Briton joins Iranian Press TV as presenter
By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Britain born journalist Yvonne Ridley, who was taken into custody by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2000, is now working as a TV presenter for Iranian Press TV after converting to Islam to honour her promise to captors.
Ridley told reporters here Sunday she has been based in West Asia since 2000 and has also worked with Al Jazeera as a TV presenter.
She is here - her first visit to India - on the invitation of the student's wing of Jamath-e-Islami, a Muslim social organization.
Palestinian killed by Israeli army fire near Gaza
By SPA
Gaza City, Gaza Strip : Palestinian medics say a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli army fire as he approached Gaza's border fence with Israel.
The Israeli military says the man was armed and hurled a grenade at forces close to the fence. The man was killed late Friday and the body was retrieved by Palestinian medics Saturday, according to a report of the Associated Press.
Three Indians killed in road accident in UAE
Dubai:Three Indian expatriates were killed in a road accident in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the media said Saturday
Three friends - Aslam Aboobaker, 25,...
Dalai Lama congratulates Malala, Satyarthi
Dharamsala : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Saturday congratulated Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, saying the award...
Jordan to sign nuclear cooperation agreement with France
By Xinhua,
Amman : Jordan and France plan to sign a cooperation agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy on Friday, official news agency Petra reported Thursday.
The agreement, to be signed by Jordanian Foreign Minister Salaheddin Al Bashir and his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner, will also include training of Jordanians on nuclear safety measures and financial and administrative regulations on the cooperation, it said.
Afghan president arrives in Pakistan to talk security
By DPA,
Islamabad : Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Islamabad Wednesday to discuss security on the two countries' shared border, a Pakistani official said.
What was the understanding with Nawaz Sharif, asks Congress
New Delhi: Accusing Pakistan of causing derailment of bilateral talks with India by "forcefully" raking up the Kashmir issue, Congress leader Anand Sharma Tuesday...
Two held with heroin at Lahore airport
By IANS,
Islamabad : Two people were held at Pakistan's Lahore airport Friday while carrying nearly 10 kg of heroin in their luggage, Geo News reported.
Review Pakistani Army Act: Daily
By IANS,
Islamabad : Noting that "basic civil liberties need to be protected", a leading Pakistani daily has sought a fresh look at the Pakistan Army Act.
Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli army in West Bank
By IANS,
Ramallah : Two Palestinians were wounded as dozens clashed with Israeli soldiers Saturday in front of an Israeli prison near the West Bank city of Ramallah, witnesses said.
Modi, Sharif discuss India-Pakistan ties
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif met here Tuesday and discussed bilateral issues, their meeting lasting longer...
138 bodies found after Turkey quake
By IANS,
Istanbul : At least 138 bodies have been found after a magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit Turkey's southeastern Van province Sunday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said early Monday.
Four Pakistani sailors released by Somali pirates
By IANS,
Islamabad : Somali pirates have released four Pakistani sailors kept hostage for 10 months, Geo News reported.
Iran denounces Hillary Clinton’s threat in letter to UN chief
By Xinhua,
United Nations : Iran strongly condemned Wednesday U.S. presidential contender Hillary Rodham Clinton for threatening to destroy the country, vowing to respond to any attack.
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon dated April 30,Mehdi Danesh-Yazdi, Iran's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, slammed Clinton for making "such a provocative, unwarranted and irresponsible statement," which constituted "a flagrant violation" of the UN Charter.
Rice arrives in Beirut on surprise visit
By DPA,
Beirut : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived Monday in Beirut on a surprise visit, officials said.
Rice was scheduled to meet President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Fouad Seniora in a trip that follows her weekend visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories in a bid to push forward the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Rice said following the election of president May 25 that she looked forward to working with Suleiman.
India to provide $1 million for aid to Gaza victims
New Delhi : As the Gaza conflict shows no immediate signs of let-up and the number of deaths, including of scores of children, mount...
UK retailers selling garments made by exploited Bangladeshis
By IANS,
London : A British charity says the country's top retailers are selling clothes produced under inhuman conditions in Bangladesh and has called for a government legislation “to stop British companies profiting from abuse”.
The charity, War on Want, has said in its latest report that workers in Bangladeshi factories are paid seven pence for an hour's work, forced to labour for 80 hours a week and on top of it, there are reports of physical and verbal abuse.
Iran proposal not adequate on nuclear dispute, says US
By DPA,
Washington : The US Thursday criticised Iran's proposal for resolving the long-standing nuclear dispute, saying it failed to address the key issues that have put Tehran at odds with much of the international community.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Iran's offer, submitted Wednesday, was "not really responsive to our greatest concern, which is obviously Iran's nuclear programme".
"Iran reiterated its view that, as far as it is concerned, its nuclear file is closed," Crowley said. "That is certainly not the case. There are many outstanding issues."
Pakistani President Musharraf not to attend OIC summit due to political situation
By NNN-Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will not attend the upcoming Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) summit scheduled to be held this month in Senegal, local media reported on Wednesday.
Pakistan Caretaker Foreign Minister Inaam-ul-Haq will attend the 11th summit on behalf of Pakistan, GEO TV said.
Musharraf would not attend the OIC summit at Dakar, capital of Senegal, scheduled to be held on March 13-14 owing to existing political situation in the country, GEO TV quoted sources in Islamabad as saying.
Pakistan united against terror: Nawaz Sharif
Peshawar : Pakistan is united in the fight against terror, said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday, a day after 132 children were killed in...
