Dunya TV

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• Islamabad: Krishna calls on President Zardari
• US optimistic about Sergeant Bergdahl's release from Haqqani network
• Layyah: River erosion affects 10 villages
• Azarenka to meet S.Williams in US Open final
• Bryan brothers win US Open, set Grand Slam record
• Paralympics: Pistorius eases through to 400m final
• Golf: Vijay Singh seizes lead at BMW Championship
• Merritt sets world record in 110 hurdles
• Pakistan urges visas for India series
• Pietersen left off England contract list
• Fighting rages across Syria as envoy readies new peace trip
• Quakes kill at least 64 in mountainous SW China
• Dozens feared dead after migrant boat sinks off Italy
• Oil rises as jobs report gives fuel to Fed hopes
• Dollar falls on weaker-than-expected jobs data

Islamabad: Krishna calls on President Zardari Posted: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said that Pakistan had abiding interest in the promotion of regional peace and stability, which would only enable the people of the region to exploit enormous opportunities available in South Asia.During his meeting with S. M. Krishna, Indian External Affairs Minister, here at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said that finding amicable and just solutions to resolve outstanding issues was important for Pakistan and India to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.Briefing about the meeting, spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President emphasized that it was time for the two countries to move beyond reiteration of their positions to more substantive results. He said that showing greater understanding of each others’ concerns and sensitivities would help in solutions of the mutual issues.

US optimistic about Sergeant Bergdahl's release from Haqqani network Posted: The spokesperson of the US State Department, Patrick Ventrell has said that the administration was using all the tools available to bring Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl home safely. While we can’t discuss all the details of our efforts, there should be no doubt that we work every day, using our military, intelligence, and diplomatic tools to try to see him returned home safely, he assured.When asked how could the Haqqani network release Sergeant Bergdahl after they were designated as Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), the spokesman said that this could be raised as part of the ongoing reconciliation effort with Taliban. Reconciliation track is one area where we would discuss his case as part of the diplomatic track, he believed. We understand his family has already decided to make his case public, and he’s just been held for too long and we continue to call for his immediate release, he pointed out. On another question whether the US administration believed that Sergeant Bergdahl was still alive, he was reluctant to give a clear answer.Mr. Ventrell hoped that Haqqani networks designation would not adversely affect reconciliation efforts. We don’t see the designation today having a direct impact on the overall reconciliation efforts, he maintained. This strategy is about getting Afghans talking to Afghans about their future. So that track will continue irrespective of this particular decision. This decision was taken with respect to the law, with respect to all the information in front of the Secretary, to help degrade this terrorist network, he opined.The decision to designate Haqqani network, he said, had been under review for quite sometime. Squeezing the Haqqani Network is something that we’ve thought is very important, that we set as a priority for us. So that was something that was under review. Obviously, these are decisions that take careful review and are complex and require a very detailed review, he recounted while explaining the delay in reaching a conclusion. On the reasons to designate Haqqani network as FTO, he said the point of this designation was to degrade the ability of the Haqqanis to conduct violent acts. They’ve carried out lethal and complex attacks against American personnel and American facilities. And so the point of this is to degrade their ability to conduct these kinds of violent acts, he stated. He disagreed that this decision in any way could mean that Pakistan would be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. However, the US administrations concerns about safe heavens of terrorists in Pakistan were very much there, he said. We’ve been concerned about safe havens. We continue to raise with the Pakistanis our desire for more pressure on the Haqqanis. It’s something that we raise with them frequently, and we will continue to do so,, he argued.When asked to explain the impact of such a decision on US-Pakistan relations, he said the US raised these types of issues, like about the safe havens, through the channels open with them. It’s a challenging and complex relationship, but as the Secretary said, it’s a critical relationship, he emphasized. Pakistanis have a shared desire and a shared goal of combating terrorism as well. And we want a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with Pakistan, and we think we’re on the right trajectory. So no doubt that there have been some complex issues, but we continue to be on the right track, he said while referring to the disagreement with Pakistan in the recent past over the issue of crackdown against Haqqani network.He did concede that the US wanted Pakistan to take more stern action against Haqqani network. We want the Pakistanis to put more pressure on the Haqqani Network. We’ll continue to work together to put the squeeze on the Haqqani Network. They’ve targeted us, our people, our facilities, and so we think it’s very important to put the squeeze on them, and so that’s our message, he said in a firm tone.On the other hand, the Pentagon spokesman also welcomed the decision by Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, George Little, in a statement said, we welcome Secretary Clintons announcement that the Haqqani network meets the statutory criteria for designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224.The Haqqani network represents a significant threat to U.S. national security and we will continue our aggressive military action against this threat. These new group designations will build on our efforts to degrade the Networks capacity to carry out attacks, including affecting fundraising abilities, targeting them with our military and intelligence resources, and pressing Pakistan to take action, Mr. Little said.We will continue these efforts, reinforced by todays new designations. By strengthening our whole-of-government approach against the Haqqanis, we are supporting our campaign efforts in Afghanistan and further limiting the organizations capacity to destabilize the region, he observed.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in Washington, DC

