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.
Israeli soldiers kill Hamas militant near Hebron
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : An Islamic Hamas militant was killed early on Sunday following several hours of fire exchange with Israeli army forces near the southern West Bank city of Hebron, witnesses said.
Hamas' armed wing al-Qassam Brigades said in a leaflet sent to reporters that Abdul Aziz al-Natsheh, 25, was killed after several hours of armed clashes with the Israeli forces.
UAE, Bangladesh hold talks
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The UAE's Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi has held talks with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Protest staged in Turkey against Israeli Gaza offensive
Istanbul : Almost 5,000 pro-Palestine protesters staged a demonstration against Israeli attacks in Gaza late Saturday night.
Responding to a protest call by Turkish humanitarian...
Lakhvi, Shah “in custody” for investigation: Pakistani PM Gilani
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Close on the heels of arrest of suspected Mumbai strikes mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Pakistan has detained another top LeT commander Zarar Shah, who is believed to have set up the hi-tech communication system that enabled the 10 terrorists to keep in touch with their handlers in this country.
The capture of the two top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commanders -- Shah and Lakhvi -- was formally announced on Wednesday by Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani.
Pakistan Mulls Commuting Death Penalties
By Bernama,
Islamabad : Indian national Sarabjit Singh, who is on death row for alleged involvement in bomb attacks in Pakistan, could get a reprieve as the Pakistani government is examining a proposal to commute all death sentences to life terms, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported quoting a leading human rights activist Ansar Burney as saying on Friday.
Barber held for homosexual’s murder in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A barber, who has been arrested here for killing a man in a garden, has said he befriended the victim as he was a homosexual.
Mubarak, family to reveal overseas bank accounts
By IANS,
Cairo : Toppled Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak said Sunday he and his family have agreed to any measures to be taken to reveal their overseas bank accounts.
33 missiles launched from Gaza Strip on southern Israel — spokesman
By KUNA
Gaza : Thirty-three missiles were launched from Gaza Strip on several areas in southern Israel, said a statement by the army on Saturday.
An Israeli military spokesman told the media that four rockets hit Ashkelon city, resulting in the injury of two citizens.
He went on saying that three other missiles also hit other areas south of Ashkelon, leading to property damage.
Another rocket fell on a school in a southern Israeli town, stated the official who affirmed that the attack caused damage to the building but did not result in any casualties.
Malaysia set to curb lesbianism
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia is all set to curb "tomboy behaviour" among its women that covers dressing like men and gay relationship among women.
Following a recent fatwa (edict) by the National Fatwa Council, police have warned non-governmental organisations (NGOs) not to object to the Council's ruling against tomboy behaviour.
Inspector-General of police Musa Hassan said the protests by certain NGOs, particularly those who speak for non-Muslims, could "affect the country's safety".
Emirates launches third daily flight to Perth
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: Dubai-based international airline Emirates has launched its third daily flight from Dubai to Perth.
UAE president greets leaders on Eid
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent his best wishes to leaders of many countries on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Uncertainties may delay Bangladesh poll schedule announcement
By IANS,
Dhaka : Political, procedural and legal uncertainties may delay the announcement of a timetable for the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, but the Election Commission insists the polling date, Dec 18, shall remain unchanged.
"The announcement of the poll schedule will be delayed, but the polling date will remain unchanged. The schedule cannot be announced until the legal wrangle over the fresh demarcation of electoral constituencies is resolved," Chief Election Commissioner A.T.M. Shamsul Huda was quoted as saying in the New Age newspaper Friday.
Afghan deputy governor dies in road accident
By Xinhua
Kabul : The deputy governor of Afghanistan's northern province of Baghlan and his bodyguard were killed in a road accident Sunday morning, the interior ministry said in a press release.
Sheikh Daulat, a deputy governor of Baghlan province, was on his way to Balkh province when his vehicle collided with another car coming from the opposite direction.
Daulat was killed on the spot, while his bodyguard succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, the statement said.
Full text of Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo
By IANS,
Cairo : Full text of US President Barack Obama's speech at Cairo University here Thursday, as reproduced on time.com:
Israeli rights group warns of grave water shortage in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : A grave water shortage is hitting a vast part of the West Bank this summer, largely due to Israel's "discriminatory" water policy and continuous drought, Israeli human rights group B'Tselem said Tuesday.
Quoting figures of the Palestinian Water Authority, the group said that 40 million to 70 million cubic meters are lacking to meet the needs of West Bank Palestinians, adding that the per capita consumption of water in the West Bank now stands at 66 liters a day, about two-thirds of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended minimum amount.
Ban to attend Afghan Conf. in Paris June 12, visits Saudi Arabia on 14
By KUNA,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to attend the International Conference on Afghanistan in Paris, France, on June 12 and then pay official visits to the United Kingdom on June 13 and Saudi Arabia on June 14, it was announced here on Thursday.
A UN official told KUNA Ban wants to thank the Saudi Government for the USD 500 million it granted to the World Food Programme (WFP) in support of its efforts to cope with the food crisis.
The official added that Ban is not scheduled to visit any other GCC country.
Spain arrests man accused of working with Al Qaeda in Syria
Madrid: Spain's Civil Guard, in cooperation with the French police, arrested in the southwestern province of Almeria a Franco-Algerian national suspected of working with...
Lull in Gaza ends as Jihad avenges West Bank deaths
By DPA
Gaza/Tel Aviv : A fragile lull in fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza ended Thursday, as the radical Islamic Jihad faction retaliated for the killing of five of its fighters in the West Bank by firing a new barrage of rockets from the Strip.
