Sunday 13 December 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

45 civilians killed in Syrian rebel bastion: monitor

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BEIRUT (AFP) - At least 45 civilians were killed Sunday in heavy bombardment of a besieged Syrian rebel stronghold east of Damascus that also struck a school, a monitoring group said.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rockets fired by regime forces rained down on the towns of Douma, Harasta, Saqba and Arbin in the opposition-held Eastern Ghouta region. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said air strikes also hit the towns, but it was unclear whether they were carried out by Syrian or Russian warplanes.At least 10 children and four women were among the dead and dozens of people were wounded, he said.One of the air strikes on Douma hit near a school, killing the schools principal, Abdel Rahman told AFP.Men carried children across the dust-covered rubble of destroyed buildings in Douma, whose streets were littered with debris and shards of glass, according to an AFP photographer on the scene. A small girls body lay on an operating table in a field hospital, as doctors prepared to operate on her badly-wounded leg. An activist group in Douma shared photographs on Facebook of crumbling buildings and bloodied children lying in a makeshift clinic.In one jarring photo, childrens shoes, notebooks, and bags are strewn across the blood-stained floor of what the group said was a schoolyard in Douma. Abdel Rahman said one rebel fighter was also killed in the bombardment on Sunday. Government forces regularly bombard Eastern Ghouta, and rebels there fire rockets and mortar shells into the capital.On Sunday, three people, including two children, were killed in rebel mortar fire on Damascus, according to the state news agency SANA.Three more people were killed and dozens wounded in mortar fire on a Damascus suburb controlled by government forces, SANA reported. Last month, regime forces and rebel groups tried to agree on a 15-day ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta.Air strikes in the area are at times conducted by Russian warplanes, which began carrying out an air war in Syria in September. Suspected Russian strikes on Douma in November killed 23 Syrian civilians.

Tennis: Djokovic, Serena reign despite sudden impact shocks

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PARIS (AFP) - Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams celebrated seasons of epic proportions, claiming six of eight Grand Slam titles in a march to greatness dented only by two players producing once-in-a-lifetime performances.Djokovic ended 2015 with 11 titles, 82 wins and just six defeats in a haul which included three of the four majors -- the Australian and US Opens and Wimbledon.His on-court earnings of $21 million swelled his career total to a mind-boggling $94 million while the 28-year-old Serb now has 10 Grand Slam titles amongst his 59 career trophies.Djokovic won six of the nine Masters and topped it off with a fourth successive end-of-season World Tour Finals triumph in London.Im very proud to have these achievements with my team, said Djokovic. Its been a long season, but the best of my life.Djokovic reached the final of every tournament he played with the exception of his 2015 bow in Doha where Ivo Karlovic stunned him in the quarter-finals.From then on it was one-way traffic -- indoors, outdoors, hardcourt, clay and grass -- the Australian Open, Masters in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Rome and then Wimbledon, US Open, Beijing, the Shanghai and Paris Masters and LondonBut Djokovic was still left with a case of what might have been thanks to a single-handed backhand blitz delivered by Stan Wawrinka at Roland Garros where a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 defeat left him still seeking a first French Open and a career Grand Slam.Wawrinka fired 59 winners past Djokovic who finished runner-up for the third time in four years. The defeat left him in tears.Roger Federer, who hasnt added to his 17 majors since 2012 Wimbledon, continued to defy the critics.Despite passing 34 in August, the Swiss reached the Wimbledon and US Open finals and handed Djokovic a rare defeat in the round-robin section of the World Tour Finals before the Serb swept to a comfortable revenge in the title match.The Swiss ended the year at three in the world and then ended his two-year partnership with coach Stefan Edberg.Andy Murray finished at two after a season which saw him win his first titles on clay, announce that he will become a father in February and lead Britain to a first Davis Cup in 79 years.- Vinci stunner -=================Meanwhile, 14-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal may have lost his iron-grip on the French Open and suffer his worst rankings slump in a decade, but there were encouraging signs of life as the year ticked away.He made the finals in Basel and Beijing and the semi-finals in London before ending 2015 back at five in the world.The mens tour also endured a seedy controversy when controversial Nick Kyrgios was fined for an ugly sex slur aimed at Wawrinka in Montreal.What Wawrinka did to Djokovic in Paris in June, unheralded Italian Roberta Vinci did to Serena Williams in New York in September.Williams was looking to complete the calendar Grand Slam and win a 22nd major.She looked on course for a routine semi-final win when she took the first set 6-2 against the 32-year-old, wafer-thin Italian who was playing in her first last-four clash at the highest level.But from nowhere, the world number 43 raced through the next two sets for a famous win and a place in the final against fellow Italian and childhood friend Flavia Pennetta.Pennetta triumphed for a first Grand Slam crown and promptly announced her retirement.Williams was so stunned that she called time on her season, sitting out the last three months, an absence which helped Agnieszka Radwanska lift the WTA Championship title.Williams was still the standout player of 2015, winning five titles in all, including the Australian and French Opens and Wimbledon.Her record read 53 wins against just three losses and she finished as the year-end world number one for a fifth time and third consecutive season.She also inflicted a 17th successive win over long-time rival Maria Sharapova in the Wimbledon semi-finals with the Russian star then forced to sit out the US Open with a leg injury.Sharapova recovered her fitness to make a rare Fed Cup appearance in Novembers final against the Czech Republic but even her two singles wins werent enough to prevent a 3-2 win for the Czechs.

