Monday 22 February 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Djokovic kicks off Dubai with runaway win

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DUBAI (AFP) - Novak Djokovic hammered Spains Tommy Robredo 6-1, 6-2 at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Monday, winning the 699th match of his career.Every milestone is very special, of course. I wish to make the 700th win in this tournament, obviously, said the world number one.He added: But its not going to affect too much my preparation for the next match. Its not going to change too much the way I approach the next match or this tournament. So of course Ill be very pleased if it happens here. If not, maybe next one.Djokovic one now stands 13-0 this season as he bids for a third 2016 title after trophies in Doha and Melbourne. He last played in the final at Melbourne Park, beating Andy Murray.The top seed will next face Tunisian wild card Malek Jaziri, who advanced over qualifier Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-1.Obviously playing the first match in three weeks, different conditions, I didnt know how Im going to start, whether or not Im going to execute the game plan, Djokovic said. But everything went well, very few things went wrong.I was putting constant pressure on his serve. I returned very, very well. I served solid and was aggressive from back of the court. I cannot be happier with this performance. Im glad to be back with a solid win.The 123rd-ranked Jaziri knows his chances against the best in the world will be extremely limited - but hes not totally without hope.It should be a good match. I will try to enjoy it on court and I will play all my chances, said the 32-year-old North African.Novaks playing his best tennis now, and hes beating everyone. But I will be on court like all the matches. In tennis you never know. Thats part of this beautiful game. Who knows? Maybe Ill wake up on a good day.Djokovic has played finals at his last 17 events, winning 13.Jaziri has plenty of previous time on court with Djokovic after practise sessions between the pair.In Doha (last January) I practised with him and in Australia. Hes playing his best level, hes winning maybe most all tournaments, Jaziri said.I have nothing to lose, you know. But first lets see him win his match and then we see.Djokovic is playing Dubai for a tenth year in succession, now 35-5 in the emirate. He owns Dubai titles from 2009-2011 and 2013; he lost the final to Roger Federer last year.Popular Marcos Baghdatis delivered the first upset of the week as he put out Serbian fifth seed Viktor Troicki 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 despite nearly 40 unforced errors.The Cypriot will next face Canadian Vasek Pospisil, who defeated Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.South Koreas rising Chung Hyeon made a winning Dubai debut, beating Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-4 a day after the Italian turned 32. Canadian Vasek Pospisil defeated Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.Marseille winner Nick Kyrgios was due in Dubai later after winning the first title of his career in France over Marin Cilic.The 20-year-old Australian starts his campaign on Tuesday night, facing Slovak Martin Klizan, winner of the Rotterdam event eight days ago.

Tennis: Ferrer down to 8th in rankings

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PARIS (AFP) - David Ferrers failure to reach the final of the Rio de Janeiro Open has seen his world ranking fall two places.Both Kei Nishikori and Tomas Berdych moved ahead of the Spaniard in the top 10 with Ferrer down to eighth.Rising Austrian player Dominic Thiem climbs four places to 15th after reaching the semi-finals in Rio a week after winning the title in Buenos Aires.Australian hope Nick Kyrgios, meanwhile is up to a career-high 33rd place after winning the first ATP title of his career in Marseille on Sunday.Novak Djokovic, who resumes his season at Dubai this week, is still comfortably ahead in top spot.Ranking:1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 16,7902. Andy Murray (GBR)8,8553. Roger Federer (SUI) 8,7954. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 5,8705. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 4,8806. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,235 (1)7. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 3,990 (1)8. David Ferrer (ESP) 3,915 (-2)9. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 2,95010. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 2,76011. John Isner (USA)2,58512. Marin Cilic (CRO) 2,55513. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2,45014. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 2,20015. Dominic Thiem (AUT)2,020 (4)16. David Goffin (BEL) 1,970(1)17. Gael Monfils (FRA) 1,950 (-1)18. Roberto Bautista (ESP)1,93519. Gilles Simon (FRA) 1,895 (-4) 20. Benoit Paire (FRA) 1,686 (2).

