Thursday 5 March 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

IS 'bulldozed' ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud: Iraq govt

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BAGHDAD (AFP) - The Islamic State group began bulldozing the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in Iraq on Thursday, the government said, in the jihadists latest attack on the countrys historical heritage.IS assaulted the historic city of Nimrud and bulldozed it with heavy vehicles, the tourism and antiquities ministry said on an official Facebook page.An Iraqi antiquities official confirmed the news, saying the destruction began after noon prayers on Thursday and that trucks that may have been used to haul away artefacts had also been spotted at the site.Until now, we do not know to what extent it was destroyed, the official said on condition of anonymity.Nimrud, which was founded in the 13th century BC, lies on the Tigris around 30 kilometres (18 miles) southeast of Mosul, Iraqs second city and the main hub of IS in the country.The destruction at Nimrud, one of the jewels of the Assyrian era, came a week after the jihadist group released a video showing militants armed with sledgehammers and jackhammers smashing priceless ancient artefacts at the Mosul museum.That attack sparked widespread consternation and alarm, with some archaeologists and heritage experts comparing it to the 2001 demolition of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan by the Taliban.In the jihadists extreme interpretation of Islam, statues, idols and shrines are a corruption of the purity of the early Muslim faith and amount to recognising other objects of worship than God.The group spearheaded a sweeping offensive last June that overran Nineveh province, where Mosul and Nimrud are located, and swept through much of Iraqs Sunni Arab heartland.Iraqi security forces and allied fighters are battling to regain ground from the jihadists with backing from an international anti-IS coalition as well as neighbouring Iran.But major operations to drive IS out of Nineveh are likely months away, leaving the provinces irreplaceable historical sites at the mercy of militants who have no regard for Iraqs past.

Attack on Qaeda in Syria kills several leaders: monitor

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BEIRUT (AFP) - An attack targeting leaders of the jihadist Al-Nusra Front in Syria on Thursday killed several leaders of the Al Qaeda affiliate in the northwestern province of Idlib, a monitor said.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a number of Al-Nusra Front leaders were killed in the attack as they gathered for a meeting, but was unable to say if its chief, Abu Mohamed al-Jolani, was among them.Its not clear if the attack was carried out by the coalition or the regime, and there is contradictory information over the fate of Abu Mohamed al-Jolani... amid reports that he was at the place of the attack, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.Abdel Rahman, whose group relies on a network of sources on the ground for its reports, was referring to the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against jihadists in Iraq and Syria since last year, and the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Thursdays attack came after Al-Nusra Front overran Base 46 -- the main operations centre of the Western-backed Hazm movement in the neighbouring province of Aleppo.

'Suspicious' powder sent to three Canada ministers

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MONTREAL (AFP) - Envelopes containing a suspicious white powder were sent Thursday to the Quebec regional offices of three Canadian government ministers, police said.In each case, a staffer found white powder in an envelope, Quebec provincial police Sergeant Richard Gagne told AFP, adding that tests were scheduled to determine the nature of the substance.The envelopes were delivered to the constituency offices in Quebec of Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel, International Development Minister Christian Paradis and Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Maxime Bernier.The episode calls to mind anthrax scares and hoaxes in October 2001 in the United States and other countries, in which anthrax-laced letters were sent to journalists and lawmakers, infecting several people.

Qatar World Cup chief: '2022 will be game-changer'

