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Asia shares sluggish on Euro jitters
Kayani, Munter call on President Zardari
Boxing: Amir Khan ready to fight
Mass stranding: 61 whales die in New Zealand
Former Saudi intelligence chief warns against any attack on Iran
Indonesia: 5.8 magnitude quake hits Papua region
Mixture of water, ash found in power plants furnace oil
All countries fixed matches: Paul Condon
Chinese scientists claim to create blood cells from rice seeds
Google to launch online music download store
Syria urged to stop violent repression
New York: Judge upholds Wall St protesters' removal
Reko Diq project: Foreign companys mining bid rejected
Leaving for UK with evidences against MQM, says Mirza
Rangers arrest 6 suspected persons from Karachi

Posted:

Asian shares struggled on Wednesday as signs that rising borrowing costs were affecting AAA-rated France stirred fears that even core euro zone members may not escape contagion from the region s debt crisis. The political outlook remained unclear in struggling Italy and Greece as they attempt to push through severe austerity measures needed to get bail-out funds and win market confidence. Prime Minister designate Mario Monti was expected to unveil Italy s new government on Wednesday. Japan s Nikkei average was flat in early trading and is seen likely to stay mired in recent ranges until investors have reason to be confident the euro zone crisis is contained. The Nikkei was down 2.72 points at 8,539.21, while the broader Topix index edged down 0.1 percent to 729.87. The euro fell 0.3 percent against the dollar to $1.3495, well below the ichimoku cloud base -- a technical indicator of support levels -- at $1.3568. Italian 10-year bond yields on Tuesday (November 15) climbed back above 7 percent, a level of funding cost seen as unsustainable for the debt-ridden country, while Spanish 10-year bond yields rose to 6.3 percent. The trend hit France, rated triple-A, where the premium over comparable German Bunds hit euro-era highs. As policymakers stand at odds in determining details of the roadmap to resolve the debt crisis, prevent it from becoming a systemic risk and save the 17-state currency bloc, EU governments have until a summit on Dec. 9 to offer a bolder and more convincing strategy, including visible financial backing. The sovereign debt problems have hurt the euro zone economy, which grew just 0.2 percent in the third quarter, according to data on Tuesday, lifted by France and Germany. But economists were resigned to the fact the bloc was almost certainly heading for a recession. In other markets in Asia, Seoul shares opened higher on Wednesday buoyed by stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data, with gains led by refiners and automakers including S-Oil and Hyundai Motor. GS Holdings climbed 0.95 percent after news GS Caltex, owned by GS Holdings, has successfully received numerous bids for a major stake in its unit. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 0.65 percent at 1,898.29 points as of 0004 GMT.

Kayani, Munter call on President Zardari

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Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday and discussed current security situation in the country. According to a press release, professional matters pertaining to Pakistan Army also came under discussion in the meeting held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Later, the US Ambassador Cameron Munter also called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday night. Official sources said the Pak-US bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting.

Boxing: Amir Khan ready to fight

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Amir "King" Khan looked fight ready as he put on an impressive workout in the ring with trainer Freddie Roach on Tuesday. The Super Lightweight Champion is getting ready for his upcoming title fight against challenger Lamont Peterson, which is scheduled to take place on December 10. For Khan, the opportunity to fight again in the United States is another chance to build his brand as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Trainer Freddie Roach, who also trains Pacquiao, believes that if Khan continues to improve than he will generate the recognition he deserves. Roach also took time to weigh in on Pacquiao s next fight. The Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson Super Lightweight fight is set for December 10 in Washington, DC.

Mass stranding: 61 whales die in New Zealand

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Tourists found the pod of 61 beached whales on Monday at Farewell Spit, on the top of the South Island, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. DOC local manager John Mason said a large number were already dead and hopes the survivors would refloat at high tide on Tuesday were dashed when the whales swam back to shore. He said 18 whales remained alive early Wednesday and DOC staff decided to euthanize them, rather than prolong their suffering. Pilot whales up to six metres (20 feet) long are the most common species of whale in New Zealand waters, with mass standings occurring about two or three times a year. Scientists are unsure why pilot whales beach themselves, although they speculate it may occur when their sonar becomes scrambled in shallow water or when a sick member of the pod heads for shore and others follow.

Former Saudi intelligence chief warns against any attack on Iran

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A military attack on Iran aimed at halting its nuclear program could have catastrophic consequences and only strengthen Tehran s determination to make an atomic weapon, the former head of Saudi Arabia s intelligence services said on Tuesday. "Such an act I think would be foolish and to undertake it I think would be tragic," Prince Turki al-Faisal said at a Washington, DC, appearance. "If anything it will only make the Iranians more determined to produce an atomic bomb. It will rally support for the government among the population, and it will not end the program. It will merely delay it if anything," he said. Tensions over Iran s nuclear ambitions have increased this month since the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Tehran appeared to have worked on designing a bomb and may still be conducting secret research to that end.

Indonesia: 5.8 magnitude quake hits Papua region

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The quake occurred on land at 8:42 am (2342 GMT Tuesday) with an epicentre 86 kilometres (53 miles) north of Tanahmerah, the US Geological Survey said. It revised the depth to nearly nine kilometres (5.5 miles). The Indonesian Meteorological and Geophysics Agency had measured the quake at 6.2 magnitude, and said there was no tsunami potential because of its epicentre on land. "The tremor was felt in nearby Tanahmerah, Merauke and Wamena. We haven t received any reports of damage so far," agency official Muhaimin told AFP. Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where the meeting of continental plates causes high seismic activity through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Mixture of water, ash found in power plants furnace oil

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According to the sources, it has been learnt that 8 percent water and 3 percent ash was found mixed in the furnace oil provided by PSO to the power plants due to which machinery of these plants is getting faults. The power plants provided with mixed furnace oil include Guddu, Muazffar Garh and Jamshoro. The sources disclosed that heat rate of the power plant rises due to increased quantity of sulfur in the mixture of water and ash and the chemical process changes sulfur into acid which badly affects the machinery of the plant. Ministry of Petroleum has launched investigation into the issue, the sources added.

All countries fixed matches: Paul Condon

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All of cricket s leading countries were involved in the fixing of major matches, not just Pakistan, the sport s former chief anti-corruption investigator said Tuesday. "In the late 1990s, Test and World Cup matches were being routinely fixed," Paul Condon, the founding head of the International Cricket Council s anti-corruption unit, said in an interview with London Evening Standard. "There were a number of teams involved in fixing, and certainly more than the Indian sub-continent teams were involved. "Every international team, at some stage, had someone doing some funny stuff." This month a British court jailed three Pakistan cricketers for deliberately bowling no-balls in a Test against England at Lord s last year in order to effect an illegal betting coup. Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt was sentenced to 30 months in prison while bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were jailed for a year and six months respectively. But Condon, a former head of London s Metropolitan Police Force who helped set up the ICC s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) in 2000 and chaired it for a decade, said: "A whole generation of cricketers playing in the late 1990s must have known what was going on and did nothing." And Condon added the root of the problem lay not in Asia but in English county cricket, where favours were traded between teams across the domestic 40-over Sunday league and first-class Championship competitions. "If you re Team A and have a higher position in the Sunday league and I m captain of Team B and my team have no chance in the Sunday league, I might do a deal to ensure you got maximum points in your Sunday league match. "You would reciprocate in the County Championship. These friendly fixes quickly became more sinister, probably in the Eighties." Despite widespread speculation about the probity of several fixtures, cricket chiefs only took action in 2000 when South Africa captain Hansie Cronje was revealed to have accepted bribes from bookmakers. Condon was brought on board by the ICC, with the initial aim of making sure matches in the 2003 World Cup in southern Africa were  clean . Although confident those games were above board, and that the rigging of matches is no longer a major concern, the 64-year-old believes the tournament marked the emergence of  spot-fixing  when unscrupulous gamblers realised they could pull off huge betting coups merely on specific incidents. Yet it was not the ACSU, now headed by another former British police officer in Ronnie Flanagan, who carried out the  sting  operation that caught the Pakistan trio but now defunct UK tabloid newspaper the News of the World. "We considered it and a policy decision was taken that, firstly, it would be highly unlikely the police would prosecute," Condon said. "They would say,  This is entrapment ." Condon, who helped persuad the British Government to make cheating in sport a criminal offence in the 2005 Gambling Act, had some sympathy for Aamer, saying he was "unsophisticated". "But that s not to say he doesn t deserve a symbolic punishment. To keep cricket clean sentences have to be exemplary." And he added he knew of cases where Pakistan players risked intimidation by assisting in ACSU inquiries. "We had this Pakistani cricketer who was genuinely frightened that if he had revealed what he knew, there would be repercussions on his family. He was a very valuable informant. We flew him from Pakistan at the ICC s expense and put him up in safe accommodation in London for about a week while we debriefed him." Condon urged present-day players to do more in the fight against corruption, saying: "In recent years, there s been very little whistle-blowing from current players."

Chinese scientists claim to create blood cells from rice seeds

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Human serum albumin—a blood protein—has been added to genetically modified brown rice by researchers in a new study conducted at the Yang He and Daichang Yang at Wuhan University in China, and published in the recent issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Recombinant HSA proteins were introduced into the brown rice using Agrobacterium (a Gram-negative bacteria known for its ability to transfer DNA to other cells and plants) and wound up with nine plant species that could breed the GMO rice containing the blood protein. Test subjects with liver damage showed improved results after being fed the rice, confirming that the HSA was effectively present and capable of being extracted in “an efficient manner,” resulting in nearly half of the plant’s protein creating 2.75 grams of HSA from one kilogram of rice. The human liver naturally produces HSA, but people can require more in the case of some fairly serious conditions. Including creating human blood plasma, HSA is used in managing cirrhosis of the liver, hemorrhagic shock, burn treatment, and it is found in a number of drug and vaccine tests. The cost-effective, easily stored GMO rice grains containing the important blood protein may help with the worldwide shortages of human plasma, cites the researchers who have been looking for ways to create an artificial supply of HSA; current usage around the world tops 500 tons per year. Other plants, including potatoes and tobacco leaves were thought to be potential sources for HSA, as was genetically engineered mouse milk; but none were as efficient or effective as the rice, states the researchers. Chinese researchers are also working on altering the DNA of cows so that they will produce a milk more closely.

Google to launch online music download store

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Google Inc is expected to unveil an online music download store featuring songs from three major music companies, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Sony Corp s Sony Music Entertainment, Vivendi SA s Universal Music Group and EMI Music are expected to have deals with Google in place in time for a Wednesday afternoon announcement in Los Angeles, the Journal reported. The Google Music store will compete with Apple Inc s dominant iTunes and other digital music services. Google s store will sell songs for around $1 apiece, the Journal reported. The store also is expected to allow users who buy songs to share one or two free listens with contacts on the Google social networking service, the newspaper reported. A Wednesday evening event tied to the announcement will feature pop group Maroon 5 and R&B singer Drake, among others. Representatives for Google, Sony and Universal Music Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An EMI spokesman declined to comment.

Syria urged to stop violent repression

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Human rights groups and monitors reported that up to 70 people were killed in clashes on Monday, with a total of 140 dead since the Arab League voted on Saturday to suspend Syria s membership. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Syria s government to "turn back from the edge of the cliff". He threatened to cut electricity supplies to its southern neighbour if its president, Bashar al-Assad – "feeding on blood" – did not change course. Turkey s president, Abdullah Gul, added: "Unfortunately, Syria today has entered a dead end." Turkey also announced the suspension of joint oil exploration with Syria. Meanwhile, the Syrian Revolution General Commission, an activist group, reported seven named individuals killed. Video clips posted online showed mutilated corpses and people being beaten. Syrian officials are forcing government workers to join mass rallies across the country on Wednesday in support of the regime. Assad s growing isolation was underlined again when the six members of the Saudi-led Gulf Co-operation Council rebuffed his call for an emergency Arab summit to discuss the crisis. Russia, however, refused to back demands by Assad s opponents to support them against the regime. The suspension, called "shameful and malicious" by Damascus, is due to take effect on Wednesday as foreign ministers meet in Morocco. League rules require 15 of the 22 members to back an emergency summit. On Monday King Abdullah of Jordan became the first Arab leader to call publicly for Assad to step down. Sudan, one of the 18 Arab countries which backed Syria s suspension, indicated it wanted to mend fences. Egypt and several other member states have ignored a league call to withdraw ambassadors from Damascus. Russia, meanwhile, urged the Syrian National Council (SNC), the largest anti-Assad opposition group, to talk to the regime. Burhan Ghalioun, the Paris-based SNC leader, said the opposition would only talk to those whose hands were not stained with blood. Russia has said the Arab League was wrong to suspend Syria and opposed any move by the UN Security Council to condemn the Assad regime. In Kuwait 33 MPs called on the government to recognise the SNC – in a move which would parallel recognition of the Benghazi-based Libyan rebels of the National Transitional Council while Muammar Gaddafi was in power.

New York: Judge upholds Wall St protesters' removal

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New York police force out Wall Street protesters, arresting at least 70, to allow city sanitation workers to clean up Zuccotti Park. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement that "the city has the ultimate responsibility to protect public health and safety and we will continue to ensure that everyone can express themselves in New York City. "Zuccotti Park will remain open to all who want to enjoy it, as long as they abide by the park s rules," Bloomberg added in his statement. Mean while, New York police on Tuesday demolished the Manhattan camp of the anti-Wall Street protests in a surprise raid which threw the two-month-old movement into crisis. Despite launching a swift legal challenge to the dismantling of their tent camp in Zuccotti Park, a judge backed a ban on pitching tents in the private area, ruling the demonstrators could gather but not camp or sleep there. Throughout the day, protestors played a game of cat-and-mouse with authorities as they sought to re-establish their camp a stone s throw from Wall Street, the symbolic epicenter of a movement protesting alleged corporate greed which has spawned copy-cats in other US cities and abroad. But in the evening, police reopened the park and let the demonstrators back in one-by-one, stressing they would not be allowed to stay there for the night.The judge s ruling "vindicates our position that First Amendment rights do not include the right to endanger the public or infringe on the rights of others by taking over a public space with tents and tarps," Bloomberg said. But protesters were also elated that they were allowed back into the park, owned by Brookfield Properties, which they have been occupying since mid-September. New York police had moved in at about 1:00 am on Tuesday with bright lights, overwhelming numbers of helmeted officers, and an army of sanitation workers.

Reko Diq project: Foreign companys mining bid rejected

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The Supreme Court had ordered the provincial government to stop further proceeding after receiving feasibility of the company on February 8, 2011. After agreement between the company and the government on May 25, the Supreme Court handed over the issue to the mining committee and directed to take the decision as per Mining Rules 2002. Meanwhile, the mining committee sought the reply of the objections from the company on September 21. The foreign company presented the report to the mining committee on October 19. The committee, after a 2-day meeting, unanimously rejected the feasibility report and termed it incomplete. Moreover, The Balochistan Advocate General will soon submit the 16-page decision regarding Reko Diq project in the Supreme Court.

Leaving for UK with evidences against MQM, says Mirza

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Talking to media before laving for London at Karachi Airport, Former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza said that the time has come to unveil the real face of the culprits and bring them to the books. He said he will appear in London’s court with all evidences against the MQM. Mirza said he is visiting UK as Pakistani national and asked the people to pray for his success. Earlier, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza met with MQM Haqqiqi chief Afaq Ahmad on Tuesday morning in Sindh High Court.

Rangers arrest 6 suspected persons from Karachi

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According to Rangers sources, at least six suspected persons were arrested in raids from Purani Sabzi Mandi and Sachal areas of Karachi after intelligence reports. The sources further disclosed that two of the detained persons including Wali Mehsood and Ali Boneri belong to a political party and both of them were shifted to some unknown place for further investigation.

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Tuesday 15 November 2011

Dunya TV

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