Friday 20 October 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

35 Egyptian police, troops die in clashes with Islamists: sources

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CAIRO (AFP) - At least 35 Egyptian troops and police officers were killed in clashes with Islamist fighters in the Bahariya oasis in the countrys Western Desert on Friday, security and medical sources said.An interior ministry statement confirmed the incident and said some of the attackers had died, without giving any figures for casualties or further details.The small extremist group Hasm claimed the attack, saying in a statement that 28 members of the security forces were killed, with 32 injured.Security forces, who are hunting down Islamic militants in the region, were ambushed late Friday on a road to the Bahariya oasis, some 200 kilometers southeast of Cairo, according to the interior ministry statement.According to a source close to the security services, the convoy was hit by rocket fire. The attackers also used explosive devices.Since the army removed President Mohamed Morsi, of the Muslim Brotherhood, extremist groups have increased their attacks on the countrys military and police.The Brotherhood, once Egypts largest opposition movement, has long denied involvement in violence.Mohamed Morsi was elected as Egypts first civilian president in 2012, but the army overthrew him a year later following mass protests against the divisive Islamists rule.Since then, an extensive crackdown on the group has left it in disarray with competing wings that have disagreed on whether to use violence, after police quashed their protests.Analysts say a section of the Brotherhood has encouraged armed assaults against policemen in Egypt.Authorities have also been fighting the Egyptian branch of the jihadist group Islamic State, which has increased its attacks in the north of the Sinai peninsula.Hundreds of soldiers and police have been killed in the violence.The small group Hasm has claimed multiple attacks since 2016 on police, officials and judges in Cairo.In their statements, none of the militant groups claim any affiliation to the Muslim Brotherhood.The Islamic State groups deadly attacks on the military and police include a recent assault on a checkpoint in Sinai on July 7 that killed at least 21 soldiers.The group has maintained a steady war of attrition with sniper attacks and roadside bombings.But unlike their parent organisation in Iraq and Syria, they have been unable to seize population centres in the peninsula bordering Israel and Gaza.In October 2015, IS claimed the bombing of a Russian airliner carrying holidaymakers from the popular South Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all 224 people on board.

Clashes as Iraq army takes last Kurd-held area of Kirkuk province

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ALTUN KUPRI (AFP) - Iraqi forces clashed with Kurdish fighters Friday as the central government said it had wrested back control of the last area of disputed Kirkuk province in the latest stage of a sweeping operation following a controversial independence vote.Iraqs Joint Operations Command said police, counter-terrorism units and allied militias seized the Altun Kupri region, extending the central governments territory to within 50 kilometres (30 miles) of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region.The two sides exchanged mortar rounds and automatic gunfire but Iraqi forces managed to hoist the flag on the municipality building, a security source Kirkuk city said.A Kurdish general, Ghazi Dolemri, was killed in the fighting, sources said, while an AFP journalist reported further shelling as Iraqi government forces and Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary forces advanced on Sirawa, five kilometres north of Altun Kupri.Iraqi forces also said they had retaken the Ain Zalah and Batma oil fields, northwest of Mosul.The fresh advances came after Iraqs central authorities snatched back control of a swathe of disputed territory from Kurdish forces in a largely bloodless operation launched at the weekend.The government advances and Kurdish retreat have rewritten the volatile boundaries between the two sides and trashed Arbils dreams of independence, which soared after a September 25 referendum held in defiance of Baghdad.The loss of Kirkuks rich oil fields also dealt a severe blow to the regional governments already parlous finances, heavily dependent on petrochemical exports.US oil giant Chevron said Friday it had temporarily suspended operations in the Kurdish autonomous region.We continue to monitor the situation in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, a spokeswoman said.We look forward to resuming our operations as soon as conditions permit.Iraqs forces have also snatched back areas of Nineveh and Diyala provinces, driving Kurdish forces from positions they seized in the chaos of the Islamic State groups 2014 rampage across northern Iraq and parts of neighbouring Syria.The agricultural region of Altun Kupri, which means golden bridge in Turkish, covers an area of 520 square kilometres (200 square miles) and is mostly inhabited by Kurds and Turkmens.Security in the Altun Kupri area had been ensured by Kurdish police forces loyal to regional president Massud Barzani ever since the US-led invasion of 2003.In their bid to halt Iraqi forces, the peshmerga planted explosives that damaged a major bridge linking Kirkuk to their regional capital Arbil over the Little Zab river, according to a local security source.This weeks operation was accelerated by rifts between rival Kurdish factions that saw some forces opposed to Barzani -- the architect of the independence vote -- strike a deal with Baghdad to withdraw.In Baghdad, Haydar Hamada, a spokesman for Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, said Iraqi forces were pressing on with the operation to impose government control over the disputed areas.We will continue restoring the authority of the federal authorities, he told AFP.But a peshmerga commander in Arbil accused the Iranian-backed Hashed militia of trying to extend the boundaries of the Kirkuk province into Kurdish territory.While central government forces have met with little resistance as they pen the peshmerga back into the three provinces that make up the Kurdish autonomous region, sporadic clashes have caused some bloodshed.Peshmerga commander Wasta Rassoul, a member of the PUK faction that opposes Barzani, said 26 Kurdish fighters had been killed and 67 wounded since Sunday.Tensions between Kurdish and Iraqi forces have pitted two vital US allies in the fight to destroy the Islamic State group against each other.The two sides have cooperated in the Washington-backed offensive that has seen the jihadists driven from their major urban strongholds into a rump territory along the border with Syria.

