel told local reporters as he toured Jabaliya, a crowded refugee camp north of Gaza City which was hit hard in Israel's 22-day offensive.
"Firing rockets at civilians is a terrorist action," he said in remarks translated into Arabic.
Nine Muslim Brotherhood supporters arrested in Egypt
Cairo: Police has arrested nine supporters of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group in an Egyptian city Saturday for blocking streets.
The suspects were nabbed for...
Bahrain, UAE hold talks
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Monday held discussions for strengthening bilateral relations.
NATO mulls Afghan mission after 2014
By IANS,
Brussels : The NATO defence ministers Wednesday endorsed a political framework for a new training mission in Afghanistan after 2014, Xinhua reported.
Reinvent ties with India: Zardari
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday asked the government to "reinvent" ties with India for a new era of friendly relations by moving to resolve all disputes, including that relating to Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing for the first time a joint sitting of both houses of parliament, Zardari, who was elected president earlier this month, said: "The relationship with India should be reinvented."
NA hopefuls discuss agendas, point out main issues
By KUNA,
Kuwait : The candidates in the 2008 parliament elections continued, Monday night, opening headquarters, holding seminars, and stating their main concerns and agendas, in the hope of rallying enough supporter to make it into parliament.
In the first constituency, hopefuls Saleh Ashour, Khali Al-Saleh and Anwar Bukhamseen stressed democracy already proved to be the solution for many problems the state suffered so far, and should be preserved in realization that it is the lone fool-proof guarantee of the state's stability in the future.
Senior woman official shot dead in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : Najia Siddiqi, a senior official, was shot dead Monday in Afghanistan's Laghman province, the authorities said.
Cameron urges ex-Guantanamo detainee to provide information about IS
London: British Prime Minister David Cameron called Tuesday on former Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg to share any information he may have concerning Islamic State(IS).
Cameron...
Pakistan: Security high alert in Islamabad
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Strict checking of vehicles has been started on all entry and exit points of Islamabad as security has been put on high alert in the capital.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Islamabad, Syed Kaleem Imam Friday directed SSP East, SSP West, SHOs of all police stations to take strict action against suspicious people and anti-social elements.
Pakistan: Zardari hints at national consensus government
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Pakistan People’s Party leader Asif Ali Zardari said here that contact were underway with all democratic forces with a view to forming a national consensus government.
Speaking at a news conference two days after the parliamentary elections Wednesday, Zardari said his party stood for changing the system in the country and for that a consensus government was necessary.
“I myself remained a victim of the system and spent eight years in prison,” the PPP co-chairman said.
Russia supports Annan’s mediation efforts on Syria : Putin
By IANS,
Moscow : Russia will try its best to support UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's mediation efforts to solve the Syrian crisis, said President Vladimir Putin Tuesday.
88 Afghan militants killed in a day
Kabul,: At least 88 militants were killed by units of the Afghan national police backed by the army during series of operations across the...
Islamic Jihad calls on Abbas to bring Hamas, Fatah into dialogue
By Xinhua
Gaza : Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement on Tuesday called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to bring his Fatah movement and rival Hamas movement into a national dialogue.
"The current situation doesn't help the Palestinians so the Islamic Jihad believes that President Abbas, as the chief of the Palestinian Authority (PA) recognized by Fatah and Hamas, should start the dialogue," said Khaled al-Batsh, a Gaza-based leader for Islamic Jihad which has kept away from Hamas-Fatah power struggle.
Pakistan protests US drone attacks
ISLAMABAD, Jan 24 (KUNA) Pakistan Saturday lodged strong protest with the United States over the latest missile attacks on its territory, which came only days after Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the US.
President Asif Ali Zardari met with the US ambassador, Anne Patterson, and strongly condemned the unilateral US missile attacks, official sources told KUNA.
At least twenty people including near ten Arab militants were killed Friday evening in two US missile attacks in South and North Waziristan tribal agencies.
Hamas delegation to head for Cairo over truce with Israel
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A Hamas movement spokesman said Thursday that a Hamas delegation would head for Cairo on Friday to hold talks with Egyptian officials on a truce deal with Israel.
