Sunday 13 April 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

13 dead as Syria planes hit rebel bastions near Damascus: NGO

Posted:

BEIRUT (AFP) - Syrian warplanes on Sunday launched an offensive against a string of opposition bastions on the edges of the capital, including the besieged Eastern Ghouta area, a monitoring group said.Warplanes carried out two air strikes against areas of Douma, northeast of Damascus, killing 13 people, including three women and three children, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.One of the strikes on Douma, an opposition stronghold since early in the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad, hit a crowded marketplace, said the Syrian Revolution General Commission, a network of activists on the ground.Douma and other towns and villages in Eastern Ghouta have been under army siege for a year.The Observatory also reported air strikes against Hammuriyeh, east of Damascus, and highly destructive barrel bomb attacks on Daraya, an opposition bastion southwest of the capital.The air raids came as fighting raged on the edges of Daraya between rebels and the army, which for more than a year has battled to secure the capital.Other air strikes targeted Mleiha, also in Eastern Ghouta, while clashes on the town's edges pitted rebels and their jihadist Al-Nusra Front allies against the army and its Lebanese Shiite ally Hezbollah, the Observatory said.Mleiha has suffered heavy bombing for 10 consecutive days, as the army and Hezbollah attempt to break through rebel lines.The Observatory said regime forces on Sunday took control of areas on Mleiha's edges.North of the capital, the army overran a string of hills overlooking Rankus, a former opposition stronghold in the strategic Qalamun mountains that fell to the regime last Wednesday, state television reported.State news agency SANA, meanwhile, reported the death of a young man and the wounding of 22 others in a mortar attack launched by terrorists in central Damascus.State media uses the regime's term terrorists to refer to rebels fighting to topple Assad's regime.Damascus comes under frequent mortar fire. Sunday's attack hit Beirut Street, located near the army command headquarters.The Observatory said two people were killed in the attack.In northern Syria's Aleppo, fighting raged around the intelligence headquarters, which rebels have been trying to seize from regime hands, said the Observatory.It said helicopters pressed the regime's months-old aerial offensive on Aleppo's rebel districts, killing two children and a man on Sunday.The latest deaths come a day after 11 people including three children were killed in helicopter attacks using barrel bombs packed with explosives on opposition areas of Aleppo, according to the Observatory.More than 150,000 people have been killed in Syria's war and nearly half the population have been forced to flee their homes.

Suicide bomber kills 11 in Iraq

Posted:

KIRKUK (AFP) - A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle at a checkpoint in Iraq on Sunday, killing 11 people, after which an angry crowd burned a courthouse and several homes, officials said.The latest violence comes amid a protracted surge in nationwide bloodshed that has claimed more than 2,550 lives so far this year and sparked fears of Iraq slipping back into the all-out sectarian killings of 2006 and 2007.The unrest has been driven principally by widespread anger among the Sunni Arab minority over claims of mistreatment at the hands of the Shiite-led government and security forces, as well as by the civil war in neighbouring Syria.The suicide bomber attacked a police checkpoint in Dibs in northern Iraq, killing seven police and four civilians, and wounding 18 people, among them security forces members.Following the blast, an angry crowd torched a local courthouse and five homes, including those of a police colonel and a judge.Iraqi security forces periodically face a backlash from citizens angered by their failure to prevent attacks, but burning homes and a court is unusual.In a village in the Sulaiman Bek area, also north of Baghdad, gunmen attacked a police officers house, killing his father and brother and wounding two more people.The gunmen also shot dead a Sahwa anti-Al-Qaeda militiaman nearby.Sulaiman Bek has been repeatedly attacked by militants, who have seized part or all of the area on several occasions.And a roadside bomb in the Dujail area, near the northern city of Tikrit, killed three people and wounded six.Iraqs first general election since American troops left at the end of 2011 will be held on April 30, in a major test for the security forces.While they were able to keep violence to a minimum during provincial polls last year, the security forces have failed to halt a subsequent year-long surge in unrest.More than 320 people have been killed since the beginning of this month alone, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources.

