Dunya TV

---

• US sends destroyer to search for missing jet
• US air strike targets senior Somali militant: Pentagon
• US suspects North Korea had help attacking Sony Pictures: source
• Martino pondering Messi partner dilemma
• Oil prices hit 5-year low
• Fiat Chrysler recalls 67,000 pickups over ignition flaw
• Indonesia asks for US help in missing jet search
• Ebola returns to Europe with first case diagnosed in Britain
• Palestinians present tougher UN resolution
• Female bishop linked to US bicycle fatality
• Politicians must refrain from doing politics over tragic incidents: Memon
• Indonesia fears missing plan 'at bottom of sea'
• Five arrested in Morocco on 'terror' charges
• Death toll in the Greek ferry fire rises to 8
• Egypt court bans annual Jewish pilgrimage

US sends destroyer to search for missing jet Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States deployed a destroyer to help look for a missing AirAsia jetliner, US officials said Monday, amid fears the aircraft crashed into the sea.The USS Sampson was expected to arrive Tuesday to the search zone for Flight QZ8501, which disappeared on Sunday over the Java Sea with 162 people on board.The US Navy is working closely with the government of Indonesia to identify additional surface or airborne capabilities that best assist their search efforts, the Navys 7th Fleet said in a statement.The State Department earlier said that Indonesia had officially requested US help and confirmed that no Americans were on board the flight.Our embassy in Jakarta is in close contact with Indonesian officials, and today, we received a request for assistance locating the airplane, said Jeffrey Rathke, a State Department spokesman.We are reviewing that request to find out how best we can meet Indonesias request for assistance.He noted it would take a little bit of time to evaluate the request, without detailing what kind of aid the United States might provide.Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said the aid could include some air, surface and sub-surface detection capabilities.We stand ready to assist in any way possible, he said in a statement.Dozens of aircraft and ships were searching for the missing plane, which went missing en route from Surabaya in Indonesias east Java to Singapore after the pilots requested a change of flight plan due to stormy weather.The missing plane is the third crisis for a Malaysian carrier this year.Australia, Malaysia and Singapore have joined the Indonesia-led search as anguished relatives awaited news of their loved ones.

US air strike targets senior Somali militant: Pentagon Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - US war planes carried out a strike in southern Somalia on Monday targeting a senior leader of the Shebab militia, the Pentagon said, without giving any details of casualties.Military spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said the raid hit a target in Saakow, shortly after the Islamist rebel groups intelligence chief surrendered to government and African Union forces.Kirby did not identify the targeted militant chief by name.At this time, we do not assess there to be any civilian or bystander casualties, he said.We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information, when appropriate, as details become available.If a senior militant was killed in the strike, it would be the latest in a series of setbacks for the militia since the death of its former leader Ahmed Abdi Godane in another US attack in September.On Saturday, officials said the Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups intelligence chief Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi, the subject of a $3 million US bounty, had surrendered to Somali government forces.

US suspects North Korea had help attacking Sony Pictures: source Posted: WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. investigators believe that North Korea likely hired hackers from outside the country to help with last months massive cyberattack against Sony Pictures, an official close to the investigation said on Monday.As North Korea lacks the capability to conduct some elements of the sophisticated campaign by itself, U.S. investigators are looking at the possibility that Pyongyang contracted out some of the cyber work, according to the official, who was not authorized to speak on the record about the investigation.The attack on Sony Pictures is regarded to be the most destructive ever against a company on U.S. soil because the hackers not only stole huge quantities of data, but also wiped hard drives and brought down much of the studios network for more than a week.While U.S. officials investigate whether North Korea enlisted help from outside contractors, the FBI stood by its previous statement that Pyongyang was the prime author of the attack against the Sony Corp unit.The FBI has concluded the Government of North Korea is responsible for the theft and destruction of data on the network of Sony Pictures Entertainment, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a statement to Reuters.There is no credible information to indicate that any other individual is responsible for this cyber incident, the FBI said.North Korea has denied that it was behind the Sony attack and has vowed to hit back against any U.S. retaliation.The people who claimed responsibility for the hack have said on Internet postings that they were incensed by the film The Interview, a Sony Pictures comedy about a fictional assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.Some security experts have begun to question the FBIs assertion that Pyongyang was behind the cyberattack. For instance, consulting firm Taia Global said the results of a linguistic analysis of communications from the suspected hackers suggest they were more likely from Russia than North Korea. Cybersecurity firm Norse said it suspects a Sony insider might have helped launch the attack.I think the government acted prematurely in announcing unequivocally that it was North Korea before the investigation was complete, said Mark Rasch, a former federal cybercrimes prosecutor. There are many theories about who did it and how they did it. The government has to be pursuing all of them.

