Monday 16 February 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Clarke debate no problem for Johnson

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BRISBANE (AFP) - Australias Mitchell Johnson said Tuesday the ongoing speculation about captain Michael Clarkes fitness was not proving a distraction for the World Cup favourites.Clarkes hamstring injury meant he was sidelined as co-hosts Australia launched their bid for a fifth World Cup title with an emphatic 111-run thrashing of arch-rivals England in Melbourne on Saturday.However, it is expected Clarke will be fit enough to return for Australias second Pool B match against Bangladesh in Brisbane this coming Saturday following an encouraging display during last weeks practice match against the United Arab Emirates.Stand-in skipper George Bailey, long tipped to make way for Clarke, did his best to make life awkward for Australias selectors by making a useful fifty against England.But fast bowler Johnson said hed be delighted to see Clarke back in the side, although he did not know which player would make way for the star batsman.I love the captaincy that he (Clarke) brings, Johnson said. He has got so much experience and George does as well.But Michael Clarke has been the captain for a number of years now. I know he has the boys full support.Johnson stressed there were no lingering concerns about Clarkes fitness and that the debate about what role the skipper would play in the World Cup had not been an issue for the rest of the squad.I know that he is ready to go, Johnson said. But I dont know from a playing point of view what the plan is.He is doing what he needs to do. He is not making it a distraction for us.Whenever that chance is when he gets back in we will be ready for him.In normal circumstances, talk of changing a winning side after such a convincing victory in the first match of a major tournament would be regarded as unnecessary and Johnson said dropping anyone from the team following Australias display at the Melbourne Cricket Ground would be tough.It will be, he said. It was a pretty short meeting after the game (against England) -- it was pretty good, he said.But we can always get better at certain things (like) not lose wickets so closely together.(But) the fielding was outstanding throughout that innings.If we can keep that intensity up I think we are going to have confidence throughout this tournament.

US urges Russia, rebels to 'immediately' halt Ukraine attacks

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States called on Russia and the separatists it backs to immediately halt attacks in eastern Ukraine on Monday, expressing grave concern about ceasefire violations.A two-day old truce was on the verge of collapsing as fighting raged around a strategic railway hub and both sides said conditions were not met to start withdrawing heavy weapons from the frontline.The worst of the violence was around the town of Debaltseve, a key city between the separatist-held cities of Donetsk and Lugansk, where thousands of government troops were mostly surrounded by heavily armed rebels.The United States is gravely concerned by the deteriorating situation in and around Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. We call on Russia and the separatists it backs to halt all attacks immediately, engage with the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) to facilitate the ceasefire, and... fully implement their September 5 and 19 Minsk commitments.Kiev officials and rebels accused each other of ongoing attacks that prevented them from pulling back tanks, rockets and artillery from the frontline in Ukraines east.An OSCE team tasked with monitoring the ceasefire has been unable to enter Debaltseve because of the hostilities.Ukraines government said the rebels had launched more than 112 assaults on its troops positions on Sunday, killing five soldiers and wounding 25. Monday saw another 38 attacks, most of them by Grad multiple rocket launchers and mortars, the defense ministry said on its Facebook page. It claimed the separatists themselves had fired on Donetsk to blame the attack on government forces.These aggressive actions and statements by the Russia-backed separatists threaten the most recent ceasefire and jeopardize the planned withdrawal of heavy weapons, as called for in the February 12 Minsk packet of implementing measures, Psaki said. She noted that the United States was closely monitoring reports of a new column of Russian military equipment making its way toward Debaltseve.

