Wednesday 4 February 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Peshawar: Blast outside private college, no casualty

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PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – According to police, some unidentified persons planted explosion material outside the gate of a private college in Hayatabad Phase-V which exploded with a bang on night between Wednesday and Thursday.The explosion was so severe that it was heard in far flung areas. No one was injured in the blast. Police cordoned off the area and started search operation.

Islamabad: One killed in Rangers mobile, car collision

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – According to details, Rangers were on patrol when a speedy car collided with their vehicle near Sports Complex, Islamabad on Wednesday as a result the driver of the car died on the spot.Four Rangers officials were also injured in the accident. The dead and injured were shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital, Islamabad.

Football: Ivory Coast reach Africa Cup of Nations final

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BATA (AFP) - French coach Herve Renard moved closer to a second Africa Cup of Nations triumph as Ivory Coast defeated Democratic Republic of Congo 3-1 in a semi-final in Bata Wednesday.Yaya Toure gave Ivory Coast a mid-first half lead, Dieumerci Mbokani equalised from a penalty, Gervinho restored the lead before half-time and Serge Wilfried Kanon added a third goal.Renard guided outsiders Zambia to glory in 2012 with a penalty shootout final victory over Ivory Coast.The Frenchman hopes to become only the third coach after Ghanaian Charles Gyamfi and Egyptian Hassan Shehata to win the Cup of Nations more than once. In the final on Sunday, Ivory Coast will face hosts Equatorial Guinea or favoured Ghana, who clash Thursday in Malabo.There were few secrets between the teams going into the match at far-from-full Estadio de Bata as they met twice in the qualifying competition.Ivory Coast triumphed 2-1 in the Democratic Republic of Congo last October only to suffer a shock 4-3 home loss four days later.DR Congo coach Florent Ibenge made one change from the team that started in a come-from-behind 4-2 quarter-final win over Congo Brazzaville with defender Joel Kimwaki replacing Cedric Mongongu.Renard kept faith with the team that began in a 3-1 last-eight victory over top-ranked African team Algeria.The Ivorian Elephants are ranked 10 places above the Congolese Leopards in Africa, but it was the central Africans who began brightly.Mbokani had the first chance on six minutes, but fired over after a Sylvain Gbohouo parry from a snap Jeremy Bokila shot fell into his path.Serey Die blazed wide at the other end on 15 minutes after he picked up the headed clearance of a Yaya Toure free-kick.Ivory Coast took the lead five minutes later with a memorable first goal of the tournament from reigning African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure.Wilfried Bony lost possession inside the box and the ball ran loose to Yaya Toure, who belted the ball over 39-year-old goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba and into the net.A needless hand-ball from Eric Bailly presented DR Congo with a penalty and Mbokani calmly placed the ball into the corner of the net for a 24th-minute leveller.The Ivorians were fortunate seven minutes from half-time when burly Mbokani connected poorly with a cut-back and the ball was deflected for a corner.It was then the turn of Ivory Coast to apply pressure and Gervinho saw a header rebound off the crossbar before he scored on 41 minutes.The dreadlocked winger, unmarked in plenty of space, latched onto a Bony pass and side-footed the ball into the net off a hand of Kidiaba.Ivory Coast looked more likely to score as the second half progressed and a third goal came on 68 minutes.Kidiaba did well to block a Serge Aurier header off a corner only for Kanon to score off the rebound with the ball entering the net via his knee.

