Saturday 12 September 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

World on edge as Fed weighs rate increase

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The possibility that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates for the first time in over nine years this week has injected new levels of anxiety in the global economy.With markets still in turmoil from Chinas downturn and sensitive to any added uncertainty, calls from economists for the Fed to hold off are being countered by pushes from emerging economy officials to get the long-awaited move over with.The fierce debate underscores the complexity of the challenge facing US central bankers when they meet on Wednesday and Thursday.The issue is whether to pull the benchmark federal funds rate up from zero percent, where it has been frozen since the financial crisis of 2008.The Fed itself is anxious to get off that extraordinarily low level, and US economic growth is strong enough to handle a quarter-point rate increase, a number of Fed officials have suggested.But the turmoil in global financial markets for the past month has not eased, and there is still much to be known about how Chinas problems will affect the rest of the world.A Fed rate increase threatens to raise the borrowing costs of many governments and companies -- though analysts point out that that has already happened in anticipation.Both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, worried about slowing global growth, have suggested the Fed can stand pat.But others say it is time to pull away from seven years of extremely easy-money policies.We are at historically low rates right now, weve got to have a return to normal, argued Robert Morgan of the American Bankers Association.Long-expected rate hikeFor months the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee under Fed Chair Janet Yellen has been eyeing the September 16-17 meeting for a rate increase.The move would signal the Fed is ready to normalize monetary policy with a slow series of increases over the coming two years.FOMC members base their decisions primarily on the jobs market and inflation. The former has been strong, the unemployment rate falling to 5.1 percent in August, the lowest since April 2008.Inflation, which the Fed wants to see climb to around 2.0 percent as a sign of steady economic growth, has sagged.The main reason has been the drop in the prices of oil and other commodities, rather than weak US growth. But the slowdown in China and other emerging economies, and the strong dollar, continue to pull prices lower.Last month Yellens top deputy, Stanley Fischer, said the Fed will not wait for inflation to hit 2.0 percent before raising rates. The deflationary pressures were likely to be short-lived, he argued.But the shockwaves from the crash of Chinese stock markets and Beijings devaluation of the yuan last month have injected a new factor.Chinas stock market crumble and the subsequent reactions throughout the rest of the world have confirmed that the US remains susceptible to external shocks, said Kim Chase at BBVA.However, she added, The benefit of increasing in September is that it sends a signal to the world that the Fed is confident in the direction the US economy is heading.Yet Andrew Levin, a Dartmouth economics professor who worked at the Fed for 20 years, said even the unemployment data still does not support an increase.He said there remains ample evidence of labor market slack, including the 2.5 million American who have given up looking for work and the large number of people forced to accept part-time jobs.Tightening at this point would be a serious policy error, he said in an analysis of Fed choices.In comments made in recent weeks, Fed officials themselves appeared divided, suggesting that Yellen could have trouble reaching a consensus.Each member is coming into the meeting with a different opinion, and it is unlikely that we will see a unanimous decision either way, said BBVAs Chase.

