Tuesday 14 April 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Sharapova pulls out of Russia Fed Cup clash with Germany

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MOSCOW (AP) - Maria Sharapova has pulled out of Russias Fed Cup semifinal against Germany this weekend, citing a leg injury.In comments released by the Russian Tennis Federation, second-ranked Sharapova said she couldnt wait to compete at the match in Sochi, the Russian city where she spent part of her childhood, but added that the leg injury didnt allow me to prepare for the match to the full extent.Russias Fed Cup captain Anastasia Myskina said Sharapova had picked up the injury during last months Miami Open, where she slipped to a surprise second-round loss to fellow Russian Daria Gavrilova.A win for Russia against Germany in the semifinal will set up a final against either the Czech Republic or France.

Tennis: Djokovic off to winning start in clay season opener

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MONTE CARLO (AFP) - Novak Djokovic got away to a 6-1, 6-4 winning start to the clay season on Tuesday, with the locally based world number one pleased with a second-round defeat of Albert Ramos-Vinolas.Djokovic, who lives a few hundred metres from Court Central at the seaside Country Club, was happy to bring home the straight-set win in less than 90 minutes.For a first match on clay, it was pretty good, said the winner of back-to-back hardcourt Masters 1000 titles in the US.Im happy to have started so strong.I can just take positives from today. Maybe there were a few games where I did drop a little bit with intensity and concentration. But overall was a high quality performance and Im happy for that.The fact that Im playing at home (helps). I practice in this club over the course of 12 months, hard courts, clay courts, I know people who are doing the courts, Im friends with them.It really is a different and very special feeling. So Im trying to enjoy it and see how far I can go.Djokovic is playing for the 142nd week on the ATP number one ranking, putting him one week ahead of Rafael Nadal on the top honour.Roger Federer, Monte Carlo second seed, leads that statistical category with the all-time best of 302 weeks in the top spot.Djokovic is also bidding to become the first player to win the opening three ATP Masters 1000 tournaments of the season after claiming Indian Wells and Miami honours.Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon, Jeremy Chardy and Lucas Pouille moved into the second round as a pair of compatriots lined up challenges against leading seeds.Number 11 Tsonga beat Germanys Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-4 while number 14 Monfils had to overcome three breaks in the last four games of his contest before securing safe passage into the second round with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Russian Andrey Kuznetsov.Simon, seeded tenth, defeated Monacos Benjamin Balleret 6-4, 6-2.The hardest work on the clay looks to be awaiting an unheralded French pair at the event which kick starts the six-week run to Roland Garros.Chardy defeated Diego Schwartzman 7-5, 6-2 to book a spot opposite Federer as the Swiss begins the quest for a first career trophy at the venue where he finished runner-up a year ago to Stan Wawrinka.Pouille, ranked 108, will also have his work cut out as he plays eight-time champion Nadal. The French wild card beat Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-4.Nadal is desperate to maintain his title as king of clay and start to turn around what for the Spaniard has been a horror showing so far in 2015.Nadal exited early at both of the March hardcourt events in the US and has spent a fortnight on clay in his native Mallorca trying to re-discover his feel for his preferred surface.The 28-year-old won the last of his Monte Carlo titles in 2012 and has his hopes again set on a successful road to Paris and the French Open in six weeks.Monfils, who has never been past the second round at the tournament since first playing here a decade ago, had to battle through a tough opening encounter with Kuznetsov, whom he beat in Marseille two months ago.There were ups and downs, I was not monstrously confident, said Monfils, injured last month in the US. I had trouble finding the right timing and moving on the surface.Ive never had much success here in Monte Carlo, Im very pleased that I was able to get through this match.I have mixed feelings - there were good parts in the game, but also bad ones. But I was able to come back. Once I was a bit more confident, I was able to move better, too.Ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov held off Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, saving 15 of 17 break points; Serb Viktor Troicki defeated Casablanca champion Martin Klizan 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-2.Frances Adrian Mannarino fell to Marcel Granollers 6-3, 6-0 as another Spaniard Tommy Robredo, seeded 16th, beat Italys Andreas Seppi 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.

