Thursday 27 March 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

UN rejects Russian annexation of Crimea

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a Western-backed resolution declaring Crimea's breakaway referendum illegitimate and refusing to recognize Russia's annexation of the peninsula.The non-binding measure passed with a comfortable majority in the 193-member body, with 100 votes in favor and 11 votes against. But 58 abstained and more than 20 did not vote.Ukraine, which drafted the resolution, welcomed its adoption and called for a stronger and more concrete united, international front against Russian aggression.I'm very much satisfied with the vote... (an) overwhelming majority of nations in the world supported this resolution, acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya said.He had urged the international community to back the text, hoping an overwhelming show of support would ward off further Russian intervention on Ukrainian territory.I am convinced that a strong vote today will help to deter further aggressive moves, Deshchytsya told the assembly.It sends an essential message that the international community will not allow what has happened in Crimea to set a precedent to further challenges to our rules. Western diplomats wanted a strong majority vote to press home what they say is Russia's isolation, but there had been fears that a high number of countries would abstain.Moscow's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin claimed the vote was a moral victory for Russian diplomacy, saying that almost half the UN membership refused to support the resolution.An increasing number of countries are beginning to understand the complexity of the situation and the motives behind the actions of Crimea and the Russian Federation, he said.But the resolution did garner more support than a similar text passed in 2009 over the Georgia crisis.Ukraine submitted the draft resolution, writing the text in moderate language in the hope of attracting a maximum number of votes, and it makes no direct reference to Russia.The text is similar to a US-drafted resolution submitted to the Security Council on March 19, which Russia vetoed. China abstained and the other 13 members of the council voted in favor.Thursday's resolution repeats that the March 16 referendum in Crimea has no validity and asks countries not to recognize any alteration of the status of the Black Sea peninsula.It calls on all states to refrain from any attempts to modify Ukraine's borders through the threat or use of force or other unlawful means and calls for dialogue to resolve the crisis.Ukraine said that a vote for the resolution was a vote for the UN charter, while a vote against or an abstention undermined it.One month has cost us dearly. More inaction may cost us this organization, Deshchytsya said.The United States backed Ukraine's request and criticized Russia.US Ambassador Samantha Power told the assembly it was disheartening in the extreme to see Russia carry on as if Ukrainians have no legitimate interest in Crimea.Ukraine is justified in seeking our votes in reaffirming and protecting its borders, she said.We urge you to vote 'yes' on a resolution that enshrines the centrality of territorial integrity and that calls for a diplomatic not a military solution to this crisis.Russia stuck to its position, saying it had no right to refuse support to Crimeans in their right to self-determination.The 11 countries that voted against the text were Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, Nicaragua, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.NATO and Western powers voted overwhelmingly in favor. Among the abstentions were Afghanistan, China, India and Pakistan, as well many South American nations.Israel and Iran were among those that did not vote.

Baghdad bombings kill 11: officials

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BAGHDAD (AFP) - Two sets of bombings in Sunni-majority neighbourhoods of Baghdad killed at least 11 people Thursday evening, Iraqi security and medical officials said.Two roadside bombs that exploded in Amriyah in western Baghdad and a car bomb in the northern district of Adhamiyah also wounded at least 30 people, the sources said.The car bomb, which struck near the massive Abu Hanifa mosque, killed at least seven people and wounded 22, while the twin bombings in Amriyah left four others dead.The blasts occurred just ahead of the weekend in Baghdad, when markets and cafes are typically packed, and continue a trend of post-sunset attacks in the capital.Violence in the city had previously been concentrated during morning rush hour.No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks.Sunni militant groups such as the powerful Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant jihadist group are often blamed for such bombings targeting civilians, including those against Sunnis, because the insurgent groups do not regard them as sufficiently faithful.Elsewhere in Iraq, attacks north of the capital killed two people including a police colonel.Violence in Iraq is at its highest level since 2008, with near-daily attacks across the country, and anti-government fighters in control of an entire town on Baghdad's doorstep.The bloodshed has been driven principally by anger among the Sunni Arab minority, who complain of mistreatment by the Shiite-led government and security forces, as well as by the civil war in neighbouring Syria.More than 450 people have been killed so far this month and upwards of 2,100 since the beginning of the year, according to AFP figures based on reports from security and medical sources.Analysts and diplomats have called for the Shiite-led authorities to do more to reach out to the disaffected Sunni minority in a bid to reduce support for militancy.But with elections looming on April 30, political leaders have been loath to be seen to compromise.