Martino pondering Messi partner dilemma Posted: BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Argentina coach Gerardo Martino has admitted his surplus of attacking players is causing him a selection headache.The former Barcelona coach said he has too many players similar to Lionel Messi and would rather have such talent spread throughout the team.At the moment, forwards Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero are all vying for a place alongside four-time world player of the year Messi.The big problem in Argentina is the quality of players in the middle of the park up to attack, Martino was quoted on Monday by Argentine newspaper Clarin.If Tevez played at No.2, Higuain No.6 and Aguero No.9, wed have a great team.All three players are enjoying impressive seasons with their clubs as Manchester Citys Aguero (14) and Tevez (10) of Juventus are top scorers in the English and Italian top flights respectively.Higuain has been in good goal-scoring form too for Napoli, finding the net seven times.But Martino said its unlikely hell be able to fit all three into his Copa America squad in June and July.When the time comes well see if all three will come or not, said Martino.We have to see how everyone will get along, given that some will play and others wont.Footballers need to understand that it is very difficult for players with the same characteristics to live together in the same team.

Oil prices hit 5-year low Posted: NEW YORK (AFP) - Crude oil prices fell to a five-year low Monday with analysts blaming expectations of more bad news for demand due to slower economic conditions.US crude benchmark West Texas Intermediate for February delivery lost $1.12 to finish at $53.61 a barrel after holding in the $56 range for nearly two weeks.Brent crude for February delivery, the London benchmark, fell 57 cents from Fridays close to $57.88.Both last traded at those levels in May 2009.Analysts said traders were girding for more downward pressure stirred up by the impact of Greeces political situation on the European economy, expected poor numbers on Chinas industrial sector, and another possible increase in US stockpiles.Its a very bearish environment out there, said John Kilduff of Again Capital.Prices were stronger in early trade Monday on signs that Libyan output could be cut back due to storage tanks fires amid clashes between government and militia forces, but that had little lasting impact on the market, noted Kilduff.Bob Yawger of Mizuho Securities said there were other short-term causes for the fall, including US storage tank operators trying to lower their holdings for end-of-year tax reasons.

Fiat Chrysler recalls 67,000 pickups over ignition flaw Posted: NEW YORK (AFP) - Fiat Chrysler Automobiless US unit on Monday recalled about 67,000 older-model Dodge and Mitsubishi pickup trucks which can be started while in gear, a problem linked to one death.The recall involves 66,819 Dodge Dakota, Dodge Ram and Mitsubishi Raider manual transmission trucks of the model-years 2006 and 2007. Nearly all the trucks are in the United States, Canada and Mexico.FCA US said a spring wire in the trucks clutch-ignition interlock switches could break, making it possible for the truck to be started and begin moving while in gear without depressing the clutch.The company said it knew of one death stemming from a single accident related to the problem.FCA said it would replace the clutch ignition interlock switches. In the meantime it advised drivers to only start them while in neutral and with the parking brake engaged.

