Saturday 8 August 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Football: Team allowed to score unopposed goal

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LONDON (AFP) - Doncaster Rovers allowed Bury to walk in an equalising goal in their English third-tier match on Saturday after they had unintentionally taken the lead themselves.Harry Forresters attempt to throw the ball back into play ended in a freak goal when it bounced over visiting keeper Christian Walton who had originally kicked the ball into touch following an injury.But with time ticking away in injury-time at the end of the match, Doncaster manager Paul Dickov told his players to allow Leon Clarke to stroll half the length of the pitch unchallenged to score the equaliser.I didnt really think twice about allowing them to equalise. It just wouldnt have been right for us to take three points in the circumstances, said Dickov.Bury manager David Flitcroft hailed his opposite number.Ive got the ultimate respect for Paul Dickov. He tried to get the referee to award a foul throw initially but then hes allowed us to score from the restart.Paul put football into a good place with his sportsmanship today because if you lose morality the game has no substance for me.

Football: Van Gaal hopeful De Gea will stay at Man Utd

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes goalkeeper David de Gea may yet play for the club again despite being dropped for their opening-day Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur.Spain international De Gea was not included in Uniteds squad for Saturdays 1-0 win at Old Trafford and watched from the directors box after Van Gaal decided he was not sufficiently focused amid ongoing speculation about a transfer to Real Madrid.Van Gaal instead put his faith in Sergio Romero, who joined United on a free transfer in the close season after his release from Sampdoria, and he made a number of vital saves on his debut as United kept a clean sheet.However, Van Gaal dismissed suggestions that De Gea had played his last game for the club and revealed that the 24-year-old had agreed that he was not in the right frame of mind to feature against Spurs.Can he (De Gea) play for United again? Of course, said the Dutchman. The position of the goalkeeper is a position especially that you needed the highest concentration and the highest focus during 90 minutes.And when you are in circumstances where David de Gea is, it is difficult to cope with that. And we have seen that.We have observed in the preparation, in the matches against PSG and Barcelona. And that was not the David de Gea -- and he felt the same -- as last year.Van Gaal hinted that he may not pick De Gea until the transfer window closes at the start of next month and praised Argentina international Romero for his impressive debut performance.Of course when the situation has been cleared after September 1 we will look again, Van Gaal said. But Im happy Sergio did well.Sergio saved us twice, so thats also good. Sergio trained only two days with his fellow players and you always train with the group who will play to intensify the cooperation between players.So it was logical that his understanding was not so good. But the important thing is he stops the balls and he did that.Spurs finished freshUnited handed debuts to five of their close-season signings, but the overall performance against Tottenham was unconvincing and they required an own goal from Kyle Walker to secure victory.In addition to Romero, forward Memphis Depay, midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and right-back Matteo Darmian all started, while German midfield star Bastian Schweinsteiger came off the bench.And it was the adventurous display of Italian full-back Darmian that drew the most praise from Van Gaal.When I have to pick up one player, I think Matteo was the best player, he said. Because he played in ball possession very good with not too many ball failure passes.But the most important thing is that we have won because there was a lot of pressure on the match, because our start last year was very bad.Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino felt his side were unfortunate not to come away from the game with something to show for their performance.I think we created more chances and deserved more than to lose 1-0, he said.I was not surprised by our dominance because as always we try to dominate the game. This is our style and our philosophy.Manchester United, at Old Trafford, after 94 minutes had maybe one shot on target. Some days in football you need to be lucky. It was difficult for us because we created chances and were unlucky not to score.We finished the game fresh. If you see the game, some players from Manchester United (had) cramps. But football is about the score.