After six days of relative calm, the Islamic Jihad launched at least 16 self-made al-Quds rockets at southern Israel Thursday, in addition to five mortar shells.
Two of the rockets landed in the Israeli town of Sderot, just northeast of Gaza.
25 killed in Iraq suicide bombing
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A suicide car bomb attack ripped through a tribal leaders' gathering in Iraq's Abu Ghraib area Tuesday, killing at least 25 people and wounding 20, an interior ministry source said.
A suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a crowd of tribal leaders and senior army officers while they were leaving the town hall, 20 km west of Baghdad, the source said.
The commander of an Iraqi Army battalion was among the killed. Iraqi state-run television said that its reporter was seriously wounded in the attack.
India gives Bangladesh list of terrorist suspects
By DPA,
Dhaka : New Delhi Sunday handed to Dhaka a list of suspected Indian terrorists believed to be hiding in Bangladesh, the Indian high commissioner here said.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Bangladeshi State Minister for Home Affairs Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj, India's Pinak Ranjan Chakravarti said: "We have also requested the authorities to step up vigil over them especially during the ongoing polls yet to be completed in the eastern states of India."
The envoy added that a number of issues, including extradition of prisoners, came up for discussion.
Rival Hamas, Fatah get into endless dilemma
By Saud Abu Ramadan, Xinhua,
Gaza : The current face-off between rival Fatah and Hamas movements in a verbal war and in an exchange of crackdown on each other in Gaza and the West Bank, has caused frustration and despair among the Palestinian people, mainly in the destitute Gaza Strip.
Following the recent factional dispute, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah and Islamic Hamas movement are getting into an endless feud that weakens the texture of Palestinian society, analysts said.
EU protests over Iran trials
By DPA,
Stockholm : The European Union (EU) Saturday protested over the trials in Tehran of some 100 opposition supporters, expressing concern and demanding that all those bing held be freed.
The protest was issued by the current Swedish presidency of the EU Council of Ministers.
The protest said the EU would view any act by Iranian authorities against one of its members as an act against the whole EU, which would react accordingly. The statement made no mention of specific measures.
Dubai launches health campaign
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : The Dubai government has launched a campaign to create awareness on the dangers of passive smoking.
Obama phones Zardari, discusses terrorism
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : US president-elect Barack Obama held a phone conversation with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday and discussed cooperation on anti-terror efforts.
"President-elect Obama said that he looked forward to improved relations with Pakistan," said a statement from the Pakistani president's media office.
Zardari expressed hope for better relations between the two countries in the days to come, the statement said.
Don’t shoot as you’ll wake up Afghans, soldiers told
By IANS,
London : Coalition soldiers in Afghanistan were told not to shoot Taliban guerrillas planting mines as gunfire would "wake up and upset the locals", a former soldier has claimed.
Pakistan army kills 12 in Bajaur tribal agency
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan's security forces on Saturday continued their military operation in northwestern Bajaurtribal agency, killing at least 12 militants.
The security forces, backed by jet fighters, gunship helicopters and artillery, heavily pounded militants' hideouts in Charmang, Chinar, Loisam, Sarlara and other areas of Bajaur agency on Afghan border, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
AIP meeting will discuss Israeli siege on Gaza Saturday — speaker
By KUNA
Cairo : Speaker of the Arab Interim Parliament (AIP) Mohammad Al-Saqer stressed Thursday the importance of the parliament's meeting that would be held on Saturday to discuss implications of the Israeli siege on Gaza.
Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of the Fifth Conference of the Parliamentary Union of Organization of the Islamic Conference Members (PUOICM), the Kuwaiti MP said, "The meeting will be dedicated to discussing the situation in Gaza," but hinted that the Lebanese file may be touched upon should members request this.
20 civilians killed, houses levelled into rubble in Sadr City
By IRNA
Baghdad : At least 20 Iraqi civilians were killed and 31 others wounded in indiscriminate bombardment of Sadr City by the US helicopters and tanks on Sunday.
The US troops invaded Sadr City district of Baghdad in an operation they said to control neighborhoods used by militias to fire rockets and mortars into the nearby Green Zone.
Inhabitants of the city have taken refuge in mosques and their houses have levelled into rubble.
An American Stryker squadron involved through southern section of Sadr City.
Islamic conference in Makkah due to address campaigns
By KUNA,
Riyadh : The International Islamic Dialogue Conference due to be held in Holy Makkah on June 4 would set objectives of the dialogue of the Islamic nations with peoples of the world, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League said on Tuesday.
Abdullah Bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki said in a press release that the conference would also address various other issues namely the smearing campaigns against Islam and Muslim communities, scattered all over the world.
Gaddafi’s youngest son Khamis dies: Report
By IANS,
Tripoli : Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's youngest son Khamis has been killed in a clash with the rebel forces near Tripoli, media reports said.
Taliban control over Karachi Can’t be ruled out: Ayesha Siddiqa
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Ayesha Siddiqa, a Pakistani independent security analyst, on Saturday said that there might be a possibility of Taliban control over Karachi, Pakistan's most populated city and a business hub.
Talking to IRNA she said that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's (TTP) warning to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) a political party, to immediately end their kingdom in Karachi as the time has ripe for the Taliban to gain control of the city, cannot be taken lightly.
Obama asks Pakistan to snap ties with militant groups: report
By DPA,
Washington : The United States has offered Pakistan an expansion of military and economic cooperation but has insisted that Islamabad ends dalliance with militant groups for its policy ends in India and Afghanistan, the Washington Post reported Monday on its website.
