Wednesday 14 June 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Mattis vows not to repeat past mistakes in Afghanistan

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has vowed that the Trump administration will not repeat the mistakes of the past in Afghanistan, after the president signaled a desire to give the Pentagon wide latitude in setting warfighting policy.Unlike his predecessor Barack Obama, who kept battlefield commanders on a tight leash and scrutinized each deployment, President Donald Trump has deferred to top brass -- the men he likes to call my generals.Though Trump has said little about Afghanistan, this week he gave Mattis authority to set troop numbers there at whatever level he sees fit, a decision finalized as the Pentagon chief told lawmakers America is still not winning against the Taliban.The Pentagon is reportedly considering deploying an extra 3,000 to 5,000 troops -- some of whom would come from NATO allies -- in Afghanistan to help train and advise local forces fighting the Taliban and other insurgent groups.This administration will not repeat the mistakes of the past, Mattis declared Wednesday.We cannot allow Afghanistan to once again become a launching point for attacks on our homeland or on our allies, Mattis said, alluding to the former Taliban governments granting haven to Al-Qaeda before the September 11, 2011 terror attacks in the US.But nearly 16 years after the American-led invasion of Afghanistan, and after successive administrations have tried different troop levels and engagement strategies, observers are skeptical about Mattiss chances for success.If all we are doing is tinkering around at the margin of a strategy that amounts to Muddle through and hope for a miracle, then 3,000 to 5,000 troops are not going to make a difference, Stephen Biddle, a professor at George Washington University and an Afghanistan expert, told AFP.Currently about 8,400 US troops are in Afghanistan along with about 5,000 NATO forces. Additional troops would allow the Western advisors to work with more Afghan combat units, though the locals would still be doing the actual fighting.Mattis stressed that his new approach on Afghanistan, to be presented to Trump by the middle of July, will have a broader regional emphasis and not be beholden to any timelines.After sending an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in 2009, Obama drew heavy criticism for subsequently announcing when they would withdraw.That was a huge strategic mistake, Bill Roggio, an Afghanistan expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told AFP.Obama had been elected on a pledge to end US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and faced pressure to promise that new troop deployments would be temporary.The international community is going to have to hold with it, and when we reduce, we reduce based on conditions on the ground, not on an arbitrary timeline, Mattis told lawmakers Wednesday.US troop levels in Afghanistan peaked at around 100,000 under Obama, who later embarked on a steady drawdown aiming to completely end Americas combat role.The United States and NATO handed security responsibility to Afghan forces at the start of 2015, but the outcome has been brutal.Local troops have been slain in their thousands, corruption remains endemic and as the Taliban continues to gain ground, US commanders concede the situation is a stalemate at best.Roggios assessment was that an additional troop deployment would stem the tide of the Taliban advance but could not be known for sure until it was clear what the troops would be doing.Pointing to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan during the 1980s, Democratic Senator Jon Tester questioned whether victory was possible.Is it achievable? This countrys been at war for God knows how many centuries, Tester said.Mattis said it is. His new strategy would come in consultation with other US government agencies.I will set a US military commitment consistent with the commander in chiefs strategic directions and his foreign policy, as dictated by Secretary of State (Rex) Tillerson, Mattis said.The decision to let Mattis, a retired Marine general who fought in Afghanistan, bring extra troops into the country indicates the Pentagon has prevailed over Trumps advisors whod advocated for an American withdrawal.Thousands more troops going back to Afghanistan could still be a tough sell for Trump, who campaigned on an America First platform and a pledge to reduce US overseas involvement.About 2,400 US troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001 and another 20,000 wounded.The US government has already spent around $1 trillion on warfighting and rebuilding, much of which has been squandered on wasteful projects.

