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- Dubai announces first airport tax on passengers
- Bangladesh court orders opposition leader Zia's arrest
- Tennis: Azarenka downs Konta to reach Miami semi-finals
- Boxing: Pacquiao leaves door open to retirement U-turn
- Formula One: Hamilton relishing battles ahead as sport faces more scrutiny
- Cycling: Viviani outsprints Kittel, Kristoff leads De Panne
- Uzair Baloch reveals 10 key operatives of Lyari gangwar's women wing
- Karachi: 2 terrorists among 5 detained during Rangers operations
- Karachi: Residents thrash, shave head of fake 'Amil' over fraud
- Quetta: FIA arrests four in raid at NADRA verification office
- Punjab: Law enforcement agencies' crackdown, 150 taken into custody
- Death toll rises to 7 in Guinea Ebola outbreak
- Oil prices edge up on weaker dollar, US inventory data
- Dollar extends losses after dovish Yellen comments
- Brussels bans planned anti-Islam rally in troubled Molenbeek
| Dubai announces first airport tax on passengers Posted: DUBAI (AFP) - The emirate of Dubai, whose airport is the worlds busiest for international passengers, announced Wednesday it was introducing a tax on travellers to help finance expansion, as Gulf governments grabble with plummeting revenues.The 35-dirham ($9.50) fee will apply to all passengers, including those transitting in Dubai, on all flights from June 30, according to a statement carried by WAM state news agency.It is the first time Dubai has announced a passenger tax, which is imposed in many airports worldwide.More than 78 million passengers passed through Dubai International in 2015, keeping its place as the worlds busiest for international passengers since overtaking London Heathrow in 2014.Last month, Dubai Airports increased the capacity of its main airport to 90 million passengers with the opening of concourse D, at a cost of $1.2 billion.Dubai has a smaller second airport, Al-Maktoum International, which opened in 2013 and will receive 120 million passengers a year once completed.The receipts of the new tax will be channelled into funding the expansion of Dubai airports, the statement said.Although part of the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, Dubai has dwindling oil wealth, and its revenues are diversified compared to its oil-dependent Gulf peers.But the whole region is struggling to cope with a sharp drop in oil revenues since crude prices nosedived.Situated on transcontinental air routes, Dubai is one of several Gulf-based airports to experience prodigious growth in recent years.Around 100 airlines fly to more than 240 destinations from the international hub, which is also home to carrier Emirates.  |
| Bangladesh court orders opposition leader Zia's arrest Posted: DHAKA (AFP) - A Bangladesh court on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Khaleda Zia over a fire-bomb attack on a bus that killed two people and injured dozens last year, a prosecutor said.The Dhaka court accused Zia and 27 other leaders and officials of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of instigating the petrol bomb attack as part of a deadly anti-government campaign of arson.She is the main accused in the case, prosecutor Shah Alam Talukdar told AFP.The court issued the warrant of arrest against her and 27 other senior officials and activists.It is not the first time that Zia -- the bitter political rival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina -- has faced arrest, and BNP spokesman Ruhul Kabir Rizvi dismissed the charge as laughable.This is politically motivated and is part of deep conspiracy against her, he said.The attack took place during a nationwide blockade last year of roads, rail and waterways that the 70-year-old Zia called to try to force Hasina to resign and pave the way for new elections.The blockade unleashed a wave of deadly violence, leaving more than 120 people dead as opposition activists fire-bombed hundreds of buses and trucks and police responded by firing live rounds.Zia was confined to her office compound in Dhaka for months during the blockade, after she threatened to lead an anti-government rally through the capital on the anniversary of a disputed national election.There was no way she could have instigated the violence as she was confined to her office at that time, her lawyer Sanaullah Miah told AFP.This case is just to harass her and to keep her politically under pressure.Around 15,000 opposition supporters and dozens of BNP senior officials have been arrested as part of a crackdown by Hasina in the wake of the unrest.A judge in the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court issued the warrant against Zia after accepting a police charge-sheet over the attack in Dhaka on January 10, 2015.However, it was not immediately clear whether police would act on the order. Another arrest warrant issued against Zia last year was never executed.BNP protestEither way, the