Tuesday, 8 March 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

One more death row convict hanged

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TOBA TEK SINGH (Dunya News) – One death row convict was executed in the District Jail, Toba Tek Singh on early Wednesday morning, Dunya News reported. According to details, death row prisoner Muhammad Tariq was hanged for murdering a man in 1999. The dead body of the prisoner was handed over to his heirs.

Football: Ruthless Ronaldo punishes profligate Roma

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MADRID (AFP) - Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez left Roma ruing a host of missed chances as Real Madrid moved into the quarter-finals of the Champions League 4-0 on aggregate with a 2-0 win on Tuesday.Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah were the culprits in front of goal for the visitors before two goals in four second-half minutes ensured Madrids first win in a two-legged tie over Italian opposition in Europe for 29 years.Ronaldo swept home Lucas Vazquezs cross 26 minutes from time before turning provider for Rodriguez to smash home the second.I am happy with the way we attacked and I think defensively we improved a lot in the second-half, said Real boss Zinedine Zidane.Everyone dreams of winning the Champions League and we are in the hunt.Roma coach Luciano Spalletti criticised his sides mental strength after letting Madrid off the hook.We have to point out that we had more chances than them and if wed taken them then the psychology of the game changes, said Spalletti.Right now on a mental level perhaps we are a bit fragile. Its a big game, big games make us nervous and we have to change this.Gareth Bale started for Madrid for the first time in over six weeks due to a calf injury and the Welshman began brightly as he got a rare chance to start on the left with Ronaldo through the middle in the absence of the injured Karim Benzema.Bales cut-back was sliced wide by Marcelo as Real threatened early on.However, it was Roma who enjoyed the best of the chances before half-time to get back into the tie.Former Manchester City striker Dzeko failed to repay Spallettis faith by handing him a start up front when he fired into the side-netting after Salahs pace tore through the Madrid defence.Salah had a great chance himself but he too could only find the side-netting when clean through on Keylor Navas just before the half-hour mark.Yet, the hosts could also easily have been ahead by the break as former Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny was put to work in the Roma goal.The Polish internationals palms were stung by Luka Modrics long-range drive before Szczesny got down well to turn Ronaldos low shot to safety.Ronaldo then had Madrids best chance of the half when he was played in by Bale, but Szczesny again scurried from his line to block the three-time World Player of the Years effort.Szczesny was forced into action once more at the start of the second period to parry Rodriguezs volley.However, the pattern of the first half was repeated as the Italians then passed up a host of chances to put themselves ahead on the night.Salah again failed to hit the target with just Navas to beat as the Egyptian continued to find acres of space in behind the Madrid defence.Navas then had to make two smart saves from Alessandro Florenzi and Kostas Manolas as Roma finally at least hit the target.Bale was replaced on the hour mark by Vazquez and the Spanish winger made an instant impact to tee up Ronaldos 13th Champions League goal of the season.Vazquez got to the byline and Ronaldo beat his marker and Szczesny to his cross to fire into the roof of the net.Four minutes later it was 2-0 as Ronaldo led a Madrid counter-attack and teed up Rodriguez to lash between Szczesnys legs.Ronaldo missed a glorious chance for his second of the night 20 minutes from time when he slotted just wide after a brilliant Real break involving Marcelo, Rodriguez and Vazquez from a Roma corner.Spalletti then put his recent spat with club legend Francesco Totti behind him to introduce the 39-year-old for the closing stages to a standing ovation by the home fans.And Roma were denied at least the goal their performance deserved when Navas flew to his right to claw away Diego Perottis effort and ensure he still hasnt conceded a goal in the Champions League this season.

