Wednesday 23 April 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

DR Congo train crash kills at least 57

Posted:

KINSHASA (AFP) - At least 57 people were killed when a passenger train sped off the rails in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government said Wednesday, raising an earlier death toll as difficult rescue operations continued in the remote, swampy area.The newly purchased locomotive flew off the rails Tuesday as it went around a bend in a swampy area in the southeast of the country, causing 15 of the train's 19 cars to overturn, said the government's spokesman and a journalist at the scene.The official death toll was first given as 37 people, but government spokesman Lambert Mende had warned it was likely to rise, and later gave an updated toll of 57.Other sources put the figure even higher. The journalist said a local official had given a toll of about 60 dead and 86 wounded, while local human rights activist Timothee Mbuya said that so far at least 100 bodies have been taken from the train and buried, because there's no morgue.The train was travelling north from the town of Kamina in the southern province of Katanga to Mwene-Ditu in the diamond-mining province of Kasai-Oriental.Witnesses said it was carrying hundreds of passengers both in and on its cars, many of whom had paid an illegal reduced fare to ride the train without a proper ticket.They spoke of a grisly scene with many people still trapped inside the wreckage.The activist I sent to the scene spoke of hearing cries from people stuck in the cars because there was no adequate emergency response, said Mbuya.People are trapped and they need a 100-tonne crane to lift the cars, but the area is inaccessible. The Mwyi river runs between the tracks and the road, and it's a swampy zone that can only be accessed on foot, said the journalist.He said an army unit had been sent to help extract both the wounded and the dead from the wreckage.There is concern that bodies could begin to rot because of the intense heat in the area, he added, saying there was already a sickening smell from rotting fish the train had been carrying.Mende said it appeared that engine failure had caused the train to speed out of control, but added that an investigation was under way into the exact reason for the crash.The transport and health ministers are on their way to Katanga, where they will take a helicopter to the crash site, he said.Train accidents are fairly common in the restive country, whose antiquated rail network is currently undergoing a refurbishment paid for by the World Bank.The rail system, originally built by Belgium to extract its then-colony's ivory and rubber, has languished with only scant investment since independence in 1960.In September 2012, four people were killed and another 37 injured in an accident north of the second largest city Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga province.

Iraq officials targeted as violence kills 13

Posted:

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Militants shot dead an Iraqi provincial councillor and bombed the education ministers convoy on Wednesday, as violence killed 13 people nationwide ahead of next weeks elections.Iraq is suffering a protracted surge in bloodshed that has killed more than 2,750 people this year, and the April 30 parliamentary vote -- the first since American troops departed in 2011 -- will be a major test for security forces.In Muqdadiyah, northeast of Baghdad, gunmen opened fire on Diyala provincial councillor Ahmed al-Harbis two-vehicle convoy, killing him and two guards, police and a doctor said.And in Kirkuk province, farther north, a bomb exploded near Education Minister Mohammed Tamims convoy without causing any casualties, Staff Major General Mohammed al-Dulaimi said.Militants targeted Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlak earlier this month and have also attacked other parliamentary candidates and election workers.North of the city of Mosul, a car bomb exploded in the village of Bayukh, which is populated by members of the Shabak minority, killing seven people and wounding 13, police and a morgue employee said.The 30,000-strong Shabak community mostly lives in northern Iraq near the Turkish border.They speak a distinct language and largely follow a faith that is a blend of Shiite Islam and local beliefs, and are periodically targeted by militant groups.And in the Dhuluiyah area north of Baghdad, two Sahwa anti-Al-Qaeda fighters were shot dead, while a policeman was killed in Tikrit, farther north, police said and a medical source said.Security conditions are likely to worsen around the date of the election, and violence is likely to continue while the government formation process takes place, said John Drake, a security specialist with risk consultancy AKE Group.The last parliamentary election took place in March 2010, but a new government was not formed until December -- and key security posts remain unfilled more than three years later.Ultimately, it will take a change in government tactics to include much greater community engagement and investment in order to pacify conditions, he said.Drake said he believes the violence may lower Prime Minister Nuri al-Malikis chances of a third term.But Michael Knights, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the security situation could be used to draw attention away from other problems.Maliki is using the security crisis to shift the debate from public dissatisfaction with governance towards the need to unify behind the present government due to the crisis conditions, Knights said.If he succeeds, the security crisis could greatly benefit him.While security forces were able to keep violence to a minimum during provincial elections last year, they have failed to halt a subsequent year-long surge in unrest.The heightened violence has been principally driven by widespread anger among the Sunni Arab minority, who say they are mistreated by the Shiite-led government and security forces.It has also been fuelled by the bloody civil war in neighbouring Syria, which has bolstered militant groups.

