Saturday 23 May 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Israeli Arabs rally against Morsi death sentence

Posted:

KUFR KANA, Israel, May 23, 2015 (AFP) - Thousands of Arabs marched in northern Israel on Saturday to protest against the death sentence issued in Egypt against ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.Organisers said 5,000 people took part in the demonstration led by Sheikh Raed Salah, a firebrand preacher who heads the Islamist Movements radical northern wing.They marched through the Galilee village of Kufr Kana, bearing signs that read Cut the rope of penalty and chanting We wont rest till the murderer Sisi is executed.Morsi, who hails from the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, was ousted from power in July 2013 by then army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.The Islamist, whose rule lasted just one year, was among more than 100 defendants sentenced to death on May 16 for their role in a mass jailbreak during the 2011 uprising.The Islamic Movement is tolerated in Israel but is under constant surveillance because of its perceived links with the militant Hamas movement, as well as with other Muslim groups worldwide.Saturdays rally ended without incident.

RugbyU: Beauxis costs Bordeaux, Bayonne suffer drop agony

Posted:

PARIS (AFP) - Former France fly-half Lionel Beauxiss miss with the last kick of the match cost his side Bordeaux-Begles a place in the Top 14 play-offs on Saturday as they lost a thrilling encounter against 14 man Toulouse 23-22.The 29-year-old -- the first choice France kicker at the 2007 World Cup -- put his head in his hands in disbelief as he sent a relatively straightforward kick wide.The match was a battle between two of the leading candidates to succeed Philippe Saint-Andre Toulouse as France coach after the World Cup - veteran handler Guy Noves and Bordeaux former France captain Raphael Ibanez.Ive known some great moments and some cruel ones and this is certainly one of the latter, said Ibanez.Bordeaux misery saw Oyonnax take their place in the play-offs by a point despite a 46-17 thrashing by defending champions Toulon which saw them take their try tally at home this season to over 50.Racing-Metro too sealed their place in the top six putting an end to a run of four successive defeats with a 53-10 humbling of a sorry Castres side that only ensured it didnt suffer the humiliation of relegation, just two years after being crowned champions, last week.Racing will play Paris rivals Stade Francais in the play-offs next Friday while Oyonnax are away at Toulouse on Saturday -- Toulon will play the winner of the former while Clermont whill host the winners of the latter.Bordeaux upset, though, was nothing compared to the tears that flowed at Bayonne as the Basque club did everything in its power to extend its elite status to 12 years but not even a bonus point 45-12 win over La Rochelle was sufficient.This is very diifficult for the region, said coach Nicolas Morlaes referring to the Basque region which saw Biarritz relegated last season and who failed to regain their Top 14 place this term.Scoring 45 points against a good side like La Rochelle is a superb performance but in the end it counts for nothing.I am very disappointed, very dejected.Bayonne slipped out because Brive came up with an unexpectedly strong performance at home to an abject Stade Francais outfit, who came unlike La Rochelle with something to play for in trying to secure a top two spot and direct entry into the play-off semi-finals.However, Stade played more like the relegation-threatened side as Brive turned them inside out sending their fans into ecstasy in the second-half as they ensured they got the bonus point win they required to stay up.First Fijian Malakai Bakaniceva, who had only just come onto the pitch, burst clear of a despairing Stade defence and over the line, though, in a nerve jangling moment he all but lost control of the ball before recovering it to touch down.Stade were all over the place and Brive fans unconfined joy knew no bounds as fly-half Riaan Swanepoel intercepted a Stade pass on the halfway line and ran it back to score their fourth try which Gaetan Germain converted for 27-0.Weve had a complicated season, admitted Brive player Jean-Baptiste Pejoine.Always looking at the others results to see how we were placed is very tiring and stressful.We had a lot of pressure on us in this match but we used it to our advantage.Grenoble also toyed with the drop till the dying minutes but just maintained their status with a defensive bonus point in a 29-24 defeat by already relegated Lyon for whom former France captain Lionel Nallet received a special welcome as he bowed out after 18 years at the top level.Its bad for the heart and bad for the constitution, said Grenoble kicker Jonathan Wisniewski, who ended up as the leading points scorer in the Top 14.Ive been in the play-offs before (Racing-Metro) but this is worse for the nerves. We knew what was going on when we were out there and we played like that, far too tensde and nervous. However, were staying up and we have several good years ahead of us.