Nawaz to leave for China today to attend SCO meeting

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will leave for China today (Monday) to attend the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).PM Nawaz will lead the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Heads of Government Council Meeting which is being held in Zhengzhou, China on December 14-15.On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Prime Minister will have a bilateral meeting with the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in which issues of mutual interest will be discussed.The SCO is an important organisation founded in Shanghai in 2001. Its member-states include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.The combined threats of terrorism and extremism is on top of the agenda of the summit while economy, trade, transport and promoting public engagement will also be discussed during the meeting.In July, the SCO decided to admit India and Pakistan as full members, and they are expected to join by 2016. As an Observer State of the SCO, Pakistan has been making substantive contribution to regional peace, security and development.

Resolution seeking extension in Rangers' powers to be tabled in Sindh Assembly today

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – The Sindh Assembly will resume its session today (Monday). Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani will preside over the session. The resolution of seeking extension in Rangers powers in Sindh province is included in today’s meeting agenda.It is pertinent to mention here that the resolution of seeking extension in Rangers powers could not be submitted in the previous two sessions of the Sindh Assembly despite the fact that it was included in the agenda.The decision of extension in the powers of the Rangers or otherwise under Article 147 of the Constitution would be taken after tabling of the resolution.On the other hand Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah presided over a key ministerial meeting during which a strategy was chalked out to deal with the tabling of the resolution in the assembly session today.