Layyah: River erosion affects 10 villages Posted: Residents have started to migrate from the area as erosion of River Indus has destroyed more than 100 houses and hundreds of acres of cultivated land.The district administration has directed the Revenue Department to facilitate the displaced persons. The district administration has also issued order to provide emergency aid to the affected families.

Azarenka to meet S.Williams in US Open final Posted: Normally so good, so gritty, in the crucible of the third set, Maria Sharapova finally met her match against Victoria Azarenka in their US Open semifinal on Friday.Coming all the way back from a set and a break down, the top-seeded Azarenka prevailed in a stirring third, beating four-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 to reach her first U.S. Open final.This one didnt go my way, Sharapova said. Frustrating, but its the game of tennis. A lot of swings in the match today. Certainly had the lead and the advantage.Sharapova had been 12-0 in three-setters this year, and had won 78 consecutive matches in which she took the opening set, dating back to 2010. But Azarenka broke in the last game to push her own 2012 record to 12-0 in matches that went to three.I didnt know that statistic, Azarenka said during an on-court interview. Its pretty good.On Saturday, Australian Open champion Azarenka will play in her second major final of the season and career against 14-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams. Seeking a fourth title at Flushing Meadows, the fourth-seeded Williams wasted little time or energy while overwhelming 10th-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 6-1, 6-2.Williams, trying to become the first 30-year-old woman to win the U.S. Open since Martina Navratilova in 1987, compiled a 38-6 edge in winners in her 64-minute semifinal against Errani.Since a surprising exit at the French Open in late May, her only first-round loss in 49 appearances at major tournaments, Williams is 25-1, including a title at Wimbledon and gold medal at the London Olympics.Williams has a 9-1 career record against Azarenka.Ive got to do something different, to be honest, Azarenka said.Asked whether she would watch video of their past matches, Azarenka joked: Well, I dont want to be depressed.Then again, the way Azarenka dealt with Sharapova, shes probably feeling pretty good about herself. She certainly looked pleased while doing a little jig after Sharapovas forehand sailed long on the final point of their 2-hour, 42-minute quarterfinal.I was just not trying to focus on the score, Azarenka said. Trying to give whatever it takes.Sharapova double-faulted 10 times, a recurring theme ever since she returned from surgery on her right shoulder in 2008.I gave her too many free points, Sharapova said.This has been a resurgent year for the Russian, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning the French Open in June, was the runner-up at the Australian Open and the Olympics, and briefly returned to No. 1 in the rankings a spot that now belongs to Azarenka.Ill take the results I had this year, Sharapova said.She reached her first U.S. Open semifinal since winning the 2006 title thanks to overcoming deficits en route to three-set victories in the fourth round and quarterfinals. But she didnt have one more late-match charge in her.When Sharapova broke Azarenka to go ahead 1-0 in the second set, she appeared to be in control. But thats when Azarenka fought back, taking four consecutive games.All heart, said Azarenka, a 23-year-old from Belarus.Thats what I feel like we play for, we live for, Azarenka said, to play on these big stages against such champions.

