Hamas: Paris donors conference declaration of war
By Xinhua
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza on Monday slammed the conference held in Paris to bolster the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) led by modest President Mahmoud Abbas.
Sami Abu Zurhi, Hamas spokesman in Gaza said in a statement sent to reporters that the conference in Paris is a declaration of war against his movement, adding "the Palestinian people refuse to receive conditioned donations."
Middle East Quartet urges Israel to freeze settlement expansion
By Xinhua
Paris : The so-called Middle East Quartet on Monday urged Israel to freeze settlement expansion in east Jerusalem.
"The Quartet expressed concern over the announcement of new housing tenders for Har Homa," or Jabal Abu Ghuneim in between east Jerusalem and Bethlehem, the Quartet, which consists of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia, said in a statement.
Int’l donors pledge $7.4 bln to Palestine
By Xinhua
Paris : International donors pledged on Monday to provide 7. 4 billion U.S. dollars to support Palestine in the coming three years, a key effort to drive the newly-relaunched Middle East peace process.
Paris : International donors pledged on Monday to provide 7. 4 billion U.S. dollars to support Palestine in the coming three years, a key effort to drive the newly-relaunched Middle East peace process.
At least 46 killed, 37 injured in Iraq attacks
By DPA
Baghdad : At least 46 people were killed and 37 injured Monday in a spate of attacks across Iraq, including random shooting by a US force in Mosul and an assault by insurgents with links to the Al Qaeda terrorist network in Diyala province.
In the northern city of Mosul, a US patrol opened fire on civilians after a bomb went off targeting their vehicles, security sources told the Voices of Iraq VOI news agency Monday.
A man was killed and two people were injured in the shooting, including a woman, according to the sources.
Pravin shooting brother not accidental, observes judge
By IANS
Mumbai : There was pin drop silence in the court Monday morning when sessions judge S.P. Davare pronounced the most feared and yet expected words - holding Pravin Mahajan "guilty" of shooting dead his elder brother and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod in April last year.
Convicted under the Indian Penal Code's dreaded Section 302 for murder and 449 for criminal trespass with intent to kill, the quantum of sentence that Pravin will get will be battled out between the prosecution and defence Tuesday.
Top official suspended after Chhattisgarh jailbreak
By IANS
Raipur : Chhattisgarh's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government suspended Deputy Inspector General (Jail) P.D. Verma Monday, a day after 299 inmates including Maoist rebels escaped from a prison in Dantewada district even as security was enhanced at all jails across the state.
"Chief Minister Raman Singh has taken a serious view of the mass jail breakout and decided to suspend DIG (Jail) P.D. Verma at a meeting held Monday evening," an official told IANS.
Donors in Paris pledge $2 billion for Palestinians
By DPA
Paris : Donors at a key international conference in Paris began pledging hundreds of millions of dollars to help bolster moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his effort to resuscitate his deteriorating economy.
By mid-day, donations had reached at least $2 billion, nearly half the sum asked for by the Palestinians.
German national kidnapped in Afghanistan
By DPA
Kabul/Berlin : A German convert to Islam was abducted with his Afghan wife and brother-in-law in the west of Afghanistan, Afghan police said Monday.
The trio was seized Saturday in the Gulran district of Herat province, the provincial police chief said.
Germany's ZDF television channel said the man worked as a carpenter in cooperation with a German relief organization called Green Helmets.
A spokesman for the aid group identified the man as Harald Kleber, a 42-year-old carpenter from the southern German town of Amberg.
Iraq may need foreign troops for 10 years: official
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iraq may need the foreign troops to maintain security for another ten years, but it will never accept US permanent military bases, a government spokesman said Monday.
"We need the foreign troops to support us as long as we have security problems. From now to ten years our troops will not be capable to defend Iraq," Ali al-Dabbagh said in an interview on the state-run al-Iraqiya television.
"But that doesn't mean we will accept the presence of permanent US military bases," he said.
Series of roadside blasts rock Iraqi capital
By Xinhua
Baghdad : At least two people were killed and more than 15 injured in three roadside bomb explosions across this capital city of Iraq Monday, an interior ministry official said.
"A roadside bomb detonated near the Mudhaffar Square in eastern Baghdad, killing a civilian and wounding five others," the source said.
The blast caused damage to several nearby shops and civilian cars, the source said.
Multi-religious democracy and its challenges
By Asghar Ali Engineer
Western pattern of democracy was evolved in mono-religious societies. Almost all European countries had mainly Christianity as the sole religion with sprinkling of Jews living in ghettoes having no franchise. Thus there were no challenges of living in multi-religious society. In India too, multi-religious society was not a problem for centuries and Indian society never saw any inter-religious tensions, let alone violence.
If Modi wins in Gujarat…
By M. Burhanuddin Qasmi
No person seems to have dominated Gujarat politics as much as Chief Minister Narendra Modi over the last one decade. In case he wins this 2007 election, where fifty-fifty chances appear after the voting on 11 and 16 December, what will be the ‘Modis’ effect on national politics viz-a-viz BJP and if he fails, how the Congress and BJP will turnaround their politicking in India; a debate every political analyst and media portal is genuinely trying to explore.
Court pulls up police for shoddy probe in designer’s death
By IANS
New Delhi : Pulling up Delhi Police for its shoddy probe into the death of Mona Suri, who was allegedly set on fire by two motor-cycle borne men in August, a city court Monday asked the police to submit a status report by Dec 22 on the case following allegations by the woman's family of lapses in the probe.
Appearing before Metropolitan Magistrate Tarun Sehrawat, Assistant Commissioner of Police G. Ramgopal Naik assured the court that the probe would now be speedy.
Russia starts delivering nuclear fuel to Iran
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Russia has begun supplying nuclear fuel to Iran with the first consignment being delivered to the latter's Bushehr nuclear power plant, Russia's state nuclear agency said Monday.
"Containers with fuel sealed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have been delivered to the site and placed in a special storage facility subject to international safety monitoring," Rosatom said.
European Union pledges $650 million to Palestinians
By DPA
Paris : The European Union (EU) will provide $650 million in grants to the Palestinians in 2008, EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner said Monday at the international donors' conference here.
"In 2008, we will make a contribution of 440 million euros ($650 million) in grants to the Palestinians," she told the representatives of some 90 nations present at the donors' conference for the Palestinians.
Email threat to blow up Delhi airport
By IANS
New Delhi : An Air India call centre in Gurgaon near here has received an email threat to blow up the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in January, officials said Monday.
"The email threat was received Saturday to blow up the IGI airport and some other airports across the country," Chander Sharma, an airline official, told IANS.
Gurgaon Police as well as Delhi Police and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) - both responsible for airport security - have been informed, said Sharma.
New UN sanctions against Iran unlikely: Iranian president
By IANS
Tehran : A third resolution placing further sanctions against Iran by the UN Security Council is quite unlikely, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said.
In an interview with state television, the Iranian president said he believed "the UN Security Council and others are not willing to bear the extra costs by placing further sanctions against Iran," IRNA new agency reported Monday.
Mumbai court finds Pravin Mahajan guilty of murder
By IANS
Mumbai : A Mumbai trial court Monday found Pravin Mahajan guilty of killing his elder brother, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan, in April last year.
Pravin Mahajan was declared guilty of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and of criminal trespass under Section 449. The quantum of sentence is likely to be pronounced Tuesday.
Record number of Russians perform the hajj in Mecca
ABU-DHABI, December 17 (RIA Novosti) - A record 26,000 Russians are taking part in the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which began at dawn on Monday and is expected to attract 2 million pilgrims, a head of the Russian mission said.
Over 1.6 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia for the largest religious gathering and a core requirement of the Islamic faith, which every able-bodied Muslim is expected to perform at least once in their lifetime.
Stranded Haj pilgrims rescued by Khalifa bin Zayed foundation
By IANS
Abu Dhabi : Some 400 Haj pilgrims duped by unscrupulous travel agents and stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been rescued and helped to complete their pilgrimage by a charity foundation, WAM news agency reported Monday.