Trump being probed for possible obstruction of justice: report

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The special counsel overseeing the probe into Russias alleged meddling in the US election is looking at whether President Donald Trump tried to obstruct justice, The Washington Post reported Wednesday, citing unnamed officials.In a pivotal shift in the investigation that has riveted Americans like no other in decades, senior intelligence officials have agreed to be interviewed by investigators working for the special counsel, Robert Mueller, the Post said.It quoted five people briefed on the requests and said those who have agreed to be interviewed are Daniel Coats, the director of national intelligence, Admiral Mike Rogers, head of the National Security Agency, and his recently departed deputy, Richard Ledgett.The interviews could come as early as this week, the Post said.The newspapers story was met with a furious reaction from Trumps personal lawyer and the Republican National Committee.The shift toward investigating the US president began days after Trump fired James Comey as FBI director on May 9, the Post said.The stated focus has been Russias alleged efforts to tilt last Novembers presidential election Trumps way, and whether the winners campaign was involved in any way.Trump vehemently denies any collusion between himself or any of his associates and Russia.Mueller, himself a widely respected former head of the FBI, has now taken up the angle of possible efforts by Trump to obstruct justice in the investigation, the Post said.Quoting officials, the newspaper said one event of interest to Mueller is an exchange on March 22, when Coats told associates that Trump had asked him to intervene with Comey to get him to back off the focus on Trumps former national security advisor Mike Flynn as part of the FBI probe of the Russia affair.A few days after the March 22 meeting, Trump spoke separately with Coats and Rogers and asked them to issue public statements to the effect that there was no evidence of coordination between his campaign and Russia. The Post said both men refused the presidents request.Trumps personal lawyer Marc Kasowitz issued a statement saying the FBI was behind the Post story and called the leak outrageous, inexcusable and illegal. The lawyer did not deny the story, however.Mueller briefed Senators Wednesday on his work.Im going to acknowledge we had a meeting with the special counsel Mueller, but Im not going to get into the contents, Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters later.Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called the accusation in the Post unfounded and said it changes nothing.Theres still no evidence of obstruction, and current and former leaders in the intelligence community have repeatedly said theres been no effort to impede the investigation in any way. The continued illegal leaks are the only crime here, McDaniel said in a statement.

Sarfraz proud as 'no chance' Pakistan reach final

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CARDIFF (AFP) - Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed insisted he always believed his side could turn their fortunes around after they reached the Champions Trophy final with a dominant eight-wicket win over England in Cardiff.Pace bowler Hasan Ali took three wickets as Pakistan dismissed England, the only unbeaten team left in the tournament, for a mere 211.In marked contrast to their nail-biting chase in a three-wicket, virtual quarter-final, win over Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Monday, Pakistan then cruised to a total of 215 for two with a mammoth 77 balls to spare.Azhar Ali (76) and Fakhar Zaman (57) dismissed Englands attack to all parts of Sophia Gardens in an opening stand of 118.What made Wednesdays win all the more impressive was that it came just 10 days after Pakistan launched their Champions Trophy campaign with a woeful 124-run hammering by arch-rivals India.But just three days later Pakistan, the lowest-ranked side in a tournament featuring the worlds top eight one-day international teams bounced back to defeat number one South Africa.Now Pakistan could have a chance for revenge against India in Sundays final at the Oval if the title-holders beat Bangladesh in Thursdays second semi-final at Edgbaston.It is a cause of great pride and happiness for myself and for the entire Pakistan nation, said Sarfraz after the semi-final triumph.It was a team no one gave a chance, neither here nor back home, added the 30-year-old wicket-keeper, whose 61 not out was key to the victory over Sri Lanka.No one thought wed reach the final.Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said before the semi-final that if his side played their best game they could put pressure on England.And they did so in style, despite being without injured left-arm quick Mohammad Amir because of a back spasm.Today was a perfect performance from all departments, said Azhar.The bowlers did extremely well and got us in a very good position.Getting England out for 211 is never easy because they have a wonderful balance to their side and we knew if we didnt take wickets they would score heavily, he added.Credit goes to Sarfraz and the way he led the team, we kept taking wickets and kept the run-rate in check. It was a wonderful performance.Meanwhile Sarfraz said the way Arthur and the South Africans backroom staff had boosted morale after the India defeat had been central to their recovery.After the first loss, we are very down, but credit goes to the team management, said Sarfraz. They motivated us very well.Asked how self-belief had been restored following a defeat by India greeted with widespread condemnation back home, Sarfraz explained: After the India match, we just motivated the guys.We said dont worry about the India match. This is gone.We have two (more group) matches. If we play good cricket, definitely we will win this tournament. Now we are in the final.Sarfraz already knows what its like to win a trophy at Indias expense, having been the skipper of the Pakistan side that defeated their fellow Asian giants in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup final in ColomboYes, I will have that India Under-19 game in mind, he said.It was my first big event as captain. We hope whoever comes through we manage to beat.Pakistan, as they had when defeating England in an ODI at Cardiff last year, received plenty of crowd support.It is something they appreciate more than most after a 2009 terror attack on Sri Lankas team bus in Lahore turned Pakistan into a no-go area for the worlds top teams, with the United Arab Emirates now their adopted home.Last time we played here although we were 4-0 down (in a five-match series), still the Pakistani supporters came to support us and it was like we were playing at home, recalled Azhar.It was good to have that feeling, we dont play at home, so whenever we get a crowd supporting us we love it.Thanks to the crowd for coming and theyve been brilliant, he added.

