Sunday 10 January 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Illness not a concern for Federer before Aussie Open

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BRISBANE (AFP) - Swiss great Roger Federer insisted he would be 100 per cent fit for the Australian Open despite suffering from a flu-like illness during the Brisbane International.Federer, 34, lost in Sundays final of the season-opening tournament, going down 6-4, 6-4 to big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic.The 17-time Grand Slam winner was sick last week and asked for his first match to be postponed by 24 hours to give him another day to recover.He said that while he had improved every day, there were some lingering effects.However, he said he was not concerned about his fitness before the Australian Open and would be fully recovered in a few days.Ive still got a cough and the throat is a bit weird, he said.Ive definitely got to make sure I get over it as quickly as possible. As long as I keep on playing and doing all that stuff its not going to go away faster, so I am going to rest up tomorrow.The good thing is the off-season was great. I have a base there, so I think within three, four days I should be back at 100 per cent if things progress normally.Federer would have been hoping to send a message to world number one Novak Djokovic, who humbled Rafael Nadal in the Doha final on Saturday and who was the dominant mens player in 2015.But he was slightly off his game in the final and Raonic took all his chances in what became a convincing victory.I definitely didnt play my best, because when you play a big server first you focus on your own game, and then see what you can do on his game, Federer said.Both sides were not really happening. I was struggling on the serve -- quite inconsistent.And then from the baseline, my defence was never quite there throughout the week as well. I had better moments for sure, but today when it mattered I couldnt rely on it very much.Federer said he was feeling off the pace in the final.You know, like one step too slow. I definitely felt tired in my legs throughout the week, so then you feel that in defence, he said.When you feel it in the most important moments, every time I had a chance to create some better plays, you know, it just wouldnt be happening.

Tennis: Wawrinka starts season with fourth Chennai title

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CHENNAI (AFP) - Top seed Stanislas Wawrinka beat Croatian youngster Borna Coric on Sunday to capture the ATP Chennai Open for a third straight year, kicking off the new season in winning style.The Swiss world number four overcame Coric in the $480,000 season-opening event with a 6-3, 7-5 win in the nearly 90-minute final, claiming his fourth victory since 2011 in the southern Indian city.Scores of Indian fans at the Nungambakkam tennis stadium cheered wildly as the popular Wawrinka, making his eighth appearance in Chennai, outplayed his 19-year-old opponent -- the youngest finalist on the ATP Tour in eight years.I was expecting (a) really tough match. Hes young, hes really good, said the two-time Grand Slam winner.Today again for me was a really tough one, I had to play my best game. I would like to congratulate Borna for his first final, first tournament of the year, he said.The defending champion pocketed $75,700 and 250 ranking points for his efforts. But his biggest gain was a timely tune-up for the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on January 18. Its a really important tournament for me to start here. I love to come back here. Its the perfect condition to start in, the 30-year-old Swiss said. Tonight with the trophy, its a really great feeling... Im going to enjoy this trophy first and see whats going to happen in the Australian Open. Two years ago Wawrinka had followed his triumph at the Chennai Open by beating Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final three weeks later, his first Grand Slam title.And in 2015, after winning in Chennai, Wawrinka defeated Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros to win the French Open in June.Eighth-seeded Coric, who earned $39,870 and 150 points, had hoped to become this years Chennai Open champion in his first appearance at the tournament but said his opponents serve, backhand, forehand got the best of him.I knew it was going to be a very tough match... But it was a very nice tournament and I have enjoyed being here, said Coric, who is the youngest player in the world top 50.I want to say thanks to the crowd, they are unbelievable. I was running because of you guys, he said.The world number 44 player reached the final after beating Britains Aljaz Bedene in a nearly three-hour semi-final match on Saturday. Also on Sunday, Oliver Marach of Austria and Fabrice Martin of France won the doubles title defeating the third-seeded pair of the United States Austin Krajicek and Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-3, 7-5.

