Tuesday 13 December 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Bracewell out for two months with knee injury

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WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand pace bowler Doug Bracewell will be sidelined from international cricket for up to two months after suffering a serious knee injury during a domestic Twenty20 match.The 26-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament when fielding for Central Districts Stags against the Northern Knights over the weekend, local media reported.The injury rules Bracewell out of New Zealands home test and limited overs series against Bangladesh later this month and in January and possibly the three-match one-day series against Australia from Jan. 30-Feb. 5.Bracewell, who was overlooked by selectors for the Pakistan test series, last played for the Black Caps in a one-day international against India in October.

Karachi: Police arrest accused after encounter

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, police conducted an operation in Baldia Ittehad Town area of Karachi on Tuesday and arrested an accused in injured condition after an encounter.Police sources said that the arrested accused, Waheed Jhangu, belonged to a political party. Police have also recovered a pistol and grenade rifle from his possession. On the other hand, police have recovered dead body of a 12-year-old girl from Labour Square area of Karachi. Rescue sources said that the young girl has committed suicide. Police have shifted the dead body to the hospital.

Pakistan wants better relations with new US administration: Tariq Fatemi

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WASHINGTON (Dunya News) Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharifs special assistant on foreign affairs Tariq Fatemi said on Tuesday that Pakistan wants better relations with new US administration, reported Dunya News.Tariq Fatemi was talking to an American newspaper as he said that Pakistan paid a huge price to make US mission successful in the region. He said that President-elect Donald Trumps administration is well familiar with Pakistans sacrifices.Fatemi said that Pakistan assisted US in keeping Soviet out of Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan-US relations improved in Nawaz Sharifs government.He said that Pakistan-US relations were affected after F-16 and war equipment deals were affected. He also invited Trump to Pakistan and said that there is no room for terrorism in Pakistan.

Junaid Jamshed's funeral prayers to be offered on Thursday

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – The funeral prayers of renowned singer-turned-cleric Junaid Jamshed will be offered at the Moin Khan Academy in Defence area of Karachi at 1:00pm on Thursday, Dunya News reported. It is also pertinent to mention that the renowned cleric Junaid Jamshed will be laid to rest in Jamia Darul-Uloom Korangi, Karachi.Addressing media on Tuesday at his residence, Junaid Jamsheds brother Hamayun Jamshed who was accompanied by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the dead body of the renowned cleric was identified through X-ray of the face and history of his teeth.Speaking on the occasion, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman said that all PIA planes should be temporarily grounded till they are cleared after thorough examination.On November 7, flight PK-661 was crashed near Havelian after one of its two turboprop engines reportedly failed while travelling from Chitral to Islamabad, killing 47 people on board, including Junaid Jamshed.

Lahore: Private university student found dead

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – A student of a private university in Lahore was found dead in his hostel room on Tuesday, Dunya News reported. The deceased was identified as Shameer Asif Bajwa.Police sources said that Shameer Asif Bajwa belonged to Karachi and was studying accounting and finance at the university in Lahore. The dead body was shifted to hospital for autopsy.Police sources further said that it seems that Shameer died due to drug overdose but added that the final conclusion can be only given once the post-mortem is done.

Panama Leaks issue likely to dominate NA session today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Panama Leaks issue would be discussed in National Assembly (NA) today as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would return to assembly after 2 months, reported Dunya News.Opposition parties are expected to protest against Prime Ministers (PM) speech in the assembly. Chairman PTI Imran Khan also announced that they would be back to assembly.PTI would be seeking to submit two motions against PM for alleged wrong statement. Pakistan Peoples Partys (PPP) motion is not part of the agenda.Law Minister Zahid Hamid would present bill for the 25th amendment whereas Finance Minister Ishaq Dar would present second bi-annual report about implementation of NFC award.

