Friday 27 May 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

NASA to try again to inflate spare room in space

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MIAMI (AFP) - NASA will try again to inflate an add-on room at the International Space Station, after the first attempt ran into problems due to too much friction.The flexible habitat, known as the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), is part of an experiment to test expandable habitats astronauts might use on the Moon or Mars in the coming decades.We ran into higher forces than we believe our models predicted, Jason Crusan, director of Advanced Exploration Systems at NASA, told reporters.At that point in time we decided to stand down the pressurization operation, he said of the decision to stop after two hours on Thursday.He added that the primary force that we believe that were working against is friction forces between the fabrics.Bigelow, which developed the first-of-its-kind habitat as part of an $18 million contract with NASA, said it fully supported the decision to pause the expansion.The BEAM spacecraft has been in a packed state for a significantly longer time than expected, Bigelow said in a statement.It has undergone a tremendous squeeze for over 15 months, which is 10 months longer than planned. Therefore, there is a potential for the behavior of the materials that make up the outside of the spacecraft to act differently than expected.Fully expanded, the module should reach a size of 13 feet long (four meters) by 10.5 feet (3.23 meters) wide. The initial plan was for astronauts to venture inside multiple times over the next two years to take readings from sensors inside the pod and to test how well it might protect against space radiation.NASA said that if the expansion runs into problems on Saturday, they may deflate the habitat and try again in the coming days.We are very confident that we will get it fully expanded at some point in time, said Crusan.

Oil faces struggle to keep above $50, as OPEC looms

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LONDON (AFP) - World oil prices may struggle to sustain a push beyond $50 a barrel after hitting the key level for the first time this year, analysts warned Friday.Crude futures topped $50 a barrel on Thursday, as production disruptions in Canada contribute to a drop in US crude inventories. Prices have won support also from unrest in Nigeria, Africas biggest crude producer.Prices slipped back Friday however, as analysts warned that the weeks move above $50 could trigger some North American producers of crude extracted from shale rock to lift output.Slumping prices, resulting in crude trading at under $30 a barrel in February from above $100 two years ago, made it unprofitable for some shale companies to compete with traditional producers like OPEC and Russia.Futures had plunged over a 21-month period owing largely to a global supply glut, fed by rising production of shale oil.Oil at $50 is meanwhile viewed as a level at which it makes economic sense for certain suppliers to start pumping again, CMC Markets trader Alex Wijaya told AFP. Crude oil prices have failed to hold above the $50 level due to concerns that higher prices could unlock more supply, he said Friday.Traders are now eyeing next weeks meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna to discuss world production levels.There is probably a sliver of hope that OPEC producers will hammer out an agreement to support oil prices, be it to freeze production or otherwise, said IG Asia analyst Bernard Aw.OPEC member Iran, which returned to world markets in January after the lifting of Western sanctions linked to its nuclear programme, has so far refused to curb production.Tehrans stance appeared to reinforce market doubts that OPEC would take any firm action to curb oversupplies.In addition, OPEC will no doubt use the recent supply disruptions in Canada, the falling output in the US and the firmer oil prices as reasons not to cut production, said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at trading group City Index. In the likely event the OPEC maintains status quo, oil prices may fall, at least initially anyway.Razaqzada said the biggest risk to the crude market would be if OPEC did cut production. This potential scenario would almost certainly lead to a sharp rally in oil prices, he added. Brent North Sea crude, the worlds benchmark oil contract, reached $50.51 a barrel on Thursday -- the highest level for almost seven months. US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, meanwhile reached $50.21 a barrel.Having momentarily surpassed the $50 hurdle, Brent and WTI suffered from profit-taking in the second half of Thursdays session, before extending their losses slightly on Friday, said Razaqzada. Despite the pullback, both oil contracts still looked set to close higher for the third straight week.Around 1615 GMT on Friday, WTI for delivery in July stood at $49.17 a barrel, which compared with $47.75 for the June contract one week earlier.Brent North Sea crude for July traded at $49.22 a barrel, up from $48.72 a week earlier.Prices were supported by official data Wednesday that showed US commercial crude inventories fell by 4.2 million barrels last week, indicating strong demand in the United States, the worlds top oil consumer.Official data Friday showed that the US economy grew slightly faster in the first quarter of 2016 than originally thought, hitting a 0.8-percent annual pace.However the revision, from the original estimate of 0.5 percent growth, was not as high as economists had expected, underscoring some persistent weaknesses, especially in manufacturing.

