Monday 2 March 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Seven killed as building collapsed during heavy rain

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WAH CANTT (Dunya News) – According to details, a two-storey building collapsed during heavy rain in Wah Cantt near Rawalpindi on Monday, killing seven people and injuring five others.Heavy rain caused delay in arrival of rescue teams at the spot. According to sources, Army, police and TMA teams participated in rescue operation and recovered seven dead bodies and five injured from under the debris. The rescue operation lasted for nine hours. District Emergency Officer, Dr Ishfaq confirmed the seven people died in the incident while five sustained injuries. The dead and injured were shifted to Wah Cantt hospital.

Netanyahu and Obama spar over Iran nuclear deal

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu sparred over Irans nuclear program on Monday, the US leader pointedly warning that the Israeli premier had been wrong about the issue before.On the eve of a landmark speech to the US Congress, Netanyahu declared that a US-Iran deal on curtailing Tehrans nuclear ambitions could threaten the survival of Israel.He spoke even as US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif met in Switzerland for a talks which are expected to end Wednesday.But Obama and his leading foreign policy officials did not leave the field to the Israeli leader, insisting their plan was the best way to contain Irans alleged threat.Obama and Netanyahu both insisted the traditional alliance between their countries remains strong, but the US leader pointedly criticized the Israelis previous declarations.Referring to criticism of a previous interim US-Iran deal that paved the way for this weeks ongoing talks in Switzerland, Obama said: Netanyahu made all sorts of claims.This was going to be a terrible deal, he told Reuters. This was going to result in Iran getting $50 billion worth of relief. Iran would not abide by the agreement. None of that has come true.Netanyahus lobbying trip to Washington came as Kerry was in Geneva and culminates on Tuesday with the address to Congress, seen as a last-ditch bid to derail that effort, one of the last key goals of Obamas foreign policy.He was invited by Speaker of the House John Boehner, one of Obamas leading Republican opponents, and he accepted with neither party informing the White House.My speech is not intended to show any disrespect to President Obama or the office that he holds. I have great respect for both, Netanyahu told thousands of activists at pro-Israel lobby AIPACs annual conference.Israel and the United States agree that Iran shouldnt have nuclear weapons. But we disagree on the best way to prevent them from developing those weapons.The pace of the negotiations to hammer out a deal to rein in Irans suspected nuclear arms program in exchange for sanctions relief has gathered pace as a March 31 deadline nears.Speaking just ahead of Netanyahu, Washingtons ambassador to the Uniteds address Nations Samantha Power sought to counter his opposition to the emerging deal with Tehran.The United States of America will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, period, she said. And she insisted that Obama would stand by US allies whether the negotiations collapse or produce a diplomatic solution that meets our bottom line. Netanyahu aides say Israel has excellent information that talks between the Islamic republic and the so-called P51 group negotiating the deal are heading toward an easing of international sanctions without the ironclad safeguards the Jewish state says are essential to deny Iran a nuclear bomb.An official told journalists travelling on Netanyahus flight to Washington Sunday: In our view, it is a bad agreement.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, would not indicate the source of the information but said Netanyahu would elaborate in his congressional address.State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that, if the details came from confidential US briefings to Israelis, revealing them would be seen as a betrayal of trust.Netanyahus opponents at home and abroad accuse him of endangering Israels special relationship with the United States in order to further his policy agenda.He is running for reelection in a March 17 general election.Similar criticism has been levelled at Obamas Republican opponents in the US Congress.Our commitments to our partnership with Israel are bedrock commitments rooted in shared fundamental values cemented through decades of bipartisan reinforcement, Power said. This partnership should never be politicized, she added, vowing the joint commitments cannot and will not be tarnished or broken.Washington political journal The Hill said that 42 Democrat lawmakers plan to boycott Netanyahus speech on Tuesday. At Mondays conference, Netanyahu won thunderous applause and a standing ovation.Weve been gradually lifting sanctions, releasing the pressure on Iran while Iran continues to move forward.

White House urges Congress not to impose more sanctions on Iran

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - More sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions would destroy painstaking international talks with Tehran, an advisor to US President Barack Obama warned Congress on Monday.Congress has played a hugely important role in helping to build our sanctions on Iran, but they shouldnt play the spoiler now. Additional sanctions or restrictive legislation enacted during the negotiation would blow up the talks, divide the international community and cause the United States to be blamed for the failure to reach a deal, said National Security Advisor Susan Rice.