Bryan brothers win US Open, set Grand Slam record Posted: At age 34, the Bryan brothers posed with the trophy with Bobs infant daughter and chatted about Mikes upcoming wedding.Theyve now set the Open-era Grand Slam title record, but the pair doesnt plan to stop adding to that total anytime soon.The American twins won the U.S. Open mens doubles final in straight sets Friday for a 12th Grand Slam championship.They had been tied with Australian greats Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde for the most in the Open era, which started in 1968.We looked up to the Woodies, and to steal all their records is unbelievable because we idolize those guys, Mike said.Theyre one of the reasons we play doubles.The Bryans, seeded No. 2, beat Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-4 without facing a break point.In the third round, they were two points from losing the match in a second-set tiebreaker when Bob pulled off a between-the-legs trick shot and they went on to win in three sets. After needing two tiebreakers in the quarterfinals to move on, the Bryans won their last two matches with little hassle.Last month, they achieved their biggest goal of 2012 by winning their first Olympic gold medals at the London Games.It did take pressure off, Mike said. We talked about it before each match. Were like, Lets swing free. We have the gold. We came into this probably a little fatigued and just running on adrenaline from the Olympics. We could see the finish line.Bob was passing around his medal after Fridays match, convinced its a good luck charm. Golfer Sergio Garcia wore it during the tennis tournament in Cincinnati last month, then promptly posted his first PGA Tour victory in four years.The brothers plan to stick around long enough to defend their title in Rio in 2016. That leaves plenty of opportunities to pad their Grand Slam record.Hopefully we can snag a couple a year, one or two, Mike said. We got one this year. You do the math.They had been stuck on 11 since 2011 Wimbledon, losing to Paes and Stepanek in this years Australian Open final.We had a rough 12 months, Bob said. We took a lot of lumps, but now thats all forgotten. Its sweeter than ever.The Bryans also tied the Open-era record with their fourth U.S. Open championship, matching Bob Lutz and Stan Smith. They had been in danger of finishing a year without a major title for the first time since 04.Still would have been a good year because we have the Olympics, Mike said. But we wanted to keep the streak alive of eight years with a Slam.Next on the list of goals: the Davis Cup match against Spain.

Paralympics: Pistorius eases through to 400m final Posted: Oscar Pistorius on Friday eased through to the final of the T44 400m, setting him up to defend the last of three Paralympic crowns after after two straight defeats.The 25-year-old, the only man in the field of single and double below-the-knee amputees to run under 50sec in the one-lap sprint, was out in front after 200m and came round the final bend well ahead before crossing the line in 48.31sec.The Blade Runner looked comfortable as he slowed to the tape, saving his energy for Saturdays final for which he will be favourite, after a tough Games that has seen him lose his 100m and 200m titles.From Pistorius heat, Germanys David Behre and David Prince of the United States both qualifed automatically, as did Princes compatriot Blake Leeper, Alan Oliveira of Brazil and Liu Zheming of China in the previous heat.Jarryd Wallace of the United States and Ivan Prokopyev of Russia qualified as fastest losers.South African Pistorius is the most high-profile athlete at the Games after he became the first double-amputee to compete at the Olympics last month.But the loss of his shorter race titles has indicated a shift in power in amputee sprinting, with Pistorius unable to compete with world record holder Jonnie Peacock of Britain in the 100m on Thursday, trailing in fourth.He also hit out after Oliveira took his 200m title, accusing his rivals of having illegally high artificial running blades, although the International Paralympic Committee said it had found no infringements.

