UAE’s population to rise to 7.5 mn in 2010
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: The National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (Tanmia) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said the country's population will increase to 7.55 million in 2010, WAM news agency reported Sunday.
The current population of the UAE is 5.63 million.
The UAE population doubles every 8.7 years compared to 55 years for world population, Tanmia said.
The increase in population, comprising both UAE nationals and expatriates, would lead to the worsening of the demographic imbalance in the country.
Mass grave found north of Baghdad
By IRNA
Baghdad : Iraqi security forces found a mass grave containing about 50 bodies, police said on Tuesday.
Police said that some bodies were badly decomposed and others killed more recently.
Iraqi security forces unit raided a house thought to be used by al-Qaeda in an area near Samarra, when they found 10 people who had been kidnapped from a nearby town.
Police said that the tip-off from some of the people freed from that house led to the discovery of the grave nearby.
Four people killed, 7 wounded in eastern Turkey
By Xinhua,
Ankara : Four people were killed and seven others wounded most likely due to a family feud in eastern Turkey on Saturday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Earlier, Anatolia reported that a group of militants of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party opened fire at Turkish citizens in arable fields in Genc town of Bingol province, killing four people and injuring seven others.
Bingol Governor Irfan Balkanlioglu was quoted as saying that the incident occurred at 19:30 local time (1630 GMT), most likely due to a family dispute.
Pakistan’s spy agency supporting terrorism: Karzai
By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan President Hamid Karzai repeated allegations Sunday that Pakistan's secret service was supporting the Taliban and their terrorist allies in fight against Afghan and international forces in his country, saying, "it is not something new."
Karzai, speaking at press conference at his fortified presidential palace here, accused Pakistan's intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), of providing support to Taliban and their Al Qaeda associates in the fighting in Afghanistan.
Pakistan bans three religious groups
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has banned three religious and charity organisations.
Fresh Israeli airstrike on Gaza kills two as army shot dead boy in west...
By Xinhua
Gaza : Two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike into northern Gaza Strip and Israeli soldiers shot dead a boy in West Bank city of Hebron during clashes with residents protesting against the Israeli offensive into Gaza.
The latest air strike brings the death toll of five days of Israeli attacks into Gaza Strip to more than 95, according to Palestinian paramedics.
NA 2008 hopefuls review agendas to lure votes
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Candidates for the 2008 National Assembly elections were still opening campaign headquarters, holding seminars, and doing their best to convince voters they are the right choice of candidate in the constituency they are running in.
In the third constituency, Dr. Moaaz Khaled Al-Masoud called for investing the current financial surplus in infrastructure and added value investments.
British hostage committed suicide: Iraq kidnappers
By DPA,
London : One of the five Britons taken hostage in Iraq more than a year ago has committed suicide, British media said Sunday, citing a video made available by the kidnappers.
According to the Sunday Times, the video claims that the man killed himself May 24, 2007, and shows another hostage in the video calling on British authorities to do more to free them.
The British Foreign Ministry however said there was no independent confirmation of the hostage's death. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said efforts to free the five men were moving at high speed.
Islamic Jihad urges Hamas, Fatah to start dialogue
By Xinhua
Gaza : Islamic Jihad movement on Thursday urged Hamas and Fatah movement benefit from both being in Cairo and start a reconciliation dialogue.
"We must get out from the internal infighting and its results," said Naffez Azzam, an Islamic Jihad leader, during a demonstration in front of the sealed-off Rafah crossing point in southern Gaza Strip.
"Today, we have a chance that must be taken to restore our unity and get out from this crisis... Through Rafah crossing, we should go to Egypt for a serious dialogue," Azzam added.
Court orders inclusion of co-accused in Musharraf case
Islamabad : A special court in Pakistan Friday ordered the inclusion of three co-accused in the treason case against former president Pervez Musharraf and...
Afghan army set to assume more duty in Kabul: German minister
By IRNA,
Berlin : The Afghan army is expected to assume more security responsibilities in Kabul over the next six to nine months, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung told the daily Rheinischen Post newspaper on Saturday.
"Afghan (security) forces have to ensure Kabul's security over the next six to nine months," Jung said.
The German army will also step up the training of the Afghan army to 7,500 soldiers, he added.
The annual cost of the Afghan deployment of the German military is estimated to increase from 466.9 to 500 million euros, according to Jung.
Enhancing understanding of Muslim communities in South Asia
Book review: Being Muslim in South Asia
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,
History of Islam in South Asia is almost as old as Islam in Arabia. Population of Arab nations is estimated to be 370 million while more than 500 million Muslims live in South Asian countries. But Arab-centric writings on Islam have done a great disservice.
Pakistan to make progress on democracy: Musharraf
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf Monday termed the convening of the new parliament as an historical event and expressed confidence that Pakistan would continue to make progress on the path of democracy and economic growth.
The country's 13th National Assembly was sworn in Monday under tight security.
Talking to Richard Holbrooke, former US representative to the United Nations, Musharraf said the new assembly has come into being as a result of free, fair, transparent and peaceful election.