Football: Barcelona confront challenge of retaining title

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PARIS (AFP) - The date passed almost without notice but last week marked 60 years since the first game in the history of the European Cup was played.On September 4, 1955, Sporting Lisbon and Partizan Belgrade drew 3-3 in Lisbon in the very first game in a competition first dreamed up by the French sports daily LEquipe.Fast forward six decades and what is now the Champions League has become the most lucrative international club competition in the world.As the group stage of the 2015-16 tournament gets underway on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Champions League has become a prize only an elite handful of the continents very biggest clubs can win.But at the same time it has become impossible for any of these giants to dominate the competition in the way the likes of Ajax and Bayern Munich did in the 1970s, and Real Madrid in the late 1950s.No team has retained the title since the dawn of the Champions League era, with AC Milan the last club to lift the trophy with the big ears two seasons running, a quarter of a century ago in 1989 and 1990.That, then, is the task facing Barcelona after they beat Juventus 3-1 in last seasons final to win the trophy for the fourth time in the last 10 seasons.Weve got a tough group, like most teams, said Barca coach Luis Enrique of a draw that will see his side face his old club Roma and Bayer Leverkusen, as well as BATE Borisov, in Group E.But reaching the knockout stage is unlikely to be a huge problem for Barca or any of the other leading contenders for the trophy.Pep Guardiola will be determined to win the competition in what most expect to be his last season in charge of Bayern Munich, who are in Group F with Arsenal, Olympiakos and Dinamo Zagreb.The Germans have been champions once, beaten finalists twice and semi-finalists twice since 2009-10, although Arjen Robben and Franck Riberys persistent fitness problems cast a shadow over their prospects just now.Winning the Champions League is my great, great target, said Bayerns Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso last week. You want to shine in this competition and be at your very best.Vast richesIt remains to be seen if ten-time winners Real Madrid will be as fearsome a proposition this season with Rafa Benitez in charge, while it will surely not be long before English clubs, fuelled by the vast riches of their domestic television deal, return to the forefront.No English side has reached the last four since Chelsea lifted the trophy in 2012 and none even made the quarter-finals last season.The final will be played in Milan on May 28 next year, but Italys best hope lies with last seasons runners-up Juventus. Meanwhile, French hopes rest with Paris Saint-Germain, who are targeting the trophy after reaching three quarter-finals in a row and believe the signing of Angel di Maria from Manchester United can provide them with the extra quality required.There were clubs I could have gone to but my desire to be in this project and help them to win the Champions League is why I chose to come here, said Di Maria after his unveiling, and PSG will get an early test of their credentials when they face his old side Real Madrid in one of the games of the group stage.Beyond the established elite, it has become almost impossible for other sides to pose a challenge, with Wolfsburgs chances of making an impression seriously compromised by the loss of their outstanding player Kevin De Bruyne to Manchester City.Such is the lot of sides outwith the privileged few, but if the Champions League is lacking in real edge-of-the-seat drama until the knockout rounds arrive in the spring, it is where the very best players strut their stuff and where big money stands to be earned.If Barcelona do manage to retain the title, they will go down in history but they could also earn close to 100 million euros ($112m) in prize money and television income.

Hajj to go ahead despite deadly Mecca crane collapse

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MECCA (AFP) - Islams hajj pilgrimage will take place despite a crane collapse that killed 107 people at Meccas Grand Mosque, Saudi authorities said Saturday as crowds returned to pray a day after the tragedy.Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims had already arrived in Mecca for the annual hajj when the massive red and white crane toppled over during a Friday thunderstorm.Parts of the Grand Mosque, one of Islams holiest sites, remained sealed off on Saturday around the wreckage of the crane, which also injured around 200 people when it crashed into a courtyard.But there was little mourning among pilgrims, who snapped pictures of the wreckage and continued with their prayers and rituals.I wish I had died in the accident, as it happened at a holy hour and in a holy place, Egyptian pilgrim Mohammed Ibrahim told AFP.The accident occurred only about an hour before evening mahgrib prayers on the Muslim weekly day of prayer.Om Salma, a Moroccan pilgrim, said our phones have not stopped ringing since yesterday with relatives calling to check on us.Indonesians and Indians were among those killed when the crane collapsed, and the injured included Malaysians, Egyptians and Iranians.Suddenly, I heard thunder and then we heard a very loud noise. That was the sound of the crane falling, said Mohammed, a Moroccan pilgrim.Another visitor, Ahmed from Egypt, said he and those around him were very scared, hysterical even.A Saudi official said the hajj, expected to start on September 21, would go ahead despite the tragedy.Enquiry has begunIt definitely will not affect the hajj this season, and the affected part will probably be fixed in a few days, said the official, who declined to be named.The pilgrimage is a must for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it.An investigative committee has immediately and urgently begun searching for the cause of the collapse, the official Saudi Press Agency said.The contractor has been directed to ensure the safety of all other cranes at the site, it added.The cranes soar skywards over a sprawling mosque expansion taking place beneath the Mecca Royal Clock Tower, the worlds third tallest building.For years, work has been under way on a 400,000-square-metre (4.3-million-square-feet) expansion of the Grand Mosque to allow it to accommodate up to 2.2 million people at once.Abdel Aziz Naqoor, who said he works at the mosque, told AFP that the casualty toll would have been higher had a covered walkway which surrounds the holy Kaaba not broken the cranes fall.The Kaaba is the huge cube-shaped structure at the centre of the mosque towards which Muslims worldwide pray.We saw people dying before our eyes, the Arab News quoted Sheikh Abdul Raheem as saying.Pictures of the incident on Twitter showed bloodied bodies strewn across the courtyard, where part of the crane had landed atop an ornate, arched and colonnaded section of the complex.A video on YouTube showed people screaming and rushing around following a loud crash.Act of GodSaudis and foreigners lined up to donate blood in response to the tragedy.Irfan al-Alawi, co-founder of the Mecca-based Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, suggested that the authorities had been negligent by having a series of cranes overlooking the mosque.They do not care about the heritage, and they do not care about health and safety, he told AFP.Alawi is an outspoken critic of redevelopment at the Muslim holy sites, which he says is wiping away tangible links to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).But an engineer for the Saudi Binladin Group, the developer, told AFP the crane had been installed in an extremely professional way and that there had been no technical problem.It was an act of God, he said.Sheikh Ahmed al-Ghamdi, former head of Meccas religious police, told AFP the accident was a test from God.We need to accept what happened, he said, at the same time calling for a thorough investigation.Condolences came in from around the world, including from Arab leaders, as well as from Britain, Canada, India and Nigeria.It was not the first tragedy to strike Mecca pilgrims, although the hajj has been practically incident-free in recent years.In 2006, several hundred people died in a stampede during the Stoning of the Devil in nearby Mina, following a similar incident two years earlier.