UAE's Khalifa bin Zayed Charity Foundation announced Sunday that it would pay the travel expenses of the pilgrims hailing from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Mecca and Medina to perform Haj as well as their return to the UAE en route to their countries.
Russia starts delivering nuclear fuel to Iran
MOSCOW, December 17 (RIA Novosti) - The first shipment of nuclear fuel has been delivered to Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, Russia's state nuclear agency said on Monday.
"Containers with fuel sealed by IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] inspectors have been delivered to the site and placed in a special storage facility subject to international safety monitoring," Rosatom said.
Ready for Irish-type Kashmir solution, says rebel leader
By IANS
Srinagar : The United Jehad Council (UJC), the Muzaffarabad-based umbrella organisation of militant groups, is ready to accept the Irish type solution for the Kashmir dispute provided India accepted that Kashmir was a disputed territory.
In a statement carried by a local news agency, CNS, chairman of the UJC Syed Sallahuddin said, "Mujahideen leadership is ready to support the Irish type solution for the Kashmir dispute, provided the Indian government accepted Kashmir as a disputed territory."
Islamic militant boss in Indonesian court
By NNN-Antara
Jakarta : The leader of Islamic militant network Jemaah Islamiyah was brought to an Indonesian court Monday to face trial over his activities as part of the group blamed for the deadly Bali bombings.
Zarkasi entered a holding cell at South Jakarta district court amid tight security then spread newspaper sheets across the opening so that photographers could not take his picture.
An indictment specifying the exact charges against him was expected to be read out at the start of the trial, slated to begin later Monday.
Fatah says Hamas responsible for escalation of violence in Gaza
By Xinhua
Ramallah : A spokesman for Fatah movement on Monday accused Islamic Hamas movement of being responsible for the current escalation of violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
Ahmed Abdul Rahman, also an aid to President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters on Monday that "Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip by force, is pushing Israel towards escalation of violence against the Palestinians."
Iraq protests Turkish air strikes in northern Iraq
By Xinhua
Baghdad : Iraqi Foreign Ministry summoned the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad and handed him a memorandum of protest about the recent Turkish air strikes in Iraq's northern Kurdish region, a ministry statement said on Monday.
Dr. Mohamad Hajj Hmoud, Under Secretary for Legal Affairs and Multilateral Relations at the Foreign Ministry, summoned the Turkish ambassador on Sunday and handed him the memorandum which requested the Turkish authorities to "halt such military actions that effect innocent and cause panic," the statement said.
Two illegal immigrants drown as boat capsizes off Turkish coast
By Xinhua
Ankara : Two illegal immigrants drowned in the Aegean Sea after their boat capsized off Turkish coast on Monday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
According to preliminary reports, two immigrants died while eight others were rescued as the boat sank near Bodrum town of Mugla province.
Turkish security teams are conducting a search in the region for more immigrants.
On December 8, 50 illegal immigrants drowned in the Aegean Sea after their boat carrying 85 illegal immigrants sank near Seferihisar town of Izmir province.
Bomb blast in Pakistan kills 10
By Xinhua
Islamabad : At least 10 people were feared killed in a huge blast in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Monday, Dawn News channel reported.
The blast occurred near an army public school in a cantonment area in Kohat district of NWFP, said the report.
The blast could be a suicide attack targeting the school, which was recruiting students, officials said.
Mine blast kills five in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : All five of a family have been killed when their vehicle hit land mines planted by Taliban insurgents in central Afghan province of Uruzgan, a police official said Monday.
The incident Sunday took place at 2 p.m. (GMT 09:30) when a couple with their three children were riding a motorbike on a highway in Uruzgan province, provincial police chief Juma Himat said.
"The land mines were supposed to be planted by Taliban insurgents for attacking Afghan army and NATO forces," he said.
Bangladesh’s Victory Day fest boycotted
By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh's 35th Victory Day celebrations became the rallying point for critics of the interim government over demands that those who opposed country's separation from Pakistan in 1971 should be put on trial.
Leaders of most political parties and freedom fighters stayed away from the official reception hosted by President Iajuddin Ahmed Sunday because "anti-liberation forces" were invited.
Bush urged to move focus to Afghanistan
By DPA
Washington : Advisors are urging President George W. Bush to shift the US military's focus to Afghanistan as the Taliban insurgency grows and as a troop surge in Iraq has improved security there, the Washington Post reported Monday.
Though Bush is unlikely to take any steps that could damage the improvements in Iraq, some Defence Department officials would like to reduce the troops' presence there by more than the five combat brigades expected to be withdrawn by the summer, the newspaper said quoting senior government officials.
Combined forces kill 20 Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan
By Xinhua
Kabul : At least 20 Taliban insurgents were killed in a joint operation by the Afghan army and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar Sunday, police said Monday.
Afghan troops and ISAF launched a joint operation against Taliban in Jalai district of Kandahar province four days ago, provincial police chief Sayed Aqa Saqib said.
"In the two hours of fighting Sunday night, the combined forces killed 20 Taliban insurgents, injured nine and captured four," he said.
Pakistanis were never as helpless as now: editorial
By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistanis have never been as helpless as they are now in controlling their political destiny, a newspaper editorial Monday said.
Another editorial said President Pervez Musharraf has tied himself into such a legal bind that short of stepping down, he was left with no option but to continue tailoring the 1973 constitution to suit himself.
"The people of Pakistan have never been this helpless in shaping their political destiny," the widely respected Dawn newspaper said in the editorial titled "Pakistan in its labyrinth".
US on the Wrong Track Versus Iran, says Expert
By Prensa Latina
Tehran : Geopolitic and geostrategic reasons, where economic and religious elements converge, reduce to zero the possibility of a military aggression of the United States on Iran, stated on Sunday a respected expert of this nation.
In an exclusive interview with Prensa Latina at his home in Tehran, the president of the Center for Strategic Research and Security Doctrines of Iran, Hassan Abbasi, based his opinión on concepts about the new correlation of forces in the planet.
British Forces Abandon Basrah
By Prensa Latina
London : The British transfer of control of Basrah province to Baghdad authorities took place amidst deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians and 174 British, recalled the daily Observer.
The formal transfer of functions took place after four years, nine months and 11 days of British military occupation and billions of dollars in expenses, added the daily.
Prince Saud Al-Faisal receives Palestinian president
By IRNA-SPA
Paris : Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the Kingdom's delegation to the International conference for donors for the Palestinian Territories, received at his guest residence here tonight President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian National Authority and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
During the meeting, they discussed the developments of the peace process and ways of enhancing it and the efforts exerted by the Kingdom for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights.
Bombs target two checkpoints in Hadramout, six soldiers injured
By IRNA-Saba
Mukala : Six soldiers were injured while bombs targeted two checkpoints in Hadramout governorate, a security source stated to Saba on Sunday. The source added that the investigation are underway to know circumstances of the incident.
Recently, police in the government managed to arrest and hunt drugs smugglers.
It is worth mentioning that the police seized four tons of dugs and half million of various drugs during this year.
Geo TV to Musharraf: please help us live
By IRNA-PTI
Islamabad : With Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf lifting emergency, the country's biggest Urdu television network Geo TV that was taken off air last month has appealed to him to allow its broadcasts on cable networks.
"The Constitution of Pakistan has been restored, emergency has been lifted and the PCO (Provisional Constitutional Order) has been withdrawn. Mr. President, congratulations, you have kept your promises," Geo TV said in a letter published Sunday in 'The News'.
Turkey jets raid Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq
By IRNA
Ankara : Turkish jet fighter raided Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq early Sunday.
The jet fighters hit rebel positions close to the border with Turkey and the Qandil mountain, which straddles the Iraq-Iran border.
The military said that some 50 warplanes were involved in the air raids.
Turkey has previously hit Iraqi territory with ground-based artillery and with helicopters.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Turkey's military on successful mission which was followed by cannon fire directed to the rebel targets.