To be or not to be a Pakistani in the US
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Pakistanis in the US are facing an identity crisis, particularly since a Pakistani-born American Faisal Shahzad was nabbed from a plane as he was fleeing to his homeland after driving a car bomb into New York's famous Times Square.
Shahzad's bomb fizzled in Times Square, but for the Pakistani community it's a ticking time bomb. Ashamed, sad and fearful, many of them are reluctant even to acknowledge their Pakistani descent.
UAE asserts commitment to fighting human trafficking
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is committed to fighting human trafficking wherever it occurs and would aggressively interdict those involved in it, says the first annual report of the UAE National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking.
The report, 'Combating Human Trafficking in the UAE 2007', has been released a year after the committee was formed, and highlights the country's stand on the crime, the efforts to counter it, the obstacles and challenges it has encountered, as well as plans for the future, according to the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Suspected US drone strikes kill at least 29 in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Multiple missile strikes carried out by suspected US pilotless drone aircraft killed at least 29 people in Pakistan's restive tribal region Tuesday, a Pakistani intelligence official said.
Several more people were injured in the air attacks that took place in at least four villages of North Waziristan district, a known sanctuary of Taliban and Al Qaeda militants conducting cross-border raids on US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Pakistan to buy power from Iran: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan will purchase 1,100 MW of electricity from Iran in a bid to overcome the energy shortage in the country, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Sunday.
Tehran protests UK double-standard policy in dealing with terrorism
By IRNA,
Tehran : The Islamic Republic of Iran has strongly protested a UK court ruling unbanning the terrorist Mujahedin Khalq Organization in that country.
Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Mehdi Safari summoned British Ambassador to Tehran Geoffry Adams to inform him of Iran's protest against the ruling of an court of appeal in London.
UK must oppose US threats to Iran, says Scottish church
By IRNA,
London : Delegates at the Church of Scotland's general assembly are being urged to support a resolution, calling on Britain and the United States to preserve peace in the Middle East and to take no further action that could a military conflict with Iran.
The call comes as Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose father was a an ordained Scottish church minister, was due to speak at the annual assembly in Edinburgh Saturday.
Arab summit opens
By IRNA
Damascus : Annual summit of the Arab League opened continuing in Syria's capital Damascus on Saturday.
Some 11 heads of states from the 22-member organisation were present at the summit on Saturday.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan were among those sending low-level delegations to the two-day gathering.
In his inaugural address, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denied his country was meddling in Lebanon.
He was responding to Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, who had accused Syria of preventing the election of a consensus president in Beirut.
Pakistan is world centre of terrorism: Salman Rushdie
By Lalit K. Jha, IANS,
New York : All the roads of world terrorism lead to Pakistan that has got velvet glove treatment with zero results, says India born British novelist Salman Rushdie.
"The headquarters of the Al Qaeda, the headquarters of the Taliban, the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad is in the world centre of terrorism - Pakistan," Rushdie told a packed auditorium of the Asia Society while participating in a discussion, 'Understanding the Mumbai Attacks', in mid-town Manhattan Wednesday evening.
Israel releases five prisoners nearing end of sentence
By KUNA,
Ramallah : The Israeli cabinet approved the release of five Palestinian prisoners in implementation of the recent prisoner-exchange agreement with Hezbollah in a session Sunday.
Radio Israel reported the men were convicted of throwing stones on Israli Army personnel. The release is likely within the next few days, it reported.
Israeli official: Olmert probe might lead to new elections
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : The latest investigation against Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert might greatly affect the interior political situation and lead to new elections, an Israeli senior official was quoted on Wednesday by local media.
"This time, there is a chance for a big shake-up in the political system, and we may even have elections in the coming months," the source from Olmert's Kadima party, who asked to remain anonymous, was quoted by Yedioth Ahronoth as saying.
IS video shows child extremist killing Israeli spy
Washington: A video released by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group on Tuesday purportedly shows a child executing a man, whom the group claimed...
UN holds photo exhibit on Afghan women
By IANS,
Kabul : A month-long photo exhibition organised by various UN agencies to highlight the status and achievements of women in war-hit Afghanistan kicked off Saturday in the capital.
Spell out your stance on Pakistan, Advani asks PM
By IANS,
Shimla : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not tolerate any compromise on terrorism, the party's senior leader L.K. Advani said here Tuesday and asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to tell people how his government intended to deal with Pakistan.
"There should be no compromise on terrorism and the party (BJP) would not tolerate if there is any (compromise)," he said at the BJP's Vijay Sanklap (victory resolution) rally.
Refugees from northwest can settle anywhere in Pakistan: PM
BY IANS,
Islamabad: Millions of refugees who have fled Pakistan's restive northwest following the military's anti-Taliban operations can settle anywhere in the country, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilnai declared here Tuesday.
"They are Pakistanis. They can go to any part of the country," Gilani told reporters here.
"Every citizen is free to move anywhere in the country," the prime minister maintained, adding: "No restriction can be placed on the movement of displaced persons within the country."
Egypt cops jailed for 10 years for killing activist
Cairo : An Egyptian criminal court Monday sentenced two policemen to 10 years in jail for killing a political activist in 2010, which resulted...
