Saudi Customs seize Drugs
By SPA
Riyadh : The banned drugs seized by Saudi Customs Department totaled nearly 2 million capsules of drugs, more than 50 Kg of hashish, and more than 6,000 bottles of wine during January, 2008.
The Saudi Customs Department said in a statement that the seized drugs come as a part of the efforts made by customs officials at customs points to confront such scourges.
Iran holds military drill
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran Saturday launched a military drill on its southern territorial waters.
Israel, Palestinians to resume talks in Cairo
Gaza: Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will officially resume Egypt-sponsored ceasefire indirect talks Sunday, Azzam el-Ahmed, chief of the Palestinian delegation in Cairo, said.
The negotiators...
Pakistan taking action against perpetrators of Mumbai attacks
By IRNA,
Islamabad : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Friday that he is convinced that the Pakistani government is committed finding and prosecuting the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks.
"I want Pakistan to take action because British citizens were killed in the (Mumbai) attacks," he said. Three Britons were killed and seven others injured in the terrorist strike and this "directly speaks to British national interest", Miliband told a news conference after meeting Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Indian expats honour educator in Riyadh
Riyadh : Expatriate Indians in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh have honoured prominent educationist and philanthropist Nadeem Tarin, chairman of the Riyadh-based Delhi Public School...
Anti-terror court frees former Lal Masjid cleric
By IANS,
Islamabad : A day after the Supreme Court granted him bail, an anti-terror court Thursday freed Maulana Abdul Aziz, the former cleric of the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) who had triggered a bitter standoff with the security forces that left more than 100 people dead.
Aziz's lawyer Shaukat Siddiqui said he would be released after posting a bond of Rs.200,000.
The cleric had 27 cases registered against him and had been granted bail in 25 cases, while one had been dropped.
Four killed in Afghanistan chopper crash
By IANS,
Kabul : Four people were killed in Afghanistan's southern Zabul province Sunday after their contract helicopter for NATO-led forces crashed, a senior official said.
Lebanon: official source confirms car laden with bomb
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : At least six people died and more than 30 others others suffered injuries in a fiery blast that targeted a bus boarding Lebanese Army troops in northern Lebanon early on Monday, according to official sources.
A senior military source, contacted by this correspondent of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), confirmed that the bomb that blew up in the morning rush-hour at a bus station in the district of Al-Busas in the south of the city of Tripoli, was packed into a Renault car and that it blew up at around 8 a.m., targeting a mini bus boarding Lebanese Army troops.
US open to increase troops in Afghanistan: Pentagon
By Xinhua,
Washington : The US is open to the possibility of sending more troops to the Afghanistan war, where President Barack Obama's government has "limited time" to show improvement, top defence officials said Thursday.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates told a press conference at Pentagon that he has received the assessment report on the Afghanistan strategy by Army General Stanley A. McChrystal, US top commander in the country, and informally forwarded a copy to President Obama.
Saudi judge delays ruling on divorce for eight-year-old
By DPA,
Riyadh : An eight-year-old girl seeking divorce from a man about 50 years her senior will have to wait until February for a legal ruling after a Saudi Arabian judge decided not to render a verdict Saturday.
The girl's mother filed the case in her daughter's name after the girl's father sold the eight-year-old into marriage. The husband, who considers the marriage legal, has refused to divorce the girl, according to judicial sources.
Terrorist safe havens in Pakistan most worrisome: US
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The havens carved out by the Taliban and other insurgents in Pakistan have become the "most worrisome" part of the US-led war in Afghanistan, says US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
Washington had a similar perch in Pakistan when US and Pakistani officials supported Afghanistan's mujahideen rebels against the Soviet Union in the 1980s - "and let me tell you, it made a big difference", he said Sunday.
"I think as long as they have a safe haven to operate there, it's going to be a problem for us in Afghanistan," he told NBC's "Meet the Press".
Pakistan needs coordination mechanism for epidemics: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan needs to develop a national coordination mechanism for controlling epidemics like dengue, says Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
Pakistan’s sacked top judge reinstated, long march called off
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday reinstated the country's sacked top judge ahead of a showdown with opposition parties and defiant lawyers that threatened the stability of the country. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif then immediately called off the "long march".
The announcement was made by Gilani in a televised address to the nation.
Iftikhar Chaudhry, who was sacked by former military strongman Pervez Musharraf, would take over as chief justice of the Supreme Court Saturday, immediately after the present top judge retires.
Islamabad seminaries searched for terrorists
By IANS,
Islamabad : The authorities in this Pakistani capital have launched a crackdown on seminaries here, searching 10 of them to ensure that terrorists are not hiding in the guise of students. No arrest has been made.
The managements of the madrassas were told that stern action would be taken if they were found to be providing refuge to terrorists.
Teams comprising magistrates and police officials also combed some rural areas, private guest-houses and hotels, Dawn reported Monday.
Bangladesh’s coins to be made in Japan
By IANS/EFE,
Tokyo : Japan has won a $12 million contract to mint coins for the Central Bank of Bangladesh in an international auction, the finance ministry said Tuesday.
Taliban claim responsibility for Lahore blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the suicide bomb attack in Lahore Wednesday that killed at least 23 people, a US-based Islamic militant monitoring group has said.
