Thursday 29 August 2013

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

French military preparing for Syria operation

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PARIS (AP) - France said openly Thursday for the first time that its military is preparing for a possible operation in Syria but President Francois Hollande stopped short of announcing armed intervention over a suspected chemical weapons attack.Expectations have been mounting that the United States, France and Britain are preparing military action against Syrian President Bashar Assads regime after an apparent poison gas attack in Syria on Aug. 21. U.N. experts are currently in Syria investigating what happened.Hollande does not need French parliamentary approval to launch military action that lasts less than four months.He appears to have a stronger hand than his U.S. and British counterparts, who are facing some resistance at home to a Syrian intervention amid questions over the attack.While Hollande has spoken firmly against Assads regime, the French military has been quiet about its plans.On Thursday, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said: The Armed Forces have been put in position to respond if the president commits French forces to an international intervention in Syria.French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that France and its allies are preparing an indispensable response and that it should be thought-out, proportionate and firm.Hollande on Thursday stressed the importance of a political solution and making the Syrian opposition a stronger alternative, notably with increased firepower.We will only achieve this if the international community is capable of bringing a stop to this escalation of violence, of which the chemical massacre is just one illustration, Hollande said after meeting Syrian opposition leader Ahmad al-Jarba.France has a dozen cruise missile-capable fighter aircraft at military bases in the United Arab Emirates and the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti. Frances military was at the forefront of the NATO-led attacks on Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, and led an intervention against extremists in Mali earlier this year.French military officials confirmed that the frigate Chevalier Paul, which specializes in anti-missile and air-air capabilities, as well as the hulking transport ship Dixmude, had set off Thursday from the Mediterranean port of Toulon as part of normal training and operational preparations but denied reports that the move was linked to a Syrian intervention.

Minster urges NA Opposition to cooperate with govt

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ISLAMABAD (Agencies) Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad has said the government will take along the opposition parties for strengthening of democracy and steering the country out of all the challenges.Responding to the questions raised by pposition Leader Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah in the National Assembly‚ he appealed the opposition to demonstrate patience and help the government in strengthening the democratic institutions.He said the government will complete its five year term and fulfill its agenda to transform Pakistan into a developed country. He regretted that the opposition wants to bring the people on the streets and derail the democracy.He reminded the opposition leader that the PML-N had extended full support to the last government of PPP and faced criticism of friendly opposition just for the welfare of the country.He said we also supported the previous government in the unanimous passage of constitutional amendments and we expect that the opposition will also support the government in dealing with challenges.Earlier‚ the opposition leader Khurshid Shah asked the government to brief the House on the situation at Line of Control‚ issue of terrorism‚ talks with Taliban and Pakistans stance on Syrian situation. He strongly criticized the absence of senior Ministers from the House.The Speaker said that Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will brief the House tomorrow on the issues raised by the Leader of the Opposition.Replying to a call attention notice moved by Sajid Ahmad and others‚ Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique informed the House that all possible measures have been taken for the security and protection of trains.He said that patrolling on rail tracks is being ensured while the process of installing CCTV cameras has also been initiated. Sniffer dogs are also being deployed in trains to avert any untoward incident. He said latest security equipment is also being procured for Railways police and the number of security personnel in trains has also been enhanced.Later‚ the house resumed debate on presidential address to the joint sitting of the parliament.Shah Mehmood Qureshi criticized the previous government for failing to address the issues of energy‚ economy and law and order.He said the president in his address talked about alleviation of poverty but the policies pursued by his PPP government for five years resulted in price hike and devaluation of currency. He said the country is rich in resources and there is a need to exploit them for the benefit of the people.Muhammad Ayaz Soomro said President Asif Ali Zardari is the first civilian president who got the distinction to address the parliament for six times. He said the president promoted the politics of tolerance‚ harmony and reconciliation and took along all the political forces on national issues.Sheikh Rashid Ahmad criticized imposition of ban on government jobs and increase in prices of essential commodities including wheat and flour. He said potential of hydel and wind should be fully explored for production of cheap electricity.

Fazl agrees to mediate govt-Taliban talks

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ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated that all political parties needed to work together for curbing the menace of terrorism.He was talking to Maulana Fazlur Rehman‚ the head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam in Islamabad.During the detailed meeting‚ various political issues came under discussion with particular emphasis on the law and order situation and terrorism.The leaders particularly exchanged views regarding peace talks with the Taliban and national policy against terrorism.According to sources, Moulana Fazur Rehman expressed his willingnes to facilitate peace talks with the Taliban. Maulana Fazlur Rehman offered Fateha for the late uncle of the prime minister‚ who passed away recently.Minister for Information Senator Pervaiz Rashid was also present in the meeting.Ruling PMN-N is contacting leadership of different political parties in order to devise a consensus national policy against terrorism.

