Thursday 2 April 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Asian shares mixed in quiet trade before US jobs

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HONG KONG, April 3, 2015 (AFP) - Asian markets were mixed on Friday in holiday-thinned trade as investors look ahead to the release of US jobs data later in the day, while Shanghai retreated on profit-taking after a recent rally.Wall Street provided a positive lead following another round of upbeat US indicators, although the dollar dipped against the yen.Tokyo edged up 0.37 percent and Seoul gained 0.30 percent.Shanghai slipped 0.85 percent after surging to seven year highs over the past month on hopes for fresh monetary easing by China, while Kuala Lumpur was flat.Hong Kong, Jakarta, Singapore, Mumbai, Sydney, Wellington, Manila and Taiwan were closed for public holidays.With few catalysts to drive trade, investors are biding their time until the release in Washington of the US non-farm payrolls figures, which will be pored over for clues about the Federal Reserves timetable to hiking interest rates.Were likely to be in a wait-and-see mode today before the jobs report and given the holidays, Juichi Wako, a senior strategist at Nomura Holdings Inc. in Tokyo, told Bloomberg News.Fridays report is expected to show the economy added a strong 250,000 jobs last month, compared with 288,000 in February, while the jobless rate is forecast to remain unchanged at 5.5 percent.On Wall Street the three main indexes advanced after data showed jobless claims fell last week, suggesting more tightening in the labour market, while the trade deficit shrank to a more than five-year low, which analysts said should give a boost to first-quarter economic growth.The Dow added 0.37 percent, the S&P 500 gained 0.35 percent and the Nasdaq rose 0.14 percentWhile the Fed is expected to raise rates by the end of the year, there is no consensus on exactly when they will go up. The chances of an early summer hike have been dampened by some soft economic figures over the past month, including this weeks weak private-sector jobs figures and easing manufacturing growth.In forex trade the dollar edged down to 119.67 yen early Friday from 119.77 yen in New York late Thursday.The euro slipped to $1.0869 and 130.06 yen from $1.0879 and 130.30 yen in US trade.Oil markets were closed for trade Friday.Crude prices tumbled Thursday after six world powers and Iran announced they had agreed on a framework to curb the Islamic republics nuclear drive.With the tentative deal, if confirmed, likely to allow Iran crude exports back on the markets, Brent North Sea crude, the global benchmark contract, slumped $2.15, settling at $54.95 a barrel.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate shed 95 cents to close at $49.14.Gold fetched $1,197.48 against $1,203.48 late Thursday.

