Monday 20 April 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

77th death anniversary of Allama Iqbal today

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - (Dunya News) -- The 77th death anniversary of national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal is being observed today (Tuesday) all over the country, Dunya News reported.Allama Muhammad Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877. He is also recognised as national poet, and known as Muffakir-e-Pakistan, Shair-e-Mashriq and Hakeemul Ummat and is credited with sparking the pan-Islamic thought among Muslims of the subcontinent.He is also considered one of the most important figures in literature with literary works in both Urdu and Persian languages. Asrar-e-Khudi, Payam-i-Mashriq, Bang-i-Dara, Bal-i-Jibril, Zarb-i Kalim and Armughan-e-Hijaz were amongst his best works.Various social, political and cultural organizations will hold special programmes to pay homage to the poet. He passed away in Lahore on April 21, 1938.

Hillary Clinton dodges questions about family foundation

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KEENE (AFP) - US Democrat Hillary Clinton, on the 2016 presidential campaign trail Monday, faced unsettling new accusations of financial conflicts of interest involving her familys philanthropic foundation, including some in a new book.We will be subjected to all kinds of distractions and attacks, Clinton told a small group of reporters when asked directly about allegations in the book, Clinton Cash, which will be published May 5.Im ready for that. I know that comes unfortunately with the territory, she said after touring a small family business in New Hampshire, which crucially holds the first state-wide vote in the primary process that begins early next year.I dont know what theyd talk about if I werent in the race, she said of Republicans, whose main 2016 challengers also descended on New Hampshire this past weekend in early efforts to woo voters.But I am in the race, and hopefully well get on to the issues, and I look forward to that.Clinton has spoken only rarely with the media since hitting the campaign trail last week in Iowa, opting instead for small, intimate roundtables at coffee shops, community colleges and small businesses, with just a handful of reporters on hand.Her first campaign rally and speech is expected in May.But Republicans on Monday were seizing on a report that the new book authorized by Peter Schweizer will detail incriminating findings related to foreign contributions to the foundation founded by former president Bill Clinton in 2001.Several donations from foreign governments, apparently made to the foundation during Hillary Clintons 2009-2013 tenure as secretary of state, are put under the microscope in the book, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times.We will see a pattern of financial transactions involving the Clintons that occurred contemporaneous with favorable US policy decisions benefiting those providing the funds, the daily quotes Schweizer as writing.He also reportedly writes that the hundreds of major Clinton transactions with foreign governments have added millions of dollars to the familys personal fortune.Democratic groups have preemptively labeled Schweizer, a former speech-writing consultant to former president George W. Bush and advisor to 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, as an activist penning a conservative hit job on Clinton.

Abe says he may omit apology from Japan WWII statement

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TOKYO (AFP) - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he may not issue a direct apology for Japans past aggression in an upcoming statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.Observers are focusing on whether Abe will make direct reference in the statement this summer to his countrys colonial rule and aggression and express an apology, as previous premiers did on the 50th and 60th anniversaries.For China and South Korea -- its wartime adversaries -- the terms are a crucial marker of Japans acceptance of its wrongdoing in the 1930s and 1940s as it marched across Asia, leaving millions dead in its wake.But Abe suggested in an interview on a TV news programme late Monday that as long as he says he agrees with what was written in the previous statements, I dont think I need to write it again.Beijing and Seoul vociferously argue that Tokyo has not properly atoned for its actions in the 1930s and 1940s, and does not fully accept its guilt, insisting that a landmark 1995 statement expressing remorse must stand.Abe, a strident nationalist, wants Japan to have what he says is a less masochistic view of its history, but has caused waves by quibbling over the definition of invade and has provoked ire by downplaying wartime sex slavery.While many of its former foes have moved past the enmity of last century, Japan is regularly lambasted by Beijing and Seoul for a perceived failure to atone for the past, and for being unwilling to face history squarely.Last week, Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami said Japan must continue saying sorry for its World War II aggression until its former victims say enough.

