Monday 22 September 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Asian Games: China fight past S.Korea for badminton gold

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INCHEON (AFP) - China beat South Korea to take womens team badminton gold at the Asian Games Monday after a fierce battle which saw Koreas top seed break down in tears at her defeat.The Chinese favourites, who included the worlds top three singles players, won 3-0 overall in a scoreline which belied the hosts brave performances.Distraught star Sung Ji-Hyun could not contain her grief after losing to top seed Li Xuerui in a 2-1 duel, having never taken a single game off the world number one in their seven previous meetings.I was in the very first game (of the evening) for the team and Im very sorry to my teammates, cried Sung. I should have been more confident.The 23-year-old world number four fought to a brilliant lead in the opening match, taking the first game 21-17 with epic rallies stirring up a cheering home crowd as an unsettled Li put shots long and wide.Sung tired in the second set, losing 21-13 before rallying once more in the third, going into the break just a point down. But Lis artillery of shots and lightning quick returns finally broke over-stretched Sung who yielded 21-16 in the 65-minute tussle.Sixth-ranked Bae Yeon-Ju also managed to take the first game off world number two Wang Shixian but with a deafening crowd chanting her name as she tried to seal victory in the third, she agonisingly lost it 21-19. Doubles pair Kim So-Yeong and Chang Ye-Na took their first game against Zhao Yunlei and Tian Qing in the second match, but none of the Korean challengers could convert their leads into victories.We prepared well and studied how they played but we had a hard fight -- every match went to three games, said Chinas Wang.We were not surprised by how good they were because we have met them many times and its always very difficult.Koreas Chang added: The home ground was to our advantage but it just didnt work out -- we tried hard to win gold, but the Chinese are a great team.The hosts will again challenge China for gold in the mens team final Tuesday, after world champion Chen Long smashed Malaysian world number one Lee Chong Wei in the semi-final.South Korea eased through to the final dispatching Taiwan 3-0.Malaysia faced a difficult task in their clash with a strong China team, which featured 25-year-old world number two Chen and superstar Lin Dan.Chen beat Lee to gold in this years world championships and made a confident start, taking the first game, before Lee battled back in the second with both players putting on an amazing display of powerful smashes and deft net skill.But the 31-year-old Malaysian seemed to lose confidence and concentration in the third and, despite a few flashes of brilliance, lost 21-11.Lin saw off Malaysias Chong Wei Feng in two sets as China romped to a 3-0 overall win.Lees performance does not bode well for the singles competition in which he may have to beat his nemesis Lin as well as Chen to win his first Asian Games title.Fans are hoping for another classic showdown between Lee and Lin, who are drawn to meet in the semi-finals, in what is the Malaysians Asian Games swansong.Lin, 30, has repeatedly denied the Malaysian gold in major tournaments, including the Asian Games, Olympics and worlds.Chen is the clear favourite in the other half of the draw, with Indonesias Tommy Sugiarto and South Koreas Son Wan-Ho his biggest challengers.

