Thursday, 31 March 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Nishikori rises from the brink to reach Miami semis

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MIAMI (AFP) - Kei Nishikori saved five match points to advance into the semi-finals of the ATP and WTA Miami Open on Thursday, outlasting Gael Monfils 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).Japanese sixth seed Nishikori denied the 16th-seeded Frenchman four times in the 10th game of the final set and again in the 12th before taking the last three tie-breaker points to end a tension-packed thriller after two hours and 29 minutes.In my mind I thought, Play one good point at a time, Nishikori said. I kept my focus quite well.Nishikori, the 2014 US Open runner-up, will play Friday for a berth in Sundays final against the winner of a later match between Australian 24th seed Nick Kyrgios and Canadian 12th seed Milos Raonic.Top-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays Belgian 15th seed David Goffin in the other semi-final.The womens semi-finals began with two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova beating Swiss 19th seed Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-3.The 30-year-old Russian, who captured the Miami crown a decade ago, will play for the title again Saturday against the winner of a later match between Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber of Germany and former world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.Kuznetsova, who ousted top-ranked Serena Williams in the fourth round, has split eight career matches against Azarenka and owns a 4-3 edge on Kerber in their rivalry.Monfils has not reached a semi-final since last April at Monte Carlo but he made a spectacular run at it against Nishikori, firing 12 aces and racing across the court throughout the match.I wasnt expecting him to be that fast, Nishikori said.Monfils, 29, broke Nishikori, 26, with a backhand winner to level the final set and held serve to 5-4, then had three match points in the 10th game, only to fire errant backhands each time.Nishikori rescued a fourth match point in the game with a forehand winner to extend the drama and saved a fifth in the 12th game with a forehand volley winner, setting the stage for the tie-breaker.There was great intensity out there, Monfils said. At 3-4 I really raised my level. I started to be aggressive and go for it.I had the opportunity to close it out but Kei played strong. He fought well. In the breaker, he was just better than me.Trailing 4-3 in the tie-breaker, Monfils netted a forehand volley and sent another forehand long before Nishikori ended it with a forehand winner.Monfils hasnt beaten a top-10 foe since topping second-ranked Roger Federer last year in Monte Carlo.I feel Im in the right direction, said Monfils. I dont feel Im far from those guys.Nishikori, who beat Monfils in 2014 on Halle grass in their only prior meeting, won his fourth consecutive Memphis title in February for his 11th career ATP crown.Kuznetsova denied Bacsinszky on 12-of-14 break point chances, including three in the final game.I enjoyed the fight and Im happy Im still able to play against the best in the world, Kuznetsova said. I was praying to finish it in two sets so I would have a little more time to rest.Kuznetsova, the 2004 US Open and 2009 French Open champion, seeks her 17th WTA title and by reaching her 38th career final ensured she will crack the $20 million career prize money mark this weekend.Ranked 19th, Kuznetsova would jump to 10th by taking the title. It would be her first time in the top 10 since May of 2010.She is the lowest-ranked Miami finalist since a 38th-rated Kim Clijsters in 2005.

Tennis: Kuznetsova beats Bacsinszky to reach Miami final

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MIAMI (AFP) - Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the final of the ATP and WTA Miami Open on Thursday by defeating Swiss 19th seed Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-3.The 30-year-old Russian, who captured the Miami crown a decade ago, denied Bacsinszky on 12-of-14 break point chances, including three in the final game.I enjoyed the fight and Im happy Im still able to play against the best in the world, Kuznetsova said. I was praying to finish it in two sets so I would have a little more time to rest.Kuznetsova will play for the title again Saturday against the winner of a later match between Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber of Germany and former world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.Kuznetsova, who ousted top-ranked Serena Williams in the fourth round, has split eight career matches against Azarenka and owns a 4-3 edge on Kerber in their rivalry.The mens quarter-finals conclude later as well with Japanese sixth seed Kei Nishikori facing French 16th seed Gael Monfils and Australian 24th seed Nick Kyrgios meeting Canadian 12th seed Milos Raonic.The winners will meet in a semi-final on Friday, when top-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays Belgian 15th seed David Goffin in the other semi-final.Kuznetsova, the 2004 US Open and 2009 French Open champion, won her 16th career WTA title in January at Sydney and by reaching her 38th career final ensured she will crack the $20 million career prize money mark this weekend.Ranked 19th, Kuznetsova would jump to 10th by capturing the title. It would be her first time in the top 10 since May of 2010.She is the lowest-ranked Miami finalist since a 38th-rated Kim Clijsters in 2005.Kuznetsova held after saving two break points in the 11th game, one with a service winner and the other on a backhand winner, and broke Bacsinszky on a forehand winner to take the first set in 64 minutes.After two early exchanges of breaks to open the second set, Kuznetsova broke Bacsinszky in the sixth game for a 4-2 edge and served for the match at 5-3.Kuznetsova denied Bacsinszky on three break points, two with service winners and the other on a forehand winner, and triumphed on her first match point with a backhand winner.I was trying to run as much as I could, Kuznetsova said. I can move well but I still need to attack and serve well and still finish the points.

Sports: Jordan, Beckham are richest retirees in sport

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NEW YORK (AFP) - NBA legend Michael Jordan and English football superstar David Beckham are the worlds richest retired sports stars, according to a Forbes magazine study.Jordan, a six-time NBA champion in the 1990s with the Chicago Bulls who now owns the leagues Charlotte Hornets, made $110 million (96.5 million euros) last year to top the magazines list. He retired in 2003.With his Nike brand still a top money-spinner and endorsement deals, Jordan, 53, is worth $1.1 billion and will make at least $30 million more than any other athlete in the world this year, active or retired, the magazine estimated.Beckham, leading an investment group in the early stages of launching a Major League Soccer expansion team in Miami, ranked second at $65 million. Major endorsement deals in Britain and China helped boost the 40-year-olds position.Golf legend Arnold Palmer, 86, ranked third at $40 million. His Bay Hill resort hosts a PGA Tour event and his iced tea-lemonade drink is a top-selling US brand.Topping the womens charts in 14th was Chinas tennis star Li Na, 34, at $14 million. She retired two years ago but remains an iconic endorsement figure in her homeland. She won the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open titles.Junior Bridgeman, who played mainly as a reserve for 12 years in the NBA before retiring in 1987, was fourth at $32 million, thanks to a owning a diverse lineup of restaurant franchises, with 1950s National Football League player Jerry Richardson, owner of a restaurant chain and the NFL Carolina Panthers, fifth on $30 million.Jack Nicklaus, who won a record 18 major golf titles, was sixth on $26 million, largely due to his course design business.He was followed by former NBA big man Shaquille ONeal on $22 million, former race car driver turned car dealer and team owner Roger Penske on $20 million, South African golf legend Gary Player on $19 million and NBA legend Magic Johnson at $18 million.Among other top international athletes was Australian golfer Greg Norman, 12th overall at $15 million thanks to course design and the sale of a sports management business, and Brazilian football icon Pele on $14 million.

Golf: Hoffman seizes first-round Houston Open lead

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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Charley Hoffman fired nine birdies in an eight-under par 64 on Thursday to grab a one-shot lead after the first round of the Houston Open over a quartet of players that included Dustin Johnson.Hoffmans 64 was one stroke shy of the Tournament Course record at the Golf Club of Houston held by five players.He opened with a birdie at the 10th, and added birdies at 13 and 14 -- adding a burst of four straight birdies from the first through fourth holes.Hit it great, said Hoffman, who won the most recent of his three PGA Tour titles in 2014. Hit a lot of fairways, hit a ton of greens, gave myself a bunch of chances and luckily enough a few went in today.Johnson, a nine-time winner on the PGA Tour, powered into contention with a 10-footer for eagle at his penultimate hole, the par-five eighth and a birdie at the last, where he holed a long one from the fringe.Johnson was tied for second with fellow Americans Roberto Castro, Scott Brown and Morgan Hoffmann.Another four Americans were tied on 66: Johnson Wagner, Justin Hicks, Chez Reavie and Scott Pinckney.Overall, it was a great day, Johnson said after a round that included seven birdies total.I made just two bogeys and one of them was a mud ball on five.Then I had a penalty shot on the par-five 13th. Other than that, I felt like I played really solid today and holed some nice putts, he said.World number two Jordan Spieth, trying to build momentum heading into his Masters title defence next week, carded a 67 that left him tied for 10th.Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson opened with a 69.Defending champion JB Holmes, who won last year in a playoff with Spieth and Wagner, withdrew from the tournament on Wednesday with a shoulder injury. He was replaced in Thursdays group with Spieth and Patrick Reed by Luke List, who carded a 68.