Libyans arrest 600 Europe-bound illegal migrants

Posted:

TRIPOLI (AFP) - Libyan authorities on Saturday arrested about 600 illegal migrants from African countries who were planning to sail to Europe, a coastguard official said.The migrants were rounded up during a huge crackdown in the Tripoli region during which telecommunications equipment was also seized, the official told AFP.Hundreds of those who had been rounded up were seen sitting on the ground outside a detention centre in Tripoli, as authorities distributed food and drink.Libya has a coastline of 1,770 kilometres (more than 1,000 miles) and has long been a stepping stone for Africans seeking a better life in Europe.Most head for the Italian island of Lampedusa which lies some 300 kilometres (185 miles) from Libyan shores.People smugglers, who have operated in Libya for years, have increased their lucrative trade, feeding on the political divisions and lawlessness that has gripped the country since the end of the 2011 uprising.Libya has now two governments and parliaments vying for power and armed militias battling for its oil wealth.The Tripoli government, which is not recognised by the international community, has stepped up in recent weeks arrests of illegal migrants.Last Sunday, officials linked to the Tripoli government announced the arrest of 400 illegal migrants on the same day of the launch of an operation targeting people smugglers.

Football: Bayern will return stronger, vows Guardiola

Posted:

BERLIN (AFP) - Pep Guardiola has vowed Bayern Munich will return stronger next season after they were crowned German league champions for the third year running on Saturday.The Bavarian giants ended their three-match losing streak in the Bundesliga with a 2-0 win over Mainz to win their 25th Bundesliga title on the last day of the league season.A Robert Lewandowski penalty and Bastian Schweinsteiger goal saw Bayern bounce back after defeats by Leverkusen, Augsburg and Freiburg since their league title was confirmed at the end of April with four games left.Injuries denied Guardiola the likes of left-back David Alaba, plus wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery in the key final stages of the season as Bayern were knocked out of both the German Cup and Champions League in the semi-finals.The Bavarians are set to strengthen their squad over the summer and Guardiola has promised changes as they hunt a fourth straight Bundesliga title.Next season we will come back stronger and satisfy the fans with the way we play, that is my target, insisted the Spaniard who has won five titles in two seasons at Bayern with one year left on his contract.Im hoping for the best possible squad. Now we go forward.There were plenty of customary beer showers on the pitch as Bayern players hunted victims over which to pour huge glasses of frothing liquid after the final whistle.Weve done really well to defend our title this season despite a lot of injuries and well celebrate tonight, said Germany defender Jerome Boateng, with Bayern set to party with their fans on Sunday in the city centre.Having been soaked with beer by Boateng for the second year running, Guardiola said he had no problems with the boisterous celebrations.Its part of the tradition and I like it, beamed the Spaniard.Poland striker Lewandowski converted a 25th minute penalty after a handball by Mainz defender Nico Bungert.Germany captain Schweinsteiger scored their second just after the break to secure the win to kick-off celebrations in Munich as Guardiolas side was presented with the trophy at the Allianz Arena.Just because we have dominated in the last few years, its not a given we will win the title every year, said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, who has won seven German league titles in his career.Its always something special to stand up on the pitch and lift the trophy after 34 matches. It will never be just routine.

US 'deeply troubled' by Russia's NGO law

Posted:

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States said Saturday it was deeply troubled after Russian President Vladimir Putin officially enacted a controversial law banning what Moscow deems to be undesirable non-governmental organizations.Under the highly controversial law, passed by the Russian parliament this week, authorities can ban foreign NGOs and go after their employees, who risk up to six years in prison or being barred from the country.The move has been widely condemned by human rights groups, and critics have said that the vague wording of the law could also allow officials to target foreign businesses working in Russia.We are concerned this new power will further restrict the work of civil society in Russia and is a further example of the Russian governments growing crackdown on independent voices and intentional steps to isolate the Russian people from the world, State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said.We continue to be concerned about increasing restrictions on independent media, civil society, members of minority groups and the political opposition, she added in a statement that is likely to be dismissed with disdain by the Kremlin.Russians, like people everywhere, deserve a government that supports an open marketplace of ideas, transparent and accountable governance, equal treatment under the law and the ability to exercise their rights without fear of retribution.

