Saturday 19 December 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

District police also receives power for 90-day custody of suspects

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KARACHI (Dunya News) — After Counter Terrorism Department, district police Sunday engaged in battle against terrorism has also received the power to hold suspects in custody for 90 days; however, permission from the Interior Ministry will be required, sources stated.According to the sources, Operations police has also decided on setting up a sub-jail near Razaqabad Police Training Centre. Land has been designated for establishing the sub-jail.High officials of the police department also visited the site for the sub-jail.The decison to grant these powers to police comes afterChief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Sunday approved the extension of Rangers’ exclusive policing powers by 60 days. According the Spokesperson for CM Sindh, Rangers will be able to take action against terrorism, sectarian murders, target killings, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.The special policing powers will not include the right to raid government offices and interrogation of officers hwoever. Rangers will have to take special permission from CM Sindh in order to conduct such actions.

Three women linked to Al-Qaeda, Islamic State arrested in Karachi

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Three women identified as Tehmeena, Uzma and Seema with links to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) were arrested Sunday from various areas of Karachi. Contact of the women with terrorists and facilitators of the Safoora incident has also been confirmed.According to sources, the arrested women had links with Al-Qaeda as far back as 1996. The women were running 2 educational institutes in the city.Arrested suspect Seema had provided workers of outlawed organizations with Rs. 5 lac after the Safoora incident.The arrested females also played a significant part in hiding the operatives of these banned organizations. The female facilitators of terrorists had even setup a network in the city.The female network is being run by wives of the Safoora incident suspects.Also Read:Female supporters of ISIS active in KarachiThe wife of Khalid Yousaf who got arrested early today (Saturday) is running a so called educational institute which does not have any office but she has a network of more than 20 women from wealthy families.These women brainwash young girls, provide funds for IS and also arrange wives for the terrorists of IS. The wife of Khalid Yousaf also distributes a USB stick containing videos of IS terrorists in order to brainwash the young girls.

Indonesia searches for boat adrift with 118 onboard: reports

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JAKARTA (AFP) - Indonesian search and rescue teams were seeking to reach a stricken ferry carrying more than 100 passengers Sunday, local media said, after the boat was cast adrift in rough seas off Sulawesi island.Rescuers were being hampered from reaching the ferry due to strong winds and high waves, with larger ships being enlisted to help navigate the choppy waters, local authorities told media outlet Republika.Other reports dismissed earlier suggestions the boat had sunk, with local officials quoted saying it was adrift after running into trouble during a storm.Earlier, transport ministry spokesman J.A. Barata confirmed the ferry, carrying 118 passengers including 19 children, had an accident as a result of large waves 4 to 5 metres high.A fast boat capable of negotiating the rough seas was en route, he added.The ferry left Kolaka in southeast Sulawesi on Saturday morning bound for Siwa in the islands west when it sent out a distress signal near its destination.Local officials told AFP that authorities lost contact with the ferry when it encountered large waves, and a search and rescue mission was launched.There had been warnings about extreme weather in the area in the days leading up to the accident, Barata said.There have been no reports of casualties. There were 89 adults, 19 children and 10 crew aboard the stricken vessel, according to the transport ministry.The Indonesian archipelago of more than 17,000 islands is heavily dependent on ferry services but the industry has a poor safety record and fatal accidents are common.

CM Sindh approves extension of Rangers' powers by 60 days

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Sunday approved the extension of Rangers’ exclusive policing powers by 60 days. According the Spokesperson for CM Sindh, Rangers will be able to take action against terrorism, sectarian murders, target killings, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.The extension of 2 months was approved after a resolution pertaining to the special powers of Rangers was approved by the Sindh Assembly. The resolution however has limited the power of Rangers.Sources say that the extension was to be for 120 days but Sindh government only approved the extension for 60 days.The special policing powers will not include the right to raid government offices and interrogation of officers. Rangers will have to ask a special permission from CM Sindh in order to conduct such actions.According to the Spokesperson, the extension in Rangers powers was provided on 6th of December.

