Friday 21 February 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Federal cabinet to meet on Feb 25

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will chair the cabinet meeting which will start at 10:00am. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar will brief the meeting about the overall security situation in the country.According to sources the main agenda would be to review the policy of dialogue process with the Taliban. The meeting will likely to approve anti-terrorism bill.

Karachi: Police foil terror bid

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - Police have foiled another terror bid in Karachi on Friday and seized 20 kilograms of explosive material from a house located in Musharraf Colony area of Maripur.Police have also arrested 4 suspects during a separate raid in the same locality.On the other hand, some unidentified miscreants hurled two hand grenades in Jamshaid Quarters area and fled away. The blasts partially damaged a vehicle and boundary wall of a house. No loss of life was reported in the incident.

Obama, Putin speak after Ukraine deal

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Barack Obama on Friday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin as Washington pressed for swift implementation of a deal designed to end a Ukraines deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters.The call came at a prickly time in US-Russia relations with the two sides at odds over Ukraine, Syria and other issues, but also after Obama took pains to reject the idea that a new Cold War-style confrontation was brewing.The call was confirmed by a US official, with more details expected to be released later.Washington had offered staunch support for protesters in Kiev, demanding political concessions from the Moscow-backed government of President Viktor Yanukovych and had warned of consequences if violence which killed 100 people did not stop.The White House gave an initial welcome to the deal and praised to European Union diplomats who helped to broker it.White House spokesman Jay Carney said it was consistent with what we have advocated in calling for a de-escalation of the violence, constitutional change, a coalition government, and early elections.We support the efforts of all those who negotiated this agreement, commend the courageous opposition leaders who recognized the need for compromise, and offer the support of the United States in its implementation, Carney said.We call for immediate implementation of the initial steps -- an end to the violence, amnesty and security normalization, and passage of the constitutional package in (parliament) -- to provide space for the negotiations to begin on formation of a technocratic coalition government.Vice President Joe Biden had called Yanucovych on Thursday warning that the United States was ready to impose sanctions if he did not halt attacks by his security forces on demonstrators which have killed nearly 100 people.Yanukovychs dramatic decision to hold early elections and form a new unity government was met with caution by tens of thousands gathered on central Kievs main square.The deal was signed in the presence of EU envoys, Yanukovych and three top opposition leaders who included boxer turned lawmaker Vitali Klitschko.A representative for Putin missed the meeting. The White House statement, however, said the deal had been witnessed by Russia.The constitutional change was approved within minutes of the deals signature by 386 deputies in the 450-seat Verkhovna Rada parliament.

Chemical arms watchdog split on Syria delays

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THE HAGUE (AFP) - The executive council of the Hague-based watchdog tasked with destroying Syrias chemical weapons arsenal failed Friday to reach agreement on what to do about Damascuss delays, because of divisions between Syrias allies and the West.Different sources close to the talks at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said China, Iran and Russia wanted flexibility over the timetable, but the United States and the European Union insisted on being strict.So far, just 11 percent of Syrias 1,200 tonnes of dangerous chemcials have been taken out of the country.The US rejected a Damascus request for a 100-day extension to an end-May deadline for it to ship out the totality of its chemical arms, according to one source.The Syrian government continues to put its energy into excuses, instead of actions, said the US representative in the OPCW, Robert Mikulak.The anti-proliferation chief in Britains foreign office, Philip Hall, said: Two weeks on, there has been no substantial progress in removing chemicals from Syria.Our concern is growing that the 30 June deadline for the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons will not be met. Syrias commitment to that date is in question.Under an agreement brokered by Russia and the US last year, all of Syrias chemical weapons were to be destroyed by June 30 this year.Damascus signed on to the deal to avert US military strikes in the wake of deadly chemical attacks outside Damascus blamed by the West on President Bashar al-Assads regime.The plan calls for the chemicals to be taken from Syrias main port Latakia by Western warships to a US vessel which will break them down using hydrolysis, a process expected to take 90 days.But Western diplomats in the OPCW last month expressed frustration at repeated delays to the process, and the UN Security Council on February 6 called on Syria to move faster.Syria has said it does not have the right material to transport the chemicals and that it has been hampered by the security situation in the war-torn country.The OPCWs executuve council will meet again on Tuesday, and a formal meeting will be held early March to continue discussion.

