Thursday 24 December 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Bahawalpur: 4 killed as coach turned turtle

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BAHAWALPUR (Dunya News) – According to initial report, a speeding coach turned turtle near Ahmadpur Sharqia toll plaza near Bahawalpur on early Friday morning, killing at least four people.Another 18 passengers were wounded in the accident. Police and rescue teams have reached the spot and shifted the dead and injured to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Ahmadpur Sharqia.Note: Further details are awaited.

South Africa, England seek return to success

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DURBAN (AFP) - South Africa and England meet at Kingsmead from Saturday in the first of four Tests between two evenly-match teams, both seeking a return to winning ways.South Africa were trounced 3-0 by India recently in their biggest setback since becoming the top-ranked Test team in 2012, while England were beaten 2-0 by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in their most recent series.Both teams will relish a return to more familiar conditions after struggling on slow, spin-friendly pitches during their defeats.The absence of leading bowler James Anderson because of a calf strain is a major blow to England at a ground where swing bowlers often prosper, while the return to action after injury of Dale Steyn is a boost for South Africa.But England have reason for confidence after showing outstanding form in two warm-up games, while South Africas batsmen, most of whom failed in India, were unable to rediscover their best form while playing in four-day domestic matches, with only Temba Bavuma making a half-century. AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis opted to rest ahead of the Tests.We want to start well. After our performance in India which didnt go too well that will be important, said South Africa captain Hashim Amla.No matter whom we come across on the day its important for us to start well. For us its not about who is leading the attack for England, it doesnt make a difference to us. We are faced with our own challenges and its something that everybody in the team is looking forward to.England will be encouraged by their record at Kingsmead, where South Africa have their poorest record at a home venue, with nine wins and six defeats in 21 matches since returning to Test cricket in 1992. England have not been beaten at the ground during this period, drawing three Tests and winning the 2009/10 encounter by an innings.Both teams rely primarily on their fast bowlers and both have question marks against their opening batting combinations. While England captain Alastair Cook has been a heavy run-scorer in recent times, he has had a succession of opening partners who have been tried and found wanting. Alex Hales, who will win his first cap on Saturday, is the latest to try to win a long-term place.Dean Elgar has had reasonable success at the top of the order for South Africa but remains relatively inexperienced, while Stiaan van Zyl was converted into an opening batsman and could manage only 56 runs in five innings in India, falling to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on each occasion.The ability of the openers to see off the strong new ball attacks of both teams could be a big factor.Both teams have opted to lengthen their batting orders by handing the wicketkeeping gloves to men who first won selection as specialist batsmen. De Villiers, South Africas best batsman and the only man to reach 50 against India, will keep wicket for the hosts, while Jonny Bairstow will fill the role for England.Neither team has an established specialist spin bowler but off-spinner Moeen Ali has done well for England in addition to being a highly capable batsman at number eight. South Africa have on occasions opted for an all-seam attack at Kingsmead but Amla said he was reluctant to go in without a spinner, which is likely to mean that steady off-spinner Dane Piedt will win his third cap.Teams:South Africa (likely): Hashim Amla (captain), Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (wkt), Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Abbott or Dane Piedt.England (likely): Alastair Cook (captain), Alex Hales, Nick Compton, Joe Root, James Taylor, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn.Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Rod Tucker (AUS).TV umpire: Bruce Oxenford (AUS).Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI).

Tennis: Injured Gasquet out of Qatar Open

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DOHA (AFP) - Former champion Richard Gasquet pulled out of the season-opening Qatar Open on Thursday due to a back injury which could also threaten his participation in the Australian Open, local media reported Thursday.Frenchman Gasquet, the world number nine, aggravated his long-standing back problem at the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) exhibition event, the Gulf Times reported.Gasquet, 29, won the 2013 Doha title when he defeated Nikolay Davydenko of Russia in the final.The Qatar Open gets under way on January 4 with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal set to take the top two seedings.