Football: Fans jeer as Chelsea earn post-Mourinho win

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LONDON (AFP) - Chelseas fans turned on their own players and chanted support for ex-manager Jose Mourinho as his successor Guus Hiddink watched them ease to a 3-1 win over Sunderland.Mourinho was sacked on Thursday and Dutchman Hiddink re-appointed to reprise his role as interim manager a couple of hours before Saturdays Premier League match kicked off.But Chelseas fans were far from happy, regularly chanting in support of the Portuguese, and not a single seated supporter could be spotted when they sang Stand up for the Special OneThey had booed the names of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa when they were read out on the tannoy prior to the game, singling the Spain pair out as bearing responsibility for Mourinhos demise.One banner read You let Jose down, you let us down, and after Branislav Ivanovic and Pedro Rodriguez had put Chelsea 2-0 up inside 13 minutes, there was a deafening chant of: Where were you when we were shit?Nevertheless, Chelsea produced arguably their best performance of the season against a Sunderland side struggling in the bottom three.The hosts added a third goal in the second half through Oscars penalty before Fabio Borini pulled one back.With caretaker Steve Holland taking charge of the team while Hiddink watched from the stands along with former Chelsea favourite Didier Drogba, the home side needed only five minutes to take the lead.Ivanovics header from Willians corner gave him his first goal of the campaign and just eight minutes later, Chelsea scored their second.They were helped by a defensive error from Yann MVila, who failed to clear Ivanovics cross, and Pedro capitalised to beat Costel Pantilimon for his first goal since September.Sunderland flickerChelsea continued to attack, with Willian seeing an effort deflected wide, and after Sunderlands Sebastian Coates had gone off to be replaced by Adam Johnson, Oscar was denied a third by a fine Pantilimon save.Sam Allardyces side were not helping themselves, another defensive mistake from captain John OShea letting in Costa, who shot wide. The Spanish forward then headed off-target from Oscars cross.Chelseas confidence was slowly returning and Pedro saw a shot deflected into the arms of Pantilimon just before the break.Borini was sent on for Ola Toivonen for the visitors at the break, but the game was up in the 50th minute when Pantilimon brought Willian down in the area. Oscar coolly slotted home the spot-kick.The chants for Mourinho continued, but Sunderland pulled one back two minutes later as Borini tucked home after Thibault Courtois had failed to gather Younes Kabouls header from Patrick van Aanholts free-kick.For the first time in the game, Sunderland had some momentum and Jermain Defoe and Borini both missed the target, producing mumblings of discontent from the Stamford Bridge faithful.The visitors were much improved, with Defoe driving wide again after Duncan Watmore had headed down Pantilimons long ball.But Chelsea continued to attack as well, Oscar finding the side-netting from Willians pass and Pedro miskicking from Ivanovics cross.Despite the result, Fabregas was booed by a section of fans as John Mikel Obi came on in his place and Costa also met with a few jeers when he gave way for Loic Remy.The impressive Willian was denied again by Pantilimon and Pedro missed a glorious chance after being freed by Willian, while Thibaut Courtois thwarted Defoe at the other end after Nemanja Matic had given the ball away.