Pilgrims starts flowing into Mecca for tha Hajj
By Usama Al-Wadea, NNN-KUNA
Riyadh : Millions of Muslims who have arrived in Saudi Arabia from around the globe have began to make for Mecca for the first day of the hajj that starts Monday.
On this first official day of the pilgrimage, millions of pilgrims that have now gathered travel to Mina, a small village east of the city of Mecca. There they spend the day and night in enormous tent cities, praying, reading the Quran, and resting for the next day, where they head to Mount Arafat.
Signatories to Dafur peace agreement ready to implement it
By NNN-SANA
Khartoum : The Sudanese Government and the other parties which signed the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) have re-affirmed their readiness to continue implementation of the clauses of the agreement in a team spirit and collectively to ensure security and stability in whole of Darfur.
Jordan, Saudi Arabia signs border agreement
By NNN-Petra
Jeddah : Jordan and Saudi Arabia have signed here a marine border agreement.
The agreement was signed between Jordanian Interior Minister Eid Al Fayez and Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz.
During the signing ceremony Sunday, Al Fayez hailed the Jordanian-Saudi ties in all domains, noting to the continued coordination and cooperation between the two countries’ leadership.
Ruler of Dubai pardons 377 inmates of Dubai prisons in conjunction with Eid Al-Adha
By NNN-WAM
Dubai : Vice President, Prime Minster and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has pardoned a total of 377 inmates in Dubai prisons.
Acting in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai emirate, Sheikh Mohammed ordered the release of the inmates who include 37 nationals to enable them to spend the Eid Al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) holiday this week with their families.
Dubai's Attorney-General Essam Al Hemeidan said the Prosecutors' Chamber will take the necessary steps in coordination with the Dubai police to release the inmates.
Kurdistan PM urges US to rein in Turkish military
By Mohammad Al-Ghazi, NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraq Kurdistan Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has called on the US to protect the Iraqi airspace and rein in what he called "the Turkish military."
Barzani held Turkey's bombing of Kurdish villages north of Iraq as a flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and international law.
The Turkish aggression has to be denounced by the international community, among them the Security Council, Barzani told KUNA Sunday.
Iraqi govt protests against Turkey’s air strikes
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The Iraqi government has protested over Turkey's air strikes against Kurdish areas in northern Iraq Sunday.
Iraqi Foreign Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Mohammad Al-Haj Hammoud summoned the Turkish ambassador in Baghdad and handed him a protest letter after Turkish warplanes raided northern Iraqi villages in Sulaimaniya, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The Turkish army has been intensifying its crackdown on militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey and northern Iraq.
British troops hand over Basra control to Iraqi forces
By NNN-KUNA
Basra : British troops have handed over security control in the southern Iraqi province of Basra to the Iraqi forces.
The handover took place at a huge ceremony at the Basra Airport Sunday attended by Iraqi National Security Adviser Mouwafak Al-Rubaie, on behalf of the Iraqi Prime Minister, and Basra Governor Mohammed Mosbah Al-Waeli, commander of the British troops in Basra Major General Graham Binns and a host of senior Iraqi and foreign officials.
US official bears message of support for Lebanese Army
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs David Welch has expressed his country's full support for the Lebanese Army, also stressing the importance of the presidential elections in Lebanon be conducted as soon as possible.
The US official, who visited Army Commander General Michel Suleiman to offer his condolences on the death of Brigadier General Francois Al-Hajj, who was tipped to succeed him, said Sunday he bears a message of support for the Lebanese Army as it strives to maintain stability and security.
Aussie Defence Minister says new tactics needed in Afghan war
By NNN-Bernama
Melbourne : Australian Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has warned that the war in Afghanistan will be lost unless NATO and its allies change their tactics, The Australian newspaper reports.
Fitzgibbon's blunt warning was delivered to a closed-door meeting in Scotland of eight defence ministers from the United States, Australia and six other NATO nations with military forces in Afghanistan, the newspaper adds.
Pakistan forms team to probe suspect’s escape from police custody
By Xinhua
Islamabad : The Pakistani interior ministry has issued a directive to form a three-member committee to probe the escaping of Rashid Rauf, a British national suspected to plan attacks on some transatlantic flights, according to local press reports Sunday.
Report: U.S. reviews Afghan mission
By Xinhua
Washington : The United States and its NATO allies have begun reviewing Afghan mission from security and counter terrorism to political consolidation and economic development, the New York Times reported Sunday.
The reviews are reported to be an acknowledgment of the need for greater coordination in fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, halting the rising opium production and trafficking that finances the insurgency and helping the Kabul government extend its legitimacy and control.
Syria, Iraq to enhance security co-op
By Xinhua
Damascus : Syrian Interior Minister Bassam Abdelmajid said on Sunday that Syria and Iraq are keen to enhance security cooperation, especially combating terrorism and implementing security agreement signed between the two countries.
Abdelmajid made the remarks in a statement to the press after talks with his visiting Iraqi counterpart Jawad Kazem al-Bulani.
He underlined Syria's adherence to the integrity of Iraq's land and people, affirming that Iraq's security guarantees Syria's security and vice versa.
Syria, Iraq endeavor to improve bilateral co-op
By Xinhua
Damascus : Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Ottri on Sunday discussed with visiting Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Ahmed Saleh means to develop bilateral cooperation in all fields to benefit their mutual interests, the official SANA news agency reported.
Ottri stressed the importance to carry out signed agreements and ink new ones to improve bilateral relations in the fields of energy, petroleum, gas, electricity, irrigation, transport, and trade exchange.
Five Kurdish rebels killed in Turkish air strikes in N Iraq
By Xinhua
Diyarbakir, Turkey : Five members of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) were killed when Turkish warplanes bombed Kurdish rebels in Iraq's northern region on Sunday, Kurdish sources told Xinhua.
The sources said the 5 PKK militants were killed when Turkish warplanes launched strikes on PKK targets in Zap, Avashin, Xakurk regions and Qandil Mountain.
Diyarbakir, Turkey : Five members of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) were killed when Turkish warplanes bombed Kurdish rebels in Iraq's northern region on Sunday, Kurdish sources told Xinhua.
The sources said the 5 PKK militants were killed when Turkish warplanes launched strikes on PKK targets in Zap, Avashin, Xakurk regions and Qandil Mountain.
Iran demands evidence in Azerbaijan spy case
By Xinhua
Tehran : Iran on Sunday demanded neighboring Azerbaijan to provide evidence in the case that more than a dozen people were convicted of spying for Tehran on Western interests, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Addressing reporters during a weekly press briefing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini called on Azerbaijan to "provide Tehran with documents proving the accusations instead of acting on baseless charges."
Turkish warplanes destroy PKK headquarters in Iraq
By Xinhua
Diyarbakir, Turkey : Many Turkish warplanes which took off from Diyarbakir airbase in southeastern Turkey on Sunday hit the headquarters of the banned Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) on Qandil mountains in northern Iraq, eye witnesses told Xinhua.
Eye witnesses claimed that following the bombing by the 24 Turkish warplanes, the PKK headquarter office completely collapsed and two other nearby buildings were hit by missiles.
Turkey hits PKK positions in Iraq
By Xinhua
Ankara : Turkish warplanes bombed the targets of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq early on Sunday, the Turkish military said in a statement.
The statement issued by the Turkish General Staff posted on its Web site said that the warplanes hit PKK targets in regions bordering the Turkish territories as well as in Qandil Mountain, which is further way from the frontier.
The Turkish warplanes bombed the PKK targets in Iraq at 01:00 local time (GMT 2300 Saturday) in large scale areas, said the statement.
Britain to reduce troops in Iraq to 2,500 next spring
By Xinhua
London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday that his country would reduce its troops in Iraq to 2,500 by spring 2008.
"We plan for next spring to reduce force numbers in southern Iraq to a figure of 2,500," Brown said in a statement in the House of Commons.
