Monday 5 January 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

IS mortars target Iraqi base in Anbar: US military

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - An Iraqi military base in the countrys western Anbar province is coming under frequent mortar fire from Islamic State jihadists, but the attacks have caused no injuries to US troops deployed there, the Pentagon said Monday.The mortar attacks -- which began in recent weeks -- underline the risks of an expanding role for the US military in Iraq, as hundreds of American troops deploy to train and advise the Iraqi army in its fight with the IS group.About 320 troops -- mostly US Marines -- started working with Iraqi army units in recent days at the sprawling al-Asad base, which officials insisted was facing no imminent threat from the IS militants.Its fair to say al-Asad is coming under... regular harassment fires, spokesman Colonel Steven Warren told rseeporters. The mortar and other indirect fire has been wholly ineffective so far, Warren said. No US personnel, no US equipment have been impacted in any way.It was the first time the Pentagon reported the mortar fire, which began over the past few weeks, a US defense official told AFP.US warplanes have carried out a steady stream of air raids near the Asad base against the IS militants, who have gained a firm foothold in the west. Anbar province is home to a mostly Sunni population that has become alienated from the Shiite-led government in Baghdad.American commanders have described the military training as focused on bare minimum basics for the Iraqi soldiers. The instruction covers several topics, including coordinating air strikes from Iraqi or coalition planes, Warren said.President Barack Obama plans to send up to 3,100 US troops to Iraq to help build up the Baghdad governments army in its fight with the IS group. But Obama has ruled out a direct combat mission for the American forces.About 2,140 US troops are currently on the ground in Iraq, including the team at the Asad base -- one of five sites chosen for training efforts. About 170 troops from the US Armys 1st Infantry Division have deployed to Taji, a vast base north of Baghdad. The training effort at Taji, which involves a six-week program for four Iraqi army battalions, began on December 27, according to Warren.In the coming weeks, two other training sites will be launched by the US-led coalition, one in Arbil in the north and another in Besmaya, south of Baghdad.The American troop contingent in Iraq also includes 800 forces guarding American diplomats and facilities.

Fog affects flights schedule at Allama Iqbal International Airport

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Fog has continued to blanket the plain areas of Punjab. Life has been badly affected due to the problems being faced by the locals as fog clouds the plain areas of Punjab.The Allama Iqbal International airport’s operations have been shut down and all the incoming international and domestic flights have been diverted to other airports.Fog also affected road traffic. The Motorway has been closed from Lahore to Pindi Bhattian for heavy traffic as visibility was down to zero due to dense fog.

Australia 123-0 at lunch on 1st day of 4th test vs India

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SYDNEY (AP) - David Warner and Chris Rogers gave Australia a flying start against India, guiding the hosts to 123-0 at lunch Tuesday on the first day of the fourth cricket test.Indias bowlers were wayward in the morning session, frequently allowing Rogers (52 not out) and Warner to score at nearly five runs an over, after Australia captain Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bat first at the Sydney Cricket Ground.Warner, unbeaten on 63, found his characteristic aggression to dominate the Indian attack, including three consecutive boundaries off one Umesh Yadav over.Rogers was given a reprieve on 19 by Rahul, who dropped an easy chance at second slip off Mohammad Shami, giving Virat Kohli a harsh introduction as new Indian test captain.

Defiant Williamson, Watling keep New Zealand alive

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WELLINGTON (AFP) - Kane Williamson brought up his ninth and arguably most important Test century on a rescue mission for New Zealand with BJ Watling in the second Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.Their stubborn partnership put on 166 valuable runs for the sixth wicket at the Basin Reserve in Wellington to have New Zealand at 325 for five in their second innings at lunch on day four.They have extended New Zealands lead to 190 with Williamson not out 121 and Watling on 76 and nearing his fourth Test ton.When Watling joined Williamson before tea on Monday, New Zealand were in deep trouble at 159-5, only 24 ahead. They have been together for nearly 68 overs since.Williamson, who has offered up three chances in his innings, has moved up to sixth equal with Stephen Fleming on the all-time list of New Zealand century makers.He was dropped on 29 and 60 on Monday and after resuming Tuesday on 80 he grafted his way to the century before getting a faint edge to Rangana Herath which wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene failed to hold.Williamsons 121 includes only eight fours, while Watling has seven in his chanceless innings as New Zealand fight to save the Test and ensure their third successive home series win,.They won the first Test in Christchurch by eight wickets.

