Sunday 19 October 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Suicide bomber kills 18 at Baghdad Shiite mosque

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BAGHDAD (AFP) - A suicide bomber detonated explosives at a Shiite mosque in western Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 18 people, security and medical officials said.The blast in the Harthiyah area, which also wounded at least 30 people, is the latest in a string of bombings in the Iraqi capital that have killed dozens of people in recent days.Accounts differed as to whether the bomber struck at the gate or inside the mosque, where some of the sources said mourners were gathered at the time of the explosion.There was no immediate claim for the attack, but suicide bombings are almost exclusively carried out by Sunni jihadists in Iraq, including members of the Islamic State (IS) group, which has seized large areas of Iraq since June.The militants have been kept from reaching Baghdad in force and would face major challenges if they tried to occupy part of the city, but they are able to strike the capital with deadly bombings.Members of Iraqs Shiite majority, whom Sunni extremists consider to be heretics, have suffered the brunt of the blasts.In further violence on Sunday, a roadside bomb exploded near a security forces patrol in the Tarmiyah area north of Baghdad, killing at least four people and wounding at least eight, officials said.

Sinai bomb kills seven Egypt soldiers: security source

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CAIRO (AFP) - A roadside bomb killed seven Egyptian soldiers and wounded four in the restive Sinai Peninsula on Sunday, security officials said.The bomb exploded next to an armoured vehicle guarding a gas pipeline in north Sinai, the officials said.Militants have killed scores of policemen and soldiers in the rugged peninsula since the military overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.A military official said first responders were still assessing the casualties.The attack came three days after a similar bombing killed two policemen in the north Sinai provincial capital of El-Arish.Militants killed 17 policemen in Sinai in two bombings in September and later released footage of the attacks.Those attacks were claimed by Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, the most active militant group in Egypt. It tried to assassinate the interior minister in Cairo last year with a car bomb.The group has expressed support for Islamic State jihadists in Iraq and Syria, although it has not formally pledged its allegiance.President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the army chief who overthrew Morsi and later won elections, has pledged to eradicate the militants.The military has said it killed at least 22 militants in October, including a local Ansar Beit al-Maqdis commander. The group itself has acknowledged the arrest or deaths of its cadres, but so far the army has been unable to quell the militants despite a massive operation in which it has deployed attack helicopters and tanks.The militants sometimes operate openly in north Sinai, setting up impromptu checkpoints and handing out leaflets.They say they target policemen and soldiers to avenge a bloody police crackdown on Islamists after Morsis overthrow, which killed hundreds in street clashes and imprisoned thousands.Squeezed by the police crackdown, pro-Morsi protests have grown smaller and less frequent, but disaffected Islamists are thought to be increasingly drawn to militancy.The government has declared Morsis Muslim Brotherhood group a terrorist organisation after blaming it for an attack conducted by Ansar Beit al-Maqdis.The group, whose name means Partisans of Jerusalem in English, formed after the 2011 uprising that overthrew veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak and ushered in a period of lawlessness, especially in the sparsely populated Sinai peninsula.They initially focused their attacks on neighbouring Israel, firing rockets and conducting two cross border raids that killed a number of Israeli civilians and soldiers.Ansar Beit al-Maqdiss leaders are believed to be Bedouin and some of its members had fought in Syria alongside jihadists before returning to Egypt.

Iran, powers resume expert-level nuclear talks Wednesday

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TEHRAN (AFP) - Expert-level talks between Iran and world powers aimed at clearing the path toward a nuclear deal will be held Wednesday and Thursday in Vienna, a top Iranian official said.Iran and the P51 group of nations (Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States plus Germany) are seeking a comprehensive agreement over Tehrans nuclear programme by a November 24 deadline.However the talks have been hit by disputes over what limits should be placed on Irans atomic activities, particularly its enrichment of uranium, and on the process of lifting US, UN and European sanctions.Negotiations between experts from Iran and the P51 will be held Wednesday and Thursday in Vienna, Iranian negotiator and deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency.The date of the next meeting between the Iranian delegation, the United States and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who is shepherding the negotiations, will be announced later, according to Araqchi.The deal being sought, after more than a decade of rising tensions, is meant to ease concerns that Iran might be able to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of its civilian energy programme.To do this, the P51 wants Iran to scale down dramatically the scope of its atomic activities, offering in return relief from painful sanctions, but Iran is resisting this.Iran denies seeking to build the atomic bomb.In months of discussions since an interim agreement struck last November took effect in January, some progress has been made.This includes possible changes in the design of an unfinished reactor at Arak so that it produces less weapons-grade plutonium, enhanced UN inspections, and alterations to Irans fortified Fordo facility.Many analysts believe that the November deadline may be extended, as happened with an earlier target date of July 20, maybe locking in measures related to Arak and Fordo.