Saudi King Shah Salman visits accident site in Makkah

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MAKKAH (Dunya News) – Saudi Arabia’s King Shah Salman on Saturday visited the crane accident site in Makkah. He offered his condolences to the families of the injured and those who achieved martyrdom. He also visited the injured individuals.According to the details, Shah Salman stated that they were conducting a probe into the accident and will soon bring to light the causes that led to the tragic incident. He stated that every possible treatment was being given to those injured in the accident.The Saudi King has also ordered officials to provide all facilities to those who had come to pray and the visitors. Saudi officials have stated that despite the accident, Hajj duties will be performed according to schedule.107 people achieved martyrdom while 238 were injured in the crane accident in Saudi Arabia.

Crane accident: Pakistan's Ambassador confirms martyrdom of 6 Pakistanis

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Manzoor-ul-Haq on Sunday confirmed the martyrdom of 6 Pakistani’s in a crane accident that occurred in the holy site of Haram Sharif. He also confirmed that 36 Pakistanis have been injured in the accident. According to the state television, Pakistan’s Ambassador has stated that Saudi officials are carrying out a probe into the incident.Manzoor-ul-Haq stated that the families of the victims are in Saudi Arabia. Pakistans Ambassador also stated that the accident was a heart wrenching incident.Embassy officials stated that Pakistan’s Ambassador will be giving a press conference on Sunday.

Multan: Police personnel kidnap youngster

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MULTAN (Dunya News) – Police personnel kidnapped a youngster for ransom on Saturday. Hostage’s mother filed an application to the police due to which the mobile number belonging to the hostage taker was traced and the youngster was rescued, reported Dunya News.Personnel of Muhafaz squad named Ali Akbar and Ramzan took 19-year-old Jehangir from Fatima Town while he was playing cricket and brought him to area of Makhdoom Rashid.The suspects demanded ransom of half a million dollars from mother of the abductee and threatened extreme consequences in the case that ransom was not paid. The mother, however informed the police of the phone call and filed an application in police station. Police traced the call and arrested the police personnel involved in kidnapping while recovering the official weaponry and ammunition.Police has registered a case against the Muhafaz personnel.

Peshawar: Container carrying over 30,000 kg explosives caught

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PESHAWAR: (Dunya News) – Custom Intelligence Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) on Saturday caught a container carrying 30,000 kilograms of explosives and took the container into custody. The explosives were being smuggled from Karachi port to Khyber Agency, reported Dunya News.Holding a press conference, Director Custom Intelligence Asghar Khan told that the information was received that the container carrying explosives from Karachi was entering KP. The container was taken into custody acting upon this information. 30,000 kg explosives were found in the container upon searching it and a suspect was also arrested.Asghar Khan told that the suspect was trying to enter KP showing the explosives as crockery. He further told that the suspect was still being inquired and more suspects will be caught with the information provided by this suspect.

