Tuesday 16 February 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Obama calls for 'tangible steps' to lower South China Sea tensions

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President Barack Obama called for tangible steps to reduce tensions in the South China Sea.RANCHO MIRAGE (AFP) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for tangible steps to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, after a two day summit with Southeast Asian leaders concerned at Beijings military build-up.We discussed the need for tangible steps in the South China Sea to lower tensions, Obama said after the meeting, calling for a halt to further reclamation, new construction and militarization of disputed areas.Chinas actions in the vital waterway featured heavily in talks at Sunnylands, a sprawling California desert retreat.In a joint statement, Obama and the 10 ASEAN leaders demanded the peaceful resolution of a myriad of competing territorial claims over islands, atolls and reefs.Obama has tried to muster an informal coalition of Pacific allies to demand that Beijing respect the rule of law, hoping that China will want to avoid being painted as a regional bully.The next showdown could come when the UNs Permanent Court of Arbitration decides in April or May whether Chinas claim to a vast expanse of sea inside a nine-dash line has legal merit.Leaders discussed a collective US-ASEAN endorsement of the courts verdict -- whatever the outcome -- which would heap pressure on China, which refuses to recognize the court.Freedom of navigation must be upheld, and lawful commerce should not be impeded, Obama said.The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, and we will support the right of all countries to do the same.The White House had lauded the summit, and the prestigious venue, as an opportunity to champion Obamas pivot to Asia and ASEANs growing importance, before the president leaves the White House in January 2017.As president, Ive insisted that even as the United States confronts urgent threats around the world, our foreign policy also has to seize on new opportunities. And few regions present more opportunity in the 21st century than the Asia-Pacific, Obama said.Thats why, early in my presidency, I decided that the United States, as a Pacific nation, would rebalance our foreign policy and play a larger and long-term role in the Asia-Pacific.Obama announced a package of measures designed to boost Southeast Asian economies, betting that the fast-growing region can be an ever more important trade partner.The plan will establish three economic offices -- in Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore -- to boost the US governments economic engagement with ASEAN institutions, officials said.The summit came as ASEAN and US officials report increasingly strong pushback from Beijing, which is using diplomatic and economic muscle to weaken criticism.Officials say Cambodia and Laos -- two ASEAN countries that have no claims in the South China Sea -- are under particular pressure to break ranks.Those countries are also the destination for large flows of Chinese investment.The message is fall in line, or else, said one Southeast Asian diplomat. China has leverage.But some see signs that pressure is beginning to backfire -- forcing ASEAN countries to turn further toward the United States. That is something Obama hoped to capitalize on at Sunnylands.In Myanmar, Beijings long-held influence waned as military leaders feared becoming overly dependent on China, opening the way for better relations with Washington.Myanmars outgoing leader Thein Sein was not at the summit.He decided to remain at home as talks inside the regime intensify over whether to change the constitution to allow Aung San Suu Kyi to become president.Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung did attend, after initially canceling amid a power shakeup within Vietnams ruling Communist Party.In another reminder of the difficulties in bolstering the rule of law in Southeast Asia, Obama called for a return to civilian rule in Thailand, where the military seized power in 2014.At home, Obamas latest effort to champion his pivot was overshadowed by the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. But the White House will hoped to send a message to the region that Washington will remain engaged. Im confident that whoever the next president may be will build on the foundation that weve laid, because theres strong, sustained bipartisan support for American engagement in the Asia-Pacific region, Obama said.Presidential trips to Vietnam and Laos are expected later this year to reinforce the point.

