Wednesday 10 February 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Karachi: Two dacoits killed in police encounter

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – At least two dacoits were killed in an encounter with Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of police in Korangi area of Karachi on Wednesday.Accorfing to SSP Special Investigation Unit, Farooq Awan, the dead dacoits were involved in several cases of bank robberies. Police have also recovered arms from their possession.On the other hand, personnel of law enforcement agency conducted a search operation in Baldia Ittehad Town and arrested two members of Lyari gang war.

Erdogan lambasts US over support for Syrian Kurds

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ANKARA (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday launched a bitter attack on NATO ally the United States over its support of Syrian Kurdish groups, saying it was creating a pool of blood in the region.In an impassioned and sometimes angry address, Erdogan asked whether the United States was an ally or was working with groups Ankara lists as terror organisations.Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its Peoples Protection Units (YPG) militia to be terror groups allied to the rebel Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) inside Turkey, a position not shared by Washington.Hey America... As you have never recognised them (as terror groups) the region has turned into a pool of blood, Erdogan said. Hey America How many times have we had to tell you? he said. Are you together with us or are you with the PYD and YPG terror groups?Erdogan launched the attack in one of his regular speeches at the presidential palace to loyal municipal leaders known as muhtars that have become a forum for his most vehemently anti-Western comments.Is there a difference between the PKK and the PYD? Is there a difference with the YPG? growled Erdogan. We have written proofAllies dont tell each other my enemys enemy is my friend. You must have principles. But there are no principles here.His remarks escalated a row between Washington and Ankara over the role of Kurdish fighters in the struggle against Islamic State (IS) jihadists in Syria.Turkey says the Syrian Kurdish groups are simply a branch of the rebel Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and has carried out a string of deadly attacks in Turkey in the last few months.The dispute risks further complicating the search for a solution to Syrias five-year conflict, drawing a wedge between two key members of the anti-IS coalition and driving another nail into the coffin of a process of peace talks.In a further twist, a Syrian Kurdish group on Wednesday opened a representation in Moscow, which is currently in the throes of a diplomatic crisis with Ankara and is working to tighten ties with the Kurds.Turkey on Tuesday summoned the US envoy to Ankara in protest after the US State Department said Washington did not recognise the PYD as a terror group and would continue to support its operations in Syria.Even the best of friends arent going to agree on everything, State Department spokesman John Kirby said Monday.Kurdish fighters have been some of the most successful in going after Daesh inside Syria, he said, using another name for the Islamic State group.The State Departments deputy spokesman Mark Toner on Wednesday also sought to allay Turkeys concerns.We view the PKK as a terrorist organisation, you know, but we make a clear delineation between the PKK and the YPG. We believe the YPG is focused thus far on combating Daesh in Syria, and weve supported them in that effort, he told reporters.Can Acun, a researcher with the Ankara-based Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, said Turkey was facing a serious crisis with the United States on the issue.We dont know if the US is using the Syrian Kurds for short term tactical reasons or in the long term. If its the second, then bilateral relations will fray, he said.Air strikes by the Syrian regime and its Russian allies have sent tens of thousands more people fleeing to the border with Turkey, which is already home to some 2.5 million refugees from Syria and hundreds of thousands from Iraq.But Erdogan blasted the response from members of the United Nations, saying: UN, what are you useful for? We have so far taken in three million people from Iraq and Syria and how many have you taken in? How many people has each country taken in? You are troubled by 300-500 people but we have taken three million.

