Saturday 21 November 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Is the bubble bursting for India's online start-ups?

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MUMBAI (AFP) - Hundreds of layoffs at several Indian start-ups have sparked fears the bubble is starting to burst for the countrys e-commerce companies, amid claims by analysts that many of them are overvalued.Restaurant search website Zomato, food delivery app TinyOwl and property portal Housing.com are all letting staff go, and experts are warning of echoes of the dot-com boom which crashed spectacularly in 2000.The valuation bubble is bursting. The valuations had reached levels where they were ridiculous and could not be justified at any level, said Arvind Singhal, chairman of management consulting firm Technopak.Wealthy investors boosted by low interest rates have been lining up to lavishly back Indias booming start-ups, with the government hailing the sector as proof of the countrys entrepreneurial spirit.Prime Minister Narendra Modi views online startups as key to providing jobs to aspirational young Indians, seeking to fuel the sector through a government campaign, Start up India, Stand up India.In September he visited Silicon Valley calling on deep-pocketed investors to turn their attention to Indias thriving start-up ecosystem, with large tech hubs in the cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai.Yet despite the billions of dollars invested in recent years, most of Indias online startups are yet to turn profits and investments are largely based on speculative future earnings.Investors are not looking objectively at the sector. They are just seeing a few success stories and ignoring the failures, just like they did in the dot-com era, Paras Adenwala, investment consultant at Capital Portfolio Advisors in Mumbai, told AFP.Adenwala is concerned that once the United States central bank starts moving on interest rates, as it has long been tipped to do, investors will be less generous with their cash, making the situation worse.You will see a lot of these start-ups falling by the wayside once the US Federal Reserve starts raising rates and funding dries up, he said.Dramatic scenesRecent events at TinyOwl, Zomato and Housing.com suggest that not all is well.There were dramatic scenes at TinyOwls offices in Pune, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, earlier this month when disgruntled staff refused to leave the building after losing their jobs.They also held hostage a member of top management, who laid off 300 employees, preventing him from leaving for two days as they demanded the immediate payment of their severance deals.TinyOwl co-founder and chief executive Harshvardhan Mandad said the redundancies had been necessary to get the start-up on a more sustainable footing.This has involved some difficult decisions for us as well, but we believe its an integral step for the sustainability and growth of the business, Mandad said.Housing.com recently fired 600 employees, according to widespread reports, and on Thursday announced there would be a reorganising of the company, although it declined to confirm the layoffs.Zomato, a so-called unicorn startup because it is valued at more than $1 billion, is laying off 10 percent of its 3,000-strong staff worldwide, mostly in the United States.An official for the New Delhi-headquartered company, which operates in 22 countries, said the restructuring that led to the redundancies was based on a business call.I do not think that the pace of growth has suddenly slowed. Is the market correcting? Perhaps it is, and I guess its about time that happened as well, added the official, who asked not to be named.Some signs of consolidation are already evident in the highly competitive market.Grofers, a hyperlocal grocery app that allows customers to order goods from corner shops online, last month made two acquisitions in a week, taking over its shuttered competitor Townrush and meal delivery service SpoonJoy.And earlier this month Mumbai-based CarTrade, a portal for selling used autos, acquired its rival CarWale for an undisclosed sum.Singhal, the Technopak chairman, sees the job cuts as part of an inevitable evolution of startups, where the early movers lacked well thought-out business models but successors will learn from their mistakes.It will encourage new startups with clearer plans, he said.