Asian Games: Lin breaks China's lifting duck with 69kg gold

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INCHEON (AFP) - China finally ended North Koreas weightlifting stranglehold when Olympic champion Lin Qingfeng took their first gold of the competition after a close battle packed with incident in the mens 69kg.Both Lin and North Koreas Kim Myong-Hyok totalled 342kg but Lin took the gold by virtue of having the lighter bodyweight to get Chinas lifting challenge back on track.I was confident because I knew I could beat him, said Lin afterwards, clearly delighted that China had their first gold and maiden victory over North Korea after three days of competition. I dont know if I will be selected for the 2016 Olympics. But I know China will pick the best weightlifter and he will beat Kim again to win gold.Mohammed Kadhum of Iraq, ranked only 10th in the world, was a surprised and delighted bronze medallist on 325kg after three higher-rated lifters in the medal hunt all failed to last the course.In an enthralling battle, Kim smashed a 16-year-old Asian Games snatch record in the first discipline by 2kg at 157kg only to see Lin raise it again with 158kg on his next attempt.With one attempt remaining, Kim upped it to 160kg, pushing the bar above his head and roaring with delight as three white lights from the judges confirmed the record was his -- fully 5kg above the old mark set in Bangkok way back in 1998. Kim opened with 182kg in the second set of lifts but Lins comfortable 184kg put him in gold medal position. Kim then failed with two attempts at a world-record equalling 198kg as he tried to ramp up the pressure on Lin, handing the gold to China.I failed to make it although I did my best, a disappointed Kim told AFP. I will redouble my efforts to make sure I will get a gold medal next time. Before that there had been a crushing disappointment for Indonesia when their bronze hope Ketut Ariana, the 2013 Asian championships silver medallist, was unable to complete a legal lift in the snatch at his opening weight of 147kg and left the stage distraught.The same fate befell Asian champion Jaber Behrouzi of Iran in the clean and jerk as he too failed with all three attempts at 181kg and crashed out.And there was yet more drama to come when home hope Won Jeong-Suk collapsed in agony attempting the lift that would have given him the bronze. Going for the 183kg in the clean and jerk his left knee buckled horribly leaving him crying out on the stage.A screen was hastily erected to shield the injured lifter from spectators and, after treatment from medics, he was carried away on a stretcher unable to continue.An official later told AFP that he had been taken to hospital for a scan, but it was believed the injury was not serious.

Tennis: French choose clay for Davis Cup final

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PARIS (AFP) - The Davis Cup final between France and Switzerland will be staged on a clay surface, the French Tennis Federation announced on Monday.As hosts, the French team choose the surface to be used for the November 21-23 event in Lille, which was confirmed as the venue last week.Matches will be held at the citys Stade Pierre-Mauroy, the home of French Ligue 1 football club Lille.The match-up will be an indoors affair under a retractable roof.Lille stadium has a capacity of over 50,000, but for the final a court will be set up at one end to make use of the permanent seating in conjunction with temporary stands. The expected capacity will be a minimum of 27,000 spectators.

Altaf for technocrat govt for two years

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LONDON (Dunya News) – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has proposed technocrat government in Pakistan for a period of two years.He was talking to media along with Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar who called on him at the MQM secretariat in London on Monday.Altaf Hussain said that the formation of technocrat government is the need of the hour to carry out an across-the-board and ruthless accountability. He further said that Pakistan needs honest people like Chaudhry Sarwar.He said the issue of Islamabad sit-ins should be resolved on give and take basis through meaningful dialogues and urged both sides to offer face-saving to each others.Also speaking on the occasion, Ch Sarwar urged all political parties to come forward for the assistance of IDPs of North Waziristan and the masses affected by floods in Punjab and Sindh.Earlier, Governor Punjab Ch Muhammad Sarwar called on Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain at the MQM secretariat in London on Monday.Chaudhry Sarwar was received by members of MQM Rabita Committee Babar Ghauri and Faisal Sabzwari on his arrival at the MQM secretariat.Governor Punjab Ch Sarwar and MQM chief Altaf Hussain held a one-on-one meeting which lasted of over 20 minutes. Both the leaders discussed current political situation in the country during the meeting.

Arab Bank funds Hamas, supports terrorism

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NEW YORK, Sept 22, 2014 (AFP) - In a landmark decision, a New York jury on Monday found the Jordan-based multinational Arab Bank liable on 24 counts of supporting terrorism by transferring funds to Hamas.The verdict came after the jury deliberated for nearly two full days after a month-long trial at the eastern district court in Brooklyn.This is an enormous milestone, said Gary Osen, a lawyer on the team representing around 300 American relatives and the victims of 24 attacks carried out in Israel and the Palestinian territories.For the first time a financial institution is liable for supporting terrorism. The question now is to see how other financial institutions, regulators will deal with their banks and this decision, he added.Shand Stephens, lawyer for Arab Bank, poured scorn on the verdict, saying it should not have been found on evidence that thin.Asked whether the Bank would appeal, he told reporters: This verdict is going to be reversed.