Pentagon chief seeks more help in anti-IS fight

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - Pentagon chief Ashton Carter and dozens of defence ministers from the US-led coalition striking Islamic State jihadists meet in Brussels on Thursday to take stock of the difficult campaign.More than 18 months after the United States and the quickly assembled alliance began bombing IS targets, Carter hopes renewed alarm over IS attacks around the globe and the jihadists growing footprint in Libya will result in greater military and financial commitments from partners.Carter has taken a two-pronged approach to garnering such support, using a combination of private diplomacy and public shaming, accusing some unspecified members of the 66-nation coalition of doing nothing at all to help the fight.Thursdays meeting in the NATO headquarters will see Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland, who is overseeing the anti-IS effort, give an overview of the situation on the ground.A senior US defence official said Washington is looking not just for pledges of military support and cash, but ideas too. The secretary will, frankly, give a call to his fellow ministers to be creative, to speak up to contribute to the thought leadership in the campaign, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Theres no monopoly on good ideas.The assessment comes after the coalition has carried out more than 10,000 air strikes in Iraq and Syria at a cost to the United States of nearly $6 billion (five billion euros). The effort has dealt some significant blows to the jihadists: the Pentagon estimates IS has lost about 40 percent of the territory it once held in Iraq, and about 10 percent of the land it claimed in Syria.But despite losing control of the Iraqi city of Ramadi, assaults to recapture key IS-held Mosul and Raqa in Syria are still many months away, and thousands of IS fighters have streamed into Libya.Carters efforts appear to be bearing some fruit. Canada, for instance, announced Monday it would triple the number of special forces training Kurdish militia in northern Iraq to about 210. And Slovenia has said it would start sending military trainers to work with local forces trying to push back the IS group. There are a number of other (countries) who are in the final throes of trying to figure out if they can also make that leap, the official said, noting that several other nations are very seriously considering additional contributions but first need parliamentary approval.In all, 27 coalition members who have contributed militarily to the 18-month fight will join Carters delegation in Brussels. Another 21 coalition countries are attending as observers.The summit comes at the conclusion of a two-day meeting for NATO defence ministers that focused on new commitments to boost the alliances presence along eastern Europe and act as a deterrent against aggression from Russia, which seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.NATO is also considering a request by key members Germany and Turkey to help cope with a massive influx of refugees, mostly fleeing the Syrian conflict.German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Ankara on Monday that Turkey and Germany want NATO to help police the Turkish coast to prevent smugglers from packing migrants into boats for the perilous crossing to Greece.

58 die in Nigeria suicide bomb attacks

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MAIDUGURI (AFP) - Two female suicide bombers killed at least 58 at a camp for people made homeless by Boko Harams Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria, emergency services said on Wednesday, in the latest violence to hit the remote region.The attack happened in Dikwa, some 90 kilometres (55 miles) from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, on Tuesday morning and is believed to be a reprisal for a military strike on Boko Haram strongholds in the area last week.It will again raise security fears about the safety of internally displaced people (IDPs) and put pressure on the government, which maintains it has the upper hand against the insurgents and is pushing for the return of civilians caught up in the violence.Nigerias Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, deputising for President Muhammadu Buhari who has been on holiday, described it as regrettable that the heartless terrorists chose to unleash their wickedness on people who were taking refuge from previous acts of destruction in their homes. He promised those behind the attack would be hunted down and ordered that formidable security in and around the IDP camps in the country be beefed up and renewed measures put in place to guard against future occurrences.The head of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Satomi Ahmed, earlier told AFP 35 bodies were recovered from the camp, which houses some 53,600 people, with 78 injured.He later said the other dead had been buried locally, leading to the revised toll.From what we gathered three female suicide bombers disguised as IDPs arrived at IDP camp at about 6:30 am (0530 GMT), he said. Two of them detonated their explosives. The third one refused to set off hers when she realised her parents and siblings were in the camp. She surrendered herself to the authorities.Ahmed said the woman told the military why she refused to detonate her explosives and warned them of further attacks to come in the remote region.The injured were taken to the Borno State Specialist Hospital and the Umaru Shehu Hospital, both in Maiduguri for treatment, he added.The camp in Dikwa is currently home to people from six local government areas in Borno: Dikwa itself, Gamboru Ngala, on the border with Cameroon, and the towns of Marte, Kalabalge, Bama and Mafa.Last week, the Nigerian military attacked three villages considered Boko Haram strongholds near Kalabalge, killing dozens of militant fighters and rescuing hundreds of women.The women were largely from the Shuwa Arab tribe, who had been kidnapped, prompting the authorities to suspect the latest attack to be revenge for the military operation.Boko Haram, which has increasingly used suicide and bomb attacks as the military pushes them out of territories it once controlled, has hit IDP camps before. On September 11 last year, seven people were killed when an improvised explosive device went off at the Malkohi camp, near Yola, in neighbouring Adamawa state.The camp had been used to house kidnapped women and children rescued by the military.IDPs fleeing Dikwa were also the target of a female suicide bomber as they tried to reach camps in Maiduguri on November 22 last year. A woman disguised as an IDP blew herself up, killing eight.On January 31, at least 85 people were killed in Dalori, some 12 kilometres from Maiduguri, when Boko Haram fighters attacked and burned down surrounding villagers.Suicide bombers tried to get into the IDP camp, which is the largest around Maiduguri, but were prevented.The Boko Haram insurgency has left at least 17,000 people dead and forced more than 2.6 million from their homes in nearly seven years of violence that has also spread to neighbouring countries.At least six civilians were killed and more than 30 injured on Wednesday in a double suicide attack in the village of Nguetchewe, in northern Cameroon.

