Saturday 9 August 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

US launches 4 airstrikes against Iraqi militants

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WASHINGTON (AP) - The US military says American jet fighters and drones have conducted four more airstrikes on Islamic militants in Iraq, taking out armored carriers and a truck that were firing on civilians.U.S. Central Command says the Islamic State militants were firing on Yazidi civilians taking shelter in the Sinjar mountains. In a statement, the military says the militants were firing on civilians indiscriminately.Central Command says the strikes near Sinjar were spread out, with three before noon EDT on Saturday (before 1600 GMT) and one about 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT).The military says indications suggest that the strikes were successful in destroying the armored vehicles.This is the third round of airstrikes against Islamic State forces by the U.S. military since they were authorized by President Barack Obama.

Syrian children 'torn apart as 16 killed in Aleppo violence

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ALEPPO (AFP) - At least 16 civilians were killed in violence in Syria's second city of Aleppo on Saturday, residents and a monitoring group said.Residents found children 'torn apart' after a regime helicopter dumped a barrel bomb on a rebel-held area, a local man said.At least 13 people were killed and 17 wounded in the raid on Maadi in northeastern Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.In another part of the city, three children died and a dozen people were wounded when rebel rockets struck a regime-held district, the Observatory said.The monitoring group said the Maadi deaths happened when the regime aircraft dumped a barrel bomb of explosives on a building.The death toll could rise because of the number of seriously injured people, it said.The Observatory reported the death of only one child, but the local resident said at least four were killed.An AFP journalist on the scene saw a building with its roof caved in and other major damage, while debris was strewn all around.Civil defence volunteers from the rebel districts hastened to clear the rubble by hand and unearthed a man's body, covered in white dust with a bloody head.Other volunteers pulled back rubble with a pickaxe while a childlike body in a plastic cover was taken away on a stretcher.Local people gathered up what was left of boxes of fruit and vegetables, spread out over the road.The residents said the raid happened early in the morning.People were asleep... a grandfather emerged safe and sound but his three sons, all married, and their children, we still don't know what has happened to them, one resident said with emotion.They found four children torn apart after the helicopter dumped its barrel bomb, may God curse him, the man said, referring to President Bashar al-Assad, the focus of a three-year struggle by rebels to overthrow him.Residents said the raid appeared to target a district where a popular souk is located.Last month Human Rights Watch said the number of rebel sectors hit by barrel bombs had almost doubled in five months.The regime has pressed on with its barrel bomb campaign despite a United Nations resolution on February 22 banning their indiscriminate use in populated areas.HRW described barrel bombs as cheaply made, locally produced, and typically constructed from large oil drums, gas cylinders, and water tanks, filled with high explosives and scrap metal to enhance fragmentation, and then dropped from helicopters.

Tibet bus accident kills 44 people, injures 11: Xinhua

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BEIJING (AFP) - A tour bus plunged into a Tibetan valley on Saturday after hitting two vehicles, killing 44 people and injuring 11, Chinas official news agency Xinhua reported.The 55-seat bus carrying 50 people fell off a 10-metre-plus-high cliff after crashing into a sports utility vehicle and a pick-up truck, the report said, citing the regional government.Another five people were in the other vehicles in the accident which happened at around 4:25 pm (0825 GMT) in Nyemo County, west of the capital Lhasa, in the Tibet Autonomous Region which is governed by China.The bus passengers were mainly tourists from several eastern regions in China. The injured were being treated at hospitals in Lhasa and did not have life-threatening injuries, Xinhua said.Pictures on the news agencys website showed rescue workers at the bus which was lying with its wheels in the air. A hoist was also pictured attached to the bus.Police have detained the managers of a travel agency and vehicle tour company, blamed for the crash.The regional government has held an emergency meeting, ordering a general overhaul of road safety and travel safety across the region to avoid similar fatal accidents, the report added.Fatal road accidents are a serious problem in China, particularly involving the countrys often over-crowded long-distance buses.The ministry of transport says the number of road deaths in China fell from 104,000 in 2003 to 60,000 in 2012, or from about 300 fatalities a day to less than 200.A study published in 2011 by a group of Chinese and US researchers concluded, however, that the number of deadly accidents was twice higher than the police claimed.In July, 43 people died when a van carrying inflammable liquid hit a bus on a motorway in central China.In August 2012, at least 36 people died when a double-decker sleeper bus slammed into the rear of a methanol tanker and burst into flames in northern China.

