Iran admits confronting US drone in Persian Gulf
By IANS,
Tehran: Iran has confirmed having confronted a US drone in the Persian Gulf last week, Xinhua reported.
Six missiles hit southern Israel causing no injuries — Israeli Arm
By KUNA
Gaza : Palestinian gunners fired at least six missiles in the direction of southern Israel on Friday but caused no losses, a spokesman of the Israeli Army said.
The spokesman said the rockets crashed into unused locations in the vicinity of the town of Sderot, but caused neither human injuries nor damage. The Sderot region was targeted with four missiles while two others hit the town of Kfar Izza, located east of Gaza Strip.
Man decorates car with 33,000 UAE coins
By IANS,
Dubai : A Dubai resident hopes to set a new Guinness record by decorating his car with 33,000 UAE coins as a tribute to the country on its 40th National Day.
Female Iranian activist released on bail
By DPA,
Tehran : A female activist charged with subversion in Iran has been released from prison on bail, opposition websites reported Monday.
Three kids killed in Pakistan house fire
By IANS,
Islamabad : Three children were killed Saturday when a fire broke out at a house in Pakistan's Faisalabad city, Geo News reported.
17 killed in Iraq bomb blast
By IANS,
Baghdad : At least 17 people were killed and over 50 were injured Friday when a roadside bomb exploded in Iraq's Tikrit city, Xinhua quoted a police source as saying.
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.
Islamists oppose women as heads of state, government
By IANS,
Dhaka : Women should be debarred from holding office as heads of government or state, an Islamist party has said in Bangladesh, where women have headed governments between 1991 and 2006.
The election law should be amended to make women ineligible to hold these offices, the Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan (BKA) Saturday told a government panel led by Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed, currently holding a dialogue with political parties.
Ahmed performs prime ministerial functions in a caretaker government holding office since January last year.
British Muslim women refuse body scanner, barred from plane
By DPA,
London: Two Muslim women in Britain who refused to be screened by a full body airport scanner were subsequently stopped from boarding a flight to Pakistan, a spokesman for Manchester airport said Wednesday.
During the incident, which happened two weeks ago, the women cited religious and medical reasons respectively for their refusal to pass through the scanner, introduced at major British airports last month.
Modi interested in economic diplomacy: Af-Pak expert
Kolkata : Observing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sees trade and economics as ways to get around political tensions, international relations expert Michael Kugelman...
Forced marriages, insecurity worry Pakistani Hindus
By IANS,
Islamabad : Forced marriages of their women and security issues have emerged as major concerns for Pakistani Hindus, according to a body formed by Asif Ali Zardari.
Pakistan among most corrupt nations: Transparency International
By IANS,
Islamabad : The lack of anti-graft laws makes Pakistan one of the most corrupt nations in the world and is coming in the way of foreign investments in the country, global anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) says.
"How can one expect from any donor to come forward to assist Pakistan from its current financial crisis, when there exists no law against corruption?" TI said in its 2009 Global Corruption Report released Wednesday.
Islamabad High Court drops Rimsha blasphemy case
By IANS,
Islamaabad : The Islamabad High Court Tuesday dismissed a blasphemy case against 14-year-old Christian girl Rimsha Masih, a media report said.
Pakistan humanitarian work in ‘jeopardy’: UN
By DPA,
Geneva : Humanitarian aid work in Pakistan is in "jeopardy" because of a massive funding shortage for key projects, the UN said Tuesday.
"The humanitarian community is concerned that the international community's response is inadequate," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a note.
Only 20 percent of the $500 million needed this year for displaced people and refugees has been donated so far, it said.
"This means basic life sustaining services such as food, health, etc. are in serious jeopardy," the OCHA note warned.
US drone strike kills four in Pakistan
Islamabad: At least four people were killed during a US drone strike in Pakistan's north-west tribal area of North Waziristan on Monday night, a...
Iranian nuclear breakthroughs are civilian, says UK analyst
By IRNA,
London : There is nothing in the recent breakthroughs by Iranian nuclear scientists to indicate a move in the country’s programme toward military rather than civilian uses of nuclear energy, a UK-based analyst of American studies said.
Scott Lucas, from the University of Birmingham in central England, told IRNA on Saturday that Iran’s nuclear program should be discussed through dialogue and with international bodies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Landmark changes proposed in Pakistan’s constitution
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's constitution could see revolutionary changes with the country's provinces being given greater autonomy and the federal government responsible only for defence, foreign affairs and finance if a bill on this clears parliament.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Monday filed the draft bill with the National Assembly secretariat to remove the controversial 17th Amendment that had been enacted at former president Pervez Musharraf's behest and to loosen the federal government's control over the provinces.
Arab FMs in consensus to tackle crisis in Lebanon – Moussa
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Arab foreign ministers were in agreement over the decision to contain the crisis in Lebanon because they are aware of the seriousness of the situation, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said.
Speaking at a joint conference with Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Yusuf after an urgent foreign ministers' meeting here Sunday, Moussa said there was a common Arab desire to defuse tension in Lebanon, which is witnessing a fierce political crisis.
Ban Ki-moon rules out UN intervention in Kashmir
By Lalit K Jha, IANS,
United Nations : Ruling out any United Nations intervention in Kashmir unless both India and Pakistan approached the world body, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Monday hoped the two South Asian neighbours would be able to find a solution to it through dialogue in a peaceful manner.
"If and when both parties (India and Pakistan) to this issue (Kashmir) request ... ask me to provide my good offices, I am willing to do that," Ban told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York on his return from his four-nation tour of Philippines, India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
India condemns attack on US consulate in Libya
By IANS,
New Delhi: India Wednesday strongly condemned the attack on the US consulate in Libya that killed Washington's envoy and other US officials.
Palestinians injured trying to prevent demolition of house in Jerusalem
By KUNA,
Ramallah : Several Palestinians were injured on Monday as they tried to prevent demolition of a house in Beit Hanina in Jerusalem, sources said.
The Palestinian sources in Jerusalem said Israeli Army forces besieged the house of Majed Abe-isha in Biet Hanina.