Football: Madrid move four points clear with Sevilla win

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MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid moved four points clear at the top of La Liga as goals from James Rodriguez and Jese handed them a 2-1 win over Sevilla on Wednesday.However, the European champions will be without Sergio Ramos and Rodriguez for Saturdays crucial Madrid derby away to La Liga champions Atletico as they both limped off in the first-half.Marcelo will definitely miss out at the Vicente Calderon after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the second-half.Substitute Iago Aspas pulled a goal back for Sevilla late on, but defeat means their lead over Valencia in fourth remains at just a point.Sergio had a hamstring problem, we need to wait a few days to evaluate it. James had a problem in his right foot, I dont know exactly what but it is sure that they wont be available, said Real boss Carlo Ancelotti.I have confidence in the others. Nacho and (Raphael) Varane did very well, I have a lot of confidence in them. We will appeal Marcelos yellow card because for me it wasnt even a foul.Madrid were still missing the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo as he completed a two-game ban and Sevilla will rue not taking a number of chances in the first period.Its difficult, we played well and had chances, but it is always difficult here against Real Madrid, said Sevilla boss Unai Emery.The most important thing is that we competed for 90 minutes. We had the chances for something even more. We arent satisfied, but despite the defeat we did well in many phases.Vitolo shot straight at Iker Casillas when clean through as Madrid nearly conceded inside two minutes for the fourth time in five games.Ramos then left the field holding his left hamstring to be replaced by Nacho.The hosts went in front with their first serious attack as Rodriguez timed his run to perfection to head Marcelos cross past the helpless Beto.Vicente Iborra should have equalised moments later when he hit the post after rounding Casillas and Grzegorz Krychowiak then headed into the side-netting when unmarked from a corner.The game was interrupted by two more injuries as Rodriguez suffered an injury to his right foot, whilst Sevilla goalkeeper Beto had to be carried from the field on a stretcher after an ugly collision with Karim Benzema.Sevilla were their own worst enemies once more when Madrid doubled their advantage nine minutes before the break as Carlos Bacca gifted possession to Isco in midfield and the ball was eventually worked to Jese to fire home his first La Liga goal since suffering a cruciate ligament injury last March.Gareth Bale may face more questions about his selfishness in front of goal when he went alone instead of squaring for the unmarked Benzema early in the second period.Jese then struck the outside of the post and substitute keeper Sergio Rico made a fine save from Isco as Madrid threatened a third.However, they suffered another setback when Marcelo was booked for a foul on Vitolo meaning he too will miss Reals sixth meeting with Atletico this season due to suspension.Sevilla finally took one of their chances 10 minutes from time when Vitolo skipped past two challenges down the left and his cut-back was turned into the roof of the net by Aspas.Madrid then had to endure a nervy finale, but they held on for a vital three points.

Football: Gerrard's Cup dream still alive after Liverpool fightback

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BOLTON (AFP) - Liverpool fought back to reach the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Bolton Wanderers to keep alive talismanic captain Steven Gerrards hopes of a Wembley swansong.The Liverpool captain turns 35 on the day of the FA Cup final and Reds supporters had seemingly already pencilled a trip to Wembley into their diaries.But with Liverpool trailing with just four minutes of the 90 left in this fourth-round replay at the Macron Stadium, the dream of Gerrard climbing the steps to lift the famous old trophy appeared to be in their dying embers.However, Raheem Sterling cancelled out Eidur Gudjohnsens penalty before Philippe Coutinho scored a quite brilliant injury-time winner to seal a meeting with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the next round.You have to keep your patience and keep the width in the game, especially against 10 men, a relieved Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told the BBC.It was a great pass by Emre Can for the first goal and a great finish for the second goal.This is a competition we want to do well in and thankfully were into the next round against Crystal Palace.His Bolton counterpart Neil Lennon, who has engineered a revival in the clubs fortunes since taking over in early October, was fuming over the referee Roger Easts performance.Im not happy with the referee tonight at all, stormed the 43-year-old Northern Irishman.Neil Danns first yellow card was not a booking and Im not convinced that our penalty was a penalty either.Gerrard, who will leave Anfield for Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy when his contract expires in the summer, clocked up his 700th career appearance for Liverpool.Only Jamie Carragher (737) and Ian Callaghan (857) have worn a red shirt with the Liverbird on their chest more than Gerrard.With former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey absent with a hamstring injury, Lennon sprang something of a tactical surprise.Lennon deployed defender Matt Mills as a lone forward with veteran Gudjohnsen and rookie Zach Clough just in behind as Wanderers mirrored Liverpools 3-4-2-1 system.Sterling buzzed with intent in the early stages and on 15 minutes he glided past David Wheater and into the area, forcing Bolton goalkeeper Andrew Lonergan to make a diving save.Wheater threatened for the Trotters at the other end when he got on the end of Liam Feeneys free-kick into the box, but his header was straight at Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.Liverpool went close early in the second half and Dorian Dervites brilliant last-ditch tackle denied Sterling after he was put through on goal, with Lonergan clawing away the curling effort from the Reds youngster that followed.However, it was Bolton that struck a minute before the hour when Martin Skrtel, unable to cope with Cloughs quick feet, carelessly gave away a penalty with a cumbersome challenge.Gudjohnsen confidently stroked the resulting spot-kick past Mignolet, although Boltons hopes of hanging on to that lead for the remainder of the contest diminished when Danns was shown a second yellow for lunging at Joe Allen.Rodgers introduced Fabio Borini and Daniel Sturridge in an attempt to give his side more potency in the final third and fellow substitute Henderson struck the post with a deflected shot while Emre Can rattled the crossbar.Liverpools relentless pressure eventually told and Can was instrumental as he lifted a superb ball into the path of Sterling, who guided a left-foot volley through Lonergans legs and into the net with four minutes left.With extra time looming Coutinho then provided a moment of brilliance in added time to complete Liverpools comeback when he struck a quite brilliant long-range effort into the top-right corner of the net.