Tennis: Venus rallies to beat Serena to reach Montreal final

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MONTREAL (AFP) - Venus Williams booked her spot in the Montreal WTA final by rallying to take a three-set win over sister Serena on Saturday in their 25th career meeting.Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus benefited from nine Serena double faults en route to a 6-7 (2/7), 6-2, 6-3 victory at the $2.5 million hardcourt tournament.Venus posted her first win over top seed and defending champion Serena since another three-set victory five years ago in Dubai. Serena is at her top level, Venus said. You can't win every match. You can't win them all.She's number one. Nobody wants to play her. If you do, you have to play the match of your life. There is no doubt about that.Saturday was also their first meeting since Serena thrashed her older sibling 6-1, 6-2 last year in Charleston.The contest lasted just over two hours as Venus hammered six aces and had just two double faults.Big sister taught little sister a lesson..., world number one Serena wrote on her Twitter account.Many of the crucial points in the semi-final came off second serves as Venus won 56 percent of hers compared to just 36 percent for Serena, who still leads their head-to-heads 14-11.In Sunday's final, Venus will face either third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland or unseeded Russian Ekaterina Makarova.The 34-year-old Venus became the oldest player to reach the final of this event in a quarter of a century as she guns for her 46th career singles title.I want to go out there and perform well, Venus said. If I am fortunate enough to win this tournament, then I am sure it will be dance-worthy.This also marked the first time Venus and Serena appeared on the same court together since Serena's infamous wobble at Wimbledon.Six weeks ago Serena exited Wimbledon in bizarre fashion. Appearing dizzy and bewildered during a Wimbledon doubles match with her sister, she struggled just to bounce the ball and then double-faulted four times in a row. Serena later blamed her performance on a virus.Serena, a three-time champion at the event and who was coming off a victory last week in Stanford, fired 19 aces but couldn't overcome her double faults and poor second serves.I made many mistakes today. When I make so many mistakes it is impossible to win against her, a disappointed Serena said.I haven't been able to get into the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam this year.At this point, really just looking forward to next year, to be honest.Serena then bristled at a reporter's follow-up question about possibly overlooking the US Open and how this affects her motivation for the upcoming Grand Slam.You're looking at it way too deep, she shot back. You making a mountain out of a molehill. What is this, The Enquirer?She said the reason she is not feeling any pressure heading into the US Open is because of her really disappointing season so far.I am just saying I've had a really disappointing season, especially in Grand Slams.So I am not going to put any pressure on myself. I almost feel like the pressure is lifted because I haven't performed the way I wanted to personally ... I look forward to next year because I don't have any points to defend at any of the slams.

Tennis: Tsonga ousts Dimitrov to reach Toronto final

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TORONTO (AFP) - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dealt the new tennis generation a blow with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Grigor Dimitrov on Saturday at the Toronto Masters to reach his first final in Canada.The 29-year-old Frenchman will face off for his second Masters 1000 shield on Sunday when he plays the winner from two-time Canadian champion Roger Federer and Spain's Feliciano Lopez.Tsonga claimed a Masters win at Paris Bercy in 2008, but lost in Paris and London in two other finals to Federer.Tsonga spent fewer than 90 minutes in dispatching 23-year-old Bulgarian Dimitrov, the youngest member of the ATP Tour's top 10 who stands eighth in the world and is tipped as one of the stars of the future.The Frenchman took victory on his second match point after a tie in which he struck seven aces, saved all four break points he faced and fired 22 winners as he broke his opponent three times.Tsonga needed to work for three-quarters of an hour to win the opening set against a player he beat three times in 2011.Tsonga earned a beak for 5-4 in the opener and claimed the set after a marathon final game in which he saved four break points -- an ace and three service winners -- before taking the set 6-4 with another powerful serve.In the second set, the Frenchman got on top 2-1 and then broke again in the final game to post his 29th win of the season against 13 losses.Tsonga reached the semis after upsetting world number one Novak Djokovic and 2013 Wimbledon champion Andy Murray back-to-back in the two previous rounds.He is bidding for his 11th career trophy. He has a 5-11 career record against Federer and is 5-0 over Lopez.