Protesters trying to prevent a demolition were later attacked and injured, including Hatim Abdul-Qader, the advisor of president Mahmoud Abbas for Jerusalem Affairs.
The protestors spent the night and performed the Dawn Prayer (Fajer) around the house to stop the Israeli bulldozers, the sources added.
Pakistan, Iran to ease visa restrictions
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Pakistan and Iran will facilitate each other in the matters of visa relaxation to promote education, business and tourism to further strengthened the ties and expand the areas of cooperation.
This was decided in a meeting between Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior A. Rehman Malik and Masha Allah Shakeri the Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan.
Rehman Malik said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Muslim brotherly country Iran.
Pakistan to have two Supreme Courts?
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan may end up having two Supreme Courts to break the deadlock between the two ruling coalition parties over the restoration of higher court judges sacked last year by President Pervez Musharraf.
With the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-Nawaz) still locked in a row over the judges, the formation of two Supreme Courts has been proposed, The News reported Saturday.
Iran registered as tourism hub on WTO list
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : The Islamic Republic of Iran has been registered as a tourism hub on the list of the World Tourism Organization (WTO).
Announcing this, the executive advisor to Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) noted that some 2.370 foreign tourists have travelled to Iran during March 2007- March 2008.
Mohammad Ali Pakseresht stated that the figure indicates a 26 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Report: U.S. steps up unilateral strikes in Pakistan
By Xinhua
Washington : The United States has stepped up unilateral strikes against al-Qaida members in Pakistan's tribal areas, the Washington Post reported Thursday.
The action has partly resulted from anxieties that Pakistan's new leaders will insist on scaling back military operations in that country, the paper quoted U.S. officials as saying.
Dubai Metro carries six million people in three months
By IANS,
Dubai: The Dubai metro has transported over six million passengers since it started operations Sep 9, WAM news agency reported Monday.
The Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA) announced Monday that Dubai Metro transported nearly six million passengers in its three months of operation.
It said the number of Metro passengers reached a record 1,904,956 in November.
Director of Rail Operation Department Ramadhan Abdullah said the average daily ridership of Dubai Metro was 59,347 passengers.
Probe demanded against Israeli daily that published Obama note
By DPA,
Jerusalem : An Israeli lawyer has asked the country's attorney general to probe a newspaper that published the contents of a note US Democratic Party presidential hopeful left at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, The Jerusalem Post reported Monday.
Attorney Shahar Alon has also called for a commercial boycott of the Ma'ariv newspaper, Israel's second-biggest selling daily.
Lahore under siege, simultaneous terror strike in three places
By IANS,
Lahore : Terrorists launched simultaneous attacks on three security establishments in this Pakistani city Thursday, killing at least seven people.
Militants dressed in uniform stormed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Manawan police training school, close to the India-Pakistan border, and the training centre of the Elite Force.
There was heavy exchange of fire in all three buildings that came under siege. Loud blasts and gunshots could be heard, eyewitnesses said. Helicopters hovered above to keep a watch on the terror drama unfolding across the city.
US concerned over Iranian police break-up of mourners’ protest
By DPA,
Tehran/Washington : The US was "disturbed" by reports of Iranian police and security forces breaking up a demonstration by mourners remembering those killed in recent post-election clashes, a State Department official said.
Police Thursday broke up a crowd of several hundred who had gathered around the grave of Neda Agha-Soltan, who was shot during last month's protests against the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Witnesses said there were a number of arrests.
Iran ready to consider allowing U.S. diplomatic presence
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : Iran is prepared to consider allowing a United States 'interests section' in its capital, Tehran, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Wednesday.
The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Iran in 1980, the year after the Iranian Revolution, when the Washington-backed shah was deposed, and during the 444-day embassy hostage crisis.
"We believe that restoring relations between the American and Iranian nations would be a positive move," Mottaki was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying at Iran's UN mission in New York.
Militants kill political leader, two more in Pakistan
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Unidentified gunmen killed a leader of the Awami National Party (ANP) and two others in northwestern Pakistan Thursday.
Zakir Khan came under attack at Matta town in Swat Valley of North West Frontier Province when he was travelling in his car with his brother and another colleague, who were also killed in the attack, News Network International news agency reported.
Three other people in the vehicle were injured in the attack, police said.
Bangladesh police hand over Avijit Roy murder evidence to FBI
Dhaka : Evidence related to the murder of Bangladesh-born blogger-writer Avijit Roy has been given to the US's Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), police...
Pakistan bans Taliban’s leading organization
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Monday placed a ban on the leading organization of the pro-Taliban elements after it claimed responsibility for last week's twin suicide attacks at a military-run arms and ammunition factory where more than 80 civilian employees died and around 100 were injured.
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is an umbrella group of several militant organizations. It was created in 2007 and a fearsome militant commander in the country's tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, Baitullah Mehsud, was chosen as its first head.
Obama doing nothing for peace process: Abbas
By DPA,
Buenos Aires : Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said US President Barack Obama "is doing nothing for the peace process" in the Middle East.
"For now he is doing nothing, but he has invited us to revive the peace process. I hope that in the future he can play a more important role," Abbas said in an interview published Tuesday by the Argentine daily Clarin.
Instead, Abbas again called upon Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to take a more active role as mediator in the Middle East.
Iraqi president condemns killing of Shia leader
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraq's President Jalal Talabani Friday condemned the killing of Shia lawmaker Saleh al-Ugaily by militants Thursday and called on all Iraqis to join forces against terrorism.
"We have received with deep sadness the news of the martyrdom of Saleh al-Ugaily, a lawmaker from Sadr political movement," Talabani said in a statement Friday.
Ugaily died Thursday after his motorcade was hit by a roadside bomb in Habibiyah neighbourhood in eastern part of the Iraqi capital.
Two of his bodyguards were also killed in the attack.
EU official concerned about closure case against AKP
By Xinhua
Istanbul : The cochairman of a Turkey-EU Joint Parliament Committee expressed concern Tuesday over the closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey.
Joost Lagendijk qualified the closure case against the AKP as "a very bad thing" for Turkey.
