Dunya TV

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• Pakistan agrees with drone targets, not mechanism
• NAB aims to file reference against Gilani
• PMs visit to Gilgit: Ban imposed on motorcycle riding
• Man behind anti-Islam film arrested
• US woman dies after pet llama slips, strikes her
• Farooq Sattar favours dual nationality demand
• Oil prices jump on Spain budget, Mideast tensions
• Dollar mixed after US data
• West Indies upstage champions England
• Kaka recalled to Brazil squad after 2 years out
• FIFA sets 2014 World Cup match kick-off times
• Mars rover Curiosity finds signs of ancient stream
• ECP pledges to end agencies role in elections
• Kashmir issue be resolved immediately: Hina Khar
• Suicide bomber hits Iraq jail gate

Pakistan agrees with drone targets, not mechanism Posted: We may not disagree with what drones are trying to achieve. We do not disagree with that. If they are going after terrorists, we do not disagree, maintained Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar while speaking at New Yorks Asia Society on Thursday, in the first public acknowledgment by any Pakistani official about the targets of drones.She, however, stressed that the manner in which these strikes were being carried out was unlawful and counter-productive. We have to find ways which are lawful, and which are legal, she argued while calling drone strikes the biggest reason for growing anti-Americanism in Pakistan.Unilateral drone strikes, she said, gave a reason to the Pakistani media and the public to say that the country was fighting Americas war. It has to be our war, because it is in our interest, she said while calling for the US and Pakistan to find a way out to handle the issue of drone strikes.Ms. Khar, citing negative effects of drone attacks, regretted that suicide attacks in Pakistan -- almost unknown in Pakistan before 9/11 -- had multiplied manifolds ever since the US had increased these unmanned aircraft strikes inside the Pakistani territory. Lets work to win the war, instead of these smaller battles, she opined. She, though, declined to respond to another question about an article appearing in Wall Street Journal suggesting that drone strikes were being carried out with tacit approval of the Pakistan officials. I dont take news items seriously. I have learnt it the hard way, she said with a wry smile.The foreign minister underlined the need for better relations with neighbouring countries -- India and Afghanistan -- and pledged full support to the reconciliation and reconstruction in the war-torn country. It is time to take a fresh start, and build wider trust, but it can never be one sided, she emphasized. We want to partner whatever government Afghan people choose, and have no favourites in Afghanistan. Too much assumptions are imposed on Pakistan, but peace and stability in Afghanistan is in Pakistans interest, she said cautioning that the terrorists sought to disrupt peace and stability in the region. We have to make sure that they dont succeed like they have in last few years, she pleaded.Our relations with India have been difficult for last many years, but we are now reaching out to them. Kashmir continues to be an issue, and we urge its resolution soon. Siachen and Sir Creek are other regional issues that require settlement, she outlined. On a positive note, she mentioned, trade list with India was changed from negative to positive and visa regime was eased in order to create inter-dependency instead of conflict.Ms. Khar said that Afghan transit trade agreement had been signed, and Pakistan was hoping for a similar agreement with Tajikistan because south and central Asia offered rich and untapped economic potential. The relationship with China and other neighbours was equally important, she pointed out. On the question of relations with United States, she agreed that the last couple of years had been difficult. Congress threats about withdrawing aid are not helpful, she said while adding that the US should not blame Pakistan for all the wrongs in Afghanistan because it created reaction. Our 24 soldiers were killed in air strike from across the border, should we blame NATO/ISAF forces for it? she questioned. The minister recalled that the US and Pakistan had fought the first Afghan war together. Americans changed priorities but Pakistan cannot change its borders and continues to suffer for the last 3 years, she grumbled. Lets admit that both of us have made mistakes and it is time to put it right. Because we have to fight this war together, she pointed out.On another question about Railways Minister, Ghulam Ahmad Bilours $100K bounty offer against the maker of controversial movie, she said these were Bilours personal views and the government did not condone any form of violence. Government and his own party have disassociated from his remarks. But there is also need to check actions that hurt sentiments of Muslims and any other religion, she remarked.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in New York

NAB aims to file reference against Gilani Posted: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is considering to file a reference against former prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on appointment of Adnan Khawaja as chairman the Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (OGDCL).The Supreme Court had declared Adnan Khawaja’s appointment illegal and ordered action against those involved in his appointment. The NAB has started consultation regarding filing reference against Gilani.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has declined a proposal regarding handing over of FIA’s Anti-corruption and Economic Crime Wings to National Accountability Bureau.A summary in this regard was sent to PM, which recommended that in order to effectively deal with anti-corruption and economic crimes cases, the NAB must be invested with exclusive jurisdiction of FIA’s relevant wings.The summary argued that such a restructuring would empower NAB on top of expanding its ambit of investigation.According to sources the Chairman NAB Adm (Retd) Fasih Bukhari had sent the said summary to PM on January 20, 2012, but the PM eventually shot it down even after a long hum and haw.

