Dunya TV

CNG stations across Sindh closed for 24 hours
Oil prices go up amid simmering tension
Asian stocks rise on last trading day of 2011
China manufacturing slowing further
Titanic artifacts up for auction in NY in April
Indian lawmakers slam govt for not passing Ombudsman Bill
8 booked for Gujranwala incident
LPG price increases by Rs 5-10 per kg
Motorway opened for traffic
Kasuri meets Musharraf in Dubai
Team formed to probe into Baqar Shahs assassination
Country in grip of cold waves
Harris added to Australia squad for 2nd India test
US finalizes deal to sell F-15s to Saudi Arabia
Top US diplomat to visit Asia after Kims death

CNG stations across Sindh closed for 24 hours

Posted:

Gas supply to all the CNG stations has been suspended today (Friday) at 9am and will be restored on Saturday 9am. According to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), closure of CNG stations has become essential to make enough availability of gas to domestic consumers.

Oil prices go up amid simmering tension

Posted:

In morning trade, New York s main contract West Texas Intermediate light sweet crude for February delivery advanced 47 cents to $100.12 a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for February was seven cents higher at $108.08 a barrel. A showdown between Iran and the United States over Tehran s threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers is the main factor influencing short-term crude prices, analysts said. "It s a cat and mouse game," said Jonathan Barratt, Sydney-based chief executive of Barratt s Bulletin (barrattsbulletin.com), an independent commodity research firm. "There is still a risk premium that will be bought into the market," he told AFP. The United States said Thursday that Iran had exhibited "irrational behavior" by threatening to close a major oil shipping lane it also needs. "We ve seen quite a bit of irrational behaviour from Iran recently," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said when asked about Tehran s threat to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for more than a third of the world s tanker-borne oil. "One can only guess that the international sanctions are beginning to feel the pinch, and that the ratcheting up of pressure, particularly on their oil sector, is pinching in a way that is causing them to lash out." The United States and the 27-nation European Union are considering new sanctions aimed at Iran s oil and financial sectors. But EU governments have been divided over whether to impose an embargo on Iranian crude. Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi has warned that "not a drop of oil will pass through the Strait of Hormuz" if the West adopts sanctions on Iran s oil exports in a bid to curb its nuclear ambitions. The closure could cause havoc on world oil markets, disrupting the fragile global economy, although analysts say the Islamic republic is unlikely to take such drastic steps as it relies on the route for its own oil exports.

Asian stocks rise on last trading day of 2011

Posted:

Asian stock markets strengthened, following Wall Street higher on a spurt of positive U.S. economic data. Japan s Nikkei 225 index, after three straight days of losses, rose 0.4 percent to 8,428.64. Hong Kong s Hang Seng Index gained 0.4 percent to 18,477.04. Benchmarks in mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia and New Zealand were also higher. Australia s S&P ASX 200 fell 0.1 percent to 4,065.40. Singapore also fell. On Wall Street, positive news on home sales and improved prospects for job growth sent stocks higher Thursday. The four-week average of unemployment claims fell to a 3 1/2 year low, an indication that hiring could pick up. And the number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes in November rose to the highest level in 18 months, industry experts said. The Dow closed at 12,287.04, a gain of 1.1 percent. The S&P 500 rose 1.1 percent, to 1,263.02. The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite rose 0.9 percent to 2,613.74.

China manufacturing slowing further

Posted:

The HSBC Purchasing Managers Index released Friday stood at 48.7 on a 100-point scale on which numbers below 50 indicate a contraction in activity. It said that showed a "modest deterioration in business conditions." The survey said new export business fell during December, ending a two-month period of growth. It said companies reported a drop in foreign orders due to sluggish foreign demand.

Titanic artifacts up for auction in NY in April

Posted:

At least 100 years to the day after the luxury liner sank in the Atlantic with some 1,500 people on board. In a filing with the Security and Exchange Commission, Premier Exhibitions, which owns sole salvage rights to the Titanic through its RMS Titanic unit, said it has engaged New York auctioneers Guernsey s to handle the sale. It will take place April 15, the 100th anniversary of the day the White Star liner -- on its maiden voyage to New York from Southampton, England -- slipped under the icy North Atlantic Ocean after hitting an iceberg off Newfoundland. No reserve price has been set, but publicly-listed Premier Exhibitions said the artifacts -- some of which are now on show in Singapore and Curitiba, Brazil -- were appraised at $189 million in 2007. "We expect to identify a buyer capable of serving as a proper steward of the collection and the wreck site," said RMS Titanic s president Christopher Davino in the filing. No reason was given for the sale, but last month Premier Exhibitions reshuffled its top management team after reporting a second-quarter loss of nearly $2 million due in part to fewer people going to its shows. A new 3D version of director James Cameron s 1997 blockbuster "Titanic" is to open in Canadian and US theaters on April 6, four days before the centenary of the day the doomed ship began its ill-fated voyage.