China summons US diplomat over Obama meeting with Dalai

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BEIJING (AFP) - Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui on Friday summoned US charge daffaires Daniel Kritenbrink to protest President Barack Obamas meeting with the Dalai Lama, state media reported.China expresses strong indignation and firm opposition, Zhang said, according to the Xinhua news agency.Zhang said Obamas White House meeting with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader earlier in the day, amounted to interference in Chinas internal affairs.The Tibetan issue is the domestic affair of China and the United States bears no right to interfere, Zhang said.Beijing considers Tibet an integral part of its territory and regards the Dalai Lama as a separatist.Such a move will gravely sabotage China-US cooperation and relations, and will definitely undermine its own interests, Zhang said.He called on the US to stop interfering in Chinas internal affairs in Tibetan issues, Xinhua reported.The United States must take concrete actions to regain trust of the Chinese government and people, he said.The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

Obama throws support behind Dalai Lama, Tibet rights

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama on Friday offered his strong support for the protection of Tibetans human rights in China as he defied protests from Beijing to meet the Dalai Lama.With China warning that the meeting would derail ties between the worlds two largest economies, Obama took care to avoid any trappings of an official visit, receiving the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader in the Map Room of the White House residence and not the Oval Office where he usually talks to dignitaries.The Dalai Lama, usually chatty and playful with foreign audiences, was nowhere to be seen at the White House, which did not allow in reporters.The administration instead released an official photograph of the robed Buddhist monk gesticulating with one hand and clutching prayer beads in the other as he spoke to a studious-looking Obama over glasses of water.In Beijing, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui summoned the US charge daffaires, Daniel Kritenbrink, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.China expresses strong indignation and firm opposition, Zhang was quoted as saying.The White House in a statement said that Obama expressed his strong support for the preservation of Tibets unique religious, cultural, and linguistic traditions and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the Peoples Republic of China.The statement said that Obama backed the Dalai Lama, who fled his homeland for India in 1959, in his Middle Way path of peacefully advocating greater autonomy for Tibetans.Obama called for China to resume talks with the Dalai Lamas envoys, which broke down in 2010 after making no headway.The statement rejected Beijings charges that the Dalai Lama had a separatist agenda and that his meeting was part of a plot to split China.In a bid to follow up on Obamas concerns, Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday tapped human rights official Sarah Sewall to fill the position of US coordinator on Tibet policy.China calls the Dalai Lama a wolf in sheeps clothing.Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying decried the meeting as a gross interference in Chinas internal affairs which would seriously impair China-US relations.

Olympics: Russia's Ahn tears up short track record books

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SOCHI (AFP) - Record-breaking Russian short track speed skater Victor Ahn won two more Olympic golds on Friday to take his tally to six -- the highest in the sport's history.South Korean-born Ahn won his first medal of the night in the 500m, overcoming a slow start to skate to victory, buoyed by a partisan home crowd at the Iceberg Skating Palace.Minutes later he was part of a four-man team that edged the United States to take gold in the 5,000m relay in an Olympic record time.I'm very happy we were able to win a medal as a team. I wanted one thing tonight, which was for all of us to be smiling together, said Ahn.This has been the best experience of my sporting career and I will never forget Sochi. Before the competitions started, I just wanted to concentrate on doing my best and show what I could be on the Olympic stage.Ahn, 28, was stuck at the back of the 500m field for a long period but he kept his calm, taking advantage of a fall by China's Liang Wenhao with two laps left to move into second.He passed China's Wu Dajing at the start of the final lap to cross the line first in 41.312sec. Wu took silver in 41.516 while Canada's Charle Cournoyer won bronze.In the relay, Russia won gold in 6min 42.100sec, with the United States a close second and China some way adrift in the bronze medal position.Ahn becomes the first athlete to win gold in all four short track events in Olympic Winter Games history: men's 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5000m relay.The Russian, who won 1,000m gold earlier in the Games, has now won a record six gold medals in short track. His eight medals in total matches the record of US skater Apolo Anton Ohno.Only Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen and cross-country skier Bjorn Daehlie, also of Norway, have more golds (eight).I'm happy to have tied the record for medals in short track -- and I'm even happier to have done it as a Russian, said Ahn.Beset by injury problems and falling out with South Korean skating officials, Ahn Hyun-Soo won fast-tracked Russian citizenship in 2011, took the name Victor Ahn and immediately became Russia's number one short track athlete.Also in speed skating action on Friday, South Korea's Park Seung-Hi won the women's 1,000m to add to her 3,000m relay gold earlier in the Games.Park edged out China's Fan Kexin, who took silver while Shim Suk-Hee won bronze.Park now has five Olympic medals, including bronze in the women's 500m in Sochi, tying for second most among short track women.When asked if the two Koreans had employed team tactics, Park said: No, we didn't have any special plan since every situation is different. We just try to use teamwork and do well together. Fortunately, we were able to do really well. We have been practising the whole season together and it paid off.

