Monday 2 January 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Serena shakes off rust for comeback win

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AUCKLAND (AFP) - Serena Williams was troubled by windy conditions and some early rust before beating 69th-ranked Pauline Parmentier 6-3, 6-4 to launch her comeback from a four-month lay-off at the Auckland Classic on Tuesday.In her first outing since she was shocked by Karolina Pliskova in the US Open semi-finals in September, the world number two made a sluggish start to a season in which she is seeking a record 23rd Grand Slam title.In her first-round match, delayed from Monday night when rain washed out play, Williams struggled initially as Frances Parmentier broke the Americans first service game and then held to love.The 35-year-old Williams, using Auckland to warm up for the Australian Open, only had a 48 percent success rate with her first serve and double-faulted four times as she had trouble adjusting to the swirling wind. But Williams -- who shares the Open-era record of 22 Grand Slams with Steffi Graf, and is two behind Margaret Courts all-time record of 24 -- grew steadily stronger and finished with her eighth ace.She said her rhythm returned as the match progressed.Im feeling like Im trying to get there. Obviously every match counts, she said. This wind was getting to me. Every day Ive practised here there was no wind and of course today I played and its so windy. It wasnt fun, it was interesting. After Williams dropped her opening service game, she fought back from 3-1 down to win five successive games to take the opening set. Both players suffered service breaks at the start of the second set before Williams broke again to go 4-3 up. She then came from three break points down to claim the crucial eighth game and went on to take the match in 75 minutes.

Rally: Al Attiyah blazes to victory as Dakar kicks off

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ASUNCION (AFP) - Qatari two-time winner Nasser Al Attiyah overcame a fire in his Toyota to win a dramatic opening stage of the 2017 Dakar Rally on Monday.Al Attiyah completed the 38.5km special stage in 25min 41sec, the first on a high-octane, high-altitude 8,800km (5,500 mile) continent-crossing trek from Asuncion in Paraguay to Buenos Aires.About a dozen kilometres out from the finish we smelt smoke by (co-driver) Matthieus (Baumel) seat and there was a bit of a fire. We slowed down to finish the stage and were able to put it out at the finish, the Toyota driver said after arriving in the Argentinian city of Resistencia.The Qataris teammate Giniel de Villiers had to come to the rescue and tow him away.Former World Rally Championship driver Xevi Pons was 24sec adrift in his Ford Ranger while fellow Spaniard Nani Roma came in a further 5sec back in his Toyota.Nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb was 55sec off the pace as he came in sixth while defending champion Stephane Peterhansel was 1min 34sec behind Al Attiyah in 12th.Peugeots Peterhansel is seeking to add to an extraordinary record in the race which comprises six wins apiece in both moto and auto categories.Frenchman Philippe Croizon, a quadruple amputee who is competing in a specially adapted buggy, finished 10 minutes behind Al Attiyah.Croizon, 48, lost his limbs after he suffered a massive electric shock while working on a television antenna at his home 22 years ago.Competitors were watching the skies before the start following days of violent tropical storms in the Paraguayan capital.Australian KTM motorbike rider and defending champion Toby Price set out first at the start of the two-week rally, which will take participants via Bolivia through unforgiving mountainous terrain.But the Australian finished the day in 17th position. Yahamas Xavier de Soultrait clocked the fastest time in the motorbike section before picking up a one-minute penalty for excessive speed which saw the Frenchman demoted to tenth position.The stage victory went to Spaniard Juan Pedrero Garcia riding a Sherco Tvs.Riders and drivers must negotiate some 4,000km of special stages before reaching Buenos Aires on January 14.Five stages will be held at above 3,500 metres altitude -- and participants will get a day off on Sunday to see a little of the Bolivian capital La Paz, the worlds highest capital at 3,600m.The thin conditions of the region will pose a severe endurance challenge.There is a little uncertainty as regards the altitude... I dont really know how we shall react -- drivers, co-drivers, but also assistants and mechanics, said Peterhansel, who started off in 1988, when the race still remained true to its African origins.If you feel a little off one day you could lose everything and thats true for all drivers, even those who have spent time at altitude and are well prepared.For Peterhansel, its very open. Id say there are six or seven drivers capable of winning -- at Peugeot of course but also Toyota, and even Mini, with Mikko Hirvonen coming up on the rails, following his maiden fourth place showing last year.The real racing gets underway on Tuesday with an 800km stage -- including a 275km special -- to San Miguel de Tucuman in Argentina with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees celsius.

