Dunya TV

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• Millions brace for massive US snow storm
• Kerry confident Syria peace talks will go ahead January 25
• France's Hollande says Iraq, Syria air strikes to be 'accelerated'
• Third T20 between Pakistan and New Zealand today
• Flight cancellation: Passengers stage sit-in at Lahore Airport
• Tennis: Hewitt lashes match-fixing claims as 'absolute farce'
• Tennis: Santoro rejects claim Djokovic threw match
• Football: Bale cost world record 100 million euros - report
• Football: PSG draw Lyon in French Cup last 16
• Supreme Court to announce verdict on Houbara Bustard hunting case today
• Golf: McIlroy edges Spieth as DeChambeau leads in Abu Dhabi
• Rallying: Nice ice baby as Meeke stuns Ogier on Monte Carlo opener
• Tennis: Murray demolishes Groth to reach third round
• Tennis: Emotional farewell as Hewitt goes down fighting
• Facebook gets in game with new sports hub

Millions brace for massive US snow storm Posted: WASHINGTON (AFP) - The eastern United States was in panic mode Thursday ahead of what forecasters called a potentially paralyzing blizzard, sparking the cancelation of hundreds of flights and the looming closure of Washingtons public transportation system.The US capital and the surrounding area could see up to two feet (61 centimeters) of snow accumulate in a short time from Friday to Saturday, coupled with fierce winds, forecasters said.With authorities warning the storm could bury Washington under more snow than it has seen in nearly a century, officials took the unusual step of shutting down the citys rail and bus system from Friday night until Monday morning.The Metro system -- the second busiest in the United States after New York -- serves about 700,000 customers a day in Washington, Maryland and Virginia. The Washington Post reported that officials believed this was to be the longest closing in the systems more than 40-year history. Heavy snow was expected across at least 15 states, with icy rain and coastal flooding in other areas, according to the Weather Channel.The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a blizzard warning for Washington, and said New York could catch the tail end of the storm as the weekend progresses.Heavy snow and blowing snow will cause dangerous conditions and will be a threat to life and property, the NWS warned in its Washington bulletin.Travel is expected to be severely limited if not impossible during the height of the storm Friday night and Saturday.NWS director Louis Uccellini said the system had the potential of being an extremely dangerous storm that could affect over 50 million people.We are talking about a potentially paralyzing storm that is already setting up, Uccellini told reporters on a conference call.Ahead of the first snowflakes, American Airlines said it was canceling hundreds of flights, including at Washingtons two airports on Saturday. All flights on that day will also be scrapped in Baltimore and Philadelphia, a spokeswoman said, adding that service would likely resume Sunday. All American Eagle operations will be halted Saturday at New Yorks three airports, according to the airline.Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a state of emergency which will allow for access to federal resources when we need them, she said during a press conference, in which she also called off school Friday.Ive lived in DC most of my life and I dont know if Ive lived through a forecast like this. Its an extremely large storm. It will last for 36 hours. States of emergency were also declared in Virginia and Maryland.The US capital was already struggling after evening flurries on Wednesday left traffic at a standstill, even snaring President Barack Obamas motorcade, which spent more than an hour navigating the icy streets from Andrews Air Force Base in suburban Maryland to the White House -- normally a trip of 20-25 minutes.We should have been out earlier with more resources, Bowser admitted.Asked how Obama planned to weather the big storm, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Thursday: My guess is he will stay warm and toasty inside the White House.If the blizzard creates as much snow in Washington over the weekend as predicted, it could surpass a record set in 1922 by a storm that dumped 28 inches over three days and killed 100 people after a roof collapsed at a theater.Residents were already flocking to supermarkets to stock up on food and snow shovels Thursday, making for long lines at checkouts.The NWS reported that there was uncertainty in snowfall through early Saturday in the corridor stretching from New York City to Boston, which saw massive amounts of snowfall last winter.New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, however, told reporters that his city was preparing for up to 12 inches of snow, as he issued a hazardous travel advisory for the weekend.Were bracing for the first big storm of the winter. I want to let my fellow New Yorkers know were prepared, the agencies here are ready for whats coming up ahead, de Blasio said.He said more than 575 salt spreaders would be pre-deployed on Friday evening and that the city had 303,000 tons of rock salt on hand. Washington had more than 200 plows and 39 tons of salt at the ready, Bowser said.South of Washington, significant icing is likely for portions of Kentucky and North Carolina, NWS said.Uccellini said there was even the potential for a severe weather outbreak today from East Texas to the western part of Florida.But despite the dire forecast, some were excited about the snow, with parents in Washingtons Logan Circle neighborhood trading tips on where to take children sledding once the blizzard died down.The frigid weather marks a stark departure from what has otherwise been a mild winter along the eastern seaboard.Just a month ago on Christmas Eve, the NWS reported that temperatures in New Yorks iconic Central Park peaked at 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 Celsius), the warmest ever for the day since records began in 1871.

