Tuesday 23 August 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Football: Blatter in last fight against FIFA ban

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GENEVA (AFP) - Sepp Blatter will mount his final challenge against his six-year FIFA ban on Thursday, following more than a year of scandal that saw him thrown out of football in disgrace. The former FIFA boss has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) seeking to overturn a suspension imposed by world footballs governing body. Im very confident, the 80-year-old Blatter told AFP last week, although his prospects for an outright victory would appear to be remote. The now infamous, endlessly debated case first emerged in September of last year, when Swiss prosecutors said they were investigating Blatter over a suspect 2 million Swiss franc payment ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) he authorised in 2011 to his one-time heir apparent, Michel Platini. Those revelations initially triggered a provisional suspension by FIFAs ethics committee. A full investigation and trial by FIFAs in-house court found Blatter and Platini both guilty of ethics violations. They were banned from football for eight years in December.A FIFA appeals committee cut those penalties to six years in February, just before Blatters successor and fellow Swiss national, Gianni Infantino, was elected as FIFAs new president.Blatters hopes for redemption at CAS are likely hampered by Platinis failed appeal at the Lausanne-based court. In a May ruling CAS judges said they were not convinced that the $2 million payment was legitimate. They did however reduce the suspension against the former French star and European football chief from six years to four, judging FIFAs penalty too severe.Throughout the protracted saga, both Blatter and Platini have insisted the payment was part of a legitimate oral contract.Platini had been hired by FIFA as a consultant from 1999 to 2002 and had apparently not received his full compensation. The two men claimed the $2 million was authorised in 2011 as an honest effort to settle that account. Judges at FIFA and CAS have so far found that argument unpersuasive. Blatter has maintained his innocence as his four decade FIFA career unravelled over the last 13 months, and continued that trend in the interview last week. FIFA made the contract with Platini, and this was an oral contract, he told AFP at a plush restaurant in Zurich. So far in the FIFA committees, in the ethics committee and in the appeal committee, they were saying: we dont believe that. But we are not all liars. So I think there is a good chance that this panel will believe that there was a contract.Arguments at CAS are expected to last just one day, although a decision may take several weeks. The hearing marks the latest legal battle in a series of intertwined scandals that began in May of last year, when the US Justice Department unsealed a raft of corruption indictments against top FIFA officials.Prosecutors in New York have since indicted 40 football and sports marketing executives over allegedly receiving tens of millions of bribes and kickbacks. Some of the most powerful people in the game have fallen, including FIFAs long-serving secretary general Jerome Valcke who like Blatter is facing a criminal investigation in Switzerland.

Pakistan, England first ODI today

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LONDON (Dunya News) - Pakistan will lock horns with England in the first One-Day International (ODI) at The Rose Bowl, Southampton today (Wednesday). The match will start at 6:00pm (PST).Having ended the Test series with a thumping 10-wicket win at The Oval, Pakistan did enough to go on top of the ICC Test rankings. But the ODIs are a completely different format and they will look to put on a good show against the Eoin Morgan-led side.Pakistan one-day captain Azhar Ali wants to see the team take the form that had made them the worlds number one-ranked Test side into their one-day series against England.Azhar was a member of the Pakistan team that secured an impressive 2-2 draw in a recent four-Test series against England and is now looking for his side to hit similar heights in a five-match one-day international series starting in Southampton on Wednesday.Pakistan, following their results in England, and Indias rain-affected fourth Test draw with the West Indies in Port-of-Spain, are now number one in the Test rankings for the first time in history.By contrast, they are just ninth in the ODI standings and in danger of missing out on automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup in England.But Azhar is confident the teams white-ball fortunes can be turned around following what was, to many observers, their surprise effort in winning two Tests in English conditions.Confidence is very high and belief is there, obviously coming from the Test series, we had a very good couple of months here, Azhar told reporters at Southampton on Tuesday. We take that confidence into the one-day internationals as well.Being number one is a massive boost and a proud moment for Pakistan cricket and the whole nation is very happy about it, and as players the team is really happy about it.Its definitely a good thing for us. Our one-day ranking is not great right now but we will take the opportunity and the way the team is performing, hopefully we can convert it into ODIs as well.Englands one-day cricket has been on an upward curve since their embarrassing first-round exit at last years World Cup and Azhar is among those whove been impressed by how Eoin Morgans side have bounced back in the 50-over format.The way England started playing after the World Cup, they played a lot of attacking, fearless cricket and theyve been performing very well, he said. We know that and we have to be aggressive against them as well.We are all very confident. No one rated us very highly -- a few people said we would be competitive but there were doubts if we could win the Test matches here.But the boys really believed in the Test matches, so here also we believe we can do it.After the Test series, Pakistan thrashed Ireland by 255 runs in an ODI at Malahide on Thursday -- Saturdays second fixture in a two-match series was washed out -- but they are now set to face the fit-again Durham duo of fast bowler Mark Wood and all-rounder Ben Stokes, although the latter will be deployed as a batsman only at Southampton. Wood is definitely a very good bowler and Stokes a very good all-round player, and a good batsman too, Azhar said.Every player they have could be a match-winner for them, so we have to focus on each and every player. If we do that and bring our plans in, we can definitely challenge England.

