Dunya TV

USA: Tropical storm causes damages in Georgia, Florida
Gen. Dempsey backs US Senate voting to cut Pakistan aid
NAB seeks details of corruption in CAA
Qatar: Fire in shopping mall kills 19
Gujranwala: Army, KPK win softball championship matches
Pakistan cricket team arrives in Sri Lanka
PM convenes meeting today to review Balochistan situation
Altaf urges unbiased solution to Sindh problems
CNG Association threatens countrywide strike
Karachi: SP among seven killed within few hours
Abbottabad: student commits suicide over teachers misbehave
England beat Windies by nine wickets in second Test Series
Bangladesh court charges JI leader over alleged 1971 genocide
Tennis: Legend Becker hails Federer
Zara Phillips to miss Jubilee pageant

USA: Tropical storm causes damages in Georgia, Florida

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Tropical Storm Beryl cut a soggy path across the US southeast on Monday after swirling ashore in Florida. The second named storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season lashed the East Coast from north Florida to southern parts of North Carolina, and created a risk of flooding inland, even after it was downgraded to a tropical depression late Monday morning. Strong winds downed trees and power lines in Jacksonville, Florida. It also forced many people to cancel their Memorial day holiday plans. Beryl s top sustained winds had dropped to 30 miles per hour (48 kph) and its center was 150 miles (241 km) southwest of Savannah, Georgia. Little change in strength was expected over the next 48 hours. But the storm, targeting parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, was forecast to dump as much as 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) of rain, in some areas, the hurricane center said. It said some locations could be hit with as much as 12 inches of rain (30 cm) as the storm moved north-northwest at 5 miles per hour (8 kph). Beryl peaked near hurricane strength as it made landfall shortly after midnight near Jacksonville Beach, Florida, packing winds of 70 mph (113 kph). That was just shy of the 74 mph (119 kph) threshold that would have made it a Category 1 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson intensity scale. Computer forecast models show Beryl moving on an eventual path back out over the Atlantic. Fortunately, no storm-related deaths or serious injuries had been confirmed by late Monday afternoon. The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on June 1.

Gen. Dempsey backs US Senate voting to cut Pakistan aid

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Gen. Martin Dempsey, President Obama’s top military adviser, said Monday that Senate lawmakers made the right call by voting to trim aid to Pakistan. “I think choices should result in consequences. And I think the Senate acted appropriately,” said Dempsey, who is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaking on a US News channel. The Senate Appropriations Committee voted last week to cut $33 million for Pakistan, or $1 million for each year of a prison sentence given to Shakil Afridi, a doctor who helped the CIA locate al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. It s a small fraction of US aid to the country but nonetheless highlights tensions in the relationship. In addition to that cut, the Senate Armed Service Committee voted to fence in $250 million in military aid until Pakistan reopens supply routes to Afghanistan to NATO traffic, ceases its support for militants and stops detaining citizens — a veiled reference to the sentencing of Afridi. Dempsey, in the interview, was not asked about specific spending cuts, but instead was questioned broadly about the decision to "withdraw some funding" from Pakistan. Asked if the US relationship with Pakistan has ever been worse, Dempsey replied: "not in my experience." But he also cautioned that there was a need for the two nations to repair relations, noting the strategic importance of Pakistan. “Pakistan is an important country in the region and globally. And so we need to work through the relationship,” he said, according to a transcript. The Senate appropriators’ plan would provide $800 million for Pakistan next fiscal year, which is far below what the Obama administration is seeking.

NAB seeks details of corruption in CAA

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After Dunya News report regarding Rs 1 billion corruption in the non-scheduled flights operated by Civil Aviation Authority, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Sindh chapter took notice of the issue. In a letter to DG CAA, NAB has directed to submit the departmental inquiry report of non-scheduled flights on emergency basis. According to the sources, CAA has been asked to submit the report till May 30. Director General Civil Aviation Authority, after receiving the letter, has immediately directed HR chief to initiate further action on the issue.

