Monday 14 December 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Pietersen lets rip at Qantas 'muppets'

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SYDNEY (AFP) - England exile Kevin Pietersen has let rip at Australian carrier Qantas, calling them muppets after he was refused entry to an airline lounge for wearing flip flops.The star batsman was fuming after the incident as he travelled to Australia to play for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League after his Dolphins side lost in the final of South Africas Twenty20 competition on Saturday.I suggest you tell Platinum, First Class fliers that they not allowed in your lounges with flip flops before they fly, @Qantas Muppets, he tweeted to his 2.88 million followers.And BTW, @Qantas Thongs (flip flops) are an institution in this great country GET A GRIP Tired, jet lagged & just wanted to chill Muppets.Qantas tightened dress code rules for entry to lounges earlier this year saying a survey of business travellers overwhelmingly supported the move.@KP24. It must have been disappointing Kevin. Changes from earlier this year. Hope to welcome you back again soon, Qantas tweeted in response.An airline spokesman told AFP Tuesday that we reached out to members early in 2015 to remind them of the dress standards and had a grace period up until April this year.We completely understand that being declined at the door isnt a great experience, so this is a good opportunity to remind those wanting to use our capital city lounges of the dress code that applies, he added.Despite his fury with Qantas, Pietersen said he was happy to be back in Australia.Anyway, its soooooo cool being back in Aus I know so many wonderful people here Cant wait to see you all over the next month, he said.The Twenty20 Big Bash League starts on Thursday.

British astronaut swaps family Christmas for space mission

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BAIKONUR (AFP) - Astronaut Timothy Peake, set to become the first Briton to travel to the International Space Station, said on the eve of his departure that he would look down on Earth at Christmas time and think of his family -- hopefully while tucking into some Christmas pudding himself.The former army major -- a European Space Agency flight engineer -- is blasting off from Baikonur in Kazakstan on Tuesday with two American and Russian colleagues for a 171-day mission at the orbiting research outpost. Weve been so busy focusing on this mission I forgot that Christmas is just a week away, Peake told reporters at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur on Monday.Well be enjoying the fantastic view of planet Earth and our thoughts will be with everyone on Earth enjoying Christmas and with our friends and family.The 43-year-old added that he would be able to call his relatives from space to wish them a merry Christmas.I also heard that a Christmas pudding went up on orbital four so we will have treats as well, Peake said to laughter in the press room.The experienced air pilot will become only the eighth Briton to enter the cosmos after Tuesdays rocket launch, which is scheduled for around 1100 GMT.He has vowed to take part in the London marathon from space on April 24, harnessed to a running machine on the ISS some 400 kilometres (250 miles) above Earth. His fellow crew members, Russian space veteran Yuri Malenchenko and NASAs Tim Kopra, have already spent 641 and 58 days in space respectively.The trio will join up with the three astronauts already at the ISS -- Scott Kelly of NASA and Russians Sergei Volkov and Mikhail Kornienko.Three other astronauts -- NASAs Kjell Lindgren, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko -- returned to Earth on Friday in a rare nighttime landing.The ISS space laboratory has been orbiting the Earth at roughly 28,000 kilometres per hour since 1998.Space travel has been one of the few areas of international cooperation between Russia and the West that has not been wrecked by the Ukraine crisis.

