Monday 15 February 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Syria's Assad says proposed ceasefire 'difficult'

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DAMASCUS (AFP) - Syrias President Bashar al-Assad poured cold water Monday on an internationally backed plan for a ceasefire to begin later this week, saying it would be difficult to implement.His comments were the first from the embattled leader on the plan put forward by world leaders in Munich last Friday for a so-called cessation of hostilities to begin within a week.They are saying they want a ceasefire in a week. Who is capable of gathering all the conditions and requirements in a week? No one, Assad said in televised remarks in Damascus.Who will talk to the terrorists? If a terrorist group refuses the ceasefire, who will hold them to account? Practically, talking (about a ceasefire) is difficult, he said, according to a transcript of his comments published by state news agency SANA.World powers last week put called for immediate humanitarian access throughout Syria and a ceasefire to begin within a week, which would not include Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front or the Islamic State (IS) group.But the details of just how the plan would be implemented remain to be worked out, with a UN panel co-chaired by the US and Russia tasked with the job.Assad said a ceasefire could not mean that everyone stops using their weapons. This is the narrow sense, he said.A ceasefire must mean stopping terrorists from strengthening their positions. Moving weapons, equipment, terrorists or strengthening positions must all be forbidden, he added.The international plan is intended to bolster the chances for new peace talks, which began at the end of January but collapsed before getting off the ground amid mutual suspicion and opposition calls for the implementation of UN resolutions on protection of civilians and the lifting of sieges.As the talks opened, the regime launched a major operation in northern Aleppo province, backed by Russian forces, drawing the ire of the opposition and its backers including Turkey and Saudi Arabia.The two countries have talked recently about the possibility of dispatching ground forces into Syria to fight IS, and Assad warned that any such intervention into his country would have global, not just local, repercussions.The UNs Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura arrived in Damascus late Monday on a surprise visit to discuss the ceasefire plan and efforts to renew peace talks later this month.He is due to meet Syrias Foreign Minister Walid Muallem for talks on Tuesday, a government source told AFP.

UN, US condemn Syria air strikes as 'almost 50 civilians' killed

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BEIRUT (AFP) - The United Nations and United States on Monday condemned suspected Russian air strikes on medical facilities and schools in northern Syria that the world body said killed almost 50 civilians.Also ahead of a hoped-for ceasefire, Turkey shelled advancing Kurdish fighters in Syria for a third day, as Ankara and Moscow traded accusations over their military entanglement in the conflict.The United Nations said air strikes on at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syrias Aleppo and Idlib provinces killed nearly 50 civilians including children.UN chief Ban Ki-moon considers that such attacks are blatant violations of international law, added the organisations deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.The United States said air strikes hit two civilian hospitals in and around northern Syrias Aleppo, identifying them as one run by medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and another in the city of Azaz.That the (President Bashar al-) Assad regime and its supporters would continue these attacks, without cause and without sufficient regard for international obligations to safeguard innocent lives, flies in the face of the unanimous calls by the ISSG (International Syria Support Group)... to avoid attacks on civilians, the State Department said.It said such action casts doubt on Russias willingness and/or ability to help bring to a stop the continued brutality of the Assad regime against its own people.The increasing violence on the ground in Syria and war of words between Ankara and Moscow have dampened hopes that a proposed cessation of hostilities will take hold this week.The UNs peace envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura was making a surprise visit to Damascus Monday, a government source there said, as world powers push for a ceasefire.Without assigning blame, MSF confirmed a hospital supported by the charity was hit in Idlib, northwest Syria, and said seven people were killed and at least eight were missing, presumed dead.The air strike devastated the hospital, blasting twisted metal, cinderblocks and other debris into the surrounding area.Turkey, meanwhile, resumed shelling Kurdish-led forces in several parts of Aleppo, alarmed by their recent advances against mostly Islamist rebels.Ankara accuses the Kurdish forces of ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), an outlawed movement that has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said at least two children were killed in Mondays shelling, and an AFP journalist on Turkeys border said Turkish howitzers fired for around 20 minutes from the Akcabaglar region.Despite the shelling, the coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was advancing inside the key rebel-held town of Tal Rifaat, the Observatory said.The town, barely 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border, is held by an alliance of mostly Islamist rebels.The SDF has already seized the nearby Minnigh airbase from rebel forces and severed the road between Tal Rifaat and the key rebel-held town of Azaz on the border.Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said Turkish artillery on Monday fired on Tal Rifaat itself for the first time.Turkey fears the Kurds will be able to create a contiguous Kurdish territory just across the border in northern Syria.Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned Monday that Ankara will not let Azaz fall to the SDF, adding the necessary intervention will be made.The situation is a major headache for Washington, which has backed the Kurds in their battles against the Islamic State group despite the discomfort of Turkey, a key member of the US-led coalition fighting IS in Syria.Moscow says its military intervention has targeted IS and other terrorists, but rights groups say Russias air raids have caused disproportionately high civilian casualties.The MSF-supported hospital in Idlib is one of several health facilities Russia is accused of hitting since its aerial campaign began September 30.MSF said those confirmed killed in the strikes were five patients, a caretaker and a guard.The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict, said its Syria operations chief, Massimiliano Rebaudengo.EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini branded the attack as unacceptable and urged all parties (to respect) basic principles of humanitarian law.The Observatory also reported 10 civilians, including three children, killed in suspected Russian strikes in Azaz and an area nearby. The strikes in Azaz hit near a hospital, it said.Russias air strikes have allowed government troops to press a major operation that has virtually encircled rebels in eastern Aleppo city, as well as pushing them from much of the region to the north.They have angered Turkey, with Davutoglu on Monday issuing Russia a stark warning.If Russia continues behaving like a terrorist organisation and forcing civilians to flee, we will deliver an extremely decisive response, he said.Moscow called Turkeys shelling in Syria provocative and said it supported raising the issue at the UN Security Council.More than 260,000 people have been killed since Syrias conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011.

