Monday, 13 January 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Azarenka in stuttering start to title defence

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Title-holder Victoria Azarenka moved into the Australian Open second round Tuesday but she made a meal of the match and looked far from her best in blazing conditions on Rod Laver Arena.The second seed overcame world number 91 Johanna Larsson 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 but her game was riddled with unforced errors and poor serving, in contrast to Serena Williams' clinical first-round win late Monday.The Belarusian took an hour and 46 minutes to get past the Swede as temperatures soared towards 43 Celsius (109.4 Fahrenheit).It was a tough first set. The first match can often be tricky and the weather was not helping, said Azarenka.It was important to win that first set and I really found my rhythm in the second set.Azarenka is searching for her third consecutive Melbourne title, a feat last achieved by Martina Hingis between 1997-1999.In the Open era only five women have managed three in a row -- Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Hingis.Despite being a two-time winner, the Belarusian is not favourite at the year's opening Grand Slam with that honour going to Williams, her conqueror in this month's Brisbane International final.Larsson, despite being the Swedish number one and her country's only singles player present, had never gone beyond the first round at Melbourne Park in her three previous attempts.In their only other meeting, the 25-year-old took just four games off Azarenka. But on Tuesday, Larsson caused problems.She went 0-40 up on Azarenka's first service game but failed to ram home the advantage, with the world number two digging deep to hold and take the lead.The Swede made it 1-1 and with Azarenka struggling with her serve, hitting three double faults in her first two service games, Larsson took her chance on her fourth break point when the second seed hoisted a forehand long.The defending champion was agitated and started pumping herself up by shouting C'mon as her trademark grunting became ever louder, which seemed to do the trick as she broke back to level the match at 2-2 and then comfortably held.It went to serve till 4-4, in games riddled with unforced errors, before Larsson drew an overhit forehand from Azarenka to break for 5-4. Fired up, Azarenka broke straight back before a backhand into the net handed the advantage once again to the Swede at 6-5. Another break in the 12th levelled it up before the tournament champion eased through the tiebreaker.The fight went out of Larsson and Azarenka quickly raced to a 3-1 lead in the second. And after a Larsson double fault gave her a crucial second break for 5-2, she served out for the match.The win sets her up with a second round clash against either Czech player Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.

Mobile phone services suspended in Karachi, Peshawar

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - According to details, mobile phone services have been suspended in Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta as a precaution to avert any untoward incident on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH).Accordinf to sources, the mobile phone services will remain suspended till 10:00pm today (Tuesday).

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) is being celebrated

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) is being celebrated across the country today (Tuesday) with religious reverence and fervor renewing the pledge to follow true teachings of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).The day started with special prayers for development, safety, peace, unity and brotherhood amongst the followers of Holy Prophet (PBUH). Special security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order across the country on the occasion of 12th Rabi-ul-Awal.All major government and private buildings, residential and commercial plazas, markets, mosques, roundabouts and even houses have been tastefully decorated.Mahafil-e-Milad and public meetings would be held in different parts of the country, while faithful would actively participate in the programmes organized by different local, religious and social organizations. Naat and the Holy Quran reciting competitions would be held throughout the day in almost every nook and corner of the country to revive the real spirit of Islam and offer respect to the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Special security arrangements have been made in the Federal Capital, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and other cities and towns across the country to avoid any untoward incident. Participants of Mahafil would be properly verified and checked by security personnel. Congregations would be organized in all important cities of the country where the preachers and scholars would highlight the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) besides delivering lectures on His way of life. For faithful, Eid Milad-un-Nabbi is a highly regarded religious festival when they express gratitude and thank to Allah Almighty for blessing the universe with His last messenger and Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Obama defends Afghan strategy after Gates comments

