Sunday 10 November 2013

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

NA resumes its session today

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ISLAMABAD (dunya News): The National Assembly will resume its session in Islamabad today (Monday) at four after two days break.The House will continue debate on the recent drone attack issue in North Waziristan Agency. Minister for Interior Ch. Nisar Ali Khan is expected to wind up the debate on the issue on Monday.Federal Employees Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance (Amendment) Bill‚ 2013 is also expected to be introduced in the National Assembly.

Munawar insulted sacrifices of armed forces: Altaf

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LONDON (Dunya News) – Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, while welcoming the ISPR statement which condemned remarks of Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Munawar Hasan, said that 180 million people of Pakistan stand by with Pakistan armed forces.He said that ISPR stance of Munawar Hasan remarks has won the hearts of 180 million Pakistanis.On the other hand, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that JI Amir Munawar Hasan supports enemies of the state and and his remarks are against the armed forces.In his message on social website, Bilawal Bhutto termed Munawar Hasan’s statement as ‘treasons statement’ and urged the Supreme Court (SC) to take suo motu notice of it.

Lahore: Punjab health minister resigns

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LAHORE (Dunya News) –Punjab Health Minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu resigned from his post after being reprimanded by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on spread of dengue in Punjab during provincial cabinet meeting on November 9.Khalil Tahir Sindhu, who was Health and Minority Affairs minister has sent his resignation to Punjab chief minister.Talking to Dunya News, Tahir Sindhu said that that 362 people died of dengue virus in Punjab in 2011 but no minister resigned.He further said that no minister claimed responsibility when more than 300 people died due to PIC medicine scandal and 192 children died of measles during current year.Tahir Sindhu said that he was criticized for the death of only 10 persons due to dengue virus this year. He said that he has resigned from his posts but will remain a PML-N worker and continue work for the party.

US diplomat Kerry defends Iran nuclear talks

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday defended US negotiations with Iran over its disputed nuclear program, saying Washington is not blind and is keeping Israels best interests at heart.The top US diplomat insisted there is zero gap between President Barack Obamas administration and its commitment to Israel, with diplomatic relations between the two allies under strain over the matter.Kerry made his remarks in an interview with NBCs Meet the Press show after talks with world powers in Geneva failed to produce a deal to curb Tehrans atomic activities in exchange for sanctions relief.We are not blind, and I dont think were stupid, Kerry said.I think we have a pretty strong sense of how to measure whether or not we are acting in the interests of our country and of the globe, and particularly of our allies like Israel and Gulf states and others in the region.Three grueling days of discussions with the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany, known as the P51, ended with no agreement but the two sides will meet again on November 20.Hopes had soared for a deal after top diplomats rushed to Geneva to join the talks, but faded after cracks began to show when France raised concerns.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed what he said was not a good deal for any of the parties -- with the exception, he said, of Tehran.Iran gives practically nothing and it gets a hell of a lot. Thats not a good deal, Netanyahu told CBS Face the Nation show.Its not good for us, its not good for America, its not good for the Middle East, its not good for Europe either.But Kerry pushed back, saying there is zero gap between this president, between this administration and our commitment to Israel, despite continued criticism of the talks by its top Mideast ally.Kerry told NBC that the United States is absolutely determined that this would be a good deal, or therell be no deal.Were talking about stopping their program where it is, with enough guarantees to know that it is in fact stopped where it is, while we then negotiate the full measure of the deal with our allies, he said.Meanwhile, hawkish Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a leading voice in the US Congress on defense and security matters, warned against easing sanctions on the regime in Iran, saying Sunday it could have dire consequences.My fear is that were going to wind up creating a North Korea-type situation in the Mideast, where we negotiate with Iran and one day you wake up... and youre going to have a nuclear Iran, Graham said on CNNs State of the Union show.Conservative US politicos were jubilant that the deal had fallen through for now, and although fond of finger-pointing at France in recent years, lavished praise on Paris.Vive la France Senator John McCain, an outspoken voice on national security issues, tweeted.France had the courage to prevent a bad nuclear agreement with Iran, said the top Republican and former presidential candidate.Another leading lawmaker, Bob Corker, senior Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Washington is dealing away our leverage in the talks.All of us want to see diplomacy... but were also concerned about an administration that seems really ready always to jump into the arms of folks, and potentially deal away some of the leverage we have, he said.The draft deal said to be on the table could have seen Iran freeze parts of its nuclear program in exchange for the easing of some of the sanctions on its battered economy.French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was the first to reveal that a deal had failed, preempting the official announcement after the talks broke up.