Cameron, Hollande agree 'firm basis' for EU deal: Britain

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LONDON (AFP) - British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande agreed Monday that draft proposals to reform Britains membership of the EU give a firm basis for a deal this week, a Downing Street spokesman said.They agreed that we are making good progress on the UK renegotiation and that the draft text from the European Council provides a firm basis to reach agreement at this weeks summit, the spokesman for Camerons office said.The remarks come after a French official said that more work is needed, particularly on economic governance before the EU states could agree a deal designed to prevent Britain leaving the 28-member bloc after a referendum.Britain, which does not use the euro, wants to renegotiate the terms of its membership to ensure it never has to pay into a fund to protect the eurozone.It also wants any issues that affect the entire bloc to be discussed by all 28 member states, and not just the 19 nations that use the single currency.The talks with Hollande had been hastily arranged ahead of an European Union summit in Brussels this Thursday and Friday. Cameron hopes to agree a deal ahead of the talks to pave the way for an in-out referendum, likely to be held in Britain by June.

Row over India student's sedition arrest escalates

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - A row over the arrest of an Indian student on a controversial sedition charge escalated Monday, with students refusing to attend classes and violent scenes at the Delhi court where he was due to appear.Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday for alleged seditious behaviour at a rally to mark the third anniversary of a Kashmiri separatists execution, sparking major protests at Delhis prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and other universities.He was brought before a judge on Monday, but violent scuffles broke out in the courtroom where fellow students and journalists had gathered to witness his appearance.An AFP reporter at the court said men wearing lawyers robes snatched reporters phones and notebooks and pushed them to the ground, accusing them of being pro-Pakistan and anti-Indian.Several journalists said they had been threatened and ordered to leave the court. Television footage showed unidentified men punching and shoving people outside the court building.Kumar and other students are accused of voicing anti-India slogans at last Tuesdays largely peaceful rally at JNU, charges they deny.His arrest has reignited a row over freedom of expression in India, where some rights campaigners say the British-era sedition law is being misused to clamp down on dissent.Students have since staged protests at campuses around the country in support of Kumar, accusing Indias Hindu nationalist government of overreacting.JNU students said Monday they would boycott classes until Kumar was released.Kumar has denied any wrongdoing and remains in police custody after reportedly being arraigned for two more days on Monday.The maximum penalty for sedition is life imprisonment.Delhi police commissioner B.S. Bassi defended the decision to arrest Kumar, saying the student had raised anti-India slogans and thats why he has been arrested.He played down Mondays violence after media accused police in court of doing little to stop it, saying that to my knowledge nobody has received any serious injuries.The head of the ruling nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Amit Shah, said the government would not tolerate what he called anti-national activities at JNU, which has a long history of left-wing student activism.The people of our country want to know if supporting Afzal Guru means freedom of expression. Is attacking our parliament freedom of expression? he told reporters on Monday.Do you care for the sentiments of the family members of our martyrs and soldiers who protect our borders?Separatist Mohammed Afzal Guru was hanged in 2013 over a deadly attack on the Indian parliament in 2001.He had always denied plotting the attack, which was carried out by Kashmiri militants.India and arch-rival Pakistan have fought two wars over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which is divided between the countries. Both claim the territory in full.