Cycling: Westra snatches Three Days of De Panne victory

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DE PANNE (AFP) - Dutchman Lieuwe Westra won the Three Days of De Panne on Thursday, beating defending champion Alexander Kristoff by 13 seconds overall.Westra finished fourth in the concluding time trial, after Marcel Kittel had taken the victory in the 111km first part of stage three earlier in the day by beating Kristoff and Phil Bauhaus in a sprint.In the second part of the final day, Pole Maciej Bodnar edged out Tony Martin to win the 14.2km time-trial in De Panne.Katusha man Kristoff went into the final stage seven seconds clear of Alexey Lutsenko and 12 ahead of Westra, but Astanas Westra did enough to overhaul the Norwegian, who finished down in eighth.Kazakh Lutsenko had to settle for seventh in the time-trial and third overall, 16 seconds adrift of champion Westra.It was stressful until the end, I did not want to finish second again, said 33-year-old Westra, who finished as runner-up in 2011 and 2012.My legs felt good and I set a good time. Not good enough for a double win, but I am already very happy with the final victory.Some people are a bit choosy about this time-trial, but not me. Im just pleased to have written my name into the history of the race.

Offensive words against Altaf condemnable: MQM Rabita Committee

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Rabita Committee Thursday responded, by issuing a statement, against the severe criticism hurled at their party chief Altaf Hussain by Pak Sar Zameen Party (PSP) leader Mustafa Kamal. The Rabita Committee stated that the use of offensive words against Hussain was highly condemnable.According to the statement, the Committee said that people with an unprincipled conscience were hurling abuses at Hussain. The statement added that every group has the right to express their opinion, but hurling abuses and issuing inflammatory statements against someone was against the democratic and ethical values.The statement further said that the government should take notice of these provocative statements and should conduct action against these elements.

Pak Sar Zameen Party opens office in Mirpur Khas, Kamal lambasts opponents

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MIRPUR KHAS (Dunya News) – Pak Sar Zameen Party (PSP) opened its office in Mirpur Khas Thursday. Addressing the gathered workers at the inaugural ceremony, former Mayor Karachi and leader of PSP, Mustafa Kamal, once again lambasted his opponents. He stated that the party will replace the stones in the hands of those who pelted them in Mirpur Khas and Tando Allahyar with pens.Addressing the workers in Muhajir Colony, Kamal severely criticized MQM chief Altaf Hussain, without naming him. He congratulated the workers who faced the stones hurled at them by their opponents and advised his workers of not taking vengeance. He added that those hurling stones will be welcomed the next time.Former MQM member Anees Qaimkhani also addressed the workers. The party leaders were earlier given a grand welcome on their arrival.Tension ran high earlier as MQM and Kamal’s Pak Sar Zameen Party (PSP) workers clashed with one another in the areas of Mirpur Khas and Tando Allahyar. MQM’s enraged group pelted the vehicles of Kamal’s cavalcade with stones, shattering the windows of many.According to the details, Confrontation occurred between the MQM and PSP group. Both groups chanted slogans against one another. The war of words then escalated into a brawl.A contingent of police arrived and provided a safe passage to Kamal’s cavalcade towards the rally point.

Lahore: Police take 39 into custody during search operation

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Police late Thursday night took 39 tenants into custody during a search operation in several places of factory area of Lahore. A case was registered against 12 of the individuals for violation of the Punjab Tenancy Act.According to the police, these people living on rent in the houses but their identification documents had not been submitted in the concerned police station due to which they have been taken into custody.Further interrogation from individuals taken into custody is being conducted.

Karachi: Gang war commander, accomplice killed in police encounter

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Police conducted a search operation in Mochko Mawach Goth area on Thursday on a tip-off that terrorists were present in the area and shot dead two gang war accused after an encounter, Dunya News reported.According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) City Fida Hussain, the terrorists opened fire at the search party which was retaliated as a result two accused, including gang war commander Shakeel, were killed. The killed gang war accused belonged to Baba Ladla group. Police sources said that both the dead accused were involved in several cases of target killings, extortion and hand grenade attacks.On the other hand, police conducted a raid on a popular Shisha Café in Clifton area and arrested two persons.

One in eight adults now obese: global survey

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PARIS (AFP) - Over one in eight adults are now obese -- a ratio that has more than doubled since 1975 and will swell to one in five by 2025, a major survey reported Friday.Of about five billion adults alive in 2014, 641 million were obese, the data showed -- and projected the number will balloon past 1.1 billion in just nine years.The research warned of a looming crisis of severe obesity and disease brought on by high-fat, high-sugar diets causing blood pressure and cholesterol to rise.There will be health consequences of magnitudes that we do not know, author Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London told AFP.The survey, published in The Lancet medical journal, claimed to be the most comprehensive of its kind conducted to date.People are divided into healthy or unhealthy weight categories based on a universally-adopted measure dubbed Body Mass Index (BMI) -- a ratio of weight-to-height squared.A healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. One is considered underweight below 18.5, overweight from 25 up, and obese from 30 -- when the risk of diabetes, stroke, heart disease and some cancers escalates massively.With a BMI of 35 one is categorised as severely obese, and from 40 upward as morbidly so.Among men globally, obesity tripled from 3.2 percent of the population in 1975 to 10.8 percent in 2014 (some 266 million), and among women from 6.4 percent to 14.9 percent (375 million), said the survey -- 12.9 percent combined.This was equivalent to the average adult, 18 and older, being 1.5 kilos (3.3 pounds) heavier every decade.If the rate of obesity continues at this pace, by 2025 roughly a fifth of men (18 percent) and women (21 percent) will be obese, according to a statement by The Lancet.More than six percent of men and nine percent of women will be severely obese.The ratio of underweight people in the world declined at a slower rate than obesity grew, said the authors -- from about 13.8 percent in 1975 to 8.8 percent for men, and 14.6 percent to 9.7 percent for women.Over the past 40 years, we have changed from a world in which underweight prevalence was more than double that of obesity, to one in which more people are obese than underweight, said Ezzati.At current rates, more women will be severely obese (a BMI of 35 or more) than underweight by 2025, and the world will miss its stated target of halting obesity at 2010 levels.In 2014, the worlds fattest people lived in the island nations of Polynesia and Micronesia, where 38 percent of men and more than half of women were obese, said the study.Nearly a fifth of the worlds obese adults (118 million) lived in six high-income countries -- the United States, Britain, Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.The US was home to one in four severely obese men and almost one in five severely obese women in the world.At the other extreme, the paper said, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia and Eritrea had the lowest BMI numbers in the world, with averages as low as 20.1More than a fifth of men in India, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Ethiopia, and a quarter of women in Bangladesh and India, were underweight.The global focus on the obesity epidemic has largely overshadowed the persistence of underweight in some countries, the research paper said.To address this problem will require social and food policies that enhance food security in poor households, but also avoid overconsumption of processed carbohydrates and other unhealthy foods.Like being underweight, severe and morbid obesity has many health risks.We can deal with some of these, like higher cholesterol or blood pressure, through medicines, said Ezzati.But for many others, including diabetes, we dont have effective treatment.The paper says stomach-shrinking bariatric surgery may become the most effective intervention for weight loss and disease prevention as waistlines continue expanding.The data was compiled from 1,698 studies involving 19.2 million adults from 186 countries which are home to 99 percent of the worlds population.Unlike earlier research, studies were only included if the participants height and weight had been measured -- not self-reported.The data did not include statistics on children and teenagers.

Karachi: 3 terrorists among 12 arrested in Rangers, police operations

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Crackdown against criminal elements continued in Karachi as Rangers and Police detained 12 accused, including three terrorists, during operations in different parts of Karachi on Thursday.According to details, Special Investigations Unit (SIU) police conducted an operation near Machar Colony Railway Crossing and detained three accused. One repeater and two pistols were recovered from the arrested persons. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SIU, Farooq Awan, informed media that the arrested persons were involved in several cases of robberies and other street crimes.Police also conducted an operation in Shah Faisal Colony and arrested an accused who was robbing the residents.On the other hand, Rangers conducted operations in Manghu Pir and Landhi areas and arrested three terrorists. Rangers also conducted operations in other localities and arrested five accused. A Rangers spokesman said that target killers and extortionists were among the arrested persons.

