Saturday 22 March 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Serena waits out rain for Miami victory

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MIAMI (AFP) - Serena Williams waited out a 45-minute rain interruption Saturday before defeating France's Caroline Garcia 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to advance at the ATP and WTA Miami Masters.The world number one's progress was temporarily halted in the fifth game of the final set when a passing shower stopped play.But after the pause, top seed Williams emerged with her third career victory against her 74th-ranked rival to reach the fourth round at the hardcourt event.Williams, 32, bidding for a record seventh title at her home tournament, now stands 63-7 at the venue.Granted she played great, but I made so many errors, I hit so short, said Williams. It really isn't the same player. I just have to do better.It's important to stay positive. Obviously I wasn't at my best. I had 40-something errors.It's not the way to play professional tennis. On the professional tour you have to do a little better than that, so hopefully I can, in the next few matches, do better.Reigning Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka downed Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the men's third round.The third-seeded Swiss raced through an 18-minute opening set, winning the first seven games before eventualy losing the second set.Wawrinka recovered on cue in the third with an opening break to advance in just under 90 minutes and then admitted he is still adjusting to his new status as a Grand Slam winner.I still have some ups and downs mentally. I was negative in the second set a little bit stupidly, but then I'm really happy with the way I started the third set, Wawrinka said.It was important to come back strong, to move well again, to play aggressive, to push him, and to get the break early (in the third set).I'm happy to win. That's the most important. It was the first one here. It's never easy. Conditions were really slow, really humid. You need to get through. That's it -- just win the matches.Wawrinka fired eight aces and broke four times. He owns owns three wins without a loss against Gimeno-Traver after defeating the number 99 twice in 2013, both times on clay.The Swiss, playing only his fourth ATP match since beating Rafael Nadal to capture his first major in Melbourne, improved to 14-1 on the season. Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych began his Miami campaign with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 win over Frenchman Stephane Robert while Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France beat Croatia's 25th seed, Marin Cilic 6-2, 7-6 (7/5).Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez defeated Gael Monfils, the 23rd seed, 6-2, 7-5, with the Frenchman treated for right elbow problems on court.German Tommy Haas, a 2013 semi-finalist, was forced out before his first match with a recurring shoulder injury. In women's play, 14th-seeded Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki was unable to play due to influenza, handing a walkover to Belgian Kirsten Flipkens.German fifth seed Angelique Kerber beat Tsvetana Pironkova 6-0, 6-2, eighth seed Petra Kvitova stopped Croatian Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-4 and Ekaterina Makarova upset Italian ninth seed Sara Errani 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

Football: Rooney wonder lob keeps United on high

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LONDON (AFP) - Wayne Rooney posted a goal of the season contender as Manchester United ended a memorable week by winning 2-0 at West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.A week ago, manager David Moyes had seen his players humiliated 3-0 at home by Liverpool, but United recovered to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Olympiakos in mid-week to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.Robin van Persie had been the star that night with a hat-trick, but he was also injured in that game, allowing Rooney to regain top billing with a brace at Upton Park.And he did so with an opening goal worthy of a Hollywood script by emulating former United hero David Beckham by beating the goalkeeper from astonishing range.It was not quite as far out as Beckham's famous halfway-line lob against Wimbledon in 1996, but the former England captain just so happened to be in the stands to watch it go in.Moyes's starting line-up caused plenty of eyebrows to be raised as Alexander Buttner, Shinji Kagawa and Ashley Young all started and Michael Carrick, a former West Ham midfielder, was employed in central defence.Carrick was drafted in to replace the suspended Nemanja Vidic, with Marouane Fellaini detailed to help him cope with home striker Andy Carroll at set-pieces.Rio Ferdinand, who also began his career at Upton Park, was ruled out by a back injury, while England forward Danny Welbeck could only make the bench.United started strongly. Carroll stopped Fellaini's header on the line in the third minute after the Belgian had been picked out in the box by Young and it was not long before home goalkeeper Adrian was required to stop a shot from Juan Mata.Then came Rooney's moment of genius in the eighth minute as he nudged Hammers defender James Tomkins out of the way just inside the hosts' half on the right before lofting a shot over Adrian from almost 60 yards.West Ham replied with high balls aimed at Carroll, who headed a free-kick just wide and found United goalkeeper David de Gea with another header after Stewart Downing had got the better of Rafael da Silva.Kagawa had the chance to double United's lead, but fired straight at Adrian, as did Mata soon afterwards. Mata was operating in the hole behind Rooney and was a constant menace to the West Ham back-line.West Ham captain Kevin Nolan felt he should have had a penalty when he went down under Darren Fletcher's challenge, but play continued, allowing United to score on the counter-attack in the 33rd minute.Young fired in a cross from the right that Mark Noble hoofed away from goal, but the ball hit the onrushing Rooney on the shin and flew into the net.It was Rooney's 212th United goal, taking him above Jack Rowley into third place on the list of the club's all-time leading scorers, behind only Bobby Charlton (249) and Denis Law (237).The home side were visibly deflated by the setback and allowed Rooney a chance to claim his hat-trick before half-time.This time, however, his connection from the edge of the box was wild and the ball almost went out for a throw-in.The second half was not so memorable as West Ham won a series of corners, but could not turn them into goals.United, for their part, were content to keep possession whenever possible, but the urge to add to their lead was only intermittent.Fellaini burst through late on and went down in the box under a challenge from Antonio Nocerino, the West Ham substitute, but no penalty was awarded.

