Wednesday 4 June 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Abbottabad: By-election in PK-45 today

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PESHAWAR (Online) - By-election for PK-45 in district Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be held today (Thursday).All arrangements have been finalised for this purpose.PK-45 fell vacant after Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan was appointed as Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Tough competition is expected between PML-N and PTI candidates to secure this seat.

Tennis: Nadal, Murray shine in Paris gloom to reach semi-finals

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PARIS (AFP) - Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal defeated compatriot David Ferrer as well as the Paris gloom on Wednesday to reach his ninth French Open semi-final where he will face Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.The world number one recovered from dropping his first set of the tournament to record a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-1 win while seventh-seeded Murray defeated home hope Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0.Murray lost to Nadal in the Roland Garros semi-finals three years ago and has never beaten him on clay. However, he did take a set off the top seed in Rome last month.Wednesday's win took the 28-year-old Nadal's record in Paris to 64 victories and just one loss and extended his mastery over his 32-year-old Spanish Davis Cup teammate to 22 victories against just six defeats.He did it in some style, reeling off 13 of the last 14 games before the sun set.When you play David on any surface, it's always tough and he's having a great season, said Nadal of a man who beat him in Monte Carlo in April, one of three losses the top seed suffered on European clay this spring in a 10-year low.But I was more aggressive after the first set and maybe he did not have the best of matches as it went on.He added: I was making too many mistakes with my backhand, it was appalling. But when I used my forehand more, it changed the dynamic.Ferrer was left to regret another lost opportunity.I was not good enough. I lost my focus. I was too slow, and I think I didn't play the game of a top 10 player.After not getting on court until just before 1900 local time (1700GMT) as rain delayed the programme by three hours, Nadal looked doomed to have to return on Thursday to complete his quarter-final ahead of a Friday semi-final.But after losing the first set, firing twice as many errors against the man he defeated for the loss of just eight games in last year's final, the world number one carved the only break of the second to level the contest.Nadal raced through the third set as the sun started to fade courtesy of three breaks of serve and no unforced errors.He was 3-0 up in the fourth, a run of 10 straight games, before Ferrer stopped the rot.It was a brief respite however as back came Nadal with another break and a 4-1 lead.He held comfortably before breaking a dispirited Ferrer for the ninth time of the match.The statistics were telling.Nadal ended with 20 unforced errors but just three of those came in the last two sets while Ferrer, who hit a meagre six errors in the opening set ended the contest with 42.The Spaniard, who is bidding to be the first man to win five French Opens in succession, has 14-5 career lead over Murray.Murray turned in a stellar, 24-minute fifth set to snatch victory on Philippe Chatrier court in a match which was finally wrapped up at 21h40 local time (1940GMT).The conditions were tough, it was very windy and slow, heavy and he moves so well around the court, probably the best of anyone on the Tour, said Murray.Murray reached the last four at Roland Garros for the first time since 2011 when he lost against Nadal.Well, he has very good memories on this court, Murray joked about the Spaniard.Right now, I'm just very happy to be in the semi-finals and I'm going to try and play my best tennis.The 27-year-old Scot also set a new British record of reaching 14 Grand Slam semi-finals, going one better than Fred Perry.The other semi-final on Friday will feature world number two Novak Djokovic, who needs a Roland Garros title to complete a career Grand Slam, against Latvia's Ernests Gulbis.