Sindhs opposition says LG polls rigged, demands re-election

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Opposition parties of Sindh based on 12 political entities, except for Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), on Saturday declared the first and second phase of the Local Government (LG) polls as massively rigged and demanded that a re-election should be held. The opposition stated that the earlier elections should be held as null and void and a new round of polls should be held under the supervision of the army and a biometric system for identification should be employed.The oppositions rejection of the results was revealed during a joint press conference held at former Chief Minister (CM) Sindh Arbab Ghulam Raheem ‘s residence. The conference included leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), National People’s Party, former Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim and former Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) leader Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza. The opposition leaders remarked a neutral election process could not be held up until the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is there.Addressing the conference, Rahim stated that the opposition refuses to accept the election’s results of Sindh. Rahim further expressed that the current Sindh government had only managed to win the election by brazenly rigging the polls in every district of the province.Speaking on the occasion, former Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) leader Zulfiqar Mirza said that seven Superintendents of Police (SP) had been designated in Badin on the day of the election for the sensitive polling stations. Mirza stated that these SP’s made every effort to influence the polls, but their attempts were thwarted by the Rangers. Mirza expressed his gratitude to the Rangers, especially Director General (DG) of Rangers.Mirza has managed to secure 34 seats from Badin. Rahim congratulated Mirza on the win and on the tough time that he would be giving to the PPP. Rahim stated that the ECP had knowledge of the pre-election rigging along with the alteration in the boundaries of the constituencies.The conference was also addressed by Shafqat Shirazi, Sheheryar Meher and other leaders of the opposition.

Police register terrorism case against one year old

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FEROZWALA (Dunya News) – In a bizarre turn of events that can only be expected from the Pakistani police, the protectors of law registered a terrorism case against a one year old.The incident unfolded when a fight broke out between the supporters of two candidates for elections at a polling station in Ferozwala’s Union Council (UC) 25, Kot Pindi Das.Station House Officer (SHO) of factory area Basharat Gujjur, in a show of too quick a response, penned down a case against the independent candidate along with 250 of his supporters. Needless to say no arrests were made. However, a one year old innocent child was also implicated in the case.Residents of Kot Pindi Das subsequently protested against the outlandish act.

Football: Suarez, Neymar star as Barca rout Madrid 4-0

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MADRID (AFP) - Luis Suarez and Neymar continued their sensational goalscoring form as Barcelona moved six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with a 4-0 thrashing of their bitter rivals at the Bernabeu on Saturday.Barca even had the luxury of leaving Lionel Messi on the bench, but the Argentine did make his return from a two-month injury layoff half an hour from time and played a part in Suarezs second and Barcas fourth goal.Suarez got Barca off to the perfect start after just 10 minutes and Neymar deservedly doubled the visitors advantage just before half-time.At that point Neymar and Suarez had scored every one of Barcas last 19 La Liga goals, but Andres Iniesta ended that run in style when he blasted a third into the top corner.And Messi, Neymar and Suarez all combined for the latter to score a fourth before Isco sealed an embarrassing defeat for Madrid by getting sent-off late on.Despite just two defeats in 16 games in charge, Madrid boss Rafael Benitezs job is now in doubt as the home fans turned on club president Florentino Perez towards the end of the game.The build-up to the match had been dominated by security fears after last weeks series of deadly attacks in Paris which killed 130 people.A minutes silence was held to the tune of the French national anthem La Marseillaise and a large French flag was unfurled by the Madrid fans before kick-off in honour of the victims before kick-off.However, the sombre atmosphere quickly turned hostile as the home fans saw their side completely outplayed by Barca.Sergi Roberto was rewarded for his great form of late with a start in the position normally occupied by Messi and he repaid Luis Enriques faith with a big role in a fine opening goal.The Spaniard collected Sergio Busquetss pass and drove at the Madrid defence before threading a pass through for Suarez who coolly slotted home with the outside of his right foot.Roberto should then have made it 2-0 midway through the half when he fired over from close range.Karim Benzema started for Madrid for the first time since he was charged with complicity to blackmail and conspiring to commit a criminal act in his native France in a case involving a sex tape featuring French international teammate Mathieu Valbuena.And after six weeks out, Benzemas rustiness showed as he failed to make a clean contact when presented with a great chance from Jeremy Mathieus slip.Barcas dominance in possession was rewarded with a second before half-time when Iniestas through ball was perfectly timed for Neymar and his effort squeezed under Keylor Navas.It could even have been three before the break as Marcelo cleared Suarezs shot off the line and Raphael Varane blocked Ivan Rakitics follow-up effort.The hosts started the second period slightly better as James Rodriguez forced Claudio Bravo into a brilliant save low to his right.But any hope of a comeback was emphatically ended by a brilliant strike by Iniesta as he latched onto Neymars backheel eight minutes after the break.Suarez fired into the side-netting in acres of space moments later as Barca threatened a repeat of their famous 5-0 mauling of Jose Mourinhos Madrid five years ago.To add to Madrids woes, Barca coach Luis Enrique then introduced Messi.Cristiano Ronaldo was largely anonymous, but he had the chance to briefly restore some pride for Real only to see Bravo produce another fine save.Messi got in on the act when his pass was flicked-on by Neymar and Suarez took his time before chipping over a helpless Navas.And Madrids misery was complete when Isco was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Neymar five minutes from time.

