Friday 23 January 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Dark horse Radwanska gallops into fourth round

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MELBOURNE (AP) - Sixth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska moved into the fourth round of the Australian Open on Saturday with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Uzbekistan-born American Varvara Lepchenko.Opening the days play on Rod Laver Arena, Radwanska won the first set in 25 minutes before Lepchenko took a medical timeout, appearing to be affected by the heat.Radwanska, with her new coach Martina Navratilova watching from the stands, was broken while serving for the match but broke Lepchenkos serve to clinch it three games later.Radwanska, a semifinalist here last year and a finalist at Wimbledon in 2012, will play either Camila Giorgi of Italy or No. 18-seeded Venus Williams in the next round.

Tennis: Nadal wants Australian Open to start later

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Rafael Nadal would like to see the Australian Open start later in the year to allow players more down time, but admits it is not likely to happen.From the end of season ATP Tour Finals to the start of the new year, many of the top players barely had five weeks off before having to start all over again.Roger Federer revealed that he took just eight days off during the off-season, with exhibitions and other commitments narrowing his free time considerably.He was sensationally knocked out of the Australian Open on Friday in the third round by unseeded Italian Andreas Seppi.Nadal said it was natural for players who travel the world constantly to want to stay at home with family around the Christmas and New Year period, but most have tournaments starting early January to prepare for Melbourne.The Spanish world number three, who is on the comeback trail after a three-month injury layoff, said it would be better to start the opening Grand Slam of the year later, perhaps in February.For us, it is important to spend the new year at home. It important to spend Christmas at home with family. Those dates are very important, he said. Players have family, players have small kids. You want to spend that time with them. With this calendar, it is tough to have and enjoy this period of time with your family. It is true that if we went two weeks (later), it would be better.He also said playing just one warm-up tournament ahead of a gruelling Grand Slam was not ideal.Two tournaments would be the right period of time before the tournament to play, he said, while admitting that for all the talk, nothing would change.Today we are talking for talking, because I dont see a change in that calendar for the future.Calls to change the dates of the massively popular Australian Open have been raised in the past, but dismissed with the tournament falling during the school holidays, guaranteeing huge crowds and a party atmosphere.Nadal, who battled dizzy spells and stomach cramps in an epic five-set second round match at Melbourne Park, plays big-hitting South African Kevin Anderson for a place in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

Musharaf submits application to visit Saudi Arabia

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ISLAMABAD (Roznama Dunya) – The former President of Pakistan General Pervaiz Musharaf on Friday submitted an application to the Interior Ministry seeking permission to visit Saudi Arabia. Musharaf wishes to visit Saudi Arabia in order to meet and offer his condolences to the Saudi royal family on the death of King Shah Abdullah.According to the sources, Pervaiz Musharaf has stated in the application to the Interior Ministry that he had close contact with the deceased and he was immensely sad upon hearing the news of the death. Musharaf wants to personally visit the family of the deceased.He stated it was for this purpose that his name be taken down from the exit control list (ECL) so that he is able to travel.This story was also published in Roznama Dunya on 24-01-2015

Clashes with gunmen on Syria border kill 5 Lebanese troops

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BEIRUT (AFP) - The Lebanese military said in a statement late Friday that five troops, including an officer, were killed in clashes with gunmen near the Syrian border.The Lebanese army... is mourning a number of troops who were martyred in clashes that pitted the military against terrorist groups near Ras Baalbek, said the statement, which went on to list the names of the killed.Among them was Lieutenant Ahmad Mahmud Tabikh, said the army.The clashes erupted in the Ras Baalbek area early on Friday, after around 200 gunmen coming from the Qalamun region of Syria attacked a Lebanese military post, according to a security source.The border clash was the latest violence between the Lebanese military and militants on the border with Syria.Syrias civil war has regularly spilled into Lebanon, with jihadists briefly overrunning the eastern Lebanese town of Arsal in August after running gun battles with the army.The jihadists withdrew after a ceasefire, but took with them several dozen hostages from the Lebanese army and police, four of whom have since been executed.