Kerry confident Syria peace talks will go ahead January 25 Posted: DAVOS (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday peace talks to solve the crisis in Syria would proceed on January 25 as planned, despite a dispute over who would represent the countrys opposition.It may be a day or two for invitations but there is not going to be a fundamental delay. The process will begin on the 25th and they will get together and see where we are, Kerry said on the sidelines of meetings at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.The latest bid to end the Syrian war through indirect talks between the government and opposition will take place in Geneva.But a disagreement over which parts of the opposition will be present at the negotiations, and who will represent them, is posing new obstacles.On Wednesday, the main coalition of opposition bodies, the so-called High Negotiations Committee, announced its own delegation to the talks.But its decision to name a member of the Jaish al-Islam rebel group as its chief negotiator has drawn criticism both from some of its own members, and opposition figures excluded from the coalition.The National Coordinating Committee for Democratic Change, a key opposition body still present in Damascus, said the choice was not acceptable.And Haytham Manna, an opposition figure who does not belong to the High Negotiations Committee, accused it of including war criminals in its delegation.Damascuss delegation will be headed by the Syrian ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar al-Jaafari, and overseen by Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Moqdad, the Syrian government source has said.

France's Hollande says Iraq, Syria air strikes to be 'accelerated' Posted: PARIS (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande said Thursday that a coalition waging a bombing campaign against the Islamic State group would accelerate air strikes.The pace of the interventions will be accelerated and France will play its role in this, Hollande said in a speech to ambassadors.His comments came after a meeting by the defence ministers of seven countries in the coalition, who said their strategy was to free the IS power centres of Raqa and Mosul in Iraq and Syria.They also decided to reinforce support to Arab and Kurdish forces fighting Daesh on the ground, he said, using an alternative name for IS.Hollande told ambassadors that 2016 must be a year of transition in Syria, which is entering its fifth year of war.Peace talks are due to take place with all parties on Monday.The moderate opposition has agreed to attend. The key question of who will govern Syria should not be avoided, he said.

Third T20 between Pakistan and New Zealand today Posted: WELLINGTON (Dunya News/Agencies) - The third and final Twenty20 International between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played today (Friday) in Wellington. The match will start at 11:00am PST.Pakistan and New Zealand will go head to head in Wellington on Friday with their Twenty20 series on the line as well as a last chance to garner a morale boost ahead of the ICC World Twenty20. After Pakistan got their tour schedule off to a perfect start with victory in Auckland last week, New Zealand hit back in some style in Hamilton on Sunday.Not only will today’s encounter decide the series ahead of the teams facing off in three one-day internationals, but it will also be their last chance for fine tuning in cricket’s 20-over format before going for glory in India in March and April. Ahead of the World T20, New Zealand and Pakistan are currently locked level in the ICC rankings, with the winner today set to leap up to fifth spot.As for Pakistan, a series win would be a welcome reward after suffering a heavy 3-0 loss to England in their last T20I series, in the United Arab Emirates last November. For the hosts, victory would be all the sweeter for it having come without outgoing captain Brendon McCullum and injured pace bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Meanwhile, captain Shahid Afridi, who impressed with the ball in the first match, also struggled second time around. But spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed is hopeful Pakistan can overcome Sunday’s disappointment.

