Tuesday 2 December 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Iranian jets carried out anti-IS air raids in Iraq: US

Posted:

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Iranian fighter jets bombed Islamic State jihadists in eastern Iraq in recent days, but the strikes were not coordinated with US forces, the Pentagon said Tuesday.We have indications that they did indeed fly air strikes with F-4 Phantoms in the past several days, Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told AFP.His comments came after Al-Jazeera recently ran footage of what appeared to be an F-4 fighter, similar to those used by the Iranian air force, attacking targets in the eastern province of Diyala.At a press conference earlier, Kirby said it was up to the Iraqi government to oversee and coordinate military flights by different countries and not US commanders. We are flying missions over Iraq. We coordinate with the Iraqi government as we conduct those. Its up to the Iraqi government to deconflict that air space, Kirby told reporters.Nothing has changed about our policy of not coordinating military activity with the Iranians.Iranian forces have reportedly been active on the ground in Iraq assisting Shiite militia and Baghdad government units, but this was the first time the United States had confirmed the Iranians were conducting air strikes against the IS group.Iran also has provided Sukhoi Su-25 aircraft to Iraq amid widespread speculation that the planes are flown by Iranian pilots.Confirmation of the Iranian air raids offers the latest illustration of how the threat posed by the IS extremists has brought the two arch-foes together in the fight against the jihadists.Shiite-ruled Iran has close ties to the Shiite-led government in Baghdad, which has struggled to counter the IS group. US fighters, bombers and surveillance aircraft fly daily missions over Iraq along with other coalition warplanes from European governments as well as Australia and Canada.The US-led air war against the IS group began on August 8 in Iraq and was extended into Syria in September.

Gunmen kill 6 Lebanese soldiers in ambush near Syria

Posted:

BAALBEK (AFP) - Gunmen killed six Lebanese soldiers in an ambush on their patrol Tuesday in the east of the country near the border with war-ravaged Syria, military sources said.Clashes following an attack by a group of terrorists led to the killing of six soldiers and the wounding of a seventh, an army statement said.Earlier, a military source said seven soldiers had died in the clashes in the desert region of Ras Baalbek.The ambush came as news emerged that Lebanon detained in the nearby town of Arsal a wife and young son of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the head of the jihadist Islamic State (IS) group that has seized large parts of Syria and Iraq.Last month a roadside bomb wounded three Lebanese soldiers near Arsal, where troops in August engaged in fierce combat with jihadists who streamed across the border.Fighting ended with a truce mediated by clerics, but the jihadists took with them 30 Lebanese army and police hostages.Three have since been executed, and Qatari-led efforts to free the rest have so far yielded no concrete result.Lebanon is sharply divided over the war in Syria, and has regularly seen deadly battles linked to the conflict next door.Most Sunnis support the revolt seeking the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Shiites generally back Damascus and its ally Hezbollah.

Egypt condemns 188 to death over police deaths

Posted:

CAIRO (AFP) - An Egyptian court condemned 188 people to death Tuesday over a deadly attack on police, as the prosecution said it will appeal the acquittal of ex-president Hosni Mubarak over protester deaths.The accused, of whom 143 are behind bars, were found guilty of taking part in an August 14, 2013 attack on a police station in Kerdassa, a village on the outskirts of Cairo, killing 13 policemen.The attack took place on the same day security forces violently dismantled two massive pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo in an operation that led to clashes in which at least 700 lost their lives.Death sentences in Egypt are subject to approval by the mufti, the countrys highest Muslim religious authority. The verdict is to be confirmed or commuted on January 24.Since the army deposed Morsi last year, at least 1,400 of his supporters have been killed in a crackdown on protests and hundreds sentenced to death in swift trials.The UN human rights office said Tuesday that Egypt must rein in its security forces and investigate rights abuses against protesters.It said it was deeply concerned by the seriously damaging lack of accountability for human rights violations committed by security forces in the context of demonstrations.The sentences came as the public prosecutors office said it will appeal a court decision to drop a murder charge against Mubarak over the deaths of protesters during the 2011 uprising that drove him from power.The prosecutor general has decided to appeal, a statement said, after a Cairo court Saturday ordered the dropping of murder and corruption charges against Mubarak, who was forced to resign after three decades in power.The ruling was marred by a legal flaw, the statement said, adding that the decision to appeal was not influenced by disputes among political groups.Mubarak is serving a three-year sentence in a separate graft case.Seven of Mubaraks security commanders, including feared ex-interior minister Habib al-Adly, were acquitted Saturday over the deaths of roughly 800 protesters during the 2011 revolt.The Court of Cassation, the countrys highest tribunal, can now either confirm Saturdays ruling or decide to cancel it, in which case it would consider the case itself.An appeals court had previously overturned a life sentence for Mubarak in 2012 on a technicality, ordering the retrial that saw the charges dropped.Mubaraks lawyer has said the 86-year-old could now see an early release from the military hospital where he is being held. He has already served two-thirds of his sentence if time held in preliminary detention since his arrest in 2011 is taken into account.After Saturdays verdict, more than 1,000 protesters gathered at an entrance to Cairos Tahrir Square -- the epicentre of the anti-Mubarak revolt -- chanting slogans against the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.Resulting clashes left two people dead and several wounded.In remarks Tuesday, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab denounced those... who want to demolish the state and issue calls to demonstrate and occupy certain places, which is totally unacceptable.The courts ruling has come under fire from Mubarak opponents, critics and some leftist leaders, and sparked accusations that the authorities are interfering with the courts.The government has denied any involvement, and Sisi ordered Sunday a review of the criminal code to prevent any legal irregularities.In his first comment on the verdict, Sisi, Mubaraks intelligence chief, said Egypt was charting a new course.The new Egypt... is on a path to establish a modern democratic state based on justice, freedom, equality and a renunciation of corruption, he said.

Football: Mata, De Gea star as Man United go forth

Posted:

MANCHESTER (AFP) - Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata scored as a resurgent Manchester United beat Stoke City 2-1 at Old Trafford on Tuesday to record a fourth consecutive Premier League win.A visiting team managed by former United favourite Mark Hughes equalised through Steven Nzonzi, but Matas second-half free-kick, which crept into the net from wide on the right, gave Louis van Gaals side victory.In a furious finale, Stoke might have levelled on two occasions deep in injury time.First, a Bojan Krkic free-kick was flicked to the far post, where former United reserve Mame Biram Diouf connected with a diving header that was superbly saved by David de Gea.Soon after, the Spanish goalkeeper made an equally impressive stop to deny Marko Arnautovic, with Ashley Young clearing off the United line after Diouf looked certain to score from the rebound.Victory tightened Uniteds grip on fourth place and took them to within one point of third-place Southampton and two-points of second-place Manchester City, both of whom play on Wednesday.Hughes had been angered in the early stages of the game when he claimed that home winger Young had deliberately caught his full-back Phil Bardsley in the face with an errant elbow.The former United striker was even more incensed moments later when his goalkeeper Asmir Begovic miscued a clearance directly to Robin van Persie, who was lurking just inside the Stoke area.Fortunately for Hughes, and Begovic, the Dutch striker squared for Ander Herrera, whose shot cleared the crossbar by some distance.United, without injured duo Wayne Rooney and Angel di Maria, took time to get into their stride, but after some promising flourishes, they went ahead in the 21st minute.The move started when the impressive Mata found Herrera on the left and the former Athletic Bilbao man atoned for his earlier miss with a perfect, hanging cross that Fellaini headed in at the far post.Yet Stoke, as Hughes had promised, were not overawed by their visit to Old Trafford.They threatened an equaliser on the half-hour when Erik Pieterss left-wing cross was just missed by Stephen Ireland at the near post and hit Bojan before flying away from goal.However, if that was a warning, it was one that United failed to heed. Stoke levelled in the 39th minute after Fellaini was dispossessed by Oussama Assaidi in midfield and fell to the ground clutching his neck.Stoke played on and the ball was collected by Bojan, whose darting run into the United area was stopped by the heel of Chris Smalling.But the ball broke kindly for Nzonzi, who struck a magnificent, first-time shot past the dive of De Gea and into the bottom right corner of the United goal.With teenager James Wilson energetic in attack, United made a strong start to the second period.Pieters, who had been outjumped by Fellaini for Uniteds opener, saw his difficult evening continue on 59 minutes when he received a caution for a blatant body-check that halted Antonio Valencias progress.Greater punishment was to follow from the resulting free-kick. Mata expertly guided a cross towards the far post and with Marcos Rojos leap distracting Begovic, the ball curled into the net.Fellaini squandered another chance, failing to make telling contact with a Herrera cross, and Old Trafford almost erupted when popular youngster Wilson burst half the length of the field, only to shoot wide with the goal at his mercy.As Stoke pressed for a second equaliser, there were gaps to exploit. Van Persie almost did just that when he slipped a pass wide to Fellaini, who, again, failed to hit the target.Fortunately for the Belgian, De Geas excellence at the other end meant that his profligacy went unpunished.