Kazakh president calls election fair, opposition cries foul
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Astana : Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has called Sunday's presidential polls "open and fair" whereas the opposition denounced them as a sham.
Indonesia lifts tsunami warning, no casualties in quake
By Xinhua
Jakarta : Indonesia lifted the tsunami warning issued after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on Richter scale rocked off western Sumatra Island Monday.
"We have lifted tsunami warning, after more than one hour as there was no sign of tsunami," said Dwi Hartanto, an official of the national geophysics and meteorology agency.
According to an earlier statement of the agency, the quake struck at 15:36 p.m. with epicentre at 165 km south west of Muko Muko town of the West Sumatra province and at 10 km under seabed. The quake also sparked a tsunami warning of the agency.
13 Malaysians arrested for links with IS
Kuala Lumpur : Thirteen Malaysians, believed to be linked to the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq, have been arrested, media reported Wednesday.
"The suspects were...
Mali, Tuareg rebels sign peace deal
Algiers : Mali's government has signed a peace deal with Tuareg rebels to help pave the way for elections next month.
Sign those rights treaties, Amnesty tells Pakistan parties
By IANS
London : With only three days to go for general elections, the human rights group Amnesty International has called on all Pakistani political parties to commit to ratifying and implementing key international treaties so that the country can finally put an end to a cycle of rights abuse.
"Human rights are not a one-way street: while political parties ask for protection of their human rights, Amnesty International urges them to extend that same protection to others should they win a place in parliament," Amnesty's head of Asia Pacific Catherine Baber said.
Tripura seeks access to Bangladesh ports
Agartala : The Tripura government will ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to persuade Bangladesh to provide access to its water and land routes to...
Qadri to hold session of ‘Awami Parliament’ Wednesday
Islamabad : Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri said late Tuesday that a session of Awami Parliament (People's Parliament) will be held in...
Tehran says Iran Six talks imminent
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : Tehran believes talks on its controversial nuclear program with the so-called Iran Six of international mediators will begin in the next few days, a high-ranking Iranian official said on Wednesday.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana handed Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki a package of new incentives from the Iran Six - China, France, Russia, the United States, Germany and Britain - on June 14. The proposals offer political, security and trade benefits to Iran in exchange for its decision to suspend its nuclear program.
Everything possible done for fair polls: Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : Everything possible has been done to create a level playing field and hold fair polls Dec 18, Bangladesh's caretaker government has said in a clear message to recalcitrant former premier Khaleda Zia and her Islamist allies.
The Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been pressing the military-backed government to meet its seven-point charter of demands for, what the party says, creating a level playing field. The demands include lifting of the state of emergency for the election.
Benazir killing accused stands third in school exam
By IANS,
Islamabad : An accused in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case has stood third in the Class 10 exam in Rawalpindi.
Money for power, Britain tells Gulf leaders
By IANS,
Dubai : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has asked Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to contribute to his proposed expanded International Monetary Fund (IMF) in return for recognition of these countries' increasing weight in global economic affairs.
Menon in US on mission to put pressure on Pakistan
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon is in the US on a mission to persuade the US to put pressure on Pakistan to come down heavily on terrororist groups on its soil in the wake of the Mumbai terror atrocity.
Arriving here Monday, Menon, who was expected to brief US officials about the terror attack in Mumbai and its aftermath, had a couple of meetings, but Indian embassy officials would not say with whom he met and what transpired.
Al Qaeda deputy rejects Obama’s overtures to Muslims
By DPA,
Cairo : Deputy Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri rejected US President Barack Obama's overtures to the Muslim world in remarks circulated Monday.
"America came to us with a new face, attempting to fool us with it," al-Zawahiri said of Obama in remarks posted on militant websites and circulated by the Washington-based SITE Institute Monday.
Obama's face was "a face that calls for change, but to change us, so that we give up our faith and our rights, not to change their crimes", al-Zawahiri said.
US turning countries against Iran: Ahmadinejad
By IANS,
Tehran : No country would have adopted a hostile attitude towards Iran if the US had not exerted pressure on it to change its policy on Tehran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said.
Two arrested with ‘drone’ making components in Bangladesh
Dhaka : Police in Bangladesh Wednesday said they have arrested two activists of the radical Ansarullah Bangla Team in Dhaka with components for making...
US considering terror tribunals with new rules
By DPA,
Washington: US military commissions to try terrorism suspects could be revived as early as this summer, but with increased legal protections for the accused, reported the Washington Post Saturday.
After President Barack Obama's inauguration, the White House instituted a 120-day suspension of the military commissions.
Lebanon seeks Arab help in political crisis
By Xinhua
Beirut : As political impasse is escalating, Lebanon is hoping that Sunday's Arab foreign ministers' meeting can help resolve the crisis and lead to the long-waited presidential elections.
The Lebanese government has prepared a document that it will present at the Arab foreign ministers meeting, which is scheduled in Cairo on Sunday, the English Daily Star reported on Saturday.
Six die in Pakistan bombing
By IANS,
Islamabad : Six people were killed and over 50 injured in a huge blast that targeted a passenger bus in Pakistan's Balochistan province, a media report said.
