Tuesday 15 December 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Retired Pennetta hints at Rio return, minus Fognini

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MILAN (AFP) - US Open champion Flavia Pennetta could delay retirement from tennis by playing at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but says she wont risk partnering boyfriend Fabio Fognini in the mixed doubles.Pennetta defeated Roberta Vinci earlier this year in the first ever all-Italian Grand Slam final to claim the biggest win of her career, and then announced her retirement from the sport. The 33-year-old right-hander supposedly ended her career two months ago with defeat to Maria Sharapova at the WTA Finals in Singapore.But although she has been enjoying some time off in recent months, Pennetta hinted at participating at next summers Olympics.Right now Im taking some time for myself, and if the desire to play returns then I will always have time to go back on my decision, Pennetta said on the fringes of an Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) awards ceremony on Tuesday.Im not setting any time limits, whether I go to Rio or not depends on how I feel. At the top level, if youre not in the mood to compete the younger players will walk all over you.But Pennetta, who won an Australian Open doubles title partnering Argentinas Gisela Dulko in 2011, said she would put her relationship with Fognini at risk if they teamed up in Rio.With Fabio, its best to keep things in the private sphere, she said. When you mix certain things together you risk breaking them up sooner than expected.Pennetta, who turned professional in 2000, has 11 singles and 17 doubles titles to her name.

Golf: McIlroy named European Tour player of year

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LONDON (AFP) - World number three Rory McIlroy was on Tuesday named the European Tour Golfer of the year for the third time in the last four seasons.The Northern Irishman, 26, is only the seventh player in European Tour history to be crowned European number one in consecutive campaigns.He takes the award after winning three times in 2015, at the Dubai Desert Classic, the WGC-Cadillac Match Play and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai last month.The latter prize allowed him to successfully defend his Race to Dubai crown -- an honour he also claimed for a third time since 2012.It is a huge honour for me to be named European Tour Golfer of the Year again, McIlroy, who missed five weeks of the summer with an ankle injury sustained playing football, told europeantour.com.I feel very proud to have won this prestigious award for the third time -- it is always special, no matter how often, to be recognised this way.After a good first half to the season, the injury was obviously a setback for me, so to finish the year strongly with my second victory in Dubai -- plus picking up The Race to Dubai title again -- was very satisfying.McIlroy was unable to add to his four Major triumphs in 2015, coming closest with a fourth-place finish at the Masters.He then came tied ninth at the US Open before injury prevented him from defending his title at the British Open and he finished 17th at the PGA Championship in August.

Football: Blatter slams FIFA ethics committee days before appearance

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GENEVA (AFP) - Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Tuesday questioned the credibility of FIFAs ethics committee, days before he will appear before the panel in a bid to clear his name.Blatter made the comments in a letter to FIFAs 209-member associations, which the Swiss national sent in a private capacity amid his suspension over corruption allegations. The manner in which the investigatory chamber of the ethics committee communicates in the ongoing investigation, calling for the maximum penalty and reinforcing public prejudice, introduces a tendentious and dangerous dimension, Blatter wrote. He described the ethics investigation as an inquisition, a comparison he has made multiple times in recent weeks. His spokesman Klaus Stoehlker separately told AFP that Blatter was referring to comments made by the spokesman for the ethics committees investigatory chamber, Andreas Bantel. Bantel told the French newspaper LEquipe that Blatters punishment would be the equivalent of a life ban because he is already 79, comments that some saw as violating the presumption of innocence as they came before a verdict was delivered. The ethics committee, which suspended Blatter and UEFA boss Michel Platini in October, is partly probing a $2.0 million payment Blatter authorised to Platini in 2011, reportedly for work done a decade earlier.Both men insist the payment was legitimate and part of an oral contract between Platini and world footballs governing body. Blatter is due to appear before ethics judges at FIFAs headquarters in Zurich on Thursday. I will continue to fight for my rights -- and at the end of this week I will defend my point of view in front of the judgement chamber with conviction and a firm belief in justice, he wrote. In past years, Blatter has sent out the letter in his capacity as FIFAs president, a position he has held since 1998.FIFAs in-house ethics court is expected to issue its verdict on both Blatter and Platini early next week.

