UN chief condemns Pakistan school attack as "act of horror"

Tuesday, December 16, 2014 | 11:59 AM    

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned on Tuesday a Taliban attack on a Pakistani school that left at least 130 dead, most of them students.

“It is an act of horror and rank cowardice to attack defenceless children while they learn,” Ban said at the start of a UN Security Council meeting.

“The hearts of the world go out to the parents and families who have lost loved ones.”

Taliban insurgents stormed the army-run school in the north-western city of Peshawar on Tuesday, going from classroom to classroom shooting children, some as young as 12, in one of Pakistan’s bloodiest ever attacks.

Speaking in a solemn tone, Ban began his address to a council meeting on peacekeeping with the statement condemning what he termed the “blood-curdling attack” in Pakistan.

“I condemn this heinous attack in the strongest possible terms,” he said. “No cause can justify such brutality. No grievance can excuse such horror.

“Schools must be safe and secure learning spaces. Getting an education is every child’s right. Going to school should not be an act of bravery.”

Ban expressed UN support for the Pakistani government’s efforts to fight terrorism and extremism, and urged Islamabad to make every effort to track down those responsible for the carnage.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack, calling it revenge for a major military offensive in the region.

TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said Tuesday’s assault was carried out to avenge Taliban fighters and their families killed in the army’s offensive against militant strongholds in North Waziristan.

The military has hailed the operation as a major success in disrupting the TTP’s insurgency.

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UN chief condemns Pakistan school attack as "act of horror"

Rooney injury likened to "something out of a horror film"

LONDON, England (AFP) — The head injury that has sidelined Wayne Rooney looks like “something out of a horror film”, according to his England colleague Theo Walcott.

Rooney was left with a sizeable gash on his forehead after being caught in the face by Manchester United teammate Phil Jones earlier this week.The wound required stitches and forced the 27-year-old striker to withdraw from England’s squad for the World Cup qualifying double-header against Moldova and Ukraine.Asked to describe the injury during a press conference at England’s St George’s Park training base, Walcott pointed to a bottle of water beside him and said: “I’ve seen a picture of it and it’s about that big.“It is a very big gash. It is not a nice sight, to be honest. It is not going to help his looks, I wouldn’t think. It’s not very nice to see. It’s like something out of a horror film.”United midfielder Michael Carrick, who saw Rooney get injured, dismissed suggestions from journalists that his team-mate should have taken inspiration from Terry Butcher’s iconic, bloodstained performance in a 1990 World Cup qualifier against Sweden, by putting himself forward to play.“We know what he (Rooney) is like,” Carrick said.“If there was a way of playing, he would. It is easy for people to look at the past and compare with what has gone on, but every situation is different.”Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge had been in line to deputise for Rooney at home to Moldova on Friday, but he is now doubtful with a thigh injury that prevented him from training on Tuesday.With Tottenham Hotspur’s Jermain Defoe yet to start a league game this season, it means either Rooney’s United teammate Danny Welbeck or Southampton’s Rickie Lambert will lead the line against Moldova.“It is sad to see Wayne out, but it is an opportunity for someone to come in and take their chance,” Walcott added.“Danny Welbeck has started the season well for his club and Rickie Lambert has had a great start to his England career, so the manager has some great options and I am sure he knows what to do.”Defence is also an area of concern following a run of four games without a clean sheet, and centre-back Gary Cahill admits the squad are still adjusting to life without John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, who both retired from international football last season.“They were two huge players and they retired at similar times, so there had to be a transitional period and that’s what it is at the minute,” said Cahill, who plays alongside Terry at Chelsea.

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Rooney injury likened to "something out of a horror film"