Friday, 29 Mar, 2024

International

Malaysia compensates politicians for wrongful jailing

DHAKA: Malaysia, in a rare out-of-court settlement, agreed Tuesday to pay an opposition lawmaker and five others US$63,000 after they were detained under a tough security law two years ago.The six members of the Socialist Party of Malaysia were arrested in 2011 and imprisoned for almost a

‘Tripoli raid will not affect ties with US’

DHAKA: Libya’s prime minister Ali Zeidan said on Tuesday relations with the United States would not be affected by the US military raid to capture an al Qaeda suspect in Tripoli, but he said Libyan suspects should be tried in Libya.‘Our relationship with the USA is one of friendship

Maldives top court annuls presidential vote, sets new one

DHAKA: The Maldives Supreme Court on Monday annulled the results of the September 7 presidential election and scheduled a fresh vote by October 20, after a candidate challenged the outcome, citing irregularities.Four of seven judges approved the decision after the top court suspended the

Libya militants call for kidnapping of American citizens

DHAKA: Libyan militants have called for the kidnapping of American citizens in Tripoli and for attacks on gas pipelines, ships and planes to avenge the capture of a senior al-Qaida figure by US special forces in Libya last week.Nazih al-Ragye, better known by the cover name Abu Anas

‘Lebanon to reconsider Syrian refugees’ presence’

DHAKA: Lebanon will reconsider the presence of Syrians in the country and check to see if they fit international standards of refugeesLebanon caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati said Tuesday, reports TDS.‘We will re-examine the situation of every Syrian refugee on Lebanese territory

‘N Korea has restarted reactor’

DHAKA: South Korean lawmakers say the country’s spy agency has told them that North Korea has restarted a plutonium reactor at its main nuclear facility.North Korea said in April it would restart the reactor but has not confirmed that it has done so. Recent satellite photos have shown

Englert, Higgs win jointly

DHAKA: Francois Englert (University Libre de Bruxelles) & Peter W. Higgs (University of Edinburgh) have been awarded 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics.They were awarded the prize for the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass subatomic

Saudi renews support to Egypt against ‘terrorism’

DHAKA: Egypt’s interim president Adly Mansour won fresh support from King Abdullah for his country’s fight against ‘terrorism’ as he Tuesday wound up a trip to Saudi Arabia.Saudi official news agency SPA said, reports TDS.Mansour arrived Monday in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on his

Britain makes royal coin for baby prince’s christening

DHAKA: Superstition holds its good luck to cross a newborn’s palm with silver to wish the child riches and health, but Britain’s baby Prince George is getting something more, a whole new set of coins in his honour.Britain’s Royal Mint said the 5 pound coin will carry the image of

Libya summons US envoy over seized Qaeda suspect

DHAKA: Libya’s government summoned US ambassador Deborah Jones to seek clarification over the capture by American special forces of an alleged Al-Qaeda operative in Tripoli.Libya foreign ministry announced on Tuesday, reports TDS.‘Justice Minister Salah al-Marghani summoned the

Turkey lifts decades-old ban on Islamic head scarf

DHAKA: Turkey lifted a ban on women wearing the Islamic head scarf in state institutions on Tuesday, ending a decades-old restriction as part of a package of reforms meant to bolster democracy.The ban, whose roots date back almost 90 years to the early days of the Turkish Republic, has

‘Syria very actively’ cooperating on disarmament’

DHAKA: Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Syria was ‘very actively’ cooperating with international chemical weapons inspectors and suggested that Indonesia join international peace talks on the crisis.‘Doubts about whether the Syrian leadership would adequately

North Korea puts army on alert, warns US

DHAKA: North Korea said on Tuesday its military would be put on high alert and be ready to launch operations, stepping up tension after weeks of rhetoric directed against the United States and South Korea, who it accuses of instigating hostility.Reclusive North Korea has often issued

Abbott in running for Australian sexism awards

DHAKA: ‘Vicious’ commentary about Australia’s first female leader Julia Gillard dominates entries for the annual ‘Ernie’ awards for sexism with prime minister Tony Abbott the ‘most constant’ offender.Organisers said on Tuesday, reports The Straits Times.There were more than

Myanmar frees prisoners ahead of regional summit

DHAKA: Myanmar’s president has pardoned 56 political prisoners, moving forward with his pledge to by the end of the year release all those jailed for opposing the government.Myanmar president Thein Sein ordered their release on Tuesday, just ahead of a forum in Brunei to be attended by

US ‘non-lethal’ aid reaches Syria despite border problems

DHAKA: Some ‘non-lethal’ US aid such as food and medicine is still getting through to areas controlled by Syrian rebels despite the recent closing of an important border crossing in the North of the country.The State Department said on Monday, The Jerusalem Post publishes this report

India to extend visa on arrival to 40 nations

DHAKA: India has initiated the process for making it a more tourist friendly destination, which includes extending on arrival visa for 40 more countries, simplifying online visa and attracting senior citizen foreign visitors.The consensus was brought on these issues during a high level

Clashes erupt at Brazil teachers` protest

DHAKA: Clashes have broken out in Rio de Janeiro as striking teachers and their supporters took to the streets to protest against salary levels and a police crackdown on earlier demonstrations.Organisers rallied thousands in the centre of the Brazilian city on Monday night to demonstrate

UN outlines Syria chemical weapons plan

DHAKA: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has proposed the formation of a 100-member strong mission to oversee the cataloguing and destruction of Syria`s chemical weapons stockpile, according to a letter from the UN chief to the Security Council.Ban said that international chemical weapons

Karzai says Nato caused `great suffering`

DHAKA: President Hamid Karzai has criticised Nato for failing to bring stability to Afghanistan in over a decade there."On the security front the entire Nato exercise was one that caused Afghanistan a lot of suffering, a lot of loss of life, and no gains because the country is not