Friday 27 March 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Future US Navy: robotic sub-hunters, deepsea pods

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The robotic revolution that transformed warfare in the skies will soon extend to the deep sea, with underwater spy satellites, drone-launching pods on the ocean floor and unmanned ships hunting submarines.Officials at the US militarys research agency outlined new programs this week that include a number of potentially groundbreaking technologies that could alter the way naval battles are fought, in the same way that robotic aircraft have altered warfare on land and in the air.One proposed system envisages robot pods on the ocean floor that would be activated when needed.The pods could launch surveillance drones in the air or at sea or provide a communications link when American forces are facing electronic jamming, said Jared Adams, spokesman for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).The motivation is to enable timely deployment of unmanned distributed systems to distant locations by pre-deploying the assets years in advance and then triggering their release for rapid effects at future times of our choosing, Adams told AFP.The program has been dubbed Upward Falling Payloads, or UPF. And officials said the robot pods floating to the waters surface to release various payloads could perform some roles now carried out by submarines, which are much more expensive to operate.With Americas technological edge shrinking, researchers are looking at how to create and build new weapons quickly, instead of the drawn-out process that usually prevails at the Pentagon.DARPA Deputy Director Steven Walker said the agency is rethinking how we develop new military systems to be more agile and cost-effective.Some of our systems today are extremely capable, the most capable in the world, but they are very complex, they are costly. They take a long time to develop and field, he said.The UPF program of undersea pods poses serious technological challenges, including how to trigger the launchers, how to make them rise to the surface and how to secure a power supply deep under the ocean for more than a year at a time, Walker said.Eyes in the waterDARPA, known for breakthrough experiments over the years that helped create the Internet, stealth aircraft, drones, smart bombs and micro-technologies, is also keen on some other maritime research.One program envisages spying eyes on the ocean floor, including mobile and fixed systems, that would act as satellites or sub-ulites, allowing the US military to spot other countries submarines.Researchers with the Distributed Agile Submarine Hunting (DASH) expect the sub-ulites would have a detection envelope thats pretty broad, Walker said.DARPAs scientists also are working on passive sonars deep under sea that would listen out for the acoustic signatures of submarines.Another maritime program at DARPA is moving closer to reality, potentially revolutionizing submarine warfare.The project would deploy unmanned vessels on the oceans surface to track enemy submarines, a ghost ship that could free up naval warships for other tasks.Sub-hunting is a notoriously time-consuming and expensive task, particularly diesel submarines that have extremely quiet engines.If the project succeeds, it could prove a game-changer for the navy, officials said.Robot Sea HunterThe program, known as ACTUV or Anti-submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel, is developing a 132-foot (40-meter) robotic boat dubbed the Sea Hunter.A smaller experimental vessel recently passed a key six-week test in waters off Mississippi without crashing and the next test with a full-sized prototype will reportedly attempt to follow another boat at a 0.6-mile (one-kilometer) distance.The navy is working with us to do a sea trial in the fall, Walker said.The system is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of a modern submarine, but offers a potentially effective way to track an enemys sub.Its basically turning the cost equation on its head, Walker added.

