Wednesday 26 March 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Djokovic beats Murray to reach Miami semi-finals

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MIAMI (AFP) - Former world number one Novak Djokovic defeated reigning Wimbledon champ Andy Murray 7-5, 6-3 to book his semi-final berth at the Miami ATP Masters on Wednesday.The 26-year-old Serbian recovered from an early break in the second set to notch the victory in one hour and 29 minutes on the hardcourts at Crandon Park.It was the first meeting between the two since Murray defeated Djokovic in the Wimbledon final to become the first Briton since Fred Perry in 1936 to win the All England Club's men's singles title.I tried to move him around, change the pace of the ball, mix it up with the slice, with different depth, angles and just stay tough out there, Djokovic said. Our styles are quite similar. We are same generation. We know each other's game very well.I was ready for long rallies. I was ready for physical match.Djokovic, going for back-to-back Masters titles after his triumph at Indian Wells, next faces either Swiss fifth seed Roger Federer or Japan's Kei Nishikori, who were playing later Wednesday. He beat Federer in a blockbustre final to take the Indian Wells tournament last week.The second seeded Djokovic also won this title in 2011 and 2007. He was runner-up in 2009.Djokovic hammered seven aces and broke Murray three times and is now 12-8 lifetime against Murray, including a 3-1 record in Miami.Djokovic settled into the match quickly and when he did lose his concentration he used his strong serve to rescue the points. In the second set, Murray broke Djokovic in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. In the next game he double faulted twice and Djokovic went on to win four straight games to wrap up his ninth consecutive win.Murray, who underwent back surgery on September 23, struggled for consistency sometimes on his backhand in the windy conditions. Other times he moved well enough to keep Djokovic on his back foot.I had many opportunities today like 30-all games and love-30s on his serve, and I didn't serve so well when I went ahead in the second set, said Murray.I would have liked to have done that better, but I was hitting the ball better from the back of the court. I was playing aggressive. I was taking the ball early. I was trying to come forward a bit. My game is not far from where I want it to be.Serving and down 5-6 in the first set, Murray thought Djokovic's racquet was over the net when Djokovic hit a winner. Murray argued with the umpire but couldn't get the call reversed.I was right to complain and that's it. I was correct, said Murray, who went on to drop his serve. It is a hard one for the umpire to call. That's just frustrating.Djokovic says he thought the shot was legal as long as he didn't touch the net. He says he now knows better.I did pass the net with my racquet and I told Andy that, Djokovic said. I told him that I did not touch the net.My bad. I thought that it's allowed, to cross, you know, the racquet on his side without touching the net. That's why I thought I won the point.I did not know that the rule is that I'm not allowed to cross the net. That's all I can say.Djokovic said he apologized to Murray at the end of the match when they shook hands at the net.It might be the turning point, might not. Anyway the match is over, Djokovic said. Now that I know differently I am going to know for the future.Two other quarter-finals will be played Thursday, when current world number one and three-time Miami runner-up Rafael Nadal takes on Canadian Milos Raonic and seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych meets 22nd-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Tennis: Cibulkova reaches Miami semi-finals and top 10

