Tuesday 24 December 2013

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Pope marks first Christmas as crowds go to Bethlehem

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VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope Francis held his first Christmas Eve mass in the Vatican on Tuesday by highlighting the role played by humble shepherds in the Nativity as thousands flocked to the historic site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem.At the service in St Peter's Basilica, the 77-year-old leader of the world's Catholics said that local shepherds were the first to witness the holy birth because they were among the last, the outcast.The Argentine pope, who was elected this year after his predecessor Benedict XVI's momentous resignation, also called on Catholic believers to open their hearts and to struggle against the spirit of darkness.If our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then darkness falls within us, said Francis, who has impressed many observers with his humble style and has promised to reform the Vatican.Francis has repeatedly warned about rising rates of anti-Christian violence and as he spoke Christians from ancient communities in Syria flee its civil war and others struggle to rebuild after the devastating typhoon that struck the Philippines this year.In Europe, Christmas Eve mass in a church nestled in the French Alps came to an abrupt end Tuesday when part of the ceiling fell down on the priest's head and the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb in the Belgian city of Ghent also spoiled celebrations.The Vatican unveiled a traditional Nativity scene in St Peter's Square by Naples artisan Antonio Cantone who named it after Francis and the mediaeval Italian saint who has inspired him, St Francis of Assisi.Cantone said the scene was intended to highlight the role of ordinary people in witnessing Jesus's birth -- a homage to the simplicity shown by Pope Francis.In the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Jerusalem's Latin patriarch Fuad Twal celebrated a midnight mass attended by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.Thousands of pilgrims and tourists made their way past Israel's controversial separation wall to reach the Palestinian hilltop town, where snow remains on the ground from a rare winter blizzard this month.A giant Santa was set up in Manger Square, outside the centuries-old Church of the Nativity, where a candle-lit grotto marks the spot where Christians believe the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus.In a homily to be delivered at the Christmas Eve mass, Twal called for a just and equitable solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.For Christians the answer lies neither in emigration nor in closing in on ourselves. It consists in staying here, the 73-year-old patriarch planned to say, according to a copy of the homily obtained by AFP.From this Holy Place, we remember all the adversities in our world: from civil wars in Africa to the typhoon in the Philippines, the difficult situation in Egypt and in Iraq, the tragedy playing out in Syria, he said.An estimated 126,000 people have been killed in Syria, where a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests ignited a full-blown civil war with no end in sight.Among the millions displaced are thousands of residents of the historic Christian village of Maalula, many of whom still speak the ancient Aramaic of Jesus.Juliana, a 22-year-old Maalula refugee in Damascus, recalled past Christmas holidays at home as joyful.We would decorate the Christmas tree, and friends and relatives would get together for midnight mass.This year, we will attend mass of course but there won't be any Christmas tree or manger. We are refugees now, she said.Filipinos find cheer amid storm's ruins.In the Philippines it was not war but a devastating act of nature, Super Typhoon Haiyan, which flattened entire towns and left nearly 8,000 people dead or missing.Filipinos who survived the disaster defiantly celebrated Christmas in their ruined communities, where hogs were roasted and churches filled to overflowing.Nothing can stop us from welcoming Christmas even though we have lost our home, 63-year-old Ellen Miano said in Tacloban, which bore the brunt of the storm.On a lighter note, the US government said it had officially cleared Santa Claus for entry after waiving stringent livestock checks on his reindeer.Meanwhile in space, US space agency NASA astronauts carried out a rare Christmas Eve spacewalk to make repairs on the International Space Station.

Dollar surges major currencies in Asia

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TOKYO (AFP) - The dollar traded higher against major currencies in Asia on Wednesday following another batch of solid US economic data.The greenback bought 104.37 yen in Tokyo afternoon trade from 104.27 yen in New York Tuesday afternoon.The euro bought $1.3667 against $1.3681 while fetching 142.62 yen from 142.65 yen.The November report on US durable goods orders showed a better-than-expected increase of 3.5 percent. That was followed by a report on new home sales in the US that also beat expectations.Tuesday's data came on the heels of other recent upbeat US economic reports, which have added fire to sentiment about the world's biggest economy after the Federal Reserve last week moved to scale back its vast stimulus programme.The dollar was likely to be susceptible to moves from Japanese corporate accounts on the Christmas day in Asia when there would be fewer major players in the market, a senior dealer at a major Japanese trust bank told Dow Jones Newswires.The thin trade of the holiday season may make the currency market vulnerable to any unexpected headlines, he said.