Nine Zero raid an attempt to destroy MQM: Altaf Hussain

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on early Saturday morning stated that the raid on MQM’s headquarters at Nine Zero was an attempt to destroy the party. Hussain also stated that wanted suspects were brought by police into Nine Zero Centre and made to look like they were arrested from Nine Zero. The MQM chief said that workers arrested during Nine Zero raid were blindfolded and handled like prisoners of war. Hussain said that MQM leader Amir Khan was among the arrested but his face was covered during the arrest. Hussain also stated that one officer had allegdly stated Amir Khan’s arrest calling him as their ‘guest’. The MQM chief said licensed ammunition was confiscated from Nine Zero and presented in such a way like such munition is not avialable anywhere. Hussain called former MQM member Saulat Mirza’s statements as unlawful saying he was a prisoner on death sentence and the law does not permit this.The MQM chief expressed these views while addressing a large gathering of party workers and its leaders at Nine Zero.According to the details, the MQM chief stated that an operation to crush MQM was begun on 11th March by raiding Nine Zero. He stated that the operation was led under leadership of Chief Minister (CM) Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and had the blessings of Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif.Hussain stated that barriers were removed from nine zero during raid on Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision. Hussain said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) chairman Imran Khan was first one to welcome the raid on Nine Zero. Hussain criticized that those attacking PTV station and torturing police like Khan were not raided. He stated that Pakistan Muslim League’s (PML N) worker Gullu Butt vandalized property but no such raid was conducted at Nawaz Shareef’s residence to arrest the suspect.Hussain then questioned his workers if they desired to see MQM minus Altaf Hussain. The MQM workers quickly dismissed this idea chanting slogan in favor of Hussain.The MQM chief strongly criticized PTI’s member Shiblee Faraz. A video was then played of PTI chairman during Hussain’s teleconference in which Khan is allegedly disrespecting Army Generals.Hussain then diverted his anger towards the media. He stated that the media can criticize the policies of MQM but they should not hurl false accusations or disrespect. Hussain lambasted analysts, reporters and anchors for spreading misinformation.Hussain stated that things were changing on the international front. He stated that he had a detailed discussion with Pakistan Peoples Party’s leader Asif Ali Zardari. The MQM chief suggested that Pakistan should not jump into the war between Saudi Arabia and Yemen should the war escalate.Hussain stated that MQM was being exterminated and genocide was being carried out by the government against MQM. He said Punjabi workers of MQM had also been killed. Hussain also claimed that a large majority of people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwaa (KP) supported MQM.Hussain also lauded the soldiers of Pakistan army involved in Operation Zarb-e-Azb during the address.

Athletics: Canada shock as Olympic runner Barnaby drowns

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OTTAWA (AFP) - Canadian Olympic 400m runner Daundre Barnaby died Friday after drowning in a swimming accident during a training camp in the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, a statement said.Barnaby, 24, who represented Canada at the 2012 Olympics and at last years Commonwealth Games, drowned after a strong current swept him out to sea as he swam with team-mates, Athletics Canada said in a statement.It is with heavy hearts that Athletics Canada announces the passing of national team athlete Daundre Barnaby, the Canadian governing body said.Athletics Canada chief executive Rob Guy described the tragedy as a sad and profound loss.Daundre was an outstanding athlete and an even better young man, Guy said in the statement.On behalf of Athletics Canada I offer my sincere sympathies and condolences to Daundres family and team-mates. Athletics Canada will do whatever is necessary to support the athletics family through this tragedy.The statement said Barnaby was swept away during a morning swim, despite efforts from his team-mates to save him. His body was discovered several hours later.

Tribes kill 21 Shiite rebels in south Yemen: local official

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ADEN (AFP) - At least 21 Yemeni Shiite rebels were killed Friday when residents in a tribal southern region opened fire at their vehicles, a local official and witnesses told AFP.The Huthi rebels, who are also facing Saudi-led air strikes, were travelling in three vehicles from Lahj province towards Aden, the southern stronghold of embattled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, when they were ambushed.The attack took place just 15 kilometres (about nine miles) north of Aden, where tensions were high on Friday as the rebels clashed with the popular committees -- an anti-Huthi militia controlling parts of the city, security officials and residents said. At least eight people were killed in clashes around Aden airport, where the Shiite militiamen were deployed on the runway, security and medical sources said.The popular committees used rocks and tree branches to block entrances to some Aden neighbourhoods, as shops remained shut for the second day in a row, after Arab coalition air strikes began on Thursday, witnesses said.Meanwhile, dozens of youths looted arms depots abandoned by troops in the Khormaksar neighbourhood, security officials told AFP.In another southern province, Abyan, four Huthi-allied soldiers were killed when local gunmen fired rocket propelled grenades at their two vehicles, as they also travelled towards Aden, military officials said.

