Monday 2 February 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Seven burnt to death after bus firebombed in Bangladesh

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DHAKA (AFP) - Suspected anti-government protesters threw a petrol bomb at a bus full of sleeping passengers in Bangladesh Tuesday, leaving seven people dead and several others fighting for life as deadly political unrest deepens.Police said the bus was attacked near the eastern town of Chuddogram. The deaths brought the number of people killed in protests unleashed by opposition leader Khaleda Zia last month to 53, with hundreds more injured -- most in firebombings of buses, lorries and cars.Seven passengers were burnt to death in the bus after the petrol bomb was thrown at 4am (2000 GMT Monday), district police chief Tuttul Chakrabarty told AFP by phone.Five of the passengers are fighting for their life as 40-80 percent of their bodies were burnt. They have been shifted to a hospital in the capital, he said.At least 10 people were also injured after they jumped from the buss windows, trying to escape the blaze, he added.Police Inspector Mahfuzur Rahman told AFP that authorities have raided villages near where the attack took place, but no arrests have been made.Zia urged supporters last month to enforce a nationwide blockade of roads, railways and waterways to try to force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to call a fresh general election.The opposition boycotted the last poll in January 2014 on the grounds it was rigged. The boycott meant most members of the 300-seat parliament were returned unopposed, handing Hasina another five years in power. The protests have triggered widespread violence across the impoverished nation. More than 800 vehicles have been torched or damaged, bringing inter-city transport services almost ground to a halt.Security forces have launched a nationwide crackdown -- but the arrest of more than 10,000 opposition supporters appears to have done little to quell the unrest.Zia denies her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist allies are responsible for the firebombings and has demanded the release of opposition officials and leaders detained over the violence.Hasina has accused Zia of trying to trigger anarchy and has reportedly given the the security agencies carte blanche to hunt down the protesters.On Monday Bangladesh authorities increased pressure on Zia with the announcement of a probe into allegations of murder against her.The 69-year-old leader, who has been holed up in her office since January 3, has already been charged by police with lesser crimes including abetting and instigating the firebombings.The European Union has urged Hasinas government and the opposition to hold talks to resolve the crisis.

Two more terrorists hanged in Karachi Central Jail

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Two cconvicted terrorists, Attaullah and Azam were hanged till death in Karachi Central Jail on early Tuesday morning, Dunya News reported.Atta Ullah and Azam, hailing from a banned outfit, had killed Dr. Ali Raza in 2001 in Soldier Bazaar, Karachi. An anti-terrorism court (ATC) awarded death penalty to Attaullah and Azam, members of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi in 2004.

Corps Commanders Conference today

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RAWALPINDI (Online) - Corps Commanders Conference will be held today (Tuesday) with Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif in the chair.According to ISPR, security situation and professional matters will be discussed during the conference.

New Zealand to bat first in second ODI against Pakistan

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NAPIER (AFP) - New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat in the second and final one-day international against Pakistan at Napiers McLean Park on Tuesday.The match is the final hit-out for both sides before the World Cup begins on February 14.New Zealand made four changes to the team that coasted to a seven-wicket win in Wellington on Saturday, resting Tom Latham, Kyle Mills, and Corey Anderson.Kane Williamson, Daniel Vettori and Tim Southee come into the starting XI.It looks a good wicket and if we get a score on the board it gives us the ability to try to be as desperate as we can in the field later on, skipper Brendon McCullum said after deciding to bat.Pakistan named an unchanged line-up. Teams:New Zealand - Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (capt), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult.Pakistan - Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Bilawal Bhatti, Ehsan Adil, Mohammad Irfan.Toss: New Zealand.Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS) Derek Walker (NZL).TV umpire: Michael Gough (ENG).Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND).