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Barack Obama insisted Monday he had faith in the Afghan war mission after former Pentagon chief Robert Gates charged the president lacked passion for military action and soured on his own troop surge.In his first public comments on explosive criticisms of his role as commander-in-chief in new memoirs by Gates, Obama said that he had a duty to constantly question US military tactics and sweat the details when sending young men and women to war.But the president declined to say whether he had been irked by the publication of the book while he was still in office and American forces remained on the battlefield.Gates sparked a Washington firestorm when he suggested in Duty -- to be published Tuesday -- that Obama became disillusioned with the troop surge strategy launched in 2009 by early 2011, and lost confidence in his troop commanders and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.While praising Obama for his integrity and intellectual approach to matters of state, Gates is reported to have written that the president showed less zeal for military engagements than his predecessor George W. Bush.One quality I missed in Obama was passion, especially when it came to the two wars, Gates wrote.Obama, however, said that he continued to have faith in the US mission in Afghanistan.Most importantly Ive had unwavering confidence in our troops and their performance in some of the most difficult situations imaginable, the president said.And that job is not yet done.The frank criticism from Gates, who served both Bush and Obama as defense secretary, was all the more surprising considering he is known in Washington for loyalty and disdaining the often grubby business of politics.In an interview broadcast Monday, the former Pentagon chief complained that the contents of his book, leaked to some newspapers, had been hijacked by those with a political ax to grind.I think the book is very even-handed, I dont vilify anybody, he told NBCs Today Show.I make it clear, I have a lot of respect for both president Bush and President Obama, said Gates.He said that what has been lost in the news media is that I actually agreed with virtually every decision President Obama made on how to handle the US war in Afghanistan.But some people who have a narrative on Obama and the war got out there early with their take on... what Ive written, he told National Public Radio.Gates, a Washington veteran who also once headed the CIA, made a distinction between Obama and the rest of the White House.While his criticism of Obama is coupled with praise and respect, Gates makes no apologies for his blunt criticism of Vice President Joe Biden and of the White House staff.Well, I had a lot of battles with those folks, he told NPR, referring to members of Obamas National Security Council staff.Having worked in such positions under four previous presidents, Gates said the meddling behavior of the young staff members -- including making calls to four-star generals -- would have constituted a firing offense in previous administrations.Gates also made no effort to back away from his harsh words for the vice president, whom he wrote was wrong about every major foreign policy issue over the past four decades.The former Pentagon chief said he had long disagreed with Biden on issues dating back to the 1970s.As a senator, Biden was wrong to vote against aid for South Vietnam in the 1970s, portrayed the Shahs fall in Iran as a boost to human rights and wrongly opposed the defense buildup under ex-president Ronald Reagan, Gates said.I, frankly, over a long period of time felt that he had been... wrong, he added.The White House has vigorously defended Biden, who was in Israel on Monday at former prime minister Ariel Sharons funeral, as a statesman.

German diplomats escape Saudi shooting unharmed: agency

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RIYADH (AFP) - Two German diplomats escaped unharmed when gunmen attacked their car in Saudi Arabias Eastern Province on Monday, the official SPA news agency said.The agency quoted a police spokesman as saying shots were fired at a German diplomatic car near Awamiya in the region of Qatif, where most of the countrys Shiite Muslim minority lives.The car was hit but its two occupants, German diplomats, escaped unharmed with the help of a Saudi citizen, the agency added, citing the same source.Authorities are seeking the gunmen, the agency added, without saying whether the incident was linked to unrest in Eastern Province. Protests first erupted in the province, home to the majority of the kingdoms two million Shiites, in March 2011.Ten people were killed in clashes with security forces, and the fighting intensified after the arrest in July 2012 of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, considered to be a driving force behind the protests.However, tensions eased in August that year when seven Shiite dignitaries from Qatif hailed a call by King Abdullah for the creation of a centre for Sunni-Shiite interfaith dialogue.