West Indies seek ODI revenge against New Zealand

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WELLINGTON (AFP) - The West Indies have rejected any suggestion of a Test hangover going into the opening one-day international against a New Zealand side bolstered by the return of Jesse Ryder.We're more comfortable in the shorter forms of the game, captain Dwayne Bravo said on the eve of Thursday's first of five ODIs, after losing the Test series 2-0.It was a disappointing Test series but hopefully the guys have put that behind them. With seven ODI specialists added to the squad it's a different vibe, a different energy, he added.New Zealand welcome back Ryder while the West Indies will be without their talisman Chris Gayle, the Windies' Darren Sammy noted.Gayle remains sidelined with a hamstring injury while Ryder has been in devastating form in New Zealand domestic cricket ahead of his return to the international arena after a 22-month self-imposed exile.New Zealand selection manager Bruce Edgar said Ryder will provide added firepower at the top of the order where he will partner another returning international Martin Guptill.Despite New Zealand's comprehensive win in the Tests -- the first time they have won a three-Test series in nearly eight years -- captain Brendon McCullum said it was back to square one for the ODIs.We'll start on the same level come Boxing Day, he said as New Zealand toned down the euphoria of their red-ball success and reacquainted themselves with the white ball.I've said it before when we've been on the other side of the coin, so I can't change now. I think it's a separate game.We'll store this away as a Test unit and be very happy with the performance. Now we have to turn our attention as a different unit. We know the West Indies have different players and so do we.

Cricket: South Africa, India have Durban bowling headaches

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DURBAN (AFP) - Finding the right combination of bowlers will be the biggest headache for both South Africa and India ahead of the second and final Test starting at Kingsmead on Thursday.After fighting out an epic draw in the first Test in Johannesburg, the two top-ranked teams in Test cricket will seek a series win at a venue where South Africa have lost their most recent four Test matches, including an 87-run defeat by India three seasons ago.World champions South Africa will almost certainly be without injured fast bowler Morne Morkel, who has been a key member of a three-pronged pace attack together with Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.Morkel suffered a sprained ankle early in the second innings of the first Test. His likely replacement is Rory Kleinveldt, who has played in four Tests.But South Africa will be tempted to play Kyle Abbott, who was called into the squad after Morkels injury.Kingsmead is Abbotts home ground and the accurate fast-medium bowler will be keen to add to the success of his only previous Test when as a late replacement he took seven for 29 in the first innings against Pakistan at Centurion last season.He had match figures of nine for 68.Kingsmead has lost much of the pace that was on offer when current bowling coach Allan Donald had match figures of nine for 54 when India were bowled out for 100 and 66 in 1996/97 but the Proteas could contemplate going in with an all-pace attack.Leg-spinner Imran Tahir had a poor match in Johannesburg and South Africa have the option of using part-time off-spinner JP Duminy, who was described by AB de Villiers as the best spinner in the first Test.Indias concerns will be centred around the lack of success of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who failed to take a wicket in 36 overs in the second innings after South Africa had been set a world record target of 458 in Johannesburg.Kingsmead may be more helpful to Ashwin than the Wanderers but India could also call on Ravindra Jadeja or Pragyan Ojha, who are both left-armers.In the most recent Test at Kingsmead, Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was man of the match after bowling his side to victory with match figures of nine for 128 two seasons ago.It will also be a worry for India their three pace bowlers at the Wanderers, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami, bowled a combined 91 overs in hot weather in the second innings.The 35-year-old Khan, who took his 300th Test wicket in Johannesburg, played a big role in Indias win at Kingsmead three seasons ago with match figures of six for 98.With only three days of recovery time between Tests, India may look to Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Umesh Yadav to bolster their pace resources.Teams:South Africa (likely): Graeme Smith (captain), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers (wkt), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Rory Kleinveldt, Kyle Abbott or Imran Tahir.India (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain, wkt), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Wriddhiman Saha (wkt), Pragyan Ojha.Umpires: Steve Davis, Rod Tucker (both AUS)TV umpire: Adrian Holdstock (RSA)Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