Football: Inter cruise, Alessandria produce more Cup shocks

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MILAN (AFP) - Serie A leaders Inter Milan cruised into the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup Monday with a 3-0 win over Cagliari as third division Alessandria claimed another top flight scalp on their way to the last eight.Rodrigo Palacios close-range tap-in opened the scoring on 24 minutes for Roberto Mancinis league leaders against Serie B side Cagliari, who despite ousting Sassuolo in the last round were outplayed for long periods at the San Siro.Marcelo Brozovic had scored a superb long-distance effort in Inters 4-0 win at Udinese on Saturday and hit another in the 71st minute to leave keeper Alessio Cragno rooted to the spot.Ivan Perisic came off the bench in the latter stages and completed the scoring with a fine individual effort of his own nine minutes from time.A fortnight after ending Palermos interest in the competition with a shock 3-2 win in Sicily, Alessandria stopped Genoas progress thanks to Riccardo Bocalons 113th minute winner in the second period of injury time gave the third division club a 2-1 win over the Serie A strugglers.Inter will now meet the winner of Napoli v Verona, played on Wednesday when defending Cup champions Juventus host city rivals Torino.Alessandria will meet Roma if they overcome Spezia on Wednesday afternoon at the Stadio Olimpico, with fellow Serie A title hopefuls Fiorentina in action later at home to Carpi.On Thursday Lazio, last seasons beaten finalists, host Udinese and AC Milan are away to Sampdoria.

Children should be taught that Islam negates terrorism: PM Nawaz

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif Tuesday stated that children should be taught that Islamic teachings negate terrorism. The PM’s statement comes as one year passes since the ruthless, devastating attack on Army Public School, Peshawar that left hundreds of children martyred.In a tribute to those who lost their lives in the deadly attack, PM Nawaz has advised that all federal educational institutes should commemorate the national tragedy by observing “APS Martyrs Day”. Nawaz stated that the sacrifice of the martyrs will never be forgotten. He further added that children should be told that the act of taking a life of an innocent will be punished, both in this world and the hereafter.Cheif Minsiter (CM) Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has announced a public holiday on Wednesday in all educational institutes pf Punjab to honor the APS victims. Programs and shows will also be arranged to honour the courageous martyrs.A public holiday will also be observed throughout Sindh province including Karachi after Governor Sindh announced the notification. All private and government schools of Sindh province will remain closed Wednesday. Candles will also be lit in Sindh Assembly in remembrance of the fallen.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) also announced a holiday to be observed in all educational institutes of Peshawar in honour of the APS victims.Meanwhile, Balochistan also followed with a similar announcement.

We salute brave martyrs of APS: Malala Yousafzai

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BIRMINGHAM (Dunya News) – The youthful souls, the brave soldiers and teachers of APS may have been martyred, but they shall never be forgotten. Their sacrifice has seemingly united the world against terrorism. In Birmingham, England, a ceremony was held to honour these courageous individuals. The event was attended by someone who had herself faced the dastardly act of terrorism and now stands firm against it: Malala Yousafzai.Addressing the tribute ceremony, Malala stated that the world salutes the brave martyrs of Army Public School (APS), Peshawar.Malala stated that all political parties of Pakistan should unite against terrorism to ensure its defeat.Malala further added that Operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ may eradicate the terrorism for now, but it will not destroy the master mind. For this reason an ‘Operation Kulm’ (Pen) will also be direly needed.Speaking at the occasion, injured survivor of the deadly attack Ahmed Nawaz stated that 16th December 2014 was the darkest day in the history of Pakistan.

