Sunday 3 January 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Djokovic admits concerns after friend becomes Federer coach

Posted:

DOHA (AFP) - World number one Novak Djokovic admitted Sunday it will be bizarre to see his friend Ivan Ljubicic helping coach one of his greatest rivals, Roger Federer, this season. Yes Honestly, yes, said Djokovic, when asked if he would find it strange to see the Croat as part of the Swiss legends coaching staff. But you know, again, we are professionals. It was announced in December that Ljubicic, a former world number three, would be hired in a move widely interpreted as Federer trying to find a way to defeat a dominant Djokovic, who won three Grand Slams last year and was also a finalist at the French Open.He (Ljubicic) knows my game, he knows the game of all Rogers opponents, and I think thats one of the reasons why Roger has hired him to be with him on the team, said Djokovic, speaking in Doha, ahead of his first tournament of the season, the Qatar Open, which begins on Monday. Whether its going to work or not, thats something to see for all of us, but I wish them all the best. Hes a great guy, very calm, very composed, and I am sure Roger knows why he hired him.Federer has denied that the Croat has been hired just to help him overcome the Serb.Djokovic also said he was well-rested from his winter break and was very excited to start again on the tour.Given his performance last season there has been speculation that Djokovic could become the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Grand Slams in a single season.There is also the extra prize of a fifth major this season, with an Olympics gold medal up for grabs in Rio de Janeiro in August.The Serb said he would play to win every match.Grand Slams and Olympic Games are the priority of the season, but its a long season, so I cant really predict whats going to happen or guarantee if I am going to win any of the Grand Slams or all four. Of course, I am going to try to win every tournament and every Grand Slam that I play in, thats kind of the mindset that I have.Djokovic kicks off his season on Monday against Dustin Brown in the first round of the Qatar Open after the German came through the qualifiers.Doha last year represented one of his rare failures as Ivo Karlovic beat Djokovic in three seats in the quarter-finals. Also playing in Doha this year is Rafa Nadal and defending champion David Ferrer.Djokovic added money was not a priority after it was revealed he and Federer were in a race to become the first $100 million earners in tennis.Money is not really why I am playing this sport, he said.

Tennis: Hewitt's final season off to disappointing start

Posted:

PERTH (AFP) - Veteran Lleyton Hewitts farewell Australian summer got off to a tough start when he was beaten by the Czech Republics Jiri Vesely at the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth on Sunday.The 34-year-old dual Grand Slam winner, now ranked 307th in the world, will retire after the upcoming Australian Open and showed some of his trademark grit to level his tie with the 41st-ranked Vesely by winning the second set in a lopsided tiebreak.However, the Czech bounced back to grab an early break of serve in the third set and held that advantage to win, 6-3, 6-7 (1-7), 6-4.World number 11 Karolina Pliskova then secured the tie for the Czechs over Australia Gold -- one of two teams from the host nation playing in the event -- with a comfortable 7-5, 6-3 win over Jarmila Wolfe (nee Gajdosova) in the womens singles.In the dead mixed doubles rubber, the Czechs made it a clean sweep with a 6-2, 7-5 win.Hewitt dismissed concerns about his left knee during the match against Vesely and said he was on track for his final Australian Open appearance later this month.Jiri is a quality player and deserved to win, but it was just good to come out here for the first game of the year and get a tough match, Hewitt said.Hopefully I can come out for the rest of the week now and get better from here to get ready for the rest of the summer.Earlier in the day, precocious Australian Nick Kyrgios warmed up for an early season test against world number two Andy Murray with an impressive come-from-behind win for Australia Green in a mens singles clash which gave a glimpse into the future.Kyrgios, 20, who raised eyebrows with his on-court behaviour last year, was too good for fellow young gun Alexander Zverev in a match played that played out at a frenetic pace.Kyrgios dropped the first set but steamed through the second two to beat the teenage German in just over an hour, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.Kyrgios will face Murray when Australia Green plays Great Britain on Wednesday, at match he said he was keenly anticipating.I have been looking forward to that for a long time now so Im going to go and do everything I can to physically prepare for that battle, he said.Murray has won all four of their encounters, most recently at last years US Open, and Kyrgios has taken just one set off the Scot.Zverev, at just 18, is tipped, along with Kyrgios, to be one of the stars of the mens game for the next decade.He achieved the only break of the first set, but the volatile Australian kept a cool head to regain control of the match.I felt as if it was a lucky break in the first set (for Zverev), I played a couple of loose points, the 30th-ranked Kyrgios said.I knew I just had to stay calm, he added.Daria Gavrilova beat a rusty Sabine Lisicki in the womens singles 6-2, 6-2, and Australia Green went on to achieve a clean sweep, winning the mixed doubles on a match tiebreak, 6-3, 4-6, 10-7.Gavrilova, ranked 36th in the world, celebrated her first appearance for Australia with a comfortable win over a clearly underdone Lisicki.The Russian-born Gavrilova only officially switched allegiances to Australia last month and said she was nervous before the match.For Lisicki, it was her first match since the US Open last September.The 2013 Wimbledon finalist was beaten in the fourth round by Simona Halep at the US Open and was sidelined by a knee injury for the rest of the year.