Serena named Sportsperson of 2015 by Sports Illustrated

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Serena Williams, who owned the tennis world this year even as she battled illness and injury, was named sportsperson of 2015 on Monday by Sports Illustrated.The magazine said it was honoring the 34-year-old icon both for her positively stunning numbers and her pluck in achieving what it called one of the greatest late-career runs in the history of any sport.Williams won three major titles, triumphed in 53 of the 56 matches she played and ranked number one for every week of the season for the second straight year.And for six weeks this season, Williams had twice as many ranking points as the world number two player. Sports Illustrated said this was a first in the 40-year history of the WTA rankings.But those stats mask a year that was all internal discord and quelled revolts; Williams battled her body like never before, Sports Illustrated said.To wit: a cough and cold that had her vomiting during a match at the Australian Open, which she won anyway; bone bruises in both knees -- the residue of 20 years of pounding -- a right elbow strain and nasty flu at the French Open (again, she won).In a powerful statement against racism, Williams also returned to play a tournament at Indian Wells, California, for the first time since 2001. That year she was greeted with boos and her family says she even endured racial slurs.Williams called that return her greatest moment in tennis.Serena has made a very strong case as not only the greatest tennis player of her generation but of all time, and after the string of performances she put together in 2015, she is one of the most dominant athletes playing today, Sports Illustrated Group Editor Paul Fichtenbaum said.This year was spectacular, Williams said of her latest accolade.For Sports Illustrated to recognize my hard work, dedication and sheer determination with this award gives me hope to continue on and do better. As I always say, it takes a village - not just one person. This is not just an accomplishment for me, but for my whole team and all my fans. I am beyond honored, she said, according to Sports Illustrated.

Football: More misery for Mourinho as Leicester reclaim top spot

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LEICESTER (AFP) - Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez fired Leicester back to the top of the Premier League and extended Chelseas miserable season with a 2-1 victory on Monday that heaped renewed pressure on Jose Mourinho.Mahrez created Vardys 15th goal of the season with a wonderful cross on 34 minutes.Then the Algeria winger scored superbly on 48 minutes to take his own tally to 12 and double the Foxes lead as their fairytale season continued.Claudio Ranieris side have lost just once all season and, although Chelsea substitute Loic Remy got one back in the closing stages, the hosts held on for a win that put them two points clear of second-placed Arsenal and condemned beleaguered Blues boss Mourinho to a ninth defeat in 16 league games.Mourinhos men remarkably sit just one point above the relegation zone and, a week after their shock home loss to Bournemouth, inevitably there will be more speculation that the Portuguese coach faces the sack.To add to Mourinhos problems, Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard limped down the tunnel looking frustrated after his manager had asked him to continue following an injury.In contrast, Vardys amazing season continued as the England striker netted just one game after his record-breaking run of 11 successive league matches with a goal came to an end.Leicester started brightly and Mahrez tricked his way past Cesar Azpilicueta early on to create a shooting chance.He side-stepped John Terry on the edge of the area but his effort gave Thibaut Courtois a comfortable save.There was another scare for the reigning champions when Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois dropped an inswinging free-kick by Christian Fuchs, but Robert Huth could not react quickly enough to pounce on the loose ball.Then Leicester captain Wes Morgan had to make a brave block from a shot by Hazard after Chelsea caught the home side napping in defence.Leicester suffered a blow when influential midfielder Danny Drinkwater was forced to limp off on 17 minutes to be replaced by Andy King, but the hosts continued to make the running.Mahrez tried his luck again from the edge of the box in the 19th minute after Chelsea struggled to clear a long throw-in by Fuchs, but again the Algerians shot was straight at Courtois.The visitors then suffered an injury setback of their own when Hazard went down after colliding with both Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa.The Belgian returned to the field under instruction from Mourinho, but turned and headed down the tunnel just a few seconds later, signalling that he could not play on.That came on 31 minutes and Leicester led just three minutes later as their two most valuable players combined.Mahrez crossed from the right and Vardy crept between Terry and Kurt Zouma before volleying past Courtois.Marc Albrighton was the next to test Courtois with a long-range effort which the keeper grasped gratefully.But Mahrez doubled Leicesters lead three minutes into the second half with a moment of brilliance.He collected Albrightons curling, crossfield pass and wrong-footed Azpilicueta with some wonderful footwork before bending a sublime shot past Courtois into the far corner from 12 yards.Chelsea finally began to apply sustained pressure around the hour-mark and Leicester defender Danny Simpson had to make a crucial double-block in the goalmouth to deny Diego Costa and Pedro.Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel made a superb save with his legs to deny Costa in a one-on-one before Fuchs made a timely goal-line clearance from a corner to deny Branislav Ivanovic.Chelsea maintained the pressure on the home goal and finally reduced the deficit with 13 minutes remaining.Pedro burst down the left and crossed for fellow substitute Remy to head home, but it was too little too late as Leicester pushed Mourinho a step closer to the axe.

