Wednesday 23 December 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Kooyong to host Australia's Davis Cup clash with US

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SYDNEY (AFP) - Australias first-round Davis Cup World Group clash with the United States in March will be played on grass at Kooyong in Melbourne in a tie marking Lleyton Hewitts debut as captain.The former home of the Australian Open Grand Slam will host its first Davis Cup showdown in 10 years from March 4-6 on a portable grass court, organisers said Thursday.To play Davis Cup in Melbourne, the home of tennis in Australia, at a club like Kooyong with so much tennis history is a privilege, said Hewitt.The tie against the United States is going to be tough, he added.It will be my first tie as captain and Ill be looking to help the boys build on the momentum and progress of 2015.The United States and Australia are the two most successful nations in Davis Cup history. The Americans have won a record 32 times while Australia is second overall with 28 wins.Australias most recent tie against their arch-rivals was in 1999 where Hewitt made his Davis Cup debut.Alongside Pat Rafter, he led his country to a 4-1 World Group quarter-finals victory over the United States, whose team included current captain Jim Courier.Hewitt retires as a player following next months Australian Open, after which he will focus his attention on working with talented youngsters Bernard Tomic, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis in his new role as Davis Cup captain.Kooyong last hosted the Open in 1987.

Lahore: Thousands attend 32nd International Milad Conference

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – The 32nd International Milad Conference was held at the Minar-e-Pakistan under the auspices of Minhaj-ul-Quran on night between Wednesday and Thursday. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri delivered his keynote address during the conference which was attended by thousands of faithful.The topic of his speech was love for the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Giving his keynote address Dr Qadri said that when one has intense love of Allah and His Prophet (PBUH), it becomes the basis of Iman.Dr Qadri said “had the audience here tonight been devoid of love for the Prophet (peace be upon him), they would not have sat tight in biting cold under the open the sky all night.” He further said that the audience sit before me for hours, days and even months in winter or summer. They, however, always assemble in love of the Prophet (peace be upon him), not for my sake. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that holy Prophet (PBUH) said that towards the end of the days of the world faith will be safe in Medina alone. By this, the Prophet (PBUH) conveyed to his followers that their belief will be secure only when they inculcate a fondness for him.“Our religion (Islam) preaches love and peace and that is what we have to practice and spread the teachings of Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the world about love and peace,” Dr Qadri added.Prayers were offered at the end of 32nd International Milad Conference which was followed by display of fireworks.

Solar Impulse 2 ready to fly again by April 20: spokeswoman

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GENEVA (AFP) - The sun-powered plane Solar Impulse 2, grounded in Hawaii since the summer for repairs, will be ready to fly again by April 20, the projects spokeswoman told AFP Wednesday. The plane completed nearly half of an unprecedented round-the-world journey without using a drop of fuel before battery pack damage during a gruelling five-day leg from Japan to Hawaii in July forced its grounding. Solar Impulse spokeswoman Alexandra Gindroz told AFP that the project had raised enough money to complete the repairs and fund the next phase of operations, confirming details given by pilot Andre Borschberg in an interview with Switzerlands 24 Hours newspaper. April 20 is the first possible date for departure, Gindroz said. Borschberg told the paper that the April date marks the opening of the optimal energy window, when the days are long enough and the nights are sufficiently short to fly.But, he added, details of the journeys next leg have not yet been decided, with the possibility of flying from Hawaii to Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Phoenix. This uncertainty makes the project difficult, but interesting, Borschberg was quoted as saying. We do not know if we will cross the United States from the north, south... or centre.The original plan of leaving the US from New Yorks JFK airport for the Atlantic crossing remains in place, he said.The aircraft took off from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on March 9, powered by 17,000 solar cells, with the aim of promoting renewable energy through a round-the-world flight. The project has however suffered a number of hitches, aside from the battery damage, including an eye problem suffered by Borschberg which forced him to cut short a flight over Asia and return to Switzerland.Borschberg and his partner Bertrand Piccard have divided the flying throughout the groundbreaking project.