Tennis: Radwanska takes third place in world rankings

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PARIS (AFP) - Agnieszka Radwanska is up to third place in the WTA world rankings moving ahead of Simona Halep, who lost points after failing to defend her title in Dubai.The Romanian was upset in the last 16 in the Emirates as she continues to struggle for form this year.Serena Williams, who did not play in Dubai due to injury, remains well ahead atop the rankings with Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber, who is down to play in Qatar this week, her closest rival.WTA Top 20: 1. Serena Williams (USA) 9,245 pts2. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5,7003. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 5,210 (1)4. Simona Halep (ROM) 4,745 (-1)5. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 4,6426. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 3,6727. Belinda Bencic (SUI)3,505 (2)8. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 3,4789. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 3,422 (-2)10. Roberta Vinci (ITA)3,325 (3)11. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 3,30012. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 3,292 (-2)13. Venus Williams (USA) 3,266 (-1)14. Viktoria Azarenka (BLR) 2,935 (1)15. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)2,894 (1)16. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 2,640 (1)17. Sara Errani (ITA) 2,595 (5)18. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 2,530 (3)19. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 2,525 (-5)20. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 2,505.

Football: United stroll spares van Gaal more misery

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SHREWSBURY (AFP) - Manchester United cruised into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win at Shrewsbury on Monday that at least temporarily eased the mounting pressure on Louis van Gaal.Chris Smalling, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard netted the goals as United wrapped up a businesslike victory against their third tier hosts to secure a last eight date with West Ham United at Old Trafford.Following speculation that an embarrassing defeat would be fatal to Van Gaals hopes of avoiding the sack, the United manager was relieved to see his side easily navigate their way through a one-sided fifth round tie.United, humbled by Sunderland and then FC Midtjylland in their last two matches, took 37 minutes to make the breakthrough, but once Smalling opened the scoring the result never looked in doubt.I was very pleased. We have played 70 minutes fantastic, in a professional way, creating chances and scoring goals, Van Gaal told BT Sport.Everyone shall say Manchester United have to win against Shrewsbury Town, but for the players it is fantastic because we are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.As expected, United dominated possession in the early stages and they should have led from a corner with just two minutes on the clock.Daley Blinds delivery from the left found the head of Smalling, but the stand-in United captain misdirected his header and it spun over the crossbar.Memphis Depay then tried two efforts of his own from the left of goal around 25 yards out, but both flew into the Shrewsbury fans to earn the visiting winger ironic cheers from the home crowd.Depay almost answered that ridicule with the opening goal on 11 minutes.After collecting a pass from Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Depay let fly with a low shot that Jayson Leutwiler did well to scramble away as he dived acrobatically to his left.United made a hash of their next chance to test Leutwiler after Jermaine Grandison was penalised for a foul on Depay 20 yards from goal.The winger took the resulting free-kick himself but he struck it against the head of team-mate Anthony Martial and it looped harmlessly away.Leutwiler then saved instinctively with his legs to deny Martial after a clever pass from Mata, with Abu Ogogo on hand to clear the rebound off his line as United players closed in.Martial created an opening with some neat footwork, with his shot blocked by a sliding Grandison.Uniteds pressure finally paid off with half-time approaching courtesy of Smalling.After Borthwick-Jackson had powered down the left, his cleared cross was headed back in by Morgan Schneiderlin and Smallings shot on the turn deflected in off Nathaniel Knight-Percival.As Shrewsbury attempted to steady the ship, they conceded the second goal on the stroke of half-time.Zak Whitbread had tripped Martial and Mata curled the resulting free-kick over the Shrewsbury wall and into the net with Leutwiler rooted to the spot.Early in the second half, Lingard produced a good touch to control a cross as he looked to extend Uniteds lead but Brown made a another important clearance for Shrewsbury.United were still making all the running and Depay made another bid to get on the scoresheet when he cut inside and let fly with a shot that deflected behind for a corner.Van Gaals men grabbed their third goal on 61 minutes when they counter-attacked with pace from a rare Shrewsbury break.Matas touch sent Ander Herrera away and his cross from the left was turned home by Lingard, who produced a smart, first-time finish.Lingard missed a chance to add to his tally when he bundled a close-range shot wide as United continued to press.And substitute Will Keane then saw a decent snap-shot come back off the post.United ended the game with 10 men when Keane was forced off with an injury after all three substitutes had been used.

