Lawyer power wins for second time in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : For the second time in nine months, Pakistan's gutsy lawyers have proved they are a force to reckon with despite the lack of an organised structure to lead their agitation.
The last time around, in June 2008, they didn't succeed in their demand for the reinstatement of the Supreme Court and high court judges then president Pervez Musharraf had sacked after imposing an emergency in November 2007 - but they did push the military dictator to quit office.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Sherry Rehman resigns: Reports
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman has resigned from her post Saturday, Geo TV reported.
The reason for her resignation was not immediately known.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani declined to accept her resignation, the report said.
However, a report on the Pakistan Times website quoting unnamed officials said that the minister resigned due to the prohibitory measures on TV Channels imposed by the government Friday.
Iran denies UN experts access to n-site again
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Iran has again denied a request by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to allow its experts to visit a suspected nuclear site in the country.
Lebanon closes illegal crossings into Syria
By DPA,
Beirut : Lebanese security forces erected barricades Monday, blocking nine illegal crossings into neighbouring Syria, a Lebanese security source said.
Lebanese troops and police patrols managed to close nine illegal overland crossings along the northern borders with Syria, the source said.
The source said the operation was aimed at controlling the illegal crossings, where a lot of smuggling enters and leaves Lebanon.
The source did not elaborate, but said the operation would continue for several days to make sure all crossings were "well controlled".
Bombings in Baghdad kill civilian, wound 9
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A civilian was killed and nine others wounded in three bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital on Monday, an interior Ministry source said.
A KIA truck bomb parked near a mosque in the Shiite dominantly neighborhood of Shaab in northeastern Baghdad detonated in the morning, killing a civilian and wounding five others, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
In separate incident, a roadside bomb went off in the morning near the intersection of Adan neighborhood in northern the capital, wounding two people, the source said.
Not interfering in Pakistan crisis, says US
Islamabad: The US Thursday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's comment that Washington was interfering in the country's affairs.
The US embassy in Islamabad...
French Afghanistan Buildup Slammed
By Prensa Latina
Paris : The socialist ex presidential candidate Segolene Royal Thursday criticized the decision of the French head of State, Nicolas Sarkozy, to send more troops to Afghanistan, considering the unknown risks in that Arab nation.
"I am surprised that president Sarkozy made the announcement in front of the British parliamentarians in London and was not able to speak about the issue to the French deputies," said Royal, who is the current head of the regional government of Poitou-Charentes.
Iranian President criticizes US over wars in Iraq, Afghanistan
By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has criticized the United States government for deceiving Americans into financing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan when they unwittingly pay for higher fuel prices and increased taxes.
It was in this way that the Bush Administration had financed its military occupation of foreign lands, he told a media conference here Tuesday after the conclusion of the 6th summit of the Group of Eight Developing Islamic Nations (D-8).
Islamist militants ‘regrouping for attacks’ in Bangladesh?
By IANS,
Dhaka : Right-wing militants have regrouped across Bangladesh over the past year, consolidating their networks and conducting training and indoctrination operations looking for a suitable opportunity to strike, a non-official study released here has warned.
The "2007-2008 Trends in Militancy in Bangladesh" report, by the non-government Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI), blames the spurt in militancy during the last decade on the politicians providing shelter to the militants for their political ends.
Pakistan: US looks forward to working with Musharraf, new government
By NNN-APP
Washington : The United States said it looks forward to working with President Pervez Musharraf and the next Pakistani government that emerges from parliamentary election held earlier this week.
“He (Musharraf) , the President of Pakistan and I would expect that we are going to work with him and whatever - and that we would hope to work with whatever government emerges as a result of this election,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at the daily briefing on Thursday.
Egypt court convicts man for insulting president
By IANS/AKI,
Cairo : A court in Cairo has found activist Ahmed Douma guilty of insulting Egypt's Islamist president Mohammed Morsi and handed him a six-month suspended sentence.
Violence in Mosul kills five Iraqis; injures seven
By NNN-KUNA,
Irbil : Five Iraqis were killed and seven others were injured in violent actions in northern city of Mosul, said a security source Thursday.
A source at the Iraqi police in Mosul told KUNA that a booby-trapped car exploded near a police patrol at the cultural group area north of the city, leading to the death of two people and the injury several others.
Meanwhile, masked gunmen forced their way into a house in Karama neighborhood east of Mosul, killing three people from a single family.
Counter-terrorism, Pakistan dominate Chidambaram talks in US
By IANS,
Washington : Building on institutional exchanges between intelligence and law-enforcement agencies of India and the US has been the thrust of Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram's meetings with top officials of the Obama administration. This enhanced cooperation will be underlined in his meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday evening.
Officials of the FBI, intelligence and security agencies have briefed Chidambaram, who arrived in Washington Wednesday, in detail on the anti-terror measures that they had undertaken after the 9/11 attacks.
Pakistan ‘sharia’ deal a retrograde step: expert
By IANS,
London : Pakistan's decision to allow 'sharia' law in parts of the North West Frontier Province is a "retrograde step" that marks a capitulation to Islamic militants, a London-based strategic expert said Monday.
"There are many, myself included, who fear that this is a retrograde step," said Farzana Sheikh of the foreign policy thinktank Chatham House.
"Sharia" is an Islamic code of law or conduct based on interpretation of the Quran.
UK launches education scholarships for Palestinians
London, March 2, IRNA -- The British government Tuesday launched a programme of Higher Education Scholarships for Palestine (HESPAL) that will see up 10 academics each year from Palestinian universities complete a year’s postgraduate study in the UK.
“Through training the next generation of academic leaders, HESPAL will make a real difference to local communities in Palestine, benefit the academic community and the wider society and re-energise the economy,” Higher Education Minister David Lammy said.
