Saturday 9 January 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Custom officials thwart attempt to smuggle mobile phones worth millions

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Custom officials Saturday thwarted an attempt to smuggle mobile phones worth millions. The cell phones were brought from Dubai to Pakistan.According to Deputy Collector Customs Shahid Khan, the suspects was trying to smuggle the phones from Dubai into Pakistan but was foiled. Customs officials said that a stringent airport checking was enforced on information by Collector Zeba Hai. Due to the strict measures, the smugglers abandoned four bags and another shopping bag all laden with mobile phones and fled.Custom officials have stated that the mobile phones have been confiscated.

Landmine blast kills two Pakistani coastguards near Iran border

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QUETTA (AFP) - At least two Pakistani coastguards were killed and three others wounded on Saturday when their vehicle hit a landmine close to the Iranian border in southwestern Balochistan province, officials said.The coastguards vehicle hit the explosives in Koldan town, near the Iranian border and some 80 kilometres (47 miles) from Gwadar, a seaport managed by Beijing.The coastguards vehicle was part of a convoy which brings drinking water for them from Koldan town to the port of Gwadar daily, said Muhammad Anwar, a senior administration official in the area.Five guards were injured when their vehicle hit the landmine and two of them succumbed to their injuries later, he said.Another government official confirmed the incident and causalities.Gwadar port is being developed under Beijings ambitious $46 billion infrastructure plan called the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, to link Chinas western city of Kashgar to the Pakistani port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea.The corridor plans have been strongly criticised by New Delhi, with Indias Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj last year calling the project unacceptable for crossing through Indian-claimed territory -- Pakistans northern Gilgit-Baltistan region which is attached to the disputed territory of Kashmir.Balochistan province, of which Gwadar is a part, is rife with separatist, extremist and sectarian violence.The mineral-rich province has long been targeted by militants, and Islamabad accuses New Delhi of fuelling unrest in the region to hamper Pakistans development.A spokesman for the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) told AFP that they claimed responsibility for the blast.We claim responsibility for this attack in Koldan. We will continue targeting Pakistani forces, Meerak Baloch said.

National cricket team departs for New Zealand from Karachi

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – The national cricket team early Sunday morning departed for New Zealand from Karachi’s Jinnah International airport. The Pakistani team will be reaching New Zealand via Dubai.The national team is travelling through a private airline.Pakistan is set to play three One Day Internationals (ODI) and three T-20 matches during the Kiwi tour.The squad includes Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umer Gul, Wahab Riaz along with others.

IS Deputy killed in Iraqi forces aerial strike: US media

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LAHORE (WebDesk) – US media on Sunday stated that an aerial strike by Iraqi forces has killed Islamic State (IS) Commander and Abu-Bakr Al-Baghdadi’s Deputy Assi Ali Mohammed Nasser al-Obeidi in the north-western city of Barwana in Anbar province.According to Iraq’s Joint Operation Command, Obeidi was an IS commander in western Iraq and had also been appointed in eastern Syria. He had also served as a brigade commander in Saddam Husseins Republican Guards.On the other hand, officials have stated that a US drone strike has exterminated 24 IS militants in Afghanistan while Spokesperson for Governor Nangarhar province informed that two citizens were injured in the attack as well. Before the drone strike, IS militants were planning on beheading Taliban militants.Nangarhar Police Chief has stated that an increase in death toll can be expected.Earlier in Nangarhar, a clash between Taliban and IS militants left Dolat-e-Islamias 13 militants dead while Talibans 13 ooperatives were injured.