Remembering APS: 1 year passes, nation shows solidarity with martyrs

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – A whole year has passed since the devastating incidence that left hundreds of innocent souls martyred. The wounds of the cowardly attack will never heal, however the nation stands strong expressing solidarity with the victims and survivors of the incident saying the martyrs of this country will never be forgotten. Candle vigils and rallies held by the whole nation commemorating the bravery of those heroic souls were held long into the night, all united against terrorism.A candle vigil was held outside Karachi Press Club in tribute of the victims of the Peshawar attack. Citizens and human right activists lauded the sacrifice of the little souls who lost their lives. Civil Society activists praised the fearless martyrs of APS saying 16th December 2014 was the darkest day in the history of the country. Every eye had tears welling up in them as citizens remembered the children of this nation that they lost. The said these souls were like shining stars in a dark night.In Hyderabad school children expressed solidarity with the parents of the APS martrys with the beautiful message saying We are your children too.Candles were lit throughout the country in tribute. Lahores district administration in collaboration with the civil society held a torch bearing rally from Jinnah Library to Punjab Assembly in honour of the brave martyrs. Cricket stars Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir also participated in the event. Candle vigils were also lit throughout the city of flowers, Peshawar in remembrance with citizens expressing that they will never forget the sacrifice of the innocent.In Multan’s Garrison Park, Core Commander Lieutenant General Ashfaq Nadeem paid his respects to the sacrifice of the little martyrs by lighting candles.Faisalabad‘s citizens also took to the streets in support of the APS victims. The citizens challenged terrorists and said those who took these innocent lives were cowards. The citizens expressed unity in face of terrorism and said that these extremists will lose for sure. Candles were lit in Iqbal stadium as an expression of unity.

Malala condemns Trump's 'ideology of hatred'

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BIRMINGHAM (AFP) - Nobel prize winner Malala Yousafzai condemned Donald Trumps views on Muslims on Tuesday, at a sombre ceremony to remember the 134 children killed in a Taliban attack on a Pakistani school a year ago.Well, thats really tragic that you hear these comments which are full of hatred, full of this ideology of being discriminative towards others, Malala told AFP, in response to recent comments by the US Republican presidential candidate.Trump has been heavily criticised for calling for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States after a Muslim husband and wife killed 14 people in a shooting rampage in California, an incident classified as a terrorist act.Speaking at the ceremony in the city of Birmingham, central England, Malalas father Ziauddin Yousafzai also criticised Trumps comments.It will be very unfair, very unjust that we associate 1.6 billion with a few terrorist organisations, he said, referring to the number of Muslims worldwide.The event was organised by peace prize winner Malala and her family, and two survivors of the attack, Ahmad Nawaz, 14, and Mohammed Ibrahim, 13, took part.The massacre saw nine extremists scale the walls of an army-run school in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, lobbing grenades and opening fire on terrified children and teachers.There are these terrorist attacks happening, for example what happened in Paris or what happened in Peshawar a year ago, Malala said, referring to last months Islamic State attack in Paris that killed 130 people.Its not just needed in Pakistan but across the world. If we want to end terrorism we need to bring quality education so we defeat the mindset of terrorism mentality and of hatred.Nawaz, dressed in a traditional shalwar kameez, recounted the horror of the December 16, 2014 Peshawar attack, in which 17 adults were also killed.I saw my teacher burned alive in that incident and the friends with whom I was playing, he told AFP.I was surrounded by the dead bodies of those friends. So it was the horrifying experience of my life and I still have nightmares.Nawaz was shot in the arm. His brother was killed.Ibrahim was in a wheelchair, having been paralysed from the waist down.The Taliban assault dredged up painful memories for Malalas family: she was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012 after she had publicly advocated education for girls.When I was watching all these graphics and all these news on television, my wife was crying, I was crying, Malalas father told AFP.It was unbearable. It was very hard to watch. Our own trauma revived, he said.We dont curse people, its a sin to curse and we never cursed Talibans for attacking our daughter, but I must say we cursed them that day.