Golf: Scott struggles but leads bid for title, top spot

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MIAMI (AFP) - Adam Scott moved within reach of a wire-to-wire victory Saturday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, one that would all-but ensure he overtakes Tiger Woods for the world number one ranking.Scott, the reigning Masters champion and first Australian to capture the green jacket, struggled to a one-under par 71 Saturday but held a three-stroke lead after the third round at Bay Hill.Scott, who led by a tournament-record seven strokes when the day began, stood on 15-under 201 after 54 holes with American Keegan Bradley second on 204.It was tough, Scott said. I got off to a tough start and fought my way back all day.Scott, at Bay Hill for the first time since missing the cut in 2009, matched the course record with a 62 Thursday and equaled the 36-hole mark by following with a 68 Friday.They don't just hand you PGA titles after 36 holes, Scott said. Everybody was making a run. I was battling but I'm in good shape for tomorrow.With 14-time major champion Woods absent due to a back injury that has jeopardized his chances of playing next month's Masters, Scott would move just behind the American with a victory this week.If neither Woods nor Scott play again before the Masters, as is expected, then a Bay Hill title would ensure Scott would become world number one for the first time in his career on the Monday before he defends his first major title, based upon points dropping off at the back end of the two-year ranking cycle.Americans Matt Every and Jason Kokrak shared third on 205 with Italy's Francesco Molinari and American Chesson Hadley on 206 and England's Ian Poulter seventh on 208. Scott opened with a bogey, had three birdies and two bogeys over the last six holes and sank a clutch seven-foot par putt at 18, a hole on which he made bogey each of the first two days.A nightmare start for Scott saw his tournament-record lead of seven strokes entering the weekend reduced to a single shot after only the first 70 minutes of play.Scott opened with a bogey, missing an eight-foot par putt, and took another at the fifth, faltering on an 11-footer for par.Hadley, meanwhile, had a torrid start with four birdies in the first six holes to reach 11-under and move just one stroke behind Scott.But just when things looked bleakest for Scott, momentum swung again as Hadley found a bunker at the par-3 seventh and took a bogey while Scott made a tap-in birdie at the par-5 sixth, boosting his lead back to three strokes.Scott began the back nine with a birdie and when he sank a 16-foot birdie putt at 13, the Aussie moved ahead by five.A seven-foot par putt miss at the par-3 14th trimmed Scott's edge but he answered with a 24-foot birdie putt at the 15th and a five-foot birdie putt at the par-5 16th, keeping his advantage at five strokes despite late charges from rivals.At the par-3 17th, Scott was just off the green and chipped six feet past the cup but missed the par putt coming back.That dropped Scott to 15-under, only three in front of Bradley, and the Aussie had yet to play the 18th, which he bogeyed each of the first two days.At the last, Scott rammed a 23-foot birdie putt seven feet past the hole but sank the tension-packed par putt.Bradley is confident on the greens as he prepares to join Scott in Sunday's last duo.I've been hitting the ball nicely all week but today the putter got going and that has really made a difference, he said. I was trying to be more relaxed and more confident on the greens and it worked.I know tomorrow I'm going to have to go out and shoot a really low score because Adam is playing well and he is one of the best players in the world, but these are the sort of rounds you live for.

