Friday 15 January 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Experts declare Sindh Prosecution Amendment Bill 2015 as mini NRO

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Legal and constitutional experts on Friday have severely criticized Sindh Prosecution Service Amendment Bill 2015 and declared it as a mini National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).Experts have stated that the bill is little more than an attempt to convert judiciary into just a rubber stamping body while providing benefits to only a chosen few.Sindh High Court Bar’s former President Rasheed A. Rizvi stated that the Bill was a mini NRO whose legal basis could be challenged.Constitutional expert Barrister Farogh Naseem viewed the Bill as having dishonest grounds. He stated that it was approved in haste just for the benefit of a few people.On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has expressed reservation over the new Bill. Khan tweeted through his official account on Twitter that Sindh government can now free any alleged suspect on the basis of this Bill.He also stated that the government can withdraw cases against suspects from the courts and the Bill was only there to protect criminals.The PTI chief has made it clear that his party opposes the new Bill.Sindh Assembly earlier passed the new Bill according to which government can free any suspect by simply withdrawing a case against him.Opposition members said that draconian laws are being made only to get Dr. Asim freed.

Tennis: Dimitrov faces Troicki in Sydney final

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SYDNEY (AFP) - Grigor Dimitrov and Viktor Troicki mastered rain disruptions to win two matches each on Friday to reach the final of the Sydney International.Bulgarias Dimitrov downed Alexsandr Dolgopolov and Gilles Muller to reach his first ATP final in 14 months, while Serb Troicki defeated Nicolas Mahut and Teimuraz Gabashvili to move into his second straight Sydney final.Rain forced suspensions of their quarter-finals Thursday forcing the remaining mens players to double up on Friday to set up Saturdays decider.Fourth seed Dimitrov, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, accounted for eighth seed Dolgopolov, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and then followed up with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Luxembourgs Muller to reach the final.Third seed and defending champion Troicki fought back from a set down to oust Mahut 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and then took out Russian Gabashvili 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.Its been good day in the office for me, Dimitrov said. I was pretty tired yesterday. Four times on and off the court... When I came back today I felt good as new.Then coming out the second match was... just a new day for me.Dimitrov beat Troicki in three sets in the second round of last weeks Brisbane International and said he was confident of repeating the dose in the Sydney final.Last week I was down a set and a break against him. He plays good tennis.I think the match is pretty even up. Of course, I like the odds on my side. Been playing better each match and feeling confident with each win, so that really helps a lot coming into a final.Troicki, who beat Mikhail Kukushkin in last years Sydney final, said he handled the rain delays well.Yeah, it was a good day, successful day. I played think good tennis considering the conditions today. Tough mentally going on and off the court all the time, Troicki said.I feel fine. I feel fit. This is what I worked for the last month and a bit more, since got here, for the preparations in Australia.

Tennis: Sock overcomes illness to oust Ferrer in Auckland

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AUCKLAND (AFP) - Jack Sock overcame a dose of the flu to score an upset win over top-seed David Ferrer in the ATP Auckland Classic on Friday to set up a final showdown against Roberto Bautista Agut.Sock won his semi-final 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 to dash Ferrers hopes of a record fifth title in Auckland, while Bautista Agut also came from a set down to beat the second seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.Charismatic Sock, ranked 26, complained of feeling unwell before the match and was a doubtful starter. But at the end he joked that perhaps it would be best if he stayed unwell for the Australian Open as illness brought out the best in him. After losing the first set, Sock required medical attention before fighting back with a performance reminiscent of the quarter-final when he came from behind to beat Kevin Anderson 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. Sock, 23, raced to a 5-0 lead in the second set using his powerful forehand with unerring accuracy, before winning 6-1. He broke again at the start of the deciding set and remained in control before finishing the match with a second-serve ace. It was a difficult day. I woke up with some flu-like symptoms. I didnt know if I was going to play, said Sock, who at the end of the match produced his newly adopted trademark of throwing a sock into the crowd.I ended up coming out and playing some of the best tennis of my career. Maybe I can stay sick through Melbourne and play like this. Sock has only one tour title to his credit, but with the poise he showed against more experienced Ferrer, 33, the stage is set for a thriller of a final against Bautista Agut who is ranked one spot ahead of the American at 25. After losing the first set to Tsonga and dropping his first serve at the start of the second, Bautista rallied to fight off a match point before taking the second set in a tiebreak.