US urges Iraq forces to limit movements in disputed areas

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States called Friday for Iraqi federal forces to limit their movements in areas claimed by both them and the countrys Kurds to avoid more violence between Washingtons allies.Iraqi forces clashed with Kurdish units in the northern province of Kirkuk on Friday, part of a largely bloodless operation that saw them retake swathes of disputed territory from the Kurds in a matter of days.Both federal and Kurdish forces have been key US allies in the war against the Islamic State group, but a common jihadist enemy did not erase long-running territorial and financial disputes between the two sides.In order to avoid any misunderstandings or further clashes, we urge the central government to calm the situation by limiting federal force movements in disputed areas to only those coordinated with the Kurdistan Regional Government, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.As Kurdish authorities have vehemently criticized Iraqi operations in the disputed areas, the statement effectively amounts to a call on them to cease.The US also urges all parties to cease all violence and provocative movements, and to coordinate their activities to restore calm, Nauert said.Iraqi Kurdish forces gained or solidified control over a number of disputed areas in the course of the three-year war against IS, which saw federal troops flee their posts in the north during the initial jihadist onslaught in 2014.But a non-binding referendum on independence held by the Kurds last month provided the excuse and the winding down of major operations against IS the opportunity for Baghdad to make good its losses.The US opposed the independence referendum, as did Baghdad and various neighboring states.But while the US appears likely to have given at least tacit approval to the Iraqi operation, the statement also made clear that federal forces regaining control of disputed territory does not end the debate over the status of these areas.The reassertion of federal authority over disputed areas in no way changes their status -- they remain disputed until their status is resolved in accordance with the Iraqi constitution, Nauert said.

Abe in pole position as Japan vote enters home straight

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TOKYO (AFP) - Candidates in Japan made a last-ditch plea to voters Saturday on the last day of campaigning before an election expected to return Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to power with a comfortable majority.Polls show Abe and his conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are clear favourites to win Sundays election, handing him a fresh mandate for his hardline stance on North Korea and Abenomics growth strategy.Abes coalition is on track to win around 300 seats in the 465-seat lower house of parliament, according to a projection published by the Nikkei daily.If the polls are correct, the 63-year-old Abe would be on course to be the longest-serving premier in post-war Japan, the worlds third-biggest economy and key US ally in Asia.The two main opposition parties -- the Party of Hope created by the media-savvy Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and the new centre-left Constitutional Democratic Party -- are seen winning around 50 seats each.Abe shocked Japan this month by calling the election more than a year earlier than expected, citing twin national crises of an ageing population and hostility from North Korea.The regime in Pyongyang has threatened to sink Japan into the sea and fired two missiles over its northern island of Hokkaido in the space of a month.Abe has stuck to a hawkish stance on North Korea, stressing that maximum pressure should be exerted on the regime and backing the US line that all options are on the table.Throughout the short 12-day campaign, the premier has railed against Pyongyang, telling a crowd recently: At a time like this... we cannot waver. Everyone, we must not yield to the threat of North KoreaThe other issue dominating the election has been the push to revive the once world-beating Japanese economy.Abe says his trademark Abenomics strategy of ultra-loose monetary policy and big fiscal spending is the best way to pep up the economy, which is weighed down by debt and struggling with deflation.He has also pledged to use part of the proceeds from a planned sales tax hike to fund free childcare in a bid to get more women into the workplace.His opponent Koike wants to scrap the tax hike, arguing it would throttle a recovery that has seen Japans longest stretch of growth in a decade.But after a blaze of publicity when Koike created her new Party of Hope, the bubble appears to have burst for the popular 65-year-old former newscaster, partly because she declined to run herself for prime minister.Every party has to have, to be credible, a candidate for prime minister and she would have been it but then she walked away and it is a ship that suddenly has no captain, Michael Cucek from Temple University told AFP.Another brand-new party, the centre-left Constitutional Democrats, appears to have some momentum going into the poll and could do better than expected.With little suspense over the overall outcome, the main tension is over whether Abe and his junior coalition partner Komeito will retain their two-thirds majority.This is significant because it would enable Abe to propose changes to the US-imposed Constitution which effectively limits the military to a self-defence role and forces Japan to renounce war.One less predictable factor in the election is the weather as a typhoon barrels towards Japan, expected to dump heavy rains on most of the country on polling day.This could weigh on turnout, with a lower participation rate seen as beneficial for Abe, whose supporters are more committed.