Citing government officials speaking on condition of anonymity, the daily paper reported that James Jones, national security advisor to President Barack Obama, delivered the offer earlier in November to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
Russia urges Palestinians, Israelis to stop confrontation
By NNN-KUNA
Moscow : Russia has called on the Palestinians and Israelis to stop military confrontations and to press ahead with negotiations.
Official spokesman Mikhail Kamynin condemned Thursday the Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel, but rejected at the same time the Israeli excessive military retaliations against the Palestinian civilians.
Kamynin regretted the loss of lives on both sides.
Iranian lawmakers to impeach economy minister
By IANS,
Tehran : Iranian lawmakers have signed a motion to impeach the country's Economy Minister Shamseddin Hosseini for swindling banks of nearly $2.6 billion, the official media reported.
Iran’s Army Commander says enemy’s aircraft carriers under its gaze
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran's Deputy Army Commander Brigadier General Seied Abdolrahim Moussavi said Tuesday that the aircraft carriers of the enemy, "like the elements of the computer games," are under the gaze of Iran's Armed Forces, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
The country's Armed Forces on Monday inaugurated a new naval base in the strategic port of Jask, east of the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran.
Modi, Sharif bonhomie gives fresh boost to Saarc
By Anil Giri,
Kathmandu : In a final ice-breaking moment that gave a huge boost to Saarc and floundering regional cooperation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra...
Afghan president condemns Kabul blast
By RIA Novosti,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned a suicide bombing in the capital Kabul that killed 12 people and wounded at least 84 others early on Thursday.
The blast, caused by a suicide bomber in a car, was strong enough to be felt in the Russian Embassy compound on the other side of the Afghan capital.
The Indian Embassy, located opposite the Interior Ministry, was the site of Kabul's deadliest suicide attack, which killed more than 50 people in July 2008.
Kuwait”s interior minister arrives in Cairo
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Kuwait's Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Khalid Al-Sabah arrived here Saturday, in the first leg of an Arab tour that will also see him in Syria and Jordan.
Prior to his departure from Kuwait, the minister said the tour came within the framework of deliberation over Arab security developments and to coordinate over tackling them.
He said he would be discussing with his counterparts in the Arab countries he would be visiting the importance of increasing security cooperation and the exchange of expertise and information in the security field.
Canada Soldier Killed in Afghanistan
By Prensa Latina
Kabul : A Canadian soldier of the NATO-led forces died in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar, when a bomb hit the armored vehicle in which he was travelling, military sources said here Saturday.
A communique from the Canadian Defense Ministry said the number of dead Canadian soldiers since that country deployed its forces in Afghanistan in 2002 has increased to 82.
The deceased soldier was identified as Corporal Terry John Street, from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
HH the Amir meets Palestinian president on sidelines of Arab summit
By KUNA
Damascus : His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Saturday met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the delegation accompanying him at HH's residence in the Umayyads Palace here.
The reception was attended by members of the delegation accompanying HH the Amir.
200 suspects arrested in Pakistan operation
By IANS,
Islamabad : Law enforcement agencies in Pakistan arrested nearly 200 people Sunday in a search operation carried out in the capital and near the city of Rawalpindi, Online news agency reported.
It was not immediately clear if the arrests are related to the Nov 2 bomb blast in Rawalpindi that killed 34 people.
EU-GCC ties under the spotlight
By KUNA,
Brussels : Two top European Union officials are scheduled to visit the Gulf region this week to hold talks in the aim of deepening cooperation and relations between the 27-member European bloc and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert P?ttering, is visiting Qatar Sunday at the invitation of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani.
G-8 nations urged to reform world financial order
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : An editorial comment in a leading United Arab Emirates (UAE) daily has warned the Group of Eight (G-8) nations that global financial order urgently calls for reform to avert an impending economic catastrophe, WAM reported Sunday.
Leaders of the eight-member group, comprising Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, the US, Japan and Russia, are holding a three-day summit to talk economy and environment and take stock of the world situation.
Amnesty seeks sanctions, accountability for Libya war crimes
London : Amnesty International (AI) called on the UN Security Council Wednesday to investigate and impose targeted sanctions for kidnappings, torture and murders committed...
Direct Israeli-Palestinian talks to resume on September 2: Quartet
By IRNA,
Berlin : Israelis and Palestinians have been invited to start direct talks in Washington on September 2, said a statement from Middle East Quartet issued by European Union in Brussels Friday.
"The Quartet calls on the Israelis and the Palestinians to join in launching direct negotiations ... to resolve all final status issues and fulfil the aspirations of both parties," the EU said in an official statement on behalf of the so-called Mideast Quartet, comprised of Russia, the United Nations, the United States and the EU.
60 years after 1948 war, India-Pakistan on trade highway to peace
By Muhammad Najeeb, F. Ahmed and Binoo Joshi, IANS,
Muzaffarabad/Salamabad/Rangar : Bridging a six-decade divide, India and Pakistan Tuesday moved ahead on the road to peace as the first trade convoys trundled across the Line of Control (LoC) that separates the two Kashmirs to the sound of drumbeats and loud cheers.
As cross-LoC trade on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote routes began for the first time since 1948, when commercial ties snapped following the India-Pakistan war a year after the bloody partition of the subcontinent, excitement ran high on both sides.
UN probe of Benazir assassination flawed: Zardari
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Monday said the UN probe into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has certain flaws in it.
Pakistani Taliban militants operate from Afghan soil: Police
By NNN-IRNA,
Islamabad : A senior Pakistani police officer says that Pakistani militants have now set up bases in Afghanistan and launch attacks on Pakistani border posts from there.