Imran Khan ray of hope for nation: Reham Khan

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JEDDAH( Roznama Dunya) – After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) chairman Imran Khan popularized the slogan of ‘change’, Khan’s wife has echoed her husbands’s stance with the same slogan of ‘change’. The newlywed wife of ‘Kaptaan’ sees her husband as a ray of hope for the Pakistani nation.She expressed these views on the social media website Twitter.She said that after she saw the immense love the Pakistani people had for her husband in Saudi Arabia, she realized how eagerly her partner wanted a change in the country. She said people saw him as their only hope for betterment.She also expressed her gratitude for people who wished her well for the future. She said after observing the energy, commitment and enthusiasm of the people she now completely believes that change will come in Pakistan.This story was also published in Roznama Dunya on 24-01-2015

President approves medal of bravery for APS martyred principal

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ISLAMABAD (Roznama Dunya) – The President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain on Friday gave an approval to award medal of bravery to Army Public School’s (APS) martyred principal Tahira Qazi. An event would be held at the presidential residence on 23rd March where the martyred principal’s family would be invited.According to the details, an event would also be held to honor the parents of APS’s martyred school children. Awards would be given to the parents of the martyred children.An award has also been announced for the soldier who achieved martyrdom while trying to prevent a suicide attack on Peshawar Press Club. It is expected that letters will be written to the families of the martyred on 26th January in this regard.This story is also published in Roznama Dunya on 24-01-2015

EU tells Moscow to 'assume its responsibility' in Ukraine war

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - The European Union called Friday on Moscow to assume its responsibility in ending the separatist war in Ukraine.Time is running out in eastern Ukraine where the escalation of fighting has caused far too many civilian as well as military casualties, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement.Mogherini said the deaths of eight civilians in the shelling of a bus in rebel-held Donetsk illustrated the urgency of halting the violence.Hours before her statement, the pro-Russian separatists announced they would follow up their capture of Donetsks ruined international airport from Ukrainian government forces with a wider offensive to win more territory.Those responsible for the recent escalation must now show that they are serious about their commitment to a political settlement, Mogherini said, calling for withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontlines.We call notably on Russia to fully assume its responsibility. Public statements distorting the reality on the ground, inciting to hatred and further violence will not lead to the badly needed de-escalation, she said.Russia denies arming or fighting alongside the rebels in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian and Western governments say Moscow backs the rebels with direct military aid, an accusation supported by multiple sightings of sophisticated Russian-issue military hardware, usually unmarked.Mogherini called for implementation of the September Minsk accord that ordered withdrawal of heavy weapons and a truce. She also lashed out at the parading of wounded Ukrainian prisoners in Donetsk as a violation of humanitarian law.She did not, however, mention the future of current EU sanctions imposed against Russia over its policies in eastern Ukraine and earlier annexation of the countrys Crimea province.

US urges 'complete' probe into Argentine prosecutor death

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States called Friday for a complete and impartial investigation into the death of Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in mysterious circumstances.Nisman was found dead in his Buenos Aires home Sunday, just hours before he was to go before a congressional hearing to accuse President Cristina Kirchner of shielding Iranian officials implicated in a bomb attack on a Jewish community center in 1994 that left 85 dead.Kirchner said Thursday she believed that Nisman was murdered in a plot to implicate her government in a cover-up, while investigators have said he appeared to have committed suicide -- though they have not ruled out homicide or induced suicide.Nisman courageously devoted much of his professional life to going after those responsible for the attack in Buenos Aires, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.Judicial authorities are investigating his death and we call for a complete and impartial investigation.For over 20 years, the United States... we have continued to work closely with the international community and the Argentine government seeking justice.Psaki declined to comment on the cover-up claims dogging Kirchner or speculate on the cause of Nismans death.Before his demise, Nisman had filed a 280-page complaint charging that Kirchner had issued an express directive to shield a group of Iranian suspects in the 1994 bombing.Nisman contended that the government had agreed to swap grain for oil with Tehran in exchange for withdrawing red notices to Interpol seeking the arrests of the former and current Iranian officials accused in the unsolved case.

Maduro criticizes visit by 3 former Latin American leaders

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CARACAS (AP) -President Nicolas Maduro on Friday blasted a weekend visit to Venezuela by the former leaders of Mexico, Chile and Colombia, accusing them of inadvertently lending support to extremist groups trying to oust him from power.Felipe Calderon of Mexico, Sebastian Pinera of Chile and Andres Pastrana of Colombia are supposed to participate in a pro-democracy symposium organized by Maduros foes. Theyre also expected to try on Sunday to visit jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, who has been imprisoned for nearly a year for leading protests against the socialist government.Maduro, who is struggling to rebuild Venezuelas oil-dependent economy amid spiraling inflation and widespread shortages, told supporters that the three conservative former presidents would have blood on their hands for backing for his opponents. He also accused Calderon of having ties with Mexican drug traffickers and called Pinera a supporter of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.Even while saying he respects free speech, Maduro urged the governments supporters to reject the presidents visit as interference in Venezuelas internal affairs.You should be worried about the crisis in your countries and not stick your stinking noses into the affairs of the Venezuelan people, Maduro said at a rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1958 coup that ousted dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez.

