MQM likely to join PPP govt in Sindh

Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) - Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan People’s Party have decided to join their hands again as MQM has decided to join the PPP’s government in Sindh.Senior MQM leaders have gathered in Dubai on the directives of MQM chief Altaf Hussain to review the decision.The leaders of both parties will meet soon as PPP has shown willingness for closer ties with it former partner in the provincial assembly.

PM optimistic about resolution of drone strikes issue Posted: LONDON (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday expressed the hope that following his meeting with President Barack Obama, the issue of violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty by drone strikes would be resolved soon.Talking to reporters in London soon after his arrival from Washington at the end of his four-day visit, the Prime Minister said “hopefully soon the drone issue will be resolved according to the wishes of Pakistani people.” He said there will be progress on the matter definitely as violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty was being committed. “I think this issue will now settle down somehow,” the Prime Minister said. Giving an overview of his visit to the United States of America, Prime Minister Sharif said “we talked about all issues; I understand that in the past, all issues should have been discussed. But if these issues were not discussed in the past, it does not mean they should not be discussed now. Whatever we say, we act upon it. And I understand that Pakistan’s politics should come out of duplicity and hypocrisy.”Referring to the Amnesty International report that states that the United States may be committing war crimes by using drones, the Prime Minister said “whatever they say, it is up to them. But I think I have raised this issue where it should have been raised. And when something is said, it does have its effect.”Regarding his talks with the US leaders to help resolve the long standing issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said “the US should play a role.”He said though India does not want any US role on the matter, however Pakistan does want the US to play such a role. “I have read and heard Indian Foreign Minister’s reaction to my earlier statement. We should talk to each other, and this would be a very good thing. But if bilateral negotiations do not succeed, then if third party helps in resolving the issue, there is no harm in it.”To a question about Dr Aafia Siddiqui and Dr Shakeel Afridi Prime Minister Sharif said the US did raise its concerns, as did Pakistan.“Need of the hour is that we should understand each other’s concerns and then they should be addressed accordingly.”“I think now we have started this process of dialogue, and you must have heard what Obama said today. I think his views were quite positive.”Prime Minister Sharif said during his stay he met very important people in the US administration who showed keen interest on the issues of energy, economy and education. “This shows that they are deeply interested in Pakistan’s progress. My meeting with President Obama was quite long and we discussed all issues.”To a question about his discussion about release of Aafia Siddiqui, the Prime Minister said “I can’t say anything on this issue.”“They discussed Dr Shakeel, we did discuss Dr Aafia. Now we are going back to Pakistan; we will review the situation and will think about it. After we complete our review and analysis, then we will talk to you [media].”Regarding his discussions on Pakistan’s energy issue, the said “we asked them to urge their potential investors to come to Pakistan and invest in the energy sector.”He said they can invest in hydro-power, Gaddani coal project, wind energy projects, solar energy plants.“We have started work on Bhasha Dam. Since our government itself is working on energy projects, I am sure foreign investors would also come and invest in this sector. We want to solve the energy problem very soon.”