Olympics: Canada to face Sweden in men's hockey final

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SOCHI (AFP) - Defending champ Canada reached their second-straight Olympic final, spoiling the USA's perfect record and smothering their high-powered offence at the Sochi Games to set up a gold medal clash with Sweden.Jamie Benn scored early in the second period and goaltender Carey Price stopped all 31 shots he faced for the shutout as Canada defeated the United States 1-0 in a re-match of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic final.Canada's semi-final victory in the men's ice hockey tournament means they will face Sweden in Sunday's championship game after the Swedes topped Finland 2-1 in an all-Nordic semi.It is another opportunity, said Canadian captain Sidney Crosby. We all worked hard a long time to get to play in the gold medal game.Finland and the United States will square off for the bronze medal on Saturday.Benn scored on a nice give-and-go with defenceman Jay Bouwmeester with 1:41 gone in the second for Canada who are trying to win their first gold medal outside of North America since 1952 in Oslo.We wanted to stay on them and control the play in their end, said Benn, who wasn't invited to the first tryout camp for Team Canada but was added to the team later on. When we did turn it over, we were on them right away. We found a way to win.Benn passed the puck back to the point to Bouwmeester who immediately fired it back to Benn in front of the goal for the deflection.(Ryan) Getzlaf found me in the middle, Benn said. I saw Jay open back there and he made a great pass back to me. I found a way to get it into the back of the net.Bouwmeester also had a strong game for Canada. He was left off the last Olympic team in Vancouver after being chosen to represent Canada in the world championships in Halifax.Canada beat the USA in the gold medal game four years ago in Vancouver when Crosby scored in overtime. Canada and the USA also met in the gold medal match of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games which was also won by Canada.The loss was the first of the tournament for the USA in five games and it kept their record intact of never have won a gold medal outside of North America. The Americans had been the most explosive team on offence in the 2014 tournament, having scored a tournament-leading 20 goals heading into Friday's semi.But they managed few quality scoring chances on Price and when they did get in close Price shut the door.