UN Security Council holds Libya arms embargo in place

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday to step up the fight against Islamic extremists in Libya but without lifting the arms embargo.Libya, backed by Egypt, had asked for an end to the arms embargo to allow the embattled government to build up its army and take on groups such as Islamic State (IS).But the resolution drafted by Jordan kept the four-year arms embargo in place while opening the door to exemptions on a case-by-case basis.The measure called on a Security Council committee to consider expeditiously requests for arms purchases from Libya.Earlier this month, eight Security Council members led by Spain froze indefinitely a request from Libya for purchases of fighter jets, attack helicopters, tanks and munitions.The refusal to allow the arms purchases followed a letter from a UN panel of experts warning that the arms shipments could fall into the wrong hands.Libya is awash in weapons and considered a major arms trafficking hub for North Africa, as powerful militias battle for control of key cities and the countrys oil riches.The resolution expressed grave concern about the growing presence of IS fighters in Libya and of groups that have pledged allegiance to IS along with those aligned with Al-Qaeda.The measure threatened sanctions against individuals and groups that support the violent extremists through financing, recruitment or through the Internet and social media.The 15-member council also voted to extend the mandate of the UN political mission in Libya until September with a view to helping the countrys warring sides reach a power-sharing deal.The United Nations is leading negotiations between Libyas rival sides on forming a unity government that could turn its full attention to confronting the threat from extremist groups.British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said the unanimous vote showed that the international community speaks with one voice on Libya and supports efforts to form a unity government.Libyan Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi said the UN-brokered talks had yielded very significant progress and that hope has become brighter for a political solution.Libya has been in turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising.

Brendon McCullum, New Zealand's multi-talented, muscular leader

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - When Brendon McCullum took over as captain of New Zealand in December 2014, the team was engulfed by dressing-room strife.Now, just over two years later, the Black Caps are in their first World Cup final and the muscular, multi-skilled McCullum is being feted as a national hero.The 33-year-old opener has sport in his blood.In his schooldays, he was selected ahead of future All Blacks superstar Dan Carter in a regional rugby team but learned to love cricket hanging around the grounds of New Zealand while his father Stuart carved out a first-class career with Otago from the 1970s to 1990s.Older brother Nathan is also a New Zealand Test and ODI player, although he is likely to be watching Sundays final against Australia from the MCG sidelines as he has yet to be selected for a game at the World Cup.Facing the Australians in front of around 90,000 people at the MCG will not daunt the skipper, who needed all his battling qualities when he assumed the leadership of the team in 2012.He replaced Ross Taylor as captain but immediately had to deny any involvement in outsting his team-mate from a leadership role.McCullum was a controversial choice as his countrys 28th captain with his tough, tattooed exterior in marked contrast to the wholesome boy-next-door Taylor who, in protest at being dumped as skipper, immediately withdrew from the ensuing tour of South Africa.McCullum was seen as the preferred choice of newly-installed coach Mike Hesson, who never publicly endorsed Taylor and referred to him as being a board appointment.In an editorial at the time, the New Zealand Herald described New Zealand Cricket (NZC) as a rudderless ship and said Taylor has become the latest poster-child for the high-performance dysfunction in our national summer game.McCullum said suggestions he was involved in a coup and of a rift between himself and Taylor, was untrue.It cuts right to the bone, that people would question your integrity and your character like that, he said.The controversy didnt affect McCullums career too much.To date he has made 5,870 runs in 92 Tests with a high score of 302 against India in February last year, the only Test triple century score by a New Zealander.He is also brutal in the ODI format with 5,808 runs in 248 games and with a best score of 166.At the ongoing World Cup, he hit an 18-ball 50 against England, the fourth time he has reached a ODI half-century in 20 balls or fewer.Twenty20 is also in his headlights.In the first match of the Indian Premier League in 2008, he hit 158 before becoming the second man, after West Indies Chris Gayle, to score a Twenty20 international century against Australia in 2010.As well as a flamboyant, pinch-hitting role at the top of the Black Caps order, McCullum has a flair for the personal touch.On his right shoulder, he has childrens birthdates tattooed in Roman numerals.