Tennis: Serena says she will end Indian Wells boycott

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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Top-ranked Serena Williams, coming off her 19th Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, said Wednesday she will end a 14-year boycott of the Indian Wells WTA tournament.Williams, in a essay written for Time magazine, related happier times at the event, her feelings over racial insults she heard after a controversial 2001 appearance and her hopes for playing the event next month.It has been difficult for me to forget spending hours crying in the Indian Wells locker room after winning in 2001, driving back to Los Angeles feeling as if I had lost the biggest game ever -- not a mere tennis game but a bigger fight for equality, Williams wrote.Im fortunate to be at a point in my career where I have nothing to prove. Im still as driven as ever, but the ride is a little easier. I play for the love of the game. And it is with that love in mind, and a new understanding of the true meaning of forgiveness, that I will proudly return to Indian Wells in 2015.Williams has twice won the Indian Wells event, now known as the BNP Paribas Open, first when she was just 17 in 1999 by downing Steffi Graf in the final, and again in 2001, when she rallied from one set down to defeat Kim Clijsters in the championship match.But in the final, hecklers booed and taunted Williams following the controversial nature of her semi-final, in which her sister, Venus Williams, withdrew rather than play Serena.It was a move many felt was orchestrated by their father Richard and deprived them of a semi-final classic to gain an edge for Williams in the final.I said a few times that I would never play there again. And believe me, I meant it, Serena williams wrote. I admit it scared me. What if I walked onto the court and the entire crowd booed me? The nightmare would start all over.Im just following my heart on this one, Williams added. Indian Wells was a pivotal moment of my story, and I am a part of the tournaments story as well. Together we have a chance to write a different ending.Tournament chief executive officer Raymond Moore was delighted to welcome back the world number one and predicted a warm welcome for Williams at the March 9-22 event.We are thrilled that Serena Williams, one of the greatest women players in the history of the game, is returning to play, Moore said. We know our fans will welcome her for the magnificent champion that she is and we really look forward to watching her compete again.

