Friday 26 September 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Apple: Mac users mostly safe from 'Bash' bug

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WASHINGTON, Sept 26, 2014 (AFP) - Apple said Friday that its Macintosh PCs are unlikely to be affected by the recently discovered Bash bug that could hit millions of computers and other devices connected to the Internet.Even though the flaw was found in Unix-based Mac OS and Linux operating systems, most users of Apple computers should be protected, the US company said.The vast majority of (Macintosh) OS X users are not at risk to recently reported Bash vulnerabilities, an Apple spokesman said in an email to AFP.With OS X, systems are safe by default and not exposed to remote exploits of Bash unless users configure advanced Unix services. We are working to quickly provide a software update for our advanced Unix users.It comes a day after the US government and technology experts warned of a vulnerability in some computer operating systems that could allow widespread and serious attacks by hackers.Security specialists say that if hackers develop malware to exploit the weakness, millions of Internet-connected devices could be at risk -- from web servers to PCs to routers, as well as any smart or wearable electronic devices using the software.Some said the security hole would be more damaging than the Heartbleed bug which affected millions of computers worldwide earlier this year.Patches were being made available for the flaw, which is also called Shellshock.

EU unveils interim deal for ending Russia-Ukraine gas war

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Berlin (AFP) - The European Union on Friday unveiled an interim deal meant to end Russias latest gas war with Ukraine which could see a return of supplies to the crisis-hit nation and a renewal of trust between the rival neighbours.The so-called winter package unveiled in Berlin came with Moscow threatening to cut off Europes own gas shipments and a shaky truce in Ukraine tested by pro-Russian rebels defiant plans to stage their own elections.The EU-brokered deal also highlights the desire by Russia -- its flatlining economy already under pressure of Western sanctions -- to avoid any further complications with top gas import nations such as Germany.European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said after meeting his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts that the sides had reached an interim solution to ensure supplies until spring.- Different spins -But the Russian and Ukranian energy ministers quickly put their own spins on the outcome of the talks and remained far from certain whether the governments in Kiev and Moscow would formally approve the compromise.© AFPRussian Energy Minister Alexander Novak gives a press statement after talks on energy security between EU-Commissioner for Energy and Ukrainian Energy Minister on September 26, 2014 in Berlin © AFP Odd AndersenOettinger said Moscow was ready to resume deliveries if Kiev paid Russian energy giant Gazprom back debts worth $3.1 billion (2.4 billion euros) by late December.The payment would theoretically see Gazprom deliver at least five billion cubic metres of gas to Ukraine through the winter months.The gas volume is roughly equivalent to the amount Ukraine had said it needed to make it through the winter without imposing draconian energy savings measures that had already left parts of Kiev without hot water for two months.Russia said the deal would see Ukraine win a six-month discount of 20 percent on the price of $485 per 1,000 cubic metres of gas it set after the February ouster in Kiev of a Kremlin-backed president.But Ukraine calls that rate illegitimate and now claims that the $385 rate unveiled in Berlin was not a temporary discount but the actual future contract price.Ukranian Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan added that the $3.1 billion payment to Gazprom was meant to cover future deliveries and not the debts that Moscow claims but Kiev disputes.The progress is that we have started the negotiations, Prodan told reporters.But for now, we have not found a solution acceptable to all.Ukrainian pipelines account for about 15 percent of all gas imported by Europe -- reliant on Russia for about a third if its outside supplies.© AFPUkrainian servicemen patrol in an armoured personnel carrier along a road in the eastern Donetsk region, on September 25, 2014 © AFP/File Anatolii BoikoEU nations fear that Kiev may be forced to tap into their flows if no agreement is found by the time the winter heating season begins.The three-way meeting was convened amidst general mistrust on all sides and with Moscow-Kiev relations dependent on the fate of a fragile truce in a pro-Russian uprising that has claimed more than 3,200 lives.On Friday the OSCE mediated a first face-to-face meeting between Russian and Ukrainian military to work on details laid out in the ceasefire deal signed on September 20.Representatives of the pro-Russian rebels were also present at the meeting near the border in a part of Donetsk province under Ukrainian control, both sides said, though it was unclear whether they engaged in the discussion.Issues on the table included the removal of mines and heavy weaponry, as well as the creation of a 30-kilometre buffer zone along the front line.- Russian threat -The shaky peace pact -- broken on Friday by shelling which killed one civilian -- has not averted a fresh bid by the eastern insurgents to set up independent republics through parliamentary and leadership polls on November 2.Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has urged Russia not to recognise the votes and vowed to pursue a goal of the unified country applying for EU membership in 2020 and eventually joining NATO.But Moscow had appeared ready to up the stakes further in its Cold War-style standoff with the West over Ukraine.© AFPA man rides a bicycle next to gas pipes on September 19, 2014 in the Oktiabrskiy district in Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine © AFP/File Philippe DesmazesRussias energy minister asserted that some European nations re-export to Ukraine of Gazprom gas -- deliveries meant prop up Kievs pro-Western government -- could lead to the EU states themselves being cut off.We hope that our European partners will stick to the agreements. That is the only way to ensure there are no interruptions in gas deliveries to European consumers, Alexander Novak told Germanys Handelsblatt business daily.Novaks comments were published only hours after Ukraines state energy firm Naftogaz reported an interruption of gas supplies it receives through Hungary.Naftogaz noted that the apparent cut came only a few days after a visit to Hungary by representatives from Gazprom.Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban conceded that his country could not risk losing access to its required supply of energy -- Russia covers about 60 percent of the countrys needs -- over Ukraine.The European Union rapped Orban over the decision but took no further action.There is nothing preventing EU companies to dispose freely of gas they have purchased from Gazprom, Commission spokeswoman Helene Kearns said.

