Tuesday 4 July 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Kashmore: 25 injured as coach turns turtle

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KASHMORE (Dunya News) – At least 25 persons were wounded when a speeding coach turned turtle at the Indus Highway near Kashmore on Tuesday, Dunya News reported.According to details, a coach going to Karachi from Muzaffargarh turned turtle near 17-RD area in the jurisdiction of Guddu Police Station near Kashmore, injuring at least 25 passengers.Police and rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured to Wapda Hospital in Guddu. Rescue sources said that four injured passengers are in critical condition.

Ramiz Raja wants Test 'window'

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LONDON (AFP) - Former Pakistan batsman Ramiz Raja has urged the International Cricket Council to set aside a two-month window solely for Test matches in a bid to preserve the longest form of the game.While crowds for Tests in countries such as England remain strong, Raja, a member of the influential MCC world cricket committee, fears interest in Asia is dwindling thanks partly to the rise of lucrative domestic Twenty20 competitions such as the Indian Premier League.I feel that the ICC has a decent plan in the shape of the World Test Championship, said Raja after a committee meeting at Lords on Tuesday.There should be a window for that and everything else should stop for a period of two months so the best players are available to play Test cricket.He added: Its got to get better. In Asia, for example, because of poor Test match scheduling, the interest is dwindling.When you go back home you are never sure if you are going to have a one-Test series, a two-Test series or whether you are going to have a Test series at all.Raja said national governing bodies such as the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board had to play their part as well.You have to acknowledge and respect the status of Test match cricket and it has to come from the cricket boards, in Asia specifically.For example, MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket yet got the A-grade contract from the BCCI, Shahid Afridi retired from Test cricket yet got the A-grade contract from PCB.It is under a lot of stress in Asia but if we have a properly planned Test match championship, thats the way out of this, otherwise we will be struggling to put aside as much money as is available for the T20 leagues, Raja insisted.Meanwhile the committee, whose members also include such illustrious names as Ricky Ponting, Brendon McCullum, Sourav Ganguly and Kumar Sangakkara, has come down against reducing Tests from five days to four days after it was suggested a shorter game might be more fan-friendly.Last time we met, the committee was split, with some believing we should trial four-day Test matches, said outgoing chairman Mike Brearley, the former England captain.This time, most of us thought, looking at the fact that over half the matches that got results last year got results in the fifth day, that we didnt want Test cricket to become more boring. So from a cricket point of view, we believe they should stay five days.The committee also urged the ICC to move quickly to try to get cricket included for the 2024 Olympics, which will be staged in either Los Angeles or Paris.It is crucial to have cricket in the Olympics because the game will be introduced to many new parts of the world, said Raja.But for that to happen we have to present a unified front from cricket that we want to be included in the Games.Los Angeles would be perfect -- I played cricket there and youd get massive crowds.Brearley added it also be a huge boost to cricket in China as the Chinese government would inject huge funds if they had an Olympic team.