Football: Fallen FIFA chief Blatter to appeal eight-year ban

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PARIS (AFP) - Fallen FIFA chief Sepp Blatter will appeal against his eight-year ban, his lawyer said Sunday, joining fellow suspended official Michel Platini in a fight to clear his name.We will appeal it, of course, Blatters US-based attorney Richard Cullen confirmed to AFP in an email.The confirmation came after FIFAs ethics tribunal on Saturday revealed it had provided Blatter and UEFA president Platini with the reasons for imposing the ban, clearing the way for both men to appeal.A lawyer for Platini, who has also been banned for eight years, had earlier confirmed an appeal would be launched.In December, FIFAs ethics tribunal ruled both men had abused their positions over a 2 million Swiss francs ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) payment made to Platini in 2011 for work carried out between 1999 and 2002.Blatter, who has headed FIFA since 1998, was also fined 50,000 Swiss francs while Platini, a FIFA vice-president, was fined 80,000 Swiss francs.The court insisted there was no legal basis for the payment that Blatter authorised for Platini in 2011.Platinis lawyer Thibaud dAles said Saturday that his 60-year-old client had indeed received the reasons behind the ban.Well read them, analyse them and launch an appeal on Monday, DAles said.The tribunal did not provide further details of the reasoning behind its decision.Instead it stressed it had now fulfilled its commitment to provide the grounds for the respective decisions to Mr Blatter and Mr Platini within the first half of January 2016.After receiving the grounds for the decisions, both officials may lodge an appeal with the FIFA Appeal Committee, the statement said.If that appeal is rejected, the two men can appeal further to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the highest tribunal in sports.At the time of the verdict, both men angrily vowed to fight the bans, which started immediately.The tribunal decision promises to end 79-year-old Blatters four decades with FIFA in disgrace. It also dealt a devastating blow to Platinis hopes of taking over as head of FIFA in an election on February 26. The UEFA president pulled out of the race earlier this week, saying the ban has made it impossible for him to put together a campaign to take on the sports most powerful job.He told French sports newspaper LEquipe that he no longer had the time nor the means to go to the voters, to meet people, to fight against the other candidates.In withdrawing, I am dedicating myself to my defence.FIFA has since last May be rocked to its core by a cascade of corruption charges and arrests that culminated with the implication of the two long considered world footballs most powerful men.The US justice department has charged 39 individuals and two companies over graft within world football going back decades, in a sweeping prosecution that has sparked an unprecedented crisis at FIFA.A total of nine FIFA officials were arrested during two raids at the five-star Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich, on May 27 and December 3, by Swiss police acting on US warrants.

Football: Costa lands knockout blow as Chelsea cruise

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LONDON (AFP) - Diego Costa ended another troubled week on a high note as the striker put Chelsea on course for the FA Cup fourth round with the opener in their 2-0 win over third tier Scunthorpe on Sunday.Costa and team-mate Oscar almost came to blows before being separated by their fellow players after an aggressive knee-high tackle on the Spain striker by his Brazilian colleague sparking a furious exchange during a training session this week.Blues interim boss Guus Hiddink had tried to laugh off the incident, but the ugly scene was the latest controversial moment involving the temperamental Costa and threatened to cast a shadow over the start of Chelseas bid to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2012.Costa was on his best behaviour on this occasion as he put the Blues ahead early on at Stamford Bridge before teenage midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek came off the bench to seal the win with his first Chelsea goal in the second half.Hiddink is now unbeaten in four matches since replacing the sacked Jose Mourinho in December and, after winning the FA Cup in his previous spell as Chelsea interim boss in 2009, he must be dreaming of a return to Wembley in May.Inevitably, Costa was in the thick of the action as Chelsea took the lead with their first incisive attack in the 13th minute.Branislav Ivanovic whipped a dangerous cross towards Costa, whose run caused panic in the Scunthorpe rearguard.As Costa stretched to reach the ball in the six-yard box, he got the slightest of touches to divert it goalwards before a deflection off Scunthorpe defender Laird sent it into the far corner.Costas eighth goal of the season, and his fourth in his last three appearances, was the prelude for a period of sustained Chelsea pressure.Cesc Fabregas nearly doubled Chelseas lead moments later with a rising long-range strike that forced a superb tip over from Scunthorpe goalkeeper Luke Daniels.Fabregas also unfurled a long pass that put Pedro Rodriguez through on goal for a fierce shot that Daniels pushed over.Oscar had publicly played down his row with Costa and there appeared to be no lingering bad feelings as Costa set up the Brazilian for a shot that curled narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.Battered in the opening stages, Scunthorpe finally had their first sight of goal when Gary Cahill bravely used his head to block Stephen Dawsons stinging strike.It was at that point that Hiddinks team began to lose a little focus and it needed a superbly timed challenge from Kurt Zouma to repel a dangerous break from Luke Williams just before half-time.Chelsea had suffered a humiliating fourth round exit from the competition against third tier Bradford last season despite holding the lead at one stage.And Hiddink, sensing Chelsea were in danger of losing their grip again, tried to perk up his side by sending on Loftus-Cheek in place of Oscar at the interval.Scunthorpe, mid-table in League One, pressed forward boldly and had a penalty appeal rejected by referee Craig Pawson when Kevin van Veen tumbled after being tripped by Ramires just inside the Chelsea area.It was a contentious decision and possibly a lucky escape for the Premier League champions, who made the most of their fortune with a second goal in the 68th minute.Cesar Azpilicueta advanced down the left before cutting a low cross back towards Loftus-Cheek and the 19-year-old Londoner steered home a cool finish from 10 yards.Jordan Clarke almost gave Scunthorpe a memorable consolation in the final moments, but his blistering shot cannoned back off the woodwork.

