Dunya TV

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• Karachiites left at the mercy of terrorists: MQM
• Sethi apologises on dropping plan to revive Basant
• Multan: Youth guns down bride
• Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad resigns
• At least 18 dead in north Syria air raid: watchdog
• Kerry presses China to help end N Korea tensions
• At least 26 dead in Peru bus crash
• Anti-Thatcher protest in London's Trafalgar Square
• Golf: Snedeker and Cabrera in tie for Masters lead
• Wigan reaches FA Cup final as Millwall fans brawl
• Djokovic gambles on ankle in Monte Carlo
• Robredo beats Wawrinka to reach Hassan II final
• Basketball: Bryant out for up to 9 months with torn Achilles
• Ogier extends lead of Rally of Portugal
• Bangladesh again to host Asia Cup 2014

Karachiites left at the mercy of terrorists: MQM Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – In the statement issued of Saturday, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) coordination committee condemned the recent surge in the acts of terrorism in Karachi and demanded caretaker government and Election Commission of Pakistan to take action against terrorists to ensure free and fair elections in the country.The members of the coordination committee were of the view that the people were left at the mercy of terrorists and said free and fair elections would be unlikely if acts of terrorism were not controlled.

Sethi apologises on dropping plan to revive Basant Posted: LAHORE (Dunya News) - Caretaker Punjab chief minister Najam Sethi in his message at the social website “Tweeter” said some legal hitches stood between the kite-flying enthusiasts and their beloved merrymaking spring festival, thus it was not possible for him to make an exception, though he tried his best.He even apologized to the residents of Punjab for not being able to let them celebrate Basant.

Multan: Youth guns down bride Posted: MULTAN (Dunya News) - A marriage ceremony turned into tragedy when the bride, Shamim, was shot dead by a youth, Asghar, on the day of her ‘Mehndi’ ceremony in Basti Maluk area near Multan.According to details, Asghar along with his accomplice Allah Bakhsh entered the house of Shamim on Saturday and opened fire, killing her on the spot.The heirs of the deceased nabbed the accused and tortured him to death while his accomplice managed to escape.According to residents of the area, Asghar wanted to marry Shamim but her parents fixed her marriage with someone else.Police have registered a case under Section 302 and shifted the dead bodies to Nishtar Hospital.

Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad resigns Posted: RAMALLAH (AP) - Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad resigned on Saturday, leaving the Palestinians without one of their most moderate and well-respected voices just as the U.S. is launching a new push for Mideast peace.A statement from the official Palestinian news agency Wafa said President Mahmoud Abbas met with Fayyad late in the day and accepted his resignation, thanking him for his service. According to the statement, Abbas asked Fayyad to continue to serve in his post until Abbas forms a new government.Abbas was expected to name a new prime minister within days, according to Palestinian officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.Abbas and Fayyad had been locked in an increasingly bitter dispute over the extent of the prime ministers authority.Fayyad offered his resignation on Thursday, but Abbas did not respond to Fayyads offer until Saturday.His departure could spell trouble for Abbas. Fayyad, a Western-trained economist, is well respected in international circles, and he is expected to play a key role in U.S. efforts to revive peace talks.As part of that effort, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said he plans to announce a series of measures to boost the West Bank economy in the coming days. Fayyad, a former official at the International Monetary Fund with expertise in development, would be key to overseeing such projects.Fayyad has served since mid-2007 as prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, the self-rule government that administers roughly 40 percent of the Israeli-controlled West Bank. The 61-year-old political independent has focused his efforts on developing the foundations of an independent Palestinian state.A squeaky-clean public image and willingness to take on entrenched interests has often landed him in trouble with Abbas long-ruling Fatah movement.The relationship between Fayyad and Abbas has been tense for some time, and the prime minister told Abbas already late last year that he wanted to quit.Abbas told Fayyad repeatedly to wait. But the conflict between the two escalated last month over the resignation of Fayyads finance minister, Nabil Kassis. Fayyad accepted the resignation, but Abbas then overruled the prime minister, effectively challenging his right to hire and fire Cabinet ministers.Fayyad told confidants in recent days that he was determined to leave. The prime minister also complained about what he said was an attempt by leading Fatah members to undermine him.Fayyad has good ties with the U.S. and is credited with cracking down on public corruption, securing foreign aid and preparing the groundwork and infrastructure for a future Palestinian state.Backed by hundreds of millions of dollars in international aid, Fayyad has built roads and schools and promoted transparency in the governments finances. With the Palestinian Authority stuck in a financial crisis, Fayyad has come under public criticism for the cash-strapped governments failure to pay the salaries of teachers and civil servants on time.Fayyad has been in office since being appointed in June 2007 by Abbas, following the takeover of Gaza by the rival Islamic militant Hamas. Fayyads authority is largely limited to the West Bank, while Hamas continues to control Gaza.Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum criticized rival Fayyad in a statement following his resignation, saying he and his government worked to protect the Zionist occupation and US interests.

