25 killed in suicide bombings, clashes with IS in Iraq
Baghdad : At least 25 people were killed and some 50 others wounded in clashes with Islamic State (IS) militants and suicide bomb attacks...
Turkish PM claims victory in local elections
Ankara : Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Sunday night claimed victory for his ruling party in the local elections as initial results showed...
Pakistan launches indigenous armed drone
Islamabd : Pakistan launched an indigenously developed armed drone on Friday, test-firing laser-guided missiles, the military said.
The "Burraq and Barq" drone, which has impressive...
France urges Israel, Palestinians to engage Hamas
By Xinhua
Paris : French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has called on both the Palestinian Authority and Israel to hold dialogue with Hamas, a hard-line Islamic faction that controls the Gaza Strip.
"I think that we will have to engage with Hamas at some point," said the French foreign minister Tuesday evening, in response to a question during an open forum organized by the International Diplomatic Academy and the International Herald Tribune.
US Air Carrier, ‘Reminder’ to Iran
By Prensa Latina,
London : The US defence secretary, Robert Gates, said the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf could serve as a “reminder” to Iran of American resolve to defend its interests in the region, reported The Guardian, UK.
Gates denied the arrival of a new carrier represented an escalation, pointing out that US naval strength in the Gulf rises and falls constantly with routine naval deployments, but it comes at a time of heightened rhetoric from Washington about Iran’s role in the Iraqi insurgency, said the London newspaper.
Government failing to protect people: Pakistani media
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani government was "failing in its duty" to protect its citizens, an editorial in a leading English daily said Friday, a day after a senior army officer was gunned down here, perhaps in the mistaken belief that he was involved in the ongoing operations against the Taliban in the restive northwest.
Another editorial lamented that the military offensive had severely hit cultural events in the country.
US asks Pakistan to deny safe-haven to militants
Islamabad: A top US diplomat has urged Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to "sustain pressure on militant groups, deny them a safe-haven, and prevent...
Pakistan: blast at grand Jirga kills at least 22 in Darra Adamkhel
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : At least 22 people are feared dead when an explosion occurred at the end of grand Jirga in Darra Adamkhel on Sunday.
According to a private TV channel, the grand Jirga was convened by President Darra Quomi Tehrik Haji Said Wazir.
Seriously injured are being shifted to Peshawar and Kohat.
Israeli hardline minister announces bid to replace Olmert
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz on Tuesday formally announced his bid to replace Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as leader of the ruling Kadima party.
Highlighting his defense credentials, the former defense minister said that security experience is an essential condition for any Israeli prime minister.
Local daily The Jerusalem Post said that with such remarks, Mofaz took a stab at the lack of security experience of his chief rival in Kadima, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
Suicide blast in Indonesian mosque injures 28
By IANS,
Jakarta : A suspected suicide bomber blew himself up during Friday prayers in a mosque in Indonesia, injuring 28 people, BBC reported.
Palestinian investment conference kicks off in Bethlehem
By DPA,
Bethlehem (West Bank) : A long-awaited major international investment conference opened in Bethlehem Wednesday afternoon, attended by approximately 1300 participants, around 70 percent of whom are from Arab countries and the Palestinian areas.
The three-day parley in the biblical West Bank city hopes to persuade as many foreign investors as possible to put their money in a Palestinian economy devastated by years of violence and instability.
Hotels in Bethlehem are full, and police units have been bussed in from Ramallah to help control the crowd.
Nine terrorists killed in Pakistan gunbattle
Islamabad: At least nine terrorists were killed during a search operation, launched by security forces in Pakistan's border area of South and North Waziristan,...
UAE gives equipment to hospital on Libya-Tunisia border
By IANS/WAM,
Tunis : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has delivered medical equipment to a hospital in a Tunisian town on the border with Libya.
EU upset over honour killings of three girls in Pakistan
By IANS,
Brussels : The European Union Monday expressed outrage over the murders of three young girls in Pakistan's Balochistan province by relatives for wishing to marry men of their own choice.
The 27-member European bloc called for a full investigation into the matter and said it was absolutely essential that those responsible for the "intolerable acts" be brought to justice, EuAsiaNews reports.
A statement by the current French EU Presidency voiced its deep concern over the extreme forms of violence against women reported in Pakistan.
Mubarak expresses interest to attend OIC summit
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday expressed his interest to participate in the upcoming Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) summit, Egyptian presidential spokesman Suleiman Awad said.
Mubarak said he would participate in the OIC summit to be held in the Senegalese capital of Dakar on March 13-14 "if time permits," Awad was quoted by the Egyptian MENA news agency as saying after the talks between Mubarak and his visiting Senegalese counterpart Abdoulaye Wade.
Fayyad rules out Palestinian-Israeli peace treaty in 2008
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Acting Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Tuesday ruled out a peace deal with Israel this year due to the slow progress of negotiations.
"I personally think that reaching a peace treaty in 2008 is impossible because the talks were very slow over the past three months," Fayyad said during a meeting with a delegation from American Jews at his office in Ramallah.
"The negotiations should be sped up to in order to reach the agreement by the end of this year," Fayyad added.
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...
Zardari seeks more foreign aid to fight terror
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the international community to enhance Pakistan's ability to fight militancy through a massive infusion of funds targeted at socio-economic development, education and employment, particularly in the tribal areas even as a key parliamentary panel has urged a peace deal with the Taliban in the country's northwest.
Awami League lobbies with foreign embassies to get emergency lifted
By IANS,
Dhaka : Foreign missions in Bangladesh have become the hub of political parleys, with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League (AL) lobbying with some of them to pressure the government to lift emergency curbs before the December parliamentary polls.