Football: Roofe floors Swansea, Kane saves Spurs in FA Cup

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OXFORD (AFP) - Kemar Roofe scored twice as fourth-tier Oxford United pulled off the first major shock in this seasons FA Cup by stunning Premier League stragglers Swansea City 3-2 on Sunday.Chelsea avoided the same fate, beating third-tier Scunthorpe United 2-0, while Tottenham Hotspur needed an 89th-minute penalty from Harry Kane to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Leicester City.Swansea went ahead at Oxford through Jefferson Monteros clever back-heel, but Liam Sercombe equalised and Roofes classy 10-minute brace took the League Two side into round four despite Bafetimbi Gomis replying in the 66th minute.Its going crazy out there. Everyone is bouncing. The atmosphere was brilliant and its the same in the dressing room now, Roofe, who came through the youth ranks at West Bromwich Albion, told BBC Sport.Were probably used to more possession in the league and obviously we came up against a well-known passing team, but we matched them and got in their faces.Well enjoy the moment tonight, maybe have the day off tomorrow, and get back on it the day after.Swansea manager Alan Curtis, who was this week placed in charge until the end of the season following the dismissal of Garry Monk, gambled by making 10 changes to his starting XI at the Kassam Stadium.He saw his team go ahead with a beautifully constructed goal, Montero darting in from the left, exchanging passes with Marvin Emnes and beating goalkeeper Sam Slocombe with a deft, improvised finish.But Oxford equalised in the 45th minute when Sercombe drilled home from the spot after Kyle Bartley was penalised for diving in on Alex MacDonald.Roofe, who turned 23 on Wednesday, put Oxford ahead four minutes after the break, curling a shot past Kristoffer Nordfeldt from outside the box, and 10 minutes later he claimed his second goal after a swift Oxford break.Gomis reduced the arrears with a cool finish from Jack Corks disguised pass, but Oxford, League Cup winners in 1986, withstood late pressure to claim one of the most famous results in their history.We made changes and there was a certain amount of rustiness, but I am disappointed, said Curtis, whose side are currently 17th in the Premier League table.The league was always going to be the priority, but we wanted a cup run and to get some momentum going. Its a huge setback for the club.Tottenham also looked to be heading out of the tournament after Marcin Wasilewski and substitute Shinji Okazaki struck to put Leicester 2-1 up at White Hart Lane, Christian Eriksen having earlier opened the scoring.But with two minutes remaining, Leicester winger Nathan Dyer was penalised for handball and Kane, who had come on in the 68th minute, slammed home the ensuing penalty to keep Spurs in the cup.The teams resume hostilities in the Premier League on Wednesday, when fourth-place Spurs host second-place Leicester.Today is a good example of not giving up and fighting, said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.We feel disappointed, but that is football and we have the opportunity to go to Leicester and still be in the next round.Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddinks quest to repeat his feat of 2009 by leading the club to FA Cup glory got off to a positive start with a routine home win over Scunthorpe.Diego Costa steered in Branislav Ivanovics cross to give Chelsea a 13th-minute lead and half-time substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 19, clipped home his first goal for the club from Cesar Azpilicuetas pass in the 68th minute.There were no major upsets in Saturdays third-round action, but Manchester United needed a stoppage-time penalty from Wayne Rooney to earn a 1-0 win over third-tier Sheffield United.Holders Arsenal, bidding for a third consecutive success in the competition, and Manchester City went through, but Liverpool were taken to a replay by fourth-tier Exeter City after a 2-2 draw on Friday.

