OIC delegation delivers message of condolences over killing of 30 Ethiopians by IS
Addis Ababa : Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Amb Muhammad Naeem Khan led a two-member...
ANP leader killed in Pakistan blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : An Awami National Party (ANP) leader was killed Sunday when a roadside bomb hit the vehicle he was travelling by in Pakistan's Swat Valley, Geo News reported.
Rice admits mistakes in Iraq
By IRNA
New York : Almost five years after the start of the Iraq war, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has acknowledged that US-led efforts to rebuild the country should have begun much earlier.
Rice told US lawmakers: "I would have to admit, I think we've learned that, yes, it is really important to be able to help others build their states, to help others build their nations."
She was replying to a question on whether the administration of President George W. Bush had changed its mind on the controversial issue of helping other countries with "nation-building."
UN asks Israel to allow humanitarian supplies into Gaza
By NNN-PTI,
New York : Amid reports that Israel is preparing for a possible ground attack on Gaza, United Nations appealed to both sides to halt the fighting and asked Tel Aviv to allow humanitarian supplies into poverty-stricken Palestinian territory.
In a statement yesterday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on both Israel and Palestine to heed the call of the Security Council to end hostilities and urged Tel Aviv to open border crossing to enable humanitarian supplies to flow into Gaza.
Bangladesh calls for early cessation of hostilities between Russia and Georgia
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Sunday expressed concern over escalating of violence between Russian and Georgia and called for early cessation of hostilities.
"This outbreak of violence is a matter of deep concern for the international community including Bangladesh. We hope for an early cessation of hostilities," caretaker government Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in a statement.
Iran says n-meet with EU ‘fruitful’
Tehran : A senior Iranian official has said the meeting between the Iranian foreign minister and his European Union (EU) counterpart in Istanbul was...
Pakistan: polling continues at brisk pace
By NNN-APP
Lahore : Polling for general elections is in progress at a brisk pace at most of polling stations in districts Kasur and Okara with over 20 percent votes cast within first three hours after polling started at 8 a.m.
A team of Lahore-based journalists who visited different polling stations in the aforementioned two districts found great enthusiasm among the people for using their right to vote.
Polling, which started at a slow place, picked up after 9 a.m. and people were seen standing in long queues to cast their votes.
Pakistani government seeks Mumbai attacker Kasab’s arrest
By IANS,
Islamabad: The Pakistani government, which has steadfastly refused Indian demands for action against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, who New Delhi says masterminded the 26/11 attacks, has now sought the arrest of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive during the carnage and who is being tried in a Mumbai court.
Across 19 states IMRC reached out to over hundred thousand people during Ramadan
By TCN News,
Hyderabad: Misra Begum from Shiraz area in Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir is old now and has no male relative to...
EU leaders congratulate Satyarthi and Malala
Brussels : European Union leaders as well as political groups in the European Parliament Friday congratulated India's Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistan's Malala Yousafzai, the...
British bomb-maker found guilty of killing US soldier in Iraq
London: A British bomb-maker has been found guilty of using improvised explosive devices to kill US soldiers in Iraq, media reports said on Thursday...
Gaza militants fire mortars on Israeli crossing
By Xinhua
Gaza : The Popular Resistance Committee, a group loyal to Hamas, on Wednesday said its fighters have fired three mortar shells on an Israeli commercial crossing point in southeast Gaza Strip.
In a statement sent to the media, the al-Nasser Saladin Brigades, the armed wing of the PRC, said the shells hit Kerem Shalom crossing on the point where Gaza, Egypt and Israel borders meet.
"The Zionist entity admitted the missiles landed on the crossing and claimed they caused no casualties," the statement said.
Indonesia marks five years after Indian Ocean tsunami
By DPA,
Jakarta: Relatives of people who died in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that devastated Indonesia's Aceh province prayed at the graves of loved ones Saturday to mark the anniversary.
A solemn prayer ceremony to remember about 170,000 people who died in Aceh and some 60,000 others across Indian Ocean countries was held in the provincial capital Banda Aceh.
Vice President Boediono led the ceremony in the Ule Lhue area overlooking the sea, and later visited one of the mass graves where unidentified tsunami victims were buried.
AL chief calls on Arab countries to help resolve Lebanese crisis
By Xinhua,
Cairo : Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa on Saturday called on Arab countries to work to help settle the Lebanese crisis, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported.
The AL chief underscored the importance of a proposed Arab foreign ministers meeting to discuss the situation in Lebanon, where fierce clashes between the opposition and ruling coalition left at least 18 people dead and 40 others injured.
Pakistan offers India joint probe team
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has offered India a joint team to probe the Mumbai terror attacks, even as it says it will "frame a response" to New Delhi's demand for handing over 20 of India's most wanted men.
"The government of Pakistan has offered a joint investigating mechanism and a joint commission to India," Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a nationwide telecast.
"We are ready to jointly go into the depth of this issue and we are ready to compose a team that could help you," Qureshi added.
India to seek Saudi help to pressurise Pakistan on terrorism
By IANS,
New Delhi : India will seek Saudi Arabia's support in putting pressure on Pakistan to act against terror outfits when Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal comes here on a day-long visit Friday.
In his meeting with his Saudi counterpart, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will share information that establishes a clear link between Pakistan-based elements and the Mumbai terror attacks, official sources said.
UAE charity provides meals to 28,000 Palestinians
By IANS/WAM,
Gaza : A UAE charity has provided Iftar meals to 28,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Security forces kill 12 rebels in southwest Pakistan
By SPA,
Quetta, Pakistan : Pakistani security forces have killed at least 12 nationalist rebels in an ambush near the south-western town of Dera Bugti, a senior paramilitary officer said on Sunday.
The fighting took place in Toba Nokhani area, 350 km (220 miles) east of gas-rich Baluchistan's capital, Quetta, on Saturday.