75 killed in five days of fighting in Libya's Benghazi

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BENGHAZI (AFP) - Nine people were killed Sunday in new violence in Benghazi where pro-government forces have launched an offensive against Islamist militias, raising the toll to 75 dead in five days, medics said.In the latest violence a woman was killed in a bomb attack that targeted the vacant house of former general Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the offensive launched Wednesday, a military source said.The woman was walking past the house with her daughter, who was wounded in the bombing, said the Benghazi Medical Centre, adding that it had also received the bodies of eight other people including two soldiers.Fierce fighting raged in several parts of Libyas second city between pro-government forces led by Haftar and Islamist militias, an AFP correspondent and witnesses said.Air raids carried out by units of the air force loyal to Haftar pounded Islamist positions.On Saturday the United States joined Britain, France, Germany and Italy in calling for an immediate end to long-running violence there between government forces and militias.Since a 2011 revolution that toppled Libyas longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi, interim authorities have failed to establish a regular army and had to rely on state-backed militias.The European powers and the United States said they were concerned by the operations carried out by Haftar, although he has the backing of army units while civilians too have taken up arms.We consider that Libyas security challenges and the fight against terrorist organisations can only be sustainably addressed by regular armed forces under the control of a central authority which is accountable to a democratic and inclusive parliament, a joint statement said.

Tropical storm batters southern Mexico coast, kills six

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ACAPULCO (AFP) - Six people were killed as Tropical Storm Trudy -- since downgraded to a tropical depression -- lashed Mexico, prompting evacuations and stranding 16 communities, authorities said Sunday.The heavy rains caused a landslide on a farm in the indigenous town of Tlacoachistlahuaca in the southern state of Guerrero, killing a 23-year-old man, a civil protection official told local media.Two children and a woman were crushed to death when a wall collapsed in a mudslide in Ometepec; another person was buried in Cochoapa by a caved-in wall; and a swollen stream swept away and killed a 70-year-old man, officials said.Some 2,000 people were evacuated from three towns in the mountain region hardest hit by Trudy. Authorities urged residents not to return home for at least 48 hours, until the threat of landslides passed.Another 300 people were evacuated Saturday night in three other Guerrero towns, where a river threatened to overflow and cause dangerous flooding.Landslides and flooding also cut off access to 16 other towns and damaged a main road to Acapulco.Last year, a twin hit from tropical storms battered both coasts, leaving 157 dead. In September, Hurricane Odile killed six people and caused $1 billion in damage further north on Mexicos Pacific coast, wreaking havoc in the luxury resort area of Los Cabos.