Football: Arsenal go top, Perez late show ends Spurs run

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LONDON (AFP) - Arsene Wenger said that Arsenal had enjoyed a perfect week after they won 2-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday to supplant Manchester City at the Premier League summit.Arsenal reached the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday by winning 3-0 at Olympiakos, Olivier Giroud scoring all three goals, and the Frenchman set the London side on their way against Villa with an early penalty.Aaron Ramsey doubled Arsenals lead before half-time, starting and finishing a swift counter-attack, as Wengers men leapfrogged both City and former leaders Leicester City, who host champions Chelsea on Monday.It was a perfect week for us, Wenger told the BBC. We spent a lot of energy away in the Champions League on Wednesday, but found the resources to win again here today (Sunday), in another away match.This season is so unpredictable that you just focus on yourself and try to play well in the next game. You know if you are consistent then you have a chance.Arsenals fans happiness at seeing their side go top was enhanced hours later when arch rivals Tottenham Hotspurs 14-game unbeaten run was ended by a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Newcastle United.Meanwhile, substitute Divock Origi scored a 96th-minute equaliser as Jurgen Klopps Liverpool drew 2-2 at home to West Bromwich Albion.At Villa Park, Giroud sent Brad Guzan the wrong way from the penalty spot in the eighth minute after Alan Hutton was penalised for holding back Theo Walcott, which gave the France striker his 50th Arsenal league goal.Ramsey made it 2-0 seven minutes before half-time, tackling Idrissa Gueye in midfield and sparking a move that saw the ball pass from Walcott to Mesut Ozil, who squared the ball for the Welshman to roll home.In keeping Villa at bay, Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech equalled former England international David Jamess Premier League record of 169 clean sheets.Villa manager Remi Garde had been hoping to get one over his former mentor Wenger, who signed him as a player at Arsenal, but his team remain eight points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.Arsenal went a point clear of City and Leicester and four points above fourth-place Manchester United, who lost 2-1 at Bournemouth on Saturday.Tottenham would have moved above United had they beaten Newcastle, but they remain fifth, three points below the Champions League berths, after late goals from substitutes Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez took Steve McClarens side out of the relegation zone at Norwich Citys expense.Eric Diers glancing header from Christian Eriksens corner gave Spurs a 39th-minute lead, but Mitrovic poked home an equaliser two minutes after coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute before Perez squeezed a winner beneath Hugo Lloris in the third minute of added time.We are very disappointed in the dressing room, said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.This is our 16th league game and our second defeat. It is a bad feeling, but we need to work hard and look forward.Newcastle manager McClaren said his side had answered the critics, but warned: We havent turned the corner yet. We need more performances like that.Newcastle had shown a marked improvement by beating Liverpool last weekend and Klopps men needed a last-gasp intervention from Origi to avoid a second consecutive defeat against West Brom.Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson marked his first start since August with a 21st-minute opener, but Craig Dawson punished an error by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to equalise on the half hour before Jonas Olsson headed the visitors in front in the 73rd minute from Chris Brunts corner.Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren had to be stretchered off with a nasty knee injury, but the eight minutes of injury time that ensued enabled Origi to rescue the hosts with a deflected 25-yard shot.We created chances, made a perfect goal, then conceded those two, said Klopp.But at the end I can live with it. This could prove to be a very special moment for us in the season to strike back against such a team.Liverpool rise one place to ninth, five points off the top four, with Tony Puliss West Brom four points further back in 13th.

Football: Last-gasp Origi rescues ragged Liverpool

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LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Divock Origi scored his first Premier League goal in the 96th minute to earn Liverpool a 2-2 draw in a heated match against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson marked his first league start since August by finishing a superb move with a sweet half-volley to give the home side the lead mid-way through the first half.Craig Dawson equalised for Albion after half an hour, turning in the loose ball after goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had failed to deal with a corner.Liverpool looked uncertain whenever defending set-pieces and almost went behind right on half-time as Jonas Olsson volleyed in Craig Gardners free-kick, only to be correctly ruled offside after a long delay.The Sweden centre-back was not to be denied a goal, though, rising at the near post to glance in Chris Brunts corner with 17 minutes left.There followed a sour incident as Dejan Lovren was carried off on a stretcher with his leg in a brace after a challenge by Gardner, who followed through and caught the centre-back on the knee.But towards the end of eight minutes of time added on for Lovrens injury, Origis deflected 25-yard shot prevented Liverpool from succumbing to a second straight defeat after last weekends 2-0 loss at Newcastle United.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who had been involved in a number of touchline disputes with his West Brom counterpart Tony Pulis during a bad-tempered second half, greeted the equaliser by punching the air.But the loss of Lovren will be of serious concern to the Liverpool manager, whose side looked set for defeat until Origi -- the Croatians replacement -- intervened.Another significant talking point was the offside decision that denied Olsson just before the interval.The West Brom defender thought he had given the visitors a 2-1 lead when he sneaked in unattended at the far post to volley in Gardners free-kick.Linesman Roger West did not raise his flag and only a couple of Liverpool players made any kind of appeal.But West then called referee Craig Pawson over towards him and, after a delay, the goal was disallowed.Television replays showed that it was the correct decision, with four Albion players in an offside position as Gardner took the free-kick, but it was unclear how Pawson and West had managed to spot it.That incident came after Liverpool had taken the lead with a lovely goal, only to lose it as a result of some sloppy defending at a set-piece.The opening goal came when Christian Benteke laid the ball back to Alberto Moreno, whose angled cross was headed down by Adam Lallana for Henderson to sweep in on the half-volley.It was a special moment for Henderson, who has missed three months of the season with two separate foot injuries.Liverpool should have been in front before their captains 21st-minute goal as Philippe Coutinho blazed over from 15 yards after Gareth McAuley had headed Emre Cans diagonal chip straight to the Brazil international.But any hopes Liverpool might have had of a comfortable afternoon disappeared as Albion equalised nine minutes after going behind.Mignolet, who had earlier prevented a deflected Gardner cross-shot from sneaking in at his near post, failed to reach a corner as he collided with Benteke and Salomon Rondon worked the loose ball to Dawson, who prodded in.Liverpool struggled to impose themselves in the second half. Lovren saw a glancing header deflected wide from James Milners free-kick, but chances were otherwise hard to come by.Albion went in front from another corner in the 73rd minute, as Olsson scored, only for Origi to have the last word.