Major-General Saleem Nawaz of the paramilitary Frontier Corps, told Reuters that forces destroyed militants' hideouts and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition.
Pakistani court orders A.Q. Khan’s medical examination
By IANS,
Lahore : The Lahore High Court Tuesday ordered the government to allow disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, whose movements have been restricted, to meet his relatives and friends and to get him medically examined.
The order came after Khan's counsel Ali Zafar contended that the scientist, who mentored the country's nuclear programme and was then accused of proliferating its nuclear secrets, was not being allowed to meet his relatives and friends and was also not allowed to get medically examined at home.
Iraq welcomes Lebanese Doha accord
By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : Iraq Thursday welcomed the Doha Accord recently reached by Lebanese leaders in Qatar, after Arab-sponsored talks.
A Foreign Ministry statement said Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari made two calls, to Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa and to Qatari Premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim, expressing his country's support of the agreement which is hoped to end the political crisis in the Arab country.
The FM also expressed congratulations to the Arab Quartet committee over this success.
EU slams Israeli settlements as obstacle to peace
By KUNA
Brussels : The 27-member European Union condemned Monday Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian lands as illegal and an obstacle to peace. "The EU considers that settlement building anywhere in the occupied Palestinian Territories is illegal under international law. This includes Israeli settlements in both East Jerusalem and the West Bank," said EU Foreign Ministers in a statement here after a discussion on the situation in Palestine.
Students seek removal of Imran Khan as chancellor
London : Students at a British University are calling for the removal of cricket legend Imran Khan as their honorary chancellor over his continued...
Bhutto’s party welcomes US Speaker Pelosi’s demand for int. probe
By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan Peoples Party has welcomed the call by US Speaker of the House for international probe in the assassination of former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and for free and fair elections in Pakistan.
US under illusion that sanctions are affecting Iran: Khamenei
By IANS,
Tehran : Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said the US and President Barack Obama were under an "illusion" that Tehran was affected by the economic sanctions.
Iran increasing lethal aid to Syria: US daily
By IANS,
Washington : Iran is increasing its aid, especially lethal assistance, to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for his crackdown on opposition forces, a US daily has said.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim to be Pakistan’s next premier
By DPA
Islamabad : The incoming ruling party of slain Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has chosen the country's next prime minister, who is to be announced when the new parliament convenes early next month, party officials said Saturday.
However, a senior party official said Makhdoom Amin Fahim, vice chairman and a founding member of Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), was selected to be premier by the party's top leadership during a closed-door meeting in Islamabad Friday.
Moves afoot to clip Musharraf’s powers
By NNN-PTI
Islamabad : Moves are afoot to clip President Pervez Musharraf's sweeping powers despite the United States standing by the beleaguered Pakistani leader rendered vulnerable after this week's parliamentary polls in which opposition parties scored stunning victories.
Pakistan Peoples Party(PPP), which has emerged as the single largest force in the new National Assembly, is planning to strip Musharraf of the power to dismiss Parliament under Article 58 of the Constitution which he had reinstated.
US hails UAE support to displaced Pakistanis
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : The US has hailed the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) support to the people displaced in the ongoing conflict in Pakistan's restive Swat Valley, WAM news agency has reported.
US Ambassador to the UAE Richard G. Olson, who visited the headquarters of the Red Crescent Authority (RCA) here Sunday, said the UAE's role in helping out thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Pakistan's Swat Valley was commendable.
U.S. to send more troops to Afghanistan next year
By NNN-Xinhua
Washington : U.S. President George W. Bush has told NATO allies that the United States would send more troops to Afghanistan in 2009, the Pentagon confirmed on Friday.
According to the American Forces Press Service, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters while flying to Oman from a NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania, that the president brought up the offer at a dinner with other NATO leaders.
US leaks confirm truth about Afghan war, say peace campaigners
London, July 26, IRNA – The biggest-ever leak of 90,000 US military records confirms the truth and horrors about the war in Afghanistan, Britain’s largest peace group network has said.
“The war in Afghanistan is pointless and unwinnable and the warmongers have lied to us continually. It must end now. All foreign troops must be withdrawn without delay,” Stop the War Coalition (STWC) said.
24 killed as Taliban attack Afghan police headquarters
Kabul: At least 24 people, including 20 policemen, were killed and nine wounded in Afghanistan's Logar province Tuesday after a group of Taliban militants...
People faint at polling stations
By KUNA,
Kuwait : Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) said Saturday that a number of people fainted at polling stations in the fourth constituency.
KRSC's supervisor in the fourth constituency, Adel Al-Shimmiri, told KUNA that 3-5 women fainted in schools allocated as female polling stations.
He noted the society's keenness for providing assistance to voters, especially the elderly and those with special needs.
Mideast Summit in Egypt likely on May 18
By SPA
Cairo : A Middle East summit meeting in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in May is under discussion, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.
Ministry Spokesman Hossam Zaki quoted by the state news agency "MENA," said the idea was to hold the summit on the sidelines of a World Economic Forum meeting which is taking place in the town between May 18 and 20.
He did not say who might take part but MENA said the idea was to have US President George W. Bush and Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian leaders talk about Middle East peace.
US sends warships to Libya
By IANS,
Washington: The US Navy has sent two destroyers to Libyan waters after an American ambassador was killed in that country, a media report said Wednesday.
Destruction of Israel only way forward: Iran
Tehran : "Annihilation of the Zionist regime of Israel" is the only way forward to heal the agonies of the Palestinians, Iran's Supreme Leader...
Abu Dhabi varsity gets advanced supercomputer
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Research capabilities at the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have got a boost after the institute received the most advanced supercomputer in the UAE.
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.
Iran has right to develop N-programme for peaceful means: Analyst
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Dr. Syed Qandil Abbas, Professor of International Relations in International Islamic University on Friday said that Iran has right to develop nuclear programme for peaceful means as per regulations of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Talking to IRNA, he said that Iran's nuclear programme according to the evidence available is peaceful and its aims and objectives are not to develop nuclear weapons.
