Dunya TV

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• Notification of decrease in POL prices issued
• PM suspends his official engagements
• Shia Ulema Council for targeted operation in Karachi
• Altaf gives three-day ultimatum to arrest culprits
• Relatives of Shehla Raza among blast victims
• CM Sindh forms committee to probe Abbas Town blast
• Karachi blast: Mourning day in Punjab, Sindh today
• Iran says it has 3,000 advanced centrifuges
• Kerry in Riyadh for Gulf talks on Iran, Syria
• Syria opposition chief makes first Aleppo visit: source
• At least eight dead in Ecuador floods: officials
• SW China quake destroys 700 homes, injures 30
• Pliskova wins maiden title in Malaysia
• Bale scores again as Spurs beat Arsenal 2-1
• Mercedes' Rosberg closes F1 tests with fastest lap

Notification of decrease in POL prices issued Posted: According to notification issued by OGRA, the decision to increase prices of petroleum products from March 1 has been reversed and the petroleum prices have reverted to February 28 level.According to new notification price of petrol were reverted to Rs103.07 per litre, kerosene oil Rs 99.90 high speed diesel Rs 109.21 and light diesel oil Rs 94.78 per litre.

PM suspends his official engagements Posted: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, who was in Karachi, Sunday suspended all his official engagements and was in constant touch with law enforcement agencies and local administration to oversee relief and rescue operation in the wake of unfortunate bomb blasts, in which precious lives were lost.In this connection, the Prime Minister met Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and directed him to ensure that relief operations were re-doubled, injured persons evacuated and provided medical treatment promptly.The Prime Minister also appealed to public and private hospitals to extend all possible medical help to the injured.The Prime Minister also announced that the Federal Government would pay all expenditure for the treatment to those affected by the bomb blasts in Abbas Town.Reiterating resolve of the Federal Government to provide all possible assistance to the victims of bomb blasts, the Prime Minister ordered the provincial administration to submit a comprehensive report about the incident.The Prime Minister was in constant touch with relevant authorities and was personally monitoring the situation.Earlier, the Prime Minister condemned the incident and expressed his profound grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives.

Shia Ulema Council for targeted operation in Karachi Posted: Addressing a press conference in Karachi on late Sunday night, Allama Nazir Abbad of Shia Ulema Council said that the government has failed to curb terrorism and demanded a targeted operation against banned organizations in the city.Maulana Ali Anwar Jaafri, Allama Sadiq Raza Taqvi and Allama Jaafar Sehbai were also present on the occasion. Allama Nazir Abbas reiterated that the blast was not a result of sectarian violence. He said that there is complete harmony between Sunni and Shia communities.He also threatened to start countrywide protests if the culprits behind Abbas Town blast were not arrested till Thursday.

Altaf gives three-day ultimatum to arrest culprits Posted: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has expressed his deep sense of grief and sorrow over the deaths of innocent people in Abbas Town blast in which 45 people were killed and 150 others were injured.He offered his condolences over the loss of lives in the blast and prayed to Allah to shower blessings on the souls of the people who lost their lives. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.Altaf called for a day of mourning in aftermath of the blast. He gave three-day ultimatum to the government to arrest culprits behind Abbas Town blast. He said that if the culprits were not arrested then the people of Sindh will close all business activities till the end of terrorism in the province.

Relatives of Shehla Raza among blast victims Posted: According to details, Akhtar Zaidi, brother-in-law of Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza, her cousin and a three-year-old child were also killed in Abbas Town blast.Talking to Dunya News, Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza said that her relatives were residing in Abbas Town and still there was no information about some of them.She said that the nation should unite to defeat terrorism. Shehla appealed to the people to remain calm.

CM Sindh forms committee to probe Abbas Town blast Posted: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has formed a six-member committee to probe Abbas Town blast on Sunday in which 45 people were killed and 150 others were injured.The committee will be headed by by Additional IG CID and present its report to the government in three days. The committee was formed in a meeting which was chaired by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah to review law and order situation in Karachi.On the other hand, Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad telephoned Commissioner Karachi and sought information about flats affected in the massive blast.Ebad assured that the government would provide relief to the affected people. He also announced that government would rebuild all damaged flats.Meanwhile, the governement has announced Rs 1.5 million for the dead and Rs one million for the injured as compensation.

