Dunya TV News Letter of Today

Dunya TV

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• Karachi: Two injured in cracker attack
• Sindh LG Ord (3rd Amend) promulgated
• Two injured, suspected gunman dead at Colorado school
• Iraq violence kills 37 as 'terrorism' suspects escape
• Iran halts expert-level talks over US sanctions
• Kerry 'hopeful' can strike final Mideast peace deal
• Gunmen kill 15 Iranian pipeline workers in Iraq
• Brazil to issue World Cup commemorative coins
• Messi loses to Del Potro in Argentina
• 'Unfair' if Ronaldo denied Ballon d'Or: Real
• Badminton: Lee fears no one in Superseries Finals
• Golf: Brooks leads, Campillo, Nel card 59s at Mandela event
• Oil prices mixed ahead of Libya's return to market
• Dollar-euro rate stable ahead of Fed meeting
• NASA mulls spacewalks to fix space station

Karachi: Two injured in cracker attack Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, some unidentified persons hurled a cracker in Kamaila Stop due to which two people were wounded.On the other hand, firing between two rival groups in Kallary area of Lyari spread panic in the locality.Meanwhile, police launched a targeted operation in Islamia Colony in the jurisdiction of Pirabad Police Station and arrested nine accused. However, no arms and drugs were recovered from the arrested persons.

Sindh LG Ord (3rd Amend) promulgated Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) - Acting governor of Sindh Aga Siraj Durrani on Friday has promulgated the Sindh Local Government Ordinance (3rd Amendment).According to information, the ordinance shall come into force from September 16.The ordinance also empowers the concerned authority to declare a rural area as an urban one if needed.According to newly promulgated ordinance, the penalty for the violation of rules and regulations is disqualification for three years.

Two injured, suspected gunman dead at Colorado school Posted: LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Two students were injured in a shooting incident at a school in the US state of Colorado on Friday, before the suspected gunman apparently killed himself, the local sheriff said.The suspect was a student at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, outside Denver, just a few miles from the sites of last year's Aurora movie theater shooting and the 1999 Columbine massacre.The suspect has been found inside the school and he has deceased as a result of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson told reporters.He said the student had apparently targeted a teacher at the school.The student identified a specific teacher at the high school that he was interested in confronting, and that teacher was informed of the situation and exited the school quickly, he said.Live television pictures showed orderly groups of students filing out with hands above their heads, to gather on an athletics track on the the edge of a snow-covered field next to the school.The school has over 2,200 students and 70 classrooms. It is part of the Littleton school district, to which Columbine High School -- scene of the 1999 shooting by two students which killed 13 -- also belongs.The incident comes a day ahead of the first anniversary of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting in which a deranged gunman killed 26 people at an elementary school, including 20 young children.That shooting briefly re-ignited America's perennial debate over gun control, which is triggered every time there is a major shooting, but attempts to pass tougher laws made little headway in Congress.

Iraq violence kills 37 as 'terrorism' suspects escape Posted: BAQUBA (AFP) - Violence in Iraq including an attack by gunmen on workers on a gas pipeline from Iran killed 37 people Friday, while terrorism suspects escaped a Baghdad detention facility, officials said.Unrest has reached a level this year not seen since 2008, when Iraq was just emerging from a period of brutal sectarian killings, and the surge has raised fears the country is falling back into all-out conflict.Gunmen in three vehicles attacked the gas pipeline workers near Baladruz, northeast of Baghdad, killing 15 Iranians and three Iraqis, police officers said.The attack also wounded five Iranians and three Iraqis, the added.South of Baghdad, a car bomb exploded in Madain, killing at least six people and wounding at least 13, while another car bomb near a fish market in Nahrawan killed four people and wounded at least 12.In Baghdad itself, at least 22 terrorism suspects escaped a detention facility in Kadhimiyah, the latest in a long line of prisons breaks in Iraq.A police colonel said detainees had seized weapons from guards early on Friday, killing two, after which 26 people arrested for issues related to terrorism escaped.Security forces killed one escaped detainee and captured 14, the colonel said, and a medical official confirmed two guards and a detainee had been killed.The interior ministry said 22 suspects had escaped, but one was killed and all but three others captured.In July, militants launched coordinated assaults on two prisons near Baghdad, sparking clashes with security forces that lasted for hours.More than 500 prisoners, including senior Al-Qaeda leaders, escaped. The clashes also killed 20 members of the security forces and 21 prisoners, officials said.In the Ghazaliyah area of west Baghdad, gunmen shot dead two people on Friday, one of them a trade ministry employee, while gunmen killed a woman in her home near the capital.And a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle near a group of security forces members in Ramadi, west of Baghdad, killing a civilian and two soldiers and wounding four policemen and three soldiers.More people died in the first eight days of this month than in the whole of last December, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources.Officials have blamed the violence on Al-Qaeda-linked militants emboldened by the civil war in neighbouring Syria, but analysts and diplomats also say the government has not done enough to address underlying domestic grievances fuelling the violence.Members of the country's Sunni minority, who complain of discrimination at the hands of the Shiite-led government, have held demonstrations for almost a year.Unrest spiked after security forces stormed a Sunni Arab protest camp north of Baghdad in April, sparking clashes that killed dozens of people.The government has made some concessions aimed at placating Sunni Arabs, including freeing prisoners and raising the salaries of anti-Al-Qaeda fighters. It has also trumpeted security operations against militants.But the daily attacks have shown no sign of abating, and violence has killed more than 6,400 people since the beginning of the year, according to AFP figures.

Iran halts expert-level talks over US sanctions Posted: TEHRAN (AP) - Iran pulled out of expert-level talks with six world powers Friday to protest the expansion of U.S. sanctions, saying the blacklisting of more entities violates the spirit of a groundbreaking agreement over Tehran's atomic program.In the first major hurdle to the interim deal reached last month in Geneva, the United States targeted more than a dozen companies and people on Thursday for evading sanctions against Iran.It was an effort by the Obama administration to show it will enforce existing law even as it presses Congress to hold off on additional measures while world powers pursue a comprehensive nuclear deal with Tehran.But the Iranians called the move them unconstructive and against good intentions, and accused the U.S. of sending mixed signals.This is a game of double standards it is not in accord with the talks we have had and it is against the spirit of the Geneva agreement, senior Iranian nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi told the official news agency IRNA. On the one hand they tried to halt sanctions in Congress, and on the other hand they made a new move and the Treasury added new companies to the list.The White House said the expansion did not violate the agreement and represented actions based on existing sanctions. Spokesman Jay Carney said President Barack Obama is committed to refraining from any new nuclear-related sanctions.Araghchi, who is also deputy foreign minister, said the Iranians were assessing the situation to determine the proper response.IRNA also quoted an unnamed official as saying an Iranian team of experts had halted technical talks with the six world powers in Vienna because of the U.S. sanctions on new Iranian entities.Iran has ended the talks because of the addition of more individuals and companies to the sanctions list. It was against the path of agreements, the official was quoted as saying.The talks in Vienna are on the expert level, bringing representatives from the six powers and Iran together to discuss implementing parts of the Geneva deal. They started on Monday and were originally set for two days.A diplomat in Vienna who is familiar with the talks confirmed that the Iranian delegation left for Tehran for consultations but said the Iranians had not directly linked Friday's departure to the U.S. moves. He demanded anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the closed consultations.Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters that the Vienna talks were making progress but I think we're at a point in those talks where folks feel a need to consult and take a moment.He said there was every expectation that the talks would resume in a few days.The West suspects Iran's nuclear program has military dimension. Iran denies the charge saying its nuclear activities have peaceful purposes like power generation and medical treatment.As part of the deal, the U.S. agreed to no new nuclear-related financial penalties against Tehran for six months in return for a freeze on part of the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment activities. Still, many Republicans and Democrats in Congress have called for even tougher measures to raise the pressure further on the Islamic republic, despite the administration's pleas for patience.Thursday's action freezes the U.S. assets of firms in Panama, Singapore, Ukraine and elsewhere for maintaining covert business with Iran's national tanker company. Other companies involved directly in the proliferation of material useful for weapons of mass destruction also were blacklisted from the U.S. market. American citizens are banned from any transactions with the listed individuals and firms.Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the head of Iran's parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, said the U.S. move was an obvious violation of the interim deal and shows the Americans are not trustworthy.He also was quoted by the semiofficial Fars news agency as calling the decision to halt the Vienna talks right and revolutionary.