Iran warns Riyadh against sending troops to Syria

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif warned Saudi Arabia on Tuesday not to deploy troops in Syria, saying it would violate international law, while also demanding that Riyadh stop bombardments in Yemen.Zarif, whose country supports the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was questioned about Saudi Arabias announcement that it could deploy ground forces as part of the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group.Those who are operating in Syria without the authority of the sovereign government in Syria are violating international law, he told a news conference at the European Parliament in Brussels.Speaking later after a meeting with his Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders, Zarif added: We believe thats dangerous... I believe everybody should put forces together to find a peaceful solution, not to create more danger and more hostility in the region.Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said after talks in Washington earlier this month that any operation would be US-led but that Saudi Arabia would play a leading role.Iran, which has sent thousands of military advisers into Syria, also supports the Damascus regime via the Shiite movement Hezbollah and above all Iraqi Shiite militias.Zarif told the European Parliament that Tehran does not have troops in Syria, Iran does not have boots on the ground in Syria .. we have military advisors in Syria, as we have them in other places on the invitation of the government, he said.UN-brokered Syrian peace talks were suspended at the start of February after Syria launched an offensive, backed by intense Russian air bombing, against the northern city of Aleppo.Zarif criticised the role played in those talks by Saudi Arabia, Tehrans number one regional rival.People from outside cannot say what should be the outcome of the negotiations, he said.The outcome of the negotiations will be determined by the Syrians inside the negotiating room, not in the capitals of the region particularly, in Riyadh. They will not and cannot make the decision for the people in Syria.He added: If we are talking about military forces, we have to stop the bombardment of Yemen, which is taking place on a daily basis against innocent civilians, killing a lot of people. There are no military targets to hit any more in Yemen. We need to end the atrocities and we need to end it now, he said, referring to a conflict which has killed over 6,100 people, nearly half of them civilians, according to the United Nations.On an official visit to Brussels Zarif met EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Monday evening.

Former UN chief Boutros Boutros-Ghali dies

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UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - Former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who led the world body during one of its most difficult periods, with failed missions in Rwanda and Bosnia, died Thursday in Cairo. He was 93.The Egyptian diplomat became the first secretary-general from Africa in 1992, but his tenure ended abruptly five years later when the United States vetoed his second term.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described Boutros-Ghali as a respected statesman and scholar of international law who brought formidable experience and intellectual power to the top UN job.His commitment to the United Nations -- its mission and its staff -- was unmistakable, and the mark he has left on the organization is indelible, Ban said.A former Egyptian foreign minister, the veteran diplomat headed the world body during one of its most difficult times with crises in Somalia, Rwanda, the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia.After a series of clashes with the US administration, Washington turned against Boutros-Ghali and decided to back Ghanaian Kofi Annan for the top post in late 1996.French President Francois Hollande paid tribute to Boutros-Ghali, saying this great Egyptian and great servant of the United Nations had worked tirelessly to preserve peace and to prevent conflicts worldwide.His message must serve as inspiration to the international communitys action at a time when the Middle East knows new tragedies, Hollande said.British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Boutros-Ghalis contribution to international affairs will long be remembered.UN Security Council diplomats began a meeting in New York by observing a moment of silence in memory of Boutros-Ghali, who died in a Cairo hospital.Under his tenure, the United Nations expanded its peacekeeping missions but the retreat from Rwanda ahead of the 1994 genocide and from the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica a year later were seen as dismal failures.Boutros-Ghali served as the United Nations sixth secretary-general.Relations with the United States began to sour in late 1993, when a US-led operation in Somalia led to major casualties among American troops.Further problems emerged during peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia, and after the genocidal massacres of 1994 in Rwanda, which the United Nations failed to halt. There was also friction over UN sanctions against the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, which had invaded and then been ejected from Kuwait a year before Boutros-Ghali took up his post. Washingtons then ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, argued that Boutros-Ghali had failed to enact reforms needed to make the world body more efficient.When his candidacy for a second term was vetoed, Boutros-Ghali felt that he was being punished for pushing UN member states to pay their membership arrears -- an issue on which the United States has long been a laggard -- and for condemning Israeli actions in southern Lebanon. In his tribute, Ban said Boutros-Ghali had rightly insisted on the independence of his office and of the secretariat as a whole.After leaving the United Nations, Boutros-Ghali served as secretary-general of the Francophonie group of French-speaking nations.Boutros-Ghali was born on November 14, 1922 into a Coptic Christian family in Cairo.He was educated at Cairo University and in Paris, where he established a lifelong connection with France.After a university career centered on international relations, including a spell at Columbia University in New York, he became Egypts foreign minister in 1977, under president Anwar Sadat.He accompanied Sadat on his groundbreaking trip to Jerusalem in that year, an event which both forged a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel and led to Sadats assassination four years later.