"It would be bad for Turkey because opponents in Europe would be pleased with the ongoing legal process in Turkey," Lagendijk said in an interview after a conference in Istanbul on Turkey's EU accession process.
Bahrain Elected to Human Rights Council
By SPA,
United Nations : The United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly on Wednesday elected 15 out of 26 member states from five regions vying through a secret ballot for a seat on its Human Rights Council, an international body that address human rights issues.
Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste were both defeated in the Asian category by Bahrain, Japan, South Korea, and Pakistan.
Britain and France defeated Spain for a European seat.
Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine beat the Czech Republic in the Eastern Europe category.
Commonwealth to decide Pakistan’s membership on May 12
By IANS,
London : Expelled for flouting democratic norms, Pakistan's case for membership of the Commonwealth will be reviewed at a high-powered meeting in London next month, the Commonwealth said.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which addresses serious or persistent violations of the Commonwealth's values and principles, will meet in London May 12 to discuss Pakistan and Fiji.
The CMAG will review the suspension of Pakistan and consider political developments in Fiji.
Bangladesh condemns Sri Lankan minister’s assassination
By Xinhua
Dhaka : Bangladesh Monday condemned the assassination of Sri Lankan Senior Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle by suspected terrorists.
"It was a cowardly act of terrorism that we strongly condemn. Our prayers are with the families of Fernandopulle and others who lost their lives in the incident," Bangladeshi caretaker government Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in a message.
He also expressed his sympathies to the Sri Lankan government and the families of those killed in the attack.
Pakistan to get eight F-16 jets from US this month: report
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan will get eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States in two months, local TV channels reported on Wednesday.
The Congress approved delivery of 10 aircraft to Pakistan and the two aircraft will be delivered later, TV channels reported.
The United States government had delivered two F-16 fighter aircraft in July, 2007, to the Pakistan Air Force, which is part of a $5 billion weapons deal with Pakistan.
These aircraft will join the Pakistan Air Force's current inventory of 36 F-16 fighters.
Clinton meet President Zardari
By NNN-APP,
New York : Former President Bill Clinton met with President Asif Ali Zardari here Friday afternoon and discussed US-Pakistan relations and exchanged views on meeting challenges fin the South Asian region.
Senator Hillary Clinton later also joined the meeting during which the new Pakistani president briefed the US leaders about the democratic government’s endeavors to overcome economic and security problems facing the country.
Voting in landmark Bangladesh elections proceeds peacefully
By DPA,
Dhaka : Voting in Bangladesh's landmark parliamentary elections began Monday in a festive mode to bring the country back to a democratic system after almost two years of emergency rule.
Enthusiastic people were seen waiting in long queues at polling stations from daybreak to cast their vote as voting began at 8 a.m. amid tight security.
The voting will continue until 5 pm, election officials said.
Joining Islamic State ‘forbidden’: Indonesian religious body
Jakarta : The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the highest Muslim organisation in the country, Thursday banned Muslims from taking part in the activities of...
Two US soldiers killed in Iraq
By SPA,
Baghdad : Two US soldiers were killed in separate attacks in the Iraqi capital, the US military said on Wednesday.
In the late hours of Tuesday, insurgents opened fire on a US soldier in north-east Baghdad, the statement said. The soldier died of his wounds.
In another attack, another US soldier was killed when a bomb targeted his vehicle in the same area, the statement was quoted as saying by DPA.
The attacks bring the number of US soldiers killed to 4,058 since the US-led invasion of Iraq.
Abbas blames Hamas for bombing Fatah leaders’ properties
Gaza : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday accused the Islamic Hamas movement of carrying out Friday's bombing attacks against properties of his Fatah Party's...
US army due to release 3,000 detainees during Ramadan in Iraq
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : The Multi-National Force (MNF) has released here 433 Iraqi detainees as a part of a plan to free about 3,000 prisoners during the holy month of Ramadan, the MNF said in a statement.
The organisation responsible for coalition forces detention operations in Iraq, TF-134, released 433 inmates during the first week of Ramadan, and would let go more than 700 detainees during the second week of the holy month, the statement said Tuesday.
More than 19,000 detainees are held in MNF-guarded prisons and cells. The figure was as high as 26,000 in November 2007.
Coalition forces kill 10 militants in E Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : The U.S.-led Coalition forces on Friday killed 10 militants during an operation to disrupt the Haqqani improvised explosive device (IED) and foreign fighter network in eastern Afghan province of Paktya, said a Coalition statement released here on Saturday.
Coalition forces targeted several Haqqani leaders and foreign fighters in Zadran District, who were known to plan and conduct IED attacks, the statement said.
Four NYT journalists missing in Libya
By IANS,
Washington : Four New York Times (NYT) journalists reporting on the ongoing crisis in Libya have gone missing.
Pakistan must wind up terror infrastructure, India tells Britain
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : India has told Britain squarely that Pakistan must take immediate steps to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure that continues to operate from its soil, informed sources said Saturday.
The Indian warning came at a meeting between Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his British counterpart Sir Peter Rickett in London Friday.
The meeting, part of an annual exercise that takes in the entire gamut of India-British ties, was said to have been held in "a great atmosphere".
Normalcy returning to Mingora: Pakistani military
By IANS,
Islamabad : Normalcy is fast returning to Mingora town in Pakistan's restive northwest with the security forces now turning their attention to recapturing Charbagh town, the military said Monday as its anti-Taliban operations entered their 38th day.
Normalcy is returning to Mingora, the largest town in Swat district of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) "at a fast pace. Provision of food items and medicines are being organized and executed", an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said.
31 killed in Syrian air strikes
Damascus: A total of 31 radical fighters were killed as the Syrian air force Sunday struck positions of the Islamic State (IS) militants in...
Iranian nuclear chief heads to China ahead of UN talks
By DPA
Tehran : Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili departed Tehran Thursday for Beijing to meet Chinese officials ahead of next week's scheduled meeting of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.
Jalili would brief Chinese officials of the latest developments in the nuclear dispute, Fars news agency reported.
Germany has invited the foreign ministers of the UN Security Council member states to talks in Berlin on Jan 22 to seek a third resolution to punish Iran for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.