Dhoni responds playfully to reporter's retirement question

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – After a defeat by West Indies in a suspenseful and fiercely contested World T-20 match, Indian Captain MS Dhoni was seen in a light mood during a press conference after the match.The conference turned interesting when a foreign reporter asked the Indian skipper about his retirement. The Captain’s response left everyone in fits of laughter.He invited the reporter on to the stage, seated him right by his side, flung his arm friendlily over the media personnel’s shoulder and staring at him, asked “Do you want me to retire?” The reporter responded with a no. Dhoni again questioned him saying “Do you think I’m unfit”, to which the reporter again answered no.Finally, Dhoni questioned him “Do you think I can survive up until the 2019 World Cup”, the reporter responded in the affirmative. To this, Dhoni stated “Then you have answered the question”.Upon this, the room erupted with laughter.WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

Punjab CM watches WT20 semi-final, congratulates West Indies

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – There is no shortage of passionate cricket fans all across Pakistan, be it the common man or the Prime Minister (PM) of the country. Punjab’s very own Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Shareef is an avid follower of the game, as he was seen enjoying the World T-20 India Vs West Indies semi-final Thursday from the comfort of his home’s lounge. He congratulated West Indies over its stunning victory over India.Sharif remained active on social media websites, uploading pictures and expressing his views on the game.Congratz WI ... what a match pic.twitter.com/qCFDduB3A6— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 31, 2016 West Indies managed to secure a place in the grand World T-20 finale against England by beating India in a match that proved to be one of the finest of the tournament.

Oil prices rise on weak dollar

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices edged higher for the second day in a row Thursday on dollar weakness in the aftermath of Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellens dovish signals this week.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in May added two cents at $38.34 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.Brent North Sea crude for May delivery, the global benchmark, rose to $39.60 a barrel in London, up 34 cents from Wednesdays settlement.Prices swung back and forth into losses and gains before settling slightly higher.The rise in prices is mostly a function of the lower dollar. The dollar is down strongly today and was at a five-month low at one point, so crude oil came back, rallied into the green, said Bob Yawger of Mizuho Securities USA.A weaker greenback typically bolsters the appeal of the dollar-priced commodity for buyers using stronger currencies. The dollar has slumped since Yellen sounded a cautious tone Tuesday on raising US interest rates, given the global economic slowdown.Analysts said the market remained focused on the global oversupply of crude, which is keeping a lid on prices. The United States reported Wednesday that commercial crude inventories had climbed last week to another record high, underscoring the glut.Yawger pointed to reports that OPEC had boosted production in March, even as the 13-nation cartel plans to meet with non-OPEC producers next month to discuss a potential output freeze to stabilize the market. Oil prices are down more than 60 percent from mid-2014.That flies in the face of the April 17 meeting so that was a bearish development and helped to the downside, he said.Tim Evans of Citi Futures highlighted that early estimates of March OPEC production suggested a net increase of 100,000 barrels per day.

Dollar hits 5-month low vs euro

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar sank to a five-month low against the euro Thursday, suffering from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellens comments suggesting the global slowdown would delay a US interest rate increase.Traders were bracing for Fridays US jobs report to see if one of the economys strongest points, the labor market, is showing cracks.Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management said the dollar had clawed back some ground toward the end of the day, possibly a sign investors were hoping a strong jobs report would boost the US currency.The Labor Department reported initial US jobless claims rose by 11,000 last week, more than analysts expected, but still in a historically low trend.The dollar sank to $1.1412 per euro, its lowest level in five and a half months, before paring back the loss to $1.1377 per euro by sessions end. Non-farm payrolls is only important when it can be a game changer for Federal Reserve policy but Janet Yellen made it very clear that they have no intention of raising interest rates in April and unless theres significant improvements at home and abroad, rates will remain steady in June as well, Lien said.
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Wednesday, 30 March 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Dubai announces first airport tax on passengers

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DUBAI (AFP) - The emirate of Dubai, whose airport is the worlds busiest for international passengers, announced Wednesday it was introducing a tax on travellers to help finance expansion, as Gulf governments grabble with plummeting revenues.The 35-dirham ($9.50) fee will apply to all passengers, including those transitting in Dubai, on all flights from June 30, according to a statement carried by WAM state news agency.It is the first time Dubai has announced a passenger tax, which is imposed in many airports worldwide.More than 78 million passengers passed through Dubai International in 2015, keeping its place as the worlds busiest for international passengers since overtaking London Heathrow in 2014.Last month, Dubai Airports increased the capacity of its main airport to 90 million passengers with the opening of concourse D, at a cost of $1.2 billion.Dubai has a smaller second airport, Al-Maktoum International, which opened in 2013 and will receive 120 million passengers a year once completed.The receipts of the new tax will be channelled into funding the expansion of Dubai airports, the statement said.Although part of the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, Dubai has dwindling oil wealth, and its revenues are diversified compared to its oil-dependent Gulf peers.But the whole region is struggling to cope with a sharp drop in oil revenues since crude prices nosedived.Situated on transcontinental air routes, Dubai is one of several Gulf-based airports to experience prodigious growth in recent years.Around 100 airlines fly to more than 240 destinations from the international hub, which is also home to carrier Emirates.

Bangladesh court orders opposition leader Zia's arrest

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DHAKA (AFP) - A Bangladesh court on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Khaleda Zia over a fire-bomb attack on a bus that killed two people and injured dozens last year, a prosecutor said.The Dhaka court accused Zia and 27 other leaders and officials of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of instigating the petrol bomb attack as part of a deadly anti-government campaign of arson.She is the main accused in the case, prosecutor Shah Alam Talukdar told AFP.The court issued the warrant of arrest against her and 27 other senior officials and activists.It is not the first time that Zia -- the bitter political rival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina -- has faced arrest, and BNP spokesman Ruhul Kabir Rizvi dismissed the charge as laughable.This is politically motivated and is part of deep conspiracy against her, he said.The attack took place during a nationwide blockade last year of roads, rail and waterways that the 70-year-old Zia called to try to force Hasina to resign and pave the way for new elections.The blockade unleashed a wave of deadly violence, leaving more than 120 people dead as opposition activists fire-bombed hundreds of buses and trucks and police responded by firing live rounds.Zia was confined to her office compound in Dhaka for months during the blockade, after she threatened to lead an anti-government rally through the capital on the anniversary of a disputed national election.There was no way she could have instigated the violence as she was confined to her office at that time, her lawyer Sanaullah Miah told AFP.This case is just to harass her and to keep her politically under pressure.Around 15,000 opposition supporters and dozens of BNP senior officials have been arrested as part of a crackdown by Hasina in the wake of the unrest.A judge in the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court issued the warrant against Zia after accepting a police charge-sheet over the attack in Dhaka on January 10, 2015.However, it was not immediately clear whether police would act on the order. Another arrest warrant issued against Zia last year was never executed.BNP protestEither way, the order is another blow to the two-times former premier, who has described previous cases against her as politically motivated and aimed at keeping her out of politics.Police said up to 200 BNP activists and supporters staged a protest in front of the party headquarters in Dhaka as news of the courts move emerged.They shouted slogans and staged an impromptu demonstration. But they moved back to the party office before police reached the spot, assistant commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Saifur Rahman told AFP.The BNPs second-in-command, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, was arrested Wednesday on separate charges related to the 2015 unrest. He was held in jail before being granted bail on health grounds.The BNP boycotted the 2014 general election, leaving the field clear for its rivals.The party was further weakened by the crackdown last year, when police pressed charges against thousands of their leaders and grassroots activists over the fire-bombing campaign.The party has recently been trying to stage a comeback, holding a leadership election this month after more than six years. It wants to introduce fresh faces into the leadership.

