Sunday 27 April 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Three-in-a-row for Sharapova in Stuttgart

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STUTTGART (AFP) - Maria Sharapova claimed a hat-trick of Stuttgart titles on Sunday after coming from behind to win a three-set battle royal with Ana Ivanovic in Sundays final.Having won the 2012 and 2013 titles here, the 27-year-old Sharapova was made to work hard for her 13th consecutive win on Stuttgarts clay-courts for the 30th final win of her career before over-powering Ivanovic to claim a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory in just over two hours.That was a tough bit of work, said Sharapova, who has won all four Grand Slam titles.I have always believed in my chances and the fighting spirit is something that comes from within me.This was the first time Sharapova has claimed a third title at an individual tournament and comes on the back of last years shoulder injury.This time around its been extremely tough, thats why this win is so special, admitted Sharapova.The Russian collects the winners cheque of 96,774 euros (US$133,896) and a brand-new sports car.I will need to build a new garage to get all the cars in, she joked as she collected her third Porsche sports car in as many years from the tournament director.It is the Russians first clay-court tournament in her build-up to the French Open, having lost to Serena Williams in last years final.We have seen what a great player Maria is, admitted Ivanovic.Having been taken to three sets by the Czech Republics Lucie Safarova in her first-round match, Russias Sharapova had swept into the final with straight set wins over compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, top-seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, then Italian clay-court specialist Sara Errani in the semi-finals.But Ivanovic, the ninth seed, made the statuesque Russian dig deep and the 26-year-old wasted no time asserting herself over Sharapova, racing into a a 5-0 lead in the first set before the defending champion responded, but the Serbian held her serve to take the first set.Having won her previous tournament in Monterrey, Mexico, last month, Ivanovic went 3-1 up in the second but the matchs momentum turned against her when Sharapova broke her, then fought her way back to take the set.Ivanovic had been chasing her first win over the Russian since the 2007 French Open semi-final, when Ivanovic went onto lose to Justine Henin in the final, but the Serbian ran out of steam and sixth seed Sharapova showed her experience to win 11 of the last 13 games.

Football: Advantage City after Chelsea stun Liverpool

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LONDON (AFP) - Manchester City revived their Premier League title bid after a 2-0 win away to Crystal Palace on Sunday saw them move to within three points of leaders Liverpool with a game in hand. Edin Dzeko's fourth-minute header put City ahead before Yaya Toure doubled their lead shortly before half-time when he curled a shot beyond goalkeeper Julian Speroni.Victory also left City just a point behind second-placed Chelsea, who beat table-toppers Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield earlier on Sunday. Significantly, Manuel Pellegrini's City side still have three league games to play this season compared to Liverpool and Chelsea's two apiece.If City and Liverpool win all their remaining