Tuesday 12 August 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

2015 will be year of revival of cricket in Pakistan: Najam Sethi

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LAHORE (Web Desk) – Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi on Tuesday said that 95 percent of favoritism culture from the team selection has been ended and if it continues then Pakistan will become the world’s number one team.Giving an interview to a German news agency Sethi said that he was appointed as the PCB chairman for three months just to supervise the elections but some people created hurdles in his path by the use of court because of their vested interest, adding that the court has realized its mistake.Sethi discouraged the favoritism culture and said, “I was the one who selected Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmad as coaches on merit”.Criticizing ex-board chairman, Sethi said, “Pakistan was isolated in the world cricket due to the bad decisions of Zaka Ashraf, I fought the case of PCB and restored the worth of Pakistan internationally”.“If the board applies my policies then Pakistan cricket will prove its mettle in four years”, he added.“Some people did not want to let the PCB chairman work, the criticism is akin to the attitude towards the elected representatives”, said Sethi.“If Pakistan wins the match then people lift the captain on their shoulders whereas if the team loses the match, they start abusing the chairman”.He further said that some people wanted to see Shahid Afridi as the national team’s captain but he chose Misbah ul Haq because it was the ‘right choice’.

Nobody will be allowed to attack Islamabad: Chaudhry Nisar

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ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that nobody will be allowed to attack the federal capital. He said that any political activity within the ambit of constitution will be respected but nobody will be allowed to create law and order situation in the federal capital.Nisar said that nobody could be permitted to paralyze the life of the citizens of Islamabad.Interior Minister said that if violent protests were allowed, such activities will become a routine in future. He informed that entrance of irrelevant people will be banned into the ‘Red-Zone’ from August 14.Police and Rangers have been deployed in heavy numbers in Islamabad. Chaudhry Nisar has directed the security agencies to especially safeguard the citizens and their belongings. He also directed the administrations of the twin cities to coordinate with each other.Chaudhry Nisar issued special directions to keep a strict check on the entrance and exit routes of Islamabad.

PM put burden on previous PPP regime, should not play blame game: Sharjeel Memon

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Sindh Information Minister ‎Sharjeel Memon while commenting upon Prime Minister (PM) ‎Nawaz Sharif’s address to the nation said that the ship has ‎already sailed, and PM should have announced the formation of ‎a commission much earlier, adding that all such decisions ‎should be taken in the parliament with the confidence of elected ‎representatives.‎Memon further said that the right to protest is a fundamental ‎human right under the constitution and the government has no ‎right to highjack constitutionally guarded civil liberties.‎Memon said that it is in the PM’s best interest to refrain from ‎playing the political blame game by putting all the blame on ‎the previous Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) regime for his own ‎blunders.

Electoral Reforms Committee finalizes rules and regulations

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ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Chairman of Parliamentary committee for Electoral Reforms Senator Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting of the committee today (Tuesday) in which the rules and regulations of the committee were formulated. The meeting was attended by members of all the parties.Election complaints were reviewed in detail during the meeting. During informal discussions with the media after meeting, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar told that the committee members will submit their recommendations till September 1. He informed that suggestions will be obtained from the common people, civil society and other stakeholders as well.Chairman of the committee said that other members of the parliament may also give suggestions but he wants the committee to conclude its job as early as possible.

Islamabad declared as 'Red Zone', complete tech shutdown

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Islamabad has been declared as a ‘red zone’, and there is ‎a complete closure of mobile phone services as well as an internet shutdown ‎within most parts of the city.‎According to Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA),the Federal Capital of Islamabad has been declared as a red zone including the areas ‎of Constitution Avenue and Margalla road, Kashmir road till Quaid-e-Azam ‎University have been shutdown.Sources added that this order for termination of ‎services was given by the government in order to combat terrorist elements, ‎which may damage offices of law enforcement agencies, and in response to any ‎other unforeseen occurrence.