Clinton, Sanders to debate amid data breach scandal

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will take on rival Bernie Sanders at the third Democratic debate late Saturday, amid accusations that a data breach was carried out by his camp.The Democratic National Committee (DNC) temporarily suspended the Sanders campaigns access to a key voter database after at least one of its staffers took advantage of a computer glitch to peek at Clinton voter data.The debate, which also includes former Maryland governor Martin OMalley -- who polls far behind his two rivals -- will be held at 8:00 pm (0100 GMT Sunday) in Manchester, New Hampshire.Hosted by television network ABC, the occasion marks the first debate since the deadly attacks on San Bernardino, California, which killed 14 people.National security and foreign affairs are expected to dominate the evening -- both of which are weak points for Sanders, who is more comfortable talking about economic inequality and financial abuse, topics that are the cornerstones of his campaign.Before the data breach the week had gone well for Sanders, who broke a record by reaching two million mostly small donations. No Democratic or Republican presidential candidate has ever received so many contributions at this stage in the race.Clinton, who has raised much more money than Sanders, has depended on large checks from big donors.Sanders on Thursday also received his biggest labor endorsement to date from the 700,000 member Communications Workers of America (CWA).But with security taking center stage at the debate, Clinton benefits from the four years she spent as US secretary of state (2009-2013).Clinton reassured voters in a speech at Minneapolis on Tuesday that she would destroy the Islamic State group but not launch a ground war in the Middle East. She also highlighted the differences with her Republican foes, notably front runner Donald Trump and his incendiary statements.Sanders, however, is likely remind viewers of Clintons 2002 vote when she was New York senator authorizing president George W. Bushs use of military force in Iraq.Data breachIn national polls among Democrats, Sanders has 31 percent support, a number that has remained constant since early November. Clintons support in the mid-50s.Those poll numbers made the DNCs temporary ban on the Sanders campaigns use of the voter database seem like it would undercut any hopes of scoring an upset over Clinton.The database includes nationwide information on voters, data vital to plan campaign strategy.Sanders filed a 12-page lawsuit against the DNC to regain access to the data on Friday. His campaign also fired a staffer for peeking at Clinton campaign information.DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz said an investigation would continue to make sure that any poached data has been erased.We are pleased that the Sanders campaign has agreed to submit to an independent audit to determine the full extent of the intrusion its staff carried out earlier this week, Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon said in a statement.The Sanders campaign said that the DNCs move to block its access amounted to favoritism for Clinton.There are some people in (the DNC) who are clearly trying to help the Clinton campaign, Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver said on MSNBC Friday.Weaver suggested further favoritism when pointed out that the DNC has scheduled few debates for the party candidates, and most of the debates were scheduled for the weekend, when viewership is low and any risk to Clinton can be minimized.Data and IT are uncomfortable topics for Clinton, who was the center of an uproar after it was revealed that she used a personal email account while serving as secretary of state.Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri told CNN Saturday that her candidate did not intend to spend much time discussing the data breach.Clinton has put forward a lot of plans in terms of how were going to deal with ISIS, keep the country safe, Palmieri said, using an acronym for the IS group.The data breach was very intentional, targeted. These people knew what they were doing, Palmieri said.

White House urges Rwanda's Kagame to respect term limits

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WASHINGTON, Dec 19, 2015 (AFP) - The White House on Saturday urged Rwandas President Paul Kagame to respect existing limits on his term in office, after a voters in a national referendum approved sweeping them aside.The United States is disappointed that a referendum was called on short notice to amend the Rwandan constitution and introduce exceptions to term limits, a White House statement said.While we commend the people of Rwanda for peacefully exercising their civic rights, we regret that the arrangements for the referendum failed to provide sufficient time and opportunity for political debate on the merits of the proposed provisions.Election officials citing national referendum results said Rwandans had overwhelmingly voted to change the constitution to allow Kagame, 58, to potentially rule until 2034.But the White House said any move to prolong his hold on power would be to the detriment of Kagames legacy.President Kagame, who in many ways has strengthened and developed Rwanda, now has an historic opportunity to enshrine his legacy by honoring his commitments to respect the term limits set when he entered office, the statement said.By doing so, President Kagame would establish a credible foundation for democracy in Rwanda, reinforce the substantial progress that has been achieved towards sustained peace and prosperity for all Rwandans, and set a laudable example not only for Rwanda, but for the region and the world.The statement added that Washington is also concerned about other areas where democratic freedoms have been abridged in Rwanda.The United States continues to be concerned by long-standing restrictions on peaceful assembly, association, and free expression in Rwanda, the White House said.We urge the government of Rwanda to enable the full and unfettered exercise of these fundamental freedoms as the country moves toward local elections in 2016, presidential elections in 2017, and parliamentary elections in 2018.Kagame has run Rwanda since his ethnic Tutsi rebel army, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), ended a 1994 genocide by extremists from the Hutu majority, when an estimated 800,000 people were massacred, the vast majority of them Tutsis.

