40 Indian workers kidnapped in Iraq
New Delhi : India said Wednesday that 40 Indians working for a Turkish construction company have been abducted from violence-hit Iraq.
The external affairs ministry...
Egypt to reopen embassy in Baghdad only after verifying security progress
By NNN-KUNA,
Cairo : Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said his country could reopen its embassy in Baghdad only after making sure of the improvement of the security situation in Iraq.
"It is illogical to send a diplomatic team there at a time when they could not go out of the embassy," Egypt's state-run Middle East News Agency (MENA) quoted the minister as saying during a preparatory meeting of the annual congress of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) here.
Israeli civilian killed by Palestinian sniper
By KUNA
Gaza : An Israel civilian was killed by a Palestinian sniper in southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
An Israeli Army spokesman told local radio that a Palestinian sniper killed an Israeli civilian, whose farm was located in a settlement opposite Gaza Strip.
He was killed immediately, the spokesman said.
Pakistan launches Hatf III missile
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan Wednesday successfully launched a short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, the Hatf III (Ghaznavi), which has a range of 290 km.
Soldiers from the strategic force command carried out the successful launch, a statement by the army said.
The launch, during exercises in the third such training launch in as many weeks, was witnessed by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro and army chief Ashfaq Kayani.
‘US commandos poised for hot pursuit into Pakistan’
By IANS,
Islamabad : US commandos are poised to stage hot pursuit raids into Pakistan's restive northwest to neutralize Taliban and Al Qaeda cadres operating from the region, even as Washington is sending more air power to Afghanistan, media reports Thursday said.
"Three US lawmakers - Gene Green, Michael McCaul and Henry Cuellar - said the plans for stepped-up US military operations were in response to Pakistan's failure to disrupt terrorist training camps and cross-border attacks from FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas)," Dawn reported in a dispatch from Washington.
Pakistan’s new cabinet sworn in
By DPA
Islamabad : The 24-member cabinet of Pakistan's new coalition government was sworn in Monday, including members who had said they would refuse to take their oaths of office from President Pervez Musharraf.
Musharraf administered the oaths to all the ministers, some of whom are bitter rivals whom he imprisoned after seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1999. Those who had threatened to boycott the ceremony changed their minds and attended Monday.
Iran always stands by Lebanese govt, nation – Iranian President
By NNN-IRNA,
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said here that Iran will always stand by the Lebanese government and nation.
Addressing a joint meeting of high-ranking Iranian and Lebanese delegations after officially welcoming the visiting Lebanese President Michel Suleiman on Monday, Ahmadinejad said Iran is proud of the Lebanese people's dignity.
He said that after a long period of tension, Lebanon has found its way and security and calm have returned to Lebanon.
Bangladesh Rifles chief killed in mutiny: Army official
By IANS,
Dhaka : Major General Shakil Ahmed, director general of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), died in a hail of bullets within 10 minutes of the mutiny by the troopers that ended after two days of killing and chaos.
The general's killing was confirmed late Thursday evening by Lt. Col. Syed Kamruzzaman, who survived the killing-spree by troopers of the country's border guards, a media report said Friday.
Over 50 people, many of them officers of the Bangladesh Army, are reported to have been killed during the mutiny.
Anti Iran resolution damages Security Council IAEA
By NNN-IRNA
United Nations : Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations has warned against any move by the Security Council against the country's nuclear programme.
Mohammad Khazaei made the remarks in a meeting with officials of the Non-Aligned Movement states which are non-permanent members of the Security Council.
Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for stabbing attack
Gaza : The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility Monday evening for the stabbing attack in southern West Bank, in which the attacker was killed after...
US studying options for possible Pakistan strike: Post
By IANS,
Washington : The US is studying options of striking Pakistan if a successful terror attack is traced back to that country, The Washington Post reported Saturday.
Ties between the alleged Times Square bomber, Faisal Shahzad, and elements of the Pakistani Taliban have sharpened the Obama administration's need for retaliatory options, senior defence officials were quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Israel still building in West Bank settlements despite PM”s pledge
By KUNA
Gaza : Construction work continues in West Bank settlements, despite Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's vows to Palestinians to cease such activities, Haaretz daily reported Wednesday.
The daily added, "A new neighborhood comprising 27 trailers is currently under construction at the settlement of Eli, north of Ramallah, even though Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed publicly after the Annapolis Conference that any such building would cease." Even though some of the trailers are being set up on land privately owned by Palestinians, the authorities are taking no action.
Pakistani engineer abducted in Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Taliban militants Saturday abducted a Pakistani engineer working for an Afghan road construction company in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, a senior police official said.
"The Pakistani national was a road engineer and worked for an Afghan road construction company. Armed Taliban militants abducted him after injuring his Afghan driver. He was involved in the reconstruction of the Kandahar-Gereshk road," provincial police chief Syed Aqa Saqib told Xinhua.
He did not give more details.
One dead in Pakistan blast
By IANS,
Islamabad : At least one person was killed Wednesday when a bomb fixed to a parked motorcycle exploded in Pakistan's northwest tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
56 die in Iraq suicide bombing
By DPA,
Baghdad : At least 56 people were killed Tuesday morning when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside an Iraqi army recruiting centre in Baghdad, officials were quoted by local media as saying.
The blast, which appeared to be targeting soldiers, police and new or potential recruits, also injured some 100 people.
According to witnesses, the centre had been open for the last week and the final day of recruitment was scheduled for Wednesday, causing a larger than usual number of people to be in the location at the time of the attack.
Malaysian Indian wins award for educating poor kids
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Indian Dhanveer Singh has won the Most Outstanding Youth of the Year award for his work to educate poor children in Southeast Asian nations' He says being with children inspires him.
Singh's non-profit organisation SOLS247 is working among the disadvantaged youth in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Timor Leste, who are not in the league of the region's "tiger economies".
He was conferred the award at the Fourth Asian Youth Ambassadors (AYA) Dream Malaysia Awards ceremony here Sunday.
