Saturday 1 July 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Record-breaking Hales smashes Notts to One-Day Cup glory

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LONDON (AFP) - Alex Hales smashed the record for the highest score in an English county final with a sensational unbeaten 187 to lead Nottinghamshire to a four-wicket win over Surrey and lift the One-Day Cup at Lords.Surrey had given themselves a chance after winning the toss and choosing to bat, posting 297 for nine in their 50 overs, inspired by an unbeaten 144 for opener Mark Stoneman.But Stoneman was outshone by Hales as he faced 167 balls and smashed 20 fours and four sixes on the way to breaking Geoffrey Boycotts 1965 county final record of 146.That allowed Nottinghamshire to reach their target with four wickets and just over two overs to spare.Combining technical precision with brazen power-hitting, Hales secured his century in just 83 balls with Nottinghamshire 134 for four.He was then ably assisted by captain Chris Read, who scored 58 batting at seven to help Notts over the line in what was probably his last outing at Lords as he prepares to retire.It was absolutely phenomenal. What we witnessed today was very, very special, said Read of Hales performance.Neither Hales nor Stoneman were included in the England squad announced on Saturday for the upcoming first Test against South Africa, but each sent a timely message to Joe Root and the selectors.Both could have been removed early after Hales was dropped by Ollie Pope on nine and Stoneman by Steven Mullaney on 32, but it was the formers awesome display, eclipsing his previous career-best of 171 for England last year, that inspired Nottinghamshire to reach their 298 target.One man who was included in the England squad was Stuart Broad, and the fast bowler was passed fit to play for Notts after a heel problem, although he finished with figures of 0-51. Team-mate Samit Patel was the leading performer with the ball, taking 3-51.Surrey, for whom Kumar Sangakkara was their second-top scorer with 30, have now lost three successive finals in this competition after defeats to Gloucestershire in 2015 and Warwickshire last year.

Israeli army warns Syria after stray fire hits Golan

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JERUSALEM (AFP) - The Israeli army on Saturday warned Syria after stray fire from its civil war hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in the latest of a string of incidents across the armistice line.Military statements said that two projectiles, which the army did not identify, fell on open ground in the northern Golan -- territory seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967.Both were the result of internal fighting in Syria, the army said, adding that there were no reports of casualties.Israel holds the Syrian regime responsible for any breach of its borders and will act accordingly, chief military spokesman, Brigadier General Ronen Manelis said in a statement.Israel maintains a policy of non-involvement in the Syrian civil war. However, we will not tolerate any breach of Israels sovereignty.There has been repeated stray fire across the armistice line for the past week as Syrian troops battle rebels, including hardline Islamists, on the other side.There have been no casualties but Israel responded to the previous incidents by striking Syrian army positions.Rebels recently launched an offensive against government forces in Quneitra on the Syrian side of the armistice line.

Custom duty reduced on vehicles above 1800cc

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised rates of sales tax and custom duties. 11 notifications have been issued in this regard.According to the notifications for fiscal year 2017-18, Incharge Minister has been granted the authority of federal government who will be allowed to revise taxes in urgent circumstances. Incharge Minister’s decisions will be approved by the federal cabinet.The value of tax and custom duty has been reduced on vehicles above 1800cc. From 1801cc to 2500cc vehicles, custom duties have faced declined up to 75 percent. For the protection of local farmers, tax and custom duty has been raised for imported raw cotton and cloth. To import cloth, 2pc value addition tax apart from 6pc duty will have to be paid.Also, for the protection of local steel industry and to prevent smuggling in the form of scrap material, duty has been raised on the raw materials.