Debris found on Australian beach not from MH370: official

Posted:

PERTH (AFP) - The Australian Transport Safety Bureau ruled out Thursday any link between material found on a beach in southwestern Australia and the missing Malaysia Airlines jet.Debris described as unidentified material was found Wednesday on a beach near Augusta, more than 300 kilometres (180 miles) south of Perth, by a member of the public and handed to police.The ATSB decided to examine photographs of the material to determine whether it was linked to the search for the missing jet.Photographs were also provided to the Malaysian investigation team.However ATSB chief commissioner Martin Dolan scotched any hope of a breakthrough.We've carefully examined detailed photographs that were taken for us by the police, and we're satisfied that it's not a lead in terms of the search for MH370, Dolan told ABC radio.We want to pursue every possible lead that will help us find MH370 but sadly this is one that isn't going to help that search, he said.Dolan had Wednesday night declared the material, apparently sheet metal with rivets, sufficiently interesting for us to take a look at the photographs.However he had added a note of caution. The more we look at it, the less excited we get.The Boeing 777 with 239 people aboard was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8 when it mysteriously diverted. It is thought to have crashed into the remote Indian Ocean off Western Australia, where a huge search is underway.

Four dead in Nairobi car bomb explosion: government

Posted:

NAIROBI (AFP) - At least four people, including two policemen, were killed on Wednesday when a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Nairobi near a major Somali neighbourhood, Kenya's government said.Police have taken away two suspects for questioning after they were stopped at a red light in the Pangani neighbourhood, the interior ministry said.No group has yet claimed responsibility for the blast, but the nearby Eastleigh suburb has been targeted in several attacks blamed on Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels.At least four dead after a sedan exploded at Pangani police station, of which two are police officers, the interior ministry tweeted. Agents intercepted the suspect car at traffic lights and took the suspects away for questioning, it said, adding that police have since exploded another grenade that was found at the scene. Tensions have been heightened in Eastleigh, nicknamed little Mogadishu because of its large population of ethnic Somalis, since the government launched a crackdown on suspected Islamist insurgents this month. More than 650 suspects were arrested after at least six people were killed by three almost-simultaneous explosions targeting two restaurants and a clinic in a densely populated area of the suburb on March 31.Rights groups say the counter-terrorism operation has indiscriminately targeted people of Somali origin, many of whom have been held without charge in unsanitary conditions while others have been deported back to their war-torn country.Kenya has been targeted by Shebab since it sent troops to fight to neighbouring Somalia in 2011. The Islamist group claimed responsibility for a devastating attack on Nairobi's Westgate mall last year in which at least 67 people were killed.

Football: Real beat Bayern in CL semi-final first leg

Posted:

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid took a huge step towards their first Champions League final in 12 years as Karim Benzema's first-half goal gave them a 1-0 first-leg lead over holders Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.The Frenchman was on hand to turn home Fabio Coentrao's cross on 19 minutes and Madrid's advantage could have been even greater had Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel di Maria not missed fine chances before the break.Bayern had the overwhelming majority of possession but failed to convert it into many sights of goal as Iker Casillas' save from Mario Goetze five minutes from time was the only significant stop the Spanish captain was forced into all evening.Defeat leaves the Germans with it all to do next Tuesday, if they are to continue their quest to become the first side to retain the trophy in the Champions League era.We played with a lot of personality, we had a lot of possession we will have to improve in Munich, but I am very proud, said Bayern boss Pep Guardiola.I have experience of how difficult it is to come here and play at the Bernabeu but I congratulate them because they won and if they own it is because they played better.Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, hailed the effort of his players to keep out Bayern for 90 minutes despite their lack of possession.In terms of individual qualities it is true that we played with a lot of forward players, but the important thing is the sacrifice they all make.When you have the combination of quality players and sacrifice that is all you can ask for.Ronaldo was returning after four games out with a hamstring injury as he replaced Gareth Bale, who had been suffering from flu in the days before the game, in the only change from the Real side that beat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final last week.And after a bright early spell by Bayern, it was Madrid who created the clearer openings in the first-half.Real stung the Germans with a stunning counter-attack to open the scoring as Ronaldo's ball down the left for Coentrao was timed to perfection and the Portuguese full-back's low cross was tapped home at the back post by Benzema.Ronaldo missed a gilt-edged chance to make it 2-0 when another quick break caught Bayern hopping and the World Player of the Year blasted over Benzema's low cross from close range.Di Maria was next to go close as he latched onto a deep cross at the back post but wastefully volleyed over with just Neuer to beat.Real defender Sergio Ramos admitted Madrid knew they could catch Bayern on the break.It is a good result to go to Munich with, he told Canal Plus.It was a very hard game, we had to work so hard. They are a team with players of an incredible level and they like to dominate the ball, but we knew we could create danger on the counter-attack.The second-half produced more of the same as Neuer was forced into an early save by Ronaldo.However, the game came to life in the final 20 minutes after a raft of substitutions by both sides.Bale replaced the clearly not 100 percent fit Ronaldo 16 minutes from time, whilst Raphael Varane came on for the injured Pepe for Real.Guardiola, meanwhile, introduced Javi Martinez, Mario Goetze and Thomas Mueller in the search for an away goal.And it was two of the substitutes who combined to create the visitors' best chance of the night as Mueller's dinked cross found Goetze free inside the area and his low drive was brilliantly saved by Iker Casillas.There was one final moment of controversy deep into stoppage time as Mueller tumbled under a challenge from Xabi Alonso inside the area, but English referee Howard Webb waved away the protests for a penalty to condemn Bayern to a third defeat in six games in all competitions.Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, though, was not too disheartened by the result. We have every chance of winning by a two-goal margin at home, said the 30-year-old German international.I have a good feeling going to Munich. We were missing that little bit of luck and that final something in attack.

Tennis: Nadal wins but Ferrer crashes out in Barcelona

Posted:

BARCELONA (AFP) - Rafael Nadal began his bid for a record ninth title at the Barcelona Open on Wednesday with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 defeat of journeyman Albert Ramos with his chances also boosted as four-time finalist David Ferrer crashed out.Nadal, the top seed, put his loss last week in the Monte Carlo quarter-finals to Ferrer out of his mind in a match lasting just over two hours against compatriot Ramos in a battle of left-handers.Nadal's second-round win lifted his record at the event to 41-1.It was a positive victory for me, said Nadal.I didn't play my best match, but after the defeat in Monte Carlo, the next match on court was never going to be easy. I am happy with the way I fought and proud of the victory today.I had to accept that I was going to be made to work today and that I'm not playing at my best level - but I got through it.Nadal spent 64 minutes in claiming the opening set against Ramos, ranked 103, who also lost to Nadal here in a 2013 quarter-final.Nadal found his comfort zone in the second set to secure the win and a Thursday match against Croatian Ivan Dodig, who hammered Spanish 13th seed Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 6-4.Ferrer, 32, lost 6-4, 6-2 to Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili.He just played a better match today, there is nothing else to say, said a gracious Ferrer.He had more power in his shots. I had some chances at the end of the first set but I couldn't take them.When I lost serve early in the second things got even worse. I felt fine on the court and was prepared physically and mentally.Last season Ferrer was defeated at the same stage, going out to Dmitry Tursunov after losing a quartet of finals to Nadal over the years in the Catalan capital.Gabashvili won the opening set in 44 minutes with a break in the final game, when Ferrer hit the net trying to return a forehand drive.The Spaniard was able to convert on only one of six break points in the opener as his opponent successfully defended.In the second, the challenger did not let up, breaking the unsteady Ferrer for 2-0 and finishing off the upset as he broke Ferrer to win it on a second match point, with the Spaniard putting a forehand long into the corner.Gabashvili, ranked 55th, is playing in Barcelona for the eighth time and had never got further than the second round.I knew I had to be steady and in control, and I managed to do that, said the winner. This is my best win ever.Ferrer went down in 80 minutes, converting only one of eight break point chances while losing his own serve four times and serving four double faults.The victory was the best for Gabashvili since upsetting Andy Roddick in the third round of the French Open four years ago.Two Spaniards advanced, with sixth seed Nicolas Almagro beating Slovak Martin Klizan 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) and Albert Montanes defeating eighth seed Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.It was a tough match, he gets a lot of balls back and makes life difficult, Montanes said.I'm playing well and my confidence is high, it's a good moment for me. The secret right now seems to be in good mental preparation.