Football: Real Madrid beaten again at Villarreal, Atletico joint top

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MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrids La Liga title hopes were dealt another huge blow as they suffered a third league defeat in five games to Roberto Soldados solitary goal at Villarreal on Sunday.Atletico Madrids 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao earlier in the day means Real now trail their city rivals and Barcelona by five points at the top of the table.Real were outplayed in the first-half, but reacted after the break and were left to rue a hat-trick of missed chances by troubled French striker Karim Benzema as defeat piles the pressure on under-fire coach Rafael Benitez.Elsewhere, a late own goal salvaged a point for Valencia in Gary Nevilles first taste of La Liga action as Los Che battled back with 10 men to draw 1-1 at Eibar.Real had won five consecutive games since being thrashed 4-0 at home by Barca last month, but were forced onto the back foot by a whirlwind start from Villarreal.I am not happy at all with the first half and I think the reaction in the second half is the route we have to follow, said Benitez.Unfortunately, today it has cost us three points.Jonathan dos Santos had already smacked the inside of the post before Soldado turned home Cedric Bakambus pass against his old club on eight minutes.Bakambu had two great chances to double Villarreals advantage before half-time, but the Congolese striker pulled his shot wide when clean through on Keylor Navas before firing over from inside the area.Having been dominated in the first half, Madrid came out a different side after the break and had a series of chances to turn the game on its head.Benzema had scored five times in his last two outings for Madrid despite his off-field problems which saw him indefinitely banned from playing for France in midweek, however his range was off as he volleyed inches wide from Gareth Bales through ball.Another fine Bale cross was blasted over by Benzema moments later before Bale had a great chance himself, but on his weaker right foot didnt have the power to beat Alphonse Areola in the Villarreal goal.Benzema had one final chance to rescue a point, but his and Madrids night was summed up when he headed wide when unmarked inside the area 17 minutes from time.Victory takes Villarreal back to within a point of fourth-placed Celta Vigo.At the Vicente Calderon, Atletico were forced to come from behind as they conceded for just the seventh time in 15 La Liga games this season when Aymeric Laporte swept home Benat Etxebarrias corner at the back post.Atletico had barely threatened in the first half but levelled with the last action of the half as Saul Niguez headed in at the near post.Jan Oblak made two great saves at the start of the second period from Eneko Boveda and Aritz Aduriz to keep Atletico in the game.And they proved vital as Antoine Griezmanns stunning strike from 25 yards with Atleticos only serious effort of the second half delivered a vital three points.We always work to be better and it is clear that we continue on our course, looking to improve without looking at the other teams, said Atletico boss Diego Simeone.It is not easy to concede first and come back. We are happy with our work, but we dont understand any other way than through sheer effort.Valencia escaped from Eibar with a point despite another disappointing display after crashing out of the Champions League against Lyon in Nevilles first game in charge in midweek.Sergi Enrich deservedly opened the scoring for Eibar with the last kick of the first half.However, the turning point came midway through the second period when Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Domenech saved Saul Berjons penalty after Lucas Orban had been very harshly sent off for supposedly elbowing Dani Garcia.And Valencia got the slice of luck they needed when David Junca turned the ball into his own net five minutes from time.A point leaves Valencia seven points off the top four in eighth.The last 20 minutes is the minimum that Valencia should show every week, said Neville.We wanted to win, a draw is not ideal, but it is positive given the circumstances.