Football: Griffiths at the double as Celtic hammer United

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GLASGOW (AFP) - Leigh Griffiths scored a double as Celtic extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to six points with a 4-1 thrashing of bottom side Dundee United at Tannadice.The Scotland striker opened the scoring in the 21st minute when he drilled a low drive through the legs of United keeper Eiji Kawashima to notch up his 50th goal for the Hoops.Jozo Simunovic heaped more woe on United in the 27th minute as he headed home his first Celtic goal before Simon Murray pulled one back for United four minutes later.Griffiths restored Celtics two-goal advantage in the 48th minute and Kris Commons volleyed home a sizzling fourth just eight minutes later as the reigning champions eased to victory over United, who remain 11 points adrift at the bottom of the table.The result extends Celtics winning run to three games and puts the pressure on second-place Aberdeen who travel to Dingwall to take on Ross County on Sunday.There were five changes for United from last weekends Scottish Cup win over Airdrieonians while Craig Gordon, Australian midfielder Tom Rogic and former United player Stuart Armstrong all returned for Celtic.Armstrong and Commons came close for Celtic before Rogic set up Griffiths to open the scoring in the 21st minute. The Socceroos star evaded two tackles before dinking a deflected pass into the path of Griffiths who took a touch before firing between Kawashimas legs.Griffiths was in an offside position at the goal and Uniteds problems got worse six minutes later as Simunovic beat Japanese international keeper Kawashima to connect with Commons free-kick and bullet home a free header.United were thrashed 5-0 by the Hoops back in October and a similar result looked to be on the cards before a rare goal from Murray, who was only playing due to the absence of top scorer Billy McKay on compassionate leave, hauled the home side back into contention in the 31st minute. John Souttar surged forward and slipped a fine through ball for Murray who flicked a shot with the outside of his right foot past Gordon.Gordon then came to Celtics rescue as he blocked a close range effort from Australian defender Ryan McGowan on the line as half-time loomed.An explosive start to the second half saw Kawashima push a powerful free-kick from Commons round the post.United then had an appeal for a penalty turned down after Murray and Gordon collided in the box before Celtic raced up to the other end to restore their two-goal cushion in the 48th minute. Mikael Lustigs low cross reached Griffiths in the inside left channel of the box and he blasted the ball low past Kawashima with his weaker right foot.The United keeper then made two fine saves to deny efforts from Griffiths and Callum McGregor but could do nothing to prevent Commons making it 4-1 in the 56th minute. Uniteds Scott Fraser was easily dispossessed in midfield allowing Armstrong to curl a cross to the far post where Commons rose to fire a sensational scissor-kick high into the net past Kawashima.

Golf: McGowan out in front at Joburg Open halfway stage

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JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Englands Ross McGowan claimed a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Joburg Open on Friday after a remarkable second round of 62.McGowan shot his nine-under-par round on the par-71 West Course at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, with four birdies and a bogey on the front nine being followed by an explosive inward nine that featured two eagles and two more birdies.Behind him is a group of four players on 11 under par comprised of South African duo Jean Hugo and Haydn Porteous, Englands Antony Wall and Felipe Aguilar of Chile.Wall shot a five-under-par 67 on the tougher East Course while Hugo and Aguilar enjoyed six-under-par rounds of 65 on the West Course, where Porteous went round in 66.Johan Carlsson of Sweden and Stuart Manley of Wales are a further shot back at 10 under.McGowan, who finished fifth at the Qualifying School last year to regain his card after injuries stalled his career, impressed with a 67 on the East Course on Thursday and he went out in front on Friday in large part thanks to an eagle at the par-four 12th and another at the long 15th.I holed a wedge at 12 today which was nice and then I hit two great shots into the par five, so I had 15-20 feet there for eagle and managed to hole that one as well, the 33-year-old former Madrid Masters winner told www.europeantour.com.In a tournament that has seen players play a round each on two different courses over the first two days, there is extra incentive for the field with three places available at this years British Open at Troon to players who finish in the top 10 and are not already exempt.One man who is already exempt is Ernie Els, the two-time former British Open champion, who had a two-under-par round of 70 on the East Course to sit just the right side of the cut at three under.First-round leader Justin Walters of South Africa is in a tie for eighth on nine under par after following his opening 65 on the East Course with a two-under 69 on the West Course.