Dollar extends gains on Yellen talk of rate hike

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar powered higher Friday after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said the US economy was improving enough to support an increase in interest rates probably in the coming months.Yellen, speaking at a Harvard University event, said that since the economys slowdown in the first quarter, activity appeared set to accelerate and the labor market, where the unemployment rate has fallen to 5.0 percent, would continue to strengthen.The economy is continuing to improve, Yellen confirmed. Growth looks to be picking up.In that case, she said, probably in the coming months such a move would be appropriate.Yellens comments opened the door to a rate hike at the June 14-15 or July 26-27 meeting of the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee.The dollar rose against all its major peers. Around 2100, the greenback was trading 0.7 percent higher against the euro at $1.1113. The dollar rose to 110.37 yen from 109.76 yen.This was exactly the type of endorsement that the market had been hoping for and they rewarded the dollar as a result, said Kathy Lien, head of forex strategy at BK Asset Management.The rally in the dollar is still relatively modest but with Yellens blessing we could see further gains in the greenback next week, Lien said.After she spoke markets were putting a 60 percent chance that the next increase would come in July.Yellens comments came ahead of the long Memorial Day weekend, with markets on holiday Monday.Analysts noted a hefty US economic calendar next week, to be capped Friday by the May jobs report, the last key reading on the labor market before the June Fed policy meeting.

Karachi: Two terrorists of banned outfit arrested

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Police on Friday night foiled a major terrorism bid in Karachi and arrested two terrorists of a banned organization after an encounter in Sachal area, Dunya News reported.According to SSP Malir, Rao Anwaar, two Kalashnikovs were recovered from the arrested terrorists. He further revealed that the arrested terrorists along with their accomplices were planning terrorist attack in the city.The arrested persons were shifted to some undisclosed location for further investigation.

Karachi: 11 accused apprehended during search operation

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Crackdown against criminal elements continued in Karachi as police detained 11 accused during search operations in different parts of the city on Friday, Dunya News reported.According to details, police carried out a search operation in Mahmoodabad area and arrested ten accused. Those who were arrested also included accused involved in attempted murder cases. Arms and vehicles were also recovered from their possession.Police have also arrested a gang war operative, Aqeel Wachani, in injured condition after an encounter in Lyari Kalakot area. Police sources said that Aqeel is real brother of Nasir Wachani who is already in police costudy. Sources further informed that Aqeel was wanted by police in several cases of heinous nature.

U-16 and U-19 Cricket trials held during examinations

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier stated that lack of education is the main reason behind bad performances of Pakistani Cricketers and education was reason behind success of Pakistani cricketers in the past, but National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches conducted Under-16 trials during matric board examinations.Currently, trials of Under-19 team are being conducted, while Inter board examinations are going on. This creates hurdle for students who want to give trails and some of them leave examination for the love of the game, as they can choose either pen or the bat.