Brown said that the "first stage" of troop withdrawals had begun with the Iraqis already assuming greater security responsibility.
London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday that his country would reduce its troops in Iraq to 2,500 by spring 2008.
"We plan for next spring to reduce force numbers in southern Iraq to a figure of 2,500," Brown said in a statement in the House of Commons.
Brown said that the "first stage" of troop withdrawals had begun with the Iraqis already assuming greater security responsibility.
British troops hand control of Basra to Iraqi forces
By Xinhua
Baghdad : The British troops transferred responsibility for security in Iraq's southern province of Basra to Iraqi forces on Sunday, nearly four months after the British troops pulled out from the former Saddam Hussein's presidential palace in the city of Basra.
Baghdad : The British troops transferred responsibility for security in Iraq's southern province of Basra to Iraqi forces on Sunday, nearly four months after the British troops pulled out from the former Saddam Hussein's presidential palace in the city of Basra.
7 killed, 25 injured in Manipur bus explosion
By IANS
Imphal : At least seven people were killed and 25 injured late Sunday when a packed passenger bus hit a landmine in northeastern India's restive Manipur state, police said.
"A passenger bus took the full impact of a landmine explosion near Pourabi, 13 km from capital Imphal. Seven passengers have died and 25 are wounded," a police spokesman here said.
This is one of the worst militant attacks on civilians in Manipur, a state of 2.3 million people.
The injured have been brought to hospitals in Imphal.
7 killed, 25 injured in Manipur bus explosion
By IANS
Imphal : At least seven people were killed and 25 injured late Sunday when a packed passenger bus hit a landmine in northeastern India's restive Manipur state, police said.
"A passenger bus took the full impact of a landmine explosion near Pourabi, 13 km from capital Imphal. Seven passengers have died and 25 are wounded," a police spokesman here said.
This is one of the worst militant attacks on civilians in Manipur, a state of 2.3 million people.
The injured have been brought to hospitals in Imphal.
US steps up hunt for varsity killers
By Arun Kumar, IANS
Washington : As a four-agency task force stepped up its hunt for the killers of two Indian students at a US university with help from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), it was still to zero in on the motive for the crime.
The two Ph.D. students, Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma, 31, of Hyderabad, and Kiran Kumar Allam, 33, of Kurnool, were found shot dead at the Louisiana State University (LSU) apartments at Baton Rouge Thursday night.
Dreaded Maoist arrested in Orissa, arms seized
By IANS
Bhubaneswar : A hardcore Maoist, wanted in at least 62 cases of murder, was arrested Sunday by the police in Orissa.
James alias Paban Lohra, 24, was arrested from a rented house at Sambalpur, around 300 km from here, a senior district police official told IANS.
On the basis of information given by Lohra, the police raided a place in Jarang forest and seized huge quantities of live cartridges and explosives.
British terror suspect escapes Pakistan police custody
By Xinhua
Islamabad : A British national suspected of planning attacks on trans-Atlantic flights and wanted in Britain has escaped from the police custody here. The government has formed a committee to investigate the incident, press reports said Sunday.
Rashid Rauf, who was arrested by Pakistani intelligence agents in August 2006 on a tip-off from their British counterparts, escaped Saturday from the district court here, The News daily quoted Islamabad police officer Syed Kalim Imam as saying.
Rauf was brought to the court from the Adiala Jail in nearby Rawalpindi.
299 inmates including 90 Maoists escape from Chhattisgarh jail
By IANS
Raipur : Dozens of Maoist militants lodged in a jail in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh overpowered security guards Sunday evening and opened the gates, allowing 299 inmates to escape, police said.
The incident took place at Dantewada, the headquarters of Dantewada district, about 380 km south of capital Raipur. About 80-90 are Maoists among the escapees, included 15 hardcore rebels. The jail had 377 prisoners.
50,000 prisoners to be released in Iraq next year
By DPA
Baghdad : The Iraqi government and the multi-national forces are to release a total of 50,000 Iraqi prisoners in stages next year, a top official said Sunday.
"The number of inmates in Iraqi government-run prisons is 24,000... in the prisons of defence, interior and justice ministries," said Muwafaq al-Rubaei, Iraq's national security advisor.
"The government intends to give them a pardon according to a plan that has to be approved by parliament and a cabinet decree," he added.
Israel detains 24 Hamas members in West Bank
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Israeli troops have detained at least 24 Hamas members, including senior officials in the West Bank town of Nablus, the Islamic movement said Sunday.
"The detentions have basically and clearly focused on Hamas and the key leaders of the movement," the Islamic movement said in a statement.
A Hamas lawmaker, Ahmed al-Hajj, and Hamas representative in Nablus Ahmed Doula were among the people detained by Israeli forces in recent days, the statement said.
40 Maoists escape from Chhattisgarh jail
By IANS
Raipur : At least 80 prisoners including 40 Maoist rebels Sunday evening overpowered security guards and escaped from a sub-jail in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, officials said.
"Around 80 inmates including at least 40 Maoists overpowered jail authorities and walked away around 5 p.m.," Director General (Jail) Sant Kumar Paswan said.
They also took away weapons of the guard son duty, Paswan told IANS on telephone from Dantewada, about 380 km from here.
Man wanted by Britain escapes Pakistan police custody
By Xinhua
Islamabad : A British national suspected of planning attacks on trans-Atlantic flights, managed to escape from the police custody here, local press reported Sunday.
Rashid Rauf, who was arrested by Pakistani intelligence agents in August 2006 on a tip-off from their British counterparts, escaped Saturday from the district court here, The News daily quoted Islamabad police officer Syed Kalim Imam as saying.
Rauf was brought to the court from the Adiala Jail in nearby Rawalpindi.
US security report confirms peaceful nature of Iran’s N-program
Tehran, Dec 16, IRNA , Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said here Sunday that the recent US report confirms the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.
Talking to reporters during his weekly press briefing, he said what was undeniable in the report was lack of any deviation in Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
A report released on December 3 by the US National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), acknowledged that Iran has not been pursuing a nuclear weapons development program.
British military hands over Basra to Iraqis
London, Dec 16, SPA -- British troops on Sunday were preparing to hand over Basra province to Iraqi authorities in a major step towards a full withdrawal from the country, reported dpa.
Basra was the last province under British military control, four and a half years after Britain joined the US-led invasion to overthrow former dictator Saddam Hussein.
A handover ceremony was held amid tight security. The move prepares a reduction of British troops to 4,500 by the end of the month and to 2,500 next year.
Bulldozer operator killed in collapse of Manqaf building
By KUNA
Kuwait : A Syrian bulldozer operator met his fate Sunday while engaged in the demolishment of a building in Manqaf area of Jahra Governorate, southern Kuwait.
Manqaf Fire Brigade Director Lieutenant Colonel Abdulaziz Malallah told KUNA that the five-story building had collapsed suddenly, and the workman was killed under the rubble.
Four Taliban rebels killed in Afghanistan
By DPA
Kabul : Afghan army killed four Taliban fighters in the first clash after the insurgents were ousted from Musa Qala, a town in southern region, defence ministry said Sunday.
Thousands of Afghan, British and US soldiers captured Musa Qala Monday, 10 months after Taliban militants took the district.
"During the search operation Sunday morning, Afghan army forces engaged a group of Taliban and killed four of them," defence ministry spokesman General Zahir Azimi said.
British military hands over Basra to Iraqis
By DPA
London/Basra : British troops Sunday handed over Basra province to Iraqi authorities in a major step towards a full and final withdrawal from the country.
Basra was the last province under British military control, four and a half years after Britain joined the US-led invasion to overthrow former dictator Saddam Hussein.
Earlier the southern provinces of Muthanna, Maysan and Dhi Qar assumed responsibility of their own security.
A handover ceremony at Basra's airport was held amid tight security.
United Arab Emirates gears up Haj preparations
By IANS
Mecca : Officials of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) haj mission Sunday held a series of meetings here in an effort to remove possible obstacles impeding the pilgrimage ahead of the start of the season Monday.