The SITE Intelligence Group said that the Tehreek-e-Taliban militants made the claim in a statement posted on Turkish jihadist websites, Geo TV reported Thursday.
The group quoted the statement as saying that the attack "targeted the nest of evil in Lahore" and was a "humble gift to the Mujahideen who suffer beneath the attacks of Pakistani forces in Swat".
11 policemen killed in Karachi attack
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 11 policemen were killed Thursday and more than 40 injured in an explosion targeting a police bus in Karachi...
Pakistani PM visits Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf arrived here Thursday on his maiden day-long visit to Afghanistan, an official said.
Nigerian troops free 1,000 women, children from Boko Haram
Abuja : A Nigerian senator from the restive northeastern Borno state has confirmed the rescue of about 1,000 women and children by the military...
Iran: 26% increase registered in run off elections – Interior Minister
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Iran Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi said on Saturday that some 26 percent increase in voter turnout was registered in the run off Majlis elections.
Speaking to local and foreign reporters, he said that the people played an active role both in th first phase as well as the run off elections nationwide.
Successful holding the eighth round of Majlis elections is regarded as a significant achievement of the ninth government, he said.
He lauded the role of dutiful officials as well as media persons in holding such important event.
Iran slams Western powers’ attempts to negotiate with Taliban
By IANS,
New York : Iran has strongly criticised the attempts by the Western governments to negotiate with the Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan to restore peace and stability in the war-ravaged country, the official IRNA news agency reported Wednesday.
"Afghanistan is suffering from insecurity, cultivation of poppy and drug trafficking as well as the humanitarian crisis and the collusion with the terrorists will deteriorate the situation in Afghanistan," Iran's permanent ambassador to the UN, Mohammad Khazaee, told the UN Security Council session on Afghanistan in New York Tuesday.
Don’t whip up war hysteria, India tells Pakistan
By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Friday urged Pakistan not to whip up war hysteria in response to Indian requests to take action against terrorists who attacked Mumbai.
Speaking to reporters after talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Mukherjee said that Pakistan needed to focus its energies "to bring to book the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attack".
Islamabad on terror alert
By IANS,
Islamabad : Security was beefed up in Islamabad Sunday after the Taliban vowed to attack the participants of an anti-drone rally currently underway in Pakistan.
Shari’a in favour of minority rights in Egypt
By Sara Khorshid
Over the past decades, numerous polls have demonstrated that the majority of Egyptians want shari'a-or Islamic principles-applied to parts of their country's legal system. Egypt's constitution reflects this: Article 2 of the constitution states that shari'a is the principle source of legislation.
PNA fears increasing Israeli attacks after Olmert’s crisis
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Wednesday said it fears a political crisis inside Israel will affect the behavior of the Israeli army operations into the Palestinian territories.
"We are afraid the crisis will lead to increasing detentions, shellings and incursions," the Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told Voice of Palestine radio.
He added that "holding elections inside Israel means the blocking of peace process and the continuing of the invasions, the aggressions and the expansion of settlements."
Chinese, Pakistani FMs agree to shore up all-around cooperation
By NNN-Xinhua
Beijing : Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi agreed with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi Wednesday to shore up all-around cooperation between the two nations.
In their telephone conversation, Yang first congratulated Qureshi, who was sworn in as Pakistan's foreign minister Monday.
China and Pakistan are traditionally good neighbors, and to further deepen their all-weather friendship and shore up all-around cooperation are the common wishes of both sides, the two ministers agreed in the conversation.
Pakistan flip-flop on ISI creates confusion
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistan government's notification Sunday, reversing an announcement made a day before to place the two top intelligence agencies under the interior ministry, has led to further confusion with a former top spy saying a conspiracy was foiled.
The government Saturday issued a notification saying the prime minister has approved giving the interior ministry control of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Agency and the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Nawaz Sharif, Saudi prince discuss issues faced by Muslims
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday met Saudi Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz and discussed the situation in the Middle East.
During the...
Pakistan’s new rulers will inherit economic mess
By Zofeen T. Ebrahim, IANS
Karachi : Working as a maid on a salary of Rs.4,000 a month, Perveen Riaz, 45, supplements her husband's Rs.5,000. "We're barely able to make ends meet," said the mother of seven children of whom five go to school.
Rashida, who earns the same, is the sole breadwinner for her family of four as her husband is sick. "I toil the whole day, and still my children never sleep with their stomachs full," she said.
Bangladesh To Export 12 Ships To Europe By 2011
By Bernama,
Chittagong : Western Marine Shipyard Ltd. (WMSL), a local shipbuilding company, will export 12 ships, weighing 5,200 tonnes each, by 2011 to Germany, Holland and Denmark, the Bangladesh's news agency BSS reported.
Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman inaugurated building of the 12 ice class ocean-going multipurpose vessels at the WMSL yard at Shikalbaha on the south bank of the river Karnaphuli in the district.
Over 100 killed in Afghanistan rain, floods
Kabul : More than 100 people were killed and dozens of houses washed away when heavy rain and floods hit northern Afghanistan, an official...
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.
Cracks develop in Pakistan Peoples Party
By IANS,
Islamabad : Cracks have developed in the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that leads the country's ruling coalition with its vice chair Amin Faheem saying he was distancing himself from the party.
"In a surprise development on Sunday evening... Faheem said a line had been drawn in the PPP," Dawn reported Monday.