Up to 100 Afghans killed, 12 beheaded, in Taliban offensive

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Kabul (AFP) - A major Taliban offensive in eastern Afghanistan over the past week has left up to 100 civilians and security personnel dead, 12 of them beheaded, officials said Friday, as violence worsens with the withdrawal of US-led troops.This summers fighting season has seen Taliban militants advance in several provinces, exploiting a prolonged political deadlock in Kabul over disputed presidential election results.The latest series of attacks have focused on Ajristan district in the strategically important province of Ghazni, after recent offensives in Kandahar, Helmand and Logar.The militants beheaded 12 civilians in four villages, Mohammad Ali Ahmadi, deputy governor of Ghazni, told AFP.We do not have a precise figure, but we estimate 80 to 100 people were killed over the past one week.Heavy fighting has involved hundreds of Taliban against the security forces.The condition is very critical in this district. We have been informed by the central government that they have sent reinforcements.The Taliban have often beheaded victims in the past, particularly Afghan soldiers and villagers accused of spying, while they also beheaded 17 civilians attending a party in 2013.© AFPMap of Afghanistan locating the region hit by the latest wave of Taliban killings © AFPAhmadi said Ajristan was at risk of falling into Taliban control, adding that 60 to 70 homes had been burnt down and that communication with security forces in the district was scarce.Asadullah Ensafi, deputy police chief of Ghazni -- which is located between the capital Kabul and the Taliban heartlands of the south -- confirmed details of the offensive and said fierce fighting was ongoing Friday.The interior ministry in Kabul was not immediately available for comment. The government has said that Afghan soldiers and police have successfully beaten back previous Taliban offensives in past months.The 350,000-strong Afghan security forces have been trained from scratch since 2001 by the US-led NATO coalition, which is now winding down its war in Afghanistan.All NATO combat operations will finish by the end of this year, with about 12,000 troops staying on into next year on a follow-up training and support mission.- Troubled election -The three-month election stand-off was finally broken Sunday when a unity government deal was agreed, with Ashraf Ghani serving as the next president and his rival Abdullah Abdullah taking up the new role of chief executive.Ghani was declared winner of the fraud-tainted election, but the margin of victory and turnout was kept secret until Friday over concerns that fraud allegations could trigger violence from aggrieved Abdullah supporters.© AFPAn Afghan policeman inspects the site of a suicide attack in Ghazni, eastern Afghanistan on September 4, 2014 © AFP/File Rahmatullah AlizadahAt an Independent Election Commission (IEC) ceremony, Ghani was presented with a certificate that confirmed he was the clear winner with 55.27 percent of the ballot in the run-off vote on a turnout of 7.12 million voters.The exact size of the electorate is unknown but estimated at between 12 million and 13.5 million.The June 14 election was meant to cap the multi-billion-dollar military and civilian aid intervention in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.But it was marred by widespread fraud, repeating serious problems seen in previous elections since the introduction of a nascent democracy after the Taliban era.The UN-supervised audit invalidated 1,206 of the 22,828 ballot boxes -- meaning several hundred thousand votes were thrown out.The UN mission in Afghanistan described fraud as significant, and accusations have been pointed at both campaigns teams as well as outgoing President Hamid Karzai and the IEC itself.Ghani said on Friday he would prioritise electoral reform to prevent future problems, and he vowed to unite the country after fears that the disputes had revived ethnic divisions of the 1990s civil war.The political transition was a success and all those who predicted it was not possible have been proven wrong, Ghani said.We are one people, one country, and there should not be any doubts in our national unity.

IMF fast-tracks $130 mn for Ebola fight in West Africa

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Washington (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund fast-tracked $130 million in aid Friday to fight the Ebola epidemic in the worst-hit countries in West Africa.The IMF executive board strongly approved the financial assistance, in an expedited decision, to help Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone respond to the rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak that has killed nearly 3,000 since December, it said in a statement.The financing, requested by the three governments, will be made available immediately: Guinea, $41 million; Liberia, $49 million; and Sierra Leone, $40 million.The Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone has already cost too many lives, said IMF managing director Christine Lagarde in the statement.The IMF is working hard with the authorities of the affected countries and their development partners to ensure that the outbreak is quickly brought under control and to assist the economic rebuilding effort that must follow.The 188-nation IMF said the emergency aid comes in addition to its existing programs in the three already-fragile countries. The new funds are aimed at helping the governments cover part of their immediate financing needs, estimated at $100 million for each country.Lagarde called on other potential donors to move quickly to help cover the balance of the shortfalls.The rapidly deteriorating health situation underscores the urgency of this support, she said.In addition to the emergency funds, the IMF board approved 25 percent increases of the quotas of the three countries, increasing their ability to access IMF financing.With the viral epidemic still raging, the IMF said preliminary projections show growth could plunge by at least 3.0-3.5 percent in Liberia and Sierra Leone and by about 1.5 percent in Guinea.The Fund is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide further assistance through this challenging period, Lagarde said.World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York have pledged fresh assistance in battling the growing crisis, which has overwhelmed the health systems in the worst-hit countries.On Thursday, the World Bank raised its emergency aid in the anti-Ebola campaign by $170 million to $400 million.The Bank said the fresh financing for Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone will go toward expanding the health-care workforce and buying needed supplies for care and treatment.

