Monday 16 June 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Football: United States beat Ghana 2-1 in World Cup

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NATAL (AFP) - German-born United States defender John Brooks came off the bench to stun Ghana with a late winner in a 2-1 victory in Natal on Monday to put a huge dent in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists hopes of emulating that feat this time round.Clint Dempsey scored the opener after just 30 seconds and Brooks headed a dramatic winner to send the USA's German coach Jurgen Klinsmann wild with delight.Andre Ayew equalised for Ghana eight minutes before the end. But Brooks' first goal for his adopted country avenged defeats to the same opposition in the past two World Cups, the latter when Ghana went on to the quarter-finals.It was only the third time in 12 matches at the World Cup finals that the Americans had managed to score more than one goal.We have a great spirit and fight until the last minute, said Klinsmann.It was a grind but it was a wonderful one at the end of the day. There is stuff we need to improve. We had problems with keeping the ball.The result left Ghana, who four years ago became only the third African side to qualify for the quarter-finals, with a lot of work to do to get to the second round with matches to come against Germany and Portugal.Germany had earlier destroyed Portugal 4-0.Ghana's minds appeared elsewhere after kicking off and they were made to pay when Dempsey deftly collected from Da Marcus Beasley as he ran down the left flank.As Ghana's players looked on, the US captain feinted his way into the area before dribbling past defender John Boye to coolly sweep a left-footed shot past Adam Kwarasey at the keeper's far post. Klinsmann, who won the World Cup with Germany in 1990 before coaching the Germans to third place as coach in 2006, exploded with joy on the bench as the US celebrated scoring the fifth fastest goal in World Cup history.The USA came close to snatching a second two minutes later when Jozy Altidore collected a low cross from the right to sweep the ball towards goal before the ball was caught in a tangle of Ghana legs.Minutes later, the big American striker was carried off on a stretcher after pulling up holding the back of his left thigh while chasing down Michael Bradley's punt. Dempsey then felt the full brunt of Boye's shin during a mid-air challenge, the American requiring treatment for what could be a broken nose but the grizzled veteran stoically played on.However the Africans wasted their best chance of the half in added-on time when Christian Atsu made up for a series of poor deliveries to set up Jordan Ayew, only for the Marseille striker to mishit with the goal at his mercy.Ghana showed improvement after the break, Sulley Muntari firing a metre wide of Tim Howard's upright and then Gyan, unmarked, headed the AC Milan midfielder's delivery from the left over the top.Gyan came even closer when he rose above defender Geoff Cameron only for Howard top tip it away for a corner.Ghana picked up their game and were given hope when Ayew finished off a fine move down the left by latching on to Gyan's backheel inside the area to beat Howard with the outside of his left boot.But their joy was short-lived by Brooks, whose selection for the World Cup by Klinsmann caused considerable controversy.The son of a US serviceman, he was born in Berlin and played for Germany under 20s in 2012 before switching to the US.

Football: Iran hold Nigeria to 0-0 draw in World Cup

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CURITIBA (AFP) - Nigeria and Iran played out the first draw of the 2014 World Cup in a drab 0-0 affair in Curitiba on Monday.A tournament that had been spoiling fans in Brazil with goals and excitement was due a dull match and these two sides delivered on that.Nigeria -- who are now winless in nine World Cup matches, a longer streak than anyone else in the competition -- did have the ball in the net early in the first half after a scramble in the box but it was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi.The point did few favours to either side in a group that also contains Argentina, who beat Bosnia 2-1 on Sunday.Both African champions Nigeria and Iran will now likely need to beat European debutants Bosnia if they are to harbour hopes of reaching the last 16.Iran's best chance came 10 minutes before haqlf-time when Reza Ghoochanhejhad headed goalwards from Ashkan Dejagah's corner but Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama made a reaction block on his line.Emmanuel Emenike cut an isolated figure up front for the Super Eagles, who enjoyed 70 percent of the possession despite rarely threatening, while substitute Shola Ameobi headed just wide with a diving effort, only to be call up for a foul anyway.

