Roadside bombs kill eight in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : Two separate roadside bomb explosions apparently carried out by militants in south Afghanistan killed eight people - five civilians and three policemen, officials said Tuesday.
Three policemen were killed and two were injured in the first blast in Kandahar province Monday night, while the second blast in neighbouring Helmand province almost at the same time left five civilians dead, the police said.
Yemenis take to streets against Saudi-led invasion
Sanaa : People in Yemen on Wednesday took to the streets to condemn the Saudi-led invasion of their country and voice their support for...
Gilani rejects Indian evidence, Britain seeks action on Mumbai
Islamabad/New Delhi : Hours after India called upon Pakistan Tuesday to act against Pakistanis linked to the Mumbai terror attacks,Islamabad dismissed the Indian evidence as mere "information".
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband meanwhile declared here that London was "absolutely clear" about the origin of the Nov 26-29 Mumbai terrorists but quickly added that the Pakistani state was not to blame.
Suicide bombing kills 21 in Baghdad
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : A suicide explosion on Sunday killed at least 21 people in Baghdad, an interior ministry source said.
The assailant detonated an explosive vest at a gathering in the Abu Ghraib district, which is largely a Sunni area. The people were celebrating the release of prisoners from Camp Bucca, the source said on condition of anonymity.
The attack also left 32 people injured, the source said, adding children, women, police and local Sunni anti-terror neighborhood guards were among the victims.
U.S., Iraqi forces kill 13 gunmen in Baghdad Shiite bastion
By Xinhua
Baghdad : U.S. and Iraqi forces killed at least 13 gunmen in sporadic overnight clashes in the Baghdad Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, the U.S. military said on Saturday.
During the clashes U.S. forces fired one Hellfire missile from a U.S. drone aircraft and two 122mm rounds from a M1A2 Abrams tank against the gunmen who fought the troops with their roadside bombs, rocket propelled grenades, machineguns and small arms fire, a military statement said.
Report: Iran to receive S-300 air defense systems from Russia soon
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran will receive the S-300 air defense systems from Russia soon, the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday.
Iran and Russia, after several years of negotiations on the purchase of the air defense systems, have concluded a deal, Esmaeil Kosari, Iranian deputy chairman of Parliamentary Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy, was quoted as saying.
He said the S-300 air defense systems will be deployed in Iran to strengthen national defense on border areas.
12 killed in Pakistan bombing
By IANS,
Islamabad : Twelve people were killed in Pakistan's Quetta city Thursday when a car packed with 100 kg explosives blew up just as a vehicle carrying security personnel was passing by.
24 killed in Bangladesh road accident
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Twenty-four people were killed and eight injured when a truck they were travelling in overturned into a roadside ditch Sunday morning in Bangladesh, the police said.
The accident took place in Tangail district, 92 km northwest of the capital apparently because of poor visibility in dense fog, district police chief Abdul Mannan told reporters.
The truck was carrying labourers and construction materials from the port city of Chittagong to Bogra district in the northwest, he said, adding that the injured had been rushed to different hospitals of the district.
10 Afghan kids die in NATO air strike
By IANS,
Kabul: At least 10 children were killed and six women were injured in Afghanistan's Kunar province in a security operation involving NATO's aircraft, an official said Sunday.
Five civilians killed by US airstrikes in Syria
Damascus: At least five civilians were killed Saturday during airstrikes carried out by US forces against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, Xinhua reported.
Three...
Secretary Rice says US to pursue ties with Pakistan, credits Musharraf with holding fair...
By APP
Washington : Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said the United States would continue to pursue its wide-ranging relations with Pakistan as she credited President Pervez Musharraf with guiding his nation toward free and fair election that has given Pakistani people a chance for a broad-based civilian government.
‘Pakistan is facing fundamental challenges to its capacity’
By Sahana Ghosh,
Kolkata : With Sunni militants advancing on Iraqi capital Baghdad and the twin attacks on Karachi airport, an Indo-Canadian author and expert...
Bahraini minister questions draft law banning expats from driving
Dubai : The constitutionality of the new controversial draft legislation that bars expatriates from driving in Bahrain is questionable, a minister said.
Bahrain's State Information...
22 Shias killed in Iraq bus attack
By IANS,
Baghdad : Twenty-two Shia Muslims on board a bus were shot dead by gunmen in western Iraq, Xinhua reported.
NATO to deepen political ties with Pakistan
By IANS
Brussels : The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has said it would deepen its ties with Pakistan in the political sphere once a new government is formed in the country, EUAsiaNews reported Thursday.
"We have very close relationship with Pakistan on the military side and a growing relationship in the political sphere. I hope to take this forward once a government is formed," NATO spokesperson James Appathurai told a news conference in Brussels Wednesday.
ISI not exporting terror: Shuja Pasha
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI is not exporting terror, its chief General Shuja Pasha has said.
Congress core committee meets over Indo-Pak joint statement
By IANS,
New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi Friday evening convened a meeting of the top party leadership to discuss the escalating controversy over the India-Pakistan statement signed in Egypt.
"It's a routine meting, but the issue will be over the joint statement with Pakistan and the opposition that it is facing," a Congress source told IANS.
Arabic Twitterati cast US as an enemy: Study
Washington : Researchers used Twitter as an instrument to measure public sentiment, in ways an opinion poll cannot, and revealed that millions of Arabic...
Govt according high priority to social schemes: Pakistani PM Gilani
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the government is according high priority to the social sector schemes, particularly in the areas of population, health and education as envisioned by our great leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
In a message on the occasion of World Population Day, the Prime Minister said World Population Day is being observed across the globe today (July 11).
ISAF soldier killed in Afghan blast
By KUNA,
Kabul : An ISAF soldier was killed and four more wounded in an explosion during a patrol in Logar province of Afghanistan, a statement here said.
