Friday 12 December 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

US Congress passes $584 billion defense bill

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Congress adopted a massive US defense spending bill for 2015 Friday which includes emergency funding for military operations against Islamic jihadists in Iraq and Syria, as requested by President Barack Obama.The legislation passed 89 votes to 11 in the Senate one week after it sailed through the House. It outlines $584.2 billion in federal military spending for fiscal year 2015, which began on October 1.The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was a culmination of months of negotiations. It extends training and equipping for moderate Syrian rebels, a program that had been authorized to last only until December 11, using existing Pentagon money.It also includes Obamas $5 billion request for funds to battle the Islamic State extremist group, including $3.4 billion for deployment of US forces as part of operation Inherent Resolve, and $1.6 billion for a program to equip and train Iraqi Kurdish forces for two years.The authorization includes $63.7 billion for overseas operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere. This bill includes a pay raise for members of the Armed Services, it enhances our efforts to keep our warfighters safe on the battlefield, and it authorizes the resources needed to responsibly conclude our combat mission in Afghanistan, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in a statement.Obamas request for $520 million for the State Departments humanitarian and diplomatic efforts was also included.But despite opposition from Obama, the bill extends restrictions on closing the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A ban on transferring detainees to the United States, in force since 2011, was renewed.Republicans fear the detainees might be freed by a judge and thus constitute a threat to national security. Thirteen prisoners have been sent to other countries this year, and 142 men remain in the prison.Among the bills hundreds of provisions, the measure provides for a one percent pay raise for uniformed personnel, expands sexual assault prevention and response provisions, and requires the military to provide annual mental health screenings for servicemembers. It also protects the fleet of A-10 close-air support aircraft, a measure for which Senator John McCain lobbied hard. The US Air Force had proposed retiring more than 100 A-10s, but the NDAA would prevent any such retirements in 2015.Defense spending accounts for just over half of the US governments budget for so-called discretionary spending, which excludes social welfare.

Kerry seeks to avert UN Palestinian showdown

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BOGOTA (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday he hoped to head off an end-of-year showdown at the United Nations over Palestinian statehood in meetings next week in Europe.There are a lot of different folks pushing in different directions out there, and the question is can we all pull in the same direction, Kerry told reporters during a visit to Colombia.The Palestinians are carrying out a major campaign aiming to submit to the UN Security Council a draft resolution setting out a two- or three-year timetable for an end to Israeli occupation.They have said they would like to see the text submitted before the end of the year, prompting a surprise meeting next Monday in Rome between Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.What were trying to do is figure out what makes sense, Kerry told reporters in Bogota.Were trying to figure out a way to help defuse the tensions and reduce the potential for more conflict, and were exploring various possibilities to that end, which is why Im also meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu.The Palestinians UN push comes amid tensions in the region and as a wave of European countries have seen parliamentary votes urging their governments to recognize a state of Palestine.The Portuguese parliament meanwhile became the latest to press for recognition of Palestinian statehood in coordination with the European Union, adding that the government should choose the moment best suited for the decision.Frances upper house voted Thursday to urge its government to recognize Palestine hard on the heels of a similar motion in the Irish parliament on Wednesday.Lawmakers in Britain and Spain have already passed their own motions and Sweden has gone even further, officially recognizing Palestine as a state, in a move that prompted a furious Israel to recall its ambassador.Kerry led a nine-month peace bid that collapsed in acrimony in April, and Washington has long opposed what it calls unilateral moves to achieve statehood, which it says will only come through a negotiated deal.State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Washingtons position had not changed, and stressed there was no draft resolution yet.But the fact is there are a number of countries out there that want to see action at the UN that are pushing for that, Psaki told reporters.There are a number of countries out there who have taken their own action, even non-binding action. And so this is an appropriate time to have the discussions.Kerry suggested that he may be traveling on from Rome to other European capitals, but did not specify details.On the margins of a UN climate talks in Lima on Thursday, the top US diplomat had discussed the tensions in the Middle East with his French counterpart Laurent Fabius. France is believed to be among those looking to craft a UN resolution.And on Friday, Kerry telephoned Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss recent developments in Israel, the West Bank, Jerusalem and the region, along with initiatives at the United Nations, Psaki said.Russia and the United States both hold veto power at the UN Security Council.Kerry also phoned Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to discuss the situation in the Middle East, a senior state department official said.The official said Kerry had expressed his condolences over the death of Ziad Abu Ein, a Palestinian official who died Wednesday after being struck in the chest during a confrontation with Israeli soldiers.The incident has triggered protests and clashes in the occupied territories, as the Palestinian leadership has blamed Israel for killing the 55-year-old official.