England look to 'positive' Root against South Africa

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LONDON (AFP) - A new England era will start when Joe Root captains the Test side against South Africa at Lords on Thursday.Root was appointed in February after Alastair Cook, still in the team purely as an opening batsman, stood down but this weeks match will be Englands first Test since the change of skipper.England will hope the captaincy drives the 26-year-old Yorkshireman on to even greater heights as it has done for two fellow star batsmen -- Australias Steve Smith and Indias Virat Kohli.The way Rooty goes about his cricket, hes nice and positive the way he bats, I suspect the way he will captain the team will be similar, said Englands Australian coach Trevor Bayliss last week.South Africa ended the Test captaincy of several England skippers in Nasser Hussain, Michael Vaughan and Andrew Strauss.A similar fate, however, is unlikely to befall Root, whatever the outcome of a four-match series, ahead of this years Ashes campaign in Australia.The immediate task for Root is to return England to winning ways in Tests after eight defeats in a 2016 that ended with a 4-0 series loss in India.Roots county colleague Gary Ballance has forced his way back into the side after piling on the runs for Yorkshire even though his last six Test innings have yielded just 49 runs in total.Meanwhile Keaton Jennings, who attended the same Johannesburg school as South Africa wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock, is set to open alongside Cook -- who has been scoring heavily for Essex this season -- against the country of his birth.With veteran new ball duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad fit to lead an attack featuring Durham quick Mark Wood, England must decide whether to hand a debut to another paceman in Toby Roland-Jones, who would be playing on his Middlesex home ground, or give Liam Dawson a first Test on home soil following the Hampshire left-arm spinners promising start in Chennai in December.South Africa boast a remarkable record of having lost only one away Test series in 10 years.They have been without AB de Villiers in Test cricket for more than 12 months and the talented batsman will miss the whole of this series as he considers his international future.South Africa too will have a new captain in Dean Elgar but regular skipper Faf du Plessis is expected back for the second Test at Nottingham following the birth of his first child.He is a gutsy player, South Africa coach Russell Domingo said of opening batsman Elgar.He epitomises South African cricket to the tee.The Proteas had a difficult start to this tour, losing to England in both one-day and Twenty20 series either side of a first-round exit at the Champions Trophy.Meanwhile Domingo, who has confirmed he will re-apply for his job as required by South Africa officials, had to return home briefly after his mother was involved in a traffic accident.But despite the absence of injured fast bowler Dale Steyn, South Africa - 2-0 winners in England five years ago -- boast an impressive pace attack.Morne Morkel is renowned for how well he bowls to left-handers (England will have several in their top order) and Vernon Philander is a proven performer in English conditions while Kagiso Rababa is a rising star.Hes a phenomenal talent, said Philander of Rabada, whose 17 Tests have already yielded 71 wickets.South Africa are set to give a debut to Heino Kuhn, the latest opener trying to fill the void left by retired former captain Graeme Smith.Top-order batting is set to be a key area, with Hashim Amla -- who made South Africas record Test score of 311 not out at The Oval in 2012 -- a central figure.Now there are fears the 34-year-old may not be the player he was, with South Africa batting great Barry Richards saying last week: One of the key parts of the series is Hashim Amla versus the fast bowlers and Hashim Amla versus himself.

One killed in firing incident in Karachi

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, some unidentified persons opened fire at a car in Orangi Town No-6 area of Karachi on Tuesday and shot dead a man.The deceased was identified as Habib-ur-Rehman. Police sources said that Habib belonged to a political party.On the other hand, Police have arrested a cop involved in a robbery in the city from Ferozabad area. Police sources said that the accused was involved in looting Rs three million and large among of gold during robbery in a house in Ferozabad.

Naegleria claims another life in Karachi

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Naegleria has claimed another life in Karachi on Tuesday. This was the second death reported in Karachi in the ongoing year because of the disease.According to details, 29-year-old Ali Amjad, a resident of KDA Scheme-1, was under treatment at a private clinic in the city where he breathed his last on Tuesday.Earlier, 55-year-old Sohail had died because of the disease in a private clinic in Karachi.According to the researchers, Naegleria has a fatality rate of more than 98 percent. It is transmitted when contaminated water enters the body through the nose and cannot be passed person-to-person.The amoeba travels from the nasal membranes to the brain. Symptoms are initially very mild, including a headache, stiff neck, fever and stomach pain. Death usually occurs five to seven days after infection.The disease first surfaced in Karachi, a city of 18 million people, in 2006.

Hyderabad: Protest against unscheduled loadshedding

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HYDERABAD (Dunya News) – Residents of Iqbal Colony in Latifabad No-12 area of Hyderabad staged a protest against continuous power outage at the Autobhan Road on Tuesday.Angry protesters who are without electricity for the past one week blocked the road by burning tyres and also chanted slogans against the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) administration.Police reached the spot and held talks with the protesters and asked them to end the blockade of the road. The negotiations failed to yield any result after which police resorted to baton charge due to which ten protesters were wounded.Police also arrested more than a dozen protesters and shifted them to police station. Police also removed barricades from the road and restored the traffic.

Maryam Nawaz to appear before Panama JIT today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz will appear before Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing offshore wealth of Sharif family in Panama Papers case today (Wednesday), Dunya News reported.Stringent security measures have been taken in the Federal Capital to avert any untoward incident during Maryam Nawaz’s appearance before the JIT.Over 3,000 security officials will be deployed on the occasion. Entry of irrelevant people will be prohibited within one kilometer radius of the Federal Judicial Academy.Meanwhile, lady police officer Ursala Saleem, SP of Special Branch, will accompany Maryam Nawaz during her appearance before the JIT at the Federal Judicial Academy.On the other hand, the Joint Investigation Team has summoned National Accountability Bureau Chairman Qamaruz Zaman Chaudhry to appear before it today.

