Wednesday 24 December 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Debutant Burns to bat at six, Harris to play for Australia

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Debutant Joe Burns will bat at number six and paceman Ryan Harris returns for Australia in the third Boxing Day Test against India, skipper Steve Smith said on Thursday.Smith, who won his first Test as captain as a replacement for the injured Michael Clarke at the Gabba last weekend, said Harris would come into the side at the expense of paceman Mitchell Starc for the Melbourne Test match.Burns, 25, who has the flexibility of batting anywhere in the top six, replaces injured allrounder Mitchell Marsh.Shane Watson will continue to bat at number three despite scores of 14, 33, 25 and 0 so far in the series against India.Smith said he had opted for continuity in the third Test with Burns taking Marshs place lower in the order.Shane Watsons best suited at the top of the order ... Joe will slot in at number six, Smith told reporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Mitch has been playing some pretty good cricket ... he was starting to find his feet.Disappointing for him, but Joe Burns gets his opportunity on Boxing Day and its going to be a very special week for him.Youve got to enjoy it, but I think its just another cricket game for him and hes been hitting the ball really well, so look, Im looking forward to seeing him come out here and hopefully score a few runs in this Test match, he said.David Warner, Watson and Shaun Marsh have been passed fit to play.Watson and Marsh have recovered after being struck in the nets this week, while Warner will play despite taking a blow on his left thumb during the Gabba Test.It was a bit sore when it hit the splice or the toe of the bat but thats to be expected but I feel good and Im ready to go, Warner said.I tried to have a dip at the spinners (in the nets) to see if I could actually hit the ball as hard as I can and it did feel real sore but I had to try and grind it out and get through that pain and I was able to do that.Australia will reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy if they defeat India after winning the opening Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-Test series.India have lost their last five encounters at the MCG stretching back 23 years.Australia - David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steve Smith (capt), Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

Obama, Malaysian PM hit the links in Hawaii

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama, on vacation in Hawaii, tends to golf with buddies and aides, but on Wednesday mixed things up, hitting the links with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.The president and Prime Minister Najib of Malaysia enjoyed golf together today, a White House official said. The two leaders took the opportunity to discuss the growing and warming relationship between the United States and Malaysia.In addition, Obama is looking forward to working with the prime minister in 2015 when Malaysia chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the official said.Obama, who usually plays at the Marine Corps base in Kaneohe Bay when in Hawaii, made the first visit by a sitting US president to Malaysia in decades last year.

Football: Zola appointed as Cagliari boss

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ROME (AFP) - Serie A strugglers Cagliari have appointed club favourite Gianfranco Zola as their new coach, the club announced on Wednesday.Zola, 48, replaces Zdemak Zemen who was sacked on Monday after a series of poor results left the Sardinian club hovering just above the relegation zone with just one win in 12 games since September.In a short matter-of-fact statement on the clubs website, Cagliari announced the appointment under the headline Welcome back Gianfranco.The club said he would take over on Sunday when the players resume training after the Christmas lay-off and would be assisted by another former Italian international striker, Pierluigi Casiraghi.Earlier in the day, another candidate for the job, former Italy international goalkeeper Walter Zenga, ruled himself out of the running after talks with president Tommaso Guilini.Zenga wrote on Twitter: I would like to thank president Tommaso Giuilii and everyone at Cagliari for thinking of me but with regret I am forced to decline. At the moment, for professional and personal reasons I intend to remain in Dubai.His contract with the Al-Jazira club has come to an end, but he is understood to be working closely with the Emirati royal family, the sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport said.