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The 2022 Qatar World Cup will be a game-changer, tournament chief Hassan Al-Thawadi declared Thursday, facing down the many skeptics voicing serious reservations about the gas-rich Gulf state hosting the showpiece.Al-Thawadi, appearing at a sports business conference in New York, was grilled on everything from corruption allegations dogging FIFAs pick of Qatar to worries that fans will not be able to get enough alcohol at the first World Cup in the Middle East.Other questions focused on criticism of working conditions for migrant construction workers and a likely move in the calendar of the World Cup from the summer to the winter, a shift that has drawn howls from football leagues across the globe.Al-Thawadi, who helped lead Qatars bid committee and now oversees a massive building program in a country with little footballing infrastructure or history, sent a message of steely determination. We are going to be ready, he said in an on-stage interview over 40 minutes, part of the Leaders Sport Business Summit.Hopefully with every day that people see progress on the ground, theyll come round to the idea that the 2022 event is a game-changer.Al-Thawadi reiterated that Qatars winning bid -- which was met with incredulity when it was announced in December 2010 -- had not broken any rules, amid constant claims of corruption at the heart of FIFA, footballs world governing body.We have always maintained that we have full confidence in the integrity of our bid, Al-Thawadi said.He acknowledged there will be less alcohol than usual in 2022, but said fans will still be able to drink.Alcohol is available in Qatar, not as easily available as in other parts of the world, but it is available, he said.The most recent controversy is over the decision of a FIFA task force to move the games to the November-December time frame to avoid Qatars brutal summer heat. A final decision is expected later this month.Football officials throughout Europe complained the winter time frame will mess up the season for local leagues. The decision has also ruffled feathers with US broadcasters angry at competition with the lucrative American football season.Al-Thawadi said Qatar was planning to go forward with the summer games, but will comply with the final decision.Whatever the international football community decides, were in support of it, he said.The interview came near the end of a two-day event with prominent figures from US and European sports. Earlier sessions featured casual conversations with league and franchises over new initiatives to build overseas markets and improve fan engagement.Addressing skepticism at a building initiative with maximum workforce of 70,000 that will create a trove of new stadiums and some 70 new hotels in Qatar, Al-Thawadi was again defiant.Five stadiums are already at various stages of construction and the hotel expansion was aligned with Qatars long-term economic development plan, he said. Asked if it was all worth it, Al-Thawadi was emphatic.Absolutely, he said. Football is that unifying sport... it brings people together.Especially at this point in time right now, with the world sadly polarized more and more... we need to tap into a platform that unites people more and more. We need to tap into that spirit.

Football: Super Salah at the double as Viola end Juve's unbeaten run

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MILAN (AFP) - Mohamed Salah struck twice as Fiorentina ended Juventus 42-game unbeaten run at home on their way to a 2-1 win in the first leg, semi-final of the Italian Cup on Thursday.On-loan Chelsea midfielder Salah has been in sparkling form since arriving in Florence last month, the Egyptian international hitting the net three times in four games in Serie A and scoring La Violas second in a 2-0 Europa League win over Tottenham in Florence last week.And the 22-year-old maintained his recent purple patch to hand Juve their first home defeat since a Champions League reverse against Bayern Munich in April 2013.Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri left preferred strikers Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata on the bench in place of Fernando Llorente and Kingsley Coman.But 11 minutes into the game the Bianconeri handler was changing tack after Salah gave the visitors the lead in spectacular fashion.Salah collected a clearance well before the halfway line and fended off the attention of three Juventus players on his way to firing a superb angled drive past Marco Storari and into the keepers far top corner.Llorente levelled for the hosts when he flashed a glancing header from Simone Pepes delivery past Norberto Neto and inside the keepers far post in the 24th minute, however Juventus were kept on their toes throughout.Storari had to react quickly to palm Mati Fernandezs strike from under the bar and from the resulting corner Mario Gomez almost provided a great assist with his head only for Jose Maria Basantas diving header to come off the post.Tevez replaced Coman before half-time and immediately saw two quick snap-shots blocked.But Juventus were kept on the ropes throughout the second half.The visitors spurned two quick chances after the restart through Micah Richards, who saw his close range effort blocked at the near post, before Marcos Alonsos looping header landed on the roof of the net.Eleven minutes into the second half, Salah struck again, controlling well inside the Juventus area to coolly slip the ball past Storari for his sixth goal in seven games.Juventus rallied in the closing stages, with Neto showing great reflexes to deny Tevez from point-blank range before scrambling to tip a Pogba shot over the bar.However Josip Ilicic should have increased La Violas advantage when he drilled just inches wide of Storaris upright.Fiorentina host Juventus for the second leg on April 7. Lazio, held 1-1 in the other semi-final on Wednesday, travel to defending Cup champions Napoli on April 8.

Tennis: Raonic will face Ito in Canada-Japan opener

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VANCOUVER (AFP) - Canadian number one Milos Raonic will take on Tatsuma Ito on Friday in the opening match of Canadas Davis Cup World Group first-round tie against Japan.The big-serving Raonic, who is ranked sixth in the world, will be followed on court by team-mate Vasek Pospisil, who will face world number four and US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori in the second singles rubber.On Saturday, Pospisil and Daniel Nestor will team for the hosts in doubles against Go Soeda and Yasutaka Uchiyam.The anticipated showdown between 2014 Wimbledon semi-finalist Raonic and Nishikori will be the first reverse singles on Sunday, followed by Pospisil against Ito.Nishikori has won four of his six ATP Tour encounters with Raonic.Two of those losses to Nishikori have come in Tokyo, and Raonic said this week he was looking forward to having the home court advantage.Getting a chance to play him on home soil is something I look forward to, Raonic said, adding that the fast courts laid down by the hosts for the tie could play to his strengths.Nishikori was looking forward to the challenge.We play a lot, and we always battle, Nishikori said. Its never easy to play against him. Hes a great server, a great aggressive player. Its always fun to play against Milos.