Snooker: Trump edges out Australia's Robertson in Masters

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LONDON (AFP) - Judd Trump advanced into the semi-finals of the Masters tournament with a century break in the final frame of a 6-5 win over Australias Neil Robertson at Londons Alexandra Palace on Friday.Trump sprinted into a 2-0 lead, including a break of 104, only for left-hander Robertson to then make it 2-2, his break of 139 levelling the match.The Englishman then went 4-2 up only for Robertson, the 2010 world champion, to draw all square at 4-4 courtesy of breaks of 100 and 74.Both Trump and Robertson, who won last years UK Championship and took the Masters title in 2012, then won a frame each to set up a decider.Trump, the winner of the UK Championship in 2011 and like Robertson a former world number one, then seized his chance with a break of 129 that owed much to an excellent opening red. He will now play Barry Hawkins in an all-English semi-final.In the first round I was really nervous. I was looking for form and while I knew I was playing well, Neil kept coming back at me, Trump told BBC Sport.As soon as that opening red in the final frame went in I thought dont mess up.If ever Im the underdog I seem to play well and whenever Im the favourite I put too much pressure on myself. Knowing me I could go out and play terribly in the next round.Im 26 now and its about time I started winning titles. Ive proved a lot to myself and, hopefully, I can keep it up. For me, that was a big win.

Rallying: Peterhansel closes in on Dakar title, Hirovonen snatches stage

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VILLA CARLOS PAZ (AFP) - French Dakar Rally legend Stephane Peterhansel closed in on another title Friday, holding the overall race lead as Finn Mikko Hirvonen snatched victory in the 12th and penultimate stage.Peugeot driver Peterhansel, with 11 Dakar titles to his name -- six motorbike and five car -- holds a 40min 59sec overall advantage on last years winner Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar, who clawed back 11 minutes on Friday.Hirvonen, competing for the first time, claimed his first stage win as he negotiated his Mini over 931km -- 481km timed -- between San Juan and Villa Carlos Paz in Argentina.The Finn clocked 5hr 34min 17sec, to finish nine seconds ahead of Al-Attiyah with South Africas Leeroy Poulter third at 45sec for Toyota.It was the third victory for a Mini in his years race with Al-Attiyah also winning two stages.Earlier Portugals Helder Rodrigues, riding a Yamaha, lead the motorbikes ahead of Australian race leader Toby Price on a KTM.Rodrigues clocked 5hr 57min 24sec to finish 7min 32sec ahead of Price with Argentinas Kevin Benavides third at 7min 55sec on a Honda.Price, 28, is poised to claim his first Dakar victory in Rosario on Saturday with the KTM rider holding a 37min 39sec advantage on his Slovak teammate Stefan Svitko while the Chilean Pablo Quintanilla of Husqvarna lies third at 53min 10sec.Frances Antoine Meo had been sitting third before the longest stage of the endurance race but dropped to sixth overall after losing half an hour during a fall.