The wounded soldiers were taken to a medical facility for treatment, said ISAF spokesperson Brigadier General Carlos Branco.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to the soldiers' family, friends, and fellow soldiers today," he said.
As a matter of policy, ISAF does not release name and nationality of the casualty prior to the relevant national authority doing so.
Hamas: PNA uses Gaza humanitarian crisis for political aims
By Xinhua
Gaza : A spokesman for the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said on Thursday that Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is using humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a tool to defeat Hamas movement.
"The crisis in Gaza was a humanitarian one resulted from the siege...it is unacceptable that the crisis be exploited in a way that builds pressure on Hamas movement," said Sami Abu Zuhri.
Israeli troops arrest 10 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians early Wednesday in various part of the occupied West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli security sources said.
The Israeli sources said the army arrested 10 wanted Palestinians in Nablus, south of Jenin and north of Hebron, the detainees were taken for interrogation.
Six of the detainees were taken from their houses in Nablus during an Israeli military incursion and search operations, according to the Palestinian security sources.
US cannot prove its allegations against Iran: Official
By IRNA,
Tehran : Secretary General of 'Development and Justice' Party Reza Talaee Neek said here Monday despite all illegal pressures and efforts by US, the new report of the IAEA chief Mohammad ElBaradei on Iran's nuclear activities does not give any chance to prove the US claims against Iran.
The report was submitted to the members of IAEA's Board of Governors late Monday.
"The report is a clear document showing Iran's cooperation with the IAEA and that Iran's peaceful activities have been under inspection," Talaee Neek told IRNA's political reporter.
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.
Attacks on Hindus in Sindh send ominous signals: Pakistani daily
Islamabad : To sit quietly as intolerance grows against non-Muslims is akin to acceptance of communalism, a leading Pakistani daily said Monday.
The frequent attacks...
Pakistan urges Taliban to release ANP leader
Islamabad:Awami National Party (ANP) leader Arbab Zahir Kasi's name should also be included in the list of people the Taliban shura is releasing, a...
Fourth constituency candidate calls for motivating young people
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Fourth constituency candidate, Abdullah Al-Mutotah, urged the motivation of young people and placing emphasis on this important segment of the society, whom he called the true wealth of the country.
Speaking at the opening of his campaign headquarters in Jahara city, themed "simple dreams in a complicated reality," Al-Mutotah noted that there was a need for according more attention to the needs and issues of youth.
Motivating them and giving them the right background and education is the only means to guarantee a good future, he said.
US policy not a scapegoat for extremists
By Daniel Yankelovich, CGNews,
As the competition for the US presidency heats up, the threat of Muslim extremism is bound to become a major issue in the campaign. The reason is its link to the war in Iraq. Public polling shows that Iraq is the top foreign policy issue for most Americans, with many seeing the war as increasing the risk of future terrorism against the United States and its allies. The presumptive Republican nominee John McCain has called the threat of Muslim extremism "the transcendent challenge of our times."
Dog was part of US team that attacked Osama
By IANS,
London : An explosive sniffing dog was part of the crack team of US commandos who shot dead Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
64 militants killed in battles with Iraqi army
Baghdad : At least 64 militants were killed as fierce clashes between Iraqi security forces and Sunni militant groups continued in several Iraqi provinces...
Three Syrian refugees die in Jordan
By IANS/AKI,
Amman : Three Syrian refugees, including a 10-year-old boy, have died in Jordan, the country's official Petra news agency said Monday.
Three US soldiers killed in Baghdad
By ANTARA News/DPA
Baghdad : Two rocket attacks Sunday in Baghdad left three US soldiers dead, the US military announced, according to media reports.
The attacks left 31 soldiers wounded, CNN reported.
Two soldiers died in a strike inside the Iraqi capital's fortified Green Zone, where 17 were wounded.
An earlier attack on an outpost of coalition forces in south-eastern Baghdad left one US soldier dead and 14 wounded.
India asks Israel to observe ‘utmost restraint’
By IANS,
New Delhi : Condemning the "unwarranted use of force" by Israel
in the Gaza Strip that has killed over 300 Palestinians, India has expressed
"disappointment" at continuing military strikes and asked Tel Aviv to
observe "utmost restraint".
"The government of India had hoped that military action by Israel against
targets in the Gaza Strip would abate," external affairs ministry
spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said in a statement here Monday night.
"It is disappointing to note that the use of disproportionate force is
Man shot dead in Pakistan court
By IANS,
Islamabad : A man accused in a murder case was shot dead when he was brought to a district court in Pakistani metropolis Lahore, Geo News reported.
US commander seeks peace with Taliban
By IRNA,
London : General Stanley McChrystal, the Nato commander in Afghanistan, has raised the prospect that the US troop surge would lead to a negotiated peace with the Taliban, a turnaround in the aims of the 2001 invasion.
Speaking ahead of this week’s London conference on Afghanistan, the US general said that there had been "enough fighting" and he wanted a power-sharing agreement to end the eight-year old war.
"I'd like everybody to walk out of London with a renewed commitment, and that commitment is to the right outcome for the Afghan people," he said.
Britain welcomes accord on new UN resolution on Iran
By DPA
London : Britain Wednesday welcomed the agreement reached on a new UN Security Council resolution on Iran's nuclear enrichment programme and urged Tehran to respond positively to international pressure to suspend its nuclear activities.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who took part in the latest round of discussions among the UN's five veto powers and Germany in Berlin Tuesday, said the meeting was "united, constructive and determined."
Yemeni, Cuba health cooperation discuuued
By NNN-SABA
Abyan : Abyan governor Mohammed Shamlan and Charge' d'affaires at the Cuban embassy in Sana'a Arial John talked on Wednesday over developing joint programmes in a number of fields, especially health.