order is another blow to the two-times former premier, who has described previous cases against her as politically motivated and aimed at keeping her out of politics.Police said up to 200 BNP activists and supporters staged a protest in front of the party headquarters in Dhaka as news of the courts move emerged.They shouted slogans and staged an impromptu demonstration. But they moved back to the party office before police reached the spot, assistant commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Saifur Rahman told AFP.The BNPs second-in-command, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, was arrested Wednesday on separate charges related to the 2015 unrest. He was held in jail before being granted bail on health grounds.The BNP boycotted the 2014 general election, leaving the field clear for its rivals.The party was further weakened by the crackdown last year, when police pressed charges against thousands of their leaders and grassroots activists over the fire-bombing campaign.The party has recently been trying to stage a comeback, holding a leadership election this month after more than six years. It wants to introduce fresh faces into the leadership.  |
| Tennis: Azarenka downs Konta to reach Miami semi-finals Posted: MIAMI (AFP) - Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka advanced to the semi-finals of the ATP and WTA Miami Open on Wednesday by defeating British 24th seed Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2.Azarenka, the champion at Indian Wells earlier this month, will next face the winner of a later match between German second seed Angelique Kerber, the reigning Australian Open champion, and US 22nd seed Madison Keys.Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia and Swiss 19th seed Timea Bacsinszky will meet in Thursdays other womens semi-final.Eighth-ranked Azarenka, who was injured last year and had not been in the worlds top 10 since August of 2014 until last week, will jump to fifth next week as a result of the victory.Im going to continue to fight and get better, Azarenka said. Im trying to push myself, keep the intensity high.The mens quarter-finals began with Belgian 15th seed David Goffin rallying to beat French 18th seed Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.It was tough at the start with a little bit of wind. It wasnt easy to finish a point, Goffin said. I just tried to stay in the match and focus on what I had to do.Goffin matched his semi-final run from Indian Wells and will next play the winner of a later match between top-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic and Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych.Im feeling so good, Goffin said. Im having a great month, confident for the rest of the event and the season.Azarenka, who won the 2009 and 2011 Miami titles, could become only the third woman to win back-to-back in Miami humidity and Indian Wells desert heat after Steffi Graf in 1994 and 1996 and Kim Clijsters in 2005.If I win, thats great, Azarenka said. But right now Im looking to the semis.Azarenka, who won her first title since 2013 in January at Brisbane, seeks her 20th career WTA singles crown after beating world number one Serena Williams in the Indian Wells final.Australian Open semi-finalist Konta, who was born in Australia and became a British citizen in 2012, is the first British woman in the top 25 since 1987.In the first set, Konta double-faulted away a break to give Azarenka a 4-3 lead and lost a break point in the eighth game on a review. Azarenka held that game and rescued two break points in the 10th game, taking the set when Konta netted a backhand.In the second, Azarenka broke to love for a 2-1 lead, part of a run of 11 consecutive points. Konta sent a forehand long to surrender another break in the fifth game and Azarenka held twice to advance.I couldnt get a good rhythm on her serve at the beginning. It was tough, Azarenka said. But once I got into that rhythm, I was able to make a difference.Djokovic, trying to match Andre Agassis record of six Miami titles, has won 13 matches in a row at the hardcourt event and 27 of his past 28.The 28-year-old Serbian won his 11th Grand Slam title two months ago at the Australian Open and also has crowns this year at Doha and Indian Wells.Berdych has a career win-loss record of 2-22 against Djokovic and has lost their past nine meetings over three years.  |