Indian PM in US after decade-long boycott

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New York (AFP) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday started a US visit where he will receive a rousing welcome after a decade-long boycott, but a lawsuit filed against him revived past grievances.The Hindu nationalist -- who was refused a visa in 2005 over anti-Muslim riots when he was leader of Gujarat -- pressed his hands together in a traditional namaste greeting on arrival in New York, where he will address the UN General Assembly on Saturday before heading to Washington.Modi will meet business leaders and on Sunday achieve the feat of a rock star by addressing the 18,200-capacity Madison Square Garden sports arena in a massive reception organized by Indian American activists, who have long campaigned to rehabilitate his image.Modi, who earlier this year led his Bharatiya Janata Party to Indias biggest electoral mandate in three decades, has shown no signs of bitterness over his past treatment by the United States and has called for the worlds two largest democracies to work closely together.India and the US have a fundamental stake in each others success -- for the sake of our values and our many shared interests, Modi wrote Friday in The Wall Street Journal.The complementary strengths of India and the US can be used for inclusive and broad-based global development to transform lives across the world, he wrote, saying the two countries can also advance peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.- Lawsuit revives dispute -© AFPLawyers for rights group the American Justice Center (AJC) president Joseph Whittington (C) speaks as attorney Salman Yunus (R) and Gurpatwant Pannun listen during a press conference in New York on September 26, 2014© AFP Jewel SamadBut past tensions over the Gujarat riots came back into focus as a New York court issued a summons to Modi in a lawsuit to answer allegations of attempted genocide over the 2002 violence, which left at least 1,000 people dead.The American Justice Center, a human rights group, announced at a press conference that it had hired three people to serve the summons to Modi at his US events and that it would offer $10,000 to anyone else who successfully handed Modi the notice and caught the moment on camera.The lawsuit, using a US law that allows prosecution of foreign officials over crimes against humanity, seeks damages for three survivors living in the United States.The Indian foreign ministry in a statement called the case frivolous and malicious and said it aimed to distract attention from Modis visit. Modi has denied wrongdoing over the violence and has never been charged.A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Modi as a head of government enjoyed immunity and that the case would not district from the summit.In US civil law, a court issues a summons to a defendant in a lawsuit and the move does not indicate that further action would be taken.But New York court cases are especially sensitive for India after one of its diplomats was arrested in December on charges of mistreating her servant. India angrily took counter-measures, viewing her treatment as insulting.- Red carpet welcome -© AFPIndian tattoo artist Jagruti Parmar paints portraits of US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi onto the back of a model at her studio in Ahmedabad on September 26, 2014, in commemoration of Modis visit to the US © AFP Sam PanthakyThe United States has been racing in recent months to make up for lost time with Modi and to undo the damage from the diplomats arrest.The US ambassador met with Modi during the election as it became clear his party would triumph. Since Modi took office, Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel have both traveled to New Delhi.Obama invited Modi for talks at the White House next week after the UN General Assembly, an unusual invitation by the US leader who is sparing in the number of meetings during the giant annual summit in New York.The United States and India have had warming relations since the end of the Cold War and the two countries have largely similar worldviews on the threat of Islamist extremism and the rise of China.Modi is particularly eager to attract US investment to meet campaign goals to provide jobs for millions of Indians.

Abbas demands end to Israeli occupation 'now'

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United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas demanded on Friday an end to Israeli occupation, telling the United Nations that the time for Palestinian independence had come.Abbas also vowed to seek war crimes prosecutions against Israel over what he called the 50-day war of genocide in Gaza that killed 2,140 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and left the enclave in ruins.There is an occupation that must end now. There is a people that must be freed immediately, Abbas said in an address to the UN General Assembly in New York.The hour of independence of the state of Palestine has arrived.Abbas, however, did not set a deadline for fast-tracking to Palestinian statehood, after aides suggested they were eyeing 2017 as a possible date.Describing Israeli attacks on Gaza as a genocidal crime, Abbas pledged: We will not forget and we will not forgive, and we will not allow war criminals to escape punishment.The war in Gaza was a series of absolute war crimes carried out before the eyes and ears of the entire world, he said, citing the destruction left behind and the deaths of children.More than 460 children were killed in the violence, according to UNICEF, including in the Israeli shelling of UN-run shelters that Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has described as a violation of international humanitarian law.A source in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus entourage described the speech as one inciting hate, and riddled with lies.© AFPIsraeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman looks on before a meeting at the Foreign Affairs Ministry on September 7, 2014 in Jerusalem © AFP/File Gali TibbonA man of peace doesnt speak like that, the source said.Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman criticized the false accusations made by Abbas and accused him of diplomatic terrorism.The Palestinians have threatened to join the Hague-based International Criminal Court to allow legal action to be taken against Israel, but Abbas did not specify in his address whether he would resort to the ICC.In 2012, the Palestinians won the status of observer state in the United Nations, which gives them the ability to become a party to the ICC, where they could sue Israeli officials over war crimes.The United Nations agreed in July to open an investigation of alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza, led by Canadian international law expert William Schabas.Abbas spoke after rival Palestinian factions reached a unity deal that will pave the way for the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza and for a massive internationally-funded reconstruction effort to begin.- Future of apartheid -In his address to the 193-nation Assembly, Abbas asserted that years of negotiations had failed, accusing Israel of forging ahead with settlements and maintaining a blockade of Gaza despite formal pledges of peace.The future proposed by the Israeli government for the Palestinian people is at best isolated ghettos for Palestinians on fragmented lands, Abbas said.At worst it will be a most abhorrent form of apartheid, he warned, referring to the racist regime that ruled South Africa until free elections in 1994.© AFPA Palestinian man rests under a tent erected on the rubble of his house which was destroyed during the fifty days of conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, on September 25, 2014 © AFP/File Mohammed AbedAbbas said a resolution backed by Arab countries would be presented to the UN Security Council to re-launch talks with a view to reaching a final settlement with Israel on the two-state solution.It remained unlikely that such a resolution would garner support within the 15-member council, notably from the United States, which has repeatedly vetoed resolutions seen as undermining Israel.The council has been trying for weeks to unite behind a draft resolution seeking to shore up a ceasefire accord in Gaza, riven by divisions over the terms for a sustainable peace.Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, earlier this month said the Palestinians would be seeking a three-year deadline for achieving statehood.The war in Gaza ended on August 26 when the two sides agreed in Cairo on a ceasefire and to hold future talks on Palestinian demands to end an eight-year blockade of Gaza.