Tennessee couple first official winners of huge US jackpot

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Lottery officials confirmed Friday that a Tennessee couple held one of three winning tickets for a world record $1.6 billion jackpot and handed them a symbolic check for $528.8 million.John and Lisa Robinson said they had barely slept since defying the odds to hit the jackpot, but they smiled when a lottery executive handed them a giant check before a phalanx of television cameras.John works at a maintenance distribution center and Lisa for a dermatologist. Their adult daughter Tiffany stood next to them with their rescue dog Abby.The Robinsons, from the tiny town of Munford, with barely 5,000 residents, appeared overwhelmed by their incredible luck in the Powerball jackpot draw on Wednesday. The chances of winning were 1 in 292.2 million.The couple told reporters that they wanted to pay off their daughters student loans, but had no plans to move and wanted to continue working. They intend to donate funds to their church and a childrens hospital and to help friends.Rebecca Hargrove, president of the Tennessee Lottery Corporation, said they would have to wait 10 days for their actual winnings, which the commission would pay after retailers send in the proceeds of record ticket sales.Theyll get a small check today for a few million, said Hargrove.The couple have opted to receive a one-time cash payment of $337 million rather than $528.8 million divided into annual payments over 29 years. There is no state tax on lottery winnings in Tennessee.More stress comes with that ticket, Lisa told a news conference in Nashville after flying in from New York, where the couple had appeared on national television.No sleepThe Robinsons said they had consulted the Internet and followed the advice they found there, hiring an accountant and a lawyer to help them navigate their riches.Their lawyer, Joe Townsend, asked the media to give them time to rest before deciding on any further media appearances.Theyre almost 48 hours without any sleep, he told reporters.The familys life changed forever when John bought four Powerball tickets at his wifes request just a few hours before Wednesdays live television draw, then headed off to sleep because he was not feeling well.It was his custom to buy four tickets, one for each member of his immediate family. The couple also have a son.Only after checking the numbers three times did an astonished Lisa alert her husband.I went running down the hallway, John, John, youve got to check these numbers she told NBCs Today show.He checked the ticket four times, but even then couldnt quite believe it, so the couple waited for the news to come on in the morning and confirm there had been a winner in Munford, which is northeast of Memphis.Work on MondayLisa said there had been no time to plan how to spend the money but she does not intend to quit her job.Ill be there Monday, she promised.The Robinsons said they only played the lottery when the jackpot got particularly high in hopes of getting a little piece of the pie.John said he did not make enough money to play every week.Actually, I was on way home from work, and she had called me and she said, Are you going to stop and get a couple lottery tickets? John told NBC.I really didnt feel like stopping that night, but I was like, Yeah, Ill stop... I wasnt feeling good, and I handed the tickets to her and said, Im going to go lay down, he said.The winning numbers were 4, 8, 19, 27 and 34, drawn from five white balls, and 10 as the so-called Powerball number on a red ball.The identities of the two other winning ticket holders have not been revealed. A ticket in California was bought at a Los Angeles convenience store and one in Florida from a Melbourne Beach supermarket.The previous US jackpot record of $656 million, on March 30, 2012, was scooped by three winners from North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Texas.

Hastings retained as Hazlewood rested for 3rd India ODI

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SYDNEY (AFP) - Paceman John Hastings has been retained in Australias squad for the third one-day international against India in Melbourne this weekend, Cricket Australia said Saturday.Hastings steps in for fellow seam bowler Josh Hazlewood, who has been given a break for the remainder of the home international season.Josh has played all six Tests this summer and has had a high workload, team coach Darren Lehmann said.On that basis the decision has been made to give him a break to allow him to recharge both physically and mentally ahead of the (February) tour of New Zealand.The Australia squad for the final two matches of the India ODI series will be announced after Sundays third ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, CA said.Australia lead the series 2-0 after a seven-wicket victory with six balls to spare at Brisbanes Gabba ground on Friday.