Flight cancellation: Passengers stage sit-in at Lahore Airport Posted: LAHORE (Dunya News) – According to details, a flight of a private airline was scheduled to take off from the Allama Iqbal International Airport for Medina at 12:50am on Friday but was cancelled at 3:00am due to technical fault.More than 180 passengers, who were present at the airport since 10:00pm on Thursday, refused to return the boarding cards after the cancellation of the flight and also staged a sit-in in the passengers’ lounge of the Allama Iqbal International Airport. Angry passengers also exchanged harsh words with the airlines management. They also alleged that the airlines management did not inform them about the next schedule of the flight.

Tennis: Hewitt lashes match-fixing claims as 'absolute farce' Posted: MELBOURNE (AFP) - Lleyton Hewitt slammed as an absolute farce his name being put on a list of players linked with match-fixing claims after bowing out of his final Australian Open on Thursday.The dual Grand Slam champion and former world number one reacted with fury after an online blog linked him to match-fixing allegations that have rocked the sport.Hewitt went down in three torrid sets to Spaniard David Ferrer in a second round match to end his playing career in his 20th and last Australian Open campaign.The feisty Australian went on the attack during his post-match press conference, calling the claims absurd and a farce. I think its a joke to deal with it. Obviously, theres no possible way. I know my names now been thrown into it, he told reporters.The BBC and BuzzFeed News said this week that that 16 top players had been suspected of involvement in fixed matches but never faced action.The Tennis Integrity Unit of the sports governing body has denied that there was any coverup over suspicious cases.Sports blog Show Legend however published the names of 16 players supposedly identified by BuzzFeed, with Hewitt among them.I dont think anyone here would think that Ive done anything (like) corruption or match-fixing. Its just absurd, Hewitt said.For anyone that tries to go any further with it, then good luck. Take me on with it.Yeah, its disappointing. I think throwing my name out there with it makes the whole thing an absolute farce.Whilst making the names public Show Legend said they were not saying that any of the players named were guilty of wrongdoing.The list was accompanied by the following caveat: Please note that Show Legend only wants to reveal the real names behind the Buzzfeed Ids.We do not imply that these players are involved in matchfixing.The blog added: There are some serious doubts about the quality of the methodology which Buzzfeed has used for their analysis.World number one Novak Djokovic has also called for those making corruption allegations to provide proof after blasting as absurd an Italian newspaper which suggested he could have thrown a match.Its not true, the 28-year-old Serb told a tense press conference at the Australian Open on Wednesday when asked about the suggestion in Tuttosport newspaper about his 2007 defeat by Frenchman Fabrice Santoro at the Paris Masters.A host of players have called for any evidence of alleged wrongdoing to be made public

Tennis: Santoro rejects claim Djokovic threw match Posted: PARIS (AFP) - Fabrice Santoro on Thursday laughed off a suggestion that world number one Novak Djokovic deliberately lost to him at the Paris Masters in 2007.The former French player spoke out after an Italian newspaper said Djokovic could have thrown the second round match 6-3, 6-2.I was never the best player in the world but Id beaten 19 of the 23 best players in the world, and a week before Id beaten American Andy Roddick, who was world number five, Santoro, who was ranked 39 at the time, told BeIN Sports television.Whilst Djokovic had undoubtedly not played the match of his life, Santoro refuted the suggestion that the Serbian had been involved in match-fixing.One has to be careful, you cant just write any old thing, you have to have proof, Santoro, now a commentator, said.Djokovic on Wednesday called the corruption claim absurd.Its not true, the 28-year-old Serb told a tense press conference at the Australian Open in Melbourne when asked about the suggestion.He said it would remain speculation until there was real proof and evidence. What is there to say? Ive lost that match. I dont know if youre trying to create a story about that match or for that matter any of the matches of the top players losing in the early rounds, I think its just absurd, said Djokovic.The spectre of match-fixing overshadowed the Australian Open after the BBC and BuzzFeed News claimed that 16 top players had repeatedly been suspected of involvement in fixed matches but never faced action.Tennis authorities have also strongly denied suggestions that evidence of corruption has been deliberately suppressed.