US says it accidentally killed 9 Iraqi civilians
By IRNA
Baghdad : US military said on Monday that they had accidentally killed nine Iraqi civilians and wounded three in a strike aimed at al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia south of Baghdad.
A military statement released late Sunday acknowledged what appeared to be one of the deadliest cases of mistaken identity in recent weeks.
"The accidental killings happened Saturday in Iskandariya, about 25 miles south of the capital, and that the wounded were taken to American military hospitals," it said.
US says Pakistan holding up visas
By DPA,
Washington : Pakistan has been holding up visas for US officials and contractors and continued delays could have an "impact" on the effectiveness of aid programmes in the country, the US State Department said Thursday.
Hundreds of visa applications and renewals for US personnel have been delayed and the United States has raised the problem with Pakistan's senior leadership, deputy spokesman Robert Wood said.
Obama envoy hopes for early relaunch of Mideast peace talks
By DPA,
Jerusalem : US President Barack Obama's special envoy to the Middle East said Thursday he hoped his latest shuttle mission in the region would edge Israelis and Palestinians closer toward reviving long-stalled peace talks soon.
"We're going to continue with our efforts to achieve an early relaunch of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians," Senator George Mitchell told reporters before a private meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem.
He added this was an "essential step" toward achieving comprehensive peace in the region.
Indian Malaysian sleuth joins forces with Ibrahim (Roundup)
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : In a fresh twist to l'affaire Anwar Ibrahim, an ethnic Indian private investigator has joined forces with him to allege Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak's interference in the murder trial of a Mongolian woman.
Razak denied the charge, leveled in a statutory declaration made by investigator P. Balasubramaniam, terming it "a red herring" floated by Ibrahim, himself under probe for allegedly sodomising an aide last week.
Palestine mulls situation after Israeli teenagers’ bodies found
Gaza: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Monday called for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation after three missing Israeli teenagers were found dead and...
Iran says space program poses no threat to peace
By RIA Novosti
Tehran : A spokesman for Iran's government gave assurances on Tuesday that the country's achievements in space technology and research pose no threat to peace and stability in the world.
Gholam-Hossein Elham's comments come a day after Tehran's successful launch of the Explorer-1 research rocket, which is reportedly capable of carrying a satellite into orbit, and the unveiling of the country's first domestically built satellite, named Omid, or Hope.
Israel protests ‘inciting’ new Turkish drama
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israel said Wednesday it would formally complain to Ankara about an "inciting" and "distorted" new Turkish television drama about a fictional Palestinian family in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it would summon the Turkish ambassador in Tel Aviv to its offices in Jerusalem for an explanation.
The new series aired for the first time this week on Turkish national television.
Karachi tense as 25 killed in ethnic clashes
BY IANS,
Karachi : Tension gripped this largest city of Pakistan after at least 25 people were killed in ethnic violence, authorities said.
"Panic gripped parts of the city as unidentified attackers went on a shooting spree, killing most of the victims at point-blank range," Dawn reported Thursday.
City police chief Wasim Ahmed said 20 people were killed Wednesday in the violence across the city, including "16 Pathans and three Urdu-speaking people".
ISI chief leaves for Washington for day’s visit
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's spy agency chief, Lt. Gen. Shuja Pasha, left for Washington Wednesday, more than two months after Osama bin Laden's killing hit ties with the US.
Two Israelis wounded in Palestinian attack
Jerusalem: A Palestinian man Wednesday stabbed two Israelis outside a supermarket in West Bank, police said.
Micky Rosenfeld, a spokesperson of the Israeli police, confirmed...
25 Pakistani protesters arrested for attacking PTV
Islamabad: Police have arrested 25 people from different parts of Punjab province, including Lahore, for attacking the Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters in Islamabad Sep...
BSF, Bangladesh troops to curb fake currency smuggling
By IANS,
Kolkata : The Border Security Force (BSF) is planning to set up a joint task force with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to check smuggling of fake Indian currency notes.
5 die as Pakistani forces raided hospital
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces raided a private hospital in the tribal region where suspected militants were thought to be treated and killed at least five people, locals and officials said Thursday.
Sources said that two soldiers were also killed in clash when the militants opened fire.
They said that 18 people were also arrested after the raid at the hospital in Wana, the center of South Waziristan.
Arab ministers meet in Kuwait to discuss Gaza fighting
By Xinhua,
Kuwait City : Arab foreign ministers kicked off an emergency meeting here Friday, with the situation in the Gaza Strip under unprecedented Israeli attacks topping the agenda.
The foreign ministers are also expected to study the agenda of the upcoming Arab economic, development and social summit scheduled for Jan 19-20 in the Kuwaiti capital.
Iran says its defence power no threat to neighbours
Tehran : Iran's growing military power is not a threat to any country, including its neighbours, the Iranian government said Tuesday, amid reports that...
US condemns terrorist attacks in Baghdad
By DPA,
Washington : The US strongly condemned the wave of bombings that took place in Baghdad Wednesday and killed at least 90 people, while expressing confidence that Iraqi forces are capable of providing security.
"These terrorist attacks are an attempt to undermine the progress that Iraqi institutions and security forces have worked hard to achieve," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.
"We believe that they will not deter Iraqis from continuing their efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous society," he said.
COMSTECH to publish directory of Muslim scientists by end February
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : The Committee on Science and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) will publish a directory of Muslim scientists working on research projects across the world by the end of February.
The contributions made by the scientists and engineers are being assessed through a set of research performance related to indicators developed by Comstech. The indicators include research articles, competitive research grants and international awards.
NA session in a week or two; President Musharraf
By APP
Jacobabad : President Pervez Musharraf said Friday he would summon the National Assembly session in a week or two and the coalition government would get his fullest support. Addressing a gathering here at the inauguration of a Rs 1.25 billion water supply scheme, the President said it was vital for the political parties to focus efforts on formation of a stable government for next five years.
“I will fully support the new government,” the President said.
Drug smuggling attempt foiled in Abu Dhabi
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Customs inspectors at the Abu Dhabi airport have foiled an attempt by two Asian passengers to smuggle a large quantity of cannabis seeds into the UAE.
