Saturday 5 April 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Afghans hail peaceful election, high turnout predicted

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KABUL (AFP) - Afghans celebrated a largely peaceful election on Saturday, as turnout exceeded predictions despite Taliban threats to disrupt the vote to choose President Hamid Karzai's successor.Long queues of voters waited throughout the day outside many of the 6,400 polling centres before the prolonged process of counting began, with preliminary results not due until April 24.Whoever emerges victorious must lead the fight against the Taliban without the help of US-led combat troops, and also strengthen an economy that currently relies on declining aid money.The country faces a testing few months as it undergoes its first democratic transfer of power, and many Afghans fear a repeat of the fraud scandals that marred the last presidential election in 2009.If no candidate wins more than 50 percent in the first round, a run-off is scheduled for late May.There were no major militant attacks during polling, and organisers described the election as a huge success, despite complaints that a shortages of ballot papers had denied some citizens the right to vote.Today's election and massive participation of the people have taken Afghanistan a few steps forward to peace, stability and development, Karzai said in an address to the nation.This was a major effort of the people, our security forces, and all the officials who had a role in holding the election.US President Barack Obama called the vote critical to securing Afghanistan's democratic future, as well as continued international support.Millions of Afghan men and women took to the polls today with courage and commitment, US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement.NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen praised the enthusiasm of voters and the outstanding job by Afghan security forces. This has truly been an election led by Afghans, secured by Afghans, for the future of Afghans, he said.British Foreign Secretary William Hague called the election a great achievement, and urged parties to show patience and respect during the count. The final turnout could exceed seven million, the head of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani, said, though this was a preliminary estimate and may change. Initial predictions in 2009 proved inaccurate.Around 13.5 million people were eligible to vote, putting the estimated turnout above 50 percent -- a significant increase on 2009, when only around a third of voters cast ballots.There is no clear favourite among the front-runners to succeed Karzai -- former foreign minister Zalmai Rassoul, Abdullah Abdullah, who was runner-up in the 2009 election, and former World Bank academic Ashraf Ghani.The open nature of the race coupled with a massive security operation to thwart Taliban attacks may have contributed to the high turnout.The Taliban had urged their fighters to target polling staff, voters and security forces, but there were no major attacks reported during the day.In Kabul, hit by a series of deadly attacks during the election campaign, hundreds of people lined up outside polling centres to vote despite heavy rain and the insurgents' promise of violence.I'm not afraid of Taliban threats, we will die one day anyway. I want my vote to be a slap in the face of the Taliban, housewife Laila Neyazi, 48, told AFP.One blast in Logar province, south of Kabul, killed one person and wounded two, according to Mohammad Agha district chief Abdul Hameed Hamid.Interior Minister Omar Daudzai said four civilians, nine police and seven soldiers had been killed in violence in the past 24 hours, and added that many attacks had been foiled, without giving further details. Attacks or fear of violence had forced more than 200 of a total 6,423 voting centres to remain closed.The day before the poll, Associated Press photographer Anja Niedringhaus was shot dead by a police commander in eastern Khost province.She was the third journalist working for international media to be killed during the election campaign, after Swedish journalist Nils Horner and Sardar Ahmad of Agence France-Presse. Afghans have taken over responsibility for security from US-led forces, and this year the last of the NATO coalition's 51,000 combat troops will pull out, leaving local forces to battle the resilient Taliban insurgency without their help.The country's third presidential election will bring an end to 13 years of rule by Karzai, who has held power since the Taliban were ousted in 2001.Massive fraud and widespread violence marred Karzai's re-election in 2009, and a disputed result this time would add to the challenges facing the new president.The election may offer a chance for Afghanistan to improve relations with the United States, its principal donor, after the mercurial Karzai years.Relations fell to a new low late last year when Karzai refused to sign a security agreement that would allow the US to keep around 10,000 troops in Afghanistan to train local forces and hunt Al-Qaeda.