Osama bin Laden’s son asks him to end terror
By Xinhua
Cairo : Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was urged by his son to stop terror attacks as they do no good to anyone, an Egyptian news agency reported Tuesday.
Omar bin Laden, 26, made the remarks during an interview with an Egyptian TV programme broadcast Monday.
He said that the killing of civilians contradicts religion, democracy and humanity and expressed his intention to be an ambassador for peace.
Omar also called on his father to stop using bombs and weapons and to find another way to reach his goals.
Information Minister condemns US missile attack in North Waziristan
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman has condemned the US missile attack in North Waziristan that killed 10 people on Friday. “The series of unilateral actions against targets on Pakistan’s soil is a self defeating strategy.
The US Administration’s reluctance to consider the repercussions of such operations is damaging the whole purpose of global efforts to combat terrorism,” said the Federal Information Minister commenting on the reports of the fresh US attacks on the FATA region, according to a press release issued here.
Gaza’s schools reopen, but fear remains
By Shabtai Gold and Saud Aburamadan, DPA,
Gaza : Across the Gaza Strip Saturday, Palestinian children walked to and from school for the first time since Israel's three-week offensive which wrecked havoc across the enclave and killed over 1,300 people.
Three boys in the second grade, Muhammed, Ramzi and Abed, played in front of the United Nations' school for refugees, which they attend, glad to see each for the first time in a month.
"I am happy to be back with my friends," said Ramzi, wearing his bright blue school shirt and hugging his two buddies around the shoulders.
Muslims, Hindus worship in harmony in Malaysian capital
By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : A mosque and a Hindu temple located a few metres from each other in Kampung Baru, the oldest Malay residential area in downtown Kuala Lumpur, are making 'religious harmony' more than just a catch phrase, a media report said Monday.
Situated at Lorong Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, the two shrines have had devotees of their religious faiths worshipping without any communal problems for the last four decades.
‘Iran n-deal done, yet not a time to celebrate’
Beijing: The Tehran nuclear deal has finally been done, yet this is "not a time to celebrate as Iran and the international community should...
Israel confirms 72-hour ceasefire in Gaza
Jerusalem : Israel confirmed Friday it has accepted a proposal for a 72-hour ceasefire with Hamas, which starts at 0500 GMT.
"Israel has accepted the...
11 Hungarians dead in Egypt accident
By IANS,
Cairo : At least 11 Hungarian tourists were killed and 27 others injured when their bus overturned in a resort city in Egypt, a media report said.
Pakistani leaders condemn suicide blast in northwest
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani have condemned the suicide blast Sunday that killed 13 people, including four security personnel, official APP news agency said.
The explosion occurred when a suicide bomber blew himself up inside a military-run bakery near the Punjab Regimental Centre in Mardan district of North West Frontier Province (NWFP). More than 20 people were also injured in the blast, according to private Geo TV.
Abu Dhabi to distribute free iftar meals to motorists
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Motorists in Abu Dhabi will get free iftar meals to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan, it was announced Wednesday.
UAE Deputy Prime Minister Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan Wednesday instructed the authorities to deliver 35,000 meals to motorists travelling in the emirate.
Pakistan supreme court abolishes clause demanding parliament members to be graduates
By NNN-Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan's Supreme Court decided to abolish a law which requires the National Assembly and Provincial Assembly members to be university graduates.
A seven-member bench comprising Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar gave the verdict on Monday after hearing the arguments in the petition challenging the condition for graduation to contest the elections.
Syrian government battling Al Qaeda: Minister
By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Dubai : Pro-government troops in Syria are waging a war with well-armed groups of Al Qaeda militants, Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoebi said Monday.
Palestine Nixes Accord Without Jerusalem
By Prensa Latina,
Ramallah : The Palestine National Authorities called unacceptable Israel plan to sever the future independent state excluding East Jerusalem from its capital.
Israeli Haaretz daily says Tel Aviv would keep 7.3 per cent the West Bank and a broad area of Jewish settlements and return 5.4 per cent the Negev desert and complete the other two percent with a Gaza, the West Bank corridor.
The paper says the PNA would recover 93 per cent the West Bank, save polemic Male Adumin, Gush Etzion and other settlements around Jerusalem.
US condemns attacks on Maldivian journalists
By IANS,
Colombo : The US Sunday condemned the attacks on Maldivian journalists after three of them were attacked in capital Male.
UAE firm to launch Shariah compliant hotels
By IANS,
Dubai : The United Arab Emirates-based hotel management company Landmark Hotel Management LLC plans to launch ten Shariah compliant hotels and serviced apartments in the UAE and Saudi Arabia by the end of 2010, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
The move would cater to the increasing demand for Shariah-compliant hotels in the Middle East.
Six of the planned hotels would be launched in Dubai, two in Abu Dhabi and one each in in Fujairah and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All the hotels would be alcohol-free, serve halal food and provide a percentage of the profit to charity.
Japan expresses willingness to lend loan, technical expertise for Circular Railway Project in Karachi...
By APP,
Tokyo : Japan has engaged consultants to prepare Special Project Feasibility Report (SEPROF) on mega Karachi Mass Transit Circular Railway (KMTCR) and also expressed willingness to provide loans and technical expertise for the project, said a senior official at Pakistan’s Embassy has said.
“The Economic Affairs Division and Planning Commission have granted approval for conducting the SEPROF study on the project, said the Economic Minister at Pakistan Mission Iftikhar Babar while talking to APP.
UN chief condemns attack on mosque in Iraq
United Nations: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned in the strongest terms the attack on a mosque in eastern Iraq Friday that killed up...
Gaza violence mounts, 4 Israelis, 4 Palestinians killed
By Xinhua
Gaza : Four Israeli soldiers and four Palestinian militants were killed on Wednesday in a series of Israeli strikes and Palestinian attacks in southern and eastern Gaza Strip, Israeli and Palestinian sources said.
Palestinian security sources closed to ruling Hamas movement and witnesses said that three Palestinians were killed and five wounded in a fresh Israeli airstrike on a house in Sheja'eya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City.