Tennis: Pavlyuchenkova upsets Swiss seed in Brisbane

Posted:

BRISBANE (AFP) - Russias Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova caused the only upset on the first day of the season-opening Brisbane International when she swept aside fifth-seeded Swiss Timea Bacsinszky 6-2, 6-1 Sunday.The powerful Russian took just over an hour to defeat Bacsinszky and set up a clash against Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.Cornet booked her place in the second round when she beat fellow countrywoman Kristina Mladenovic 6-3, 6-4.Former Australian Open runner-up Dominika Cibulkova survived a scare from Belgian Yanina Wickmayer to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the tournaments first match at the Pat Rafter Arena.The Slovakian was down 4-3 in the third set before storming home to see off Wickmayer in two hours and 11 minutes. Today I was really, really strong, especially mentally, she said.For the first match it was tough because these first tournaments of the season...you never know what to expect. The only thing I knew I could do better in the first set and second set was my serve, she added.Former Brisbane finalist Andrea Petkovic of Germany was untroubled in her 6-1, 6-2 win over Brazilian Teliana Pereira.Petkovic will take on either third seed Maria Sharapova or Ekaterina Makarova in the second round.In the only other main draw match Varvara Lepchenko of the US beat Slovakias Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-2, 6-1 and will now face second-seeded Garbine Muguruza of Spain.Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka begins her campaign on Monday when she plays Russian qualifier Elena Vesnina, while the mens draw gets underway when fifth-seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon clashes with Bulgarias Grigor Dimitrov.

Football: PSG advance in French Cup as Lyon, Monaco run riot

Posted:

PARIS (AFP) - Holders Paris Saint-Germain laboured to a 1-0 win at fourth-tier Wasquehal on Sunday to reach the last 32 of the French Cup, while Lyon and Monaco recorded thumping victories over amateur sides.Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed home a Marco Verratti cross on the hour as the runaway Ligue 1 leaders maintained their unbeaten domestic run this season.PSG coach Laurent Blanc rested several key players including Angel di Maria, Edinson Cavani and Thiago Silva, but still fielded a strong team with the likes of Ibrahimovic, Verratti, Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Motta.Getting back into competition is always the hardest part, even more so with the tricky weather conditions, said Blanc after PSGs first competitive game following Frances short winter break.We would have liked to have played better to wrap things up earlier and make things easier but we werent capable of doing that this afternoon.The most important thing is to move on and weve done that.Elsewhere, Lyon made a promising start under new coach Bruno Genesio as Maxwell Cornet and Rachid Ghezzal scored twice apiece with Claudio Beauvue, Sergi Darder and Corentin Tolisso also on target in a 7-0 hammering of fifth-division Limoges.Monaco hit double digits with a crushing 10-2 defeat of seventh-tier Saint-Jean-Beaulieu in a local derby as Lacina Traore scored four first-half goals before he was sent off for a half-time altercation.Saint-Etienne were given a scare by Raon-lEtape as the Ligue 1 side were taken to penalties following a 1-1 draw, eventually prevailing 4-3 in a shootout against their fifth-tier opponents.Bordeaux came from behind to beat third-tier Frejus Saint-Raphael 3-2 with Diego Rolan grabbing a 90th-minute winner for the visitors after Cheick Diabate had twice levelled for Willy Sagnols side.Montpellier, who saw Pascal Baills and Bruno Martini take joint control of the first team after the resignation of Rolland Courbis last month, edged past fifth-division Epernay 1-0 courtesy of a second-half goal from Mustapha Yatabare.Benjamin Jeannot scored an extra-time winner for Lorient as they overcame Ligue 2 outfit Tours 3-2, while Lille scraped past Amiens AC 1-0 with Guingamp comfortable 4-0 winners at Chantilly.