Tennis: Cornet shocks Serena to reach Dubai final

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DUBAI (AFP) - Alize Cornet, recovering brilliantly from a mighty collapse in career fortunes, scored her best-ever win by beating world number one Serena Williams 6-4, 6-4 and preventing an all-Williams sisters final at the Dubai Open.The 24-year-old Frenchwoman, who is about to return to the top 20 after a dismal five-year interval in which she fell from the top 100, made a mere handful of errors as she manoeuvred and harassed the legend to a stunning defeat.Cornet often rallied valiantly when the powerful American landed her biggest blows, but even more often she found changes of direction and angles to disrupt Serenas rhythm.That this happened more often than usual to the favourite was unsurprising considering that this was her first tournament since injuring her back in last months Australian Open.Serena later pronounced herself a wee bit embarrassed by the result, which denied her the chance of a final with older sister Venus Williams, an earlier winner against Caroline Wozniacki.She also had a fit of incongruous laughing as she claimed that she had not made that many errors in a match in, I think, at least three years, maybe four years, and had not felt good all week.In truth, Serena did enough to have beaten most other opponents. But this one was unusually smart and courageous as well as skilful and level-headed, and took her rare opportunity with tremendous panache.Its my best ever win - but I havent realised it yet, Cornet said, still hopping up and down with joy during the on-court interview.I played a very good match. Most of the time I didnt even realise who I was playing, and thats the way I had to be. I had to forget it was Serena on the other side, and just get on with my game.Cornet also seemed to have an instinct which made her do the right thing at the most important moments, and crucially she changed the mood of the match when she broke Serenas serve at 4-4.She did that by taking advantage of a couple of Serena errors by immediately lifting her level, finding some great variations to get back from 40-15 down. After reaching 5-4, she closed out the set without fuss.After that, the pressure was suddenly on WIlliams, and Cornet managed to keep it there throughout an extraordinary second set.She rode the momentum she had created to break again for 2-0, and although Serena pulled that break back, she was increasingly tense, dropping serve again to go 3-4 down in weird circumstances.Firstly she put an uncharacteristic and inappropriate drop shot into the net, then she failed to run a return of serve down, wrongly thinking her first delivery had been out - Hawkeye proved it wasnt - and then on game point she made a gamblers rush to the net. Cornet passed her almost dismissively.Eventually came Serenas last card - her renowned capacity to fight. Sure enough, she saved the four match points at 5-3, but it only delayed the end against an adversary as self-possessed as this.At the moment of truth, seeking to close out the match, Cornet cut down the pace on her first serves and got them all in.That gave her enough psychological advantage to force further Serena errors without needing heroics.Nothing was on my mind when I served for the match, Cornet said. It was like OK, dont worry. I thought youre a big girl, you can do it. And I did. It feels amazing.Earlier, Venus Williams had raised the possibility of an all-Williams sisters final for the first time in more than four years when she scored her fourth win of the week.Her 6-3, 6-2 win over Wozniacki saw her dominate the former world number one from Denmark from start to finish with her heavier, and sometimes cleverly angled, driving.Once again it suggested that 33-year-old seven times former Grand Slam champion, who is still ranked outside the top 40, may be making her way back - after prolonged health problems - to a position where she could be seeded in major events.Venus had, she said, really been looking forward to playing Serena again - almost, it sounded, as if for old times sake.Serena is 32 and it remains to be seen how much her fitness problems and absence of results this year have become a function of the passing years.Cornet meanwhile seemed sure the future belonged to her. Asked if she could now win the title, she said: I hope so.Venus is a great player - but now I have beaten the better of the sisters, so maybe I can do it.

Brazil 'at full speed' to deliver World Cup -- FIFA

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FLORIANOPOLIS (AFP) - FIFA said Friday that Brazil was working flat-out to deliver the World Cup on time but warned that much work lay ahead before the June 12 kick-off.General Secretary of FIFA, Jerome Valcke, stressed there was still a lot of work to do after his latest trip to the host country that took in visits to three stadiums -- Manaus, Brasilia and Porto Alegre.We are far beyond the normal speed limit you can have on the road and this will be the case until June, Valcke said.We are working at full speed, he said, after a board meeting of the Local Organizing Committee.Valcke will return on March 24 to inspect three more stadiums -- Fortaleza, Recife and Salvador -- which were all used in last year's Confederations Cup.On Tuesday, Valcke dropped a threat to axe games at Curitiba stadium, where construction has been lagging but where FIFA has identified progress in recent weeks.As well as Curitiba being spared exclusion -- the venue will not be finally ready before mid-May -- Valcke's trip has also seen a financial agreement on more cash for stadium facilities in the southern city of Porto Alegre.Looking beyond the stadiums, Valcke also stressed the importance of bringing transport links up to scratch in time for the event.He also said FIFA hoped to persuade the northern city of Recife to drop a decision made on grounds of cost not to have a Fan Fest.Brazil's Minister for Sport, Aldo Rebelo, meanwhile insisted the government was committed to create the conditions for the event to be a big success, citing ongoing improvements to airports and highways.Only three stadiums have not yet been delivered -- Sao Paulo, Curitiba and Cuiaba, added Rebelo, though Manaus in the Amazonia region has yet to be officially inaugurated.FIFA originally demanded all 12 stadiums be delivered by December 31.Brazil's vice minister for sport Luis Fernandes told AFP that Brazil had scored a victory over the saving of Curitiba as a venue.In an exclusive interview, he explained: For us it was very important the Cup went ahead in the 12 host cities as that brings joy and economic development to each.Despite concerns at tardy stadium construction and the threat of more public protests over the cost of staging the event rather than greater investment in poor public services, Valcke praised Brazil as the Mecca of football.Rebelo responded that Brazil would win the event and that if Brazil is the Mecca of football, it is also the Vatican of the game.Brazilian 2002 world champion striker Ronaldo, a member of the organizing committee, insisted the tournament would be a success and overcome uncertainties.Ronaldo said organizers must convince a small anti-Cup minority that the tournament will benefit the nation as a whole.Earlier Friday, FIFA noted high demand for tickets, with 2.3 million already sold.World football's governing body said more than 500,000 tickets had been sold in the latest random phase.A further 159,000 will be sold, again exclusively through FIFA, on a first-come, first-served basis between March 12 and April 1.Brazilians have bagged 906,433 allocated tickets to date, with USA-based fans buying 125,465.This shows the huge anticipation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in all corners of the world and that we can expect an incredible atmosphere at all matches in the stadiums in June and July, said FIFA marketing director Thierry Weil.