UN Security Council calls emergency meeting on Ukraine

Posted:

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency session on the Ukraine crisis late Sunday amid fresh clashes with pro-Russian gunmen in the country's restive eastern rust belt.Russia had earlier demanded that the council and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe hold such talks. Nigerian envoy Joy Ogwu, whose country holds the rotating council presidency in April, invited fellow members of the group for informal consultations at 8:00 pm (0001 GMT Monday), a statement said.A Western diplomat said the meeting was requested by the Russians to make their case that Ukraine's latest declarations about the anti-terrorist operation threaten peace and security.Ukraine's acting president Oleksandr Turchynov earlier announced that the national security and defense council will launch a full-scale anti-terrorist operation involving the armed forces of Ukraine.The Russian foreign ministry immediately responded by accusing Ukraine's leaders of waging war against their own people and demanding that the UN Security Council immediately address Kiev's use of force.On Saturday, masked gunmen stormed a series of police and security service buildings in coordinated raids that Washington's UN envoy Samantha Power said bore tell-tale signs of Moscow's involvement.The attacks were especially unsettling for both Kiev and Western leaders because of their remarkable similarity to events leading up to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula.

Three dead in shootings at Kansas Jewish sites: rabbi

Posted:

WASHINGTON (AFP) - At least three people were killed Sunday during separate shootings at a Jewish community center and a retirement community in Kansas on the eve of Passover, a rabbi said.Police took a man into custody at an elementary school in Overland Park outside Kansas City. He was heard yelling Heil Hitler as officers escorted him away, local NBC television affiliate KSHB reported.Rabbi Herbert Mandl, who serves as chaplain for the Overland Park Police Department, told CNN the first shooting at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City took place around 1:00 pm (1800 GMT) as youths auditioned for a play. The suspect, who is in his 70s, asked people whether they were Jewish before opening fire, according to Mandl. The man killed two people, including a teenager.The man then got in his car and headed to the Village Shalom assisted living center, where he killed a woman in her 70s about 15 minutes after the first shooting.About 75 people were inside the center's theater, most of them children, during the shooting, though the center stressed the incident took place inside the parking lot, according to KCTV television.They had been auditioning for KC Superstar, a local singing competition based on American Idol.The Jewish center said it would be closed for the rest of the day Sunday and Monday. All programs were canceled as the center confirmed there had been a shooting incident.It was earlier placed on temporary lockdown but program participants have since been released.Our hearts go out to the families who have suffered loss on this tragic day, the center said on its website. Our heartfelt gratitude as well to all those in Kansas City and around the world who have expressed sympathy, concern and support.The Jewish holiday of Passover begins Monday.

Golf: Watson outduels Spieth for second Masters title

Posted:

AUGUSTA (AFP) - Big-driving Bubba Watson captured his second Masters title in three years on Sunday, pulling away from Jordan Spieth on the back nine for a three-stroke victory at Augusta National.The 35-year-old American fired a three-under par 69 Sunday to finish 72 holes on eight-under 288 and take his second major title, the top prize of $1.62 million from a record $9 million purse and another green jacket.I never loved green so much, Watson said. After giving away that jacket last year, I wanted it back.Spieth and Sweden's Jonas Blixt shared second on 283 with 50-year-old Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez fourth on 284, Americans Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar sharing fifth on 286 and England's Lee Westwood seventh on 287.Until a PGA triumph two months ago at Riviera, Watson had not won any title since defeating Louis Oosthuizen in a playoff to win the 2012 Masters, a slump he blamed this week on a hangover effect from his first major crown.But Watson bounced back in style this week in the year's first major championship, becoming the 17th multiple winner of the Masters with his sixth career title.The first one for me, it's almost like I lucked into it, Watson said in comparing his Masters triumphs. This one was a lot of hard work.A small-town guy named Bubba now has two green jackets. That's pretty wild.Spieth, a 20-year-old Texan, was trying to become the youngest champion in Masters history.He also could have become the first golfer to win the Masters on his first try since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 and the youngest major winner since Tom Creavy took the 1931 PGA Championship.It hurts right now, Spieth said. Even though it sits a little hard right now it was great and I'll be back.Didn't come out on top but I can take a lot of positives out there.Spieth owned a two-stroke lead on the eighth tee but fell behind after Watson closed the front nine birdie-birdie while Spieth made bogeys at both holes.Eight and nine were really the turning point where momentum went my way, said Watson. Nobody caught fire. There weren't too many birdies after 13.Spieth missed a five-foot par putt at the par-5 eighth while Watson tapped in for birdie to put them both on seven under. Watson curled in a tricky 12-foot birdie putt at the ninth while Spieth lipped out a five-foot par putt.Two two-stroke swings in a row, on this golf course, is very difficult to come back from, Spieth said. Hats off to Bubba. When he's playing like that it's hard to catch him.Watson fell to seven under with a bogey to begin the back nine, his lead trimmed to a single shot, but Amen Corner -- the course's famed 11th, 12th and 13th holes -- dampened Spieth's bid to rewrite the Masters record book.Spieth found a slope at the par-3 12th and his ball rolled into Rae's Creek on the way to a bogey.Watson drove the ball 360 yards at the par-5 13th on his way to a birdie that left him exiting Amen Corner on eight under, three ahead of Spieth and Blixt.From there, Watson parred his way to the clubhouse, risking an approach through trees at the par-5 15th and a draw around tree limbs at 17 that paid off to help produce pars.I don't remember the last few holes, Watson said. I just remember hanging on. I was just thinking, 'Make pars. Make pars.'After Watson sank his final putt, he tearfully hugged caddie Ted Scott, picked up his two-year-old son Caleb and exchanged high-five hand slaps in a lap around the green.Seeing him, what a blessing that is, Watson said of his adopted child. What an amazing feeling as a parent.Having my son means more to me than a green jacket.Watson became only the third multiple winner over the past 22 majors, joining Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson with two wins in that span.Spieth, who made a spectacular birdie from a bunker at the fourth only to have Watson top him there and again on six for a birdie, fired a final-round 72 while Blixt shot 71, his fourth sub-par round.Spieth was the first Masters rookie in the final duo on Sunday since 1995 and only the third since 1937.Blixt, also making his Masters debut and just his third major start, could have been the first Swedish man to claim a major crown and Europe's first Masters winner since Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999.Tiger Woods, absent after surgery to ease a pinched nerve, remained atop the rankings as those able to overtake him -- 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott, fellow Australian Jason Day and Swede Henrik Stenson -- finished well back.

Football: Liverpool on top as Chelsea stay in title hunt

Posted:

LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool maintained their charge for a first English championship of the Premier League era with a thrilling 3-2 win over title rivals Manchester City at an emotional Anfield on Sunday, where fans marked the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.Victory, combined with second-placed Chelsea's 1-0 win away to 10-man Swansea, left Liverpool two points clear at the top with four games to play and seven in front of City.Significantly it meant the destiny of the title, which Liverpool last won in 1990, was now in the Reds' own hands.Third-placed City have two games in hand on both Liverpool and Chelsea, who travel to Anfield in a fortnight for what could be a title-decider.Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho sealed a 10th win in a row for the Merseysiders 12 minutes from time after City had come from 2-0 down to draw level at 2-2.First-half goals from Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel put Liverpool in control only for City to hit back after the break through David Silva and a Glen Johnson own-goal.But Coutinho made it 3-2 in the 78th minute after seizing on a sliced clearance from City captain Vincent Kompany to beat England goalkeeper Joe Hart with a low shot from the edge of the box. Liverpool had to play the closing minutes of stoppage-time a man down after Jordan Henderson was sent off for a wild challenge on City's Samir Nasri.Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, praised his side's resolve.It was a remarkable performance, he said. We showed so much spirit and quality.The 41-year-old Northern Irishman added his players could cope with the rising tide of optimism at Anfield.We have been put under pressure in a very big game but you can see from the quality of our football that we are coping with it.City manager Manuel Pellegrini insisted his side whadn't given up on the title despite this defeat.If we win our two games in hand we will be a point behind Liverpool, who still have to play Chelsea. The title does not finish today. We are still going to fight.Before kick-off, there was a minute's silence in memory of the 96 Liverpool supporters killed in a crush during a FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989. In another tribute to the victims of the tragedy, matches across England were moved back by seven minutes this weekend, reflecting the moment the fateful match at Hillsborough was called off. At the Liberty Stadium, Swansea were a man down as early as the 16th minute after Chico Flores collected a second yellow card for bringing down Andre Schurrle.But it wasn't until the 68th minute that Jose Mourinho's side made their advantage count, with Demba Ba's shot somehow evading Swansea keeper Michel Vorm.It was Ba's second crucial goal of the week after he had scored in the Champions League quarter-final win over Paris Saint Germain.I've been here three times with Chelsea without winning before today, Blues assistant manager Steve Holland, sent out by Mourinho to conduct post-match interviews, told the BBC.We played in the Champions League in the week, and it was a physically and emotionally draining game.Swansea boss Garry Monk, whose side are now just three points above the relegation zone, added: I can't complain about the performance, after going down to 10 so early against a good Chelsea side. It's very tough for us. We're not safe. But if we show that application in our final four games we'll be fine.Saturday's matches saw Everton leapfrog victorious FA Cup semi-finalists Arsenal into fourth place and the final Champions League spot on offer to English clubs with a 1-0 win away to bottom of the table secured by Wes Brown's own-goal.Meanwhile things tightened up at the foot of the table as relegation-threatened Fulham and second-bottom Cardiff enjoyed 1-0 wins over Norwich and Southampton respectively to close the gap on the teams immediately above them.