Tennis: Kvitova withdraws from Indian Wells

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INDIAN WELLS (AFP) - Reigning Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova has pulled out of next weeks Indian Wells hardcourt tournament, saying she is fatigued and needs more time to rest. Unfortunately I have been feeling exhausted on the court in recent weeks and unable to compete at 100 percent, she said. I will be taking some time out in order to rest and restore my energy levels for the rest of the season.The 24-year-old Czech lost in the quarter-finals at the Qatar Open in Doha last month, giving her an 11-4 record this season. Kvitova has won 15 singles titles and earned more than $17 million in her career, including a second Wimbledon crown last year. She also won Wimbledon in 2011.Kvitova gave no timeline for her return. She has frequently complained of suffering from breathing and virus issues over the course of her career.I am extremely disappointed to have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, one of my favourite tournaments on the calendar, she said on her website.

Golf: Rookie Hubbard leads Puerto Rico Open

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RIO GRANDE (AFP) - US PGA Tour rookie Mark Hubbard capped a four-under par 68 with a birdie at his final hole on Thursday to seize a one-shot lead in the Puerto Rico Open.Hubbard, who teed off on the 10th hole at Trump International Golf Club, had two birdies and a bogey in his first nine holes, and defied the windy weather as he got hot coming in.He birdied three in a row from the fourth, and after a bogey at eight seized a one-shot lead with a birdie at the par-four ninth.It played tough out there with the wind, Hubbard said. I actually probably played the into the wind holes better than the downwind holes where I had to just hit normal shots.Hubbard, making his 11th start of the season and the 13th of his career, is trying to improve on his best previous US PGA Tour finish, a tie for 20th at the Humana Challenge.He had a one-stroke edge over Americans Chris Smith and Billy Mayfair and Argentinas Emiliano Grillo.Former world number one David Duval headlined a group of 11 players on two-under 70, which also included Australian Rod Pampling, Spains Rafael Cabrera and Germanys Alex Cejka.Zimbabwes Brendon De Jonge, the top-ranked player in the field at 87th in the world, headed a group of 10 players on 71, a bunch that also included defending champion Chesson Hadley.The tournament featuring the tours lesser lights is opposite the World Golf Championships Cadillac Championship at Doral in Florida, where most of the top players in the world are teeing it up this week.

Boxing: Pacquiao more mindful of mistakes

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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao has matured a lot since his six-round knockout loss to Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.He has learned a big lesson out of that. He became more cautious and has matured a lot as a fighter, says Restituto Buboy Fernandez, a long-time associate and the assistant trainer for Pacquiao.Fernandez said Pacquiao was winning the fight and was about to finish off Marquez when he became hasty.He is a fearless fighter inside the ring. In his desire to end the fight in a convincing fashion just to make the fans happy, he went for the kill in the dying seconds of the sixth round. And he paid dearly for it, recalled Fernandez.Now, Fernandez says, Pacquiao has remained ferocious but is no longer a careless fighter.His punches now are sharper and harder than before. Weve been training together for years and I can say it based on actual experience, said Fernandez, who suffered a cut on his mouth during the punch mitts session at the Fortune Gym on Tuesday.Several times during the punch mitts session, Fernandez was dazed due to non-stop pounding from the Pinoy boxing superstar.I was accidentally caught with his left upper cut. His punches were controlled but coming from someone like Manny Pacquiao, youd really be hurt, Fernandez said.Fernandez believes that Pacquiaos barrage of powerful punches will eventually break down Floyd Mayweathers defence.The unbeaten welterweight Mayweather (47-0, 26KOs) faces eight-division champion Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38KOs) in Las Vegas on May 2 in the richest fight of all time.Mayweather has not fought in his entire career a fighter with so much power, speed and a fearless heart like Manny Pacquiao. His defence would be shattered, Fernandez said.Meanwhile, Pacquiao was unperturbed by reports that Mayweathers camp was bribing his prospective sparring mates.Its okay. Im not bothered. Coach Freddie (Roach) had already hired a few sparring partners who are Mayweathers look-alike, Pacquiao said.During the fight, theres no other guy atop the ring except the two of us. I know what to do. And thats what were practising now, Pacquiao said.Pacquiao vowed to pursue Mayweather relentlessly from pillar to post, adding that He can run but he cannot hide.