Syria allows humanitarian aid into 7 besieged areas: UN

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GENEVA (AFP) - The United Nations said Tuesday that Syria has agreed to allow access for humanitarian aid to seven besieged areas of the war-torn country.So far I understand that the Government of Syria has approved access to seven besieged areas, said Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The areas involved are Deir ez-Zor, Foah and Kafraya in Idleb, and Madaya, Zabadani, Kafr Batna and Madamiyet Elsham in rural Damascus, she said.Humanitarian agencies and partners are preparing convoys for these areas, to depart as soon as possible in the coming days, she added.Damascus gave the green light to the aid convoys after the UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura visited the capital on Tuesday. De Mistura earlier in the day had announced that an aid convoy would be sent Wednesday to several towns under siege by the regime or the rebels.It is clear it is the duty of the government of Syria to want to reach every Syrian person wherever they are and allow the UN to bring humanitarian aid, particularly now after so long time, he told journalists after a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem.

Big-brained mammals more likely to go extinct: study

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PARIS (AFP) - Mammals with large brains tend to be smarter but they also face a greater chance today of going extinct, according to a study published Wednesday.Scientists have long known that having oodles of grey matter comes at a certain cost. Supplying a big brain with blood, for example, requires a lot of energy.But even if there isnt a direct correlation between size and intelligence -- humans dont have the biggest brains in the animal kingdom, even in proportion to their body size -- a bigger bundle of neurons is usually seen as a plus.Mammals with a capacious cranium also tend to live longer, say scientists.A professor at Stanford University, Eric Abelson, suspected there might be a link between larger brains and the risk of extinction.To test his hypothesis, he examined museum samples from more than 1,650 animals from 160 different species in the Americas.Abelson measured the skulls and body sizes of creatures as small as rodents and as big as buffalos, but did not include aquatic animals.The next step was to check their status on the global endangered species list maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).The so-called Red List classification is broken down into half-a-dozen levels of extinction threat.Abelson also examined a second data set of more than 600 species of animals across the globe.To his surprise, he found a clear pattern: animals with larger brains were more at risk of going the way of the dodo and the dino.In the Americas, the link was especially strong for mammals with a big brain relative to body size.This likely represents a case of endangerment filtering, he explained in the study. Species in North America have gone through a period where large-bodied species had suffered large population losses.These animals are now either extinct or protected with rebounding populations, and thus not -- in either case -- considered endangered, he added.The findings come at a time when scientists believe Earth is entering a mass extinction event, only the sixth in the last half-billion years.The most recent occurred 65 million years ago, and wiped out non-avian dinosaurs.The current die-off is a result of changes set in motion by human activity and climate change, with life in the oceans particularly affected.According to the IUCN, coral reefs -- home to over a quarter of all marine species -- could disappear by 2050. About 41 percent of amphibians and 26 of mammal species are currently facing the prosect of disappearing entirely.Abelson said further research into the correlation between brain and body size could give scientists new tools to predict extinction rates.

Patient wears 3-D glasses during brain surgery

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PARIS (AFP) - In a world first, a patient in France undergoing brain surgery while conscious wore virtual reality glasses as doctors removed a cancerous tumour, the chief surgeon told AFP Tuesday.In creating a completely artificial world for the patient, we could map certain zones and connections of his brain related to functions that we could not, up to now, easily test on the operating table, Philippe Menei, a neurosurgeon at Angers hospital in western France, told AFP.The operation was performed on January 27, and the patient was recovering well, he said.Taking a scalpel to the brain while a patient is conscious has been a common practice for more than a decade.Doing so allows doctors to determine, during an operation, whether and how vital functions such as speech, vision and movement are affected.Patients cannot feel the probing of their brain tissue, and do not experience pain.But using three-dimensional, virtual reality opens up a whole new range of possibilities, Menei said.By totally controlling what the patient sees and hears, we can put him in situations that allow us to do tests on certain (neural) connections that were not possible before, he said.In this case, it was crucial to protect the patients vision because he had already lost sight in one eye due to an illness.During the operation, the medical team created a neutral virtual environment with no single point of focus.In this empty void, we could control the space and make luminous objects appear in the patients peripheral vision, Menei said.Three weeks after the operation, the patients vision was intact despite the removal of an aggressive tumour in a region controlling sight.Menei said the patient was now preparing to undergo chemotherapy.Virtual reality glasses open the way to greater precision, and allow us to envision procedures that were not possible up to now, such as the removal of otherwise inaccessible brain tumours, he said.His team plans to use the technique again in the coming months on patients with brain tumours situated near areas that control vision.Virtual reality glasses could also be adapted for children, and may be tested on young patients before the end of the year.Brain cancer is the second most common form of cancer among children in France.