At least 18 dead in north Syria air raid: watchdog Posted: BEIRUT (AFP) - At least 18 civilians were killed, including two children and two women, in a Syrian air raid on a rebel-held town in the northwestern province of Idlib on Saturday, a monitoring group reported.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, updating an earlier toll, said 50 others were wounded in the raid on an industrial zone in the town of Saraqeb.Citing reports from activists in the area, the Observatory said a barrage of cluster munitions was fired at the area by regime forces after the air strike.Footage filmed by local activists showed thick columns of smoke rising from the scene of the raid, as panicked residents tried to retrieve the dead and wounded.Others tried to put out fires using water hoses and buckets as a man appealed on camera: There is no water, there is no electricity, and now (President) Bashar (al-Assad) is... firing at us with rockets and MiG warplanes.Elsewhere in the province, the Observatory said at least 12 rebels were killed in shelling and heavy fighting near the village of Babolin, which lies near the Damascus-Aleppo road and which loyalist forces have been trying to capture.It also reported air strikes around the Damascus area and the central province of Homs.At least 54 people were killed in violence across Syria on Saturday, according to the Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of activists and medics for its information.

Kerry presses China to help end N Korea tensions Posted: BEIJING (AFP) - China said Saturday it was in everyones interest to defuse Korea tensions as US Secretary of State John Kerry lobbied for a firmer stand on North Korea at a critical juncture for world peace.Over a long day of diplomacy in Beijing, Kerry warned Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping that the stakes were high as Chinas erratic ally North Korea threatens a missile launch that would extend a weeks-long crisis.The region has been engulfed by threats of nuclear war by Pyongyang in response to UN sanctions imposed over its recent rocket and nuclear tests, and Kerry stressed that China has a unique sway over North Korea.Mr President, this is obviously a critical time with some very challenging issues, Kerry told Xi in the Great Hall of the People, on the second leg of an Asian tour that has been swamped by the Korea crisis.As well as issues on the Korean peninsula, he cited Irans nuclear ambitions, Syria and the Middle East, and the worlds economic woes.But there was no sign in public of China endorsing a get-tough approach towards North Korea, with its top diplomat going no further than agreeing with Kerry to pursue a deeper dialogue.To properly address the Korean nuclear issue serves the common interests of all parties, Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi said ahead of a formal dinner with Kerry.It is also the shared responsibility of all parties, added Yang, who is in charge of Beijings foreign policy. China will work with other relevant parties including the United States to play a constructive role, he said.Neither official gave details of any concrete measures that had been agreed. But Kerry said they would have further discussions to bear down very quickly with great specificity on exactly how we will accomplish this goal.The secretary of state flew in from talks in South Korea with President Park Geun-Hye, where he offered public support for her plans to initiate some trust-building with the North.Washington is seeking to persuade Beijing to help rein in the bellicose threats from North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, and bring Pyongyang back to the negotiating table over its suspect nuclear programme.I think its clear to everybody in the world that no country in the world has as close a relationship or as significant an impact on the DPRK (North Korea) than China, Kerry said Friday in Seoul.Beijing has backed Pyongyang since the 1950-53 Korean War and could wield tremendous leverage over the isolated communist regime thanks to the vital aid it provides, including almost all of its neighbours energy imports.But analysts say it is wary of pushing too hard for fear of destabilising North Korea, which could send waves of hungry refugees flooding into China and ultimately lead to a reunified Korea allied with the United States.Strains in the relationship between the United States and China, the worlds top two economies, have been simmering on an array of diplomatic fronts such as Syria and Iran, as well as trade.The US Treasury Department on Friday said Chinas yuan currency remains significantly undervalued but stopped short of accusing Beijing of manipulating the currency to gain an unfair trade advantage.In opening remarks in the presence of reporters, Xi did not mention Korea but said the China-US relationship was at a new historical stage and has got off to a good start since his ascension as head of state last month.But in a commentary issued minutes later, Chinas official Xinhua news agency said Americas strategic pivot to Asia could breed mistrust, and Washington should help seek reasonable and workable solutions to regional issues.While accusing Pyongyang of reckless provocation and intolerable disregard of international wishes, Washington itself has also been fanning the flames, it said, citing a recent US military buildup in support of South Korea.