Tennis: Petkovic faces in-form Halep, Bouchard challenges Sharapova

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PARIS (AFP) - Romanian Simona Halep, the highest seed left in the draw, will meet Germany's Andrea Petkovic as both players enter their first ever Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open on Thursday. Fourth-seed Halep, who is trying to become the first Romanian to win Roland Garros since her manager Virginia Ruzici in 1978, brushed aside the challenge of 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-2 to set up her date against Petkovic. The second semi-final is a battle between four-time Slam champion and 2012 French Open winner Maria Sharapova and rising Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard. The 22-year-old Halep's best previous result at a Grand Slam was reaching the quarter-finals at Australia earlier this year.I'm happy, and I really want to look forward for the next round because it is my first semi-final at a Grand Slam, and I have to be very focused, very calm, and to try to do everything on court, she said.Bosnian-born 28th seed Petkovic, peaked at world number nine in 2011, her finest season before injuries derailed her career and sent her plunging to 177 in the WTA rankings. Back, knee and ankle problems almost forced her to give up the game in 2013 and on her last visit to Roland Garros, she failed to get through the qualifying rounds. The pressure comes hand in hand with this excitement. When I play really well, the thing with my injuries was that it now has a nail of doubt every time when I play well. I'm just so scared that it might slip away again, said Petkovic. I was the happiest when I was in the top 10 and was one of the top players, and then it was just taken away from me.So now every time I have happy moments and nice wins, it immediately brings the doubt and the fear of that it might slip away again. I'm very cautious with wins and with happy moments and trying just to stay with both feet on the ground and enjoy the moments when they are there.Petkovic won the last of her three WTA titles, all on clay, earlier this year at Charleston, three years after Strasbourg and her breakthrough victory in 2009 at Bad Gastein. She is the first German to reach the semi-finals since 1999 when Steffi Graf went on to win the last of her Open era record of 22 Grand Slams. The two players have met three times with Halep winning twice. I played against her one year ago at Nuremberg in the final and I beat her in two sets, but it's already one year ago, said Halep.Maybe she's improved more but I've improved too. It will be a tough match, for sure.Bouchard is bidding to become the first Canadian woman to reach a Grand Slam final and revealed Sharapova was one of her idols as a child, looking on as the Russian burst onto the scene by winning Wimbledon at just 17 in 2004. She was number one in the world and she's won several Grand Slams, so it's going to be a great experience for me, said Bouchard.She was a source of inspiration for me at the time, and therefore, she was an idol for me when I was younger. But now we have reached semi-finals of a Grand Slam and now she's a tennis player. I respect her, but I will do my best during the match.Sharapova has won each of the Grand Slams once and has beaten Bouchard in their two meetings including at Roland Garros 12 months ago.The Russian came back from a set down to defeat Spaniard Garbine Muguruza 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 and reach the last four.Someone like Eugenie who has been up and coming for a couple of years, I think this is the year where she's really broken through, especially at the Grand Slams, playing at a high level, said Sharapova.

Football: Ronaldo racing against clock for World Cup fitness

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FLORHAM PARK (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday continued his special training regimen aimed at getting over leg injuries that threaten his participation in Portugal's World Cup opener.As on Tuesday, the Portuguese superstar and injured teammate Raul Meireles, continued to work separately from the bulk of the squad training at the New York Jets' facility in Florham Park near New York.Ronaldo looked relaxed and smiled for the cameras at the state-of-the-at training center of the NFL's Jets, where he jogged around a playing field.Defender Pepe, Ronaldo's Real Madrid teammate who is also injured, did not attend the training session but remained at the team hotel pursuing his rehabilitation program, officials said.Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Meireles carried out the programs pre-established by the medical department for their injuries, specific treatments and rehabilitation exercises on the field, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said on it's website.On Tuesday, the federation confirmed that Ronaldo, who was known to be nursing a left thigh injury, also has patellar tendinitis in his left knee.The physical problems of their captain and talisman could deal an early blow to Portugal's World Cup bid as they face a tough first round in Group G, which also includes powerful Germany, Ghana and the United States.Ronaldo, who has scored 49 goals in 110 matches for Portugal, didn't play in the country's first World Cup warm-up match, a goalless draw with Greece on Saturday in Lisbon.Two more friendlies are on Portugal's slate before they depart the United States for Brazil, against Mexico on Friday and against Ireland on Tuesday.They face a daunting World Cup opener on June 16 against Germany.Portugal has to go step by step, because it's a very difficult group, Hugo Almeida a former Werder Bremen striker now under contract to Besiktas in Turkey.The first game is almost a final for us, added Almeida, a veteran of Portugal's 2010 World Cup campaign. Germany is a very strong team.

