Monday 23 November 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Football: Last 16 in view for Van Gaal's hardy Man Utd

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hopes to cock another snook at his critics when his team host PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday needing victory to progress in the Champions League.Despite ongoing criticism over the quality of their football, United climbed to second place in the Premier League table after edging Watford 2-1 on Saturday and will have an opportunity to take over at the summit this weekend when they visit surprise leaders Leicester City.A place in the Champions League last 16 will be theirs if they prevail at Old Trafford on Wednesday and for all the brickbats being flung at him by pundits and former United players such as Paul Scholes, Van Gaal knows that he is fulfilling his objectives.If we beat PSV, then we will have qualified, he told MUTV.It is very important to win, but it is not easy because every game you have to play you cannot say we will beat them.PSV also beat Wolfsburg and I think that they are a very good team. They also beat Manchester United, of course.Uniteds chances of progressing from Group B were jeopardised when they lost 2-1 in Eindhoven in their opening game on September 15, but subsequent home wins over Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow, as well as a 1-1 draw in Moscow, have taken them to the top of the group.Memphis Depay marked his reunion with PSV by netting Uniteds opener at the Philips Stadion and like his club, his status has evolved in the two months since.Depay was dropped following Uniteds 3-0 loss at Arsenal on October 4 and was a substitute in five of the next six games before making a goal-scoring return to the starting XI at Watford on Saturday, where Troy Deeneys cruel 90th-minute own goal gave the visitors victory.Dovetailing with youth-team graduate Jesse Lingard in attack, Depay put United in front with an adroit 11th-minute volley and afterwards credited assistant manager Ryan Giggs with helping him regain confidence.- Moreno a marked man -=======================Ryan Giggs has given me good advice and Ive been working on some things with him, said the Dutch international winger.You need that backing and you need to back yourself and train well, and of course all the help is great to get through difficult times.Im happy to get the help of everyone and happy to play on Saturday to show that I can be important.Depay, who joined United from PSV in a reported 25 million ($37.9 million, 35.7 million euros) deal in June, could face renewed competition for a starting role after Van Gaal revealed that Wayne Rooney (illness) and Anthony Martial (foot) could return to the team.But Uniteds infirmary remains crowded, with Phil Jones (ankle) and Ander Herrera (hamstring) the latest players to succumb to injury at Vicarage Road, rendering both men doubtful for Wednesday.Another absentee is left-back Luke Shaw, who sustained a graphic double leg break following a challenge by PSVs Mexican centre-back Hector Moreno in the reverse fixture.Moreno was rested for PSVs 2-2 draw with Willem II at the weekend, which left the Dutch champions four points below leaders Ajax, and he can expect a hostile reception if he returns to the team in Manchester.PSV, a point below United in second place, have not won away from home in the Champions League since November 2007.Saturdays draw at Willem II was the fifth time they had failed to go on to win after taking the lead in the Eredivisie this season and coach Phillip Cocu had strong words for his players after the match.It has happened too many times, said the former central midfielder, who played under Van Gaal with both Barcelona and the Netherlands.Against the top teams, we manage to rise above our potential. But these games are equally important. If we want to win any trophies this season, we need to change it.