Weasel rides on the back of a woodpecker

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LONDON (Agencies) - Amateur photographer Martin Le-May captured the incredible image after he heard a distressed squawking while wandering through Hornchurch Country Park, in east London, with his wife.The photograph has now gone viral online after thousands of users shared the one-in-a-million snap on social media.Mr Le-May tweeted the picture on Monday, adding: Took this picture earlier today. Heard woodpecker in distress, then flew up with Weasel on back. It is believed that the weasel had been attacking the green woodpecker after it took flight in a desperate bid to escape.Witnesses report both animals escaped the tussle unscathed after the woodpecker was able to shake off the unwelcome furry hitchhiker.Richard James, a wildlife advisor for the Royal Society for the Protection of Bird (RSPB), described the image as a one-in-a-million shot.He said: These are an incredible set of images.Weasels are ferocious predators and often attack prey much larger than themselves.In this case the weasel appears to have targeted the woodpecker due to the fact the green woodpeckers often spend a lot of on the ground eating ants so is very susceptible to attack.If this had been a weaker bird Im sure the attack would have been successful but this woodpecker was strong enough to take flight with the weasel on his back.Describing it as a fortunate escape, Mr James added: Green woodpeckers are relatively common but to see it in a mid-air battle like this is incredibly unusual.

Mars ocean was bigger than the Arctic: NASA

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Mars once had a body of water bigger than Earths Arctic Ocean and vast enough to cover the entire surface of the planet, NASA scientists said in a study released on Thursday.The new research, providing estimates on the quantity of water on the Red Planet, is based upon detailed observations of two slightly different forms of water in Mars atmosphere, and was published in the journal Science.The study said that the Red Planet was once covered in a liquid layer 450 feet (137 meters) deep, occupying almost half of Mars northern hemisphere. In some regions, water depths were greater than a mile (1.6 kilometers), NASA scientists said.The study also showed that the vast majority of Martian water -- 87 percent -- has been lost to space.Our study provides a solid estimate of how much water Mars once had, said Geronimo Villanueva, chief author of the study.With this work, we can better understand the history of water on Mars, said Villanueva, a scientist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.Michael Mumma, a senior scientist at Goddard who was also a lead author, added: With Mars losing that much water, the planet was very likely wet for a longer period of time than was previously thought, suggesting the planet might have been habitable for longer.NASA scientists said new estimates of volume of water on Mars, and the differing chemical signatures of the two types of water, were discovered using the Keck Observatorys 10-meter Keck II telescope, NASAs Infrared Telescope Facility, and ESOs Very Large Telescope located in Chile.The new estimate is based on detailed observations of two slightly different forms of water in Mars atmosphere. One is the familiar H2O, made with two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen. The other is HDO, a naturally occurring variation in which one hydrogen is replaced by a heavier form, called deuterium.By comparing the ratio of HDO to H2O, scientists were able to measure the enrichment and determine how much water has escaped into space.NASA said its researchers were especially interested in regions near the north and south poles, because the polar ice caps are the planets largest known reservoir of water.

Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia agree basis of Nile water deal: ministers

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KHARTOUM (AFP) - The foreign ministers of Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia said early on Friday they had reached the basis of an agreement on the sharing of Nile waters and Ethiopias Grand Renaissance Dam.A full agreement has been reached between our three countries on the principles of the use of the eastern Nile Basin and the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti told reporters early on Friday morning.The principles will be submitted to the heads of the three states for approval, Karti said at a press conference.The talks, which started in Khartoum on Tuesday, focused on the sharing of the Nile river waters between the countries and resolving a dispute over a hydroelectric dam being built by Addis Ababa.Egypt fears Ethiopias Grand Renaissance Dam project would diminish its share of the river waters.In several rounds of talks, Ethiopia has said the project will have no effect on Sudan and Egypt downstream.Karti hailed the basis as a new path in the relations of our three countries but gave no further details of the document.Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri said the agreed principles marked the beginning of more cooperation between our three countries.His Ethiopian counterpart Tedros Adhanom said the deal would open a new chapter between the three countries.Egypt has expressed opposition to any project that might disrupt the flow of the Nile.But the principles agreed upon answer the concerns of Egypt and Sudan, Egypts water resources minister said.The Blue Nile joins the White Nile at Khartoum to form the Nile, which flows through Sudan and Egypt before emptying into the Mediterranean.Ethiopia began diverting the Blue Nile in May 2013 to build the 6,000 MW dam which will be Africas largest when completed in 2017.Ethiopian officials have said the project to construct the 1,780-metre-long and 145-metre high dam will cost $4.2 billion (3.2 billion euros).Egypt believes its historic rights to the Nile are guaranteed by two treaties from 1929 and 1959 which allow it 87 percent of the Niles flow.