Football: Bale cost world record 100 million euros - report Posted: MADRID (AFP) - Welsh star Gareth Bale joined Real Madrid in 2013 for a world record fee in excess of 100 million euros ($109 million), a leaked report reveals.Whistleblowing website Football Leaks posted a copy of the agreement between Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur online on Wednesday. The deal allowed Madrid the option of paying 91,589,842 euros in one lump sum within 15 days of the transfer, or 99,743,542 euros in four instalments over three years.Madrid also agreed to pay a solidarity fee of 1,015,875 euros and forego any outstanding payments on the transfer of Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart to Tottenham from Madrid in 2013.Numerous Spanish media outlets reported Madrid had taken up the four instalment option.Real Madrid refused to comment when contacted by AFP on Thursday.However, Bales agent Jonathan Barnett called for an investigation into how the documents came to be leaked.There should be an inquiry and an independent investigation because its outrageous, he told The Telegraph.There also needs to be an apology from the Football Association to the clubs and the player.I think its disgraceful that people can get hold of this sort of stuff. It shows complete disregard for both clubs and the player.Real have long maintained Bale only cost 91 million euros.Indeed another provision of the contract states Madrid would cite that figure to the media, whilst Tottenham wouldnt release any statement regarding the transfer fee.In exchange, Madrid agreed to ensure Bale wouldnt make any negative or derogatory comments regarding Tottenham and their chairman Daniel Levy.Madrid were reluctant to announce a world record fee to appease Bales teammate and three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, whose move from Manchester United to Madrid for 94 million euros in 2009 was the previous record.Bale has consistently been linked with a move back to England with United among those rumoured to be interested.However, according to the agreement, Tottenham have a right of first refusal should Madrid sell Bale back to the Premier League before 2019.Bale enjoyed a stellar first season in Madrid, scoring in the finals as Real won the Champions League and Copa del Rey against rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona respectively.However, after a poor second season, the 26-year-old has been hampered by injuries so far this year.He is expected to be out for the next three weeks after picking up his fifth calf muscle injury since joining Madrid in Sundays 5-1 win over Sporting Gijon.Yet, Madrid sports daily Marca reported on Thursday that the club are set to offer Bale a new contract on improved terms until 2021.

Football: PSG draw Lyon in French Cup last 16 Posted: PARIS (AFP) - Holders Paris Saint-Germain will host struggling French giants Lyon in the last 16 of the French Cup following Thursdays draw.Nine-time winners PSG are bidding to repeat last years domestic treble and beat Lyon 2-1 at the Parc des Princes last week to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup.Record 10-time champions Marseille face fourth-tier outfit Trelissac, who stunned Lille on penalties in the previous round.Saint-Etienne, 2-1 winners over Ajaccio on Thursday, head to Ligue 1 relegation favourites Troyes, while Bordeaux host Nantes in the other two top-flight ties.Monaco are away to second-tier Sochaux, with teams from the fourth division awaiting both Lorient and Gazelec Ajaccio. Fifth-tier Granville and Sarreguemines are the lowest-ranked sides left in the competition, with the winner of Saturdays last-32 tie set to face Ligue 2 outfit Bourg-en-BresseThe matches will be played on February 9-10.Draw:Saint Malo v Gazelec AjaccioSarre Union v LorientParis Saint-Germain v LyonGranville or Sarreguemines v Bourg-en-BresseTroyes v Saint-EtienneTrelissac v MarseilleSochaux v MonacoBordeaux v Nantes.

