Monday 29 February 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Euro falls vs Dollar as eurozone inflation goes negative

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The euro weakened against the dollar Monday pressured by a return of negative inflation in the eurozone, while the safe-haven yen benefited from a disappointing G20 finance meeting.The euro fell to $1.0876 around 2200 GMT from $1.0935 at the same time Friday.Consumer prices tumbled in the 19-nation currency bloc in February, pushing inflation to a negative 0.2 percent, official data showed, and intensifying pressure on the European Central Bank to announce further stimulus.The latest CPI data from the region... suggests that deflation is only strengthening the region and that ECB will likely need to expand its monetary policy to combat the conditions on the ground, said Boris Schlossberg of BK Asset Management.The eurozone inflation rates negative turn was unexpected, but an 8.0 percent dive in energy prices was largely to blame.The indication of price pressures receding into deflation territory merely confirms what weve known for several weeks now: Markets are fully committed to the belief that the ECB will cut its deposit rate by 10 basis points at its next meeting on March 10, said Christopher Vecchio, currency analyst at DailyFX.A meeting of the finance chiefs of the Group of 20 big economies in Shanghai ended Saturday with no major plan to address the slowdown in the global economy.Global markets reacted to the G20 statement with disappointment as officials stopped short of lending fresh support to a sputtering world economy, said Joe Manimbo of Western Union Business Solutions.Chinas central bank on Monday fixed its rate for the yuan currency at a four-week low, despite comments Friday by governor Zhou Xiaochuan that there is no basis for persistent renminbi depreciation from the perspective of fundamentals.The yuan finished lower against the greenback at 6.5520 yuan per dollar, compared with 6.5372 Friday.

Mayweather finds foes outside ring harder to tame

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Floyd Mayweather has no plans to return to the ring after hanging up his gloves undefeated last September, but he is finding opponents as a promoter more difficult to manage.That was the case Monday as reigning World Boxing Association super lightweight champion Adrien Broner stormed out of a Washington news conference to advance his April 1 title bout against Britains Mayweather-backed Ashley Theophane.(Screw) those guys. Theyre coming to dethrone me, Broner said. They are my enemy right now. Im going to beat the (hell) out of Ashley. Fight aint going four rounds. Nine minutes is too much.Im going to torture this guy.Broner, 31-2 with 23 knockouts, chattered at his English rival during a staredown for photos and took off after that without staying for questions, leaving Mayweather to try and explain how an event that began an hour late came to such a premature end.Ive said some things I regret when I was a young fighter. Ive learned, Mayweather said. To get respect you have to give respect. If you dont carry yourself in the right way, youre going to hurt yourself in the long run.Mayweather, who walked away 49-0 with 26 knockouts, made it clear a ring return is not in the cards even for a rich payday, much less for the new Olympic opportunity open now to pro fighters.Absolutely not, he said. For my body to recover from all my fights will be for the rest of my life. Im truly blessed to have been fighting for so much of my life.I had a great run. Aint no more for this body to heal but rest.Mayweather figures by the time he would be ready to try and surpass the 49-0 mark he shares with the late Hall of Fame legend Rocky Marciano, the only record in boxing I would be looking at is old age.Mayweather, who indicated he would like to become part-owner of an NBA team, said the young fighters he helps advise and promote are the ones he wants to see challenge his feats.I want these guys to break my records, Mayweather said. I was able to retire from the sport with all my faculties. I did not let the sport retire me.Theophane, nine years older than Broner at 35, is 39-6 with one draw and 11 knockouts and has won six bouts in a row to book the biggest fight of his life.Ive shown I can mix it with the best, said Theophane. This is my career-defining fight. Adrien Broner is not Floyd. He can be beaten.Age might work in his favor, the Briton said.Old is not always bad. You can be very experienced. You can be smart. Its like him being a clown and me staying calm. Being the older man means you have lived life, seen things.Among the things Theophane has seen is Mayweathers growing contentment with his role as promoter and advisor.He seems content now, Theophane said. He has mastered the script. He is 49-0. He has made lots of money. He should be applauded because now hes helping other boxers achieve their dreams.

Don't rush Man United gem Rashford, warns Van Gaal

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - Marcus Rashfords astonishing start in senior football has given Manchester United a significant lift at a key stage of a trying season, ahead of Watfords visit on Wednesday.The 18-year-old striker has impressed in Uniteds junior sides this season, scoring three times at Under-19 level and also finding the net regularly for the Under-21 team.His breakthrough into the senior side, though, has surprised even the most optimistic of United supporters, with four goals in his first two games.Having struck twice in a Europa League win over FC Midtjylland last Thursday, Rashford followed that up with two more in Sundays 3-2 Premier League victory over Arsenal.Manager Louis van Gaal is wary of asking the Manchester-born forward to take on too much responsibility too soon, but leaving him out against Watford may well prove impossible.Even so, Van Gaal is urging caution.We have to wait and see with Marcus, he said. He has only played two matches. It is about consistency. He has to show it in the third and the fourth and the fifth game.But what he has shown in the second match is already an improvement on the first and that is special.Rashford is not the only young player to break into the United side in recent weeks.Defenders Donald Love, Regan Poole and Timothy Fosu-Mensah have also been given debuts since the beginning of February, as have midfielders James Weir and Joe Riley.To a certain degree, Van Gaals hand has been forced by a long injury list.Rashford was only given a chance because of a hamstring injury to Anthony Martial, with United short of options in attack as Wayne Rooney recovers from the knee injury that is set to keep him out until April.- Inside the managers head -===============================Fosu-Mensah, meanwhile, was thrown on against Arsenal after Marcos Rojo injured his ankle, joining a casualty list that includes Matteo Darmian, Ashley Young, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Marouane Fellaini, among others.The emergence of so many youngsters, though, has cheered up United supporters who have had little else to shout about this season.It perhaps helps that they have come through at a time when their team has started winning again.The victory over Arsenal was their third in a row in all competitions and has reignited hopes of qualification for next seasons Champions League. United lie fifth, three points behind fourth-place Manchester City.Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is hoping to take advantage of Uniteds gruelling schedule of six games in 19 days, as well as the clubs lengthy injury list.Sometimes when we plan for the match its like we always need to be inside of the managers head on the other team, he said.I dont know exactly how Van Gaal is thinking about the next match or what his focus will be. They have a lot of targets in this moment and play a lot of matches. For us it is an opportunity to have points.We know we are very competitive and we can go every single step to win. Now we have 37 points and we are happy.The weekend 0-0 draw with Bournemouth left Watford comfortable in 10th place and effectively ended any lingering fears that they may get dragged down the table.Flores may take advantage by resting Etienne Capoue after the midfielder was withdrawn against Bournemouth.Capoue is a very important player for us, the Spaniard said.He has played a lot of minutes this season. I felt he might be a bit tired. I felt he was not clear in the mind, he was not normal, but it is possible when a player plays a lot he is a bit tired.

Boxing: Amir Khan unconcerned by appearances in Alvarez clash

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LONDON (AFP) - Amir Khan says he didnt want to demand a rehydration clause for his forthcoming fight with Saul Alvarez because he wants to make the biggest possible statement in his first bout above welterweight.Former world champion Khan will fight above welterweight for the first time in his career at a catchweight of 155lbs, officially middleweight, to challenge Alvarez for the Mexicans WBC title in Las Vegas on May 7.Given the significant difference in size between challenger and champion when they appeared together in London, it appeared a risky oversight that Khan did not demand a restriction on Alvarezs weight on fight night.Alvarezs frame means there is little to stop him gaining a further 20lbs after weighing in to effectively compete at light-heavyweight and therefore leaving Khan, the underdog who turned professional as a lightweight, at an even greater disadvantage.However, the catchweight limit is only a pound over light-middleweight and fully five pounds below the official middleweight limit, meaning its practically a light-middleweight fight, which is the next division above Khans welterweight category.Alvarez has operated at light-middleweight for most of his career but won the WBC title against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto when two light-middleweights fought at the same 155lbs catchweight for a middleweight belt.Khans best chance comes in using his superior speed and mobility, but he still maintained he hadnt taken an unnecessary risk with the weight issue.I wanted to do everything naturally because when I beat him I wanted to beat him fair and square and I dont want people thinking he was too dehydrated, he was too small, he couldnt put weight on, said Khan, who hasnt fought since beating Chris Algieri in May last year.I want to beat the best Alvarez, fight the best Alvarez. The fights Ive been watching he was really hydrated, and normal, where he was happy making the weight.Yeah (we considered a clause), I spoke to Virgil (Hunter, my trainer), and Virgil is the one who said to me look, if youre happy with the fight, its a good fight for us.Hes been watching videos (of Alvarez) as well. What I have to do is stick to the game-plan. I cant make any mistakes or be a guy who loses focus or makes mistakes because I can get hurt for that.