Football: Bielsa quits as Marseille boss after season opener

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PARIS (AFP) - Marcelo Bielsa stunned French football on Saturday when he quit as coach of Marseille just minutes after his team had lost their season opener 1-0 at home to Caen.I have resigned from my post as manager of Marseille, the Argentine announced at the end of his post-match news conference.Bielsa, 60, has been linked to the Mexico national team managers role in recent weeks, and Marseille looked every inch a side affected by the off-field uncertainty surrounding his future.Immediately after their lacklustre defeat, Bielsa, who had only been in charge at the Stade Velodrome since May 2014, announced his resignation.I have finished my work here, I will return to my country, said Bielsa, who guided the former European champions to fourth place in Ligue 1 last season.I thank the fans for always being behind me during games and on a daily basis.I am sad and frustrated. I cannot accept the situation of instability at the club, added Bielsa, who accused the club of changing the details of a contract he was ready to sign to commit himself to the team until 2017.Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda said Bielsas resignation was a huge shock.Its a massive, heavy blow, said Mandanda.At Fridays press conference, everything was fine, it was all positive.He was an important part of the club, for the team. We are disappointed. We dont know the ins and outs of it, we dont know what has happened. But we respect his decision.Marseille got off to a flying start last season -- winning eight of their opening ten matches -- before fading to fourth, 14 points adrift of champions PSG.The only goal of Saturdays game arrived in the 27th minute and in spectacular fashion as Andy Delort fired a right-footed piledriver beyond Mandanda.Instinctive finishElsewhere, Leonardo Jardims Monaco came from a goal down to win at Nice.The hosts struck early on thanks to a brilliant instinctive finish by Valere Germain, who is on loan from his parent club of Monaco.But Monaco, who struck four past Swiss side Young Boys in midweek to progress to the Champions League play-off round where theyll face Spanish side Valencia, responded after the interval.Bernardo Silva, who came on for the injured Mario Pasalic in the first half, equalised after 51 minutes after good work by Anthony Martial.And Monaco -- who finished third last season -- got the winner 11 minutes later through French international full-back Layvin Kurzawa as their campaign began with a 2-1 victory.Promoted Angers began life at the top table with a terrific 2-0 win at 2012 champions Montpellier.Stephane Moulins men, who finished third in Ligue 2 last season to win promotion to the top flight after a 21-year absence, silenced the Stade de la Mosson after five minutes via Abdoul Razzagui Camaras strike.And Angers doubled their advantage after 79 minutes thanks to a deflected shot from Gilles Sunu, which was enough to seal the three points.There was late drama in Nantes as the hosts won a tense and cagey encounter against 2014 French Cup winners Guingamp thanks to a late own goal from Jeremy Sorbon.Johan Audel was released down the left flank and fired in a cross which Sorbon turned into his own net to break Guingamp hearts in a 1-0 defeat.Bastia came back from a half-time deficit to beat visitors Rennes 2-1 at the Stade Armand Cesari.The Brittany club took the lead via Giovanni Sios well taken goal at the end of a flowing move involving Ludovic Baal.But that was as good as it got for Rennes who succumbed to a powerful second-half performance from the hosts, who deservedly levelled through a wonderful goal from Floyd Ayite.Sadio Diallo lifted a perfect ball towards Ayite who thundered home on the volley into the roof of the net.Bastia continued in the ascendancy and got the winner after 69 minutes through Francois Kamano which ignited the Stade Armand Cesari.Elsewhere, Gazelec Ajaccio missed a penalty as they were denied victory at fellow promoted club Troyes in the first ever top-flight.The visitors, who finished second in Ligue 2 last season 13 points adrift of champions Troyes, shouldve taken the lead just before half-time but Mohamed Larbi blazed a poor penalty over the bar.On Friday, champions PSG won at Lille in their opening game despite playing 62 minutes with ten men after Adrien Rabiots dismissal.Lucas Moura hit a 57th-minute winner for Laurent Blancs men.