Anti-jihadist coalition widens as strikes hit Syria oil assets

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London (AFP) - The US-led coalition against the Islamic State group widened on Friday with Britain, Belgium and Denmark approving plans to join air strikes in Iraq.But Washington said up to 15,000 moderate rebels would be needed to beat back the jihadists in Syria, where the Pentagon said air raids had disrupted lucrative oil-pumping operations that have helped fund the militants.The White House welcomed the new countries recruited to the Iraq operation, who are expected to deploy a total of 19 fighter jets in the air campaign.Britains House of Commons voted overwhelmingly by 524 lawmakers in favour and 43 against a motion authorising air strikes in Iraq.Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said there would be no immediate military action but that it would be a long, drawn-out campaign.We have to select our targets in accordance with the American and international effort thats going on in Iraq, Fallon told Sky News, also noting there had been a lot of support for military action in Syria during a sometimes heated parliamentary debate.Ahead of the vote, Prime Minister David Cameron told lawmakers IS must be confronted.This is not a threat on the far side of the world. Left unchecked, we will face a terrorist caliphate on the shores of the Mediterranean, Cameron said.Washington is eager to build the broadest possible coalition including Arab allies to tackle IS, which has captured large areas of Syria and Iraq and declared an Islamic caliphate.- Oil trade shutdown -© AFPPolice officers stand guard outside the Houses of Parliament where lawmakers are expected to vote in favour of joining air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in central London on September 26, 2014 © AFP Justin TallisBritain, Belgium and Denmark should join warplanes from the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan that are already hitting IS targets.The Netherlands is also sending six F-16 jets and will provide 250 military personnel and 130 trainers for the Iraqi military, and Greece said it would send arms to Kurdish forces in Iraq.In recent days, Washington and its allies have targeted the funding sources of what US President Barack Obama has branded a network of death.In the latest air strikes, US planes destroyed four tanks operated by militants in Syria as well as several vehicles and jihadist positions in Iraq, the Pentagon said.The US-led coalition also bombed oil refineries in east and northeast Syria where IS jihadists extract crude for sale on the black market, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group.Experts say sales of oil from Syria and Iraq usually earn IS up to $3 million (2.4 million euros) a day.© AFPProtesters hold placards which read Dont Bomb Iraq outside the Houses of Parliament where lawmakers are expected to vote in favour of joining air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in central London on September 26, 2014 © AFP Justin TallisBut now, according to activists in Deir Ezzor, pumping has stopped.Oil extraction has been halted because of the security situation, said Leith al-Deiri, who spoke to AFP via the Internet.Another activist from Deir Ezzor, Rayan al-Furati, confirmed the halt.There are no traders or clients going to the fields, (because they are) fearing the strikes, he said.- Ground component -The US is also planning to train and arm 5,000 Syrian rebels as part of the effort, although the top US military officer, General Martin Dempsey, said a force of between 12,000 and 15,000 would be required to recapture lost territory in eastern Syria.The general said defeating the IS group would take more than air power and that a ground component was an important aspect of the US-led campaign.We believe the path to develop that is the Syrian moderate opposition, he said.© AFPThe alliance against the Islamic State (IS) group © AFP L.Saubadu, J.Jacobsen, jj/Britain and France have both for now ruled out launching strikes in Syria at the hub of the IS groups power, unlike the Arab allies taking part in the air campaign.London however said it would reserve the right to intervene in Syria in case of a humanitarian catastrophe, for example in the case of an imminent massacre, without first consulting parliament.ISs brutal abuses against civilians, rival fighters and Arab and Western hostages, as well as its success in recruiting Western members, have caused international alarm.British police this week arrested 11 people suspected of links to Islamic extremists, including a notorious radical preacher who was released on Friday.In France, hundreds of people gathered in Paris answering a call by Muslim leaders to denounce the barbarism of Islamic State, as flags across France flew at half mast after the beheading of a French national by an IS-linked group in Algeria.The coalition strikes in Syria are reported to have killed at least 140 jihadists as well as 13 civilians.The Syrian Observatory on Friday reported that a senior IS jihadist had been killed with a targeted strike on the motorbike he was travelling in after leaving a military base in eastern Syria.The conflict that began in Syria in March 2011 as an uprising against President Bashar al-Assads regime has spawned a massive refugee crisis, with more than three million Syrians now taking refuge from the war abroad.