Supreme Court to announce verdict on Houbara Bustard hunting case today Posted: ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Supreme Court will announce its verdict on the ban against Houbara Bustard hunting case today (Friday). The verdict will decide whether hunting of the famed bird will be allowed or not.A five member bench under the Chief Justice will be announcing the verdict on the review pleas against the ban. The final decision on the case was made on January 8th after hearing was completed.Supreme Court had barred hunting of the bird back in August last year. The Federal government along with the Foreign Ministry and Provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan had submitted petitions calling for review on the ban. Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam’s (PML-Q) leader Chaudary Shujaat and the chieftain of Mazari tribe Balakh Sher Mazari and withdrawn their pleas.According to the review pleas, the laws of the Provincial governments allow the hunting of the bird while the government will also favour the international conventions regarding the hunt.

Golf: McIlroy edges Spieth as DeChambeau leads in Abu Dhabi Posted: ABU DHABI (AFP) - Rory McIlroy won the opening skirmish of his much anticipated battle with Jordan Spieth by two shots in his first competitive outing of the year at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Thursday.The world number three from Northern Ireland posted a first round six-under par 66 to lie two shots behind American amateur Bryson DeChambeau (64) and one behind world number five Henrik Stenson (65).World number one Spieth, who uncharacteristically missed a couple of short putts, like McIlroy also made two bogeys in his round of 68. The American was at the receiving end of the new pace of play procedure adopted by the European Tour, and received a bad monitoring time on the eighth hole.World number six Rickie Fowler, the third player in the morning feature group, opened with a two-under par 70.McIlroy is playing his first tournament of 2016 - after a gap of almost two months since winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in November.He showed little signs of ring rustiness as he opened with two straight birdies on the 10th and 11th holes after starting on the back nine of the golf course.However, he dropped two shots on his first nine - on the 13th and 17th holes - both because of three-putts.McIlroy said he was just happy with the way he played, especially his driving.Its a great way to start the year. I felt in practice last week in Dubai that I was swinging well and I really came back mentally refreshed and really excited to play again, said the five-time major champion.I dont know if its about making a statement, but I just want to play well.I want to compete each and every week. Obviously, theres still a long way to go, but I want to win every tournament I play. Its just about trying to play the best that I can. I know if I do that, hopefully theres a lot of wins to come.Spieth, who won the Tournament of Champions on the PGA Tour a couple of weeks ago, needed six holes to make his first birdie, but then added six more. The two bogeys came on the second and fifth holes, but the defending Masters and US Open champion seemed most frustrated by a missed birdie putt from four feet on the eighth hole, where he also received his time violation warning.It was a bit odd, said Spieth about his warning after calling McIlroys round a masterclass.I got a bad time on my putt on the eighth when they took us off the clock on that green and the guys behind us hadnt even reached the fairway on a par five.I understand that if you are being timed and you are taking longer than the allotted time, you get a bad time. I understand the rule but it doesnt make a whole lot of sense when our group had caught up.DeChambeau, the 22-year-old US Amateur champion often called the most interesting man in golf, was one-over after three holes, before making seven birdies and an eagle.It was pretty good. I had no expectations coming into today and just free wheeled it and pretty much hit every fairway and was able to make a couple putts, said the main who plays with wedges and irons of similar shaft length.Its nice to kind of be an intern as an amateur playing professional events. Im getting used to and getting more comfortable each event.Stenson, who had a surgery done on his right knee in December, had said his first challenge would be to walk the 18 holes this week. But with his iron play in song, the 39-year-old Swede had absolutely no trouble throughout the day.The world number five, who holds the course record of 62 in Abu Dhabi, closed with a bogey after failing to make an up-and-down from the bunker on the ninth hole, but that was his only blemish the whole day.