Golf: McIlroy bogey leaves logjam atop PGA leaderboard

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LOUISVILLE (AFP) - Top-ranked Rory McIlroy botched a chip and made bogey at the 12th hole to settle for a three-way share of the lead in Saturday's third round of the PGA Championship.McIlroy, who won the British Open three weeks ago for his third major title, birdied the 10th to seize the lead but went over the green on his approach to 11 and then fluffed a chip shot, leaving the ball in the dense grass.The reigning British Open champion got up and down from there but fell to one-under for the round and 10-under for the tournament, level for the lead with Americans Rickie Fowler and Ryan Palmer.Fowler, this year's US and British Open runner-up, birdied the 10th hole to also stand on 10-under.Palmer sank a 33-foot birdie putt at the par-3 12th to reach 10-under.South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, closed with back-to-back birdies for a four-under par 67 that gave him the clubhouse lead on nine-under 204.Also on the course at nine-under were Australian Jason Day, American Jim Furyk, Finland's Mikko Ilonen and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger.Morning rains helped soften the course and make greens receptive, perfect scoring conditions in which leaders thrived.

Motorcycling: Marquez takes eighth pole of season

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INDIANAPOLIS (AFP) - World champion Marc Marquez stormed to his eighth pole position of the season for Sunday's Indianapolis Grand Prix where he will be chasing a perfect 10th win in 10 races.The Spaniard clocked 1min 31.619sec on his Honda with Andrea Dovizioso in second place on a Ducati, 0.225sec off the pace.Jorge Lorenzo, Aleix Espargaro and Valentino Rossi filled out the top five places on the grid for Sunday's race.Marquez, who won at the Brickyard last year as a rookie in the elite class, now has 17 poles in 28 races in MotoGP.This afternoon, I felt so good, said Marquez. In the qualifying and practice, I'm happy for the pole because after holidays, to get confidence again, it's important.Our pace is high and if it's dry I think we can fight for the victory. The tyres will be a big decision, especially for the rear.Marquez said that he changed from soft tyres in Saturday's practice run to hard tyres for the afternoon qualifying.Tomorrow, (it) depends on the temperature, Marquez added. This morning, the rhythm with the soft tires was so good. This afternoon, with the hard tires, was also good. With both options, I feel comfortable.Dovizioso, whose only other front-row start this season came in France where he started in third place, was 10th at the Indianapolis Grand Prix a year ago. The Italian's highest finish at the venue came in 2012, when he took third.Lorenzo, the 2010 and 2012 world champion, won this event in 2009. He finished behind Marquez and Dani Pedrosa a year ago in a one-two-three finish for Spanish riders. On Sunday, he'll start in the front row for the fifth time this year.The MotoGP course, reconfigured for this year's event, drew praise from the riders. While the course still has 16 turns, the overall length is shorter at 4.17 kilometers (2.59 miles) and turns 3, 4, 7, 15 and 16 have been modified.Also, the circuit's entire infield section was repaved, to the delight of riders who complained in the past about the bumpy surface.It looks like they did a very good job, said seven-time series champion Rossi of Italy.Five of this year's riders have competed in the previous six MotoGP races at Indianapolis -- Rossi, Dovizioso, Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Colin Edwards.The 40-year-old Edwards, who recently announced plans to retire, is the lone US entry in this year's race.In Moto2, Mika Kallio of Finland won the pole with a qualifying time of 1:36.883. Australia's Jack Miller had the day's quickest performance in Moto3 with a 1:40.727.

Battling Zimbabwe survive Steyn, Piedt onslaught

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HARARE (AFP) - Dale Steyn and Dane Piedt claimed four wickets apiece for South Africa, but Zimbabwe defied the odds as they batted out the first day of the one-off Test to reach stumps on 248 for 9.Top-ranked South Africa had been expected to rifle through ninth-ranked Zimbabwe after the hosts had won the toss and elected to bat, but came up against a determined side that was marshalled by captain Brendan Taylor's 93.It was just the fourth time in eight attempts that Zimbabwe had passed 200 in their first innings of a Test against the Proteas -- an achievement that looked highly unlikely as Steyn and Piedt pounced in the first two sessions.Fast bowler Steyn eased past West Indian great Malcolm Marshall on the list of Test cricket's leading wicket-takers, taking 4 for 45 to end the day on 379 scalps.Meanwhile debutant Piedt became the 19th Test cricketer -- and just the first South African since Bert Vogler in 1906 -- to pick up a wicket with his very first delivery, which spun sharply to trap Mark Vermeulen lbw for 14.I wasn't expecting it to spin so much, but I did put a lot on it, Piedt said.I've spoken to 'Hendo' (spin consultant Claude Henderson) over the years and we say that you should try to make a statement with your first delivery. I think I did that.Vermeulen's remarkable return to the Zimbabwe side had earlier been confirmed as he made a Test comeback almost eight years after burning down his country's cricket academy.Off-spinner Piedt went on to claim two wickets in three balls during the afternoon session, dismissing Hamilton Masakadza for 45 and Regis Chakabva for a duck, on his way to figures of 4 for 90.Sean Williams responded to that double blow with a counter-attacking 24 before he became Steyn's second wicket, which saw Zimbabwe slip to 120 for five.However Taylor continued to prove equal to anything that South Africa's attack could throw at him, and found support from wicketkeeper-batsman Richmond Mutumbami and then the lower order as he scored freely either side of tea.The 28-year-old threw away his chance of scoring a Test century against the world's best attack when he took Piedt on and was caught on the midwicket boundary.That left Zimbabwe 220 for eight with more than 13 overs left in the day, but Tendai Chatara slapped a quick 22 before debutants Donald Tiripano and John Nyumbu saw the hosts to stumps.We've shown a lot of character today against the top attack in the world, and we can come back tomorrow and start again, Taylor said.