Football: Schuerrle fires Wolfsburg into Champions League quarters

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WOLFSBURG (AFP) - Andre Schuerrle fired Wolfsburg into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time to seal Tuesdays 1-0 victory and a 4-2 aggregate win over Gent.Having lost the first-leg 3-2 at home, Gent arrived in Germany needing to score at least twice but Schuerrle ended their hopes with a goal 16 minutes from time.It was his Germany team-mate Julian Draxler, who scored twice in the first-leg, who danced around Gent defender Nana Asare to provide the cross which Schuerrle drilled home.It capped a fine seven days for the Germany winger after Schuerrle hit his first Bundesliga hat-trick the previous Tuesday in a 4-0 romp over Hanover.It was a tough match. We wanted to defend well and wait for our chances. In the end, the win was deserved, said Schuerrle.Hitting the winner against Gent will further raise his stock at Wolfsburg, who are now seventh -- four points from a Champions League place next season -- in Germanys top flight.We did it, Klaus Allofs told Sky, but Wolfsburgs relieved sports director admitted the Germans will need to improve if they are to reach the semi-finals.Lets wait and see who else qualifies, he added.There are probably some cases where it would be very difficult, but there are also some teams against whom we have a chance, as long as we keep improving.Gent coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck said he wanted his team to unsettle the hosts, but his side was restricted to just six shots on goal.Nigerian forward Moses Simons low cross lacked a boot to turn it as Gents best first-half chance went begging, but their challenge gradually petered out.Wolfsburg effectively closed the game down in the first-half by restricting Gent to only a series of half chances.Schuerrle deserved his goal and had a great chance approaching the hour mark but his shot was blocked by Gent midfielder Renato Neto.Gent centre-back Rami Gershon then blocked a Schuerrle shot, which had been heading for the back of the net, on 70 minutes.Soon after, Vanhaezebrouck brought on Mali forward Kalifa Coulibaly, who scored Gents second goal in the first leg, to try and break the deadlock.It was Wolfsburg who finally opened the scoring, though, when Draxler, who had scored in both of Wolfsburgs previous games, turned provider.The attacking midfielder picked out Schuerrles arrival in the box for his team-mate to rifle home to the delight of the home fans.In the dying stages, Gent midfielder Brecht Dejaegere fired over, but it was too little, too late.Both sides had qualified for the knock-out stages for the first time, but it is German Cup holders Wolfsburg who go into the last eight spot.

Football: Arsenal ease into FA Cup quarter-finals

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KINGSTON UPON HULL (AFP) - Two goals each from Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott saw holders Arsenal stretch their three-year unbeaten run in the FA Cup thanks to a comfortable 4-0 win at Hull City on Tuesday. Arsene Wengers side will host Premier League rivals Watford in the last eight on Sunday to contest a place in the semi-finals at Wembley in April after victory in a 15th consecutive tie for the Gunners as they close in on a third straight success in the competition.Giroud opened the scoring before the break and added another in the 71st minute before Walcott netted twice in the final 13 minutes, but Arsenal progressed at a cost, losing centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Gabriel in addition to Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey to injury in sealing only a second away win since mid-December.However, a first win in six games saw Arsenal avoid their longest run without victory for 18 years as they continue to enjoy life in a cup where they last tasted defeat in February 2013 against Blackburn Rovers.As Arsenal fans unfurled a large banner proclaiming Thanks for the memories Arsene, time to go before kick-off, a visiting side showing six changes started brightly and had the ball in the net early on only for Walcotts crisply-taken volley from inside the area to be correctly ruled out for offside.Joel Campbell should have done better when curling a shot from 15 yards wide as Hull were caught by a swift Walcott-inspired counter-attack, but it was the hosts who came close to breaking the deadlock when a stunning save low to his right from Arsenal keeper David Ospina diverted a deflected 20-yard effort from David Meyler that appeared destined for the bottom corner.Wengers side took the lead five minutes before the interval with the first goal second-tier Hull have conceded at home for 652 minutes. Giroud scored for the first time since bagging two in the 3-3 draw with Liverpool in mid-January as he put the ball through the legs of Eldin Jakupovic from close range after Meyler failed to see the danger when attempting to pass the ball back to his keeper. Kieran Gibbs was unfortunate not to add to the lead before the break, the defender seeing a 25-yard effort strike the bar after finding space following a short corner.Gabriel limped off early in the second half, joining Mertesacker on the Gunners injury list after the German international had been forced off looking groggy before the interval.He needed stitches in a head wound following an accidental clash with Hull forward Nick Powell, substitute Nacho Monreal coming on as an emergency centre-back. Gabriels replacement Aaron Ramsey came within inches of inadvertently heading a cross into his own net as Championship promotion contenders Hull enjoyed their most sustained spell of pressure midway through the second half thanks to the introduction of substitute Sone Aluko.Girouds 20th goal of the campaign -- a volley from a deflected Walcott cross -- put the result beyond doubt before Ramsey was withdrawn as he appeared to indicate to Wenger that he was feeling a calf problem.Walcott then added a third with 13 minutes remaining as the forward calmly passed the ball into the bottom corner from 10 yards after Campbells sublime through-ball found him in space in the area.And Walcott added the fourth with two minutes left with the aid of a deflection off defender Alex Bruce as he sprinted onto an Alex Iwobi pass to fire in an angled drive.