Rallying: Nice ice baby as Meeke stuns Ogier on Monte Carlo opener Posted: GAP (AFP) - Northern Irelands Kris Meeke snatched the lead of the Monte Carlo Rally from triple world champion Sebastien Ogier on Thursday, mastering the bitter cold and ice of the seasons opening event.Meeke, behind the wheel of a Citroen, had trailed Volkswagen Polo driver Ogier by 4.1sec after the first night-time special between Entrevaux and Rouaine.But he overturned the deficit over the second stage, 20.38km between Barles and Seyne, to end the opening day with a 6.9sec lead over Ogier who is chasing a fourth win on the 84th edition of the storied rally. Everything feels good, Meeke told wrc.comOgier said he was content to be in second place ahead of the resumption of the rally on Friday in his home town of Gap.Im happy to be here. This is just the beginning of the rally, said the Frenchman.Norways Andreas Mikkelsen, a VW teammate of Ogier, was third, 20sec behind Meeke with the Hyundai i20 cars of Thierry Neuville and Hayden Paddon filling out the top five.Last years world championship runner-up Jari-Matti Latvala, in another VW, had been fourth fastest after the opening stage but he hit trouble on the second run, dropping to seventh at the end of the day.I hit something on the first proper icy section, said the Finn.The car started to slide so I hit full throttle. I think we tagged a bridge or something and I was worried we might have damaged the rear suspension. We took it easy after that.

Tennis: Murray demolishes Groth to reach third round Posted: MELBOURNE (AFP) - Andy Murray made dealing with the worlds biggest serve look easy on Thursday as he reached the Australian Open third round alongside Ana Ivanovic, who was shaken by an elderly spectators courtside fall.Murray, faced with the world record-breaking serve of the physically imposing Sam Groth, had all the answers as he won 6-0, 6-4, 6-1 in just 91 minutes against the flummoxed Australian.Earlier, Ivanovic went through 6-3, 6-3 against Anastasija Sevastova in a match which was held up for 30 minutes when a fan was badly injured by a fall on some steps inside Rod Laver Arena.I felt really bad. I was really shaking, because the sound of the lady falling was really loud. I could hear it, said Ivanovic, who looked on anxiously as the patron received treatment.Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka was the most impressive of the womens winners when she hammered Danka Kovinic 6-1, 6-2 to reach the third round for the loss of just three games in total.I think Im feeling in the best shape body-wise, spirit-wise, everything-wise, said Azarenka, who has recovered from injury and a bout of depression following her split with musician Redfoo.Progression was less smooth for world number three Garbine Muguruza, who struggled through an error-strewn first set against Kirsten Flipkens before finding her touch and winning 6-4, 6-2.Im extremely happy because Kirsten is a very difficult opponent who has a unique game, said the 22-year-old Spaniard. Every match is very tough and I am just happy to be here.Australias Groth clocked the fastest serve on record, 263 kilometres (163 miles) per hour, in 2012 but he was picked off by Murrays redoubtable defence and intelligent choice of shots.One significant match statistic was that Murray served more aces than 67th-ranked Groth 10-6, while breaking the Australians powerful serve seven times.Its really impossible to say if its the best (Ive) played, Murray said, adding: Its been a very good start, for sure. But I can still get better, I think.Johanna Konta joined her fellow Briton in the third round when she beat Chinas Zheng Saisai 6-2, 6-3 -- only the third time she has made it so far at a Grand Slam tournament.Japanese qualifier Naomi Osaka, 18, continued her stunning progress at her debut Grand Slam tournament when she beat Ukrainian 18th seed Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-4 to reach the last 32.But there was heartbreak for Serbian former world number one Jelena Jankovic, the 19th seed who went crashing out 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to 97th-ranked German Laura Siegemund.And Milos Raonic beat Tommy Robredo in unusual fashion when he secured victory with the only service break of the match -- after nearly three hours of play, and in the very last game.The big-serving Canadian finally broke Robredos serve at the 12th attempt and in the 36th game to win it 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 and reach the third round after two hours and 55 minutes.

