Dunya TV

---

• Kerry to meet chief Palestinian negotiator Monday: US
• Peshmerga fighters enter Syrian border
• Raonic downs Federer at Paris Masters
• Berdych seals ATP finals berth at Paris Masters
• Suarez Navarro beats Pironkova, advances to semis
• Hurley takes a 2-shot lead at CIMB Classic
• Hamilton tops practice at US Grand Prix
• Chicago Marathon champion Jeptoo fails doping test
• Witness: Space tourism rocket explodes in desert
• Oil falls for fourth month, longest slump since 2008
• Metro Bus, pillion-ride to remain closed on 9th, 10th of Muharram
• Aleem Khan provides financial aid to families of deceased PTI workers
• Rainstorm in various areas of Karachi beautifies the weather
• Nawaz Sharif takes notice of delay in PIA flight due to VVIP movement
• PML-N to hold district conventions to counter anti-govt movements

Kerry to meet chief Palestinian negotiator Monday: US Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - Amid tense ties between Israel and the United States, top US diplomat John Kerry will meet the chief Palestinian negotiator Monday to discuss how to advance the frozen peace process.Kerry will welcome a Palestinian delegation, lead by Saeb Erakat, to the State Department for discussions on the way forward in a Middle East peace deal and the situation in the Gaza Strip, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters Friday.Kerry would also discuss lowering tensions in Jerusalem with the Palestinian team, Psaki said.Clashes erupted in the West Bank Friday after weekly Muslim prayers while security forces deployed heavily around Jerusalems flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque which reopened following the killing of a Palestinian by police.Al-Aqsa, in the Old City, and adjacent neighborhoods have seen months of violence, and the mosque compound has been a rallying point for Palestinian resistance to perceived Jewish attempts to take control of it.During the unrest Thursday, Israel ordered a rare closure of the mosque compound, sacred to both Muslims and Jews, but the area reopened Friday.Earlier this week, top US officials were forced onto the defensive after a magazine published scathing anonymous comments from someone in their ranks describing the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a coward.Kerry denounced the comments as disgraceful, unacceptable and damaging, saying they did not represent the views of President Barack Obama or his cabinet.But the report was yet another blow to turbulent US-Israel ties, which have seriously frayed since Kerrys bid to broker a peace treaty collapsed in April.

Peshmerga fighters enter Syrian border Posted: SURUC (AP) - Iraqi peshmerga fighters began entering the Syrian border town of Kobani Friday night where they were expected to join the battle against Islamist militants besieging the town, activists said.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Kobani-based activist Mustafa Bali said 10 vehicles carrying Iraqi peshmerga fighters and their weapons have entered the town. They said the Iraqi Kurdish force entered from an area west of the town near the strategic Tel Shair hill.The Observatory and Bali said it was not immediately clear how many peshmerga fighters of the force of 150 have entered Kobani.It was not clear why the force did not enter from the main border crossing point between Kobani and Turkey although it is likely because the area is subjected to attacks by the Islamic State group fighters.Earlier on Friday night, journalists in the Turkish border town of Suruc saw the peshmerga force leaving the area where they had stayed for days and headed toward Kobani.The fighters left in a convoy Friday night while waving Kurdish flags and giving the victory sign. As soon as the news spread in Suruc, fireworks were let off.The peshmerga fighters came out cheering Kobani, Kobani, while honking the horns of their vehicles and waving their rifles in the air. A line of Turkish riot policemen stood in front to prevent photographers from taking pictures of the fighters as they left.Earlier in the day a Kurdish official blamed Ankara for the delay of the peshmerga force deployment for days.The official with Syrias powerful Kurdish Democratic Union Party, or PYD, claimed Turkish leaders had been hoping that militants from the Islamic State group would capture the town before the Iraqi fighters entered.There have been so many delays and the peshmerga are not to blame. The Turks are behind the delays, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. He added that attacks by IS on Kobani have increased meanwhile.His comments illustrated the deep distrust between Syrias Kurds and Turkey. Relations between Turkey and Syrias Kurds have long been strained, in large part because Ankara believes the PYD is affiliated with the Kurdish PKK movement that has waged a long and bloody insurgency in southeast Turkey.On Oct. 22, lawmakers in Iraqs largely autonomous Kurdish region authorized peshmerga forces to travel to neighboring Syria and help fellow Kurds. The peshmerga fighters arrived in Turkey on Tuesday and have been staying in a facility in Suruc.Anwar Muslim, a Syrian Kurdish official in Kobani, said earlier that the vanguard force that entered the town Thursday discussed defensive positions and strategy against the Islamic State group with the towns Kurdish defenders before leaving the town.The hope is that the Iraqi Kurdish fighters will help reverse gains by Islamic State militants who have captured parts of the town as well as dozens of nearby villages.The senior Kurdish official said the peshmerga want to go in as soon as possible. This is very important for us regarding Kurdish unity. When the peshmerga and Peoples Protection Units are fighting together, this boosts the morale of the Kurdish people.He said the peshmerga fighters are bringing with them heavy machineguns and most importantly anti-tank missiles.The official said Kurdish fighters in Kobani dont currently have the weapons to stop the tanks that the Islamic State group is using.Islamic State fighters have been using heavy armored vehicles they had captured from Iraqi and Syrian troops when they conquered large parts of Iraq and Syria in June. With modern weapons in Kurdish hands, the balance of power could start tipping in their favor in Kobani.In Paris, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the international community is focusing too much on the battle over Kobani and called for strikes in other parts of Syria.Speaking at a news conference with French President Francois Hollande, Erdogan said, Were only talking about Kobani, a city on the Turkish border where there is almost no one left besides 2,000 fighters.Its difficult to understand this approach: why are coalition forces continually bombarding Kobani? Why dont the coalition forces want to act in other zones? Erdogan said.The expected peshmerga deployment, accompanied by 50 members of the Free Syrian Army, was condemned by Syrias government as an act of Turkish aggression and a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty.The officials comments came as the U.S. Central Command said American warplanes conducted four airstrikes near Kobani damaging four Islamic State fighting positions and one building occupied by the group.Muslim and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Kurdish fighters in Kobani fought heavy battles with the Islamic State group that launched an offensive in the town six weeks ago.We have 10 martyrs in the past 24 hours, Muslim said, adding that corpses of Muslim militants are on their ground and they cant pick them up.The Observatory said 22 Kurdish fighters were killed and 19 jihadis were killed on Thursday alone. The group added that 21 fighters with the Islamic States police force known as Hisba, were killed in airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition on Thursday.Islamic State militants launched the attack on Kobani in mid-September, capturing dozens of Kurdish villages in addition to parts of the border town. More than 200,000 people have fled to Turkey and more than 800 people have died, activists say.