Karachi blast: Mourning day in Punjab, Sindh today Posted: According to an announcement of Punjab government, mourning day will be observed in Punjab today (Monday) following deadly bomb blasts in Abbas Town in Karachi.On the other hand CM Sindh, Qaim Ali Shah also announced to observe a day of mourning today following Abbas Town blasts which killed 45 people and injured more than 150.National flags will remain at half-mast on all the government buildings.All education institutes, markets and courts will remain closed today in Karachi.A powerful blast occurred in a residential plaza in Abbas Town near Abul Hassan Isfahani Road on Sunday evening.Police and rescue teams rushed to the area after the blast while the injured were shifted to different hospitals. Panic spread in Abbas Town which is a densely populated area.Women and children were among the dead including brother-in-law and sister-in-law of Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza, and a three-year-old child.Talking to Dunya News, Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza said that her relatives were residing in Abbas Town and still there was no information about some of them.She said that the nation should unite to defeat terrorism. Shehla appealed to the people to remain calm.According to Commissioner Karachi, 50 injured persons were in critical condition.Police claimed that engine of the vehicle used in the blast was recovered and the accused were being traced with the help of number of the engine. They added that at least 150 kilogram explosives were used in the blast.Electricity supply was suspended after the blast. 50 flats and 15 shops were gutted down as aresult of the blast.President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf strongly condemned the blasts and expressed sympathies with heirs of the victims.The governement has announced Rs 1.5 million for the dead and Rs one million for the injured as compensation.The Sindh government, MQM, PML-N and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen called for a day of mourning today while Jafria Alliance has announced wheel-Jam strike.

Iran says it has 3,000 advanced centrifuges Posted: TEHRAN (AP) - Irans nuclear chief says his country has produced more than 3,000 advanced centrifuges which are used to enrich uranium.The semiofficial Fars news agency on Sunday quoted Fereidoun Abbasi as saying that the old generation of IR-1 centrifuges will be phased out soon. Iran has more than 12,000 IR-1 centrifuges enriching uranium at its main Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran.Abbasi said last month that Iran has begun installing the newer IR-2 centrifuges, which can produce more enriched uranium in a shorter period of time. He says the production line of the new, advanced centrifuges has been completed, but he did not elaborate.The U.S. and its allies fear that Iran may eventually be able to develop a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran denies.

Kerry in Riyadh for Gulf talks on Iran, Syria Posted: RIYADH (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in the Saudi capital on Sunday for talks with the Gulf monarchies on Iran and the deadly conflict roiling Syria.Kerry, on his first trip to the region since taking over as the top US diplomat, was to dine with foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the group of six Gulf monarchies including Saudi Arabia.On Monday he will hold separate talks with each GCC nation.We thank Kerry for Americas commitment with regard to the security of the region and we will share our concerns about the relationship with Iran and the developments in Syria, Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled al-Khalifa said at a news conference after meeting with his five GCC counterparts.Several oil-rich monarchies of the GCC, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have supported the rebellion inside Syria, while Iran has steadfastly backed President Bashar al-Assads regime.Kerry arrived in Riyadh after a two-day visit to Cairo where he urged Egyptian political factions to bury their differences and unite in order to help revive the countrys sliding economy.After Riyadh Kerry will head to Abu Dhabi on Monday and later to Qatar.

