Wednesday 25 September 2013

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

UN powers make progress on Syria resolution: envoys

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The world's major powers made important progress Wednesday on key points of a UN Security Council resolution on destroying Syria's chemical weapons, envoys said.But more talks between US and Russian negotiators will be needed before there is a suggestion of sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad over his chemical arsenal, officials from the two sides said.One UN diplomat said there was agreement on the main points of a draft resolution, noting the 15-member council could vote on a resolution that would allow for a new vote on sanctions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter if Assad fails to honor a Russian-US disarmament plan.Without denying the account, a senior State Department official cautioned to AFP: We're making progress but we're not done yet.Russian sources also denied a deal had been done. There are still some talks to be completed on some main points, one Russian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP.Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a Russian official who expressed surprise at the claims of allowing sanctions.Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed a disarmament plan with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva earlier this month to head off a US threat of a military strike over a chemical weapons attack near Damascus on August 21.The United States blames Assad for the attack which it said killed more than 1,400 people. The Syrian government and Russia deny that Assad's forces carried out the sarin gas attack.Lavrov and Kerry held talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to push forward paragraph by paragraph with the resolution, which would make the disarmament plan legally enforceable, the senior US official said.Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin and US counterpart Samantha Power held more negotiations late Tuesday and again on Wednesday, officials said.Kerry, Lavrov, and foreign ministers from the other UN Security Council permanent members -- Britain, France and China -- held new discussions on the resolution at a lunch with UN leader Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday.

Militants hit north Iraq town as 33 killed nationwide

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KIRKUK (AFP) - Militants attacked local government and police buildings in northern Iraq with suicide bombings and mortar fire on Wednesday, sparking clashes that killed 14 people, among 33 deaths nationwide, officials said.The assault came in Hawijah, a Sunni Arab town in ethnically mixed Kirkuk province near which security forces stormed an anti-government protest camp in April, triggering Iraq's deadliest day this year.One suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle near a police station, while a second blew up another near a local administrative building.Militants then hit both buildings and a local council office with mortar fire, and gunmen clashed with the army.Seven civilians, three soldiers and four militants were killed and 22 people wounded, army Staff Major General Mohammed Khalaf al-Dulaimi said.Troops were combing the area for another nine assailants who were believed to have escaped, Dulaimi added.The Hawijah assault came a day after militants attacked two police stations and a local official's house in two towns northwest of Baghdad, killing seven police and the official's brother.In the capital, six members of a single family were shot dead on Wednesday, officials said.A man, his wife, their three children aged between three and six, and another woman were killed in the Shaab area of east Baghdad, officials said, while at least one person was killed and nine wounded by a bomb near a cafe in the capital.North of Baghdad, a bomb exploded near Balad, killing five people and wounding three, while gunmen killed two farmers in the Muqdadiyah area and a soldier in Taji.And a bomb killed three people and wounded 25 in Mosul, while one person was also shot dead in the northern city.Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said in speech on Wednesday that there has been killing by identity card and name, referring to the selection of victims on the basis of the confessional or ethnic affiliation given away by their family or given name.There are persistent fears that Iraq will return to the all-out Sunni-Shiite sectarian violence that peaked in 2006-2007 and killed tens of thousands of people.The UN refugee agency said on Tuesday that it was increasingly concerned about the situation in Iraq, where recent waves of sectarian violence threaten to spark new internal displacement of Iraqis fleeing bombings and other attacks.With the latest violence, more than 670 people have been killed this month and over 4,500 since the beginning of the year, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources.Diplomats and analysts say the Shiite-led government's failure to address the grievances of the Sunni Arab minority, who complain of political exclusion and abuses at the hands of the security forces, has driven the spike in violence this year.