Rocky road for skipper Clarke to World Cup final

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Skipper Michael Clarke has shrugged off fitness fears, talk of rifts with team-mates, coach and selectors and form concerns to guide Australia through to Sundays World Cup final against New Zealand.Clarke missed Australias opening World Cup game against England as he recovered from hamstring surgery during the Test series against India amid fears that he may not play again.When scans confirmed I had torn my hamstring (after the last day of the first Adelaide Test against India) I thought I might just have played my last game of cricket, Clarke admitted heading into the World Cup.I had suffered my fourth hamstring (injury) in six months and my back was flaring up.And while Clarke has largely been a peripheral figure for the Australian team in the tournament with one half-century in five knocks his leadership has not been questioned.Clarke was stung when asked at his media conference following the 95-win semi-final victory over India if his batting style had become redundant for the modern game now stacked up against the audacious shotmakers in his side -- David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch.I think Im doing all right. I think my record is pretty good up against anybody in the world. I think my record holds its place. Im not concerned at all, retorted Clarke.Yet his last ODI century came against England in Manchester in September 2013 and up to the World Cup Clarke had played in only six ODIs in the previous year.Speculation over the state of his fitness has riled Clarke at times.I think everybody is sick of talking about my injury, my old injury, I should say, said Clarke, who turns 34 next week and has a history of chronic back problems from an early age.But it feels really good. Ive worked exceptionally hard.While Clarke was on the sidelines, Steve Smith successfully filled in as captain to lead Australia to a 2-0 Test series victory in the three remaining Tests against India.Reports at the time suggested the team had taken to Smiths style, while speculation that Clarke wanted to have a strong say in when he was ready to return to the team from injury had caused friction with Cricket Australia.It seems like some people in particular are going to write what they want to write, he scowled.Im really happy and comfortable with my relationship with Cricket Australia firstly, certainly with my teammates.Its water off a ducks back for me, Ive copped it my whole career. Its another day, another newspaper sold. I dont really care.There was even talk of a fall-out with coach Darren Lehmann and chief selector Rod Marsh over a deadline imposed on him to confirm his place in the World cup squad.You wont get headlines out of me, Clarke told reporters. Victory in Sundays World Cup final will be a career pinnacle for Clarke, who has won 49 of his 73 ODIs as Australias skipper.Yeah, it would be extremely special. Theres no doubt about it. Its the pinnacle of one day cricket, he said.I think at the start of the tournament there was a lot of expectation and pressure put on to this team, the fact we were playing in our own backyard.So yeah, I think it would be the icing on the cake for the summer that the Australian cricket teams that had success in both Test and one day cricket. Im confident we can win this World Cup.

Euro ticks up ahead of crucial Greece-creditor talks

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The euro inched higher against the dollar Friday ahead of crucial bailout talks between Greece and creditors to avoid a debt default in a currency market that was little changed.Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, in a highly anticipated speech, emphasized that the central bank would take a gradual approach in raising near-zero interest rates. Yellens remarks appeared to have little effect on forex trade.Focus remained on Greece on Friday, as Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann says he is opposed to giving the troubled eurozone country more emergency loans, charging the new government in Athens with frittering away trust.The countrys new radical-left government is racing to reach a deal with its European Union and International Monetary Fund creditors by next month before state coffers run dry.Greece needs a deal next week and is expected to present a finalized reform list Monday in a bid to unblock EU-IMF loans.