US Postal Service eyes e-commerce to offset declining mail

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CHICAGO (Reuters) - Facing a slump in the mail it had been delivering since the days of Americas Revolutionary War, in 2012 the U.S. Postal Service began aggressively targeting e-commerce and lapsed customers as the way to salvage its declining business.Really it started almost at the level of cold-calling, talking to people who really hadnt spoken to us in a long time, said Nagisa Manabe, who joined the USPS in May 2012 as chief marketing and sales officer from Coca-Cola Co after a career in the private sector. And really trying to persuade them to consider us as a very viable alternative in the shipping market.With further drops in its traditional bread-and-butter products ahead, the USPS wants to capitalize on e-commerce, which consulting firm Detroit LLP has predicted should grow 14 percent this holiday season alone. But industry experts question whether the USPS has enough space in its delivery vans and whether its unionized work force can handle a greater proportion of the e-commerce market.Over the past two years the USPS has rolled out real-time scanning for packages, a vital tool for online retailers and consumers alike to track their packages. It is also upgrading all of its delivery workers handheld scanners.The rise of the Internet has taken a heavy toll on first-class mail, the USPSs most profitable product. That falling business played a significant role in the USPSs fiscal 2014 loss of $5.5 billion, its eighth consecutive year in the red.From 2009 to 2013, the volume of first-class mail deliveries dropped more than 20 percent. In the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, USPS deliveries declined to 155.4 billion pieces from 158.2 billion. First-class deliveries accounted for 2.2 billion pieces of that decline.But package deliveries rose to more than 4 billion pieces from 3.7 billion, accounting for $1.1 billion of the USPSs revenue growth of $1.9 billion. In the run-up to Christmas, the USPS has been doing Sunday deliveries for Amazon.com Inc in a number of cities. Manabe adds that the agency will handle the online retailers push into same-day and next-day deliveries in many markets.EBay Inc is another major customer and Manabe says pretty much anyone whos in the e-commerce space at least does some volume with us.FLEET OVERHAULMany in the delivery industry are waiting to see how the USPS has handled surging e-commerce volumes in the days before Christmas.The USPSs competitive advantage lies in the fact that it already delivers to every house in America and analysts estimate it can do so for around a quarter of the cost charged by United Parcel Service Inc and FedEx Corp, which are both competitors and customers of the USPS.The U.S. Postal Service has the ultimate last-mile delivery network, so it has a real opportunity here, said Vinnie DeAngelis, vice president of postal relations at Neopost USA, which provides tracking and other software for e-commerce retailers and delivery companies.According to shipment-tracking software developer ShipMatrix Inc, in 2013 the USPS accounted for 59.2 percent of e-commerce deliveries, while UPS accounted for 31.9 percent and FedEx 8.9 percent. The USPS has predicted holiday package volume growth of around 12 percent this year from Nov. 17 to Christmas.In the years ahead, the USPS expects 80 percent of U.S. ZIP codes will see significantly more business, Manabe said. But many of the USPSs current delivery vehicles are more than 25 years old and built for mail instead of larger packages.They (the USPS) tend to operate smaller vehicles that really cube out (fill up) pretty quickly as opposed to the network we have in place, FedEx Executive Vice President Michael Glenn said during a Dec. 17 earnings conference call with analysts. Delivery companies measure their vehicles three-dimensional space in cubes.The USPS plans to spend more than $10 billion over the next four years on a new fleet of vehicles. Manabe said that could mean three or four different sizes of vehicles to handle different package volumes in urban and rural areas.Some industry experts are concerned that the USPS, whose operations are dictated by Congress, may have trouble handling e-commerce growth due to its quasi-government unionized workers.When I think about the USPS business model, I dont believe they are ever going to get the productivity of FedEx or UPS, said Brian Hancock, a board member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.But Manabe insists the unionized work force is on board and recognizes the importance of e-commerce.The last few delivery days before Christmas have been a test for the USPS. After struggling with a late surge in online orders last year that left an estimated 2 million packages stranded on Christmas Eve, UPS and FedEx both made it clear this year that they would reject a last-minute flood of packages if it threatened their systems.Rick Jones, a former UPS executive and now CEO of regional delivery company Lone Star Overnight, says that for many retailers this holiday season, the USPS may have become the carrier of last resort.The question is whether their smaller vehicles, which are designed for mail rather than packages, could handle the extra volume, he said.

Ceiling collapse exposes Chinese panty thief

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BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese man who stole hundreds of pieces of ladies underwear had his secret exposed after an emergency exit ceiling where he had been storing his hoard collapsed, state media reported.The man, surnamed Tang and in his 30s, admitted to having mental problems since he was young and that he did not know how long he had been obsessed with womens undergarments, reports said.Police in the city of Yulin said they found more than 2,000 pieces of panties and bras in the roof where he had stuffed his collection.Residents in the housing complex where Tang lived had complained about the mysterious vanishing of their undergarments.Tang used a master key for the apartments in the complex to sneak in and steal the underwear when residents were not there, media said this week.

Death sentence for Saudi linked to 2006 Qaeda plot

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RIYADH (AFP) - A Saudi Arabian court on Wednesday sentenced a man to death for links to a 2006 attack claimed by Al-Qaeda on the kingdoms biggest oil facility.Two other Saudis were jailed for 33 and 27 years respectively, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.In February 2006, suicide bombers with explosive-laden vehicles attempted to penetrate the oil-processing plant at Abqaiq, in Eastern Province, killing two security guards.The pair of militants also died in the attack, which failed to breach the compound and was claimed by the Saudi branch of Al-Qaeda.Saudi security forces later killed five men linked to the plot during an armed clash in the capital.The court in Riyadh convicted the men of various charges including participation by agreement with the Abqaiq attack, the SPA said.One of them had been responsible for Al-Qaedas media activities inside the kingdom, it added.They were also found guilty of offences including the possession of bombs, weapons and ammunition.Authorities in 2011 established specialised tribunals to try Saudis and foreigners accused of belonging to Al-Qaeda or of involvement in deadly attacks in the kingdom from 2003 to 2007.The latest convictions come as Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours participate in US-led air strikes against Islamic State group militants in Syria, raising concerns about possible retaliation in the kingdom.