Bomber command -- Pakistan's Hasan achieves childhood dream

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SHARJAH (AFP) - Pakistans Hasan Ali is officially the worlds best one-day bowler, with an early career record surpassing even legendary compatriot Waqar Younis and a unique bomb explosion wicket celebration which is just as eye-catching.The 23-year-old, who is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in just 14 months.He became the joint third fastest bowler to claim 50 one-day wickets with the mark achieved in 23 matches, the same number as Australian icon Dennis Lillee and four games fewer than Waqar.Since making his ODI debut against Ireland in August in 2016, Hasan is the leading wicket taker with 54 victims. He is also the best this year with 43 wickets in 17 matches.Its a dream come true, Hasan told AFP. I set many goals in my childhood and to be the world number one bowler was amongst the top.Hasan has helped Pakistan to a 4-0 lead in the current series against Sri Lanka with 12 wickets, including 5-34 in Abu Dhabi.He also played a leading role in Pakistans Champions Trophy win in June in England where he finished with 13 wickets and was named player of the tournament.But what has also attracted fans around the world is his celebration every time he takes a wicket -- he mimics a bomb explosion, pumping the blasting mechanism which leads to the blast.Hasan first played cricket in his native town of Ladhay Wala Wraich near Gujranwala, an area famous for producing wrestlers and kabbadi players.Hasans elder brother Ataur Rehman noticed his talent at an early age and organised a gym and a pitch in the backyward of their family home.My elder brother was the greatest influence on my career and after a few first-class seasons I was picked by Peshawar franchise in the first edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), recalls Hasan.Recruited as an emerging player, Hasan was mentored by former England coach Andy Flower and ex-Pakistan paceman Mohammad Akram.I have been blessed with success and the Champions Trophy victory was the best thing. The next big goal is to win the 2019 Wold Cup in England, said Hasan.Former Pakistan captain and legendary paceman Waqar praised Hasan but warned against piling too much pressure on his shoulders.His rise is phenomenal, Waqar told AFP. But since a lot of events have happened in Pakistan cricket I would like to see Hasan and other talented youngsters be mentored properly so that they dont get lost.Waqar was referring to Mohammad Amirs rise in 2009 before his career was derailed in a spot-fixing case a year later.This year Pakistan has lost dashing opener Sharjeel Khan, banned for five years with two others suspended in a PSL spot fixing case.Hasan and other youngsters are assets for our cricket and they can carry our cricket forward. We cannot afford another jolt so I advice they should be monitored and mentored, said Waqar.

Lahore: Blaze at furniture market gutted several shops

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - - According to details, fire broke out at furniture market near Kharak Nullah at Multan Road on Friday night which spread very quickly.At least nine fire brigade vehicles tried to douse the fire and extinguished it after a hectic effort of two hours. Rescue sources said that several shops in the market were completely destroyed.No loss of life was reported in the incident. However, furniture worth million of rupees was destroyed by the fire. Sources further said that the cause of fire is still not known.

Karachi: Gang war accused arrested after encounter with police

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – A gang war accused was arrested in injured condition while two of his accomplices managed to escape after encounter with police in Shah Latif Town area of Karachi on Friday.According to details, police carried out an operation against criminal elements in Shah Latif Town area during which gang war accused hiding in the area opened fire. Police returned the fire and arrested an accused identified as Sohrab alias Chakar.Police sources said that arms and narcotics were also recovered from his possession. Police have also launched search to arrest other gang war accused.