Al Qaeda attack on Burkina hotel kills 20

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OUAGADOUGOU (AFP) - At least 20 people have been killed and another 15 wounded Friday in an ongoing Al Qaeda attack on a hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso popular with United Nations staff and westerners.Gunshots and explosions rocked Ouagadougous four-star Splendid hotel and the nearby Cappuccino restaurant as Burkinabe forces prepared an assault to rescue hostages still trapped inside the hotel.Officials said French forces could join a counter-assault on the hotel, where assailants were apparently still holed up more than three hours after the attack began.The attack comes less than two months after a jihadist hostage siege at the luxury Radisson Blu Hotel in the Malian capital Bamako in November, in which 20 people died including 14 foreigners.We know that there are victims and there are hostages. Currently the area is blocked by security forces waiting for an assault to free the hostages, Foreign Minister Alpha Barry told AFP.Around 10 vehicles were on fire in the streets near the hotel in Ouagadougou, not far from the citys international airport.The head of the citys main hospital confirmed at least 20 dead and another 15 injured, and witnesses said the assailants were still holed up in the 147-room hotel.A Cappuccino staff member, reached by telephone, also said several people had been killed at the restaurant, but was not able to give an exact toll.Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack, according to US-based monitoring group SITE. The mujahideen brothers of AQIM broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of the religion, SITE quoted the group as saying.Sporadic exchanges of fire could be heard between the attackers and security forces near the hotel, which often has UN staff among its guests and has security checks at its entrances.Barry said Burkina Faso may enlist the support of French special forces, who have a permanent presence in the country, to deal with the unfolding situation. An AFP reporter at one point saw three men clad in turbans firing at the scene on Avenue Kwame Nkrumah, one of Ouagadougous main thoroughfares.A witness also reported seeing four assailants who were of Arab or white appearance and wearing turbans.The French embassy said on its website that a terrorist attack was underway and urged people to avoid the area. An Air France flight from Paris to Ouagadougou was diverted to neighbouring Niger.The Burkinabe army meanwhile revealed that an armed group had carried out an attack earlier in the day near the border with Mali, killing two people.In the afternoon around 2:00 pm (1400 GMT), around 20 heavily-armed unidentified individuals carried out an attack against gendarmes in the village of Tin Abao, the army said in a statement, adding that an officer and a civilian had been killed and two people were wounded.Several attacks have taken place in Burkina Faso in recent months, but no such assaults have yet hit the capital.In April the Romanian security chief of a mine in northern Tambao was kidnapped in a move claimed by Al-Murabitoun, a jihadist group run by notorious Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar.Al-Murabitoun claimed Novembers Mali hotel attack -- although another jihadist group from central Mali has also said it was responsible for the siege in which some 150 staff and guests were held hostage for several hours.Burkina Faso is part of the G5 Sahel grouping that counts the fight against terrorism as part of its remit.It has also offered support to Frances Barkhane counter-terror mission, spanning five countries in Africas restive Sahel region, and French special forces are stationed in Ouagadougous suburbs.Last month, Burkina Faso swore in Roch Marc Christian Kabore as president, completing the troubled West African states transition after the overthrow of its longtime ruler Blaise Compaore in 2014 and a failed coup attempt in September.Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in October 2014, when Compaore sought to extend his rule, forcing him to step down after ruling the poor, landlocked country with an iron fist for 27 years.

15 suspects arrested during Rangers, police operations in Karachi

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, Rangers conducted search operations in Jumma Goth, Naseerabad and Kalakot Police Station areas of Karachi on Friday and arrested four suspects.A Rangers spokesman informed media that target killers and dacoits were among the arrested person. The spokesman further said that arms were also recovered from the arrested suspects.Separately, Clifton Police conducted a search operation in Zamzama area and detained three suspects. Police sources said that the arrested person were identified as Imran, Liaquat and Rafeeq who were wanted by police in more than 50 cases of robberies.Meanwhile, Brigade Police have also arrested three suspects involved in robberies and other street crimes during a search operation in the area. Korangi Industrial Area Police also conducted a search operation in the area and arrested five suspects, including a woman. Police sources said that the arrested persons, who were identified as Danish Waqar, Shahmir, Shehroze and Kiran, were involved in murder of a man named Umair who was killed yesterday.Separately, some unidentified persons opened fire in Lines area and injured a woman named Samina. In Gulshan Maymar area, some unidentified gunmen opened fire and critically wounded a man named Abdur Rehman.On the other hand, six people sustained injuries when a speeding Hi-roof turned turtle near Qayyumabad area. The injured were shifted to Jinnah Hospital.