Karachi: Police arrest father for killing 11-month old baby girl

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Police on Saturday arrested a father for killing his innocent 11 month old baby girl named Mahnoor. The incident occurred in Karachi’s Sarjani Town Sector B-4 where the dead body of the little girl was found from the house.Police say that a dispute had ensued between the father and mother over the birth of their daughter. The suspect however stated that his wife was a mental patient and that he only reached home after learning of his daughter’s death.However sources stated that Mahnoor was only brought to the hospital after two hours after death. No signs of torture were seen on the body.

Brussels on lockdown in fear of Paris-style attacks

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BRUSSELS (AFP/Dunya News) - Brussels was on terror lockdown Saturday in fear of a Paris-style attack, with a gunman wanted over the deadly rampage in the French capital a week ago still on the run. Six Pakistani born British citizens have also been taken into custody after an operation was conducted in the suburbs.The Belgian capital closed its metro system and shuttered shops and public buildings as a terror alert was raised to its highest level over reports of an imminent threat of a gun and bomb attack similar to the horror seen in Paris.The citys historic Grand Place, usually bustling with tourists, was quiet, with just some stragglers crossing the cobblestones as an armoured vehicle stood outside the imposing town hall.Investigators are working around the clock to track down Belgian-born Salah Abdeslam, one of the gunmen still on the loose after a coordinated wave of attacks on Parisian nightspots that left 130 people dead on November 13.Belgium-based extremists are increasingly at the heart of the Paris probe, and police have intensified raids in the citys immigrant districts in a rush to stop a repeat of Islamic State-inspired attacks that have killed hundreds around the world in recent weeks.Prime Minister Charles Michel said authorities feared a Paris-style assault with explosives and weapons at several locations.The carnage in Paris has put all of Europe on edge amid fears that IS extremists can move operatives freely among target countries in an abuse of the EUs open-border Schengen zone system.In Madrid, fans for Saturdays El Clasico football match between Read Madrid and Barcelona were met by sniffer dogs, mounted police and countless identity checks.In Turkey, police arrested a Belgian of Moroccan origin in connection with the Paris attacks in the resort of Antalya, the site of this weeks G20 summit, along with two other suspects, probably Syrians.Ahmet Dahmani, 26, is accused of helping to scout the Paris attacks and then preparing to illegally cross the Turkish-Syrian border to rejoin IS after arriving in Turkey from Amsterdam on his Belgian passport.All necessary measuresThe UN Security Council on Friday authorised nations to take all necessary measures to fight Islamic State (IS) jihadists after a wave of attacks across the world.The UN resolution came after gunmen with an Al-Qaeda branch run by a notorious one-eyed Algerian militant besieged a luxury hotel in the Malian capital Bamako, killing 19 people, most of them foreigners.Mali was struck a week after Paris and Beirut -- where 44 people were killed in IS bombings -- and three weeks after IS claimed to have downed a Russian plane in Egypt killing all 224 on board.In grieving Paris, citizens defiantly filled cafe terraces Friday night to mark one week since the carnage, many observing a noisy minute of non-silence.Outside La Belle Equipe restaurant where 19 people were gunned down, a crowd stood under a light rain singing the Marseillaise anthem before whooping and yelling at 9:20 pm (2020 GMT), when the attacks started.View galleryPeople form the "Pray for Paris" symbol with …People form the Pray for Paris symbol with candles during a tribute at a makeshift memor …Benoit Seblain, drinking a beer at a cafe not far from the Bataclan where 89 people were massacred at a rock concert, said Parisians must live like we did before.The country has been shaken to its core by the attacks and a subsequent shootout on Wednesday between police and jihadists holed up in a Paris apartment.Suspected attack ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud was killed in the raid along with his female cousin Hasna Aitboulahcen and an unidentified suicide bomber, who, according to DNA tests, is not known to police.French police on Saturday released seven people arrested in he raid, but kept hold of Jawad Bendaoud, who has admitted lending the apartment to two people from Belgium as a favour.Abaaoud was a notorious Belgian jihadist thought to be fighting in Syria, and his presence in Europe raised troubling questions about a breakdown in intelligence and border security.The European Union agreed Friday to rush through reforms to the passport-free Schengen zone by the end of the year as France extended a ban on public gatherings until November 30 and the start of a UN climate summit.Possible theoriesSeven attackers were killed or blew themselves up during their Paris assault, while a huge manhunt is under way for Salah Abdeslam, 26, who is believed to have fled to Belgium.Abdeslam, whose brother Brahim blew himself up outside a Paris bar, may be equipped with a suicide belt, according to Hamza Attou, one of two suspects charged by Belgian authorities for allegedly helping Abdeslam return to Belgium after the attacks.Attous lawyer Carine Couquelet told French TV her client has described Abdeslam as very nervous on the journey.There are many possible theories: was (Salah) a logistical support, was he supposed to blow himself up? Was he not able to do it? We dont know.