Kerry: Israel-Palestine talks seek 'final' deal

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UNITED NATIONS (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says renewed talks between Israel and Palestine are in pursuit of a final status agreement, not an interim one.Kerry spoke Wednesday before a closed-door meeting of Palestinian donors known as the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.The group is focused on helping to revive Palestine's fragile economy while the newly restarted peace talks with Israel move forward.Kerry also says parties in the talks have agreed to intensify them and to intensify the U.S. facilitation of negotiations.President Barack Obama spoke Tuesday at a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week in Washington.

Mexico storms: 139 dead, 53 still missing

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MEXICO CITY (AFP) - The death toll from twin storms that battered Mexico has risen to 139 from 130 while 53 people remain missing after a mudslide buried their village, officials said Wednesday.Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said a further 35 people were injured in the landslides and floods that hit several states after tropical storms Ingrid and Manuel pummeled the country last week.The biggest tragedy was in La Pintada, a village that was swamped by a massive mudslide in the mountains of southwestern Guerrero state.Rescuers have been digging for victims for weeks in La Pintada, where 68 people were initially reported missing. Authorities said this week that five bodies have been pulled out so far but Osorio Chong did not give an update.President Enrique Pena Nieto said last weekend there was little hope anybody would be found alive.Pena Nieto presided over a cabinet meeting to review the disaster, which affected two-thirds of the country.While the government is still evaluating the total cost of rebuilding lost infrastructure, Finance Minister Luis Videgaray said $48 million has been spent in immediate aid.The National Weather Service, meanwhile, said the risk of a new tropical storm forming off the Pacific coast had diminished, though it still threatens to produce more rain in Guerrero.

Football: Ronaldo penalty hands Real controversial win

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MADRID (AFP) - A dubious injury time Cristiano Ronaldo penalty was enough to move Real Madrid back to within two points of league leaders Barcelona with a 2-1 win away to Elche on Wednesday night.However, the hosts were left furious with referee Cesar Muniz Fernandez as after failing to show Sergio Ramos a second yellow card for a clear bodycheck on Coro in the first-half, he pointed to the spot in the fourth minute of added time when Pepe fell to the ground under pressure from Carlos Sanchez.Ronaldo had put the visitors ahead from a free-kick early in the second-half, but Richmond Boakye thought he had rescued a point when he headed home in the 91st minute before the late drama.With Gareth Bale ruled out with a thigh problem, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti made three changes to the side that started the 4-1 drubbing of Getafe on Sunday as Fabio Coentrao, Ramos and Luka Modric replaced Dani Carvajal, Nacho and Asier Illarramendi.Ronaldo saw a deflected effort fly just wide in the first minute, but Elche started much the brighter and Real had goalkeeper Diego Lopez to thank to stop them falling behind for the fourth time in six league matches this season.David Lomban was first to be denied by Lopez as he parried the defender's header from Eduardo Albacar's cross before Carles Gil's low drive was also smothered by the keeper.Javi Marquez also fired wastefully over as the hosts continued to press and they were rightfully infuriated when Fernandez awarded a foul when Ramos chopped down Coro but didn't show the Spanish international the 18th red card of his career.Angel di Maria finally forced Elche keeper Manu Herrera into action six minutes before the break, but he was more than equal to the Argentine's volley from a narrow angle and Isco couldn't snaffle up the rebound.Madrid starting the second period with more purpose and were rewarded just six minutes after the restart when Ronaldo's free-kick bounced just in front of Manu Herrera and he could only help it on its way into the net.Having gone in front Madrid took their foot off the gas and were finally punished in stoppage time when Elche produced their best move of the match to equalise.A long ball from Herrera was headed into the path of Fidel and his cross was expertly nodded home at the near post by Boakye.However, the drama didn't end there as having signalled for there to be three minutes of added time, Fernandez allowed a Madrid corner to be taken well into the 94th minute and then pointed to the spot when Pepe hit the ground.After a number of Elche players had been booked for protesting, Ronaldo kept his cool and drilled the ball low into the corner to earn his side a precious three points ahead of the Madrid derby with joint leaders Atletico.