LHC to hear plea seeking CM Shehbaz's disqualification today

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Lahore High Court (LHC) will hear plea seeking disqualification of Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif today, reported Dunya News.Justice Ayesha A Malik is to hear the plea today at 09:00am.The plea was filed by Lahore president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Ijaz Chaudhry challenging CM of Punjab in the Lahore High Court. Chaudhry has alleged the Chief Minister of committing contempt of court for personal business and graft.The Chief Minister prioritized his interests over those of the nation.The plea cites verdict of the Supreme Court (SC) where Government of Punjab was barred to establish a new sugar mill or annexing an existing one.

Guardiola says Manchester City will keep on attacking

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MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists he will maintain his forward thinking football philosophy despite the clubs recent downturn in results.City have won four games out of 15 in all competitions and have dropped to fourth in the Premier League table -- seven points behind leaders Chelsea -- following last weekends 4-2 defeat at Leicester.In particular there has been increased scrutiny on Guardiolas attacking approach with City having conceded goals in every one of their last 17 matches.Guardiola -- who surprised many when he said in the wake of the Leicester reverse tackling was not high on the list of his priorities -- protested he needs time like Sir Alex Ferguson did at Manchester United to deliver success.But he remains steadfast in the belief his methods are right for City even though there will inevitably be teething problems.No. No way, the Spaniard said, when asked if he would alter his approach.We are going to play the way I feel, making mistakes, but I cannot do something I dont feel.The reason why Im here is to help them to not make mistakes. Im the main person to blame.So, Im thinking what I have to do to help them without changing because I believe in my way, with adapting to the peculiarities of the league.Manuel (Pellegrini) came here to play this kind of football with these kind of players and we have to try that.You have to minimise mistakes to win games, I believe in the way I like to play, so Im sorry, I cant do that.Guardiola acknowledged ahead of Citys clash with Watford at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday that modern football demands quick results.The 45-year-old took responsibility for Citys performances recently but has urged patience in his first season in charge of the club.Give me time. Sir Alex Ferguson my idol took seven years to win the Premier League, Guardiola said.Liverpool is 25 years old without the league (they havent won it for 25-years). Give me time. I am in the beginning of my time here.The last month I have to accept it. I accept I am the manager of the results in the last games.We didnt win, we scored four goals in four games at home. I dont have defence of that.Football does not exist as a long project. You have to win immediately and if you dont win, you are in trouble.We want to improve because we think about these mistakes. I have to discover how I can help my players. The players suffer the same as me, the same as the fans.Guardiola confirmed midfielder Yaya Toure will be available to face Watford despite being banned for drink driving.The 33-year-old Ivorian -- a four time African Player of the Year -- pleaded guilty although subsequently claimed he had not intentionally consumed alcohol.Hes ready to play, Guardiola said.He will not drive the next time and will be chauffeured He will have a driver.Yaya is in the squad as normal. We dont have a problem in the club then I think the coach make the decision.