Football: Infantino 'bought' FIFA votes, claims Zamparini - report

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MILAN (AFP) - Outspoken Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has courted controversy by claiming Gianni Infantino bought votes on his way to being elected president of FIFA.Infantino was voted world footballs new chief on Friday, the 45-year-old Swiss-Italian lawyer ending Sepp Blatters controversial 18 years in charge.Although Infantino has pledged to restore the battered image of FIFA, and despite his victory being widely applauded by key figures in the game, Zamparini cast doubt on whether the election process was fully transparent.He claims doubts remain over the rise to power of the second-in-command at European footballs ruling body UEFA. The system doesnt change and the new president of FIFA, the chief of bureaucrats, was part of it all before, Zamparini is quoted as saying in a video clip on www.mediagol.it.If he got elected, its only because he bought more votes than the sheikh (Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa).Blatters chequered history as chief of world football saw FIFA become embroiled in several cases of vote-buying corruption.Infantino won last weeks election in the second round with 115 votes, from Asian football chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who received 88 votes.Zamparini has built a reputation for speaking his mind since taking over the Sicily-based Serie A club in 2002, as well as firing coaches who fail to bring immediate success to the club.He admitted his comments were likely to court controversy, but said he welcomed any future sanction.I hope they suspend me for saying that: for me it would be an honour.

Tennis: Canada decimated by Davis Cup double blow

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MONTREAL (AFP) - Canadas chances in their upcoming Davis Cup clash with France have suffered a severe blow after Milos Raonic and Daniel Nestor were ruled out with injuries, Tennis Canada confirmed on Monday.Raonic, the world number 13, has been sidelined by an adductor tear suffered at the Australian Open. Doubles stalwart Nestor withdrew from the team to travel to Guadeloupe for personal reasons, a statement said. I am deeply saddened to not be able to join my team for the Davis Cup tie in Guadeloupe, said Raonic. Davis Cup has always been and will continue to be a priority in my schedule. My body at this moment does not allow me to compete as the muscular tear I sustained in Australia has not completely healed. Nestor, meanwhile, will miss a Davis Cup tie for only the second time in 15 years. Im disappointed that I cant be there with the team this week, said Nestor. The last few years weve come a long way and weve had some good opportunities to do well at Davis Cup and its definitely frustrating that we havent been able to field our top team and maximize our potential due to some of the injuries and unforeseen circumstances that have arisen.Im wishing the team the best of luck this weekend and will be looking forward to rejoining them for the next one. Canada captain Martin Laurendeau will name two replacement players at a later date. This weeks tie is taking place on outdoor clay at the Velodrome Amedee Detraux in Guadeloupe from March 4-6.

Syria ceasefire holding 'by and large' despite 'incidents': UN chief

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GENEVA (AFP) - The UN chief said Monday a fragile Syria ceasefire was holding by and large despite incidents of fighting at the weekend, as a UN-backed taskforce was set to meet to evaluate accusations of breaches.As of now I can tell you that by and large the cessation of hostilities is holding even though we have experienced some incidents, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told reporters in Geneva. The taskforce monitoring the truce is now trying to make sure that this does not spread any further and that this cessation of hostilities can continue.That taskforce would meet at 3:00 pm (1400 GMT), the top UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, told AFP. Ban said he had received a letter from a main Syrian opposition group expressing concern about violations but said containing them was the key, in part, to ensure continued delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged Syrians. It is absolutely important, crucial that the parties keep their promise to hold off from fighting, Ban said, adding that the hope was to see the truce extended beyond two weeks. The tenuous ceasefire, negotiated by Washington and Moscow and backed by the UN, entered its third day on Monday despite reports of violations on both sides.The special international task force co-chaired by the United States and Russia last met on Saturday, just hours after the cessation of hostilities began.It is one of several mechanisms in place to oversee and deal with violations of the agreement, which does not apply to territory held by the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front.A range of operation centres around the world are collecting information on infringements, de Mistura told reporters overnight to Saturday as the ceasefire began.The halt in hostilities is expected to allow aid workers to deliver assistance to an extra 154,000 people living in besieged areas over the next five days. De Mistura aims to relaunch stalled peace negotiations next Monday if the ceasefire lasts and more aid is delivered.On Monday, the UN envoy said he remained optimistic that talks can begin on March 7 as planned but of course it will depend how the ceasefire, the cessation of hostilities holds, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Syria truce task force meets as aid deliveries start

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DAMASCUS (AFP) - Aid workers on Monday made the first delivery of desperately needed assistance since the start of Syrias fragile ceasefire, as an international task force met to try to bolster the truce.The task force co-chaired by Moscow and Washington held talks in Geneva to evaluate allegations of a range of breaches, said the United Nations which mediated the three-day-old ceasefire.At the weekend, key regime backer Russia traded accusations with the main opposition grouping, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), over truce violations. On Monday, Russia said seven violations were recorded in the past 24 hours.However, the ceasefire between government troops and opposition forces is on the whole being observed, said General Sergei Kuralenko, tasked with monitoring the truce for Moscow, quoted in a defence ministry statement.The HNC reported two alleged violations by regime forces in Daraa, southern Syria, and two by Russian warplanes in the central province of Hama.The White House said it was not surprised by reports the ceasefire had been breached, but indicated it was too early to call it a failure.We are aware that there have been some reports of violations, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.We did anticipate that there would be reports of violations and that we would encounter some potholes on the road to implementing this successfully.Saying the international contact group would seek to verify dozens of reported breeches, the White House said: We remain committed to this process. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said earlier his government would be vigilant about (the truces) concrete application. UN chief Ban Ki-moon said there have been some incidents but the ceasefire was generally holding.As of now I can tell you that by and large the cessation of hostilities is holding even though we have experienced some incidents, he said.And in an encouraging sign, aid workers began the first aid delivery since the deal came into effect, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent said.Twenty trucks carrying blankets and hygiene supplies entered rebel-held Moadamiyet al-Sham, encircled by government forces, and another 31 were to follow later.UN humanitarian coordinator Yacoub El Hillo said he hoped the relative calm would allow aid to be distributed to 154,000 besieged people over the next five days.And the UNs food agency said unprecedented pledges meant it could fully fund food aid to Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt throughout the year.Pressure was building to relieve civilians under siege after the UNs human rights chief said thousands could die of hunger.The deliberate starvation of people is unequivocally forbidden as a weapon of warfare. By extension, so are sieges, Zeid Raad Al Hussein said, warning that thousands of people risk starving to death.The flow of much-needed assistance could also create a more favourable backdrop for peace talks that collapsed in acrimony in early February. UN envoy Steffan de Mistura aims to relaunch negotiations on March 7 if the ceasefire lasts and more aid is delivered.The oppositions HNC on Sunday described the ceasefire as positive but lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations and foreign governments about breaches.We have violations here and there, but in general it is a lot better than before and people are comfortable, said spokesman Salem al-Meslet. An HNC letter to Ban accused the Syrian regime and its allies of committing two dozen truce violations that had killed 29 people. The ceasefire does not apply to territory held by the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front.Turkish armed forces on Monday fired 50 to 60 shells on IS positions in Aleppo province, local media reported. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the truce is in place in one third of Syria, not all over.Now theres no ceasefire all over Syria. Attacks are unfortunately continuing here and there. Russia, which has waged a five-month bombing campaign to support President Bashar al-Assad, on Sunday accused moderate rebels and jihadists of nine ceasefire violations.In Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported some rebel rocket fire on government-held neighbourhoods but no casualties.Our teachers used to forbid us from going out to the school yard because of the air strikes but today we went out and played, said Ranim, a 10-year-old pupil in the school of the rebel-held neighbourhood of Bustan al-Qasr.The Observatory reported nine Russian air strikes on a town in the central province of Hama but had no immediate word on casualties.It said seven civilians were killed in Russian strikes Sunday on a town in Aleppo province where Al-Nusra has a presence.There has also been no let-up in the US-led air campaign targeting IS since the truce took effect.The coalition said on Sunday it carried out 12 strikes against the jihadists in Syria, four of them around the town of Tal Abyad on the Turkish border where IS has been trying to regain territory from US-backed Kurdish forces.

