Sunday, 20 March 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Khamenei accuses US of failing to respect nuclear deal

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TEHRAN (AFP) - Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Washington of failing to respect the terms of a nuclear deal that lifts sanctions on Tehran, in a speech Sunday marking Persian New Year.The Americans have not respected their commitments, he said in the speech for Nowruz in the northeastern city of Mashhad.The United States has lifted sanctions on paper under Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers that came into effect in January, but they are using roundabout paths to prevent the Islamic republic from achieving its targets, Khamenei said.They have said they lifted the sanctions... but, in fact, they are working to prevent the lifting of sanctions from taking effect, he said.The Nowruz holiday comes just two months after implementation of the deal began, triggering the lifting of a raft of international sanctions and raising the prospect of renewed foreign investment.But Khamenei said the Western allies of Washington remained afraid of dealings with Iran.Today, in all the Western countries which are under their influence, banking transactions come up against problems, he said.When we investigated, we realised that they are afraid of the Americans.In a pre-recorded television address broadcast earlier on Sunday, he said: The economy must be our priority.The end of the 13-year standoff over Irans nuclear programme has raised expectations of recovery after years of economic difficulty, including high inflation which dramatically reduced Iranians purchasing power.The economy exited a deep recession little more than a year ago.But although international oil sales have resumed and exports risen since January, the price of crude means receipts have been low and growth remains weak. The solution is the economy of resistance, Khamenei said.With the economy of resistance, we can fight unemployment and recession, control inflation and confront the threats of enemies.He said President Hassan Rouhanis government had put in place extensive measures to repair the economy.Steps have been taken and these preliminary actions must continue, the supreme leader said, in a possible nod to Rouhanis taming of inflation, which has fallen to 13 percent from more than 40 percent when the president took office in August 2013.I do not expect that these problems will be solved in a year, but Im sure that if appropriate actions are taken, we will see the effects at the end of the year.Unemployment in Iran stands at a little over 10 percent but youth unemployment is around 25 percent, making job creation vital.In a separate message, broadcast immediately after Khameneis, Rouhani echoed the supreme leader, and said economic growth of five percent was his aim for the next 12 months.I have hope, and am certain that with interaction with the world, we can move towards economic prosperity, he said.

At least 55 killed in two days of Yemen fighting

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ADEN (AFP) - At least 55 people, including 14 civilians, have been killed in two days of fighting between pro-government forces and Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen, officials said Sunday.The clashes came as UN special envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was in the rebel-held capital Sanaa for meetings with the Huthis aimed at restarting peace talks with the internationally recognised government.Since Saturday, fighting has raged in the outskirts of third city Taez as rebels try to retake positions lost in recent weeks to loyalists, military sources said.Pro-government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition managed earlier this month to break a months-long rebel siege of the southwestern city. At least 26 people, including 14 civilians, have been killed in 24 hours in rebel shelling of residential neighbourhoods and loyalist positions, a local official told AFP.Taez lies between Sanaa, which rebels overran in September 2014, and the port city of Aden -- the temporary base of the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. On another front, six pro-Hadi fighters and seven rebels were killed Saturday in clashes in the southern province of Shabwa, where loyalists advanced in the oil-rich area of Baihan, another military source said.In the neighbouring province of Marib, pro-Hadi forces on Saturday captured the Harib area, the military source said, adding that 13 rebels and three loyalists were killed in the fighting.As well as the 55 dead in fighting between pro-government forces and rebels, two loyalists were killed late Saturday in an ambush that targeted a convoy heading from Taez to Aden, a military source said, accusing the Islamic State group of being behind the attack.IS and Al-Qaeda militants have gained ground in southern Yemen since the coalition launched air strikes in the country in March last year, after the rebels closed in on Hadi in Aden, forcing him to flee to Riyadh.Loyalists last summer recaptured Aden and four other southern provinces including Shabwa, but its northern area of Baihan remained in rebels hands.The World Health Organisation says fighting in Yemen has killed more than 6,200 people over the past year and the United Nations has warned of an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.