league matches they will both finish with 86 points.However, City currently have a superior goal difference of 58 compared to Liverpool's 50 and Chelsea's 43. Shortly before City kicked-off at Selhurst Park, Chelsea kept their hopes of an English and European double alive with victory at Anfield.Senegal striker Demba Ba gave Chelsea the lead in first-half stoppage time when a slip by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard allowed him to charge through and beat Reds goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in a one-on-one.Chelsea put the result beyond doubt in added time at the end of the match when, with the hosts pressing for an equaliser, former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres led a counter-attack before squaring the ball to substitute Willian for a simple finish.Chelsea face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday after a goalless initial encounter in Spain.Despite Sunday's success, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insisted either Liverpool or City would end the season as champions of England.Now we can say we won both matches against the champions, Mourinho told Sky Sports. If it's Liverpool, we won both. If it's City, we won both.The champions will be City or Liverpool so we have nothing to celebrate, the Portuguese added after making seven changes to his starting side at Anfield.Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, a member of the backroom staff during Mourinho's first spell at Stamford Bridge, bemoaned Chelsea's defensive style.There was (were) probably two buses parked today, rather than one, he said.It's the style of football, it's a defensive style. It's the polar opposite to how we work.But Rodgers insisted all was not lost for Liverpool.We are still two points ahead of a team (Chelsea) that has spent an absolute fortune. If we win our last two games we finish above them and then we'll see what happens with Manchester City.Earlier on Sunday, Sunderland climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 4-0 win at home to 10-man fellow strugglers Cardiff City.Connor Wickham headed Sunderland, who kicked off bottom of the table, into a 26th-minute lead at the Stadium of Light but the match took a decisive turn on the stroke of half-time.Wickham was bearing down on goal when his shirt was tugged by Cardiff centre-back Juan Cala, whose poor back-pass had let him in.Referee Phil Dowd played an advantage after Wickham stayed on his feet but, when that didn't lead to a goal, the referee blew for a penalty and sent off Cala.Fabio Borini, as he'd done in Sunderland's shock 2-1 win over Chelsea last week, scored from the spot.Emanuele Giaccherini put the result beyond doubt before Wickham headed in his second goal four minutes from time.Sunderland's victory saw Gus Poyet's side move above Norwich, who dropped into the relegation zone on goal difference, and plunged Cardiff to the bottom.Saturday saw Ryan Giggs launch his reign as interim Manchester United manager following the sacking of David Moyes with a 4-0 home thrashing of Norwich City.Everton missed the chance to go above Arsenal in the race for fourth position, and a place in next season's Champions League, after two own-goals condemned them to a 2-0 loss at Southampton.Arsenal will move four points in front of Everton with two games to play if they beat Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.