Five killed, six Sri Lankan cricketers hurt in Lahore terror attack
By IANS,
Lahore/Colombo : Five escorting security personnel were killed and at least six Sri Lankan cricketers injured Tuesday when heavily armed gunmen attacked the team cavalcade when it was on its way to the Gaddafi stadium in the Pakistani city of Lahore for the ongoing Test.
Sri Lanka called off the tour and immediately recalled its team after the attack, which Punjab Governor Salman Taseer said was the handiwork of the same terrorists who struck in Mumbai in November last year.
Next parliament should criminalize discrimination among citizens – candidate
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Khalid Al-Shatti, candidate of the first constituency for the upcoming Kuwait National Assembly (parliament) polls, called on the next parliament to adopt a law that criminalizes discrimination among citizens.
In an inaugural speech of his campaign's headquarters earlier tonight (Friday), Al-Shatti said that such a law would help combat attempts to divide the Kuwaiti society.
Al-Shatti, a lawyer, stressed that all Kuwaitis should have total respect of the constitution and principles of social justice, and should also adopt the principle of tolerance.
Two Islamic Jihad militants killed in N West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : A senior Islamic Jihad (Holy War) militant and his aide were killed on Thursday in the village of Qabatia, south of northern West Bank city of Jenin, the movement and medics said.
The Islamic Jihad said in a statement that a special Israeli army force surrounded a house in the village at predawn and exchanged fire with Bilal Ikmail, 26 and Izzedin E'weisat, 19.
The movement added that the two ran out of ammunition following several hours of exchange of fire and "the Zionist soldiers fired a missile at the house and killed both of them."
Iran, Iraq reopen their main border crossing
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran and Iraq have reopened their main border crossing to facilitate the exchange of people's visits and regional cooperation, Iran's English-language Press TV reported on Thursday.
The reopening of the crossing at Khosravi of Iran's western province of Kermanshah took place after a closure of about two years, said the report.
Israel claims Gaza offensive ‘lawful’, accuses Hamas of war crimes
Jerusalem: Israel released on Sunday an official report on its military campaign against the Gaza Strip last summer, claiming that its massive offensive was...
Bhutan, Bangladesh seek greater regional connectivity
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bhutan may sell power to Bangladesh in return for more imports, including fruits and vegetables, as the South Asian nations discussed trade and tourism as well as cooperation in setting up industries.
During the ongoing visit to Bhutan by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Thimphu endorsed her proposal for road connectivity through India, United News of Bangladesh (UNB) reported Sunday.
Pakistan not on the brink but on a rethink: Experts
By Vikas Datta,
Jaipur : Pakistan is not on the brink, and recent developments have led it to change its policy towards its western neighbour...
Pakistan Army fires at Indian positions on LoC
Srinagar : The Pakistan Army Tuesday fired at Indian positions on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, a source...
Jalili: West should find other options instead of suspension
By IRNA,
Tehran : Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeid Jalili said on Monday that suspension of Iran's nuclear activities is an outdated issue and advised the western countries to find other options.
Jalili made the remarks following the new report issued by the IAEA Chief Mohammad ElBaradei.
Speaking to IRNA, Jalili said such repetitious and time consuming issues is of no use adding that Iran will not give up its legitimate rights under any circumstances.
Renewed change in Iranian nuclear team
By DPA,
Tehran : Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeid Jalili has appointed Ali Baqeri, a former Iranian foreign ministry general director, as his new deputy for international affairs, replacing Javad Vaeidi, Iran's ISNA news agency reported Monday.
Jalili succeeded Ali Larijani in October as chief nuclear negotiator following grave differences between Larijani and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over how to handle the nuclear dispute with the West.
Russia raps EU sanctions against Iran
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: Russia Tuesday slammed the latest unilateral US and EU sanctions on Iran, saying that the move not only disregarded the UN Security Council but also undermined joint efforts on the regulation of Tehran's nuclear programme.
"We have repeatedly said that we consider unacceptable the practice of imposing unilateral or collective sanctions on Iran, which go beyond the boundaries of the UN Security Council's sanctions," Andrei Nesterenko, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said.
Iran says new UN resolution to make nuclear issue “further complicated”
By Xinhua
Tehran : A senior Iranian nuclear official said on Monday that a new UN Security Council resolution against Tehran over its nuclear program would make the issue "further complicated," the official IRNA news agency reported.
"Any irrational, illogical and unjudicial behavior will not only fail to solve Iran's nuclear issue but will also make related equations further complicated and tougher," Deputy Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Saeedi was quoted as saying.
13 held in Turkey for blast that killed nine
By IANS,
Ankara : Thirteen suspects have been detained in connection with a car bombing during Eid-ul-Fitr in Turkey that killed nine people, including four children, officials said Friday.
17 dead, more than 50 injured in Islamabad suicide attack
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : At least 17 persons were killed and more than 50 injured when a suicide bomber ripped through a police picket near to Islamabad’s busy Melody centre Sunday evening.
The dead included 15 police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty as they were deputed to maintain security on the venue of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) Conference.
The police party was gathered near to picket on culmination of the conference when the suicide bomber blasted himself close to them leaving behind body pieces and shattered blood.
Arrest warrant against Pakistani leader Tahir-ul-Qadri
Islamabad: A non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued for Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader Tahir-ul-Qadri and 71 activists of his party, Dawn online reported...
Sarkozy, Prince Alwaleed lay cornerstone of Islamic Art room at the Louvre
By NNN-KUNA,
Paris : French President Nicolas Sarkozy has affirmed that the Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre here is considered a chance to shed light on the real meaning of Islam.
The French leader was speaking at the Louvre in the presence of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al-Saud on the occasion of the laying of the cornerstone of the Islamic Art room at the Visconti Courtyard there.