Golf: Tiger struggles with new patterns at Torrey Pines

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LA JOLLA (AFP) - Tiger Woods returns to Torrey Pines, where he has won eight times including his most recent major title, still struggling to recover his touch after the worst round of his professional career.Woods practiced Wednesday on the eve of the opening round of the PGA Farmers Insurance Open on the same course where he captured his 14th major crown at the 2008 US Open.But the former world number one has fallen to 56th in the world rankings, in danger of failing to qualify for a World Golf Championships event for only the second time in his career, and hes a 50-1 longshot with Vegas oddsmakers in the wake of an 82 last Friday to miss the cut at the Phoenix Open.I was in the back yard chipping a lot, hitting plenty of golf balls, analyzing it, Woods said of his weekend after he skipped the Super Bowl to work on his game with advisor Chris Como.My good is really good. Unfortunately my bad is really bad.Woods has looked uncomfortable with his swing and unhappy with his short game and spoke Wednesday of trying to put his game into proper shape in time for the Masters in April more than making a run at another Torrey Pines title.Comos changes to Woods game, based on his swing styles from younger days, run at odds with those of previous Woods coaches Sean Foley and Hank Haney.As Woods tries to reconcile the differences, establishing new patterns has come as hard as managing his once-mighty chipping game.The patterns are polar opposites, Woods said. Thats just like it was when I first started working with Sean versus Hank. They are completely different release patterns. I went through the same exact phase that Im going through right now.Its just battling, trying to find it, at the same time trying to get feel and develop new patterns. When youre under the gun, you got to hit a shot, you just get so target oriented that sometimes old patterns come out.I know what the fix is, but can I save it during the swing itself.The humbling failure of a player who dominated the game 15 years ago has prompted plenty of comments about what Woods needs to do to restore some semblance of the form that gave him 79 career PGA titles, three shy of Sam Sneads all-time record, and put him within reach of Jack Nicklaus landmark of 18 major wins.Part of the problem has been the nagging back injury that ruined Woods 2014 campaign after he won five times in 2013.I think hes capable of turning it around, US veteran Fred Couples said. He has got a lot of speed. Hes hitting it a mile. He hasnt played much golf in a year and a half and I dont know how good anybody would be after that.Woods, who plays alongside fellow Americans Rickie Fowler and Billy Horschel in the first two rounds, could jump back into the rankings top-50 with a top-five finish. He needs to crack the top 50 by the end of the month to qualify for Marchs WGC event at Doral.Woods has not won a major title since limping through a playoff on a broken leg to defeat Rocco Mediate at the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. And Mediate is stunned at how far Woods game has fallen.Its a mess right now, Mediate said last week on The Golf Channel. For some reason the best short game that was ever alive in the history of golf is gone.Englands Justin Rose, the 2013 US Open winner, says the lack of playing can lead to a lack of success upon returning and that can take a toll on confidence.Hes coming off injury and was coming off not playing very much, Rose said. Obviously hes getting back into playing and hes playing in some different tournaments, which I think is good to see. But in terms of the short game and the chipping, of course it is always surprising to see that.But it just shows golf is a hard game and its a game of confidence as well and sometimes if you havent played much confidence can disappear. So its going to take a little while to get back into tournament mode, get himself in contention. Start to feel good again and the rest comes back pretty quickly.

Boxing: Klitschko excited for Jennings test in New York

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Wladimir Klitschko, the world heavyweight boxing champion who has not lost a fight in 11 years, said Wednesday he is excited to fight in New York for the first time since 2008.The 38-year-old German-based Ukranian fighter seeks his 22nd victory in a row when he fights unbeaten American Bryant Jennings on April 25 at Madison Square Garden.The famed arena was the site of his most recent American bout, a unanimous decision over Russian southpaw Sultan Ibragimov in 2008.Im extremely happy to fight in New York City again, Klitschko said. I had my first unification fight there and a lot of great heavyweight matches have taken place at Madison Square Garden. It will definitely be a great fight night and I will do everything for it from my side.Klitschko, who also stopped Calvin Brock in the seventh round at the Garden in 2006, has not lost since being stopped in the fifth round by American Lamon Brewster in 2004 at Las Vegas -- a defeat Klitschko avenged in Germany in 2007.Jennings, 19-0 with 10 knockouts, comes off a split-decision victory in the Garden last July over previously unbeaten Puerto Rican southpaw Mike Perez.I do have great respect for Bryant Jennings and his achievements, Klitschko said. He has good movement in the ring and good technique. I know this will be a tough challenge.Klitschko, 63-3 with 53 knockouts, owns the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization crowns. His most recent bout was a fifth-round knockout win over previously unbeaten Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev last November in Hamburg.Jennings was the mandatory challenger for World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, 33-0 with 32 knockouts after a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Bermane Stiverne last month to take the crown.But Jennings takes a bigger payday and a potentially much larger payoff against Klitschko.This is the moment I have been waiting for, Jennings said. Now its time to bring the belts home.