Pakistan won’t hand over terror suspects to India: Zardari
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said Islamabad will not hand over suspected terrorists like Dawood Ibrahim, Masood Azhar and Hafiz Muhammad to India, but try and sentence them in its own courts if it had proof against them.
"I am definitely going to look into all the possibility of any proof that is given to us," Zardari said on CNN's "Larry King Live" Tuesday when asked if he was going to comply with India's demand to hand over some 20 suspected terrorists believed to be living in Pakistan.
Pakistani forces kill over 25 militants, beefs up diplomats security
By KUNA,
Islamabad : In an ongoing operation in a Pakistani border tribal agency, security forces claimed killing more than twenty-five militants and wounding several others, while security around diplomats was beefed up in the northern provincial capital.
Security forces continued bombing militants' sanctuaries in several areas of Bajaur tribal agency on Monday, security sources told KUNA.
They said that in the latest air-strikes, more than twenty-five militants were killed and several were wounded. Sources anticipated rise in the death toll as the operation continues.
Rice calls for Israel to halt settlement expansion
By SPA
Amman : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Monday for a halt to Israeli settlement building after Jerusalem municipality said it planned to build 600 new housing units.
"We continue to state America's position that settlement activity should stop, that its expansion should stop -- that is indeed not consistent with 'road map' obligations," Rice said at a press conference in Amman, Jordan with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a report of Reuters.
Gaza will become Zionist cemetery, warns Iran speaker
By IINA,
Tehran : Iran's Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said the resistance of the Palestinian people will turn the Gaza Strip into a Zionist cemetery. Addressing lawmakers prior to the open session of parliament on Sunday, Larijani took aim at the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza. He said the destruction of medical centers in Gaza is the visible expression of crime against humanity. "Fortunately, the Zionists are confronted by the Palestinians' defense and sustained serious losses. The Zionists should bear in mind that Gaza will become their cemetery," Larijani added.
ElBaradei’s report submitted to IAEA Governing Council
By IRNA,
Vienna : The latest report by IAEA Chief Muhammad ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear activities was submitted to the 35 member states of IAEA Governing Council.
According to IRNA reporter in Vienna, the report will be discussed in the upcoming session of IAEA on June 4th.
More news on the issue will come soon.
Pakistani security forces launch operation in tribal region
By Amena Khokhar, KUNA
Islamabad : Security forces Friday launched a large-scale house-to-house search operation in a Pakistani tribal district and killed more than 10 militants, officials said.
About one hundred military troops along with local police and Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were taking part in the operation in Tank district in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), the security officials told KUNA.
They said so far about seven militants have been rounded up including a foreigner, believed to be of Afghan origin.
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.
Australian police raid terror suspects
Sydney: Australian police and the nation's spy agency launched raids in homes in Sydney and Brisbane Thursday.
More than 600 officers from multiple police departments...
Roadside bombing kills 6 guards of district chief in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan : A roadside bombing targeting a vehicle of district chief of Musa Qala district in southern Afghan province of Helmand killed at least six guards aboard Wednesday, said an official.
Abdul Salam, the district chief, told Xinhua it occurred at around 12:00 p.m. local time (0830GMT) when the vehicle of his guards running in the riot Musa Qala district hit remote-controlled mines planted by Taliban militants, leaving six dead onthe spot.
Palestinian official: Israeli offensive embarrasses PNA
By Xinhua
Ramallah : An aide to Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said on Saturday that an ongoing Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip embarrassed the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).
"The ongoing military escalation against the Gaza Strip is putting the Palestinian leadership that holds talks with Israel in an embarrassing position," said Hatem Abdul Qadder, who is based in Jerusalem.
Abdul Qadder said in a statement that the Palestinian government in Ramallah can't isolate itself from what is happening in the Gaza Strip.
Pakistan’s former ruling party hauled up over advertisements
By IANS
Islamabad : The Election Commission has pulled up the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) for a controversial advertisement asking non-Sindhis to demand compensation for losses suffered during the riots that engulfed the province after the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
"Yes we have sought explanation from (PML-Q president) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on the advertisements that appeared in some newspapers," the Dawn Wednesday quoted Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) secretary Mohammad Dilshad as saying.
Afghan deputy governor among six killed in suicide attack
By KUNA
Kabul : A deputy provincial governor and five more people were killed in a suicide blast inside a mosque in southern Afghanistan on Thursday.
The bomber blew himself inside a mosque in Lashkargah, capital of the country's southern Helmand province when people were busy praying.
Pir Mohammad was among the six people killed in the huge blast, police chief of the province Mohammad Hussain Andiwal confirmed to KUNA over the telephone.
At least 20 killed in bus accident on Iranian highway
By SPA,
Tehran : At least 20 people were killed following a bus accident on an Iranian highway Tuesday, the Khabar news network reported.
More casualties are feared in the accident which happened on the highway connecting the capital Tehran to the religious city of Qom, Khabar said, without giving further details.
10 killed in Afghanistan explosions
Kabul: At least 10 people were killed Saturday in separate blasts in Afghanistan, an official said.
In one attack, one civilian was killed and 12...
Iran rejects media report of missing nuclear material
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran strongly rejected Monday reports of alleged disappearance of uranium from its nuclear facilities, terming it "fabricated" media hype, the official IRNA news agency reported, quoting a senior official.
"All nuclear materials in Isfahan and Natanz nuclear facilities of Iran are under the strict supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi told reporters Monday.
Qashqavi was speaking in reference to a Daily Telegraph article which claimed that Iran was renewing its nuclear weapons programme.
Plea against ‘black warrants’ dismissed in Pakistan
Islamabad : An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Pakistan on Friday dismissed a petition against the "black warrants" of two convicts who had been sentenced...
Pro-Taliban commander among 66 captured militants in Pakistan
KABUL, January 28 (RIA Novosti) - Pakistani troops have captured a pro-Taliban commander among 66 alleged militants in the northern Swat valley during an offensive against followers of a radical cleric, an Afghan news agency said Monday.