Football: Chile's Palestino win Palestinian fans worldwide

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SANTIAGO (AFP) - Palestino, a Chilean football team long down on their luck, are playing for the first time in 36 years in the Copa Libertadores, the top club tournament in Latin America, cheered on by ecstatic Palestinians worldwide.The Santiago-based clubs qualification for the regional tournament after a more than three-decade drought has sparked a football frenzy among Chiles Palestinian community, one of the largest outside the Middle East.It has also won the club a rabid following among Palestinians worldwide who are elated to see the players take the pitch in the red, green, black and white of their peoples flag.Palestino triggers a lot of emotions. It represents a people without a voice, said Anuar Majluf, director of the Palestinian Federation of Chile, an organization that represents the South American countrys 300,000 Palestinians.Keeping our Palestinian identity alive through sport, raising the Palestinian flag on the continent through sport, is simply a marvelous thing, he told AFP.Thousands of kilometers (miles) away, in Ramallah, Palestinian fans are following the Chilean club as if it were their home team.Despite the time difference, Mounzer Zahran rearranges his schedule to follow the Copa Libertadores action at home in the West Bank.Sometimes I stay up until 5:00 am to watch the matches, he told AFP.To me, its important to support the team, because it carries the name of Palestine. And seeing the stands filled with Palestinian flags during the matches is priceless.His friend Daoud Nassar, a student in the West Bank town of Birzeit, beamed in his Palestino jersey -- sent to him by a friend in Chile -- as he described the clubs rabid following at his university.They are raising Palestines colors high. They represent it with pride, he said.The clubs fans include Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, who has called them the pride of the Palestinian people.After the club defeated three-time tournament champions Nacional of Uruguay to advance to the second round, Abbas called the feat a very good example that, when Palestinians are given their freedom, they can work miracles.I call on all Palestinians and people who sympathize with our cause to support Palestino, because they are carrying our message of freedom, justice and peace wherever they play, he told Chilean newspaper La Tercera.The club have had rougher going in the second round, and are currently in third place in Group Five with four points.But with two matches to go in the group stage they can still qualify for the knock-out round.They are hoping to turn their fortunes around Tuesday when they face Venezuelan side Zamora, who are currently bottom of the group.Controversial jerseyPalestino are the only professional team in the world to compete in FIFA-sanctioned matches wearing the colors of the Palestinian flag.The jersey has caused controversy.Two years ago, the club came out with a new jersey design that featured a map of Palestine before the creation of Israel in 1948.That drew an outraged reaction from Chiles Jewish community, which complained to the local football federation.The federation sanctioned the club, ruling that the map was a political statement.But the club has defiantly continued including the map in less visible form. Currently, it features on the sleeve.Putting the map on the jersey is our way of showing our identity and our resistance in Chile as well as in Palestine, said Nadia Garin, a 39-year-old descendant of Palestinian immigrants.Palestino was founded as a club for the Palestinian immigrants who arrived in Chile by the thousands in the early 20th century, and made its professional debut in 1952.Initially its players were all Arab, but over time its Palestinian identity has become more figurative than literal.Today none of the players come from an Arab background.Still, the club is an important part of the Palestinian communitys identity.And a shared passion for football has helped pave the way for Palestinians broader acceptance in Chilean society, said community leader Majluf.The club was created because Chileans didnt want Palestinians to play on their teams. So we created this team. Once we were able to play, little by little we were accepted and we managed to integrate into Chilean society, he said.

Football: Injury-hit Bayern head to resurgent Dortmund

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BERLIN (AFP) - Injury-hit Bayern Munich head to resurgent Borussia Dortmund on Saturday shorn of their top stars and with the hosts out to prove there is still life in Germanys Der Klassiker.The Bundesliga has been won twice each by Dortmund and Bayern over the last four years and the media here has dubbed their meetings Der Klassiker -- Germanys answer to Spains El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid.But a glance at the Bundesliga table highlights Dortmunds dramatic fall from grace this season with Jurgen Klopps side currently tenth having started February bottom of the table after a disastrous run of results.In contrast, Bayern are ten points clear in the league table and heading towards a third straight league title.But Pep Guardiolas Bavarians will be missing injured key stars Arjen Robben, David Alaba and Franck Ribery at the Signal Iduna Park.Defender Holger Badstuber is struggling with a hip injury, but veteran striker Claudio Pizarro is set to return from a leg injury.Bayern lost for the third time this season last time out going down 2-0 in Munich to Borussia Moenchengladbach, a fortnight ago.There is, however, no talk of an upset from the Dortmund camp.At the moment its certainly not a top-of-the-table clash when you look at the table, admitted Dortmunds director of sport Michael Zorc.But it will still grab the attention of millions of fans across Germany.Bad newsWith Germany winger Marco Reus in superb form for both club and country alongside top-scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Dortmund have the attack to cause Bayern problems.We have generally never given up on a home game in advance, said Klopp, who will be without Germany squad members Kevin Grosskreutz and Erik Durm.I would suggest we dont talk much and instead try to put in a good performance.Were not at the same level as Bayern and, unless I am mistaken, we never have been, but we have never considered ourselves to have no chance and that also goes for now.With five wins and two draws in their last seven league games, Dortmund have pulled away from the Bundesligas relegation zone.They are free to focus on their domestic form following their Champions League exit to Juventus in the last 16.Even missing Ribery, Alaba and Robben, Klopp expects Bayern to be dangerous.We still have to reckon with some top quality from Bayern, those boys can all play football, he said.But the fact is, Bayern will have to make a few changes without their three fastest players, which is what we have to be concerned about.You have to prepare yourself for how the opposition will line-up against you.Without Robben, Bayerns top scorer this season with 17 goals in 21 games, Guardiola will be missing some pace on the flanks, especially on the left without wing-back Alaba and winger Ribery.Its bad news, said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm.They are really important for us. We mustnt complain, we need to look forward.Weve got a big squad and have to compensate for losses like this.Fixtures (all times 1330 GMT unless stated)SaturdayBayer Leverkusen v Hamburg, VfL Wolfsburg v VfB Stuttgart, Hoffenheim v Bor. Moenchengladbach, Werder Bremen v Mainz 05, Eintracht Frankfurt v Hanover 96, Freiburg v Cologne, Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich (1630)SundayAugsburg v Schalke 04, Hertha Berlin v Paderborn (1530)