LHC judge dismisses petition against Punjab CM

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(Web Desk) – Additional District and Sessions Judge of Lahore High Court Rafaqat Ali Gondal has dismissed a petition against Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday.The petition was filed by Syed Azhar Abbas for registration of FIR, accusing Punjab CM of criminal conspiracy, condemnation of the creation of the State of Pakistan, also inciting people to revolt against the state.Abbas said in his peititon that Shehbaz Sharif criticised military regimes and political governments responsible for failing the nation in his speech at Arfa Karim Tower at one of the events regarding LRMIS on December 22, 2016.Mr. Rafaqat dismissed the petition stating, “In a ceremonial function, if he (Shehbaz Sharif) has expressed his views and comments in a routine, it does not constitute any offence as it has been alleged by the present petitioner.On the other hand, he acknowledged Punjab CM’s performance in the province. “Practically speaking, fair and honest comparison shall make it crystal clear that in terms of performance, commitment and to deliver for the welfare of the society, the proposes accused shall stand much higher than the vast majority of his predecessors. There could be so many objections, reservations and allegations against him but his ground reality could not be ignored any way that he has performed much better than his predecessors,” he said in his remarks.Mr. Rafaqat advised people to avoid such criticism. He remarked, “Another painful and prevalent aspect is that to get cheap popularity or undue projection, people resort to such like chicaneries and such practices should be discouraged for proper and smooth functioning of state institutions and state functionaries.

Apple opens first store in Taiwan

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TAIPEI (AFP) - Apple opened its first store in Taiwan on Saturday with more than a thousand shoppers flocking to the site located in the islands landmark skyscraper and tallest building, Taipei 101.The launch comes just weeks after the US tech giant unveiled a Singapore branch -- its first in Southeast Asia -- which it expects to be among the most popular Apple stores in the world.This is an incredibly important region for Apple, the company said in a statement.Excited fans in Taiwan thronged upon the new store with its iconic glass facade and more than 100 iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches and iPods laid out for customers to try.Customers queued starting Friday night at Taipei 101 for the store openingThey were greeted by cheering and applauding staff who chanted welcome and Apple Taiwan,In a bid to tap into Taiwanese culture, the company also handed out red T-shirts with a Banyan Tree print inspired by artwork from local paper cutting expert Yang Shi-yi.Near the store entrance a big-screen image of Yangs work loomed over wooden chairs to replicate the traditional Taiwanese custom of meeting under a Banyan tree.Its a pretty unique design for a store, and I like that they have a place like that for people to meet, said 28-year-old American tourist Steve Burt, who queued for more than a day to be the first in line to enter the store.The store’s 130 employees celebrate the opening of Apple Taipei 101Apple celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Most of its earnings come from the iPhone, which faces increasingly tough competition in a saturated market.I am really glad that there is finally an Apple Store in Taiwan so I dont have to send my iPhone to another country for repair, said 19-year-old college student Shih Feng, who also camped overnight for Saturdays opening.Apple has almost 500 stores globally with more than a million visitors daily. Elsewhere in Asia it has stores in Hong Kong, China, Japan and Singapore.Thousands of customers visited Apple Taipei 101 for the grand opening on SaturdayPhotos were taken from Apple.com

Senior JuD leaders convene to discuss ban on TAJK

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(Web Desk) – Senior leadership of Jamaatud-Dawa (JuD) held a consulation meeting recently in which they discussed the matter of ban on their offshoot organisation Tehreek-e-Azadi Jammu & Kashmir (TAJK).The Nation reported that the Interior Ministry banned TAJK on June 8 and enlisted it as a proscribed organisation. Abdul Aziz Alvi is the chairman of TAJK, and also a close member of JuD. Indian media reacted to the matter after Trump-Modi meeting in Washington.Source: NACTAHafiz Saeed was put under house arrest in February, this year. TAJK was widely discussed after the house arrest of five JuD members. On April 30, the Interior Ministry extended their house arrest by 90 days. Reports said JuD leaders will convene a meeting on July 3 at Jamia Qadsia, the Lahore head office, which will be chaired by senior leader Hafiz Abdur Rehman Makki.

Death toll in Bahawalpur oil tanker fire rises to 195

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ISLAMABAD (AFP/Dunya News) - The death toll from an oil tanker explosion in central Punjab has risen to 195, according to hospital staff, government officials and media reports as five more people succumbed to injuries.The death toll from the tanker fire incident is now 190 after expiry of more injured people, Tahira Parveen, medical superintendent of Bahawalpur Victoria hospital, told AFP on Friday while it was reported today that another five persons lost their lives in Multan Nishtar Hospital and Lahore Jinnah Hospital during medical treatment in burn units.As many as 42 people in Multan and 23 in Lahore have sccumbed to injuries recently. A senior local administration official confirmed the toll. Motorway police spokesman Imran Shah has said that a government inquiry into the incident had found at least five police officials guilty of hiding information.The tanker overturned early Sunday on a main highway from Karachi to Lahore while carrying some 40,000 litres of fuel.It exploded minutes later as crowds from a nearby village gathered to scavenge for fuel, despite warnings by the driver as well as motorway police to stay away. The accident took place in Ahmedpur Sharqia tehsil near Bahawalpur.The tragedy marked a grim start to Eid, the celebrations closing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.Pakistan has a poor record of fatal traffic accidents due to poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.