Kayani meets Tajik defense minister

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DUSHANBE (Dunya News) - Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, met with the Tajik Minister of Defense, Colonel-General Sherali Khayrullaev, and General Staff of the Armed Forces of Tajikistan, Lt General Ramil Nadirov.According to Tajik Defence Ministry spokesperson Faridun Mahmadaliev, Tajik-Pakistani development of military and technical cooperation, preparation of staff, and economic components were discussed during the meeting.A high level military officers of Tajikistan and Pakistan discussed issues related to the region, Afghanistan, war on terrorism and exchange of information and ideas in this area.The spokesperson added that General Kayani will also visit the Military Institute of Tajikistan and will meet with soldiers and officers of some military units.General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will also meet Tajik President Emamali Rahman.

Pak-China strategic cooperation vital for both countries

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BEIJING (Online) - Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli met with Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee here in Beijing on Thursday.Maintaining and deepening strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and is also the common aspiration of the two peoples, Zhang said.Acknowledging new progress in trade, agriculture, technology and energy, Zhang said the two governments conception for a long-term plan for a China-Pakistan economic corridor has given new momentum to bilateral ties.He said he hoped both sides would seize opportunities to turn the advantages of bilateral political relations into more fruitful cooperation.Wynne said the Pakistani government attaches great importance to its relations with China and regards it as the bedrock of its foreign policy, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China, including military cooperation, to protect their common interests.The air forces of China and Pakistan will take part in a joint drill from September 2 to 22 in northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced Thursday.The drill, code-named “Shaheen-2,” will be held in Hetian Prefecture, said ministry spokesman Yang Yujun at a monthly press briefing.This is another cooperative project between the two air forces after the “Shaheen-1” drill in Pakistan in March 2011, he said.

8-year-old US boy drove car, sister killed

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PHOENIX (AP) - An 8-year-old U.S. boy was driving his mothers car when it crashed into a pole, killing his 6-year-old sister, police said Thursday.The car veered and struck the pole when police tried to pull it over, Sgt. Steve Martos said.The girl and her brother, who had minor injuries, were both in their pajamas, Martos said.The childrens mother had put them to bed but couldnt find them a half-hour later. She called police to report her children may have been kidnapped.The accident occurred a short distance from the childrens home.Its just an unfortunate tragedy, Martos said.

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 90 runs in 2nd ODI

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HARARE (Web Desk) - Mohammad Hafeezs 136 helped Pakistan draw level in the ODI series against Zimbabwe, setting up a 90-run win in the second game in Harare.Zimbabwe were all out at 209 while chasing a target of 299 set by Pakistan.With the series at stake, Pakistan hit back strongly by posting a total well beyond Zimbabwes reach, thereby giving the final match greater context.Mohammad Hafeez led the way with an attacking, unbeaten 136 to lift Pakistan to 299, and although Zimbabwe had their moments in the chase, they failed to stretch Pakistan over a sustained period.A clump of wickets towards the end widened the gap between the two sides, as the margin of victory suggested.Zimbabwe didnt get the solid start they would have hoped for to set the platform for their tall chase of 300, losing three wickets by the halfway mark.However, Brendan Taylor kept their hopes alive with a positive fifty - his first in 13 innings - and a fifty-plus stand with Sean Williams.The challenge was keeping up with the increasing asking rate, which had crossed seven.Vusi Sibanda fell top edging a pull off Mohammad Irfan that landed safely in Sarfraz Ahmeds gloves. Hamilton Masakadza and Sibanda had, until this game, produced opening stands of 53, 50 and 107 so it was a relief for Pakistan that the openers disbanded early as the third over.Masakadza found early momentum with some powerful boundaries off Irfan.He looked uncomfortable with the rising delivery, but when Irfan adjusted to fuller lengths, Masakadza made room and smashed it past cover for consecutive boundaries.A promising knock turned out to be just a cameo as Masakadza lost his off stump to Junaid Khan, beaten for pace and lower bounce.Timycen Marumas indifferent form in the series extended with a run-out, sent back after setting off for a risky single to cover.Much depended on Taylor to lead the way. He wasnt afraid of reverse sweeping the spinners, finding the boundary on two occasions, and also using his feet to them, chipping over the off side.Williams and Taylor targeted Pakistans main bowler, Saeed Ajmal, in his first over, playing the conventional and reverse sweeps to give the chase some momentum.