IS-claimed blast kills at least 24 in Iraq

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BAQUBA (AFP) - A suicide bomber struck a funeral procession northeast of Baghdad Monday, killing at least 24 people, including militia commanders, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group, officials said.The blast in Muqdadiyah, which also wounded dozens of people, threatens to spark another round of revenge attacks against Sunnis in the area, like those carried out after bombings in January.The latest attack targeted a funeral for a well-known Shiite member of the Beni Tamim, one of the main tribes in Diyala province, where Muqdadiyah is located.Sadiq al-Husseini, the head of the Diyala province security committee, said that a commander from Asaib Ahl al-Haq and another from Badr -- two powerful Shiite militias -- were killed in the blast.Officials in the province appealed for calm in the aftermath of the attack.Muqdadiyah residents should join hands to get out of the current crisis, said Ali al-Tamimi, the head of the Muqdadiyah district council.And Diyala Governor Muthanna al-Tamimi said that: Muqdadiyah will not fall into the trap of sectarian strife promoted by some politicians.The Islamic State jihadist group claimed the attack in an online statement, saying a suicide bomber who detonated an explosive belt targeted a gathering of militiamen in Muqdadiyah.It listed the names of some who were allegedly killed.Suicide bombings are a tactic almost exclusively employed in Iraq by IS, a Sunni extremist group that overran swathes of the country in 2014.The Muqdadiyah attack came a day after bombings in a Shiite area of northern Baghdad killed at least 39 people and wounded at least 76, the deadliest attacks in the capital so far this year.IS said in an online statement that two of its suicide bombers carried out the Baghdad attacks.IS also claimed an attack at a cafe in Muqdadiyah that killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens in January, after which revenge attacks targeted Sunni properties in the area.Human Rights Watch said Shiite militiamen abducted and killed civilians in the Muqdadiyah area after the attack, in addition to burning homes and mosques.Amnesty International also said that militiamen destroyed Sunni mosques, shops and homes following the January attack, and that authorities subsequently turned a blind eye to this shocking rampage.The death of militia leaders in the Monday bombing increases the odds of another round of revenge attacks in the area.Iraq turned to Shiite militia forces in 2014 to help counter an IS onslaught that overran large areas north and west of Baghdad, and they have played a key role in halting the jihadist advance and later pushing them back.But they have also carried out repeated abuses during the conflict that ultimately feed mistrust of the government and are harmful to Baghdads efforts to reassert and maintain control in recaptured areas.Diyala province was declared liberated from IS in late January 2015, but ending their open control of populated areas has not brought an end to attacks by the jihadists.

Iran's Rouhani secures more moderate parliament

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TEHRAN (AFP) - Irans President Hassan Rouhani secured his goal of a more moderate parliament Monday after elections saw hardliners soundly trumped by reformists and conservatives lose seats as voters implicitly backed the government.Final results showed the vote being split three ways between Rouhanis reformist and moderate allies, conservatives and independents, a result that gives the president more leverage to bring about domestic change.No single group had a decisive share of parliaments 290 seats from Fridays voting, but tallies suggested the pragmatic Rouhani would be able to muster support from key backers and create a working majority.The outcome signalled strong public support for last years nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, an agreement steered by Rouhani which saw the lifting of sanctions in January after years of economic hurt.Kudos to the history-making nation of Iran. Lets open a new chapter based on domestic talents & global opportunities, the president wrote on Twitter soon after the last results were read out on state television.Fridays second election -- for the clerical Assembly of Experts -- also produced symbolic gains for Rouhani and his closest allies.Two renowned hardline ayatollahs lost their seats on the 88-member assembly, a powerful committee that monitors supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis work and will pick the 76-year-olds successor if he dies during its eight-year term.In contrast, 15 of 16 candidates from the list for the assembly headed by Rouhani and his veteran political backer Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a two-term former president, were resoundingly voted in.Rafsanjani came first and Rouhani third. A push by their supporters, largely on social media, helped eject current assembly chair Mohammad Yazdi and the ultraconservative Mohammad Taghi Mesbah-Yazdi, formerly a close adviser to ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, another hardliner.The most dramatic change, however, was the resurgence of the reformists, a political camp largely silenced after a disputed election in 2009 saw Ahmadinejad re-elected.That vote was followed by bloody street protests in which dozens of people were killed in what is widely considered the Islamic republics darkest hour.Reformists swept the capital, and in an electoral first did so without requiring a second round of voting in any of the 30 seats they secured.After campaigning as the List of Hope, a slate of reformist politicians who support the government will regain significant power in parliament and are likely to push for social, cultural and political reforms.Reformists stayed away from parliamentary elections four years ago in protest at Ahmadinejads earlier victory, with defeated candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who remain under house arrest, having alleged that the vote for the presidency was rigged.While conservatives were wiped out in Tehran they retained some seats in other cities and enjoyed strong support in rural areas.The main conservative list secured 103 MPs, reformists and moderates from the List of Hope 95, and Independents 14, while five seats went to minorities and four to candidates with no single affiliation.Some 69 constituencies had no clear winner, meaning a second round run-off will be needed in a field that has more conservatives than reformists and moderates.But many of the conservatives already elected are moderates who backed Rouhani on the nuclear deal. Acutely aware of the publics shifting mood and tacit approval of openness toward the West, they are likely to support him again.Such a spirit of cooperation came from Ali Larijani, a conservative and parliaments current speaker, who described the election as eye-catching and said a new page had been opened for the country.Larijanis political heft was crucial to the nuclear deal being approved by MPs as he spoke up for Rouhanis government at key moments during the more than two years of negotiations that led to the accord.The election results represent a reaction against radicals from voters, Amir Mohebbian, a Tehran-based analyst with close links to politicians of all hues, told AFP.But mistakes by the conservatives who supported radicals during the campaign were also to blame for their losses, he said.The elections were seen as a crucial indicator of the future direction Iranians want for their country, 37 years after revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini founded the Islamic republic.From a population of almost 80 million -- 60 percent of which is no older than 30 -- 62 percent of 55 million eligible voters cast ballots.Khamenei himself stressed their importance ahead of the elections, urging the electorate to participate in both polls.Although Rouhani secured the nuclear agreement last July, ending a 13-year standoff over Irans atomic ambitions, and sanctions were lifted last month he has so far been unable to deliver significant domestic reform.Support from reformists in the next parliament should make that easier, but the resurgent group is also likely to pressure the president for change and concrete progress on long-avoided difficult issues such as demands to free political prisoners, which could lead to conflict with conservatives.