Formula One: Vettel quickest in F1 testing opener

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BARCELONA (AFP) - Ferraris Sebastian Vettel outgunned reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton to post the fastest time as the 2016 Formula One pre-season got underway with the first test in Barcelona on Monday.The Italian giants are expected to pose an even stronger challenge to Hamiltons Mercedes this season after Vettel showed signs of a Ferrari revival by winning three races last year.The four-time former world champion was nearly half a second faster than Hamilton in a time of 1min 24.939sec.It is better than being last but (being fastest) is not really important, said Vettel.We were happy with the car and how it felt, but it is better to be first in about a months time.However, after dominating the sport for the past two seasons, Mercedess reliability sent another warning shot to the rest of the paddock as Hamilton racked up a huge mileage of 155 laps -- nearly twice as much as anyone else.History also favours Hamilton and Mercedes. Ferrari posted the quickest time on day one of testing in each of the last two years, whilst Mercedes clocked up the laps before moving up a gear closer to the start of the season.Im certain this is the most impressive first day (of testing) Ive ever had, said Hamilton.To not have any problems on the first day is a great sign of how united and focused everyone on this team is.It gets harder and harder to improve, but that is why I am so encouraged today to see that the car is better and the performance weve had today.Seven more days of testing remain at the Circuit de Cataluyna track before racing gets underway for real at the Australian Grand Prix on March 20.Red Bull and Williams showed early signs of what could be a battle for the best of the rest as Daniel Ricciardo edged out Valtteri Bottas for third fastest.Mclaren-Honda made a significant improvement on their disastrous performances in testing last season which set up a hugely disappointing return season to the sport for the Japanese manufacturer.Despite a few early teething problems which frustrated race director Eric Boullier, Jenson Button was able to log 82 laps, but the MP4-31 was still well down on pace nearly two seconds behind Vettel in fifth fastest.We completed five more laps today than we did in the first four days of testing last year, which is definitely an improvement, said Button.As long as we can see improvements, and the feeling of the car is good, its something to build on. Unsurprisingly, newcomers Haas, the first American owned team in Formula One for 30 years, Renault on their return as a constructor and Manor Racing struggled most, although the three combined for over 100 laps on an uncharacteristically trouble-free first day of the season.

Syria opposition gives 'conditional' acceptance of ceasefire

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BEIRUT (AFP) - Syrias main opposition grouping said it accepted a ceasefire deal announced by the United States and Russia on Monday if humanitarian conditions were met.The statement by the Riyadh-based High Negotiations Committee came hours after Moscow and Washington said a ceasefire in war-torn Syria was set to begin overnight Friday-Saturday. After HNC general coordinator Riad Hijab presented the results of his discussions with opposition factions across all fronts, we agreed to respond positively to international efforts to reach a truce deal, the HNC said.But its commitment to the truce is conditional on the lifting of sieges, release of prisoners, a halt to bombardment of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.The statement said the ceasefire should be announced simultaneously by all sides.It quoted HNC head Hijab as saying he did not have high expectations that the regime and its allies would be able to commit to stopping their hostile acts.In a joint announcement earlier Monday, the United States and Russia said parties in Syria that wanted to commit to the cessation of hostilities should do so by noon Damascus time (1000 GMT) on Friday.