Cook misses out but England press on against Sri Lanka

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CHESTER-LE-STREET (AFP) - England captain Alastair Cook was still left searching for his 10,000th run in Test cricket as fellow opener Alex Hales, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow all missed out on contrasting landmarks at the Riverside on Friday.Yet for all those setbacks, England still ended the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka on 310 for six.Moeen Ali was 28 not out and Chris Woakes eight not out, with Sri Lanka paceman Nuwan Pradeep taking three for 69 from 19 overs.Englands total was all the more significant given Sri Lanka had been dismissed for 91 and 119 during an innings and 88-run defeat in the first Test of this three-match series at Headingley last week. Sri Lankas catching had let them down in Leeds, but on Friday they held three tough chances.It was a brilliant day for us, Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Milinda Siriwardana told BBC Radios Test Match Special after stumps.We got six wickets and the conditions are good, added Siriwardana, who marked his recall in place of the dropped Dasun Shanaka with two for 35 in eight overs Friday. We fielded really well, we took the half-chances. Cook, who won the toss in overcast conditions that offered some swing movement, was out for 15 -- five shy of the 20 runs he needed to become the first England batsman to reach 10,000 in Tests.And for the second time in as many innings, Hales fell in the 80s when in sight of a maiden Test century.Meanwhile Roots 80 meant he had failed to convert seven of his last eight Test fifties into a hundred.Cook was out when recalled paceman Suranga Lakmal, in for the injured Dushmantha Chameera, had him well-taken low down by diving second slip Dimuth Karunaratne as the left-hander carelessly pushed away from his body.New batsman Nick Compton, playing for his Test place after his duck at Headingley, was out for nine when he top-edged a hook off Pradeep and Lakmal, after the ball had gone over his shoulder, held a stunning two-handed catch at long leg that left him facing the boundary and just inches from the rope.Hales, 45 not out at lunch, completed a 131-ball fifty with eight fours.Having made 86 at Headingley, he went into the 80s on Friday with a straight six off Siriwardanas fourth delivery of the day.But next ball Siriwardana had his revenge when Haless fiercely-edged cut was superbly caught one-handed by Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews at slip.Hales was out for 83, having added 96 with Root.When you get in you want to make a big score, but Id have taken it at the start of the day, said Hales.Its was my own fault, I probably try to hit it too hard. Mathews, at slip, went a little deeper and took a brilliant catch.Root in common with Compton, was surprised by a Pradeep bouncer. He could neither pull nor cut as the ball got big on him and spooned a simple catch to cover.Sri Lanka did not have long to wait until Englands 219 for four became 227 for five.James Vince, in his second innings in Test cricket, had struck four fours on his way to 35.But he was out when his hard-hit drive off Siriwardana was expertly held by a diving Lahiru Thirimanne at short cover.Bairstows century at Headingley -- his Yorkshire home ground -- had won him the man-of-the-match award.Promoted up the order in the absence of the injured Ben Stokes, Bairstow was just two runs away from a fifty on Friday when he bottom-edged a cut off Pradeep and was caught behind.Bairstow ran Sri Lanka ragged with his speed between the wickets, but the tourists admirably got through Fridays 90 overs without conceding a single wide or no-ball.

Fowler and Panesar open up on depression

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CHESTER-LE-STREET (AFP) - Former England batsman Graeme Fowler said Friday that Twitter conversations had prompted him to write a book, Absolutely Foxed, which chronicles his experience of depression.At the end of every season, come September, in the first week I would lock myself in the house. Id get a huge pile of videos and watch films for the week, Fowler told BBC Radios Test Match Special in an interview during the lunch break of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka in Durham.I took that as recharging my batteries. Was that a precursor to mental health issues? I dont really know.He added: I didnt find writing about it cathartic. When I was depressed I was on Twitter, firing things into the dark. I got messages of support coming back. It was helping me and helping them. Thats how the book came about.Fowler, who made his name with his native Lancashire, played 21 Tests for England from 1982-85.As an opening batsman, he was good enough both to score a Test hundred against the formidable West Indies pace attack at Lords in 1984 and a double century against India in Madras (now Chennai) a year later.The 59-year-old Fowler, nicknamed Foxy, finished his first-class career with Durham.He then went on to set up run the centre of cricket excellence at Durham University, whose graduates include former England captain Andrew Strauss, for nearly two decades until stepping down last year after its remit was broadened.As news of his mental health problems spread within the cricket community, Fowler received support from former team-mates including England great Ian Botham.Ian Botham is the most generous man Ive ever met, said Fowler. If people dont like him its because they dont know him...He doesnt understand mental health issues, but he knew I needed something.Botham might well be perplexed equally by Fowlers ongoing eccentric decision to spend summers living in a tent in his garden.I love being outside, said Fowler. I dont like being inside. If I get anxious, I boil if Im indoors. Ive done it for about six years. The dog even has his own sleeping bag. I usually do May-September, then come inside, added Fowler, set to become a mental health ambassador with Englands Professional Cricketers Association.Fowlers interview came a day after England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, now trying to revive his career where it all began with Northamptonshire, following spells with Sussex and Essex, said he had experienced paranoia and anxiety while suffering from mental health problems.I felt I had low self-esteem and, especially when my confidence went low, I would get into a place of paranoia, said the 34-year-old Panesar, now a PCA mental health ambassador. I felt I got into a place where I had anxiety and depression issues.Fowler eventually weaned himself off medication but Panesar said it had helped him greatly.I went on medication and it calmed a lot of things down in my mind and it took away the symptoms of being paranoid, Panesar explained.