Motorcycling: World champion Marquez on Qatar pole

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DOHA (AFP) - World champion Marc Marquez stormed to pole position for the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday, just a month after breaking his leg.The 21-year-old Spaniard, riding a factory Honda, claimed his 10th pole in the MotoGP class and 38th overall.Marquez, who became the sport's youngest world champion when he triumphed in his rookie year in 2013, finished ahead of compatriot Alvaro Bautista on a Honda and Britain's Bradley Smith on a Yamaha Tech3.Marquez broke his right leg in a dirt-bike accident in his native Spain at the end of February and had admitted in the run-up to the floodlit Qatar race that he was nowhere near 100% fit.The world champion only got back on his bike on Thursday and went into qualifying having been only fifth fastest in the three practice sessions.But he charged to pole in a time of 1min 54.507sec with Bautista just 0.057sec behind and Smith, who had suffered a nasty crash in Friday's final practice, missing out by less than a tenth.The second row is made up of Andrea Dovizioso on a Ducati, 2010 and 2012 world champion and 2013 runner-up Jorge Lorenzo on a Yamaha and Dani Pedrosa on the second factory Honda.We are still having problems with the rear grip but we are getting closer to the front top riders, said Lorenzo, who underwent three operations in the winter to mend his collarbone which he had shattered in two falls in 2013.We made a good position for tomorrow; fifth on the grid is good for the start. There are six riders within one tenth of a second and the race will be very long so if we can make one step on the bike we can fight for the podium or even a victory, which would be amazing for the circumstances.Yamaha's Aleix Espargaro, who had swept all three practice sessions, was only ninth, having walked away from two crashes.Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi, on the second factory Yamaha, starts on the fourth row ahead of Ducati's Andrea Iannone and Pol Espargaro on a Yamaha Tech3.I'm not very satisfied because I am just in tenth but I am only half a second from pole position and my lap time is not so bad, said Rossi.The problem is that the balance between everybody is very close; we are 12 riders within half a second.

Pakistan Day being celebrated today

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Pakistan Day is being celebrated today (Sunday) to mark the passage of the Lahore Resolution that led to the creation of a separate homeland for the South Asian Muslims in 1947.The historic resolution, known as the Pakistan Resolution, was approved on March 23, 1940.The day dawned with special prayers for progress and prosperity of the country and with a 31 gun-salute in the federal capital as well as 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.The national flag will be hoisted on important public and private buildings across the country and all Pakistani missions abroad.People will visit the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal to pay homage to the poet philosopher who conceived the idea of the establishment of Pakistan. They will lay wreath on the grave and offer Fateha.Various political, cultural, social and other organizations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day in a befitting manner.

World T20: Pakistan face Australia today

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DHAKA (Dunya News) - Pakistan after its loss to India is up again and now will face Australia today (Sunday) at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium. Pakistan lost their opener against arch-rival India by seven wickets on Friday and can hardly afford another defeat if they are to reach the semi-finals.We will make every effort to win, Pakistan coach Moin Khan said.Whenever a team loses its first match, its chances come down. We'll have to work hard to come back. This match is very important to us if we have to stay in the tournament.Moin hinted that his side would try and target any Australia weakness against spin, although he is wary of a side that has been in white-hot form in all formats over the past six months.They can be susceptible to spin, but they've been playing very good cricket for a very long time, he said.I still believe in my players. We're capable of getting them.Australia will be without all-rounder James Faulkner, although it is hoped he will return from a knee injury suffered in January later in the tournament.Australia and Pakistan have played 11 T20I matches against each other, Pakistan has won six games and Australia four, with one match ended in a tie and Pakistan won the super over.