Head of the official mission Mohammed Obaid Al-Mazroui urged all members of the mission to intensify efforts to ensure the UAE pilgrims' safety, health and security.
Al Mazroui said the UAE is keen on providing the best services and security for the country's pilgrims.
The ‘witches’ of rural India
By Gayatri Makhijani, IANS
Jalgaon (Maharashtra) : The train pulls in at five in the morning; the signboard on the station reads: Jalgaon. We are in the west of India, the north of Maharashtra and 59 km off from the world famous Ajanta Caves. But, instead of revelling in the tourist attraction, we are about to discover the horror that is plaguing much of rural India - witchcraft.
Official: Turkey determined to continue hitting PKK targets
By Xinhua
Ankara : Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said on Sunday that operations to fight against the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq would continue with a great determination when necessary.
"As the Turkish government, we are resolute to remove this trouble from the agenda of our country in full accordance with Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and other units of the state," Cicek was quoted as saying by the semi-official Anatolia news agency.
Expansion projects at the two Holy Mosques
By SPA
Riyadh : The expansion projects at the two Holy Mosques constitute the most important project implemented by the Saudi Government for the service of Islam and Muslims.
The Saudi Government has spent more than sr 70 billion for the implementation of the expansion projects.
The total area of the expansion at the Holy Mosque of Makkah amounts to 76,000 square meter.
Rowhani, Hashemi will contest parliamentary elections: report
By IRNA
Tehran : Leader's representative to the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani and Mohammad Hashemi of the Expediency Council are seen as definite contenders in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The Mehr News Agency has learnt that Rowhani and Hashemi have finally come to a firm decision to take pert in the eighth parliamentary election and are likely to head the reformists' parliamentary list.
250,000 Palestinians take to streets in support of Hamas
By IRNA
Gaza City : Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of strength and resistance to liberate Palestine's territories from Israeli occupation.
Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters took to the streets, waving green Islamic flags. Reporters estimated that the ralliers numbered over 250,000.
The large turnout on Saturday was seen as critical for the Hamas rival Fatah which is involved in talks with Israel after the so-called peace talks in Annapolis, Maryland.
No person will be allowed to carry out politics of agitation, says President Pervez...
By SPA
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf says no person or political party will be allowed to carry out politics of agitation.
In his televised address to the nation Saturday night, the president vowed to hold free, fair and transparent election on Jan 8 2008. He said following the lifting of state of emergency, all the political parties are free to run their election campaign across Pakistan, according to the rules made by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Minister of Interior holds press conference
By SPA
Mina : Minister of Interior Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, who is also the Chairman of the Higher Hajj Committee, held last night a press conference at the Public Security Training City in Makkah.
Prince Naif asserted that the pilgrims security and safety and the services being extended to them are the priorities of the government of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Another US Soldier Dies in Iraq
By Prensa Latina
Baghdad : The US Central Command in Iraq Saturday announced the death of another of its soldiers in a resistance attack in the Iraqi northern province of Ninive.
According to the brief military release, the American soldier lost his life on Thursday, bringing the number of US servicemen killed so far this month to 10.
On Friday, the US army reported the death of two of its soldiers in separate incidents in the Iraqi capital on Wednesday.
British troops hand control of Basra to Iraqi forces
By Xinhua
Baghdad : The British troops transferred responsibility for security in Iraq's southern province of Basra to Iraqi forces on Sunday, nearly four months after the British troops pulled out from the former Saddam Hussein's presidential palace in the city of Basra.
In a ceremony held in Basra, some 550 km south of Baghdad, Muwaffaq al-Rubaie, Iraq's National Security Advisor, told the audience "this achievement is a tangible evidence that our security forces are making progress."
Israel nabs over 24 Hamas members in West Bank
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Israeli troops had detained more than 24 Hamas members, including senior officials, in the West Bank town of Nablus, the Islamic movement said Sunday.
"The detentions have basically and clearly focused on Hamas andthe key leaders of the movement," a Hamas statement said.
A Hamas lawmaker, Ahmed al-Hajj, and Hamas representative in Nablus, Ahmed Doula, were among the detainees, it said.
Deputy PM: Iraq keen to deepen ties with Syria
By Xinhua
Damascus : Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Barham Ahmed Saleh said here Saturday that his country is keen to deepen ties with Syria in all fields, the official SANA news agency reported.
"This visit comes at very important conditions for Iraq and the Syrian-Iraqi relations," Saleh was quoted as saying upon arrival here for a three-day official visit.
He affirmed that the two brotherly countries are linked by many joint interests, expressing hope that the two sides can extend joint efforts to enhance these relations.
Hamas rebuffs concession on refugee issue as it marks 20th birthday
By Xinhua
Gaza : At a huge rally to celebrate Hamas' 20-year-old birthday on Saturday, deposed Hamas prime minister Ismail Haneya said his movement doesn't believe in a so-called fair solution of the Palestinian refugee issues, asserting they must return to their homes.
"No for making a concession on the right of return and there is nothing called a fair solution for return ... there is only one thing called the return of millions of Palestinians from Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan," Haneya told the rally in Gaza City.
Musharraf: We put the country on the path of development
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said in a national address that his country has been put on the path of development.
"We empowered people, women, minorities and youth," said Musharraf, who lifted the state of emergency in the country on Saturday.
Talking about the emergency rule in the country, Musharraf said that visible and positive changes have been witnessed during the emergency period. The terrorism spreading in tribal areas has been contained, he said.
IAEA in full control of Iran’s nuclear program: Russia
By RIA Novosti
Moscow : Russia has said it believes Iran's nuclear programme is fully under control of the UN Nuclear watchdog and that in the presence of the international agency the Islamic country will not go for weaponisation.
"The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has full control over Iran's nuclear activities and the country will never obtain high enriched uranium while the IAEA is there," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak said Saturday.
Musharraf lifts emergency, revives constitution
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf Saturday lifted the state of emergency, revoked the Provisional Constitution Order and restored the Constitution.
The Order came 42 days after the emergency was imposed on November 3 to counter “ascendancy in activities of extremists” and “increasing interference by some members of judiciary”.
The Order titled ‘Revocation of Proclamation of Emergency Order 2007’ is in pursuance of President Musharraf’s pledge to the nation to lift the emergency before December 16.
Iranian President congratulates Bahrain on National Day.
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has congratulated Bahraini King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa on the country's National Day.
In his message Saturday, Ahmadinejad expressed hope that Iran-Bahrain cooperation would receive further boost in line with the two nations' mutual interests.
President Ahmadinejad also felicitated the Bahraini government and nation on the National Day.
Meanwhile, First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi, in a separate message, congratulated Bahraini Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa on the same occasion.
Iran-Iraq-US talks to be held after Eid-E Qorban
By NNN-IRNA
Baghdad : The fourth round of trilateral talks among Iran, Iraq and the US on Iraq's security has been postponed until after Eid-e Qorban (Feast of Sacrifice) which commemorates the end of annual Haj ceremony, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said on Saturday.
Zebari announced this after his meeting with Iranian delegation in Baghdad where he also underlined that the postponement is due to technical reasons rather than political.
Iran has no limit to expansion of cooperation with Uruguay
By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in a farewell meeting with outgoing Uruguay ambassador to Tehran here Saturday afternoon said Iran has no limit to expansion of cooperation with Uruguay.
According to Foreign Ministry Media Department report, Mottaki by expressing Iran's readiness to transfer its experiences in the fields of oil and gas to Uruguay said, "Iranians have a good image of Latin Americans."
Pakistani constitution damaged forever: media
By IANS
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf may have lifted the emergency and promised free and fair elections, but the constitution has been damaged forever, Pakistani newspaper editorials said Sunday.
"A blow has been delivered to the very concept of parliamentary sovereignty because the amendments made to the 1973 constitution by the fiat of one man (Musharraf) do not need parliament's approval," Dawn said in its editorial titled "Will it make any difference?"