Football: Terminally ill Sunderland fan, 5, wins goal of the month

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LONDON (AFP) - A five-year-old Sunderland fan who has terminal cancer was adjudged joint winner of the BBCs December goal of the month award.Bradley Lowery, who earlier this season had his name chanted by Sunderland and Everton fans in the fifth minute of their match in which he led the Black Cats out, beat Chelsea reserve goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from the penalty spot at half-time of their Premier League game last month.Chelsea striker Diego Costa had given the youngster advice on the best way to beat his team-mate. Lowery, who received 250,000 Christmas cards following his penalty, shared the award with Manchester Uniteds Henrikh Mkhitaryan and beat the likes of Arsenals Alexis Sanchez.We have woken up this morning to the news that Bradleys goal got joint goal of the month, his mother Gemma told the Sunderland Echo.We cant actually believe this and would like to thank every single one of you for your support. This is a very special moment for us and something we can treasure forever.The Sunderland fanatic was diagnosed in 2013 with stage four neuroblastoma, which attacks the nervous system, but was told he was in remission in December 2014 after several operations and a first bout of chemotherapy.But the cancer returned.Last year more than 700,000 pound ($860,000, 822,000 euros) was raised to pay for treatment in the United States, including a donation of 200,000 pound from Everton following their match against Sunderland.His family however were later told his cancer had spread and that treatment would only help to prolong his life.

Karachi: Gang war accused killed in police encounter

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, police conducted an operation against drug peddlers near Pakhtun Chowk area of Purani Sabzi Mandi in Karachi on Monday during which the miscreants opened fire at the police party. Police returned the fire as a result one gang war accused was killed.Police sources said that the dead gang war accused was identified as Rana Ahsan. Police have also recovered a Kalashnikov from the dead accused. Police sources further informed that that Rana Ahsan was local commander of drug peddler gang of Darwaish Group and was wanted in several criminal cases.On the other hand, two accused Imran and Shoaid who were arrested from Azizabad have confessed to killing Pak Sarzamin Party’s office-bearer Saqib Ghani’s brother, Ubaid Ghani. Police sources said that Ubaid Ghani was killed during a robbery attempt.

Multan: Wedding guests taken hostage by marriage hall administration

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MULTAN (Dunya News) – According to detail, the administration of a marriage hall near Eidghah in Multan was asked to make arrangement for 400 guests for the valima ceremony of Dr Kashan on Monday but the marriage hall officials said that 120 extra guests turned up for the ceremony.The groom and his heirs blamed that the marriage hall officials locked all the guests in the hall on the pretext that there are extra guests in the party. Police was called in who arranged a negotiation between the two parties and the guests were released when the marriage hall officials received Rs 160,000 for extra charges.

Warner smashes ton before lunch in Aussie run spree

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SYDNEY (AFP) - David Warner became the first Australian since Donald Bradman to smash a century before lunch on the first day in a flying start to the third Test against Pakistan on Tuesday.It was also the first time a batsman has scored 100 in the first session of a Test match in Australia, with Warner only the fourth Australian batsman to achieve the rare feat.Don Bradman was the last to do so with 105 in Leeds in 1930 on his way to 334, with Victor Trumper hitting 103 in Manchester in 1902 and Charlie Macartney scoring 112 at Leeds in 1926.The only other player to post a Test century before lunch on the first day of a Test was Pakistans Majid Khan (108) against New Zealand in Karachi in 1976. At lunch in Sydney after winning the toss, Australia were 126 without loss with Warner hurtling along on 100 off 78 balls with the more sedate Matthew Renshaw on 25 off 84 balls.Warner raced out of the blocks with five boundaries in the first three overs and brought up the 50-run opening partnership off 49 balls.His half-century came off 42 balls with 10 fours inside the opening hour and the century stand came off 126 balls in 93 minutes with Warner contributing 80.Warner raised 18th Test century and third against Pakistan in 117 minutes and had hit 17 boundaries by lunch.It eclipsed his previous fastest century at the Sydney Cricket Ground -- off 82 balls in last years Test against the West Indies.The dashing left-hander raised his 18th Test hundred and third at the Sydney Cricket Ground off 78 balls and reached three figures in just 117 minutes with 17 fours.He was 100 not out with Matthew Renshaw on 25 at lunch in Australias 126 without loss.Earlier, Australia won the toss and chose to bat in the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney on Tuesday.Pakistan made two changes with opener Sharjeel Khan making his Test debut in place of Sami Aslam and Imran Khan replacing fellow paceman Sohail Khan.Australia also made two changes with all-rounder Hilton Cartwright making his Test debut at No.6 for Nic Maddinson and Steve OKeefe added as an extra spinner at the expense of Jackson Bird.Australia have already wrapped up the series after wins in Brisbane and Melbourne and are bidding for a 3-0 series clean sweep.Theres a bit of grass on the pitch and Im hoping it will break up during the Test so our spinners can have an impact, Australia skipper Steve Smith said.Counterpart Misbah-ul-Haq said the first session would be important for his Pakistan bowlers.Were hoping to get something from the pitch for our new ball bowlers, Misbah said.TeamsAustralia: David Warner, Matthew Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Hilton Cartwright, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Steve OKeefe, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Imran Khan.Umpires: Sundaram Ravi (IND) and Richard Illingworth (ENG).Third umpire: Ian Gould (ENG).Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI).