Football: England draw Ecuador 2-2 in World Cup warm-up

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MIAMI (AFP) - Wayne Rooney and Rickie Lambert were on target for an experimental England side in a 2-2 friendly draw with Ecuador on Wednesday which turned sour with two late red cards.Ecuador grabbed an eighth minute lead through a thundering header from Enner Valencia before England drew level in the 29th minute with Rooney poking home after a scramble in the area.Midfielder Ross Barkley produced a moment of fine individual skill to set up Lambert for a sweet strike in the 51st minute, but Ecuador fought back with a thundering drive from Michael Arroyo.The double red cards came after a wild challenge from England substitute Raheem Sterling on Antonio Valencia.The Ecuadorian winger, who plays for Manchester United, retaliated by grabbing the neck of the Liverpool youngster and American referee Jair Marrufo brandished two red cards.Rooney was the only player named who started Friday's 3-0 win over Peru at Wembley Stadium as Roy Hodgson experimented with his options.The Manchester United forward started on the left flank, not considered his favourite role, with Lambert, recently signed by Liverpool, at centre-forward.It was a very young line-up but I thought we acquitted ourselves quite brilliantly and played some very good football at times, Hodgson said.I was happy for (Wayne) that he scored his goal and both him and Frank Lampard, as the only two on the pitch with any significant number of caps, took their responsibility ever so well.They helped see us through what, in my opinion, is quite a well-merited and prestigious draw against a strong Ecuadorian team.Ecuador also made five changes from the team which lost 3-1 to Mexico in Dallas on Saturday as they looked to improve on a recent run of form ahead of their tests in Group E against France, Honduras and Switzerland.The South Americans started brightly, exposing the unfamiliarity of England's back four, and they took the lead in just the eighth minute.Walter Ayovi whipped in a fine cross from the left flank and Enner Valencia rose superbly, beating Chris Smalling to the ball and powering in a header to make it 1-0.England responded positively though, Rooney looping a ball into the area to the over-lapping Luke Shaw's whose shot was pushed out by Ecuador keeper Maximo Baguera.But Ecuador continued to probe England's shaky looking defence - Carlo Gruezo wriggling himself into some space and firing in a low shot in the 16th minute which England keeper Ben Foster did well to keep out.England's approach with the ball was patient and possession-based and after a long spell of short passes captain Frank Lampard tested Banguera with a well-struck effort from 30 metres out.While much of England's play was pretty, if lacking penetration, when their equaliser came it was scrappy and fortunate.Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's low cross was fumbled by the diving Banguera and in the resulting scramble, Lambert back-heeled against the post and Rooney prodded home the loose ball.It was a solid first 45 minutes from England albeit one which hardly set the pulse racing while Ecuador looked much more confident than in some of their recent displays.If there was a player who had brought flashes of pace and invention to England's performance it was Everton midfielder Barkley, and it was the 20-year-old who produced a moment of skill to give his team the lead, five minutes after the re-start.Brilliant footwork from Barkley took him away from Jorge Guagua and he burst towards goal, leaving two Ecuador defenders standing, before slipping the ball perfectly into the path of Lambert who cracked home a low angled drive into the far corner.There was injury worry for Hodgson when Oxlade-Chamberlain limped off in the 63rd minute with possible knee ligament damage, and Rooney was rested two minutes later with Liverpool forward Sterling introduced.Ecuador should have drawn level a few minutes after those changes when Joao Rojas broke free down the left and slipped a pass to goalscorer Enner Valencia but from a great position he scuffed his shot against the post.When the equaliser came though it was in spectacular fashion - substitute Michael Arroyo blasting, from the edge of the box, an unstoppable drive into the top corner past a helpless Foster.Then came the clash between Sterling and Antonio Valencia, an unpleasant end to an entertaining warm-up for Brazil.England will face Italy, Costa Rica and Uruguay in Group D.

Athletics: Top athletes to miss Kenya trials

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NAIROBI (AFP) - Kenya's athletics trials for next month's Commonwealth Games get under way on Thursday without some top stars amid uncertainty over their fitness.Athletics Kenya warned that any athlete who skipped the three-day competition would not be granted automatic selection for the July 23 to August 3 Commonwealths in Glasgow, Scotland.Some of the athletes, including Olympic and world 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop, will face a race against time to return home before the end of the trials on Saturday after defying orders to skip the Rome Diamond League meeting in the Italian capital on Thursday.Kiprop and seven other runners were ordered by the Athletics Kenya to return home from the Rome meet to avoid being burned out ahead of the Commonwealth Games.The federation also expressed concern at the current form of the athletes following a string of poor results in the ongoing Diamond League series.However world 800m record-holder David Rudisha, who finished seventh on his comeback from a long injury lay-off in Eugene, Oregon, last Saturday, is reported to have sought permission from the authorities to be away.The 25-year-old Olympic champion opted to remain in the United States to prepare for the New York Grand Prix on June 14.We are aware that Rudisha will not take part in the trials, Athletics Kenya vice-president in charge of competitions, David Okeyo, told AFP.But the decision on whether or not he will be included in the team for the Commonwealth Games will be made later, he added.Rudisha, who is battling to regain race fitness after one year on the sidelines, has already made known his intention to compete in his first Commonwealth Games, after missing the 2010 championships in New Delhi.The Kenyan trials will also be used to select a team for the African track and field championships in Morocco in September.