British boxer Amir Khan banned from driving
LONDON, Jan 07 (APP)-The British and Commonwealth lightweight boxing champion Amir Khan has been banned from driving for 42 days and fined one thousand pounds for speeding at 140 mph on a motorway, reports local media. A court in Rochdale, central England, heard how the 21-year-old Commonwealth lightweight title-holder hit twice the legal speed limit while behind the wheel of his BMW convertible on the M62 near Greater Manchester, on New Year’s Eve 2006.
A police officer told the Court that his speedometer was “off the clock” at 155mph as he pursued him on the M62.
Iran’s president again says not to retreat over nuclear rights
TEHRAN, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday repeated his defiance towards Western powers which were pushing new sanctions against Iran's nuclear program, saying Tehran would not back down from its rights, state television reported.
Ahmadinejad made the remarks to large crowds at Iran's southern port city of Bushehr, where the country's first nuclear power plant was being built with the assistance of Russia.
Over 20 killed in two explosions outside Pakistan”s weapons factory
By KUNA,
Islamabad : More than 20 people were killed and nearly 40 others were wounded in two huge explosions, believed to be suicide attacks, outside a weapon-production factory in eastern Pakistan on Thursday, said police.
The incident occurred outside the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) in Wah Cantonment area of Taxila city, about 50 kilometers from Islamabad.
Police sources told KUNA that two suicide bombers blew themselves up, one at the main gate of the POF and the other at the back gate, at the time when a large number of workers were leaving the factory.
‘Middle East aviation sector resilient to global pressures’
By IANS,
Dubai : The aviation sector in the Middle East will be resilient to global aviation concerns like spiralling oil prices, economic downturn and increasing environmental challenges, according to the head of Emirates Airline.
"The global aviation industry is enjoying mixed fortunes at the moment - there is both positive and negative news," Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president and chief executive of Emirates and president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, said here Monday.
Majlis commission approves general outlines of budget bill
By IRNA,
Tehran : The Majlis Joint Commission here on Tuesday ratified the general outlines of the next year budget bill, an MP said on Tuesday.
Mohammad-Mehdi Mofatteh, Rapporteur of the Majlis Joint Commission, told reporters that the bill was ratified by 33 votes out of 43 MPs present at the commission.
According to the Majlis internal by-law, after receiving the budget bill, the MPs have 10 days to present their proposals to the parliamentary specialized commissions. The commissions then review the bill in 15 days and submit their reports to the Joint Commission.
Afghan militants kill four on spying charges
By IANS,
Kabul : Taliban rebels beheaded four civilians for allegedly spying for the government in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, authorities said.
Beeline for Indian schools in Muscat; 1,900 waitlisted
Muscat : The first merit list for admissions to Indian schools in Oman's capital Muscat brought with it sleepless nights for parents from the...
Pakistan shuts down Jamaat-ud-Dawa offices after UN ban
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Pakistani government moved Thursday to close down the offices of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a front organisation for the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which is blamed by India for the attacks in Mumbai, after the UN declared it a terrorist group.
The government placed the chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Hafiz Muhammad Saeed under house arrest for a period of three months Thursday and the police have been deployed at the headquarters of Jamat-ud-Dawa in Lahore, the capital city of eastern Punjab province.
Pakistani Taliban likely behind Danish embassy blast: officials
By AFP,
Islamabad : Pakistani Taliban militants likely carried out a suicide attack on the Danish embassy in Islamabad in revenge for controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, officials said Tuesday.
But the car bombing on Monday, which killed at least six people, was believed to be a one-off and would not scupper peace talks between the Islamist rebels and Pakistan's new government, a senior government official said.
Olmert says no peace with Palestinians but after cessation of terrorism
By KUNA
Ramallah : US President Bush and Olmet said they discussed the Iranian nuclear program and exchanged views over it.
Bush said Iran has been threatening international peace and the international community must stop it.
If a country is capable of enriching uranium for civil purposes then it can develop it for military methods to build a nuclear bomb, said Bush, citing iranian missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
He said Iran was not transparent regarding its nuclear program.
Malaysian Indian Congress hoping to recapture parliament seat
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Backed by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) is hoping to recapture a parliament seat it lost two years ago in Selangor to assert its political importance in a multi-ethnic nation.
Najib, who is chief of the ruling alliance Barisan Nasional (BN), has nominated its ally MIC for the seat but is yet to clear the candidate for the April 27 poll for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat.
US ‘extremely concerned’ about worsening situation in Pakistan
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : The US is "extremely concerned" by the political crisis in Pakistan but doesn't believe there is a "high probability right now" the situation will prompt the military to intervene.
The situation "continues to deteriorate very, very slowly under a political leadership which is very challenged because of the totality of the crisis," Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mullen, said in an interview with PBS.
Have not left India, will be back when feel safe: Taslima
Kolkata : Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, who has relocated to the US, on Wednesday said she hasn't left India permanently and would...
Saudi princess seeks political asylum in Britain
By IANS,
London: A Saudi Arabian princess has sought political asylum in Britain because she fears for her safety in her home country, the Daily Mail reported Monday.
Request Indian businesses to come to Afghanistan: Karzai
By IANS,
New Delhi : Visiting Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai Monday said he wants Indian business to come to Afghanistan and invest as the country is now more confident of its future.
Police: US air strike kills 8 in Basra
By SPA
Baghdad : Iraqi police say a U.S. warplane has destroyed a house in Basra and killed eight civilians, including two women and one child.
The U.S. military says it's looking into the report.
A local policeman says seven others were wounded when the plane strafed a house in the Hananiyah neighborhood, according to a report of the Associated Press.
Pakistani PM for enhancing ties with UK
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed his government’s keen desire to further consolidate the diplomatic, political and economic ties with the UK.
In a meeting here with a delegation of UK House of Commons’ Defence Select Committee, he said that the friendly relations between the two countries are rooted in the long historical bonds.