"Iran has right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful means and no body can deny it", added Syed Qandil Abbas.
124 arrested in Pakistan after Mumbai attacks: Gilani aide
By Muhammad Najeeb,IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan Thursday said that 124 people have been arrested following a crackdown on terror groups alleged to be linked to the Mumbai terror attacks, and added that Azhar Masood, chief of banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, was not in the country.
Militants suspend peace deal in Pakistan’s restive valley
By DPA,
Peshawar (Pakistan) : Pro-Taliban militants in the restive valley of Swat have said that they intended severing all contacts with the Pakistani government, accusing it of delaying the implementation of last month's peace agreement.
"Our shura (council) of senior Taliban leaders which held its meeting Monday have decided to end all contacts with the government for one week. We are going to switch off our telephones right now," Muslim Khan, a Taliban spokesman, told DPA over phone from undisclosed location Tuesday night.
Egypt opens Rafah crossing for stranded Palestinians
By DPA,
Gaza : Egypt opened its crossing point with the Gaza Strip at Rafah Saturday to allow around 8,000 stranded Palestinians to cross into Egypt, the Palestinian Border Crossing Corporation (PBCC) said.
"Around 8,000 Palestinians, including patients, students, businessmen and Palestinians holding other foreign nationalities will be crossing into Egypt starting from Saturday until Monday," the PBCC said in a statement.
2,317 Karachi kids went missing in 2012
By IANS,
Islamabad : A staggering 2,317 children went missing from Pakistan's port city of Karachi in 2012, according to a civil society group working to uphold the rights of women and children.
U.S. embassy denies involvement in Israeli-Syrian peace talks
By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : The United States is not sending an envoy to take part in the next round of indirect Israeli-Syrianpeace talks in Turkey, a U.S. embassy official said Saturday night.
The daily newspaper The Jerusalem Post quoted the official as saying that "there are no plans to send a U.S. envoy to the talks."
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev, when asked whether Israel knew of plans to send a U.S. envoy to the fifth round of peace talks, said "we have no public comment."
Coalition forces kill five Afghan civilians: Police
By DPA,
Kabul : US-led coalition soldiers killed a father and four of his sons Saturday in an operation in central Afghanistan, a police commander said, but the US military called the victims "militants".
The incident took place in a village in Logar province's Charkh district when the coalition attacked a residential compound, said the provincial police chief, General Mustafa Muhseni.
"Abdul Rashid and four of his sons were killed and one other male member of his family was wounded in the ground-and-air operation conducted by the coalition forces," Muhseni said.
UNHCR to mark World Refugee Day all over globe
By IRNA,
Tehran : The UN refugee agency, in its 60th year, will mark World Refugee Day, June 20, with a rich and varied program of events all over the world.
Make food a constitutional right: experts
By IANS,
Islamabad : The right to food should be enshrined in the constitution to protect millions of vulnerable Pakistanis from soaring food prices, a group of experts has urged.
At the conclusion of a week-long forum Monday on the food crisis, organised by ActionAid Pakistan's Sustainable Agriculture Action Group, the experts and representatives of civil society organisations also finalised policy proposals for the government, including substantial support for 72.1 million Pakistanis or 44.4 percent of the population.
Pakistan board summoned over players’ participation in IPL
By IANS,
Karachi: Jamshed Dasti, chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Sports, has asked the Pakisan Cricket Board (PCB) top officials to appear at the Parliament House hearing December 17 over participation of the country's players in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The committee wants to probe the issue after hearing contradictory report on the IPL future of leading Pakistani cricketers.
7 killed in explosion in Pakistan’s Karachi
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Seven people were killed in an explosion in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi on Monday, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported.
The blast occurred at the gate of Gul Ahmed Textile Mills in northern Karachi, said the report.
According to DAWN NEWS, a bomb was planted in a motorcycle and later detonated, leaving seven people dead and 26 others injured.
Another private TV channel Ary One World put the death toll at 9. It said that the explosive device was attached to a fruit cart.
Syrian President calls for rapid construction of joint refinery
By NNN-IRNA
Damascus : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has called, in a state order to the country's Oil Ministry, for rapid construction of a joint-venture refinery to be built by Syria, Iran, Venezuela and Malaysia.
The project was proposed by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during his visit to Syria in August 2007. Its agreement document was later signed by these four countries.
The refinery is to be erected in a region some 150 kilometres north of Damascus.
Be alert against enemy conspiracies, Ahmadinejad tells Iraqis
By IANS,
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has asked Iraqi officials to be vigilant against enemy conspiracies, IRNA reported.
"Though the US is on the verge of falling today and regional nations, including Iraqi nation, have become more powerful today than the past seven years, a group running affairs in the US from behind the stage aims to dominate the Middle East fully.
"So, one should not be ignorant of enemy conspiracies and plots," President Ahmadinejad told visiting Iraqi National Security Advisor Muvafaq al-Rubai here Thursday.
Pakistan president likely to meet Indian prime minister in New York
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : President Asif Ali Zardari is likely to meet the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the United States to attend the annual General Assembly session of the United Nations later this month.
"No meeting has been confirmed but certainly the president will be meeting several international leaders and we would welcome a meeting with the Indian prime minister if he is there to attend the session," said a senior official.
Israeli army wounds two, detains 12 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : An Israeli army force shot and wounded early on Thursday morning two Palestinians in Balata refugee camp near Nablus in northern West Bank, medics and Palestinian security sources said.
The sources said that the force stormed the refugee camps of Balata and opened fire at two Palestinian civilians who were on their way to work, adding that they had been taken to a Nablus hospital for treatment.