Football: Hiddink off the mark as Chelsea crush Palace

Posted:

LONDON (AFP) - Guus Hiddink enjoyed his first victory since taking over as Chelsea interim manager as the troubled Premier League champions crushed Crystal Palace 3-0 on Sunday.After draws against Watford and Manchester United following his arrival as short-term replacement for the sacked Jose Mourinho, Hiddink was at last able to celebrate three points at Selhurst Park.Oscar opened the scoring in the first half before Willians cracker and a Diego Costa strike extended Chelseas unbeaten run since Mourinhos departure to four matches.In such turmoil for much of a season ruined by the breakdown of Mourinhos relationship with his squad, the Blues are slowly getting back in the groove under Hiddink and moved six points clear of the relegation zone after their first away league success in eight attempts.Everyone knows we have a lot of quality in our team, but sometimes champions have a tendency to be complacent and it can be difficult to get back (to form), Hiddink said.Do not go over the top. Its the first win after a worrying period with two draws so the team desperately needed the win and it was convincing.As long as we play like we did today I will be happy.After climbing into contention for a European place, Palaces first defeat in seven matches left Alan Pardews men without a win or a goal in their last three games.With torrential rain lashing Selhurst Park, Palace forward Wilfried Zaha went close early on with a low strike that skimmed off the slick pitch.Eden Hazard saw a long-range effort deflected wide at the conclusion of Chelseas first serious attack, but the Belgium playmaker began limping immediately after the shot.Hazard, lambasted by Mourinho for not trying to play on when injured at Leicester last month, briefly carried on but in the 15th minute he decided he needed to come off.While Hazards commitment to the cause has been questioned in the past, on this occasion the 24-year-old seemed in genuine discomfort.Palace defender Damien Delaney had a pair of headers saved by Thibaut Courtois as the hosts tried to take advantage of Chelseas tepid start.But crucially Palace striker Frazier Campbell scuffed wide from Jason Puncheons cross midway through the half and Hiddinks team finally awoke from their slumber to snatch the lead in the 29th minute.Hiddink had made two changes from Mondays draw at United as Costa returned from suspension and Cesc Fabregas came in for Nemanja Matic.Both repaid their Dutchmans faith with decisive contributions to the opener.Fabregas was the architect with a pass that sent Costa racing away from Delaney down the right edge of the Palace area.Looking up, Costa unselfishly ignored the chance to shoot himself and, with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey out of position, the Spain striker pulled the ball back to Oscar, who had the simple task of slotting home from close-range.Hiddink had called for players other than Costa to take the responsibility of scoring and Oscars fifth goal of the season was a well-timed response from the Brazilian. Cesar Azpilicueta almost made it two when he beat the Palace offside trap, surging clear to test Hennessey with a powerful strike that drew a fine stop from the Palace keeper.Kurt Zouma should have doubled Chelseas lead when he rose highest to meet Willians free-kick, but the defender couldnt keep his header on target.However, Zaha was unable to summon the power or accuracy to beat Courtois from a promising position and Willian made Palace pay in the 60th minute.When Scott Dann tried to block Oscars progress the loose ball ran to Willian and the Brazil winger smashed a superb strike high into the roof of the net from 20 yards.Costa wrapped up Chelseas biggest league win of the season six minutes later when he claimed his seventh goal of the season from close-range after Hennessey pushed Willians shot into his path.