Football: Ibrahimovic's Malmo return leaves some fans conflicted

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MALMO (AFP) - As Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to his home town on Wednesday, some Malmo fans are torn over whether to support the citys prodigal son or the team that launched his career.On a football pitch in the immigrant-heavy neighbourhood of Rosengard, where the 34-year-old Swede grew up, one of his childhood teammates sighed as he pondered where his sympathies would lie during the Champions League match between Malmo and PSG.Both, both. Maybe for Malmo a little bit more, Ivan Milosevic said, before laughing and adding: Im a Malmoitian, referring to a term for the citys inhabitants.Born the same year, both players began their careers at FBK Balkan, a local club founded by immigrants from the former Yugoslavia in 1962, which the club say makes them the oldest immigrant football team in Europe.He was a funny character, constantly up to a lot of mischief. Nicked bicycles, came with it to practice, always had a ball, bantered with others in the team..., he said.He ran around and didnt listen to the coaches. Did what he liked to do, dribbled when he was meant to pass.Almost 15 years after he left Malmo for Ajax, Ibrahimovics maverick image remains intact as he regularly courts controversy, ranging from his recent claim that he put France on the world map to an offer to donate a signed bicycle to female players after the Swedish FA rewarded a male player with a new Volvo.- Role model -==============In the troubled suburbs that dot Malmos eastern half, support has never wavered and on the field his influence is clear.Hes the big idol here, everyone looks up to him, said Milosevic.Ibrahimovic joined Malmo FF in 1994, paving the way for other players from an immigrant background to do the same.It was a remarkable feat in a city that remains deeply segregated, especially for someone who according to his own autobiography would sometimes go to bed hungry.Greek-born Aneta Moura, a former neighbour, said she remembered him as maybe a bit mischievous. His mother had to come and get him here and there.When he was between eight and 10, he was the boss of a group of children whom he would push into the local grocery store to go buy sweets for him, she said.Because poor Zlatan didnt have money to go buy (anything)... He wasnt raised quite like the other children. I know that, I could feel that from him, she said.But she added: He was a very alert boy. Hes still the same.- Big day -===========Preparations for Wednesdays game have been underway in Malmo from the moment it was announced that PSG would be coming to town.All of Malmo will be able to watch the game. Ive booked the main square where the game... will be broadcast live, Ibrahimovic wrote on Facebook in September.At the local Rosengard shopping centre, Muhsen Awad, a Swedish-Arabic interpreter who also runs a side business selling football flags and CDs, said he had tried in every way possible to get his hands on a ticket for the game without any luck.They have been on sale for as much as 20,000 kronor ($2,289, 2,146 euros) on the black market, he claimed, adjusting one of the many blue and white Malmo flags adorning his shop.For sure there will be mixed feelings... It will be a historic game when Zlatan comes to play against his own, original team, he said, before predicting that Malmo fans would still remain loyal to their own team.All of our region supports Malmo FF no matter who they play against, he said.Those comments were echoed by Max Wiman, a columnist for regional daily Sydsvenskan.Ibrahimovic has very strong feelings for Malmo, he said, noting that the PSG star had described playing a Champions League game in the city as a dream.Although he was fantastically big there and would probably be cheered before the match, most people will support Malmo, he said.

Nursing student's mysterious death, investigation reveals new information

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RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Investigation into the mysterious death of a 21 year old Nursing student, Andaleeb, at Benazir Bhutto hospital in Rawalpindi has revealed new information into the case. Andaleeb’s funeral was offered and she was buried in her hometown Jatuli, Gujjar Khan after a post-mortem.The roommate of the student revealed that Andaleeb had remained absent from duty for almost two hours between the night of Saturday and Sunday. A forensics team also visited the Nursing student’s room in search of any evidence and recovered a syringe from her bed. The room has been sealed for further investigation.According to the initial investigation reports, Andaleeb’s death occurred due to severe pressure on her brain. It was also noted that she was bleeding from the mouth and her hands and feet had turned blue. Investigators are also focusing their attention on the syringe found from her room.Information revealed by the victim’s roommate will help in quick progress of the investigation.Body of a nursing student was recovered on Monday from Urology ward of Benazir Bhutto Hospital.Police are puzzled to determine whether the case is a suicide incident or a murder.Read further:Female nursing students body recovered from Rawalpindi hospitalFourth year nursing student’s body was shifted to district headquarters hospital (DHQ). However, brother of the dead girl said that his sister seemed happy and normal night before on a phone call.Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Azhar said that the case is being investigated and facts would be brought to light soon.

Two children abducted for identifying alleged suicide bombing trainer

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MULTAN (Dunya News) – Two children who helped in identifying an alleged suicide bombing trainer were abducted from their home late Monday night from Shujabad area of Multan. The kidnappers have also dropped a threatening note stating that they will murder both young children if the FIR registered against the terrorist was not cancelled.Eight year old Zeeshan, a pupil of grade 4th and his 12 year old brother Noman were both kidnapped four days after police registered a case and arrested an alleged terrorist trainer on the brothers’ notification.The family of the two brothers contacted the police after the incident.Meanwhile the police have taken the threat note and formed an investigation team to look into the matter. Police officials say they are analyzing the letter for any further information which might help in the arrest of the culprits.