Clinical Sri Lanka upstage South Africa

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CHITTAGONG (AFP) - World number one Sri Lanka held their nerve in the final overs to pull off a narrow five-run victory over South Africa in Chittagong on Saturday.Left-handed opener Kusal Perera hit a brilliant 40-ball 61 to lift Sri Lanka, who won the toss and batted, to 165-7 before restricting South Africa to 160-5.The victory gave Sri Lanka an ideal start to the group one campaign in the Super-10 stage at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.South Africa needed 15 off the final over but Lasith Malinga kept a tight line and despite a last ball six by tail-ender Imran Tahir, SriLanka carried the day.South Africa were given a flying 32-run start by Quinton de Kock (25) and Hashim Amla (23).Jean-Paul Duminy (39) and AB De Villiers (24) hit Ajantha Mendis out of the attack with 22 runs in his first two overs but both departed within nine runs to give Sri Lanka the edge.David Miller (19) and Albie Morkel (12) briefly threatened, with Morkel hitting two successive sixes but Sri Lanka pulled off the win.Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal praised Perera and the death bowling.Everyone is over the moon, said Chandimal. I am full of beans again. Kusal hit some good boundaries to get us a good start and Mathews finished it off well. Our death bowling with Lasith (Malinga) was very good. South Africa skipper De Villiers rued their loss of wickets at regular intervals.We lost wickets at crucial time and that stopped the momentum, said De Villiers. We weren't good enough.Earlier, Perera and Mathews gave Sri Lanka total some stability.Perera hit six boundaries and three towering sixes before leg-spinner Imran Tahir pulled back the scoring rate by taking 3-26 in his four overs.Mathews gave the final touches to the innings by hitting three boundaries and a six to help Sri Lanka add 45 in the last five overs.Paceman Dale Steyn, declared fit after recovering from a hamstring injury, finished with 2-37 while fellow pacer Morne Morkel grabbed 2-31.Sri Lanka's most experienced trio of Tillakaratne Dilshan (nought), Mahela Jayawardene (nine) and Kumar Sangakkara (14) failed to supplement Perera.South African captain Faf du Plessis was ruled out of the match as he was unable to recover fully from a hamstring injury and was replaced by De Villiers as captain.Steyn was in the thick of things from the first over as he was hit for two fours and a six by Perera before the paceman bowled the other opener Dilshan on the last delivery.Perera went onto make his fifth T20 half-century off 29 balls before he holed out in the deep off Tahir.England play New Zealand in the same group later Saturday. The Netherlands are the third team in the group.Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. The final of the event will be played in Dhaka on April 6.

New Zealand defy rain to beat England

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CHITTAGONG (AFP) - New Zealand defied a stubborn England and rain to win their opening World Twenty20 match by nine runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in Chittagong on Saturday.Chasing a challenging 173-run target, New Zealand were 52-1 after 5.2 overs when heavy rain came down following a burst of thunder, which halted the Group One match played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.After a 25-minute delay when the umpires were due to inspect the ground, the rain started to fall again, prompting them to declare the end of the match and New Zealand the winners on the Duckworth-Lewis formula, used in the event of rain.New Zealand needed to score 43 in 5.2 overs on the D/L method, which ruled them the winners. Kane Williamson was unbeaten on 24 and with him skipper Brendon McCullum was on 16 when the match ended abruptly.New Zealand had lost opener Martin Guptill for 11.McCullum said he was happy to take two full points.The game was evenly poised (when finished), said McCullum, who hit two sixes and a four off Broads fifth over to take New Zealand above the needed score.Its a funny tournament, both teams are going to need an immense amount of luck to get through. Both teams will be pleased with the performance but were obviously delighted with the win.England skipper Stuart Broad said he was disappointed.I think it would have been a good game if it went to a full 40 overs, said Broad. Obviously disappointed but you cant do much when weather comes in between.England, sent in to bat, posted a good total of 172-6 in bits and pieces.Moeen Ali (36), Michael Lumb (33) and Jos Buttler (32) spurned good starts.Ravi Bopara hit a 19-ball unbeaten 24 and Tim Bresnan hit an eight-ball 17 not out to help England muster 88 in the last 10 overs.England were off to a disastrous start when opener Alex Hales was dismissed off the third ball of the innings, caught one-handed high over his head by Corey Anderson at mid-off.Lumb and Ali steadied the innings during their 72-run second wicket stand.Ali, playing only his third T20, hit six well-timed boundaries and a six before he holed out off Anderson in the deep and three runs later Lumb joined him in the pavilion.Lumb hit four boundaries and a six off 24 balls.Buttler looked threatening during his innings spiced with six boundaries but was bowled by Anderson, who was the pick of New Zealand bowlers with 2-32.Earlier in the day world number one Sri Lanka outlasted South Africa by five runs in an exciting finish in Chittagong to open Group One in the Super-10 stage.Pakistan take on Australia and title-holders the West Indies face India in Group Two matches in Dhaka on Sunday.Two teams from each group will qualify for the semis. The final will be played on April 6.