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MIAMI (AFP) - Dominika Cibulkova saved three match points in a gritty three-set victory over third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the Miami hardcourt tournament.The 10th-seeded Slovakian, who was the runner-up at the Australian Open in January, will break into the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time on the strength of the 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 triumph.I knew before the match that this was the match I needed to win to become top 10, Cibulkova said. So it was some more pressure, but I'm obviously very happy with the way I handled it today.Cibulkova is in the Miami semi-finals for the first time, and awaits the winner of Wednesday night's match between Chinese second seed Li Na and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.Li beat Cibulkova in the Australian Open final, and also won the rematch in the quarter-finals at Indian Wells earlier this month.One semi-final has already been set, with world number one, top seed and defending champion Serena Williams due to take on fourth-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova.Cibulkova, who swept past Radwanska 6-1, 6-2 in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, had a bigger fight on her hands on Wednesday on a windy Stadium Court where service holds were at a premium.Fourteen of the first 18 games of the contest were breaks of serve, with Radwanska finally fending off three break points to hold serve for a 5-4 lead in the second set.The world number three from Poland had three chances to seal the match in the next game -- most dramatically at 30-40 when her blistering service return was judged long only after a challenge by Cibulkova.Cibulkova, determined not to go down without a fight, saved two more match points with forehand winners as she held to knot the set at 5-5.Another exchange of breaks sent them to the tiebreaker, in which Radwanska seized a 5-2 lead, only for Cibulkova to win the next five points to force a third set.Cibulkova couldn't hang on to a 2-0 lead in the third, but after Radwanska had leveled the set at 3-3, the Slovakian held for a 4-3 lead and broke again for a 5-3 edge and the chance to serve for the match.Once again she had to save a string of break points before wrapping up the victory, her 20th match win of a season that has included a run to the WTA title in Acapulco.This win really means a lot to me, Cibulkova said. It's always tough to play Aga, but I knew I just had to stay aggressive. If you make some mistakes with Aga, you still have to stay aggressive. That's the way I play and it's the only way to beat her. I just had to keep going.For Radwanska, the 2012 Miami champion, it was a disappointing end to the early season US hardcourt swing.She had reached the final at Indian Wells, but was hobbled by a leg injury in a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Italian Flavia Pennetta.

Football: Five-goal Celtic win 45th Scottish title

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GLASGOW (AFP) - Celtic clinched their 45th Scottish title in style as they eased to a 5-1 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill on Wednesday.It is the earliest the Scottish top flight title has been won since 1928/29, when Rangers won it on March 16.Anthony Stokes got the party started early as he headed Celtic into a third minute lead before substitute Liam Henderson grabbed his first goal for the Hoops just four minutes after coming on at the interval.Stefan Johansen then drilled an unstoppable shot past Paul Gallacher in the 53rd mintue and Leigh Griffiths and Stokes both had efforts ruled out for offside before Christie Elliott netted an 85th minute consolation for ThistleStokes sent a sensational strike past Gallacher before Kris Commons had the final word with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time to send Celtic 26 points clear of Aberdeen with seven games remaining and seal a 45th league championship.The Hoops have dropped just nine points on their relentless march to the title, tasting defeat just once in a season where 'keeper Fraser Forster set a new Scottish shut-out record of 1,256 minutes.It is a third successive league title for Celtic and manager Neil Lennon, who celebrated four years in the job on Tuesday, to add to the five championships he clinched as a player with the Parkhead club.Aberdeen's draw with Ross County on Tuesday meant the Hoops fans arrived at Firhill in jubilant mood knowing that a win would clinch a third title success in a row.They didn't have long to wait for the party to get into full swing as Stokes headed Celtic in front with just over two minutes on the clock. Emilio Izaguirre swung the ball over from the left and the Irish striker was left unmarked in the box to nod past Gallacher from close range.However, the expected goal glut didn't materialise and Thistle slowly began to get a foothold in the game without really troubling Forster.Former Dundee United player Prince Bauben tried to pick his spot from 20 yards but saw his shot blocked before Kallum Higginbotham curled a free-kick harmlessly wide.Celtic's leading scorer Commons then floated a free-kick over the bar while Griffiths dragged a shot well wide from long range.Henderson replaced Adam Matthews at the interval and the 17-year-old took just over three minutes to open his account for Celtic. Izaguirre's cross was dummied by Commons and Griffiths before arriving at the feet of the galloping Henderson who sent an angled drive beyond Gallacher.Johansen sealed the win in the 53rd minute. Griffiths touched the ball into the path of the Norwegian midfielder who drove into the box past two Thistle defenders and drilled an unstoppable shot beyond the keeper for his second goal in two games.Elliott claimed a consolation in the 85th minute when he chested down a high ball that was misjudged by Virgil van Dijk and cracked a shot past Forster.Stokes added a fourth in the first minute of stoppage time when he collected a pass from substitute Samaras and sent a sensational strike past Gallacher from the edge of the box.Commons rounded off the win in the third minute of stoppage time when Samaras set him up to drill a shot beyond the keeper from close range to send the Celtic fans wild.