Direct evidence that MERS comes from camels: study

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Researchers said Wednesday they have found the first direct evidence that the potentially deadly Middle East respiratory virus, or MERS, jumps directly from camels to humans.The virus has hit Saudi Arabia the hardest, killing 282 people out of 688 infected, according to the Saudi health ministry's latest figures. MERS has been found elsewhere in the Middle East and in Europe, Asia and North America, brought by travelers who were infected in Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.The latest findings in the New England Journal of Medicine are based on a 44-year-old Saudi man who kept a herd of nine camels and who died of MERS in November 2013.His friends said they witnessed him applying a topical medicine to the nose of one of his ill camels -- four of them were reportedly sick with nasal discharge -- seven days before he himself became stricken with MERS. Researchers sequenced the virus found in one of the sick camels and the virus that killed the man, and found that their genomes were identical.These data suggest that this fatal case of human MERS-CoV infection was transmitted through close contact with an infected camel, said the study led by Tariq Madani at the department of medicine, King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.Previous research has suggested that the virus has been quite common in camels for at least the past 20 years, and was likely making the jump into humans.Although others have shown that dromedary camels may be important reservoirs for MERS coronavirus, this paper from Azhar and colleagues provides the first unequivocal evidence of camel to human transmission of the virus, said W. Ian Lipkin, director of the Center for infection and Immunity at Columbia University in New York.The challenge now is to determine the extent to which camels or other animals contribute to outbreaks of human disease, said Lipkin, who was not involved in the New England Journal of Medicine study.MERS is considered a deadlier but less transmissible cousin of the SARS virus that appeared in Asia in 2003 and infected 8,273 people, nine percent of whom died.Like SARS, it appears to cause a lung infection, with patients suffering coughing, breathing difficulties and a temperature. But MERS differs in that it can cause rapid kidney failure.

Oil prices drop on mixed US supply report

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices Wednesday finished lower after a US energy inventory report showed a drop in crude supplies but higher stocks of gasoline and other refined products.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for July delivery slipped two cents to $102.64 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.European benchmark Brent oil for July delivery dropped 42 cents to $108.40 a barrel in London.The US Department of Energy said that American commercial crude stocks fell by 3.4 million barrels last week, far above expectations for a fall of 100,000 barrels.But gasoline stocks rose by 200,000 barrels and distillate stocks jumped two million barrels; the latter was far above the 700,000 rise projected by analysts.The increase in gasoline stocks suggests weak demand during the Memorial Day weekend, which was the unofficial kickoff of the annual summer driving season, said Gene McGillian, broker and analyst at Tradition Energy.We didn't see a significant increase in gasoline demand, which makes you wonder if the fundamental picture is really strengthening, he said.US economic data was mixed. Payrolls company ADP reported 179,000 new jobs in May, down 36,000 from April and the lowest count in four months.But the Institute for Supply Management said its purchasing managers index (PMI) for the services sector rose to 56.3 in May from 55.2 in April, indicating accelerating growth.Conditions are improving in the US, but they're not galloping away, McGillian said. They're just improving slowly, so that's also taking away support for higher prices.

