Saturday 1 August 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Football: PSG ease past Lyon in Champions Trophy

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MONTREAL (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain started the new season on Saturday just as they ended the old, lifting silverware in the shape of the French Champions Trophy thanks to a 2-0 win over Lyon in Montreal.Two early goals by Serge Aurier and Edinson Cavani put Paris in control of the traditional season-opening contest and left Lyon with a mountain to climb long before their captain Maxime Gonalons was sent off in the 64th minute.Having completed an unprecedented clean sweep of the domestic honours in France last season, this win underlined their status as the team to beat again in the coming campaign.Tipped to be their main challengers once more, Lyon were invited to face the treble winners after finishing second to them in Ligue 1 last season as the Champions Trophy was played outside France for the seventh year in a row.But, weakened by a series of injuries to key players and by the absence of suspended starlet Nabil Fekir, Lyon never looked like winning a game played in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Saputo Stadium in the largest city of Canadas French-speaking Quebec province.A strong PSG side featuring German summer signing Kevin Trapp in goal opened the scoring in the 11th minute as the Lyon defence failed to clear a free-kick into the box and David Luiz drove the ball back into the six-yard box for his fellow defender Aurier to head home.The second goal arrived just six minutes later when Anthony Lopes saved from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cavani, who started pre-season late after featuring for Uruguay at the Copa America, lashed home the loose ball.With last seasons top scorer and player of the year Alexandre Lacazette unable to make an impression, Lyon offered little at the other end and Blaise Matuidi missed a great chance to increase PSGs lead after Lopes saved from Ibrahimovics extravagant backheeled effort.Ibrahimovic, who has been in good form during his clubs pre-season tour of North America as he enters the last year of his PSG contract, fired wide in the second half when finding himself with just Lopes to beat.And shortly after he was on the receiving end of a Gonalons challenge that saw the Lyon captain pick up a second yellow card and depart for an early bath.The mood in the camp is good. It is early days but we have prepared well, Matuidi told beIN Sports.The season will be long. Now we have spent 18 days abroad and it is difficult, so we are looking forward to going home, seeing our families again and resting before the season starts.Fresh from winning a third successive Champions Trophy, Laurent Blancs PSG side start their title defence at Lille on Friday, while Lyon will begin the new Ligue 1 season at home to Lorient next Sunday.

Tennis: Nadal sets up Fognini rematch in Hamburg final

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HAMBURG (AFP) - Top seed Rafael Nadal won through to the final of the claycourt tournament in Hamburg on Saturday with a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 semi-final win against Andreas Seppi of Italy.Nadal, 29, will meet another Italian in Sundays final, with 32nd-ranked Fabio Fognini beating French youngster Lucas Pouille 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) in the other last-four showdown.Fognini, seeded eighth, is a familiar foe for the Spaniard, having already beaten Nadal twice this season in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona.For Nadal, it will be the 96th final of his career and his third in Hamburg, where he last won the title in 2008 by beating Roger Federer.I will try to keep playing well and enjoy todays victory, said Nadal, who has endured a tough 2015 in which he has lost his French Open title and slumped to his lowest ranking in a decade.These are important points for me -- 300 points for my goal of qualifying for the World Tour Finals is important. Matches like today help to bring you your confidence and your motivation for what you are doing.Nadal, the world number 10, is now 25-6 on clay this season, and will on Sunday look to extend his streak of having won at least one European claycourt title every year since 2004.From the beginning I played great, since the first game that I hit a few winners, Nadal told www.atpworldtour.com.I was very comfortable on court today, feeling the ball well, with topspin to his backhand and then changing to his forehand down the line - a very important shot for me. In general it was a very positive match.Every victory is important. And this year with the up and downs that Ive had, obviously every improvement is important. I played at a very high level.Im very happy for that, playing with not many mistakes, very well with my backhand, very well with my forehand, hitting winners, changing speeds, changing directions. I think I played a great match.