Tennis: Federer brings curtain up on French Open

Posted:

PARIS (AFP) - Roger Federer begins his 62nd consecutive Grand Slam tournament at the French Open on Sunday against a man who once almost condemned him to his worst loss at a major.The second seeded Swiss takes centre stage on the opening day of Roland Garros when he faces Alejandro Falla of Colombia.Falla, who only squeezed into the main draw as a lucky loser from qualifying, famously led Federer by two sets to love in the first round at Wimbledon in 2010 before the great Swiss fought back to win in five.Left-handed Colombian Falla is ranked 111 in the world, having been as high as 48 just two years ago, and made the fourth round in Paris in 2011.Federer, the 2009 champion, is seeded second this year and is desperate to make the most of a kind draw which dumped top seed Novak Djokovic, nine-time champion Rafael Nadal and third seed Andy Murray all in the opposite half.As a result, the 33-year-old can only face one of his main rivals for the title in the June 7 final and not before.I was good enough to make the finals on many occasions, so I feel like I know that I have done well here in previous years, said Federer.I hope that that can help me a little bit. Im playing good tennis, and if I do string it all together, it could be a successful tournament.Federer, who has a 7-0 career record against Falla, is seeded to meet compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the quarter-finals.The eighth-seeded 2014 Australian Open champion starts his campaign also on Sunday against Turkeys world number 82 Marsel Ilhan.Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori is also in action on Sunday against Paul-Henri Mathieu, the 33-year-old Frenchman, now ranked at 123 and who has won just one tour match all year.Nishikori has yet to get beyond the fourth round in Paris but retained his claycourt title in Barcelona this year as well as making the semi-finals in Madrid.He also has the added benefit of 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang as coach.In the womens draw, last years runner-up Simona Halep, seeded three, gets play underway on the main Philippe Chatrier court against Evgeniya Rodina, the world number 91 from Russia who has never won a main draw match in Paris.Serbian seventh seed Ana Ivanovic, the 2008 champion, starts her campaign against Kazakhstans Yaroslava Shvedova, a quarter-finalist in 2010 and 2012.In other standout matches on the first day, Ernests Gulbis, who knocked Federer out of the competition last year on his way to the semi-finals, faces Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands.Gulbis has just two wins all year to his name.French 14th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a semi-finalist in 2013, takes on Swedish qualifier Christian Lindell, the world number 200 who is making his Grand Slam debut.

Football: Karanka awed by Middlesbrough's promotion showdown

Posted:

LONDON (AFP) - Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka finds it almost impossible to believe he will be taking part in the worlds most lucrative match when his side face Norwich for a place in the Premier League on Monday.When Karanka replaced Tony Mowbray at the Riverside Stadium in November 2013, Middlesbrough were languishing in the lower reaches of the second tier and facing a relegation battle.The 41-year-old Spaniard, who worked as Jose Mourinhos assistant at Real Madrid, was concerned about the size of the task facing him in a country and league he had never experienced before.But, in his first managerial role, Karanka has proved a quick learner, transforming Middlesbroughs fortunes so completely that they will return to the top-flight after a six-year absence if they win the play-off final against Norwich at Wembley.I think its amazing for everybody, especially for me, said Karanka, who won the Champions League three times as a Real Madrid player.I came here 18 months ago and I couldnt imagine at that time we would be playing at Wembley.Were going there because the players have had an amazing season and have done an amazing job every single day.For this reason they deserve to be at Wembley.Promotion to the Premier League is worth an estimated GBP 120 million ($185 million) to Middlesbrough, while Norwich would stand to profit by around GBP 80 million due to the loss of parachute payments in the Championship.But for Karanka, the financial rewards on offer pale in comparison to the prospect of pitting his wits against the Premier Leagues top managers, including Mourinho, who has been giving advice to his old friend and helped his promotion challenge by loaning Chelseas talented young striker Patrick Bamford.Significant threatHowever, despite beating Norwich twice this season, Middlesbrough finished one place below the Canaries and Karanka knows Alex Neils team pose a significant threat to his promotion dream.The main thing is not to celebrate, because we havent achieved anything at this moment, he said.We need to know how beautiful this moment is for everybody.But again we have to play the final, because if we lose the game, on Tuesday everyones going to be upset.Karankas caution is understandable given Norwich, bidding for a quick return to the top-flight after last years relegation, have won 16 of their 24 games since Neil was hired from Scottish club Hamilton to replace the sacked Neil Adams.The 33-year-old Scot guided Hamilton to the Scottish Premiership with a play-off success against Hibernian last season and he hopes the experience he gleaned from that victory can help Norwich achieve the same feat south of the border.I think its very similar, Neil said. How much it means to me, how much it meant to the set of players I had at Hamilton, the set of players I have at Norwich.Although the stakes are different, in terms of financially and things like that, ultimately the rewards the same - getting promoted into the highest division in that country.It means a huge amount, as it did last year, and its something Im really looking forward to.