Oil prices rise as US petroleum stocks drop

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices rallied Wednesday after US inventory data showed a larger drop in crude supplies than many analysts had expected.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for February delivery rose $1.36, or about 3.8 percent, to $37.50 a barrel.In London, European benchmark Brent oil for February delivery advanced $1.25 to $37.36 a barrel.The gains came after the US Department of Energy reported that US crude inventories fell 5.9 million barrels for the week ending December 18. The report also showed US oil imports fell about 13 percent from the prior week. Other aspects of the report were less favorable towards addressing a supply glut that has badly hit oil prices over the last year. Domestic production of oil rose slightly and inventories at a closely-watched trading hub in Cushing, Oklahoma increased.Still, the report was enough to lift oil from multi-year lows.The main thing is after the long sell off, the inventory report today has encouraged people to buy into the market and to think this may be a bottom, said Michael Lynch of the consultancy Strategic Energy & Economic Research.Citi Futures analyst Tim Evans said the drop in oil supplies, while unexpected, fell into a historic pattern of companies reducing their holdings for tax purposes.This looks very much like the typical end-of-year storage play, with Gulf Coast refiners slashing inventories to mitigate state ad valorem taxes on year-end crude stocks, Evans said.For the second day in a row, US benchmark WTI closed above its European counterpart. Analysts said the gain in the US contract could be the result of enactment last week of a US law lifting a 40-year ban on US crude exports. The move creates new markets for US suppliers and could stiffen competition for Brent in some markets such as Thailand and South America, said Andy Lipow of the Houston consultancy Lipow Oil Associates.

Dollar gains on euro after solid US data

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar advanced against the euro Wednesday following a trove of mostly-solid US economic reports.Official data showed US consumer spending and personal income each rose 0.3 percent in November. A read on durable goods orders came in above expectations, thanks to strong defense orders, while new home sales rose somewhat less than expected. A report from the University of Michigan on consumer sentiment showed a raise compared with last month.What were seeing here is a little bit of a rebound in the dollar after some decent economic data this morning, said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange.Overall the data suggests the economy has some relative momentum to go into the end of the year.Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Western Union Business Solutions, said investors avoided big bets ahead the Christmas holiday Friday.The few market players around ahead of the holidays showed little appetite to stake meaningful bets, keeping major currencies confined to tight ranges, he said.

Stokes and Finn join England limited overs squads

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LONDON (AFP) - England have added all-rounder Ben Stokes and pace bowler Steve Finn to their one-day and T20 squads for Februarys matches against South Africa, selectors said on Wednesday.The rest of the 15-man limited overs squads were involved in the ODI and T20 series wins over Pakistan last month.England, who are currently touring South Africa, start their first of four test matches against the Proteas on Saturday.That will be followed by five ODIs and two T20Is.The players not involved in the test series are due to arrive in South Africa on January 23.National selector, James Whitaker, said: The limited overs cricket played by this group of players in the last six months has been very encouraging but we are all aware that there is still plenty of work to do. This ODI series against South Africa will be another important opportunity for these players to keep learning and developing their skills.With an ICC World T20 later this winter the T20 matches will be a crucial part of our preparations.ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), Reece Topley (Hampshire), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), Reece Topley (Hampshire), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), James Vince (Hampshire).

Windies, India look to complete abandoned 2014 tour

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ST. JOHNS (AFP) - West Indies cricket chiefs said Wednesday that they are edging closer to an agreement which would see them belatedly complete their 2014 tour of India which was controversially abandoned.Dave Cameron, the president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), confirmed that following discussions with his Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) counterpart Shashank Manohar, that the Caribbean side will host India in the Caribbean in 2016. This agreement, however, is subject to the WICB and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) giving a joint commitment to complete, at a later date, the tour which prematurely ended in October 2014, said a WICB statement.Cricket remained the centrepiece of our discussion and we are happy to be at this juncture, said Cameron.The West Indies walked out of their 2014 India tour after the fourth one-day international in Dharamsala due to a bitter dispute over player contracts.They had been scheduled to play a further ODI, one Twenty20 game and three Tests.In the aftermath of the tour being abandoned, India said they would pursue a claim for $42 million in compensation from the cash-strapped WICB.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) being observed with religious fervour

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) is being celebrated with religious zeal and fervour across the country, Dunya News reported.According to details, devout Muslims from across the country and other parts of the world are lighting candles, cutting cakes and distributing sweets among loved ones.The devout Muslims are leading rallies in small and major cities of the country while reciting prayers and durood to the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).Houses and other buildings across the country are heavily decorated with lights and illuminations while in streets, there are glitters everywhere.12th day of Islamic month Rabi-ul-Awwal marks Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), the birthday of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Scholars and clerics across the country pay tributes by remembering the greatest and most influential personality ever to walk on this earth.Various gatherings called Milads are organized where Naat-Khwans and Nasheed artists recite naats.