Australia, New Zealand set for grand World Cup finale

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Dominant New Zealand will have no fear of the enemys den as they take on co-hosts Australia in an intriguing World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.Brendon McCullums men go into their first title clash in crickets 50-overs-a-side showpiece as the only unbeaten team in the tournament, having won eight games in a row.One of those wins was against Australia in a low-scoring pool stage thriller in Auckland on February 28 when a Kane Williamson six off Pat Cummins helped them surpass a modest target of 152 with one wicket standing.It was at the same Eden Park in Auckland that the Black Caps downed South Africa in a nerve-tingling semi-final on Tuesday with a penultimate-ball six by Grant Elliott.New Zealands first semi-final win in seven attempts left an enthralled rugby-mad nation backing their cricketers to take home a trophy that has always eluded them in the events 40-year history.Australia, the top-ranked side in one-day cricket bidding for a fifth title, will be considered favourites on home turf at the MCG where New Zealand last played a one-dayer in 2009.Australian captain Michael Clarke said the Black Caps may struggle to adjust to conditions at the MCG after playing all their eight matches so far on their own grounds across the Tasman Sea.Conditions are a lot different to what New Zealand have been playing in New Zealand, Clarke said after his teams emphatic 95-run semi-final victory over defending champions India in Sydney on Thursday.But we will have to play our best cricket to win. New Zealand have been the form team of the competition and they certainly deserve to be in the final.There is always that great rivalry between Australia and New Zealand and the fact that the two hosting nations are in the final is extremely special.For at least four Kiwis expected to make the playing XI on Sunday -- batsmen Williamson and Corey Anderson and fast bowlers Trent Boult and Matt Henry - it will be their first appearances at the MCG.But New Zealand should have no problem adjusting to the vast 90,000-capacity amphitheatre where they have defeated Australia in three of their last five one-day internationals.In their last appearance six years ago, it was semi-final star Elliotts unbeaten 61 that fashioned a six-wicket win with seven balls to spare after Australia had been restricted to 225 for five from 50 overs.Tall opener Martin Guptill, who hit a World Cup record score of 237 not out against the West Indies, is just 10 runs away from surpassing Kumar Sangakkaras tally of 541 to become the tournaments leading run-getter.Left-armer Boult is the leading bowler in this edition with 21 wickets, one more than Aussie paceman Mitchell Starc, while seamer Tim Southee and veteran spinner Daniel Vettori have 15 wickets each.The 36-year-old Vettori is likely to end his international career after Sundays final, giving his team-mates extra motivation for that will be the biggest match of their careers.Australia have a short recovery period of two days before the final, but skipper Clarke said his team was ready to win the pinnacle of one-day cricket.Weve been building up throughout this tournament to get this opportunity to play a World Cup final, he said. It would be extremely special, theres no doubt about it.We have to make sure were as well prepared as we can be, and if our attitude does not change and we stay focused, I am confident we can win this World Cup.

Tennis: Nadal beats Almagro to open Miami campaign

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MIAMI (AFP) - Rafael Nadal, showing no signs of the ankle injury that gave him a scare this week, opened his Miami Masters campaign on Friday with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Nicolas Almagro.The second-seeded Spaniard has never won the title on the hardcourts of Miami, where he is playing for the 11th time.But he got his latest bid off to a solid start, getting through the opening set in 52 minutes before picking up the pace against his compatriot and polishing off the win in one hour and 29 minutes.The win was the 35th at the tournament for the four-time runner-up, who lost the 2014 final to Novak Djokovic.

Boxing: Bieber set for Mayweather's ring walk

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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Pop music star Justin Bieber says hell be at Floyd Mayweathers side when the unbeaten American walks to the ring on May 2 to take on Manny Pacquiao in their welterweight world title super-fight.Bieber, a friend of Mayweather who has accompanied the fighter to the ring at other fights, told celebrity website TMZ.com that he would be part of the boxers entourage for the long anticipated bout with Filipino ring icon Pacquiao in Las Vegas.Bieber, a onetime teenage heart-throb, has in recent years found himself in trouble for run-ins with authority ranging in seriousness from egg-throwing vandalism to alleged assault on a photographer in Argentina and a limo driver in Canada.The 21-year-old Canadian isnt the only celebrity backing Mayweather over Pacquiao, a winner of world titles in eight different weight categories with a record of 57 victories, five defeats and two draws.Rapper Ludacris told interviewer DJ Envy on the radio show The Breakfast Club that Mayweather, whose unblemished 47-0 record has helped him become the highest-paid sportsman in the world, is training as never before.Ive never in my life seen him this focused and training this hard, the entertainer said. He knows that everything is on the line.