Young Palestinian killed by Israeli fire in West Bank clashes: ministry

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HEBRON (AFP) - Israeli fire killed a Palestinian youth during clashes near Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, the Palestinian health ministry said.The Israeli army confirmed opening fire after spotting assailants hurling rocks at civilian vehicles during the clashes in the area of the Al-Arroub refugee camp.The Palestinian killed, identified as Omar Jawabra, was said to be 15 or 16.A wave of violence that erupted in October has claimed the lives of 166 Palestinians, 26 Israelis, a US national, an Eritrean and a Sudanese.Most of the Palestinians were killed carrying out attacks, while others died during clashes and demonstrations.Some analysts say Palestinian frustration with Israeli occupation, the complete lack of progress in peace efforts and their own fractured leadership have fed the unrest.Israel blames incitement by Palestinian leaders and media as a main cause of the unrest.Israel has also faced questions over whether it has used excessive forces in some cases, which it firmly rejects.Also on Wednesday, Israeli opposition leader Isaac Herzog spoke of his proposal to begin unilaterally separating from the Palestinians as much as possible to restore security, saying he sees no peace deal possible for now.The head of the Labour-led Zionist Union coalition said he still wants a two-state solution, but does not believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas are capable of a breakthrough.As a result, he proposes separating Palestinian areas on the outskirts of Jerusalem from the city itself and completing construction of Israels controversial separation barrier already walling off much of the occupied West Bank.Herzog said the Palestinians must also be given more civilian authority in the West Bank itself as part of confidence-building measures, though he stressed the Israeli army would continue to operate anywhere it sees necessary in the territory.

Tennis: Cilic battles through in Rotterdam

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ROTTERDAM (AFP) - Marin Cilic fought through to the Rotterdam World Tennis quarter-finals with a 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (9/7) defeat of Luxembourg veteran Gilles Muller on Wednesday.Victory in the two-hour meeting sent the second-seeded Croatian into a last-eight battle with Germanys Philipp Kohlschreiber, a winner over Ivan Dodig of Croatia 6-4, 6-2.Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, was out-aced by the 40th-ranked Muller, nine to eight in a match without a single break of serve.A pair of French seeds claimed wins, with number three Gilles Simon sending the last Dutchman home with his 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 defeat of Robin Haase, who lost a 4-1 lead in the opening set.To be honest Robin deserved to win the first set, Simon said. I survived with some luck. I was warned because the matches against Robin are always tough.Simon will play for a quarter-final place against German teenager Alexander Zverev, who beat Canadian Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 6-2.Gael Monfils, the number five, beat Croatian teen Borna Coric 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, with the Frenchman saving 10 of 13 break points.Cilic was runner-up at the Ahoy stadium two years ago and with the injury pullout of French top seed Richard Gasquet is now considered a top title favourite at the event which was to have also featured Roger Federer, now recovering from last weeks minor knee surgery.The winner of 14 titles, Cilic said his level has been improving after playing and winning a pair of tough matches this week.I played better today than the first day, the world number 13 said. This was a very close match -- two tiebreakers and no breaks.In the second I was returning better and got into his service game. But I had to stay mentally concentrated. I was also lucky in the tiebreakers.The Croatian faces Kohlschreiber for the ninth time, having lost five previous meetings to the 32nd-ranked German.If you can have a couple of tough matches and get through them, you start to play better, Cilic said. Ive adjusted to the tight situations. Im always glad to win matches like this.In the first round, Spanish sixth seed Roberto Bautista Agut carried momentum from his weekend title in Sofia into his opening match as he defeated Portugals Joao Sousa 7-6 (7/4), 1-6, 6-3.Bautista Agut, ranked 17th, already owns two 2016 titles and improved his record to 13-2 since the start of the year. He next plays Czech Jiri Vesely.Sousa saved a pair of match points before falling on a third.It was not an easy match, Bautista Agut said. I had a bad second set, but in the third I really lifted my level again.There were a lot of rallies and long points. Im off to my best start of a season and I hope to keep it up, said the Spaniard.Ive played well in my last matches and I want to continue like this and get as many wins as possible this week.Jeremy Chardy beat Evgeny Donskoy 6-7 (9/11), 6-4, 7-6 (10/8) after the Russian was inserted into the draw as a lucky loser following the pullout of Gasquet.