"He distanced himself from the PPP-led government, saying that a new PPP was in the government and he had no relations with it," the newspaper added.
Iranian leaders vote in legislative polls
By KUNA
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cast his ballot in the 8th legislative election here Friday.
Speaking to reporters after balloting, Ahmadinejad, who had just returned home from Senegal where he attended the 11th Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit, said the Iranian people's participation in the polls was the secret of the survival of the Islamic Revolution.
The 18th Majlis election reflects the people's will to run their country's affairs, the Iranian president said.
Nawaz thrice turns down Zardari invites
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari desperately wants to meet his estranged ally Nawaz Sharif to mend fences but the former prime minister has rejected three invitations on this score, and his party says it is not interested in "photo sessions".
The invitations were sent through political and non-political emissaries last week.
Iran police chief says SMS, e-mail for protests punishable
By DPA,
Tehran : The use of SMS and e-mail for organising or coordinating protests against the government would from now on be punishable, Iran's police chief warned Friday.
ISNA news agency quoted General Esmaiel Ahmadi-Moqaddam as saying that those who organize protests through SMS or e-mails should know that everything is traceable and under control, adding offenders would face prosecution and punishment.
US making powerful bomb to hit Iran: Report
By IANS,
Washington: The Pentagon has stepped up efforts to make a bomb capable of destroying Iran's most heavily fortified underground facilities, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
Iran will use force to defend nuclear drive: Ahmadinejad
By ANTARA News/AFP,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Friday that his country will use force against its "enemies" to defend its nuclear drive, state television reported.
"For them, subjects like the nuclear issue are pretexts. The key reason for the hostility of the enemies in the past 30 years against Iran is that they want us to pull back so that they can say we have given in," Ahmadinejad said.
"But the Iranian people will resist with force against the enemies," state television quoted him as saying.
“Netanyahu you will see, you will see, Palestine will be free”
Thousands chant In London
By M Ghazali Khan,
London 27 July: At least 60,000 protestorsfrom amazingly and admiringly multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-ethnic backgroundsrallied yesterdayin front of Israeli Embassy and from where they marched to the British Parliament to demand lifting of siege of Gaza and freedom for Palestine. “You don’t have to be a Muslim to stand for Palestinians. Just be a human” read a placard raised by a marcher.
Pakistani army chief flies combat mission against Taliban
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Monday flew a combat mission against the Taliban, riding as the co-pilot in an F-16 jet for an aerial overview of the offensive against the militants in the country's restive northwest.
In doing so, he became the first army chief to fly in an F-16 jet. The aircraft was flown by a wing commander of the Pakistani Air Force.
24 Pakistanis held over unpaid electricity bills
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least two dozen people in Pakistan have been arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for not paying electricity bills, an official said.
Syrian situation is worsening : UN envoy
By IANS,
United Nations: The UN-Arab league joint special representative for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi said Monday that the situation in Syria was "extremely bad" and getting worse.
Over 5,000 Rohingya Muslims settled in Jammu: Sayeed
Srinagar: Over 5,000 Rohingya refugees are living in in many settlement colonies in Jammu and Kashmir's winter capital Jammu after fleeing persecution in Myanmar,...
Blast in Pakistan graveyard
By IANS,
Islamabad : A bomb exploded at a graveyard in northwest Pakistan Wednesday night, a media report said.
India, Pakistan to launch cross-LoC trade, discuss terror
By Manish Chand, IANS,
New York : In a major step aimed at easing the recent strain in ties, India and Pakistan Wednesday decided to launch trade between divided parts of Kashmir from Oct 21 and agreed to hold a special meeting next month to address New Delhi's concerns about the bombing of its embassy in Kabul.
Top US commander hopes Obama acts swiftly on Afghanistan
By KUNA,
Washington : A top US military commander in Afghanistan expressed hope that President-elect Barack Obama could act swiftly in moving US troops into Afghanistan to quell violence in the country.
Commanding General of US forces in Afghanistan General David McKiernan said there is not enough military forces in southern Afghanistan "to provide adequate security," reemphasizing the need for additional forces in this area.
He already requested additional combat brigades of around 20,000 forces, first due to arrive next January.
Militants storm Afghan government building, kill one
By DPA,
Kabul : A group of Taliban militants attacked a provincial capital in central Afghanistan Monday, killing at least one police officer and taking over a government building, officials said.
Around six militants stormed a police checkpoint in Puli Alam, the capital of central Logar province, and fired at the governor's office and police headquarters, Gholam Mustafa Mohseni, the provincial police chief, said.
Afghan police and army surrounded the building, where the rebels were hiding and "a fierce gunbattle" was going on, he said.
Egyptian MP suspended for shoe-throwing threat
By DPA,
Cairo : An Egyptian opposition member of parliament has been suspended for threatening to throw his shoe at a ruling-party lawmaker last month, local media reported today.
Parliament voted to suspend Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated MP Ashraf Badr until the next session of parliament begins in November 2009 by a vote of 279 to 2, with one abstention, the Egyptian daily al-Masry al-Youm reported Wednesday.
But parliament also defeated a motion by ruling-party deputies that Badr be stripped entirely of his seat.
Iran winner in n-talks, says President Rouhani
Tehran : Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday said Iran was and will be the winner in the recent negotiations with P5+1 group of...