At least 26 dead in Peru bus crash Posted: LIMA (AFP) - At least 26 people died and seven others were injured early Saturday after a bus plunged 200 metres (650 feet) down a ravine in northern Peru, police said.The bus veered off a mountain road near the town of Otuzco some 570 kilometres (350 miles) north of Lima.So far, weve recovered 26 bodies, and seven people have been hurt, said Asto Moreno, an official with Otuzcos police force.Authorities blamed the regions treacherous, winding roads, the poor condition of the vehicle and driver error for the accident.Road accidents are common in the Peruvian Andes due to poorly maintained roads, inconsistent vehicle maintenance, and the propensity of overworked bus drivers to speed.In 2011, 1,124 people were killed and 2,583 injured in 1,108 highway accidents, according to the latest official figures.

Anti-Thatcher protest in London's Trafalgar Square Posted: LONDON (AP) - Hundreds of opponents of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher partied in Londons Trafalgar Square to celebrate her death, sipping Champagne and chanting Ding Dong The Witch is Dead.Thatchers most strident critics had long vowed to hold a gathering in central London on the Saturday following her passing, and the festivities were an indication of the depth of the hatred which some Britons still feel for their former leader.Weve been waiting a long time for this, Richard Watson, a 45-year-old from eastern England wearing a party hat, said.Its an opportunity of a lifetime.As a handbag-toting Thatcher effigy made its way down the stairs in front of the National Gallery, the crowd erupted into cries of Maggie Maggie Maggie Dead Dead Dead and sang lyrics from the Wizard of Oz ditty Ding Dong The Witch is Dead.Hundreds of people clutched their umbrellas in the rain between Nelsons Column and the National Gallery on the square.The mood appeared festive and the celebration was peaceful, although there was a minor scuffle with police at one point. Official crowd estimates werent immediately available.Britons remain deeply divided over Thatcher, who died Monday aged 87, and the debate over her legacy has revived the strong feelings that marked her more than decade-long term in office. Thatchers funeral is Wednesday and police are bracing for possible trouble along the procession route in central London.Widely respected on the right for reviving Britains economic fortunes and besting Argentina in a war over the Falklands, Thatcher is reviled by some on the left for her bruising confrontation with the countrys union movement and her perceived indifference to the countrys working class.

Golf: Snedeker and Cabrera in tie for Masters lead Posted: AUGUSTA (AFP) - Brandt Snedeker of the United States and Angel Cabrera of Argentina shared the lead at seven-under par 209 after the third round of the Masters on Saturday.Snedeker opened on four under, two back from leader Jason Day of Australia, and he parred the first 12 holes before advancing with three birdies in four holes to get to seven under.Cabrera, the 2009 Masters winner, also picked up three shots on the day, making a birdie at the last to finish, like Snedeker, with a three-under 69.Day, who led the field by one overnight, looked set to join Snedeker and Cabrera in a three-way tie, but he missed short putts at the last two holes to slip back to five under.That was one back of countryman Adam Scott (69), who was alone in third at six under.A third Austraian, Marc Leishman, was level with Day at five under after a 72 with Matt Kuchar (69) alone on four under and South African Tim Clark on three under after a 67, the best round of the day.Level with Clark was Tiger Woods, who was hit with a two-stroke penalty for an improper drop before the round started, but then clawed his back into contention at three under with a round of 70.History is against him though as he has never won a major when not leading. or sharing the lead, going into the final round.World number two Rory McIlroy, the winner of the previous major at the PGA Championship in August, shot himself out of the tournament with a 79 that included a triple bogey at the 11th and a double at the 15th to stand at five over.Its very disappointing. I feel like I was playing well and feel like I have been playing well coming in here and its just a frustrating day here, said McIlroy, who has been struggling since the start of the year when he changed his golfing equipment.The English challenge stuttered as Lee Westwood had a 73 to slip to two under, Justin Rose carded a 75 for level par and Luke Donald managed only a 75 to sink to two over.Phil Mickelsons hopes were shattered as the three-time former winner slipped out to eight over with a 77, while defending champion Bubba Watson, out first alone, came in with a 70 to get to two over.