Football: Lennon on mark as improved Everton hold Spurs

Posted:

LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Aaron Lennon scored against his former club as Everton displayed rediscovered resolve in a 1-1 draw at home to Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.Everton had lost their two previous home games, 3-2 against Leicester City and 4-3 against Stoke City, but they took a 22nd-minute lead when Lennon converted Romelu Lukakus knock-down with a neatly controlled half-volley.Dele Alli deftly volleyed home a brilliant equaliser in first-half stoppage time, but it was Everton who finished the game nursing the greater regrets, with substitute Muhamed Besic going close.Everton remain 11th, nine points below Mauricio Pochettinos Tottenham, who squandered an opportunity to re-establish a five-point lead over fifth-place Manchester United.Instead their cushion in the final Champions League berth has been trimmed to three points, while they now trail leaders -- and arch rivals -- Arsenal by six.Spurs looked every inch the team chasing a fourth straight win as they established the tempo on a rain-slicked Goodison Park pitch, monopolising possession and forcing Everton deep into their own territory.Seamus Coleman did brilliantly to prevent Alli turning in a low cross from Kyle Walker before Harry Kane saw a languid 25-yard shot hit the left-hand post and bounce across goal before going out for a goal-kick.But mid-way through the half Everton landed a sucker-punch by going ahead with a delightfully constructed goal.From Leighton Bainess back-heel, Tom Cleverley lofted forward a pass that Lukaku nodded down for Lennon, who chested the ball down before steering a difficult half-volley inside the left-hand post.Lennon, who spent 10 years at Spurs, did not celebrate, but moments later he almost created a second goal by cutting the ball back for Arouna Kone, which obliged Toby Alderweireld to block.It took Spurs a few minutes to clear their heads, but they came within a whisker of equalising on the half hour when Ben Davies collected a corner from Christian Eriksen and drove a shot against the bar from outside the box.Moments after the fourth official had indicated that two minutes of stoppage time were to be played, Spurs levelled with a goal every bit as pleasing as Evertons.Alderweirelds raking pass from halfway picked out the run of Alli, who leapt to control the ball on his chest before sliding a volley past Tim Howards outstretched left hand and into the bottom corner.Alli created a chance for Kane early in the second half with an alert chested lay-off, but under pressure from his England team-mate John Stones, the Spurs number 10 skewed wide.Everton manager Roberto Martinez added fresh legs for the last half an hour, Gerard Deulofeu and Besic replacing Lennon and Kone.Besic almost gave Everton victory with a glorious, dipping volley that Hugo Lloris palmed over and from Cleverleys resulting corner, Ramiro Funes Mori headed fractionally wide.The Goodison rafters echoing, Everton continued to push and Lloris was called upon again in stoppage time to repel a crisp effort from Ross Barkley.

Football: Neville's Valencia fight back to deny 10-man Madrid

Posted:

VALENCIA (AFP) - Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez endured an unhappy return to Mestalla as Gary Nevilles Valencia twice came from behind to salvage a point in a pulsating 2-2 draw on Sunday.Benitez needed a win amid doubts about his future at the club and Madrid had got off to a flying start thanks to a brilliant team goal finished off by Karim Benzema.However, Valencia levelled through Dani Parejos penalty just before half-time and the visitors were left to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men as Mateo Kovacic was shown a straight red card.Gareth Bales brilliant header restored Madrids lead for barely a minute before Paco Alcacer rescued a point for Valencia eight minutes from time.A draw leaves Neville still looking for his first La Liga win in four games since taking charge of Valencia last month.Madrid, meanwhile, are now four points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid and two behind Barcelona having also played a game more than the European champions.Benitez has been publicly backed by Madrid president Florentino Perez, but media reports in recent weeks have suggested French legend and the clubs reserve team coach Zinedine Zidane could be promoted to the top job at the Bernabeu if results dont improve.Colombian star James Rodriguez was dropped to the bench by Benitez days after he was pursued by the police to the clubs training ground accused of speeding at up to 200 kilometres per hour.But in contrast to his recent receptions at the Santiago Bernabeu, Benitez was given a heros welcome on his return to the Mestalla after guiding Valencia to two La Liga titles in three years over a decade ago.And Benitez couldnt have wished for a better start as Benzema was fed by a lovely interchange of passes between Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo to slot home his 16th goal in 17 appearances this season.However, in keeping with many games this season, Benitezs men failed to maintain their early intensity and allowed Valencia to take control as the first half progressed.Joao Cancelo headed wide a golden chance from Rodrigo de Pauls inviting cross before Aymen Abdennour fired a loose ball inside the area just wide.Madrid had been awarded three controversial penalties in their last two matches, but were left feeling hard done by just before the break when Bale thought he had been chopped down inside the area.Valencia immediately broke up the other end and were awarded a spot-kick when Pepe dived in on Andre Gomes and former Madrid midfielder Parejo converted the resulting penalty.Madrid were left with a mountain to climb 20 minutes from time when Kovacic recklessly took out Cancelo and was shown a straight red card.Despite their numerical disadvantage Bales brilliant looping header from Toni Krooss free-kick put the visitors back in the driving seat.Yet, they again couldnt defend a lead as 60 seconds later Alcacer headed home from Rodrigos knockdown to preserve Valencias unbeaten home record in La Liga stretching back to November 2014.And it should have been even better for Valencia as Alvaro Negredo failed to beat Navas when clean through on goal in stoppage time.Nevilles men are now 13 points off the top four, though, as Villarreal strengthened their grip on the final Champions League place when Bruno Sorianos penalty deep into stoppage time handed them a 2-1 win at Deportivo la Coruna.

Rallying: Dakar opening stage cancelled due to weather

Posted:

ROSARIO (AFP) - Poor weather forced the cancellation of Sundays Dakar Rally opening stage because of safety concerns, a day after 10 people were injured when a car crashed into spectators.Thunderstorms and heavy rain prompted organisers to scrap the scheduled 600-kilometre plus route from Rosario to Villa Carlos Paz, with the conditions grounding safety helicopters and leaving parts of the course flooded.The Dakar doesnt stop when it rains but when its not possible to guarantee the normal security presence for the rally, race director Etienne Lavigne told AFP.The weather conditions are very bad. The relay plane (which helps with radio communications) was unable to fly. Helicopters cant take off. The situation isnt going to improve in terms of visibility, he added.The first stage was supposed to include a 258km timed special for cars and a 227km section for motorcycles, but the entire field instead travelled to Cordoba under link section conditions.The weather is again expected to have an impact on Mondays stage, with Lavigne admitting it could be shortened by at least 150 kilometres.It is going to rain for much of the night and then again during the afternoon, he said.There are several solutions: move the departure point, shorten the special sections so as not to be bothered by the rain. The objective is to maintain security.The 38th edition of the Dakar Rally, which will cover more than 9,300km across Argentina and Bolivia, commenced with Saturdays prologue which was neutralised and then immediately suspended after a crash involving the Mini of Chinese driver Guo Meiling left 10 people hurt.A 10-year-old boy and his father were seriously injured and underwent surgery overnight, with Lavigne adding both were in a stable condition.However, Lavigne said the condition of a third man deteriorated in the night with doctors offering a guarded prognosis.