Tennis: Murray boosts London bid with Vienna triumph

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VIENNA (AFP) - Andy Murray wasted no time in hopping on a jet on Sunday for his next event in Spain after boosting his chances of making the ATP World Tour Finals by winning the Austrian Open.The Scot claimed the 30th title of his career as he defeated Spains David Ferrer 5-7, 6-2, 7-5, lifting the title on his Vienna debut and in his 44th career final.The 27-year-old is now one of five active players with 30 trophies.Im proud of winning 30, its nice. When you start your career, its not something you really think about, said Murray.I won my first one when I was 18 and I know how difficult it is to win them, I dont anything for granted.Murray, who flew into Vienna on a private jet, was promising himself the smallest of celebrations as he continues his battle to claim one of the three remaining spots in the year-end showpiece in London.Maybe there will be one glass of champagne, he hinted after beating Ferrer for the eighth time in their series.Every event is so important now with the race for London going strong.Murray will be joined in Valencia by Ferrer at the Spaniards home event.As during the Vienna week, just a few computer points separate the battling pair in the season race with Murray now slightly ahead after Sundays title.Murrays win came a week after he lost in three sets to Ferrer in Shanghai.Its the same for both of us, weve had very close matches, said Murray. Whoever qualifies for London will deserve it.Murray was able to pull his game together as he broke top seed Ferrer when he served for victory leading 5-3 in the final set.It was a tough match with long rallies and long games, matches against him are never easy, said Murray. He moves so well and makes so many returns.The third set was mentally tough for both of us. I managed to be somewhat consistent and aggressive at the end.Ferrer was making his first Vienna appearance in a decade and remains upbeat over his form despite his loss at the final hurdle.Andy played a great match and deserved to win the title, said the 32-year-old. He was more aggressive in the key situations.Im disappointed to lose, but I already have another opportunity next week. I had my chances but it was so tough today. Im going to keep fighting for London.The battling victory in two hours, 41 minutes puts Murray in solid contention to book a London berth with next week and the Paris Masters to follow wrapping up the regular ATP season.The Scot now trails US Open finalist Kei Nishikori and Stockholm winner Tomas Berdych.Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic have already qualified for London, which begins November 9.

Tennis: Cilic, Pavlyuchenkova win Kremlin Cup titles

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MOSCOW (AFP) - US Open champion Marin Cilic continued his fine season by beating fifth seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut in straight sets to win the Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Sunday.The 26-year-old Croat, a career-high eighth in the ATP rankings fired 10 aces in a 6-4, 6-4 victory, his first ever meeting with Bautista-Agut.Cilic thus became the first Croat to win in the Russian capital since his coach Goran Ivanisevic took the Kremlin Cup title in 1996.In reaching the final he also booked his spot in the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London.Second-seeded Cilic broke his rivals serve halfway through the opening set before serving it out in 46 minutes.He started the second set with an immediate break.Bautista-Agut, 16th in the world, who was playing his fourth career final, fought tooth and nail to try to break back but Cilic held his nerve to win his fourth ATP Tour crown this year and the 13th of his career.At the award ceremony Cilic promised to come back next year to defend his title.Its one of my careers most important titles because after winning a Grand Slam event you lose a lot of energy and emotions and it was very important for me to bounce back, Cilic said.I feel that a win here will be a serious push forward for my career and very important for my further progress.Today I still wasnt able to serve really big bombs. I played more from the baseline and we had plenty of long and physical rallies. It was a really tough match, as I expected.Earlier on Sunday, sixth seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia claimed the WTA title at the event by beating Romanias Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 in two hours 28 minutes.The womens final got off to a nervy start that produced seven breaks of serve in the opening set before the 30th-ranked Pavlyuchenkova managed to settle down.The Russian pocketed the set in 50 minutes but it was Begu, playing in her fourth WTA Tour final, who dominated the second set to break serve twice and level the match.In the deciding set Pavlyuchenkova again moved up a gear to break twice for a commanding 5-0 lead, taking her to the seventh title win of her career.Its just the best possible way to finish the season, Pavlyuchenkova said at the award ceremony.It was a really tough match. We were both fighting but somebody had to win. I just couldnt have lost at home.