Football: Late Zukanovic strike denies Lazio precious win

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ROME (AFP) - Bosnian Ervin Zukanovic stole a point for Sampdoria with virtually the last kick of the match in a 1-1 draw at Lazio on Monday.Earlier, substitute Alessandro Matri looked to have grabbed a match-winner for Lazio, who like Samp have now gone seven games without a win.On-loan Matri struck 12 minutes from time, heading home Stefan Radus cross after good work from Felipe Anderson in midfield.But a crucial deviation from a free-kick off Felipe Andersons head allowed Zukanovic to score three minutes into time added on at the end of the game.Lazio, a group of whose fans dumped manure at the clubs training centre on Friday in protest at their poor form, moved up one place to 12th with the point, while Samp remain 16th.Matris goal came only 12 minutes after the AC Milan loanee entered the fray to replace German Miroslav Klose.It was a rare moment of quality in a match notable for the two sides visible fear of losing that made for a dull and drab affair with few chances, particularly in the first period.Sampdoria had a great chance to take the lead midway through the second half but Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti denied Antonio Cassano one-on-one.Just before Matris goal, Samp had another clear chance but Luis Muriels fierce strike from distance whistled just past the far post.

Football: Barca draw Arsenal in Champions League last 16

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NYON (AFP) - European champions Barcelona will go up against English Premier League leaders Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 after they were thrown together in Mondays draw.French heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain were drawn against 2012 winners Chelsea for the third straight season, while Bayern Munich will meet last years finalists Juventus.The draw, carried out at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, also saw record 10-time winners Real Madrid matched up against Roma, while Manchester City will meet Ukrainians Dynamo Kiev for a place in the quarter-finals.Barcelona representative Albert Soler said the title-holders had plenty of respect for the Gunners, who the Spaniards beat 2-1 in the 2006 Champions League final in Paris.Both teams have a similar understanding of football, so I think we will have two great games and we hope to get the better results, Soler told beIN Sport Spain.As always, we have respect for the opponnent. Arsenal are a great team and I am sure we will have difficulties against them.Bayern captain Philipp Lahm admitted the Bundesliga leaders had stumbled upon a tricky last-16 opponent in Juve but remained confident of progressing.Its a European classic. Juve were runners-up last season which represents a major challenge, but we want to reach the quarters and will do everything we can.Former Real Madrid and Spain star Emilio Butragueno, now a club director with the La Liga giants, admitted the draw could have been worse for Rafael Benitezs side.We could have got more difficult opponents, but also easier opponents. Roma are a competitive team with internationally recognised players, said Butragueno. We all know what it means to face Real Madrid in this kind of tie, so they will be very motivated and we need to respond to our expectations. The remaining ties featured two-time runners-up Atletico Madrid taking on 1988 champions PSV Eindhoven with twice former winners Benfica up against Zenit St Petersburg. Wolfsburg, who dumped out Manchester United to reach the knockout phase for the first time, will meet competition debutants Gent.The first legs will be played on February 16-17 and and 23-24 with the return matches scheduled to take place on March 8-9 and 15-16.