Motorcycling: Marquez wins Grand Prix of the Americas

Posted:

AUSTIN (AFP) - World champion Marc Marquez cruised to victory in the Grand Prix of the Americas on Sunday to register his second win in two races this season but he admitted it was a boring triumph.The Spaniard repeated his maiden Texas MotoGP success from 2013 when he also won from pole position.Marquez, who won the season-opener in Qatar last month despite breaking his leg four weeks earlier, finished 4.174sec ahead of Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa with Ducatis Andrea Dovizioso taking third place, a huge 20 seconds off the lead.I am so happy for this victory. The start was good and the 25 points important for the team even if the race was a little boring, said Marquez.In a dramatic start, the 2010 and 2012 world champion Jorge Lorenzo had a jump start from fifth on the grid.The Spaniard had to endure a compulsory ride-through the pit lane on his factory Yamaha at the end of the first lap.At the front, Marquez charged away from the field and was never threatened, keeping Pedrosa in second place.Italys Andrea Iannone on a Ducati carved his way through the field from ninth place and settled into third in the early stages.Valentino Rossi, on the second factory Yamaha and who was runner-up in Qatar behind Marquez, was fourth at the halfway mark.But the veteran Italian slipped back down the field as he struggled with grip on his front tyre.Such were his problems that even the satellite Yamaha riders of Aleix Espargaro and Bradley Smith comfortably swept past him.Marquezs lead over Pedrosa had grown to five seconds with four laps to go while Dovizioso, who had started in 10th, was up to third.Rossi was eventually eighth, 45sec off the pace, while Lorenzo fought his way back to 10th place.Spains Maverick Vinales won his first career Moto2 race with a commanding victory.Vinales, the Moto3 world champion last season, stormed from sixth place on the grid under rain-filled skies to take victory by 4.009sec from pole sitter Esteve Rabat.Vinales, riding a Kalex, had finished in fourth spot in Qatar where fellow Spaniard Rabat, also on a Kalex, had triumphed. Dominique Aegerter of Switzerland was third Sunday on a Suter.Australias Jack Miller won his second successive Moto3 race.The 19-year-old, who captured his maiden race victory in Qatar, had started on pole on his KTM.He then survived a series of challenges from fellow KTM rider Romano Fenati, who was second, and Efren Vazquez on a Honda, on the last two laps to secure victory.I felt strong on the brakes. Thats always been one of my strong points, maybe too strong as it can kill the exit speed, said Queensland native Miller who won by just 0.069sec.But here it works really well. Im stoked to have won, I led every lap.

Tennis: Verdasco wins all-Spanish Houston final

Posted:

HOUSTON (AFP) - Fourth seed Fernando Verdasco defeated Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro in straight sets to snap a six-match losing streak in finals and claim the US mens clay court championship title Sunday.Former world number seven Verdasco earned his first title since 2010 with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) victory at the River Oaks Country Club.Verdasco hammered four aces and saved six-of-seven break point chances in the one hour, 52 minute match.Almagro made Verdasco work for the victory as he hit eight aces, won 72 percent of his first serve points and saved seven-of-nine break points.It marked the second year in a row Almagro finished runner-up in Houston.