What will SC commission do, govt influences everyone: Imran Khan

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Responding to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s address, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said that Supreme Court commission cannot independently audit the elections because everyone is influenced by the government, adding that the ‘Azadi March’ will proceed in any case, Dunya News reported.He said what kind of election it was if votes cannot be verified, adding that PTI wants a Pakistan where everyone is accountable.Imran Khan alleged that currently there is one law for the ruler, while another for the public.He said peaceful protest is their right and that the protest march will take place in any case.“Whatever you do, we will leave for Islamabad on August 14. You have to decide whether you’ll allow us the peaceful protest or not” he said.“Why are you scared of a re-election?” asked PTI chief. “You’re digging your own grave through your Gullu Butts.”Imran Khan said he will personally lead the long march, adding that he will not hesitate to offer his own blood as sacrifice.He also said that conducting personal businesses while being in the government is a conflict of interest in any democracy.Khan alleged that the murder the merit happens whenever Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) come into the government.“They destroyed Punjab police institution by using it for personal gains. The government hired criminals in the police force. They keep the criminals in their alliance, tell me why is Gullu Butt freed? Pakistan’s justice system will not apprehend Gullu Butts because this system can only come after the weak.” He said.Earlier, PTI chief Imran Khan said that PTI is going to Islamabad to bring ‘real freedom’, adding that the struggle will continue until the last drop of blood. He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s address doesn’t change anything and that he ‘Azadi March’ will take place in any case.Talking exclusively to Dunya News’ show On The Front hosted by Kamran Shahid, PTI chief said that the current election commission must resign and Supreme Court’s board should hold independent inquiry of election rigging after ousting Nawaz Sharif’s government.He said the Supreme Court’s board must bring those guilty of election rigging to the justice, adding that whatever the court decides would be acceptable to them.Khan demanded the formation of a caretaker government comprising technocrats to hold a re-election.He said his battle with Nawaz Sharif is not personal and that PTI’s ‘Azadi March’ movement will have no impact of Prime Minister’s address to the nation.

Putin vows to boost arms sales to Egypt's Sisi

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MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday promised Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to speed up the delivery of billions of dollars in arms and invited Cairo to forge free trade ties with a Moscow-led customs bloc.The two strong-willed leaders have developed a warm working relationship since Putin gave his backing to Sisis presidential run during the Egyptians visit to Moscow in February.Russian television showed the former field marshal descending the ramp of his plane and immediately being greeted with a display of heavy tanks and armoured vehicles assembled on the apron of the Sochi airport.We are actively developing our military and technological cooperation, Putin later told Sisi at the Russian presidents Black Sea resort summer residence.We signed a corresponding protocol in March. We are delivering weapons to Egypt. We are ready to expand this cooperation.Sisi in turn thanked Putin for being the first leader to invite him for a visit outside the Arab world since his swearing-in as head of state.All the people of Egypt are closely watching my visit and expecting a high level of cooperation between our states, Russian state news agencies quoted Sisi as telling Putin.I expect us to meet their expectations.Russia has jumped at the chance to grab a bigger slice of the Egyptian arms market after the United States suspended some of its weapons deliveries in the wake of Sisis crackdown on the former Islamic government last year.Cairo hosted the Russian defence and foreign ministers in November -- the first such visit since the Soviet era -- for discussions on an Egyptian arms purchase plan.Moscows Vedemosti business daily reported after those talks that Russia and Egypt were nearing a $3 billion (2.2 billion-euro) advanced missiles and warplanes deal that would be financed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.The report said Moscow and Cairo had already either initialled or signed contracts for the purchase of Mig-29 fighters and Russian attack helicopters as well as coastal defence systems.Egypt is most interested in air defence systems, said Moscows World Arms Trade Analysis Centre chief Igor Korotchenko.I think that the signing of actual contracts is just a question of time, the analyst said in a telephone interview. A political-level agreement has already been reached.- Free trade zone -Putin noted that Egypt could purchase a fifth of Russias total wheat exports and was eager to help fill the void left by Moscows sanctions on US and European produce and meat.The Russian leader also invited Cairo to establish a free trade zone between Egypt and a customs union Russia has forged with ex-Soviet Belarus and Kazakhstan.State media did not report Sisis response to the invitation -- if any. But it said he in turn told Putin that Russia was welcome to play a greater role in Egypts recently unveiled new Suez Canal project.Closer agricultural and military trade ties between Cairo and Moscow -- strategic partners during parts of the Cold War -- are unlikely to play well in Washington amid the effective freeze in East-West relations brought on by the Ukraine crisis.Putin has responded to his diplomatic isolation from the United States and its EU allies by striking a massive gas deal with China and inviting Latin American countries to sell their agricultural goods to Russia on preferential terms.