Car bearing number plate 'Kiu Nikala Mujhey' challaned

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Traffic police in Lahore on Friday challaned a car bearing the number plate ‘Kiu Nikala Mujhey’. Dunya News has obtained picture of the vehicle and copy of the challan.The vehicle belongs to Ibrar Ahmad s/o Noor Ahmad Bhatti of Bund Road Lahore which can be seen on the copy of the challan obtained by Dunya News.The words ‘Kiu Nikala Mujhey’ (Why I was ousted) were repeatedly used by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif during his speeches after he was disqualified by Supreme Court in Panama Papers case.

Number one Hasan shines as Pakistan crush Sri Lanka

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SHARJAH (AFP) - Medium pacer Hasan Ali grabbed three wickets to celebrate his rise to the top of the one-day rankings as Pakistan downed Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the fourth day-night international in Sharjah on Friday.Hasan took 3-37 while spinners Shadab Khan (2-29) and Imad Wasim (2-13) also chipped in with useful wickets as Sri Lanka were skittled out for 173 in 43.4 overs.Only Lahiru Thirimanne resisted with a 94-ball 62 on a flat pitch at Sharjah stadium on which Babar Azam scored a stroke filled 69 not out and Shoaib Malik matched him, also with an unbeaten 69, to help Pakistan overhaul the low target in 39 overs.Despite Pakistan losing three early wickets, the target was never out of reach as Azam and Malik shared an unbroken 119 runs fourth-wicket stand.Malik smashed Milinda Siriwardana for a boundary and a six to seal the victory.He hit three sixes in all and two boundaries in his 81-ball knock while Azam, who had scored successive hundreds in the first two matches, had five boundaries off 101 balls.Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq for two after his debut hundred in the last match while Fakhar Zaman fell for 17 and Mohammad Hafeez made nine.This was Pakistans eighth consecutive win which also included their Champions Trophy triumph in England in June while Sri Lanka succumbed to their 11th consecutive ODI defeat.The fifth and final match is also in Sharjah on Monday.It was my childhood dream to be world nunber one and it was my goal when I started cricket so I am very happy that this has come true, said Hasan.Its always my aim to take wickets and anchor the teams win so I am again happy to be the main bowler, added Hasan who now has 12 wickets in the series.Earlier, Sri Lanka got off to a disastrous start when their in-form skipper Upul Tharanga was bowled by debutant left-arm pacer Usman Shinwari for nought off his second delivery.Shinwari was one of two changes Pakistan made from the third one-dayer which they won by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi. Also brought back was Wasim. They replaced Fahim Ashraf and Rumman Raees.Sri Lanka had made three changes, with Sadeera Samarawickrama making his debut.Another left-armer Junaid Khan ended Niroshan Dickwellas enterprising 16-ball 22, studded with three boundaries and a six, while Dinesh Chandimal was run out for 16.Samarawickrama lasted just two balls without scoring before Thirimanne and Siriwardana (13) added 32 for the sixth wicket.Shadab then removed Seekuge Prasanna (five) and Thisara Perera off successive deliveries before Hasan came into his wicket-taking acts.Hasan broke a resolute eighth-wicket stand of 43 between Thirimanne and Akila Dananjaya (18) before Wasim ended Thirmiannes resistance in the 41st over.