Lahore: 8 death row convicts hanged in various cities

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Eight death row prisoners were hanged on early Tuesday morning in the jails of Attock, Bahawalpur, Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Gujrat while execution of six convicts was postponed. The dead bodies of the prisoners were handed over to their families.According to details, death row convict Zahid was executed in District Jail Attock. Zahid was guilty of killing a man in 2005 during a robbery attempt.Two death row prisoners were hanged in Central Jail Multan. Prisoner Manzoor Hussain had killed a man some 14 years ago while death row prisoner Malik Tahir had killed a man over an old enmity.Two more death row convicts were executed in the New Central Jail Bahawalpur. Prisoner Akhtar Ali was hanged for killing a woman in 2002 during a robbery attempt while Aziz-ur-Rehman was hanged for murdering three people in 2002.Also Read: 4 death row convicts hanged in various citiesA murderer named Muhammad Iqbal was sent to the gallows in the Central Jail Dera Ghazi Khan. Iqbal had killed a man named Manzoor Hussain in 2001.Two more killers were executed in District Jail Gujrat. Death row prisoners Azam and Iftekhar were hanged for murdering a man in 2004.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lifted a six-year moratorium on death penalty on December 17, 2014 for those convicted for terrorism a day after the deadly attack on Army Public School in Peshawar that left 150 persons including mostly children dead. There are more than 8,000 prisoners on death row in the country.

India only set to discuss Pakistan-controlled Kashmir: diplomat

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ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Indias representative to Pakistan said Monday his country was only prepared to discuss the part of Kashmir controlled by Islamabad in upcoming peace talks, presenting a potential stumbling block days after the dialogue was announced.High commissioner T.C.A. Raghavan made the remarks about the disputed territory during a lecture in the Pakistani capital, after a breakthrough visit by Indias foreign minister at which the resumption of ministerial talks was announced.According to a joint statement, the two sides will talk about peace and security as well as territorial disputes including Kashmir. Each country occupies part of the territory but claims it in full.Since independence from Britain in 1947 they have fought two wars over Kashmir.Asked where the room for negotiation lay over the Himalayan territory, Raghavan said it was India which first petitioned the United Nations to intervene when the-then princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was invaded by Pakistani forces in 1947.The first application was moved by India and it was on the grounds that a part of the state, which had acceded to India, is now under the illegal occupation of the Pakistan army.So when you say what is it that India is going to discuss or what is it discussing, it is really, if you ask most Indians, and what is our position -- it is the part of that state which is still under the control of Pakistan.The remarks could create a diplomatic wrinkle for the two countries as they seek to go back to the negotiation table to undertake broad-spectrum talks for the first time since the election of prime ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif.Badar Alam, editor of Pakistans political Herald magazine, said: I think it is a step back, adding that Kashmir was viewed internationally as a disputed territory.He added that given the fragile state of the dialogue, officials on both sides needed to tread very cautiously and very carefully to avoid a backlash.New Delhi suspended all talks after Islamist gunmen attacked the Indian city of Mumbai in November 2008, killing 166 people. The attacks were later found to have been planned from Pakistan.

Quetta: Security forces thwart terrorist plot by defusing bombs

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QUETTA (Dunya News) – A danger of massive proportions was averted in Quetta after security forces thwarted terrorists’ plots by defusing two bombs. One alleged suspect was also taken into custody during the operation and has been shifted to an undisclosed location.Security forces raided a house in Hazar Gunji area and recovered 5kgs of explosive material. Another separate bomb was recovered from a rail track little distance away from Quetta’s railway station near Sariab railway crossing. The 5kg explosive material was then defused. Terrorists wanted to target Jaffar Express bound for Rawalpindi.

Karachi: Fire in towel factory extinguished after 2 hours

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – A raging fire in a towel manufacturing factory in Bhangoria Goth, Azizabad area of Karachi was extinguished in the late hours of Monday night after fire fighters battled with the fire for nearly 2 hours. The blaze caused extensive damage said to be in millions.The flames started on the 3rd floor of the building. Upon notifying, the Fire Brigade started a rescue operation. Extinguishing proved to be a tough challenge due to the narrow streets and the intensity of the inferno rose considerably.12 vehicles of the Fire Brigade took part in the rescue operation as the flames were put out after 2 hours of intensive battles with the flames. Station Officer Arif stated that an individual was rescued from the fire in semi-conscious condition.It is pertinent to mention here that this is the second incidence of factory fire in the same area, the previous case being a cardboard manufacturing facility. Goods, worth millions of rupees turned to ash in the fire as fire fighters finally extinguished the blaze.Pakistan suffers from a poor standard of safety measures for fires and natural disasters, with little or no implementation of safety rules in such facilities which has, on more than one occasion, led to heavy casualties.Read More:Fire engulfs cardboard manufacturing factory in Karachi