Muslim bloc condemns Israel's 'war crimes' in Gaza

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JEDDAH (AFP) - The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Tuesday condemned war crimes by Israel in Gaza and urged a meeting of donors on financing reconstruction in the enclave devastated by a month-long war.In a statement after a ministerial meeting, the second on Gaza in three days, the OIC said that in the liveliest terms the meeting condemned Israel, the occupying force, for war crimes it doesnt stop committing in the Palestinian territories.Israel should immediately cease its aggression against the Palestinian people and shoulder political and legal responsibility for war crimes, the statement said.Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said in a speech to the meeting: Israel should realise that peace is the only option to survive.The OIC also proposed a meeting of donors on the reconstruction of Gaza, where the war has caused $4 billion to $6 billion of damage, according to the Palestinian economy ministry.A Palestinian official said on Tuesday that Egypt has offered to host a conference of Gaza donors.The Egyptians proposed a few days ago to stage a donors conference at the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, said the official, who asked not to be named.The OIC praised Saudi Arabia for supplying medical aid worth 300 million riyals (about $80 million), as well as a commitment to provide $500 million towards reconstruction in Gaza.

Tripoli police chief assassinated: Libyan security

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TRIPOLI (AFP) - Hooded attackers shot dead Tripoli police chief Colonel Mohamed al-Suissi in the Libyan capitals eastern suburbs on Tuesday, a security source told AFP.Colonel al-Suissi was assassinated by a group of unknown hooded people who opened fire on him in his vehicle. Two men with him were kidnapped in the attack, said the source, who asked not to be named.Suissi had taken part in a meeting of Tajura municipal council in the eastern suburbs and was on his way back to Tripoli city centre when the attack took place, the source said.State news agency Lana confirmed the assassination and said Colonel Suissi died shortly after arrival at a nearby clinic.The agency added that the two bodyguards who had been abducted when Suissi was killed had been freed and were heading back to their Tripoli headquarters. It gave no further details.There was no immediate claim of responsibility.Interior ministry spokesman Rami Kaal said an investigation was underway into Suissis death, adding that funeral arrangements were being planned for the police chief.Since the fall of long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, the interim authorities have failed to establish order and security in a country prone to anarchy and deadly violence.They have been unable to restrain a large number of militias formed by ex-rebels who fought Kadhafi and who still hold sway across Libya.However, though the army and law enforcement services are regularly targeted in the eastern city of Benghazi, such attacks are rare in Tripoli.The killing of the police chief comes at a time of clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital, centred on the international airport which has been closed by the violence since July 13.Witnesses said the sound of explosions can be heard daily from the fighting.The clashes have killed at least 124 people and wounded more than 500. Officials say the strife has displaced around 36,000 people who have fled the area for safer parts of Tripoli.The violence has triggering a dire humanitarian situation in the Libyan capital, where petrol and bottled gas have become scarce along with food supplies and water.Many shops and banks have also stayed closed.