Yemen crisis: PM to visit Turkey today

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ISLAMABAD (Online) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will leave for a short trip to Turkey on Friday (today) to discuss the Yemen crisis. According to reports, besides sending high level delegation to Saudi Arabia for talks on the issue the Prime Minister is likely to visit Islamic countries to evolve consensus.On the first leg of such tours, PM will be undertaking a short trip to Turkey on today to discuss the Yemen and Middle East crisis with Turkish president.The Prime Minister has also taken measures to take on board political and military leadership to devise a joint national strategy to steer the Muslim Ummah from this crisis.As for Pakistanis stranded in Yemen, the Prime Minister has directed the concerned authorities to ensure their safe and early return. For this purpose, both air and sea routes are being utilized. A number of Pakistanis have already been airlifted from Al Hudaydah while four naval vessels have been deputed to ferry the remaining Pakistanis. Chinese Navy has also been engaged for the safe return of stranded Pakistanis from Yemen.

Football: PSG aim to strike blow in 'Classique' showdown

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PARIS (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain can strike a major blow in the Ligue 1 title race by continuing their impressive recent record against Marseille when the bitter rivals meet at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday.The defending champions have spent most of the season playing catch-up at the top but finally reached the summit after beating Lorient 3-1 in their last outing a fortnight ago, leading Lyon by one point and Marseille in third by two points.Laurent Blancs side have dominated the fixture known as Le Classique in recent years, with their 2-0 win at the Parc des Princes in November their sixth in a row against OM.Indeed, they have won seven and drawn one of the last eight match-ups since going down 3-0 at the Velodrome in November 2011, when Andre Ayew was among Marseilles scorers.Before the current period, Paris were struggling because we were better off financially, recalled Ayew, the son of former Marseille and Ghana star Abedi Pele, in an interview with sports daily LEquipe this week.Since being taken over by the Qataris, Paris have taken on another dimension. We need to be realistic. They have brought in players to build a great team and they proved that against Chelsea, he added with a nod to PSGs Champions League last-16 win over the London side last month.Playing in a Classique is unique. My dad always used to say to me that these were matches you couldnt lose.Marseille have climbed right back into contention after taking seven points from a possible nine in March having previously gone four games without a win.And Marcelo Bielsas side will look to make the most of having home advantage, with a record crowd of around 64,000 expected at the renovated Velodrome, where the atmosphere can be among the most raucous in Europe.This match is always a bit special, Paris coach Laurent Blanc, who played in the fixture for OM for two seasons in the late 1990s, told PSG TV.A sort of supremacy is at stake but at the end of the day there is only three points up for grabs. It is an exciting game to take part in for various reasons, especially because of the satisfaction we can give to the supporters.Marseille coach Bielsa has a decision to make in attack, where Andre-Pierre Gignac has been the first choice this season but Michy Batshuayi is the man in form.Batshuayi came off the bench to score twice in the 4-0 win against Lens last time out and the Belgian, who made his full international debut last weekend, has scored six goals in his last five games.Dangerous outsidersWith their main rivals facing each other, Lyon will hope to take advantage when they go to Guingamp on Saturday.Hubert Fourniers side, who lost 2-1 at home to Nice in their last outing, are without the injury-prone Yoann Gourcuff as well as France right-back Christophe Jallet, who suffered a dislocated shoulder on international duty.Meanwhile, Monaco remain dangerous outsiders in the title race as they sit six points behind the leaders with a game in hand.The principality club entertain Saint-Etienne, just one point behind them in fifth, at the Stade Louis II on Friday.We are aiming to continue climbing the table. Every match is decisive now, said Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim, who will be without veteran defender Ricardo Carvalho due to a twisted knee.Elsewhere, Bordeaux, in sixth, host Lens on Sunday, while bottom side Metz entertain fellow strugglers Toulouse and Lorient host Brittany rivals Rennes on Saturday.Fixtures (kick-offs 1800GMT unless stated)FridayMonaco v Saint-Etienne (1830GMT)SaturdayGuingamp v Lyon (1500GMT), Lille v Reims, Lorient v Rennes, Metz v Toulouse, Montpellier v SC Bastia, Nice v EvianSundayBordeaux v Lens (1200GMT), Nantes v Caen (1500GMT), Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (1900GMT)as/bcAFP 030025 GMT APR 15