Bereaved family of Israeli soldier digs up empty grave
Jerusalem : An Israeli family's quest to discover the fate of its son, whom the military declared was killed in battle more than four...
US court overrules verdicts against two Yemenis: report
Dubai, Oct 3 (IANS) A court in the US has overruled verdicts against two Yemenis accused of financing terrorism.
Khalid Al-Anesi, executive director of Yemeni human rights group HOOD, said that an appeal court in New York has overruled the verdicts against Muhammad Al-Moyad and his companion Muhammad Zayed, the state-run Saba news agency reported.
He added the duo are likely to be released within 14 days unless the US asks for a retrial.
Dhaka politicians ask courts to drop ‘motivated’ cases
By IANS,
Dhaka : With restoration of democracy after last December's election, Bangladesh's politicians are approaching the judiciary to drop criminal cases filed against them by the previous military-backed caretaker government, saying they were "politically motivated".
A month after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approached the court to drop 11 "politically motivated" cases against her and her associates, her political rival Khaleda Zia and her family members followed suit Thursday.
Passports department asks those who have come to the Kingdom for performing Hajj to...
By SPA,
Jeddah : The directorate general of passports has asked those who have come to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj rituals to leave the county, and said failure to leave the country at the fixed time will constitute a violation to the regulations.
Pakistan, US to hold defence talks
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan and the US will hold defence talks in Washington Monday against the backdrop of action taken to destroy militant hideouts...
Four Gazan children and mother killed in Israeli air attack
By IRNA,
Gaza City : Four Gazan children and their mother died in Israeli air strikes on Gaza on Monday.
Israel said that they were killed in clash with Israeli soldiers.
Miyasar Abu Meatak was preparing breakfast for her children in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun when the shell struck, her stepson Ibrahim said.
Her children, aged 15 months to 6 years, were killed instantly, and she died shortly afterward in a local hospital, Palestinian officials said, and her two older children were critically wounded.
Over five million kids affected by Syria conflict: Unicef
Geneva: Some 5.5 million Syrian children fell victims to the three-year-old crisis in the war-torn country, the UN Children's Fund (Unicef) said Tuesday while...
Dubai Metro carries six million people in three months
By IANS,
Dubai: The Dubai metro has transported over six million passengers since it started operations Sep 9, WAM news agency reported Monday.
The Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA) announced Monday that Dubai Metro transported nearly six million passengers in its three months of operation.
It said the number of Metro passengers reached a record 1,904,956 in November.
Director of Rail Operation Department Ramadhan Abdullah said the average daily ridership of Dubai Metro was 59,347 passengers.
Pakistan sets mid-March deadline for Mumbai queries
By Muhammad Sajjad,IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's interior ministry has asked the foreign office to convey to India that it needs to reply by mid-March to the 30 queries on the Mumbai attacks Islamabad had submitted in response to New Delhi's dossier pointing to the involvement of elements from this country in the carnage.
This deadline is likely to be communicated to India during the meeting of its Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon with his Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir on the sidelines of the ongoing SAARC ministerial conference in Colombo, a foreign office official said.
Over Rs.500 mn missing from Pakistan ministry
By IANS,
Islamabad: Over half a billion rupees are missing from Pakistan's interior ministry, and auditors want to know where the money went, a media report said Tuesday.
Foreign troops to withdraw from Iraq by 2011
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Monday that US and Iraqi negotiators have reached an agreement that says that foreign troops would withdraw from Iraq by 2011.
"There is an agreement between the two sides that there would be no foreign soldiers in Iraq by the end of 2011," Maliki said in a statement by his office.
"We have also agreed that there would be military actions (by foreign troops) only if the Iraqi government agrees," the statement quoted Maliki as saying in his speech during a meeting of Iraqi tribal leaders in Baghdad.
No security lapses in Lahore: Governor
By IANS,
Islamabad : Vehemently denying that security lapses had led to the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Punjab provincial Governor Salman Taseer said Thursday the report of the probe into the incident would be released Friday.
"It is wrong to say there was no security. We had provided four vehicles (with security personnel), Taseer said at a press conference in Lahore as a clutch of Sri Lankan cricketers and international umpires questioned the measures taken for their security.
Israel orders Palestinians to leave Gaza
London : Israel has ordered thousands of Palestinians in eastern and northern Gaza to leave their homes as airstrikes continue, a media report said...
SIDBI, Bahrain Development Bank ink deal to help small businesses
By IANS,
New Delhi : The government-run Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) Wednesday signed an agreement with Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) to assist...
Rs.1 tr invested in Pakistan’s power sector
By IANS,
Islamabad : Over Rs.1 trillion have been invested in Pakistan's power sector in the past three years, the federal cabinet was informed.
Pakistan Army chief backs Taliban talks
Islamabad : Pakistan's army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif has extended his support to talks with the Taliban for putting an end to terrorism and...
Iran’s Ahmadinejad says ready to cooperate on nuclear fuel
By RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday his country is ready to cooperate with Western powers on nuclear fuel and technology, but will not retreat "one iota" on its nuclear rights.