Golf: Tiger talks more majors, Ryder Cup in comeback

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MIAMI (AFP) - Tiger Woods, the 14-time major champion sidelined by back surgery, says he expects more major titles and top-level golf despite having no timetable for returning to the sport.Woods, who turns 40 next week, posted pictures Thursday on Twitter and Instagram of his new dog Bugs with two other dogs and his two children, Sam Alexis and Charlie.Earlier this week, Woods said on his website that despite being idled by the latest in a series of injury setbacks, he sees himself back at the top level as he moves through his 40s.Where do I see myself in the next five to 10 years? I am still playing golf at the highest level and winning tournaments and major championships, Woods said.Woods says his feelings change about turning 40.Mentally, people who know me know Im like a five-year-old. Physically, sometimes I feel old and sometimes I feel like a teenager, Woods said. I dont like the polar opposites of the two. Id like to be somewhere in the middle where I feel 40.Woods called 2015 a roller-coaster ride the entire year, from being down to some pretty darn good highs but anticipated he would return to PGA Tour play next year.The thing Im looking forward to the most about 2016 is getting back out there again, Woods said. Ive missed it, and I would like to do it pain-free. I havent done that in what seems like a long time. Ive had it in spurts the last few years and have done some pretty good things, but Id like to have sustained health.Woods has signed up to be an assistant to US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love but said he still hopes to play his way into a spot on the team.Im excited about being named a vice-captain, Woods said. It will be new, fun and special.

NBA: Nowitzki passes Shaq for sixth on scoring list

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki passed Shaquille ONeal for sixth place on the NBA all-time scoring list Wednesday, scoring 22 points to help defeat host Brooklyn 119-118 in overtime.The 37-year-old German sank a jumper over Andrea Bargnani 2:09 into the second quarter to push past the 10 points he needed to overtake ONeal, who finished with 28,596 points.Hes probably the most dominant big man to ever play this game so its kind of surreal that Im up there amongst these all-time greats, said Nowitzki, after reaching 28,609 points for his career.For a kid leaving Germany over 18 years ago who didnt know what to expect, it has been an amazing ride.Nowitzki, who passed Moses Malone for seventh on the list last year at Brooklyn, could challenge Wilt Chamberlains fifth-place total of 31,419 points if he returns to the NBA next season.JJ Barea scored 32 points and had a game-high 11 assists to lead Dallas while Thaddeus Young paced the Nets with 29 and a game-high 10 rebounds.At Cleveland, LeBron James scored 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds and added five assists while Kevin Love had 23 points and 13 rebounds to power the Cavaliers over the visiting New York Knicks 91-84.The Cavaliers, 19-7 after their sixth win in a row, squandered an 11-point lead but finished with an 11-2 run for the victory.James scored nine points in the fourth quarter. He is averaging an NBA-best 8.7 points in the fourth quarter this season with Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis second at 7.7 a game in the last 12 minutes of regulation time.At Golden State, the defending champion Warriors tuned up for their Friday showdown with Cleveland by routing Utah 103-85. Klay Thompson scored 20 points and Curry added 16 as the Warriors improved the NBAs best record to 27-1 and boosted their perfect home mark to 13-0. Aussie Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 13 rebounds for Golden State while Derrick Favors scored 17 to lead the Jazz, who fell to 12-15.Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo made his first 11 shots and scored 22 points while Khris Middleton added 21 to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over Philadelphia 113-100.The 76ers fell to 1-30 with their 12th loss in a row and remained winless on the road after 18 such starts.At New Orleans, Anthony Davis scored 28 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to spark the host Pelicans past Portland 115-89.San Antonio stretched its win streak to seven games with a 108-83 victory at Minnesota.Kawhi Leonard netted 19 points to lead six double-figure scorers for the Spurs, who also had 14 points from French guard Tony Parker and 13 from reserve David West.The Spurs, with the NBAs second-best record at 25-5, have outscored foes by 408 points over 30 games, the second-largest margin so deep into a season in league history.Randy Foye scored 31 points to lead the Denver Nuggets over host Phoenix 104-96. Brandon Knight led the Suns with 21 points.Kelly Olynyk scored 20 points and Jae Crowder added 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead Boston to a 102-89 triumph at Charlotte while John Wall had 14 points and 14 assists in Washingtons 100-91 home victory over Memphis.At Los Angeles, the Oklahoma City Thunder scored the first 17 points of the third quarter for a 74-46 lead on the way to a 120-85 triumph over the host Lakers.Russell Westbrook scored 23 points and Kevin Durant added 21 as every player scored for the Thunder (20-9). Kobe Bryant scored 19 points to lead the Lakers (5-24).DeMarcus Cousins scored 25 points and grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds while Darren Collison added a season-high 24 points as Sacramento defeated host Indiana 108-106. Cousins sank two free throws for the winning points and Paul George missed a jumper at the buzzer to force over-time.Orlandos Nikola Vucevic scored 21 points to lead six double-figure scorers in a 104-101 victory over visiting Houston, which had 31 points from James Harden.Jeff Teague scored 23 points and Paul Millsap added 18 to lead the Atlanta Hawks over visiting Detroit 107-100.