6.2-magnitude quake hits off New Zealand coast: USGS

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WELLINGTON (AFP) - A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of New Zealand Tuesday, but no tsunami warning was issued and there were no reports of damage or injuries.The shallow quake struck at 8:28 am (1928 GMT Monday), the US Geological Survey said, and was centered 219 kilometres (136 miles) northwest of the Auckland Islands, an archipelago due south of New Zealands South Island.It was quite far south of the South Island so its expected that there wouldnt be too many people who felt it, GeoNet Science seismologist John Ristau told the New Zealand Herald.The quake struck less than a week before the fifth anniversary of a deadly 6.3-magnitude tremor in Christchurch, which killed 185 in one of New Zealands deadliest disasters.On Sunday Christchurch was rattled by a 5.8 quake, which sent goods flying off shelves, but no injuries nor structural damage to buildings were reported.New Zealand is on the boundary of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, which form part of the so-called Ring of Fire, and experiences up to 15,000 tremors a year.

Karachi: Two accused killed in police encounter

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Two accused were killed during an encounter with police near Sohrab Goth area while the law inforcement agency also arrested five terrorists during search operations in different parts of Karachi on Monday.According to SSP Malir, the dead accused were wanted by police and several cases of robbery and other street crimes. Arms and a stolen motorcycle was also recovered from them. On the other hand, Crime Branch Police conducted raids on different parts of the city and arrested five terrorists. According to SSP Crime Branch, the arrested terrorists were also in contact with gang war accused. An SMG rifile and four pistols were also recovered from them.

One killed, two injured in firing incidents in Karachi

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – One person was killed while two other sustained injuries in firing incidents in different parts of Karachi on Monday, Dunya News reported.According to details, some unidentified miscreants opened fire in Korangi’s Singer Chourangi area and shot dead one person. According to police the deceased was identified as 25-year-old Saddiq.On the other hand, firing outside a house in Defence Guzri area wounded a man named Sameer. In yet another firing incident, a man named Ayaz was wounded in Orangi Town No 5 area.

Shikarpur: Policeman martyred, 4 dacoits killed in police encounter

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SHIKARPUR (Dunya News) – According to details, police conducted a search operation in Tehsil Khanpur of Shikarpur on a tip-off about presence of dacoits in the area on Monday.On seeing police the dacoits present in the area opened fire. Police also opened fire in reply. As a result of exchange of fire, four dacoits were killed while a policeman, Ali Gul Mehar, also embraced martyrdom. According to SSP Shikarpur, Nasir Aftab, the killed dacoits were wanted by police in several cases of murder, robberies, abduction for ransom and other heinous crimes.