Tennis: Azarenka downs Konta to reach Miami semi-finals

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MIAMI (AFP) - Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka advanced to the semi-finals of the ATP and WTA Miami Open on Wednesday by defeating British 24th seed Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2.Azarenka, the champion at Indian Wells earlier this month, will next face the winner of a later match between German second seed Angelique Kerber, the reigning Australian Open champion, and US 22nd seed Madison Keys.Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia and Swiss 19th seed Timea Bacsinszky will meet in Thursdays other womens semi-final.Eighth-ranked Azarenka, who was injured last year and had not been in the worlds top 10 since August of 2014 until last week, will jump to fifth next week as a result of the victory.Im going to continue to fight and get better, Azarenka said. Im trying to push myself, keep the intensity high.The mens quarter-finals began with Belgian 15th seed David Goffin rallying to beat French 18th seed Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.It was tough at the start with a little bit of wind. It wasnt easy to finish a point, Goffin said. I just tried to stay in the match and focus on what I had to do.Goffin matched his semi-final run from Indian Wells and will next play the winner of a later match between top-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic and Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych.Im feeling so good, Goffin said. Im having a great month, confident for the rest of the event and the season.Azarenka, who won the 2009 and 2011 Miami titles, could become only the third woman to win back-to-back in Miami humidity and Indian Wells desert heat after Steffi Graf in 1994 and 1996 and Kim Clijsters in 2005.If I win, thats great, Azarenka said. But right now Im looking to the semis.Azarenka, who won her first title since 2013 in January at Brisbane, seeks her 20th career WTA singles crown after beating world number one Serena Williams in the Indian Wells final.Australian Open semi-finalist Konta, who was born in Australia and became a British citizen in 2012, is the first British woman in the top 25 since 1987.In the first set, Konta double-faulted away a break to give Azarenka a 4-3 lead and lost a break point in the eighth game on a review. Azarenka held that game and rescued two break points in the 10th game, taking the set when Konta netted a backhand.In the second, Azarenka broke to love for a 2-1 lead, part of a run of 11 consecutive points. Konta sent a forehand long to surrender another break in the fifth game and Azarenka held twice to advance.I couldnt get a good rhythm on her serve at the beginning. It was tough, Azarenka said. But once I got into that rhythm, I was able to make a difference.Djokovic, trying to match Andre Agassis record of six Miami titles, has won 13 matches in a row at the hardcourt event and 27 of his past 28.The 28-year-old Serbian won his 11th Grand Slam title two months ago at the Australian Open and also has crowns this year at Doha and Indian Wells.Berdych has a career win-loss record of 2-22 against Djokovic and has lost their past nine meetings over three years.

Boxing: Pacquiao leaves door open to retirement U-turn

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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Manny Pacquiao said Wednesday he intends to stick to his plan to retire after a farewell fight against Timothy Bradley next week -- but admits he could be tempted into a rethink once he has hung up his gloves. The 37-year-old is preparing to bring the curtain down on one of the greatest careers boxing has ever seen when he fights Bradley for the third time at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 9. The devoutly religious Pacquiao is hoping to win election to the Philippines Senate in May elections, hoping to use his profile to serve the people in what he describes as a crusade to root out wickedness. But speaking to reporters at the famed Wild Card gym in the heart of Hollywood on Wednesday, Pacquiao refused to definitively rule out a possible return to the ring at some point in the future. Asked by AFP to confirm if Bradley would be his last fight, Pacquiao replied: After this Ive decided to go back to the Philippines and serve the people. Thats it. Yet when pressed further on whether he could change his mind, Pacquiao refused to rule out a return. Im not saying. Its hard to say. At the moment Im here training for the next fight. I cannot say yes or no. My decision is to go back to the Philippines and help the people. I dont want to say something that you know we dont know yet. I dont know what the feeling is going to be like when Im retired. Some of those closest to Pacquiao -- veteran promoter Bob Arum and his long-time trainer Freddie Roach -- hope he prolongs his career. Im hoping its not his last fight because I still think he has a lot left in him, Roach said. Theres some interesting fights out there. Roach said he had not given up hope of securing a rematch of Pacquiaos mega-fight with the now retired Floyd Mayweather.Pacquiao was comfortably beaten on points by Mayweather, later complaining that an injured shoulder had hampered his performance. Could we get a rematch with Mayweather? I would like to because I was disappointed with the first performance, Roach said.Maybe his shoulder had a lot to do with it. But I know he can do much better and I think he can beat Mayweather. Roach however said he had not sought to change Pacquiaos planned retirement date -- and acknowledged that extending his fighters career would be made more complicated if he won election to the Senate. I havent tried changing his mind, Roach said. Im not putting pressure on him. But I know there are a couple of big fights out there for him. If he becomes Senator that might have a lot to do with it because it involves a lot of work and he wont have the time. Im kind of hoping a little bit that he doesnt become Senator, Roach quipped.Arum, the 84-year-old matchmaker, offered a novel suggestion to enable Pacquiao to simultaneously pursue pugilism and politics. Manny could train downstairs at the Wild Card and the Philippines Senate could meet upstairs, Arum joked. Arum said he is sceptical Pacquiao will stay retired after the Bradley bout. I saw him in New York recently and he told me flat out this was his last fight, Arum said. But since then, reading his body language, I dont think hes going to hold to that. If he wins this fight, hes going to find a way to continue. If youve been doing something and doing something well since you were seven or eight years old its a tough thing to give up.

Formula One: Hamilton relishing battles ahead as sport faces more scrutiny

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MANAMA (AFP) - Three-time drivers world champion Lewis Hamilton says he relishes the prospect of another wheel-to-wheel scrap with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and the Ferrari team at this weekends Bahrain Grand Prix.The 31-year-old Briton, who finished second behind Rosberg at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, has been involved in previous thrilling and close battles with the German at the Bahrain International Circuit.And he fought back after a bad start in Australia to help Mercedes deliver a one-two at the opening race after a fight to catch and overhaul the Ferrari drivers, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and the Finnish 2007 title-winner Kimi Raikkonen.Im excited by the thought that there will be more races like Melbourne, said Hamilton.We know there are going to be weekends where we are a few seconds up the road ahead of the Ferrari (team), races where its wheel to wheel and some races where they might be ahead.At the moment, we really dont know what lies ahead and that makes it exciting. Bahrain has been very entertaining for the past two seasons so more of the same would be great for everyone.Vettel and Raikkonen made the most of slow starts by the two Mercedes men in Melbourne to take control of the race and lead for more than half of the distance before they were reeled in -- partly due to tyre strategy decisions -- and overhauled.This weekend, Ferrari expect to be stronger still and may have a good early opportunity to break the Mercedes grip on early-season victories.Rosberg said: Weve stepped up our game once again this year, but Ferrari were a real threat all weekend in Melbourne and its clear that weve got a big battle on our hands.Ive had some great battles in Bahrain in the last two years, with Lewis and the Ferraris, so Im expecting more of the same and looking forward to that...Team boss Toto Wolff confirmed that Mercedes fear Ferrari more than ever this weekend, but added that he was as worried about the sports image and the likelihood of another fiasco in qualifying on Saturday.A new format of progressive elimination in which a driver was knocked out every 90 seconds resulted in near-uproar in Melbourne when the session ended without a car on the track.An immediate unanimous decision by the teams to revert to the former system of qualifying, in three timed mini-sessions without individual eliminations, failed to gain the full support of the F1 Commission.As a result, the much-maligned new format will be used again in the hot and dry conditions at the Bahrain track at Sakhir, 30 kilometres south-west of the island capital Manama.The teams were unanimous in their opinion of it in Melbourne -- and it wasnt positive, said Wolff. We havent found the right format with this change and its hard to see how it might be more entertaining for the fans this weekend in Bahrain.The sport is under scrutiny on this matter, so careful thought is required in order to make co-ordinated, intelligent steps forward from the position we are in.The fans want close racing in a format they can understand between the best drivers and cars in the world, in that order. We should be capable of delivering that.Since the Australian race, the drivers have voiced their concerns at the knee-jerk decision-making system and called for an overhaul of the administration of the sport.In an open letter, the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) said the rules structure was obsolete and in need of reform -- a position that was quickly supported by F1s veteran commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone.As the circus flies in to Bahrain, there will be as much attention paid -- once again -- to the politics in the paddock and beyond as the action out on track.

Cycling: Viviani outsprints Kittel, Kristoff leads De Panne

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KOKSIJDE (AFP) - Italys Elia Viviani claimed the second stage of Three Days of De Panne on Wednesday, edging out Germanys Marcel Kittel and overall leader Alexander Kristoff in a sprint finish after a 211km run from Zottegem.A seven-man breakaway breathed life into the stage, with Dutch rider Pim Ligthart the final escapee to be swallowed up around 20km from the finish.Etixx-QuickStep set up Kittel to launch an assault for the line with around 250 metres to go, but the German sprint specialist was overtaken by a charging Elia, as the Team Sky rider notched up his second win of the season after claiming a stage on Februarys Tour of Dubai.Katusha rider Kristoff, winner of Tuesdays opening stage and the defending champion, holds a five-second lead going into Thursdays concluding split stages - a 111km trip around De Panne is followed by a 14.2km time-trial.