Yemen attack kills six Shiite militiamen: tribal sources

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SANAA (AFP) - Six Shiite Huthi militants were killed in an attack in central Yemen on Friday, tribal sources said, as Al-Qaeda claimed it had killed dozens.Ansarullah militiamen, also called Huthis, have captured many communities in western and central Yemen since taking the capital Sanaa on September 21.But they have been met by fierce resistance from Sunni tribes and Al-Qaeda militants.Tribal sources told AFP that unknown gunmen killed six militiamen at a Huthi checkpoint in the central province of Baida, the scene of deadly fighting between the group and Al-Qaeda.Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) said on Twitter on Friday it had killed 70 Huthi militiamen in several attacks in Rada, in Baida province.AFP could not confirm the toll from independent sources or from Ansarullah, which rarely acknowledges its casualties.AQAP military chief Qassem al-Rimi vowed in November to launch fierce attacks against the militiamen.To the Huthis we say: brace yourselves for horrors that will make the hair of children turn white, he said.AQAP, considered by Washington as the most dangerous arm of the jihadist organisation, said several of its attacks targeting Huthis were only a warm-up.AQAP leader Nasser al-Wuhayshi has accused the Huthis of collaborating with the United States and Iran to destroy Sunni Muslims.

Three injured in US school shooting: police

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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Three teenagers were shot and injured Friday outside a high school in the northwestern US state of Oregon, police said.The gunman fled the scene and the incident was not an active shooter situation, the Portland Police Department said on its Twitter feed.The three victims -- two boys and a girl -- were conscious and breathing after they were transported from the scene at Rosemary Anderson High School in north Portland, it said.The victims were struck in the torso area, Portland Fire Department spokesman Damon Simmons told AFP.Police said the victims ran to the high school after the shooting, and that the shooter had fled the scene.Obviously, were thankful we dont have any loss of life, Portland Police spokesman Pete Simpson told The Oregonian.According to the newspaper, the school is a community-based alternative establishment that serves at-risk students sent there after failing to thrive in traditional high schools.The campus was locked down after the incident -- the latest in a series of shootings at schools in the United States that regularly rekindle debate about gun control laws.The whereabouts of the gunman were not immediately clear.

Football: Real Madrid make it perfect twenty

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MADRID (AFP) - Two late Cristiano Ronaldo goals helped Real Madrid make it 20 consecutive victories in all competitions as they saw off Almeria 4-1 at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos on Friday.In their final La Liga game of 2014, Los Blancos stretched their lead over Barcelona, who travel to Getafe on Saturday, at the top of the table to five points.First-half goals from Isco and Gareth Bale either side of Verzas stunning equaliser sent the visitors in ahead at half-time, but they needed a big save from captain Iker Casillas when he parried Verzas penalty on the hour mark.Ronaldo then sealed the win when he turned home crosses from Karim Benzema and Dani Carvajal to take his La Liga tally to 25 goals this season.Almeria fought hard and we had a lot of problems during the game as we sought to keep possession. Only at the end of the game were we able to control the ball well and find the goals we needed to finish the match, said Carlo Ancelotti of his sides victory.Casillas managed to save the penalty in what was a defining moment, and thereafter that it was a little bit easier for us. Weve had an unforgettable year, winning a lot of titles, especially La Decima (10th Champions League title), and are in a good position in the league. We now go to the Club World Cup with the intentions of winning it.The hosts, with caretaker coach Miguel Rivera in charge following Francisco Rodriguezs dismissal earlier this week, came out of the blocks quickly, and almost made the perfect start.First Pepe and then Carvajal blocked goalbound close-range efforts from Fernando Soriano and Sebastian Dubarbier within the first three minutes.After gaining a foothold in the game, Madrid then saw a Toni Kroos volley from outside the area deflected onto the bar by Fran Velez, before Bale failed to find an unmarked Benzema in the six-yard box after breaking down the Andalusian sides left on the quarter-hour mark.With the hosts defending resolutely, Madrids frustrations began to show, with Bale guilty of a silly challenge that brought a yellow card from referee Alfonso Alvarez Izquierdo.As ever with Madrid, the calibre of player they possess means they can conjure a goal out of nothing, and that is exactly what happened as they took the lead on 33 minutes.Benzemas cross was too long for Ronaldo, but Isco was able to control the ball on his chest before curling an effort beyond the outstretched Ruben Martinez in the Almeria goal from the edge of the box.This brought a reaction from the home side, who pushed on aggressively and were rewarded for their pressure seven minutes from the break as Raphael Varanes headed clearance fell to Verza, who fired a first-time effort into the bottom corner 25 metres from goal to spark elation in the stands.The joy was short-lived, however, as fewer than three minutes later the league leaders retook the lead through a Bale header to go in at half-time in front.Eight minutes after the restart, Bale had a chance to double the visitors advantage as he produced a trademark burst through the heart of the Almeria defence, only for his right-footed effort to fly past Rubens right-hand post.Moments later Ruben then produced a full-length stop from a Ronaldo effort as the European champions sought to put the game to bed.While they only trailed by one goal, the hosts always remained in the game, and they had the opportunity to draw level 15 minutes into the second period as Marcelo brought down Edgar Mendez in the area, but Casillas guessed correctly and parried Verzas spot-kick to safety.Nine minutes from time Ronaldo sealed the win after combining with Benzema, and the Portuguese then put the gloss on the scoreline a minute from the end when he thumped home Carvajals cut-back.