Britain votes to join US-led air strikes against jihadists

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London (AFP) - British lawmakers on Friday voted overwhelmingly to join anti-jihadist air strikes in Iraq as US-led raids in Syria disrupted the Islamic State groups lucrative oil-pumping operations.The House of Commons voted by a majority of 524 to 43 after the main political parties all approved military action saying that lessons from the past of the 2003 Iraq war had been learned.This is not a threat on the far side of the world. Left unchecked, we will face a terrorist caliphate on the shores of the Mediterranean, Prime Minister David Cameron said ahead of the vote.He warned the campaign could last for years as dissenting MPs in the debate questioned the duration and scope of the operation.Washington is eager to build the broadest possible coalition to tackle IS, which has captured large areas of Syria and Iraq and declared an Islamic caliphate.Britains Royal Air Force would join warplanes from the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan hitting IS targets.Following the vote, British action is expected within days at the latest despite planned anti-war protests.In recent days, Washington and its allies have carried out bombing targeting the funding sources of what US President Barack Obama has branded a network of death.In the latest airstrikes, US planes destroyed four tanks operated by militants in Syria as well as several vehicles and jihadist positions in Iraq, the Pentagon said.The US-led coalition also bombed oil refineries in east and northeast Syria where IS jihadists extract crude for sale on the black market, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group.© AFPProtesters hold placards which read Dont Bomb Iraq outside the Houses of Parliament where lawmakers are expected to vote on joining air strikes against Islamic State militants in central London on September 26, 2014 © AFP Justin TallisExperts say sales of oil from Syria and Iraq usually earn IS between $1 million and $3 million a day.But now, according to activists in Deir Ezzor, pumping has stopped.Oil extraction has been halted because of the security situation, said Leith al-Deiri who spoke to AFP via the Internet.Another activist from Deir Ezzor, Rayan al-Furati, confirmed the halt.There are no traders or clients going to the fields, (because they are) fearing the strikes, he said.- No consensus on Syria -© AFPAn image grab taken from a video released by Islamic State groups official Al-Raqqa site via YouTube on September 23, 2014, allegedly shows Islamic State (IS) group recruits marching in an unknown location © IS Raqqa / HO/AFP/FileBritain and France have both been careful to rule out launching strikes in Syria at the hub of the IS groups power, unlike the Arab allies taking part in the aerial campaign.I do believe theres a strong case for us to do more in Syria but I did not want to bring a motion to the house today which there wasnt consensus for, Cameron said on Friday.Denmark said Friday it would send seven F-16 fighters to help combat IS militants in Iraq, joining Belgium and the Netherlands which also plan to deploy six aircraft each.The Netherlands will also provide 250 military personnel and 130 trainers for the Iraqi military, and Greece said it would send arms to Kurdish forces battling the jihadists.Turkey has so far declined to take part in military action, and has denied claims that its airspace or airbases have been used by coalition forces.But President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that Ankara had changed its stance on its involvement in the campaign against IS following the release of Turkish hostages held in Iraq,He said that necessary steps would be taken by parliament on October 2, without elaborating.- Extremist suspects held -© AFPBritish Prime Minister David Cameron leaves the Houses of Parliament in London on September 26, 2014 after lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining US-led air strikes on Islamic State (IS) targets in Iraq © AFP Justin TallisISs brutal abuses against civilians, rival fighters and Arab and Western hostages, as well as its success in recruiting Western members, have triggered international alarm.FBI director James Comey said Thursday there was no doubt that jihadists would try to stage revenge attacks in the United States.The logic is that if they aspire to be the leader of the global jihad you dont get there without striking America, he said.He also said the FBI had identified the Islamic State jihadist with a British accent who has appeared in videos showing the beheading of two US journalists and a British aid worker, although he declined to give further details.On Thursday and Friday, police in London arrested 11 people suspected of links to Islamic extremists, including a notorious radical preacher.The coalition strikes in Syria are reported to have killed at least 140 jihadists as well as 13 civilians.Fighting between regime troops and rebels has continued on the ground in Syria alongside the international air strikes, with the army recapturing a key strategic town near Damascus on Thursday.The conflict that began in Syria in March 2011 as an uprising against President Bashar al-Assads regime has spawned a massive refugee crisis, with more than three million Syrians now taking refuge from the war abroad.

FIFA president Blatter to stand for fifth term

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Zurich (AFP) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter confirmed Friday that he would stand for a fifth term in charge of world football in an election in May next year.I have announced to the Executive Committee ... that I will accept the demands of different associations and federations (to stand for election) to serve FIFA for a fifth mandate, Blatter said.The 78-year-old has been FIFAs leader since 1998, but has faced growing criticism from European football chiefs in recent months.The World Cup, a multi-billion dollar earner for FIFA, is also embroiled in controversy over the way the 2018 and 2022 tournaments were decided.His path to a virtually automatic re-election was opened up after UEFA leader Michel Platini announced in August that he would not challenge Blatter.First of all Im not running - Im at their disposal. FIFA is a service and I want to go on serving, Blatter said, stressing that his fourth term had yet to run its full term and that FIFA was not at the end of our reform.I have been contacted, I have been asked, just before the (pre-World Cup) congress in Sao Paulo by five of the six confederations saying please stay and be our president because, at the time at least, they say we have no other candidate.Blatter said after winning his fourth term in 2011 that it would be his last, but made it clear in recent months that he has changed his mind.The election will be held at next FIFA congress in Zurich on May 29, 2015, with candidacy bids open until January 29. So far the only other candidate is Jerome Champagne, a former FIFA deputy secretary general from France.Champagne, 56, has said FIFA needs reform after widespread accusations of corruption, but has acknowledged he has little chance of beating Blatter.Turning to the probe into the way the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were awarded, Blatter said there had been no request from any FIFA member to publish in full the report by Michael Garcia, the former US federal prosecutor now spearheading allegations of corruption in those two bids.His comments come despite public pronouncements to the contrary from some FIFA members -- and Garcia himself -- this week.Hans-Joachim Eckert, the chairman of FIFAs adjudicatory chamber, which will decide on the future of the report and whether it will be published, is expected to make a statement on the findings in early November.Blatter also played down uproar over luxury watches given as a gift to FIFA Executive Committee officials by organisers of the Brazil World Cup.FIFA officials had been given until October 24 by the Ethics Committee of world footballs governing body to hand back luxury Parmigiani watches, each valued at some 20,000 euros, and offered as gifts by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).While European football chief Platini has already said he would not return his watch, Blatter seemed inclined to agree, saying: This is a non-problem.