United ruins Suarez return by beating Liverpool

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MANCHESTER (AP) - Manchester United ruined Luis Suarez's long-awaited return from a 10-match biting ban by beating Liverpool 1-0 in the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday, relieving some early-season pressure on manager David Moyes.Javier Hernandez showed a poacher's instinct to volley home deftly 39 seconds into the second half as United advanced despite fielding a largely second-string lineup against its fierce rival at Old Trafford.Suarez came closest to equalizing for Liverpool, curling a free kick against the crossbar as he hogged the limelight on his return to club football five months after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in a Premier League game.Swansea's defense of the trophy ended in abject fashion by losing 3-1 at second-tier Birmingham, while there were wins for Premier League teams Newcastle and Stoke.

Arsenal to play Chelsea in 4th round of League Cup

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LONDON (AP) - Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Chelsea will meet in the pick of the fourth-round matches in the League Cup.In other all-Premier League match-ups from Wednesday's draw, Manchester Cup will travel to Newcastle and Manchester United's reward for beating Liverpool in round three is a home match against Norwich.Tottenham was drawn at home to Hull and Southampton will be away to Sunderland.The matches will be played on Oct. 28-29.

Vettel marching toward F1 title

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BANGKOK (AP) - Another runaway win. Another chorus of boos. And another step toward the Formula One title.The pattern has been the same for weeks for Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull. His win at the Singapore Grand Prix over the weekend was his third in a row and it put him 60 points clear in the drivers' championship with six races remaining. The dominant manner in which he won in Belgium, Italy and Singapore meant his rivals have all but abandoned hope of preventing him taking a fourth-straight title.Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was second in the race and is second in the championship standings, but even the Italian team knew his chances of catching up to the German were unrealistic.The only thing we can try and do is to stay there in second and if there is an opportunity, we will take it, team principal Stefano Domenicali said. Without a problem for Vettel, it's very difficult to fight for the championship, but you never know.Vettel's performance under the lights of Singapore's Marina Bay circuit for F1's only night race was staggering. When it mattered most, in the early laps and again after the restart following a mid-race safety-car period, he was often two seconds per lap quicker than his nearest pursuers.Such dominance delighted his team and F1 purists, but was a turnoff for fans wanting a closer race. Vettel was heavily booed when interviewed on the podium, following similar abuse he received in Italy. He might have fewer fans here after events in Malaysia earlier this year: Vettel ignored team orders and overtook teammate Mark Webber, a move later compounded by his pointed lack of repentance and harsh comments about the Australian.The German laughed off the latest boos, dismissing the critics as jealous Ferrari fans.I just don't think it is right, I don't think it is sporting, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said of the booing in Singapore. The clearest thing is that it is not fair, and no matter what Sebastian says, he is a human being. He has driven his socks off, he has produced an absolutely stunning performance, and that should be applauded. It shouldn't be booed.The only sour note for Red Bull in Singapore revolved around Webber, who was near to finishing third only to have his engine fail and the car end up in flames, parked beside the track on the final lap.Webber hitched a ride back to the pits on the side of Alonso's Ferrari in what looked like a charming bit of good sportsmanship. Instead, race stewards gave both drivers a reprimand for what was deemed an unsafe action as two cars had to swerve around them on the slowdown lap while Webber ran onto the track and clambered on board.It was Webber's third reprimand of the season, so he will receive a 10 grid-place penalty at next month's race in South Korea.Alonso's second-place finish, and the maintenance of a slim championship hope, was just enough for Ferrari to keep on developing the current car while all other teams aside from Red Bull had begun devoting funds and time toward the 2014 V6 turbo models, which require a radical redesign.At this stage, it is clear that Vettel and Red Bull have a better package but we will try to deliver on track what is still in the pipeline, Domenicali said. At home, we are 99 percent dedicated to the 2014 car because it is a huge and complex project that it is very important to be on top of, so we need to fight with what we have.