Report: Israel backs Egypt’s efforts on Palestinian-Israeli truce
By Xinhua,
Cairo : Israel on Tuesday expressed support to Egypt's vision on calm-down between the Palestinians and the Israelis, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported.
The Israeli response came after the Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman's recent visit to Israel for talks to achieve a Palestinian-Israeli truce and relieve Palestinian suffering, MENA quoted a security source as saying.
India demands 20 most wanted criminals from Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Mumbai : India Tuesday said it was waiting for a response from Pakistan over the extradition of 20 most wanted criminals who are closely related to Mumbai Attack, reported Indo Asian News Service.
The 20 most wanted, who are said to be in Pakistan now, were firmly behind New Delhi in the wake of the Mumbai attack, said the report.
"We issued a demarche (Monday). We are waiting for a response from Pakistan," said India External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Bangladesh to set up more border outposts
Agartala : The Bangladesh government will set up 21 more border outposts (BOPs) along the boundary with India's northeastern states to check movement of...
Anti-drug training session kick off in Kuwait Sunday
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : A regional non-government organization on Thursday announced plans for staging an anti-drugs training session in Kuwait starting Sunday February 10.
The Lebanon-based Mentor Arabia organization said it plans to organize the training session in coordination with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor starting Sunday and until Feb 14.
The training session involves working with young people and is to be staged within the framework of the provisional Memorandum of Understanding, which was concluded between the two sides in April last year.
Political uncertainity in Pakistan aiding terrorists: India
By IANS,
New Delhi : The political uncertainty in Pakistan leading to “multiple centres of power” is giving terrorists more room to maneuvre, a senior Indian official said Thursday, a day ahead of Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's three-day visit to India.
“There is much more room for all the (terrorist) groups to work because the political uncertainty in Pakistan has led to multiple centres of power,” the official said.
Britain to send more diplomatic teams to Libya: Hague
By DPA,
London : Britain will send further diplomatic teams to Libya for talks with rebel leaders despite a botched mission over the weekend, the government said Monday.
Obama sees creation of Palestinian state sabotaged by Netanyahu remarks
Washington: US President Barack Obama has said that "it's hard to envision" the creation of a Palestinian state after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's...
Iran, US resume nuclear negotiations
Geneva : Iranian and US negotiators resumed their nuclear talks here Saturday morning, media reported.
The Iranian delegation led by foreign ministry deputy Abbas Araqchi...
Egypt, Turkey call for peaceful solution to Iranian nuclear dispute
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egypt and Turkey on Tuesday called for a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear standoff, warning against the use of force, the Egyptian official MENA news agency reported.
At a joint press conference with visiting Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said details on the Iranian nuclear file are not available when commenting on U.S. President George W. Bush's remarks that Iran's nuclear program was posing a threat to the region.
Need more evidence on Hafiz Saeed’s 26/11 role: Gilani
By IANS,
New Delhi: Even after New Delhi gave Islamabad seven dossiers about the role of Hafiz Saeed, the suspected mastermind of the 26/11 attacks, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has asked India for more evidence in order to act against him.
"We need further information about his role in that incident and at the same time we need more evidence to put him to task," Gilani told CNN-IBN news channel in an interview.
Afghan gov’t at odds with private TV channels over airing Indian soap operas
By NNN-Xinhua,
Kabul : Afghan Ministry for Information and Culture has been at odds with private TV channels over their continuously broadcasting Indian soap operas whose contents allegedly contradict with local cultural and religious values.
"Contents of these serials are in contrast with our cultural and religious values," Afghan Minister for Informational and Culture Abdul Karim Khuram emphasized last week.
The minister also termed a handful of serials as un-Islamic and called on television stations to halt their airing.
Khaleda Zia’s son dies in Malaysia
Dhaka : Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko died of heart failure Saturday, the party confirmed.
Khaleda's press secretary...
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.
EU to pursue “duel strategy” on Iran, says Solana
By Xinhua,
Geneva : The European Union will continue to pursue a "duel strategy" of negotiations and sanctions on Iran's nuclear activity, the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana said here on Wednesday.
"With Iran, we have a dual strategy: on the one hand negotiations ... and at the same time action through the United Nations," Solana told reporters after addressing a disarmament conference in Geneva.
Solana said UN sanctions and diplomacy would run in parallel on the Iranian nuclear issue, but he preferred a diplomatic solution to the problem.
Help Afghan police, NATO chief urges members
By DPA,
Brussels : NATO members states must give the Afghan police more training and better equipment to help them fight off insurgent attacks, the alliance's top official said Friday.
Two-thirds of all the uniformed personnel killed in Afghanistan are police officers, and there is an "urgent need to provide them with better training, infrastructure and equipment", NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told alliance defence ministers.
Arab League for direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks
By DPA,
Cairo: The Arab League laid out its three main conditions Thursday for supporting direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, but the group remained doubtful if a stalemate could be broken.
"I assure you I am not of the intention to enter into negotiations without a time frame, without clear references and without monitoring," Arab League chief Amr Moussa said.
Any future round of direct talks, Moussa told a press conference in Cairo, would be the "final phase" of negotiations.
US House votes against Iran nuclear deal
Washington: The US House of Representatives voted against a resolution backing the nuclear agreement with Iran, in a symbolic vote started by congressional Republicans...
Iraq violence leaves 12 dead, Al Qaeda militants held
By DPA,
Baghdad : The Iraqi police captured suspected members of an Al Qaeda terror cell Sunday and seized many explosive belts ready for use in suicide bombings in western Iraq, while a wave of attacks across the country left at least 12 people dead and 39 injured.