251 Congolese killed in Lake Albert boat disaster: DRC

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KINSHASA (AFP) - At least 251 Congolese refugees drowned in the weekend sinking of a crowded boat on Lake Albert, the Congolese government confirmed Thursday, declaring three days of national mourning.The boat was travelling from Uganda, which sits across the lake from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and was transporting around 300 people who were returning home from refugee camps.It is with deep sorrow that we confirm to the nation the death of 251 of our compatriots who had boarded the boat from the Ugandan side of Lake Albert, government spokesman Lambert Mende told reporters.Congolese President Joseph Kabila proclaimed three days of public mourning starting on Thursday to show solidarity and compassion with the entire Congolese nation, Mende said.The boat was transporting refugees who had fled fighting between the Congolese military and ADF rebels, and were returning home on their own initiative.These men and women, along with their children, had decided to leave the camp at Kyangwali because of the poor quality of the welcome to which they were subjected, said Mende.They have unfortunately not followed the traditional method of repatriation, a method that involves the host country, in this case Uganda, the country of origin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the UN High Commission for Refugees, he said.UNHCR said it was one of two boats leaving Hoima district on the eastern shore of the lake on Saturday.The body count has mounted rapidly in recent days. Initial reports on Saturday said 20 had died, but this increased to 98 by Monday and 107 on Tuesday, including 57 children.Navigation on central Africas Great Lakes can be as perilous as sailing in high seas when the weather is rough. Accidents often lead to very high casualty tolls, partly because of a lack of life-jackets and also because relatively few people know how to swim.Saturdays disaster happened just days after Congolese authorities launched a campaign to enforce the wearing of life jackets aboard all boats on the nations many waterways.Uganda remains a haven for refugees, according to UNHCR. While most of the new arrivals have fled conflict in South Sudan, the country is still home to 175,000 Congolese among a total of almost 329,000 refugees registered at the end of February.The agency has in the past three months registered a rise in the number of Congolese refugees spontaneously returning to the DRC, after the Congolese army last November won a major military victory over rebels of the Movement of March 23 (M23) in the troubled east.Congolese people who decide to go home either cross Lake Albert or travel by road, the UNHCR added, saying a campaign to warn refugees of the risks of taking to the water was already in hand.

Tennis: Serena powers into Miami final

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MIAMI (AFP) - Serena Williams extended her dominance of Maria Sharapova on Thursday, defeating the Russian 6-4, 6-3 to reach the final of the Miami hardcourt tournament for the ninth time.World number one Williams will be seeking a second straight Miami crown -- and the seventh of her career -- on Saturday, when she takes on either Australian Open champion Li Na of China or Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova in the women's final of the combined WTA and ATP Masters event.Sharapova, ranked fifth in the world and seeded fourth, seized the first break in each set, but couldn't build on her advantage as she went down to Williams for a 15th straight time.Williams leads their career head-to-head 16-2, and Sharapova's two victories in the rivalry came back in 2004, when a precocious 17-year-old Sharapova beat Williams in the finals at Wimbledon and the WTA Championships.Sharapova gave herself plenty of chances to reverse almost a decade of futility, breaking Williams once en route to a 4-1 lead in the opening set only for Williams to roar back, winning five straight games to take the set.I knew that I could play better, Williams said of keeping her composure in the face of the big deficit. I knew I could pick it up a level.It wasn't easy. Obviously Maria plays really well ... I just decided I had to do a little better, stay focused and make more shots, added Williams, who finished with 21 winners to 22 unforced errors and eight aces.After breaking for a 2-0 lead in the second, Sharapova took a 40-15 lead on her own serve, but Williams chipped away and gained the break to put the set back on serve.She broke Sharapova at love for a 4-3 lead, and broke her again to seal the victory after an hour and 37 minutes.Williams, sporting the colors of the NFL's Miami Dolphins of which she is a part-owner, was surprised when an on-court interviewer told her she was in a ninth Miami final.That's pretty awesome -- I didn't realize, she said. But I just love playing here in Miami. This is my home.For Sharapova it was another disappointing finish in Miami, where she has reached five finals but never lifted the trophy.In Thursday's second semi-final, world number two Li was seeking to improve her perfect 6-0 record against 11th-ranked Cibulkova.Li beat Cibulkova in the Australian Open final in January to claim her second career Grand Slam title, and downed the Slovakian again in the quarter-finals at Indian Wells this month.Li beat former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the quarter-finals on Wednesday while Cibulkova survived three match points en route to a victory over world number three Agnieszka Radwanska.Li said she expected a tough match against Cibulkova, and she'd be focused only on the task at hand and not on prior victories.Every city is different, every court different, ball different. Just looking forward for tomorrow. She's playing well, I'm playing well. (We'll) just see who can be better.

