Sunday 17 May 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Sarai Alamgir: 5 of a family killed as car fell into canal

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SARAI ALAMGIR: (Dunya News) – Five people, including four women, of a family were killed when their car fell into canal near Sarai Alamgir on night between Sunday and Monday.According to details, the ill-fated family from Bhimber, Azad Kashmir was going to village Bouli near Sarai Alamgir to attend funeral of a relative. Their car fell into Upper Jhelum Canal near village Qasba due to bad weather and over-speeding, killing all the five people.Rescue teams reached the spot and recovered the bodies from canal and handed them over to their heirs.

Ch Nisar to visit Karachi today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan will reach Karachi today (Monday) on a one-day visit, Dunya News Reported.During his stay in Karachi, Chaudhry Nisar will meet Governor Sindh, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.Chaudhry Nisar will also visit Rangers Headquarters where Director General Rangers will brief him about Safoora Chourangi incident. The Interior Minister is also expected to meet Ismaili community chief Sultana Alana.

Tennis: Djokovic beats Federer to win fourth Italian Open

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ROME (AFP) - Top seed Novak Djokovic warmed up for the French Open with a comprehensive 6-4, 6-3 victory over Roger Federer to claim his fourth Italian Open title on Sunday.In the absence of seven-time champion Rafael Nadal, ousted in the quarter-finals, the Serbian produced a near flawless performance on centre court to defend his title and hand Federer his fourth final defeat in Rome.With Roland Garros a little more than a week away, Djokovic could emerge as the favourite to claim what is an elusive title in the French capital, especially in light of Nadals current woes on clay.The Spaniard has won only one title on the surface this year, at Buenos Aires, and been beaten by Italian Fabio Fognini, Andy Murray, Djokovic and Switzerlands Stan Wawrinka in recent tournaments.Djokovic, meanwhile, has brought his game to boiling point this week to claim his fifth title of the season and take his head-to-head record over the Swiss ace to 21-18.On this performance, Djokovic will be hard to beat at the French Open, where Nadals bid for a 10th title could be compounded by a lack of top seeding.Djokovic is on a 37-match winning streak at the highest-level tournaments and after he took his winning streak this year to 22 matches, he said: The fact Ive managed to win that many matches in a row ... gives me a reason to believe I can do it again.I will keep going as long as I can. I try always to give my best on the court regardless of the tournament or the particular match I am playing.This kind of mindset has got me where I am now... and hopefully its gonna take me far in Roland Garros. It is and has been the priority of my career.The Serbian traded blows with Federer from the opening stages and, at 5-4 ahead, converted his first break of the set with a return winner that clipped the edge of the tramline.Federer was not without some choice shots of his own, the classy Swiss powering a backhand winner down the line to save a second break point in the second game of the second set.But Djokovics precision, power and pace looked unstoppable.He took the early lead with a break for 2-0 and, after taking a three-game advantage behind a total of 30-12 baseline points won, was never in danger.Djokovic secured his fourth Rome trophy in just 76 minutes as Federer struck a forehand wide on match point.The Swiss, who mulled skipping the tournament before making a last-minute decision to play, admitted Djokovic was simply too strong on the day.Federer, the only man to break Nadals formidable winning streak in Paris, in 2009, but who has lost four French Open finals to the Spaniard, hopes he will be among the challengers this year.Novak was rock solid, he played great throughout, made very few unforced errors and was able to take the opportunities that came his way, said Federer.Its a little bit frustrating, but in general Im satisfied with my performance. I played a good match but Novak was just a little bit stronger than me.He added: Physically, I know Im in good form and I hope I give myself the chance to play better there than I have in recent years.

