Saturday 24 June 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

India beat Pakistan in world hockey league classification match

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LAHORE (APP): India routed Pakistan 6-1 in a classificationmatch to finish sixth in the world hockey league at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday.It was India’s second big win over Pakistan in six days, they had earlierbeaten the green shirts 7-1 in their league match, said the information made available to APP here.Pakistan continued to display dismal performance in the play offs andseemed under pressure throughout the match.Indians settled down early.After wasting a penalty corner in the 6th minute, they opened the account after two minutes. Pakistan should have cleared the ball entering their circle from the left side but the faulty clearance gave Ramandeep the chance to slot the loose ball in from a close range.Pakistan made two well combined moves in the early minutes of the second quarter but did not threaten the opposition’s goal. In the 25th minute, India doubled the score with an opportunistic strike by Talwinder. A Pradeep Mor hit from some distance found Talwnder unmarked who found the target with a first time hit.Indian forays came in a cascade and two more goals were scored in the next three minutes. Akashdeep, after an excellent run parallel to the left goal line, released the ball to Mandeep standing close to the goal who easily put it past the goal keeper. Soon, a clinical left side move was guided into the goal by a lunging Ramandeep.India were leading four goals to the good at the half time. They continued to press after the break. In the 36th minute, off the second PC, Harmanpreet’s grounder went between the net minder and the left pole defender.Five minutes later, Pakistan finally had one on the score sheet. Ejaz Ahmed capped a fluent move involving three players.In the fourth quarter both sides had chances. In the 59th minute, Mandeep scored his second, availing a rebound to make it 6-1.In the last minute, India got an excellent chance in the form of a PC to equal their record 7-1 win over Pakistan, achieved a few days back. But Pakistani goal keeper dived full length to his right and deflected the ball away with an extended stick.Now, Pakistan would play China in the 7th/8th position match.SCORERS:India: Ramandeep Singh 2, Mandeep Singh 2, Talwinder Singh & Harmanpreet Singh one goal each.

COAS Bajwa asks Afghanistan to 'do more' against terrorism

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RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) - In the backdrop of recent spate of terrorist activities in the country, a high level security meeting chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was held today. COAS was briefed in detail about the recent incidents and their manifest linkages with terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan operating under the patronage of NDS and RAW.COAS said that since 9/11, Pakistan is one of the few countries which have borne the brunt of terrorism and made monumental sacrifices to effectively neutralize this menace in its state territories. He stated, Unfortunately our sacrifices against terrorism are not well acknowledged and we are often subjected to demand of Do More. It was concluded that while counter terrorism efforts by Pakistan continue, it is time now for the other stake holders particularly Afghanistan to Do More, he added.COAS reiterated that we will continue our efforts to positively contribute towards regional peace & stability and shall not allow use of our territory against any other country.COAS appreciated efforts of Security Forces, intelligence and other Law Enforcement Agencies in foiling countless terrorist activities through ongoing Operation Radd ul Fasaad. Army chief expressed his resolve to eliminate the menace to ensure safety & security of Pakistan and its resilient people who are real strength of their brave Security Forces.

JIT distracted, it's a joke not accountability: PM in London

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LONDON (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), tasked by Supreme Court for Panama probe, has lost track and appears to head towards the opposition direction as compared to the nation.He arrived to London for a medical checkup after performing Umrah on Saturday, and held a media talk right straight afterwards. The premier criticised his political rivals as well as the JIT members for their ‘biased’ inquiry.Nawaz Sharif said he had asked the JIT, during his appearance, whether it was a corruption case and they didn’t respond to his question. He complained about the losses which Sharif family had to bear in previous tenures. He mentioned that his family received no compensation after losing their factory in Dhaka after 1972, and also after Bhutto’s nationalisation scheme. “Sit-ins caused Chinese President to refrain from visiting Pakistan. Those who claimed rigging in 2013 elections were proved wrong after by-elections,” he said.While addressing the situation, he said the real JIT will be held by the people of Pakistan in 2018 elections. He said, “Our business is stable for the past 80 years,” while assuring that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government was transparent. He raised objections over the statements from opposition about ‘raising umpire’e finger’. He said his political rivals had developed enmity over election defeat.“Pakistan is progressing and those against it are conspiring,” he added. He vowed to eliminate power outages. PM Nawaz mentioned the matter Supreme Court Registrar WhatsApp calls and reaffirmed the doubts over Sharif family’s objections over the construction of JIT. The premier mentioned that the stock market had suffered a great deal because of political unrest in the country.He said, “We will fight terrorism after full cooperation towards the armed forces.”

