Friday 19 February 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Errani to face Strykova for WTA title in Dubai

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DUBAI (AFP) - Italys Sara Errani and Czech Barbora Strycova will clash for the title at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday after both battled through at an event reeling after early exits for all seeds.Errani reached her second final on Friday, defeating Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-4. Strycova outlasted Caroline Garcia of France 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in a battle of momentum shifts lasting for two and a quarter hours.Errani leads the series 5-1, earning wins in her last four matches with Strycova dating to 2010.The Dubai tournament now holds an unenviable record after all eight seeds lost in the first two rounds, the first time that phenomenon has ever occurred on the WTA. In addition it was hit by pullouts from the top two players in the world, Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber.Errani, ranked 22nd, took almost two hours to hold off the 21st-ranked Svitolina, finishing with 31 unforced errors and just a dozen winners.The Italian will play her 19th final, bidding for a ninth singles title.It was really tough today, it was hot, she said. Most of the games were very long with a lot of points.I just tried to play focused on every one. I won Rio this week a year ago, so maybe this is my week to play well.Errani finished runner-up in 2013 to Petra Kvitova at the Aviation Club.Strycova complained of a poor day on serve but ended her semi-final over Garcia with an ace.I dont know how, but I made three good serves in the final game, said the 29-year-old with one career title from Quebec five years ago.Im so happy, it was not an easy match for me but to be in the final is great. When I was down in the third set I told myself to play my game and go for it.I had nothing to lose, since I had not been serving well the entire match, Strycova said as she entered her sixth final.The Czech went on a tear in the first set, winning seven straight games and reaching a 2-0 lead in the second before Garcia found her balance and make a match of it.The French player won the second set and was up a break 1-0 in the third before Strycova managed a final push to victory,Both women produced 43 unforced errors, with Strycova breaking six times.

Tennis: Home hope Paire ousts Wawrinka to reach Marseille semis

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MARSEILLE (AFP) - Frances Benoit Paire ousted top seed Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 on Friday to join second seed Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic and Nick Kyrgios in the semi-finals of the ATP Marseille Open.Paire, seeded eighth, represents the last home hope in Marseille after Australian Kyrgios earlier whipped Richard Gasquet 6-0, 6-4.It was just the second win for the eighth-seeded Paire in eight meetings with his Swiss opponent and first since 2013.The 22nd-ranked Frenchman will next play 12th-ranked Croat Cilic, who earlier got past Russian Andrey Kuznetsov 6-3, 6-4.Cilic, the number four seed, needed just 66 minutes to spoil 24-year-old Kuznetsovs bid for a first ATP World Tour semi-final appearance at the seventh attempt.Cilic, 27, is looking to reach the Marseille final for the second time, having finished runner-up in 2011.But Paire won their only previous meeting in Chennai in 2013.Frenchman Gasquet, ranked 10, who pulled out of Rotterdam last week with flu, had won two weeks ago in neighbouring Montpellier.But he was no match for the 41st-ranked Kyrgios, whose powerful serve helped him to a straightforward victory in under an hour.The 20-year-old fired 17 aces, dropping just six points on serve and breaking Gasquet four times.It was just Kyrgioss second win over Gasquet in six meetings, after the second round of Wimbledon in 2014.He will bid to reach his second ATP World Tour final against Czech Berdych, having reached his maiden final last year in Estoril where he finished runner-up to Gasquet.Berdych completed the semi-final line-up for Saturday by easing past sixth-seeded Belgian David Goffin 6-3, 6-4.The 30-year-old world number eight beat Kyrgios in their only previous clash at this years Australian Open.

Tennis: Nadal through to semi-final as Dolgopolov injured

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RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Former world number one Rafael Nadal reached the Rio Open semi-finals without even hitting a ball on Friday as Aleksandr Dolgopolov withdrew injured from their last eight tie.Nadal is playing at the low-key clay court event in a bid to find his form ahead of a tilt at an unprecedented 10th French Open crown in June.The 29-year-old has dropped to number five in the world after an injury-hit 2015 and suffered a shock semi-final defeat to Austrias Dominic Thiem in the Buenos Aires semi-finals last week -- he was the defending champion.The Rio Opens official Twitter account revealed the news of Dolgopolovs injury.Dolgopolov was forced to withdraw due to injury. Dolgopolov injury: right shoulder, it said.Spaniard Nadal will play either Uruguays Pablo Cuevas or Federico Delbonis of Argentina in the last four on Saturday.