Qatar: Fire in shopping mall kills 19

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Qatar s Interior Ministry said 13 children were among 19 people killed in a fire that broke out in one of the country s fanciest shopping malls late Monday morning, raising questions about building safety in the booming Gulf state. At least some of the victims died as rescuers struggled to reach a child care center at the Villaggio mall in the capital Doha, according to Qatar s Minister of State for Interior Affairs, Sheik Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani. Four of the children killed were Spanish citizens living in the small Arab emirate, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said. It did not identify the children, citing Spanish privacy regulations. Also, a 3-year-old French child was among the victims, the deputy minister for overseas French citizens, Yamina Benguigui, said in a statement. Young New Zealand triplets were also believed to be among the victims, said New Zealand s Prime Minister John Key, though he could not yet confirm the deaths. Four teachers and two civil defense officials were among the dead, the Qatari ministry said on its official Twitter page. Another 17 people were injured, including four children, according to authorities. Most of those hurt were rescuers responding to the blaze. Witnesses earlier reported thick black smoke pouring from the ritzy mall around midday. Amateur photos and videos posted online showed firefighters rescuing victims by climbing on the roof. The Interior Ministry said the fire was extinguished hours later. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Thick smoke and heat hindered rescue efforts, as did a lack of floor plans and malfunctioning sprinkler systems, the ministry said on Twitter. Sheik Abdullah said all buildings in the country abide by safety requirements, but a special committee will nonetheless be set up to monitor building safety standards. The Villaggio opened in 2006 and is one of Qatar s most popular shopping and amusement destinations. Retailers include many well-known Western brands, such as Foot Locker, Pizza Hut, Starbucks and British department store Marks & Spencer, according to the mall s website. Malls throughout the oil-rich Arab Gulf are popular with families looking for entertainment destinations that provide relief from soaring summer temperatures. The Villaggio includes an ice skating rink, theme park, movie theater and indoor Venice-style gondola rides. New construction projects such as the Villaggio have transformed the face of once-sleepy Doha in recent years, as the country benefits from a hydrocarbon boom. The OPEC member state is the world s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas. Qatar won the right to host soccer s 2022 World Cup a year and a half ago.

Gujranwala: Army, KPK win softball championship matches

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Three matches were played on second day of the championship being held at Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala. In the first match, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa team scored 11 runs while Sindh team could score only 1 run. The second match was played between Pakistan Police and KPK team in which the KP team’s performance was best as it grabbed victory by 15-5. In the third match Pakistan Army defeated Punjab’s team by 12-0. According to the winning teams, Pakistan has sufficient talent of soft ball.

Pakistan cricket team arrives in Sri Lanka

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During the tour, the national team will play two T20, five ODIs and three Test matches. Pakistan s national team coach Dav Whatmore said that the players of all three categories have been included according to their performance. National team’s captain Muhammad Hafeez expressed his determination of victory while Sri Lankan captain was also optimistic about success. On this occasion trophy of the series was also unveiled.

PM convenes meeting today to review Balochistan situation

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According to sources, Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Balochistan CM Nawab Aslam Raisani, Balochistan Governor Zulfiqar Magsi, Interior and Cabinet secretaries will attend the meeting. Director Generals of ISI, MI, IB, FC and IG Balochistan will also attend the meeting.The sources said that the meeting has been called to review the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan and missing persons issue. Significant decisions are expected regarding law and order situation in Balochistan during the meeting.

Altaf urges unbiased solution to Sindh problems

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MQM chief Altaf Hussain said there was no difference between new and old Sindhi’s as all turn old with the passage of time. He said this while talking via telephone to PPP leaders Khursheed Shah and Naveed Qamar who visited MQM headquarter Nine Zero on Monday. Altaf Hussain said that Sindh gave space to everyone and all people should end their differences to resolve the problems with harmony.

CNG Association threatens countrywide strike

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Holding a press conference at Karachi Press Club, Leaders of the CNG Dealers Association said that the government intends to eliminate CNG to flourish LPG in the country. Apart from LPG, high cost in foreign exchange, CNG is cheaper; it is atmosphere friendly and easily available in the country, they added, saying further price hike will damage the industry badly and thousands of people will face job threat. The CNG Association leaders said the supply has been increased to different urea manufacturers while despite ban arrangements have been finalized on ministers approval for issuance of 70 more licenses for CNG stations in order to destroy the CNG industry completely. The CNG Association announced to move the court against the CNG price increase in the upcoming budget.

