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Pak-China Friendship Anchor of Peace, Stability: Gilani
May 09, 2011
ISLAMABAD – Pak Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Sunday that friendship of Pakistan and China was an anchor of peace and stability and both the countries would strengthen their ties to promote regional prosperity. Speaking at an event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations at the...
Turkey Hosts Forum on Poorest Nations
May 09, 2011
ISTANBUL – The acute problems of the world's poorest countries form the agenda of a U.N.-backed conference this week in Turkey, which has sought to balance its traditional Western alliances with growing ties to Africa, the Middle East and other developing regions. The conference of "least-developed countries" lists 48 members, including Afghanistan, where a U.S.-led coalition is fighting Taliban ...
ASEAN to Provide Funds to Enhance Regional Investments
May 08, 2011
JAKARTA - The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) will team up with Japan, China, South Korea and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide some 700 million U.S. dollars of funds to enhance the investments in the region, ASEAN Chair Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Saturday.Soon we will fully implement credit guarantee and investment facility an amount of 700 million U.S. dollars," Indonesian...
Iran, Pakistan Determined to Fight Terrorism, Expand Relations
May 08, 2011
TEHRAN - Iranian Majlis (Parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani said the Islamic Republic and Pakistan are determined to fight terrorism in the region and to expand their bilateral relations, the English language satellite Press TV reported on Saturday. Larijani made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Farooq Hamid Naek in Tehran on...
China, Central Asian States Hold Anti-Terror Drill
May 08, 2011
BEIJING – Security forces from China and two Central Asian neighbors practiced hunting down violent separatists in a counterterrorism drill along a border area where ethnic Muslim rebels have staged attacks against Beijing's rule, the government said Saturday.
Friday's one-day exercise involved forces from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as well as China and took place along their borders in the...
Thousands Rally in Japan against Nuclear Power
May 08, 2011
OKYO – Thousands of people rallied in Japan Saturday to demand a shift away from nuclear power after an earthquake and tsunami sparked the world's worst atomic crisis since Chernobyl a quarter-century ago.
Braving spring drizzle, thousands of demonstrators gathered at a park in Tokyo's Shibuya district, many holding hand-made banners reading: "Nuclear is old!" and "We want a shift in...
Russia, US Agree on Counter-Terror Measures
May 07, 2011
MOSCOW - The head of the Russian General Staff, Nikolai Makarov, and the head of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Michael Mullen, on Friday signed a memorandum on anti-terror cooperation, according to local media.
During their meeting in St. Petersburg, the two military officials discussed the situations in Northern Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Korean...
EU Welcomes New Aid Project to Libyan Opposition: Ashton
May 07, 2011
>BRUSSELS - European Union (EU) foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton said Thursday the EU welcomed the new aid project to Libyan opposition.
An international meeting on Libya agreed on Thursday in Rome to set up a new fund to aid Libyan opposition. The aid was expected to be founded by tapping frozen assets of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's ...
EU Agrees Sanctions against Syrian Officials
May 07, 2011
BRUSSELS – The European Union agreed on Friday to impose sanctions on 14 Syrian officials for their part in a violent government crackdown against protesters, but President Bashar al-Assad was not among those targeted.
After a meeting of EU ambassadors, the 27 country bloc said it would impose travel restrictions and asset freezes on the 14 individuals,...
Pak Suffered More Than Others in Fight against Terrorism: Zardari
May 07, 2011
ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan has suffered more than any other country in the ongoing fight militancy and terrorism and reiterated commitment of the government to continue fighting the militants. He said Pakistan will cooperate with the world community till the complete eradication of the menace of...
NATO Favors Financing Libyan Rebels: Rasmussen
May 05, 2011
ROME – European powers appeared to be losing patience Wednesday with the stalemate in Libya as the foreign ministers of both France and Italy called for an end to the international military action there as soon as possible.
In addition, support for giving money to the Libyan rebels — presumably to buy arms, equipment and munitions with which to overthrow Moammar Gadhafi — seemed to be growing as the taste for a ...
EU Proposes Partnerships with Non-EU Countries on Migration
May 05, 2011
BRUSSELS - The European Commission presented Wednesday proposals for a tighter border control in Europe following an influx of refugees from North Africa.