The delegation was headed by chairman of the committee James Arbuthnot.
Pakistan receives third tranche of IMF loan
By IANS,
Karachi : Pakistan has received $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the third tranche of an emergency loan agreed to last year, the central bank said.
"We have received $1.2 billion from the IMF," State Bank of Pakistan spokesperson Syed Wasimuddin told The News.
The IMF last week increased its loan to Pakistan to $11.3 billion under an economic programme first agreed to in November 2008 to avert a balance of payments crisis.
UAE, Belarus discuss parliamentary cooperation
By IANS/WAM,
Dubai: The UAE and Belarus have held talks on ways to enhance parliamentary cooperation.
Egypt accuses Morsi of leaking documents to Qatar
Cairo: The Egyptian prosecution ordered Wednesday to temporarily detain former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi for 15 days on charges of leaking "national security documents"...
Middle East businessmen caught in Kerala CPI-M feud?
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram: Two prominent Middle East-based businessmen who hail from Kerala appear to be caught in the factional feud of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in Kerala.
President Pervez Musharraf returns to Pakistan
By SPA
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf returned to Pakistan Tuesday at the conclusion of his nine-day four-nation visit to European countries that took him to Belgium, France, Switzerland and United Kingdom, officials said.
The President was received at Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala by caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro, National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain, caretaker Minister for Information Nisar Memon and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani besides other senior civil and military officers.
Exit process of expats from Saudi Arabia to start May 18
By IANS,
Dubai : Passport authorities in Saudi Arabia will start stamping the exit papers of stranded expatriate workers from May 18 to help them leave that country.
Bangladesh rail network up for a make-over
By IANS,
Dhaka : Neglected for long, Bangladesh's railway is up for a make-over to cope with the growing need for connectivity within the country and to prepare for joining the Asian rail network.
Collaboration with New Delhi is likely to be high on the agenda during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's forthcoming visit to India. She has said she is in touch with Indian Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Volcanic ash casts shadow over Abu Dhabi real estate show
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Volcanic ash erupting from Iceland has cast a shadow over Abu Dhabi's real estate exhibition with many visitors unable to attend the event due to cancellation of flights across Europe.
"Unfortunately, the catastrophic event thousands of kelometres away in Iceland has had an impact here in Abu Dhabi," said Rohan Marwaha, managing director of Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2010 that kicked off Sunday.
"Undoubtedly thousands of potential visitors from Europe and the Americas have been unable to get flights."
39 Indians abducted in Iraq still in captivity
New Delhi : The 39 Indian workers held hostage by Islamic State jihadists in Mosul in Iraq since the past two months "remain in...
Pakistan’s Mumbai terror suspects sent to 14-day remand
By IANS,
Islamabad : Six suspects, including Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, allegedly involved in the Mumbai terror attacks were sent to 14-day remand by a court here, Geo TV reported Sunday.
Officials at Pakistan's foreign office said Saturday that the Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court has issued a 14-day physical remand of the six alleged suspects, into the custody of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
U.S., Iraqi forces kill 13 gunmen in Baghdad Shiite bastion
By Xinhua
Baghdad : U.S. and Iraqi forces killed at least 13 gunmen in sporadic overnight clashes in the Baghdad Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City, the U.S. military said on Saturday.
During the clashes U.S. forces fired one Hellfire missile from a U.S. drone aircraft and two 122mm rounds from a M1A2 Abrams tank against the gunmen who fought the troops with their roadside bombs, rocket propelled grenades, machineguns and small arms fire, a military statement said.
Abu Dhabi to host seminar on nuclear safety
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Abu Dhabi will host a five-day International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seminar on nuclear safety May 30 to June 3.
Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA) will organise the event in partnership with Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).
Rice says priority for Iraq is capacity building
By Xinhua,
Stockholm : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday that the international community's priority for Iraq is not financial assistance, but capacity building.
"The Iraqis don't need large sums of money. They do need large infusions of technical assistance, project support, helping to build an adequate police force, helping to build an adequate justice system, helping to build a capacity to execute their large budgets, down to the provincial and local levels," Rice told reporters after meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.
Israeli politicians condemn attack on Jerusalem school
Jerusalem: Israeli politicians Sunday condemned an attack on the country's largest Jewish-Arab school in Jerusalem.
Parts of the Max Rayne Hand in Hand Jerusalem School...
Both sides to blame for civilian casualties: Afghan official
By DPA,
Geneva : A senior Afghan official said Thursday that suicide bombings by militants and attacks by international coalition forces during operations were the greatest threats to life in his country.
Muhammad Qasim Hashimzai, the deputy minister of justice, was addressing the UN Human Rights Council which was holding its Universal Period Review of Afghanistan.
Deaths from suicide bombings and "civilian casualties during international forces operations remain the main challenge in this area", Hashimzai told the UN forum.
India will talk only if BJP goes: Pakistani daily
Islamabad: India-Pakistan peace talks will be possible only when the BJP is voted out in India, a Pakistani newspaper said on Saturday.
The Nation said...
Gunmen kill three family members in Baghdad violence
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Gunmen shot dead three family members in Baghdad, while a roadside bomb wounded an Iraqi army soldier, an Interior Ministry source said on Sunday.
"Unknown gunmen stormed a house in Baghdad's northeastern neighborhood of Ur, killing an old man and two women and wounding their son," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The attack took place on Saturday night, the source said, adding that investigations are underway.
Iranian President unveils Iranian robot man
Tehran, July 3, IRNA -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a special ceremony on Saturday unveiled the second Iranian made robot man in Tehran.
The robot man dubbed as Sorina 2 was designed and manufactured by some 20 Iranian experts from Tehran University.