Egypt tribal fighting kills 23: health ministry

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CAIRO (AFP) - Police have sent reinforcements to Egypt's southern province of Aswan after at least 23 people were killed in tribal clashes there, officials said on Saturday.Long-standing tensions between Bani Hilal tribesmen and the Nubian Dabudiya family erupted after a woman was accosted on Thursday, the interior ministry said.Tribal vendettas are common in Egypt's poor, rural south, but police called the outbreak of violence the worst in recent memory.The health ministry said 20 people were killed in renewed fighting on Saturday, a day after a failed reconciliation meeting between the two sides ended in a gunbattle that killed three.It said more than 50 people were wounded. The interior ministry, in a statement, said the three dead all belonged to the Bani Hilal tribe.Police said the violence had subsided by Saturday afternoon after they sent in reinforcements.Because of the scale of the fighting, interim prime minister Ibrahim Mahlab and his interior minister Mohammed Ibrahim both arrived in Aswan on Saturday afternoon.The army also said it had intervened, and accused the Muslim Brotherhood of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi of involvement in the violence.Since the army ousted Morsi last July, the military-installed authorities have blamed the Brotherhood -- now designated a terrorist organisation -- for violence that has rocked Egypt daily for the past nine months.Police began to reassert themselves across the country only recently, after a breakdown in law and order following a 2011 uprising that overthrew strongman Hosni Mubarak.

Iran says nuclear expert talks 'useful'

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VIENNA (AFP) - Nuclear talks between technical experts from Iran and world powers preparing for a third round of talks next week on a lasting deal were useful, Iran's lead negotiator said Saturday.The technical positions help us to understand better our respective positions, Hamid Baeedinejad told the IRNA news agency after three days of discussions in Vienna.The meeting came ahead of talks between political directors from Iran and the six powers -- the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany -- in Vienna from Tuesday, the third such round this year.These negotiations are aimed at turning an interim deal from November that expires on July 20 into a lasting accord that ends once and for all the decade-old standoff over Iran's nuclear programme.A senior US administration official involved in the talks said Friday that Washington hoped to begin drafting such an agreement at the following meeting in May.Baeedinejad said the process would begin in the Iranian month of Ordibehesht, which runs from April 21 to May 21, echoing Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif last month.We are looking to ensure we have the right combination of measures in place to ensure Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon and that its program is exclusively peaceful, the US official said.As we work to bridge the gaps that exist to see if we can find that right combination, the pace of our work will intensify even more than it is today.The official also warned that an oil-for-goods deal reportedly being negotiated between Russia and Iran would be inconsistent with the November agreement and could potentially trigger US sanctions against the entity and individuals involved.Such a deal between Moscow and Tehran would undermine Washington's efforts to cut off Iran's main source of revenue -- a strategy which the US credits with forcing Tehran to the negotiating table in the first place.Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and wants all UN and Western sanctions lifted.

Israel strikes in Gaza after rocket attack

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GAZA CITY (AFP) - Israeli warplanes attacked several sites in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip Sunday, sources on both sides said, hours after a rocket from the Palestinian enclave hit the Jewish state.Palestinian medical and security sources said five sites in northern and southern Gaza were hit, including training camps for the militant Islamic Jihad and Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing.The Palestinians said there were no injuries in the attacks.The Israeli army said in a statement it retaliated to ongoing rocket attacks from Gaza, targeting four terror sites in northern Gaza and a fifth in the south of the coastal territory.On Saturday night, a rocket fired from Gaza hit an open area in southern Israel without causing damage or injuries, the army and police said.According to data from the Israeli army, since the beginning of March 82 projectiles fired from Gaza hit the Jewish state.On Thursday, four rockets fired from the Palestinian enclave slammed into the Jewish state, shortly after Israel announced it had called off the planned release of 26 Palestinian prisoners.

First female mayor of Paris takes office

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PARIS (AFP) - The first female mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo formally took office on Saturday with a pledge to alleviate a housing shortage in the French capital.The Spanish-born Socialist took up the post after a City Hall vote to rubber-stamp her victory in municipal elections on Sunday.An old school feminist socialist, Hidalgo, 54, has spent the last 13 years as a low-profile deputy to outgoing mayor Bertrand Delanoe.She now joins an exclusive club of women who have taken charge of major cities around the world.Members currently in office include Ana Botella, the mayor of Madrid, Cape Towns Patricia de Lille and Carolina Toha, who runs Santiago, Chile.Born near Cadiz in the southwestern corner of Spain in 1959, Hidalgo came to France as an infant and grew up in a working class suburb of Lyon.Hidalgo has promised major investment in housing, transport and green spaces, with the aim of reversing a middle and working class exodus to the suburbs.She has promised to create 10,000 new social housing units and 5,000 kindergarten places.