PM Nawaz to leave for Sri Lanka today

Posted:

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will leave for Sri Lanka today (Monday) on a three-day official visit on the invitation of the President of Sri Lanka. During his stay in Colombo, the Prime Minister will meet Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, who will also host a state banquet in his honour.PM Nawaz will discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries during his meeting with Sri Lanka President Sirisena. A number of MoUs and agreements of cooperation in various fields would be signed after the talks.

US urges Mideast leaders to take 'steps to calm tensions'

Posted:

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States on Sunday urged Mideast leaders to take measures to soothe tensions in the region after Saudi Arabia executed a Shiite cleric, provoking outrage from Iran.The execution was followed by an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran, prompting Riyadh to sever ties.Were aware that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ordered the closure of Iranian diplomatic missions in the kingdom, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said about the diplomatic rift.We believe that diplomatic engagement and direct conversations remain essential in working through differences and we will continue to urge leaders across the region to take affirmative steps to calm tensions.The diplomatic fallout come as Irans supreme leader said Saudi Arabia would face divine revenge for Saturdays execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, and as Western nations voiced concern about escalating sectarian tensions between Sunnis and Shiite Muslims.Nimr, 56, was a force behind 2011 anti-government protests in oil-rich eastern Saudi Arabia.He was put to death along with 46 other people, Shiite activists and convicted Sunni militants who the Saudi interior ministry says were involved in Al-Qaeda attacks that killed dozens in 2003 and 2004.After his execution, a mob attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran and a consulate in second city Mashhad.Saudi authorities said they had asked their Iranian officials to ensure security at the embassy, but Tehran failed to protect it.

Saudi severs ties with Iran after embassy attacked

Posted:

RIYADH (AFP) - Saudi Arabia broke off diplomatic ties with Iran on Sunday after protesters ransacked its embassy in Tehran to protest the execution of a Shiite cleric whose killing has sparked fury.Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir made the announcement at a news conference in Riyadh, and said Iranian diplomats had 48 hours to leave the kingdom.The diplomatic fallout come as Irans supreme leader said Saudi Arabia would face quick consequences for executing Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, and as Washington urged regional leaders to soothe escalating sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.Saudi Arabia is breaking off diplomatic ties with Iran and requests that all members of the Iranian diplomatic mission leave... within 48 hours, Jubeir said.Irans history is full of negative interference and hostility in Arab issues, and it is always accompanied by destruction, he said, accusing Tehran of seeking to destabilise the region.On Saturday, a mob attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran and a consulate in the second city of Mashhad amid protests at Nimrs execution.Jubeir said Saudi authorities had asked their Iranian counterparts to ensure security at the embassy but they did not cooperate and failed to protect it.Nimr, 56, was a force behind 2011 anti-government protests in oil-rich eastern Saudi Arabia, where Shiites have long complained of marginalisation.He was put to death along with 46 other people, including Shiite activists and convicted Sunni militants who the Saudi interior ministry says were involved in Al-Qaeda attacks that killed dozens in 2003 and 2004.Some were beheaded and others were shot by firing squad.Iran has said it arrested 44 people over the embassy attacks, and President Hassan Rouhani said the demonstrators were radicals and the assaults totally unjustifiable.Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, meanwhile, condemned Nimrs execution, saying God will not forgive Saudi Arabia for putting him to death.The unjustly spilt blood of this martyr will have quick consequences, he said, adding It will haunt the politicians of this regime.Relations between Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and Shiite-ruled Iran have been strained for decades, with Riyadh frequently accusing Tehran of interfering in Arab affairs.The two countries have also been divided over the nearly five-year war in Syria, where Iran is backing the regime, and the conflict in Yemen where a Saudi-led coalition is battling Shiite rebels.Khamenei was joined in his condemnation of Nimrs execution by Iraqs top Shiite authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who called the death sentence an unjust act of aggression.Their comments, echoed by other regional religious and political leaders, came as protests in Iran on Sunday spread to Bahrain, Pakistan, Indian Kashmir and Lebanon.Saudi Arabia branded Nimr an instigator of sedition and arrested him in 2012, after a video on YouTube showed him making a speech celebrating the death of the then-interior minister.Three years earlier he called for the oil-rich Eastern Provinces Shiite-populated Qatif and Al-Ihsaa governorates to be separated from Saudi Arabia and united with Bahrain.Demonstrations outside the Saudi embassy and at Palestine Square in Tehran attracted around 1,500 people Sunday, with chants of Death to the House of Saud.His death will start a revolution which hopefully will lead to the fall of the Saudi family, said Rezvan, a 26-year-old in a traditional black chador who declined to give her last name.On Baghdads Palestine Street, Iraqi cleric Ahmed al-Shahmani said: The House of Saud has opened the gates of hell on its own regime.In Bahrain, where authorities defended Saudi Arabia along with other Gulf allies of Riyadh, police used buckshot and tear gas against Shiiite protesters who threw petrol bombs. Arrests were reported.Nimrs execution was widely condemned elsewhere by major Western powers, and the United States on Sunday called on Middle East countries to take affirmative steps to calm tensions.Executions have soared in Saudi Arabia since King Salman ascended the throne a year ago with 153 people put to death in 2015, nearly twice as many as in 2014, for crimes ranging from murder to drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy.Human Rights Watch said the mass execution was the largest since 1980, when 68 militants who had seized Meccas Grand Mosque were beheaded, and called it a shameful start to 2016.Amnesty International said Saudi Arabia was using Nimrs execution to settle political scores.But on Sunday Jubeir said those executed had received fair and transparent trials and were convicted of carrying out terrorist operations that led to the deaths of innocents.