Golf: Top-ranked Spieth misses cut at Riviera

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PACIFIC PALISADES (AFP) - World number one Jordan Spieth bounced back from the worst opening round of his career Friday but it wasnt enough to vault him into the weekend at the Northern Trust Open.Reigning Masters and US Open champion Spieth was 11 shots better in round two with a three-under par 68 but still will miss the cut in the $6.8 million US PGA Tour event.The 22-year-old Texan will miss his first cut since last years Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston and his third cut in his past 20 worldwide starts.Spieth said Friday that sloppy iron play and not enough time practicing on the driving range was his downfall at Riviera Country Club. He was hoping to use the event as an early stepping stone ahead of defending the Masters title in April at Augusta National.Spieth shot a disappointing eight-over 79 on Thursday, leaving him 12 shots back of third-ranked Rory McIlroy, who shot 67.I guess Rory is considering this as the start to his run at the Masters, Spieth said of the first major of the season that begins April 7. This was not my start to the run at the Masters. Mine will start the next time.Spieth plans to take next week off and then compete at the World Golf Championships Cadillac Championship at Donald trumps Doral course in Florida.McIlroy had an afternoon tee time and birdied two of his first three holes to move to six-under for the tournament.Dustin Johnson, who finished second to Bubba Watson at Riviera in 2014 and lost a sudden-death playoff to James Hahn last year, shot a five-under 66 on Friday to take the early clubhouse lead.

Athletics: Farah wants family in Rio despite Zika threat

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LONDON (AFP) - British distance-running star Mo Farah has insisted he wants his family with him when he defends his Olympic titles in Brazil later this year, despite the threat of the Zika virus.Farah won gold in both the Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 metres in front of his home crowd in London four years ago and is considered one of Britains strongest contenders for more medal success in Rio.One of the personal highlights for Farah of London 2012 was when his wife Tania and step-daughter Rhianna joined him on the track to help him celebrate soon after had won the 10,000m.Farah would love to enjoy a similar experience in Rio and, speaking in Glasgow on Friday ahead of the Indoor Grand Prix there on Saturday, he said: For me, the Olympics is where it is at. I want to have that moment for my family no matter what.Im quite excited. In London one of the best things ever was having my family on the track. Seeing my wife and daughter there was incredible.I believe they are part of me and will be there again.Im not even thinking about anything like (the Zika virus). I want them there and thats it.But whether Farahs rivals from Kenya make it to Rio remains unsure after the east African nation was placed on probation by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), who said it was failing to prove it was doing enough to tackle its problems with doping in athletics.Farah, who during the past year has seen his coach Alberto Salazar have to deny BBC allegations of previously running a doping programme in the United States, said: Its not a nice thing obviously but certain countries (like Britain) do the right thing, he said. If they (Kenya) cant follow the rules as a county then you have to set an example.For us, British athletes and other countries, we have rules and I wish they (the Kenyans) could follow those rules, added Farah, who has himself not been accused of wrongdoing by the BBC.The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has already suspended Russia from global competition because of widespread doping offences.And IAAF president Sebastian Coe, a former double Olympic 1500m champion, has said he would be prepared to take similar action against Kenya.Several of Farahs leading rivals come from Kenya, a country with a long history of producing top-class distance runners, and his path to gold would be eased considerably if the likes of Bitan Karoki, Geoffrey Kamworor and Paul Kipngetich Tanui werent in Rio. If you dont have Kenya there it makes things easier for me, which is great, said Farah. But at the same time, you dont want to wish anything like that on anybody who hasnt done anything wrong.But as a country they have to follow the rules. If they cant, then tough on them.