'Bubble' talk leaves US stocks lower

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Bubble talk returned to Wall Street this week with US stocks falling in part due to worries that biotech and other highflying stocks have risen to unjustifiable heights.US stocks rallied on Friday, but it was not enough to offset losses the other four days. The Nasdaq Composite Index, which has outperformed the broader market in 2015, fell the most over the week, dropping 135.20 points (2.69 percent) to 4,891.22.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 414.99 (2.29 percent) to 17,712.66, while the S&P 500 shed 47.04 (2.23 percent) to 2,061.02Heading into the week, the Nasdaq stood above 5,000, rarified territory for an index that took 15 years to claw back near an all-time high set in 2000. But the tech-rich index found itself on the back foot most of the week.Biotech companies like Celgene and Biogen came under pressure on worries that their promising new medications may fizzle, or take longer than expected to win regulatory approval. The Nasdaq biotech index lost 5.2 percent on the week. Semiconductor stocks were another weak segment in the index.The biggest story we saw was the mini-correction in biotechs and the mini-correction in semiconductors, said Art Hogan, chief market strategist of Wunderlich Securities.Hogan said sentiment is very cautious ahead of the upcoming earnings season, with analysts having slashed estimates for many companies. Investors are also more focused on the liabilities than the merits of the stronger dollar and lower oil prices, he said.Major economic data included news that US economic growth slowed to an annual rate of 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter, unchanged from a previous estimate, from 5.0 percent in third quarter. Despite stronger consumption, US growth was hit by a 10.1 percent increase in imports and a 7.3 percent fall in federal government spending.Other data showed a slump in durable goods orders in February, but rising sales of new single-family homes and an increase in consumer prices during the month.Big food mergerHighlighting the weeks corporate news was the merger deal to create The Kraft Heinz Company, fusing ketchup-maker Heinz with Kraft Foods, the maker of Velveeta cheese, A-1 steak sauce, Jell-O and a host of other processed foods.The deal, forged by investment guru Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital, which own Heinz, will assemble the worlds fifth-largest food company, with around $28 billion in annual sales.Berkshire and 3G will invest an additional $10 billion to pay for a special cash dividend of $16.50 per share for Kraft shareholders.Dow Chemical got a lift from news that it will separate its US cholorine businesses and merge them with chemical company Olin into a company with revenues approaching $7 billion.Conditions stayed turbulent for petroleum stocks, which continue to reel from lower oil prices. Whiting Petroleum sank nearly 22 percent in the week as it announced a $1 billion bond offering and a major equity offering that will dilute existing shares.But cruise companies surged at weeks end on a better profit outlook due in part to lower fuel costs. Carnival Friday announced higher profits and said it ordered nine new cruise ships from shipbuilders in Germany and Italy.Earnings season gets under way next week with results from agricultural giant Monsanto on Wednesday. Most major reports will not be released until later in April.Next week also includes a heavy calendar of economic releases, including the Conference Boards index of consumer confidence, construction spending and international trade.The weeks most closely watched report will be the March jobs report. Analysts forecast the US economy added 248,000 jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.5 percent.The jobs report will be released Friday, when markets are closed for Good Friday.

