Karachi: Violence claims two more lives

Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, some unidentified persons opened fire in MPR Colony in Orangi Town and killed two people.According to police the deceased were identified as Malu ans Shaharyar alias Sheri.On the other hand, police conducted a raid in Machar Colony and arrested two alleged target killers. ASP Kemari, Sajid Amir, informed media that arms were also recovered from the accused. He further said that the accused were wanted in a dual murder case and were also involved in robbery and other street crimes.

Pillion riding ban extended for two more days in Sindh Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, Sindh police in an application had requested the Home Department to extend pillion riding ban for two more days.The Sindh Home Department has forwarded the application to Chief Secretary Sindh and after approval a notification in this regard will be issued.

Karachi: CNG stations to remain closed for 3 days in a week Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) - According to Sui Southern Gas Company schedule, the CNG stations in Sindh will remain closed November 18 (Monday), November 20 (Wednesday) and November 22 (Friday).Meanwhile, chairman All Pakistan CNG Association Shabir Salman has opposed the closure of CNG stations on every Monday. He said that masses and transporters will face hardships due to non-availability of CNG on the first day of the week.

JI welcomes Musharrafs trial under Article 6 Posted: LAHORE (Online): Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Syed Munawar Hasan, has welcomed the government decision to initiate the trial of former President and military dictator Pervez Musharraf under article 6 of the constitution.Commenting on the announcement in this regard, he said although this was a belated move yet it was welcome. He said this had been the unanimous demand of the nation who wanted the former president to be made an example for violating the constitution and making it a US slave.The trial of Pervez Musharraf would have far reaching effects on national politics and in future, no military adventurer would dare to subvert the constitution, he added.

Karachi: 3 gang war accused killed in police encounter Posted: KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, three gang war accused were killed in exchange of firing with police in Lyari on Sunday.The gang war accused opened indiscriminate fire on police and Ranger in Baghdadi area of Lyari. Police returned the fire as a result three accused were killed. The deceased were identified as Yasir, Sarfaraz and Wajid.

Rawalpindi curfew lifted Posted: RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) - Government has finally decided to lift the curfew from violence-hit Rawalpindi on Monday morning. According to sources, the curfew was lifted at 6am on Monday until further orders.According to sources, troops will continue to be deployed in main squares and streets to maintain law and order situation. The the sources further informed that ban on congregations and public gatherings under Section 144 will remain in place.Earlier, the authorities relaxed curfew from 7.30 pm on Sunday to twelve midnight to allow residents to buy eatables and other household items.

Blast kills 31 Syrian troops: watchdog Posted: DAMASCUS (AFP) - A rebel bomb attack on an army base near Damascus killed 31 Syrian soldiers Sunday, as loyalist warplanes launched air raids on a town near the border with Lebanon.The blast came amid a major regime offensive against rebel positions all around the capital and on second city Aleppo in the north.Three generals and a brigadier-general were among 31 troops killed in a bomb attack that caused a building in the army transport base in Harasta to collapse, said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman.The timing of the attack is significant, coming days after troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad recaptured several areas that had been under rebel control for a year, he told AFP.The explosives appeared to have been placed either inside or beneath the building in a tunnel, Abdel Rahman added, suggesting rebels may have infiltrated the base.A rebel group, the Direh al-Aasmeh (Shield of Damascus) brigade, claimed responsibility for the attack.A video distributed by the group, which is part of the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, showed the building collapse completely.North of the capital, Syrias air force launched air raids on Qara near the border with Lebanon as loyalist forces tried to storm rebel positions in the town, the Observatory said.Since the morning, the town of Qara has been hit by air strikes, said the Observatorys Abdel Rahman.Warplanes bombarded the town heavily yesterday (Saturday). Regime troops are trying to storm it and to drive the rebels out.The Britain-based group said opposition fighters in Qara appeared determined to resist despite the onslaught.Pro-regime newspaper Al-Watan reported that the army hit the Qalamoun mountains hard, closing in on the terrorists around Qara, using the governments term for rebels.Violence in the Qalamoun area intensified on Friday.Both the regime, backed by fighters from powerful Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, and rebels including jihadists affiliated to Al-Qaeda have bolstered their forces in the area.Qalamoun, which has a strong rebel presence, is strategic because it borders Lebanon and is used as a rear base for operations around the capital.For Assads regime, it is important because it is on the road linking Damascus to the central province of Homs and also houses weapons depots.