Alpine skiing: Vonn seeks redemption in super-G race

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BEAVER CREEK (AFP) - Ski legend Lindsey Vonn has some unfinished business in Tuesdays womens super-G race on the opening day of the World Alpine Ski Championships in Beaver Creek.The 30-year-old American will bid to put the sour memories of the super-G race in the 2013 championships behind her and regain the title she won in the 2009 edition.Vonns high speed crash in the 2013 race resulted in torn ligaments in her right knee, a broken bone in her leg and her cries for help, as emergency workers raced to assist her, sent shivers through millions watching live on TV.I have more pressure on myself because I want to perform well for my family, said Vonn who grew up racing on these slopes after moving to Vail at the tender age of 11.Everyone is going to be there. I want it to be a really fun World Championships for them and have something to celebrate.However, Vonn heads into the championships on a high after her win in the super-G at Cortina -- witnessed at first-hand by her boyfriend former golf world number one Tiger Woods -- last month saw her take the record for the most World Cup wins with 63.She has since made it 64 with victory in the same discipline in St Moritz.While Vonn will certainly have the home crowd on her side, she wont be the only star attraction in the super-G.Reigning womens Overall World Cup champion Anna Fenninger of Austria is just eight points back of Vonn in the super-G World Cup standings while Swiss speedster Lara Gut is third.Current World Cup overall leader Tina Maze will be looking to win her second straight World Championship super-G title after taking gold in 2013.Maze, who also won gold in the downhill and giant slalom at the 2014 Olympics, is fifth in the super-G standings this season.Ski racers awoke Monday morning to a heavy snowfall which dumped about 18 centimetres (seven inches) of snow on the Raptors course. The snowfall forced the postponement of Mondays ladies training run which was pushed back three hours.The twisting and pitching 1,830 metre super-G course features a fall-away turn called the Peregrine Double which ends with a roller where the racers will catch air before they enter a dark, icy rattling compression called the Voodoo Chute where the G-forces will be high.It finishes with the Red Tail jump which will launch the racers 18 to 24 metres of air into the finish.Following the super-G the ladies will have two more training runs before Fridays downhill race on the same Raptors course.

Pakistan, New Zealand 2nd ODI today

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NAPIER (Agencies) - The second and final ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played today (Tuesday) in Napier. This is the last chance for both teams to settle into the groove before the 2015 ICC World Cup. For Pakistan, this match assumes greater importance after their loss in Wellington. They were rusty in all departments and with the World Cup just 12 days away, Pakistan will be desperate to shake of the rust and win the second ODI in order to build confidence.For New Zealand, everything is clicking into place. Skipper Brendon McCullum is happy with the way the team is shaping up before the World Cup. Both the batting and bowling is performing consistently and the bench strength is strong. A win in Napier will give them the ideal boost just before the tournament.At Wellington, in the first ODI, Pakistan were completely outplayed. Their top order had no answer of the pace and movement of the Kiwi bowlers. If they want to put up a fight at Napier, batsmen like Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq need to take more responsibility and craft a solid foundation. Based on which, Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal can give finishing touches to the innings. On those conditions playing out the initial overs with minimum damage is very important. Pakistan bowling also looked bit rusty. The bowlers need to address this issue as well.New Zealand on the other hand are doing most things right. They just need to continue their good work. For this crucial encounter, the rested trio of the last game Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson and Mitchell McClenaghan are likely to come back into the playing eleven.This game will provide one last genuine opportunity to both New Zealand and Pakistan to give finishing touches to their World Cup preparations.

Dollar lower vs euro after poor manufacturing data

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - A poor report on US manufacturing last month sent the dollar lower against the euro on Monday, but it was little changed on the yen.The ISM manufacturing purchasing managers index fell to 53.5 from 55.1 in December, with US business activity hampered by lower commodity prices and the West Coast dock slowdown, as well as a post-Christmas seasonal lull.Analysts downplayed the significance of the slower manufacturing growth, and said ISMs coming services sector report will likely look better.The euro meanwhile showed resilience from the ongoing showdown between the new Greek government and its troika creditors as Athens wages brinksmanship to earn better terms on its bailout program.Although the situation with Greece could still spin out of control with the country essentially defaulting on its sovereign debt, for now the negotiations continue and the currency market is breathing a sigh of relief, providing support for the euro, said Boris Schlossberg of BK Asset Management.