UN accepts request for accreditation for arrested Indian diplomat

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The United Nations said Tuesday it had accepted a request from India to issue accreditation to a diplomat in the eye of a legal and diplomatic storm between Delhi and Washington.The US State Department must approve all changes in diplomatic status of foreign envoys on American soil, and a spokesperson told AFP on Tuesday that the paperwork was under review.Indias deputy consul general in New York, Devyani Khobragade, was arrested by US authorities on December 12 on suspicion of lying on a visa application for her maid and of underpaying her.The Delhi government and many ordinary Indians were outraged by her treatment, and Delhi wants to transfer her accreditation to the United Nations in a bid to strengthen her diplomatic immunity.The United Nations has received notification to register Ms. Khobragade as a member of the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, UN spokeswoman Morana Song said.We can confirm that the United Nations has processed this request per its standard procedures, she said.As a consular official accredited to the United States, Khobragade has only limited immunity from prosecution and has been charged with visa fraud and making false statements about her maids salary.If she is accredited to the UN mission, she will enjoy a higher level of protection and India might find it easier to bring her home.Her arrest and subsequent treatment -- she was held for 48 hours pending charges and underwent an intimate search on being taken into custody -- triggered a high-level international row.India responded to the charges -- brought by a New York federal prosecutor -- with diplomatic sanctions, stripping some US envoys to India of special passes that afford travel privileges.Indian police also removed security barriers regulating traffic around the US embassy in New Delhi, and anti-American street protests erupted.US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed regret for the offense caused but Manhattans US Attorney Preet Bharara has insisted he acted to protect the rights of Khobragades Indian maid.

Football: Wenger keeps faith despite Arsenal slowdown

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LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is convinced that his players remain on course in their Premier League title challenge despite having picked up just two points from their last three games.Wenger's side will make the short trip across London to West Ham United on Thursday having drawn at home with Everton and Chelsea either side of a 6-3 thrashing at Manchester City.Arsenal had been seven points clear at the end of November, but now find themselves behind leaders Liverpool -- who visit City in Thursday's late game -- on goal difference.Wenger's men struggled to create chances against Chelsea in Monday's 0-0 draw, but Wenger insists that the Gunners' prospects are far healthier than they had appeared at the start of the season, when they lost 3-1 at home to Aston Villa.The spirit of the players is unbelievably focused and there is a great desire, he said. We are going through a period where it is a bit more difficult, but with that spirit we will come out of that.Let's be serious -- after the first game, against Aston Villa, if I'd have told you we would be top of the league, you would have said I was absolutely mad, so let's not go completely overboard.We are where we are. The last three games have been difficult, but we have played Everton, we have played Man City and we have played Chelsea.West Ham are struggling to stay out of the relegation places, but Wenger is nonetheless expecting a testing 90 minutes.In the Premier League we have learnt that it is difficult everywhere, he said.Chelsea lost at Stoke. We have to go to West Ham and on top of that it's a derby. We gave a lot against Chelsea, so we have to make sure we are completely focused on that game.Wenger will make changes to keep his starting line-up fresh and now has the option of using Lukas Podolski, the Germany forward, who has recovered from the hamstring injury that had sidelined him since August.Podolski has not played at all since the second game of the season and he lacks a bit of competitiveness, said Wenger, who will again be without suspended midfielder Jack Wilshere.It is right to say he can only find it if I play him, but he is just two weeks in training now and I have to make that decision whether to use him or not.But we need to rotate a little bit because we play so many games now.West Ham have managed only one win in their last 10 Premier League games and sit just one point and one place above the bottom three.However, right-back Guy Demel believes that Sam Allardyce's side have a chance of upsetting the Gunners.We all know Arsenal is a great side and a force this season, but we are at home, it is a London derby and if we can get our performance right, take our chances that we create and keep it tight at the back, then we always give ourselves a chance, he said.Our last two games at home have been a win and a draw, with two clean sheets also in those matches, so we want to keep that going and hopefully send our fans home happy on a Boxing Day match. These games are special.West Ham captain Kevin Nolan is expected to return to the side after a three-match suspension.