Football: Gerrard, Sturridge send Liverpool second

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LONDON (AFP) - In-form Liverpool enhanced their Premier League title challenge and closed to within a point of leaders Chelsea after overcoming a stubborn Sunderland side 2-1 at Anfield on Wednesday.Steven Gerrards superb 39th-minute free-kick broke the deadlock and Daniel Sturridge doubled the hosts lead early in the second half, only for Ki Sung-yuengs late header to leave Liverpool hanging on.When the final whistle did come, to roars of relief from the home fans, it gave Brendan Rodgerss side a seventh consecutive victory and took them above Manchester City, who retain two games in hand.Sunderland, meanwhile, remain third from bottom, three points from safety, but with a game in hand on both of the two sides immediately above them.While Liverpool were unchanged from their 6-3 win at Cardiff City, Sunderland coach Gus Poyet gambled by fielding a five-man defence in an attempt to blunt the hosts razor-sharp attack.Liverpools team bus had been greeted outside the stadium by fans wielding flags and flares trailing red smoke, but Sunderlands tactics initially enabled them to quieten the home crowd.A succession of Liverpool attacks broke down on the edge of the box, obliging the hosts to chance their arm from distance, but Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez and Joe Allen all failed to find the target.They needed a helping hand and shortly before half-time they got one, as Sunderland defender Santiago Vergini conceded a free-kick for an untidy foul on Suarez just outside the visitors box.As the last man, the Argentine could have been shown a red card, but although he escaped with only a yellow, Gerrard punished his offence by arcing a glorious free-kick into the top-right corner from 22 yards.In response, Connor Wickham saw a deflected shot saved by former Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, but Sturridges strike three minutes into the second half gave Liverpool breathing space.Henderson spread the ball wide to Sturridge on the right and the England man cut in before bending a left-shot past goalkeeper Vito Mannone via a deflection off Wes Brown.It was Sturridges 20th goal of the season, making him and Suarez -- nicknamed the SAS in the British media -- only the third duo to both score 20 goals or more in the English top flight since 1992.The visitors looked there for the taking, but after Mannone had thwarted Suarez, Coutinho and Sturridge and Suarez had fizzed a shot wide, Lee Cattermole gave the hosts a scare by clattering a shot against the bar.Remarkably, Sturridge did the same thing just a minute later at the other end, before Ki pulled a goal back with 14 minutes to play.The South Korean stooped to head home from close range after a corner from fellow substitute Adam Johnson had been allowed to drift across the box, but Liverpool withstood a nervy finale to claim all three points.In the days other game, West Ham United edged 10-man Hull City 2-1 at Upton Park to end a run of three straight defeats and ease their relegation fears.Mark Noble put West Ham ahead from the spot in the 26th minute after visiting goalkeeper Allan McGregor had been sent off for a foul on Mohamed Diame.Nikica Jelavic deflected in a Tom Huddlestone free-kick early in the second half to level the scores, but a 54th-minute own goal by James Chester gave West Ham victory.