Football: Five-star PSG punish Lyon to extend enormous lead

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PARIS (AFP) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic took his tally to 14 goals in his last 11 Ligue 1 games as Paris Saint-Germain outclassed Lyon 5-1 on a gloomy Sunday night in the French capital.Ibrahimovic and Serge Aurier both netted in the first 17 minutes for Laurent Blancs side before a shocking error by goalkeeper Kevin Trapp allowed Jordan Ferri to pull one back for Lyon.However, Edinson Cavani restored PSGs two-goal advantage after the restart and Ibrahimovic got his second of the night from a penalty.Substitute Lucas added the fifth in stoppage time as PSG moved a scarcely credible 17 points clear of their nearest challengers Angers and Monaco with the campaign just 18 games old.PSG are now unbeaten in 27 Ligue 1 games, a run going back to March, and remain on course to break the record for the most points halfway through a French season.The great Lyon team of the last decade had 50 points at the mid-way stage in 2006/07, but Paris already have 48 points and so can set a new mark with a victory at Caen in their last game of the year.There will still be a second half of the season to play and well need to show the same determination to keep picking up points, warned Blanc.This was a meeting of the reigning champions and the team that pushed them the furthest in the title race last season, but Lyon are a shadow of their old selves and were deprived of a host of key players at the Parc des Princes, including the injured Alexandre Lacazette.Visiting goalkeeper Anthony Lopes had already saved from Ibrahimovic and Cavani before the Swede opened the scoring 11 minutes in when Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, rather than clear, headed Thiago Silvas long ball into his path.Six minutes after that Paris struck again, Aurier gratefully heading in from close range after a brilliant dead-ball delivery from the left by Angel Di Maria.Lyon were given hope when Ferri let fly from almost 30 yards and Trapp, attempting to tip the shot over, only succeeded in helping the ball into the net.The German was ironically cheered by the home fans whenever he got the ball after that and the goal did lift the away side.Nevertheless, there was a gulf in class between the teams and PSG scored again just after the hour mark, Cavani turning in another Di Maria cross to score for the 10th time in Ligue 1 this season.Ibrahimovic then struck again inside the final quarter of an hour, beating Lopes from the spot to score for the 14th time in his last 11 appearances after going down under a Henri Bedimo challenge in the box.The fifth goal came on the break in stoppage time, Di Maria again with the assist and Lucas, always so effective coming off the bench, with the finish.Eliminated from Europe despite beating Valencia in midweek, Lyon are sixth in the table and have now gone five Ligue 1 games without a win as the pressure on coach Hubert Fournier refuses to subside.I am of course very disappointed with the result and the margin of defeat but I am quite reassured by the spirit shown by the boys in our last two matches, said Fournier.Angers came from behind to draw 1-1 with Bordeaux as Romain Thomas cancelled out the opener from Diego Rolan, and they are ahead of Monaco only on goal difference.The principality club moved into the top three for the first time since the opening weekend of the season as a late Fabinho penalty gave them a 1-0 win against Saint-Etienne, who had Kevin Malcuit sent off.It was a positive match. We controlled the opposition and they didnt have many chances, said Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim.Meanwhile, Marseille are now seven home league games without a win after a 1-1 draw with Gazelec Ajaccio at the Stade Velodrome.Jacques Zoua put the Corsicans in front from the penalty spot but Michy Batshuayi equalised before half-time with his 11th league goal of the season before OM had Abdelaziz Barrada sent off.