Ayman Taha, the movement's spokesman in Gaza, told reporters that the movement was invited by Egyptian intelligence chief Omer Suleiman to come to Cairo for talks on reaching a lull in the Gaza Strip.
Earthquake hits southern Lebanon
By SPA
Beirut : An earthquake measuring an estimated at 4.2 degrees on the Richter scale hit areas east of the southern port city of Tyre on Friday, DPA reported. The tremor was felt in the capital Beirut, causing panic in the streets.
The earthquake epicenter was near the town of Tyre in southern Lebanon. The second earthquake was felt as far as Bint Jbeil near the Israeli border.
GCC Common promotes regional cooperation – GCC Sec Gen
By NNN-KUNA,
Doha : Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Atiyya has said that the GCC Common Market, which was established early 2008, will play an important role in supporting regional and international cooperation.
15 killed after heavy rains, floods in Yemen
By DPA,
Sana'a (Yemen) : At least 15 people were killed after torrential rainfall triggered flooding and landslides in different parts of northwest Yemen Wednesday, police said.
They said seven people died after floods swept away the car in which they were travelling in the Mashanna district of Ibb province, about 180 km south of the capital Sana'a.
Five people were killed and four injured when a rockslide destroyed a dam in neighbouring Dhamar province, officials said.
Massive flooding from the collapsed dam washed away a health centre, farms and roads.
Suicide bomber killed near Indian mission in Afghanistan
Kabul : A would-be-suicide bomber was shot dead close to the Indian consulate building in Afghanistan's Kandahar city Thursday, the police said.
"A man wearing...
Delay in Indo-Pak dialogue benefiting extremists: Zardari
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari Friday urged India to respond positively to the Pakistani road map for the restoration of the peace dialogue as only "extremists and anti-state elements" are benefiting from the delay in the process.
Asserting that Pakistan wants to solve all outstanding issues with India, including the Kashmir dispute, in an amicable manner, Zardari said both countries must come to negotiations table soon, otherwise extremists and anti-state powers would benefit out of it.
Arrest those who felled 30,000 trees: Bangladesh PM
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed officials to nab those people who were allegedly involved in the felling of 30,000 trees along the coast of Cox's Bazaar, even if they are from her party.
"Whoever the plunderers, even if they are from my party, find them out and take stern action against them," she told the third meeting of the national environment committee here Wednesday, The Daily Star reported.
Local Pakistan gov’t holds dialogue with Taliban on ceasefire
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The ruling party in northwestern Pakistan province on Friday held dialogue with local Taliban operating in Swat valley to settle issues on negotiating table and restore peace in the area.
The Awami National Party (ANP) of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the local Taliban agreed on ceasefire as confidence building measure, ANP spokesman Zahid Khan told a private Geo TV channel.
Khan termed first round of the talks "positive" and expressed the hope that the negotiations would achieve positive results and normalcy would return to Swat soon.
India, Pakistan begin talks on Chenab row
By IANS,
New Delhi : India and Pakistan Thursday began two-day talks to address the issue of reduced water flow in the Chenab river which Islamabad alleges has been triggered by the construction of the Baglihar dam by New Delhi.
India's Indus Water Commissioner G. Ranganathan and his Pakistani counterpart Syed Jamaat Ali Shah discussed ways to address issues relating to the Chenab water flow.
The Pakistani delegation had Monday visited the Baglihar project in Kashmir for an on-the-spot assessment of the water situation before coming to New Delhi for talks.
Special court rejects Musharraf’s pleas
Islamabad : A special court in Pakistan, trying former president Pervez Musharraf for high treason, Friday rejected all his petitions alleging bias by judges...
Pakistani TV reporter shot dead
By IANS
Islamabad: Unidentified gunmen shot dead a reporter of a Pakistani TV channel in southwestern Balochistan province Saturday evening, police said.
Two get death, one life for killing imam in China
Beijing: A Chinese court Sunday sentenced two people to death and another to life imprisonment for murdering an imam in north-west China.
Gheni Hasan and...