Football: Messi returns for Argentina, Tevez misses out

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BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Lionel Messi is set to make his first appearance in Argentinas 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, after being named in the squad on Tuesday for upcoming games with Chile and Bolivia.But Former Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez misses out after a difficult start to the season with his club Boca Juniors, although he is also struggling with a knee problem.Manager Gerardo Martino had to do without five-time Ballon dOr winner Messi for the first four qualifying matches because of injury, and Argentina struggled in his absence as they picked up only five points.That tally leaves them outside of the qualification spots in the fledgling campaign, so Messis return comes at the perfect time.The 28-year-old is seven goals away from equalling Gabriel Batistutas record of 56 international goals for the two-time world champions.Messi will line up alongside the in-form trio of Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero, but Tevez misses out.The 32-year-old played for Boca at the weekend, after which he complained of tiredness, while rumours abound that he could be on his way out of the club from the Argentine capital.A 1-0 win at Colombia in November moved Argentina to within two points of the four automatic qualification places.They take on Chile in Santiago on March 24, before hosting Bolivia on March 29.Full Argentina squad:Goalkeepers:Sergio Romero (Manchester United/ENG), Nahuel Guzman (Tigres/MEX), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad/ESP).Defenders:Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City/ENG), Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina/ITA), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate/ARG), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City/ENG), Mateo Musacchio (Villareal/ESP), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton/ENG), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United/ENG), Leonel Vangioni (River Plate/ARG), Javier Pinola (Rosario Central/ARG), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City/ENG).Midfielders:Javier Mascherano (Barcelona/ESP), Matias Kranevitter (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid/ESP) Enzo Perez (Valencia/ESP), Lucas Biglia (Lazio/ITA), Javier Pastore (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA) Ever Banega (Sevilla/ESP), Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA) Erik Lamela (Tottenham/ENG).Forwards:Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei Fortune/CHN), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica/POR), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City/ENG), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli/ITA), Paulo Dybala (Juventus/ITA), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid/ESP).