Lahore: Police constable killed in road accident

Posted:

LAHORE (Dunya News) – According to details, police constable Abdur Razzaq was returning home on his motorcycle after performing his duties According to details, a rashly driven car in Faisal Town area hit the motorcycle of police constable Abdur Razzaq who was returning home after performing his duties on Sunday. The accident was so severe that Abdur Razzaq died on the spot.The car driver managed to escape from the scene after the accident. Sources said that 45-year-old Abdur Razzaq was deployed at the Qila Gujar Singh Police Station.On the other hand, two dacoits who came on a motorcycle entered a general store in Multan Chungi area to commit a robbery. However, the security guard at the general store with the help of residents of the area surrounded the dacoits. The robbers opened fire as a result the security guard was wounded. The residents managed to capture one dacoit while the other escaped from the scene. The injured security guard was later shifted to a nearby hospital.

Gujranwala: 3 dacoits arrested after four-hour-long encounter

Posted:

GUHRANWALA (Dunya News) – According to details, three dacoits entered a house in Faisal Colony area of Gujranwala on Sunday and held the inmates hostage, Dunya News reported.The residents of the area informed police who reached the spot and surrounded the house. Seeing police, the robbers opened fire at the police party which wounded three civilians including a cameraman of a private channel.Backup was sought from the Police Line after a severe exchange of fire between police and dacoits. Reinforcement from ten police stations of the city reached the sight along with an armored vehicle.The surrounding houses were evacuated and police took position on the rooftops. Police also used teargas shells after which two dacoits, including a woman, were arrested in unconscious condition. The third member of the gang was also arrested. Police have also recovered arms from their possession.Panic-stricken residents of the area came out of their houses after the arrest of dacoits and raised slogans in favour of police.It is pertinent to mention here that the family living in the house had only moved in 5 days ago.

Botham blown away by 'magnificent' Stokes

Posted:

LONDON (AFP) - England great Ian Botham hailed a magnificent display by Ben Stokes after the Durham all-rounder smashed his record for the fastest England double century against South Africa.Stokes, 24, reached the milestone from 163 balls on the second day of the second Test in Cape Town on Sunday, obliterating Bothams mark of 220, set against India in 1982.Stokes was eventually run out for 258 -- the highest ever Test score by a number six batsman -- as England declared on 629-6.Analysing the match for Sky Sports, Botham said: It was magnificent, one of the best examples of Test cricket Ive seen in a long time.Ben Stokes is box office. We knew hed got it, and this is the tip of the iceberg. Hell get it wrong once in a while, but he is a guy that wins matches, and they dont come along very often.Youre just king of the castle. No boundarys big enough, no bowlers quick enough. It really is a moment to enjoy.Stokess innings was also the second-fastest double ton in Test history, surpassed only by Nathan Astles record of 153 balls for New Zealand against England in 2002.Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott said: All those thousands of England supporters whove come out here for a bit of a holiday, a bit of sunshine, see some cricket -- youve seen something special.