Wigan reaches FA Cup final as Millwall fans brawl Posted: LONDON (AP) - Millwall fans fought among each other at Wembley Stadium, overshadowing Wigans 2-0 victory to reach the FA Cup final on Saturday for the first time in its 81-year history.Police and stewards appeared to be slow to react as the disorder built throughout the second half as groups of Millwall supporters brawled with themselves and security officials.In pictures broadcast around the world, one female Wigan fan was seen to be in tears as Millwall supporters traded punches, reviving memories of the 1970s when the London clubs struggle with hooliganism cast a shadow over English football.We are continuing to progress as a club, thats out greatest challenge, said Millwall manager Kenny Jackett, who did not see any of the fighting.Weve worked very hard to do everything we possibly can to try to be trouble-free ... if crowd trouble is going to be continuously brought up with Millwall that will hold us back.Millwall was preparing an official response to the disorder, but accepted it overshadowed the match.On the pitch, Shaun Maloney put Wigan in front in the 25th minute with a crisp finish after the Premier League side ripped through the second-division club with ease.Wigan struggled to build on its position of strength but withstood Millwall pressure before Callum McManaman netted from a tight angle in the 78th to complete the victory.Both Wigan and Millwall were taking a break from their respective struggles against relegation.Wigan will return to Wembley on May 11 just before the end of the league season to face Manchester City or Chelsea in the final.Wigan is on course to become the second history-maker this season at the national stadium. Swansea won its first major trophy in the League Cup final in February.Saturdays trip to Wembley was far happier for Wigan owner Dave Whelan than in 1960 when his football career ended in the FA Cup final after breaking his leg playing for Blackburn.We will get the chairman leading the team out (in the final), Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said. It will bring full circle his time with the FA Cup.

Djokovic gambles on ankle in Monte Carlo Posted: MONTE CARLO (AFP) - Novak Djokovic tested his damaged right ankle on Saturday with a quick exhibition hit with Andy Murray in front of the famed Monte Carlo Casino before deciding to take a chance and play in the ATP Masters 1000 starting on Sunday.The Serb world number one rolled his ankle last weekend as he led his nation into the Davis Cup semi-finals over the USA, then flew back to his Monte Carlo base for intensive rehab and treatment after a scan showed no ligament damage.Djokovic takes the top seeding at the most picturesque venue in the sport as he heads the field with Murray second.Missing from the non-obligatory event will be number three Roger Federer (pre-planned training break) and Spains David Ferrer (thigh injury).Multiple champion and king of clay Rafael Nadal will be bidding for an unprecedented ninth straight title in the principality where he continually dominates.The Spaniard ranked fifth and seeded third flew in after a three-week rest in the wake of his Indian Wells title last month, the climax to his comeback to tennis after a seven-month pause for knee injuries.The 26-year-old was seen off at the airport on his home island of Mallorca on Friday, climbing aboard a private jet for the quick flight to the Mediterranean coast enclave of Monaco. He later got in a hit at the Monte Carlo Country Club venue.After a tough tour and training, the (left) knee has left me more sore than I would have liked, Nadal told Spanish television. But in the last few days I am much better, really.Nadal, seven-time French Open winner, boasts 35-2 record on clay over the past year as he begins the Roland Garros run-up campaign. His dream scenario would be a sixth career sweep of the Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and French Open series.Out of the event is number 14 Tommy Haas, who provided thrills in Miami a few weeks ago with his semi-final appearance on the eve of his 35th birthday. The absence of the German leaves a place in the field for colourful Latvian Ernests Gulbis.Top eight seeds all begin with byes, which should give Djokovic a mid-week start an more time to regain his ankle fitness.Czech Tomas Berdych, who sat out Davis Cup play last week with a shoulder injury, is back and seeded fourth, ahead of Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who had originally not been scheduled to play the event.Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga takes the sixth seeding, while compatriot Richard Gasquet stands seventh and Serb Janko Tipsarevic eighth.