Migrants try to storm Greece-Macedonia border fence

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IDOMENI (AFP) - Hundreds of refugees on Monday tried to break through a border fence into Macedonia from Greece, where more than 7,000 people are stranded, as anger mounts over barriers to entry imposed on migrants flooding into Europe.In a sign of deepening divisions within Europe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel lashed out at Austria and Balkan states for introducing tight limits on migrant entries, leaving Greece with a growing bottleneck as refugee boats continue to arrive from Turkey.And Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov warned that once Austria reaches its cap of a maximum 37,500 migrants transiting through this year, the refugee route through the Balkans will have to close.At Idomeni on the frontier, Macedonian police fired tear gas as some 300 migrants forced their way through a Greek police cordon and raced towards a railway track between the two countries.Open the borders they shouted as a group of men used a metal signpost to bring down a section of barbed wire fencing, prompting police to fire volleys of tear gas and block them from crossing.At least 30 people, many of them children, requested first aid in the stampede that ensued, the charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said. Authorities said a Macedonian policeman had also been hurt and had to be hospitalised.The protest occurred several hours after Macedonia allowed just 300 Syrians and Iraqis to cross.With Austria and Balkan states capping the numbers of migrants entering their soil, there has been a swift build-up along the Greece-Macedonia border with Athens warning that the number of people trapped could reach up to 70,000 by next month.The UNs rights chief criticised a rising roar of xenophobia towards migrants.To keep building higher walls against the flight of these desperate people is an act of cruelty and a delusion, Zeid Raad Al Hussein said.Amnesty International criticised the situation at Idomeni, branding it the result of a shameful spate of discriminatory border closures.As the bottleneck showed little sign of easing, Merkel slammed the restrictions and pointed the finger at Austria, whose clampdown on February 19 triggered a domino effect in the Balkans.Greece must not be allowed to plunge into chaos, she said.The spate of border closures was sparked by Austrias announcement it would accept no more than 80 asylum claims per day and that a maximum of 3,200 migrants would be allowed to transit through daily.EU members Slovenia and Croatia, along with Serbia and Macedonia, swiftly responded to the clampdown further up the migrant route by imposing a limit of 580 migrants entering per day.Because Austria decided on a limit of 80 per day, and not one more, we have reached todays situation, Merkel told public broadcaster ARD on Sunday.When one insists on his border, the other suffers. Thats not my Europe.Macedonias President Ivanov told German news website Spiegel Online that once Austrias limit of 37,500 entries this year is reached, the Balkan route will have to close.When Austria reaches its limit, it will happen, he said.Asked when that might occur, he replied perhaps right at this moment, although the Austrian interior ministry said only around 12,000 people had passed through its territory so far this year.The European Commission said late Monday it will this week propose using funds usually earmarked for catastrophes outside the bloc to provide aid to EU countries affected by the migrant crisis.On the ground, thousands continued to mass on Greeces northern border with Macedonia, where the Idomeni camp is designed to accomodate up to 1,500 people but is sheltering more than 7,000.Austria hit back quickly at criticism of its crackdown, describing it as absurd.We dont have to take criticism from anyone on any side, Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner told the Austria Press Agency.Apparently for some, the European solution (to the crisis) is for all (migrants) to mass in Austria, she said. In Athens, ministers held an emergency meeting on how to handle the crisis.With facilities in the capital nearing breaking point and hundreds of people continuing to arrive at the port of Piraeus, authorities hastily opened two indoor facilities -- one of them at a baseball stadium disused since the Athens 2004 Olympics -- to shelter another 2,000 migrants.In France meanwhile, clashes broke out as authorities began bulldozing half of the Jungle migrant camp in the port city of Calais where thousands of migrants hope to sneak aboard lorries and ferries to Britain.Belgium has turned back 619 migrants at the French border since reinstating border checks, a police spokesman told AFP.

Karachi: 4 accused arrested during police operations

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, police apprehended two accused, Shah Nawaz alias Shani and Abdul Qayyum, in injured condition after an encounter in Pakistan Bazar area of Orangi Town after an encounter.Police have also recovered arms and a motorcycle from their possession.Police also conducted an operation in Ittehad Town area and arrested an accused named Abdul Razzaq Patel alias Chotu. In a separate operation, police arrested a dacoit named Naved Alam from Saadi Town area. Police have also recovered arms and looted money from him.On the other hand, some unidentified persons opened fire at a car in Korangi No 5 and shot dead an activist of a political party. The deceased was identified as Abdur Rasheed Mirani.

US hails 'honour killing' Oscar film at Pakistan talks

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry kicked off a round of strategic talks with Pakistan on Monday by hailing a documentary film credited with changing attitudes to so-called honour killings.A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness won the Academy Award for best documentary short Sunday at the Oscars ceremony, and was on Kerrys mind as he opened the annual US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue.Welcoming Pakistani Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz to the State Department for what he said would be frank and very important talks on development, nuclear arms and security, the top US diplomat turned to the movie.This film told the remarkable story of a very courageous young woman who survived an attempt at an honour killing by her father and her uncle, Kerry told the assembled diplomats from both countries.And yet even more remarkable was that after the initial screening Prime Minister Sharif pledged to change laws that allow such barbaric practices and murders, he added.And that is a sign of how a great work of cinema can shine light on a subject on real world challenges and it can actually promote positive change.Pakistani director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently after the film screened in the conservative country, which has been plagued by violent religious extremism.The film follows 19-year-old Saba, who was beaten, shot, dumped in a burlap sack and thrown into a river to be left for dead after she attempted to escape her family and marry a man.After meeting 37-year-old journalist and filmmaker Chinoy in Islamabad, Sharif issued a statement vowing to rid Pakistan of this evil by bringing in appropriate legislation.After their opening remarks, the officials went into a closed session to discuss cooperation in the energy sector, the fight against Islamist extremist groups and nuclear safety and non-proliferation in the light of Pakistans tense relations with India.

Dense fog blankets parts of Punjab

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Dense fog blanketed large parts of the Punjab province on early Tuesday morning. Motorway has been closed for all kind of traffic from Lahore to Pindi Bhattian as visibility was dropped to zero.The Motorway police have advised the drivers to use G.T Road as an alternative. The Motorway police have also advised the drivers to switch on fog lights while driving at very slow speed.The Motorway police have also requested the people to stay home and avoid unnecessary travelling as visibility was very low due to heavy fog.

Pillion riding banned in Karachi for 4 days

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - Sindh Home Department has imposed a four-day ban on pillion riding in Karachi to maintain law and order situation in the city, Dunya News reported.The pillion riding ban took effect from 12:00 midnight today and will remain in force till March 4. Women, people with disabilities, elderly people, journalists and children under the age of 12 are exempt from the ban.
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Sunday 28 February 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Asia Cup: Pakistan will face UAE today

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DHAKA (Dunya News) – Pakistan will take on the United Arab Emirates in the sixth match of the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament today (Monday) at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The match will start at 6:30pm PST.Pakistan is looking to get back to their winning ways after losing their first match of the tournament against India by five wickets on Saturday night.Pakistans batsmen struggled against Indian pacers and spinners and failed to put on partnerships as most of the batsmen fell due to lose shots. As usual, it was the bowling that was the bright spot during their loss to India. Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Sami bowled beautifully and were ably supported by Irfan and Wahab Riaz.UAE on the other hand have lost both their games in the Asia Cup, and will need a win here if they are to remain in the competition.Squads:Pakistan possible XI: Mohammad Hafeez, Sharjeel Khan, Khurram Manzoor, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed (WK), Shahid Afridi (C), Wahab Riaz ,Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Amir, Irfan.UAE possible XI: Muhammad Kaleem, Rohan Mustafa, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Usman, Amjad Javed (C), Saqlain Haider, Swapnil Patel (WK), Qadeer Ahmed, Ahmed Raza, Mohammad Naveed.

At last second, SpaceX delays satellite launch again

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MIAMI (AFP) - In the very last second before liftoff Sunday, SpaceX scrubbed the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket to send a communications satellite into orbit, marking the third delay since last week.A fuel problem forced the sudden delay, following a postponement -- known as a hold -- earlier in the evening due to a ship that ventured into the waters off Cape Canaveral, Florida, said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.Launch aborted on low thrust alarm. Rising oxygen temps due to hold for boat and helium bubble triggered alarm, Musk said on Twitter.The Falcon 9s engines are powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene. In June 2015, the Falcon 9 exploded some two minutes after launch, a failure that was blamed on a faulty strut that held helium bottles in place.The ship moved away in time for a launch attempt, and the countdown went almost to ignition before it was cut off suddenly.We were counting down, we got to just about T-0 when we had an abort, at 7:21 pm (0021 GMT) said SpaceX spokesman John Insprucker on the California-based companys live webcast.Another launch date has not been set, and the vehicle is safe, he added.The launch aims to propel a communications satellite, known as SES-9, that was built by Boeing for the Luxembourg-based company SES.The satellite must reach a geostationary orbit, more than 22,000 miles (35,000 kilometers) above Earth, where it will deliver broadband and television channels to southeast Asia.We will be dropping SES-9 off 100 times as high as the International Space Station, said Lauren Lyons, mission integrator for SpaceX.After the launch, SpaceX had planned to try to land the first stage of its rocket on a platform floating in the Atlantic.SpaceX has managed to land its Falcon 9 upright on solid ground once -- in December 2015 -- but several attempts at ocean touchdowns have failed.SpaceX has cautioned it does not expect a successful landing this time either once the launch finally takes place, but is trying to perfect its technique of recycling rocket parts in order to make spaceflight cheaper and more sustainable.