Moon sighted, Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday: Peshawar's Masjid Qasim Khan

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PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – After receiving testimonies of sighting moon in Peshawar, the local Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), chaired by clerics of Peshawar’s Masjid Qasim Ali Khan, has announced Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday.The clerics told they received as many as 56 testimonies of sighting the moon from all over the province. Surprisingly, the infamous Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai of Masjid Qasim Peshawar remained missing from the Eid scene. He had reportedly fled to Dubai and media attained a print out of his ticket.An official from the Ministry of Religious Affairs said, “We have no clue who or why sent him to Dubai,” while hinting that he may leave for Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.PHOTO: Ticket of Mufti Popalzai to DubaiOn the other hand, Deputy Commissioner Kohat said moon was not sighted in the district. Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in Kohat on Monday with the rest of the country.Eid-ul-Fitr moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Yemen and other Gulf countries. The United States, United Kingdom and most parts of Europe will celebrate Eid on Sunday. Conversely, the festival will be rejoiced in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India on June 26.

Kandhkot: Five dead in crossfire between two groups

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KANDHKOT (Dunya News) – Five people lost their lives in crossfire between two groups over land dispute on Saturday.Also, four others had received injuries and were admitted to the hospital. Names of those killed are Abdullah, Abdul Wahab, Saein Baksh, Noor Deen, Najam ud Din Sabzwai. Names of those injured are Gul Hassan, Muhammad Baksh and others.The incident of firing took place in A Section police station of Kandhkot tehsil. Two groups within the Sabzwai tribe had a dispute on land division.Police have thoroughly inspected the area. They have commenced a search operation to seize illegal weapons as well as suspects involved in the fight. Kandhkot is a city in Sindh province and lies underKashmore District. Five people were killed while four received fatal injuries as a result of firing and clashes between the tribes.

PkMAP MPA sent on police remand after his vehicle ran over policeman

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QUETTA (Dunya News) – Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) MPA Majeed Khan Achakzai has been sent on a five-day remand after his vehicle ran over a traffic policeman yesterday.The ‘VIP suspect’ had a VIP entry into the court where he attended the hearing twice in one day. Although he was not wearing any handcuffs, the court ordered him to stay in police custody for five-day remand.The Balochistan assembly lawmaker appeared before the magistrate without wearing handcuffs. In the first court appearance, he was sent back to civil lines jail. After two and a half hour, he was brought back to the court before judicial magistrate who ruled a five-day remand for the provincial lawmaker.A lot of journalists crowded the court and asked questions from the Achakzai who lost his cool. He complained that the media was unable to find blast footages, but easily received the traffic accident CCTV video. He had been arrested late at night after the footage of his car running over a traffic policeman was revealed by the media.The family and relatives of traffic sub-inspector Haji Ataullah have demanded justice. This great loss ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr has left the family in deep sorrow. Ataullah has left behind two sons, three daughter and a widow wife. His funeral was attended at Sabu Khel village in Tonsa. After they appealed to the Supreme Court Chief Justice and Prime Minister, they strictly said that they will not forgive the murderers.Ataullah had joined Balochistan Police back in 1986.