Tennis: Sharapova warms up for French with third title in Rome

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ROME (AFP) - Russias Maria Sharapova warmed up for the defence of her French Open title by securing her third Italian Open crown with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over Spains Carla Suarez on Sunday.Suarez, bidding for only the second title of her career but first from the Masters 1000 series, made a stunning start at the Foro Italico where the players faced sweltering conditions.The Spanish 10th seed broke the world number three midway through the opening set and had Sharapova on the ropes in a tight second before Sharapova found the breakthrough.Sharapova broke the Spaniard in the eighth game of the second set for a 5-3 lead and after going on to hand her opponent three break points in the next game she recovered to level the match.The diminutive Suarez struggled with Sharapovas movement and variety of shots, in particular the Russians two-handed backhand, which she used to devastating effect throughout.However Sharapova will be looking to improve several aspects of her game -- notably in terms of unforced errors -- if she is to go all the way in Paris in the coming weeks.American rival Serena Williams, the winner in Rome the past two years, withdrew before the third round earlier this week citing an elbow injury and will be desperate to avenge her first round defeat in Paris last year.Sharapova, who secured her final spot with victory over Victoria Azarenka, handed Suarez a break point in the opening game of the third set and despite twice saving the game Suarez moved ahead when Sharapova hit an easy return just wide.That setback only served to spur the Russian, who broke back immediately, sealing the game with a two-handed backhand return that Suarez did not even bother to try and reach.Sharapova moved 3-1 ahead when Suarez, having first saved break point, conceded the game with a weak return that hit the net -- effectively ending her challenge.The Russian held her serve for a 4-1 lead and, with Suarezs confidence deserting her, earned a double break point before taking her lead to 5-1, holding serve on her final game to seal the victory.

Football: Messi hands Barca 23rd Liga title

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MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona claimed their fifth La Liga title in seven years and their 23rd overall as Lionel Messi scored the winner in a 1-0 victory at Atletico Madrid on Sunday.Exactly a year to the day since Atletico won the league in a title decider at Barcas Camp Nou, the Catalans exacted some measure of revenge to seal the first of a potential treble of trophies this season.Luis Enriques men face Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey on home soil at the Camp Nou on May 30 and Juventus in the Champions League final a week later in Berlin.We started 10 months ago with many changes at the club and coming off a season having not won anything, said the Barca coach.We knew it would be a season of transition and we tried to do our best. We have two titles still to play for, but we already have the one that rewards consistency.Cristiano Ronaldo struck his 30th Real Madrid hat-trick as Los Blancos bounced back from their Champions League elimination at the hands of Juventus to beat Espanyol 4-1, but it mattered little as they still trail Barca by four points with just one game to play.Meanwhile, defeat means Atletico need just a point on the final day to secure their place in the group stages of the Champions League next season by finishing third as Valencia could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Celta Vigo.With temperatures at kick-off above 30 degrees celsius, a somewhat subdued start wasnt surprising, but it was the hosts who had the better openings early on.Claudio Bravo made a stunning save to palm Jose Maria Gimenezs header from a corner and the Chilean produced another fine stop moments later from Antoine Griezmann, although the Frenchman had already been flagged offside.Barca grew into the game as the half wore on with Messi testing Jan Oblak with a drive from the edge of the area and then a headed effort that was easily held by the Slovenian.The visitors were then left furious at referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco as he turned down two huge penalty claims.Firstly, another goalbound Messi header was diverted off target by the arm of Juanfran before Dani Alves went down under pressure from Diego Godin.Godin was booked for a foul outside the box despite contact continuing inside the area and Messi curled the resulting free-kick off the crossbar.Atletico threatened once more from a set-piece at the start of the second period but unlike his title winning strike last season, the unmarked Diego Godin couldnt turn his header on target.As so often this season, it was Messi who provided the moment of magic for Barca as he played a neat one-two with Pedro Rodriguez inside the area before prodding the ball into the far corner.Messi then teed up Neymar with a great opportunity to seal the title, but the Brazilian failed to continue his seven-game scoring streak as he blasted over with just Oblak to beat.That miss mattered little, though, as the visitors comfortably saw out the final few minutes.Madrid did all they could to keep the pressure on Barca as Ronaldo all but ensured he will at least win his duel with Messi to be the leagues top scorer by taking his tally for the league season to 45.The Portuguese put Madrid ahead before an error from Keylor Navas allowed Christian Stuani to level for Espanyol.However, Marcelo put Carlo Ancelottis men back in front before Ronaldo struck twice more in the final eight minutes.At the bottom Deportivo la Coruna and Granada moved out of the relegation zone with victories over Levante and Real Sociedad respectively.They now lead Eibar and Almeria by two points with all four fighting for survival on the final day of the season next Saturday.