Tennis: Sharapova business empire in doping turmoil

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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Maria Sharapovas multi-million dollar business empire was in turmoil on Tuesday as sponsors distanced themselves from the Russian tennis star a day after she admitted failing a drug test.The worlds richest sportswoman announced Monday that she had tested positive for Meldonium, a drug she said she had been taking since 2006 which was added to the World Anti-Doping Agencys banned list this year.US sportswear giant Nike, German luxury car maker Porsche and Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer all halted their relationship with the former world number one.The 28-year-old, whose rags-to-riches story was the stuff of Hollywood dreams, now risks a ban of up to four years which could see her carefully constructed marketing empire collapse.The holder of five Grand Slams and 35 WTA titles, the Russian who arrived penniless with her family in the United States, is as much a businesswoman as a sportswoman.Despite winning just two WTA titles in 2015 she was the highest paid sportswoman that year, earning $30 million mostly from advertising, according to American magazine Forbes. Her fortune is estimated at $200 million.Nike was the first sponsor to jump ship, saying Monday night it was saddened and surprised by the news. We have decided to suspend our relationship with Maria while the investigation continues, the US sportswear giant said. Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer then said they would break off negotiations to renew their contract with Sharapova.Maria Sharapova was under contract with TAG Heuer until December 31th, 2015. We had been in talks to extend our collaboration, a company statement said. In view of the current situation, the Swiss watch brand has suspended negotiations and has decided not to renew the contract with Ms Sharapova.Porsche followed, stating until more details are known and we can analyse the situation, we have decided to suspend planned activities (with Sharapova).Sharapova signed a three-year deal to be brand ambassador for Porsche in April 2013. The Russian also won the WTA indoor tournament in Stuttgart, which is sponsored by the car manufacturers, in 2012, 2013 and 2014, with the champion driving off in a brand-new sports car.I did fail the test and I take full responsibility for it, Sharapova said at a quickly convened press conference in Los Angeles on Monday.I made a huge mistake. I let my fans down. I let my sport down that Ive been playing since the age of four that I love so deeply, she said.I know that with this, I face consequences and I dont want to end my career this way -- and I really hope I will be given another chance to play this game. The ITF confirmed that Sharapova had tested positive on January 26 and had accepted the finding when she was notified on March 2.Ms Sharapova will be provisionally suspended with effect from 12 March, pending determination of the case, the ITF said.Sharapova said she was prescribed the drug, a circulation-booster used to treat heart ailments, because of symptoms including an irregular EKG heart test and a family history of diabetes.Her attorney, John Haggerty, said mitigating circumstances could result in a lesser penalty.Russian officials on Tuesday threw their backing behind Sharapova.I feel sorry for Masha. I hope that we will see her back on court and we are prepared to support her, sports minister Vitaly Mutko told state-run TASS news agency, using the Russian diminutive of Sharapovas first name.The people in her team should be looking out for her.Sharapovas great rival Serena Williams applauded the Russians candor in confirming the positive test.I think most people were surprised and shocked by Maria but at the same time most people were happy that she was just upfront and very honest and showed a lot of courage to admit to what she had done and what she had neglected to look at, Williams told reporters in New York, as she prepared for an exhibition event.Shes always showed courage in everything that shes done. And this is no different, Williams said.

Badminton: History-maker Marin chases another first

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BIRMINGHAM (AFP) - Carolina Marin, the scourge of China and one of the most surprising champions ever, will attempt another improbable record at the worlds oldest tournament starting Wednesday.Already the first Spaniard to win a world title, the first to win an All-England Open title, and the first to defend a world title, Marin now aims for a similar first with a defence of the womens singles title at the All-England.Hence the woman from a country with just a few thousand players could frustrate the worlds most powerful badminton nation again. China steamrollered to 14 All-England womens singles titles in 18 years until Marins rise to prominence a year and a half ago.Another title here for the 22-year-old Andalusian might also generate a feeling she could win an equally improbable gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in August. If she does it would be only the 38th for her country in all sports in 116 years of Olympic competition.But the pressure increases on her all the time. The toughest opponent is often myself, Marin says. If I control myself I know I can win. To do this I must first enjoy my matches.Occasionally she does this by remembering what a miracle it is she plays badminton at all.Marin wanted to be a flamenco dancer until she walked past a court where a friend was playing and became captivated by the games intricate beauty.This had her dubbed the accidental shuttler. Even without early access to high-level coaching, she still found ways to outperform a team of Chinese athletes supported by considerable resources. Marins nearest rival this week may be Saina Nehwal, who carries the demanding hopes of Indias blue billion almost alone. Indias cricketers can at least share the burden.The 25-year-old from Hyderabad briefly became the first Indian woman to be world number one last year, but losses to Marin in the World and All-England finals brought tough criticism.Some people overlook that Nehwal is frequently hampered by injury, caused by chronic inflammation of the heel and exacerbated by small feet of asymmetrical width. She is said to have been close to quitting last year, but may have gained more fitness with a fuller training programme since the start of the new year.Much may also depend on the condition of the two best Chinese hopes, Li Xuerui and Wang Yihan -- both former All-England winners and both also troubled by injuries -- after lengthy winter training breaks. Some of Lis happiest memories are of her 2012 All-England triumph, which earned her a life-changing late selection for the London Olympics. It is, though, nearly a year since she was world number one.Wang, who is also a former number one, has resisted retirement despite her dearth of big titles last year, saying she will not consider her future until after the Olympics. She has been adding more dimensions to a style which once revolved largely around steep overhead attacks; a successful All-England could be profoundly important for her future.Ratchanok Intanon too may be making a timely push. After becoming the 2013 world champion at the age of only 17, she endured a title drought until the Badminton Asia Championships in Wuhan in April, when she saved two match points in the final to beat Li.Now even Chinese players can lose early on, the revitalised Thai reckons.Japan, India, Korea have good, high-level players, and the top 10 rankings are always changing.Intanon should have a quarter-final with Marin, with the winner possibly facing Wang. Nehwal could have a semi-final with Li or Wang Shixian, another former All-England champion from China.