Kaneria loses final legal challenge against life ban

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LONDON (AFP) - Former Pakistan international Danish Kaneria has lost his final legal challenge in an English court against a life ban imposed by the England and Wales Cricket Board for spot-fixing while playing for county side Essex, it was announced Tuesday.Judge Stanley Burton, sitting in England's Court of Appeal, said an application by Kaneria to appeal against a life ban imposed by the ECB in June 2012, was totally without merit.Burton also decided Kaneria, who has made several attempts to get his ban overturned, could not request the decision be reconsidered at an oral hearing.His rulings mean Kaneria has exhausted all the legal options available to him in England to appeal a life ban which, under reciprocal arrangements between all members of the International Cricket Council, means the 33-year-old leg-spinner is barred from playing cricket worldwide.ECB chairman Giles Clarke, responding to the Court of Appeal's announcement, said in a statement: ECB welcomes today's decision to dismiss the application by Mr Kaneria to appeal the life ban imposed for his corrupt activity.Mr Kaneria acted as a recruiter of potential 'spot-fixers' and used his seniority and international experience to target and corrupt a young and vulnerable player.Clarke added: It is high time that Mr Kaneria came clean about his involvement in these corrupt activities and stopped misleading the Pakistan cricket fans and wider public with his empty protestations of innocence.- 'Apologise publicly' -========================We once again urge him to apologise publicly for his past actions and to start the process of redeeming himself by supporting the Pakistan Cricket Board's anti-corruption initiatives and assisting the police and law enforcement bodies in the Asian sub-continent with the vital job of exposing and cutting off the primary source of cricket corruption.In May, Britain's High Court rejected Kaneria's bid to overturn the ban imposed by ECB for encouraging a team-mate to bowl badly on purpose as part of a spot-fixing scam.The ECB had charged Kaneria, then playing for Essex, with inducing team-mate Mervyn Westfield to deliberately concede runs in an English county limited overs match against Durham in 2010.The ban was then subsequently applied globally by the ICC and Kaneria lost an appeal with the ECB disciplinary panel in July last year.The ECB took disciplinary action against Kaneria after former fast bowler Westfield agreed to spot fix and was jailed, the London court heard.The incident that sparked ECB action against both players took place during a one-day match between Essex and Durham on September 5, 2009.Westfield later revealed he'd bowled deliberately badly after agreeing to concede 12 runs in his first over for financial reward, Hamblen told the court.In the event he conceded 10 runs, including a wide, and received 6,000, the judge added.For this 'spot fixing' he was sentenced to four months' imprisonment in February 2012.Westfield was also given a five-year ban from cricket by the ECB.Pakistani cricket authorities launched an investigation after Kaneria appeared to contravene the terms of the global ban imposed by the ICC by playing in a series of Twenty20 games in Houston, Texas, in April.Three other Pakistani players -- Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer -- are serving five-year bans as a result of a separate 2010 spot-fixing case.Asif was also stopped from playing an exhibition match in Norway last year.

Supreme Court Commission to audit Elections: PM Nawaz Sharif

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ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Addressing the nation today (Tuesday), Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif informed that a commission of the Supreme Court of Pakistan will be formed to audit the Elections 2013. He told that the government was going to request the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Nasirul Mulk to form a commission to audit the elections. “We request the Chief Justice of Pakistan to constitute a 3-member commission to audit the General Elections”, said Nawaz.Earlier, PM Nawaz Sharif wished Happy Independence Day to the nation. The most important messages on this Independence Day are solidarity with Operation Zarb-e-Azb affectees and Internally Displace Persons (IDPs), said Nawaz Sharif.Prime Minister said that the nation needed to think about the reasons which have not allowed the country to progress. He said that the state institutions are working freely in the country. Prime Minister said that we needed to ponder upon the inabilities blocking our progress.He said that it was for the first time in the history of Pakistan that there was a peaceful transition from one government to another.We accepted the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK) mandate with open heart, PM said. Prime Minister said, I cant say a miracle has happened, but I can confidently say that the country is progressing. The projects that we have brought in the country and their pace are unprecedented in Pakistans history, said the Prime Minister.Nawaz Sharif informed that 10,400 Mega Watt projects have been initiated in the country during the last one year. “Lahore-Karachi Motorway is going to start in the next few months and budget has already been allocated for it”, told the Prime Minister.PM said that Pakistan-China Economic Corridor was also getting started in the next few months with the help of Chinese government.Prime Minister questioned the motives behind the long marches and protests. “Are they protesting because economy has started to get stable? Are they protesting because GDP growth rate has exceeded 4% after a long time? Are they protesting because youth is being given loans on easy terms for business? Are they protesting because international financial monitors have started to rate Pakistan as stable?”, asked Nawaz Sharif.Prime Minister asked the people of Pakistan to question the protesters if they had any good reason for protesting. He said that PMLN contested 2002 elections when the leaders of the party were in exile. “My nomination papers and Shahbaz Sharif’s were rejected in 2008, but we still contested the election”.PM Nawaz Sharif said that for the first time a Election Commission was formed with the consultation of all the parties. He said that the process of choosing the election commissioner was transparent.Nawaz Sharif said that none of the provincial caretaker chief ministers was proposed by Pakistan Muslim League (N). He said that journalists and media from all parts of the world and around 200 national and international observers observed the elections.“None of the national or international observers said that the elections were rigged. Election results were in accordance with all the local and international surveys conducted before the elections”, said Prime Minister.Prime Minister said that electoral reforms were a part of PMLN’s manifesto. He said that he asked Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to form a committee for electoral reforms comprising of all the parliamentary political parties. He said that 33-member committee has already been formed in the parliament for electoral reforms. We want to create a strong democracy”, said the Prime Minister. He vowed to make all the reforms consulting with other parliamentary parties.Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan had a Parliament functioning in the country and there was no need to decide the fate of the country on roads. He said that Pakistan was not a dysfunctional democracy and all the decisions about the future of the country must be made by the Parliament.PM said that he had welcomed the suggestions by other parties for improvement in the system previously and will continue to do the same in future as well. He said that Pakistan has a constitution and Pakistan’s parliamentary sovereignty will be safeguarded under any circumstances.“Nobody will be allowed to promote anarchy in the country. Nobody will be allowed to provoke people in the name of religion to cut the throats of political opponents”, said Nawaz Sharif. Prime Minister said that a few people, protesting on the roads, will not be allowed to hold hostage the mandate given by millions of people.Prime Minister asked the media to check its conduct. He asked the media to check if certain elements were trying to use it for their violent means. He admired media’s struggle for democracy.“I have been listening to rigging allegations for the last several months but no proofs were provided for rigging”, Prime Minister said. He said that it was an attempt to tarnish Pakistan’s image in the international community.