Six dead, over 100 missing in China landslide

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BEIJING (AFP) - At least six people were found dead and over 100 remained missing hours after a massive landslide buried a mountain village in southwest China on Saturday as rescuers frantically scoured through rocks for survivors.A couple and a baby were rescued and taken to hospital after 62 homes in Xinmo village were swallowed by boulders when the side of a mountain collapsed, according to the Maoxian, or Mao county, government.The Maoxian government said on its Weibo social media account that six bodies were recovered while 112 people remained missing. State media had earlier revised the number of missing people down from 141 to over 120.The early morning landslide, which officials believe was triggered by heavy rains, blocked a two-kilometre (one-mile) stretch of river and 1.6 kilometre of road, according to state media.Rescuers and local residents used ropes to move a boulder while dozens of others, aided by sniffer dogs, searched the rubble for survivors, according to videos posted online by the Maoxian government and state broadcaster CCTV.Bulldozers and heavy diggers were also deployed to remove boulders, while villagers and soldiers lifted rocks with their bare hands.Rescuers brought spotlights to continue the search after sunset. Nearly 2,000 police, soldiers and civilians were taking part in the rescue.Medics were seen treating a woman on a road.No sign of the village could be seen in aerial footage, which showed a grim and grey rock-strewn landscape covering the area where it once existed by a river.A fourth survivor had been spotted earlier in the day but officials did not say whether he was finally pulled out of the rubble hours later.Its the biggest landslide in this area since the Wenchuan earthquake, said Wang Yongbo, one of the officials in charge of rescue efforts, referring to the disaster that killed 87,000 people in 2008 in a town in Sichuan.More rain forecastLocal police captain Chen Tiebo said the heavy rains that hit the region in recent days had triggered the landslide.There are several tonnes of rock over the village, he told CCTV.Its a seismic area here. Theres not a lot of vegetation, Chen said.Trees can help absorb excess rain and prevent landslides.Tao Jian, director of the local weather service, told CCTV that the 2008 earthquake had weakened the mountain and that a weak rain can provoke a geological catastrophe.President Xi Jinping called for rescuers to spare no effort in their search for survivors and prevent more disasters, state media said.Chinas national weather observatory said more heavy rain was expected in parts of Sichuan and other southwestern provinces.Past disastersLandslides are a frequent danger in rural and mountainous parts of China, particularly at times of heavy rains.At least 12 people were killed in January when a landslide crushed a hotel in central Hubei province.In October landslides battered eastern China in the wake of torrential rains brought by Typhoon Megi, causing widespread damage and killing at least eight.More than 70 were killed by a landslide in the southern commercial hub of Shenzhen in December 2015, caused by the improper storage of waste.One of the deadliest landslides took place in 1991, when 216 were killed in southwestern Yunnan province.

Chinese Foreign Minister welcomed by Punjab CM at Islamabad airport

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday at the Islamabad airport.According to Radio Pakistan, Wang Yi will have bilateral talks with the leadership of Pakistan on peace and stability matters, especially on the existing tensions with Afghanistan. China and Pakistan aim to cooperate closely for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. There will be several meeting between the Chinese officials and Pakistani leadership on friendly ties and future projects.Bouquets of flowers were presented to the Chinese delegation. They were greeted by Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif, Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong, Punjab Finance Minister Aisha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary and several other high-rank officials.Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister at Prime Minister House, Islamabad. ht pic.twitter.com/lUNJXK1yG4— PML(N) (@pmln_org) June 24, 2017

PEMRA demands apology over untrue remarks about Sarfraz Ahmed

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(Web Desk) – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has ordered Samaa TV to apologise over its untrue remarks about the captain of Pakistan cricket team Sarfraz Ahmed.In a show on June 14, former skipper Aamer Sohail hinted ‘external forces’ behind the success achieved by the green shirts in ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Although the ex-cricketer had later clarified his stance, media watchdog has directed the channel authorities to make a formal apology during its transmission on July 25 during prime-time news bulletin. “The text should displayed/scrolled with same effect on screen while the apology is aired,” PEMRA told the private new channel.Moreover, the channel management has been warned to remain vigilant on selection of content, language, conduct and make sure it is in compliance with the code of conduct for electronic media. Samaa TV has been asked to avoid airing of indecent, controversial, negative content. The show cause notice was issued to the news channel on June 20 while the channel cleared its position on June 23.pic.twitter.com/AQ4isaTAxQ— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) June 23, 2017

Radd-ul-Fasaad: Three terrorists killed in Peshawar IBOs

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RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad in underway nationwide and has yielded numerous achievement to ensure peace and strengthen the security. Security forces, with the help of intelligence agencies, have conducted intelligence based operations (IBOs) and search operation throughout several regions of the country.During the IBOs in Mathra village and Peshawar district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the security forces killed three terrorists during exchange of fire. All three terrorists belonged to dangerous terror outfit that was planning to spread unrest in the country ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Police and armed forces conducted joined search operation. One soldier as well as three policemen were injured in the cross firing.As far as the security situation of Punjab is concerned, a security alert was announced on Friday when terror attacks occurred in Parachinar, Quetta and Karachi. Punjab Rangers, police, Counter Terrorism Department and security agencies carried out IBOs and search operations in Jarranwala, Gojra and Faisalabad. At least 12 suspected terrorists were arrested and illegal weapons were recovered from them.According to ISPR, security forces destroyed three camps of terror outfits in Dera Bugti and Kahaan, where one terrorist belonging to banned organization was taken into custody. Two IEDs were defused after seizure.