Football: Pellegrini must satisfy City's appetite for success

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WEST BROMWICH (AFP) - Manuel Pellegrini may have been handed a new contract but, as Manchester City prepare to open their Premier League campaign at West Bromwich Albion on Monday, the Chilean coach is under no illusions he must win silverware to keep his job.Pellegrini followed the resounding success of his first year at City, in which he won the Premier League and League Cup, with a disappointing season that ended with the big-spending club surrendering the title to Chelsea and finishing empty-handed in May.Despite that failure, and mounting speculation that Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola was lined up to take over, Citys Abu Dhabi-based owners awarded Pellegrini a one-year contract extension on Friday, tying him and three of his staff to the club until 2017.But the 61-year-old is well aware that a repeat of last seasons second place finish in the Premier League and Champions League last 16 exit will not be acceptable.For me a good season with a big team is that you must win a title, Pellegrini said.You cannot say it is a very good season if you win nothing. After that also it is very important in the way you win a title.Maybe you can win a title and if I am not happy in the way we play, then for me it is not a good season.For me both things: first of all win because you must win titles and second play the way I think we must play.In my career, when I dont get the results I want, I am the first to be self-critical.I dont think as a manager you can think that you didnt win the title because the players failed. Its the complete thing, directors, manager, players.Long termThat note of caution aside, Pellegrini is clearly relishing the challenge ahead in a season that kicks off on Monday at the Hawthorns and he insists his goal is to remain with City for some years to come.One year ago there were some important managers, like (Carlo) Ancelotti, at teams they have since left. As a professional its very difficult to talk about long term, he said.But if you ask me of course I think I can continue working here for the long term.Pellegrinis men visit Albion without left-back Gael Clichy, who has an ankle injury, and former Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph, who is still two weeks away from recovering from the hamstring tear he suffered on his debut in pre-season.Argentina forward Sergio Aguero, Citys leading scorer last season, could be rested for the opening game while he works on his fitness following Copa America duty.Meanwhile, Albion manager Tony Pulis is eager to further strengthen despite the arrival of winger Serge Gnabry on loan from Arsenal.Were not happy. I wouldnt say were not good enough, but were not happy as a club with what weve got at the moment but were trying to bring more in, he said.Having taken over at Albion in mid-season, the Welshman pulled off his latest relegation escape act, steering the Baggies to a creditable 13th.Yet he remains philosophical over their prospects for the new campaign despite finishing the last season in excellent form.Every season you start, its like opening your Christmas presents again and you just dont know whats coming, Pulis said.Experience makes you more aware of whats around the corner and what could happen, so there is determination to have a good season and apprehension.I want to do the best I can with the material Im given. Thats always been my philosophy - to squeeze everything I can about the team I have.

Football: Mourinho bites tongue over Courtois red card

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LONDON (AFP) - Jose Mourinho delivered a clear sign he was fuming about the decision that cost Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois a red card and handed Swansea the chance to secure a 2-2 draw from the penalty spot on Saturday.The Blues manager refused to comment on the incident that saw Courtois challenge Bafetimbi Gomis on the edge of his penalty area in the 52nd minute at Stamford Bridge.The striker went to ground, prompting referee Michael Oliver to send off Courtois and point to the spot after the foul was committed inside the area and had denied a goalscoring opportunity.Gomis converted the penalty that allowed Swansea to equalise for the second time and ultimately denied Chelsea the opportunity to kick-start their defence of their Premier League title with a victory.Mourinho remonstrated angrily when the decision was made, but after the game his silence spoke volumes as the manager made it clear he was reluctant to go public with his feelings about the incident.Asked about the decision, the manager said: First game of the season, I dont want to start in the first gameMourinho confirmed he had seen a replay of the incident and insisted he attached no blame to Courtois.The manager has repeatedly fallen foul of the FA after publicly criticising match officials.Earlier this year he was fined GBP25,000 (35,328 euros; $38,741) for comments he made following his sides visit to Southampton when he complained of a campaign to influence decisions against his team.Mourinhos unwillingness to discuss Olivers performance suggested he might have started the new season with a resolution to keep his opinions about refereeing decisions to himself.But the Portuguese denied this and said: No, it is just because the first time I can control myself.I want to react this way so you dont see he was (complaining) from day one. In day one we were punished, but it was not on day one that I opened my mouth.Chelseas failure to see out a game they had twice led inevitably throws focus on the development of the squad since last May when they won the title by eight points.Oscar put them ahead in the 23rd minute and an own-goal by Swansea defender Federico Fernandez restored the lead after Andre Ayew had equalised for the visitors.So far only keeper Asmir Begovic and striker Radamel Falcao have come into the club as direct replacements for Petr Cech and Didier Drogba.The manager was last week forced to defend the clubs approach which stands in contrast to the approach of Manchester City and Manchester United who have invested heavily in their squads.And while this result is unlikely to force a late change of policy in the final weeks of the transfer window, criticism is sure to mount if Chelsea suffer many more disappointments.You know me and I think you dont expect me after a bad result to come here and speak about the squad, the players, the transfer window and investments of other team so on, so, said Mourinho.The players know one point is one point, playing with 10 men for such a long time is much more difficult and fundamentally I am happy with the quality they had in the first half and I am happy with their spirit in the second half so we are in peace. We are not happy with the result.Swansea manager Garry Monk believes the way Ayew took his goal offers a sign of things to come from the Ghana midfielder.I think he has come in and been incredible. He worked extremely hard with the group and the group have worked hard with him to make him settled, said Monk.And its always good when you are in as a new player, in a new league, even though you have obvious qualities, to get that first goal. It will give him great confidence.