Football: Ajax clinch fourth straight Dutch title

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THE HAGUE (AFP) - Ajax secured their fourth consecutive Dutch title on Sunday, and the 33rd of their history, after a 1-1 draw away to Heracles Almelo on the penultimate weekend of the season.Lasse Schone gave Ajax the lead, and while Heracles soon drew level, the result gives the Amsterdam side an unassailable lead of four points from second-placed Feyenoord, who won 5-1 at home to Cambuur.Frank de Boer's side have now equalled the Dutch league record for the most successive titles.The triumph also guarantees direct qualification for next season's Champions League group stage for Ajax, who bounced back from their shock 5-1 loss to Zwolle in the final of the Dutch Cup last weekend.De Boer, 43, won the title five times with Ajax as a player and has added four more in a row as coach, something that neither Rinus Michels nor Louis van Gaal, two Ajax coaching greats, ever managed.Ajax's success comes despite the sale of a host of players last summer, including defender Toby Alderweireld, who joined Atletico Madrid, and Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen, who joined Tottenham Hotspur.Feyenoord are guaranteed to finish second, which carries with it a place in the qualifying rounds for the Champions League.

Motorcycling: Marquez wins Argentina MotoGP

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TERMAS DE RIO HONDO (AFP) - World champion Marc Marquez clinched his third win in three races this season with victory in the Argentina MotoGP on Sunday.The 21-year-old Spaniard also became the first rider in 43 years to win the the first three rounds from pole position.His Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa was second with Yamaha duo Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi in third and fourth spot respectively.Marquez, who had won in Doha and Austin, slipped back to fifth place after a poor start which saw 2010 and 2012 world champion Lorenzo storm to the front.Nine-time world champion Rossi moved into third, but it was Lorenzo who stayed in front.However, with nine of the 25 laps remaining, Marquez pounced to take the lead which he would not relinquish.Lorenzo tried desperately to cling on to second spot, but Pedrosa's Honda had too much power and his compatriot passed him on the last lap.Marquez won by 1.837sec from Pedrosa with Lorenzo 3.201sec off the pace and Rossi finishing almost five seconds behind.Marquez has a perfect 75 points in the championship standings with Pedrosa on 56 and Rossi in third on 41 points.The beginning was difficult. My tyres were not good and I span as I was on the dirty side of the track, said the world champion.But it was fun. Jorge opened the gap and I just kept pushing to catch him at the end.Lorenzo admitted that the Yamahas are struggling to match the pace of the Honda duo.I didn't expect to stay in front for so many laps, he said.I was pushing hard but Dani was faster than me. It's a hard time for us at the moment but we need to keep strong.I want to improve my physical condition still and also the bike and when the moment arrives I think we will be ready to win races. We have to keep improving and have patience and wait for our moment.Rossi, who raced in the old 250cc class when Argentina last hosted a grand prix in 1999, said the Honda of Stefan Bradl may have cost him a podium place.I had the potential and the pace to end on the podium and especially to fight with the three guys in front, said the Italian, who had been running in second place early in the race.Unfortunately in the first laps I made a mistake and lost a bit but I lost some more when Bradl made a mistake. He arrived too deep in braking and he pushed me out of the track and I lost two seconds and so the podium.Moto2 world championship leader Esteve Rabat clinched his second win of the season as the 24-year-old Spaniard consolidated his domination of the division.Rabat, on a Kalex, had already won the opener in Doha before adding a second place in Austin.Rabat led from pole to finish with Belgium's Xavier Simeon finishing second and Spain's Luis Salom completing the podium.Maverick Vinales, the 2013 world champion in Moto3 and the winner in Austin last time out, retired on the fifth lap after a fallItaly's Romano Fenati won the Moto3 race as Australian Jack Miller failed to make it three wins from three races.Fenati, riding a KTM, came home ahead of Spanish Honda rider Alex Marquez while Miller, also on a KTM, came third.Miller stays in charge of the championship with a 17-point lead over Fenati.The fourth round of the world championship takes place in Jerez next weekend.

Eight new MERS deaths take Saudi toll to 102: ministry

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JEDDAH (AFP) - The Saudi health ministry announced eight new deaths from the MERS virus on Sunday taking the kingdom's death toll from the disease to 102.A full 39 of the deaths have been this month, sparking growing public concern about the virus that first emerged in April 2012.Among the latest deaths was a nine-month-old infant, the ministry said.The number of recorded infections in the kingdom has risen to 339, it added.Among them were four medical staff at a single hospital in Tabuk in the northwest, two doctors -- one Egyptian and one Syrian -- and two Philippine nurses.Panic over the spread of the virus among medical staff in the western city of Jeddah led to the temporary closure of a main hospital's emergency room. At least four doctors at Jeddah's King Fahd Hospital resigned earlier this month after refusing to treat MERS patients for fear of infection.

Waziristan: Landmine blast kills 3 security personnel

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WAZIRISTAN (Dunya News) – At least three security personnel including an officer were martyred while another three injured in a landmine explosion at border between North and South Waziristan, Dunya News reported.According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), militants had planted the explosives on the roadside that exploded as the convoy passed by the site.

