Wednesday 25 November 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Oil prices up in Asia

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SINGAPORE (AFP) - Oil prices held above $43 a barrel in Asia Thursday after US commercial crude supplies rose at a slower pace while jitters over the shooting down by Turkey of a Russian warplane lingered.Data from the US Department of Energy released Wednesday showed the countrys commercial crude supplies rose by 1.0 million barrels for the week ending November 20.The increase for a ninth straight week kept supplies more than 100 million barrels above the five-year seasonal average and further confirmed the supply glut that has depressed prices for over a year.However, analysts noted that the increase was not as much as in previous rises and could be positive for prices in the longer term.The inventories data was followed by a report from oil field services firm Baker Hughes showing US oil drilling rigs in operation fell by nine to 555, indicating an ease in activities.US crude oil inventories are not increasing as much as before, so this is giving the market some bullish sentiment, said Daniel Ang, an investment analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore.At around 0115 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in January was up eight cents at $43.12 and Brent crude for January was trading seven cents higher at $46.24.Ang said a report that durable goods orders in the United States, a barometer of the health of the worlds biggest economy, came in better than expected was also helping to perk up sentiment.Prices rose after Turkey downed a Russian warplane on the Syrian border on Tuesday, due to fears that any escalation of the conflict would affect crude supplies.There are still tensions going on and they are giving a bullish push to prices, Ang said. Tensions are still playing a part in the whole oil landscape.Russia on Wednesday accused Turkey of a planned provocation and a rescued pilot of the targeted jet said that no warning had been given.

Formula One: Hamilton wants to end triumphant season on a high

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ABU DHABI (AFP) - Lewis Hamilton wants to bring Mercedes teammate Nico Rosbergs winning run to a halt and finish his triple-championship year on a high at this weekends season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.The 30-year-old Briton, whose form and focus have drifted since he clinched his third drivers title triumph at last months United States Grand Prix, says he wants to thank his fans for their support with another triumph at the Yas Marina circuit.He secured his second title and first with Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi track last year in a tense showdown with his German team-mate, who was hit by mechanical problems.This year, however, he arrives in a much more relaxed mood and is keen to stop Rosberg completing a hat-trick, and taking the momentum into 2016.Last year, this place brought probably the most intense weekend of my life, said Hamilton. I didnt sleep much through nerves and not knowing what was ahead, but this time around theres no pressure so Ill be well-rested and aiming to go out on a high.I really enjoy driving here. Its a challenging circuit. There are a couple of high-speed corners, but its mostly medium to low speed, so despite the long straights you need to set the car up with a down-force level tuned for low speed grip.Its also a twilight race, starting late afternoon and running into the night, which is quite unusual and, I imagine, must be pretty cool to watch on TV.A lot of British fans come out too so its like another home crowd for me and to win and show how grateful I am for the fantastic support Ive had would be the best way to end an incredible season.Rosberg, who clinched the runners-up spot in the championship by winning in Mexico and Brazil, will seek his sixth consecutive pole position and another win as he bids to maintain his late-season ascendancy over Hamilton.Abu Dhabi hasnt always been an easy one for me, he said. Last year was probably my biggest disappointment, but I showed my speed with pole position and I have good momentum right now.Im aiming to end the season on a big positive this time around. I know it will be close with Lewis and it wont be straightforward, but Im up for a battle and hopefully we can put on a great show for the fans to end the year.The Mercedes men both expect a tough challenge from Ferrari and Williams at an event likely to be shrouded in doubts about the future shape of F1 after proposals for a cheaper alternative engine supply were rejected, as expected, by the ruling bodys Formula 1 Commission.The Intenational Motoring Federation (FIA) confirmed on Wednesday that the Commission had voted not to pursue the budget engine idea, as proposed by commercial ring-master Bernie Ecclestone.Instead, the existing manufacturers have agreed to submit a proposal, that replaces the need for a budget engine supply, by January 15. Meetings are planned in Abu Dhabi.The F1 Commission voted not to pursue this option at this stage, said the FIA. However, it may be reassessed after the Power Unit manufacturers have presented their proposal to the Strategy Group.The unresolved ongoing engines saga has left the Red Bull and Toro Rosso teams without confirmed power-units for next season and in danger of leaving F1.Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz this week confirmed we still dont know if we will get an engine and what else is planned for the future...At some point, even weve had enough.