Football: Man City into Champions League group stage, Arsenal edge closer

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LONDON (AFP) - Manchester City assured themselves of direct entry into next seasons Champions League group stage on Sunday as Arsenal stayed on course for a top-three finish as well.City won 4-2 away to Swansea City before third-placed Arsenal moved two points clear of Manchester United after coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.Ander Herreras volley gave United, fourth in the table, the lead on the half-hour mark.But the Gunners equalised eight minutes from time when Theo Walcotts cross diverted off defender Tyler Blackett and, with David de Gea off injured, past wrong-footed substitute goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who was making his United debut.The match may have been de Geas last at Old Trafford, amid reports the Spaniard could be joining Real Madrid. Only the top three sides in England at the end of the season -- which include already crowned champions Chelsea and City -- are guaranteed a place in the group stage of European footballs elite club competition, with the Premier Leagues fourth-placed team having to enter a qualifying round instead.And United now have it all to do to overtake Arsenal.The Gunners, who have a superior goal difference, can take six points from their remaining two matches, at home to Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday and Sunday respectively, while only three are available to United when they travel to Hull City on the final day of the season next weekend.We have not yet qualified for the Champions League (proper), United manager Louis van Gaal told Sky Sports.It (the qualifying round) is always stressful as you can meet an opponent who is half-way through a season already. It is not so easy.However, United will be in the top four come what may in van Gaals first season in charge and the Dutchman said: I am satisfied we have set our goal and reached that...Next year we will fight for more.Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: We are feeling like we are making progress and want to clinch third place.Earlier, three goals came before half-time at the Liberty Stadium.Yaya Toure, assisted by an error from Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, and James Milner put Manchester City 2-0 up before Gylfi Sigurdsson pulled a goal back for Swansea on the stroke of half-time.French striker Bafetimbi Gomis equalised for the Swans midway through the second half before Toure, with Fabianski out of position, made it 3-2 to City.Former Swansea forward Wilfried Bony completed the scoring in stoppage time with only his second goal since he moved in the mid-season transfer window.Before Bony put the result beyond doubt City, last seasons Premier League title winners, were indebted to a couple of superb saves from Joe Hart.Toures future at City -- fuelled by some provocative comments from his agent -- has been the subject of intense speculation, with many observers feeling he hasnt hit the same heights as he did when the club won the English title last season.But City manager Manuel Pellegrini said he had never lost faith in the 32-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder.I didnt have any doubt about Yaya, the manager insisted. Maybe the media started with him after his birthday. After that he went to the Africa Cup (of Nations) and we couldnt win (the Premier League). Maybe an important player has more criticism, but I never had doubts.Despite this defeat, Swansea will finish the season in an impressive eighth position and manager Garry Monk said: I am disappointed with the result but once again the players character and commitment was there to see.