Bitcoin's 'blockchain' tech may transform banking

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The technology that drives the shadowy cryptocurrency bitcoin is drawing interest from the established banking industry, which sees a potential to revolutionize the sector.Although bitcoin and related virtual currencies are limited to a small set of transactions and are often associated with the underground economy, the so-called blockchain technology is gaining currency in the financial world.A blockchain is essentially a shared, encrypted ledger that cannot be manipulated, offering promise for secure transactions that allow anyone to get an accurate accounting of money, property or other assets.The blockchain, which is the technology behind the encryption and e-certification, that is a technology which might very well be very useful, said Jamie Dimon, chairman and chief executive of JPMorgan Chase at a conference earlier this year.Leah Gerstner, a vice president for public affairs at American Express, said the financial group made its first investment in a digital currency company called Abra as a way to get a better understanding of blockchain technology and explore its potential.Gerstner told AFP that we believe blockchain technology is playing an important role.The use of blockchain began in 2009 with the introduction of bitcoin and other virtual currencies that are generated by complex chains of interactions among a huge network of computers around the planet, and are not backed by any government or central bank, unlike traditional currencies.The blockchain offers potential to the traditional finance sector due to its ease of transaction with verification from any point on the platform.You can imagine a number of potential use cases for this technology in financial services across both business-to-consumer and business-to-business transactions -- from international money transfers to stored value, Gerstner said.The Linux Foundation recently announced a new collaborative Open Ledger project to advance blockchain technology, teaming with tech firms such as IBM and Intel, stock exchanges and major banks including Wells Fargo and Mitsubishi UFJ.Distributed ledgers are poised to transform a wide range of industries including banking and shipping, among others, said Jim Zemlin, executive director at The Linux Foundation.Transparency, lower costsBlockchain technology could lower the cost for many kinds of consumer cash transfers that now are handled by companies like Western Union and MoneyGram.The banking industry could save $15 billion to $20 billion in transaction costs for international payments by using the technology, according to Banco Santander, which is working on its own virtual currency.A consortium of global banks including Morgan Stanley, HSBC, UBS, Credit Suisse, Barclays, Societe Generale and Commerzbank are working with the finance tech startup R3 to use blockchain technology for a wide range of applications.Others moving forward include Bank of America, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, which is working on its own virtual currency that could cut out intermediaries for settlements between financial institutions.The technology could help facilitate instantaneous, secure financial transfers which now sometimes can take days when moving internationally, according to blockchain backers.This would change the way settlements of securities are traditionally carried out, said Prableen Bajpai, founding director of the India-based research firm FinFix.The use of a cryptographic currency such as the one being developed by Goldman Sachs facilitates rapid, secure and confirmed transactions via network, thereby eliminating the need for a third party, Bajpai said.The results are extremely timely and efficient settlements.Another advantage is that transactions could be made without revealing identities and other information -- which could be important for institutions trying to keep personal data secure from hackers.But a number of issues need to be resolved before virtual currencies and blockchain technology become mainstream.The anonymity of the transactions is something that concerns regulators seeking to crack down on money laundering, and financing of criminal or terrorist activity.New York state, for example, is pressing to require the identification of those engaging in financial transactions.Nonetheless, many see blockchain technology as the wave of the future.Ultimately, blockchain could become a way for those around the world who dont have a bank account to make purchases on the Internet. And that could affect the banks, as well as credit card companies like American Express, MasterCard, and Visa, says Ed Yardeni at Yardeni Research.Blockchain still needs to show that it can grow to the size of Visas or MasterCards networks. But there are certainly many smart folks throwing a lot of money at the technology, which may one day prove disruptive.

