Saturday, 21 Dec, 2024

International

Iran unveils new defence radar system

DHAKA: Iran unveiled Tuesday a new defence radar system called ‘Arash’, Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Wednesday.The long-range radar is ‘a complement to the country’s radar capabilities in UHF, VHF and HF bands, the Khatam al-Anbia air defence base commander Brigadier

India jails 3 Nepalese for US tourist gang-rape

DHAKA: An Indian court on Tuesday sentenced three Nepalese men to 20 years in jail for the gang-rape of a US tourist in June, an attack that fuelled worries over the safety of foreign travellers.A district judge handed down the punishment at the end of a trial for the three men in the

Philippines launches $10b Haiyan rebuilding plan

DHAKA: The Philippine government launched a US$8.17 billion plan on Wednesday to rebuild the lives of millions battered by Super Typhoon Haiyan.Philippines president Benigno Aquino appealed for international assistance and private sector pledges to help his government rehabilitate

Mali president`s party declared winner

DHAKA: An alliance of parties supporting Mali`s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has won parliamentary elections, according to provisional results announced by the government.The Rally for Mali (RPM) and its allies won 115 of 147 seats in the national assembly following a run-off on

Arrest of Indian envoy in NY triggers uproar

DHAKA: The arrest and detention of an Indian diplomat in New York on visa fraud charges has created a diplomatic uproar with punitive steps taken against State Department officials in New Dehli.Devyani Khobragade, India`s deputy consul general, was arrested on Thursday as she dropped her

Jeh Johnson US homeland security chief

DHAKA: The US Senate confirmed Jeh Johnson, a national security expert who has served as the Pentagon`s top lawyer, as head of the US department of homeland security.Johnson, who was the defence department`s general counsel during Barack Obama`s first term as president, will succeed Janet

South Sudan clashes `kill 400-500`

DHAKA: Hundreds of people are believed to have died in clashes between rival South Sudan army factions, the UN says, quoting unconfirmed reports.UN diplomats said they had been told by sources in the capital, Juba, that the death toll was between 400 and 500.South Sudan has seen two days

Kerry says meeting with Syrian rebel group possible

DHAKA: The United States has not met representatives of Syria’s Islamic Front but a meeting is possible to broaden the representation of moderate opposition groups in talks to end the Syrian war.US state secretary John Kerry said on Tuesday, reports The Jerusalem Post.The United Nations

Afghanistan plane crash kills foreign soldiers

DHAKA: Six international soldiers have died in a crash involving an aircraft in southern Afghanistan.The International Security Assistance Force says, reports the BBC.The cause of the crash in Zabul is unknown and an investigation is under way, Isaf said.Initial reports indicated there

India passes ‘Lokpal Bill’, Anna supporters celebrate

DHAKA: The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, which provides for creation of an anti-corruption ombudsman.The most prominent of the group of anti-graft bills on the anvil, the Lokpal Bill establishes a lokpal at the central level and asks states to establish

Snowden wants asylum in Brazil

DHAKA: US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden plans to seek political asylum in Brazil in exchange for helping investigate US spying on this country.A newspaper said Tuesday, reports daily Hurriyet.The former contractor expressed his willingness to aid a Brazilian Senate probe in an

EU warns Israel over settlement construction

DHAKA: The European Union said Tuesday it has warned Israel against any new West Bank settlement construction following an upcoming Palestinian prisoner release, saying it will be held responsible for any resulting failure of the ongoing peace talks.The warning is another sign of

Gay rights magazine named Pope ‘Person of the Year’

DHAKA: Happy birthday to Pope Francis, who has once again been named ‘Person of the Year’, this time by a leading lifestyle magazine that actively promotes gay rights.The religious leader is the December coverstar of The Advocate magazine, on which he appears with a photoshopped

2 Saudis back from Guantanamo face ‘rehab’ for militants

DHAKA: Two Saudi detainees sent home from the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay will go through the kingdom’s rehabilitation program for militants.Saudi interior ministry said on Tuesday, reports TDS.Muhammad Husayn Qahtani and Hamood Abdulla Hamood were repatriated to Saudi Arabia

Main Thai opposition party divided over running in election

DHAKA: Thailand’s main opposition Democrat Party reappointed former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva as its leader on Tuesday but members could not agree on whether to run in an early election or stick with street protesters who want to reform the political system.The protesters, backed by the

Delhi removes security barricades from outside US embassy

DHAKA: India on Tuesday retaliated strongly to the arrest of its deputy consul general in New York by initiating series of steps to strip US diplomats and their families of privileges including withdrawing all airport passes and stopping import clearances for the embassy.Delhi police on

Pussy Riot members could be freed this week

DHAKA: The Russian parliament on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a wide-ranging amnesty which could free the imprisoned members of the Pussy Riot punk band as early as this week.The lower house of parliament, or State Duma, unanimously passed the amnesty act in its first reading,

Pro-Kurdish MPs plan hunger strike in Turkey parliament

DHAKA: Four pro-Kurdish lawmakers plan to go on hunger strike in the Turkish parliament from Tuesday to denounce a court ruling against the release of jailed MPs with suspected links to Kurdish rebels, their party said.Last week, a journalist and lawmaker from the opposition Republican

British doctor dies in Syrian jail

DHAKA: A British surgeon, imprisoned in Syria for over a year, has died in detention his family has told the BBC.Dr Abbas Khan, a 32-year-old orthopaedic surgeon from Streatham, south London, travelled to the city of Aleppo last year to help civilians.His brother Afroze said the Syrian

Special court in Musharraf trial challenged

DHAKA: An intra-court appeal was submitted on Tuesday in the Islamabad High Court against the formation of a special court to try former president Pervez Musharraf for treason.The appeal filed by Riaz Hanif Rahi said that the special court was formed in violation of the Constitution and