Tennis: Petkovic holds off Bouchard, reaches Charleston final

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CHARLESTON (AFP) - Germany's Andrea Petkovic rallied for a 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 upset of sixth-seeded Eugenie Bouchard on Saturday to reach the final of the WTA Family Circle Cup.Petkovic, seeded 14th and ranked 40th in the world, withstood the big baseline game of the rising Canadian star, who impressed with her run to the Australian Open semi-finals in January.In fact, Bouchard controlled much of the match, needing just 29 minutes to lock up the first set.She had three break chances in the sixth game of the second before Petkovic won the set to force the decisive third.After a tight tussle, Petkovic finished it off in emphatic style, breaking Bouchard to love to seal the match.It was an emotional win for the German, a former top-10 player who has battled a stream of injuries and almost fell out of the top 200 a year ago.I'm just very happy. I'm just very emotional right now, Petkovic said. The match was really tough. Genie played so well today -- she was so aggressive, and I have to admit I was a little lucky in the second set when I managed to turn the match around.It was just a few points here and there that made the difference.Petkovic next faces either Slovakian Jana Cepelova -- the 20-year-old who stunned world number one Serena Williams in the second round-- or 17-year-old Swiss qualifier Belinda Bencic.Bencic upset third-seeded Italian Sara Errani to reach the first WTA semi-final of her career.

Tennis: Federer, Wawrinka slump, Britain eye semi-final

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PARIS (AFP) - Swiss stars Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka slumped to a shock defeat in the Davis Cup on Saturday while Great Britain edged closer to a first semi-final appearance since 1981.Seventeen-time Grand Slam title winner Federer and Wawrinka, the reigning Australian Open champion, may have had the pedigree of being the 2008 Olympic doubles champions.But they were embarrassed by minnows Kazakhstan who opened up a 2-1 lead in their quarter-final clash in Geneva.Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov stunned world number four Federer and Wawrinka, the third-ranked singles player, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-6 (8/6).Saturday's loss was the Swiss duo's fourth straight Davis Cup loss as a team having also lost the doubles against USA and Netherlands in 2012 and Australia in 2011.Wawrinka had also lost his opening singles on Friday, going down 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) to 64th ranked Golubev before Federer then stormed to a straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win over Mikhail Kukushkin to level the tie.We have defeated the Olympic champions and it's a special momment. I am proud of our team, said Nedovyesov, the world 128 in doubles.On Sunday, Switzerland will need to win both reverse singles with Wawrinka due to face Kukushkin while Federer takes on Golubev.I'm not overly worried about what happened the last couple of days, said Federer. We knew the Kazakhs have been playing well in Davis Cup the last few years now. So it's for us now to shine and prove ourselves. We are good players and we are the favourites still.Sunday's winners will face either Italy or Great Britain in September's semi-finals.Andy Murray and Colin Fleming edged Britain a step closer to ending their 33-year wait for a place in the last-four with a hard-fought doubles win in Naples.Their 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 win over Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini means Murray can wrap up the quarter-final on Sunday with a win over Fognini.Wimbledon champion Murray won the pair's last clash on clay in Monaco five years ago.It should be a tough match, Fabio has played really well this year, especially on clay. But hopfully I can play a good match and finish the tie, said the Scot.Italy last advanced to the semi-finals in 1998 when they went on to finish runners-up to Sweden.Title holders the Czech Republic reached the semi-finals after clinically dispatching Japan in Saturday's doubles to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in Tokyo.Radek Stepanek and Lukas Rosol beat Tatsuma Ito and Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in front of the Japanese emperor and empress as the two-time defending champions set up a clash with either France or Germany from September 12-14.The Japanese guys fought their hearts out but we had it pretty much under control, said Stepanek, who won the deciding rubber for the Czechs in the last two finals -- against Spain and Serbia respectively.In Nancy, France stayed alive against Germany when Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau beat Tobias Kamke and Andre Begemann 6-1, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-5 in the doubles.Germany had shrugged off the absence of their top six players to take a shock 2-0 lead on Friday.Benneteau slumped to a 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, 6-2 loss to world number 96 Kamke in the day's opening rubber.Then world number 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga squandered a match point to lose 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 7-6 (10/8), 8-6 to Peter Gojowczyk, the world 119.