Asian shares mixed as traders weigh G20 growth pledge

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HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian stocks were mixed on Monday, with most bourses taking heart from a G20 pledge to boost global growth while Chinese shares slumped to a 15-month low after the meeting wrapped up in Shanghai.European and Asian equities rose in the previous session, as hopes grew the worlds top 20 economies would agree to unleash their monetary firepower to stimulate the sagging world economy at the two-day meeting.But optimism fizzled by the end of US trading, with stocks and oil finishing on a hesitant note after better than expected GDP data raised questions over the Federal Reserves approach to interest rates.Sentiment was mixed in Asia on Monday, with Tokyo rising led by carmaker Nissan, which surged the most in seven years after it pledged to buy back $3.5 billion of its shares this year.Oil rose in early trading, with the US benchmark adding 8 cents, or 0.24 percent, to $32.86 and Brent crude up 24 cents, or 0.68 percent, to $35.34 at around 0130 GMT.Chinese shares tumbled more than three percent, however, to their lowest point since November 2014 as traders remained unconvinced the G20 had promised enough to boost stalling global growth.News the yuan currency weakened for a seventh day added to concerns, after the head of the central bank briefly soothed markets by saying there was no basis for it to keep falling.The G20 is saying all the right things, so the comments may be seen as soothing by financial markets, Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy at fund manager AMP Capital Investors, told Bloomberg News.But I am not convinced that it means a lot more coordinated policy stimulus is about to follow.- US GDP in focus -===================Pressure has been mounting for central bankers to do more to stimulate growth and reassure investors after financial markets posted one of the worst starts to the year in living memory.Equities, commodities and emerging market currencies have been hit hard as concerns about slowing growth in number two economy China and a slide in oil prices hurt sentiment around the world.G20 ministers on Saturday said the group will use all policy tools -- monetary, fiscal and structural -- individually and collectively to build confidence and strengthen the recovery.But analysts were unimpressed they had failed to agree a group-wide strategy to tackle the growth at the meeting in Shanghai, after divisions emerged over the best way to stimulate their economies.News the US economy grew faster than expected in the fourth quarter of 2015, despite the turmoil gripping world financial markets, boosted the dollar which held on to most of its gains in Asian trading.The economy expanded by one percent in the final quarter of the year, the Commerce Department said Friday, surprising analysts by revising up its previous estimate of 0.7 percent.Analysts said the strong data could provide more support for the US central bank to hike interest rates again this year, despite the global slowdown.Markets look set for a volatile week as a raft of data releases globally set markets up for a dramatic reweighting of growth expectations, said Angus Nicholson, a market analyst at IG in Melbourne.The biggest story of the moment has been the far better performance of US data than the market had expected, which is seeing US dollar strength return.

Football: Man City beat Liverpool in League Cup final

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LONDON (AFP) - Willy Caballero proved an unlikely hero with three penalty saves as Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-1 in a Wembley Stadium shootout on Sunday to win the English League Cup.The game finished 1-1 following extra time, Philippe Coutinho equalising for Liverpool in the 83rd minute after Fernandinho had put City ahead early in the second half, and Caballero took centre-stage in the shootout.The 34-year-old Argentine, who deputises for Joe Hart in cup competitions, saved penalties from Lucas Leiva, Coutinho and substitute Adam Lallana and although Fernandinho hit the post with his spot-kick, Yaya Toure stroked home the decisive penalty to give City victory.On his decision to keep faith with Caballero, City manager Manuel Pellegrini said: Id rather lose the title than lose my word.A lot of media were waiting to criticise me if Willy Caballero makes a mistake. I had a lot of trust in Caballero. I am very pleased for all the players and staff, but more for him because he deserved it.A tearful Caballero said: Its amazing to win this cup. It is fantastic for the blue (City) people.Its important, emotional for me, my family, to be in this great team.It was Citys second League Cup triumph in three seasons, and fourth in total, and ensures that Pellegrini will sign off with at least one trophy before handing over the reins to Pep Guardiola.His Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, met with disappointment in his first attempt to win a trophy following his appointment as the successor to Brendan Rodgers in October.Liverpool, who lost Mamadou Sakho to a first-half head injury, have gone four years without a trophy since winning the last of their eight League Cups in 2012, raising the stakes yet further ahead of their Europa League clash with arch rivals Manchester United.It is unlucky, but it is one way to lose a cup final, said Klopp, whose side host City in the league on Wednesday.We all have to feel it now. It is what it is. You can fall, but it is how you stand up.Klopp elected to pick midfielder Lucas and Sakho at centre-back, but Sakho hurt himself in an early clash of heads with team-mate Emre Can and looked wobbly as Sergio Aguero slipped past him to curl in a shot that Simon Mignolet brilliantly touched onto the left-hand past.The French international left the fray moments later, Kolo Toure entering the fray, but had to be convinced of the need for his withdrawal by Klopp and flung a water bottle to the ground in disgust as he walked off.Fernandinho was playing wide on the right for City, as he had in the mid-week Champions League win at Dynamo Kiev, and four minutes into the second half he provided the breakthrough.Aguero waited for him to make an overlapping run and the Brazilian duly obliged before drilling in a shot that seemed to go straight through Mignolet.It was the latest in a succession of blunders by the Belgium international and replays of the goal on the big screens drew groans from the Liverpool end.Two City old boys almost combined to forge an equaliser, James Milner shooting wide from Daniel Sturridges through-ball, before Raheem Sterling -- roundly booed by fans of his former club -- squandered a gilt-edged chance to make it 2-0 by shooting wide from David Silvas pass.He also miscued from an Aguero cut-back and they were to prove costly misses as, with seven minutes to go, Liverpool levelled.Sturridge played a low cross into the box from the right and although Lallana contrived to hit the post from close range, Coutinho followed in to side-foot home. It was Liverpools first shot on target.Mignolet partly redeemed himself by saving sharply from Fernando and, in extra time, Aguero before Caballero repelled a header from substitute Divock Origi at the other end.It was the first save he had had to make, but there were three more to come.Can settled Liverpools nerves with a classy Panenka penalty before Fernandinho hit the post, but with Caballero thwarting Lucas, Coutinho and Lallana, penalties from Jesus Navas, Aguero and Yaya Toure saw City home.

Football: Man Utd starlet Rashford leaves Arsenal reeling

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - Teenage forward Marcus Rashfords dream start to life at Manchester United continued on Sunday as he scored two goals in his teams 3-2 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford.The win represented Louis van Gaals third victory, in three competitions, over the past six days, but more signficantly, damaged Arsene Wengers hopes of winning Arsenals first league title in 12 years.The 18-year-old forward, who scored twice in the mid-week Europa League victory over FC Midtjylland, was on the mark again in an astonishing first half in which he beat Petr Cech on two occasions.To make his impact all the more stunning, the goals came within three minutes of each other as United delivered a serious blow to Wengers aim of narrowing the five-point advantage that leaders Leicester City held before kick-off.After 29 minutes, Ander Herrera started a move with a telling tackle on Theo Walcott, sparking a counter-attack that ended with Guillermo Varela crossing from the right and Gabriel hacking a poor clearance directly to Rashford.The teenager did the rest with a composed finish from a dozen yards, the first shot of his Premier League career resulting in his first goal.Arsenals poor defending was badly exposed in that attack and worse was to follow from the next serious foray into their territory with Varela again influential, making an important header that kept the ball in play.Jesse Lingard received the ball and picked out Rashford, who had again slipped his marker Gabriel, and the youngster planted a perfect header past the diving Cech.Wenger looked stunned on the Arsenal bench, a mood reflected by his players, although his side were able to pull an important goal back before the interval, predictably through the former United striker Danny Welbeck.Mesut Ozil was the architect with an inch-perfect free-kick from midway inside the United half and Welbeck, who eluded his marker Marcos Rojo too easily, guided a header past David de Gea from 10 yards.The goals were the highlight of a thrilling first half in which Nacho Monreal should have given the visitors the lead after just seven minutes when he chased Ozils through-ball into the area and was denied well by De Gea.Rashford won a free-kick inches outside the area after a trip by Gabriel, with Memphis Depays low set-piece being well held by Cech, while Alexis Sanchez replied for Arsenal with a snapshot that flew narrowly wide.The entertainment continued after the restart as United sought to continue a remarkable run of close to 250 Premier League home games in which they have led at half-time and not lost.Morgan Schneiderlin saw a shot blocked from a home corner and Cech needed two attempts to keep out Depays long-range shot as Arsenal toiled, prompting Wenger to bring on Olivier Giroud just after the hour in place of the ineffective Walcott.But the next attack brought United a precious third goal, in the 65th minute, with Rashford again involved as he held up Juan Matas through ball before laying it back to Herrera just outside the area.The Spanish midfielders crisp shot might have been saved by Cech, but a strong deflection off Laurent Koscielny gave the diving Arsenal goalkeeper no chance.Again, Arsenal responded, from Sanchezs right-wing cross on 69 minutes, which found Welbeck on the six-yard line for a shot that was blocked by De Gea.The rebound fell kindly for Ozil, who showed predictably superb technique in keeping a bouncing ball down and driving it past the diving De Gea from 15 yards.Herrera and Aaron Ramsey were cautioned for a scuffle as tempers became frayed and Van Gaal argued with the fourth official, throwing himself to the ground theatrically to make a point.But apart from half-chances for Giroud and Kolscielny, both of whom missed with headers, there was little further goalmouth action.