Raonic downs Federer at Paris Masters Posted: PARIS (AP) - Milos Raonic perfectly timed his maiden win over Roger Federer. The seventh-seeded Raonic, who had never beaten the 17-Grand Slam champion in six previous meetings, hit 21 aces and lost only 15 points on his serve to complete a 7-6 (5), 7-5 win to reach the semifinals of the Paris Masters on Friday.It was a must-win match for the big-serving Canadian, who kept alive his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals after finding his best tennis at the right time. He will be guaranteed a birth in London if he wins the title in Paris or David Ferrer loses to Kei Nishikori later Thursday in the final quarterfinal.Considering all the circumstances around it, I think this was the biggest win for me, said the 23-year-old Raonic.The Wimbledon semifinalist brutally ended Federers 14-match winning streak as the Swiss took a hit in his bid to overtake the top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the race for the year-end No. 1 spot.Djokovic, a two-time champion in Paris, defeated eighth-seeded Andy Murray 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the semifinals. Murray, who sealed his spot at the finals in the previous round, played 23 matches over the past six weeks and could not prevent the Serb from winning the final 5 games of the match as fatigue took its toll.I started rushing points at the end, thats for sure. I tried to finish points quite quickly, said Murray, who claimed his third title in five weeks last Sunday in Vienna.Federer, who arrived in Paris on the back of consecutive titles in Shanghai and Basel, only had a few openings against Raonic. He created his sole break point in the 10th game of the second set but the Canadian saved it with an ace.It hurts to lose that way, but he deserves credit for serving the way he did and doing those passing shots the way he had to do it, said Federer.Raonic managed to break Federer in the 11th game with two consecutive sumptuous shots. The Canadian first hit a stunning forehand return to create a break opportunity and converted it with a crosscourt backhand pass.Federer, who is looking to clinch the year-end top spot for a record-equaling sixth time, will now take some time off before chasing more points at the finals, then with Switzerland in the Davis Cup final against France next month.Djokovic now leads Federer by 670 points in the year-to-date rankings and could add another 640 points to his total with a win in Paris, but Federer has not given up his hopes of finishing at the top.I always thought it was going to get solved in London, Federer said. Whether I am No. 1 at the end of this year, or one or two weeks later next year, it doesnt really matter. Novak seems to be fit, anyway. Now I will have a good preparation for London. Its not that I didnt want to win here, but I knew it was going to be tough from the start.Earlier, Tomas Berdych sealed his spot at the finals where he will be playing for the fifth straight year after rallying to beat Kevin Anderson.The fifth-seeded Czech came out on top of a tight match and won 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4 to extend his unbeaten record against the South African to 12-0 and will now face Raonic.Berdych, who hit 16 aces to Andersons 12 but struggled with consistency on his first serve, made the decisive break in the ninth game of the third set with a backhand winner down the line.Its probably never going to be like a routine thing, Berdych said about his qualification. I mean, its always just proof of having a great season.Two berths are left in the race to London, with Nishikori and Ferrer in contention with Raonic for the Nov. 9-16 season-ending tournament at the O2 Arena.

Berdych seals ATP finals berth at Paris Masters Posted: PARIS (AP) - Tomas Berdych sealed his spot at the ATP finals for the fifth straight year after rallying to beat Kevin Anderson and reach the semifinals of the Paris Masters on Friday.The fifth-seeded Czech came out on top of a tight match, completing a 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4 win to extend his unbeaten record against the South African to 12-0.Berdych, who hit 16 aces to Andersons 12 but struggled with consistency on his first serve, made the decisive break in the ninth game of the third set with a backhand winner down the line.Two berths are left in the race to London, with Kei Nishikori, David Ferrer and Milos Raonic still in contention for the Nov. 9-16 season-ending tournament at the O2 Arena.

Suarez Navarro beats Pironkova, advances to semis Posted: SOFIA (AP) - Carla Suarez Navarro advanced to the semifinals of the season-ending Tournament of Champions by beating Tsvetana Pironkova 7-6 (2), 6-1 on Friday.The fifth-seeded Spanish player was under pressure knowing that only a straight-set victory would secure her spot in the semis.Home favorite Pironkova tried hard but failed to convert two set points at 6-5 in the tiebreaker. Suarez Navarro took a quick 5-0 lead in the second set and allowed Pironkova just one game before clinching the set and her required victory.I knew, for sure, it would be tough here because the players are strong and whoever I play in the semifinals it will be difficult, but Im ready, Suarez Navarro said.Germanys Andrea Petkovic is the second player from the Sredets group to advance to the semifinals on Saturday when she will play Garbine Muguruza of Spain.In her last group match, the 21-year old Spaniard defeated Alize Cornet 6-3, 7-5 to become the only player at the tournament with 3 wins in the round robin. Cornet had a 4-1 lead in the second set, but was unable to stop Muguruza recovering before winning in straight sets.In the second set, I was more nervous because I thought: I am so close to win. Also, she played better than in the first set, said Venezuelan-born Muguruza.In the Serdika groups last match, Italys Flavia Pennetta whipped Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-3 and will face Suarez Navarro in the semifinals.The more experienced Pennetta needed 65 minutes to edge the 22-year-old Pliskova who replaced top-seeded Ekaterina Makarova. The Russian pulled out of the tournament on Thursday due to a back injury.This eight-player season-ending tournament is for players who have won one or more of the WTA International events during the year but failed to qualify for the WTA Finals, which was staged in Singapore last week.This six-year-old tournament will move to Zhuhai, China, next year after a three-year run in Sofia.

Hurley takes a 2-shot lead at CIMB Classic Posted: KUALA LUMPUR (AP) - Billy Hurley III made six birdies on his front nine en route to a 5-under 67 Friday that gave him a two-shot lead after the second round of the CIMB Classic.Hurley matched his score from Thursday for a 10-under total of 134, two strokes ahead of American compatriot Kevin Streelman (68) in the jointly sanctioned PGA Tour and Asian Tour event.A group of seven players was one stroke further back at 7 under, including defending champion Ryan Moore (69).Hurley, a former U.S. Navy lieutenant who did active duty in the Persian Gulf from 2007-09, is chasing his first tour victory.If I can keep hitting it in the fairway and keep putting it like I have and hitting a lot of good putts, then Ill be right there on Sunday, Hurley said.Hurley, who played bogey-free in the opening round, had a superb start with three birdies on his opening four holes, including two that played the toughest in the opening round: the par-3 11th over water and the long par-4 13th.He then had three straight birdies from the 16th to make the turn in 30, but his bogey-free run came to an end on the second when he hit a wayward tee shot into the bushes and wound up with a double-bogey 6. He did not let the errant drive distract him, finishing his round with six pars and a birdie on No. 7. He said the ability to withstand bad moments like that and handle the pressure of being in contention is the main thing he learned from three top-10 finishes last year.After the bad swing it could have unraveled there on 2 and 3 but I drew on some of the experience I had from last year and was able to hold it together coming in, Hurley said. The cameras, more people watching the last group, couple of groups. Its the atmosphere of it, and you learn a little bit from that.Also in the group of players three strokes back was the fields top-ranked player, Sergio Garcia (68), and former top-ranked Lee Westwood, who recorded a hole-in-one en route to a 65 that moved him into contention for his second tournament win at this course in seven months.Others on 7 under included Seung-yeul Noh (69), who like Westwood is a former winner of the Malaysian Open on this course, Kevin Na (68), Jeff Overton (69) and Kevin Chappell (68), who penalized himself a stroke for picking up the ball before marking it on the 16th fairway.Streelman, who was runner-up in his previous event in Las Vegas this month, credited his improved form to a return to a putter he had put away for years.With putters, sometimes you pick it up and it just feels good, Streelman said. This is the best my short game has been.Westwood, who won the Malaysian Open on this course in April, aced the tough par-3 11th by covering the 226 yards into the wind, landing the ball short and to the right of the hole and watching it curl in.You need a bit of luck, but at the same time you have to hit it straight it happens now and then, Westwood said. A 65 has got me right into the tournament.Noh is also relishing his return to the KLGCC, where he won the 2010 Malaysian Open at the age of 18.I feel very comfortable on this course, and Im swinging I pretty well, plus Im putting pretty well too, Noh said. Im really excited for the weekend.Moore is seeking to become the first player to defend this title and would have had a share of second if not for a bogey at the last.Its a position golf course. You cant overpower it with length, Moore said. Im not one of the longer guys, and it makes a lot of guys hit it where I normally hit it, so we play from a lot of the same spots.