Eight persons killed, over 20 wounded in Pakistan
By SPA
Islamabad : At least eight persons were killed and over 20 wounded when a gas cylinder exploded in a scrap warehouse in Pakistan Thursday, police said.
A son of the owner of the warehouse was also among the dead in the explosion that took place in the thickly populated Misri Shah area of Lahore city.
Lahore police chief Malik Iqbal told the reporters that five persons were killed in the cylinder explosion.
The warehouse owner said that gas started leaking from a cylinder when his workers were busy cutting it. It caused the explosion.
Conference concluded in Indonesia
By SPA
Islamabad : The 7th E-9 Conference that Pakistan also attended has concluded in Bali (Indonesia) with adoption of a 13-point declaration with emphasis to improve education of teacher in member states, said an official statement.
The conference that was attended by Indonesia, India, Mexico, China, Brazil, Nigeria and Bangladesh culminated with the note that all member states should make hectic efforts to achieve the Education for All goal by 2015.
Shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist alleges torture
By DPA,
Baghdad : Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist who famously threw his shoes at then US president George W. Bush, Tuesday said he had been tortured with electric shocks while in custody.
Speaking to reporters after his release, al-Zaidi said Iraqi security forces also beat him, held his head under water to simulate drowning, then left him in the cold all night in the 24 hours after his arrest in December.
Ahmadinejad appoints caretaker interior minister
By SPA,
Tehran, Iran : Iran's official IRNA news agency reports that Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has appointed a temporary replacement for outgoing Interior Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi.
The president has appointed Mahdi Hashemi as caretaker Inteior minister, the IRNA report said.
Abducted Levies men, polio workers killed in Pakistan
Islamabad: Two polio workers and two security guards, who went missing a week ago, have been found shot dead in Pakistan, media reported Wednesday.
"The...
27 Palestinians killed in Israeli operations in Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : Palestinian medics updated the Palestinian death toll from Israeli military operations in northeastern Gaza Strip on Saturday to 27 from the earlier report of 20.
The latest deaths included a doctor, two girls and four militants from Hamas movement which rules the Gaza Strip, medics said, adding that 60 others were wounded in the operations on Saturday.
Gaza : Palestinian medics updated the Palestinian death toll from Israeli military operations in northeastern Gaza Strip on Saturday to 27 from the earlier report of 20.
The latest deaths included a doctor, two girls and four militants from Hamas movement which rules the Gaza Strip, medics said, adding that 60 others were wounded in the operations on Saturday.
Noordin among militants killed in Indonesia raid
By DPA,
Jakarta : Indonesia's most wanted Islamic militant, Noordin Mohammed Top, was among four people killed in a raid on a house in Central Java province, the country's police chief said Thursday.
Bangladesh lodges formal protest with India over survey ships
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Saturday lodged a formal protest with India over the alleged crossing by three Indian oil and gas survey ships into what it claims to be its waters and called for settling the maritime boundary by "mutual agreement".
Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain, who handed over the formal protest note to India's High Commissioner to the country Pinak Ranjan Chakravorty, told reporters that Dhaka has asked New Delhi to stop maritime survey or development activities and remove the ships from the area until the maritime boundary is settled.
Dow Jones Islamic Market launched
New York – (IINA) Dow Jones Indexes, a leading global index provider, yesterday launched the Dow Jones Islamic Market (DJIM) China Offshore Hong Kong Index. The index represents the performance of companies that have been screened for compliance with Islamic principles and whose primary operations are in mainland China but trade on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Stocks included in the index are H-Shares and Red Chips.
18 Taliban killed in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : At least 18 Taliban militants were killed and 23 arrested in a countrywide operation in Afghanistan, the interior ministry said Sunday.
Israel tells Beatles ‘We can work it out’ for 1965 snub
By RIA Novosti
Tel Aviv : Israel has decided to apologize to The Beatles 43 years after the British band was banned from performing in the Jewish state, said the Yedioth Ahronoth paper.
"We would like to take this opportunity," the letter says, "to rectify a historic missed opportunity which unfortunately took place in 1965 when you were invited to Israel.
Turkish, Turkmen presidents pledge to strengthen bilateral ties
By Xinhua
Ankara : Turkish President Abdullah Gul and visiting President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow on Monday affirmed mutual desire to boost relations between the two countries.
Gul made the remarks at a joint press conference with Berdimuhamedow following their official talks, saying, "We discussed bilateral relations from all perspectives and exchanged viewpoints in order to increase cooperation between Turkey and Turkmenistan."
"Berdimuhamedow and I affirmed that we have the opportunities to develop our bilateral relations," stressed Gul.
ISI chief summoned by Islamabad court
Islamabad : The director general of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) has been summoned by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) following a petition by...
Afghanistan a UN priority: Chief
By Sardar Ahmad,ANTARA,
Kabul (ANTARA News/AFP) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday declared Afghanistan a priority for the United Nations and pledged to do the utmost to support key presidential elections this year.
Ban made a surprise visit to Kabul as the embattled country prepares for its second-ever presidential vote in August while facing an insurgency at its highest point since a US-led invasion ousted the Taliban regime in 2001.
"For the United Nations, Afghanistan will be a priority in 2009," Ban told reporters at a news conference with President Hamid Karzai.
Google celebrates UAE National Day
By IANS,
Dubai: Google celebrated the UAE's 41st National Day Sunday with a doodle on its homepage on the UAE domain.
Pakistani court sentences three to death
By IANS,
Islamabad : An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan Monday sentenced three men to death for kidnapping and murder of a trader in Karachi.
Shujaat Ali,...
Latest violence leave five Afghan soldiers, 12 Taliban dead
By DPA,
Kabul : Twelve Taliban militants were killed in clashes with police and US forces, while five Afghan soldiers lost their lives in roadside bomb attacks in Afghanistan, officials said Sunday.