Football: Gerrard scores as Liverpool down 10-man Leicester

Posted:

LEICESTER (AFP) - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard marked his return to the side by scoring a crucial second goal as Brendan Rodgerss side came from behind to win 3-1 away to strugglers Leicester City on Tuesday.Gerrards goal came just a day after Liverpool manager Rodgers confirmed the former England captain, whose form has been called into question this term, had been offered a new contract with the Merseysiders.Simon Mignolets own-goal gave bottom of the Premier League Leicester the lead but Adam Lallana quickly levelled before Gerrard put the visitors in front. Leicester defender Wes Morgan was then sent off at the King Power Stadium before Jordan Henderson sealed a morale-boosting victory for Liverpool late on.Gerrard had been left out of the starting side in the 1-0 win over Stoke City on Saturday, a match that marked the one-club mans 16th anniversary as a Reds player, but returned as one of three changes made by Rodgers.However, Leicester boss Nigel Pearson named an unchanged side despite the Foxes failing to win in their previous eight matches.Leicester had the games first real opportunity when Leonardo Ulloa found strike partner Jamie Vardy but his tame effort was no problem for Liverpool goalkeeper Mignolet.They should have taken the lead when Mignolets poor clearance went straight to Esteban Cambiasso 30 yards out, but the Argentinian side-footed his shot wide with the goal gaping.Even so, the Midlands club went ahead in the 22nd minute when Riyad Mahrezs run found Vardy, whose shot was saved by Mignolet. The ball was kept in play and Ulloas shot hit the post, with the rebound going in off the unfortunate Liverpool keeper.But Liverpool were behind for just four minutes, with Morgans defensive header from Lucas Leivas cross falling straight to Adam Lallana, who fired past Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from 10 yards.Leicester continued to attack, though, with Marcin Wasikewski seeing a deflected header go just over from Matty Jamess corner.For the start of the second half, Rodgers brought on Alberto Moreno, who went to left-back in place of Javi Manquilllo with Glen Johnson switching to the right.Liverpool went on to take a 54th-minute lead with Gerrard starting and finishing the move. The midfielder fed Raheem Sterling, whose cross was cut out by Morgan only for Gerrard to react quickest to the loose ball to beat Schmeichel with a composed finish. It was a goal that meant so much to the Liverpool great, with Gerrard sliding on his knees in celebration in front of the away fans before clenching his fist at them.Gerrard went close to a second when his shot just missed Kasper Schmeichels goal, but Leicester were still very much in the game with Wasilewski disappointingly mis-hitting a shot from a Mahrez cross.But home hopes of a draw suffered a huge setback in the 63rd minute when Morgan brought down England striker Rickie Lambert, who appeared to have got away from him, and was given a straight red card.Gerrard thought he should have had a penalty following a coming together with Schmeichel after being sent clear by Henderson.A lively finale saw Mahrez denied by a fine Mignolet save, with Cambiassos shot on the rebound hitting Ulloa and going wide.Leicester continued to make life difficult for Liverpool, with Vardy seeing a shot deflect just wide from Jamess corner.Liverpool, however, put the result beyond doubt seven minutes from time.Gerrards cross was cut out by Wasilewski, but only as far as Sterling whose shot was saved by Schmeichel before Henderson fired into an empty net.