Yemen militia defies UN call to cede power

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SANAA (AFP) - A Shiite militia that has seized Sanaa defiantly rejected Monday a UN call to cede power, stoking tensions after Yemens Gulf neighbours appealed to the Security Council to act forcefully.Yemen is a traditional US ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda, but the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country has descended into chaos since the militia known as Huthis overran the capital in September.The UN Security Council, in a resolution adopted unanimously on Sunday, urged the Huthis to relinquish power, release President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi along with other officials, and to negotiate in good faith.It raised the possibility of sanctions, without going as far as Gulf Arab countries, which have demanded coercive measures under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter.In response Monday, the Huthis told the powerful UN body to respect the will and sovereignty of the Yemeni people, and to be accurate and objective.They also told the Council not to follow the lead of regional powers that aim tirelessly to eliminate the will of the Yemeni people in a flagrant violation of international conventions that criminalise meddling in internal affairs. The statement from the Supreme Revolutionary Committee was referring to the neighbouring Gulf monarchies which had demanded tough UN action. The revolution does not target our brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council; not now, nor in the future, said the statement. On February 6, the Huthis ousted the government and dissolved parliament, tightening their grip after Western-backed President Hadi offered to resign in protest at their advance.Prime Minister Khalid Bahah tendered his resignation at the same time, and both have been held under effective house arrest by the Huthis ever since.On Monday, the UN envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, vowed to press for their release, after he visited Hadi at his besieged house in Sanaa.I assured him that we will continue our efforts to lift the house arrest imposed on him and the Prime Minister Khalid Bahah, Benomar said in a statement.The information minister in Bahahs resigned government, Nadia Sakkaf, said meanwhile that Hadi needed to travel abroad immediately for medical treatment.I visited President Hadi today. He has a heart condition and was quite ill. He must be allowed to travel for treatment, Sakkaf wrote on Twitter.In its resolution issued Sunday, the UN Security Council demanded the Huthis immediately and unconditionally engage in good faith in UN-brokered negotiations, withdraw their forces from government institutions and relinquish power.It also demanded the militia release Hadi, Bahah and other officials and activists under de facto house arrest or in detention.The Huthis overran Sanaa unopposed in September.They have since expanded their control to coastal areas and regions south of Sanaa, where they have faced fierce resistance from Sunni tribes and Al-Qaeda militants.Amnesty International accused the Huthis on Monday of torturing protesters in a bid to dissuade dissent.The Huthi stooped to a dangerous new level of intimidation and violence to strike fear into anyone protesting their rule, said Donatella Rovera, senior crisis response adviser at Amnesty, currently in Yemen.Testimonies reveal how protestors have been detained and tortured for days on end. The safety of all those who dare to speak out against the Huthi rule is on the line, she said in a statement.

Egypt strikes Libya jihadists after beheadings video

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CAIRO (AFP) - Cairo carried out air strikes against Islamic State group targets in Libya on Monday after the jihadists posted a video showing the beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians.Egypt said a tough intervention was needed and with France called on the UN Security Council to take new measures against the jihadists in neighbouring Libya.With the air strikes, Egypt opened a new front against the jihadists. Cairo is already battling militants in the Sinai Peninsula where scores of troops have been killed since the army toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former army chief who overthrew Morsi and has been criticised for a deadly crackdown on dissent, has presented Egypt as a key partner in international efforts against the jihadists.The air strikes hit IS camps and weapons depots, the military said, hours after jihadists released gruesome footage of the beheadings that provoked outrage in Egypt.Witnesses told AFP there were at least seven strikes in Derna in the east, a hotbed of militancy since Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was overthrown in 2011.Your armed forces on Monday carried out focused air strikes in Libya against Daesh camps, places of gathering and training, and weapons depots, the military said, using the pejorative Arabic acronym for IS.Libyan air force chief Saqr al-Jaroushi told an Egyptian broadcaster at least 50 people were killed, a toll which could not be confirmed, and that Libyan warplanes also targeted the jihadists.It was the first time Egypt announced military action against Islamist targets in Libya. Last year Cairo reportedly allowed the United Arab Emirates to use its bases to bomb militants there.State television showed footage of Egyptian fighter jets it said were taking off to conduct the strikes.Avenging Egyptian blood and retaliating against criminals and killers is a duty we must carry out, the military said.The raids came after Sisi threatened a suitable response to the killings.Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry was headed to Washington to take part in an anti-terrorism summit, the ministry said, urging strong international action.Leaving matters as they are in Libya without tough intervention to curb these terrorist organisations represents a clear threat to international security and peace, it said.The killings of the Christians, who like thousands of Egyptians had travelled abroad to seek work, shocked their compatriots.Revenge is on the way, read the front-page banner of the official Al-Akhbar newspaper. Both the Coptic Church and the prestigious Islamic Al-Azhar institution condemned the attack.In the village of Al-Our in Upper Egypt, where 14 of the victims were from, devastated family members gathered in church.My son travelled to Libya 40 days ago, he wanted to make money for his marriage, said Boshra, whose 22-year-old son Kirollos was among the dead.Expressing his profound sadness, Pope Francis said the Copts were executed for nothing more than the fact that they were Christians.Egyptian television repeatedly played the video without the beheadings, showing black-clad militants leading their captives in orange jumpsuits along a beach before forcing them to kneel.Analysts said attacking the militants underscores Sisis message that Egypt is a bulwark against a shared jihadist enemy with Western countries that have been critical of his human rights record.These strikes elevate Egypt to a new level in confronting extremist organisations, said Mathieu Guidere, an Islamic studies and politics professor at the University of Toulouse.The White House led condemnation of the beheadings, saying the killers were despicable.President Francois Hollande of France agreed with Sisi that the Security Council meet and that the international community take new measures to face up to this danger.France on Monday signed its first export contract for Rafale fighter jets with Egypt.UN chief Ban Ki-moon denounced the killings and the Security Council said they were a heinous and cowardly act.The European Union said it will meet with the Egyptian and US governments this week to discuss joint action on Libya, but that it saw no role in any military intervention for now.British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed condolences to Sisi in a telephone call and emphasised the importance of the UN-led political process, his office said.Libyas embattled parliament, which is locked in a conflict with Islamist militias, expressed its condolences and called on the world to show solidarity with Libya against militants.But a rival legislature, the General National Congress under the leadership of the Islamist-led Fajr Libya militia in control of Tripoli, called the strikes aggression that violated the countrys sovereignty.