"It is clear that the EU needs strong common asylum and migration policy. This has only become more evident in recent months, in view of the historic events taking place in North Africa," EU Commissioner responsible for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom, told a...
Ban Strongly Appeals to Palestinian Parties to Commit to Peace
May 05, 2011
UNITED NATIONS - On the eve of marking the Palestinian Unity Government in Cairo, Egypt, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon late Tuesday strongly appealed to the Palestinian parties - Fatah and Hamas - to strictly commit to peace, his press office said in a ...
Turkey to Host UN Conference on Least Developed Countries
May 04, 2011
ANKARA - Turkey will host the 4th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) next week to seek ways to help LDCs, with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon to attend the meetings.
The conference will take place at Lutfi Kirdar Congress Center in the Turkish city of Istanbul from May 9 to 13, 10 years after last conference held in 2001,...
G20, IMF, ADB to Discuss Reforming International Monetary System
May 04, 2011
HANOI - G20 finance ministers, top officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other key Asian policymakers will attend a high- level seminar here Wednesday to discuss reforming the international monetary system to promote greater global monetary and financial stability.
The seminar, organized by ADB, France, as the chair of the G20 group...
Canada’s Conservatives Win Coveted Majority
May 04, 2011
TORONTO – Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper won his coveted majority government in elections that changed Canada's political landscape, with the opposition Liberals and Quebec separatists suffering a shattering defeat.
Harper, who took office in 2006, has won two elections but until Monday's vote had never held a majority of Parliament's 308 seats, forcing him to rely on the...
WB Committed to Backing Indonesia’s Climate Change
May 03, 2011
JAKARTA - The World Bank has been committed to supporting Indonesia's climate change agenda as the country's success will inspire other countries to follow, a press statement said on Monday. "On both the regional and global stage, Indonesia is increasingly becoming a key player in the pursuit of environmentally sustainable...
Canadians Vote Monday as Harper Asks for Majority
May 03, 2011
TORONTO – Canadians began voting Monday, a day after Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a final appeal for a "strong, stable, Conservative majority government" and warned he could be toppled by a leftist coalition if he doesn't get it.
Harper, in power since 2006, has won two elections but never with a...
Syrian Army Conducts Widespread Raids, Arrests
May 03, 2011
BEIRUT – Syrian troops went door-to-door in cities and towns across the nation Monday, arresting scores of people in a campaign of intimidation aimed at crushing an uprising against President Bashar Assad's authoritarian regime, activists said.
Rami Abdul-Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,...
Iranian Carries Report of Israeli Build-Up
May 03, 2011
TEHRAN – Iranian state television ran a report Monday saying Israeli military aircraft were massing at a U.S. air base in Iraq for a strike on Iran.
The report appeared on the website of Press TV. Israel said it had no knowledge of such a strike plan and Iraq's air force commander denied the Iranian...
Gadhafi’s Son Killed in NATO Strike
May 02, 2011
TRIPOLI, Libya – Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi escaped a NATO missile strike in Tripoli that killed one of his sons and three young grandchildren, a government spokesman said early Sunday. Hours later, Gadhafi's forces shelled a besieged rebel port in a sign that the airstrike had not forced a change in regime tactics.
NATO's attack on a Gadhafi family compound in a residential area of Tripoli ...
Iran to Equip Submarines with Missiles: Commander
May 02, 2011
TEHRAN - Deputy Commander of Iran's naval forces Admiral Farhad Amiri said Sunday Iran's navy submarines will be outfitted with missiles in the near future, the English language satellite Press TV reported.
"Using torpedoes has its own associated limitations ...We are moving toward equipping our submarines with missile launching systems," Amiri was quoted as ...
Obama Talks with King of Bahrain on “Ongoing Situation”
May 02, 2011
>WASHINGTON - U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday spoke over phone with King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain to discuss the "ongoing situation" in the Gulf state, White House said in a statement. Obama said that the United States believes that Bahrain's stability depends upon "respect for the universal rights" of its people, according to the statement. He also called for a process of "meaningful reform" that is responsive to the
Egypt’s Brotherhood Contests Half of Parliament Seats
May 02, 2011
CAIRO – Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said on Saturday its newly formed party will contest up to half the parliamentary seats in an election scheduled for September but would not field a candidate for the presidency.