Pakistani troops kill 22 militants near Afghan border
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces killed at least 22 militants in combat over the weekend in the restive Kurram tribal region bordering Afghanistan, media reports said Sunday.
It is believed that hundreds of Taliban fighters have fled to Kurram and other nearby districts to escape the army offensive in the South Waziristan tribal badlands, that are said to contain countless Al Qaeda sanctuaries.
Israel identifies Hamas kidnappers of missing Jewish teens
Jerusalem: Two Hamas operatives from the southern West Bank city of Hebron are believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of the three Israeli...
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.
Baghdad resumes dialogue with Washington over long-term agreement
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : The Iraqi National Security Council, which includes leading political powers and decision-makers in the country, held a meeting on Saturday, to discuss the latest developments in negotiations with US officials regarding a long-term framework agreement between both countries.
The meeting headed by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani took two hours, during which viewpoints from several parliamentary and government officials were raised.
Bangladesh seeks to increase trade with northeast India
By IANS,
Agartala : Bangladeshi trade and industry groups have said they would increase trade and economic activities with India's northeast region and urged Dhaka to provide transit facilities to India.
"We have decided to start business and education tourism with the northeastern region," said Abdul Matlub Ahmad, president of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Taliban leader behind Bhutto assassination
By RIA Novosti
Kabul : Pakistani investigators have arrested several suspects, who have confessed to killing Bhutto and indicated funding and supervision from a Taliban commander, the Hindu News reported on Monday.
The agency cited a Pakistani investigator as saying Baitullah Mehsud had given about $6,000 to a cleric Qari Ismail, who consequently sent five militants to kill Bhutto.
UAE launches polio vaccination campaign in Pakistan
Islamabad : On the directive of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Project to Assist Pakistan...
Terror attack on children darkest day of humanity: Satyarthi
New Delhi : Child rights activist and Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi Tuesday condemned the terrorist attack on school children in Pakistan, terming the incident...
Iran claims tests of new advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges
By RIA Novosti
Tehran : Iran has begun tests of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges, a deputy head of the Islamic Republic's Atomic Energy Organization said on Wednesday.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced tests on unspecified nuclear equipment on Tuesday - Nuclear Technology Day in Iran - also adding that the country had started to install another 6,000 'ordinary' uranium enrichment centrifuges at its underground facility in Natanz.
Lebanese rivals agree on election law in Doha
By DPA,
Beirut : A committee formed Saturday in Doha from six members of the Lebanese rivals has agreed on adopting a new election law, DPA learned from a delegate.
"The committee has mainly agreed on adopting Lebanon's 1960 electoral law with some amendments regarding the city of Beirut," a Lebanese delegate at the talks in Qatar said.
Lebanon has been a parliamentary democracy since the promulgation of the Lebanese constitution in 1926.
10th Dubai Airport Expo opens
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: The 10th edition of the international Dubai Airport Expo was opened here Sunday.
The three-day event was inaugurated by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
The exhibition will showcase the latest technologies in the global airport industry. Professionals will share their expertise on enhancing operational efficiencies of airports.
Ayatollah Khatami: Iran’s successive victories have shocked world
By IRNA,
Tehran : Substitute Friday prayers leader of Tehran Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami said here Friday that Iran’s consecutive victories in different fields, including launching of Omid (Hope) Satellite have shocked the world.
“Iran’s success in joining group of countries having technology of building satellite has made the US angry; the world has been shocked over Iran’s repeated victories in different scenes, including launching of Omid Satellite to the space,” Ayatollah Khatami said in his second sermon to large groups of Tehrani worshippers in Tehran University.
‘Muslim Brotherhood behind Egypt stadium riots’
Cairo : The president of Egyptian soccer club Zamalek SC, Murtada Mansur, Monday accused the banned Muslim Brotherhood (MB) of instigating and taking part...
Israel denies permission to EP deligation to visit Plestinian prisoners
By NNN-WAFA,
Ramallah : Kyriakos Triantaphyllides, head of the European Parliament (EP) delegation to the occupied Palestinian territories, has expressed "very deep disappointment" over Israel's refusal to allow the delegation to visit Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.
In a press conference held Sunday at the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) here, Triantaphyllides said that the EP's mission was a follow-up to a resolution made at the EP to visit PLC members behind bars in Israel.
NATO soldier killed, another injured in Afghanistan
By KUNA
Kabul : One soldier of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was killed and another wounded in an insurgent attack in Helmand province, the military said on Thursday.
A statement here said the soldiers were fired upon in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. However, it did not mention the district where the attack took place.
The statement said there was direct fire on the troops on Wednesday.
Lahore seeks ban on public smoking
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Lahore High Court has ordered the authorities to impose a ban on smoking in public places in the city, a media report said Monday.
Key Taliban commander killed
By IANS,
Kabul: A key Taliban commander, identified as Safiullah alias Shafiq, has been killed in Afghanistan's Wardak province, an official said.
Afghanistan peace depends on US, Pakistan cooperation: Karzai
Kabul : Outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai Tuesday said that returning durable peace to his conflict-ridden country depends on the cooperation from the US...
Dhaka-Yangon to discuss maritime boundary, gas search
By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh and its eastern neighbour Myanmar will discuss the long-pending maritime boundary issue that has a direct bearing on gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal when a high-level delegation visits Yangon in the next few weeks.