Cameroon army says 5 soldiers, 86 Boko Haram militants killed in clashes

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MAROUA (AFP) - The Cameroonian army said five of its soldiers were killed in clashes with Boko Haram in the countrys far north on Monday, which also left 86 of the Islamist militants dead.The series of clashes took place in the Waza region near the border with Nigeria, said Colonel Didier Badjeck, a spokesman for the Cameroonian defence ministry.The Cameroonian army had recovered one armoured vehicle from Boko Haram and damaged another, he added.The troops who were killed belonged to Cameroons elite Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR), which is on the front line in the fight against the Nigeria-based Boko Haram group.A Cameroonian soldier, speaking on condition of anonymity, said an ambush by Boko Haram led to nearly three hours of gun battles.More than 2,000 Cameroonian soldiers have been deployed in Cameroons Far North region since August last year.Meanwhile, an army official announced on Monday that more than 1,000 people suspected of being affiliated with Boko Haram were being held in the town of Maroua, also in the countrys Far North region.At the moment, the prison of Maroua is holding more than 1,000 Boko Haram (suspects), said Colonel Joseph Nouma, commander of a local operation to combat the Islamist militants.Boko Haram has grown in power in the area, where Cameroon and Nigeria are linked by a bridge. Militants have carried out repeated massacres of civilians and attacks on villages there, but are now increasingly active against military targets.Cameroon has joined a military alliance with Chad, Niger and Nigeria to combat Boko Haram, which has stepped up its cross-border attacks in response.

3 killed as bus turned turtle near Khuzdar

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KHUZDAR (Dunya News) – According to details, a bus travelling from Karachi to Quetts turned turtle in Baghana area near Khuzdar due to over-speeding on Tuesday, killing at least three people on the spot.Rescue teams reached the spot after the accident and shifted the dead and injured to Quetta. The injured also included women and children.

Gas pipelines blown up Dera Bugti, Kandhkot

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DERA BUGTI (Dunya News) - According to details, miscreants blew up a twenty four- inch diameter gas pipeline coming from Pirkoh in Tally Mat area near Dera Bugti on Monday, disrupting gas supply to Sui and its adjoin areas.In another incident, miscreants blew up 16-inch diameter gas pipeline in village Jehangir near Kandhkot in Balochistan.