PMs visit to Gilgit: Ban imposed on motorcycle riding Posted: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf will address a joint sitting of legislative assembly and legislative council during his two-day visit of Gilgit.The Prime Minister will also hold meeting with Masajid Board and members of peace committee to review law and order situation in Gilgit.Meanwhile, a two-day ban has been imposed on motorcycle riding on security concerns on PM visit to Gilgit.

Man behind anti-Islam film arrested Posted: The California man behind a crudely produced anti-Islamic video posted to YouTube that has inflamed parts of the Middle East was arrested for violating terms of his probation, authorities said Thursday.Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, 55, was convicted in 2010 for federal check and sentenced to 21 months in prison. Under terms of his probation, he was not allowed to use computers or the Internet for five years without approval from his probation officer.Nakoula was arrested after federal probation officials determined he violated the terms of his supervised release, said Thomas Mrozek U.S. Attorneys spokesman in Los Angeles.A U.S. District Court hearing was scheduled for Nakoula on Thursday afternoon. It was closed to media and the public.Protests have erupted around the Middle East over a 14-minute trailer for Innocence of Muslims. Though the trailer was posted to YouTube in July, the violence didnt break out until Sept. 11 and has spread since, killing dozens.Nakoula, a Christian originally from Egypt, went into hiding after he was identified as the man behind the trailer.The full story about Nakoula and the video still isnt known.The movie was made last year by a man who called himself Sam Bacile. After the violence erupted, a man who identified himself as Bacile called media outlets including The Associated Press, took credit for the film.The next day, the AP determined there was no Bacile and linked the identity to Nakoula, a former gas station owner with a drug conviction and a history of using aliases. Federal authorities later confirmed there was no Bacile and that Nakoula was behind the movie.Before going into hiding, Nakoula acknowledged to the AP he was involved with the film, but said he only worked on logistics and management.A film permit listed Media for Christ, a Los Angeles-area charity run by other Egyptian Christians, as the production company. Most of the film was made at the charitys headquarters. Steve Klein, an insurance agent in Hemet and outspoken Muslim critic, has said he was a consultant and promoter for the film.The trailer still can be found on YouTube. The Obama administration asked Google, YouTubes parent, to take down the video but the company has refused, saying it did not violate its content standards.Meantime, a number of actors and workers on the film have come forward to say they were duped. They say they were hired for a film titled Desert Warrior and there was no mention of Islam in the script. Those references were dubbed in after filming was completed.Actress Cindy Lee Garcia has sued to get the trailer taken down, saying she was duped.

US woman dies after pet llama slips, strikes her Posted: A report by the sheriffs office says former coroner Florence Lenahan, 74, apparently had a heart attack as she was being taken to a hospital.The report says Lenahan called for help Tuesday after a llama named Baby Doll slipped on wet grass while running to greet her and knocked her down, causing her to hit her head on concrete. It says theres no evidence the llama was acting maliciously.Lenahans family is working with the Delaware County Humane Society to find homes for animals on the property.

Farooq Sattar favours dual nationality demand Posted: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Farooq Sattar has said that dual nationality holders should be given the right to vote and contest elections in Pakistan.Farooq Sattar, who is accompanying President Zardari during the UN General Assembly session, was speaking at a function organized in his honour in Long Island by the MQM, New York chapter. He said that he will raise the issue of dual-natioanlity holders with Chief Election Commissioner, Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim on return to Pakistan.The minister also said that the differences with the PPP on some points of disagreement had been ironed out and therefore, MQM had taken back the three-day deadline on the assurance of President Zardari. Pakistan, he said, was facing a lot of challenges and there was need to break status-quo.He said mafias were operating in Karachi and were playing with the peace of the city. This, he said, was a conspiracy to disrupt the commercial hub of Pakistan. MQM, as the voice of the common people, will continue to strive for the rights of the poor and against extremist mindset, hea ssured. Earlier, Mr. Sattar also called on President Obamas special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Marc Grossman. He called for rooting out the cause of extremism and, without naming anyone, said that some political parties in Pakistan had extremist elements in their ranks but kept denying it.Mr. Grossman said that the US was committed to long-term cooperation with Pakistan in different sectors. He said that the problems of Pakistan will eventually be solved by the Pakistani people and no external power can fix everything in the longer run.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in New York