A group of Taliban fighters attacked a police post in Geriskh district of southern Helmand province Saturday night, Daoud Ahmadi, spokesman for the provincial governor said.
"The fighting lasted for two hours and as a result nine Taliban fighters were killed and seven others were wounded," Ahmadi said adding that three police forces were also wounded.
Europeans walk out on Iran’s president at UN conference
By DPA,
Geneva : Delegates from the European Union (EU) walked out of the Durban Review Conference on racism in Geneva Monday during a speech by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in which he made derisive remarks about Israel.
The Iranian leader said that Palestinians had been "made homeless" following World War II "under the pretext of Jewish suffering".
There was a "racist regime in Palestine", he said, and added that Western powers have "given them a free hand to continue their crimes".
UN peacekeeping chief calls for mandate of Afghan mission to be sharpened
By APP
United Nations : The mandate of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) must be sharpened given the challenges the country has faced in the past year, including a resilient insurgency and a booming drug industry, the world body’s peacekeeping official said Wednesday.
Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, told an open debate of the Security Council that the insurgency is “more ruthless than we ever imagined,” and that “a massive illegal drug economy thrives in the vacuum of state authority.”
U.S. condemns car bomb attack near Indian embassy in Kabul
By Xinhua,
Toyako, Japan : The United States on Monday condemned the suicide bomb attack near India's embassy in the Afghan capital Kabul, which killed at least 28 people.
"We condemn this needless act of violence, and offer our sincere condolences to those injured and especially to those families who lost loved ones," said U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
At least 28 people were killed and 141 others injured in the suicide attack near the Indian embassy in Kabul Monday morning, according to an Afghan Health Ministry spokesman.
No foreigners at Egypt president’s inauguration
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Cairo : Egyptian president-elect Mohamed Morsi has said there will be no foreign guests at his inauguration ceremony.
Morsi will be inaugurated Saturday in Cairo.
Police clueless about ex-Pakistani PM’s abducted son
By IANS,
Islamabad : Police are still clueless about the whereabouts of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's son Ali Haider Gilani who was abducted Thursday, said a media report Friday.
Pakistan lodges protest over Indian airspace violation
Islamabad, Dec 18, IRNA, Pakistan on Thursday summoned deputy Indian envoy to the Foreign Ministry and lodged a protest over violation of its airspace by Indian aircraft, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
Iran receives more assets under interim n-deal
Tehran: Iran has received the fourth and fifth installments of previously frozen assets under an interim nuclear deal with world powers, the Central Bank...
US unable to account for $8.7 bn in Iraqi funds
By IANS,
Washington : US Defence Department is unable to account for $8.7 billion of the $9.1-billion fund earmarked for reconstruction of Iraq between 2004 and 2007, an audit report has said.
According to Los Angeles Times, the reconstruction money was from oil revenue the Pentagon was entrusted with and the report underscores a pattern of poor record-keeping during the period.
Pakistan to have two Supreme Courts?
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan may end up having two Supreme Courts to break the deadlock between the two ruling coalition parties over the restoration of higher court judges sacked last year by President Pervez Musharraf.
With the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-Nawaz) still locked in a row over the judges, the formation of two Supreme Courts has been proposed, The News reported Saturday.
Executive council gives six seats to Iraqi minorities
By IRNA,
Baghdad : Iraqi Executive Council ratified on Saturday a much-debated bill that gives Iraqi religious minorities guaranteed seats on provincial councils as the United Nations mission in Iraq had recommended.
The Executive Council - President Jalal Talabani and the two vice presidents - agreed with Parliament that religious minorities, which include three-quarters of a million Christians, should be guaranteed six of the 440 seats on the provincial councils.
An election for the councils is scheduled to be held next year.
Anwar Ibrahim sorry over assault on media during poll campaign
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Campaigning to win a parliamentary by-election while being probed for a sodomy charge levelled by an aide, Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has apologised over the attack on several media personnel, allegedly by his political supporters.
"I do not condone violence and I am sorry over the incident. We have to investigate the incident," he told the media at Permatang Pauh, the constituency that goes to the polls Aug 26.
Israel agrees to free some 200 Palestinian prisoners
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israel's cabinet voted Sunday to approve the release of some 200 Palestinians from its jails, in a move that a government spokesman described as "a confidence-building measure to strengthen the peace process and dialogue."
The release, Mark Regev said, was intended "to demonstrate that the path of moderation, negotiation and reconciliation would bring tangible results."
He said the release would include prisoners with "blood on their hands" - Israeli terminology for prisoners who carried out attacks in which people were killed.
Aga Khan on eight-day visit to Canada
By IANS,
Toronto : The Aga Khan, the spiritual head of Shia Ismaili Muslims, is on a eight-day official visit to Canada to meet his followers and the country's leaders to discuss collaboration for work in developing countries.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), founded by him, is the world's largest non-governmental organisation (NGO), spending about $500 million a year on poverty alleviation and education development programmes in developing countries.
Yemen army thwarts rebel attack as ceasefire collapses
By DPA
Sanaa: Government troops thwarted an attack by Shia rebels in the capital of the restive northwestern province of Saada Sunday after a shaky truce collapsed, a military source said.
The army fought back the rebels, known as Houthis, and "inflicted huge losses" on them after they attacked Saada city from three directions at dawn, the unnamed source said in a statement posted on the defence ministry's website.
"Elements of rebellion and terrorism tried to take advantage of the ceasefire and the halt of military operations ... to achieve gains on the ground," the source said.
Official sources: Abbas to meet Olmert on Sunday
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert may meet on Sunday, Palestinian sources said on Wednesday.
The sources said that the Palestinian and the Israeli official shold contacts to arrange for the meeting which will be the second between the two men this month.
In the meeting, Abbas and Olmert will discuss the movement of peace talks over the final-status issues such as the border, water, refugee, security and the state of Jerusalem.