Tennis: Nadal, Ferrer unworried by Zika virus at Rio Open

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RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Spanish tennis stars Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer insisted Monday they were unworried by Brazils Zika virus outbreak as they prepare to compete at the Rio Open ATP tournament this week.Im not at all afraid, Nadal, 29, told a press conference. I go out at night, and I know theres a risk, but Im just happy to be back here again. If I get sick well then thats just bad luck, insisted the 14-time Grand Slam winner.I can see for myself that people here are going about their business as if everything was okay, so things cant be that bad.People are going to the beach, going out for walks, having dinner in restaurants, the world number five continued.Ferrer, ranked sixth in the world, said he had been reassured by Brazils efforts to wipe out the mosquitoes which carry the virus.Weve been told that everything possible has been done so that there will be no mosquitoes, which is comforting, he said.Weve been wearing long trousers at night but Im not getting obsessed by the whole thing.Brazil has been most affected by the outbreak that has spread rapidly through Latin America and the Caribbean, with 1.5 million people in the country infected since early 2015.While it causes only mild flu-like symptoms in most people, scientists suspect when it strikes a pregnant woman, it can cause her baby to be born with microcephaly, or an abnormally small head.The whole thing seems to have been blown out of proportion, Nadal said.The reality is that we are here in Rio for an international tennis tournament and Im here and I can see that everything looks totally normal, he insisted.Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Saturday vowed that the virus would not jeopardize the Rio Olympics in August.

Tennis: Goerges crushes Kuznetsova as seeds tumble in Dubai

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DUBAI (AFP) - Germanys Julia Goerges crushed double Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-0, 6-1 to advance to the second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Monday.The 55-minute demolition was eight-seeded Kuznetsovas heaviest defeat since suffering a similar scoreline last October in Wuhan, China.The only two seeds playing in Mondays first round fell at the first hurdle with sixth seed and 2015 finalist Karolina Pliskova upset by American CoCo Vandeweghe who won her first match of the season 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 over the Czech wild card. Goerges repeated history over Kuznetsova after beating the 18th-ranked Russian in the first round in Dubai four years ago on opening day.It was not one of my best, the 54th-ranked winner said. I was very solid but I had a few mistakes.I didnt give her the chance to get into the match, I played aggressive.Fellow German Andrea Petkovic also got off to a winning start, breaking six times in a 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Italian Camila Giorgi, to end a two-match loss streak.The 28th-ranked Petkovic, who exited in the Australian Open first round, and then was beaten in the Fed Cup by Swiss Belinda Bencic, is working with a new coaching team and feels her tennis has turned a corner after she toyed with the idea of quitting the sport last December.Petkovic could face new world number nine Bencic in the next round at the Aviation Club if the weekend finalist in St. Petersburg beats former number one Jelena Jankovic in the opening round.The 40th-ranked Giorgi saved two match points in the final game as Petkovic closed out the victory in 63 minutes with 15 unforced errors to the 33 of her opponent.Im very happy with how I played, Ive worked hard over the past few weeks to be ready here and I was able to translate good training onto the match court, Petkovic said.All the work paid off, things are coming together for me.Petkovic had a close call after the end of last season, as she pondered her future in the game. I was in New York and thought about just staying there.But in the end I took my plane to Germany and began to work on my game, she said.Im happy I made the right decision to stay in tennis.Giorgi had won the first three matches between the pair, with Petkovic beating the Italian last season in Cincinnati.I didnt have the best head-to-head against her, but Im finding the balance between consistency and going all out for your shots, coming in on the short ball - I think I did that quite well today, said Petkovic.I feel much more ready physically than I did last year and Im looking forward to the season.Kristina Mladenovic beat Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) while Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia put out Slovak Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-4, 6-1. American Madison Brengle erased a 4-0 deficit in the second set to advance over Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 7-5.The WTA field is headed by Romanian Simona Halep, with Spains Wimbledon finalist Gabriela Muguruza the second seed.The leading four seeds do not start until the second round thanks to byes.