Obama says Syria 'not a contest between me and Putin'

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RANCHO MIRAGE (AFP) - US President Barack Obama insisted Tuesday that Russia had made a strategic error in propping up Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, but said the conflict was not about him and Vladimir Putin.Predicting a quagmire that drains Russias assets, Obama said this is not a contest between me and Putin.The real question we should be asking is what is it that Russia thinks it gains if it gets a country thats been completely destroyed as an ally, that it now has to perpetually spend billions of dollars to prop up? Obama said.Putin may think that hes prepared to invest in a permanent occupation of Syria with Russian military. Thats going to be pretty costly.About three-quarters of the country is still under control of folks other than Assad. Thats not stopping anytime soon.Obama said an internationally backed ceasefire due to take effect within a week, would be difficult to achieve, laying some of the blame at Putins door.Its hard to do, because theres been a lot of bloodshed, said Obama.If Russia continues indiscriminate bombing of the sort that weve been seeing, I think its fair to say that youre not gonna see any take-up by the opposition.Russian bombers have been supporting a Syrian government offensive on Aleppo, and Moscow is Assads closest ally.

A-Taxi yellow cabs look set to roam roads of Lahore

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Yellow cabs of a new, state of the art taxi service known as A-Taxi look all set to roam through the roads and streets of Lahore, the result of a deal between Istanbul Metropolitan and the Punjab government. Introduced by the Turkish Company Albayrak, a 100 car fleet has been introduced initially.According to the details, the launch of the new cab scheme was inaugurated by Chief Minister Punjab (CM) Shahbaz Sharif and Istanbul’s Mayor Dr Kadir Topbas.Speaking on the occasion, CM Punjab stated that the A-Taxi scheme was a gift for Lahore’s citizens. CM Punjab also drove in the taxi alongside the Turkish Mayor.The first of its kind to be introduced in the country, the GPRS laden cab’s services can be availed by simply hailing one on the road, through a mobile phone app or a calling a UAN number.The cab service has also introduced fare meter and the calculation of fare will be according to the kilometers travelled to avoid any overcharging.

New Zealand's Bracewell out of second Test

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WELLINGTON (AFP) - Struggling New Zealand suffered another injury blow Wednesday, with a shoulder strain ruling paceman Doug Bracewell out of the second Test against Australia.Already missing batsman Ross Taylor and spinner Mitchell Santner, the Black Caps said a scan had confirmed Bracewell injured his shoulder as the hosts fell to a heavy defeat in the first Test in Wellington.Doug has been a consistent performer for us this summer and put a lot of work into his game, so to miss out on the final Test against Australia is very disappointing for him and us, coach Mike Hesson said.He said New Zealand would not call a replacement bowler into the squad for the second and final Test beginning in Christchurch on Saturday.The New Zealanders are desperate to make amends for the defeat by an innings and 52 runs in Wellington, their worst home loss in 19 years.Australia can seize top spot in the Test rankings from India with a win in Christchurch.