Ban Ki-moon condemns Jordan pilot kidnapping

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday expressed his concern over a Jordanian pilot captured by the Islamic State jihadist group after his plane went down in Syria.The militants and a monitoring group both said the plane had been shot down with an anti-aircraft missile, but this has not been verified.Ban condemned the pilots kidnapping and called on the Islamic State group to release him.The secretary noted with concern the news of the downing of a Jordanian plane and of its pilot being taken prisoner, a statement from the United Nations said.He calls on his captors to treat the pilot in accordance with international humanitarian laws.The IS group released photographs of the captured pilot and showed a military card identifying him as 26-year-old First Lieutenant Maaz al-Kassasbeh.Jordan is a member of the US-led air campaign against the Islamic State jihadists, who have taken over huge swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq.Ban urged all sides to find a durable solution to the conflict.It was the first coalition warplane lost since air strikes on the Islamic State jihadists began in Syria in September.Coalition warplanes have carried out regular strikes around Raqa, which the IS organization has used as the headquarters for its self-declared caliphate after seizing control of large parts of Syria and Iraq.

Dollar gives back some gains from US GDP bounce

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar Wednesday gave back some of its gains from the prior days advance following a strong US economic report.The dollar dipped against the euro, the Japanese yen and other major leading currencies in light trade ahead of Thursdays Christmas holiday.With most of the worlds trading centers winding down now for the week, volumes are light, and activity is largely subdued, said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst with Commonwealth Foreign Exchange.With lighter volumes however, there is always the risk of choppy and erratic market moves.Even with Wednesdays drop, the dollar is near a nine-year trade-weighted high due to expectations that the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates more quickly than other central banks after data Tuesday put US gross domestic product growth at five percent in the third quarter, Esiner said.The GDP report was the one of the strongest signals yet that Americas economy is reaching lift-off momentum and that the Federal Reserve will soon need to begin removing monetary accommodation, he said.1900 GMT Wed. 2200 GMT Tues.EUR/USD 1.2202 1.2171EUR/JPY 146.97 146.94EUR/CHF 1.2023 1.2024EUR/GBP 0.7841 0.7843USD/JPY 120.44 120.71USD/CHF 0.9852 0.9879GBP/USD 1.5556 1.5516

Low key Christmas celebrations in Pakistan amid grief for Peshawar victims

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LAHORE (Web Desk) – With many churches canceling celebrations, the Christian community in Pakistan is having a low key Christmas celebrations out of the respect for Peshawar massacre victims.The simple celebrations have begun just as the Christmas Eve started with prayer services in the churches and households.The Christmas celebrations will continue throughout the night and the day. The festivities will include distributing presents among children and cutting cakes. The churches across the country are praying for the stability and peace in Pakistan.Several churches have already been paying homage and leading prayers for the victims of Peshawar massacre that left 142 people including 133 children dead.

'Your days are numbered', PM reads 'nation's verdict' to terrorists

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday addressed the nation through national TV right after the mid night and warned the terrorists saying “your days are numbered”, Dunya News reported.Nawaz Sharif said that as a father he can realize how painful it must have been for all the parents and families who lost their loved ones in the Peshawar massacre.“Innocent children’s cry is still echoing in my ears”, he said.Prime Minister read a declaration containing a ‘plan of action’ to fight the terrorism.1.Executions of convicted terrorists have resumed2.Special trial courts are being established under military supervision, these special courts’ tenure will be 2 years3.Armed struggle and militant groups will have no place anywhere in Pakistan4.Anti terrorism institute NACTA is being revived and will soon be functioning5.Literature promoting violence, sectarianism and extremism will be curbed6.Funding sources of terrorists and terror outfits will completely be shutdown7.Banned outfits will not have permission to work under alias8.Decision to form special anti-terrorism force has been taken9.Protection of religious minorities is being ensured to stop religious extremism10.Registrations and regulation of religious institutions are being arranged.11.Promotion of terrorists and their messages will completely be banned from print and electronic media12. Immediate return of IDPs will be deemed priority, administration arrangements in FATA are being speeded up.13.Social and communication networks of terrorists will eliminated fully.14.Immediate steps are being taken to prevent propagation of terrorist message on internet and social media15.No space for terrorists including areas in Punjab will be available to terrorists.16.The ongoing operation in Karachi will be completed.17.Government of Balochistan is being given full autonomy by all stakeholders keeping in view the political reconciliation.18.Decisive action is being taken against the elements behind sectarianism.19.A comprehensive policy about Afghan refugees is being formed

Quaid Day being observed today

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – The nation is paying homage to its founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his 138th birthday, Dunya News reported.Even though Pakistanis are still grieving over Peshawar massacre in which as many as 142 people including 133 children lost their lives, they are expressing determination to renew pledge with Quaid to work day and night for the progress of the country.Quaid-e-Azam, literally ‘the great leader’, heroically fought for the right to self determination for Muslims of the subcontinent. His leadership, advocacy and faith led to the creation of what was deemed impossible at the time, Pakistan.