Football: Four-goal Real survive Shakhtar rally to wrap up top spot

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KIEV (AFP) - Spanish giants Real Madrid survived a nervous finish when they conceded three late goals to edge Shakhtar Donetsk 4-3 and wrap up top spot in Champions League Group A.Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice while Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal were also on target for Real who had already made sure of their place in the last 16 before Wednesdays match at the Lviv Arena.But just four days after suffering a 4-0 mauling at the hands of Barcelona in El Clasico, there were still worrying signs of Reals defensive frailities for under-pressure coach Rafael Benitez.They were cruising at 4-0 on Wednesday before Shakhtar hit three goals in the last 12 minutes with stand-in skipper Alex Teixeira scoring twice and fellow Brazilian Dentinho also on target.Today everything went our way for most of the game, Benitez said.But Shakhtar are a strong and aggressive team. Theres no surprise that they have scored at home.Weve conceded 10 goals in our last three matches but today we acted as a single unit, as a team and thats a very encouraging sign.Weve scored four goals away from home. I believe this shows that our club is moving in the right direction.In the nights other Group A encounter, French champions Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Malmo 5-0 to join Real in the knockout round.Shakhtar, weakened by the absence of regular captain Dario Srna and full-back Alexander Kucher, who were both suspended, needed to win to have any chance of creeping into the last 16.But Real were quickly into their stride. In the second minute, Modric found the unmarked Ronaldo in the area but the Portuguese star fired over the crossbar.Ronaldo made amends just 16 minutes later when he scored with a close-range header from a fine cross by Gareth Bale.Real goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was rarely troubled while Ronaldo missed a clear chance to double his teams lead in the 30th minute.In the 50th minute, Ronaldo turned provider when he slipped away from the Shakhtar defence on a breakaway before Croatian international Mordic fired home from just outside the six-yard box.Carvajal made it 3-0 for Real two minutes later, lobbing the ball into the net over goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov from the edge of the penalty area.Ronaldo scored his second -- and Reals fourth -- in the 70th minute when he was quickest to react after Yaroslav Rakitskiy had blocked his initial close-range shot.Real went suddenly off the boil with Teixeira pulling a goal back from the penalty spot in the 78th minute after Casemiro brought down Taison in the area. Dentinho scored Shakhtars second five minutes later before Teixeira cut the deficit even further in the 88th minute.Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu said: We committed too many blunders and allowed Real to dominate play and score four times.You couldnt imagine that we would produce such a dramatic comeback. But my team showed strong character to save our pride and the clubs reputation.