12 dead in Indonesian military chopper crash

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JAKARTA (AFP) - Twelve people were killed Sunday when a military helicopter crashed in bad weather in central Indonesia, an official said, the latest air accident for the countrys armed forces. The Bell 412 helicopter went down in Kasiguncu village in Poso district, on Sulawesi island, where a radical Islamic group is waging a guerilla war against the government.Twelve (bodies) have been found and identified, said military spokesman Tatang Sulaiman, adding that rescuers were still searching for one crew member. The aircraft, carrying seven passengers and six crew, crashed 35 minutes after take off and just 10 minutes before it was supposed to land, the military said.There was heavy rain at the time of the accident, and Sulaiman said the bad weather was seen as the most likely cause of the accident. The military has launched an investigation, he added. The twin-engine helicopter was purchased in 2012.The Indonesian military has been hit with repeated aircraft accidents in recent years.Last month, a small Super Tucano turboprop plane crashed into a densely populated area during a test flight, killing three people.In December last year two pilots were killed when a military plane crashed in central Java while performing manoeuvres.And last June, a Hercules C-130 crashed into a residential neighbourhood in Medan, the largest city on Sumatra island, killing 142 people and causing widespread destruction.

Coach carrying foreign students crashes in Spain, killing 13

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TORTOSA (AFP) - Thirteen foreign students were killed and dozens more injured in Spain Sunday when a bus carrying them back from a popular traditional festival crashed into an incoming car.The students, who were on a European exchange programme in the northeastern region of Catalonia, came from 16 different countries including Britain, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Switzerland, Finland, Norway and Sweden but also Japan and New Zealand.All the dead were female, according to a regional government source who requested anonymity, but authorities have yet to announce their exact nationalities.The accident occurred just before 6 am (0500 GMT) near the small town of Freginals, about 150 kilometres (95 miles) south of Barcelona, as the students were returning from the Fallas festival in eastern Valencia known for the burning of giant statues.The driver hit the railing on the right and swerved to the left so violently that the bus veered onto the other side of the highway, said Jordi Jane who heads up interior matters for the Catalonia region.The bus then hit a car coming in the opposite direction, injuring two people inside, he added.Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz, who rushed to the scene, said it was still not clear why the driver hit the railing in the first place, adding however that the accident was likely due to a human factor.An AFP photographer at the scene several hours after the crash said many fire engines were at the scene, as were three hearses and a heavy-lift crane.The cars front was smashed in, and the bus was lying on its side after the accident.The bus was carrying 57 people in all, including the driver.Spains national radio station RNE spoke to the son of the owner of the company that chartered the bus, who said his father was driving another bus in front of the one that crashed -- one of a total of five vehicles ferrying students back from Valencia.All of a sudden, he stopped seeing it in his rear-view mirror. He stopped at the next service area, called the driver but he didnt pick up, said the son, named only as Raul.He added that his father then asked passengers in his own bus to call those in the other vehicle, and that is when he got news of the accident.The driver is in a state of shock, but hes okay physically, he added.Catalonias high court said in a statement that an initial probe revealed that the bus driver tested negative for drugs and alcohol.The accident is one of the deadliest in Spain in recent years.In November 2014, a bus carrying pilgrims fell into a ravine in the southeast of the country, leaving 14 dead and another 41 injured.Spains Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy tweeted his concern on Sunday.My condolences to the families of the victims and I wish rapid recovery to the injured, he wrote.Catalonias newly-elected regional president Carles Puigdemont, meanwhile, visited the area after cancelling a planned trip to Paris.Joining in mourning for the tragedy, players for Barcelona and Villarreal -- which is only around 100 kilometres from the crash site -- observed a moment of silence before kick-off, as will those from the Real Madrid and Sevilla later Sunday.

Joint session of Parliament to be held today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - A joint session of the Parliament has been summoned to meet today (Monday) at the Parliament House building in Islamabad. The session will start at 5:00pm.According to agenda, seven bills will be presented in the Joint Session for passage. These include The Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) Bill, 2016. This bill provides for setting up of the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation into a public limited company.Other bills to be presented include the Gas Theft Control and Recovery Bill, 2014, The Emigration (Amendment) Bill, 2014, The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2014, The Anti-Rape Laws (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2015, The Anti-Honour Killing Laws (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2015 and The Privatization Commission (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015.