"Security forces early Sunday morning conducted a search operation in Matta City, Sambat and Bodigram and apprehended 66 militants, including Sher Zaman, a local commander," the agency said.
Sher Zaman is an aide to Maulana Fazlullah, a radical cleric known for attempts to establish Islamic Sharia law in the region.
Conspiracy theories abound post-Lahore attack
By IANS,
Islamabad : Did the police in Pakistan's Punjab province warn that Indian spy agency RAW would stage an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team? Was the attack linked to the action being taken against jehadi outfits in the wake of the Mumbai mayhem?
This apart, who was the unknown individual who made a telephone call that prompted a change in the route being taken by the bus carrying the Sri Lankan players, taking them directly in the line of fire of the attackers?
Coalition forces kill 10 militants in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : The US-led coalition forces killed 10 militants and detained four during anti-insurgency operations in eastern Afghanistan, a coalition statement released here Wednesday said.
Coalition forces in the operation targeting a senior Taliban commander in the Zormat district of Paktia province engaged and killed five militants, the statement said.
During another operation in Sabori district of the province, the forces killed another five militants and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition, it said.
Pakistan seeks support from donors to restore security
By IANS,
Tokyo : Pakistan Wednesday urged international donor countries to provide support as it tries to restore confidence in the nation's economy and security.
"We are here to ask political and economic support to restore confidence," Foreign Affairs Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told a press conference in Tokyo.
The minister arrived in Japan Wednesday ahead of a one-day donor conference scheduled for Friday, where 30 countries and international groups were expected to agree to provide $4 billion over the next two years.
Bangladesh to host Saarc ministers’ meeting on climate change
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) ministerial meeting on climate change will be held here July 3.
The meeting will be held in the backdrop of growing concern of adverse impact of climate change, particularly sea level rise in some countries of the region, the leading English-language newspaper The Daily Star reported Tuesday.
In view of growing concern for climate change, the 29th session of the Saarc council of ministers in New Delhi in December last year decided to hold the ministerial meeting.
Modi to brief Bangladesh PM on destabilisation threats
Dhaka : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will ask his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina to be alert to threats she faces when they meet...
PM Modi greets Pakistan on Independence Day
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted the people of Pakistan on their Independence Day.
"Greetings and good wishes to the...
Kazakh president comes to India Jan 23, n-deal on the way
By IANS,
New Delhi : India and Kazakhstan are set to invigorate their ties when they sign a nuclear pact and other economic agreements during the four-day visit of the energy-rich Central Asian country's President Nursultan Nazarbayev that begins Jan 23.
“The visit will further consolidate and provide fresh impetus to the bilateral relations,” the external affairs ministry said here Wednesday while announcing his visit.
This will be the fourth visit by Nazarbayev to India since 1992.
Four Afghans killed in land mine blast
By IANS,
Kabul : Four Afghan civilians lost their lives when a land mine struck their car, police said.
Palestinian killed in northern Gaza Strip
By SPA
Gaza City, Gaza Strip : Palestinian medical officials say a man has been killed during clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip.
Medical officials say two others were moderately wounded. Palestinians reported fighting in the northern Gaza Strip throughout the day Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.
Pakistan’s per capita income rises to $1,027
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's per capita income has risen to $1,027 in fiscal 2007-08 against $878 in the last financial year.
The total size of Pakistan's economy went up to $170.8 billion in the fiscal that ends June 30 against $143.9 billion in the previous fiscal to register a growth of $26.9 billion, says a paper forwarded by the National Accounts Committee (NAC) to the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC).
Airport industry to witness boom in the Gulf region
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : A buoyant economy and rapid expansion of Gulf countries' state-owned airlines are leading to a boom in the airport development industry in the Middle East, according to a survey, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
The survey, conducted by Streamline Marketing Group and organisers of the Dubai Airport Show, said that the projected increase in commercial air traffic and tourism to the region has been a major factor in prompting heavy government funding for such infrastructure projects.
Bahrain, UAE hold talks
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Monday held discussions for strengthening bilateral relations.
When a Bangladeshi judge set an example
By IANS,
Dhaka : A judge in Bangladesh refused to have his economy class seat in a Biman flight upgraded to a business class seat, saying the airline should not lose money from this service.
Suspects in Benazir Bhutto murder case arrested: Malik
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik Friday said the suspects in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto have been arrested.
Boko Haram suspected in Nigerian bomb blast that killed 35
Nairobi : At least 35 people have died in a bomb explosion on a busy highway in the northeastern Nigerian state of Adamawa, one...
Iran not afraid of US turning nuclear data to IAEA: spokesman
By DPA
Tehran : Iran is not concerned at the decision by the US to turn over classified nuclear data to the UN nuclear watchdog, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said Sunday.
"They should present whatever they have to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the IAEA should decide what to do with it," the spokesman said in his weekly press briefing.
The US says its intelligence data proves that Iran was working on an atomic bomb before 2003.
35 militants killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Air strikes by US-led coalition forces killed 35 Taliban militants in eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province Thursday, an official said.
"US-led coalition forces pounded Taliban hideouts in Walmama district Wednesday night leaving 35 militants dead," said Hamidullah Zhwak, spokesman of the provincial administration.
UAE preferred because of jobs, living conditions
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a preferred destination for people due to its financial sector, availability of jobs and better living conditions, a latest report has said.
The Gulf region is an attractive destination because of good salaries and demand for foreign expertise, the report by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO) said Tuesday.
The report further praised the steps taken by the Emirates government towards economic integration and plans to issue a unified currency.
Insecurity Persists in Iraqi Capital
By Prensa Latina
Baghdad : Two bomb blasts in Baghdad killed six people and wounded another three Tuesday, thus corroborating prevailing insecurity in that capital.
Police sources cited by Aswat al Iraq agency informed one of the explosive artefacts was home-made and placed in a taxi in Al Mansur residential neighbourhood, killing five people and wounding one policeman.
The other blast occurred in Waziryia district, where one person died and two others were injured.