Reham's troubles far from over, now entangled in legal problems

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Imran Khan was not romantic, only talked politics:LAHORE (WebDesk) – It seems Reham Khan’s troubles are far from over as she has now managed to entangle herself into legal problems in London. Storm clouds have been hovering over the former wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan since the divorce and they show little sign of letting up. Apart from the hassle of the divorce itself, Reham previously had to defend against various allegations that were levelled against her before, during and even after her marriage with the PTI Chairman.Also Read:Imran Khan was not romantic, only talked politics: RehamAccording to the details, Reham had earlier sent a notice to her ex-husband Dr Ejaz, to whom she had been married to before Imran. However, the notice contained some technical legal flaws that were identified and she has contacted her former husband Dr Ejaz’s lawyer, Barrister Rashid into the matter. On the advice of her close friends and family to make peace with her ex-husband Ejaz, Reham has now requested Barrister Rashid for taking back the notice.Barrister Rashid affirmed that a request had indeed been received and stated that he will respond back to Reham only after consultation with his client, Dr Ejaz.Reham previously had to defend various serious allegations against her including that she tried to poison the PTI Chairman, took money and jewellery from her husband and was violent.In a first interview by a British newspaper on her marriage with ‘Kaptaan’, Reham stated Imran was used to living alone for years and was never prepared to lead a married life. She said Khan was uncommunicative and unromantic and only talked on politics. Reham also stated that perhaps it was impossible for both to change at this stage of life. Reham also complained that no one from PTI’s camp had defended her as many of them thought that she was trying to take over the party when made street children ambassador. Reham was bitter with the media as well stating that it had maligned her.Also Read:Imran, Reham mutually agree to divorceThe couple’s wedding lasted barely an year with both mutually agreeing to a divorce citing irreconcilable differences.