Football: Wolfsburg stun Bayern to win German Super Cup

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WOLFSBURG (AFP) - German Cup winners Wolfsburg upset Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on penalties to win their first domestic Super Cup at the Volkswagen Arena on Saturday.Arjen Robbens second-half strike from close range looked to have secured victory for Bayern, who were searching for their first Super Cup triumph since 2012 after successive defeats to Borussia Dortmund.But substitute Nicklas Bendtner -- who scored just one goal in 18 league appearances for the Wolves last season -- equalised in the 89th minute after a terrific cross from Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne.With no extra-time played, the match went straight to penalties with Xabi Alonso the culprit for Pep Guardiolas Bayern who lost the shootout 5-4.Alonso -- Bayerns second penalty taker -- was thwarted by Wolfsburgs Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels who saved with his legs, while Dieter Heckings Wolfsburg were successful with all five of their spot kicks.Former Arsenal striker Bendtner also converted the winning penalty to cap a fine personal performance as Wolfsburg secured the first piece of silverware of the season.Pep Guardiolas Bayern went into the match as slight favourites at the home of last seasons Bundesliga runners-up Wolfsburg, who hammered the Bavarians 4-1 in their last meeting on this ground.In the match played before the start of every Bundesliga season between the previous campaigns league champions and Cup winners, both sides contributed to what was at times a high quality opening period with slick passing and fluid movement.Wolfsburg -- who finished ten points adrift of Bayern last season -- couldve taken the lead after 32 minutes when Ivan Perisics cross evaded the clutches of several Bayern defenders only for German international goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to punch clear.But Bayern began to stamp their authority on the game with their trademark possession football, and they took the lead just four minutes into the second half.The impressive Brazilian Douglas Costa -- a 30 million-euro (GBP 21million; 32.9 million dollars) arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer -- fired in a cross which Casteels spilled into the path of Dutch international forward Robben who blasted high into the net.But just as Bayern looked like seeing out the match, Wolfsburg struck a leveller one minute before added time.Former Chelsea man De Bruyne -- who contributed 28 assists for the Wolves last season -- fired in a cross towards Bendtner who turned the ball past Manuel Neuer magnificently to make it 1-1.Penalties ensued with Wolfsburg prevailing 5-4 in a high quality shootout.Its Bayerns third-straight defeat in the Super Cup, which remains the only domestic trophy that Guardiola hasnt won during his tenure at the Allianz Arena.Both sets of players wore black armbands during the game after the death of Bayern club legend Franz Beckenbauers son, Stefan, who died on Saturday at the age of 46 after a long illness.

Unsung legend: Renowned Pakistani comedian Fareed Khan passes away

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LAHORE (WebDesk) – Pakistan’s renowned comedian, TV and stage actor Fareed Khan passed away on Saturday. Khan had been suffering from throat cancer and kidney disease for the past few years. He was being treated at a local hospital for his illnesses. Fareed Khan had played legendary comic roles in TV plays and dramas, some of them, like “Ap Apney Daam Mai”, being extremely popular back in their days. Khan had also bagged many awards for his brilliant comedic performances. His famous serials include “Nayi Dunya”, “Tana Bana”, “Khuda Ki Basti” and “Fifty Fifty”.Khan, born Fareed-ur-Rehman Khan, came from a prosperous family and was first from his family to join the entertainment industry. His elder brother was a chartered accountant. As with most legends, Khan stumbled into the world of showbiz by chance. An artist from an early age, Khan grew bore of the monotonous cycle of studies. Upon this realization, his father chose to send his son to live with his aunt in Hyderabad in 1966.But his artistic dreams lay elsewhere and Khan couldn’t help but knock at the doors of Radio Pakistan Hyderabad. Khan got admitted as a singer after his audition. He recorded a ghazal of Altaf Hussain Haali. His father upon hearing of his son’s voice on the radio lamented over his decision to enter the entertainment industry while his brothers and sisters listened with admiration. A future as an entertainment artist was still frowned upon in those days and was not seen as a respectable profession due to which Khan received a great deal of criticism from his family especially his father.A drama festival known as “Jashan-e-Tamseel” was held at Radio Pakistan which caught Khan’s eye. Forever the artist, Khan decided to try out for a role. He was selected for the “Ap Apnay Daam Mai” play in which he initially had a minor role. However, as luck would have it, the producer was not happy with the lead actor’s performance which Khan bagged after he impressed everyone with his talent during his audition. The show went on to become a great success with Khan winning an award for his performance and a major breakthrough for his career.Khan’s witty humor and distinguished comic style was extremely adored by the public. His keen observation and wit in the TV program “Jawaan Fikar” received favorable reviews. He was then cast as “Raffo” in the serial program “Khuda Ki Basti”.Khan was offered a role in “Fifty-Fifty” directed by Shoaib Mansoor which he initially declined but accepted later and was seen in some of the later episodes of the program. Khan also went with the “Fifty Fifty” team to the US in 1985. The show went on to become one of the defining programs of Pakistan’s comedic genre.As an artist, Khan enjoyed good relations with a lot of his co-stars like Moin Akhter and Umer Sharif and met with famous personalities including Mehdi Hassan, Noor Jehan, Munni Begum and Dilip Kumar. Khan was also appreciated by political leaders like Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and General (R) Pervaiz Musharraf. Being a true artist, Khan had many hidden talents one of which was his love for poetry. His poetry was also appreciated by many poets.Khan’s greatly admired the silent humor of Charlie Chaplin and the comedy of Pakistan’s legend Lehri.Khan’s recent performance was in Hum TV’s serial “Lo Maikay Chali Main” even though he suffered from diabetes at that time, but never performed in theater again as he believed that it had become sub-standard.Khan’s widowed wife expressed her dissatisfaction with the government, who had promised to help him during his illness but failed to do so.Khan is survived by 4 children, 2 daughters and 2 sons.Heres how some of his fans reacted to the news of his departure:Dp Changed May His Soul Rest In Peace FareedKhan— Amber Zaidi (@amber_xaidi) August 1, 2015 Rip Fareedkhan..what an awesome person and star.— Asim Sagheer (@asagheer313) August 1, 2015 He is the Comedy Legend of his time... FareedKhan at Gulistan-e-Johar Iftar dinner. sad to see him lyk this :( pic.twitter.com/iW8UVIZp6e— Ahmed Siddiqui (@oOol_JaLoOl) July 15, 2014