India, UAE seek to improve cooperation
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have held discussions to explore more ways to promote cooperation and improve relations in areas of common interest.
Israel shuts down Gaza commercial crossings
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Monday ordered to shut down Gaza commercial crossings on the borders with Israel after Palestinian militants fired a makeshift rocket to the country, Israeli Radio reported.
The Arabic service reported that Barak ordered the Israeli army to close three Gaza commercial and fuels crossings on the border with Israel following a rocket attack on southern Israel.
Luxembourg FM criticizes new Israeli settlements
By KUNA
Brussels : The foreign minister of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, criticized Monday construction of new Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands as a "provocation" which will complicate the continuation of the negotiations for a settlement, Speaking to reporters ahead of the EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels this morning, Asselborn called on Egypt to continue its mediation efforts to end the violence in Gaza.
Israeli soldiers arrests 13 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : The Israeli armed forces arrested13 Palestinians in different areas in the occupied West Bank early on Sunday, Israeli and Palestinian security sources said.
Israel Radio quoted Israeli army sources as saying that the army arrested 11 wanted Palestinians in Nablus and two in Anatta village near Ramallah, adding that the detainees were taken for interrogation.
Palestinian security sources said that 11 of the detainees were taken from their houses in city of Nablus during an Israeli military incursion, raids and search operations.
Obama condoles death of Saudi crown prince
By IANS,
Washington : US President Barack Obama has expressed his "deepest condolences" on the death of Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, said a statement issued by the White House.
Fund Crisis Affects Aid to Iraqi Refugees
By Prensa Latina,
United Nations : The UN Agency for Refugees warned on Friday that it would have to cut or suspend programs for thousands of Iraqis sheltered in Syria and Jordan, unless it receives additional funds.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said in Geneva $130 million are necessary to aid Iraqi refugees and displaced people during the rest of the current year.
The Iraqi refugees that sought shelter in Syria and Jordan after their country was occupied by US troops receive food, health assistance, and financial aid from that UN authority.
Iran ready to cooperate with U.S. on global issues – Ahmadinejad
By RIA Novosti,
TEHRAN : Iran is ready to cooperate with the new U.S. administration in tackling global issues on the basis of "mutual respect," the Iranian president said on Friday.
"Iran announces its readiness to welcome genuine and correct changes in polices conducted by the new U.S. administration, and to cooperate with Washington on the resolution of urgent global problems in an atmosphere of mutual respect and fairness," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a meeting with the newly appointed Swiss ambassador to Iran.
Baghdad, London discuss means of freeing British hostages in Iraq
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Deputy British Ambassador in Iraq John Tiknut on Saturday discussed with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani the fate of the five British hostages who have been abducted in Iraq since last May.
A government statement said the two men discussed ways to release the five Britons abducted in Basra where Tiknut urged President Talabani to make an effort for their release.
Talabani expressed his solidarity and sympathy with the families of abductees and expressed full readiness to make efforts to secure their release.
Suicide bombing kills policeman in Pakistani capital
By DPA,
Islamabad : A policeman was killed and several people were injured Monday in a suicide bombing outside an office of the police's intelligence wing in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, security officials said.
The bomber blew himself up when a police guard stopped him at the gate of the police's special branch, located in the heart of the city, just a few hundred yards away from the headquarters of the premier military Inter-Service Intelligence agency.
Rising crime among Malaysian Indians worrying: Vellu
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Concerned over the rising crime graph among ethnic Indians in Malaysia, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has sought a meeting with Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan to find ways to address the problem.
MIC president S. Samy Vellu said the community was alarmed at the recent spate of violent crimes involving its youths being reported in the media almost daily.
"This is a worrying trend and the MIC together with its youth wing and the YSS (Social Strategic Foundation) have decided to meet the police to find a quick solution.
Palestinian faction calls on Abbas to keep freezing peace talks
By Xinhua
Gaza : The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) on Tuesday called on the Palestinian leadership not to accept a call made by visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to resume Israeli-Palestinian negotiations in the shadow of the Israeli aggressions.
"We condemn the full American support of the Israeli aggressions and crimes and equaling between the victim and the attacker," said Salah Zidan, a DFLP leader in Gaza Strip.
Pakistani officials monitoring CCTV footage to nab bombing suspects
By IANS,
Islamabad : Investigating officials in Pakistan have received vital information from video footage obtained from close-circuit surveillance cameras about Saturday's car bombing in northwestern city of Peshawar.
At least 10 people were killed and more than 30 injured when a car bomb exploded near a busy commercial centre in Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
The Online news agency cited sources saying that law-enforcing agencies have obtained valuable information from the CCTV footages that would prove helpful in tracing the culprits.
Pakistan food aid programme halted after suicide attack
By IANS,
Washington : A UN agency has temporarily shutdown its food aid programme in Pakistan's restive tribal region after a suicide bomb attack on one of its posts killed 46 people.
Bangladesh to introduce Bengali in all spheres
Dhaka : The Bangldesh government Wednesday directed all its offices to implement within 15 days a high court order on introducing Bengali in all...
Gilani acquitted of corruption charges
By IANS,
Islamabad : The Islamabad High Court Wednesday acquitted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in two corruption cases going back to the 1990s, saying the evidence against him was insufficient.
In its verdict, a two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Sardar Aslam said the allegations against Gilani had been proven wrong and that the evidence presented in court was also weak.
On Feb 11, 2001, a National Accountability Court (NAB) had sentenced Gilani to a 10-year jail term and fined him Rs.100 million on two charges.
Militants blow up school in North Western Pakistan
By NNN-Xinhua,
Islamabad : Unknown militants blew up a school in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan on Friday, and no casualties were reported.
The explosion occurred in Upper Dir district of the NWFP, said local media reports.
Some unknown militants detonated a four-room Girl's Middle School and the school building was completely damaged, the reports said.