Putin, Kerry agree to push ahead with Syria peace process

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MOSCOW (AFP) - The United States and Russia agreed Tuesday to push ahead with Syrian peace talks in New York this week, after intense talks between US Secretary of State John Kerry and President Vladimir Putin.After a three-hour meeting in Moscow between Putin and Kerry, Russia and the United States appeared to be a step closer to each others positions on Syria, though differences remained on the fate of President Bashar al-Assad.We support the idea of convening in New York another meeting of the International Syria Support Group at the ministerial level this Friday, December 18, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks at the Kremlin.Kerry, who said the Moscow talks focused on Syria, counterterrorism and Ukraine, also confirmed the slated meeting would take place. Both he and Lavrov said the negotiations would lead to a UN Security Council resolution to underpin the Syria peace process. We discussed today in great detail the need to accelerate the effort, Washingtons top diplomat said. You cant defeat Daesh without also de-escalating the fight in Syria, he said, using another name to refer to the Islamic State group. Washington and Moscow are the key powers in the peace process, leading talks through the 17-nation International Syria Support Group. After the Kremlin talks Kerry and Lavrov admitted differences remained between the two countries on Assads fate but stressed they would not let them slow the political process.What we have said is that we dont believe that Assad himself has the ability to lead the future Syria, Kerry said.But we focused today not on our differences about what can and cant be done immediately about Assad, we focused on the political process whereby Syrians will be making decisions about the future of Syria.He also said he conveyed to Putin Washingtons concern that some of Russias strikes have hit the moderate opposition in Syria, and not just IS. And Im pleased to say he took that under advisement, Kerry said. In a grim reminder of the pressing need to end the war, a monitoring group said on Tuesday that suspected Russian air strikes on two markets in Syria had killed at least 39 civilians.More than 250,000 people have died since Syrias conflict erupted in March 2011, and millions more have fled their homes.Washington is relying on the Kremlin to drag its ally Assad to the table for talks with his rebel opponents.Also looming over the effort is the threat posed by IS to spread the carnage beyond Syrias borders.Kerry hopes that if the regime and the rebels can agree a truce then they, Russia and a US-led coalition of Western and Arab allies can focus their fire on IS.Lavrov said the two countries agreed to intensify our efforts in counter-terrorism.ISIL, Jabhat Al-Nusra and other terrorist groups are common threats to every one of us and today we reiterated our determination to uproot this evil, he said, referring to IS and Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front. The negotiations had been in jeopardy after Moscow took issue with last weeks unprecedented rebel talks in Saudi Arabia, charging that several terrorist groups had taken part in them. Meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh, the rebels insisted that Russian ally Assad and his aides quit power with the start of the transition period set out by world powers in Vienna last month.Moscow has strongly objected and Kerry said on Tuesday the opposition demand that Assad must go was not official International Syria Support Group policy. With respect to the declarations of the people who came together in Riyadh, that is not the position of the international Syria Support Group, he said. Its a non-starting position, obviously, he said, reiterating that the transition would take place in about a six month period. US officials stress Russia has committed to a political transition to end the war and warn that if it cannot get Assad to the table, the Kremlins own forces will get bogged down in the fighting. Russia has dispatched air and naval forces to Syria to shore up Assads regime, while the United States and its allies are bombing Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq. US-Russia ties have also been strained over Ukraine, but Washington said it would not be drawn into bargaining with Russia over the sanctions it imposed over Moscows interference there. We had a good discussion on Ukraine, Kerry said, adding that when Russia meets the conditions set out in a Western-brokered peace agreement, sanctions can begin to be rolled back.