Indonesia asks for US help in missing jet search Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - Indonesia has requested help from the United States to search for a missing AirAsia jetliner, US officials said Monday, amid fears the aircraft crashed into the sea.The State Department also confirmed that no Americans were on Flight QZ8501, which disappeared on Sunday over the Java Sea with 162 people on board.Our embassy in Jakarta is in close contact with Indonesian officials, and today, we received a request for assistance locating the airplane, said Jeffrey Rathke, a State Department spokesman.We are reviewing that request to find out how best we can meet Indonesias request for assistance.He noted it would take a little bit of time to evaluate the request, without detailing what kind of aid -- military or otherwise -- the United States might provide.Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said the aid could include some air, surface and sub-surface detection capabilities.We stand ready to assist in any way possible, he added.Dozens of planes and ships were searching for the missing plane, which lost contact en route from Surabaya in Indonesias east Java to Singapore after the crew requested a change of flight plan due to stormy weather, in the third crisis for a Malaysian carrier this year.Australia, Malaysia and Singapore have joined the Indonesia-led search as anguished relatives awaited news of their loved ones.

Ebola returns to Europe with first case diagnosed in Britain Posted: GLASGOW (AFP) - A healthcare worker recently back from Sierra Leone was diagnosed with Ebola on Monday by doctors in Scotlands largest city, the first diagnosis of the deadly virus in Britain during the current outbreak.Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that the patient was a female health worker who had been working on the front-line with Ebola patients, and was currently in a stable condition in hospital.The patient returned to Scotland late Sunday via Casablanca and London Heathrow, arriving at Glasgow Airport at around 11:30 pm local time (2330 GMT), according to a Scottish government press release.She was admitted to Gartnavel Hospital campus Monday after feeling unwell and placed in isolation at 7:50 am.All possible contacts with the patient are now being investigated and anyone deemed to be at risk will be contacted and closely monitored, said the government.However, having been diagnosed in the very early stages of the illness, the risk to others is considered extremely low.Alastair McConchie from the Scottish health service explained that the patient had been transferred using a specialist ambulance service and was not showing any great clinical concern.The patient was being treated in the hospitals Brownlee Unit for Infectious Diseases but a transfer was being arranged to move her to the high level isolation unit in Londons Royal Free hospital as soon as possible, according to protocol laid down by the government in London.British Prime Minister David Cameron later said that all measures would be taken to protect public health.The Scottish government is currently contacting the 71 other people onboard the British Airways flight from London to Glasgow, but stressed there was negligible risk as the patient displayed no symptoms of the type that could cause transmission.Our first thoughts at this time must be with the patient diagnosed with Ebola and their friends and family. I wish them a speedy recovery, said Sturgeon at a press conference.Scotland has been preparing for this possibility from the beginning of the outbreak in west Africa and I am confident that we are well prepared.- Patient screened at Heathrow -Sturgeon confirmed that she had earlier chaired a meeting of the Scottish governments resilience committee and that she was working closely with Cameron.British Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt was also to chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee late Monday.Scotland remains part of the United Kingdom following Septembers referendum, but has autonomy over its health service.However, it has agreed to send any Ebola patients to the highly-specialised London unit.Will Pooley, a British nurse, was treated there using the experimental ZMapp drug earlier this year after being diagnosed with Ebola in Sierra Leone.He recovered and has since returned to the country to help fight the disease.Sturgeon revealed that the patient had been screened when leaving Sierra Leone and also when transferring at Heathrow, but had shown no signs of infectionIt would appear she has been diagnosed at a very early stage before symptoms were manifesting themselves, said the first minister.The last Ebola patient in Europe was a Nigerian UN peacekeeper who was cured after being brought to the Netherlands for treatment.He was flown to there at the request of the World Health Organization in a specially equipped plane and treated at the university hospital in the central city of Utrecht.Spanish nurse Teresa Romero in October became the first person to be diagnosed with the disease within the European Union.The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in west Africa has risen to 7,842 out of 20,081 cases recorded, the World Health Organization said Monday.