50 militants killed in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 50 militants have been killed in clashes with Pakistani security forces near the Afghan border, officials said.
"Artillery fire and helicopter gunships engaged a militants' hideout in Raghan area of Bajaur district. At least 30 militants, including important local Taliban commanders and some foreign fighters were killed in the action," Army spokesman Major Murad Khan Wednesday said.
He claimed seven more militants died in a separate overnight strike in Nowagai area of the district.
Indian Muslims and renaissance
By Asghar Ali Engineer,
It is often asked why Indian Muslims did not go through renaissance? By implication it is suggested Islam prevents any such possibility. I think it is quite simplistic assumption. Religion by itself neither obstructs nor helps the process of renaissance. To understand possibility of renaissance or otherwise one has to understand the complex processes at work in the society.
Lebanese govt regrets delay of presidential vote
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : The Lebanese cabinet regretted the decision made earlier Monday by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to postpone the presidential vote, slated for Tuesday, to March 25.
The cabinet held a meeting here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Fuad Al-Siniora to discuss the situation in Lebanon in general and Berri's decision, Minister of Information Ghazi Al-Aridi told reporters following the meeting.
I won’t apologise for Pakistan terror remark: David Cameron
By IANS,
London : Prime Minister David Cameron has refused to apologise for his comment that Islamabad is "exporting terror", said a government source who insisted that "he meant it".
Daily Mail quoted government sources as indicating that Cameron would not withdraw his suggestion that Pakistan was "exporting terror".
A government source said Cameron would not apologise for his outspoken remarks and added: "No, he said it and he meant it."
During his India visit, Cameron July 28 warned Pakistan against exporting terrorism to India, Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world.
Malaysia blocks access to popular news website
By DPA,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia Thursday blocked access to a popular news website that often carries anti-government articles, sparking criticism of cyberspace censorship.
The extremely popular Malaysia Today website is run by Raja Petra Kamarudin, who was charged with sedition in May for allegedly implying that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak was involved in the gruesome murder of a Mongolian woman.
Raja Petra has in the past been accused by the government of spreading lies and false rumours in his often sensational articles.
Freezing weather kills over 100 in Afghanistan
By RIA Novasti
Kabul : Over 100 people have died due to freezing weather in various provinces of Afghanistan in the past few days, the country's Ariana TV channel reported on Monday.
Continual heavy snowfall has cut off thousands of people living in isolated communities in the mountainous country, making deliveries of medicine and essential goods almost impossible. Several people have been killed in avalanches and accidents on the snow-covered roads.
No minimum wages in 34 industries in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : Known in the global market for its cheap labour, Bangladesh does not have minimum wages for 34 industries and has not revised wages in a dozen others for the past many years, a media report said Thursday.
The government is sitting on a proposal of the Minimum Wage Board (MWB) for fixing or reviewing legal minimum wages for a dozen industrial sectors having several million employees.
Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for rockets attack on Israel
By Xinhua
Gaza : Saraya al-Quds, Islamic Jihad (Holy War)movement's armed wing claimed responsibility on Saturday night for launching two homemade rockets from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel.
The group said in a leaflet sent to reporters that its militants fired the rockets from northern Gaza Strip at the southern Israeli town of Sderot, adding "the attacks are retaliatory to Israeli daily attacks on the Palestinian people."
UN to help Libya post-conflict
By IANS,
United Nations : The UN will assist Libya at the directives of its new government after the current conflict in the North African nation comes to a close.
Rice to hold trilateral meetings with Israeli, Palestinians
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Saturday started a three-day shuttle visit to the region, in a bid to discuss practical ways to improve the lives of Palestinians, according to local media.
During her second trip in a month to the Middle East, Rice planned to hold two trilateral meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
Ceasefire ‘not enough’ for durable Middle East peace: UN chief
United Nations : UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Cairo Monday in a bid to push for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip,...
Musharraf likely to step down
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is expected to quit instead of facing impeachment, The News daily reported Friday.
The ruling coalition had announced Aug 7 that they would initiate proceedings in parliament to impeach Musharraf on the ground that he had violated the constitution and his policies had led to economic crisis.
However, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which is a part of the ruling coalition, has called for Musharraf's resignation.
Toll rises to 159 in Israeli air strikes in Gaza
Gaza : The deaths of Palestinians in the Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip climbed to 159 Sunday, officials said.
The operations began July...
Kumalo regrets UNSC failed to address Gaza situation under his presidency
By KUNA,
United Nations : Security Council President Dumisani Kumalo of South Africa late Wednesday expressed regret that the body failed to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza during his presidency.
"The most frustrating experience we had was that we could not have the council to pronounce itself on the humanitarian situation in the middle East, particularly in Gaza. the difficulties for that are well known," Kumalo told a press conference on the last day of his council presidency, in an indirct reference to the US which has always blocked any council action on the issue.
Global eye care conference to be held in Dubai
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai : Eye care professionals from 63 countries will take part in an international conference in Dubai in May.
Iran successfully test-fires Shihab III missile
By NNN-KUNA,
Tehran : Iran successfully test-fired Wednesday its 2,000-kilometer range Shihab III missile, carrying a traditional warhead.
"Al-Aalam" satellite channel broadcast live images of the missile launch, saying that the warhead weighed one ton and the range could be extended to 2,500 kilometers in the future.
It quoted Iranian Revolutionary Guard Air Force Commander Hussein Salami as saying that "the missile can hit targets within Israel, and also the US military bases in the region in the event that Iran is attacked."
Pakistani troops kills 16 militants in troubled Swat valley
By ANTARA,
Peshawar : Pakistani troops killed at least 16 militants in the troubled northwestern Swat valley, the military said Sunday.