The governor hailed cooperation relations level between the two countries and peoples in various aspects and evaluated humanitarian activities and medical services offered by the Cuban medical mission in Zunjubar.
Twenty Palestinian missiles launched at S. Israel overnight
By KUNA
Gaza : Some 20 Palestinian missiles and shells were launched late last night from Gaza Strip at southern Israel, a spokesman for the Israeli army said Thursday.
The spokesman told local radio that one of several missiles targeting Sderot actually hit the town, wounding two Israeli civilians, while others suffered from shock.
He blamed Islamic Jihad for these attacks.
The radio quoted Israeli officials as saying that Hamas had in the past proven its ability to put an end to attacks from Gaza at Israel.
Preparatory Regional Meeting on Iraq Ends
By Prensa Latina,
Damascus : A preparatory regional meeting on security in Iraq concluded Monday in Damascus, after two days of sessions considered positive according to official sources from Syria.
The debate, according to same source, was centered on how to establish plans of cooperation in "the fight against terrorism" and its final declaration emphasizes that kind of support among the neighboring states of the Arab country.
Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif in custody till Sunday
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Dubai : The case of Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif, who is being held here on charges of possessing drugs, will be presented before a Dubai court Sunday. He will be in custody here till then.
"The results of Mohammad Asif's blood and urine tests have been received," senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official Nadeem Akram, who is here to handle the case, told IANS here Thursday.
"The case will be presented before a Dubai court Sunday. Asif has not been charged with anything as yet," he said.
Turkey’s PM criticizes closure case against his ruling party
By SPA
Ankara, Turkey : Turkey's prime minister says the top court's decision to hear a case for a ban on his Ruling party will weaken the state.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan vows, however, that the case will not stop his government from carrying out reforms, according to a report of the Associated Press.
The Constitutional Court has voted unanimously to hear the case arguing for a ban on the governing party on the grounds that it is trying to undermine secular ideals enshrined in the constitution.
Erdogan was speaking on Tuesday.
Rocket attack kills 10 civilians in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : A rocket fired by Islamist militants at a paramilitary base in a Pakistani border town killed at least 10 people and wounded 32, an official said Friday.
The rocket attack was launched Thursday night on a camp of the Frontier Corps paramilitary force based in the remote town of Landi Kotal, 10 km from the Afghan frontier, said Nasir Khan, a local administrator.
"All five rockets fired by the militants missed their target, but one hit a commercial warehouse in the vicinity, killing 10 civilians and injuring 32 others," Khan said.
Radical cleric asks Iraq not to sign security deal with US
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraq's radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr Thursday urged the government not to sign security deal that set a framework for the US troops' presence in the country after 2008.
"I call on the Iraqi government not to sign the security agreement with the United States and I confirm that I am ready to support the government publicly and politically if it doesn't sign," Sadr said in a statement obtained by Xinhua.
17 killed in Afghanistan coal mine explosion
Kabul: At least 17 people were killed and several trapped following a blast in a coal mine in the northern Afghan province of Samangan...
Morsi used Brotherhood men to leak security files: Prosecution
Cairo : Former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi appointed members of the Muslim Brotherhood in sensitive positions inside the presidency to make it easier for...
Indian, Pakistani singers to come together at Sufi music fest
New Delhi : Singers from India and Pakistan will perform and sing in a two-day festival of Sindhi sufi music that will begin here...
Maj Gen Muhammad Asif appointed as Director of premier spy agency, Military Intelligence
By SPA
Islamabad : Major General Muhammad Asif has been appointed Director of the premier spy agency, Military Intelligence (MI), according to an official statement.
The incumbent MI chief Maj Gen Nadeem Ejaz has been posted as General Officer Commanding Bahawalpur.
Ejaz is stated to be a relative of President Pervez Musharraf. Chief of the Army Staff General Pervez Ashfaq Kayani made the new appointment of the MI chief.
Two bombings kill 12 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : At least 12 people were killed and several more injured Friday in two bombings in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi and a tribal district near the Afghan border, officials said.
The first bombing tore through a house where explosives were being stored in Pakistan's largest city Karachi, killing seven suspected militants.
Abu Dhabi tourism eyes Russian market
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : A UAE delegation will participate in a Russian travel show next week in a bid to attract more tourists to the country.
Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei praises unrest in Egypt, Tunisia
By IANS/AKI,
Tehran: Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has praised the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, stating they resembled his own country's revolution.
Israel closes four ‘Hamas-affiliated’ West Bank organizations
By RIA Novosti,
Gaza : The Israeli army has closed down four West Bank-based organizations suspected of being affiliated with the radical Islamist group Hamas, local radio reported on Monday.
The operation to close down the organizations, involving several dozen armored vehicles, took place in the city of Nablus. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the raid had taken place, but refused to give any further details.
Pakistani foreign minister leaves for Britain
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Sunday left for Britain for a two-day official visit, media reports said.
Morocco arrests two people linked to IS
Rabat: Moroccan authorities have arrested two people linked to the radical Islamic State (IS) Sunni extremist organisation as they prepared to leave the country...
Two Hamas members killed in Gaza explosion
By Xinhua,
Gaza : At least two Palestinians were killed on Tuesday morning in an explosion in a training camp for Hamas armed wing in southern Gaza Strip, security and medical sources said.
"The paramedics evacuated two dead bodies and two wounded persons and we expect more casualties because the blast destroyed the whole facility," said Muawia Hassanien of the Health Ministry ambulance department.
Two killed, eight injured in mortar attack in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Two civilians were killed and eight wounded in a mortar attack in southern Baghdad Tuesday, an interior ministry source said.