Singapore Reaffirms Commitment To Working With Malaysia
By Bernama
Singapore : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has congratulated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi on the Barisan Nasional's election victory and the formation of a new government.
In his congratulatory letter to Abdullah, Lee also reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to working with Abdullah to deepen the good bilateral relationship as well as for regional stability and prosperity.
Blair’s sister-in-law held prisoner in Gaza
By IRNA,
London : The sister-in-law of former British prime minister, Tony Blair, has recently said that she is being prevented from returning to the UK by Israel after joining a 'peace boat' to highlight the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.
"Under international law I've done nothing wrong, but for some reason I am effectively being imprisoned here by authorities who wish to punish human rights activists who have come to view the situation in Gaza," Lauren Booth said.
Bangladeshi man sues India’s BSF for killing brother
By IANS,
Dhaka : India's Border Security Force (BSF) has got into a legal tangle as a Bangladeshi man has filed a case against the paramilitary force for allegedly killing his brother.
The incident took place earlier this month near Tentulia in northern Bangladesh's Panchagarh district, but the BSF had regretted the killing then and taken action against the personnel responsible.
Russia pledges support to Iran in fight against terror
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday offered President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism, the Kremlin press service said.
Medvedev condemned Sunday's terrorist attack in Iran and expressed condolences to the victims.
"We believe that the fight against the threat of terrorism and extremism - wherever they originate from - requires a pooling of efforts by all countries. We are ready to cooperate with Iran in countering these threats," he said.
Bangladesh Parliament regains authority to impeach judges
Dhaka : The Bangladesh Parliament has passed a constitutional amendment to regain its power to impeach apex court judges.
The bill was passed late Wednesday...
Nawaz Sharif coming to India on Modi’s invitation
Islamabad : Ending two days of speculation whether he will go to New Delhi or not, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Saturday confirmed he...
Sudan ready for talks with South Sudan: Russia
By IANS,
Moscow: Sudan has informed Moscow of its readiness to start negotiations with South Sudan to settle their conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
UN’s new special coordinator for Lebanon arrives in Beirut
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : The UN Secretary-General's new special coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams has arrived here.
Williams will be responsible for coordinating the UN work with the government in Lebanon and will be responsible for UN's politicial activities in the country in line with UN resolutin 1701, a statement by the UN office said Sunday.
The Beirut-based Williams will verify the tasks of the UN work in Lebanon, it said.
Williams has been Britain's special Middle East representative since August 2007 before assuming his UN post.
Iraqi asylum seekers end protest at British base in Cyprus
By Xinhua
Nicosia : Seven Iraqi protesters who seek asylum ended their six-day demonstration at a British military base in southern Cyprus on Monday.
The asylum seekers climbed down a 14-meter fire service tower, from where they had threatened to throw themselves off unless they got British passports.
Local media reported that the British base authorities succeeded in starving the seven down instead of the use of force.
Abbas: Peace talks with Israel must continue
By SPA
Ramallah, West Bank : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday that peace talks with Israel must continue, despite the escalating confrontation between Israel and the Hamas government in Gaza.
We insist that the negotiations continue, and that we reach a solution this year that will satisfy our people and our national demands ..., he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
Supreme Leader: People to disappoint enemies on Feb 10
By IRNA,
Tehran : Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that massive presence of people on February 10 rallies marking 30th anniversary victory of the Islamic Revolution will disappoint enemies.
Marking the anniversary victory of the Islamic Revolution proves the firm determination of the Iranian nation and demonstrates the resistance of this great nation which has remained committed to the aspirations of the Islamic Revolution, said the Supreme Leader.
Indian goods trans-shipment via Bangladesh may start in July
By IANS,
Dhaka : The trans-shipment of Indian cargo through Bangladesh is likely to begin in July, authorities said.
The customs department of the National Board of Revenue has drafted a circular regarding the trans-shipment and sent the proposal to the law and parliamentary affairs ministry for vetting, NBR sources told New Age newspaper.
According to the proposal, Indian cargo can have a stopover at the Ashuganj land port before passing over to the northeastern states of India.