Philander says South Africa won't 'get in a Faf' over absentees

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LONDON (AFP) - Vernon Philander believes South Africa have the resources to cope without two senior batsmen when the first Test against England starts at Lords on Thursday.Proteas captain Faf du Plessis will miss the match as he spends time at home with his wife after the birth of the couples first child.Meanwhile former skipper AB de Villiers, one of the worlds leading batsmen, has decided to opt out of the four-Test series completely as he considers his international future.It now falls to opener Dean Elgar to skipper South Africa for the first time but Proteas paceman Philander was in upbeat mood as he contemplated another Test at Lords after his second-innings five for 30 at the home of cricket five years ago played a key role in a 51-run win that sealed a 2-0 series victory.Weve lost players in the past, and guys have stepped up, Philander told reporters at Lords on Tuesday.Its an opportunity for someone else to step up and make a name for himself, added the 32-year-old, who has had stints with six English counties, including a spell this season with Sussex. Thats the way we always see it.De Villiers has not played Test cricket since January last year and Philander said: Weve made adjustments in order to move on.I think thats a personal decision. Its entirely up to him what he wants to play.Were a settled unit now. The boys have obviously done well over the last 12 months, insisted Philander of a Proteas team that have risen to second in the world Test rankings.Our focus is not on one particular player. Our focus is on the team.As for Elgar, Philander said: Hes got a job to do. I hope hell get a win under his belt.Well probably make his job as easy as possible.Meanwhile Philander insisted he was fully fit after suffering an ankle injury playing for Sussex.Im ready to go. Its holding up nicely so far so, touch wood ... itll last the five days.The infamous Lords slope can prove a problem for visiting bowlers but the experience of Philander and Morne Morkel should prove useful to rising star Kagiso Rabada, the third member of a talented pace attack missing injured fast bowler Dale Steyn.It could play on your mind if youre not used to it, said Philander of the slope.I always find its a wicket-taking option, especially when it gets flat here -- you can use the slope to run it back in, even more so when theres a bit of movement.Its a matter of getting used to it.The 22-year-old Rabada has already taken 71 wickets in his 17 Tests to date and Philander said: Hes a phenomenal talent. Every time he gets the ball in his hand he seems to want to run in faster, bowl faster and get wickets.Hes got that never-say-die attitude about him, which is always exciting to have.

Brearley voices Ashes concern amid 'looming crisis' fears

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LONDON (AFP) - MCC world cricket committee chairman Mike Brearley has said the threat of an Ashes boycott by Australia players is a serious concern amid fears of a looming crisis for Test cricket as a whole.A bitter pay dispute between Australias board and players saw the two sides unable to reach an agreement before last weeks deadline after months of protracted talks.The row, which threatens fixtures including this years prestige home Ashes series, intensified at the weekend when the Australian Cricketers Association said players would boycott an Australia A tour of South Africa this month unless a new deal was agreed by Friday.Brearley, whose influential committee has Australia great Rodney Marsh, until recently the national selector, among its members, said Tuesday after a meeting at Lords: We heard from Rodney Marsh that it seemed both sides were very intransigent and not getting close together, although theres some rumour that there might be, in which case somebody well have to give way.Brearley, Englands captain when they won the Ashes 5-1 in Australia in 1978/79 against a depleted home side weakened by mass defections to Kerry Packers World Series Cricket, added: We think its a pretty serious thing.It could stop tours they are undertaking and series they are playing, including even the Ashes.Brearley explained the committees over-riding worry was how to ensure Test cricket remained financially attractive to all leading players in an era of lucrative Twenty20 franchises leagues especially enticing to cricketers from relatively weak domestic economies such as South Africa and the West Indies.I think the mood of the committee was that there was, if not a crisis, a looming, a potential crisis and that this crisis needs to be noticed and taken seriously, he said.One of the highlights of the traditional cricket calendar -- the first Test between England and South Africa -- starts at Lords on Thursday.Yet South Africa star batsman AB de Villiers is set to miss the entire four-match series as he recuperates from being a multi-format player in demand from T20 leagues.Asked if this was a wake-up call Brearley, after his last meeting as chairman before handing over to Mike Gatting -- another former Middlesex and England captain -- said: It symbolises some of the problems, the issue and the tension.Fellow committee member Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand captain, added: Its probably another red flag.McCullum, 35, a self-styled global T20 mercenary since retiring from Test cricket last year, said: Financially, theres probably plenty of money to go around.He added: We dont see T20 leagues as the devil by any stretch of imagination, but its just how you have Test cricket be the pinnacle of the game and operate at the same time.Meanwhile another committee member Ramiz Raja, the former Pakistan batsman, urged the International Cricket Council to make good on promises to introduce a World Test Championship designed to give the long format more context after plans to bring it in 2013 and this year too came to nothing.Last month saw financial powerhouse Indias share of world cricket revenues increased from $293 to $405 million.The deal came after India complained about a decision in April to divide revenues more equitably among ICC members.But Brearley said a more equal split, while idealistic, was needed to ensure even competition that would help everybody in the long-run.They (the Board of Control for Cricket in India) probably wont like it, he admitted before saying: We cant really see how you have long-term security for international cricket unless something along these lines happens. Its not directed at the BCCI in a hostile way.Although, the MCC committee, a think tank, in Brearleys words, has no power to enforce change, its calls for day/night Tests and restrictions on bat size have since been heeded by cricket chiefs.