Lahore: Minor killed as rickshaw falls into nullah

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – According to details, a rashly driven rickshaw, carrying seven passengers, fell into nullah in Liaquatabad area of Lahore on Tuesday, killing two-year-old Hamad.Rescue teams reached the spot and rescued six people from nullah. Later the dead body of the boy was also recovered. Police have arrested the rickshaw driver.

Football: Vidal strikes as Juve labour past Monaco

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TURIN (AFP) - Chile international Arturo Vidal struck a second-half penalty as Juventus laboured to a 1-0 win over a stubborn Monaco in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in Turin on Tuesday.Juventus had spurned several chances in the opening half when Monaco, who stunned Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates on their way to the last eight, also came close, only for Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco to shoot straight at Gianluigi Buffon.The Turin giants, however, were given a break by Czech referee Pavel Kralovec, who pointed to the spot just before the hour when Alvaro Morata, under pressure from Ricardo Carvalho, slumped to the ground on the edge of the area.Monacos protests that the foul was outside the area went unheard and Vidal, who had blazed over twice in the opening half, calmed nerves by firing past Danijel Subasic and into the top corner.Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim was furious with the result.We wanted to leave with a totally different result and we will have to play a totally different game if were to go through to the semis, he said.But the result was down to a penalty that didnt exist. Im disappointed. We played a good game, weve got to the quarters and I dont think the score truly reflects what truly happened in the match.Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, meanwhile, claimed the one-goal cushion may not be sufficient to secure passage into the semis: It was a good result for us, we didnt concede a goal so weve got a small advantage. But it wont be easy in Monaco.Juventus welcomed back Andrea Pirlo after several weeks of absence due to injury, while Buffon and Carlos Tevez returned to the starting line up after missing the shock 1-0 defeat to Parma at the weekend.Allegri opted for the 4-3-1-2 formation that saw the Italian champions sweep Borussia Dortmund aside 5-1 on aggregate to book their quarter-final place.However that caused problems, as well as chances, for the hosts who went in for the half-time break with little reward for their efforts.Spanish striker Morata fired a volley over from Pirlos delightful chip in the opening minutes while Tevez forced Subasic to block a low 25-yard drive.But Monaco quickly demonstrated their potency on the counter, the pace of Ferreira-Carrasco in particular causing problems for Swiss right-back Stephan Lichsteiner.When Layvin Kurzawa found space out wide, the left-back fired his effort over. Juve survived a bigger scare when Ferreira-Carrasco was set up inside the area only to fire straight at Buffon.Those chances sparked Juve into life, but Monaco, who had conceded only four times in their past eight Champions League games, packed their defence tightly.Tevez escaped to the back post but, while unmarked, shot straight at Subasic from Claudio Marchisios pinpoint delivery, while Tunisian defender Aymen Abdennour produced a timely block on Lichsteiners cross aimed at Morata, who was lurking at the far post.Monaco had claims for a penalty waved away after teenage striker Antony Martial tumbled to the ground under pressure from Giorgio Chiellini as he muscled his way into the area.Juve finished the half on a high, but in frustration, after Tevez shot straight at Subasic while unmarked at back post from Marchisios chip, before Vidal ballooned over after running onto a ball delivered by the outside of Tevezs boot.Monaco began brightly after the restart but Buffon reacted quickly to substitute Bernardo Silvas near-post drive, although it looked slightly off target.Juve finally broke the deadlock just before the hour, Vidal stepping up to smash the ball past Subasic and send a packed-out Juventus Stadium into raptures.Midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia saw his long-distance drive tipped over by Buffon minutes later and with 20 minutes remaining Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim reshuffled his side, replacing Italian defender Andrea Raggi with striker Dimitar Berbatov.While the Bulgarian had an almost immediate impact, heading over from a corner, Monaco failed to grab the away-goal equaliser that would have given them a huge boost ahead of the April 22 return leg.