Georgia PM resigns after 2 years

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TBILISI (AFP) - Georgias Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili resigned on Wednesday after just two years, with the ruling coalition struggling to boost its popularity ahead of parliamentary polls next year.I took the decision to leave my post, Garibashvili, head of the Georgian Dream coalition, said in a televised address to the nation, without disclosing the reason.All posts are temporary. Only God and the motherland are eternal, a stone-faced Garibashvili added.Opposition politicians said earlier that his resignation may likely be part of the coalitions efforts to reverse a rapid loss of popularity amid economic turmoil before parliamentary elections set to take place in October 2016.Garibashvili, now 33, became the youngest head of government in Europe when he was appointed to the job in the former Soviet republic in November 2013.He was a political unknown before his billionaire tycoon predecessor Bidzina Ivanishvili named him interior minister in October 2012.Garibashvili said Ivanishvilis resignation in 2013 had set an example for stepping down in a timely fashion.Media reports tipped deputy prime minister and foreign minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili to replace him.Paris-educated Garibashvili has spent almost his entire decade-long working life in the employ of the enigmatic Ivanishvili who calls him his beloved boy.Georgian Dreams approval ratings stood at just 18 percent last month, according to an opinion poll by the US-based National Democratic Institute.Opponents had ridiculed Garibashvilis meteoric rise, criticising him for a lack of political experience and describing him as a pawn controlled by Ivanishvili from behind the scenes.Ivanishvili stepped down in November 2013 to make way for Garibashvili, but was widely believed to be still calling the shots.Georgian Dream wrested power from reformist ex-president Mikheil Saakashvilis party in the October 2012 parliamentary election.

French ex-president Chirac leaves hospital for christmas

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PARIS (AFP) - Former French president Jacques Chirac left hospital Wednesday after two weeks of medical checkups and will spend Christmas with his family, his family said.Chirac, 83, was taken to hospital in Paris on December 9 after complaining he had felt weak for a few days, his daughter Claude Chirac had said at the time, adding that there was no cause for concern.He has returned home safely, a family member told AFP.Chirac, who was head of state from 1995 to 2007, is now rarely seen in public and has reportedly suffered from memory loss and is confined to a wheelchair.In December 2013, he underwent successful kidney surgery, and two months later he was briefly hospitalised for treatment of gout.

Medical marijuana gains ground globally

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PARIS, Dec 23, 2015 (AFP) - Colombia became on Tuesday the latest in a growing number of nations around the world to legalise the use of cannabis for medical reasons.However the rules vary widely across continents, with some countries permitting cannabis cultivation and others only allowing pharmaceuticals extracted from the drug.A state of play:- LATIN AMERICA -- COLOMBIA: President Juan Manuel Santos signed a decree Tuesday making it fully legal to grow, process, import and export cannabis and its derivatives for medical and scientific use.- CHILE: Chile said in October it plans to allow the sale of marijuana-derived medication in pharmacies. The measure requires strict oversight, including authorisation by a specialist and inventory checks.- MEXICO: An eight-year-old girl who endures 400 daily epileptic seizures became in September Mexicos first authorised consumer of imported medical cannabis after the government granted her an exemption to its marijuana ban.- URUGUAY: Uruguay in December 2013 became the first country in the world to fully legalise marijuana all the way from the cannabis field to the joint, setting up a regulated market for cultivation, sales and use.- NORTH AMERICA -- THE UNITED STATES: Federal law bans the cultivation, the sale and use of marijuana. However, twenty-three US states allow medical marijuana use while four states -- Oregon, Colorado, Alaska and Washington -- plus the US capital city have legalised its recreational use.- CANADA: Cannabis consumption for medical reasons has been legal since 2001. In June 2015, the Supreme Court expanded the definition of medical marijuana to allow authorised users to bake it into cookies and brew marijuana leaves for tea, in addition to smoking it.- EUROPE -- CROATIA: In October Croatia became the 13th European Union country to allow the medical use of cannabis. Medicines containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plants main psychoactive ingredient, can now be prescribed by doctors to ease health problems associated with cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and AIDS.- Austria, Britain, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain already authorised cannabis-derived products to help treat certain illnesses.