Organ trafficking continues: Youth buried after removing both kidneys

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – A group headed by Dr Fawad Chaudhry is reportedly still active in organ trafficking, a recent case of which surfaced on Saturday where kidneys of an eighteen-year-old boy were removed and the boy was silently buried it in Bhawana, Dunya News reported.Reportedly, the group has its operatives in government hospitals and in police department who aid the gang carry out the crime.18-year-old Kashif, resident of Factory Area was kidnapped and operated for removal of kidneys. He was secretly buried in Bhawana.Kashif’s family had lodged a kidnapping report at police station and police had traced and arrested one Asif who was using victim’s mobile phone. He confessed to being an operative of Dr Fawad Chaudhry during the course of investigation; saying that the group continues the organ trafficking business.The suspect said in court that he brought Kashif’s dead body to Bhawana from Lahore and buried it upon direction from Dr Fawad at a remote location.The grave was dug upon direction from Magistrate where the Kashif’s corps was recovered wrapped in clothing and investigation revealed his both kidneys were missing.It is pertinent to mention here that Dr Fawad Chaudhry’s group isn’t new as it is notorious for stealing organs from patients belong to poor and working classes.Despite being notorious and most wanted, Dr Fawad remains at large and no arrests in this regard have been made as of yet.

Strict action will be taken against oil smugglers: CM Balochistan

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QUETTA (Dunya News) -- Balochistan chief minister Dr Abdul Malik on Saturday vowed to take strict action against the culprits behind Iranian oil smuggling, while ordering concerned officials to conduct an inquiry into the RCD Highway traffic accident and submit report immediately.He also said that the incident is an accident and not a result of foul-play.Malik said that steps will be taken with the help of federal government to curb the illegal oil smuggling.Provincial government spokesman said that Dr Abdul Malik Baloch expressing his grief over the loss of precious 38 lives and several injured in the Hub traffic accident assured the affected families all sorts of help and cooperation.The chief minister has called for a report on the traffic mishap immediately and also directed the concerned officials to provide best available facilities for the treatment of the injured persons.Earlier, at least 38 people were killed when a truck collided with two passenger buses in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Dunya News reported.The accident occurred when two speeding buses collided with an oil tanker coming from an opposite direction on RCD Highway in Balochistan.