Football: Mandzukic fires Juve into last 16 with City win

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TURIN (AFP) - A first-half strike from Mario Mandzukic saw last seasons beaten finalists Juventus into the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over injury-hit Manchester City.City, already qualified following their 3-1 win at Sevilla last time out, travelled to Turin looking to secure top spot in Group D as well as avenge their 2-1 defeat to the Bianconeri at the Etihad Stadium in September.But a second successive defeat to the Italian champions means City now look likely to finish second behind Juve in the group. Juventus are now two points clear before facing Sevilla away next month, when City host Borussia Moenchengladbach.Hats off to the lads, theyve gifted me qualification with a game to spare, said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.It wasnt an easy group. Borussia (Moenchengladbach) had a fantastic last season and Manchester are a technical side with top players.Its never easy to win a Champions League game. Weve done that, again, while not conceding a goal at home. Were proud of that statistic so the lads deserve all the credit they get.City manager Manuel Pellegrini complained his defender Nicolas Otamendi was fouled by Mandzukic before the Croatian scored, and, despite Juve missing a host of chances, the Chilean felt the visitors were unlucky.I think we were unlucky to lose, said Pellegrini.They scored a goal which I think was a foul before Mandzukic finished but the referee didnt blow the whistle. But we had chances and didnt score.Pellegrini said beating Juventus on their own turf would also be a gauge of his sides Champions League-winning potential, but it quickly became clear their current injury woes would play to Juves advantage.City forwards Wilfried Bony, David Silva and Samir Nasri are all still sidelined but the absence of Belgian centre-back and captain Vincent Kompany was most felt as Juventus went two points clear of City ahead of the sides final games next month.Juventus, who deployed a 3-5-2 amid injury concerns of their own, survived an early scare when Kevin De Bruyne was allowed to fire a cross into the area from the right following a corner and Fernandinho unleashed a drive that spun just wide with Gianluigi Buffon at full stretch. Juve were let off again after Giorgio Chiellini got tangled up with Yaya Toure in the area and Fernandinho pounced, only to flash over from 10 yards out.But moments later the visitors were stunned when Alex Sandro fired a delightful cross into the path of Mandzukic, who muscled his way past Nicolas Otamendi to finish.City were briefly left with 10 men when Jesus Navas fell under a challenge from Sandro, and Juventus brazenly capitalised.Sighting Stephan Lichtsteiners run, Sandro promptly delivered and when the Swiss international headed into the path of Mandzukic, the Croatians first-timer brought a great reflex save from Joe Hart.After Toures tame shot on the spin went wide of Buffons post, at the other end Hart produced another great stop with his arm to thwart Lichtsteiner after he was sent through on the right side by Mandzukic.Juve started the second half brightly but City would go on to scare the hosts on several occasions.Fernando rose high above the Juve defence at a corner to fire in a header which Buffon turned onto the post and then smothered while under pressure from Martin Demichelis.But in open play, Juve were a class apart.Alvaro Morata replaced Mandzukic on 54 minutes and moments later the Spaniard sent a chip towards the far post that Paulo Dybala turned onto the upright. Hart was kept busy for the remainder of the half, before being replaced by Willy Caballero with 10 minutes remaining after suffering a suspected injury.The England keeper kept his composure to stop Morata just inside the area after the Spaniard had dribbled his way past two players and into a scoring position while ignoring Dybala to his left.At the other end Raheem Sterling, who had replaced Sergio Aguero on 69 minutes, came close when his first-time effort from a tight angle spun just wide of Buffons far post.

Football: PSG cruise into last 16 on Ibrahimovic's Malmo return

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MALMO (AFP) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on his return to hometown club Malmo as Paris Saint-Germain strolled into the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday after routing their Group A rivals 5-0 in Sweden.First-half goals from Adrien Rabiot and Angel Di Maria put the French champions in control before Ibrahimovic struck just after the interval.Di Maria was then on target again before Lucas added a late fifth to ensure PSGs progression to the knockout phase for the fourth straight year.I lived a dream tonight, coming back. On top of that I scored one. Im very happy, said Ibrahimovic.Since the beginning, theres a great relationship between Malmos fans and me. Fellow goalscorer Rabiot added: We thought it would have been harder. We did the job and were through. Im very proud of my first Champions League goal.However, Real Madrids 4-3 victory over Shakhtar Dontesk means that PSG go through as runners-up, exposing Laurent Blancs side to the possibility of being drawn against Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the next round. There was a chance to finish top of our group. It was a shame we had that defeat (against Real), bemoaned Blanc, whose side round out their group campaign at home to Shakhtar. Malmo can still drop into the Europa League but the odds are stacked against them with the Swedes needing to pick up at least a point at the Santiago Bernabeu in a fortnight to stand a chance.Much was made of Ibrahimovic returning to the club with whom his professional career began 16 years ago, with the Sweden captain booking out Malmos main square to show the match on a big screen for those without tickets.The 34-year-old was also handed the PSG captains armband for the occasion, but there was little room for sentiment once the game kicked off as the visitors silenced the home fans just three minutes in when Rabiot headed home a Gregory van der Wiel cross for his first European goal.PSG were cruising with less than a quarter-hour gone as Di Maria doubled their lead, curling low just inside Johan Wilands right-hand post after he was picked out on the edge of the area by Blaise Matuidi.Norway forward Jo Inge Berget came close to pulling one back, jinking past Van der Wiel after linking up with Markus Rosenberg only to be denied by a fine stop from PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. Ibrahimovic then took centre stage five minutes into the second half, beating Wiland from a tight angle to end an 11-month European goal drought and erase any hopes of a Malmo fightback.The hosts were awarded a penalty on 61 minutes after Nikola Djurdjic was fouled by Maxwell, but Rosenberg smacked his spot-kick against the post.Di Maria notched his second of the evening soon after as Maxwell atoned for his earlier error by finding the unmarked Argentine who headed past a helpless Wiland.That was Di Marias last act as he was immediately replaced by Lucas and it was the Brazilian who capped the rout by curling home a free-kick eight minutes from time.The sell-out crowd at the Malmo New Stadium then rose in unison to applaud their hero as Ibrahimovic made way for Jean-Kevin Augustin late on.