Serena Williams reaches semis of WTA Championships Posted: ISTANBUL (AP) - Top-ranked Serena Williams advanced to the semifinals of the WTA Championships by sweeping past Petra Kvitova 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday.Williams, the defending champion, won all three matches in her group without dropping a set. She's bidding for her fourth title in the elite, eight-women tournament.Earlier, Li Na outlasted Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 for her second victory in two matches and eight-seeded Angelique Kerber upset No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-2 to remain in contention for the semifinals. Radwanska was eliminated.Kerber went 0-3 last year in the tournament and this was her first win in the event. She will play Kvitova on Friday for a slot in the last four.Williams needed to win only a set to qualify and she breezed through the first despite fighting off two break points in the very first game. She quickly warmed up to overwhelm the fifth-seeded Kvitova, who won Wimbledon and the WTA title in 2011. Kvitova had to withdraw last year because of injury.Williams did not stop after the first set and broke serve again for a decisive 3-1 lead in the second. Williams set up a match point with a service winner and won the match when Kvitova's return sailed into the net.Williams, 32, is enjoying the finest season in her career, having already won 10 titles. She added the French Open and U.S. Open titles to bring her Grand Slam record to 17 championships and is 76-4 for the year.Making her eighth appearance in the event, Williams looking to become the first player to successfully defend the title since Justine Henin in 2007. Henin was also the last to win 10 titles in a season, in 2007.Williams has clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking for the third time in her career after 2002 and 2009.The key to Li's victory in an error-filled match full of long rallies was her break of serve in the third set for a 4-3 lead. She never looked behind again, winning the last three games. Jankovic hit a backhand into the net on Li's second match point.The fourth-seeded Li has a 2-0 record in the White Group and looks likely to advance to the semifinals for the first time. Seventh-seeded Jankovic is 1-1. Jankovic is back in the tournament for the first time in three years. The two of them and Victoria Azarenka are vying to make the semis.It was tight, yeah, but at least it's better than the last two years, Li said, adding she had one foot in the semis but that her other foot was still out of the door.Kerber is 1-1 in the Red Group. Radwanska fell to 0-3.I'm feeling good, Kerber said. I was really playing very well today ... I was focused from the first point.Li holds a 6-4 career edge over her Serbian friend, but she had to work hard for her win.Both players were inconsistent and error-prone. Li had 45 unforced errors and 21 winners, Jankovic 36 unforced errors and 17 winners.We had a great fight, Jankovic said. I managed to come back in the second set and played really well there, served much better.In the third set it was just a couple of points. I got broken in that (seventh) game. She lobbed me, and the ball went on the line.Li followed the lob with a crisp backhand winner to take the game.They were the crucial points at that stage and made a difference, Jankovic said.

Tennis: Del Potro races past Baghdatis in Bsael Posted: BASEL (AFP) - Top seeded Juan Martin Del Potro moved closer to a successful defence of his title at the Swiss Indoors on Thursday by beating Marcos Baghdatis for a third time this season.Del Potro, who won 6-1, 6-2, will next face Paul-Henri Mathieu after the French player beat compatriot Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-3.Del Potro is fresh from a successful Asia tour, winning the Tokyo title and reaching the Shanghai Masters final against Novak Djokovic after beating Rafael Nadal.The Argentine, ranked fifth in the world, has not dropped a set so far in Basel, where he beat five-time champion Roger Federer for the title a year ago in the Swiss players hometown.Del Potros victory in 72 minutes was his 45th win of the season, leaving him with 11 quarter-finals or better from 16 events played.The start was tough for me, said the 2009 US Open winner, who broke his opponent twice in each set and took victory on a fourth match point.I had a tough service game to start but then I gained confidence after I broke him for the first time.I served better than yesterday and generally played a better match. I led 5-0 in the first set but also had some easy mistakes. You have to be careful against a good player like him, he can come back at any time.Del Potro put Baghdatis under pressure in an eight-minute sixth game in which the Cypriot saved four break points to win his first game of the match for 1-5.Del Potro finished off the set a game later and broke in the fifth and seventh games of the second set to conclude the win.Del Potro has already qualified for the eight-man season finals in London starting a week from Monday but would find winning a second straight title in Federers territory a welcome boost.I like my level right now, Im playing well but Im still far behind the top players. Their level is better than mine and I have to keep working to improve.In other second-round results, Bulgarian eighth seed Grigor Dimitrov beat Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 6-2, winning his seventh match in a row after claiming a career-first title at the weekend in Stockholm.He meets Federer in Fridays quarter-finals.Canadian Vasek Pospisil reached his third quarter-final of the season with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Ivo Karlovic.Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin put out German Tobias Kamke 7-5, 6-3 while Daniel Brands of Germany reached the last eight as he defeated Polands Lukasz Kubot, 6-2, 6-4.