Iranian revolutionary guard conduct maneuvers in Gulf waters Sunday
By NNN-KUNA
Tehran : The Iranian Revolutionary Guard will conduct naval exercises in the northern region of the Gulf waters on Sunday.
The commander of the Second Marine force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Brigadier General Ali Razmjo, in statements reported by the Iranian news agency, said that "hundreds of marine units of this force, including rocket launchers and Frigates and torpedo launchers and commando units and divers and air units and troops will be involved in the naval maneuver."
U.S. channels USD 40 billion into reconstruction projects in Iraq
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : The United States spent USD 40 billion on Iraq reconstruction projects, including some USD 3 billion on compensations for victims of violence in Iraq, a US army commander said here Saturday.
Among the important projects being implemented in Iraq is the project to rehabilitate the vocational training centers.
No “unusual” security measures taken at Iranian President’s visit
By NNN-KUNA
Riyadh : Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif bin Abdel-Aziz said Saturday that no "unusual" security measures have been taken pertaining to visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedi-Nejad to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj this year.
"We take into account all Islamic personalities that come to perform the Hajj," he said.
This came in response to a question to Prince Naif on security precautions that might have been taken regarding the Iranian president's visit to Saudi Arabia.
EU welcomes lifting of emergency rule in Pakistan
By NNN-KUNA
Brussels : European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, welcomed Saturday the lifting of emergency rule in Pakistan.
"This step is important for the country's return to the path of democracy, especially ahead of parliamentary elections on the 8th of January 2008," he said in a statement.
Solana said it is important now to continue all necessary legal and practical preparations for holding free, fair, and transparent elections with the participation of all parties.
Iraqi Pres. receives Iranian negotiator ahead of trilateral talks with US
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi President Jalal Talabani received on Saturday here an Iranian delegation which will begin negotiations soon in the fourth trilateral talks between the United States, Iran and Iraq on the latter's national security.
An Iraqi government statement said the two sides held preliminary talks regarding the upcoming trilateral talks, adding that President Talabani stressed the importance of boosting efforts on all sides to help reach an end to Iraq's problems.
Turkish planes bomb Kurdish rebel positions in Iraq
By Xinhua
Ankara : The Turkish Air Force bombed positions of the outlawed Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq early Sunday, the Turkish military said.
The warplanes hit PKK targets in regions bordering the Turkish territory as well as in Qandil Mountain, a statement issued by the Turkish General Staff on its Website said.
The Turkish planes bombed the PKK positions in Iraq at 01:00 local time (GMT 2300 Saturday), it said, adding that all planes returned to their bases.
Reports of racial meets are rumours, says Malaysian PM
By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has dismissed reports about ethnic groups holding racial meetings, saying that these were just rumours, and has appealed for calm among all communities.
His assurance Saturday came even as a senior minister warned of more arrests under the stringent Internal Security Act (ISA) following rumours that the Malay-majority would conduct race riots Sunday in retaliation to a mass rally brought by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), who complained of racial discrimination.
President Musharraf lifts state of emergency on Pakistan
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : The Cabinet Division issued a Presidential Order on Saturday under which the state of emergency has been revoked and the Provisional Constitution Order-2007 has been repealed with immediate effect.
With the issuance of the Presidential Order, the constitution of Pakistan has been restored.
President Pervez Musharraf had assured the nation that the state of emergency would be lifted before December 16, 2007. With the Order issued Saturday, the promise made by the President to the nation has been fulfilled.
Bush praises the formation of Syrian opposition group
By NNN-KUNA
Washington : US President George W. Bush praised late Friday the formation of an opposition group inside Syria calling on Damascus to release all the prisoners of conscious.
"I applaud the recent formation of the National Council of the Damascus Declaration in Damascus, Syria," said Bush in a statement released by the White House.
The brave men and women who formed this Council reflect the desires of the majority of Syrian people to live in freedom, democracy, and peace, both at home and alongside their neighbors in the region, he added.
Abbas hopes annapolis conference to relaunch Mid-East peace process
By NNN-KUNA
Amman : The conference at Annapolis afforded a propitious opportunity for relaunching the Mideast peace process whose momentum ought to be kept alive, said Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Friday.
He hoped that the year 2008 would witness an Israeli-Palestinian accord that would be the basis for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
He was talking to reporters at a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding whereby a USD 200 million residential and commercial complex would be built in the city of Ramalla by mostly Arab investors.
Saudi Arabia denies interference in Lebanon
By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : The Saudi embassy here denied in an issued statement on Friday any interference by Saudi Arabia in the internal affairs of Lebanon, underlining that the Saudi role was confined to "bringing closer opposing views of conflicting Lebanese factions."
Jordanian Islamic party protests Israeli aggression on Palestinians
By NNN-KUNA
Amman : The Islamic Action Front Party, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, staged a demonstration in central Amman on Friday, protesting Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The demonstration set off at Al-Husseini Mosque in central Amman following the weekly Muslim Friday prayers.
Chanting anti-Israel slogans, the protesters emphatically condemned Israel's ceaseless military operations against the defenceless Palestinian people and continued incursions into Gaza Strip.
Iraq Kurdistan restrictive pree bill sharply critisized
By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi press organizations and the Kurdish press lashed out on Saturday at a new press bill recently approved by the Iraq Kurdistan parliament.
They said that the new bill would impose huge restrictions on the freedom of the press and that journalists were more likely to face arrest and questioning.
The Press Freedom Observatory, an independent body based in Baghdad, rejected the bill approved by the Kurdistan parliament last Tuesday and which would be come into effect once ratified by the president of the province.
EU voices deep concern over Iran’s nuclear programme
By NNN-KUNA
Brussels : Leaders of the 27-member European Union (EU) expressed Friday their "deep concern" at Iran's nuclear program and underlined that acquisition by Iran of a nuclear military capability "would be unacceptable".
In a statement issued at the end of their one-day summit this evening, they "deplored that Iran has still not complied with its international obligations as reiterated in UNSC Resolutions 1696, 1737 and 1747, to suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities".
Humanitarian situation in Palestinian territories is worsening
By NNN-WAFA
Geneva : The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories is worsening and Gaza's situation is particularly dire.
"The measures imposed by Israel come at an enormous humanitarian cost, leaving the people living under occupation with just enough to survive, but not enough to live a normal and dignified life," said Beatrice Megevand Roggo, ICRC's head of operations for the Middle East.
Blair calls for Palestinian-Israeli action to reach agreement within certain time
By NNN-Xinhua
Cairo : Mideast Quartet envoy Tony Blair called Friday for an action to reach a political agreement between the Palestinians and Israel within certain time, reported Qatar's al-Jazerra satellite news channel.
Blair, who is currently on a tour in the Middle East region seeking to speed up the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, made the call in an interview with al-Jazerra.
The Palestinian and Israeli sides should not take any measures that could hinder the final status negotiations, Blair told al-Jazerra.
Palestinian govt denounces Hamas ‘abduction’ of official in Gaza
By NNN-Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian government of premier Sallam Fayyad on Friday denounced against Hamas movement's "abduction" of its adviser Omar Helmi al-Ghoul from his house in Gaza.
Riad al-Maliki, Minister of Information and spokesman of the government, voiced the condemnation in a press release.
The Hamas operation is part of its attempts to influence the government's stances and policies regarding the Gaza Strip, which the movement took over by force in mid June from the Fatah forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas, al-Maliki said in the press release.
Musharraf promulgates constitution amendment order
By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Friday promulgated the Constitution (Second Amendment) Order 2007.
In exercise of his powers under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) promulgated on Nov 3, Musharraf made some amendments to some articles of the Constitutions said the report.
The ‘witches’ of rural India
By Gayatri Makhijani, IANS
Mumbai : The train pulls in at five in the morning; the signboard on the station reads: Jalgaon. We are in the west of India, the north of Maharashtra and 59 km off from the world famous Ajanta Caves. But, instead of revelling in the tourist attraction, we are about to discover the horror that is plaguing much of rural India - witchcraft.