Football: Former Arsenal boss, England assistant coach Don Howe dies, aged 80

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LONDON (AFP) - Don Howe, a highly-respected former Arsenal player, manager and coach, died on Wednesday, aged 80.Howe won 23 caps for England and was also part of the national team for their two most successful tournaments in recent history, working as an assistant to both Bobby Robson and Terry Venables as they reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup and the 1996 European Championship.English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said: It is terribly sad news and our thoughts are with Dons family at this time.He is widely regarded as being in the vanguard of coaching in England and I know that his loss will be keenly felt amongst the coaching fraternity in particular and not least by Roy Hodgson, who was close to Don.Howe made over 300 appearances for West Brom between 1952 and 1964 and in 2004 he was named as one of the Baggies 16 greatest players.He was named Arsenal captain when he moved to the north London outfit, but the last two years of his playing career were marred by a broken leg that forced him to retire.Howe became Arsenals reserve team coach under Bertie Mee then stepped up to first team coach in 1968.Arsenal won the English league title and FA Cup double in 1971 with Howe playing a crucial role as Mees assistant.He returned to his old club West Brom as manager later that year, but they were relegated to the second tier in 1973.Howe was back at Arsenal as assistant coach in 1977 and took over as manager six years later.He earned praise for giving debuts to youngsters like Tony Adams, David Rocastle and Niall Quinn, but couldnt win any silverware and resigned in 1986.However, Howe underlined his coaching expertise in 1988 when his influential role on Wimbledons backroom staff was widely credited with helping Bobby Goulds team to their famous FA Cup final win over Liverpool.Howe returned as Arsenal youth team coach in 1997 before retiring in 2003.Gunners chairman Chips Keswick said: Don possessed a marvellous ability to get the very best out of players with his coaching techniques and provide them with the perfect preparation for matches.He was the very best at what he did - and he did it with us, at Arsenal, for decade after decade.

Georgia prime minister resigns after two years

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TBILISI (AFP) - Georgias Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili resigned on Wednesday after just two years, with the ruling coalition struggling to boost its popularity ahead of parliamentary polls next year.I took the decision to leave my post, Garibashvili, head of the Georgian Dream coalition, said in a televised address to the nation, without disclosing the reason.All posts are temporary. Only God and the motherland are eternal, a stone-faced Garibashvili added.Opposition politicians said earlier that his resignation may likely be part of the coalitions efforts to reverse a rapid loss of popularity amid economic turmoil before parliamentary elections set to take place in October 2016.Garibashvili, now 33, became the youngest head of government in Europe when he was appointed to the job in the former Soviet republic in November 2013.He was a political unknown before his billionaire tycoon predecessor Bidzina Ivanishvili named him interior minister in October 2012.Garibashvili said Ivanishvilis resignation in 2013 had set an example for stepping down in a timely fashion.Media reports tipped deputy prime minister and foreign minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili to replace him.Paris-educated Garibashvili has spent almost his entire decade-long working life in the employ of the enigmatic Ivanishvili who calls him his beloved boy.Georgian Dreams approval ratings stood at just 18 percent last month, according to an opinion poll by the US-based National Democratic Institute.Opponents had ridiculed Garibashvilis meteoric rise, criticising him for a lack of political experience and describing him as a pawn controlled by Ivanishvili from behind the scenes.Ivanishvili stepped down in November 2013 to make way for Garibashvili, but was widely believed to be still calling the shots.Georgian Dream wrested power from reformist ex-president Mikheil Saakashvilis party in the October 2012 parliamentary election.