Custom officials torture passengers at Lahore airport

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – According to details, Zubair Hussain and Naseullah reached Lahore on a private airlines flight from Sharjah on Minday night. A scuffle broke out between the two passengers and custom officials over clearance of luggage during which the custom officials brutally tortured Zubair Hussain and Naseullah.The passengers blamed that they brought an LCD from Sharjah for personal use but the custom officials demanded bribe to clear it. On the other hand, custom officers Abbas Hussain and Muhammad Habib denied the allegations.The airport security force police and higher officials of custom department reached the spot but remained mere spectators as the custom officials brutally tortured Zubair Hussain and Naseullah.

Firing claims one life in Karachi

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, some unidentified persons opened fire at a car in Gulshan Chowrangi area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal on Monday and killed a man.The deceased was identified as Rashid s/o Nazar. Police sources said that the deceased was driver of an officer of the Pakistan International Airlines. Police have termed the incident as an act of target killing. The body of the deceased has been shifted to a nearby hospital.

No North Korea missile will be capable of reaching US: Trump

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter again on Monday evening to promise North Korea would not develop a nuclear missile capable of reaching US territory.His comments come a day after the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un, appeared to try to put pressure on Trump by announcing his country is in the final stages of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the US, Trump tweeted. It wont happenAlthough Washington has repeatedly vowed that it would never accept North Korea as a nuclear state, Trump has not previously clearly stated his policy on the isolated Stalinist state.The Republican billionaire has already upended precedent by routinely taking to Twitter since his election last month to lambast critics and issue statements -- sometimes about the most serious national security issues -- sending analysts scrambling to divine what they may mean for US policy once he takes office on January 20.He launched a solo bid to restart the Cold War arms race last month, tweeting that the United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capabilities.He has also angered China by tweeting accusations of military expansionism and currency manipulation.But he will need Beijing, Pyongyangs closest ally, to deal with North Koreas mounting confrontation.However, he appeared to complicate that prospect with his latest criticism on Monday evening following his vow about North Korea.China has been taking out massive amounts of money & wealth from the US in totally one-sided trade, but wont help with North Korea, he tweeted. NiceIn a 30-minute televised New Years speech on Sunday, Kim said Pyongyang had soared as a nuclear power, adding that it is now a military power of the East that cannot be touched by even the strongest enemy.Although he did not make a specific reference to the incoming Trump administration, he called on Washington to make a resolute decision to withdraw its anachronistic hostile North Korea policy.Analysts are divided over how close Pyongyang is to realizing its full nuclear ambitions, especially as it has never successfully test-fired an ICBM.However, North Korea carried out two nuclear tests and numerous missile launches last year in pursuit of its oft-stated goal -- developing a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland with a nuclear warhead.Thae Yong-Ho, North Koreas former deputy ambassador to Britain who defected to the South in August, has said Kim was planning a prime time nuclear weapons push in 2017 to take advantage of leadership transitions in Washington and Seoul.

Australia bat first, Sharjeel Khan to make debut in third test

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SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia won the toss and chose to bat in the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney on Tuesday.Pakistan made two changes with opener Sharjeel Khan making his Test debut in place of Sami Aslam and Imran Khan replacing fellow paceman Sohail Khan.Australia also made two changes with all-rounder Hilton Cartwright making his Test debut at No.6 for Nic Maddinson and Steve OKeefe added as an extra spinner at the expense of Jackson Bird.Australia have already wrapped up the series after wins in Brisbane and Melbourne and are bidding for a 3-0 series clean sweep.Theres a bit of grass on the pitch and Im hoping it will break up during the Test so our spinners can have an impact, Australia skipper Steve Smith said.Counterpart Misbah-ul-Haq said the first session would be important for his Pakistan bowlers.Were hoping to get something from the pitch for our new ball bowlers, Misbah said.TeamsAustralia: David Warner, Matthew Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Hilton Cartwright, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Steve OKeefe, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Imran Khan.Umpires: Sundaram Ravi (IND) and Richard Illingworth (ENG)Third umpire: Ian Gould (ENG)Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)