Lloyd named as new head of Windies selectors

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ST. JOHN'S (AFP) - Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd was on Saturday named as the head of selectors with former fast bowlers Eldine Baptiste and Courtney Walsh also joining a new-look panel.The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said that former wicketkeeper Courtney Browne has been retained on the panel while current head coach Ottis Gibson joins as a non-voting member.But previous chairman, former Test off-spinner Clyde Butts and former leg-spin all-rounder Robert Haynes have been dropped.Director of cricket Richard Pybus said that Lloyd has been handed a two-year contract.We welcome the introduction of Clive Lloyd -- one of the true legends of West Indies cricket -- to the selection panel for the first time, said Pybus.We are also glad that an iconic fast bowler like Courtney Walsh, and highly-experienced, former international player and coach like Eldine Baptiste have accepted to perform this important function.Following his retirement as a player, Lloyd, a veteran of 110 Tests, served as coach, manager and board director.He has also worked with the International Cricket Council as a match referee and head of its cricket committee.The new panel will convene for the first time during the course of the week, with their first main task being the selection of the West Indies Test team for the series against Bangladesh.Meanwhile, the WICB on Saturday named a 13-man squad for the three one-day internationals against Bangladesh later this month:Dwayne Bravo (captain), Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Nikita Miller, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Lendl SimmonsMatch schedule:Aug 20: 1st ODI - St. George's, Grenada.Aug 22: 2nd ODI - St. George's, Grenada.Aug 25: 3rd ODI - Basseterre, St. Kitts (day/night).Aug 27: Twenty20 international - Basseterre, St. Kitts (day/night).Sept 5-9: 1st Test - Kingstown, St. Vincent.Sept 13-17: 2nd Test - Gros-Islet, St. Lucia.

England upbeat over Broad despite broken nose

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - England expect Stuart Broad will be fit to play in the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval next week despite confirming the paceman had suffered a broken nose in their fourth Test win at Old Trafford.X-rays confirm a fractured nose, an England and Wales Cricket Board spokeswoman told reporters at Old Trafford after England, with Broad off the field, completed a spectacular innings and 54-run victory inside three days to go 2-1 up in the series.He will have treatment over the course of the week and the medical team anticipate he will be available for the fifth Test.Broad was hit when, trying to hook Varun Aaron for what would have been a third six in as many balls of the India fast bowler, he missed, with the ball lodging between the peak of his helmet and the grille. However, Broad was still named man-of-the-match for his first-innings return of six for 25 that was pivotal in India being skittled out for 152 after the tourists had in fact won the toss. Immediately after he was hit, Broad signalled for the England physiotherapist to come on and, after several minutes of on-field treatment, with blood coming out of a nose wound, walked off as he retired hurt on 12, with England then 338 for eight.Broad did not resume his innings when new-ball partner James Anderson was ninth man out, with England thus 367 all out -- a first-innings lead of 215 runs.Amazing win that Watched the last 8 wickets in a hospital 2-1 One to go come on boys, tweeted Broad from his hospital bed.Broad revealed Thursday he would undergo surgery on a longstanding right knee problem some time after the fifth Test with a view to being fit in time for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand that starts in February.