Tennis: Venus outshines new star in title defence opener

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DUBAI (AFP) - Venus Williams, who could return to the worlds top ten for the first time in four years if she makes a successful defence of the Dubai Open title this week, began the journey with a 6-1, 6-2 rout of highly-regarded Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic on Monday.The 34-year-old holder of seven Grand Slam titles outplayed Bencic, a 17-year-old earmarked by some as the tours most promising new player, for the loss of just three games in only an hour and nine minutes, making her the first player into the third round.Bencic, the winner of both the Wimbledon and French open junior titles and last years WTA Tour newcomer of the year after rising 179 places to number 33, frequently hit the ball very hard and sometimes brilliantly.But Williams fitness levels and playing standard are higher than for many a year.She was superb off the ground on both wings, and her 28 winners made up for inconsistencies in her serving.Part of this return to form has been due to patient and well thought out long term plans to recover from chronic illness, but part right now may be coming from her liking for the Dubai atmosphere and conditions.It was her 16th consecutive win in the Emirate, a sequence which takes in three titles here and dates back to 2005. It suggests a fourth triumph is a distinct possibility, despite a seeding of only eight.Im pleased to have been able to get into a position to win some matches said Venus, who has won ten out of 11 this year so far. Once you win some it helps you to have that momentum.My strategy is a lot better than five or six years ago, and now I have a backhand slice and actually start to use it, even when Im not playing better. Despite the brevity of the match Bencic, who is a compatriot and protégé of Martina Hingis, had a very good future, she thought.And I hope so for the good of Swiss tennis, said Williams.Coincidentally Hingis is here, having returned after an interval of eight years to compete in Dubai again.The 34-year-old, who spent 209 weeks as world number one and captured five Grand Slam singles titles, won the title at the pioneering womens Dubai Open in 2001.Now Hingis will be trying to win the doubles with Flavia Pennetta, the Italian with whom she reached the final of the US Open in September.The other half of the singles draw will on Tuesday see the top-seeded Simona Halep take on Daniela Hantuchova, the 31-year-old Slovakian whose survival into the second round was a mixture of the indomitable and the improbable.Hantuchova won the title in Pattaya, 5,000 kilometres away, only 20 hours before on Sunday, and apparently had only one hours sleep before surviving 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 6-3 against Mona Barthel, a top 50 German.When Hantuchova let slip a lead of a set and a break of serve, and then went break points down in both the first and the fifth games of the third set, it seemed the combination of exhaustion and a good opponent would wear her down.From the middle of the second set my legs were just, yeah, out of control, Hantuchova said.I think it was only heart and adrenaline which kept me going.Somehow though she she came up with something effective in every crisis, broke for 5-3, and closed out the match from love-30 down.Asked if she could now beat the favourite, Hantuchova replied: Right now I can only think of sleep.

Tennis: Third seed Dolgopolov advances at Delray Beach

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DELRAY BEACH (AFP) - Ukraines third-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov advanced to the second round of the ATP Delray Beach Open on Monday by defeating Russias Teymuraz Gabashvili 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.Dolgopolov fired nine aces and dropped his serve only once in the 93-minute victory, which sends him into the round of 16 against an American, either Tim Smyczek or Stefan Kozlov.World number 24 Dolgopolov is bidding to win his third title, having captured the 2012 Washington Open and the 2011 Croatian Open.The 26-year-old right-hander last reached a final one year ago this week, losing to Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal in Rio de Janeiro.Also reaching the second round was US wildcard Denis Kudla, who eliminated Slovakian Lukas Lacko 6-3, 6-4. Kudla will next face either US qualifier Eric Quigley or French fifth seed Adrian Mannarino.In a later match, Croatian fourth seed Ivo Karlovic meets Germanys Dustin Brown.The top seed is South African Kevin Anderson, who lost to fifth-ranked Kei Nishikori in Sundays Memphis final.Anderson has lost his last six ATP finals, his most recent crown coming at Delray Beach, where he now resides, in 2012.

Football: Arsenal handed potential United showdown in FA Cup

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LONDON (AFP) - FA Cup holders Arsenal were handed a potential showdown with Manchester United in Mondays draw for the quarter-finals.The draw took place shortly before kick-off in Uniteds fifth round tie at Preston, with the Gunners selected to travel to either Old Trafford or Deepdale for their last eight clash.Arsenal defeated Hull in last seasons FA Cup final to end their nine-year trophy drought -- a barren run which had dated back to their victory over United in the 2005 FA Cup final.Elsewhere in a draw conducted by England manager Roy Hodgson and Brian Finney, son of the legendary Preston winger Tom Finney, giant-killers Bradford were handed a home tie against second tier team Reading as they look to make the semi-finals to cap a remarkable Cup run that has included a stunning 4-2 win at Premier League leaders Chelsea in the fourth round and a 2-0 success against top-flight side Sunderland in the fifth round on Sunday.That pairing ensures at least one Football League side will make it to the final four of the competition.Liverpools hopes of giving Steven Gerrard an emotional Wembley send-off on his 35th birthday were boosted as they were drawn to face Championship side Blackburn at Anfield.Reds captain Gerrard has agreed a deal to leave Liverpool for Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, making the FA Cup final potentially his final match for the club he has served with great distinction since 1998.The remaining quarter-final pitted Aston Villa, who appointed Tim Sherwood as their new manager this week against local rivals West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park.