Tennis: Nishikori avenges US Open loss to reach Washington final

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Japans Kei Nishikori avenged his loss to Marin Cilic in last years US Open final, defeating the Croatian 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 Saturday to reach the ATP and WTA Washington Open final.The 25-year-old Asian number one rallied to oust the reigning US Open champion and advanced to Sundays title match against the winner of a later semi-final between Americans John Isner and Steve Johnson.It was a great win for me, Nishikori said. Overall, Im playing well, very aggressive. The last two sets I was very happy with my tennis.Fifth-ranked Nishikori improved to 6-3 in their all-time rivalry after having missed a chance to become the first Asian man to win a Grand Slam title when he fell to eighth-ranked Cilic in last years Flushing Meadows championship match.Its great to have revenge, Nishikori said. Today I was playing very much better against Cilic. It was important to play well. Hopefully I will keep it going.Nishikori, seeking his 10th career title after crowns at Memphis and Barcelona this year, is the first Washington finalist from Asia since Thailands Paradorn Srichaphan in 2002.Despite the defeat, Cilic felt the week was a solid start on the path to defending his US Open crown.Overall Im pretty satisfied with the way I was playing, Cilic said. Definitely it has given me some vision of what Im going to focus on the next days and weeks.In my next match I will try and be more focused on my serve, to be more deadly.On the womens side, Russias Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova advanced 4-6, 6-3 when top-seeded compatriot Ekaterina Makarova retired. Pavlyuchenkova, the 2012 Washington runner-up, advanced to Sundays final against the later winner between Australian second seed Samantha Stosur and American Sloane Stephens.Cilic broke Nishikori in the second game of the match and jumped ahead 3-0 in the first 10 minutes. Nishikori missed two break chances in the fifth game and Cilic took the first set after 35 minutes.The first set I was playing extremely well, Cilic said. In the second, Kei played a couple of points really good to break me and change the momentum of the match.Nishikori bounces backNishikori roared back in the second set. Cilic sent a backhand wide to surrender a break in the second game.Nishikori broke again in the fourth and battled to hold to 5-0 in the 10-minute fifth game, three times denying Cilic on break points as he forced a third set.Nishikori broke Cilic to open the final set but double-faulted away a break in the eighth game that pulled the Croatian level at 4-4.The Japanese star responded by breaking Cilic again for a 5-4 lead and holding serve to end matters after two hours and two minutes.It was tough. He was playing good at the beginning and I didnt start well, said Nishikori. I started to hit a little more aggressively in the second set. I had to change mentally a little bit. The third set he came back and I had to concentrate again.Nishikori is 3-0 all-time against Johnson but lost to Isner this year in a Miami quarter-final in their only meeting.Isner, who won last weeks Atlanta crown for the third year in a row, seeks his 11th career ATP title while Johnson hopes to reach his first final.Johnson won their first meeting in last years second round at Washington but Isner has beaten him since at Shanghai, Monte Carlo and Nice.