Karachi: SP among seven killed within few hours

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Some unidentified men opened fire in Orangi Town and killed Dr Tariq while two members of a banned outfit including Mufti Zeshan and his fellow Danish were killed in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Zia Colony. After the incidents, an enraged mob started firing and forced the traders to close shops and business centres in the area. Meanwhile, two people succumbed to injuries in hospital after targeted in different firing incidents in Clifton, Teen Talwar Chorangi and Joria Bazar areas. In another incident, SP Admin Shah Muhammad and his friend Dr Dilshad were shot dead by some unknown people in Korangi Bilal Colony. Wife of SP Shah Muhammad said that her husband had been receiving life threats by the terrorists. IG Sind Police Mushtaq Shah visited Korangi Bilal Colony. He said that the assailants martyred SP Shah Muhammad after targeting him. On the other hand, police have claimed to arrest alleged target killer Yasin alias Commander. According to police, the accused was involved in the murder of 15 people including 4 police officials.

Abbottabad: student commits suicide over teachers misbehave

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Mubeen, a student of Grade VII, returned home on weekend from hostel of International Public School and committed suicide later in the night by hanging himself with rope tied around his neck. Before taking his life, Mubeen wrote a letter to his parents, expressing his frustration over hostel life and treatment of teachers in the school. The student complained that he was penalized for speaking Urdu in the class and had to pay Rs 5 as fine. In his letter, Mubeen wrote to his mother that she should not weep so long on his death. He also requested his parents not to send his sisters to hostel. Mubeen wrote that more details were written in his diary that was in his cupboard. The deceased was laid to rest in his native village after funeral prayers. Talking to media, Mubeen’s father said cruel school teachers had killed his son. He said that Mubeen was complaining about the school management for a long time and left this world before his parents could manage to arrange his migration to some other school. According to MD Pakistan International School Ijaz Akbar, Mubeen never complained about the school management and nobody in the school misbehaved with him.

England beat Windies by nine wickets in second Test Series

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England beat West Indies by nine wickets to win the second Test with more than a day to spare at Trent Bridge here on Monday and take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in this three-match series. England captain Andrew Strauss, who made 141 in the first innings to follow his hundred in the five-wicket first Test win at Lord s, was out for 45 when he chipped part-time spinner Marlon Samuels to short extra-cover with his side just 19 runs short of victory. But fellow left-hander Alastair Cook (43 not out) and Jonathan Trott (17 not out) completed the win. West Indies were all out for 165 in their second innings shortly after lunch. Samuels made a dashing 76 not out, top-scoring for the tourists for the second time in the match after his first innings 117. However, he merely delayed the inevitable and this loss extended West Indies  winless run in England to 16 Tests, with 14 defeats and two draws. Man-of-the-match Tim Bresnan took four wickets for 37 runs in 17 overs for a Test-best match haul of eight for 141, while James Anderson was close behind his fellow paceman with a second innings return of four for 43 in 20.1 overs. This victory meant Bresnan, who made a useful 39 not out in England s first innings, had been on the winning side in all his 13 Tests. Considering West Indies resumed on their overnight 61 for six, their second innings total represented a considerable recovery. They started positively, with Samuels clipping Bresnan for a legside boundary while Sammy drove him through extra-cover for four. But Bresnan had Sammy lbw -- his fourth leg before wicket of the innings -- for 25. Sammy reviewed the decision and replays showed the ball, which hit him on the back leg, would have just clipped the top of the stumps. As Aleem Dar had already given Sammy out, the Pakistani umpire s call was upheld and West Indies were now 110 for seven after their two best batsmen of the match had only added 49 this time around. Kemar Roach struck several fours before he was lbw to Anderson for 14, although England had to review umpire Asad Rauf s original not out decision. Samuels, on 58, survived a sharp chance to Cook at short leg off the bowling of off-spinner Graeme Swann, who did dismiss Shane Shillingford for nought. But Swann then conceded 16 in an over to Samuels, who drove him for a four and a six in successive deliveries before, two balls later, lofting him for a huge straight six. Anderson wrapped up the innings when he had No 11 Ravi Rampaul caught in the slips by Bresnan, with Samuels unbeaten after facing 160 balls with two sixes and nine fours. The third Test at Edgbaston starts on June 7.