Tennis: Third time unlucky as Radwanska goes down on grass

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EASTBOURNE (AFP) - Former champion Agnieszka Radwanska succumbed to a first-round defeat for the third year in succession at the ATP-WTA Eastbourne International on Monday as the top seed was beaten 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4) by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.Radwanska, winner here in 2008, failed again to gain traction on the south coast lawns and goes into next week's start of Wimbledon well short of match practise.German fifth seed Angelique Kerber got off to a winning start on a chilly, dry day at Devonshire Park, where the usual bothersome winds were not in evidence.The 2012 finalist beat American Alison Riske 7-6 (8/6), 6-4. Elena Vesnina of Russia reached the second round, beating China's Peng Shuai 6-3, 6-4.Radwanska came to Britain without a title so far this year and fresh from a third-round defeat at Roland Garros.The Pole had won four of her five previous meetings with the 26th-ranked Pavlyuchenkova.The Russian spent almost two-and-a-half hours compiling her upset win, firing nine aces and 41 winners while breaking four times from eight chances.Radwanska took the final set into a tie-break, trailing her Russian opponent 1-3, and 3-5.Pavlyuchenkova earned three match points from a Radwanska error and advanced on her second as the top seed sent a forehand well wide.Former world number one Victoria Azarenka is making her return to tennis this week after more than three months out with a foot injury, which she says is now fine.The two-time Australian Open champion from Belarus starts in the first round on a wild card against Italian Camila Giorgi.I'm very excited, I can't wait to play, said the world number nine. That's the most important thing. That's why I'm here.Once I felt healthy, I started practising and I just wanted to play. I'm here in Eastbourne to try to test myself in competition.I've been tested in practise, but competition is a completely different thing. My only expectation is that it won't rain and I'll be able to play.In the men's draw, a pair of Frenchman advanced with Jeremy Chardy upsetting fifth seed Ivo Karlovic 6-4, 6-4 and 2013 finalist Gilles Simon, the number six seed, began with a defeat of Australian qualifier Chris Guccione, playing his first ATP singles match in almost a year, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.Slovak Martin Klizan, the Munich champion last Mayy knocked out Argentine eighth seed Federico Delbonis 6-4, 6-4.

Athletics: Gatlin 'upset' to miss Bolt showdown in Ostrava

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OSTRAVA (AFP) - In-form US sprinter Justin Gatlin is upset to be missing a showdown with Usain Bolt at the Czech Golden Spike meet on Tuesday as the Jamaican pulled out looking to recover from a foot injury.It was my plan to come... being ranked number one and being able to race against Bolt, Gatlin told reporters before the meet in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava.I think this would have been a great rematch for us. Hopefully I'll see him down the road this season -- also (Yohan) Blake and all the other fast runners, said the American who has clocked the three fastest 100m times this year.In Ostrava, Gatlin, who leads the tables with 9.87sec this year, will take on compatriot Mike Rodgers, veteran Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis, and South Africa's Simon Magakwe, who has a season's best of 9.98.Mike Rodgers is always a strong opponent. You can never count out Kim Collins... I think Kim Collins is a vampire. He has amazing powers, he joked of the 38-year-old.But my focus is going to be my lane. I want to bring the audience on to the track. Have fun with it.Tomorrow I'm looking for a good 9.7sec, or maybe even a little faster. The competition looks good. Hopefully the weather will hold up and it will be a great race, said Gatlin.I've been really competitive this season and it's shown on my efforts on the track. The goal is to keep going forward this season and stay undefeated and still go to faster times, said the 32-year-old, whose personal best of 9.79sec when winning bronze behind Bolt and Blake at the 2012 London Olympics.Gatlin has already competed in Ostrava, running the 200m in 2004, shortly before going on to win the Olympic 100m gold in Athens in the same year.Ostrava is my good luck charm. Hopefully again you'll see me at the world championships next year and then the Olympics: that will be my key -- to win Ostrava and then win the Olympics, he laughed.At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Gatlin would be 34.There's no set rule that says that when you reach 30 you're slow, said Gatlin, who served a four-year ban for doping between 2006-10.I feel like I want to break that rule and show that I'm only getting better and better with age because I'm becoming wiser and learning my craft and my race.

US oil pices flat, Brent higher on Iraq uncertainty

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NEW YORK (AFP) - US oil traded little changed Monday at nine-month peaks, while Brent rose modestly as investors watched the unfolding sectarian conflict in Iraq for signs it could disrupt oil supplies. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for July delivery slipped one cent to $106.90 a barrel.In London, Brent North Sea crude, which tends to react more to international geopolitical factors than WTI, rose 48 cents to settle at $112.94 a barrel. It was the first day of trade of the futures contract for August delivery.Both benchmarks had closed at nine-month highs Friday as traders eyed escalating violence in Iraq, OPEC's second-biggest crude exporter.The lightning advance of Sunni extremists from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant across Iraq that began a week ago has drawn near the Shiite-led government in Baghdad.The offensive has taken control of territory in the north of the country, where the relatively small output has been off the market since March due to violence. On Monday, the fear that the insurgency could spread to the south, where most of Iraq's oil infrastructure is located, was already baked into the market price, said Bart Melek of TD Securities.As long as the army holds its position and unless we see insurgency further south already , there does not seem an immediate threat to Iraq's production of 3.3 million barrels a day, he said.James Williams of WTRG Economics warned of a worse-case scenario that would see all Iraqi output blocked.If it were all cut off there is not enough spare capacity in the world to replace the supply if you use the EIA numbers, he said, referring to the US Energy Information Administration.We can only wait for developments in Iraq to determine the impact. So far prices moved more on the actual rather than anticipated impact of this civil war.