Cell phone service suspended in twin cities

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Mobile phone service in Islamabad and Rawalpindi was suspended on early Monday morning as a precaution to avert any untoward incident ahead of Pakistan Day parade rehearsal.The cell phone service will remain suspended in the twin cities till 3:00pm.On the other hand, entry of heavy traffic in Islamabad has also been banned till 1:00pm while the roads around the venue of the Pakistan Day parade will remain closed for all kind of traffic.

Karachi: 4 accused arrested during police operations

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - Crackdown against criminals continued in Karachi as police arrested four accused during operations in different parts of Karachi on Sunday.According to details, police conducted an operation in Pakistan Bazar area of Orangi Town on information provided by an already detained criminal named Afsar and arrested an accused identified as Adnan. Police have also recovered a 9MM pistol from his possession.Separately, police arrested three accused, Abdul Razzaq, Sajid and Asif, during an operation in Mochko area. Police sources said that arms and a stolen motorcycle were recovered from arrested persons.

Mardan: Roof collapse kills 4, injures 5

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MARDAN (Dunya News) – According to details, roof of a house of a man named Zahir Shah in Bako area of Parhoti in Mardan collapsed on Sunday, killing four persons and injuring five other.Those who died in the mishap included two children, Yaseen and Talha, a 50-year-old man named Lal Faroosh and a woman. Four women and a man were also injured.Rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the dead and injured to the District Headquarters Hospital.

Shaharyar hints at sacking Afridi as T20 captain

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan while giving an interview to a British website has said that Shahid Afridi will no more be Pakistan T20 captain after World Twenty20 irrespective of the teams performance in the remainder of the tournament.Shaharyar Khan said that Pakistans World Twenty20 loss to India in Kolkata on Saturday was very disappointing and added that there is clear discontent in the PCB about Afridi and his performances and captaincy and the board will not retain him as captain any longer.Criticizing team selection for the match against India, PCB chairman said that playing with four fast bowlers at the spinning Eden Gardens pitch was a crucial mistake and added that a specialist spinner should have been included in the playing XI for this match.Shaharyar further said that the board was also contemplating appointing a new coach and would not extend Waqar Younis’s contract when it expires before the tour to England in summer.Pakistan were defeated by India by six wickets on Saturday in a crucial World Twenty20 Group 2 encounter at the Eden Gardens ground in Kolkata.Pakistan were restricted to 118/5 in their quota of 18 overs as batsmen failed to score freely on a turning track. India achieved the target in 16th over after losing just four wickets.

Australia confident of bouncing back against Bangladesh

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BANGALORE (AFP) - Australia will be determined to demolish underdogs Bangladesh in their World Twenty20 clash on Monday, to secure their first points in the group stages and increase their chances of reaching the semi-finals.Steve Smiths side lost a thriller to New Zealand on Friday, in a big blow to their hopes of winning the T20 trophy that has so far proved elusive.Australia also face Pakistan and then title favourites and world number one India in Group 2 -- and will likely need to overcome both to qualify for the semis.Smith said he was sure his side could turn things around and defeat Bangladesh after the Black Caps edged past them on Friday thanks largely to tight bowling.Absolutely. Were still confident, Smith said of his sides title hopes.Although Australia top the Test rankings and won their fifth 50-over World Cup last year, they have struggled in T20 cricket and have only made the World T20 final once, in 2010, when they lost to England. Their chances were given a boost after the ICC announced on Saturday it was suspending Bangladeshs Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed from bowling for illegal actions.Off-spinner Sunny and fast bowler Ahmed were reported by the umpires during a preliminary stage WorldT20 match against the Netherlands.Bangladesh also need a victory if they are to have any hopes of making the semi-finals, after being demolished by Pakistan in their first group stage match.All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and star batsman Tamin Iqbal were bright spots for Bangladesh in that match, scoring an unbeaten 50 and 24 respectively.But Bangladesh, ranked 10th, have a rotten record in the World T20 -- despite their recent improvements in 50-over cricket -- and have not beaten Australia in any of their three previous World T20 clashes.Teams:Australia (from): Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Andrew Tye, Shane Watson, Adam Zampa.Bangladesh (from): Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Abu Hider, Al-Amin Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Tamin Iqbal.