Islamabad: All parties conference issues jointly agreed notification

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – All parties conference on Wednesday has issued a joint notification for the elimination of terrorism.According to the notification, the maddaris (religious institutions) would be registered and activities of the extremist organisations would be stopped. NECTA would be made reformed and restructured. Provocative speeches and publication and distribution of extremist material would be stopped.The trial of the extremists would be finalised and given judgement over as soon as possible and no extremist organisation would be allowed to operate in the country. The operation in Karachi to restore peace would continue until the motives are achieved.Moreover, the communication system of terrorists would be destroyed and a policy would be formulated for the safe return and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Terrorist organisations trying to operate in the country with different names would also be banned.Furthermore, the misuse of social media and internet by terrorists would be stopped.

Genes linked to developmental disorders

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PARIS (AFP) - British scientists said Wednesday they had discovered 12 genes linked to developmental disorders in children that can cause heart defects, seizures and intellectual disability.The genes were found in a trawl of the genomes of 1,133 children with severe, undiagnosed disorders and their parents, said the authors of a study published in the journal Nature.These newly implicated genes increase by 10 percent the proportion of children that could be diagnosed by identifying the DNA mutations responsible for their condition, they wrote.Up to half of children with severe developmental disorders have no specific genetic diagnosis. Some disorders are extremely rare, and symptoms can vary from one person to another.Pinpointing the genes responsible is the starting point in the search for new treatments, said a statement from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, which takes part in the ongoing genetic research project dubbed Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD).It may also help doctors understand why some people get developmental disorders, and inform the reproductive choices of people who already have an affected child.According to the DDD website, some of the most common disorders involve growth problems, physical deformities, and learning and behavioural problems. Symptoms may include epilepsy, autism, schizophrenia, physical deformities or stunted growth.It is not understood what causes the genetic coding errors that underlie these disorders -- some mutations are inherited from the parents, others appear in the child for the first time.Most disabilities begin before birth, but some can develop after because of injury, infection, environmental or other factors. The effects can severely impact day-to-day functioning, and may last a lifetime.The DDD project aims to ultimately analyse genetic data from 12,000 families.They authors said they would share their findings with other researchers, citing a moral imperative to help families in urgent need of diagnoses.Researchers hope that the project will inspire more clinical and research programmes around the world to deposit data... to pinpoint more genetic causes of developmental disorders and improve diagnostic rates internationally, said the statement.

Severe storms slam US South, killing at least 4

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COLUMBIA (AP) Power companies managed to restore electricity to thousands of people in Mississippi on Wednesday, a day after a powerful storm swept through the southeastern U.S. and killed four people.About 6,000 people were without power after the storm Tuesday but most had service restored or were expected to have service Wednesday, Gov. Phil Bryant said at a news conference.Mississippi Power told The Associated Press about 300 customers were still without electricity by midday Wednesday, but most would have power by the end of the day.Bryant, who toured the stricken area by helicopter and by vehicle before the news conference, said state emergency officials believe the destruction was caused by a tornado, although the National Weather Service in Jackson has not confirmed that yet.State emergency workers were still evaluating the damage. Four people were killed in storm, including three who died in mobile homes. Another person was killed at a business.Some 40 businesses and 30 homes were damaged in Columbia county, Bryant said. About 10 to 15 buildings were damaged in more rural areas.Police in Columbia were stationed at all major intersections after traffic lights were either swept away or destroyed amid Tuesdays powerful storms. At least 20 people were injured, according to Mississippi Emergency Management Agency officials.The roof was ripped off the building of the Jack Morris Gas Co., a natural gas supplier.In Alabama, authorities said thunderstorms left trees and power lines down across the state and flooded several roads.The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch in south Georgia as thunderstorms continued in many parts of the state. A tornado watch was issued for parts of northern Florida. A flood warning was issued for Lawrence County in Alabama and Tangipahoa Parish in Louisiana.

8 dead in apparent murder-suicide in Mexico

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MEXICO CITY (AP) Authorities are investigating the deaths of six children and two adults in an apparent murder-suicide in a home in the state of Mexico.A statement from the state prosecutors office on Wednesday said the children apparently were asphyxiated. They were found on a mattress pad in the home in Ecatepec about 15 miles north of Mexico City. A woman who appeared to have been beaten was found on a bed.A man who investigators believe killed the other seven and then committed suicide was found hanging from a window.Authorities did not release their identities or how they were related, but local media reported that the man had killed his ex-wife and their six children.
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