Palestinians present tougher UN resolution Posted: UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - Palestinian envoys presented Monday a more toughly-worded UN draft resolution on statehood that could come up for a vote at the Security Council this week, despite US opposition.The United States again rejected the text that would pave the way to a Palestinian state by setting a 12-month deadline to reach a final peace deal and calling for a full Israeli withdrawal by the end of 2017.Arab ambassadors endorsed the text, which contains new provisions on declaring East Jerusalem the capital of a Palestinian state, settling the issue of Palestinian prisoner releases and halting Jewish settlements.Security Council member Jordan submitted the text to the other council members, but no decision on the timing for a vote was taken.Both our leaderships will be discussing, to find the best way and the best timing to vote on the Security Council resolution, Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar told reporters.Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour said the vote could realistically take place Tuesday.The draft resolution was formally presented to the council on December 17, but the United States quickly rejected the text over Palestinian insistence that deadlines be set.The Palestinians had said they were open to negotiations on the text and Jordan began talks on a measure that could garner a consensus among the 15 council members.But the latest push showed that prospects for a resolution that would satisfy both the Palestinians and the United States were bleak.Discussions on the draft resolution come amid mounting international alarm over the ongoing violence and the failure to restart negotiations.Israeli troops shot dead a 17-year-old Palestinian boy in the occupied West Bank during a stone-throwing incident Monday near the northern city of Nablus, sources on both sides said.- US opposes resolution -US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Sunday about the latest Palestinian push at the United Nations.We dont think this resolution is constructive, said Jeff Rathke, a State Department spokesman. We dont believe this resolution... advances the goal of a two-state solution.The new resolution seen by AFP contains eight amendments, including a new provision recalling that Israels West Bank barrier was declared illegal and demanding an end to Israeli settlement construction in the Palestinian territories and East Jerusalem.It remained unclear if the Palestinians would seek a quick vote or hold off until January 1, when five new members with a pro-Palestinian stance join the Security Council.Diplomats said it was unlikely that the resolution would garner nine votes under the current makeup of the council -- a scenario that would allow the United States to avoid resorting to its veto power.A US veto risks angering key Arab allies, including partners in the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela begin their two-year stint at the council on January 1, replacing Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, Rwanda and South Korea.Several European parliaments have adopted non-binding motions calling for recognition of Palestine and there are fears of a return to war unless peace efforts are revived.The Palestinians have warned that if the bid to win support for a UN resolution fails, they are prepared to join the International Criminal Court to file suits against Israel.They will also take action at the UN General Assembly and in other international fora to force the issue of Palestinian statehood on the agenda.If the Arab-Palestinian initiative submitted to the Security Council to put an end to occupation doesnt pass, we will be forced to take the necessary political and legal decisions, Abbas said last week.If it fails, we will no longer deal with the Israeli government, which will then be forced to assume its responsibilities as an occupier.

Female bishop linked to US bicycle fatality Posted: BALTIMORE (AFP) - The first female Episcopal bishop in Maryland has been put on leave after she was involved in the hit-and-run death of a bicyclist, her diocese said Monday.Bishop Suffragan Heather Cook drove off after she struck 41-year-old Tom Palermo on a tree-lined residential street in Baltimore on Saturday, then drove off.She returned to the scene about 20 minutes later to take responsibility for her actions, Bishop Eugene Sutton said in a statement.Because the nature of the accident could result in criminal charges, I have placed Bishop Cook on administrative leave, effective immediately.He urged the faithful to please pray for Mr Palermo, his family and Bishop Cook during this most difficult time.Palermo was well-known in the Baltimore area for hand-crafting bicycle frames in his own shop, and his death sparked anger among fellow cyclists.We urge the justice system to hold the driver who killed Tom accountable for her actions, the Baltimore bicycle advocacy group Bikemore said, as police continued their investigation.Mourners came on bicycles or on foot to lay flowers at the spot where Palermo was struck, on a street with a marked bicycle lane that otherwise had no divider to separate it from motor traffic.It is clear that dedicated bicycle lanes were not enough to keep even an experienced bicycle rider safe, Bikemore said on its website.New York state native Cook, 58,became Marylands first female Episcopal bishop when she was elected bishop suffragan -- the second-highest position in the diocese -- in May this year.She was among four candidates for the position, all of them women.In 2012, 726 pedalcylists - a category that also includes tricycle riders -- were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationAnother 49,000 sustained injuries, the federal agency reported in April.