Tennis: Berdych books Miami semi-final berth

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MIAMI (AFP) - Seventh-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych secured his semi-final berth at the Miami ATP Masters Thursday with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) win over Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov.In Fridays semi-finals Berdych will face either world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain or Canadian Milos Raonic, who were due to play later Thursday.Thanks to his quarter-final victory, Berdych is projected to rise from his current seventh in the world to number five next week.The Czech already has one title to his credit in 2014, at Rotterdam, and a runner-up finish in Dubai where he fell to Swiss great Roger Federer in the final.Berdych is seeking a second trip to the final at Miami, where he lost to Andy Roddick in the title match in 2010.

Formula One: Hamilton eyes best chance for Malaysian win

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SEPANG (AFP) - Lewis Hamilton Thursday said he may have his best chance yet to finally win the Malaysian Grand Prix despite a disappointing mechanical flop in Australia which left him trailing in the standings.Hamilton said his Mercedes, which took him to pole position at the Formula One season-opener but then lasted just a few laps of the race, was the strongest he had brought to tropical Malaysia's Sepang circuit.I've had some good results here but obviously I haven't won here. So that's been the challenge every time I come, said Hamilton, who was second in 2007 and finished third last year and the year before.The goal is obviously to win, but this is perhaps the year that I've had the best car to be able to do so. So I'm hoping that we have a chance to capitalise on that.The 2008 world champion was the prime performer in pre-season and he was runaway favourite to win in Australia after snatching a thrilling pole position at Melbourne's Albert Park.But a misfiring cylinder ended Hamilton's race within minutes as Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg flew to a commanding win 25 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger.Hamilton, who said he expects to use the same engine this week, said he already had a serious deficit to make up on Rosberg, but added that he had no problem playing catch-up.It depends how you look at it. Me, I like to chase, so it may have done me a favour, said the 29-year-old Briton.Reliability's going to be put to the real test this weekend. Because it's so hot, the engine's going to be on the absolute limit, he added.I really don't know how big the advantage (of Mercedes) is going to be. I'm sure people will have made some improvements this weekend so maybe it'll be a bit closer... Everyone's stepping up and everyone's pushing.Rosberg now finds himself in the novel position of leading the championship standings, and he said he was more than happy with Formula One's new era following a raft of technical changes.It's changed around the pecking order which is definitely good for everybody because (with) the same guy winning last year... we needed a bit of a change to that, so that's been good, said the German.Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who won his fourth straight world title last year at a canter, also had problems in Melbourne and retired early.