Dollar drops ahead of US Fed meeting

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar dropped against major currencies as investors anticipated a US Federal Reserve policy decision Wednesday that could shed light on a timeframe for raising benchmark interest rates.Federal Reserve data showed Monday US industrial production grew 0.6 percent in May, slightly better than the 0.5 percent expected by analysts.Christopher Vecchio, currency analyst at DailyFX, said that while US economic data has improved in the second quarter, the degree to which the data has rebounded is disappointing.Vecchio said the dollar really needs the upcoming June Federal Reserve policy meeting this week to stand and deliver.Analysts expect the Fed to cut another $10 billion from its stimulus program, while keeping benchmark interest rates nearzero.But markets will scrutinize the Feds policy statement and Chair Janet Yellens press conference for clues on when the Fed could lift rates.Kathy Lien, managing director at BK Asset Management, said the Fed could tweak its forecasts for the year to trim its unemployment projection and raise its estimate for inflation.If that happens, Janet Yellen will need to provide an explanation that convinces the market (the Fed) hasnt gotten any closer to tightening, Lien said. If she fails, the US dollar and Treasury yields will rise.Lien said other economic events closely watched by currency markets this week include the release of Bank of England meeting minutes and a policy announcement by the Swiss National Bank that offers a small chance of an interest rate increase.

Sri Lanka hold out for dramatic draw with England

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LONDON (AFP) - Sri Lanka tail-ender Nuwan Pradeep survived the final five balls of the match as the tourists clung on for a thrilling draw with England in the first Test at Lord's on Monday.England, in their first Test since their 5-0 Ashes drubbing in Australia and with a new-look team including three debutants, thought they'd won when Stuart Broad had Pradeep given out lbw off the penultimate ball of the match.But Pradeep reviewed Australian umpire Paul Reiffel's decision and, with technology showing an inside edge, he was reprieved. Sri Lanka, set 390 to win after England captain Alastair Cook declared before the start of Monday's play, finished on 201 for nine.The match was meandering towards a draw until England spearhead James Anderson struck either side of tea on the way to a remarkable return of four wickets for 25 runs in 19 overs, but it wasn't quite enough to secure a stunning win.Instead the result left the teams all-square ahead of Friday's second and final Test of the series at Headingley.I can't praise the lads enough, said England captain Alastair Cook at the presentation ceremony. That was a flat wicket...We gave ourselves a chance and to come up short is frustrating.Cook declared on England's overnight 267 for eight, which owed much to Gary Ballance's 104 not out -- the Zimbabwe-born batsman's maiden Test century in only his second match at this level.That left Sri Lanka needing to break the Lord's record for a winning fourth-innings total in a Test of 344 for one, requiring 342, set by the West Indies against England in 1984, for victory.It was a target they never looked like approaching in Monday's final 90 overs.But Cook said England's slump to 121 for six on Sunday had delayed his declaration. When you're setting up the game, we were trying to play positively and gave wickets away. Those four or five wickets yesterday (Sunday) cost us having half an hour at them last night.England's Joe Root, named man-of-the-match in his comeback Test for a first-innings 200 not out -- his maiden Test double century -- added: Twelve months ago we were told we were playing dour cricket, I don't think anyone can say that now.Meanwhile relieved Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, who made a first-innings century before batting for over two hours for 18 on Monday, said: It was a close game, I thought England bowled pretty well, especially after tea, hitting the deck pretty hard and asking questions of our batsmen.It was a great team effort trying to survive.Sri Lanka appeared in little danger at 159 for two, with debutant Moeen Ali -- brought in to fill the gap left by retired off-spinner Graeme Swann even though he's primarily a batsman -- bowling 12 wicketless overs on a last-day pitch. However, Anderson changed the complexion of the match with three wickets for one run in 14 balls either side of tea.First he had Mahela Jayawardene caught behind for 18, hanging out his bat.And he then dismissed Kumar Sangakkara, who in common with Jayawardene was probably playing his last Test at Lord's, for 61 when the left-hander played on.His exit meant Sangakkara had fallen for under 100 for the first time in four Test knocks after his 147 in the first innings of this match followed scores of 319 and 105 against Bangladesh in Chittagong in March.There were just under seven overs remaining when seamer Broad had Nuwan Kulasekara lbw.Mathews, did his best to bat Sri Lanka to safety until eventually edging Anderson straight to Cook at first slip.England now needed two wickets in the final three overs.And they still had two wickets to take come the last over, from Broad.To the very first ball of that over Rangana Herath was caught behind off the glove by wicketkeeper Matt Prior.Then came the fifth ball drama before Pradeep (nought not out) edged the final delivery short of the slips.