FBI tracking returned IS figthers

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WASHINGTON, Sept 22, 2014 (AFP) - US authorities are closely tracking some of the 100 Americans estimated to have fought with the Islamic State group in the Middle East who are believed to have returned home, a senior US official said Monday.The revelation came before President Barack Obama travels to New York Tuesday to chair a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the threat posed by Western fighters who have signed up to fight for the jihadists and could pose a security risk in their home nations.The figure of 100 American IS fighters includes those whove gone, those whove tried to go, some whove come back and who are under active surveillance by the FBI, the official said on condition of anonymity.US Secretary of State John Kerry meanwhile said in a television interview Monday that we have over a hundred fighters there from America.They have passports. They can come back here, Kerry told MSNBC.US officials have so far said that though the are deeply concerned by the prospect that Islamic State could seek to conduct operations inside the United States or on the soil of its Western allies, they know of no current active plots targeting the US homeland.Last week, however, police in Australia said they had foiled a plot by IS jihadists to carry out demonstration executions in the country.The prospect that Islamic State could mount attacks on US soil if the threat is not addressed has been used by the Obama administration as a key argument in its drive for the formation of an international coalition to go after the group in Iraq and eventually in Syria.The group, which has carved out a haven in Syria and Iraq, has already beheaded three journalists, two of them American and one British and has threatened to kill other hostages.

London: Governor Punjab meets Altaf at MQM secretariat

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LONDON (Dunya News) – The meeting between Governor Punjab Ch Muhammad Sarwar and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain was held at the MQM secretariat in London on Monday.Governor Punjab Ch Sarwar and MQM chief Altaf Hussain held a one-on-one meeting which lasted of over 20 minutes. Both the leaders discussed current political situation in the country during the meeting.Earlier, Chaudhry Sarwar was received by members of MQM Rabita Committee Babar Ghauri and Faisal Sabzwari on his arrival at the MQM secretariat.

BlackBerry set to unveil latest cheap smartphone

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Canada-US-IT-telecom-BlackBerryMONTREAL, Sept 22, 2014 (AFP) - BlackBerry is set to unveil its latest smartphone Wednesday, in a move aimed at reviving the fortunes of the struggling Canadian tech group.The BlackBerry Passport with a square 4.5-inch screen and physical keyboard will be priced at $599 without a contract in the United States, chief executive John Chen told the Wall Street Journal.The price is slightly below the contract-free price of Apples new iPhone and high-end smartphones from Samsung.It will be launched at events in Dubai, London and Toronto, before launching in stores 15 days later, he said.The Passport launch follows the failure of devices on the BlackBerry 10 platform to gain traction, and a management shake-up last year aimed at stemming massive losses.The Waterloo, Ontario-based company helped create a culture of mobile users glued to smartphones, but lost its luster as many moved to iPhones or devices using Googles Android software.Last December, BlackBerry unveiled a manufacturing partnership with Taiwan-based Foxconn and a revamped organizational structure.The deal transfers to Foxconn the manufacturing and inventory management and allows BlackBerry to focus on software and services.The company is scheduled to release its second quarter results on Friday, which are expected to show the company slowly climbing back from the brink.In May, BlackBerry launched a new budget handset in Indonesia, one of its last bastions, in the hope it will take off in emerging markets and stem a decline in the smartphone makers fortunes.The touchscreen Z3, the first to be produced from the Canadian firms partnership with Foxconn, is aimed mainly at Asian markets and especially Indonesia, where the company maintains a loyal following, thanks in part to the popularity of its BBM messaging service. The device was launched at a price of under $200 without a contract.