Iraq must address root causes of unrest: UN's Ban

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BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi leaders should address the underlying causes of a protracted surge in violence plaguing the country, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday during a visit to Baghdad.I would urge the leaders of the country ... to address the root causes of the problems, Ban said.They should ensure that there is nobody left behind. There should be political cohesion and social cohesion, and political dialogue, inclusive dialogue, he said.The UN chief spoke after landing in the Iraqi capital for a two-day visit to the country, where he was also due to meet with parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi and other lawmakers, Vice-President Khudayr al-Khuzaie and the head of Iraqs election commission ahead of polls due in April.Bans visit comes as Iraq is embroiled in a bloody standoff between government forces and militants and anti-government tribes in Anbar province, the mostly-Sunni desert province in west Iraq which shares a long border with Syria.The country is also experiencing its wost prolonged period of violence since 2008, when it was emerging from a bloody Sunni-Shiite sectarian war that left tens of thousands dead.

Twelve dead in south Brazil violence: police

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SAO PAULO (AFP) - Ten public buses were destroyed Monday after 12 people were shot and killed overnight in the Brazilian city of Campinas, police said.The surge of violence began with the murder of an off-duty policeman, according to police and press reports.A spokesman said police were investigating various possible motives for the shootings, including revenge, conflicts between rival gangs or even police executions.A group of about 20 assailants, most hem hooded and armed with sticks and stones, ransacked a Campinas bus terminal where five of the overnight deaths occurred.They set fire to three buses and ransacked seven others, according to police.The local association of urban transport companies said the terminal had to shut down and traffic on seven bus lines was suspended for several hours as police intervened to restore order.Some of the overnight killings were perpetrated by armed criminals riding in vehicles, police said.We have not established whether these deaths are related. All we know for now is that they occurred in the same area of Campinas, Sao Paulo states third largest city, the spokesman noted.The news portal G1, quoting local police sources, said three of the victims were rushed to hospital but died of their wounds while the other died on the scene.The daily O Estado de Sao Paulo, meanwhile, said the killings occurred hours after an off-duty policeman was killed during a robbery attempt at a gas station in the area.No arrests have been reported so far.Campinas is located 90 kilometers (55 miles) from Sao Paulo, the state capital which will host the opening game of the World Cup on June 12.In late 2012, the state of Sao Paulo was rocked by a wave of violence that left scores of people dead, including several police officers.Experts attributed it to an undeclared war between a prison-based criminal gang known as the First Command of the Capital (PCC) and police.Last July, a survey on violence published by the Latin American Studies Center said one million people were killed in Brazil between 1980 and 2011, making it the worlds seventh most violent nation.

Tennis: Djokovic off to winning start under Becker

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Second seed Novak Djokovic praised his understanding with new coach Boris Becker as he made a winning if scratchy start at the Australian Open on Monday.The defending champion wore down Lukas Lacko to win his first official match under the former Grand Slam winning German Becker in straight sets.The Serbian, bidding to win a fourth consecutive Australian title and fifth overall, had to work hard to subdue the 96th-ranked Slovak.But after taking the second set in a tiebreaker, he swept to victory 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 in one hour 50 minutes and will face Argentinas Leonardo Mayer in the next round.Djokovic said while it was early into his player-coach relationship with Becker, the signs were good.He definitely has great observations on my game, on tennis in general, he said.We do speak a lot about different things. We try to get to know each other as much as we can.The understanding is great in the beginning. I did not expect ourselves to understand each other so well right away in the second or third week that we working are with each other.With the tennis great courtside, Djokovic looked far from his best and made 30 unforced errors. But he interspersed them with some glorious stretched volleys for winners.I know that I havent played my best, especially in the second set, Djokovic said.But, look, also credit to my opponent who was playing really nice tennis from the baseline.On the other hand I was a little bit too passive in some stages of the match and was trying to find the proper balance and footing on the court.It came at the right time in the tiebreak in the second and the whole third set was great. My service games, most of the games were won comfortably.Thats something that makes me obviously very encouraged for this tournament and for every next match.Becker has been brought in to improve Djokovics game after a disappointing 2013 by his own high standards and with his regular coach, Marian Vajda, keen for more family time.Last year Djokovic won the Australian Open but lost to Rafael Nadal in the US Open final, then again in the semi-finals of the French Open, as well as bowing to Andy Murray in the Wimbledon decider.We both hope to get the right benefits and the right results right away here in Australia. We worked very hard during the last four weeks, Djokovic said.Hopefully we can go far in this tournament. But its a long year and yes this tournament right now is our priority and our focus.Then we hope to maintain that consistency with a success and good cooperation throughout the whole year.Djokovic lost his service but broke the Slovak twice to take the opening set in 30 minutes, even though his backhand misfired as he made seven errors on that flank.Lacko fought hard in the second set and conceded his first break point in the ninth game before the set went to a tiebreaker.But Djokovic comfortably wrapped up the tiebreaker 7/2 to go two sets up and skated through the final set in just 23 minutes as Lackos level dropped and the six-time Grand Slam champion stepped up a gear.