US for Pakistan, India direct dialogue to reduce tension

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WASHINGTON (Dunya News) - The US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner while briefing the newsman in Washington on Tuesday said that Pakistan and India stand to benefit from a normalization of ties and practical cooperation, and encouraged the two neighbours to engage in a direct dialogue to reduce tension.“We strongly support all efforts between India and Pakistan to - that can contribute to a more stable and prosperous region, and that includes meetings at any level between Pakistani and Indian officials, Toner said.He said that Washington would be encouraged if Pakistan and India continue to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions.Answering a question regarding MQM’s activists attack on ARY news channel in Karachi on Monday, Mark Toner said that in a democratic society, critical opinion should be encouraged, not silenced. We believe that democracies become stronger by allowing free expression from diverse voices within society, and we would certainly emphasize that any expression must be peaceful.

DG Rangers visits Nine Zero, reviews security arrangements

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, Rangers conducted a raid at the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) temporary office in Ghanchi Hall on Tuesday and interrogated MQM leaders who were present there, including Dr Farooq Sattar and Amir Khan, Dunya News reported.Rangers personnel also asked MQM’s members of Sindh Assembly Sheeraz Waheed and Asif Hasnain to appear at Rangers Wing.On the other hand, DG Rangers Maj Gen Bilal Akbar visited sealed MQM headquarters Nine Zero and Jinnah Ground area to review security arrangements.

Pakistan is following nuclear non-proliferation rules: Maleeha Lodhi

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NEW YORK (Dunya News) - Pakistans representative in Security Council (SC) Maleeha Lodhi said that Pakistan took significant steps for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and Pakistan followed the rules, reported Dunya News.Lodhi also said that there should be no double standards and exceptions, when it comes to nuclear weapons, by keeping power and profit in mind. She said that double standards could lead to proliferation of weapons.Lodhi also added that non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is a huge responsibility, as such weapons are to be used for security purposes and everybody will have to work together to stop the proliferation of weapons.

Elections of Sindh mayors, deputy mayors to be held today

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - Voting to elect mayors, deputy mayors along with chairmen/vice chairmen of local councils in all over Sindh will be held today (Wednesday), Dunya News reported.The polling will start at 9AM and will continue till 5PM without any interval. Voters of the electoral college having original CNIC will be allowed to cast his/her vote. Voters having expired CNIC will also be allowed to cast votes.The election commission has asked Sindh government and provincial election commission to ensure foolproof security during the election.