The suspects were arrested during raids Saturday night in the town of Hit, 130 km west of Baghdad, mayor Hikmat Jubayr announced.
Hit is in Anbar province, which was once the hotbed of Sunni insurgency and the main base for the Al Qaeda terror network.
Former Bangladesh premier Hasina wants medical treatment in US
By IANS
Dhaka : The "medico-political" standoff between Bangladesh's caretaker government and the politicians it has detained on corruption charges is showing signs of abatement.
Even as the Awami league general secretary Abdul Jalil flew to Singapore Monday night for medical treatment, the ailing party chief and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina said she was ready to go to the US.
In jail since July 16, Hasina accused the jail authorities of being "cold and uncaring" about her health and told her counsels and relatives that she wanted to be treated in the US.
Pakistani presidential spokesman calls reports of Musharraf’s intended resignation “baseless rumors”
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Media reports about Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's intended resignation are nothing but totally baseless rumors, presidential spokesman Rashid Qureshi said Thursday.
Qureshi said it appeared that some journalists had just dreamed up something and floated it in the media without bothering to get their stories confirmed by concerned quarters.
The official Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Qureshi as saying that reports about Musharraf's intended resignation were totally baseless.
Strategy prepared for permanent peace in Karachi: senior official
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior A. Rehman Malik said the government has prepared a strategy to extend support to the Sindh government for maintaining peace in Karachi and the province.
Under the strategy the provincial government would take rigorous measures in curbing the crimes and maintaining law and order, while the federal government would provide its full support in this regard.
Rehman said this on Saturday while talking to governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad, who called on him here at his office.
Iran test-fires Shahab missiles
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran has successfully test-fired a series of indigenously built Shahab missiles that have a maximum range of about 2,000 km, a media report said Monday.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has test-fired Shahab-1, Shahab-2 and Shahab-3 missiles as part of a military exercise called "The Great Prophet IV" that started Sunday, the Press TV said.
The Shahab-1 and Shahab-2 missiles have a range of about 300 and 700 km respectively, while the Shahab-3 missile has a maximum range of about 2,000 km, the report said.
India has aligned with Israel and U.S., ignoring Palestinians: Muslim leaders
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Japan pledges $750 mn for Iraq’s development
By IANS,
Tokyo : Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has said that his government will assist the ongoing development of Iraq by contributing 67 billion yen (around $750 million).
Two Pakistanis held on border, sent back
By IANS,
Jammu : Two youths from Pakistan were arrested on the border near here after they entered India riding a motorcycle, an official said. They were later handed over to Pakistan Rangers.
China sincere in helping Pakistan: Official
By IANS,
Islamabad : China is sincere in helping out Pakistan in its economic development and all possible support was being provided in this regard, a top Chinese official has said.
Russia, Saudi Arabia sign n-cooperation agreement
St. Petersburg: Both Russia and Saudi Arabia signed an inter-governmental agreement on Thursday on cooperation in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes during the International...
Saudi-led air strikes kill 40 Houthi gunmen in Yemen
Aden (Yemen) : Up to 40 members of the Shia Houthi group were killed during two days of intensified Saudi-led air strikes against Houthi-controlled...
Suspected US missile strike kills four militants in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : A suspected US missile attack in Pakistan's lawless north-western region killed at least four militants Monday, an intelligence official said.
The strike targeted a vehicle believed to be carrying Taliban fighters in the North Waziristan tribal district near the Afghan border.
"Four militants were killed and at least five others were wounded," a local intelligence official said on condition of anonymity.
It was not immediately clear whether any high-profile target was engaged in the assault which took place at around 6 a.m. (0100 GMT).
Bangladeshi ex-ministers, officials arrested amid high drama
By IANS,
Dhaka : Brawls, barricading and slogan-shouting marked the arrests of some of the dozen former ministers and officials against whom warrants were executed Sunday night in connection with a corruption case.
The court had declared them 'absconding' and some were not home when police reached Sunday night, media reports said.
Among those arrested amid "high drama", as per media reports, was Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami.
Police had a tough time detaining Nizami and then to leave the premises as his supporters had barricaded the place.
Spain mulls sending more troops to Afghanistan
By EFE,
Madrid : Spain is considering whether post-electoral security conditions in Afghanistan require an increase in the contingent that Madrid has deployed to the war-ravaged nation, Defence Minister Carme Chacon has said.
Spain is waiting to find out if there will be a second round of voting to decide whether to extend the presence of the so-called electoral battalion for another month.
More than 1,300 Spanish troops are serving with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, including 450 sent to bolster security for the Aug 20 general elections.
Bush in Egypt to discuss stalled Mideast peace
By Xinhua,
Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) : US President George W. Bush Saturday arrived in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, the last stop of his three-country tour in the Middle East.
Shortly after his arrival at the Sharm el-Sheikh international airport, Bush began holding talks with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak on the latest developments in the region.
According to an earlier report, Bush will hold talks with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) schedule here Sunday.
Pakistan, Turkey to participate in joint Navel Exercise
By APP
Islamabad : Pakistan Naval ships will be touring Turkish part of Mediterranean to take part in joint naval exercise called “MAVI BALINA” goodwill-cum-training cruise, with the Turkish Naval ship from March 7 to 16.
In the first phase Pakistani naval ships will take part in the combat exercises at the port of AKSAZ, from March 7 to 10 and in the second phase they will depart the Port of Antalya for joint maneuvers from March 16 to 18 , says a press release issued by Pakistani embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
PPP accepts Pakistan election results as Zardari greets nation
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan's outgoing ruling party, which faced defeat in the May 11 elections, Monday announced that it accepts polls results despite "serious reservations".