"Two mortar attacks in the Kafaat neighbourhood in Doura district damaged several houses besides killing two people and wounding eight others," the source said on condition of anonymity.
Earlier, three roadside bombs targeting Iraqi police and US patrols rocked the Iraqi capital, in which a policeman was injured seriously, the source said.
Expanded Iraq neighbours’ conference preceded by experts meeting Monday
By KUNA,
Kuwait : The Third Expanded Ministerial Conference of the Neighbouring Countries of Iraq kicks off on Tuesday under the auspices of Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah preceded by a meeting of senior officials and experts Monday evening.
Twenty-nine foreign ministers and top representatives of regional and international organisations are taking part in the conference.
Pakistan police raid firm providing security to US embassy
By IANS,
Islamabad : Following a raid here early Saturday, the police claim to have recovered 61 illegal guns and nine pistols from the offices of a private security firm providing security to the US embassy.
The raid came after it was revealed that the Interior Ministry had issued licences for highly sophisticated assault rifles to the company called Inter Risk, with the prime minister's special permission, Dawnnews.com reported.
The police have registered a case of fraud against the owner of the company and arrested two people.
41 Taliban rebels killed in Afghanistan
By NNN-Xinhua
Kabul : Afghan and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) ambushed and killed41 Taliban insurgents in southwest Afghan province of Nimroz on Tuesday, said an official on Thursday.
Ghulan Dastghir Azad, the governor of Nimroz province told Xinhua that the joint forces ambushed Taliban insurgents in Khash Rod district when they found the Taliban outfits trying to move from Nimroz to the neighboring Helmand province.
Clashes left all the 41 of Taliban dead including one commander named Mullah Toor Jan, Azad said.
Pakistan: strict action against travel agents for deceiving pilgrims
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Ministry of Tourism would take strict actions against travel agents/ tour operators who are reported to have refunded the return tickets of up to 800 Umra pilgrims, causing these people to face difficulties in getting back home, besides other problems.
Ministry of Tourism has asked the pilgrims to register their complaints with Controller Department of Tourist Services, 7th Floor, Green Trust Tower; so that necessary action against travel agents/ tour operators could be taken.
Suicide bomber kills Iraqi MP, three guards
By IANS,
Baghdad : A suicide bomber Tuesday blew himself up near a Sunni lawmaker in
Iraq, killing him and three of his bodyguards, Xinhua reported.
Execution of Hashish Pakistani Smugglers
By SPA,
Riyadh : Zargar Sadajan, Roajan Sodajar, Naik Mohammed Malak Mohammed, all Pakistanis were executed here today after being convicted of receiving large quantities of hashish, said a statement released by the interior ministry.
The culprits were convicted by the court, and the verdict was approved by the cassation court and the supreme judicial council.
The statement confirmed the determination of the Saudi government on ensuring law and order and severely punishing the criminals.
Syrian foreign minister to attend Lebanon vote
By SPA,
Damascus : Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moallem is due to attend a session of Lebanon's parliament Sunday, in which army commander General Michel Suleiman is expected to be elected President, a Syrian newspaper reported.
Al-Moallem received an invitation to attend the session from Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, according to the Syrian semi-official daily al-Watan.
"Syria's interest in taking part in such an event comes as a result of the inter-Lebanese dialogue under Qatari and Arab auspices," the newspaper quoted Syrian officials as saying.
Riots in Jerusalem after Palestinian man found hanged
Jerusalem : Rioting occurred overnight in the Arab districts of East Jerusalem after the body of a Palestinian driver was found hanging in a...
Palestinian official: Israel threatens more restrictions on Gaza fuel
By Xinhua
Gaza : Palestinian official warned on Monday that Israel threatens to reduce deliveries of Gaza power station's fuel and to diminish electricity amounts of electricity which provides to Gaza via cables next week.
Every week, the only power plant in Gaza needs 3.5 million liters of industrial diesel to run. Nowadays, Israel allows 2.2 million liters into the station and threatens to reduce this amount from February the 8th, said Mahmoud al-Khozendar, deputy director of Gaza petrol station owners' union.
Rocket launched from Gaza shortly before truce expires
Jerusalem: A rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel Wednesday evening, two hours before a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas...
Afghanistan: influx of Pakistani refugees could spark crisis – ministry official
By NNN-IRIN,
Kabul : Any increase in the flow of refugees from northwestern Pakistan into eastern parts of Afghanistan could lead to a humanitarian crisis unless international aid organisations deliver urgent assistance, a senior official at Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Returnees Affairs (MoRRA) has said.
"We are deeply concerned about insecurity in the Tribal Areas [of Pakistan] and the influx of Pakistani refugees into Afghanistan," Abdul Qader Ahadi, deputy minister in the MoRRA, told IRIN in Kabul.
Dhaka to send lawmakers to study Indian river project
By IANS,
Dhaka : A team of lawmakers and experts from Bangladesh will visit the Tipaimukh project in India's northeast to study if it could adversely affect the flow of river Barak that is common to both the South Asian neighbours.
The team was being dispatched by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following a proposal mooted earlier this month by India through its high commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty.
The Tipaimukh river project in Assam became controversial after environmentalists here raised objections to it.
Militants kill 6 Afghan police
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Taliban insurgents raided a police checkpoint in Kandahar province of southern Afghanistan, killing six policemen, a local official said Tuesday.
The militants attacked a checkpoint of border police in Arghistan district Monday night, leaving six police constables dead, Rahmatullah Khan, commander of border police in the district, told Xinhua.
Moreover, Taliban purported spokesman Qari Yusuf Ahmadi in talks with certain media from undisclosed location claimed responsibility, adding the militants killed six policemen on the spot.