The delegation, headed by Additional Foreign Secretary M.A.K. Mahmood, will visit the Myanmar capital within a month, The Daily Star said Friday.
Both India and Myanmar have begun gas exploration on territory that Bangladesh claims as its own.
Afghan presidential runners reach unity government deal
Kabul : Afghan presidential candidates Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Abdullah Abdullah Saturday agreed to sign a deal on creation of national unity government, ending...
France expels Tunisian recruiting nationals for Syria
Paris: French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve Saturday ordered with "the absolute urgency", the expulsion of a Tunisian man accused of recruiting young French nationals...
Iran ready to give security, economic safegaurds to Gulf countries
By NNN-KUNA,
Manama : Visiting Iranian Majlis (parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani said here Wednesday Iran was ready to provide adequate security and economic guarantees to Gulf countries.
Tehran seeks to forge bonds of rapprochement and understanding with other countries, particularly Gulf ones, Larijani told a news conference at the wrapping-up of his current visit to Bahrain.
He hailed his talks with Bahraini King Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa as fruitful and favorable, covering a large scope of bilateral, regional and international issues.
Gulf markets continue gains, but Kuwait bucks trend again
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : Gulf bourses, except in Kuwait, continued their upward trend for the second consecutive day Tuesday buoyed by remedial measures announced by monetary authorities to boost the region's banking sector.
The key Dubai Financial Market (DFM) led the region's resurgence again, posting its biggest one-day gain for the second consecutive day. The DFM index soared 10.76 percent from Monday's close to end at 3,703.34.
US to keep pressure on Al Qaeda: US commander
Kabul : The US commander of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., Wednesday said the war on terror...
900,000 Syrian refugees now in Turkey
Ankara : The number of Syrian refugees taking shelter in Turkey is nearly 900,000, a UN official said Monday.
Ayman A. Abulaban, a representative of...
Iran set to hold large-scale war games with air defense drills
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and armed forces will begin on Monday a three-day military exercise to test new weaponry and practice repelling potential air strikes on its territory, the local media said on Sunday.
"The main goal of the exercise is to evaluate the combat readiness [of the Iranian army], to test new weapons developed by Iranian scientists, and to practice defensive measures in case of a potential violation of the Iranian airspace by the enemy," the media said.
IAEA chief hails Iran’s openness, urges further assurances
TEHRAN, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said on Friday he was satisfied with progress in talks on Iran's nuclear program, but urged Tehran to clarify all remaining issues.
Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is in Tehran for talks with the country's leadership on Iran's controversial nuclear program.
China to give additional $29 mn to flood-hit Pakistan
By IANS,
Beijing : China has announced that it would provide an additional 200 million yuan ($29.4 million) of humanitarian aid for relief and reconstruction in the flood-hit Pakistan.
The Chinese government had previously given 120 million yuan in humanitarian aid to its neighbour, the ministry of commerce said in a statement. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu confirmed the additional 200-million-yuan aid Monday, Xinhua reported.
"Chinese government has decided to provide 200 million yuan of humanitarian aid to support Pakistan," she said in a statement.
UAE, Tunisia discuss educational cooperation
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Tunisia Tuesday held bilateral talks for mutual cooperation in the field of education and its development.
Pakistani PM: U.S. drone attacks “promote” extremism, terrorism
ISLAMABAD : U.S. drone attacks on Pakistani tribal regions are promoting extremism and terrorism, said Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani here Sunday.
"I am saying with conviction that U.S. drone attacks promote extremism and terrorism. We cannot control terrorism and extremism with these attacks. Majority agree with my point," Gilani said at a press conference after arriving from Davos, Switzerland, where he attended the World Economic Forum annual meeting.
US covert military raids authorized in several countries: Report
By DPA,
Washington : A secret order since 2004 has allowed several covert raids against Al Qaeda targets by US special forces into countries including Syria and Pakistan, The New York Times reported Monday on its website.
Previous orders had authorized intelligence agencies, including the Central Investigation Agency (CIA), to act against Al Qaeda and other suspected terrorist groups since the 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.
No distinction between good, bad Taliban: Pakistani official
Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that the security forces were conducting operations in North Waziristan...
UAE invites Indian companies to energy summit
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has invited Indian companies to participate in an international energy summit to be organised here next year.
Blair says Europe can play stronger role in Middle East
By KUNA,
Brussels : The official envoy of the Quartet on the Middle East ,Tony Blair; said in Brussels Tuesday that efforts must continue to clinch a deal to resolve the Palestine question by the end of the year or even after. "Whatever the challenges, whatever the difficulties, we have to continue and we have to continue right up to the end of this year to try if possible to get an agreement. Whether it is this year or later, it has to be done. We dont have an option," he told a joint press conference with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
Bangladesh: govt considering total lifting of emergency once election environment is fully visible, says...
By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka, Bangladesh : Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said here the government is considering total lifting of state of emergency once the election environment is fully visible in the country.
The Commerce Adviser said this at a press briefing at the Chief Adviser's Office here on Saturday while clarifying government's position regarding the 7-point demand of the BNP.
Communications Adviser Maj Gen (Rtd) Ghulam Quader, LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal and Law Adviser A F Hassan Ariff were present at the briefing.