Broad backs new skipper Root to go to 'next level'

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LONDON (AFP) - England fast bowler Stuart Broad believes captaincy will take star batsman Joe Roots game to the next level.Root was named was named as the successor to Alastair Cook as long ago as February, but Thursdays series opener against South Africa at Lords will be the Yorkshiremans first match as England Test captain.Test captaincy appears to have boosted the performances of such leading current batsmen as Indias Virat Kohli, Australias Steve Smith and New Zealands Kane Williamson, with Broad confident it will inspire Root to greater heights rather be too heavy a burden for the 26-year-old.Joes not had a huge amount of captaincy experience because he played for England from a young age but hes learned the game at the top level, Broad told Sky Sports News at Lords on Tuesday.I think it will take his game to the next level, if he can go any higher. Hell really thrive off the extra responsibility.Hes an attacking cricketer, quite aggressive in the way he plays, so I think the team will take that sort of shape, added Broad. He was announced a long time ago and now he has the chance to put things into place.Meanwhile Broad, a veteran of 102 Tests, insisted he was fully fit for the first of a four-match series against South Africa after his participation was called into question by a foor injury.However, he played in Nottinghamshires One-Day Cup final win over Surrey at Lords last Saturday, bowling none overs with no adverse reaction.I got through the Lords final with no problems and bowled Wednesday and Friday before that with no pain, said Broad.I pulled up really well and Ill train again this afternoon and tomorrow, but I feel confident, the 31-year-old son of former England batsman turned match referee Chris Broad, added.Ive been playing county cricket since early April, so Ive got quite a lot of red ball and white ball cricket in. It was great to have the intensity of a Lords final, to play in it but also to put my body to the test.

Turkey protests to Germany over 'kill dictatorship' installation

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ISTANBUL (AFP) - Turkey protested officially to Germany on Tuesday that an artist had been allowed to set up an installation in central Berlin offering a car as a prize in exchange for killing world leaders including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.The installation was set up outside the offices of Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Monday, comprising a Mercedes C-class car and banners with pictures of Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi King Salman.Do you want this car? Kill dictatorship said the slogan.Erdogan is frequently accused by opponents of acting like a dictator, although he rubbishes the idea, noting that he is the first directly-elected president in Turkish history.The action was staged by the art collective Centre for Political Beauty led bv Phillip Ruch, which has made several stunts in the past including displaying four tigers in the centre of Berlin to protest at refugee policy.We strongly condemn the installation in front of the federal chancellery in Berlin, Turkeys foreign ministry said in a statement.The banner is a direct incitement to violence, the foreign ministry added, calling on the German authorities to take the necessary action to remedy the situation.The ministry added that it had transmitted Turkeys anger to the German embassy in Ankara and sent an urgent note to the German foreign ministry in Berlin.Turkeys embassy to Berlin said it was incomprehensible and unacceptable that Ruch had been allowed to set up such an installation with no intervention from the local security forces.It is clear that in such a sensitive time when communal peace and shared values need to be protected, these kinds of actions encouraging hatred and violence will not serve peace, the embassy said in a statement.All three leaders targeted in the stunt were due to attend the G20 summit in Hamburg this Friday and Saturday although King Salman has now cancelled his trip.Turkey-German relations are going through a rocky period with Berlin stepping up its criticism of Ankaras rights record under Erdogan.In another incident claimed by the Centre for Political Beauty, Turkish police at the weekend said they had seized from a hotel room in the centre of Istanbul a machine that was printing and distributing anti-Erdogan pamphlets onto the street below.Reports on Turkish media said police were looking for a German citizen who had already left the country.The Centre for Political Beauty said over 1,000 copies of an anti-Erdogan leaflet were thrown from a hotel window into Gezi Park in Istanbul.