Largest diamond in over century found in Botswana

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JOHANNESBURG (AFP) -A 1,111 carat high quality diamond has been discovered at a mine in Botswana, said to be the biggest find in more than a century, according to the mine company.The gem, only second in size to the Cullinan diamond which was unearthered in South Africa in 1905, was mined by Lucara Diamond Corp.The magnificent stone, which originated from the south lobe of Lucaras Karowe Mine, is the world second largest gem quality diamond ever recovered and largest ever to be recovered through a modern processing facility, the Stockholm listed company said a statement.Shares in Lucara shot up 34 percent to 14.2 kronor in morning Thursday trading in Stockholm.Botswana is the worlds second biggest diamond producer, and Lucara said the gem was the largest ever to be recovered in the country.The significance of the recovery of a gem quality stone larger than 1,000 carats, the largest for more than a century....cannot be overstated, said William Lamb, the President and chief executive of Lucara.The stone is yet to be evaluated, but commodities and mining analyst Kieron Hodgson, said it has the potential to be one very expensive diamond.Valuation will depend on potential inclusions, how it would behave in cutting, optimal shape as well as final colour, he told AFP.All these things will need to be evaluated prior to bidding.The biggest diamond discovered is the 3,106-carat Cullinan, found near Pretoria in South Africa in 1905.It was cut to form the Great Star of Africa and the Lesser Star of Africa, which are set in the Crown Jewels of Britain.Lucara indicated on its website that the Karowe Mine had also this week turned up further finds -- an 813 carat stone and a 374 carat stone, prompting Lamb to laud an amazing week for the company.

Karachi: Rangers intensify operation, 60 suspects taken into custody

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Rangers have intensified the operation against criminal elements, conducting various raids throughout the city. In a search operation conducted in Baldia late Saturday night, Rangers took 60 suspected individuals into custody. In a separate raid in Lyari, Rangers managed to apprehend five suspects including a terrorist belonging to a banned organization and several gangwar operatives. Another two suspects were arrested from Alfalah area.Earlier on Saturday, four terrorists were killed while 54 suspects were taken into custody during numerous raids in various parts of the city. A bounty of Rs. 50 lac has been announced for anyone providing information on suspects involved in attack on Rangers.A clash near Northern By-pass between Rangers and terrorists left four of the suspects dead. The Rangers Spokesperson informed that the terrorists had been involved in attacks on Rangers and police officials.12 suspects were apprehended from six different locations in the city. Ammunition was also recovered from the suspects.Meanwhile five terrorists with links to banned organizations were taken into custody from areas of Azam Basti and Frontier Colony. Another 9 including a target killer belonging to a political party were arrested from Lines area.20 criminals including a target killer were also taken into police custody from Shah Faisal Colony, Saffoora Goth and Mohammadi Colony.On the other hand, eight suspects including terrorists belonging to banned syndicates and gangwar operatives were apprehended during Rangers’ raids in Lyari and Orangi Town.Rangers also came into action on information of extortion incidents. Rangers have appealed to the citizens to notify any incidents of extortion to them.

Nisar writes letter to IOM against deportation of overseas Pakistanis

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhary Nisar on Saturday has written a letter to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) expressing reservations on the deportation of Pakistanis residing overseas.The letter written to IOM states that Pakistanis residing abroad were deported from European countries, especially Greece, without prior notification or affirmation which was a blatant violation of the relevant laws.Also Read:Pakistan to demand proof of terror charges for deporteesThe letter also advised Pakistan’s airlines to only issue tickets to those deported citizens whose citizenship status had been confirmed.Nisar informed that a meeting will be held with European Union (EU) Commissioner Migration on 23rd of November in which the case will be discussed in detail with the official.Nisar had earlier directed Pakistani diplomatic missions in Europe to demand proof from host governments that wanted to deport Pakistanis on terror charges. The Federal Minister for Interior had stated:It is a violation of human rights if any Pakistani is deported on terror charges without any proof, he said, according to the statement.We have to not only give courage to Pakistani expatriates, but also stand by them at every step.Earlier this month, Nisar had also warned that airlines who carried deportees back to Pakistan without the interior ministry s permission or without travel documents would have to pay unspecified fines.Also Read:Pakistan suspends EU migrant readmission agreement over misuse