Everton stun Arsenal to end their unbeaten streak

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LONDON (AFP) - Ashley Williamss 86th-minute header ended Arsenals 14-game unbeaten run and kept Arsene Wengers side from the Premier League summit as Everton claimed a much-needed 2-1 win on Tuesday.Arsenal would have provisionally supplanted leaders Chelsea on goals scored with victory and took a 20th-minute lead when Alexis Sanchezs free-kick deflected in off Williams.But Seamus Coleman equalised with a 44th-minute header before Williamss first Everton goal ended his teams five-game winless run and sent Ronald Koemans men up to seventh in the table.We showed two faces, Everton manager Koeman, who had defender Phil Jagielka sent off in stoppage time, told BT Sport.The first face, I hate that face because it is all about being nervous. You cannot lose the game like that.This was a good match though because we showed how we have to play -- with commitment and aggression. You see the reaction of the crowd when you go for it and thats what we did.Arsenal manager Wenger said the game had been very physical.We faced many physical challenges and that disturbed our game, but we were a bit unlucky to lose as well, he said.They were a bit scared at first, but they got their confidence. We did fight, I cannot fault that.Meanwhile, champions Leicester City were brought down to earth after their 4-2 demolition of Manchester City as Marc Pughs goal earned Bournemouth a 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium.Arsenal made only one change from their 3-1 win over Stoke City, fit-again right-back Hector Bellerin replacing injured centre-back Shkodran Mustafi, and took a 20th-minute lead.The goal stemmed from a comedy of errors on the edge of Evertons box as Ross Barkley lost possession, Williams fouled his own team-mate Idrissa Gueye and Jagielka tripped Francis Coquelin.- Thudding header -Sanchez sent the free-kick curling towards Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and in seeking to clear the ball, Williams succeeded only in deflecting it into his own net.It was Sanchezs 12th effort of the campaign, putting him level with Chelseas Diego Costa as Premier League top scorer.Leighton Baines curled a right-foot cross towards the back post from the left and Coleman nipped in between Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal to glance a deft header past Petr Cech.Mesut Ozil spurned a glorious opportunity to restore Arsenals lead early in the second half, wafting a shot over the bar from Sanchezs cut-back, while Barkley drilled wide at the other end.The noise level rose as the game wore on and with four minutes to play Everton struck the winner, Williams flying in at the back post to send a thudding header past Cech from Barkleys corner.Everton had Jagielka sent off after he picked up a second yellow card, but the hosts survived despite a late scare that saw Arsenal substitute Alex Iwobi have a shot blocked on the line.It was Arsenals first league defeat since their 4-3 loss to Liverpool on the seasons opening day and means they will be six points off the pace if Chelsea win at bottom club Sunderland on Wednesday.Leicester remain without back-to-back league wins this season after defeat at Bournemouth -- their eighth of the campaign -- kept them in 14th place, just four points above the relegation zone.Pugh marked his first start of the season with the games only goal, slamming home the rebound after Leicester goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler saved from Benik Afobe in the 34th minute.Eddie Howes Bournemouth leap four places to eighth, nine points clear of the bottom three.

Civilians 'killed on spot' as Aleppo battle nears end

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BEIRUT (AFP) - Syrian pro-government forces have reportedly executed dozens of civilians in Aleppo including women and children, the UN said Tuesday as the crucial battle for the city neared its end.UN rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad had in some cases entered homes and killed those inside, and in others caught and killed on the spot fleeing civilians.Fears have been growing for thousands of trapped civilians as rebels make a desperate last stand in their remaining pocket of territory in the former opposition stronghold of east Aleppo.After weeks of heavy fighting, regime forces were poised to take full control of Aleppo, dealing the biggest blow to Syrias rebellion in more than five years of civil war.Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Colville said the UN had received credible reports that at least 82 civilians, including 11 women and 13 children, had been killed in recent days.Colville said the UN was filled with the deepest foreboding for those who remain in this last hellish corner of opposition-held eastern Aleppo.Residents in remaining rebel-held territory told AFP they had no hope left.Our fate is sealed. Why would we hide, it wont do us any good. We will either die or be captured, said Ibrahim Abu al-Leith, a spokesman for the White Helmets rescue service.Other witnesses described scenes of carnage in rebel areas, with bodies lying amid the rubble of city streets, as desperate residents sat on pavements with nowhere to shelter.There are dozens of bodies in the streets because of the intense bombardment by regime forces, Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told AFP.Abdel Rahman, whose Britain-based group has for years monitored the conflict in Syria, said he was unable to confirm the reports of civilians being executed or other alleged massacres.But UN chief Ban Ki-moon had in a statement late Monday expressed alarm over reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians, including women and children.French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said there were worrying reports from Aleppo of cold-blooded killings of entire families, summary executions, including of women and children and people burned alive in their homes.Such atrocities are unconscionable. Supporters of the regime, starting with Russia, cannot let this happen.Syrias army has taken more than 90 percent of the territory once held by rebels in east Aleppo, after launching an all-out offensive last month to seize control of the entire city.Aleppo, a cultural and economic hub in northern Syria second only to Damascus in importance, had been split between a rebel-controlled east and government-held west since 2012.Recapturing all of Aleppo will be a huge victory for Assad and leave his regime in control of all five of Syrias main cities.As of early Tuesday, rebel fighters were reported to be confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods, including Mashhad and part of Sukkari.Were living the final moments before victory, a Syrian military source told AFP.It was unclear how many civilians remained in rebel territory, after an estimated 130,000 fled to other parts of Aleppo during the government advance.Jan Egeland, head of the UN-backed humanitarian taskforce for Syria, told AFP that thousands of civilians were in need of evacuation and safe passage, including hundreds of wounded.Our appeal to Russia and to the Syrian government is very clear: we need a pause in the fighting but we also need to get the people inside to help organise an evacuation, he said.The International Committee of the Red Cross said there was only a last chance to save lives in Aleppo.As the battle reaches new peaks and the area is plunged into chaos, thousands with no part in the violence have literally nowhere safe to run, it said.The government assault has been backed by heavy artillery fire and air strikes, with at least 463 civilians, including 62 children, killed in east Aleppo since mid-November, according to the Observatory.Another 130 people including 40 children have been killed in western districts by rebel rocket fire.Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have repeatedly failed, and weekend talks between Russia and the United States on a ceasefire to allow the evacuation of civilians made no breakthrough. Moscow is a key Assad ally and launched an air war in support of his forces last year, while Washington and other Western nations have backed the opposition.Turkey, which has also supported rebel forces in Syria, said Tuesday it would intensify talks with Russia on a ceasefire.Today, tomorrow, everyday, we will intensify our talks with Russia and other countries so we can find a solution to this humanitarian tragedy, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.Our efforts continue in particular for civilians to be able to leave and for a ceasefire.More than 310,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict began in March 2011, and over half the population has been displaced, with millions becoming refugees.