Golf: Europe dominate EurAsia Cup opening day

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KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Team Europe took a huge step towards winning the inaugural EurAsia Cup Thursday when they crushed Asia 5-0 in the opening day four-ball matches of the Ryder Cup-styled event.European captain Miguel Angel Jimenez and fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal gave them the perfect start by beating Team Asia leader Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2 and 1 in Malaysias capital Kuala Lumpur.Three of the other five matches were as easily won by the Europeans at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.Only Malaysias Nicholas Fung and his South Korean partner Kim Hyung-Sung had a good opportunity to give Asia a point after going three-up through seven holes.But Europes pairing of Graeme McDowell and Jamie Donaldson went on the offensive and turned it around to register a 3 and 1 victory.We somehow managed to make the turn at one-down which was huge, McDowell said. And this guy (Donaldson) had a phenomenal back nine... It was great to watch.Danish pairing Thomas Bjorn and Thorbjorn Olesen beat Japans Koumei Oda and Hideto Tanihara 2 up while Frances Victor Dubuisson and Joost Luiten of the Netherlands defeated Thai Prayad Marksaeng and Bangladeshs Siddikur Rahman 3 and 2.Spains Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Stephen Gallacher of Scotland enjoyed the biggest win of the day, defeating Indias Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri 4 and 3.Before tee-off, Malaysias prime minister led a minute of silence together with the two team captains as a tribute to Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.Malaysia says the Beijing-bound flight that lost contact shortly after take-off from Kuala Lumpur on March 8 crashed into the southern Indian Ocean with 239 people aboard.All players and officials wore black ribbons, and visitors were able to leave a message on a wall of condolence, the organisers said.The new Ryder Cup-style team tournament has incensed the administrators of a rival tournament, the Royal Trophy, a similar Europe versus Asia competition launched in 2006.Organisers of the Royal Trophy, which was spearheaded by late Spanish great Seve Ballesteros, have repeatedly cried foul over the EurAsia Cup and sparred with the European Tour, a joint backer along with the Asian Tour.In our opinion, today is a very sad day for golf, Ivan Ballesteros, co-managing director of the Royal Trophy and nephew of Seve, said Thursday.For us, the launch of the EurAsia Cup is an act of aggression by the Asian and European Tours against the Royal Trophy and all of its partners, he added in the statement.The EurAsia Cup continues with five foursomes pairings on Friday and finishes with 10 singles matches on Saturday.Europe only need another five-and-a-half points from the 15 that will be available over the next two days to claim the trophy.Thongchai, who has been bullish about his teams chances, said he was still hopeful of better days ahead.We will make changes to our partnership for tomorrow... as it is a tricky format, the Thai said.We have to be at our best if we are to close the gap. The Europeans have more experience playing in this situation.Donaldson too said he was not underestimating Asia despite the first round whitewash.To be five-nil up is a fantastic start. We have always said we cant underestimate them, because at the end of the day, we are playing in Malaysia, the Welshman said.

Oil prices surge on Nigeria supply worries

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices rose solidly on Thursday for a second day running amid worries about curtailed supplies from Nigeria and more signs of strength in the US economy.New Yorks main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in May, rose $1.02 from Wednesday to $101.28 a barrel.Brent North Sea crude for May added 80 cents to stand at $107.83 a barrel in London trade.The gains came after Shell declared force majeure on deliveries of its crude from the Forcados terminal in Nigeria after a major export pipeline was sabotaged.Meanwhile, demand prospects in the United States looked better after fourth-quarter economic growth was increased to a 2.6 percent annual rate, with the upward revision coming from stronger consumer spending.Tighter crude supplies in the Cushing, Oklahoma. depot where WTI is delivered also underpinned the higher US prices.While geopolitical events will influence price of Brent, WTI prices will be guided by economic data from the US, said Ernst & Young analyst Sanjeev Gupta.