Football: Man United made to wait after PSV stalemate

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - Louis van Gaals Manchester United squandered an opportunity to reach the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to PSV Eindhoven.On a night when Old Trafford marked 10 years since the death of United legend George Best, the hosts saw plenty of the ball but created few genuine chances, with Jesse Lingard hoisting their clearest opportunity over the bar mid-way through the second period.Coupled with Wolfsburgs 2-0 win at CSKA Moscow, the result -- Uniteds first goalless home draw in the competition since September 2010 -- left Van Gaals men needing to win their final Group B game at Wolfsburg on December 8 to be certain of a place in the knockout phase.The result is disappointing because I have still the feeling that we could have finished this game several times, said United manager Van Gaal.Thats disappointing because we have to win in Wolfsburg and thats also a difficult game. We have to do it in Wolfsburg.The stalemate curtailed a run of three straight wins for United, who will go into Saturdays table-topping clash with surprise Premier League leaders Leicester City facing renewed questions about their attacking edge.Phillip Cocus PSV have now taken four points from United, having beaten them 2-1 in September, and will approach their final assignment at home to CSKA two points behind group leaders Wolfsburg and one below United in third place.Its a great opportunity, said Cocu, who played under Van Gaal with Barcelona and the Netherlands.Im happy with the result. It was a great team performance, but were not there yet.The home fans marked the anniversary of Bests death in the seventh minute -- a nod to his favoured shirt number -- by illuminating their smartphone screens and holding them aloft, creating an impromptu light show in the shadow of the floodlights.Best-style swagger has been conspicuously absent from Uniteds football this season, but they were quick to assert their authority, with Bastian Schweinsteiger and PSV old boy Memphis Depay testing Jeroen Zoet.With Anthony Martial returning from injury to line up alongside Depay and Lingard, United had pace to burn in attack, while Wayne Rooney was also back after missing Saturdays 2-1 win at Watford through illness.Lingard was unable to gather a pass from Rooney that was dummied by Martial and Zoet had to field the ball from just in front of his goal-line when Morgan Schneiderlin stabbed Daley Blinds corner towards goal.Two good chances fell to Martial, but he saw a toed effort kicked away by Zoet after Lingards shot had been deflected into his path and was also thwarted by the visiting goalkeeper in first-half stoppage time.Zoet almost met with calamity when he accidentally kicked the ground as he looked to send the ball downfield with Rooney lurking, but he recovered to put the ball out for a throw-in.The visitors lost Luciano Narsingh to injury in the 18th minute, Gaston Pereiro coming on, but they probed where possible on the break, with David de Gea making routine saves from Jorrit Hendrix and Davy Propper.Within four minutes of kick-off in the second half United had threatened three times -- Schneiderlin and Lingard heading off-target, Depay shooting meekly at Zoet -- but still a goal eluded them.Shortly before the hour, Van Gaal turned to Plan B, introducing Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young in place of Schweinsteiger and Depay.But sloppiness crept into Uniteds play and Propper twice tested De Geas handling from range before Lingard spurned the best chance of the night in the 73rd minute.Youngs deflected cut-back from the byline on the right bounced invitingly into the youngsters path, but from 12 yards and with the goal at his mercy he swept his shot over the bar.We are not ruthless enough, admitted United skipper Rooney. We have to change these games into victories.