Local police have registered the case and started investigation
Osama, Mullah not in Pakistan: Gilani
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Tuesday said neither Taliban chief Mullah Omar nor Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden are in Pakistan, a media report said.
Gilani said if anyone has any credible and verifiable information about Omar and bin Laden it should be shared with Pakistan, Geo TV reported.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday she believed Osama bin Laden was still in Pakistan.
Hasina wants white paper on corruption during Zia’s term
By IANS,
Dhaka : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants a white paper published on corruption during the 2001-06 tenure of her main political rival Khaleda Zia.
"Of course, the white papers should be published," Hasina told Parliament Wednesday amid thumping of desks by the treasury bench lawmakers.
Zia had published a white paper on Hasina's first tenure during 1996-2001 and pursued several cases pertaining to defence and commercial deals.
Most of these cases were pursued by the caretaker government that ruled during 2007-08 and Hasina was jailed.
Dismantle Pakistani Taliban sanctuaries, Afghanistan urged
Islamabad : The Pakistan Army Tuesday urged the Afghan government to dismantle what it called the "sanctuaries of the Pakistani Taliban leadership" on its...
Six killed, over 50 wounded in Iraq bombing
By IANS,
Baghdad : At least six people were killed and 52 others injured Friday in a car bombing in the Iraqi capital, Xinhua reported.
600 workers from Telangana in Iraq
Hyderabad : There are about 600 people from Telangana in Iraq and the government is taking all steps to ensure their safety, Telangana Deputy...
PM: Iraqi troops move for “decisive” battle with insurgents in Mosul
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced Friday that his troops are moving for a "decisive" final offensive against al-Qaida's last stronghold in the northern city of Mosul.
Maliki's announcement came two days after a massive bombing of a building in central Mosul left 36 people killed and more than 200 others wounded.
"Today our troops started moving to Mosul, and the battle there will be decisive," Maliki said during an address in the holy city of Karbala, some 110 km south of Baghdad.
Anti-Taliban cleric among 12 killed in Pakistan blasts
By DPA,
Islamabad : A prominent cleric who supported the military offensive against the Taliban in Pakistan's northwestern Swat valley was killed Friday along with 11 other people in two separate mosque bombings in the militancy-plagued country, officials said.
The explosions came a day after security forces repulsed a militant raid on the residence of a regional army commander in the northwestern region, killing two attackers and arresting five after a shoot-out.
‘Pakistani banks fleecing depositors’
By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani banks are taking advantage of a weak regulatory framework to form cartels and rake in windfall profits, a new report says.
"The most important issue is that Pakistan has one of the highest interest rate spreads in the world," said Hamid Siraj of the non-profit NGO Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) while commenting on the report, Dawn newspaper based here reported Saturday.
CRCP and the Asia Foundation have jointly authored the report, titled "Consumer financing in Pakistan: issues, challenges and way forward".
Zardari-Sharif to discuss Musharraf impeachment Wednesday
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : The two major parties in Pakistan's ruling coalition seem to have narrowed their differences on key issues and will meet again Wednesday to discuss the modalities of impeaching President Pervez Musharraf and reinstating the judges he sacked after declaring an emergency last year, a source said.
Pakistani govt committed to root out black laws and anti-women: minister
By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Minister for Women Development Ms Sherry Rehman said that the present government was strongly committed to rooting out all black laws and anti-women practices from the society.
Speaking as chief guest at a seminar on “Situation of Violence Against Women in Pakistan” organized by Aurat Foundation here at a local hotel, she said that women related issues are mainstream issues which swept under the carpet.
Hamas lawmaker criticizes PA ceremonies to welcome Bush
By Xinhua
Ramallah : A jailed Hamas lawmaker on Wednesday criticized the Palestinian Authority's (PA) official ceremonies to receive U.S. President George W. Bush in his Middle East tour.
Mohammed Abu Tair, a Hamas legislator from Jerusalem, slashed Bush for refusing to place a crown of flowers before late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's grave in Ramallah.
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.
Sudan yellow fever claims 18 more lives
By IANS,
Khartoum: A deadly yellow fever outbreak in Sudan has claimed 18 more lives, taking the toll from the vector-borne disease to 50.
Oman to have $1-bn healthcare city
By IANS
Dubai : Majan Development Co (MDC) has become the latest to enter Oman's booming real estate market, announcing that it is planning a 400 million Omani riyals ($1 billion) healthcare city.
The proposed integrated city is going to come up in the Omani capital Muscat, according to a report in the Khaleej Times.
With an authoriSed capital of 40 million Omani riyals ($103 million) and paid up capital of 25 million Omani riyals ($65 million), MDC has been founded by investors in the region with THE Kuwait-based Gulf Investment House (GIH) holding a 50 percent stake.
“Open your Hearts, Open your Minds” towards Asylum Seekers: Labour’s new leader Jeremy Corbyn...
By M Ghazali Khan
Tens of thousands of demonstrators converging from all around into central London marched to Downing Street, the precinct where the British...
54 Brotherhood supporters sentenced to life for violence
Cairo : An Egyptian court Wednesday sentenced 155 Muslim Brotherhood supporters to jail terms, including 54 life terms, over violence in August last year...
Bomb explosion kills 4 including 2 U.S. advisors in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
KABUL : Four persons including two U.S. advisors were killed as a remote-controlled bomb exploded in Nadalid district of Helmand province in south Afghanistan on Sunday, Kamaludin Khan, deputy to provincial police of Helmand province said.
"The police found a mine in Nadlai district at 10:00 a.m. local time (0530 GMT) when police and American advisers went to the site to defuse it and suddenly it was exploded by remote control killing four persons including two American advisers, their local interpreter and a police," khan told Xinhua.
Palestinian’s national unity government likely in ten days: official
By IANS,
Gaza: A senior Palestinian official in Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party has said that the national unity government is to be formed in ten days, Xinhua reported.
Fire-hit Turkey oil link may take 1-2 weeks to reopen
By SPA,
Ankara/Baku : The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, which is still ablaze after an explosion, may not reopen for another one to two weeks, a senior source at Turkey's
state-owned pipeline company Botas told Reuters on Thursday.