VIDEO: Fire breather's performance goes wrong

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(Web Desk) - A fire breather set his own face on fire in an attempt to perform a daredevil stunt. He was to perform in front of a massive crowd during a fun festival inRussia cityKemerovo.The performer lit fire on his face and started screaming for mercy. The video shows people, especially women, in the crowd shouting for help. He had flames all across his face and the fire had set within a few moments as his stunt started.VIDEO: Fire breather sets his face on fireAs soon as the man accidentally set himself on fire, a few boys and girls came quickly for help. Two boys tried to extinguish the fire using their jackets. A girl also stepped up and tried to assist by spilling water from her bottle.The guy was immediately admitted to a nearby hospital for medical assistance. The YouTube video of the incident has received millions of views till now. People suggested that such stunts and daredevil acts should be performed only after ample preparation.

Qatar slams 'unrealistic' demands as deadline looms

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DOHA (AFP) - Qatar said Tuesday that the demands made by Arab nations in a Gulf diplomatic crisis were impossible to meet, as a deadline was fast approaching for the emirate to respond.Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told a press conference in Doha that the list of demands from countries isolating Qatar is unrealistic and is not actionable.Its not about terrorism, its talking about shutting down the freedom of speech, he said at a joint press conference after talks with German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel.Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt -- who accuse Qatar of supporting extremism -- gave Doha an extra 48 hours to meet their demands after an initial 10-day deadline expired on Sunday.The demands included Doha ending support for the Muslim Brotherhood, closing broadcaster Al-Jazeera, downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran and shutting down a Turkish military base in the emirate.Sheikh Mohammed handed an official response on Monday to Kuwait, which is mediating in the dispute, but its contents have not been disclosed.He refused to give any further details on Tuesday, but said Doha was looking for a solution to the month-long crisis based on dialogue.The state of Qatar has adopted a very constructive attitude since the beginning of the crisis. We are tying to act mature and discuss the matter.The four countries cut diplomatic and transport links with Qatar a month ago and have suggested further sanctions could be imposed if Doha does not comply.Foreign ministers from the four countries are to meet in Egypt on Wednesday to discuss the diplomatic crisis, the worst to hit the region in years.Qatar, which denies any support for extremists, has said it will not bow to pressure and that the demands seem designed to be rejected.The country is the worlds leading producer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and on Tuesday the head of state-owned Qatar Petroleum said it was planning a significant production increase over the next several years.Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi told a press conference that the emirate intends to be producing 100 million tonnes of natural gas a year by 2024, up 30 percent from current levels.This new project will strengthen Qatars leading position, Kaabi said. We will remain the leader of LNG for a very long time.- Absolutely no fear -========================Some officials have suggested if Qatar does not cooperate Riyadh and its allies could tell foreign companies to choose between doing business with them or with Doha.Kaabi said Qatar wanted the production increase to be carried out through a joint venture with international companies but that Doha could go it alone if necessary.We have absolutely no fear of having the embargo in place, he said. If there are no companies willing to work with us we will go to 100 million (tonnes), 100 percent.Riyadh and its allies have also accused Doha of being too close to their regional arch-rival Iran, which shares an enormous gas field with Qatar in the Gulf.The crisis has raised concerns of growing instability in the region, home to some of the worlds largest energy exporters and key Western allies who host US military bases.Qatars gas riches have transformed it in recent years into one of the worlds wealthiest countries, a major international investor and a regional player that will host the 2022 football World Cup.Qatar has also pursued a more independent foreign policy than many of its neighbours, who tend to follow the lead of regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia.UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said Tuesday it was premature to discuss what further action might be taken against Qatar.Any measures that are taken will be within the framework of international law, Sheikh Abdullah said at a press conference in Abu Dhabi with Gabriel, who was on a regional tour.Any independent state has the right to take measures against any party, Sheikh Abdullah said, urging Doha to listen to the voice of reason and wisdom.