One soldier died and two others were injured during gunfights with militants over a 24-hour period in the town of Chaharbagh, it said in a statement.
"At least 16 militants were killed and many injured, in an exchange of fire with security forces near Derai, Aligrama and Chaharbagh in the last twenty four hours," the statement said.
It was not possible independently to verify the claim.
Two Israeli police officers killed in West Bank
By DPA,
Tel Aviv : Two Israeli police officers were killed in an attack on a police patrol in the West Bank Sunday evening.
Unidentified attackers fired on a police car, causing the vehicle to roll over and the driver to lose control. Both officers in the car were shot and died on the scene, the police said.
The attack happened near the Jewish settlement of Masua in the northern West Bank. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Three Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Sydney : Three Australian soldiers and their Afghan interpreter have been shot dead in Afghanistan, Australian defence officials have confirmed.
Saudis plan to grow crops overseas
By NNN-KUNA,
London : Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to develop large-scale overseas agricultural projects to secure food supplies, revealing that Riyadh is in discussions with the Ukraine, Pakistan, Sudan, Turkey and Egypt, it was reported here.
Abdullah Al-Obaid, the Deputy Agriculture Minister, told the Financial Times (FT) newspaper here Friday the government was planning to set up projects of at least 100,000 hectares in several countries to grow crops such as wheat, corn, rice, soya beans and alfalfa, a feed for livestock.
Iranian minister thinks nuclear deal possible before deadline
Vienna : Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif confirmed here Tuesday that he believed it is still possible to reach an agreement on his...
Iran’s allegations on interference absurd: Obama
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama Tuesday accused Iranian officials of making the US a scapegoat in an attempt to distract the people from the debate and protests surrounding the country's presidential elections.
Obama told reporters that the United States is "not at all interfering in Iran's affairs" and strongly condemned the beatings and imprisonment of protesters.
US trys to ease spat with Israel
Washington: The US Wednesday tried to calm down a war of words with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, dismissing comments by an anonymous US...
OIC condemns world’s impotence to implement UN resolutions on Palestine
By NNN-Bernama,
Dubai : The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has rapped the world community for failing to implement various resolutions on the long-standing Palestinian issue.
"The international community has remained impotent to implement the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly that recognize and support the Palestinian people's right to return, to self-determination and to the establishment of their own independent Palestinian state," says OIC secretary-general Prof Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.
Effective Pakistani government must to destroy Al Qaeda: Obama
By IANS,
Washington : President Barack Obama says to achieve its mission in Afghanistan to dismantle and destroy Al Qaeda and its affiliates, the US must ensure a stable Afghan and an effective Pakistani government.
A day after replacing the top American general in Afghanistan, he also made it clear that the change did not indicate a change in policy and troops could remain in significant numbers in Afghanistan well after his withdrawal timeline begins next summer.
Modi’s Pakistan comments a major embarrassment: Congress
By IANS,
Ahmedabad : Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is facing criticism over his comments on Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, with the Congress party Sunday terming the statement as a "major embarrassment" for India.
"It is a major embarrassment for the central government and people of India. Modi's statement has only helped Pakistan," Congress general secretary and MP Rajiv Shukla told mediapersons here.
Gilani tries to step out of Zardari’s shadow
By IANS,
Islamabad : Fresh from his maiden meeting with US President George W. Bush, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is making a concerted effort to step out of the shadow of his mentor Asif Ali Zardari, co-chair of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that leads the country's shaky coalition.
"Passionate, confident and displaying a sense of calm satisfaction, disconcerting for someone whose government is wracked by so many crises, Gilani is at pains to paint himself as his own man and no one's puppet," The News said Wednesday.
Israeli foreign minister breaks joint party with PM
Jerusalem : Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced Monday that he has decided to sever the joint faction he established with Prime Minister Benjamin...
French president calls on Lebanese to join hands
By KUNA,
Beirut : French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Saturday called on the Lebanese parties to honor the Qatari-mediated conciliation accord and affirmed his current visit was aimed at demonstrating support for the country, particularly to President Michel Suleiman.
Little chance of India-Pakistan war, Zardari indicates
By IANS,
London : There is little chance of an India-Pakistan war, Asif Ali Zardari, co-chair of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that heads the country's ruling coalition, has said. Instead, the two countries should focus on areas like cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
"Both of our countries exploded nuclear devices in May 1998. We have now proved to each other and the world that we are firmly in the group of elite countries that have nuclear weapons. We do not have to prove our military prowess anymore," Zardari said.
Council of Europe Congress push for dialogue between European, Arab towns
By KUNA,
Paris : The Congress of the Council of Europe has, for the past two years, been "gaining in political weight as a unique body monitoring the state of local and regional democracy in Europe," outgoing Congress President Halvdan Skard affirmed Tuesday.
Pakistan visit fruitful: Krishna
By Jaideep Sarin, IANS,
Lahore : Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna described as "fruitful" his three-day visit to Pakistan that he wrapped-up Sunday.
20 insurgents killed in Nigeria
Abuja: Twenty suspected Boko Haram insurgents were killed in a military operation in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, where the headquarters of the outlawed...
Over 50 killed in Pakistan’s militancy-related violence
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : More than 30 militants were killed in a security force offensive early Saturday in the restive Swat valley of northwest Pakistan while a suicide attack on a police station claimed 20 lives, media reports said.
The insurgents were killed during the operation in Kanju and Kabbal area, News Network International (NNI) news agency quoted military's spokesman Major Nasir Ali as saying.
Two soldiers lost their lives in the operation, he said.