Oil prices slump ahead of Iran return to market

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices plunged to fresh 12-year lows Friday and dragged down stock markets as dealers prepared for increased Iranian exports to the heavily oversupplied market.Capping another week of steep losses, prices for the key global benchmarks dropped. Brent North Sea crude fell seven percent in London and West Texas Intermediate in New York lost about six percent on Friday.That took losses since the beginning of the year to more than 21 percent, one of the steepest declines in years. Traders were still at a loss to peg where the bottom will be after the market collapse began 18 months ago, wiping more than 70 percent from crude prices.In London trade, the Brent contract for March delivery closed at $28.94 a barrel Friday, a loss of $2.09 from Thursday to the lowest level since February 2004.New York prices for WTI for February delivery hit $29.13 a barrel before rebounding to end at $29.42 a barrel, down $1.78.The accelerating losses this week came on the back of key oil importer Chinas economic slowdown and expectations that Iran will quickly begin exporting large amounts of crude when nuclear sanctions are removed, possibly early next week, and possibly Sunday.Thats going to put 500,000 barrels per day more on the market, said James Williams of WTRG Economics.Soon India or someone in Europe is going to purchase that oil, carving into other exporters markets, he said.And theres no indication the Saudis are going to back off on their production.Capital Economics analyst Caroline Bain said Friday that disappointing US economic data also added to the selling pressure. Weak US industrial and retail data, published today, further weighed on prices. By far the largest loser was the price of oil, which also faces the prospect of a surge in supply if Western sanctions on Iran are lifted this weekend, she said.The continued plunge in prices, with some analysts now seeing a $20 price in sight, has spurred turmoil in exporters as revenues collapse.Nigerian petroleum resources minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu this week declared that he expects an extraordinary meeting of the OPEC oil cartel in early March to discuss nosediving crude prices.But Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets in Sydney, said prices may have hit or are nearing the end of their downward spiral.If were not at the lows, were very close to the lows for oil, he told AFP. I do expect to see a turn very soon.

Dollar weakens on lower inflation expectations

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The US dollar fell against the euro and yen Friday as US data and comments from the Federal Reserve pointed to falling inflation expectations.The dollar slipped to $1.0916 per euro and to 116.96 yen at about 2200 GMT.The move came after the US retail sales data for December showed weakness in consumer spending, and wholesale prices fell a third straight month.It raised some concern that the Feds predictions in December when it raised interest rates, that inflation would begin picking up toward its target, were overly optimistic amid continuing falls in commodity prices, especially oil.Oil prices dropped more than six percent on Friday, taking losses since the beginning of the year to more than 21 percent.Investors saw the new sales and prices data as a possible sign that the Fed will have to move more slowly than planned on future rate hikes, according to Christopher Vecchio of DailyFX.Its hard for the Fed to say something that will change the mood... I dont know what the Fed can do to help the market, he said.Early Friday, New York Fed President William Dudley said nothing had changed the outlook for steady moderate economic growth in the US economy in the month since the Feds December meeting.However, he added, a concern is whether these persistent underruns in inflation may be beginning to weigh on inflation expectations.Should the economy unexpectedly weaken, then this fall in inflation expectations would become more concerning, he said.That came a day after James Bullard, president of the Feds St. Louis branch, warned that falling oil prices may delay a return of inflation to the central banks target.Inflation expectations in the US may be falling. If so, this would put downward pressure on inflation, he said.