Uzair Baloch reveals 10 key operatives of Lyari gangwar's women wing

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Significant developments were made during the interrogation of Lyari gangwar head Uzair Baloch Thursday. Baloch revealed the names of 10 key operatives of Lyari gangwar’s women wing.According to the investigation sources, the 10 women wing of gangwar revealed by Baloch include Yasmeen, Fatima, Gul Bibi, Quratulain, Nabila, Sameera, Malika and Samreen.These women used to act as facilitators for the gangwar. Sources say the women of the militant group were used during extortion and delivery of ammunition. The female operatives’ wing was used for disposing the dead bodies in various areas after murder.Baloch further revealed that money collected by extortion is handed over to a woman named Annie.Investigative sources say that action shall soon be launched against Lyari gangwar’s women wing.

Karachi: 2 terrorists among 5 detained during Rangers operations

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Rangers conducted operations in different parts of Karachi in Wednesday and arrested five accused. Two terrorists were among the arrested persons.According to details, Rangers conducted an operation in Banaras area and detained two terrorists. A Rangers spokesman informed media that the arrested militants belonged to a banned outfit.A target killer was taken into custody during Rangers operation in Ranchore Line area. Rangers spokesman said that arms were also recovered from his possession.Rangers also conducted an operation in Shah Faisal Colony and arrested two extortionists. Rangers sources said that the arrested person were wanted in several cases.

Karachi: Residents thrash, shave head of fake 'Amil' over fraud

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Residents of New Karachi Town Wednesday night shaved off the head and beard of a fake ‘Amil’ (shaman) and then proceeded to thrash him. Residents then handed him over to the police after beating him up. The citizens were enraged over the ‘Amil’s’ fraudulent schemes for conning people for their money.According to the police, the fraud con artist Adnan Shah used to deceive and took money from people by showing his pictures with influential personages.Residents handed him over to New Karachi area’s police station. A case has been registered against him.WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

Quetta: FIA arrests four in raid at NADRA verification office

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QUETTA (Dunya News) – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted a raid at NADRA verification office situated at the Airport Road On Wednesday and arrested four officials, Dunya News reported.According to FIA sources, Additional Director Nisar, Additional Director Mazhar, DEO Irfan Kakar and AS Kashif were taken into custody during the raid. Suurces further said that the raid on NADRA verification office was conducted on reports of issuance of fake CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card).

Punjab: Law enforcement agencies' crackdown, 150 taken into custody

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Law enforcement agencies’ late Wednesday night continued their crackdown against criminal and terrorist elements in Punjab province. 150 alleged suspects were taken into custody from Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Vehari.According to the details, police and officials of the Elite Force, on advice of Central Police Office (CPO) conducted a search operation in various areas and Afghan villages of Faisalabad. 80 alleged suspects were taken into custody during the operation.In Vehari, police and officials of Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) conducted a joint operation in Mailsi and Gaggo Mandi. 39 suspects were arrested during the operation.Law enforcement agencies in Multan took 4 alleged suspects into custody from Pir Colony.According to police sources, a search operation was conducted in Allama Iqbal Town and Hanjerwal areas of Lahore, in which intelligence officials and CTD also took part. Identification documents of residents were checked during the search operation.17 people who were unable to produce the required documents were taken into custody. Questioning from those taken into custody is underway.

Death toll rises to 7 in Guinea Ebola outbreak

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CONAKRY (AFP) - A resurgence of Ebola in a rural Guinean community has killed seven people, health officials said Wednesday, even as the World Health Organization voiced confidence that remaining isolated cases could be contained.The WHO said Tuesday that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa no longer constituted an international emergency, but the announcement of new cases demonstrated the difficulty of managing the aftermath of the virus. The death of a man, two of his wives and his daughter were announced two weeks ago by the Guinean health authorities, who confirmed Wednesday a third wife and a mother-in-law also died after becoming infected in the village of Koropara.Polygamy is commonly practised in Guinea.On March 30, there are nine registered cases and seven deaths: three suspected and four confirmed, said Fode Tass Sylla, spokesman for Guineas Ebola response unit.Outside the family, a man died on March 22 after testing positive for Ebola in the city of Nzerekore.Two more people -- one suspected case and one confirmed -- were receiving treatment at a dedicated Ebola facility in southern Guinea, not far from the Liberian border, Sylla said. The country was declared free of Ebola transmission at the end of last year, though a significant number of deaths are believed to have gone unreported and flare-ups relating to the persistence of the virus in survivors bodies pose ongoing challenges.A WHO Ebola report released Wednesday said the virus present in the blood of one of the confirmed cases was closely related to (the) virus that circulated in south-eastern Guinea in November 2014.More than a thousand people who are believed to have come into contact with the victims are being monitored for symptoms and offered support by the authorities, with restrictions placed on their movements.Additional cases are likely because of the large number of contacts, the WHO report added.Those most at risk are also being vaccinated against the virus.The deadliest-ever outbreak of the tropical disease emerged in the same region as the new cases in December 2013 and went on to kill more than 11,300 people, mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The WHO was first alerted to the reappearance of the Ebola symptoms in the familys village on March 16, the same day it declared a similar flare-up over in Sierra Leone.

Oil prices edge up on weaker dollar, US inventory data

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices rose slightly Wednesday helped by official data showing a smaller-than-expected increase in US crude stockpiles as traders worry about the global oversupply.The Department of Energy (DoE) reported another rise in US commercial crude stockpiles last week, by 2.3 million barrels. Analysts had expected about three million barrels.It wasnt that much but it still puts us at another record level of crude oil and we still have way more than we need, said James Williams of WTRG Economics.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in May edged up four cents to $38.32 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.In London, Brent North Sea crude for May delivery, the global benchmark, finished at $39.26 a barrel, up 12 cents from Tuesdays settlement.Oil prices also found support in a weaker dollar after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signaled Tuesday a cautious approach to US interest rate hikes, making crude priced in the currency cheaper for holders of rival units.If the oil price hinges on US dollar weakness, it is not going to go much higher, said Bernard Aw, strategist at traders IG Markets.In the longer term, its still a demand-and-supply game. Its still a supply-glut issue. Theres only so much the US dollar can do.Oil prices are down more than 60 percent from June 2014 largely due to oversupply and slowing economies, particularly China, the worlds largest energy consumer.Major oil producers, led by Russia and Saudi Arabia, will meet in Doha on April 17 to discuss measures to stabilize prices, including an output freeze, but the oil market sees an agreement as unlikely.This upcoming OPEC-non-OPEC meeting on the 17th is not going to accomplish anything, Williams said.

Dollar extends losses after dovish Yellen comments

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The dollar fell for the second straight day Wednesday after the dovish comments by the Federal Reserve chief signaling US interest rates would stay low for some time.Fed Chair Janet Yellen, citing risks in the global economy, said Tuesday the Fed should proceed cautiously in lifting rates, comments that analysts interpreted as taking a rate hike off the table at the April policy meeting and probably at the June meeting as well.The Fed in December lifted rates for the first time in more than nine years as it seeks to wind down easy-money support following the 2008-2009 Great Recession.We believe that the US dollar has further room to fall because of the significance of Yellens comments, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management. The dollar dipped against the euro and the yen, but by about half Tuesdays losses. The greenback dropped 0.4 percent at $1.1337 per euro and 0.3 percent at 112.41 yen.Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange, said that dimming rate hike expectations have led to the dollars worst quarterly performance in five years in the first quarter.Traders were looking ahead to Fridays closely watched monthly US jobs data. Lifting expectations that the March job growth numbers will be solid was a report by payroll processor ADP showing companies added 200,000 jobs this month.This mornings strong ADP jobs report, which implies another solid nonfarm payrolls number on Friday, is having a limited impact on the dollar given the Feds seeming willingness to look past positive data and instead focus on international risks, Esiner said.