Dollar pushes higher vs euro for 3rd day

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar sustained its rebound against the euro for a third straight session Thursday helped by an increased estimate of US fourth quarter growth and more sluggish data from Europe.At 2100 GMT, the euro was at $1.3742, compared to $1.3781 late Wednesday.The euro hit a 29 month peak of $1.3931 to the dollar on March 19 but has since succumbed to worries of overvaluation as the US economy outpaces the eurozone's.The US Commerce Department increased its estimate of economic growth in the last quarter of 2013 to 2.6 percent from 2.4 percent, with the gain helped by larger-than-estimated consumer spending.But in Europe, the European Central Bank reported that bank lending to businesses remained in a slump in February, down 2.2 percent from a year earlier.The dollar's gains were not all around: it still fell against the British pound, and the Australian and Canadian dollars, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management.The pound rose to $1.6610 from $1.6576, while the dollar slipped to 0.8272 Swiss franc from 0.8312 franc.Unfortunately forex traders were not impressed by today's reports and the lack of enthusiasm was also seen in equities and Treasuries, she said.The yen was mixed ahead of the advent of a new sales tax, with Japanese people reportedly rushing to shop before it comes into effect on April 1.The dollar rose to 102.17 yen from 102.00, but the euro fell to 140.41 yen from 140.57.Analyst fear consumer spending could slump, and the economy with it, after the tax is implemented.The bearish sentiment surrounding the Japanese yen may gather pace going into April as market participants see the consumer-tax hike dragging on the economic recovery, said David Song of DailyFX.

One in 68 kids has autism: US study

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - One in 68 US children has autism, a 30 percent rise over the last estimate released in 2012, health authorities said Thursday.The report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised concern and sparked calls for early screening, as well as more research and investment.Autism is a developmental disorder that has no known cause or cure. It affects people of all races with a range of difficulties in social, emotional and communication skills.Recent research suggests the disorder may originate in the womb, and could be linked to defects that arise during prenatal brain growth. The proportion of children with autism and higher IQ (is) on the rise, the CDC said in a statement.Previously, as many as one in 88 US children were known to have autism spectrum disorder, or ASD.The findings were based on diagnoses of eight-year-olds at 11 US sites in 2010.The prevalence of autism varied widely, from one in 175 children in Alabama to one in 45 children in New Jersey. The data continued to show that autism is five times more common in boys than in girls. In the United States, one in 42 boys is diagnosed with autism, compared to one in 189 girls.The reasons for the rise were unclear, but the CDC said the criteria used to diagnose autism spectrum disorder and the methods used to collect data have not changed.The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement that said the CDC report shows the urgent need for better screening and intervention strategies. It's critical that we as a society do not become numb to these numbers, said Susan Hyman, chair of the AAP autism subcommittee.They remind us of the work we need to do in educating clinicians and parents in effective interventions for all children, including those with developmental disabilities.The CDC report also found that most children were diagnosed after age four, although the disorder can be identified by age two.Symptoms of developmental delays at age one could include not saying mama or dada, not crawling, or not being able to point or wave, the CDC said on its website.By age two, signs could include not following instructions, being unable to say two-word phrases like drink milk, not knowing what to do with common objects like a fork and spoon, or losing skills the child once had.Community leaders, health professionals, educators and childcare providers should use these data to ensure children with ASD are identified as early as possible and connected to the services they need, said Coleen Boyle, director of the CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.Congressman Chris Smith, chairman of the House Global Health Subcommittee and co-chairman of the bipartisan Coalition on Autism Research and Education, called the CDC report deeply disturbing and an ominous trend.The bottom line: more children, more families are struggling with autism and the federal government must do more to help.