Tennis: 'Scared' Nadal braced for 'dangerous' Basel bow

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BASEL (AFP) - Rafael Nadal admitted Sunday hes feeling scared over his first appearance in a decade at the Swiss Indoors tournament with the shadow of unavoidable appendix surgery hovering over the great Spaniard.Nadal, who last played in Basel in 2004 and stands 0-2 in the hometown of top seed and longtime rival Roger Federer, starts the tournament on Monday against Italian qualifier, Simone Bolelli.The 28-year-old, nine-time French Open champion has been on a regime of antibiotics which will hopefully help him postpone the appendectomy surgery for a few more weeks.Its going to be one of the most dangerous first rounds in a 500 tournament that Ive played in a long time, admitted Nadal after a two-hour hit at the St Jakobshalle on Sunday.I am not 100 per cent sure what is going to happen tomorrow. I havent practised well enough or enough times. My body feels more tired than usual when Im playing. Practising is one thing, competing is another. When you compete you have the adrenaline, the heart goes faster, and I dont know how my body is going to answer. Im a little bit scared about how my body is going to react. Some of my injuries have been after antibiotic treatments. Hopefully that wont be the case this time.Nadal has been told by doctors that he is safe to play despite the appendix problem which flared during the recent Asian ATP swing. It is a problem which marks just another in a string of career setbacks for the world number three.But Nadal remains optimistic, even if he may believe his trophy chances are slim at an event where Federer has won the title five times.This week will help to improve my indoor game. I havent played during this week in the past years, so thats a plus, suggested Nadal. It will be a tough comeback but I try to stay positive.Injuries are part of sports and a big part of my career. I take it day by day. I dont know wether I will be able to play on top when Im 33 (as Federer is doing). Im just thinking about tomorrow.Nadals only promise given his long-fragile physical state: Ill try to stay competitive as long as possible. But when its (his career) over, its over.The Spaniard missed much of the summer -- including the defence of his US Open title -- with a wrist injury before playing in Beijing and Shanghai.He was a quarter-finalist in Beijing but lost first time out to compatriot Feliciano Lopez in Shanghai.I try to work with the right intensity and the right mentality to play the best tennis again as soon as possible. What happened, happened, he added.The only way to come back to my best level is to work hard and stay healthy. Im really optimistic thats going to happen again soon.Nadal characterised his current state as feeling better.I had to take a lot of antibiotics for a week and a half. I couldnt really play the match in Shanghai, could only practise one day there. I started playing again last Tuesday. I started slowly and Im lacking in rhythm.Its been a hard comeback for me after the wrist injury. But its part of sport and part of my career. I accept that and try to be healthy again.I have to do the surgery, but lets see how I feel here. Ive been practising for three days. Ill try my best and lets see if I can be competitive.

Football: Sterling makes a point as Reds win thriller at QPR

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LONDON (AFP) - Liverpools Raheem Sterling ended a difficult week on a high as the teenager inspired his sides dramatic 3-2 win over QPR in an incredible finish featuring three goals in stoppage-time at Loftus Road on Sunday.Sterling had endured widespread derision after England manager Roy Hodgson revealed the Reds star had told him he was too tired to play in last weekends Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia.The 19-year-olds commitment to his country and passion for the sport were subsequently questioned, but Sterling made a point to the critics as he played the entire 90 minutes at Loftus Road and produced two key contributions to seal the points for Brendan Rodgers men.With Hodgson watching from the stands, Sterling, who began his career as a QPR trainee, won a free-kick which led to Hoops defender Richard Dunne turning into the net for Liverpools second half opener.That set the stage for an astonishing finale as Eduardo Vargas equalised with three minutes left, only for Philippe Coutinho to restore Liverpools lead in the 90th minute.Vargas levelled again in stoppage-time, but Liverpool still emerged with three points thanks to Sterling, whose cross was deflected into his own net by QPR defender Steven Caulker with virtually the last kick of the match.Not for the first time this season, Liverpool were well below their best for long periods, but somehow they were able to secure a morale-boosting victory ahead of Wednesdays crunch Champions League clash with Real Madrid.Leroy Fer should have put the hosts ahead just before the half-hour mark when Bobby Zamoras cutback picked out the Dutch midfielder in yards of space inside the penalty area, but instead he fired his shot onto the crossbar.Liverpools notoriously creaky defence remained in danger of crumbling and there was another moment of mayhem in the visitors area when Martin Skrtels poor clearance let in Zamora down the right.Fer should have punished goalkeeper Simon Mignolets failure to collect Zamoras cross, but his header hit the bar before Sandros attempt to force in the rebound was hacked clear by Johnson.Rodgers side were faring no better in front of goal and Mario Balotellis lethargic performance was summed up when he somehow blazed over an open goal from close range after Adam Lallanas shot was pushed into the Italians path by QPR goalkeeper Alex McCarthys fine save.Sterling had been the catalyst for that Liverpool break and the teenager played a key role again when the Reds took the lead in the 67th minute.Battling for possession on the right flank, Sterling won a free-kick which he cleverly took quickly while QPR were still regrouping.With QPR suddenly exposed, Johnson took Sterlings pass and whipped over a low cross that Dunne miscued into his own net as he tried to clear.Balotelli squandered a chance to kill off QPR in the closing minutes and Vargas made him with an 87th minute equaliser as the substitute smashed home after Austin headed a cross back into the danger zone.After looking lethargic in attack for so long, Liverpool were suddenly provoked into life and Coutinho looked to have won it when he finished a flowing move between Sterling and Steven Gerrard with a fine low strike in the 90th minute.Yet remarkably there was even more drama to come in stoppage-time as Vargas flicked in a near post header that crept past Mignolet and just over the line.QPR barely had time to celebrate their apparent escape before Liverpool provided the final twist.Coutinhos pass set Sterling away down the left edge of the QPR area and he calmly cut a cross in the direction of Balotelli, only for the ball to hit Caulker and deflect past the wrong-footed McCarthy to spark wild celebrations among Liverpools players and travelling supporters.