Football: Barcelona without Neymar for Getafe clash

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MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona have left Brazilian star Neymar out of their squad for Saturdays meeting with Getafe in La Liga as a precaution.The Catalan club announced that the Brazilian has a problem with his left ankle and will not travel to Madrid as a precaution, without giving any further details as to how long he may be absent.The 22-year-old, who scored in Wednesdays 3-1 Champions League win against Paris Saint-Germain that allowed Barca to go through to the last 16 as winners of their group, withdrew from training on Friday.Luis Enriques side head to Getafe in second place in La Liga and lay two points behind Real Madrid before the leaders game at Almeria on Friday.Barcelona, who welcome back Daniel Alves after he missed the PSG game due to suspension, have won their last eight games in all competitions.

Tennis: ATP annual prize money to exceed $100 million for first time

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LONDON (AFP) - ATP chiefs on Friday revealed overall prize money for the mens tennis tour will exceed $100 million (63.6 million pound) for the first time in 2015.Players on the World Tour will also see the prize money pool reach $135 million by 2018 as the ATP reaps the rewards of the sports huge global appeal to sponsors and fans.The increases at ATP events are a testament to the sustained success of mens professional tennis, as well as demonstrating the ATPs confidence in the strength of its product and projected growth in future years, an ATP statement read.The biggest increases come at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 category -- the events regarded as second only to the four Grand Slams in terms of prestige, with tournaments providing annual increases of 11 percent, and with the ATP contributing a further 3 percent increase, resulting in a 14 percent annual increase in that category through to 2018.Player compensation at the less glamourous ATP World Tour 250 events is set to increase at an average of 3.5 percent per year during the same period.

Golf: Grace moves five shots clear at halfway stage

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MALELANE (AFP) - South Africas Branden Grace strengthened his lead going into the weekend at the European Tours Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club on Friday with a second-round 66 to move to 16 under.Grace followed up a stunning 10-under-par opening round of 62 on Thursday with a six-under-par 66 that was marred only by a bogey at the short fifth hole.Three clear overnight, the 26-year-olds round, which started on the back nine, featured seven birdies, including a long putt to gain a shot at the ninth, his last hole.As a result, Grace, who won all four of his European Tour titles to date in 2012, is five shots clear of Italys Francesco Molinari, with South African Tjaart van der Waalt third at 10-under.This is a golf course that suits me and if I keep hitting everything in play the way I have been the first two days then it should be a good weekend, Grace, who hails from Pretoria, told europeantour.com.Former Ryder Cup star Molinari moved up the leaderboard with a 65 that included an eagle at the par-five 13th hole.I played really well today, said Molinari. I holed some really good putts - the last four or five holes could have been better, but seven under is always a good round.It was a good day for another Italian, with 17-year-old prospect Renato Paratore shooting five birdies in a row on the front nine on the way to a four-under-par 68 that allowed him to make the cut on three-under altogether.Further forward, Shaun Norris, Lucas Bjerregaard and Englands Danny Willett, who won last weeks Nedbank Golf Challenge, are all tied for fourth at nine-under.In contrast, defending champion Charl Schwartzels hopes of winning the event for the third year running were not helped by a 70 which left him 11 shots off the lead.