IAEA finds no nuclear material in Syria
By Xinhua,
Vienna : The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found no trace of nuclear material in Syria's Al-Kibar so far, but it would continue sampling in this area to analyze, said Mohammed ElBaradei, IAEA director general, in Vienna Monday.
ElBaradei also pointed out at an IAEA council meeting that Syria has not provided IAEA supplement information so far about its related nuclear activities as requested.
British Muslim delegation visits Afghanistan
By NNN-APP
London : A delegation of British Muslims which visited Afghanistan recently has lauded the contribution of the British Government for the development and progress of the country but added that among others poppy cultivation remained difficult challenges.
The delegation whose visit was facilitated by Foreign and Commonwealth Office was in Afghanistan from March 29 till April 4.
The delegation members comprised MP Sadiq Khan, prospective Labour Party candidate Yasmin Qureshi, Barrister Fatim Kurji Jumabhoy, community worker Mustafa Suleyman and media expert Saad Mohseni.
Israel ends 10-day closure of Palestinian territories
By SPA,
Tel Aviv : The Israeli military says it is lifting a blanket closure of the West Bank and Gaza it imposed for 10 days over the Jewish Passover holiday.
The Associated Press quoted a military statement as saying that the closure ended Monday morning. It mainly affected the West Bank.
Iran vows no nuclear retreat on deadline day
By Xinhua,
Beijing : Iran said on Saturday it would not back down "one iota" in its nuclear row with major powers, voicing defiance on the day of an informal deadline set by the West over Tehran's disputed atomic ambitions.
Western officials gave Tehran two weeks from July 19 to respond to their offer to hold off from imposing more UN sanctions on Iran if it froze any expansion of its nuclear work.
That would suggest a deadline of Saturday but Iran, which has repeatedly ruled out curbing its nuclear activities, dismissed the idea of having two weeks to reply.
Class conflict, religion fuelling jehadis in Pakistan’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Class conflict and religion are in equal measure fuelling the jehadi movement in Pakistan, and the sooner the government moves against this the better, editorials in three leading English dailies said Saturday.
"The resentment the powerless feel may be cloaked in anti-Americanism or religiosity but in actual fact it boils down to a class conflict," Dawn said in an editorial headlined "The common enemy".
Six Yemeni soldiers killed in militant ambush
Sanaa: At least six soldiers were killed and three injured Friday when armed men ambushed government troops in Yemen, a military official said.
"Government troops...
The Gaza carnage: Israeli impunity and global helplessness
By K.P. Fabian,
It is difficult, almost impossible, to envisage an early negotiated ceasefire to put an end to the unconscionable carnage in Gaza. US Secretary of State John Kerry has been working hard, but with his hands tied. President Obama has spoken more than once to Prime Minister Netanyahu on the need for a cease-fire, but always deferentially.
Gunmen kidnap policeman, wound 10 in Iraq
By Xinhua
Fallujah, Iraq : A policeman was kidnapped and 10 others were wounded when gunmen attacked their checkpoint early on Friday near the city of Fallujah, 50 km west of Baghdad, a local police source said.
"Dozens of gunmen stormed a checkpoint outside the town of Saglawiyah, 5 km northeast of Fallujah, and clashed with policemen manning the checkpoint," the source old Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
PML-N ministers resign from Pakistan cabinet
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : A day after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif announced his party's withdrawal from the cabinet, nine federal ministers of the party Tuesday submitted their resignations over disagreement on the issue of sacked judges.
The resignations come six weeks after the PML-N joined the coalition government led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The ministers took oath of office March 31.
Hasina promises minimum wages for troubled garment sector
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised minimum wages for the industrial violence-hit garment sector that is also the country's highest foreign exchange earner.
She accused "a third party" of being behind the recurring violence in the key industrial sector and claimed to have gathered "some names" and "some information", but did not specify anybody or party at a May Day rally here.
Her targets are the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist ally, the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, political analysts said.
Drone kills four in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Four people were killed and several others injured in a US drone attack in Pakistan Friday.
FBI to arrive in Bangladesh Sunday to investigate mutiny
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : A team of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would arrive here Sunday to help the country investigate the Feb 25 border guards mutiny, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said.
After attending a programme in a hotel here, the foreign minister told reporters that the FBI team would arrive in Dhaka later Sunday. She, however, didn't disclose any more details.
Earlier, private news agency UNB quoted diplomatic sources as saying that the FBI agents would talk to the authorities concerned and make initial assessment.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan extends ‘hand of friendship’ to Pakistan
By IANS,
Anantnag : Taking a cue from his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday chose the Kashmir Valley to announce a "hand of friendship" to Pakistan but insisted that Islamabad needed to crush terrorists on its soil.
Just a month before the first anniversary of the terrorist savagery in Mumbai, Manmohan Singh declared that the "era of violence and terrorism" was ending in Jammu and Kashmir and that he was ready to talk to anyone who desired peace.
Three Indians hurt in Bahrain terror blast, recuperating
Manama: Three Indian expatriates, severely injured here in a terror blast two days ago, are recuperating in a hospital in Bahrain's capital Manama, a...
Israel detained over ten thousand Palestinian women since 1967
By WAM
Jerusalem : As the world celebrates today the International Women's Day 2008, the Palestinian Authority has released painful reports about the Palestinian women detained by Israeli forces.
A statistical report prepared by the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs showed that over ten thousand Palestinian women of different ages were detained by Israeli government since 1967. Among them 720 women were detained during the Intifada and 102 of them are still behind bars, the report showed.
70 Indian border markets to be open to Bangladeshis
By Sujit Chakraborty,
Agartala : India intends to set up 70 markets, colloquially called 'haats', on its border where Bangladeshis and Indians will be able...
Ensure safety of journalists, Pakistan government told
By IANS
Brussels : The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged the Pakistan government to ensure safety of media persons in that country.
Referring to alleged assaults on journalists in Karachi, the IFJ asked the government to take "immediate and urgent" action to protect reporters, who were victims of a violent campaign by some political activists.
The IFJ appeal follows a week of confrontation in Karachi that has seen a series of assaults and kidnappings of journalists, according to EuAsiaNews.