Stocks at the Ceyhan depot, which had been used to keep the one million barrels per day (bpd) pipeline flowing have run dry, the source said, following the explosion on Tuesday night.
Opened in 2006, the pipeline is the first to carry large volumes of Caspian crude without going through Russia.
Pakistan militants claim kidnapping 16 Iranian border guards
By DPA,
Islamabad : A shadowy Islamic militant group Saturday claimed it had taken 16 Iranian border guards hostage near Pakistan's southern Balochistan province to secure the release of their comrades.
Maulvi Abdur Rauf, a spokesman for the Sunni Muslim group called Jundallah, or God's Brigade, claimed responsibility for the kidnappings in a phone call made to journalists in the provincial capital Quetta from an undisclosed location.
What if Pakistan hands a nuke to Mullah Omar or Haqqani?
Why does US President Barack Obama lose sleep over Pakistan? Is it because of the possibility that one day some angry general may not...
Malaysian prime minister sworn in for second term
By DPA
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sworn in Monday for his second term in office after his ruling coalition secured a slim majority but suffered major losses in last weekend's elections.
Abdullah, 68, took the oath of office in a simple, closed-door ceremony before King Mizan Zainal Abidin at the royal palace.
Abdullah's ruling National Front coalition retained control of the government in Saturday's general election, but was denied a two-thirds majority of parliamentary seats.
No Pakistani city is safe: squash legend Jansher Khan
By K. Hussain, IANS,
Karachi : Squash legend Jansher Khan rejected several offers to coach in foreign countries to enjoy a retired life in Peshawar, but frequent suicide bombings in the capital of Pakistan's restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP) are making him rethink his decision.
"Peshawar is becoming more and more unsafe each day," Jansher told IANS. "In fact no city is safe in Pakistan. They (suicide bombers) can strike anywhere and anybody."
India needs to be ruthless against terrorists: UAE daily
By IANS,
Abu Dhabi : Coordinated and ruthless action by Indian authorities against terrorists is the need of the day, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper said Friday.
Israel-Palestine ceasefire dialogue postponed
Gaza : An indirect dialogue, reinforcing a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestine, has been postponed, an official said Sunday.
Khaled al-Batsh, a senior Islamic...
Rocket attack kills 1, injures 5 civilians in S Afghanistan
By Xinhua,
Kabul : Taliban militants who kept mounting pressure on Lashkar Gha city, capital of southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, launched rockets attack on the capital city on Thursday leaving at least one civilian dead and five others wounded, said an official.
Daud Ahmadi, the provincial spokesman told Xinhua that it happened at around 3 p.m. local time (1030 GMT) when rockets fired by Taliban militants from southern part of Lashkar Gha city hit one civilian residence, killing one and injuring five others including a woman.
Officials from Arab nations continue preparatory meetings for summit in Syria
By Xinhua
Damascus : Arab permanent representatives to the Arab League (AL) continued on Tuesday preparatory meetings to further examine a draft agenda of the upcoming Arab Summit.
Some remaining articles of the agenda that deal with various economic, social issues, as well as topics concerning the youth and women would be discussed, said a conference statement.
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti condemns Islamic terrorism
Riyadh : Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh Tuesday termed extremist militant groups as "the first enemy of Islam" and stressed that...
Arab human rights charter in effect
By SPA
Cairo : The Arab Human Rights Charter took effect on Saturday two months after seven Arab countries endorsed its documents, the 22-member Arab League announced on Sunday.
The charter reflects the growing Arab concern with human rights and opens a new chapter in the league's dealing with human rights issues through the charter's mechanisms, said a league statement.
Work would continue to develop the charter as part of the Arab concern with reform and modernization issues, said the statement.
France confirms letter from Hamas PM to Sarkozy
By NNN-KUNA
Paris : France has confirmed that former Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has sent a letter to President Nicolas Sarkozy but officials here said this changed nothing with regards to the French position on Hamas.
The letter is believed to have arrived sometime last weekend and to have contained proposals from Haniyeh on how to end the stand-off between the international community and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and which ousted its rival Fatah organisation from power there last June.
Attack on check post kills soldier in Pakistan
By IRNA
Peshawar : A soldier was killed and a policeman injured when unidentified men attacked a check post in the outskirts of northwestern city of Peshawar, police said on Friday.
Police said that `miscreants' used heavy weapons to attack the check post of paramilitary forces at Mitaney, a town near the restive troubled Darra Adam Khel tribal region late last night.
There was no claim of responsibility of the attack.
It was the first attack on security check post after the last month operation against the Taliban in Darra Adam Khel.
Dhaka unveils $80 mn plan to dredge rivers
By IANS,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh government has unveiled an ambitious $80 million plan to de-silt its 310 rivers that have not been dredged since the British era, to restore their navigability, control floods and ensure irrigation.
Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen told the Jatiya Sangsad (national assembly) Tuesday that the government was in talks with India and Nepal, the upper riparian neighbours for greater water flow during the summer months.
23 killed, dozens injured in Islamabad blast
Islamabad: At least 23 persons were killed and scores of others injured in a huge explosion at a vegetable market in the Pakistani capital...
Pakistan rupee hits record low against dollar
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : The Pakistani rupee early Thursday continued its downslide and hit a record low of 81.40 against the dollar due to a balance payment crisis and lower investment confidence.
Dealers said the rupee is losing its value due to the high demand for the dollar in the market. Falling foreign direct investment and outflow of foreign investment from the stock markets are other factors that have weighed on the rupee.
Abu Dhabi airport welcomes its 10 millionth passenger
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi International Airport has registered its 10 millionth passenger within less than a year, officials said.
Israel jets bomb 40 targets, including Hamas leader’s office
By DPA,
Tel Aviv/Gaza : Israeli warplanes bombed and rocketed Gaza for the third day running Monday, hitting some 40 targets overnight, including the office former Palestinian prime minister and Hamas leader Ismail Haniya.