Football: Chelsea return to summit after easing past Stoke

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LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea regained top spot in the Premier League thanks to a straightforward 3-0 win over shot-shy Stoke City at Stamford Bridge in Saturday's late kick-off. Goals from Mohamed Salah, Frank Lampard and Willian were enough for Jose Mourinho's side to move ahead of Liverpool, who play West Ham on Sunday, by a point. Victory also ended a run of two successive defeats and maintained Mourinho's remarkable record of never having lost at home in the Premier League. And it will also have acted as a timely boost ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final decider against Paris Saint-Germain, where Chelsea must overturn a 3-1 first leg deficit if they are to reach the last four.Fernando Torres, the Spain forward, was the early focus of attention after being restored to the Chelsea starting line-up. Wednesday's defeat in Paris had seen Mourinho start with no recognised front-man and the Portuguese manager complained afterwards that he lacked real strikers. There was no doubt he was talking about Torres, who fired a low drive wide of the Stoke goal early on and was denied an opening goal by a smart save from Asmir Begovic after Eric Pieters's chest-back had failed to reach his goalkeeper. But the 50 million pounds ($83m, 60m euros) man made little other impact in a first period the home side dominated comfortably and was once again out-shone by more industrious team-mates. Salah was far busier on the right of an attacking midfield three, although his first contribution was to send a tame effort straight at Begovic. Branislav Ivanovic headed wide from a corner before the over-worked Begovic did well to bat away a deflected drive from Willian and a low effort from Lampard. Torres felt he should have had a penalty as Geoff Cameron challenged but it wasn't long before Salah marked his first Chelsea start with a 32nd-minute goal. Nemanja Matic supplied the cross from the left and the Egyptian, who signed in January from Basel, smashed his shot off Begovic and into the top of the net. The 21-year-old almost scored again soon afterwards but over-ran the ball at the crucial moment, allowing Begovic to gather. Ivanovic thought he had doubled the lead with a powerful header after Stoke had been caught in possession in their own half but a raised flag correctly ruled out the 'goal' for offside. Stoke had threatened only occasionally at the other end and made a double change at the break, sending on Charlie Adam and Andy Wilkinson. Adam's first contribution was to stamp a tackle on Andre Schurrle's foot, hurting the German, but referee Lee Probert didn't see it. Schurrle was replaced by Eden Hazard in the 59th minute and within seconds the Belgian had set up the second goal. His backwards flick sent Salah into space and the Egyptian was brought down by Wilkinson's crude challenge. Begovic parried Lampard's penalty but the England midfielder was first to the rebound to double Chelsea's lead in the 61st minute. Stoke were slightly more adventurous after that and began firing long shots at Petr Cech's goal. But there was no hope for Mark Hughes's side once Hazard set up Willian for a perfectly-placed curler that gave Begovic no chance in the 72nd minute to complete the scoring. Chelsea gave England veteran Ashley Cole a 12-minute cameo on the left wing when he replaced Willian.

Formula One: Rosberg takes pole for Bahrain Grand Prix

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MANAMA (AFP) - Nico Rosberg took pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday with teammate Lewis Hamilton ensuring a Mercedes front row lockout, further loosening struggling Sebastien Vettel's grip on his world title.Rosberg, the world championship leader after two races, clocked 1min 33.185sec to edge Hamilton by 0.279sec as Mercedes stayed on course for a third win in three races this season.It was German driver Rosberg's fifth career pole and first of this season after Hamilton had started from the front in Australia and Malaysia.Starting from pole is great but it's a whole different story tomorrow. The challenge waiting us is tyre degradation but I'm confident I can stay ahead in tomorrow's race, said Rosberg, who won the season opener in Australia. Mercedes have been untouchable in Bahrain with Hamilton and Rosberg dominating all three practice sessions.Rosberg will head into Sunday's floodlit race with 43 points to his teammate's 25 after Hamilton, who made a slight error on his last flying lap, missed out on what would have been a third pole in three races in 2014.I am not disappointed, congratulations to Nico. He has done a great job this weekend, he is improving and picking up the pace. I locked up in the last lap, said the 2008 world champion who won from lights to flag in Malaysia last week.Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo was third fastest but he will be demoted 10 places on Sunday's grid after being punished for a pit-lane offence in Malaysia last weekend.That leaves a second row featuring Finland's Valtteri Bottas in a Williams and Mexico's Sergio Perez of Force India.Kimi Raikkonen in a Ferrari, Jenson Button, in a McLaren and racing in his 250th grand prix, are on the third row with Williams' Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen in the second McLaren on the fifth row.Fernando Alonso, a three-time winner at the Sakhir track, is on the fifth row in his Ferrari alongside four-time world champion Vettel.The German, in the second Red Bull, was eliminated in the second qualifying session.The Mercedes are out of reach -- this track suits them here, Vettel told the BBC.Hopefully we can do a good job at the moment and rescue some points this weekend. Things are going on in the background which haven't helped and we haven't done many laps here. You can have days where it's quite tight to get into Q3.Vettel was joined on the Q2 sidelines by Force India's Nico Hulkenberg, Toro Rosso duo, Daniil Kvyat and Jean-Eric Vergne, Sauber's Esteban Gutierrez and Romain Grosjean in a Lotus.In Q1, both Caterhams of Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson as well as fellow backmarkers, Marussia's Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton were eliminated.They were joined by Pastor Maldonado in a Lotus and Adrian Sutil in the second Sauber as the early drivers to drop out of qualifying.