Football: Rooney signs blockbuster deal with United

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LONDON (AFP) - Wayne Rooney pledged his long-term future to Manchester United on Friday after signing a blockbuster contract extension with the Premier League champions.Rooney had just 18 months left on his previous deal and was a transfer target for Chelsea last year, sparking speculation he could leave at the end of this season, but the England striker has agreed to prolong his stay at Old Trafford until June 2019.The new contract will reportedly pay the 28-year-old 300,000 pounds ($498,840, 363,534 euros) a week, with Rooney also set to stay at United as a club ambassador when he eventually retires.Wayne Rooney has committed his future to Manchester United by signing a four-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until June 2019. Wayne will also become a club ambassador when he retires from the game, a statement on Uniteds website announced.Rooney, who had confirmed the news on his Twitter feed just before Uniteds official announcement, admitted he was delighted to have finally signed the deal.The former Everton star also said he is relishing the opportunity to inspire the next generation of United players in his role as one of the teams senior figures.I am made up to be staying at United. In August, I will have been at the club for 10 years and during that time I have played with some fantastic players and won everything that I hoped I would when I first signed, he said.I now have the chance as one of the clubs senior players to help the younger players coming through and to be a part of another great United team.The fans have always been a huge part of this club and the support they have given me since my debut against Fenerbahce has been amazing. I am very grateful to all United fans around the world for their continued support.I am convinced that this is the start of another successful chapter in Manchester Uniteds history.

Oil markets cap solid week with retreat

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices fell on Friday amid as investors booked profits from the week's solid gains that put prices at their highest point since the start of 2014.New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for April delivery, lost 55 cents in its first day of trade, closing at $102.20 a barrel.In London trade, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April slid 45 cents to settle at $109.85 a barrel.The petroleum markets are seeing some moderate profit-taking to finish the week, said Tim Evans of Citi Futures.Bob Yawger of Mizuho Securities USA agreed. The WTI price dip was a function of an overbought market after prices hit their highest level since October 8 on Wednesday, at $103.31.Brent the same day closed at its highest level of the year, at $110.47.Prices will remain supported by another bout of severe winter weather forecast to move across much of the United States over the next 10 days, Yawger said, noting dwindling supplies of heating oil.According to the US Department of Energy, distillate supplies were down last week by 10.9 million barrels, or 8.8 percent, compared with a year ago.The predicted cold weather into March was extending the stress on the distillate situation. That is going to make it difficult for the distillate market to pull back significantly, Yawger said. Phil Flynn of Price Futures Group said that traders were looking at the weather with a backdrop of rising geopolitical risk. Violence in Venezuela, Ukraine and Sudan are providing price support, he said.

Dollar mostly higher despite weak US home sales data

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar slipped against the euro but gained against other major currencies Friday as investors appeared to shrug off another disappointing report on the US housing market.The euro traded at $1.3734 around 2300 GMT, up from $1.3721 late Thursday.The dollar rose to 102.49 yen from 102.30 yen. The euro also advanced against the Japanese currency, to 141.00 yen from 140.36 yen.The euro continued to firm against the greenback after Moodys raised Spains investment-grade credit rating a notch, citing the countrys progress in structural reforms to put the ailing economy on a more sustainable growth track.The latest in a series of weak indicators on the US housing market was largely chalked up to severe winter weather in large parts of the country. According to the National Association of Realtors, sales of existing, or previously occupied, homes tumbled 5.1 percent in January.Todays larger-than-expected decline in existing-home sales continues to show how much pressure the brutal winter has had on the US economy, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management.In order for the greenback to enjoy a strong recovery, US data needs to start improving and unfortunately we do not expect that to happen for another few weeks when we finally move past January and February releases.Lien said she expected no surprises from this weekends meeting of finance chiefs of the Group of 20 most powerful economies.US monetary policy has made life difficult for many countries but official criticism is not expected to make its way onto the communique, she said.The dollar rose to 0.8916 Swiss franc from 0.8892 franc late Thursday.The pound dipped to $1.6655 from $1.6657.