"We welcome the fuel exchange, nuclear cooperation, building of power plants and reactors and we are ready to cooperate," Ahmadinejad said in a live broadcast on state television as Tehran is to present its formal response to a UN-drafted deal in Vienna today.
Taliban, Afghanistan agree to continue peace talks
Islamabad: Afghan officials and Taliban representatives have agreed to "continue talks to create an environment conducive for peace and reconciliation process", authorities said on...
PPP leading in Pakistan’s general elections
By NNN-Xinhua
Islamabad : Latest incomplete results of Pakistan's elections on Tuesday show that Pakistan People's Party (PPP) takes the lead by winning 77 out of the 228 National Assembly seats, which have gone to candidates.
So far 228 out of 269 NA seats have been announced, local TV channel Geo reported, adding that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was the runner-up with 62 seats and former ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid gained 34 seats.
Iran issue unsolved at ElBaradei’s last IAEA board meeting
By DPA,
Vienna: The dispute over Iran's nuclear programme showed no sign of abating as diplomats gathered at the International Atomic Energy Agency Thursday for a meeting that would be the last under IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei.
The IAEA's board of governors was set to vote on a resolution drafted by six world powers that would express "serious concern" about a new nuclear site that Tehran revealed belatedly in September and note that Iran had broken international rules by building it.
Pakistan: ISI already under civilian control, says Minister Sherry Rehman
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman said that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was already working under the civilian control.
“ISI is already under civilian control. It is overseen by establishment and cabinet divisions which work under the Prime Minister,” she told a private television (Express News) by phone from London on Sunday.
Sherry Rehman said that it was government’s endeavour to provide smooth working conditions to all institutions functioning within a civilian set up and to avoid any miscommunication.
Taliban commander surrenders in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : A Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Salam has surrendered to the authorities in Afghanistan's northwest Badghis province, a media report said Tuesday.
"Mullah Abdul Salam along with one of his comrades surrendered to the government and handed over two pieces of weapons," daily 8 Subh reported.
The newspaper quoted the police chief of the province Syed Ahmad Sami as saying that mediation of elders had played a significant role in convincing Mullah Salam to lay down arms.
Most terror attacks originate in Pakistan: Brown tells Manmohan
By IANS,
London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh Wednesday that most of the terrorist attacks in Britain have their origins in Pakistan.
The British premier made the comments at the fag-end of a meeting lasting over an hour at his office at 10 Downing Street, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon told reporters.
Opposition raise Christmas holiday issue in Lok Sabha
New Delhi : Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha, led by the Congress, again Wednesday raised the issue of schools being asked to remain...
Najib Razak sworn in Malaysian PM
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Najib Tun Razak, son of a former premier, was sworn in Friday morning as Malaysia's sixth prime minister.
He took over from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who stepped down after leading the country for over five years. Badawi made way for Razak well before the end of his second term, marking a smooth political transition in the prosperous Southeast Asian nation.
Razak, 55, took his oath of office before Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the royal head of the state.
Iraq, US in final phase over long-term cooperation treaty – FM
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has announced that negotiations with the Americans on a long-term cooperation treaty were "in the last phase."
Zebari, speaking at a news conference wednesday, indicated that if the two sides could not work out a security agreement, "alternatives could be sought such as a memorandum of understanding or a United Nations resolution to stipulate presence of the foreign forces for another mandate or another year."
UN urges next Israeli government to stop settlements
By DPA,
New York : The next Israeli government should end the expansion of Jewish settlement in occupied Palestinian territories, a UN official said Thursday.
The statement came a day after Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won leadership of the Kadima Party and before she begins negotiations to form a new coalition government.
Robert Serry, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said in a meeting of the UN Security Council that decisive progress should be made in settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as negotiations are at a crossroad.
Four Indians die in Malaysia shophouse fire
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Four Indians were killed in a fire that gutted a shophouse in Malaysia Wednesday, an official said.
The fire broke out in the shophouse located in Jalan Pasar, Masai, near Johor Baru.
Johor Fire and Rescue deputy director Syukor Sani Hashim said the fire was detected at 3 a.m. and the blaze destroyed two adjacent stationery and textile shops.
"Two of the victims were working at the textile shop while two others were with their friends. The charred remains have yet to be identified," he told reporters.
Iranian missile test undermines confidence: US
By DPA,
Washington : Iran's test of a medium-range missile raises questions about Tehran's peaceful ambitions in the region and the nature of its nuclear programme, the US State Department said Wednesday.
Iran announced that it had successfully tested an upgraded Sejil 2 missile, which has a range of more than 2,000 kilometres, enough to hit Israel.
State Department spokesman Ian Kelly noted the test came as the international community has sought ways to resolve the confrontation over Iran's nuclear activities suspected by the West of aiming to develop a bomb.
Toy bomb kills three in Pakistan
Islamabad : At least three people, including two children, were killed on Tuesday when a bomb planted in a toy in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa...
Foreign DNA experts may probe sodomy charge against Ibrahim
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : The Malaysian government may move court to get opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to agree to a DNA test by foreign experts to probe the sodomy charge levelled against him by an aide.