Kerry 'hopeful' can strike final Mideast peace deal Posted: JERUSALEM (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday he hoped to help achieve a peace agreement encompassing Israeli security needs and Palestinian sovereignty, as he wrapped up his regional visit.But Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas dampened hopes by rejecting US proposals for Israel to keep a military presence in a future Palestinian state.We are working on an approach that both guarantees Israel's security and fully respects Palestinian sovereignty, Kerry told reporters in Tel Aviv before boarding a plane to Vietnam.Kerry insisted the goal remained for the sides to reach a final status agreement - not an interim agreement, and said Israel will release as planned a new group of Palestinian prisoners on December 29.Both parties remain committed to fulfilling their obligations to stay at the table and negotiate hard during the nine-month period that we set for that when talks were launched at the end of July, said Kerry.On Friday morning, Kerry met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what the Israeli premier described as a discussion on how to advance our goals of peace and security.Kerry, who completed his second visit to the region within a week, said that US military expert General John Allen outlined in talks with Abbas a security plan for the West Bank and Israel, which could be implemented following a peace accord.But Abbas rejected US proposals for Israel to keep a military presence in a future Palestinian state along its strategic border with Jordan, a source close to the Palestinian president told AFP.President Abbas has rejected the ideas presented by the secretary of state, the Palestinian source said earlier Friday, a day after Kerry met Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Gunmen kill 15 Iranian pipeline workers in Iraq Posted: BAGHDAD (AP) - Gunmen in Iraq killed 15 Iranian pipeline workers and two Iraqi guards northeast of Baghdad on Friday, officials said. Separate attacks across the country killed 23 other people.A senior security official said the nighttime attack on the pipeline workers took place in the al-Nida area, where gunmen opened fire on the men working on the gas pipeline planned to connect Iraqs gas network to supplies from neighboring Iran.Al-Nida is about 145 kilometers (90 miles) northeast of Baghdad. Four people, including two Iranians were wounded also in the attack.Earlier Friday, twenty-two Iraqi suspects facing terrorism charges escaped from a prison in northern Baghdad after killing a security guard, but most were rearrested later in the day, officials said.The stunning jailbreak from al-Adela prison triggered a police manhunt backed by helicopters that ended with one of the escaped prisoners dead and 13 rearrested. Eight remain at large.The prisoners had lured a guard into their cell while his comrades were sleeping, claiming an inmate there was critically ill. They then stabbed him to death, two senior security officials said.Jailbreaks are frequent in Iraq and, as with other security breaches, they have cast doubts on the ability of the authorities to secure the country, mired in sectarian tensions.Also Friday, a car bomb went off near a security checkpoint in the western city of Ramadi, killing five policemen and wounding seven others, said police officials.In a drive-by shooting in western Baghdad, gunmen shot and killed two government employees in their car. And police said a bomb exploded near an out-door market in Madain area, just south of Baghdad, killing one person and wounding four.A car bomb exploded inside a fish market in Baghdads southeastern Shiite-majority suburb of Nahrwan, killing four and wounding 14, police said.In the western city if Ramadi, a car bomb went off near a security checkpoint, killing five policemen and wounding seven others, said police officials.At night, six people were killed and 18 others were wounded in a car bomb explosion in a commercial street in a town, just south of Baghdad.Medics in nearby hospitals confirmed the casualty figures for all the attacks. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to media.Deadly insurgent attacks have been on the rise since a security crackdown on a Sunni protest camp in a northern town last April.

Brazil to issue World Cup commemorative coins Posted: BRASILIA (AFP) - Brazil's Central Bank on Friday announced plans to issue a set of nine commemorative coins for the 2014 World Cup.The set, to be released on January 24, will comprise one gold coin, two in silver and six in an alloy of copper and nickel.The gold coin weighing 4.4. grams (0.155 ounce) will have a nominal value of 10 reais ($4.3) but will be sold for 1180 reais ($504). It will represent the Cup trophy and a player scoring a goal. Some 5,000 will be minted, the bank said.Those in silver will have a value of five reais ($2.2) and a weight of 27 grams. One will represent Fuleco, the 2014 World Cup mascot, and the other the 12 host cities. They will be sold for 190 reais ($81) apiece and 20,000 of each will be sold.The six cupronickel versions, each with a value of 2 reais ($0.86) and a weight of 10.17 grams, will cost 30 reais ($12.8). They will represent a dribble, a header or a penalty kick and 20,000 copies of each will be minted.

Messi loses to Del Potro in Argentina Posted: BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi may have been crowned world footballer of the year four times, but in his native Argentina it's tennis giant Juan Martin del Potro who is top dog.World number five Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, edged out Messi to claim Argentina's Sportsman of the Year award at the Sporto Argentino Festival.I am very happy to have received the Gold Prize of Clarin, del Potro wrote on his Facebook page. It was a great year, much better than I expected. I was there, fighting in the first place. The main thing is I feel very close to the top of the world again. I'm already looking at next season.Del Potro won four titles in 2013 and was runner-up at the Indian Wells and Shanghai Masters. He also made the semi-finals at Wimbledon, losing a five-set epic to Novak Djokovic in the longest men's last-four clash in the history of the tournament.

'Unfair' if Ronaldo denied Ballon d'Or: Real Posted: MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said Friday it would be unfair if star striker Cristiano Ronaldo failed to win the Ballon d'Or for World Footballer of the Year in 2013.I am convinced he will win because it would be an injustice if he didn't when everyone knows he's the best player in the world, the Real president told reporters during annual Christmas drinks with the media.Ronaldo has been shortlisted alongside Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich's French winger Franck Ribery for the Ballon d'Or, which is to be presented in Zurich on January 13. The Portuguese won the award in 2008 but he has had to watch it being handed over to Argentine archrival Messi in every year since.This year, the injury-hit Messi seems to be less of a favourite while Ronaldo has been dazzling on the pitch. On Tuesday, he became the first player to score nine goals in the group stages of the Champions League as Real won 2-0 away at FC Copenhagen.Nevertheless, the 28-year-old striker was clearly upset by recent comments by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who described Ronaldo as a commander and mocked his demeanour on the field. Blatter also said he personally preferred Messi as a player.Questioned by reporters, Ronaldo later refused even to confirm he would attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony this year.But Real's chief was confident the player would turn up. Until now he has always gone to the awards, Perez said.The club president said he hoped Real would win their longed-for 10th Champions League trophy. It would be a gift for all our fans, especially for our members, he said.Perez added he and coach Carlo Ancelotti are hoping Xabi Alonso will extend his contract, which expires next summer. He knows we would be delighted if he carries on with us next season, said Perez.The Real chief said he had not heard anything from club officials of a possible departure by Argentine international Angel Di Maria, who has lost his starting place in the team.I asked and they told me no-one had approached the club, Perez said.

Badminton: Lee fears no one in Superseries Finals Posted: KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - World number one Lee Chong Wei put on a less than stellar performance to beat Denmark's Jan O Jorgensen to top Group A at the BWF World Superseries Final on Friday.The Malaysian, who is chasing a record fourth Superseries title, but his first since 2010, edged the fighting Dane 23-21, 24-22 in 50 minutes before declaring: I'm ready to meet anyone in the semi-finals.I didn't go all out today as I wanted to conserve some energy for tomorrow's semi-finals, said Lee who has not dropped a set all tournament.Both of us already qualified for the semis and it didn't matter who won. Obviously, I hate to lose on my home ground, so I did try little harder when it mattered, he added.Lee, who has taken six Superseries titles this year, controlled the first game against Jorgensen and led 11-6 at the interval. He moved his opponent round the court and won numerous points with delicate drop shots, some of which clipped the net before falling in.Jorgensen trailed all the way before finally taking the lead at 21-20. But he failed to capitalise on the advantage as Chong Wei won the next three points.The second game was a different story as Jorgensen, now playing with a slight draft to his back, fought back to lead 11-8 at the interval.He moved further ahead to 15-11, before Lee shifted into fifth gear to level at 16.They then traded points and once again Jorgensen threw away game point at 22-21 to lose 24-22.In Group B, Kenichi Tago of Japan and Indonesia's Tommy Sugiarto were gifted their tickets to the semi-finals when another Indonesian, Sony Dwi Kuncoro, pulled out after aggravating an old leg injury while coming down from the team bus.Meanwhile, three-time champions Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen scraped into the semi-finals of the men's doubles when Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa lost 21-13, 21-17 to South Korea's Ko Sung-Hyun and Lee Yong-Dae.All three pairs finished with a win and a defeat. They were also level on games won and lost (2-2) but Ko-Lee took top spot by as they won 77 points and conceded 72 while the Danes finished on 75-77 and the Japanese on 72-75.The $500,000 season-ender brings together the top eight performers in each of the five categories based on points earned from the 12 Superseries tournaments.