Britain's Cameron pressures MPs over Syria strikes vote

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LONDON (AFP) - British Prime Minister David Cameron vowed Monday to make his case for Britain joining air strikes on Syria this week as he unveiled a new defence strategy stressing counter-terrorism and intelligence.Cameron said he would make a statement in the House of Commons on Thursday as he steps up pressure for MPs to back joining international action against Islamic State extremists following the November 13 attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people.His comments came as he presented the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), which maps Britains military strategy for the next five years.As the murders on the streets of Paris reminded us so starkly, ISIL (another term for Islamic State) is not some remote problem thousands of miles away -- it is a direct threat to our security at home and abroad, Cameron said.History teaches us that no government can predict the future... but we can make sure that we have the versatility and the means to respond to new risks and threats to our security as they arise.Cameron earlier on Monday visited Paris, where he met President Francois Hollande and paid tribute outside the Bataclan concert venue, where 90 people were killed.I firmly support the action President Hollande has taken to strike ISIL in Syria, Cameron said after talks in Paris.Its my firm conviction that Britain should do so too.In his speech to parliament, Cameron also announced details of a significant new contingency plan in case of attacks in Britain, which would include the rapid deployment of 10,000 military personnel to support the police.While British forces are taking part in air strikes on IS targets in Iraq, they are not involved in the international effort targeting Syria due to resistance from opposition parties still mindful of previous unpopular interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan.Labours anti-war leader Jeremy Corbyn is against any military action but Cameron appears increasingly confident he can get enough support from Labour MPs to pass the vote, particularly after last weeks UN Security Council resolution authorising countries to take all necessary measures against IS.Higher counter-terror spendingA Times/YouGov opinion poll last week found that 58 percent of people would approve of Britain joining air strikes in Syria, compared to 22 percent against.Labours shadow defence minister Maria Eagle also on Monday told BBC radio that there will be some support from the Labour party for him (Cameron) to do what he wishes if they approve of his plan.Reports suggest the government could call a vote on the issue as early as the end of next week. Cameron on Monday only said that the vote could come in the coming days and weeks.The SDSR announced Monday has been planned for months but its emphasis on intelligence, counter-terrorism, cyber defence and surveillance spoke volumes about the growing to threat European nations like Britain from groups like IS.The SDSR has made interdependence between security at home and security abroad more of a reality, said Michael Clarke, head of the Royal United Services Institute defence think-tank in London.The review aims to maintain Britains ability to go war but also safeguard British society more efficiently from terrorist attack, he added.The SDSRs GBP 12 billion ($18.2 billion, 17.1 billion euros) of extra investment would create two new 5,000-member rapid reaction strike brigades which could be deployed to conflicts overseas by 2025.An extra 1,900 security and intelligence staff are being recruited.Finance minister George Osborne is also expected to announce that counter-terrorism funding is being increased by 30 percent in a budget announcement on Wednesday.But the budget increase was also accompanied by major cuts, including a 30 percent reduction of the defence ministrys civilian staff and 30 percent of its land being sold.Osborne also faces a row over claims from police chiefs, who say that cuts to the number of frontline officers who do not fall under the counter-terrorism budget could increase the risk of an attack in Britain.