Football: Real Madrid beaten again as Atletico, Barca win

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MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid suffered a huge blow to their La Liga title hopes as a 2-1 win for Sevilla sent them crashing to a second defeat in four days on Wednesday.Colombian striker Carlos Bacca struck twice to give the hosts a sixth consecutive league win after Cristiano Ronaldo had opened the scoring.League leaders Atletico Madrid now lead Real by three points and have a better head-to-head record against Los Blancos as they beat Granada 1-0.Barcelona moved into second place, a point behind Atletico, with a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou thanks to a double from Neymar.But it was a bittersweet night for the Catalans as goalkeeper Victor Valdes may have played his last game for the club after suffering cruciate ligament damage that will rule him out of the World Cup.Real were looking to react from a first defeat in 32 games on Sunday as they lost a thrilling El Clasico 4-3 to Barcelona and they started brightly with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema going close inside the first 10 minutes.Ronaldo did open the scoring 14 minutes in as his free-kick cannoned off Ivan Rakitic to leave Sevilla goalkeeper Beto helpless.The lead lasted only four minutes as Bacca finished off a fine move by converting Jose Antonio Reyes pass from close range.Reyes could then have put his side in front as Bacca returned the favour, but the former Arsenal man dragged his shot just wide.However, Sevilla were grateful to Beto six minutes before the break as he brilliantly turned Ronaldos piledriver over the bar.Ronaldo was somehow denied his second of the night moments later as this time he lifted the ball over Beto, but the ball struck the inside of the post and rolled across the line before being cleared by a Sevilla defender.Madrid continued to press after the break, but were struck on the counter-attack 18 minutes from time when wonderful play by Rakitic took him past Pepe and the Croatian played in Bacca to fire home his second of the night.Beto was called into action once more to deny Ronaldo moments later, but for all their possession Madrid failed to carve out another clear opening and their hopes of salvaging anything from the game disappeared when Bales free-kick flew over in the final minute.Barcelona now have the destiny of the title in their own hands as they host Atletico on the final day of the season.However, their joy was tempered by Valdes injury that will keep him out of the World Cup for Spain.Valdes collapsed to the ground holding his right knee whilst making a routine save and was in tears as he was stretchered from the field.Victor Valdes has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will require surgery, the club confirmed via its official Twitter account.It is very bad luck and a very costly injury, too much for a game that means just three points, Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta told Barca TV.And midfielder Andres Iniesta admitted it was difficult for the Barca players to concentrate on the game after the injury.It was an uncomfortable situation on the pitch. The players werent the same, the fans werent the same. Everything seemed a bit strange.The important thing now is that he recovers well.Neymar had already put the hosts in front before Valdes injury as he tapped home Alexis Sanchezs cross.Lionel Messi continued his fine run of form to make it 2-0 from a wonderful Iniesta pass on the half hour before Neymar rounded off the scoring 23 minutes from time.It was a quieter evening at the Vicente Calderon as Atletico continued to demonstrate their title credentials with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Granada.In a game short on clear-cut chances, it was once again Diego Costa who made the difference for Diego Simeones men as he headed home Jose Sosas corner 27 minutes from time to register his 32nd goal of the season.

US oil prices rise on tightening supply at key hub

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices in New York jumped Wednesday after data showed a fall in crude supplies at a key US trading hub and a surprisingly large decline in gasoline stocks.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for May delivery rose $1.07 to $100.26 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.European benchmark Brent oil for May delivery added four cents to $107.03 a barrel on the Intercontinental Exchange in London.Overall US oil supplies rose 6.6 million barrels for the week, according to the weekly report from the US Energy Information Administration, well above the 2.8 million projected by analysts surveyed by the Wall Street Journal.But the EIA report showed a decline of 1.3 million barrels at the Cushing, Oklahoma oil-trading hub for the US benchmark. Wednesday's EIA report marked the eighth straight week to see a decline at Cushing, said Robert Yawger, who directs the futures division at Mizuho Securities. Stocks at Cushing are at their lowest level since January 2012, he said.The concentration is on the Cushing number, Yawger said.The drop in supply at Cushing is a continually bullish factor for oil, said Andy Lebow, senior vice president for energy derivatives at Jefferies Bache.We'll have enough supply... but we're getting to fairly significantly low levels, Lebow said.Analysts also cited a 5.1 million barrel drop in gasoline supplies, much more than the 1.3 million decline forecast by analysts.

Dollar gains amid ECB talk of anti-deflation measures

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar strengthened against the euro Wednesday, helped by stronger US economic data and hints from the European Central Bank that it will act to fight deflationary pressures.Around 2200 GMT the euro was at $1.3788, compared to $1.3825 late Tuesday.The euro began losing ground on Tuesday after statements from ECB officials saying they would take action to combat deflation, hinting at a quantitative easing program or other moves.The dollar also got help when the US Commerce Department reported that durable goods orders rose 2.2 percent in February from the prior month, better than the 1 percent decline expected by analysts.The yen, meanwhile, picked up strength in late trade, with the dollar falling to 102.00 yen from 102.25, and the euro to 140.57 yen from 141.36 yen.The British pound rose to $1.6576 from $1.6528 Tuesday, while the dollar traded at 0.8845 Swiss franc, up from 0.8826 franc.