Football: Mancini slams spot-kick 'mistake' as Inter stunned

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MILAN (AFP) - Roberto Mancini hit out at a refereeing mistake that dented Inter Milans title hopes after a last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Sassuolo at the San Siro on Sunday.Inter spurned a host of chances in a lively encounter and paid for it at the death when Domenico Berardi beat Samir Handanovic from the spot after falling under a challenge from Brazilian defender Joao Miranda.After Napolis 5-1 humiliation of Frosinone, Inter dropped to second place and two points adrift but champions Juventus could also overtake them with a win at Sampdoria in Sundays late fixture.Mancini admitted his sides lack of clinical finishing was a factor, but the Italian who led Inter to three consecutive league titles in his previous spell in charge from 2004-08 hit out at the referees decision to award a last-gasp penalty.Maybe we lacked some lucidity when it came to putting our chances away, but the penalty that came at the end was a terrible mistake. Thats football though, Mancini told Sky Sport.Now, we have to roll up our sleeves and get back to work. We had two or three clear chances, and they had only one with Simone Missiroli.Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco hailed Miranda as a top defender, but the visiting coach was adamant the Brazilian was at fault for his sides penalty.I dont think its right to reduce the outcome of this game to one episode and I dont want to talk too much about refereeing decisions, he told Sky Sport.But I can say that it was a clear and indisputable penalty.Inters second successive home defeat, after a 2-1 reverse to Lazio prior to the festive break, came days after Mancini said he didnt mind his sides penchant for winning games 1-0.Inter had ample opportunity to change the outcome with an early goal, but were wasteful throughout and especially during a promising start.Mauro Icardi flashed a shot wide after being sent through by Gary Medels floated cross and moments later Adem Ljajic missed a great chance, firing inches wide after running across the six-yard box.Handanovic went on to produce a series of fine saves, keeping out Nicola Sansones free kick with one hand before blocking Missirolis close-range effort with his chest and then producing another one-handed stop to push Berardis dipping free kick to safety.Inter should have taken a 43rd minute lead when an exchange of passes between Icardi and Ljajic saw the latter hit a curling effort that Andrea Consigli finger-tipped out for a corner.Both sides spurned chances in the second half, substitute Rodrigo Palacios close-range effort from Icardis cutback notably blocked yards from goal by Federico Peluso.Di Francesco replaced Sansone with Antonio Floro Flores and moments later the strikers acrobatic bicycle kick from Berardis free-kick was somehow blocked by an alert Handanovic.Miranda was then unlucky to clatter into Berardi in the area and the referee pointed to the spot with the striker making no mistake.We knew we were up against the league leaders, but we played as a team and we deserved the win, said Berardi.Despite Sassuolo moving back up into sixth spot, he played down the Tuscans Europa League qualification hopes.Our priority is survival, then well see what happens.