Improve people’s condition for peace: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that terrorism cannot be eradicated unless people's living conditions are improved.
Palestinian factions in Gaza agree on 24-hour ceasefire
By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : The Palestinian Islamic resistant movement, Hamas, has announced that the Gaza-based factions have agreed to halt the firing of rockets against areas in southern Israel for 24 hours.
Hamas spokesman in Gaza Ayman Taha said Monday that the Palestinian factions agreed on the 24-hour ceasefire period in line with a request by Egypt.
The short-term ceasefire took effect as of Sunday night, he said.
Hamas may consider a longer truce if Israel stops its military attacks against Gaza and lifts its siege on the Strip, said Taha.
EU to slap new sanctions on Syria
By IANS,
Brussels : The European Union (EU) is all set to impose more sanctions against Syria, said an EU foreign affairs official Friday.
Egyptian, Kuwaiti aid allowed in Gaza Strip
Cairo : Egyptian and Kuwaiti aid has been allowed into Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing, an official said Sunday.
The relief material includes...
Sarkozy calls for freeze of Israeli settlement plans
By NNN-Petra,
Occupied Jerusalem : French President Nicolas Sarkozy has criticized the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the construction in east Jerusalem.
In an interview with the Palestinian daily Al Quds, Sarkozy called for a freeze of Israeli settlement plans including those in Jerusalem, "projected to be the capital of two states" Israel and Palestine.
UNHCR expresses appreciation for Syria’s effort over Iraqi refugees
By Xinhua,
Damascus : A senior official of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday expressed appreciation over Syria's efforts to alleviate the suffering of Iraqi refugees, the state-run SANA news agency reported.
Boudewijn van Eenennaam, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR, made the remarks while meeting Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal al-Mekdad, during which they discussed cooperation between the two sides regarding the Iraqi refugees.
18 killed, 86 injured in attacks across Iraq
By IANS,
Baghdad : At least 18 people were killed and 86 injured Friday in separate attacks across Iraq, police sources said.
Seven people were killed and 48 injured when a car bomb exploded in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. The car bomb went off near the house of the deputy governor of the Salah al-Din province, a source from the Kirkuk police said.
Police discovered another car bomb that was parked nearby and defused it before it went off.
Toll in Turkey mine disaster now 232
Istanbul/Ankara : The death toll in Turkey's horrific coal mine accident rose to 232 Wednesday with hundreds of miners still trapped underground.
Prime Minister Recep...
Al-Jazeera office shut down after Arafat murder bid report
By DPA,
Ramallah : The Palestinian Authority (PA) Wednesday shut down the West Bank office of al-Jazeera, amid a storm over allegations that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas conspired with former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to assassinate late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
A statement issued by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's office cited incitement against the PA and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the reason for its decision to shut down the Qatar-based Arabic news channel's local office.
India can’t go back to business as usual with Pakistan: Chidambaram
By IANS,
New Delhi : Valuable evidence had been gathered to establish the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants from Pakistan in the Mumbai terror attack, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said here Thursday and asserted that India "cannot go back to business as usual".
“The finger of suspicion points to the territory of our neighbour, Pakistan,” Chidambaram said in a statement in the Lok Sabha on the terror attacks in Mumbai that killed more than 170 people.
11 shot dead at Karachi rally
By IANS,
Islamabad : Unidentified armed men opened fire at a political rally in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, killing at least 11 people and injuring more than 30, a media report said.
Indonesian parliament passes Islamic banking bill into law
By DPA,
Jakarta : The Indonesian parliament Tuesday passed a Sharia or Islamic banking bill into law, paving the way for the government to ensure legal certainty in running the sharia banking industry in the world's most-populous Muslim country.
All but one of the 10-factions at the House of Representatives (DPR) favoured the passage of the bill into law, with only the Peace and Prosperity Party rejecting it, the state-run Antara news agency reported.
‘Pakistan parliament to restore judges in its own way’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's parliament will decide the fate of the deposed judges as parts of a package, a member of the ruling coalition's joint committee set up for the purpose says.