Muzaffargarh police exposed: Absconder abducts girl in a broad daylight

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MUZAFFARGARH (Dunya News) -- Following rape victim Amna’s self-immolation over lack of justice case, girl’s abduction by a most wanted absconder Bala Chandia in a broad daylight has raised serious questions over the performance of Muzaffargarh police, Dunya News reported.Reportedly, notorious and most wanted absconder Iqbal also known as Bala Chandia stormed the house of local Patwari along with his accomplices and abducted Patwari’s daughter over gunpoint. Absconders injured girl’s mother by firing on her legs over resistance.Bala Chandia is wanted by police in several grave offenses and yet he was seen roaming around along with accomplices.Victim’s family blocked the road and held a demonstration for victim’s recovery.The girl’s abduction from a house in a broad daylight has once again raised serious concerns over Muzaffargarh police’s performance.It merits mentioning here that this isn’t an isolated incident. Just this month, 18-year-old rape victim Amna Bibi torched herself after charges against culprits were dropped following a shoddy investigation.The incident occurred in Muzaffargarh district of Punjab province, where the horrific 2002 gang rape of Mukhtar Mai, made headlines around the world.Amina Bibi, aged 18 according to police, doused herself with petrol and set herself alight on Thursday in front of a police station in the village of Beet Meer Hazar.She was taken to a nearby government-run hospital where the doctors tried to save her but succumbed to her injuries early on Friday, police said.She was allegedly assaulted by four men, including a family member, in early January and reported the incident to police.But a local court in Muzaffargarh dropped the case on Thursday following a police report which said she had not been raped, prompting Amina to take the desperate measure.Nadir, the main accused in the case was a relative of the victim and they had a family dispute, senior local police official Chaudhry Asghar Ali told AFP.The case was investigated twice and investigators discovered that the victim had not been raped.Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday demanded an explanation for the incident, ordering the provincial police chief and district police chief to appear in the court in person.The court ordered police to file a written report explaining how the case was investigated and why the accused men were cleared.The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has also demanded the government take steps to ensure rapists are brought to justice.

Squash: Favourite David stunned by giant-killer Sherbini

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GEORGE TOWN (AFP) - Unseeded Egyptian Nour El Sherbini pulled off the biggest upset of the world women's championship Saturday by beating defending world champion Nicol David 4-11, 11-9, 11-6, 2-11, 11-9 in front of 2,000 shell-shocked fans in her hometown.Hot favourite David flew out of the traps early on, working her much younger opponent all over the court to take the first game 11-4.But Sherbini, 18, the youngest semi-finalist in the history of the championship, staged a remarkable comeback to win the second game 11-9, before upping the ante in the third to win 11-6 and pile the pressure on the Malaysian.David did storm back with purpose to take the fourth game at 11-2 and force the deciding fifth game, which Sherbini ultimately clinched 11-9 with poise and precision.The seven-time world champion, who saw her 10-month unbeaten run end, paid tribute to squash's most promising young talent after her defeat.Sherbini has just been on a roll throughout this tournament, and today everything worked out for her. Everybody plays their best squash with me, and today Sherbini played her best squash, said David.I did my best, but it was just not my day today and fair play to Sherbini, she deserved that win.Losing the world championship title on home soil certainly crushed David, but the 30-year-old was gracious in defeat nonetheless.You never want to lose anywhere, and I obviously wanted to do well in front of my home crowd. It was disappointing, but I will learn from this defeat and wish both finalists the best.Her teary eyed conqueror meanwhile was still digesting the biggest achievement of her fledging career.I have never beaten David before, never even taken a game off her. So I told myself that I would just go out there and do my best, but I never expected to get this victory. I'm still astounded on how I achieved it, said the reigning world junior champion, who continued her giant-killing act after defeating fourth seed Alison Waters and fifth seed Joelle King in the previous rounds.Sherbini will get the chance to make history as the youngest world champion when she faces Laura Massaro in the final Sunday.Second seed Massaro was also impressive in her clinical 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7 win over Egyptian third seed Raneem El Weleily.

Pervaiz Rasheed indicates of extension in Taliban ceasefire

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed said on Saturday that an extension in ceasefire between government and Taliban is highly likely, adding that his party has had to face consequences over good relations with neighbouring countries during previous tenures, Dunya News reported.Addressing media at Lahore Press Club, he said that both Taliban and government committees are meeting on a daily basis and that the developments are being made in the negotiations process.He said that both parties would agree to extend ceasefire period if talks continue. Talking about foreign policy and giving Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, he said that no country would be allowed to interfere in Pakistan’s internal matters.He said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) government has faced consequences for establishing good relations neighbouring countries during previous tenure.He further said that government is trying to solve crucial matters and asked the media to continue the tradition of responsible reporting to assist development.Earlier, government and Taliban committees had resolved to hold direct talks with Taliban on a mutually agreed upon location in Frontier Region (FR) Bannu, Dunya News reported.Government and Taliban coordinating committees met in Punjab House Islamabad in a session chaired by Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali on Saturday.Participants included Rustam Shah Mohmand, Arbab Arif, Habibullah Khattak and Fawad Hussain from government’s side, and Maulana Samiul Haq, Maulana Yousaf and Professor Ibrahim from Taliban’s coordinating committee.The government led by PMLN secured a vote of confidence in favour of dialogue through a session of All Parties Conference (APC) and to act on the recommendation upon willingness from Taliban, committees to represent both government and Taliban were formed and the process continued.However, all negotiations stalled as a number of civilians and military personnel were brutalized whose responsibility was claimed by Taliban.Following a number of air strikes by Pakistan military, Taliban agreed to a month-long ceasefire which was later reciprocated by the government.Government also dissolved the existing committees emphasizing the need of moving forward the negotiations to next phase by restructuring the existing government committee to hold ‘direct talks’.