Squash: El Shorbagy prevents French double at British Open

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KINGSTON UPON HULL (AFP) - World number one Mohamed El Shorbagy narrowly denied France both British Open titles when he came back from the brink of a four-game defeat to beat defending champion Gregory Gaultier in Hull, northern England, on Sunday.The Egyptian had already taken away Gaultiers world number one ranking earlier this year, and this match saw him recover from a 7-8 deficit in the fourth game before completing a gutsy 11-9, 6-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5 triumph.El Shorbagy had been suffering from a hamstring injury for much of the tournament, yet painstakingly fought through the discomfort.His victory gave Egypt their second British Open winner in three years, following Ramy Ashours 2013 success.Earlier, Gaultiers compatriot Camille Serme caused a sensation by becoming the first Frenchwoman ever to win the British Open, beating Laura Massaro, the former titleholder from England, 11-3, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8.For a long time it looked as though Gaultier was going to complete an amazing double for France, a country with no great tradition in squash.But after playing well for three-quarters of the contest, Gaultier appeared distracted by tight and difficult refereeing decisions, and his error ratio went up at important moments.As this happened, El Shorbagy played with even greater determination, consistency and patience, and changed the character of the contest in the deciding game.So many famous players have won this title, including my coach Jonah Barrington who won it six times, said El Shorbagy, referring to the Anglo-Irishman who was a squash superstar in the 1960s and 1970s. Ive just told him on the phone whats happened, and said that Ive only got to win it another five timesBoth mens finalists were warned by the referee in the first game -- El Shorbagy for taking his opponents space and contributing to a collision which sent Gaultier flying, and Gaultier for coming off court to complain.Gaultier then accidentally hit El Shorbagy on the leg in the second game, earning him another warning, and in the third El Shorbagy took a knock to the head, causing him to leave the court for five minutes to recover.But the entertainment made even more riveting viewing than the conflict. Gaultier appeared to be moving El Shorbagy about successfully as he got to within three points of the title at 8-7 in the fourth game.But crucially, Gaultier hit down in the next rally, conceded a penalty stroke in the rally after that, breaking a string in the process and being obliged to change his racket. El Shorbagy then got to game point at 10-8 with what appeared to be a doubtful pick-up, but which was hard for the referee to see, after which Gaultier drove the ball down again to allow the Egyptian to gain parity at two games all. Gaultier was never as prominent again.Greg was playing so well, said El Shorbagy. He was killing me in the second and third games and I didnt know what to do. I just hit hard and told myself not to give up.Earlier, Serme was was too physically fresh and tactically astute for home hope Massaro, despite having never broken into the worlds top four.It was possible Massaro was feeling the effects of her 77-minute victory from matchpoint down against Nicol David, the legendary titleholder, on Saturday but the sixth-seeded Serme capitalised boldly and commendably.I only came here to go further than the second round, which was all I managed last year, the 26-year-old Serme, from Creteil, near Paris, said with a laugh.And now this is so big for me, such a big title. I can still hardly realise it.

Squash: Serme sparks French revolution at British Open

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KINGSTON UPON HULL (AFP) - Camille Serme caused a sensation on Sunday by becoming the first Frenchwoman ever to win the British Open title.The 26-year-old from Creteil, near Paris, who has never broken into the worlds top four, was too physically fresh and tactically astute for home hope Laura Massaro, defeating the third-seeded former world and British Open champion 11-3, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8 in a stunning display.It was possible Massaro had been feeling the effects of her 77-minute victory from match-point down against Nicol David, the legendary titleholder, on Saturday but Serme capitalised boldly and commendably as she surged to victory on the show court in Hull, northern England.Serme took the ball in short wherever possible, especially with drops which clung to the walls, and then lobbed or drove to the back, trying to make Massaros legs do more work than they wanted to. Serme also volleyed challengingly.It worked, except for a spell from 6-5 in the third game until she was 6-8 down in the fourth when Massaro, with characteristic, tenacity refused to admit defeat.At the end, Serme did not know whether to laugh or cry and, during the immediate post-match interview, she had to apologise for being briefly lost for words.I feel so much now, she said. But strangely I didnt really feel nervous during the match. I was so focussed. I just had to go on court and use my tactics.In the third game Laura put up such a fight. I always admire her spirit. I knew she was not going to give up. She showed that yesterday (in Saturdays semi-final against David).I really wanted to close it out as best I could, explained Serme. I tried to refocus, and refind my tactics which I didnt do all the time, but did it enough on the important points.The points which Serme won from 6-8 down in the fourth may have saved not only that game, but the match. She scored twice with tight drops, then with a cut-off volley and kill combination, and finally on match point made another cut-off volley winner when Massaro tried a risky cross-court drive.I only came here to go further than the second round, which was all I managed last year, Serme said with a laugh. And now this is so big for me, such a big title. I can still hardly realise it.Serme made history when she stepped on court on Sunday by becoming the first Frenchwoman ever to play in a British Open final while, together with Gregory Gaultier, she ensured this was also the first time that French players had contested both the womens and mens finals of the prestigious tournament. I will now sit down and watch and cheer Gregory and hope he can win it for France too, Serme said.Gaultier, the second-seeded titleholder from Aix-en-Provence, was due to take on Mohamed El Shorbagy, the top-seeded Egyptian who recently took the number one ranking spot away from the Frenchman.