WIndies take first-day honours against New Zealand

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PORT OF SPAIN (AFP) - Determined bowling and careless batting combined to give the West Indies the advantage in dismissing New Zealand for 221 on the opening day of the second Test at Queen's Park Oval on Monday.Trailing in the three-match series after losing the first Test in Jamaica by 186 runs, the hosts will resume on the second morning at six for one after Trent Boult uprooted the off-stump of experienced opening batsman Chris Gayle during the seven overs the home side faced befrore the close.Jerome Taylor's rehabilitation as a Test fast bowler took a few more strides forward, the Jamaican paceman claiming four for 34 to emerge with the best figures on a pitch that offered assistance to the bowlers.However, the tourists' captain, Brendon McCullum, appeared fully justified in electing to bat first after winning the toss with the Black Caps cruising along at 120 for one early in the afternoon session.Tom Latham compiled his third consecutive half-century of the series, the phlegmatic left-handed opener occupying the crease for almost four hours in getting to a top-score of 82.And with the West Indies letting a number of chances and half-chances slip through their fingers during the first two sessions, New Zealand looked poised for another formidable first innings total.But it never materialised and the luck eventually turned the West Indies' way as New Zealand lost nine wickets for 101 runs, the last six sliding for just 29 in an unexpected capitulation.Former captain Ross Taylor, the prime beneficiary of the sloppy catching in a bizarre period of play just before tea when three opportunities were missed, finished unbeaten on 45 while Kane Williamson contributed 42 in a 104-run second-wicket partnership with Latham.It was Williamson's dismissal, caught at fine-leg off a top-edged hook at Shannon Gabriel, that started to bring the West Indies back into the match.The burly paceman added the scalp of tail-ender Mark Craig but the perseverance of spinner Sulieman Benn, who snared three for 73 off 28.4 overs, contributed significantly to New Zealand's demise.Ever the competitor and keen to be involved in any aspect of the game, the lanky Barbadian held a superb catch at gully that ended Latham's diligent vigil off the bowling of Kemar Roach.Benn will also be expecting to contribute a few runs on the second morning as he resumes as nightwatchman in partnership with opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite.Brathwaite was one of three changes from the first Test side, the others being Gabriel and Jermaine Blackwood, the 22-year-old middle-order batsman who becomes the 298th player to represent the West Indies at Test level.New Zealand made only one change from the victorious first Test team, Hamish Rutherford replacing out-of-form opener Peter Fulton, although the left-hander failed to make full use of the opportunity, falling for three to a catch at first slip off Taylor after half-an-hour's play.His swift demise extended the Rutherford family's poor record at the ground. His father Ken endured the indignity of a pair when making his debut on the 1985 tour, the last time New Zealand played a Test match at the venue.

Altaf welcomes Nawaz's statement regarding Zarb-e-Azb operation

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LONDON (Dunya News) - Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has welcomed PM Nawaz’s statement regarding military operation (Zarb-e-Azb) launched in North Waziristan Agency against the militants.Talking to Dunya News, Altaf Hussain urged all political, religious parties to support the military operation. He said terrorist attacks have reached to unbearable extent. Operation to wipe them out was must.He demanded sufficient arrangements for IDPs as around seven lac people would displace amid military operation.Earlier, Altaf Hussain urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to take nation into confidence over North Waziristan operation.He said “as a head of an independent state, it is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s constitutional and moral responsibility to address the nation over recently launched anti-terrorism operation.It is matter of national security and sovereignty. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should brief nation over all the points regarding this operation, he said.The MQM chief suggested that the premier should give nation a message of unity, confidence and courage.