Asma Jahangir group's Arshad Jojha wins Lahore Bar Association polls

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Former Supreme Court Bar Association President Asma Jahangir group’s candidate Arshad Jojha Sunday won the Lahore Bar Association polls and has been elected as President. Johja’s supporters appeared overjoyed over the victory and danced in celebration. Jojha secured the victory with 1000 votes.According to the details, annual elections of District Bar were held in several areas of Punjab with Jojha emerging victorious from Lahore.Qaiser Nazeer secured position as President while Azhar Hanif was elected as General Secretary during the polls in Faisalabad.In Sargodha, Khudadad Kalyar was elected as President while Shehzad Warraich won as General Secretary. The victories were celebrated with aerial firing.Mian Pervaiz won as President while Tariq Cheema was elected as General Secretary in Sheikhupura.From Mianwali, Zubair Syed was elected as President while Ahmed Niazi was elected as General Secretary.From Vehari, Malik Shabbir Awan was nominated as President while Masood Zafar was chosen as General Secretary.In Khanewal’s District Bar polls Chaudary Syed Akhtar was elected as President while Chaudary Shahid was nominated as General Secretary.From Attock, Mazhar Mehmood as President while Khidmat Hussain Awan was elected as General Secretary.In Layyah, Naveed Ahmed Gujjar was successful in winning as President while Mohammad Akhtar was elected as General Secretary.From Sahiwal district, Masood Sadiq won as President whereas Naveed Mushtaq was elected as General Secretary.Khadim Hussain was elected as Bar President while Mian Liaqat Ali was chosen as General Secretary.In Narowal, Mujtaba Hassan as President while Dolat Ali was nominated as General Secretary.From Toba Tek Singh, Mian Farrukkh elected as Bar President whereas Salman Ghani was appointed General Secretary.Chaudhry Amanullah won as President, Fayyaz Korai was elected General Secretary in RajanpurIn Muzzaffargarrh, Abdul Qayyum Dasti was elected President, Gul Nawaz Khan won as General Secretary.Sialkot’s Maqsood Ahmed was successful as President while Sarfaraz Ghuman was appointed General Secretary.From Pakpattan, Nasurullah Wattoo elected as President, Hammad Akhtar elected as General Secretary.In Bahawalnugur Zulfiqar Bajwa was elected as Bar President while Masood Arif Wattoo was nominated General Secretary.In Hafizabad, Mohammad Farooq Khokhar emerged victorious as President while Waqar Hussain was nominated General Secretary.

Saudi Defence Minister Muhammad Bin Salman to arrive in Islamabad today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Saudi Arabian Defence Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman is expected to arrive in Islamabad today (Sunday).The Saudi Minister will meet with Pakistan’s political and military leadership including Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif.Matters pertaining to regional security will be discucssed during the meeting.According to sources, the Saudi Defence Minister will discuss security situation of the region. The Minister is also expected to further talks on Pakistan’s role in the military alliance of 34 Islamic countries.Saudi Arabia’s row with Iran will also be brought up during the meeting.Saudi Foreign Minister Adil-Al Jubair had also discussed in detail matters pertaining to the military alliance with Pakistani officials during his visit earlier this month. Jubair had stated that Irans policies will cause greater instability in region.

Karachi: Sabotage attempt foiled, 9 suspects arrested during crackdown

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – A sabotage attempt was foiled while nine suspects including terrorists were arrested during crackdown by Rangers and police in several areas of the city. On the other hand a police officer was shot dead in Baldia Number 12.Intelligence officials thwarted the sabotage attempt by conducting action in Korangi ground area. Ammunition was also recovered from a water tank upon information given by the arrested suspects. The confiscated ammunition was intended to be used for sabotage purposes in the city. Meanwhile Rangers arrested three terrorists from Bilal Colony after conducting a raid in the area on an intelligence tip off.Ammunition was also recovered from the arrested terrorists during the raids.According to Rangers Spokesperson, apprehended terrorists belong to a banned outfit.Rangers also conducted action in Landhi Korangi and surrounding areas and apprehended 4 suspects including an operative of a militant wing and a dacoit.2 suspects were arrested from Garden Nabi Baksh area. Arrested suspects were involved in numerous criminal cases.

Karachi: Sabotage attempt foiled, huge cache of ammunition recovered

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – A sabotage attempt by criminals was foiled Saturday night due to action by Intelligence officials in Karachi’s Korangi ground.A huge cache of ammunition was recovered after the raid upon identification by the arrested suspects.

German police, far-right supporters clash at Cologne protest

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Cologne (Germany) (AFP) - Police on Saturday fired tear gas and used water cannon to clear a rally in Cologne of the far-right xenophobic PEGIDA movement, after protesters hurled firecrackers and bottles at officers.Sirens wailed and police told peaceful protesters to leave as they deployed water cannon to disperse the increasingly agitated crowd.The initially peaceful rally against a shocking spate of sexual assaults during New Years festivities in Cologne took an ugly turn when a group of far-right extremists began flinging projectiles at officers.Police estimate that around 800 hooligans were among the 1,700 who took part in the PEGIDA march.A PEGIDA spokesman urged all participants to go home.The event is officially over, he said.PEGIDA, which started life over a year ago as a Facebook group, has seen a revival as concerns grow over Germanys ability to cope with the 1.1 million asylum seekers it took in alone last year.