US economy grew at 2.5 percent rate in 2Q

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WASHINGTON (AP) - The steep revision was largely because US companies exported more goods, and imports declined.The Commerce Department said second-quarter growth was sharply higher than the initial 1.7 percent rate it reported last month. And the growth this spring was more than double the 1.1 percent rate from January through March.The improvement in the trade deficit helped offset weaker government spending.Economists expect growth will stay at the 2.5 percent rate in the second half of the year, helped by steady job gains and less drag from federal spending cuts. But some worry that increases in interest rates could slow the economys momentum.

Egypt opposes Syria strikes

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CAIRO (AP) - Egypts foreign minister says his country strongly opposes military action against Syria and would not support possible punitive strikes by the United States and allies against the Syrian regime over alleged use of chemical weapons.Nabil Fahmy says in a statement Thursday that Egypt condemns chemical weapons use by any side in Syrias civil war and is asking the international community to bring perpetrators to justice after a U.N. team investigating submits findings.The Arab League this week said Syrias regime is responsible for the heinous crime involving chemical weapons. It did not state a position on foreign punitive strikes against Syria.Arab League diplomats told The Associated Press the organization will not support military action. They spoke anonymously because of rules preventing them from being named.

Indian rupee makes comeback

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MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Indian rupee rebounded on Thursday from a record low after the central banks move to provide dollars directly to oil companies provided relief to the currency, while a recovery in emerging market currencies also helped offer support.The central bank decision is aimed at removing a major source of dollar demand from the spot market - worth $400 million to $500 million daily - and so reduce downward pressure on the Indian currency.The rupee rose as high as 66.85 per dollar shortly after the open, up sharply from a record low of 68.85 per dollar on Wednesday when the currency posted its biggest single-day percentage fall since October 1995.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it was providing a special window with immediate effect to sell dollars to Indian Oil Corp Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd. Oil represents Indias biggest import item.However, analysts said the RBI measures alone would not lead to a sustained rupee recovery unless the government can pass measures that can convince markets of its willingness to tackle Indias fiscal and current account deficits and slowing growth.The measure is unlikely to arrest the decline in the INR with the authorities increasingly trying to find new means to stem the rout in the currency, Mitul Kotecha, head of global markets research for Asia at Credit Agricole in Hong Kong, said in an email to clients.Thursdays rupee bounce also boosted shares and bonds, underscoring how movements in domestic markets are increasingly being driven by the beleaguered currency.Indias main NSE share index rose 0.6 percent while benchmark 10-year bond yields fell 15 basis points to 8.81 percent.The improved sentiment was also helped as Asian shares recovered while emerging market currencies stabilised as fears abated that US-led forces would soon launch a military strike against Syria.The defence of the rupee has largely rested so far on the RBIs shoulders. Yet its plan to drain cash from markets and curb speculative trading is becoming increasingly controversial as bond yields have surged, raising borrowing costs in an economy already growing at its slowest pace in a decade.At the same time, the government has struggled to inspire confidence despite a slew of measures to raise dollars from abroad and curb imports of gold and oil that have most contributed to a record current account deficit.Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs ruling coalition, which faces elections by May next year, is banking on passing land acquisition rules that would replace laws dating back to the19th century.The lower house of parliament is set to discuss on Thursday the controversial bill on how to compensate farmers for land acquired for infrastructure and industrial projects, an action that aims to speed up major projects, but which critics say could raise costs and actually slow down the acquisition process.

FIFA bans players, match officials

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ZURICH (Reuters) - Players from Estonia and Tunisia and match officials from Lebanon and Armenia have been given worldwide bans in connection with attempts to manipulate games, soccers world governing body FIFA said on Thursday.FIFA said the bans had already been imposed at local level by the respective federations and would now apply globally.They included two Armenian officials who were banned by UEFA last week over an attempt to fix the result of a Europa League match in July.Referee Andranik Arsenyan and assistant Hovhannes Avagyan, who officiated in the match between FC Inter Turku and Vikingur, were suspended for life.In an earlier Armenian Football Federation hearing, they admitted having tried to manipulate the outcome of the second-leg fixture, which ended 1-0 in favour of Vikingur.Lebanese referee Ali Sabbagh, jailed for six months in Singapore for accepting sexual favours to fix a game, was provisionally banned until the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) concludes its own investigation into the case, FIFA said.He was withdrawn as referee only hours before an AFC match between Singapores Tampines Rovers and Indias East Bengal onApril 3.FIFA also extended a life ban on Estonian player Elvis Liivamagi, imposed by his own federation on Aug. 7 following investigations into domestic match-fixing.The Tunisian case involved two players, Marouane Troudi and Mahmoud Dridi, as well as the official Amir Jaziri, who have been provisionally suspended until a case into domestic match manipulation has been concluded.