Brussels bans planned anti-Islam rally in troubled Molenbeek

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - The mayor of the Brussels district of Molenbeek on Tuesday said far-right extremists have been banned from holding a planned anti-Islam rally in the troubled neighbourhood, as the city remains on edge after last weeks suicide attacks.Members of the French far-right youth group Generation Identitaire had posted a message on their website asking supporters to descend on Molenbeek Saturday and march under the banner Lets expel the IslamistsThe impoverished immigrant neighbourhood of Molenbeek has long been seen as a hotbed of extremism and the prime suspect in Novembers Paris terror attacks was arrested there earlier this month, just metres from his family home.Molenbeek mayor Francoise Schepmans said the decision to ban the demo came after talks with police and other district mayors.If we had let it happen, there could have been clashes, Schepmans told AFP, amid fears the protest could trigger angry counter-demonstrations in the largely Muslim Molenbeek.The regional Brussels government will an issue an order prohibiting any demonstration or counter-demonstration in connection with this call to protest, added Mustafa Er, an aide to Schepmans. The ban will cover all of the capitals 19 districts.In a sign of the simmering tensions in the still grieving capital, riot police fired water cannon last weekend to disperse far-right football hooligans who shouted anti-immigrant slogans and disrupted mourners at a shrine for victims of the Brussels attacks.A total of 32 people were killed in the March 22 suicide bombings at Brussels airport and a metro station. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group.
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Tuesday, 29 March 2016

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Football: Goetze helps Germany rout Italy to redeem England defeat

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MUNICH (AFP) - Mario Goetze brushed off a frustrating season on Bayern Munichs bench to net in Germanys 4-1 thumping of Italy on Tuesday as the world champions redeemed their England defeat.Goetze, who scored the winner in the 2014 World Cup final, netted Germanys second goal against Italy at Bayerns Allianz Arena in Munich after Toni Kroos had put the hosts ahead.Defender Jonas Hector and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil netted in the second-half before replacement Stephan El Shaarawy scored Italys late consolation goal.The win, Germanys first over Italy for 21 years, boosts confidence four days after losing 3-2 to England in Berlin.Goetze put himself in the shop window with a goal-scoring performance in his 50th international.With a year left on his Bayern contract, Goetze is weighing up his options after just four starts this season under Pep Guardiola.For next season, he has been linked to Liverpool, to work again with Jurgen Klopp, or a return to Borussia Dortmund, who Bayern paid 37 million euros ($41.8m) for him in 2013.This was Germanys first win over Italy in the ninth meeting since their 2-0 victory in a 1995 friendly.There was more bad news for the Azzurri as centre-back Leonardo Bonacci was stretchered off in the second-half after clutching his hamstring.The win was a welcome tonic for Germany as head coach Joachim Loew made five changes from the team which threw away a two-goal lead against England.Thomas Mueller set up Germanys first two goals and skippered his country for the first time on his 70th appearance.Italy were disappointing having drawn 1-1 with defending European champions Spain last Thursday.Their captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon won his 156th cap.But the 38-year-old leaked four goals in Munich, just as he did for Juventus in their 4-2 defeat, and Champions League last 16 exit to Bayern, a fortnight ago.Kroos gave Germany the lead when he fired Muellers cross past Buffon on 24 minutes.Germany doubled their tally on 44 minutes when Mueller chipped to Goetze, who shook off two defenders to head home.Hector scored the third when Julian Draxler broke free of Bonacci, who dropped to the turf, on 59 minutes.Draxler sprinted clear and squared for Hector to fire home with the Italy defence in tatters.Buffon was lucky to stay on when he brought down Germany wing-back Sebastian Rudy in the area on 74 minutes.Austrian referee Oliver Drachta kept his cards in his pocket and Ozil fired home the resulting penalty.El Shaarawy beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen, in for the ill Manuel Neuer, from outside the box on 83 minutes for Italys consolation.Germany have pre-Euro 2016 warm-up games against Slovakia and Hungary in the fortnight before their opening Group C game against Ukraine on June 12.The Azzurri will face Scotland and Finland before their opening Euro 2016 match against Belgium in Group E on June 13.

Colombia to charge two generals over civilian killings

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BOGOTA (AFP) - Colombian prosecutors will charge two army generals for their alleged role in the murders of civilians who were later presented as rebels killed in combat, sources said Tuesday.The military has been under fire for years over a scandal in which army units are accused of killing thousands of civilians, mostly poor young men, from 2002 to 2008 and reporting them as FARC rebels or drug traffickers.The extrajudicial killings, which inflated the number of insurgents killed in combat, earned promotions, decorations and perks for those who took credit.But prosecutors will now bring homicide charges against General Henry Torres and former army commander Mario Montoya, a highly decorated retired general, in the so-called false positives case, prosecution sources told AFP.Torres was arrested Monday -- the first active-duty general detained in the case -- and is being held at a military base in Bogota.Both men face up to 40 years in prison.The army high command said it stood by Torres but promised to continue supporting and providing all information requested by the authorities.In all, 22 generals are under investigation.Colombia is the scene of a half-century guerrilla war that has killed more than 260,000 people.The FARC and the government say they are closing in on a peace accord after three years of negotiations, but Human Rights Watch warned Monday that a deal risked sweeping the false positives atrocities under the rug.Montoya is known in Colombia for leading two high-profile operations, one that freed 15 hostages including politician Ingrid Betancourt and another that killed the FARCs second-in-command, Raul Reyes.Montoya led the army during a crushing crackdown on the Marxist rebels under former president Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010), when current President Juan Manuel Santos was defense minister.Montoya stepped down in 2008, after 11 young civilians who went missing outside the capital Bogota were presented as rebels killed in clashes.Prosecutors accuse him of pressuring subordinates to fudge their combat figures and failing to prevent civilian killings.Torres is accused of involvement in the murder of a father and son in 2007, when he was a brigade commander.Human Rights Watch says more than 4,000 civilian deaths were presented as insurgents killed in combat.

Shahid Afridi apologizes to nation over poor performance in WT20

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan’s national cricket team Captain Shahid Afridi Wednesday apologized to the nation over the team’s performance in World T-20 tournament. In a video statement issued on a social media website, Afridi stated that he was sorry that the team’s performance was not up to par with the public’s expectations.The team’s skipper added that the Pakistan’s cricket team was not just a squad of 11 players but rather a team of the entire nation. Afridi stated that he had been playing for Pakistan for the past 20 years and went down to play in the field with emotions that mirrored those of the entire nation.He stated that he was only addressing the Pakistan team’s fans, adding further that he was not concerned what anybody was thinking of him. The T-20 Captian stated that he was disappointed that he was disappointed over the team’s dismissal from the World T-20 tournament.With smashing televisions, burning bats and a rage that seemed to boil out of control, Pakistan’s passionate cricket fans were left in anguish once again, as Pakistan failed to perform in the tournament losing 3 of the matches against India, New Zealand and Australia while managing to secure only against Bangladesh.WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

Tennis: Top-ranked Djokovic battles into Miami quarters

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MIAMI (AFP) - World number one Novak Djokovic advanced to the quarter-finals of the ATP and WTA Miami Open on Tuesday by defeating Austrian 14th seed Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4.Two-time defending champion Djokovic, a five-time Miami winner overall, reached a last-eight date against Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych, who outlasted French 10th seed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.Berdych has won only two of 24 meetings with Djokovic, having lost their past nine matches since a 2013 Rome quarter-final victory.Djokovic, also a champion at Indian Wells and Doha this year, stretched his Miami win streak to 13 matches and 27 of his past 28 in all, but not without a struggle.Djokovic fought off 13 of 14 break points, four of them in a dramatic 14-minute final game before hitting a forehand winner on his fourth match point opportunity.He played really well, Djokovic said. It was a straight-set win but it was far from easy. I kept my serves. But I made a lot of double faults and he had me under a lot of pressure.The 28-year-old Serbian made eight double faults and 29 unforced errors against only two aces and eight winners.Djokovic won his 11th Grand Slam title two months ago at the Australian Open and has also won this year at Doha and Indian Wells while Thiem captured titles last month at Acapulco and Buenos Aires.Djokovic broke Thiems first service game and held from there to claim the opening set, but not before fighting off four break points in the last game, finally taking it on a service winner.Breaking Thiem again for a 2-1 edge in the second set, Djokovic finally surrendered a break with a double fault to pull Thiem level 3-3, only to break back in the next game and hold to the thrilling finish.Romanian fifth seed Simona Halep was ousted 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 by 19th-ranked Swiss Timea Bacsinszky, who advanced to a semi-final against the winner of a later match between Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ekaterina Makarova.To beat someone who fights as hard as she does, its something amazing, Bacsinszky said. Im happy with it.Bacsinszkys lucky charm and friend, Swiss womens overall Alpine ski champion Lara Gut, was in the crowd.Only one of the 12 top womens seeds remains, German number two Angelique Kerber, who beat Serena Williams in the Australian Open final for her first Grand Slam title. She plays American Madison Keys on Wednesday for a semi-final spot.Only four of the top 10 mens seeds reached Miamis last 16, matching an event record low, with three of them in the same quarter of the draw.The fourth is Japanese sixth seed Kei Nishikori, who plays Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut in a night match.Australian 24th seed Nick Kyrgios, the youngest top-30 ATP player at age 20, reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory over Russias 51st-ranked Andrey Kuznetsov.Kyrgios, off to a career-best 13-3 start that includes his first ATP title last month at Marseille, next plays Canadian 12th seed Milos Raonic, who ripped Bosnian Damir Dzumhur 6-0, 6-3.The Aussie never trailed in the tie-breaker and took the only break of the second set when Kuznetsov double faulted away the fourth game.Despite the defeat, Kuznetsov is assured of cracking the top 50 for the first time and becoming Russian number one.Raonic breezed through the first set in 21 minutes and ended matters with his 11th ace after only 54 minutes.Belgian 15th seed David Goffin reached the quarter-finals with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Argentinas 112th-ranked Horacio Zeballos, a qualifying lucky loser who made the field only after Roger Federer withdrew due to illness.Goffin, who reached the Indian Wells semi-finals before losing to Raonic, will next face French 18th seed Gilles Simon, who routed 88th-ranked compatriot Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-1 in 57 minutes.