Armed man plotted to kidnap Obama family dog: reports

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Washington (AFP) - A heavily armed man claiming to be Jesus allegedly plotted to kidnap one of the Obama familys dogs and has been arrested, US media and officials said.Scott Stockert, 49, was arrested at a Washington hotel Wednesday after Secret Service agents found unregistered firearms in his truck, together with hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a machete and a club, NBC Washington said, citing authorities in the US capital.Agents went to the hotel after getting a be on the lookout alert from the Secret Services Minnesota field office about the alleged kidnapping plan, NBC said.It quoted the Secret Service as saying that Stockert, from North Dakota, allegedly planned to take Bo, one of the two Portuguese water dogs owned by President Barack Obama and the first family.Court documents show that Stockert was released on Friday to a high-intensity supervision program and ordered not to possess any firearms or other dangerous weapons, either real or imitation.He was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and ordered to stay away from the White House and the Capitol.As well as claiming to be Jesus, Stockert told agents that his parents were John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, NBC said, citing court papers.

First Pakistani Sikh Ranger participates in beating retreat at Wagah Border

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – First ever Pakistani Sikh Ranger on Saturday participated in flag-lowering ceremony involving Indian Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers, Dunya News reported.According to details, Amarjit Singh participated in the flag lowering ceremony and created history on Saturday.The crowd engaged in loud cheers and Pakistan Zindabad slogans after the Sikh Ranger shook hands with the Indian counterpart in traditionally tough way.Singh also posed for photos in front of Bab-e-Azadi, literally the Freedom Gate, to mark the historic event. In one such photo, Amarjit Singh can be seen waving Pakistan flag.31-year-old Amarjit belonging to Nankana Sahib had completed training in 2009 from Pakistan Rangers Academy Mandi Bahauddin.

20,000 rally in protest at contested French airport site

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NANTES (AFP) - Around 20,000 demonstrators blocked roads around the western French city of Nantes on Saturday in protest over a controversial airport development, organisers said, although police put the number at 7,200.With some agricultural organisations threatening to maintain an indefinite blockade of one of the main bridges over the Loire, thousands of people, some on foot, others on bikes or driving tractors blocked roads in the area demanding the cancellation of expulsion orders handed to 11 families and four farmers living at the site.Protesters have been engaged in a 15-year legal battle to block construction of a major new airport on swampland outside the city, with Saturdays demonstration the biggest gathering in two years.Demonstrators caused major disruption to traffic on the Nantes ring road and also blocked access to the citys international airport, Nantes Atlantique.But unlike the protests of February 2014, which gathered over 20,000 people and deteriorated into clashes with the police, Saturdays rally took place in a peaceful atmosphere.Agricultural organisations using megaphones announced that they would keep one of the main crossing points over the Loire, the Chevire bridge, blocked as long as French President Francois Holland failed to stop the expulsion orders.To begin with, between 80 and 100 tractors would block access to the bridge on Saturday night, Vincent Delabouglisse, of the anti-airport organisation COPAIN44, told AFP.The protest was held two months after an announcement by regional authorities that the massive construction project, which has been on hold for nearly three years, would resume in 2016 in a move backed by the courts.The project involves transferring Nantes Atlantique airport to a 1,650-hectare (4,000-acre) site of protected swampland just outside the city, which developers say will provide a major boost to tourism in western France.Approved in 2008, the 580-million-euro ($747 million) project had been due to start in 2014 but was repeatedly delayed due to fierce opposition by environmental protesters.

US flight diverted to Canada on 'security concern'

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OTTAWA (AFP) - A United Airlines flight from Alaska to Denver was diverted to Vancouver after a security concern and one person was placed in custody on Saturday, officials said.Airline and airport officials would not immediately say what the problem was, but the incident came as the United States and Canada are on heightened alert for terror attacks.United Airlines flight 1104 from Anchorage, Alaska to Denver, Colorado was diverted to Vancouver International Airport due to a security concern, an airport spokeswoman said.The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are responding.Richmond Royal Canadian Mounted Police subsequently tweeted: We have a suspect in custody. Airport operations unaffected at this time. More information when available.The plane landed safely and the airline is cooperating with authorities, United said.