Ibrahim has refused any DNA test and says even foreign experts would make no difference to him if the samples are tampered with. But the government is considering approaching the court for an order, The Star reported.
The DNA sample of his accuser, Mohammed Saiful Bukhari Azlan, would also have to be taken.
UAE charity delivers aid in famine-hit Somalia
By IANS/WAM,
Sharjah : The Sharjah Charity Association (SCA) has delivered the first tranche of emergency aid to hundreds of famine-struck people in Somalia, it was announced Saturday.
Hamas blames int’l parties for involving in Palestinians’ internal problems
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement on Saturday blamed international parties for their involving in th ePalestinians' internal problems.
"These parties still keep on its role in arming and training a Palestinian group against another group," said Hamas' spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.
Hamas added the Quartet of Middle East players, represented in the Palestinian territories by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, was one of those parties.
Lahore high court terms Qadri supporters’ detention illegal
Islamabad : Terming the arrest of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers as unlawful, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Friday directed the authorities to apprise...
Hamas Calls to Protest Israel Crimes
By Prensa Latina
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) called for protests after Friday prayers to denounce Israeli crimes against Palestinians, 32 of whom were reported dead in the last two days.
Hamas issued a release convening massive marches today "to condemn the crimes against our people," and called for Arabs and Muslims all over the world to express solidarity with their cause.
Israel has intensified attacks against the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 48 hours, after an Israeli residing in Sderot was killed Wednesday by a rebel missile.
Iran to sue US over UN envoy’s visa refusal
Tehran : The Iranian parliament has given a 10-day ultimatum to the government to file a lawsuit against the US for denying visa to...
Iranian nuclear talks at difficult moment: US
By IANS,
Moscow : The US has denied that the nuclear talks between Iran and major world powers have failed, saying that they are rather at a difficult moment, Xinhua reported.
Pakistani ministers need to speak with discretion: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani ministers need to speak and act with discretion, said a daily after Interior Minister Rehman Malik disclosed the location of a high-profile kidnapping victim.
Militants storm Kabul hotel
By IANS,
Kabul : Blasts and gun shots were heard inside a luxury hotel in Kabul Sunday after militants stormed the building near the UN mission in Afghanistan.
Somalia offers 45-day amnesty to Islamist militants
Mogadishu : With a major offensive against the radical group Al Shabaab under way, the Somali government Wednesday offered a 45-day amnesty to Islamist...
School topper gang raped in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : A girl who topped the class 10 examination was gang raped in Lahore, a media report said.
Two men gang raped the teenager in Shahkot area of Lahore, reported Geo News.
District governor, three others killed in Afghan bomb attack
Kabul: A district governor and three police officials were killed on Sunday in a bomb attack on his vehicle in Afghanistan's Takhar province.
"Hamid Haqjo,...
Spokesman for Fatah’s armed wing denies bombers entered Israel via Egypt
By Xinhua
Gaza : A spokesman for al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, armed wing of Palestinian Fatah movement, denied on Monday the reports that the two suicide bombers attacking Israel entered Israel via Egypt's Sinai Peninsula where the border fence with Gaza had been blew holes.
"The two departed from Gaza, and then they went to the liberated areas called 'area A', then to the territories occupied by Israel in 1948," Abu al-Waleed told a news conference held in Gaza City without explanation of "area A."
Haneya welcomes Abbas’ readiness for talks with Hamas
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Deposed Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya on Tuesday welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' statements over readiness for talks with the Islamic movement.
Haneya said in a statement faxed to the media that he welcomes any efforts for conciliation, renewing call to the Arab League to engage in more serious efforts for the sake of Palestinian national unity.
"Hamas' government is ready to start a dialogue on the base of no lose or victory" between the Palestinians, according to Haneya's statement.
Main Lebanese Groups for Reconciliation
By Prensa Latina,
Beirut : Leaders of the majority in Parliament and of main opposition party in Lebanon expressed on Monday their readiness for reconciliation talks among rival factions, in line with the spirit of the Doha Agreement signed in May.
Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah hoped for Lebanese talks as soon as possible and urged all political groups to attend.
Hamas accuses Israel of deepening Palestinian division by releasing prisoners “affiliated with one party”
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Islamic Hamas movement Monday slammed Israel's release of 198 Palestinian prisoners by saying that none of those released belongs to either Hamas movement or the Islamic Jihad (Holy War).
Earlier on Monday, Israel freed 198 Palestinian prisoners from its jails as a goodwill gesture to Abbas. All of them are politically affiliated with President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah movement and other national factions and none of the freed prisoners is from Gaza.
UN launches global forum against human trafficking
By IRNA
Tehran : The United Nations convened the first global forum against human trafficking in Vienna, UN Information Center said on Wednesday.
UNIC said that some 1,200 experts, legislators, law enforcement teams, business leaders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) representatives and trafficking victims have launched an international campaign to combat the crime.
Iran takes action with Security Council against US media
By IRNA,
New York : Iran took action with the United Nations Security Council against US media campaign over national nuclear program and Iraq meddling.