The robot man can replace human being in carrying out sensitive tasks in different situations.
Simultaneous with the “Day of Industry and Mine” honored in presence of President Ahmadinejad, the robot was unveiled in the hall of Summit conference.
The robot man is modelled upon human being and can walk on.
Pakistani qawwal plans India visit over ‘Bhar do jholi’ row
Karachi : Pakistani qawwal Amjad Sabri has decided to approach an Indian court over the inclusion of his father's qawwali in Salman Khan...
Germany not fazed by Obama’s Afghanistan criticism
By IRNA
Berlin : The German government said Friday it was not impressed by statements of American Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama who called on European states to boost their efforts in Afghanistan and not rely on the United States and Britain to do the "dirty work" in combating the Taliban.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg said that his country was "aware of its international responsibilities and duties, especially in Afghanistan."
Yemen, Malaysia to promote cooperation
By NNN-SABA,
Sana'a : Yemen and Malaysia are seeking to boost bilateral cooperation in areas such as heart surgery and investment promotion and exchange related information, the GPC-run almotamar.net said on Friday.
The Yemeni ambassador to Malaysia Abdullah al-Muntasir said that the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) had said it will establish a direct communication channel with Yemen's General Investment Authority to promote investment opportunities in the two countries.
Man shot dead in Pakistan court
By IANS,
Islamabad : A man accused in a murder case was shot dead when he was brought to a district court in Pakistani metropolis Lahore, Geo News reported.
10 killed, 20 injured in Karachi blast
By IANS
Karachi : At least 10 people, including two children, were killed and more than 20 injured in a bomb blast in a busy area in Karachi Monday evening, police and hospital sources said.
The bomb was placed in a bag that was hanging from a motorbike in the Quaid Abad area of the city, said the police.
An eyewitness said that he heard a huge sound followed by human screams while passing through the Quaid Abad Square. "I saw a child flying up about 20 feet from the ground," said the eyewitness.
Obama sees encouraging signs towards Mideast peace
By DPA,
Washington : US President Barack Obama said Tuesday he has seen some encouraging sign of progress in the Middle East that could help move toward achieving an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.
Obama noted Tuesday's announcement by the Israeli government that construction permits for new settlements in East Jerusalem have not been issued for months. He also cited the improvement of Palestinian security forces and the economy in the West Bank and the removal of some Israeli checkpoints.
Mubarak meets Abbas on Palestinian-Israeli talks, regional developments
By Xinhua
Cairo : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held talks Wednesday morning with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the latest development in the Middle East, particularly the future of the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
At a press conference following the talks, Abbas said he briefed Mubarak on the outcome of the 20th Arab Summit ended Sunday in Damascus and his short visit in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Islamic Jihad delegation from Gaza arrives in Egypt for reconciliation talks
By Xinhua,
Cairo : A delegation of the Islamic Jihad movement from the Gaza Strip arrived in Egypt on Monday morning via the Rafah crossing for talks with Egyptian officials on the resumption of an inter-Palestinian dialogue.
The Jihad delegation, led by Mohamed al-Hendy, is expected to join another delegation of the movement from Syria to hold talks with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman on the current internal Palestinian rift and means of achieving calm in Gaza, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported.
We will boost democracy, Dhaka tells foreign donors
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh has assured international donors that it will further improve the working of its parliament and boost democracy to facilitate an inclusive and faster pace of development.
The Anti-Corruption Commission and human rights bodies would also be strengthened, the Bangladesh Development Forum (BDF) 2010, a consortium of development partners, was told during two-day consultations.
Bangladesh, which is one of the most densely populated and is high on the global corruption chart, is rated as a least developed country (LDC).
Iran nuclear talks end in Vienna
By DPA,
Vienna : Talks on processing Iran's nuclear fuel abroad concluded in Vienna Wednesday with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei saying that capitals involved should respond to his draft proposal by Friday.
Details of the agreement were not immediately known, but ElBaradei made clear that all parties of the talks - Iran, Russia, France and the US - were part of his proposal.
Pakistan court seeks information on missing Indian national
Islamabad : A Pakistan court has issued notice to the defence and interior ministries demanding an explanation on the disappearance of an Indian national...
Pakistan opposed to withdrawing petroleum subsidies
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan is resisting pressure from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to withdraw subsidies on petroleum products, saying the economy would not be able to withstand the "shock" at this stage.
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani made the government's stand clear at a high-level meeting here on budgetary matters, contending that the subsidies would be gradually withdrawn and only after the government succeeded in mobilising new resources by overhauling the country's tax regime.
Netanyahu seeks two-week extension to form Israeli government
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu Friday asked Israeli President Shimon Peres for a two-week extension to form his government.
Netanyahu arrived at Peres' Jerusalem residence to make the formal request.
Following Israeli's elections last month, where Netanyahu's Likud party came second but with the strongest likelihood of forming a coalition, the country's constitution gave the prime minister-designate 28 days to form a government, with a 14-day extension option.
Mogadishu rocked by food riots
By IINA,
Mogadishu : Police have fired in the air to disperse thousands of people protesting over rising food prices in the streets of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. More than 10,000 people gathered in the southern neighbourhood of Madina today and marched towards the main Bakara trading district, where rally leaders addressed the crowd, an AFP correspondent said.
At Least 2 civilians killed, 5 others injured in Pakistan
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least two civilians were killed and five others were injured as a mortar shell hit a house during exchange of fire between local Taliban and security forces in Pakistan's northwest on Tuesday, according to local media reports.