Awami League leaders have been meeting British, American, Canadian and Chinese diplomats in the past few days.
Israeli blockade degrades Gaza’s living conditions: UN
By DPA,
New York : Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip has resulted in the devastation of livelihoods, a rise in food insecurity, and an energy, water and sanitation crisis for the territory's 1.5 million Palestinians, the United Nations said Monday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the blockade, which began in June 2007 after Hamas militants took over Gaza from the Palestinian Authority, has triggered a "protracted human dignity crisis".
Pakistan’s trade deficit is $15.58 bn
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's trade deficit for 2010-11 was a staggering $15.58 billion, the national assembly was told.
Gillani set to take oath as Pakistan PM Tuesday
By Muhammad Najeeb
Islamabad, March 23 (IANS) Makhdoom Yousaf Raza Gillani will take oath as Pakistan's 20th prime minister Tuesday morning from the man who jailed him in 2001 for five years on corruption charges.
President Pervez Musharraf will administer the oath of office and secrecy to journalism post-graduate who took to politics in the 1980s, an official of the president's office told IANS.
Bangladesh court stays Hasina’s trial
By IANS
Dhaka : A Bangladeshi court Thursday stayed the trial proceedings of the extortion case against detained former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her younger sister Sheikh Rehana and their cousin Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim.
This marks a reprieve for an ailing Hasina, 62, who has been in jail since July 16. She has refused to go abroad for treatment despite advise from her doctors, the Star Online said.
Maronite Patriarch: Lebanon on the brink of “abyss”
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir has warned of what he described as "the tragic situation the Lebanese are sinking in," the Daily Star reported on Wednesday.
"The situation in Lebanon has dragged the country to the edge of the abyss," he was quoted as saying during a conference on "Christian Presence" on Tuesday.
"We can say that disturbance in the country is due to political affairs with which ulterior motives and selfishness have interlaced," he added.
EU Parliament urges Pakistan to improve human rights situation
By EuAsiaNews,
Brussels : The European Parliament (EP) is urging the new Pakistani government to "take adequate steps" towards the improvement of the human rights situation in Pakistan.
The EP in its draft annual report on human rights situation in 2008 in the world and adopted by its foreign affairs committee here on Tuesday notes that the EU is committed to support the strengthening of democratic institutions in Paksitan.
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.
US identifies citizens fighting for Islamic State
Washington: US intelligence and law enforcement agencies have identified around a dozen of its citizens, who have traveled to the Middle East to join...
Iranian Commanders: military meneuvres assure regional countries
By NNN-KUNA,
Tehran : Iranian Revolutionary Guard Marine Force Commander, Admiral Murtaza Saffari announced on Wednesday that the aim of the military maneuvers conducted in the Gulf waters was to send an assuring message to regional countries.
Saffari said in statements to the local press, "The Iranian missile test, in addition to being a show for Iran's military capabilities and preparations for any attacks, is also an assuring message for regional countries that they can be protected without the help of foreign forces."
UAE starts price control campaign for Ramadan
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Ministry of Economy has launched a comprehensive nationwide price control campaign to prevent manipulation and monopoly and ensure smooth supply of food items during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The ministry is coordinating with consumer cooperative societies and major retail outlets to prepare the Ramadan food basket for consumers at cost prices with effect from next week, the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
The food basket will bear the logos of the ministry and the respective cooperative societies.
Pranab differs with NSA, says Pak yet to respond officially
By IANS,
New Delhi : Sharply differing with National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan's comments on Islamabad's attitude towards the Mumbai terror probe, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday underlined that India was yet to receive any official response from Pakistan.
"That he (Narayanan) has stated in his own way. But the fact of the matter is that after they (Pakistan) received material from us, we have not received any official communication (about the probe) from them," Mukherjee told reporters here when he was asked about Narayanan's comments in a TV interview.
2,300-year-old village discovered near Jerusalem
By IANS,
Jerusalem : Remnants of a 2,300-year-old village were discovered west of Jerusalem, Israel Antiquities Authority announced Tuesday.
The village was unearthed last month near...
Iran showcases first home-made auto engine at German expo
By IRNA,
Berlin : Iran is displaying its first home-made auto engine at the 2008 Engine Expo, currently taking place in the south German city of Stuttgart, an Iranian auto official told IRNA on Wednesday.
The head of the marketing and sales department of Iran Khodro's engine research center (IPCO), Amir Hossein Baradaran Ghanad said this was IPCO's first attendance at this year's three-day Stuttgart engine expo (May6-9).
US soldier, several Taliban killed in Afghanistan
By KUNA,
Kabul : One US soldier and several militants were killed in Afghanistan, the US-led coalition command said on Wednesday.
The command said in a statement the soldier died of injuries he had suffered in a roadside bomb blast in the western zone of Afghanistan. The explosion occurred on Monday.
It did not disclose exact location of the blast. However, an Afghan police officer had said on Tuesday that a roadside bomb blast injured four US soldiers in Shindand district of Herat province.
US to give $680 mn for Israel’s anti-missile system
By IANS,
Jerusalem : The US is expected to announce the allocation of $680 million for Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile defence system, a media report said.
OIC Chief condemns senseless suicide attacks in Iraq
By NNN-SPA,
Jeddah : Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has strongly condemned the suicide bomb attacks which took place in Iraq last Monday.
In a latest press statement issued here Sunday, he expressed grave concern that the recent wave of acts of violence of sectarian and ethnic character might exacerbate the already volatile security situation in Iraq and deepen the cycle of violence.