Retailer Tesco suspends executives after profit error

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London (AFP) - The new head of Britains biggest retailer Tesco has suspended four senior executives and launched an independent investigation after the troubled supermarket revealed Monday it had massively overestimated profits.Following initial investigations into its UK food business, Tesco said its profit for the six months to August 23 was overstated by an estimated £250 million ($408 million, 318 million euros). The company did not specify which profit indicator this referred to.It has previously forecast its half-year trading profit at £1.1 billion.Mondays shock announcements sent Tescos share price sliding almost 12 percent in early deals.And the stock finished down 11.59 percent at 203 pence on Londons benchmark FTSE 100 index, which sank 0.94 percent to close at 6,773.63 points.We have uncovered a serious issue and have responded accordingly, Tescos new chief executive Dave Lewis said in a statement issued by the company, which is the worlds third-biggest supermarket group after Frances Carrefour and global leader, US retailer Wal-Mart.The chairman and I have acted quickly to establish a comprehensive independent investigation, said Lewis, who took the helm at the start of September in a bid to turnaround Tesco, which has now issued a third profit warning in just nine weeks.The board, my colleagues, our customers and I expect Tesco to operate with integrity and transparency and we will take decisive action as the results of the investigation become clear.© AFPMondays shock announcements sent Tescos share price sliding almost 12 percent in early deals © AFP/File Paul EllisLewis later told reporters that Tesco had asked four people to step aside so we can be sure we do the fullest and frankest investigation.A spokesman confirmed that the four were senior executives at the group but refused to say if UK managing director Chris Bush was among the quartet despite Lewis announcing also that Robin Terrell had been appointed to lead the UK business.- Earnings delayed -Tesco said it would now publish its interim earnings on October 23, three weeks later than had been planned in the wake of the probe being carried out by accountancy firm Deloitte, which will work closely alongside Freshfields, the supermarkets outside legal advisers.The announcement is a fresh blow for Tesco, which in August issued profit warnings and slashed its shareholder dividend by 75 percent, blaming challenging trade and high investment costs.“The new chief executives baptism of fire continues as Tesco adds a profit warning to a profit warning, said Richard J Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers.A combination of an overstatement of income and an understatement of costs has led to a material shortfall to the previously announced profit figure. Whilst this does not come close to jeopardising overall profitability, it follows last months announcement when the market had assumed that, at least, the bad news was out in the open and being dealt with.- Intense competition -Tesco, which is facing intense competition in Britain from German-owned discount retailers, had announced in July that outsider and Unilever executive Lewis would replace Philip Clarke.Lewis predecessor had shocked financial markets at the start of 2012 when he oversaw the supermarkets first profits warning in 20 years.That sparked a £1.0-billion turnaround plan to refresh its supermarket stores, but the group revealed in April that annual profits fell for the second year in a row.Tesco has struggled in recent years in Britain, as recession-weary shoppers have turned to German-owned discount retail groups Aldi and Lidl.Discount chains boomed during the downturn as consumers tightened their belts to save cash, and remain popular despite the economys steady recovery this year.Tescos profits have been weighed down also by fierce competition from its traditional supermarket rivals comprising Wal-Mart division Asda, Sainsburys and Morrisons.Tescos latest revelations dragged down the supermarket sector, with shares in Sainsburys falling 1.93 percent to close at 278.80 pence and Morrisons losing 1.65 percent to 179 pence.Britains biggest retailer has also suffered abroad in recent times, causing it close its failed US division Fresh & Easy and to exit from Japan over the past couple of years.