'Russian Zuckerberg' quits homeland with parting shot

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MOSCOW (AFP) - Imagine if Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg suddenly announced he was resigning, only to reveal days later it was only a joke. And then was forced out a month later after all.And imagine if Zuckerberg claimed the White House took control of the social network before fleeing his homeland, saying it was impossible to do business there and he had no plan to ever return.It seems incredible but this is exactly the surreal scenario played out at Russias biggest social network VKontakte (VK) which far outstrips Facebook in terms of popularity and influence in the former Soviet Union, with 60 million users in Russia and 100 million in the ex-USSR.The extraordinary saga at VK would make the 2010 hit movie about Zuckerberg and Facebook, The Social Network, look almost tame by comparison.VK was founded in 2006 by philosophy student Pavel Durov, now 29, shortly after he graduated from Saint Petersburg University and his meteoric rise almost mirrored that of Zuckerberg, also 29.By early 2007, it already had one million users and the network and Durov became symbols of the explosive changes brought by the late, but swift, spread of Internet use in Russia.VK became the platform in Russia for networking with friends, following celebrities or even organising political protests such as the rallies that rocked Russia in 2011-2012 and then the protests in Ukraine in the last year.Durov himself attained almost mystical status, hardly ever giving interviews or appearing in public.In a stunt typical of his unpredictable behaviour, in 2012 he showered high-denomination notes on pedestrians from VKs headquarters on top of a historic bookstore on Saint Petersburgs Nevsky Prospekt.But while VK remains as popular as ever, the last year has been more horror story than fairy tale for the company.-So long, thanks for the fish-Trouble had been brewing for some time but the crisis broke into the open in April 2013 when investment vehicle United Capital Partners (UCP) acquired a 48-percent stake in the company from two of Durovs former partners, Vyacheslav Mirilashvili and Lev Leviev.Durovs supporters have long alleged there to be a Kremlin hand behind UCP, sensing the influence of President Vladimir Putins close ally and chief executive of the Rosneft oil giant Igor Sechin.But UCP has rubbished such suggestions of links to Sechin and the Kremlin. UCP is a private investment partnership controlled by Ilya Shcherbovich, a well-known Russian investment professional, it said in a statement.UCPs patience snapped when Durov developed the fast growing messaging service Telegram -- which its makers insist is far superior and more secure than WhatsApp, which was bought by Facebook for $19 billion.UCP accused Durov of using VK resources to develop Telegram -- which he denied -- and called for it to be integrated into VK, an issue still the subject of a court case.On April 1, Durov announced on his VK page that he was resigning as he no longer had creative freedom at the company.After his statement, he posted a picture of dolphins and the slogan So Long and Thanks for All the Fish, a title in the famous Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy science fiction series.An Aprils Fool joke? Or a serious business announcement? In the end, it turned out to be both.Two days later, Durov rescinded the statement, saying he was just checking how VK would look without him and that he remained the companys CEO.But the shareholders had the last laugh. This week Durov was ousted as chief executive on the technicality that the required one month notice period had passed since his resignation statement.Durov this week announced he had left Russia and is working on a new mobile social network platform with a team in central Europe.Unfortunately, the country is incompatible with Internet business at the moment, he told US technology news website Techcrunch, adding he had no plans to go back to Russia.Ironically, Durov had in March listed seven reasons to live in Russia on his VK page, citing factors like beautiful people, low taxes and potential of development.- I sacrificed a lot -Durov claims to be completely apolitical and working only for the free exchange of information. It was in this spirit that he had offered a job to fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden who received asylum in Russia last year.But he has now styled himself as a protector of information against the Kremlin, refusing to shut down the pages of Russian anti-corruption blogger and opposition leader Alexei Navalny and hand over information about Ukrainian activists.He said meanwhile he had sold his 12-percent stake in VK at the end of last year, in yet another mercurial move that bewildered observers at the time, to be less vulnerable to pressure.Durov sold his stake to telecoms executive Ivan Tavrin who then sold it on to existing VK shareholder, Russian email provider Mail.ru.Mail.ru is controlled by the countrys richest man Alisher Usmanov who keeps a low profile but has never stepped out of line with the Kremlin. Mail.ru now owns 51.99 percent of shares in VK.In his parting message on his VK page, Durov said he believed that the social network was now under the full control of Usmanov and Sechin, for the first time accusing one of Putins most loyal lieutenants of meddling in VK.I had to sacrifice a lot, including my stake in VK. But the protection of personal data of people is worth this and much more, Durov wrote in one of his last posts.UCP sees things very differently, saying Durov presents himself as a political dissident in order to divert attention from his serious legal challenges surrounding the Telegram case.Durov said in his latest comment that he is searching for a permanent base for his mobile social network project in a country that will allow us to develop our projects with privacy and freedom of speech in mind.Symbolically, he posted the statement not on VK, but Facebook.