Zimbabwe toughens hunting rules after iconic lion's killing

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HARARE (AFP) - Zimbabwes wildlife authorities on Saturday announced restrictions on hunting around the countrys biggest game reserve following the killing of a much-loved lion by a US dentist.Hunting of lions, leopards and elephant in areas outside of Hwange National Park has been suspended with immediate effect, Edson Chidziya, head of Zimbabwes parks and wildlife authority Zimparks, said in a statement.The parks body also suspended hunting with bows and arrows, except with permission from the authoritys head.All such hunts will only be conducted if confirmed and authorized in writing by the Director-General of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, and only if accompanied by parks staff, Chidziya said.The clampdown follows an international furore over the killing of Cecil the lion, a favourite with international tourists, who was shot with a bow and arrow by Walter Palmer outside Hwange park in early July.The lion, which lived in the park, was lured outside its boundaries by bait.After shooting the feline, Palmer, who was accompanied by local guide Theo Bronkhorst, then trailed the injured beast for 40 hours before finishing him off with a gun.The death of the iconic lion, renowned for his distinctive black mane, sparked global outrage, with some animal rights activists calling for Palmers death.Bronkhorst is due to appear in court on August 5 on a charge of failing to prevent an illegal hunt.Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri has meanwhile appealed for the United States to extradite Palmer so he can be brought to justice.Chidziya said the authority had joined forces with the police in a crackdown to weed out any undesirable elements.The Authority will not hesitate to arrest, prosecute, and ban for life any persons including professional hunters, clients and land owners who are caught on the wrong side of the law, he said.

Conflicting reports over 'killing' of Cecil the lion's brother in Zimbabwe

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JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Uncertainty surrounded the fate of another lion from Zimbabwes Hwange National Park Saturday after a conservation group reported that Jericho, brother of the lion slain by American dentist Walter Palmer, had also been killed.It is with huge disgust and sadness that we have just been informed that Jericho, Cecils brother has been killed at 4pm today, the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, which broke the news of Cecils killing, said in a statement on its Facebook page.We are absolutely heart broken. We will update you all as soon as we have more details, the statement added.The announcement was swiftly picked up by global media, causing consternation among animal lovers who were outraged by Palmers killing of Zimbabwes best-known lion, renowned for his black mane.But the Friends of Hwange Trust urged the public to treat the ZCTFs announcement with caution.Please know that reports stating that Jericho - the other half of Cecil the lions coalition - was shot today appear to be UNTRUE.The charity admitted however it did not yet have definite proof of its counter claim.Hwange park authorities were unavailable for confirmation Saturday evening.Earlier Saturday, Zimbabwes parks authority announced restrictions on hunting around Hwange park, including an immediate suspension of the hunting of lions, leopards and elephants.Palmer paid $55,000 to shoot Cecil outside Hwange park earlier this month with a bow and arrow. He and a guide then spent 40 hours tracking the wounded animal before finishing him off with a gun.Palmer, who is being investigated by the US government over Cecils death, has apologised and said he was misled by his guide.