Large columns of tanks, military vehicles and buses with Israeli soldiers on board have meanwhile moved southwards, deploying near the Israeli border with Gaza in what could indicate a possible impending ground invasion, witnesses said.
Rs.12 bn Pakistani expressway inaugurated
By IANS,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has inaugurated the Rs.12 billion Islamabad-Murree Expressway.
35 dead in Turkish air raid
By IANS,
Aakara : Thirty-five people were killed when Turkish jets targeted them at the border with Iraq.
Pakistani security forces miss target, kill 11 civilians
By DPA
Islamabad : Pakistan's security forces missed the militant hideout they were aiming at and killed 11 civilians in an artillery barrage that landed in a residential area in the restive tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, a media report said Wednesday.
Those killed included two women; about a dozen were wounded, The News reported.
The paramilitary troops fired artillery and mortars on suspected militant locations in Nawagai area of Bajaur tribal district after one of their colleagues was wounded by an improvised explosive device late Tuesday.
Russia may back UN resolution if Iran continues enrichment
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Russia could support a new UN Security Council resolution on Iran if the Islamic Republic does not stop uranium enrichment, the Russian envoy to the UN has said.
"If Iran in the next few days does not stop the enrichment activities of its heavy water project then yes, Russia has taken upon itself certain commitments to support the resolution that has been drafted in the past month," Vitaly Churkin said Wednesday.
Israel has become a pariah state for Islamic world: German newspaper
Berlin, Jan 23, IRNA -- Israel has become a rogue state for the Arab and Islamic states in the wake of its brutal military onslaught in Gaza, the Munich-based Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper said in a commentary published Thursday.
"More than ever, Israel has turned into a pariah for the Arabic-Islamic world ...," stressed the editorial written by Rudolph Chimelli.
He pointed out never before there was this little readiness "to accept the Jewish state as a permanent neighbor and partner."
Tension along Bangladesh, Myanmar border, China counsels talks
By IANS,
Dhaka/Beijing : Bangladesh and Myanmar massed troops on their tense border over a row over oil and gas exploration in the Bay of Bengal, with China asking them to settle their dispute through talks.
Beijing also offered to "contribute in an appropriate manner" to a resolution of their differences.
"We hope the countries will settle it through equal and friendly negotiations and maintain a stable bilateral relationship. As their friend, China will contribute in an appropriate manner," Xinhua news agency quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang as saying.
Ghulam Ali imbroglio: Pakistani censor chief wants South Block to step in
New Delhi : Amidst the controversy surrounding the cancellation of renowned Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali's concert in Mumbai, the country's censor board...
Pakistan launches military crackdown in NW district, injuring 10
By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan security forces on Wednesday launched crackdown on militants in northwestern Pakistan's Hangu district, leaving 10 militants injured.
The security forces started action against the militants after law order situation deteriorated in Zargari area of Hangu district of North West Frontier Province, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
The forces shelled hideouts of militants at Zargari area, and 10 militants were reportedly injured and nine houses were damaged.
Bangladesh to withdraw emergency from Dec 17
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : The Bangladesh caretaker government announced Wednesday that it would lift the state of emergency from Dec 17 before the upcoming ninth parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec 29.
IS gains total control of historic Syrian city
Damascus: Islamic State (IS) militants have gained complete control of Syria's ancient city of Palmyra, a Unesco world heritage site, official reports said here...
Rice calls on Pakistan to cooperate on Mumbai terror attacks
By KUNA,
Brussels : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said here Tuesday that she is going to New Delhi to consult with the Indian government on how the U.S. can help in anti-terrorism fight following last week's terror attacks in Mumbai.
"Everyone should cooperate fully and Pakistan needs in particular to cooperate fully and transparently. I was pleased to see the statements of the Pakistani government that they intend to do so," Rice told a press conference here Tuesday night after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
At least 40 Somali refuge-seekers die off Yemeni coast
By DPA
Sanaa (Yemen): At least 40 Somali refuge-seekers have drowned after smugglers forced them at gunpoint into the sea to avoid detection by coast guards as their two overcrowded boats approached Yemeni shores, coast guard officials said Thursday.
The officials said the bodies of 40 passengers, including those of 17 women, were washed ashore Wednesday on Hawra village in the province of Shabwa province, around 580 km southeast of Yemeni capital Sanaa.
Russian equipment for Bushehr NPP in Iran – Tehran
By RIA Novosti,
Tehran : The Russian equipment for the Bushehr nuclear power plant earlier held up on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border has been finally delivered to Iran, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
"The cargo is on its way to the Bushehr NPP after Azerbaijan received all documents required from the Russian side," Mohammad Al Hosseini told Iranian satellite TV channel Alalam.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said Thursday Azerbaijan has allowed the Russian equipment for Bushehr, detained on the border more than a month ago, into Iran.
Army should monitor polling: Imran Khan
By IANS,
Islamabad: Cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan wants the Pakistan army to monitor polling in any constituency the poll panel pin-points during the next general elections.
Zardari, Sharif to meet in London, discuss judges restoration
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, the two top leader of the main partners in Pakistan's ruling coalition, will meet in London to discuss the vexed issue of the restoration of judges after their talks in Dubai last week failed to iron out their differences.
Zardari was to leave for London soon where he would meet Sharif, who is already in Britain where his wife Begum Kulsoom underwent a knee surgery.
Yemen carrier seals $700 mn deal with Airbus
By DPA,
Sakhir (Bahrain): Yemenia, the official carrier of Yemen, sealed a deal with Airbus Thursday to buy 10 Airbus aircraft at a cost of $700 million.
The deal was signed by the Sana-based airliner and Airbus officials on the sidelines of the three-day Bahrain International Air Show that opened Thursday.
The 10 A320 Airbuses, capable of carrying 12 passengers in Business and 138 in Economy class, will replace Yemenia's existing fleet as part of a push to expand their regional services to the Gulf, Middle East, Africa, India and southern Europe.