Football: Rodriguez helps Real into Copa del Rey Last 16

Posted:

MADRID (AFP) - Colombian star playmaker James Rodriquez helped holders Real Madrid into the Copa del Rey Last 16 on Tuesday, the Spanish giants crushing third division Cornella 5-0 for a 9-1 aggregate win.Real may have been without Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale but Carlo Ancelottis youthful side barely made a false move to notch up their 17th consecutive win in all competitions.Real almost got off to a rocky start when in the 14th minute Alvaro Arbeloa, captain for the night, gave away a penalty.But the Catalan clubs striker Xavi Boniquet fired over the crossbar of Reals third choice goalkeeper, Fernando PachecoOne of Reals galacticos on duty, Rodriguez, opened the scoring two minutes later with a deft lob, Isco adding the second and Rodriguez adding a third before the break.An own goal from Borja Lopez increased Cornellas deficit with Real substitute Jese Rodriquez adding Reals 88th minute fifth goal.This was the 21-year-old Spaniards first competitive match after eight months out with an injured knee.Reals perfect night at the Bernabeu earned them the first ticket to the Last 16 of a competition they are seeking to win for the 20th time.

Golf: Tiger looks to past swings to aim at future wins

Posted:

ORLANDO (AFP) - Tiger Woods has revamped a swing motion from younger days in hopes of recapturing the form that has brought him 14 major titles, the former world number one said Tuesday.Woods, who returns from a four-month injury layoff when the Hero World Challenge opens Thursday, says his nagging back injuries have healed and he has been able to rely upon muscle memory and motor reflexes in working with new swing consultant Chris Como.Its new but its old, Woods said. We went back to a lot of those old videos. It was interesting to see how much force I would generate with that skinny frame.Two months of rest gave Woods time to analyze his younger form, with help from his mothers videotape machine, and look back in hopes of future triumphs as he chases the record 18 major wins of jack Nicklaus.Having an old motor path I remember has made the transition so much easier. My body feels relaxed about it, Woods said.I just havent done it in a long time but my body is remembering it. Its familiar. It hasnt taken me that long to implement. Im very pleased with my speed and the force I have. Im able to produce speed and have range of motion. I dont feel Im hitting it very hard and the ball is coming off the club faster.Woods, who won his first major at the 1997 Masters at age 21, went away from his early swing motion because it produced knee injuries, admitting that he did not look back before because, physically I was pretty damaged doing it.But swing alterations in recent years led to more back injuries, including one that led to surgery last March to ease a pinched nerve. Woods struggled through four events in a mid-season comeback he halted after the PGA Championship last August in order to rest.The body is great. It feels fantastic, Woods said. More strength. More range of motion. Now I just have to hit more balls. I still have some aches and pains like anybody else. Im past the rehab portion of it. Im in the strength and development portion of it.Woods tees off at 12:15 p.m. (1715 GMT) Thursday in the first round of the 18-player, $3.5 million (2.8 million euros) event at Isleworth alongside Australian Jason Day, also returning from a back injury.The Challenge, which benefits Woods charity foundation, will be played in the Bahamas starting next year, Woods announced.Woods admits he is uncertain when he might be ready to contend for any title, much less win his first major since the 2008 US Open.Am I game ready? Probably not quite as much as I would like to be, Woods said. It will be interesting to see on Thursday how long it takes me to get my feel back.I want to see where my misses are. Am I able to rectify them right away? I have a good understanding of what I want to do.Woods split with ex-coach Sean Foley last August in part because of the injuries.Physically I just wasnt able to do some of the things we wanted to do, Woods said. Were still good friends. Professionally I felt I needed to go in a different direction.That led to Como and a meeting of minds.I was very inspired and very excited to see what he thought my swing should look like because it was similar to what my vision was, Woods said.Woods said that for his numerous injuries and an infamous sex scandal that began five years ago at Isleworth, age has been his biggest career setback.Father Time is undefeated, Woods said. We all start losing some of the things weve been doing when we were younger. We all have to make adjustments. Im no different.Woods spoke on other topics, such as the shooting of a black youth by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, saying its a sad situation all around, and his membership on a Ryder Cup task force charged with boosting US results after a loss by the Tom Watson-captained side in Scotland back in September.Our job is for us to have this task force only once, to create a matrix going forward where everyone is happy with the selection process, Woods said. If we do our job correctly, were only going to do this once.