Virgin Galactic unveils new spaceship 16 months after deadly crash

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Virgin Galactic, the space tourism company owned by British billionaire Richard Branson, on Friday unveiled a new commercial spaceship, more than a year after its predecessor crashed and killed one of its pilots.It marked the beginning of a testing phase for the SpaceShipTwo, and the company underscored that commercial space flights would not be available until Virgin Galactic was satisfied it could carry them out safely.As we celebrate the end of one critical phase of work, we also mark the start of a new phase, one focused on further testing and, ultimately, the first commercial human spaceflight program in history, Virgin Galactic said in a statement.The new spaceship, which largely looks the same as its predecessor, made its debut in a ceremony at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. It was towed into a hanger by a white Range Rover SUV, with Branson standing in the sunroof and waving.It was dubbed the Unity, a name chosen by renowned physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking, Virgin Galaxy said in a tweet.The companys goal is to take customers to the edge of space, more than 62 miles (100 kilometers) above Earth.Despite the hefty $250,000 price tag, more than 600 would-be astronauts have already signed up, including Hollywood actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Ashton Kutcher.However, the companys efforts faced a major setback when the first version of the SpaceShipTwo disintegrated over Californias Mojave Desert on October 31, 2014, with investigators blaming premature brake deployment during the test flight.The pilot was injured but successfully deployed his parachute, while the co-pilot was killed. Its not an easy business. If it was an easy business we wouldnt only have had 500 people having been to space since space travel started, Branson told Sky News on Friday.Theres a tremendous, exciting future but obviously its tough, he said.Testing on the SpaceShipTwo, which Branson said was constructed by a team of 650 engineers, will begin with the electrical system and moving parts, followed by flights attached to the WhiteKnightTwo mothership before progressing to glide testing.Because our new vehicle is so similar to its predecessor, we benefit from incredibly useful data from 55 successful test flights as well as the brutal but important lessons from one tragic flight test accident, Virgin Galactic said in its statement.SpaceShipTwo is a commercial version of SpaceShipOne, the first private spacecraft to reach the edge of space in 2004.The new craft may one day carry six passengers on three-hour suborbital flights, offering them the possibility of momentary weightlessness and unparalleled views of Earth.The most important thing is that we get the test program done and completed so we can send people safely into space. And start a program where this spaceship can go into space hundreds of times in the years to come, Branson told Sky News. So were not going to hurry it, it will go step by step and when our test pilots say were ready, then Ill go up and that will be the start of bringing other people up as well.

Growing evidence linking Zika to microcephaly: WHO

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GENEVA (AFP) - The World Health Organization said Friday it could still take months to determine for certain that the Zika virus causes the serious birth defect microcephaly, but said evidence was growing.There is an increasing accumulation of evidence now that these phenomena may be associated, Bruce Aylward, WHO chief on outbreaks and health emergencies, told reporters.The mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been spreading explosively in Latin America especially, is strongly suspected of causing a rapid rise in the number of children born with microcephaly -- abnormally small heads and brains -- in the hardest-hit country, Brazil.A hike in microcephaly cases was also registered following a Zika outbreak in French Polynesia three years ago.The virus is also believed to be tied to a rise in cases of the paralysis-causing Guillain-Barre syndrome in eight countries, including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador and Venezuela.Aylward said researchers would likely be able to prove more quickly that Zika causes Guillain-Barre than microcephaly, since surges in the syndrome are believed to be lagging only about three weeks after spikes in Zika infections.By comparison, it will take much longer to register a spike in microcephaly in babies born to women infected with Zika at some point during their pregnancies, he said.Meanwhile, the virus is considered guilty until proven innocent, Aylward said, stressing the need to be super aggressive in trying to rein in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries Zika and also dengue and chikungunya viruses.The mosquito is endemic to tropical regions, and is already transmitting Zika in at least 36 countries worldwide -- 28 of them in the Americas -- and Aylward said there were indications that the virus was spreading in six additional countries.We are still dealing with a very much evolving situation, Aylward cautioned. There is currently no cure or vaccine for Zika, so in a bid to beat it, affected countries have declared war on the Aedes aegypti, trying to wipe out breeding spots, kill larvae either with chemicals or with fish that feed on them, and fumigation to kill off adult mosquitos.Pedro Alonso, head of WHOs global malaria programme, told reporters the agency would in mid-March convene a meeting of the worlds top experts on vector control to determine if a range of radical new methods could also be safely and efficiently used.They include releasing genetically modified mosquitos, or releasing large numbers of sterilised male mosquitos to halt reproduction.Another method being studied is infecting mosquitos with a bacteria, the Wolbachia, that does not infect humans and that can prevent mosquito eggs from hatching and can reduce a mosquitos ability to transmit a virus. The meeting, Alonso said, will assess whether there is room for fast-tracking one or several of these new strategies.He stressed though that in the meantime, the more traditional methods can have a very major impact.We are not waiting for a magic bullet, he said.

Brendon McCullum hits fastest century in Test cricket

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CHRISTCHURCH (AFP) - New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum hit the fastest century in the history of Test cricket Saturday, taking just 54 deliveries against Australia in the second Test in Christchurch. The previous record of 56 deliveries was set by West Indies great Viv Richards against England 30 years ago and by Misbah-ul-Haq for Pakistan against Australia in 2014.McCullums century took 79 minutes, the fourth fastest on time behind Jack Gregory who hit 100 in 70 minutes against South Africa in 1921.It was the 12th hundred of McCullums career and included 17 fours and four sixes.The 34-year-old, who is playing in his final Test before retiring, went to the middle with New Zealand 32-3 and by the time he reached his record the score had improved to 175-4.