Dogged England restrict timid West Indies

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NORTH SOUND (AFP) - Englands dogged perseverance paid off in two gritty sessions of play with the West Indies restricted to 155 for four in reply to the tourists first innings total of 399 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Tuesday.Despite the capitulation of their lower-order in the mornings play when only 58 runs were added to an already formidable overnight position of 341 for five, the English bowlers worked hard for their reward on an unresponsive pitch and should have had more success in the final hour to claim a potentially decisive advantage.Jermaine Blackwood, who resumes on the third morning in partnership with the evergreen Shivnarine Chanderpaul, edged a lifting delivery from Ben Stokes to Alastair Cook at a wide first slip position. However the batsman, on 21 at the time, was called back to the crease when television replays showed clearly that the all-rounder had delivered a no-ball.Chastened by the let-off, the attacking right-hander, who got off the mark by hoisting his second delivery off spinner James Tredwell for six over long-off, crawled into a defensive shell to be unbeaten on 30 at the close. Chanderpaul, whose often ultra-defensive occupation of the crease has defined most of his 21 years at international level, was at his most phlegmatic in getting to 29 off 98 deliveries by the end of the day.Their fifth-wicket partnership of 56 has been vital to keeping the West Indies in with a fighting chance as they came together with the home side listing dangerously at 99 for four half-an-hour into the final session.Stuart Broad broke a promising 47-run third-wicket stand between Kraigg Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels by having Samuels caught at the wicket -- Jos Buttlers third dismissal of the innings -- for 33. Chris Jordan then held a superb catch at slip, diving low to his right to get rid of the obdurate Brathwaite off Tredwell. His knock of 39 occupied 163 minutes.Earlier, Brathwaites opening partner Devon Smith became James Andersons 381st Test wicket, touching a delivery through to Buttler to depart for 11. In his 100th match at this level, the veteran seamer needs three more scalps to become the leading wicket-taker in Test history for England.Jordan, who had featured in a 38-run last-wicket partnership with Anderson in the morning, then disposed of Darren Bravo for just ten, the left-hander caught in two minds and offering a simple catch to the wicketkeeper.Pacer Kemar Roach led the improved effort for the home side with the ball at the start of the day, taking the wickets of Buttler and Broad to finish with the best innings figures of four for 94 as England, resuming at the overnight position of 341 for five, folded just 20 minutes from the lunch interval.At one point they lost four wickets for just four runs before Jordan and Anderson briefly frustrated the home side, necessitating the introduction of part-time spinner Samuels to end the innings with the wicket of Anderson.English aspirations of a first innings total well beyond the 400-run mark evaporated in the early minutes of the days play when the hard-hitting Ben Stokes guided a catch to Jason Holder at gully off Jerome Taylor after adding only another eight runs to his overnight score of 71.His departure was the trigger for the slide with Holder removing nightwatchman Tredwell via Bravos third catch of the innings at first slip. Roach then joined in the rout as Buttler and Broad both failed to score, the usually attacking wicketkeeper-batsman being restrained for 21 deliveries before edging a delivery to his West Indies counterpart Ramdin while the fast bowler slashed a wide delivery unerringly to Blackwood at backward-point.Barbados-born Jordan lived up to his all-rounders reputation in stroking four fours but was actually upstaged by Anderson for shot-making as the tailenders 20 runs came off five boundaries.