Yachting: Bermuda to host 2017 America's Cup

Posted:

NEW YORK (AFP) - Bermuda, with its stunning backdrop of crystal clear waters and pink sands, will host the worlds greatest sailing race, the Americas Cup, in 2017, organisers announced Tuesday.It will mark the first time that a US team has defended the prestigious cup -- the oldest trophy in international sport -- in foreign waters.Im pleased to announce that the next Americas Cup will be held in June of 2017 in Bermuda, Harvey Schiller, commercial commissioner for the 35th Americas Cup told a news conference in New York.Schiller said the venue had been chosen for its great sailing conditions, ability to host spectators on land and water and the teams in one location, its amazing scenery and time zone that worked well for international TV broadcast. There was one spot that offered everything we needed to make the 2017 Americas Cup an exceptional event, he said.Oracle Team USA, based in San Francisco, made one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history in September 2013 to win the last Americas Cup in a decisive duel over Team New Zealand.It will be challenged by five teams in chasing the oldest trophy in international sport -- Artemis Racing, Ben Ainslie Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa Challenge and Team France.Hollywood legend Michael Douglas, whose mother came from Bermuda, and his Oscar-winning wife Catherine Zeta Jones, attended a photo call with Cup officials and team captains at a swanky New York hotel after the announcement.Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill said racing in the Great Sound would be challenging but that the entire track would be visible.Its about getting the fans, spectators on the sidelines like at a football match and this race course allows that, he told reporters.The downside of San Francisco, as great as it was last time as a race track, was you couldnt see the entire race track and thats a big flaw, he said. Although the Americas Cup started in 1851 with a race on the waters around the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of the English mainland, no British team has ever won the prestigious trophy.British sailing great Ben Ainslie, who led Oracle Team USA to its victory in 2013, is determined to make history and bring the cup home.Well were half way there, he joked at the news conference. I think its a fantastic venue and certainly for us as a British team were delighted to be going there -- a lot of strong ties, historic ties, the four-time Olympic champion told AFP.Following reports that the New Zealand government was less keen to sink sponsorship money into a Cup in Bermuda than in second contender San Diego, Team NZ chief operating officer Kevin Shoebridge said it was a fantastic venue.I think well have a really amazing event there, he told reporters. Were going to go back and immediately start working very closely with our sponsors and the government to make sure that were there.Artemis helmsman Nathan Outteridge said the focus would now be getting to Bermuda to study the weather patterns and design the best possible boat.Every Americas Cup there is one key thing that will get you over the line, he told reporters.Looking at the weather its a much lighter venue than what San Francisco was so were going to be focusing our efforts on understanding what the weather range is and working really hard over the next year or two to design a fast boat.The event will bring enormous revenue and international exposure to the British overseas territory in the North Atlantic.Bermudas Prime Minister Michael Dunkley told the news conference he was thrilled his island would be the hosts.Dunkley said Bermuda offered near-perfect sailing conditions, temperate climate for year-round training, an optimal time zone, an intimate and unmatched setting and would develop an event village, new hotels and spectator zones.Our vision is to deliver a truly unforgettable experience, he said. Americas Cup, welcome to your home for the next three years, he added.

Oil prices tumble after Iraq deal to export more oil

Posted:

NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices tumbled Tuesday after the Iraqi government and autonomous Kurds struck a deal that will boost the countrys crude oil exports to an already oversupplied global market.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in January fell $2.12 to close at $66.88 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.The London benchmark, Brent oil for January delivery, settled at $70.54 a barrel, down $2.00 from its Monday closing level.Iraqs government and the autonomous Kurdish region announced Tuesday an agreement resolving their longstanding disputes over the budget and oil exports.Under the deal, due to take effect at the start of next year, 250,000 barrels per day of oil will be exported from the autonomous region and another 300,000 bpd from the disputed province of Kirkuk.The new deal could help push OPEC member Iraqs daily output past three million barrels per day, up from around 2.5 million barrels in November.The additional 550,000 barrels per day is not a huge amount of oil, but in the market that is already weak, it pushes prices down, said Michael Lynch of Strategic Energy and Economic Research.Oil prices were hammered late last week after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries left its output ceiling unchanged, despite the supply glut driving prices sharply lower.John Kilduff of Again Capital stressed there was clearly no relenting to the pressure on prices from the fact that supply is out there and will continue to be.Weak economic data is adding to the pressure on prices, Kilduff said, citing recent worse-than-expected manufacturing data in China, the worlds largest energy consumer.Chinas official purchasing managers index fell to an eight-month low of 50.3 in November from 50.8 in October. A reading above 50 indicates growth.