Tennis: Injury forces Sharapova out of Qatar Open

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DOHA (AFP) - Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Qatar Open tournament to be held later this month due to an injury to her left forearm, organisers announced on Wednesday.It is the second time the world number six has pulled out of a tournament this season because of the same injury.Earlier this year, Sharapova also had to withdraw from her intended season opener, the Brisbane International.Unfortunately, I will not be able to play the Qatar Open because of my left forearm injury, the 28-year-old said in statement released by Qatar Tennis.I would like to wish the tournament and all the great fans in Doha a great week of tennis and I hope to see them next year.Sharapova has won in Qatar twice -- in 2005 and 2008.This year she was meant to be part of a strong line-up in Doha in a tournament featuring number one seed Serena Williams, Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova.Also there will be surprise Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber.If seeding goes to plan Kerber and Williams will meet again in the final in Doha, just 28 days after their clash in Melbourne.This years Qatar Open will be played between February 21 and 27 and is the 14th time the tournament has been held.It was the first professional womens tennis tournament staged in the Middle East and has a total prize money of $2,517,250 (2,238,482 euros).

Tennis: Venus finally off the mark in 2016

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TAIPEI (AFP) - Venus Williams finally registered her first tour win of 2016 as she powered past Lee Pei-chi 6-3, 6-2 at the Taiwan Open on Wednesday to set up a clash with Urszula Radwanska.The top seed and world number 12 broke Taiwans Lee, aged 21 and ranked 529th, three times in their first career meeting as she cantered to victory in less than an hour.It put the seven-time Grand Slam champion, 35, into the second round for the first time this season after she lost her opening matches at both Auckland and the Australian Open.Elsewhere, third seed Yulia Putintseva beat Japans Miyu Kato 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 in round two, but fellow Kazakh seed Zarina Diyas fell 7-5, 0-6, 6-4 to Russias Elizaveta Kulichkova.

Football: Barca set unbeaten record to see off Neville's Valencia

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MADRID (AFP) - An under-strength Barcelona set a new club record of 29 games unbeaten to progress to the Copa del Rey final with a 1-1 draw at Gary Nevilles Valencia on Wednesday for an 8-1 aggregate win.Barcas place in a fifth final in six years was assured after a 7-0 first-leg rout last week and without their star attacking trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar the under-fire Neville looked set to be handed some relief by Alvaro Negredos first-half opener.However, 19-year-old Cameroonian midfielder Wilfred Kaptoum came off the bench to score his first Barca goal and preserve the European champions unbeaten run six minutes from time.Sevilla are well-set to meet Barca in the final on May 21 as they travel to Celta Vigo in the second-leg of the other semi-final on Thursday leading 4-0.Im very happy to be in the final. Everyone at Barca has had things so good in recent years we are used to reaching the final, but it is hard to be there every year, said Barca boss Luis Enrique.In total, Enrique left 11 first-team regulars back in the Catalan capital with an eye to his sides busy upcoming schedule in La Liga and the Champions League.By contrast, Valencia find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle in La Liga having not won for 12 league games, including nine since Neville took charge in December.And Neville also left out some of the most important members of his squad for the crucial clash at home to Espanyol on Saturday which looks set to decide his future at the club.We are preparing the game already for Saturday, we know it is a big match, said Neville.The focus after losing last week and Sunday has always been the match on Saturday against Espanyol.I thought we deserved to win the game tonight. They werent perfect circumstances after last week, but the players played with dignity.However, there was some relief for the England coach as Negredo, who has cost his side with a series of vital missed chances in recent weeks, finally found the net.The former Manchester City striker was afforded a huge amount of room in behind the Barca defence to open the scoring six minutes before the break and, despite firing his first effort straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the rebound fell favourably for him to tap home his ninth goal of the season.Both sides went through the motions in the second-half in front of a crowd of barely 15,000 at the 55,000 capacity Mestalla.However, Neville was denied his biggest win since arriving at the Mestalla late on when Juan Camaras cross picked out the unmarked Kaptoum to slot home from close range.

