Monday 18 January 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Athletics: Scrapping records would taint clean athletes - Coe

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PARIS (AFP) - IAAF president Sebastian Coe said he was reluctant to scrap all world records in track and field for fear of tainting clean athletes.In an interview with AFP, Coe admitted that some records, notably in womens disciplines, were not legitimate.But to sweep away existing records would harm athletes competing without resorting to doping, he said.Athletics finds itself mired in arguably its worst ever crisis, with reports by the World Anti-Doping Agency alleging corruption was embedded in the sports world governing body, the IAAF.Russia has been banned over state-sponsored doping, with top IAAF officials found guilty of bribing doped athletes.In the wake of the doping-linked corruption scandal, Britains athletics federation called for a raft of policy changes including resetting the clock on world records for a new era.We should be open to do whatever it takes to restore credibility in the sport, UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner said last week.While agreeing there should be debate, Coe hesitated when asked if he backed a total rescinding of records.I have a concern of course, like anybody else whos come through the sport, that some records are more secure and safer than others, said Coe, who won two Olympic 1500m gold medals for Britain.We know that through systems that have in the past, as a matter of historic record, produced athletes that have probably not done this legitimately.Thats a very different thing from penalising clean athletes who have gone about this over half of their young lives, with clean coaches and clean federations.Coe added: You have to be very careful here. I can understand the frustration.I know there are records on the book which are a real inhibitor, particularly in some of the female events, for athletes... in thinking that there isnt any reasonable hope that theyre going to get within records that were set 30 or 40 years ago.But Coe also gave his backing to clean athletes.I welcome the debate. I also understand the nervousness amongst clean athletes who legitimately hold records that could run the risk of just losing their history and actually the implication that they werent doing it cleanly, he said.There is absolutely a debate to be had but we have to tread carefully here.Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba and Polands Anita Wlodarczyk set new world records for the womens 1500m and hammer throw respectively last season.But those were a comparative rarity, with many of the existing records dating back to the 1980s and 90s and seemingly well out of reach for the modern crop of top athletes.

Football: Williams lifts Swansea out of drop zone as Guidolin looks on

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SWANSEA (AFP) - Swansea gave new head coach Francesco Guidolin the perfect welcome present as they beat Watford 1-0 to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone on Monday.Guidolin was announced as Swansea head coach, to work alongside interim manager Alan Curtis, just hours before kick-off at the Liberty Stadium.The 60-year-old Italian will have the final say on team selection, but he was in a watching brief only as he looked on from the stands before his first official fixture at Everton on Sunday.Guidolins presence had the desired effect as Ashley Williamss first half goal secured Swanseas first win in their last five games in all competitions.Swanseas second success in their last 13 matches lifted them above Newcastle into 17th place and Guidolin will begin work with the south Wales club one point clear of the bottom three as he bids to maintain their top-flight status for a sixth successive season.With only one victory in seven games under Curtis since he replaced the sacked Garry Monk, Swansea felt compelled to make a change and the early signs were promising.Since leaving his role at Udinese last May, Guidolin had worked as a technical supervisor for the three teams belonging to the Pozzo family -- Udinese, Watford and Granada -- so he may have had a few interesting insights to pass along to Curtis.Jack Cork fired over from long-range and Andre Ayew prodded a shot straight at Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes in a lively opening from the hosts.After dominating the initial skirmishes, Curtiss team were rewarded in the 27th minute when Wales international Williams rose highest to power in Ki Sung-yuengs cross for the first goal by any Swansea defender since March 2014.Watford didnt have their first shot on target until a minute before half-time when Ben Watsons free-kick was only cleared as far as Jurado, who shot straight at Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.Watson was the provider again when Watford came close to equalising early in the second half, but this time Miguel Britos flicked a header narrowly over the crossbar from the midfielders inswinging free-kick.The visitors were starting to hit their stride and Jurado was just off-target from the edge of the area after exchanging passes with Odion Ighalo.Jurado forced Fabianski into a decent save as Watford pushed for a late equaliser but when Troy Deeney shot wide in stoppage-time, Guidolin was finally able to start celebrating.