Pakistan's ideology held accountable, not PM Nawaz: Capt (r) Safdar

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law Captain (retired) Safdar claimed Saturday that the ideology of Pakistan was being held accountable rather than the premier.He was interrogated by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), tasked by the Supreme Court to probe Panama case, for five hours. After the long meeting with JIT members at the Federal Judicial Academy, he came out and talked to media.While telling about his experience with the JIT interrogation, he stated the questions were not relevant. He suggested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman to keep himself away from the national ideology. “Nawaz Sharif will remain in power after 2018 elections,” he claimed.The premier’s son-in-law went on to praise his party leader and told how he made Pakistan an atomic power. He accused the JIT members of receiving questions on pieces of papers. Capt (retd) Safdar complained that no one dared to catch the culprits of Kargil War and the infamous ‘Surrey Mansion’ of the Bhutto family.A large number of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers had gathered outside the Judicial Academy before his arrival and chanted slogans in the favour of PM Nawaz Sharif. Security personnel were deployed all over the place. JIT members asked Capt (r) Safdar about the assets owned by his wife Maryam Nawaz Sharif and her dependency on her father.Previously, Senator Rehman Malik appeared before JIT and said to present evidence against Sharif family. Premier’s sons Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif, PM Nawaz Sharif and others have already appeared before the investigation team.

World XI to tour Pakistan in September, confirms ICC

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(Web Desk) – International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed on Saturday the World XI will tour Pakistan for three T20s in Lahore in coming September.The cricket body promised to support the efforts to bring international cricket back to Pakistan. All three T20 games will be in accordance with the international status. The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 triumphant captain Sarfraz Ahmed will lead his side in the shortest format and it will be interesting to see how the crowd welcomes foreign cricketers.Earlier this year, the final match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) was played at Lahores Gaddafi Stadium in which multiple foreign cricketers took part, includingDawid Malan, Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy, Chris Jordan, Morne van Wyk, Sean Ervine and others. Peshawar Zalmi, led by skipperDarren Sammy, had defeated Quetta Gladiators by 58 runs and lifted the trophy of PSL 2017. The return of international cricket for the green shirts at home remains reluctant after2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team. 12 terrorists had opened fire on the visitors bus and injured six of their players.Pakistan had managed to arrange a home series withZimbabwe in 2015. All five ODIs were won by the home side.