Merkel wants tougher expulsion rules as Cologne assault cases rise

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COLOGNE (AFP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday backed tougher expulsion rules for convicted refugees, as Cologne police recorded 379 cases of New Year violence with asylum seekers and illegal migrants making up the majority of suspects.With anger running high as the scale of the rampage including sexual assaults a week ago became clear, supporters of the xenophobic PEGIDA movement marched in the western German city in protests that briefly turned ugly.Police used tear gas and water cannon to clear the rally of far-right supporters in Cologne, after protesters flung firecrackers and bottles at officers they accuse of failing to prevent the attacks on women on New Years Eve.Vowing tough action, Merkel declared that any refugee handed a jail term -- even if it is only a suspended sentence -- should be kicked out of the country.If the law does not suffice, then the law must be changed, she said, pledging action to protect not just German citizens, but innocent refugees too.Witnesses described terrifying scenes of hundreds of women running a gauntlet of groping hands, lewd insults and robberies in the mob violence.Of the cases reported so far, 40 percent related to sexual violence, Cologne police said in a statement.Those in focus of criminal police investigations are mostly people from North African countries. The majority of them are asylum seekers and people who are in Germany illegally, police added, confirming witness accounts.The stark implication of migrants has added fuel to criticism of Merkels liberal open-door policy -- which brought 1.1 million new asylum seekers to Germany last year.- Cologne changed everything -The mob violence has played into popular fears and threatened to cloud what had been a broadly welcoming mood in Germany where crowds cheered as Syrian refugees arrived by train in September.Germanys conservative Die Welt newspaper said January 6, the day the scope of the violence became clear, marks the beginning of a change in immigration policy in an article outlining both the benefits and the dangers of mass immigration from Muslim countries.Cologne has changed everything, people now are doubting, said Volker Bouffier, vice president of Merkels CDU party at a meeting late on Friday.In Cologne, hundreds of PEGIDA supporters waved German flags and signs saying Rapefugees not welcome, as they shouted Merkel raus (Merkel out), before the protest briefly turned violent.The rattle of a helicopter circling in the skies and the occasional bang of a firecracker added to tensions as counter-protesters, separated from the PEGIDA crowd by police, chanted Nazis raus.More than 300 Belgian supporters of the far-right movement also turned out in the northern city of Antwerp, holding posters with slogans like Mohammed not welcome complete with a caricature of the Prophet.Marine Le Pen, the leader of Frances far-right National Front party, also weighed in, saying in a tweet that the dignity and freedom of a woman is something precious that we have the duty to protect.The populist right-wing Alternative for Germany party, which polls show as having 10 percent support ahead of state elections this year, claimed the violence gave a taste of the looming collapse of culture and civilisation.- Asylum seekers among suspects -Details remain hazy of what happened in the frenzied crush on what was supposed to be a night of celebration.Germanys federal police have identified 32 suspects, 22 of whom are asylum seekers, in connection with 76 offences, 12 of which had a sexual character, the interior ministry said Friday.Cologne police, which has around 100 investigators scanning some 350 hours of video, says it has identified 16 suspects.It was unclear how many of the suspects had been in Germany long-term or belonged to a scene of drug dealers and pickpockets known to lurk around the railway station, and how many were newly-arrived asylum seekers.On Friday, criticism over the polices failure to stop the violence claimed the scalp of Cologne police chief Wolfgang Albers in a bid to restore public confidence.- Do this for us -Merkel, who has so far refused to abandon her welcoming stance towards war refugees, on Saturday had tough words for law-breakers.If a refugee flouts the rules, then there must be consequences, that means that they can lose their residence right here regardless of whether they have a suspended sentence or a prison sentence, she said after a meeting with the top ranks of her party in the southwestern city of Mainz.Under current laws, asylum seekers are only deported if they have been sentenced to jail terms of at least three years, and if their lives are not at risk in their countries of origin.We must do this for us, and for the many refugees who were not part of the events in Cologne, she said.Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said talks were already ongoing with the justice minister on this front.Foreigners convicted of serious offences or serial offences must leave Germany, he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Syria 'starvation towns' won't get aid before Monday: Red Cross

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DAMASCUS (AFP) - Aid desperately needed in three besieged towns in war-torn Syria cannot be delivered before Monday, the Red Cross said, citing logistical problems.Syrias regime agreed Thursday to allow aid into Madaya, a town of 42,000 that has been surrounded by the army for six months and has become notorious in recent days because of people starving there.Fuaa and Kafraya, in the northwestern province of Idlib, are encircled by rebel groups.The distribution of aid will not take place on Sunday for logistical reasons; we are working hard for it to take place on Monday, said Pawel Krzysiek, spokesman in Damascus of the International Committee of the Red Cross.Tamam Mehrez of the Syrian Red Crescent had said technically we are ready to begin distribution as early as Sunday, but if there are logistical issues it will be Monday at the latest.Anyway, I am sure there will be food for everyone, he added.Al-Manar, a Lebanese television station affiliated with Hezbollah, whose fighters aid regime forces, said an agreement had been reached for the UN to take aid to Madaya, and simultaneously to Fuaa and Kafraya.Both the UN and the Red Cross were expected to deliver aid to Madaya.According to Doctors Without Borders, at least 23 people have starved to death since December 1 in centres that it supports.At the same time, the 20,000 residents of the two Shiite towns of Fuaa and Kafraya should also receive similar assistance.The UN Security Council is to discuss the matter behind closed doors on Monday, although no decision is expected. The meeting was requested by Spain and New Zealand.Syrias conflict erupted with anti-government protests in March 2011 but quickly evolved into a multi-sided war that has killed 260,000 people and forced millions from their homes.
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