Oil retreats from 2-year high, falls below $110

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NEW YORK (AP) The price of oil fell to near $109 a barrel Thursday, easing off a two-year high, after official figures showed a rise in U.S. crude inventories.By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark oil for October delivery was down 65 cents to $109.45 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.The contract rose $1.09, or 1 percent, to $110.10 a barrel on Wednesday, driven higher by the prospect of Western military intervention in Syrias civil war. That was its highest closing price since May 3, 2011. Earlier in the day, oil charged as high as $112.24.The Energy Departments Energy Information Administration said crude stocks for the week ended Aug. 23 rose by 3 million barrels to 362.1 million barrels. In contrast, analysts had been expecting a slight fall in crude stockpiles. Rising supplies tend to hold oil prices down.Still, JBC Energy said current developments, such as low spare capacity in Saudi Arabia and signs of an improving global economy, pointed to tighter markets.The oil price has surged 27 percent since touching a low for the year of $86.68 on April 17. Recently, it has been propelled higher by political unrest in Egypt and the threat of U.S. intervention in Syrias civil war.Neither country is a major oil exporter, but traders are concerned that the violence could spread to more important oil-exporting countries or disrupt major oil transport routes.Despite the higher geopolitical risks, analysts at Commerzbank in Frankfurt dismissed recent predictions that oil prices could rise to $150 a barrel as unfounded scaremongering.The present situation simply does not warrant such a price, Commerzbank said. Were the West to launch only a limited military strike against the Syrian regime, it is likely that oil prices would then fall again just as quickly again as they increased.Oil prices were also under pressure from a stronger dollar, which makes crude priced in dollars more expensive and a less attractive investment for traders using other currencies. On Thursday the euro was down to $1.3255 from $1.3340 late Wednesday in New York.Markets were also looking forward to the release later Thursday of the Commerce Department second estimate of how fast the U.S. economy grew in the April-June quarter and the Labor Departments report on the number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week.Brent crude, the benchmark for international crudes, fell 92 cents to $115.69 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.In other energy futures trading on Nymex:Heating oil lost 1.75 cents to $3.1938 per gallon.Natural gas rose 0.1 cent to $3.583 per 1,000 cubic feet.Wholesale gasoline fell 2.51 cents to $2.9365 per gallon.

US releases 2 Algerians from Guantanamo

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MIAMI (AP) - The US military says it has sent two men who had been held at Guantanamo Bay prison back to their homeland of Algeria.A brief Pentagon statement says the release of the two men brings the prisoner population at the US base in Cuba down to 164 men. The United States said it was grateful for Algerias willingness to accept the men, Nabil Hadjarab and Mutia Sadiq Ahmad Sayyab.The British human rights group Reprieve represents the 34-year-old Hadjarab and it welcomed Thursdays announcement, calling for the release of more prisoners from Guantanamo.President Barack Obama has pledged repeatedly to close the prison but has been thwarted by Congress, which imposed restrictions on transferring prisoners abroad or holding them in the United States, even for trial.