Yachting: USA win America's Cup in historic comeback

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SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Oracle Team USA clinched the America's Cup on Wednesday in an epic comeback destined for sports history books.The defending champion crossed the finish 44 seconds ahead of challenger Emirates Team New Zealand, notching an unprecedented eight wins in a row and keeping possession of yachting's coveted prize.Cheers erupted from flag-waving fans on shore and the US team exchanged hugs as the catamaran zipped past the pier next to the finish.Billionaire yachtsman Larry Ellison, owner of the US team, hopped on board from a chase boat and took part in popping champagne.When you've got a team like this around you, they make you look great, Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill said.

Oil prices fall following rise in US stockpiles

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NEW YORK CITY (AFP) - US oil benchmark West Texas Intermediate for November delivery shed 47 cents on the New York Mercantile Exchange to $102.66 a barrel, dropping for a fifth day in a row.European benchmark Brent oil for November delivery fell 32 cents to $108.32 a barrel.The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Wednesday that American crude reserves soared by 2.6 million barrels in the week ending September 20.Market analysts on average had expected a drop of 900,000 barrels.The EIA's inventories ... showed stockpiles increased by a good 2.6 million barrels last week, easily disappointing expectations, said analyst Fawad Razaqzada at trading firm GFT.John Kilduff of Again Capital expressed surprise at the decline in refinery utilization last week.Refineries were taking in less oil, running at 90.3 percent of capacity, down from 92.5 percent the prior week, likely due to greater-than-expected refinery maintenance.The decline in oil also comes amid fresh signs of a possible warming of relations between Iran and the West, which conceivably could lead to an easing of sanctions and allow Iran to export more oil more freely.However, such a change would not happen overnight, analysts said.

Dollar falls as housing, industrial data come in soft

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NEW YORK CITY (AFP) - Soft data on US new home sales and durable goods orders backed a fall in the dollar against the euro and other major currencies Wednesday.At 2200 GMT, the euro was at $1.3522, compared to $1.3469 late Tuesday.The dollar slipped to 98.46 yen from 98.74, while the euro was slightly higher at 133.18 yen, from 133.00.The dollar fell in parallel with US Treasury bond yields, as markets appeared to back away from expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin reducing its $85 billion a month stimulus program in the coming few months.The almost daily decline in US yields tell us that investors still believe the chance of no tapering this year outweighs the chance of tapering, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management.The data suggested an economy still struggling to gain traction.US new home sales bounced back in August after July's slump, but the pace, 421,000 units a year, remained slower than the first quarter of the year.US durable goods orders rose just 0.1 percent in August, not rebounding from July's sharp fall.Each piece of good news that we have seen from the US masked underlying weakness and until this changes, there will be reluctance inside the Fed to change the level of asset purchases, said Lien.The British pound rose to $1.6076 from $1.6001, while the dollar slipped to 0.9096 Swiss franc from 0.9128 franc.

Spacecraft with American, 2 Russians blasts off

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MOSCOW (AP) - A Soyuz spacecraft carrying two Russians and an American has lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, soaring into the night sky for a six-hour trip to the International Space Station.Seated inside the cramped capsule were NASA's Michael Hopkins and Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky, who are to orbit the Earth four times before docking at the orbiting outpost, where they will spend six months conducting a variety of experiments.Live coverage provided by NASA TV showed the launch went off as scheduled shortly before 1 a.m. Moscow time on Thursday (2100GMT, 5 p.m. EDT Wednesday) at the cosmodrome, which Russia leases in Kazakhstan.