139th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam being celebrated today

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - The 139th birth anniversary of father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is being celebrated today (Friday) throughout the country.Special programmes are scheduled to be held across the country to shed light on the Quaid’s struggle for creation of Pakistan and to highlight his guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline. It will be a public holiday and national flag will be hoisted atop all public and private buildings.Quran Khwani will be held at the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi while change of guards ceremony would also be held at Quaid-e-Azam tomb. High level civil and military personnel, politicians and renowned personalities would lay flower wreath at the Mazar-e-Quaid and a large-number of people from all walks of life would visit his tomb to pay tribute for the services he rendered for the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Sub-continent.Several public and private organizations and educational institutions will hold functions to highlight different aspects of the life of Quaid-e-Azam who united the Muslims of the Sub-continent for acquiring a separate homeland.Media will air special programmes to pay homage to the great leader. Extracts from the speeches of Quaid-e-Azam will also be broadcast during the special transmissions.

Oil prices rise on US inventory report

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices rose Thursday, benefitting for a second day from positive momentum after a surprisingly big drop in US petroleum inventories.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for February delivery advanced 60 cents to $38.10 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.Benchmark oil contract Brent North Sea crude for February delivery rose 51 cents to $37.87 a barrel in London near 1830 GMT.Oil prices had also risen Wednesday after the Department of Energy reported that US crude inventories fell 5.9 million barrels for the week ending December 18, a much larger decline than many analysts had expected.Right now its just some quiet holiday trading, said Carl Larry of consultancy Frost & Sullivan.Larry said oil prices were also benefitting from a drop in the US greenback, which makes dollar-denominated commodities, including oil, more affordable outside the US.Some analysts expressed doubt that the oils push higher signaled a shift in a market that has been depressed for more than a year amid a supply glut.While theres talk that a further upward correction is possible in the near term, were also seeing widespread skepticism that higher levels will prove sustainable given the ongoing global supply/demand surplus, said Citi Futures analyst Tim Evans.

Dollar retreats on profit taking after Fed move

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar dropped against the euro and other major currencies Thursday in a move analysts attributed to profit taking following last weeks Federal Reserve decision to lift US interest rates.The greenback has been on the defensive most of the week amid light trading volume and a limited news flow.Investors, who benefited from bullish bets on the dollar in the wake of the Feds interest rate hike earlier this month, look content to cash in those gains ahead of the year end, said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange.Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Western Union Business Solutions, said, the dollar is paying the price for being the years top performer as the few still at their trading desk are liquidating some of their winnings to realize profit.Thursdays rise in the euro means the single currency is on track for about a four percent rise in December, reflecting the European Central Banks milder policy prescriptions than markets had anticipated, Manimbo said.

Aussie Smith pinching himself after player award

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SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia captain and batting supremo Steve Smith Thursday admitted it has been a hell of a ride from his Test debut as a leg-spinner to be named ICC cricketer of the year.The honour was bestowed on the 26-year-old late Wednesday after finishing the year, which runs from September to September, as the leading Test run-scorer with 1,734 from 25 innings, averaging 82.57.He also became the second youngest player to reach the number one ranking for Test batsmen behind Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar.You dont think about these awards and these accolades, the dashing right-hander told the Cricket Australia website.You just want to go out there and do the best you can for your team to try and win as many games as possible.To be recognised as the best player this year against some unbelievable talent around the world, its very humbling and its an honour. Given his prolific recent output with the bat, it is easy to forget that he made his Test debut as a leg-spinner against Pakistan at Lords in 2010, batting well down the order.You have to pinch yourself sometimes -- its all a little bit surreal on occasions, Smith said.Five years ago I wouldnt have pictured myself in this position. Its been one hell of a ride, the last five years.Following his Test debut, Smith went back to state cricket for New South Wales and focused on improving his batting, to try and find a game that can be adaptable and be successful at this level.I said when I got another opportunity I wanted to make the most of it and I think Ive done that, he said after cementing his place in the Test team in 2013 as a batsman.Hopefully theres a lot of improvement left in me.Smith is the fourth Australian to win the ICCs Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy in its 12th edition, following in the footsteps of Ricky Ponting (2006 and 2007), Mitchell Johnson (2009 and 2014) and Michael Clarke (2013).Smith was appointed Test captain after Clarke retired in August following the Ashes series in England, with his immediate focus on the second Test against the West Indies starting Saturday in Melbourne.