West Indies, Afghanistan third ODI washed out

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GROS-ISLET (AFP) - Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai hopes his team will get more opportunities to face top-flight cricket nations after their one-day international series against the West Indies ended in a 1-1 draw here Wednesday.Steady rain forced the abandonment of the third and final one-dayer with not a ball being bowled at St Lucias Darren Sammy Stadium with the series balanced at one apiece.But Stanikzai said he believes his team, who lost a T20 series 3-0, did enough to show they deserve more regular matches against full member nations of the International Cricket Council.We didnt play as well as we could have but I thought we did enough to show that we deserve to play the bigger teams more often, said Stanikzai. This was a great experience for us and we can look forward now to what lies ahead with greater confidence.West Indies captain Jason Holder accepted that his team faced a tough challenge.We were up against it after the first match but came back well in the second and we have shown in the previous series against Pakistan that we can compete with the best teams in the world also, he commented. We just need to put the bits and pieces performances together on a more consistent basis for us to really move up the rankings in international cricket.West Indies are currently ranked ninth in ODIs and should they fail to reach the top eight by the cut-off date of September 30 this year, they will have to go through a qualifying tournament next year for the 2019 World Cup in England.Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, with combined figures of ten for 44 over the two ODIs that were played was named Man of the Series.This tour was a great experience for me coming out of the Indian Premier League and gives me great confidence moving forward with my career as part of the Afghanistan team, he stated. Our next challenge is against the MCC at Lords next month and I hope we can show the benefit of this experience at that match.West Indies now turn their attention to hosting India for five ODIs and a lone T20 International, starting June 23 in Trinidad.

Sindh police for pillion riding ban on Youm-e-Ali

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Sindh police have requested the provincial government to impose ban on pillion riding and mobile phone service in the province to maintain law and order situation on the occasion on Youm-e-Ali (RA).In a letter to the government, police have said that there are credible reports of terrorist attacks in the major cities on the occasion of Youm-e-Ali and asked the provincial government to impose ban on pillion riding and mobile phone service for one day.The ban on pillion riding and mobile phone service will be imposed in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Khas and other cities.

Earthquake of 4.0 magnitude jolts Quetta

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QUETTA (Dunya News) - An earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale jolted Quetta and its adjoining areas on early Thursday morning, Dunya News reported.People came out of their homes in panic and started reciting verses from the Holy Quran. No loss of life or damage to property was reported in the earthquake.According to National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the epicenter of the earthquake was located in Nok Kundi Balochistan.

Karachi: Two terrorists escaped from Central Jail

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - Two terrorists of a banned organization escaped from Central Jail Karachi on Wednesday, Dunya News reported. Both the terrorists came to judicial complex in connection of hearing of their case from where they escaped.Accused Sheikh Muhammad alias Firoun and Ahmad Khan alias Munna were arrested by CTD officer Fayyaz Khan in 2013 and belonged to Naeem Bukhari group. They were involved in sectarian killing and attack on police force.At least 12 officials of Central Jail Karachi, including jail superintendent and deputy superintendent, were taken into custody on the directives of Sindh Law Minister and a case has also been registered against them.