Fragile Yemen ceasefire teeters as peace talks begin

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ADEN (AFP) - Several attacks rocked a fragile ceasefire in Yemen Tuesday as the warring sides began UN-brokered peace talks in Switzerland, military and medical sources said.The Saudi-led coalition, which launched an air war against Huthi Shiite rebels and their allies in March, said the truce began as scheduled at midday (0900 GMT).But just hours later, rebel artillery and tanks killed seven civilians and wounded 15 in residential areas of the southwester city of Taez, witnesses and medics said.Two loyalists had already been killed in the east and mortar rounds hit government forces in Taez province after the truce took effect, officials said.Rebels later killed 15 loyalist fighters and wounded 20 in the eastern province of Marib, a military source said.The violations came even after rebel military spokesman General Sharaf Luqman welcomed the call for a ceasefire, in a statement on the sabanews.net website.He said he hoped aggressor parties would truly and seriously commit to a halt in fighting. A spokesman for rebel-allied ex-president Ali Abdullah Salehs General Peoples Congress, which is represented in Switzerland, made a similar statement.He urged all parties to commit to a complete and permanent ceasefire, in a statement on the partys almotamar.net website.Previous UN efforts have failed to narrow differences, with ceasefire attempts foiled.Speaking in Switzerland, the UN envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, called the truce a critical first step towards building a lasting peace in the country.He said the peace talks seek to establish a permanent ceasefire and pave the way for a return to a peaceful and orderly political transition.But Farea al-Muslimi, a Yemen expert at the Carnegie Middle East Center, was pessimistic.Even if you had no Al-Qaeda and... no (Islamic State group), there are already too many stakeholders in this war, he told journalists in Washington.There is a complete absence of political legitimacy in Yemen right now; everyone is fighting everyone.Its hard to imagine it will end up soon... Ultimately Yemen has been broken in too many ways. There is so much to be fixed.Before the truce, clashes shook Taez and coalition warplanes bombed rebel positions.Saba news agency later quoted local activists as saying rebels carried out dozens of violations of the ceasefire there since midday.Five mortar rounds targeted pro-Hadi forces in Shuraija, south of Taez and clashes killed two loyalists in the eastern province of Marib, military sources said.A pro-Hadi officer told AFP: We have received orders from our military leadership not to respond to the rebel shelling unless they advance towards us. The coalition has warned that it reserves the right to respond in case of any violation.Hadi has declared his governments intention to have a seven-day truce coincide with the peace talks and to be renewed automatically if the other party commits to it, the coalition said.The truce comes out of keenness to grab any chance to achieve peace, to reduce the suffering of our people in Yemen and to end bloodshed, a presidential statement said.And civilians are anxious to see peace prevail.We demand the warring parties who are in Geneva now offer concessions... because all Yemenis are eager to get Yemen out of this crisis, one Sanaa resident told AFP.A lull in fighting is sorely needed in the Arabian Peninsulas poorest nation, where the UN says an estimated 80 percent of the population requires humanitarian aid.The World Health Organization representative in Yemen, Ahmed Shadoul, said the agency had received assurances from the factions that its staff were free to distribute medical supplies while the truce holds.We have requested unconditional movement of supplies, personnel and teams to all parts of the country and we got the confirmation that this will definitely be granted, Shadoul said in Geneva.More than 5,800 people have been killed in Yemen -- about half of them civilians -- and more than 27,000 wounded since March, according to the UN.Jihadists, including the Islamic State group, have exploited the violence, gaining ground and carrying out deadly attacks against both sides.Ahead of the ceasefire, coalition warplanes bombed rebel positions in Taez and south of Sanaa, witnesses and a military official said.Pro-government forces have also captured the Red Sea island of Zuqar near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, Saudi media reported.Sabanews.net said 10 people were killed and 20 wounded in an air raid early Tuesday on Bani Haddad village in the Haradh area of north Yemen.The warring parties have agreed to talk despite protracted differences, including over a UN Security Council resolution calling 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.