Cycling: Armstrong must pay $10M after arbitration loss

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DALLAS (AFP) - Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of seven Tour de France titles for doping, must pay $10 million (8.8 million euros) after losing an arbitration dispute with SCA Promotions.The Texas firm announced Monday in a statement that the arbitration panel punished Armstrong for an unparalleled pageant of international perjury, fraud and conspiracy.The award, what SCA said was believed to be the largest sanction assessed against an individual in American judicial history, was made public when SCA filed a motion with a Dallas court to have the arbitration ruling confirmed into a judgment against Armstrong.We are very pleased with this result, SCA Promotions president Bob Hamman said. It is hard to describe how much harm Lance Armstrongs web of lies caused SCA but this is a good first start towards repairing that damage.Armstrong, 43, received $4.5 million in bonus payments from SCA for winning the Tour de France from 2001-2003 under SCAs deal with the US Postal Service team owners.But SCA refused to pay Armstrong a $5 million bonus for his 2004 triumph. Armstrong went to court and settled the case for $7.5 million in 2006 after swearing he had won the race without taking performance-enhancing drugs.Armstrongs confession of doping in 2013 prompted SCA to reopen the matter and the arbitration panel conducted a new hearing. SCA had sought $12 million from Armstrong, including legal fees.This record breaking award was justified given Armstrongs outrageous conduct, SCA attorney Jeff Tillotson said, adding, the panel of arbitrators determined that Armstrong continued to lie to the panel throughout the final hearing even while admitting to prior falsehoods and other wrongful conduct.Arbitrators ruled Armstrong used perjury and other wrongful conduct to secure millions of dollars of benefits from SCA, saying the fallen cycling star committed perjury on every issue in the case and finding Armstrong intimidated and pressured other witnesses to lie and used a false personal and emotional appeal to perpetuate his lies.Armstrong admitted in the hearing he did not tell the truth about his earlier doping but arbitrators wrote that he expressed no remorse.SCA has a lawsuit in Dallas state district court pursuing additional claims against Armstrong, who is also fighting a federal lawsuit over fraud claims that could cost him $100 million.

Scotland 142 all out against New Zealand

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DUNEDIN (AFP) - Scotland battled their way to 142 all out against a dominant New Zealand in their World Cup Pool A match on Tuesday, with the minnows recording five ducks against the in-form hosts.Scotland made a disastrous start with the loss of four early wickets before Matt Machan (56) and Richie Berrington (50) combined for a 97-run partnership.The Scots, who are in their third World Cup but still searching for a maiden win, lasted 36.2 overs after being put into bat as Corey Anderson and Dan Vettori took three wickets apiece at 18 and 24 respectively.New Zealand should be confident of reaching the target. They made 360 at the same venue last month against Sri Lanka, including an unbeaten 170 to Luke Ronchi.The Black Caps were determined not to drop their standards against unfancied opposition after crushing Sri Lanka by 98 runs in their opening match.They proved true to their word, fielding an unchanged line-up against Scotland, one of crickets non-Test playing nations.The result was five ducks in the innings, the second highest total in ODI history, including four first-ball golden ducks.Scotland were teetering at 12 for four in the fifth over as New Zealands decision to bowl first paid early dividends, with Trent Boult and Tim Southee both squandering the chance to snatch hat-tricks.It was nice to win the toss and bowl, said Anderson. Trent and Tim were unbelievable at the start. They are classy swing bowlers and they showed it.Anderson said that even when Machan and Berrington put on 97 for the fifth wicket, the Kiwis always felt in control.There was no need to panic, we just kept doing what we were doing. There was movement in the morning, then the pitch flattened out a little bit.Boult trapped Calum MacLeod lbw with a sharply turning inswinger then dismissed Hamish Gardiner next ball with an almost identical delivery.The Black Caps loaded the slips cordon as Machan came to the crease but Boults search for a hat-trick proved fruitless when he fired his delivery off target.Southee then dismissed Kyle Coetzer when he drove the ball straight to Grant Elliott at mid-wicket and claimed the scalp of skipper Preston Mommsen lbw for a golden duck.With the home crowd chanting as Southee steamed in, South African-born Berrington defended calmly to deny another hat-track opportunityMachan and Berrington steadied the innings, taking Scotland to 47-4 at the end of 15 overs.Sussex batsman Machan grew in confidence as the innings progressed, bringing up a half century off 71 balls, including six fours and one six.Anderson finally broke the partnership when Machan miscued an attempt to go over the bowlers head.Anderson claimed a second in his next over, pitching it short to snare a top-edge off Berrington just after the batsman had reached 50.From there it was simply a matter of wrapping up the tail as Scotlands resistance crumbled.