Football: Ronaldo ends Messi run with second Ballon d'Or

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ZURICH (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo ended the four-year dominance of Lionel Messi when he was awarded the 2013 FIFA Ballon dOr in Zurich on Monday.The tearful 28-year-old Real Madrid and Portugal star, who won the award in 2008, had been the overwhelming favourite to pip Barcelona and Argentina wonder Messi, winner the previous four years, and Frances Franck Ribery, who claimed the treble with Bayern Munich in 2013.Ronaldo won with 27.99% of the votes ahead of Messi (24.72%) while Ribery was third (23.36%) according to France Football, co-organisers of the award with FIFA.There are no words to describe how I feel, said Ronaldo.Im delighted, I want to thank all my team-mates, all my family in the room.Those who know me know how many sacrifices I made to win this reward.I want to thank all those who had faith in me and I want to speak again about (recently deceased Portugal legend) Eusebio and (recently deceased former South Africa president) Madiba (Nelson Mandela) and to pay tribute to them one last time.Without doubt I deserved this, Messi and Ribery would have also deserved it.Each time is different. But I would say that this second Ballon dOr is more emotional, because my mother and my son (who joined him on stage) are here.Real president Florentino Perez paid tribute to Ronaldo.The only thing I wish to say is that this Ballon dOr is justified to be for Cristiano Ronaldo, it is recognition of hard work, talent, and a desire to win daily.For Messi, sporting a striking red dinner jacket, Ronaldos win didnt change very much.I would have loved to have won, but as it is the motivation is the same to keep growing, improving and winning things, he commented via Barcelonas twitter page.News of Ronaldos success filtered through from France Football just moments before the official announcement in Zurich.Ronaldo, who was widely expected to win after news spread on social media earlier in the day that seven members of his family were joining him in Zurich and his club Real were transmitting the award ceremony live on their official television channel in a change to the programmed schedule, broke down in tears on stage during his victory speech.Ribery, who won the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup with Bayern last season, before adding the European Supercup and Club World Cup before the turn of the year, had been the early front-runner.But a controversial two-week extension to the voting deadline for international coaches, captains and media meant those casting their ballots could take into consideration Ronaldos remarkable hat-trick to beat Sweden in the World Cup play-offs in November.That was widely believed to have been enough to tip the scales in his favour.However, with 66 goals in his 56 matches this year -- more than Messi and Riberys combined 65 -- no-one could deny Ronaldo was a worthy winner.It is the second time he has picked up the award and comes in a season in which he won nothing with either club or country, an unusual situation for a Ballon dOr winner.In 1982 Italys World Cup hero Paolo Rossi won despite a non-descript year away from his heroics in Spain.And in 2001 England and Liverpools Michael Owen was a controversial winner after enjoying a great season in the cups with the Reds, winning the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup.As expected, Bayerns Jupp Heynckes, who retired following their historic treble in May, won the coachs award.German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was named womens Ballon dOr winner while Germany coach Silvia Neid won the womens coach award.A special honorary Ballon dOr was given to Brazilian legend Pele, who never qualified for the award during his playing career as he never plied his trade in European club football.From its inception in 1956 until 2010, the Ballon dOr was awarded to the best player in Europe and the FIFA World Player of the Year award was only inaugurated in 1991, before ending in 2009 when it was assimilated into the Ballon dOr.Zlatan Ibrahimovic won the Ferenc Puskas best goal award for his stunning, acrobatic overhead kick from 40 yards for Sweden in a friendly against England.Former IOC president Jacques Rogge was given the presidents prize for a remarkable personality in sport.In the team of the year, Bayerns goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, full-back and captain Philipp Lahm and Ribery were joined by Barcelonas right-back Dani Alves, midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi and Messi, as well as Ronaldo and his Real team-mate centre-back Sergio Ramos, and Paris Saint-Germain pair Ibrahimovic and centre-back Thiago Silva.

