Friday 20 June 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

2 militants killed in air strikes in Khyber Agency

Posted:

KHYBER AGENCY (Dunya News) – According to details, gunship helicopters targeted militants hideouts in Malik Din Khel area of Bara in Khyber Agency on early Saturday morning.According to official sources, two militants were killed and five other sustained injuries in the air strikes.

Football: France poised for last 16 after Swiss rout

Posted:

SALVADOR (AFP) - France are on the brink of reaching the World Cup last 16 after their emphatic 5-2 win over Switzerland on Friday kept them in control of Group E.The French backed up their opening 3-0 win over Honduras by racing into a 2-0 lead as Olivier Giroud's 16th-minute header was followed by Blaise Matuidi's goal just 66 seconds later.Diminutive right-winger Mathieu Valbuena put the result beyond doubt with France's third just before the break.Real Madrid's Karim Benzema missed a first-half penalty, but then netted their fourth before Newcastle United's midfielder Moussa Sissoko also claimed a second-half goal.Only the heroics of Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio prevented more French goals before Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka scored late consolation goals.This could have been more than perfect, said France coach Didier Deschamps, who indicated that the two late goals conceded was the only dampener.We were up against a good team and to score five goals and win 5-2, it was a very good evening.Six points after two matches is ideal. We have to wait for the next match but we have a good goal difference and the next match will decide first and second place.France will have their last 16 qualification confirmed unless Ecuador beat Honduras later Friday in Curitiba.The Swiss, who have not beaten France since 1992, may now need to beat Honduras next Wednesday to qualify for the last 16. They beat Ecuador 2-1 in their opener.I'm very disappointed by our defeat, it was a very bleak day for us, said Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.The French were ice cold in taking their chances and they had excellent counter-attacks.On the anniversary of their infamous strike at South Africa 2010, France put themselves amongst the World Cup favourites.Salvador has now seen 17 goals in three World Cup matches -- the most by far of Brazil's 12 venues -- after the Netherlands routed Spain 5-1 here and Germany hammered Portugal 4-0 last Monday.Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was forced into an early change when centre-back Steven von Bergen had to leave the field with a heavy cut over his left eye, Philippe Senderos replacing him.Giroud, back in for Antoine Griezmann after spending most of the Honduras win on the bench, wasted little time in repaying Deschamps' faith for the opening goal.He met Valbuena's floated corner and his looping header beat Benaglio despite the goalkeeper getting an outstretched glove ot the ball.It was France's 100th goal at World Cup finals.The French doubled their lead 66 seconds later as Benzema snapped up a stray pass, charged into the Swiss half and put away Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Matuidi, who fired inside Benaglio's near post.The Swiss came perilously close to pulling a goal back as a Xhaka strike was ruled offside, then Xherdan Shaqiri's shot flew across the French goal.There was drama in the 31st minute when Swiss defender Johan Djourou was aharshly adjudged to have fouled Benzema to give away a penalty, but his spot-kick was blocked by Benaglio and Cabaye's follow-up hit the crossbar.France's third goal was textbook counter-attacking as Benzema claimed the ball after a Swiss corner and passe dto Rafael Varane who put Giroud into space on the left wing.Without a defender near him, the Arsenal star sprinted away and squared for Valbuena at the far post to make it 3-0 after 40 minutes.Benzema made up for his first-half penalty miss when he fired home replacement Paul Pogba's chip over the top midway through the second-half.He then turned provider by putting Sissoko in space and the midfielder smashed his shot into the left-hand corner with 17 minutes remaining for France's fifth.Dzemali finally got the hapless Swiss on the scoreboard when his freekick flew through the French wall nine minutes from time before Xhaka drilled home after a chip from Swiss captain Gokhan Inler.Benzema put the ball in the net one more time but his goal came just a couple of seconds too late as the referee had already blown for full-time.