Tennis: Djokovic overcomes slow start to beat Ferrer

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MIAMI (AFP) - Novak Djokovic recovered from a slow start then had to fight again at the end to defeat David Ferrer 7-5, 7-5 on Thursday for a semi-final spot in the Miami Masters.The world number one and top seed fell behind two early breaks as Spains Ferrer celebrated his 33rd birthday with a rousing first-set start.But Djokovic, bidding to defend his title at Crandon Park, slowly reeled in the persistent veteran whose game is built on his retrieving and durability.Djokovic prepared to serve out his eighth match win in a row against Ferrer with a 5-4 lead in the second set.But the Spaniard spoiled that scenario with a service break. Djokovic broke back, then served it out in emphatic style.Djokovic will next face American John Isner, who upset Japanese fourth seed Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-3.The win marked the second straight match in which Djokovic was under pressure. The Serb star came back from a set and a break down in a fourth-round win over Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Golf: Ko matches LPGA record with 29th straight under-par round

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RANCHO MIRAGE (AFP) - World number one Lydia Ko equalled Annika Sorenstams LPGA record with her 29th straight under-par round on Thursday in the ANA Inspiration.Ko, the 17-year-old sensation from New Zealand, scrambled to a one-under-par 71 in the first major championship of the season.Ko equalled the record set by Swedens Sorenstam in 2004.I really wasnt hitting my driver well, and here the rough can get pretty thick, said Ko, who had five birdies and four bogeys.When youre in that position, a record was the last thing I was thinking about.Ko teed off on the 10th hole at Rancho Mirage Country Clubs Dinah Shore tournament course.She was at even par -- with four bogeys and four birdies -- when she found herself behind the trees to the left of the seventh fairway.It was a pretty nasty place to be, but I had my driver. There were two gaps. I said I hope I at least have one that I can go through, she said.I said Im going to try to hit the biggest hook I could, and it would have probably looked really bad, that swing on camera, but it ended up being OK.She found the green and two-putted for par, then birdied the eighth to get back in red numbers.Even when she left herself a tap-in for birdie at the eighth, Ko said she wasnt thinking about tying Sorenstams record.It felt like a long time since I made a birdie. I was just excited that I hit a good shot in there. The record really wasnt in my head.Instead she was just trying to keep herself in contention for a first major title -- one of the only accolades missing from the teenagers already stunning resume.Ko played her first nine in tricky winds that had calmed down for the afternoon starters and sounded far from discouraged.Three more days for the morning field and four, really for the afternoon, so weve got a lot of golf left to play, she said.