Football: Impressive PSG stroll past Montpellier in Cup

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MONTPELLIER (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain made light work of Ligue 1 rivals Montpellier to stroll into the last 32 of the French Cup following Mondays 3-0 away win.Second-half goals from Clement Chantome, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a sublime third from Brazilian Lucas Moura settled the last 64 tie at Montpelliers Altrad stadium.It was a welcome relief for the champions, who were held to a draw at home to Montpellier in the league two weeks ago.They will face Bordeaux in the next round.PSG coach Laurent Blanc was critical of the pitch, which hosted a Top 14 rugby match just two days earlier.Given the conditions we didnt expect a great football match, said Blanc.Despite that, in general in the Cup its the team that shows the most combativity, determination and aggression that wins and goes through to the next round.Tonight I think that was the case with our progression.With South American forwards Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi left back in Paris as punishment for coming back late form their holidays, PSG took time to click their attack into gear.The visitors took the lead on 63 minutes as Chantome finished a pass from Ibrahimovic following the big Swedes one-two with Brazilian defender Marquinhos.Ibrahimovic headed home a cross from Javier Pastore with 11 minutes left but Lucas saved the best until last, controlling a looping high ball expertly on his chest before spinning, holding off the close attentions of his marker and rifling past Jonathan Ligali in the Montpellier goal in stoppage time.Montpellier coach Rolland Courbis had no complaints.Weve already seen and heard that the first goal is very important on a pitch like this, he said.I dont want to waste time questioning PSGs qualification. The score seems severe to me but their progression is logical.

Football: Man Utd handed Cambridge trip in FA Cup

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LONDON (AFP) - Manchester United will have to subdue another potential giant-killer after the 11-time FA Cup winners were handed a fourth round trip to League Two minnows Cambridge United in Mondays draw.Louis van Gaals team were paired with the lowest ranked team left in the Cup and will head to the tiny Abbey Stadium on the weekend of January 24-25.A total of 79 league places separate Richard Moneys side with van Gaals star-studded line-up, who were able to avoid an embarrassing third round defeat at League One outfit Yeovil on Sunday as they cruised to a 2-0 win.Holders Arsenal, 2-0 winners against last seasons beaten finalists Hull in the third round on Sunday, will also be hoping to avoid an upset when they travel to Championship team Brighton.Manchester City host Championship promotion contenders Middlesbrough after coming from behind to win 2-1 against Sheffield Wednesday, another second tier team, on Sunday.Premier League leaders Chelsea could face a feisty London derby against Millwall at Stamford Bridge if the Lions come through their replay with Bradford City.Jose Mourinhos men will be heavy favourites to advance whether they face Championship strugglers Millwall or League One promotion chasers Bradford, although the Lions knocked Chelsea out of the Cup in 1995 and 1985.Liverpool, 2-1 winners over AFC Wimbledon on Monday, will host Bolton as they continue their bid to say farewell to departing captain Steven Gerrard with a Wembley victory.Gerrard, who announced last week that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, turns 35 on the day of the FA Cup final -- which would be his final match for the Reds if they make it.Sheffield Uniteds reward for their shock 3-0 win over QPR on Sunday is a trip to fellow third tier side Preston.

Football: Maradona backs Neuer for Ballon D'Or

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HAVANA (AFP) - Argentina legend Diego Maradona said on Monday that he believes Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer should pip Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the Ballon DOr.Neither Messi, nor Ronaldo, my favourite is Neuer, hes the one who deserves it the most, said the outspoken former star player and coach during a visit to Cuba.Maradona arrived in the island nation on Monday to take part in some sports programmes with Venezuelan television station Telesur.But before that, speaking to Radio Habana Cuba, he said Ronaldo and Messi were resting during the last year while Neuer was winning the World Cup with Germany.Title-holder and twice winner Ronaldo, four-time winner Messi and Neuer have been picked for the final shortlist to win the Ballon DOr.It will be presented during an awards ceremony in Zurich on January 12.Maradona, 54, is due to spend a week in Cuba, during which time he said he may visit the countrys emblematic former leader Fidel Castro.