Court set to order India cricket chief to quit

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - India's Supreme Court was expected to issue an order Friday for beleaguered cricket board chief N. Srinivasan to quit, after proposing his replacement by batting legend Sunil Gavaskar over a betting scandal.A two-judge panel has warned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it will issue an order for Srinivasan's dismissal on Friday after describing his refusal to quit so far as nauseating.At a dramatic hearing in New Delhi on Thursday, a panel of judges also called for the banning of two teams from this year's Indian Premier League (IPL), in a potentially devastating blow to a tournament which begins next month.The judges also proposed that Gavaskar take over on an interim basis as president, a post the 64-year-old said he was willing to take on.As an opening batsman, you must be ready for all kinds of challenges, said Gavaskar, the first player to score 10,000 runs in Test match cricket and who is now a TV commentator.I will do everything to the best of my abilities. If the highest court is reposing this faith in me, I'll be very happy to do what they ask me to do, he told NDTV.Srinivasan's counsel told the court his client was willing to step aside while an investigation into allegations of illegal betting and spot-fixing continue.But the judges have not been swayed by the proposal, aware that Srinivasan also stood aside last year before resuming his duties and then winning re-election.The panel is looking at a damning report it commissioned into wrongdoing in last year's tournament when former Test bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was caught deliberately bowling badly while playing for the Rajasthan Royals in return for thousands of dollars from bookmakers.Released in February, the report also concluded that Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan -- who was the team principal of the Chennai Super Kings -- could be guilty of illegal betting on IPL games.The Super Kings are owned by India Cements, whose managing director is Srinivasan. The team are captained by India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.In the light of the allegations involving the two teams, the judges said they should not be allowed to take part in this year's tournament.Such a ban would represent a massive blow to the eight-team IPL, which begins next month in the United Arab Emirates. The start of this year's tournament has been relocated as India is holding a general election.Srinivasan had been regarded as the most powerful man in world cricket and is still due to take over in July as head of the International Cricket Council.With its massive TV audiences, India generates almost 70 percent of the game's revenues and several of the smaller Test nations are heavily dependent on its largesse.International news organisations, including Agence France-Presse (AFP), have suspended their on-field coverage of matches hosted by the BCCI since 2012 after the board imposed restrictions on picture agencies.

Afghanistan hailed for Laureus spirit award

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CHITTAGONG (AFP) - Afghanistan's cricket team on Thursday were hailed after they received the prestigious Laureus Spirit of Sport award.Afghanistan were awarded the prize in recognition of their swift rise in world cricket and their maiden qualification for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2015.They also featured in the first round of the ongoing World Twenty20 -- their third World Twenty20 participation.Afghanistan have enjoyed a fairytale rise in cricket after winning the International Cricket Council's divisions from five to two in 2009. They also finished runners-up in the 2010 Asian Games in China.We have been aware of the inspiring rise of cricket in Afghanistan for some time, said ICC chief executive, David Richardson.However by receiving this prestigious award it is clear that the wider international sports community has now also recognized the significant, positive influence cricket is having in Afghanistan.The ICC has a special funding for Afghanistan and granted them a bonus of one million dollars to prepare for the 2015 World Cup.

Hales confident first England hundred would come

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CHITTAGONG (AFP) - Alex Hales said he always had confidence he'd be the first man to score a Twenty20 international hundred for England after leading his side to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka.Hales hit a brilliant 116 off just 64 balls to help England chase down a daunting 190-run target for their first win in two Group One games at the World Twenty20 in Chittagong.Having previously missed a Twenty20 hundred -- making 99 against the West Indies in 2012 on his Trent Bridge home ground and 94 against Australia last year -- he finally fulfilled his promise on Thursday.I always had the confidence I would get the chance again, said 25-year-old Hales.He smashed two sixes off paceman Nuwan Kulasekara in the 19th over -- the first helped him reach his hundred off 60 balls -- and then knocked another one in Angelo Mathews's next to seal the win.Hundreds don't come around very often in the short format so I am buzzing I got it today and in a huge fixture for our country. It's an amazing feeling. It still hasn't sunk in.Hales and Eoin Morgan (57) led the fightback through their 152-run third wicket stand -- a new record in all Twenty20 internationals -- after Kulasekara jolted England with two wickets in the first over without a run on the board.Hales' heroics stunned the Sri Lankans who now have two wins in three games.South Africa also have two wins in three and New Zealand have one in two matches.Hales said he and Morgan knew the wicket was good for batting.It wasn't an ideal start but we saw by the way they (Sri Lanka) batted it was an excellent wicket and the way 'Morgy' came in straight away and took the game back to them made my job a lot easier, said Hales. We had plans to stay in the game as long as we could, get a partnership and reassess at the halfway stage. It paid off.Hales praised Morgan's contribution.We needed about 12 an over so we always knew it would be a tough ask but 'Morgy' played brilliantly and then Ravi (Bopara) came in against the danger man (Lasith) Malinga and hit the first two balls for four.Hales hoped England could carry on the momentum.We are underdogs in this tournament. Playing in the sub-continent historically we haven't gone too well but this win will help us build momentum for the next two games, we've still got to play Holland and South Africa. I think if we perform to the best of our ability we'll get two wins.England next play South Africa on Saturday -- a match likely to decide their fate for the semis.