McIlroy, Poulter top US targets at Ryder Cup

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Gleneagles (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Top-ranked Rory McIlroy was a focus for both Ryder Cup captains upon arrival Monday at Gleneagles, Americans trying to defeat him and Europeans making sure he wakes up on time.US captain Tom Watson squarely made targets of McIlroy and Ian Poulter, the hero of Europes shocking 2012 record-setting comeback win at Medinah.Certainly whenever you beat the stud on the opposing team that gives your team a boost, Watson said when asked about McIlroy, clearly Europes star after winning the British Open and PGA Championship.But Poulter, 12-3 in Ryder Cup play, has been Europes top scorer in each of the past three Ryder Cups. At 38th, the Englishman is ranked second-lowest of any Cup player, but with seven wins in a row in Cup play, he might be the man Americans want to beat the most.Right now we have got a lot of players to look at, Watson said. But Poulter, I think Ian with his record, hes an 80 percent victor over the series of matches he has played in. We would like to reduce that.McIlroy, 4-3 with 2 halved in Cup play, overslept two years ago at Medinah and nearly missed his Sunday singles tee time, racing to the course with a police escort in time to win his match and help Europe inflict a humbling defeat.Our team is totally committed to bringing the Cup back, Watson said. I made it very clear to them that this is a redemption trip. Its time to make amends and try to redeem yourselves from what happened in 2012.European captain Paul McGinley is keeping the same template that produced a winner for Europe in seven of the past nine Ryder Cups, but there is a new wrinkle when it comes to wake-up calls.Were on top of that, McGinley said. That was a big learning curve for everybody, none moreso than Rory, and certainly wont happen this year. We have procedures in place in order for that not to happen.Youre going to knock on their doors at 5 oclock in the morning? asked Watson.Every five minutes, McGinley replied.It does help that players this year are staying at the hotel adjacent to the course.The good thing about this week if somebody is late they can roll out of bed to the first tee within five minutes, McGinley said.McIlroy played four weeks in a row in the season-ending US tour playoffs but McGinley has no fatigue worries regarding the 25-year-old Northern Ireland star.I dont have any concern, McGinley said. He got a real good break away from golf. Resting doesnt always mean lying in bed or by the pool for the week. Hes fresh. Hes ready.Neither team, however, has installed a social media policy to avoid spilling confidential matters.You have to trust the players at the end of the day, McGinley said.McGinley does not resist the favourites label given Europe this week, although he did point out the average US player ranking is 16th and only 19th for Europe.© AFPA general view shows the first hole on the Gleneagles golf course in Gleneagles, Scotland, on September 22, 2014, ahead of the Ryder Cup match between Europe and the United States © AFP Ben StansallWere slight favourites. Were not overwhelming favourites, McGinley said. Its a situation, if we are going to be favourites, to enbrace. Its not something to be afraid of or be ashamed of. They guys have worked very hard to be in the position they are.We know its going to be a very tough contest. This is a very strong American team. Were going to have to play really well to win this Ryder Cup. I certainly wont be underestimating this American team or Tom. If were going to win this Ryder Cup weve got to be on it.A military plane flew low enough over the course so Watson could not hear.Are you using them against us this week? Watson asked. Is that friendly?Friendly fire, McGinley replied.Watson expects a crowd solidly in Europes favour despite his beloved status in Scotland, where he won four of his eight career major titles.The crowds are magnificent, Watson said. This is the nature of the Ryder Cup. Its fine. Its fair. This is what you expect. Theres a lot of tension.You will feel the electricity of the Ryder Cup when you are out on the golf course. You hear those roars and its just electric. Thats what I tell people -- you are going to feel something you have never felt before.