Golf: Vijay Singh seizes lead at BMW Championship Posted: Vijay Singh rolled in four-straight birdies en route to a six-under 66 as he vaulted into the top spot of a star-studded leaderboard after the second round of the BMW Championship.Ive got to keep it going, the three-time major champion Singh said. Ive been playing well for two days for a while now, but I need four days of good playing. Sooner or later I think four days is going to happen, and hopefully it starts this week.The Fijian reached 13-under 131 and is one shot ahead of 14-time major winner Tiger Woods and world number one Rory McIlroy who shot 67 and 68. Ryan Moore shot a six-under 66 and is tied with Woods and McIlroy at the Crooked Stick golf course.Woods, who is chasing his fourth win of the season, birdied three of his last four holes, while first-round co-leader McIlroy overcame four bogeys for a 68.The top 30 on the FedEx Cup points standings after this event move onto the Tour Championship in two weeks. Singh is currently 49th.After starting his round on the back nine, Singh got to 10-under par with the help of a four-foot birdie at the 18th.That started a superb stretch for Singh as he drained a pair of three-foot putts for birdie at one and two, then rolled in a 15-footer for his fourth straight birdie.That kind of got me going, Singh said of his birdie streak.Rory McIlroy, who is coming off a victory at last weeks Deutsche Bank Championship, birdied the last hole.It wasnt as good a day as yesterday, said McIlroy. I didnt hit the ball quite as well, but scored well and did enough to go out there and shoot another good number and set myself up in a good position going into the weekend.Woods, who played in the same group with McIlroy in the first two rounds, also made birdie on 18.Today was a struggle, said Woods. I fought hard to shoot a number today, and the way I was hitting it, I figured if I could get to double digits under par it would be a good accomplishment. I got a couple more out of it.Lee Westwood had a seven-under 65 and is tied for fifth with American Bo Van Pelt, who had a three-under 69 in round two. They are tied at 11-under par.Canadian Graham DeLaet had a two-under 70 and is tied for seventh at minus-10 with South Koreas Seung-Yul Noh, who shot a six-under 66.Reigning FedEx Cup champion Bill Haas fired an eight-under 64 Friday and moved into a share of ninth with Graeme McDowell (67), Dustin Johnson (67) and Padraig Harrington (65). The group is at nine-under 135.US Open champion Webb Simpson struggled to a three-over 75.

Merritt sets world record in 110 hurdles Posted: Olympic champion Aries Merritt set a world record of 12.80 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles on Friday, upstaging Usain Bolts routine 100-meter victory in the final Diamond League meet of the season.In a near-perfect race at the Van Damme Memorial, Merritt shot out of the blocks, didnt touch any of the hurdles and lunged at the line with both arms flung backward to slice 0.07 seconds off the old mark set by Cubas Dayron Robles four years ago.The American already had the six top times of the season and had come within 0.05 seconds of Robles mark. But in balmy conditions with a slight back wind, he finally shattered the record.It was almost perfect, Merritt said. I knew the track was going to be scorching.Merritt dominated this entire season while stars like Liu Xiang and Robles struggled to keep up and then both pulled up injured at the London Olympics.Yet even after the gold medal, he wanted something special to cap the best season of his career.I knew one day (hed break the record), I didnt know when, he said. Today happened to be that day.His goal was to clock 12.85, because in hurdles, records usually get beaten by tiny margins. Even his phone password was 1285.Time to change it to 1280.I was in shock when I saw the time pop up on the scoreboard, he said.Jason Richardson took second place, way behind in a time of 13.05.Bolt, for once, was almost an afterthought. The triple Olympic champion ran a controlled race after a slow start to win the 100 in 9.86 seconds and win the diamond trophy for the top competitor of the season.I want to take it easy now, Bolt said.Fellow Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake followed it up with a blistering 200, blasting out fast from the gun before finishing in 19.54 seconds, unchallenged by anyone.

Pakistan urges visas for India series Posted: Pakistans cricket chief on Friday urged the visiting Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna to ensure fans would get visas so they can see the first series between the two countries in five years.India has invited Pakistan to play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games in December-January. The rivals have not held a series since 2007, after cricket ties were snapped following the 2008 attacks on Mumbai.Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said its chairman Zaka Ashraf met Krishna in Islamabad to discuss travel arrangements for the series.Ashraf requested Krishna for the support of the Indian government to facilitate in the issuance of Indian visas for the Pakistani fans wanting to watch the Pakistan-India series this year, a PCB press release said.Krishna had directed Indias High Commissioner in Pakistan to extend maximum cooperation, the PCB said.A cricket series between Pakistan and India is very important for the fans on both sides of the border, said Ashraf.So it is extremely important that they are facilitated any way possible by the governments and the cricket boards of both the countries.