US, Russia announce Syria ceasefire from Saturday

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BEIRUT (AFP) - The United States and Russia on Monday announced plans for a landmark cessation of hostilities to take effect in war-torn Syria on February 27, excluding the main jihadist factions.The announcement drew a conditional acceptance from the main opposition grouping and came just one day after the deadliest jihadist attack in the nearly five-year war, with 134 people -- mostly civilians -- killed in a series of blasts near Damascus. In a joint statement, Washington and Moscow said the partial truce would begin at midnight Damascus time (2200 GMT Friday) and apply to parties to the conflict that have committed to the deal -- but not to the Islamic State (IS) group or Al-Nusra Front, an Al-Qaeda affiliate.Parties wishing to be included in the agreement have until noon Damascus time on Friday to inform Moscow or Washington of their intention to honour the ceasefire.If implemented and adhered to, this cessation will not only lead to a decline in violence, but also continue to expand the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian supplies to besieged areas and support a political transition to a government that is responsive to the desires of the Syrian people, US Secretary of State John Kerry said.US President Barack Obama and Russias President Vladimir Putin discussed the deal in a phone call, the White House said.This is a moment of opportunity and we are hopeful that all the parties will capitalize on it, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the ceasefire a long-awaited signal of hope, and urged all sides to abide by it.Putin said Moscow will do whatever is necessary to ensure that Damascus respects the agreement.We are counting on the United States to do the same with its allies and the groups that it supports, he said in a televised address.There was no immediate reaction to the ceasefire from Damascus, but the main grouping of opposition factions said it agreed to respond positively to international efforts to reach a truce deal.President Bashar al-Assad reacted by announcing parliamentary elections for April 13.The opposition High Negotiations Committee said its commitment to the truce is conditional on the lifting of sieges, release of prisoners, a halt to bombardment of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.Once the cessation of hostilities takes hold, the United Nations will work to secure access to as many places as possible in order to deliver humanitarian aid, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.The 17-nation group backing Syrias peace process agreed at a meeting in Munich to implement a ceasefire within a week, but the truce never materialised.Ban said the truce announced Monday contributes to creating an environment conducive for the resumption of political negotiations, which had been scheduled to resume this week.Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said Monday he was sceptical a syria ceasefire would hold while Daesh (IS) and Al-Nusra Front (the Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate) are not part of the process and the Russians say they will strike both organisations.A halt in hostilities in Syria would come after five years of brutal civil war that has killed more than 260,000 people and seen half the population displaced, including over four million overseas.In return, the groups would be assured of protection from Russian and US-led coalition planes.The two powers are pursuing separate air wars in Syria, with Russia pounding rebel targets and the coalition focused on IS jihadists.IS on Sunday claimed responsibility for two deadly attacks in regime-held areas, which a monitor said killed 134 people near the Sayyida Zeinab shrine south of Damascus and at least 64 in the Al-Zahraa district of Homs.The bombings near the shrine marked the deadliest jihadist attack since Syrias conflict erupted in March 2011, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group.Russia began air strikes in Syria last September against what it said were terrorists, but has been accused of bombing non-jihadist rebel forces in support of Assad, a longtime ally.Iran has sent military advisers to Syria and the Tehran-backed Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah has deployed at least 6,000 militants to fight alongside Assads forces.Tehran would have to be on board for any ceasefire to work, and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu made a surprise visit to Tehran on Sunday, saying he was delivering a special message from Putin to President Hassan Rouhani.The rise of IS, which has seized large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq and become the preeminent global jihadist group, has focused attention on the need for a solution.The group has used its ultra-radical view of Islam to justify kidnapping minorities, including Assyrian Christians in northeast Syria.On Monday, IS released 42 Assyrians, the last remaining hostages from a wide-scale kidnapping in the northeast province of Hasakeh nearly one year ago, the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights said. But IS also advanced against government forces in northern Aleppo province, cutting the only supply route linking the west of Aleppo with other government-held territory, the Observatory said.Fierce clashes were raging in the area, and if government forces are unable to recapture the road, it could slow their offensive.

Obama called Putin on Syria ceasefire: White House

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama called Russias Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss the terms of a ceasefire to take effect in Syria on February 27, the White House said, cautioning that the road ahead would not be easy.This is a moment of opportunity and we are hopeful that all the parties will capitalize on it, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters as he revealed the call between the two leaders. Earnest, however, warned: This is going to be difficult to implement.In a statement about the call, the White House said Obama emphasized that the priority now was to ensure positive responses by the Syrian regime and armed opposition as well as faithful implementation by all parties in order to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, galvanize the UN-led political process, and focus on defeating ISIL.Washington and Moscow on Monday announced plans for a cessation of hostilities in war-torn Syria that would go into effect on Saturday, as fierce clashes raged in the countrys north.

Syria's Assad sets April 13 parliamentary elections

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DAMASCUS (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced Monday that parliamentary elections are to be held on April 13, state news agency SANA reported, shortly after Washington and Moscow announced a ceasefire plan.Assad issued a decree which included seat allocations for each of the provinces in Syria, which last held parliamentary elections in May 2012.That was the first time that multiple parties -- not just the ruling Baath party -- were allowed to stand. Still, most of the 250 members of parliament that were elected for four-year terms were Baath members. At the time, Assad appointed then-agriculture minister Riad Hijab to be Syrias new prime minister. Hijab has since defected and now leads the main opposition grouping to Assads regime from the Saudi capital Riyadh. More than 260,000 people have been killed since Syrias conflict erupted in March 2011, and millions have been forced to flee their homes. At a November meeting in Vienna, world powers agreed on an ambitious but yet to be implemented road map that foresees six months of intra-Syrian talks, leading to a new constitution and free elections within 18 months.