Tennis: Berdych advances but Halep eliminated at Miami

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MIAMI (AFP) - Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych moved into the quarter-final path of world number one Novak Djokovic at the ATP and WTA Miami Open on Tuesday while Simona Halep joined the exodus of top womens talent.Berdych fired 12 aces in defeating 10th seed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 to square his career record against the Frenchman at 7-7.Im happy with the way I played, Berdych said. It was a tough match. Richard played really well. I came through in the end and took my chances and won.Two-time defending champion Djokovic, a five-time Miami winner overall, must beat Austrian 14th seed Dominic Thiem in a later match to book a last-eight date against Berdych.Romanian fifth seed Halep was ousted 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 by 19th-ranked Swiss Timea Bacsinszky, who advanced to a semi-final against the winner of a later match between Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ekaterina Makarova.To beat someone who fights as hard as she does, its something amazing, Bacsinszky said. Im happy with it.Bacsinszkys lucky charm and friend, Swiss womens overall Alpine ski champion Lara Gut, was in the crowd.Only one of the 12 top womens seeds remains, German number two Angelique Kerber, who beat Serena Williams in the Australian Open final for her first Grand Slam title. She plays American Madison Keys on Wednesday for a semi-final spot.Halep, the 2014 French Open runner-up, also crashed out in the Australian Open first round.Djokovic, also a champion at Indian Wells and Doha this year, has won his past 12 Miami matches and 26 of his past 27.The 28-year-old Serbian won his 11th Grand Slam title two months ago at the Australian Open.Berdych has won only two of 24 meetings with Djokovic, having lost the past nine matches since a 2013 Rome quarter-final victory.Thiem, who captured titles last month at Acapulco and Buenos Aires, and Djokovic have each won an ATP-best 24 matches this year.Only four of the top 10 mens seeds reached Miamis last 16, matching an event record low, with three of them in the same quarter of the draw.The fourth is Japanese sixth seed Kei Nishikori, who plays Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut in a night match.Australian 24th seed Nick Kyrgios, the youngest top-30 ATP player at age 20, reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory over Russias 51st-ranked Andrey Kuznetsov.Kyrgios, off to a career-best 13-3 start that includes his first ATP title last month at Marseille, next plays the winner of a later match between Canadian 12th seed Milos Raonic and Bosnian Damir Dzumhur.The Aussie never trailed in the tie-breaker and took the only break of the second set when Kuznetsov double faulted away the fourth game.Despite the defeat, Kuznetsov is assured of cracking the top 50 for the first time in his career and becoming Russian number one.Belgian 15th seed David Goffin reached the quarter-finals with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Argentinas 112th-ranked Horacio Zeballos, a qualifying lucky loser who made the field only after Roger Federer withdrew due to illness.Goffin, who reached the Indian Wells semi-finals before losing to Raonic, will next face French 18th seed Gilles Simon, who routed 88th-ranked compatriot Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-1 in 57 minutes.

Football: Janssen, Narsingh bring England back to earth

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LONDON (AFP) - Substitute Luciano Narsinghs contested 77th-minute winner brought England back down to earth as the Netherlands came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in Tuesdays friendly at Wembley.England were looking to build on Saturdays fine 3-2 victory over world champions Germany and went ahead late in the first half when Jamie Vardy completed a neat move to score his second goal in two games.But Vincent Janssen equalised from the spot in the 50th minute and then teed up Narsingh for what proved to be the winner, despite appearing to barge England substitute Phil Jagielka to the ground in the process.It was Englands final game before manager Roy Hodgson names his squad for Euro 2016 on May 12 and although he named a much-changed side, the defeat will dampen some of the euphoria sparked by the win in Berlin.Danny Blinds Netherlands have not qualified for the Euros, but their second-half display saw them extend their unbeaten run against England to seven matches.Englands stirring win over Germany had fired their fans imaginations, but a team showing eight changes made a ponderous start on a cold, drizzly evening in west London.Visiting right-back Joel Veltman might have won an early penalty following a late challenge by Danny Rose, while England goalkeeper Fraser Forster was tested by Ibrahim Afellay and Georginio Wijnaldum.Hollands players were sporting the number 14 on their chests in memory of late Dutch great Johan Cruyff, in a nod to his iconic shirt number, and the stadium rose to applaud in unison when the former Ajax and Barcelona stars face was shown on the big screens in the 14th minute.The mood otherwise was somnolent, but as the half progressed England -- for whom Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater made his debut -- began to land cuffing blows.Vardy slashed over following a one-two with Rose, while Daniel Sturridge, making his first start in 18 months, and John Stones had shots blocked and Ross Barkley drilled narrowly wide from 20 yards.After Hollands Quincy Promes had limped off, to be replaced by Narsingh, England went ahead in stylish fashion, Adam Lallana feeding Kyle Walker to cross for Vardy to knock in his second international goal.Sturridge and Lallana both threatened early in the second half -- the former testing Jeroen Zoet at his near post, the latter curling wide -- but within five minutes of the restart, the visitors were level.Stoness calamitous slip let in Janssen and although Forster produced a one-handed save to thwart him, the AZ Alkmaar striker prevailed at the second attempt with a penalty after Narsinghs cross from the right struck Roses dangling right hand.England looked to reassert their advantage, Zoet acrobatically repelling Vardys long-range strike and Theo Walcott, a replacement for Sturridge, seeing a shot blocked by Daley Blind before driving over the bar.Further attacking reinforcement arrived in the shape of Harry Kane, who replaced Lallana, but it was the Netherlands who struck again.Jagielka looked to have been fouled by Janssen as the pair contested a ball inside the England box, but referee Antonio Miguel Mateu allowed play to continue and the Dutch number nine crossed for Narsingh to slam home.The stadium was silenced and the closest England came to raising the volume was a left-foot effort from Kane that flashed a fraction wide.

Football: Kante sparks impressive France in friendly victory

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PARIS (AFP) - NGolo Kante celebrated his birthday with a goal on his first international start to set France up for a 4-2 friendly win against Russia on an emotional return to the Stade de France on Tuesday.Kante opened the scoring just eight minutes into his full debut for Les Bleus and Andre-Pierre Gignac doubled the lead before Alexander Kokorin headed in for Russia in the second half.Dimitri Payet then demonstrated how important he can be to the French side with a stunning free-kick just after the hour mark, and Kingsley Coman netted in equally spectacular fashion after Yuri Zhirkov added another goal for the Russians in an entertaining contest.Despite the goals conceded, it was a very encouraging win for the Euro 2016 hosts on the night international football returned to the Stade de France just over four months on from the terror attacks that took place just outside the ground and elsewhere in Paris.Security was extremely tight for a game played in front of a crowd of around 65,000 that included French president Francois Hollande at the stadium that will host the European Championship final in July.And fortunately this time the football took centre stage as Didier Deschampss team displayed why they must be considered among the favourites to win the title on home soil.Leicester City sensation Kante had made his France debut from the bench in last Fridays 3-2 win in the Netherlands and was handed a first start here as Deschamps made six changes to his line-up.On his 25th birthday, he needed barely eight minutes to get his first international goal, arriving late in the penalty box and coolly finishing past Igor Akinfeev at the end of an excellent move that featured Paul Pogba, Gignac and Antoine Griezmann.The second goal arrived nine minutes before half-time, with Gignac -- now playing his club football in Mexico -- putting forward his case for a berth in the France squad as he met Griezmanns free-kick from the left with a fine diving header at the near post.A strong Russia side made up largely of players from leading clubs CSKA Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg were disappointing in the first half but they got a goal back 11 minutes into the second period when Kokorin escaped his marker to head in an Alan Dzagoev free-kick.Just before that, France had seen substitute Jeremy Mathieu hobble off only eight minutes after his introduction, but two other replacements had a far more positive impact on the game.West Ham United star Payet, like Kante one of the players of the season in the Premier League, curled in a brilliant free-kick only moments after coming off the bench.Bayern Munichs teenage winger Coman, also on from the bench, had won the free-kick that led to that goal and he got his name on the scoresheet with a stunning finish from a tight angle after rounding substitute goalkeeper Yuri Lodygin.In between those two strikes, Zhirkov netted from an Oleg Shatov cutback but the goals conceded were the only black mark on a positive night for France in their final match before Deschamps names his 23-man squad for the Euros in May.