Bangladesh fans vent anger at ICC over bans

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DHAKA (AFP) - Scores of Bangladeshi cricket fans took to the streets of Dhaka on Sunday to express their outrage hours after global cricket officials banned the countrys top bowlers from competing in the World Twenty20 in India.The demonstrators formed a human chain as they marched along a busy road in the capital, after the International Cricket Council suspended pacer Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny on Saturday from bowling in international matches for illegal actions.The bans came as a blow to Bangladeshs chances in the World Twenty20 after they lost to Pakistan by 55 runs in their opening match of the tournament.Shame on you ICC. Your action is illegal, one banner read as young fans rallied against what they described as a conspiracy targeting Bangladesh.The ICC has been consistently trying to destroy the chances of small teams like Bangladesh to do better in the World Cup. The bans of Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny are part of this conspiracy, enraged cricket fan Sanjiban Sudip, 23, told AFP.This is nothing new. No players from India, Australia or England have been banned for suspect actions. In contrast, plenty of players from teams like Bangladesh were suspended, he added.The protesters burned a symbolic effigy of the ICC as they concluded their protest. An AFP photographer at the scene said at least 100 people joined the hour-long protest at Dhakas Shahbagh square.Thousands of Bangladeshi fans also vented their frustration on social media after the bowlers failed assessment tests to clear the suspicion over their bowling, as the bans made front-page headlines across the cricket-crazy nation on Sunday. Bangladesh face an uphill task to make the semi-finals of the World T20 for the first time after losing their opening match to Pakistan last week.Their next game is against Australia in Bangalore on Monday while they must also face New Zealand and India in the group stages.The ICC launched a crackdown against suspect actions in 2014, which resulted in several leading bowlers being suspended, including the worlds former number one-ranked spinner Pakistans Saeed Ajmal.

Southern Russian city grieves as plane crash kills 62

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ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia, March 20, 2016 (AFP) - Tearful residents in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on Sunday laid flowers and lit candles at the airport where a flydubai passenger jet crashed a day earlier killing all 62 people on board.A constant stream of mourners flocked to near the site where the Boeing 737 ploughed into the earth as it was trying to land in bad weather early Saturday, with the city of some 1 million struggling to come to terms with Russias latest air tragedy.Everyone is grieving, the worst pain is for the relatives, the irreparable loss, but we are also really in grief, Svetlana, a middle-aged shop assistant, told AFP with tears in her eyes.The whole city is mourning and we will remember and honour the dead. I feel really sorry for the passengers on the flight, I felt that we had to come here.People stood crossing themselves in near total silence before a makeshift shrine at the airport entrance as they read the names of the 55 passengers and seven crew members -- 44 of them Russian -- who lost their lives.Onboard flight FZ981 were four children, 35 women and 23 men from nine different countries including Ukraine, Spain, India, Cyprus, the Seychelles, Colombia, Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan.A young woman named Irina, who lived near the airport, told AFP how she saw the plane crash shortly before 0400 local time (0100 GMT) on Saturday as she got up to close a window.It was making a droning noise and flying very low, then five seconds later there was an explosion, Irina said.I could see it was flying off to the side a bit.Investigators were on Sunday trawling the crash site for clues after a criminal probe was opened to look into whether pilot error, a technical fault or bad weather was to blame.The jet, which was flying in from Dubai, exploded into a fireball after missing the runway in bad weather as it was reportedly making its second attempt to land after circling for several hours.Some of the mourners asked why the plane had not been diverted to other neighbouring airports given that the weather conditions were so bad.The question that people are asking is why the pilot didnt fly to Krasnodar or Mineralnye Vody, said Yekaterina, a young woman in a colourful headscarf.Russia has suffered a string of air disasters over the past decade both at home and abroad in recent years.The most recent was in October last year, when a passenger jet on its way from Egypts Sharm el-Sheikh resort to Saint Petersburg was brought down by a bomb in the Sinai Peninsula.Now on Sunday it was the turn of the people of Rostov-on-Don -- some 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) south of Moscow -- to mourn for the dead.I wouldnt wish such a disaster on any city on Earth, security guard Stepan Apetri told AFP.I wouldnt wish such grief on any city.