Road accident kills 16 in northern Nigeria: official

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KANO (AFP) - Sixteen people were killed and 35 injured when a passenger bus collided with a truck on a road in northern Nigerias Yobe State, a senior road safety official said Monday.Sixteen people died in the accident and 35 others were injured, Abdullahi Galambi, deputy head of the Federal Road Safety Commission in the state told AFP.He said the accident occurred near the village of Dogon Kuka when the bus returning from the city of Maiduguri collided with an oncoming truck.The driver of the bus lost control and veered off the road after one of the tyres burst, he said.The truck had been transporting aid for people displaced by Boko Haram violence in Maiduguri, he added.Deadly accidents are common on Nigerias poorly-maintained roads, often caused by speeding, overloading or reckless driving.

Light jogging is best for a long life: study

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MIAMI (AFP) - Vigorous exercise such as fast running might be harmful to your health over time, according to a Danish study Monday that found light jogging is best for longevity.People who did not jog at all were just as likely to die as people who jogged strenuously and often, according to the 12-year study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.But those who jogged lightly, between one and 2.4 hours per week, were the least likely to die suddenly, said the findings based on 1,098 healthy joggers and 413 healthy but sedentary non-joggers in the Copenhagen City Heart Study.Researchers had access to records that tracked hours of jogging, frequency and the individuals perception of pace.The optimal frequency of jogging was no more than three times per week, and slow to moderate joggers experienced significantly lower mortality rates than fast-paced runners.It is important to emphasize that the pace of the slow joggers corresponds to vigorous exercise and strenuous jogging corresponds to very vigorous exercise, said Peter Schnohr, a researcher from the Copenhagen City Heart Study, Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. When performed for decades, this activity level could pose health risks, especially to the cardiovascular system.Past research has found similar correlations between light to moderate exercise and long life, as well as the higher death risk associated with vigorous exercise.If your goal is to decrease risk of death and improve life expectancy, jogging a few times a week at a moderate pace is a good strategy, Schnohr said. Anything more is not just unnecessary, it may be harmful.

Migrating birds take turns leading the flock

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MIAMI (AFP) - Flying in a V-formation is toughest for the leader, and migrating birds compensate by taking turns so that no one gets exhausted, international researchers said Monday.The authors of the study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a US peer-reviewed journal, described the discovery as the first convincing evidence for turn taking reciprocal cooperative behavior in birds.The research is based on 14 northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita), that migrate from Salzburg, Austria to Orbetello, Italy.Each bird wore a data-logging device that allowed scientists to track how individuals acted within the flying V-formation.Researchers found that the birds changed position frequently within the flock.Overall, individuals spent an average of 32 percent of their time benefiting by flying in the updraft produced by another birds flapping wings and a proportional amount of time leading a formation, the study said.Scientists believe this high level of cooperation evolved as a survival necessity.Since migration is risky -- some research has found that more than one third of young birds die of exhaustion on their first trip -- those that learn to fly in formation and change positions regularly can save energy, getting a bit of a free ride from flying in the updraft of other birds.Our study shows that the building blocks of reciprocal cooperative behavior can be very simple: ibis often travel in pairs, with one bird leading and a wingman benefiting by following in the leaders updraft, said lead author Bernhard Voelkl of Oxford Universitys Department of Zoology.We found that in these pairs individuals take turns, precisely matching the amount of time they spend in the energy-sapping lead position and the energy-saving following position.Even when in a larger group, the pair philosophy reigned, and freeloaders -- those who might be happy to glide in the back and never take a turn in the front -- were nowhere to be found.In fact, surprisingly, we found no evidence of cheating of any kind within these flocks, he added.