Pakistani daily rues political rift over crash probe
By IANS,
Islamabad : A Pakistani daily has described as "agonising" the political rift over the probe into an aircrash here that left 127 people dead.
Top Al Qaeda commander surrenders in Yemen
By IANS,
Sanaa : Al Qaeda commander Hizam Mujally accused of plotting a bomb attack on a French oil tanker in 2002 has surrendered to Yemeni authorities, Xinhua reported Thursday.
The attack took place off Yemen's southern coast, the defence ministry said. He was arrested in 2003, but escaped from a high-security prison in 2006.
He was charged with killing a military officer in August 2004. Last week, another Al Qaeda leader, Jumaan Sufian surrendered in al-Jouf province, the ministry said.
Suspected Al Qaeda gunmen kill six in Iraq
By Xinhua
Tikrit (Iraq) : Six people were killed when suspected Al Qaeda gunmen attacked two houses in a rural area in Iraq's northern province of Salahudin early Saturday, police said.
"Gunmen, allegedly affiliated to Al Qaeda, attacked two houses outside the town of Duluiyah, 90 km north of Baghdad, killing a total six people," it said.
The attackers stormed the house of Saadoun Ahmed Meshlib, killing him and his three sons, while another group of gunmen attacked the house of Ziyad Ibrahim Khalil, killing him and his son before fleeing.
Pakistani public opinion trend on US-Pakistan ties encourages Washington
By NNN-APP,
Washington : The United States has been encouraged by the recent trends in Pakistani public opinion recognizing the importance of US-Pakistan strategic partnership, which takes into account the needs of the key regional anti-terrorism ally, the State Department said.
“We are encouraged by the recent trends in Pakistani public opinion that recognize the value of the ongoing strategic dialogue and ever-improving cooperation between the United States and Pakistan,” Assistant Secretary of State P J Crowley, said.
‘Iran ready to share nuclear expertise with others’
By IANS,
Tehran : ran said Monday it was willing to share its nuclear expertise with other nations within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regulations, IRNA reported.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made the remark during a meeting with visiting Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo, adding that Iran will try to uphold rights of nations to acquire nuclear technology for civilian uses.
"Iran will campaign for the right of all nations to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes," the president said.
Dubai to build world’s longest arched bridge
By Xinhua
Abu Dhabi : Dubai will invest some $817 million (three billion dirhams) to build the world's longest arched bridge in the downtown Dubai Creek, local newspaper Khaleej Times reported Wednesday.
According to the report, the bridge, the sixth crossing over the Dubai Creek, will be 1,600 meters long and 64 meters wide, with a 205-metre-high and 667-metre-long arch.
When completed, it will stand 15 metres above the water surface.
UNWFP distributes emergency food to Afghans
By IINA
Kabul – Rabi Al Awwal 01 1429/ March 09, 2008 – The United Nation's World Food Program (UNWFP) has started providing emergency food assistance to millions of Afghans who can no longer afford to buy their staples of wheat and wheat flour. The aid, some of it being distributed inside the capital, will reach about 2.5 million people in the next three months, WFP said in a statement. "They urgently need food to help them overcome increases in wheat prices that have exceeded 70% over the past 12 months," said the agency's director for Afghanistan, Rick Corsino.
Suicide blast kills five in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least five people were killed Friday when a suicide bomber blew himself up during a funeral in northwestern Pakistan, Dawn News channel reported.
The incident occurred during a funeral prayer in Islamia colony near Bannu road of Dera Ismail Khan district of North West Frontier Province, said the report.
Five people were killed and more than 20 injured, the channel said quoting initial report.
The prayer was being held for Shahid Iqbal who was shot dead Thursday by unidentified gunmen on motorcycles.
2nd plane of Saudi Relief Airlift program departs for Myanmar
By SPA,
Riyadh : The Second plane of Saudi Relief Airlift program departed last night King Abdulaziz International Airport for Yangon, the Capital of Union of Myanmar, carrying 71 tons of foodstuffs, medicines, blankets and mats.
This came under the directives of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz in providing humanitarian aid to the Union of Myanmar to mitigate the effects of the cyclone Nargis and floods that swept many parts of the islands of the Union and claimed the lives of many of the inhabitants of these stricken islands.
Musharraf says opinion polls based on ill-intentions
By IRNA
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf Thursday disputed a recent survey which shows that support for Musharraf has fallen dramatically.
According to a BBC World Service poll majority of Pakistanis say stability and security in Pakistan would improve if President Pervez Musharraf resigned.
"Despite all rumours, insinuations and every type of apprehension, these elections will be free, fair, transparent and peaceful," Musharraf said in Islamabad.
Afghanistan faces a make or break polls
By Monish Gulati ,
Afghanistan will go to polls April 5 to bring about the first democratic transition of power in the South Asian nation's...
Saudi Arabia allows women to participate in municipal polls
Riyadh : A new law that allows women in Saudi Arabia to vote and contest in municipal elections has come into force, a media...
Ban to discuss Kashmir with India, Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said he will discuss Kashmir with Indian and Pakistani leaders to help resolve the dispute through dialogue, a media report said Thursday.
Millions of livestock dead or in danger in Pakistan
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Millions of livestock have been affected by floods in Pakistan and are badly in need of food and medicine, FAO said here Friday.
Militants threaten Pakistani journalists
By IANS,
Islamabad : A militant outfit in Balochistan has threatened to kill four Pakistani journalists for allegedly spying for two other groups, a media report said Sunday.
Pakistan church bombing toll rises to 16
Islamabad : The toll in the deadly attacks on two churches in Pakistan's Lahore city on Sunday has increased to 16, as one more...