Dollar rises on upbeat US data, Beige Book

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar rose against the euro Wednesday after encouraging US economic news and as investors braced for a European Central Bank monetary policy meeting.The dollar gained support after the Institute for Supply Management said activity in the services sector, accounting for 80 percent of the US economy, surged in May.The US Federal Reserve's Beige Book report was generally positive, saying all 12 districts of the country saw increasing economic activity in recent weeks.The dollar extended its gains after the relatively upbeat Beige Book report that validated the improvements that we saw in the ISM index, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management.The ECB is nearly universally expected to cut interest rates to historic lows to fight off the threat of deflation in the 18-nation eurozone as growth falters.Official data Tuesday showed eurozone inflation slowed sharply to 0.5 percent in May, from 0.7 percent in April and far weaker than the ECB's target of just below 2.0 percent.All eyes will be on the ECB president, Mario Draghi, in a post-meeting conference. In addition to rate cuts, there is speculation that he could introduce a number of unconventional measures, such as lowering the deposit rate to negative levels and launch asset purchases, known as quantitative easing.The euro could actually bounce after the ECB rate decision if the central bank refrains from signaling plans to follow the move with quantitative easing, Lien said.The Bank of England, meanwhile, was expected to keep its main interest rate at a record-low 0.50 percent at its meeting Thursday.

De Villiers named Cricketer of the Year

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JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Just over a day after being passed over for his countrys Test captaincy, AB de Villiers was named South African Cricketer of the Year on Wednesday night.De Villiers edged out four other candidates, including new Test captain Hashim Amla, for the top award. The other nominees were fast bowler Dale Steyn, batsman JP Duminy and rising prodigy Quinton de Kock.De Villiers also collected the award for Test Cricketer of the Year.It was the first time De Villiers, 30, had won the top award. Amla was the winner in 2013.De Villiers was in prolific run-scoring form during the year which started in June 2013. He was South Africas leading run-scorer in Tests, in which he scored 804 runs at an average of 67.00, and one-day internationals, in which he hit 789 runs at an average of 43.83 with a strike rate of 99.24.De Villiers was pipped for the first time in six years for the One-Day International Cricketer of the Year award, which went to De Kock, who hit three centuries in successive matches against India and racked up 664 runs at an average of 55.33.Leg-spinner Imran Tahir was named Twenty20 International Cricketer of the Year. He was South Africas leading wicket-taker in the shortest form of the game and starred in the World T20 in Bangladesh, taking 12 wickets at an average of 10.91.

Pietersen set for Surrey Twenty20 bow

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LONDON (AFP) - Former England star Kevin Pietersen will make his domestic Twenty20 Blast debut for Surrey at home to Essex on Friday, tournament organisers announced on Wednesday.A message published on the competitions Twitter feed said: NEWS: Kevin Pietersen named in @surreycricket squad, set for T20Blast action at the Oval on Friday.Pietersen had been scheduled to open his campaign against Middlesex last week, but he was ruled out by a finger injury.A YouTube video showing Pietersen padding up in a changing room was also posted on Surreys Twitter feed, along with the words: This gentleman will be coming to work on Friday night.Pietersen, 33, had his international career ended by the England and Wales Cricket Board earlier this year after Englands disastrous Ashes series whitewash in Australia.However, he joked that he was hoping for a call-up when England announce their team for the first Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.England selectors meeting today... Im ready to go he wrote on Twitter.Fancy Lords next week... Im a number 4 batter & bowl off spin. KPforLords.

MQM asks traders, transporters to resume routine activities

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Speaking to the media on Wednesday night, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, has appealed masses, traders and transporters to resume their routine activities.Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui further said that their protest sit-ins across Sindh including Karachi would continue.The routine life remained at standstill in Karachi for the past two days after the arrest of MQM chief Altaf Hussain in London.On the other hand, Sindh governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad visited MQM Numaish Chowrangi sit-in camp on early Thursday morning. Addressing the MQM workers, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad said that tie between Altaf Hussain and us, is unbreakable. He also Thanked PM Nawaz Sharif, co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari and leaders of other political parties who extended sympathies towards MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