Seoul, Hiroshima advance in Asian Champions League

Posted:

SEOUL (AP) - FC Seoul beat Beijing Guoan 2-1 to advance to the knockout stage of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday, ensuring both last season's finalists reached the second round.Kang Song-ho scored a minute before halftime and Yun Ju-tae extended the lead in the 56th as Seoul, which lost the 2013 final to Guangzhou, topped Group F.J-League champion Sanfrecce Hiroshima reached the last 16 for the first time by finishing second in the tight group after beating Australian club Central Coast Mariners 1-0.Mariners, which needed only a draw to advance, were reduced to 10 men when Brent Griffiths was sent off for tripping Naoki Ishihara. Satoru Yamagishi deflected Tsukasa Shiotani's subsequent free kick into the net in the 72nd minute.Seoul will face Group H runner-up Kawasaki Frontale in the second round on May 7 and May 14, while Hiroshima plays Group H winner Western Sydney Wanderers.Japan's Cerezo Osaka had a 2-1 comeback victory at China's Shandong Luneng in Group E, with Yoichiro Kakitani and Diego Forlan both scoring in the second half. Cerezo next faces defending champion and Group G winner Guangzhou Evergrande.Pohang Steelers, which had already secured a place in the knockout stage, had a 0-0 draw at home to Thailand's Buriram United and will next meet fellow South Korean club Jeonbuk Motors in a battle of two former Asian champions.At Abu Dhabi, Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia topped Group A with 15 points, with Abdulmajeed Al Ruwali scoring both goals in a 2-1 win at Al Jazira, who also advanced.Al Ruwali scored off a deflection in the 35th and was on target after a counterattack two minutes from the end.In Tehran, Boubacar Kebe scored twice, on either side of Mohammad Ghazi's goal, to give Esteghlal a 3-1 victory over Qatar's Al Rayyan. Both teams were already out of contention.Group B went almost down to the last kick, with Uzbek champion Bunyodkor securing a place in the knockout stage for the seventh year in a row with a dramatic 2-1 win over El Jaish of Qatar.El Jaish needed only a draw to progress to the last 16 and was on target at 1-1 until Sardor Rashidov's late volley from inside the box.Brazilian forward Chimba scored a first-half hat trick, including two penalties, as Foolad Khouzestan topped Group B with a 5-1 win over 10-man Al Fateh, which finished the tournament without a win.Unbeaten Foolad will next meet Al Sadd in in the second round.

Swimming: Phelps eager to plunge back in

Posted:

MESA (AFP) - Michael Phelps returns to competition on Thursday for the first time since 2012, and the swimming superstar doesn't know just what to expect or where his comeback will take him.I am looking forward to wherever this road takes me, and I guess the journey will start tomorrow, a relaxed Phelps said Wednesday as he looked ahead to racing in the 100m butterfly at the Mesa Grand Prix swim meet on Thursday.The 28-year-old insisted he didn't yet know if his comeback would take him all the way to a fifth Olympics in Rio in 2016, but so far, he said, he's having a blast.I just missed being back in the water, said Phelps. We'll see what happens here, who knows.Phelps, originally entered the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle on Thursday, said he'll swim only the 100m fly -- one of three individual events in which he still holds the world record.He is also entered in the 50m freestyle on Friday.Both he and coach Bob Bowman said the meeting in suburban Phoenix will serve a chance for Phelps to gauge his conditioning with the US championships -- a selection meeting for the 2015 World Championships -- looming in August.Phelps was last seen on a competition deck receiving the plaudits of his peers at the conclusion of swimming events at the 2012 London Olympics.He walked away from the greatest Olympic career in history having amassed a record 22 medals -- 18 of them gold and eight of those won in a breathtaking eight events at the 2008 Beijing Games.When he departed London, Phelps said he had achieved everything I ever wanted to do, and he chuckled as those words were quoted back to him on Wednesday.I always have goals and have things I want to achieve, and I have things that I want to achieve now, said Phelps, sounding a slightly defiant note when asked if a comeback that falls short of Olympic glory might tarnish his reputation.In terms of tarnishing my career, I said it before, I'm doing this for me, Phelps said.If I don't become as successful as you all think I would be or should be, and you think it tarnishes my career, then that's your own opinion.