Syria opposition chief makes first Aleppo visit: source Posted: BEIRUT (AFP) - Syrias opposition chief Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib made a first visit to the largely rebel-held northern province of Aleppo on Sunday, an opposition source told AFP.Khatib entered the country for a few hours on Sunday morning for the first time since becoming head of the Syrian National Coalition in November, the source said on condition of anonymity.He visited Menbej and Jarablos to view the situation of residents there and to discuss their living conditions, said the official, referring to towns in Aleppo province.Khatib also held meetings with local officials in the two towns to discuss the (Aleppo) provincial election that is being held today (Sunday) in the Turkish town of Gaziantep, the official said.The opposition-organised election for a council for the province of Aleppo is being held in Gaziantep for security reasons.People in liberated areas live in difficult conditions, and Khatibs visit was part of an effort (by the opposition) to better coordinate affairs for citizens in these areas, the official added.Amateur video footage distributed by activists show Khatib walking through the streets of Menbej, according to an unidentified cameraman.The video shows Khatib, in a dark suit and scarf, accompanied by several men through a street lined with small shops.One man is seen as recognising him and embracing Khatib, prompting others to do the same. Other passers-by stop Khatib and pose for a photograph with him.

At least eight dead in Ecuador floods: officials Posted: GUAYAQUIL (AFP) - At least eight people were killed by flooding in southwestern Ecuador following several hours of torrential rains, officials said Sunday.Unfortunately, there have been eight victims so far as a result of the flooding, said Viviana Bonilla, governor of the coastal province of Guayas where the flooding occurred.Bonilla told reporters that six people died by electrocution and one by drowning. The eighth victims was a child who was washed away by the floods and presumed dead.Officials said more heavy precipitation was expected in the region, and they were bracing for the possibility of additional casualties.

SW China quake destroys 700 homes, injures 30 Posted: BEIJING (AP) - A moderate earthquake struck southwest China on Sunday, causing hundreds of homes to collapse and injuring at least 30 people.The earthquake bureau in Yunnan province, where the quake occurred, said three of the injured people were in serious condition.The official Xinhua News Agency said the quake damaged 2,500 houses and caused 700 others to collapse.About 55,000 people were affected by the quake, Xinhua said, citing Yunnans Civil Affairs Department. Supplies were on their way to the quake-hit area, including 6,000 tents.The magnitude-5.5 quake struck 51 kilometers (32 miles) from the city of Dali at a depth of 33 kilometers (20 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey.About 34 aftershocks were recorded after the quake, Xinhua said.

Pliskova wins maiden title in Malaysia Posted: KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Karolina Pliskova shrugged off a first-set thrashing and a 40-minute rain delay to win her first WTA singles crown at the BMW Malaysian Open on Sunday.The Czech, who was playing in her first WTA final, broke American wildcard Bethanie Mattek-Sands heart with a come-from-behind 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory in 106 minutes in Kuala Lumpur.I was a little nervous at the start and couldnt get my serves in. That contributed to the heavy loss, said Pliskova.Mattek-Sands, fresh from victory with doubles partner Sania Mirza of India at last weeks Dubai Duty FreeChampionships, started strongly, breaking the world No. 197 Pliskova three times in the first set to close out an 18-minute 6-1 win.Pliskova, 20, the 2010 Australian Open junior champion, upped her game in the second set, covering the court better and having success returning Mattek-Sands powerful groundstrokes.Despite losing serve early on, she broke her opponent twice to win the set in 44 minutes.I woke up in the second set and began to serve better. This helped turn the tide.The third set was even at 1-1 when rain disrupted play for 40 minutes, with Pliskova looking refreshed after the break and prevailing over Mattek-Sands to clinch the biggest payday of her career.It was a tough match but Im delighted to win my first singles title. I still cant believe it, she said.The field was thrown open earlier in the week when top seed and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki -- suffering from a high temperature -- crashed out in the first round in a defeat to qualifier Wang Qiang of China.Mattek-Sands, who has 12 doubles titles to her name at the age of 28, will now have to wait longer for a first singles crown.Im still happy with the way I played all week. I dont think the rain delay affected me at all. Just that she played very well, said Mattek-Sands.The beauty of tennis is that there is another tournament next week so I just have to pick myself up and get on with it.