Spurs beat Sheriff 2-0 to stay perfect in Europa Posted: PARIS (AP) - Tournament favorite Tottenham ground out a 2-0 win at FC Sheriff to stay undefeated in the Europa League and move to the brink of qualification for the knockout stages on Thursday.Eintracht Frankfurt, Fiorentina, Salzburg and Ludogorets Razgrad also made it three wins out of three, while Swansea, Sevilla, Rubin Kazan and Genk dropped their first points as they were all held to 1-1 draws.Jan Vertonghen headed Christian Eriksen's free kick into the left of goal with Spurs' first attack of the night in the 12th minute and Jermain Defoe sealed the result 15 minutes from time, equaling Martin Chivers club record with his 22nd goal in European competition after the English side withstood severe pressure from Sheriff.The Moldovan team had the ball in the back of the net on the half hour but the equalizer was ruled out for offside.They had some great opportunities on the counterattack, Tottenham coach Andre Villas-Boas said. The game could have easily gone to 1-1 as after we scored they had so many chances to level.They looked good on the counterattack, had some great moments and we have to recognise that. A draw would be a fair result, but the second goal is always important in games like this, so both teams were creating. We were fortunate to get the second goal to kill the game, but it could have gone the other way.Tottenham has yet to concede in the opening three games this season and is five points clear of Anji Makhachkala, which beat Tromso 1-0.Frankfurt also kept a third straight clean sheet as it won 2-0 at home against 10-man Maccabi Tel Aviv. The visitors were forced to play 56 minutes at a numerical disadvantage after Ben Haim was sent off for a second bookable offence.Vaclav Kadlec put Frankfurt in front in the 13th minute and Alexander Meier doubled the German side's lead eight minutes into the second half.In the other Group F game, Bordeaux picked up its first points of the campaign as Carlos Henrique headed home in the final minute to hand the French side a 2-1 win over Apoel Nicosia.Ludogorets Razgrad has also yet to concede after the Bulgarian team won 1-0 at Chornomorets Odesa.Fiorentina, which came back from two goals down to beat Juventus 4-2 in Serie A at the weekend, comfortably beat Romanian side Pandurii Targu-Jiu 3-0 to maintain its status as one of the competition favorites.Joaquin opened the scoring in the 26th minute after skipping past two defenders and forcing his way into the area. Ryder Matos doubled Fiorentina's lead eight minutes later before Juan Cuadrado sealed the result in the 69th, squeezing a powerful strike in between the goalkeeper and the near post.Oleksandr Yakovenko also hit the crossbar for Fiorentina, while Cuadrado fired off the upright in stoppage time.We're not running away with the group but we've almost qualified for the next round, Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella said. But we want top spot so we avoid drawing a Champions League team in the knockout stages.When you come off the back of a victory like the one against Juventus, it's not easy to remain focused. But we managed to and we showed that on the pitch tonight. We want to grow more.Meanwhile, Valencia won over its disgruntled fans with a fine 5-1 victory over Swiss side St. Gallen. Valencia was stunned by a 3-0 defeat to Swansea in its opening Europa League match but recovered with a 2-0 win at Kuban Krasnodar on matchday two.It is now just one point behind Swansea after a late goal saw the English Premier League side held to 1-1 by Kuban Krasnodar, which had no points and had not even scored heading into the match.Former Liverpool and Marseille striker Djibril Cisse scored from the spot in stoppage time after Ibrahima Balde was fouled by Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel.Michu broke the deadlock in the 68th.

Germany bidding to host 2024 European Championship Posted: NUREMBERG (AP) - The German football federation (DFB) says UEFA president Michel Platini was informed of the decision at its congress meeting on Thursday, one day after the presidential board voted unanimously to host the event.DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach says, 18 years after the unique experience of the World Cup in 2006 the time will be ripe for another fairytale in Germany.West Germany last hosted the Euros in 1988 and Niersbach says the reunified country has a good chance to host the tournament again in 11 years.The DFB says it does not believe Munich's bid to be a host city at Euro 2020 will have any influence on UEFA's decision Euro 2024, which isn't expected before 2017.