Kerry rallies Gulf Arabs behind renewed anti-IS push

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ABU DHABI (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry travelled to the Gulf on Monday to stress the urgent need to unite a region riven by conflict against the threat from the jihadist Islamic State group.Kerry believes his ambitious plan to bring Syrias other warring parties to the negotiating table is the key to isolating and ultimately defeating the IS extremists.So he came to Abu Dhabi to encourage his Emirati and Saudi allies in their efforts to convince Syrias rebel factions to agree a ceasefire with Bashar al-Assads regime.Thats why Im here, he told reporters, repeating his hope that a ceasefire between the opposition and the government could be struck in a few weeks. Were working very hard to accelerate the efforts out of Vienna, to give that diplomatic process life, he said.You can be confident that the diplomatic front is in high gear, with a very real plan on the table to be implemented.Last month, 17 nations plus the United Nations, Arab League and European Union met in Vienna to set a framework for a ceasefire and peace talks to halt Syrias civil war.Kerry held meetings with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan.Later, Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir joined Kerry and Sheikh Abdullah to brief them about his outreach to the Syrian opposition.In the wake of the November 13 attacks in Paris and the security scare in Brussels, fears are rising that IS is gaining in strength and reach.Frances President Francois Hollande is due in Washington on Tuesday to lobby President Barack Obama to focus US military and diplomatic firepower on the group.Russias Vladimir Putin says his forces are already doing this, dismissing Western and Arab concerns about Assads rule as a distraction from the main fight.But Washington thinks it can quickly launch a peace process designed to sideline Assad and build a stable Syria while still leading a military coalition against the jihadists.While there are still foreign fighters trying to get to Syria, there are literally thousands, tens of thousands that have been stopped, Kerry said.He said IS funding from oil exports was being cut off and that the group has lost 25 percent of its territory in its heartland of eastern Syria and northern Iraq.And now, US special forces are preparing to deploy into Syria to help local groups battle IS.The Vienna powers have set an ambitious target date of January 1 for talks and a ceasefire to begin, but the participants have yet to be identified.Saudi Arabia, which supports some of the Sunni rebel forces on the battlefield, has taken charge of assembling a motley coalition of opposition exile groups and armed factions.Kerry was keen to hear from Jubeir how this process is going and whether the key players would be ready for the January 1 target date for talks to begin.These would exclude IS and the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Nusra Front.However, they could draw in groups such as Al-Nusras powerful Islamist ally Ahrar al-Sham.The hope is that if a broad enough moderate opposition coalition can enter peace negotiations with Assads loyalists, a path to a political transition can be found.Meanwhile, the various local and international armies which have been drawn into the conflict will focus their fire on hardline jihadists like IS.Asked whether Washington was under pressure from European allies to work with Russia against IS, Kerry said some of them were wondering whether it was possible.And, he added, under the right circumstances the answer is yes, its possible, but we need to get the political process moving, were weeks away, maybe one or two weeks.But he warned that if certain entities think that by working with Russia the United States is helping Assad cling to power, that would imperil efforts to get Sunni rebels to the table.And then youll have greater support going to bad actors which ultimately could fuel greater growth in Nusra and Daesh, he said, using an Arabic term for IS. After Mondays one-day stopover in Abu Dhabi, Kerry was to head on to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Tuesday for talks on an upsurge of violence there.

Syria troops advance against IS in Homs province

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DAMASCUS (AFP) - The Syrian army recaptured a town and village in the central province of Homs from the Islamic State jihadist group on Monday, state media and a monitoring group said.The army in cooperation with Popular Defence groups (pro-regime militias) took control of Maheen and Hawareen in the southeast of Homs province after inflicting heavy losses on Daesh, state television said, using the Arabic acronym for IS.Britain-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the armys advance, which it said had been backed by Russian warplanes and military helicopters.The Observatory also reported that regime forces advanced Monday in a mountainous area north of the coastal city of Latakia, heartland of the minority Alawite sect to which Syrias ruling clan belongs.The monitor said the government forces gained ground in Jabal Zahi and Jabal Zweik after fierce fighting with Islamist rebels, while Russian warplanes provided air cover.Syrias state run news agency also reported advances by regime troops in Latakia, where the Observatory says they have been gaining ground over the past week.The recapture of Maheen comes after it was overrun by IS on November 1. Previously, a ceasefire had been in force under which rebel factions remained inside the town but government forces manned checkpoints around it.IS forces launched their assault on Maheen from neighbouring Al-Qaryatain, which the group captured earlier this year, kidnapping hundreds of civilians and destroying ancient Christian sites.The army advance now puts Al-Qaryatain, which is just 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Maheen, in their sights.Elsewhere in Homs province, the Observatory said government forces were advancing on the outskirts of the ancient city of Palmyra, which IS captured in May.Since seizing the famed city, IS has destroyed many of its UNESCO World Heritage sites, including ancient temples, drawing international condemnation.The latest advances come nearly two months into a Russian air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad.Moscow says its air strikes target IS and other terrorists, but rebels and their backers say moderate and Islamist opposition fighters have borne the brunt of attacks.