Twenty people killed as bus falls off cliff in China: Xinhua

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BEIJING (AFP) - Twenty people from an opera company were killed after a bus fell off a cliff in China early Tuesday, state media reported.Another 13 were injured in the accident in Linzhou in the central province of Henan, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing the local government.The coach was carrying staff of a local opera troupe, it said, adding the accident was under investigation.Fatal road accidents are a serious problem in China, particularly involving the countrys often over-crowded long-distance buses.The ministry of transport says there were 60,000 road deaths in 2012, down from 104,000 in 2003 but still more than 150 a day.But a study published in 2011 by a group of Chinese and US researchers concluded that the number of deadly accidents was twice as high as police said.In July last year, 43 people died when a van carrying inflammable liquid hit a bus on a motorway in central China.In August, a tour bus plunged into a valley in Tibet after hitting two vehicles, leaving 44 people dead and 11 injured.

Armed trio in $4 mn US highway robbery: report

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MIAMI (AFP) - Police were investigating Monday after three armed men made off with gold bars worth more than $4 million in an audacious highway heist, US media said.About 275 pounds (125 kilos) of gold was taken from a truck on Sunday in Wilson County, North Carolina, after the vehicle pulled over because of mechanical problems, local news reports said.Two armed security guards from Trans Value, in Miami, were transporting a shipment of silver and gold to Massachusetts when they stopped, The Wilson Times reported.They were approached by three armed men in a white van who ordered the victims to get on the ground, then tied their hands behind their backs and ordered them to walk into the woods, the report said.It was then that the trio stole the gold.This is very rare, said Jesus Rodriguez, of Trans Value, which is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Oil prices drop on lofty supplies

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices fell Monday on renewed concerns about excess global supplies, with the European benchmark contract falling especially hard following a surge late last week.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for April delivery dipped 17 cents to $49.59 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.European benchmark Brent North Sea crude for April delivery dived $3.04 to $59.54 a barrel in London.Tim Evans, energy analyst at Citi Futures, cited a partial recovery in Libyan oil production as a drag on energy prices.Evans said the US market saw some uptick in demand from the return to service of refineries that had been under maintenance. On a net basis, however, with most of the petroleum sectors showing losses, the overall tone is defensive, Evans said.The drop in Brent came after the European contract gained a hefty $2.53 a barrel on Friday. Some analysts saw the retreat Monday as evidence of profit taking.Crude oil inventories continue to remain at fairly high levels following ongoing builds of crude stocks last week, said Sucden analyst Myrto Sokou.Analysts also noted that WTI was primed to recover some lost ground in comparison to Brent after the gap between Brent and WTI last week had widened to more than $12, more than double the level earlier in February.

Pakistan eye batting improvement against UAE

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NAPIER (AFP) - Pakistan will target a huge improvement in batting to boost their net run-rate in the World Cup Pool B match against minnows United Arab Emirates in Napier on Wednesday.Pakistans long standing batting woes have continued in the tournament as they lost their opening game against arch-rivals India by 76 runs and went down by a big 150-run margin in their second to the West Indies.The 1992 champions finally opened their World Cup account with a scrappy 20-run win over Zimbabwe in Brisbane on Sunday and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq warned his team cannot afford any more slip-ups.From now on we have to play every game as it is a knock out match, said Misbah whose team also face a tough game against in-form South Africa in Auckland (March 8) and a dangerous Ireland in Adelaide on March 15.I think the top order is always the key, and if we really want to go further in this World Cup, we have to improve that, said Misbah of the openers who in the last 10 one-dayers have six single-digit stands, five of them one run or less.Pakistan tried veteran Younis Khan as opener in the first match but that backfired. Pakistan were 1-4 against the West Indies at Christchurch in the worst-ever start in all one-day internationals, while they were 4-2 against Zimbabwe with Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad failing on both occasions.Pakistan struggled to score 235-7 against Zimbabwe, a total Misbah believed will not help against South Africa.If we really want to win against South Africa and we really want progress in this World Cup, we have to come up with some performances, if we keep scoring 200 to 230, 235 runs, it could be really difficult for us to win.Pakistan with two points in three games are likely to fight the West Indies (two wins in four matches) and Ireland (two wins in two and who face South Africa on Tuesday) for a place in the quarter-finals.The top four from each of the two pools of seven teams will reach the quarter-finals.Pakistan will also look to improve their net run-rate which stands at a poor -1.37.Considering UAEs weakness against spin, highlighted by Ravichandaran Ashwins 4-25 in Indias nine-wicket win on Saturday, Pakistan can bring in leggie Yasir Shah and also Sarfraz Ahmed as opener for Jamshed. Pakistan have won their two one-day internationals against UAE -- both by nine wickets -- the first in Sharjah in 1994 and the second at Gujranwala in the 1996 World Cup.UAE have Pakistan-born middle-order batsman Shaiman Anwar as the only bright spot who has scores of 67, 106 and 35 in his teams three defeats.But skipper Mohammad Tauqir said the whole tournament is a learning experience for his team.Look, we had two good games to start with, said Tauqir of his teams narrow two-wicket loss to Ireland and four-wicket defeat against Zimbabwe.We would like to forget about it and erase this game as soon as possible and would like to do well in the next three games and gain experience.This whole tournament is a learning experience for us.