Golf: Brooks leads, Campillo, Nel card 59s at Mandela event Posted: DURBAN (AFP) - England's Daniel Brooks remained in charge at the rain-ravaged Nelson Mandela Championship on Friday while Jorge Campillo and Colin Nel carded 59s.Spain's Campillo and South African Nel both broke the 60 barrier although they will not enter the record books as preferred lies were allowed on Mount Edgecombe's saturated fairways.Following lengthy delays on both Wednesday and Thursday, organisers were forced to reduce the tournament to 54 holes after another three-hour delay on Friday.Campillo had two eagles and seven birdies to reach 11 under par for the tournament, while first round leader Brooks was 12 under with seven holes of his second round remaining when darkness brought play to a halt.England's Matthew Baldwin shot a 62 to share the clubhouse lead with Campillo, with home favourites Branden Grace, Oliver Bekker and Dawie van der Walt on ten under.We play other par 70s on Tour, but you still have to shoot 59 and I'm pretty happy with the way I finished, said 27-year-old Campillo.I was never close to 59 before, but in the Dutch Open I was eight under with three holes to go on a par 70. Finishing with three birdies would have put me on 59 but I finished par-par-bogey. That helped me a lot today, because finishing well was important and I did it.Despite his 59, Nel was back on four under for the tournament after an opening 77.

Oil prices mixed ahead of Libya's return to market Posted: NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices traded mixed Friday as Libya was expected to begin exporting more crude into a market already flush with supply.On the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery fell 90 cents to $96.60 a barrel.In London, Brent North Sea crude for January finished 16 cents higher at $108.83.Traders were waiting to see if a Libyan tribe leader's pledge to open up its crude terminals on December 15 would hold up, after his followers kept a blockade on the installations for months.The protests and blockades of fuel deliveries by the Berber minority slashed Libya's output to about 250,000 barrels per day, from normal levels of nearly 1.5 million barrels per day.Libya's light crude is valued in European refineries.Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates said the US hitting its highest level of production in 25 years, with more gains predicted for next year, was also keeping downward pressure on prices.The US Energy Information Administration said that American crude output had reached 8.075 million barrels per day, and would rise to an average of 8.5 million barrels per day next year.

Dollar-euro rate stable ahead of Fed meeting Posted: NEW YORK (AFP) - Key forex market rates were almost unchanged Friday as traders looked ahead to next weeks critical policy meeting of the US Federal Reserve, and whether it will cut back its stimulus.The dollar edged a little higher against the euro, after a day trading in a narrow range.Around 2300 GMT, the euro was at $1.3738, down from $1.3752 late Thursday.The dollar bought 103.23 yen, down from 103.36, while the euro was at 141.81 yen, down from 142.15.Analysts were split on whether the Fed would begin cutting its $85 billion a month bond-buying program at its meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.Some say the decision, supported by improving economic data, could be put off until late January.It will likely be small at first, whatever the case, many said.Taper or not, the Fed will likely introduce a modification or addition to the forward guidance, said Shushanik Papanyan at BBVA Research.The choices laid out by the FOMC are introduction of an inflation floor of 1.5 percent or reduction of the threshold of the unemployment rate.The British pound slipped to $1.6298 from $1.6350. The dollar was little changed at 0.8895 Swiss franc.

NASA mulls spacewalks to fix space station Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - A series of spacewalks might be necessary to fix a breakdown in the equipment cooling system aboard the International Space Station, NASA said Friday.A US space agency spokesman told AFP that NASA will decide by Monday on the appropriate measures to fix the breakdown, which has posed no danger to the six-man crew.Station program managers will have further discussions on potential contingency spacewalk planning that could result in multiple spacewalks to replace the pump module beginning as early as late next week, said a NASA statement.NASA is also expected to decide by Monday on whether Orbital Sciences maiden launch of its Cygnus unmanned cargo craft can go ahead as scheduled on December 18.The cooling problem occurred Wednesday in a flow valve that controls the temperature of the equipment aboard the station.Engineers on the ground have been trying to fix the issue, but a spacewalk might be necessary to get a closer look at the external thermal control loops -- of which two exist on the station -- and the defective valve.The astronauts have the necessary equipment on board the ISS if a replacement of the pump is needed, NASA has said.A temporary fix is in place in the meantime, in which some equipment has been shut down to save power.A similar equipment failure in 2010 required three spacewalks to fix.If spacewalks are called for this time, they would mark the first time astronauts have ventured outside the orbiting lab since a helmet leak brought an early end to a European astronauts outing in July.Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano was wearing a US-made spacesuit when a water leak flooded his helmet and risked drowning him.NASA has not yet announced the results of an investigation into what went wrong with his spacesuit.There is a planned spacewalk by two Russians on board the station for December 27.Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy are slated for an outing to install cameras and other equipment on a platform outside the Russian segment of the station.

 

 

Dunya TV, News

Dunya TV

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• US drone strikes down since curbs were imposed
• ECP to finalize preparations for LG polls
• Karachi: 10 accused arrested
• Lahore: Couple killed in robbery attempt
• Culprits behind Rawalpindi tragedy identified
• US to keep Patriot missiles in Turkey for another year
• Russia and Egypt strike missile deal: Moscow
• Seven children killed in Afghan blast: official
• Kerry says won't visit Israel this weekend
• Sardinia flash floods leave nine dead
• Qatar vows to protect World Cup workers
• Football: Gerrard confident England will avoid Germany rout
• Messi's injury problems may be his own fault
• Rossi scores in Italy's 2-2 draw with Nigeria
• Golf: Pebble Beach secures PGA spot through 2014