Explosives laden rickshaw seized in Karachi

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KARACHI (Web Desk) -- Karachi Police seized an explosives laden rickshaw in Karachi’s Surjani Town area and arrested the driver of rickshaw.Explosives were being taken to Khuda ki Basti area and the rickshaw was guided by two bike riding suspects, who managed to escape.In police custody, rickshaw driver Amir said that he picked up the explosives from a salt factory in Surjani town area.Later the police raided salt factory.

Pakistan's child prodigy praised for ethical hacking

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LAHORE (Web Desk) – A 6th grade aspiring tech prodigy Muhammad Shahzad uses cross site scripting to identify vulnerabilities on various platforms and instead of exploiting the loophole, responsibly reports it along with advice to secure the platform to those managing the websites, Dunya News has learnt.Eleven-year-old Shahzad has successfully found and reported bugs on Yahoo, Mediafire, Bitcasa and Samsung and Microsoft, earning rewards and appreciation from tech giants in return.The young talent has been awarded with numerous recognitions; including a T-shirt from Yahoo, a certificate from Mediafire and a premium membership-account on 4Shared. He has also got his name listed in Bitcasa’s ‘hall of fame’.The prodigy says he derives huge motivation and inspiration from the work and achievements of Arfa Karim – Pakistan’s deceased IT genius who made headlines by being the youngest person in the world to complete a Microsoft certification – and aims to make a mark in futuristic web development technologies.In an interview, he said: “I started going to Arfa Karim Foundation as I’m learning many things from the IT experts.”“I already knew basics of Python, PHP, HTML, CSS and JavaScript without any help from others,” he said while mentioning aspirations to learn these technologies.Shahzad is also interested in blogging which he says he is pursuing as a hobby.“Blogging is as my hobby and I'm working hard to let admins of big tech companies know about different kind of security flaws and how to patch them as It's important for admins to secure their server for their customers or clients,” he added.

Afghan election field down to eight as candidate withdraws

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KABUL (AFP) - The grandson of Afghanistans last king pulled out of the countrys presidential race on Wednesday and backed a candidate increasingly seen as the choice of outgoing President Hamid Karzai.The withdrawal of Mohammad Nader Naeem narrows the field for the April 5 poll to eight and hints at further deal-making in the race to lead Afghanistan as NATO troops prepare to exit.Naeem, whose grandfather King Mohammed Zahir Shah was ousted in 1973 after 40 years of rule, is the third candidate to pull out and the second to endorse former foreign minister Zalmai Rassoul.Rassoul has also earned the backing of Qayum Karzai -- the presidents brother -- who pulled out earlier this month.Naeem announced his decision at a gathering in Kabul attended by both Rassoul and Qayum Karzai.We have endorsed doctor Zalmai Rassouls team and will be working together to win the election, Naeems spokesman Mustafa Kakar said.The decision to join with doctor Rassouls team was made in a jirga, representing some 2,500 elders from all over Afghanistan.Naeem was not seen as a serious challenger in the race to succeed Karzai, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.The three leading names are Rassoul, Abdullah Abdullah, who came second in 2009, and former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani.The new president faces a testing term in office as NATO combat troops depart and the national army and police are left to fight the Taliban insurgency alone, 13 years after the Islamists were ousted from power.President Karzai has pledged not to publicly endorse any candidate, but observers have suggested he may be at work behind the scenes to help Rassoul.The Taliban have vowed a campaign of violence to disrupt the election and on Tuesday attacked an Independent Election Commission office in Kabul, killing five people.Voting on April 5 is likely to be followed by a run-off election in late May between the two leading candidates, with a new president chosen in June or July.