Border breached as India, Bangladesh remember ‘language martyrs’
By Sujit Chakraborty, IANS,
Probe into lynching of boys begins in Pakistan
By Awais Saleem,IANS,
Islamabad : A video footage showing a mob lynching two brothers in the presence of policemen in Pakistan has sparked off protests in the country, prompting the Supreme Court to direct a probe into the brutal act.
A committee, constituted on the instructions of Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary, here Monday started the investigation in the killing of two brothers by a mob in Sialkot city of Punjab province last week.
Alarming rate of divorce among non-Malays in Malaysia
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The divorce rate among non-Malays increased from two percent to eight percent in the first five years since 2000 and was expected to reach 13 percent this year, said an official of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)'s women's wing.
Wanita MIC chief P. Komala Devi said there was also an increase in the number of teenaged runaway brides, premarital pregnancies and young single mothers.
She said that these groups of people needed help, noting that most of them came from poor backgrounds.
New American ambassador in Kuwait presents credentials
By SPA,
Kuwait City : The new U.S. ambassador to Kuwait has presented her credentials.
Deborah K. Jones is the first female U.S. ambassador to Kuwait, the Associated Press reported.
The embassy says career diplomat Jones presented her diplomatic credentials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. She will present them to the ruler, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, at an unspecified future date, the embassy says.
Lebanon considers setting refugee camps on Syrian border
Beirut : Lebanon discussed with the UN the possibilities of setting up refugee camps along its borders with Syria, media reported Saturday.
Lebanese Foreign Minister...
Pakistan: ‘Media and information literacy empower people to build collective consciousness of society’
AGAHI in collaboration with UNESCO Pakistan organised a town-hall dialogue on ‘Media and Information Literacy and Education Journalism in Pakistan’
By Aslam Chandio for TwoCircles.net,
Islamabad: Media literacy and freedom of information continuously sways the practices of the industry in Pakistan, which in turn, raises many questions about media’s influence on the cognitive behavioral response of the public, it was debated and discussed at a town hall dialogue organised by AGAHI and UNESCO, Pakistan here.
Afghanistan heads for presidential runoff
Kabul: Two leading Afghan presidential candidates, out of eight in the contest, will vie in a runoff poll in mid-June as no winner emerged...
Kuwait seeks UNHRC membership
By IANS/WAM,
New York: Kuwait has sought UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) membership for 2013-2015.
10 killed in election office attack in Kabul
Kabul : At least 10 people were killed and three injured when suspected Taliban militants stormed an Afghan election commission office here Tuesday, a...
Indian Social Forum to organise tournament for social service at Jubail
By TCN News,
Dammam: Karnataka Chapter of Indian Social Forum, an Indian expatriates Socio- Cultural Organization is organizing a “Social Forum Cup -2015’ for Indian Expatriates residing in eastern province at Jubail, Dammam and Khobar.
Political disputes between authorities is due to absence of vision – nominee
By KUNA,
Kuwait : The candidate of the first constituency for the parliament's elections Faisal Bourisly stated here Sunday that the conflict between the legislative and executive authorities during the last period was due to lack of vision.
He added in the symposium of opening of his electoral campaign that such a conflict is reprehensible in a country, known since its establishment for the cohesion of its people and its democracy inherent, saying that this would lead the country to a dark and unknown future.
MNF commends Iraqi forces for improving security
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Iraqi security forces have been working hard which contributed to the improvement of the security condition in Iraq, a senior officer of the coalition forces said.
Admiral Gregory Smith, director of the Multi-National Force's (MNF) Communications Division, told a news conference Sunday the Iraqi security forces have been taking more responsibilities.
He noted the progress achieved by the Iraqi air force, but stopped short to say that a lot more have to be done.
Roadside bomb blast kills 2 Afghan policemen
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Two Afghan policemen were killed as a roadside bomb struck their vehicle in Afghanistan's central-eastern Ghazni province, said the interior ministry Thursday.
"Two policemen were killed and two others were injured as a remote-controlled roadside bomb hit their vehicle in Ghazni city, the capital of Ghazni province," the ministry said in a press release.
The police van was destroyed in the bombing.
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.
U.S. president extends sanctions against Iran for 1 year
By RIA Novosti
Washington : U.S. President George W. Bush signed an order extending sanctions against Iran for another year, the White House press service said.
The order says the measure is being taken "because the actions and policies of the Government of Iran continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States."
Clerics in UAE call for austere life
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Religious scholars in UAE have called on worshippers to abstain from extravagance and be contented with what they have.
Pakistan PM defends dialogue with militants
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani defended his government policy to hold dialogue with the militants as the previous policy of the use of force has failed to ensure peace in the tribal areas.
Gilani, who took over as Prime Minister in March, had announced in his first policy statement to hold dialogue the militants in the tribal areas and the country's restive Swat valley in the northwest.
Obama sees progress in Egypt
By DPA,
Washington : Egypt is making progress in resolving its political crisis as talks between the government and opposition groups were underway, US President Barack Obama said Monday.
Iran’s president again says not to retreat over nuclear rights
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday repeated his defiance towards Western powers which were pushing new sanctions against Iran's nuclear program, saying Tehran would not back down from its rights, state television reported.
Ahmadinejad made the remarks to large crowds at Iran's southern port city of Bushehr, where the country's first nuclear power plant was being built with the assistance of Russia.