Up close and personal with Zainab Abbas

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LAHORE (Raacikh Asghar) - For Pakistanis, cricket has been an integral part of their lives with many growing up with the ultimate dream of playing the sport in front of jam packed crowds. But for some the dream was different. For some, the enthusiastically ‘crazy’ ones, bringing a wider perspective to the game of cricket was the real deal. Traveling the world, interviewing experts, engaging with the legends of the game, both on and off the field, and covering the sport live for the people back home became their forte.In life, very few people have the privilege to do what they love and love what they do. One such person is popular sports anchor and journalist, Zainab Abbas who not only achieved her dreams while on tour in England, but seemingly had a part to play in Pakistan’s eventual triumph courtesy her infamous ‘selfie curse’.To put all the myths to bed, we decided to sit down with the girl of the moment herself. In the interview, Zainab tries to dissect Pakistan’s impressive victory, talk about the emergence of fresh new talent and inform us about her experience as a journalist in the beautiful world of cricket.Pakistan was initially thrashed by India in their opening match but eventually turned their entire campaign around. What, according to you, was the turning point for the team?I think the turning point was the humiliating defeat against India. It triggered some soul searching and reflection on the right combination for the team. It brought that drive within them to prove the world wrong, regroup and come out stronger.There is a popular belief amongst the people that Wahab’s injury and Shehzad’s exclusion from the team was a blessing in disguise. What are your thoughts on this?I think I personally always give preference to youth over experience. The energy, passion and the unfamiliarity factor a debutant brings in is something the opposition team is never prepared for. It was amazing to see Fakhar perform the way he did, he played without any abandon and fear. I think Shehzad is not the same player as he was once upon a time, that time when he was kept out of the team. He has lost his confidence and more than technical it is the mental weakness that he needs to deal with.Fakhar Zaman was inspirational to say the least. What are your thoughts about the player? Is he the opener Pakistan has been crying out for?Fakhar Zamans run at the Champions Trophy was inspirational. Imagine a debutant comes to play and he scores fifties against Sri Lanka and England, both with supposedly a strong attack, and then tops it with a hundred against India in the final. That demonstrates his mental strength to not take pressure and his positive mindset. When he started out he was very strong off his legs but his offside display in the tournament has been one to watch out, he took on Jadeja and Ashwin with ease, coming down the track, sweeping them from wide outside off-stump and hitting unorthodox shots. I hope he can be groomed properly because he has a bright future ahead.You covered the Pakistan Super League as well. How big a role do you think the PSL has played in Pakistan’s eventual triumph considering the involvement of the young emerging players?Shadab Khan, Rumman Raees, Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Ali, all are names that spring to my mind when I think of PSL. Working under foreign coaches, playing alongside the likes of Kevin Pieterson, the gains are numerous. PSL has closed the gap between the domestic and the international structure. Some of these players were performing for a while but they got the chance to announce their arrival in PSL.You have seen everything unfold right in front of your eyes and by now know a thing or two about the players’ routines. Tell us a little bit about the players’ preparations before a big game. How do they generally calm their nerves?Well, a day before the team indulged in light training only. All the preparation is done prior to it. I saw the team very relaxed day before the final. In fact, I tweeted about it as well that the calmness I witnessed was great to see, light banter between the boys and just enjoying themselves.The real experience is always from the stands - some epic banter at The Oval yesterday @MazherArshad ct17 pic.twitter.com/MM0UJgcpkv— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 19, 2017 The Pakistani team seemed very confident when they stepped onto the field in the final on Sunday. What are your thoughts on the players’ body language? How big a role did Sarfraz play in all this?Like I mentioned several times when on song Pakistan is unstoppable. I saw a certain self-belief post that win amongst the players, with the leader of the men Sarfaraz leading his troops well along with the head coach Mickey Arthur. I think a lot of credit goes to the coach because he kept the team together in difficult times. The young boys, Hasan Ali, Shadab and company, had a certain amount of confidence which was oblivious to the opposition they were playing against. It was confidence in their skills.Pakistan’s incredible victory was very unpredictable. How do you think the fans responded to the win? Was it a home-like atmosphere in London too?The atmosphere was electric. Honestly, it felt like I was in a mini-Pakistan setting. Southall, Green Street and all other Pakistani dominant areas were celebrating with dhol wallas, flags, all cheering Pakistan Zindabad and generally celebrating. Roads were blocked, I also think the passion of a Pakistani fan is unmatched, for far too long we have been deprived of cricket back home. Every time I cross the Gaddafi stadium I see empty stands and it breaks my heart to see it such for a country that worships cricket. I think all those years of misery were put to rest with one win. I did miss the celebrations back home and mind you, I would be in the center of itMoving onto the lighter side of things, as a sports journalist how was the overall experience covering such an event at the world stage?I think it was a dream come true and I can die in peace now. Well, watching an India Pakistan final with Pakistan winning, can there ever be a bigger moment in our lives? It was one moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I got to meet journalists from all over the world and exchanged thoughts on cricket. I also interviewed Harsha Bhogle from India and wrote a piece for CNN news18 - an Indian website on the final. Reporting from all the grounds was an experience of its kind, and one that I will remember for the rest of my life.Lets hear @bhogleharsha & his thoughts on PakvsInd ct17 (Part One) pic.twitter.com/iQElsgKEUk— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 17, 2017 Back home cricket is pre-dominantly perceived as a male sport. How big an impact do you think you have played in promoting the sport as well as the profession of sports journalism amongst the females of the younger generation?I get so many messages from younger girls how I have inspired them to take up the field. It is an amazing feeling to be able to do that if I can make a difference and break a stereotype then I think I have done my job. Fame has never been a priority for me. It has always been my obsession with Pakistan cricket and making a difference in this field.While it has been much discussed, how did you take the “selfie curse” trend? Even the Indian media seemed much more focused on it instead of the tournament itself. How much of it bothered as a journalist?I find it absolutely hilarious. Honestly, it is something that happened just by chance and the fact that Indian media took it seriously was epic. I don’t mind being referred to as the lucky charm of Pakistan though.And on a lighter note, how much has your fan following increased on Facebook and Twitter following the trend?It has been unbelievable. On Twitter I left at 70,000 followers and I returned to a following of 126, 000 and Facebook has 270,000 followers