Pakistani govt to give priority to socio economic uplift of FATA
By NNN-APP,
Peshawar : The NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani has said that socio-economic uplift of FATA is the most important aspect of the government’s strategies not only to resolve the FATA related issues and problems but also to ensure a prosperous future for the tribesmen on long term basis. Talking during the final review meeting of the FATA Annual Development Program 2007-08, held here at Governor’s House on Saturday.
Court begin work in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts
By IANS,
Dhaka : Courts began functioning Tuesday in the three districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh's non-Muslim tribal majority region, de-linking the judiciary's work from the Chittagong port city.
According to a notification issued by the government June 29, Mohammed Dudu Mia, Mohammed Mokhtar Hossain and Mohammed Golum Maola have been appointed as the three district and sessions judges for Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban, respectively.
They were directed to join their new offices Tuesday morning, The Daily Star said.
Fayyad expects to run in next Palestinian presidential elections
By Xinhua
Gaza : Salam Fayyad, the Prime Minister of the caretaker government is thinking to run in the coming Palestinian Presidential elections due to be held in January 2009,a well-informed Palestinian source revealed Monday.
The source, which spoke in conditions of anonymity, told the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper that Fayyad would run in the elections "only if President Mahmoud Abbas decides not to compete on the Palestinian presidency."
Iran designs second nuke power plant
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran is designing a 360MW nuclear power plant, said Mohammad Saeedi, deputy head of Iran Atomic Energy Organisation (IAEO).
The new power plant, the country's second one, will be constructed in Darkhoin, a city in southwestern province of Khuzestan, IRNA news agency quoted Saeedi as saying.
"The site has been chosen and the preparation process is under way," Saeedi said.
"Gradually the complementary design phase and its building will begin," he said.
Russia is helping Iran to build the country's first nuclear power plant in the southern port of Bushehr.
UN official report sufferings of Palestinians to Security Council
By NNN-KUNA
Ramallah : UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes has said he will report to the UN Security Council (UNSC) the sufferings of the Palestinian people.
Holmes said he understood the suffering of the Palestinian people which resulted from the Israeli killings, settlement policies and the setting up of road blocks restricting the movement of the Palestinians.
Holmes was speaking in a meeting in Ramallah Sunday with Palestinian NGOs and members of the Palestinian parliament.
Reliance Power to set up $3 billion gas-based plant in Bangladesh
Mumbai: Reliance Power said on Saturday that it will set up a 2 million tonnes per annum floating natural gas (LNG) import terminal and...
Tunisians call for Ben Ali’s extradition
By IANS,
Tunis : About 300 Tunisians Friday staged a demonstration outside the Saudi embassy here, calling for the extradition of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Xinhua reported.
Afghan car bombing toll down to 42 from 89
Kabul : The Afghan defence ministry Wednesday lowered the toll in Tuesday's suicide car bomb attack on a crowded market in southeastern Afghanistan from...
Top UN relief official spotlights worsening conditions in Gaza, West Bank
By NNN-UNNS
Jerusalem : Concluding a five-day visit to the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel, the top United Nations relief official Monday highlighted the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank resulting from closures and restrictions on movement.
“Medical services in Gaza are deteriorating, private industry has more or less collapsed, and there are real worries about education,” Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes said at a press conference in Jerusalem.
Pakistan’s top judge returns to court, urges end to corruption
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan's top Supreme Court judge held court Tuesday, more than 16 months after his dismissal by former military president Pervez Musharraf.
A crowd of jubilant lawyers dressed in black suits chanted slogans and threw rose petals as Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry arrived at the Supreme Court building with official protocol.
Chaudhry, 59, was reinstated by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani March 16 as lawyers and opposition political activists marched to the capital Islamabad for a sit-in.
IFJ delegation meets President, terms media environment forward-looking
By APP
Rawalpindi : A three-member fact-finding mission of the International Federation of Journalists met President Pervez Musharraf Saturday and termed the media environment in the country as “forward-looking”.Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary who is leading the delegation told the President that the expansion and openness of media will have a positive impact on democracy.
The Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists is the world’s largest organisation of mediapersons.
Three Hamas militants die in attack on Gaza crossing
By DPA,
Gaza : Three Palestinian militants were killed in one of the heaviest bomb attacks on Israeli soldiers at a Gaza Strip border crossing on Saturday.
Sixteen Israeli soldiers were reported injured, one seriously, in the attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza Strip, an Israeli army spokeswoman said.
The militants killed were fighters from al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas movement's armed wing.
Also Saturday, a member of the Hamas was killed and two injured in an Israeli air attack on militants in the Gaza Strip.
No compromise at nuclear talks, asserts Ahmadinejad
By DPA,
Tehran: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Tuesday reiterated Iran would not compromise over its nuclear programme at multilateral talks scheduled later this week in Istanbul.
Syria, Lebanon thaw relations
By IRNA,
Beirut, Lebanon : The foreign minister of Syria reiterated on Monday that Syria intends to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon, for the first time since the two nations gained independence more than 60 years ago.
"We are determined to open an embassy and to exchange diplomatic representation," Walid Moallem told reporters here.
Earlier this month, at a conference of Mediterranean countries in Paris, Presidents Bashar Assad of Syria and Michel Suleiman of Lebanon agreed to open embassies in each other's capital.
UN delays Ms Bhutto assassination inquiry report
By IRNA,
Islamabad : The UN Commission, probing the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has delayed presentation of its inquiry report for two weeks on the request of the Pakistani president, the UN said.
The commission head, Heraldo Munoz, Chilean ambassador to the UN, was scheduled to present the report to the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon by March 31.
Helicopter crash in Dubai kills seven
By Xinhua,
Abu Dhabi : Seven people, including two Indians, were killed in a helicopter crash in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the civil aviation authority said Thursday.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority said the crash, which occurred in the Gulf waters off the coast of Dubai Wednesday, killed all the seven people on board. Besides the Indians, the killed included an American, a Briton, a Pakistani, a Filipino and a Venezuelan.
The incident took place as the helicopter was travelling from Dubai's main international airport to an offshore oil field in the Gulf.