Resurgent Zimbabwe face rising West Indies

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BULAWAYO (AFP) - Batsman Brendan Taylor and fast bowler Kyle Jarvis will make their returns to international cricket on Saturday when Zimbabwe take on the West Indies in the first of two Tests in Bulawayo.Jarvis has not played for Zimbabwe since signing a Kolpak deal with English county side Lancashire in 2013, while Taylor followed suit in 2015 when he moved to Nottinghamshire.However both players have been lured back as part of Zimbabwe Crickets attempts to revive the national team, which last year included hiring former Zimbabwe captains Tatenda Taibu and Heath Streak as national selector and head coach respectively.Those appointments appear to be bearing some fruit -- in July, Zimbabwe won their first one-day international series in Sri Lanka, and nearly pulled off an upset in a one-off Test as well.The additions of Taylor, Jarvis and Solomon Mire, who was previously based in Australia, have given Zimbabwe the belief that they could cause an upset in their first home Test of the year.I feel that weve probably got an even better team now than we had in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer said on Friday.Well take that confidence from Sri Lanka, but we know we can perform even better than that.The West Indies are undergoing something of a resurgence themselves.Written off in the wake of an innings and 209-run thrashing by England at Edgbaston in August, they bounced back to win a pulsating second Test at Headingley, proving what they are capable of.I think weve had a pretty reasonable year in terms of improvement. The guys have been getting attuned to Test cricket, West Indies captain Jason Holder said.Were still not the finished product but were headed in the right direction.At the heart of their improvement has been the faith shown by the selectors in a young group of players, with Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope emerging as two batsmen of promise.Meanwhile the pace of Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel is likely to unsettle Zimbabwes batsmen, and the fast bowlers may also find some assistance in the hot, dry conditions at Queens Sports Club.With the Kookaburra balls, reverse swing is always a factor -- they tend to reverse earlier than most and go a bit softer, said Holder. I would expect some reverse swing in these dry conditions.Spin is also expected to play a part, so Zimbabwe could give left-arm spinner Tendai Chisoro his first Test cap.Zimbabwe squad: Graeme Cremer (c), Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Malcolm Waller, Peter Moor, Regis Chakabva, Michael Chinouya, Chris Mpofu, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chisoro, Nyasha Mayavo.West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach.

Bairstow happy to bat higher in Ashes

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LONDON (AFP) - Jonny Bairstow said on Friday he would be happy to move up the England batting order for the upcoming Ashes series if talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes is unavailable.Stokes will not be on the flight to Australia on October 28, though no final decision has been taken on his involvement in the series.The Test vice-captain was arrested in September on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm and suspended from internationals until further notice following an apparent fight outside a nightclub.Bairstow, who normally bats behind Stokes at number seven, told Sky Sports News: I batted at five earlier on this summer in Tests so its not something that would faze me too much because thats something Ive done for Yorkshire since I came into the side.Wherever (captain) Joe (Root) and (coach) Trev (Bayliss) want me to bat, that can only be a good thing for the side. As long as Im in the side then Im not too fussed.Bairstow was part of the last England side to travel Down Under four years ago, when the tourists suffered a chastening 5-0 series loss but the 28-year-old said England must remain optimistic.Its going to be a fantastic series, said the wicketkeeper. Its something that if you dont look forward to it and youre not excited about it then youve already lost the battle.Its an exciting time. Everyone speaks about it, not just in England, not just in Australia but all around the world.We know that were not just playing against 11 guys on the field, were playing against a whole nation, but at the same time if you play well you earn the respect of that nation. We know how good a place it is to tour.The first Test starting in Brisbane on November 23, with four more to follow.

Kiwis out to tame India's newest spin duo

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MUMBAI (AFP) - New Zealands batsmen know they will have to subdue Indias spinners if they are to have any chance of winning their three-match One Day International series starting Sunday.Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and right-arm leg break Yuzvendra Chahal have established themselves as Indias latest attacking combination, keeping veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja out of the team.Kiwi batsman Tom Latham said the visitors were leaving no stone unturned in seeking a way to counter the Indian pair, who come into the series in the best form of their careers.Our focus is big on spin here. We are focusing on facing more spin than seam here and finding ways to score, to hit gaps and find boundaries, Latham told reporters in Mumbai.The left-handed Latham said the Kane Williamson-led New Zealanders had taken note of Kuldeep and Chahals recent performances.Kuldeep, 22, has quickly emerged as one of the worlds best slow bowlers since taking four wickets in his Test debut against Australia in Dharamsala in March.He also played a big role in Indias recent 4-1 ODI series victory over Australia, taking a hat-trick in the second match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.He has been well supported by the 27-year-old Chahal, who tormented the Australians with his deceptive leg spinners to bag six wickets in four matches.We obviously know that they (Kuldeep and Chahal) are quality bowlers and they have done really well in the previous series, Latham was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.Latham has been in good form himself, compiling a quickfire 108 in New Zealands 33-run win over an Indian Board Presidents XI in the visitors second and final warm-up match in Mumbai.New Zealand, ranked fifth in the world, have drafted in leg-spinner Ish Sodhi as a replacement for Todd Astle, who has been ruled out of Sundays match at Mumbais Wankhede Stadium after picking up a groin injury in the warm-up game.The hosts, second in the ODI rankings, are expected to complement the two spinners with fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.Virat Kohlis India, which swept the three-match Test series against the Black Caps last year, can regain the top ODI spot from South Africa if they win the series 3-0.The second ODI takes place in Pune on Wednesday, with the third in Kanpur on October 29. The two sides will then play three T20 matches.India:Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur.New Zealand:Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, George Worker, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult.