Israel arrests 25 Palestinians in West Bank
By Xinhua,
Ramallah : Israeli forces arrested 25 Palestinians in West Bank cities, Palestinian security sources said on Monday.
The Palestinian sources said that the 25 were arrested in several raids carried out by the Israeli troops in the cities of Ramallah, Jenin, Qalqilya and a village near Nablus.
The detention raids took place at Sunday night and in early Monday morning, the Palestinian sources added.
Bangladesh’s new president to be elected on Feb. 16
By Xinhua,
Dhaka : The newly elected members of parliament will elect Bangladesh's new president Feb 16, the election commission of the country announced Thursday.
Md. Humayun Kabir, Secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC), issued a notification Thursday, announcing the schedule of the presidential election, BEC spokesman S.M. Asaduzzaman said.
As per the schedule, Feb 8 is the last date for filing nomination and Feb 11 is the last date of withdrawal of nomination, the official said.
Iran-born fashion model to move base from Dubai to Mumbai
By IANS,
Dubai : Iran-born fashion model Masha, who has modelled for top Indian designers like Rocky S. and Neeta Lulla, will be moving base from Dubai to Mumbai where she expects better opportunities.
"I've never felt somewhere was home like I do in Mumbai," the 25-year-old, who has been living in Dubai since she was nine, told The National newspaper.
"For my career, it is so much better than it is to be here in the Middle East," she added.
Karachi baffled by ‘monkey thieves’
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS,
Islamabad : Police in Karachi are at their wits end on how to deal with the rising trend of thieves using trained monkeys to commit robberies in different parts of the port city.
"We have received complaints that monkeys are being used to open doors and locks from inside houses," a police official told IANS.
Though they have not yet seen such a "thief monkey", the official said they were on the lookout "and hope (we) will reach the criminals who are masters of these monkeys".
NATO soldier dies of non-battle injury in Afghanistan
By IANS,
Kabul : A NATO soldier has died in Afghanistan of a non-battle related injury, the military alliance said in a statement.
US airstrike in Pakistan kills at least 10: officials
By DPA,
Islamabad : An airstrike by a US drone killed at least 10 people Friday in in northwestern Pakistan, officials said.
The pre-dawn attack in Waziristan tribal region, a known hub of Al Qaeda and Taliban militants, targeted a militant hideout in the remote Shabikhel area, 75 km west of Miranshah, the main town of the region, they said.
"Initial reports reaching us say at least 10 people have been killed and several others wounded," a security official said on the condition of anonymity.
11 of family suffocate to death in Pakistan
Islamabad : Eleven members of a family died of suffocation in a house in Pakistan's Balochistan province Thursday, a media report said.
Levies official Asmatullah...
Pakistan to expand maritime ties with China
By IANS,
Beijing : Pakistan is "very satisfied" with the performance of the frigates it bought from China and hopes to further strategic maritime cooperation with the nation, a top Pakistani official said.
Two of the four F-22P frigates Pakistan ordered from China are already in service its navy, with the third one scheduled to be commissioned in September this year.
"We are very happy with the performance, and some technology is as good as in Western countries," Admiral Noman Bashir, Pakistan's chief of naval staff, was quoted as saying by China Daily.
This is the time to work for peace, Sharif tells India, Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb,IANS,
Islamabad : Former Pakistan prime minister and opposition
leader Nawaz Sharif Tuesday called upon the governments of Pakistan and
India to jointly probe the Mumbai attacks and resume the peace process.
"Pakistan and India should jointly probe the Mumbai attacks and immediately
resume the composite dialogue," Sharif, who also heads the Pakistan Muslim
League-Nawaz (PML-N), told journalists here.
Sharif, the first senior politician to say that the lone survivor of the
Mumbai attacks Ajmal Amir Kasab was a Pakistani, said this was not the time
Candidates” registration proceeding smoothly — official
By Kawthar Al-Ghanim, KUNA,
Kuwait : The election administration did its best to ensure the registration of candidates for the National Assembly (NA) elections would proceed smoothly, an official said Tuesday.
Head of the administration Ali Murad told KUNA that the process did not face any problems, expecting that the number of candidates would range between 300 and 350 by the last registration day.
He pointed out that the administration provided a center in which journalists and media personnel could make interviews with the candidates.
Thousands of Malaysians to evacuate homes as police detonate bomb
By DPA,
Kuala Lumpur : Some 4,000 people living in the northern Tambun town in Malaysia's Perak province have been told to evacuate their homes while a bomb disposal unit attempts to detonate a live 1,000-pound bomb found in a nearby river, reports said Friday.
A fisherman discovered the bomb, believed to have been dropped during World War II, last week, prompting police to block roads leading to the area.
Iran, Saudi Arabia helped carry out 9/11 attacks: Book
By IANS,
London : Iran and Saudi Arabia helped Al Qaeda carry out the 9/11 attacks, a book claims.
Hezbollah prisoners freed in exchange for dead Israeli soldiers
By AFP,
Beirut : Five Lebanese prisoners freed by Israel arrived to a hero's welcome in Lebanon Wednesday, hours after Hezbollah handed over the bodies of two Israeli soldiers seized by its guerrillas two years ago.
Among those freed in a prisoner swap greeted with triumph in Lebanon but anguish in Israel was Samir Kantar, who was sentenced to five life terms for a 1979 triple murder, including of a child.
Israeli Police on highest alert
By KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli Police put all its units on highest alert Sunday across Israeli territory, Radio Israel reported this morning.
"This step was taken after security authorities received detailed intelligence and traced leads to Palestinian factions in the process of executing planned attacks inside Israel," the radio added.
The station added thousands of policemen, border guards, and volunteers were deployed in all Israeli cities, and most particularly in crowded cities.
Abbas’ aide reiterates declaring statehood unilaterally if talks fail
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, reiterated on Thursday that the Palestinians can declare their statehood unilaterally if talks with Israel fail.