Tennis: Veteran Jankovic schools teen Bencic in Dubai

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DUBAI (AFP) - Belinda Bencic suffered a losing start a day after reaching the WTA top 10 for the first time as the teenager fell 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 to veteran Jelena Jankovic at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday.Swiss Bencic, 18, was playing for the first time as a member of the elite after achieving the number nine ranking with last weekends St Petersburg final.But former number one Jankovic proved to be a tough customer, who levelled at a set each following an undisclosed change of tactics and left Bencic momentarily sobbing on her chair.Jankovic will face German Andrea Petkovic in the second round. The Serb, who was runner-up 11 years ago in her Dubai debut, has also played four semi-finals.The veteran used years of experience to start turning the tables in the second set, with Bencic failing to profit from a lead of a set and a break.With the Swiss serving to stay in the set while trailing 5-6, Jankovic failed on five set points before finally squaring the contest at a set each as Bencic drove a backhand wide.The final set produced more frustration for Bencic, forced to save multiple break points in two service games and finally going down to defeat as she was broken in the last game after more than two and a half hours.I fought on every point, she was playing well, said Jankovic, who turns 31 at the end of the month.I changed strategy after the first set, it was that and my fighting spirit which got me through at the end. Im so glad I was able to win.Fellow Serb Ana Ivanovic followed up last weeks semi-final in Russia with a dynamic start as the former world number one crushed Australian Daria Gavrilova 6-1, 6-0.The first-round rout required just 53 minutes as she showed no mercy to her Russian-born opponent, who thrilled her new home audience in Melbourne by reaching the Australian Open fourth round.Ivanovic reached the final four in St Petersburg at the weekend, losing to US Open finalist Roberta Vinci.Last week I played some great tennis. Obviously its a little bit tough, different conditions here completely, Ivanovic said. I had only one practice here. But still Im very happy.I know Ive done the work, and now its just about executing and also enjoying the competition.Ivanovic, a three-time Dubai quarter-finalist, broke six times as Gavrilova committed 22 unforced errors. The challenger was playing the event for the first time after losing in qualifying three years ago.Ukrainian Elina Svitolina won a battle with Slovak Jana Cepelova, posting a 6-3, 6-1 result to next take on second seed and 2015 semi-finalist Garbine Muguruza of Spain.It was a good start but then I struggled a little bit to finish the set. But Im really happy that a good finish with two sets and only gave up four games. It was a good start.Svitolina, now taking advice from former number one Justine Henin in an arrangement put into place recently, won a massive 17-minute game to earn a 4-1 lead in the second set on the way to her sweep.The 21-year-old said having another voice in her tennis can only be a huge help.Its great to have Justine in my team, I worked with her in offseason for a little bit, and now shes gonna join us for some tournaments.Im looking forward to it, Im looking forward to hard work. Of course there have been some small changes, but we are trying to do something new what can refresh my game. Thats it.Czech Barbora Strycova beat qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova 6-4, 6-3. Sara Errani defeated Zheng Shuai of China 7-5, 6-3.

Tennis: Flu forces Serena Williams out of Qatar Open

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DOHA (AFP) - World number one Serena Williams on Tuesday become the latest high-profile name to pull out of the Qatar Open, citing flu for her withdrawal.It is the latest blow for organisers coming less than a week after Maria Sharapova pulled out of the Doha tournament which starts on February 21 with an arm injury.I unfortunately have to withdraw from the Qatar Total Open as I have come down with the flu and do not feel 100 percent, said Williams in a statement released through the Qatar Tennis Federation.I need to take this time to recover but I do look forward to returning to Doha and seeing my fans soon.Tournament Director Saad al-Mohannadi admitted the competition would miss the presence of Williams.The American was a finalist at the 2013 tournament where she lost in three sets to Victoria Azarenka.Earlier this week it was announced that the 34-year-old had pulled-out of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis tournament, currently taking place in the UAE, because of flu.Her withdrawal rules out any chance of an immediate possible revenge clash against Anqelique Kerber, the German who beat Williams at the Australian Open final in January.Simona Halep, the world number two, replaces Williams as the Qatar Open number one seed.Other players scheduled to start in Doha include Garbine Muguruza, Agnieszka Radwanska and Petra Kvitova.

Football: Blatter tries to reverse ban in FIFA appeal

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ZURICH (AFP) - FIFAs disgraced president Sepp Blatter returned to the headquarters of world footballs governing on body on Tuesday to face an appeals committee he hopes will overturn his eight-year ban from the sport.Blatter arrived at FIFAs Zurich compound for his 9:00 am (0800 GMT) hearing roughly 90 minutes early, dodging the crowd of reporters that would later assemble outside, according to a FIFA security guard. Blatters hearing came a day after Michel Platini, the head of European football who has also been suspended for eight years, met with the same appeals body in a bid to reverse a conviction for ethics violations issued by a FIFA tribunal in December. Platini, also a FIFA vice president, and Blatter were found to have abused their positions over a mysterious 2 million Swiss franc ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) payment made in 2011. Both men have argued that the funds paid by Blatter to Platini were part of a legitimate oral contract for consulting work done by Platini a decade earlier, but FIFAs ethics judges dismissed that explanation. 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.Platinis arrival at FIFA on Monday was starkly different to that of Blatters, with the Frenchman walking the final 100 metres (330 feet) to FIFAs gate, sporadically answering questions from reporters. After a marathon session, Platini said he was happy and that his appeal was heard by sincere people. One of two witnesses the ex-Juventus star presented was Frenchman Jacques Lambert, the president of the Euro-2016 organising committee, who purportedly had evidence supporting the existence of the famous oral contract. Lambert also returned to FIFA on Tuesday, possibly to present similar evidence of behalf of Blatter. Platini had been the favourite to replace Blatter at FIFAs February 26 presidential vote, but he withdrew from the race after he was banned from football. If the appeals committee rules in his favour, the Frenchman would reclaim his post as president of European confederation UEFA. For Blatter, a Swiss national who turns 80 next month, an appeals win could allow him to preside over next weeks FIFA congress, where his successor will be chosen.If their appeals are rejected, both are expected to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. 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.