Separate attacks across Iraq kill 20 Posted: BAGHDAD (AP) - Attacks across Iraq killed at least 20 people Sunday, officials said, as gunmen attacked a militia leader and bombs targeted police officers and civilians.In the capitals eastern New Baghdad neighborhood, a parked car bomb missed a police patrol but killed three civilians and wounded 10, a police officer said. Another police officer said a car bombing in Baghdads eastern Sadr City neighborhood killed one person and wounded 11.In the Baghdads southwestern suburb of Radwaniyah, a bomb went off in a commercial area, killing three civilians and wounding 10, authorities said. In the town of Tarmiyah, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Baghdad, a bomb exploded near soldiers on patrol, killing two and wounding five, officials said.At dawn Sunday, militants attacked a local leader of pro-government, anti-al-Qaida Sunni miliia in his house in the town of Madain, 20 kilometers (14 miles) south of Baghdad, killing his brother and wounding one guard, authorities said. Two militants were killed in the clashes and two others were wounded, police said.The Sahwa movement, also known as the Awakening Council, was formed by U.S. forces in 2007 to help fight the insurgents during the height of Iraqi war. Ever since, it has been a target for Sunni hard-liners who consider them traitors.In Baghdads southern Dora neighborhood, a car bomb exploded in a vegetable market, killing three civilians and wounding 12, a police officer said. A bomb exploded inside a car showroom in Baghdads eastern suburbs, killing four and wounding 11, police said.Three other civilians were killed and 11 wounded when a car bomb exploded near liquor stores in Baghdads central Karrada area, police said.Medical officials confirmed causality figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.Violence has escalated in Iraq in recent months, with the pace of killing reaching levels unseen since 2008. Todays attacks bring the death toll across the country this month to 67, according to an Associated Press count. More than 5,500 people have been killed since April, according to United Nations figures.

Madrid street-sweepers call off strike: union Posted: MADRID (AFP) - Street-sweepers in Madrid on Sunday called off a strike over jobs and pay that has caused rubbish to pile up in the streets of the Spanish capital, a union said.The strike was launched by unions representing workers who clean the citys streets and public gardens on November 5 in protest against plans to slash 1,134 jobs out of a total of around 7,000, and cut salaries by up to 40 percent.In meetings on Sunday afternoon, workers approved a deal reached earlier by unions and the private companies that employ the cleaners, the CCOO labour union said in a statement.The workers approved the agreement by an absolute majority and agreed to call off the strike, it said.They will resume normal service on the night shift on Sunday to Monday, the union added.Under the deal hammered out in marathon talks over the weekend, the companies agreed not to fire any workers in return for the employees accepting temporary unpaid lay-offs.Before the strike, the companies, which include OHL-Ascan, FCC and Sacyr-Valorisa, had said cuts were necessary since the city hall, under pressure to reduce costs like public authorities around Spain, was spending less on cleaning.The strike did not include the refuse collectors who remove bags of domestic rubbish, but even so it left piles of waste paper and other street trash blocking pavements in this city of three million people.The excessive and unjustifiable intentions of the companies, along with the irresponsible and deplorable management of the conflict by the city hall, have led Madrid to undergo a situation that neither workers nor citizens should have suffered, the CCOO said.A public company had started cleaning the streets on Saturday on the orders of the mayor of Madrid, Ana Botella, in the absence of a deal to end the strike earlier.

Ban issues appeal for unity in Maldives Posted: NEW YORK CITY (AFP) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged all sides to unite in Maldives, now that the nation has elected a new leader after nearly two years of violence and strife.New Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen was sworn in on Sunday, one day after his shock election victory ended nearly two years of turmoil that threatened to turn the honeymoon island nation into an international pariah.The Secretary-General welcomes the conclusion of the run-off of the presidential election in the Maldives, Ban said in a statement released by his office.The statement added that the UN leader strongly urges all political leaders, state institutions and the Maldivian people to work urgently toward genuine reconciliation and to advance the countrys democratic process through long-term institutional reforms, in particular strengthening the judiciary and accountability mechanisms, and promoting a national dialogue.Ban also had words of praise for the conduct of the polls.Once again, the people of the Maldives have turned out to vote in impressive numbers, showing their determination to choose their next president, despite the many obstacles and delays.He called on the new administration to engage the opposition in a constructive manner and to lead the country in the interest of all Maldivians.