Bale scores again as Spurs beat Arsenal 2-1 Posted: LONDON (AP) - Gareth Bale maintained his exhilarating run of scoring form to set Tottenham on its way to a 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday, opening up a seven-point gap between the north London rivals in the race for Champions League qualification.Bale with his 10th goal in his past eight games and fellow winger Aaron Lennon scored in a three-minute span at the end of the first half, a crucial spell that proved enough to keep Spurs in third place with 10 games left.Per Mertesackers 51st-minute header that deflected in off Bale gave Arsenal hope of a third straight comeback from 2-0 down in a typically absorbing and frantic derby. But the visitors couldnt avoid a costly loss that dents their chances of playing in the Champions League for a 16th straight season under Arsene Wenger.Its massive to go seven points clear, in a north London derby, Spurs defender Michael Dawson said. We have a long way to go but it is a good day.With Arsenal likely to go without silverware for an eighth successive season, Wenger has been pinning his hopes on a top-four finish to salvage something from a miserable campaign. But even that is in serious doubt now, with Chelsea five points ahead of the Gunners in fourth place. There is no more room for error.Wengers side came back from a 10-point deficit to Spurs last season to qualify for Europes top competition, but Bale wasnt in such scintillating form then.The Wales winger is virtually carrying Tottenham back into the Champions League on his own, with his latest strike buttressing his strong chances of winning English footballs Player of the Year award. It also ensured he equaled the club record held jointly by Robbie Keane, Rafael van der Vaart and Teddy Sheringham of scoring in five straight Premier League games.

Mercedes' Rosberg closes F1 tests with fastest lap Posted: BARCELONA (AP) - Mercedes appears poised to make a good start in the Formula One season after Nico Rosberg clocked the best lap time in testing in Sundays final session, bettering teammate Lewis Hamiltons pace-setting effort from the previous day.Rosberg unleashed a flying lap around Catalunya Circuit of 1 minute, 20.130 seconds, more than four-tenths quicker than Hamiltons best time on Saturday.Ferrari can also be confident it has increased its speed from last season, with Fernando Alonso hitting the second-best time of all 12 days of testing in Spain, just 0.364 seconds behind Rosberg.The season opens at the Australian Grand Prix on March 17.Rosberg set his blistering mark on soft tires designed for speed during the morning session under a second straight day of clear skies after rain had dampened the track earlier in the week.The German driver, who won his first race last season, then made longer runs after the lunch break to end the day with a session-high 131 laps completed.Im pleased with our preseason testing program, Rosberg said. We have achieved a lot of mileage and I can feel that the balance of the car is good.Rosberg, however, was careful not to draw too many conclusions from testing, which has been held during colder than normal temperatures, affecting tire performance by leading to greater degradation.I have the general feeling that we are in a better position than in the second half of last year. But this is testing, not racing, of course, he said. The conditions in the first race will be completely different to here as it will be much hotter in Melbourne and Sepang, so we need to wait and see.Mercedes, which came fifth in the constructors standings last season, was hampered by mechanical problems throughout the year. It has since replaced retired great Michael Schumacher with Hamilton, a former world champion himself who joined from McLaren.Lewis (Hamilton) has settled into the team extremely well, said team principal Ross Brawn. I am pleased with the progress that the team has made over the last month and the steps forward that have been made with the car. Were realistic about our performance here and our position once we get to Melbourne, and we look forward to the challenge of a new season ahead.Jenson Button of McLaren had the third fastest time, followed by new Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg and Lotus Kimi Raikkonen, who missed yesterdays running because of a stomach illness.World champion Sebastian Vettel had the eighth quickest lap, in between Williams pair Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas.Red Bull said it spent the day focusing on race preparations instead of going for good individual lap times, leaving many to believe that the three-time defending champions have yet to show their cars full potential.Over the past couple of days we maybe didnt tick all the boxes that we wanted to, but we have a bit of time left to prepare before the season starts, said Vettel. The target is there to improve and we will do that. Im looking forward to Melbourne.Drivers got the most out of the final test day, with seven out of the 13 who took the track getting in more than 100 laps.

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