Football: Cavani comes off bench to give PSG edge against Chelsea

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PARIS (AFP) - The much-maligned Edinson Cavani came off the bench to score the winner as Paris Saint-Germain edged Chelsea 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.Cavani beat the excellent Thibaut Courtois in the 78th minute at the Parc des Princes, just four minutes after coming off the bench, to give the French champions the advantage ahead of the second leg on March 9.Zlatan Ibrahimovic had earlier given Paris the lead from a deflected free-kick only for a rare John Obi Mikel goal on the stroke of half-time to bring Chelsea level.PSGs win in what was a high-quality encounter means they have still lost just once -- to Real Madrid -- in 40 games this season, while it was a first defeat for Chelsea since Guus Hiddink replaced the sacked Jose Mourinho in December.With John Terry absent, Chelseas reshuffled defence featured skipper for the night Branislav Ivanovic in the middle alongside Gary Cahill with Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back and Baba Rahman on the other side. Marquinhos started at right-back for PSG after Serge Aurier was ruled out by the club for disciplinary reasons, while Marco Verratti returned to the starting line-up after a month of fitness struggles. With the Italian midfielder pulling the strings from the off, Paris started strongly, asphyxiating Chelsea with their high press. Such a bright opening led to chances, with Verratti seeing his shot from 20 yards beaten away by Courtois and Lucas hitting one narrowly wide inside the first five minutes.Ibrahimovic sent a free-kick off target as Chelsea weathered the early storm and gradually grew into the game. They should have opened the scoring, too, but when Baba Rahmans inviting cross from the left found Diego Costa, his header from point-blank range was instinctively palmed onto the bar and over by Kevin Trapp in the home goal.That was a key moment as Paris went on to open the scoring in the 39th minute. Mikel was booked for halting a rampaging run by Lucas at the gates of the penalty box and Ibrahimovic stepped up to smash the resulting free-kick into the net, with the aid of a deflection off the wall, for his 28th goal of the season. However, the French champions were unable to hold onto their lead until the interval as Chelsea equalised with the final kick of the first half. Willians delivery from the right was not cut out at the near post and Mikel gleefully prodded home from six yards for a rare goal. It could have been worse for the home side as Trapp was forced to make himself big and save from Costa four minutes into the second half following a counterattack led by Willian. A long spell of Paris domination followed but they were thwarted several times in their attempts to find a winner as Courtois produced an array of outstanding saves. The Belgian tipped over a long-range thumper by Angel Di Maria and denied Lucas after the Brazilian had played a one-two with Ibrahimovic and accelerated towards the area. He then stretched his huge frame across goal to turn behind a net-bound Di Maria free-kick, but there was nothing he could do to stop Cavanis winner. The Uruguayan, who has lost his place as a regular starter in the PSG side due to a poor start to 2016, played the role of super sub as he kept his cool to meet Di Marias flighted ball into the box with a low first-time finish.