France's Lagarde named for second term to lead IMF

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Frances Christine Lagarde, who battled financial fires across Europe as managing director of the International Monetary Fund, was officially named Friday to a second five-year term.In taking this decision, the board praised Ms Lagardes strong and wise leadership during her first term, said Aleksei Mozhin, the dean of the Funds Executive Board. During turbulent times in the global economy, Ms Lagarde strengthened the Funds ability to support its members with policy advice, capacity building, and financing.Lagarde, 60 and formerly Frances finance minister, faced no opposition for the job, after successfully restoring the reputation of the global crisis lenders leadership following her predecessor Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who resigned under the cloud of a sex scandal in 2011.But she also built respect for leading the IMF through tough, huge rescues of Greece, Ireland, and Portugal in the European economic crisis.And she managed to advance reforms of the Fund which elevated the status of the new emerging economic powers like China after decades of domination of the Fund by Europe, the United States and Japan.Lagarde has played a critical role in revitalizing the Funds relations with its global membership, including its emerging market and developing members, noted Mozhin.Lagarde said she was delighted to accept a second term to lead the IMF, which represents 188 member countries.Over the past five years, the IMF has adapted and strengthened its capacity to respond to its members needs and is well-prepared to help them meet the challenges of the future, she said.The Fund remains committed to its fundamental goal of helping to ensure global economic and financial stability through international cooperation.

Oil drops on skepticism of potential producer deal

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices fell Friday as the market took a more skeptical view of producer talks to limit output that had lifted prices earlier in the week. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for March delivery fell $1.13 to $29.64 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.Brent North Sea oil for April delivery dropped $1.27 to $33.01 a barrel in London.Oil prices rallied strongly Wednesday and early Thursday following talks by major producers on a potential agreement to limit production in response to crashing prices.Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed to freeze production if other producers followed suit. Iran expressed broad support for the initiative but stopped short of agreeing to limit output.Analysts said the market has shifted from its initial enthusiasm view to more of a show-me stance. Were really going to have to wait and see whether OPEC is actually going to freeze production or whether it was just talk during the past week, said Andy Lipow of consultancy Lipow Oil Associates.Tim Evans, analyst at Citi Futures, said the market has adopted a more clear-eyed view of the negotiations.In terms of production, it actually means a status quo that leaves a large surplus in place, Evans said. It may mark some increased interest in producer dialogue that could lead to results later, but at this stage we should note thats a speculation, not a reliable support.Analysts said sentiment was also dented by US petroleum inventory data released Thursday that showed a 2.1 million barrel increase in US commercial inventories, along with sizable increases in gasoline and other refined products.

Deal averting Brexit gives modest boost to euro, pound

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The euro pushed higher against the dollar Friday as European leaders reached a deal that will keep Britain in the European Union, avoiding a much-feared Brexit.Early in the day the dollar was ahead, after US consumer price data for January signaled a pickup in inflation that would support the Federal Reserve sticking to its plan to tighten monetary policy with higher interest rates over this year.But as confidence in a deal between London and other EU leaders emerged, the euro turned course to end the day higher at $1.1131.The pound also got a modest boost to $1.4392, once it became clear that the deal was in the works. Even so, the yen showed more strength rising to 112.62 per dollar and 125.36 per euro.Analysts tied some of the yens strength to another fall in crude prices, as doubts increased over the tentative deal to control output between OPEC producers and Russia.

McCullum sets sixes record but N.Zealand in trouble

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CHRISTCHURCH (AFP) - Brendon McCullum peppered the boundary at his audacious best and smacked a world record 101st six in an attempt to bat New Zealand out of trouble on the opening day of the second Test against Australia on Saturday.At lunch New Zealand were 74-3 after being 32-3 when McCullum, who retires after the match, walked to the middle to a standing ovation from the crowd and a guard of honour from the Australians at his home ground of Hagley Oval in Christchurch.McCullum was not out 37 off 18 deliveries at the end of the first session, in contrast to Kane Williamson on seven off 64 after New Zealand lost the toss and were sent in to bat on a green seamer.Under a blazing sun, McCullum lived up to his fearless reputation with an aggressive start, beaten by the seam swinging at the first ball he faced and taking a big heave at the next which he edged over slips for four.On the fifth ball he faced he hit Mitchell Marsh over the bowlers head for six to reach 101 and topple Australian Adam Gilchrist with the most Test cricket sixes.His 37 included five fours and two sixes, but until McCullum began his onslaught New Zealand were in trouble.Martin Guptill used the attack method and after living dangerously through the first six overs he was gone for 18, caught by Joe Burns diving forward at short leg.James Pattinson had a ball nip back and it caught the outside edge of Guptills bat.Burns had previously dropped Guptill on 11 from a similar Pattinson delivery in an over where an edge fell just short of slips and a lofted drive sailed close to mid-on.When Williamson joined Tom Latham the pair were all concentration producing only two runs in 52 deliveries before Latham was caught one-handed by a diving Steve Smith at second slip off.Henry Nicholls, who put up stubbon resistance for 59 in his debut innings last week, lasted 12 balls before he fell leg before wicket to Josh Hazlewood.Australia need to win the Test and sweep the series to claim the world number one ranking.