The reports quoted Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan as saying that Taliban had also kidnapped 25 policemen from a police station and demanded the release of their people to free the policemen in the Swat valley of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
Pakistan offered to partner SSIG Malaysia
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The South-South Information Gateway (SSIG) Malaysia has offered Pakistan to become a partner for exchange of information in print, broadcast and telecast format with no monetary consideration.
Director SSIG, Dr. Badariah Salleh, who held a meeting with High Commissioner for Pakistan in Malaysia, Lt. General (Retd) Tahir Mahmud Qazi Tuesday, said the SSIG can collaborate at institutional level with public sector media organizations like PTV, PBC and APP.
UAE film fest to promote understanding of Islam
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : An initiative to promote understanding about Islam and the Muslim world to the US entertainment industry and a special tribute to veteran Hollywood star Jane Fonda are among the highlights of this year's Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF).
The second edition of MEIFF, to be held here Oct 10-19, will also see prize money across various categories totalling over $1 million, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
Bangladesh’s Zia seeks vote ‘to save Islam and country’
By IANS,
Dhaka : Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia has been urging people to "save Islam and the country" by voting for her Islamist alliance nominees in the parliamentary election due Dec 29.
"Save the country and Islam by voting for BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) and its alliance, and don't cast your vote for those who defamed the religion," Zia said at a large rally at Sylhet in northeastern Bangladesh.
Iran, Morocco sign five MoUs on bilateral cooperation
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : The Commerce Ministers of Iran and Morocco have signed five memorandums of understanding on bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
The documents were signed Tuesday by Massoud Mir-Kazemi of Iran and the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Trade Abdul Latif Mazouz at the end of the 5th session of the Iran-Morocco joint trade and economic commission which started here on Saturday.
Iran is the second supplier of oil to Morocco.
Algeria officially disapproves U.N. investigation
By SPA
United Nations : Algeria’s U.N. envoy said late Friday that his government has officially disapproved of the United Nation’s investigation into the bombings of a U.N. office and an Algerian court building in Algiers.
Algerian Permanent Representative Yousef Yousfi told The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that he spoke with U.N. Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar about the probe Friday evening and that they both have agreed to continue discussions to find ways “to cooperate in a better manner.”
Urdu can bring India, Pak together: former Jang editor
By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,
Bush defends Iraq policy on war anniversary
By DPA
Washington : Five years since the US-led invasion of Iraq, President George W. Bush defended the decision to go to war, calling it the "right decision" and maintaining "this is a fight America can and must win".
In White House-released excerpts of a speech Bush is to deliver later Wednesday at the Pentagon, he reiterated his support for the decision to remove Saddam Hussein from power and praised a surge of troops last year that has led to a decrease in violence in Iraq.
12-year-old girl bleeds to death after marriage
By IANS/AKI,
Hajjah (Yemen) : A 12-year-old girl bled to death three days after a 'swap marriage' here in Yemen's northern province, a report has said.
Child bride Ilham Mahdi Shui al-Asi died last week of severe internal bleeding from a ruptured womb, which caused a fatal haemorrage. She was married for just three days to a man in his 20s in what is known as a 'swap' marriage in the region, the report said Thursday.
US sanctions 13 firms for supplying arms to rogue nations
By DPA,
Washington : The US has imposed sanctions on 13 companies accused of aiding the weapons programmes of North Korea, Iran or Syria, the State Department said Friday.
The companies include firms based in Russia, South Korea, China, Sudan, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates, as well as in the three targeted countries.
The United States had "credible information" that the companies made sales that could "make a material contribution to weapons of mass destruction or cruise or ballistic missile systems," State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid said in a statement.
MNF commends Iraqi forces for improving security
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Iraqi security forces have been working hard which contributed to the improvement of the security condition in Iraq, a senior officer of the coalition forces said.
Admiral Gregory Smith, director of the Multi-National Force's (MNF) Communications Division, told a news conference Sunday the Iraqi security forces have been taking more responsibilities.
He noted the progress achieved by the Iraqi air force, but stopped short to say that a lot more have to be done.
Poll-eve charges before Malaysian Indian Congress meet
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Aspirants for Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) party posts are trading charges on the eve of the party's plenary meeting Saturday.
S. Subramaniam, a former MIC deputy president who wants to recapture the post, Friday dismissed an allegation by the party chief and old rival S. Samy Vellu that he was banking on "external influence" to canvas for votes, NST Online reported.
The charge related to his being praised by the country's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and published by a Tamil online news portal.
40 killed in Afghan violence
By DPA,
Kabul : Four civilians, including two children, were killed in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan, while four Afghan army soldiers and 31 Taliban militants were killed elsewhere in the country, officials said Sunday.
In the latest incident, an eight-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy and two adult civilians were killed in Gerishk district of southern Helmand province Sunday morning. The bomb that killed them was placed on a motorbike in the main market of the district, Daoud Ahmadi, spokesman for the provincial governor said.
Palestinians not opposed to Syria-Israel deal
By DPA,
Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said after talks in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh he was not opposed to any separate peace deal between Syria and Israel.
Speaking after talks with Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak, Abbas said he had no objection to Turkey's mediation efforts between Syria and Israel.
"We support any dialogue and deal reached by Syria as we do not consider this detrimental to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians," Abbas said.
Family planning still taboo in Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : Unplanned pregnancies are on the rise in Pakistan with the number of abortions coming up to 900,000 cases every year, even as the majority of Pakistani people say they feel embarrassed to ask questions on family planning.
The Pakistan government had started a special campaign of "Two children, happy family" almost two decades ago so that everyone in the country could have sufficient food, water, education, healthcare, social welfare and job opportunities.
Iran highlights co-op with UN nuclear agency upon IAEA chief’s arrival
TEHRAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Mohammad Saeedi, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (IAEO), on Friday applauded its cooperation with the UN atomic watchdog as "entering a new phase".