US-Pakistan have parallel interests in fighting terror: Holbrooke
By DPA,
Islamabad : US special envoy to Pakistan Richard Holbrooke Tuesday said the two countries had parallel interests in fighting the war against Al Qaeda and Taliban militants concentrated along the Afghan border.
"The United States and Pakistan face a common strategic threat, a common enemy and a common challenge and, therefore, a common task," Holbrooke told reporters at a joint press conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Israeli army arrests Hamas military leader – radio
By KUNA
Gaza : The Israeli army arrested Hamas military leader Dawood Jaber early Wednesday morning, the Israeli radio reported.
The Israeli army spokesman told the radio, "The arrest of 6-year wanted suspect Dawood Jaber took place in Tolkarem, northern Gaza Strip." Israel accuses Jaber of plotting the suicidal bombing of Bark Hotel, five years ago, which resulted in the death of 30 Israelis.
Meanwhile in Gaza Strip, Palestinian Security sources said that militants killed the leader of Jaish Al-Islam (the army of Islam) after kidnapping him yesterday.
UNHCR:Six missing after boat trouble in Gulf of Aden
By Xinhua,
Geneva : Six people are still missing after a mishap in the Gulf of Aden involving a smuggler's boat operating off-season despite the rough seas, the United Nations refugee agency said on Wednesday.
On Saturday a fishing boat carrying about 175 people from Somalia was stranded in deep water when it broke down while approaching the Yemeni coast, said the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) in a statement.
Some were rescued by fishermen while another group managed to leave on a smaller boat and reach the coast through heavy storms and choppy seas.
Four Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : An air raid by international troops in southern Afghan province of Helmand Saturday killed at least four Taliban militants, the police said.
The provincial police chief said that at around 5 a.m. (0030 GMT) a group of Taliban militants ambushed international troops patrolling in Nad Ali district.
"Foreign troops returned fire and called in air strike support, " he said. "The militants fled into a civilian house near the battling area when the foreign helicopter kept bombing their target."
Gilani, Shahbaz differ on sharing power in Pakistan’s Punjab
By IANS,
Islamabad: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) that heads the ruling federal coalition and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) that rules Punjab Tuesday failed to come to an understanding on sharing power in the province.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, offered to jointly form the government in Punjab but no agreement could be arrived at, Geo TV reported, quoting sources.
Other sources said Sharif's message to Gilani was that the PML-N would welcome the PPP's support but would not offer it any ministerial berths.
Baitullah Mehsud aide Omar arrested
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces have arrested Moulvi Omar, a senior aide to Baituallah Mehsud, the chief of the Pakistani Taliban who is believed to have been killed in a US drone attack earlier this month.
Quoting official and intelligence sources, Online news agency reported that Omar, who carried a bounty of Rs.10 million, was arrested from a village in the Mohmand agency along the Afghan border Monday night as he was travelling in a car with two of his associates, including Waheed Gull and Hameed Gull.
Israeli military site hit with two Palestinian rockets
By KUNA
Gaza : Two Palestinian groups announced they bombarded an Israeli Army site east of Gaza Friday morning.
Al-Aqsa Brigades, the military wing of Fatah, and the National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said in a joint press release that they launched two rockets at Migen military site near Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza.
They said the attack was retaliation for the Israeli Army's crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Turkey blasts US over plans to talk with Syria’s Assad
Ankara : Turkey on Monday slammed a US suggestion that negotiations could be opened with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for a political transition in...
Pakistan Army chief’s Kashmir comment highly provocative: Modi
New Delhi : BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has termed the comments on Kashmir by the Pakistani Army chief as "highly provocative" and...
Bangladeshi man kills self after seeing wife’s body
By IANS,
Dhaka : A Bangladeshi man took his own life by jumping in front of a train after seeing the body of his wife, who had committed suicide, police said Saturday.
Hamas says it still awaits Israeli response to ceasefire offer
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Hamas is still awaiting Israel's response to an Egyptian-proposed ceasefire in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, a spokesman for the Islamic movement said on Thursday.
The spokesman, Ismail Radwan, warned that "Hamas' patience will not last forever." The Palestinian factions accepted the Egyptian offer while the Israeli answer is expected next week.
Iraq keen on better relations with US, world – PM
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has said that his country was very keen on building better relations with the United States and the world.
"Iraq's foreign policy goes in line with its national interests and the expectations of the Iraqi people. We are keen on building better relations with the US and the whole world," he was quoted as saying in an official statement issued after his meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice here Tuesday.
Pakistan says its civil nuclear technology better than India’s
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistan Monday claimed its civilian nuclear technology was better than India's.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ansar Pervez made the claim while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar here, Online news agency reported.
Pakistan had the infrastructure and effective systems to run nuclear power plants, he said, adding the country had received civil nuclear technology from China in 1970 and was itself manufacturing fuel and parts of atomic power plants.
Abu Dhabi to host world energy summit
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: Officials of developed and developing countries, including India, will meet here Jan 18 at the World Future Energy Summit 2010, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
Finland's Economic Affairs Minister Mauri Pekkarinen will be the keynote speaker at the panel session on the first day of the summit.
India's Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah will also attend.
The Finnish government announced this year that it will support efforts to limit global warming by cutting green house gas emissions by at least 80 percent of the 1990 levels by 2050.
Koussa breaks silence on defection, warning of civil war risk
By IRNA,
London : Former Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa has belatedly confirmed his defection from Muammar Gaddafi's regime two weeks after suddenly arriving in Britain on March 30.