Warner powers Hyderabad into IPL final

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - Skipper David Warners scintillating 93 not out helped Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Gujarat Lions by four wickets in a hard fought Qualifier 2 on Friday to storm into the finals of the Indian Premier League.Chasing 163 for a win at Delhis Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, Hyderabad suffered from a lack partnerships but Australias Warner drove his team home with four balls to spare.Warners 58-ball blitz, laced with 11 fours and three sixes, ensured Hyderabad book a final showdown with Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday.In a precarious position at 117 for six, Warner found the perfect partner in Bipul Sharma (27 not out) to stitch together an unbeaten 46-run stand and bring to an end Gujarats dream run in their debut season.Warner, who has managed 779 runs in 16 IPL matches this season to be behind leading run scorer Virat Kohli (919 runs in 15 games), scored all around the park to teach the Gujarat bowlers a bitter lesson.Just when things seemed to be slipping away from Hyderabad, Sharma smashed three sixes in his 11-ball stay and helped the side get 19 runs from the 19th over bowled by Dwayne Bravo.Bravo and chinaman bowler Shivil Kaushik bagged two wickets apiece but the bowlers economy rate took a beating amidst the late batting blitz.Earlier put into bat, Gujarat rode on Aaron Finchs 32-ball 50 to post 162 for seven in 20 overs against a disciplined Hyderabad bowling attack.Hyderabad pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Australias Ben Cutting bagged two wickets each.Gujarat lost a couple of early wickets including skipper Suresh Raina for one but opener Brendon McCullum (32) and Dinesh Karthik (26) counter attacked with great effect.Raina was trapped LBW off New Zealand pacer Trent Boult, who got his first game of this IPL season after star bowler Mustafizur Rahman had to sit out with a hamstring niggle. Boult also ran out a free flowing Karthik to dent Gujarats bid to score big, but Finch, whose innings was laced with seven fours and two sixes, had other ideas.In the end Finchs innings was dwarfed by Warners batting exploits that won him the man of the match award.

Youm-e-Takbir: The day when the mountains shook

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LAHORE (Web Desk) – May 28 is a day that carries immense significance in the history of Pakistan as the country became a nuclear power on the very same date back in 1998 after a team of nuclear physicists, led by Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, conducted seven nuclear tests at Chagai in Balochistan, thus making the country the seventh nuclear force in the world and the first Muslim country to achieve the feat.Witness the colours of the mighty mountains changingThe day is celebrated in the country by the hoisting of the national flag at various governmental buildings along with the organising of various award-giving ceremonies and the arrangement of special programmes on the media in order to highlight the importance of the day for the country.Despite multiple warnings from the United States and other important countries, India went on to proceed with her nuclear programme whilst labelling its use for peaceful purposes. Pokhran-I or Smiling Buddha was India’s first ever nuclear explosion test carried out in 1974. The international community had reservations regarding how Indira Gandhi would handle the bomb despite assuring the world that it intended harm to none.Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto promptly grasped the magnitude of the development and vowed that Pakistan would not bow down before Indian aggression under any circumstances and that the country would also develop an atomic bomb of its own to assure the balance of power in the sub-continent. The country embarked to develop a nuclear programme of its own, primary research work of which was done at the Kahuta Research Laboratories, now named after the nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, as ‘Khan Research Laboratories’.Z.A.Bhutto addresses nation after Indian nuclear tests24 years later, on May 11, 1998, India conducted three nuclear explosions at the Pokhran Test Range, an area in Rajasthan 150km away from Pakistan’s border. One fusion bomb and two fission bombs were exploded during the tests. A couple of days later, two more fission bombs were exploded. The series of explosions, named as Pokhran-II, made India the sixth nuclear power in the world and a huge threat for its neighbouring country, Pakistan.In the next 17 days, Pakistan faced enormous international pressure not to carry on with the nuclear explosions. From the president of the United States to the Prime Minster (PM) of the United Kingdom, the country’s leadership was contacted multiple times a day to withdraw from progressing with the nuclear programme but no avail.On May 28, 1998, Pakistan successfully tested five underground nuclear explosions at the Chaghai hills in Balochistan at around 3:15pm PST – the tests were named as Chagai-I. The explosions were so powerful that they changed the colour of the mountains and the dust settled above them rose a significant degree. The team of scientists, army and government officials witnessing the spectacle before their very eyes could not resist raising slogans of Nara-e-Takbir to which the response of Allah-u-Akbar was given by an emotionally triggered crowd.On May 30, 1998, the country conducted two more nuclear explosions at the Kharan Desert in Balochistan which were named as Chagai-II. Thus India’s seven blasts were equated by the seven conducted by Pakistan.Immediate scenes of the Chagai hills after the blastsThe reason behind selecting this very area to conduct the nuclear explosions was because of the absence of human and animal life there. It was also claimed that the safety measures adopted in this regards ensured that no radiations spread because of the blasts.PM Nawaz Sharif informed the nation about the paramount achievement, further stating that the country was also ready to face international sanctions if placed any. US president Bill Clinton disregarded Pakistan’s nuclear tests and stated that the country missed quite an opportunity to improve its political standing in the eyes of the world, further adding that as the country was not the first to test the nuclear weapons two wrongs do not make a right.Scenes in Pakistan after announcement of successful nuclear explosions was madePakistan maintained that it established its nuclear programme for minimum nuclear deterrence against any aggression. Various countries including the US, France, Canada, Sweden along with international organisations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) placed sanctions upon Pakistan. Japan even abandoned diplomatic ties with Pakistan for the time being. Sanctions from the country were later lifted during the tenure of George W. Bush.The individuals given credit for leading the country’s atomic research program include Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Zia-ul-Haq, Munir Ahmad Khan, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Dr Samar Mubarakmand and Nawaz Sharif. It is also said that Bhutto was hanged because of pursuing his quest to make Pakistan a nuclear power despite foreign warnings.Team of Pakistani scientists at Chagai hillsPakistan has also been involved in various controversies related to nuclear proliferation as the country has been alleged of having transferred nuclear assets to various other states including Iran, North Korea and Libya.The country is neither a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) primarily because of various reservations it has over both the treaties. Possessing nuclear weapons has also served Pakistan in a way that it has been able to stand up to India and look it in the eye. The 2001-02 and the 2008 standoffs between both the countries always had the imminent threat of a nuclear war hanging above however nuclear weapons were not deployed in both cases by any of the belligerents keeping in view the amount of destruction they posses to inflict on either side.Undoubtedly, Pakistan’s defence has been made impregnable through the nuclear weapons it made in 1998 and has been able to maintain till date. The country’s nuclear assets are regarded the most safely kept in the entire world whereas the missile system possessed by Pakistan is also one of the most technologically advanced in the world thus ensuring that foreign powers get a clear cut idea that they are dealing with a nuclear power whenever things come to a negotiating table.The feature story has been written by Sultan Malik.