Reality TV shows, an emerging film promotional platform
By Shweta Thakur, IANS
New Delhi : More than a decade ago the television industry's first reality show "Antakshari" spun the web of its magic on viewers, and channels soon realised that they have got their hands on a pot of gold. Today they are proving the biggest promotional platform for films.
With every passing day, the dose of "reality" is getting bigger and better on the small screen. This year itself, over a dozen reality shows marked their presence on the idiot box.
When humanity transcended the divide of religions
By Parveen Chopra, IANS
New York : It is a tale of three religions... four if you call Good Samaritanism and Humanity as a religion.
On a New York subway train, a group of anti-Semitic Christians attack some Jews, who are rescued by a Muslim student from Bangladesh at risk to his life and limb. And the Muslim boy, now being hailed as a hero, says he didn't pay much attention to the religious overtones of the confrontation, he just intervened to help the victims.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard conduct maneuvers in Gulf waters Sunday
TEHRAN, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- The Iranian Revolutionary Guard will conduct naval exercises in the northern region of the Gulf waters on Sunday, announced here an Iranian military commander on Saturday.
Next US president must visit Iran, says American professor
London, Dec 15, IRNA , It is vital for the successor to US President George W Bush to visit Iran, according to an American professor of political science and contemporary politics.
"The next US president must go to Tehran," Leslie Elliott Armijo said Saturday concurring with an article by contributing editor to the Financial Times (FT) Niall Ferguson.
"The mid-21st century world will be multipolar. We are right to debate the relative rise of the group Goldman Sachs baptised the "Brics countries," said Armijo, who is currently Visiting Scholar at Portland State University.
FBI joins search for killers of Indian students
By Arun Kumar, IANS
Washington : There was no lead yet in the probe into the murder of two Indian students at the Louisiana State University campus as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) joined the police in the search for three suspects.
The two doctoral students Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma, 31, of Hyderabad, and Kiran Kumar Allam, 33, of Kurnool, were found shot dead at LSU apartments at Baton Rouge Thursday night.
We put country on development path: Musharraf
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in a national address Saturday said his country had been put on the path of development.
"We empowered people, women, minorities and the youth," said Musharraf, who lifted the state of emergency in the country earlier in the day.
Talking about the emergency rule, Musharraf said visible and positive changes have been witnessed during the emergency period. The terrorism spreading in tribal areas has been contained, he said.
Protests rock Kashmir village: Civilian killed, 12 cops among 25 injure
Srinagar : A civilian was killed while twenty five others, including a Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir police and a dozen cops, were injured in a clash between police and protestors, who were demanding setting up a government degree college in Magam area of Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Poonch-Haveli bye-elections: Independents prove their mettle
Cong returns victorious, defeats its own rebel candidate
By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Despite of a tough contest, Congress candidate Jahangir Hussain Mir returned victorious in Poonch-Haveli bye-elections, result of which was declared on Saturday, defeating the rebel candidate of the party Yash Paul Sharma with a margin of 4398 votes.
Persian, Urdu scholars bag Ghalib Awards
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi : A Persian and six Urdu scholars have been conferred Ghalib Awards for their contribution to the growth of the languages. Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari presented the awards here Friday while inaugurating the four-day International Ghalib Seminar on Iqbal: The Poet of Asia's Awakening.
Prof Akbar Hyderi (Urdu) and Prof Waris Kirmani (Persian) were conferred Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Ghalib Awards for criticism and research in Urdu.
Court issues warrant for Abu Salem
By IANS
New Delhi : A city court Saturday issued a fresh production warrant against mobster Abu Salem for Jan 30 as he was not produced in connection with an extortion case.
Additional Sessions Judge Ravinder Kaur, who had on Nov 3 asked the police to produce Salem, expressed displeasure over its inaction and ordered that his presence be ensured on the next date of hearing.
Musharraf lifts state emergency rule
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani President Musharraf on Saturday issued three presidential orders under which the state of emergency was lifted, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported.
According to the orders, the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) had been revoked and the constitution restored, said the report.
The judges who did not take oath under the PCO, which was issued by Musharraf on Nov. 3, would cease to hold office but would still get pensionary benefits, while other judges have to take oath again after the constitution is restored.
Nine NRIs indicted in US for human trafficking
By IANS
New York : Nine people of Indian origin were indicted in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for illegally smuggling in immigrants to the US, federal prosecutors have said.
A federal jury Friday said that over the past five years the defendants - eight Indian nationals and a naturalised US citizen - brought a dozen immigrants into the country using false passports and fabricated documents.
Gunmen kill anti-al-Qaida group leader north of Baghdad
By Xinhua
Tikrit : The leader of anti-al-Qaida group in a village in Salahudin province was shot dead by a group of gunmen on Saturday, a provincial police source said.
"Unknown armed men gunned down Ibrahim Talab al-Jubouri, leaderof al-Sahwa (or Awakening Council) group in the village of Kubaibah, east of the town of Duluiyah, some 90 km north of Baghdad," a provincial police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Four of his men were wounded in the attack, the source added.
U.S. envoy urges Lebanese leaders on presidential election
By Xinhua
Beirut : A U.S. envoy on Saturday called on Lebanese rival leaders to move swiftly to select a new president for the country.
The United States believes that "it is time now to elect a new president," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch told reporters here.
It is time for the members of parliament to "fulfill their dutyand go to parliament and vote. This is what Lebanon needs to face the challenges it has," he added.
26 Hamas members arrested in W Bank
By Xinhua
Ramallah : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) Saturday announced that Palestinian security forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas have arrested 26 members of the movement in the West Bank.
"The Palestinian security forces continued the detention campaign that targets Hamas supporters in various cities in the West Bank," Hamas said in a statement faxed to the press.
"The arrests are meant to prevent Hamas from marking its 20th anniversary," the statement said, adding that most of the detainees were taken from West Bank town of Qalqilya.
Hamas marks 20th birthday in Gaza with big rally
By Xinhua
Gaza : Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters gathered in Gaza City on Saturday to mark the Islamic movement's 20-year-old birthday.
People first gathered in front of many mosques in the Gaza Strip, which has been under Hamas rule since mid-June when Hamas militants routed security forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.
Israeli closure on Gaza takes toll on dead
By Xinhua
Gaza : Three months have passed and the tomb, where Ahmed al-Bardaweel's 70-year-old mother rests in a Gaza city graveyard, still has no sign except a small piece of carton refers to the identity.
Ahmed, a government employee who barely provides for his family in the impoverished strip, says he tried to finance the construction of his mother's tomb and headstone but his attempt fell short due to unprecedented lack of building materials.
No breakthrough in Indian students’ murder in US
By Arun Kumar, IANS
Washington : No breakthrough was reported in the murder of two Indian students at the Louisiana State University (LSU) campus as police Saturday continued a search for three men seen rushing away from the scene of crime.
The bodies of two doctoral students, Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma, 31, of Hyderabad, and Kiran Kumar Allam, 33, of Kurnool, were found at LSU apartments at Baton Rouge Thursday night.
Bomb explosion wounds eight anti-al-Qaida group members in Baghdad
By Xinhua
Baghdad : A bomb went off in the headquarters of anti-al-Qaida group in a northern Baghdad Sunni neighborhood on Saturday, wounding eight of the group members, a well-informed police source said.
"An explosive charge detonated in the morning in the headquarters of the Sahwah, or Awakening Council, in the Adhamiyah neighborhood, wounding eight of the council's members," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Abbas urges for donors supports for reviving Palestinian economy
By Xinhua
Amman : Visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas here Friday called on world donors to extend economic support to help reviving Palestinian economy.
The international community should extend economic support to the Palestinians in the coming Paris donors conference to be held on Monday, Abbas urged.
Abbas, who arrived here Thursday, made the call in a speech on the sidelines of a signing ceremony of an agreement between the Palestinian investment fund and a Saudi Arabia company to establish an investment project in Ramallah.