New York's Cuomo in Cuba to meet business leaders

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HAVANA (AFP) - New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo met with Cuban officials and business leaders Monday in Havana on a whirlwind tour with a delegation of US executives.Cuomo, the first US governor to visit the island since the countries announced in December they would move to restore diplomatic ties after more than half a century, held a working lunch with Cuban Trade Minister Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, his office said.He also met business leaders from both countries at a Havana hotel, where he was welcomed by the director of the trade ministrys North America department, Maria de la Luz BHamel.The Democrats delegation included executives from MasterCard, JetBlue airlines and pharmaceutical firm Pfizer.The move to restore ties between the former Cold War foes has piqued the interest of US companies barred from Cuba since Washington slapped a crippling trade and financial embargo on the island in 1962.Cuomo was welcomed by Josefina Vidal, the chief diplomat for US relations at the Cuban foreign ministry and the official who has been leading the islands talks with Washington on restoring ties.The governor is due to give a press conference Tuesday before heading back to New York.

Chinese President to address joint parliamentary session today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Chinese President Xi Jinping will address the joint parliamentary session in Islamabad today. The joint session will start at 9:25 am. All of the members of parliament have been asked to reach in the house at 8:30 am.Galleries of the National Assembly have been divided into 9 areas. Security guards and personal staff of the parliamentarians will not be allowed to enter the premises.Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, Speaker National Assembly and Chairman Senate will welcome the Chinese President in assembly. PM Nawaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping will address the joint session after which Xi Jinping will meet the parliamentary leaders.

US, UK, Norway slam Sudan polls as not credible

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US, Britain and Norway on Monday blasted Sudan for failing to hold free and fair elections which alleged war criminal President Omar al-Bashir is widely expected to win.In a joint statement the three countries said they regret the government of Sudans failure to create a free, fair, and conducive elections environment.They blamed low voter turnout on restrictions on political rights and freedoms as well as continued fighting in parts of the country.The outcome of these elections cannot be considered a credible expression of the will of the Sudanese people, the joint statement added.We condemn the acts of violence during the election period and continue to support those Sudanese who wish to peacefully advance a comprehensive and legitimate political process of dialogue aimed at achieving reform and stability.Polls closed on Thursday after the nationwide elections were extended for a day due to the low turnout.Bashir, 71, indicted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, is seeking to extend his rule in only the second contested ballot held since he seized power in 1989.He was virtually unopposed in the race, facing 13 little known challengers and an opposition boycott.Two presidential candidates pulled out on Wednesday after the voting extension was announced, pointing to irregularities in the electoral process.Results are expected in late April, but if a single candidate does not get an outright majority, there would have to be a second round.

Ethiopia in mourning after IS kills Christians

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ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Ethiopia will on Tuesday begin three days of national mourning for more than 20 Ethiopian Christians killed by Islamic State militants in Libya.Ethiopian Communications Minister Redwan Hussein told AFP on Monday that parliament would launch the official start of the mourning period on Tuesday, while state television said flags would fly at half mast.The murders have horrified Ethiopians and sparked global condemnation, including from Pope Francis who expressed great distress and sadness over the shocking violence.A 29-minute video released Sunday by the IS group purports to show militants in Libya holding two groups of captives, described in text captions as followers of the cross from the enemy Ethiopian Church.A masked fighter in black brandishing a pistol makes a statement threatening Christians if they do not convert to Islam.The video then switches between footage of one group of about 12 men being beheaded by masked militants on a beach and another group of at least 16 being shot in the head in a desert area.Addis Ababa has condemned the killings and said its embassy in Egypt was trying to confirm the exact toll and the identities of the dead.Many of them were Ethiopians, even though we dont know the exact number yet, Redwan said, adding that it remained unclear if it would be possible to recover the bodies.African Union chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma denounced the barbaric and cowardly act.She said the 54-member bloc -- which is headquartered in Addis Ababa -- would boost efforts towards the restoration of effective state institutions and security in Libya.The United States has called the killings brutal mass murder, while the European Union said it was a criminal effort to create religious divisions.Pope Francis expressed his solidarity in a message to Abune Mathias, the patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.With great distress and sadness I learn of the further shocking violence perpetrated against innocent Christians in Libya, he wrote.The Cairo-based top Muslim body Al-Azhar also condemned the heinous terrorist crime and said the terrorists actions do not comply by any means with any religion, human laws and customs.Almost two-thirds of Ethiopians are Christians, the majority of those Orthodox Copts -- who say they have been in the Horn of Africa nation since the first century AD -- as well as large numbers of Protestants.The Islamic State, which has seized chunks of Syria and Iraq, has won the support of terrorists groups across Middle East and north Africa. Several extremist groups in conflict-wracked Libya have pledged allegiance to the militants.