Robredo beats Wawrinka to reach Hassan II final Posted: CASABLANCA (AP) - Tommy Robredo reached the Grand Prix Hassan II final after beating top-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday.The Spaniard will play his first final of the year against the winner of Saturdays later semifinal between second-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa and No. 3 Martin Klizan of Slovakia.The 30-year-old Robredo has 10 career titles but none since winning on outdoor clay in Santiago, Chile, two years ago, which was also his last final.In their first meeting since 2008, Robredo improved to 5-1 overall against Wawrinka, having won all three of their matches on clay.Wawrinka broke Robredos serve twice and did not face a single break point in the first set.

Basketball: Bryant out for up to 9 months with torn Achilles Posted: LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant faces up to nine months on the sidelines after his injury was confirmed as a torn Achilles, the NBA team said Saturday.Bryant had left the court in agony toward the end of Friday's 118-116 win over Golden State and later declared his season over.The Lakers confirmed he now faced between six and nine months on the sidelines following the injury.Bryant is schedule to have surgery on Saturday to repair the damage, said Lakers head trainer Gary Vitti.Vitti described it as a third rupture.It is gone. It has to be sewn back together, said Vitti.Bryant said immediately after the game that he felt a pop as he tried to beat Harrison Barnes to the outside with just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter of Friday night's tight contest.I felt like I got kicked. It is a move I make a million times and pop, Bryant said. Just a freak situation I guess.Bryant later vented in the early morning hours Saturday on his social network Facebook page saying that he isn't sure he can come back 100 percent from the rehabilitation.This is such BS All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times, Bryant wrote on Facebook.The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?? How in the world am I supposed to do that??

Ogier extends lead of Rally of Portugal Posted: LOULE (AP) - Championship leader Sebastien Ogier closed in on victory at the Rally of Portugal after extending his advantage through the six stages on Saturday.The French driver leads the race heading into Sunday's final four stages by 34.8 seconds over Volkswagen teammate Jari-Matti Latvala.Daniel Sordo entered the day less than five seconds off Ogier's pace but retired in the morning after crashing his Citroen.I think I saved my tires better than the others, said Ogier. It was a good day but tomorrow has two long stages so it's going to be tough as well.Ogier leads the championship standings by 31 points after three of 13 rallies.Mikko Hirvonen is in third at over a minute behind.

Bangladesh again to host Asia Cup 2014 Posted: Dhakka :(Dunyanews) The 2014 Asia Cup will be held in Bangladesh after India, who had originally agreed to play hosts, cited a packed international schedule as the main reason for being unable to organise the tournament.The likely dates for the tournament will be February 24 to March 8. The decision was taken at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) board meeting on April 8 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where India informed the other ACC members that they were focused instead on finalising the itinerary for the New Zealand tour, scheduled to be held in February-March next year.It is understood that Bangladesh volunteered to host the Asia Cup and even decided to postpone the scheduled tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which was to be held around the same period. According to an official privy to the minutes of the meeting, the dates could be changed again considering India have been facing hiccups in negotiating dates with Cricket New Zealand.The BCCI has been trying to convince New Zealand Cricket to trim their schedule of the New Zealand tour to two Tests, two ODIs and two T20Is to enable India to participate in the Asia Cup. The ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP) has India scheduled to play three Tests, five ODIs and a single Twenty20 international.Hosting the Asia Cup does throw Bangladesh's FTP schedules into disarray. According to the FTP, Bangladesh are set to host Sri Lanka for two Tests and three ODIs from the second week of February. A tri-nation series is also scheduled involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan immediately after, and just before the World Twenty20s begin on March 16.

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