Golf: Emotional Stone claims debut title at SA Open

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JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - South Africas Brandon Stone claimed an emotional first European Tour title on home soil in the SA Open on Sunday.Stone crumpled into tears after holing out on the 18th green following a tense conclusion to the Tours second oldest event.The 22-year-old had established a two-shot third-round lead, then moved five shots clear before going two behind in the space of seven holes, eventually finishing at 14-under to beat Christiaan Bezuidenhout by two shots.I dont have the vocab to describe how I feel right now, Stone told Sky Sports 4.That round was the most up-and-down round that Ive ever had in my life, without a doubt in my mind.Walking up to the 18th made me think about how the last few years have been. Theyve been up and down and up and down and just to pull it through at the end there, I cant describe it.Englands Daniel Brooks, who had briefly taken the lead, finished a shot further back in third after a bogey at the last.Regarded as a major prospect in South Africa, Stone became the youngest winner of the event since 1997.Weather and storms had led to delays on the first three days at the City of Ekurhuleni course with Brooks and Stone going out early Sunday to finish their third rounds with a share of the lead, Stone eventually enjoying a two-shot 54-hole lead.As fortunes changed like the weather Brooks got back into a share of the lead on the eighth when he narrowly missed an eagle putt and tapped in to get to 12-under, and the lead was his own moments later as Stone missed a slippery downhill putt on the tenth to make it five bogeys in six holes. Bezuidenhout moved into a share of second as he made a birdie on the same hole after a brilliant approach.Stone and Bezuidenhout then both dropped shots on the 11th to briefly hand Brooks a two-shot cushion but a bogey from the leader on the tenth kept things tight at the top.Stone was really battling and a birdie on the 12th had him back in a share before a stunning approach to the next gave him a chance to get his nose back in front. Playing partner Bezuidenhout made a birdie to briefly make it a three-way tie but when Stone followed him in, he was back ahead on his own.The South African pair both had eagle putts on the 15th but had to settle for birdies and Brooks moved back level with Bezuidenhout as he followed their lead with a gain on the 13th.Stones rollercoaster of a round continued as he went from six bogeys in seven holes from the fifth to four birdies in five from the 12th with a gain on the 16th moving him two ahead.A good two-putt on the par-three 17th then brought a fist-pumping celebration of relief from Stone and when Bezuidenhout failed to follow him in, his chance was gone.The rookie was in tears on the 18th green as he watched Bezuidenhout claim a birdie and then rolled in his own par putt. It was then only a matter of waiting for Brooks to finish.

Snooker: Defending champion Murphy out of Masters

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LONDON (AFP) - Defending champion Shaun Murphy crashed out of the Masters at the first hurdle after losing to Mark Allen in his opening match at Londons Alexandra Palace on Sunday.Englishman Murphy, who defeated Neil Robertson in last years final, came back from 5-2 down to 5-4, but Northern Irelands Allen secured the 10th frame to complete a scrappy 6-4 victory.He will face either Barry Hawkins or Joe Perry in the quarter-finals.Shaun is the defending champion here, under a lot of pressure, and it was a big match for me, playing him on the big stage, said Allen.Im very happy with the way I played. I scored heavily, took my chances well and got over the line in the end.Allen took control by winning the third frame with a break of 137 and made it 4-2 when Murphy forfeited the frame following three misses.Another century of 104 allowed Allen to swell his lead to 5-2 and although Murphy responded with a break of 100 in the ninth frame, he could not complete his comeback.Afterwards, Murphy defended his decision to attempt the same shot for a third time in the sixth frame, despite the fact the three misses meant that he automatically lost the frame.Its the rule, he told the World Snooker website. You dont see it very often. Normally you would look for an alternative on the third go. I couldnt see a Plan B.All other options left him a guaranteed chance so I had to man up, take a deep breath and play the right shot. Unfortunately I got it completely wrong.Did I lose the match because of it? No, I dont think so. There were plenty of other frames.I thought it was a really good match played in very good spirit. That match could have been the final of any tournament. Unfortunately for me it was the first round and Im on my way home.