Yemen calls on protecting Palestinian people
By NNN-SABA,
Cairo : Yemeni Justice Minister Ghazi al-Aghbari has called for the use of law studies prepared on Israeli crimes and legal mechanisms for protecting Palestinian people in the framework of international legislation.
"For we have integrated in this exceptional meeting … our Palestinian brothers and Arab Nation waiting from us to come with decisions and recommendations equal to dangers the people face", said al-Aghbari in his speech at the Emergency Meeting of Arab Justice Ministers' Council concluded here on Wednesday.
India funding Taliban: Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan is now accusing India of funding the Taliban militants, Online news agency reported Monday.
Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik, when asked during an TV interview about who was backing the Taliban, said: "There are certain hostile elements against Pakistan and
there are certain hostile agencies which do not want Pakistan to be (stabilized)."
In response to a question on whether India was among the hostile agencies, Malik said, "Yes, of course, I am convinced. I have no doubt about it. I was very open. I have given the full details.
Four NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : Four soldiers with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed in Afghanistan, Xinhua quoted the military alliance as saying Tuesday.
Pakistani toll in Siachen avalanche rises to 128
By IANS,
Islamabad : The death toll in an avalanche in the Siachen glacier region last year has risen to 128, following the recovery of three more bodies, the Pakistani military said.
India-Bangladesh project to document Bangladesh Liberation
Guwahati : Forty-three years after the Bangladesh War of Liberation, a history project is underway to collate facts and documents of the historic events...
Iran deputy FM meets AU head in Egypt
By IRNA,
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Special Envoy to Egypt Mohammad-Reza Baqeri held talks with Head of the African Union Commission Jean Ping and conveyed president's message to the African official.
According to the Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baqeri and Ping discussed issues of mutual interests in the meeting.
Baqeri, who is also deputy foreign minister for African affairs, is in Sharm al-Sheikh to take part in a meeting of heads of states and foreign ministers of the African Union.
Iran’s president departs for first visit to Turkey
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday left Tehran for Turkey on an official visit, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The two-day visit, which comes at an official invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gul, is his first since Ahmadinejad took office in 2005.
During his stay in Turkey, the Iranian president would hold talks with Gul and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss major bilateral, regional and international developments as well as issues related to the world of Islam, IRNA reported.
Most 9/11 attackers are in Pakistan: Clinton
By IANS,
New Delhi ; In a pointed message to Pakistan, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Monday said "a significant number" of 9/11 attackers are hiding in the border areas of that country.
"We firmly believe that a significant number of them are there in border areas of Pakistan," Clinton said at a joint press interaction with External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.
Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights: IOF kills 59 citizens, including 15 children since beginning...
By NNN-WAFA,
Gaza : Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights said that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed 59 citizens, including 15 children since the beginning of April.
In a statement, the Center added that 105 citizens were also wounded.
The centre condemned strongly escalation of the Israeli occupation authorities of the crime of collective punishment against the Gaza Strip, through prevention and reduction of fuel supplies to Gaza Strip.
Death of Rana Bhagwandas a great tragedy for Pakistan, says Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani...
By Aslam Chandio, TwoCircles.net,
Islamabad / Karachi: Patron-in-chief of Pakistan Hindu Council, Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani MNA has termed the death of former acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice (R)Rana Bhagwandas as great tragedy for Pakistan.
Syrian army kills 24 rebels
By IANS,
Damascus : As many as 24 rebels were killed Friday during clashes with Syrian troops in the country's central province of Homs, the...
Poll: 60 % women abused in Jordan
By Xinhua,
Amman : Six out of ten women in Jordan are abused, with one in four physically abused, a poll showed Monday.
Almost half of the women surveyed believed that physical violence is acceptable under certain conditions, said the poll.
The poll, conducted by the Jordan Center for Social Research, is about violence towards women in the kingdom, helping lift the veil slightly off the Arabian women.
Israel opposed to truce efforts as toll reaches 1,664
Gaza/Cairo/Jerusalem: Israel Saturday said it was not seeking any agreement over the Gaza conflict any more to bring an end to its offensive that...
Terrorists planned to take hostages: Pakistani minister
Islamabad : The objective of Sunday's terrorist attack on Karachi airport was to target aircraft and take hostages, Pakistani Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan...
Indian stabs to death Saudi national
Riyadh : An expatriate Indian in Saudi Arabia stabbed a young Saudi to death at a rest house on a highway, media reported.
The victim,...
Over 200 hurt in Bangladesh campus violence
By ANTARA,
Dhaka : More than 200 people including several policemen were injured in clashes with students of technical colleges across Bangladesh on Tuesday over a new, more stringent academic policy.
At least 30 vehicles including at least four police vans were damaged as police fired teargas shells to disperse stone throwing students.
The violence was reported from at least 10 cities and towns in the country`s north, south and eastern regions. Police arrested at least 20 students for resorting to violence.
Crocker calls for talks with Iraqi political parties
By IRNA
New York : US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker said in his testimony to US Senate panel on Tuesday that the United States should hold talks with Iraqi political parties.
"US-Iraq bilateral relationship talks would not hamstring future administrations, he said.
"Our aim is to ensure that the next president arrives in office with a stable foundation upon which to base policy decisions, and that is precisely what this agreement will do," Crocker told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday while offering his assessment of Iraq's political, economic and diplomatic landscape.
Pakistan seeks help to trace Saudi diplomat’s killer
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has sought help from the Interpol to help trace the assassin of a Saudi diplomat gunned down in Karachi about five months ago.
Maliki reveals impasse over US forces long stay in Iraq
By IRNA,
Amman : Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki has said that talks with the US on a long-term agreement allowing US forces to remain in Iraq have "reached an impasse".
Speaking in the Jordanian capital, Amman, Maliki said the American demands infringed Iraqi sovereignty.