Lahore: 6 suspects arrested in police search operation

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – At least six suspects were taken into custody during police search operation in different parts of Lahore on Wednesday, Dunya News reported.According to details, police carried out search operation in areas around Chand Rai Road in Kot Lakhpat area and on the route of Youm-e-Ali (RA) procession in Tibbi City area. Biometric device was also used during the search operation.Police arrested a suspect named Imran Ali from Tibbi City area and recovered a gun from his possession. Police have also registered a case against Imran Ali and launched investigation.On the other hand, police apprehended five suspects from Kot Lakhpat area who failed to produce any identity document during search operation.

PM Nawaz to appear before Panama case JIT today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will appear before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) at the Federal Judicial Academy today (Thursday) in connection with the Panama leaks scandal, Dunya News reported.Islamabad Police have chalked out foolproof security arrangements on the eve of Prime Minister’s appearance before JIT. Police officers under the command of SSP Sajid Kiani visited the Federal Judicial Academy on Wednesday night to review the security arrangements.At least 2500 security officials will be deployed to ensure stringent security during PM’s appearance before JIT. Officers will also be deployed at various rooftops around Federal Judicial Academy.Islamabad police have also blocked all the entry points of the H/8 Park by placing barbed wires. On the other hand, PML-N activists have erected more banners and posters in support to PM Nawaz in the vicinity of the Federal Judicial Academy.

AJK budget for FY 2017-18 to be presented today

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MUZAFFARABAD (Dunya News) - Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) budget for 2017-18 financial year with an estimated outlay of over Rs 80 billion will be announced today (Thursday).AJK Minister for Finance Dr Najeeb Naqi will present the budget for the new financial year in the AJK Legislative Assembly.Rs 23.2 billion will be allocated for annual development projects while the salaries of the government employees will be increased by 10 percent in the new budget.Three opposition parties in the AJK Legislative Assembly including Pakistan People’s Party has decided to boycott the budget session today.

Quetta: Minor crushed to death by speeding car

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QUETTA (Dunya News) – According to details, a speeding car hit two minor boys at the Airport Road in Quetta on Wednesday when they were crossing the road, killing one to death on the spot and injuring the other.Rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured boy to Civil Hospital, Quetta for medical attention.The car driver managed to escape from the scene after the incident.

Bangladesh break into Asia's top rivalries

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DHAKA (AFP) - When Bangladesh battle India in the Champions Trophy semi-final on Thursday it will be the consecration of a new Asian cricket rivalry.Few of the millions of Bangladeshis following at home expected Mashrafe Mortazas side to reach the last four -- that they are playing India has made the achievement even more special and surprising to the players.Mortaza sent his family home last week and other Bangladesh players were doing their shopping in expectation of flying back, according to Bangladesh media.But sparkling batting by Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah helped Bangladesh to an epic win over New Zealand that saw them reach a first ICC tournament semi-final.Now Mortaza says the team have to brush aside pressure so they can play with a free mind against India to prove their worth.While India-Pakistan is one of the worlds biggest sporting rivalries, Bangladesh are fast emerging as a worthy competitor.Bangladesh raged over umpire decisions when they lost to India in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final. They lost their World Twenty20 group match to India last year by just one run.In between, the Bangladesh Tigers beat India at home in a three-match one-day series. They have also beaten Pakistan and South Africa in one-day series to send them up the world rankings and earn theme place in the Champions Trophy for the worlds top eight teams for the first time in 11 years.Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said ahead of the tournament that Bangladesh are a very hungry and talented bunch of players.What you see in Bangladesh right now is a growing confidence and enhanced game-awareness. It is learning how to win matches and that makes it very dangerous opponents.Mortazas side only started believing in their chances after impressive displays in New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka and Ireland in the past few months.We did not win a match in New Zealand but we played well there. We created chances in all our matches, said chief selector Minhajul Abedin.Bangladesh defeated New Zealand during a three-nation tournament in Ireland before the trophy campaign. It was their first away victory against the Kiwis in 17 attempts.Against the Kiwis in Cardiff last week, Bangladesh raced to 268-5 from a tottering 33-4 to eliminate Kane Williamsons team.Luck also played a role with Bangladesh heading to almost certain defeat against Australia until rain washed out the match.England then beat Australia and let Bangladesh into the semi-final with the hosts.You could argue about the luck if we would have played badly. But we won a match while Australia and New Zealand failed to do so. Even to utilise the luck you need some base, said Minhajul.The cricket we are playing, we deserve to be in the semis. We played well against New Zealand, we made 300-plus against England but Australia failed to do so in the same ground against the same opponents, he said.Minhajul said Bangladesh would need everyone to be on top form against India to have a chance of making the final.Pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman, one of their most exciting talents, has failed to live up to expectations while youngsters Sabbir Rahman and Soumya Sarkar have struggled with the bat.Mustafizur, nicknamed Fizz, vowed to do justice to his reputation in the semi-final.My cutters were not as effective here as in our home soil. There is no end of learning. And Im still trying to bowl well in these conditions, Mustafizur told reporters.We always believe that our pacers can do well against India. If everything goes right, it will surely happen.