Saudi announces 11 new MERS infections

Posted:

RIYADH (AFP) - Saudi Arabia on Wednesday announced 11 new cases of MERS, including a 13-year-old child, as its acting health minister vowed to keep the public better informed about the coronavirus.The new cases bring to 272 the total number of MERS infections, including 81 deaths, registered across the kingdom -- worst hit by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome which was first detected in eastern Saudi Arabia in September 2012.Most of the latest cases are in Riyadh and the commercial hub Jeddah, with one case in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, visited each year by millions of pilgrims from around the world.Three of the new infections were of health workers, while a 13-year-old Saudi girl is among cases recorded in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah.A spike in MERS cases and public fears prompted the Gulf state to dismiss its health minister, Abdullah al-Rabiah, on Monday without an official explanation.Rabiah last week visited hospitals in Jeddah to calm a public hit by panic over the spread of the virus among medical staff that triggered the temporary closure of the citys King Fahd Hospital emergency room.Labour Minister Adel Fakieh, who has taken over as acting health minister, said on Twitter late Tuesday that he had visited the Jeddah hospital.Fakieh promised transparency and to promptly provide the media and society with the information needed on the virus.At least four doctors at King Fahd Hospital reportedly resigned last week after refusing to treat MERS patients.The virus is considered a deadlier but less-transmissible cousin of the SARS virus which erupted in Asia in 2003 and infected 8,273 people, nine percent of whom died.Experts are still struggling to understand MERS, for which there is no known vaccine.A recent study said the virus has been extraordinarily common in camels for at least 20 years, and it may have been passed directly from the animals to humans.The World Health Organisation said it had been informed of 253 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS infection worldwide, of which 93 had been fatal.The WHO in a statement issued in Cairo on Wednesday expressed concern about the rising number of cases, especially in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.Its Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office said it has offered to help Saudi Arabia and the UAE investigate the current outbreaks in order to determine the transmission chain of this recent cluster.

Oil prices fall after US stockpiles hit record

Posted:

NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices fell on Wednesday as US commercial crude-oil stockpiles hit an all-time high on the strength of production in the world's biggest oil-consuming country.New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in June, fell 31 cents on its first day of trade to $101.44 a barrel.Brent North Sea crude for June shed 16 cents to finish at $109.11 a barrel in London.The US Department of Energy reported commercial crude-oil stocks rose 3.5 million barrels to 397.7 million barrels for the week ended April 18.That is the highest level of inventories since the DoE began releasing weekly data in 1982 and the highest level since 1931, according to monthly data kept by the agency.The increase was larger than analysts expected, with an average estimate of 2.4 million barrels reported by Dow Jones Newswire, but investors had braced for a new record on Tuesday, sending WTI sharply lower.Carl Larry of Oil Outlooks and Opinion said the market kind of stayed neutral after the inventories report which on first glance seemed bearish.After yesterday's move, you're seeing fair value again, he said.There is a lot more upside once demand starts to pick up again... with the economy showing a steady growth.The market's reaction was tempered by the DoE's data showing inventories at the closely watched hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, fell by 800,000 barrels to 26.0 million barrels, according to John Kilduff of Again Capital.Investors continued to monitor developments in the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, which is a major conduit for Russian natural gas to Western Europe, analysts said.Traders remain on the alert for any conclusive developments in eastern Ukraine that would either release tensions or escalate the possibility of an interruption in Russian oil and gas supplies, said Tim Evans of Citi Futures.

Farbrace appointed England assistant coach

Posted:

LONDON (AFP) - The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) continued the restructuring of the England coaching set-up on Wednesday by announcing the appointment of Paul Farbrace as assistant coach.The 46-year-old will leave his role as coach of Sri Lanka to work alongside Peter Moores, who returned for a second stint as England head coach last Saturday.Farbrace only joined Sri Lanka in December and achieved instant success by winning both the Asia Trophy and the ICC World Twenty20.His departure was secured after negotiations between ECB chief executive David Collier and managing director Paul Downton and the Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC).We are grateful to SLC for their understanding and co-operation in releasing Paul from his contract in order to achieve his desire to return to England and to allow him to work with Peter Moores, Collier said.Farbrace, who previously worked at English county sides Kent and Yorkshire, said he was grateful to have been asked to join the England coaching team.It's fantastic to be given the opportunity to work with your own country's national team and this was an offer that I could not turn down, much as I have enjoyed working with the Sri Lankan players and sharing in their recent success, he said.I am particularly relishing the chance to work more closely with Peter as we undertook the Level Four Coaching programme together and have known each other since we were both young wicketkeepers on the county circuit together.It will also be great to renew acquaintances with (England captain) Alastair Cook and other senior players whom I worked with earlier in my coaching career with England's age-group teams.Moores said: I am looking forward to getting down to work with Paul in the next few days. We have a lot of work to do in a short time as we prepare for the fast-approaching international season.There is no doubt Paul will bring a lot of recent international experience to the England set-up.