Syria army presses fight near Damascus despite truce

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BEIRUT (AFP) - Syrias army advanced Monday as it battles to capture a rebel region that is key to the capitals water supply, launching strikes and artillery fire threatening a fragile nationwide truce.Brokered by regime ally Russia and opposition supporter Turkey, the ceasefire is now in its fourth day despite sporadic violence and continued fighting in the Wadi Barada area near Damascus.Regime forces and fighters from Lebanons Hezbollah group are advancing in the region and are now on the outskirts of Ain al-Fijeh, the primary water source in the area, said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.He said government troops and allied fighters were engaged in fierce clashes with rebels, including former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, a claim denied by opposition fighters.The monitor said government forces were carrying out air strikes and artillery fire on the area, northwest of the capital, and that two civilians were shot dead by snipers.Two other civilians were killed in regime bombardment of the town of Rastan in central Homs province, it added.Government forces have surrounded Wadi Barada since mid-2015, but the siege was tightened in December as the army piled on the pressure.The Syrian government says rebels have targeted key water infrastructure, causing leaking fuel to poison water supplies and then cutting it off altogether.The United Nations says at least four million people in Damascus have been without water since December 22.The Observatory said around 1,000 women and children fled the area over the weekend.The violence threatens the delicate truce that came into force last week and is intended to pave the way for new peace talks in Kazakhstan later this month.In a statement, rebels fighting under the Free Syrian Army banner in Wadi Barada warned that the truce was in danger.We call on the sponsors of the ceasefire agreement to assume their responsibility and pressure the regime and its allied militias to stop their clear violation of the agreement, the statement said.Otherwise, they warned, we will call on all the free military factions operating inside Syria to overturn the agreement and ignite the fronts in defence of the people of Wadi Barada.The statement said that Wadi Barada was included in the deal brokered by Moscow and Ankara and accused the regime of violating the agreement.The ceasefire deal, and the plan for new talks, received the unanimous backing of the UN Security Council on Saturday, despite offering a competing track to UN-sponsored negotiations.Turkey and Russia are organising the talks in Astana along with regime ally Iran, and say they are intended to supplement, not replace, UN-backed negotiations scheduled to resume in February.Despite backing opposite sides in Syrias conflict, Ankara and Moscow have worked closely in recent months on the war, brokering a deal to evacuate civilians and surrendering rebels from Aleppo last month before the regime recaptured the northern city in full.Both countries are also waging their own military interventions in Syria, with Russian forces fighting to bolster President Bashar al-Assads government since September 2015.Turkey launched a military campaign in northern Syria in August 2016, targeting the Islamic State group but also Kurdish militants.The Syrian conflict has also spilled over into Turkey, with several attacks blamed on Kurdish or IS.On Monday, IS claimed responsibility for a New Years Eve attack on an Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people.Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus warned that Ankara was determined to press on with its military operation in Syria until these terror organisations no longer remain a threat to Turkey.A string of efforts to find a political solution to Syrias war have failed since it began with anti-government protests in March 2011.The conflict has killed more than 310,000 people, and displaced over half the population, including millions who have fled abroad, becoming refugees.

Syrian rebels announce freeze of talks about peace negotiations

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BEIRUT (AFP) - About 10 Syrian rebel groups announced Monday they were suspending talks about planned peace negotiations this month in the Kazakh capital Astana, due to violations by Damascus of a four-day old truce.As these violations are continuing, the rebel factions announce... the freezing of all discussion linked to the Astana negotiations, they said in a joint statement, referring to talks planned for late January organised by Russia, which supports the Syrian regime, and Turkey and Iran which back the rebels.The rebels said they respected the ceasefire across the whole of Syria .. but the regime and its allies have not stopped shooting and have launched major and frequent violations, notably in the (rebel) regions of Wadi Barada and Eastern Ghouta, both in the province of Damascus, they said.Despite repeated questions put to the regimes backer, Russia, these violations continue, threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, said the statement.For the last two weeks, even before the start of a global truce brokered by Ankara and Moscow with a view to enabling the Astana talks to take place, Syrias air force has launched almost daily bombing raids on Wadi Barada, some 15 km (10 miles) from Damascus.The regime of President Bashar al-Assad is trying to seize control of the region which supplies the main drinking water for four million inhabitants of the capital and surrounding areas.On Monday, the Syrian army and militant Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah advanced to the outskirts of Ain al-Fijeh, the primary water source in the area, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.Any (advance) on the ground goes against the (ceasefire) agreement and if things dont return to how they were before, the accord will be considered null and void, added the rebel statement.The ceasefire, which has been in force since midnight Thursday, is the latest truce in the nearly six-year war which has killed more than 310,000 people.