Football: Ibrahimovic sends PSG into French Cup quarters

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PARIS (AFP) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as holders Paris Saint-Germain eased past Lyon 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the French Cup on Wednesday, extending the capital clubs winning run to 16 matches.Ibrahimovic bundled in the opening goal just past the hour at the Parc des Princes, and the Swede added a second soon after as PSG began to turn the screw.Adrien Rabiot then netted a third on 75 minutes, with Laurent Blancs men staying firmly on course to repeat last years domestic treble.PSG will travel to six-time winners Saint-Etienne in the last eight having already knocked Christophe Galtiers side out of the French League Cup in December.We didnt start too well, we were a bit better towards the end of the first half. But we were much better in the second period, Rabiot told France 3.Blancs side host Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie next Tuesday, but first they are at home to Lille on Saturday.As of Sunday, well start preparing for the game against Chelsea. The game against Lille, with all respect to Lille, is badly timed, said the coach.The calendar cant get any tighter. If you talk to me about the fixture list, I get heated, so its better to avoid it.Blanc handed Edinson Cavani, relegated to several substitute appearances in Ligue 1 since the turn of the year, a start in place of Angel Di Maria, while midfielder Blaise Matuidi made way for Benjamin Stambouli. A quiet first half saw Paris fail to register a single shot on target, with Cavani wasting the home sides best opportunity when he steered wide after Lucas picked out the Uruguayan just inside the area. Maxwell Cornet went close to giving Lyon the lead five minutes before the break, but Salvatore Sirigu flung himself to his left to brilliantly turn behind the teenagers curling effort.Ibrahimovic drilled narrowly wide early in the second period, but PSGs mounting pressure eventually told on 63 minutes as Lucas burst down the left-hand side before crossing for Ibrahimovic to chest home.The Swede struck again just four minutes later when Serge Aurier slid in a low cross from the right for Ibrahimovic, who was marginally offside, to poke beyond Anthony Lopes.Alexandre Lacazette blazed over as Bruno Genesios men sought to reduce the deficit, and the visitors were understandably aggrieved when Rabiot, clearly behind the last defender, converted Maxwells left-wing cross to seal a fourth win in as many attempts over Lyon this season. Earlier, Nantes came from behind in extra time to claim a thrilling 4-3 victory at Bordeaux, with US international Alejandro Bedoya netting a 118th-minute winner.Saint-Etienne also needed extra time to see off Ligue 1s bottom side Troyes as France Under-21 forward Neal Maupay struck the decisive blow in the 107th minute, while Lorient thumped fourth-tier Sarre-Union 4-0.On Tuesday, second-division strugglers Sochaux knocked out Monaco with a 2-1 victory at the Stade Auguste Bonal, with Gazelec Ajaccio and fifth-tier Granville -- drawn against the winner of Thursdays tie between amateurs Trelissac and Marseille in the next round -- also advancing.However, Granville goalkeeper Clement Daoudou was hospitalised following an assault at a fast-food restaurant after the match, which left him with heavy bruising and a broken nose.Were shocked and outraged by what happened. It was in no case a fight but indeed an assault, Granvilles co-president Fabrice Clement was quoted as saying by regional daily Ouest France.