Football: Quick-fire Arsenal back on top

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LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal swept back to the top of the Premier League as two goals in the space of 60 seconds clinched a 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Monday.Arsene Wengers side had slipped down to third after title rivals Chelsea and then Manchester City took turns at the top over the weekend.But Arsenal reclaimed pole position, moving one point clear of second placed City, thanks to a quick-fire double at Villa Park.England midfielder Jack Wilshere opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a cool finish from Nacho Monreals pass.And the Gunners struck again less than one minute later when France striker Olivier Giroud showed great technique to control Wilsheres pass and fire past Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan for his 12th goal of the seasonChristian Benteke reduced the deficit with a diving header in the 76th minute, but the Villa strikers first goal since September came too late to spark a fightback from the hosts.A bad night for Villa was capped by an injury to Nathan Baker that saw the young defender taken to hospital with a mild concussion after being stretchered off wearing an oxygen mask.Wenger was impressed with Arsenals spirited display against a Villa side who finished strongly.It was vital because the first half was more about playing, and the second half was more about fighting, he said.They made it very physical, put the ball up high in the air and we had a very good resilient performance in the second half. Overall we have shown again both sides of the game.Asked how he rated Arsenals title chances, Wenger added: Lets take care of our performances, we have got to go forward and always get the points.Then we can see if we can make a difference with the other teams.

Rallying: Al-Attiyah, Despres on top in Dakar Rally eighth stage

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CALAMA (AFP) - Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah, in a Mini, took the honours in the Dakar Rallys eighth stage which crossed through the Andes from Bolivia into Chile on Monday ahead of 11-time winner Stephane Peterhansel.Carlos Sainz, winner of stages four and seven, took third in the 302km timed run from the Bolivian town of Uyuni to Calama.Spanish driver Nani Roma was sixth and he retains a 24 minute advantage over Peterhansel with South African Giniel De Villiers placed third.Al-Attiyah, who won the race in 2011, is in fifth overall, 1hr 5min adrift, the bulk of that deficit coming from a one hour penalty he picked up for missing a waypoint on last weeks fifth stage.Im still a bit disappointed about the penalty, said Al-Attiyah, who won a bronze medal in the mens skeet shooting at the 2012 London Olympics.But now we will try to push and make a really better time every day.Peterhansel said hed found it difficult to keep tabs during the stage with Al-Attiyah and Sainz.That said, in the end its not such a bad result at all, because Nani Roma had two punctures so weve gained some time back on him and have put some pressure on him, he added.Its never easy to be in the lead, I know all about it, and being in front for Nani is an extra bit of pressure. Behind him, we have nothing to lose...In the motorbike section Frances Cyril Despres, a five time winner of the toughest challenge in motorsport, emerged the winner as the 2014 edition paid its first visit to Chile after stages in Argentina and Bolivia.He was followed across the line by Spanish pair Joan Barreda and Marc Coma.Despite claiming this 499km stage the Yamaha rider and defending champion is still way off the pace in the overall standings, almost two and a half hours behind Coma.Tuesdays ninth stage takes the 2014 Dakar caravanserai from Calama across 150 kilometres of Chiles Atacama desert with a finish in Iquique.