Snowden declares his 'mission accomplished' on leaks

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LONDON (AFP) - Rogue American intelligence analyst Edward Snowden has declared his mission accomplished after unveiling huge US surveillance programmes, but urged citizens to insist their governments stop spying on them.In excerpts of his first major media appearance since claiming asylum in Russia -- which will be broadcast on British television on Christmas Day -- Snowden issued a staunch defence of individual privacy.Together we can find a better balance, end mass surveillance and remind the government that if it really wants to know how we feel, asking is always cheaper than spying, he says in extracts released by Britain's Channel 4.The former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor sent shockwaves around the world by revealing the extent of Washington's electronic eavesdropping.The short, pre-recorded broadcast will be his first television appearance since arriving in Moscow in June.The 30-year-old has also given his first in-person interview since claiming asylum, telling Tuesday's Washington Post: I already won.For me, in terms of personal satisfaction, the mission's already accomplished, he said.As soon as the journalists were able to work, everything that I had been trying to do was validated, he added.Because, remember, I didn't want to change society. I wanted to give society a chance to determine if it should change itself.Snowden leaked explosive details of the secret surveillance schemes to media including the Washington Post and Britain's Guardian, and has fled the United States to avoid prosecution.He arrived in Russia in June as a fugitive and spent more than a month holed up in a Moscow airport before being granted a year's asylum.US federal prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint against him, charging him with espionage and felony theft of government property.His leaks have deeply embarrassed President Barack Obama's administration by revealing the massive scale of America's spying efforts, including on the country's own allies such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel.The young know no privacyIn his Christmas Day broadcast to Britain, Snowden says that children born into today's world will grow up with no conception of privacy at all.They'll never know what it means to have a private moment to themselves -- an unrecorded, unanalysed thought, he says in the broadcast, due to be aired at 1615 GMT.And that's a problem because privacy matters. Privacy is what allows us to determine who we are and who we want to be.He signs off the broadcast by wishing Britons a merry Christmas.Channel 4 has aired a short alternative Christmas message every year since 1993, intended as a response to Queen Elizabeth II's annual Christmas Day broadcast on the rival BBC.The channel caused a political row in 2008 when it chose former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as its Christmas broadcaster.The NSA's collection of communications data has grown dramatically since the September 11, 2001 attacks.On Friday, Obama said he welcomed a debate about the NSA's role as he weighs possible changes to its broad powers amid a public outcry over rights to privacy. The president said he would make a pretty definitive statement in January about how the NSA should be overhauled.A panel of legal and intelligence experts chosen by the White House has recommended curbing the agency's powers, warning that its sweeps in the war on terror have gone too far.And a federal judge has warned that the NSA's routine collection of nearly all Americans' phone records was probably unconstitutional.Snowden insisted in the Post interview that he had not been disloyal to his former employers.I am not trying to bring down the NSA, I am working to improve the NSA, he said. I am still working for the NSA right now. They are the only ones who don't realise it.Snowden blamed lawmakers' decision to keep the NSA programmes hidden and their failure to ask probing questions for his decision to spill the secrets.The system failed comprehensively, and each level of oversight, each level of responsibility that should have addressed this, abdicated their responsibility, he said.