India ‘dismayed’ at Gaza killings
By IANS
New Delhi : As a fresh Israeli assault in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip killed more than 30 Palestinians Saturday, India expressed "dismay at the disproportionate use of retaliatory force" by Israel and called for an "immediate end" to violence in the region.
"The government of India is dismayed at the continuing violence in Occupied Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip," external affairs ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna said in a statement.
Canada `pressing’ India for Pakistan intelligence
By Gurmukh Singh, IANS,
Toronto : Canada has reportedly sought intelligence inputs from India on Pakistan-based militant groups supporting insurgents fighting its forces in Afghanistan.
Canada, which has a 2,500-strong force battling insurgents in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, has so far lost 100 men. Pakistan has been blamed as the source of the insurgents fighting the Canadians.
Niqab becoming a flash point in Canada
By Gurmukh Singh, IANS,
Toronto : The niqab worn by Muslim women has become a flash point in Canada, with most people seeking ban on the veil in public. But liberals and the media are comparing the ban demand to a Taliban dress code.
Canada has about one million Muslims in its population of 34 million, and their population is expected to triple in the next two decades.
UAE honours Iranian envoy with ‘Order of Independence’
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has conferred the prestigious "Order of Independence" award on Iranian envoy Hamid Reza Asefi for his contribution in bolstering ties between the two nations, WAM news agency reported Monday.
UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the award of "First Degree" to the outgoing Iranian diplomat Monday in appreciation of his "generous contributions to the boosting of relations of cooperation between the UAE and Iran in various areas", the report said.
UAE seeks to boost economic, energy ties with India
By IANS,
New Delhi: In the first visit here by a foreign minister since the formation of the new government in India, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Friday called for scaling up economic and energy ties and sought New Delhi's help to develop renewable energy.
The UAE's foreign minister, who ended his two-day visit to India Friday, met his Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna and discussed a further expansion of multi-faceted bilateral relations.
Israeli army arrests 13 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : The Israeli army arrested 13 Palestinians all over the West Bank on Thursday, Israeli and Palestinian security sources said.
Palestinian security sources said Israeli soldiers stormed houses in the town of Nablus, searched the contents inside and arrested seven Palestinians for questioning.
The sources said the Israeli army forces erected new roadblocks around the town, stopped cars and searched them, noting that all over the West Bank, Israel set up over 600 checkpoints which blocked the people's movement.
Twin bomb attacks target convoy of Iraqi deputy minister, two guards wounded
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Two roadside bombs detonated near the convoy of an Iraqi deputy minister of electricity in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, wounding two bodyguards and a civilian, an Interior Ministry source said.
"Two roadside bombs detonated simultaneously near the convoy of Salam al-Qazaz, deputy minister of electricity, in the al-Aqari neighborhood near the Palestine Street, wounding two of his bodyguards and a civilian," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
30 security personnel abducted, released in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Islamist militants abducted 23 paramilitary troopers and seven policemen in Pakistan's restive Swat Valley overnight but released them later, media reports said Wednesday.
The dramatic abduction took place after hundreds of insurgents overran a police station in Shamozai area late Tuesday after day-long combat, DPA quoted a police officer as saying.
At least 30 policemen and Frontier Corps paramilitary troops were manning the post when it was attacked.
The rebels captured the officials and blew up the police station before moving to an unknown location.
Flydubai launches flights to Kabul
By IANS,
Dubai : Flydubai, Dubai's low-cost airline, has launched its first flight to Kabul, which the airline says is an "important step forward in the re-emergence of Afghanistan".
UAE ambassador to Afghanistan Yousuf Khamis Saeed Subaa Al Ali and Flydubai's chief operations officer Ken Gile travelled 1,688 km to Kabul on board a brand new Boeing-737 aircraft.
Israeli ministers demand death for Lebanese Hezbollah chief
By DPA
Tel Aviv : Israeli ministers Sunday called for the assassination of Lebanese Hezbollah guerrilla organization leader Hassan Nasrallah, a day after he claimed his group was holding body parts of Israel soldiers killed in the 2006 Lebanon war.
The Ha'aretz daily quoted Interior Minister Meir Shitreet as saying that Israel did not "need to negotiate with (Nasrallah), we need to destroy him," while Absorption Minister Zeev Boim called the Hezbollah head a "sewer rat," and said Israel "must make sure he does not see the light of day."
UAE’s Landmark Hotel group to launch 10 Shariah-compliant hotels by 2010
By NNN-WAM,
Dubai : Landmark Hotel Management LLC, one of the UAE's leading hotel management companies, has announced that it will be launching 10 world-class Shariah-compliant hotels and serviced apartments in the United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the end of 2010.
The move is in line with the company's strategy to cater to the increasing demand for Shariah-compliant projects in the Middle East.
No Pakistan-India military standoff: Rice
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday she didn't see any Pakistan-India military standoff in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, as President Asif Ali Zardari promised to assist in the investigation into the strikes.
"The government will also take strong action against any Pakistani elements found involved in the attack," a statement from the presidential office quoted Zardari as telling Rice.
"Pakistan is determined to ensure that its territory is not used for any act of terrorism," Zardari told Rice.
Up to 275 US troops to be deployed in Iraq: Obama
Washington : Amid concerns over a militant group's advancement toward the Iraqi capital, US President Barack Obama Monday notified Congress that up to about...
Bangladesh border guards want death for mutineers
By IANS,
Dhaka : As about 4,000 of its troopers face trial for the February rebellion that left 74 people dead, the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), the country's border guards, has mooted death penalty for mutiny.