Higher Judicial Council urges Muslims to sight ‘Dhu-Al-Qedah ‘ Crescent
By SPA,
Riyadh : The Higher Judicial Council has called on all Muslims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sight the crescent of 'Dhu-Al-Qedah' on evenings of Tuesday ( 29/10/1429AH) and Wednesday (30/10/1429AH) in accordance with Umm Al-Qura Calendar.
In an announcement made this morning, the Council also requested whoever sees the crescent of Dhu Al-Qedah to report to the nearest court and register his testimony.
China slams BBC, international court over Darfur
By DPA,
Beijing : China Tuesday voiced "grave concerns" over the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s decision to charge the Sudanese president with genocide in the embattled Darfur region, and said a BBC report alleging that China had violated a UN arms embargo on Darfur was "strongly biased."
"China has grave concerns and misgivings about the ICC's prosecution," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.
"The ICC's actions should be helpful to the stability of the Darfur region and to finding a solution to the issue, not the contrary," Liu told reporters.
Iraq signs nuclear test ban treaty
By Xinhua,
Vienna : Iraq has signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the treaty's preparatory commission said.
Iraq's joining the CTBT Tuesday is an important milestone as it was one of the few remaining larger countries worldwide which have yet to sign the treaty, the Vienna-based Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) said Wednesday.
Tibor Toth, executive secretary of the CTBTO, said Iraq's signing of the treaty is a "strong political signal for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation."
Intel to train two million teachers in Arab countries
By IANS
Dubai : The US based microprocessor giant Intel and United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation plan to train two million teachers in the Arab world by 2011, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
The memorandum of understanding for the training project was signed by Mohammed Al Gergawi, chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, and Craig Barrett, chairman of Intel Tuesday.
Pakistani scientists hook up to peers across the globe
By IANS,
Brussels : Pakistani scientists and researchers are now connected to colleagues across the globe, courtesy two of the world's most powerful computers, the European Commission said.
Pakistani scientists will now be able to connect to the world through GEANT, the world's fastest computer network dedicated to research and education, and TEIN, the Asian counterpart, Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for information society and media, said Tuesday.
Massive Roman-era garrison found in Syria
By DPA,
Damascus : Archaeologists in Syria have found what they believe was the largest Roman garrison in the Middle East, SANA news agency reported Saturday.
German archaeologists discovered the site, which spreads over three hectares (30,000 square metres), at al-Rifniah, in the northern Syrian province of Hama, the report said.
Experts described the fort as the largest Roman military outpost in the region. It was discovered following mentions of the outpost in documentary evidence and engravings, SANA said.
India now trying to flood Lahore, alleges daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : India has caused the devastating floods in Pakistan by releasing excess water into the Satluj and Beas rivers and now is trying to inundate Lahore by pumping more water in the Ravi, an editorial in a Pakistani paper said Saturday.
"There is clear proof of an Indian conspiracy in the current floods in Pakistan. Now it is releasing excess water into the Satluj and it is suspected that it is pumping more water into the Ravi with the aim of flooding Ravi and other parts of the Punjab," the Nawa-i-Waqt Urdu daily said editorially.
Eid celebrated in Telangana, Andhra
Hyderabad : Muslims across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Tuesday celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with religious fervour and gaiety and with prayers for the dead in Gaza.
Tens...
US general takes over NATO command in Afghanistan
By SPA,
Kabul, Afghanistan : The American general who led the ground invasion of Iraq took command of the 40-nation NATO-led campaign in Afghanistan on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
Army Gen. David D. McKiernan took charge of the 51,000-member International Security Assistance Force from Gen. Dan McNeill, who will retire from the U.S. Army after 40 years.
Addressing a change of command ceremony Tuesday, McKiernan said he was honored to walk alongside our Afghan brothers.
Iraqi PM courts Sunni tribal leaders
By DPA,
Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Tuesday reached out to tribal leaders in the country's Sunni heartland, calling for an end to sectarian identity politics.
Al-Maliki, a Shia Muslim, praised the Sunni tribesmen of Iraq's western al-Anbar province for their role in "maintaining the national unity of Iraq", and for "the great sacrifices" they had made in "battling the evil designs of wanted terrorists" who, he said, sought to divide the country.
The prime minister's visit followed a sharp rise in sectarian violence across Iraq.
Israel to cut five percent of fuel supplies to Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : Israel said it would after midnight Thursday be cutting fuel supplies to Gaza Strip by five percent per week, according to the Israeli radio.
It said the Israeli government approved the decision to trim oil supplies to Gaza because of continued rocket attacks by the Palestinian militants.
Pakistan: PPP to work for women empowerment, rights
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would work for socio economic empowerment of women and safeguarding their rights.
Secretary Information PPP Sindh, Dr. Fehmida Mirza, talking to APP lauded the services and efforts of former Prime Minister late Benazir Bhutto for launching Lady Health Workers Programme in which 100,000 female workers were inducted and provided training for the promotion of affordable and better health facilities for the people specially the common man.
No India hand in Peshawar, Kabul attacks: Pakistani editorial
By IANS,
Islamabad : No Indian group could be blamed for Wednesday's deadly attacks in Peshawar and Kabul that claimed over 100 lives as they were planned "within a few miles" of where they occurred, an editorial in a leading English daily said Thursday.
Another wondered whether the Peshawar attack was an attempt to cause the national mood to swing against ongoing military operations against the Taliban in Pakistan's restive northwest.
Pakistani PM fears another 9/11 if foreigners continue interference in tribal areas
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday said that concerns about attacks similar to 9/11 will exist if foreign extremists continue interference in the tribal regions.
Mr Gilani endorsed the U.S concerns about Pakistan's tribal regions and said, "It is a matter of concern that extremists from Chechnya, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan arrive in the tribal areas".
"These people are disturbing our peace," the Prime Minister told reporters after awarding certificates to the motorway police.