UAE not afraid of Pakistan giant Irfan, says Javed

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NAPIER (AFP) - United Arab Emirates all-rounder Amjad Javed said his batsmen will not fear facing giant Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan in Wednesdays World Cup match in Napier.Irfan, international crickets tallest-ever player at a towering 7 feet one inch, tore apart Zimbabwe in Pakistans first win of the tournament in Brisbane with figures of 4-30, bowling a series of fierce, short-pitched deliveries in a 20-run win.But Javed said the UAE are already familiar with the Irfan challenge having come across him during club games in the Gulf. Irfan played in Dubai seven years back, said Javed of the paceman who featured in domestic one-dayers in the UAE before breaking into the Pakistan team in 2010. If you have faced a bowler in a domestic match in Dubai before, then its okay. If you have not faced anyone, like Dale Steyn, thats a different matter, said Javed of the South Africa spearhead who the UAE will face in Wellington on March 12. Javed said head coach Aaqib Javed and batting coach Mudassar Nazar, who both played for Pakistan at international level, were advising the players on how to negotiate the Irfan threat.We are ready for Irfan and are not scared, Aaqib is helping us, batting coach (Mudassar) is helping us.Pakistan start as favourites and will also look to boost their net run-rate to increase their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals.The top four from each of the two pools of seven teams will qualify for the last-eight.Pakistan have only one win from three while the UAE have lost all their three matches but Javed insists that the amateurs will not roll over against the 1992 champions having already been brushed aside by India by nine wickets last time out.If you saw our first two games we almost upset Ireland and Zimbabwe, we are here to upset some good teams and we will try to do that again, said Javed.Javed scored 25 and took one wicket in UAEs four-wicket defeat against Zimbabwe while he hit 42 and took 3-60 against Ireland who scraped a two-wicket win.Javed said the fact that nine of the 15 Emirati players were either born in Pakistan or have Pakistani roots will not affect teams performance.I think we are representing UAE, said Javed, who was born in Dubai to Pakistani parents. It doesnt matter if we are Pakistani and playing against Pakistan, we will give hundred percent.Javed said every defeat is helping the UAE learn new lessons about the game at the top level.Every loss makes you learn and after every game we learn some things so we go back and plan and hope that our batting doesnt collapse against Pakistan, like it did against India, said Javed of the game in which they were bowled out for 102 in just 31.3 overs.Like every other Associate or non-Test side, Javed feels the UAE needs more exposure against the major nations.You have to keep playing the big teams after the World Cup. This World Cup will give us good exposure and a big boost and after this event the ICC (International Cricket Council) should give us more matches with the major teams.