China former security chief charged with bribery, abuse of power: Xinhua

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BEIJING (AFP) - Chinas former security chief Zhou Yongkang was charged Friday with bribery, abuse of power, and intentional disclosure of state secrets, the official Xinhua news agency reported, setting the stage for a dramatic trial.Zhou, who had a background in the oil industry, was a member of the Communist Partys elite Politburo Standing Committee and is the highest-ranking Chinese official to be prosecuted since the Gang of Four in the 1980s.The defendant Zhou Yongkang... took advantage of his posts to seek gains for others, illegally took huge property and assets from others, and abused his power, causing huge losses to public property and the interests of the state and the people, Xinhua cited the indictment as saying.It was filed with a court in the northern port of Tianjin, it added.After months of rumours, party authorities announced last July they were investigating Zhou, who accumulated vast power until he retired in 2012.Zhou was expelled from the ruling party and formally arrested in December.His fall sent shockwaves through the ruling party, and made him the most prominent victim of President Xi Jinpings much-publicised anti-corruption drive, which has targeted high-level tigers as well as low-level flies.But critics note that China has failed to implement institutional safeguards against graft, such as public asset disclosure, an independent judiciary, and free media, leaving anti-graft drives at risk of being used for political faction-fighting.Chinas ruling party is riven by factional divisions but consistently seeks to present a united front to outsiders.Several of Zhous allies have also been brought down in the campaign, among them Jiang Jiemin, the former head of the body that regulates Chinas state-owned firms.He is a former head of the China National Petroleum Corporation, a post previously held by Zhou, and the two are reportedly part of a Communist Party faction with roots in the oil industry, known as the petroleum gang.

US to hold Iraqi forces to account in Tikrit: official

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States is closely monitoring Iraqi forces in Tikrit amid allegations of human rights abuses committed by Baghdads troops and allied fighters in an assault to retake the city, a US military official said Thursday.It was unclear if executions and other alleged atrocities had taken place, the senior military official told reporters, but thats exactly what were going to be watching for as Iraqi forces move to secure Tikrit.Iraqi troops backed by paramilitary groups and US-led air strikes took back Tikrit from the IS group last week.Amnesty International said Thursday it was investigating reports of serious rights violations during the Tikrit offensive, including allegations of executions, abductions and the burning and looting of homes.The United States agreed to provide air power to back up the assault on the IS in Tikrit after the Iraqi government assured Washington it had full control over all forces involved in the operation. That required some militias with ties to Iran to pull back from attacks on the Tikrit town center.The decision to provide US-led air raids demonstrated Washingtons support for the Iraqi government, the military official said.But the Iraqis need to understand we will hold them accountable for the aftermath of the Tikrit operation, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.The Shiite-led government in Baghdad will need to fulfill its promises to turn the city over to police, to respect the rights of Sunnis in the area and to deliver prompt humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, the official said.Were watching them very carefully, once the city is completely under control of the central government, whether the central government lives up to its commitment, the official said.The United States and rights groups have repeatedly warned that any sectarian-driven abuses will only sow the seeds of future violence and play into the hands of the IS terrorists.Next battle: BaijiIn Tikrit, Iraqi forces still face pockets of resistance from the IS group and they are working there through those pockets, the official said.Once the Tikrit military operation is complete, the next step is Baiji, the official said.The town of Baiji lies north of Tikrit along the Tigris River and remains under the IS groups control.Thats really the next significant military maneuver because, of course, the Baiji oil refinery is important to the Iraqi economy, the official said.The nearby Baiji refinery was recaptured by Iraqi forces last year but Baghdad still needs to dislodge the IS extremists from the town and surrounding areas, the official said.An offensive in Baiji is a necessary step towards an eventual large-scale operation to seize back Mosul, the countrys second largest city and a bastion for the IS group.But an offensive to recapture Mosul is several months away and likely will not come before the autumn, the official said.No operation in Mosul was expected to be carried out during Ramadan, which falls in mid-June, or during the summer months when intense heat would hamper any major military action, the official said.A potential offensive is likely to extend into the fall for reasons of Ramadan preparation and weather, he said.A US defense official had predicted in February that an Iraqi assault in Mosul could come as soon as April or May but top Pentagon officials later backed away from that forecast.