Tennis: Swiss teen Bencic into WTA top 10

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PARIS (AFP) - Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic jumped into the top 10 of the latest WTA world rankings released on Monday after making the final of the St Petersburg tournament.The 18-year-old was ranked ninth after her defeat in Sundays final by Italys Roberta Vinci, who jumps three places to 13th.Spains Carla Suarez Navarro dropped three places and out of the top 10 dominated by American Serena Williams.WTA world top 20 (as of February 15):1. Serena Williams (USA) 9,245 pts2. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5,7003. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,5454. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 5,2105. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 4,9916. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 3,6727. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 3,6118. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 3,582 (1)9. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 3,505 (2)10. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 3,48111. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 3,390 (-3)12. Venus Williams (USA) 3,37013. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 3,325 (3)14. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 3,010 (-1)15. Viktoria Azarenka (BLR) 2,935 (-1)16. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 2,894 (-1)17. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 2,645 (3)18. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 2,535 (-1)19. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 2,511 (-1)20. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 2,505 (-1)

Football: Platini vows to fight 'injustice' at FIFA appeal

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ZURICH (AFP) - The fallen head of European football, Michel Platini, faced a FIFA appeals committee on Monday in a bit to clear his name and overturn an eight-year ban from the sport for ethics violations. I am not fighting for my future, but against injustice, the former French star told journalists outside the Zurich headquarters of world footballs governing body. While most football power-brokers typically enter FIFAs compound in luxury sedans with tinted windows, the 60-year-old Platini walked the final 100 metres (330 feet) to FIFAs gate, smiling and looking upbeat as reporters peppered him with questions. If I had anything to feel guilty about, I would be in Siberia, hiding in shame, said Platini, also a former FIFA vice president. Im very well. There are worse things in life.In December, FIFA judges ruled that a mysterious 2 million Swiss franc ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) Platini received from Sepp Blatter in 2011 violated the world bodys ethics guidelines and that both men had abused their positions. Blatter, FIFAs disgraced president who turns 80 in March, was also hit with an eight-year ban over the payment. His appeal hearing is set for Tuesday. Both men, once the most powerful figures in world football, have insisted that the payment was part of a legitimate oral contract reportedly for consulting work performed by Platini a decade earlier. If the appeals panel rules against them, both are expected to take their case the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. The notorious 2011 payment is also part of a criminal probe by Swiss prosecutors targeting Blatter, in which Platini has been questioned in a capacity that falls between a witness and an accused person. Platini boycotted his December hearing at FIFAs ethics tribunal, claiming that a judgement against him had been pre-determined. But on Monday he said he would face the appeals committee eye-to-eye.I have done nothing and I am afraid of nothing, he said. Well see what happens... Maybe this is not over.Platini had been the favourite to win FIFAs February 26 presidential vote but the December ruling levelled the final blow to his hopes of succeeding Blatter. He withdrew from the race, leading the European confederation (UEFA) to back Gianni Infantino, Platinis long-serving deputy at Europes governing body. But UEFA has said it will not elect a new president until Platinis appeals have been exhausted, meaning the Frenchman could reclaim his post at the top of European football if his ban is overturned. Platini and Blatter have been the most high-profile casualties in the unprecedented, wide-ranging scandal that has seen senior football executives suspended or fired, with 39 people indicted for corruption by the United States.The saga has provoked endless discussion about the complicated relationship between Blatter and Platini, who previously were allies before the relationship turned publicly sour. Platini on Monday seemed to dismiss suggestions that Blatter was responsible for his troubles. Is it Blatter who put me in this situation? Not at all, because he is in the same situation as me, but someone pushed the button (against me) and I will try to find out who, he said. Meanwhile, as the two men fight to preserve their football careers, the campaign to replace Blatter is heating up with the vote 11 days away. Infantino and the head of the Asian Football Confederation Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa are widely seen as frontrunners, ahead of Jordans Prince Ali bin al Hussein, South Africas Tokyo Sexwale and Frances Jerome Champagne.