Tennis: Betting company to sponsor Davis Cup, Fed Cup

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PARIS (AFP) - The International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Wednesday defended its decision to sign up one of the worlds top online betting companies to sponsor its flagship Davis Cup and Fed Cup events.Betway was introduced as an international sponsor at last weeks Fed Cup final in Prague.The companys sponsorship of both the mens and womens team competitions will continue for three years until 2018.All elements of the new partnership are fully compliant with the rules and interpretations of the tennis anti-corruption programme, an ITF statement said.ITF president David Haggerty was also quick to reassure fans that the sports welfare was in good hands.The ITF welcomes Betway to our family of sponsors, said Haggerty. Betway is a well-respected international betting brand. The ITF and Betway share the mission to keep the sport of tennis clean.

Boxing: Fury serenades Klitschko in latest stunt

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DUSSELDORF (AFP) - Having previously dressed as Batman for a press conference, Tyson Fury employed more theatrics on Wednesday by turning to song in the latest round of mind-games with Wladimir Klitschko.World heavyweight champion Klitschko will defend his IBF, WBA and IBO titles against British challenger Fury in Dusseldorf on Saturday.Fury, 27, ran into a press conference last September dressed as Batman, then called Klitschko a joker to his face, but he grabbed the microphone for his latest stunt.At a training event for the press at Dusseldorf airport, the 2.06m (6ft 9in) Fury seized the chance to show off his singing ability.He adapted the lyrics of the Bette Midler song Wing Beneath My Wings to include the words Ill be the one with the belts.I was impressed, said Klitschko. If it was down to singing, Id have no chance. But things look different when it comes to boxing.This is not the first time Fury has showed off his vocal prowess, having sung the same song when he beat Kevin Johnson of the USA in Belfast in December 2012.He also sang a different song in the ring after beating US boxer Steve Cunningham in New York in April 2013.Rob Stewart will sing before Saturdays heavyweight bout in Dusseldorf and Fury wants to seek out the Scottish crooner for a duet if he beats Klitschko.I will enchant the fans, perhaps with a duet with Rod Stewart, he told SID, an AFP subsidiary.

Hollande urges Germany to do more in IS fight

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PARIS (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday urged Germany to do more in the fight against Islamic State jihadists after he held talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel following the Paris attacks.Hollande met his closest EU partner during a week of intense but so far faltering efforts by France to build a coalition to crush IS in its fiefdom in Iraq and Syria.Hollande said he hoped Germany can do even more in the fight against Daesh in Syria and Iraq, using another term for IS, which claimed responsibility for the carnage in the French capital.Merkel said in response she would act swiftly to see how Germany could take up additional responsibilities to assist in the fight against terror.We will be stronger than the terror, she said.In one step in that effort, Germany said Wednesday it would send 650 soldiers to Mali to provide some relief to French forces battling jihadists in the west African nation.Earlier, Merkel and Hollande each laid a pink rose on the growing pile of tributes in Place de la Republique, the Paris square that has become a rallying point after the shootings and bombings that killed 130 people on November 13.Having received few firm commitments from President Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday, Hollande will take his plea for a counter-IS alliance to President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday.Hollande and Merkel said they hoped tensions would calm between Russia and Turkey -- two potential components of the anti-IS alliance -- which fell out over the downing of a Russian warplane at the Turkish-Syrian border.One of the Russian pilots insisted Wednesday that the Turks gave no prior warning before launching the missile which brought down the plane on the Syrian border on Tuesday.Russia accused Turkey of a planned provocation, but pledged it would not go to war over the issue.The French parliament meanwhile gave overwhelming support for French air strikes on IS targets in Iraq and Syria to continue.Prime Minister Manuel Valls told lawmakers: There is no alternative, we must annihilate Daesh.French jets are taking off from its Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in the eastern Mediterranean to bomb the jihadists.Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said all 27 of Frances EU partners would help Frances efforts to strike at IS in some way.British leader David Cameron will on Thursday set out the case for his country to join air strikes, but he requires parliamentary approval.Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov threw his weight behind the French presidents proposal to close off the Syria-Turkey border to prevent the flow of jihadist fighters crossing the frontier. The border is considered the main crossing point for foreign fighters seeking to join IS. I think this is a good proposal and tomorrow President Hollande will talk to us in greater detail about it. We would be ready to seriously consider the necessary measures for this, Lavrov said in Moscow.While Hollande is trying to persuade the US and Russia to work more closely together to strike at the jihadists, Obama was cool on the idea on Tuesday.The US president said the problem Washington faced was Russias focus on propping up (Syrian President) Assad rather than focusing on ISIL, using another acronym for IS.As France prepared for a national day of mourning for its dead on Friday, Obama sought to reassure Americans traveling home for Thanksgiving that they face no credible and immediate terror threat and that his government was taking every possible step to keep our homeland safe.