Altaf Hussain contacts MQM secretariat in London

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LONDON (Web Desk) - MQM Chief Altaf hussain contacted the MQM secretariat in London for the first time after being arrested and advised workers to remain calm.Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain underwent medical checkup at London’s Wellington Hospital on Wednesday.The medical test showed high blood sugar and the medicines were provided to Altaf’ Hussain to control blood sugar level.According to doctors, Altaf Hussain was unable to appear for interview to police due to his health condition.The MQM leader is expected to remain hospitalizes for another night.According to London Metropolitan Police, Altaf Hussain will also remain under police custody during his stay at hospital for treatment.Earlier, Pakistani High Commission in London contacted British Foreign Ministry and asked for access to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain as he is also citizen of Pakistan.According to Foreign Office, Pakistan High Commission also sought details of the case against the MQM chief. The foreign office added that all possible legal assistance would be provided to Altaf Hussain.Meanwhile, London Police asked to nominate three persons to visit Altaf Hussain.Moreover, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan held telephonic conversation Khan Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad and inquired about the health of Altaf Hussain.The PM also prayed for early recovery of MQM Chief and asked the Governor to keep him informed about the development Altaf Hussains case.Nawaz Sharif said MQM Chief Altaf Hussain is a Pakistani citizen and the government will provide all possible legal assistance to him.Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the federal government will remain in touch with Governor Sindh regarding the case.On the other hand, MQM supporters continue to hold sit-ins in various cities including Karachi and Hyderabad against the arrest of Altaf Hussain.MQM chief Altaf Hussain was arrested in London on Tuesday in connection with the money-laundering case.Metropolitan Police of London had started money laundering probe against Altaf Hussain after they recovered some money from his house, whose source could not be ascertained.During the investigation of Imran Farooq murder case the Scotland Yard had found 0.4 million pound sterling from Altaf Husaains house following which it spread its scope of investigation.

Three minor girls burnt to death in Lahore

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LAHORE (Web Desk) - Three minor girls were burnt to death in their house in Ichhra area of Lahore.Rescue sources said the fire erupted in the house when the mother of the ill-fated girls turned on the stove in the kitchen and went to buy some commodities from the market.When mother returned home and saw three girls burnt and shifted them to the Services Hospital where doctors on duty pronounced Khudeja and Aalia dead while the condition of Noor Fatima was stated to be critical.The bodies were handed over to the family members.

Queen's new state coach encapsulates British history

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LONDON (AFP) - Queen Elizabeth II rode to the opening of parliament on Wednesday in a brand new Australian-built state coach that encapsulates nearly a thousand years of British history.Crafted over nearly a decade, the gilded Diamond Jubilee State Coach is only the second new horse-drawn state carriage to be built in more than 100 years.It contains wood from king Henry VIIIs flagship the Mary Rose, which sank in 1545, and Isaac Newtons apple tree, which inspired him to form his theory of gravity.The coach is covered in more than 400 books of gold leaf and despite the overcast London skies on Wednesday, brightly caught the eye as it was drawn to the Palace of Westminster by six horses.The 88-year-old sovereign and her 92-year-old husband Prince Philip seemingly enjoyed the ride, the monarch smiling as she arrived and needing no help getting out of the carriage.The carriage is almost five and a half metres (yards) long, more than three metres high and weighs more than three tonnes.The coach was made by Australian craftsman Jim Frecklington in his workshop in the Sydney suburb of Manly.This coach is different to any other coach made in history, as this coach encapsulates the history of Britain going back almost one thousand years, he told BBC television.Ive been able to find timber from many great buildings, great ships, great aircraft and also Ive been able to incorporate items from many of the great people that have made Britain what it is today.- Musket balls and flagships -The crown on the top of the coach was carved from oak from HMS Victory, Admiral Horatio Nelsons flagship at the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. It can host a camera to film crowds lining the route.The inside, lined in yellow silk, incorporates items donated by more than 100 of Britains historic sites and organisations.Many are squares of wood that have been highly polished and decorate the interior walls and door panels.The seat handrails are from the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia.The window frames and inside panels include material from Caernarfon Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, Durham Cathedral, 10 Downing Street, and the Antarctic bases of polar explorers Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton.A British lead musket ball from the 1815 Battle of Waterloo and a piece of metal from the casting of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for military bravery, are also built into the coach.It also contains fragments from Scotlands Stone of Scone, on which monarchs are crowned.There is a wood panel each from Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, St Pauls Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle.Parts of Lancaster bombers, Spitfires and Hurricanes -- World War II aircraft -- are also worked into the design.Despite the centuries of history, the coach does have some mod-cons, with six hydraulic stabilisers -- covered in gold leaf -- fitted to the carriage to ensure a smooth ride, plus electric windows and heaters.
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