Hamilton tops practice at US Grand Prix Posted: AUSTIN (AP) - Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest time in Fridays two practice sessions at the U.S. Grand Prix, but abandoned the second session with about 10 minutes to go to deal with a fluid leak on the cockpit floor.Afterward, Hamilton seemed confident the problem would be resolved before Saturday qualifying.We stopped and pulled the floor up and there was some kind of fluid ... either a fuel leak or an oil leak, Hamilton said. Im not thinking about it. We just lost a little time in the session.Hamiltons fastest lap at the Circuit of the Americas was 1 minute, 39.085 seconds in the afternoon. His Mercedes teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg was .003 seconds behind.Hamilton is chasing his second world championship. He won the title in 2008 with McLaren and has a 17-point lead over Rosberg with 100 still available in the final three races. The final race in Abu Dhabi will be worth double points, a new system that Hamilton this week questioned as an unfair way to wrap a season-long dual between himself and Rosberg.Racing against Rosberg is challenging enough. The last thing Hamilton wants to deal with at this late stage in the season is a reliability problem that could cost him points. The only races Hamilton didnt finish on the podium this season were the three he didnt finish.Rosberg seemed to sense an opportunity.He had a major problem, Rosberg said, noting the pressure that continues to mount within the Mercedes team.The tension is there for sure, he said. Its a great battle. Thats what I enjoy about racing such a strong teammate. Youre always searching for that little bit extra. Its going to be three great races coming up.Defending race champion Sebastian Vettels long season took another expected blow when the FIA ruled he will have to start Sundays race from pit lane because he will have to use a new, sixth power unit in his engine, breaking the limit of five.Vettel had acknowledged the possibility earlier in the week and the FIA confirmed the penalty after Vettel used the new power unit in Fridays first practice. While Vettel had hinted he might skip qualifying, Red Bull has said he likely will drive the first session but may pit the car after that to save wear and tear.Ferraris Fernando Alonso had the days third-fastest time at 1:40.189.

Chicago Marathon champion Jeptoo fails doping test Posted: STELLENBOSCH (AP) - Leading female marathoner Rita Jeptoo of Kenya failed a doping test a few weeks before winning her second consecutive Chicago Marathon, her agent and national federation said Friday.Agent Federico Rosa told The Associated Press that Jeptoo tested positive in an out-of-competition test in Kenya in September. Athletics Kenya said later Friday that the test was on Sept. 25 just over two weeks before the Chicago race and that the athletes A sample indicated the presence of prohibited substances.The federation said it was disappointed to announce that we have received communication from (world athletics body) IAAF that Jeptoo failed a test.Rosa and the federation declined to identify the substance or substances.Athletics Kenya said its medical and anti-doping commission would meet with Jeptoo early next week to determine whether she wants to have her backup B sample tested.However, Rosa told the AP that the backup test was not required.We will legally go after the person or the people that convinced Rita to do this, Rosa said, adding Jeptoos management had nothing to do with any doping.I am sorry for Rita, he said.The IAAF said in a statement that it was not in position where it can confirm or deny Jeptoos positive doping test.The case remains in the confidentiality phase, the IAAF said, although that should be lifted within the next week.The 33-year-old Jeptoo won the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 12 in 2 hours, 24 minutes, 35 seconds, her fourth straight major marathon victory. She has also won back-to-back titles at the Boston Marathon, where she set the course record on April 21 in 2:18:57.Jeptoo currently leads the World Marathon Majors series, a two-year series that includes the biggest marathons in the world and culminates with Sundays New York Marathon. Jeptoo was not scheduled to run in New York, but was still set to claim the $500,000 top prize.The world marathon group said earlier Friday that it had postponed Sundays awards ceremony because of the positive test.No athlete can win the World Marathon Majors Series title who has been in breach of IAAF anti-doping rules, the group said.Jeptoos failed test comes as Kenya is under close scrutiny for a recent spike in doping cases particularly among its world-famous distance runners.The World Anti-Doping said in October it would work with Kenya to set up a national anti-doping agency. A government-commissioned investigation was set up after German broadcaster ARD alleged in 2012 that there was widespread doping among the nations distance runners.It shows that testing is being carried out, marathon world record holder and former world champion Paula Radcliffe said of Jeptoos positive test. Maybe at least this time it comes before the (World Marathon Majors) payment is made.

Witness: Space tourism rocket explodes in desert Posted: MOJAVE, California (AP) - A Virgin Galactic space tourism rocket exploded Friday during a test flight, killing a pilot aboard and seriously injuring another while scattering wreckage in Southern Californias Mojave Desert, witnesses and officials said.The company founded by British billionaire Richard Branson would not say what happened other than that it was working with authorities to determine the cause of the accident.During the test, the vehicle suffered a serious anomaly resulting in the loss of SpaceShipTwo, Virgin Galactic tweeted.Ken Brown, a photographer who witnessed the crash, told The Associated Press that SpaceShipTwo exploded after a plane designed to take it to high altitude released it and the craft ignited its rocket motor.Brown said the wreckage fell in the desert north of Mojave Air and Space Port, where the test flight originated. The area is about 120 miles (193 kilometers) north of downtown Los Angeles.There is one fatality and one major injury, California Highway Patrol Officer Jesse Borne said. One person parachuted out, he said.SpaceShipTwo, which is typically flown by two pilots, was designed to provide a suborbital thrill ride into space before it returns to Earth as a glider.Fridays flight marked the 55th for the spaceship, which was intended to be the first of a line of craft that would open space to paying civilians. At 60 feet long, SpaceShipTwo features two large windows for each of up to six passengers, one on the side and one overhead.Virgin Galactic owned by Bransons Virgin Group and Aabar Investments PJS of Abu Dhabi sells seats on each prospective journey for $250,000, with full payment due at the time of booking. The company says that future astronauts, as it calls customers, have visited Bransons Caribbean home, Necker Island, and gone through G-force training.Stephen Hawking, Justin Bieber, Ashton Kutcher and Russell Brand are among the celebrities to sign up for flights.Virgin Galactic reports taking deposits totaling more than $80 million from about 700 people.A related venture, The Spaceship Co., is responsible for building Virgin Galactics space vehicles.During testing for the development of a rocket motor for SpaceShipTwo in July 2007, an explosion at the Mojave spaceport killed three workers and critically injured three others. A California Division of Occupational Safety andHealth report said the blast occurred three seconds after the start of a cold-flow test of nitrous oxide commonly known as laughing gas which is used in the propulsion system of SpaceShipTwo. The engine was not firing during that test.Fridays accident was the second space-related explosion this week.On Tuesday, an unmanned commercial supply rocket bound for the International Space Station exploded moments after liftoff from a launch site in Virginia. No injuries were reported that accident, which drew criticism over NASAs growing reliance on private U.S. companies in this post-shuttle eraVirgin Galactic planned to launch space tourism flights from the quarter-billion-dollar Spaceport America in southern New Mexico once it finishes developing its rocket ship.Christine Anderson, executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, did not want to comment on the events unfolding Friday in the California desert or what effect they might have on Spaceport America and the future of commercial space travel.Virgin Galactic is in line to be the main tenant at the spaceport that was built specifically to launch paying customers into space, a dream of Bransons. His company has repeated pushed back the timetable for when the $250,000 flights were to begin, pointing to delays in development and testing of the rocket ship.Taxpayers footed the bill to build the state-of-the-art hangar and runway in a remote stretch of desert in southern New Mexico as part of a plan devised by Branson and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Critics have long challenged the states investment, questioning whether flights would ever get off the ground.SpaceShipTwo is based on aerospace design maverick Burt Rutans award-winning SpaceShipOne prototype, which became the first privately financed manned rocket to reach space in 2004.Commercial development has been slower than expected. When Virgin Group licensed the technology from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who funded about $26 million for SpaceShipOne, Branson envisioned operating flights by 2007.