UAE princesses get weak sentence in Belgium trafficking case

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(Web Desk) - For many people the word princess invokes images of royalty, dignity and stateliness. Unfortunately as is often the case there is a great difference between our precipitation of things and the way they really are. In the Arab world princesses act less like dignified royalty and more like slave drivers if one looks at the human trafficking case placed by Belgium against eight princesses from the United Arab Emirates.The case (which was officially registered in 2008) had been placed against Princess Sheikha al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabis ruling al-Nahyan family and her seven daughters who are all accused of human trafficking as well as of mistreating employees. It began when a servant managed to supposedly escape from a luxury Brussels hotel where the UAE royals were staying and complained of mistreatment to the local police. As the case began to receive publicity in Belgium and abroad more details about the princesses and their servants began to emerge. The UAE royals had supposedly occupied a whole floor at the Conrad Hotel in Brussels for several months in 2007 and 2008.According to the Tribune de Geneve paper they had also brought more than 20 servants of different nationalities along with them to care for their personal needs. The servants “were not paid” and were “worked day and night and had to sleep on the floor,” They were also forbidden from leaving the hotel rooms and were constantly “shouted at and abused” by the princesses.As human trafficking and exploitation of employees are serious offenses in Belgium the case could have proved to quite serious for the UAE royals. However on Friday, a criminal court in Brussels found Princess Shekha and her daughters guilty of trafficking and degrading treatment. They were handed 15-month suspended sentences and ordered to pay a fine of €165,000 (US$184,000), with half of the sum suspended. Prosecutors said that the women (none of whom had appeared in court for the proceedings) had been given such a light sentence because they were not the actual employers of the servants. The defense had also weakened the case by blaming the Belgian police of violating the rights of their clients by searching their hotel rooms and questioned the reliability of the witnesses statement. Defense lawyers had also objected to the wording used during the trial stating that the word “trafficking,” used in the verdict, had nothing to do with “smuggling illegal labor into a country,” but referred instead “to employing labor in unworthy conditions. “in the present case.While this case is noteworthy for the fact that the punishment did not fit the crime it is hardly the first of its type to occur in Europe. In January, the European Court of Human Rights reviewed a case involving a family from Dubai bringing three Philippine servants to Vienna.The maids were reportedly abused by their employers and were forced to take care of the children and household round the clock as well as receiving constant threats.However, in the end the court decided that the trial had “no realistic chance of success” as the employers had already left the EU and there is no legal basis between the UAE and Austria to carry out such proceedings.Still as NGO’s protecting human rights continue to gain strength in Europe it is quite possible that the next Arab royals who engage in such practices may not be able to get off so easily.With inputs from RT.

Ford steps down as Sri Lanka coach

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COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s cricket coach Graham Ford has quit, officials said Saturday, midway through a 45-month contract and just two weeks after the team’s early exit from the Champions Trophy.Sri Lanka’s cricket board said the 56-year-old South African was ending his second stint with the team after a decision arrived at mutually.No immediate replacement was announced. Sri Lanka will play a home series of five ODI matches and one Test against Zimbabwe from the end of this month.Ford, who was previously with Sri Lanka from 2012 to 2014, had said he faced a huge rebuilding task when he returned to the team in February last year, when the islanders had dropped down the rankings.Sri Lanka failed to reach the semi-finals of this month’s eight-team Champions Trophy in England, and there have been recriminations with the country’s sports minister accusing the players of being too fat.Sri Lanka has grown on me, and although we’ve made the decision to part ways where coaching is concerned, she will always have a little piece of my heart, Ford said in a statement issued by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).After Ford took the job in February last year, Sri Lanka whitewashed their three-Test home series against then world number one Australia.Under Ford, Sri Lanka also won a triangular series in Zimbabwe also involving West Indies. He had been due to coach them until the next World Cup in 2019.He joined us at a time when we were quoted by the ICC as being on the ‘verge of suspension’ and at a time when things were volatile and uncertain, said SLC chief Thilanga Sumathipala.Ford had faith in us and has given us his fullest support. Ford epitomises the character of cricket as a true gentleman, and we are indeed sorry to see him go.Ford, who has also coached South Africa, Surrey and Kent, ended his first spell in Sri Lanka in 2014 when his two-year contract expired.
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