US officers suspended after latest death of black man in custody

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Several Baltimore police officers have been suspended after an African American man died of spinal cord injuries in police custody, police said Monday, pledging to thoroughly investigate the incident.Freddie Gray, 25, who died Sunday, was arrested on April 12 without force and was later charged with possession of a switchblade knife, according to a police report.Police vowed to look into how Gray died and said they would set up an independent review board to assess the investigation, due to be completed next Friday.The investigation is focusing on how Gray died after an autopsy confirmed spinal injuries.None of his limbs were broken. He did suffer a very tragic injury to his spinal cord, which resulted in his death, said deputy police commissioner Jerry Rodriguez, adding that the officers were suspended.What we dont know, and what we need to get to, is how that injury occurred.Local NBC television affiliate WBAL reported six officers had been suspended.A video of the arrest shows police restraining Gray on a sidewalk, then dragging him to a police van while he yells in pain.Rodriguez said Gray had requested an inhaler after he was arrested and that he became irate while sitting in a police van.Paramedics were called 42 minutes after Gray asked for his inhaler, according to a timeline provided by police.Police confirmed that Gray had requested medical attention, but would not say when.The case is the latest in a series of deaths that critics say demonstrates officers racial bias and excessive use of force.The incident sparked protests in Baltimore, with about 100 local residents and activists gathered outside a local police station Sunday demanding more information.Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said policies regarding transportation of suspects and providing medical attention were being reviewed following Grays death.He said the officers did not appear to use unnecessary force during Grays arrest, but said they would continue to investigate their conduct.If we find a procedure or a process handled incorrectly, well hold people accountable for that, Batts told reporters.Decades of mistrustBaltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake promised to continue police reform, admitting strained relations between officers and the public.It has been very difficult to overcome decades of mistrust, but together I believe we have made great strides forward. However, its still very clear that we have much more work to do, Rawlings-Blake said.Im frustrated not only that were here but we dont have all of the answers. I want to know why the officers pursued Mr Gray. I want to know if the proper procedures were followed. I want to know what steps need to be taken for accountability.The lawyer for Grays family said he was arrested for committing no crime and accused police of a coverup.We believe the police are keeping the circumstances of Freddies death secret until they develop a version of events that will absolve them of all responsibility, attorney William Murphy Jr said in a statement to The Baltimore Sun.Baltimore is the largest city in the state of Maryland, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northeast of the US capital Washington.A series of recent killings of unarmed black men by police in the United States has prompted nationwide protests, charges of racism and revived the debate about undue police force.Earlier this month, white officer Michael Slager was charged with murder after a video showed him fatally shooting 50-year-old African American Walter Scott in the back as he ran away in South Carolina.

West Indies counting on Bishoo in 2nd test vs England

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ST.GEORGES (AP) - West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin is counting on restored leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo to play a key role in the second test against England starting at the National Stadium on Tuesday.Bishoo was recalled for his first test since 2012 as a replacement for left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, who was dropped after a lackluster performance in the drawn first match in Antigua.He has been bowling really well in the regional tournament and has worked hard since he came back into the camp and I believe he will have a significant part to play in this match, Ramdin said after team practice Monday morning. He bowls some beauties so lets hope we get a lot of beauties in this match.Ramdin said the pitch for the match looks a good one, but he expected help for the spinners on the fourth and fifth days.Bishoo, 29, was named Emerging Player of the Year by the International Cricket Council in 2011 after an impressive start to his test career. He lost form, and his place in the team, a year later after 11 tests in which he took 40 wickets.He was the second leading wicket-taker in the 2014-15 regional Caribbean Professional League with 61 wickets in 10 matches for champions Guyana. He is expected to be the only change in the West Indies XI which battled to a draw on the final day in the first test after being outplayed for most of the match.Moen Ali, the left-handed batsman and right-arm off-spin bowler, joined the England team here after recovering from a side strain picked up in the recent World Cup.Head coach Peter Moores said his fitness would be assessed before a decision on whether to select him. If passed, he is expected to come in for off-spinner James Tredwell, who claimed four wickets in the West Indies first innings but only one in the second as Ramdin, all-rounder Jason Holder and fast bowler Kemar Roach defied Englands effort to clinch victory on the final day.Englands most obvious problem in the first test was the failure of openers Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott in both innings.Cook was dismissed for 11 and 13, and Trott for 0 and 4.Cooks form remains a major worry. He is Englands third highest scorer in tests with 8,447 runs dating back to his debut in 2006. But he has not had a century in his past 33 innings.Im a resilient guy who tries to play each ball on its merits for as long as possible, thats what my success has been built on, and I remain desperate to set the tone at the top of the order with some runs, Cook said.A crowd of 11,000 is expected, as many as half of them England supporters.