Golf: McIlroy seals Quail Hollow win

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CHARLOTTE (AFP) - World number one Rory McIlroy fired five birdies in a three-under par 69 to wrap up a record-setting triumph in the US PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship on Sunday.McIlroy, who seized a commanding lead with a stunning course-record 61 on Saturday, finished with a 21-under par total of 267 -- seven strokes in front of Webb Simpson and Patrick Rodgers who shared second on 274.The 26-year-old from Northern Ireland shattered the previous 72-hole tournament record by five strokes as he became the first two-time winner of the event in which he claimed the first of his 11 US PGA Tour titles back in 2010.Simpson started the day four shots behind McIlroy and closed with an even par 72.Rodgers, playing on a sponsors exemption, briefly moved within three strokes of McIlroys lead after an eagle at the 10th and birdie at 11 but faded late in a 68.Gary Woodland, Robert Streb and Phil Mickelson tied for fourth on 12-under 276.

Golf: Morrison secures second title in Spain

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BARCELONA (AFP) - Englands James Morrison secured his second European tour title on Sunday, winning the Spanish Open by four shots.The 30-year-old carded a three-under par fourth round of 69 to finish with a ten-under total of 278, adding this to his previous success in the 2010 Madeira Open.A round of 67 gave defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez a share of second alongside David Howell, Francesco Molinari, and halfway leader Edouard Espana of France on 282.Morrison set himself up for victory with a third round of 68 which left him as joint leader with Howell, who dropped a shot at the sixth. Morrison approached the 18th with the luxury of a three-stroke lead, and closed in style with a birdie.In 2010 he missed out on the title in a play-off and reflected: It feels amazing. Its been five years and I had a lot of chances in between.Today I just drew on my experience and got over the line.Asked how he would celebrate, Morrison added on Sky Sports 4: Ive actually been off the booze this week for the first time in I dont know how long. It has been very hard but again it was part of the plan.Its such a big week next week (the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth), and a home week as I only live 20 minutes away, so Im just going to keep going and try to ride the crest of the wave.While Morrison was a worthy winner, Jimenez -- who aced the eighth hole on Friday -- again provided the final round highlights.The 51-year-old holed his approach for eagle at the fifth and was a foot away from a second hole-in-one at the eighth.