Iraqi forces not ‘fully operational’, says Britain
By DPA,
London : Iraqi forces involved in the recent fighting in the southern port of Basra are "still months away from becoming fully operational," Britain's Defence Secretary Des Browne said Thursday.
Browne, confirming an earlier government decision to put the planned withdrawal of 2,500 British troops from Basra on hold, said cuts would be made only "if the conditions allow".
However, Britain was still hoping to reduce its 4,100-strong force, based at Basra airport, during the next regular six-monthly rotation of forces, Browne told parliament.
Yemeni defence minister escapes Al Qaeda attack
Sanaa: Yemen's defense minister escaped an attack by suspected gunmen of the Yemen-based Al Qaeda branch in the country's southern province of Abyan Friday...
Musharraf likely to step down
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is expected to quit instead of facing impeachment, The News daily reported Friday.
The ruling coalition had announced Aug 7 that they would initiate proceedings in parliament to impeach Musharraf on the ground that he had violated the constitution and his policies had led to economic crisis.
However, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which is a part of the ruling coalition, has called for Musharraf's resignation.
Two Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike on N Gaza
By Xinhua
Gaza : Two Palestinian civilians were killed and six wounded on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike on the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, medics and witnesses said.
The witnesses said that an Israeli reconnaissance drone fired one rocket at Palestinian militants, who were launching homemade rockets from the area at southern Israel.
They added that the militants survived the attack, but the rocket hit a building in the town, killing two people and wounding six others.
Four policemen gunned down in Karachi
By IANS,
Islamabad : Four policemen were killed when unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen attacked a check-post in Pakistan's port city of Karachi Sunday night, a media report said.
‘Jaswant’s book not the only reason for expulsion’
By IANS,
Shimla : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Jaswant Singh's expulsion from the party has to do with more than just his controversial book on the subcontinent's partition, a senior BJP national leader said Wednesday night.
"The writing of the book was not the only, but one of the several reasons, for his expulsion by the party," the party leader told IANS here on condition of anonymity.
The BJP earlier in the day expelled Singh from the primary membership of the party. The move came two days after the release of his book, "Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence".
374,500 holders of Malaysian red identity cards
By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia : The Dewan Rakyat (Lower House) was told Monday that the number of Malaysian red identity card holders as of September this year was 374,500 people.
They included 64,731 people who were born in the country, Deputy Home Minister Wira Abu Seman Yusop said in response to a question by Tan Tee Beng (PKR-Nibong Tebal).
UAE shortlisted for 2011 ICCA World Congress
By NNN-WAM
Abu Dhabi : The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is working with the Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB) to present a strong and unified bid to host the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress and Exhibition in 2011.
The UAE is among the three places short-listed to the prestigious gathering of meetings industry decision-makers. If successful, this will be the ICCA's first-ever congress in the entire Middle East. The other destinations short-listed are Pittsburgh (USA) and Leipzig (Germany).
Egypt dissolves 169 Muslim Brotherhood NGOs
Cairo : Egypt's ministry of social solidarity Monday ordered the dissolution of 169 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) affiliated with the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood, Xinhua news...
China-Arab Cooperation Forum
By Xinhua,
Manama : The third ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum opened in Bahraini capital Manama on Wednesday. The following is some background information of the forum.
China has established diplomatic relations with all the 22 members of the Arab League (AL). Since the world entered a new millennium, China and the Arab countries have witnessed an increasing development of cooperation in various fields, making it a need to set up a bilateral mechanism to further push forward their cooperative relations.
Two American soldiers killed by Iraqi colleague
By Xinhua
Baghdad : An Iraqi soldier shot dead two US soldiers and injured three in the city of Mosul in Nineveh province, 400 km north of Baghdad, on Dec 26, the US military said Saturday.
The incident, in which a civilian interpreter was also injured, took place when the US and Iraqi soldiers were conducting a joint operation.
The Iraqi soldier fled the scene after the attack but was later arrested along with two other soldiers who are suspected of being associated with the incident, the military said.
UAE President, Pakistan PM discuss bilateral relations
By SPA
Islamabad : Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro met yesterday the President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan.
An official statement said that both leaders exchanged views on bilateral issues and reiterated their resolve to further cementing the long-lasting brotherly relations between the two countries.
Mid-term polls can’t be ruled out in Pakistan: Musharraf
Islamabad : Mid-term polls and an interim government in Pakistan cannot be ruled out, former president Pervez Musharraf has said adding that the elections...
Baghdad Blast Kills 7
By Prensa Latina,
Baghdad : A car bomb explosion in Karrada, in east Baghdad, killed at least seven people and wounded 11, among them three policemen, a local news agency reported Thursday.
According to Aswat Al Iraq, the blast hit around 8 p.m. last night near a shop that sells soft drinks and ice cream in the Karrada neighborhood. Four cars were destroyed in the blast.
Meanwhile, at least 18 civilians were killed Wednesday in Baghdad when a truck filled with Shiite militia rockets accidentally blew up, U.S. military officials said.
Hamas presses for Israeli commitment to truce
By Xinhua,
Gaza : A senior Islamic Hamas movement official on Thursday warned Israel that Hamas would quit an Egyptian-brokered truce if Israel keeps Gaza Strip border crossing points closed.
"If Israel doesn't commit itself to the truce and reopen the crossings, this truce should go to hell," Ahmed Yousef, an advisor to deposed prime minister Ismail Haneya of Hamas government in Gaza told reporters.
Pakistan to station JF-17 combat jets at Peshawar
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will station its first squadron of the JF-17 Thunder combat jet that has been jointly developed with China at Peshawar, the capital of the restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP), it was announced Friday.
"The first fighter squadron of JF-17 Thunder aircraft will be raised and stationed at Peshawar," PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman said on a visit to the base.
"By the end of 2009, the squadron will be fully operational," a PAF release quoted him as saying while addressing officers and airmen at the base.