Southee ruled out of Pakistan T20s

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AUCKLAND (Agencies) - Tim Southee, the New Zealand pacer, has been ruled out of the Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan due to a foot injury, which might also affect his participation in the series against Australia starting next month.Southee, who injured his left foot during the third One-Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka on December 31, missed the two T20Is against the same side. While he was hoping to take part in the three-match against Pakistan, the injury is more serious than first thought, according to Craig McMillan, New Zealands batting coach.I think it might be ... a little bit. Its something that will take a wee while to get right. Im not exactly sure of the time-frame, whether its two to three weeks, as to where he is at. The plan in place, fingers crossed, is that hopefully hell be back for the end of the season, McMillan told Newstalk ZB, while expressing hope that the pacer will be fit for the Australia series.Its not that far away, but the plan is to have him back firing for the Australia series.With Southee facing a race against time to be fit for the Australia series, Trent Boult will have to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility in the pace department, while he will have support from the likes of Matt Henry, Doug Bracewell and Neil Wagner.Henry took 13 wickets at an average of 9.38 in the ODI series against Sri Lanka and McMillan, who was pleased with the form of the 24-year-old, said: Its reassuring to have those options. One of the great things from this series against Sri Lanka has been the form of Matt Henry. That shows a confidence to come into the set-up and perform straight away.The limited-overs series between New Zealand and Pakistan kicks off on Friday (January 15) with the first T20I in Auckland. The two sides will also face off in three ODIs following the T20Is.New Zealands series against Australia starts on February 3. The Trans-Tasman rivals will battle in three ODIs for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, preceding the two-Test series, which begins on February 12.

Islamabad: 4-nation meeting to revive Afghan peace process today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Representatives from Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and United States are scheduled to meet in Islamabad today (Monday) to discuss a road map aimed at reviving the Afghan peace process.Pakistan will be represented by Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry while Afghanistan will be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Hikmat Karzai. China and United States of America’s (USA) Special Representatives for Pakistan and Afghanistan will be attending the meeting for their respective countries.The talks were agreed upon during a visit to Kabul last month by Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif.Today’s talks do not include the Taliban, who have been battling the US-backed government for nearly 15 years and have recently stepped up their attacks.A previous peace process last year was collapsed last summer after Afghanistan announced that Mullah Mohammad Omar, founder and leader of the Taliban, had died more than two years ago.

Sargodha: Three killed in van, motorcycle collision

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SARGODHA (Dunya News) – At least three people were killed and four other were wounded when a passenger van collided with a motorcycle in Sargodha on Sunday, Dunya News reported.According to details, a rashly-driven van collided with a motorcycles coming from opposite direction and then struck a roadside tree at the Shahpur Road near Sargodha as a result three people were killed. The dead included motorcycle riders Akash Akram and Rashida Bibi and a passenger of the van named Mumtaz Begum.At least four people, including the driver of the van, were also wounded in the accident. Rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the dead and injured to District Headquarters Hospital.