Trials by special civilian courts began earlier this month.
A draft law was submitted Wednesday to the government by BDR Director General, Major General Mainul Islam, who told New Age that the death penalty had been proposed as highest punishment for mutiny or any disobedience in the presence of the enemy.
Musharraf’s olive branch – compromise on judges
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : In a major climb down, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has sent a message to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Asif Ali Zardari that sacked judges of the higher courts can be reinstated provided they don't hear cases against him, said an official privy to the developments.
The olive branch to the PPP, which is discussing details of government formation with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N), has apparently come in the form of a message conveyed through a common friend.
British prime minister calls Gaza ‘prison camp’
By DPA,
Ankara/Istanbul: British Prime Minister David Cameron described Gaza as a "prison camp" during a trip to Turkey Tuesday, in unusually outspoken comments that overshadowed a speech giving strong backing to Ankara's bid for EU membership.
"Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp," Cameron said. He also referred to Israeli flotilla raid as "completely unacceptable".
Cameron, on a visit to Turkey before heading to India, made clear his new government's backing for Ankara's stalled aspirations to join the European Union.
Pakistan must find out who was behind 26/11: daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan must get to the bottom of who exactly was responsible for 26/11 and bring them to justice, demanded a Pakistani daily Friday.
World’s tallest building opens in Dubai
By DPA,
Dubai : Thousands of people craned their necks Monday evening in Dubai to watch fireworks shoot from the sides of the world's tallest building, now called the Burj Khalifa, after United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
The tower had hitherto been called the Burj Dubai, but after a few brief remarks, Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, pulled aside a curtain covering a plaque commemorating the inauguration of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan Tower.
Two major Lebanese parties launch reconciliation campaign
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : The Progressive Socialist Party, headed by MP Walid Jumblatt, and Amal Movement, led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, have launched a reconciliation campaign to include Lebanese in all areas, particularly those affected during the recent events.
The announcement of the campaign was made after a joint meeting between the leadership and MPs of the two main parties at the parliament building Tuesday.
UN chief to visit flood-hit Pakistan Saturday
By IANS,
Islamabad : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will arrive in Pakistan Saturday to assess relief and rescue work in the flood-hit country, a media report said Friday.
Pakistan is grappling with its worst ever floods that have left over 1,600 people dead and affected over 14 million people.
The secretary-general will assess losses due to the floods and oversee relief and rescue operations, Xinhua reported citing PTV.
5 policemen killed in suicide bombing in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : At least five policemen were killed and over 10 injured Monday in a suicide bombing attack in southern Afghanistan, officials said.
"A man with an explosive device tied to his body blew himself up in front of the gate of police department, leaving five policemen dead and injured 10 others," senior police officer Kamaludin Khan told Xinhua.
Eyewitnesses said that the casualties could be higher as the rescue operation was still going on.
Though no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, Taliban outfit often carry out such offensives.
Israel approves release of 250 Palestinian prisoners
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : The Israeli cabinet on Sunday approved the release of 250 Palestinian security prisoners as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, local news service Ynet reported.
The move was requested by caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who promised to set free another 250 Palestinian prisoners during his meeting earlier this month with Abbas, said the report.
The weekly cabinet meeting green lighted the proposal despite objections from a number of ministers, the report said.
Five killed in Pakistan road accident
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least five people were killed and 13 injured in Pakistan's Punjab province when a bus carrying guests of a wedding collided with a truck, the Geo News reported Friday.
3.5 mn Pakistani children at risk of fatal diseases
By IANS,
United Nations : Nearly 3.5 million children in Pakistan's flood-ravaged areas are at risk of contracting fatal diseases such as cholera and dysentery, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has warned.
Diseases like cholera and dysentery present the illnesses of greatest concern. Hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever pose another significant risk, the Unicef said in a statement Monday.
Kuwaitis vote for new parliament
By SPA,
Kuwait City : Voters in Kuwait lined up Saturday to vote in landmark parliamentary elections, the Associated Press reported.
The elections come after Kuwait's ruler, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, dissolved parliament in March in the wake of the current relationship between the Cabinet, appointed by the ruler, and the 50-man legislative body.
The hope is that the new parliament will be more representative and be able to better work with the government's ministers.
Kuwait first elected a parliament in 1963.
Turkish military: 124 PKK members run away from militant group
By Xinhua,
Ankara : The Turkish military said Friday that 124 members of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) have fled the terrorist organization after Turkish warplanes and artillery pounded its bases in northern Iraq in recent weeks.
Gen. Metin Gurak, Chairman of the Communication Department of the General Staff, gave the figure to reporters at a press briefing in the Turkish capital of Ankara.
Anti-terror official killed in Iraq blast
By IANS,
By AKI,
Baghdad: A counter-terrorism official in Iraq's Tikrit city was killed when a dynamite-packed bomb exploded in his car, police said.
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."
Official: 17 killed in bus, train collision in Bangladesh
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : At least 17 people were killed and 21 others were injured in a collision between a express train and a passenger bus early Wednesday morning in Bangladesh's Tangail district, about 80 km northwest of capital Dhaka, according to an official.
Deputy Commissioner of Tangail Akhter Ali Sarker, chief executive of the district, confirmed to Xinhua on the phone at the scene that 17 persons were killed in the accident.
Class conflict, religion fuelling jehadis in Pakistan’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Class conflict and religion are in equal measure fuelling the jehadi movement in Pakistan, and the sooner the government moves against this the better, editorials in three leading English dailies said Saturday.