Aerial firing observed in protests against water, electricity shortage in Karachi

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Aerial firing by police was observed on Hub Road in Karachi as people protested against unavailability of power and water in Baldia town. Two people were injured due to the firing.On the other hand, people blocked the road in Landhi as they demanded availability of water and power in scorching heat.

NADRA officer accused of issuing fake NIC arrested

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Authorities reached a major breakthrough and cornered the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) officials who had been issuing fake NICs and providing them to foreigners while 1 official has been arrested on Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar’s directions, reported Dunya News on Friday.According to Interior Ministry, suspect Syed Afsar Raza had been appointed in NADRA as a junior executive and used to change national identity records by enrolling foreigners as members of migrant families.The arrested suspect had also been accused of involvement in human trafficking.On the other hand, another NADRA official Riffat who had been accused of assistance in issuing Muhammad Wali’s fake ID card had been enlisted in Exit Control List (ECL).

Federal budget: Rs 130 billion to be spent on road constructions

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Rs 800 billion will be spent on development projects in 2016-17 budget and Dunya TV has got details that Rs 190 billion will be given to National Highway Authority (NHA) for constructing roads.According to details, Rs 130 billion will be spent on power projects whereas Rs 31 billion will be spent on water projects. Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) will be allocated Rs 100 billion whereas Rs 42 billion will be allocated for Jammu-Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan projects. Railway will get Rs 40 billion.

No leniency for PM, Bilawal tells TORs committee

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has instructed TORs committee to give Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif a tough time in Panama Leaks issue, reported Dunya News.Bilawal consulted with former President Asif Ali Zardari before finalising the party policy. He told the party workers that they should not give an impression that they were friendly opposition. Bilawal also made it clear that the accountability will begin with PM’s family.

Continuous decline observed in gold prices

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Gold price has continued to decline for the past few weeks, following the decline the price reached $1220 per ounce with a reduction of $9 in the international market, reported Dunya News on Friday.With respect to international market, the gold price has also faced a decline in the local market. A decrease of Rs 200 has been observed which made it to Rs 48,400 per ounce while 10 grams of gold costs Rs 41,485 with a reduction of Rs 172 per ounce.
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