Saudi Arabia announces 34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism

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DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced the formation of a 34-state Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism, according to a joint statement published on state news agency SPA.The countries here mentioned have decided on the formation of a military alliance led by Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism, with a joint operations center based in Riyadh to coordinate and support military operations, the statement said.A long list of Arab countries such as Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, together with Islamic countries Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan and Gulf Arab and African states were mentioned.The announcement cited a duty to protect the Islamic nation from the evils of all terrorist groups and organizations whatever their sect and name which wreak death and corruption on earth and aim to terrorize the innocent.Iran, Saudi Arabias arch rival for influence in the Arab world, was absent from the states named as participants, as proxy conflicts between the two regional powers rage from Syria to Yemen.The United States has been increasingly outspoken about its view that Gulf Arab states should do more to aid the military campaign against the Islamic State militant group based in Iraq and Syria.In a rare press conference, 30-year-old crown prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman told reporters on Tuesday that the campaign would coordinate efforts to fight terrorism in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan, but offered few concrete indications of how military efforts might proceed.There will be international coordination with major powers and international organizations ... in terms of operations in Syria and Iraq. We cant undertake these operations without coordinating with legitimacy in this place and the international community, bin Salman said without elaborating.Asked if the new alliance would focus just on Islamic State, bin Salman said it would confront not only that group but any terrorist organization that appears in front of us.Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab neighbors have been locked in nine months of warfare with Iran-allied rebels in neighboring Yemen, launching hundreds of air strikes there.Especially after a rash of attacks on Western targets claimed by Islamic State in recent months, the United States has increasingly said it thinks that firepower would better be used against IS.As a ceasefire is set to take hold in Yemen on Tuesday alongside United Nations-backed peace talks, Riyadhs announcement may signal a desire to shift its attention back toward the conflicts north of its borders.Islamic State has pledged to overthrow the monarchies of the Gulf and have mounted a series of attacks on Shiite Muslim mosques and security forces in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia announces 34-state military alliance to fight terrorism

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DUBAI (Agencies) - Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced the formation of a 34-state Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism, according to a joint statement published on state news agency SPA.The countries here mentioned have decided on the formation of a military alliance led by Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism, with a joint operations center based in Riyadh to coordinate and support military operations, the statement said.Besides Saudi Arabia, the alliance includes Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Turkey, Chad, Togo, Tunisia, Djibouti, Senegal, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Somalia, Guinea, the Palestinian National Authority, the Union of the Comoros, Cote d Ivoire, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Yemen.The announcement cited a duty to protect the Islamic nation from the evils of all terrorist groups and organizations whatever their sect and name which wreak death and corruption on earth and aim to terrorize the innocent.Iran, Saudi Arabias arch rival for influence in the Arab world, was absent from the states named as participants, as proxy conflicts between the two regional powers rage from Syria to Yemen.The United States has been increasingly outspoken about its view that Gulf Arab states should do more to aid the military campaign against the Islamic State militant group based in Iraq and Syria. In a rare press conference, 30-year-old crown prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman told reporters on Tuesday that the campaign would coordinate efforts to fight terrorism in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan, but offered few concrete indications of how military efforts might proceed.There will be international coordination with major powers and international organizations ... in terms of operations in Syria and Iraq. We cant undertake these operations without coordinating with legitimacy in this place and the international community, bin Salman said without elaborating.Asked if the new alliance would focus just on Islamic State, bin Salman said it would confront not only that group but any terrorist organization that appears in front of us.Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab neighbors have been locked in nine months of warfare with Iran-allied rebels in neighboring Yemen, launching hundreds of air strikes there.Especially after a rash of attacks on Western targets claimed by Islamic State in recent months, the United States has increasingly said it thinks that firepower would better be used against IS.As a ceasefire is set to take hold in Yemen on Tuesday alongside United Nations-backed peace talks, Riyadhs announcement may signal a desire to shift its attention back toward the conflicts north of its borders.Islamic State has pledged to overthrow the monarchies of the Gulf and have mounted a series of attacks on Shiite Muslim mosques and security forces in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Yemen truce to begin Tuesday along with Swiss talks