Powerful storm hits Taiwan, millions without power, six dead

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TAIPEI (Reuters) -A powerful typhoon battered Taiwan on Saturday with strong wind and torrential rain, cutting power to 3.62 million households as the death toll rose to six.Four people were missing and 101 were injured, authorities said. Hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled and more than 9,900 people were evacuated from their homes.Television footage trees uprooted and power poles toppled over, a moped being swept into the air by wind and shipping containers piled on top of each other at a port.The storm will weaken but we expect more rain, particularly in southern Taiwan, said Wang Shih-chien, an official with the islands Central Weather Bureau.The storm made landfall early on the islands east-coast counties of Yilan and Hualien, bringing more than 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rain in mountainous areas and wind gusting up to 200 kph (124 mph).Although the eye of Typhoon Soudelor passed Taiwan, and was heading toward mainland China, rain was expected to lash the island until Sunday morning.This is one of the worst typhoons I have ever seen, said a sewage station engineer surnamed Jiang, who was inspecting pumping stations early on Saturday in eastern Taiwan.My car was shaking when I was driving. There are too many trees down, and I even saw six downed power poles.In the capital, Taipei, large steel sheets and rods were blown off a half-constructed stadium and city authorities shut down much public transport.The metal roof of the house next door to mine was completely blown away, said resident Jack Lin. I saw a car crushed to bits.Authorities issued flood and mudslide alerts and television showed mud trapping people and murky water nearly covering the roofs of cars in some areas.Among the dead was one person who drowned in his flooded home and another who was killed by a falling tree.Earlier, authorities said one adult and one child had drowned at sea, while a foreign worker was killed by a falling sign and a rescue worker was hit by a car and killed while clearing downed branches from a road.Taiwan Power, the islands main power company, said 3.62 million households had lost power. While some supplies had been restored, 1.5 million households were still without power on Saturday afternoon, it said.Fears that Soudelor would be as devastating as Typhoon Morakot in 2009 were unfounded. Morakot cut a path of destruction over southern Taiwan, leaving about 700 people dead or missing and causing $3 billion worth of damage.The Tropical Storm Risk website downgraded the typhoon to a category 1 storm by Saturday afternoon, on a scale of 1 to 5, and indicated it could weaken as it moves toward the Chinese province of Fujian, which it is due to hit late on Saturday.Authorities there have evacuated people on the coast and begun cancelling flights and trains. Fujian has issued its highest typhoon alert, media reported.Typhoons are common at this time of year in the South China Sea and Pacific, picking up strength from warm waters but losing it over land.

Anti-Houthi forces take strategic city in Yemen, Emirati troops killed

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ADEN (Reuters) -Fighters backed by an Arab military coalition seized the key city of Zinjibar in southern Yemen on Saturday, residents and militia sources said, dealing another major blow to the dominant Houthi group.The capital city of Abyan province on the Arabian Sea had been a major focus of forces battling the Iranian-allied Houthis. It is the fourth regional capital they have won since taking control of the port of Aden last month.Three soldiers from the United Arab Emirates were reported killed while taking part in the Saudi-led military campaign against the Houthis, UAE state news agency WAM said on Saturday.Southern militia sources said they had been killed by landmines planted by the Houthis while entering Zinjibar.Saudi Arabia and a coalition of other Muslim states have been fighting since March to restore Yemens exiled government and to repel the Houthis, who took control of the capital Sanaa in September.At least two other Emirati soldiers have been killed in Yemen since the offensive began. The UAE has not given details on how any of their personnel died.The coalition has been supporting anti-Houthi fighters with air strikes, military training and the delivery of tanks and heavy artillery.Gulf-backed southern Yemeni fighters who are based in the southern port of Aden also made gains against the Houthis in heavy fighting in the southern province of Dalea on Saturday.