Iranian Permanent Ambassador to United Nations Mohammad Khazaee presented a written response to the US media allegations against Iran which was circulated on Friday as the UN Security Council document.
The UN Security Council held a meeting yesterday to review the latest Iraqi developments.
Israel-Hezbollah prisoner swap set for this week: report
By DPA,
Ramallah/Tel Aviv : The expected prisoner swap between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement will be carried out in three stages beginning Thursday, the Palestinian Maan news agency reported Sunday evening, citing "informed Palestinian sources".
There was no official confirmation of the report from any other source. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech last week that he expected the swap to start "around July 15 or shortly afterwards and continue for a few days".
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Pakistani folk singer dead
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani folk singer Naseem Akhtar has died at the age of 55, a media report said Monday.
Keep talking, India, Pakistan urged
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistani newspapers Saturday blamed the tough stance by India and Pakistan for the stalemate in their peace talks, but urged the two to keep talking.
"There was little hope of a meaningful breakthrough during the Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna's visit and that's exactly what occurred… In fact, even lesser expectations were not met," the Dawn said in its editorial "Keep Talking".
The newspaper, one of the most reputed English dailies, said the pro-peace brigade was "losing and appears to have been defeated by the hawkish camp".
Govt committed to wipe out terrorism, says Zardari
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said Pak Government is committed to fight terrorism till restoration of peace in region.
The President was talking to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti and ANP chief Asfandyar Wali, who jointly called on him here at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The meeting focused on country's law and order situation especially in the tribal areas and the strategy required to fight terrorism and extremism.
Saudi Arabia arrests 18 for spying
By IANS/WAM,
Riyadh: A total of 18 people -- 16 Saudis, an Iranian and one Lebanese -- have been arrested in Saudi Arabia on charges of spying for a foreign country.
Syria refugees to reach 700,000 by year end: UN
By IANS,
London: The UN's refugee agency has warned that around 700,000 people could flee Syria by the end of the year, BBC reported Thursday.
UAE, Turkmenistan to strengthen bilateral cooperation
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkmenistan have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Force, met here with the visiting Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
American helicopters hover in West Bank ahead of Bush’s visit
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Eight American helicopters hovered overhead in Palestinian West Bank territory on Monday, two days ahead of U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to the region, Palestinian witnesses said.
The witnesses in Ramallah said that they saw two helicopters landed at the Palestinian presidential compound, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' office locates, and two others landed in a stadium in the city.
Hasina seeks ‘justice’ as Mujib murder verdict awaited
By IANS,
Dhaka: "All I want is justice," Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Wednesday as the nation, with security at key establishments beefed up, awaited the verdict in the trial of the killers of the country's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Hasina, the elder daughter of the slain leader who lost all her family members in a military-led coup d'etat on the night of August 14, 1975, is in Rome and photographs showed her wiping her tears as she said she hoped the Supreme Court judgment, due Thursday, would be "fair".
OIC condemns Israeli attacks against Gaza residents
By NNN-SPA
Jedah : Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu strongly denounced the attacks launched by Israeli occupation against civilian Palestinians in Gaza Strip.
In a statement, he said this proves Israel's disregard of the international law and discipline and its determination to go ahead with its war crimes program and violation of Geneva 4th Agreement.
Pranab notes broad Indian consensus on relations with Bangladesh
By Ranjana Narayan, IANS,
Nine African Boxers & Coach Highly-Impressed by Muslim Culture Embrace Islam
By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Highly-impressed by the Muslim culture and the Pakistani hospitality, six visiting Central African Republic, (CAR), and three Cameroon boxers and their coach converted from Christianity to Islam at a simple ceremony in a Karachi hotel on Tuesday.
According to a news story posted with byline Shazad Ali on web news portal www.dawn.com the six pugilists from CAR – Gbodo Ygor, Selebangue Bienvenu, Vomitiande Huges, Grassa Thibault, Niambongui Davy and Ngocko Martial – had announced on Monday there wish to be converted to Islam.
28 killed as Pakistan’s security forces pound militants’ hideouts
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : As many as 28 people were killed as security forces pounded militants' hideouts in Pakistan's tribal area on Wednesday, private DAWN NEWS TV channel reported.
The security forces pounded militants' hideouts with jets in Bajaur Agency, leaving 28 people, including three civilians, dead, said the report.
Backed by gunship helicopters, Pakistan Army and paramilitary Frontier Corps on Tuesday launched a joint major and first-ever ground operation against militants in Bajaur Agency.
Pakistan has suffered a lot after 9/11: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has suffered greatly after 9/11 as the war on terror has cost the country over 35,000 citizens, said a leading daily Sunday.
Bangladesh government reshuffles team of advisers
By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh's caretaker government, which completed one year in office Thursday, has dropped four of its advisors for poor performance and inducted five new advisers, while vowing to continue with the roadmap that envisages elections at the end of 2008.
US apologizes to Egypt over Suez Canal incident
By DPA
Cairo : The US ambassador to Egypt apologized Tuesday over an incident in which a US cargo vessel opened fire on an Egyptian boat near the Suez Canal, killing one man and injuring two.
Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardoni told the Dubai-based al-Arabiya television that the incident was regrettable.
"We are really sorry over this outcome (of the accident). We will open an inquiry into it," Ricciardoni said.
Iraq to take over Anbar security
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : The Iraqi troops are set to take over the security of Anbar province, previously a nightmare battleground to the U.S. force, a local police officer said Monday.
"I think it will be at the end of this month or the beginning of next month," the officer said on condition of anonymity.
He said the handover was planned for Monday, but the U.S. military asked to put it off.
Iran witnesses new wave of protests: Reports
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran witnessed a new wave of anti-government protests in different parts of the country Sunday as demonstrators took to streets in various cities, media reports said.
Pranab Mukherjee meets Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS,
Riyadh : India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee called on Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz within a few hours of his arrival here Saturday.
The meeting with King Abdullah is the first of a series of high-level meetings the foreign minister is scheduled to have, including with Saudi foreign minister Saud Al-Faisal, during the course of his two-day visit to the Gulf's largest and most influential nation.
Anti-Quran Film insult to all religions, says World Churches Council
By IINA
Geneva : The World Council of Churches has reviled an anti-Quran film by Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders as an insult to all religions and an attempt to incite hatred. "We believe this film does not represent the view of the Dutch people or Christians regarding Islam," Rima Barsoum, the WCC coordinator for Christian-Muslim relations, told IslamOnline.net. "Like Muslims we are convinced it doesn't show the truth about Islam."
Thousands in Morocco protest Israeli attacks on Gaza
Rabat : Thousands of people from all over Morocco hit the streets of capital Rabat over the weekend to stage a mass national march...
Afghan opium cultivation to decrease this year
By DPA,
Kabul : Following nearly 20 percent reduction in poppy cultivation in 2008, a joint Afghan and UN survey predicted a further decrease in cultivation this year, but said the illegal crop was still
mostly grown in the volatile southern region.
"I am pleased to announce that during 2009 a further decrease in poppy cultivation is expected," General Khoaidad, Afghan minister of counter narcotics, told reporters in a press conference after the release of the report in Kabul Sunday.
Karzai inauguration ceremony begins under tight security
By DPA,
Kabul : Tight security marked the beginning of the inauguration of Afghan President Hamid Karzai at Kabul's presidential palace for a second term in office Thursday.
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain took part in the ceremony.
More than 500 people, among them 102 international guests and 398 Afghan dignitaries have been invited for the swearing-in of the increasingly controversial president.
Russia denounces missile attack on Israel, calls for end of violence
By KUNA,
Moscow : The Russian Federation on Thursday denounced the missile attack on the Israeli city of Askelon in which at least 30 people were injured.
"Russia strongly denounces the missile attacks on Israel", the Russian foreign ministry in a statement today.
It noted that the Palestinian legitimate rights could be achieved through the political settlement of the conflict.
The Russian Federation called for halt of violence on both sides and bringing an end for the suffering of the Palestinians and Israelis alike.
Morsi’s jailbreak trial adjourned till Feb 24
By IANS,
Cairo: An Egyptian court Saturday postponed till Feb 24 the trial of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and 130 others for storming the...
Indian pharma firms face competition from Pakistan in Nigeria
By Francis Kokutse,
Accra : As Indian pharmaceutical companies prepare to increase the volume of their trade in Nigeria, it is becoming clear that they...
Palestinian police find body of shot policeman
By KUNA
Gaza : Policemen found on Saturday deady body of member of the froce in the southern sector of Gaza city, police said.
The body of Shaaban Daghmash bore bullet marks, police said, adding that THE slain man was brother of Zakariah Daghmash, in charge of Salah-Eddine Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees.
Daghmash had been shot three times in head.
Canada’s suspension of ties ‘hostile’ measure: Iran
By IANS,
Tehran: Iran has termed Canada's suspension of diplomatic ties with the country as a "hostile" measure, Xinhua reported.
Pakistan among ‘five countries in deep trouble’
By IANS,
Washington : Political chaos and increasing terrorist activities, coupled with a worsening economic scenario, makes Pakistan one of the five countries in deep trouble, according to a listing prepared by a US publication.
"The country has already almost gone bankrupt once in the past six months. In October, only an emergency $10 billion in support from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and others prevented Pakistan from defaulting on its debt," the US News and World Report noted this week.
Abu Ghraib American torturer has 800 more pictures to expose
London, June 14, IRNA - The trailer trash torturer, who appalled the world by exposing the Abu Ghraib scandal, says she has 800 more torture photos that could rock the White House.
Lynndie England, a former US Army reservist convicted in 2005 in connection with torture and prisoner abuse, said in an interview with “Daily Mail” that she has much more to expose about the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.
IMF concludes first round of talks to bail out Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday concluded the first round of technical talks in Dubai with Pakistani officials about creating a system to save the south Asian nation from economic collapse, officials said.
Pakistan's government is facing a tightening balance of payments. Its financing gap stands at around $7 billion for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2009.
"There are one or two points on which both sides could not evolve consensus," said a senior official, who was part of the returning Pakistani delegation Thursday.