Country won't prosper if judiciary is biased, says Saad Rafique

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said Saturday the country will not prosper if the judiciary is biased, adding that the ‘umpire’ was actually the guardian of our constitution and democracy.While addressing to workers in Punjab provincial capital, the state minister opined that the nation will suffer if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is ousted in an undemocratic way, asking the real crime of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).He mentioned the WhatsApp calls of Supreme Court Registrar as well as the matter of leaking photo of Hussain Nawaz under Joint Investigation Team (JIT) Panama interrogation. “PM Nawaz is neither running a mafia, nor plays the role of Godfather,” he stated.Saad Rafique glorified the role of his party head in restoring judges and criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan saying, “He didn’t show up as he was camouflaged.”During the speech, he highlighted the need for an unbiased judiciary by giving example of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s hanging in Zia era.He also announced yesterday that Pakistan Railways revenue had increased to Rs. 20 billion while its deficit slashed by Rs. 10 billion.Pakistan Railways deficit has been decreased by 10 billion PKR during the last four years, revenue has been increased by 20 billion PKR.— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) June 29, 2017

The Economist inside Pakistan's 'leather and metal goods'

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(Web Desk) - While Pakistan’s leather and steel industry is renowned the world over for its high quality produce, little is known, both by locals and foreigners, about some of its sauciest exports - that of adult toys and sexual aids.Within the confines of a small factory in a provincial city in Pakistan, two young men huddle over a grinding wheel. They believe, according to The Economist, that they are making surgical instruments. But like many of the small, local firms manufacturing steel and leather goods for export, their employer has a new sideline.“It’s just another piece of metal for them,” says the firm’s owner, as he picks one up to show how his ‘worldlier’ foreign customers can easily grip the gleaming device. The nine-inch steel tubes are, in fact, dildos.For Pakistan exporting ‘anal beads’, ‘gimp masks’ and ‘padlockable penis cages’, among other kinky wares, would shock locals as much as the Westerners who end up using the final products.Secrecy is required for such production. In a country as religiously conservative as Pakistan production of such items could stir a religious backlash. Employers are well aware of such hazards, which is why only the most trusted workers are allowed to put on the final finishing ‘spikes’ and ‘studs’ on the items. In this way the majority of staff is unaware of what is being actually produced.But many companies working in the domain do not advertise their products on their websites fearing backlash from religious hardliners. This sort of advertising, instead, is done through Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce giant that acts as a middleman for many businesses in the developing world. While some officials demand bribes to allow the exports to flow, others are simply unaware of the potential for mischief in, for example, a Wartenberg Pinwheel—a spiked disc that can be run across the skin.A local maker of leather goods, one of 64 sex-toy suppliers based in the city that list on Alibaba, says that only a small proportion of its sales comes from ‘fetish gear’. The company can earn as much as 200% profit on a ‘kinky corset’ or policeman’s uniform, compared with just 25% on mundane jackets and gloves, its original business.When asked if the items the firm makes might not encourage fornication among unmarried or gay people —an illegal activity in Pakistan—the owner’s son has a ready comeback. “What if a gay person wears a [normal] jacket that was also produced by us?” he shot back. He added that the firm does not know, and has no business knowing, how customers use its products.Due to the highly profitable nature of the venture, firms that do not produce such items may be losing out on a big opportunity. Lifted by an increasing amount of erotica, global sales of adult toys have reached about $15bn a year. With local companies being dependent on China to import heavily-taxed latex, they cannot compete in rubber toys. But health concerns favourPakistan as many Western customers are now inclined to opt for metal alternatives due to growing fears about Chinese toys containing damaging carcinogenic chemicals.Meanwhile, the owner of the factory admires the final product. “You can use Pakistani steel for a long time,” he says. “It rusts much later than Indian or Chinese.”