Bangladesh factory blast toll rises to 13

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DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladesh on Tuesday called off a search for survivors after an explosion at a garment factory killed at least 13 workers and injured scores, the latest disaster to hit the multi-billion dollar industry.Dozens of workers were inside the factory on the outskirts of Dhaka when the boiler exploded on Monday evening, causing a section of the six-storey building to collapse.It was unclear what caused the explosion, which occurred during maintenance work on the boiler at a time when most of the factorys 5,000 workers were off for the Eid holidays.Authorities called off the nearly 22-hour-long search after rescuers found two more bodies in a toilet next to the destroyed boiler room, bringing the death toll to 13.Our fire fighters have completed searching the entire section of the debris, local administrator Mahmud Hasan told AFP.The government said it had formed a committee to investigate the explosion, the latest disaster to strike the countrys $30-billion garment industry.The plant in the Gazipur industrial district is owned by manufacturer Multifabs, which makes clothing for brands including Littlewoods and Aldi according to its website.The collapse of the nine-storey Rana Plaza factory complex in April 2013 in which more than 1,100 people were killed was seen as a wake-up call for the industry, which supplies clothing for major brands all over the world.In the wake of the disaster, authorities pledged to improve working conditions at factories but accidents are still commonplace.Only a few hundred of the countrys 4,500 textile factories have been certified as safe and last year a fire at a factory just miles from Rana Plaza claimed 34 lives.A survey this year by global charity Action Aid of more than 1,400 Rana Plana survivors found nearly half were still jobless while roughly 31 percent were too traumatised to work.There have also been demands for an increase in the basic monthly wage of $68 for the countrys four million garment workers, most of whom are young women.One of the injured workers receiving treatment at nearby hospitals blamed the factory authorities for not replacing the boiler despite the fact that it was allegedly beeping danger signals continuously.Worker Harunur Rashid told Bangla daily Prothom Alo that the boilers safety bulb was beeping danger lights but the devices operators assured them there was nothing to worry about.Within ten minutes after we returned to work, the boiler exploded. Its absolutely the authorities negligence, he said.Mesba Faruqui, the operations director of the factory, said the operators were doing maintenance duty as the factory was meant to open on Tuesday after the long Eid holidays.If the accident had happened today, God forbid, there might have been many more casualties, he told AFP.

EU states have right to ban Uber: top lawyer

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LUXEMBOURG (AFP) - EU member states can ban ride-hailing pioneer Uber without informing the European Commission because at heart it is an ordinary transport company under their jurisdiction, a top EU lawyer said Tuesday.San Francisco-based Uber insists it is a service, not a transport provider, connecting riders with freelance drivers directly and much more cheaply than traditional cab companies.But critics and competitors say this allows it to dodge costly regulation and several countries, led by France, have banned its low-cost UberPop service as a result.Uber France challenged the ban, saying it amounted to regulation of an information company which Paris should have first lodged with the Commission, the European Unions administrative arm.However, Maciej Szpunar, an advocate general with the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice, said Uber was in fact an ordinary transport company and so member states could go ahead and regulate its activities without notifying the Commission in advance.He recalled that in a May 11 opinion on a related case concerning Uber Spain, he had concluded that UberPop does not constitute an information society service.Szpunar also argued that even if the ECJ, the EUs highest court, should at some stage determine UberPop was indeed an information service provider, a ban in response to the illegal exercise of a transport activity does not constitute a technical regulation within the meaning of the directive.Notification of the draft law to the Commission would not be necessary in that situation either, he said.He argued that member states only had a duty to notify the Commission if they took a specific, targeted action against information service providers.Rules which affect those services only in an implicit or incidental manner are excluded from the notification obligation, he said.Uber said in response that it believed Szpunars opinion was moot because it had changed its business model in France.We have seen todays statement and await the final ruling later this year, an Uber spokesperson said.The ECJs advocate generals -- its top lawyers -- are regularly called on to provide initial guidance to the court which in most instances follows their advice in its final rulings.The French authorities banned Uber after violent protests by traditional taxi drivers.Uber in turn filed complaint with the EU against France and other states, arguing that national policies hostile to its operations violate European law.
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