Rawalpindi: Police reveal rape victim was imprisoned for past three days

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RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – The investigation into a gang-rape and murder case involving a 22 year old girl is progressing significantly. According to the latest development, police have revealed that the victim had been imprisoned against her will for the past three days. Additional Station House Officer (SHO) Rawat Israr Hussain further informed that the victim girl had notified her family of the imprisonment saying that her life was in danger a day before her murder. Hussain stated that the suspect Umair had pushed the girl off the building after raping her and had acted as if he himself had been injured.Meanwhile, students at Quaid-e –Azam University, where the girl was a pupil, demanded that the strictest of action be taken against the culprits.Police say the final post-mortem report of the victim will be handed to them today (Sunday) after which the investigation will be completed quickly.A 22-year-old girl was thrown off a three-storey building after gang-rape in Rawalpindi, Saturday.Read More:22-year-old girl gang raped, killed in RawalpindiThe body of the victim was recovered outside a house in Rawalpindi’s Bahria Town Phase VIII who was pushed down from a building after alleged molestation by three suspects.The victim girl was missing from past three days whereas the boy and girl became friends on social networking website Facebook. The suspect and girl were preparing for CSS examinations.

Kerry to call for calm in Israel and West Bank

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Israel and the Palestinian territory next week for the first time in more than a year to push for an end to a spate of violence.Since the start of October, at least 15 Israelis have been killed in stabbing and gun attacks on civilians, while more than 80 Palestinians have died.Four more Israelis were stabbed and wounded in the southern city of Kiryat Gat on Saturday, and an American was among five civilians killed on Thursday in Palestinian attacks.The United States has called for both sides to take concrete steps to reduce tension, end provocative rhetoric and ensure access to Jerusalem holy sites.US officials said Kerry would travel to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah on Tuesday for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.But they admitted they were not expecting to strike any new agreement on a return to peace talks and would simply try to walk the parties back from the immediate conflict.Until two years ago the United States was the leading mediator in peace negotiations designed to leave Israel and Palestinian living side-by-side as two independent states.That process collapsed. US officials stressed that they have no plans to revive it, and are simply trying to cool tempers and tamp down the current outbreak of violence.Theres no agreement to be reached between the parties right now, a senior US official said.Were trying to encourage both of them to do the kind of things we think will be helpful and in their interests.Kerry met Netanyahu in Washington earlier this month and urged him to improve conditions for the Palestinians and try to get things moving in a more positive direction.Nothing concrete has come out of that yet, the US official admitted, adding only that a variety of ideas were talked about without getting into specifics.The situation with the Palestinian leadership is even less promising, and Kerrys talks with Abbas will focus on how to prevent the Palestinian authority from collapsing.The Americans have been pushing Abbas and the Palestinian leadership to tone down their angry rhetoric, arguing that this fuels the unrest and inspires lone wolf attackers.The secretary has talked about incitement before and well obviously stress that, the official said, in an anonymous briefing to reporters before the trip.Last month, Kerry met Jordans King Hussein in Amman and endorsed a plan to install security cameras around the Al-Aqsa mosque on Jerusalems Haram al-Sharif Temple Mount.Holy sitesNetanyahu agreed that such a plan would be in Israels interest too, and Kerry argued that it would provide greater transparency about incidents at the holy sites.But the Jordanian-run trust or Waqf that administers the site complained that Israeli police had blocked them from installing the cameras and negotiations are continuing.They are having meetings of technical teams, the Israelis and the Waqf, about the logistics, the US official said. So I think thats proceeding exactly as we intended.Kerrys meeting with Netanyahu will be his first since Jonathan Pollard, a Jewish-American former US navy analyst who sold secrets to Israel, was released after more than 30 years in a US jail.The case was a major bone of contention between the two allies, and Netanyahu had long been pushing for his release.Pollard was granted Israeli citizenship in 1995 and his family says he wants to settle in Israel, but under the terms of his release he cannot leave America for five years.His lawyers have challenged this, but US diplomats said they did not expect the issue to cloud the talks.The White House said on Friday that President Barack Obama would not intervene with the Justice Department to alter the terms of Pollards parole.Kerry leaves Boston on Sunday and flies to the United Arab Emirates, where he will meet with Arab foreign ministers o advancing plans to end the Syrian civil war.From Abu Dhabi he will fly on to Israel.