Australia acid test awaits Afghanistan

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PERTH (AFP) - Afghanistan face their toughest test of the World Cup so far when they play four-time champions Australia in Perth on Wednesday.Afghanistan have been the Cinderella story of this World Cup, with their maiden win -- a thrilling one-wicket victory over Scotland in Dunedin last time out -- one of the highlights of the competition so far.But the pace and bounce of the WACA pitch is unlike any surface Afghanistan have experienced before and, in such fast bowlers as Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc, Australia have the attack to exploit the conditions.It may well have been with this match in mind that International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson told AFP on Friday: Im pleased with the performances of the qualifiers so far, but the bigger tests are still to come.The following day the amateurs from the UAE were skittled out for just 102 at the WACA by defending champions India, whose pace attack is nothing like as intimidating as that of Australia.As everyone knows the UAE has been our home ground due to security reasons and the pitches in UAE are slow and favour spin, said Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi.Whereas tracks in Australia and New Zealand are very different, there is much more pace and bounce.However, Afghanistans last Pool A match against a Test nation saw them reduce Sri Lanka to 51 for four before Mahela Jayawardenes hundred restored the status quo.Furthermore, the likes of fast bowler Hamid Hassan and left-arm quick Shapoor Zadran, who starred with bat and ball against Scotland, could find the WACA to their liking.The more concerning issue is how Afghanistans batsmen will cope, although Samiullah Shenwari was in bullish mood about the prospect of playing Australia after his superb 96 set up up the win over Scotland.Hopefully well give them a tough time and we will not give up easy, he said. So were looking forward to giving them a tough time and looking forward to winning the match.Afghanistan still have a chance of gate-crashing the quarter-finals, standing just a point behind Australia after losing to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka before beating the Scots.Yet were Afghanistan to win on Wednesday it would arguably be the greatest upset in the history of one-day international cricket.For Australia, it is the classic no-win situation in that anything less than a huge victory, never mind a defeat, will be regarded with dismay by their supporters.Australia need points on the board after their 111-run opening win over England was followed by a no-result washout against Bangladesh and last weekends thrilling one-wicket defeat by New Zealand in Auckland.Australia captain Michael Clarkes lament about his sides inability to play swing bowling, after they slumped to 151 all out against a New Zealand attack featuring a five-wicket haul from left-arm paceman Trent Boult, was interpreted in some quarters as a criticism of coach Darren Lehmanns training methods.Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins is set to miss Wednesdays match with a side strain, his place likely to go to Josh Hazlewood in an attack where Starc, who took six for 28 against New Zealand, is becoming increasingly influential.Meanwhile all-rounder Shane Watson, under renewed scrutiny after giving his wicket away cheaply in Auckland, coud lose his place if James Faulkner regains full fitness.

PM Nawaz to leave for Saudi Arabia today

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ISLAMABAD (Online) - Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif along with Chief Minister Punjab (CM) Shahbaz Sharif will leave for Saudi Arabia today (Tuesday).The newly crowned monarch of Saudi Arabia, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has invited PM Nawaz to visit the kingdom.As per details, matters of mutual cooperation including regional peace and terrorism would be discussed whereas PM Nawaz will also perform Umarah during his visit.

Indian Foreign Secretary to reach Pakistan today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will reach Islamabad today (Tuesday) on a two- day visit, Dunya News reported.According to sources, the Indian Foreign Secretary will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.Moreover, the two sides will hold discussion on all outstanding disputes including Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek whereas strategic stability and trade matters will also be discussed during the meeting.

Faulkner fit to face Afghanistan

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PERTH (AFP) - Australia all-rounder James Faulkner said Monday he was fit and ready to make his 2015 World Cup debut against Afghanistan at Perths WACA ground on Wednesday.A side strain has reduced the hard-hitting 24-year-old, also a lively seamer, to the role of a spectator at the tournament so far.But Faulkner, who injured himself in Australias 112-run tri-series final win over England in Perth last month -- a match where he smashed a 24-ball 50 not out featuring four fours and as many sixes -- bowled several overs in the WACA nets on Monday and, provided there are no ill-effects, he should be available to face Afghanistan.If I get through today I am available for selection, Faulkner told the Cricket Australia website prior to Mondays training session.I bowled a couple of overs (last week and was) pretty close, the difference is the intensity of an ODI (one-day international).I will have a solid hit out today and hopefully I recover well and be out here (at the WACA) on Wednesday afternoon.He added: I think I was lucky being a left arm bowler and a right arm batsman, it wasnt the same side (bearing the strain) when I was batting.Faulkners recovery is timely for Australia given fast bowler Pat Cummins is set to miss Wednesdays match after he suffered a side strain during the thrilling one-wicket Pool A defeat by New Zealand in Auckland last weekend.Fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood looks in line to take Cumminss place.But with Shane Watson again under pressure after giving his wicket away against New Zealand and Glenn Maxwell not making much of an impression at Eden Park, Faulkner could replace one of his fellow all-rounders.Im not too sure what they want to go in with, thats purely up to the selectors, Faulkner said. All I can control is about getting back out on the park and giving myself a chance of playing again.The rest isnt my job and its not for me to worry about. Thats their decision at the end of the day.Australia will look to return to winning ways with a full haul of points against Afghanistan having managed just three from their first three matches after a 111-run win over England was followed by a washout against Bangladesh and last weekends loss to New Zealand.