Oil falls for fourth month, longest slump since 2008 Posted: NEW YORK (Agencies) - Oils losing streak continued for the fourth consecutive month on Friday, with prices tumbling as another round of monetary stimulus from Japan pumped up the U.S. dollar and pounded a crude market already suffering from robust supply.US crude briefly dipped below $80 a barrel before paring losses later in the day as short sellers closed their books for the month and took profits.Pressure came from monthly surveys showing the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries made almost no effort to curb production this month even as oil prices extended a months-long rout to four-year lows.OPECs output in October dipped by just 120,000 barrels per day, according to a Reuters survey published Friday.The downtick was led by Angola and Nigeria, with overall OPEC production still hovering 720,000 barrels per day above its 30 million barrels a day target.U.S. and Brent crude fell by almost a dollar to put them both on pace for the steepest monthly decline since May 2012.The last time either benchmark fell for four straight months began in July 2008.Brent slumped for six months until December 2008, and U.S. crude failed to rebound until January 2009.December Brent settled down 38 cents for the day at $85.86, cementing a monthly loss of 9 percent. U.S. crude was down 58 cents at $80.54 per barrel, having lost 11.6 percent this month.OPEC Secretary General Abdullah al-Badri said on Wednesday the cartels output was unlikely to change in 2015 and that he was not concerned about falling prices, echoing the views from several of the groups core Gulf members.There will be tough discussions at OPECs next meeting in late November but the cartel is unlikely to alter its official quota of 30 million barrels a day, Hans van Cleef, senior energy economist at ABN AMRO in Amsterdam, told the Reuters Global Oil Forum.The Bank of Japan surprised financial markets on Friday by expanding its stimulus program, boosting Japanese equities but raising concerns about the economic health of the oil importer.Its a big shot of stimulus, you see Japan basically doubling down on quantitative easing at a time when the U.S. is getting out of the Q.E. business, said Phil Flynn of the Price Futures Group. What better time to have an impact in the market, to have a big shock value in the system?The decision also put pressure on the yen, contributing to the strength of the dollar, which rose to a near seven-year peak of 112.22 yen.The dollar rose to its highest level since June 2010 on Thursday after data showed the U.S. economy grew 3.5 percent in the third quarter, topping estimates for a 3 percent rise.

Metro Bus, pillion-ride to remain closed on 9th, 10th of Muharram Posted: LAHORE: (Dunya News) – District Coordination Officer (DCO) Lahore Muhammad Usman and DIG Operations Dr. Waheed Ashraf have informed that fool proof security arrangements have been given final shape for 9th and 10th of Muharram in Lahore. All the departments have completed their respective duties on all the procession routes. They were talking to media on Thursday at Model Town Hall, Lahore.DCO told that ban will be imposed on pillion-ride on the 9th and 10th of Muharram and Metro Bus will also remain closed. DIG Operations told that all the walk-through gates on the procession routes are functioning. He told that anti-polio and anti-dengue campaigns are also continuing in all the districts of Punjab.Moreover, DCO Lahore Muhammad Usman and DIG Operations Dr. Waheed Ashraf also visited central procession routes and Nisar Haveli.

Aleem Khan provides financial aid to families of deceased PTI workers Posted: LAHORE: (Dunya News) – President Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Abdul Aleem Khan went to console the families of two of PTI’s deceased workers on Thursday, Dunya News reported. PTI workers Sajid Ali Hashmi and Sajid Hussain Hashmi had lost their lives in an accident while going to Islamabad from Lahore for long march on August 14, 2014.Abdul Aleem Khan visited the village of the deceased workers Kamahaan Pind and consoled the families. He also gave Rs. 200,000 to each family. He also visited injured PTI worker Dr. Samiya Tauqeer in Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Lahore. She had also injured herself during the long march. Aleem Khan said that the selfless workers are jewels of PTI and the real strength of Chairman PTI Imran Khan.

Rainstorm in various areas of Karachi beautifies the weather Posted: KARACHI: (Dunya News) – Although ‘Nilofar’ cyclone had been avoided yet the effects have arrived in Karachi as rainstorm has beautified the weather of the city. Rain is expected to continue for 24 more hours.Rain in Ibrahim Haideri, Sea-view, Clifton, Mubarak Village, Landhi, Korangi and other areas has not only made the weather pleasant but cooler as well. According to Met office, rains will continue for 24 hours and have been caused by the Nilofar cyclone. 5 people have got injured due to accidents caused by rain in the city so far.

Nawaz Sharif takes notice of delay in PIA flight due to VVIP movement Posted: KARACHI: (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has taken notice of the delay in Pakistan International Airline (PIA) flight from Karachi to Islamabad due to VVIP movement. PM has decided to take action against those responsible for this delay.PIA flight from Karachi to Islamabad was delayed by three and half hours due to VVIP movement. Passengers protested against the delay on the airport. Prime Minister took notice of the delay and reproached the senior officials responsible for this delay. PM also ordered strong action against those responsible for this delay.

PML-N to hold district conventions to counter anti-govt movements Posted: LAHORE: (Dunya News) – Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to hold district conventions in order to counter the anti-government movements by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) along with other opposition parties. Party leadership has directed to expedite public relations campaign after 10th of Muharram. It has been decided that party workers, who remained by PML-N’s side under Pervaiz Musharraf’s dictatorship, will be given important responsibilities.According to credible sources within PML-N, party leadership has been told that the party may suffer serious challenges during next elections if it did not reactivate its workers against PTI’s processions. PML-N leadership has been advised to increase the party outreach in order to engage workers.PML-N has directed its provincial and district heads to expedite their public relations campaigns after 10th of Muharram and organize as many events as possible. The ruling party has also decided to remove all the ineffective and inefficient office-bearers and replace them with workers who sided with the party through all the thick and thin.

You are subscribed to email updates from Dunya TV To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States

Dunya TV

---

• General: US considering empowering Sunni tribes
• Sri Lanka says no hope finding mudslide survivors
• Plane crashes at US airport, killing 4
• Man wanted in trooper ambush is captured
• Australia set to create $2.25 billion green fund
• Puerto Rico government looks to raise tax on oil
• Taylor unsure of fitness ahead of Pakistan test
• Total's new boss promises stability after CEO death
• Broad denies Pietersen 'bullying' claims
• Jesse Ryder named in New Zealand A team
• Experts urge caution over Ebola hopes
• Burkina army seizes power after uprising against veteran ruler
• Murray clinches ATP finals berth in Paris
• Nishikori remains on course for ATP Finals
• Wozniacki confident she can finish NYC Marathon

General: US considering empowering Sunni tribes Posted: WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon is considering ways to bring the Sunni Arab tribes of Iraqs Anbar province more fully into the battle against the Islamic State group, the top U.S. military officer said Thursday.Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that expanding U.S. train-and-advise efforts to include the tribes is one of three key elements of a strategy designed to roll back IS fighters in northern and western Iraq.The other elements are advising and assisting Iraqi government troops and creating so-called national guard units as a sort of quasi-military force that must first gain legal approval from the Iraqi government.You need all three of those eventually, Dempsey said. However, a condition for training and advising the tribes would be the willingness of the Iraqi government to arm them, he said.Speaking alongside Dempsey, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel agreed that the tribes are an important component of the strategy.The Sunni tribes are going to have to be part of this, Hagel said.Enlisting the help of Anbars tribes was critical to the success of U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq in the latter stages of the Iraq war in 2007-2008. Since that period, the tribal leaders have grown disillusioned with the Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad, although Washington has staked its hopes on a more inclusive approach to the Sunnis and Kurds by new Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.Dempsey said the U.S. strategys first focus is on Iraqi government and Kurdish regional fighters. But the tribes could be an important complement to those.Thats what were now beginning to explore, he said. Weve got a program in place where were beginning to restore some offensive capability and mindset to the Iraqi security forces. We need to think about how to do that with the tribes.Asked about progress in the administrations project to train members of the Free Syrian Army as a moderate opposition force, Dempsey said the process of recruiting and vetting candidate fighters has not yet begun.Some have questioned the viability of that project, for which Congress has approved spending $500 million to train up to 5,000 fighters.President Barack Obamas special envoy for the coalition opposing the Islamic State group, retired Marine Gen. John Allen, said in an interview Wednesday that U.S. support for the Free Syrian Army will ultimately achieve a political outcome in Damascus that does not include Syrian President Bashar Assad.Allen told the Al Arabiya Arabic news channel that the goal is to build the Free Syrian Army into a force with battlefield credibility to deal with IS and to defend itself again Assad regime forces, according to a State Department transcript of the interview.The Free Syriana Army is a loose coalition of rebels groups fighting to topple Assad. The groups political leadership is based in Turkey, where fighters often seek respite from the fighting. There are various factions within the group whose ideologies are constantly shifting, but generally range from mainstream moderates to deeply conservative Muslims.