Lebanon’s voice will be heard at Arab Summit – Official
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Al-Siniora will address a statement to the Arab Summit from the Lebanese capital when the leaders hold the meeting in the Syrian capital in the end of this month, a senior official said.
The address by the premier will deal with the Lebanese crisis, namely failure to elect a new president for the country, said Marwan Hamadeh, the Minister of Communications, in an interview with the local Voice of Lebanon Radio Wednesday.
Jihad says Israel wants to impose truce by force
By Xinhua,
Gaza : An Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement's spokesman said Wednesday that Israel wants to impose a ceasefire agreement on militant groups by using force.
Abu Ahmed told reporters in Gaza that "the Zionist entity (Israel) is carrying out intensive military operations in order to force the resistance groups to accept a weak ceasefire agreement."
On Wednesday, five Palestinian militants and three Israeli soldiers were killed in two Israeli ground operations carried out on eastern Gaza Strip. Hamas claimed responsibility for killing the three soldiers.
Israeli minister demands air, sea blockade on Iran
By IANS,
Tel Aviv : An Israeli cabinet minister Tuesday called on placing Iran under an air and sea blockade if it does not stop its presumed drive for nuclear arms.
Israel approves east Jerusalem housing project
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israel has decided to build tens of thousands of new apartments in Jerusalem, including a couple of thousand in Jewish neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city, the Jerusalem municipality said Sunday.
The building proposal, which won city approval earlier this year, has been authorized by Israeli Interior Ministry's building and planning committee, local daily the Jerusalem Post reported, citing Jerusalem Municipality spokesman Gidi Schmerling.
Quarter of Saudi fighters abroad back home
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's interior ministry has said that 25 percent of the country's fighters, including individuals wanted in security cases in Syria, have returned...
Blair still optimistic on prospects for Middle East peace
By KUNA
Paris : Despite ongoing violence and growing Israeli attacks against Palestinian targets, Former British Prime Minister and now Quartet Representative Tony Blair remains optimistic that peace can be achieved in the region this year.
In an interview with French daily "Le Figaro," Blair admitted that peace this year was "an immense challenge" but he added that he believed "is it totally achievable on the condition that significant changes take place on the ground".
Abbas meets Syria-based Palestinian leaders except Hamas chief
By Xinhua,
Damascus : Visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held talks here on Monday with Syria-based leaders of Palestinian groups, excluding Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshaal.
Abbas held separate meetings with chief of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) Ramadan Abdullah Shalah, leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine Nayef Hawatmeh, and Maher Taher of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, according to independent Syria News website.
Germany welcomes Iran-IAEA agreement on resolving questions
By IRNA
Berlin : The German Foreign Ministry here Monday hailed the latest agreement between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran to resolve all outstanding questions over Tehran's nuclear program.
Speaking at a routine government press briefing, foreign ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger welcomed the visit of the head of the IAEA Mohamed ElBaradei to Tehran.
UAE starts bus tour to sensitise people about diabetes
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: A bus equipped with screening tools for diabetes will hit the roads Nov 6 in the UAE to sensitise people about the disease, it was announced Friday.
Israeli troops kill Palestinian teenager south of Bethlehem
By Xinhua
Ramallah : A Palestinian teenager was killed and another citizen was injured on Monday by Israeli troops' gunfire south of the West Bank town of Bethlehem, medics and witnesses said.
The medics said that Qusai el-Afandi, 17, was shot dead by Israeli gunfire as Israeli army forces stormed into one of the city's neighborhoods and surrounded the home of a wanted Islamic Jihad (Holy War) militant.
They said that another Palestinian was shot and wounded, adding that he was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Zardari reaffirms PPP’s commitment to follow 1973 Constitution
By APP,
Islamabad : PPP Co-Chairman Senator Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday that his party is committed to the 1973 Constitution, which is the force behind the federation and has kept the country united.
Iran accuses U.S. of invading Afghanistan, Iraq under pretext of Sept. 11 attacks
By Xinhia,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday accused the United States of invading Afghanistan and Iraq under the pretext of Sept. 11 terror attacks.
President Ahmadinejad made the accusation while addressing a large group of local residents in Iran's central city of Qum, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying that over one million people have so far been killed in the occupied Iraq and tens of thousands of civilians have died in Afghanistan after U.S. forces invaded the two countries.
Indonesian Islamic group wants death for graft
By IANS,
Jakarta: An Islamic group in Indonesia has said people convicted for corruption must be sentenced to death, or "at the minimum have their hands cut off".
Karzai, Gilani agree on ‘common strategy’ to fight terrorism
By IANS,
Colombo : Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani agreed to work out a "common strategy" to deal with extremism and terrorism, including across the borders, in a joint statement here Sunday.
Karzai and Gilani arrived at the decision during a breakfast meeting on the sidelines of the 15th SAARC summit here during which they exchanged views on "the common challenges facing the two countries in terms of dealing with terrorism and militancy".
Tourists return to Pakistan’s picturesque Swat Valley
By IANS,
Islamabad : A group of 100 people have become the first tourists to visit Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley after the area, once referred to as Switzerland of the East, was cleared of the Taliban.
What attracted the visitors, largely from Lahore, Gujranwala and other areas of Punjab, was the 10-day free stay from Jan 1-10 offered by the local hoteliers association, which is now hoping for the revival of the tourism industry in the district that has been ravaged by two-and-a-half-years of Taliban occupation.
Iran welcomes Obama victory,warns US forces
By DPA,
Tehran : Iranian officials Wednesday welcomed Barack Obama's victory in the US presidential elections, calling it a sign of failure of President George W. Bush's policies and Americans' demand for essential changes.