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ADEN (AFP) - The Saudi-led coalition said Monday that a ceasefire in Yemen will begin the following morning instead of at midnight as earlier announced, as warring parties prepared for UN-brokered peace talks in Switzerland.The coalition which launched an air campaign against Iran-backed rebels in March said the ceasefire will begin at 0900 GMT following a request by Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, but it warned that it reserves the right to respond in case of any violation.Hadi has declared his governments intention to have a 7-day truce to coincide with talks opening in Switzerland and to be renewed automatically if the other party commits to it, the statement said.The truce announcement came as the Arab coalition said a senior Saudi commander and an Emirati officer were killed during operations in Yemen.A lull in fighting is sorely needed in the Arabian Peninsulas poorest nation, where an estimated 80 percent of the population requires humanitarian aid.Jihadists, including the Islamic State group, have exploited the violence, gaining ground and carrying out deadly attacks against both sides of the conflict.The rebel forces have yet to say if they will abide by the ceasefire agreement.Mueen Abdulmalek, a member of the coalition-backed governments delegation at peace talks, earlier told AFP that the ceasefire will start at midnight local time (2100 GMT).We hope the militias will commit to the ceasefire this time, he said, referring to the rebels. A presidency official confirmed the truce was agreed by Hadi and Yemens UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.Yemens conflict has pitted local forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition fighting in support of Hadis government against the Shiite Huthis and renegade troops still loyal to wealthy ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh.Previous UN efforts have failed to narrow differences, and past ceasefires were broken.Ahead of the ceasefire, Saudi Colonel Abdullah al-Sahyan and Emirati officer Sultan al-Kitbi died while supervising operations to liberate the southwestern Taez province, the coalition said.Yemens presidency described them as martyrs who died in an honourable battle in a statement that also praised the coalitions role in supporting Yemens legitimate authority in regaining control of state institutions. A Yemeni military source said they were killed when rebels fired a rocket at a coastal road in Taez, which overlooks the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait through which much of the worlds maritime traffic passes.Fierce fighting between the rebels and pro-Hadi forces continued on Monday in the southern Daleh province, witnesses said.Coalition warplanes bombed late Monday rebel position south of Sanaa, witnesses said.Both pro-Hadi forces and insurgent groups have traded barbs over each sides willingness to stick to the truce.And there has been no word from Saleh or his General Peoples Congress party, which is represented at the Switzerland talks. The warring sides have agreed to talks despite protracted differences, including over UN Security Council Resolution 2216, which calls for rebels to withdraw from key cities and surrender their weapons.The government and its Gulf allies say the resolution is a prerequisite for peace.According to the UN envoy, talks will focus on four main areas, including the terms of a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of armed groups from areas they control.The Huthis, who have long complained of marginalisation, seized government headquarters in Sanaa in September 2014, several months after advancing from their northern stronghold of Saada.They later encroached on second city Aden, forcing Hadi into exile in Saudi Arabia.In November, Hadi returned to Aden and declared it his provisional capital.Under cover of coalition warplanes and backed by Arab soldiers and heavy weaponry, pro-government forces have recaptured five southern provinces, including Aden, since July.The United Nations says more than 5,800 people have been killed in Yemen, about half of them civilians, and more than 27,000 wounded since March.