"We want an independent judiciary and we are not concerned about individuals," The News Sunday quoted the member from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as saying.
US consulate in Istanbul comes under attack; four policemen injured
By NNN-KUNA,
Istanbul : Four Turkish policemen were severely wounded in an armed attacked on the US Consulate in Istanbul on Wednesday, a Turkish security source said.
NTV quoted witnesses as saying that the four policemen were rushed to hospital for treatment.
The perpetrators remain unknown, according to the television station.
Istanbul Security Chief Jalaleddin Jarrah arrived on the scene to oversee investigations, and Turkish security forces formed a human fence around the consulate building to keep people away.
Israel to open treatment centre for injured Gazans
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel Sunday said it would open an emergency medical centre at the Gaza border to provide treatment for the wounded Palestinians.
The centre, at the Erez border crossing, is aimed at "treating wounded civilians from Gaza", Israel's welfare and health ministries said in a joint statement.
The initiative is part of Israel's humanitarian efforts to help Gaza civilians, it added.
According to the statement, the medical centre would be operated by Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service and would "be fully equipped".
US, Pakistan, Afghanistan linked by common threat: Obama
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama promised a lasting commitment to Afghanistan and Pakistan after a three-way summit Wednesday between the countries.
"The security of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States are linked," Obama said after a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at the White House.
"The United States has made a lasting commitment to defeat Al Qaeda but also to support the democratically elected sovereign governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan," Obama said.
Two pilots killed in Pakistani military air crash
By DPA,
Islamabad : Two Pakistan Air Force pilots were killed Thursday when their Mushshak plane crashed in the eastern province of Punjab, the military said.
The propeller-driven aircraft was on a routine flight when it went down near the garrison town of Rawalpindi, apparently because of a mechanical failure. The crash did not cause damage on the ground.
The Mushshak is the air force's primary training aircraft and is not equipped with ejectable seats.
An inquiry was launched to ascertain the cause of the crash.
Hindu doctors’ murder a sad day for Pakistan: Imran Khan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has strongly condemned the killing of Hindu doctors by armed assailants in Pakistan's Sindh province.
Is Afghanistan turning into Obama’s Vietnam?
By IANS,
Washington : A slight majority of Americans think that the war in Afghanistan is turning into another Vietnam, according to a new national poll that also indicates nearly six in 10 oppose sending more US troops to the conflict zone.
Fifty-two percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday say the eight year long conflict has turned into a situation like the US faced in the Vietnam War, with 46 percent disagreeing.
Bush believes peace treaty to be signed before he leaves office
By Xinhua
Ramallah : U.S. President George W. Bush said on Thursday that he believes an Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty will be signed before he leaves office.
Bush made the remarks while holding a joint news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after their meeting at the headquarters of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The U.S. president said he's here to nudge the peace process between the two sides forward, stressing that the Israelis are help but not a hinder during the process.
Tribesmen kidnap French engineer in Yemen
By DPA,
Sanaa (Yemen) : Tribesmen have abducted a French engineer of Algerian origin in south-eastern Yemen to press authorities to free three jailed fellow clansmen, tribal sources said.
The sources told DPA that the kidnappers took the man, who works for a giant gas exporting project, at gunpoint from the Habban area about 40 km from Ataq, the
provincial capital of Shabwa.
Shabwa, some 580 km south-east of the capital Sanaa, has been the scene of several kidnappings of foreigners in recent years.
US asks India, Pakistan to resolve differences peacefully
By IANS,
Washington : The US says it always encourages India and Pakistan to negotiate their differences peacefully, concerned as it is when tensions rise in the region.
"Obviously, we're concerned when tensions rise in that region," state department deputy spokesman Robert Wood told reporters Wednesday commenting on reports of a resurgence of tensions in Kashmir with India alleging that infiltrators from Pakistan had killed a number of people.
600 workers from Telangana in Iraq
Hyderabad : There are about 600 people from Telangana in Iraq and the government is taking all steps to ensure their safety, Telangana Deputy...