Football: Costa Rica through as they stun Italy

Posted:

RECIFE (AFP) - Minnows Costa Rica reached the second round of the World Cup finals as Bryan Ruiz's header saw them to a 1-0 win over Italy which also knocked Group D rivals England out of the competition on Friday.Ruiz struck right at the end of the opening period in the match in Recife after the Costa Ricans had a valid appeal for a penalty waved away by the referee.Costa Rica's victory saw them move onto six points in Group D and means that pointless England's slim hopes of getting second spot were extinguished as Uruguay and Italy, both on three points, play each other in their final game.Italy's hopes of joining Costa Rica depend on them getting a point from the match with the Uruguayans.Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said he felt sorry for England but that was as far as it went. I'm really sorry for them, but also for us said Prandelli.Because we also wanted to win. I don't have any messages for England. We have our own issues to solve. For the Costa Ricans it is only the second time they have reached the last 16, the previous occasion being in the 1990 finals.Italy's poor performance was encapsulated by the fact they had not gone goalless in a World Cup finals match since the 1998 edition in France.Italy were a shadow of the side that beat England 2-1 last Saturday as they showed little sign of urgency throughout with misplaced passes and lackadaisical defending.Italy had little to offer in the opening half save for a sublime Andrea Pirlo chip over the top of the Costa Rican defence which found Mario Balotelli in space on the half hour only for the AC Milan striker to loft his effort off target. Balotelli, who scored the winner against England last Saturday, pounced on a deft header from Pirlo a minute later but Keylor Navas blocked the striker's fierce drive from the edge of the area.As Italy wavered, Costa Rica kept the Italian defence on their toes. Arsenal's Joel Campbell looked to have won a cast iron penalty in the 43rd minute as he pounced on a mistake by Giorgio Chiellini and broke into the Italian penalty area where he was barged over by the Juventus defender. Chilean referee Enrique Osses, however, waved away furious appeals by the Costa Ricans with Pinto going berserk on the touchline.Barely two minutes later, Pinto was jumping for joy as his side got the goal they deserved. Gianluigi Buffon, who sat out the England win due to an ankle knock, failed to come for a Junior Diaz cross to the far post and Ruiz produced a superb header which beat the 2006 World Cup winning goalkeeper and bounced over the line after hitting the underside of the bar.Prandelli shook things up immediataly, introducing forward Antonio Cassano for Thiago Motta for the second-half.But although Italy started the second half in brighter fashion, a Pirlo free kick hardly caused Navas any problems in the 53rd minute.While the Italians tried to conjure up chances which came to nothing Pinto replaced Campbell with Marcos Urena on 74 minutes and his fresh legs almost made an impact.Christian Gamboa did well to dispossess Pirlo outside the area and fed Ruiz on the right, but the Italian defence dealt with his delivery to Urena.Costa Rica threatened again when Urena ran on to a long ball lofted from midfield, only for Chiellini to this time block the striker's shot on the edge of the area.Italy's last chance was a drive from Cerci that smacked off the face of Giancarlo Gonzalez, but his effort -- much like Italy's game all round -- was offside.

Football: Valencia double gives Ecuador new life

Posted:

CURITIBA (AFP) - Ecuador moved into second place in World Cup Group E as two goals from Enner Valencia handed them a 2-1 win over Honduras in Curitiba on Friday.Honduras had looked on course for their first ever World Cup win when Carlo Costly fired them in front on 31 minutes, but Valencia levelled from close range just three minutes later.And the Pachuca striker moved alongside Karim Benzema, Robin Van Persie, Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben as the tournament's joint top scorer on three goals when he headed home the winner from Walter Ayovi's free-kick 25 minutes from time.Scoring at a World Cup has been something I have dreamed of since I was a child and thanks to the coaching staff and my teammates that has come true, said Valencia.The golden boot is not something I am thinking about. The most important thing is qualifying from the group and if that comes thanks to more goals from me then all the better.Ecuador now lead Switzerland on goal difference with both sides locked on three points after two games behind group leaders France on six.However, Honduras can also still qualify despite losing both their games so far should they heavily defeat the Swiss and Ecuador lose to France.And Honduras boss Luis Suarez insisted they have to believe anything is possible against Switzerland.It would be worse if we were eliminated and this game didn't mean anything. This chance still exists and we have to try, he said.Now more than ever we have to fight for the country. If a victory means qualification then great, but if it doesn't at least we have given everything until the end.After a nervy opening from both sides the game began to open up midway through the half and Honduras felt they had a strong penalty appeal waved away by Australian referee Benjamin Williams when Costly went down under pressure from Juan Paredes.Moments later it was Ecuador who should have taken the lead as Valencia timed his run onto Frickson Erazo's long ball forward perfectly but couldn't find the target when left with just Noel Valladares to beat.Honduras's first clear chance of the game came just before the half hour mark when Victor Bernardez headed wide when unmarked at the far post.Four minutes later, though, Costly did net his country's first World Cup goal in five games stretching back to their inaugural appearance at the finals in 1982 as he beat Jorge Guagua to a high ball before slamming home left footed.The Hondurans' lead was short-lived as within three minutes Juan Paredes' deflected effort fell perfectly for Valencia to bundle home his second goal of the tournament.Honduras ended the half the stronger side as Bernardez's powerful free-kick was turned behind by Alexander Dominguez and Jerry Bengston rightly had a goal ruled out for handball after Costly's initial header had come back off the post.After the break it was Ecuador's turn to feel aggrieved with referee Williams as he again was unmoved when Felipe Caicedo tumbled under a challenge from Maynor Figueroa.However, that decision mattered little in the end as Valencia netted the winner when he rose highest to meet Ayovi's sweet delivery.