Haneya hopes Egypt to convince Israel accepting ceasefire
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Deposed Hamas Premier Ismail Haneya on Monday hoped Egypt would succeed in convincing Israel to accept a ceasefire deal designated to take place in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
In a statement sent to the press, Haneya called on the Israeli leaders to cope with Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman who is on a visit to Israel to present the ceasefire initiative.
Haneya also urged Israel to "end the aggression and lift the siege on the Palestinian people."
Still no idea about Gaddafi’s whereabouts: NTC
By IANS,
Tripoli : Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) has said it has still no information about the whereabouts of ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi, Xinhua reported.
Pakistan to set up disaster response force
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has decided to constitute an inter-provincial response force that will handle emergencies and disasters.
Throwing acid to settle scores on the rise in Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : Nasima, 35, received serious burn injuries earlier this month as men threw acid on her after she refused to withdraw a court case against those who had allegedly raped her 11-year mentally challenged daughter. "What is more brutal for a mother than to receive acid burns instead of justice?" asks the doctor treating her.
The incidence of men throwing acid on women due to a dispute, rejection of a marriage proposal or being jilted in love is again on the rise in Bangladesh, after a brief lull, The Daily Star reported Saturday.
Gilani invites US special envoy Holbrooke to Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : With US President Barack Obama serving notice that he expects Pakistan to do more in the war against terror, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has invited newly-appointed special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke to visit this country to work out the way ahead.
"We are looking forward to engaging with him. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has invited him to come to Pakistan and we hope to see him soon," The News Saturday quoted Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir as saying.
Take me to court: Malaysia’s Ibrahim dares government
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has challenged the authorities to take him to court if there is solid evidence against him on the latest sodomy charge.
But he wants the government to "first ensure a fair trial and select only judges who are credible", The Star said Sunday.
"I will throw the file at their faces if the judges are not fit to hear my case," he told a crowd, estimated at 30,000, Friday night.
Solana calls on Israel to halt settlement activities
By KUNA,
Brussels : European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana warned Wednesday that it will be extremely difficult to have negotiations on the final-status of Palestine if Israel does not stop its settlements in occupied Palestinian lands.
"Realities on the ground have to change. I want to say it very clearly that settlements have to stop. We cannot enter in a process which is part of the way to determine by the end of the year 2008 if there is no clear commitment on the settlements," Solana told a conference on Palestine in the European Parliament.
Afghanistan frees 65 prisoners
By IANS,
Kabul : Afghanistan Thursday released 65 of 88 "dangerous" prisoners from the former US-run detention centre in Bagram near Kabul in spite of...
Israel trying to sabotage Palestinian achievements: Abbas
By DPA,
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accused Israel Thursday of trying to sabotage Palestinian achievements - mainly the enforcement of law and order, stability and security in the West Bank - through its military incursions and killing of Palestinians.
In an address in Ramallah to mark the 45th anniversary of the first attack by his Fatah organisation against Israel, on Jan 3, 1965, Abbas said the Palestinian people will not fall into the Israel trap and resort to violence to retaliate against these Israeli actions.
Pakistani thrown from four-storey building by police
By IANS,
Islamabad : A Pakistani man from Rawalpindi has alleged that police tortured him after suspecting him to be a drug dealer and threw him from a four-storey building.
Lebanese to overcome obstacles to “tranquility”: Maronite Patriarch
By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir has voiced hope that Lebanon would overcomeall the obstacles it is witnessing for the sake of the country, The Daily Star reported on Thursday.
"All Lebanese should cooperate in favor of their country, whichis going through a very tough period," Sfeir was quoted as saying before a delegation of Lebanese Forces students on Wednesday.
"We are doing our best to help Lebanon return to normalcy whereall of its residents live in tranquility," he added.
Norwegian journalist killed in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Stockholm : Norwegian journalist Carsten Thomassen was killed in a terrorist attack on Monday in Afghan capital Cabul, according to a statement posted on the Norwegian Foreign Ministry website.
Thomassen was one of journalists who were accompanying Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere on his visit to Afghanistan, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said.
"I was deeply saddened to learn that Carsten's life could not be saved following the terrorist attack on Hotel Serena," the Norwegian foreign minister said in the statement.
Hamas leader says ready for new ceasefire
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A senior Hamas leader on Tuesday said his movement can abide by ceasefire with Israel if the Jewish state respected the terms of the previous agreement.
Mahmoud Zahar, a Hamas leader based in Gaza, made the remarks a few days after an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire expired.
Speaking to the Egyptian al-Ahram newspaper, Zahar reiterated that the Cairo-brokered June ceasefire, which ended Friday, can be renewed if Israel commits itself to the obligations of the agreement.
France calls for EU support to Iraq
Paris: France has urged its European partners to take swift action in support of Iraqi government and civilians who are under grave threat due...
India offers to reduce negative trade list with Bangladesh
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Indian envoy to Bangladesh has offered to reduce the number of negative items on the bilateral trade list to facilitate commerce between the two neighbours.
High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty has also mooted joint investments to boost bilateral trade between the two South Asian countries to offset the trade balance that is at present heavily tilted in New Delhi's favour.
The negative trade list, already reduced from 700 to 400 items, could be shortened further, New Age newspaper said.
Mortar barrage hits Baghdad Green Zone
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A mortar barrage struck the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad on Monday, a day after powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr asked his followers to put weapons aside, an Interior Ministry source and a witness said.
"Several mortar rounds landed on the Green Zone around 10 a.m.(0700 GMT)," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
It was not clear if the attack caused any casualty as the area is under control of U.S. troops, the source said.
Afghan Taliban confirm Mullah Omar’s death
Kabul: The Afghan Taliban on Thursday confirmed the death of their leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, but did not say when and where he died.