Car bomb attack on Egyptian police headquarters kill 15

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MANSOURA (AFP) - A suspected suicide car bombing outside an Egyptian police headquarters killed at least 15 people Tuesday in one of the deadliest attacks since the military overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.The explosion in a city north of Cairo, which military-installed authorities suggested was carried out by Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, comes as the country is bitterly polarised over his ouster, with over 1,000 people killed in months of unrest.The Muslim Brotherhood, which publicly renounced violence decades ago, condemned the bombing, and analysts said it was likely the work of more radical Islamists, who have carried out a string of similar attacks in the Sinai targeting security forces.The interior ministry had said at least 12 of the dead were policemen in the attack on police headquarters in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura.A security official later said another police conscript was found dead in the rubble of the blast, and a police officer was discovered dead under the wreckage of the building.Investigators suspect a suicide bomber rammed a car freighted with powerful explosives through barriers surrounding the building shortly after 1:00 am (2300 GMT Monday).The blast also killed a civilian, medics said.The explosion peeled off part of the building's facade and could be felt up to 20 kilometres (12 miles) away.Casualties were rushed to a nearby hospital, where one witness told AFP the blast had sent him flying through the air.I heard a massive explosion behind me. I flew through glass and wreckage and then lost consciousness, he said from his stretcher, his head swathed in bandages.The bombing was the deadliest since Morsi's overthrow outside of the Sinai Peninsula bordering Israel and Gaza, where militants have killed more than 100 police and soldiers.Hours after the bombing, prime minister Hazem Beblawi labelled the Brotherhood a terrorist group but did not blame the organisation for the blast.Thousands later turned out for a funeral for the victims, whose corpses, shrouded in white and Egyptian flags, were carried on fire engines through chanting crowds.I go to work every day not knowing whether I'll return, said Ahmed Fouad, a policeman at the funeral who lost two comrades in the attack.Crowds torched a bus belonging to a tourism company, saying its employees had made pro-Islamist salutes, and then ransacked a supermarket believed to belong to Muslim Brotherhood sympathisers.The Muslim Brotherhood is an international terrorist organisation. They are responsible for what happened in Mansoura, said teacher Hamada Arafat.They are now adopting tactics like Al-Qaeda.Interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim said the explosion was meant to intimidate voters ahead of a constitutional referendum next month billed as the first step in the democratic transition after Morsi's overthrow, to be followed by fresh elections.This is an attempt to terrorise people because of the referendum. There is a security plan, and this will not affect the referendum, he told reporters after surveying the damage.It was the second time the building has been targeted this year, after a pipe bomb outside killed a policeman in July.Al-Qaeda-inspired groups on the peninsula have claimed attacks, including a bombing aimed at the interior minister in September outside his Cairo home.Shadi Hamid, research director at the Brookings Doha Center, said this is a more sophisticated attack than previous ones. It could be a sign of things to come... The insurgency in Sinai is becoming emboldened and extending attacks outside the Sinai.

UN warns of 'war crimes' in South Sudan

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Senior UN officials warned Tuesday that the ethnic killings being carried out in South Sudan could amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity punishable under international law.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had already said that reports of massacres will be investigated. Now two of his senior human rights officials said evidence of such crimes was growing.We are particularly worried about reports of an ethnic dimension to attacks, including in Juba and Jonglei, and the serious risk of an escalation of inter-communal violence, they said.In addition, targeted attacks against civilians and against United Nations personnel, such as those that have occurred in Juba and Jonglei, could constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.The warning came from Adama Dieng, Bans adviser on genocide prevention, and Jennifer Welsh, his adviser on the responsibility to protect, the legal standard that governs UN action to save civilians.The UN officials also added their voices to international calls for South Sudans President Salva Kiir and his foe, the deposed vice president Riek Machar, to negotiate a ceasefire.Last week the rivalry between the men exploded in clashes between their armed supporters, and there have been reports of violence and atrocities between their Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups.Two UN peacekeeping soldiers from India and a dozen Dinka civilians were killed on Thursday when Nuer gunmen attacked a United Nations base in Jonglei.At least 500 more people have been killed in the conflict, according to official figures, and thousands have fled their homes.A 7,000-strong UN peacekeeping force has been unable to contain the violence, and Ban has urged the Security Council to quickly approve 5,500 military and civilian reinforcements.On Monday, Ban warned: The United Nations will investigate reports of grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity.Those responsible at the senior level will be held personally accountable and face the consequences - even if they claim they had no knowledge of the attacks.Machar said Tuesday he was ready to send envoys to hold talks with Kiir on neutral ground, probably in Ethiopia.