Cycling: Kristoff takes first stage of De Panne

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - Alexander Kristoff proved he has rediscovered his form ahead of the defence of his Tour of Flanders title as he won the first stage of Three Days of De Panne on Tuesday.The Norwegian edged out Astana pair Alexei Lutsenko and Lieuwe Westra in a sprint finish at the end of the 198km stage from De Panne to Zottegem.Kristoff won the race last year as well before going on to claim Tour of Flanders glory just three days later.It was a welcome return to form for the 28-year-old had seemed out of sorts last week at E3 Harelbeke and then Gent-Wevelgem, the first two cobbled classics of the season.He had complained of having no legs at E3 and was ill two days later at Sundays Gent-Wevelgem race.Ive been a bit sick, and I think I needed this day, said Kristoff. I hope I have better legs tomorrow, I was suffering all day today. In the end I managed to win but I was really struggling.Katushas Kristoff, who won three of the four stages last year, now leads by a second from Kazakh Lutsenko and six seconds to Dutchman Westra in the overall standings.At the start of the days racing, the peloton observed a minutes silence in memory of Belgian duo Antoine Demoitie and Daan Myngheer, who died on Sunday and Monday respectively.Demoitie, 25, died after crashing with a motorbike during Gent-Wevelgem.Myngheer, 22, suffered a heart attack during the Criterium International.Wednesdays second stage is 211km long from Zottegem to Koksijde.

Lahore: CIA police exterminates 5 terrorists during action in Raiwind

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Crime Investigation Agency’s (CIA) police late Tuesday night exterminated 5 terrorists during action in Lahore’s Raiwind area. Explosives material, 2 Kalashnikovs, 10 grenades and 10 time devices and 3 pistols were recovered from the terrorists.According to the details, terrorists had rented a house in LDA Avenue. 3 of the killed suspects have been identified and include Khan Waheed, Nasir and Junaid.2 of the suspects could not be identified as of yet.

Islamabad protest: 2nd round of negotiations fail, 3rd to be held today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Second round of negotiations between the government delegation and protesting attendees of the chehlum of Mumtaz Qadri failed Tuesday. A third round for discussing the issue will be held at 12:00 pm today (Wednesday), according to the leader of the protest, Dr. Asif Jalali. He added that they were hopeful that ‘good news’ will be announced after the third round of dialogue.On a question regarding the arrested protesters, Jalali rejected that those who caused the destruction were part of the protest, saying that their protest was peaceful.Federal Minster of the Interior Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan had earlier announced that the government has decided to evacuate the D-Chowk today from the demonstrators, who have arranged a sit-in there for the past three days.Nisar said that the attendees of the chehlum of Mumtaz Qadri earlier promised to peacefully disperse. However, one faction of the attendees disregarded their word and even tried to politicise the entire situation.Meanwhile preparations by law enforcement agencies to remove protesters from the area have been completed.Islamabad police, Frontier Corps (FC) and Rangers have assumed control of the Red Zone. One thousand officers belonging to the Punjab constabulary will also take part in the operation. Police has been equipped with large sums of tear gas shells.

Karachi: Five accused arrested during police operations

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Police conducted search operations in different parts of Karachi on Tuesday during which five accused were taken into custody, Dunya News reported.According to detail, police conducted an operation in Ittehad Town area and detained three accused. Police sources said that the arrested accused, Manzoor, Saghir and Shabaz, were involved in extortion and street. Explosive material and arms were also recovered from them.Police also conducted an operation in Manghu Pir area and arrested two accused. Police sources said that the arrested accused were involved in several cased of murders and robberies. Large quantity of drugs and arms were also recovered from their possession.

Karachi: Protesters, govt team's negotiations fail as protest continues

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Negotiations between the Sindh governments team and protesters, part of the demonstrations in Islamabad, broke down late Tuesday night as the protest continues at Numaish Chowrangi, Karachi. Due to the ongoing demonstrations, both tracks of M.A Jinnah road have been closed for traffic.Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and Advisor to CM Sindh Abdul Qayyum Soomros protocol was also pelted with stones by the protesters. Soomro had earlier arrived for dialogue with the demonstrators. Sindh government had earlier decided not to conduct action against the demonstrators in the night time. An additional contingent of police posted earlier was also removed from the area and its surroundings. According to the details, traffic flow was severely disrupted as protesters staged a sit in at Numaish Chowrangi. Police had earlier given the protesters an ultimatum to vacate the area while a heavy contingent of police along with water cannon was also designated at the site for conducting action against the demonstrators.Soomro had held negotiations with the demonstrators and had assured the release of arrested protesters. He appealed to the demonstrators to vacate the blocked road.Protesters had asked for some time in order to discuss the issue with central leadership holding a protest in Islamabad, but later rejected the governments demand.

Lahore: Police detain 23 suspects during search operation

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – According to details, heavy contingents of Allama Iqbal Town and Gulshan-e-Iqbal police conducted search operation in Allama Iqbal Town area of Lahore on Tuesday, Dunya News reported.The identification documents of the residents and suspected vehicles were checked during search operation.Police detained 23 persons who failed to provide identification documents during search operation and shifted them to police station for further investigation.

Experts unsatisfied with India's nuclear security, praise Pakistan

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – Lapse in security of India’s nuclear assets was revealed Tuesday by international experts during a Nuclear Security Summit. The experts expressed severe reservations over India’s protection of its nuclear material. On the other hand, Pakistan‘s steps for the security of its nuclear assets was highly commended during the conference.According to the details, experts of the international conference stated that there have been 5 cases of nuclear material theft in India over the past two decades. They added that the extent of security failure is so great that in 2013 guerrilla militants had stolen Uranium from the Army Complex, but the Indian army remained completely unaware of the incident.Meanwhile International nuclear experts appeared to be satisfied with Pakistan’s security measures for the protection of its nuclear installations.

Oil falls on supply worries ahead of US inventory data

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NEW YORK (AFP) - World oil prices retreated Tuesday as worries about global oversupply returned to the forefront ahead of a US petroleum inventory report.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for May delivery lost $1.11 at $38.28 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent North Sea oil for May delivery fell $1.13 to $39.14 a barrel in London.The losses came ahead of a Wednesday US petroleum inventory report that many analysts believe will show another build in supplies.Analysts also cited rising doubts about a potential deal of major producers to limit output, with those questions underscored by an agreement Tuesday between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to resume pumping oil at the offshore Khafji field.Production at Khafji, which pumped over 300,000 barrels per day and was jointly operated by the two countries, was halted in October 2014. Riyadh cited environmental issues for the shutdown.But the two sides plan to ramp up output gradually, said Kuwait acting oil minister Anas al-Saleh. However, analysts questioned how the Khafji deal fits into a promise by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to abide by a potential agreement of major producers to cap output. Major producers are set to convene in Qatar in April.A freeze may be tested by Khafji, said Tim Evans, analyst at Citi Futures.Without some clarification to the effect that overall output wont be increased, even the freeze idea may not hold, Evans said.Gary Cunningham, manager of market research at Tradition Energy, said even if a deal among major producers is enacted and respected, youre still going to have considerable overproduction.Oil prices rallied a bit following a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen that signaled a cautious approach to further US interest rate hikes, depressing the dollar. A weaker dollar is supportive of oil prices, but analysts said the impact was not enough to offset concerns about oversupply in the oil market.
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