"Leadership...
Key witness gives testimony in Israeli PM’s bribery case
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : American-Jewish businessman Morris Talansky told the Jerusalem District Court Tuesday that he gave Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert 150,000 dollars out of his own pocket, speculating that some of the money went to fund Olmert's fondness for fine hotels, first-class flights and luxury goods.
Talansky gave the testimony as a key witness for the prosecution in the investigation into allegations that Olmert accepted illegal payments from the U.S. financier.
Mubarak still in Egypt, says PM
By IANS,
Cairo : Hosni Mubarak, who stepped down Friday as Egypt's president, is still in the country's Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq has said.
US visit aims at expanding bilateral ties: Gilani
By NNN-APP,
On Board Prime Mnister's Special Plane : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said his US visit is aimed at expanding strategic and bilateral ties between the two countries.
Talking to reporters aboard his special plane on way to London from where he will travel to US, he said besides holding talks with the US President George Bush, ROZs in tribal areas will also be discussed.
The visit, he added, will also focus on trade and education.
Modi’s Day One: Talks terror, promises to bring back black money
New Delhi : It was an action-packed Day One for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From holding "good and substantive" meetings with leaders of seven...
Syrian official denies plans to host Russian missiles
By DPA,
Damascus : A Syrian official Friday denied media reports that the country has agreed to host Russian missiles in an effort to counter the planned deployment of a US missile shield in Eastern Europe.
"What was reported by some media with regard to Syria's agreement on deploying Iskander missiles in its territories are baseless," he told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
The official, who was not named in the report, said no such issue was discussed at all during talks this week between Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Oman sets up team to survey uses of mercury, mercury-containing products
By Xinhua,
Abu Dhabi : The Omani government has set up a working team to conduct a comprehensive survey about the uses of mercury and the products containing mercury now in circulation in the country, the English newspaper Oman Daily Observer reported Saturday.
The team formed by the Omani Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs consists of staff from various state departments and private organizations concerned with the management of chemical substances, the report said.
Vast potential for Malaysia, Pakistan & Middle East trilateral cooperation
By Hafizah Kamaruddin, NNN-Bernama,
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (NNN-Bernama) -- Malaysia should not just look at enhancing bilateral ties with Pakistan, but also endeavour to forge trilateral cooperation with Middle East countries especially in the halal food industry as well as other products and services.
In making the call, Masood Khalid, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Additional Foreign Secretary for the Asia-Pacific, said there was vast potential for the three parties to work together in what was still relatively a largely untapped sector for cooperation among Islamic countries.
Saudi Arabia tightens security amid terror threats
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia has tightened security amid terror threats mainly to the capital city of Riyadh, state-run media reported on Monday.
According to the...
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.
Bangladesh: taking pictures of remaining voters starts in Dhaka
By NNN-BSS,
Dhaka, Bangladesh : Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) on Friday started taking pictures of those, who could not be enrolled as voters earlier, in the city's select centers.
The task of taking pictures will continue from 9 am to 6 pm everyday till August 24, the EC sources said. Besides, they added, the EC is correcting the already finalized voters' list by excluding the names of fake ones.
"Voters of an electoral area will be able to collect their national identity cards from the concerned centers," said Deputy Election Commissioner of Dhaka city Biswas Lutfur Rahman.
Pakistan not to send troops to other countries: Nawaz
Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday said that Islamabad will not send its troops to other countries, rejecting assumption that the country had...
Pakistani, Indian FMs meeting sets no timeframe for dialogue resumption
By NNN-APP,
New York : Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and India Sunday recongized the need for good neighborly relations but concluded their two hour meeting without giving any timeframe for resumption of dialogue process, stalled since Novemebr Mumbai 2008 attacks.
Their meeting took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session and was preceded by a meeting between the foreign secretaries of the two countries.
Avoid Pakistan, government tells pilgrims
By IANS,
New Delhi/Amritsar: The government Tuesday advised Indian pilgrims to avoid visiting Pakistan in view of the deteriorating security situation there. The Haryana government has cancelled a pilgrimage for a Sikh festival next week but the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said it was awaiting clearance for a large group of devotees.
UAE launches work safety awareness campaign
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is launching a campaign to raise awareness about work safety, WAM news agency reported Sunday.
The general headquarters of Abu Dhabi police is also taking part in the campaign, which is being organised by the UAE's ministry of labour.
Commenting on the event, Lieutenant Naji Al Mahri, an official at the Yas Island police station, said the Abu Dhabi police plan to enhance its interaction with different sections of the community to boost mutual confidence and keep workers aware about the injuries linked to the climatic conditions.
Rebels will not win in Syria: Assad
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: In his first interview in weeks, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said rebels fighting his government "will not be victorious".
Daily Slams Extension of US War in Iraq
By Prensa Latina
Washington : The US war in Iraq is unfair and unsustainable and the figures of its financial costs have already reached 12 digits, the Diario La Prensa newspaper said on Tuesday.
The US monetary expenses in the Arab country increase every second, while the extraordinarily long list of Iraqi dead civilians, the Hispanic daily said.
It also said the Pentagon recently reported that we had reached and had possibly exceeded by now 4,000 fatal casualties among the US military personnel.
Indonesia: Police capture four of 11 escaped Afghan illegal immigrants
By NNN-Antara,
Pekanbaru (Indonesia) : Police have captured four out of 11 Afghan illegal immigrants who ran away from an immigration detention center here on Monday night.
"This is the second time illegal immigrants have escaped from the detention center this year. In June 28, some 37 illegal immigrants from Afghanistan also ran away from this place," the center`s chief, Yanizur, said here on Tuesday.