In Iraq, Hollande says IS battle prevents attacks at home

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ARBIL (AFP) - Western support for military action against the Islamic State group is key to preventing attacks at home, French President Francois Hollande said Monday in Iraq, where yet another bombing killed dozens.A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden car on a square in Baghdads Sadr City neighbourhood, killing at least 32 people in the latest attack on the Iraqi capital claimed by IS.Later the interior ministry said jihadist gunmen wearing suicide vests stormed a police station in the city of Samarra north of Baghdad, sparking clashes.There were no immediate reports of casualties, but IS said it was also behind the Samarra attack.France, one of the most active members of the US-led coalition fighting the Sunni extremist group, is particularly concerned over the return of a large contingent of French jihadists from Syria and Iraq.Taking action against terrorism here in Iraq is also preventing acts of terrorism on our own soil, he said at a base where French soldiers have been training elite Iraqi forces.Hollande, the only major Western head of state to have visited Baghdad since the coalition was set up in 2014, stressed that supporting Iraq was one of the surest ways of securing Europe.Of European countries targeted by attacks claimed or inspired by IS, France has been the worst hit, but there have also been attacks in Belgium and Germany.Besides the defeated jihadists expected to return to Europe, radicalised children who grew up in the caliphate IS proclaimed in 2014 are also seen as ticking bombs.We will have to deal with the issue of the return of foreign fighters... who committed crimes, who brought their families with them, including in some cases very young children, Hollande said.Since it joined the United States in the coalition in September 2014, France says its warplanes have conducted 5,700 sorties, around 1,000 strikes and destroyed more than 1,700 targets.France has 14 Rafale warplanes taking part in coalition operations from Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.It also has 500 soldiers training and advising elite Iraqi forces and CAESAR artillery vehicles stationed south of Mosul to support ongoing operations to retake the city.Hollande met Iraqi President Fuad Masum, a Kurd, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, from the largest Shiite political bloc, and called for reconciliation and unity after IS is defeated.He then flew to the northern city of Arbil, capital of Iraqs autonomous Kurdish region, where he met local leader Massud Barzani.He said just before leaving Iraq that he was told that the battle to retake Mosul, the last major jihadist stronghold in the country, could last several more months.It was confirmed to us that we could possibly achieve this goal in spring, in any case before summer, he said.Hollande added that the focus would then move to Raqa, ISs other major bastion, in neighbouring Syria.If Daesh is eradicated in Iraq but remains in Syria, we know full well that acts will be carried out here in the Middle East but also on our own soil in France, in Europe, he said.Hollande began his trip at a base near Baghdad where French forces are training Iraqs elite Counter-Terrorism Service, which has spearheaded most major anti-IS operations in Iraq since 2014.It was CTS that first breached Mosuls city limits late last year in an effort to retake it from IS.But the going has been tough for Iraqi forces, partly because hundreds of thousands of civilians have remained in the city, slowing their advance.Abadi had promised his forces would rid Iraq of IS by the end of 2016, but last week said three more months would be needed to achieve that goal.Some observers argue that the new timeline remains ambitious, given the continued IS presence in other parts of the country.Hollande predicted Monday that 2017 would be a year of victories against terrorism but, while its caliphate appears doomed, IS still has the ability to sow chaos by attacking softer targets.A suicide car bombing claimed by IS killed at least 32 people and wounded more than 60 Monday in Baghdads Shiite-majority district of Sadr City.Police said the bomber struck on a square where daily labourers were awaiting work, causing one of the highest casualty tolls in Baghdad in months.The jihadists claimed another bombing on Saturday that killed at least 27 people in central Baghdad.A US State Department statement branded the attacks vicious acts of mass murder and a sobering reminder of the need to continue coalition operations against IS.