Cricket Australia plays down Cummins injury at World Cup

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PERTH (AP) - Cricket Australia responded to reports of an injury to Pat Cummins by saying the 21-year-old pace bowler had picked up a slight strain in the one-wicket loss to New Zealand at the World Cup on the weekend.On its website, Cricket Australia said Cummins would be monitored ahead of Wednesdays Pool A match against Afghanistan in Perth after medical scans cleared him of any serious problems.His availability for that match and Saturdays encounter with Sri Lanka will be decided later in the week.All-rounder James Faulkner could be available for the first time in the tournament after declaring himself fit following a net session Monday.Four-time champion Australia thrashed England in its World Cup opener and had a wash out against Bangladesh before Saturdays loss in Auckland.

De Villiers expected to score big against Irish in World Cup

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CANBERRA (AP) - South Africa players have said theyre in awe of skipper A.B. de Villiers current form, with high expectations of another record-breaking innings when he faces Ireland in a World Cup Pool B match on Tuesday.All-rounder Farhann Behardien on Monday said he had goose bumps when he batted with de Villiers at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday during South Africas 257-run win over the West Indies.De Villiers scored the second-fastest century ever in a World Cup and finished unbeaten on 162 off 66 balls, with 17 boundaries and eight sixes. He dismantled the West Indies bowling attack and pushed South Africa to 408-5 the second-highest total ever at the World Cup.In my opinion, he is a level above most batters, Behardien told a news conference at Manuka Oval in the Australian capital.Behardien said his teammates were lost for words in the dressing room as they watched de Villiers in full flight.Its overwhelming, its bewilderment, Behardien said. Were all in awe when we see him bat like that.South Africa and Ireland will play at the same ground where West Indies opener Chris Gayle last week bludgeoned a World Cup-record 215 with 16 sixes, and shared a 372-run partnership with Marlon Samuels in a 73-run win over Zimbabwe.Behardien said Manuka Oval had the potential to again become a nightmare for bowlers, particularly with de Villiers batting.It does potentially, but weve still got to stick to our processes. We dont underestimate Ireland at any cost, he said. We have got processes in plan and if the game unfolds the way it should do, and we bat deep and we have wickets in hand toward the back end, I think thats the way we set it up.All that said, Behardien avoided placing too much expectation on de Villers next performance.He would, and every player in our side would, take a duck as long as our team wins, he said. Whatever happens tomorrow, Im sure hell just be happy with a team win.South Africa heads into the game after wins over Zimbabwe and West Indies on either side of a lopsided loss to defending champion India. Ireland has won its first two games, opening with a surprising four-wicket win over West Indies in New Zealand and then finishing over the top of fellow Associate team United Arab Emirates in a last-over, two-wicket victory in Brisbane last week.Ireland skipper William Porterfield said containing de Villiers would be challenging, but his team had strategies to cope.Its no fluke, what hes done. Hes done it a couple of times now over the last six to eight weeks, Porterfield said. Hes been in great nick, but I think youve just got to have your own simple plans and look after your own game.Theyre obviously playing great cricket, theyre a great side, so were going to have to be on the money again.Porterfield said his squad knew it wasnt taking on a one-man team, so had to be at its peak against South Africa.If de Villiers plays the way he plays, then so be it. But well have our own individual plans for each of them and hopefully well see the back of him early.

Spain: 3rd bailout for Greece being mulled for up to $56B

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MADRID: (AP) - Eurozone nations are negotiating a third bailout for financially strapped Greece that would give the country as much as 50 billion euros ($56 billion), Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said Monday.The bailout would provide between 30 billion and 50 billion euros and its central scenario for Greece is a deal on the basis of the current bailout, and new conditions to be set with flexibility, de Guindos said at an economic conference in the northeastern city of Pamplona.Greece will not leave the eurozone, the minister said. That would not be good for Greece and for the eurozone.He made the announcement a day after Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy responded angrily to his Greek counterparts claim that Spain and Portugal have formed an axis of forces trying to overthrow Greeces newly elected far left government.Rajoy on Sunday said neither Spain nor Portugal were responsible for the frustration generated by Greeces new government, led by the Syriza party.Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had singled out Spain and Portugal countries as aggressive European conservative forces whose plan was the wear and tear of our government and its overthrow.Rajoy countered by saying that Syriza had promised the Greeks something they knew that they would not be able to deliver.Rajoy also said that Spain, despite its own financial crisis, had aided Greece by lending it more than 26 billion euros ($29 billion).Tamping down speculation that Greece might exit the eurozone, de Guindos said there is no alternative to Greece to European solidarity.De Guindos said Europe has not been stingy with Greece, adding that Spaniards paid 26 billion euros directly or indirectly to Greece. No one can say that Spain was not supportive.
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