Rebels say deal reached to evacuate Aleppo 'within hours'

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BEIRUT (AFP) - Civilians and opposition fighters will start evacuating east Aleppo within hours under a deal with Syrias regime, a rebel official said Tuesday, as global outrage mounted over reports of atrocities including summary executions.Yasser al-Youssef from the political office of the key Nurredin al-Zinki group told AFP the deal with President Bashar al-Assads regime was being sponsored by Russia and Turkey.An agreement has been reached, Youssef said. The first stage will be the evacuation of civilians and wounded, within hours, and afterwards fighters will leave with their light weapons.Those leaving will be allowed to travel to other rebel-held territory in the west of Aleppo province or neighbouring Idlib province, he said.A source in the powerful Ahrar al-Sham rebel group confirmed the deal and its details.There was no immediate confirmation from the regime, Ankara or Moscow.The United Nations and aid agencies have been pleading for a ceasefire to allow for the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians trapped in the last pocket of rebel territory in Aleppo.After weeks of heavy fighting, forces loyal to Assad were in the last hours of a push to take full control of the city, dealing the biggest blow to Syrias rebellion in more than five years of civil war.But as the long battle reached its final stages, the United Nations said it had received reports of at least 82 civilians, including 11 women and 13 children, being executed by pro-government forces.Following a request from Britain and France, the UN Security Council was to hold an emergency meeting at 1700 GMT to address what the French envoy called the worst humanitarian tragedy of the 21st century unfolding before our eyes.Speaking to reporters in Geneva, UN rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said it had received credible reports of the civilian executions in recent days.Pro-government fighters had in some cases entered homes and killed those inside, and in others caught and killed on the spot fleeing civilians, he said.The UN was filled with the deepest foreboding for those who remain in this last hellish corner of opposition-held eastern Aleppo, Colville said.Residents in remaining rebel-held territory told AFP they had no hope left.Our fate is sealed. Why would we hide, it wont do us any good. We will either die or be captured, said Ibrahim Abu al-Leith, a spokesman for the White Helmets rescue service.Other witnesses described scenes of carnage in rebel areas, with bodies lying amid the rubble of city streets, as desperate residents sat on pavements with nowhere to shelter.French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said there were worrying reports of cold-blooded killings of entire families, summary executions, including of women and children and people burned alive in their homes.Such atrocities are unconscionable. Supporters of the regime, starting with Russia, cannot let this happen.Britain repeated its call for Assad to step aside, citing his barbaric cruelty, and French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said massacres in Aleppo could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.UN chief Ban Ki-moon had late Monday also expressed alarm over reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians, including women and children.Syrias army has taken more than 90 percent of the territory once held by rebels in east Aleppo, after launching an all-out offensive last month to seize control of the entire city.Aleppo, a cultural and economic hub in northern Syria second only to Damascus in importance, had been split between a rebel-controlled east and government-held west since 2012.Recapturing all of Aleppo will be a huge victory for Assad and leave his regime in control of all five of Syrias main cities.As of early Tuesday, rebels were reported to be confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods, including Mashhad and part of Sukkari.It was unclear how many civilians remained in rebel territory, after an estimated 130,000 fled to other parts of Aleppo during the government advance.Jan Egeland, head of the UN-backed humanitarian taskforce for Syria, told AFP that thousands of civilians were in need of evacuation and safe passage, including hundreds of wounded.We need a pause in the fighting but we also need to get the people inside to help organise an evacuation, he said.The International Committee of the Red Cross said there was only a last chance to save lives in Aleppo.As the battle reaches new peaks and the area is plunged into chaos, thousands with no part in the violence have literally nowhere safe to run, it said.The UNs children agency UNICEF said it had alarming reports from a doctor in Aleppo of more than 100 children, unaccompanied or separated from their families, trapped in a building under heavy attack.UNICEF regional director Geert Cappelaere said in a statement the agency was also deeply concerned by unverified reports of extra judicial killings of civilians including children.The government assault has been backed by heavy artillery fire and air strikes, with at least 463 civilians, including 62 children, killed in east Aleppo since mid-November, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Another 130 people including 40 children have been killed in western districts by rebel rocket fire, the Britain-based monitoring group says.More than 310,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict began in March 2011, and over half the population has been displaced, with millions becoming refugees.