Tennis: Djokovic, Serena star at scandal-hit Open

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams raced into the Australian Open second round Monday as the years first Grand Slam was rocked by claims of widespread match-fixing in tennis.Former winners Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova also progressed smoothly on a day of high temperatures at Melbourne Park, where one ballboy felt faint and had to be helped from the court.Djokovics main opponent was the 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) heat as, cooling himself with ice vests on the change-overs, the top seed dispatched Korean rising star Chung Hyeon 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.You try to stay composed, not get carried away by heat, get distracted, said the Serb, who was forced out of the 2009 quarter-finals as he struggled with the heat.Of course, there were some long rallies, long exchanges that got both of us a little bit short on air. But I think physically I was really good on the court.Williams also made a positive return to competitive tennis, four months after a heartbreaking defeat in the US Open semi-finals ended her bid for a rare calendar-year Grand Slam.Showing no discomfort from the swollen knee which forced her out of this months Hopman Cup mixed-team tournament, Williams toughed it out 6-4, 7-5 against Italys Camila Giorgi.I havent played a competitive match in a really long time so it was good for me to come out here and get through it, Williams said. I was able to stay in it and stay calm and that is what matters most.Williams, 34, is seeking an Open-era record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title, while Djokovic can become only the second man to win six Australian Open crowns after Roy Emerson.Federer was also untroubled in his 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 win over Georgias Nicoloz Basilashvili as he continued his quest for a record-extending 18th Grand Slam title. Sharapova, the womens winner in 2008, beat Japans Nao Hibino 6-1, 6-3 in just 73 minutes in her first match of the year after a forearm injury forced her out of the Brisbane International.Im feeling really good, which is a positive. Im just happy to finish off today and be able to get ready for the next one, said the Russian.Kei Nishikori, Tomas Berdych and Australias Nick Kyrgios also went through without significant problems, while Caroline Wozniacki was the biggest casualty on day one.The former world number one, who joined fellow seeds Sloane Stephens, Sara Errani and Ivo Karlovic on the sidelines, was stunned in three sets by Kazakhstans Yulia Putintseva.I would say its a pretty shitty start to the season, the downcast Dane told reporters.Canadas Eugenie Bouchard safely reached the second round, and Spains Carla Suarez earned applause when she helped a ballboy from the court as he swooned in high temperatures.However, the day was overshadowed by a report which said top-50 players, including Grand Slam champions, had repeatedly been suspected of match-fixing without facing action.Three suspect matches were at Wimbledon, and eight of the players under suspicion were due to take to the courts for the Australian Open, the BBC and BuzzFeed claimed.Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) chief Chris Kermode rejected any suggestion that match-fixing evidence had been covered up or ignored.The Tennis Integrity Unit and the tennis authorities absolutely reject any suggestion that evidence of match-fixing has been suppressed for any reason or isnt being thoroughly investigated, Kermode told reporters.And while the BBC and BuzzFeed reports mainly refer to events from about 10 years ago, we will investigate any new information, and we always do.

Three death row convicts hanged in various cities

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Three death row prisoners were hanged on early Tuesday morning in the jails of Attock, Mianwali and Jhang, Dunya News reported. The dead bodies of the prisoners were handed over to their families.According to details, death row convict Sultan was executed in the District Jail Attock. Sultan had killed his wife in 2007 over a family dispute.Death row prisoner Ghulam Gilani was hanged in the District Jail Mianwali in a double murder case. Ghulam Gilani had killed two of his nephews over a family dispute in 2004.Another death row convict was executed in the District Jail Jhang. Prisoner Allah Ditta was hanged for murdering his friend over a small dispute in 1999.

Policy to end corruption being formed with NAB: Auditor-General

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Auditor-General of Pakistan Rana Asad Amin on Monday stated that a policy to end all corruption was being formed in collaboration with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The Auditor-General stated that an exclusive audit of the Federal Ministries shall be conducted in cooperation with the Bureau.Addressing the International Audit Performance workshop and in a talk with the media, Amin stated that both NAB and Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) work could be cut down by half if the audit department carried out its responsibilities.Amin informed that an audit of the Trade Ministry shall be conducted in the first phase of Federal Ministries of audit during this year. During this audit, reason behind both the success and inability of the department in achieving the set goals will be analyzed, stated Amin.The Auditor-General further stated a report pertaining to the sale of Pakistani Embassy’s property in Tokyo and Jakarta has been sent to the Public Accounts Committee. He added that the Embassies will submit their answers by 30th March in light of which further action shall be taken.