Attack on Hamid Mir: Case registered against 'unknown persons'

Posted:

KARACHI (Dunya News) – A case was registered against unidentified persons on Wednesday for attempt to murder senior journalist Hamid Mir. The case was registered on fifth day after the attack and the official complainant in the case is the government, Dunya News reported.The First Information Report (FIR) states that Hamid Mir is not in the position to give a statement therefore the case has been registered with government as the official complainant.According to details, the police had made contacts with the people associated with Hamid Mir but no response was received so far. The police officials said they were waiting for the complainant in the case, adding that the matter was very sensitive which caused all the delay.Police also sent the bullet shells to forensic laboratory while statements of Hamid Mir's driver and guard have also been recorded, the official added.A team of forensic department has also gathered evidences from the site. Meanwhile, Sindh Inspector General (IG) has also formed an investigation committee under the supervision of Additional IG Karachi.Hamid Mir, host of Capital Talk, a primetime current affairs show on the Geo channel, was shot at least six times in his car in Karachi on Saturday.

PEMRA issues Show Cause notice to Geo News

Posted:

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued Show Cause notice to Geo News on Wednesday as per clause number 29 of PEMRA ordinance, Dunya News reported.Earlier, PEMRA forwarded the Defence Ministry’s complaint against Geo TV to its legal department.The Defence Ministry had filed a complaint before the media regulatory authority accusing the Geo News channel of indulging in anti-national activities by smearing the image of intelligence agency ISI.The legal department would proceed further once Geo TV submits its reply on the notice, sources told.The defence ministry’s complaint, filed before the PEMRA, alleges that Geo News channel is involved in anti-Pakistan activities. The ministry also provided evidences against the TV channel to PEMRA.The ministry complained about broadcasts on Geo that alleged that the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) agency was connected to an assassination attempt on the station s talk-show host, Hamid Mir.Mir was shot three times while in his car on April 19 and is currently recovering in a hospital.

Ahmed Shahzad strong contender for national T20 captaincy

Posted:

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Opener Ahmed Shahzad has reportedly become a strong contender for national Twenty20 cricket captaincy. Opener’s aggressive style has become an interesting subject for cricket circles, Dunya News reported.The race for captaincy began after T20 captain Mohammad Hafeez vacated the position. According to sources, Ahmed Shahzad is highly likely to become T20 captain and his aggressive opening style is sort of a question mark.Ahmed Shahzad’s confrontation of Sri Lankan batsman Sangakara was also recorded and seen through the eyes of camera. National opener has faced penalties in the past because of aggressive attitude. The names of Kamran Akmal and Shahid Afridi are also deemed favourite for the position.Sources also say that Shahid Afridi’s ‘boom boom’ statements at the airport upon return from Bangladesh also kicked him out of PCB chairman Najam Sethi’s good books.

3G license auction concludes, all four companies win various bids

Posted:

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The process of 3G license concluded on Wednesday evening, with four licenses sold for one hundred eleven billion rupees. All four companies won various auctions and Zong additionally qualified for 4G license, Dunya News reported.The bidding lasted eight rounds where four companies offered an accumulated amount of 90 crore 28 lakh dollars. The offer was not raised after fourth bid was received.According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman Dr Ismail Shah, Zong won the bid of 3G 10 megahertz license.According to reports, Mobilink also acquired 10 megahertz license. Telenor and Ufone acquired 5 megahertz licenses.Zong also qualified to acquire 4G license.The second license of 4G band could not be sold and its auction will be decided upon later. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the target to raise money out through 3G license auction in the past was only 50 billion rupees, yet the current government acquired one hundred and eleven billion rupees out of the auctions.The auction of 4G license will accumulate an additional amount of 50 billion rupees.Successful bidders have to make 50% payment within 30 days and remaining amount has to be paid in equal installments in next five years.The 3G and 4G licenses will be issued for next 15 years.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)