Euro hits $1.11 in post-ECB stimulus slide

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The euro fell again against the dollar Friday, hitting a new 11-year low a day after the European Central Bank unveiled a vast bond-buying program to revive the eurozone.The currency market also nervously awaited the outcome of Greeces general elections Sunday, with polls showing the leftist anti-austerity Syriza party would win, posing a new challenge to the bailout program from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.The euro, which fetched $1.1359 late Thursday, tumbled to $1.1115, the lowest level since September 2003.The ECBs announcement Thursday of a 1.14-trillion-euro ($1.27-trillion) bond-buying program, or quantitative easing (QE), aims to stimulate growth and avert deflation after the nearly stagnant eurozone saw prices drop in December for the first time in five years.ECB chief Mario Draghi said the program would continue at least through September 2016.Analysts said the euro could slide further toward dollar parity as the ECB announcement underscores a growing policy divergence with the US Federal Reserve, which exited its QE program in October and is considering an interest rate hike this year.The key factor is that the ECBs extension of QE is open-ended, said RIA Capital Markets analyst Nick Stamenkovic. In other words, if euro area inflation fails to rise in coming months then further purchases are likely as it attempts to restore price stability over the medium-term.But with the Fed looking set to raise interest rates from near zero, where they have been pegged since late 2008 amid the financial crisis, in mid-2015, the euro looks increasingly likely to reach (dollar) parity by year-end, if not sooner, he said.The Feds policy arm, the Federal Open Market Committee, meets on Tuesday and Wednesday.Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management said that part of the dollar indexs more than five percent gain since the beginning of the year reflected the positive outlook for the US economy, which is enjoying relatively strong growth compared with other major economies.The main reason why the dollar is performing so well is because central banks around the world are in a race to ease, Lien said, citing the Bank of Canadas quarter-point rate cut, the ECBs QE and dovish minutes from the Bank of England monetary policy meeting.

Canadian due in court over Iraq killings of 5 US soldiers

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NEW YORK (AFP) - A Canadian man will go before a New York court on Saturday accused of murder and conspiracy over the killing of five US soldiers in Iraq, American prosecutors said.Faruq Khalil Muhammad Isa, 36, allegedly helped to orchestrate a truck bombing carried out by a Tunisian jihadist on a US base in Mosul, northern Iraq, on April 10, 2009 that killed the five American soldiers.His network was also allegedly responsible for another suicide attack carried out by Tunisians on an Iraqi police station on March 31, 2009 that killed at least seven Iraqis.We will continue to use every available means to bring to justice those who are responsible for the deaths of American servicemen and women who paid the ultimate price in their defense of this nation, said Loretta Lynch, US attorney for the eastern district of New York.Isa, who was arrested in Canada on Monday and extradited to New York, will appear in a US federal court in Brooklyn.He is charged with five counts of murder for each soldier, conspiracy to murder American citizens and with providing material support to terrorists.If convicted he could face life in prison.

Football: Minnows Cambridge hold Man United in FA Cup

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CAMBRIDGE (AFP) - Fourth-division outsiders Cambridge United earned themselves a money-spinning FA Cup fourth-round replay at Old Trafford after holding Premier League giants Manchester United to a 0-0 draw on Friday.There were 76 places in the English league system between the teams at kick-off, but League Two Cambridge held their own against their illustrious visitors in front of 7,987 fans at their Abbey Stadium home.The clearest chance of the game fell to United striker Radamel Falcao in the second half, but the on-loan Colombia superstar was denied by a fine save from Cambridge goalkeeper Chris Dunn.Fans of the club from the university city were left to plan a trip to the Theatre of Dreams, less than a year after they returned to the Football League following nine years as a non-league outfit.And while Uniteds dreams of a first FA Cup success since 2004 remain alive, the extra fixture is a game that manager Louis van Gaal could do without.Van Gaals curious eve-of-match admission that watching United play in a 4-4-2 formation gave him a twitchy ass meant the visitors team-sheet was awaited with more anticipation than usual.They lined up with a back four and a midfield diamond, while Wayne Rooney was absent from the squad amid reports of a foot injury, but on a bitterly cold night in eastern England, it was the home side who made the early running.Right-winger Ryan Donaldson in particular caught the eye, crossing for Tom Elliott to head over and seizing on a dangerous loose pass from Phil Jones, only for his heavy touch to allow the United defender to clear.At the other end, Dunn saved with his legs from Daley Blind, but the best chance of the first half fell to Cambridge defender Josh Coulson, who headed just over after he had inadvertently blocked a goal-bound header from team-mate Michael Nelson.Van Gaal had warned United about Cambridges aerial threat prior to the game, but the 11-time cup winners looked vulnerable at set-pieces nonetheless, while in attack they struggled to stretch the play.Angel di Maria, back in central midfield, had several attempts from long range, but failed to extend Dunn with any of them, prompting inevitable chants of What a waste of money from the home support.United began to force Cambridge back in the second half and after Adnan Januzaj had worked Dunn at his near post, the Cambridge goalkeeper produced an excellent save to thwart Falcao, who had been released by Michael Carrick.With just over 20 minutes to play, Van Gaal made a double change, sending on Robin van Persie and Ander Herrera for James Wilson and Marouane Fellaini.Van Persie squandered a chance to put United ahead when, from an awkward angle, he hooked Di Marias bouncing ball over the bar, while Dunn produced a sharp low stop to thwart Di Maria in stoppage time.Former United midfielder Luke Chadwick received a warm reception from both sets of supporters after entering the fray for Cambridge as a late substitute, but it was the home fans who cheered loudest at the final whistle.