Sri Lanka says no hope finding mudslide survivors Posted: KOSLANDA (AP) - Hundreds of desperate Sri Lankan villagers dug with bare hands through the broken red earth of a deadly landslide Thursday, defying police orders after a top disaster official said there was no chance of finding more survivors at the high-elevation tea plantation.There were conflicting reports of how many people were missing in the slide, which struck Wednesday morning in the island nations central hills after heavy monsoon rains.Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the number of dead at the Koslanda tea plantation would be fewer than 100. But Sri Lankas Disaster Management Center which Amaraweera oversees reported 190 people missing.Villagers, meanwhile, said the death toll could easily exceed 200.I have visited the scene and from what I saw I dont think there will be any survivors, Amaraweera told The Associated Press on Thursday. But that number is less than 100.Frustrated relatives who had watched the search from the sidelines tried to follow a politician into the search site but were stopped by police. However, the politician argued with police and took villagers with him who joined hundreds of soldiers searching through the mud for survivors.The search was suspended Thursday evening because of heavy rain.President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the disaster site on Thursday and spoke to residents who are taking shelter in schools and temples. According to his website, Rajapaksa ordered officials to expedite rescue and relief for the victims.Television reports showed Rajapaksa inspecting the disaster from the air and meeting with relief officials. Later he was seen distributing sleeping mats and boxes with essential items to the displaced people and consoling weeping men and women.Amaraweera said the government had asked the National Child Protection Authority to take charge of children orphaned by the disaster.Many children had left for school before the slide and returned to see their homes buried with their parents. A government minister told Parliament that they have found 75 orphaned children.The government will be fully responsible for them, we will not give them to anyone other than somebody from immediate family because they can be sent for child labor, he said.A large number of children in Sri Lankas tea plantations drop out of school and work as domestic helpers or waiters in tea boutiques. Many times parents send children to work due to poverty or alcoholism.Displaced people spent their second evening Thursday crammed inside a dark, cold school classroom atop a misty mountain. Government officials had begun a survey of the dead and missing and doctors attended to the sick and wounded.A 48-year-old truck driver who gave his name only as Raja said he lost all five members of his household his wife, two sons, daughter-in-law and his 6-month-old grandchild.I left for work early morning and got a call asking me to rush back, Raja said, weeping. I came back and there was no trace of my home, everyone was buried.A local government officer familiar with the tea plantation said he believes 200-250 people may have been buried, based on the number of people usually in the area at the time. There were many houses, a big Hindu temple, a playground and two milk collection centers where farmers brought their milk to sell.The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because government rules prevent him from speaking to the media.The tea plantation in Badulla district, about 140 miles (220 kilometers) east of Colombo, was one of many in the higher altitudes of Sri Lanka, formerly called Ceylon, one of the worlds leading tea producers.Most of Sri Lanka has experienced heavy rain over the past few weeks, and the Disaster Management Center had issued warnings of mudslides and falling rocks. The monsoon season here runs from October through December.Vettiyan Yogeswaran, who lives in part of the tea plantation not affected by the landslide, said authorities had warned people that the area was vulnerable to mudslides and they should move. But he said no housing alternatives were offered.There are 50-70 families living in my neighborhood in the bottom of a mountain. If a mudslide happens we all will be buried, Yogeswaran said. We want to leave but we have not been given a proper alternative.In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Sri Lanka has requested assistance from the United States. She said the department is working with the U.S. Agency for International Development to respond quickly, but did not provide immediate details on what kind of help it would provide.

Plane crashes at US airport, killing 4 Posted: WICHITA, Kansas (AP) - A small plane lost power after takeoff and crashed into a flight-training building while trying to return to a Kansas airport Thursday, killing four people, injuring five others and igniting a fire that sent up towering plumes of black smoke that could be seen for miles (kilometers) around Wichita, officials and witnesses said.Three of the dead were inside the building when the plane crashed into it at the citys Mid-Continent Airport, and the fourth was found on the roof and is believed to be the pilot, Wichita Fire Chief Ronald Blackwell said Thursday afternoon.Five others were injured in the crash, and one was in serious condition at a hospital, Blackwell said. Officials said that only one person was on board the plane and that everyone who was in the building had been accounted for. Identities of the victims were not immediately released.We understand that this is a very difficult time, especially for folks who have family members who are working out here and they dont know, Wichita Fire Marshal Brad Crisp said.The plane, identified as a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air, crashed into a building that FlightSafety International uses to train pilots to fly Cessna planes, company spokesman Steve Phillips said. The FAA said it crashed after losing engine power and trying to return to the airport.It appeared to strike the top of the building and ignite what Blackwell described as a horrific fire.Jeff Papacek, 39, of Wichita, said he saw a giant fireball as he was heading to his engineering job at Learjet, which has a testing facility at the airport. He said he didnt see the crash because there were too many buildings in the way, but he said the plane caught his attention beforehand.We are used to planes flying straight with the runway and this plane just didnt look like it was lined up and was way too low for the direction it was going, Papacek said, adding that he drove to the crash site to see what was happening and saw the building fire raging.The crash did not appear to be significantly disrupting passenger traffic at the airport as planes could be seen taking off from other runways.Located several miles (kilometers) west of downtown Wichita, a longtime aircraft manufacturing hub, Wichita Mid-Continent is used by private aircraft and served by several airlines and their regional affiliates, including American, Southwest, Delta, United and Allegiant. It saw more than 13,000 departures and about 1.4 million passengers last year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.The crash is the latest in a string of incidents at the airport. In December, an avionics technician was arrested after a months-long undercover sting when he allegedly tried to drive a van filled with inert explosives onto the tarmac in a plot prosecutors say was intended to kill as many people as possible. Then in January, an Oklahoma man rammed his pickup truck through a security gate at the airport. In September, the airport conducted a large-scale disaster exercise featuring the mock crash of a 737 aircraft.FBI spokeswoman Bridget Patton said it is too early to rule anything out about the cause of Thursdays crash and confirmed the FBI is assisting in the investigation, but stressed the agencys protocol is to respond to any and all plane crashes at airports.

Man wanted in trooper ambush is captured Posted: DUNMORE (AP) Authorities say they have captured a man accused of killing one Pennsylvania State police officer and seriously injuring another during an ambush outside police barracks.Police say they have 31-year-old Eric Frein in custody. The ambush was Sept. 12. The seven-week hunt for him ended Thursday.Police havent released details of the capture.Authorities have called Frein a survivalist who had a vendetta against law enforcement. They had been pursuing him in the woods and had reported several suspected sightings.Frein is charged with opening fire outside the police barracks on Sept. 12. Cpl. Bryon Dickson was killed, and Trooper Alex Douglass was critically wounded in the attack.The gunman slipped away, sparking a massive manhunt.