US Senate panel votes for congressional review of Iran deal

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - A US Senate panel approved a measure Tuesday that would give Congress input on the fate of any final international deal to curb Irans nuclear program.In a display of bipartisan cooperation on what has been a divisive issue, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 19-0 in favor of allowing lawmakers to review and potentially reject the final accord.The vote came after panel chairman Bob Corker and top Democrat Ben Cardin struck a compromise on language in order to soothe concerns of the White House and some congressional Democrats.I think weve reached a balance here, Corker said.A framework deal reached in Switzerland marked a breakthrough in a 12-year standoff between Iran and the West, which asserts Tehran is seeking to acquire a nuclear bomb -- a claim Iran denies.Global powers must resolve a series of technical issues by a June 30 deadline for a final deal, including the steps for lifting sanctions on Iran, and remaining questions over the possible military dimensions of its nuclear program.Several US lawmakers, including those who fear the deal might not be strong enough, want to weigh in and for Tehran to be afforded no sanctions relief until the review period is over.Cardin and Corker were adamant that their bill would allow the talks between Iran and the so-called P51 -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany -- to continue unimpeded by congressional intervention.It is clear we will only act after the administration presents us with an agreement, Cardin said.But he also stressed the White House would not be able to lift the nuclear-related sanctions on Iran without a congressional green light.Only Congress can permanently change or modify the sanctions regime, Cardin added.Under the legislation, which heads to a full Senate debate and vote, the total review period would be reduced to 52 days, from the 60 days in earlier drafts.That includes a 30-day review, plus 12 days for a possible veto by President Barack Obama and a 10-day window for an attempt to override such a veto.Contentious language obligating Obama to certify to Congress that Iran was not engaging in terrorism was removed from the bill.But it does require the president to make detailed reports to Congress on several issues, including Irans ballistic missile work and its support for terrorism, particularly against Americans. The measure appears to have support from the White House, which had threatened to veto the orignal bill out of fear it would derail the negotiations.What we have made clear to Democrats and Republicans in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is that the president would be willing to sign the proposed compromise that is working its way through the committee today, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said shortly before the vote.The panel convened after Secretary of State John Kerry came to Capitol Hill Monday and Tuesday to assuage concerns about the deal.While some Democrats pressed Kerry on why lawmakers should let the White House move ahead with the Iran accord without their involvement, the top US diplomat provided an irrefutably compelling case for supporting the deal, House Democrat Jan Schakowsky said.Senator Marco Rubio, who announced Monday he is running for president in 2016, withdrew his amendment that would have required Iran to recognize Israels right to exist.Some lawmakers warned extraneous elements could upend the bill, and Rubio acknowledged the importance of a securing congressional review of the Iran agreement.Washingtons powerful pro-Israel lobby AIPAC voiced approval of the measure, saying: Congress should review any agreement to ensure it meets US objectives, and object if it fails to do so.A final deal, the group said, must be subjected to the constitutional system of checks and balances that is the bedrock of our democracy.

UN slaps arms embargo on Yemen rebels

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - World powers imposed an arms embargo Tuesday on Yemeni rebels and demanded they relinquish territory seized in a sweeping offensive that forced UN-backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee overseas.The UN Security Council vote came soon after Iran, a key ally of the Huthi Shiite rebels, proposed a peace plan for Yemen calling for a ceasefire followed by foreign-mediated talks by all sides.Fears are growing of a humanitarian disaster in the impoverished state, which sank deeper into violence and chaos after a Saudi-led regional coalition launched an air war on the Huthis and allied rebel troops on March 26.UN rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein called Tuesday for investigations into the high level of civilian casualties that account for almost half of the at least 736 deaths recorded in the conflict.Al-Qaeda has sought to exploit the turmoil to expand its foothold in Yemen, a front-line in the US war on the Sunni extremist group.But in a setback for what Washington considers the deadliest branch of the jihadist network, Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said its ideological leader Ibrahim al-Rubaish had been killed in a drone strike on Monday.Russia, which has friendly relations with Iran, abstained from the UN Security Council vote, but did not veto the measure that was put forward by Jordan and Gulf countries and backed by the other 14 of the 15 Council members.The Huthis have seized swathes of Yemen since they entered the capital Sanaa in September 2014 after sweeping south from their northern stronghold.The air campaign by Saudi Arabia and a coalition of five Gulf monarchies along with Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan has so far failed to stop the rebel advance.The UN resolution was the first formal action taken by the Security Council since the start of the Saudi-led bombing raids.The resolution demands that the Shiite Huthis withdraw from Sanaa and all other areas seized during their months-long offensive.It slaps an arms embargo on Huthi leaders and their allies, a measure that Russia sought to extend to all sides in the conflict.The resolution puts Huthi leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi and ex-president Ali Abdullah Salehs eldest son, Ahmed, on a sanctions list, imposing a global travel ban and an assets freeze on the two men.The Huthis have allied with troops loyal to Saleh, who was forced from power in 2012 following a year of nationwide protests against his three-decade rule.Russia had demanded humanitarian pauses in Yemen but the resolution fell short of that request and instead instructed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to intensify efforts to negotiate such ceasefires.Hadi and Gulf allies have accused Iran of arming the Huthis, which Tehran strongly denies.Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tuesday that Tehran was proposing a ceasefire followed by all inclusive Yemeni dialogue that is facilitated by others, leading to the formation of a government in Yemen that represents a broadly based community.Hadi, who has taken refuge in Riyadh, is considered the legitimate head of state by the United Nations, and Saudi Arabia launched the air strikes at his request. Saudi warplanes pounded rebel positions again overnight in the battleground southern city of Aden, where Hadi had taken refuge before fleeing the country last month as the Huthis approached, residents said.Violent clashes between rival forces also rocked several central districts, residents said.Zeid said attacks on hospitals and on civilians unconnected to the fighting were war crimes.Any suspected breach of international law must be urgently investigated with a view to ensuring victims right to justice and redress and to ensure that such incidents do not recur, he said.Before the latest chaos erupted, Yemen had been a key US ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda, allowing Washington to carry out longstanding drone attacks on its territory.AQAP said Rubaish, its Saudi-born ideological leader who spent several years in the US military prison in Guantanamo, was killed with several other militants in a crusader raid on Monday.The Huthi rebels have faced resistance from Al-Qaeda as well as Hadi loyalists and armed tribesmen in their push south.Operations were suspended at Yemens only gas export terminal in the southern province of Shabwa on Tuesday after tribesmen drove out soldiers guarding the site, accusing them of links to the rebels.The tribesmen pledged not to interfere in operations at the Balhaf plant, operated by Yemen LNG, in which Frances Total has a stake of almost 40 percent.