Obama signs bill making Gitmo closure tougher

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Away from public view, US President Barack Obama signed a defense bill Wednesday barbed with measures designed to undo his bid to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay.In a terse statement, the White House said Obama has signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016, along with several other pieces of legislation.Obamas signature significantly lengthens the odds that he will be able to close Guantanamo before leaving office in early 2017.The $615 billion defense policy bill upholds a ban on transferring prisoners to the United States from the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.In a separate written statement, Obama said he was deeply disappointed that the Congress has again failed to take productive action toward closing the detention facility at Guantanamo.He warned that his administration views some of the curbs on prisoner transfers as potentially unconstitutional.Along with transfers to foreign countries, moving the most dangerous prisoners to a specialized facility in the United States is at the heart of the White House strategy to close Guantanamo.Obama came to office in 2009 vowing to shutter the facility, which opened under his predecessor George W. Bush to hold terror suspects after the September 11, 2001 attacks and became notorious for harsh interrogation techniques.Maintaining this site, year after year, is not consistent with our interests as a nation and undermines our standing in the world, Obama said.Obama has seen his efforts repeatedly thwarted by Congress.In the latest setback, the White House has asked the Pentagon to look again at a master plan to close the facility.Whenever those measures are published, they are sure to face resistance from the Republican-controlled Congress.But Obama has so far been unwilling to commit to closing the facility by executive order, a move that would likely spark a political firestorm and multiple lawsuits.It is long past time for the Congress to lift the restrictions it has imposed and to work with my administration to responsibly and safely close the facility, bringing this chapter of our history to a close, Obama said.The NDAA also notably includes a ban on torture during interrogations, a measure aimed at ending brutal techniques that were used on terror suspects following 9/11.The provision was co-authored by Republican Senator John McCain, who was tortured in Vietnam where he was a prisoner of war.Enactment of this legislation ensures the United States will never again violate its laws or moral code by using torture, said Senator Dianne Feinstein, the Intelligence Committees top Democrat who wrote the provision with McCain.Feinstein said the CIAs use of torture after 9/11 was used as a recruitment tool by terrorists.We must learn from our mistakes so we dont repeat them, she added.