Radwanska crashes, Sharapova through in Wuhan

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Wuhan (China) (AFP) - World number six Agnieszka Radwanska was dumped out of the $2.4 million WTA Wuhan Open on Monday by a determined Caroline Garcia of France, while Maria Sharapova won her first match of the inaugural tournament.Fourth seed Russian Sharapova defeated compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova in the evening match, while any hope of a Chinese singles victory was extinguished when US Open semi-finalist Peng Shuai crashed out to Germanys Mona Barthel.Radwanska was looking to book her place in the end-of-season championships in Singapore with a strong showing in Wuhan, but was defeated by a stunning fightback from Garcia, who was a set down in the second-round match.Garcia, who had claimed the scalp of Venus Williams in the first round, took the second and third sets at the tie-break in her two hour and 42 minute duel with Radwanska.The 20-year-old rising star, who is ranked 49th by the WTA, punched the air and jumped with delight after claiming victory.I knew I was still close even when I lost the first set, and that I could maybe win the second and third, Garcia told AFP.I always tried to believe in it.© AFPChinese fans cheer Russias Maria Sharapova (foreground) after she defeated compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan, in Chinas Hubei province on September 22, 2014 © AFP Greg BakerPolands Radwanska said she still hoped to make next months WTA Championships in Singapore with a good performance at the China Open in Beijing, which follows the Wuhan tournament, but was reeling from her exit in Wuhan.I think it was a tough match from beginning to the end. I think it was a very tight game, the former world number two told AFP.Definitely I could have done better in the moments that I should have really stepped forward.World number four Sharapova took two hours nine minutes to dispose of Kuznetsova and take her place in the third round.Kuznetsova, who is ranked 25th, claimed the opening set 6-3, but Sharapova then took command, winning the remaining sets 6-2, 6-2.I was very happy with the way I played the second and third set, Sharapova said.I wasnt waiting for her to give me the match. I really stepped up, and that was really important.Meanwhile, Peng Shuai failed to reproduce the heroics which saw her reach the last four at Flushing Meadows.After losing the fist set to Barthel 6-2, the 28-year-old staged a brief fightback midway through the second set, only for the German to force a tie-break which she comfortably won.Her loss means no Chinese player made it through the first round of the tournament, which is held in the home city of recently-retired two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na.Elsewhere at Wuhan, Alize Cornet of France set up a meeting with world number one Serena Williams in the second round following her two-set victory over Romina Oprandi of Switzerland in her first match.Cornet, who arrived in Wuhan with her confidence high after reaching the final at the WTA Guangzhou Open on Saturday, took the game with ease at 6-2, 6-1.She has already beaten Williams twice this year, handing the American power-hitter her earliest defeat at Wimbledon for nine years in June, and also winning at Dubai in February.Doubles specialist Sara Errani beat British rising hope Heather Watson 7-5, 6-4 in their opening singles match.The Italian will face Alison Riske of the USA at the next stage.Germanys Sabine Lisicki defeated Czech world number 15 Lucie Safarova in three sets, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, while tenth seed Jelena Jankovic beat Christina McHale of the USA 6-4, 6-4 in their first-round match.Australian world number 20 Samantha Stosur continued her miserable run of form, crashing out of her second competition in China at the first stage in a week.The 2011 US Open winner and former world number four lost to Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-4 after going out early on at the WTA Guangzhou Open as top seed last Tuesday.The Wuhan Open in Chinas central province of Hubei features the worlds top 20 women players.