Karachi: 15 accused detained during Rangers, police operations

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - Rangers and police conducted operations in different parts of Karachi on Tuesday and arrested 15 accused, including an activist of a banned outfit, Dunya News reported.According to details, Rangers conducted a search operation in Guzri area and arrested three accused during house-to-house search. A Rangers spokesman said that the arrested persons belonged to a political party.Rangers and police conducted a joint operation in Bonair area and arrested an activist of the banned outfit. Arms and explosive material was also recovered from his possession.In a separate operation in Site area, police arrested two accused while two of their accomplices managed to escape. Arms and a stolen vehicle were recovered from them.On the other hand, Anti-Human Trafficking Cell of the FIA conducted an operation in Light House area in Karachi Sadar and arrested nine foreigners. Sources said that the arrested persons were Afghan nationals.Meanwhile, a woman was killed in Manzoor Colony when she was hit by a stray bullet while rescue teams have recovered a dead body from a house in Korangi No 3.

Dr Sagheer asks Altaf to return and contest election against him

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KARACHI (Dunya News) - Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) dissident leader Dr Sagheer Ahmad while responding to Dr Farooq Sattars press conference said that MQM chief Altaf Hussain should return to Pakistan instead of delivering speeches from abroad.Dr Sagheer who parted ways with MQM and joined Karachi’s former mayor Mustafa Kamal’s party further said that he is ready to contest by-election but Altaf Hussain should be his opponent.Dr Sagheer further said that he has contacted Speaker Sindh Assembly, Agha Siraj Durani, and will submit his resignation to him when he will be back in the city.

Solar eclipse begins sweeping across Indonesia

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TERNATE (AFP) - A solar eclipse began sweeping across the vast Indonesian archipelago on Wednesday, with hordes of sky gazers set to watch the spectacle, which will be marked by parties, prayers and tribal rituals.The moon began to move between the Earth and sun at 6:19 am (2319 GMT Tuesday), the official Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics Agency said.A rare total solar eclipse will be visible in a broad arc across the country later.All direct sunlight will be blocked for a short time from the western island of Sumatra, to the spice-fringed Maluku Islands thousands of miles to the east, before the total eclipse sweeps out across the Pacific Ocean.From a festival featuring live bands, to fun runs and traditional dances, events are being organised across the country for an estimated 10,000 foreign visitors and 100,000 domestic tourists who will be witnessing the phenomenon.Hotels in the best viewing spots filled up weeks ago -- in the city of Ternate, in the Maluku Islands, officials have had to find extra space for tourists on boats.Its an extraordinary spectacle that only takes place about once a year in one part of the world, said Arnaud Fischer, a 33-year-old French tourist, who has witnessed several eclipses and was set to watch Wednesdays in Ternate.I Gde Pitana, the governments head of foreign tourism, described the phenomenon as a tourism attraction created by God.However there are concerns that clouds could obscure the view in some places, as it is currently the wet season in Indonesia.It will be a deeply spiritual experience for many in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country, with the faithful being urged by Islamic authorities to perform special eclipse prayers.Our Prophet Mohammed said the prayer signifies the greatness of Allah, who created this wonderful phenomenon, said Maruf Amin, chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, the countrys top Islamic clerical body.Some of Indonesias tribespeople are fearful of the phenomenon, however. Members of the Dayak tribe in one part of Borneo island will perform a ritual to ensure that the sun, which they view as the source of life, does not disappear entirely.The total eclipse will sweep across 12 out of 34 provinces in Indonesia, which stretches about 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometres) from east to west, before heading across the Pacific Ocean. It will be visible for between just one and a half to three minutes in most places.Partial eclipses will be visible in northern Australia and parts of Southeast Asia.Before hitting Sumatra, the eclipse sweeps across Sulawesi and Borneo, then moves over the Malukus and heads out into the ocean.One of the most popular events for foreign tourists will be a festival close to Palu, in Sulawesi.Among those coming to Indonesia is Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who recently hit the headlines after a $40,000 toilet custom-built for her visit to Cambodia went unused. She will be watching the spectacle in Ternate, although officials insist that no luxury commode has been built for her on this occasion.The last total solar eclipse occurred on March 20, 2015, only visible from the Faroe Islands and Norways Arctic Svalbard archipelago.Total eclipses occur when the moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, and the three bodies align precisely.As seen from Earth, the moon is just broad enough to cover the solar face, creating a breath-taking silver halo in an indigo sky.