Airstrike hits police facility in Yemen, killing 26

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SANAA (Agencies) – An airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition targeted a building used by police in Yemens capital, Sanaa, killing at least 26 people and wounding about 15, Security officials said on Monday.The officials, who are loyal to anti-government Shiite rebels known as the Houthis, said some 30 more people are believed to be still trapped under the debris of the badly damaged building in central Sanaa.Security forces swiftly sealed off the area as earth-moving equipment arrived to help with the search for bodies and survivors under the debris. The officials initially announced that 20 people were killed, but later said that six bodies were unearthed from under the debris.Police vehicles parked in the facilitys courtyard were destroyed and nearby homes suffered some damage, they said.The dead and wounded were policemen and Houthi rebels, they said.The Targeted building was partially used as a gathering point for security forces and on occasion used by the Houthis as an assembly point for forces headed to deployment elsewhere in Yemen.The airstrike happened shortly before midnight on Sunday, according to the officials, who had no further details. Reporters were barred from approaching the facility, they said, speaking Monday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.The Saudi-led coalition began airstrikes against the Houthis and their allies in March 2015, siding with the internationally recognized government.Meanwhile, the Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), a Nairobi-based humanitarian news agency, has announced the death of one of its contributors in Yemen. In a statement, it said 35-year-old Almigdad Mohammed Ali Mojalli was killed Sunday just outside Sanaa in an apparent airstrike.Mojalli also contributed from Yemen to Western media outlets, including Voice of America and Britains Daily Telegraph newspaper, said the statement.The fighting in Yemen has, since last March, killed more than 5,800 people.

Putin, Qatari Emir talk Syria, economic cooperation

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MOSCOW (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin and the Emir of Qatar on Monday discussed the Syrian crisis, as global powers seek to push the warring sides towards the negotiating table. Russia plays a main role when it comes to stability in the world, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani said at the start of the meeting at the Kremlin.We very much want to develop relations with Russia and find a solution to a number of problems related to stability in some countries of our region, he added in translated remarks released by the Kremlin.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said both Moscow and Doha were expecting that, in accordance with a UN-backed plan, talks between the Syrian government and the opposition would begin in the nearest future, already this month.Global powers are seeking to push the Syrian regime and opposition to the negotiating table in a bid to end the nearly five-year war that has cost the lives of 260,000 people.The UN-backed plan foresees talks between the various sides starting on January 25, the establishment of a transitional government within six months and elections within 18 months.Lavrov said Russia and Qatar had also agreed to step up measures to battle terrorism.Concrete steps that can facilitate this have been agreed, he said in televised remarks, without elaborating.The two countries also agreed to ramp up economic cooperation, with Putin telling Sheikh Tamim that Russia is keen to coordinate efforts in energy, especially in the gas sphere.I am hoping that all the efforts weve made over the past years to build our ties will serve a good basis for further steps, Putin said.Investment cooperation is deemed to be very important, the Qatari ruler said for his part.Amid persisting tensions with the West over the Ukraine crisis, Russia has over the past few years has sought to forge closer ties with Middle East powers including Qatar.

Muslim women must learn English or risk deportation: British PM

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LONDON (AFP) - Muslim women who fail to learn English to a high enough standard could face deportation from Britain, Prime Minister David Cameron announced Monday.He also suggested that poor English skills can leave people more susceptible to the messages of groups like Islamic State (IS).Camerons comments came as his centre-right Conservatives launched a 20 million pound ($28.5 million, 26 million euro) language fund for women in isolated communities as part of a drive to build community integration.Immigration rules already force spouses to speak English before they come to Britain to live with their partners.But Cameron said they would also face further tests after two and a half years in the country to make sure their language skills were improving.You cant guarantee you will be able to stay if you are not improving your language, he told BBC radio. People coming to our country, they have responsibilities too.Camerons government estimates that around 190,000 Muslim women in England -- about 22 percent of the total -- speak little or no English.There are estimated to be around 2.7 million Muslims in England out of a total population of some 53 million.Cameron said that a lack of language skills could make Muslims in Britain more vulnerable to the message of extremist groups.I am not saying there is some sort of causal connection between not speaking English and becoming an extremist, of course not, he told BBC radio. But if you are not able to speak English, not able to integrate, you may find therefore you have challenges understanding what your identity is and therefore you could be more susceptible to the extremist message.His comments drew criticism from Muslim groups and opposition parties.Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, which campaigns for better community relations, accused Cameron of disgraceful stereotyping.David Cameron and his Conservative government are once again using British Muslims as a political football to score cheap points, to appear tough, he added.Andy Burnham, home affairs spokesman for the main opposition Labour party, accused Cameron of a clumsy and simplistic approach which was unfairly stigmatising a whole community.Ex-Conservative Party co-chair Sayeeda Warsi said her former bosss idea was lazy and misguided and a stereotyping of British Muslim communitiesMy parents came to this country with very little English -- my mums English still isnt great, even though she has been to English language classes, she told BBC Radio 4s World at One.I think it is lazy and sloppy when we start making policies based on stereotypes which do badly stigmatise communities.Shuja Shafi, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, backed Camerons call, but questioned his tactics.The prime ministers aim to have English more widely spoken and for better integration falls at the first hurdle if he is to link it to security and single out Muslim women to illustrate his point, he said.