McCain opposes military action against Pakistan, wants hard evidence
By IANS,
New Delhi : US Senator John McCain, the Republican candidate who lost the presidential race to Barack Obama, Tuesday said he was hopeful of Pakistan's cooperation with India in the Mumbai terrorist attack probe and opposed a military strike against Islamabad.
Underlining solidarity with India in the wake of the Nov 26 terror attacks, he said the US would not allow terrorists to provoke a confrontation between India and Pakistan.
30 militants killed in Pakistan
Islamabad : At least 30 militants were killed by the Frontier Corps (FC) in Pakistan's Balochistan province Monday, an official said.
Khan Wasey, the spokesperson...
Japan to host reconciliation dialogue for Iraq
By Xinhua
Tokyo : Japan will host a dialogue for Iraqi leaders from both the Shiite and Sunni sects from March 20, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry Friday.
Thirteen Iraqi leaders, including parliamentarians and prominent figures, are expected to attend the 9-day meeting aimed at promoting peace and stability in the country.
Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said the Iraqi participants are to meet with Japanese high-level officials and will be invited to visit Hiroshima, a prosperous city built on total devastation in World War II.
Arab Nations, UN Work for Iraqi Refugees
By SPA
United Nations : The Arab League is set to work with the United Nations refugee agency and other international organizations on a fundraising and public awareness campaign to assist displaced Iraqis.
The campaign, announced in a statement by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is entitled “Arabs Hand-in-Hand with Iraqis.”
The initiative launched on Friday and coverage will be provided by Arab satellite television, including Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, and Egyptian satellite, UNHCR said.
Pakistan responsible for most polio cases: WHO
Islamabad:The World Health Organisation (WHO) has held Pakistan responsible for nearly 80 percent of polio cases reported globally.
"The situation is primarily due to a...
Nearly 58% Rohingya refugees are kids at risk
Geneva, (IANS): Nearly fifty-eight per cent of the about 600,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are children who suffer from severe malnutrition, a UN report released...
Minister status for Bangladesh envoys to Delhi, Washington
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh government has accorded the status of ministers of state to its high commissioners in New Delhi and London and its ambassador in Washington.
The three envoys were hand-picked by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The ministerial status with all facilities is being accorded to Bangladesh's US envoy Akramul Qader, High Commissioner to Britain M. Sayedur Rahman Khan and High Commissioner to India Ahmed Tarique Karim, as per a gazette notification issued last week, The Daily Star said Thursday.
Krishna, Khar talks begin
By IANS,
Islamabad: The talks between Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar began here Saturday.
Army chief opens up UK divisions on talking to Taliban
By IRNA,
London : Head of the British army Gen Sir David Richards has opened up divisions with the Prime Minister David Cameron’s government by suggesting politicians and military chiefs should talk to members of the Taliban sooner rather than later.
"If you look at any counter-insurgency campaign throughout history there's always a point at which you start to negotiate with each other, probably through proxies in the first instance, and I don't know when that will happen," Richards said.
White House calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza strip as Obama “monitors closely”
By NNN-KUNA,
Washington : The While House echoed on Saturday an earlier call for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza Strip, as President-elect Barack Obama "monitors the situation closely".
"The President-elect Barack Obama was receiving daily briefings on the Middle East at his residence in Hawaii," Chief NSA spokeswoman Brooke Anderson told reporters.
"President-elect Obama is closely monitoring global events, including the situation in Gaza, but there is one president at a time," she added.
Two Afghan suicide bombers shot dead
By IANS,
Kabul : Two suicide bombers were gunned down by the police in an Afghan province, the authorities said Sunday.
Hasina to marry off girl orphaned in fire incident
By IANS,
Dhaka : In a unique gesture, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will Wednesday host the wedding of a girl who lost most of her relatives in a major fire that killed 118 people last week.
The 'gaye halud', a pre-wedding ritual, was performed for Sakina Aktar Ratna Tuesday as Ganobhaban, the prime minister's official residence, got ready for a solemn and simple ceremony.
Ratna lost almost her entire family to the deadly fire that broke out at her home in Nimtali of Old Dhaka Thursday. Her younger sister, Runa, was set to be engaged that evening.