At least 13 dead in bombing north of Kabul

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KABUL (AFP) - At least 13 people, including nine civilians, were killed Monday in a suicide bombing targeting Afghan police which was claimed by Taliban insurgents in a remote area northwest of Kabul, authorities said.The bomber targeted a local police chief, injuring him on the eve of the latest round of quadrilateral talks to be held in Kabul in a bid to revive the peace process with the Taliban and end more than 14 years of war.There are 13 dead, nine civilians and four policemen, as well as 19 injured, 17 of whom are civilians, Parwan province police chief Mohammed Zaman Mamozai told AFP.Wahid Seddiqi, spokesman for the provincial governor, gave a higher toll of 14 dead, including six policemen and eight civilians, and said the bomber was riding a motorcycle.The Taliban claimed responsibility in a statement on Twitter through spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid.The attack occurred in Siagerd district, some 60 kilometres (around 40 miles) northwest of Kabul, a remote mountainous area where the Taliban are firmly entrenched.Seddiqi said the target was a commander with the Afghan Local Police (ALP), the security force set up by the United States in 2010 to help support the government in its fight against the insurgents.The ALP has been accused of human rights violations and is a regular Taliban target, along with other security forces in the country.The Taliban have intensified their insurgency since the end of NATOs combat mission in late 2014, multiplying bombings and attacks across Afghanistan.But the Afghan government, along with China, Pakistan and the US, have stepped up efforts to revive peace negotiations with the insurgents after an aborted bid last summer. A fourth round of talks to revive the negotiations will be held Tuesday in Kabul.The bombing comes as Afghan troops retreat from two districts in the southern province of Helmand, a move highlighting the challenge from Taliban fighters in the opium-producing region.The Afghan army retreated from two army bases in Musa Qala and one base from Nawzad district on Saturday, provincial governor Khan Rahimi told AFP Monday, leaving no troops anywhere in those districts.He said the soldiers had moved to other parts of Helmand, such as the heavily-contested districts of Lashkar Gah and Sangin, adding: We have no concerns regarding this step but we have plans to ensure security in other vulnerable areas.But the decision was criticised by Abdul Majeed Akhundzada, deputy chief of the provincial council.Retreating from Musa Qala looks to me like ignoring the deaths of Afghan security forces and the civilians, Akhundzada said.Helmand has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the Talibans battle against local and foreign forces that began in 2001.Last October, US President Barack Obama said that thousands of US troops would remain in Afghanistan past 2016 in what is officially a training and support role, backpedalling on previous plans to reduce the force and acknowledging that Afghan forces are not ready to stand alone.The US has deployed several hundred troops in Helmand in recent weeks.In August last year, Taliban insurgents briefly captured the town of Musa Qala before Afghan forces backed by NATO retook it.