MSF hospital strike was 'human error': US general

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KABUL (AFP) - A deadly air strike on a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital was caused primarily by human error, the US commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday, prompting a strong rebuke from the charity who slammed American forces for gross negligence.The October 3 air raid on the French charitys hospital during a Taliban offensive in the northern city of Kunduz killed at least 30 people, forcing the facility to close and sparking an avalanche of global condemnation.The tragic but avoidable accident (was) caused primarily by human error, General John Campbell told reporters at NATO headquarters in Kabul, adding that those most closely associated with the incident had been suspended from their duties.He blamed in part fatigue of US troops who had been battling a Taliban offensive in Kunduz for five days, adding that the mistake was compounded by process and equipment failures. Responding to the release of the investigation, MSF general director Christopher Stokes strongly condemned the actions of the US forces.The frightening catalogue of errors outlined today illustrates gross negligence on the part of US forces and violations of the rules of war, Stokes said.Campbell described how a Special Operations AC-130 gunship aircraft hit the hospital instead of a nearby Afghan intelligence compound that was thought to have been commandeered by Taliban fighters during their brief capture of the northern provincial capital.Those who requested and executed the strike did not undertake appropriate measures to verify that the facility was a legitimate military target, he said.Some of those involved in the attacks failed to follow the rules of engagement, said Brigadier General Wilson Shoffner at the same press conference. Shoffner refused to say if the US probe would be followed by an additional independent international investigation, which MSF has repeatedly called for.Stokes reiterated the charitys position, saying the investigation leaves more questions than answers and the attack cannot only be dismissed as individual human error or breaches of the US rules of engagement.The strike began at 2:08 am local time, Campbell said, and at 2:20 am MSF phoned the US military to report they were under attack.It took the headquarters and the US special operations commander until 2:37 am to realise the fatal mistake. At that time, the AC-130 had already ceased firing. The strike lasted for approximately 29 minutes, he added.The gunships electronic systems had malfunctioned, he said, cutting off much of its communications, and the aircraft had diverted from its path believing it had been targeted by a missile, degrading the accuracy of certain target systems.This meant that when the crew entered the coordinates they were directed to an open field some 300 metres (feet) from the intended target. The investigating officer found that the air crew visually located the closest, largest building near the open field which we now know was the MSF trauma centre, Campbell said.The hospital appeared similar to the description provided of the intended target, and at night the crew was unable to identify any signs of the hospitals protected status.We have learned from this terrible incident, said Campbell. We will also take administrative and disciplinary action, he said, adding that those involved would face standard military justice.US forces will offer their assistance to MSF in rebuilding the hospital, the only trauma centre in the region, he said.The timeline given by Campbell differed in parts from MSFs own account of the attack, which the charity has said lasted for around an hour.In an internal review released earlier this month, MSF detailed frantic efforts by its staff to reach US and NATO officials to halt the strike.According to that report, by 2.37 am -- when Campbell said US officials had realised the mistake -- four phone calls had been made by MSF representatives in Kabul and New York to NATO, the Red Cross, a UN military liaison, and the US defence department.The calls continued after Campbell said the gunship had stopped firing, with one message at 2.56 am insisting that the airstrikes stop and informing that we suspected heavy casualties, according to the MSF account.In the days after the attack the US military offered a series of shifting explanations before President Barack Obama admitted in a call to MSF chief Joanne Liu that it had been a mistake and apologised.A NATO statement released hours after the attack did not confirm the hospital was targeted, characterising it instead as collateral damage as Afghan forces came under fire.The next day the US confirmed the hospital was hit directly but did not offer further details. Later General Campbell suggested that Afghan forces had called in the strike, before offering a fourth account admitting US special forces had been in touch with the aircraft.NATO and the Afghan army are conducting their own investigations.

Fierce battle for control of Yemen's Taez province

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ADEN (AFP) - Fierce fighting raged Wednesday between Yemeni pro-government forces and Iran-backed rebels for control of a region near a key shipping channel at the mouth of the Red Sea, military sources said.Sixteen rebels and eight loyalist fighters have been killed in 24 hours of clashes in the Dhubab area of the southwestern province of Taez near the Bab al-Mandab strait, they said.Government forces backed by air and ground support from a Saudi-led coalition last week launched a major offensive aimed at driving the Huthi Shiite insurgents out of Taez.They have faced strong resistance from the rebels, who seized the capital Sanaa in September 2014 before sweeping southwards, forcing President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia.Pro-government forces have retaken five provinces from the rebels since July.But underscoring the challenge facing the loyalists, rebel forces managed to retake the region of Najd Qassim, on the road between Dhubab and Taez, from loyalists, the military sources said.Forces loyal to Hadi also struggled to advance on Rahida, Taezs second-largest city which is in the hands of the Huthis and seen as crucial to recapturing the province, they added.The Saudi-led coalition launched an air campaign in March to push back the rebels.More than 5,700 people have been killed in the fighting while 82 percent of the population -- 21 million people -- are in urgent need of aid.Tribal sources accused the coalition of killing four civilians, including a child, by mistake on Wednesday in an air raid that struck a house in a village between the provinces of Shabwa and Baida.The coalition says it does not target civilians and has previously denied accusations it bombed two weddings in Yemen as well as a hospital run by the medical charity MSF.Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said in a joint statement Wednesday that the coalition had used a British-made cruise missile to destroy a Yemeni ceramics factory in Sanaa province in September.It said the strike, using a British missile supplied in the 1990s, killed one person and was in apparent violation of international humanitarian law, the laws of war.The UK should suspend further sales of aerial munitions to coalition members pending a thorough investigation into this case, and other apparently unlawful air strikes, said HRWs David Mepham.