Politicians must refrain from doing politics over tragic incidents: Memon Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – Provincial minister for Information Sharjeel Memon on Monday has said that the politicians must not do politics over tragic incidents like Timber Market fire. The accommodation of the Timber Market fire affectees is being arranged in the nearby schools, he added.He expressed these views in a press conference in Karachi.Memon said that investigations would be done to find out whether the fire erupted accidentally or somebody is responsible for this crime. They would not spare the people responsible for any negligency if found, he added.The minister said that they would rehabilitate the affectees on the pattern like they did the rehabilitation of the Bolton Market affectees. The temporary accommodation is being arranged for them, he added. Moreover, he said that at least Rs 1 lac each would be given to the affected families as immediate aid.He said that two committees have been formed to probe the matter which would submit their report within one week time frame. Memon also said that the government would not accept “ghost employees” whether he remains a minister or is side-lined for pursuing the corruption.He further said that its time to better institutions like the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the Water Board.

Indonesia fears missing plan 'at bottom of sea' Posted: JAKARTA (AFP) - Dozens of planes and ships searching Indonesian waters for a missing AirAsia plane focused Monday on a patch of oil for possible clues, as a senior official warned the aircraft was likely at the bottom of the sea.Australia, Malaysia and Singapore joined the Indonesia-led search as anguished relatives awaited news of their loved ones more than a day after Flight QZ8501 disappeared over the Java Sea with 162 people on board.Papa come home, I still need Papa, Angela, the daughter of the Indonesian pilot Irianto, begged in an emotional appeal on local social media.The Airbus A320-200 lost contact en route from Surabaya in Indonesias east Java to Singapore on Sunday after the crew requested a change of flight plan due to stormy weather, in the third crisis for a Malaysian carrier this year.Indonesian Air Force spokesman Hadi Tjahjanto told AFP the search was now concentrated on an oil patch spotted off Belitung island, across from Kalimantan on Borneo island.We are making sure whether it was avtur (aviation fuel) from the AirAsia plane or from a vessel because that location is a shipping line, he said.As the second days search ended at dusk, National Search and Rescue Agency chief Bambang Soelistyo said an Indonesian corvette was on its way to collect an oil sample, with an announcement expected Tuesday.Soelistyo earlier said it was likely the plane was at the bottom of the sea.The hypothesis is based on the coordinates given to us and evaluation that the estimated crash position is in the sea, he told journalists.Ships and aircraft were searching an area where the sea is 40-50 metres (130-160 feet) deep, he said, adding that Indonesia was coordinating with other countries to borrow any equipment needed to scour the seabed.- Distraught relatives -Distraught relatives in Surabaya were desperately hoping for news of loved ones as the international search expanded.Intan, 28, said Indonesia needed overseas help to find the plane which was carrying her brother and his family and friends.My hope is Indonesia seeks as much help as possible from other countries. Dont claim We have sophisticated technology, just ask other countries because they are better equipped, she told AFP, as Jakarta welcomed offers of help from its neighbours.My prayer is I really, really hope that there will be news about the people on board. Whatever it is, what is important is we know where they are now, she said.While the international operation has drawn comparisons with the ongoing search for Malaysia Airlines MH370, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot said it did not appear to be a great mystery.It doesnt appear that theres any particular mystery here, Abbott told Sydney radio station 2GB.Its an aircraft that was flying a regular route on a regular schedule, it struck what appears to have been horrific weather, and its down. But this is not a mystery like the MH370 disappearance and its not an atrocity like the MH17 shooting down.China, which had 152 citizens on MH370, said in a statement Monday that it would send a navy frigate and a military jet to join in the search.The frigate, on a routine patrol in the South China Sea, was en route to the area where the plane went missing, and the air force was coordinating with countries on the flight route, the statement from the defence ministry said.- Miraculous escape -One Indonesian family of 10 had a miraculous escape when they arrived too late to catch Flight QZ8501.Maybe it is all Gods plan that my family and I were not on the flight. It was a blessing in disguise, said Christianawati, 36.AirAsia said 155 of those on board were Indonesian, with three South Koreans and one person each from Singapore, Malaysia, Britain and France. The Frenchman was the co-pilot.Air traffic controllers lost contact with the twin-engine aircraft around an hour after it left Surabayas Juanda international airport at about 5:35 am Sunday (2235 GMT Saturday).Shortly before the plane disappeared, the pilot asked to ascend by 6,000 feet to 38,000 feet to avoid heavy clouds but his request was turned down due to another flight above him.The missing plane was operated by AirAsia Indonesia, a unit of Malaysian-based AirAsia which dominates Southeast Asias booming low-cost airline market.Indonesia, a vast archipelago with poor roads and railways, has seen explosive growth in low-cost air travel over recent years.But the air industry has been blighted by low safety standards in an area that also experiences extreme weather.AirAsia, which has never suffered a fatal accident, said the missing jet last underwent maintenance on November 16.Its shares slumped 12 percent at the open but recovered slightly to close 8.50 percent lower in Kuala Lumpur.The planes disappearance comes at the end of a disastrous year for Malaysian aviation.Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March with 239 passengers and crew, and in July flight MH17 was shot down over troubled Ukraine killing all 298 on board.