Republicans pile on Trump as U.S. presidential campaign stumbles

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Rival Republican presidential candidates piled on Donald Trump on Saturday for his caustic remarks about a female debate moderator, and the billionaire celebrity candidate backpedaled in an effort to keep his campaign from unraveling.Trump blasted Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly during a debate in Cleveland on Thursday when she questioned him about insulting comments he had made about women. The backlash to his exchange with Kelly has threatened to knock the wheels off the bandwagon of support that had Trump leading early polls in the race for the Republican nomination for the 2016 election.Asked about Kelly on a CNN interview on Friday, Trump said: You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.Trump was promptly dumped from a keynote speaking role on Saturday night in Atlanta at an important gathering of conservative activists put together by the RedState organization. Republican candidates Carly Fiorina, Scott Walker, Lindsey Graham, Rick Perry and George Pataki denounced the comments on Twitter or in statements.RedState chief Erick Erickson said he disinvited Trump because of his remarks about Kelly on CNN.The Trump campaign issued a statement clarifying that by her wherever, Trump meant Kellys nose.Mr. Trump made Megyn Kelly look really bad - she was a mess with her anger and totally caught off guard, the campaign said. Trump said blood was coming out of her eyes and whatever meaning nose, but wanted to move on to more important topics. Only a deviant would think anything else.Erickson, who invited Kelly to replace Trump at the conference, said he revoked Trumps invitation because he did not want someone on stage who gets a hostile question from a lady and his first inclination is to imply it was hormonal.A campaign spokeswoman said on Saturday that Trump had fired senior political adviser Roger Stone, the second firing of a senior staffer over the past week. The reason cited was that Stone was using the Trump campaign for his own personal publicity. Stone denied being fired, saying he resigned over the direction of Trumps campaign.Trump also took to Twitter on Saturday to renounce politically correct attitudes, as he had done at the debate.So many politically correct fools in our country, he wrote. We have to all get back to work and stop wasting time and energy on nonsenseRival candidates, however, hammered on their doubts that Trump was ready to represent the Republican party in a presidential run.“Enough already with Mr. Trump,” said Graham, a senator from South Carolina. “As a party, we are better to risk losing without Donald Trump than trying to win with him.”He added: Due to Donald Trump’s unrelenting and offensive attack on Megyn Kelly and others, we are at a crossroads with Mr. Trump.Without mentioning Trumps name, Jeb Bush made reference to him when he spoke to RedState. Bush, former governor of Florida, said the tough questions at the debate were nothing compared to the challenges the next president will face.You think that’s tough? How about dealing with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin? How about dealing with the challenges that exist in our country? This is nothing, he said.Erickson read aloud some of the emails he had been getting from Trump supporters to protest his move, saying it appeared the Trump campaign had made his email address available to them.In some of the emails, according to Erickson, the writers used a racial epithet to refer to President Barack Obama and made other inflammatory comments.Ive got to tell you guys, I made the right decision, said Erickson. These are the people I dont ever want at a RedState event.