Football: Barca equal unbeaten record in Sevilla win

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MADRID (AFP) - Barcelona came from behind to equal a Spanish record of 34 games unbeaten in all competitions by moving eight points clear at the top of La Liga with a 2-1 win over Sevilla.Sevilla were the last side to beat Barca back in October and deservedly struck first through Vitolo.However, as so often of late, Barca recovered from a slow start thanks to Lionel Messis brilliant free-kick and Gerard Piques winner early in the second-half.Luis Enriques men have now matched Real Madrids record run from the 1988-89 season and in doing so moved 12 points clear of third-placed Madrid.Atletico Madrid remain Barcas closest challengers after beating Madrid 1-0 on Saturday.We are in great form, but records dont mean anything. At the end of the day everything is judged by titles, Pique told Movistar.Our season is well on track, but we need to finish it off.Sevilla were a constant threat on the counter-attack, but should have taken the lead from a set-piece when Timothee Kolodziejczak somehow blazed over from point-blank range.Barca nearly went in front in spectacular fashion as Messis audacious attempt from a corner hit the post and Luis Suarez then blasted the rebound off the crossbar.Sevilla did eventually make the breakthrough 20 minutes in thanks to a fine breakaway as Benoit Tremoulinass cross from the left was slotted home at the back post by Vitolo.However, as ever Messi came to the fore when Barca needed him most and the five-time World Player of the Year levelled with a stunning free-kick high into the far corner 11 minutes later.Sergio Rico prevented Messi turning the game around single-handedly before the break with a great save low to his left.Barca upped the pace after the break and were rewarded when brilliant link-up play between Messi and Suarez teed up Pique to tap home from close range.Sevilla still had the chance to take something from the game when Claudio Bravo flew from his line to block Kevin Gameiro as the Frenchman bore down on goal.Earlier, Valencias four-game winning run came to a sudden halt as Gary Nevilles men were beaten 3-0 by Athletic Bilbao in a dress rehearsal of their Europa League last-16 tie.The Basques moved up to seventh in La Liga with three goals in seven second-half minutes at Mestalla.However, Neville was furious at two strong Valencia penalty appeals that were waived away before the opener.I thought the referee was a joke, said the former Manchester United captain.Ive not blamed refs in every game, but his management of the game was awful. Some of the things he did were incredible.Sabin Merino headed the visitors in front before Iker Muniain then doubled the lead to register his first goal in 18 months.And Aritz Aduriz compounded a miserable afternoon for Neville by rising highest to head home Benat Extebarrias corner for his 27th goal of the season.Villarreal moved to within two points of Real Madrid by stretching their unbeaten league run to 13 games with a comfortable 3-0 win over Levante thanks to goals from Leo Baptistao, Samu Castillejo and Adrian Lopez.Marcelinos men should at least be assured a place in the Champions League qualifiers next season as they now lead Sevilla by 11 points in the fight for fourth place.

Golf: Scott snaps win drought with Honda Classic victory

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MIAMI (AFP) - Australias Adam Scott won his first title in nearly two years on Sunday, firing a level-par 70 to capture the US PGA Honda Classic by one stroke over Sergio Garcia.The 2013 Masters champion had not claimed a trophy since the Colonial in May of 2014, when Scott was ranked number one in the world.It feels very good, Scott said. It was nice to hit some quality shots coming in. Luckily for me, it was just enough.Scott finished 72 holes on nine-under 271 with Spains Garcia firing a final-round 71 to settle for second by a shot. Americans Justin Thomas and Blayne Barber shared a distant third on 275.Scott captured his 28th professional title and his 12th on the US PGA Tour, the most by any active player under 40.Ranked 13th this week, Scott won for the first time since the anchored-style long putter he used for years was banned by changes in the rules of golf.My game has come into a really good spot, Scott said. Weve worked really hard to get it there, made some nice progress in all areas, especially the greens. It paid off this week.Scott opened with a 15-foot birdie putt and added 10-footer for birdie at the par-3 fifth, but bogeys at the ninth and 10th left him where he started and level for the lead with Garcia, who opened with 10 pars.But Garcia made bogey at 11 and Scott dropped his approach inches from the cup at 12 to set up a birdie that put him back ahead by two strokes.Garcia birdied 14 to pull within one as they reached the par-3 15th where Scott had taken a quadruple bogey the day before.But on this day, both would par the hole and Scott would stay on top as both made bogeys at 16.Garcia made another bogey at 17 and a birdie at 18 only trimmed the final margin as Scott made a tap-in par putt for the victory.I got off to a good start, made one at the first, that definitely relaxed me, Scott said. Made a lot of good putts. Fortunately it was enough in the end.Scott became the first winner of a PGA event with a quadruple bogey in his 72 holes since Phil Mickelson at the 2009 PGA Tour Championship.For Garcia, it was another disappointing defeat.It was tough, really difficult golf course, Garcia said. He deserved it. I dont feel my swing is anywhere near where I would like it. I scored well. He played better than me. I fought hard. I stayed quite calm. Its never easy. A couple bad shots on a couple of difficult holes and it wasnt good enough.

Blame-trading tests Syria's fragile truce

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DAMASCUS (AFP) - Key players in Syrias war traded accusations Sunday over violations of the first major ceasefire in the five-year conflict, but the truce remained largely intact on its second day.Aid groups hope to use the lull in fighting that has claimed 270,000 lives and displaced more than half the population to deliver desperately-needed supplies.A successful truce would also create a more favourable backdrop for peace talks that collapsed in acrimony in early February as a Russia-backed regime offensive in northern Syria caused tens of thousands to flee.The main opposition grouping Sunday described the ceasefire as positive but lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations and foreign governments about first day breaches.We have violations here and there, but in general it is a lot better than before and people are comfortable, said Salem al-Meslet, spokesman for the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee.Meslet said the opposition would like to see the truce last for ever and that it was the responsibility of the United States to stop any violations.An HNC letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon accused Syrias regime and its allies of committing 24 violations with artillery shelling and five ground operations... in 26 areas held by the moderate opposition.The letter, signed by HNC head Riad Hijab, also attacked Russia for conducting 26 air strikes on areas falling within the ceasefire.Hijab said the breaches had killed 29 people and wounded dozens.He also warned it would be impossible to restart the negotiations process in such coercive conditions.The HNC has said it did not receive any maps of areas included in the ceasefire or documents explaining the monitoring mechanism.Syrias Al-Watan newspaper, which is close to the government, said Sunday that those maps were still being kept secret.The ceasefire does not apply to territory held by the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front.Saudi Arabia, a staunch opponent of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, also accused Russia of flouting the ceasefire and targeting moderate opposition groups.Things will become clearer in the coming days on whether the regime and Russia are serious or not about the ceasefire, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir said.Russia, which has waged a five-month bombing campaign to support Assad, blamed moderate rebels and jihadists for nine ceasefire violations, including from Turkish territory.But on the whole, the ceasefire regime in Syria is being implemented, Lieutenant General Sergei Kuralenko, head of Moscows coordination centre in Syria, was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. In Damascus, student Mehdi al-Ani spent Sunday at his universitys cafe with friends.Yesterday, we only heard two or three shells -- but I pretended like I didnt hear anything. The ceasefire will continue, God willing, he said. In second city Aleppo, children strolled to school without hugging walls for fear of rocket attacks, an AFP correspondent said. Theres something strange in this silence. We used to go to sleep and wake up with the sound of raids and artillery, said Abu Omar, 45, who runs a bakery in rebel-held east Aleppo.Yacoub El Hillo, the UNs humanitarian coordinator for Syria, said the ceasefire would allow aid to be delivered to an extra 154,000 people living in besieged areas over the next five days.It is the best opportunity that the Syrian people have had over the last five years for lasting peace and stability, he added.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitor, reported air strikes -- believed to be either Syrian or Russian -- on seven villages in Hama and Aleppo provinces.It was unclear if the raids hit areas covered by the ceasefire. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said only one of the villages, Kafr Hamra in Aleppo, is controlled by Al-Nusra and the others are held by non-jihadist rebels.As recriminations flew, Washington urged patience.Setbacks are inevitable, a senior US administration official said.Even under the best of circumstances, we dont expect the violence to end immediately. In fact, we are certain that there will continue to be fighting, in part because of organisations like ISIL and Al-Nusra.UN envoy Staffan de Mistura aims to relaunch peace talks on March 7 if the ceasefire lasts and more aid is delivered.Israel welcomed the ceasefire but warned it would not accept Iranian aggression or the supply of advanced weapons to Hezbollah, the pro-regime Lebanese Shiite militia.Its important it remains clear any agreement in Syria must include an end to Iranian aggression aimed at Israel from Syrias territory, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