Football: Ronaldo points to Giggs, Scholes as Real target Roma win

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ROME (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo laughed off suggestions a reported lack of closeness with teammates Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale could affect Real Madrid ahead of their last 16 Champions League tie against Roma.I will give you an anecdote: at Manchester I didnt speak with (Ryan) Giggs or (Paul) Scholes, but we still won the Champions League, said Ronaldo on the eve of Wednesdays first leg clash at the Stadio Olimpico.With Bale still absent due to a calf strain, James Rodriguez is expected to come in for the Welsh winger in a three-pronged attack which also includes striker Karim Benzema.Reals usual trident of Benzema, Bale and Cristiano, known as BBC, is often compared to the equally potent MSN trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr deployed at arch rivals Barcelona.Ronaldo appeared to admit he was not close with Benzema and Bale off the pitch, but said that did not stop them operating effectively on it.If people say that their friendship is better than ours, then I cant stop them, added Ronaldo.But I dont need Bale or Benzema to come to my house for dinner, the important thing is that we all get on well on the pitch.Real, considered favourites for this years title along with Bayern Munich and holders Barcelona, have qualified for the last five Champions League semi-finals, winning their historic 10th title -- known as La Decima -- two years ago.Yet their record against Italian teams in the competition leaves a lot to be desired, Juventus dominating last years semi-final and Roma stopping the Galacticos at the knockout phase in 2008.Current Roma coach Luciano Spalletti, who recently succeeded sacked Frenchman Rudi Garcia, was in charge in 2008 when Real suffered successive 2-1 defeats to Roma in the last 16.Last year, Carlo Ancelottis men were humbled at the semi-final stage when Juventus won 2-1 in Turin then battled to a 1-1 draw in Madrid.If Real require any extra motivation this time around, it could come from the fact they are now under the helm of Zinedine Zidane, who won the trophy as a player with Real in 2002 and as the assistant to Ancelotti two years ago when Real outclassed city rivals Atletico 4-1 in Lisbon.Its a special competition for the club, for me and above all for the players, said Zidane on the eve of making his full Champions League debut on the other side of the touchlines.We have a lot of history in this competition. The important thing is to be prepared, and we are. Physically, were good, were looking forward to the game then well see what happens.Zidanes last appearance for France was at the 2006 World Cup in Germany when he was sent off for a flying headbutt on Italy defender Marco Materazzi. Italy went on to triumph and on Wednesday Zidane will come face to face with two members of the 2006 Italy squad in Daniele De Rossi and veteran Francesco Totti.Although Totti is unlikely to play as he has yet to fully recover from a long-term injury, Zidane paid tribute to the 39-year-old club icons longevity.I think you have to take your hat off to him for what hes done for Roma over the years, said Zidane, who refused to be drawn on when Totti should call it a day.That decision is up to him. But its always great for football to have players like him in the game.

Golf: Spieth admires Federer, Djokovic drive

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PACIFIC PALISADES (AFP) - World number one Jordan Spieth says he wants to emulate the relentless drive of tennis icons Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as he aims to cement his place at the pinnacle of world golf this year. After a dominant 2015 which saw him seal back-to-back Major victories at the Masters and US Open, before a fourth placed finish at the British Open and a second at the PGA Championship, Spieth has already won his first tournament this year. The 22-year-old Texan will be chasing a second victory of 2016 when he tees off on Thursday in the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club in the wealthy Los Angeles enclave of Pacific Palisades. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Spieth said the enduring hunger and consistency of Federer, Djokovic and other leading lights of mens tennis was an inspiration as he plots his own career path. Its really amazing how anywhere from two to five tennis players at a time can just completely carry the sport, Spieth said. Its bizarre. It seems like youve got three of the top four ranked, always, in the semi-final matches. You can certainly take a lot from watching those guys and understanding that even when they were number one, it seemed like that almost fuelled them to want to work even harder, which you dont necessarily see everywhere across the board in life, Spieth added. I mean, a lot of times you get to the top of where you want to be and its just kind of like a deep breath out.These guys were just starting their breath. Its pretty cool. Federer just handles himself with complete class. He always has. Everyone Ive come in contact with is a fan of watching him, Spieth said of Federer, the winner of 17 Grand Slam titles in a career spanning nearly two decades.Djokovic with his fire and just absolute crazy athletic display hes been showing over the last decade, really, he added. Spieth is relishing the opportunity of playing at Riviera this week, a course he has played nearly 30 times over the course of five tournaments in the past, including a college championship game. Its one of my favorites in the entire world. I was out yesterday and its just in spectacular shape, he said.Last year Spieth narrowly missed out on forcing his way into a playoff on the final Sunday, eventually having to settle for a share of fourth.Since then Spieth has registered six victories and firmly established himself at the head of an exciting new generation of golfers at the top of the game. Spieth attributed his success to a general improvement in consistency and experience of delivering the goods in pressure situations. I think its all gotten a bit more consistent, he said. I think my confidence in my entire game, when pressure comes on, I can now really relate and look back to a lot of key moments where Ive hit shots in the past when the pressure has been on where I felt like I did what I wanted to do. That in its own is kind of priceless experience that I can then get up and do it again ... whether its driving it or striking an iron shot, thats definitely improved when the pressure is on.
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