Boxer Klitschko to run for Ukraine presidency Posted: KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - Vitali Klitschko, a heavyweight boxing champion and top Ukrainian opposition leader, says he will run for the ex-Soviet nation's presidency in 2015.The 42-year-old was elected to parliament last fall as the head of his pro-Western party Udar (Punch in English). Since then, Klitschko, the reigning WBC heavyweight champion, has campaigned against what he calls authoritarian moves by President Viktor Yanukovych.He particularly criticized the jailing of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, which was seen as politically motivated by the West.Klitschko announced his widely expected presidential bid Thursday in response to efforts by pro-government forces to pass a bill that could prevent him from running because he has permanent residency status in Germany.Klitschko vowed that he will not be frightened or stopped by this.

Oil above $97 a barrel after 1st gain this week Posted: NEW YORK (AP) - Oil rose for the first time this week on Thursday, but gains were kept in check by plentiful supplies.Benchmark U.S. crude for December delivery gained 25 cents to close at $97.11 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil is still down $3.70 a barrel, or 3.7 percent.One factor weighing on the price was Wednesday's report from the Energy Information Administration that said U.S. oil inventories rose by 5.2 million barrels last week, a possible symptom of subdued demand and overproduction. The rise in stockpiles followed a 4 million barrel increase in the previous week.Oil did get a lift Thursday from a survey that showed China's manufacturing rose to a seven month high in October, suggesting continued momentum for the recovery in the world's second-biggest economy.The preliminary version of HSBC's purchasing managers' index rose to 50.9 from September's 50.2 on a 100-point scale on which numbers above 50 indicate expansion.Brent crude fell 81 cents to $106.99 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

Dollar slides vs. euro on Fed stimulus expectations Posted: NEW YORK CITY (AFP) - The dollar slumped against the euro Thursday as traders expected the Federal Reserve to continue pumping easy money into the sluggish US economy.The euro traded at $1.3798 around 2100 GMT, up from $1.3776 at the same time Wednesday.Earlier the euro hit a peak of $1.3827, its highest level since early November 2011.The dollar slipped against the Japanese currency, to 97.29 yen from 97.39 yen, while the euro rose to 134.26 yen from 134.16 yen.The greenback continues to suffer from the view that the Federal Reserve will not begin reducing monetary stimulus before sometime around the end of Q1 2014, said Omer Esiner of Commonwealth Foreign Exchange.As expectations for monetary normalization get pushed further out into the future, the dollar will remain increasingly vulnerable to selling pressure, he said.The euro pared its gains after the closely watched Markit Economics' purchasing managers index (PMI) showed eurozone business activity slowed in October to 51.5 points from a 27-month high in September of 52.2.Despite the poor data, the euro is still looking impressive against the dollar and is being supported by a view that the US Federal Reserve is now not likely to taper (its stimulus) until 2014, said Currencies Direct dealer Phil McHugh.Christopher Vecchio, currency analyst at DailyFX, said that signs of slower growth in the single-currency bloc have had a minimal impact on the euro.It seems that market participants are charmed by the notion that the eurozone isn't falling back into recession despite little substantive policy action over the past several months, by either fiscal (individual governments) or monetary (European Central Bank) policy, Vecchio wrote in a research note.The dollar dipped against the British pound, which bought $1.6198 compared with $1.6163 Wednesday.The greenback was unchanged at 0.8924 Swiss franc.