Karachi: 2 dead in various firing incidents, 2 terrorists also dead

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KARACHI: (Dunya News) – 2 died in Karachi on Saturday in various firing incidents while 2 terrorists were killed in encounter with Rangers, reported Dunya News.According to details, a man named Imtiaz died in Karachi’s area Orangi Town in Sector 11.5. The firing incident took place in the premises of Iqbal Market Police Station. Another person named Waheed Shah was murdered as a result of firing near Pak Colony Old Golimaar area. According to police, the incident took place due to personal rivalry.On the other hand, 2 terrorists were killed in an encounter with Rangers. Rangers’ spokesperson told that the terrorists started firing upon seeing the officials. He told that weapons have been found with both the terrorists. However, the dead terrorists haven’t been identified as yet.Rangers’ spokesperson said that the operation against the terrorists will continue.

Karachi: 3 Al-Qaeda groups involved in target killing exposed

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KARACHI (Dunya News) -- 3 groups of Al-Qaeda involved in target killings in Karachi were detected from the city on Saturday. Security officials have said that all 3 groups are being commanded by Umar Katheo alias Jalaluddin.According to security officials, three groups linked to Al-Qaeda are involved in target killings in different areas of Karachi. In west district, terrorists Umar Katheo is leading the target killing while in district Korangi, a third group is involved in target killings.According to security sources, the 3 groups are in contact with a single banned organization while the groups are being leaded by Umar Katheo. Security officials have said that all the details of the terrorists involved in criminal acts are being gathered and will be arrested.

Karachi: Rangers officers meet Rasheed Godil, present bouquet

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KARACHI: (Dunya News) – Rangers officers on Saturday paid a visit to the injured Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Rasheed Godil at his residence and presented him with a bouquet. Sindh Rangers officers prayed for his health as well, reported Dunya News.Rangers’ officials met Rasheed Godil at his residence and also assured him of providing security if required.

Will shed last drop of blood for homeland: Major Raja Aziz Bhatti's last words

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LAHORE: (Web Desk) – Hundreds of books have been written on 1965 war but one of the brightest chapters among those is that of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed. Major Bhatti was a staff officer in Pakistan army when the war of 1965 war broke out. He had been commissioned into the Pakistan army in 1950 to the Punjab Regiment.Being posted in Burki area of Lahore, Major Aziz Bhatti had a huge responsibility on his shoulders and that was of securing Lahore, the most important border city of the country.Shelling was going on from the other side but despite the odds, Bhatti decided to move his platoon forward. Indian tanks and artillery continued to fire but the brave major continued to move his troops forward. Major Bhatti resisted the Indian army continuously for 5 days and 5 nights without sleeping for a moment. He was stationed at one of the most strategic outposts of Lahore, defending the BRB canal.Despite the threat, Major raja Aziz Bhatti remained on the front while leading his team and kept his platoon informed about the moves of the enemy. For this purpose, he had to place himself on a higher position as the enemy tanks and artillery continued firing. Major Bhatti was exposed to the firing of the enemy and though he tried his best to counter Indian moves, he was hit by an enemy shell in the chest and embraced martyrdom.Before getting martyred, Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed was given a message that he needed to get some rest and that his replacement was going to arrive soon but he responded, “Do not recall me. I don’t want to go back. I will shed the last drop of my blood in the defence of my dear homeland”.To honour his services in the 1965 war, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed was awarded the highest military award of Pakistan i.e. Nishan-e-Haider. He is buried at his local village Ladian in Punjab.Twitterati paid a rich tribute to Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed by trending AzizBhattiOurInspiration on Saturday.One of them said that the psychological disadvantage of this battle never allowed India to attack on BRB canal again.Labbaik Ghazwa_E_Hind AzizBhattiOurInspiration BlessedPakArmy Always Zindabad ... ZaidHamid pic.twitter.com/6CysxuoJSR— SabeqoonUlAwwaloon (@sabeqoon) September 12, 2015 Bhatti kept on moving forward despite facing heavy shelling from the Indian side.RT abeerhashim84: Bravery is not lack of fear but ability to move fwd in spite of fear AzizBhattiOurInspiration pic.twitter.com/jPczQcX7KF— Burhanuddin (@ThisIsBurhan) September 12, 2015 Lahore was saved by Bhatti forever.I wish I could rub this on saifi bajis face.. AzizBhattiOurInspiration WeAllAreMajorAzizBhatti pic.twitter.com/YI96FpYDmE— Rana Kashif (@kashirana883) September 12, 2015 Major Bhatti is an inspiration for Pakistani soldiers. And he will always be an inspiration for the nation.Every time India Will Attack Pakistan, More and More Aziz Bhatti Will Emerge Within This Nation. AzizBhattiOurInspiration— Baloch (@Paki_Patriot007) September 12, 2015