Ice hockey: Canada humble Russia to win world title

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PRAGUE (AFP) - Olympic champions Canada won the ice hockey world championship after sweeping defending champions Russia 6-1 in the final in Prague on Sunday.With a team full of NHL stars, Canada won their first gold since 2007 and the first medal at the worlds since 2009. The 2010 and 2014 Olympic champions have won all 10 games at the tournament, scoring 66 goals and conceding only 15.Canada dominated the final game, pouring 37 shots on Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovski in the Russian goal, while the Russians only managed 12 shots. Canada pushed from the start but scored only in the 19th minute as Dallas wing Cody Eakin tipped in a shot by Buffalo forward Tyler Ennis.Ennis circled the Russian goal two minutes into the second period and took Russian goalie Bobrovski by surprise with a shot between his skate and the post for a 2-0 lead.Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby made it 3-0 on 28 minutes after a pass by Edmonton wing Jordan Eberle from behind the Russian goal found him unguarded in front of it.Philadelphia center Claude Giroux broke away less than a minute later, failed to score but fooled Bobrovski and passed the puck to Dallas young gun Tyler Seguin, who scored into a gaping net for his ninth goal overall which made him the top scorer of the tournament.Crosby set up Giroux for a power-play goal on 49 minutes and Bobrovski failed to tame a wrist shot by Nathan MacKinnon a minute later.Pittsburgh star Evgeni Malkin scored a consolation goal for Russia four minutes later after tipping in a shot by Sergei Mozyakin.Thats why we all came, we came to win, Crosby beamed after the game, clutching the cup.Today we played a great game. All the way through, a great team effort, added Crosby, who has joined the Triple Gold Club of players who have won the Stanley Cup, the Olympics and the world championships.San Jose defenceman Brent Burns said the win was unbelievable.Its the first time winning something big for me and a couple other guys in the room and its a pretty special feeling, he said.Against Russia, we played pretty tight and kept chances to a minimum, added Burns.We did what we had to do, thats what we worked on, playing our game, and we did that for sixty minutes.In contrast, the Russians had trouble finding words to explain the loss.Its hard to say, I dont know. We tried everything, said Washington star Alexander Ovechkin.We cant play like that in the final, we gave them too many chances and theyre a pretty good team so theyre going to use them.St Louis forward Vladimir Tarasenko managed a single sentence, saying: They simply played better, we alone are to blame.Earlier on Sunday, the USA won bronze after beating the Czech Republic 3-0 with goals by Nick Bonino, Trevor Lewis and Charlie Coyle while goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 39 Czech shots.

Peter Sagan wins Tour of California

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PASADENA (AP) - Slovakian Peter Sagan won the Tour of California by three seconds on Sunday with a third-place finish.Britains Mark Cavendish won his fourth stage of the eight-stage event.Sagan, who began the final day trailing former race leader Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quick Step) of France by two seconds, gained four bonus seconds for the third-place finish and a one-second bonus during a mid-race sprint.Cavendish (Etixx-Quick Step), who earned his ninth Tour of California career stage win and 13th victory of the season, completed the 65.3-mile road race from Los Angeles to Pasadena in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 55 seconds.Wouter Wippert (Drapac) of the Netherlands was second in the final stage. Sagan edged American Tyler Farrar (MTN-Qhubeka) by a few inches for third to secure the title.Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Sky) of Colombia finished third overall, 37 seconds behind Sagan.