Chehlum of Imam Hussain (RA) being observed today

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Processions will be taken out and majalis will be held in every nook and corner of the country to mark the 40th day to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) today (Saturday).Foolproof security arrangements have been made for the main Chehlum procession in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and other cities of the country. Ban on pillion riding has been imposed in major cities Sindh, Punjab, KPK and Balochistan.According to sources, the ban on pillion riding has been imposed to counter possible security threats on the occasion of Chehlum. Moreover police officials have also been deployed at sensitive areas in all major cities.Meanwhile mobile networks will be shut down on account of Chehlum of Imam Hussain (RA). Mobile networks are reported to go down starting 8am on Saturday, December 13.

Swimming: Spaniard smashes 1500m short-course record

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MADRID (AFP) - Short-course 1500m world champion Spains Mireia Belmonte broke the discipline world record by almost three seconds at her national championships on Friday. The new mark of 15 minutes, 19.71 seconds set during the Spanish short-course national championships at Sabadell takes over from New Zealander Lauren Boyles previous world record mark of 15min 22.68sec.Belmonte won four titles at the recent Doha 2014 short-course worlds with gold in the 200m butterfly, 400m medley (where she won both in world record times) and also the 400m and 800m freestyle.

Ebola death toll climbs to 6,583

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GENEVA (AFP) - Nearly 6,600 people have now died from the Ebola virus, almost all of them in west Africa, the World Health Organization said Friday.The UN health agency reported that as of December 10, there had been 18,188 cases of infection from the deadly virus in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, of whom 6,583 people had died.WHO did not provide an update of cases in other countries, but on Wednesday said the death toll remained the same: six in Mali, one in the United States, and eight in Nigeria, which was declared Ebola free in October.Spain and Senegal, which have both been declared free from Ebola, meanwhile counted one case each, but no deaths. - Sierra Leone - Sierra Leone, which earlier this week overtook Liberia as the nation with the most infections, counted 8,069 cases and 1,899 deaths on December 10.The toll up until December 7 stood at 7,897 cases and 1,768 deaths.- Liberia - Liberia, long the hardest-hit country, has meanwhile seen a clear decrease in transmission over the past month.As of December 7, the country counted 7,765 cases and 3,222 deaths, up from the 7,719 infections and 3,177 deaths tallied four days earlier.- Guinea - In Guinea, where the outbreak started nearly a year ago, 2,354 Ebola cases and 1,462 deaths were recorded as of December 10.Three days earlier, the country counted 2,292 Ebola cases and 1,428 deaths.- Healthcare workers - Ebola, one of the deadliest viruses known to man, is spread only through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person showing symptoms such as fever or vomiting.People caring for the sick or handling the bodies of people infected Ebola are especially exposed.As of December 7, a total of 639 healthcare workers were known to have contracted the virus, and 349 of them had died, WHO said.

Oil plunges again, reaches recession-level depths

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NEW YORK (AP) - Another forecast of weak global demand, another nosedive for oil.A 6-month rout in the price of oil accelerated this week, culminating in a 4 percent drop Friday its third such drop in 5 days to its lowest level since May of 2009, when the U.S. was still in recession. Fridays trigger was a lowered expectation for oil consumption from the International Energy Agency.The benchmark U.S. oil price closed down $2.14 to close at $57.81 a barrel in New York. It is now 46 percent below its late-June high for the year of $107.26. Brent crude, the international standard used to price oil purchased by many U.S. refineries, fell 77 cents to close at $61.85.In its monthly oil report, the IEA said global oil demand in 2015 will grow by 900,000 barrels a day 230,000 less than previously forecast to 93.3 million barrels a day.The agency said the reduction was a result of the ever-more tentative pace of the global economic recovery.It was the latest in a string of reports and forecasts that suggest that there is far more oil being produced globally than there is demand for it.OPEC said Wednesday that higher production from non-OPEC members and weak global economic growth will reduce demand for its oil to 28.9 million barrels a day next year. Thats the lowest level in more than a decade, and less than the 30 million barrels per day that the group says it plans to produce next year.Also on Wednesday, the Energy Department reported a surprise increase in U.S. crude supplies of 1.5 million barrels. Analysts were expecting a decline of 2.2 million barrels. Gasoline stocks also increased more than expected.Earlier in the week Japan reported that its economy shrunk more than expected and new factory data from China suggested further slowing there.On Friday the IEA said several years of high oil prices prompted drillers around the world to develop new oil fields. Now that oil is surpassing demand. For example, U.S production has surged by 3.5 million barrels per day since 2008 more than every OPEC nation except Saudi Arabia.The agency dampened expectations that the fall in oil prices will automatically be a boon for the global economy.The adverse impact of the oil price rout on oil-exporting economies looks likely to offset, if not exceed, the stimulus it could provide for oil-importing countries against a backdrop of weak economic growth and low inflation, the IEA said.It highlighted the impact on Russia, which has been particularly hard hit by the market sell-off.Others, however, believe the benefit to consumers from lower fuel prices outweighs the negatives for energy producers. In a note last month, Barclays estimated that a 20 percent decline in gas prices in the U.S. results in $70 billion of savings for consumers, money that helps restaurants, clothing stores, movie theaters and other businesses that depend on discretionary spending.Barclays said those gains more than offset an estimated reduction of $40 billion in capital spending by the energy sector.The average price of gasoline in the U.S. has dropped 30 percent since April, to $2.60 per gallon from this years peak of $3.70, according to AAA, saving a typical household $100 a month.