Golf: Donaldson shows his class in three-shot victory

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CHONBURI (AFP) - Jamie Donaldson played a masterful round to hold off a spirited challenge from Lee Westwood and Clement Sordet and clinch the Thai Golf Championship in style on Sunday.The Welsh Ryder Cup star shot a seven-under par 65 to finish three clear of Englands Westwood and Frenchman Sordet.It feels great to win this trophy and beat some of the best players in the world, said Donaldson, who admitted he had not played that well this year.It all came together today, even though it was bit of a battle with the heat.Donaldsons victory also meant he qualified for the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon, as did Westwood.Also earning a trip to Troon were Sordet and the 16 year-old Thai, Phachara Khongwatmai, who soared up the leaderboard to clinch sole sixth place after shooting 66.In joint fourth place, four shots back from the runners-up, were Spains Sergio Garcia and SouthKoreas An Byeong-Hun, who had already earned exemptions to the Open.Sharing seventh place was the trio of Indias S.S.P. Chawrasia, Thailands Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Martin Kaymer from Germany.Opening up with three straight birdies, Donaldson quickly powered past overnight leader Sordet. The Welshman appeared to be in charge, but he had not totally shaken off his two playing partners who were right on his heels.A key moment came at the 16th, when Westwood and Sordet both sank birdies while Donaldson suffered his second bogey of the round. It looked like it was game on.Suddenly I had gone from being comfortable to only having a one-shot lead, said Donaldson.But a fine birdie at 17, the famous island green, restored calm and the Welshman coasted in on the 18th, stretching his lead to three strokes.I was really relieved when I hit the green at 17, he said. Then I sunk a great putt and I felt a lot better.Westwood admitted he was disappointed he could not pull off a hat-trick of wins at the Amata Spring Course, but was extremely happy to qualify for the Open next year.That will be my 21st consecutive Open, he said. Its really great for me to keep it going. I like Royal Troon and I hope to put in a good performance.Sordet shrugged off missing out on the Thailand trophy, saying he was still quite pleased with his performance. But he was excited at the prospect of playing in the Open.I didnt expect it at all. It will be great playing with the best players in the world. Ill just try to do my best.Thailands Phachara felt much the same. When I entered this event I didnt even consider the possibility of playing in the Open at Troon, he said.I feel really honoured to have this opportunity. I had better start practicing.

Formula One: Rosberg worries about hype over Schumacher Jnr

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BERLIN (AFP) - Formula One star Nico Rosberg says he worries about the hype surrounding the fledging career of Mick Schumacher as the 16-year-old faces intense media interest whenever he races.Mick, the son of seven-time world Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, had an early exit in a Mercedes event in Stuttgart on Saturday where he raced against Rosberg, last seasons runner-up in the F1 world drivers championship behind winner Lewis Hamilton.In a head-to-head in Stuttgart, Schumacher Jnr finished nearly two seconds behind Rosberg, who went on to finish fourth overall in the days competition while Hamilton was third, in front of 40,000 spectators.Rosberg, whose father Keke was the 1982 world champion, knows the pressure Mick is under to live up the family name after the teenagers debut season in Formula Four brought mixed results despite intense media interest.Schumacher Jnr did not remove his helmet in front of television cameras in Stuttgart and gave just one interview, describing the event as super fun and an honour to be here, as reporters clamoured to speak to him.Mick had it worse than I did. Its an incredible amount of hype, said Mercedes driver Rosberg.I never had it like that and its a pity as it must certainly take some of the fun of the sport away from him, but its something he has to accept and live with.I always look to see how hes driving and I hope he can enjoy the racing despite all the hype. Rosbergs Mercedes team-mate and world champion Hamilton said Mick only needed to look at his fathers career to get some inspiration.He certainly doesnt need any advice from me, he just has to look at what his father has done, because he is the greatest legend in our sport, said Hamilton.Michael Schumacher, 46, is recovering at the family home in Switzerland after being left with a serious head injury following a skiing accident nearly two years ago. He retired from Formula One in 2012 having won the last of his seven world titles in 2004.