From crutches to double ton for Smith Posted: DUBAI (AFP) - Proud South African skipper Graeme Smith admitted it was hard work to score a double century against Pakistan on Thursday, three months after being on crutches due to ankle surgery.The 32-year-old left-hander hit a memorable 227 not out to steer South Africa to a commanding 460-4 after the second day in Dubai, for an overall lead of 361 in the must-win game.He shared an all-time South African record for a fifth wicket partnership of 326 with AB de Villiers, who was unbeaten on 157.My ankle held up very well and I am very grateful, said Smith, who also reached 9,000 runs in 112 Tests.I put in a lot of hard work over the period since I came off crutches. It was a big surgery and there were a lot of times when you think how its gonna hold and how its gonna be handled, and I think it paid off today.Smith put the second Test turn-around, after losing the first Test by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi, down to good planning.We got two low totals in that game so you have to improve. I back our batting unit 90 percent of the time do produce the goods and its nice to get this far here, said Smith.South Africa were bowled out for 249 and 232 in Abu Dhabi, but are now in a commanding position to preserve their seven-year unbeaten run away from home.Their last away series defeat came in Sri Lanka in 2006.Smith said his team would like to bat just once in the Dubai Test and force a win.I will think about it overnight and chat with the guys. Obviously I dearly want to bat once in this game, thats the number one goal, and allow the the wicket to deteriorate more. Its very dry, so we will definitely bat the morning session tomorrow, said Smith.Smith became the 12th batsmen overall and just the second South African behind team-mate Jacques Kallis to score 9,000 or more runs in Tests.I wasnt thinking about those things. I dont think I have ever been the most talented but I found the way how to score runs and understand how to do it and mentally found the way, he said.Opening the batting for South Africa has its challenges, so to be at the point where I am is a big tick for me in terms of what I am able to achieve in my career.Obviously there is a lot more I want to do but there are milestones that make you very proud and there are not very many people that get to these points, not too many opening batters in particular, so I am extremely happy over the support I have got over the years.

England arrive Down Under for high-stakes tour Posted: PERTH (AFP) - England arrived Friday for a high stakes tour of Australia with Alastair Cook's team gunning for a fourth successive Ashes series win and Michael Clarke's men desperate to avoid another embarrassing loss.They touched down in Perth for the five-Test tour barely two months after wrapping up a 3-0 home series win over Australia, and they will once again look to capitalise on their opponent's fragile batting.Australia chopped and changed batsmen and their position in the order throughout the last campaign and they paid the price, with coach Darren Lehmann promising more stability this time round.Cook denied England will be complacent after being dominant against their arch-rivals for so long, particularly with an anticipated hostile reception expected from the home fans.Complacency -- that's not a problem, he said before boarding the plane in London on Wednesday.We have a chance to win four Ashes series in a row for the first time since 1890. Everyone is excited by that and is desperate to do that.Clearly, top-order runs in Australia are vitally important and we saw last time when we went there how big runs make a massive difference and set the game up.England get their tour underway against Western Australia on October 31 ahead of the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane starting November 21. This is followed by Tests in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.British bookmakers William Hill have England at 10/11 favourites for the series with Australia 13/8 and 9/2 the draw.When you have won the last three series, and the last one was only two months ago, it is fair if people say we are favourites, said Cook.This summer was the first time we had gone into an Ashes series as favourites but winning in Australia is no mean feat, that's the challenge we have got in front of us.The stakes for Australia are high with Mickey Arthur, who was sacked as coach ahead of the last Ashes campaign, warning Cricket Australia heavyweights James Sutherland, Pat Howard and even Test captain Michael Clarke could lose their jobs if England wins.If they lose this Test series there is going to be a lot of questions asked, he told Fairfax Media on Thursday.I think James Sutherland, I think (high performance chief) Pat Howard, I think Michael Clarke ... I think some serious heads could roll if Australia don't win this Test series.Clarke is not seriously under threat and is set for a return from a chronic back injury in what we would be a timely boost for Australia.The star batsman was ruled out of Australia's one-day tour of India this month and feared he could miss the first Test against England starting on November 21.Fast bowler James Pattinson is expected to miss Brisbane with a back stress fracture, heaping more pressure on the likes of pacemen Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris.Australia's fast bowling stocks are already depleted with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins both expected to miss the entire Ashes with back injuries and Jackson Bird also under a cloud.But they have been boosted by Craig McDermott returning to the fold as bowling coach with his goal being to have up to six quicks hitting their peak at the same time.There is obviously a huge focus on regaining the Ashes this summer and I'll work as hard as possible to prepare our bowlers for the challenge ahead, he said.Seamer James Anderson, now second only to Ian Botham in England's list of all-time leading Test wicket-takers, leads the England attack.