Nawaz Sharif should step forward to resolve disputes among institutions: Altaf Hussain

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain said on Sunday that Pakistan is facing external and internal anarchy, and that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should step ahead and mediate to end conflict among institutions, Dunya News reported.In a statement issued from London, he said that Prime Minister should call All Parties Conference (APC) session to deliberate over the possible steps to get the country out of the political crises. Altaf Hussain urged Nawaz Sharif to come to National Assembly and Senate without wasting time.He appealed Nawaz Sharif to play a wider role to get the country out of crises.Altaf Hussain said that everybody will be responsible if democracy is harmed, adding that the country has witnessed democracy after several sacrifices.He said Prime Minister should act with maturity and responsibility.MQM Chief said Prime Minister should leave the nation alone and focus on national unity and harmony among national institutions.

Battle for Franc's Alstorm heats up with Simere offer

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PARIS (AFP) - German industrial giant Siemens said Sunday it wanted to discuss strategic opportunities with Frances Alstom, raising the prospect of a takeover tussle with General Electric for the beleaguered firm.The offer came on the heels of reports that the US giant wants to buy the French engineering group, which manufactures the countrys groundbreaking high-speed TGV trains.Alstom is a politically-sensitive symbol of engineering prowess in France and a key exporter, seen as one of the jewels of French industry.GE chief Jeff Immelt was expected in Paris on Sunday but a meeting with Frances Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg was deferred by his office, which said the minister needed more time to examine the offers following Siemens announcement.Montebourgs office did not give a new date or time for the meeting with Immelt.Earlier press reports said GEs boss could also meet with Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Sunday. But informed sources in the government said no such meeting had been pencilled in as yet.Montebourg, a fierce protector of French industry, has pledged to study various options for Alstom following reports that GE would bid to buy the companys power-generation division, accounting for more than 70 percent of its business with revenues of 14 billion euros ($19 billion).He has said the government was exercising patriotic concern and vigilance while handling the case.Siemens chief Joe Kaeser in a letter to Alstom valued the firms energy wing at between 10 and 11 billion euros, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported, adding that he had pledged there would be no job cuts for at least three years.Although the French state has not held a stake in Alstom since 2006, Frances Socialist government wants to obtain guarantees on jobs, the location of activities and energy independence, according to President Francois Hollandes office.- Better for French interests? -US giant GE has 305,000 employees around the world and its revenues last year were $146 billion.Press reports have said GE was ready to fork out 10 billion euros for Alstoms energy division, the largest part of its businesses but which does not include the unit that makes high-speed trains.But the stakes were raised on Sunday when Germanys Siemens said it had submitted a letter to the board of Alstom to signal its willingness to discuss future strategic opportunities.The Siemens statement did not give any other details. The company refused comment when contacted by AFP.When Alstom was on the brink of collapse in 2003-2004, the French state strongly opposed a takeover by Siemens.The group is once again facing a financial crunch and its shares have dropped sharply in the last year.But Alstom chief Patrick Kron is said to remain strongly hostile to any tie-up with the German giant.A Siemens offer has the advantage of being European, said one observer. But is the solution better for French interests than the GE offer? The answer to that question will determine which offers wins.The French stock market regulator suspended trading in Alstom shares on the Paris stock market Friday after they shot up by almost 11 percent to 27.0 euros on bid speculation.The pressures on the group, which put part of its rail activities up for sale earlier this year, come amid a policy switch from President Hollandes government with a drive to cut public spending while relieving taxes on businesses.The measures, highly unpopular with the Socialist left, are intended to get industry back on a competitive track, boost growth and exports and reduce record employment.Jean-Claude Mailly, the head of the Force Ouvriere trade union on Sunday called for the government to buy Alstom shares to allow it a greater say in the group, as one of Frances strategic sectors.He said the two potential offers should be carefully examined to evaluate the impact on jobs and Alstoms activities.GE employs 11,000 workers in France and its European headquarters are located in the eastern town of Belfort. Alstom meanwhile counts 18,000 employees in the country.