The group is regarded as the most organized political force in Egypt following the ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising in February ...
NATO Powers Reject Gadhafi’s Truce Offer
May 01, 2011
RIPOLI, Libya – NATO powers rejected Moammar Gadhafi's call for a cease-fire and negotiations on Saturday, saying they need "actions not words," and aid ships were prevented from docking in a besieged coastal city while the alliance swept the port for mines.
Human Rights Watch said two mines had been destroyed by NATO forces combing the Misrata port while a third was...
Mubarak Could Face Death Penalty: El-Guindi
May 01, 2011
>CAIRO – Egypt's ousted President Hosni Mubarak would face the death penalty if convicted of ordering the shooting of protesters during the uprisings that brought him down, the country's new justice minister said Saturday.
Mohammed el-Guindi told the daily Al-Ahram Saturday that Mubarak, his two sons and wife are also facing allegations of...
William and Kate Seal Wedding with Balcony Kisses
april 03, 2011
LONDON- Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton married at Westminster Abbey on Friday in a sumptuous show of British pageantry that attracted a huge world audience and breathed new life into the monarchy.
Hundreds of thousands of people waving flags and banners poured down London's Mall Boulevard to cheer the newlyweds as they kissed ...
Turkey Supports Syria’s Reforms: Davutoglu
April 30, 2011
NKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday Turkey expects reforms to be carried out in Syria and supports the government's efforts to meet its people's demands, local media reported. Turkey expects the Syrian administration to implement political, social, economic and security-related reforms and to take ...
Obama, Turkish PM Discuss Developments in Middle East
04/27/2011
WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama spoke to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan "to continue the two leaders consultations on developments in the Middle East," the White House said late Monday.
Obama expressed "appreciation for Turkey's ongoing humanitarian efforts in Libya and its participation...
Italy, France Ask EU to Revise Border Treaty
04/27/2011
OME – Italy and France asked the European Union on Tuesday to revise the Schengen border treaty that permits passport-free travel through Europe to take into account "exceptional" situations like the recent massive flood of Tunisian immigrants.
France has harshly criticized Italy for granting temporary residency permits to some 20,000 Tunisian migrants...
Russia Calls for Stricter Nuclear Safety Rules
04/27/2011
KIEV, Ukraine – Russia's president argued Tuesday that tough international guidelines could help prevent accidents like the massive Chernobyl meltdown, defending nuclear energy during solemn ceremonies commemorating the 25th anniversary of the worst nuclear accident in history.
Dmitry Medvedev and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych took part in a religious service outside...
Iran Uncovers Second Cyber Attack: Jalali
04/26/2011
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran has been hit by a second computer virus, a senior military official said Monday, suggesting it was part of a concerted campaign to undermine the country's disputed nuclear program.
Gholam Reza Jalali, the head of an Iranian military unit in charge of combating sabotage, said that experts discovered the "espionage virus," which he called...
Syria Uses Army to Crush Uprising; at Least 5 Dead
04/26/2011
>BEIRUT – Syria sharply escalated its already deadly campaign to crush a five-week uprising early Monday, sending troops backed by tanks, snipers and knife-wielding security forces into the southern city where the rebellion began. At least five people were killed and dozens arrested, witnesses and activists...
Japan PM under Pressure After Party Falters in Local Polls
04/26/2011
TOKYO – Unpopular Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan faces fresh pressure to quit after his ruling party's losses in local elections on Sunday, weakening his clout as he struggles to contain a nuclear crisis and find ways to finance post-quake rebuilding.
Kan is unlikely to step down easily, but the outcome of the polls will make it harder to get opposition ...
S.Sudan Clashes Kill 165 in A Week: Army
04/26/2011
JUBA, Sudan – At least 165 people have been killed in the past week in fighting between south Sudan's army and militia, the army said Monday, part of a wave of violence in the territory ahead of its independence in July.
Forces loyal to two renegade army commanders fought the southern army (SPLA) in Jonglei and Unity states, killing soldiers, rebels, northern tribesman and...