"The resentment the powerless feel may be cloaked in anti-Americanism or religiosity but in actual fact it boils down to a class conflict," Dawn said in an editorial headlined "The common enemy".
UAE president, GCC chief met over upcoming summit
By Xinhua,
Abu Dhabi : President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan met here Sunday with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdul Rahman Al Attiya over the upcoming summit of the bloc, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
During the meeting, Attiya briefed Sheikh Khalifa on the preparations for the 10th consultative summit of the GCC Heads of States that will be held on Tuesday in Damam, Saudi Arabia, according to the report.
US to supply fighters to Pakistan
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : The US will supply fighter aircraft to Pakistan in an effort to intensify the fight against militants in the country's tribal regions bordering Afghanistan, a media report said.
The assurance came from US officials at a bilateral security cooperation working group meeting held in Rawalpindi Friday, Iranian Press TV reported Saturday.
The warplanes to be delivered by June 2010 include F-16 fighter jets, Lockheed P3C maritime surveillance aircraft and Cobra helicopters.
Sri Lankan cricketers thank ‘brave’ driver
By Omar Khalid, IANS,
Lahore : After narrowly escaping death, Sri Lankan cricketers Tuesday praised Pakistani bus driver Mehar Mohammad Khalil for driving them out of danger amid firing by terrorists.
"The Sri Lankan cricketers were praising their driver for his bravery," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt told reporters after meeting the visitors at an undisclosed location.
"They wanted to thank him before heading back home," he added.
EU parliament delegation to visit Pakistan and Bhutan
By EuAsiaNews,
Brussels : The European Parliament's (EP) delegation for relations with the countries of south Asia is travelling from 21 to 28 February to Pakistan and then Bhutan.
Led by British MEP Robert Evans the delegation will meet its counterparts of the Pakistan National Assembly in Islamabad as part of the 7th interparliamentary meeting, on Monday, the EP announced here today.
Iran discounts possibility of Israeli strike
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran Monday said it did not see possibility of an Israeli attack on its nuclear facility, the country's English language international news channel Press TV said.
"We think that regional and international developments and the complicated situation faced by Israel itself will not allow that country to launch military strikes against another country," Foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi told the weekly press conference here.
He called Tel Aviv's threat of going to war over Iran's controversial nuclear programme psychological and media warfare.
Case filed over attack on Khaleda Zia
Dhaka : An official of the ruling Awami League has filed a complaint against BNP activists in connection with the attack on Bangladesh Nationalist...
Syrian PM return home after high level bilateral meeting in Tunisia
By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Ottri and his accompanying delegation returned home to Damascus on Wednesday wrapping up an official three-days visit to Tunisia where he headed the Syrian delegation to the Syrian-Tunisian Joint Higher Committee meetings.
Earlier in the day, Ottri visited a Technological Centre at the Sedria Tower in the Tunisian capital's suburbs.
Supervisors of the centre briefed Ottri on the centre including its scientific sections, technological and research missions, the fields of its activities and its scientific applications.
Bangladesh president seeks court opinion on mutiny trial
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman Monday sought opinion of the Supreme court on whether the border guards who mutinied in February be tried under the civil code or the military law.
Rahman made a reference to the apex court on an advice received from the government that wants to determine whether it can apply the Army Act, 1952, Star Online reported.
UAE delivers aid for Libyan schools
By IANS,
By WAM,
Tripoli: About 20 tonnes of stationery, school bags, and clothes for displaced students have been delivered by the UAE's Red Crescent Authority (RCA) to the Libyan Red Crescent.
Indonesia Joins UN Peace Mission Exercise In Bangladesh
By Bernama
Jakarta : Indonesia on Sunday sent 40 military personnel to join a UN peacekeeping force exercise in Bangladesh.
The exercise, code-named "Shanti Doot-2", was opened by Bangladeshi Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshal Zia Rahman at the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT), an institute responsible for handling peace missions, Antara news agency on Tuesday quoted a press statement issued by the Indonesian Military (TNI) Headquarters as saying.
Israeli military launches ground operation in Gaza
Jerusalem: Israeli troops launched a ground offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip Thursday night following days of heavy bombardment, the military said.
"Following 10 days...
Two killed in Pakistan blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least two people were killed and 15 others injured in a blast at a funeral Tuesday in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region, a media report said.
Pakistani Wheat to Afghanistan
By Prensa Latina,
Islamabad : Pakistan will export 50,000 tons of wheat to Afghanistan despite threats of invasion by Kabul administration leader Hamid Karzai, reported the media Monday.
Last week Karzai spoke of invading Pakistan to attack the alleged Afghan rebels, which has created new tensions between both Islamic countries.
According to "Business Recorder" financial newspaper those grains sales to Afghanistan will come from those existing in the State Storage and Supply Corporation for Pakistan Agriculture in subsidized payment.
Baghdad bomb display at UK war museum
London, Aug 20, IRNA – The Imperial War Museum London will display a car salvaged from the bombing of the historic Al-Mutanabbi street book market in Baghdad in 2007 as a centre-piece as a new exhibition on the impact of modern warfare on civilians in September.
The bombing in the Iraqi capital killed thirty-eight people and wounded many more, and is viewed as an attack on Baghdad's cultural life. No one has ever claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pakistan’s military recovers kidnapped cadets
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces early Tuesday recovered dozens of cadets and staff of a military-run college who had been kidnapped by Islamist insurgents in the volatile tribal region near Afghanistan the previous day, the military said.
The hostages were rescued after "a fierce fight" in the Garyum area, located some 20 km east of the Razmak town in North Waziristan district, a hotbed of Al Qaeda and Taliban militants.