Biden mulling White House run: NYT

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Vice President Joe Biden is actively exploring a possible presidential run, a move which would jolt the Democratic field and its frontrunner Hillary Clinton, The New York Times reported Saturday.Traditionally, a Democrat would not take on a fellow party member who was leading the field decisively -- and Biden has not done so officially.Still, Bidens advisers have started to reach out to Democratic leaders and donors who have not yet committed to Mrs Clinton, or who have grown concerned about what they see as her increasingly visible vulnerabilities as a candidate, the Times reported.Also Saturday, Times columnist Maureen Dowd reported that Biden had been holding meetings at his residence, talking to friends, family and donors about jumping in to challenge Clinton in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two nominating states.The former first lady, ex-US senator and former secretary of state -- an attorney by training -- is sometimes criticized as being lawyerly and evasive.She has also is seen as somewhat vulnerable after controversy over her use of her personal email for State Department correspondence, and for having deleted 30,000 emails then wiping her personal server clean.Seventeen Republicans are officially seeking the partys presidential nomination, including former Florida governor Jeb Bush and conservative Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.Five Democrats have declared so far that they are seeking their partys presidential nomination: Clinton, Vermonts independent Senator Bernie Sanders, former Maryland governor Martin OMalley, former Virginia senator Jim Webb and former senator and governor Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island.Clinton leads rival Democrats with 55 percent support among Democratic voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday. Sanders is second with 17 percent, while Biden -- even undeclared -- earns 13 percent.

Migrant bids to reach Britain fall as security tightened

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CALAIS (AFP) - French police said Saturday around 300 migrants in Calais attempted to reach Britain via the Channel Tunnel overnight, a significant drop from previous nights after security in Calais was beefed up.On Thursday night, French authorities faced more than 1,000 attempts by migrants camped out in the port of Calais to reach the undersea tunnel.That number was already significantly down on the more than 2,000 daily attempts by migrants to breach the defences recorded earlier in the week.Ten migrants have died attempting to smuggle across the Channel to England since June.France this week sent 120 additional police officers to the northern port city to stem the crisis.A spokesman for Eurotunnel, operator of the trains that link Britain and France through the tunnel, said there was much less disruption at its terminal near Calais since the reinforcements arrived to bolster a 300-strong existing police contingent.Late Friday the first attempts under cover of encroaching darkness began at around 9:00 pm (1900 GMT) when a group managed to access the embarkment lanes before being chased off by police.At around 2:00 am Saturday some 150 migrants were escorted back towards Calais.In such cases the vast majority seeking to get over to Britain just hide away and await another chance to sneak over.One man died in the early hours of Wednesday, apparently crushed by a lorry as he tried to make it into the tunnel.Too many policemenI didnt make it into the station this time... It was very difficult, there was much more security than on previous days, said 20-year-old Reza from Afghanistan, rubbing his eyes after a short nights sleep as he stepped out of his tent.We didnt have a chance last night. There were too many policemen, even more than before, said Baby, 27, from Eritrea, who has been camping out in Calais for more than two years.Teski, a 29-year-old Eritrean who has twice been escorted out of the Eurotunnel approach area, said that even if someone manages to sneak aboard a train they cannot be sure of getting across the Channel.While the train hasnt left you cant say youve done it, even if youre well hidden, he said.A police source told AFP that, while the reinforcements had helped, the pressure of the migrants was still there.Around 3,000 people from Africa, the Middle East and Asia are waiting in Calais to cross into Britain illegally by clambering onto lorries and trains.Adding to the Calais difficulties, hundreds of French sailors blocked the city on Friday, using burning tyres to prevent access to the port in the midst of the peak holiday travel period.The roughly 300 workers from French company Scop SeaFrance were protesting plans to sell off some of their ferries to rival Danish firm DFDS, a move expected to result in hundreds of job losses.Rival protests in BritainThe crisis has become a hot political issue on both sides of the Channel.British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande discussed the situation by phone on Friday night.They both expressed concern about the immediate security challenges and reiterated their commitment to continue working closely together to tackle the problems posed by illegal migration, a statement from Camerons office said.Cameron promised more fencing, more resources, more sniffer dog teams to aid French police after a meeting of his governments COBRA emergency committee on Friday, at which he warned the crisis could last all summer.Londons aid includes a pledge of GBP 7 million (10 million euros, $11 million) to improve fencing around the Eurotunnel rail terminal in Coquelles, outside Calais.Divided public opinion on the issue of immigration sparked small rival protests in the British port town of Folkestone, at the mouth of the Channel Tunnel on Saturday, with those welcoming migrants in one camp and far-right wingers opposed to their presence in the other.We are here to make it clear to the migrants that many people here would welcome them and that the way they are being treated is not in our name, said Bridget Chapman, organiser of the pro-migrant demo.But nearby right-wingers chanted: Britain first, taking our country back.British people dont want immigration, said Paul Golding, leader of the Britain First party.We are a small overcrowded island. We havent got enough space for our own people, let alone a torrent of mass immigration into this country.