Court denies bail for cricket fan waving Indian flag

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LAHORE (AFP) - A Pakistani cricket fan who was arrested for waving the flag of India after his idol Virat Kohli struck a match-winning knock was denied bail Friday as he faces the prospect of up to a decade in prison.Umar Daraz, 22, was jailed on January 26 for celebrating with Indias tricolour after batting star Kohlis 90 not out led his team to victory over Australia in a Twenty20 match in Adelaide.Magistrate Anique Anwar has rejected Darazs bail plea. We will now appeal in the court of session judge, Darazs lawyer Azeem Amir Bhatti, told AFP.He said that Daraz has been charged with violating public order and sovereignty of Pakistan laws.Regional Police officer Faisal Rana had said at the time of Darazs arrest that could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine.Daraz initially told us that he is a true Pakistani but likes (Indian) Kohli and never knew that was a crime, Rana told media.His act is against our countrys sovereignty and is against the ideology of Pakistan.Rana also accused Daraz of having large posters of Kohli pasted on the walls of his home.Darazs arrest came weeks before Indian student leader Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on a controversial sedition charge in a case that has sparked a major row over freedom of expression.Indian Prime Minister paid a surprise visit to Lahore to meet his Pakistani counterpart in December, raising hopes for the revival of peace talks.But an attack on an Indian air base in January that New Delhi alleges was carried out by a militant group based in Pakistan has once again stalled the dialogue process.

Indian police fire on caste protesters, one killed

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - Police opened fire on protesters in northern India on Friday, killing one, as rival caste groups clashed during a mass rally over access to jobs and education.The army was called in after several were injured in the violence in northern Haryana state, as demonstrators clashing over preferential treatment for certain castes defied police orders and went on a rampage.State police chief Yash Pal Singal said a protester had shot at a member of the security personnel first during the demonstrations in Rohtak district triggering the violent retaliation by police.The BSF (Border Security Force) then fired in self-defence and unfortunately one protester lost his life. Some other people have received injuries, Singal said in comments broadcast on TV channels.Haryanas dominant Jat community, a comparatively affluent caste group, has been calling for quotas in government jobs similar to those allocated to lower-caste groups who have faced generations of societal discrimination.The Jats say they are struggling to compete with less privileged castes for government jobs and university places -- but other caste groups have opposed their demands for special treatment.The government called in about 2,000 troops to quash the protests, Press Trust of India reported, as TV footage showed demonstrators trying to set fire to vehicles and a house belonging to a state minister.The protesters have blocked major highways and disrupted rail traffic since Wednesday, prompting police to clamp prohibitory orders on many districts.Haryana state is ruled by the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has come in for criticism of late for its perceived iron-fisted approach on sensitive issues.The protests echo caste violence that swept the western state of Gujarat in August last year, leaving several dead.The state saw weeks of protests by the privileged Patidar or Patel caste, who demanded special treatment to put them on a level footing with lower castes.India sets aside a proportion of jobs and places to people from so-called lower and backward castes under measures intended to bring victims of the worst discrimination into the mainstream.But the policy of reservation causes resentment among other communities who say it freezes them out.

Suspect who killed his own mother to be presented in court today

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Suspect Ghulam Rabbani who murdered his own mother will be presented in court today (Saturday). The culprit who killed his mother out of anguish over an unresolved conflict related to the division of property within the family in Boat Basin area of Karachi has also confessed to the crime.According to the investigation officer, the suspect voluntarily gave himself up for arrest while the instrument used for the killing has also been recovered.Suspect Rabbani stated that he took the extreme step after he was fed up with the daily disputes. He stated that he did not feel any remorse for his actions.According to the police, the suspect’s brother took the dead body of their mother Naseem Akhtar to Punjab where was laid to rest in Lala Musa.Rabbani served as senior director of finance in State Bank; his father had passed away recently. According to the Assistant Superintendent Police (ASP) Tariq Nawaz, the perpetrator had divorced his wife the previous night.
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