Syria regime raids kill 20 people including 7 children: monitor

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BEIRUT (AFP) - Air raids by Syrian government warplanes killed 20 civilians, including seven children, in an area southeast of Damascus on Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said.Dozens more people were also wounded in the raids on the centre of Hammuriyeh in Eastern Ghouta, the largest rebel stronghold in Damascus province.The area is regularly bombed by the forces of President Bashar al-Assad, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said.Two more civilians were also killed by shelling in the Douma area, northeast of Damascus, while government forces were also pounding Eastern Ghouta with artillery fire, the Observatory said.Rebels often shell the capital from Eastern Ghouta, to the east of Damascus.More than 250,000 people have been killed in Syrias conflict, which began in March 2011 as an anti-government protest movement but which has spiralled into a multi-sided war.

Attacks cast pall over Christmas in Paris and around the world

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PARIS (AFP) - It was a subdued Christmas Eve in Paris on Thursday, with tourist numbers down, security bolstered at shops and churches, and locals still on edge after last months jihadist attacks.Heavily armed soldiers patrolled outside the iconic Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores in the city centre, still doing a brisk last-minute Christmas trade but notably less crowded than usual.Its a lot quieter, said taxi driver Belkassem. I feel bad for the hotels and restaurants because there are a lot fewer tourists in town this year and this is a crucial time of year for them.The famous bateaux-mouches boats that carry millions of tourists each year along the Seine have reported a 15-30 percent drop in business since the attacks of November 13, which left 130 dead and hundreds injured.It is not only France that is feeling the tension this festive season. Christians around the world are bracing for potential attacks at a symbolic time of year -- even in China where the US and British embassies warned of possible violence against Westerners in Beijing.But Paris -- the worlds most-visited city -- has naturally taken the worst blow in the wake of last months attacks, with flight reservations down nearly a third compared with a year earlier.Tourist guide Cecile Reverdy, who translates mostly for Chinese visitors, described a massive fall in business from some countries.There are around 30 percent less Chinese -- only 30 percent because the Chinese are pretty daring, she told French television.But for other languages, in Japanese or American, there is a drop of practically 80 percent.Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has sought to reassure visitors and put a brave face on the economic damage.Of course there are worries and we will never forget the victims, but activity is restarting, she said recently.- Heightened church security -The government has warned that Christmas church services could constitute targets of exceptional symbolic force.Unprecedented security checks have been put in place at many of Frances 50,000 churches, with bags checked and visitors asked to open their coats to check for guns or explosive vests.At Strasbourg cathedral in eastern France, a military contingent was set to guard the Christmas midnight mass, where attendance will be strictly limited and the doors locked once the service starts.France only narrowly escaped a church attack earlier this year, when a 24-year-old Algerian, Sid Ahmed Ghlam, accidentally shot himself in the leg.Police discovered an arsenal of weapons, tactical gear and jihadist documents in Ghlams car and student flat, as well as detailed plans to attack churches in the Paris suburb of Villejuif.But the atmosphere of fear could nonetheless boost attendance.The Sundays after the attacks of November 13, we saw more people in our churches. People had a need to look inwards, to reflect on life and society, said Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, spokesman for the Conference of French Bishops.A total of 120,000 police and soldiers will be on guard and patrol duty to protect Christmas celebrations across the country, officials said.- Threats around the world -Around the globe on Thursday people were facing an edgy Christmas.The British and US embassies in China issued a warning about possible threats against Westerners in a popular Beijing neighbourhood ahead of the holiday.Some separatist militants in the mostly-Muslim region of Xinjiang in western China have styled themselves as jihadists, though attacks have not previously targeted foreigners.In Somalia, religious authorities have cancelled Christmas entirely out of fear that festivities could provoke attacks by the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab.We are warning against the celebration of such events which are not relevant to the principles of our religion, said Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan, of the Supreme Religious Council.Meanwhile in Kenya, where Shebab Islamists have carried out numerous attacks including the killing of at least 67 people at Nairobis Westgate Mall in 2013, police chief Joseph Boinnet warned of the danger of fresh attacks as Shebab splits and some factions switch their loyalty to Islamic State.All of which pales in comparison to the fear of celebrating Christmas in the Syrian town of Sadad, on the front lines with the Islamic State.Only a few families remain in Sadad, once a Syriac Orthodox-majority town in the centre of the country.I havent put up a Christmas tree in my house for the past four years because the situation does not allow us to, and because I cant find a place for joy in my home, said Youssef, a retired 65-year-old man, whose family has fled to a safer village.Another elderly resident, Mtanyos Mawas, sums up his hopes for the holidays.All I want is for this Christmas to pass in peace.