| Boxing: Pacquiao leaves door open to retirement U-turn Posted: LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Manny Pacquiao said Wednesday he intends to stick to his plan to retire after a farewell fight against Timothy Bradley next week -- but admits he could be tempted into a rethink once he has hung up his gloves. The 37-year-old is preparing to bring the curtain down on one of the greatest careers boxing has ever seen when he fights Bradley for the third time at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 9. The devoutly religious Pacquiao is hoping to win election to the Philippines Senate in May elections, hoping to use his profile to serve the people in what he describes as a crusade to root out wickedness. But speaking to reporters at the famed Wild Card gym in the heart of Hollywood on Wednesday, Pacquiao refused to definitively rule out a possible return to the ring at some point in the future. Asked by AFP to confirm if Bradley would be his last fight, Pacquiao replied: After this Ive decided to go back to the Philippines and serve the people. Thats it. Yet when pressed further on whether he could change his mind, Pacquiao refused to rule out a return. Im not saying. Its hard to say. At the moment Im here training for the next fight. I cannot say yes or no. My decision is to go back to the Philippines and help the people. I dont want to say something that you know we dont know yet. I dont know what the feeling is going to be like when Im retired. Some of those closest to Pacquiao -- veteran promoter Bob Arum and his long-time trainer Freddie Roach -- hope he prolongs his career. Im hoping its not his last fight because I still think he has a lot left in him, Roach said. Theres some interesting fights out there. Roach said he had not given up hope of securing a rematch of Pacquiaos mega-fight with the now retired Floyd Mayweather.Pacquiao was comfortably beaten on points by Mayweather, later complaining that an injured shoulder had hampered his performance. Could we get a rematch with Mayweather? I would like to because I was disappointed with the first performance, Roach said.Maybe his shoulder had a lot to do with it. But I know he can do much better and I think he can beat Mayweather. Roach however said he had not sought to change Pacquiaos planned retirement date -- and acknowledged that extending his fighters career would be made more complicated if he won election to the Senate. I havent tried changing his mind, Roach said. Im not putting pressure on him. But I know there are a couple of big fights out there for him. If he becomes Senator that might have a lot to do with it because it involves a lot of work and he wont have the time. Im kind of hoping a little bit that he doesnt become Senator, Roach quipped.Arum, the 84-year-old matchmaker, offered a novel suggestion to enable Pacquiao to simultaneously pursue pugilism and politics. Manny could train downstairs at the Wild Card and the Philippines Senate could meet upstairs, Arum joked. Arum said he is sceptical Pacquiao will stay retired after the Bradley bout. I saw him in New York recently and he told me flat out this was his last fight, Arum said. But since then, reading his body language, I dont think hes going to hold to that. If he wins this fight, hes going to find a way to continue. If youve been doing something and doing something well since you were seven or eight years old its a tough thing to give up.  |
| Formula One: Hamilton relishing battles ahead as sport faces more scrutiny Posted: MANAMA (AFP) - Three-time drivers world champion Lewis Hamilton says he relishes the prospect of another wheel-to-wheel scrap with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and the Ferrari team at this weekends Bahrain Grand Prix.The 31-year-old Briton, who finished second behind Rosberg at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, has been involved in previous thrilling and close battles with the German at the Bahrain International Circuit.And he fought back after a bad start in Australia to help Mercedes deliver a one-two at the opening race after a fight to catch and overhaul the Ferrari drivers, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and the Finnish 2007 title-winner Kimi Raikkonen.Im excited by the thought that there will be more races like Melbourne, said Hamilton.We know there are going to be weekends where we are a few seconds up the road ahead of the Ferrari (team), races where its wheel to wheel and some races where they might be ahead.At the moment, we really dont know what lies ahead and that makes it exciting. Bahrain has been very entertaining for the past two seasons so more of the same would be great for everyone.Vettel and Raikkonen made the most of slow starts by the two Mercedes men in Melbourne to take control of the race and lead for more than half of the distance before they were reeled in -- partly due to tyre strategy decisions -- and overhauled.This weekend, Ferrari expect to be stronger still and may have a good early opportunity to break the Mercedes grip on early-season victories.Rosberg said: Weve stepped up our game once again this year, but Ferrari were a real threat all weekend in Melbourne and its clear that weve got a big battle on our hands.Ive had some great battles in Bahrain in the last two years, with Lewis and the Ferraris, so Im expecting more of the same and looking forward to that...Team boss Toto Wolff confirmed that Mercedes