Dollar firms on encouraging US data

Posted:

NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar advanced against other major currencies after a stronger than expected US construction spending report and solid US automobile and online sales.Investors had a batch of encouraging US news that supported the notion of the worlds largest economy doing decidedly better than many of its rivals. Construction spending rose 1.1 percent in October, almost double the consensus estimate.Automakers sold 1.3 million vehicles in the US in November, about 4.6 percent more than the year-ago period, according to industry specialist AutoData.And online sales on Cyber Monday -- part of the kickoff of the year-end holiday shopping season -- were up 16 percent from 2013, according to the Adobe 2014 Digital Index.Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities, said the latest data confirmed that the US economy seems to be leading global growth.The yen was under pressure after Moodys on Monday lowered the credit rating on Japans sovereign debt and five Japanese commercial banks. The dollar peaked at 119.29 yen around 1505 GMT, the highest level since early August 2007. The euro, meanwhile, slipped against the dollar, yen and pound as the market awaited Thursdays European Central Bank monetary policy meeting.Thursday could be a watershed event since the central bank is expected to deliver fresh economic forecasts which could bring it a step closer to deploying stronger, euro-weakening stimulus, said Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Western Union Business Solutions.Many expect the ECB to keep its limited powder dry this week but it could set the stage for action during the opening quarter of 2015.

Clarke to bear Hughes' coffin at funeral

Posted:

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia skipper Michael Clarke will be one of the pallbearers and will lead tributes at the funeral of his close friend Phillip Hughes on Wednesday, Cricket Australia announced.As the funeral details were revealed Tuesday, chief executive James Sutherland said it was too early to say which players would be mentally ready to face the hastily rescheduled Tests against India. The opening clash between the teams was due to start on Thursday at the Gabba in Brisbane but was put off following Hughes death last week, with many fellow players left emotionally shattered.The funeral in Hughes hometown of Macksville on Wednesday will be attended by the Australian Test squad as well as past and present luminaries of the game including Mark Taylor, Sir Richard Hadlee, Brian Lara, Virat Kohli, Ravi Shastri, Shane Warne, Mike Hussey, Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath.Prime Minister Tony Abbott is also due to attend the service at which Clarke, who was by Hughes bedside as he lay stricken in a Sydney hospital, will speak in tribute and join family members and fellow Australia batsman Aaron Finch as a pallbearers.Hughes died last Thursday from bleeding on the brain, two days after being knocked unconscious by a bouncer in Sydney, throwing the cricketing world into mourning.Given the funeral on Wednesday, Cricket Australia late Monday amended the Test dates after lengthy talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and other stakeholders.Instead of starting on Friday, December 12 -- as the second Adelaide Test was originally scheduled -- it will now begin on December 9 and be the opening match of the series.There is nothing perfect about what we have come up with here but we appreciate everyones support and understanding in these tragic and extraordinary circumstances, Sutherland said.The second Test will be played in Brisbane from December 17-21 with the traditional Boxing Day clash in Melbourne remaining unchanged, while the Sydney Test has been pushed back three days and will now start on January 6.Whether the players will be ready for the Adelaide Test remains to be seen.David Warner, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and Nathan Lyon were all on the field when Hughes was hit while captain Michael Clarke was a close friend and his emotions have been raw.Any player that is not comfortable or doesnt feel right, or there is medical advice to suggest theyre not quite right, then we will obviously understand that, Sutherland said. Veteran bowler Ryan Harris said he was not sure whether he would take the field in Adelaide.I am still thinking about it -- Im not sure, he told reporters of his availability, but he added that returning to cricket helped him when he lost his mother to lung cancer in 2006.Every individual is different. I have lost my mother before and I was pushed to play for my father and my brother and it probably helped.Cricket Australia announced late Tuesday that two games in the one-day international tri-series between Australia, England and India had been swapped.The changes move forward the ODI between Australia and England in Sydney two days to January 16 while the ODI between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will be on January 18 instead of two days earlier.A two-day tour match has also been organised in Adelaide for India against a Cricket Australia XI. The game, starting Thursday, is meant to help the Indians prepare for the first Test.The tragedy has deeply shaken the world cricket community, particularly in Australia where the sport is considered the national game. Flags have been flown at half mast and bats left outside front doors as a mark of respect.Hughes died after his vertebral artery split when hit by the ball, leading to massive bleeding in his brain. It was a freak injury with only 100 cases ever reported and only one as a result of a cricket ball.