Pietersen left off England contract list Posted: There was no place for Kevin Pietersen among the 10 England players awarded central contracts on Friday by the England and Wales Cricket Board for the 2013 season.Pietersen has been in England exile since being dropped following the second Test against his native South Africa in Leeds last month.But the ECB did not completely close the door on Pietersen being added to the list for what will be an Ashes year, saying in a statement Friday: In respect to Kevin Pietersen discussions are on-going and they remain private. Officials, already frustrated by availability rows, were furious when it emerged Pietersen had sent provocative texts to South African players -- some allegedly critical of then England captain Andrew Strauss.That meant the 32-year-old batsman missed the final Test against the Proteas at Lords and the subsequent one-day series, which ended in a 2-2 draw with one no-result after the tourists seven-wicket win at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.Pietersen, who last month reversed his retirement from limited overs internationals, will also miss Englands defence of their World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka later this month, despite being man of the tournament when they won the 2010 edition in the Caribbean.Strauss announced his retirement last week, although he insisted it had nothing to do with the latest row involving Pietersen, his predecessor as England skipper.Alastair Cook, already leading the one-day side, was named as the new Test captain.He now has a role in deciding Pietersens future, although there appears to be little time for the ECB and the player to reach agreement if, as anticipated, the squad for the tour of India starting in November is announced next week.Over the next couple of weeks, its certainly an issue which we as the ECB will have to get resolved, Cook said Wednesday. There is stuff which needs to be talked about behind closed doors. That will happen.Pietersen has been contracted to the ECB since 2006 and is in the top bracket of the pay scale, with a deal reportedly worth 250,000 pounds ($400,050) a year in basic salary but rising substantially with win bonuses and appearance fees.The contract ties the player to the board and he can only play in tournaments such as the Indian Premier League with a release agreement from the ECB.Pietersens desire to play more often in the lucrative Twenty20 IPL has been central to his recent dispute with the ECB and, in an interview with the latest edition of the Cricketer magazine, he said of the IPL: Every board has accepted it apart from the ECB. Some part of international cricket may have to give as the IPL is not going away. No one in their right mind would turn down the contracts Ive been offered.Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and Eoin Morgan, the former Ireland international who has yet to nail down a Test place, were the four batsmen awarded central contracts Friday.Pacemen James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn and Tim Bresnan were also included, as were off-spinner Graeme Swann and wicket-keeper Matt Prior.Four other players - batsman Jonathan Bairstow, all-rounder Ravi Bopara, one-day wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter and seamer Graham Onions -- were awarded lesser, incremental contracts.National selector Geoff Miller said: Contracts are on-going recognition for those players who have regularly been selected for England and have performed consistently, as well as players who we feel could play an important role for England over the next 12 months.