Dollar falls after US retail report disappoints

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar weakened against other major currencies Tuesday after a US March retail sales report missed expectations, showing cautious consumer spending in the leading economy.The euro bought $1.0654 around 2100 GMT, up from $1.0571 at the same time Monday.US retail sales rebounded from a three-month slump in March, but the 0.9 percent gain was slightly weaker than estimated. Excluding auto sales, retail sales rose only 0.4 percent instead of the 0.7 percent increase expected.For the first time in six trading days, we saw broad-based weakness in the US dollar, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management.Investors needed a reason to take profits on their long dollar trades and this mornings softer retail sales report provided the perfect excuse.With US data weaker, the euro gained support from a Eurostat report showing eurozone industrial production rebounded a solid 1.1 percent in February after falling in January.The European Central Banks quantitative easing program and a weak euro are paying dividends, said Ryan Sweet of Moodys Analytics.Launched on March 9, the ECBs massive bond-purchase program is aimed at lowering borrowing costs and, in turn, boosting the tepid eurozone economy.The encouraging eurozone report came ahead of the ECBs monetary policy meeting Wednesday.

Football: Atletico extend unbeaten run over Real in stalemate

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MADRID (AFP) - Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will fight it out for a place in the Champions League semi-finals next week after the two couldnt be separated in a feisty 0-0 first-leg draw at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday.The visitors had by far the better of the chances, particularly in the first period, and Atletico were grateful to goalkeeper Jan Oblak for keeping them in the tie with a string of fine saves.Tempers flared after the break as Madrid defender Dani Carvajal escaped unpunished after punching Mario Mandzukic inside the penalty area.However, for the fourth time this season Real failed to score at the Calderon as Atletico extended their unbeaten run in the Madrid derby this season to seven games.And the sides meet for the eighth time at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 22.Obviously you always want to score and win, but it is important not to have not conceded at home, Oblak told Television Espanola.I dont know (who is the favourite now). Madrid have a great team with a lot of great players so we will see what happens in the return leg.Atletico boss Diego Simeone kept faith with Oblak in goal ahead of the fit again Miguel Angel Moya and that decision paid dividends after just four minutes when Gareth Bale pounced on an uncharacteristic error from Diego Godin, but placed his shot too close to the on-rushing Slovenian, who spread himself well to make the save.Oblak was kept busy throughout the first 45 minutes as he held a free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo before palming away another fiercely struck shot from Bale.His best stop was yet to come as he dived low to his left to turn James Rodriguezs inventive attempt with the outside of his left foot to safety.At the other end, Iker Casillas wasnt forced into action until eight minutes from the break when he comfortably held Antoine Griezmanns shot on the turn.The chances continued to come for the visitors as Luka Modric blasted just over when well-placed at the edge of the box before Oblak was tested again by Rodriguez at the end of a stunning counter-attack led by Raphael Varane.Atletico started the second period more brightly with Arda Turan heading wide from Juanfrans cross.Mandzukic was then left with a bloody nose thanks to a stray elbow from Sergio Ramos and the Croatian was on the end of more rough treatment soon after when Carvajal punched him in the stomach.Carvajal was extremely fortunate not to concede a penalty, but given he wasnt punished at the time by Serbian referee Milorad Mazic he could yet be banned for the return leg.Real still dominated possession after the interval, but couldnt get the break of the ball inside the area as Atletico somehow scrambled the ball clear 20 minutes from time with Ronaldo and Bale having numerous attempts blocked.The European champions were dealt a blow a minute from time as Marcelo saw a yellow card that will keep him out of the second leg.And it was Real who were forced to hold on in the final stages as Casillas scrambled clear Mario Suarezs effort from close range.