Libya rivals meet for talks in Morocco as UN seeks unity deal

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RABAT (AFP) - Representatives of Libyas two rival parliaments on Thursday held UN-brokered talks in Morocco aimed at reaching an agreement on a national unity government and finding someone to head it, officials said.The meeting took place in a positive and constructive spirit, UN special envoy Bernardino Leon, who has been trying to bring the two sides together for weeks and who chaired the talks, told a press conference. The discussions will continue Friday.Libya has been wracked by conflict since the 2011 armed uprising against Moamer Kadhafi, with two governments and powerful militias battling for control of key cities and the North African countrys oil riches.The talks in Skhirat, near the Moroccan capital Rabat, come after delays caused by deadly terrorist attacks that prompted the internationally recognised government to pull out of discussions before returning.The two sides are fully aware of the urgency of the situation, Leon said.Libyas internationally recognised parliament is based in the eastern city of Tobruk while the rival Islamist-backed General National Congress is in the capital Tripoli.The meeting was part of an attempt to find an agreement between the different parties on a national personality to lead a national unity government, one participant told AFP.The next step was to name ministers who will represent the different parties, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.A spokesman for Leons mission to Libya, Samir Ghattas, told AFP the talks would also focus on security, aiming for a halt to fighting to ease efforts to form a unity government.In a briefing ahead of the meetings, Leon told UN chief Ban Ki-moon the aim was to form a unity government and address security arrangements to pave the way for a comprehensive ceasefire as well as complete the constitution-drafting process.The meeting comes as the internationally recognised government pushes for the lifting of an arms embargo to help it fight extremists, amid growing alarm over the threat from the Islamic State group.On Wednesday, the National Oil Company declared force majeure at 11 oil fields after terrorist attacks, in a legal step protecting it from liability if it cannot fulfil contracts for reasons beyond its control.Members of the UN Security Council are reluctant to lift the arms embargo due to fears they might end up in the wrong hands, according to diplomats.But they are not opposed to relaxing some conditions of the weapons ban once a unity government is formed through national dialogue.The solution is not to supply more arms because there are enough on the ground, said the German ambassador to Libya, Christian Mokh, attending the Morocco talks as an observer.In addition to the Morocco meetings, the United Nations has invited representatives of Libyan political leaders and activists to more talks in Algeria next week.

Football: Pulis backs Foster to make amends in Villa return

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BIRMINGHAM (AFP) - West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has backed under-fire goalkeeper Ben Foster ahead of his return to Aston Villa four days on from a costly error in the local derby.Villa won Tuesdays league meeting with Albion in dramatic fashion after Foster gave away a last minute penalty when he needlessly fouled Matthew Lowton, with the spot kick converted by Christian Benteke.England international Foster took to Twitter afterwards to apologise for his performance.But Pulis has refused to rule out giving Foster the chance to earn an immediate reprieve in the FA Cup quarter-final clash at Villa Park on Saturday.West Broms reserve goalkeeper Boaz Myhill had been Puliss first pick for their cup ties, however they have been nursing him back to fitness after he suffered a finger injury against Birmingham in the fourth round.Myhill found himself among the substitutes in the previous round against West Ham, with Foster selected and Pulis admits he now has a tough decision to make.Ill tell the goalkeepers who is playing before I tell anyone, he said.How many clean sheets has Ben Foster kept this year? Is it nine? Hes been absolutely fantastic.Obviously Boaz Myhill had an injured finger so weve had to take that into account.Weve been talking about referees. They make mistakes. Goalkeepers get highlighted like referees. It can cost you games.They had a day off Wednesday so they could dust themselves down and well start again.Victor Anichebe (groin) is again ruled out, while there are doubts over Callum McManaman and Saido Berahino (both foot) and Brown Ideye (knee).This is a massive game and we will try and put our strongest team out but we also know there is other stuff further down the line as well, Pulis added.Extra boostThe midweek win over West Brom was new boss Tim Sherwoods first since taking charge and ended a run of seven straight league defeats for Villa.It was a good feeling to get the first win, Sherwood said. The manner we did, late on in the game, was an extra boost for everyone.We sent the fans away happy on Tuesday night. Im sure on Saturday evening the fans will be up for it again.I know we needed a bit of luck at the death but we dominated the football match and we could have gone in at half time three or four nil up.It didnt work out that way so we had to show character and dig in. We did that and there was quality there too.Well improve also, so if West Brom improve we will too.Meanwhile, former Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov has rejoined the club as part of Sherwoods backroom staff.The Bulgarian made 218 playing appearances for them between 2006-2012, before being diagnosed with acute leukaemia.The 35-year-old, now in remission, has come back in a coaching capacity and will work with the first team after being involved behind the scenes on Tuesday.I would never bring him in to be a mascot. Hes got a very technical and gifted mind, I want him in here as quick as possible, said Sherwood.Stan will always have a place at this football club while Im manager.Petrov briefly performed the role of assistant of the youth development squad in 2013, yet three months later he resigned from the post citing the need to build myself up some more and spend more time with his family.