Five arrested in Morocco on 'terror' charges Posted: RABAT (AFP) - Morocco has indicted five people on charges of plotting terrorist acts and belonging to an illegal religious group, the official MAP news agency said on Monday.The suspects were referred to the prosecutor who levelled the charges against them ahead of their trial, it said without adding when the first hearing will be held.The men, whose names were not given, were indicted on charges of forming a criminal gang aimed at carrying out terrorist acts as well as membership of an illegal religious group and aggression.The news agency did not say what terrorist acts were allegedly planned by the suspects.However, last week the interior ministry announced their arrest, calling them self-styled religious vice squad police who wanted to impose their view of virtue on others.The suspects are believed to have carried out several knife attacks in the northern city of Tangiers, the ministry said.In September, authorities arrested another group of suspects in Tangiers, a conservative town, accusing them of setting up a self-declared religious police force and attacking a man who drank alcohol.

Death toll in the Greek ferry fire rises to 8 Posted: BARI (AP) Italian authorities say the death toll in the Greek ferry fire has risen to eight, and that they are checking to see if anyone else might still be missing.Italys transport minister, Maurizio Lupi, said 427 people have been rescued, including 56 crew members.The original manifest listed 478 passengers and crew.Lupi said it was premature to speculate on whether people were still missing, but suggested that there might have been some people who reserved a spot on the ferry but did not board.He said they were checking the manifest against the names of the 427 rescued.An official said that among the survivors, there were also people not listed on the manifest, indicating the possibility that some on board were traveling illegally.

Egypt court bans annual Jewish pilgrimage Posted: CAIRO (AFP) - An Egyptian court Monday banned an annual Jewish pilgrimage in the Nile Delta province of Baheira honouring a Moroccan rabbi, saying it went against local traditions, a judicial official said.A court in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria issued an indefinite ban on celebrations marking the birthday of Yacoub Abu Hasira, held annually in January since 1979, the year Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty.Despite an earlier ban on the pilgrimage during the regime of ousted leader Hosni Mubarak, hundreds of Jews from Morocco, France and Israel continued to visit Abu Hasiras shrine in Dutmo village.On Monday, the court in Alexandria issued a final ruling banning the festival indefinitely, the judicial official said.Dutmo residents had filed a case denouncing the security measures imposed for the festival, and also charged that its rituals were inappropriate to Egyptian rural customs, the official said.The court also revoked an earlier decision to list the rabbis tomb as a heritage site.Abu Hasira lived between 1805 and 1880. After the 1979 treaty, Egypt allowed Jews to visit his tomb every year in January.

You are subscribed to email updates from Dunya TV To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States