Christian community celebrates Christmas Day today

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LAHORE (Dunya News/Agencies) - The Christian community of the world is celebrating Christmas Day today (Wednesday), with zeal and fervor.Christmas day is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ celebrated on December 25 as a religious and cultural holiday by billions of people around the world.Christmas, a civil holiday in many of the world’s nations, is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians and is an integral part of the holiday season in Pakistan.Muslims also express solidarity with the Christians on the occasion. The main ritual of the Christmas celebration is decoration of Christmas tree at homes and churches to welcome the arrival of Santa Claus also known as Father Christmas.Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has congratulated not only Christians of Pakistan as well as throughout the world on the auspicious occasion of Christmas.Nawaz said that Jesus Christ was sent to world as symbol of peace, brotherhood and respect for the entire humanity.“He not only healed the ailing humanity but preached the divine values of tolerance, love and compassion,” the PM said.“Jesus Christ descent to this world is a source of peace for the entire humanity,” he added. The PM said that minorities enjoy full citizenship rights under constitution of Pakistan including provision of safety and security of life, property and honour of every citizen as it is a fundamental duty of state irrespective of caste, creed or religious belief.“Quaid-e-Azam had also assured equal rights to all the citizens and we are committed to carry out his words,” he added.He reiterated on the occasion that the government will continue to uphold rights of all minorities and will ensure the protection of their life, property and treat them as equal citizens of the state.On the occasion, Islamic scholars and faqih Dr Muhammad Aslam Khaki has urged Muslims to avoid any discrimination among prophets sent by God.

137th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam being celebrated today

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LAHORE (Web Desk) - The 137th birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is being celebrated throughout the country today (Wednesday).A number of programmes have been chalked out to highlight the guiding principles of unity‚ faith and discipline. The government has announced a public holiday on Wednesday.Qur'an Khwani will be held at the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi and a change of Guard's ceremony will also be held at the Mazar-e-Quaid.Various cultural organizations and educational institutions have chalked out different programmes to highlight the life and political achievements of the great leader.In a massage issued on the eve of 137th birthday of the father of nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah made history by carving out a new state by the strength of his wisdom, steadfastness, righteousness and statesmanship.“The great Quaid envisioned Pakistan to be an independent homeland for the Muslims of subcontinent where they could live their lives according to their religious and cultural beliefs,” Nawaz added.The PM reminded that Quaid envisioned Pakistan to be country where democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights will hold sway, adding his dream of Pakistan was of a country where there would be no discrimination on the basis of caste, creed or religion and where all citizens would enjoy equal rights, he added.“On this auspicious day, we should pledge and resolve to work whole-heartedly and dedicatedly to build a strong and prosperous Pakistan,” the PM urged.Prime Minister said that patriotism, dedicated work and selfless service for the greater glory of Pakistan could be the most befitting tribute to the memory of Quaid-e-Azam.

Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) observed across the country

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - The mourning processions were taken out in different cities of Pakistan on the occasion of ‘Chehlum’ (40th day of mourning) of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions.In Karachi, the main procession was taken out from after the majlis (gathering) at Nishtar Park and concluded at Imam Bargah Hussainian Iranian, Kharadar after passing through its traditional route amidst tight security.The participants offered Zuhrain preyer near Imambargah Ali Raza near Numaish Chorangi.In Rawalpindi, the mourning procession was taken out from Imambarhgah Colonel Maqbool, which ended at Imambargah Qadeemi.Processions from different imambargahs of the city also joined the main procession at different points.In Lahore, the main mourning procession was taken out from Inside Moochi Gate and ended at Karbala Ghame Shahy.Faisalabad chehlum procession began from central Imambargah Sunnatpura and returned at the same site in the evening after passing through its traditional routes around Ghantaghar.In Multan the procession was taken from Gulgasht Colony near Jalal Masjid, and ended at same palace after going therough Gardezi Market and Golbagh.The procession taken out from Imambargah Jawadia would end at midnight.In Peshawar, mourning processions were taken out from Imambargahs in different areas Gulbahar, Khoocha-e-Raldar, Jahangirpur, Kochi Bazar and Mohalla Hussainia.The Azadarans (mourners) performed zanjeer zani and did noha khwani.In Quetta, the procession was taken out from Alamdar Road and ended at Bahisht-e-Zainab graveyard after passing through its traditional routes.In Sukkur, the main procession was taken out from Imambargah Gareebabad and concluded at the same place after passing through its routes.Meanwhile, Majalis-e-Aza were held and and mourning procession were also taken out in different cities of the country including Tharparkar, Dalu, Larkana, Ghotki, Kharpur, Jacobabad, Hyderabad MandiBahauddin, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang, Bahawalpur and other cities.To ensure the security of the participants, pillion-riding, was banned while mobile phone services remained suspended.The phone services started restoring at night in several cities while pillion riding ban was extended in Karachi and Peshawar for Wednesday.Over 10‚ 000 troops of Pakistan Army assisted the civil administration in maintaining law and order across the country.On the other hand, at least four people lost their lives and several others in separate bomb blasts in Karachi despite tight security measures on the occasion of chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A).Two back to back roadside blasts took in Orangi Town No. 10 area, killing at least three people including a 13-year-old boy.Several others also sustained injuries and they were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.Moreover, three people including two children were injured in a grenade attack in Qasba Colony area.