US drone strikes down since curbs were imposed Posted: WASHINGTON (Agencies) - Six months after President Obama vowed to change his administrations approach to lethal drone missile strikes, the pace of aerial attacks has fallen sharply, thanks in part to stricter targeting criteria.Obama also promised to make the drone campaign more transparent. But a blanket of secrecy thus far has remained firmly in place.The Democrat-led Senate Intelligence Committee voted on Nov. 5 to require the administration to disclose how many civilians and militants were killed by drones each year. That tally has never been publicly available.The panel also voted to impose additional intelligence demands before the White House could authorize a drone strike against a U.S. citizen or resident alien. Drones have killed five Americans since 2002, although only one, Al Qaeda operative Anwar Awlaki, was officially marked for death.The American people should be given basic facts about mistakes when they are made, and they should also be given the rules that the government must follow when targeting and killing an American involved in terrorist activities, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a committee member, said in a statement.The proposed restrictions, however, part of a broader intelligence bill, may not survive. Republicans on the Senate panel voted for the bill, but most opposed the drone amendments. Key lawmakers in the GOP-controlled House also oppose the provisions.The White House has yet to take a position. Caitlin Hayden, spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said the administration already was transparent concerning drones.The president has committed to undertaking these activities with the greatest possible transparency, and we will continue to share as much information as possible with the American people, the Congress and the international community, she said.In a speech in May at National Defense University, Obama said he had signed a policy directive that set new standards before the White House would approve targeted killing by drones.Obama said the CIA had to show that a proposed target posed a continuing imminent threat to Americans, rather than a significant threat, the previous standard. In addition, no attack would be ordered without near certainty that civilians would not be harmed, the president said.The number of strikes already had fallen before May, but the new rules served to cut the frequency further.The Long War Journal, which tracks drone attacks through local news reports, has counted 22 strikes this year in Yemen, down from 42 last year. It has counted 25 attacks in Pakistan this year, down from 46 last year and a peak of 117 in 2010. A single strike has been reported in Somalia this year.Administration officials have said drone strikes have killed relatively few civilians, but have refused to say how many. The Long War Journal says 11 civilians have been killed in Pakistan this year and two in Yemen; other estimates are higher.In June, a drone-launched missile hit an SUV carrying an Al Qaeda commander in Yemen. CIA officers didnt realize that his younger brother also was in vehicle, according to U.S. officials who would not be named because the operation is classified. The CIA later put the victims age at between 6 and 13.The CIA has given a classified briefing to Congress on the death, but has refused to acknowledge it publicly. The NSAs Hayden declined to comment.Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the number of noncombatant deaths was significantly lower than critics claimed. She said she had urged the White House to disclose the data so the American people know how careful these strikes have been.In part, drone strikes have declined because there are fewer identified terrorist leaders to hit. In Pakistan, the core leadership of the Al Qaeda network founded by Osama bin Laden has been decimated, although remnants are still active.But experts say the Nov. 1 drone strike that killed Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, who helped organize the suicide bombing that killed seven CIA officers and contractors in December 2009 in eastern Afghanistan, proves that drones remain a vital counter-terrorism weapon.Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which is based in Yemen, has weakened but is still virulent. Nine U.S. drone strikes were launched against the group in August after authorities detected a plot against U.S. embassies. But the pace has dropped to about two a month since then.Harold Koh, who served as State Department legal advisor in Obamas first term, said in an email that the new targeting standards had disciplined the drone program.But Koh, now a professor at Yale Law School, said he saw little or no movement on making the program more transparent, a goal he believes is necessary to boost the programs legitimacy abroad.In May, White House aides indicated that the Pentagon would take over at least some covert drone operations from the CIA. The military operates under different legal statutes than the CIA, and can provide more information to the public.That plan has stalled, however, due to logistical, bureaucratic and legal concerns.The CIA is resisting giving up its drones, especially in Pakistan, where the government almost certainly would oppose U.S. military operations. Some counter-terrorism officials also worry that the Pentagon wont be able to act as quickly as the CIA.Leon E. Panetta, who served as CIA director from 2009 to 2011 and as secretary of Defense from 2011 to 2013, favors shifting more drone operations to the military.We made a great deal of progress at the CIA, and it was a very effective operation in terms of establishing targets and conducting very specific strikes at going after core Al Qaeda leadership, he said on CBS Face the Nation on Nov. 10.The Pentagon is beginning to develop that kind of capability, he said. I think ultimately the more we can probably put into the military the better, because its a much more open process.

ECP to finalize preparations for LG polls Posted: RAWALPINDI (Online) - The meeting of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to prepare new electoral schedule for LG polls would be held today (Tuesday).ECP has also unblocked voters' lists of Sindh and Balochistan, allowing for further corrections and additions; during what the spokesman ECP has described finalization of voters' lists from all four Provinces.The agenda also covers such issues as provision(s) of ballot papers, magnetic ink, and also the possible deployment of Army during LG polls.

Karachi: 10 accused arrested Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, police conducted a raid in Mahmoodabad and its surrounding areas and arrested 10 accused involved in various crimes.Police sources informed media that four of the accused were absconders and four others were kidnapers.Sources further informed that the accused were also involved in street crimes. Police have also recovered arms, stolen mobile phones and a motorcycle from their possession.

Lahore: Couple killed in robbery attempt Posted: LAHORE (Dunya News) – According to details, 70-year-old Riaz and his wife were killed in their house in Muslim Town area of Lahore on Monday.Police sources informed that Muhammad Riaz was killed with a sharp-edged weapon while his wife was strangulated to death.Residents of the area nabbed a man, named Ghulam Dastagir, who was fleeing from the house and handed him over to police.Meanwhile, SP CIA, Umar Virk has termed the incident as a robbery attempt. Further investigation is underway.

Culprits behind Rawalpindi tragedy identified Posted: RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Situation remained tense in Rawalpindi as traders of Raja Bazar took to the street on Monday after curfew was lifted.The protesters pelted stones on media personnel while army continued patrolling sensitive areas to avert any untoward incident.The judicial commission and fact finding committee formed to probe the incident has started their work. Police and district administration have provided initial details to the fact finding committee. More than 40 culprits involved in the incident have identified with the help of CCTV cameras.Majority of attackers belonged to other cities. Police teams will also visit Parachinar and Gilgit-Baltistan and seek assistance of intelligence agencies to arrest the culprits.On the other hand, CM Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif presided a high level meeting on Monday. The meeting decided to suspend RPO Rawalpindi Zaeem Iqbal on negligence. He will be replaced by IG Counter Terrorism Department, Aftab Cheema.Meanwhile, all public and private schools and market in Rawalpindi will remain open today (Tuesday).The sectarian clash that prompted the curfew occurred Friday. Ten people were killed in the clash and 56 people were wounded.

US to keep Patriot missiles in Turkey for another year Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States will keep two Patriot missile batteries in Turkey for another year to help bolster the countrys air defenses against threats from Syrias civil war, the Pentagon said Monday.Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told Turkeys Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Washingtons decision in talks at the Pentagon that focused on the conflict in Syria, a spokesman said.Hagel conveyed to Minister Davutoglu that the United States has decided to continue its contribution of two Patriot batteries under NATO command and control for up to one additional year, Pentagon spokesman Carl Woog said in a statement.Turkey had made a formal request to NATO to extend the deployment of the surface-to-air Patriot missiles, which are designed to counter aircraft and short-range missiles.The United States, the Netherlands and Germany have provided a total of six Patriots along the Turkish border with Syria.Turkey was once an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but now backs the opposition fighting to topple the embattled leader.At Mondays talks, Hagel and Davutoglu also discussed the imperative to eliminate the regimes chemical weapons and achieve a political transition in Syria, Woog said.Ankara has faced an influx of refugees from Syria, and Hagel praised Turkeys actions to provide humanitarian relief to the people of Syria, he added.The 32-month war has reportedly killed more than 120,000 people and displaced millions.

Russia and Egypt strike missile deal: Moscow Posted: MOSCOW (AFP) - The head of Russias state industrial holding company said on Monday that Moscow had reached an agreement to deliver air defence systems to the Egyptian army.Rostec chief Sergey Chemezovs comments came in the wake of a visit to Cairo last week by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu devoted to military and diplomatic ties.Chemezov told Russias state-run RIA Novosti news agency that some contracts (with Egypt) have already been signed -- particularly one concerning air defence systems.He did not provide any financial details and did not specify which type of missiles the deal involved.Chemezov added that the two sides were also discussing the delivery of Russian helicopters and jets.Moscows Vedomosti business daily reported on Friday that the deals under discussion were worth more than $2 billion and could be financed by Saudi Arabia.Chemezov confirmed that Egypts new rulers were discussing funding options with their regional allies and also want to ask Russia to extend them a corresponding loan.The Soviet Union was the main supplier of arms to Egypt in the 1960s and early 1970s, but cooperation declined after Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty and Cairo began receiving generous US aid.But Washington suspended some of its military aid to Egypt after the ousting of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July, and Moscow has been keen to fill the resulting void.

Seven children killed in Afghan blast: official Posted: KABUL (AFP) - Seven schoolchildren were killed and three wounded by a roadside bomb in southeastern Afghanistan on Monday, an official said.The bomb was planted on the side of a main road in the Khairkot district of Paktika province, and exploded when the children stepped on it while playing.This afternoon as a result of the mine explosion in Khairkot, seven children from one family lost their lives, provincial spokesman Mokhlis Afghan told AFP.He said they were aged 7-12 and were in elementary school. The injured children were taken to hospital.No one has yet claimed responsibility for the incident, but roadside bombs are the Talibans weapon of choice in their 12-year war against US-led and Afghan security forces.