fear Ferrari more than ever this weekend, but added that he was as worried about the sports image and the likelihood of another fiasco in qualifying on Saturday.A new format of progressive elimination in which a driver was knocked out every 90 seconds resulted in near-uproar in Melbourne when the session ended without a car on the track.An immediate unanimous decision by the teams to revert to the former system of qualifying, in three timed mini-sessions without individual eliminations, failed to gain the full support of the F1 Commission.As a result, the much-maligned new format will be used again in the hot and dry conditions at the Bahrain track at Sakhir, 30 kilometres south-west of the island capital Manama.The teams were unanimous in their opinion of it in Melbourne -- and it wasnt positive, said Wolff. We havent found the right format with this change and its hard to see how it might be more entertaining for the fans this weekend in Bahrain.The sport is under scrutiny on this matter, so careful thought is required in order to make co-ordinated, intelligent steps forward from the position we are in.The fans want close racing in a format they can understand between the best drivers and cars in the world, in that order. We should be capable of delivering that.Since the Australian race, the drivers have voiced their concerns at the knee-jerk decision-making system and called for an overhaul of the administration of the sport.In an open letter, the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) said the rules structure was obsolete and in need of reform -- a position that was quickly supported by F1s veteran commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone.As the circus flies in to Bahrain, there will be as much attention paid -- once again -- to the politics in the paddock and beyond as the action out on track.  |
| Cycling: Viviani outsprints Kittel, Kristoff leads De Panne Posted: KOKSIJDE (AFP) - Italys Elia Viviani claimed the second stage of Three Days of De Panne on Wednesday, edging out Germanys Marcel Kittel and overall leader Alexander Kristoff in a sprint finish after a 211km run from Zottegem.A seven-man breakaway breathed life into the stage, with Dutch rider Pim Ligthart the final escapee to be swallowed up around 20km from the finish.Etixx-QuickStep set up Kittel to launch an assault for the line with around 250 metres to go, but the German sprint specialist was overtaken by a charging Elia, as the Team Sky rider notched up his second win of the season after claiming a stage on Februarys Tour of Dubai.Katusha rider Kristoff, winner of Tuesdays opening stage and the defending champion, holds a five-second lead going into Thursdays concluding split stages - a 111km trip around De Panne is followed by a 14.2km time-trial.  |
| Uzair Baloch reveals 10 key operatives of Lyari gangwar's women wing Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – Significant developments were made during the interrogation of Lyari gangwar head Uzair Baloch Thursday. Baloch revealed the names of 10 key operatives of Lyari gangwar’s women wing.According to the investigation sources, the 10 women wing of gangwar revealed by Baloch include Yasmeen, Fatima, Gul Bibi, Quratulain, Nabila, Sameera, Malika and Samreen.These women used to act as facilitators for the gangwar. Sources say the women of the militant group were used during extortion and delivery of ammunition. The female operatives’ wing was used for disposing the dead bodies in various areas after murder.Baloch further revealed that money collected by extortion is handed over to a woman named Annie.Investigative sources say that action shall soon be launched against Lyari gangwar’s women wing.  |
| Karachi: 2 terrorists among 5 detained during Rangers operations Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – Rangers conducted operations in different parts of Karachi in Wednesday and arrested five accused. Two terrorists were among the arrested persons.According to details, Rangers conducted an operation in Banaras area and detained two terrorists. A Rangers spokesman informed media that the arrested militants belonged to a banned outfit.A target killer was taken into custody during Rangers operation in Ranchore Line area. Rangers spokesman said that arms were also recovered from his possession.Rangers also conducted an operation in Shah Faisal Colony and arrested two extortionists. Rangers sources said that the arrested person were wanted in several cases.  |
| Karachi: Residents thrash, shave head of fake 'Amil' over fraud Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – Residents of New Karachi Town Wednesday night shaved off the head and beard of a fake ‘Amil’ (shaman) and then proceeded to thrash him. Residents then handed him over to the police after beating him up. The citizens were enraged over the ‘Amil’s’ fraudulent schemes for conning people for their money.According to the police, the fraud con artist Adnan Shah used to deceive and took money from people by showing his pictures with influential personages.Residents handed him over to New Karachi area’s police station. A case has been registered against him.WATCH VIDEO BELOW:  |