Sixteen killed as Peru bus plunges into river

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LIMA (AFP) - At least 16 people were killed Monday when a bus in Peru plunged off a curvy mountain road into a river, police said.The bus was taking passengers to the central city of Pichanaki when the driver lost control and ran off the road, falling 35 meters (115 feet) into the Tarma river, said Jose Mendoza, police spokesman for the region of Junin.The accident totaled the bus and left another 10 people injured.Initial investigations indicate the driver was speeding and lost control on a curve, Mendoza said.Fatal road accidents are common in Peru, in part because of lax traffic enforcement but also because of the Andean countrys challenging mountain terrain.

Saudi-Iran tension: PM Nawaz to reach Tehran today

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RIYADH (Dunya News/AFP) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will reach Tehran today (Tuesday) in an effort to ease escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He is expected to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during his visit to Iran.Earlier, Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday expressed deep concern to Saudi King Salman over escalating tensions between the Sunni kingdom and predominantly Shiite Iran.Sharif visited Riyadh in an effort to ease those tensions and is to head on Tuesday to Saudis rival Iran where he is expected to meet President Hassan Rouhani.The prime minister expressed our deep concern on the recent escalation of tensions between Riyadh and Tehran, Islamabads foreign ministry spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said.He also called for an early resolution of differences through peaceful means, in the larger interest of Ummah (the Islamic nation), particularly during these challenging times.Saudi Arabia and a number of its Arab allies cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early January, sending already tense relations between the rival nations to a new low.Riyadh reacted after protesters burned Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran after the kingdom on January 2 executed Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.He was among 47 people put to death in a single day for terrorism. Most of those executed were Sunnis.According to the Saudi Press Agency, Salman welcomed the prime minister of Pakistan and his delegation to his palace.The report gave no details of their discussions, which SPA earlier said were to touch on regional as well as bilateral issues.The purpose of the visit is to mediate and to end the standoff between the two countries, a Pakistani government official told AFP, requesting anonymity, before the prime minister arrived.Sharif landed in Riyadh two days after a historic international deal lifted sanctions on Iran in return for a scaling back of its nuclear capabilities.Riyadh fears the agreement will only further embolden Iran, which it accuses of regional interference.SPA said the prime minister was accompanied by Pakistans powerful army chief, General Raheel Sharif.Pakistan is a majority Sunni country but 20 percent of the population is Shiite.The countrys parliament last year refused to send forces to help a Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen.But during Mondays meeting, Pakistan assured the kingdom of its support for a separate Saudi coalition of 34 nations to combat terrorism in the Islamic world, the Pakistani statement said.It was agreed that both countries would work together to defeat our common enemy -- terrorism and extremism. Diplomats have said it remained unclear how the 34-nation coalition will work in practice.Pakistan has deep military connections with Saudi Arabia and it has long benefited from the oil-rich kingdoms largesse.Sharif himself has close personal ties with the Saudi royal family who sheltered him during years in exile.