Karachi: 11 accused of May 12 massacre arrested

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Police carried out operation in different parts of Malir area in Karachi on Tuesday and arrested 11 accused involved in May 12 massacre, Dunya News reported.According to SSP Malir, Rao Anwar, police conducted operation in Malir district and arrested 11 accused including Mahmood Khan, Arshad Baig, Zulfiqar Ali, Muhammad Abbas, Zafar Ali, Nazam Akhtar, Zakir, Abdullah Islam, Sohail Rana, Muhammad Nasir and Farhat Ullah.Police sources said that two of the accused are employees of fire brigade department. Sources further said that the arrested accused were wanted by police in several cases registered at the Airport Police Station.

One terrorist killed in CTD operation in Gujrat

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GUJRAT (Dunya News) - Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Tuesday carried out an operation on a tip-off that five terrorists are residing in a house in Rakh Pabi area in Gujrat upon which the terrorists present in the area opened fire at the raiding party. The law enforcement agency personnel returned the fire as a result one terrorist was killed while four other managed to escape.According to CTD spokesman, the identity of the dead terrorist is not yet known. The spokesman further said that the terrorist were planning to target security personnel.The CTD spokesman also informed that two hand grenades and other ammunition was recovered during the operation while search is going on to arrest other terrorists.

Karachi: Malir police decide to arrest 3 MQM leaders

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to SSP Malir Rao Anwar, Malir district police have decided to arrest three Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders, Dunya News reported on Tuesday.SSP Malir Rao Anwar informed that MQM leaders Kanwar Naveed Jamil, Qamar Mansoor and Shahid Pasha are wanted by Malir district police in more than 20 cases.Kanwar Naveed Jamil, Qamar Mansoor and Shahid Pasha were detained by security personnel two days ago while Malir district police will take them into custody today (Wednesday) after obtaining their arrest warrant.

NBA: Los Angeles pays tribute to Kobe Bryant

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LOS ANGELES, Aug 23, 2016 (AFP) - Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant will be honoured Wednesday with a ceremony in Los Angeles, the city where he played his entire 20-year professional career.As part of the tribute ceremony, to be held at city hall, officials in the southern California city have declared Wednesday as Kobe Bryant Day.It is Los Angeles way of thanking him for his single-minded dedication to excellence, the fans and the entire city and region of Los Angeles, said councilman Jose Huizar. For 20 years, we were all the beneficiaries of Kobes incredible talent and legendary work ethic.Bryant helped the Los Angeles Lakers win five NBA championships, and was chosen as the finals MVP for the two most recent titles.He scored 33,643 points -- the third most in league history -- behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928).Bryant was the leagues MVP in the 2007-2008 season and was chosen to play in the leagues All-Star Game 18 times.

An American soldier killed in Anti-Taliban operation in Afghanistan

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KABUL, Aug 23, 2016 (AFP) - A roadside bomb killed an American soldier Tuesday near the capital of Afghanistans volatile Helmand province, following the first major US deployment to the southern city since foreign forces withdrew in 2014.The blast, which occurred during an anti-Taliban operation, left another American and six Afghan soldiers wounded, the US-led NATO coalition said.The casualties came just a day after NATO announced the deployment of around 100 US troops to Lashkar Gah to help head off a potential Taliban takeover of Helmands capital as fighting intensifies.One US service member died as a result of wounds sustained during operations near Lashkar Gah in Helmand, NATO said in a statement.The service member was killed conducting train, advise, assist activities with Afghan counterparts under NATO authorities when their patrol triggered an improvised explosive device.The Pentagon said the troops identity would be released after family were notified.It marks the first American combat fatality in the country since January, when a US soldier was killed while conducting a mission with Afghan special forces in Helmands Marjah district.This tragic event in Helmand province reminds us that Afghanistan remains a dangerous place, and there is difficult work ahead even as Afghan forces continue to make progress in securing their own country, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said in a statement.NATO said the soldier was not part of the new deployment to Lashkar Gah, which the coalition has called a temporary effort to train and advise local forces.There are currently around 700 US troops in Helmand as part of a similar counter-insurgency training mission, NATO said.Fighting has recently escalated in the opium-growing province, with insurgents coming within a few kilometres of Lashkar Gah -- raising fears the city is at risk of falling.The turmoil convulsing Helmand, blighted by a huge opium harvest that helps fund the insurgency, underscores a rapidly unravelling security situation in Afghanistan.Fighting has left thousands of people displaced in Helmand in recent weeks, sparking a humanitarian crisis as officials report food and water shortages.The Taliban have also closed in on Kunduz -- the northern city they briefly seized last year in their biggest military victory so far -- leaving Afghan forces stretched on multiple fronts.This is a big effort by the Taliban. Its probably the most serious push weve seen of the (fighting) season, said NATO spokesman Brigadier General Charles Cleveland.But coalition forces have insisted that neither Kunduz nor Lashkar Gah are at risk of falling to the insurgents.NATO officially ended its combat mission in December 2014, but US forces were granted greater powers in June to strike at the insurgents as President Barack Obama vowed a more aggressive campaign.The US intervention in Helmand has fuelled the perception that foreign powers are increasingly being drawn back into the conflict as Afghan forces struggle to rein in the Taliban.The fighting in Helmand comes as Afghan troops are stretched on several other battlefronts across Afghanistan -- including the eastern province of Nangarhar, where the Islamic State group is making inroads.