Colombia peace talks turn to reparations for victims

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HAVANA (AFP) - Peace talks between the Colombian government and leftist guerrilla group FARC resumed Tuesday, focused on the delicate topic of dealing with the 5.3 million victims of the 50-year-old conflict.Reparations for victims is one of the most sensitive items on the six-point agenda for the talks in Havana, since each side blames the other for violence that has killed 220,000 people and caused more than five million others to flee their homes.This matter is very important because it is going to hand us the keys to clear the path toward the reconciliation of the Colombian family, the rebel groups chief negotiator, Ivan Marquez, told journalists as the talks got under way.The peace negotiations, which started in November 2012, will reach one of their most dramatic moments on Saturday when the first of 60 victims begin testifying on their experiences, an exercise aimed at making both sides weigh the reparations requested by those affected by the conflict.The two sides have reached deals on three points of the six-point agenda: land reform, political participation for the rebels and fighting the drug trafficking that has fueled the conflict.The other points left to address are disarmament and the mechanism by which the final peace deal will be adopted.Founded in 1964, the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) today has about 8,000 fighters and is the largest of the guerrilla groups waging Latin Americas longest-running armed conflict.Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has made peace deals with the FARC and fellow rebel group the National Liberation Army (ELN) his top political priority.He took the oath of office last week for a second four-year term vowing to finally end the conflict, after an election campaign widely viewed as a referendum on the peace process.

UN Security Council threaten S.Sudan leaders with sanctions

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JUBA (AFP) - UN Security Council envoys warned South Sudans warring leaders Tuesday they would face sanctions if a civil war that has pushed the young nation to the brink of famine does not stop.The council has made it very clear: that it is prepared to impose consequences if there continue to be spoilers, if there continue to be people carrying out gross violations of human rights, US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said after meeting with President Salva Kiir.Representatives of the 15-member council, who arrived in the capital Juba Tuesday on a two-day mission, are due also to meet rebel chief Riek Machar.We will not tolerate violation of the cessation of hostilities and people who spoil the peace agreement, Power told reporters, in one of the strongest warnings yet.We have delivered that message here, we will deliver it to Riek Machar, she added.Thousands of people have been killed and over 1.5 million have fled almost eight months of carnage sparked by a power struggle between Kiir and his sacked deputy Machar, with battles between government troops, mutinous soldiers and ragtag militia forces divided by tribe.The parties must know that the people of South Sudan have suffered enough, Rwandan ambassador Eugene-Richard Gasana told reporters.The international community will not look on as a seemingly endless situation goes on.The ambassadors later left to visit the northern town of Malakal, one of the hardest hit areas in the fighting.The town has been left in ruins after swapping hands several times between government and rebels.Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial told reporters the diplomats would be shown what South Sudan is doing with regard to peace.- Famine now looms -Power said there were very worrying reports more weapons and arms were being brought into South Sudan for a fresh offensive, warning there was no military solution to end the conflict.There is a grave risk of famine that now looms, that hangs over this visit, she added.Fifty thousand children under five are at risk of dying by malnutrition in the coming months, and around half of this countrys population is facing grave food insecurity.The United Nations has said the South Sudan food crisis is the worst in the world, with aid workers warning of famine within weeks if conflict continues.US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday accused both sides of failing to commit to the peace process, a day after they missed a key deadline to forge a unity government.Deadlines keep passing and innocent people keep dying, Kerry said.Stop-start peace talks in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa which began in January officially restarted again last week, but the delegates have made little if any progress.This is an outrage and an insult to the people of South Sudan, Kerry said. Their leaders are letting them down again and again.The United States and the European Union have already imposed penalties on three senior army commanders from the government and opposition, while the regional IGAD bloc have suggested they could follow suit if progress was not made.Aid agencies have condemned what they say is a determination by leaders to try to defeat the other militarily.With the peace talks in Addis Ababa stalling, continuing violence throughout the country and a man-made food security crisis, the situation for South Sudan could not be more urgent, Oxfams Tariq Riebl said in a statement.Human Rights Watch has called for an arms embargo and sanctions in an open letter to the Security Council, reporting extraordinary acts of cruelty that amount to war crimes.