Players struggling as Test series rescheduled

Posted:

SYDNEY (AFP) - Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland Tuesday said it was too early to say which players would be mentally ready for the rescheduled Test series against India following Phillip Hughes death, as mourners began arriving for his funeral.The opening clash between the teams was due to start on Thursday at the Gabba in Brisbane but was put off following Hughes freak on-field accident last week, with fellow players emotionally shattered, some more than others.Australias four-Test series will now begin in Adelaide on December 9, with Brisbane to follow, then Melbourne and Sydney.There is nothing perfect about what we have come up with here but we appreciate everyones support and understanding in these tragic and extraordinary circumstances, Sutherland said ahead of boarding a plane to Macksville, where Hughes grew up.Hughes died last Thursday from bleeding on the brain, two days after being knocked unconscious by a bouncer while batting during a domestic match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, throwing the cricketing world into mourning.With his funeral on Wednesday in his home town in northern New South Wales, Cricket Australia late Monday amended the Test dates after lengthy talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and other stakeholders.Instead of starting on Friday, December 12 -- as the second Adelaide Test was originally scheduled -- it will now begin on December 9 and be the opening match of the series.Such a shift will allow the second Test to be played in Brisbane from December 17-21 with the traditional Boxing Day clash in Melbourne remaining unchanged, while the Sydney Test has been pushed back three days and will now start on January 6.In addition, Cricket Australia announced late Tuesday it had moved forward the one-day international tri-series between Australia, England and India so it starts in Sydney on January 16 instead of the 18th.The match, between Australia and England, will be followed by the ODI between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 18 -- which was originally scheduled on the 16th -- to give the tourists ample recovery time.It also organised a two-day tour match in Adelaide for India against a Cricket Australia XI. The game, starting Thursday, is meant to help the Indians prepare for the first Test.Whether the players will be ready for the Adelaide Test remains to be seen.David Warner, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and Nathan Lyon were all on the field when Hughes was hit while captain Michael Clarke was a close friend and his emotions have been raw.Any player that is not comfortable or doesnt feel right, or there is medical advice to suggest theyre not quite right, then we will obviously understand that, Sutherland said. Understand that we and the Australian Cricketers Association will be supporting them and nobody will think ill of anyone who feels uncomfortable about it.Veteran bowler Ryan Harris said he was not sure whether he would take the field in Adelaide.I am still thinking about it - Im not sure, he told reporters of his availability, but he added that returning to cricket helped him when he lost his mother to lung cancer in 2006.Every individual is different. I have lost my mother before and I was pushed to play for my father and my brother and it probably helped.The tragedy has deeply shaken the world cricket community, particularly in Australia where the sport is considered the national game. Flags have been flown at half mast and bats left outside front doors as a mark of respect.Clarke arrived in Macksville via helicopter on Monday, with some 5,000 mourners expected at a service that will be broadcast live across the country.Hughes died after his vertebral artery split when hit by the ball, leading to massive bleeding in his brain. It was a freak injury with only 100 cases ever reported and only one as a result of a cricket ball.

Bangladesh allows bad boy Shakib to play Big Bash

Posted:

DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladesh cricket chiefs announced Tuesday they were lifting a suspension for bad behaviour on Shakib Al Hasan, allowing the star all-rounder to play in overseas leagues including Australias Big Bash T20 tournament.We have given Shakib the assurance that his embargo on playing overseas leagues will be lifted in the next meeting of the board, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan told reporters. The next meeting is on Thursday.The BCB banned Shakib, 27, the countrys most popular sportsman, from playing cricket for the national side for six months in July for what it said was a severe attitude problem.However the board watered down the ban one month later, allowing him to play for Bangladesh after the team suffered humiliating Test and one-day series losses in the West Indies. But the board had maintained the restriction on Shakibs appearance in overseas leagues such as the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash and English county cricket until the end of December next year.Shakib, who has a history of discipline problems, was suspended after he reportedly threatened to quit international cricket when he was called back to Dhaka before his planned appearance in the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 tournament.The BCB president said Shakib recently appealed against the overseas embargo because he was keen to play in the Big Bash, which starts on December 18. There is no reason why we should not lift the embargo. We are going to lift the embargo in time so that he can play the Big Bash, Hassan said.Shakib was the star performer for Bangladesh in the just-ended series against Zimbabwe. He was named man of the series in the Tests after bagging 18 wickets and scoring 251 runs.During the second Test in the southern city of Khulna last month, he scored a century and claimed 10 wickets, becoming only the third player to achieve the feat after cricket legends Imran Khan and Ian Botham.