Golf: Ilonen wins Volvo World Match Play title

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LONDON (AFP) - Mikko Ilonen of Finland pulled off the biggest win of his career at London Golf Club on Sunday, defeating top seed Henrik Stenson of Sweden 3 and 1 in the final of the Volvo World Match Play championship.Ilonen clinched the win, in what was the 50th anniversary of the celebrated European PGA Tour tournament, on the 17th green when Stenson, already 2 down, conceded after missing with a long birdie putt.Setting out shortly after winning their morning semi-finals, the tournaments concluding tie saw some patchy play from both men to start with.Ilonen though was the steadier and he moved ahead with a birdie putt at the eighth.The Finn then took back-to-back holes at the 11th and 12th to move three ahead.Stenson tried hard to claw his way back into it, taking the 13th and 15th holes, but Ilonen kept him at bay by winning the 14th.The Swede needed to win the last two holes to take the final into a sudden death playoff, but Ilonen hit a better drive and approach close to the pin and Stenson shook hands after missing with his birdie putt.The game plan was not to make any mistakes and I didnt make any, said Ilonen, who won the Irish Open this summer.I definitely felt really comfortable going into the final and I felt I had a good chance of beating him.Stenson said that he had exceeded his own expectations just by getting to the final.I felt I was running low on energy and I dont know where I found the energy to finish this afternoon, he said.I didnt play my best and was unlucky on a couple of holes but all credit to him.Earlier in the day in the semi-finals Stenson defeated George Coetzee of South Africa at the last while Ilonen saw off the previously unbeaten Joost Luiten of the Netherlands 2 and 1.Top seed Stenson was two down early on to Coetzee, who only got into the tournament as a late replacement for the injured Thomas Bjorn.But as he did in the quarter-finals on Saturday against Jonas Blixt, the Ryder Cup player turned up the heat down the back nine going four under for the last six holes.He levelled the tie with a long putt at the 15th and after Coetzees putt from the edge of the 18th green missed narrowly, Stenson sunk an 18-footer for birdie and the win.Ilonen was two up after seven holes against Luiten, but made a mess of the par-three eighth to reach the turn with the slimmest of leads.Luiten bounced back again to take the lead for the first time at the 13th, but it was back to all-square after the Dutchman three-putted the next.Ilonen looked to be in trouble at the 15th but a superb chip and putt saw him take the lead and he finished it off at the 17th when another long range effort tipped in from the side.Luiten took third place in the afternoon by defeating Coetzee at the first extra hole.