The official IRNA news agency quoted Saeedi as saying that "Regarding Iran's active cooperation with the IAEA and settlement of basic and key issues on Iran's nuclear case, relations between Tehran and the agency have entered a new phase."
Arab ministers discussed health services in Palestine, Golan
By NNN-KUNA,
Geneva : Arab health ministers held a meeting on Monday on sidelines of the ongoing 61st World Health Asssembly that got underway the same day, addressing issues related to the health services in some Arab territories.
Discussions of the Arab Health Ministers Council dealt with health conditions in Palestine and the Syrian Golan heights, Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Dharar Razouqi, said on Tuesday.
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.
Pentagon reports sharp drop in violence in Iraq
By DPA,
Washington : The Pentagon reported Monday that violence in Iraq has dropped by 40 to 80 percent under the increased presence of US troops and better coordination with the Iraqi military.
The quarterly report, required by Congress, showed the decrease in violence across all major indicators - including measures such as civilian deaths, military casualties and roadside attacks - but also warned that Iraq remains fragile and that the trend is reversible.
63 killed in Iraq violence
By IANS,
Baghdad : At least 63 people were killed and some 185 were wounded in a spate of bomb attacks across Iraqi capital Baghdad Thursday morning, an interior ministry source said.
Trade, culture redeem dented India-Pakistan ties
By Shilpa Raina,
New Delhi : India may have called off the Aug 25 foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan, but this hasn't dampened the enthusiasm...
‘Important’ Taliban commander killed, army chief visits Swat
By IANS,
Islamabad: Pakistani security forces have killed an "important" Taliban commander during their operations in the Swat district of the restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the military said Thursday, on a day the army chief visited the area to study first hand the conduct of the operations.
Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani "visited Daggar in Buner District to see first hand progress of operations on ground," an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said.
Zardari asks PM to review corruption-waiver list
By IANS,
Islamabad:President Asif Ali Zardari Monday asked Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to review the names of all those who had benefited from an ordinance granting immunity to prominent Pakistanis charged with corruption.
Gilani was also asked to remove the names of those who had been wrongly included in the list, Zardari said during a meeting with the prime minister at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Online news agency reported, quoting sources.
Israel bombs southern Gaza
By IRNA,
Gaza City : Israeli warplanes bombed southern Gaza Strip early Monday.
Palestinian officials said the warplanes hit a Hamas security compound in Khan Yunis that had already been struck three times.
IRNA reporter in Gaza City said that there is no report available on possible casualties in the air raids.
US soldiers find bodies of 14 civilians in Iraq
By SPA,
Baghdad : US soldiers found the bodies of 14 civilian men in the northern Iraqi city of Samarra, officials said Thursday, according to dpa.
A government spokesman said the dead had not yet been identified.
The Aswat al-Iraq news agency reported late Wednesday that the bodies of two Iraqi soldiers had been found in Tigris, south of the capital Baghdad.
The soldiers from Wasit Province had been tortured before being killed, according to the report.
Seven soldiers killed in suicide attack in Libya’s Benghazi
Benghazi: Seven Libyan soldiers were killed and 12 others wounded by a suicide attack on an army checkpoint in the eastern city of Benghazi,...
US chief of naval operations arrives in Pakistan
Islamabad : Admiral Jonathan Greenert, US chief of naval operations, arrived in the Pakistan Tuesday on a visit aimed at enhancing professional cooperation between...
Pakistani national sent to nine days’ police custody
New Delhi : A court here Wednesday remanded suspected terrorist Arshad Khan, a Pakistani national, to nine days' police custody in connection with the...
Rain and cold kill at least 11 in Pakistan
By DPA
Islamabad : Heavy rain, snow and near-freezing temperatures during the weekend killed at least 11 people across Pakistan, a Pakistani media report said Monday.
Inclement weather, especially at higher elevations in the country's northern areas, was expected to continue this week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said on its website.
The Urdu-language Express newspaper reported that six people died due to cold weather in the Sahiwal and Okara districts of Punjab province, where the temperature fell to 7 degrees in mountainous areas.
India to review actions by Pakistan in punishing Mumbai terrorists
By IANS,
New Delhi : A day after Pakistan acknowledged the role of its citizens in the Mumbai mayhem, India Friday asked Islamabad to "fully unveil" the conspiracy and underlined that the future of their ties will depend on the steps taken by Islamabad to punish the perpetrators of the attacks.
India also underscored the threat posed by terrorism emanating from Pakistan not just to India but also the world and said it will review "the situation including Pakistan's responses and will take further steps that we deem necessary in order to protect our people".
Israeli negotiator defends her meeting with Abbas
Jerusalem:Israeli chief negotiator Tzipi Livni has defended her meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in London last week amid criticisms accusing her of acting...
UNRWA lauds support of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Charity Foundation
By WAM
Abu Dhabi : Ambassador Peter Ford, representative of general commissioner of United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestinians in Near East (UNRWA), has hailed the humanitarian efforts exerted by the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Charity Foundation to help the Palestinian refugees in Gaza through supporting the operations of UNRWA.
The remarks were made during a visit paid by Ford to the head office of Sheikh Khalifa Foundation in Abu Dhabi, where he was received by Mohammed Hajji Khoori, executive director of the foundation and other officials.
US diplomat’s car hits motorcyclist in Islamabad
By IANS,
Islamabad : A motorcyclist here was critically injured when he was hit by a US diplomat's car, a media report said Saturday.
Solana to visit Egypt to discuss Gaza situation
By NNN-KUNA
Brussels : European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana has said that he will visit Egypt soon to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza following the tight Israeli blockade over the 1.5 million Gazans.