New Zealand on verge of Sri Lanka Test victory

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DUNEDIN (AFP) - A 17-ball burst saw New Zealand close in on victory Monday in the first Test against Sri Lanka with the removal of the last experienced batsmen Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews. At lunch in Dunedin, Sri Lanka were 224 for 6, requiring a further 181 runs with two sessions remaining on the final day to reach their 405-run target. It is a tough ask after they lost three wickets in the morning session to have their tail exposed much earlier than they wanted. At the crease were Milinda Siriwardana, in only his third Test, who is on 18 with Rangana Herath yet to score.Siriwardana survived two leg before wicket reviews, one from each side, when on one. With play starting half an hour early to compensate for the three rain breaks on Sunday, Sri Lanka resumed the day at 109 for 3. Chandimal and Mathews added 56 before Neil Wagner outwitted Mathews to secure the breakthrough New Zealand were searching for. He bowled two short deliveries and when the Sri Lankan captain expected a third Wagner bowled full and the ball speared off the left pad and on to middle stump. With Mathews gone for 25, the pressure was on Chandimal to survive through to lunch but he was gone less than three overs later for 58 when trapped leg before wicket by spinner Mark Santner. New Zealands generous declaration on Sunday at 267-3 in their second innings gave Sri Lanka an imposing 405-run target but with five sessions remaining and there was no need for the tourists to hurry the score along. However, Kithuruwan Vithanage, in his eighth Test, took the approach that attack was the best method of survival. He belted 38 off 38 deliveries, including six fours and a six, before he became the sixth wicket to fall, trapped leg before wicket by Tim Southee.Southee has taken three for 35 and Wagner two for 56.

Windies in new blow as Samuels handed bowling ban

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DUBAI (AFP) - West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels was on Sunday handed a 12-month bowling ban by the International Cricket Council for an illegal action as the beleaguered Caribbean side were dealt another blow.Samuels, 34, had already been banned from bowling his quicker delivery in 2013 and his latest setback comes after he was forced to undergo an assessment after being reported by the umpires in the first Test defeat against Sri Lanka in Galle in October.The assessment (which took place in Brisbane) revealed that Samuels elbow extension exceeded 15 degrees while bowling and, thus, he employed an illegal bowling action, said a statement from the Dubai-based ICC.As this report constitutes the players second suspension within a two-year period, he is now automatically suspended from bowling in international cricket for a 12-month period.Samuels played as a batsman only in the West Indies humiliating innings and 212-run loss to Australia in the first Test in Hobart which ended inside three days in Hobart on Saturday.He has played 62 Tests for the West Indies, 177 ODIs and and 40 T20s taking 41, 85 and 19 wickets respectively with his gentle off-spin.