"Seventy-one cadets and nine staff members of the Razmak Cadet College have been recovered," a military spokesman said.
U.S. officials: Iran’s response to int’l offer unacceptable
By Xinhua,
Washington : U.S. officials said on Tuesday Iran's response to an incentives offer by world major powers to halt its nuclear program is unacceptable.
Iranian nuclear breakthroughs are civilian, says UK analyst
By IRNA,
London : There is nothing in the recent breakthroughs by Iranian nuclear scientists to indicate a move in the country’s programme toward military rather than civilian uses of nuclear energy, a UK-based analyst of American studies said.
Scott Lucas, from the University of Birmingham in central England, told IRNA on Saturday that Iran’s nuclear program should be discussed through dialogue and with international bodies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Pakistan PM condemns Lahore church attacks
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned the bomb blasts at two churches in Lahore city that killed at least 15...
Egypt gets Palestinian, Israeli approval of 72-hour ceasefire
Cairo : Egypt Sunday got approval from both the Palestinians and Israel for an extra 72-hour ceasefire in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
"The ceasefire will...
Can Pakistan be saved from going the Iraq way?
By C Uday Bhaskar,
The Pakistan military launched Zarb-e-Azb, a major offensive operation against terror groups operating from North Waziristan Sunday, a week after the Karachi airport was audaciously attacked by the Taliban. In the last 48 hours, it is reported that more than 170 terrorists were killed while six soldiers died during the operation which is still continuing.
Ban telephones Zardari on Mumbai terror attack
By IANS,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday spoke to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari over telephone on the Mumbai terror attacks, an official said.
Michele Montas, spokesperson for the secretary-general, told reporters at the UN headquarters that Ban telephoned Zardari to discuss with him issues related to the terrorist attack on Mumbai last week that killed as many as 183 people, including several foreign nationals.
Details of the phone call were not immediately available.
‘Immensely promising’ home ministers’ meeting: Pakistani media
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani media has welcomed the bonhomie between India and Pakistan following the meeting of their home ministers, but expressed apprehension that the warmth may fizzle out if the two countries do not move beyond their entrenched demands.
Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram reached Pakistan Friday to attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) home ministers' conference and also meet his Pakistani counterpart, Rehman Malik.
Jordanian is new UN human rights chief
United Nations : The UN General Assembly has approved the nomination of Jordan's UN ambassador, Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein, as the new UN...
15 killed in attacks across Iraq
By IANS,
Baghdad: At least 15 people were killed and 82 others wounded in separate violent attacks across Iraq, including a deadly car bomb attack...
Early count shows Sisi sweeping Egypt’s presidential poll
Cairo : The initial poll count points to a landslide victory for Egypt's former military chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the presidential election.
Sisi won...
PTI ready for talks with Pakistan government
Islamabad : The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) which has been holding anti-government protests in the country is ready to hold talks with the government, media...
Israeli forces open fire at farmers, journalists
By KUNA,
GAZA : Israeli Army forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers and foreign journalists and supporters in the southern parts of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
The attack, which took place in the small town of Absan near Khan Younis, did not cause casualties, head of the Ambulance and Emergency Department in the Palestinian Health Ministry Moawiya Hasanain told KUNA.
Foreign supporters had accompanied Palestinian farmers to their farms to harvest their crops.
One million in UAE to join Mission Green Earth campaign
By IANS,
Dubai : Some one million people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will join a global environment awareness campaign next month and will pledge action to ensure a clean and sustainable environment, the Khaleej Times reported Thursday.
During the three-day 'Mission Green Earth - Stand up and Take Action 2008' campaign Oct 17-19, people across the country will stand up in their homes, communities, schools and colleges, organisations and institutions and read a pledge in support of the UN Millennium Development Goals with a focus on environmental sustainability.
Iran foundation ups bounty on Salman Rushdie
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: An Iranian religious foundation has raised its reward for the killing of British writer Salman Rushdie to $3.3 million, a media report said.
Lebanese speaker: national dialogue depends on majority consensus
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Parliament Speaker and opposition leader Nabih Berri has said that his call for a national dialogue among rival leaders should be favored by all sides particularly the ruling majority, local As Safir daily reported Friday.
"The issue of resuming dialogue depends on the consensus of different parties especially the pro-government side," Berri, who returned late Thursday to Beirut from a European tour, was quoted as saying.
Rallies in Pakistan condemn anti-Islam movie
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistanis Friday staged rallies in the capital Islamabad and other major cities to condemn a US movie on Prophet Mohammad, Xinhua reported.
Pakistan lawmakers vote for president
By NNN-PTI,
Islamabad : Pakistani lawmakers today voted in the presidential poll expected to be swept by the ruling PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari.
52-year-old Zardari is engaged in a three-corner fight with PML-N candidate Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui and opposition PML-Q leader Mushahid Hussain Sayed.
He is expected to win easily despite the PML-N's decision last month to pull out of the ruling coalition as the PPP co-Chairman has the backing of several smaller parties and independent lawmakers.
Pakistan Rangers again target Indian positions in Jammu
Jammu: Pakistan Rangers again Thursday resorted to unprovoked firing at Indian positions on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said.
"Pakistan Rangers...
Syed Salahuddin resents Sharif’s softness towards Modi
Islamabad: A Kashmiri Mujahideen leader has asked Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to avoid showing a "unilateral tilt" towards his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi,...