PPP likely to change Sindh CM

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership is seriously considering replacement of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.According to Dunya News sources, a senior PPP leader would replace Qaim Ali Shah as Sindh Chief Minster and consultation within higher leadership of the PPP is underway in this regard.According to the sources, the leadership had been pondering replacement of Sindh CM for a long time however situation in Tharparkar delayed the decision.Syed Qaim Ali Shah has been target of severe criticism by opponents for failure in restoration of peace in Karachi despite targeted operation against miscreants and his government’s failing to address Thar issue.

Lahore: Police baton-charge student organization, arrest many

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Police baton-charged students demanding release of fellow students here on Wednesday while taking several into custody, Dunya News reported.Reportedly, police stormed at a protest carried out by a student organization demanding release of captured fellow students on Canal Road. Police took many into custody while baton charging.Protesting students threw stones at the police and blocked the Canal Road which caused traffic jam for hours.An official of the student body demanded immediate release of arrested students warning administration of the consequences in case students are not released.Commuting citizens had to face hours-long traffic jam as a result.

Russia stands alone', Obama tells EU-US summit

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - US President Barack Obama said Russia stood alone on the Ukraine crisis as he paid his first ever visit Wednesday to European Union headquarters, cementing Western opposition to the takeover of Crimea.Wrapping up a lightning 90-minute summit with the EUs top officials held across a luncheon table, Obama said the world is safer and more just when Europe and America stand as one.Russias actions in Ukraine arent just about one country. They are about the kind of Europe and the kind of world that we live in, he told a packed news conference.Viewed as the most important trip to Europe by a US president in years because of the crisis over Crimea, it was Obamas first-ever summit talks in Brussels with the EUs top officials, EU Council and European Commission presidents Herman Van Rompuy and Jose Manuel Barroso.Both the EUs 28 nations and the 28-member NATO military alliance remained determined to uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, Obama said.Russia in comparison increasingly stands alone on the international scene and had miscalculated in thinking it could drive a wedge between Washington and Brussels, he said.The US leader also said that the events in Ukraine had highlighted Europes energy dependency on Russia and pointed to the need for European nations to diversify energy sources, notably with natural gas from the United States.Discussing hotspots from Syria to Iran, as well as climate policy and trade, Obama and his hosts for starters lunched on crab cannelloni with mango and green apple.The main course was brill in a crust with pea and shiitake mushroom mousseline followed by chocolate cake.Obama, who was later to meet in Brussels with outgoing NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said he had some concern about a diminished level of defence spending among members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.The situation in Ukraine reminds us that our freedom isnt free, he said. We have to be willing to pay for mutual security to ensure the maintenance of a deterrent force, he added.Washingtons share in NATO spending rose five points to reach a 73-percent share between 2007 and 2013.Obama, who flew in after a nuclear security summit in The Hague, remains in the EU capital for less than 24 hours before heading for Italy, his next stop on a six-day European tour.- Mammoth trade deal -Meanwhile, Russias military chief of staff General Valery Gerasimov said in Moscow that the Russian flag was now flying over all the military facilities in Crimea.But in Ukraines capital, interim president Oleksandr Turchynov raised the stakes by asking parliamentary approval for a set of military exercises with NATO partners that would put US troops in direct proximity with Russias forces in the annexed peninsula.While the Kremlin called the snub counterproductive, the World Bank warned on Wednesday that the Russian economy could shrink by up to 1.8 percent this year because of the effects of the crisis in Ukraine.One of Obamas core messages for his Europe trip will be that Washington stands by security guarantees for its NATO partners, including post-Soviet states that joined the alliance.And as the world economy trundles slowly back to recovery, Brussels and Washington also pledged new efforts to create the worlds largest free trade area, a move that can potentially energise massive growth and create jobs.A fourth round of talks to conclude the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), worth hundreds of billions to both sides, wound up two weeks ago in Brussels with negotiators claiming progress but no breakthrough.Obama and the EU officials also touched on a lingering controversy over the damaging revelations exposed by fugitive intelligence contractor Edward Snowden of US spying on EU phones.Obama has promised to reform data collection by US intelligence agencies.Ahead of the summit Obama visited the only US World War I cemetery in Belgium with King Philippe and Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo.