Pattinson ditches new action to destroy Windies

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HOBART (AFP) - Paceman James Pattinson said Sunday he did away with his remodelled bowling action and returned to his old approach to spearhead Australia to an emphatic innings victory over the West Indies in Hobart. The recalled fast bowler failed to take a wicket in the West Indies first innings with his new more front-on style but made adjustments and claimed five for 27 in the second innings to trigger a batting collapse.The West Indies were routed for 148 and were crushed by an innings and 212 runs in the first Test, raising fears about their competitiveness in the remaining two Tests against Australia in Melbourne and Sydney.Pattinson was brought into the Australian side for the sidelined Mitchell Starc and made minimal impact bowling in the first innings with no wicket for 68 off 15 overs.He reviewed video of his bowling and spoke with team bowling coach Craig McDermott and skipper Steve Smith before ripping through the Caribbean tourists in the second innings.There were a little bit of nerves and I didnt put it together in the first innings which was disappointing, Pattinson told reporters.But to get another chance and to take that chance was pretty exciting and a relief after being out of the picture for a couple of years.I ran in and wanted to bowl fast like I did when I first came on to the scene.Pattinson, 25, playing in his first Test since March last year after recovering from back and hamstring issues, said he studied what he was doing wrong and came back a changed bowler to skittle the Windies.I looked at a bit of vision on the night before and I wasnt releasing the ball where I wanted to in the right position, he said.I thought if I bowled like I did in the first innings then I wouldnt be getting too many games, so I thought I better change something.So I did a little bit of work on it in the morning to get my wrist behind the ball a bit more and get it good for outswing.The effect was devastating as Pattinson removed Rajendra Chandrika (0), first-innings century-maker Darren Bravo (4), Marlon Samuels (3), Jermaine Blackwood (0) and skipper Jason Holder (17) to rip the heart out of the tourists innings.In the second innings I was running in straight lines and I had my wrist behind the ball and it felt pretty easy, he said.Its all got to do with my arm pass, its not much, but little bits I can see on video and pick up and try to change.Pattinson said he wasnt concerned that by moving away from his remodelled bowling action he would risk another physical breakdown which has plagued his 14-Test career.I have gone back a little bit now. Its hard because when youre running in to bowl you dont want to think about your action so I made the change to stop injuries, he said.Hopefully now that I am back in the team and Im getting a bit older my body will hold up and I can go back a little bit to where I was when I first started playing, because thats when I thought I was bowling at my best.

PM Nawaz, Qaim discuss Rangers' special powers on phone

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif contacted Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, on telephone on Sunday night and discussed various issues, including extension of Rangers special powers and law and order situation in Sindh, Dunya News reported.PM Nawaz and Qaim Ali Shah reaffirmed their commitment to continue targeted operation against terrorists in Sindh. Both the leaders also discussed the prevailing law and order situation in the province.Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah briefed the Prime Minister about his government’s grievances regarding actions of the paramilitary force in the province. He also expressed his reservations regarding statements of the federal interior minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.Prime Minister assured CM Sindh to resolve all issues, including row over extension of Rangers special powers in Sindh, through mutual understanding. He also assured federal government’s full cooperation to improve law and order situation in Sindh.Also Read: Were with Rangers and Rangers are with us: CM SindhEarlier in the day, Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, while talking to media at the Gymkhana Club in Karachi said that it is strange that the matter of Rangers is being exploited by some quarters. He said Rangers are with the Sindh government and will remain so.He said Rangers have done so well along with the police and have achieved a lot to establish peace in the province. The Sindh CM said that this cannot be ignored.Shah said the sacrifices of the police and Rangers are in front of everyone. However, he said, the sacrifices and successes of the police have not been that highlighted.He further said that it is not appropriate to politicise the issue of extension of Rangers special powers and adding that Rangers is an institution of the federation; therefore it is mandatory to seek extension from the Assembly as per Article 147

RememberingAPS: ISPR's new song will leave you with goosebumps, tears

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LAHORE (Web Desk/Dunya News) – In a beautiful new song just released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), school children call for avenging one of the deadliest attacks on country’s future by teaching the children of the enemy.The moving new song emphasizes on the power of the pen and how it is mightier than sword.Much like its predecessor, this song will also give you goosebumps and leave you in tears.The lyrics of the song are:The place of pen is the sameBut even his (enemy’s) name has goneThere’s some spot on the tip of the penCan the truth ever be stopped?The childhood that had to last a little longerThat one (enemy) oh mother who snatched your dreamI have to go and seek revenge from him oh dear motherI have to educate the children of the enemyThat one in your thoughts that doesn’t let you sleep oh motherYou kept crying while looking at the books oh dear motherWhose return do you await…Why does the father keep this door open?The one who fell in everybody’s eyesThe one who wasn’t a human and had no GodI have to go seek revenge from him oh dear motherI have to educate the children of the enemyI have to go seek revenge from him oh dear motherI have to educate the children of the enemyThe one that left smiling in front of fearThe one who has gone leaving behind his schoolbagA strange story he wrote before leavingHe left a sign in the books…The one that left the kissable forehead in bloodThe one who killed the dreamsI have to go seek revenge from him oh dear motherI have to educate the children of the enemy
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