Eliminate all terrorists in N. Waziristan without any discrimination: COAS

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PESHAWAR (Web Desk) - Chief of Army Staff General (COAS) Raheel Sharif emphasized that all terrorists along with their sanctuaries must be eliminated without any discrimination.While, given detailed briefing on the progress of Operation Zarb-e-Azb during his visit to Corps Headquarters Peshawar on Monday, Raheel said the operation is not targeted against our valiant tribes of North Waziristan but against those terrorists who are holed up in the Agency and have picked up arms against the state of Pakistan.COAS reiterated that with the support of the nation, particularly of our proud tribal brethren, Operation Zarb-e-Azb will be concluded successfully and comprehensively.Earlier, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif has vowed that operation Zarb-e-Azb will continue in North Waziristan till complete elimination of the terrorists, Dunya News reported.Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif visited National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad today (Monday) and addressed the participants of the National Security and War Course.On the occasion, the Army Chief emphasized that operation is aimed to eliminate all terrorists and their sanctuaries in North Wazirastan and get rid of the menace of terrorism.The army chief also briefed the participants regarding ongoing operation in the North Waziristan Agency.

Zarb-e-Azb operation: 7 terrorists killed, 2 soldiers martyred

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RAWALPINDI (Web Desk) – As many as seven terrorists were killed in exchange of fire when trying to flee from cordoned off area.According to ISPR, fire exchange took place in which 2 soldiers also embraced shahadat.Earlier, an IED explosion between Afghan border and Ghulam Khan area in North Waziristan Agency today (Monday) killed six soldiers and injured three others.It was the first insurgent attack against Pak Army since the start of an army offensive in North Waziristan Agency a day earlier.The injured soldiers were shifted to hospital for treatment.During ongoing offensive ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ to eliminate terrorists from North Waziristan, troops have cordoned off all militant bases, including the town of Mirali and Miranshah. Security has also been beefed up all along Pak-Afghan border to check terrorists fleeing from area.Pakistan Army has requested the Afghan National Army and Afghan Border Police to seal the border on their side to facilitate elimination of terrorists fleeing across the border. They have also been requested to initiate immediate measures to eliminate TTP terrorists and their sanctuaries in Kunar, Nuristan and other areas of Afghanistan.

IMF cuts US forecast; urges wage hike and job creation

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund on Monday slashed its forecast for the United States and urged policymakers to keep interest rates low and raise the minimum wage to strengthen growth.The global crisis lender said in its annual report card on the US economy that the country will likely grow only 2.0 percent this year, compared with the previous 2.8 percent estimate, blaming mainly the unexpected contraction in the first quarter.It said growth is likely to rebound to 3.0 percent next year, but that to ensure the strength of the economy, the government should take measures like increasing the minimum wage and embarking on a strong infrastructure-building program.It also said that the Federal Reserve should not expect the economy to get back to full employment before the end of 2017, and that it could afford to hold its key interest rate at the zero level past the middle of next year, when the Fed has signaled it expects to raise the rate.Labor markets are weaker than is implied by the headline unemployment number, the Fund said, citing the low workforce participation rate and stagnant wages.With better growth prospects, the US should see steady progress in job creation. The IMF said the US government could afford to take short-term measures to strengthen growth and jobs, despite the ongoing large fiscal deficit and huge government debt burden.But it said that warring political parties need to come up with a medium-term plan for addressing those problems, one that includes revising the tax structure to raise revenues, cutting the growth of health care costs, and fundamentally reforming the governments social security pension program.Given the substantial economic slack in the economy, there is a strong case to provide continued policy support, the Fund said.It said more government efforts to boost growth short-term would allow the Federal Reserve to more comfortably exit its easy-money stance and cut the risks that stance poses to global financial stability.At the same time, the IMF said that regrettably, US politicians have been unable to agree on such an approach.Stepping into a hot domestic political battle, the IMF took the side of the administration of President Barack Obama in advocating a rise in the minimum wage.It noted that, in real terms, wages have fallen significantly over the past four decades, an issue which economists say locks many Americans in poverty.The Fund said that nearly 50 million Americans still live in poverty, and that the principal way government policy could help would be to return to stronger growth and job creation.But it added that increasing the minimum wage from the current federal government standard of $7.25 an hour would help raise incomes for millions of working poor.

