Egypt judiciary extends Mursi detention

Cairo : Egypt’s judiciary said on Monday it was extending ousted president Mohammed Mursi’s detention for a further 15 days pending an investigation into his collaboration with Hamas.

Mursi, overthrown by the military on July 3, was placed in detention on July 26 over his links with the Palestinian Islamist militant group, which rules neighbouring Gaza.

Saudi king donates $100 million to UN anti-terror centre

RIYADH - King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has announced a further donation of $100 million (75 million euros) to set up a United Nations centre for fighting terrorism, Saudi media reported on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with the UN in 2011 to create the centre and the oil-rich Gulf monarchy has already donated $10 million towards its launch.

Turkey’s ‘Ergenekon’ trial comes to an end, with 17 life sentences handed out

SILIVRI: A Turkish court on Monday sentenced a former army chief to life in prison in a high-profile trial of 275 people accused of plotting against the Islamic-rooted government, a ruling that sparked angry protests in the streets.

Police fired tear gas and water cannon at thousands of protesters outside the court near Istanbul after the verdicts were delivered in the divisive case, which resulted in lengthy prison sentences for the majority of the accused, including top brass, journalists and opposition lawmakers.

Iran's Rohani appoints a reformist as top deputy

TEHERAN : Iranian state TV says the country's new president has appointed a prominent reformist as his top deputy.

The Monday report says Mr Hasan Rohani named Mr Eshaq Jahangiri, a former industry and mines minister, as First Vice President.

Hassan Rouhani becomes new Iranian president

Iran's new president, Hassan Rouhani, vowed after assuming office on Saturday to work to lift the international sanctions imposed on Tehran over its controversial nuclear drive.

My government, "will take fundamental steps in elevating Iran's position based on national interest and lifting of the oppressive sanctions," the moderate cleric said in a first address, broadcast live on state television.

Rouhani was officially endorsed by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who praised the newly-elected president's decades of service to the Islamic establishment.

JUI-F may get two ministries

ISLAMABAD: The JUI-F’s strategy to delay till last minute its decision to support PML-N’s nominee Mamnoon Hussain in the presidential election is going to pay it with two posts in the federal cabinet, Dawn has learnt.

Although the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F officially denies having any “underhand deal” with the ruling PML-N, sources in the two parties said the PML-N had agreed to offer two ministries to the religious party as a reward for its support.

Tensions rise in Tunisia as rival protesters clash

TUNIS: Pro and anti-government  demonstrators clashed in two Tunisian cities on Monday, witnesses said, as tensions rose over opposition efforts to oust the Islamist-led government.

Angry opposition protesters tried to storm municipal offices in Sidi Bouzid and stop employees there from working, residents said, sparking clashes between them and supporters of the Islamist Ennahda party, which leads the transitional government.

Tensions rise in Tunisia as rival protesters clash

TUNIS: Pro and anti-government  demonstrators clashed in two Tunisian cities on Monday, witnesses said, as tensions rose over opposition efforts to oust the Islamist-led government.

Angry opposition protesters tried to storm municipal offices in Sidi Bouzid and stop employees there from working, residents said, sparking clashes between them and supporters of the Islamist Ennahda party, which leads the transitional government.

Tensions rise in Tunisia as rival protesters clash

TUNIS: Pro and anti-government  demonstrators clashed in two Tunisian cities on Monday, witnesses said, as tensions rose over opposition efforts to oust the Islamist-led government.

Angry opposition protesters tried to storm municipal offices in Sidi Bouzid and stop employees there from working, residents said, sparking clashes between them and supporters of the Islamist Ennahda party, which leads the transitional government.

Pakistani lawmaker’s guards clash with police

Islamabad: Private security guards of a Pakistani provincial lawmaker Thursday clashed with policemen at the entrance of the Balochistan assembly, a media report said.

The clash between guards of Sardar Sanaullah Zehri and policemen led Balochistan Chief Minister Malik Baloch to suspend the city’s superintendent of police, Dawn News reported.

Though as per the directives of the assembly speaker, private armed men are not allowed to enter the assembly premises, the chief minister said that since Zehri had tribal disputes therefore his private security guards stood close to him.

Ramzan fasting begins in Kerala from today

Kozhikode: The holy month of Ramzan begins on Wednesday in Kerala with the sighting of the new moon at Wayanad.

During the period, Muslims observe fasting during the day.

OGRA scam: Tauqir Sadiq brought back to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Former Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority chairman Tauqir Sadiq, allegedly involved in a Rs82 billion scam, has been shifted to Pakistan from United Arab Emirates.

Sadiq was brought back to Pakistan by a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigator Waqas Khan through a private airliner, which landed at the Islamabad’s Benazir International airport here on Wednesday morning.

Egypt teeters on brink of overthrow, 23 reported killed in Tuesday clashes

Egypt teetered on the brink of overthrow late Tuesday after a defiant Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi rejected an ultimatum issued by the military and at least 23 people were reported killed in clashes between his supporters and opponents.

Defense officials have pledged to intervene if the government does not address public demands and end the political turmoil engulfing Cairo.

In a speech to the nation broadcast live late Tuesday, Morsi said he would not step down and would protect his "constitutional legitimacy" with his life.