Iran official urges quick approval of nuclear deal

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TEHRAN (AFP) - Irans deputy foreign minister Saturday urged a speedy approval in Tehran of a nuclear deal so blame for any failure falls on US lawmakers who may yet vote against it.Abbas Araghchis comments come as US Secretary of State John Kerry and members of his nuclear negotiating team are being grilled in Congress two weeks into a 60-day review of the deal in Washington.A similar process is under way in Irans parliament, where some MPs have argued that the agreement has jeopardised the countrys nuclear programme.The deal between Iran and six world powers led by the United States must be approved by Irans top security committee and parliament before it can be finally implemented.We should announce our opinion quickly so if the Congress decided to reject the deal, the onus of such rejection and failure of talks would fall on Congress, Araghchi said, not naming lawmakers but signalling the need for their endorsement.In that case we will not suffer any losses and we can return to our normal programme, he told Iranian state televisions political editors.Then the world would say that Iran went through its legal process and approved the agreement yet the Congress destroyed the whole thing.Kerry has said it would be embarrassing to him and a blow to American credibility on the world stage if the Republican-led Congress rejects the deal to put an atomic bomb out of Irans reach.Iran has always denied seeking a nuclear weapon.President Barack Obama can veto Congress and keep the deal alive as long as US lawmakers do not obtain a two thirds majority vote.Araghchi, effectively the number two negotiator for Iran in the nuclear talks behind Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, spoke ahead of President Hassan Rouhanis live televised speech on Sunday night which is expected to focus on the nuclear deal.Israel and other opponents believe the agreement, struck in Vienna on July 14, does not achieve its primary objective of mothballing Irans nuclear programme and closing all paths to a bomb. Obamas White House says it does exactly that.However Rouhanis government has been trying to convince conservatives that the concessions made in the deal are not detrimental to its ambitions of producing nuclear energy, saying that the sanctions relief is worth the limitations.However despite Araghchis call for a speedy rubber stamp, Iranian lawmakers are believed to be awaiting the outcome of Congresss review before they announce their final opinion.

Palestinian toddler's family fighting for lives, Israelis protest over hate crimes

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JALAZON REFUGEE CAMP (AFP) - The parents and brother of a Palestinian toddler burned to death by suspected Jewish extremists were fighting for their lives Saturday, as Israelis held protests against hate crimes.The firebombing of the familys home in the occupied West Bank that killed 18-month-old Ali Saad Dawabsha sparked an international outcry over Israels failure to curb violence by hardline Jewish settlers.The childs father, Saad, was being treated for third-degree burns at the Soroka hospital in southern Israel, where a spokeswoman described his condition as critical.Mother Riham and four-year-old brother Ahmed were at Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv, where a spokeswoman described their condition as life-threatening.The familys small brick and cement home in the village of Duma was gutted by fire, and a Jewish Star of David spray-painted on a wall along with the words revenge and long live the Messiah.That was indicative of so-called price tag violence -- a euphemism for nationalist-motivated hate crimes by Jewish extremists.The arson attack early Friday followed days of tensions over West Bank settlements, with right-wing groups opposing the demolition of two buildings under construction that the Israeli High Court said were illegal.The demolitions began Wednesday, but Netanyahu just hours later authorised the immediate construction of 300 settler homes in the same area, angering Palestinians.A delegation of senior Palestinian officials, including Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary general Saeb Erakat, Palestinian Authority security head Majed Faraj and health minister Jawad Awwad visited the Tel Hashomer hospital on Saturday.Erakat, who is also chief negotiator for peace talks with Israel, reiterated that the Palestinians hold the Israeli government fully responsible for the attack on the family.On Saturday evening, hundreds of Gazans held a candlelight vigil and mock funeral for Dawabsha.In Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, thousands of Israelis demonstrated against the extremism that bred the Duma attack as well as the stabbing of six participants of a Gay Pride march in Jerusalem on Thursday by an ultra-Orthodox Jew.Flames of hatred have spread through our country, flames of violence, of hatred, of false and distorted beliefs, President Reuven Rivlin said in a speech to the crowd in Jerusalem, near the site of the attack that left a 16-year-old girl in critical condition.Clashes after funeralThe killing of the toddler sent Palestinian protesters into the streets across the West Bank, including Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, triggering clashes with the Israeli army.On Saturday, fresh clashes broke out at Jalazon refugee camp, where the funeral took place of Laith Khaldi, 16, who the army said was shot by soldiers the previous day after hurling a Molotov cocktail.Hundreds participated in the funeral, with men firing in the air with automatic rifles as the body was taken from the mosque to the cemetery.I spent years raising him, and now I am so angry, his mother, Samar Khayatt, told AFP. He is happy now; hes a martyr and hes next to God, but I am very angry.A military spokeswoman said around 50 Palestinians threw stones and fire bombs at Israeli forces at Jalazon, who countered with riot dispersal methods.Near Duma, Israeli forces also responded against around 200 Palestinians throwing stones.On Saturday morning, Palestinians and Jewish settlers clashed near Kusra in the northern West Bank, trading volleys of stones until the Israeli army declared the area a closed military zone.In east Jerusalem, around 10 Palestinians were wounded in clashes on Friday night with Israeli police, Palestinian sources said.On Saturday, two officers were lightly wounded dispersing a riot, police said.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the attack on the Dawabsha family as terrorism in every respect and vowed to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice.But Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said he doubted Israel would provide true justice and ordered his foreign minister to file a complaint at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Iraqi Kurds urge PKK to leave as Turkish strike toll mounts