Oil prices diverge on Iraq tensions

Posted:

NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices diverged Friday, with the US WTI contract hitting a nine-month high on concerns about spreading sectarian conflict in Iraq that could cause disruptions in crude supplies.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for July shot up 83 cents, or 0.8 percent, to finish at $107.26 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The July futures contract expired Friday at the highest closing price since September 18 last year.Brent crude for delivery in August eased back from its nine-month high the previous day, shedding 25 cents to settle at $114.81 a barrel in London.Brent crude oil is seeing a moderate correction to its recent advance on profit taking ahead of the weekend, as Iraq gathers more than 50,000 troops for a campaign against the Islamist insurgents who seized control of much of northern Iraq last week, said Tim Evans of Citi Futures. US President Barack Obama on Thursday announced that he was ready to send 300 advisers to Iraq and, if necessary, to take targeted and precise military action to counter radical Sunni fighters.Oil prices have hovered near nine-month highs on the Iraq tensions.Predominant gains this week have derived from the ongoing siege of Iraq's largest oil refinery, Baiji, said Dorian Lucas, an analyst at energy consultancy Inenco.Thus far the gains in Brent crude are based around sentiment that oil supplies from OPEC's second-largest producer may be disrupted, he said, noting that the Baiji refinery affects only oil processed for domestic use.The militants have captured swathes of the country's north but have yet to directly threaten the key oil-producing region in the south, the main source of exports.The country has more than 11 percent of the world's proved resources and produces 3.4 million barrels a day.

Dollar rebounds slightly on euro

Posted:

NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar edged higher against the euro after two days of losses in overall relatively steady foreign exchange markets Friday.The growing fighting in Iraq kept investors more focused on low-risk currencies, with little movement in US Treasury bonds as well.The dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen on Wednesday, which contrasted with slightly more hawkish forecasts for interest rates from Fed officials, kept trader eyes on economic data.But that too has been mixed, pointing traders in no specific direction.After the initial euphoria of lower rates forever passed, it became clear that market participants werent necessarily convinced that yields would remain low, DailyFX analyst Christopher Vecchio said of Yellens comments.

Plunkett and Broad strike against Sri Lanka

Posted:

LEEDS (AFP) - Liam Plunkett took his Test-best figures and Stuart Broad his second Test hat-trick as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 257 by England on the first day of the second Test at Headingley on Friday. Fast bowler Plunkett, on his Yorkshire home ground, took five for 64 in only his second Test in seven years after he was recalled for the drawn first match of this two-Test series at Lord's. Broad, who previously took a hat-trick against India at Trent Bridge in 2011, became the first England bowler, and only the fourth in all, to perform the feat twice in Tests after Australia's Hugh Trumble, Jimmy Matthews and Pakistan's Wasim Akram, when he removed Kumar Sangakkara (79), Dinesh Chandimal (45) and Shaminda Eranga with successive deliveries split across two overs.England at stumps were 36 without loss. Alastair Cook, the England captain, was 14 not out and Australia-born opener Sam Robson 21 not out.This was more for me, I wanted to perform at Test level and picking up five feels like I've done that, said Plunkett.Asked whether he or Broad would keep the match ball, Plunkett jokingly replied: I've got it but I'll cut a bit of the seam off for Stuart.England, who had seen Cook win the toss and opt to field first in overcast conditions were clearly confident of inflicting a fresh collapse upon Sri Lanka having come within one wicket of victory after dismissing nine of the tourists' batsmen on the last day at Lord's.But England's early good work threatened to be undone by Sri Lanka star batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who was given four reprieves on the way to top-scoring with 79.Sangakkara's innings was his third score in excess of 50 in this series, after he made 147 and 61 in at Lord's, and also the sixth successive Test innings in all that he'd past the half-century landmark.The left-hander could have been run out on nought and was then caught behind on 16, only for neither bowler Plunkett nor wicketkeeper Matt Prior to appeal.He was given a further life on 27 when Prior dropped a routine catch, again off Plunkett, and missed again on 57, when Moeen Ali failed to hold a far tougher chance at backward point.Sri Lanka, with Headingley bathed in bright sunshine after the early morning gloom, were making good progress at 228 for five.But Sangakkara eventually exited when he square-drove at Broad and Ian Bell, in his 100th Test, held an excellent catch in the gully.Sangakkara batted for just over three-and-a-half hours, facing 147 balls with 13 fours.His departure sparked a collapse that saw four wickets lost for one run in nine balls.The wicket started to play pretty well but flattened out, some good balls in the right areas and the tail not wagging for too long probably cost us 75 runs, Sangakkara said.Plunkett, who had already performed impressively Friday, then had Dhammika Prasad caught behind for a duck.Broad returned next over and ended an enterprising knock from Chandimal, playing in place of injured wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, when he was caught by Cook at first slip.Broad then had his hat-trick when tailender Eranga was caught behind although neither the bowler nor his England team-mates were aware of his feat until an announcement was made over the public address system.Plunkett, appropriately, ended the innings when he had Nuwan Pradeep, who'd frustrated England at Lord's by holding out for the final five balls of the match, caught behind.The 29-year-old Plunkett surpassed his previous Test-best of three for 17, also against Sri Lanka, in Birmingham in 2006.Sri Lanka thought they had Cook caught at slip by Sangakkara on five but, with replays inconclusive, the left-hander survived.I felt I jammed my fingers under it, but sometimes you really don't know, Sangakkara said.People used to walk, people don't walk, people used to take the fielder's word, but that's the way the game is now.There was further drama before stumps when play was briefly held up after a piece of cheese was thrown from among the crowd in the Western Stand at Eranga.

WIndies cruise to 10-wicket Test victory over NZ

Posted:

PORT OF SPAIN (AFP) - West Indies finally broke the back of New Zealand's resistance and romped to a 10-wicket victory after lunch on the final day of the second Test at Queen's Park Oval on Friday.Set 93 runs to win after the Black Caps were dismissed for 331 in their second innings, attacking opening batsman Chris Gayle stole the show with an unbeaten 80 off just 46 balls as the home side romped to 95 without loss off 13.2 overs.The result leaves the series tied at 1-1 heading into the third and final Test starting on Thursday at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.Gayle, who belted seven fours and six sixes, left Kraigg Brathwaite trailing in his wake. But it was the junior opening partner who took the Man-of-the-Match award for his first innings of 129.It was all very different at the start of the day, though, as New Zealand's late-order defiance and unsettled weather caused the home side no end of anxiety, especially as sub-standard cricket contributed to their own frustrations.Starting the day at 257 for eight, just 18 runs ahead with only two wickets in hand, the Black Caps' ninth-wicket pair of B.J. Watling and Mark Craig extended their partnership to 99, a new record in Tests for New Zealand against the West Indies.The Caribbean side broke through after 80 minutes' play when Craig was caught by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin for a topscore of 67 off Kemar Roach, giving the pacer his fourth wicket of the innings.Craig had continued to live a charmed life. In a bizarre sequence of events at the start of the final day, the left-hander edged through the slip cordon, was dropped by Benn at third slip and then had another edge missed by Chris Gayle low to his right at first slip when Ramdin chose not to attempt the catch. Jerome Taylor was the suffering bowler on each occasion.His eventual dismissal was the prompt for rain to then drive the players off the field, holding up play for 20 minutes as West Indian impatience grew.Last man Trent Boult hung around for more than half-an-hour with Watling as another 20 runs were eked out before touching a delivery from fast bowler Shannon Gabriel for Ramdin to take his fifth catch of the innings on the stroke of lunch.There are some things we still need to work on because we were a bit lazy in the field yesterday and today, said Ramdin, reflecting on his team's first Test win at the venue since 2008. I'm still learning as captain as well. There were a few tactical things I need to look at again.Watling was unbeaten on 66, his 387 minutes of unyielding defiance occupying 216 deliveries and including four boundaries.It was always going to be tough for us to get back in the game after we lost seven for 60 on the first day, said New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. It really sets it up now for Barbados, though.