Part of the absconding Afghans were named Muhamad Zia, Muhammad Ali, Jalil, Ghulam Husein, Muhammad Raja, Abdul Ali, Ghani, Ali Esmaili, Asif, Sultan and Naseem.
Israeli insistence on settlement plan incites Palestinian repercussion
By Xinhua
Gaza/Ramallah : The statements by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert saying that Israel would continue the settlements construction in east Jerusalem incited vehement repercussion among the Palestinians.
Prior to a scheduled meeting between Palestinian and Israeli negotiating teams on Monday, Olmert said at a joint press conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Israel would not stop building homes in East Jerusalem’s neighborhood of Har Homa, calling Har Homa an "inseparable" part of Jerusalem.
Mubarak steps down, army takes over
Cairo, Feb 11 (DPA) Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak stepped down Friday and asked the army to run the country, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced.window.onload...
Iran envoy meets with Tajik head of Ulema Council
By IRNA,
Dushanbe : Iran’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Ali-Asghar Sherdoust on Saturday held talks with head of Tajik Council of Ulema Amanollah Nematzadeh on ways to develop cultural and scientific exchanges.
They conferred on bilateral cooperation in the fields of religion and the Islamic sciences as well as holding the religious and cultural meetings and Quran competitions.
The Iranian ambassador said Iran is ready to implement joint cultural projects with Tajikistan on proximity of Islamic schools of thought.
Pak-Afghan cooperation to get boost after new Pakistani government assumes power
By APP
United Nations : Reaffirming its commitment to help Afghanistan achieve peace and development, Pakistan told the UN Security Council Wednesday that its cooperation with Kabul would get a boost when a democratic government takes office in Islamabad.
Two from Kerala killed in Iraq
By IANS
Kozhikode (Kerala): Two persons from Kerala were killed in a missile attack in Basra, Iraq earlier this week.
They were working for a Kuwaiti firm supplying provisions to United States forces in Iraq, according to reports reaching here.
The attack reportedly took place Monday night and claimed three lives including that of a Sri Lankan national. The two persons, hailing from Kerala, were identified as Sureshan, 41, from Payyoli near Kozhikode and T.K. Muhammad Sali, 38, from Padanna in Kasargode district.
Obama’s South Asia policy: Pakistan will be the acid test
By IANS,
Washington : As President Barack Obama completes 100 days in office next week, experts have sat down to grade his foreign policy initiatives so far - and the report card is not too impressive, at least from the South Asian perspective.
The web edition of the renowned Foreign Policy journal asked some of the "best foreign-policy minds in Washington and beyond" to rate Obama's performance so far.
The result? 11 As, 16 Bs, 7 Cs, and a D.
25 killed in twin blasts in Chad
N'Djamena: At least 25 people were killed and dozens of others injured on Monday in two suicide blasts in the capital city of the...
Over 50,000 people in Brussels protest Israeli war crimes
By IRNA,
Berlin : More than 50,000 people in Brussels on Sunday protested the Israeli onslaught in Gaza, Belgian media reports said.
Organized by Muslims groups and labor union as well as non-governmental organizations, the anti-Israel demonstration was reportedly marred by clashes between security forces and protesters, forcing police to use water-cannons against demonstrators.
A Belgian politician was slightly injured when a stone hit his head.
Several demonstrators overturned a car and damaged one dozen other vehicles
and a bus shelter during the protest march.
UN prepared to provide relief in violence-torn Basra: officials
By APP
United Nations : U.N. humanitarian agencies announced today that they are ready to provide assistance in Basra, where militant followers of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have been battling Iraqi and coalition forces.
Veronique Taveau of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) voiced concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in both Basra, in the country’s south-east, and Sadr City, a neighbourhood in the capital Baghdad. Half of the 3.2 million-strong population of these areas are children, she said.
Pakistani journalist’s residence damaged in bomb attack
Islamabad : The residence of the bureau chief of a private news organisation was damaged in a bomb attack in the Pakistani city of...
Afghanistan resumes audit of presidential runoff ballots
Kabul : The Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) Sunday resumed the process of auditing presidential runoff poll votes after the process was suspended four...
Pakistan, Taliban set to hold direct talks
Islamabad: Representatives of the Pakistan government and Taliban peace talks committees left for North Waziristan Wednesday to directly engage with designated members of the...
41 killed in Iraq bombing
By DPA,
Baghdad : At least 41 people were killed when a car bomb exploded in a neighbourhood of the Iraqi capital Wednesday night, police and medics said.
They said the bomb exploded near a popular restaurant in the poor, predominantly Shia neighbourhood of Shula, on the northwest edge of Baghdad.
Medics said there was no apparent military target for the blast, which occurred when the streets were thronged with people eating out or shopping for the evening.
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Pakistani government scuppers move to seek US envoy for Kashmir
By IANS,
Islamabad : In what could be a significant pointer to the future of sub-continental ties, the Pakistani government has blocked a parliamentary resolution seeking a special US envoy for Kashmir.
What has been proposed instead is a watered down version hoping that the world community would play a role in resolving the dispute that has bedevilled India-Pakistan relations for over six decades.
Gaddafi’s youngest son Khamis dies: Report
By IANS,
Tripoli : Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's youngest son Khamis has been killed in a clash with the rebel forces near Tripoli, media reports said.
Pakistan parliament was target of terror attack: report
By IANS,
Islamabad : The terror attack on the Marriott Hotel here Saturday was aimed at Pakistan's parliament where the entire civil and military leadership of the country had gathered to listen to the first address by President Asif Ali Zardari, a media report said Sunday.
At least 46 people were killed when a suicide bomber drove a truck packed with explosives into the luxury hotel in the heart of the Pakistani capital, setting ablaze one of the best known hubs of the country's elite.