Europe grabs 5-3 lead after day one at Ryder Cup

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Gleneagles (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson won twice and Rory McIlroy swiped a key half-point as Europe rallied for a 5-3 lead over the United States after day one of the Ryder Cup.The Americans led 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 after the morning fourball matches but they barely kept Europe from sweeping a foursomes session for the first time in Ryder Cup history.It has been a good start, Rose said. It has been really special. It was just a great day. Really enjoyed it.World number one McIlroy and Sergio Garcia won the last two holes to pinch a half-point from Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker while Graeme McDowell and French debutante Victor Dubuisson ended the four-match unbeaten Cup run of Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley.It has been a long hard fought day, Fowler said. It was nice this morning. Hurts a little bit this afternoon. Thats the Ryder Cup.© AFPTeam Europes Victor Dubuisson of France plays a shot during the foursome afternoon matches on the first day of the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Gleneagles Hotel in Gleneagles, Scotland, on September 26, 2014 © AFP Ben StansallRose, the 2013 US Open champion from England, and Swedens Stenson combined to beat Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 5 and 4 in morning fourballs and Hunter Mahan and Zach Johnson 2 and 1 in afternoon foursomes at cool and windy Gleneagles.The wind was gusting and you could sort of lose your confidence very quickly out here. When the wind is buffeting you, very easy to miss putts, Rose said. It was nice to kick on this afternoon and get that point.Europes biggest fightback was by McIlroy and Garcia, who lost 1-up to Mickelson and Bradley in fourballs but halved with Fowler and Walker.We needed it, we really did, McIlroy said. It was big and at least we get something out of the day. We played two really tough matches and we have half a point to show for it.McIlroy sank a 40-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th hole to send the match to the par-5 18th, where Garcia dropped his 5-wood approach 25 feet from the hole. McIlroy missed his hard-breaking eagle putt but the tap-in birdie was enough to win the hole and swipe a half-point.We fought as hard as we could, Garcia said. Half a point is just huge.And an early US lead had vanished.Its amazing how different a feel it is from the morning to the afternoon, Walker said. Exciting, exhilarating, heartbreaking, excruciating. You get it all. It was really fun.Europe, seeking a sixth win in seven tries, need 14 points to keep the trophy while the Americans need 14 1/2 to reclaim the Cup. Fourballs and foursomes will be played again Saturday followed by 12 concluding singles matches Sunday.McDowell and Dubuisson, who sat out the morning session, beat five-time major winner Mickelson and Bradley 3 and 2 as the 24-year-old rookie sparkled.This kid is the next superstar in Europe, McDowell said. He didnt need much advice. Just wind him up and let him go.© AFPPlayers walk off the 17th tee during the foursome afternoon match on the first day of the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Gleneagles Hotel in Gleneagles, Scotland, on September 26, 2014 © AFP Glyn KirkDubuisson, Europes youngest player, shook off his anxiety quickly.I was a little nervous, he said. When I got on the tee with Graeme it was just a dream. It was fantastic. My stress completely disappeared.McDowell, who clinched the victory with a 15-footer birdie putt at the 15th, was not the only winning mentor to a newcomer in foursomes as Englands Lee Westwood and Welsh rookie Jamie Donaldson beat Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar 2-up.Westwood, a captains pick ranked lowest in the Cup field at 44th, moved to 5-0 with two halved in Cup pairs matches against fourth-ranked Furyk, each making his ninth Cup appearance.There was no doubt in my mind Jamie was up to the task, Westwood said. We played well out there, about 4-under, and thats a quality match under these conditions.- Hot start for USA -© AFPPhil Mickelson of theUS putts on the eighth green during the fourball match on the first day of the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Gleneagles Hotel in Gleneagles, Scotland, on September 26, 2014 © AFP Glyn KirkIn the morning, Mickelson birdied the 18th hole for a 1-up victory alongside Bradley over Garcia and McIlroy, but it was Ryder Cup newcomers who sparked the Americans to an early surge.US rookies Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed routed Scotsman Stephen Gallacher and Englands 2012 Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter 5 and 4, dimming the impact of Rose and Stensons first win.Walker, making his Cup debut at 35, blasted out of a bunker for an eagle at the ninth, chipped in from the rough for a birdie at 16 and sank the match-halving six-foot birdie putt at 18 to swipe half a point from Martin Kaymer and Thomas Bjorn, who led from the first hole until the final shot.