Identical Brazilian triplets say 'I do' -- together

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SAO PAULO (AFP) - Guests at a wedding in southern Brazil might have thought they had had too much champagne to drink, but they were not seeing triple. There were indeed three identical brides.Triplets Rafaela, Rochele and Tagiane Bini were married on March 21 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in a joint ceremony, fulfilling their childhood dream of walking down the aisle together.The 29-year-old sisters appeared in the same white mermaid gown, with identical hairstyles and matching veils. The only distinction was the color of their bouquets. The trio has done everything together since they were young, and dreamed of getting married on the same day. Their father was beaming as he gave them away. We walked together to the middle of the aisle and from there, I walked each one down the aisle individually, said their proud father Pedro. The brides spent six hours at the salon getting hair and makeup done. A few styles were tested, but the vote on the final look -- a low, pulled back bun -- was unanimous. There were 18 groomsmen in attendance, each wearing different colors depending on which wedding party they were with. After the vows, the lucky grooms -- there were three of them too -- each dipped their new brides for a kiss for a memorable wedding portrait.

Cameron and austerity take fire in UK election debate

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LONDON (AFP) - British Prime Minister David Cameron and his austerity policies came under attack on Thursday from six other party leaders in the only full debate before next months general election.The Conservative party head struggled to convince viewers in an unprecedented seven-leader live television contest that underscored the fragmentation of the electorate.My plan is about basically one word: security, Cameron said in his concluding remarks. Lets stick to the plan thats working.His main rival, Ed Miliband of the left-leaning opposition Labour Party, sought to shake off a socially awkward media image and define himself as a real alternative to Cameron.Theres one fundamental choice in this election, Miliband said. Do we build a Britain that puts working people first, or do we carry on with a government thats not on your side?The leaders of the two main parties, who are currently neck-and-neck in polls and likely to require support from other parties to rule, were often outclassed by strong performances by the leaders of smaller parties.An ITV News/ComRes survey of 1,120 viewers showed a tie between Cameron, Miliband, the anti-immigration UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage, followed by Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party that is set to sweep up most seats in Scotland.As topics ranged from a housing crisis, to national debt and the health service, Farage insisted the root problem was an influx of immigrants and that Britain should cut migrant numbers by leaving the European Union.What youve seen tonight is the politically correct political class, an animated Farage told the audience. They dont understand the thoughts, hopes and aspirations of ordinary people in this country.The most heated exchanges centred on whether Britain should hold a referendum on EU membership, promised by Cameron if he is re-elected.Farage attacked the pro-EU Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, shouting at him to tell the truth.Anti-austerityA consensus between Labour and the Conservative party that some level of austerity will be needed to balance Britains budget after the election was tested by contrary voices not always included in political debate.An unflappable Sturgeon, whose SNP is predicted to win dozens of seats, argued forcefully that her party would be an ally for progressive politics in a parliament in which no party is expected to win an overall majority.You can vote for the same old parties and get the same old politics, more cuts and more misguided policies. Or you can vote for something different, better and more progressive, she urged viewers.She was joined in questioning Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat plans for further cuts to public spending by Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and the head of Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru Leanne Wood.There is an alternative to the Westminster consensus of more cuts. Austerity is not inevitable, its a choice, Wood urged.Bennett added: You dont have to go on voting for the lesser of two evils. Thats how we ended up with the tired failed politics that we have now.The leaders of the smaller parties, who have tended to play more marginal roles in the run-up to the election, claimed centre stage in the debate.Responding to criticism from Farage against HIV-positive immigrants, Welsh leader Wood won the first audience applause of the night by telling him: You should be ashamed of yourself.In stiff criticism of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition for raising student fees, Sturgeon was awarded the next applause.Your access to education as a young person should be based on your ability to learn, and never ever on your ability to pay, the red-suited Sturgeon said.The debate may do little to gather decisive support around either of the two main parties in Britains most unpredictable election in years.The ITV News/ComRes poll following the debate showed Cameron was seen as the most capable of leading the country with 40 percent support, followed by Miliband on 28 percent.But no party emerged the clear winner, with 30 percent of respondents saying that after the debate they intended to vote Labour, 29 percent Conservative, followed by 22 percent for UKIP.