Plane skids off New York runway as winter storm hits US

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NEW YORK (AFP) - An airliner skidded off a runway at New Yorks La Guardia airport Thursday and slid to a halt just yards from frigid waters, as a snow storm battered the US coast from Texas to Boston.Heavy snow was falling as Delta flight 1086 from Atlanta careered off the runway, plowed up an embankment and demolished a fence after its late morning landing.New York firefighters said 24 people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including three who were transported from the scene. The McDonnell Douglas MD-88 was carrying 127 passengers and five crew.Video footage showed shaken passengers climbing gingerly out of the plane through an exit over a wing and trudging through thick snow. The planes nose jutted through the fence, suspended above the icy East River.Passengers recounted panic as the plane failed to break after landing.We knew something was wrong because you didnt feel the wheels take and we started to skid, Jared Faellaci told CNN.Im definitely shaken up, I cried, shed some tears, and obviously Im just reflective and grateful.Another passenger, Jaime Primak, tweeted: We just crash landed at LGA. Im terrified. Please, she wrote.She added later: We have all been evacuated. Everyone is safe. Thank you for your prayers. God is good.It was the most dramatic incident on a day in which a huge winter storm forced thousands of flight cancellations and disrupted life across a broad swath of the United States.In Washington DC, government workers were ordered to stay home, schools were closed, and museums shuttered for the day as icy rain turned to heavy snow.Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York were expected to get as much as eight inches of snow, with temperatures dipping well below average in much of the region.Airports experienced travel chaos, with more than 4,500 flights canceled by Thursday afternoon, spelling travel misery for many.Poor visibilityForecasters had warned of low visibility in New York, and some 40 percent of flights had been canceled at La Guardia before the accident, according to flightaware.com.New York Port Authority executive director Patrick Foye did not say what caused the accident, only that the runway was recently cleared.That runway had been plowed literally minutes before, and other pilots had reported good breaking action, he told reporters.Foye said the plane skidded more than 4,500 feet (1,400 meters) down the runway and that the aircrafts emergency chutes did not deploy after it hit the embankment.But he assured there was no risk of it coming into contact with water.The plane did not make contact with the water, happily that was never a risk today, he said.Delta, which said that passengers were ferried to the terminal on buses afterwards, said in a statement: Our priority is ensuring our customers and crew members are safe.The airline -- which received the plane new in 1987 -- vowed to work with all authorities and stakeholders to look into what happened in this incident.There was a minor fuel spill after the crash that has been contained, according to Foye.Among the passengers was Larry Donnell, a player with the New York Giants NFL team.We were all shocked and alarmed when the plane started to skid, but most importantly, as far as I know, all of the passengers and flight crew were able to exit the plane safely, he said in a statement.State of emergencyThe National Weather Service said 65 million people were under a winter storm warning, and other another 29 million were under a winter weather advisory.In Kentucky, Governor Steve Beshear declared a state of emergency for the state, where some cities were pounded with 20 inches of snow.The southern United States was not spared, with Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico all facing weather warnings.Forecasters said the storms scope was not uncommon.For this time of year, to be impacting people in the relative deep south, its a fairly unusual event, NWS meteorologist Bruce Terry told AFP.He said southern states, not accustomed to ice and snow conditions, might not be as prepared as some of winter-hardened northerners.Washington and Baltimore were expecting up to eight inches of snow, with temperatures in the capital dropping to 10 Fahrenheit (-12 Celsius) by evening.Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cautioned for Washington and Baltimore.The storm was expected to last until early evening, Terry said, but warned cold temperatures were likely to remain.
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