Syria talks to go ahead on Friday in New York: Lavrov, Kerry

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MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia and the United States said that a planned international meeting on the Syrian crisis would take place in New York on Friday, after President Vladimir Putin received US Secretary of State John Kerry.We support the idea of convening in New York another meeting of the International Syria Support Group at the ministerial level this Friday, December 18, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks at the Kremlin.Kerry, whose meeting with Putin lasted for nearly three hours, also confirmed the meeting would take place.Washington and Moscow are the key powers in the process, leading talks through the 17-nation International Syria Support Group.Kerry had come to Moscow on Tuesday not knowing whether Russia would agree that the Syria crisis meeting should take place on Friday in New York.Our meeting focused principally on Syria, counterterrorism and Ukraine, the top US diplomat said. He also said he conveyed to Putin Washingtons concern that some of Russias strikes have hit the moderate opposition in Syria, and not just the Islamic State group.And Im pleased to say he took that under advisement, Kerry said.Both he and Lavrov said the negotiations would lead quickly to a UN Security Council resolution to underpin the Syria peace process.Russia and the United States are sponsors of an international effort to broker a ceasefire and political talks between President Bashar al-Assads regime and the armed opposition.But their positions on Assads eventual fate and on the best tactics to employ against the jihadist IS group differ starkly, threatening to stymie the process.On the Syrian settlement we were focusing on intensifying our efforts in counter-terrorism, Lavrov said. ISIL, Jabhat Al-Nusra and other terrorist groups are common threats to every one of us and today we reiterated our determination to uproot this evil, he said, referring to the IS and Al-Nusra Front jihadist groups.Earlier Tuesday, Kerry called Lavrov the co-convenor of the talks and thanked him for his efforts to lead us up now hopefully to getting to New York and building on the progress thats been made.But the negotiations had been in jeopardy after Moscow took issue with last weeks unprecedented rebel talks in Saudi Arabia, charging that several terrorist groups had taken part in them.US-Russia ties have also been strained over the crisis in Ukraine, but the US side said it would not be drawn into bargaining with Russia over the sanctions it imposed over Moscows interference there.We had a good discussion on Ukraine, Kerry said, adding that when Russia meets the conditions set out in a Western-brokered peace agreement, sanctions can begin to be rolled back.

US defence chief urges more anti-IS action from Turkey

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ANKARA (AFP) - US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter on Tuesday visited the Turkish air base near Syria that has become a key hub for American-led air raids against Islamic State jihadists, urging Ankara to play a more active role in the coalition.Turkey earlier this year allowed US forces to use the Incirlik base outside the southern city of Adana for bombing raids against IS targets in Syria. The Turkish air force later also joined the campaign, making a handful of officially-announced air strikes, although it is unclear so far what impact its involvement has made.Turkey has an enormous role to play and... we appreciate what theyre doing. We want them to do more, Carter told reporters while travelling to Incirlik, in a statement released by the Pentagon.He said Turkey could do even more beyond its role of hosting the coalition forces at Incirlik and should also ensure full control of the border with Syria.We want Turkish forces to join in the air and the ground and as appropriate, Carter said, without giving further details.He also said Washington wanted to see Gulf counties in the coalition -- which include Saudi Arabia and Qatar -- to do more.As in the case of all the coalition partners, were giving them some specific ideas.A US diplomatic source said the main goal of Carters visit was to meet US soldiers to thank them for their contribution to the air campaign. There was no plan for Carter to visit Ankara for political talks. Gaining the use of Incirlik, which lies just 160 kilometres (100 miles) from the Syrian border, was a huge boost to the US campaign against IS, which had relied on air bases at a far greater distance.The US source said Incirlik had now become a major allied hub of activity. Together over the past month, we have achieved the highest operational tempo against ISIL since the start of the air campaign in August 2014, said the source, using a different acronym for IS.IS is no longer advancing on the battlefield and that is due in large part to the coalitions comprehensive military campaign that pressures them from the air and on the ground.President Barack Obama said on Monday the US and its allies were hitting IS harder than ever and warned the extremists leaders: You are next.Turkeys Western allies had in the past accused Ankara of not doing enough to fight IS and even on occasion collaborating with the group, allegations Turkish officials vehemently denied.