Solana told a press conference after a meeting of EU Council of Foreign Ministers Monday that he is in contact with the Arab League on the issue and urged the Palestinian Authority to take control of the Rafah border crossing.
Pakistan to get 160 IED-resistant vehicles from US
Islamabad: The US government will give 160 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, and spare and repair parts worth 198 million dollars to Pakistan,...
Many Pakistani voters ask Musharraf to quit, call politicians frauds
By Devirupa Mitra, IANS
Islamabad : "Everybody is a fraud" is one of several slogans angry Pakistani voters scribbled on their ballot papers as they got their chance to speak out against their political masters during elections to the country's top legislative bodies Feb 18.
Mideast peace will give strong signal to all extremists — Blair
By KUNA,
Interlaken (Switzerland) : Former British premier Tony Blair has said that achieving peace in the Middle East will give a strong signal to all the extremists around the world.
In his closing speech to the Swiss Economic Forum (SEF) late Friday night, Blair said that in order to overcome the Gaza crisis, initial measures needed to taken that help the Palestinian population and at the same time isolate Hamas.
"There is no alternative to a two-state solution," he said, adding that the Israelis and Palestinians should live in peace, side-by-side.
Egyptian parliamentary delegation visits Gaza
By IANS,
Gaza : An Egyptian parliamentary delegation arrived on Wednesday in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip for a visit.
‘Former Libyan spy chief was double agent for Britain, US’
By IANS,
London : Musa Kusa, the former Libyan intelligence chief who defected to Britain, was acting as a double agent for the MI6 and the CIA for a decade, an official said.
Haj pilgrims must be vaccinated against seasonal flu: Saudi Arabia
By IANS,
Dubai : As a swine flu epidemic rages globally, Saudi Arabia has advised all pilgrims traveling for the Haj to vaccinate themselves against "seasonal human influenza".
"The Ministry of Health advises all pilgrims, whether arriving from outside or inside the Kingdom, to obtain the seasonal human influenza vaccine prior to their departure to perform Haj or Omrah rituals, especially those who are more exposed to the disease, such as the elderly and people suffering from chronic respiratory disorders, diabetes, or kidney, liver, or heart failure," a posting on its website said.
Haqqani network claims responsibility for Afghan suicide bombing blast
By Xinhua
Kabul : A leader of the Taliban-associated Haqqani network has claimed responsibility for the March 3 suicide bombing attack in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province which killed two NATO soldiers and two Afghan workers, the U.S.-led Coalition forces said Wednesday.
"Siraj Haqqani, the leader of the Haqqani Network, took responsibility for the attack wounding dozens of Afghan civilians and promised more suicide bombings" in Khost province, it said in a statement.
Israeli army kills four members of pro-Fatah Gaza clan
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Israeli soldiers stationed on the border between eastern Gaza City and Israel shot dead four members of the pro-Fatah movement Helles clan, as they tried to enter Israel Saturday.
Palestinian sources said that Abu Maher, member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council, who was trying to flee Gaza with a group of relatives, was also shot and wounded.
The sources added that Hamas security forces stormed Sheja'eya neighbourhood, where Helles clan lives, early Saturday morning.
Saudi Arabia shuts down lingerie shops with male staff
By IANS,
London : Saudi Arabia has ordered closure of around 100 lingerie shops in Riyadh for violating new regulations that ban men from working as sales staff, the Daily Mail reported.
UAE highlights relations with France
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stressed on the significance of its trade and investment relations with France.
Halt terror to end strains in India-Pakistan ties, PM tells Gilani
By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS,
Colombo : A blunt Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told his Pakistani counterpart here Saturday that the suicide attack on the Indian mission in Kabul, rising ceasefire violations along the Kashmir border and infiltration of terrorists had hurt bilateral relations.
Speaking candidly to Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the 15th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, Manmohan Singh voiced concern that the "recent events" had impacted on the prospects of their peace dialogue.
Israeli soldiers’ remains confirmed through DNA testing
By NNN-KUNA,
Beirut : The International Committee of the Red Cross has determined, through DNA testing, that the remains handed over by the Hezbollah did in fact belong to the two Israeli soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.
Hezbollah handed over Wednesday morning the remains of the two soldiers, whom it kidnapped on July 12, 2006. Up until Wednesday, their fate had been unknown.
Pakistani daily bats for official who spoke trade with India
By IANS,
Islamabad : A Pakistani daily is unhappy that a senior official who played an important role in the relaxation of the trade regime with India "has been put out to pasture".
Israeli force carries out ground assault in Gaza
By KUNA
Gaza : Advancing under cover of a hail of gunfire, heavily-armed Israeli military forces carried out an incursion into eastern fringes of the Palestinian shanty town of Al-Bureij in the center of Gaza Strip on Sunday.
Witnesses told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) the troops, equipped with tanks, military vehicles and bulldozers, reached locations around the refugee camp after advancing from nearby positions, with gunship helicopters roaring over the advancing force.
Gaza-bound ship abandons journey due to Israeli warnings
By DPA,
Lacarna (Cyprus) : Peace activists abandoned an attempt reach Gaza with a ship loaded with aid for Gaza's Palestinians early Tuesday and returned to Cyprus, a spokesman of Free Gaza, a US NGO, told Greek radio Thursday.
Their ship, Arion, was urged by Israeli warships about 80 nautical miles off Gaza via loudspeaker and radio several times to leave the region, as the sea's off Gaza were off limits, the activists said.
The 21 Free Gaza activists, among them several doctors, abandoned their journey and are expected back at the Cypriot port Lacarna Thursday afternoon.