ECB move on Greek collateral sinks euro

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NEW YORK (AFP) - A decision by the European Central Bank late Wednesday to end its waiver on Greek debt as collateral sent the euro tumbling more than one percent.The move effectively cuts off from September 11 much access to ECB liquidity funding for already-weak Greek banks, and puts a new block in front of Athenss campaign to renegotiate its bailout.The euro sank to $1.1340 from $1.1479 late Tuesday, when hopes had risen for a quick deal between Greece and its creditors that would allow the countrys economy more breathing room after years of austerity.The waiver had allowed banks to pledge their Greek bonds as collateral, even though the securities did not meet standards for a minimum credit rating.The ECB said it took the step because it was no longer confident that Athens could show it was meeting bailout program requirements in a current program review.Suspension is in line with existing Eurosystem rules, since it is currently not possible to assume a successful conclusion of the program review, the ECB said in a statement.The yen was the preferred safe haven meanwhile, rising to 132.81 per euro and 117.18 per dollar.

Kerry heads for Kiev as US mulls providing arms

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Secretary of State John Kerry left Wednesday on a key trip to highlight US support for Ukraine as Washington mulls funneling heavy weapons to Kiev to battle pro-Moscow rebels.The top US diplomat was to meet with Ukrainian leaders including President Petro Poroshenko amid mounting international alarm at the conflict on Europes doorstep.Four people were killed Wednesday when a hospital in a suburb of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, was shelled.President Barack Obamas nominee for defense secretary said Wednesday he would likely support providing weapons to Ukraine to help the Kiev government.Ashton Carter, expected to be confirmed soon by lawmakers as the next Pentagon chief, made the comment before the Senate Armed Services Committee amid signals the Obama administration is leaning towards providing arms to Ukraine.Im very much inclined in that direction... because I think we need to support the Ukrainians in defending themselves, Carter said when asked by Senator John McCain if he supported delivering defensive weapons to Kiev.The nature of those arms I cant say right now as he had not conferred with US military commanders or Ukrainian leaders on the issue, Carter said.But White House spokesman Josh Earnest slapped down Carters comments with a biting retort.I noticed that Dr. Carter mentioned in his hearing is that hes a strong believer in the chain of command, and he certainly understands that the commander in chief is at the top of that chain of command, and that a decision like this will be made by the commander in chief, Earnest told reporters.And Kerrys spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, also remained cautious, insisting there was still no change in US policy -- which is currently to give only non-lethal support such as body armor.Obviously there are a range of views and opinions within the administrations, Psaki told reporters. Thats why we have internal discussions.Kerry is only due to be on the ground for a few hours on Thursday, before flying later in the day to Munich where he will take part in the annual security conference taking place over the weekend in the southern German city.Apart from the crisis in Ukraine, global leaders will also discuss the battle to defeat the Islamic State group amid revulsion at the horrific murder of a captured Jordanian pilot.