Kerry says won't visit Israel this weekend Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday he would not be able to visit Israel over the coming weekend, despite an announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Instead, Kerry said he would try to visit Israel again after the November 28 Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.Netanyahu told his ministers on Sunday at his weekly cabinet meeting that he would meet with Kerry in Jerusalem on Friday for more talks on the nuclear negotiations with Iran and the Middle East peace process.But Kerry told reporters: It looks as if I probably will not be able to get there over the course of this weekend. But I am committed to going in order to engage in the ongoing discussions that we are currently engaged in shortly after the Thanksgiving break, as soon as we can work out the timings.It will be his eighth visit to Israel and the West Bank since he took up the post as Americas top diplomat in February.Kerry was speaking after talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at the State Department.

Sardinia flash floods leave nine dead Posted: ROME (AFP) - Flash floods on the Italian holiday island of Sardinia Monday left nine people dead as rivers broke their banks and a cyclone smashed cars, flooded homes and brought down road bridges.The worst affected area was in and around the city of Olbia in the islands northeast -- a ferry port and popular destination in the summer months.Three people from the same family died when a road bridge collapsed onto their van near Olbia, while a mother and daughter were found dead in a car that was swept away in the city, the ANSA news agency reported, citing officials.A police car with four officers that had been escorting an ambulance was also swept away by the heavy rain and high winds of a cyclone named Cleopatra.Three of the officers were rescued by emergency services but a fourth died.The victims also included a 64-year-old woman who died in her flooded home in the village of Uras in southwestern Sardinia, the report said.Her husband has been taken to hospital with hypothermia and hundreds of villagers are spending the night sheltering in a local sports hall.An eighth victim, a man, was reported killed in another bridge collapse while a 90-year-old woman was found dead in a flooded home near Nuoro in the mountainous central part of the island.In Olbia, hundreds of residents took to Facebook to offer their homes as shelter for the night to those forced out of their houses on a special group entitled: Let us open our homes to our fellow citizens.

Qatar vows to protect World Cup workers Posted: DOHA (AFP) - Qatar pledged Monday to ensure respect for labourers rights after Amnesty International urged the energy-rich Gulf state to end the alarming abuse of migrants working on football World Cup infrastructure.A 169-page Amnesty report called on world football governing body FIFA to press Qatar to improve labour conditions, alleging exploitation of the workers, mostly from South or Southeast Asia.In response, the organising committee in Doha, which rejects claims of slavery-style conditions on construction sites in the worlds wealthiest nation per capita, pledged to impose respect for workers rights.The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee (Q22) said it had held constructive talks with Amnesty on Sunday on the conditions of foreign labourers, and that the dialogue would continue right up to the tournament.A Workers Welfare Standards setting clear guidelines from recruitment to repatriation is to be issued at the end of this year, it said in a statement.It stressed that compliance would be a contractual obligation for companies working on Q22 projects and would be robustly monitored.In a damning report, however, Amnesty said its researchers had heard one construction firm manager use the term animals to describe migrant workers.Amnesty secretary general Salil Shetty said the findings indicated an alarming level of exploitation in Qatar, and called the abuses widespread and not isolated.FIFA has a duty to send a strong public message that it will not tolerate human rights abuses on construction projects related to the World Cup, he said.After meeting Qatars emir and prime minister on November 9 in Doha, FIFA chief Sepp Blatter said the issue of working conditions was being addressed.On Monday, FIFA said human rights must be respected.FIFA has made very clear... that it upholds respect for human rights and the application of international norms of behaviour as a principle and part of all our activities, it said.It said that it understood and shared Amnestys efforts to ensure justice and respect for rights, adding it expects the hosts of its competitions fully respect these.German trade union chief Michael Sommer, meanwhile, called for FIFA to pull the World Cup from Qatar unless the country improves conditions of migrant workers.We urge an immediate end to forced labour conditions or the World Cup be withdrawn from Qatar, said the president of the Federation of German Trade Unions (DGB), Michael Sommer.And a South Asian rights group called for a boycott of the tournament in Qatar.The preparations provide an opportunity to expose the treatment of migrant workers by a rich nation, said Suhas Chakma, director of the New Delhi-based Asian Centre for Human Rights.Chakma said countries which support human rights should boycott the event.

Football: Gerrard confident England will avoid Germany rout Posted: LONDON (AFP) - England captain Steven Gerrard has vowed his side will not be humiliated by Germany in a friendly international at Londons Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.Gerrard was a member of the England side that crashed out of the 2010 World Cup after a 4-1 defeat by old rivals Germany in South Africa.England were outclassed in Bloemfontein by Joachim Loews men -- but Liverpool midfielder Gerrard warned Germany not to expect such an easy ride in London.Ahead of equalling Bobby Moores record of 108 England caps, Gerrard said: I would say we are (better) now, and the reason I say that I feel that if we were to meet Germany tomorrow in a World Cup situation I dont think we would leave the pitch having been beaten 4-1.I do feel we are a lot stronger. There is a good mix of youth and experience in the squad at the moment. We are all moving forward and improving all the time.I look back to the Chile result (losing 2-0 in a friendly at Wembley on Friday) and I come away from that game feeling different from a lot of people, having read what I read.Im really confident that if we were to meet Chile further on into a World Cup competition we would have the players at full strength to go and beat them.They are always physical encounters and even though it is a friendly it is a game all the players are desperate to win and bounce back from the Chile performance.I know they (Germany) have got fantastic players, and not just in the starting XI, I know they are going to rest a few or make some changes.These are Champions League players that are coming in to replace the players that are being rested. It shows how strong they are in most positions and how much strength in depth they have got.At 33 years-old Gerrard is being managed through the internationals with the help of injections on a hip problem after starting every single Premier League game for his club this season.I have them every couple of years, he said.I think my game returned when I had them two years ago. I surprised myself really and my game has been really good so Im hoping I can get the same return from this set Ive had.Im alright. Ive been carrying a niggle for the past two or three games around the hip area so Ive had some treatment in my back area as I have done for many years to stay on top of it.Its certainly a lot better than it was a week or 10 days ago.Roy Hodgson will be out to prevent back-to-back England defeats at Wembley for the first time in 36 years and will give Adam Lallana another chance to stake a claim for a Brazil 2014 squad spot after the Southampton midfielder made his international debut against Chile.

Messi's injury problems may be his own fault Posted: MADRID (AP) - Lionel Messi seems to keep getting injured these days, and he could be the one to blame for his own troubles.The four-time world player of the year hurt his left hamstring while playing for Barcelona on Nov. 10 and will be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks, keeping him off the field until after Christmas.Trainer Fernando Signorini, who has worked closely with Messi, tells The Associated Press in a telephone interview that he is a kid who doesnt know how to manage himself because he is so passionate for the sport. Someone has to set limits for him.Prior to his most recent injury, Messi said he was not yet 100 percent recovered from the last one.

Rossi scores in Italy's 2-2 draw with Nigeria Posted: LONDON (AP) - Giuseppe Rossi put his injury torment behind him by scoring on his first Italy start in two years in a lively 2-2 draw with Nigeria on Monday.The New Jersey-born striker took just 12 minutes to find the net for the first time in almost 30 months for Italy in a display that will raise his hopes of making the World Cup squad next year.It was another U.S.-born striker who provided Nigerias equalizer in the international friendly, when Bright Dike headed in from Shola Ameobis cross in the 35th minute. Ameobi found the target himself four minutes later with a slick volley.But Nigerias lead was erased a minute after halftime when Rossi helped to set up Emanuele Giaccherinis equalizer. The Italians were repeatedly denied a winner by goalkeeper Austine Ejide.