Obama warns Islamic State leaders 'you are next'

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama voiced fresh determination to destroy the Islamic State Monday, vowing to kill the groups leaders and win back territory in the Middle East. Sounding a notably more strident tone, Obama said that the United States and its allies were taking the fight to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.We are hitting ISIL harder than ever, said Obama, in a second address following the seemingly Islamic State-influenced attack in San Bernardino that has raised questions about his strategy.As we squeeze its heart, well make it harder for ISIL to pump its terror and propaganda to the rest of the world, Obama insisted at the Pentagon, after meeting with top military and national security advisors.Listing eight Islamic State figures killed in coalition operations, Obama issued a stern warning.ISIL leaders cannot hide and our next message to them is simple: You are next.Obama said that US special forces were now in Syria and were helping local groups squeeze the Islamic States proclaimed capital at Raqqa.Meanwhile, he said, Iraqi forces were moving to take Ramadi encircle Fallujah and cut off ISILs supply routes into Mosul.From the air, Obama said the United States and its allies had begun targeting oil infrastructure, destroying hundreds of their tanker trucks, wells and refineries.Since the summer, ISIL has not had a single successful major offensive operation on the ground in either Syria or Iraq, Obama said.Even before the December 2 attack by a Muslim husband and wife in California killed 14 people, polls showed that more than 60 percent of Americans disapproved of the way Obama is handling the Islamic State and the broader terror threat.That is a major shift since Obamas first term in the White House, when he was hailed for authorizing a high-risk special forces raid that killed Osama bin Laden.But like his primetime Oval Office address a week ago, Obama on Monday offered no shift in policy, admitting: We recognize that progress needs to keep coming faster.Obama has advocated a multipronged strategy of airstrikes, special forces operations, financial sanctions and diplomacy aimed at making Syria less chaotic.Obama -- with the failures of occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan seared into his political psyche -- has steadfastly ruled out deploying large numbers of infantry troops.Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush said Obamas remarks were further evidence of a half-hearted strategy.Were only hitting ISIS harder than ever he said, because we havent been hitting them very hard.

Kerry in Paris for allies' meeting on Syria

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PARIS (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry held meetings with allies in Paris on Monday over the Syria crisis ahead of possible wider talks in New York later this week.Kerry met with his counterparts from France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Turkey, the French foreign ministry said.He then headed towards Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.Mondays talks in Paris involved preparations for a planned meeting in New York on Friday with Russia and Iran -- the two main backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Kerry also met in Paris with his counterpart from Syrias neighbour Jordan, which is tasked with drawing up a list of terrorist groups that will be excluded from the negotiation process.The New York talks are not yet confirmed, but could lead to a UN resolution, a French diplomatic source told AFP.We want to move fast on negotiations and fix a framework with a UN Security Council resolution, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.The last major talks in Vienna on November 14 saw the opposing powers agree on a fixed calendar for a ceasefire in Syria, followed by a transitional government in six months and elections one year later. Syrian opposition figures said the plan was unrealistic, but they are tentatively scheduled to meet with Assads regime in Vienna in early January. An unprecedented two-day gathering last week in Saudi Arabia sought to create a united opposition bloc for the peace talks, and yielded an agreement to negotiate with Assads regime. There was some progress, even unexpected for most of us. The agreement on some principles by the opposition is encouraging for the Vienna process, which is the only alternative to end five years of war in Syria, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.But the opposition bloc has insisted that Assad step down at the start of any political transition -- which has been rejected by the Syrian president and his allies.The next step is to appoint a delegation of around 15 opposition figures to meet with the regime, the French diplomatic source said. The opposition bloc is set to pick leaders this Friday, who will in turn choose the members of the delegation. Riad Hijab, a former prime minister who defected from the Syrian regime, and former opposition leader Ahmad Jarba have been floated as possible presidents of the opposition bloc.Meanwhile, the Syrian government has shown no change in its behaviour on the ground, the diplomatic source added, and its Russian and Iranian allies have done little to pressure Assad into negotiations.Nevertheless, we are starting to see that Tehran does not want to seen as the saboteur of the Vienna process, the diplomat said.
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