Football: FIFA visit Gaza to help rebuild stadiums

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GAZA CITY (AFP) - A FIFA delegation arrived in the Gaza Strip on Monday to help with a rebuilding project for football stadiums damaged during last years Israeli bombardment.The world football governing body is investing one million dollars (840,000 euros) to help rebuild stadiums in the Palestinian territory, many of which were damaged during the conflict between Israel and Hamas last July and August.Once the 20 rebuilding projects are finished, FIFA president Joseph Blatter will come to inaugurate them, said David Borja, the FIFA delegate responsible for development in Asia.He added that FIFA were committed to supporting football in the Gaza Strip and its development by bringing help and materials.Nafez Okasha, the Palestinian Football Federation chief, said the money would be used to replace synthetic pitches in the 20 stadiums.He added that these could be inaugurated as early as summer this year.Another $200,000 from FIFA has been earmarked to repair the Palestine national stadium in Gaza, which was damaged during bombings in 2006 and 2012.The FIFA delegation, due to leave the enclave on Tuesday, were supposed to watch a match between two Gazan sides but missed it after being held up at the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza for several hours by the Israeli military, Okasha said.The Palestinians were upgraded from observer entity to a United Nations observer state in 2012, and although not yet universally recognised as a state, the Palestine national team was recognised by FIFA in 1998.Last year they qualified for the first time for the Asian Cup finals, due to begin in Australia on Thursday.

Tennis: Gasquet starts new year by reviving happy memories

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DOHA (AFP) - Richard Gasquet made a convincing start to his bid to regain a place in the worlds top ten with a new year first round victory in the Qatar Open on Monday.The Switzerland-based former world number seven made some enterprising approaches to the net and hit plenty of characteristically flowing ground strokes during a 6-3, 7-5 win over Pablo Andujar, a top 50 Spaniard.Though it was a match Gasquet expected to win, the quality of his game sometimes made it hard to believe he has dropped to 27 in the rankings after a disappointing 2014.Two years ago after winning the title here he went on to return to the worlds top ten for the first time in five years. He would love to do something similar this time.Im really hoping I can play better this year, he stressed. The most important for me is to be fit, because I had so many injuries last year and its impossible to do a great season when you are so injured.So its most important for me to be fit this year and I think its okay at the moment. Really, I need to work on my physical condition with the physio, with everything, but I think Im still young.Gasquets only uncertain moments occurred when he led 5-3 in the second set, with the match all but won. After Andujar held serve for 4-5, Gasquet dropped his own service for the first time -- to love, with a game which included a double fault. He responded by breaking Andujar for the third time, saving a game point with a brilliantly struck trademark backhand, following it with two successful net approaches, and reaching 6-5 with another elegantly powerful backhand.Im really happy I managed to break him again, and that I could finish on my serve at 6-5, said the 28-year-old.It was important because you never know what can happen if you are losing 7-6 in a second set.Further progress will involve an encounter with Simone Bolelli, the world number 52 from Italy, which appears within Gasquets capacity to negotiate, followed by a possible quarter-final with Tomas Berdych, the third-seeded former Wimbledon finalist from the Czech Republic, against whom he holds a 6-4 winning record.Later the two ailing tournament favourites, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, both made winning starts to 2015 -- but in doubles.Djokovic, the world number one, partnered his Serbian compatriot Filip Krajinov to a 6-1, 6-4 win over Jabor Ali Mutawa of Qatar and Malek Jaziri of Tunisia, and proclaimed himself better after the fever which caused his withdrawal from the final of the Abu Dhabi exhibition event two days previously.Nadal, the former world number one, partnered Juan Monaco of Argentina to a 6-3, 6-3 win over Bolelli and Leonardo Mayer, another Argentine.The Spaniards return to his former excellence may take longer than Djokovics after an appendectomy and a badly truncated second half of 2014.