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ISTANBUL (AFP) - Turkey has killed 260 Kurdish militants in a week-long air offensive on targets in northern Iraq, official media claimed Saturday, as regional Iraqi authorities said it was time the rebels pulled out with concerns growing over civilian casualties.Turkey said it had launched a probe after pro-Kurdish media reports said nine civilians had been killed in a botched air strike, as the military pressed on with its relentless air bombardment campaign against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq.Ankara has launched a two-pronged anti-terror offensive against Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Syria and PKK militants based in northern Iraq after a wave of attacks inside Turkey.But so far the bombardments have focused far more on the Kurdish rebels and a report by Turkeys official Anatolia news agency of 260 alleged PKK militants killed and up to 400 wounded was the first concrete indication of the scale of the casualties.Turkish F-16 jets carried out more air strikes Saturday morning, NTV television said.On Friday, 28 Turkish F-16s destroyed 65 targets of the PKK including shelters and arms depots, following heavy air strikes the day before when 80 Turkish aircraft hit 100 PKK targets, Anatolia said.For the peace and security of our people, the fight against terror organisations will continue without interruption, the office of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in a statement.The PKKs insurgency for greater rights and powers for Turkeys Kurdish minority, begun more than 30 years ago, has left tens of thousands dead. A ceasefire declared in 2013 has been shattered by the current violence.Iraqi Kurds tell PKK to goTurkeys Kurdish militants have sought cover in neighbouring northern Iraq where the presence of the PKK has long been tolerated in Iraqs Kurdish-ruled region. More fighters also crossed into the area from Turkey as part of the 2013 ceasefire.Yet the PKKs relations with the autonomous Iraqi Kurdish authorities in Arbil have been beset by tensions, while Iraqi Kurds have expanded economic cooperation and relations with Turkey.The office of the regions president Massud Barzani said in a statement Saturday that the PKK rebels should move out of the region to prevent civilian casualties.The PKK must keep the battlefield away from the Kurdistan region in order for civilians not to become victims of this war, it said.The Kurdistan regional government issued a slightly softer statement urging the PKK to keep its forces... away from populated areas.Iraqi Kurdish officials said Saturday six people had been killed in a pre-dawn strike by Turkish war planes on the village of Zarkel and there have been reports of civilian casualties.The pro-PKK Firat news agency described the attack as a massacre which had left at least nine civilians dead.The Turkish foreign ministry promised a full investigation into the claims but also accused the PKK of using civilians as human shields.HDP fears party closureAnatolia said that among those wounded in the northern Iraq strikes was Nurettin Demirtas, the brother of the leader of the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas.Demirtas openly acknowledges that his elder brother Nurettin had gone to the Kandil Mountain in northern Iraq where the PKKs military headquarters are based.But he said Sunday he could not confirm the Anatolia report as Nurettin had moved on. He is resisting IS on behalf of the people, said Demirtas, without giving further details.The Turkish authorities have also been upping the pressure on the HDP with prosecutors opening criminal investigations against both its co-leaders.The HDP has angrily claimed that the current security crisis was provoked by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to call snap elections and avenge the ruling partys disappointing performance in June 7 polls.Demirtas said Sunday that a legal advisor to Erdogan, Burhan Kuzu, was planning to close the party possibly by the end of the year.We will stop this fascist approach, he said.Within Turkey, at least 14 police and soldiers have been killed in attacks blamed on the PKK in the last 10 days in an escalating cycle of violence.A Turkish soldier was killed Saturday in a mine attack in the Kars region of northeastern Turkey, NTV television reported.In the Catak district of the Van region in the east of Turkey, two suspected PKK members were killed overnight when they tried to attack the local police headquarters, Anatolia said.It said a total of 10 terrorists had been killed in clashes in Turkey over the last days.