Iran eyes nuclear-powered ships after US sanctions move

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TEHRAN (AFP) - Irans President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday ordered the countrys scientists to start work on nuclear-powered ships in response to the expected renewal of sanctions by the United States. In letters read out on state television, Rouhani criticised the US move as a breach of last years nuclear accord and told Irans Atomic Energy Organisation to start work on planning the design and production of nuclear fuel and reactors for maritime transport.The president said he had also ordered the foreign ministry to prepare a legal complaint to the international committee that oversees the nuclear accord. Under the deal signed in July 2015, world powers agreed to lift international sanctions in exchange for curbs to Irans nuclear programme. But US lawmakers recently voted to renew 10-year-old sanctions legislation against Iran related not just to nuclear issues, but also ballistic missile-testing and human rights.President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure into law in the coming days, saying it makes no difference to last years agreement because the White House will continue to suspend all the sanctions linked to Irans nuclear programme. Iranian lawmakers had raised the prospect of building nuclear-powered ships and submarines back in 2012 at the height of tensions with the international community over the nuclear programme. International analysts said the announcement was likely just a bluff, since it would be an extremely costly effort for little strategic gain. Then nuclear chief Fereydoon Abbasi Davani said that Iran had the capacity to design nuclear reactors for ships but no plans to do so. He also said that nuclear-powered ships did not require the sort of highly enriched uranium which could also be used for weapons. Iran has always insisted that its nuclear programme was entirely peaceful, but hoped an end to sanctions would help revive its battered economy.Although it has seen a significant boost in oil sales since the deal came into force in January, its hopes of attracting large-scale foreign investment have been thwarted by continuing US sanctions in other areas. The biggest problem lies with world banks, which are needed to finance the bigger trade deals but remain wary of returning to Iran, fearing they could be fined by Washington. The Iran Sanctions Act passed the US Senate 99-0 earlier this month after easily clearing the House of Representatives in November.The language in the nuclear agreement makes it unclear whether renewing the sanctions -- and keeping the nuclear ones suspended -- amounts to a violation. At a press conference last week, conservative parliament speaker Ali Larijani said parts of the deal were rushed. Some of the sections of the JCPOA should have been written with more precision to stop differing interpretations, Larijani said.Rouhani, who is expected to run for a second term in May, has faced a barrage of criticism from conservatives who say his team made too many concessions for minimal economic gain. In a speech last week, he emphasised that his team had not acted alone and that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was closely involved at every stage of the negotiations. We took no step on the JCPOA issue without consulting the honourable leader, Rouhani said.