West Indies end Irish hopes of history

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KINGSTON (AFP) - Ireland's flirtation with cricketing history came to a disappointing end in Kingston's Sabina Park on Friday when they lost their second Twenty20 international with the West Indies.Victory, following a famous six-wicket win on the same ground earlier in the week, would have given the Irish a first series win over a Test-playing nation.But the West Indies drew on all their experience to win by 11 runs, hitting 96 for nine off their 20 overs after Ireland had won the toss and put them into bat, and then restricting the Irish to 85 for eight in theirs.Gary Wilson led Ireland's run chase with a brave 35 from 39 balls after they had slumped to 25 for four and he moved them on to 72 for seven before being caught and bowled by Dwayne Bravo. So, having gone so close, the Irish, coached by former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, had to settle for a draw in the two-match series.It was at the Kingston venue where Ireland dramatically defeated Pakistan in a St Patrick's Day 50-over World Cup match back in 2007.West Indies and Ireland meet again in a one-off one-day international at the same ground on Sunday, the last match of the Irish tour.Next month sees the West Indies defend their global title at the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh -- a tournament where Ireland's first match is a St Patrick's Day clash against Zimbabwe on March 17.

Centuries, wickets put Australia under pressure

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PORT ELIZABETH (AFP) - AB de Villiers and JP Duminy hit centuries and Wayne Parnell took two wickets with his first three balls as South Africa put Australia under pressure on the second day of the second Test at St Georges Park on Friday.In Port Elizabeth, Australia were 112 for four at the close in reply to South Africas first innings total of 423. But South Africa missed three opportunities to increase their grip on the match.It could have been worse, admitted Australian coach Darren Lehmann.David Warner, who made a dashing 65 not out off 67 balls, was dropped by wicketkeeper De Villiers off Morne Morkel on 43 and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon was lucky to survive twice in the last two overs of the day.Lyon was given not out when he glanced a legside catch to De Villiers off Dale Steyn but South Africa failed to call for a review. Replays showed clear deviation off the bat. Then he was dropped by a diving Duminy at gully off Parnell.They bowled very well, said Lehmann of some fiery bowling by South Africa after the home sides innings finally ended after Australia had been kept in the field for 150.5 overs.Weve got to bat really well tomorrow. Someones got to stand up and make some runs.Lehmann said Australias bowlers had done well on an unresponsive pitch.When a side bats for 150 overs you expect them to get five or six hundred. We managed to keep them down to 423 which was a good effort.De Villiers (116) and Duminy (123) posted a sixth wicket partnership of 149 as Australia conceded a total of 400 or more for the first time in 13 Test matches.De Villiers continued his prolific run-scoring form as he notched his 19th Test century, while Duminy ended a string of low scores to record his third Test hundred.I knew today was going to be a big day for the team and me personally, said Duminy. It was important for us to put in a big performance.Duminy said South Africa, who were beaten by 281 runs in the first Test at Centurion, were in a really good position but he acknowledged that there was still hard work ahead on a pitch where bowlers have struggled after the ball has lost its hardness and shine.It was De Villiers sixth century during a record sequence of 12 Test matches in which he has scored a half-century or better and never been dismissed for under double figures.Vernon Philander struck early in the Australian innings when he trapped Chris Rogers leg before wicket for five - the third successive single figure score by the left-handed opener.Fellow opener David Warner counter-attacked but Parnell plunged Australia into trouble.Playing on his home ground in his first Test match in four years, he had Alex Doolan and Shaun Marsh caught behind with his first and third deliveries.Philander returned for his second spell and had Australian captain Michael Clarke caught at cover for 19.De Villiers and Duminy saw off the second new ball at the start of the day. Duminy, who had scored only 77 runs in his previous seven Test innings, was particularly impressive early on, hitting three boundaries in one over from MitchellJohnson, whose pace was again negated by a slow pitch with even bounce.Clarke tried some innovative field placings in an attempt to break the partnership, at one stage having four men in a ring in catching positions on the on-side, only for De Villiers to hit the only six of his innings over the fielders as Peter Siddle attacked his leg stump.De Villiers faced 232 balls and hit 14 fours and a six while Duminy batted for 231 balls and hit 14 boundaries. Off-spinner Lyon claimed his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests, taking five for 130 in 46 overs.
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