Israel to Exchange Prisoners with Hizballah
By Prensa Latina,
Tel Aviv : The Israeli Government ratified on Tuesday a prisoner exchange agreement with Lebanese Shiite group Hizballah, a decision seen by both parties as a victory over their enemy.
Israeli Radio and the Jerusalem Post daily confirmed that the Cabinet of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert okayed the pact for the release of five Lebanese people in exchange for at least two soldiers captured in Lebanon in 2006.
Anyone below 18 is a child: Dhaka
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh government has pledged a policy that redefines a 'child' as anyone below 18 and they would be kept out of the work force.
Some outlines of a national children policy were announced on May Day.
Bangladesh has a 3.2 million child work force as per 2003 statistics. Of them, 1.29 million children are involved in hazardous work, and the new policy would have direct impact upon them, The Daily Star said Sunday.
President: Iran not to talk about nuclear issue outside IAEA
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that his country would no longer negotiate over its nuclear issue outside the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the official IRNA news agency reported.
"From now on, Iran's peaceful nuclear program will be discussed only at the International Atomic Energy Agency within the framework of the NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) regulations and mutual commitments," IRNA quoted Ahmadinejad assaying.
Italy to send military instructors to help Libyan rebels
By IANS,
Rome : Italy would send 10 military instructors to help Libyan rebels in the battle against forces led by Muammar Gaddafi, Italian Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa has said.
China ready to build economic corridor with Pakistan
Beijing: China is ready to work with Pakistan to complete a long-term plan by this year-end to build a bilateral economic corridor, Chinese Premier...
Former Egypt PM jailed for corruption
By IANS,
Cairo : A court in the Egyptian capital has sentenced former prime minister Ahmed Nazif to three years in prison for corruption, BBC reported Thursday.
‘Qatar needs to ensure better protection of Indian workers’
By Gyanendra Kumar Keshri, IANS,
“Several” Taliban killed in central Afghanistan: Coalition
By KUNA,
Kabul : The US-led coalition troops claimed killing several Taliban during an operation in central Afghanistan.
A statement from the coalition forces' Bagram base on Saturday said the militants were eliminated in an operation in Tagab district of the central Kapisa province.
Several militants were killed and another three arrested in Tagab district after the militants attacked the troops with small and heavy arms. The troops were conducting operation in the area.
The troops responded to killing all those involved in the attack against the coalition troops.
Obama expresses support for Yemen action with Saudi King
Washington: US President Barack Obama spoke with Saudi King Salman, discussing recent developments in Yemen and emphasised the US support for the action taken...
Libya mulls international intervention to stop violence
Tripoli: Libya is considering international intervention to curb the ongoing violence in the country, a government spokesman said Tuesday.
"The government has sought international forces...
Eight killed in Iraq attacks
By DPA,
Baghdad : Eight people - including a pregnant woman, her husband and two children - were killed and seven were injured in two attacks west of Baghdad, a police source said Friday.
Unidentified gunmen killed the four-member family when they broke into their house, near the Abu Ghreib area, early Friday. Gunmen killed the father, the pregnant mother and their two children, the source told DPA.
Two rockets that fell on houses near the same area had left four people dead and seven injured, he added.
International intervention failing to tackle poverty in Afghanistan
By IRNA,
London : Afghan aid agencies said on Tuesday that the international military intervention in the country is “failing to deal with the dire poverty afflicting the country”.
In a conference in London two days before the Afghanistan Conference, the aid agencies also called for a “radical change” in the strategy of the international coalition in Afghanistan.
The Afghan development groups and their international partners also called for a shake-up in the way aid is delivered and for poverty reduction to be at the heart of international policy.
UN rights panel demands immediate end to Syria bloodshed
Geneva : As the civil war in Syria enters its fourth year, a UN-appointed human rights panel has said the fighting has driven some...
Pakistan court to hear Gilani contempt appeal
By IANS,
Islamabad: A nine-member bench of the Pakistani Supreme Court will hear Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's appeal in the case in which he has been convicted for contempt of court.
Pakistan seeks German defence equipment
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistan has asked Germany to allow export of defence equipment to enhance its capacity to fight terrorism, a media report said Sunday.
Israeli cabinet approves exchange of prisoners with Hezbollah
By NNN-KUNA,
Ramallah : The Israeli cabinet has approved the prisoner exchange deal with Hezbollah, which will facilitate the return of captives Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. The motion was carried with a majority of 22 ministers.
The Israeli radio said that despite defence officials' warning that prisoner exchange with Hezbollah will prompt further abductions, 22 ministers voted in favour of the deal.
Earlier, Prime Minister Olmert told the cabinet that the captives are "probably dead".
Iran proposes consortium for building nuclear plants
By IANS,
Tehran : Iran Sunday proposed the establishment of a consortium of regional states to build nuclear power plants, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The proposal was made by the chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation (AEO) Reza Aqazadeh in his address to the opening session of an international seminar here.
Aqazadeh said that the proposed consortium will construct and develop light water nuclear power plants in the region.
"Iran is ready to provide a comprehensive plan if the proposal is approved by the Persian Gulf littoral states," the AEO chief said.
Nearly 1,200 women killed in Pakistan in 2010: Report
By IANS,
Islamabad : Of the 1,195 women murdered in Pakistan this year, 98 were killed after being raped, says a report by the country's first helpline for women and children.
Abu Dhabi signs refinancing agreement with Dubai
Abu Dhabi : The Abu Dhabi finance department and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sunday announced the signing of an...
South Africa keen on business deals with Pakistan
By IANS,
Islamabad : South Africa is keen to build economic partnerships with Pakistan, and wants bilateral trade to cross $1 billion in a couple of years, a top South African official has said.