Dubai firm finds eco-friendly fuel for metal cutting
By IANS,
Dubai: A new fuel discovered by a Dubai-based firm is claimed to be more efficient in cutting metals and would cause less harm to the environment.
The new product "cutting edge gas not only addresses environmental challenges and contributes to sustainable development practices, it is also more economical, thus optimising resource efficiency by industries", said Hesham Ali Mustafa, general manager of Emirates Gas.
Dialogue only way forward: Pakistan PM
By IANS,
Islamabad: Paying tribute to the "political sagacity" of his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Saturday that dialogue was the only way forward to restore sub-continental peace.
"Dialogue is the only way forward," he said at a press conference here two days after the two countries had agreed to resume talks at the foreign secretary level by delinking terror from the composite dialogue process.
IRGC: Iran reserves right to determine response to any threat
By Xinhua,
Tehran : Iran would determine the scale and scope of response to any possible threat, Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi said on Monday.
"The era of hit-and-run is over. Possible beginners of any threat against Iran should notice that Iran reserves the right to determine the scale and scope of response to any threat," the official IRNA news agency quoted Hejazi as saying.
Paper: Egypt presses Israel for opening Rafah crossing
By Xinhua,
Gaza : Egyptian officials started to put pressure on Israel to open Rafah crossing into Gaza, the only travelers' gate into the enclave, a Palestinian newspaper reported on Wednesday.
"This problem needs to be resolved before the situation worsens due to continuation of the closure of this vital crossing for Gaza residents," Jerusalem-based al-Manar newspaper quoted Egyptian sources as saying.
Pakistan’s Sharif party quits ruling coalition
By IRNA,
Islamabad : Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday announced that his Muslim League-N party is quitting the ruling coalition, putting the alliance at risk ahead of elections for the country's Presidency.
Sharif also announced to field candidate of his party for the Presidency and nominated a retired judge to challenge Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of slain leader Benazir Bhutto.
UAE tops in MENA in Global Enabling Trade Report
Geneva : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was ranked the top country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and 16th internationally...
India should wait for court’s decision on Lakhvi: Pakistan
Islamabad : Pakistan Thursday said India "unnecessarily" debated the bail granted to alleged 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, complaining that the Samjhauta...
Afghanistan: Ministers’ council outlawed street begging
By NNN-IRIN,
Kabul : A resolution by the ministers’ council - chaired by Afghan President Hamid Karzai - has outlawed street begging and instructed the Interior Ministry to arrest beggars and send them to orphanages and care homes run by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS).
“No person - man or woman - should be begging, and children and other persons must not be used for this purpose,” reads a statement issued by the president’s office.
Israeli troops close West Bank for Holocaust Remembrance Day
By RIA Novosti,
Tel Aviv : Israel has closed the Palestinian Territories as part of the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins Wednesday evening, an Israeli Army spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said that the areas would remain closed for at least two days, although the memorial day in remembrance of the six million Jews killed by Nazi Germany officially ends at sunset Thursday.
"The concrete deadline for lifting the closure will depend on an assessment of the security situation," the spokesperson said.
U.S. condemns attack on Saudi anti-terrorism chief
By RIA Novosti,
Washington : The White House said in a statement on Wednesday that last week's assassination attempt on Saudi Arabia's anti-terrorism chief was a "cowardly attack."
Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, a deputy interior minister in charge of anti-terrorism efforts, escaped with minor injuries when a suicide bomber, pretending to be a repentant militant, blew himself up in Nayef's office in Jeddah last Thursday. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.
Indo–Kuwait Friendship Society hands over 25 Eid kits to needy people from India
By TCN News,
Kuwait: The Indo–Kuwait Friendship Society (IKFS), known for its activities in human rights and finding solutions for various problems of NRIs abroad,...
US condemns terrorist attacks in Baghdad
By DPA,
Washington : The US strongly condemned the wave of bombings that took place in Baghdad Wednesday and killed at least 90 people, while expressing confidence that Iraqi forces are capable of providing security.
"These terrorist attacks are an attempt to undermine the progress that Iraqi institutions and security forces have worked hard to achieve," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.
"We believe that they will not deter Iraqis from continuing their efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous society," he said.
Malaysian PM opens campus of ethnic Indian university
By IANS,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmed Badawi opened the new campus of the ethnic Indian-run Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology, now renamed by its acronym, AIMST in Kedah state.
Badawi said while opening the new campus at Semdeling Bedong Sunday that AIMST could build a strong reputation for producing software engineers and business process outsourcing professionals which the nation needed urgently.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank opens branch in Iraq
By IANS/WAM,
Abu Dhabi : Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) Wednesday opened its branch in the Iraqi capital.
Terrorists to be targeted: Clinton
By IANS,
Kabul : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on a visit to Afghanistan, Thursday said terrorists would be targeted on both sides of the Afghan-Pak border.
British Foreign Secretary welcomes “promising” Mideast peace moves
By NNN-KUNA,
London : British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has welcomed "promising" developments in the Middle East peace process after a ceasefire was agreed between Israel and Hamas.
Miliband told the House of Commons Tuesday that there was a "more propitious environment" than just a few weeks ago, but he also warned against getting "carried away by any sense of optimism" despite "stirrings" in the region.
Bangladesh to meet donors in Europe to highlight plight of climate change
By Xinhua
Dhaka : Bangladesh government will hold a major international conference in Europe next month to draw donors' attention to the effects of climate change in the country, local newspaper The Financial Express reported Sunday.
The "International Conference on the Impact of Climate Change on Bangladesh" follows two devastating natural disasters last year which have killed over 5000 people and affected some 20 million people across the delta country.
The government and experts have blamed the changes in the global climate pattern for the disasters.
Hariri assassination anniversary a chance for Lebanese to unite — Moussa
By KUNA
Cairo : Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa expressed hope on Thursday that the anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hairiri would be used to fortify the country against dangers that lurked around it.
In a press release on this occasion, Moussa recounted the achievements of the deceased former leader, hoping that this would be a chance to unify the Lebanese people and to help them overcome their current political crisis.