US military condemns North Korea missile launch 'provocation'

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US military confirmed that North Korea has test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile, condemning the hermit states latest provocation and vowing to raise concerns at the United Nations.US Strategic Command said the launch of what was believed to be a KN-11 missile off the coast of Sinpo, North Korea, did not pose a threat to North America, citing analysis by the North American Aerospace Defense Command.The missile, launched at 2029 GMT Tuesday (4:59 am Wednesday local time), fell into the Sea of Japan some 300 miles (480 kilometers) off the coast of North Korea.Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, is ironclad, said Commander Gary Ross, a Pentagon spokesman.We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation.We call on North Korea to refrain from actions that further raise tensions in the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations.Several UN Security Council resolutions demand that Pyongyang suspend all of its ballistic missile program activities.We intend to raise our concerns at the UN to bolster international resolve in holding the DPRK accountable for these actions, Ross said, using an acronym for the Norths formal name.The State Department issued a similar statement.

Kashmiri women offer bangles to UN's Ban over inaction

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MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan, Aug 23, 2016 (AFP) - Women in Pakistan-administered Kashmir offered their bangles to Ban Ki-moon Tuesday, an insult in patriarchal South Asia aimed at the UN heads perceived inaction over violence on the Indian side of the disputed region.Hundreds of refugee women marched in Muzzafarabad, capital of the Pakistani side, chanting slogans against the UN and India as some clutched their bangles in their hands in protest at the weeks of deadly violence.Much of Indian-administered Kashmir has been under curfew since protests broke out over the death on July 8 of a popular young rebel leader in a gunfight with security forces.More than 60 civilians have been killed in clashes between protesters and police and troops and thousands more injured in the worst violence to hit the restive region since 2010.Hospitals have reported hundreds of young men and boys suffering serious eye and other injuries from the pellets.If the secretary general of the UN Ban Ki-moon cant help Kashmiris, he should wear these bangles and rest, protester Irshad Qureshi told AFP, clutching her bracelets.Others held placards saying the bangles were For UN. The protesters also burnt the Indian flag.Bangles are deeply embedded in female identity in Pakistan.To offer the delicate bracelets to a man is to say he is acting like a woman -- still seen as an insult in the deeply conservative country, where women have been fighting for their rights for decades.Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan region in full.The Kashmir Valley, where the recent violence has occurred, is the epicentre of a separatist insurgency seeking either independence or merger of the territory with Pakistan.