Britain's opposition to back EU referendum bill

Posted:

LONDON (AFP) - Britains centre-left opposition Labour party will support Prime Minister David Camerons proposal for a referendum on European Union membership but will make the case to stay, party leaders told the Sunday Times.The British people want to have a say on the UKs membership of the European Union, the partys acting leader Harriet Harman and foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn were quoted by the paper as saying.Labour will therefore now support the EU referendum bill, they said, adding that they wanted reform in Europe -- on benefits and the way the EU works.The Labour party doesnt want to see the UK stumble inadvertently towards EU exit. We will make the case for our continued membership, they said.Cameron has called for a referendum to be held by 2017 and the plan is due to be unveiled on Wednesday when Queen Elizabeth II delivers a speech in parliament outlining the new governments legislative programme.The prime minister has said he will support continued membership as long as he can negotiate a series of reforms, including limiting access to Britains welfare system for migrants from other EU countries.The British leader is starting out on a new five year term after a general election earlier this month that handed his centre-right Conservative Party a majority.During the election campaign, Labour had opposed the holding of a referendum on EU membership, warning of the economic uncertainty that it could generate.

Fresh air strikes and ground fighting in Yemen

Posted:

SANAA (AFP) - Saudi-led warplanes launched a fresh wave of air strikes across Yemen on Saturday targeting Iran-backed rebels as fighting raged on the ground in the south of the country, witnesses said.The air raids pounded arms depots under the control of the Huthi rebels in the locality of Ghula, in Omran province north of Sanaa, residents said.They followed similar bombardments of weapons storage facilities in the capital that sparked deadly explosions, and strikes on the Dhabwa military base, which is currently under rebel control.In the western province of Hodeida, a military airport was twice bombed by coalition warplanes, according to residents.The Arab coalition has stepped up raids on positions held by the Huthis and their allies since a humanitarian ceasefire ended late on Tuesday.At Hajja in the north of the country, a gathering of Huthis was struck, killing at least 12 of the fighters, witnesses reported.Air strikes also attacked rebel positions in Dhamar, officials there said, while tank and mortar fire sounded across some sectors of the central region where heavy fighting took place, according to tribal sources.In southern Yemen, warplanes targeted rebels locked in combat with tribesmen in Ataq, the capital of Shabwa province, military officials said.The fighting killed at least 28 people, including 17 Huthis and 11 tribesmen, the sources said.In Aden, clashes raged in the north, east and west of the port city between rebels and fighters loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, military sources said.The Saudi-led coalition launched the air campaign against the Huthis on March 26 after the rebels seized the capital and advanced on Hadis stronghold of Aden, forcing him to flee to Riyadh.The United Nations, which plans to hold a conference on Yemen in Geneva next week, says the violence has killed more than 1,000 people and displaced close to half a million more.