Obama to deliver farewell speech next week in Chicago

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama will deliver a farewell speech next week from his political stronghold of Chicago, one of the last times he will be able to advocate for his policies before the inauguration of Donald Trump.The Republican political novice has vowed to rip up key Obama initiatives such as the so-called Obamacare healthcare reform act, to back out of climate change agreements and to reassess ties with foreign allies and foes.Obama will hand over the reins of power to Trump on January 20. On Tuesday, January 10, Ill go home to Chicago to say my grateful farewell to you, even if you cant be there in person, Obama said in a short statement released Monday, noting that the tradition of a presidential farewell speech dates back to George Washington.Obama, who is returning to Washington on Monday after a two-week family vacation in Hawaii, said he was just beginning to write his remarks. Im thinking about them as a chance to say thank you for this amazing journey, to celebrate the ways youve changed this country for the better these past eight years, and to offer some thoughts on where we all go from here, he said.On Sunday he said in a tweet: Its been the privilege of my life to serve as your President. I look forward to standing with you as a citizen.Obama celebrated his election to the White House eight years ago in front of a huge and ecstatic crowd in Chicago, his adopted hometown.He will deliver his speech next week from the McCormick Place convention center, the site of his victory speech after winning re-election in 2012.

Police question Netanyahu as part of graft probe

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JERUSALEM (AFP) - Police grilled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for three hours on Monday evening as part of a graft probe that has shaken the countrys politics.Investigators quizzed Netanyahu at his residence in central Jerusalem under caution on suspicion of receiving benefits, a police spokesman said afterwards, adding there were no further details to give.Ahead of the questioning, Netanyahu denied any wrongdoing and told his political opponents to put any celebrations on hold.Police had been expected to question Netanyahu over whether he illegally accepted gifts from wealthy supporters.The long-running graft inquiry has looked into whether Israeli and foreign businessmen have offered gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars as well as another unspecified issue, according to media reports.Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has reportedly decided to upgrade the inquiry to a criminal probe, although he has yet to confirm this.Earlier Monday, screens were mounted at the entrance to the compound in central Jerusalem in an apparent bid to shield the investigators arrival.We hear all the media reports. We see and hear the festive spirit and atmosphere in television studios and in the corridors of the opposition, Netanyahu told lawmakers from his Likud party on Monday, according to a video posted to his Facebook page.I want to tell them to wait for the celebrations. Do not rush. I told you and I repeat: There will be nothing because there is nothing. You will continue to inflate hot air balloons and we will continue to lead the state of Israel.Police have carried out the probe in secret over some eight months and recently made an important breakthrough, reports said. About 50 witnesses are said to have been questioned.In July, Mandelblit said he had ordered a preliminary examination into an unspecified affair involving Netanyahu, with no details given.US billionaire and World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder has been among those questioned in the probe over gifts he allegedly gave Netanyahu and alleged spending on trips for him, Israeli media reported.Lauder, whose family founded the Estee Lauder cosmetics giant, has long been seen as an ally of Netanyahu, who in the late 1990s put him in charge of negotiating with then Syrian president Hafez al-Assad.Netanyahu has acknowledged receiving money from French tycoon Arnaud Mimran, who was sentenced to eight years in prison over a scam amounting to 283 million euros involving the trade of carbon emissions permits and taxes on them.Netanyahus office said he had received $40,000 in contributions from Mimran in 2001, when he was not in office, as part of a fund for public activities, including appearances abroad to promote Israel.He has also come under scrutiny over an alleged conflict of interest in the purchase of submarines from a German firm.Media reports have alleged a conflict of interest over the role played by the Netanyahu family lawyer, David Shimron, who also acts for the Israeli agent of Germanys ThyssenKrupp.Beyond those issues, Israels state comptroller released a critical report in May about Netanyahus foreign trips, some with his wife and children, between 2003 and 2005 when he was finance minister.Netanyahu, 67, is in his fourth term as prime minister and currently heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israeli history.Widely known by his nickname Bibi, he has served as premier for a total of nearly 11 years, fast approaching revered founding father David Ben-Gurions 13 years.Polls have shown that if elections were held now, his Likud party would finish behind the centrist Yesh Atid, but that voters still prefer Netanyahu as prime minister.The inquiry has led to fierce debate in Israeli politics, with Netanyahus allies accusing opposition politicians and some in the media of unfairly pressuring the attorney general.Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, in comments on army radio on Monday, denounced what he called a campaign of provocation and incitement against Mandelblit.However, others have accused Mandelblit of moving too slowly in the highly charged case.Netanyahus predecessor as prime minister, Ehud Olmert, was forced to resign while dogged by corruption allegations.Olmert entered prison in February and is serving 27 months for corruption, making him Israels first former premier to serve jail time.
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