Australia set to create $2.25 billion green fund Posted: CANBERRA (AP) Australias Senate has passed legislation to create a 2.55 billion Australian dollar ($2.25 billion) environment fund to replace the carbon tax on the nations worst greenhouse gas polluters that was axed in July.The Emissions Reduction Fund will pay companies taxpayers-funded incentives to reduce their carbon emissions.The Senate narrowly passed the enabling legislation Friday morning by 31 votes to 29.The legislation is assured passage through the House of Representatives where Prime Minister Tony Abbotts conservative coalition government has a clear majority.Australia aims to slash its greenhouse gas emissions to 5 percent below 2000 levels by 2020.Australia is one of the worlds worst greenhouse gas polluters on a per capita basis because of its heavy reliance on coal for power.

Puerto Rico government looks to raise tax on oil Posted: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Puerto Rico government officials are looking to a 68 percent increase in an oil tax to help sell up to $2.9 billion in bonds and strengthen one of the islands largest public corporations amid bankruptcy concerns.Officials said Thursday that the move also would help boost cash reserves at the Government Development Bank and allow for refinancing at least $1 billion in loans made to Puerto Ricos Highway and Transportation Authority.Legislators filed a bill calling for raising the excise tax on a barrel of crude oil from $9.25 to $15.50, to generate $178 million a year. The measure also would allow the loan to be transferred to Puerto Ricos Infrastructure Financing Authority.Bank treasurer Richard Barrios said the government would access the market by March 31.

Taylor unsure of fitness ahead of Pakistan test Posted: WELLINGTON (AP) - New Zealands leading batsman Ross Taylor is uncertain whether he will recover from a calf injury in time to play in the first test against Pakistan.Taylor missed the one-day series games against South Africa last week, and was still troubled by the injury when the 15-man New Zealand squad left for the United Arab Emirates on Monday.He said its probably going to be a push to play that warmup game (against Pakistan A from Monday), and see how (that medical staff) think its going and whether its good enough to play that first test.Taylor said he occasionally feels the injury while batting. He is a key player for New Zealand, having scored 861 test runs at an average of 78 so far this year.

Total's new boss promises stability after CEO death Posted: London (AFP) - French energy major Totals new chief executive promised continuity at his first public appearance on Thursday as Russia charged a second person over the plane crash that killed his predecessor.My objective is mainly continuity and stability, Patrick Pouyanne said at the Oil and Money conference in London after being nominated to head up of one of the worlds biggest energy companies last week.The 51-year-olds predecessor, Christophe de Margerie, was killed on October 20 along with three crew members when their private jet hit a snowplough as it was taking off from Moscows Vnukovo Airport.Pouyanne also quoted a passage from a speech by De Margerie before his sudden death about sanctions on Russia over Ukraine in which the late Total boss said: We are against sanctions because we believe business is a force of good.His successor added: His position is mine.We are a solid, strong company thanks to a staff that has shown great unity in recent days, he told reporters.Leading a company of 100,000 people is not easy... I would have never imagined doing it without (De Margerie), he said.De Margerie was buried at a private family funeral in France on Tuesday.Russian prosecutors on Thursday charged a second air traffic controller, Alexander Kruglov, over the crash, a day after they accused his colleague, trainee Svetlana Krivsuna, of causing multiple deaths through negligence.The two face up to five years in prison if found guilty.The driver of the snowplough and two other airport officials are also being investigated.Russia is a key market for Total, which has been operating there since 1991 and last year it accounted for production of just over 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.Total has partnered with Russias Novatek and Chinas CNPC in a project to build a giant liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in the Yamal peninsula in Siberia.The French giant has also linked up with Gazprom to explore the giant Shtokman gas field under the Barents Sea.- Dynamic, with a temper -Pouyannes appointment to the post was no surprise: he has been tipped as a possible heir to De Margerie ever since joining the executive committee in 2012.Within Total, Pouyanne is known as an extremely dynamic man, with a bit of a temper.Born on June 24, 1963, he is a graduate of the prestigious French engineering schools Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole des Mines in Paris.He began his career in government, holding various positions in the industry ministry.A technical advisor to prime minister Edouard Balladur from 1993 to 1995, he then became chief of staff to the information, technology and space minister from 1995 to 1996.In 1997 he joined French oil company Elf -- which later became Total in a 2000 merger -- as chief administrative officer in Angola.Two years later he was sent to Qatar where he was chief of exploration and production.He continued up the career ladder, becoming a member of Totals management committee in 2006 and in 2012 was appointed to head up refining and chemicals, also making his way onto the executive committee.

Broad denies Pietersen 'bullying' claims Posted: LONDON (AFP) - England bowler Stuart Broad has dismissed claims by former team-mate Kevin Pietersen that there was a bullying culture in the changing room during their time as international colleagues.In Pietersens recently-published autobiography, he alleges that Broad was a member of a group of senior players who abused less-experienced squad members if they made fielding errors.But Broad told BBC Sport in an interview published late on Wednesday: The bullying word has not crossed my mind in eight or nine years of playing international cricket.He added: You would expect guys to be excited and passionate about playing for their country. I look at my heroes growing up, the likes of (former England rugby union captain) Martin Johnson.Look at (former Manchester United goalkeeper) Peter Schmeichel -- when he conceded a goal, he certainly gave Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister an earful.I dont know if that would be classed as bullying, or just the passion of being disappointed.Broads fellow-bowler James Anderson, another player accused of bullying by Pietersen, said the South Africa-born batsmans claims threatened to overshadow the teams achievements.It puts a bitter taste in your mouth about a really fruitful time for an England team who were one of the best England teams Ive been around in recent times, Anderson said.We try to challenge each other, try to push each other to improve and get the best out of each other. The culture we built is the reason we got to number one in the world (in August 2011).Meanwhile, Broad expressed support for batsman Jonathan Trott, who has been selected for the England Lions January tour of South Africa after withdrawing from Englands Ashes squad last year due to a stress-related illness.I think if I could choose anyone to bat for my life, it would be Jonathan Trott, Broad said.It was really sad to see what happened to him in Australia, but credit has to go to him, his family and the people around him to get him back up to playing cricket and scoring runs.

Jesse Ryder named in New Zealand A team Posted: WELLINGTON (AP) - Batsman Jesse Ryder has made his first steps toward winning a place at next years cricket World Cup after being included in a New Zealand A cricket team which will play matches against Ireland, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates next month.Ryder hasnt been considered for New Zealand selection since January when he was involved in a late night drinking session on the eve of the first test against India.Selection manager Bruce Edgar says his selection in the 13-man squad to play in Dubai wasnt a sign his return to the full New Zealand team is imminent.Its an important step for Jesse but it is only a first steps. His future prospects will depend on his performance on and off the field in Dubai, Edgar says.