US issues global travel alert due to 'increased terrorist threats'

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States issued a worldwide travel alert on Monday warning American citizens of increased terrorist threats in the wake of the Paris attacks.A massive manhunt is underway in France and Belgium for Belgian-born Salah Abdeslam, suspected of playing a role in the coordinated shooting and suicide bombings of November 13 claimed by the Islamic State group.The United States has been on heightened alert in the wake of the attacks, which killed 130 people.Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Daesh), Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions, said a State Department travel advisory.US citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation, it said, advising Americans to avoid large crowds or crowded places and to exercise particular caution during the holiday season.Citing recent attacks in Denmark, France, Mali, Nigeria and Turkey, it also noted the threat of lone wolf attacks by unaffiliated persons inspired by terror groups.The alert, which expires February 24, warned that the likelihood of terror attacks will continue as members of ISIL/Daesh return from Syria and Iraq.It was referring to foreign fighters who return home after having fought alongside IS extremists.Extremists have targeted large sporting events, theaters, open markets and aviation services, the alert added.The State Department often issues individual country travel alerts, but this notice was a rare worldwide travel alert that comes in the wake of a series of attacks.New attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests, it said.

France strikes IS in Iraq from newly deployed carrier

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ABOARD CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRCRAFT CARRIER (AFP) - France launched air strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq on Monday in the first sorties from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, newly deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.We carried out strikes in Ramadi and Mosul in support of ground forces that were pushing against troops of (the Islamic State group), said army chief of staff General Pierre de Villiers, aboard the carrier.He said planes from the Charles de Gaulle would launch strikes against IS targets in Syria, including command and recruitment centres as well as oil facilities, in a matter of hours or days.Rafale jets catapulted from the carriers flight deck on Monday morning, an AFP reporter saw.The strikes came 10 days after the deadly jihadist attacks in Paris, claimed by IS, that left 130 dead.French President Francois Hollande said earlier in Paris: We will intensify our strikes, choosing targets that will do the most damage possible to this army of terrorists.The Charles De Gaulle has 26 fighter jets, more than trebling Frances strike capacity in the US-led mission against IS. France already has six Mirage and six Rafale jets stationed in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. A military source said their missions would overfly Turkey or Jordan to avoid Syrian anti-aircraft defences. To avoid crossing paths with Russian planes, France is coordinating with Moscow via the US coalition headquarters in Qatar.French and Russian naval commanders began exchanging information at the end of last week ahead of the deployment to the eastern Mediterranean, where Russia has several ships. Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed his navy last week to work with the French as allies. After its operation in the Mediterranean, the Charles de Gaulle will head to the Gulf to relieve a US carrier.