Bin Laden son-in-law found guilty on US terror charges

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NEW YORK (AFP) - A New York jury on Tuesday found Osama bin Ladens son-in-law and former Al-Qaeda spokesman Suleiman Abu Ghaith guilty on three counts of conspiracy to kill Americans and supporting terrorists.The 48-year-old preacher from Kuwait, whose three-week trial has been the most high-profile Al-Qaeda case to reach a US federal court, now faces life behind bars.US prosecutors had alleged Abu Ghaith was an Al-Qaeda insider and Bin Ladens right-hand man and inspired a new generation of terrorists as the groups main messenger after the 9/11 attacks.The outcome of the trial will be closely watched as pressure builds on the White House to close the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, and seen by some as proof that detainees can face civil justice.Abu Ghaith denied the charges but is most famous for appearing with Bin Laden in a video on September 12, 2001 claiming the attacks on US targets that killed nearly 3,000 people the day before.In follow-up videos, he threatened a storm of airplanes, proof the government said that he was implicated in the December 2001 plot to blow up a transatlantic flight from Paris with a shoe bomb.Abu Ghaith fled Afghanistan for Iran in 2002. He was arrested in Turkey in 2013 and sent to Jordan, where he was transferred to US custody.

Iran summons Pakistan ambassador over border guard's execution

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TEHRAN (Dunya News / AFP) – Iran summoned Pakistan’s ambassador at Iranian foreign office in Tehran seeking explanation over execution of border guards earlier reported to have been abducted from Iran-Pakistan border. Iran also demanded increased security for border guards, Dunya News reported.Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed grave concern about the fate of Jamshid Danayifar, who was kidnapped along with four other border guards on February 6 by rebel group Jaish-ul Adl.We did all we could to secure their release, Zarif told state television after a cabinet meeting.But it is disappointing that the Pakistani government has failed to secure its borders, and allows terrorists to operate on its soil.Zarif's remarks came after his ministry summoned Pakistani ambassador Nour Mohammad Jadmani, demanding swift and serious action to secure the release of the soldiers, the official IRNA news agency reported.Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli meanwhile warned -- without elaborating -- that Iran reserves the right to utilise all its ability in its border areas.Jaish-ul Adl said on its website on Sunday that Danayifar had been killed, warning of further executions should Tehran refuse to release Sunni prisoners.Iran's interior ministry says it is awaiting Islamabad's official position amid media reports that local Pakistani authorities have confirmed the group's claim.The rebel group, which took up arms in 2012 to fight for what it says are the rights of Iran's minority Sunni population, is active in the restive Sistan-Baluchestan province that borders both Pakistan and Afghanistan.In November it claimed responsibility for killing a local prosecutor, a month after its rebels killed 14 Iranian border guards in an ambush.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned in a Tuesday statement the reported killing as an appalling act and urged that the perpetrators are brought to justice.A spokesman for the US State Department, Alan Eyre, called for the swift release of the abducted soldiers while expressing hope the reported execution -- that came as Iran was celebrating its Persian New Year -- was not true.Shortly after the abduction, Iranians launched a campaign on Twitter, despite the micro-blogging service being banned in Iran.Demanding the soldiers' release, the FreeIranianSoldiers hashtag went viral in February.Some Iranians have used social media to hit out at the Tehran government for its inability to bring home the young soldiers, who were serving their 24-month mandatory military service.Border guards chief Hossein Zolfaghari has admitted that there was negligence in the lead-up to the kidnapping, saying those responsible were suspended, with some facing prosecution.It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan foreign office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam had regretted the abduction and execution of Iranian guards while condemning the acts of terror. In a statement, the spokeswoman had said Pakistan sympathizes with the affected families and is willing to provide assistance in to locate other missing personnel.
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