Football: Lewandowski brace fires Bayern into cup semis

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BERLIN (AFP) - Robert Lewandowski netted twice to seal Bayern Munichs 3-0 win at ten-man minnows VfL Bochum on Wednesday to reach the German Cup semi-finals.Bayern join Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen and Hertha Berlin in this years semi-finals, which will be played on April 19-20.This is the seventh straight year Bayern have reached the last four having lifted the trophy a record 17 times.Pep Guardiola-coached Bayern had few problems at second-division Bochum and should have won by more after Thomas Mueller had a first-half penalty saved.Before we scored the first goal, it wasnt easy. Bochum played well and its always dangerous in the cup, said Lewandowski.The Poland hot-shot gave Bayern the lead on 39 minutes with a fierce shot from the right.Bochum were reduced to ten men when defender Jan Simunek was sent off for bringing down Arjen Robben on the edge of the area on 43 minutes.I think that was a dive (from Robben) and it wasnt a red card, Bochum coach Gertjan Verbeek told Sky.You cant win with 10 men against Bayern Munich, but we worked unbelievably hard.But Robben was adamant he was brought down.He was the last man, it was a clear foul. Those are the rules and, besides, the game was decided after that, said Netherlands captain Robben. When the resulting spot-kick was eventually taken, Muellers weak penalty attempt just before the break was saved by Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann.But Bayern made sure of their place in the semis when Thiago Alcantara converted Muellers superb cross on 61 minutes.Lewandowski then added their third just before the final whistle to claim his 29th goal in all competitions.Hertha Berlin ended their 35-year wait to reach the semi-finals as Japan midfielder Genki Haraguchi sealed a 3-2 win at second-division side Heidenheim.The hosts took an early lead when defender Arne Feick was left unmarked from a free-kick to head home on 10 minutes.But Herthas Vedad Ibisevic netted twice to put Berlin 2-1 up after 21 minutes as heavy snow fell in southern Germany.Haraguchi scored the third when he beat two defenders on a mazy dribble before beating the goalkeeper on 58 minutes.There was a nervous final few minutes as Heidenheim pulled a goal back when Marc Schnatterer netted a late penalty.Hertha are now just one game away from a home cup final at Berlins Olympic Stadium on May 21.The last time Hertha were in the last four was in 1985, almost a decade before winger Mitchell Weiser, who set up both of Ibisevics goals, was born.We got off to a bad start, but we ended up dominating. Now we want to reach the final, said right-back Weiser.On Tuesday, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang claimed his 30th goal of the season as Dortmund won 3-1 at VfB Stuttgart.Gabon striker Aubameyang and Germany winger Marco Reus, who have provided 45 of Dortmunds goals in all competitions this season, netted before Henrik Mkhitaryan claimed their late third.Veteran Claudio Pizarro helped seal Werder Bremens 3-1 win at ten-man Bayer Leverkusen by creating and scoring a goal in their shock victory.

Cycling: Hagen wins 3rd stage, takes Qatar lead from Cavendish

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LUSAIL (AFP) - Norways Edvald Boasson Hagen of the Dimension Data team took the leaders golden jersey after winning the Tour of Qatars third stage on Wednesday.Boasson Hagen won the 11.4km time-trial around the Lusail circuit in 13min 26sec, finishing 25sec ahead of Dutch rider Jos Van Emden, with Italian Manuel Quinziato in third, a further 4sec adrift.Cavendish could only finish seventh, at 44sec, and now sits 26sec behind his team-mate in the overall standings.Hagen, 28, said: I feel stronger than last year and with luck I am. I succeeded in winning today, now Ill try to keep hold of the golden jersey.Thursdays fourth stage is a 189km ride from Al Zubarah Fort to Madinat Al Shamal.