Tornadoes kill 3 in US Midwest Posted: CHICAGO (AFP) - Severe storms and violent tornadoes killed at least three people and injured dozens as they battered the US Midwest Sunday, with dozens of powerful twisters causing major damage in central Illinois.At least three people were killed in the city of Washington, Illinois Emergency Management Agency chief Jonathon Monken told CNN, warning that the numbers will climb significantly.Local NBC television affiliate News 25 reported at least 37 people were being treated at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, seven of them with severe injuries.Its not entirely over, we want to make sure that everybody stays safe, Monken said.The most important thing is to remind people to stay indoors. Stay away from windows and, at this point, just make sure that youre paying close attention to the news, youre watching the weather and youre staying aware of what can happen.He said 70 homes were completely destroyed in two different areas, and hundreds were damaged less severely. Four Red Cross shelters were also open in the affected zone.The dangerous weather caused the National Football League to suspend a game in Chicago, asking fans and players to take cover in the stadium.The game resumed almost two hours later.Powerful winds overturned cars, uprooted large trees and snapped power lines.The devastating damage flattened homes, leaving piles of rubble in central Illinois. Other homes had their roofs and siding blown off, with only the wooden frame and concrete foundation still standing. The windows were blown out of some shops.In Indiana, local media reported damage to commercial buildings in Lebanon and Kokomo, including a destroyed bank branch.More than 64,600 homes lost power, according to Duke Energy. In the metropolitan area of the state capital Indianapolis, Indianapolis Power & Light reported nearly 16,000 without power.Absolute destruction, WMBD31 news reporter Alexandra Sutter wrote on Twitter in describing the scene.Sutter later tweeted, after speaking with the mayor of the storm-hit town of Washington: I asked what we can report to help. He said only please pray.The CBS television affiliate for Central Illinois where she works said that its studio, which also hosts the local Fox affiliate, lost signal after a power hit to its transmitter.A photo posted on the stations Facebook page showed someone holding a tennis ball-sized piece of hail.Pay attention to all weather alerts and stay home and inside if possible, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn warned residents, adding that the severe weather was very serious.Local news reported two tornadoes wreaking havoc in Washington and the town of Pekin, with an apartment complex and several homes damaged or destroyed.We are setting up shelters in Washington and have water and hot coffee, the local Red Cross chapter said on its Twitter feed.We are encouraging folks to stay out of damaged areas so that response teams can get to those who have been affected.The National Weather Service warned of a particularly dangerous situation for parts of the central United States, with tornado watches in eight states from Arkansas to Michigan. It said it had reports of 68 tornadoes Sunday in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