Apple to launch Apple Pay in China, take on Alibaba, Tencent

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SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Apple Inc said it will launch its payment service in China as soon as 2016, pitting it against entrenched Chinese rivals Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings.Apple will partner with Chinas main bank card and payment firm UnionPay, a state-controlled consortium that has a monopoly on all yuan payment cards issued and used in the country.UnionPay also plans to tie up with Samsung Electronics Co Ltds payment system, Samsung Pay, the Chinese firm said in a statement on Friday.The move will see Apple Pay also take on Tencents WeChat Payment and Alipay, the crown jewel of ecommerce king Alibabas affiliate Ant Financial, the top player in Chinas fast-growing online payments market.Atlantic Equities analyst James Cordwell expects Apple Pay to take a larger share of the market than Samsung Pay, which was launched earlier this year.I think Samsung Pay depends on Samsung selling devices and I think if anything, Samsung is in retreat in that (Chinese)market. So, I dont see Samsung Pay as a major threat, Cordwell said.The bigger challenge is against Alipay or WePay, which are more platform agnostic and have a strong user base. I see that as the main competitive threat to Apple, he said.Eddy Cue, Apples senior vice president of Internet software and services, said the tie-up with UnionPay and leading local banks would help Apple Pay give Chinese shoppers a convenient, private and secure payment option.China is an extremely important market for Apple, he said.China, the worlds second-largest economy, is one of Apples most important markets for iPhone and tablet sales, but until now the firm has been kept out of its online payments market.Online transactions are booming in China, boosted by the proliferation of hundreds of millions of smartphones that are being used for everything from paying for taxis and meals to buying goods at High Street stores.In July, China proposed regulations to shake up the online payment services sector, where companies which own payment systems can reap huge profits by charging transaction fees.

Yemen's warring sides agree to form ceasefire monitoring committee: source

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GENEVA (AFP) - Negotiators taking part in Yemen peace talks in Switzerland agreed Saturday to create a neutral committee to monitor the countrys crumbling ceasefire even as at least 68 people were killed on the ground, a source close to the talks said.There is an understanding over forming a neutral military committee tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, a source close to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadis government delegation said.The development came after the ceasefire, which took effect on Tuesday and was supposed to last a week, was left in tatters after government forces on Friday seized two towns from rebels and their Saudi-led Arab coalition allies accused the insurgents of escalating the conflict by firing ballistic missiles.As negotiators meeting near the northwestern Swiss city of Biel tried for a fifth day to salvage the ceasefire, at least 68 people were killed in fighting between troops and Shiite rebels in northern Yemen Saturday, military and tribal sources said.The uptick in violence has left the peace talks, scheduled to wrap up with a press conference in Bern Sunday evening, looking increasingly fragile.UN special envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who is mediating the talks, had on Friday already voiced alarm at the widespread ceasefire violations.His office said the negotiating parties in Switzerland had created a coordination and de-escalation committee ... to strengthen adherence to the cessation of hostilities.The negotiators are scrambling to end the spiralling conflict, which has killed more than 5,800 people since March.Little progressBut sources close to both delegations told AFP Saturday afternoon the talks had ended for the day with little progress.A source close to the delegation representing President Hadis government said there had been no agreement on the general framework for the talks and no agreement on the opening of humanitarian corridors.On Thursday, the UN had said that the two sides had agreed to a full and immediate resumption of humanitarian assistance in the flashpoint city of Taez in what the UN envoy had called a major step forward.But a local relief group, the Humanitarian Relief Coalition, said no UN aid had reached the city, accusing rebels of blocking aid delivery to areas where Hadi loyalists were holed up.In a letter submitted by the government delegation to the talks Saturday a lawyer in Taez accused the rebels of confiscating aid sent by the UN World Food Programme.In another move that had been seen as promising, the pro-government forces and rebels completed an exchange of hundreds of prisoners in the southern province of Lahj on Thursday.But the government delegation source told AFP the sides on Saturday had failed to agree any further such moves.There has been no progress in the detainees issue, he said.A member of the delegation representing both the Iran-backed Huthi Shiite rebels and renegade troops still loyal to wealthy ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, told AFP it did not expect any agreement on further prisoner exchanges before a sustainable ceasefire had been decided.Yemens conflict began in September 2014, when the Huthis advanced from their northern strongholds to occupy the capital Sanaa.It has escalated dramatically since Saudi-led air strikes against the rebels began in March, with more than 5,800 killed and more than 27,000 wounded since then, according to the UN.