US economy grew sturdy 4.6% in second quarter

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Washington (AFP) - The US economy grew at the fastest pace since 2011 in the second quarter, 4.6 percent, far offsetting the first-quarters dive as the recovery picks up, revisions showed Friday.Gross domestic product surged at an annual rate of 4.6 percent, the Commerce Department said, revising its previous 4.2 percent estimate.The upward revision matched economists expectations as data shows the economy is rebounding from the first quarters 2.1 percent contraction, blamed in part on unusually severe winter weather that gripped large swaths of the country.The department said the stronger second-quarter growth number mainly reflected larger increases in business investment than previously estimated, notably in manufacturing structures, and in exports.The American economy is firing on virtually all cylinders and cruising at a decidedly stronger rate than in recent years, said Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets.The growth update raised the year-over-year rate to 2.6 percent, he said. Thats a decidedly firmer growth track than the 2.1 percent norm in the first four years of the recovery from the Great Recession.Consumer spending, the main driver of US economic activity, rose a moderate 2.5 percent, about double the first quarters gain and not significantly changed in the update. An upward revision to spending on health care services was offset by downward revisions to other services.Business investment jumped 9.7 percent and exports surged 11.1 percent, swinging from a drop of 9.2 percent in the prior quarter.International trade will be driving much of the quarter-to-quarter volatility through at least 2015, with declining growth in exports and stronger growth in imports, said Doug Handler, chief US economist at IHS Global Insight.This is due to a strong US economy and the recent and expected additional appreciation in the dollar.The reports key inflation indicator, the price index for gross domestic purchases, accelerated to 2.3 percent from 1.4 percent in the prior quarter.Still, inflation remains well below the Federal Reserves longer-term 2.0 percent target.The personal consumption expenditures price index, the Feds preferred inflation measure, rose 1.6 percent in July from a year ago, while stripping out food and energy prices, the core PCE index increased 1.5 percent.The White House welcomed the brisk growth numbers.Todays revision confirms that economic growth in the second quarter was strong, and other recent data suggest that this momentum has continued into the subsequent months, said Jason Furman, head of President Barack Obamas Council of Economic Advisers.Furman said, however, there was more work to do to both boost growth and ensure that growth translates into greater financial security for working families, reaffirming Obamas commitment to supporting investments in job creation and encouraging higher worker pay.Unemployment is a key concern for the Fed. Although the jobless rate has dropped to 6.1 percent and job creation has picked up, a large number of people are out of the job market or underemployed, and wages have remain relatively flat since the severe recession ended in mid-2009.The report signaled the economy entered the third quarter with solid momentum, although recent indicators have shown some activity cooling, particularly in the housing market.Analysts on average forecast growth has slowed to about 3.0 percent in the July-September period. The governments first third-quarter estimate is scheduled on October 30.According to the latest Fed projections, the worlds largest economy would end the year with an annual growth rate between 2.0 percent and 2.2 percent.This report fits nicely with our view that the economy will continue to grow at or just slightly below trend this year, after several years of disappointing growth, said Steven Ricchiuto at Mizuho Securities.

Kashmiris await plebiscite for six decades: PM Nawaz Sharif

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NEW YORK: (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has addressed the United Nations General Assembly today (Friday) where he raised the voice over national and international issues. PM Nawaz Sharif highlighted Kashmir and Palestinian issue at the highest forum of the world, saying that Kashmiris and Palestinians are facing worst form of atrocities.Pakistan was disappointed when India cancelled the Foreign Secretary level meeting. He said that it could have been a golden opportunity to start dialogue process.Addressing the 69th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister said that Pakistan wanted a peaceful South Asia and was willing to cooperate with India in this regard. He said that Pakistan was disappointed when India cancelled the Foreign Secretary level meeting. He said that it could have been a golden opportunity to start dialogue process. “We need more, not less, dialogue. We must have relationships based on equality and mutual respect”, said Nawaz Sharif. He said that he believed it to be a must for India and Pakistan to cooperate so that the people living in the two countries could have a better future.UN passed resolution 60 years ago to hold plebiscite in Kashmir. We cannot draw veil on the issue of Kashmir unless it is addressed according to the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.PM Nawaz said, “UN passed resolution 60 years ago to hold plebiscite in Kashmir. We cannot draw veil on the issue of Kashmir unless it is addressed according to the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan wants to cooperate in the resolution of Kashmir dispute for the betterment of people living in Kashmir according to their aspirations”.PM said that occupied areas must be evacuated at the earliest and Gaza’s blockade must be ended. He said that UN must play its role in making sure the salvation of Gazans. Prime Minister said that Israeli atrocities and genocide against Palestinians must be condemned in hardest of words.Commenting on Israel’s recent barbarity in Gaza, Prime Minister said that Israeli atrocities and genocide against Palestinians must be condemned in hardest of words. “Though truce has been signed but next steps must also be taken, Mr. President”, PM said while addressing President of United Nations Ban Ki Moon. He said that occupied areas should be evacuated at the earliest and Gaza’s blockade must be ended. He said that UN must play its role in making sure the salvation of Gazans.Pakistan wished for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.PM congratulated Afghanistan for having democratic transition. He said that Pakistan wished for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. “Pakistan has had cordial relations with Afghanistan and we need greater cooperation to address the difficult issues. We have made headway in this effort”, said the Prime Minister.Pakistan was not pursuing any arms race in the region but Pakistan will continue to pursue its policy of maintaining minimum deterrence.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made it clear that Pakistan was not pursuing any arms race in the region. He said that Pakistan maintains the safest and most secured nuclear assets in the world. He said that Pakistan will continue to pursue its policy of maintaining minimum deterrence. He said that although Pakistan is not signatory to any nuclear deals yet it complies with all the rules and regulations. He said that Pakistan qualifies to full access to nuclear security.Nawaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s policy regarding increase in the number of UN Security Council permanent members. He said that it would be against the democratic nature of the United Nations.Nawaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s policy regarding increase in the number of UN Security Council permanent members. He said that it would be against the democratic nature of the United Nations and therefore, there should be no increase in the permanent seats of UN Security Council.Tens of thousands of civilians have lost their lives in Pakistan yet each time a soldier is called, he takes pride in fighting terrorism to defend his country.“Pakistan has launched a massive operation to eliminate the terrorism. We want the world to be a peaceful place. Our soldiers are laying their lives in order to take out terrorists and take out their hideouts. Tens of thousands of civilians have lost their lives in Pakistan yet each time a soldier is called, he takes pride in fighting terrorism to defend his country. Entire nation backs military operation against terrorism”, said PM Nawaz. “We condemn terrorism in all its forms”, he added.Prime Minister urged Secretary General UN Ban Ki Moon to use his influence upon the world countries to make sure that the climate changes are addressed.Prime Minister said that Pakistan’s commitment to peace-keeping is undaunted. “Every nation should participate in peace-keeping. Pakistan is the largest contributing country in peace-keeping mission in Central Africa where 1100 Pakistani soldiers are busy in keeping peace in those countries despite serious threats to their lives”, he said.Highlighting the recent floods in Pakistan and the climate changes that have caused these floods frequently in the last few years, Prime Minister urged Secretary General UN Ban Ki Moon to use his influence upon the world countries to make sure that the climate changes are addressed. “Pakistan co-chairs the UN committee for renewable energy” and wishes to play its role in curbing the menace of climate change, said PM Nawaz Sharif. “This is the time to act, Mr. President”, said PM Nawaz Sharif.Under Vision 2025, Pakistan vows to create health and gender parity, privatize energy, encourage private sector led entrepreneurship in the country during the coming decade.Nawaz Sharif urged the international community to cooperate for keeping peace in the world. “Peace, economy and people’s development all come first”, he said. He said that peace ensures security and economic prosperity and peace itself can only be ensured by cooperation among all the nations of the world. He said that international community should focus on the well-being of their populations. “In Pakistan, we have put forward Vision 2025 which focuses public interest and prosperity of the people”, he said. He said that under Vision 2025, Pakistan vows to create health and gender parity, privatize energy, encourage private sector led entrepreneurship in the country during the coming decade.Pakistan’s Prime Minister said that Pakistan believed political stability to be most important for the economic development. “Pakistan will assist this assembly and UN on a whole to make this world a better place to live”, he concluded.