World T20: England beat Sri Lanka by six wickets

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CHITTAGONG (AFP) - Opener Alex Hales smashed a maiden hundred to help England upset world number one Sri Lanka in a thrilling World Twenty20 Super-10 stage match in Chittagong on Thursday.The 24-year-old smashed a 64-ball 116 not out as England chased down a challenging 190-run target in 19.2 overs.With England needing 23 off the last two overs Hales smashed Nuwan Kulasekara for a six to reach his hundred off 60 balls and then hit Angelo Mathews for the winning six, to anchor England's best chase in all T20 cricket.Hales hit six sixes and 11 boundaries in a breathtaking display of batting.The victory gives England their first win in two games while Sri Lanka lost their first in three to leave Group One wide open with South Africa beating the Netherlands by six runs earlier in the day for their second win in three matches.New Zealand have one win in two matches.England were rocked by Kulasekara (4-32) in the first over when he bowled Michael Lumb off the fifth ball and had Moeen Ali caught in the slips off the last to leave England reeling at 0-2.But Hales and Eoin Morgan took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers, as Hales smashed three sixes and a four off Ajantha Mendis.Mendis went for 52 runs in his four overs as spinners found the ball hard to grip because of the excessive dew.Morgan was finally dismissed by Kulasekara with 38 needed for victory.The previous best third wicket stand in all T20s was 137 set by thed New Zealand pair of Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson against Zimbabwe at Auckland in 2012.Sri Lanka's total was built around 89 by Mahela Jayawardene and 55 by Tillakaratne Dilshan.Jayawardene hit 11 boundaries and three sixes during his 51-ball knock and Dilshan smashed two sixes and four fours in his 47-ball innings as the two added 145 for the second wicket.Jayawardene was lucky not to be out off the first ball he faced when television replays showed Lumb took a brilliant catch off Jade Dernbach.But the on-field umpires -- Rod Tucker at the non-striker's end and Aleem Dar of Pakistan -- referred the catch to television umpire Steve Davis.Davis, also from Australia, ruled replays were inconclusive.That did not end England's misery as their fielders dropped as many as four catches, twice off Jayawardene on five and 82, and one off Dilshan on 21 and in the final over off Thisara Perera who made 23 not out.England dismissed opener Kusal Perera for three in the second over.Jayawardene smashed James Tredwell for his eighth boundary to complete his ninth half-century off just 32 balls.He was finally bowled by Chris Jordan. Both Jordan and Dernbach picked up two wickets apiece.Australia take on defending champions the West Indies and India face Bangladesh in Group Two in Dhaka on Friday.Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. The final will be played in Dhaka on April 6.

Turkey bans YouTube after Syria security talk leaked

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ANKARA (AFP) - Turkey banned video-sharing website YouTube on Thursday, having blocked Twitter a week earlier after both were used to spread audio recordings damaging to the government, local media reported.The move came hours after the release of an audio file on YouTube, purporting to be of a security meeting in which top government, military and spy officials discuss a possible scenario for military action inside Syria.Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogans government informed mobile phone operators and internet service providers of its decision to block YouTube, the Hurriyet newspaper reported on its website.The move came a day after a court ordered a suspension of the Twitter ban.The foreign ministry slammed the latest leak as a vile attack and espionage against the countrys national security.It added that it was a natural practice by the state to discuss how to protect Turkish property from terrorist elements but added that some part of the conversation had been distorted.Erdogan, whose party faces key local elections Sunday, has been dogged by a string of leaks, including apparent wire taps suggesting a major corruption scandal, which have gone viral on Twitter and other social media.
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