US readies New Year push to expel migrants: reports

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - American authorities are planning a major operation to round up and expel migrant families living in the country illegally, US media reported Thursday.The Department of Homeland Security could not confirm -- but did not dispute -- the anonymously-sourced reports in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and several other outlets.And spokeswoman Gillian Christensen told AFP that Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has consistently said, our border is not open to illegal immigration.If individuals come here illegally, do not qualify for asylum or other relief, and have final orders of removal, they will be sent back consistent with our laws and our values, she said, citing Johnson.According to the Washington Post, the number of mainly Mexican and Central American families targeted in the planned crackdown will be in the hundreds and possibly greater.These would be migrants whose applications for asylum have been refused and are subject to a court order to leave.Any such operation would be controversial.Refugee rights activists argue that the families are fleeing corruption, violent crime and drought -- the Pacific basin is beset by a severe El Nino weather pattern -- in their homelands.Over the course of the 2015 fiscal year, arrests of non-documented migrants crossing the US border from Mexico dropped by a third to the second lowest level since 1972.The number of children crossing without their relatives -- which surged in 2014 amid a deadly crime wave in some parts of Central America -- was also down over the period.But the number of minors and of families crossing began to increase again sharply towards the end of 2015, alarming the Department of Homeland Security.According to US Customs and Border Protection, arrests of members of family units on the US southwest border in October and November -- the first two months of the 2016 fiscal year -- were up 173 percent over the same period last year.Arrests of unaccompanied minors are up 106 percent.Immigration is one of the most hotly debated topics in the 2016 US presidential campaign, with Republican hopefuls including Donald Trump vying with each other for who can promise the toughest stance.President Barack Obamas opponents -- some of whom like Trump have demanded a massive border wall be built -- will argue that the reported DHS plan is a stop-gap to disguise a broken system.

C. Africa authorities propose delaying elections to Dec 30

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BANGUI(AFP) - The transition authorities in the Central African Republic proposed on Thursday delaying the presidential and legislative elections set for this weekend until next week, during a meeting broadcast on national radio.The authorities suggested delaying Sundays elections by three days until December 30, citing the preparations for the voting and in particular the need to better train poll workers.At the meeting were representatives of candidates, political parties, the electoral authority and the international community.The countrys transitional President Catherine Samba Panza asked the head of the national elections authority to cite a date if it is necessary to delay the vote.The date of December 30 would be better for us, said Marie-Madeleine Nkouet Hoornaert, in charge of organising the vote.Any change in the election date however must receive an exemption from the Constitutional Court as current law requires all elections be held on Sunday. It was not immediately known when the court could meet on the matter.The elections have already been long-delayed due to more than two years of sectarian conflict in the country.Only on Monday, electoral officials said a constitutional referendum clearing the way for the vote had won 93 percent backing.The polls are aimed at turning the page on the conflict that erupted after a mainly Muslim rebellion overthrew longtime Christian leader Francois Bozize in 2013.

Iraq 'nets 40 IS operatives' in major swoop

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BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqs intelligence service said Thursday it detained 40 members of the Islamic State group as part of a major operation in Baghdad and Diyala provinces.The Iraqi national intelligence service, in coordination with Baghdad and Diyala security forces, carried out an operation which resulted in the arrest of 40 members of varying rank, a statement said.Diyala is a province just northeast of the capital where IS has not had fixed positions in almost a year but has carried out several deadly suicide car bombings.Many bombs, suicide belts and cars used by the terrorists were seized, as well as large amounts of money they used to fund their criminal activities, the statement said.The intelligence service said the detained IS members had requested assistance from cells in other parts of the country, suggesting the group is weakened in Baghdad.The swoop was the continuation of an operation that had already resulted in more than 30 arrests and the dismantling of a car bomb-making cell in Baghdad in March.

French terror suspects charged over fake baby bump

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PARIS (AFP) - A French convert to Islam and her husband were charged Thursday with terrorist conspiracy after police discovered a fake stomach used to make a woman appear pregnant, judicial sources said.The couple from the southern city of Montpellier, aged 23 and 35 respectively, were placed in pre-trial custody as requested by prosecutors.Both were handed preliminary charges of criminal conspiracy in connection with a terrorist undertaking and financing a terrorist enterprise, while the woman was also charged with plotting an individual terror attack on people.They were arrested Wednesday following the discovery of the homemade fake stomach, which could have been used to hide objects.No explosives were found but an analysis of their computer discovered they had consulted bomb-making information and photos of jihadists, a source close to the investigation has said.Their arrest comes with France on high alert following the november 13 attacks in Paris that left 130 dead.Police say they foiled a jihadist plot last week near Orleans southwest of Paris by two men who were planning to attack soldiers, police and representatives of the state.
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