Oil prices drop on weak China data, high supplies

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Oil prices fell Tuesday on weak Chinese trade data and skepticism about the prospects of major petroleum producers agreeing to limit output.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for April delivery shed $1.40 at $36.50 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.In London, Brent North Sea oil for May delivery lost $1.19 at $39.65 a barrel.The declines came after Chinese customs data showed exports sank 25.4 percent in February, the largest decline since May 2009. The data also showed a 13.8 percent drop in Chinese imports, raising further questions about the health of the worlds second-biggest economy.Gene McGillian of Tradition Energy said the poor Chinese data, along with the chances for a bearish US petroleum inventory report Wednesday, mean the oil market may be a bit overextended after WTI advanced about $10 over the last month or so.Those gains have been built on expectations that talks between Saudi Arabia, Russia and others could result in an agreement to limit output.However, analysts said the market will need proof of concrete action to push higher.Until we actually see signs these huge amounts of oil have been reduced, the market will have a problem picking up its head too much from these levels, McGillian said.Analysts also cited a report overnight from Goldman Sachs that rued a premature surge in commodity prices that we believe is not sustainable following solid rises in prices of oil, copper and other commodities.Only a real physical deficit can create a sustainable rally which is still months away, Goldman said.

Weak Chinese trade data pushes up haven yen

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Poor Chinese trade data on Tuesday sent global markets into the red and pushed investors into the relative safety of the yen, a haven in times of market uncertainty.The dollar and the euro traded little changed ahead of the European Central Bank policy meeting on Thursday, expected to deliver additional stimulus to the eurozone, whether by deeper negative interest rates or bigger bond purchases, or both.News of a 25 percent drop in Chinese exports in February as well as a 14 percent fall in imports, coupled with Japanese data confirming negative growth for the fourth quarter, sapped investor appetite for risk, said Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Western Union Business Solutions.The weak China trade data added to speculation the Federal Reserve would hold off in tightening credit given global growth concerns, after raising its key interest rate in December for the first time in nine years, analysts said.The dollar fell 0.7 percent to 112.64 yen around 2200 GMT, while the euro was also down 0.7 percent at 124.02 yen.The greenback firmed to $1.1010 per euro from $1.1013 Monday.Nick Bennenbroek, head of currency strategy at Wells Fargo Securities, said no large directional moves in the foreign exchange markets were expected ahead of the ECBs announcement Thursday.We believe the risks are tilted towards the ECBs announcement being a negative event for the euro, he said.From a broader perspective we maintain an overall slight bias towards US dollar strength, with the Federal Reserve still on course to resume raising interest rates some time later this year.