Van crashes into ravine killing three near Murree

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MURREE (Dunya News) – An unfortunate accident took place in the hilly areas near Murree on Saturday when a van fell into ravine and killed three people with 18 injured.Rescue sources told 18 of the injured people were immediately admitted to a local hospital for medical assistance. All van passengers were reportedly the residents of Mandi Bahauddin.In fact, the van was headed from Murree to Rawalpindi through Maisarri-Shawala link road. It accidentally plunged into the ravine when it breaks failed on a dangerous turn. Traffic accidents are not new in the Northern areas of Pakistan. Several such incidents have been reported in the past. Also, 12 persons were killed in the doli chairlift accident which wasoperated by locals in the Charra Pani village.The two operators and owner of the cable car were arrested from Chakdara, as told by Abbottabad DPO.

Sharifs' tax returns unavailable during their stay abroad: FBR

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has submitted the reply to Panama case Joint Investigation Team (JIT) over missing record of tax returns of the Sharif family.The tax collection body said only that record of Sharif family is missing in which they were staying abroad. It told JIT that the record of Ishaq Dar and the Sharifs went missing as they switched offices. “Tax returns of the Sharif family, including Ishaq Dar, are not available when they were staying abroad,” an FBR official told Panama JIT.FBR has written to JIT that all the available record of tax returns of Sharif family was submitted to them with regard to Panama case probe. It stated that filing tax returns of Ishaq Dar and the Sharifs wasn’t necessary as they were on exile.In the letter to JIT, FBR said that some of the record had been handed over to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and it would be provided if found.The JIT has been reviewing tax returns and other documents related to the businesses of Sharif family. The members are also collecting the evidence for the preparation of the final report that is to be submitted in Supreme Court (SC) on July 10.

Missing climbers on 'Killer Mountain' presumed dead

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ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Two climbers missing on a treacherous peak in northern Pakistan known as Killer Mountain are now presumed dead and the rescue operation has been called off, officials said Saturday.The two climbers, Alberto Zerain, a Spanish alpinist, and Mariano Galvan, an Argentinian national, went missing while attempting to summit the 8,125 meter peak, Nanga Parbat.The search and rescue operation for the two missing alpinists has been called off as a rescue team failed to locate them this morning, Muhammad Iqbal, owner of Summit Karakorum, the tour operating company that had arranged the climb told AFP.A rescue helicopter hovered around the mountain this morning and the team failed to spot any signs of life, he said.Karrar Haidri, spokesman of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, confirmed that the search and rescue operation had been called off and that the alpinists were presumed dead.A total of 14 foreign climbers were attempting to summit Nanga Parbat this year when bad weather forced them to return to base camp last week.The two missing climbers left base camp on June 19 but were holed up in their tent for three days at an altitude of 6,100 metres (20,000 feet) due to bad weather. They tried to summit again but lost contact with fellow climbers last Friday.The Killer Mountain Nanga Parbat earned its grisly nickname after more than 30 climbers died trying to conquer it before the first successful summit in 1953.In 2013, gunmen shot dead 10 foreign climbers and their Pakistani guide at the Nanga Parbat base camp.Northern Pakistan is a magnet for mountaineers and is home to some of the tallest mountains in the world, including K2 - at 8,611 metres, the worlds second highest peak, but often deemed a more challenging climb than the highest, Mount Everest.Nestled between the western end of the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush mountains and the Karakoram range, the Gilgit-Baltistan region houses 18 of the worlds 50 highest peaks.It is also home to three of the worlds seven longest glaciers outside the polar regions. Hundreds of its mountains have never been climbed.