Football: Allegri warns over 'deadly' Barca

Posted:

TURIN (AFP) - Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has warned against the deadly ball-passing of Barcelona as the Italian champions turn their focus to the Champions League final following their final home game of the season on Saturday.The Turin giants welcomed Napoli to Juventus Stadium and after overwhelming Rafael Benitezs visitors 3-1, offered fans a tickertape celebration three days after securing their first double since 1995 with a 2-1 Cup final victory over Lazio.Juventus now turn their attention to preparing as best they can for the formidable challenge of beating Barcelona in the final of Europes premier club competition in Berlin on June 6.The Spanish giants start as automatic favourites, and although Allegri has been cautious over Juves chances the 48-year-old said the Italians are mentally prepared for the challenge.Weve won the league and Cup so well be going to the (Champions League) final in the right frame of mind, although you only win games out on the pitch, never before, said Allegri.Allegri also led AC Milan to their last league title, in 2011, in his first season in charge of the club but saw the Rossoneri exit the Champions League in the last 16 at the hands of Barcelona, 4-2 on aggregate, in 2013.Facing Luis Enriques men in the final in two weeks time will be a challenge made more difficult by the the unpredictable Lionel Messi and the teams deadly ball-passing.When Messi takes the ball hes always unpredicatable, added Allegri. Playing Barcelona is always difficult, we have to be really good because their ball-passing is deadly.Defensively, we need to play flawlessly.Juventuss league triumph several weeks ago, however, has allowed the champions the perfect run-in to Berlin.Napoli travelled to Turin looking for a win that would maintain their hopes of a top three finish and a possible place in next seasons Champions League.But the carrot of beating what was effectively a second-string Juventus side failed to tempt Napoli, who following a bright start quickly looked out of their depth.In the end, the visitors finished with ten men after Miguel Britos saw red for headbutting striker Alvaro Morata, who partnered Kingsley Coman up front as Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez were both rested alongside Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and three of Juves habitual four-man defence.As Benitez and his team continued to boycott media, Allegri said his players performance had given him reassurances ahead of meeting Barcelona.The lads are in good condition and played well, especially after the interval. They could have been a bit less fanciful, but Im not going to blame them for that, said Allegri.Juventus opened the scoring through Roberto Pereyra on 13 minutes and despite David Lopez levelling for the visitors when he smashed home the rebound after Gianluigi Buffon saved a penalty from Lorenzo Insigne, Juventus were unstoppable.Stefano Sturaro scored a great individual goal to restore Juves lead on 77 minutes and at the death Napoli self-imploded.Britos saw red for a clear headbutt on Morata in the area, and second-half substitute Simone Pepe stepped up to smash the resulting penalty past Mariano Andujar.Napolis defeat means Lazio, who sit three points ahead in third place, now require only a point from the city derby against Roma on Monday to make sure of at least a third place finish to claim the leagues final Champions League spot.Even if the Azzurri upset predictions and finish among the top three, Benitez already looks to have planned his future elsewhere.The Spaniard is rumoured to have already agreed in principle to take over at Real Madrid after Carlo Ancelottis failure to lead the 10-time European champions into the Champions League final following an aggregate defeat to Juve.

US cop acquitted in shooting death of unarmed black couple

Posted:

CLEVELAND (AFP) - A white Cleveland police officer who climbed onto the hood of a car and fired several rounds at an unarmed black couple in 2012 was acquitted of voluntary manslaughter Saturday.The verdict comes amid widespread tensions in the United States over police treatment of blacks, following the deaths of a number of African Americans at the hands of law enforcement.Just a month ago, riots erupted in Baltimore over the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. Six officers have been charged.Cleveland patrolman Michael Brelo, 31, was one of 13 officers who opened fire on Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams during a police chase on November 29, 2012.The couples car had backfired as it drove past Cleveland police headquarters, and police thought the sound was a gunshot.A total of 137 rounds were fired at the car, including 49 by Brelo. He shot the final 15 from the hood of Russells Chevrolet Malibu.Judge John ODonnell found Brelo not guilty on the two charges of voluntary manslaughter and also acquitted him of felonious assault.Brelo had requested to have a judge hear his case, and not a jury.ODonnell said Brelo fired two shots that could have killed Williams and one shot that could have killed Russell, but the evidence did not meet the standard for voluntary manslaughter.Proof of voluntary manslaughter requires finding beyond a reasonable doubt, the judge said.Brelo broke down in tears after the verdict was read out.No justice, no peaceProsecutors had argued that Brelos final 15 shots from the hood of the car were unjustified because the pair was no longer able to flee the scene and therefore no longer posed a danger.But defense lawyers argued that Brelo reasonably feared for his life.Brelos lawyer Pat DAngelo hailed the verdict, saying his client had withstood threats and intimidation from prosecutors during the month-long trial.We stood tall, we stood firm. We didnt do anything illegal, DAngelo said.Small protests erupted in the midwestern US city after the verdict, with some demonstrators chanting No justice, no peace outside the courthouse.Im going to tell you all something right now -- we have no justice, Renee Robinson, Williams cousin, told AFP.Brelo remains suspended without pay, Cleveland police chief Calvin Williams told reporters.City mayor Frank Jackson said an investigation into the other officers involved was ongoing.Now that the criminal court case has been concluded, the disciplinary process will resume for the remaining 14 officers that were involved either in the chase or the shooting, Jackson told reporters.To date, we have disciplined officers in a range from termination, demotion and suspension without pay.The US Justice Department said it was monitoring the case and said it could yet take action.We will continue our assessment, review all available legal options and will collaboratively determine what, if any, additional steps are available and appropriate, said Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Departments civil rights division.The case comes in the same city where Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old black boy carrying a toy gun, was fatally shot by a white police officer in November on a playground, in an incident caught on surveillance video that shocked many Americans.ODonnell acknowledged that the United States is grappling with recent incidents of alleged police brutality and racial profiling.He however cautioned that no single case could resolve the problem.The suspicion and hostility between the police and the people wont be extirpated by a verdict in a single criminal case, ODonnell said.

Thousands worldwide march against Monsanto and GM crops

Posted:

PARIS (AFP) - From Paris to Ouagadougou, thousands of people took to the streets Saturday to protest against the American biotechnology giant Monsanto and its genetically modified crops and pesticides.The third annual March Against Monsanto was being held in upwards of 400 cities in more than 40 countries.About 2,500 people staged anti-Monsanto protests in the Swiss cities of Basel and Morgues, where the company has its headquarters for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.Up to 3,000 protesters rallied by environmental organisations including Greenpeace and anti-capitalist group Stop Tafta gathered in Paris, with Monsantos market-leading herbicide Roundup the main targets of protesters anger.The controversial products main ingredient was recently classified as probably carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organization. Looking for mass suicide? Go for Roundup, read one placard at another French protest in the western city of Rennes.Halfway around the planet in Burkina Faso, around 500 marched against the US giant which introduced GM cotton into the west African country in 2003.Demonstrators demanded a 10-year moratorium on the planting of Monsanto seeds so independent research can be conducted into the effects of the technology.Up to 1,000 anti-Monsanto activists gathered in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg as the sun was setting for a minutes silence in homage to the existing and future victims poisoned by pesticides, according to the organisers.The worldwide March Against Monsanto was begun in 2013 by the Occupy movement.

Football: Valencia claim Champions League place, Eibar, Almeria relegated

Posted:

MADRID (AFP) - Valencia sealed their place in next seasons Champions League as Eibar and Almeria were relegated on a dramatic final day of the La Liga season.Deportivo La Coruna came back from 2-0 down away at champions Barcelona to spoil a homage to Xavi Hernandez at the Camp Nou and stay up with a 2-2 draw along with Granada who held Atletico Madrid 0-0 at home.That point was enough to ensure Atletico go straight into next seasons Champions League group stages in third, whilst Valencia twice came from behind to win 3-2 at Almeria and secure fourth.Eibars remarkable first season in the top flight didnt have fairy tale ending as they were relegated despite just a second win in 20 matches 3-0 at home to Cordoba due to their inferior head-to-head record with Deportivo and Granada.Athletic Bilbao also secured European football for next season in the Europa League thanks to a 4-0 thrashing of Villarreal.Xavi was making his 505th and final Liga appearance after announcing he will join Al Sadd at the end of the season after Barca face Athletic Bilbao and Juventus in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals respectively.I am the happiest man in the world today and for the 17 season I have been here, he told the crowd after fighting back tears.As the coach has said this hasnt finished. We want two more titles and we want to be here with you all again in Barcelona on June 7 (after the Champions League final).Barca looked set to save Eibar for much of the day Lionel Messi headed home Rafinhas cross to give the hosts the lead after just five minutes.The Catalans dominated for large swaths of the game and looked to have sealed the Galicians fate when Neymar unselfishly squared for Messi to make it 2-0 on the hour mark.However, Lucas Perez gave Deportivo hope with a stunning strike into the top corner seven minutes later and Salomao struck 14 minutes from time to cap a remarkable fightback.Granada also secured their top flight status for a fifth consecutive season as they and Atletico played out a bore 0-0 draw that suited both parties.Valencias hopes of a return to the Champions League were given an almighty fright by Almeria as they twice went in front in the first-half.Thomas Parteys free-kick sneaked past Diego Alves at his near post after nine minutes, but, as so often this season, Nicolas Otamendi came to Valencias rescue with a powerful header to equalise.Jonathan Soriano put Almeria back in front and then missed a huge chance to make it 3-1 moments later.The visitors responded once more before half-time as Sofiane Feghouli tapped home from close range and, with both teams chasing the winner, Paco Alcacer coolly slotted past Ruben Martinez 11 minutes from time.Valencias victory rendered Sevillas 3-2 win at Malaga meaningless as they finished a point back in fifth. However, the Andalusians can still qualify for next seasons Champions League should they retain the Europa League against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on Wednesday.

One-sided death toll in Mexico gunfight raises doubts

Posted:

TANHUATO DE GUERRERO (AFP) - One police officer dead, 42 criminal suspects killed: Mexicos government says good training and equipment explains the one-sided death toll after one of the bloodiest battles in the nearly decade-long drug war.But experts are raising questions about what really happened at the El Sol ranch in western Mexico on Friday, nearly a year after soldiers were accused of executing gang suspects following a similarly lopsided shootout.Fridays gunfight with suspected henchmen of the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel occurred in a region considered a bastion of the gang, which has killed 28 police officers and soldiers since March.Authorities say a three-hour firefight erupted after federal forces launched an operation against suspects occupying the vast property in Tanhuato, Michoacan state, near the border with Jalisco.It was a very uneven fight. A battle where 42 die on one side and only one on the other is not a battle, Raul Benitez Manaut, a security expert at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, told AFP, saying the gang appeared to have offered no resistance.The ranch, surrounded by corn and sugarcane fields, was sealed off on Saturday, with hundreds of police and troops guarding the area while investigators combed the property.Local media published pictures of bodies lying in fields next to assault rifles. Some were shirtless or without shoes.Several escaped that way toward the hills, a state investigator told AFP, adding that the ranch was used as a hideout by the gang and that the owners whereabouts are a mystery.Officials detained three suspects and seized 39 guns of various calibers, a rocket launcher and a number of cartridges.A lot of details are missing. We dont know how many people participated in the police and military operation. We dont know if the helicopter was armed, Alejandro Hope, a former intelligence agency official, told AFP.There are still a lot of doubts. The number of weapons seized doesnt match the number of dead and detained.Rights probeBut National Security commissioner Monte Alejandro Rubido said the authorities avoided more casualties thanks to the training and equipment of federal forces that participated in the actions.The Jalisco cartel has turned into a fierce challenge for President Enrique Pena Nietos administration, which is battling to contain violence in various parts of Mexico.The powerful group launched a series of attacks against security forces since March, downing a military helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade on May 1.Fridays clash began when federal forces spotted a carload of gunmen, who opened fire and fled into the ranch, Rubido said.The fight inside the 112-hectare (276-acre) ranch was complicated as suspects fled into agricultural fields, he said.A helicopter backed the security forces, but Rubido did not say if the aircraft used weapons or how many troops and police were involved in the fight.Officials from the Michoacan state and national human rights commissions were at the ranch to investigate what happened.Cartel fightback?Hope said the burden of proof was on the authorities.They have to demonstrate that this was not another Tlatlaya, he said, referring to the municipality in central Mexico where soldiers killed 22 gang suspects in June 2014 in what officials initially described as a shootout.Only one soldier was wounded. Prosecutors later charged three soldiers with murdering eight of the suspects after they surrendered.But other experts said the explanation behind the uneven death toll in Tanhuato was plausible.The federal forces are highly trained and, as a consequence, you can produce this type of result, said Samuel Gonzalez, a former anti-drug prosecutor. The element of surprise was one of the factors.Analysts say authorities must watch carefully how the cartel reacts.There appears to be an order to destroy the cartel before it can consolidate, the security expert Benitez Manaut said.A very tough reaction from the cartel cannot be ruled out.