Operation to continue until lasting peace in Karachi: DG Rangers

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KARACHI (Dunya News) –Director General (DG) Rangers Sindh Major General Bilal Akbar Friday has assured that the operation against foes will continue until a lasting peace was achieved in the city.The DG Rangers stated that in addition to terrorists, a plan to curb street crime in the Provincial capital has also been prepared.Major General Bilal Akbar informed that strict action shall be taken against petty criminals as well as dacoits, robbers, looters and car thieves from now on.DG Rangers expressed that situation in Karachi is gradually improving with each passing day.He further added that ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ and the operation in Karachi will continue indiscriminately.The DG Rangers Sindh’s comments come at a time when the noose around criminal elements and miscreants spreading instability in Karachi is being tightened even further. 9 suspects including foreigners were arrested from various areas of the city on Friday.A suspect of Nigerian nationality, Columbus was arrested from Saddar area. The Nigerian man provided logistical support to gangwar operatives.Police also took 4 Afghan individuals into custody from Rizwia who were residing illegally in the area. A case was registered against them after the arrest.Meanwhile 4 suspects of a dacoit gang were apprehended from Clifton Zamzama. According to the police, the felons Imran, Rafique and Liaqat were involved in 50 cases of roobery.On the other hand, two people including a woman was injured during a firing incident in Lines area and Gulshan-e-Maymar.

Centurion Root, Stokes transform third Test

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JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Joe Root hit a thrilling century for England as he and Ben Stokes transformed the third Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday.England were 238 for five when the threat of lightning brought an early close on the second day, 75 runs behind South Africas first innings total of 313.Root was on 106 not out, his ninth Test century.A fifth-wicket partnership of 111 in 78 minutes off 97 balls with Stokes (58) swung the match dramatically in Englands favour after a four-pronged South African pace attack had reduced the tourists to 91 for four.Root and Stokes counter-attacked, posting a fifty partnership off only 35 balls in a match where the average scoring rate had hovered at around three an over on a pitch offering help to the fast bowlers.He takes the pressure off you, Root said of the left-handed Stokes. He comes in and plays aggressively, the slips come out and there are men on the boundary. You can run well between wickets because there all those gaps. Hopefully he can continue in the form he is in for the rest of the trip.Root reached the first half-century of the match off 77 balls with nine fours. He admitted that he struggled in the early stages of his innings against some high-quality pace bowling. I was all over the place, my feet were going nowhere and I was just happy to get through to lunch.But the advent of Stokes brought a change in his own game. When you see someone scoring at the other end like that and putting your opponents under pressure it brings that out in your own game.Stokes, who hit a dazzling 258 in the drawn second Test in Cape Town, got a hostile welcome from Morne Morkel, fending a bouncer off his glove for a single.But in the next over Stokes pulled a short ball from Rabada for six. He reached his fifty off 46 balls and his innings lasted 54 deliveries before he offered a caught and bowled chance to Morkel off a leading edge.Root continued to bat aggressively and reached his century off 126 balls when he punched Chris Morris through the covers for his 16th four.Tomorrow (Saturday) its about making it a big one, building a partnership with Jonny (Bairstow), trying to get some kind of lead, said Root, who needed treatment for a cramping left calf towards the close before reassuring it was nothing serious.England got off to a bad start when Kagiso Rabada had Alex Hales caught at second slip for one. It got worse when Hardus Viljoen took a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket, having England captain Alastair Cook caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Dane Vilas for 18.Nick Compton survived a chance to AB de Villiers at second slip on six and went on to add 52 for the third wicket with Root before edging Rabada to Dean Elgar at second slip for 26.James Taylor was caught at short leg off Morkel for seven.Rabada, 20, was the best of a quartet of bowlers, all of whom exceeded 140kmh. Rabada had an outstanding first spell with the new ball of one for seven off six overs. He finished the day with two for 44.Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Stokes took a wicket apiece as South Africa added 46 runs to their overnight total of 267 for seven.Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow took six catches and missed a chance to equal the world record of seven when he dropped last batsman Morkel.All of the South African batsmen reached double figures - the 13th instance in Tests. It was the lowest total in which it had been achieved.Anderson was ordered out of the bowling attack for running on the prohibited area of the pitch after two official warnings. Stokes took over from Anderson and with his first ball of the day had Morkel caught at first slip by Cook.Stokes finished with the best English figures of three for 53.
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