Pakistan gets upgraded F-16s from Turkey
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has received three F-16 fighter jets after the aircraft were upgraded in Turkey.
Government troops clear rebel stronghold in Pakistan
By DPA,
Islamabad : Pakistani security forces Sunday gained more ground in Khyber tribal district of northwest Pakistan during an offensive against insurgents threatening key towns and the main supply route serving the NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Troops in armoured personnel carriers and tanks began the assault Saturday from Bara town, about five kilometre from the North-West Frontier Province's capital Peshawar, after rebel activity jeopardized peace talks with the government.
Australia condemns Kabul attack, says embassy staff safe
By KUNA
Sydney : The Australian Foreign Ministry has condemned on Tuesday the attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul that took place last night.
"The Australian Embassy in Afghanistan, which is based in the hotel, has been relocated," a ministry statement said.
"The staff of the embassy are safe and well. We are working to contact all Australians who are registered with us as living in Kabul, to confirm their safety and advise them to avoid the Serena Hotel at this time," it said.
Nine extremists were killed in gun battle in Bangladesh
By DPA,
Dhaka : A raging gun battle between an elite security force and leftist extremists in northern Bangladesh left at least nine people dead and four other injured Thursday, officials said.
All the victims were suspected extremists belonging to a faction of the banned Sarbahara (Proletariate) Party, said a local police officer who cannot be named.
Witnesses said commandos of the Rapid Action Battalion exchanged fire with members of the Marxist-Leninist faction leading to at least nine deaths.
33 killed in attacks across Iraq
Baghdad : Thirty-three people were killed and 50 others wounded in attacks across Iraq Monday, police said.
The deadliest attack occurred in Iraq's Wasit province...
Some 2.16 million tourists visited Iran in March 2007-2008
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : Some 2.16 million foreign tourists visited the Islamic Republic in the year to March 2008, head of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organisation, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei said.
Speaking at a press conference at Tehran's Golestan Palace Sunday, he said that an increase in the number of foreign tourists indicates the development of the tourism industry in the Islamic Republic.
Mashaei noted that there are no obstacles to expanding the tourism industry.
Four killed, 54 wounded in N Lebanon clashes
By Xinhua,
Beirut : Four people have been killed and 54 others wounded since clashes broke out in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli last night between pro-government and opposition supporters, local New TV reported Wednesday.
Police and hospital reports said that four Lebanese army soldiers and one officer were wounded by sniper fire.
Rocket propelled grenade launchers and machine guns were used in the clashes between pro-government Sunni inhabitants of Bab Tabbaneh and opposition Alawits of Baal Mohsen.
10 killed in Baghdad car bomb attack
Baghdad ; At least 10 people were killed and 36 others wounded in a suicide car bomb attack in Iraq's capital city Sunday, police...
12 insurgents killed in Afghanistan
Kabul, March 24 (Xinhua) At least 12 Taliban insurgents were killed by the police in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan, provincial police chief Juma Gul Humat told Xinhua Monday.
"The clash, during which 12 rebels were killed, took place Sunday in Chora district when police backed by the international troops launched a clean-up operation against militants in that area," Humat told Xinhua.
Three policemen were wounded in the operation, he said.
There was no immediate comment by the Taliban on the incident.
Al-Qaeda claims hand in Bangladeshi blogger’s death
Dhaka: "Ansar-Al-Islam", which declared it as the "Bangladesh branch" of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the killing of secular...
US says military advisors given protection by Iraq
Washington: The White House said Monday that the American troops to be sent to Iraq as advisors to make an assessment of how best...
Bahrain to deport foreign workers who go on strike
By Aroonim Bhuyan, IANS
Dubai : Bahrain will immediately deport foreign workers who go on strike and the employer will be issued new visas to replace the visas of those deported.
"A visa to replace him (the striking worker) will be given directly to the contractor to ensure that his work is not affected, to allow him to bring a replacement as soon as possible," Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Bahrain's labour ministry undersecretary, told the Gulf Daily News.
Constructive US approach can resolve nuclear issue: Iran
By IANS,
Tehran : In its first public reaction to the US presence during Saturday's nuclear talks in Geneva, Iran Friday said a constructive approach by Washington would help in resolving the issue, IRNA reported.
“From our standpoint, what is important is with what approach will he (US representative Undersecretary of State William Burns) attend the talks,” Tehran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili told reporters before leaving for Geneva to attend the meeting.
Israel takes security precautions ahead of Bush’s visit
By NNN-KUNA
Gaza : Israel has put police on high alert in preparation for the upcoming visit of US President George W. Bush expected on Wednesday.
Police spokesman told Israel Radio Tuesday that troops would be stationed around residence of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and King David Hotel in Jerusalem later Tuesday till the end of Bush's visit.
Police will also intensify presence in the vicinity of the Al-Aqsa mosque in the holy city.
Iran, U.S. to resume talks on Iraq security
By Xinhua
Tehran : The fourth round of talks on the security in Iraq will be held between Iran and U.S. officials in Baghdad on Thursday, the ISNA news agency reported on Wednesday.
"On the basis of an agreement reached with the Iraqi government, the fourth round of tripartite talks on Iraq's security will beheld on Thursday with delegations from Iran, Iraq and the United States," Reza Amir Moghaddam, head of the Iranian delegation, was quoted as saying.
Indian teacher honoured in Saudi Arabia
Jeddah : The Indian community in Saudi Arabia held a reception here to honour a teacher who has received India's best teacher award.
The Indian...
UN increases efforts regarding Afghanistan
By NNN-KUNA
Oslo : Deputy Special Representative for the UN Secretary-General in Afghanistan Chris Alexander announced on Tuesday new plans to reinforce missions of assistance to the Afghan people and support to government institutions in Afghanistan.