Euro police arrest 75 in major online child abuse swoop

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THE HAGUE (AFP) - Police swooped in 28 European countries and arrested 75 suspects for sharing child sex images on the internet while investigating 207 cases across the continent, Europes policing agency said Tuesday (Aug 23).Operation Daylight was started after Europol received information from Swiss police last year revealing a vast network of criminals involved in the sexual exploitation of minors, spokeswoman Claire Georges said.The investigation lasted for more than a year, based on the Swiss information which led to 611 intelligence packages being sent to 26 EU member states, she told AFP. Norway and Switzerland also participated.So-called intelligence packages have detailed information about suspects and could for instance include information such as computer IP addresses, Georges said.She confirmed that in many cases, perpetrators used the Dark Web and the Tor encryption system to mask their identities.These paedophile networks continue to be a primary source for persons with a sexual interest in children who are seeking child sexual abuse and exploitation material online, Europol said in a statement from its headquarters in The Hague.Although no specific countries were mentioned, Italian police said in a separate statement that many of those arrested were unknown to law enforcement and had never before been outed.All above suspicion and many of them older than 50, they secretly contributed to this despicable network from the confines of the four walls of their homes, always paying maximum attention to source the latest material, the statement said.Georges told AFP that victims varied in age but that there was a worrying and growing trend of sexual abuse of babies under the age of 18 months.She added the investigation was ongoing and that more arrests were expected.Europols EC3 cybercrime centre head Steven Wilson said targeting those involved in child sexual abuse and exploitation material is a key part of Europols work.We know that individuals are abusing online platforms and networks to distribute child sexual abuse material and are determined to target them and bring them to justice, Wilson said.Europol last year said criminals were increasingly selling live streams of child sex over legitimate chat sites and apps such as Skype in return for hard-to-trace virtual currencies like Bitcoin.In one of the largest busts of its kind, a Europol-coordinated sweep in 2011 identified 670 suspects and 184 arrests were made.

Chelsea, Liverpool reach third round in League Cup

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LONDON (AFP) - Daniel Sturridge scored twice as Liverpool strolled into the League Cup third round with a 5-0 win at Burton Albion on Tuesday, while Chelsea edged third-tier Bristol Rovers 3-2.Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino and Sturridge all scored as Liverpool, last seasons beaten finalists, crushed Championship side Burton, who are managed by ex-Liverpool midfielder Nigel Clough.Michy Batshuayi marked his full Chelsea debut with a brace against Bristol Rovers, while Victor Moses was also on target as manager Antonio Conte enjoyed a third straight competitive win.This was a very serious, professional display from our side, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports.There were nice goals -- nothing to criticise. It was humid today -- not easy for either team.We gave a few players match-time because thats important. Some only got minutes in pre-season.Premier League teams Crystal Palace, Everton, Hull City, Swansea City and Stoke City also went through, Peter Crouch scoring a hat-trick for Stoke in a 4-0 win at Stevenage.But Watford lost 2-1 at home to third-tier Gillingham after extra time and West Bromwich Albion were beaten 4-3 on penalties by League One side Northampton Town following a 2-2 draw.Klopp handed a debut to Cameroonian centre-back Joel Matip and welcomed back Senegalese winger Sadio Mane following a shoulder injury at Burtons Pirelli Stadium.Mane teed up Origi to break the deadlock with a clever back-heel in the 15th minute before Nathaniel Clyne crossed for Firmino to head in the visitors second goal.A Tom Naylor own goal just after the hour made it 3-0 and Sturridge came off the bench to complete the rout with a late brace, tapping in James Milners cross and slamming home from Manes pass.At Stamford Bridge, Batshuayi put Chelsea ahead in the 29th minute by sweeping in Nemanja Matics cross and two minutes later Pedro Rodriguez set up Moses for a tap-in.Batshuayi claimed a second from Ruben Loftus-Cheeks cross, but Bristol Rovers scored either side through Peter Hartley and Ellis Harrison to keep Contes men on their toes until the final whistle.Liverpool and Chelsea, League Cup winners in 2015, both entered the tournament in the second round because they are not involved in European competition this season.Manchester United, holders Manchester City, Arsenal, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and West Ham United will all enter the competition in round three.
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