Republicans reject Obama's $4 trillion budget

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Republicans in control of Congress summarily rejected US President Barack Obamas $4 trillion budget Monday, accusing him of shamelessly pandering to Democrats ahead of the 2016 election.The ink was barely dry on Obamas proposal -- which would bypass mandatory spending caps and post a $474 billion deficit -- before Republicans came out en masse to make clear it will not become law.Today President Obama laid out a plan for more taxes, more spending, and more of the Washington gridlock that has failed middle-class families, said John Boehner, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives.While the presidents budget is about the past, our budget will be about the future, he said, signaling a counter-proposal to come. While Obamas budget has no chance of being written into the statute books, it will frame arguments about equality and responsibility that are likely to dominate the 2016 race to succeed him as president.Loaded with Democrat-championed spending and tax reforms, it could be seen as a first draft of the Democrats election manifesto.Using a healthier economy to pivot away from years of austerity, Obama said the time was right to invest $478 billion on improving creaking infrastructure.We can afford to make these investments while remaining fiscally responsible, the president said. In fact, we cannot afford -- we would be making a critical error -- if we avoided making these investments. We cant afford not to.The budget includes sizable measures to cut costs for people paying for child care and education -- touchstone issues for Democrats.It would triple the child care tax credit, making it eligible for families making up to $120,000, and move to make pre-kindergarten education free for all.Obama said his plan would help working families paychecks go farther.Democrats are sure to use opposition to the text to paint Republicans as anti-middle class. Republicans have already accused Obama of instigating class warfare and fiscal impropriety.Under Obamas plan, spending would be paid for in part by an increase in capital gains tax and a one-time 14 percent tax on the estimated $2 trillion of untaxed earnings held by US firms overseas.The Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Orrin Hatch, accused Obama of going on a government spending spree propped up by massive new tax hikes.This budget blueprint shamelessly panders to the Democratic base and does nothing to put our nation back on a sound fiscal footing, Hatch fumed.But in a sign Obama was willing to take on his critics, he chose to detail his plans in a speech at the Department of Homeland Security, an agency that is currently the subject of a funding fight with Republicans.Obamas 2016 budget assumes the worlds largest economy will grow at about 3.1 percent this calendar year, with unemployment at 5.4 percent and inflation of 1.4 percent.The deficit for 2016 would stand at 2.5 percent, comfortably below the three percent level economists deem sustainable.The budget also includes spending to counter Russian pressure and aggressive action in eastern Europe.Ukraine would receive $117 million in funding, as well as a possible $1 billion sovereign loan guarantee for 2016.Moldova and Georgia would get $51 million for countering Russian pressure and destabilizing activities.There would also be funding to help defeat the Islamic State group, around $1 billion to boost governance in Central America -- the starting point for many migrants arriving in the United States -- and $14 billion to support cybersecurity.

Oil prices rise on falling rig count

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NEW YORK (AFP) - World oil prices advanced Monday following data that showed US oil companies cut drilling activity in response to low prices.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery gained $1.33 to close at $49.57 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.European benchmark Brent oil for March delivery jumped $1.76 to $54.75 a barrel in London.Analysts pointed to the weekly Baker Hughes rig count, which showed a record drop of 94 oil rigs to 1,223 for the week ending January 30.The rig count was very bullish, said Michael Lynch of the consultancy Strategic Energy & Economic Research.Its a logical move, people had not expected such a large drop and that supported the argument were going to see a near-term recovery in the market balance.The cuts in drilling rigs came on the heels of announcements by Chevron, ConocoPhillips and other major producers that they will slash capital budgets in 2015 in light of lower oil prices.Traders were also watching a strike at nine US refineries after labor negotiations broke down between union leaders and refiners.Only one of the nine refineries had curtailed production as a result of the strike, Bloomberg News reported.The strike pushed up gasoline prices by about nine percent since Friday on worries of constrained refined products supply.However, analysts said the strike could have a bearish effect on oil prices because there would be less demand for crude supplies if refineries go off line.