British PM warns on Brexit risks as sterling plunges

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LONDON (AFP) - Prime Minister David Cameron warned Monday that a vote to leave the EU would risk Britains economic and national security, as uncertainty over the outcome of the June referendum sent the pound plunging.In a speech to the House of Commons, the Conservative leader launched a barely-veiled attack on London Mayor Boris Johnson, his long-term rival who has come out for Britain exiting the EU -- a Brexit -- accusing him of taking the position for political gain.Johnson challenged the prime minister to demonstrate how the deal reached in Brussels last week would return sovereignty over any field of law-making to the British parliament. Cameron said the deal would give the UK government greater powers over benefits, migration and an opt-out from an ever-closer union. He told MPs to be clear that a vote to leave would be a final decision, not a way to pitch for better membership terms.Having a second renegotiation followed by a second referendum is not on the ballot paper, he said.As sterling fell to a near seven-year low against the dollar on the currency markets, Cameron told lawmakers that it was time to properly face up to the economic consequences of a choice to leave.The pound had strengthened slightly on Friday following Camerons deal with fellow European leaders for enhanced membership within the Union.But the currency fell on Monday following Johnsons dramatic announcement on Sunday evening that he would back a vote to quit the EU.Eurosceptics say Britain would still be able to trade with the European Union outside the bloc and regain control over laws and borders, but Cameron said that this would only be an illusion of sovereignty.He also warned repeatedly that the threats of terrorism and Russian aggression in Ukraine meant remaining in the 28-nation club was more important than ever, saying: This is no time to divide the West.Most analysts expect Britain to vote to stay in the EU on June 23, but opinion polls show the public is divided and the declaration of Johnson for the Leave camp has boosted its chances.The pound plunged to $1.4058 in early afternoon trading Monday, its lowest level since March 2009, before recovering slightly.Simon Smith, chief economist at FxPro, warned uncertainty ahead of the vote would weigh on the currency.For sterling, this wont be a fun time, he said.Cameron set out the details of the reforms secured at an EU summit in Brussels last week, which he argues give Britain special status and are enough reason to vote to stay in.He is facing a major challenge in Johnson, a charismatic figure who manages to reach across the political divide and is tipped as a future prime minister.Johnsons announcement Sunday that he would back a Brexit boosted the Leave campaign, which until then had been marred by in-fighting and a lack of leadership.Six ministers who attend cabinet have already declared themselves in favour of the Leave campaign and reports suggest around a third of Camerons 330 lawmakers could back a Brexit.The premier emphasised that he has promised not to contest the next election and had no other agenda than whats best for our country, a reference to speculation that Johnson is backing Brexit as a move on the Tory leadership.And he condemned the idea that a Leave vote could simply be a tactic to win further EU reforms, an idea indirectly referenced by Johnson, as for the birds.No country has ever left the EU and the prospect of a Brexit is posing a major headache for the bloc, already grappling with its biggest migration crisis since World War II.Britain first joined the then European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973, and in a referendum two years later the public backed membership by just over 67 percent.But the country has had a strained relationship with Brussels, opting out of key projects including the euro and the Schengen passport-free zone.

Thousands of Afghans stranded in Greece as Macedonia shuts border

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IDOMENI (AFP) - Thousands of migrants were left stranded in Greece on Monday after Macedonia abruptly closed its border to Afghans, creating a fresh bottleneck as European countries scrambled to respond to the continents refugee crisis.About 8,000 people were trapped on Greeces northern frontier and at the port of Piraeus after Macedonia introduced the measure on Sunday, following decisions by countries further up the migrant route to turn back groups of Afghans.On Monday afternoon, Macedonia suspended all migrant crossings as tensions rose at the border, where hundreds of Afghans staged a sit-down protest in an area of no-mans land and occupied the railway line connecting the two countries.Desperate to get through, they held signs that read: We cant go back and Why racism?, while dozens of Afghan children also carried signs with the words: Help us cross border.A statement from Macedonias police said they were restricting Afghans because Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia decided to reduce their number.More than 600 Afghan refugees have been sent back to Macedonia in recent days, the statement said.We cant allow Macedonia to become a buffer zone and refugee camp, said a foreign ministry official, declining to be named.Greece, which lies on the frontline of Europes worst refugee crisis since World War II, said it would provide emergency shelter for the blocked migrants while working to find a solution with non-European Union member Macedonia.Since November, countries on the Balkan route have allowed only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans to continue their journey up towards Germany, Sweden and other European nations where they plan to apply for asylum.Macedonias decision to stop letting Afghans through came just two days after Austria controversially introduced a daily limit on asylum applications.We cannot go back. We will either die here or go on, said 20-year-old Afghan Mohamed Asif on the Greek side of the border.In Croatia, a police spokeswoman said they were still allowing some Afghans entry but that most migrants who do not meet the criteria to continue their journey were from Afghanistan -- including some who had been sent back from Slovenia to Croatia.Greeces junior interior minister for migration Yiannis Mouzalas said Athens was racing to negotiate an end the deadlock, telling Vima radio that Athens was trying to exert pressure at the European and bilateral level.However, another Greek government source said they did not expect a solution on Monday.We will accommodate the Afghans whilst trying to prevent overcrowding at any of the facilities available, the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.The arrival last year of more than one million refugees and migrants on Europes shores, many fleeing war, poverty and persecution, has caused a chain reaction of border clampdowns, in a blow to the EUs border-free Schengen zone.As the main gateway into the bloc, Greece has been struggling to cope with the inflow and fears new restrictions by other members will leave tens of thousands stranded on its territory.German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Sunday hit out at the asylum cap imposed by neighbouring Austria, which is now planning its own mini-summit with Western Balkan leaders on Wednesday.De Maiziere told ARD public television that Viennas move to accept only 80 asylum seekers a day while waving through another 3,200 migrants, many of whom were headed for Germany, was unacceptable.EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Friday unanimously opposed unilateral actions by member states after Austria announced its limit.The EU and Turkey are due to hold a special summit in early March to push forward a deal to stem the migration crisis.