Athletics: Shanghai flop for sprint queen Fraser-Pryce

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SHANGHAI (AFP) - World and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finished just fifth in the Shanghai Diamond League 100m on Sunday in a setback to her bid for a third straight world title.In the seasons second Diamond League meeting, David Oliver stormed to victory in the 110m hurdles, and Almaz Ayana won the womens 5,000m in a world-leading 14min 14.32sec.Qatars Mutaz Essa Barshim leapt 2.38m to win his high jump battle with Bohdan Bondarenko, and Olympic title-holder Kirani James took out the 400m in a clear statement ahead of the August world championships in Beijing.But Fraser-Pryce suffered a big loss in her first 100m of the season, behind Nigerian winner Blessing Okagbare and Jamaican team-mate Veronica Campbell-Brown, who was fourth.The feeling is OK, said 28-year-old Fraser-Pryce, who now has three months to find form before the world championships. I am looking forward to my next race. What comes, comes.Okagbare, who won the 200m and the long jump at last years meet in Shanghai, was ecstatic at her victory.It is not easy to compete with the best in the world but I won, she said. Shanghai loves me and the track loves me.Watched by recently retired Chinese great Liu Xiang, Americas David Oliver clattered four barriers in the 110m hurdles but still managed to beat a top-class field.The powerful world champion clocked 13.17 to finish two-hundredths ahead of Cubas Orlando Ortega with Aries Merritt, the Olympic champion and world record-holder, third.Although it is a seasons best, I think I can run faster, Americas Oliver said. My main goal is to win Beijing but also to win the Diamond race.In the 5,000m, Ethiopias Ayana ran a stunning race to clock the third best time in history, threatening compatriot Tirunesh Dibabas 2008 world record of 14:11.15.I didnt know I was so close to the world record, she said.During the race, I went faster and faster. I was surprised that my body could do that. Ayana, who led after five laps in Shanghai and broke away not long after the half-way point, said she would make an attempt at the record at the world championships.In the mens 400m, James powered across the finishing line on 44.66 secs, well ahead of Americans Tony McQuay in second and world champion LaShawn Merritt in third.It provided a psychological boost for James as he looks ahead to Beijing, where he will try to reclaim the world title from Merritt, the current holder.It is always a great atmosphere and a great field, he said, following his second successive victory at the Shanghai meet.It was very tough but I am very happy, the Grenadian added.After the meet, Shanghai Stadium bade a fond farewell to local hero Liu, the injury-hit former Olympic champion hurdler who announced his retirement last month.The former 110m world record-holder was clearly emotional and repeatedly paused during a speech in which he thanked his fans and said he had been moved by their support.Liu won Chinas first track and field Olympic gold at the Athens 2004 Olympics, but suffered agonising injury breakdowns at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012.I have been moved by your concern for me, your understanding and your encouragement, said Liu.I am grateful and very honoured, added the 31-year-old, his eyes glazing as he struggled to contain his emotions.

Nine dead, several injured in Texas biker shooting: reports

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Nine people were killed and several wounded Sunday after a shootout between rival biker groups in Waco, Texas, with more gangs threatening to descend on the town after the violence, local media reported.Fighting broke out in a restaurant parking lot between three rival groups, with some members using clubs and knives before pulling guns, according to Sergeant W. Patrick Swanton, speaking to CBS affiliate KWTX.Local news outlets reported that as many as 18 people were wounded, mostly from gunshot and stab wounds, and Swanton told reports that more than 100 weapons were collected from the scene.Waco police said on Facebook that no officers were injured at the deadly Twin Peaks restaurant fight, without immediately providing further details.Multiple injuries to include multiple fatalities at Twin Peak Shooting. Officers were on scene when shooting started. No officers have been injured, the Waco Police Department posted on Facebook. The fighting apparently started inside the restaurant before the gang members moved to the parking lot in the Central Texas Market shopping complex where the shooting broke out around noon (1700 GMT).Police had been dispatched to the scene before guns were pulled, and several police officers were shot at, according to KWTX. The dust-up apparently started at a fist fight, before the suspects pulled knives, chains and then guns, the television network said. The gangs were known to frequent the restaurant, according to the Waco Tribune-Herald, and Swanton told the newspaper the restaurants management had not been cooperative with police until Sunday.Swanton said some witnesses had been moved to a secure location after officials reported evidence that more biker gang members from across the state of Texas were heading to Waco, according to the newspaper. The television station reported that the area was secured by police after the incident, and police warned residents to stay away as armed suspects continued to arrive on scene. We are closing the entire Central Texas Marketplace if you are here leave now. For safety reasons we again assert do not come to this area Waco police said on Facebook.Officers are continuing to arrest individuals coming to the scene with weapons. This is not the time to sight see as we are dealing with very dangerous individuals, it posted.Waco is located in central Texas and has a population of about 129,000 people.The city is best known for a deadly confrontation in 1993 between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and heavily armed members of the Branch Davidian religious group, who torched the building they were holed up in.The 51-day standoff between the sect members and the FBI ended when the Davidians set their building on fire, killing more than 80 people, including children.