Golf: Pebble Beach secures PGA spot through 2014 Posted: PEBBLE BEACH (AFP) - The Pebble Beach National Pro-Am will remain on the US PGA Tour through 2024 under a 10-year sponsorship extension with AT&T announced Monday.The deal, in place since 1986, is the second-oldest current corporate presenter deal on the US tour. It was set to expire after next years edition of the event, set for February 6-9 on the Monterey Peninsula of California.The unique $6.6 million tournament, once known as the Bing Crosby Clambake when the late actor served as host, features multiple courses and amateur players, often including famous movie actors and sporting celebrities, playing in groups alongside touring professionals.Bill Murray, whose roles include a famous turn in the golf movie Caddyshack, won the Pro-Am crown in 2011.Beyond its popularity among players, celebrities and fans, the tournament has a history of making a meaningful difference in the community by contributing more than $110 million to deserving programs, US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said.

Dunya TV NEWS

Dunya TV

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• Karachi: 6 terrorists killed in encounter with police
• 54,000 Pakistanis deported from Saudi Arabia
• Karachi violence claims 4 more lives
• Pillion riding in Punjab banned on Muharram 9, 10
• Dengue claims one more life in Lahore
• Egypt sentences 12 pro-Morsi protesters to 17 years
• Morsi: No stability in Egypt unless coup reversed
• Kerry: New Iran sanctions could hurt nuclear talks
• Four US Marines killed in accident at California base
• 3 shot outside US school; drug link probed
• Mexico beat New Zealand 5-1 in first-leg playoff
• FIFA fines Poland, England for World Cup incidents
• Golf: Kerr back to defend Ochoa Invitational title
• Athletics: World doping body 'welcomes' Kenya inquiry
• Pacquiao could consider retirement after Rios bout

Karachi: 6 terrorists killed in encounter with police Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, CID police tried to stop some suspects at a check post near Lucky Pahari in Maripur area upon which the terrorists opened fire at the police party.Police returned the fire as a result six terrorists were killed while three police officials, Yasir, Faizan and Ali, also sustained injuries. The injured police officials were shifted to hospital.While talking to media, SP CID Chaudhry Aslam asid that the terrorists belonged to a banned organization and had planned to target Imam Bargha Husainia Irania Khara Dar and 9 and 10 Muharram processions.Chaudhry Aslam further informed that Ameer of a banned outfit, Gul Hassan, was also shot dead in encounter. He said that Gul Hassan was the mastermind of attack on Justice Maqbool Baqir and blast at the Imam Bargha, Ali Raza.

54,000 Pakistanis deported from Saudi Arabia Posted: LONDON (Dunya News) – Pakistan ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Naeem Khan while talking to BBC, said that from May to November 3, at least 0.8 million Pakistanis legalise their status to work in Saudi Arabia for which Pakistan embassy worked day and night for the past six months.Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan informed that there are 1.5 Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia out of which 54,000 were deported after they failed to legalise their status in Saudi Arabia till November 3.Now those Pakistanis who have failed to legalise their status may face action by the Saudi authorities.

Karachi violence claims 4 more lives Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, five-year-old Nadia who was critically injured in firing incident ne Juna Masjid in Lyari, died of her wounds in hospital.In another incident of firing, 27-year-old Hamid was gunned down in Liquatabad area while a man was shot dead in firing near Old Sabzi Mandi.In yet another incident, 45-year-old Haroot was gunned down by his rivals near Kala Pul area.

Pillion riding in Punjab banned on Muharram 9, 10 Posted: LAHORE (Dunya News) - The Punjab government has imposed a ban on pillion riding across the province on Muharram 9 and 10 and a notification in this regard was also issued.According to the directives, women, children and elderly will be exempted from the ban.According to Punjab Law Minister, Rana Sana Ullah, 13 districts in the province have been declared sensitive while the mobile phone service in Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakhar and Sargodha will also remain suspended on Muharram 9 and 10. The provincial government is also in consultation with security agencies for the suspension of mobile phone service in Lahore.The main procession of 10 Muharram in Lahore will be taken out at 11:00pm from Nisar Haveli today (Thursday) which will culminate at Karbala Game Shah after Magrib prayers on Friday after passing its traditional route.

Dengue claims one more life in Lahore Posted: LAHORE Dunya News) – According to details, 49-year-old Muhammad Saleem died in Ganga Ram Hospital on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 14 across the province.At least 77 new dengue cases have been reported during last 24 hours in Punjab out of which 24 were reported in Lahore and 33 in Rawalpindi.A spokesman of the Punjab Health Dept while talking to media informed that the number of dengue patient will decrease with fall in temperature during upcoming days.

Egypt sentences 12 pro-Morsi protesters to 17 years Posted: CAIRO (AFP) - An Egyptian court sentenced 12 supporters of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi to 17 years in prison on Wednesday for taking part in a violent student-led protest, state media reported.The official MENA news agency reported that the protesters were convicted of attacking the headquarters of the Islamic Al-Azhar institution during the protest.Morsis Muslim Brotherhood movement said on its website all those sentenced were students at Al-Azhars university.The men were arrested after protesters in October tried to storm Al-Azhars head office, which supported the militarys overthrow of Morsi.The men will be allowed to post 64,000 Egyptian pounds ($9,300) bail while they appeal the sentences.More than 1,000 people, most of them Morsis supporters, have been killed in clashes with police since he was removed in July.Thousands have been arrested, with many going to trial.Fourteen suspected supporters of Morsi who were on trial for allegedly taking part in separate violent protests were acquitted on Sunday.Morsi himself is on trial for alleged involvement in the killings of opposition protesters outside his palace.He is to stand trial with 14 other defendants, including former presidential aides and senior Muslim Brotherhood members.Much of the groups leadership, including its supreme guide Mohamed Badie, are in prison and police continue to round up dozens of the Islamists each week.The crackdown has severely restricted the movements ability to mobilise, but its supporters still hold daily protests to demand Morsi be reinstated.Morsis lawyer said on Wednesday that the ousted president has warned that stability would not return to Egypt until the coup that toppled him is reversed.Egypt will not regain its stability except by annulling this coup, Morsis lawyer Mohamed al-Damati said the former president had told him.

Morsi: No stability in Egypt unless coup reversed Posted: CAIRO (AP) - Egypts ousted President Mohammed Morsi accused the military chief who deposed him of treason in a message from prison read by lawyers on Wednesday, saying the country cannot return to stability until the coup is reversed and those behind it are tried.The statement was part of a bid by Morsi to rally his supporters since his emergence from the secret military detention where he had been held, with virtually no contact with the outside world since his July 3 ouster.Morsi was moved to a high security civilian penitentiary last week after the first session of his trial on charges of inciting murder. There, he had his first extensive meeting with a team of lawyers from his Muslim Brotherhood and other allies on Tuesday, outlining to them his message to the Egyptian people.But he is emerging to a dramatically changed situation from four months ago.Since then, a fierce crackdown by security forces has crippled the Brotherhood, several thousand members have been arrested, and hundreds have been killed. The group has been banned by a court order and a government-appointed committee is reviewing its financial assets with an eye to seize them. The new military-backed government is pushing ahead with a transition plan aiming for new presidential and parliamentary elections early next year.In the most recent verdict in the crackdown, a court sentenced 12 pro-Morsi supporters to 17 years in prison each over charges linked to violence at Al-Azhar, Sunni Islams main seat of learning. The Brotherhood described the defendants, who may appeal the ruling, as Morsi supporters. The court set bail for each defendant at 64,000 Egyptian pounds ($9,000) pending any appeal.The verdict said the defendants were convicted for gathering to influence authorities and impede implementation of the law, as well as thuggery, assault, sabotage and other charges. Egypts official news agency says protesters at the time had hurled chunks of marble at the building and insulted the grand imam.Under the crackdown, protests by Morsis supporters have dwindled and have been reduced to small gatherings in universities or localized neighborhood rallies. Security officials, however, worry the protests could flare stronger with the lifting of a 3-month-old state of emergency and curfew, which the government confirmed in a statement will happen Thursday.Ahead of the lifting, the government said in a statement that it had reviewed the security plan to be put in action, which included increasing police deployments, including mobile and fixed checkpoints in the streets.Any attempts to destabilize the country or undermine state or citizens security will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law, the statement said.The military-backed interim government also announced the setting of a maximum wage for government employees, a step aimed at achieving social justice long demanded by those who led the 2011 uprising which ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak of power. The Cabinet decided that starting in January, the top government wage will be $6,000 a month. The minimum wage was raised several months ago to $171 a month.Morsis statement laid down a hard line, praising protesters for their steadfastness and vowing the coup would be reversed.The coup has begun to fall apart and will topple in the face of the steadfastness of the Egyptian people, he said in the statement, read by the lawyers at a press conference. His lawyers stressed that they had taken notes from Morsi and articulated the message themselves.He said Defense Minister Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who heads the military, had violated his oath of loyalty and committed treason against God and treason against the whole nation by driving a wedge among the people of Egypt.He also said Egypt will not see stability until the military coup is eliminated and those responsible for shedding Egyptians blood are held accountable.The 62-year-old Morsi also gave his first account of his detention. He said was kidnapped forcefully and against my will on July 2, a day before el-Sissi announced the installation of a new interim president. He said he was kept in a Republican Guards facility for three days, then moved to a naval base.Military and security officials refused to divulge where Morsi was kept until his trial, citing concerns for his safety. Morsi also said he did not meet any military leaders during his detention.In his trial, Morsi has so far refused to accept legal representation, insisting he remains the elected president and that the tribunal against him is illegitimate. In the trials first session Morsis first public appearance since his ouster he spoke out defiantly, portraying himself as president.The session, however, was not aired live and no cameras or recording devices were allowed in the courtroom. The only imagery made public from the trial was a short video with no sound that was aired later on state and independent TV channels, showing a healthy Morsi in a dark suit stepping out of a minibus to the courtroom, and later inside the cage.Lawyer Mohammed el-Damati, who acts as a spokesman for the Brotherhood legal team, said at the press conference Wednesday that so far that position has not changed after the prison meeting the day before, and that it is too early to say whether Morsi will accept a lawyer. He has until the next session of the trial, on Jan. 8, to decide.The team of lawyers will start pursuing legal measures against the coup and those behind it, el-Damati said.When asked what are the legal options Morsi and his team think they can take to reverse the coup, el-Damati said, These are thorny issues. One possibility is to make a complaint to the prosecutor-general or file a suit in administrative courts arguing that the decisions taken by el-Sissi are null and invalid.