Rain delays Windies, Afghanistan decider

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GROS-ISLET (AFP) - Rain further delayed the start of the final fixture of the three-match one-day international series between the West Indies and Afghanistan at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia on Wednesday.Play was set to begin more than two-and-a-half hours late because of steady showers, with Afghan captain Asghar Stanikzai winning the toss and choosing to bat first in a match reduced to 43 overs per side.However, the rains returned minutes after the toss and there is likely to be a further reduction of overs. A minimum of 20 overs per side must be bowled to constitute a match.The series is tied at 1-1 after the home side hit back from a shock 63-run loss in the opener to take the second match by four wickets.

Americans flock to Cuba in post-rapprochement tourism boom

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HAVANA (AFP) - Some 300,000 Americans flocked to Cuba in the first five months of 2017, nearly the same number as for all of last year, officials in Havana said on Wednesday.Just two days before US President Donald Trump was due to announce a new policy rolling back a rapprochement initiated by his predecessor Barack Obama, the official Cubadebate website published figures showing a continuing boom in tourism from the United States.Havanas national statistics bureau said that by the end of May, some 284,565 Americans had traveled to Cuba this year.By contrast, about 285,000 Americans visited the communist island in all of 2016 -- a figure that was a 74 percent over 2015, with US residents the third biggest group after Canadians and Cuban expats.Trump on Friday is expected to announce measures reversing some US efforts to reconcile with communist-governed island.Obama and President Raul Castro began the process of normalizing ties in 2015, in a bid to set aside decades of Cold War enmity.

Belgian parents convicted over malnourished baby's death

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - A Belgian court Wednesday gave suspended jail sentences to the parents of a seven-month-old baby who died of malnutrition after being fed with non-dairy milk as part of an alternative diet.The parents of the baby, named only as Lucas in court, thought their son was suffering from an intolerance to lactose and gluten but had no medical evidence, the court ruled.The couple owned an organic food shop, according to Belgian media.Without consulting a doctor they gave him oat milk, rice milk, buckwheat milk and quinoa milk, after several attempts to feed him with normal powdered baby milk, the Belga news agency reported.Lucas was dehydrated and weighed only 4.3 kilos (9 pounds four ounces) when he died.They were responsible for the death of their young child for intentionally not consulting a doctor. It is particularly serious, the head judge was quoted as saying by RTBF public television.The parents, from Beveren, near the Flemish-speaking port city of Antwerp, were given six-month suspended sentences for unintentionally causing his death, although the prosecutor demanded 18 months.My clients never realised that their sons condition was cause for alarm. His health yo-yoed. They tried alternatives and that worked well. Sometimes he got a lot thinner but then he would get healthier, their lawyer Karine Van Meirvenne told RTBF.The judgment came the same day as an unrelated ruling by the European Unions top court that products made from soya or tofu cannot be marketed with dairy names like milk or butter because they are only made of plant material.
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