"Obama's election as the US president shows the American people's demand for essential changes in the country's domestic and foreign policies," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said, while urging the new administration "to distance itself from the wrong approaches of current politicians".
Bangladesh relaxes emergency, allows poll campaigning
By DPA,
Dhaka : Authorities in Bangladesh Monday announced further relaxation of a state of emergency to allow campaigning for parliamentary and local polls.
The government also decided to withdraw troops from the field, nearly 22 months after they were deployed as part of a declaration of a state of emergency, an adviser to the military-backed interim administration told reporters.
Ban thanks Saudi Arabia for humanitarian aid for Iraq
United Nations: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday thanked Saudi Arabia for donating $500 million to support the UN's humanitarian aid effort in Iraq.
"The secretary-general...
Death toll in Pakistan bombings reaches 27
By DPA,
Islamabad : The death toll in a pair of car bombings in northwestern Pakistan rose to 27 Sunday, police and hospital authorities said.
Rescuers found two more bodies of policemen as they clawed through the rubble of a police station in the volatile Bannu district, where a suicide bomber blew up an explosives-laden pickup truck Saturday morning.
"The confirmed casualty count as of Sunday stands at 14 - nine policemen and five civilians," police officer Talha Khan said.
US asks Pakistan to act; wants peace dialogue to continue
By IANS,
Washington : The US wants India and Pakistan not to let Mumbai terror attacks stall their peace dialogue while again asking Islamabad to provide all the cooperation necessary for the investigation of the assault.
"Well, that's a decision for the two governments to deal with," State Department spokesman Robert A. Wood said Tuesday, commenting on India's assertion that its composite dialogue with Pakistan had stalled because of the Mumbai attacks.
Pakistani airline grounds 10 planes
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has grounded 10 of its aircraft due to lack of spare parts.
Holding talks with Taliban in Pakistan”s nat”l interests — minister
By KUNA,
Islamabad : A Pakistani minister Friday said that the government was holding peace negotiations with local Taliban militants and that this was in national interest.
Confirming continuous talks with the militants, Federal Defense Minister Chauhdary Ahmed Mukhtar, talking to newsmen, said that a peace agreement would also benefit the whole world and help in curbing cross-border attacks.
The new government in Islamabad had launched a new round of peace talks with militants to bring peace and normalcy in the bordering troubled tribal region.
Top UN envoy in Iraq denounces kidnapping of archbishop
By NNN-UNNS
Baghdad : The senior United Nations official in Iraq has condemned Friday's kidnapping of a Catholic Chaldean archbishop in an attack in the northern city of Mosul that led to the killing of the religious leader's driver and two of his bodyguards.
Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, “denounces the continuous kidnapping, killing, and the targeting of religious minorities,” according to a statement released by his office in Baghdad Saturday.
Kish Island – a temporary timeout for Iranian women
By Farshid Motahari, DPA,
Kish Island (Iran) : While women in the Iranian capital Tehran are meticulously checked by vice squads for any lapse in the Islamic dress code, those holidaying on Kish Island in the country's south have a temporary timeout in this regard.
"It is such a pleasure to have the scarf so loose on your head and enjoy the sun and wind on your hair. Although only temporary but still it is such a nice timeout for us," said 24-year-old Salomeh who together with her friends, is spending some days on the Gulf island.
Bush says world must not allow Iran to have nuclear weapon
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Visiting U.S. President George W.Bush on Thursday said in an address delivered to Israeli Knesset (parliament) that the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
"Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations," the U.S. president said, adding that for the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
Modi, Hasina may jointly open ‘border haat’
By Sujit Chakraborty,
Agartala : The fourth 'border haat' (market) along the India-Bangladesh border is likely to be jointly inaugurated next month by Prime Minister...
Iran’s ex-president barred from travelling abroad
By IANS,
Tehran: Iran has barred former president and reformist leader Seyed Mohammad Khatami from leaving the country, sources said.
Executive Secretary of Tehran's Vo'az (preachers) community Hojjatoleslam Abbas Amirifar announced that an Iranian intelligence official had told the community members Monday night that Khatami has been barred from leaving the country.
He quoted the intelligence official as saying that Khatami recently intended to leave the country, according to Fars News Agency.
However, no official announcement has been made in this regard.
Hundreds protest police violence in Syria
By DPA,
Beirut : Hundreds of Syrians protested police violence after traffic wardens reportedly beat up a young man in Damascus, a Syrian opposition website reported Friday.
US-NATO Bombings Kill More Afghans
By Prensa Latina,
Kabul : US and NATO air raids have tripled the number of civilians killed in Afghanistan between 2006 and 2007.
An NGO report dated Monday in this capital called international occupying forces, particularly the United States, to put an end to the mistakes that are killing so many civilians in this Islamic Central-Asian nation.
According to statistics released, at least 230 civilian Afghans in 2006 and 321 in 2007 lost their lives in actions led by occupying troops, half of them in air raids.
Iran asks ONGC-Hinduja to make up mind on Pars gas field
By IANS,
New Delhi: Iranian oil firm Petropars has set a year-end deadline for ONGC-Hinduja consortium to decide on participation in a $7.5 billion gas field in the Persian Gulf.
Sarkozy’s girlfriend not welcome in Saudi Arabia
By DPA
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia has demanded that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's girlfriend, French-Italian singer Carla Bruni, does not accompany him to Saudi Arabia next week, a diplomatic source said Monday.
Sarkozy is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia for the first time since he took office Jan 13, according to reports. He is scheduled to discuss issues of regional concern with Saudi's King Abdullah Abdel-Aziz.