Indian lawmakers slam govt for not passing Ombudsman Bill

Posted:

Leaders of various opposition political parties slammed the federal government for not being able to pass the Lokpal (Ombudsman) Bill in Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament. They also termed it as a conspiracy to adjourn the house sine die. While interacting with media persons in New Delhi today (Friday), federal lawmaker and politburo member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), Sitaram Yechury slammed the federal government by saying that since the government wanted to bring in a weak Ombudsman bill it was not supported by the opposition parties. "The minister of the federal government cleared that the government will decide the business of the parliament and the reason was clear that they didn t have the numbers in the Rajya Sabha, they didn t have majority in Rajya Sabha. They didn t want changes to be made in the Lokpal Bill and they wanted an ineffective Lokpal Bill to work as an institution, so stop all these things, a conspiracy has been hatched and I believe that it is very unfortunate for our democratic country and it is huge defeat of the federal government," said Yechury. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die late Thursday on amid uproar created by several MPs, without voting on the bill. The anti-graft legislation for which social activist Anna Hazare and his team have fomented a successful mass movement may now be taken up in the budget session of parliament, probably in March. Leader of India s regional Bahujan Samaj Party, Satish Chandra Mishra said that the government completely failed today in the floor of the house and it never wanted to present a strong Ombudsman bill. "Definitely, the government has completely failed today, because it was in minority, it continued the debate deliberately till 12 O  clock, we kept on insisting, when we smelled the mind of the government, we insisted that it should continue for the whole night, if required," said Mishra. The bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha - lower house of parliament - on Tuesday (December 27), was taken up for a discussion and vote in the upper house on Thursday. But after a marathon debate that stretched until midnight, the vote failed to take place for lack of time. Regional Trinamool Congress party lawmaker Sukhendu Sekhar Roy termed the whole episode in the upper house as sad day for Indian democracy. "We wanted the Lokpal Bill to be passed properly but the amendments which we wanted to make on the Lokayukta were necessary and we wanted the government to pass them. We also wanted part three to be omitted from the Bill. This is what we asked for and we also gave amendments but it s very unfortunate that when we were waiting for voting suddenly an atmosphere was created to disrupt the house proceedings and according to us it is very sad for the democratic country," said Roy. The Congress-led government had extended the winter session of parliament until December 29 to meet a deadline set by Hazare to pass the anti-graft legislation before the end of the year.

8 booked for Gujranwala incident

Posted:

According to police, a case has been registered against six nominated and two unknown persons. At least fourteen people were killed amid the worst clash and gunfight between two clans in Gujranwala on Thursday. It is pertinent to mention here that the police have registered a case with no arrest after 17-hours of the tragic incident.

LPG price increases by Rs 5-10 per kg

Posted:

The move would increase by Rs 240 the price of gas per domestic cylinder and Rs 480 per commercial cylinder with immediate effect. Prices in Gilgit Baltistan, FATA, Balakot, Swat, Muree and Muzaffarabad have been raised from Rs 150 to Rs 160 per kilogram. In Lahore, Gujranwala, Kasur, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Jhang and Sarghodha, prices have been increased from Rs 125 to Rs130 per kg.

Motorway opened for traffic

Posted:

According to Motorway police, there was zero visibility at the Motorway therefore it had been closed for heavy and light traffic which now has been reopened after decrease in the intensity of fog. However, the Motorway officials say that citizens must only travel on necessary basis and must also switch on their car’s fog lights while travelling.

Kasuri meets Musharraf in Dubai

Posted:

According to sources, both the leaders discussed current political situation of the country and Musharraf’s return to Pakistan in January. Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has served as foreign minister in Musharraf’s government and their meeting is very important as many leaders are joining PTI.

Team formed to probe into Baqar Shahs assassination

Posted:

The investigative team comprises SP Investigation, SP and DSP Saryab as members. On the other hand Dr Baqar Shah’s body has been shifted to his native town Jacobabad. Police Surgeon Baqir Shah was shot dead by some unknown people on Sabzal Road in Quetta on Thursday. Dr Baqir Shah, of Bolan Medical Complex, was the key forensic investigator in the Kharotabad incident of May 17 this year in which five foreigners were killed by security personnel.