Carmakers promise Chinese drivers a breath of fresh air

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BEIJING (AFP) - Air thats cleaner inside your car than on the outside -- in smog-weary China its an attractive sales pitch, and the worlds biggest automakers are racing to cash in.To drive the point home, thick smog blanketed the Chinese capital when the Beijing auto show opened to the public in the past week, showcasing more than 1,000 vehicles in the globes largest car market.The grey haze is a familiar sight over Chinese cities, where an explosion of traffic in recent years has further worsened the pollution belched out by booming factories and coal-fired power plants.Carmakers have long boasted of their ability to cut their vehicles harmful emissions -- but increasingly, they are also adding in air purifiers to lure Chinas army of drivers.Volvo Cars, the Swedish subsidiary of Chinese automaker Geely, launched a publicity campaign last year showcasing a new air-cleaning system that filters out polluting particles and pollen.And Japanese rival Nissan has offered its Forest AC system since 2010 in its luxury Infiniti range -- which besides filtering the air, can add a hint of leafy aroma to help keep the driver alert.- Intelligent filtration -Wang Jiran, a visitor to the Beijing auto show, said he now takes a keen interest in whether or not a car has an in-built air purifier.It is definitely an important index for people who are looking to buy a car, he told AFP, for the sake of family members health.Nissans Forest AC system has another selling point in China -- the nations legions of smokers have been told the system can suck away all traces of cigarette smoke and odour in a mere five minutes.French auto group PSA Peugeot Citroen has also jumped on the bandwagon.Its C-Elysee model already offers an optional air purifier and the company plans to extend the feature from 2016.This will bring the technology to PSAs luxury DS range, as well as additional models depending on their market positioning and what the competition may offer in the future, according to Patrick Andre, chief of PSAs air filtration research team.The companys intelligent filtration system only kicks into action when the vehicle enters a polluted environment.A sophisticated filter blocks 90 percent of fine particles -- those smaller than three micrometres -- while a layer of activated carbon, a porous form of charcoal, can be added to capture pollutive gases, said Andre.In-car air purification may have been around for 30 years already, but the push to advance the technology has accelerated in recent years as pollution in China reaches crisis level.- Polluted promised land -Suppliers to the manufacturing giants are just as anxious to enter the potentially lucrative market.French parts maker Valeo has been developing a new system in China to replace its traditional air filter, and says it has already secured a customer.China could become a polluted promised land for parts manufacturers like Valeo.The air quality is a general challenge in the country, and Chinese drivers are more and more conscious of it, said Edouard de Piray, the Shanghai-based president of Valeo in China.Smartphone apps now allow people to constantly check pollution levels, he said.Lots of people already have particle filters at home to protect their children, de Piray added, predicting that similar systems in peoples cars would be the next step.Especially after the now notorious images of Chinese cities hit by the airpocalypse, analysts say the industry anticipates the demand for in-car air purification to grow.Chinese consumers are more much aware now of what is safe and what is not in terms of air quality, said Namrita Chow, Shanghai-based analyst for IHS Automotive.If you can highlight youve got a safer car with a cleaner air and better safety systems, youre going to attract more buyers.And even if China is the main target for this new technology, purification systems could also prove a hit amongst European drivers, analysts predict.Pollution is also a problem in Europe -- just look at the smog that hit France in March, said Patrick Andre of Peugeot Citroen.Mass production in China, meanwhile, could bring down the cost of developing the filters, he added.