Alexander added, missions of assistance were proposed by the new Norwegian candidate for the position of Special Representative for Afghanistan, to seek a fast solution for the Afghani crisis.
United States and Syria should talk (about everything)
By Theodore H. Kattouf, CGNews,
The recent compromise on power sharing in Lebanon spares the country further bloodshed, and allows its people to return to a modicum of normalcy. However, the underlying causes of the conflict remain, and Lebanon continues to be an arena where external powers play out their rivalries.
Unless and until Syria and the United States reach a grand bargain, the Lebanese will continue to pay the price.
Bush approved raids into Pakistan: Report
By DPA,
Washington : US military special forces have been given approval by President George W. Bush to mount ground attacks inside Pakistan against terrorist and Afghan insurgent targets, The New York Times reported Thursday on its website.
The orders were given in July, the newspaper reported, citing senior US officials speaking on condition of anonymity.
The orders expand existing US policy to carry out airstrikes inside Pakistan using unmanned drone aircraft against targets of Al Qaeda, the terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden.
Arab League strongly condemns Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : The Arab League has strongly condemned Israel's barbaric aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza which resulted in the death of more than 20 people and the injury of tens of others including children and elderly women and men.
The Arab League Secretariat noted in a statement here Thursday the continuing suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, including a real humanitarian and environmental crisis amid ongoing Israeli imposed sanctions and the closure of borders to energy and power supplies.
Iran, Iraq ink agreement on environment protection
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iranian and Iraqi officials signed an eight-article agreement on cooperation in the field of environment protection, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The document was inked by head of Iran's Department of Environment Fatemeh Vaez-Javadi and Iraqi Minister of Environment Nermin Othman in Tehran.
Speaking to reporters prior to signing the agreement, the Iranian official said the document would facilitate Tehran-Baghdad cooperation for further protection of their natural resources.
Shebaa Farms can create momentum for peace
By Cesar Chelala, CGNews,
Shebaa Farms is a sliver of land located in the border area between Israel, Lebanon and Syria. It can play an important role, much larger than its size. An agreement on that area – located some 16 square miles on the western slopes of the Hermon Mountain range – can help create a much-needed momentum for peace in the region.
Zia, Hasina may discuss Bangladesh poll postponement
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh's former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, whose intense rivalry led to the cancellation of parliamentary polls in January last year, may meet to discuss the postponement of the elections scheduled for Dec 18, media reports said Thursday.
Zia wants the poll, for which the process has already begun, to be put off by two months. Hasina has indicated that she could at best agree to a 10-day postponement, if that ensures Zia's participation.
Bangladesh’s ex-PM Khaleda granted bail in all cases
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : The High Court on Tuesday granted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia three-month bail in two corruption cases, clearing legal barriers to her freedom on bail from prison, local media reported.
"This removes the last barrier to her release from detention," her lawyer Rafiqul Islam Miah told the local news agency the bdnews24.com, as earlier Khaleda has secured bails in two other cases out of four corruption cases.
Khaleda, suffering from arthritis and knee problems, is likely to be released on Tuesday or Wednesday, local reports said.
Romania hails election of new Lebanese president
By Xinhua,
Bucharest : The election of army chief Michel Suleiman as the president of Lebanon is an important step toward the implementation of the inter-Lebanese agreement reached in Dohaon May 21, the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE) said Wednesday.
"Consistent with its stance so far, MAE encourages the implementation of other recommendations from the January 6, 2008 Arab plan for Lebanon as well," the ministry said in a press release.
Bangladesh fails to register its Urdu-speaking citizens as voters
By IANS,
Dhaka : Urdu-speaking non-Bengali citizens of Bangladesh will not be able to vote in the December parliamentary polls as the Election Commission has closed its voters' list without enrolling them, despite a court order.
"No step was taken to enrol them," the New Age newspaper said after the poll body wrapped up its exercise Friday.
After years of litigation and petitioning various authorities, a high court order in May granted citizenship to about 160,000 people living in 161 make-shift camps across the country.
Emergence of an eTurkey
By Itir Akdogan
For more than 40 years Turkey has been taking certain measures to reach the European Union criteria of a member state. As part of a drive to increase innovation in and access to technology, the EU has allocated more than 100 billion euros for the i2010 Programme to create a "Single European Information Space", in which innovation and investment in technology is a priority. Becoming an information society is one of the reforms Turkey is undertaking to increase its chances of joining the EU.
Baghdad protests over alleged Iranian abuses of Iraqi oilfields
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Iraqi Foreign Ministry has sent a note of protest to the Iranian side on the background of the alleged Iranian abuses of Iraqi oilfields.
Iraqi Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Mohammed Al-Haj Hmoud told KUNA Sunday that the Iraqi Oil Ministry has called on the Foreign Ministry to protest to the Iranian side over the alleged Iranian violations of the Iraqi oilfields near the common border.
23 killed in Pakistan suicide blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least 23 people died in northwest Pakistan when a suicide bomber blew himself up while they were coming out of a mosque after Friday prayers.
Al Qaeda-inspired group claims Egypt attacks
Cairo : Al Qaeda-inspired militant group Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis has claimed responsibility for twin suicide bombings that killed three people and wounded eight others...
Pakistan for OIC meeting on Israeli attack
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan has requested Secretary General of OIC to convene emergency meeting of OIC Permanent Representatives with a view to evolving an effective response to Israeli attack on peace flotilla, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.
This matter has also been taken up by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative in UN Geneva at the OIC Group and at the Human Rights Council, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
Can there be a Swat pact in Afghanistan?
By IANS,
Islamabad : Can a pact between the Pakistani government and the Taliban, aimed at restoring peace in the nation's troubled Swat valley, be the forerunner of a similar deal in Afghanistan? It would seem so from the remarks of US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.
At the same time, the Swat pact has exposed the sharp differences in the Barack Obama administration, with the president's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke bitterly opposed to the peace deal.