Kenya call up old boys for T20 qualifier Posted: NAIROBI (AFP) - Kenya have summoned veterans Steve Tikolo and Thomas Odoyo out of retirement to join the national team for next months World Twenty20 qualifiers in the UAE, cricket officials said.Tikolo, 42, and 36-year-old Odoyo, who served as captain and vice-captain in the past, quit the sport after the 2011 World Cup, but have continued to play in the local league.Kenya is desperate to return to winning aways after a disappointing run in the ICC Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket League series this season.The Kenya team badly needs the leadership to become competitive again, a top Cricket Kenya official told AFP.We considered recalling Tikolo and Odoyo to motivate the youngsters in the team since both players have showed they were still competitive by scoring big runs in the Nairobi Cricket League.Sixteen teams will compete in the November 15-30 tournament in the United Arab Emirates, from which only six will qualify for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in March 2014.

There will be no shift in drone policy: US Posted: WASHINGTON (Dunya News) – Talking to media persons Thursday, an US official said Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif raised the issues of drone attacks but US would not change its policy on drones.He said Nawaz also raised the issues of Aafia Siddique’s release but US officials told him that they could not discuss the issue any further.The US official told the media persons that Pakistan has been provided solid evidence against Hafiz Saeed and it should honour the sanctions imposed against Jamat-ud-Dawa.Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated Islamabads demand for putting an end to US drone strikes inside his countrys territory, but the White House defended their use in counter-terror efforts.Sharif said he wants to see US-Pakistan relations improve but the issue of drones has become a major irritant in our bilateral relationship.A report by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch released on Tuesday said that US drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen may constitute human rights violations and appear to be war crimes.However, The United States hit back the same day at the charges, arguing that criticism from rights groups does not reflect events on the ground.

Pakistan wants access to US market: Pervaiz Posted: ISLAMABAD (Web News) Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid says Pakistan wants access to the US market to boost its economy.In an interview‚ he hoped that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs visit will help enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.To a question‚ he said the government had raised the issue of drone attacks with the UN Security Council and General Assembly sessions as these are against the countrys sovereignty and also counterproductive.Furthering his statement, the minister said it is a good sign that the international community is considering Pakistans stance on drone attacks.Pakistan respects the sovereignty of every country and expects the same from others, concluded the minister.

Rangers arrest 8 in Lyari, Uzair Baloch still at large Posted: KARACHI (Web Desk) - At least eight suspects were arrested as Rangers continued to carry out their targeted operation in the troubled Lyari neighbourhood of the city on Thursday.The raid was aimed at apprehending the head of the outlawed Amn Committee Uzair Baloch. However Baloch once again evaded authorities and managed to flee.During the operation, Rangers took down posters of the Amn committee along with removing the barricades setup near the residence of Baloch.The Rangers have conducted over 15 raids and the police over 6 on the residence of Uzair Baloch.In Lyari, the Rangers also recovered hand grenades, 14 SMGs and other weapons.The Rangers spokesman said 29 suspects were arrested during overnight raids and weapons were recovered from their possession.The suspects are said to be affiliated with gangs in Lyari and political parties. The spokesman informed that raids were carried out in Lyari, Liaqatabad, Burns Road, Bilal Colony, Landhi, Sohrab Goth and other areas of the city.