At least 33 killed in IS-claimed Baghdad bombings

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BAGHDAD (AFP) - Bombings claimed by the Islamic State group killed at least 33 people in Baghdad Sunday, officials said, the deadliest attacks in the Iraqi capital this year.IS also attacked an army position in an area west of Baghdad, seizing it and killing at least eight security personnel over the course of the day.The two blasts near a market in the Sadr City area of northern Baghdad, at least one of which was a suicide bombing, also wounded at least 79 people, security and medical officials said.IS, which overran swathes of territory north and west of Baghdad in 2014, claimed the attacks in a statement online that said two suicide bombers had detonated explosive belts in Sadr City.IS considers Shiite Muslims, who make up the majority of Iraqs population, to be heretics and frequently targets them with bombings and other attacks.Suicide bombings are a tactic almost exclusively used in Iraq by IS.The jihadist group claimed twin suicide bombings targeting Shiite worshippers on Thursday that killed at least nine people in Shuala, another Shiite-majority area in northern Baghdad.IS also launched an attack on an army position in the Abu Ghraib area west of the city on Sunday, security officials said.The jihadists attacked the position early in the morning and held it until government reinforcements arrived and took it back later in the day, the officials said.The Abu Ghraib violence killed at least eight people, including both members of the security forces and allied paramilitaries, and wounded at least 22, while IS members were also killed, officials said.While attacks are still common in Baghdad, violence in the city has decreased significantly since IS launched a sweeping offensive in June 2014, after which many of its militants became occupied with fighting elsewhere.In early 2015, the Iraqi government ended a long-running curfew that kept most Iraqis off the streets between midnight and 5:00 am (1800 to 0200 GMT), a move that expanded freedom of movement and has not negatively impacted security.The Iraqi government is now building a series of walls and trenches at various points surrounding the capital with the aim of restricting the movement of militants and curbing other illegal activity.Security spokesman Brigadier General Saad Maan has said that after the completion of the first phase of construction, half of the checkpoints in the capital will be removed, though such proposals have been made before but not implemented.The city is littered with checkpoints manned by forces who often wave cars through or at most perform cursory searches, adding little to security while causing major traffic jams.Security personnel at many Baghdad checkpoints, including those leading to the heavily-fortified Green Zone, still employ bomb detectors that have long since been proven to be fake.

Migrants protest at Greece-Macedonia border as bottleneck builds

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IDOMENI (AFP) - Stranded migrants lay with their children on rail tracks at Greeces northern border Sunday, demanding to be allowed to continue their journey, as Athens warned the number of people trapped on its soil could more than triple next month.Tensions between European countries worst affected by the migrant crisis were still running high, with Austrias Chancellor Werner Faymann accusing Greece of behaving like a travel agency.We estimate that in our country the number of those trapped will be from 50,000-70,000 people next month, Greek Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas said, after countries along the Balkan route introduced limits on migrant crossings.Today, there are 22,000 refugees and migrants, Mouzalas added in an interview with Mega TV.Several women suffering health problems were allowed to cross the border into Macedonia at the Idomeni crossing on Sunday night, a police officer told AFP -- but some 6,500 people remained stuck at the camp there.Earlier in the day, several hundred refugees and migrants had protested by sitting and lying with their children on the rail tracks at Idomeni.Some held up handwritten posters that read Open the borders, no food and We are humans, not animals.They later moved towards the border fence, chanting slogans to demand to be allowed into Macedonia so they can continue their journey to elsewhere in Europe.Macedonian authorities let just 300 migrants through on Saturday, with the bottleneck growing.Im 17 days on the road with my family and my two children. I dont know what to do, one Syrian man lying on the rail tracks with his children told Athens News Agency. The build-up at the Idomeni camp, which can hold up to 1,500 people, began in earnest last week after Macedonia began refusing entry to Afghans and imposed stricter controls on Syrians and Iraqis.The bottleneck was expected to worsen after EU members Slovenia and Croatia, as well as Serbia and Macedonia, imposed a daily limit of 580 migrants.Those measures came on the heels of a clampdown by Austria, which lies further up the migrant trail to Germany and Scandinavia.Austria introduced a daily cap of 80 asylum seekers and said it would allow just 3,200 migrants to transit the country per day.The controls have had a knock-on effect in Greece, where migrants have continued to arrive en masse from neighbouring Turkey.The tension has resulted in a public spat, with Austria accusing Greece of failing to adequately police its borders under its duty as the southeastern flank of Europes Schengen passport-free zone.Chancellor Faymann compared Greece to a travel agency for migrants, adding in remarks to Austrian media: Last year, Greece took in 11,000 asylum seekers, we took in 90,000. That cant be allowed to happen again.But Mouzalas said Austrias politicians were talking with one eye on the electoral calendar: a presidential poll is due in April.Austria is a friendly country. They have reacted this way because of course they have accepted many migrants but also because elections are on the way, he told Mega TV.Mouzalas said he expected the influx to slow when the information about closed borders spread in Turkey, where more than two million people fleeing the war in Syria have taken refuge.He also said the campaign alongside NATOs presence in the Aegean Sea, which is helping to police Greek waters, was expected to reduce arrivals by 70 percent.Pope Francis used his weekly address on Sunday to hail the generous help offered by Greece to migrants and to urge European countries to work together to share the burden fairly.In Italy, authorities are making preparations in case the border closures redirect the migrant flow towards the southeastern province of Puglia, which lies across the Adriatic Sea from Albania.Coastguards and customs officials are patrolling the 300-kilometre (180-mile) coastline, which has numerous secluded beaches where boats can land discreetly.Meanwhile, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said he wants to speed up repatriations of rejected asylum seekers from North Africa.Modern technology such as biometric identity papers could help, he said, adding that we could imagine offering our support in the area.Our goal is to make the procedures more efficient and faster, he said in emailed responses to written questions from AFP.De Maiziere was to begin Sunday a visit to Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia -- nations that would be declared safe countries of origin under a law that Germany wants to introduce, thus making it easier to send back rejected asylum applicants.