Football: Blatter hails Russia's 'five star' work on World Cup

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SOCHI (AFP) - FIFA boss Sepp Blatter on Monday hailed Russias five star work to be ready for the 2018 World Cup while President Vladimir Putin vowed his country would not disappoint football fans around the globe.The two discussed the tournament during talks on the sidelines of a sports convention in the Russian resort of Sochi.Russias economic troubles and sanctions over Ukraine have clouded the preparations, but Blatter said the economic problems will be overcome and congratulated Putin on progress made on the 12 venues in 11 cities that will host the tournament, Tass news agency reported.You and the steering committee deserve five stars, Blatter said, dismissing budget cuts made due to the economic crisis. The Russian organisers have had to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the World Cup budget as the price of oil, the countrys main export, has collapsed.Blatter has repeatedly spoken out against a boycott of the World Cup because of Russias involvement in Ukraine and again condemned such moves.Some people are wanting the World Cup to be taken away from Russia, but we give one answer to this - we are involved in football and we will not allow politics to get in the way.Russian president Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia was set to continue its joint and fruitful work together with the International Olympic Committe (IOC).Russia has invariably supported and is set to continue the support of the international Olympic movement, Putin told the IOC president Thomas Bach. And we hope to continue our joint and fruitful work in the future.Putin said the World Cup was as important as hosting last years Winter Olympics in Sochi and an equally major task.I dont know how our team will perform at the World Cup, its the responsibility of the football specialists. But the preparations for the event is the responsibility of the state authorities.And we will do our best to disappoint neither you, Mr President, nor football lovers around the world, the Russian leader said.

Snooker: Robertson races into second round of worlds

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SHEFFIELD (AFP) - Australias Neil Robertson eased past Jamie Jones with a 10-2 win in the first round of the World Championship on Monday and then said his emphatic victory was reward for sustained hard work on the practice tables.The 33-year-old, world champion in 2010, led 7-2 overnight and made clear his determination to avoid being dragged into a lengthy encounter with a break of 133 in Mondays first frame at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, northern England.Robertson took the next two frames as well to complete a comfortable victory over his Welsh opponent.The world number four was in dominant form throughout the match, 12 frames yielding three century breaks and three more contributions of over 50 each for the Thunder from Down Under.The Melbourne-born left-hander, who will face either one of the experienced duo of Ali Carter or Alan McManus in the last 16, said he had spent more time at practice in a bid to get the most out of his natural talent and add to a tally of 10 ranking titles.I have put the hours in for this event, more than any other in my career. I have even done more practice than (Englands) Joe Perry, he has been leaving the club before me, Robertson told the World Snooker website.I have realised that I could have done more in the past. I wouldnt say I have under-achieved in my career, but if had made bigger sacrifices then I could have won more, he added. If my career ended now, I would be disappointed with what I have won. So Im going to continue to work hard next season, and the one after that, to get the best out of my ability.Before I came here I potted around 300 balls in practice without missing. Thats what Stephen Hendry used to do over spells of six or seven frames.Ronnie OSullivan is still the man to beat so its up to the likes of myself, Mark Selby (who defeated OSullivan in last years World Championship final) and Judd Trump to wrestle that away from him.Meanwhile Barry Hawkins, the losing finalist in 2013, as he edged past Matthew Selt 10-9.Hawkins was on the brink of victory at 9-4 only for Selt to win five frames in a row.However, Hawkins held his nerve in the decider to book a place in the second round.