Squash an outsider in bid to become Olympic sport

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GENEVA (AP) - The World Squash Federation delivered a more dynamic and television-friendly game to answer constructive criticism following two previous failed attempts to gain Olympic status.Squash also figured to be popular with future hosts, which are stretched to stage 28 sports within budget and without creating white elephant venues. Squash offers a flexible, cost-effective option with potential to find an eye-catching location on the citys landscape.Then, in February, everything changed.Seven months before the Sept. 8 vote in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the International Olympic Committees executive board upset all calculations by removing wrestling from the list of core Olympic sports. Modern pentathlon was predicted as a more likely victim, while taekwondo and field hockey were also in the discussion.When squash was as predicted chosen by the same IOC board on a three-sport shortlist in May, it was alongside a strong showing from wrestling and the combined forces of baseball-softball, two more sports which recently lost Olympic status.As far as the World Squash Federation is concerned, we are looking at it as two matches, the governing bodys president, N. Ramachandran, told The Associated Press in an interview. The first match was to get on to the shortlist, which we did. The second match is now to get into the Olympic Games program.Ramachandran was relatively new to his role four years ago, when squash was beaten by golf and rugby sevens in the contest to choose two new sports for the 2016 Games.By July 2011, the Indian businessman was leading a widespread overhaul of the Victorian-era game when the IOC confirmed its candidacy for 2020 inclusion against baseball, softball, karate, roller sports, sports climbing, wakeboard and wushu.We felt we had to radically change our sport the way we present our game to broadcasters, the way we judge our sport and the way the sport itself is played, Ramachandran said.Most eye-catching are colored glass courts on which scores, replays and video review decisions using the Hawk-Eye camera system like tennis, cricket and English Premier League football are projected.The floor of the court becomes a scoreboard, Ramachandran said.First-time viewers also now discover a simpler scoring system where players get a point for each rally won, replacing the traditional rule of scoring only when holding serve. Matches are played faster and extra referees help judge on let calls when players impede each other in the confined court space.The court is potentially key to the appeal of squash, which has dropped glass boxes into distinctive tournament locations such as the Pyramids in Egypt and Grand Central Station in New York.I could do it on the bridge over the Bosphorus, in a bullfighting ring or in the Imperial Palace gardens, saidRamachandran, eyeing his sports potential home in 2020 in Istanbul, Madrid or Tokyo a decision that IOC members will make on Sept. 7 in Buenos Aires.You tell me where to put it, and I will do it, he said. You can put them up in a matter of three days.Ramachandran sees squash fulfilling its Olympic mandate because an Olympic gold medal would instantly become the pinnacle of a players career.And even with only 32 men and 32 women playing in the Olympic events, squash would likely see medals won by less heralded Olympic teams.Its a chance of getting new countries on to the medal podium, Ramachandran said.Egypt won only two silver medals at the London Olympics in mens fencing and wrestling yet it has five men in the current top-10 rankings in squash.We have had male and female world champions from each of the five continents. Tell me how many sports will have that? Ramachandran said.Enthusiasm flows in the Indian officials speech, and he leads a campaign that has been backed by tennis greats including Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters. Within the IOC membership, Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia one of Ramachandrans predecessors as world squash leader has also pushed its case.Still, wrestling appears to have the influential support of Russian President Vladimir Putin for a campaign that has brought the United States and Iran into a common cause.Its just like any other election people make up their minds fairly quickly, Ramachandran said. I accept it (the result) with all humility.

IPL spot-fixing: Warrants against 3 Dawood aides

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NEW DELHI (Online) - Additional Sessions Judge Dharmesh Sharma issued open NBWs against Pakistan-based Javed Chutani, Salman alias Master and Ehteysham, considered to be close aides of Dawood.A Delhi court issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against three Pakistan-based close associates of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in connection with the IPL spot-fixing case.Additional Sessions Judge Dharmesh Sharma issued open NBWs against Pakistan-based Javed Chutani, Salman alias Master and Ehteysham, considered to be close aides of Dawood.The courts direction came on an application filed by Special Cell of Delhi Police seeking issuance of warrants against the three, saying they had played a key role in the entire conspiracy. An open NBW is one in which no time limit is fixed for its execution.The three, suspected to be based in Karachi and Lahore, and were instrumental in the conspiracy behind spot fixing during the IPL matches, police said in the application.The court in its order said: The crux of the argument is that it is not possible to execute warrants to these accused in Pakistan. In view of the above, issue open NBWs against three accused as requested.The judge also issued NBWs against four alleged bookies - Sanjay Aggarwal, Mohd. Shakeel Amir, Praveen Kumar G. Thakkar and Sandeep Sharma for Sep 30 on the plea of police.The plea of police sought issuance of NBWs against alleged bookies saying that during interrogation of other arrested accused, their names had cropped up but they evading arrest.On July 30, the Delhi Police filed its chargesheet in the case, alleging that Dawood and his aide Chhota Shakeel, who have been controlling the spot fixing and betting market in cricket in India, were behind the IPL spot fixing scandal.The formal set of charges, running into 6,000 pages, named cricketers S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan among the 39 accused in the scandal related to IPL-6 held earlier this year.The accused have been charged with offences of cheating and conspiracy under sections of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).Police slapped provisions of the MCOCA against the accused, saying they were acting under the command of Dawood and Shakeel.Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid, players Harmeet Singh and Siddharth Trivedi have been named among 168 witnesses in the case.
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