Tennis: Czechs beat Serbia to retain Davis Cup Posted: BELGRADE (AFP) - The Czech Republic retained the Davis Cup after Radek Stepanek beat outclassed Serbian youngster Dusan Lajovic in the decisive fifth final rubber in straight sets on Sunday.The 44th-ranked, 34-year-old Stepanek beat the 23-year-old Lajovic, world number 117, 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 in under two hours, handing the Czechs an overall 3-2 win.On the hardcourt of the Belgrade Arena, the Czech Republic, playing the third Davis Cup final in five years, scored a ninth straight victory in Davis Cup ties.I was under the biggest pressure that can be, said a jubilant Stepanek. We are one of only five teams that have defended the cup.I want to say how proud I am to be with these lads. They are absolutely great, they deserved to win the trophy, said interim Czech captain Vladimir Safarik, who replaced an ill Jaroslav Navratil for the final.His counterpart Bogdan Obradovic admitted that his emotions were mixed as 2010 champions Serbia tried to do our best despite being weakened considerably.Lajovic replaced 36th-ranked Janko Tipsarevic, out with a heel injury, and Serbia also missed 76th-ranked Viktor Troicki over a doping ban.Lajovic, who has lost all four ATP-level matches he has played this year, started the decisive rubber in high spirits, breaking Stepaneks very first serve.But his enthusiasm was short-lived as the Czech veteran, betting on patience and changing the rhythm of his play at will, broke Lajovics next two serves to win the set.Clad in his lucky blue t-shirt emblazoned with a lion design -- which Andy Murrays mother Judy described as staggeringly bad on Saturday -- Stepanek raced to take the next two sets in style.Casting desperate looks around him, Lajovic let his game crumble and allowed Stepanek to enjoy the ovations from a noisy group of Czechs in the sold-out arena.I controlled the rubber except in the first game, and I played in the best form of my life the whole weekend, said Stepanek.Lajovic admitted he found it hard to predict Stepaneks moves.I think it was his biggest advantage in this match.Earlier, Serbias world number two Novak Djokovic forced the decisive rubber as he beat seventh-ranked Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 for his 24th victory in a row.Propelled by a noisy home crowd, Djokovic relied on his serve, while Berdych tried to indulge him in long exchanges, combining a fast forehand with a wicked sliced backhand.It was very emotional, both of us got into the match with a lot of pressure because of the importance of the game, Djokovic said.Djokovic earned ten break points against none for Berdych in the first set and finally converted his fourth set point for a 6-4 lead.He went on to take the second set in tie-break after letting off some steam and destroying a racquet, and before taking the third set in style, 6-2.Berdych admitted that Djokovics victory was deserved.I tried to hold on to him from the beginning to the end but it wasnt enough, he said.Hes in an excellent shape, he plays great tennis and moreover in front of such a crowd.In Fridays singles, Djokovic beat Stepanek 7-5, 6-1, 6-4, and Berdych then saw off Lajovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.On Saturday, Berdych and Stepanek won the 14th of their 15 Davis Cup doubles rubbers together as they swept Ilija Bozoljac and Nenad Zimonjic 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).A year ago, the Czechs beat Spain 3-2 in Prague for their first triumph as an independent country with Stepanek again winning the decisive final rubber.Former Czechoslovakia, which split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, won the cup in 1980.

Cameroon beat Tunisia to qualify for World Cup Posted: YAOUNDE (AP) - Cameroon qualified for the World Cup with a resounding 4-1 win over Tunisia in the second leg of their playoff on Sunday, ensuring West Africa continued its dominance of the continents qualifying competition.Cameroon won by the same score on aggregate after the teams drew 0-0 in Tunisia. The team follows Nigeria and Ivory Coast, who won their playoffs Saturday, in sealing a place at next years tournament in Brazil.Pierre Webo scored after four minutes for Cameroon and Benjamin Moundandjo made it 2-0 in the 30th at Omnisports Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium. Ahmed Akaichi pulled one back for the visiting Tunisians just after halftime, but Jean Makoun added a third in the 65th and scored again in the 86th to seal Cameroons progress.Brazil, here we come, Cameroon captain Samuel Etoo, who reversed his decision to retire from internationals to play in this playoff, told the crowd through a public address system after the game.Cameroon, Africas first quarterfinalist in 1990, will play in its seventh World Cup, a major boost for the nation after it failed to qualify for the last two African Cups.Weve been through several long and difficult years, Makoun said. Now, I think we identified the problem, which is concord among us. We can achieve better results in the future and I think our performance today shows that we have a bright future.If Ghana and Algeria win their playoffs on Tuesday, as expected, the continent will be represented by the same five nations that played at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.Webo slammed home a left-footed shot in front of around 60,000 in Yaounde for an immediate lead for Cameroon. The home team was also denied a penalty for what appeared to be a clear handball before Moundandjo made it 2-0 after cutting in from the right flank to score.After being brought on by Tunisia coach Ruud Krol, Akaichi struck after a defensive mix-up by the Cameroonians for 2-1 straight after the break.But Cameroon powered back as Makoun headed home a Benoit Assou-Ekotto corner and grabbed a second in the final five minutes after a shot rebounded off the post.

Vettel wins US Grand Prix for 8th straight victory Posted: AUSTIN (AP) - Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel set a Formula One single-season record with his eighth consecutive victory, winning the U.S. Grand Prix with yet another dominating drive.Starting from the pole position, Vettel got through the critical first turn with his trademark quick start and gave the field no chance to catch his Red Bull car.Vettel charges into next weekends season finale in Brazil with a chance to tie Michael Schumachers Formula One record of 13 victories in a single season. Schumacher set the mark in 2004, and also won seven straight races that year.Vettel also is closing on the overall Formula One record for consecutive victories of nine, set by Alberto Ascari over parts of the 1952 and 53 seasons.Lotus Romain Grosjean of France was second, his best finish this year.Vettels Red Bull teammate, Mark Webber of Australia, was third.As hes done twice before, Vettel spun his car through several doughnuts after the checkered flag, a move that has drawn fines from the sports governing body.Vettel hardly seemed to care, however, telling his crew over his radio, We have to remember these days. I love you guys. We have an incredible team spirit. Im so proud of you. I love you.Vettel later appeared to wipe away tears while standing on the podium while listening to the German national anthem.The 26-year-old Vettel made his Formula One debut at 19 in the 2007 U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis and now has an American title that escaped him last year. Vettel led the 2012 race in Austin most of the way until Lewis Hamilton passed him with 14 laps to go and went on to win. Vettel had called that a frustrating result and ruthlessly dominated the field this time.He avoided any danger in the treacherous first corner that pushes the drivers up 133 feet out of the start and into a blind turn left back down the hill.Typical of his quick starts, Vettel immediately started putting distance between himself and the other cars with the initial burst.Webber, who had barely missed winning pole position on Saturday, had a terrible start from No. 2 as Grosjean and Mercedes Hamilton both nosed ahead and pushed him into fourth barely seconds into the race.The only crash in the race came in the first lap. Sahara Force Indias Adrian Sutil was knocked out when he bumped tires with Saubers Esteban Gutierrez, sending Sutil nose first into the wall and putting the race almost immediately under a yellow flag. Sutil was able to climb out of the car unhurt.Webber fought back from his bad start to overtake Hamilton, who finished fourth. Webber pushed Grosjean through several tense laps late but couldnt find a chance to slip into second as Grosjean held him off.For Grosjean, it was another impressive result in the second half of the season with his fourth podium finish of the year and third in six races.For the 37-year-old Webber, next week will be his last race in Formula One as hes leaving the series after 12 years, seven of them with Red Bull, a span that has featured some tense moments with teammate Vettel. Webber has nine career victories but none this year despite two starts from pole position and three more from the No. 2 position.The only dangerous incident came in the first lap. Sahara Force Indias Adrian Sutil was knocked out when he bumped tires with Saubers Esteban Gutierrez, sending Sutil nose first into the wall and putting the race almost immediately under a yellow flag. Sutil was able to climb out of the car unhurt.

Stenson wins World Tour Championship in Dubai Posted: DUBAI (AP) - Henrik Stenson won the season-ending World Tour Championship Sunday after shooting a final-round 8-under 64 for a 263.With the victory, the Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season.It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same, he said.The final day saw him put up six birdies before ending with an eagle at the 18th hole.Stenson added: I have managed to do something very, very special here this week by winning both in America and the Race to Dubai.It was Stensons first European Tour success of the year after winning two of the closing four FedEx Cup Play Off Series events.He collected a first prize of $1.333 million to take his earnings in 2013 in Europe alone to $5.538 million.To achieve the double, double if you like in winning the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai on top of winning the PGA Tour Championship to capture the FedEx Cup takes some beating, I guess, Stenson said.I am just very, very pleased with the way I played. I knew it was going to be a tough week as I knew the guys like Justin (Rose) and Ian (Poulter) would come charging at me and try to catch me.Englands Ian Poulter birdied his closing two holes, shooting a 66 as he finished second on 19-under par to end the season in second place in the Race to Dubai.I have to take my hat off to Henrik as he is unbelievable, said Poulter.I tried to run him down as hard as I could but even with a sore wrist he has pressed on and I just could not get close enough. Henrik has not made a mistake all week and all I could do was make sure of second place and some valuable Ryder Cup points.I have thrown a lot of him and given him so much stick but he is the best player on the planet right now.Victor Dubuisson of France shot a 71 to claim third place on 17 under, to end the season sixth.Out-going European No. 1 Rory McIlroy continues to show signs of getting back to his best with a closing round 67 to share fifth place at 15-under par.Justin Rose of England shared tenth place with Swedens Peter Hanson after a final-round of 70 to finish on 13 under.