With the UN mandate for US forces to be in Iraq expiring at the end of 2008, the White House wants a deal by July.
The deadlock came as Mehdi Army leader Moqtada Sadr said only a select group of the militia should fight US forces.
Dancers win bail after entertaining police in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Four dancers arrested for misdemeanour offences in Pakistan's eastern province of Punjab had to entertain police for the whole night to secure bail, a news report said Tuesday.
The women were detained late Saturday night when they were performing at a marriage function in Fatehgarh area, the English-language Daily Times newspaper reported. Five drunken men were also taken into custody.
The dancers alleged that officials thrashed them for refusing to dance in the police station.
Pakistan suffers $35 billion in terror war
By IRNA,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari told US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates that the economic cost of the war against terror, amounting to US $ 35 billion for the last eight years, had impacted Pakistan’s economy adversely, Presidential spokesman said.
"Pakistan has been facing delays in payments of Coalition Support Fund claims”, the President informed the Defence Secretary and urged timely reimbursement of arrears, Farhatullah Babar said.
Roadside blast kills 2, including Afghan police officer
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A roadside bombing Wednesday morning in Afghan eastern province of Khost killed a local senior police officer and his nephew, and wounded another, the police said.
Deputy administrator of the police department Daud Jan was driving towards his office when his car was struck by a bomb at a village some 10 km east of the provincial capital Khost city, the provincial police spokesman Wazir Badshah told Xinhua.
Iran foils BBC’s plot to ‘steal documents’
Tehran : Iran's intelligence ministry has thwarted a plot by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to steal artistic, historical and cultural documents from the...
It makes sense for Pakistan, Iran to firm ties: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan and Iran "have a need of friends in the world" and it makes strategic sense for both countries to firm up ties, said a daily Thursday.
British doctor ‘killed without legal justification’ in Syria: Jury
London: A doctor from south London was "killed without any legal justification" in a jail cell in Syria, an inquest jury has said.
The jury...
EU increases aid to Pakistan
By DPA,
Brussels : The European Union (EU) is increasing its aid to Pakistan to 50 million euros ($63 million) over the next three years, the bloc's external affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero- Waldner, said Monday.
The money is to be directed at boosting EU programmes in the field of education, trade and farming in Pakistan's northwest, a tribal area bordering Afghanistan.
"The border area is very important," Ferrero-Waldner said, noting that educational programmes were particularly important in a destitute part of the country that is also a breeding-ground for terrorists.
Indian, Pakistani women aim to create colours of hope
New Delhi : Five women artists from Pakistan and four contemporary Indian artists will feature in an exhibition that begins here March 28 with...
EU calls for end to Gaza blockade
Brussels, Jan 25 (DPA) The EU has called on Israel to lift its blockade of border crossing into the Gaza Strip over concern about the humanitarian situation there.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas telling him he was "deeply concerned at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and was calling urgently for the blockade on Gaza to be eased in order to allow humanitarian aid to reach the people."
He also urged Hamas to stop rocket attacks into Israel Thursday.
UAE investment in Sudan totals USD 7 billion – Sudanese President
By NNN-WAM
Dubai : The UAE is the second largest investor in Sudan after China with total investment of USD 7 billion, Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Beshir said here.
The Sudanese head of state told a news conference Tuesday that his country had provided a fertile ground for attracting Arab and foreign investment in order to achieve overall development.
EU sends Pakistan $7.5 mn to help conflict victims
By DPA,
Brussels : The European Union (EU) Thursday gave Pakistan 5.5 million euros ($7.5 million) in aid to help civilians driven from their homes by the country's assault on the Taliban.
The emergency donation is intended to provide refugees from the fighting in Pakistan's restive Swat Valley and surrounding areas with shelter, food, basic utensils and medical supplies.
In some places, it will also fund clean drinking water and improved sanitation, the EU's executive, the European Commission, said in a statement.
Hundreds of Libyan refugees feared dead after ship sinks off Libya
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Hamas, Jihad delegation in Egypt for truce talks
By Xinhua
Cairo : A delegation from the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements arrived Thursday in Egypt for talks on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, the Egyptian official MENA news agency reported.
Upon arrival at Rafah crossing linking Egypt and Gaza, the Palestinian team began talks with Egyptian officials on the security situation along the Egypt-Gaza border following Israel's recent military actions in Gaza.
The talks dwelt on how to reach a truce with Israel in order to protect innocent Palestinians in Gaza, said the report.
Int’l community calls on Israel to end Gaza siege
By Xinhua
Beijing : The international community asked Israel to end its newly strengthened siege on the Gaza strip, which is causing a looming humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Arab League (AL) Council held an emergency meeting Monday on the Gaza situation, urging the UN Security Council to help ending the crisis.
AL Secretary General Amr Moussa called on countries that took part in the Annapolis conference in the United States to shoulder their responsibilities for Gaza.
Four arrested over Kabul hotel attack — spy chief
By KUNA
Kabul : Four suspects have been taken into custody over the attack on a luxury hotel in Kabul on Monday evening, officials here said on Tuesday.
Amrullah Saleh, chief of the National Directorate of Intelligence, told a news conference three among the dead were American nationals. He did not disclose their names and jobs in Afghanistan.
Earlier, officials confirmed the killing of only two people, both were said to be locals, in the bomb explosion followed by a shoot out inside the lobby of the luxury hotel.
30 army deserters killed in Syria ambush
By IANS/AKI,
Beirut: Syrian government forces have killed over 30 deserters from the army in an ambush on the road to Damascus airport, opposition activists have alleged.
Miliband to join EU emergency talks on Israeli massacres
By IRNA,
London : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband was travelling to Paris to join his EU counterparts in emergency talks on the latest Israeli massacre of over 350 Palestinians in Gaza, more than double those killed in the Mumbai terror attacks.