Mexico wants to quiz Sean Penn over Chapo meeting

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MEXICO CITY (AFP) - The Hollywood-worthy recapture of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman took a stunning turn Sunday as authorities sought to question US actor Sean Penn over his interview with the Mexican drug kingpin.A federal official told AFP that the attorney generals office wants to talk with Penn and Mexican actress Kate del Castillo about their secretive meeting with Guzman in October, three months before his capture.That is correct, of course, its to determine responsibilities, the official said on condition of anonymity, declining to provide more details.A second federal official said it was unclear whether Penn and del Castillo, who brokered the meeting, committed a crime.While a reporter could interview a drug cartel suspect, theyre not journalists, the official said.The US rock magazine Rolling Stone on Saturday published the interview that Guzman gave to the actors in an undisclosed jungle clearing in Mexico.Despite Penns cloak-and-dagger efforts to keep the gathering secret, a Mexican official told AFP that the meeting eventually helped authorities track down the Sinaloa drug cartel chief.Guzman, 58, who was arrested on Friday in a deadly military raid in the seaside city of Los Mochis, in his northwestern home state of Sinaloa.Attorney General Arely Gomez said on Friday that Guzman had met with unnamed actors and producers in the hope of making a biopic about himself, which helped locate him. She said it was part of a new line of investigation, without elaborating.Mike Vigil, a former senior official at the US Drug Enforcement Administration, said Penn is unlikely to face charges.I seriously doubt that charges will be brought against them even though Sean Penn took extraordinary steps to prevent authorities from using his phone to track the whereabouts of Chapo, Vigil told AFP.I am sure that authorities, however, will want to question both of them, he said.Rolling Stone posted an October 2 picture showing the Oscar-winning actor shaking hands with the mustachioed drug cartel leader, who is wearing a blue shirt.Penn writes that the 58-year-old Guzman gave him a compadre hug when they met and had a seven-hour sitdown followed by phone and video interviews.I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world, Guzman told Penn in an admission of his criminal enterprise over sips of tequila.I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats, Guzman said in the meeting, which Mexican actress Kate del Castillo helped to arrange.Rolling Stone also published a video showing Guzman without a mustache, talking about why he decided to go into drug trafficking after the age of 15 because there were no job opportunities.Unfortunately, where I grew up, there was and there is no other way to survive, Guzman said to questions that Penn sent to him.Asked if he feels responsible for the high level of addictions in the world, he said: Its false. The day that I dont exist, it wont reduce drug trafficking.In a text message exchange days after their meeting, Guzman discusses a marine helicopter raid that almost captured him on October 6. He downplayed injuries to his face and leg reported by the authorities, saying: Not like they said. I only hurt my leg a little bit.Authorities said the marines did not shoot Guzman during the raid because he was accompanied by two women and a girl, but that he hurt himself in a fall.The Rolling Stone interview emerged after Mexican prosecutors announced that they would start proceedings to extradite Guzman to the United States, a reversal from President Enrique Pena Nietos refusal to send him across the border.The attorney generals office said it received two US extradition requests last year on a slew of charges, including drug trafficking and murder, and that it later obtained arrest warrants to ship him across the border.Authorities noted that Guzmans lawyers could appeal the extradition hearings.One of Guzmans attorneys, Juan Pablo Badillo, vowed to take the case up to the Supreme Court if necessary.He shouldnt be extradited because Mexico has a fair Constitution, Badillo told reporters outside the Altiplano prison near Mexico City, where Guzman was sent following his arrest.It was from that prison that Guzman escaped on July 11, sneaking into a hole in his cells shower that led to a 1.5-kilometer (one-mile) tunnel outside the prison. A federal official insisted that Altiplano remains a highly-secure prison and that measures were taken to improve security, including the installation of metal rods under the floor of prison cells.The worlds most wanted drug baron was arrested after a military raid on a house in Los Mochis in which five suspects died and one marine was wounded. Six people were detained in the operation.Guzman and his security chief fled through the citys drainage system, but they were caught later after they stole a car.In the Rolling Stone video interview, Guzman is asked about the belief that Mexican authorities want to kill him instead of taking him alive.He responds: No, I think that if they find me they will arrest me. Of course.

Boyfriend held in Ghana over British actress's murder

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ACCRA (AFP) - The boyfriend of former British soap actress Sian Blake has been arrested in Ghana over the murder of her and their two young sons, and now faces extradition to the United Kingdom, police said Sunday.Investigators tracked Arthur Simpson-Kent to undergrowth near the seaside town of Butre,where he was taken into custody Saturday in connection with the death of the former EastEnders actress and their two children Zachary, 8, and Amon, 4.We are waiting for the British authorities to send a formal request for the extradition to begin, Prosper Ablor, head of the Ghana Police Criminal Investigative Department, told a press conference.Simpson-Kent, hands shackled behind his back, sat in a chair and stared at the ground as police spoke.Blake and the children were last seen on December 13 in their east London neighbourhood, and Simpson-Kent was questioned three days later over their disappearance. The bodies of the boys and their mother were discovered earlier this month in the garden of their home. Blake is best known for her mid-1990s role on EastEnders, which follows the lives of neighbours living in a fictional borough of London.Simpson-Kent flew to Ghana just days after he was questioned by investigators in Britain. While escaping from the United Kingdom, (Simpson-Kent) travelled to Glasgow in Scotland, from where he flew to Ghana via Amsterdam on December 19, 2015, police told reporters. Authorities said intelligence gathered on the ground led them to Simpson-Kent, but did not elaborate. He was arrested after being smoked from a thicket and was armed with a knife.Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Gwyn of Londons Metropolitan Police told the press conference: Our thoughts continue to, and always remain with Sians family and the boys... We are here to get justice for them.