Bangladesh opposition calls mass march to derail polls

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DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia on Tuesday called on citizens to stage a mass march to the capital Dhaka in an escalation of protests aimed at derailing controversial January elections.Zias call stokes tensions in the impoverished country, with over 100 people already killed in clashes since late October when the opposition launched the protests to force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and make way for the polls to be held under a neutral caretaker government.I urge all citizens to march to Dhaka on December 29. This march is to say no to these farcical elections and to say yes to democracy, Zia, a two-time former prime minister, said in a speech.Wherever you are, carry a red and green national flag and march to Dhaka. We call this a march for democracy, she said in the capital.She asked the citizens to form protest committees in every village to foil the polls.The centre-left government insisted it would go ahead with the January 5 polls despite a boycott by opposition parties and major foreign nations announcing they wont send any election observers.On Monday, the United States joined the European Union and the Commonwealth countries in refusing to send observers to monitor polls, denting the credibility of the elections.Both the US and EU have raised questions about the polls as the winners of more than half of the seats in the 300-seat parliament have already been declared as they faced no opponents.It means technically that Hasinas Awami League government could form a government even before ballots are cast as the party and its allies have won 154 seats.Zias main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its 17 allies including the countrys largest Islamist outfit, Jamaat-e-Islami party, called the uncontested victories the worst scandal in the countrys election history.They said they are boycotting the polls because they fear the elections will be rigged by Hasina. The opposition wants Hasina to quit and make way for a neutral caretaker government to hold the polls in line with the four previous elections.Hasina has rejected the opposition demand, saying the caretaker government system is unconstitutional.Last week, she ruled out changes to the election schedule, mocking Zia, her bitter rival for nearly three decades, that she had missed the election train.Zias call for a mass march comes as the country has been reeling from the deadliest political violence since its independence from Pakistan in 1971.At least 265 people have died since January in violence that has pitted opposition activists against police and ruling party supporters. At least 115 of them have been killed in the past two months when Zia stepped up her campaign to topple Hasina.Zia said she was still ready to continue talks with Hasina to resolve the crisis after three rounds of UN-brokered talks between the two major parties yielded no result.But Zia accused the government of not being sincere, charging that it wants to cling to power at any cost.

British surgeon suspended for 'branded initials on liver'

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LONDON (AFP) - A British surgeon has been suspended over allegations that he branded his initials onto a patients liver, media reported on Tuesday.Consultant Simon Bramhall, 48, is accused of burning SB onto a patients liver as he operated on him.The letters were spotted by a colleague during routine surgery on the unnamed patient. It is now feared the letters may have been imprinted onto hundreds of other transplant recipients.Mr Bramhall has worked at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, West Mids, for more than ten years.

Zambia arrests two with ivory from around 16 elephants

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LUSAKA (AFP) - The Zambia Wildlife Authority has arrested two people in possession of more than 115 kilogrammes (250 pounds) of ivory, the authoritys spokeswoman Readith Muliyunda said Tuesday.The ivory is thought to have been poached over a period of one to two years from around 16 elephants and is worth about $150,000 (110,000 euros).The suspects names were withheld but they were said to be a 52-year-old businesswoman from a Lusaka slum and a 37-year-old taxi driver from a farming area west of the city.The scam was a great loss of revenue for the country. Poaching of elephants for ivory has become a major concern, not only in Zambia, but Africa as a whole, she said, pointing to lost tourism dollars.
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