Tweets, bellowing car horns and hope in Iran after nuclear deal

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TEHRAN (AFP) - It was a single message on Twitter that began to raise expectations that the agonising wait would be worth it, as families gathered around their televisions looking for news.The feeling soon turned into joyful scenes in Tehran, with people dancing on the streets in the early hours of Friday as car horns blared and Iranians spoke of their hopes for a different future.Whatever the final result of the negotiations, we are winners, said Behrang Alavi, a 30-year-old actor, on Val-e-Asr Avenue at around 1:00 am as the noise reverberated around him on the capitals longest street.Now we will be able to live normally like the rest of the world, he added, as people flashed V-signs for victory and waved white handkerchiefs in the air in a traditional Iranian celebration.It was Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who had signalled a breakthrough was at hand after eight days of around-the-clock nuclear talks in Switzerland.His words in Farsi flowed into living rooms in the capital, saying there was now a framework to end a 12-year crisis that has seen sanctions ravage Irans economy and bring hardship to millions.Found solutions. Ready to start drafting immediately, Zarif wrote in his first post in five days on Twitter, which despite officially being banned is accessed by millions of Iranians using illegal software.A June 30 agreement that would lift the sanctions in exchange for curbs and stringent international monitoring designed to ensure Iran cannot develop an atomic bomb is now tantalisingly within reach.Selfies with ObamaFatemeh Hashemian, 26, said she wanted a nuclear deal to help foreigners see her country in a better light.I wish Iran could make progress like this everyday and have no more sanctions imposed on the country, she said.I hope that this wrong image of Iran will be erased. And that our relations with the world can improve.In a sign of the mooted agreements potentially enormous historical impact, Iranian state television screened US President Barack Obamas televised address live, with translation in Farsi.As Obama was speaking, young Iranians took selfies with the president in the background and posted the pictures on Twitter.But although there was hope, some Iranians said they wouldnt be convinced that anything would change until a deal is signed and sealed.Its not clear until we can see it in action, said Reza Riahizadeh, a 39-year-old engineer who was watching at home on television with his family.They might dodge cancelling the sanctions. No one knows. Nothing is certain until it is done in reality.But Hassan Khudiarah, a 38-year-old taxi driver waiting for a fare halfway through a shift that would not end until 7.00 am, was more optimistic.It is a very good step for us, he said as fellow drivers stepped out of their cars to share the news at Argentine Square in downtown Tehran.I hope one day our problems will end and we will be treated as a friend by those who dont seem to like us, but dont know us. We dont want conflict.