| Quetta: FIA arrests four in raid at NADRA verification office Posted: QUETTA (Dunya News) – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted a raid at NADRA verification office situated at the Airport Road On Wednesday and arrested four officials, Dunya News reported.According to FIA sources, Additional Director Nisar, Additional Director Mazhar, DEO Irfan Kakar and AS Kashif were taken into custody during the raid. Suurces further said that the raid on NADRA verification office was conducted on reports of issuance of fake CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card).  |
| Punjab: Law enforcement agencies' crackdown, 150 taken into custody Posted: LAHORE (Dunya News) – Law enforcement agencies’ late Wednesday night continued their crackdown against criminal and terrorist elements in Punjab province. 150 alleged suspects were taken into custody from Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Vehari.According to the details, police and officials of the Elite Force, on advice of Central Police Office (CPO) conducted a search operation in various areas and Afghan villages of Faisalabad. 80 alleged suspects were taken into custody during the operation.In Vehari, police and officials of Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) conducted a joint operation in Mailsi and Gaggo Mandi. 39 suspects were arrested during the operation.Law enforcement agencies in Multan took 4 alleged suspects into custody from Pir Colony.According to police sources, a search operation was conducted in Allama Iqbal Town and Hanjerwal areas of Lahore, in which intelligence officials and CTD also took part. Identification documents of residents were checked during the search operation.17 people who were unable to produce the required documents were taken into custody. Questioning from those taken into custody is underway.  |
| Death toll rises to 7 in Guinea Ebola outbreak Posted: CONAKRY (AFP) - A resurgence of Ebola in a rural Guinean community has killed seven people, health officials said Wednesday, even as the World Health Organization voiced confidence that remaining isolated cases could be contained.The WHO said Tuesday that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa no longer constituted an international emergency, but the announcement of new cases demonstrated the difficulty of managing the aftermath of the virus. The death of a man, two of his wives and his daughter were announced two weeks ago by the Guinean health authorities, who confirmed Wednesday a third wife and a mother-in-law also died after becoming infected in the village of Koropara.Polygamy is commonly practised in Guinea.On March 30, there are nine registered cases and seven deaths: three suspected and four confirmed, said Fode Tass Sylla, spokesman for Guineas Ebola response unit.Outside the family, a man died on March 22 after testing positive for Ebola in the city of Nzerekore.Two more people -- one suspected case and one confirmed -- were receiving treatment at a dedicated Ebola facility in southern Guinea, not far from the Liberian border, Sylla said. The country was declared free of Ebola transmission at the end of last year, though a significant number of deaths are believed to have gone unreported and flare-ups relating to the persistence of the virus in survivors bodies pose ongoing challenges.A WHO Ebola report released Wednesday said the virus present in the blood of one of the confirmed cases was closely related to (the) virus that circulated in south-eastern Guinea in November 2014.More than a thousand people who are believed to have come into contact with the victims are being monitored for symptoms and offered support by the authorities, with restrictions placed on their movements.Additional cases are likely because of the large number of contacts, the WHO report added.Those most at risk are also being vaccinated against the virus.The deadliest-ever outbreak of the tropical disease emerged in the same region as the new cases in December 2013 and went on to kill more than 11,300 people, mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The WHO was first alerted to the reappearance of the Ebola symptoms in the familys village on March 16, the same day it declared a similar flare-up over in Sierra Leone.  |