Mexico sets greenhouse gas target for UN climate talks

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MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Mexico became Friday the first developing nation to submit targets for UN climate change talks in December, pledging that its greenhouse gas emissions will peak in 2026 before falling.Mexico follows the European Union, Norway and Switzerland in presenting commitments that nations must make public by March 31, providing the backbone for a global climate deal in Paris.The Mexican governments plan foresees emissions peaking in 2026, with greenhouse gases falling 22 percent and black carbon dropping 51 percent by 2030.Its a very ambitious target, but joining our efforts... we are convinced that we can reach it, Environment Minister Juan Jose Guerra Abud told a news conference.The global talks will seek a pact that will enter into force by 2020 to further the UN goal of limiting global warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels.The United States applauded Mexico for being the first major emerging economy to submit its so-called Intended Nationally Determined Contribution, with the White House saying it was setting an example for the rest of the world.Mexicos target to peak its emissions by 2026 and drive them down thereafter is a landmark step in the global transition to a low-carbon economy, the White House statement said.US President Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto also announced a high-level bilateral task force to further deepen policy and regulatory coordination in specific areas, including clean electricity and promoting more fuel-efficient automobile fleets in both countries.

Germanwings crash co-pilot hid illness from airline

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DUESSELDORF (AFP) - The Germanwings co-pilot who crashed his Airbus into the French Alps, killing all 150 aboard, hid a serious illness from the airline, prosecutors said Friday amid reports he was severely depressed.The black box voice recorder indicates that Andreas Lubitz, 27, locked his captain out of the cockpit on Tuesday and deliberately flew Flight 4U 9525 into a mountainside, French officials say, in what appears to have been a case of suicide and mass murder.French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said that all the signs were pointing towards an act that we cant describe: criminal, crazy, suicidal.German prosecutors revealed that searches of Lubitzs homes netted medical documents that suggest an existing illness and appropriate medical treatment, including torn-up and current sick leave notes, among them one covering the day of the crash.They did not specify the illness.But Bild daily earlier reported that Lubitz sought psychiatric help for a bout of serious depression in 2009 and was still getting assistance from doctors, quoting documents from Germanys air transport regulator.The paper also cited security sources as saying that Lubitz and his girlfriend were having a serious crisis in their relationship that left him distraught.Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr said that Lubitz had suspended his pilot training, which began in 2008, for a certain period, before restarting and qualifying for the Airbus A320 in 2013.According to Bild, those setbacks were linked to depression and anxiety attacks.50,000 euros per passengerHalf of the 150 victims of Tuesdays disaster were German, with Spain accounting for at least 50 and the remainder composed of more than a dozen other nationalities.Germanwings said Friday it had offered the victims families up to 50,000 euros ($54,806) per passenger towards their immediate costs.The assistance, which the families would not be required to pay back, was separate from the compensation that the airline will likely have to pay over the disaster, a Germanwings spokesman told AFP.Lubitz lived with his parents in his small home town of Montabaur in the Rhineland and kept an apartment in Duesseldorf, the city where his doomed plane was bound from Barcelona.Duesseldorf prosecutors said the evidence found in the two homes backs up the suspicion that Lubitz hid his illness from his employer and his colleagues.They said they had not found a suicide note, confession or anything pointing to a political or religious motive but added it would take several days to evaluate the rest of what was collected.Reiner Kemmler, a psychologist who specialises in training pilots, noted that people know that depression can compromise their airworthiness and they can hide it.If someone dissimulates, ie they dont want other people to notice, its very, very difficult, Kemmler told Deutschlandfunk public radio.Desperate captain used axeLubitz locked himself into the cockpit when the captain went out to use the toilet, then refused his colleagues increasingly desperate entreaties to reopen the door, French prosecutor Brice Robin said.According to Bild, the captain even tried using an axe to hack through the armoured door as the plane was sent into its fatal descent by Lubitz.The tragedy has prompted a shake-up of airline safety rules.The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) recommended Friday that at least two people be present in the cockpit of planes at all times, which is the standard in the United States.German authorities agreed to the rule for Lufthansa, its subsidiary Germanwings and other companies.Authorities in Germany, Austria and Portugal also announced that they would be requiring the adoption of the so-called rule of two, which has been backed by Air France, KLM, Britains easyJet, Brussels Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle, among other airlines.Irelands Ryanair, Finlands Finnair and Spanish carrier Iberia already adhere to the rule.Meanwhile, the UN world aviation body stressed that all pilots must have regular mental and physical check-ups.Media siege of pilot homeIn the northwestern town of Haltern, which lost 16 students and two teachers on the flight, news of the co-pilots suspected mass murder-suicide caused shock and anger.German President Joachim Gauck, a Protestant pastor, attended a memorial service in the town Friday.Meanwhile in Montabaur, Mayor Edmund Schaaf urged reporters camped out in the community to show restraint with Lubitzs parents, a banker and a church organist, who live in a handsome home on a leafy, normally quiet street.Regardless of whether the accusations against the co-pilot are true, we sympathise with his family and ask the media to be considerate, he said.Investigators say Lubitzs intention was clear because he operated a button sending the plane into a plunge.For the next eight minutes, Lubitz was apparently calm and breathing normally.The second-in-command had passed all psychological tests required for training, Lufthansas Spohr told reporters Thursday.Recovery operations at the remote crash site were still ongoing, with French officials continuing to comb the mountain for body parts and evidence.Theres not much plane debris left. Theres mainly a lot of body parts to pick up. The operation could last another two weeks, said police spokesman Xavier Vialenc.The planes second black box, which records flight data, has not yet been recovered.