Dollar mixed following weak US inflation data

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar Friday fell against the euro, but gained on the Japanese yen following weak US inflation data.US producer prices fell 0.2 percent in November, according to data from the Labor Department. While the main reason for the 0.2 percent fall last month in the producer price index was the steep drop in energy prices, wholesale goods excluding energy also fell for the second straight month, by 0.1 percent.Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Western Union Business Solutions, said the inflation data are an obstacle in the way of a potential Federal Reserve rate hike next year.Although jobs and consumer spending have been bright spots for the US economy, the Fed would want to gain greater confidence in inflation moving towards its 2 percent goal before boosting interest rates.The Federal Reserve holds its last policy meeting of the year on Tuesday and Wednesday, with analysts guessing they might signal to markets the possibility that a rate hike could come earlier than the mid-2015 date currently expected.

Australia declare to set India 364 runs to win 1st Test

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ADELAIDE (AFP) - Australia declared at their overnight 290 for five to set India 364 runs to win on the final day of the first Adelaide Test on Saturday.India face an against-the-odds target with no team scoring more than 315 to win a Test match at the Adelaide Oval since Australia overhauled England at the ground in 1902.The forecast is for hot and sunny conditions throughout the final day.Earlier on Friday, David Warners second century put Australia in control of the first Test against India but umpires twice had to intervene as tempers flared in Adelaide.Warners batting again caused trouble for India, scoring 102 to go with his emotional first-day 145 as Australia built a healthy lead in the first of the four-Test series.At the close, the Australians had extended their overall lead to 363 runs at 290 for five. First-innings centurion Steve Smith was 52 not out and Brad Haddin was on 14.The home side went after runs late in the day and Mitchell Marsh clubbed leg-spinner Karn Sharma for three sixes and a four in one over before he was caught on the ropes for 40 off 26 balls going after another six.The highest successful run chase at the Adelaide Oval remains 315 for six by Australia against England in 1902.

Samuels, Smith confident ahead of Tests

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BENONI (AFP) - West Indian batsmen Marlon Samuels and Devon Smith both expressed confidence on Friday after the third and final day of the tourists match against a South African Invitation XI at Willowmoore Park was abandoned without a ball bowled because of rain.The West Indians were in a strong position with the Invitation XI due to resume their second innings at 17 for no wicket, still 366 runs behind the West Indian first innings total of 508.Samuels hit 203 and Smith 174, with both batsmen retiring. The pair put on 360 for the third wicket.I basically paced myself. I am confident, said Samuels.I have been batting very well and I used that momentum to bring me into this game. I am just enjoying batting at the moment and putting some good scores on the board and helping out my team as much as possible.Smith, 33, who came into the Test squad as a late replacement for the injured Chris Gayle, said he had arrived in South Africa feeling confident after shining in the West Indian domestic first-class competition.I feel good. I think I was in good touch for the first round of the first-class season. I had the most runs before I left home so I think this trend continued from where I left off, he said Smith.I am a little more mature now so I think my game play is different than before.The left-hander from Grenada said he had changed his approach to batting and he intended to use the tour of South Africa as an opportunity to cement his place in the West Indies team.I try to apply myself as long as possible to the wicket and I think I am a bit more selective in my shot playing.The first of three Tests against South Africa starts at Centurion on Wednesday.Scores: South African Invitation XI 125 and 17-0. West Indians 508.
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