British commuters face worst rail strike in decades

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LONDON (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of British commuters faced travel chaos Tuesday as train drivers went on strike in what is expected to be the worst rail disruption in decades.Southern Rail, which runs trains between Englands south coast and London, warned of severe disruption as it cancelled more than 2,000 services after workers launched three days of industrial action.Up to 1,000 drivers are involved in the strike which will affect around 300,000 passengers, including those travelling to Londons Gatwick airport. A 48-hour walkout began at midnight Monday with a further 24-hour strike planned for Friday and another six days of action in January.The long-running dispute centres on plans for driver-only operated trains which mean guards would no longer be required to open and close train doors.Union leaders have raised concerns about safety and possible job losses, although the rail company insists staffing levels will not be affected.A train worker at Londons Victoria station told AFP on condition of anonymity that the changes, which Southern Rail says will free up guards to help passengers and handle emergencies, constitute a real culture shock.Passengers at the station gazed at blank departures boards early Monday as railway staff in fluorescent jackets offered advice on alternative routes.Furious commuter Clarence Quaicoe, running late for work, told AFP: Of course Im upset... I will have to take the underground where there are also severe delays.Passengers on routes from Brighton and other key commuter towns in southern England have already faced months of disruption to services in a series of walkouts that began in April.The latest strike comes after the train operators owners, Govia Thameslink Railway, lost a legal bid to halt the action.The shutdown is expected to cause the worst disruption on Britains railways since a series of strikes by signal workers in 1994.Southern Rail said it was sincerely sorry that trains were at a standstill.These strikes are wholly unjustified and we must find a way forward, a company spokesman said, adding that it had invited union bosses to talks aimed at resolving the dispute.A reduced service between Victoria, a key station in central London, and Gatwick was running every half hour, the train operator said.Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers union Aslef, said the union was prepared to negotiate but added: Its up to the company, and the government, to be flexible and end the misery of commuters.The government, which is responsible for awarding franchises to train operating companies, is under mounting pressure to intervene in the dispute.Doing nothing to help Southern rail commuters is no longer an option for the government, said London mayor Sadiq Khan in a post on Twitter.Khan suggested that Transport for London, which runs the capitals Tube, would be better placed to operate the southern English rail services.Britains transport minister Chris Grayling called it a completely futile, pointless strike and said his offers to intervene had been ignored.He told BBCs Radio 4 that he did not agree with the action but: I dont have the power to order people back to work. This is a lawful strike.In an emotional message on Facebook, commuter Jenny Lehane told lawmakers: I am writing this on a bus with tears streaming down my face at the utter failure of our MPs and government to do anything to stop this completely intolerable failure... to run the service that my fares and taxes are paying for.The rail walkout comes after Post Office workers also voted Monday to strike in a row over job cuts, closures and pensions.The five days of strikes next week by members of the Communication Workers Union will hit postal services during their busiest period in the run up to Christmas.