At least 12 killed as Mali hotel siege ends

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BAMAKO (AFP) - At least 12 people including four foreign UN contractors died in a hostage siege at a hotel in central Mali that ended early Saturday when government troops stormed the building.There are 12 dead in all, an army officer told AFP after the operation at the Hotel Byblos in Sevare, listing the fatalities as five terrorists, five soldiers and two white people.The UN mission in Mali MINUSMA said two Ukrainians, a Nepalese and a South African were killed in the hours-long drama as well as a Malian driver working for a company contracted by the mission.It said four others -- two South Africans, a Russian and a Ukranian -- were rescued and were in good health.The attackers did not detect their presence in the hotel and MINUSMA was in permanent contact with them throughout the attack and until its end, it added.South Africas foreign ministry said a 38-year-old man from Pretoria was killed in the siege while two other South Africans were safe.Local media identified the victim as Roelof Janse van Rensburg. A foreign ministry spokesman said he was working for an aviation company hired by MINUSMA.The Ukrainian foreign ministry said four of its nationals were caught up in the attack, one of whom was killed. One managed to escape while the other two were rescued in the dawn raid by security forces.UN chief Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack, which comes as Mali is seeking to implement a June peace deal despite continuing unrest from militant groups and a spike in jihadist attacks.This attack will not lessen the determination of the United Nations to accompany the Malian people in their efforts to implement the peace agreement, his spokesman said in a statement.France also issued a statement condemning in the strongest possible terms the Sevare attack and reiterated its support for the Malian security forces and MINUSMA in the fight against terrorism.Located a few kilometres from the regional capital Mopti, Sevare is a key staging post on the road to Malis desert north which fell to Islamic extremists in 2012.Military site targetedThe drama began when gunmen burst into the hotel at around 7:00 am (0700 GMT) on Friday, according to the government. At least one of the attackers was said to be wearing a belt of explosives.Malian forces cordoned off the area but their efforts to dislodge the attackers were complicated by the presence of hostages.There were exchanges of fire throughout Friday and the army brought the siege to an end early Saturday, with one source saying foreign special forces were also involved.The UN mission said the initial target of the attack was a Malian military site.The attackers, who were pushed back by the Malian Armed Forces, then took refuge in a hotel, MINUSMA said.A Ukrainian hostage who managed to escape from the hotel said up to five gunmen had led the hostage-taking in Sevare, which lies 620 kilometres (385 miles) south of the capital Bamako.Four Malian soldiers who lost their lives in the attack were buried in the town on Saturday in front of a large crowd of mourners, a local resident told AFP.As for the bodies of the hostage takers, they have been left where they are. No one has touched them, the man, who did not wish to be named, said by phone.The walls of the Byblos hotel were riddled with bullet holes after the attack. The body of an unidentified man was seen lying outside the building near a burnt-out van, pictures from the scene showed Saturday.No one has yet claimed responsibility for the assault. The attack was the third in Mali in just a week as it battles a resurgence in jihadist violence two years after a French-led offensive routed Islamist groups from their northern strongholds.

US voices sympathy after terror strikes in Mali, Saudi

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States on Saturday condemned deadly terror strikes in Mali and Saudi Arabia, and offered condolences to both nations over the loss of life.At least 12 people, including four foreign UN contractors, died in a hostage standoff at a hotel in central Mali.The siege ended early Saturday when government troops stormed the building.Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said a suicide bomber who detonated an explosives-packed vest in a mosque inside a police headquarters, killing 15 people on Thursday, was one of its own citizens.The United States strongly condemns the recent deplorable terrorist attacks in Mali and Saudi Arabia, said National Security Council spokesperson Ned Price.The attack claimed the lives of 15 Saudi servicemen while they were at prayer, he added.We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and wish for the speedy recovery of the wounded. We express solidarity with the governments whose citizens were among the victims, Price added.That the victims came from different nations and faiths highlights the common cause that the United States and its partners must continue to make in the global effort to confront and defeat terrorists who have no regard for human life and diversity.The Islamic State group, which controls swaths of Syria and Iraq, has expanded across the region, claiming responsibility for attacks on two mosques in Saudi Arabia in May and a third in Kuwait in June.