Football: Rooney, Kane on target in England stroll

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LONDON (AFP) - Wayne Rooney and debutant Harry Kane scored as England sank Lithuania 4-0 at Wembley on Friday to claim a fifth consecutive win in qualifying for the 2016 European Championship.Rooneys early header took him to 47 England goals -- two shy of Bobby Charltons record -- and Tottenham Hotspur breakthrough star Kane netted with his second touch after coming on as a substitute to mark his first international appearance with a goal.Raheem Sterling also claimed his first goal in an England shirt, while Danny Welbeck capped a man-of-the-match performance with his sixth strike of the qualifying campaign.The victory preserved Englands six-point lead at the top of Group E and means Roy Hodgsons side will travel to Italy for next weeks friendly with a place at next years tournament in France already in sight.There had been conjecture prior to kick-off as to whether Kane would start the game, but Hodgsons decision to keep faith with Welbeck quickly bore fruit in the first ever meeting between the teams.Adopting a roving role on one side of Rooney, with Sterling his counterpart on the other side, the Arsenal man immediately forced Igoris Pankratjevass men back with his directness and sinewy running.Rooney squandered a chance to open the deadlock in the fourth minute, steering the ball against the post from Fabian Delphs flick, but he did not require a second invitation.Two minutes later, Welbeck nutmegged Tadas Kijanskas before forcing Giedrius Arlauskis to save and Rooney followed in to head home his 47th international goal.He was to strike the woodwork again in the 19th minute, intelligently looping a header against the bar after Welbeck had athletically hoiked the ball back from the byline.There was one first-half scare for England, with Phil Jones obliged to block from Deivydas Matulevicius after right-back Nathaniel Clyne had allowed Vytautas Andriuskevicius room to cross.But it did not have the feeling of a true contest and England were soon back on top, with Arlauskis smothering Rooneys free-kick and the rampant Welbeck curling over before the latter made it 2-0.Stooping, Welbeck managed to help on Jordan Hendersons cross-shot from the left and the ball bobbled into the net via a big deflection off Kijanskass thigh.The onslaught continued in the second half, with Arlauskis producing a fine one-handed save to repel a volley from Delph and then beating away a shot from Welbeck.The third goal duly arrived shortly before the hour and saw captain Rooney turn provider with an inviting right-wing cross that Sterling turned in.Kane, scorer of 29 goals for Tottenham this season, made his entrance to loud cheers as a replacement for Rooney in the 71st minute and it took the 21-year-old just 80 seconds to find the net.Sterling reached the byline on the left before lifting a cross to the back post and Kane powered a downward header through Arlauskiss grasp to confirm his burgeoning reputation as English footballs hottest property.
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