Experts urge caution over Ebola hopes Posted: Monrovia (AFP) - Health authorities called Thursday for renewed vigilance over the Ebola epidemic and urged caution over claims it is retreating as the World Bank announced a $100-million fund for more health workers.The warning follows an announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) that data from funeral directors and treatment centres indicated lower admission rates and burials in Liberia, the nation hit hardest by the killer virus.But international aid agency Doctors Without Borders said the slowdown could be due to sick people not being picked up because of a lack of ambulances and so they were being omitted from the statistics.The charity, known by its French initials MSF, said mandatory cremation of dead bodies and a poor ambulance and referral system could also be reasons for this decrease in admissions.It is too soon to draw conclusions on the reduction of Ebola cases in Monrovia, Fasil Tezera, MSF head of mission in Liberia, said in a statement.WHO assistant director-general Bruce Aylward told reporters in Geneva on Wednesday that labs were seeing a plateauing or slight decline in the number of confirmed cases -- but warned that the crisis was far from over.Liberia welcomed the possibility of a turning-point in the outbreak but echoed the call for caution issued by the WHO and MSF.Deputy health minister Tolbert Nyensuah said that even if it managed to achieve no new cases, Liberia would not be able to consider itself Ebola-free until neighbours Guinea and Sierra Leone had eradicated the virus.The outbreak has claimed almost 5,000 lives, according to the WHO -- almost all in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone -- while the number of cases registered worldwide has soared to 13,703.- Economies devastated -World Bank President Jim Yong Kim announced the $100-million (80-million-euro) donation, describing it as a first down payment, as he visited the UN Mission on Ebola Emergency Response headquarters in Ghana.We have to end this epidemic, theres just no other way around it. Weve got to get to zero, he said, admitting the world had reacted too slowly and describing the economies of the three worst-hit countries as devastated.The outbreak has taken a huge toll on health workers in the region, with 272 deaths, most of them in Liberia and Sierra Leone.Researchers warned that traditional west African funeral rites, including kissing and touching a dead body, had driven the initial spread of Ebola and must be halted.To stem Ebola transmission in Liberia, it is imperative to simultaneously restrict traditional burials, which are effectively serving as superspreader events, a study in the journal Science said.Meanwhile, a British navy ship arrived in Sierra Leones capital Freetown laden with 350 personnel and equipment to treat victims of the deadly virus.We have taken all precautions and understood the situation. Berthing in Freetown today, the mood of the personnel is one of a desire to get started on the job and to see that Ebola is kicked out, said Commander Ross Spooner, from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose.Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN said west Africa is showing the first tangible signs that Ebola will be beaten, after she completed a tour of the region this week.- Malaria threat -But the virus continues to spread fear as far away as east Asia, with China particularly vulnerable to an outbreak, according to Ebola co-discoverer Peter Piot, due to soaring economic migration to Africa.And North Korea announced it intended to quarantine all foreigners entering the country for 21 days, no matter what their country of origin.In the United States, American nurse Kaci Hickox, who recently returned from Sierra Leone, has vowed to fight an order by the state of Maine to remain at home for the final 12 days of her 21-day quarantine period.In France, the countrys Ebola task force said trials would begin in Guinea next month on tests that can diagnose Ebola more quickly.They will include a prototype device, similar to a home pregnancy test, that may make diagnosis possible in under 15 minutes, Jean-Francois Delfraissy, who spearheads Frances Ebola campaign, told journalists in Paris.While the outbreak is inspiring fear across the world, it is also devastating the response to other deadly diseases at its epicentre.MSF warned that Ebola had made obtaining treatment for malaria almost impossible in Liberia, with the majority of general wards closed because staff are too afraid to work.MSF has begun distributing anti-malarials to around 300,000 people in the citys poorest, most densely-inhabited neighbourhoods.The objective is also to eliminate the risk that patients with fever, suspected of having Ebola, will end up in Ebola treatment centres in contact with infected persons, said Chibuzo Okonta, MSFs deputy director of emergency programmes.Malaria remains the leading cause of death in Liberia, with 1.7 million cases in 2012 according to the health ministry, 1,800 of them fatal.

Burkina army seizes power after uprising against veteran ruler Posted: Ouagadougou (AFP) - Burkina Fasos President Blaise Compaore was toppled on Thursday as the army took power after protesters set parliament ablaze in a popular uprising against the veteran leaders 27-year-rule.The demonstrators earlier forced the government to scrap a vote on controversial plans to allow Compaore to extend his reign, with tens of thousands of people joining a mass rally in the capital Ouagadougou calling for the strongman to go.Hundreds of people stormed parliament and other public buildings including the national television headquarters, ransacking offices and setting fire to cars, despite a heavy police and army presence across the capital.The army, in a hastily arranged press conference, announced it was seizing power and pledged to restore constitutional order within 12 months. It imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew and announced the dissolution of Compaores government and the national assembly, and the creation of a transitional body to run the country.The communique, read out by an officer, was signed by the army chief of staff Nabere Honore Traore.There was no mention of Compaores whereabouts.Earlier a statement purportedly from the presidency said a state of emergency had been declared.The army chief of staff is charged with carrying out this decree, which enters into force from this day, it said.The document was not dated and carried a signature that did not resemble the presidents usual one.The United States, Burkina Fasos former colonial ruler France and the African Union all voiced alarm over the unrest gripping the poor west African nation.UN chief Ban Ki-moon dispatched a special envoy to help restore calm and the European Union called for an end to the violence.The army is united with the people, said Benewende Sankara, a leading light in the opposition.Army chief Traore had earlier met with retired general Kouame Lougue, a former defence minister being touted by the opposition as a replacement for Compaore, to discuss the crisis.Tens of thousands of protesters massed on the streets of the capital shouting Lougue in power- Worst crisis since 2011 -At least one man was killed in the chaos that erupted just before lawmakers were due to vote on legislation that would allow 63-year-old Compaore -- who took power in a 1987 coup -- to contest next years election, AFP correspondents said.The government, in the countrys worst crisis since a wave of mutinies shook the country in 2011, later announced it was calling off the vote.Police and soldiers, out in force after mass rallies earlier this week, failed to stop the onslaught despite using tear gas against the protesters.Black smoke billowed out of smashed windows at the parliament building, where several offices were ravaged by flames, although the main chamber so far appeared to be unscathed.Several hundred protesters also broke into the headquarters of the national television station RTB, pillaging equipment and smashing cars, correspondents said.Crowds of people later massed near the presidential palace but were being held back by troops from the presidential guard who fired warning shots into the air.The ruling party headquarters in the second city of Bobo Dioulasso and the city hall was also torched by protesters, witnesses said.The United States said it was deeply concerned about the crisis and criticised the attempts to alter the constitution, while France appealed for calm and said it deplored the violence.Senegal meanwhile advised its citizens in Burkina Faso to stay indoors.- Anger at constitutional coup -The legislature had been due to examine a proposed amendment that would allow Compaore to run for re-election in November 2015.His bid to cling to power has angered many, including young people in a country where 60 percent of the population of almost 17 million is under 25.Many have spent their entire lives under the leadership of one man and -- with Burkina Faso stagnating at 183rd out of 186 countries on the UN human development index -- many have had enough.The situation is being closely watched across Africa where at least four heads of state are preparing or considering similar changes to stay in power, from Burundi to Benin.Compaore was only 36 when he seized power in the coup in which his former friend and one of Africas most loved leaders, Thomas Sankara, was ousted and assassinated.He has remained in power since, re-elected president four times since 1991 -- to two seven-year and two five-year terms.Known in colonial times as Upper Volta, the landlocked country became independent from France in 1960 and its name was changed to Burkina Faso (the land of upright men) in 1984.