US stocks edge lower on German data, Iraq

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NEW YORK (AFP) - US stocks Tuesday opened lower as investors weighed disappointing German economic data.Five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 12.29 points (0.07 percent) to 16,557.69.The broad-based S&P 500 shed 2.27 (0.12 percent) to 1,934.65, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index lost 4.70 (0.11 percent) 4,396.53.The US economic calendar has no major releases Tuesday, but a reading on German investor confidence index calculated by the ZEW economic institute fell by 18.5 points to 8.6 points in August, its lowest level since December 2012.It was eighth monthly decline in a row in Europes largest economy and the sharpest since June 2012.

European stock markets dip on weak German investor sentiment

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LONDON (AFP) - Europes main stock markets slipped back on Tuesday following strong gains on Monday, with sentiment hit by weak German data that dragged the euro down as well.In afternoon trading, Londons benchmark FTSE 100 index stood at 6,631.07 points, a mere 0.03 percent below where it closed on Monday.Frankfurts DAX 30 fell 0.86 percent to 9,102.12 points and in Paris the CAC 40 slid 0.64 percent to 4,170.94.Investment sentiment in Germany fell to the lowest level for nearly two years in August owing to concern about economic fallout from the current global crises, a survey found.The widely watched investor confidence index calculated by the ZEW economic institute fell 18.5 points to 8.6 points in August, its lowest level since December 2012, a ZEW statement said.The disappointing showing in some European indices today can partially be attributed to some profit taking following the strong start to the week, while the disappointing ZEW figures will also be contributing to the decline, remarked Craig Erlam market analyst at Alpari traders.Expectations were quite low ahead of the release, which is perfectly understandable given the impact weve already seen on a number of data releases from the crisis in the Ukraine.When trading began in New York, US stocks joined the downward trend.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.07 percent to 16,557.69 points, the broad-based S&P 500 lost 0.12 percent to 1,934.65 and the the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gave up 0.11 percent to 4,396.53.European indices had rallied on Monday, with Frankfurt gaining almost 2.0 percent on easing worries over conflicts in Gaza, Iraq and Ukraine.Much has been made of the rising geopolitical risk recently with conflicts in the Ukraine, Iraq and Gaza ongoing, although the latter has eased up a little thanks to the latest agreed ceasefire not yet being broken, said Erlam.On Tuesday, Palestinian and Israeli delegations were to resume gruelling negotiations in Cairo aimed at ending the Gaza conflict as Egyptian mediators raced to narrow gaps between the warring sides.The fighting since early July has claimed the lives of 1,940 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 67 people on the Israeli side, most of them soldiers.In foreign exchange trading, the euro fell to $1.3356 from $1.3385 late in New York on Monday.The European single currency dropped to 79.55 pence from 79.73 pence on Monday. The pound was stable against the dollar at $1.6787.Ukraines national currency, the hryvnia, rit a record low of 13.14 to the dollar as fighting in the east hammers the economy.On the London Bullion Market, the price of gold grew to $1,311 an ounce from $1,307.25 on Monday.British insurer Prudential was one of the strongest risers on the London FTSE 100 index -- its share price rising 1.61 percent to 1,360.50 pence after the company announced bumper half-year profits.Asian stock markets had closed mostly higher earlier in the day after tracking European and US gains on Monday.
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