Nagasaki to mark 70th anniversary of atomic bombing

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TOKYO (AFP) - Japan on Sunday marks the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki that claimed tens of thousands of lives in one of the final chapters of World War II.Memorial services are planned in the now bustling port city with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US ambassador Caroline Kennedy expected to attend.Bells will toll as ageing survivors, the relatives of victims and others remember the devastating blast at 11:02 am local time (0202 GMT) on August 9, 1945.About 74,000 people died in the initial blast near a major arms factory from a plutonium bomb dubbed Fat Man, or from after-effects in the months and years following the bombing.The attack on Nagasaki came three days after American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped a bomb, dubbed Little Boy, on Hiroshima, the first atomic bombing in history.Nearly everything around it was incinerated by a wall of heat up to 4,000 degrees Celsius (7,200 degrees Fahrenheit) -- hot enough to melt steel.About 140,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the Hiroshima attack, including those who survived the bombing itself but later died from radiation sickness.Gums bled, teeth fell out, hair came off in clumps; there were cancers, premature births, malformed babies and sudden deaths.The twin bombings dealt the final blows to imperial Japan, which surrendered on August 15, 1945, bringing an end to World War II.While some historians say that they prevented many more casualties in a planned land invasion, critics counter that the attacks were not necessary to end the war, arguing that Japan was already heading for imminent defeat.At memorial ceremonies in Hiroshima on Thursday, Abe said Japan would submit a fresh resolution to abolish nuclear weapons at the UN general assembly later this year.As the only country ever attacked by an atomic bomb... we have a mission to create a world without nuclear arms, he told the crowd.We have been tasked with conveying the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, across generations and borders.This years memorials come days ahead of the scheduled restart of a nuclear reactor in southern Japan -- the first one to go back on line after a two-year hiatus following the tsunami-sparked disaster at Fukushima in 2011.While Abe has pushed to switch reactors back on, public opposition remains high after the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986.Japans nationalist leader has also been criticised for efforts to expand the role of his pacifist countrys Self-Defence Forces, changes that open the door to putting troops into combat for the first time since the war.A constitution imposed by US occupiers after the war prevented Japans military from engaging in combat except in self defence.

US condolences over deadly attacks in Afghanistan

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States has sent condolences to Kabul over a barrage of bomb attacks that killed at least 51 people in the deadliest day of fighting in years, the White House said Saturday.The explosions on Friday, which devastated buildings and overwhelmed hospitals with hundreds of casualties, were the first major militant assaults on Kabul since the announcement of Taliban leader Mullah Omars death.The attacks also underscored the countrys volatile security situation.National Security Advisor Susan Rice spoke today with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, and, separately, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco spoke with Afghan National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar to express the deepest condolences of the American people on the deaths and injuries resulting from the terrible attacks yesterday in Kabul, a White House statement said.The United States and our international partners remain committed to the Afghan Government of National Unity in its efforts to achieve a stable, secure, and prosperous Afghanistan, it added.

Sadiqabad: Train engine derails as rail track is blown off

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SADIQABAD (Dunya News) – The engine of Shalimar Express train derailed on Saturday as the rail track was blown off by explosives near Sadiqabad in Chandrami area. 3ft track was blown off by the explosion and a crater of 5 ft formed on the rail track after the blast. The train was bound for Karachi from Lahore.The track was blown by unknown assailants using a remote control device and was targeted when the train was passing. The device has been recovered from the blast areaA heavy contingent of police surrounded the city and has started a search operation.

Will bring every single culprit of child abuse case to justice: CM Shahbaz

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LAHORE: (Web Desk) – Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has on Saturday said that the culprits of the Kasur child abuse case. He said that he will personally monitor the proceedings of the case and assured that exemplary punishments will be handed to the guilty.In a post on his official Facebook page, CM Punjab said that child abuse cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. He said that the he could feel the pain of the victims. “Not just as the Chief executive of the province but as a father and as a human being my heart goes out for the innocent who have been subjected to such heinous activity”, said CM Shahbaz.CM told that the investigations are already underway and 6 of the accused have already been arrested and assured that the rest will soon be behind the bars. He said that he has already passed clear instructions to the police.“Let me assure everyone that every single culprit will be brought to justice and Im personally going to monitor the whole proceedings ... Exemplary punishment awaits such beasts”, CM said. However, this did not end here. People were not satisfied immediately. Although most of them said they trusted the CM, they were quite clear about what they wanted.Another commented that this will be a make or break issue. If the ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) brings the culprits to justice, its fine but if it doesnt, there will not be many whod be voting for them again.Others were not too sure about the instructions given to the police.However, the sentiment of the public is quite clear. They want the culprits brought to justice and in a fashion that even they know is brutal. They know such punishments cant be given but they definitely wanted the culprits to be given as brutal punishments as their crime is.Will the CM be able to bring these culprits to justice is yet to be seen. But one thing is definitely clear that no one is ready to buy the narrative of the local police.Also read: Police try to spin Kasur child abuse case into land dispute
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