Embattled Van Gaal storms out of United press conference

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Manchester (AFP) - Embattled Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal showed signs of cracking under pressure as he stormed out of a media briefing on Wednesday after becoming annoyed by questions about his future.Van Gaal has reportedly been given two games to save his job after Uniteds miserable six-match winless run cost his side their place in the Champions League and saw them drop out of the Premier Leagues top four.Rumours have been rife this week that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is about to be sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho, who was dismissed by Chelsea last Thursday.Quizzed about the speculation by reporters at his weekly press conference ahead of Saturdays trip to Stoke, Van Gaal quickly became irritated and it was less than five minutes before he decided he had had enoughRefusing to take any more questions, the Dutchman walked out, saying as he passed a table of mince pies and wine that had been laid on for the media: I wish you a merry Christmas and also maybe a happy new year when I see you.Enjoy the wine and a mince pie. Goodbye.Van Gaal, who has overseen just three victories in Uniteds last 13 games in all competitions, only answered three questions from the broadcast media and then refused to take any questions from the written press.It was clear the 64-year-old was in an angry mood from the moment he took his seat in the media room at the clubs Carrington training ground.Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me? Thats what Im wondering, he snapped after being asked about (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wengers claim Van Gaals treatment had been disrespectful.Van Gaal, under intense pressure since last Saturdays 2-1 Premier League defeat at home to Norwich, said he has received calls of support from former United manager Alex Ferguson, as well as former chief executive David Gill and current executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.- Treated unfairly -Despite that backing he is widely expected to be dismissed by owners the Glazer family if United lose at Stoke on Boxing Day or at home to Chelsea on Monday, yet Van Gaal feels that he has been treated unfairly by the media.I think I was already sacked, I read I have been sacked. My colleague (Jose Mourinho) was here already, he said.What do you think happens with my wife or my kids? Or with my grandchildren? Or with the fans of Manchester United? Or my friends? What do you think?They have called me a lot of times and also Arsene Wenger is saying something about that.So you think that I want to talk with the media now? I am here only because of the Premier League rules. I have to talk with you.But I can only see when I say something that you use my words in your context. And I want to say only that I have tried to lift the confidence of my players.Van Gaal gave a speech to his squad at the players Christmas lunch on Monday, urging them to show unity as they attempt to improve their form while enduring criticism from former United players, the clubs fans and the media.I have done everything this week. I held meetings with the players with my members of staff, I hold a Christmas lunch, I did a speech and I feel the warmth and support of everybody in Carrington, at this training complex, he added.But I didnt feel that in the media and of course I can imagine that you can write about that subject.We are not in a good position but four weeks ago we were first in the Premier League and in four weeks time we can be back in that position again.I have received calls from Alex Ferguson and David Gill and Ed Woodward because you are creating something that is not good, what is not being the facts.

US regulators push for distinction between online ads, articles

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SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - With marketers creating online ads that are meant to blend in as real news stories, US regulators are trying to make sure Internet users are able to differentiate the two.Freshly released Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines are calling for advertisers to make it obvious that their advertisements arent unbiased articles.The FTCs policy applies time-tested truth-in-advertising principles to modern media, said FTC bureau of consumer protection director Jessica Rich said in a release on Tuesday.People browsing the web, using social media or watching videos have a right to know if theyre seeing editorial content or an ad.Advertisements should make clear that they are sponsored marketing messages to provide perspective on how information should be weighed, according to the FTC.Major news outlets and Internet titans such as Google and Yahoo are fielding native ads as the marketing messages are called, which are seen as fitting more naturally on pages and more likely to be perused by website visitors.The FTC described native advertising as content that bears a similarity to the news, feature articles, product reviews, entertainment or other material that surrounds it online.Advertisements are deceptive if they give the impression of being independent or impartial, according to the FTC.Disclosure that online content is a marketing message should be displayed near an ads focal point where it is most likely to be noticed, such as in front or above a headline, the guidelines stated.Such disclosures should also be made in sizes and colors that stand out, strongly contrasting with the background.The FTC suggested labels such as Paid Advertisement or Sponsored Advertising Content.Additionally, advertisers should not refer to native ads as promoted or promoted stories because people might be misled to think they are articles, according to the guidelines.
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