Severe flooding hampers rescue efforts in Myanmar, at least 27 dead

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YANGON (AFP) - Severe flooding across Myanmar hampered rescue efforts on Saturday as thousands sheltered at monasteries after rising waters triggered by torrential rains killed at least 27 people, officials said.Heavy monsoon rain has battered vast swathes of the country in recent weeks and on Friday the government declared the four worst-hit areas in central and western Myanmar as national disaster-affected regions, indicating the severity of the damage.In neighbouring Indias Manipur state, which borders western Myanmars Chin state, at least twenty people were killed in a landslide triggered by incessant rain in Chandel district, the Press Trust of India reported.In Myanmar itself, around 150,000 homes and fields have been decimated, leaving people stranded in remote villages and destroying their livelihoods in a disaster testing the governments limited relief operations.Most of the country is flooded now, said a director at the social welfare ministry who did not want to be named, explaining that all but one of Myanmars 14 provinces and regions were affected by the flash floods, rising waters and landslides caused by the downpour.Rescue efforts by Myanmar authorities and local aid groups were underway but they are struggling to access flood-hit areas, the official said, adding that there was no update to Thursdays death toll of 27 due to disrupted communications.Rakhine and Chin states in the west were among the four worst-affected areas.In the announcement signed by President Thein Sein Friday, it said these areas had seen huge destruction and face difficulty returning to normal conditions, according to the state-backed Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM) newspaper.In Maungdaw township in Rakhine, houses and office buildings have been destroyed, trees uprooted and damaged roads sealed off due to violent storms, a local government official told AFP.He added that rescue camps have been opened at monasteries while transport in the area was reduced to almost zero due to the continuous rainfall.Rakhine already hosts some 140,000 displaced people, mainly Rohingya Muslims, who live in exposed makeshift coastal camps following deadly 2012 unrest between the minority group and Buddhists.More than 7,000 people are sheltering in rescue camps at 23 monasteries in Minbyar town. We need drinking water urgently. Our road communication is cut, Khin Zaw Win, a resident in Minbyar, a town in northern Rakhine, told AFP.A video on the news website Democratic Voice of Burma showed rescuers in the central township of Kawlin evacuating some residents by stretcher while wading through chest-high waters.Myanmar is annually struck by monsoon rains that are a lifeline for farmers, but the rains and frequent powerful cyclones can also prove deadly, with landslides and flash floods a common occurrence.Cyclone Nargis, which devastated Myanmars Irrawaddy Delta in May 2008, killed about 140,000 people.This years floods have so far destroyed at least 30,000 acres of farmland, according to GNLM, and damaged a further 73,000.On Saturday a United Nations envoy for Myanmar expressed serious concern over the flooding in a statement, saying assessment teams had been dispatched to the worst-hit areas to identify immediate relief priorities.