Formula One: Vettel fastest again in rain-affected testing

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JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA (AFP) - Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel continued his positive start to life with Ferrari by going fastest again on a rain affected second day of pre-season testing in Jerez on Monday.The 27-year-old German took nearly two seconds off the fastest time he set on Sunday to record a best time of 1min 20.984secs in his 88 laps.Vettels start to the new campaign is in stark contrast to his disastrous test in Jerez, ahead of a troubled final season with Red Bull last year, when he completed just 11 laps over two days.It could be worse, especially compared to last year at this stage, said Vettel.We did a lot of laps, especially today. I think it is normal in winter testing if you see anything running a bit odd to take the time to stop and have a look which unfortunately takes time, but the new engines seem to work well even in these conditions.Vettel will hand over the steering wheel on the SF15-T to teammate Kimi Raikkonen for the remaining two days of testing in southern Spain. Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton was only fourth fastest, but Mercedes were again leaders on laps completed as the Englishman did 91 before rain and a water leak from a failed part brought his afternoon to an early end.McLarens struggles with their new Honda-powered MP4-30 continued as Jenson Button managed just six laps to add to the same number Fernando Alonso completed on day one.Obviously not the easiest start to the season, but as we know it is a very complicated power unit, said Button.We will get our heads around it and I think in terms of the problems we had today, we have our head around it and understand the issue.We are hoping for a much more productive day three and day four.Red Bull were also left looking embarrassed when 20-year-old Daniil Kyvat damaged the only front wing they have with them in Jerez early on, which restricted the Russian to just 18 untimed laps.It was not ideal today, sometimes mistakes happen and theres nothing you can do about them, said Kyvat.By contrast, 17-year-old Max Verstappen enjoyed a fruitful opening day of his Formula One career for Red Bulls junior team Toro Rosso as he went fifth fastest in 73 laps.Saubers surprising early reliability and speed was on show once more as Brazilian rookie Felipe Nasr was second fastest in racking up 88 laps just as teammate Marcus Ericsson had been on Sunday.Finlands Valtteri Bottas also clocked up the miles with 61 laps as he went third fastest in the Williams.The test in Jerez will be followed by two more four-day sessions in Barcelona later this month before the new season gets underway in Melbourne on March 15.

Tando Jam: At least 100 people consume toxic food in walima ceremony

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TANDO JAM (Dunya News) – At least 100 people on Monday consumed poisonous food in a marriage ceremony and later were admitted in the Civil Hospital.According to the details, the people were invited for the walima ceremony where they ate poisonous food and later were reported to be vomiting after the ceremony was over. Women and children constitute the majority of the affected people.Later, the people were shifted to the Civil Hospital for treatment.The children who are reported to be in serious condition are Rehan javed, Iqraul Haq, Zaheer, Kamran, Aslam Rajput, Muhammad Shaheen and Maria.

Ukraine run by 'miserable' Jews: rebel chief

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DONETSK (AFP) - Ukraines pro-Russian rebel chief on Monday branded the countrys leaders miserable Jews in an apparent anti-Semitic jibe.Alexander Zakharchenko, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, claimed that Kievs pro-Western leaders were miserable representatives of the great Jewish people.I cant remember a time when Cossacks were led by people who have never held a sword in their hands, Zakharchenko told a press conference in the eastern rebel stronghold of Donetsk, in a reference to Ukraines nationalist forebears, the Cossacks.Zakharchenko said that the countrys historical nationalists would turn in their graves if they could see who is running Ukraine.Anti-Semitic sentiment remains widespread in Ukraine, where leaders are commonly labelled as Jewish by those seeking to discredit them.The comments by Zakharchenko, who was flanked by the leader of the neighbouring rebel-held region of Lugansk, Igor Plotnitsky, were carried live by Russian news channel Rossiya-24.The rebels leaders on Monday announced a mass call-up, aimed at bolstering their forces to 100,000 troops.Fighting between Ukrainian forces and the pro-Russian rebels, which has claimed 5,100 lives since April, has surged in recent weeks after the collapse of a tenuous ceasefire deal.
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