Golf: Kuchar grabs four-shot Houston Open lead

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HOUSTON (AFP) - Matt Kuchar fired a four-under par 68 on Saturday to take a four-shot lead into the final round of the US PGA Tour Houston Open, last warm-up for the Masters.Kuchar's effort included six birdies and two bogeys, and gave him a 15-under total of 201.He was four strokes in front of overnight leader Sergio Garcia, who settled for a one-over 73 and was joined on 205 by Cameron Tringale, who posted a 69.Australia's Matt Johnson was alone in fourth after a 71 for 207.Saturday's tee times were moved up and the players teed off in groups of three from both the first and 10th tees in order to get the round in before forecast storms moved into the area.With the Masters, the first major championship of the year, due to start on Thursday at Augusta, Georgia, getting the $6.2 million (4.5m euros) completed on time takes on added importance.Garcia started the day with a one-stroke lead over Kuchar, but that evaporated at the first hole where the Spaniard made bogey from a greenside bunker and Kuchar rolled in a six-foot birdie to go top.Garcia pulled level with a birdie at the third, but Kuchar birdied the par-five fourth to reclaim the lead.Kuchar added a 10-foot birdie at the fifth before a bogey at the ninth saw him make the turn one shot ahead of Garcia.The American birdied three in a row from the 12th -- draining an 11-footer at 14 -- and was in firm control despite a bogey at the last.Garcia had opened the back nine with back-to-back bogeys at 10 and 11. His second birdie of the day at the 12th proved to be the last he would find as Kuchar built a comfortable cushion.Phil Mickelson, who will be gunning for a fourth Masters green jacket next week, fired a 72 to join a group on six-under 210.Mickelson had been in doubt for the tournament after pulling his right oblique muscle and withdrawing in the third round of the Texas Open last week.Former world number one Rory McIlroy, also playing with an eye toward Augusta, failed to find a spark as he cared a two-over 74 that left him tied for 37th.I just haven't been able to get anything going this week even though I feel like I am playing well, McIlroy said after a round that included four bogeys and two birdies.Every aspect of my game feels good and I'm driving the ball well while I also putted a little bit better today.It's just been one of those weeks where nothing is sort of happening out there and I just need a spark to get me going.

Taliban negotiations are succeeding, nation be patient for results: Imran Khan

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said on Saturday that the dialogue with Taliban is successful so far, adding that the nation has to be patient for results, Dunya News reported.Addressing media at airport here on Saturday, he said that with exception of a few, majority of Taliban are ready for peace.Imran Khan said that negotiations take place in similar manner everywhere in the world, reiterating that patience is the key for positive results.Talking about Musharraf’s trial, he said that the country cannot progress until the rule of law is established.He said that Sindh’s politics has no integrity, adding that the politics of personal gains rules the province. He said that peace will restore in Karachi if Karachi police is depoliticized.Imran Khan and war on terrorPTI chief often comes under fire for lamenting America’s war on terror and for terming the domestic insurgencies as the result of US’s involvement including its drone program.It merits mentioning here that Imran Khan had urged Taliban for an unconditional ceasefire and his party had vowed to support Pakistan armed forces in case of military operation in North Waziristan.

16 dead, dozens injured as truck plunges in to ravine near Kallar Kahar

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CHAKWAL (Dunya News) - At least 16 people were killed and dozens others were injured when a truck plunged into a ravine near Kallar Kahar on Saturday.As per details the incident took place in Modren Killa area when a truck carrying about 56 people fell into the ravine.According to police, three children and four women were also among the dead. They said that bodies and injured were taken to a local hospital.Identities of the deceased were yet to be known.