India court grants bail to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in graft case

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - A New Delhi court granted bail to opposition leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Saturday in a high-profile corruption case that has gripped India, as they accused political rivals of waging a malicious vendetta against them.The mother-son duo, scions of the famous Gandhi-Nehru dynasty, arrived at the capitals Patiala trial court accompanied by ex-premier Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress leaders, underscoring the intensely politicised nature of the case.The Gandhis waved to their supporters outside the court where hundreds of police and paramilitaries stood guard, before entering for a five-minute hearing in which they were granted unconditional bail.This is clearly a case of political vendetta, defence lawyer Kapil Sibal said, adding the case had been adjourned until February 20.The Gandhis were summoned by the court after Subramanian Swamy, a politician from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed a private criminal complaint accusing them of misappropriating property belonging to the now-defunct National Herald newspaper.They fiercely deny Swamys allegations, which they say are evidence of a Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led campaign against their embattled party, struggling since a bitter electoral defeat last year.I have no doubt that the truth will come out. We are well aware of the campaign of attacks and criticism that our political rivals follow, Sonia Gandhi said at a press conference following the hearing.They are targeting us and making full use of the state agencies, she said.The BJP rejects any suggestion it is involved in the case, saying Swamy acted alone and stressing the courts independence.The Gandhis were granted bail on a personal bond of 50,000 rupees ($754) each, their lawyers said, with Sonias daughter Priyanka Gandhi and former defence minister A.K. Antony providing sureties. Three others accused were also granted bail.The Congress party is united in support of (Sonia and Rahul). We will give a determined fight, former premier Singh told reporters.It followed a tumultuous week in Indian politics which saw members of the embattled Congress and their allies throw parliament into chaos several times in protest at the case.The intensifying spat between the main parties looks set to stall the progress of a landmark sales tax reform in parliament.Separately, Modi clashed with Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, head of the anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after federal investigators searched the city administrations headquarters, with Kejriwal branding the premier a psychopath.The AAP in turn caused a storm by accusing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of presiding over financial irregularities when he controlled the capitals cricket association -- a claim he vehemently denies.National HeraldSwamy first filed the case against the Congress bosses in 2001.He accused them of illegally acquiring the now-defunct newspapers assets after buying its publisher through a new private company, Young Indian, using a loan from party funds.He alleged that the Gandhis aimed to grab property worth $332 million owned by the publishing firm, Associated Journals, using fraudulent papers.Both Gandhis are directors of Young Indian, owning a 76-percent stake in it and the remaining shares.Sonia and Rahul were first summoned in the case in June 2014 but refused to appear in court in person, sending their lawyers instead.On December 7 the Delhi High Court turned down a plea by the Gandhis to quash the latest summons and exempt them from appearing in person.The National Herald was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru who went on to become Indias first prime minister.It first published from the northern city of Lucknow in 1938 and played a prominent role promoting nationalist sentiment before Indias independence from Britain in 1947.Sonia Gandhi, widow of Nehrus grandson Rajiv, later became the chief patron of the trust that ran it.But dogged by bad management, poor circulation and falling revenue, she finally decided to close the publication in 2008.