Sibanda powers Zimbabwe to opening win

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NAGPUR (AFP) - Opener Vusi Sibanda struck a fluent half-century to help Zimbabwe defeat a scandal-hit Hong Kong by 14 runs in the opening group encounter of the World T20 in Nagpur Tuesday.Stung by a corruption charge prior to the start of the sixth edition of the tournament, Hong Kong had their moments in the game but failed to capitalise.Electing to field, Hong Kongs bowlers made early inroads but Sibanda held fort with a 46-ball 59 to guide his side to 158 for eight.Sibandas 61-run fifth wicket partnership with Malcolm Waller and a late blitz by Elton Chigumbura ensured the total remained beyond the grasp of Hong Kong who in turn could only manage 144 for six in their 20 overs.The Tanwir Afzal-led side lost a couple of early wickets, but opener Jamie Atkinson put up some fight with a gutsy 53 off 44 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes.A late flourish by Afzal (31 not out) gave the team some hope but the ever-increasing run rate proved too much for a side participating in just its second World T20.Hong Kongs preparations were badly hit by the suspension of their all-rounder Irfan Ahmed in January as part of an ongoing corruption investigation and the opening day loss has only added salt to their wounds.Among from the positives that Hong Kong could gather from the outing was their near-perfect fielding that forced three run-outs and yielded some good catches in the Zimbabwe innings. Other Group B members Afghanistan and Scotland are up next in the second game of the day.The top sides from Group A and B will move in to the Super 10 stage involving the eight established teams of world cricket.

Shahzad leads Afghanistan to 14-run win

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NAGPUR (Agencies) - Afghanistan defeated Scotland by 14 runs in the second match of the opening day of the World T20 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur on Tuesday.Chasing a considerable target of 171 runs, Scotland only managed 156/5.Scotland started strongly posting an 84-run first wicket stand between George Munsey (41) and Kyle Coetzer (40). But both the openers departed in the space of three balls that scuttled their ambitions.Middle order batsman Matt Machan (36) tried to keep Scotland in the hunt but without any support from the other end, his effort went in vain.Rashid Khan (2/28) was Afghanistan’s best bowler.Earlier, a fine half century from Mohammad Shahzad (61) guided Afghanistan to a competitive 170/5.Shahzad gave his side a perfect start after they won the toss, smashing five fours and three sixes in an entertaining innings in their Group B match. He finished with 61 from 39 balls, a crucial contribution in setting Scotland and imposing target of 171.Captain Asghar Stanikzai offered good support with 55 not out from 50 balls. But he was contained in the late overs by some tight bowling from Alasdair Evans (1-24).

Sammy hails Gayle as T20's ulimate destroyer

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KOLKATA (AFP) - Skipper Darren Sammy hailed controversial star batsman Chris Gayle as T20 crickets most destructive player Tuesday as he insisted the West Indies troubled build-up to the World Cup would not undermine their prospects.Gayle was branded a sexist after trying to flirt with an Australian TV presenter live on air in January during the Big Bash League and some Caribbean fans are unhappy he is often unavailable for national duty but then plays in big money Twenty20 tournaments.But in a press conference after his teams arrival in India for the World T20, Sammy said the 36-year-old Jamaican was admired by his teammates for his behaviour on and off the field. Chris is a massive figure for us, not only on the cricket field but off the field as well, Sammy said in Kolkata.To me he is the best T20 batsman, the most destructive one in this game so he knows his game inside out.Like several other West Indies players, Gayle has become accustomed to playing T20 cricket in Indian conditions after appearing regularly in the IPL over the last decade.Gayle racked up the highest ever score in T20s while playing for the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League three years ago, hitting an unbeaten 175 off 66 balls.He lit up the first World T20 in 2007 by notching the formats first international century and a recent 12-ball half-century in the Big Bash illustrated how his powers remain undimmed.While the West Indies dominated Test cricket in the 1980s, they are now one of the weakest teams in the five-day game.But they remain a force in the shortest format, winning the World T20 in 2012 and and are currently joint second in the world rankings, behind India.The West Indies last visit to India ended in acrimony when the team flew back to the Caribbean in the middle of a tour after a bust-up over pay.Another pay dispute last month cast a doubt over their appearance at the World T20 and while the row has since been resolved, relations between players and board remain strained.To make matters worse, allrounder Kieron Pollard and off-spinner Sunil Narine both withdrew from the initial World T20 squad.Narines absence is a particular blow as he has been one of the standouts in the IPL but he pulled out as he felt under-prepared after serving a suspension for a suspect action.But Sammy said all the off-field problems would be put behind them.Once you step out on the cricket field you shouldnt be worryied about contracts or other stuff. At the end of the day we are professionals but right now is the time to focus on cricket, he said.Its always difficult to replace someone like Narine but we believe the players in the team could still come and get the job done for us.
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