Motorcycling: Rossi wins Australian MotoGP as Marquez crashes out

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PHILLIP ISLAND (AFP) - Italian legend Valentino Rossi won his first Australian MotoGP in nine years after world champion Marc Marquez crashed out while holding a big lead at Phillip Island on Sunday.Rossi, one of the sports greats with nine world championships across all classes, swept to the front when Marquez came off his bike on the 19th lap, to beat home teammate Jorge Lorenzo and Britains Bradley Smith in an all-Yamaha podium.It was a popular victory for the 35-year-old Italian, who celebrated his 250th premier-class race with his 82nd victory at one of his favourite tracks.It was Rossis sixth premier-class win at Phillip Island and his first since 2005 to extend his phenomenal record to 15 podium finishes in 18 trips to Australia. Marquez, who clinched back-to-back world titles last weekend in Japan, had looked set comfortably to win his first MotoGP at Phillip Island with a massive four-second advantage on his dominant Repsol Honda bike.But the Spanish ace lost control of his front wheel on lap 19 of the 27-lap race at the bottom of Lukey Heights and crashed out unharmed, leaving Rossi to take over and go on to win by 10.836 seconds.When I saw Marc crash it was a surprise, and to finish first at Phillip Island after my last victory here in 2005 is a great achievement, Rossi said.I love this track and Ive won the two most important world championships of my career in 2001 and 2004.I won again here in 2005 but I have done a lot of podiums since then and never won.Rossis victory pushed him to an eight-point lead over Lorenzo in the fight for second place in the world championship standings behind Marquez, with two races remaining at Sepang and Valencia.I was focused on the second place in the championship and I am able to gain some points over Jorge, but its so close with two races to the end, Rossi said. Marquezs Spanish Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa retired from the race on lap seven after his bike was hit in the rear by Andrea Iannone, resulting in a buckled rear wheel rim. He finished with zero points.Pedrosa, currently trailing Rossi by 25 points in fourth spot, looks to have lost his chance of finishing second overall.Rossi came off the third row of the grid -- his worst qualifying position since 12th at Assen in late June -- and diced with Lorenzo for second spot as Marquez extended his lead with every lap.But the race took a dramatic turn when Marquez, looking set for his 12th GP triumph this season, lost his front wheel and tumbled onto the trackside grass, his race over.As I had no pressure on me I tried a different approach, pushing hard from the start to try to open the largest gap possible, Marquez said.We were having a good race, right up until the crash. It was a pity that I went down at a time that I was not riding on the limit or faster than the lap before.Last years winner Lorenzo was critical of his Bridgestone tyres and said he was lucky to finish the race.Its a fantastic result for Yamaha, its been a long time, but to be honest Im very disappointed because you work hard for the best set-up of the bike. But sometimes you get this type of tyres that are a complete disaster, he said.Over the last few laps it was a drama just to stay on the bike in the fast corners. But I managed to finish the race and I was very lucky, its probably been my luckiest second place.It was Smiths first podium finish in two seasons of MotoGP. Fellow Briton Cal Crutchlow crashed out on his Ducati while in second place on the final lap.

Comet Siding Spring whizzes past Mars

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - A comet the size of a small mountain whizzed past Mars on Sunday, wowing space enthusiasts with the once-in-a-million-years encounter.The comet, known as Siding Spring (C/2013 A1), made its closest encounter with Mars on Sunday at 2:27 pm (1827 GMT), racing past the Red Planet at a dazzling 126,000 miles (203,000 kilometers) per hour.At its closet, Siding Spring was 87,000 miles (139,500 kilometers) from Mars -- less than half the distance between Earth and our moon.Signal confirming closest approach has just been received, the European Space Agency said on Twitter. Before the comet passed, it could be seen in space racing toward the bright planet, trailed by a tail of debris. The ball of ice, dust and rocks is believed to have originated billions of years ago in the Oort Cloud, a distant region of space at the outskirts of the solar system.The comet is around a mile wide and is only about as solid as a pile of talcum powder.NASAs fleet of Mars-orbiting satellites and robots on the planets surface were primed for the flyby of the comet, hoping to photograph the rare event.