Kerry: New Iran sanctions could hurt nuclear talks Posted: WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned Congress on Wednesday against hurting a historic opportunity for a nuclear pact with Iran by pressing ahead with new sanctions while talks continue.Kerry said the United States and other world powers are united behind an offer they presented to Iranian negotiators in Geneva last week. But he said action now from U.S. lawmakers could shatter the international coalition made up of countries with interests as divergent as France, Russia and China, ending hopes of a peaceful end to the decade-long nuclear standoff with the Islamic republic.The countries worry that Tehran is trying to assemble an atomic weapons arsenal. Iran insists its program is solely for peaceful energy production and medical research purposes.We put these sanctions in place in order to be able to put us in the strongest position possible to be able to negotiate. We now are negotiating, Kerry told reporters ahead of testifying before the Senate Banking Committee. And the risk is that if Congress were to unilaterally move to raise sanctions, it could break faith in those negotiations, and actually stop them and break them apart.With nuclear negotiations set to resume in Switzerland next week, the Obama administration dispatched Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden to Congress to seek more time for diplomacy.Kerry said negotiators should have a few weeks more to see if they can reach an agreement.The request faces sharp resistance from members of Congress determined to further squeeze the Iranian economy and wary of yielding any ground to Iran in the talks.The Iranian regime hasnt paused its nuclear program, said Rep. Ed Royce, a Republican and the House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman. Why should we pause our sanctions efforts, as the administration is pressuring Congress to do?Kerry said the potential accord with Iran relates to a tough proposal, adding: If it werent strong, why wouldnt Iran have accepted it yet?Kerry added: What were asking everyone to do is calm down, look hard at what can be achieved and what the realities are. If this doesnt work, we reserve the right to dial back up the sanctions. I will be up here on the Hill asking for increased sanctions, and we always reserve the military option.So we lose absolutely nothing, except for the possibility of getting in the way of diplomacy and letting it work.Last weeks talks broke down as Iran demanded formal recognition of what it calls its right to enrich uranium, and as France sought stricter limits on Irans ability to make nuclear fuel and on its heavy water reactor to produce plutonium, diplomats said.President Barack Obama spoke Wednesday by telephone with French President Francois Hollande. The two countries are in full agreement on Iran, the White House said in a statement.Obama is under pressure at home and abroad to resolve the Iran nuclear standoff, having said the U.S. has until sometime next year before the Islamic republic could reach nuclear weapons capacity. Obama has reached out in an unprecedented manner to Irans new President Hassan Rouhani, with the two men holding the first direct conversation between U.S. and Iranian leaders in more than three decades.At the same time, Obama has angered U.S. allies Israel and Saudi Arabia, which see an Iranian nuclear arsenal as existential threats.The new sanctions were overwhelmingly approved by the Republican-led House in July. The legislation blacklisted Irans mining and construction sectors and committed the U.S. to the goal of eliminating all Iranian oil exports worldwide by 2015. If the Senate Banking Committee pushes off its parallel bill any longer, lawmakers could attach it to a Senate defense bill which could come up for debate as early as Thursday.

Four US Marines killed in accident at California base Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - Four US Marines died Wednesday in an accident at a training range at Camp Pendleton in California, officials said.The incident occurred during a range maintenance operation, the Marine Corps said in a statement, without providing further details.Range maintenance usually refers to the detonation of ordnance, officials said.The cause of the accident is currently under investigation and more information will be provided as it becomes available, the Marine Corps said.In March, seven Marines died and eight others injured at Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada when a mortar bomb exploded during a live-fire training exercise.

3 shot outside US school; drug link probed Posted: PITTSBURGH (AP) - Three high school students heading to their vehicle after classes ended were shot Wednesday afternoon, and police investigating whether the shooting was drug-related brought six people in for questioning, school and police officials said.The three teenagers were shot outside Brashear High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as they walked to a vehicle theyd all taken to school earlier in the day, school district spokeswoman Ebony Pugh said. Nearby residents said they heard seven or eight shots.The wounds of the victims, all boys, appeared to be non-life-threatening, both Pugh and police spokeswoman Diane Richard said, though their descriptions of the wounds differed slightly. Pugh said two students were grazed in the head and one was shot in both the foot and arm. Richard said one was grazed in the neck and shoulder, but not the head.Police believe the shooting might stem from a drug-related fight between some students last month, Richard said. She didnt immediately provide more details.Six people were brought in for questioning, Pittsburgh public safety director Michael Huss said about two hours after the shooting. Police wouldnt say whether theyre also students, and Richard said theyre not suspects or necessarily going to be charged.None of the victims immediately spoke or cooperated with police, Richard said. All were listed in good to stable condition at city hospitals, she said. Two are 17 and one is 16.The student who was shot in the head was found inside the school, though thats because he made his way back to the school, and was pulled back inside by one of the administrators, Richard said.She stressed, There was no shooting at Brashear school. ... The shooting did not happen in the school.Brashear is a high school with about 1,400 students and 100 faculty. The school was locked down briefly, though students were released to their parents about 90 minutes after the shooting.

Mexico beat New Zealand 5-1 in first-leg playoff Posted: MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico swept to a 5-1 victory over New Zealand in the first leg of their intercontinental playoff on Wednesday to become the overwhelming favorite for a place at next years World Cup finals.Paul Aguilar put Mexico ahead in the 32nd minute and Raul Jimenez made 2-0 before the break. Oribe Peralta added two more in the second half before Rafael Marquez scored in the 84th and Chris James grabbed a consolation goal for New Zealand a minute later.Mexico, which was lucky to reach the playoff, now just needs to finish the job in the second leg next Wednesday in New Zealand.Mexico scored only seven goals in 10 qualifying games, but broke through under new coach Miguel Herrera. Herrera, the fourth Mexico coach in two months, used only players based in the national league, omitting stars like Javier Hernandez of Manchester United.That focus on domestic league players was partly to deal with Mexico Citys altitude of 2,240 meters (7,350 feet), which seemed to fatigue New Zealand.Mexico finished behind the United States, Costa Rica and Honduras in CONCACAF qualifying, with those three advancing automatically to Brazil. Mexico only secured fourth place after the United States scored two late goals last month to defeat Panama which was winning at the time and would have reached the playoff.Aguilar broke the deadlock by chipping in from 10 meters (yards) after keeper Glen Moss was caught off his line and Jimenez found the net eight minutes later with a close-range header after threatening to score several times.Only Moss, who made several acrobatic saves, kept Mexico from scoring more in the first half at Azteca stadium.Moss punched away a shot from Jimenez in the 18th, which nearly crossed the line. In the 24th, Francisco Rodriguez hit the crossbar, and in the 27th Moss stopped Jimenezs shot from point-blank range.Peralta put the match beyond New Zealands reach just three minutes after the re-start, collecting a cross from the left and slotting home from six meters (yards), and then scored his second with an 80th-minute header. Marquez then nodded home Mexicos fifth, before James scored with a volley off the post.It was the second one-sided victory of the day. Earlier, Uruguay hammered Jordan 5-0 away in another intercontinental playoff for next years World Cup in Brazil.