Pakistan’s ‘disappeared’ still remain an unfinished business
By Zofeen T. Ebrahim, IANS
Karachi : Emergency has been lifted and a brand new apex court set up in Pakistan, but the bench still refuses to entertain cases of human rights violations, specially those of enforced disappearances, says former law minister Iqbal Haider.
"We should wash our hands off these cases," says Haider. Those who have disappeared have often been labelled terrorists or threats to national security, yet none have been charged with any crime so far.
Iranian president blames West for food crisis
By Xinhua,
Rome : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday blamed the West for the soaring food prices, while attacking the U.S. policy in the Middle East.
Addressing a world summit on food security, hosted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Ahmadinejad said the current high food prices were due to a set of major reasons.
Nine wounded in Iraq bomb attacks
By IANS,
Baghdad : As many as nine people, including security personnel, were injured Wednesday in separate bomb attacks in eastern and central Iraq, said police.
Has Pakistan’s Swat fallen to Taliban?
By IANS,
Islamabad : Has Swat, the principal city of the restive South Waziristan region in Pakistan's northwest, fallen to the Taliban? It would seem so from an editorial in a leading English daily Saturday.
"There has been no official announcement, no victory parades or televised addresses by the victorious party, no cheering crowds welcoming the liberators - but Swat, to all intents and purposes, has fallen to the Taliban," The News said in an editorial headlined "The fall of Swat".
South Korean President arrives in UAE on three-day visit
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : South Korean President Myung-bak Lee Saturday arrived in the UAE on a three-day state visit.
What happened to Bush in Iraq was loud cry against occupiers – Lebanese Hezbollah
By IRNA,
Beirut : Lebanese Hezbollah here Monday night issued communique announcing that Iraqi reporter Montazer al-Zeidi's move against (US President) George Bush before the eyes of world nations was loud cry of Iraqi nation against occupiers.
According to IRNA correspondent in Beirut, we read in a part of the communique, "The brave move of al-Zeidi, the best title for which can be the good bye kiss, was the loud cry of the Iraqi nation and the entire oppressed nations against occupation, oppression, and injustice."
FM: Iran works for dialogue among Lebanese parties
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Monday said Iran keeps constant contacts with all Lebanese parties and works for dialogue among Lebanese parties.
Mottaki made the remarks in a press conference here, adding that "our aim is not to interfere among Lebanese groups or in Lebanese affairs."
He hailed Doha dialogue, saying "the first fruit of Doha dialogue was the election of Gen. Suleiman as president."
Expatriate driving ban ruled unconstitutional in Bahrain
Manama : The controversial Article 20 in Bahrain's draft traffic law that bars expatriates from driving in the country has been ruled "unconstitutional" by...
Two Turkish engineers, interpreter kidnapped in Afghanistan
By DPA,
Kabul : A group of gunmen has kidnapped two Turkish engineers working at a construction project in Afghanistan's western Herat province, a senior police official said Tuesday.
"Two Turkish nationals, construction engineers, and their interpreter were kidnapped Monday by unknown gunmen from Pashtoon Pul area of Islam Qala town bordering with Iran," a regional police spokesman Abdul Rauf Ahmadi said Tuesday.
PIA to buy eight new Boeing planes
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the flag carrier of Pakistan, will induct eight new Boeing planes in its fleet by March 2013.
Israel approves bill prohibiting economic ties with Iran
By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel's Knesset (parliament) on Wednesday approved a bill prohibiting all business institutions from investing in companies upholding ties with Iran, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on its website.
The bill, put forward by opposition leader MK (member of Knesset) Benjamin Netanyahu, was in an effort to broaden the economic sanctions on Iran and thus to hinder its nuclear progress, Yedioth Ahronoth said, adding that the new law carries a sentence of 25 years in prison.
One killed in suicide bombing at Pakistani Naval HQ
By IANS,
Islamabad : A guard was killed and three people were injured Wednesday when a suicide bomber struck at the heavily fortified Naval Headquarters in the Pakistani capital.
The suicide bomber, who was on foot, blew himself up at about 1.30 p.m. when Navy guards stopped him at the entrance of the complex, Geo News quoted sources as saying.
Islamabad's civil administrator Fazeel Asghar told reporters that the blast killed one navy guard, who had asked the teenage attacker to remove his coat and prove his identity. Three people were injured.
Gaddafi’s son offers talks with protesters
By DPA,
Cairo/Tripoli : A son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi offered to withhold attacks on regime opponents Saturday and negotiate.
Pakistani president to arrive in UK amid terrorism row
By IRNA,
London : President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari is due to arrive for an official visit to the UK on Tuesday amid a continuing row over comments made by Prime Minster David Cameron last week about the country’s attitudes to terrorism.
On Saturday, Pakistan's intelligence cancelled a trip to Britain in protest, while the Foreign Office in London Monday confirmed that its envoy in Islamabad has been summoned over Cameron’s claims that Pakistan was looking both ways on terror.
West seeks Iran regime change: Putin
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The West is using a nonproliferation campaign as a blind for bringing about regime change in Iran, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said.
‘Zia’s son deposited funds illegally in Singapore bank’
By IANS,
Dhaka : In a poll eve embarrassment for former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's anti-graft body has charged that her younger son had illegally deposited 111.3 million taka ($2.60 million) in a Singapore bank.
A top official of Bangladesh's Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) announced Thursday that the Singapore government anti-graft watchdog had supplied the information.
The ACC had assigned an officer to probe details of the money transactions by Arafat Rahman Koko, The Daily Star newspaper said Friday.