Bangladesh court charges JI leader over alleged 1971 genocide

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Motiur Rahman Nizami, the leader of the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami party, was indicted on 16 charges including killing of some of the country s top professors, journalists and doctors, a state prosecutor said. "Nizami was the head of a pro-Pakistan force called Al Badr. The Al Badr men killed many intellectuals on his orders just days before the country won independence," Ghulam Arif Tipoo told AFP. The killing of intellectuals at the end of the nine-month war was one of the the darkest chapters of Bangladesh s independence struggle. Most bodies were found in fields just outside the capital Dhaka. Nizami, 71, who pleaded not guilty, was also charged with genocide, arson and the murder of scores of Hindus in his constituency in the northwestern district of Pabna during the war, Tipoo said. Another top ranking official of Jamaat, Abdul Quader Molla, was also indicted Monday by the International Crimes Tribunal, a special court set up by the country s secular government in 2010 to try suspected war criminals. The indictment brought the number of opposition figures to have been charged with alleged wartime atrocities to five, including four from Jamaat and one from the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Both Jamaat and the BNP have dismissed the court as a "show trial", while Human Rights Watch has said procedures used by the tribunal fall short of international standards. Muslim-majority Bangladesh, which was called East Pakistan until 1971, has struggled to come to terms with its violent birth. The government says up to three million people were killed in the war by the Pakistani army and local pro-Pakistan militias -- a figure disputed by independent historians.

Tennis: Legend Becker hails Federer

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"The guy who has changed tennis is Federer - beauty, technique, coordination and footwork," Becker said in an interview published Monday in Spanish daily El Pais. Becker said he had - at least to begin with - been less impressed with the raw, but at that stage unhoned, athleticism of Rafael Nadal, who along with Federer has defined the men s game over the past decade with 26 Grand Slam singles titles between them. Meeting the Mallorcan when Nadal was a young teen just starting out, Becker opined: "His serve was rubbish. It was defensive, not a weapon. His technique was bad." Becker, who catapulted onto the stage when he won Wimbledon aged just 17 in 1985, said he advised the youngster to look hard at top servers and incorporate some of their technique. Six-time Slam winner Becker, admitted that he had sometimes struggled to channel his emotions - particlarly as he made such an impressive entry into the game with his debut Wimbledon success, one he promptly repeated a year later. "I was too weak to hide my emotions - this showed my opponents my moments of weakness," explained Becker, adding that such wily rivals as John McEnroe would swiftly take advantage. He insisted that, in an era where sport can appear awash with cash, "I did not play for money - many (players ) motivation surrounds winning their first million. Mine was to be the best." Now a father of four, twice-married Becker laughed off any idea of being a "playboy" figure, saying that "if at the age of 45 you feel the need to go off chasing (women) as when you were 25 then you ve learned nothing."

Zara Phillips to miss Jubilee pageant

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The 31-year-old royal is skipping the boat parade on the River Thames to pursue her London Olympic dreams by making a last ditch attempt to qualify for Britain s equestrian team on her horse, High Kingdom, to compete at the sporting event, which begins in July. Zara was due to join her grandmother the queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Duchess Catherine and Prince Harry on the royal barge - the Spirit of Chartwell - for the river procession, which is expected to include 1,000 vessels, on Sunday (03.06.12). Zara s spokesman told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper:  I can confirm that Zara will be competing on the Jubilee weekend and will, therefore, not be on the royal barge.  The blonde equestrian - who has previously won world and European eventing titles - was hoping to qualify for Team GB at the Badminton horse trials earlier this month but they were cancelled due to heavy rain. Her spokesman added:  Because of the cancellation of earlier events, she has entered quite a few and will decide what best suits the horse nearer the time.  Zara is keen to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Princess Anne, who competed in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada, as a member of Britain s equestrian team. Her father, Captain Mark Phillips, won a gold medal as part of Britain s three-day eventing team at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, and he took home a silver medal in the same discipline at the 1988 Games in Seoul. The blonde beauty - who is married to England rugby player Mike Tindall - carried the Olympic torch on horseback in Cheltenham last week as part of the flame s UK relay to mark the lead up to London Olympic Games.