Obama approves taking Cuba off terror list

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama has agreed to take Cuba off a list of state sponsors of terrorism, the White House said Tuesday, a key step toward normalizing ties after decades of hostility.Obama notified Congress of his intent to rescind Cubas inclusion on the list, which had been a major barrier to establishing embassies in Washington and Havana.US lawmakers have 45 days in which they can oppose the move.The government of Cuba has not provided any support for international terrorism during the preceding six-month period, Obama wrote in the notification.The move comes three days after Obama held an hour-long meeting with Raul Castro, the first face-to-face talks between a Cuban and US president in a half-century. If the redesignation is successful, Cuba would again have access to the US banking system, allowing an embassy to be opened and paving the way for further trade between the Cold War foes.Republicans have expressed criticism of Obamas detente with the nominally communist island. Senator Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush, who are considered frontrunners to win the partys presidential nomination, have deep support in Floridas powerful Cuban exile community.If Congress passes a joint resolution objecting to the move, Obama could then issue a presidential veto.Obamas ally, Senator Dick Durbin, was quick to welcome the decision.While no fan of the Castro regime, I continue to believe that opening up the island to American ideas, vibrancy, and trade is the most effective way to see a more open and tolerant Cuba, he said.Cuba was first put on the list, which also includes Syria, Sudan and Iran, in 1982 for harboring ETA Basque separatist militants and Colombian FARC rebels.The White House said that government departments, including intelligence agencies, concluded that Cuba should be taken off the list. Circumstances have changed since 1982, said Secretary of State John Kerry in a statement.Our hemisphere, and the world, look very different today than they did 33 years ago. The United States and Cuba broke relations in 1961, the year Obama was born.Last December Obama announced that after 18 months of secret negotiations, Havana and Washington would seek to normalize relations.During his meeting with Castro, Obama declared that after 50 years of US policies that had not worked it was time for us to try something new.We are now in a position to move on a path toward the future, he said, adding that the immediate task was to reopen embassies.Cuba wants the quick lifting of a US embargo which forbids most trade and American tourism to the island.US-Cuban tensions have vexed Washingtons relations with Latin America for decades.

SpaceX cargo ship blasts off toward space station

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MIAMI (AFP) - SpaceXs unmanned Dragon cargo ship blasted off Tuesday toward the International Space Station, carrying a load of food and supplies for the astronauts living in orbit.The California-based companys Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 4:10 pm (2010 GMT), and was to be followed minutes later by an attempt at guiding the first stage of the rocket to land upright on an ocean platform.The cargo mission is the sixth official journey contracted with NASA as part of a $1.6 billion deal for 12 such trips.The supply is on track to arrive at the orbiting outpost on Friday, when it will be grabbed by the space stations robotic arm -- operated by European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti -- and guided in for berthing.The Dragon is carrying around two tonnes of food and supplies, including scientific experiments and an espresso machine.The reusable cargo craft will stay in space for about five weeks, as astronauts reload it with equipment to return to Earth.