Blair calls for Palestinian-Israeli action to reach agreement within certain time
By Xinhua
Cairo : Mideast Quartet envoy Tony Blair called Friday for an action to reach an political agreement between the Palestinians and Israel within certain time, reported Qatar's al-Jazerra satellite news channel.
Blair, who is currently on a tour in the Middle East region seeking to speed up the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, made the call in an interview with al-Jazerra.
The Palestinian and Israeli sides should not take any measures that could hinder the final status negotiations, Blair told al-Jazerra.
Palestinian gov’t denounces Hamas’ “abduction” of official in Gaza
By Xinhua
Ramallah : Palestinian government of premier Sallam Fayyad on Friday denounced against Hamas movement's "abduction" of its adviser Omar Helmi al-Ghoul from his house in Gaza.
Riad al-Maliki, Minister of Information and spokesman of the government, voiced the condemnation in a press release.
Palestinian government of premier Sallam Fayyad on Friday denounced against Hamas movement's "abduction" of its adviser Omar Helmi al-Ghoul from his house in Gaza.
Ramallah : Palestinian government of premier Sallam Fayyad on Friday denounced against Hamas movement's "abduction" of its adviser Omar Helmi al-Ghoul from his house in Gaza.
Riad al-Maliki, Minister of Information and spokesman of the government, voiced the condemnation in a press release.
Palestinian government of premier Sallam Fayyad on Friday denounced against Hamas movement's "abduction" of its adviser Omar Helmi al-Ghoul from his house in Gaza.
Al-Qaida’s Zawahri slams Annapolis conference in new audiotape
By Xinhua
Cairo : Al-Qaida's second-in-command Aymanal-Zawahri slammed an international conference on Middle East peace held in the United States last month in a new audiotape posted on a website commonly used by Islamists on Friday.
Zawahri said in the audio recording whose authenticity could not be independently verified that the Annapolis conference was a "treachery" of the Palestinians.
Actress-politician receives death threat on SMS
By IANS
Kolkata : Bengali actress and former Trinamul Congress legislator Nayana Bandopadhyay Saturday said she had received abusive and life-threatening SMSes while she was touring rural areas for performing in open-air plays.
"I received two messages written in abusive language while I was in Purulia district. One contained a threat to my life. I was shocked and immediately informed police," Bandopadhyay, wife of former Congress politician Sudip Bandopadhyay, told IANS over phone on her way to a performance in Murshidabad district, about 350 km from here.
Four workers found dead in Delhi hotel
By IANS
New Delhi : Four young labourers working with a banquet hall in southwest Delhi Saturday died under mysterious circumstances, even as police ruled out any foul play.
At around 10.30 a.m., Raju Prasad, manager of the De Mark banquet hall in Rangpuri area of Vasant Kunj, found Vinod, Prem, Anna and Vijay - all in their early 20s - in an unconscious state in their dormitory with froth coming out of their mouths.
Prasad rushed them to a nearby hospital, where they were declared brought dead. Hospital authorities later informed police.
Father admits teaching Gurgaon accused how to shoot
By IANS
Gurgaon : Azad Singh Yadav, father of one of the two teenagers who allegedly shot dead a student in a school here, confessed in a city court Saturday that he taught the boy how to operate and fire a gun. Yadav was sent to one-day police remand.
Yadav, who gave in to police pressure and surrendered at the Sector 40 police station here late Friday after being on the run for four days, was produced before District Sessions Judge Surya Pratap Singh.
Musharraf ends state of emergency in Pakistan
By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Three weeks ahead of general elections, Pervez Musharraf Saturday issued a presidential decree to end the emergency rule he had imposed Nov 3 in Pakistan. The move invoked mixed reaction from opposition parties.
Under the order, the country's constitution and fundamental rights of the people were restored after revoking the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) signed six weeks ago.
Four Kerala Haj pilgrims die in Saudi accident
By IANS
Kozhikode : Four Haj pilgrims from Kerala died in Saudi Arabia after the bus carrying them met with an accident Saturday.
The bus was on its way to Mecca from Medina, when it overturned after hitting a railing of a bridge, according to official sources.
The deceased were identified as Abdul Razak, 60, Fathimath, 48, Rukhiya Abdul Rehman, 66, and Kunjumon, 60. All belong to Thrissur district.
An unspecified number of people were also injured.
Court accepts prosecution plea against Pravin Mahajan
By IANS
Mumbai : A trial court in Mumbai Saturday accepted that Pravin Mahajan had pre-planned the murder of his elder brother Pramod Mahajan.
Pravin faces charges under section 302 (murder) and 449 (house trespass) for killing Pramod, the late leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In his ongoing dictation of the judgement of the most keenly watched murder trial, sessions court judge S.P. Davare observed that the prosecution has proved its case "beyond reasonable doubt".
Hindraf has terror links, says Malaysian police chief
By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : The five detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders have "links with international terrorist organisations", Malaysia's police chief has said, justifying their custody under the stringent Internal Security Act (ISA) that attracts 20 years' imprisonment.
Police Chief Musa Hasan said investigations into the movement's activities since July had deemed the five leaders, including P. Uthayakumar, to be "a threat to national security".
Maoist posters: security beefed up at Bengal secretariat
By IANS
Kolkata : Security was beefed up Saturday at the West Bengal secretariat, Writers' Building, here a day after Maoist posters were found plastered on its walls condemning the violence in Nandigram.
"We have deployed a special force outside Writers' Building. There was definitely a lapse on the part of security personnel due to which the incident took place," Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Veenit Goyel told IANS.
Four constables of Kolkata Police have already been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty.
One killed in Kashmir protest over college
By IANS
Srinagar : One person was killed and at least eight were wounded Saturday when police fired at an unruly mob in a north Kashmir town demanding a degree college there.
Scores of people came out in Magam town, 25 km from here, in Badgam district and blocked traffic.
"The protesters also pelted stones on passing traffic and torched a government bus," a senior police officer said here.
Kashmir forest minister restored
By IANS
Jammu : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad restored the forest and environment portfolio to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Qazi Mohammad Afzal, three months after he was stripped of the portfolio.
Azad had divested Afzal of the portfolio in September, claiming he had done so at the behest of the minister to "clear the mess". But Afzal later resigned in protest and disputed the claim of the chief minister.
Mehbooba leaves for SA to perform Hajj
By News Agency of Kashmir
New Delhi : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and Member Parliament Ms Mehbooba Mufti today left for Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.
Ms Mufti is performing the annual pilgrimage as part of the government of India's goodwill delegation. The other members of the delegation include union minister for minority affairs A R Antuly, former union minister Mohsina Kidwai, Delhi transport minister Haroon Yousuf, general secretary of Delhi Jama Masjid consultative council Syed Tariq Bukhari and Assam minister Dr Nazarul Islam.
Musharraf issues orders to revoke emergency rule
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Saturday issued three presidential orders under which the state of emergency was lifted, local TV channel Dawn News reported.
According to the orders, the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) had been revoked and the constitution restored, the report said.
The judges who did not take oath under the PCO, which was issued by Musharraf Nov 3, would cease to hold office but still get pension benefits, while other judges have to take oath again after the constitution is restored.
Musharraf lifts emergency rule
By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Saturday issued three presidential orders under which the state of emergency was lifted, local TV channel Dawn News reported.
Information Minister Nisar Memon described it as a "historic day", saying that next month's parliamentary elections would help the country's return to democracy.
Musharraf was to deliver a live address to the nation at 1500 GMT.He imposed a state of emergency in the country on Nov 3.
India’s Rashid champion at Faldo Series final in China
By IANS
Shenzhen : Rashid Khan of India was crowned Faldo Series Asia champion for 2007 at Mission Hills Golf Club in China Saturday with an outstanding six-under-par 66 on the Faldo Course and a 54-hole total of 205.
India's growing golf strength got another boost as Rashid led a one-two for India with Rahul Bakshi tying for second with a course record of nine-under 63.