Saudi suspends French imports over bird flu

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RIYADH (AFP) - Saudi Arabia on Monday suspended the import of poultry, eggs and dairy products from seven French regions over a bird flu outbreak.The Saudi Food and Drug Authority said the regions include Frances southwestern Dordogne, where the highly virulent H5N1 strain of the virus was identified in November.The director of the French Aviculture Confederation, Christian Marinov, played down the significance of a move which does not cover Brittany or Vendee, the only regions to export and to date free from bird flu.Its of no consequence as exports are from Brittany and Vendee via the Doux group, which handles 100 percent of exports from France to non-EU states, Marinov told AFP. Several countries including Japan and China had already banned French poultry imports as a result of the outbreak.This temporary ban is to continue until the health status of the livestock is stable, SFDA said.It added that poultry, eggs and dairy products that have been treated thermally or in another way to eliminate the virus are exempt from the suspension.According to Business France, the French export promotion agency, France was the second-biggest exporter of poultry products to Saudi Arabia in 2013 and volume had risen 64 percent since 2009.The World Health Organization says the H5N1 virus does not infect humans easily but when it does it is fatal in about 60 percent of cases.

Oil prices reach new 12-year depths

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LONDON (AFP) - World oil prices tumbled to new 12-year depths Monday after the West lifted sanctions on Iran, paving the way for higher crude exports from the Islamic Republic.Brent crude tumbled below $28 a barrel in Asia trading hours to reach a fresh 2003 low point on fears about a worsening global supply glut.But the market then found brief support, rebounding above $29 on bargain-hunting and as OPEC hinted at a more rebalanced market, beginning this year.Half a million barrels of Iranian crude is set to be added to already saturated markets after US and European leaders ended a crippling embargo put in place over Tehrans nuclear programme.The news led to further selling of black gold, whose prices have slumped by about three quarters in value since mid-2014 owing to the supply glut, record output levels, weak demand growth and a slowing global economy led by China.But the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), of which Iran is a member, said Monday that it expects a rebalancing process as the sharp fall in oil price causes production from non-cartel competitors such as the United States to fall after seven years of phenomenal growth.If the prediction is accurate, it would make a victory of sorts for OPECs strategy of keep the oil flowing despite crude sliding from above $100 in 2014 -- to defend its market share.On Monday, Brent tumbled to as low as $27.67 a barrel -- a level last seen in November 2003.New York prices also hit a low of more than 12 years at $28.36.In volatile trading, they then shot above $29 a barrel, before easing back slightly.The drop was due to the Western sanctions on Iran being lifted, said Phillip Futures analyst Daniel Ang.This means we will be seeing a bigger oil glut with Iranian crude exports coming back to the market.Ang added that prices had rebounded on bargain-buying.Iran on Monday ordered as planned an increase of 500,000 barrels per day in its oil production.Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney, said that while Iranian oil could come in quickly, suppliers still needed to find buyers.Iran has quite a large storage of oil at the moment, Spooner told AFP.They are in a position to sell that if they choose to do so and increase supply quite quickly... (but) theyve got to get the buyers and thats one of the key questions, he said.Banking group ANZ said Iran is likely to offer discounts to entice buyers, leading to further downward pressure on prices in the near-term.Around 1730 GMT in London, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in March was down 22 cents at $28.72 a barrel compared with Fridays close.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in February slid 42 cents to $29.OPEC on Monday said that after seven straight years of phenomenal non-OPEC supply growth... 2016 is set to see output decline as the effects of deep capex (capital expenditure) cuts start to feed through.Royal Dutch Shell on Monday said it was exiting a key natural gas project in Abu Dhabi owing to the collapse in global energy prices.And in major crude producer Russia, the ruble fell close to a historic low as stock markets slumped on the back of sliding oil prices.