Athletics: Kipsang sets London Marathon record

Posted:

LONDON (AFP) - World record-holder Wilson Kipsang won the men's London Marathon in a course record two hours, four minutes and 29 seconds on Sunday as Britain's Mo Farah found life tough on his debut over the distance.Kipsang's smashed the previous London record of 2hr 04min 40sec set by fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai in 2011.It was a second London victory for Kipsang, the 2012 champion, who outpaced compatriot Stanley Biwatt in the finishing straight. Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, last year's winner was third, and Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia was fourth.Kenya celebrated a race double as Edna Kiplagat, runner-up for the past two years in London, won the women's event.In the men's race Kipsang and Biwott surged away from a leading group of eight after some two-thirds of the way round the 26.2 mile (42.2 kilometre) course.The two Kenyans were all but inseparable until, with just over a mile left, Kipsang broke his compatriot's resolve with a finishing burst.It's really great to win the London Marathon again, said Kipsang. It was around 31km that I decided to push harder as I felt very comfortable and strong. I pushed again towards the finish line and that's when I broke away.Farah, reigning Olympic and world 5,000 and 10,000 metres champion, finished in eighth place having failed to break Steve Jones's British record of 2:07:13, which has stood since 1985.I will be back, Farah told the BBC. I'm not going to finish it like this. I gave it my all but I'm disappointed I didn't go out there and give what the crowd deserve.British distance great Brendan Foster, commentating on the race, urged Farah to stick to defending his track gold medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.However, the 31-year-old Farah refused to be rushed into a decision on his future, saying: I'm disappointed but you try things and sometimes it doesn't work, but you have to give it a go. Farah, not helped by missing a drink station shortly after half-way, added: The field was tough...It was the strongest field ever put together by the London Marathon. I've gone straight in at the deep end, but that's what athletics is all about.The two-times reigning world champion Edna Kiplagat won in 2hr 20:21 with Florence Kiplagat three seconds further back in second place.After breaking away from the field, the pair remained close together until the final bend when Edna Kiplagat surged ahead. I felt very strong so I wasn't too worried, said Edna Kiplagat of the close finish.Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba, the Olympic and world 10,000 metres champion, marked her marathon debut by finishing in third place. She had looked set to challenge the Kenyan duo but paid a heavy price for dropping a water bottle and stopping to pick it up. Dibaba finished 14 seconds adrift. While it was a good day for the women's world champion, it was a tough one for the men's as Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich finished 12th. Tiki Gelana, the women's Olympic champion, also struggled as she finished ninth a year after colliding with a wheelchair racer in the 2013 London Marathon.In the men's wheelchair race, David Weir's bid for a record seventh London title saw the Briton just edged out by Switzerland's Marcel Hug, who won in a time of 1hr 32:39.This is a really sweet victory and it feels great to finally win this race, said Hug. It is great to compete against David Weir and also great to beat him.In the women's wheelchair race, Tatyana McFadden of the United States successfully defended her title just a month after winning a cross-country skiing silver medal at the Winter Paralympics in Sochi. The 24-year-old won in a course record 1hr 45:11, more than a minute-and-a half clear of Swiss runner-up Manuela Schar.

Schumacher showing 'small signs of progress': spokeswoman

Posted:

BERLIN (AFP) - Michael Schumacher is showing small signs of progress, his spokeswoman said Sunday, with the Formula One legend slowly recovering from devastating brain injuries suffered in a ski accident.There are short moments of consciousness and he is showing small signs of progress, Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm told German broadcaster ARD.There are moments when he is awake and moments when he is conscious, which make us happy and give us great courage.Of course I am not a doctor, but medically, there is a distinction between being awake and being conscious, the latter meaning there is an ability to interact with his surroundings.I don't want to disclose details out of respect for the family, but we have no doubt at all in the abilities of the doctors treating Michael, they are experts in their field.Kehm stressed that any interaction with Schumacher is on a very limited basis and added that a medical prognosis is not possible due to the nature of his brain injury.Schumacher has been in a medically induced coma in Grenoble, France, since being badly injured in a ski accident on December 29 in the French resort of Meribel with his son and friends.Kehm said Schumacher's family have been touched by a deluge of tributes and support from fans of the racing driver, but constant media speculation, particularly in German newspapers, has caused the family some anguish.What upsets the family most is media quoting doctors who are not treating Michael and untruths are constructed from these, said Kehm, who has been in Grenoble nearly every day since the accident.It has been a problem when outsiders comment and it means we have to set the record straight, even when we don't want to.The 45-year-old Schumacher underwent two operations in the days after the accident to remove life-threatening blood clots before being placed into a coma.The family announced at the end of January that drugs used to keep him in his deep sleep were being reduced with a view to bringing him back to consciousness.In February, his friend and former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa was quoted as saying that Schumacher seemed to respond to him during a visit.He is sleeping, he looks normal and he showed a few responses with his mouth, Massa told German tabloid Bild.And last month, Schumacher's family said they were confident that the racing legend who defied death more than once on the track would pull through.Schumacher survived a motorbike accident in Spain in 2009, during which he suffered head and neck injuries but was released from hospital after just five hours.Kehm once again asked that the privacy of Schumacher's wife Corinna and their two children be respected, while thanking well-wishers for their support.Support from fans and well-wishers means very much to the Schumachers, said Kehm.We feel these people show genuine, affectionate interest and support.

At least 36 dead in Mexico bus crash: official

Posted:

XALAPA (AFP) - A bus slammed into the back of a badly parked trailer-truck and burst into flames in Mexico Sunday, killing at least 36 people and injuring four others, authorities said.Most of the roof and tires of the bus were reduced to ashes by the highway accident in the southeastern state of Veracruz, according to television images.The trailer-truck was on the shoulder of the highway at kilometer 135 (mile 84) ... when the bus hit the back of the trailer, which caused this regrettable accident, Governor Javier Duarte said.In addition to crashing, the bus caught fire, which makes the investigative work to identify bodies more difficult, he told Milenio television.Federal police concluded that the truck was badly parked, the state government said. A state prosecutor was sent to investigate the crash.At least 36 people were confirmed dead, said government spokesman Alberto Silva Ramos. Duarte had earlier reported 25 deaths.Those injured have been hospitalized and are in stable condition, officials said.The accident took place between 1:30 am and 2:00 am local time (0630 GMT and 0700 GMT) as the bus took passengers, mostly shopkeepers, from the southeastern Tabasco state city of Villahermosa to Mexico City.The tragedy occurred as Mexicans are set to begin Holy Week in the predominantly Roman Catholic country.President Enrique Pena Nieto expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims via Twitter.

At least 36 dead in Mexico bus crash: official

Posted:

XALAPA (AFP) - A bus slammed into the back of a badly parked trailer-truck and burst into flames in Mexico Sunday, killing at least 36 people and injuring four others, authorities said.Most of the roof and tires of the bus were reduced to ashes by the highway accident in the southeastern state of Veracruz, according to television images.The trailer-truck was on the shoulder of the highway at kilometer 135 (mile 84) ... when the bus hit the back of the trailer, which caused this regrettable accident, Governor Javier Duarte said.In addition to crashing, the bus caught fire, which makes the investigative work to identify bodies more difficult, he told Milenio television.Federal police concluded that the truck was badly parked, the state government said. A state prosecutor was sent to investigate the crash.At least 36 people were confirmed dead, said government spokesman Alberto Silva Ramos. Duarte had earlier reported 25 deaths.Those injured have been hospitalized and are in stable condition, officials said.The accident took place between 1:30 am and 2:00 am local time (0630 GMT and 0700 GMT) as the bus took passengers, mostly shopkeepers, from the southeastern Tabasco state city of Villahermosa to Mexico City.The tragedy occurred as Mexicans are set to begin Holy Week in the predominantly Roman Catholic country.President Enrique Pena Nieto expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims via Twitter.