Football: Juve parade silverware, Napoli in Champions League limbo

Posted:

TURIN (AFP) - League and Cup winners Juventus paraded their double haul of trophies in Turin on their way to a 3-1 win over Napoli Saturday which left Rafael Benitezs men walking a Champions League qualifying tightrope.Juventus outclassed Lazio 2-1 in the Cup final on Wednesday to secure their first double since 1995 and with two weeks to go until their Champions League final have already turned their attention towards beating Barcelona in Berlin.Coach Massimiliano Allegri rested defenders Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Patrice Evra, midfielders Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo as well as strikers Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente for the champions final home game of the season.Napoli travelled to Turin looking for a win that would maintain their hopes of a top three finish and a possible place in next seasons Champions League.But the carrot of beating what was effectively a second-string Juventus side failed to tempt Napoli, who following a bright start quickly looked out of their depth.In the end, the visitors finished with ten men after Miguel Britos saw red for headbutting striker Alvaro Morata.As Benitez and his team continued to boycott media, Allegri said his players performance had given him reassurances about their potential for Berlin.The lads are in good condition and played well, especially after the interval. They could have been a bit less fanciful, but Im not going to blame them for that, said Allegri.Heading into the final, were in a pretty good place. But you only win games on the pitch, not before.Juventus opened the scoring through Roberto Pereyra on 13 minutes and despite David Lopez levelling for the visitors when he smashed home the rebound after Gianluigi Buffon saved a penalty from Lorenzo Insigne, Juventus were unstoppable.Stefano Sturaro scored a great individual goal to restore Juves lead on 77 minutes and at the death Napoli self-imploded.Britos saw red for a clear headbutt on Morata in the area, and second-half substitute Simone Pepe stepped up to smash the resulting penalty past Mariano Andujar.Napolis defeat means Lazio, who sit three points ahead in third place, now require only a point from the city derby against Roma on Monday to make sure of at least a third place finish to claim the leagues final Champions League spot.Even if the Azzurri upset predictions and finish among the top three, Benitez already looks to have planned his future elsewhere.The Spaniard is rumoured to have already agreed in principle to take over at Real Madrid after Carlo Ancelottis failure to lead the 10-time European champions into the Champions League final following an aggregate defeat to Juve.On their penultimate game of the season, Benitezs players looked like they had their heads elsewhere too.Belgian international Dries Mertens looked dangerous in the opening exchanges and tested Gianluigi Buffon twice before Juventus found their rhythm and stamped their mark on the game.It took only 13 minutes for Juve to open their account, Pereyra smashing the ball past Mariano Andujar after being sent thorough by Kevin Comans delightfully-weighted chip.Gonzalo Higuain, who like Benitez is being rumoured to be on his way out of the club, did little with his first-half chances and was replaced at half-time by Manolo Gabbiadini.Allegri had given Kwadwo Asamoah his first start in several months and shortly after the restart the Ghana international displayed speed and impressive ball control on his way to sending his drive from distance just over.Paul Pogba and then Morata saw drives from distance saved by Andujar but Napoli upped the tempo late in the second half to give the hosts a scare.In the final minute of regulation time Buffon produced a great reflex save on his line to stop Gabbiadinis glancing header from Jose Callejons cross.That was the visitors last real chance, and tensions boiled over in stoppage time when Britos was sent off after clearly headbutting Morata and leaving the Spaniard on the ground.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)