Russia pounds IS as manoeuvres force flight rerouting

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BEIRUT (AFP) - Russia has bombed the Islamic State group in the heaviest strikes in eastern Syria since the war began, as its military manoeuvres in the Mediterranean forced Lebanon to reroute flights.The United Nations, meanwhile, passed a motion calling for action against IS, a week after a series of shootings and bombings in Paris left 130 people dead, sparking international condemnation and fears of similar attacks elsewhere in Europe.Russian and Syrian warplanes carried out more than 70 strikes in eastern Deir Ezzor province Friday, killing at least 36 people including 10 children, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.The Britain-based group said the raids hit several cities and towns as well as three oilfields, in the heaviest bombardment there since the conflict began in March 2011.Most of the province, including large parts of its capital, is held by IS.The regime still controls the military airport and several smaller areas.Fighting raged Saturday between IS and regime forces around the airport, a day after clashes killed 30 people, 22 of them IS militants, according to the Observatory.Russia began its bombing campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad on September 30, and pledged to step up the strikes after IS claimed that a bomb downed a Russian passenger jet over Egypt last month, killing all 224 people on board.Rebels capture IS villagesOn Friday, Russia said it had fired cruise missiles from warships in the Caspian Sea and claimed to have killed 600 fighters in recent strikes.The Observatory says Russian strikes have killed more than 1,300 people since they began, a third of them civilians.It says 381 IS fighters have been killed, along with 547 rebels from other groups including Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front.Of the 403 civilians killed, 97 were children.Russias military involvement in Syria has stirred tensions with Turkey, which backs the uprising against Assad and has accused Moscow of failing to respect its border and airspace in the campaign.State-run Anatolia news agency reported Saturday that Syrian Turkmen rebels seized from IS the villages of Harjaleh and Dalha in northern Aleppo province near the Turkish border.It said 70 IS jihadists were killed in the battle for the villages which the Turkmen captured with air support from American and Turkish warplanes.Turkish officials have said a major air operation with the US against IS was planned, with Turkmen forces fighting on the ground.They said the aim is to clear jihadists from a 98-kilometre (61-mile) stretch of Syrias northern border with Turkey.In other violence, aid group Doctors Without Borders said Saturday that bombardment of areas in Eastern Ghouta, where it provides assistance, had killed eight people over the previous two days.Lebanon flights reroutedOn Saturday, flights in and out of Lebanon were rerouted and some airlines cancelled services after Moscow requested they avoid an area over the eastern Mediterranean.Transport Minister Ghazi Zeaiter said Moscow asked that planes leaving Beirut airport towards the west avoid overflying an area in Mediterranean territorial waters because of manoeuvres on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.A Lebanese airport official said departing flights would be directed south over Sidon and Sarafand to keep them away from the perimeter of the manoeuvres.National carrier Middle East Airlines said most of its flights would be on schedule but some flights to the Gulf and the Middle East region might take (a) longer time due to a slight change in airways.Kuwait Airways said it was suspending its Beirut flights as a precautionary measure, but most other flights were arriving and leaving normally.Turkeys Dogan news agency said two Turkish Airlines services to Beirut were cancelled Friday night for security reasons, but its Saturday flights were operating normally.Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollandes office said he and British Prime Minister David Cameron would meet Monday to discuss the war and the threat posed by jihadists.Hollande is also set to meet next week US President Barack Obama, Russias Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the wake of Frances worst-ever terror attacks.US Secretary of State John Kerry was also due in Abu Dhabi next week for talks on a number of issues with a focus on Syria, his spokesman said Saturday.The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Friday authorising countries to take all necessary measures to fight IS in Syria and Iraq.The resolution, drafted by France, does not provide a legal basis for military action but urges countries to coordinate their efforts to prevent IS terrorist attacks.