NASA's MAVEN spacecraft enters Mars orbit

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Washington (AFP) - NASAs MAVEN spacecraft began orbiting Mars on Sunday, on a mission to study how the Red Planets climate changed over time from warm and wet to cold and dry.The unmanned orbiter has traveled more than 10 months and 442 million miles (711 million kilometers) to reach Mars for a first-of-its kind look at the planets upper atmosphere.Wow, what a night. You get one shot with Mars orbit insertion and MAVEN nailed it tonight, said project manager David Mitchell.The data from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft aims to help scientists understand what happened to the water on Mars and the carbon dioxide in its atmosphere several billion years ago.How Mars lost its atmosphere is one of sciences biggest mysteries. The answers could shed light on the planets potential to support life -- even if that was just microbial life -- long ago.© AFPGraphic on NASAs Maven probe, which entered the Martian orbit on Sunday © AFP Graphic -, -MAVENs findings are also expected to help add to knowledge of how humans could survive on a future visit to the Red Planet, perhaps as early as 2030.Mars is a cool place, but there is not much atmosphere, said John Clarke of the MAVEN science team.It is very cold, it is well below zero. The atmosphere is about half a percent of what we are breathing, he added.But we know that Mars could change and it was probably different in the past. There is a lot of evidence of flowing water on the surface from Marss ancient history.- Mission begins -Next, MAVEN will enter a six-week phase for tests.© AFPA general view of the Red Planets surface, captured by Mastcam:Left onboard NASAs Mars rover Curiosity, January 27, 2013 © NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSS/AFP/File -It will then begin a one-year mission of studying the gases in Marss upper atmosphere and how it interacts with the sun and solar wind.We are looking at early November as the official start of science, said MAVEN principal investigator Bruce Jakosky.Much of MAVENs year-long mission will be spent circling the planet 3,730 miles above the surface.However, it will execute five deep dips to a distance of just 78 miles above the Martian landscape to get readings of the atmosphere at various levels.NASA is the worlds most successful space agency at sending rovers and probes to Mars, and past missions have included the Viking 1 and 2 in 1975 and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2005.The US space agencys latest robotic vehicle, Curiosity, is exploring Gale Crater and Mount Sharp, looking for interesting rocks and returning data on whether the Martian environment shows evidence of a past ability to support life.Later this week, an Indian spacecraft, the Mars Orbiter Mission, is expected to reach Mars.The unmanned MOM probe is set to enter Marss orbit in the coming days after 10 months in space, marking Indias first mission to the Red Planet.We are anxiously awaiting the arrival in two days of the India MOM mission and we are hoping for their success, said Jakosky.We are sending them the best wishes from the entire MAVEN team for a successful orbit insertion and mission.

Record iPhone weekend sales top 10 million: Apple

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Washington (AFP) - Apple broke its sales record for an opening weekend of a new iPhone model, delivering 10 million in three days and boasting it could have sold more if it had them.Sales for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus exceeded our expectations for the launch weekend, and we couldnt be happier, Apple chief executive Tim Cook said Monday.We could have sold many more iPhones with greater supply and we are working hard to fill orders as quickly as possible.The opening weekend for the large-screen iPhones allowed Apple to break its record for launch weekend sales of nine million, which its set last year when it launched the iPhone 5S and 5C.The new models were launched on Friday in the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico and Singapore.They will be available in more than 20 additional countries from September 26, and 115 countries by the end of the year.The positive response was noted by analysts who said Apple is likely to get a lift from the new phones.- Apple executed well -Despite the supply chain constraints... Apple executed extremely well in the face of severe supply constraints, said Brian White at Cantor Fitzgerald in a note to clients.More important to us, we believe Apple is in the midst of a super cycle that we expect will keep the stock heading in an upward trajectory.Benjamin Reitzes at Barclays was also impressed by the sales figures and added that the key here is that the figure could have been much higher -- which is obvious if you visited a store over the weekend.Apple shares gained 0.15 percent Monday to $101.11.The global rollout led to long lines outside Tokyos flagship Apple store in glitzy Ginza, and in stores from Hong Kong to Paris to New York.Cook personally kicked off sales of the iPhone 6, joining in selfies and shaking hands with customers Friday outside the companys store in Palo Alto, California, near his Silicon Valley home.Both new iPhones have larger screens as Apple catches up with the phablet trend pioneered by competitors such as Samsung, which has had success with its Galaxy Note series.The iPhone 6 has a screen of 4.7 inches and the 6 Plus is 5.5 inches, reflecting a growing preference for bigger displays, despite Apples earlier vow to stick with the traditional size.Main rival Samsung has long had a range of larger handsets, which are popular in Asia, and will soon release a new Galaxy Note 4.Apple said more than four million pre-orders were received in the 24 hours after the sale was announced.The new iPhones come with Apple steadily losing market share to low-cost Android devices from South Korean rival Samsung and others.While Apple sold more than 35 million iPhones in the second quarter, its growth was slower than that of many rivals and its market share dipped to 11.7 percent, according to the research firm IDC.Samsung led the global smartphone market in the quarter with sales of 74 million and a market share of 25 percent, according to IDC figures.But the strongest growth in the past quarter came from Chinese manufacturers such as Huawei and Lenovo, which boosted their market share, notably in their home market.Apple has not yet announced plans for sales of the iPhone 6 in China. State officials said last week the US firm still needs to obtain a key network access license before selling on the mainland.Apple did get broader access to the Chinese market earlier this year when China Mobile, the countrys biggest wireless provider, started selling iPhones, ending a six-year wait in a crucial market for the US technology giant.Along with the new iPhone, Apple released an updated mobile operating system, iOS 8 with more features for fitness monitoring and home automation.The company also plans to roll out its Apple Watch which links to the iPhone in 2015, and has announced the newer iPhones would be equipped for mobile payments in the US market.