Athletics: Desisa wins second Boston Marathon crown

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BOSTON (AFP) - Ethiopias Lelisa Desisa claimed the Boston Marathon title Monday, winning his second crown in three years on the eve of the sentencing hearing for convicted marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.Desisa won the 26-mile (42-kilometre) race in a time of two hours, nine minutes and 17 seconds, finishing more than a half a minute ahead of runner-up and Ethiopian compatriot Yemane Adhane Tsegay who clocked 2hr:09.48.Boston is my second home, Desisa said.Caroline Rotich of Kenya won the womens title in a time of 2hr 24.55 in a race run under windy and wet conditions.Running and remembrance shared the stage of the 119th Boston Marathon this year as Desisa also won in 2013, the same year bombs killed three, injured over 250 and forever changed the historic race.The sentencing phase of Tsarnaevs high-profile trial begins Tuesday in the city.American prosecutors will argue Tsarnaev must be condemned to death for the attack when a court this week begins weighing up his fate.Tsarnaev, a US citizen, faces either life in prison or the death penalty after a jury unanimously convicted him this month of carrying out the worst attack in the United States since the 9/11 hijackings.Two years ago, Desisa donated his medal from his first title to the city in the memory of the bombing victims. The bombs went off just hours after he had crossed the finish line.Desisa can hang on to this one if he wants to, and savour it as he won with a powerful burst to the downtown Boylston Street finish line.Kenyas Wilson Chebet (2:10.22) was third and his compatriot Bernard Kipyego (2:10.47) fourth. Wesley Korir, also of Kenya, rounded out the top five. The top USA runner was Dathan Ritzenhein, who finished seventh.Desisa, fellow Ethiopian Tsegay and the Kenyans Chebet and Korir moved to the front with six kilometres left.In the final three kilometres it was just Desisa and Tsegay before the champion began widening the gap.I tried to push after 35 kilometres and then I come alone, Desisa said. The wind was very cold and that affected all parts of the race.Desisa returned last year, but was unable to finish the race because of an injury.Defending champion Meb Keflezighi was eighth Monday after becoming the first American mens winner since 1983.Last year was an epic race, epic moment for Boston, for the United States and for the world, said Keflezighi, who had to stop running five times. I was hoping to defend it.The womens race went down to the wire. Rotich, who finished fourth in Boston in 2011, outsprinted Ethiopias Mare Dibaba over the final 500 metres to win by just four seconds.Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia finished third in 2:25.09. Desiree Linden was the top American in fourth place.I have been waiting for this and training for this, said Rotich. When we came through this last stretch corner, I felt like I want to do this.

Gulf countries reject UN call for urgent Yemen ceasefire

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - Gulf envoys told UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday that there would be no immediate ceasefire in Yemen unless Huthi rebels withdraw from seized territory.Saudi Ambassador Abdallah al-Mouallimi said certain conditions must be met for the Saudi-led air campaign to be suspended and that these were spelled out in the recently-adopted Security Council resolution.We all want to see an early end to the military hostilities, but there are conditions conducive to having an early end to the hostilities, Mouallimi told AFP following a meeting with Ban.The resolution adopted last week demands that the Shiite Huthis pull back from territory seized, including the capital Sanaa, end their violent campaign and return to peace talks.With the air strikes claiming more civilian lives, Ban has called for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen, saying the country was in flames and that it was time for a passage to real peace.Following the resignation of Moroccan diplomat Jamal Benomar as Yemen peace envoy, Ban moved to appoint Mauritanian diplomat Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed to be his new representative.Ban informed the Gulf envoys of his choice but the ambassadors did not specify whether they would accept the mediation, which has taken on a new urgency as the death toll climbs.We have not presented any reaction yet. It is being studied in the capitals and we will have a reaction as quickly as possible, said Mouallimi.Saudi-led air strikes on a missile depot in Yemens rebel-held capital Monday sparked explosions that killed at least 28 people and wounded nearly 300, flattening houses and shaking faraway neighborhoods.Saudi Arabia launched the air war on March 26 to roll back an advance by the Iranian-backed Huthi rebels, who forced President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee into exile in Riyadh.Iran last week presented a peace plan for Yemen that called for a ceasefire and immediate end to all foreign military attacks, the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid and a return to talks on forming a national unity government.