Report: Gunman kills Iranian deputy minister

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TEHRAN (AFP) - Unidentified assailants shot dead Irans deputy minister for industry and mining, Safdar Rahmat Abadi, in Tehran on Sunday night, media reports said.The official IRNA news agency reported that Rahmat Abadi, the deputy minister of industry, mines and commerce in charge of parliamentary affairs, had been fatally shot in the head and chest as he was driving in the east of the capital.Citing a police officer at the scene, the report said the shots had been fired from inside Rahmat Abadis car as bullet shells had been found inside the vehicle whose windows were intact.It did not provide further details.The Mehr news agency quoted the Tehran governors deputy for security affairs, Safarali Baratlou, as confirming the shooting, without further elaboration.

1 dead, scores hurt in latest Bangladesh protest

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DHAKA (AP) - Opposition activists in Bangladesh clashed with police and ruling party members Sunday on the first day of a four-day general strike amid concerns by businesses that the country will suffer terribly if the ongoing chaos does not immediately stop.At least one man died and scores were injured across the country as the opposition enforced the strike to force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to quit and form a caretaker government made up of people from outside of mainstream political parties to oversee an election next year.The latest spate of violence came after at least 18 people died during similar protests over the last two weeks as the opposition enforced shutdowns totaling 120 hours.Television stations said a man died Sunday in the southeastern district of Chittagong after picketers attacked an auto-rickshaw he was traveling in.The latest developments come at a time of deep tension in Bangladesh, a nation struggling to overcome extreme poverty, rancorous politics and a string of horrific accidents linked to the garment industry.The situation became further complicated when authorities arrested five prominent leaders of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Friday and Saturday.After the arrests of Moudud Ahmed, M.K. Anwar, Rafiqul Islam Mia, Abdul Awal Mintoo and an aide to opposition leader Khaleda Zia, the opposition increased an already announced 72-hour strike by 12 hours in reply to the governments crackdown.All of those who were arrested were sent to jail by a court on Saturday. They will have to stay there at least until Thursday, when the court will hear police charges against them.Police said they were arrested in two separate cases involving charges of arson, smashing of vehicles and attacking police.But the opposition says the charges are politically motivated and has vowed to intensify the protests.Dhakas Bengali-language Prothom Alo newspaper reported Sunday that at least 200 vehicles have either been torched or vandalized across the country since Friday in response to the arrests.Meanwhile, businesses said Bangladeshs economy could be hit hard as its manufacturing sector could suffer a big blow, especially the garment industry, which earns more than $20 billion a year from exports.We are facing huge trouble. How will we do our business if such chaos continues, said S.M. Mannan Kochi, a vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.We have to confirm our shipment, we have to pay our workers, but nobody is caring about that, he said.The garment industry employs more than 3 million workers, mostly women, and most factories are located in the capital, Dhaka, and its surrounding areas, as well as in Chittagong. During any strike, businesses are hugely affected in both Dhaka and Chittagong.Hasina and Zia, a former prime minister, are the most powerful leaders in Bangladesh and they have alternated as prime minister since 1991.Hasina wants an all-party government to oversee the next elections, but Zia wants her to resign to pave the way for forming a caretaker government with people from outside of political parties.The government says it is determined to form an election-time government with other parties if Zias party continues to refuse to join.In addition to the election-related chaos, a war crimes tribunal stemming from Bangladeshs 1971 war of independence from Pakistan has become another incendiary political issue.

Kerry in UAE to discuss Iran, Syria

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ABU DHABI (AFP) - Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday briefed US ally the United Arab Emirates on talks with Iran on its nuclear programme and efforts to hold Syria peace talks.He flew in from Geneva where three days of marathon talks which stretched into early Sunday failed to produce an interim deal under which Iran would suspend parts of its enrichment programme in return for sanctions relief.Despite leaving without an agreement after his surprise decision to re-route his 10-day Middle East tour via the Swiss city, the top US diplomat insisted western powers were closer now to ending the decade-long standoff with Tehran.He dismissed the idea that a row with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius had derailed the talks at the last minute, while also rejecting criticism Washington was abandoning key allies.A number of nations -- not just the French, but ourselves and others -- wanted to make sure that we had the tough language necessary to ensure the six powers did not do something sloppily that could wind up with a mistake, he told NBCs Meet the Press.Reiterating the P51 group, comprising Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States, was not in a rush, Kerry said the aim was to lock the programme in where it is today -- in fact, set it back -- while one negotiates the full deal.The United States wanted to exhaust all the diplomatic remedies before we resort to the use of military force if we have to.Kerry held dinner talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahayan and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, and was to head home to Washington on Monday at the end of an exhausting seven-nation tour.The UAE, like its Saudi neighbours, has reacted warily to the cautious US rapprochement with Irans reputedly moderate new president, Hassan Rouhani.But Kerry insisted Iran would be under tremendous pressure to comply with a deal as the core architecture of oil and banking sanctions would remain.We are not blind, and I dont think were stupid. I think we have a pretty strong sense of how to measure whether or not we are acting in the interests of our country and of the globe, and particularly of our allies like Israel and Gulf states and others in the region, he told NBC.Kerry stressed there was zero gap between the US administration and our commitment to our allies in the Gulf and the region.

Two dead, 22 hurt in Texas shooting: report

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - At least two people were killed and 22 hurt in a shooting at a house party packed with young adults near Houston, Texas, police told US media Sunday.Police are looking for two suspects in connection with the shooting late Saturday in Cypress, a suburb of Houston, Christina Garza at the Harris County Sheriffs Department told CNN.We have not been able to talk to a lot of the witnesses, because of the nature of their injuries. But we dont have any shooters in custody, Garza told CNN.One person died in the house and the other died in the hospital, Garza said.Those hurt were rushed to the hospital, though its still unclear how many of those have gunshot wounds and how many were injured in the stampede to flee the shooting.As you can imagine, this was chaos in a residential neighborhood. This was a private home where they were hosting a house party, Garza said.There were at least 22 people rushed to five area hospitals, though some had minor injuries, the Houston Chronicle reported, citing the sheriffs office.More than 100 people were at the house celebrating a birthday, the Chronicle said.Garza said that there was at least one adult in the house at the time, and that most partygoers were older teens, with some in their early 20s.The shooting broke out Saturday around 11:30 pm (0530 GMT Sunday), Garza told CNN.

Saudi MERS death toll reaches 53: ministry

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RIYADH (AFP) - Saudi health authorities announced on Sunday a new death caused by MERS, bringing to 53 the number of fatalities in the kingdom by the coronavirus.The health ministry gave no details on the latest death in the country most affected by the disease that first appeared in the Gulf state in September 2012.The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has so far cost 64 lives worldwide, according to a November 4 update by the World Health Organisation (WHO).Experts are struggling to understand MERS, for which there is no vaccine.It is considered a deadlier but less-transmissible cousin of the SARS virus that erupted in Asia in 2003 and infected 8,273 people, nine percent of whom died.Like SARS, MERS appears to cause a lung infection, with patients suffering from a temperature, cough and breathing difficulty.But it differs in that it also causes rapid kidney failure and the extremely high death rate has caused serious concern.In August, researchers pointed to Arabian camels as possible hosts of the virus.

Djokovic books Nadal title showdown in Tours Finals

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LONDON (AFP) - Novak Djokovic set up a final showdown with Rafael Nadal as the defending champion cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Stanislas Wawrinka in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday.Djokovic extended his winning streak since the US Open to 21 matches and will bid for his third Tour Finals crown when he faces world number one Nadal in Mondays final at Londons O2 Arena.After losing out to Nadal in the race to finish the year top of the world rankings, world number two Djokovic has a golden opportunity to get a measure of revenge against the Spaniard.The Serb has now won his last nine matches at the O2 Arena and will seek to avenge his recent US Open final defeat against Nadal, who holds a 22-16 edge in their 38 meetings.It was a very enjoyable match for me, it was my best performance at the tournament so far, said Djokovic.I dont think its the right word to say Im unbeatable. Nobodys unbeatable.Being in the moment and taking it one step at a time helps me keep my focus.Wawrinka had enjoyed his best season over the last 11 months and, after advancing to the last four on his maiden appearance at the Tour Finals, the Swiss seventh seed was bidding to become the first debutant to reach the final since David Ferrer in 2007.But Djokovic had won the last 14 of his 16 meetings with Wawrinka dating back to 2006, including nine of their 10 clashes on hard courts.Two of those victories were among the most enthralling matches of 2013, with Djokovic emerging victorious from five-set encounters with Wawrinka in the Australian Open fourth round and US Open semi-finals, but this routine win never threatened to reach those breathtaking standards.Wawrinka showed no signs of nerves in the early stages and earned the first two break points of the match in Djokovics second service gameThe Serb got out of trouble once, but Wawrinka pounced at the second attempt, racing to the net to punch home a volley and take a 2-1 lead.Djokovic produced a typically defiant response as he pressured Wawrinka into conceding a break point in the next game and took it when the Swiss missed his forehand.Now the momentum was with Djokovic and, forcing Wawrinka into some rash groundstrokes, he broke again to move 5-3 ahead and took the set after staving off one more break point.There was little Wawrinka could do to stem the tide and he was swept away as Djokovic broke in the opening game of the second set.Wawrinka was going for his shots in a bid to make a late comeback, but Djokovic showed all his class and quality to break again and close out the win in one hour and 24 minutes.

Federer hoping for brighter spell in 2014

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LONDON (AP) - A disappointing year ended with another loss for Roger Federer. After a mini-resurgence late in the season, though, the former No. 1 has reason to believe he can still compete with the best again next year.The 32-year-old Federer lost in straight sets to traditional rival Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday, ending a season in which he has slipped to No. 7 in the rankings and lost in the second round of Wimbledon and the fourth round at the U.S. Open.But he managed to qualify for the ATP finals after a string of good results over the past few months that, in his opinion, bode well for 2014.I think something is possible for next year, Federer said after his 7-5, 6-3 defeat to Nadal, his first loss to the Spaniard on indoor hard court. I think it was a stronger finish than I thought it was going to be in Basel, Paris and London. Im more positive now looking ahead than I would have been a few months ago, when I wasnt quite sure what to expect after the U.S. Open.The 17-time Grand Slam winner, who finished 2013 with a modest record of 45-17, insisted he has reached a point in his career where his ranking is secondary, as long as he still feels capable of winning big matches and big tournaments.Its important to stay within a certain ranking, Federer said. But after that I need to make sure I stay competitive, I can hang with the best, and particularly beat the best.That has not often been the case this year, with Federer claiming only four wins over top 10 opponents beating Juan Martin del Potro twice, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet and regularly losing to unseeded opponents. He won his sole title at a grass-court tournament in Halle, Germany, in June.But the Swiss great was reassured by the fact that his body held up well over the last three weeks and seems convinced he can take fewer breaks next year.What I learned is that I can play three weeks pretty easily, he said. I played a lot of matches as of late, a lot of three setters, a lot of tennis. From that standpoint, thats very satisfying, knowing that the body can do it, the mind can do it, life allows it to happen. Im happy that I have that option, as well, that I know I can play three weeks in a row because I remember (Andre) Agassi didnt do that at all any more towards the end of his career. He used to play one, maybe two, he would always pull out the third week if there was something planned.Federer remained vague about the tournaments he intends to play in 2014, saying his schedule will be geared toward peaking at the four majors.Clearly Grand Slams are going to be part of my highlights, hoping to sort of make sure I play my best there with some selective other events that I consider important to me, some of the Masters 1000s, he said. Then hopefully I have something left for the World Tour Finals at the end of next year because thats clearly a goal.Saying that tennis his part of his DNA, Federer also brushed off speculation that he might be tempted by retirement. He has previously stated the 2016 Olympics is a possible goal.The thing is that when you stop, youre still so young that why stop so early? Why just walk away from it because, I mean, I have many other things to do in my life than play tennis, but because I can still choose, I pick to play, he said. As long as I have this choice, Ill keep on playing.

Bryan brothers advance to final at year-end event

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LONDON (AP) - Three-time champions Bob and Mike Bryan advanced to the doubles final of the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals after defeating No. 2 pair Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 on Sunday.The twins will take on David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco on Monday after the Spanish duo beat fellow debutants Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo 7-6 (10), 7-5.The Bryans have already clinched the year-end No. 1 spot for a fifth straight year and a record ninth time.They have won 11 titles this season, including the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

Football: Al Ahly crowned African champions for eighth time

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CAIRO (AFP) - Egypts Al Ahly won an eighth African Champions League trophy when they beat Orlando Pirates of South Africa 2-0 in the second leg of the final in Cairo on Sunday.Ahly, who have previously won Africas foremost club competition in 1982, 1987, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, won 3-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg.The Red Devils of Cairo pocketed the cash prize of $1.5 million and will also represent Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco next month.Im very happy we won. It was a difficult game and a good test for us, said Al Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef.Orlando Pirates are a strong side having eliminated Esperance and TP Mazembe on their journey to the final. We were focused on creating chances and capitalizing on the mistakes of our opponents.Pirates coach Roger De Sa admitted the Egyptians had been the better side over the two legs.Their experienced showed in the game. We knew it was going to be difficult. We lost the tie when the first leg ended 1-1. Nevertheless, we played well and created some chances, he said.Im very disappointed because I believed we could have achieved it but Im very happy though with the way we carried ourselves.Mohamed Aboutrika opened the scoring in the 54th minute when he stabbed home from just outside the six-yard box.Ahmed Abdul Zaher doubled the Ahly lead in the 78th minute when unmarked inside the box he shot past the Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.The Egyptian champions were reduced to 10 men six minutes from time when defender Sherif Abdel Fadil was sent off for a foul on Daine Klate.Pirates, champions in 1995, put up a spirited fight but Ahlys second goal seemed to kill them off inside a packed Arab Contractors Stadium in Cairo.The South African champions created several chances, but could not take them.The best chance of the first half fell to The Buccaneers in the 35th minute when somehow Tlou Segolela failed to convert from inside the six-yard box, after a superb pull back by Klate from the right, with the Ahly goalkeeper well beaten.Pirates failed again in front of goal in the 63rd minute when Lennox Bacela dribbled past goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy, but his final ball screamed across the face of goal after the Ahly shot stopper forced him wide.There were no clear-cut chances in front of goal in the first 15 minutes until Mohamed Nagiebs header flashed across the Pirates goal.On 20 minutes, Ahly goalkeeper Ekramy had to come out to block Segolela inside the penalty area.Two minutes later, Abdul Zahers dipping shot forced Pirates goalkeeper Meyiwa to turn it away for a corner.The Pirates goalkeeper then made a brave save inside his goal area nicking the ball off the feet of goal-bound Zaher a minute before the interval.

United beat Arsenal to roar back into title race

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MANCHESTER (AP) - Manchester United roared back into the Premier League title picture on Sunday by beating leader Arsenal 1-0, completing a perfect day for the improving reigning champions after surprise defeats for top-four contenders Manchester City and Tottenham.Robin van Persies 27th-minute header against his former club settled a cagey match at Old Trafford and lifted United to fifth place, with Arsenals second defeat of the campaign trimming its lead over second-place Liverpool to two points.With Man City losing 1-0 at struggling Sunderland and Spurs beaten at home by Newcastle by the same scoreline, just six points separate Arsenal and eighth-place City after 11 matches in what is proving to be a tight, exciting battle for the title.What we have learned today is that not only Man United can beat Arsenal but that everybody can beat everybody in this Premier League, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. It just shows you how much excitement there will be until the end of the season.Citys poor away form continued as Phil Bardsley grabbed the winner in the 21st minute for Sunderland, which started the day level on points with bottom-place Crystal Palace.City has taken only four points from a possible 18 on its travels.I am concerned because we are losing too many points away and, of course, thats very difficult if you dont win away to try to fight for the Premier League, City manager Manuel Pellegrini said.More doubts were raised about Tottenhams top-four credentials after in-form striker Loic Remy struck a 13th-minute winner at White Hart Lane, with Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul preserving the victory with a string of brilliant saves.I think Tim Krul was the key to the game, Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said. He made the difference.Spurs followed medical advice and chose not to play goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who is still recovering from being knocked unconscious during a match against Everton last weekend. Lloris also missed the midweek Europa League win over Sheriff Tiraspol, despite having played on against Everton.In Sundays other match, Charlie Adam converted a penalty in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to salvage Stoke a 3-3 draw at Swansea.After beating Liverpool 2-0 last weekend, Arsenal was looking to pass another examination of its title credentials but failed to shake off an inferiority complex the Gunners seem to have when they arrive at Old Trafford.Wenger said his side was nervous in the first half, during which Van Persie answered the relentless taunts of visiting fans by heading Wayne Rooneys corner into the top corner. Since leaving north London for Manchester in August last year, Van Persie has scored in all three games against Arsenal.In a game of few clear-cut chances, Arsenal established control in the second half as United reorganized after losing defender Nemanja Vidic to a head injury sustained just before the break. Vidic was later taken to hospital for a scan.However, home goalkeeper David de Gea wasnt seriously tested as Arsenal tried to find a way through the United defense.It was the biggest win for Moyes since taking over from Alex Ferguson this summer and United is now unbeaten in its last nine matches in all competitions after a scratchy start to his tenure.I dont think it puts out a statement, I think people have known for years how good Manchester United have been, Moyes said. My job and the teams job is to try to show we can do that again.We know we are going to get a few bloody noses along the way. And I think the Premier League has shown its not just Manchester United getting them, there are a few others as well.City can attest to that.Having scored 12 goals in beating Norwich and CSKA Moscow over the past week, City was expected to ease past Sunderland. But their foibles away from home came back to haunt them, despite dominating possession and territory.Sunderland remains in the bottom three but seem to be heading in the right direction under new manager Gus Poyet, who also guided the team to a northeast derby victory over Newcastle in his last home game.The proudest time is when you are able to keep a clean sheet against a team like Man City, Poyet said. For a team who did not keep a clean sheet before, it is perfection.

Motorcycling: Marquez seals historic MotoGP world title

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VALENCIA, Spain, Nov 10, 2013 (AFP) - Spaniard Marc Marquez at 20 years of age became the youngest rider to ever win the MotoGP world championship as he finished third at the Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday.Two-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo claimed his eighth victory of the season, but it wasn't enough to overturn Marquez's 13-point lead which he held heading into the race as the Honda rider held on to take the title by just four points.Marquez's teammate Dani Pedrosa finished second to end the season third in the championship standings, a further 30 points behind Lorenzo.It was the longest race of the year for me, I was very nervous before the start, said Marquez.Jorge tried to slow the race at the beginning and I didn't know what to do, to go for it or not, it was very rigid and I didn't feel comfortable.But the most important thing is that we have made the dream come true, perhaps a little quickly because I didn't expect it.I want to thank everyone because I am very happy.The championship was just reward for an incredible season by the man in his maiden year in MotoGP.Marquez announced his arrival on the circuit in just the second race of the season in America as he became the youngest ever winner of a Grand Prix.However, it was a mid-season stretch of four straight wins whilst Lorenzo and Pedrosa struggled with injuries that put the Catalan well in charge of the championship standings.And despite a wonderful end to the season from a fit-again Lorenzo, Marquez's consistency saw him cling onto the lead as he made the podium in every race that he completed throughout the campaign.Needing just to finish in the top four to seal the title in Valencia, Marquez started on pole but was immediately overtaken by Lorenzo heading into the first corner.Pedrosa then also moved past Marquez and an incredible battle between Pedrosa and Lorenzo ensued as the latter tried to bunch the leading pack in an attempt to increase Marquez's chances of sliding down the field.However, his plan backfired as both Lorenzo and Pedrosa ran wide and allowed Marquez to briefly move in front.Lorenzo then retook the lead with unerring ease, but Marquez cruised round in second before allowing Pedrosa to pass with five laps remaining to ensure there was no late drama.And in the end Lorenzo was happy just to seal his third consecutive win to end the season.It was a bit of a different race because I wasn't trying to escape early on. I have to apologise to Dani because the two of us nearly crashed at one point and it was bit of a risky move on my part.I couldn't do any more. Once I saw that Dani and Marc had moved away from the rest, I just tried to win the race.We have tried until the end, it wasn't to be but at least it was not for the want of trying.Despite securing a place on the podium, it was also a disappointing end to the campaign for Pedrosa as he finished in the top three of the championship standings for the sixth time in his career, but is still to win the world title.However, he was full of praise for his young teammate, who has taken the sport by storm this year.It is Marc's day. He has had a fantastic year, is a deserving champion and we should all congratulate him.
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