Merkel, Hollande back extended Russia sanctions over Ukraine

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BERLIN (AFP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande said Tuesday they favour extending EU sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict, ahead of a Brussels summit where the issue will be discussed.Merkel said that given grave shortcomings in the Ukraine peace process, which has been marred by regular ceasefire violations, it will be necessary to extend sanctions against Russia once more.Hollande, speaking at a joint Berlin press conference with Merkel, agreed there had been insufficient progress in implementing the Minsk peace agreements.Since there hasnt been an effort made, no progress, and the same blockages remain, I, like the chancellor, am in favour of extending sanctions, he said. Neither the Ukrainian government nor the pro-Russian rebels waging an insurgency in the countrys east have fully implemented the agreements, which are designed to bring an end to a conflict that has claimed 10,000 lives since 2014.In Brussels, a European official said last week that Merkel and Hollande would recommend extending the sanctions when EU leaders meet at Thursdays summit.There appears to be consensus, said the official, adding that a formal deal to prolong sanctions could be clinched in January. But for some member states, its important to listen to Merkel and Hollande first, the official added.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin labelled the comments by Merkel and Hollande cynical and counterproductive, Interfax news agency reported.Russia is doing its utmost to restart the process of implementing the Minsk accords, which is currently stalled by the Kiev authorities.Imposed in July 2014 after the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over rebel-held eastern Ukraine, the EU sanctions target the Russian energy, defence and finance sectors.Currently in force until January 31 next year, they are the subject of debate among EU member states, with some arguing they should be lifted as Moscow has imposed retaliatory measures that hurt European farmers.Merkel and Hollande spoke on the issue of sanctions against Russia on the day that US President-elect Donald Trump tapped ExxonMobil chief Rex Tillerson, an oilman with deep ties to Russia, as his secretary of state.

British commuters face worst rail strike in decades

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LONDON (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of British commuters faced travel chaos Tuesday as train drivers went on strike in what is expected to be the worst rail disruption in decades.Southern Rail, which runs trains between Englands south coast and London, warned of severe disruption as it cancelled more than 2,000 services after workers launched three days of industrial action.Up to 1,000 drivers are involved in the strike which will affect around 300,000 passengers, including those travelling to Londons Gatwick airport. A 48-hour walkout began at midnight Monday with a further 24-hour strike planned for Friday and another six days of action in January.The long-running dispute centres on plans for driver-only operated trains which mean guards would no longer be required to open and close train doors.Union leaders have raised concerns about safety and possible job losses, although the rail company insists staffing levels will not be affected.A train worker at Londons Victoria station told AFP on condition of anonymity that the changes, which Southern Rail says will free up guards to help passengers and handle emergencies, constitute a real culture shock.Passengers at the station gazed at blank departures boards early Monday as railway staff in fluorescent jackets offered advice on alternative routes.Furious commuter Clarence Quaicoe, running late for work, told AFP: Of course Im upset... I will have to take the underground where there are also severe delays.Passengers on routes from Brighton and other key commuter towns in southern England have already faced months of disruption to services in a series of walkouts that began in April.The latest strike comes after the train operators owners, Govia Thameslink Railway, lost a legal bid to halt the action.The shutdown is expected to cause the worst disruption on Britains railways since a series of strikes by signal workers in 1994.Southern Rail said it was sincerely sorry that trains were at a standstill.These strikes are wholly unjustified and we must find a way forward, a company spokesman said, adding that it had invited union bosses to talks aimed at resolving the dispute.A reduced service between Victoria, a key station in central London, and Gatwick was running every half hour, the train operator said.Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers union Aslef, said the union was prepared to negotiate but added: Its up to the company, and the government, to be flexible and end the misery of commuters.The government, which is responsible for awarding franchises to train operating companies, is under mounting pressure to intervene in the dispute.Doing nothing to help Southern rail commuters is no longer an option for the government, said London mayor Sadiq Khan in a post on Twitter.Khan suggested that Transport for London, which runs the capitals Tube, would be better placed to operate the southern English rail services.Britains transport minister Chris Grayling called it a completely futile, pointless strike and said his offers to intervene had been ignored.He told BBCs Radio 4 that he did not agree with the action but: I dont have the power to order people back to work. This is a lawful strike.In an emotional message on Facebook, commuter Jenny Lehane told lawmakers: I am writing this on a bus with tears streaming down my face at the utter failure of our MPs and government to do anything to stop this completely intolerable failure... to run the service that my fares and taxes are paying for.The rail walkout comes after Post Office workers also voted Monday to strike in a row over job cuts, closures and pensions.The five days of strikes next week by members of the Communication Workers Union will hit postal services during their busiest period in the run up to Christmas.
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