Flooding brings Qatar to near standstill

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DOHA (AFP) - Qatar was hit by more than a years worth of rain in several hours, while in neighbouring Saudi Arabia one person was killed during flooding Wednesday.Roads in Doha were blocked as overnight rain made many near impassable for commuters.Schools and malls closed as the rain even forced the US embassy in Qatar to shut down.Worst hit seemed to be the area around Dohas Hamad International Airport, where almost 80 millimetres of rain fell, according to the Qatar Meteorology Department, causing reports on social media of leaks at the estimated $17 billion (16 billion euro) building, which opened just last year.However, Hamad International said that flights were operating normally, despite the weather conditions.The World Bank calculates that Qatar receives, on average, 74 millimetres of rain each year.The US embassy said that the weather had forced it to shut on Wednesday and the offices would not open again until next week.Due to inclement weather, the US Embassy in Qatar will be closed today, it said on Twitter.The interior ministry pleaded for drivers to take care in the rainy conditions.Ashgal, the public works authority, denied rumours that the rain had caused structural problems at a major Doha intersection.Football World Cup 2022 host Qatar is well-known for its fierce summer temperatures, which will force the tournament to be played instead in November and December.Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, schools were closed for a second day as rain continued to fall on Riyadh, flooding some streets and forcing drivers to abandon their cars.About 10 cars were submerged under about two metres (more than six feet) of water in a highway underpass in the Labban district on the capitals western outskirts, an AFP photographer reported.Workers were trying to drain the floodwaters into tanker trucks as a light rain fell from gloomy skies.The Civil Defence agency reported that 72 vehicles had been rescued in the Riyadh region with their occupants unharmed.One person died in Rimah, northeast of the city, the agency said.Roads in the city centre were unaffected, although traffic moved along the main King Fahad Road even more slowly than usual.Some side streets were partly flooded elsewhere in the desert city of 5.7 million, which is dry and sunny for most of the year.Other parts of the kingdom have also been soaked this week.At least eight people died in flooding last week in the Medina and Jeddah areas of western Saudi Arabia.

Lahore: 4 terrorists killed in encounter with police

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – According to details, police conducted a raid at a compound of terrorists in Malik Park area of Badami Bagh in Lahore on Wednesday on the information gained from a terrorist, Haroon Bhatti, who was arrested from Dubai. Upon seeing police the terrorists opened fire at the raiding party. Police returned the fire as a result four terrorists were killed. Three police officials were also wounded in the exchange of fire.Police sources said that Haroon Bhati was also killed by firing of terrorists. Those who died in the encounter were identified as Haroon Bhati, Umair Nadeem, Nauman and Umar.Police sources further said that 10 hand grenades, two SMG rifles and other ammunition was also recovered from the dead terrorists.Police also launched a search operation in the adjoining area after the encounter. All the entry and exit points of the area were sealed before the search operation.

MQM to hold protest against raids and arrest of workers

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has announced to hold a peaceful protest demonstration today (Thursday) against arrest of workers and raids at its offices in Karachi.The decision was taken at emergency meetings of the MQM’s Coordination Committee simultaneously held in London and Pakistan.The MQM sources said that that it is their legal right to launch a peaceful protest. The protest demonstration will be staged in front of the Rangers Headquarters at 2:00pm.Also Read: Over 100 workers arrested in 4 days, MQM claimsEarlier, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Wednesday claimed Rangers’ raid on its offices in Korangi 2.5 Number and Sultanabad resulted in arrests of over 100 workers in span of past 4 days.Reportedly, Rangers raided MQM’s Korangi 2.5 Number office and had taken at least 10 workers into custody from the Sector Office. Those arrested have been transferred to an undisclosed location.The sources said that a raid was made also at the Sultanabad office of the party where 6 suspected persons were taken into custody. The MQM has said that Sector Incharge Wasim Shama, Asghar Yaqub and other key workers have been taken into custody.MQM termed it a conspiracy to stop the party from running the election campaign. The sources said that MQM leader Farooq Sattar contacted the Rangers officials and expressed reservations on the arrests.
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