Tennis: Emotional farewell as Hewitt goes down fighting Posted: MELBOURNE (AFP) - Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt bade an emotional farewell from tennis on Thursday after a combustible Australian Open defeat in which he slammed the umpire as an idiot and defiantly dismissed match-fixing allegations.The intensely competitive Australian, roared on by a partisan crowd, couldnt live with Spains David Ferrer and he went down 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours 32 minutes to exit what was his final tournament before retiring.Afterwards Hewitt, wearing a shirt decorated with the Australian flag, was joined on court by his three children while his wife, former soap opera actress Bec, looked on in tears.It was an unbelievable atmosphere out there. A couple of the roars during the match tonight was as loud as Ive ever played in front of. I was getting goosebumps at times, Hewitt said.Its sort of a strange feeling because youre obviously disappointed not to keep going, but obviously proud of everything weve done as well.Although Hewitt fought all the way in the second-round match, the feisty two-time Grand Slam winner could not get close enough to the tenacious Ferrer, who broke the Australians serve five times. Emotion boiled over in the final set when, with the match ebbing away, Hewitt was given an audible obscenity warning before he clashed with the chair umpire, calling him a frigging idiot.An emotional Ferrer paid tribute to Hewitt: He is one of the best players in the history. His performance this Australian Open was very good. Tonight is the night for him and also for me.Hewitt also responded defiantly to his name being linked in an anonymous online report with historic match-fixing claims that have rocked the sport, saying it was absurd and a farce.I dont think anyone here would think that Ive done anything (like) corruption or match-fixing. Its just absurd, he said in his after-match press conference.Yeah, its disappointing. I think throwing my name out there with it makes the whole thing an absolute farce.Hewitt got off to a shaky start, losing his third service game with a netted backhand to groans from the home crowd.He was again broken in his next service game with a forehand error as Ferrer went on to take the opening set in 37 minutes.Hewitt was again broken by a Ferrer crosscourt backhand in the fifth game of the second set as the Australian was treated at several changeovers for a troublesome right quad.But he kept fighting and had seven break point opportunities in an epic 14-minute game before Ferrer managed to hold serve at 5-3, then served out for a two sets lead.Ferrer, one of the fittest players on tour, again attacked Hewitts serve and broke again in the third game of the third set.But Hewitt had his home crowd on its feet when he broke back to love in the sixth game to keep his hopes flickering, only to be broken again in the next as tempers boiled over.He was given the warning for an audible obscenity and then had words with the chair umpire at the changeover.Inevitably Ferrer worked his way to serving for the match and claimed victory when Hewitts forehand was wide. Hewitt, 35 next month, remains the youngest player to reach world number one, in 2001, aged 20 years and eight months.He won two Grand Slams -- conquering Pete Sampras in the 2001 US Open final in straight sets, and Argentinas David Nalbandian at Wimbledon the following year.But a cherished Australian Open triumph forever eluded him in a record 20 straight attempts, coming closest in 2005 when he lost to Russian Marat Safin in the final. Hewitt now takes on the non-playing captaincy role of Australias Davis Cup team. His first tie is against the United States in March.

Facebook gets in game with new sports hub Posted: SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Facebook announced a drive Thursday to be a place for sports with a new online hub for news and sharing on sporting events.The Facebook Sports Stadium will offer live updates of scores, posts from friends and commentators as well as information on where to watch games live.The new hub will be a dedicated place to experience sports in real-time with your friends and the world, said product manager Steve Kafka in a blog post.With 650 million sports fans, Facebook is the worlds largest stadium. People already turn to Facebook to celebrate, commiserate, and talk trash with their friends and other fans...The new Sports Stadium is a place devoted to sports so you can get the feeling youre watching the game with your friends even when you arent together, he added.Fans will be able to follow the action with a live play-by-play and add their own comments.The service is being rolled out for American football games and will soon support other sports around the world like basketball, football and other games. It is available for Facebook on iPhone and will expand to other platforms in the coming weeks, Kafka said.

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