The meeting, held under the French presidency of the 27-nation group, comes after demonstrations have been held around Europe protesting at the failure by western countries to condemn the continuing slaughter of Palestinians in 4-days of air strikes.
Eight killed in Pakistan blasts
By DPA,
Islamabad : A prominent cleric who supported military offensives in Pakistan's northwestern Swat valley and seven other people were killed Friday in two separate mosque bombings in the country, media reports said.
Sarfraz Ahmad Naeemi was in his office adjacent to a mosque in the eastern city of Lahore when a teenage suicide bomber entered the building and blew himself up.
Chaudhry Shafeeq, Lahore's senior superintendent of police operations, confirmed the death of the cleric and three other people in the suicide bombing. Six people were injured, he said.
Enter dialogues ‘without pre-condition’, Iran urged
By IANS,
Vienna : The six major countries that used to engage in Iran nuclear talks Thursday called on the country to enter fresh dialogues "without pre-conditions."
Pakistan election campaign ends with bomb attack
By DPA
Islamabad : A suicide bomber killed at least 10 people at a campaign office in Pakistan's restive tribal belt as Pakistani political parties held their final election campaign rallies Saturday ahead of crucial parliamentary elections.
"All the candidates will wind up their election campaigns by midnight and no public rallies or meetings will be allowed until the day-long polling concludes Monday evening," Kunwar Dilshad, secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan, told DPA.
Arab Energy Ministers meet over Efypt- Turkey gas pipeline
By NNN-KUNA
Damascus : A meeting commenced on Saturday for oil and energy ministers of the five countries involved in the pipeline project that will transport Egyptian gas across Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey and from there to European countries.
The ministers will talk about the final stages of extracting Egyptian gas after the pipeline was laid in Jordan, and through to Syria.
804,074 pilgrims reach Madinah until yesterday
By SPA,
Madinah : The number of the pilgrims who arrived in Madinah up to Sunday amounted to 804,074 while the number of those who left until yesterday from the holy city accounted for 639, 932.
The pilgrims who are still staying in Madinah totals 164, 022, according to a report released here today by the Secretariat of the Hajj committee in Madinah.
The pilgrims included 27, 248 Indians, 19, 505 Pakistanis, and 12, 517 Egyptians.
The number of flights arriving at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz international airport on Sunday amounted to 70 carrying 16, 210 pilgrims.
Violence has almost doubled in Afghanistan, notes Pentagon
By IANS/AKI,
Washington : Violence in Afghanistan is up nearly 90 percent, according to a new Pentagon report submitted to the Congress late Wednesday that tracked progress in the country from October of last year to March.
The overall increase in violence is attributed to more NATO-led offensives into Taliban strongholds, as well as Taliban efforts to retake areas that had been cleared by allied troops, according to the report.
New oilfield discovered in Iran
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran Sunday said a new oilfield has been discovered in the southern part of the country with an estimated reserve of 525 million barrels.
Satellite channel Press TV quoted oil minister Gholam-Hossein Nozari as saying that the discovery near the port city of Assaluyeh is "unprecedented given that all previous discoveries in the area are gasfields".
The new oilfield is located near the port city of Assaluyeh in Bushehr province, Nozari said.
India still interested in gas pipeline from Iran, Pakistan
By IANS,
New Delhi : Two days after Iran and Pakistan agreed to form a joint company to raise funds for the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, India said it was still interested in going ahead with the pipeline.
“Negotiations are due but we are on the right line towards progress," said Petroleum Secretary R.S. Pandey on the sidelines of a conference on gas scenario in India.
Pakistan’s terror safe havens remain security challenge, says US
By Arun Kumar,IANS,
Armed groups in Basra surrender their weapons
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Armed groups in the southern city of Basra began to surrender their weapons to security authorities just hours after Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki declared a 72-hour ultimatum for them to drop their arms or face "the toughest penalties" Wednesday.
A statement by the premier's office said some armed groups had started to hand in their weapons, but did not name the groups or the volume of arms that were confiscated.
German tourist stabbed near Jordan’s Al Husseini Mosque
By Xinhua
Amman : A German citizen was stabbed near Al Husseini Mosque in the middle of Amman on Friday, Jordan's Public Security spokesman Major Mohammad Al Khatib said.
The injured tourist was immediately admitted to one of hospital and a medical surgery was performed for him, Khatib was quoted by Jordanian official news agency Petra.
He said the health condition of the injured man was stable.
Iran calls new Security Council resolution a “mistake”
TEHRAN, January 23 (RIA Novosti) - Iran's president has said the new nuclear program resolution agreed on Tuesday by the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany is a mistake, national TV said on Wednesday.
"Our position is crystal clear. As we have stated before, from our point of view, Iran's nuclear problem is over, but they have made the same mistake again...an ineffective resolution," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.
Four dead in Israeli military helicopter crash
By DPA,
Bucharest : At least four soldiers were killed when an Israeli military helicopter crashed in Romania during a training exercise, the ministry of defence in Bucharest confirmed late Monday.
Seven soldiers - six Israeli and one Romanian - were on board the helicopter when it came down in the Carpathian mountains.
Four bodies have so far been recovered from the crash site, near the city of Brasov. The mountainous scene of the crash and heavy fog were making access difficult for rescuers.
The phantasmagoria of Pakistan’s women’s rights
By Ishtiaq Ahmed
The past few days have been filled with such dramatically contrasting news about the fortunes of Pakistani women that one can liken the rights of Pakistani women to a phantasmagoria: a changing scene made up of many elements in which the changes that take place make it impossible to discern what is real and what is merely an illusion.