Fresh coalition strikes on south Yemen as truce expires

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SANAA (AFP) - Saudi-led coalition air strikes resumed against rebel positions in Yemens south after a five-day ceasefire expired late Sunday, despite a UN envoys calls for an extension of the truce.The humanitarian ceasefire that began late on Tuesday expired at 2000 GMT Sunday with no word from the coalition, which had repeatedly accused the rebels of violations, on where the truce stands.An hour after the deadline, air raids hit the rebel-held presidential palace in main southern city Aden as well as a base of the pro-rebel special forces in the same city, military officials and witnesses said.The raids came despite calls by UN envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed to extend the ceasefire.I call on all parties to renew their commitment to this truce for five more days at least, Ould Cheikh Ahmed said earlier in Riyadh.This humanitarian truce should turn into a permanent ceasefire.His appeal followed clashes between rebels and pro-government forces across south Yemen on Saturday despite the truce, which has largely held since starting on Tuesday at 2000 GMT.The official Saudi Press Agency reported that the UN envoy met Saudi chief of staff Lieutenant General Abdulrahman bin Saleh al-Bunyan and discussed humanitarian aid efforts in Yemen.Aid groups have called for a lasting truce in the impoverished country, where a Saudi-led regional coalition has waged an air war on Iran-backed Huthis and their allies since late March.Yemeni political parties began talks Sunday in the Saudi capital aimed at finding a solution to the crisis.But the Huthis stayed away from the meeting of some 400 delegates including President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who has taken refuge in Riyadh.Hadi repeated accusations that the rebels had staged a coup.We are trying to regain our nation from militias backed by external forces, he said in a reference to Iran, which has denied arming the rebels.An Iranian aid ship bound for Yemen in defiance of US warnings has entered the Gulf of Aden and is expected to dock on Thursday, media in Tehran reported.Its mission has been overshadowed by US calls for it to head to a UN emergency relief hub in Djibouti instead of the Yemeni port of Hodeida.Clashes raged overnight Saturday in the central city of Taez between Huthis -- supported by troops loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh -- and pro-Hadi forces.The rebels, who seized Sanaa in September and have since swept across many other regions, bombed a village south of Taez, killing 14 civilians, a local official said.Sporadic clashes also continued in Aden, the scene of fierce fighting since rebels advanced on the southern port in late March after Hadi took refuge there.Aden health chief Al-Khader Laswar said four people were killed in clashes Sunday and 39 were wounded, among them two children and four women.Laswar has said that 517 civilians and pro-Hadi fighters have been killed there in the past 50 days. The toll includes 76 women and children, he said.Quoted by the government news agency Sabanew.net, Laswar said he could not provide a toll for the rebels.He added that 3,461 people were wounded, and said most Aden hospitals were currently out of service as most medics have fled.The United Nations has expressed deep concern about the civilian death toll from the Saudi-led bombing as well as the humanitarian impact of an air and sea blockade imposed by the coalition.It says more than 1,600 people have died in the conflict since late March.Some aid has trickled in since the pause in fighting, but residents of areas where clashes persist complain that they lack the most basic supplies.The UN childrens agency (UNICEF) said in a statement it was distributing critical humanitarian aid for hundreds of thousands of children and affected civilians across Yemen.In the past four days of the pause, UNICEF has prepositioned supplies in health offices and centres which will provide primary health care to over 24,000 people and treat 3,500 severely malnourished children, it said.But in the south, distribution and services have been slow as a result of the continuing violence.Sanaa residents echoed calls for a ceasefire extension.We dont care about food or water as much as we need security. We hope that this truce becomes permanent, said Umm Hisham.But in the southern city of Daleh, people said the rebels exploited the truce.The Huthi militia exploited the ceasefire to bomb citizens... We want coalition forces to resume attacks on these militia, said Ali al-Assmar. We are not benefiting from the truce. The humanitarian aid for Daleh was confiscated by Huthis and Saleh forces, he said.The Huthis are boycotting the three-day meeting in Riyadh, insisting that the talks be held in Yemen instead.However, Yemens Vice-President Khaled Bahah told AFP that he expected the Huthis would attend future talks, and several representatives of Salehs General Peoples Congress party did attend.
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