Oil prices drop after interim Iran nuclear deal

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices fell Monday amid oversupply worries after the West clinched a deal with Iran that will see Tehran scale back its disputed nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.New Yorks main contract West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for February delivery finished the day at $91.80 a barrel, a loss of 92 cents from Fridays close.Brent North crude for February fell 50 cents to settle at $106.75 a barrel in London trade.The Iran deal, announced Sunday, will take effect from January 20. It gives Iran and the so-called P51 -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany -- six months to come up with a more comprehensive solution to the nuclear dispute.The Islamic republics oil exports have been crippled by a series of international sanctions aimed at bringing an end to its nuclear drive, which the West claims is being used to develop atomic weapons. Iran denies the assertion.If an agreement to the nuclear dispute were to be found and the sanctions against Iran were to be lifted completely, up to one million barrels of Iranian oil per day could become available, Commerzbank analysts said in a market note.Unless oil production were cut elsewhere, this would give rise to a considerable oversupply on the oil market, which would weigh on prices.In the United States, WTI was weighed down by concerns about a growing glut of oil at the Cushing, Oklahoma hub, said Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates.Supplies at Cushing, the US benchmark WTI delivery point, have climbed for several weeks and last week rose by a million barrels.We will enter the seasonal maintenance period in a few weeks. That will dampen refiners demand, Lipow said.

Dollar drifts lower vs. euro, yen firms

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar slipped slightly against the euro Monday as traders continued to digest an unexpectedly weak US jobs report that raised speculation the Federal Reserve will slow stimulus cuts.In lackluster trade, the euro bought $1.3670 around 2200 GMT, up from $1.3663 at the same time Friday.The yen made solid gains. The dollar dropped sharply against the Japanese currency, trading at 102.98 yen compared with 104.10 yen Friday. The euro fell to 140.77 yen from 142.32.Effects of the much weaker-than-expected jobs report from Friday seem to be lingering, said Zachary Griffiths, economic analyst at Wells Fargo Economics.The greenback extended sharp losses after data Friday from the US Labor Department showed the economy added a mere 74,000 jobs in December, well below the consensus estimate of 197,000.The Fed said it plans to cut its massive stimulus this month, by $10 billion to $75 billion in asset purchases, because of signs of improvement in the economy.Following the weak jobs report, our expectation is for the greenback to be on the defensive for the near-term, and this sentiment could be extended if we were to get any additional weak economic figures leading up to the next Fed meeting, Griffiths said.Some analysts said the poor jobs data would encourage the Fed to hold off further cuts in bond purchases at its January 28-29 monetary policy meeting.The dollar slipped to 0.8991 Swiss franc from 0.9020 Friday.But it gained against the British currency, pushing the pound down to $1.6367 from $1.6480.