Fighting rages across Syria as envoy readies new peace trip Posted: Syrian rebels attacked a strategic army base in Aleppo on Friday, as bomb attacks in Damascus and fighting elsewhere claimed more than 100 lives and as peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi prepared to visit Damascus in a new bid to end the bloodshed.The rebels claimed to have captured part of a fortress-like army position in the the Hanano district of the northern city after fierce fighting, a claim denied by the army.At least 18 soldiers and four rebels were killed, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.Rebel commander Abu Omar told AFP the goal of the offensive was to liberate Hanano, cut strategic supply lines and put a stop to shelling that has caused high civilian casualties in Aleppo, Syrias commercial hub.FSA media coordinator Abdullah Yasser said Hanano is one of the main places from which they are shooting, so taking it over could be a turning point for us.In Damascus, a motorcycle bomb struck as worshippers left a mosque after weekly prayers in the Rokn Eddin neighbourhood, state television said.The terrorist attack killed five members of the security forces and injured several others, it said.In a second attack, a car bomb caused damage near the courthouses in central Damascus, the television said, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said another blast struck the Salhiyeh district.Despite the violence sweeping the country, anti-regime protests were held in several towns and villages, the Britain-based Observatory said.On the southeast outskirts of Damascus, hundreds of troops backed by armour stormed the town of Babila, where FSA elements were entrenched, it added.A raid by security forces on Al-Qazzaz in southeastern Damascus, in which troops rounded up dozens of suspected militants, sparked clashes with rebels, the Observatory said.Elsewhere, two children were killed when Albu Kamal on the Iraqi border was shelled, and two rebels were killed by mortar fire in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, the Observatory said.In the northwestern province of Idlib, scores of homes were destroyed by shelling, and a child was killed in an air strike on rebel-held Rastan in the central Homs province, and three civilians died in Talbisseh town, it said.At least 100 people, mostly civilians, were killed nationwide, according to the Observatory.In another grisly find in the almost 18-month revolt against President Bashar al-Assads regime, residents recovered 45 bodies in two towns on the outskirts of Damascus, the group said.It said at least 23 bodies, including those of women and children, were found in the eastern suburb of Zamalka on Thursday, while another 22 were discovered in Qatana southeast of the capital.Opposition activists blamed pro-government forces for the Zamalka killings, accusing the regime of a new massacre.On Friday, the bodies of 16 men were found in Harasta, also in Damascus province, some bearing signs of torture, the Observatory said.The conflict in Syria has claimed a total of more than 26,000 lives since it erupted in mid-March 2011, according to the Observatory, with civilians accounting for most of those killed.

Quakes kill at least 64 in mountainous SW China Posted: Twin earthquakes and a spate of aftershocks struck southwestern China on Friday, toppling thousands of houses and sending boulders cascading across roads. At least 64 people were killed and hundreds injured in the remote mountainous area, and more than 100,000 residents were evacuated.Damage was preventing rescuers from reaching outlying towns, and communications were disrupted after the midday quakes hit along the borders of Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, a rural region where some of Chinas poorest people live.The first 5.6-magnitude quake struck just before 11:30 a.m. and was followed by an equally strong quake shortly after noon, joined by dozens of aftershocks. Though of moderate strength, the quakes were shallow, which often causes more damage.Hardest hit was Yiliang County, where all but one of the deaths occurred, according to the Yunnan provincial governments official website. Another 715 people in the area were injured. Yiliangs high population density, shoddy building construction and propensity for landslides were blamed for the relatively high death toll.China Central Television showed roads littered with rocks and boulders and pillars of dust rising over hilltops from the landslides. One image taken just as one quake struck showed people running out of a supermarket as the ground shook.Other footage showed several hundred people crowding into a school athletic field in Yiliangs county seat, a sizable city spread along a river in a valley, as well as soldiers carrying injured people and rescue materials.Though quakes occur in the area frequently, buildings in rural areas and Chinas fast-growing smaller cities and towns are often constructed poorly. A magnitude-7.9 quake that hit Sichuan province, just north of Yunnan, in 2008 killed nearly 90,000 people, with many of the deaths blamed on poorly built structures, including schools.Fridays quakes destroyed or damaged almost 30,000 homes across several counties and townships, the provincial government website said. The Yunnan seismology bureau said more than 100,000 people were evacuated from their homes. All told, 700,000 people had their lives disrupted by the quake, the official Xinhua News Agency said.In Luozehe, a town in Yiliang near a zinc mine, residents and state media said boulders hurtled off hillsides and houses collapsed.