Turkey announces troop withdrawal from Iraq after Obama appeal: ministry

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ANKARA (AFP) - Turkey on Saturday said it would continue to pull its troops out of northern Iraq after US President Barack Obama urged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to do so in order to de-escalate tensions with Baghdad over the deployment.Taking into account the sensitivities on the Iraqi side... Turkey will continue the process it has already begun to withdraw its troops stationed in Mosul province, the foreign ministry said in a statement.The Iraqi government earlier this week demanded the complete withdrawal of Turkish troops from its territory after Turkey deployed soldiers and tanks to a military camp near the city of Mosul.Baghdad labelled the deployment an illegal incursion but Turkey said it was to protect Turkish trainers working with Iraqi forces battling the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.In a phone call on Friday, Obama asked Erdogan to take steps to de-escalate tensions with Iraq, including by continuing to withdraw Turkish military forces.He also urged Turkey to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.A senior Turkish official said last week that between 150 and 300 soldiers and 20 tanks were deployed to protect Turkish military trainers at the Bashiqa camp near Mosul.Turkey began partially withdrawing troops from the area on Monday.In its statement late Saturday, the foreign ministry said there had been a lack of communication with Baghdad on the matter and that Ankara would continue to coordinate with the Iraqi government over its military contribution to the country in the fight against Daesh (IS).

Rangers urge citizens to report suspicious activities amid terror threat

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – In a statement issued by the Pakistan Rangers-Sindh spokesperson on Saturday, citizens of Karachi are urged to report suspicious activities amid the growing terror threat in the city, Dunya News reported.In a statement issued by statements, the Rangers have urged the citizens to report any suspicious individual, luggage or activities to the Rangers.The spokesperson said while alerting the citizens of possible terror threat that any suspicious activity must immediately be reported to the Rangers.

No chance of Indo-Pak series: Anurag Thakur

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DELHI (Dunya News) – Secretary Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dismissed any chances of an Indo-Pakistan series on Saturday. He said that even if Indian government gives permission, it will not be possible to arrange the cricket series, reports Dunya News.Talking at a press conference, BCCI Secretary said that India will begin its tour of Australia on January 12 and said that even if Indian government gives permission for the series, it will not be feasible to hold Indo-Pak series.Anurag Thakur said that the ball is in Pakistan’s court because it was agreed with Pakistan that the latter would be hosting the series.

Azerbaijan, Armenia presidents meet on breakaway region

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GENEVA (AFP) - The presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia met in Bern Saturday to discuss their countries decades-old conflict over the breakaway Nagorny Karabakh region amid a recent wave of clashes.Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev last met in 2014 in Paris without making any tangible progress over the territory disputed since the early 1990s.Saturdays talks too appeared to make little headway.During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on different aspects of the conflict resolution. Unfortunately, the two sides attitudes dont coincide, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told journalists in comments broadcast on Armenian television.Nalbandian, who along with his Azerbaijani counterpart joined Saturdays talks after the presidents initial tete-a-tete, said the meeting agenda had been influenced by the escalation of the situation, by Azerbaijani provocations, by blatant violations of the ceasefire.In recent months there has been an unprecedented escalation of the conflict, and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mediators recently warned the status quo has become unsustainable.On Saturday, the OSCEs Minsk Group said the talks had been useful, stressing that they created an opportunity for the presidents to clarify their respective positions.The two countries fought a bloody conflict over Nagorny Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, in the 1990s that killed some 30,000 people.They reached a tenuous ceasefire in 1994 but have not signed a peace deal.Clashes still erupt regularly along the border shared by the two ex-Soviet states. Just on Saturday Karabakhs defence ministry said that Azerbaijani troops killed an Armenian soldier across the territorys frontline.The Azerbaijani defence ministry meanwhile said Friday that at least four Azerbaijani soldiers were killed this month in clashes with Armenians.Hiking tensions further, Azerbaijani tanks earlier this month shelled positions in the breakaway region, marking the first time it had done so since the ceasefire was agreed more than 20 years ago.Azerbaijan maintained Armenia had first fired mortar rounds at settlements in its country.Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, who hosted Saturdays meeting, said in a statement that the Nagorny Karabakh conflict could only be resolved by a comprehensive negotiation process.Despite being downbeat about the outcome, Armenias Nalbandian also described the encounter as extremely important.It is extremely important that talks continue as dialogue has no alternative, he told journalists, adding that the more such meetings take place, the more chances we have to decrease tensions in the conflict zone, to advance the conflict settlement.
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