Iranian and British foreign ministers discuss Iraq chaos

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LONDON (AFP) - British Foreign Secretary William Hague has spoken with his Iranian counterpart about the crisis in Iraq, the British government said on Monday.Hagues telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif comes amid reports that Tehran is considering providing military support to the Shiite-led administration in neighbouring Iraq, which has come under assault from mainly Sunni militants.A senior US administration official said talks between the United States and Iran about possible cooperation might take place on the sidelines of nuclear talks in Vienna beginning Monday.The Foreign Office declined to discuss the content of Hagues call. He was due to brief the House of Commons on the situation later Monday.A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said: We have contact with the Iranian government and I think one of the things the foreign secretary will say in the house today is that he discussed a number of bilateral issues, including this, with his Iranian counterpart over the weekend.Earlier, Hague insisted that Britain would not intervene militarily to help Iraq fight the insurgents, who have overrun swathes of the country in a matter of days.We are not planning a military intervention by the UK in this situation, Hague told BBC radio.Asked whether Britain could participate in air strikes, Hague said he could not be clearer that this would not happen.The United States is much more likely to have the assets and capabilities for any outside intervention than the United Kingdom, he said.But first and foremost the onus lay on the Iraqi security forces to stabilise the situation, he said. The Iraqi government bore a heavy responsibility to try to get a grip on events.Hague rejected suggestions that the chaotic situation in Iraq was a direct result of the US-British invasion in 2003 which ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.Mistakes had been made in the aftermath of the invasion, but it had not been a mistake itself for Britain to participate.It is entirely possible to say it was the right thing to remove Saddam Hussein but that mistakes were made in the aftermath, he said.Tony Blair, who as prime minister took British forces into war, sparked an angry reaction at the weekend with a 2,800-word essay on his website in which he insisted the current crisis had no link to the 2003 invasion.

Man arrested for stalking woman in Japan

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TOKYO (AFP) - Police have arrested an 85-year-old man in western Japan for allegedly stalking an 80-year-old woman he reportedly met when she shared a hospital room with his now-dead wife, they said Monday.Takeo Nitta from Hashimoto, Wakayama prefecture, allegedly left several telephone messages on the womans answerphone in November, saying: Im waiting outside your house. Lets go out.Officers warned him twice against harassment after receiving complaints from the woman, but his behaviour allegedly escalated and on May 2 he is said to have broken into her house, a police spokesman said.Nitta was arrested on June 10 on suspicion of violating anti-stalking laws, the spokesman said, adding he had largely admitted the allegations.In a report last week, the Asahi Shimbun said the two had met when the woman shared a hospital room with Nittas wife several years ago. His wife died last year, the paper reported.The number of crimes committed by the elderly in Japan is rocketing as they make up an ever-larger proportion of its ageing society.Government figures show the number of criminals aged 65 or older booked by police in 2011 had risen six-fold in two decades.Most elderly crimes were shoplifting or theft, but violent crimes were also on the rise, statistics show.The number of Japanese aged 65 or over stands at around 32 million, making up a quarter of the nations 127-million population, an all-time high and one of the highest proportions of elderly people in the world.

S.Sudan warring forces boycott new peace talks: mediator

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ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - South Sudans warring forces have boycotted a new round of peace talks in protest at being accused of seeking a military solution to the conflict, mediators said Monday.The latest blow to peace efforts comes after several months of talks that have already been hit by delays and boycotts over other seemingly trivial issues, such as the venue of the talks themselves.The delay comes as the the civil war in South Sudan passed the six-month mark, having already left thousands of people dead, more than a million displaced and pushed the worlds youngest country to the brink of famine and genocide.The two parties, who are not here with us, told us that they are not joining us, chief mediator Seyoum Mesfin, from the East African regional bloc IGAD, told reporters.South Sudans government said it objected to comments made last week by IGAD executive secretary Mahboub Maalim that the two sides were stupid for believing military victory was possible.Government team leader and Minister of Information Michael Makuei told AFP they would suspend attendance or participation in the negotiations until this issue is addressed.The rebels said they were boycotting talks, claiming they were not consulted on who will attend, calling the selection of delegates faulty and demanding a transparent and inclusive process.The talks, being held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, have so far cost over 17 million dollars (12 million euros) but have failed to stop the war.Mesfin pressed both sides to return to the negotiating table urgently.With every day passing, human lives are lost and destruction continues, he said.President Salva Kiir and his arch-rival Riek Machar committed themselves again last week to a ceasefire and agreed to forge a transitional government within 60 days. Two previous ceasefire deals swiftly collapsed.Fighting broke out on December 15, pitting government troops against militia forces loosely loyal to Machar. The violence has taken on a complex ethnic dimension, with the Dinka people of Kiir fighting the Nuer, Machars tribe.
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