Brussels extends terror alert, fourth suspect charged over Paris attacks

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - Brussels will stay at the highest security threat level for another week over fears of an imminent attack, the Belgian government said Monday, as authorities charged a fourth suspect in connection with the terror assaults in Paris.As Brussels remained under lockdown, the United States issued a worldwide travel alert warning American citizens of increased terrorist threats in multiple regions.France meanwhile launched its first strikes against Islamic State from a newly deployed aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean, as the country ramped up its fight against the jihadist group that has claimed the November 13 gun and suicide bomb attacks.Separately, French police said they had found a suspected explosives belt in a suburb near Paris where Salah Abdeslam, a key suspect in the attacks and the subject of a massive manhunt in Belgium and France, was known to have been on the night of the atrocities.On the third day of an unprecedented security lockdown in Brussels, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the city would be kept under the maximum level four terror alert for another week, but that schools and the metro system would reopen from Wednesday.The threat remains serious and imminent, Michel said, amid fears that the symbolic and institutional capital of Europe could face coordinated Paris-style attacks.Michel said the army and armed police would remain on the streets in coming days and he advised people to stay away from crowded areas.The security level will be reviewed again next Monday.The federal prosecutors office announced that a man who was arrested during a large police operation in Belgium late Sunday has been charged with involvement in the Paris atrocities.He is charged with participating in activities of a terrorist group and with a terrorist attack, the office said in a statement.The Belgian authorities have now charged four suspects over the Paris carnage.Two of them, Mohammed Amri, 27, and Hamza Attou, 20, were charged last Monday on suspicion of helping Abdeslam escape to Brussels after the attacks, while a third unnamed person faces charges of aiding him when he reached the city.Explosive belt foundAs Brussels remained under lockdown, Washington urged Americans to avoid large crowds and exercise particular caution during the holiday season.Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Daesh), Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions, said the State Department travel advisory.French police said Monday they had found a suspected suicide belt with a similar configuration to those used in the attacks in a dustbin in Montrouge, south of Paris.The item, which was found by dustmen 10 days after the attacks in the capital that left 130 people dead, is being analysed to confirm whether it is explosive, a source close to the inquiry said.Telephone data placed Belgian-born Abdeslam, 26, in the Montrouge area on the night of the attacks, the source added.Abeslams brother Mohamed on Sunday told Belgian television he thought Salah had decided at the very last moment not to go through with his attack mission.French President Francois Hollande said his country was at war with IS following the attacks, and on Monday planes based on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier launched their first attacks against the jihadist group in Iraq and Syria.We will intensify strikesAs diplomatic efforts to tackle IS gathered pace, Hollande met British Prime Minister David Cameron in Paris in an effort to widen an international alliance against the extremist group.We will intensify our strikes, choosing targets that will do the most damage possible to this army of terrorists, Hollande said, adding that NATO allies Britain and France had a joint obligation to strike at IS.Cameron, who earlier laid a wreath at the Bataclan concert venue in Paris where 90 people died, said he supported Frances actions and added that its my firm conviction that Britain should do so too.He will make his case to parliament on Thursday for Britain to join sorties into Syria, in his latest bid to get lawmakers approval for the move. Britain has already joined US-led strikes in Iraq.In a week of frantic international diplomacy, Hollande is set to meet the leaders of all five permanent members of the UN Security Council in coming days.He will hold talks with US President Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday, before meeting Germanys Angela Merkel on Wednesday, Russias Vladimir Putin on Thursday and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday.The UN Security Council last Friday authorised all necessary measures to fight IS.As residents in Brussels struggled to get to work by bus and bike, Interior Minister Jan Jambon conceded the level four security alert had clear costs and was disruptive but warned it must continue as long as necessary.In the normally bustling historic Grand Place, a few bars and restaurants were open for business but they were struggling to find customers.The European Union and NATO, which both have their headquarters in Brussels, said they would bolster security and urged non-essential staff to work from home.