Hafeez unconcerned over bowling action

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DUBAI (AFP) - Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez said Sunday he was confident about his bowling action despite being reported during an Indian domestic league game last month.The 34-year-old is likely to open the batting with Ahmed Shehzad in the first of two Tests against Australia starting in Dubai from Wednesday.But in the absence of ace spinner Saeed Ajmal, who was suspended for an illegal bowling action last month, Hafeez will be required to serve as a fifth bowler.Hafeez said his bowling action worries were behind him.Nothing is on my mind over my bowling action, Hafeez told reporters after his teams practice.When I was warned over my action (in India) I bowled in the next game and there were no problems and I have also reviewed my action in the national academy in Lahore with Saqlain (Mushtaq) and as per the rules its cleared.Saqlain, a former Pakistan spinner, is currently working on improving Ajmals action.Since July this year the International Cricket Council (ICC) as part of a wider drive against bowlers with suspect actions, has suspended Ajmal, Sri Lankas Sachitra Senanayake, New Zealands Kane Williamson, Bangladeshs Soha Gazi and Zimbabwes Prosper Utseya -- all off-spinners like Hafeez.Bangladeshs paceman Al-Amin Hossain was also reported last month and is likely to be suspended.The latest crackdown puts Hafeez in danger of being reported in the first Test. His action was cleared after being reported in a one-day match against the West Indies in Brisbane back in 2005.Hafeez said he has been bowling with the same action for 11 years.Look, I have not changed my action. Its the same for 11 years now, so I am confident.Under the ICC rules any bowler flexing his elbow more than 15 degrees is liable to be reported for a suspect bowling action.The reported bowler then undergoes a biomechanic assessment and if he is found to be going above 15 degrees he is suspended pending remedial work and reassessment.Hafeez said he looked forward to the Australian challenge in the Tests after missing the 3-0 defeat in the one-day series.It didnt look good, missing the one-days but its gone now and we, as a team, look forward to the Tests and know that we have the ability to beat any team in the world, he said.Pakistan A beat Australia by 153 runs in a four-day game in Sharjah on Saturday. The second Test is in Abu Dhabi from October 30.

Bangladesh call up uncapped spinner for Zimbabwe Test

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DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladesh on Sunday included uncapped leg-spinner Jubair Hossain in their 14-man squad for the first home Test match against Zimbabwe.All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan returned to the Test side after he missed the West Indies tour in September because of suspension while batsman Marshall Ayub and medium pacer Shahadat Hossain have also been recalled.Batsmen Anamaul Haque and Nasir Hossain, paceman Robiul Islam and left-arm spinner Elias Sunny have been dropped from the squad that toured the Caribbean.Nineteen-year-old Jubair impressed in the Bangladesh A team against a visiting Zimbabwe A during a recent series when he claimed 11 wickets in two four-day matches. Chief selector Faruque Ahmed said Jubair was given the nod as Bangladesh will miss the service of off-spinner Sohag Gazi, who was banned from bowling in international cricket for an illegal arm action.With Sohag Gazi not available due to suspension, we felt we needed a bit of variation in our bowling and that is why Jubair is in the squad, Faruque said in a statement.He is a bright young prospect and if he is to play then it is always good to start at home.He has the talent in a difficult art and gives the side an interesting option despite his inexperience.Batsman Nasir was omitted from the Test squad for the first time since he made his debut against the West Indies in 2011. However, Faruque backed the right-hander, who last scored a fifty in a Test match against Zimbabwe in April 2013, to return to form soon.Nasir Hossain has missed out due to a combination of lack of form and consistency. I am sure he will be back but we still have depth in batting.The first Test will be held at Dhakas Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on October 25-29.Zimbabwe will also two play more Tests and five one-day internationals during their six-week long tour.Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Shamsur Rahman, Mominul Haque, Rubel Hossain, Shuvagata Hom, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shafiul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Marshall Ayub, Al-Amin Hossain and Taijul Islam.

MQM should review 'impulsive decisions': Sharjeel Memon

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Sindh’s Information Minister Sharjeel Memon on Monday said that mischief should not be created out of someone’s statements, adding that MQM should review impulsive decisions, Dunya News reported.He said it is unfortunate that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s ‘message of love’ was misunderstood. He hoped that MQM will not take an impulsive decision.Addressing a press conference after midnight, Memon said that the government is not functioning through the support of crutches, adding that they are silent only because of the policy of ‘reconciliation’.He said no one should be under the impression that PPP doesn’t have answer. He said that Pakistan is the identity of every Pakistani.Sharjeel Memon said that there should be no politicking over the issues faced by the country.He said Khursheed Shah has already offered unconditional apology and explanation over his slur about ‘Muhajir’ community.Memon said that the land of Sindh is like mother and that they will not let it be divided.
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