Oil prices rise as US oil output seen dropping

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Global oil prices rose for the fourth straight day Tuesday, with US prices jumping after a government report predicted a drop in US shale-oil production.West Texas Intermediate for May delivery, the benchmark US futures contract, added $1.38 to close at $53.29 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.Brent North Sea crude for May, the global benchmark traded in London, settled at $58.43 a barrel, up a modest 50 cents from Mondays close.The EIA report on Monday seems to be carrying the day today, said Robert Yawger of Mizuho Securities.The US Department of Energys Energy Information Administration said that output from the countrys seven shale regions, which has been driving US crude production to a record high, looked set to fall by 57,000 barrels per day in May.Analysts noted it was the first time the EIA had projected a drop since it began the monthly drilling productivity report in 2013.This is adding credence to the belief that lower prices and the precipitous drop in the rig count are finally impacting production, sending prices to test the highs last seen in early February, said Matt Smith of Schneider Electric.But Commerzbank analysts underscored the limited impact in the context of the copious global supply that has pushed prices about 50 percent lower since mid-2014.Compared to the current oversupply of up to two million barrels per day... this would be but a drop in the ocean, they said in a research note.Traders also expected another rise in US crude inventories to new record highs in Wednesdays DoE report.Tim Evans of Citi Futures predicted US crude stocks would rise by as much as four million barrels for the week ended April 10, including another gain at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery point for WTI futures.

'Strong' evidence of Syria regime chemical attacks: HRW

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BEIRUT (AFP) - Eyewitness accounts and evidence collected from Syrias northwestern Idlib province strongly suggest regime forces dropped toxic chemicals on civilians several times last month, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.A high-ranking Syrian security official denied the claim, saying the accusations were lies the insurgents say when they incur losses.The report came as a monitor said at least 12 people were killed on Tuesday in a barrel bomb attack in the province.Human Rights Watch said the chemicals appeared to have been packed into crude explosives-filled barrels that were dropped by military helicopter on rebel-held areas during heavy fighting for Idlib city.Evidence strongly suggests that Syrian government forces used toxic chemicals in several barrel bomb attacks in Idlib governorate between March 16 and 31, 2015, the New York-based group said.It called on the UN Security Council to investigate what would be a breach of both its own resolutions and Damascuss obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.HRW said it had investigated six reported attacks in Idlib and villages outside, collecting evidence from rescue workers and other civilians that provided a compelling case in three of them.The most conclusive evidence came from a March 16 attack on the village of Sarmin, which left a family of six, including three children, dead, and an attack on Idlib city on March 31. The children were foaming at the mouth, they were suffocating, then their hearts stopped, said Leith Fares, a rescue worker in Sarmin. HRW said it could not conclusively establish the chemical used, but volunteers from the Syrian Civil Defence said they found remnants of barrel bombs at attack sites and smelled chlorine gas on victims clothes.The Syrian security official told AFP these were lies that rebels spread to explain their failures to their funders.If the army used chemical weapons or chlorine gas every time they say it did, those people would have been completely wiped out by now, he said. The worlds chemical weapons watchdog had already expressed serious concern on March 25 over the reported use of toxic agents in Idlib province.In January, it reported the use of chlorine gas in attacks on three Syrian villages last year.The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons did not attribute responsibility for those attacks, although its report cited witnesses saying they heard helicopters, which only the regime possesses.In early March, the UN Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution condemning the use of chlorine in Syria and threatening sanctions if the chemicals were used again.The Syrian government appears to be thumbing its nose at the Security Council and international law yet again, HRW deputy Middle East director Nadim Houry said.Damascus did not have to declare its stocks of chlorine under a 2013 agreement to dismantle its chemical arsenal, as the substance is widely used for commercial and domestic purposes.But using the gas for military purposes would be a breach of its undertakings under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which it signed as part of the deal.Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, reported at least 12 people were killed Tuesday in a barrel bomb attack on the town of Saraqeb in Idlib province.The group said the toll was expected to rise because a number of the wounded were in a serious condition.And in the southern province of Daraa, at least six children were killed in barrel bomb attacks on Al-Krak, the Observatory said.On the political front, the UN said its envoy Staffan de Mistura wants his next consultations on the Syria conflict, due to be held next month in Geneva, to include all those with influence.UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, pressed by reporters, refused to say whether Damascus ally Iran would or should be invited to the talks.More than 215,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011 that spiralled into a war after a regime crackdown.