Dozens feared dead after migrant boat sinks off Italy Posted: Rescuers searched Friday for around 50 migrants feared drowned after their boat sank off the coast of the southern Italian island of Lampedusa overnight, Italian rescue services said.The Italian coastguard and nearby NATO ships rescued 56 people from the sea after receiving a distress call from the sinking boat, which survivors said had been carrying 136 people including 10 women and six children.The coastguard also called on private vessels and teams from local deep-sea diving centres to join the search.Coastguard spokesman Filippo Marini said one body had been found and that the search would continue as long as there is hope of finding survivors.Those rescued, including one woman, are in good health, although they are suffering from hypothermia, after hours in the water, Marini said.Some were plucked from the waters off the islet of Lampione, while others had made it ashore.The survivors, apparently all Tunisians, were taken to a nearby reception centre on Lampedusa, off Italys southernmost tip.A passenger on the boat gave the alarm in a satellite phone call late Thursday, saying they were sinking about 12 nautical miles off Lampedusa, the Italian island closest to the coast of north Africa.Coast guard and police vessels as well as NATO helicopters and ships from Italy, Germany and Turkey joined the search for survivors.NATOs southern command in Naples joined the operation after a request by Italian authorities, NATO said in a statement from Brussels.The first people were pulled from the sea around 2:30 am (0030 GMT), while some managed to swim to the islet. Two were rescued by a German NATO ship while one exhausted migrant was flown to land by helicopter.So far however there has been no sign of the wrecked boat.Some Italian media reports have speculated that it might have quickly sank -- or simply have been towed back to Tunisia by a mother boat, which could have taken the remaining migrants with it.Prosecutors in Agrigento, southern Sicily, have opened an inquiry into whether there were people traffickers on board and, if so, whether these were among the survivors.But UN refugee agency spokeswoman Laura Boldrini said: The idea of people smugglers is by now obsolete.Today it is the migrants themselves who take turns in sailing the boat. They are often people with no maritime experience.Save the Children Italy said five children had survived.It called on national and international authorities to make every effort to reinforce and multiply prevention initiatives to stop migrants attempting the crossing.Rights group Amnesty International also expressed its concern.Once again, the waters around the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa have played host to a tragedy, highlighting that the number of people dying on Europes doorstep is still increasing, it said.The islands mayor, Giusi Nicolini, said she was deeply saddened for the victims of the tragedy, the latest in a long line of shipwrecks in the area.She warned against getting used to these tragedies, to the idea that in todays world crossing the Mediterranean in search of a job or a decent life is tantamount to playing Russian roulette.

Oil rises as jobs report gives fuel to Fed hopes Posted: The price of oil finished higher Friday as concerns about a disappointing US employment report gave way to the likelihood of action by the Federal Reserve.Benchmark crude rose 89 cents to finish at $96.42 per barrel, after an initial negative reaction to the mornings jobs report.The price dropped nearly $2 in the first hour of trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange after the government reported that the economy added a weaker-than-expected 96,000 jobs last month.Hiring hasnt been strong enough to jump-start the economic recovery. And that means demand for energy, including gasoline for commuting to work, remains constrained. Gasoline demand rose less than 1 percent in the four weeks ended Aug. 31 compared with same period a year ago, the government said Thursday.But the weak jobs report increases the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will unveil a new bond-buying program designed to lower long-term interest rates. The expectations of economy-boosting measures, not only in the US but in China and Europe, have supported oil prices for the past few weeks. China and the European Central Bank announced new programs Thursday. The Fed conducts a policy meeting next week.The push and pull between economic weakness and stimulus expectations has kept oil in a range of $94 to $97 for three weeks.Oil has hit a sweet spot it cant get too hot and it cant get too cold, said Phil Flynn of Price Futures Group.A report out Friday suggests the price may still be too hot for the Obama administration however. While the White House has been considering tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for weeks, Reuters is reporting that its mulling a release much larger than the 30 million barrels from last year in an effort to stem the higher cost of oil and gasoline.Brent crude, which is used to price international varieties of oil, rose 76 cents to end at $114.25 on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

Dollar falls on weaker-than-expected jobs data Posted: The government said employers added 96,000 jobs in August. Economists had expected an increase of 135,000. The unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent from 8.3 percent in July, but only because more people gave up looking for jobs.The euro rose to $1.2795 late Friday, up from $1.2643 late Thursday. The euro jumped as high as $1.2814, its highest point against the dollar since May 22.The British pound rose to $1.6004 from $1.5936.The dollar fell to 78.29 Japanese yen from 78.88 yen, to 0.9457 Swiss franc from 0.9532 Swiss franc and to 97.82 Canadian cents from 98.22 Canadian cents.The dollar also fell against the Australian and New Zealand dollar, the Norwegian krone, the South Korean won and the Hong Kong dollar.

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