Real negotiations are yet to start: Prof Ibrahim

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PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – Taliban committee member Professor Ibrahim said on Sunday that real negotiations phase is yet to begin, adding that what’s underway now is merely to pave the way, Dunya News reported.He appealed to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to extend ceasefire and to stop attacking defence institutions and that the army shouldn’t resort to jet bombardments either.Professor Ibrahim said that the army should stop operation, asserting that both parties should get serious in dialogue process.Taliban negotiator said both the government and the Taliban committee should have a meeting with army chief, adding that the army should trust the government if they can’t become part of the peace talks.Talking about former president Pervez Musharraf’s case, he said that the federal government would solely be responsible if Musharraf was sent abroad. It merits mentioning here that Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Sami (JUI-S) Chief Maulana Samiul Haq said on Sunday that attempts are being made to sabotage the ongoing peace talks process.Addressing Maulana Mohammad Ibrahim Fani Conference, Samiul Haq said that government and army are on same page with regards to negotiating with Taliban. He said that establishment of peace is top priority but the process is being sabotaged by creating artificial crises by some elements.He said that those who talk about military operation are enemy of the country.Addressing the conference, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that America and West are enemies of peace in Pakistan. He said that imperialist forces are unitedly conspiring against Islam.Fazlur Rehman said that sweet poison is being mixed into the society’s roots in order to destroy Islamic society and civilization.He said that freedom is being snatched by depriving religious section and seminaries. Fazlur Rehman expressed grave reservations over Protection of Pakistan Act and demanded its abolishment.

Football: Chelsea stun Liverpool to keep double dream alive

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LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea remain in the hunt for a Premier League and Champions League double after a 2-0 win away at leaders Liverpool on Sunday.Victory saw Jose Mourinhos men close to within two points of top spot in the Premier League with two games to play.However, third-placed Manchester City will be just three points off the summit, with a game in hand on both Liverpool and Chelsea, if they win away to Crystal Palace later on Sunday.Senegal striker Demba Ba gave Chelsea the lead in first-half stoppage time when a slip by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard allowed him to charge through and beat Reds goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in a one-on-one.Chelsea put the result beyond doubt in added time at the end of the match when, with the hosts pressing for an equaliser, former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres led a counter-attack before squaring the ball to substitute Willian for a simple finish.Chelsea face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday after a goalless initial encounter in Spain.Despite Sundays success on Merseyside, Chelsea manager Mourinho insisted either Liverpool or City would end the season as champions of England.Now we can say we won both matches against the champions, Mourinho told Sky Sports. If its Liverpool, we won both. If its City, we won both.With these three points we need one point to finish third. It was a good season for us and an evolution in many aspects of this team.The champions will be City or Liverpool so we have nothing to celebrate.Obviously many people would be expecting us to come here and lose 3-0 or 5-0 like others, the Portuguese added after making seven changes to his starting side at Anfield.But the boys had an amazing performance so Im so happy for them and for the fans. This is the spirit we always want at Chelsea Football Club.- Sunderland off the bottom -Earlier on Sunday, Sunderland climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 4-0 win at home to 10-man fellow strugglers Cardiff City.Connor Wickham headed Sunderland, who kicked off bottom of the table, into a 26th-minute lead at the Stadium of Light but the match turned decisively in favour of the home side on the stroke of half-time.Wickham burst clear and was bearing down on goal when his shirt was tugged by Cardiff centre-back Juan Cala, whose poor back-pass had let him in.Phil Dowd played an advantage after Wickham stayed on his feet but, when that didnt lead to a goal, the referee blew for a penalty and sent off Cala.Fabio Borini, as hed done in Sunderlands shock 2-1 win over Chelsea last week, scored from the spot.Emanuele Giaccherini put the result beyond doubt by making it 3-0 in the 76th minute before Wickham headed in his second goal four minutes from time.Sunderlands victory saw Gus Poyets side move above Norwich, who dropped into the relegation zone on goal difference, with a game in hand on the teams around them at the foot of the table.Defeat plunged Cardiff to the bottom, two points shy of safety with two games to play.An elated Wickham told the BBC: Im over the moon. I cant ask for much more.Were out of the relegation zone and well keep fighting to stay there.Saturday saw Ryan Giggs launch his reign as interim Manchester United manager following the sacking of David Moyes with a 4-0 thrashing of Norwich City at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney and substitute Juan Mata scoring two goals apiece.Everton missed the chance to go above Arsenal in the race for fourth position, and a place in next seasons Champions League, after two own-goals condemned them to a 2-0 loss at Southampton.Arsenal will move four points in front of Everton with two games to play if they beat Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.