Turkish leaders meet to ease judiciary row

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ISTANBUL (AFP) - Turkish leaders were meeting on Monday to try to ease a row over a controversial bid by the government of embattled Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to curb the powers of the judiciary.The proposed legislation, seen by critics as a bid to head off a widening corruption probe that has rocked the government to its core, has come under fire from the opposition and judiciary as well as Turkeys allies in the European Union and the United States.President Abdullah Gul has intervened to try to end the latest crisis to confront the government shortly before the country goes to the polls in municipal elections in March.He will meet Erdogan later Monday after holding separate talks on the divisive bill with the leaders of the opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party and the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party.This bill throws 90 years of democratic gains in the garbage, CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said after his meeting with Gul.Erdogan, who has dominated the Turkish political scene for more than a decade, has seen his grip on power shaken by the graft scandal which has targeted several key allies.Dozens of people including the sons of cabinet ministers, leading businessmen and civil servants were rounded up in a series of police raids since December.Erdogan has responded to the probe by conducting a mass purge of the police and seeking to push through the judiciary bill that would increase government control over the appointment of judges and prosecutors.Turkeys top judicial body, the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), has branded the measure unconstitutional and vowed to fight it.A debate by parliaments justice commission on the bill descended into a brawl on Saturday, with politicians throwing punches, water bottles and even an iPad.The United States and the European Union have both voiced concern over the measure.(I) asked authorities to consult relevant amendments to laws before adoption to make sure theyre in line with principles of EU legislation, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said in a tweet on Sunday.Erdogan, who took office in 2003 with a pledge to rid Turkey of endemic corruption, has described the probe as judicial coup and a dirty plot against his Islamic-rooted government by an erstwhile supporter.Analysts say the episode is the result of a falling-out between Erdogan and US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose movement wields considerable influence in the police and judiciary.The escalating tensions have also exposed a rivalry between Erdogan and Gul, also a former ally, ahead of a presidential election in August.Observers have said Erdogan is setting his sights on the presidency, currently a largely ceremonial role, hoping to change the constitution to give the president US-style executive powers.But the judicial crisis has also highlighted the failure of parliament last year to reach agreement on a new constitution aimed at replacing a charter drawn up by post-coup military rulers in 1980.Worst crisis since June protestsTodays constitution is not meeting the needs arising from universal values and globalisation, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at a conference of ambassadors on Ankara.Maybe the reason for the current debates is the fact that the constitutional reform has not been carried out on time, he added.I hope we will have a charter based on common justice, democracy and citizenship and on which everyone is in agreement.Several demonstrations have been held in Ankara and Istanbul since December to demand Erdogans resignation, with police on occasion firing plastic bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters.It is the worst crisis confronting Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) since June, when mass anti-government street protests were staged across the country.Gul, who is expected either to be re-elected or be the next prime minister should Erdogan become president, has so far adopted a conciliatory approach towards the corruption crisis and has repeatedly spoken out in support of judicial independence.Commentators say the president, who is seen as closer to Gulen and his Hizmet (Service) movement, is likely to veto the judicial bill.But since he does not want to openly position himself against Erdogan, he is holding a series of meetings with key political leaders to iron out the differences before the bill comes his way.

Obesity declines among UN rich teens, rises in poor

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - In the past decade, obesity has declined among US teenagers from rich families but has risen among their impoverished counterparts, a gap driven by lack of exercise, said a study Monday.The research by experts at Harvard University examined what appeared to be an encouraging decline in adolescent obesity and found that only the upper class is benefiting.We find that although the overall obesity prevalence has plateaued, the trend looks very different across different subgroups, said the study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Using family income as well as the education level of the parents to analyze two major US surveys, researchers found a growing class gap where obesity was concerned.Beginning in the mid-2000s, obesity rates declined among children of parents who graduated from college.Meanwhile, obesity rates rose among children of parents who had only a high school diploma.Similar trends were seen when researchers separated the data by income level.However, when it came to probing racial differences, researchers said they did not have enough data to reliably explore interactions between class and ethnicity.The obesity rate among those aged 12-17 in the United States nearly doubled from the late 1980s until the mid-2000s, but began leveling off about a decade ago.About nine percent of adolescent were obese in the time span of 1988 to 1991, but that rose to 17 percent by 2003-2004, according to government data. There has been no change in the teen obesity rate since then.In the United States, obesity in adolescents and children is based on growth charts issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.A body mass index, or ratio of weight and height, above the 95th percentile for age and gender is considered obese. Between the 85th and 94th percentile is considered overweight.Key reasons the poor may be gaining weight are lack of physical activity and excessive food intake, the study said.According to the study, calorie intake among kids of all income classes has gone down in recent years, but only kids of educated parents have reported getting regular exercise.The difference comes down to physical activity, study co-author Kaisa Snellman told AFP.Educated families, they are much more likely to engage in physical activities, exercising, biking around, walking.Access to healthy foods also remains an obstacle for the poor.The US Department of Agriculture has reported that 9.7 percent of the US population, or 29.7 million people, live in low-income areas more than a mile from a supermarket.In those areas, the only options for grocery shopping are 'convenience' stores, liquor stores, gas stations, or fast food restaurants that sell foods high in fat, sugar, and salt, said the study.Obesity in young people can cause a host of health concerns, including higher risk of type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure and psychological problems, experts said.The study was based on two nationally representative federal health surveys, the 1988-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the 2003-2011 National Survey of Children's Health.
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