Rallying: Al-Attiyah bounces back to take overall lead

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SAN JUAN (AFP) - Nasser Al-Attiyah bounced back from being stripped of victory on Sundays opening stage by taking the overall lead after winning Mondays second stage at the Dakar Rally in Argentina.Driving a Mini, Al-Attiyah had claimed victory on Sunday only to be stripped of his success for speeding -- clocking 68km/h in a section limited to 50km/h -- and earning a two-minute penalty that saw him relegated to seventh place.But the Qatari, the 2011 champion, put on a masterful display Monday to finish eight and a half minutes clear of South Africas Giniel de Villiers to take the overall lead following the 518km stage from Villa Carlos Paz to San Juan.De Villierss Toyota team-mate Bernhard Ten Brinke was second at more than 10 minutes behind and those two now hold the same positions in the overall standings.Al-Attiyah said he felt winning this stage had been key to his overall hopes.We won the stage. This was a big thing today. This is the key of this Dakar. Now we can go calmly until the rest day, he said. For the marathon day we can go really easily, but we will try every day to be like this. It was a plan today because we studied the stage very well.Veteran Peugeot drivers Carlos Sainz and Staphane Peterhansel, both former winners, struggled for the second day in a row.Spaniard Sainz lost more than 20 minutes after colliding with motorcyclist Laurent Moulin, who was left with a broken leg and facial trauma.Meanwhile 11-time Dakar winner Peterhansel lost more than an hour after he too crashed and was left waiting for help to get going again.Defending champion Nani Roma is already out of contention after the Spaniard broke down in his Mini on Sunday and had to be towed home, losing more than six hours.In the motorbike section Spains Joan Barreda Bort also moved into the overall lead by taking victory on the second stage.I am really happy. Today was amazing. It was really hard, really tough in the last part of the special with a lot of tracks and a lot of bumps and it was so physical, said Barreda Bort. But today was one of these days where it is important to get to the finish and weve got here so we are really happy. I was alone in some parts, but the most important was to remain calm over the first kilometres and finally we did a really good job.He finished 6min 13sec ahead of his Honda teammate Paulo Goncalves with fellow Spaniard Ruben Faria third on a KTM at 9min 16sec.Reigning champion Marc Coma, another Spaniard riding a KTM, finished eighth at more than 12min and is now down in sixth place at a similar distance overall.Briton Sam Sunderland, who won Sundays opening stage, got lost and didnt finish amongst the top 50 on Monday.This years rally features a gruelling 9,000km trek through Argentina, Chile and Bolivia before arriving back in Buenos Aires for a January 17 finish.This years event, the seventh in South America since its enforced transfer for security reasons from Africa, is the 37th of all time.

US encourages dialogue between Pakistan and India

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WASHINGTON (Agencies) – Briefing the media in Washington on Monday, State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki expressed concern over flare-up in tensions between Pakistan and India after cross border shelling and said that US encourages dialogue between the two countries.We certainly support dialogue between the countries. There have been some steps over the past year, that you know, where there have been more positive exchanges. Obviously, theres more work that needs to be done, Jen Psaki said.

US oil prices slip below $50 a barrel

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NEW YORK (AFP) - US oil prices Monday slipped below $50 a barrel for the first time in more than five years as the surging dollar and news of additional supplies extended a six-month rout.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for February delivery, in free fall since June, ended at $50.04 a barrel, down $2.65 or five percent. The contract got as low as $49.95 a barrel earlier in the session, its lowest level since May 1, 2009.European benchmark Brent oil for February delivery fell $3.31 to $53.11 a barrel in London.Mondays slide in oil prices followed indications of rising output from key producers Russia and Iraq at a time when forecasters have trimmed their demand projections due to weak global economic growth.The breaching of the psychologically important $50 level also came on a turbulent day for global financial markets. US stocks fell nearly two percent, approaching the drops in European equity markets as the euro plunged to a nine-year low on revived eurozone worries.A long rally in the greenback, which gained 11 percent last year against a basket of major currencies, has weighed on the dollar-priced oil market by making crude more expensive for buyers using weaker currencies.Oil prices could fall further still, analysts say.Theres serious concern the bottoms not in yet, said Kyle Cooper, managing partner at IAF Advisors in Houston. Basically everyone whos taken a stab at the bottom has been wrong.Oil prices attempted to stabilize during the last two weeks, but the fundamentals remain weak, said Gene McGillian, broker and analyst at Tradition Energy. The market is trying to come to a bottom. It could be anybodys guess, but it appears we still have more to go.Fawad Razaqzada, a technical analyst at Forex.com., said the drop below $50 a barrel could trigger more selling, paving the way for oil to fall as low as $45 or $40 a barrel in the coming weeks.The retreat in prices comes on the heels of a multi-year boom in US oil production that has shaken the global petroleum market and put the US in a league with oil giants Russia and Saudi Arabia.Other leading producers are also pumping aggressively. Iraqs oil ministry last week released figures showing that December crude exports reached their highest since 1980.Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has consistently ruled out action despite the months-long slide in prices.In November, the cartel met in Vienna and took no action, as key powerbrokers like Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali al-Naimi said he preferred for the market to balance itself. In December, Naimi told a Middle East publication the group would take the same hands-off approach even if oil fell to $20 a barrel.Meanwhile, economic growth remains uncertain in Europe and in many emerging economies, such as China and Brazil. The International Energy Agency in December projected global crude inventories could rise by nearly 300 million barrels in the first six months of 2015. The agency also cut its demand outlook by more than 200,000 barrels a day for 2015.Energy equities, by far the worst performing sector in the S&P 500 last year, suffered more pain Monday. Dow member Chevron fell 4.0 percent, while oil-services giant Schlumberger lost 2.6 percent.Key US oil companies like ConocoPhillips and shale producer Continental Resources have cut their drilling budgets for 2015.Still, analysts expect US output to continue to rise this year, owing to investments that have already been made. That will put more pressure on crude prices.I still think one of the primary drivers of the market is US oil production and I really dont see US oil production growth slowing appreciably in the first quarter, Cooper said.