Saudi offers $1.5bn to fund Egypt's sinai project

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CAIRO, March 20, 2016 (AFP) - Egypt said on Sunday that Saudi Arabia has offered $1.5 billion to help finance economic projects in the Sinai Peninsula, as Riyadh continues to bolster its ties with Cairo.Saudi Arabia, a staunch supporter of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisis regime, has previously offered billions of dollars in aid to Egypt since the 2013 ouster of Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi.In December, Riyadh pledged eight billion dollars in investment and aid to Egypt over five years, but it was unclear whether the Sinai offer was part of this.Egypts International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr signed a $1.5 billion agreement with the Saudi Development Fund for developing projects in the Sinai Peninsula, a ministry statement said.The funds will be used for development projects in agriculture and to build 26 residential complexes that would also include hospitals and schools.The peninsulas northern part is a bastion of the Egyptian affiliate of the jihadist Islamic State group, which has carried out deadly attacks on Egyptian security forces since Morsis ouster.On Saturday, 15 policemen were killed in an attack on a police checkpoint in the area. The attack was claimed by IS.On Sunday, Saudi Arabia also signed a separate five-year agreement to help Egypt finance its petrol needs, the ministry said.The fuel agreement comes despite a sharp fall in Saudi Arabias own oil earnings amid the global decline in crude prices.Sundays agreements come ahead of an official visit by Saudi King Salman to Cairo on April 4.

Fletcher shines as West Indies down Sri Lanka without Gayle

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BANGALORE, (AFP) - Andre Fletcher insisted Sunday he was not trying to steal Chris Gayles limelight after he powered the West Indies to a seven-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in their World Twenty20 match in Bangalore.The 28-year-old smashed an unbeaten 84, including five sixes and six fours, as the Windies successfully chased down Sri Lankas paltry score of 122 for nine.Fletcher spearheaded the attack with his 64-ball knock in the absence of explosive opener Gayle, who suffered a tweak in his left hamstring while fielding and did not bat.A Windies team spokesman told reporters that the 36-year-olds injury was not major but it raises questions about how much of the remaining tournament he will now play.I dont think anybody in the world can take his (Gayles) place, Fletcher said.Im (just) grateful for the opportunity to bat, the man of the match added.An unimpressed crowd repeatedly chanted We want Gayle, We want Gayle, anxious to see the Jamaican who has played several seasons for the citys team in the glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL).He teased the crowd by stepping out of the bunker with his bat after the third wicket fell, bringing roars from the stadium, only to walk back inside.Gayle smashed a scorching century last week during the West Indies demolition of England by six wickets in their opening Group One Super 10 match.Despite the injury, Gayle tweeted that he expected to play again in the tournament.Great team win tonight. The Bengaluru crowd/fans always amazing, sorry yall didnt see me bat tonight but I will be back, he wrote.The West Indies are one of the weakest teams in Test cricket, but they remain a force in the shortest format and are gunning for their second World T20 title after winning the trophy in 2012.We back ourselves to win .. (the title) we now have two wins under our belt, Fletcher said.

Imran Khan a major hurdle towards development: Hamza Shahbaz

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WAZIRABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Hamza Shahbaz Sharif addressed a big rally in Wazirabad on Sunday and criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan saying that he is an obstacle towards development in the country and that load shedding will be eliminated by 2018, reported Dunya News.PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz addressed a massive rally with regard to by-elections in Wazirabad. He mentioned Imran Khan and considered him a hurdle towards development. He also said that leaders are made by serving people rather than blaming each other.Considering the next two and a half years important for Pakistan, Hamza said that cancer like terrorism will be eliminated and load shedding will end by 2018He appealed to the voters to cast as much votes to PML-N so that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vanishes from the entire scenario.Hamza Shahbaz also criticised National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and said that in the past, actions have been taken against us on the directions of Musharraf but no evidence was found.
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