Australia skydiving plane crash kills five

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BRISBANE (AFP) -- A light aircraft used for skydiving crashed in an airfield in eastern Australia and burst into flames, killing all five people on board, police said.The plane veered left shortly after taking off from the Caboolture airstrip, 50 kilometres (31 miles) north of Brisbane on Australias east coast, before plunging to the ground.We have a pilot and there were four skydivers on board and they were the only five people that were on board, Queensland police superintendent Michael Brady told Sky News.Brady said a male pilot, two skydiving instructors and two skydivers including a woman were on board, but could not confirm reports that their family members were watching as the plane plummeted to the ground.Forensic investigators were at the scene but there was no immediate word on what caused the crash, with the airport closed until further notice.Bryan Carpenter, who works at the airfield used mostly for small aircraft, said the plane was a Cessna 206, which was often used on skydiving flights.He told Sky News the burning high-octane fuel destroyed the plane immediately.On impact with the ground (the plane) burst into flames and there were no survivors, he said.This is the worst-ever fatality accident weve suffered (at Caboolture).Rescue workers quickly reached the scene and the fire was extinguished within minutes, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service said.Mark Thompson, who was at the scene, told reporters that dozens of people rushed to help put out the fire but the heat forced them back.When I got there there was nothing to be done, he said.There was just wreckage on the ground. It was well and truly burnt out.In September 2010, nine people were killed in a skydiving plane crash in New Zealand when the aircraft crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff near the Fox Glacier tourist spot. There were no survivors.

Golf: Rookeis Lee, Ko take charge at LPGA Founders cup

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PHOENIX (AFP) - South Korea's Mirim Lee fired a five-under par 67 Friday to seize a two-stroke lead over New Zealand teen Lydia Ko after the second round of the LPGA Founders Cup.In only her third LPGA event and first in the United States, rookie Lee stood on 13-under 131 for 36 holes with South Korean-born Kiwi Ko, the 16-year-old world number four, two back after a 66.It's great to see two rookies out there, Ko said, adding she was surprised to be so close to Lee.She's obviously playing really good golf and there are a lot of birdies out there. I've never really met her before so should be good to get to know another rookie.South Korean Yoo Sun-Young was third on 134 with American Jessica Korda and South Koreans Chella Choi, Ryu So-Yeon and Park In-Bee -- the world number one -- sharing fourth on 135.I probably missed two or three shots and I left a lot of putts out there, said Park, who had two birdies on the back nine as well as an eagle at 15. I didn't make anything. So it was very good to actually see the putts drop on the last five holes. It was a relief.Lee, 23, opened with a birdie but took her lone bogey at the eighth. She birdied the par-5 11th and par-4 13th then eagled the par-5 15th and closed with a birdie to stay in front as she was after day one.I played a little boring on the front nine so I went more aggressive on the back nine, Lee said through a translator. It worked well so now I plan on being aggressive the rest of the week.Lee, like Ko, seeks her first LPGA title as a professional. Lee has won three times on the South Korean women's tour.Ko, who back-to-back LPGA Canadian Women's Open titles as an amateur, finished strong as well after a slow start.Ko birdied the par-5 second but closed the front nine with her lone bogey. she responded with back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 and again at 16 and 17 with an eagle at the 15th in between.I just gave myself more opportunities on the back nine, Ko said. I played much better this nine yesterday, so I kind of thought, 'You can make some more birdies and get closer to the leader.'
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