Nation observes Kashmir Solidarity Day today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed today (Thursday) across the country and Azad Kashmir with zeal to express unity with people of the occupied Kashmir.The objective is to draw the attention of the world community to play its role for resolving the lingering Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions.The Kashmiri people living in the Azad Kashmir, Pakistan and other parts of the world will also observe the Solidarity Day with the renewed pledge to continue their freedom movement till they achieve their right to self-determination.It will be a public holiday and the day will dawn with special prayers at mosques for the martyrs of Kashmir and the victory of the freedom struggle.Various political‚ educational‚ social and literary organizations have planned to hold mass rallies‚ symposia‚ walks-for-peace‚ conventions‚ exhibitions of paintings and declamation contests in different cities to mark the occasion.

5 foreigners among 13 killed in Libya oil field attack

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TRIPOLI (AFP) - Gunmen in Libya killed 13 people, including five foreigners, in an overnight attack on a oil field partially owned by Frances Total, a chief security officer said on Wednesday.Eight Libyans, three Filipinos and two Ghanians were killed in the attack at the Al-Mabruk field, said officer Hakim Maazzab, the head security guard at a nearby oil complex.All of them had their throats slit apart from one Libyan, who was shot dead.Previously, the state-owned National Oil Company had said staff were evacuated from the field.An unidentified armed group attacked the field but personnel were evacuated in time, NOC spokesman Mohamed al-Harari told AFP.A spokesman for the guards at Libyas oil installations, Ali al-Hassi, accused militants loyal to the Islamic State group of carrying out the attack, without providing details.Al-Mabruk sits some 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of the coastal city of Sirte, the hometown of slain dictator Moamer Kadhafi.French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll earlier said Paris was seeking to confirm casualties in the attack but added that no Westerners had been killed.We have been informed that an armed group has attacked the Mabruk site, a spokeswoman for Total said, adding that the company had previously withdrawn all of its personnel.Total is not the operator. The site is operated by the Mabruk Oil Operation, which is managed by the NOC, she added.Since Kadhafis overthrow in a NATO-backed revolt in 2011, Sirte has become a stronghold of extremist groups, including Ansar al-Sharia, which is blacklisted by the United Nations and the United States for its links to Al-Qaeda.There was no production from the Al-Mabruk field at the time of the attack because of restricted export capacity at terminals on the coast.An Islamist-backed militia alliance, which controls the capital Tripoli and third city Misrata, launched an offensive in December to try to capture the export terminals from forces loyal to the internationally recognised government, causing significant damage.Oil is Libyas main natural resource, with a pre-revolt output of about 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd), accounting for more than 95 percent of exports and 75 percent of budget revenues.But production fell to around 350,000 bpd in December when the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) alliance attacked the terminals.The jihadist Islamic State group that has seized chunks of Iraq and Syria is thought to have gained a foothold in Libya and claimed last months attack on a luxury hotel in Tripoli that killed nine people, including five foreigners.