Vaughan slams 'pathetic' India

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - Former England captain Michael Vaughan blasted India for their pathetic display in losing the fourth Test at Old Trafford by an innings and 54 runs on Saturday.India lost nine wickets after tea on the third day as they were bowled out for 161 and were in fact beaten in not much more than two days' actual playing time after rain cut short Friday's second day by several hours.Their defeat was made all the worse by the fact Stuart Broad, named man-of-the-match for a return of six for 25 in India's meagre first innings 152, played no part at all in their second innings collapse.Broad was off the field with a broken nose after being hit by a Varun Aaron bouncer while batting earlier Saturday.Vaughan said India's resistance evaporated from the moment opener Gautam Gambhir (18) was dismissed shortly after tea to leave the tourists 53 for two.Brilliant from England, Vaughan told BBC Radio's Test Match Special.India, you can only describe their display today as pathetic, he added after England beat India inside three days in a Test for the first time since a 132-run success at Edgbaston in 1967.There was no movement through the air, a hint of spin, but not a great deal and they just lost their fight. As soon as Gambhir got out it was almost as if they dangled a white flag from the dressing-room and that is unacceptable from an international side.Vaughan said India, who won the second Test at Lord's by 95 runs to go 1-0 up in the series, had paid a price for spending so much time trying to get England spearhead bowler James Anderson banned for allegedly abusing and pushing all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja during the drawn first Test in Nottingham.If you look back to Lord's, I think India have been fighting too many battles off the pitch, said Vaughan.You've got to remember to fight battles on the pitch and I have not seen any of that over that in the last two weeks.

PAT set to observe Youm-e-Shuhada today

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Awami Tehreek will observe Youm-e-Shuhada today at the Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran secretariat in Model Town.Quran Khawani for the martyrs of Model Town tragedy and Pak Army personnel who laid their lives during operation Zarb-e-Azb in South Waziristan will be held at the Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) secretariat today (Sunday).A large number of PAT workers will attend the programme which will start at 1:00pm. Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr. Tahirul ‎Qadri will address the participants after Quran Khawani.On the other hand, Pakistan Awami Tehreek president Raeeq Abbasi has said that the government had decided to conduct a raid at Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran secretariat today to arrest Dr Tahirul Qadri.Talking to media outside Minhajul Quran secretariat, he said that helicopter would be used to drop special commandos at the residence of Dr Tahirul Qadri to detain him.Raeeq Abbasi urged government to refrain from such tactics and said that PAT workers would adopt every possible measure to protect PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri.

PCB announces schedule for new chairman election

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced the schedule for the election of new Chairman PCB.Elections will be held on 18th of August; four associations (Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi and Peshawar) are included as the Electoral College for elections. United Bank Limited (UBL), Sui Gas, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and WAPDA are the institutions of elections.The names of Najam Sethi and Shahryar Khan have been listed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Najam Sethi has already announced that he will not take part in the elections so the chances for Shahryar Khan are very bright.

Rulers have imposed 'Civil Martial Law': Mehmoodur Rasheed

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LAHORE: (Dunya News) – Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed has said that the rulers have imposed ‘civil martial law’ in Punjab. He said that petrol pumps have been closed in Punjab after sealing the province.Speaking to a press conference in Lahore today (Saturday), Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader said that ‘Azadi March’ will not be postponed under any condition. “If petrol pumps do not get opened, people will lead the march by foot”, said Mehmoodur Rasheed.Punjab’s Opposition Leader said that the rulers are panicking. He told that various roads have been dug up in Lahore and all the routes have been sealed with containers.Mehmoodur Rasheed said that these actions exposed the panic in the government ranks. He reiterated his resolve that the ‘Azadi March’ will be conducted under any circumstances. “An ocean of public will come out on August 14”, said the PTI leader. He said that people will come out for ‘change’ and ‘free and fair elections’.

IG Punjab directs to remove containers throughout Punjab

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LAHORE: (Dunya News) – Inspector General Punjab Police Mushtaq Sukhera has directed the administration to remove the containers that were placed on entrance and exit routes of all major cities of the province. Police officials immediately set out to remove the containers from the important routes of Punjab.However, IG Punjab has stated that some of the roads will continue to remain sealed due to security reasons.Faisalabad Police and administration has removed the containers from Motorway and the Grand Truck (GT) Road. The roads leading to Lahore have also been opened.Previously, the government had sealed all the routes including Deputy Wala Interchange, Pindi Bhattian, Sahianwala, Kamalpur Interchange on GT Road in view of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) protests. However, barriers have now been removed and finally the travelers have been relieved.Containers are also being removed from various areas of Lahore. Since morning today, people kept entering Lahore by crawling beneath the containers. Several others reached Lahore on boats through River Ravi.On the other hand, the administration has started sealing various routes of Islamabad now. The road in Islamabad that leads from Convention Center to the Murree Road has been blocked with containers.Police has been deployed at Faizabad Interchange which is one of the major entrance routes to Islamabad. Police officials equipped with modern weapons have been deployed at this route. The policemen have been provided with helmets, masks, protection sheets and bullet-proof jackets in order to deal with a probable clash with the protesters. Police officials will remain on-duty all day and night.
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