Oil prices jump on Spain budget, Mideast tensions Posted: Oil prices surged higher Thursday, boosted by renewed optimism for the embattled eurozone after Spain unveiled a 2013 austerity budget and rising tensions in the Middle East.Market sentiment also gained a lift from speculation that Chinas government would soon announce fresh stimulus to boost growth in the slowing economy, the worlds biggest energy consumer.New Yorks main contract, light sweet crude for November, rose $1.87 from Wednesday to close at $91.85 a barrelThe benchmark New York futures contract had shed $1.39 Wednesday, closing below $90 for the first time since August 2 on escalating concerns about the eurozone public debt crisis.In London, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in November jumped $1.97 to settle at $112.01 a barrel.Oil prices rebounded earlier in the day following growing discussions of a further stimulus package from China that improved market sentiment and increased risk appetite, said analyst Myrto Sokou at the Sucden brokerage.The oil market shot higher after Spains 2013 budget announcement, said Andy Lipow at Lipow Oil Associates.The budget has spending cuts and austerity measures perhaps greater than the market expected, Lipow said.People are encouraged that the EU is taking steps to get the debt crisis under control, he added.Meanwhile, prices were supported by geopolitical concerns about the oil-rich Middle East amid speeches at the UN General Assembly about Irans suspected nuclear weapons program, Lipow said.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded Thursday that the international community impose a red line on Iran to prevent it from enriching enough uranium for a nuclear bomb.

Dollar mixed after US data Posted: The dollar is falling against the euro and pound but rising against the yen and the Swiss franc after data painted a mixed picture of the US economy.The government said the overall economy grew at a slower annual rate in the April-through-June quarter than it previously estimated. Companies cut orders for durable goods last month.The National Association of Realtors said that less Americans signed contracts to buy previously occupied homes in August than July. And the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell.The euro rose to $1.2917 in afternoon trading Thursday from $1.2859 late Wednesday. The British pound rose to $1.6237 from $1.6154.The dollar fell to 77.61 Japanese yen from 77.72 yen and to 0.9372 Swiss franc from 0.9399 franc.

West Indies upstage champions England Posted: West Indies edged out defending champions England by 15 runs in an exciting finish to the World Twenty20 Super Eight group one match at Pallekele stadium on Thursday.Chasing a daunting 180-run target, England came close with Eoin Morgan (71 not out) and Alex Hales (68) putting on a resolute 107-run partnership for the third wicket but in the end they fell short.England had lost Craig Kieswetter and Luke Wright for first over ducks but Hales, who hit five boundaries and two sixes off his 51 balls, and Morgans 36-ball knock, with five sixes and four boundaries, defied West Indiess four-pronged spin attack.England needed 125 runs in their last 10 overs but Morgan and Hales paced the innings well before Marlon Samuels bowled an excellent last over, conceding only eight runs.West Indian captain Darren Sammy said spinners made the win possible.We backed ourselves to set a target and the openers got us going well, said Sammy. With (Sunil) Narine, Samuel, Chris (Gayle), we decided to maximise our spinners against England and it worked out. England skipper Stuart Broad was left disappointed.We had to regroup, obviously losing two wickets in that first over hurt us but we showed how good the wicket was. We were quite happy with our effort with the ball and I think were disappointed not to win tonight, said Broad.West Indies were set on their way for a big total by openers Johnson Charles and Gayle.Charles smashed three sixes and 10 well-timed boundaries in his 56-ball 84 while Gayle hit four sixes and six fours in his 35-ball 58.West Indies had raced to 103 by the 11th over when Gayle was finally out, caught by Steven Finn at long-on off as the left-hander tried to hit Graeme Swann out of the ground.Three of his sixes came in one over from left-arm spinner Samit Patel.But Gayles dismissal allowed England to pull back as they dismissed Marlon Samuels (two) and Kieron Pollard (one) in quick succession, with Broad claiming one wicket besides bowling a maiden over.Charles finally holed out at mid-on, missing a low Jade Dernbach full toss and was caught by Jonathon Bairstow.Broad was the pick of England bowlers with 2-26.Earlier Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in a sensational Super over finish after both teams were tied in the 40-over contest.