Israeli soldier, three Palestinian attackers killed ahead of Kerry visit

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JERUSALEM (AFP) - An Israeli soldier and three Palestinian attackers were killed in another day of violence Monday, on the eve of US Secretary of State John Kerrys visit in a bid to ease the bloodshed.The soldier was stabbed to death while another was seriously wounded in the same attack at a petrol station on the edge of the occupied West Bank.A Palestinian murdered an Israeli and wounded another in an attack at a gas station on route 443, the Israeli army said, referring to a main road between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv that passes in part though the West Bank.Later, a military spokeswoman revealed that one of the soldiers, a man, had died while the other, a female officer, had been wounded.The victim that died was a soldier and the injured was an officer, she told AFP.The slain solider was named as Ziv Mizrahi, 18.The assailant was shot dead at the scene, while the officer was evacuated for medical treatment.The death came only a few hours after a stabbing in Jerusalem -- the first in the city for nearly two weeks -- when two teenage girls attacked an elderly man, police said.A security camera footage appeared to show the girls -- aged 14 and 16 -- in school uniform chasing a man with scissors before being shot by a member of the security forces.He then appears to shoot one of them again while already collapsed on the ground.One of the two girls, who were apparently cousins, died while the other was in critical condition.The man they targeted was identified as a 70-year-old Palestinian, possibly confused for an Israeli Jew, who suffered light injuries.One of the girls brothers had died two years ago during clashes with Israeli security forces, Palestinian security sources said.In another attack, a Palestinian was shot dead when trying to stab an Israeli soldier near Huwara to the south of Nablus.The Palestinian health ministry identified the assailant as 16-year-old Khalil Hashash.An 18-year-old Palestinian woman, identified by medical sources as Samah Abdullah, was shot and severely wounded in the same attack, apparently by accident.The stabbings were the latest in a wave of violence since October 1 that has left 92 Palestinians dead, including one Arab Israeli, as well as 17 Israelis, an American and an Eritrean.More than half of the Palestinians killed have been alleged attackers, while others were shot during demonstrations and clashes with Israeli security forces, including along the Gaza border.The stabbings, shootings and car rammings have overwhelmingly been carried out by so-called lone wolf attackers, making it harder for Israel to predict where and when the next assault will come.Attacks initially focussed in and around Jerusalem in early October before shifting to the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron.In recent days, however, they have flared again in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under pressure to tighten security and on Monday he discussed a range of new measures in the West Bank.The Israeli leader announced tighter controls on Palestinian vehicles and an increase in the number of so-called bypass roads which create separate routes for Palestinians and Israeli settlers.During a visit to a West Bank settlement that has been the scene of numerous attacks, he also said work permits would be withdrawn from the families of alleged attackers.Netanyahu added there would be no limits on the powers of Israeli soldiers in the West Bank.Israel has already adopted the controversial policy of demolishing the homes of attackers which it says acts as a deterrent.Against this backdrop, Kerry arrives for talks on Tuesday with Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.The top US diplomat has repeatedly called for both sides to take concrete steps to reduce tension, end provocative rhetoric and ensure access to Jerusalem holy sites.But his words have had little impact on the ground.There is also little optimism of moving towards a return to peace talks between the two sides, which broke down more than 18 months ago.Theres no agreement to be reached between the parties right now, one senior US official said. Kerrys task instead is to simply try to walk the parties back from the current conflict.

'Explosives belt' found in Paris suburb

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PARIS (AFP) - A suspected suicide belt with a similar configuration to those used in the Paris attacks was found Monday just south of the French capital, sources close to the investigation said.The object was found in a dustbin in the suburb of Montrouge, a police source said, adding that the device lacked a detonator.Telephone data places Belgian-born Salah Abdeslam, a key suspect in the attacks who is believed to still be on the run, in the same area on the night of the attacks, according to a source close to the inquiry.The belt, which was found by dustmen 10 days after the attacks in the capital that left 130 people dead, is being analysed to confirm whether it is explosive, the source added.Another police source said the belt appeared to have the same configuration as those used by the jihadists who carried out the Paris carnage.Abdeslam, 26, is the subject of a massive manhunt in both France and Belgium, suspected of playing at least a logistical role in the coordinated shooting and suicide bombings of November 13, which have been claimed by the Islamic State group.The lawyer of one of the men who has been charged on suspicion of helping Abdeslam escape to Brussels after the attacks said the key suspect may have been ready to detonate.Abeslams brother Mohamed on Sunday told Belgian television he thought Salah had decided at the very last moment not to go through with his attack.Of around a dozen people suspected of playing a role in the attacks, seven blew themselves up: two at the Bataclan concert venue, three at the Stade de France stadium, one at a cafe on Boulevard Voltaire and one during a post-attacks police raid at an apartment in Saint-Denis, north of Paris.The suicide belt worn by a third attacker at the Bataclan exploded after he was killed by French security forces.Francois Molins, the Paris anti-terror prosecutor who is taking centre-stage in the investigation, said the vests used in the attacks were made using TATP -- acetone peroxide, a chemical easy for amateurs to produce -- as well as batteries and a push-button detonator.