U.S.-led Coalition forces detain district personnel in E Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : The U.S.-led Coalition forces in a surprise move have raided Waigal district in the eastern Nuristan province and taken into custody all district officials after disarming them, provincial police chief Qasim Paiman said on Wednesday.
"U.S. troops entered Waigal district late Tuesday and took them into custody after disarming and collecting their cellular phones," Paiman told Xinhua.
He also added that since then there was no contact with officials in Waigal district.
The police chief did not give more details.
Iran discovers gas field
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran has discovered a gas field in the Caspian sea, Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi said Sunday.
Olmert to be questioned by police Friday
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be questioned by the police on Friday morning for the third time since the bribery offenses he is suspected of were made public, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday on its website.
Investigators of the police's National Fraud Investigation Unit will arrive at the prime minister's official residence in Jerusalem and present him with questions regarding the suspicions against him, said the report.
Pakistan: flood-affected Peshawar area receiving UN food aid
By NNN-APP,
United Nations : The World Food Programme (WFP) has started distributing food aid to villagers around Peshawar who are coping with the impact of last week’s deadly floods, The U.N. agency announced.
A UN assessment has found that nearly 100 villages, with about 500,000 people, were affected after torrential rains flooded the local Thara Khur stream which flows from Landi Kotal to Charsada in Peshawar district.
No leads in Gayoom attack case despite arrests
By P.K. Balachandran, IANS
Colombo : Despite taking four people into custody, police in the Maldives are hunting for clues about the larger conspiracy behind the attempt on the life of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom three days ago.
"All we can say now is that we have arrested four people and investigations are on," Maldivian police spokesperson Sgt Ahmed Shiyam told IANS over the phone from Male Friday.
Islamic Body Urges Israel to Stop Bloodshed
By Prensa Latina
Dakar : The 57-member strong Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) called on Israeli to cease all attacks on Palestinian civilians.
The OIC, which comprises 1.3 billion Muslims, denounced before the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon Israel's excessive use of force in the occupied territories.
Ban, who delivered the 11th OIC Summit opening address, said "Israel’s disproportionate and excessive use of force has killed and injured many civilians, including children. I condemn these actions and call on Israel to cease such attacks.”
Iraqis worry deal with U.S. would harm sovereignty
By Xinhua,
Baghdad : As the ongoing negotiation framing the Iraqi-U.S. future relations is moving toward its deadline, concerns are growing among the Iraqis that their sovereignty and interests would fall a victim to the agreement.
No details of the planned pact have been announced, although the two sides originally intended to end the work by the end of July.
U.S. President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki signed in November set of principles aimed at reaching an agreement to replace the UN mandate concerning the U.S. operation in Iraq.
Al Qaeda comments on rock-slide in Egypt
By DPA,
Cairo : Al Qaeda media producer as-Sahab released Friday a new six-minute video which features an audio statement by Al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri about a rockslide tragedy that occurred in Egypt earlier this month.
In "Condolences to Our People in Duweiqa", al-Zawahri offers his condolences to the victims of a fatal rockslide in Cairo that has killed at least 103 people Sep 6.
Fatah claims responsibility for Demona attack
By KUNA
Gaza : Fatah's Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for Monday's attack on a shopping mall in Demona, southern Israel, and said two suicide bombers executed the operation, their starting point being Ramallah.
In a preliminary statement, the Israeli premier threatened to hold the attackers accountable and warned of grave consequences of any attack on Israeli interests and security.
Israeli sources had earlier said it is highly probable the attack was carried out by two people.
Bangladesh PM condemns killings in name of Islam
Dhaka : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Saturday wondered how those who practice Islam can bring themselves to burn people alive in the name...
UN ranking official urges Israel to reopen Gaza crossings
By Xinhua
United Nations : U.N. Undersecretary-General John Holmes on Friday urged Israel to reopen border crossings with the Gaza Strip to prevent a deterioration of the already dire humanitarian situation there.
"I'm deeply concerned by the closure this morning by Israel of all crossing points between Gaza and Israel, because they are the lifeline for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and other goods to Gaza," Holmes, who's in charge of humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordination, told a press conference.
India’s commitment to Palestinian cause an important part of foreign policy: Patil
By IRNA,
New Delhi : India's commitment to the Palestinian cause has been an important part of foreign policy and has been manifested in the continuous and consistent support to its issues in the Non- Aligned Movement, in the United Nations and in other international fora, said Pratibha Patil.
Nine drown in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Nine people were drowned while bathing on the coast of Gaddani in southern Pakistan Tuesday, officials said.
The victims, who belonged to the Karachi city, were picnicking on the coast to celebrate Eid.
Strong waves pulled 15 people into the ocean. Six people were rescued but nine others drowned.
The lifeguards retrieved the bodies from the water.
Pakistani lawmakers with dual nationality disqualified
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani parliamentarians holding dual nationality were disqualified by the Supreme Court Thursday.
Hezbollah: US target killed
By IRNA
Beirut : Hezbollah, the Lebanese political party which stood against Israeli aggression in July-August 2006 said that one of his commanders Imad Mughniyeh was killed by Israeli state terrorism.
"Imad Mughniyeh, a senior Hezbollah commander was killed by Israeli state terrorism," Hezbollah said in a statement.
Hezbollah of Lebanon said that a car bomb in the Syrian capital of Damascus killed its commander.
Details of Mumbai attacks not evidence, says Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said Tuesday that the details of the Mumbai attacks provided by India cannot be treated as evidence, besides which it does not contain information that could help the investigators.
"The details provided by India are mere information and cannot be treated as evidence or help in the investigations," Bashir told the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs.