Friday 10 January 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Gas pipeline blown up in Dera Murad Jamali

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DERA MURAD JAMALI (Dunya News) - According to details, some unidentified persons blew up an 18-inch diameter gas pipeline near Notall area of Dera Murad Jamali on Friday.Gas supply to several cities of Balochistan, including Quetta, was suspended after the incident. Security officials reached the spot and started investigation.

India expels US envoy in tit-for-tat row over consul's arrest

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - The United States said Friday that it deeply regrets India's expulsion of a US embassy official in New Delhi in a bitter diplomatic dispute, but is seeking to patch up relations.Ties have become increasingly frayed since December 12 when Indian consulate worker Devyani Khobragade was arrested in New York for alleged visa fraud and making false statements relating to the employment of a domestic servant.India asked the US to withdraw an embassy official earlier Friday in a fresh retaliatory measure, just as the row over the arrest appeared to have cooled.We deeply regret that the Indian government felt it was necessary to expel one of our diplomatic personnel, US State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said.She confirmed that the official, who has not been identified, would be leaving his post at India's request.We're looking to move our relationship forward. We're looking to move past this challenging time, and we hope they'll be a partner in that, she said.Khobragade was charged in a New York court on Thursday, but was granted full diplomatic immunity by Washington shortly beforehand, which allowed her to return home. She arrived back in New Delhi on Friday. Psaki said that the charges remained in place, and that her diplomatic immunity expired on returning to India.Khobragade will not be allowed to return to the US unless she surrenders to the court on arrival, and her name is being placed on American visa and immigration watchlists to prevent the routine issuance of any future visa, Psaki added.It was also possible that a warrant could be issued for her arrest now she has left the United States.Khobragade's lawyer Dan Arshack told AFP that she was pleased to be returning to India.Her head is held high. She knows she has done no wrong and she looks forward to assuring that the truth is known, he said.Speaking to reporters at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi international airport, her father, Uttam Khobragade, said: She has arrived and is very relaxed and happy. We are overwhelmed by the country's support.The expelled American diplomat was a similar rank to Khobragade and is suspected of having helped the family of her maid travel to America where they were granted protection by prosecutors.US prosecutors said that the family of the maid were evacuated from India to the United States because of attempts to intimidate them.Khobragade's arrest outside her children's school and treatment in custody, where the mother-of-two said she was subjected to a cavity search, outraged India which claimed she benefited from diplomatic immunity. US prosecutors disputed this because she was a consular employee, and not a ranking embassy official. They filed charges in New York and accused Khobragade of sometimes forcing the maid to work 100-hour weeks, even when sick and often without a day off, for pay as little as $1.22 an hour. The maid herself, Sangeeta Richard, issued a statement thanking rights groups and US officials for their support.

Israel unveils 1,800 settler homes after Kerry visit

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JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel unveiled plans Friday to build more than 1,800 new settler homes, a move the Palestinians said was a signal to the US to abandon efforts for Middle East peace.The announcement comes a week after US Secretary of State John Kerry visited the region in his latest attempt to push Israeli and Palestinian leaders towards an elusive peace deal.But the US chief diplomats 10th trip was clouded by bitter recriminations from leaders of both sides, who accused each other of lacking commitment to building peace after decades of conflict.The housing ministry announced the plans for 1,076 units in annexed east Jerusalem and 801 in the occupied West Bank, said the Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now.It comes after Israel freed a third batch of 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners from its jails on December 31, as a goodwill gesture under the ongoing talks.The housing ministry announced the plans this morning, Peace Now spokesman Lior Amihai told AFP.Many of the units will be built in existing settlements such as Efrat and Ariel in the West Bank, and Ramat Shlomo, Ramot and Pisgat Zeev in east Jerusalem.The ministry could not be immediately reached for confirmation.Palestinians said the move proved Israel wanted Kerry to stay away, and was another attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to destroy the peace process.The new settlement construction plan is a message from Netanyahu to Kerry not to come back to the region to continue his efforts in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP.Every time Kerry has stepped up his efforts, returning to the region (for more talks), Netanyahu has stepped up his efforts to destroy the peace process, Erakat said.Netanyahu is determined to destroy the two-state solution.

Iran to start next phase of talks with IAEA soon

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TEHRAN (AFP) - Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said the first phase of talks with the UN nuclear watchdog will be finished by early February, English-language Press TV website reported Friday.Earlier on Friday, Iran and world powers agreed on how to implement a landmark November deal on containing Tehran's nuclear programme, but it must still be approved by each country before it can take effect.Press TV quoted Salehi as saying: Iran and the agency will end phase one of the negotiations by early February, and the second phase of Iran-IAEA talks will start soon afterwards. In that second phase, Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency need to hammer out a clear framework on how to continue their cooperation. In November, the two sides agreed on a roadmap for cooperation to resolve remaining issues linked to Tehran's controversial atomic programme.Under it, Tehran agreed to allow IAEA inspectors to visit the heavy water production plant in Arak as well as the Gachin uranium mine in the south.The Arak heavy-water reactor, which could be operational by the end of next year, is a major source of concern for Western powers.Its official function is to produce plutonium for medical research but it could potentially be used for military purposes.Western nations and Israel have long suspected Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its civilian programme, charges denied by Tehran.The IAEA conducts regular inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities but also wants to investigate allegations that Iran conducted nuclear weapons research before 2003 and possibly since then.Iran allowed the UN atomic watchdog inspectors to visit the Arak site in December, the first time since 2011.Meanwhile, two days of talks between high-level Iranian and EU negotiators ended in Geneva Friday with very good progress on all the pertinent issues, said Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.The EU represents the so-called P51 group of world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- in the decade-long nuclear negotiations with Iran.Iran's deputy chief nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, said we found solutions for all the points of disagreement.Under a November deal, Iran agreed to curb parts of its nuclear drive for six months in exchange for receiving modest relief from international sanctions and a promise by Western powers not to impose new measures against its hard-hit economy.

500 killed in Syria rebel-jihadist fighting

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DAMASCUS (AFP) - Nearly 500 people, among them at least 85 civilians, have been killed in a week of fighting pitting Syrian rebels against jihadists in the north of the strife-torn country.The fighting raged as Western governments that back the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad prepared to intensify pressure on the opposition to participate in peace talks with the regime planned for later this month.A new front opened last Friday in Syrias nearly three-year-old war, when powerful massive rebel groups combined to attack bases and checkpoints of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).While the jihadists were initially welcomed by other rebels, allegations of brutal abuses against civilians as well as rival opposition fighters sparked a backlash, and even accusations that they were serving the interests of the regime.We have documented the killing of 482 people in the fighting -- 85 civilians, 240 members of the rebel brigades and 157 members of ISIL, said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman.Among the civilians and rebels killed were 42 hostages who were executed in Aleppo by ISIL.Rebels also executed 47 ISIL members, mainly in Idlib province in northwestern Syria, Abdel Rahman said, adding that dozens more were believed to have been killed in the fighting.He called for crimes being committed in Syria to be brought before an international court.On Friday, rebels continued to advance in much of Aleppo and Idlib provinces, where ISILs presence was relatively weak, while the jihadists had the upper hand in Raqa, which has been under their control for several months.ISIL has its roots in Al-Qaeda in Iraq, and first appeared in the Syrian conflict in spring last year.Civilians have suffered massively as a result of the latest fighting, activists say.In Aleppo city, people are trapped in their houses, unable to fetch medicine or food for fear they will get shot by snipers if they go outside, said anti-regime activist Alaaeddine.In Raqa, the situation is even worse, he added.Despite the numerical advantage of Syrias rebels, ISIL will not be forced out of Syria altogether, according to analyst Charles Lister, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Doha Centre.It will maintain operations, but likely in a far more independent manner, and sometimes in opposition to other rebel groups.ISIL has already carried out several deadly car bombings against rival rebel groups in recent days, particularly in Aleppo and Idlib.Protesters meanwhile took to the streets Friday, as they have every week since the start of the revolt in March 2011, this time chanting slogans against both Assad and ISIL.In the northern town of Binnish, protesters chanted: Syria is free, free ISIL, get out They also held up posters that read: Bashar al-Assad is our main enemy.

Malala praises teenage Pakistani bomb hero

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PESHAWAR (AFP) - Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who survived being shot in the head by the Taliban to champion girls rights to education, paid tribute Friday to a teenager killed stopping a suicide bomber from attacking a school.Aitzaz Hassan, 15, a student in Hangu district, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has become a national hero after he tackled the bomber who had come to attack his school on Monday, at a time when hundreds of students were inside.Hassan died in hospital after the bomber blew himself up at the school gates. No one else was wounded or killed in the incident.Police in Pakistans troubled northwest have already recommended Hassan for a top civilian honour.Malala described him as brave and courageous.In sacrificing his own life, Aitzaz protected hundreds of innocent young students from being killed, she said in a statement.I wish that in giving his own life he helps to bring peace to my people and my country, she said.Malala, who was last year nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, offered condolences to his family and called for the government to award Hassan its highest national award.His bravery must never be forgotten, she said.Nasir Khan Durrani, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief of police, has written to the provincial chief minister recommending Hassan for a posthumous award, a police statement issued late Thursday said.The suicide bomber tried to enter the school where hundreds of students were studying. Aitzaz Hassan sacrificed his life and stopped the bomber with bravery and courage, the police statement said.He saved the lives of hundreds of innocent students with his extreme valour and bravery.Pakistan has several categories of civilian award and it will fall to the government to decide which, if any, Hassan should receive.Hassans father Mujahid Ali Bangash told AFP on Thursday he felt not sadness but pride at his sons death.Many people are coming to see me but if they try to express sympathy, I tell them to congratulate me instead on becoming the father of a martyr, he said.I will be even more than happy if my second son also sacrifices his life for the country.Local media are calling Hassan a hero, while social media is demanding recognition for him.An editorial in Dawn, the countrys oldest English-language newspaper, said Hassans selfless bravery should be an inspiration to other Pakistanis and a lesson to the authorities in the courage needed to stand up to extremists.

Football: Suarez upbeat about Champions League chances

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LONDON (AFP) - Controversial striker Luis Suarez gave Liverpool fans a fresh boost by saying Friday the Reds would qualify for next season's Champions League so long as they held their current form.It is five years since Liverpool last took part in European club football's premier competition -- a wait that sits uneasily with their status as five-times continental champions.Securing a place in next season's edition is widely seen as vital to ensuring Suarez, as happened before the start of the current campaign, doesn't agitate for a move away from Anfield.But, on the field, Suarez has pout that row behind him by scoring 20 Premier League goals already this season, half of those in December.Liverpool are currently fourth in the table, four points adrift of Chelsea, and need to be in the top four come the season's end to qualify for the Champions League.On the pitch I try to help Liverpool and I try to help the squad, and I think for confidence it is very good, Suarez said Friday after winning the Barclays award for the Premier League player of the month.If Liverpool continue at this level we can finish in the top four, which we want.Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said that for all Suarez's attempts to join another club before the start of this season, he was delighted to have had such a talented player under his care.The experience of working with Luis is something which will stay with me for a lifetime, Rodgers told talkSPORT radio.(Just to be able) to work with someone with that determination and desire and will to win.He is a real old school player in that he is never injured and he loves to train.When I first came in I rested him in one or two cup games and I could see he didn't like it.What has been brilliant about these last four or five months has been the maturity of the man.He obviously had issues in the summer, but since the moment he decided to stay we talked him through how the club was evolving and he has been 150 percent committed.

Golf: Luiten in joint lead in Durban after albatross

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DURBAN (AFP) - Dutchman Joost Luiten carded an albatross to rocket into contention at the top of the leaderboard at the halfway stage of the Volvo Golf Champions event in Durban, South Africa on Friday.Luiten, who sits just outside the automatic Ryder Cup places for the European team after winning the KLM Open on home soil last year, holed his second shot to the 560-yard par-five 10th hole.It was the first albatross of the season so far and helped him to a round of 67 which leaves him seven under par going into the weekend and level with England's Tommy Fleetwood and defending champion Louis Oosthuizen at the top of the leaderboard.Fleetwood also shot a 67, while Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, carded a solid 69 on the par-72 Durban Country Club layout.But Luiten's spectacular approach to the 10th took the headlines as he holed his second shot with a 4 iron from 248 yards for an albatross, something that happened just once on the European Tour in the whole of the 2013 season.Yeah, (it was) my first albatross, he said. I hit a four iron and basically went straight at it, just pitched exactly where I wanted, just front of the green, and then it hopefully released up the slope and that's what it did. It went straight at the pin and it went in so, yeah, it was a good feeling. I am seven under for the tournament, and in a great position for the weekend.Promising Frenchman Victor Dubuisson is alone at six under par, one shot off the pace, after an eventful second-round 69 which featured an eagle at the par-five third, a double bogey at the par-five eighth, and five birdies on the back nine.Italian youngster Matteo Manassero had seven birdies and a double bogey en route to a 69 which leaves him at five under, while overnight leader Raphael Jacquelin had a tougher day, despite the markedly calmer conditions compared to the strong winds of Thursday.The Frenchman shot a 73 to slip three shots off the pace going into the weekend.

Formula One: Numbers up for 2014 drivers

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PARIS (AFP) - Formula One drivers revealed their car numbers on Friday for the forthcoming season as well as the rest of their careers with former world champion Jenson Button using plastic ducks to highlight his choice.Governing body, the FIA, gave drivers a choice of numbers between 2 and 99 with the number one reserved for the defending world champion, currently Germanys Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel.Vettel will opt for the number five in 2015 should he lose the world title he has held since 2010.The decision to add permanent numbers to the vehicles was taken to boost the sports marketing possibilities.McLarens former world champion Button chose 22, announcing his decision on Twitter alongside a photo of two plastic, yellow ducks, utilising bingo-hall parlance in the process.2 little ducks 22 jenson22 my new race number guys, great memories, he wrote.Button had the number 22 on his Brawn F1 car when he won his only world title in 2009.His new teammate, Kevin Magnusson, will carry number 20, the same as he used in last years World Series by Renault championship, one of motor-racings second tier competitions.My driver number will be 20, which I won the @WSR_Live3.5 last year, tweeted the Dane.Lewis Hamilton will sport 44 on his Mercedes, the same number he used when he started out as a kart driver in his childhood.Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg opted for six and tweeted: Cool. got number 6 for my remaining F1 career My future wifes and my dads lucky number. so it has got to work for me tooKimi Raikkonen has gone for number 7 on his return to Ferrari, where he was world champion in 2007.Teammate Fernando Alonso plumped for 14.Theres no particular story linked to it, Finnish driver Raikkonen told www.ferrari.com.Its the number I already had last year and I saw no reason to change it. I like it which is good enough isnt it?Alonso said he considered 14 to be a lucky number.It has always brought me luck, dating back to 14th July 1996 when, at the age of 14, I won the World championship in a kart that had the number 14, said the Spaniard, who clinched back-to-back world titles in 2005 and 2006.Lets see if it will still bring me luck.Despite its association with bad luck, Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado has opted for 13 for his first season with Lotus after leaving Williams.Force Indias Nico Hulkenberg chose 27, the number made famous by legendary Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve.Lotus driver Romain Grosjean was delighted with his choice of eight.Yes yes yes I have got my first number choice : 8 r8main 2014 f1, tweeted the Frenchman.

Rallying: Peterhansel wins on tragedy-hit Dakar

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SALTA (AFP) - Defending champion Stephane Peterhansel drove to victory on the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally on Friday, but the racing was overshadowed by the deaths of a motorcyclist, who was a father of five, and two journalists.Peterhansel, six times a champion in the motorcycle section and with five titles on four wheels, finished 2min 43sec ahead of Qatars 2011 champion Nasser Al-Attiyah and 5min 20sec in front of Argentinas Orlando Terranova on the 400km timed run from Tucuman to Salta.Spains Nani Roma, in another Mini, was sixth on the day and retained the overall lead.French rider Alain Duclos, on a Sherco, beat overall motorcycling leader Marc Coma by 75 seconds, but celebrations were muted after it was revealed that the 9,374km race, which crosses Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, had claimed three more lives.Belgian motorcyclist Eric Palante, 50, riding for the Honda team, died on Thursdays fifth stage between Chilecito and Tucuman.Dakar organisers ASO issued a statement reporting that a support truck had discovered the father of fives lifeless body at 0830 local time Friday.No alert was received by the organisers. Eric had been replenished with water during the afternoon, the statement said.Palante is the 23rd competitor in 36 editions to die in the Dakar Rally.Meanwhile, two members of an Argentine news team also died on Thursday when the car they were driving in fell into a ravine, the Super Rally magazine said.The dead are journalism student Agustin Mina, 20, and Daniel Ambrosio, 51, who loved auto racing, magazine manager Francisco Delgado told AFP.Ducloss last win on the Dakar came in Bamako in Mali eight years ago when the event was still staged in Africa.Today, it was my type of terrain. Weve got over the worst over the last few days and the rest day has arrived at the right time -- it couldnt be better timed, he said.Duclos is third overall after six stages, over an hour behind former three-time champion Coma on a KTM.Joan Barreda, on a Honda, was fourth Friday but is second in the overall standings, 42mn 17sec behind fellow Spaniard Coma.

Oil rebounds on dollar weakness, robest China demand

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Global oil prices rebounded Friday from the prior day's losses, finding support from robust demand data in China and dollar weakness after a disappointing US jobs report.The main US futures contract, West Texas Intermediate for February delivery, finished the day at $92.72 a barrel, a gain of $1.06 from Thursday's closing level. The European benchmark, Brent North Sea crude for February, rose 86 cents to settle at $107.25 a barrel in London trade.The WTI price had fallen Thursday to its lowest level since May 1, weighed down by high US crude and product stockpiles that suggested supplies continue to outpace demand.But on Friday, WTI pushed higher, solidly wiping out the prior day's 67-cent loss.The dollar traded lower after the US Labor Department reported a meager 74,000 jobs were added in the United States in December, far below the 197,000 consensus forecast.Even the drop in the unemployment rate to 6.7 percent, from 7.0 percent in November, mainly reflected the fact that more people had given up looking for work.The shockingly low job growth in the leading crude oil-consuming nation raised questions about the strength of the economy's recovery.The dollar was down 0.5 percent against the euro and 0.7 percent against the yen in afternoon trade. A weaker dollar, so stronger WTI, said Carl Larry of Oil Outlooks and Opinion. A decline in the greenback makes dollar-priced crude oil more affordable, tending to boost demand.Some analysts predicted that the poor jobs report would encourage the US Federal Reserve to move more slowly in winding down its stimulus program. The Fed began cutting asset purchases this month by $10 billion to a monthly pace of $75 billion.A cold snap sweeping across North America has meanwhile boosted demand for heating fuel, and helped push oil prices higher.The surge in demand for heating fuels will inevitably raise the demand for crude oil, which is used as a feedstock for heating fuels. As such, crude oil prices are likely to be well-supported, Phillip Futures said in a market commentary.Oil prices were finding support from robust Chinese import data, Commerzbank analysts said in a research note, citing record Chinese crude oil imports in December.According to the country's customs authorities, Commerzbank said, China imported a record 6.31 million barrels of crude oil per day in December, 10 percent more than in the previous month.

Dollar drops after disappointing US jobs report

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar tumbled against other major currencies Friday, driven lower after a surprisingly weak US jobs report cast doubt on the vigor of the nations economic recovery.The dollar fell sharply against the euro. The European currency traded at $1.3666 around 2300 GMT, up from $1.3606 late Thursday.The greenback slid to 104.15 yen from 104.79 yen. The euro also fell more moderately against the Japanese currency, to 142.33 yen from 142.58 yen.Financial markets were shocked by the US Labor Departments jobs report for December, which showed the economy added a mere 74,000 jobs last month, well below the consensus estimate of 197,000.The unemployment rate dropped to 6.7 percent, from 7.0 percent in November, but that seemingly positive decline mainly reflected the fact that more people had given up looking for work.Kathy Lien of BK Asset highlighted that the US job creation number was the worst since January 2011, low enough to encourage the Federal Reserve to moderate plans to wind down its massive asset purchases, or quantitative easing (QE), this year.The big question now is whether weak payrolls will slow the pace of Fed tapering or better yet, encourage policy makers to leave asset purchases unchanged this month, Lien said.Based on the sell-off in the dollar, drop in US (bond) yields and recovery in stocks, investors believe that the central bank will be less aggressive with winding down QE in the first half the year.The dollar also weakened against the Swiss currency, to 0.9026 franc from 0.9066 franc.But it was essentially flat against the British pound, which bought $1.6482.

Younis, Misbah fight for Pakistan in second Test

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DUBAI (AFP) - Seasoned batsmen Younis Khan and Misbah-ul Haq hit resolute half-centuries to take the fight to Sri Lanka in the second Test in Dubai on Friday. Younis was unbeaten on 62 and Misbah scored 53 not out to help Pakistan reach 132-3 at close on the third day on the Dubai stadium pitch which is likely to help spinners on the last two days.Pakistan still need another 91 runs to avoid an innings defeat and go 1-0 down in the three Test series after the first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.Younis and Misbah -- who both hit hundreds in Abu Dhabi last week, came together with Pakistan in dire straits at 19-3. They held the batting together during their unfinished 113-run fourth wicket stand.Sri Lanka earlier gained a big 223-run lead by scoring 388 in their first knock. Pakistan had made 165 in the first innings.Younis said the fightback will continue.It's nice to fight back, said Younis. I had a good partnership with Misbah when the team needed it and our first target on Saturday will be to erase the lead and then bat on. It was paceman Nuwan Pradeep (2-28) who gave Pakistan early wobbles.Pradeep, who took a career best 3-62 in the first innings, had Mohammad Hafeez (one) caught behind in his second over and in his fourth swung one across Manzoor (six) for wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene to take his seventh catch of the match.Pakistan had lost opener Ahmed Shehzad in the last over before lunch, caught behind for nine off spinner Rangana Herath.It was left to Younis and Misbah to fight one more time for Pakistan.Younis was more cautious, reaching his 28th half-century with a single off Herath and continued to bat solidly during his 142-ball stay, hitting four boundaries.Misbah completed his 3,000th Test run when on 10, becoming Pakistan's 15th batsmen to achieve the milestone. The Pakistan captain survived one leg-before referral on one and twice on close catches behind the wicket, once off a miscued hook which went to the boundary.But in another responsible batting display he reached his fifty with a double off Herath. He has so far hit five fours and a six during his 119-ball stay.Sri Lankan coach Graham Ford hoped his team can break through early on Saturday.They (Younis and Misbah) are class batsmen, said Ford. We would love to get them early on fourth day.Earlier, Mahela Jayawardene hit a fighting 129 and when on 117 became the eighth highest run-getter in all Test cricket, surpassing Australia's Steve Waugh's 10,927 in 140 Tests. Jayawardene now has 10,940 in 140 Tests.India's now retired Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart with 15,921 in a remarkable 200 Tests.Resuming at 318-4, Sri Lanka lost skipper Angelo Mathews, caught behind by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed off paceman Rahat Ali without adding to his overnight score of 42.Mathews, man of the match in Abu Dhabi for his 91 and 157 not out, hit five boundaries during his 88-ball knock.Jayawardene's brilliant knock ended when he was bowled out while trying to reverse sweep Saeed Ajmal after scoring 129. Jayawardene batted resolutely for 423 minutes and hit 15 boundaries in an innings which gave Sri Lanka the crucial lead.Ajmal's first wicket came in his 29th over and he took one more in the end to finish with 2-56 in 34 overs. He went wicketless in 49 second innings over in Abu Dhabi.Left-arm paceman Junaid Khan finished with the best figures of 3-102 while Ali took 2-131 in 36 overs.

Pakistan to help Afghanistan future cricketers

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LAHORE (AFP) - Afghanistans Under-19 cricket side arrives in Pakistan this weekend to train with the hosts elite academy coaches in preparation for next months World Cup.The Afghans will train at the National Cricket Academy in the eastern city of Lahore for three weeks as they tune up for the ICC Under-19 tournament in the UAE, which starts on February 14.They will also play eight practice matches against various teams, including three against Pakistan Under-19 at Lahores Gaddafi Stadium, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Friday.Afghanistan face Australia, Bangladesh and Namibia in the group stage of the tournament and will be hoping for a better show than in 2012 when they won only one match and failed to qualify for the knockout stages.The Afghan youngsters caused an upset at the Asian Cricket Council Under-19 Asia Cup last month, beating Sri Lanka before going down to Pakistan in the semi-final.Pakistan has played a pivotal role in Afghanistans fairytale rise in international cricket, having helped them with coaches, training facilities and allowing them to play in their domestic cricket in the past.The game was popularised in Afghanistan by refugees who learned it in camps in Pakistan during the Soviet occupation of the 1980s.Afghanistan have earned a maiden qualification for the 2015 World Cup (50 overs) to be held in Australia and New Zealand.They will also feature in the 2014 World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in March-April, their third appearance since earning their first berth in the 2010 event held in the West Indies.

Karachi blasts: 'Suicide bombing suspect' identified

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KARACHI: (Dunya News) – Suicide bomber allegedly responsible for suicide attack on SSP CID Chaudhry Aslam’s convoy has been identified as one Nematullah. Police has arrested at least five relatives of the suspect for investigation. Case could not be filed in court because of dispute among investigating bodies over the nature of blast. According to police, suspect was a resident of Pirabad area of Karachi and was trained as militant in Afghanistan.Police also said that the suspect has been associated with various banned terrorist outfits. Nematullah was in the list of police’s most wanted suspects.Police has arrested at least five family members of the suspect for investigation and DNA samples of suspect’s brothers have been sent in the laboratory for examination. The identification of Nematullah was done with the help of finger prints.On the other hand, investigation bodies CID, bomb disposal squad and FIA have disputed on the nature of the attack; subsequently, the concluding report could not be presented which resulted in failure of registering the case against the terrorist attack.Funeral prayers of the slain SSP CID Chaudhry Aslam took place at Garden Headquarters and prominent personalities were in attendance.SSP CID Chaudhry Aslam was martyred on Thursday along with 3 security personnel as a bomb detonated at expressway near Essa Nagri cemetery in Karachi.Tehrik e Taliban Pakistan Mohmand Agency had claimed responsibility.According to initial investigation, around 100 kilograms of explosive material was used in the blast while a pick-up van and blue colour drums were used to target Chaudry Aslam. The report further said that a man who brought the explosive material to the crime scene, also died in the blast.The report added that the incident occurred due to negligence of Motorway police. It said that the Motorway Police does not obtain record of any vehicle entering the Lyari Expressway.Five months ago, the terrorists also tried to target Chaudhry Aslam at the same place.Meanwhile, police arrested a man at Agha Khan Hospital who came to visit a patient who injured in the blast while police had also arrested an injured person earlier.It is important to mention that several attacks had previously targeted SSP CID Chaudhry Aslam.On September 19, 2011, a suicide attack targeting his residence was carried out in Karachi. Addressing the media after the incident, Chaudhry Aslam said I will bury the attackers in the same place.In January 2006, Gunmen attacked SSP Aslam in Gizri area of Defence.
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