Brussels terror alert stays, schools and metro to reopen Wednesday

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - Brussels will remain under the highest level of alert for another week due to an ongoing terrorism threat, but schools and the underground train system will reopen from Wednesday, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said.The crisis centre decided to maintain the alert level four, which means the threat remains serious and imminent, Michel told a press conference, adding the threat level will be reviewed again next Monday.We want to thank the people for their calm and understanding, he added.The army and police will continue to be deployed in force and the country will reduce the number of events with large crowds, for fear of a repeat of the Paris gun and suicide bomb attacks on November 13, Michel said.But he added his government was trying to bring the country back to normal as quickly as possible while working with the security services.It decided to reopen schools and the underground metro from Wednesday.For schools, that means that in the coming hours, we will guarantee a level of security everywhere on the countrys territory, the prime minister said. As for the metro, the aim is to reopen the metro gradually, but starting on Wednesday.The rest of the country will remain on alert level three, which means an attack is considered possible and the threat credible.Brussels has been locked down since Saturday with armed police and troops patrolling quiet streets.

US Muslim teen accused of clock bomb seeks $15 million

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CHICAGO (AFP) - The Muslim teenager arrested when a teacher mistook his homemade clock for a bomb threatened to sue his school and the town of Irving, Texas for $15 million, his lawyer said Monday.Ahmed Mohamed, 14, became an overnight sensation in September after his sister tweeted a photo of the aspiring inventor standing in handcuffs while wearing a t-shirt with the US space agency NASAs logo.President Barack Obama joined a surge of public support by congratulating the teen on his skills and inviting him to bring the clock to the White House in what was seen as a pointed rebuke to school and police officials amid accusations of Islamophobia.Invitations poured in from Facebook, Google, the United Nations and Mohamed later tweeted photos of visits to Mecca, New York, Sudan and Qatar.But his lawyer insists there was a dark side to his fame, which caused severe psychological trauma, according to a letter notifying the city and school district of his demands.The son of Sudanese immigrants who lived in a Dallas suburb, the young robotics fan brought in a homemade clock to impress a new teacher at MacArthur High School.Instead, Mohamed was accused of trying to scare people with a hoax bomb and escorted from the school in handcuffs.His lawyers insist that the school, police force and city officials violated Mohameds rights by wrongfully accusing and detaining him and then decided to trash him when the media got wind of the story.Ahmed clearly was singled out because of his race, national origin and religion, attorney Kelly Hollingsworth wrote.The letter noted that Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne called the clock a hoax bomb during an appearance on the Glenn Beck television show and nodded as Beck and his other guest called the story an influence operation in furtherance of a coming civilization jihad.Not only was this dangerous baiting that destroyed any chance the Mohamed family ever had of being truly safe and secure in the United States, but it was also defamatory, his lawyers wrote.The family received threatening emails and left their home after their address was publicized.They eventually moved to Qatar after Mohamed was offered a generous scholarship.His attorneys are seeking $5 million in damages from the school district and $10 million from the city of Irving and said they will file a civil suit if they do not receive a reply within 60 days.

Lahore: 50 affected, faint due to gas leakage from cold storage factory

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – At least 50 people late night Monday fainted or were otherwise affected by a noxious gas leakage from a nearby cold storage factory in Badamibagh area, Lahore. The nauseas residents were shifted to Ganga Ram and Mayo Hospital where they were given first aid treatment.The District administration and police registered a case against the owner Salahuddin and has sealed the factory. The rescue operation underway to treat the affected residents has been completed.Residents of the area affected by the noxious gas say that similar incidents have occurred in the past numerous times, but no action had been taken by the administration.Punjab’s Health Advisor Khawaja Salman Rafique arrived at Mayo hospital on an urgent basis after hearing of the incident. Speaking on the matter, Rafique stated that action will be taken against the owner of the factory.Residents of the area protested against the dangerous incidence of gas leakage and demanded that all cold storage factories in the area should be shut down on immediate basis.
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