Oil prices aim higher

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LONDON (AFP) - World oil prices edged higher Monday on lingering optimism over falling US production.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for March delivery firmed three cents to $51.96 a barrel compared with Fridays close.Brent North Sea crude for April rose 54 cents $62.06 a barrel in London midday trade.Crude has been on a rollercoaster for the past two weeks after plunging about 60 percent to around $40 between June and late January due to concerns of a global supply glut.Prices are fragile and could easily plummet if fundamentals do not improve, said Daniel Ang, investment analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore. WTI had jumped $1.57 and Brent crude gained $2.24 on Friday after data showed another drop in the number of oil rigs in operation in the United States. According to the Baker Hughes US drilling rig count, the number of rigs in operation fell by 84 to 1,056 in the week to February 13.The falling oil rig count, coupled with announcements by major oil companies of curtailed investments, have raised hopes that US output is tapering. But traders are divided on where the market could head next.The price of oil remains volatile on a weekly basis as it see-saws to the hot and cold winds of the (US) inventory numbers on Wednesday and the rig count release on Friday, said Nicholas Teo, market analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore. Oil traders continue to determine the short-term pricing of crude, he added. With few fresh leads expected Monday, analysts said oil prices are likely to trade sideways. US financial markets are closed for the Presidents Day Holiday.

Scotland stumble but hat-tricks go begging

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DUNEDIN (AFP) - Minnows Scotland made a disastrous start to their World Cup campaign with the loss of four early wickets against New Zealand Tuesday, with the Black Caps attack missing two hat-trick opportunities.New Zealands decision to bowl first paid early dividends as the Scots were left teetering at 12 for four in the fifth over.Pacemen Trent Boult and Tim Southee both had the chance to snatch hat-tricks against Scotland, who did not win a match during their two previous World Cup campaigns in 1999 and 2007.Boult trapped Calum MacLeod lbw with a sharply turning inswinger then dismissed Hamish Gardiner next ball with an almost identical delivery.The Black Caps loaded the slips cordon as Matt Machan came to the crease but Boults search for a hat-trick proved fruitless when he fired his delivery off target.Southee then dismissed Kyle Coetzer when he drove the ball straight to Grant Elliott at mid-wicket and claimed the scalp of skipper Preston Mommsen lbw for a golden duck.With the home crowd chanting as Southee steamed in, South African-born Richie Berrington defended calmly to deny another hat-track opportunity.

Scotland to bat first against New Zealand

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DUNEDIN (AFP) - New Zealands captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to field in the World Cup Pool A match against Scotland at Dunedins University Oval on Tuesday.Tournament co-hosts New Zealand named an unchanged side from the one that cruised to a 98-rum win in their first match against Sri Lanka, determined to maintain momentum against Scotland who are playing their first game at the tournament.McCullum said he put Scotland in to bat because the New Zealanders had found the University Oval wicket was lively early on when they played two one-day internationals at the venue against Sri Lanka last month.When we played Sri Lanka here for the first haf an hour the wicket had a little bit about it, he said.We dont think the wickets going to get any worse as the day goes on so its a good opportunity to let our seamers get into the game.Scotland captain Preston Mommsen said his side, one of crickets associate non-Test playing nations, were keen to come out swinging and take advantage of the short boundaries at the ground, where New Zealand scored more than 300 in both last months ODIs.We want to show off our skills, he said.Were feeling very confident, were very happy with the way weve prepared. Were the best prepared team to have left Scotland so hopefully we can show that.Sunny weather is forecast in Dunedin, a city with Scottish roots known as the Edinburgh of the south, where both teams are set to enjoy strong support.Teams:New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee, Luke Ronchi (wkt), Ross Taylor.Scotland: Kyle Coetzer, Calum MacLeod, Hamish Gardiner, Matt Machan, Preston Mommsen (capt), Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross (wkt), Josh Davey, Rob Taylor, Majid Haq, Iain Wardlaw.Toss: New Zealand.Umpires: Nigel Llong (ENG), Marais Erasmus (RSA)TV Umpire: S. Ravi (IND).Match referee: David Boon (AUS).
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