As Xi heads into Saudi-Iran feud, China says aims for balance

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BEIJING (Dunya News/Reuters) - China intends to retain a balanced stance in the Middle East, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Monday, as President Xi Jinping prepared to leave on an unusual visit this week to Saudi Arabia Iran and Egypt. The two regional powers Saudi Arabia and Iran are currently locked in a bitter dispute.Tensions between the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran have escalated since Saudi authorities executed Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr on Jan. 2, triggering outrage among the sect.In response, Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad, prompting Riyadh to sever relations. Tehran then cut all commercial ties with Riyadh, and banned pilgrims from traveling to Mecca.Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming told reporters China was not taking sides.Regarding some of the regions problems, China has always taken a balanced and just position, Zhang said, when asked about tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.If the Middle East is not stable, Im afraid the world cant be very peaceful. If a country or a region is not stable, it cannot realize development, he added.China firmly supports regional countries individually exploring a development path that suits their national conditions.The trip has been shrouded in a rare level of secrecy, even for a country which tends to keep details of its top leaders activities under wraps. Zhang would not even say on which days Xi would be in the countries.While relying on the region for oil, China has tended to leave Middle Eastern diplomacy to the other four permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Britain, France and Russia.But China has been trying to get more involved, especially in Syria, recently hosting both its foreign minister and opposition officials.A Chinese president has not visited Saudi Arabia since 2009 when Hu Jintao went, and Jiang Zemin was the last Chinese president to visit Iran, going in 2002.OIL DIPLOMACYIran emerged from years of economic isolation on Saturday when world powers lifted sanctions in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear ambitions.China is Irans top oil client and the countries have close ties across the board. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has also been active in pushing both the United States and Iran to reach a nuclear agreement.Zhang did not say what may lie ahead for China and Iran now, though said energy was an important part of cooperation.Chinese energy firms are seeking a bigger role in both Saudi Arabia and Iran, which together supply nearly a quarter of the countrys crude imports.An official at state giant, Sinopec, said Xi may attend a ceremony to mark the successful operations of its joint venture Yasref refinery in Saudi Arabia.Sinopec is targeting more engineering and construction contracts for refineries and petrochemical plants, said the official.CNPC, parent of PetroChina, is also restructuring its Middle East operations, aiming to offer more integrated services from exploration to engineering, a company source said.Chinas official Xinhua news agency said on Sunday that Iran would be a key part of Chinas new Silk Road initiative to develop trade and transport links across Asia and beyond, which Beijing refers to as the one belt, one road strategy.Potential exists for cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, high-speed rail, natural gas and oil pipelines, Xinhua added.EXTREMIST MILITANTSChina also has its own worries about radicalisation of the Muslim Uighur people who live in Chinas far western region of Xinjiang, which has been beset by violence in recent years, blamed by Beijing on Islamist militants.China says some Uighurs have traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight with militant groups there.In November, Islamic State said it had killed a Chinese citizen it had taken hostage in the Middle East.China and Middle East countries are all victims of terrorism and are also important cooperative participants in the fight against terrorism, Zhang said.

Thick fog blankets large parts of Punjab

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – A thick fog blanketed large parts of the Punjab province late Monday night. Motorway route from Lahore to Sheikhupura was closed for traffic due to the dense fog. The extreme weather condition also wreaked havoc on the flight schedules in Islamabad.Traffic was also affected as visibility was reduced to 20 meters on GT road from Sahiwal to Rahim Yar Khan.Visibility was reduced to 50-100 meters from Lahore to Sahiwal on National Highway.Maximum visibility from Lahore to Rawalpindi was 50-100 meters on Motorway M-2 due to the dense fog. At M-3 from Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad maximum visibility was at 100-150 meters while at M-4 from Faisalabad to Gojra maximum visibility was 100-160 meters.Motorway authorities have advised motorists to use fog lights and wipers and to remain alert. Drivers also being advised to avoid over speeding and the use of mobile phones while driving. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel.

Karachi: Rain emergency declared as showers wreak havoc in city

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Sindh government on Monday declared a rain emergency as heavy showers wreaked havoc in the city. Local administration sprang into action as numerous areas of the city were flooded with rainwater.Apart from the difficulties, citizens were delighted as temperatures dropped in Karachi due to the late night downpour.Heavy showers were witnessed at MA Jinnah road, Numaish, Patel Para, Sadar, Tariq road, Nagan Chorangi, Sarjani Road, Federal B Area, Abu Al Hassan Isfahani Road and Gulistan-E-Johar areas of Karachi.The city was plunged into darkness when 58 feeders of K-electric tripped after the rain. Citizens in North Nazimabad, Ancholi, Gulistan-e-Johar, Orangi Town and other parts faced extreme difficulties.A road being constructed in North Nazimabad area sank due to the flooding. 5 vehicles parked on the road were trapped due to the mishap.Citizens towed out the cars on their own.Local Minister Jam Khan Shoro visited the different areas of the city to observe the deteriorating situation after the downpour.Shoro stated that the drainage systems were being looked into. Officials of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and District Metropolitan Corporation (DMC) have been advised to fix the issues on immediate basis.
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