Pakistani-American Nergis Mavalvala to receive Great Immigrants award

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(Web Desk) - Carnegie Corporation of New York recently announced that Pakistani-American Nergis Mavalvala has been honoured with ‘Great Immigrants’ award.She’s among 38 immigrants who will be awarded by the philanthropic foundation honoring immigrant’s roles in the American society.Mavalvala was born in Lahore but raised in Karachi. She moved to the United States in 1986 where she received her higher education. She later went on to do her PhD at MIT and later joined its Physics faculty in 2002. Nergis Mavalvala was among the team of scientists who worked on gravitational waves, which was a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s work based on 1915’s general theory of relativity.“Our annual tribute to Great Immigrants demonstrates the richness of talent, skills, and achievements that immigrants from around the world bring to every sphere of American society,” said Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York.“This campaign reminds us of the debt the United States owes to generations of immigrants who become citizens and contribute to the progress of this country. Today, we celebrate and thank them.” They are working with other partner organizations, initiating works and raising awareness about the naturalization process and to provide assistance to those who are in need. The corporation has recognised countless immigrants from 30 different countries who have played a vital role on a high level of professional leadership in countless fields. Nergis will be awarded on the Fourth of July, among other prominent figures like Academy Award- winning actor Anthony Hopkins and Max Levchin co-founder of PayPal.

Civil-military leadership allowed Raymond Davis leave scot-free: Imran

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(Web Desk) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said Saturday the top civil and military leadership of Pakistan allowed ex-spy of the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Raymond Davis leave the country scot-free despite four deaths.The opposition party leader said in a Tweet, “A shameful account of how our top political and military leadership collaborated to let a cold blooded killer, responsible for 4 deaths, go scot-free.”A shameful account of how our top pol & mly leadership collaborated to let a cold blooded killer, responsible for 4 deaths, go scot-free https://t.co/Yye6ECfZpY— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 1, 2017 This book shd be read by Pakistanis to understand why we are treated with so little respect internationally. pic.twitter.com/REkW5iWmIW— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 1, 2017 He earlier acknowledged the ‘eye opening’ accounts written by Raymond Davis himself in the book titled “The Contractor: How I Landed in a Pakistani Prison and Ignited a Diplomatic Crisis”. Imran Khan suggested, “This book should be read by Pakistanis to understand why we are treated with so little respect internationally.”In 2011, Davis had reportedly gunned down two young men at Lahore’s Qurtaba Chowk which he claimed to commit in ‘self-defence’. He was imprisoned and then released for blood money or diyat in return for the families of both Faizan and Faheem.Davis credited then ISI chief General (retd) Ahmed Shuja Pasha, President Asif Zardari, PM Yousaf Raza Gilani and Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani, Nawaz Sharif, John Kerry and attorney Peter Strasser for defending his case.

Afghanistan's female robotics team denied visas by US State Department

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(Web Desk) - The US State Department has denied visas toall six members of Afghanistan’s female robotics team due to unclear reasons.According to Forbes the girls had been trying to get one-week travel visas in order to accompany their robot to the inaugural FIRST Global Challenge ,an international robotics competition happening in Washington DC in mid-July.The all-girl team, which was to represent the country in the competition, comes from Herat, a populous city in western Afghanistan. To get the visas the girls had to travel to Kabul, location of the American embassy, for the interviews. Journeys of any length have become highly dangerous in Afghanistan with the Taliban holding large swaths of territory across the country and insurgent attacks common across highways. Nevertheless, the girls persisted in making the journey to the capital (that had recently bore the brunt of a truck bomb attack that had killed over 100) for their interviews.When their first attempt at getting visas was rejected they did not give up and made the risky trip again hoping that a second round of interviews with embassy officials would yield different results. However this hope too was quickly dashed when the second attempt was also met with rejection.The team working on their machine. Photo courtesy: MashableWhile the State Department has yet not made any public comment as to why it rejected the visas recent figures show that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get travel visas from Afghanistan to the US.State Department records show that in the month of April 2017 the US gave out just 32 of the B1/B2 brand of business travel visas (the type the girls wanted) for Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Iraq got 138 B1/B2s issued during that same month while Pakistan got 1,492.These numbers indicate that getting visas for the team was a long shot. Still the girls tried their utmost to make the US trip possible.Visa difficulties were not the only problem that the girls had to deal with. The raw materials for their robot were held up in customs for months this spring, due to security concerns over insurgent use of robots on the battlefield.To overcome this problem the team designed their own homemade motorized robotic machines while they waited for customs to clear their parts. Three weeks ago those parts finally cleared customs and the team got seriously started on building their machine with help from a few robotics grad students at Carnegie Mellon.Now Team Afghanistan is working harder than ever because although they may not be able to attend the event (though the girls will be allowed a brief video conference to see their machine) they want to build a robot that their country can be proud of and one that can hopefully bring home a win.
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