Nawaz, Zadari's 'charter of democracy' a plan to take turns at power: Imran

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Friday said that the only plan PTI has is to ‘awaken’ the nation, adding that PTI is mobilizing for the rights of the people. He alleged that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s ‘charter of democracy’ was in fact a plan to take turns at power, Dunya News reported.Addressing the ‘Azadi March’ participants, Khan said that his movement will ‘defeat’ the status-quo of the two parties with the power of the people.He said that there’s no timeframe for missions and struggles, adding that he will remain in his container until the success is achieved.PTI chief said that as many as fifty five lakh children are out of school at this point, adding that ‘new-Pakistan’ will give the utmost importance to education.Imran Khan said that both Nawaz Sharif and Zardari are corrupt and that neither one can hold the other accountable for the corruption. He said even a blind jail would have put Nawaz Sharif to jail in the case he was recently acquitted.He said every Pakistan owed Rs 35,000 during Zardari’s government but that amount has raised to Rs 85,000 over the period of 1.5 years.Khan said that the foundation of ‘new Pakistan’ is being laid today, adding that the nation has awakened. He said new history is being made and that the ‘new Pakistan’ will be for the people only.Khan said that the people of the country have awakened in the past forty four days.

Why MQM only? Altaf Hussain poses 14 questions to army chief

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LONDON (Dunya News) – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Friday posed as many as fourteen questions to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif. He asked why only MQM and its leaders are being targeted, Dunya News reported.Addressing the Army Chief, Altaf Hussain said “God has blessed you with a great and powerful position”, adding that the army is the symbol of national unity. He said the Rangers conducted operation in various areas of Karachi and took MQM workers into custody. He said forty one workers are still missing.MQM chief asked why only MQM leaders were being targeted at their residences and offices.He asked why his brother and nephew were shot dead. He further asked how many people were arrested for murdering MQM workers.

ROs from bureaucracy in future elections, ECP decides

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ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to get Returning Officers (ROs) from bureaucracy in future elections, Dunya News has learnt from its sources. A high level meeting of the ECP was held today (Friday) in Islamabad and was presided over by Interim Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan (CECP) Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali. It was decided in this meeting that ECP will get ROs from bureaucracy in future elections.Meeting was told that judiciary has refused to provide judicial officers for NA-149 by-election in Multan. Judiciary has stated that judicial officers were provided for Election 2013 under 2009 judicial policy but now these services cannot be provided. For NA-149, Election Commission has positioned Regional Election Commissioner as the Returning Officer. However, the total number of regional election commissioners is about 200 while in General Elections, around 1200 – 1500 returning officers are required. Demanding staff from bureaucracy is the only available option, therefore.According to the ECP, holding elections under biometric system in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK) requires legislation. ECP has directed the KPK officials to make arrangements at the earliest for biometric system. Report by Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) on magnetic ink was presented in the meeting. Report tells that 4500 pads were prepared for magnetic ink at a cost of Rs. 90 million. Sources told Dunya News that nobody was ready to take the responsibility of magnetic ink. ECP says that magnetic ink’s idea was given by NADRA. NADRA says that PCSIR was responsible for preparing magnetic ink while PCSIR maintains that NADRA had approved magnetic ink.
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