| Oil prices edge up on weaker dollar, US inventory data Posted: NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices rose slightly Wednesday helped by official data showing a smaller-than-expected increase in US crude stockpiles as traders worry about the global oversupply.The Department of Energy (DoE) reported another rise in US commercial crude stockpiles last week, by 2.3 million barrels. Analysts had expected about three million barrels.It wasnt that much but it still puts us at another record level of crude oil and we still have way more than we need, said James Williams of WTRG Economics.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in May edged up four cents to $38.32 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.In London, Brent North Sea crude for May delivery, the global benchmark, finished at $39.26 a barrel, up 12 cents from Tuesdays settlement.Oil prices also found support in a weaker dollar after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signaled Tuesday a cautious approach to US interest rate hikes, making crude priced in the currency cheaper for holders of rival units.If the oil price hinges on US dollar weakness, it is not going to go much higher, said Bernard Aw, strategist at traders IG Markets.In the longer term, its still a demand-and-supply game. Its still a supply-glut issue. Theres only so much the US dollar can do.Oil prices are down more than 60 percent from June 2014 largely due to oversupply and slowing economies, particularly China, the worlds largest energy consumer.Major oil producers, led by Russia and Saudi Arabia, will meet in Doha on April 17 to discuss measures to stabilize prices, including an output freeze, but the oil market sees an agreement as unlikely.This upcoming OPEC-non-OPEC meeting on the 17th is not going to accomplish anything, Williams said.  |
| Dollar extends losses after dovish Yellen comments Posted: NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar fell for the second straight day Wednesday after the dovish comments by the Federal Reserve chief signaling US interest rates would stay low for some time.Fed Chair Janet Yellen, citing risks in the global economy, said Tuesday the Fed should proceed cautiously in lifting rates, comments that analysts interpreted as taking a rate hike off the table at the April policy meeting and probably at the June meeting as well.The Fed in December lifted rates for the first time in more than nine years as it seeks to wind down easy-money support following the 2008-2009 Great Recession.We believe that the US dollar has further room to fall because of the significance of Yellens comments, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management. The dollar dipped against the euro and the yen, but by about half Tuesdays losses. The greenback dropped 0.4 percent at $1.1337 per euro and 0.3 percent at 112.41 yen.Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange, said that dimming rate hike expectations have led to the dollars worst quarterly performance in five years in the first quarter.Traders were looking ahead to Fridays closely watched monthly US jobs data. Lifting expectations that the March job growth numbers will be solid was a report by payroll processor ADP showing companies added 200,000 jobs this month.This mornings strong ADP jobs report, which implies another solid nonfarm payrolls number on Friday, is having a limited impact on the dollar given the Feds seeming willingness to look past positive data and instead focus on international risks, Esiner said.  |
| Brussels bans planned anti-Islam rally in troubled Molenbeek Posted: BRUSSELS (AFP) - The mayor of the Brussels district of Molenbeek on Tuesday said far-right extremists have been banned from holding a planned anti-Islam rally in the troubled neighbourhood, as the city remains on edge after last weeks suicide attacks.Members of the French far-right youth group Generation Identitaire had posted a message on their website asking supporters to descend on Molenbeek Saturday and march under the banner Lets expel the IslamistsThe impoverished immigrant neighbourhood of Molenbeek has long been seen as a hotbed of extremism and the prime suspect in Novembers Paris terror attacks was arrested there earlier this month, just metres from his family home.Molenbeek mayor Francoise Schepmans said the decision to ban the demo came after talks with police and other district mayors.If we had let it happen, there could have been clashes, Schepmans told AFP, amid fears the protest could trigger angry counter-demonstrations in the largely Muslim Molenbeek.The regional Brussels government will an issue an order prohibiting any demonstration or counter-demonstration in connection with this call to protest, added Mustafa Er, an aide to Schepmans. The ban will cover all of the capitals 19 districts.In a sign of the simmering tensions in the still grieving capital, riot police fired water cannon last weekend to disperse far-right football hooligans who shouted anti-immigrant slogans and disrupted mourners at a shrine for victims of the Brussels attacks.A total of 32 people were killed in the March 22 suicide bombings at Brussels airport and a metro station. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group.  |
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