US coverts aging F-16 into drones

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WASINGTON (Web Desk) - The US Air Forces F-16 fighter jets are a common sight above Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. But this week one roared into the sky with a major difference: there was no pilot in the cockpit.The unmanned test flight was a retired F-16 retrofitted by maker Boeing as a drone - the first time one of the jets has flown without a pilot, the company said.Renamed the QF-16 Full Scale Aerial Target, the reconditioned aircraft are intended to give U.S. fighter pilots an realistic adversary to train against.Two U.S. Air Force test pilots remotely flew the QF-16 from a ground control station at Tyndall.While in the air, the QF-16 mission included a series of simulated manoeuvres, reaching supersonic speeds, returning to base and landing, all without a pilot in the cockpitIt was a little different to see it without anyone in it, but it was a great flight all the way around, said U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Inman, Commander, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron.It’s a replication of current, real world situations and aircraft platforms they can shoot as a target. Now we have a 9G capable, highly sustainable aerial target.Before the QF-16, the military used a QF-4 aircraft, which was a modification of the F-4 Phantom, a now well outdated, Vietnam-era fighter.But the modified QF-16 provides pilots a target that performs closer to many jets flying today.The QF-16s were all retired aircraft. Boeing retrieved them from Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona and restored them for flight.Next live fire testing moves to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The military will ultimately use QF-16s for weapons testing and other aerial training.So far, Boeing has modified six F-16s into the QF-16 configuration.

Karachi: 49 more policemen suspended

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Besides launching targeted operation against the criminal elements, action against black sheep in the police department had also been started.East Zone Police Wednesday suspended 38 more officials who were allegedly involved in criminal activities.According to SSP East Pir Muhammad Shah, interrogation from the suspended officials was underway at Saoodabad Police Station.It is to be mentioned here that 39 policemen from East Zome were also suspended on Tuesday while six police officials were suspended in Baldia Town for their alleged involvement in extortion and patronizing criminal.Meanwhile, an officer and four cops deputed at different police stations of City Town have also been suspended.According to police authorities, the suspended police officials were being interrogated for their alleged contacts with extortionists and other criminals while evidence against some policemen was being collected after obtaining their telephonic record.On Tuesday, 31 policemen were arrested for their alleged involvement in extortion and narcotics sale while investigation was launched against six officials.The action against the policemen had been taken after information sharing by intelligence agencies and provision of evidence by police intelligence department.

India beat Pakistan by 4-0 in SJJ Hockey Cup

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JOHOR BARU (Online): India turned on a sizzling display of attacking hockey to defeat Pakistan 4-0 in a clash of the archrivals at the Sultan of Johor Cup 2013 in Johor Baru.The defeat was Pakistan’s first in the tournament while India remains unbeaten an on course for a place in Sunday’s final.India are a win away from the final and should achieve it by defeating South Korea on Thursday while Pakistan face a daunting task of trying to get a win over hosts Malaysia.Pakistan started off on a fast pace while India was contend with stroking the ball around, awaiting the Pakistani players to make mistakes.It was Pakistan that had a first look at goal via a penalty corner by Mohammad Tousiq in the 5th minute.But Indian custodian Harjot Singh was equal to the task. Pakistan then had India pinned in defence as Umar Bhutta, Muhammad Dilber and Muhammad Umair strung some neat passes together but could not pose a danger on the goal.India was awarded a penalty corner in the 15th minute and Amit Rohidass drag flick came off the upright.It was a rather lackluster affair for the rest of the half as play was confined to the midfield area. India came out of the tunnel looking refreshed in confidence and took two minutes to win a penalty corner.Amit Rohidass relayed the ball to Sukhmanjit Singh whose pile driver of a flick sailed into the roof off the net to give India a1-0 lead.And suddenly Pakistan were put on the back foot as India rallied in search of more goals and they were duly rewarded.Imran Khan doubled the advantage in the 45th minute after a fine dribble by Harjeet Singh on the right flank and made a square pass to Imran Khan to slot into an empty goal with Mazhar wrong footed.Barely had the cheers died down that India were awarded a penalty stroke when Ramandeep Singh was brought down in full flight by Tousiq. Up-stepped Sukhmanjit to put the ball past Mazhar for a 3-0 lead.In the 61st minute Kothajit Singh broke through on the left and set up a simple tap in for Ramandeep Singh to score India’s fourth and the humiliation was complete.
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