Pakistan's mental health

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In early September, one of Pakistan’s most watched television news channels reported that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 27, the chairman of the prominent Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), suffers from bipolar disorder.The stigma against mental illness is rampant in Pakistan. It is sustained by popular belief in spiritual cures — exorcising evil spirits, experimenting with herbal cures and reciting verses from the Quran — and a lack of awareness about mental illness’s causes, symptoms and cures.But the Pakistani government also plays a large role in the continued stigmatization of mental illness. Before the 2001 Mental Health Ordinance (MHO), which has marginally improved the treatment and management of the mentally ill and their affairs, the law presiding over patients in need of psychiatric attention was the Lunacy Act (1912).If the name of the colonial-era law is already unfortunate, its contents had even more glaring problems. The text had no concept of informed consent for the patient — it was not necessary for doctors to inform patients or their guardians about the nature, effects, risks and costs of prescribed treatments or offer alternatives before carrying them out. It also called patients “idiots” and spoke of “criminal lunatics” — an oxymoron, given that a “lunatic” should be provided care and treatment, as opposed to punishment.While the new ordinance is drastically better than its 1912 predecessor, it remains poorly implemented.

EU puts brakes on Macron's Google tax push

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - Several EU nations handed French President Emmanuel Macron a setback on Friday, as leaders said Europe should not go it alone on a new tax on US tech giants.France has a led a major push to increase taxes in the European Union on mega tech firms such as Google and Facebook, which are accused of booking huge profits while denying state-coffers much-needed money.But smaller EU member states that serve as low-tax headquarters for the giants insisted that the EU should only approach the issue on a far broader international level.Ireland and Luxembourg and others fear that by claiming more tax from the likes of Apple and Facebook, without a wider agreement at the OECD level, the highly strategic companies will set up shop elsewhere.France needs the backing of all EU members to achieve its tax goal which requires unanimity of all 28 states.We were succesful in including into the conclusions the concept that any change in taxation of digital companies be done on a global basis, said Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar as he arrived for a second day of talks.We should have a global level playing field using the OECD and we shouldnt bring in a tax proposal in the European Union that just (pertains) to ourselves in dealing with third countries, he said.Championed by Macron, Frances new tax on digital multinationals would target revenue generated in an EU country, instead of on profits that are booked in a low-tax EU headquarters.The hope is to have a formal proposal by EU ministers in December, that would become a draft law by the commission, the EUs executive arm, in 2018.But members of the 35-country OECD, the policy club of industrialised nations, are currently negotiating their own approach to taxing digital companies with hopes for a formal proposal sometime next year.We will have a moment of truth next spring, when the OECD proposals are released in April, said Macron after the summit.The OECD is a good framework for making progress, but we also have a European strategy to lead, he said.

Pablo Escobar's widow and son face money laundering probe

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BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - The widow and son of late Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar are facing scrutiny as part of an investigation into money laundering in Argentina, judicial sources said Friday.Investigators suspect Maria Isabel Santos and Sebastian Marroquins involvement when their names appeared on papers seized in raids on a property owned by Mateo Corvo -- a real estate entrepreneur in Buenos Aires exclusive Pilar district who is accused of laundering drug money.Previously known as Victoria Henao and Juan Pablo Escobar, Santos and Marroquin adopted new identities after relocating to Argentina nearly two decades ago.Corvo is suspected of laundering money for a presumed Colombian drug dealer, Jose Piedrahita Ceballos, and investing it in real estate.The Escobar relatives are suspected of acting an as intermediary between those two men and receiving a commission for this.Assets with a total value of $15 million were confiscated during raids on the home of Corvo and elsewhere. Judicial sources confirmed these included gold bullion bars, while six people were detained.Upon questioning, Corvo declared his innocence and denied any involvement in laundering drug money, sources said.Towards the end of the 1990s, Santos was arrested in Argentina on another charge of money laundering.Cocaine lord Escobar became one of the richest men in the world, according to Forbes, after building an empire fueled by his drug trafficking. He died during a shootout in 1993.
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