Yemen Al Qaeda branch says top cleric killed in drone attack

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CAIRO (AP) - Yemens Al Qaeda branch announced on Tuesday that its top cleric, a Saudi-national who has had a $5 million bounty on his head, has been killed, allegedly in a drone attack.Al Qaeda said in a statement posted on Twitter that Ibrahim al-Rubaish was killed by a drone late on Sunday, along with other, unnamed members of the group. The statement did not specify the location of the drone attack.Yemeni officials had no immediate comment on the claim and the White House declined to comment.Al-Rubaish, believed to be in his late 30s, was released from Guantanamo Bay in 2006, after which he joined Al Qaeda in Yemen. He was considered the groups the main ideologue and theological adviser and his writings and sermons were prominent in its publications.Last year, he hailed the seizure of large swaths of land in Iraq and Syria by Al Qaedas rival, the Islamic State group. I ask God that efforts are united to target the enemies of the religion, he said in a video recording at the time.If the drone attack is confirmed, it would be the first use of unmanned aircraft since Yemen sank further into turmoil last month, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to launch airstrikes on March 26 in an attempt to halt Yemens Shiite rebels known as Houthis who have taken over much of the country.The Houthi advance has also forced Yemens Western-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to flee the country as his government crumbled.US officials have said that the collapse of Hadis government could undermine Washingtons counterterrorism strategy against Al Qaedas branch in Yemen, known as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Washington considers the branch to be the most powerful in the terrorist network.In late March, about 100 US military advisers withdrew from the al-Annad air base where they had been leading the US counterterrorism efforts in Yemen.Washington rarely comments on drone attacks. US officials had been concerned their counterterrorism capabilities would be diminished because of the withdrawal of their staff. However, they also said the Al Qaeda branch will likely be drawn toward the internal Yemeni conflict, and away from plotting to go after Western targets.Al Qaeda is a staunch rival of the Shiite rebels, and has already waged a number of attacks against their advances.US officials also said that CIA drone strikes would continue but that there will be fewer of them.After Tuesdays Al Qaeda statement, a US official said that since the pullout of US special forces from Yemen, the United States maintains the ability to conduct counterterrorism operations inside Yemen. The official did not elaborate and spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss counterterror measures publicly.

Up to 400 migrants died in boat capsize off Libya: survivors

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ROME (AFP) - Up to 400 illegal migrants trying to reach Europe died after their boat capsized off the Libyan coast on Sunday, said survivors who were saved and brought to Italy.The Italian coastguard had previously said that they managed to rescue 144 of the people on the capsized vessel, while nine bodies were also recovered.Quoting survivors, the International Organization for Migration and the charity Save the Children said between 144 and 150 survivors arrived on Tuesday morning at Reggio Calabria, located on Italys southern tip.There were 400 victims in this shipwreck, which occurred 24 hours after (their vessel) left the Libyan coast, Save the Children said in a statement, citing survivors.There were several young males, probably minors, among the victims, the international NGO said, adding that there were also children among the survivors.IOM spokesman in Italy Flavio Di Giacomo told AFP his organisation has also interviewed several survivors, who said there were between 500 and 550 people on board when the ship sank.We are continuing to investigate in order to understand how the shipwreck happened, Di Giacomo said.According to initial findings, the boat may have capsized after passengers started moving when they saw the Italian rescue team.On Tuesday, the coastguard said its teams had rescued nearly 8,000 people at sea since Friday.Recent good weather in the Mediterranean has prompted a surge in the number of migrants attempting to reach Italy aboard boats.An increasingly violent and chaotic situation in Libya, a key jumping off point for migrants, has also helped prompt the huge hike in the number of asylum seekers trying to make it to Europe.According to Italian authorities more than 15,000 migrants have arrived in Italy so far in 2015. There were 15,000 in April alone last year and an average of 25,000 each month between June and September.People smuggling remains a lucrative business for traffickers, with refugees and migrants rescued in the Mediterranean in February saying they paid between $500-$1,000 for their crossing in boats that are often no more than rubber dinghies.
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