12 terrorists killed as Zarb-e-Azb continues

Posted:

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – At least twelve more terrorists were killed and three hideouts were destroyed on Friday in Qutab Khel area on the outskirts of Miranshah, Dunya News reported citing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) sources.Reportedly, the attack was carried out by Army cobra gunship helicopters and it was an integrated action by cobra gunships, artillery and snipers.As per ISPR, the killed terrorists were foreigners. The army also destroyed a ‘huge’ repository of arms and ammunition belonging to the terrorists.It was also reported that terrorists were making desperate attempts to flee the area but the attempts were successfully foiled as the Operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ continues.

41 wounded as result of explosion at shrine in Islamabad

Posted:

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – At least 41 persons were wounded as a shrine in the locality of Pandoorian rocked with explosion during a celebratory ceremony. The injured were rushed to Benazir Hospital and Poly Clinic Hospital, Dunya News reported.According the reports, the explosives were planted at the entrance of the shrine that falls in the boundaries of Shahzad Town Police Station.The police say the explosion took place at Chan Pir Shrine and some 200 followers were present at the time.Reportedly, the planted bomb exploded during the food distribution that resulted in the injury of dozens.The rescue teams along with police contingent arrived at the sight as soon as the news came in. Those injured were rushed to PIMS, Benazir Hospital and Polyclinic hospital through ambulances.Following the explosion, the security of entry and exit points of the city has been tightened.

PEMRA suspends licences of ARY News, Geo Entertainment, fines 10 million

Posted:

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Friday suspended Geo Entertainment’s licence for 30 days, and ARY News’s licence for 15 days along with Rs 10 million penalties to both the channels, Dunya News reported.According to details, Geo Entertainment’s licence was suspended over blasphemous broadcast for 30 days whereas ARY News’s licence received 15-day licence suspension penalty for slandering judiciary.Geo’s morning show’s anchor Shaista Lodhi along with her team have been banned from broadcasting the show from any other network in Pakistan.ARY News show ‘Kharra Sach’ and its anchor Mubashir Lucman have also been barred from the broadcast.

Judicial tribunal orders Minhaj-ul-Quran to record statements

Posted:

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Judicial tribunal investigating Model Town tragedy on Friday ordered Minhaj-ul-Quran administration to participate in the proceedings against those responsible for the tragedy by recording their statements. The tribunal also sought full record of the incident from print and electronic media.Just when Justice Baqir Ali Najfi began proceedings of the tribunal, Inspector General (IG) Punjab did not appear, following which the Honorable judge expressed his anger. However, the IG arrived late and said he misunderstood tribunal’s orders about his appearance.The tribunal then gave the orders that the IG will comprehend the court orders correctly from now on and will appear when told to.The commission’s aides recorded their statements saying that fifteen to twenty of Minhaj-ul-Quran workers are still missing, adding that no one has any information over their whereabouts. The aides also told the tribunal that no evidence of ‘dangerous weapons’ has been presented to any court despite police’s claims.The tribunal was told that Gullu Butt has been booked under nominal sections through which he could be out on bail in one or two days and the judiciary will be held responsible.Following the hearing, tribunal ordered Secretary Culture to produce records broadcast on print and electronic media as evidence.The tribunal also invited the electronic media to assist in the proceedings. Commission’s registrar was directed to tell Minhaj-ul-Quran administration to participate in the proceedings so that the facts could be brought on record.