39 dead in suspected Russia raids on two Syria markets: monitor

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BEIRUT (AFP) - At least 39 civilians were killed Tuesday in suspected Russian air strikes on two markets in northern Syria, a monitoring group said.The raids killed 16 civilians at a market for fuel in Maarat al-Naasan, a village in Idlib province, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Another 23 civilians, including five women, were killed after strikes on a village held by the Islamic State group in the northern Aleppo province.Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP four IS jihadists were also killed in those raids on the village of Maskana, which hit a market as well. Both tolls were likely to rise as many people were critically wounded, the Britain-based monitor said. The Observatory relies on a network of sources on the ground to collect its information, and identifies aircraft based on their flight patterns and munitions used.Russia began its air war in Syria on September 30, conducting air strikes against a range of anti-regime armed groups including US-backed rebels and jihadist groups.Moscow has said it is fighting and other terrorist groups, but its campaign has come under fire by Western officials who accuse the Kremlin of seeking to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. IS has swept across eastern parts of Aleppo province from its bastion in Raqa, fighting both non-jihadist rebels and regime troops along the way.But the northwestern province of Idlib is controlled by the fiercely anti-IS Army of Conquest alliance, led by jihadist rival Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front.More than 250,000 people have died since Syrias conflict erupted in March 2011, and millions have fled their homes in the war-torn country.

30 dead in Boko Haram attack on three Nigeria villages: vigilante

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KANO (AFP) - Brutal attacks on three villages by Boko Haram Islamists in the restive northeast of Nigeria have left 30 dead and 20 others wounded, a vigilante told AFP.Most of the victims were slaughtered and most of the wounded (had suffered) machete cuts, Mustapha Karimbe, a civilian helping the Nigerian military fight Boko Haram, said of Saturdays attacks in the villages of Warwara, Mangari and Bura-Shika in Borno state.News of the attacks was slow to emerge due to poor communication as a result of the destruction of telecom masts in the area in previous Boko Haram raids.The Islamists invaded the villages, hacking and slaughtering their victims before setting the villages on fire.The villages are near Buratai, the hometown of Nigerias highest military chief Tukur Yusuf Buratai.Warwara, where 20 people were killed, was the worst killed, said Musa Suleiman, another vigilante.The attackers killed six people in Bura-Shika and another four in Mangari, he said.Residents of the villages fled to Biu, 30 kilometres (19 miles) away.Buratai and nearby villages have recently been the targets of deadly raids by Boko Haram, which have left scores dead and entire villages looted and burnt down.Residents believe the attacks are in response to the pressure that the army chief is exerting on Boko Haram in counter-insurgency military operations.On Thursday Boko Haram insurgents killed 14 people -- decapitating some of them -- when they raided Kamuya village, the hometown of the army chiefs mother, and burnt it down.

Ceremony honoring martyrs of Peshawar attack to be held today in APS

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PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – The main ceremony honouring martyrs of the 16th December 2014 Peshawar attack will be held today (Wednesday) as one year passes by since the deadly attack. The ceremony will be held in the area where the devastating incident took place: Army Public School. The commemoration will be attended by the political and military leadership of the country. Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Shareef, Chief Ministers of all 4 provinces and families and relatives of the martyrs will take part in the honorary tribute.The event will be held in remembrance of the innocent victims who lost their lives. The ceremony will commemorate the heroic bravery of these martyred souls.The tribute is scheduled to start at 8:45 AM. PM Nawaz has announced that all federal schools will observe ‘APS Day’ to mark the sacrifices of the martyrs while an official holiday has been declared in Peshawar, Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh.The second major ceremony to salute the courage of the survivors will be held in Archives Hall in Peshawar. This event will be attended by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s chairman (PTI) Imran Khan, Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervaiz Khattak, parents of the martyrs and those who survive the heart wrenching incident.Various NGO’s have also scheduled to hold rallies throughout the country in solidarity with the survivors and those who lost their lives.
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