Twitter woes deepen as user base fails to grow

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SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Twitters woes deepened Wednesday as the struggling messaging platform said it failed to add users in the past quarter, adding to concerns it is lagging in the fast-moving world of social networks.The San Francisco group said its base of monthly active users was 320 million at the end of last year, unchanged from the previous quarter.And excluding those who follow Twitter using text messaging, the user base declined slightly to 305 million from 307 million in the previous quarter.Twitter, which has never earned a profit, said its loss in the past quarter narrowed to $90.2 million from $125 million a year earlier, but the market was focused more on its user growth.Twitter shares dropped some 1.1 percent in after-market trades that followed release of the report, extending a steep decline that has eroded some 75 percent of its value from peak levels.The latest report showed revenue climbed 48 percent to $710 million in the quarter when compared to the same period a year earlier.Twitter revenue for the full year was up 58 percent to $2.2 billion.Twitter has been under pressure to prove it can expand beyond its fierce following to be a mainstream society hit.But its outlook for the current quarter failed to allay concerns, with revenue growth below most forecasts.The company projected revenue of $595 million to $629 million, below most forecasts of $629 million.A letter to shareholders said 2015 was a very strong year, citing significant progress boosting advertising.Its remarkable we built this business in just five years from zero revenue, the letter said.Were confident that, with disciplined execution, this growth trend will continue over time.The letter said the reorganization which brought a new leadership team led by co-founder Jack Dorsey was poised to move with greater agility and focus as Twitter seeks to revive its fortunes.Tweaking the timelineTwitter announced earlier Wednesday it was revamping its timeline, allowing the best tweets to rise to the top, despite warnings of a revolt from members loyal to the real-time flow of the messaging platform.The latest tweak was aimed at injecting new life into the one-to-many messaging service by moving away from a pure chronological timeline to one determined by algorithm, as used by social network leader Facebook.Twitter said the Show me the best tweets first feature is optional and that users can stick with tweets rushing by like leaves on a fast-moving river, if they prefer.The algorithm was most likely built on a while you were away feature that Twitter introduced about a year ago to show people notable posts they missed while not using the service.The new feature is being introduced as Twitter strives to expand its ranks of users and ramp up the amount of time people spend at the service.But reports of the timeline shift have already prompted protests from some users who say it may lead to the death of the platform, tweeting with the hashtag RIPTwitter.Earlier this month, one report said venture capital powerhouse Marc Andreessen and the firm Silver Lake Partners is considering a deal, perhaps to acquire or take a controlling stake in Twitter.Twitter has been the target of takeover talk in the past, but none of the rumors played out. The latest report came fresh on the heels of the firm announcing it is overhauling its top management in a major shakeup.

Imran Khan, CM KP convey CPEC reservations to Chinese Ambassador

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pervaiz Khattak on Wednesday conveyed KP’s reservations to the Chinese Ambassador over China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during a meeting with the diplomat in Islamabad.According to the details, the PTI chairman expressed his gratitude to China during a joint press conference and also expressed his differences with the Federal government on CPEC.The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan has stated that the country will benefit from CPEC project; however security was extremely important for the successful completion of the project.A cake was also cut during the meeting, celebrating the new Chinese year. The Chinese diplomat also invited Khan to visit China which he accepted.

DG Ehtesaab Commission resigns on row over changes in law

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PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – Director General (DG) Ehtesaab Commission Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Lieutenant General (Retd) Hamid Khan on Wednesday resigned on a row over changes in law. Khan saw this as an attempt to amend and bend the laws supporting the Commission by KP’s Provincial government and will undermine the powers of the DG.According to the now former DG of the Commission, he handed in his resignation when he learnt that those calling for ‘change in the system’ had moved against their own stance and were creating hurdles in the Commission’s way by amending laws for conducting impartial accountability investigations.Chief Minister (CM) KP Pervaiz Khattak in a talk with Dunya News during the program ‘Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Sath’ denied that any limitations or cutbacks in the powers of the DG Ehtesaab Commission had been made.Khattak stated that for a transparent investigation of cases, DG’s prior consultation with Commissioners has been made compulsory before lodging FIR’s and arrest of those allegedly convicted.The Ehtesaab Commission has always been lauded by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan in the past for its neutrality in conducting accountability investigations.Formed in 2014, the Commission has been involved in apprehending and sending to jail some high profile officials including former KP Minister Ziaullah Afridi for corruption of billions of rupees, political leaders and senior bureaucrats.
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