Euro hits 9-year low on eurozone worries, falling oil

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The euro sank against the dollar to the lowest level in nearly nine years Monday as investors worried about a possible Greek exit from the eurozone and sliding oil prices.Fears mounted that an election in embattled Greece later this month could put the opposition anti-austerity party Syriza in power, jeopardizing the countrys economic reforms mandated by the international financial rescue.Over the weekend, the Der Spiegel weekly quoted German government sources as saying that Berlin sees a Greek exit from the eurozone as almost inevitable should the left-wing Syriza party win.The euro slid to $1.1864, the lowest level since March 2006, before recovering to $1.1933 around 2200 GMT. That compared with $1.2002 late on Friday in New York.Oil prices continued to drop, with the US benchmark contract briefly falling below $50 a barrel for the first time in more than five years on concerns about ample global supplies and weakening economic growth, particularly in Europe and China.Weights on the euro include Europes weak recovery, which has lagged far behind the US economy, worries about Greeces future and whether it would honor the terms of its bailout if an anti-austerity party should win the January 25 poll, and sustained and ongoing optimism in the outlook for the US and its currency, said Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Western Union Business Solution.The dollar gained 11 percent against a basket of major rival currencies last year.

Australia win toss and bat in final India Test

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SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia won the toss and chose to bat in the fourth and final Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.India, who have already lost the series, made four changes with Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha and Bhuvneshwar Kumar coming into the side.The tourists left out opener Shikhar Dhawan with Lokesh Rahul promoted to open the innings, Sharma replacing Cheteshwar Pujara and Saha for the newly-retired M.S. Dhoni at wicketkeeper, while Kumar came in for paceman Ishant Sharma.The Australians made only one change with Mitchell Starc replacing injured paceman Mitchell Johnson.Virat Kohli is Indias new captain following the sudden Test retirement of Dhoni after last weeks Melbourne Test.India have already lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Australia holding an unassailable 2-0 lead, but there is much interest in how Kohlis aggression will impact on the teams fortunes.India have won only one of their last 22 Tests overseas and have been successful in only one of their 10 Tests at the Sydney Cricket Ground, that sole victory coming 37 years ago.Teams:Australia - David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. India - Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (capt), Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI) Richard Kettleborough (ENG).TV umpire: Simon Fry (AUS).Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI).

Nation stands united against terrorism: Imran

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LONDON (Dunya News) – Talking to media at the Heathrow Airport before his departure to Pakistan on Monday night, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said that the nation stands united against terrorism.Expressing reservations over 21st constitutional amendment and formation of military-led speedy trial courts, PTI chief said that these courts are against the spirit of democracy and the constitution.Replying to a question Imran said that he would make decision about coming or not in the assemblies after constitution of judicial commission. He also announced to convene a press conference today (Tuesday) in connection with judicial commission.Commenting on the reports about his marriage, PTI chief said that there is no need to keep it secret. Imran further said that he will tell the entire nation as soon as such an opportune time comes.
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