Kaka recalled to Brazil squad after 2 years out Posted: The playmaker was selected Thursday despite playing sparingly with Real Madrid recently. Coach Mano Menezes picked Kaka in a squad for friendlies last year, but the player didnt join the squad because of an injury.Menezes chose a squad of 24 players for the friendlies against Iraq in Sweden on Oct. 11 and versus Japan in Poland on Oct. 16.Kakas last game with the national team was Brazils elimination by the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in South Africa.On Wednesday, Kaka scored three goals in Real Madrids 8-0 win in a friendly against Colombian side Millionarios in Madrid.

FIFA sets 2014 World Cup match kick-off times Posted: FIFA has selected kick-off times for 2014 World Cup group games, with several matches scheduled in early afternoon in tropical climates.FIFA says the north-east coastal cities of Natal, Recife and Salvador each have two of their four group-stage matches starting at 1 p.m. local time (1600 GMT).Manaus, in the western Amazon rainforest, hosts two matches at 3 p.m. local time (1900 GMT), plus the late-night match on the opening Saturday, June 14, at 9 p.m (0100 GMT).FIFA says it took into account rest periods for players, local temperatures, global broadcast schedules and fans travel plans.FIFAs executive committee scheduled the 32-team finals tournament draw for Dec. 6, 2013, at the Costa do Sauipe in Bahia.The 2014 World Cup is played June 12-July 13.

Mars rover Curiosity finds signs of ancient stream Posted: Scientists say NASAs newest Mars rover has found signs that a stream once flowed across the surface near the site where it landed.Curiosity touched down in a crater near the Martian equator last month. The red planet today is dusty and dry but scientists think it was once warmer and wetter.Evidence of an ancient stream came from analyzing the size and shapes of pebbles and gravel near Gale Crater. Mission scientists said Thursday it appeared the water was fast-moving and deep.Images from space have provided hints of a watery past at Curiositys landing site. The latest discovery on the ground confirms that.Curiosity is headed toward a spot where three types of terrain meet. Its ultimate destination is a mountain rising from the center of the crater.

ECP pledges to end agencies role in elections Posted: Chief Election Commissioner, Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim said on Thursday that the commission would ensure free-and-fair elections and would call in army if there was a need.Talking to media after a meeting with representatives of the political parties, Ebrahim asserted that there would be no compromise on holding free and fair general elections in the country.“If there is a need to call in army to ensure fee and fair elections, we will do that,” he said. Holding fair elections in the country is the main agenda of the commission, he added.The CEC said that political parties have given some good suggestions on holding of the elections, adding Balochistan needs special attention.Replying a query secret agencies’ meddling in the election, the CEC said he would also summon the representatives of the secret agencies. “I will tell them, it is your country as well,” he added.He called on youth to come forward and bring about a change. The Election Commissioner said that the political parties had given some positive suggestions with some of them asking for increase in Balochistan’s share of National Assembly seats.Earlier, the ECP held a consultative meeting with leading political parties of the country with reference to the next general elections.Secretary ECP briefed the meeting, attended by all major political parties, about the steps taken by the Commission regarding voter registration and suggested to increase one National Assembly seat in every district of Balochistan.The EC Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan said that there was a proposal to increase National Assembly seats for Balochistan from fourteen to thirty. He said that members with dual nationality can’t sit in parliament and they would not be allowed to contest elections.

Kashmir issue be resolved immediately: Hina Khar Posted: An agreement like Afghan Transit Trade should also be signed with China, said Khar.Addressing a seminar arranged by Asia Society in New York on Thursday‚ she said the regional pivot in foreign policy has been taken through a concerted confidence building effort.She said that Pakistan has no ideal relations with any country in the world except China; now it is proper time for new start. Big powers should have a respect for independence of Pakistan, said Khar.She said that peace and tranquility in Afghanistan is in favour of Pakistan, adding that Pakistan would stand by the every government which would be elected by masses in Afghanistan.While throwing light on economic and mercantile aspects, she said that South Asia has a large number of economic opportunities which must be utilized property for progress and prosperity in the region.“Ever since democracy has been restored in Pakistan‚ we are proud to have sought to proactively reshape Pakistani foreign policy in a manner.”The foreign minister said that after decades‚ we have helped to develop a national consensus‚ based on the will of the Pakistani people.At the end, she said that it is our duty to discourage terrorists from their destructive activities so that law and order in the country may be restored.

Suicide bomber hits Iraq jail gate Posted: A suicide bomber targeted the gate of the prison with a car bomb and gunmen then assaulted the prison, after which they killed the guards, a police lieutenant colonel said of the incident, north of Baghdad.A police colonel said there were clashes between police and gunmen inside the prison, and a curfew has been announced in Tikrit.

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