Extremist prisoners take guards hostage in Mauritania

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NOUAKCHOTT (AFP) - A group of Islamist death row inmates took two guards hostage Friday as a riot escalated in a jail in the Mauritanian capital.The prisoners at Nouakchotts central prison started fires during violent clashes with wardens before seizing the officials, security sources told AFP.Extremists set fire to materials in the part of the prison they occupy. They are holding two guards hostage and they are threatening to kill them if the authorities opt to use force, the source said.It is not known how large the group is but prison sources said it includes more than a dozen inmates sentenced to death or life sentences who are protesting against the refusal of the authorities to release companions who have completed their jail terms.The group began a hunger strike several days ago and family members are staging a sit-in outside the jail, the source said.Wardens used tear gas and truncheons to quell the rebellion, but the hostage situation was ongoing.Authorities did not say what crimes the inmates had committed.

Photographer sues Nike over Michael Jordan photo copyright

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PORTLAND (AP) A photographer is accusing Nike of violating the copyright of his 1984 image of Michael Jordan soaring toward a basketball hoop by continuing to use the image to market shoes and clothes.Jacobus Rentmeester of New York City filed the lawsuit against Oregon-based Nike Inc. on Thursday in federal court in Portland, Oregon. Hes seeking unspecified monetary damages, profits generated from the image, and an injunction preventing further copyright infringement.Rentmeester staged and shot the photo for Life magazine as part of a special section published for the 1984 Summer Olympics. As a freelancer, he retained rights to the copyright. Nike later paid him $150 for temporary use of two transparencies of the photo.According to the complaint, Nike then produced a nearly identical photograph of Jordan and reproduced it on billboards, and when Rentmeester threatened litigation, the Oregon company paid him $15,000 for a limited license to use the image for two years.The complaint says Nike continued to reproduce the photo after that period and used it to create the distinctive Jumpman logo, a silhouette of the leaping Jordan inspired by the photograph. The company went on to create the Jordan Brand division, which markets Michael Jordan products using the photo and the logo.The lawsuit says Nike has earned millions as a result of these marketing campaigns.Nike spokesman Greg Rossiter said the company is not commenting on the lawsuit.Its unclear why Rentmeester waited nearly three decades to file a claim. He registered the Jordan photo with the U.S. Copyright Office in December 2014.Neither the photographer nor his lawyer returned calls for comment.Federal copyright law allows people to bring copyright claims within three years of an infringing act. But in May 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court in a similar copyright case ruled that delay in filing a copyright claim isnt a bar to seeking damages as long as the copyright infringement continues.That case, Petrella v. MGM, concerns the screenplay to the 1980 movie Raging Bull, co-written and sold by Frank Petrella, whose daughter sued MGM in 2009 seeking royalties from continuing commercial use of the film. Petrellas claim fell within the three years, the court ruled, because the studio continued to release the film on DVD and other formats for years and every new release essentially reset the clock for copyright purposes.

Kobe to be re-examined before deciding injury fate

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LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kobe Bryants torn right rotator cuff will be re-examined Monday before the Los Angeles Lakers decide whether the superstar guard needs potentially season-ending surgery.Bryant was examined Friday in Los Angeles. He tore his rotator cuff Wednesday in New Orleans.Team physician Steve Lombardo confirmed the diagnosis and discussed treatment options with Bryant, including surgery to repair the tear.Bryant will be examined again by Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic on Monday, and theyll decide whether Bryant needs surgery.The third-leading scorer in NBA history was injured while throwing down a two-handed dunk in the Lakers loss to the Pelicans. He traveled home before the Lakers played at San Antonio on Friday night.Lakers coach Byron Scott says he feels he played Bryant too extensively this season.
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