Sierra Leone faces 'overflow' of Ebola dead as curfew ends

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Pilots reject Air France offer to end strike

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15:56 - 22/09/14© AFPAlexandre de Juniac, chief executive of Air France-KLM, said this was the last offer to break the deadlock that has grounded on average 60 percent of the fleet © AFP/File Eric FeferbergParis (AFP) - Air France pilots on Monday rejected a last-ditch management offer to end the longest strike at the airline since 1998, which is costing up to 20 million euros ($25.7 million) daily.The main pilots union dismissed as a smoke screen the chief executives offer to freeze the development of a subsidiary budget airline that management sees as vital to compete in the cut-throat aviation sector.The management proposal is nothing but a smoke screen that offers no more guarantees than previous offers and does not solve any problem, the SNPL union said in a statement.Alexandre de Juniac, chief executive of Air France-KLM -- Europes second largest airline after Lufthansa -- said earlier Monday this was the last offer to break the deadlock that has grounded on average 60 percent of the fleet.I think no one can now understand the reasons for the strike, de Juniac told reporters, insisting he had made a balanced and positive offer.Pilots are on strike in protest at the airlines plans to develop Transavia France, which serves holiday destinations, primarily in the Mediterranean.They fear the airline will seek to replace expensive Air France pilots, who can earn up to 250,000 euros ($321,000) a year, with Transavia pilots, who are paid considerably less.De Juniac offered to suspend the plan to create Transavia subsidiaries in Europe until the end of the year in order to have a deeper dialogue with pilots, but insisted the overall project would go ahead.Air France, which is nearly 16 percent state-owned, said the strike was costing up to 20 million euros per day and that it would update its profit forecasts when it was over.The pilots strike has had disastrous consequences for customers, employees and the companys finances, the airline said.© AFPPrime Minister Manuel Valls called for the Air France deadlock to be broken as quickly as possible, judging that the management offer was reasonable © AFP/File Eric FeferbergAir France has already implemented an ambitious restructuring plan to reduce costs and improve efficiency as it battles strong headwinds in a shrinking aviation market.Unions have threatened to extend the strike until Friday unless their demands are met.- Air France fate at stake -Air France has made concessions -- notably an offer to limit the Transavia fleet to 30 planes compared with 37 originally planned -- but to no avail so far.This strike is becoming interminable, said Jean-Claude Delarue, president of a travellers federation.You have to ask yourself whether Air France will end up losing market share because travellers will end up going elsewhere, added Delarue.Prime Minister Manuel Valls called for the deadlock to be broken as quickly as possible, judging that the management offer was reasonable.Transport Minister Alain Vidalies warned over the weekend that the fate of the company could be at stake.Management has sent an email to its pilots to try to put an end to what it said were attempts of intimidation against pilots who were continuing to work.Air France management will not tolerate any misdemeanour and will initiate steps necessary to punish those who engage in such acts, read the email, obtained by AFP.The company also wrote to its passengers to express its frustration and unhappiness. It asked customers who have booked a ticket before September 26 to delay their trip or change their flight free of charge.In an apologetic message to its frequent flyers, the wider Air France-KLM group has said its aim was to offer competitive fares and Transavia was meant to complement Air Frances operations without creating any adverse impact on Air France staff.Throughout the strike, the atmosphere at airports has been remarkably quiet, as the company has been warning travellers in advance that their flights are cancelled.
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