Boko Haram kills dozens in rampage after Chad offensive

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FOTOKOL (AFP) - Nigerian Boko Haram fighters went on the rampage in the Cameroonian border town of Fotokol Wednesday, massacring dozens of civilians and torching a mosque before being repelled by regional forces.The onslaught came a day after Chad sent troops across the border to flush the jihadists out of the Nigerian town of Gamboru, which lies some 500 metres (yards) from Fotokol on the other side of a bridge.Chads army said it had killed more than 200 Boko Haram militants in the intervention -- the first by regional forces against Boko Haram on its home ground. But some of the insurgents escaped, it added.On the Cameroonian side of the border, the Boko Haram assault on Fotokol left nearly 70 civilians and six Cameroonian soldiers dead, a local security source told AFP.There were also Boko Haram bodies everywhere, the source added.Boko Haram inflicted so much damage here this morning. They have killed dozens of people, Umar Babakalli, a resident of Fotokol, told AFP by telephone.Several residents said civilians throats were slit and that the towns main mosque was torched.They burnt houses and killed civilians as well as soldiers, a source close to security forces said.After several hours of clashes Cameroonian troops, backed by Chadian forces who scrambled back from Nigeria to help guard the town, managed to repel the assault.No official death toll was immediately available.On Tuesday, nine Chadian soldiers were killed and 21 were injured in Gamboru after around 2,000 troops backed by armoured vehicles poured across the border to take the fight to Boko Haram after days of clashes.The sound of automatic gunfire could still be heard in the town later Wednesday as troops sought remaining rebel elements.The intervention came days after the African Union backed plans for a 7,500-strong five-nation regional force to take on the extremists, who control vast swathes of northeast Nigeria.Nigerias military has drawn fierce criticism for failing to rein in the insurgents, who have stepped up their campaign of terror in the northeast in the run-up to presidential and parliamentary elections on February 14.In recent months Boko Haram, which aims to establish an Islamic caliphate, has also carried out increasing cross-border raids, threatening regional security.Viewing the widening field of Boko Haram activity a direct threat to its national interests, Chad has deployed its war-tested army to join the fight against the extremists, and has reportedly now entered Nigeria in at least two places. According to several sources, Chad has also amassed forces and hundreds of vehicles along the border area between Nigeria and Niger -- a zone not far from Boko Harams stronghold.NDjamena has not yet officially confirmed its troop movement into Niger, but it is now thought Chad may be positioning its forces to be able to trap Boko Haram in pincer offensives launched simultaneously from the north and south.In Gamboru, the offensive, which was preceded by days of Chadian air strikes, had left scenes of desolation, with bodies lying on the ground, houses destroyed, shops gutted and trucks charred.We have routed this band of terrorists, the commander of the Chadian contingent Ahmat Dari told AFP Tuesday, vowing to hunt them down everywhere.Nigeria has reacted defensively to the presence of foreign troops on its soil.Nigerias territorial integrity remains intact, defence spokesman Chris Olukolade insisted, claiming national forces had planned and are driving the present onslaught against terrorists from all fronts in Nigeria, not the Chadian forces.France is also supporting the operations by carrying out reconnaissance flights over border areas of Chad and Cameroon to provide them with intelligence, defence officials in Paris said.At least 13,000 people have been killed and more than a million forced from their homes since Boko Haram launched an insurgency in 2009.The group has stepped up its attacks in recent weeks, in a move believed to be aimed at disrupting the elections.The rebels have tried, in vain, to capture the strategic northeastern town of Maiduguri twice in the past week.In January the militants carried out a massacre in a town on Lake Chad that houses a regional military base.Hundreds of civilians were reported killed in the attack, according to Amnesty International.

Eighteen dead after boat capsizes in Ivory Coast

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BOUAKE (AFP) - Eighteen people were killed after an overloaded boat capsized in western Ivory Coast, a local official said Wednesday. Twenty-five people survived the accident that took place on Monday afternoon on the Sassandra river near the town of Guessabo, Florentine Banto told AFP. The river is one of the main water routes in the country.The small motorboat, carrying 40 people and several bags of coffee, was just too full, according to Elvis Achi, the police officer in charge of the area. Ivorian daily Inter reported that the victims were mainly fish sellers from the mountainous region of Guemon.Guemon, near the border with Liberia, was one of the areas most affected by the post-election violence that rocked the country in 2010-2011 and cost more than 3,000 lives.

Oil price slumps again as US crude inventories surge

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NEW YORK (AP) - Oil prices plunged on Wednesday, ending a four-day rally, after the U.S. government reported that crude inventories surged last week.The 6.3 million barrel increase was far more than analysts had expected and renewed worries in the market that supplies of oil are still outstripping demand.Oil had rallied 19 percent over the previous four days as traders hoped that low prices would force more energy companies to curtail exploration and production.U.S. benchmark crude dropped $4.60, or 8.7 percent, to settle Wednesday at $48.45 a barrel in New York.The price of oil reached its highest point of the year Tuesday, leading to speculation that a long-running collapse was abating. The price has been falling sharply since last June, when it peaked at $107 a barrel.Brent crude, a benchmark for international oils used by many U.S. refineries, declined $3.75, or 6.5 percent, to close at $54.16 a barrel in London.
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