Govt to release 12-13 more Taliban prisoners: Ch Nisar

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar announced on Saturday that 12-13 more Taliban prisoners will be released and total number of released prisoners before upcoming meeting between government and Taliban representatives would reach 30. He said that Taliban also have to release non-combatant prisoners including former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son, Dunya News reported.Addressing media after negotiation committees’ meeting at Punjab House, he said that it is difficult to bring peace adding that conducting military operation is no big deal. He said that the government is passing through a patience-testing phase, adding that matters are proceeding in a positive way.He said that primary objective is to restore peace while staying within bounds of law and constitution, adding that the process of release of non-combatant prisoners of both sides is continued.He said that Taliban also have to free non-combatant prisoners because single-handed clap is not possible.Various issues came under discussion during the session. He announced that 12-13 more prisoners will be released before next meeting between government and Taliban representatives.He said that discussion venue is being deliberated upon, in order to facilitate Taliban, so that government and Taliban can resume talks on major issues.Earlier, South Waziristan’s political administration released 16 Taliban prisoners on April 2 as part of goodwill gesture, Dunya News reported.According to reports, those freed were arrested during various search operations in South Waziristan two years ago. Sources say the free men include Mera Jan, Abdullah Jan, Salamat Khan, Bandshah Gul, Abdul Aziz, Noorzada, Satta Jan, Saddam Hussain, Ziauddin, Sher Pao, Riaz Ali, Mir Alam, Sher Alam Khan, Iqbal, Noor Alam.Reportedly, these men belong to outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of Mehsood area.

US police officer's arrest has no connection with diplomat detention: India

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - A New York police officers arrest in India has sparked accusations of revenge over the detention last year of an Indian diplomat in New York, but India said Saturday there is no connection.The police officer, identified as Manny Encarnacion, was detained at the airport in New Delhi after bullets were found in his luggage, a violation of Indian laws against firearms.US lawmaker Peter King, who represents New York in Congress, expressed grave concern over the arrest, in a letter dated April 4 sent to the State Department.In the letter, which was posted in full on CBS New Yorks web site, King said the arrest is clearly politically motivated in response to the arrest of Indias then-Deputy Consul General in December 2013 in New York for alleged visa fraud.That incident, in which Devyani Khobragade was detained and strip-searched in New York on charges of underpaying her servant, sparked outrage in India and has created a bitter rift between the usually friendly countries.According to media reports, Encarnacion was told by the arresting officer in New Delhi that New York police like to strip-search our diplomats.But Indias diplomatic representation in New York Saturday released a statement flatly denying there was any link between the two arrests.In a statement, Indias consulate general dismissed as ridiculous suggestions that there was any connection between the detention of a NYPD (New York Police Department) official in New Delhi and the arrest of an Indian diplomat in New York.It added that the police official was released on bail immediately and is currently in India awaiting a court date to resolve the case.The US State Department confirmed Friday they were aware of the situation and providing the detained American with consular services, but declined to give any details, citing privacy concerns.Spokeswoman Marie Harf re-affirmed that India remains a close partner to the US, and said, referring to the row over Khobragades detention, we feel like weve moved past this and hope the Indians have as well.New York Police Commissioner William Bratton said the NYPD was currently working with the State Department in an effort to resolve this situation.

Second round of govt, Taliban peace talks in two, three days: Samiul Haq

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ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The second round of direct talks between the government team and Taliban Shura is expected during the next two to three days.This was stated by leader of Taliban Committee Maulana Samiul Haq after a joint meeting of Taliban and the government teams in Islamabad on Saturday afternoon.Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was also present on the occasion. He said venue and timetable of dialogue are being sorted out.Maulana Samiul Haq said todays meeting deliberated upon measures to promote the atmosphere of goodwill.He said steps taken by the government are reflective of its goodwill and more such gestures will be witnessed in days to come.To a question, he said the two sides will place their demands and points on the table in the coming session. He said so far exchange of prisoners is one of the major demands.The government is contemplating release of non-militant prisoners and it has reached a conclusion to some extent. Maulana Samiul Haq said joint meeting expressed satisfaction over extension of ceasefire.Meanwhile, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanvir Ahmed Khan has said the government is optimistic about outcome of dialogue process with Taliban.Speaking in Lahore on Saturday, he said release of non-militant prisoners is a part of the governments effort to find a peaceful solution to the issue of terrorism. The release of two hundred and fifty non-militant prisoners can be taken up during the dialogue process.The minister said all institutions, including army, are on board on military operation against militants as last resort.
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