Brilliant Stokes puts South Africa to sword

Posted:

CAPE TOWN (AFP) - England all-rounder Ben Stokes hit a thrilling double century as he and Jonny Bairstow battered the South African bowlers into submission on the second day of the second Test at Newlands on Sunday.Stokes slammed 258 and Bairstow made 150 not out before England declared on 629 for six. The pair shared a world Test record sixth-wicket partnership of 399. Stokes score was the highest by a number six batsman in Tests.Stokes followed up by having South African opening batsman Dean Elgar caught at point as South Africa reached 141 for two at the close, still 488 runs behind.I felt we had a really good score on the board this morning so I thought, just keep on going the way I did last night, said Stokes.If I get out we still have Mo (Moeen Ali) and Broady (Stuart Broad) to come so we can probably still get to 450, 500 anyway. I just tried to keep on going.The left-handed Stokes thrashed 30 fours and 11 sixes in a 197-ball innings. He reached his double century off 163 balls, the second fastest in Tests behind Nathan Astles 153-ball effort for New Zealand against England at Christchurch in 2001/02.He reached 250 with a six off Kagiso Rabada to become the fastest to the mark in Tests, beating Virender Sehwags effort for India against Sri Lanka in Mumbai in 2009 by 11 balls.With a declaration imminent, Stokes pounded the next delivery into the stands for another six before, in trying to hit a third, he skied the ball to AB de Villiers at mid-on. De Villiers dropped it but ran out Stokes with a direct hit to the bowlers end.I was backing him to take the catch. It was my fault. After he dropped the catch he wasnt going to miss the stumps, Stokes said, although he admitted it had been a dream innings, far surpassing his previous highest Test score of 120 against Australia at Perth two seasons ago.I will probably never play like this again in my life.The South African bowlers had no answer to a relentless assault, and by the end of the first hour, which yielded 103 runs off 13 overs, there were five men on the boundary.The two hours before lunch yielded 196 runs despite South Africa bowling only 25 overs. Stokes share was 130 off 74 balls, a new record for individual runs scored before lunch on any day of a Test. He beat the 123 by Leslie Ames for England against South Africa at The Oval in 1935.Although he was overshadowed by Stokes, Bairstow played a fine innings in registering a maiden Test century off 161 balls. He then followed Stokes example by going on an all-out attack to go to 150 off only 30 balls. His innings included 18 fours and two sixes.It was a crazy day of cricket, said Elgar, who scored 44 and helped Hashim Amla put on 78 for the second wicket. Our bowlers gave everything. We had various game plans but you have to take your cap off to the batsmen. We were a bit shell shocked.South Africa made a bad start to their innings when Stiaan van Zyl pushed James Anderson into the covers and set off for a run. He was sent back by Elgar and Nick Comptons throw to wicketkeeper Bairstow beat him comfortably.Elgar made 44 and shared a second wicket partnership of 78 with Amla before Stokes, bowling around the wicket to the left-hander, sent down a lifting delivery into the body. Elgar got a leading edge to it and the ball popped up square on the off side, with Compton diving to take the catch.Amla batted solidly to make 64 not out, his first fifty in 12 Test innings since he made 68 against the West Indies at the same venue a year ago. He and AB de Villiers put on an unbeaten 56 for the third wicket.De Villiers was dropped on 5 by Joe Root at second slip off James Anderson. He was on 25 not out at the close.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)