Amin Fahim indicted in NICL scandal

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KARACHI (Dunya News)) – Accountability Court in Karachi indicted 11 persons including former President of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians Makhdoom Amin Fahimand former Minister of Trade on Saturday.Upon the hearing of the case, the defendants Makhdoom Amin Fahim and former Secretary Trade Salman Ghani were not present in the court. Former NIC Chairman Ayaz Khan Niazi, Amin Qasim Dada, Zahoor Ahmad and other accused were present in court.The court read the indictment that the defendants have been accused of abuse of power by buying land a government official named Zafar at cheaper rates and selling them at expensive rates causing loss of millions of rupees to government.All of the suspects in the cases pleaded not guilty to the charges. Former Commerce Secretary Salman Ghanis lawyer Khawaja Naveed said that his client is accused of sending the summary of appointment of Ayaz Khan Niazi to the Prime Minister.

Dengue spray incident: whole administrations of Attock, Jhelum suspended

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif has suspended the whole administrations of Attock and Jhelum after taking notice of the substandard dengue spray in schools that knocked as many as 173 students unconscious, Dunya News reported.The new policy has conditioned anti-dengue spray in schools and public places to permission from the health department.According to details, Punjab Minister for Education and Sports Rana Mashhood and Health Adviser Khawaja Salman Rafique visited Jhelum and inquired about health of affected students and announced to give exemplary punishment to those involved.This is the second incident in one month that has worried not only parents but has also raised a question mark on the performance of public departments.Reportedly, a further action has been taken against seven officials. On Chief Minister’s direction, Secretary Health, Secretary Schools, Secretary Local Governments have been made OSDs. The Director General Health Services and Director General Institute of Public Health have also been suspended.

Memorial match played to honor martyred warden

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – A memorial match was played on Saturday to honour the martyred warden Muhammad Tanvir who was fatally injured during attack on Sri Lankan cricket team. The match was played between a team of wardens and a private company, reported Dunya News.A memorial match was played in honour of the martyred warden at Gaddafi Stadium. The warden embraced martyrdom on March 3, 2009. The match ended in a draw but the players stated that they were happy to play a match to honour memory of the warden and will never forgive his sacrifice.

107 students knocked unconscious after dengue spray in Jhelum

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JHELUM (Dunya News) – As many as 107 students of a government girls school in Jhelum were knocked unconscious as result of dengue spray in the city, Dunya News reported.The administration has arrested at least six persons including the head mistress, guard, and shopkeeper who sold the spray.According to details, dengue spray has caused panic in Jhelum after Attock as well. The affected students were rushed to district hospital Jhelum, RHC and Sohawa where they were given medical care.People reached the emergency center carrying their children following the shortage of stratures. The patients facing difficulty breathing were given oxygen.The affected parents lashed out on the school and its administration. Punjab’s Secretary Health Jawad Rafique said the school’s head mistress commissioned the spray privately, adding that the chemical used was not approved by the Health Department.Earlier, as many as 66 students fainted in Attock after the dengue spray at a local school. Many of those students are still receiving treatments at various hospitals.
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