Accidents in Rahim Yar Khan, Kashmore claim 6 lives

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RAHIM YAR KHAN/ KASHMORE (Dunya News) - At least six people were killed and 10 other sustained injuries in two separate road accidents in Rahim Yar Khan and Kashmore on Monday, Dunya News reported.According to details, a car collided with a coach at the Kashmore-Rajanpur section of the Indus Highway in Dera More area near Kashmore, killing three persons on the spot who were travelling in the car.The deceased were identified as Abdul Aziz, Sahib Khan and Wazir and were residents of Kandhkot. Police have arrested the driver of the coach.In another accident, a speeding bus collided with a trailer at the National Highway in Sanjarpur area near Rahim Yar Khan and a result three people were killed and 10 other were injured.The ill-fated bus was going to Sadiqabad from Karachi. The driver of the bus managed to escape after the accident.

Patient Williamson keeps New Zealand alive

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CHRISTCHURCH (AFP) - New Zealand captain-in-waiting Kane Williamson led a determined second innings fightback Tuesday to begin setting Australia a target as tempers frayed in the second Test at Christchurch.The morning session on the fourth day ended with Australia visibly animated over an unsuccessful Josh Hazlewood lbw appeal against Williamson.The hotspot showed the ball clipped the base of the bat but the Australians argued with the onfield umpires claiming the decision was wrong.Australian Adam Voges had said before the resumption of play that Williamsons wicket was huge in the game and it was the second lbw appeal they had turned down against New Zealands leading batsman as he neared his 14th Test century.Williamson was a picture of patience and concentration against the reverse swing of the Australians as he and all-rounder Corey Anderson batted through the session.They took New Zealand from 14 runs behind to 62 ahead when they went to lunch at 197 for 4.Williamson, having resumed the day at 45, had moved to 89 with Anderson on 35. They came together when New Zealand were on the ropes at 105 for 4 after starting their second innings 135 in arrears.In an intriguing first session on the fourth day New Zealand survived two other vociferous leg before wicket appeals.Williamson was given out on 54 to Hazlewood but the batsman called for a review which showed an inside edge.Australia lost a review when a James Pattinson shout against Anderson on 17 was turned down, and the replay again showed it was bat first.Three balls later, Anderson had a life when he drove Pattinson straight to Mitchell Marsh in the gully but the fielder was unable to grasp the head-high opportunity. When Williamson reached 60, driving Marsh down the ground for two, he became the fastest New Zealander to score 4,000 Test runs, achieving the milestone in his 89th innings. The previous record was held by Martin Crowe who took 93 innings. The 25-year-old Williamson, who will take over the New Zealand captaincy following the retirement of Brendon McCullum at the end of this Test, ended the morning session in sight of his first Test century of the year after scoring five in 2015, including two against Australia.

LeJ activist Asif Chotu arrested from DG Khan

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DERA GHAZI KHAN (Dunya News) – Intelligence agencies arrested activist of banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Asif Chotu, during an operation in Dera Ghazi Khan on Monday, Dunya News reported.Asif Chotu, who carried a head money of Rs 10 million, was on the most wanted terrorist list of the law enforcement agencies. He was shifted to some undisclosed location after the arrest.Rizwan alias Nasir alias Asif Chotu was a resident of Muzaffargarh. Asif Chotu along with four of his accomplices carried out target killing of two Iranian engineers Murtaza and Ali Muhammad, who were working on Clifton Bridge, in the year 1998.Asif Chotu also murdered Managing Director PSO, Shoukat Raza in Clifton. Asif Chotu group also shot dead the then chairman PIA and son of former army general Musa Khan in Jamshaid Quarters area.Several cases have been registered against Asif Chotu in Karachi but police failed to arrest him. Asif Chotu had joined banned Sipah-e-Sahaba in the nineties. He was then appointed commander of banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi in Karachi and after the death of Malik Ishaq, he was appointed Ameer of LeJ.
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