Country in grip of cold waves

Posted:

Pakistan Metrological Department predicted dry and cold weather during next 24 hours. The intensity of fog would increases in plain areas of the country in the coming four days. Minimum Temperature for next 24 hours in different cities, Islamabad - (-1), Lahore (-1), 10 Karachi (10), Peshawar (0), Quetta (–06), Skardu (–08), Ziarat (-04), Murree (-03), Gilgit (-1).

Harris added to Australia squad for 2nd India test

Posted:

Paceman Ryan Harris has been added to Australia s 12-man squad for the second test against India, joining the 11 that beat the visitors by 122 runs in the first test. Harris, who is working his way back from a hip injury, will give Australia the option of a four-man pace attack. He replaces left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who was 12th man in Melbourne. Though the Sydney Cricket Ground has traditionally been a spin-friendly wicket, it may be prepared to suit paceman this time to negate India s strength against spin bowling. If so, Harris could join a four-man pace attack while offspinner Nathan Lyon is demoted to 12th man. Allrounder Shane Watson has not yet recovered from a calf injury and will miss the test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which starts on Tuesday. Harris was regarded as Australia s No. 1 fast bowler before his injury absence, but the performances of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus in the first-test victory have cast doubts on whether Harris can force his way into the team. Watson s continued absence ensures the six batsmen from the Melbourne test will be retained, although the strong performances of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey the men under most scrutiny going into the series opener had already ensured their spots. Wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin is also safe, despite his continued poor form. Chairman of selectors John Inverarity said the team would take great confidence and momentum into the second test and he welcomed Harris  return to the squad after a four-test absence. "Ryan has had carefully monitored preparation, which has gone to plan," Inverarity said. "Mitchell Starc and Daniel Christian, who were both in the squad for the first test, have been omitted but remain very much in our thinking."

US finalizes deal to sell F-15s to Saudi Arabia

Posted:

Boosting the military strength of a key U.S. ally in the Middle East to help counter Iran, the Obama administration announced Thursday. Under the agreement, the U.S. will send Saudi Arabia 84 new fighter jets and upgrades for 70 more. Production of the aircraft, which will be manufactured by Boeing Co., will support 50,000 jobs and have a $3.5 billion annual economic impact in the U.S., the White House said. The sale is part of a larger U.S. effort to realign its defense policies in the Persian Gulf to keep Iran in check. The announcement came as U.S. officials weighed a fresh threat from Tehran. Tehran warned this week it could disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Persian Gulf oil transport route, if Washington levies new sanctions targeting Iran s crude exports. The fighter jet sale is part of a larger 10-year, $60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia that also includes helicopters, a broad array of missiles, bombs and delivery systems, as well as radar warning systems and night-vision goggles. Congress gave the deal the go-ahead about a year ago. The plan initially raised concerns from pro-Israeli lawmakers, but U.S. officials reassured Congress that Israel s military edge would not be undercut by the sale. Additionally, there is now broad agreement among Israel, the Gulf Arab states and the West that Iran poses a significant and unpredictable threat. Saudi Arabia and Iran are bitter regional rivals. Tensions between them were further stoked earlier this year after the U.S. accused Iran of plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. in Washington earlier this year. Saudi Arabia is already the most militarily advanced of the Arab Gulf states, one of the richest countries in the world, and central to American policy in the Middle East. It is also vital to U.S. energy security, with Saudi Arabia ranking as the third-largest source of U.S. oil imports. The White House announced the agreement with Saudi Arabia from Hawaii, where President Barack Obama is vacationing.

Top US diplomat to visit Asia after Kims death

Posted:

Senior US diplomat Kurt Campbell will visit China, South Korea and Japan next week to discuss developments after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, the State Department said Thursday. Campbell will travel to Beijing on Tuesday, Seoul the following day and Tokyo on January 6 for a range of talks with senior officials, "including latest developments related to North Korea," a State Department statement said. The United States said last week it hoped to work with North Korea after its mourning for Kim, who led an isolated Stalinist state that has alarmed its Asian neighbors and the United States with its nuclear and missile programs. It confirmed the United States had had telephone contact with Pyongyang s UN mission in New York amid efforts to determine whether to offer food assistance or schedule future talks with North Korea. Pyongyang and Washington have no diplomatic relations. The State Department said Campbell, the assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs, will also discuss developments related to Myanmar, which has made tentative steps at reform by opening talks with the opposition and ethnic minorities. Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a landmark visit to Myanmar, an ally of China. Campbell is set to leave Tokyo for Washington on January 7, the State Department said.

PoliticusUSA

Cricket - Sports

Friday, December 30, 2011

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

0 comments:

Reuters News Agency

World EYE