Golf: Tiger seeks long climb back after nightmare year

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Having endured the worst year of his career, Tiger Woods arrives at Masters week struggling to recapture the form to finish 72 holes, much less add to his 14 major titles.The former world number one has sunk to 104th in the rankings, his lowest point since before taking his first PGA title at the 1996 Las Vegas Invitational, and played only 47 tournament holes this year.Forget catching the career record 18 majors of Jack Nicklaus. Set aside the idea of three more PGA wins to match Sam Sneads all-time victory record of 82. Woods has yet to prove his surgically repaired back and knees can still contend over 72 holes at age 39.Woods managed only 11 holes at Torrey Pines in February before withdrawing with back issues. He missed the cut in January at Phoenix after a career-worst 82 in the second round.In 10 PGA events since January of last year, Woods has withdrawn three times, missed three cuts and one secondary cut and completed 72 holes only three times, sharing 25th last year at Doral, placing 69th at the 2014 British Open and sharing last at his Hero World Challenge charity event last December, his third injury comeback event of 2014.Back surgery a year ago caused Woods to miss the Masters for the first time in 20 years. He made three comebacks in 2014 but had issues with his back and his game each time, looking less imposing and more irrelevant with every failure.Ive put in a lot of time and work on my game and Im making strides, but like Ive said, I wont return to the PGA Tour until my game is tournament ready and I can compete at the highest level, Woods said last month after skipping his usual final Masters tuneup at Bay Hill.I hope to be ready for the Masters and I will continue to work hard preparing for Augusta.If Woods returns to competition as expected next Thursday at Augusta National, it will mark his longest layoff ahead of the Masters since 2010, when he endured a five-month layoff in the wake of his infamous sex scandal that included a humbling public apology telecast worldwide.Few places offer Woods the chance to awaken the echoes like Augusta National, where he has won four times and knows the secrets to success as few others.In 2010, Woods shared fourth in his comeback. He shared fourth in 2011 and 2013, adding those to his 13 top-10 finishes at Augusta National starting with his record-shattering 1997 groundbreaking first major triumph.Since then, Woods has never played more than three majors without managing a top-10 finish, a mark he puts at risk in his next major start.Woods has not won a major title since the 2008 US Open, a drought of 20 major starts since with six having been missed due to injuries, and he has not won any title since the 2013 World Golf Championships event at Firestone. Woods once commanded golf balls to bend to his will, from powerful long tee shots to amazing creativity and execution of rescue efforts and deadly accuracy on the putting green.But his injury-ravaged back and surgically repaired knees no longer respond in the same way as in the glory days.He would need to become the first player to win more than three majors after his 39th birthday to catch Nicklaus.No place better showcases Woods than Augusta National, where he became the first black golfer to win a major title and the first green jacket winner to put cheeseburgers on the Champions Dinner menu.For all his magical shotmaking, sports fans were drawn to Woods for his fist-pumping passion, his determination and an aura of invincibility that delighted a public far beyond golfs typical fan base.Woods won by embarrassing margins, taking full advantage of new technology with a fitness regimen unseen before in golf. Woods spawned a lengthening of courses and a second cut at Augusta National as surely as if he had redesigned and reseeded the layouts himself.Woods noted last December that Father Time is undefeated, but as he faces the later stages of his historic career, the world will be watching to see what sort of fight he delivers.

Mexico probes deadly oil rig blast and fire

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MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Mexican authorities launched an investigation Thursday into what caused an explosion and fire on an oil platform operated by state firm Pemex that killed four workers and injured several others.The attorney generals office said it opened an inquiry into possible crimes including property damage and homicide. It deployed officials from the Criminal Investigation Agency, some specializing in fires, explosives and mechanical engineering.The ASEA agency, which is in charge of safety in the energy industry, said its own staff began to work after water was poured overnight to cool down the Abkatun A-Permanente platform on the Gulf of Mexico.The blast took place before dawn on Wednesday at the dehydration and pump section of the rig, and it took almost 16 hours for 10 firefighting vessels to extinguish the blaze.Pemex said it managed to avoid an oil spill.Around 300 workers were evacuated to safety during the emergency. Sixteen workers were initially hospitalized, and nine were still being treated on Thursday, including two in serious condition.It was the latest fatal incident to hit Pemex in recent years. In 2007, two Pemex platforms collided in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 21 workers and causing a large oil spill.

Obama to Netanyahu: Iran deal is 'significant progress'

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama on Thursday told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that a framework nuclear deal between Iran and world powers represented significant progress.Netanyahu had bitterly opposed an agreement between the world powers and Iran. Israeli officials branded it a historic mistake and dangerous.The White House said Obama spoke to Netanyahu from aboard Air Force One to discuss the framework agreement that would see Iran scale back its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.The president emphasized that, while nothing is agreed until everything is, the framework represents significant progress towards a lasting, comprehensive solution that cuts off all of Irans pathways to a bomb, the White House said.Obama sought to reassure Netanyahu of US support for Israels security despite their very public disagreement over the deal.There is no daylight when it comes to our support for Israels security and our concerns about Irans destabilizing policies and threats towards Israel, the US president said.But the spat showed no sign of easing, despite Obamas more conciliatory tone.Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev tweeted that Netanyahu told Obama: A deal based on this framework would threaten the survival of Israel.
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