U.S. Embassy in Beirut warns citizens against being targeted
By Xinhua
Beijing : American embassy in Beirut sent a warning to its citizens in Lebanon to take "responsible security measures," stay away from public places, and avoid any appearance that show they are Americans, local Elnashra website reported Thursday.
The U.S. embassy, explained in a statement that the "unstable situation and explosions in recent months" have urged its staff to take maximum precautious measures, said the report.
Israelis shot people in forehead, says Pakistani
By DPA,
Islamabad : A Pakistani journalist who was captured during a naval attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla alleged Wednesday that Israeli soldiers were shooting people in cold blood.
Talat Hussain, one of the 124 people arriving in Jordan following their release by Israeli authorities, claimed that the commandos "shot people in the forehead".
"I witnessed myself the first Israeli assault on the ship. There was no weapon on the ship," Hussain told Aaj news channel by phone from Jordan.
16 killed in Gaza clash
By DPA,
Rafah (Gaza Strip) : A pro-Al Qaeda group which declared a theocratic Islamic emirate in the Gaza Strip battled it out Friday with Hamas policemen, leaving 16 dead and 120 wounded.
The fate of Abdel Latif Moussa, leader of the Jihad al-Salafi group also known as the Warriors of God, was unknown after Hamas police blew up his house adjacent to the mosque in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.
He and several followers had been holed up in the complex for more than eight hours.
Explosion, conflict leave 3 NATO soldiers, 2 militants dead in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Three soldiers with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed by roadside bombing in southern Afghanistan while the U.S.-led Coaltion forces eliminated two armed militants in eastern Paktika province on Friday, said statements of the alliance issued here on Saturday.
"Three ISAF soldiers were killed in an IED strike Friday morning in southern Afghanistan," the statement said, but it did not give any further information.
Pak govt to privatize units to overcome economic crisis
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan government has decided to privatize 58 state owned companies to deal with the economic crisis.
Council of Common Interest (CCI) has approved privatization of 58 government organizations; this was stated by Federal Secretary Privatization, Shahab Khwaja.
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.
Travel bans hit Lebanon’s tourism business hard
By Weedah Hamzah, DPA
Beirut : Tourism, one of the main pillars of Lebanon's economy, is currently in "the intensive care unit", according to economists, due to the ongoing political crisis in the country.
The hotel business has been particularly affected, according to head of the Lebanese Hotel Syndicate Pierre Ashkar. "The ban issued by some Arab countries to their citizens on visiting Lebanon due to the political situation has dropped occupancy in Beirut's hotel to zero," Ashkar said.
Sri Lankan cricketers rushed to airport in Pakistan Air Force chopper
By IANS,
Lahore : Sri Lanka cricketers were flown from the Gaddafi Stadium here to the airport on a Pakistan Air Force chopper, hours after being attacked by unidentified gunmen Tuesday morning.
Pakistan Television (PTV) televised live the departure of the Sri Lanka cricketers from the stadium. They were seen off by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt.
The cricketers will fly to Abu Dhabi en-route to Colombo.
TV: NATO forces gear up movement on Pak-Afghan border
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The U.S.-led NATO forces on Tuesday geared up their movement on Pakistan-Afghanistan border, a sign of possible cross-border attack on tribal militants, local TVchannel reported.
"Hundreds of allied troops armed with their choppers, tanks, mortars and high-tech weapons have arrived at the Pak-Afghan borders," private Geo TV said.
The NATO forces have started arriving near the areas on the Pakistani border since last night, and the tribesmen have started shifting from the bordering areas, the TV quoted sources as saying.
Turkish police seize 207 kgs of heroin in E province
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Turkish police seized 207 kilograms of heroin in Dogubayazit town in the country's eastern province of Agri on Saturday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Acting on a tip-off, the police searched a truck coming from neighboring Iran and found the heroin hidden in secret parts of the vehicle, said the report.
It added that the driver of the truck was detained.
Turkey is a key transit route for smuggling drugs from Asia and the Middle East to markets in western Europe.
Iran ready to negotiate with G5+1
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Iran is ready to negotiate with the Group 5 1 within the framework of the international rules and regulations.
Gholam-Hossein Elham told reporters Saturday that Tehran is ready to talk with all countries, including member states of the Group 5 1 on its peaceful nuclear program.
He made it clear that Tehran had previously announced that it would respond to the letters sent by Group 5 1 and the European Union foreign policy chief, Javier Solana.
Iran's response was presented to them on Friday, Elham added.
Israel arrests 25 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli forces arrested 25 Palestinians in West Bank cities, Palestinian security sources said on Monday.
The Palestinian sources said that the 25 were arrested in several raids carried out by the Israeli troops in the cities of Ramallah, Jenin, Qalqilya and a village near Nablus.
The detention raids took place at Sunday night and in early Monday morning, the Palestinian sources added.
PPP will lobby for UN probe into Bhutto killing
By Xinhua
Islamabad : The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has said that it would not give up its demand for a UN probe into the assassination of its former leader Benazir Bhutto, and that the party would continue to agitate at all available forums.
In a statement Tuesday, party spokesman and former senator Farhatullah Babar said if the present regime did not approach the UN, the future PPP government would formally urge the UN for probing Bhutto's assassination.
Earlier, the UN had probed the murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.