US starts training Ukrainians to fight pro-Russia forces

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YAVORIV (AFP) - US paratroopers on Monday began training Ukrainian government forces who will fight pro-Russian separatists in the east, angering Moscow as the deadly conflict rumbles on in the ex-Soviet country.Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko welcomed troops from the US 173rd Airborne Brigade in a rain-soaked ceremony at a military base in Yavoriv, western Ukraine, to launch Operation Fearless Guardian.We are the eyewitnesses and direct participants in forming the new Ukrainian military, which like the phoenix is rising again after years of decline, Poroshenko told the assembled troops.This is not only a war for the independence of Ukraine, but also a war for freedom and democracy in Europe and the whole world.Officials said some 300 US troops will train 900 members of Ukraines National Guard, which is deployed in the east where heavy artillery fire is rumbling on despite a February ceasefire.More than 6,000 people have been killed in the conflict in the past year and more than a million civilians have been displaced, according to the United Nations.US Army Major Michael Weisman told AFP the mission would provide training in individual and medical skills and defence manoeuvres with the kind of weapons already used by the Ukrainian forces such as AK-47 assault rifles.As the US brigade arrived in Ukraine last week from its base in Italy, Russia warned the move could destabilize Ukraine and said it was a step towards the United States arming.Alleged Russian arms deliveriesWashington has sent $75 million (70 million euros) worth of non-lethal military aid to Kiev, but has so far held off from supplying arms.And the United States plans to give another $17.7 million in humanitarian assistance for those in need, such as shelter, health and sanitation support, food vouchers and potable water, the White House said.Britain has also deployed personnel to Ukraine to train government forces, in a mission that ministers said would involve up to 75 trainers at a time. Canada announced last week it would also send 200 trainers in the summer.US troops have trained with Ukrainian forces in the past, but this is the first time Washington has trained members of Ukraines recently reformed National Guard.It is the first time that joint exercises of such scale and content have been carried out in Ukraine, Poroshenko said.I am sure the exercises we are launching here today will be effective in reinforcing and stabilising the situation.Kiev and the West say there is mounting evidence that Russia is arming separatists who control parts of eastern Ukraine and is sending troops to fight alongside them. Russia has repeatedly denied this.In a telephone call, Poroshenko and US Vice President Joe Biden called on Russia to abide by the terms of the Minsk agreements and to stop the transfer of heavy weapons into Ukraine and massing of troops along the international border, the White House said.Ukrainian army spokesman Andriy Lysenko said shelling in the east eased on Sunday, but intelligence services had detected scores of vehicles bringing arms into eastern Ukraine from Russia over recent days.Moscow accuses the United States of backing an uprising that preceded the ousting of Ukraines former pro-Russia president Viktor Yanukovych in February last year. Moscow subsequently annexed the Crimean peninsula.France and Germany brokered a ceasefire agreement in February, but European OSCE observers in eastern Ukraine say exchanges of artillery fire have continued over recent weeks.However, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said monitors had brokered a truce in one flashpoint village, Shyrokyne, near the strategic government-held city of Mariupol.There is a good chance for peace at this moment and we need to invest as much as we can in this, Zannier told AFP during a visit to Lithuania.But there is always a risk of relapse in the conflict.Poroshenko said there had been negotiations on setting up a 24-hour observation post for the OSCE in Shyrokyne, in comments quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.We hope that it will be achieved in the coming days through joint efforts with our partners, he added.

Six tourists, pilot killed in Dom. Republic plane crash

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SANTO DOMINGO (AFP) - Six tourists from Britain and Spain and their local pilot were killed Monday when their small plane crashed into a golf course after takeoff from Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, authorities said.Seven people were aboard the plane from Punta Cana to Arroyo Barril, the Dominican Civil Aviation office said in a statement.The victims were identified as Dominican pilot Hector Soriano, 37, and six passengers who were Spanish and British tourists, the office said.It did not immediately specify how many people were from which country or identify them.Authorities said they were investigating the cause of the Sky-High Piper PA-32s crash. They said witness reports that the pilot tried to land on the golf course suggests a possible mechanical cause.Punta Cana, on the north coast, is the Caribbean countrys largest single collection of resorts.
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