Russian mine disaster toll climbs to 36

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MOSCOW (AFP) - The death toll in Russias worst mining disaster in years climbed to 36 on Sunday as officials said 26 workers missing following methane explosions at the pit in the countrys frozen Arctic north could not have survived.Two blasts ripped through the Severnaya coal mine on Thursday at a depth of 748 metres (2,450 feet), killing four miners and trapping 26 others.Six more people were killed on Sunday as a fresh explosion hit the mine in the city of Vorkuta in the Komi region, once home to one of the most feared Soviet-era Gulag labour camps.According to the expert technical council, 26 (missing) people who were in the mine had no chances of surviving, Tatyana Bushkova, a spokeswoman for the mines operator Vorkutaugol, told AFP on Sunday.The rescue operation has been halted, she added in an emailed statement.Anton Kovalishin, a spokesman for the emergencies ministry in the Komi region, told AFP a new explosion in the early hours of Sunday killed five rescue workers and a miner.This is a difficult emergency situation, a difficult catastrophe for Russia, for our mining industry, said Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, who is heading a special commission established to deal with the tragedy.He said the families of the victims would each receive one million rubles ($13,000) in compensation.Vorkutaugol is operated by Severstal, the Russian steelmaker controlled by billionaire Alexey Mordashov.The company was considering whether to flood the mine but now apparently decided to pump it with nitrogen to stop the fire burning at the pit, said Bushkova.The chairman of Severstals board of directors Alexei Mordashov said that he expects the Severnaya mine to continue its work after the consequences of the disaster have been liquidated, she said.This is the companys largest mine that produces about a fourth of Vorkutaugols output.Authorities launched a massive search operation involving hundreds of rescue workers who had been trying to track down the missing despite almost zero visibility, smoke, gas-polluted air and rubble.Both the company and the authorities had until now refused to declare the missing dead even though rescuers had apparently failed to make contact with them over the past few days.But the latest explosion forced officials to admit that no one could have survived.Unfortunately, we are forced to acknowledge that all the conditions at that section of the mine would not allow a person to survive, Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov said in comments broadcast by LifeNews television channel.Seventy-seven people were in the mine during the rescue operation when the new explosion hit on Sunday, the emergencies ministry said. Of these, 71 were rescued and brought to the surface. Eleven of them were injured.According to experts, there is a high risk of new explosions, the ministry said.Sunday, Monday and Tuesday have been declared days of mourning in the region.We are unable to bring people from the dead but we will do everything to support their families at this difficult hour, acting head of the Komi region, Sergei Gaplikov, told families of the victims, in remarks released by his office.Earlier this week President Vladimir Putin tasked the government with setting up a special panel to look into the accident.The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal probe into the violation of safety rules and dispatched investigators and forensic experts to the scene.Mine accidents are fairly common in Russia and other former Soviet countries, where much of the infrastructure has not been modernised since the Communist era.The explosions at the Severnaya mine took place despite the fact that the company has over the past years invested heavily in safety, Vorkutaugol said.We are constantly spending lots of money -- and we will spend it in the future -- to perfect the technical systems that ensure safety and prevent violations, Mordashov was quoted as saying.In 2010, 91 people -- both miners and rescuers -- died after a methane explosion at the Raspadskaya mine in the Siberian region of Kemerovo.In 2007, 110 people died at the Ulyanovskaya mine, in the same region, the countrys worst mining accident since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Indian man kills 14 family members with knife

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MUMBAI (AFP) - A 35-year-old man killed 14 members of his family including six children with a butchers knife before committing suicide in India, with police baffled Sunday about a motive for the attack.The grisly murders occurred after Hasnin Anwar Warekar and his extended family gathered late on Saturday at a home north of Indias financial capital of Mumbai for a family function, police officers said.The attacker, Hasnin Anwar Warekar, hung himself after slitting the throats of all other family members including his parents, Gajanan Laxman Kabdule, a police spokesman in Thane, some 32 kilometres (20 miles) from Mumbai, said.The sole survivor of the attack -- Warekars sister -- was taken to hospital after neighbours heard her screaming for help after midnight and alerted police.Neighbours were forced to open a window to rescue the woman after the assailant allegedly locked all escape routes from the house before carrying out the attacks, according to local media reports.We still havent been able to speak with the attackers 21-year-old sister, the lone survivor of the attack, who is in deep trauma at a city hospital, Kabdule told AFP.Warekar, who reportedly worked for a private firm in Mumbai, was able to carry out the attacks after lacing the food at the gathering with a sedative, according to several local media reports.But the Indian Express newspaper said he stabbed his victims after they went to bed, having all decided to spend the night at the house in Thane.Prima facie evidence suggests that the accused bolted all the doors of the house and murdered his family while they were asleep with a knife that we found near his body, Ashutosh Dumbre, joint commissioner of Thane police, was quoted saying.Kabdule said he could not confirm whether the victims had been sedated, saying investigators were awaiting medical test results.Footage showed men carrying bodies wrapped in sheets from the house to a waiting ambulance, as crowds and police gathered outside the white-walled home.Kabdule said details of the attack are still sketchy along with the motive.According to the Press Trust of India news agency, a property dispute was behind the killings, but Dumbre said initial investigations have so far found no trigger for such an extreme step.In our inquiry so far, no one has yet been able to give the reason for this, Dumbre told the ABP news channel.He worked with a private company in Mumbai. There were no known financial troubles or disputes and now we are hoping that the lone survivor can tell us something about the trigger, he said.

Football: Morata strike sees Juve clear with win over hapless Inter

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TURIN (AFP) - Alvaro Morata came off the bench to earn then score a late penalty as champions Juventus went four points clear at the top of Serie A on Sunday with a 2-0 win over hapless Inter Milan.Days after rescuing their Champions League hopes with a 2-2 home draw with Bayern Munich, Juventus welcomed Roberto Mancinis visitors looking to steal a march on title challengers Napoli.After a dominant first half, the hosts broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart when Leonardo Bonucci fired Inter midfielder Danilo DAmbrosios header past Samir Handanovic on the volley.Morata replaced Juve striker Paulo Dybala with eight minutes remaining, and two minutes later stepped up to send Handanovic the wrong way after winning a penalty when he was chopped down in the box by Joao Miranda.Juves 19th win of the season leaves Massimiliano Allegris men four points clear of Napoli, who will be hoping striker Gonzalo Higuain finds his scoring boots again for a difficult trip to fourth-placed Fiorentina on Monday.Inter remain in fifth place at 13 points behind Juve, but their seventh loss of the campaign has given hope to their direct rivals for the third and last Champions League qualifying spot.Former Inter midfielder Hernanes, handed a rare start by Allegri after a sterling performance as a second-half substitute against Bayern in midweek, announced the hostilities after just five minutes.Taking a pass from fellow Brazilian Alex Sandro, Hernanes sidestepped his marker to hit a sweet left-foot drive that sailed over Handanovic and cannoned off the crossbar.It also shook Inter, who were just as relieved to see Miranda block Paulo Dybalas drive after the Argentine had been set up by Mario Mandzukic moments later.Juve were in command and soon after Mandzukic flashed an angled drive wide of the target after pouncing when Jeison Murillo failed to control Stephan Lichsteiners cross-field delivery.Dybala showed some great footwork to escape his marker and set up Lichsteiner on the right, but Handanovic was quickly down to collect Mandzukics header.It took until 25 minutes for Inter to get a sniff of goal, but Sandro produced a great saving header at the back post as DAmbrosio waited to pounce and then Giorgio Chiellini made a timely interception on Mauro Icardi to thwart the Argentine striker.Juve spurned two chances to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, Paul Pogbas delivery across goal finding no takers and then Mandzukic narrowly missing the Frenchmans inviting through ball that forced Handanovic out to parry.The first half fizzled out, but the second started with a bang when, after just two minues, Bonucci broke the deadlock.Dybala floated in a free-kick from the right that was met by DAmbrosio, whose header towards the back post provided the perfect assist for Bonucci to smash into the roof of the net.Juve almost doubled their lead minutes later, Dybalas first-timer from Sandros cross on the left trickling past the right post.Juves fans were up in arms when Juan Jesus chopped Dybala down from behind, and it was similar indiscipline that led to Juves second six minutes from time.Morata appeared to irk Miranda as they tussled for possession on the edge of the box, the Brazilian retaliating with a challenge that saw the referee point to the spot.Morata made no mistake, sending Handanovic the wrong way to send a virtually packed stadium delirious.

'Thunder of the North' military exercise begins in Saudi

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RIYADH (AFP) - Armed forces from 20 countries have begun manoeuvres in northeastern Saudi Arabia that the official Saudi Press Agency described as one of the worlds biggest military exercises.Troops from Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Sudan are among those participating in the Thunder of the North exercise, which began on Saturday and involves ground, air and naval forces, SPA reported.Forces from the other five Gulf Arab states are also taking part in one of the worlds most important military exercises based on the number of forces participating and the area of territory used, the news agency added.It said a major goal of the exercise was to improve training in responding to the threat posed by terrorist groups.Saudi Arabia has carried out air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria as part of a US-led coalition fighting the jihadists.Last December, it also formed a new 35-member alliance to fight terrorism in Islamic countries.Since last March, it has been leading a military campaign against Iran-backed rebels in its southern neighbour Yemen.

Lahore: Woman abducts 2-day old newborn girl from Jinnah hospital

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – An unidentified woman abducted a 2-day old newborn girl from the labour ward of Jinnah hospital and fled. Police has obtained the CCTV footage of the incident and started an investigation into the matter.According to the details, Shazia, a resident of Raiwind, had given birth to the girl 2 days ago. The baby’s grandmother stated that she had to go for something important so she handed over the baby to a woman sitting on a bed near her., but upon her return neither the woman nor the baby could be found.Superintendent of Police (SP) Model Town stated that the newborn baby was kidnapped due to the carelessness of the family.He stated that a hunt for the kidnapper of the newborn was underway with help of the CCTV footage.
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