Panel discusses agencies' mandate on BadalDou premiere

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LAHORE: (Web Desk, Dunya News) – Veteran journalist Iftikhar Ahmad on Saturday hosted his premier show Badal Dou on Dunya News and it was a grand opening. Known for his bold stance on politics and the role of intelligence agencies in the country, Iftikhar Ahmad hosted his first show on the same subject. The panel included towering personalities including Lt. Gen. (r) Moeenuddin Haider, Lt. Gen. (r) Masood Sharif Khattak on one side and Ayaz Wazir and Wusatullah Khan on the other.The panel indulged into a heated debate on this all-important subject and valid arguments came from all sides. While one side of the panel professed the conservative point of view on agencies’ role in Pakistan politics, the other side was of a more liberal view point. The arguments put forward by both the sides and the added topping of Iftikhar Ahmad made the debate interesting as well as educative for the audience.Masood Sharif Khattak said that India fears Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) more than Pakistan fears Indian RAW.If you see Indians fear ISI far more than we fear RAW, says Masood Sharif Khattak on BadalDou on DunyaNews— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 Ayaz Wazir said that Pakistan should bring forward the evidence against RAW. He said that the foreign policy of a country always reflects the attitude of the government in power.Foreign policy always reflect govts attitude, says Ayaz Wazir on BadalDou on DunyaNews— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 We should bring forth the evidence we have against the RAW, says Ayaz Wazir on BadalDou on DunyaNews— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 In his message, Lt. Gen. (r) Hameed Gul said that ISI do not go after the politicians. “It is the politicians that come to the ISI”, he said. He also said that it was under Bhutto regime in 70s that the ISI was given authority and mandate to control the politicians.ISI does not go after politicians, politicians come to ISI, says Hameed Gul on BadalDou on DunyaNews— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 ISI was given authority and mandate by political government in Bhuttos regime says General (retd) Hameed Gul on BadalDou on DunyaNews— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 Masood Sharif Khattak and Moinduddin Haider, however, were of a different opinion. They said that the basic mandate of the ISI and other intelligence agencies is to thwart the external threats.Basic mandate is to gather intelligence to thwart external threats, Masood Khattak, Moinuddin respond to @WusatUllahKhan on BadalDou— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 Moinuddin Haider said that the situation has improved now. “we have seen Pakistan refused to be played in Yemen conflict”, he said.Things are improving as we have seen Pakistan refused to be played in Yemen conflict, says Moinuddin Haider on BadalDou on DunyaNews— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 Wusatullah was confused though. “I don’t even know what the basic mandate of ISI is”, he said. He added that unrest in a country cannot be avoided unless and until every citizen feels safe and equal in a society.I dont even know what the basic mandate of ISI is, says @WusatUllahKhan on BadalDou on DunyaNews— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 Until and unless every citizen feels safe and equal, there will be unrest, says @WusatUllahKhan on BadalDou on DunyaNews— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 He went on to say that patriotism can’t be forced on anyone. It is the duty of the state to create circumstances that citizens feel proud of their state.You cant force anyone to be proud of their nationality, you have to create such circumstances that citizens feel proud,says @WusatUllahKhan— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 Finally, the panelists carved out 5 points regarding the role the agencies should play in Pakistan.The points agreed upon by the panel were as follows:1 – Cooperation among various intelligence and security agencies should be improved and all should be made answerable to the parliament.2 – We will have to focus on our internal issues. The sense of deprivation among the people and IDPs of FATA and Balochistan must be addressed so that the foreign agencies are not able to exploit their depravity against Pakistan.3 – Those who are believed by the security agencies of Pakistan to be working for foreign agencies should be exposed before the government and the people of Pakistan after following legal procedures.4 – It is the need of the hour that Pakistan must present whatever evidence it has of foreign interference in the country on international forums.5 – We will have to create such circumstances in the country that people can feel proud of Pakistan, rising above their ethnic and communal interests.BadalDou recommendations screen 1 pic.twitter.com/dOpORYps3T— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 BadalDou recommendations as agreed by panelists Screen 2 pic.twitter.com/N47M3T4zzF— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015 BadalDou recommendations as agreed by panelists Screen 3 corrected pic.twitter.com/xuWOD78REO— Dunya News (@DunyaNews) August 1, 2015

Transgender people block busy roads of Lahore to demand rights

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Members of transgender community on Saturday gathered on Mall Road, Lahore and staged a demonstration to demand rights, Dunya News reported.According to details, transgender people led by Neeli, Sheeba, Rani, Reema and Saima blocked the traffic by staging a sit-in protest outside Punjab Assembly on Mall Road.They chanted loud slogans and demanded basic rights in an unconventional way – with several lying on the road while other riding bikes.The transgender community first gathered outside the Lahore Press Club and then proceeded to the Mall Road and staged sit-in outside Punjab Assembly.The community protested against ill-treatment by the police and said that the law enforcement’s attitude to the transgender community is very inhumane.They said they are also Pakistani and deserve equal rights. The transgender people said that a welfare center for them has been established in Sindh but such facility is not available in Punjab.Even their quota of jobs has not been implemented, they complained, saying that they don’t have any other way.

Indian media admits Pakistan not behind Gurdaspur attack

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NEW DELHI (Dunya News) – Indian media on Saturday retracted from previous claims and sensationalist reporting and admitted no ‘credible evidence’ of Pakistan’s involvement is found, Dunya News reported.According to details, the Indian media that was quick to blame Pakistan for the deadly attack has now admitted that no credible evidence of the claim has been found.This new shift of reporting of the terrorist attack in the Indian media has also caused an embarrassment for Indian Home Minister as well for his previous anti-Pakistan statements following the attacks.
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