Murray clinches ATP finals berth in Paris Posted: PARIS (AP) - Andy Murray clinched a spot in the ATP Finals on Thursday after beating Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets at the Paris Masters and then sent a message to his critics by scribbling bad year on a courtside television camera.Following a tumultuous year that saw him change coach and recover from a serious back injury, Murray booked his spot at the season-ending tournament in London by reaching the quarterfinals at the Palais Omnisports with a 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 9 seed Dimitrov.Before leaving the court, Murray signed bad year on a camera lens.It wasnt a jibe (at critics), its a bit of fun, he said about his autograph. I mean, people are going to ask me all the time why Ive had such a poor year by my standards. Youre allowed sometimes to say something in response to that. I dont tend to do that often, but, look, its been a hard year, a tough year, but it hasnt been a bad year.After missing last years season-ending tournament following surgery on his back, the eight-seeded Scot pushed hard to qualify for the indoor event for the seventh straight year, winning three titles over the past five weeks.Murray, who slipped from fourth in January to 12th in the rankings last month, reached the semifinals at the French Open then failed to defend its Wimbledon crown and had to wait until September to win his first title of the season at the Shenzhen Open in China.He split with coach Ivan Lendl in March and hired Amelie Mauresmo after Roland Garros.It could have been a lot worse, said Murray after contesting his 22nd match in five weeks. Coming back from surgery is not easy at all, and I learned that. The first few months of this year it was very difficult, and I had to dig deep at the end of this year in some ways to salvage the year, if you like. But its been a good year. Not been my best year, but I wouldve signed up for being in this position when I had the surgery last year, I think.The Scot was in control throughout against Dimitrov, losing only two points on his first serve as he took a measure of revenge following his loss to the Bulgarian player in the quarterfinals at the All England club this year.Already qualified for the finals, third-seeded Stan Wawrinka failed to serve out the match before losing a 6-7 (2), 7-5, 7-6 (3) to Kevin Anderson in a match lasting nearly three hours as the hard-hitting South-African rallied to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time.I should have won, said Wawrinka, who has been hampered by a virus this week and coughed a lot during his press conference. In the end, I made stupid mistakes, but Im not panicking. Im still Top 4 in the world and I have a Masters to play, a Davis Cup final on clay, which will be totally different from usual tournaments.Since his quarterfinals exit at the U.S. Open, Wawrinka has won only two matches and will travel to London with his form in question. Wawrinka will also be teaming up with his Switzerlands teammate Roger Federer in the Davis Cup final against France from Nov. 21-23 in Lille.This year I had ups and downs that were very high or very low, added the Australian Open champion, who was two points from the match when leading 5-4, 30-0 in the decider. But I wouldnt change anything compared to any other year of my career. I can still play well in the Masters, win the Davis Cup, and the year will be fabulous.Anderson, who hit 18 aces against Wawrinka, will next face Tomas Berdych, who stayed on course for qualifying for the finals for the fifth straight year by beating Feliciano Lopez 7-5, 6-3. Fourth-seeded David Ferrer, No. 6 seed Kei Nishikori and seventh-seeded Milos Raonic also kept alive their hopes of making it to London by defeating Fernando Verdasco, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Roberto Bautista Agut respectively.

Nishikori remains on course for ATP Finals Posted: PARIS (AP) - Despite being one of the smallest players on the Tour, Kei Nishikoris performances are not going unnoticed at home.Nishikori, who is bidding to become the first Asian-born player to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals, is enjoying a breakthrough season in which he claimed four titles and reached the U.S. Open final.Although he lost in straight sets to Marin Cilic at Flushing Meadows, the 5-foot-10 players popularity reached new heights following his excellent run in New York.Its been big change, especially in Japan, Nishikori said after beating local favorite and former champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 at the Paris Masters on Thursday. It was a little bit crazy when I went back Japan. There were a lot of people that showed up in airport. But its a really exciting thing for me.The 24-year-old Nishikori is in sixth position in the race for the season finale and is now just one match away from booking his spot at the O2 from Nov. 9-16.Three spots are still up for grabs in the race to London, with Nishikori among those hoping to join the already qualified Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray and Marin Cilic.Nishikori, who saved five of the six break points he faced against Tsonga, needs to beat fourth-seeded David Ferrer in the quarterfinals to be guaranteed of flying to London.I think its great that Im enjoying this moment, for the first time I have the chance to go London, he said. Even if I lose this chance, I did really well this year.What he is lacking in height, Nishikori said he is making up for in good positioning.Sometimes its not easy to play big guys like Milos (Raonic) and John Isner, but I have something that they dont have, Nishikori said. I have speed and good footwork, and I think thats tennis. Everybody plays different way, and I think thats the fun thing, also for the crowd.

Wozniacki confident she can finish NYC Marathon Posted: NEW YORK (AP) - Caroline Wozniacki started having nightmares of being rolled off the New York City Marathon course in a wheelchair.As first-time marathoners are supposed to, she had planned one long training run of close to the 26.2-mile distance. The only problem: The tennis star started winning too much in her day job.That meant less time off and more fatigue. So going into Sundays race, Wozniacki has never covered more than about 13 miles.I know that normally you should be doing more, but Ive been playing so many long matches, and I think most people dont work out or play tennis for three, four or five hours a day, she said Wednesday.When I did half and I felt great, I thought, You know what? This is OK. I can finish this, she added.Plenty of retired athletes have run marathons. The 24-year-old Dane knows of nobody who tried it in the prime of his or her career and just a week after a grueling season ended.On Saturday, Wozniacki lost in a third-set tiebreaker to top-ranked Serena Williams in Singapore in the semis of the WTA Finals. She then flew home to Copenhagen for a day before arriving in New York late Tuesday night.I think you need to be a little crazy, but in a good way, I hope, she said.Wozniacki realized before Wimbledon in mid-June that this years tournament schedule would allow her to do the NYC Marathon, a longtime goal. Always considered one of tennis fittest players, she figured she could squeeze in enough extra running to add to what she already did in her tennis training.The decision came less than a month after golfer Rory McIlroy broke off their engagement, timing Wozniacki has insisted was coincidental. The marathon plan could have distracted or wore her down. Instead, it seemed to improve her tennis.Wozniacki started the season 15-9. Since her decision, shes 34-10, her ranking rising from 16th to eighth. She reached her first Grand Slam final in five years before losing to her good friend Williams at the U.S. Open on Sept. 7.Still, other players dont seem to be clamoring to add marathon preparations to their tennis training.Wozniackis long stay at the Open left her just a week before back-to-back tournaments in Asia, and she advanced far in both. She started to panic that she wasnt fitting in enough running.But after dropping her first match in Beijing, Wozniacki had three weeks off before the WTA Finals, opening up time to train. She was encouraged that her runs felt good even if she never managed that long one.I thought I will save my energy and just get through with the crowd on Sunday, she said.Her experience winning long matches leaves the former No. 1 player confident I can push through anything.I think its going to be mental more than physical, Wozniacki said.Shell be accompanied by two pace-setters from Team for Kids, the charity shes supporting. The competitor in her has a time in mind, though she wont divulge it. Still, she plans plenty of waving to spectators and simply trying to finish.Dismissing the risk of injury, she said that as an athlete, you know your body so well.You know when you can push it, she added. You know when you need to hold back.Dr. Timothy Miller, co-director of the endurance medicine program at Ohio State, said that while the demands of tennis and distance running are very different, its reasonable to think Wozniacki can finish. Some effective marathon training programs require only 30 miles a week.The biggest risk of skipping that long run is Wozniacki cant predict how her body will react late in the race.You dont know what youll have left the last five, six miles, said Dr. Miller, a marathoner himself who serves as a team physician for the Buckeyes.Wozniacki always takes three weeks away from tennis at the end of the season. Her next tournament isnt until Auckland in early January.Shes received advice from one of her fitness coaches, whos an experienced marathoner, along with fellow player Kimiko Date-Krumm, who ran the 2004 London Marathon in 3 1/2 hours during her 12-year break from tennis. When Wozniacki went for a jog in Central Park two days after the U.S. Open final, fellow runners familiar with her marathon plans gave her thumbs-up.Wozniacki is still mastering the art of drinking and running at the same time. Laughing, she acknowledged that it goes all over the place.Wozniacki has already raised more than $50,000 for Team for Kids, which helps fund marathon organizer New York Road Runners youth programs. Andy Murray is among the tennis stars contributing.Serena, youre still missing, a grinning Wozniacki told the TV cameras at Wednesdays news conference. No pressure. She asked me the other day where she could donate, and I gave her the website. ... Now I put her on the spot. So now she doesnt have a choice.

You are subscribed to email updates from Dunya TV To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States