FIFA fines Poland, England for World Cup incidents Posted: ZURICH (AP) - FIFA has fined the English and Polish football associations for crowd trouble at their World Cup qualifying match at Wembley Stadium last month.FIFA says it fined the Polish association 30,000 Swiss francs ($32,760) for incidents of crowd disturbance at the Oct. 15 match.Poland fans lit numerous flares inside the stadium, and one visiting fan ran on to the field during the match.FIFA fined the English FA 10,000 Swiss francs ($10,920) for allowing the incidents.FIFA rules hold host nations responsible for security inside their stadiums.England won 2-0 to qualify for the World Cup as winners of Group H.

Golf: Kerr back to defend Ochoa Invitational title Posted: GUADALAJARA (AFP) - Cristie Kerr defends her title at this weeks Lorena Ochoa Invitational, the penultimate event of the 2013 LPGA season.Kerr erased a two-stroke final round deficit to beat current world number one Park In-Bee of South Korea at Guadalajara Country Club last year.Kerr has already won one title this season, at the Kingsmill Championship in May.She said this weeks event, hosted by former world number one Lorena Ochoa, is one of the tours more restful stops and a perfect build up to the season-ending Titleholders, which features players who have earned top-three finishes during the season.Its always a relaxing atmosphere, Kerr said of a tournament that this year features 36 players vying for a $150,000 first prize from a purse of $1 million.Everybody always hangs out in the clubhouse after their round and has great Mexican food and margaritas. Its just a lot of fun.Despite the laid-back atmosphere, there is still plenty at stake for the LPGAs top players.It has come down to a two-woman race for Player of the Year honors, with Park holding a 38-point lead over Norways Suzann Pettersen.Pettersen, who has come on strong in the final half of the season, can keep the race alive if she finishes third or better this week, depending on where Park finishes.A runner-up finish for Park would mean the South Korean star could finish no worse than a tie for first in the Player of the Year race.Park is also in front of Pettersen in the money list with $2,335,460 thanks to a season that has included six victories.Pettersen is second with $2,241,847 in winnings.Its only the second time in LPGA Tour history that two players have earned $2 million in one season. In 2006, both Ochoa and Australian Karrie Webb topped $2 million.American Stacy Lewis comes into the tournament leading the chase for the Vare Trophy for the player with the lowest scoring average, with both Pettersen and Park still in with a chance of catching her.

Athletics: World doping body 'welcomes' Kenya inquiry Posted: JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - The global doping policing body gave a luke-warm welcome Wednesday to a Kenyan inquiry into doping allegations against its athletes, after criticism of a lack of action.I welcome what appears to be some action, said World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president John Fahey at a global conference against performance-enhancers in sports.Kenya named a 12-member task force on Monday to investigate a German media report that the blood-boosting drug EPO and other doping products were readily available to local athletes.But the Kenyan delegation at the anti-doping conference in Johannesburg had not spoken to WADA about it, said Fahey.Theres been no formal communication for what they propose, he told journalists.I look forward to finding out the details.WADA had been asking Kenyan authorities to investigate for 18 months with no action on assurances, Fahey said earlier in the week.He hinted then that WADA might probe doping allegations itself under new doping rules that will give the body new teeth when it comes into effect in 2015.Since January last year, increased doping tests have netted 17 Kenyan cheats, though none of them big-name athletes.The allegations have cast a shadow over Kenya, famed for its distance runners who hold world records from the 800m through to the marathon and where running is a major source of national pride.

Pacquiao could consider retirement after Rios bout Posted: BANGKOK (AP) - Manny Pacquiaos trainer says the Filipino boxer may contemplate retirement if he fails to perform well in his upcoming bout against Brandon Rios.Fredy Roach says if the Rios fight does not go well, we will seriously talk about his retirement, but that Pacquiao was training as well as ever for the Nov. 24 bout in Macau.Pacquiao faces Rios following successive losses to Timothy Bradley in a much-criticized judges decision and then a stunning knockout against Juan Manuel Marquez.He has been preparing in the southern city of General Santos City, which was not affected by the typhoon that hit the east coast of the Philippines last Friday.

Who will suffer consequences of Military Option?

Who will suffer consequences of Military Option?

After serious allegations of using large-scale chemicals weapons on civilians in Syria by Syrian forces, the US and its allies are thinking over using military option in Syria to uproot Bashar al-Assad regime. However, the real dilemma is how could it be turned into reality in circumstances where it’s now exceedingly difficult for the US forces to militarily intervene in Syria.


Despite a prolong war in Syria, the US and Western countries have virtually failed in seeking a concrete support from Syrian people and are solely depending upon an ineffective opposition. While some unknown militant groups supported and aided by US and Arab monarchies are functioning for their own specific interests, some other terrorists groups gathered in Syria, looking for their own “interests” and “opportunities”.


All these oppositions are termed as “activists”, who are showing footages and photos of unconscious children, people foaming around the mouth and doctors apparently giving them oxygen to help them breathe. As this goes allegedly against Bashar al-Assad so it has triggered disgust around the world.
  
Its a part of a Blog written by Syed Shahzad Alam in The News Blog.

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From Glasgow to Pakistan

From Glasgow to Pakistan

I left Pakistan in early 1953, to come to Britain and settled in Glasgow, Scotland. As a university student and as a member of the All India Muslim Students Federation, from 1944 to 1947, I played an active part in the campaign for the creation of Pakistan. Then during 1947 and 1948, I worked for the rehabilitation of Muslim refugees from India. Thus, I witnessed the sacrifices made by the Muslims of both sides to make Pakistan a reality.
Although I have now lived outside Pakistan for sixty years, my heart is still in Pakistan. Hence, the present state of corruption and lawlessness in Pakistan and especially the frequent bomb blasts in the Mosques, roads and streets all over Pakistan hurt me and cause me much grief. However, the recent atrocity committed against the Christian worshippers during their prayers in a Church at Peshawar, made me and many other Muslims living in this country not only hurt but also deeply embarrassed and indeed ashamed. It is also disturbing to notice some occasions when Christians in Pakistan are subjected to harassment, discrimination and even violence. This is because during my long residence in this Christian country I have always found Christians in general and their Church leaders in particular very tolerant and sympathetic towards Muslims living in this country.
We Muslims living in this part of Britain enjoy equal rights with the Christians. We enjoy religious freedom and respect in this country. All the facilities and concessions available to the Christian Churches are equally available to Mosques. For example when in 1976 the Muslim community in Glasgow purchased a two-acre plot of land from Glasgow City Council to build a Mosque, the Council charged half the market price of the land. The Council explained that, as according to their policy 50 percent discount was allowed on the price of land sold for the building of Churches, the Council would apply the same rule for land sold for the building of the Mosques.
Recently, for a plot of land to build a Mosque in Cumbernauld, a town about 15 miles from Glasgow, the local Council charged the same concessionary price it had charged 10 years earlier for land sold for the building of a neighbouring Church. This was in spite of the fact that the price of land had doubled during those 10 years These are just two examples of the equality for all policies of the local governments.
Its a part of a Blog written by Bashir Maan in The News Blog.

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