Shahzad hits fourth highest T20 score as Afghanistan rout Zimbabwe

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SHARJAH (AFP) - Afghanistans Mohammad Shahzad smashed the fourth highest score in Twenty20 international history on Sunday when he made 118 in his sides 81-run rout of Zimbabwe.The 27-year-old opener carried his bat having already hit Afghanistans first ever century in the format, reaching his hundred off 52 balls with eight fours and eight sixes.By the end of the blitz, the opener had hit 10 boundaries and faced 67 balls in total to continue his impressive form in the Gulf having already made 131 not out in the second one-day international against Zimbabwe two weeks ago.Zimbabwe were eventually all out for 134 on Sunday with 11 balls to spare as Afghanistan swept the two-game series having won the first match by just five runs on Friday.They had earlier claimed the ODI series 3-2 to follow their victory against the same opponents in Africa in October.Shahzads unbeaten 118 was one short of South Africas Faf du Plessiss 119 against the West Indies in Johannesburg in January last year.The highest ever score in T20 internationals is Australias Aaron Finchs mammoth 156 against England in Southampton in 2013 while New Zealands Brendon McCullum is second on the all-time list thanks to his 123 against Bangladesh in Pallekele in 2012.This is my favourite ground, Sharjah, and I like batting here, Shahzad told cricinfo.com. There is no plan. I want to hit every ball out of the boundary. I have got used to Zimbabwes bowlers. I talked with the captain and we thought 150 would be enough.Zimbabwe were always struggling in their reply, collapsing to 34-5 at one stage before Hamilton Masakadza bludgeoned 63 off 44 balls with five sixes as he and Peter Moor put on 77 for the sixth wicket.But once the big-hitting Masakadza was clean bowled by Rashid Khan in the 16th over, the Africans lost all hope.It is our fourth series win against them, said Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai.Phenomenal performance by the guys in the series. In next ten years, I can say Afghanistan will beat any side.Both sides now head to Bangladesh -- Afghanistan for the Asian Cup qualifiers in February while Zimbabwe tackle the hosts in a four-game T20 series next week.The way Shahzad batted was outstanding -- we didnt have any answers, said Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura.The conditions will be similar in Bangladesh -- we will have to make sure we start well in Bangladesh.Brief scores:Afghanistan 215-6 in 20 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 118 not out) v Zimbabwe 134 all out in 18.1 overs (Hamilton Masakadza 63, Peter Moor 35)Result: Afghanistan won by 81 runs.Series: Afghanistan 2-0.

India's Sran in line for ODI debut against Australia

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PERTH (AFP) - Rookie fast bowler Barinder Sran is in line to make his international debut for India in the opening one-day match against Australia in Perth this week.Indias bowling coach Bharat Arun said uncapped paceman Sran would give the team an added advantage as a left-armer, indicating the 23-year-old would likely play in the series opener at the WACA Ground on Tuesday. He is a bowler with a lot of potential. He has been pretty impressive in the two games that he has played, Arun told reporters late Saturday after Indias back-to-back wins in warm-up games against a Western Australian XI on Friday and Saturday.Being a left-armer, he gives us the added advantage. And we have somebody whom we can groom to become a good bowler in the future for us.If he has got the ability then why not (play him)? It is a bilateral series and we have to try out the potential bowlers that we have. He has been impressive so far. The Indians won the Twenty20 hit-out by 74 runs on Friday and backed it up with a 64-run win in a 50-over game on Saturday.Sran is likely to get his chance after Mohammed Shami injured his hamstring in Fridays T20 game and left Australia, to be replaced by Bhuvneshwar Kumar.Kumar is an unlikely starter for Tuesdays series opener and key quick Ishant Sharma has yet to bowl on tour.Ishant is a very experienced bowler and before the game he was bowling on the ground, Arun said.It will be the first time top-ranked Australia have faced India since beating them in the World Cup semi-final at Sydney last March.Australia subsequently beat New Zealand in the final to win their fifth World Cup.Australia will play five ODIs against India starting in Perth, followed by Brisbane on January 15, Melbourne on January 17, Canberra on January 20 and Sydney on January 23.India will also play three T20s in Australia.
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