Govt, army on same page: Samiul Haq

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AKORA KHATTAK (Dunya News) – Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Sami (JUI-S) Chief Maulana Samiul Haq said on Sunday that attempts are being made to sabotage the ongoing peace talks process, Dunya News reported.Addressing Maulana Mohammad Ibrahim Fani Conference, Samiul Haq said that government and army are on same page with regards to negotiating with Taliban. He said that establishment of peace is top priority but the process is being sabotaged by creating artificial crises by some elements.He said that those who talk about military operation are enemy of the country.Addressing the conference, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that America and West are enemies of peace in Pakistan. He said that imperialist forces are unitedly conspiring against Islam.Fazlur Rehman said that sweet poison is being mixed into the society’s roots in order to destroy Islamic society and civilization.He said that freedom is being snatched by depriving religious section and seminaries. Fazlur Rehman expressed grave reservations over Protection of Pakistan Act and demanded its abolishment.

Tennis: Nishikori eases to Barcelona Open title

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MADRID (AFP) - Japans Kei Nishikori sealed his fifth career ATP title and first on clay on Sunday with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Colombian Santiago Giraldo to claim the Barcelona Open.Nishikori, who was playing for the first time on clay this week under new coach and former French Open champion Michael Chang, becomes the first non-Spaniard to win the event since 2002.I always love to come to Barcelona and it is a pleasure and honour to be here, said the world number 17.Thank you to my team, Dante (Bottini) and Michael, and I hope I come back next year and defend this title.It is not easy to win this title with all the Spanish players that play here. It is one of the most difficult ATP 500 tournaments and I am very happy to win.Giraldo was playing in just his second career final on the tour and his inexperience showed as Nishikori dictated from the off and broke three times on his way to taking the first set.More of the same was to come in the second set as Nishikori raced out to a 5-1 lead before serving out for the championship.However, Giraldo is hopeful that his run in the Catalan capital can spur him on for the rest of the season.I hope that this week can be a new stage in my tennis at the highest level.I want to thank my team and with them keep on improving.Top seed and eight-time champion Rafael Nadal was knocked out by Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro in the quarter-finals.

Nationwide rallies in support of army, ISI continue third day

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Rallies in support of Pakistan Army and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and against Geo News’s coverage following the attack on prominent journalist continued even on the third day, Dunya News reported.The demonstrators demanded immediate halt of allegations against the defence institutions. The protestors maintained that they stand in solidarity with Pakistan Army.Jamat-ud-Dawah and Sunni Ittehad Council held separate rallies in Karachi. Participants were carrying pro-Army placards and banners and chanted slogans in favour of defence institutions.Another rally took place in Sadiqabad where demonstrators took to streets in solidarity with Pakistan Army and ISI and were carrying banners that included pro-Army slogans.Another rally was held in Sukkur which started at Qasim Park and ended at Press Club Sukkur. The rally was attended by a large number of participants who chanted pro-army and pro-ISI slogans.Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) youth wing held a rally in solidarity with Pakistan Army in Dera Ismail Khan. The demonstrators were carrying banners and placards with pro-army slogans and marched from Tank Ada till Press Club.Various human rights organizations along with National Commission for Interfaith Harmony held a rally in Mardan where demonstrators marched to Press Club. Demonstrators said that whole nation stands united in solidarity with Pakistan Army.Another rally was held in Lahore where demonstrators marched from Nasir Bagh to Data Durbar. The rally included a large number of women participants.Participants were carrying banners and placards that included pro-army and pro-ISI slogans. Tanzeem Mashaikh Uzzam Chief Masood Ahmed Sadiq said, while addressing the demonstrators, that the sacrifices of Pakistan Army and ISI are valuable, and that criticism against national security institutions is not acceptable.
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