PCB asks ICC to test Saeed Ajmal's bowling action

Posted:

LAHORE: (Dunya News) – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to International Cricket Council an e-mail requesting the international cricket governing body to fix a date for checking Saeed Ajmal’s bowling action by conducting biomechanics test as soon as possible.Saeed Ajmal is currently facing ban on his bowling due to inappropriate bowling action. Field umpires had reported to ICC about Saeed’s bowling action during Galle Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. After conducting his tests, Saeed Ajmal’s elbow was found to have a bend of around 40 degrees.PCB has included Saeed Ajmal in Pakistan’s expected squad of 30 for the World Cup but the squad has not yet been announced. Last date of sending these 30 names to ICC is December 7.

Supreme Court considers Facebook threats case

Posted:

WASHINGTON (AP) - From the violent lyrics of rap music to the crude comments of teenagers in video-game chat rooms, the Supreme Court struggled Monday over where to draw the line between free speech and illegal threats in the digital age.The justices considered the case of a U.S. man convicted of posting violent threats on Facebook in the form of rap lyrics about killing his estranged wife, shooting up a school and slitting the throat of an FBI agent.Lawyers for Anthony Elonis say he didnt mean to threaten anyone. They contend his posts under the pseudonym Tone Dougie were simply a way for him to vent his frustration over splitting up with his wife.The government argues the proper test is not what Elonis intended, but whether his words would make a reasonable person feel threatened. Thats the standard a jury used in convicting him under a federal law barring threats of violence. Some justices seemed concerned that the governments position is too broad and risks sweeping in language protected by the First Amendment.But there seemed to be little agreement over what standard to use. Elonis attorney John Elwood said the speakers intent could be determined by searching computer records, cell phone records and other evidence of context. He said many speakers being prosecuted are teenagers who are essentially shooting off their mouths and making sort of ill-timed, sarcastic comments which wind up getting them thrown in jail.Chief Justice John Roberts suggested the governments standard simply would be whether a reasonable person familiar with teenagers in video-game chat rooms would view it as a threat. But Elwood said everyone has a different view of context and the better standard is looking at what the speaker intended.Justice Antonin Scalia questioned whether Eloniss comments about causing physical harm in the context of a marital dispute deserve First Amendment protection. He said the governments standard doesnt eliminate a whole lot of speech at all. The Supreme Court has said true threats to harm another person are not protected speech under the First Amendment. But the court has been careful to distinguish threats from protected speech such as political hyperbole or unpleasantly sharp attacks.Justice Elena Kagan asked whether there should be a buffer zone under the First Amendment to ensure that even stuff that is wrongful maybe is permitted because we dont want to chill innocent behavior. Roberts wondered about rap stars like Eminem, who has used graphic language about killing his ex-wife that may be misinterpreted as a threat.Justice Department attorney Michael Dreeben, representing the government, said a jury can look at the context in which comments are made. Eminems lyrics are sung at a concert where people go to be entertained, he said. In one post about his wife, Elonis said, Theres one way to love you but a thousand ways to kill you. Im not going to rest until your body is a mess, soaked in blood and dying from all the little cuts.Elonis wife testified that the comments made her fear for her life and obtain a protective order.After the court proceedings, Elonis wrote a lengthy post wondering whether the protective order was thick enough to stop a bullet. The case has drawn widespread attention from free-speech advocates who say comments on Facebook, Twitter and other social media can be hasty, impulsive and easily misinterpreted.Elwood argued that Elonis had a disclaimer on his Facebook page that his comments were only for entertainment. But Justice Samuel Alito asked if Congress really intended the law to turn on this inquiry into a really strange psychological state.Domestic violence advocacy groups argue that requiring proof that a speaker intended to be threatening would undermine the laws protective purpose.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)