Rana Sanaullah's removal not sufficient: Tahirul Qadri

Posted:

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahir-ul-Qadri on Friday refused to accept Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s removal saying that it is not sufficient, Dunya News reported.PAT chief said that provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah’s removal is insufficient, expressing his fears that a single member commission will term every one not guilty. He said that the allegation of illegal weapons is false.Earlier, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif removed Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and Principal Secretary Dr Tauqir from their positions over Model Town tragedy, saying that he will not hesitate to offer any sacrifice for the sake of transparent investigation of the Model Town tragedy.Earlier, Dr Tahirul Qadri said that the only way to avenge Model Town tragedy is to bring revolution, adding that no example of such barbarism is seen in the country’s history. He asked if what happened in Model Town is democracy, Dunya News reported.Addressing via video link, Qadri said that PAT workers faced cruelty in the dark, claiming that bodies of several workers were disappeared.He said several of PAT workers are still missing. PAT chief said that democracy is the name of protecting people’s lives and properties.“Is what happened in Model Town democracy?” he asked.He asked how can there be conspiracy against democracy when there is no democracy in the country. He said that the country has never seen ‘barbarism’ like Model Town tragedy in its history.He said his party’s revolution is to implement all clauses of the constitution.“Our revolution is where children of the poor could get education and employment, our revolution is elimination of poverty,” he said.“Awami Tehreek’s revolution is democratic and constitutional.”He said he wants to see Pakistan as a true welfare state, adding that a movement of restoration of human rights in the country is about to start.

Model Town tragedy: CM Punjab removes Rana Samaullah from law ministership

Posted:

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Friday removed Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah from his position over Model Town tragedy, saying that he will not hesitate to offer any sacrifice for the sake of transparent investigation of the Model Town tragedy, Dunya News reported.Addressing an emergency press conference in Lahore, Sharif said that he has told Rana Sanaullah to resign, adding that Principal Secretary Dr Tauqir has also been removed from his post.Sharif said that the decision to remove law minister from his post is to obtain the justice. He said that he is willing to go to any extent for transparent investigation of the tragedy.“Fingers are being pointed towards me, I want to assure you I won’t sit peacefully until victims are provided justice,” he said.He said Rana Sanaullah has offered valuable sacrifices for party and stability of democracy, but difficult decisions are inevitable for the sake of justice.“The people who died in this tragedy are my people,” he said.“Won’t refuse to offer any sacrifice it takes for the transparent investigation of the event. If someone is not satisfied by the commission, they can bring the matter to the Supreme Court.”He said he won’t have any objection if Minhaj-ul-Quran takes the matter to the Supreme Court.

New Spanish king, queen to make debut visit to Vatican

Posted:

MADRID (AFP) - Spain's new King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will visit Pope Francis at the Vatican on June 30 on their first foreign trip since taking the throne, the government said Friday.Felipe, 46, a tall former Olympic yachtsman, and the elegant 41-year-old Letizia were proclaimed king and queen Thursday in a relatively modest ceremony to which no foreign leaders or royals were invited.Now the couple, who have two blonde-haired daughters -- seven-year-old Sofia and eight-year-old Leonor, heir to the throne -- are to travel around Spain and abroad, palace officials say.The king and queen have a very busy international agenda, the Vatican first, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo told public television TVE.A spokesman for the palace told AFP separately that the Vatican visit was scheduled for June 30. The couple will then head to Morocco on July 7 and Portugal on July 14, the spokesman said.After that they will visit France. No date has been set for that trip but it is likely also to be in July, he added.Garcia-Margallo said Felipe would attend the United Nations general assembly in New York in September where he would play a prominent role.Felipe will set out Spain's international policy and seek votes for the country's candidature for a seat on the UN Security Council in 2015-16, he added. Spain is vying against New Zealand and Turkey for one of the two temporary Security Council seats.While in New York, Felipe will have a first chance as king to meet President Barack Obama. The US leader sent a message Thursday congratulating the king on his investiture and saying he looked forward to working closely with him.The Vatican trip will be the couple's first foreign visit as king and queen following Felipe's swearing-in on Thursday, but not their first audience with Pope Francis, whose investiture they attended in March last year.They had an audience with the late Pope Jean Paul II in 2004 for a blessing shortly after their marriage, and another with his successor Benedict XVI in 2011.Spain is historically a Roman Catholic country, but Felipe broke with tradition by not having a religious ceremony to mark his swearing-in.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)