Taliban hold minority Hazaras hostage for 'stealing sheep'

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KANDAHAR (AFP) - Afghan Taliban militants on Saturday kidnapped at least seven members of the minority Shiite Hazara community after a dispute over sheep, local authorities said.Gunmen stopped three buses at dawn between Shah Joy and Qalat in the volatile Zabul province, first taking 17 hostages before releasing nine, local leader Wazir Mohammed Jawadi said.Jawadi said the gunmen kept eight hostages, all from the Hazara ethnic group, who are known for their striking Central Asian features.The local chief of police Mirwais Noorzai said that seven Hazaras are being held hostage.He said local Taliban leader Mullah Taqwa had ordered the kidnappings because Hazaras allegedly stole sheep, adding that Taqwa would release the hostages if the Hazaras give him back his sheep.A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, told AFP that the group would investigate the incident.Zabul province is under the control of the mainly Sunni Taliban and has been the scene of clashes between rival Taliban factions.The three million-strong Afghan Hazara community has been persecuted for decades, with thousands killed in the late 1990s by Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.In February, 31 people, mostly Hazara, were abducted in the region by fighters linked to the Islamic State group, which has been trying to gain a foothold in Afghanistan.A week ago thousands of people attended the burials of seven Hazaras after their decapitated bodies were found in Zabul. The victims were kidnapped in neighbouring Jaghuri by unknown gunmen in October.

Bangladesh hangs two opposition leaders for war crimes: minister

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DHAKA (AFP) - Two senior Bangladeshi opposition leaders were executed early Sunday for war crimes committed during the 1971 independence war with Pakistan after their last-ditch pleas for clemency were rejected.Justice Minister Anisul Huq said Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid and Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury had been hanged at Dhakas Central Jail in a move that was celebrated by supporters of the ruling Awami League.Both of them have been hanged. The execution took place at 00:45am (1845 GMT Saturday), Huq told AFP.Hundreds of police had been stationed outside the jail in Dhakas old quarter where scaffolds had been prepared to execute the pair.The first sign that the executions had taken place came when four ambulances were driven away from the prison shortly before 1:00am.The 67-year-old Mujahid was sentenced to death for war crimes such as the killing of the countrys top intellectuals. He is the second most senior member of Bangladeshs largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami.Chowdhury, 66, was convicted for atrocities such as genocide during the 1971 war when the then East Pakistan split from Islamabad. He is a six-times ex-lawmaker and a top aide to Khaleda Zia, leader of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).Bangladeshs Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the two mens final appeals, upholding the death sentences originally handed down by a controversial domestic war crimes tribunal in 2013.Clemency pleas rejectedAfter news of the execution broke, supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League took to the streets to celebrate and also unfurled huge national flags near the prison.Ive waited for this day for a long 44 years, said Shawan Mahmud, daughter of top musician Altaf Mahmud, who was killed by the notorious Al Badr militia that Mujahid was convicted of leading during the war.We had to endure years of pains and shame as these war criminals would taunt us. But now justice has finally been delivered, she told AFP.Huq said the two had sought clemency on Saturday from President Abdul Hamid after exhausting all legal appeals to avoid execution but their pleas were turned down.Sons of the two convicts, however, questioned whether their fathers had in fact sought mercy, saying they did not believe the governments statements.My father said he did not seek any mercy. He has always said hes innocent. He said they are killing him because they could not beat him in elections, Chowdhurys son Humam Qauder Chowdhury told AFP after meeting his father for the last time just a couple of hours before his execution.The pair were among more than a dozen leaders of the opposition alliance convicted by a tribunal set up by the secular government in 2010.The convictions triggered Bangladeshs deadliest violence since independence, with some 500 people killed, mainly in clashes between Jamaat-e-Islami activists and police.There are fears the executions could spark fresh unrest in the Muslim-majority nation, which is reeling from a string of killings of secular bloggers as well as the murders of two foreigners in recent months.Jamaat called a nationwide strike on Thursday, declaring Mujahids original trial farcical and aimed at eliminating the partys leadership.International rights groups and legal experts have also criticised the trial, saying it fell short of international standards.On Friday New York-based Human Rights Watch asked Bangladesh to halt the imminent executions of Mujahid and Chowdhury, citing serious fair trial concerns surrounding their convictions.The opposition says the tribunals are designed to settle scores rather than deliver justice but the government insists that the trials have been fair and were needed to address the countrys bloody history.Hasina, whose father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the leader of the independence movement, says three million people were killed in the nine-month conflict, many butchered by pro-Pakistan militias.Independent researchers however say the overall death toll was much lower.
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