Only professional and legal role of army is acceptable: Khawaja Saad

Posted:

LAHORE (Dunya News) -- Federal Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Sunday that the nation would disapprove if army derailed from its constitutional mandate “Army’s professional and legal role is acceptable. But the nation will condemn whenever there is any unconstitutional move,” he said.He reiterated that army’s unconstitutional role will be condemned every time.Rafique, however, agreed that there shouldn’t be any unnecessary criticism against armed forces and judiciary.“Judiciary delivers justice while army ensures our security,” he said, adding that armed forces and judiciary are sensitive institutions. He said that armed forces of Pakistan were in a war with terrorists.It merits mentioning here that Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that Taliban prisoners released by the government were in fact in army’s custody, adding that how government could release the prisoners without army’s consent.He said that Professor Ajmal, Ali Haider Gilani and Shahbaz Taseer were abducted for ransom, adding that negotiation process can progress only if Taliban also release non-combatant prisoners, Dunya News reported.He said that government’s agenda is to establish peace, rule of law and supremacy of constitution in the country, adding that the rulers are answerable to the constitution. He said that the third phase of Taliban negotiations is underway through the new committee and that the new date for meeting with Taliban will soon be decided.Addressing press conference, he said that negotiating with Taliban is crucial and sensitive matter and that there’s no dispute between government and army over this matter.He said that the government and army are advancing the negotiation process together. He said there’s no pause in the process and that he would report to the media by himself if there was.Chaudhry Nisar said how is it possible to release Taliban prisoners without consulting the army, adding that the prisoners that government freed were in custody of the army.He revealed that many of Taliban’s militant prisoners are still in army’s custody. He said that Taliban never demanded the release of militant prisoners, nor can the government free them without consulting with army.

Practical struggle necessary to earn rights: Altaf Hussain

Posted:

HYDERABAD (Dunya News) – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain said on Sunday that people do not earn rights by crying, and that practical struggle is necessary to earn civil rights and liberties, Dunya News reported.Addressing launch ceremony of Sindhi language edition of his book “Philosophy of Love” in Hyderabad, he said that Sindh is deprived of basic rights even though the province is ruled by Sindhis.What’s the benefit of such a government where poor and working class are deprived of basic facilities, he asked.Statement against abduction of party workers:Earlier, MQM Coordination Committee said on Sunday that the abductions of MQM workers have increased in various areas of Karachi. The committee said that people will be forced to protest against abductions if this is not stopped, Dunya News reported.MQM Raabta Committee said in a joint statement that the illegal activities of persons wearing plain cloth have increased in recent while in various areas of Karachi. The statement said that these are armed persons who roam around various areas of Karachi while wearing face masks.The statement reiterated that these persons abduct innocent citizens including MQM party workers and subject them to torture after shifting them to undisclosed locations. Committee said that after the torture, the families of the abductees are blackmailed and demanded huge amounts as ransom.Raabta Committee demanded the government to stop the activities of death squad dressed in plain clothes marching across city.

Nice protest ban on mascot eagle

Posted:

NICE (AFP) - French Ligue 1 side Nice are furious at the professional league for banning their club mascot eagle from flying before matches.The eagle was unleashed at Nices home game against Lorient on Saturday night two days after the French Professional League (LFP) imposed the ban.Nice started using the Royal Eagle from Africa at the start of the season when they moved into their new stadium.The competition committee told us Thursday that they were withdrawing permission given at the start of the season for this pre-match event, because they say the eagle is dangerous, said Nice director general Julien Fournier.We have decided not to conform to this decision which is questionable in every way. We will appeal, the official added.The club vowed that the eagle will be seen at the two last home games this season.The eagle flies around the stadium before each home game and then returns to the arm of its falconer in the middle of the pitch. It has become hugely popular and Nice fans and school children are choosing a name for the bird.Before a recent league game against Paris St Germain however the eagle was made nervous by the capacity crowd and hid in the stadium roof. In a French Cup game against Monaco in February, the eagle perched on the crossbar.The eagle is part of the Nice coat of arms and deputy mayor Christian Estrosi said the French leagues decision had caused incomprehension in the city.He called on the French league to drop the ban, insisting that the eagle was no danger as it was fed by its keeper.Portugals most famous club Benfica also have an eagle displayed before each game and Fournier said there had been no incident.The eagle did Nice no good on Saturday, they lost 2-1 to Lorient.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)