Football: Injured Terry misses PSG Champions League clash

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PARIS (AFP) - Chelsea captain John Terry will play no part in Tuesdays Champions League clash at Paris Saint-Germain due to a hamstring injury, the club said on Monday.The veteran defender will be sorely missed in the last 16, first leg at the Parc des Princes and has not even travelled to Paris with the squad.John Terry has not travelled due to a minor problem with his hamstring and ligament, Chelsea said on their club website.Terry, 35, limped off injured towards the end of the first half of Saturdays 5-1 Premier League win over Newcastle United and, after a scan on Sunday, took part in Chelseas open training session on Monday afternoon.But the Premier League champions later announced that the centre-back had not travelled with the squad.It was not a decision made by me because he was having too much trouble to travel, Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink said at his pre-game press conference in Paris.We made a test this morning and it didnt work out well so the decision was made to leave him at home. He was convinced himself he would not be of worth to the team at the moment.Hiddink added that it would be difficult for Terry to return in time for Sundays FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.However, he insisted: Not having John is a bit of a setback, as a leader, but I am not the type of coach or manager who starts moaning and moaning. I have full confidence in the other players.In Terrys absence, and with Kurt Zouma already ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Branislav Ivanovic should partner Gary Cahill in the heart of the Chelsea back four.That would mean Cesar Azpilicueta starting at right-back and Baba Rahman playing on the left.Paris coach Laurent Blanc said the loss of Terry was a significant blow to their rivals.He is an important element of their side. He also gives them an aerial threat in attack, Blanc said.On Saturday when he went off it changed their defensive block entirely.Midfielder Nemanja Matic also misses the game due to suspension, while January signing Alexandre Pato, the Brazilian striker, is not yet ready to feature.The sides meet in the Champions League for the third successive season and PSG originally appeared the undisputed favourites when the draw was made.But while Chelsea remain in the bottom half of the Premier League after a poor first half to the season, they have now gone 12 games unbeaten in a steady recovery since Guus Hiddink replaced Jose Mourinho in the dugout.

Golf: McIlroy aiming for No.1 return

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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Rory McIlroy has set his sights on regaining the world number one ranking from Jordan Spieth in time for the Masters as he prepares to make his debut at the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles this week.The Northern Irishman, who has slipped to third in the latest world rankings behind Spieth and Australias Jason Day, hopes his appearance in California can kick-start his season.I can get off to a good start (to the) year, theres no reason why I cant be the No. 1 player in the world going into Augusta, said McIlroy, who is chasing a career Grand Slam at the Masters.Thats a goal of mine, to get off to a fast start ... and try to reclaim that position as quickly as I can.This weeks Northern Trust at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades should suit McIlroys strong ball-striking game.Ive heard Riviera is a great course, and I want to go play there in LA, and I think itll be a good course for me, said McIlroy.Spieth meanwhile has already experienced the Rivieras challenging layout. He was part of the Texas college team that won the NCCA championship at the course in 2012, tied for 12th there in 2014 before finishing tied for fourth there last season.This tournament means a lot to me, said Spieth. I think this is one of the greatest golf courses in the world. This event is one that I owe a lot back to.The tournament tees off on Thursday.

Snooker: O'Sullivan snubs 147 bid over 'cheap' prize

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LONDON (AFP) - Ronnie OSullivan rejected the chance to finish a 147 maximum break in his Welsh Open first round match on Monday because he felt the 10,000 pound ($14,000, 12,000 euros) prize on offer was too cheap.OSullivan was on course for the maximum milestone in the final frame of his 4-1 win over Barry Pinches at Cardiffs Motorpoint Arena after potting 13 reds and blacks.But just as the five-time world champion looked set for the 14th maximum break of his career, he played a surprise positional shot onto the pink despite having made several audacious shots earlier in the break to return to the black.He duly cleared up for a 146 break and left the arena with a smile.Asked about the incident afterwards, OSullivan told BBC Wales: I could have got on the black and possibly made a 147.I knew it was 10 grand and I just thought thats a bit too cheap really. To make a maxi, its such a massive achievement and if theyre going to pay us 10 grand, I think its worth a bit more than that.Once the prize goes up a bit, Ill go for the 147. A 146 is just as goodOSullivan refused to pot the final black in the final frame of his match at the 2010 World Open in Glasgow when he was told there was no bonus prize.The English star had to be convinced to pot the final ball by referee Jan Verhaas.The prize for a 147 is calculated on a rollover basis, with 5,000 pound added to the pot in each tournament. Australias Neil Robertson made the most recent maximum in Decembers UK Championship final, winning 44,000 pound including the 4,000 pound prize for the tournament high break.
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