PKK rebel killed, two injured in clash in eastern Turkey
By Xinhua,
Ankara : One militant of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) was killed and two others were injured as they were trying to stage an attack in eastern Turkey late Sunday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported on Monday.
"It was revealed that three terrorists seized a taxicab by force in Bingol province. They came to the provincial security department with bombs and weapons. The police gave immediate response to their attempt. A terrorist was killed and two others were injured in the clash," Bingol Governor Irfan Balkanlioglu was quoted as saying.
Australia confident of NATO Afghan plan
By NNN-Bernama
Melbourne : Australia ’s Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon says he is confident a new NATO strategic plan for Afghanistan will be achieved at a high-level meeting in Bucharest next week.
Fitzgibbon and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will attend a three-day meeting of representatives from each of the 26 NATO countries in Bucharest .
Australia , a non-NATO nation, has 1,000 troops serving in south-central Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
Fitzgibbon said that Australia would be pushing for two things.
Haqqani absent from memo hearing
By IANS,
Islamabad : Former Pakistani ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani Monday did not attend the hearing of a judicial commission here probing the memo scandal.
Three Pakistani policemen shot dead
By DPA,
Islamabad : Gunmen shot dead three policemen deployed at a railway bridge in Pakistan's Hassanabdal town, media reports said Sunday.
Bodies of the three policemen were found Sunday morning inside their quarters next to the tracks in the Hassanabdal town, located around 50 km from the capital city, Islamabad.
It is believed the trio was slain in their sleep, the Geo News television channel quoted local police as saying.
Investigators could not discover a reason for the killings, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility from any group.
US woman detained in Germany for allegedly assisting Al Qaeda
Berlin: A US woman, accused of providing assistance to the members of Al Qaeda terrorist group with clothing, first-aid equipment and donations, has been...
Bangladesh celebrates 41st independence day
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh celebrated its 41st independence day Monday with tributes to the martyred war heroes.
Netherlands donates over $40 mn for Bangladesh education
By DPA,
Dhaka : The Dutch government will provide Bangladesh with 30 million euros ($42.1 million) to promote public education in the South Asian country where illiteracy is still high, the Netherlands embassy in Dhaka has said.
The money will be spent for non-formal education under a project called Janashilon (Popular Education) in partnership with Friends in Villages Development in Bangladesh (FIVDB), a non-governmental organisation working in the education sector, under a five-year agreement.
Pakistan to open 30 new passport offices abroad
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan will open 30 new passport offices in 21 countries to help overseas Pakistanis, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said.
Bush, Abbas to meet at White House Friday
By NNN-KUNA,
Washington : President George W. Bush will welcome Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House on Friday, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino announced here.
Bush looks forward to discussing with Abbas "our shared efforts toward peace in the Middle East, including progress in building capable Palestinian institutions, fostering economic development, and training and deploying Palestinian security forces in the West Bank," Perino said during a White House briefing Tuesday.
Arab FMs reiterate Lebanon plan
By NNN-KUNA
Cairo : Arab foreign ministers have reiterated consensus over an Arab initiative aiming to resolve the Lebanese standoff.
Wrapping up their meeting on Lebanon here Sunday, the ministers, in a news release, expressed serious concern over the continued assassination of Lebanese figures, and terrorist bombings in Lebanon.
They also condemned the recent incidents in Lebanon, including a car bombing that left a Lebanese police officer and several innocent people dead, as a scheme aimed at destabilising the country.
UAE opens ‘green’ service station
By IANS,
Dubai : A government-owned oil company in Dubai has launched the first ever eco-friendly service station in the Middle-east.
Annual sports meet organized by Indian expats in Sharjah on UAE national day
By TCN News,
Sharjah: On occasion of UAE national Day Being 43rd National Day the sports meet was held at Sharjah University Ground on Friday 12th December 2014. Emirates India Fraternity Forum, UAE, Karnataka chapter organizes sports meet every year on the occasion.
Fresh Israeli airstrike kills Jihad militant
By Xinhua,
Gaza : An Islamic Jihad (Holy War) militant was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli aerial attack on a car he drove southeast of Gaza City, medics and witnesses reported.
Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency in the Gaza-run Hamas ministry of health told reporters that Ali Dahdouh, 26, was killed after an Israeli missile hit his car he was driving southeast of Gaza City.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, a 13-year-old child was killed and two other civilians were wounded in an Israeli airstrike on northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia.
Reaching peace agreement with Israel by the end of the year is possible —...
By KUNA
Gaza : Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said Tuesday it is possible to reach an agreement with Israel by the end of this year, but warned that Israel's continuation in building settlements will undermine efforts in this respect.
In statements to the Palestinian radio, Erakat said if Israel continues its attacks on the Palestinians it will push the region into further violence, extremism and bloodshed instead of peace.
Pakistan’s PPP and PML-N to form coalition gov’ts
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan's political parties Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will form coalition governments in central and provincial levels, leaders of the two parties said here Thursday night.
PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif made the statement at a joint press conference after almost an hour of closed-door meeting here Thursday night.
"I have requested Nawaz Sharif to be a part of that government," Zardari told the media.
Israeli war jets strike targets in Gaza
Gaza: Israeli war jets struck targets in the Gaza Strip early Saturday, witnesses said, adding that huge explosions were heard in the coastal enclave.
Israeli...